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Demystify orchid fertilizing with these expert-recommended tips to encourage lots of flowers. Fertilizing orchids is a little different thanfertilizing other houseplants. Heres how to get the fertilizer right to get more stunning flowers from your orchids. Credit:David A Land Justin Kondratis lead horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection, where he cares for the nations orchid garden. How Often Do Orchids Bloom? Orchids typically bloom once a year, says Justin Kondrat, lead horticulturist at the Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection....

If you’re embarking on a home renovation, these are the character-defining elements you should definitely consider preserving. A fireplace is usually located in a prominent spot within a room and serves as a focal point. Stacy Zarin Goldberg 2. Credit:Brie Williams Millwork Millwork is another original home detail that Scheck recommends keeping if you’rerenovating a home. It often includes ornate details and beautifully craftedrailings and banisterthat contribute to the home’s historic personality....

Its no secret that our outdoor spaces have taken on a fresh importance in recent years. This elevated importance has taken the outdoor space from a nice-to-have to a near-necessity. (Backyards are the must-have home featureof the year, after all.) Credit: David Tsay With that in mind, weve gathered up some of the top outdoor entertaining trends were seeing this year. Farm-to-table meals at home have never felt more doable....

If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation. These outdoor storage chests made the cut in our homes. Better Homes & Gardens Findingoutdoor storage cheststhat can hold all of your yard essentialsandwithstand inclement weather can be difficult. Credit:Better Homes & Gardens Conveniently, it also functions as a two-person bench. Its the perfect place to store cushions, pool toys, and other small items. Laukkonen has been using the outdoor storage chest for the past year and says its still in good condition....

The latestcolor trendspredict that muted, gray, and pastel tones are dropping off in favor ofbrighter shades. Of course, that doesn’t mean any of these colors are going away completely. “This year is all about embracing your personality and living life to the fullest. Credit:Courtesy of Lick As you plansimple refreshesorfull-on home remodels, let these color trends inspire your spaces. That means customers are reaching for subtle colors rather than gray when they want a neutral....

Skip these colors and take inspiration from rich hues, textured finishes, and nature-inspired shades instead. Ali Harper 1. These deep hues will take over traditional all-white spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Credit:Jay Wilde Lisa Romerein; Interior Design: Heidi Caillier 2. “Neutrals will shift toward warm earth tones,” she says. “Pops of color will take on muted or dusty shades,” Eisenhart predicts. Credit:Ali Harper Muted colors offer contrast in a more delicate and approachable way, creating spaces that are familiar and comfortable....

Say goodbye to cool neutrals and embrace rich and earthy hues this year. For this reason, she expectskhaki shades like Stuccoto be popular in the coming year. Jean Allsopp 2. Credit:Lisa Romerein “Were seeing consumer interest move from a true black tocharcoal tonesandchocolate brown,” she says. She recommends chocolate brown shades in saturated hues that will evoke a mood and deliver warmth to any space. Behr 3. Credit: Helen Norman...

Using the wrong paint products and techniques can have an unwanted effect on the appearance of your walls. Avoid these common mistakes for a spotless finish. Avoid these common paint mistakes for walls that look spotless and stay cleaner longer. Credit: James Nathan Schroder Your paint color is too light. You bought the cheapest paint you could find. For the cleanest-looking finish, using high-quality paint is a mustand sometimes that comes with a higher price tag....

These easy-to-clean materials repel pet hair, dirt, and stains. The best pet-friendly fabrics are durable, resistant to stains, and easy to clean. These fabrics also tend totrap more pet hair and dander, making it more difficult to clear away allergens. Credit: MC2 Photography Inc You should also avoid delicate materials like linen or silk that will wear thin or pill with continued use. Patterned fabrics also tend to disguise small stains or scratches better than solid ones....

Want to keep unwanted plants in check without harming your furry family members? Check out these pet-safe methods. You may be tempted to resort topotent productswhen weeds become a losing battle. Credit: Rachel McGinn Unfortunately, many substances sold to combat pesky plants aren’t pet-friendly weed killers. Even “eco-friendly” or natural herbicides are capable of causing injury when misused. Those substances transfer to their paws and fur, which they may inadvertently ingest while grooming themselves....

Discover the popular kitchen hues that interior designers think will remain on trend for the near future. Choosing kitchen colors can feel like a big commitment. Recommended paint color:Dried Thyme SW 6186, Sherwin-Williams 2. Credit: Hector Sanchez Her recommendation is to usea bold color like blackon the island instead of covering the entire kitchen. Or consider going dark on the lower cabinets while keeping the upper ones light and bright....

If you swear by delivery or drive-up, this might change your mind. AJ_Watt / Getty Images Shopping online is nothing new. Instacart, one of the early online grocery delivery services, was founded in 2012. Credit:AJ_Watt / Getty Images Amazon Fresh launched online order pick-up and delivery in partnership with Whole Foods in 2017. You’re almost guaranteed to save money. You have access to a larger selection. In-person shopping offers a wider selection," Coleman says....

Here’s why you should wait to clean up your garden until spring. However, this approach can actually create more overall work for you and has several environmental downsides. Here are five reasons why youshouldn’t cut back your garden in falland what to do instead. Credit:Laurie Black Supporting Wildlife Those flower heads filled with seeds arebird food in winter. Don’t worry about seeds from your plants attracting vermin. These types of animals don’t eat seeds; they prefer food waste in our trash....