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I Almost Skipped This Step in My Raised Planter Box. I’m Glad I Didn’t.

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When I built my raised planter box, I was ready to pour in the soil and start planting. The frame looked solid. The wood was fresh. Everything felt finished. But there was one step that felt unnecessary at the time: lining the inside with breathable landscape fabric. It didn’t look exciting. It didn’t change how the planter looked from the outside. It felt like extra work. Now I see it as the part that protects everything else. Why I Always Add Breathable Landscape Fabric I cut the breathable landscape fabric to size, folded the corners neatly, and stapled it to the inside walls of the box. I made sure it sat tight against the wood with no sagging pockets or loose areas. This layer does more than block weeds. It keeps soil from pushing out through small gaps in the boards. It slows down direct contact between damp soil and raw wood. It allows water to drain while still holding the soil in place. That balance matters. Wood needs protection, but plant roots need air. Plastic trap...
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10 Kitchen Design Details for 2026 That Make the Standard Remodel Look Like a Missed Opportunity

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For years, we’ve treated kitchen remodels like a simple checklist: pick a cabinet color, choose a stone counter, add a tile backsplash, and call it a day. But going into 2026, that predictable formula is starting to feel incredibly basic. A truly high-end kitchen isn’t just about the finishes you choose; it’s about how the space physically operates. What I’m seeing now is a radical shift toward hyper-customized, architectural details that hide the mess of cooking while elevating the functionality of the room. Designers are abandoning cluttered countertops and heavy upper cabinets in favor of stealth storage, integrated lighting, and multi-material surfaces. The kitchen is evolving from a standard prep zone into a piece of precision engineering. The 10 specific accents and layouts below reflect the exact design shifts I’m paying attention to this year. They move past the safe, “resale value” choices and focus on brilliant, hard-working details that make a standard remodel feel like a...
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10 Black Marble Bathroom Shower Ideas for 2026 That Turn Everyday Routines Into Design Statements

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Black marble is no longer reserved for hotel lobbies or dramatic entryways. In 2026, it has taken over the bathroom, transforming showers into bold architectural features that feel grounded, refined, and unapologetic. From full-slab walk-in enclosures to tub surrounds wrapped in deep veining, black marble shower tiles create contrast, depth, and instant presence. Paired with brass fixtures, matte black hardware, or clean white vanities, these spaces prove that dark stone does not shrink a room, it defines it. Ahead, explore black marble bathroom ideas that balance drama with control and elevate the shower from functional zone to focal point. 1. Gold Veins, Glass Lines @extramiletileinc Black marble wraps the shower in sharp contrast, with fine white veining cutting across each slab. The frameless glass keeps the pattern uninterrupted, while brushed brass fixtures add warmth against the dark surface. The floating wood vanity softens the intensity of the stone and keeps the space ...
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10 Household Items You Can Use for Seed Starting Instead of Buying Trays in 2026

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You probably already have most of these in your recycling bin. Seed starting doesn’t require expensive trays or specialty kits. What seeds really need is drainage, light, and the right soil mix. The container is secondary, as long as it supports early root growth. Here are 10 smart alternatives. 1. Egg Cartons Cardboard egg cartons are ideal for small seeds like herbs, lettuce, and flowers. Each compartment acts as an individual cell, keeping seedlings organized. Once roots develop, you can cut the sections apart and plant them directly in the soil. The cardboard breaks down over time. Best for shallow-rooted plants. 2. Toilet Paper Rolls Toilet paper tubes work well for crops that dislike root disturbance, such as peas and beans. Stand them upright in a waterproof tray, fill with seed-starting mix, and plant. When ready to transplant, place the entire roll into the soil. The paper softens and decomposes naturally. The vertical shape encourages strong root growth. 3. Paper ...
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15 Bathroom Tile Ideas for 2026 That Make Subway Tile Look Like the Easy Way Out

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Subway tile had its era because it was simple, clean, and easy to specify. But bathroom design in 2026 is no longer driven by simplicity alone. It is driven by material presence, scale, and how a surface shapes the entire room. Designers are choosing large-format marble panels that read as continuous stone instead of repeating rectangles. They are using textured limestone squares to introduce depth without pattern overload. Vertical installations are stretching walls higher. Terrazzo and geometric layouts are defining zones rather than blending into the background. The shift is not about trends. It is about intention. Tile is no longer just a protective layer. It is an architectural element that frames fixtures, balances metal finishes, and controls how light moves across the space. If you are planning a renovation and want something that feels considered rather than predictable, these bathroom tile ideas show exactly where design is heading in 2026. 1. Handmade Square Zellige for...
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15 Kitchen Ideas for 2026 That Make the All-White Shaker Look Like a Cheap Flip

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For the last ten years, the default kitchen design was practically a template: white shaker cabinets, a white quartz countertop, and a white subway tile backsplash. I’ve installed it, recommended it, and lived with it. But going into 2026, that hyper-sanitized, mass-produced look has officially flatlined. It feels predictable and entirely devoid of personality. What I’m seeing now is a radical shift toward kitchens that either look like highly efficient, industrial restaurant prep zones or warm, bespoke pieces of living room furniture. Designers are ripping out heavy, blocking upper cabinets in favor of suspended architectural shelving. We are swapping safe white paint for moody matte greys, textured ribbed glass, and solid slabs of dramatic stone. The 15 kitchens below reflect the exact material shifts I’m paying attention to this year. They move past the “safe resale value” trap and focus on spaces that actually feel tailored, confident, and built for real cooking. Table of Con...
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