But at its core, eclectic style is all about filling your home with personality. It’s fun, funky, and full of visual interest. Maybe you’re free to’t decide whether your favorite bang out of decor isfarmhouse rusticor midcentury modern. The Spruce / Alyssa Vela Or you’ve got the option to’t stand things that are too well-matched or pristine. What Is Eclectic Style? It’s characterized by variety and unpredictability. JC Designs The eclectic style involves incorporating pieces from different periods and styles....

The Spruce / Marty Baldwin Eggshell is a bang out of gloss or sheen forinterior paint. Its low gloss makes it cleanable and somewhat resistant to wear and tear. What Is Eggshell Paint? The Spruce / Marty Baldwin It is between matte (or flat) andsatin paint sheens. Eggshell paint reflects more light than matte paint. Because eggshell paint has a slight gloss, it is easier to maintain than matte or flat paint....

What Is Electroculture Gardening? Electroculture gardening uses a copper antenna to collect electricity to boost plant growth. Proponents claim it can eliminate fertilizers, but the method is largely scientifically unfounded. Photo by Cathy Scola / Getty Images With electroculture, there is no generator or battery, and supplemental electricity is not needed. The antenna supposedly harvests the electricity passively and transmits the electricity back to the plants. Benefits of Electroculture Gardening Proponents of electroculture believe itstimulates plant growthand helps in numerous other ways....

What EM Heat Means and When to Use It Mostthermostatshave an EM Heat setting. Read on to learn how and when to use your EM heat setting in this simple guide. What is EM Heat on a Thermostat? buyit / Getty Images By switching to Aux Heat, you activate the auxiliary heating system and turn off the primary heating system. However, when the EM Heat mode is activated, the heat pump is essentially turned off....

Enamel paint is used to add vivid colors and durability to small crafts. While enamel paint may have a few qualities similar to oven-fired enamel, they are not the same products. What Is Enamel Paint? alistaircotton / Getty Images The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Enamel paint is defined more by its qualities than by its content. Solvent-based paints are also calledoil-based paints, in contrast with water-based paints. Even traditional baked enamel finishes, long used for vehicles, have nothing to do with glass....

Many techniques, from sponging to lime washing are very easy to learn. What Is Faux Painting? Faux painting, or faux finish, is a term used to describe a wide range of decorativepaint techniques. The Spruce / Margot Cavin “Faux” means “false” or “fake” in French. People may use faux painting because it’s cheaper than using the materials the paint is trying to mimic. At this time, faux painting began to emerge in homes, with high-end homes leading the trend....

It is often grated and included as an ingredient inhomemade laundry detergent. It is particularly effective in removingoily stainsandring-around-the-collar. The benzene was removed from the laundry bar in 1964 when the company sold the rights to Fels-Naptha. The Spruce / Candace Madonna Use a kitchen grater to finely grate about 1 tablespoon of soap flakes per 1 gallon of water. Submerge the Clothes Rinse and Dry Want more cleaning and organizing tips?...

You may have seenfiber cement boardor siding and didn’t even recognize it. This siding material, which can resemble wood grain or even stucco, has been around for 100 years. If you have ever wanted low-maintenance siding, fiber cement siding might be the right choice for your home. Masterfulmind2007/ Wikimedia Commons What Is Fiber Cement Siding? It’s manufactured with cellulose fibers, cement, and sand, making it long-lasting and durable. What Is Fiber Cement Siding Made Of?...

On its own, fly ash doesn’t have any real benefits. It’s now collected and stored at coal power plants or sent to landfills. Similarly, mixing fly ash with lime and water can create a substance similar to Portland cement. The Spruce / Jacob Fox Find out more about fly ash and how it is used in concrete with this thorough guide. What Is Fly Ash? Fly ash is also a filler in paints, adhesives, and metal and plastic composites....

Louisiana, however, has the greatest concentration of French Colonial homes in the United States. Typically, architectural styles are informed by the environment, surroundings, and tools and materials available for building. Today, it’s rare to find a new French Colonial-style home. The Spruce / Sarah Crowley Unlike Spanish Colonial architecture, French Colonial hasn’t had a major resurgence among homebuilders in the United States. Most interior rooms have access to the outdoors viayou guessed itFrench double doors....

Typically, French Provincial houses were constructed by French aristocrats in the provincesor rural areasoutside of Paris. A province in France is usually designated a regional city and its surrounding lands such as Brittany or Provence. Although “provincial” can often mean “unsophisticated,” these sprawling, country homes were anything but. fotoedu / iStock / Getty Images After World War I, American soldiers brought the French Provincial style to the U.S. French Provincial homes in the U....

Georgian architecture is characterized by symmetry, graceful proportions, clean lines, and the use of exposed brick. The decorative arts and interior design also flourished during the Georgian period. Georgian architecture in the U.S. can be found primarily in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Kenneth C. Zirkel/ Wikimedia Commons Regency style is considered a late phase of Georgian architecture. Georgian buildings often included exposed brick, whereas Regency-style facades were painted white or cream....

Joe Hendrickson / Getty Images German schmear is an excellent option for updating aging brick. Thismortar mixadds both texture and coloring, while allowing hints of the original brick to show through in places. The end result is an aesthetic that resembles old cottage homes or long-standing German castles. Joe Hendrickson / Getty Images What Is German Schmear? Generally, German schmear mortar is white, while the underlying brick is red. Different mortar to water ratios can affect the app and final appearance as well....