What Is Rattan?

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Rattan isn’t the same aswickeror bamboo, so what is rattan? When rattan is harvested, it is cut into 13-foot lengths, and the dry sheathing is removed. Its stems are dried in the sun and stored for seasoning. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Wicker refers to the weaving process, not an actual plant or material. Introduced to the West during the early 19th century, rattan has become the standard material for caning....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 279 words · Haley Moore

What Is Recessed Lighting?

Recessed lighting lends a clean, streamlined look to a room. Are recessed light fixtures a good choice for you? Read on to discover the types and pros and consfor yourself. The Spruce / Margot Cavin What Is Recessed Lighting? Recessed lighting is a light fixture installed into a ceiling concealing the light bulb and the housing. The light bulb and housing sit flush inside the ceiling. The Spruce / Margot Cavin...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 309 words · Daniel Mueller

What Is Renaissance Architecture?

Ushering in a revival of ancient Greek and Romanclassicalarchitectural forms, it supplanted the prevailing Gothic medieval aesthetic. What Is Renaissance Architecture? It produced multi-disciplinary giants including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. St Peter’s Basilicajoe daniel price / Getty Images The lasting cultural legacy of the Renaissance makes it one of the most transformative periods in western history. It evolved over the next 200 years as it spread throughout Italy and then Europe....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 298 words · Blake Walsh

What Is Retro Design? Explore Its History and Key Elements

K Hayden Rafferty forDekay and Tate Retro style is making a major comeback and is especially popular among millennials. Not going overboard with retro items and mixing and matching finds from other eras, too. We talked with designers about how to do just that. K Hayden Rafferty forDekay and Tate However, this is not always the case, notes designerJonathan Rachman. Other popular retro colors include mustard yellow, orange, and cherry red, says Trepte....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 225 words · Sandra Wyatt

What Is Rice Water, and Is It Good for Plants?Here's How to Use It

If so, you are dumping an easy and affordable DIY liquidplant fertilizerdown the drain. Here’s what we’ve learned about using rice water for plantsand which method is best. What Is Rice Water, and Is It Good for Plants? The Spruce / Jason Donnelly When rice water is added in the correct increments, it can be hugely beneficial to plants. That’s because rice water contains nutrients and beneficial microbes that can helpplants grow bigger and fuller....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 163 words · Ethan Smith

What Is Rococo Architecture?

What Is Rococo Architecture? The style spread throughout France and elsewhere in Europe until it was succeeded by Neoclassical architecture. Learn more about the history and key characteristics of Rococo architecture below. Rufus46/ Creative Commons Rococo architecture coincided with the reign of Frances King Louis XV (1715-1774). Rococo style spread throughout France and Europe, to countries including Austria, Germany, Italy, and Russia. What is the Difference Between Baroque and Rococo? Argenteria1995/ Creative Commons...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 105 words · Melissa Huerta

What Is Rough-in Plumbing?

Some rough-in plumbing is done before a slab is poured. What Is Rough-in Plumbing? Rough-in plumbing is the process of installing vents, sewage systems, connections, and water supply lines. Jetta Productions / Getty Images This phase is completed before any walls are enclosed. When the rough-in phase is complete, the finish plumbing phase can begin. Rough-in vs. Rough-in work should be inspected before finish plumbing begins. see to it that you are not positioned over a floor joist before drilling the hole....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 296 words · Makayla Price

What Is Satin Paint?

Satin paint holds its own as an easy-to-clean, durable sheen that lets the paint’scolorfully show through. What Is Satin Paint? Satin paint is glossier than eggshell finish paint, but flatter than semi-gloss paint. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Unlike gloss or semi-gloss paint, satin paint won’t produce reflections in low light. In certain angles or in bright light, though, satin’s shine will be visible. Early types of satin paint were styled as dulled-down versions of high-gloss paint....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 381 words · Debbie Patel

What Is Scandinavian Architecture?

Scandinavian architecture is a relatively new construct that came into the public consciousness within the last century. Some of these earlier vernacular structures were built without the innovation of architects. These vernacular builders were more concerned with function than form before modern architecture said that this focus was prudent. olaser / Getty Images Homes in old-world Scandinavia had to be built with limited materials in rough terrains. Modern Architecture The modern-day version of Scandinavian architecture grew out of this grassroots approach to building....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 188 words · Kevin Cobb

What Is Scandinavian Style?

What Is Scandinavian Style? What Is Hygge? Hygge is the Danish concept of cozinessand finding light during the long, dark winter. The Spruce / Margot Cavin It embraces a season of slowing down, being with loved ones, and discovering comfort and conviviality. Scandinavian Countries Scandinavia refers to the northern European countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. These countries have long, dark winters and stunning natural landscapes, which have informed their design....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 359 words · Daniel Finley

What Is Shabby Chic Style?

Learn from designers and find ways to make shabby chic shine in your home. A favorite for decades,shabby chicrose to popularity in the late 1980s. We spoke with interior designers who shared more about the style’s history and its key characteristics. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly They also provided many useful tips for decorating your own shabby chic home. It surged in popularity after designer Rachel Ashwell opened a store with the same name....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 323 words · Michael Ferguson

What Is Shiplap?

Shiplap is an economical interior wall option that complements a variety of styles and is easy to install. What Defines Shiplap? Traditionally, shiplap has been used as exterior siding but increasingly is found in homes as a wall treatment. TriggerPhoto / Getty Images Shiplap’s rabbeted grooves are the key feature that defines the board. The grooves give the product its distinctive lines. The grooves allow the boards to fit together but be self-spacing, which makes for fast, consistent installation....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 420 words · Jose Lopez

What Is Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi)?

Everyone, from master craftsmen to DIY enthusiasts, can do this process manually or using machine automation. This unique technique has caught hold in modern architectural circles, increasing in popularity worldwide. Here’s what to know. Tomas Ragina / Getty Images What Is Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi)? It emerged in the 1700s and is traditionally tied to the Edo period. The act of “fire-hardening” is not new; people have used it for over 400,000 years....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 206 words · Justin Mills