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Shiplap is a trendy, versatile design option, and it is easier than many people realize to shiplap a wall. With some simple steps, you can rejuvenate any space with this amazing technique. What Is Shiplap? Shiplap is the name for a series of wooden boards or slats that make up wall panels with distinct small gaps between the slats. It was originally named for the construction of wooden ships, but today is a favorite option for creating a rustic, farmhouse, or vintage look to walls. Shiplap is typically arranged horizontally but can also be done vertically, and may be left...

Design trends come and go each year, which makes designing a kitchen even more difficult. With a high cost and long timelines, kitchen remodels are major investments, and homeowners generally prefer that their new kitchen not go out of style one year after completion. Better Home & Gardens spoke with several kitchen design experts to gauge the top trends for 2020. Mix-and-Match LightingWith an increasing focus on lighting as a decorative element, mixing different styles and types has never been bigger in kitchens, and the trend lets you celebrate multiple aesthetics. In a well-designed kitchen, lighting serves various functions. For example, an...

Fall is a time to look ahead and prepare for the year to come. In the home improvement industry, this manifests in numerous ways: Businesses begin to plan for the following year, trend experts release their projections for interior and exterior design, and industry experts project what will impact the industry in the coming year. At the Home Improvement Insights Summit, industry experts come together to identify and dig into challenges facing the industry and present actionable insights. The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) presents three big ideas that stemmed from the meeting of experts at the Insights Summit. 1....

Often the heart of the space and where people tend to gather, islands have become a focal point of most kitchen designs. Islands not only serve as a functional element, but also as a chance to add style with unique pendant lights, bold color choices, or sleek countertop finishes. Industry studies, including the 2020 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study and the 2019 NKBA Kitchen Design Trends Report, identify how today’s homeowners are utilizing islands and how builders and designers are using the fixed piece to make a statement and set the tone of a home’s overall design. USE: Homeowners enjoy the extra...

Sitting around the fire. It’s a tradition that goes back further than recorded history and is one that has endured for many reasons. The simplest of which is that it’s just plain relaxing. What better way to spend a summer evening than being gathered around a fire with family and friends? More and more, people aren’t waiting to go camping to enjoy an evening fire. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are gaining in popularity. Building your own backyard fire pit is a relatively simple and inexpensive project that you’ll enjoy all season long -- perhaps well into autumn. Like most...