Knowledge – Decor Today

I Think We Can All Agree That These 18 Small Things Are Actually Costing Us Waaay Too Much Money

decortoday — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:51:49 +0000

Recently, I asked the people to tell me the small things they realized were actually costing them soooo much money. The replies were frustratingly relatable, but I did feel a little less alone and learned a thing or two about how to save on the small stuff. So, let’s get into it:

1. “I was raised pretty frugally where we always ate off the dollar menu, or if we did go out to eat, it was always with a coupon or a deal. While I highly recommend NOT doing that, there were some truths I did eventually realize. Appetizers, drinks, and dessert are all ways a restaurant gets you to spend more money. Even just one of these things can make an outing cost $10–$15 more than what you were expecting.”

u/TacticalToots / Via reddit.com
—Anonymous

How to Start Walking, and Then Running

decortoday — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 07:48:27 +0000

They’re both beneficial physically and mentally, but there’s a clear winner.

Johnny Milano for The New York Times

Walking is among the world’s most popular forms of exercise, and far and away the most favored in the United States. And for good reason: It’s simple, accessible and effective. Taking regular walks lowers the risk of many health problems including anxiety, depression, diabetes and some cancers.

However, once your body becomes accustomed to walking, you might want to pick up the pace, said Alyssa Olenick, an exercise physiologist and postdoctoral research fellow in the energy metabolism lab at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

If you can nudge even part of your walk into a run, it offers many of the same physical and mental benefits in far less time. But just how much better is running? And how can you turn your walk into a run?

Online Shopping Mishaps Shoppers Did Not Expect

decortoday — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 07:13:48 +0000

Online shopping is probably one of the best conveniences of the 21st century. After all, most people like to go shopping and how much better is it when you don’t even have to leave your house? Mankind has come pretty far from the days of mail order catalogs where you saw drawings of items and then hoped for the best. However, despite all of the technology, there are still quite a few online shopping fails. Whether it is related to sizing, quality, or just funny misunderstandings, people don’t always get what they thought they ordered, and here are the best examples.

Top 10 Texas Agriculture Products

decortoday — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:06:42 +0000

Take a look at what’s growing in Texas. Here’s a glimpse of Texas’ top agriculture products based on cash receipts.*

*What Are Cash Receipts?

Defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, cash receipts refer to the total amount of crops or livestock sold in a calendar year.

Fertilizing Peonies – How To Get Peonies Blooming All Season Long

decortoday — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 03:25:48 +0000

Peonies are a stunning addition to any garden, with their lush, full blooms making a beautiful statement each spring.

Known for their longevity, these perennial flowers can live for decades, providing a delightful fragrance and a welcoming atmosphere to your outdoor space.

However, to enjoy the vibrant colors and impressive blooms, it’s important to understand how to properly fertilize these beloved plants.

Adequate fertilization is essential to promote the health and vigor of your peonies, ensuring they produce an abundance of blooms in the years to come.

By following some simple tips on when and how to fertilize your peonies, you can create optimal growing conditions and effectively support the growth of these stunning flowers.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the proper technique for fertilizing your peonies, helping you ensure that these showstoppers continue to thrive in your garden.

Stay Away: People Share What Interior Design Trends Will Age Poorly

decortoday — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 03:03:07 +0000

Interior design trends are like everything else. These fads may look amazing now, but they may not work out well in the long term. Many professional and amateur interior designers are tired of these designs and want to try something new. And still, the client always has the right to decide. According to interior designers, decor specialists, and, most importantly, internet users, we have created a list of interior design trends that will age poorly.

29 Everyday Products That Are Harming Your Wellness – And Your Wallet

decortoday — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:27:17 +0000

In our consumer-driven world, the allure of new products and the loyalty to beloved brands shape much of our purchasing behavior. This cycle of consumption undoubtedly affects our financial health, yet the implications extend far beyond mere economics. Rarely do we pause to consider the ingredients and materials that compose the everyday items we use—from the fruits lining the shelves of Walmart to mundane essentials like mouthwash or even the carpets under our feet.

These products, while seemingly innocuous, may carry hidden costs that transcend their price tags. Unbeknownst to many, the long-term effects on our physical well-being can be profound. This overlooked aspect of consumer goods highlights a crucial gap in our awareness, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the potential health impacts lurking in our daily routines.

Stunning Secrets From Behind the Scenes of ‘Married… With Children’

decortoday — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 01:52:26 +0000

In 1986, on a fledgling TV station known simply as Fox, a show that would become a cultural touchstone during its 10-plus years on the air premiered. Married… with Children was not a roaring success during its first season, or even its second. It would take the work of a “family values” activist and some unintended consequences to turn it into a smash TV hit. Who was the activist, and what were the consequences? Hold tight, as those answers and more little-known Married… with Children facts will be revealed. You’ll learn fascinating — and in some cases, hilariously funny — tidbits about Al, Peggy, Kelly, Bud, Marcy, and yes, even Buck. Discover these behind-the-scenes Married… with Children facts that you (probably) never knew.

Where do you rank Married… with Children among the all-time great comedy sitcoms? Where does Al Bundy rank among the all-time great television characters? How does Married… with Children compare to The Simpsons, the other show that made Fox into the powerhouse it is today? We want to hear from you! Let us know on Facebook and make sure to SHARE this with fellow fans of the Bundys!

Curious, Compelling, And Captivating Sculptures That Feel Alive

decortoday — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:10:41 +0000

An interesting or beautiful piece of art is something that simply cannot be ignored. Whether it’s a painting or a statue, there are certain pieces that just make us stop and look. Public sculptures, for example, bring so much joy to tourists and give a reason for locals to smile. Some are literally built to be interacted with, often making them a must-see on any tourism brochure. Then there are others that are designed to reach the viewers’ hearts and minds.

No matter the intention, artists always strive to create something memorable that will live on for years or decades to come. To honor and show our appreciation for some of those brilliant minds, we’ve put together a list of some of the most interesting and downright stunning sculptures found around the globe. Have you visited any of these yourself? Were they as awe-inspiring in person?

Living Inside Art

It’s cool enough to interact with art by touching its hand, but to go inside is on a whole different level. This 16th-century sculpture standing at 35 feet tall is located in Florence, Italy, and has a few rooms inside for visitors to explore.

Flickr/Stephen H

The piece is called Gigante dell’Appennino and was created in the late 1500s by the artist, Giambologna. It looks like a giant heroic mountain god is placed there protecting the surrounding villages. If you ever get the chance to see this giant in person, seize the day and go visit him.

Mother Nature Fights Back

The Force of Nature by Lorenzo Quinn is a sculpture with a serious message, and it’s executed with style and grace. The coasts of Thailand, where the sculpture is set up, frequently face natural disasters, such as hurricanes. These storms are devastating to the people that live there.

Erika Cristina Manno/Shutterstock

In ancient times, humans didn’t know that these house-leveling storms were acts of Mother Nature. The artist shared that he drew inspiration from those old cultures that used statues to appease the deities who were believed to have dominion over the storms.

Always Raining

This sculpture, Rain, is by a Ukrainian artist, Nazar Bilyk. To simulate the image of a giant raindrop on a man’s face, the artist molded glass to sit atop the bronze statue. The sculpture is one of ten in a series found in Peysazhna Alley (Landscape Alley) at Kiev Fashion Park.

Nazar Bilyk

The interpretation is up to you, but the artist says it’s about a man and his inner dialogue, with the glass raindrop resembling that dialogue and how it connects him with a whole diversity of other life forms. We simply love the simplicity of this complicated subject expressed the way it is.

Love

Artist Alexander Milov made this sculpture titled Love, and we couldn’t think of a better name for it. The purest form of love is that of an innocent child, unaware of anything else other than those whom they love and the things they enjoy.

You can see two illuminated children caged in the bodies of adults, who may appear sad, disappointed, or even angry at each other. Yet, deep down, as symbolized by the children, there is an innocent and basic sense of love between the two grown-ups. How stunning!

Working in Dimensions

We absolutely love it when sculptures look like they’re below the surface, coming up in a slow, deliberate way. The Caring Hand in Switzerland is a perfect example of that, as it looks like this is a massive sculpture peeking up from underground.

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It’s not a giant hand holding a tree, but in fact, the innovative artist simply placed a few separate pieces of stone around the tree to trick your eyes into believing it extends underground. A very clever sculpture with a beautiful gesture and message about caring for nature.

Sculpture Overboard

This bronze sculpture is a great work of art and is filled with irony and contradiction. Let’s explain. Bronze is a heavy material that will not easily get pulled out of the water, yet the figure seems to be able to escape the force of gravity.

reddit/HodorDurden

Then, if you look closer you’ll see there is no figure, which might explain the weightlessness this sculpture has. Still, the silhouette of the figure remains, and you can even see its hands and feet passing through solid surfaces. We’re in love with this piece.

Man from Nature

What do you see first in this picture — the trees bending slightly in the wind or a face of a man colored in by the sunset in the background? Art is meant to be interpreted by the viewer, but some pieces, like this one, are constructed with only two variations.

Onestiul

Although, unless you’re standing at a specific spot, you won’t see the face of the man, and probably just a glimpse of the trees. It’s a sculpture that forces you to stop and move to a specific angle in order to appreciate it properly.

Freedom

The artist behind this amazing piece is Zenos Frudakis. When creating this piece, they pulled from their own experiences of what it feels like to be a captive by your own feelings, and how freeing it feels to break those bonds.

Zenos Frudakis

Depending on how you look at it, it could be the heartbreaking story of only one man escaping, or it could simply be snapshots of the same man’s journey. This is a lesson we hear often, don’t try to fit in; stand out!

Wild Wild Horses

Even when it is silent and calm in Irving, Texas, you can’t help but feel alive when you pass by these sculptures of horses running through water. One can’t help but wonder where they are going, and that’s the point Robert Glen was trying to convey.

Robert Glen

The piece is called Mustangs, and the fountain they are running through is designed to help with the movement the artist wanted to portray in the piece. By having smaller water bursts close to the horse’s feet, it makes it seem like they’re actually splashing through the water as they run.

Here He Is!

Popped Up is the name of this gigantic sculpture and it is located at Széchenyi Square in Budapest, Hungary. It interacts with its surroundings by making it look like a giant is escaping the perfectly mowed lawn and ready to fight.

Art Market Budapest

Was this giant rudely awoken from a cozy nap, or is he simply itching to get some fresh air? Either way, we hope the gardeners have some serious guts and tools to mow that uneven lawn the giant has created.

Stairway to Heaven

We love optical illusion sculptures. While 2D optical illusions are cool, there’s something about the 3D nature of the piece that really forces you to think. Aside from the dizzying nature of them, we can’t help but wonder just how the sculpture was created.

My Modern Met

They say the way to heaven is a long set of stairs, which is what this Australian artist made it seem like, without actually building a never-ending staircase. We wonder if fans of Led Zeppelin come here often so they can play his iconic hit as they enjoy the art.

Together

Jason de Caires Taylor in Grenada, West Indies made this heart-wrenching sculpture called Vicissitudes and placed it where many enslaved people died on their way from Africa to America. It is a massive piece depicting the enslaved captives holding hands.

Jason deCaries Taylor

Because the only people they could trust were each other, he made sure to construct them all holding hads, as if to say they’re “stronger together.” It is also fitting that their strength and unity are enough to weather the ocean’s fierce currents.

Blown Away

We’re blown away by this piece of beautiful art — it’s certainly much better than our puns. It must have been difficult for the artist to create the sensation of movement in the dandelion the giant fairy is holding. This artist has some incredible talent.

FantasyWire

Robin Wight, a UK-based artist, is the brilliant mind behind this masterpiece. The sculpture is made from a variety of metals, and the intricate details such as the hair of the fairy blowing in the wind are very well executed.

Vandalism Wins

The Sower in Kaunas, Lithuania might not seem striking during the day, but at night when the shadow of the sculpture hits the wall behind it in just the right way, you see the man sowing some stars. It seems truly magical.

Soothbrush

But, apparently, the stars were not part of the artist’s design. That credit goes to a local vandal. While we don’t ever encourage vandalism of public property, we can’t help but admire the creative upgrade someone gave to this statue.

Sinking Knowledge

Depending on your generation, educational background, and even your opinion of smartphones, this statue could hold a whole different meaning. Some would say that libraries are defunct because of the internet, but we wholeheartedly disagree. We think they’re more important than ever!

Eva.vn

The reason this library is sinking is left entirely up to the viewer. Is it because people don’t read books anymore? Or is it because of the weight of power held within a single building? Or, perhaps Wan Shi Tong finally reclaimed his library.

Onwards

To make a 1320-ton statue seem like it is flowing in the wind is a task on its own. The artist of this piece did a tremendous job of making this sculpture seem like it’s moving. And indeed it was moving, both literally and figuratively.

SifaV6/CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

Erected in 2016, the statue of Guan Yu is stunning but wasn’t well executed. For starters, the land was beginning to skin under its weight. For a variety of reasons, including permits and regulations, the statue was moved to a nearby location.

What Protects You, Destroys You

You can simply look at this sculpture and admire it for its beauty, or you can spend hours interpreting it and finding the hidden lesson and meaning behind it. To us, as so many others, it looks like a man holding an umbrella.

Flickr/Fulvio Petri

But of course, the man is not holding an umbrella, merely a fountain of water. It’s only from a distance that the arcing water looks like an umbrella. That’s the irony in this sculpture — what seems to be protecting the man from the rain….is actually the rain!

Hungry Hungry Hippos

We hate to break it to you, but real hippos are nothing like the children’s game. Sort of. They’re indeed very hungry, but they’re not as calm as the plastic toy. And they’re certainly not as cute, especially if you get on their bad side.

Patche99z/CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia Commons

Sure, they won’t bother you unless you bother them, but did you know hippos are one of the most dangerous animals and they can easily outrun you? Yeah, this interaction with hippos is going to be your safest bet since you can be sure no statue has ever outrun a human or eaten one for lunch.

Missing Pieces

When we depart from our loved ones for a long time, be it weeks or months, it feels like there’s a piece of us missing. It’s only when we return home that we find a piece of our heart left within them, and it’s only when we’re reunited that we feel whole.

Bruno Catalano

We can’t even imagine how early immigrants felt. We don’t appreciate just how fortunate we are to have technology that allows us to stay in touch with our homes and our hearts. We also appreciate the artist’s skill; he made the sculpture seem like two unconnected pieces.

Heavy Burden

Destroying Mother Nature is the worst thing any species can do. We owe our lives to her and should only take what we need and give back to keep the ecosystem healthy and flowing. Sadly, this isn’t the case, and one artist took that heavy emotion and materialized it.

Underwater Sculpture

This statue is made from special materials; it allows coral to attach itself to it, possibly assisting in reviving the local ecosystem. Now when you look at the sculpture itself, you’ll see a child, our future generation, carrying the weight of the ocean on her shoulders. Powerful.

30+ ‘Funny Charts’ That Explain Life in a Delightful Way

decortoday — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:21:21 +0000

When we think of hilarious memes, images of funny pictures paired with witty captions typically come to mind. Rarely do we associate humor with mathematical equations or complex charts laden with intricate labels. Yet, it might surprise you how effectively these elements can merge undeniable truths with uproarious laughter. The unlikely combination of fun and detailed charts is not as far-fetched as it seems, and we’re excited to demonstrate just how entertaining they can be.

Great content can emerge from the most unexpected sources. For instance, there’s an online community called ‘Funny Charts’ where creativity meets data in the most amusing ways. Here, users share graphs and charts ingeniously infused with humor and meme culture, making even the driest data digestible—and delightful. These visuals entertain and serve as innovative learning tools for complex concepts. Dive into ‘Funny Charts,’ explore its unique offerings, and you might find yourself both enlightened and amused.

Just Got Dark

Releasing butterflies at weddings has become a tired concept, losing its original charm and novelty. The same goes for releasing doves while opting for pigeons might still be considered unusual and a bit quirky. This shows that even traditional elements can become commonplace over time.

reddit/matt41

However, when we shift to more chaotic ideas, like releasing wasps, it adds an unpredictable and potentially disruptive element to the event. On the other hand, the idea of releasing prisoners or the Kraken ventures into absurdity, blending dark humor with outright fantasy. Such suggestions push the boundaries of typical wedding spectacles, making for a conversation starter that’s both intriguing and unsettling.

Easy-to-Understand

Understanding doctors’ handwriting has been a perennial puzzle, decipherable only to a select few, like pharmacists and nurses. This has led to countless confusions and frustrations for patients trying to understand their own medical prescriptions. To address this, humorous attempts have been made to ‘translate’ this cryptic script.

reddit/matt41

We introduce a chart meant to simplify these scribbles for everyone, promising clarity with a bit of humor. However, upon closer inspection, the letters might still appear indistinguishably scribbled, leading to laughs rather than enlightenment. Thankfully, the shift towards digital prescriptions is reducing the relevance of this issue, making the chart more of a comedic relic than a practical tool.

Facts

The well-accepted notion that sleeping eight hours a night is beneficial for everyone continues to hold strong. This fact is emphasized through various studies and infographics that promote nighttime sleep as the healthier option, aligning with natural human rhythms. This advice targets the general populace, reminding us of the importance of regular, restorative rest.

reddit/matt41

However, not everyone fits into this nighttime sleeping pattern, especially those who work night shifts. These individuals often sleep during the day and shouldn’t be labeled lazy. Misunderstandings about sleep patterns can lead to misconceptions about a person’s lifestyle or work ethic, proving that it’s not always straightforward to differentiate between the industrious and the idle.

Hilarious!

Our latest pie chart humorously captures the typical reactions of people trying on someone else’s prescription glasses, highlighting the predictable exclamations and baffled responses. Commonly, people react with surprise at how strong the prescription is, questioning how anyone could see through such lenses. This repetitive scenario reveals a universal reaction that transcends cultures and borders, making it a source of shared amusement.

reddit/matt41

While these reactions tend to be exaggerated, they prompt a reflection on people’s varied visual experiences. This chart encourages a chuckle, reminding us to consider our words before speaking, as the effect of prescription glasses can be profound yet personal.

Do’s and Don’ts

Discussing office etiquette, particularly regarding food, can be tricky but necessary. Fish, while healthy, carries a strong odor that can permeate shared spaces and become a point of contention among coworkers. We’ve outlined a humorous guide suggesting types of non-odorous fish as acceptable office fare, poking fun at the delicate office dynamics surrounding lunchtime choices.

reddit/matt41

However, the guide also pragmatically suggests avoiding fish altogether to keep the peace and maintain a pleasant work environment. This compromise supports office harmony and helps ensure that everyone’s workspace remains welcoming and odor-free, making meal times less about survival and more about enjoyment.

Truth

Children bring joy and laughter into our lives, often without even trying. Their innocence and straightforward view of the world can lead to hilarious situations that delight adults. Our chart delves into why these interactions are so amusing, pointing out that it’s often the simple, unintentional mistakes kids make that end up being the funniest moments.

reddit/matt41

Yet, the chart also touches on a sensitive truth: we find humor in the naïve and sometimes illogical actions of children, calling them ‘silly’ or ‘stupid’ in a lighthearted way. This is a universal experience, reminding us of the innocence of childhood and how it brings laughter and lightness, even if the reasons behind it are as simple as youthful misunderstanding.

Reality Check

The message is short but striking—our sleeping habits are not what they should be, and it’s a widespread issue. This chart serves as a reality check, highlighting that no matter your sleeping position, many people are still not getting quality rest. This problem affects a significant portion of the global workforce, impacting health and productivity.

reddit/matt41

What can be done? The solution seems simple: for example, disconnect from electronics an hour before bedtime. While these steps are straightforward, many find them hard to implement consistently. Start with small, manageable changes like the no-gadget rule to hopefully improve your sleep quality gradually.

Tutorial

Operating a ceiling fan with a pull string can be an exercise in patience and frustration. The process often feels like a loop of endless failed attempts, each followed by a period of waiting and gathering resolve before trying again. The accompanying chart humorously captures this cycle of trial and error, perfectly conveying the exasperation many feel.

reddit/matt41

Despite the frustration, the key is persistence. With each attempt, you inch closer to mastering the technique until, finally, the fan obeys. This repeated effort is a small yet relatable challenge that teaches the value of persistence and eventually leads to success.

Keeping It Simple

Admitting to regular flossing is easy; the hard part is actually doing it consistently. The chart playfully shows how sporadic our flossing habits really are—it’s usually only when we remember or feel the need. This represents a common but risky oversight in our dental care routine.

reddit/matt41

While the chart injects humor, the underlying message is serious: neglecting to floss can lead to significant dental issues, which are painful and costly, especially without insurance. Regular flossing isn’t just about dental hygiene—it’s an investment in your overall health.