It's unfortunate that although homeowners entertain frequently, they rarely use their elegant, formal living rooms. These rooms often have impeccable furnishings, heirloom antiques and plenty of accessories. So why do these lovely rooms sit empty most of the time? Often it is because the living room simply does not "invite you in."

From ancient China and ancient Rome to the present, the building point is the same: wood doesn't last unless it is properly protected.

For AP Weekly Features

Vines have been described as shrubs that have forgotten how or when to stop growing. Their branches keep reaching up and out, sometimes to the tops of towering trees. Vines have many valuable uses in the garden, and evergreen vines in particular can be excellent performers in spots where permanent landscape solutions are desired.

Lanna Nakone