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Guest Groups: Signature Pieces With Personality

With a new year comes an overview of what’s functioning in a single home and what is not. Spring cleaning is right around the corner, so why not begin taking a look at the furniture which works well and allow you to feel right at home? Adding signature bits to any area is a means of letting your personality shine through without saying a word. By striking the right balance of work and style, every room in the home has the potential to become an extremely chic sanctuary that you enjoy coming home to each and every day. — Shannon from The Simply Luxurious Life

BRABBU

Bakairi Armchair

With retro glamour, this upholstered seat would be perfect in the bedroom because you sit down to strap onto your favorite heels to get a much-deserved night in the city.

Boca do Lobo

Amy Floor Lamp

As a tribute to Amy Winehouse, this reading lamp surely makes its own announcement.

ABJ Glassworks

The Companion Lamp – $240

Perfect for the desktop, this handmade lamp sends mild glancing around the room and produces a very unique setting. Additionally, it is a beautiful sight to see.

F. Schumacher & Co..

Chain Link, Flax

With this powerful print in a muted tone, then you can surely add some colour to your interiors.

Lamps Plus

Mary McDonald Annika Blush and Cloud Lotion Accent Lamp – $428.95

I must admit that I thoroughly enjoy Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators, and interior designer Mary McDonald’s lamps are something to covet. They may be investments, but they include that regal finishing touch.

Benjamin Rugs and Furniture

Robert Abbey Mary McDonald Directoire Table Lamp 2550B – $382.95

Brass and black make for a rich and regal statement piece that could easily work as a focus within a bedroom or an office.

Boca do Lobo

Diana Floor Lamp

A contemporary touch with design and ample lighting produces a conversation starter instantly and is ideal for decorating a private office or reading area.

BRABBU

Apis Dining Table

This java table is functional and stylish. Decorating the home takes time, but integrating elements that show a glimpse into your character turns your home into a genuine refuge.

Rejuvenation

Brass Pillar Holder – $118

On a tabletop or by the fireplace, this brass pillar is sturdy and enchanting.

BRABBU

Maasai Seat Sofa

A retro love chair in a little apartment will add comfort and style without consuming too much space.

Lamps Plus

Contour Crystal Pendant Light – $349.99

I am a lover of chandeliers. They involve carrying a bit of a risk, but I have never heard any complaints.

F. Schumacher & Co..

Beaded Scroll, Pewter

I recently have been making a list of upcoming decoration projects, and one would be to wallpaper my hallway. A wall of texture can make a very signature existence and surely be well worth the effort.

Lamps Plus

Glass Column Contemporary Pendant Light – $299.99

Pendant lighting melds together simplicity with some elegance.

F. Schumacher & Co..

Damask Floreale

A subtle yet rich wall covering adds an empowering addition to any room.

Rejuvenation

Baltimore Classic Cord Pendant – $170

Hang one or a few of those pendant lighting for a special approach to light any room.

Rejuvenation

Scalloped Rectangle Mirror: – $258

Above a games console table, vanity or dresser, a exceptional mirror serves two purposes — function and style — that is informed buying power.

French Cab

Jacques Adnet Modernist Lamp

Coppered brass decorates a desk or tabletop with no need for additional accessories.

Dania Furniture

Paramount Sofa

A complete, solid, upholstered sofa in a neutral tone permits the homeowner to decorate with pillows and throws.

Herman Miller

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman – $4,499

An Eames lounge chair conjures memories of Frasier reruns. Put one on your office, library or any place you please — you have made it if you can afford it.

Dania Furniture

Sole Dining Table

Enjoy Mad Men? Then you might just enjoy this retro-esque table. Having a lacquered shine and a solid base, it will fit as many individuals as you want around to dine and also will foster lively conversation with your meal.

Next: 13 Ways To Be Happier in Your House This Year

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How to Wash Bed Sheets, Duvets and Towels

Your bed and bath linens represent a substantial investment, but they bring about a daily comfort and comfort. Keeping them clean is a priority, not just to prevent incursions from unwelcome pests, but to prolong the helpful life and great looks of your cosmetic and practical bed coverings and bath towels. Sheets, towels and duvets are always washable, however a few guidelines concerning the best method to do that are worth noting.

Laundry Lessons

Wash soiled linens once possible to avoid putting stains and damage to fibers from dirt and oils. Organic cotton and linen are washable, but linen will shrink and is best washed in cold water to minimize shrinkage. Don’t dry-clean organic fibers. Wool and silk could be hand-washed, but the water ought to be cool — silk is fragile and wool is high-shrinkage. Animal fibers are typically dry-cleaned. Synthetic mixes arrive with directions for washing you ought to follow religiously. A rule of thumb would be to equipment cleaning into the most delicate fiber. Sort laundry by fibers, keeping synthetics to get a separate wash. Then separate by colours — whites, lights and darks — and fashion — sheets and pillowcases, duvet covers, towels, and duvets.

Saving the Sheets

Most bed linens aren’t pre-washed, so launder new sheets before using them. Even nice linens could be pre-soaked, using cold water and a small amount of laundry soap, subsequently washed in cold or barely warm water along with cold-rinsed. For subsequent cubes, set the water temperature to high for whites, medium or trendy for colours and chilly for delicate fibers. Pre-soaking every load of laundry gives you a cleaner wash. Protect lacy or embroidered bed linens by turning them placing them in a wide-mesh bag so they won’t grab or rub on anything. Launder duvet covers, generally made from sheeting, together with sheets and pillowcases. The moment the washer stops spinning, remove the sheets and then shake them out to reduce wrinkling — especially effective for organic fibers like linen.

Terry Towels

Towels are best washed by themselves, definitely with no items which have hooks or zippers that could snare and pull on the loops. Pre-wash new towels as you do sheets, adding a hint of vinegar into the final rinse to set the colours. Vinegar will also cut back soap buildup in future clogs, leaving towels soft enough you don’t need fabric softener, which coats terry-cloth fibers and cuts their absorbency. Separate towels with white, light and dark to avoid tinting a mild towel color from a darker towel. Avoid chlorine bleach, which will yellowish white towels. Biodegradable liquid detergent is preferable to the environment and your own towels; powder can clump on towels and also cause spotting and fading. Stick to cold water for washing rather than irritate the tub; the fibers like space to fluff out and breathe.

Down-Filled Duvets

Maintain your duvet clean by using a washable duvet cover, airing the duvet frequently and washing it annually. Duvet envelopes are stitched to keep the feathers in, so there is very little danger of ruining the duvet should you follow safe washing procedures. Use a special duvet-washing liquid or a neutral pH detergent to avoid stripping all the organic oil in the feathers. Shake the duvet before placing it in the washer and immediately line-dry or set it in the dryer after the wash cycle. Insert a few tennis balls into the dryer to keep the duvet from forming a sodden lump and also to help up it as it dries. Wash your twin duvet alone, so no other laundry adheres to it becomes tangled in it. For complete and larger sizes, you might need to see a laundromat to take advantage of their super-size machines.

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How Do I Restain My Hot Tub Cabinet?

Hot-tub manufacturers advocate staining the wood cabinet surrounding the tub at least four occasions each year if the tub is outdoors, but only twice a year if it’s inside. Because the tub is exposed to different elements, the wood could deteriorate and dry out. Refinishing the outside surface provides years to the cabinet by removing mildew stains, so protecting the wood from wear and refreshing the finish.

Wash the outside of the hot tub cabinet with a deck wash. Pour the appropriate amount of concentrated deck wash into a garden sprayer after the dilution directions on the tag. Attach the sprayer into a garden hose and spray on the outside of the cabinet with the wash. Let the wash remain on the surface for about 10 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Allow the cabinet to dry.

Pour blot and finish remover into a bucket. Wear gloves and use a paintbrush to paint the outside of the hot tub cabinet liberally with the remover, covering only 1 side at one time. Let the remover sit for about 30 minutes, then scrape on the cabinet with a putty knife to remove the loosened finish. Repeat on the remaining sides of this hot tub cabinet.

Dip an abrasive mat into a small container filled with mineral spirits. Scrub the outside of the cabinet to eliminate any finish residue. Allow the cabinet to dry thoroughly.

Pour fresh stain and finish remover into a bucket. Paint over the cabinet outside again with a clean brush, and let it remain on the surface for 10 minutes. Rub a wet stripping pad in a circular motion to remove the blot from the outside of the cabinet.

Rinse the outside of the hot tub cabinet with a rag dipped in water, rinsing a tiny area at one time. Allow the cabinet to dry.

Use a handheld oscillating tool armed with a fine-grit sanding accessory. Sand the outside of the hot tub cabinet to smooth the surface.

Paint the cabinet with a weatherproof deck stain. Allow the stain to dry and apply a second coat if necessary. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly.

Paint over the blot with a sealer designed for outdoor wood surfaces to protect against water damage. Use a paintbrush. Allow the surface to dry and apply a second coat to the cabinet.

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What's Liquid Sanding?

A smooth, durable paint finish depends on proper surface prep. Sadly, this key step will be the most least expensive and least favorite part of a remodeling job. Paints and sealers peel and flake if applied to a slick surface. Sanding roughens the surface and produces a bond with new finishes. Liquid sanding options, also called deglossers, reach the identical thing by dissolving the uppermost layer of varnish or paint.

Benefits

1 significant benefit of liquid sanding involves overall time stored instead of sanding by hand. Electric sanders hasten the procedure, but they might also produce hazardous airborne particulate if lead-based or other noxious coatings are included. Liquid sanding products produce no more dust, eliminating the need to wash adjoining household surfaces. The end result is less mess and faster cleanup.

Attributes

Liquid sanding products change from viscosity, and every manufacturer contains another collection of components. Many contain harmful solvents, such as naphtha and toluene, requiring the disposal of applicators after they’ve been used. Soap and water may be utilized to wash applicators employed for non-toxic varieties. Water-based, biodegradable formulas may help the environment, but don’t always measure up to the effectiveness of solvent-based sanding liquids.

Uses

Liquid sanding products may be utilized when trimming wood cabinetry, trim, floors, furniture and in the majority of applications requiring manual sanding. Liquid sanders work especially well on molding and furniture with intricate carving detail. Liquid sanding functions on many types of paints, enamels, sealers, varnishes and stains.

Program

Apply liquid sander with a brush and lint-free cloth. Enable the solution to remain on the surface for the time indicated on the product packaging. Scrub the surface with a sterile cloth or rinse to remove the liquid, based on the formulation. Let the surface dry and repaint within the time recommended by the producer.

Disadvantages

Certain finishes require a combination of liquid sander and dry sanding. Liquid sanders do a superb job dulling most common paints and eliminating contaminants such as wax, grease and oil. However, stubborn endings such as powder coat, catalyzed lacquer and oil-based varnishes might want the abrasive energy of sanding to rough up surface. Liquid sanding products don’t replace sanding to get smoothing unfinished wood grain and irregularities in painted surfaces. Using a rotary tool with a sanding drum or abrasive wheels have become the very best way to access those regions.

Precautions

Solvent-based liquid sanders contain flammable ingredients. Do not store them near an open flame or heat source. All containers, rags, brushes and drop cloths have to be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of properly. Use only in a well-ventilated place due to the damaging fumes associated with liquid sanding products. Always wear gloves and protective eye wear if applying liquid sanding products.

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How to Clean Wood Cabinets Which Have Food Stuck into Them

Kitchen cabinets are magnets for all sorts of dirt, especially in the event that you’ve got little ones. Food stuck to cabinets is more attractive to flies, ants, cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies, so you need to wash them as soon as you observe the particles that are stuck-on. Strong detergents on cabinets with a clear finish, but you should not need them anyhow; food stains are removed by a detergent. In case you have to chip off pieces of stuck-on food pieces, avoid doing this with a metal implement, or you may unintentionally damage the end.

Scrape stuck-on food particles cabinets off with a plastic putty knife, which has sufficient rigidity to remove most dried food.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing soap in a bucket containing a gallon of water and then wash off the food with a palate. Avoid scrubbing with abrasive substances dull or scratch the finish.

Wipe the cabinets dry immediately after cleansing them. It blur and may penetrate the end if you leave water standing on them.

Wipe the area with a disinfectant which flies or doesn’t contain bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide, to get rid of.

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Can Ammonia Kill Mold on Wood Furniture?

Mold and mildew are forms of fungi that collect on damp surfaces, such as wood furniture. Both of these unwanted fungi removed and could be treated with ammonia, which is combined that aid in killing the spores.

Wash, Scrub and Rinse

Mold and mildew often collect on outdoor furniture that’s exposed to moisture in the air. However, indoor furniture is also because of pollutants that go through open doorways windows and venting systems. So ammonia is a good choice for removing it a sort of mold, mildew, is the culprit on hard surfaces. Unfinished, painted and glazed wood furniture may be treated with a combination of 1/2-cup vinegar, ammonia , 1/4-cup baking soda and one gallon of water. Wash the whole piece of furniture scrubbing essential in sections with accumulation of mildew. Rinse thoroughly and allow the piece to wash in clean air, preferably outdoors.

Take Care

Ammonia shouldn’t be mixed with bleach; the mix produces toxic fumes that are dangerous. Always utilize ammonia, or some other cleaning solutions, in areas that are well-ventilated. Protect your skin with rubber gloves, if you expect exposure and use protective eyewear.

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Eliminating Smoke Smell From Ceiling Tiles

Smoke, whether from cooking or cigarettes, tends to travel upward. Indoors, it reaches the ceiling and becomes trapped in porous ceiling tiles, leaving the ceiling smelling like smoke long after the true smoke dissipates. While brushing the ceiling may not be a favorite household chore, it is occasionally necessary to rid the room of odors. Sprays and sprays developed to eliminate as opposed to mask odors get the business finished. Eye protection is a must when working near the ceiling to prevent getting debris or chemicals in your eyes.

The Ability of Peroxide

Peroxide-based cleaners, some featuring citrus oils and surfactants, are designed to both clean slate tiles and eliminate or remove odors such as smoke. Spray the substance over the ground, let the cleaner to soak in for at least 10 minutes, then wipe off using a damp cloth. Repeat the process if necessary. The added benefit of such a cleaner is that the peroxide cuts through the movie left by some kinds of smoke such as tobacco; without such cleaning, the picture could make it hard to paint or prime the ceiling tiles.

Trisodium Phosphate Treatment

Trisodium phosphate is a powerful cleaning agent that eliminates smoke picture, which includes the smoke odor, from ceiling tiles. Mix one tablespoon of TSP in a gallon of warm water, then dip a sponge from the solution whilst wearing gloves. Wipe down the ground with the solution, followed by another sponge dipped in plain water. Do not oversaturate the ceiling; keep the sponges as lightly damp as possible, otherwise the humidity may harm the ceiling tiles. A ceiling fan or a portable fan pointed up in the ground helps dry the tiles quickly.

Vanquish Smoke With Vinegar

Vinegar eliminates odors brought on by smoke. Mix a cup of vinegar to 2 cups of plain water. Wipe the answer above the ceiling, or blend it into a spray bottle and spray the ceiling rather. A tablespoon of baking soda may also be added into this solution, if you like, for extra odor-removing properties. A slightly damp cloth, wiped above the ground tiles after waiting 10 minutes or so, helps eliminate lingering odors and residue. As with other ceiling-cleaning methods, don’t saturate the ceiling tiles, since they are not designed to hold water.

Ozone for Odors

An ozone-generating machine eliminates powerful smoke odors from the ceiling and the room as a whole. All these commercial-strength machines are available as rentals; some versions are quite a little more effective than the tiny units designed to operate continually in a home. Ozone reacts with odors by completely changing their chemical composition, neutralizing them.

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Assist With Clothes That Appear Dirty From an HE Top-Load Washer

HE, or higher efficiency, top-load washers provide the performance of a front-load washing machine, but look like a traditional top-load washer. Since they do not have an agitator, HE top-load washers may wash larger loads with a cleaning performance that is comparable to the majority of front-load models. Should you realize that your clothes aren’t arriving as clean as you anticipate, there may be one of a couple of common causes.

Slow Load Size

In case your top-load washer is not cleaning your clothes properly, it may be because you have selected the wrong load size. Your clothes mush transfer through the water in your washing machine with the right turnover action in order for the soils and soap to be rinsed in the clothes. Normally, a little load is about 2 to 3 pounds, or 1/4 basket complete to get an average-sized laundry basket. Medium loads are usually 4 to 6 pounds, or 1/2 basket complete. The huge atmosphere is for 7 to 10 pounds of clothes, or a complete basket.

Improper Loading

How you load the clothes on your top-load HE washer can impact how clean they come out. Wrapping the things around each other or balling them all together might reduce wash performance, because they can’t transfer around the water openly. If the individual things do not move in and on top of the water, then they can’t turn over, which is necessary to push the water and detergent through the materials. Load each item separately at a loose stack to make sure that it moves freely through the water.

Wrong Temperature Setting

Hot Water is necessary to remove dirt from heavily soiled things, but warm water gets most light soils clean. If you’re using cold water, then select a cold water detergent as well, or your clothes may not appear as clean as they need to. Check the labels of the garments to make sure that you’re using the recommended temperature setting. While cold water is energy-efficient, several kinds of soils can only be eliminated with warm or hot washes. If you’re using a hot or warm atmosphere and the clothes still aren’t coming clean, verify that the fill hoses are connected to the appropriate faucets.

Water or Detergent Issues

At times the water itself may cause your clothes to look dirty after washing. If your garments have a yellowish to orange tint, there may be high levels of iron in your water. This can be fixed by installing an iron filter. If you’ve got hard water, which includes mineral deposits, minerals in the water can mix with soap to form a scum, which causes your laundry to appear dingy and unclean. There are packaged powders accessible to soften your laundry water, or you may put in a whole-home water softener. How you add your detergent may also affect how clean the garments come out. Pouring the detergent on top of the load reduces its cleaning effectiveness, because some clothes get too much detergent, while those below do not get sufficient. Fill the machine and then add soap until you add the laundry.

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How to Paint Stained Oak Wainscoting

Stained oak wainscoting doesn’t suit everyone’s preferences, however applying a few coats of paint above it will lead to a streaky, discolored mess. While classified as a hardwood, oak is also open-grain, meaning it’s visible pores. This gives oak plenty of personality, but also means it does not absorb paint evenly. When you take the time to prepare your wainscoting carefully, you make certain that if you do visit paint it, then you are going to end up with a smooth, professional finish.

Tape round the wainscoting with painter’s tape. Put plastic sheeting on the ground and secure it just beneath the bottom trim. Open doors and windows if possible to maintain good ventilation.

Mix a couple of tablespoons of mild detergent in a bucket of warm water. Wash the wainscoting, removing some grease or dust, then rinse with a clean rag. Don’t oversaturate the wood. Permit the wainscoting dry completely.

Brush a liquid deglosser on a small section of the wainscoting and then wipe away the excess with a clean rag. Work your way throughout the wall. Always follow manufacturer instructions with regard to how long to let the deglosser sit; however, don’t let the product dry on the wall. Working in tiny sections allows you to control just how long the product has to get the job done. If the oak is not overly shiny, skip this step.

Sand in the direction of the grain with a 100-grit sanding block. Going against the grain tears the wood, leading to an uneven paint job. While a sanding machine could be tempting, they are not as successful as hand sanding on oak. When you’re done, then vacuum up the dust on the wainscoting and ground. Use tack cloths to get into any hard-to-reach places or to get a last wipe-down. This prevents dust from getting stuck in the merchandise you apply later.

Apply clear, water-based grain filler to the wainscoting, sealing the pores of the pine. Working in tiny sections, brush to the product against the grain first and then with the grain to get the last pass. Wipe away the excess with a lint-free rag when indicated from the producer. Specific application excels by producers, so always follow the instructions on the grain filler packaging.

Sand the wainscoting lightly with 180-grit sandpaper after the filler has cured in accordance with the manufacturer instructions, typically overnight. Even if the grain binder says that it is self-leveling, a light sanding is essential to get a smooth finish. Vacuum the wainscoting down to remove dust.

Inspect the wainscoting. In case any nail holes are visible, then fill them with wood filler or paintable caulk. Let the merchandise dry, lightly sand it level with the surrounding region and wipe down the area with a tack cloth.

Implement stain-blocking, water-based primer to conceal the stain color and prep the wainscoting. If you’re going from a very dark stain to a mild paint color, have your paint specialist tint the primer to coordinate with your desired paint color. Let the primer dry completely. If the oak wainscoting color is still quite visible, apply a second coat and let it dry.

Apply two to three thin coats of a paint color of your own choice. Let each coat dry before you apply the next one. This prevents peeling and bubbles, giving you the smoothest finish. Eliminate the painter’s tape and then drop cloths directly after you apply the previous coat.

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What Color Is Honeysuckle?

As most hummingbird aficionados know, honeysuckles are a favored with these tiny traffic to the backyard. The trumpet-shaped flowers also attract butterflies, and birds dine on the berries that are produced in summer season. Although the white to yellowish flowers of the invasive and non-native Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) are possibly the most familiar, honeysuckles arrive in a delightful range of colours, varying from white to deep orange, in both native and cultivated species. Most honeysuckles grow in sun or light shade and are tolerant of an assortment of soils.

Yellow

Lonicera tragophylla honeysuckle has no known common name and unscented, large, yellowish to orange summer flowers. It is a deciduous vine that is native to China and grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. A quick-change artist, Lonicera quinquelocularis is a deciduous honeysuckle whose creamy white flowers turn a dark yellow as they age. Oval, translucent fruit trace. This honeysuckle grows well in USDA zones 5 through 9. A native species with an intriguing name, swamp fly, Lonicera oblongifolia includes yellowish-white flowers that produce fruit. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 10.

White

Lonicera periclymenum or woodbine is a highly fragrant honeysuckle valued not just for its delicious scent but also for its vigorous growing growth habit and white to cream flowers that open in midsummer. It is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10. Lonicera albiflora, or the southern white honeysuckle, is native to the western United States. Showy white flowers appear in groups at the end of divisions and are followed by clusters of red fruit. Lonicera albiflora is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 10.

Red

With long-tubed, red flowers, Lonicera sempervirens, or trumpet honeysuckle, is evergreen in mild climates but deciduous in harsher regions. It is a vigorous climber, reaching 12 feet or more, and it’s native to the southern and eastern United States. It grows well in USDA zones 4 through 10. A large honeysuckle native to China, Lonicera henryi is an evergreen vine that grows to 30 feet in perfect conditions. Blooms are red and yellow and are produced in summer and spring. Purple-black berries follow. This honeysuckle is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10.

Pink

Tatarian honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica, is a bushy honeysuckle that creates trumpet-shaped, pink flowers in late spring to early summer. Red berries follow at the summer to fall. This pink honeysuckle grows well in USDA zones 2 through 9. The California honeysuckle, or southern honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula), is native to the Golden State and other areas of the western United States. It is a deciduous climbing tree with deep pink flowers and vibrant red grapes and is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9.

Orange

Orange honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) is native to the western United States. Flowers are orange-red and produced in clumps of 20 or more blossoms. It blooms May to July and is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. Giant honeysuckle, or Burmese honeysuckle (Lonicera hildebrandiana), is native to Southeast Asia and grows aggressively, reaching heights of 30 feet. The 4-inch-long, faintly scented blooms are cream at first but age to a deep orange in summer. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11.

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