I would restain the chair this year to get it back to its normal coloring. Then apply the teak oil to keep it fresh. Just be sure you have them completely cleaned before applying the stain! Good luck!

Yard - my initial question presupposed that, since I don't remember reading anything in English sources about dire effects on trees etc., there must be some reason for that in terms of something different there than here (e.g. pests of some sort or other unidentified conditions...) It was probably misleading of me to use the word garden when I was interested in the bigger picture also - although I did also wonder about it in gardens too... (Bahia and Ink's input helped answer that question, as well as a recent post on GW that included comments from an English gardener on controlling ivy in the garden - she does much the same things as I do to control the ivy coming from my neighbours...) It just occurred to me to check the RHS web site re ivy. Interesting... While this doesn't explain why the ivy would be more damaging in areas of North America, it's interesting to see the English perspective on it: "Just how harmful is ivy? Here are some facts that will help you decide; - Ivy growing on trees is often thought to be a serious problem, endangering the health of even very large trees. However, its presence on the trunk is not damaging and where it grows into the crowns this is usually only because the trees are already in decline or are diseased and slowly dying - If the branch canopy becomes thin and allows sufficient light to enter, the ivy will develop into its arboreal form. Fraxinus (ash), a naturally thin, open-crowned tree may suffer heavy infestation, and for this reason ivy on ash trees is often controlled - When trees grown for their stem or bark, such as birch and some acers, keep the stems or trunks free from ivy - On other trees, ivy can be allowed to grow on the trunk, although one problem with very old or damaged trees is that the ivy may hide cavities which, in time, could gradually enlarge and possibly affect stability - Ivy is not a parasite; the short, root-like growths which form along climbing stems are for support only. Its own root system below ground supplies it with water and nutrients and is unlikely to be strongly competitive with the trees on which it is growing - Ivy has much wildlife value. As ground cover in woodland, ivy greatly lessens the effect of frost, enabling birds and woodland creatures to forage in leaf litter during bitter spells. Growing on trees, it provides hiding, roosting, hibernating and nesting places for various animals, birds and insects (including butterflies), particularly during the winter months and in areas where there are few other evergreens. Note: If you are concerned about an old or diseased tree, always seek professional advice from an arboriculturist or tree surgeon." Their recommendation on how to control it when it is an unwanted groundcover and you don't want to use chemicals: "Dig up all stems and woody roots. This may be difficult on heavy soils or where vegetation is very dense. Where the site is not needed for planting, an alternative control method is to clear away all top growth before laying weed-control fabric and a 10-15cm (4-6in) deep layer of bark mulch. Leave in place for at least two growing seasons." I would bet that a big part of the problem here is likely due to the greater presence of evergreen conifers here that are not evolved to live with evergreen vines. I'm not sure about the PNW, but most forest vines here are deciduous, so are likely less stressful on the trees when they climb on an evergreen conifer. And I wonder if the local bird populations have developed a strong preference for this 'exotic' food source... :-) Note that the RHS info only seems to be talking about deciduous trees and makes reference to ivy having value particularly in the absence of evergreen trees. So I think the the difference in the type of trees in forests between here and there is very much likely to be a key factor in how ivy performs in the environment here relative to there.

kidsmoke, I just purchased a product today for my ceiling. One of the lumber yards had a tongue and groove, flat 4" wide douglas fir that I really liked. Prior to finding it, all of the other yards had the same material, 6" pine or cedar TG which was knotty, douglas fir bead board in 3 1/2 inch, and a white pine v groove that was quite knotty. The DF I found had no nots, nice color variations between boards, and overall fairly light in color.. I plan on putting semi gloss poly on it and hopefully install it this weekend. It was around .85 lnft. do you have any photos of your porch with roof?

My favorite is really obvious - an old diaper pin I stick through the hand towel to keep the kids from throwing it on the floor every time they wash their hands. So simple! Old spice jars lining my window sills rooting plants (too cheap to buy them (plants and jars).) Jars of every sort to store rice, beans, sugar, etc. Sheets with those cool clip-on rings as curtains all over the house - give a prize to the one who invented those! Vinyl table cloth on floor in my daughter's art area. Blanket/quilt the movers left behind (they didn't want to come and fetch it) used as dog bed. Two terra cotta pots with a door on them as a table. A pottery chip/dip dish set on a log as a bird bath. Shoe boxes covered with pretty wrapping paper for art supplies. Ditto for photos. A wooden toddler bed used as a window seat - I covered the mattress with an old velvet drape - looks pretty elegant! Old coffee table painted and used as a bench in my entry way. Old cookie sheets underneath used as boot trays. Clothesline and clothespins running down the hallway holding my daughter's paintings. Book shelf turned on its side and used as window seat/toy storage. Video display rack from Walgreen's they were throwing away, got plastic bins, and now a place for the rest of the toys that rolls away. An old rolling metal typing table, painted cute and used as a tea table. File cabinets used as night stands. My dining table is an old conference table. Weighs a ton but takes a beating and looks great. that's all I can think of for now.... Best wishes to all my fellow inventors! Amy