Outdoor living has become a top priority for homeowners, with hardscaping playing a major role…
For many of us, the cancellation of summer vacations came as a disappointment this year. But quickly, many caught on to a brand new trend. The rise of the yardcation, and even backyard camping, has brought many of us back to our roots. We’re discovering that family fun can be simple and inexpensive, and you…
When you think of spending time outdoors, you might envision hiking, swimming, and outdoor sports. Maybe you picture the kids playing on a swing set, or yourself digging in your vegetable garden. All of these activities focus on action and exercise. While these are important (and healthy) concepts, without a doubt, there are other ways…
We can all remember a time in which front yards were strictly dedicated to curb appeal, with all the action happening in backyards. Driving through most urban and suburban neighborhoods, you almost wouldn’t guess that actual people lived in many of those homes! Rows of houses appeared like movie sets, with the entire family gone…
During both World Wars, homeowners across the US and other countries planted “victory gardens”. The idea was to grow more food close to home, in order to free up food supplies for the war effort. For many, that habit stuck. Millennials grew up hearing their grandparents talk about gardening, and for a long time, it…
During times of rapid societal changes, we tend to see those effects spill over into design as well. In 2020 we’ve noticed quite a few exciting new trends, including the practice of “rewilding” our yards. Rewilding is pretty much what it sounds like, but perhaps more organized than you might imagine. In the past, urban…
You might be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t stressed out in 2020. We’re all feeling anxious about everything that is happening this year. The good news is that years of research into stress, anxiety, and depression have produced some promising findings that hold potential to help us through this challenging year. And one thing…
If you’ve heard the term “jungalow” and you’re wondering what that’s all about, you’ve come to the right place. Jungalow is still a hot home decor and garden trend, and we’re here to fill you in. As you might have deduced, the word “Jungalow” is a combination of “jungle” and “bungalow”. It was coined by…
If you’re like a lot of us, you’re embarking on another semester of distance learning. School-from-home is a bit different from homeschooling because public and private school students need to be “plugged in” for a significant portion of the day. It’s no wonder some of you are looking for solutions to keep your children engaged…
We all grieve in our own ways, but many of us find that creating something beautiful during a time of grief can be soothing. Since a tree will provide beauty and a soothing presence for many years to come, some people find memorial trees to be the perfect way to remember a lost loved one….
As summer begins to wind down, most of us are ready for some cooler weather. But is your yard ready too? Here are some tasks to consider as the seasons begin to change over to autumn. Clean up. Leftover debris from spent plants is unattractive, and can also attract pests and diseases to your yard….
More and more families are joining the homeschooling movement, and many of them report learning the same lesson early in their adventure: You don’t need to mimic “school” in order to learn! In fact, many families find that avoiding a classroom approach, and learning in a more natural setting, is beneficial to their children. By…
Lately, we’ve witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of people interested in food-bearing plants. Specifically, you might be wondering if you should utilize permaculture in your yard, adding plants that produce food within a sustainable system. That decision, of course, is ultimately up to you. But some basic information might help you decide how…
You might have noticed what appear to be sails, mounted at angles over patios, play spaces, and more. Not only are shade sails an attractive way to block harsh sunlight during portions of the day; they can be much more “time friendly” compared to many other home improvement projects. Rather than a costly and time-consuming…
As you’re setting up an outdoor seating area, you will face a number of options. Outdoor seating can provide a place for conversation, eating, reading, working from home, or just soaking up some sunshine instead of feeling cooped up indoors. Lately, basket seats are all the rage, featured in social media ads and on websites…
Many lemon trees produce fruit sporadically throughout the year but tend to show a burst in production in late spring or early summer. So, those of you with a lemon tree might have quite a few lemons that you’re ready to use. How about some refreshing summer lemonade – either the classic variety or with…