Those handsome cabinets, snazzy appliances and well-equipped island may make you beam with pride as a homeowner. But the kitchen area that’s most likely to catch the eye and impress visitors is actually that small stretch of wall hovering above the sink – better known as the backsplash. To skimp on this important design element and vertical plane of practicality is to miss out on an opportunity to make a grand statement in your home’s most important room, experts believe.
Truths and Myths about Native Plants: You may have heard a lot about native plants and their benefits to pollinators and the environment. We’re here to help decipher what is true and what is not in regard to native plants.
Homes are typically designed and built around one animal at the top of the food chain: the homo sapien. So that usually means that our feline and canine companions get the short end of the stick when it comes to interior accommodations, architectural layout, room flow and pet-friendly furniture and décor.
You could harvest your next meal from your expansive vegetable garden, but what if you’re someone who gardens solely on a balcony or don’t have room for a dedicated veggie patch? Good news! You can grow plenty of herbs, small fruits and vegetables in containers, and you might find a few edible flowers growing in your landscape, too. Here are five tips to get you started.
An updated kitchen would be heavenly. A bathroom redo is probably long overdue. And installing new wood floors would add instant class to your interiors. Problem is, these and other indoor remodeling projects don’t always offer the best return on your investment these days—particularly if you plan to sell your home soon. Instead, consider emphasizing your exterior with upgrades that are more likely to recoup a bigger portion of your renovation dollars.
When it comes to renovation projects, your primary residence comes first. But if you own a vacation property or second home, needed improvements shouldn’t necessarily take a back seat. Not keeping up with recommended remodeling there could cost you in the long run.
Why the right shade will help you stay safe in the sun – in style – this summer
Backyard sheds are useful assets. Sheds can create storage space in the garage, basement or other areas of the house that have become gathering spots for gear typically used outdoors
Smart home technology doesn’t have to be limited to the boundaries of your interior living space. Today, you can automate tasks and easily control key security and entertainment features outdoors, too. This is thanks to the increasing availability of intelligent devices built to withstand the elements and managed by your smartphone and voice assistant.
Work out a plan to conserve two of your garden’s most precious resources: your time and energy. For most people, an ideal garden would be full of flowers and require no maintenance at all. But short of using silk flowers, that type of garden just doesn’t exist.
.jpg)
Nearly everyone can enjoy the beauty, fun and ease of container gardening. Containers are a great way to bring the garden to a doorway, balcony, terrace, rooftop or practically any outdoor location. It is especially ideal for those with a limited gardening space and all that is really required is adequate light and accessibility to water!
If you’re a dog owner, the first thing to consider is the temperament of your pet. Does it often chase rabbits or deer when out on a walk? How does your dog react to birds in the garden? If your hound tends to lose control in these situations, this behavior is likely to carry over into their relationship with chickens. Equally, if your dog is of a more relaxed temperament, they may show little if any interest in your coop.
Prospective home buyers are widening their home search areas to find new places to live. The National Association of Realtors says the median distance that buyers traveled to their new homes was 50 miles in 2022, which was triple the median distance that most people clocked in the 30 years prior. Still, the NAR 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers also indicated one-quarter of buyers studied traveled more than 470 miles to find new homes.
Your front door serves several purposes. It lets in sunlight and guests, and keeps out the cold. It’s the backdrop for your holiday wreath and your first line of home defense. It contributes to overall curb appeal. Because it does all this in the face of constant outdoor exposure and daily use, your front door may be well past its prime and within a few slams of needing a replacement. Here are five tips to help you select the best door for your home and lifestyle.
With spring and warmer weather in full force, you want to venture more regularly beyond your back door and bask in the splendor of Mother Nature on your patio or deck. The catch? The sun can get awfully bright and hot, and it’s no fun being exposed to rain or other unwanted elements.
When you think of the word dust and bath that may not seem like a spa day to you but for your chickens this is the best way for them to preen their feathers and maintain cleanliness. You might not think it is necessary to actually make a dust bath for your chickens. For example, whenever there’s a dry spot of earth they’ll peck and scratch at it, and then crouch down, fluff out their feathers, and shake their wings to cover themselves in dust.
Chickens aren’t especially difficult to care for, but before you dip your toes into backyard chicken keeping, there are a few things you need to consider to be sure you raise a happy, healthy flock that’s best for your family and home.
We started our little backyard flock back in 2009 with six baby chicks and two ducklings. And I’ve had ducks living in (mostly) complete harmony with my chickens for more than a decade. Ducks are hardy and low-maintenance, but whether you’re just starting your backyard flock or thinking of adding some ducks to your chicken flock there are some important things to know about raising ducks.
That costly custom crystal chandelier you’ve been eyeing would look perfect in the foyer. You’re convinced that dark quartz countertops would really make your kitchen pop. And your kids keep asking you to install that in-ground swimming pool you’ve hinted about. All these wish-list upgrade items make perfect sense to you. But they may not be so well-received by your home’s next owner, according to the experts. You may never recoup the costs you pay for many remodeling projects when it’s time to sell your home.
They’re easy to take for granted, but the walls and ceilings in your home are asked to do a lot — from setting your interior color palette and displaying décor to weathering the pounding and pressure they take from kids, pets and adults alike. It’s no wonder why the experts recommend repainting your walls every few years.
While stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops receive most of the admiration in a kitchen design, cabinets have become look-at-me stars, too. Modernizing them can change a kitchen's personality or vibe. Here's a rundown of six trends in kitchen cabinets today.
Nothing announces the coming of spring quite like budding vegetation, flourishing flora, and grandly growing greenery. Only you don’t have to wait for your outdoor flower beds to bloom or garden to blossom before you can benefit from an overdue dose of Mother Nature’s majesty.
Tackle these tasks to ensure a better-looking yard. We may be in the thick of winter, but here’s a warm and welcoming thought: It won’t be long before the flowers begin budding, trees start blooming, and the grass goes into a green-up mode.
