Blues Ideas, Tips & Guides

Laure Joliet / Architectural Digest

AMC Theaters

Walking into the 2024 Real Simple Home, you are immediately greeted with stand-out hardwood floors, beautiful decor, and the stunning original accents of the home—and this is all in just the entryway and first room. 

As well as what could be classed as ‘projects’, there is a tendency for minor editing at this time of year and, on the whole, I feel the borders generally have been improving in recent years because of this.  I daresay I will never be completely happy with them and inevitably there will always be changes to be made, but at least there seems to be more cohesion to them these days and I don’t have an issue with removing plants that no longer bring pleasure. The bold borders have certainly come a step closer in their boldness, although some editing is still required in the one to the left of the gate (above), where an over-exuberant geranium has been swamping the new Geum ‘Totally Tangerine ‘ in front of it (below); moving the geranium further back in the border will be a first step.

Hostas are perennials that can be planted across borders and inside containers. They are grown for their attractive foliage. But none of the varieties can tolerate full sun. They preferred shaded spots and moisture. If you want hosta like foliage in your outdoor garden, check out these full-sun hosta alternatives.

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Happy Monday GPODers!

While mums are particularly popular during the fall season for their lasting power and bright multi-colored blooms, they aren't the only stars of the show for this upcoming season.

Whether you're redecorating or renovating a kitchen, your cabinets are just as important as the walls and tiles.

James Nathan Schroder

Happy Monday GPODers!

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It's hard to believe, but 2025 is quickly coming our way, which means that all of our favorite paint brands are starting to announce their picks for colors of the year. Whether you are looking to repaint an old bathroom or revamp your entire house, there's a shade here for everyone and every room.

Dutch Boy

Aldi | Design: Better Homes & Gardens

Garden furniture can be a big investment – with sofas, tables, umbrellas and the like often taking up a large chunk of your overall garden budget.

When it comes to perennial vines, it’s hard to top the beauty of blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea, Zones 7–11). This South American native plant is well-suited for the heat and humidity of the southeastern United States. One of the hardiest passion vines, it will reliably overwinter in Zone 7, or even Zone 6 when provided with extra winter protection. Learn more about choosing the right passion flower vine for your garden here.

My original thoughts for a post title ( ‘As Easy As…’) were thwarted when I realised the blue and white alphabet mug I planned to use as a vase was too small; several other similarly coloured vases were rejected for various reasons before I settled on this clear glass jar with its integral ‘cage’. A miniature bird cage, no doubt intended for a doll’s house, now serves as a satisfactory prop – someone must have left the cage open though, as the bird has flown…

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Le Creuset

Behr

VICTORIA PEARSON

Blooming along the Nile, this sacred flower was a potent symbol among ancient Egyptian royalty and deities. Even found in the famed tomb of King Tutankhamun, it is treasured for its psychoactive blue blooms. Let’s uncover the meaning of the intriguing blue lotus flower!

The name ‘caterpillar’ comes from the old French word chatepelose, which means ‘hairy cat’. Caterpillars are the eating and growing stage of butterflies and moths. Many are green but others are intricately patterned, which makes them straightforward to identify.

29 of the Best Blue Succulent Plants

Valspar

Well, I did it, got out our stepladder and climbed up to cut some of the mammoth sunflowers for today’s vase! Joining them are several stems of Rudbeckia ‘Cappucino’ which work brilliantly with the sunflowers as they are all on the same colour palette. The sunflowers, ‘Velvet Queen’ and ‘Earthwalker’, are both shades of copper, and the rudbeckia range from pure to two-tone copper in various coppery degrees.

After four years as a model tenant, I finally got the green light to decorate our one-bedroom rental however I wanted. As long as any changes can be reversed once we move out, the sky is the limit.

Victoria Pearson

Did you know some house plants have foliage that morphs hues, while others have flowers that change color? Let’s explore these plants so you may select your favorite picks to liven up your home!

Erin Kunkel

The Summer Olympics are here, and for the ninth time, Ralph Lauren has dressed the U.S. competitors in his All-American designs, including jeans, a navy blazer with white and blue piping that’s emblazoned with the iconic Polo logo, a blue and white striped shirt, and a navy knit tie for a timeless—and truly American—look.

The walled garden in a rose-filled garden designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman

Sherwin-Williams

Brodiaea are bulbous perennials with attractive funnel-shaped flowers in June and July. These can be blue, lilac or white, held at the top of slender stems on an umbel flowerhead, like a small version of an agapanthus. Like agapanthus, this plant does best in a sunny spot, sheltered from frost. Not only are brodiaea an attractive addition to an early summer border and patio pots, but they make excellent cut flowers.

Garden mirrors offer a simple way to create interest and light in the garden. They can create the illusion of more space and add focal points that lead you through the garden. And, with so many types of garden mirror to choose from, you can match the design to your hard landscaping and planting to enhance your garden style.