Features Ideas, Tips & Guides

Magnolia Network

Pottery Barn

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Walmart

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I failed to say that the reconfigured rose garden featured yesterday is far from a ‘fait accompli’, and won’t be completed till much later this year or probably into the next. Firstly, I need to do something with the six slabs removed from the central area, the largest of which are 30″ x 18″ and all of them far heavier than they were when the last rose garden layout was established back in 2012. Although they are concrete, they are cast from moulds of real flag stones and there is a pleasing variation between them. We used these extensively when we laid the paved area and many of the paths and, although they were fairly reasonably priced when we first bought them, prices have escalated as we found when planning another project more recently – and hard to source, especially singly. At the moment, I cannot see where we might use them, but I am reluctant to get rid of them and they will need to be stored – which involves moving them… Then there are those nine bags of rubble (already moved down to the front of the house)…fortunately a local friend is happy to take rubble to fill in a boggy area where she stables horses…

Garden shows are crowded. That’s what I remember most about the first time I met Susan Calhoun. It was nearly 18 years ago at the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle, and as an exhibitor, she had built an amazing show garden. After jockeying my way between dozens of people to flip through her portfolio, I was convinced that one of her projects would be perfect for Fine Gardening. The following spring I found myself getting onto a plane, into a rental car, and boarding a ferry to see Susan and to photograph one of her gorgeous designs for our publication. 

Kraft

What caused the stippling on this eggplant leaf?

Anthropologie

ANN VANDERWIEL WILDE

Walmart

A wormery is a great way of recycling kitchen and small amounts of garden waste, using worms to turn this  material into nutrient-rich natural compost. A sump within the wormery also holds any excess liquid produced during this process and this can be used to feed your plants too. Simply drain it with the tap, every few days, dilute it to a 1:10 ratio of water and you have a nitrogen-heavy liquid feed ready to use. Wormery composting worms are different species to the earthworms you see in your garden, which aren’t suitable, and are known as brandlings, red, manure or tiger worms. They live inside the waste in the wormery bin and thanks to big appetites and a fast metabolism, quickly break down food waste likeegg shells, vegetable peelings and tea bags and turn them into compost for your garden. For help getting started our helpful step-by-step guide explains how to set up a wormery

Taking on a bathroom renovation is no small project, and you will want to make sure that you're as well-prepared as you can be prior to kicking off this process. To ensure that you're as satisfied as possible with the results, be sure to avoid these nine common bathroom renovation mistakes that the pros come across often.

Walmart

Our homes are ever-evolving spaces. As our tastes change, we might grow out of something we once loved, and designers are no different.

Umbra

Hallmark

Tradescantia or wandering jude or dude, whatever you call it, it can become a perfect trailing plant for hanging baskets! Its leaves feature stripes and hues of silver, green, and purple on both sides. And what better way to showcase its dainty, multicolored foliage than to let it cascade in full glory?

Self-cleaning ovens are designed to make life easier, eliminating the need for harsh cleaners and vigorous scrubbing. Just hit the self-clean mode and it’ll do the dirty job for you, right? Not necessarily. 

KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

IKEA

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Adam Albright

KATIE CHARLOTTE FIEDLER

When decorating an outdoor space, there are plenty of ways to transform it from an empty patch of grass to your dream oasis. If you're struggling with where to start, why not look to your zodiac sign for some ideas on how to make the space your own?

You don’t need a green thumb to know that the most important things for a plant to grow well are sun and water exposure. But when you fill your home with plants and make intentional decisions about what to grow in a controlled condition, you also have to consider how that plant will survive in its fabricated environment.

Walmart

If you ever looked around your home and wondered what you can do to improve your design, look no further. The space might not be begging for an extensive renovation or a major furniture overhaul—it can simply come down to styling.

One major rite of passage for any thrifter is attending their first estate sale. Unlike shopping at a flea market, you get to peruse one person's life collection.

Zen gardens provide places for contemplation and relaxation in the whirl of busy modern life. They emerged as spaces for meditation around the fourteenth century in Japan. In Zen Buddhist temples of the time, a new style of garden was developed based on ancient traditions and intended to represent the Japanese landscape. These representations weren’t meant to be realistic – instead they included abstract forms, such as rocks and waves raked in gravel, to symbolise natural features. The purpose of a Zen garden was to inspire profound thoughts and meditation.

Is your patio currently a cluttered mess? It’s time for a makeover that won’t blow your budget. To optimize patio time, you’ll want to create a clean, comfortable spot.    We turned to Heather Knight-Willcock, an interior designer based in Long Beach, California, for her advice on redecorating a patio without dropping a ton of cash. As an expert for ShopGoodwill.com, Knight-Willcock is well-versed in seeking the best deals, and shopping with an eye for budget-friendly and second-hand options.  Here’s how Knight-Willcock would decorate a patio for under $200—and how you can, too. 

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Whether you’re hosting a July 4 gathering this year or you just want to show up to the party with the most stylish dishware, The Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart has you covered with entertaining pieces and patriotic tabletop additions that are perfect for parties indoor and out. From space-saving serving trays to drink dispensers perfect for showing off your colorful punch, these finds will make sure you’ll have no trouble impressing your guests this year.

Starbucks

Not all living room layouts are created equal, and many people fall victim to six common mistakes when positioning their furniture in this space.