Homegrown tomatoes taste heavenly when they are sweet with a hint of tart, acidic flavor. If you want to grow the same, there is a science behind it. And what is it, find out below!
30.06.2024 - 12:59 / thespruce.com / Ashley Chalmers
When creating a beautiful outdoor space, you often start with an empty space. Expansive backyards, empty decks, and beautiful front porches are easy to fill with plants, lighting, and furniture.
But from pipes to HVAC systems, lots of exterior eyesores are known for stealing focus, and they’re not always the easiest to cover up.
We decided to turn to a few of our favorite experts to see what they suggest when it comes to hiding and covering up our ugliest outdoor fixtures.
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The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
As necessary as they are, especially in summer, HVAC systems take up a ton of space.
Though they're one of the most common backyard eyesores, according to Catie Casazza of CRL Construction, there’s also a very easy fix to better hide them away: simply surround the area with plants that grow upright.
“I always try to plant out HVAC condensers with something like pittosporum tenuifolium,” she says, referring to a fast-growing evergreen shrub often used for hedges.
According to Casazza, its lace foliage allows for both maximum coverage and, importantly, airflow to the unit.
Mindy Gayer
As John Stivale and Steven Graffam of Stivale-Graffam Home point out, relying on nature is a tried and true option for hiding almost any unsightly external features. But Graffam gave us another great suggestion: look for planters that are multi-functional.
“Garden hoses are always necessary, but not exactly easy on the eyes,” he says. “Consider a planter that also houses and rolls the garden hose to conceal it from view.”
This can be used to cover other things, too. Anything with a trellis attached to the back is a
Homegrown tomatoes taste heavenly when they are sweet with a hint of tart, acidic flavor. If you want to grow the same, there is a science behind it. And what is it, find out below!
Your dorm should be your home away from home, but it can be hard to imagine that when stepping into the empty space for the first time.
Collaborative post
So you’ve hit the jackpot at the thrift store and found the vintage sofa of your dreams at a deep discount. But then you spot something that could turn this scene into a nightmare—an ugly stain on the fabric that looks at least half as old as the furniture itself. With a bit of patience and the right cleaning technique, there’s an excellent chance you can remove the stain, revive the fabric, and enjoy your “new” furniture for years to come. Below, we're sharing six foolproof ways to remove stains from thrifted store finds.
Nothing motivates a study session like coming home to a space that comforts and inspires you, and truthfully, an empty concrete wall in a dorm room is not going to do that.
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Nestled among a towering redwood grove on the gorgeous and biologically diverse Sonoma Coast, Flowers Vineyards & Winery just might be the most beautifully landscaped winery—not just in Healdsburg, but in the entire West. At this oasis, with distinct tasting areas mimicking the natural landscape of the region, guests can sip Pinot Noir and Chardonnay not just under majestic redwoods, but within a native landscape that beautifully extends the surrounding shady canopies of the oak woodlands and structural shrubs of the chaparral foothills into quiet, intimate settings.
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?
If you've already encountered a few or a group of spotted lanternflies in your yard, you may need to take extra steps to protect your yard since this invasive pest can damage the ecosystem around them.
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.
Epsom salt is extremely beneficial when it comes time to tackle your household chores, so you're going to want to start keeping it on hand if you're not already.