Outdoor living: Functional design key to a successful plan

All you need is a full fallen leaf for a brand-new jade plant! The process is easy and especially great if you don’t want to buy but still want a beautiful Crassula ovata. So, here’s how to propagate it from individual leaves to birth a lush new jade plant for your collection!

More greenery means more oxygen! But did you know some plants even filter out contaminants and allergens? They create a space that is easy on the eyes, lungs, and mind. We share the best outdoor plants that improve the quality of the air you breathe!

Eating al fresco is one of the highlights of summer and being able to cook outdoors is an added bonus. Whether that’s having a barbecue, firing up the pizza oven or turning on your gas oven, having a dedicated area for your kitchen has never been easier. There’s a huge range of kitchens to choose from. To keep it simple there are barbecue tables, which can be wheeled out next to your cooking area to make serving easier, or with a full-scale kitchen you can have almost every convenience you’d have indoors, including a fridge.

Think of kitchen design styles like fashion. Some trends come and go (jean silhouettes, the height of socks), while other elements (say, a white button-down shirt) will be timeless generation after generation.

There’s a lot to think about when you prepare to move into your dorm. Whether it’s your very first time living in a dorm or you’re a seasoned pro, making the most of a small, possibly shared space is a feat. 

Pool season is in session, so if you need a sign it’s time to gather all your summer-friendly essentials, this is it. Swimsuit? Check. SPF? Check. Pool accessories? Honestly, not quite. Since nobody wants to spend their entire time outside frantically treading water, pool floats and noodles are a summertime necessity. That said, finding one that matches your aesthetic can sometimes feel easier said than done.

Southerners love their gardening and landscaping, but if you really want to make your outside space feel welcoming and ideal for entertaining, it's time to figure out a hardscape plan. Unlike landscape which refers to the living elements like grass, trees, and flowers in your outdoor design, hardscape is the «non-living» elements like concrete, stone, and more.

Collaborative post

Tips for Growing Cast-Iron Plants (Aspidistra) Outdoors

Collaborative post

While it’s been predicted for quite a while now that the once-favored gray is on its way out, that certainly doesn’t mean neutrals are going away entirely. In fact, some might argue they’re heating up… and the tones are getting warmer, too. 

While you can decorate and enjoy a private backyard just the way you like—or at least within the confines of an HOA’s rules—the elements of a shared courtyard or patch of grass should consider the group rather than the individual homeowners. «While some may not find this ideal, fostering a sense of community in these shared outdoor spaces can provide a sense of enjoyment,» says Joe Raboine, VP of Design at Oldcastle APG, parent company of Belgard Here are some tips on how to make the most of communal space.