The story of Heather and Eric Andersen is an ever-changing tapestry of creating, renewing, sustaining, caring and loving. They’ve known each other since they met in an algebra class in high school. Gardening and plants have always been an underlying theme in their lives. As children, neither liked gardening. But several years later, they made […]
décor
Green — A Color that Works Well in Small Doses
Many would claim green to be a favorite color, but usually that is an offshoot from true green or primary green. Aqua greens, teals and that luscious totem green are popular for interior settings. Very pale green is considered soothing and often used to paint hospital walls. Even true, bright, primary green and that seen-everywhere […]
Cozy Up — Selecting the Right Fireplace for Your Home
Be it physical or psychological, sitting around a fire has the innate ability to warm your body and your soul. Whether you are toasting marshmallows outside, taking shelter from a winter storm inside or just looking for a bit of cozy ambiance, choosing just the “right” fireplace depends on “installability,” cost, available fuel sources, maintenance […]
How to Plant a Perennial Fall Container
Containers packed with plants provide garden pizzazz. Even though this blog and video are about containers for fall to winter enjoyment, they are actually planted up in mid to late summer. Plants often live happily in containers for anywhere from five to seven years. The methods shown in this video can be applied to containers […]
Curb Appeal Tips for Making Your Home Shine
There are many things you can do to improve your homes curb appeal, ranging from doing simple things yourself to hiring a professional. Here is a quick rundown of great curb appeal enhancers that almost everyone can manage. Paint your entry door. Or, if it is wood, refinish it. This can brighten up your home […]
Seventies Coffee Cups
Dime a dozen, can’t throw them away fast enough — mid-century coffee cups sprout up faster than spring field daisies. Or so I thought. It is night and day. Seems like a month ago they flooded thrift stores, and antique shops wouldn’t waste shelf space for the little old misunderstood gems. I have tons of […]
Marriage of Cookware and Art Can Be a Fun Experiment
Have you ever considered displaying your toaster on the living-room coffee table? Or hanging wooden mixing spoons from the hall entry mirror? Or hanging your frying pans on the wall behind the sofa? Usually not, one would say. Recently, I found myself displaying kitchenware with art and actually creating cookware displays in a living room. […]
The Romance of an Outdoor Room
There’s nothing more magnetic than an “outdoor room.” It’s more inviting than just a porch. It’s more romantic than a deck or a patio. It can be either snuggled against the house or set out at the edge of the property. Either way, it’s like a secret garden. People are drawn to outdoor rooms like […]
A Warm and Inviting Outdoor Space
Smoke rising from the chimney of the outdoor fireplace is often an unspoken invitation. “The big signal is when we light a fire in the afternoon and smoke curls out of the chimney — the neighbors usually know,” Donna McKamey says. “And pretty soon, one household or another rounds the corner with a bottle of […]
