I expect you’ve heard that the only way to protect your plants from hungry deer is a good fence. The deer in my neighborhood illustrate this point perfectly. Before I built my current fence, I kept my treasured deer “candy” covered in black netting. Harvesting strawberries from under the fencing was tedious, and as plants […]
diy tips
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Tips for Successful Plant Pruning
Woody plants — shrubs and trees — by their nature may require pruning. Gardeners may feel apprehensive about this task. Never fear, here are a few tips to assist you and a segment of Gardening with Peg for building confidence. The main reasons to prune are to allow air to circulate and to maintain plant […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Choosing Exterior Paint Colors for Your Home
In any building or remodeling project, choosing finishes and colors are always the hardest. For many people, the paint colors can be the most overwhelming. I usually have clients break it down a little to help make the process easier. With exterior colors, look around first at your immediate neighbors and the homes on your […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
A Dainty Distinctive Treat for Your Next Brunch or Bash
Forget cronuts, cake pops and cupcakes. Whether you’re planning an elegant afternoon tea or seeking an unexpected addition to your next brunch or cocktail party, there’s another chic pastry that deserves its day — the madeleine. These classic, seashell-shaped cakes were named after their creator, Madeline Paulmier, by King Louis XV in the 18th century, […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Using Websites to Help Plan Your Building or Remodeling Project
It’s still not uncommon to meet new clients who drag in a binder of ideas, photos and notes they have been keeping for years, ready for the day when they can start their building or remodeling project. I’m guilty too — I have a few binders of ideas. After all, a picture truly is worth […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Get The Dirt — On Home Gardening
Gardening Chores Chores is often such an unpalatable word. It seems it’s something people love to put off if they can. But for gardeners, doing chores outdoors is often delightful because it means well-spent time outside, leading to future enjoyment in the garden during the other seasons, especially during harvest. Tackle all the shotweed, a.k.a. […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Dreaming of Summer — It’s Never too Early to Start Planning!
This dreary winter weather really gets me to dreaming about sunshine and warmer days. Great afternoons on the deck or patio with friends, beautiful places to relax on a nice Northwest day, and additional living space during our spectacular summers are just a few reasons to dream about these great spaces. Many of us will […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
How to Start Veggies and Other Plants from Seeds
There are many reasons why gardeners decide to start plants from seed. It can be vegetable seeds for growing, harvesting and eating produce, or non-edible annuals to merely decorate containers and other areas of the garden or to attract pollinators. The main reason to start seeds is the wider variety of plants not always found […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Finding a Place for Art
Just the title, “Finding a Place for Art,” somewhat connotes that art is playing second fiddle, as if even asking whether there is room for art means one considers not including art. Being in the art and design business for many years, I’ve often discussed the topic of collecting and displaying in one’s home, especially […]