147 Home & Garden Articles
You may use these articles on your websites or in your ezines, so
long as you honor the Terms Of Reprint as outlined with the article.
6 Secrets To Cottage Style Decorating
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Cottage style decorating is a popular style right now. Just look at any home decorating magazine on the shelf – all will talk about it, some exclusively cover it. It so common, familiar, and reminiscent of vacations of your childhood past, you may not even realize that it's a decorating style of its own.
The Best Flavored Tea Pluckings
Written by: Jon M. Stout
If you're new to flavored teas, no doubt you're wondering how to choose flavored teas of the best quality. The variety of the tea, the country in which it's grown, the way it's processed, the time it's harvested and the way it's flavored all affect the way a flavored tea will taste.
Dutch Oven Cooking: Cast Iron vs. Aluminum
Written by: Marc Wiltse
Cast iron Dutch Ovens have been around for a long time. Is cast iron still a good material to cook with or is aluminum better?
What Is A Quality Imperial Formosa Oolong Tea Garden?
Written by: Marcus Stout
Imperial Formosa Oolong tea is one of the most prized in the world. Oolong teas from Taiwan are becoming more and more popular as their delicious taste is discovered by more and more tea drinkers. Though oolong tea originated in China, and though most of the oolong tea produced in the world today is still produced in China, oolong teas from Taiwan, also known as Formosa oolongs are quickly being recognized for their quality.
5 Easy Ways To Decorate With Sheets
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Want a custom, coordinated look that is inexpensive? Use bedsheets. Yep, the same sheets you cuddle under at night can turn a bedroom from boring to stunning. A designer look at Walmart prices.
Tea: Growing Quality Green Tea
Written by: Marcus Stout
There are literally hundreds of varieties of green tea, each with its own distinct flavor and characteristics. Green tea is grown in several countries throughout the world, but the vast majority of it is grown in China and Japan.
Finding Decorating Treasures At Garage Sales
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
As they say, one woman's junk is another's treasure. If you'd like to add interesting pieces to your home that are old, have a history and story, and also fit some the latest trends in decorating, go to garage sales.
Palm Trees Suitable For Containers Used Outside And Inside Your Home Or Office
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
If there is ever anything you want to know about Palm trees, then read this article as we look at the various Palm trees available.
|
Free Public Submissions Coming Soon To This Website
|
3 Secrets To Luxuriously Looking Drapes
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
For drapes that look rich and luxurious, keep these three tips in mind: fabric, fullness, and layers.
The Modern Soft Yellow Banana Evolved From The Cooking Banana As The Number One Fruit In The World
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
The early Spanish explorers introduced banana plants into America from Spain as a hardcore, large cooking banana, known as a Plantain banana. The amazing yellow fresh eating banana, that we know today sold by supermarkets, resulted from a mutation from the hardcore tissues of the parent plantain banana plant, that was then growing in Jamaica.
9 Ways To Make A Small Bath Look Bigger
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
A small bath - it's a common problem. It may be a bath in an old house, an added powder room, or even a bath tucked under stairs. But how can you make a tiny space look bigger than it actually is?
Windmill Palm Trees, Tropical Accent Plants, Cold Hardy For Northern United States And Canada
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
The Cold Hardy Windmill Fan Palm tree originated on the island of Chusan off the east coast of China, and the Windmill palm tree is often called the Chinese or Chusan Fan Palm. The Windmill Palm tree was named in Latin, Trachycarpus fortunei, after Robert Fortune, and after 158 years, in the year 2007, these Windmill Fan Palm trees are still growing gracefully as a distinguished, exotic, rare tree at Kew Gardens, a palm of noble bearing.
How to Make An Easy, Quick Valance
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
If you can sew a straight line, you can create this valance in just an hour.
Use of Garden Ponds
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Garden ponds can improve on that experience by adding a new dimension to any outdoor space - from bath tub-sized to a small lake, the benefits of a garden pond are potentially available to anyone with a little outdoor space.
|
Free Public Submissions Coming Soon To This Website
|
Use of Bird Baths in the Garden - Why Install a Bird Bath?
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Many people enjoy the sight and sound of birds in the garden - the color, movement, and song they provide adds life to a garden and can be very restful, evoking a peaceful, rural atmosphere.
The Fountains of Kansas City
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Kansas City is thought to have more fountains than any city in the world except Rome, arguably the birthplace of the city fountain. At the last count, it was thought that there were over two hundred public fountains in Kansas City, with many more private fountains.
The Fountains of Chatsworth House, England
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Chatsworth House is located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty in the center of England. The house is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and the 1000 acre estate includes a working farm and more than 100 acres of landscaped gardens.
The Basics of Water Fountains
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
A fountain is a man-made installation, in which water issues from a source before falling or cascading into a basin, bowl or receptacle of some kind.
Florentine Fountains: Sculpture, Not Water
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
While Roman fountains seem designed primarily for the display of water, the Florentine fountains exist for the display of sculpture. Certainly their outstanding characteristic in the Cinquecento is the tendency of the figure sculpture to dominate the structural portions of basins and shaft...
Father of Fountain Design: Gian Bernini
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
For centuries, visitors to Rome have admired the architecture and art of this great European city. Its famous outdoor water fountains, piazzas, churches and cathedrals draw many thousands of visitors each year, as do its countless art galleries. No less an attraction is Vatican City, in the heart of Rome, and its principal building, the Basilica of St. Peter.
Famous Waterfalls of the World
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
About 70% of the Earth's surface is permanently covered in water. Water shapes our coastlines and carves channels through countries and landscapes. Inevitably, water sometimes runs across a sudden drop in the level of the land, and a waterfall is born.
Donatello's Fountain
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, universally known as "Donatello", was born in Florence around 1385 and was laid to rest there in 1465. The powerful nature of his art made him the greatest sculptor of the early Renaissance.
The "Cylix" Type Fountain in Florence
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
One form of small freestanding fountain is the "cylix" type, so named because the footed, bowl-shaped basin which forms its nucleus resembles both in shape and in proportions the classical cylix or drinking cup. Only two basins of this type in the style of the Florentine Quattrocento have been preserved:
Simplicity with Fountains in Garden Design
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Simplicity has always been the basis of good design, and adding a garden fountain is no exception. Also, good garden design is nearly as easy as it is simple! It's when you complicate things that you create issues.
Container Gardening Basics
Written by: Elizabeth Jean
Ever since the 1950s, it has been increasingly popular to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers on a small scale in large pots - containers! A container garden is simply a garden planted in containers, whether small or large, indoors or outdoors. You might have a porch, patio, balcony, stair case, windowsills or roof top that you would like to bring some life and color to - all of these are ideal opportunities for a container garden.
The Ancient Crinum Lily Inhabiting The Island Of St. Simon, And Sea Island, Ga.
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
William Bartram, a notable, early American botanist, extensively explored the Island of St. Simons in Georgia; describing vividly the landscape, animals and plants in the area, along with his personal encounters with islanders, and in most cases, their generous offers of food, shelter and conversation and hospitality to him in March of the year 1774.
Indonesian Wood Carvings For A Room With A Difference
Written by: Susy Matthews
The realism of Indonesian wood carvings has to be seen to be believed. That a lump of wood could be made to come alive in such an inventive way is beyond belief, and these komodo dragons look too darn real. You can imagine them taking a lump out of you with these ferocious jaws. There is no doubt at all that Indonesian craftsmen are among the most talented in the world
Use Egyptian Theme Décor for a Unique Guest Room
Written by: Susy Matthews
Have you ever thought about having a themed room in your home? Egyptian theme decor can provide you with a talking point for the whole neighborhood. If you have never given thought to a themed room just consider this for a few moments. Are you happy with your guest room? With the way it is decorated and the image of you that it projects?
Out Of Africa: African Drums And Masks For Unique Home Accents
Written by: Susy Matthews
A theme using artefacts such as African drums and masks is a marvellous way to decorate your home and provide topics of conversation on these wonderful unique home accents. Just one room, set in an African style, would be so unusual and exotic that everybody in your neighbourhood would be dying for an invitation.
Decorating Tips: Best Placement for Rugs Under Furniture
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
Small rugs and accent rugs can usually be placed wherever they look good or fulfill a specific purpose, but larger rugs look best when basic guidelines for placement are followed. Since a larger rug often serves as an anchor for a furniture grouping or the main floor covering in a room, proper placement is essential for several reasons, including a balanced look.
The History Of Almond Tree, Prunus Dulcis
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
The ancient travelers and traders, who circulated back and forth over the Silk Road route between Greece and Turkey, used almonds in their commercial trading, in exchange for other expensive and desirable goods.
Decorate Your Home with Rugs in Solid Colors or Unique Shapes
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
Now, more than ever, rugs come in a surprisingly wide range of designs and color combinations, as well as shapes. This can make finding the right rug an exciting quest. So, let's have some fun by looking at rugs in solid colors or distinctive shapes that often get overlooked by decorators and rug shoppers.
Home Decorating: People Love Rugs that Appeal to The Senses
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
Using rugs here and there is a decorative way to add charm and personality to your home. Rugs help you create the look and feel you want for each room. But, it goes beyond that. Rugs are more than just floor coverings - they can also appeal to our senses.
The Evolution of Bathing and Showers
Written by: Cecil Radmore
The oldest known archeological example of plumbing systems for baths dates back to 3300 B.C. in India. We also know that in the Bible, bathing was an important component of the Hebrew tradition, although the Israelites were instructed to go down to the river for their baths.
History Of Mulberry Trees, 'Morus Alba,' 'Morus Rubrum,' And 'Morus Nigra'
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
Mulberry trees were well known in the ancient civilizations of the world. They were famous fruit trees, because of the delicious berry fruits that were abundantly produced by fast growing trees-loaded with huge green leaves that were eaten by livestock, along with the berries, and the leaves were used in the Orient to fatten silkworms for the silk trade.
Dan'z Kitchen Design Tips - Building in your existing Refrigerator for a better look.
Written by: Dan Stout
There are several reasons to give the refrigerator a 'Built-In' look. The first of course, is appearance. Hiding the huge sides of the refrigerator may be an excellent improvement on the look and feel of your kitchen.
St. Patrick's Day Party Decorating Ideas that Save Money and the Environment
Written by: Brenda Prevost
How about decorating your home and celebrating the holiday without polluting our environment and even saving some money? These easy ideas can help you decorate for your St. Patrick's party using environmentally safe and keep more cash in your pot of gold.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Receives Britney Spears' Birth Flower
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The month of December is many things-it's the last month of the year, it's the birth month of many stars, including Britney Spears, and it's the month of the poinsettia flower.
Paris Hilton And California Flower Growers Weather Cold Snap
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The recent cold snap in California wasn't much more to pampered starlets like Paris Hilton than a reason to don designer coats and boots. But, for Californians who grow flowers or citrus fruits, the cold was nearly a disaster.
A Step-By-Step Guide To Installing a Toilet
Written by: Cecil Radmore
If you have never installed a toilet before, then this guide will take you step-by-step through the process. You will find the process to be much easier than you had ever imagined it would be.
Decorating with Rugs - Selecting Rugs to Fit a Theme
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
In the world of interior decorating, few design elements are as versatile as the rug. Rugs are at home everywhere - from humble, country kitchens to grand, neo-classical entryways. Rugs bring warmth, comfort, and color to bare floors and add new life to lackluster rooms and hallways. Whether you're decorating a brand new home, or remodeling your lived-in bungalow, rugs are an easy, affordable way to add charm, character, and style to any room.
Rare Flowering Trees That Light Up Your Garden Landscape
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
Flowering apricot trees offer spectacular flowering blooms earlier than any other flowering tree, sometimes blooming as early as January. This early flowering can result in cold weather damage in some areas of the United States.
Home Decorating - Get Rugs that Put the Fun in Functional
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
Rugs can serve several functional purposes, with the most obvious one being a floor covering. Rugs also provide warmth on a bare floor and help to reduce noise in a room with too many flat surfaces. Rugs can add beauty and charm to a room and they can give your room a cosmopolitan feel or more of a country feel. That's great, but our focus today is on fun!
Angelina Jolie And Others Can Now Make Their Flowers Even More Eco-Friendly
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Angelina Jolie is well known not just for her acting ability but for the good deeds she does for various organizations. If Jolie is environmentally friendly as well, she could make her flowers and plants even friendlier for the earth. A new line of flowerpots has just hit the market, and they're sure to draw the eyes...and wallets...of all those who do what they can to keep the earth clean and healthy.
Area Rug Basics – Floor Coverings AND Art for Your Floor!
Written by: AnnaRae Mills
Area rugs are a great way to enhance your home decorating. Rugs can add warmth and sophistication to your living room or an offbeat flair to your den. They're perfect for padding a hardwood floor, or giving a stylish lift to your bedroom. Whatever your personal taste and decorating style, you'll have a wide selection of rugs to suit your color scheme and your personality, as well as your budget.
History Of Peach Trees, Prunus Persica
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
Peach trees, Prunus persica, are originally believed to have come from China to the Mideast through the trade routes known to extend to Turkey and Iran (Persia). The peach seeds could be used to plant and grow trees throughout North Africa and Europe and finally were introduced to America in the mid 1500's. The first appearance of peaches in China may date back to 2000 BC.
Buying Guide and Tips To Get More Life Out Of Your Clothes Dryer
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Buying a clothes dryer for your home is a fairly simple decision process. Once you have read this report, your buying decision might even be a bit easier.
How To Choose A Fireplace or Heating Stove For Your Home
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Before deciding the type of fireplace that would be best for you and the model that you would like to own, keep in mind some of the following points:
Add Natural Lighting To Your Home
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
The addition of simple natural light to a remodeling project can have a huge impact on your level of satisfaction. A well designed home that maximizes the use of natural lighting without compromising energy efficiency brings extra sunshine into your life.
History Of The Filbert (Hazelnut)
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
The modern name for filberts has evolved from European folklore. The original name was connected with Saint Philbert's Day (Saint Filbert), the day that harvesting the nuts began, August 22nd, the day of observing the Saint's day of celebration.
Some Rose Trivia For Madonna
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
In writing her children's book titled The English Roses, Madonna may have done some research. But, did she uncover these facts about roses, one of the world's most treasured flowers?
Angelina Jolie's Birth Flower, The Rose, Gets A Week Of Its Own
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Born June 4, 1975, actress Angelina Jolie was born in the month of the rose. One of America's most beloved flowers, the rose is cherished for its beauty and scent. They've long been a symbol of romance and florists sell countless dozens of roses to people wishing to woo, congratulate, send get well wishes, or just to say, "I was thinking of you."
Clay Aiken May Give His Loved Ones Peace Lilies
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Okay, I don't really know what kind of plants Clay Aiken favors when he gives houseplants as gifts, but given the popularity of the peace lily, it's pretty likely that he's given or received one or two in his lifetime.
Guide to Understanding 'Green' Home Remodeling
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Americans are now spending up to 160 billion each year on remodeling their homes and businesses. A fraction of this money has been focused on what is known as "green construction". Green construction or remodeling is using energy saving, recycled products, and is experiencing nothing less than a renaissance or rebirth. You can help restore a significant portion of the world's ecosystems by using "green construction". Such a practice can also help create a healthier indoor environment for your family.
Which Flowers Match Britney Spears' Home Style?
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
As she's grown up in the public eye, the world has watched pop-icon Britney Spears change her style over the years. She's gone from flirty pop teen to mother of two. As she's grown up, it's very likely her tastes in home décor have changed as well. According to the Society of American Florists, there are five main home decorating styles-and there are flowers to go with every one of them.
Flowers To Help You Ring In The New Year
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
If you're planning to throw a huge New Year's bash or even just a small get together, don't forget to order flowers to make your celebration even brighter. Flowers make an excellent addition to any decorating theme, whether it's lavish and elegant or colorful and fun. And, they're an incredibly easy way to decorate-your florist does all the work!
Will Jennifer Aniston Ever Get A Red Iris On Her Birthday?
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The iris, birth flower for the month of February in which Jennifer Aniston was born, comes in almost every color you can imagine-white, yellow, blue, purple...but not true red. You may see them in colors very close to red, like wine or brick red, but you won't see one in real, stop sign red.
Evergreen Shrubs And Hedges Are Important, Cold Hardy Landscape Specimen Plants
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
Next to the landscape importance of trees is that of shrubs that grow in our gardens, parks, landscape foundation, street borders, and commercial landscapes. Thousands of different varieties of shrubs are grown to ornament lawns, yards, and borders, but only a few varieties are available to buy at your local nursery for planting, and growing.
Palm Trees For Office Indoor Planting Or Outside In The Deep South
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
Several types of palm trees can be grown outside or inside, if planted in a container. Palm trees grown in containers are suitable for low light office situations or indoors at homes in Northern States.
Anna Nicole Smith Could Bring Happiness To Her Home With Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Model and television personality Anna Nicole Smith is reportedly shopping for a new house for herself and her newborn daughter. To make her new home a happy, peaceful place, Smith could take some advice from new research recently published by Harvard showing that flowers can greatly improve our lives. Specifically, the study proved that flowers make people feel more compassion, reduce anxieties, and raise our energy levels.
Oprah And Other African Americans Get Ready For Kwanzaa With Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
In addition to the Christian tradition of celebrating the Christmas holiday, many African American families also celebrate the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa. One notable Kwanzaa celebrator is Oprah Winfrey, who has frequently offered tips and ideas for the holiday on her television show and in her magazine. In addition to Oprah's tips, your florist may also be able to help you choose great flowers to accent your Kwanzaa decorations and entertain your holiday guests.
Floral Ideas For Christina Aguilera's Chanukah Celebration
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Though she's not Jewish, pop star Christina Aguilera married Jordan Bratman in November of 2005 in a wedding ceremony that included traditional Jewish elements. Because of her husband's Jewish heritage, Aguilera's holiday celebrations are sure to include Chanukah. If that's the case, she'll probably be visiting her florist for some help with beautiful Chanukah decorations.
Replanting your Christmas Tree
Written by: Ted Roberson
If you are in the market for a beautiful evergreen to be added to your landscape, Christmas is a perfect time to begin shopping. While most Christmas shoppers purchase a Christmas tree that has already been chopped at the bottom, there are several nurseries that offer live Christmas trees with the roots still intact.
7 Extraordinary Ceiling Treatments
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
In a recent post, I mentioned how ceilings are no longer simply plain white. They're painted; they're designed; they're the focal point of a room.
No Flowers For China In Wikipedia
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
If you look up China on Wikipedia.com you won't find mention of flowers as a major export for China. But, that may change if the Chinese government is successful in its efforts to boost the country's cut-flower industry.
A Gift Of Flowers Is Better Than An X-Box
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
One of today's hottest items, and among the most requested gifts, is the X-Box game system. Although video games are a lot of fun, the money it costs to buy an X-Box would be better spent on flowers. In fact, according to a study titled the Home Ecology of Flowers Study conducted for the Society of American Florists (SAF) Flower Promotion Organization (FPO), flowers have an amazing affect on those who include them in their lives.
Fall Lawn and Garden Pests
Written by: Ted Roberson
With the cool weather of the fall season, most lawn and garden pests and diseases begin to dwindle away. Yet, there are a few lawn and garden pests that thrive off of the cool temperatures of the fall season.
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...With Flowers!
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Which holiday is the biggest for flower sales? I'll bet you're thinking Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. Well, those two are certainly big, but it's Christmas that draws more customers into flower shops than any other holiday. Perhaps that's because flowers bring a festive feel to any room they adorn while also making people feel happy and welcome.
Pamela Anderson Can Have A White Christmas With Holiday Party Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Having recently married, it's likely that Pamela Anderson will want to host a Christmas party with her new husband, Kid Rock. If that's the case, she needn't worry that her home in sunny California will be lacking a white Christmas. Even if there's no snow outside, she can bring a touch of white inside with gorgeous white Christmas arrangements.
Turn Your Single Family Home Into A Legal Multi Family Home
Written by: Robert Short
Will it really be legal? I've heard this question asked hundreds of times, yet in my concrete cutting business, one that is crucial in the conversion process, I have seen it done hundreds of times. How you may ask? It's actually not any more difficult than most major home renovations.
Use Rawhide Lamp Shades for Rustic Lamps, Lighting & Decor
Written by: Craig Chambers
How to use light, dark and colored rawhide lamp shades to create southwest, western and country style lighting and décor.
Yellow Mums Are In Fashion For The Fall
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Each year in the fall people trade in their bright summer flowers for warmly colored fall plants and flowers. Year after year, the most popular fall flower choice is the chrysanthemum, or mum for short. In 2005, yellow was the color of fashion for the potted mum.
Barbie Has Always Been As Color Conscious As A Florist
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The Barbie doll has long been a fashion icon for young girls. She always knows exactly what to wear for every occasion. Her color choices are impeccable. Why, Barbie is so good with colors, you'd think she was a florist!
Residential Builders Focus on Multiple Exterior Textures!
Written by: Catherine Wilson
Over the years, the exterior of homes have tastefully taken on more and more textures such as stained wood, painted wood, brick, stone, stucco, iron, slate, cedar shake...all melded together to create a desirable piece of real estate. Well planned facades create that first impression. It's the first impressions that count! As they say, you never get another chance to make a first impression.
Decorative Wood Corbels - The Finishing Touch that Makes Your Project Truly Unique
Written by: Matthew Osborne
Looking to add a touch of timeless elegance to your work? Take a look at decorative wood corbels. They're a great way to finish off your custom pieces with a distinctive flair. And with so many different styles, designs, and materials to choose from, it's easy to make everything you produce one-of-a-kind.
Modern Fruit Trees Evolved From Ancient Historical Roots
Written by: Patrick Malcolm
The rise and fall of ancient empires has developed parallel also to the establishment and destruction of advanced fruit tree orchards. Ancient fruit trees such as olive tree orchards increased the wealth and health of nations by feeding the populations, providing nutritious olive oil to light lamps in ancient houses at night, as food and a cooking medium, and for the purpose of anointing Kings and Queens.
Vintage Payphones
Written by: John Barclay
Are you one of those people who are gifts to the rest of the world? Do you like to do things differently or not in the realm of what most people consider normal? This is not to imply that you are weird or challenged in any way, it is simply that you have your own style. Why have standard cordless phones when you could have a unique telephone? Does your decorative style lend itself to a vintage payphone, one that was used back in the thirties or forties?
Indoor Water Fountains
Written by: John Barclay
Have you ever sat at the beach and thought how peaceful it was? Have you sat by the pool or by a running creek and enjoyed the tranquility that the quite sounds of running water gave you? Water has always had a soothing effect on our minds and spirit.
Halloween Fun At Your Local Flower Shop
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Halloween is just around the corner and you're thinking gruesome costumes, haunted houses, ghosts, black cats, witches, bats, and...flowers! What's that you say? You're NOT thinking about flowers for Halloween? Your florist is and you should be, too!
Planting Herbs in the Fall
Written by: Ted Roberson
For gardeners who have tried and possibly failed at planting herbs in the spring or summer, you may have already figured out that planting herbs in the fall is usually best for many herbs.
Keep Burglars Happy – Don't Get A Surveillance System
Written by: Amy Herndon
Ideas on how to protect your home from burglars.
Singer Jewel And Peonies Are Products Of Alaska
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Born and raised in the Alaskan wilds, singer Jewel is known worldwide for her poetic lyrics and beautiful melodies. Jewel is certainly a product that Alaskans can be proud of, and now they may have yet another reason to celebrate-they're about to have their first international agricultural export, and like Jewel, this export is also beautiful. Peonies, according to a five-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks (UAF), just might be that important export first for the state.
Decorating with Italian Furniture & Accessories
Written by: Maryann Larsen
Decorating with Italian furniture and accessories can cover a wide range of home owner tastes. Renaissance, classic, Tuscan, and modern contemporary Italian furniture are the more popular styles. Furniture design in Italy is a skilled trade that has been passed down from one generation to another for hundreds of years. Although the styles have changed dramatically with time the workmanship has retained the high quality of earlier periods, creating not only unique elegant furniture, but actual works of art in many cases.
Bonsai In Your Backyard - Getting Started The Easy Way
Written by: Erik A. Olsen
Bonsai is literally the art form of training a plant or tree from its original size down to miniature form. The bonsai is then grown in a pot or container and through years of training, sculpted into various styles, depending on the type of tree and personal preference. If you are just getting started with an interest in bonsai, we want to start by recommending you take care when buying your first plants. One of the most important steps in getting started with bonsai is choosing the right plant or tree.
Decorate with Fine Oriental Furniture
Written by: Maryann Larsen
Decorating with fine Oriental furniture need not be particularly complicated. Oriental screens or Oriental chests placed tastefully in a room can act as a fascinating and satisfying focal point when used with any decor.
Egyptian Decor
Written by: Maryann Larsen
The ancient Egyptians were a highly civilized people who left behind a wealth of statues, bas reliefs, sculptures, canopic jars, busts and other artistic pieces. Today, you can purchase professionally recreated replicas of nearly all the famous pieces, including, Isis, King Tut and the god, Anubis. You can also find exquisite replicas of Egyptian statues, Egyptian wall hangings and Egyptian plaques.
Ornamental Grasses for Fall Landscapes
Written by: Ted Roberson
Ornamental Grasses are becoming extremely popular in low maintenance landscapes as a way to add beauty and color without a great deal of hard work in the garden. Another great way to implement ornamental grasses is for fall landscapes.
How To Pay For The Finer Things In Life
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Everyone likes to enjoy luxury, but often the average consumer does not consider himself financially able to do so. The truth is, that with a good budget and smart financial planning, many people can afford to treat themselves to fineries they may not have considered a possibility.
The Big Decision: Hot Tub Or Swimming Pool?
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Many homeowners look for ways to add comfort, luxury, and value to their properties. There are many ways in which a homeowner might increase the appraised value of their home, but perhaps the most popular is installing a swimming pool or hot tub.
Harry Potter's Magic Can't Save The Home Building Industry...Or Florist's Stock In Landscaping And Bedding Plants
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) expects the number of buyers interested in purchasing newly built homes to drop sharply.
13 Easy and Inexpensive Fall Decorating Ideas
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Autumn provides a bounty of decorating ideas. No need to decorate for fall with cheap, plastic, fake items when the real thing is inexpensive, more tasteful, and easily creates a beautiful fall ambiance in your home. Here are 13 ideas that you can easily do.
Winter Resistant Plants and Shrubs
Written by: Ted Roberson
For those landscapers living in a Northern climate, it is essential to consider hardy winter resistant plants and shrubs.
How to Create an Easy, No-Sew Valance in Just 15 Minutes
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Here's an easy way to create a beautiful, elegant valance with no sewing in only 15 minutes. See an example here:
5 Easy Ways to Decorate with Sheets
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Want a custom, coordinated look that is inexpensive? Use bedsheets. Yep, the same sheets you cuddle under at night can turn a bedroom from boring to stunning. A designer look at Walmart prices.
Wireless Home Security: Is it for You?
Written by: Amy Herndon
Unquestionably, we live in a more dangerous world today. In the past it was common to leave our keys in the car, our doors unlocked, and let the children run through the neighborhood - it was okay, we knew everybody, it was safe. Crime was a distant thing and not something that was up close and personal.
Wooden Window Boxes & Planters...love the look but they rot!
Written by: Catherine Wilson
Until recently if a purist wanted a real, wooden window box or planter he or she had to resign themselves to the fact that it would rot every few years. When it did the process would start over with more boxes being built, hung and re-planted.
Do It Yourself? You'd Better Think it Through!
Written by: Robert Short
So! You want to do your own concrete cutting, huh? My only piece of advice is: Sub it out. Professional concrete cutters make our lives so much simpler, and save us valuable time and money at the same time. Professional concrete cutters are set up to handle any size concrete sawing job, and even the small concrete cuts can cause big problems for an un-experienced worker.
Concrete Core Drills and Concrete Core Drilling
Written by: Robert Short
Concrete core drilling is the process of drilling perfectly round holes through concrete walls, floors and other concrete structures. Read on to learn more about this process that is used by commercial builders for commercial building improvements and home owners for home improvement projects...
Latest Trends in Home Building and Remodeling
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
In home building and remodeling, some trends are short-lived while others last a decade or longer. During recent home shows, the following new trends have emerged as others continue.
Survelience In Your Own Home
Written by: Todd Concklin
Hidden cameras have reached such a sophisticated level that they can operate in almost any environment and are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. Not only is this surveillance device increasingly versatile, it has become increasingly affordable.
Growing Herb Plants in Containers
Written by: Ted Roberson
I love herb plants. I have grown thyme, basil, marjoram, sage, mint, parsley, cilantro, chives, rosemary, oregano and more. My rosemary plant has now made it through two winters and it looks like a small shrub.
The Diderot Effect: Staying Simple In The City
Written by: Bruce Elkin
Recently, I experienced my own encounter with the Diderot Effect. I moved to the city, and struggled to avoid an outburst consumerism.
Unlikely Hiding Spots: Tips For Hiding Your Valuables In Plain Sight!
Written by: Todd Concklin
Once it hits you that you've been robbed you become afraid of who may be lurking inside. As you slowly make your way through the house with your broom in hand you breathe a sigh of relief when it becomes evident the burglar has left the scene before you got home. Now, it is time to check the safety of your valuables.
Enhance Your Curb Appeal & Increase Your Property Value
Written by: Catherine Wilson
Catherine Wilson, an Interior Designer, in Atlanta, Georgia, recognizes how much simple exteriors changes can enhance curb appeal. Enhancements such as a new front door, a new mail box, adding or updating shutters, new light fixtures, changing landscaping and adding window boxes or garden containers can create an allure that makes a house become a home.
Which Is Best - A Deck Or Patio?
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Would you like to make the addition of a deck or patio to your home? This simple question requires that you put some thought into which one of the two would be the most suitable for your needs. Use this article as a guide to help you make the right decisions concerning your new outdoor area.
How to Lay a Flagstone Walk in 8 Easy Steps
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Years ago, we had a house that had flagstone flower bed border that was in disrepair. And we had ripped out an old broken walk from the curb to the front porch. We needed something, but concrete sidewalks aren't cheap. So we took the flagstone from the back and put it in the front for the walk. It wasn't hard and it was very inexpensive since we already had the stone.
Concrete - Mixing to Maximize
Written by: Robert Short
Mixing concrete can be a challenge, but it can be done without hiring a concrete professional. However, there are three points to consider before creating a concrete mix.
An Atlanta "Interior" Designer Goes "Outdoors"
Written by: Catherine Wilson
Catherine Wilson is a Residential Interior Designer who owns Catherine Wilson Interiors and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. She lives in the Morningside-Virginia Highlands neighborhood with her husband, two children and their dog. In her quest to refurbish her nearly 100 year old home, she stumbled upon a business dealing with the outside versus the inside of a home.
Aishwarya Rai And The Lotus Flower: Symbols Of India
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The lotus flower has been given a sacred place in Indian culture. It plays a huge role in the art and mythology there and has done so for centuries.
Save Money On Your Energy Bills With A Home Improvement Project
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
If you are looking to tackle a new home improvement project in your home, you may want to consider making it one that will reduce your long-term energy costs. There are multiple home improvement projects that can dramatically reduce the costs of your heating and cooling bills year-after-year.
Concrete Cutting: Don't Let a Little Bit of Concrete Stop You
Written by: Robert Short
Concrete cutting is a process of controlled sawing, drilling and removal of concrete performed by skilled operators using special saws that use diamond impregnated blades. Unlike the old-fashioned dusty "jack hammer" method, modern concrete cutting leaves a smooth attractive finish and utilizes water so as not to create any dust or mess.
7 Popular Decorating Colors
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Picking the right color for a room can often be the most difficult decorating decision. The best way to find a color you like is to look at other homes, restaurants, and good old-fashioned paint chips. Here are some popular colors in decorating right now.
Concrete Cutting: Basement Remodeling Done The Right Way
Written by: Robert Short
Basements or cellars (depending on which part of the country you are from) are primarily seen as dark and dingy parts of a home. In most cases they are considered a useless area or are used as a "catch all" for family discards that haven't quite made it to the curbside for trash pick up yet. Well, with the skyrocketing prices of real estate these days and the lack of any substantial property to use for an addition to our homes, the basement, after years of being ignored and neglected, is finally being recognized as a useful, cost effective resource for adding more living space to our beloved homes.
Trish Stratus And Columbine Flowers Are Both Native To Canada
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Four-time WWE Women's Wrestling Champion Trish Stratus hails from Toronto, Canada. While she's certainly a beauty that Canadians can be proud of, the columbine flower is a symbol of Toronto that should make them proud as well.
Adding a Precast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to Your Home
Written by: Robert Short
Nowadays it pays to be aware of the choices available in the market in order to make the right decisions when it comes to improvements in the home. And with the skyrocketing price of construction materials and services, it makes sense to know what options are available. Take for example the installation of precast concrete bulkhead stairway to your home's basement.
Eminem Grew Up With The Scent Of Apple Blossoms In The Air
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Although he wasn't born in Michigan, rapper Eminem spent a great deal of his childhood there and, in fact, set his hit semi-autobiographical movie 8 Mile there. Though his movie may not have painted an idealistic picture of the great state of Michigan, many who call it home are quick to mention the sweet fragrance the abundant apple blossoms spread through the air when their beautiful pink blossoms adorn the apple trees.
Jessica Simpson's Daisy Days
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Jessica Simpson recently brought eighties character Daisy Duke back to life on the big screen in the hit movie The Dukes of Hazzard. The movie took years to develop and cost about million dollars to make. But, you can have your own daisies in less time and for a whole lot less money. Daisies are among the most popular flowers in America.
You Don't Have To Be Lindsay Lohan To Have Your Own Prairie Home Companion
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Growing prairie flowers has become an increasingly popular way to add some beauty to the yards of thousands of Americans. In fact, many people are turning to natural prairie flowers because they require a lot less hassle and work than do fancier and more complicated landscaping methods.
360 Degrees Around The Window(c)
Written by: Catherine Wilson
Catherine Wilson, an Interior Designer in Atlanta, Georgia coined a new phase that the architectural, design, construction and building supply industry needs to capitalize on! It's the concept of "360 Degrees around the Window"(c).
Successful Home Improvement Projects Require Good Planning
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
All successful endeavors begin with a good plan. "If you fail to plan, you fail to succeed." It is no different when you are planning a home improvement project. You must plan ahead in order for your project to turn out well.
Pamela Anderson Can Make Her Plants Pet Safe
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Cats are notorious plant nibblers and soil diggers. But, with some careful plant selection, placement, and creativity, you can keep your cat from ruining your plants, and keep your cat safe from potentially harmful plant varieties.
Salma Hayek Isn't The Only Flower Of Mexico
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek was born in Coatzacoalcus, Veracruz, Mexico. While she's a terrific actress, many people associate her name with her colorful and bold beauty-just like the dahlia, the national flower of Mexico.
10 Ways to Survive Building or Remodeling Your Home
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Building or remodeling a home is a stressful experience. Right up there with visiting in-laws and getting root canals. So here's some advice for finding the silver lining on this often difficult time.
Taylor Hicks Born In The Camellia State
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Just as American Idol Taylor Hicks beat out his fellow Idol contestants to become this year's American Idol, the Camellia beat out the goldenrod to become the state flower of Alabama, Hicks' home state.
Guide To Building An Outdoor Deck
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
When you decide that you are ready to tackle the project of building a deck or a gazebo in your backyard, there are many things to keep in mind. You can build a wonderful home away from home if you follow some basic rules and carefully plan your entire project, before getting started.
Home Security Basics --- What You Need To Know
Written by: Wayne Smith
There is a question that we hear frequently these days. The question is this: Is crime worse today than it has been in previous generations? Or, is the issue a reflection of the modern media age of 24-hour news and other news media making us more aware of the crime that we find in our world?
Get More Green Than A Golf Green With Houseplants
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Relax, you can enjoy some green even if you can't get out of the house! Houseplants are an easy and excellent way to bring some green right into your very own home.
What Do Pokemon And Bonsai Trees Have In Common?
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
I'll bet you're thinking the answer to what Pokemon and bonsai trees have in common is easy-they both have Japanese origins. Well, you'd actually be wrong. Pokemon do indeed come from Japan, but, although often associated with Japan, the art of bonsai actually began in China.
Warranty Buying Guide - Understanding Warranties on Hot Tubs and Other Big Ticket Items
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
In this article, we are going to introduce you to all of the in's and out's of hot tub warranties. One thing to keep in mind is that while the article is focused on hot tubs, the warranty information included can apply to any big-ticket item, such as a car, television, clothes washer, clothes dryer, refrigerator, dish washer, air conditioner, central heat and air system, swimming pool, hot tub or spa.
The Easy Elegance of Swags and Scarf Valances
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
The easiest drape to make and hang is a swag or scarf valance. It's easy to make, looks elegant, entails less cost and fuss than other drapery styles, and works in any room.
My House Or Yours
Written by: Johnny A. Jenkins
Each year in the U.S, there are more than five million home burglaries. Nine out of ten of these crimes are preventable. The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars. Burglars break into a house, apartment or condominium every 11 seconds.
Zac Efron May Become As Popular As Marigolds
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Zac Efron, costar of the Disney hit movie High School Musical, has become a very popular star among the teen set-almost as popular as his birth flower (Zac Efron was born October 18, 1987), the marigold, that blooms in nearly every American yard each summer.
Flower Care For Paris Hilton
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Paris Hilton undoubtedly has thousands of admirers and, with so many admirers, she probably receives flowers on an almost daily basis. Fortunately for Paris Hilton, flowers are really pretty easy to care for. If Ms. Hilton-or you-can follow a few fairly simple rules of thumb, fresh flowers delivered by your florist can stay vibrant and beautiful for many days.
Britney Spears Could Improve Her Home With Flowers
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Add beauty and class to your home, regardless of your decorating style. Flowers for home decorating purposes aren't limited to the rich and famous; you can use them to beautify your home as well.
Hot Tub Installation Planning Guide
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Now that you have made the decision to purchase a hot tub, you need to think long and hard about where you will place your new hot tub. Basically, you have three choices for a location; indoors, outdoors or inside a screened in porch. The choice is completely up to you as to where you put it, but there are many considerations that you should take into account before you make your decision.
10 Things to Check for a Quality Paint Job
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
Whether you paint a room yourself or hire it out, you want to ensure that the job is done properly for best result. If you are hiring a painter, don't pay until you inspect these 10 key items first.
7 Requirements for a Home Theatre
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
As technology has made home theatre equipment more affordable - more like buying a small car than a second home - their appearance in homes across the country has grown enormously.
Use Flowers To Add Some Spark To Your Fourth Of July Barbeque
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Independence Day is right around the corner and, for many people, the Fourth of July goes hand-in-hand with backyard barbeques. Want to add a little extra spark to your Fourth of July celebration and make your guests "ooo" and "ahhh" over something more than the fireworks?
Home Improvement Projects Can Increase The Value Of Your Home
Written by: Emerson Lockwood
Home improvement projects can improve the look and value of your home dramatically. Though in some cases, using a home improvement project as a way to increase the value of your home can actually backfire and cost you money. So how will you be able to tell if the project that you have planned will add to the value of your home or decrease the value of your home?
Received A Houseplant For Mother's Day? Keep It As Strong As Your Child's Love For You
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
You're so happy with the beautiful plant you received for Mother's Day, but you're afraid you have a brown thumb. It's not nearly as difficult to keep your plant healthy and strong as you might think it is.
Springtime Flowers For Paris Hilton
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
The grass is getting green and trees and shrubs are starting to bud. You're itching to get some dirt under your fingernails, but it's still pretty chilly at night and you don't think your summer garden flowers can withstand the cold just yet. Is there anything you can plant? Yes!
Create a Home that Nurtures, Inspires and Enlivens
Written by: Barbra Sundquist
Quick, think of an amazing environment. A place where you feel totally alive and inspired. Got a place in mind? Now make a list of the attributes of that place. Is it indoors or outdoors? Quiet or lively? What colors, smells, sounds, objects, people are present? You've just defined what aliveness feels like for you. Now think about your home.
Brooke Burke Is A Desert Beauty...Just Like The Cactus
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Cacti are available in over 2,500 different varieties, such as pincushion, powder puff, rat-tail, prickly pear, bunny ears, and golden barrel. While most people think of cacti as having sharp spines, some varieties are a little easier to handle with soft hair-like fibers.
7 Easy Faux Painting Techniques
Written by: Julie Lohmeier
In the last 10 years, faux painting techniques have gone from obscure to popular, from the realm of professionals to do-it-yourself projects. These techniques are not difficult although they can be time consuming (what decorating or remodeling project isn't though) and require quick hands.
Convert Your Single Family Home Into A Legal Multi Family Home
Written by: Affordable Concrete Cutting Boston
It can't be done legally! I've heard it literally hundreds of times, yet in my concrete cutting business, one that is crucial in the conversion process, I have seen it done hundreds of times. How you may ask?
Concrete Cutting - Adding a Pre-Cast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to your Home
Written by: Affordable Concrete Cutting Boston
Installing a pre-cast concrete stairway to your home's basement is actually quite an easy project for the advanced do-it- yourselfer or anyone that can coordinate a couple of sub contractors.
Concrete Cutting: Shedding Light On Your Basement Remodel
Written by: Affordable Concrete Cutting Boston
With the skyrocketing prices of real estate these days and the lack of any substantial property to use for an addition to our homes, the basement, after years of being ignored and neglected, is finally being recognized as a useful, cost effective resource for adding more living space to our beloved homes.
|
