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âFarmhouse Faceliftâ Reveals the Biggest Farmhouse Decor Fail of All
Hulu
With farmhouse style being all the rage, Hulu has hopped on the bandwagon with a new show, âFarmhouse Facelift,â featuring brother-sister renovators Carolyn Wilbrink and Billy Pearson.
In this series, Wilbrink, a designer, and Pearson, a carpenter, fix up old country houses in Canada, giving them modern comforts while keeping their classic charm. And in the premiere episode, âMake It Ours,â married couple Kristine and John need a whole lot of help making their 1885 colonial farmhouse feel like home.
As they explain, their farmhouse has been in the family for five generations, and while the property is certainly special to the couple, they donât necessarily want to be living like their grandma (or great-great-great-grandma) did.
Hereâs how Wilbrink and Pearson turn this run-down house into a home any country lover or city slicker alike would envyâa transformation packed with plenty of tips you might be inspired to try in your own home.
New-looking floors are a huge farmhouse fail
Before: Thereâs an odd line running down this dining room floor where the wood changes.
Hulu
As soon as Wilbrink and Pearson walk into this home, they notice the floors need replacing. The problem? New floors often look newâand in a farmhouse, that just wonât do.
To keep this homeâs antiquated look, they decide on a flooring that has a lot of imperfections.
After: These boards are imperfect, but now they look intentional.
Hulu
âSkip dress flooring is basically a rough finish,â Pearson says. âItâs been planed, but very minimal, so you still have saw marks.â
Made from joists, trusses, and wall studs, this flooring features plenty of distress marks and age.
The flooring will be truly unique, says Wilbrink. âItâs going to be perfectly imperfect.â
In the end, this flooring gives the home a classic feel and looks like it could have been there the whole time.
A bold color can quickly update an old kitchen
Before: With dated features, this felt like Grandmaâs kitchen.
Hulu
The biggest problem with this house is that it feels old.
âThis still feels like, when I come in here, itâs my mother-in-lawâs kitchen,â Kristine explains.
Wilbrink solves this problem by replacing the old cabinets with new ones in a more modern colorâdenim blue. The kitchen still has that traditional farmhouse charm, but now it looks fresh, bold, and uniquely Kristineâs.
After: New cabinets really spruce up this old farm kitchen.
Hulu
âI love mixing old with new, and with these new cabinets being loaded in, this kitchen will no longer be Kristineâs mother-in-lawâs,â Wilbrink says.
âBut it still honors the history of their family home,â Pearson adds.
Wallpaper can look old and new all at once
Before: Without any color, this bathroom looked old and not necessarily classic.
Hulu
Wilbrink continues the old-meets-new theme in the bathroom when she decides to add wallpaper.
Wallpaper was once thought to be very dated, but this material has become trendy in recent years, and many patterns look fresh and modern.Â
After: This wallpaper gives the bathroom a classic feel.
Hulu
âIt just brings back the traditional feel of wallpaper.â Wilbrink says. âBut weâre going to give it a modern touch.â
Wilbrink chooses a pattern that evokes a classic farmhouse feel, but the crisp white and dark blue style presents a contemporary aesthetic as well. Itâs classic-looking, but the colors make it feel new.
Recycle that old cabinet
Before: This cabinet is a bit too dark for the bathroom.
Hulu
To finish this bathroom, Wilbrink and Pearson find an antique cabinet that Pearson can turn into a vanity. However, when itâs delivered to the farmhouse, they realize that the piece is a bit darker than they remembered. Unfortunately, it may be too dark.
âI really need a softer finish so itâll work better with the wallpaper,â Wilbrink says.
After: After a whitewash, this vanity is the perfect color.
Hulu
Wilbrink decides to strip the cabinet down to its natural finish, then whitewash it. Her plan works perfectly, because once theyâre ready to install the cabinet-turned-vanity, it looks perfect with the wallpaper.
Porcelain floors make a mudroom easy to clean
Before: The mudroom floor used to be concrete with black mats.
Hulu
Wilbrink and Pearson want to make the mudroom a warm, welcoming place. But as it stands, it just feels like an extension of the cold, dull garage. John even complains about the mudroom, saying that heâd find his boots frozen on cold days.
One way they make this room feel more homey is by changing up the floor.
âI didnât go with brick because itâs porous,â Wilbrink explains. âI needed to use a porcelain, which would make it more functional and easier to clean.â
After: This porcelain flooring is unique and lovely.
Hulu
Then, to make this flooring look unique, Wilbrink comes up with a plan to add a diamond-shaped pattern in the tile, using a different color.
âItâll add a bit more interest to the floor,â she says.
To finish this flooring, Pearson adds heated coils under the tile so John will never put on frozen boots again. This new flooring is a game changer for the mudroom, turning the space from practically unusable to a beautiful part of this farmhouse.
The post âFarmhouse Faceliftâ Reveals the Biggest Farmhouse Decor Fail of All appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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3 Mini Makeovers for Guests /// Ideas for Entryways, Powder Rooms & Living Rooms
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The Property Brothers Go to the Dark SideâWith Surprisingly âSexyâ Results
HGTV
âProperty Brothersâ stars Drew and Jonathan Scott know that most clients want homes that are bright, white, and airyâbut on the latest âCelebrity IOU,â they make some daring decisions with their decor and go to the dark side.
In the episode âLeAnn Rimesâ Lifesaving Thanks,â the brothers head to Sherman Oaks, CA, to help country music sensation LeAnn Rimes give her friend Roger a home upgrade. Rimes says Roger helped her through a tough time years ago, and now she wants to give back by treating him to an incredible indoor-outdoor entertaining space.
Rogerâs tastes, however, are well outside the norm, so the Scotts will have to head out of their comfort zone to get it right. Hereâs how they pull it off, which contains plenty of lessons that might inspire some surprising changes around your own abode, too.
Dark cabinets and counters can look dramatic
Before: This kitchen had the dark style Roger likes, but with a dated feel and an awkward layout.
HGTV
When the Scott brothers walk into Rogerâs kitchen, they notice the dark design, with moody wood cabinets. Rimes says she wants to continue this dramatic theme in the new kitchen design, so Jonathan suggests painted black cabinets.
These would certainly give off a moody look, but Jonathan warns against pairing the cabinets with white counters.
âIf we did white counters with this, it might be a little bit too jarring because of the contrast,â he points out.
Instead, they double down and pick a black stone slab for the counter and backsplash, giving the kitchen an extra chic vibe that looks great, but admittedly probably isnât for everyone.
LeAnn Rimes helps Drew and Jonathan Scott demo the dated kitchen.
HGTV
âI would say 90% of kitchens we do, it ends up being lighter,â Drew says when working on the design for Rogerâs kitchen. âBut heâs got a bold, fun personality, and he should have a space that matches.â
After: This kitchen is dark, but it looks fantastic.
HGTV
A large sliding door provides indoor-outdoor flow
Before: This kitchen door was fairly narrow.
HGTV
With the kitchen design in great shape, the brothers turn their attention to the back patio.
They want to turn this petite entertaining space into an indoor-outdoor party zone. To do this, they start by opening up the back wall and adding an extra large slider. âHaving that indoor-outdoor flow and plenty of light is key,â Jonathan says.
They pick a slider that will completely collapse into the wall, making the indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly.
After: Now, this kitchen door welcomes guests to the outdoors.
HGTV
Once the opening is widened and the door is installed, the brothers are impressed.
âPeople sometimes have tiny, little glass sliders for their doors,â Drew says. âThis is the mega. I mean, this is the kingpin of all sliders, and this is what this kitchen needs.â
Wood paneling looks good inside and out
Before: This patio feels like a basic, humdrum outdoor space.
HGTV
The Scott brothers want to make a lot of changes to the back deck, including updating the floorboards with modified pine, adding a stone fireplace, and replacing the barbecue with an outdoor kitchen.
With such homey amenities, this already feels like an extension of the house. But to give this space an extra cozy feel, the brothers add a redwood slat wall behind the new counter space. This feature is cosmetic, but it makes a big difference.
âItâs just adding interest behind the kitchen instead of just having a plain wall,â Drew says.
Plus, Jonathan points out that the redwood will stand up to the weather well, making this wall an outdoor feature that will last for the long haul.
After: The wood slat wall makes the back patio feel more homey.
HGTV
Donât be afraid of using large tile designs in a small space
This bathroom tile is a unique mix of dark and light.
HGTV
When Roger is entertaining family and friends, heâll want to have a sophisticated powder room for his guests. So Drew and Jonathan redo his dated guest bathroom, adding a shower for convenience and replacing the floor tile with custom black and white rectangle tile.
The tiles are relatively large, but they look great in this modest footprint.
One member of the brothersâ design team notes that few would think to use this sort of style in a powder room: âA lot of people think small in a small bathroom, whereas this is huge in terms of the scale and it makes it feel so much more elevated.â
A tight laundry area can still look chic
Rimes and Jonathan check out the tight kitchen/laundry space.
HGTV
When the Scott brothers first see Rogerâs home, theyâre disappointed to find the laundry machines in the kitchen. They note that itâs an odd space to do laundry, especially with Roger entertaining so much.
Drew and Jonathan move the laundry to an entirely different part of the houseâcloser to the bedroom. They also give the space an elegant makeover, using dark cabinets and counters similar to the ones in the kitchen.
When revealing the space, Jonathan says, âWho thought laundry could be sexy?â
This laundry room is chic and dark like the kitchen.
HGTV
The post The Property Brothers Go to the Dark SideâWith Surprisingly âSexyâ Results appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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Whatâs the Best Shower Head? A Guide to Rain Showers, Low-Flows, and More
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I have discovered, the hard way, just how important a decision it is to choose the best shower head for your bathroom.
Several years ago, we hired a contractor to transform a barely insulated powder room into a full bathroom with a stall shower. Weâd hoped this would eliminate those early morning battles where each of us raced through the hallway, towels in hand, to get first dibs. Even if you were second or third in line, your shower was marred by family members pounding on the door, barking, âHurry up! Are you done yet?â
In my haste to get our contractor all the supplies required for the job, I selected a nonadjustable shower head that emits a blast of water so powerful, if I opened the bathroom window, it could probably wash my neighborâs car.
Turning this innocent-looking but insanely intense shower head on inside our small shower was the equivalent of opening a fire hydrant inside a coat closet. Because the panels of the shower didnât reach the ceiling, water sprayed all over the room and, within seconds, the walls and floor would be soaked.
Pretty but far too powerful, this shower head sends water everywhere.
Liz Alterman
As a result, weâve stopped using this much-needed extra shower as we hunt for a new shower head. We hope to replace it with a handheld model or one that has different settings, allowing us to adjust the intensityâand keep the water where itâs meant to be, inside the stall.
So which shower head should we pick?
A handheld shower head would be a better option.
Liz Alterman
Wesley Ward, vice president of marketing and merchandising at Hausera, an online kitchen and bath specialty retailer, agrees that choosing a shower head may seem like a small detail, but itâs one that will have a big impact on how you experience your bathroom each day.
âYour shower, much like the rest of your bathroom, is both where you prepare for the day and unwind from it,â says Ward. âYour shower experience should be therapeutic, and having the perfect shower head can make that experience so much more serene. Itâs much more important than you think.â
How to replace a shower head
If youâre ready to replace your shower head, the good news is itâs a relatively easy makeover that can be performed in less than an hour. Most shower heads are universal in that they will attach to your standard shower plumbing pipes. Your existing shower head should screw right off, but if it doesnât, you may need to spray a bit of lubricant such as WD-40 or Bâlaster into the threads to loosen them. If theyâre dirty, clean the threads before screwing on your new shower head.
Also keep in mind that, based on government standards, no shower head can have a water flow rate greater than 2.5 gallons per minute at a standardized pressure of 80 pounds per square inch. Low-flow shower heads use even less than that, which means lower energy bills and water conservation.
Because not every home has water pressure as high as 80 psi, lower levels will affect how powerful your shower head is. If you know that your pressure tends to be on the low side, look for a fixture thatâs designed specifically for homes with low water pressure.
Whatâs the best shower head for your bathroom?
Wondering which shower head is right for you? Take a look at the various types of shower heads below.
Rain shower head
Attractive and easy to install, this shower head will make you feel like youâre in a rain forest.
wayfair.com
âRain shower heads are the ideal way to emulate a spa bathroom at home,â explains Sammy Hejazi, general manager of Wayfair Professionalâs Contractor division. âA wider shower head surface will increase the rainlike experience. The good news is that this type of luxury experience need not be wasteful. Plenty of rain shower heads come with low-flow options that make them more environmentally friendly.â
This Trimscape shower head (wayfair.com, $156) mimics a relaxing rainfall, and at 10 inches, itâs large enough to soak the whole body. Reviewers note that itâs so attractive, it quickly becomes the focal point of the bathroom.
Low-flow shower head
This low-flow shower head lets you linger in the shower guilt-free.
wayfair.com
While toilets still represent the largest water user in the house, at 24%, showers arenât far behind, at 19%, according to the Alliance for Water Efficiency. Of course, you can shorten the duration of your shower, but if youâre not ready to give up that luxury, you can opt for a low-flow shower head. The Environmental Protection Agencyâs WaterSense program deems water-efficient shower heads at a lower flow rate of 2.0 gallons per minute.
This Envi Eco-Performance shower head (wayfair.com, $77) is a WaterSense-certified product that uses at least 20% less water than the current federal standard.
âLow-flow shower heads are a great way to use less water every day, reducing environmental impact while also saving money,â says Hejazi. âMany shower heads now come with a low-flow feature that can be adjusted or kept on permanently.â
Dual shower heads
You can install this in minutes to a standard shower arm, and then enjoy the best of both worlds.
wayfair.com
Though it looks fancy, this two-in-one handheld shower head (wayfair.com, $225) is easily installed on a standard shower arm without altering the plumbing behind the wall. It also features a pause setting, offering you plenty of time to lather up without worrying about overspray or water waste.
âThe dual shower head is when there is a main, stationary shower head located in the usual position, and then a secondary shower head installed next to it. The secondary shower head is typically mobile, allowing you to have a better range of water flow,â says Ward.
âThe dual-spray shower head is ideal for anyone who cares for those with mixed abilities, children or even pets. The dual spray allows those who use the shower in the standard way to enjoy their usual experience, while those who need to either sit in the tub or be assistedâsuch as an elderly person or a childâto have accessibility as well.â
Best budget-friendly shower head
This shower head is easy on the budget.
Amazon
âThe single-spray shower head is the standard model that you see in most bathrooms,â says Ward. âThis allows for a comfortable range of water flow without any additional features or enhancements. The single-spray shower head is the most affordable kind of shower head, and its trendiness wonât fade quickly, meaning that you can guarantee it will look great in your bathroom for many years to come.â
This high-pressure shower head (amazon.com, $16) is a budget batherâs dream come true. Though youâre getting away cheap, thereâs no sacrificing style with this shower head. Compact yet powerful, it features silicon jets to prevent lime and hard-water deposits.
The post Whatâs the Best Shower Head? A Guide to Rain Showers, Low-Flows, and More appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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8 Trendy Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas Thatâll Make Them Love You for at Least a Week
Houzz
Whoever said the only two certainties in life are death and taxes didnât have a 14-year-old. Indeed, teenage indifference is definitely third on this list, as any parent knows that shoulder shrugs, eye rolls, and sheer disregard for Mom and Dadâs existence are almost a constant.
And yet, when it comes to a teenâs private lair (i.e., their bedroom), there may be a chink in the armor. If youâre able to help transform it into a way-cool hangout, you just might gain some street cred around the house.
The trick? Enlist your teens in the project and try tapping in to their hobbies, sports teams, or other current obsessions for inspiration.
âBring your teen into the design process, and then allow them to really reflect their style through bedding, accessories, and even paint colors,â suggests Drew Henry, the interior genius at Design Dudes.
Ana Cummings of the eponymous design firm is presently at work on a teen room. She has two of her own at home, so sheâs well aware of the drama that can surround this type of project.
âTeen rooms should be styled so they can grow into them. They change so quickly, and what theyâre into can suddenly shift to something else,â she says.
For some help, here are eight tips and fun bedroom decor products that just might earn you a nod of appreciation from your teen.
1. Pick a queen (or king)
This sleeper comes in four sizes and three different fabrics.
PB Teen
Your teen is growing like a weed, so a tiny twin bed wonât do.
âTwins say âlittle kidâ when you see them in a teen bedroom, so try to fit a queen or king into the space if you can,â says Cummings.
An attractive upholstered find like this one ($999, Pottery Barn Teen) should be appealing since it comes in a dusty blush shade and neutrals like linen white and charcoal.
And if youâre eco-conscious, you can feel good about the splurgeâitâs met a high standard for indoor air quality thanks to testing for thousands of nasty chemicals and volatile organic compounds.
Another reason to skew bigger in terms of bed size? Itâll serve you for longer than your teen is in residence.
âMany teens are going off to college shortly, so this room will likely be used by guests later on,â says Henry.
2. Choose soothing colors
Photo by Michael Robert ConstructionÂ
Tangerine orange may be all the rage with your kid, but bright hues arenât always popular for long.
âOverly themed rooms get tired really fast, and crazy colors that donât mesh well with the vibe of the home always seem out of place to me,â says Cummings.
And rememberâitâs a bedroom, which means sleep is the goal at some point, even though your teen probably keeps late hours. Better color palettes include soothing blues, greens, and grays.
3. Add smart accents
A tufted back upgrades this teen perch.
Target
Cummings votes for comfortable accent chairs, beanbags, or even a small couch if the space allows. This cozy seat ($122, Target) comes in three shades and sports a soft, plush backing for hours of phone scrollingâwe mean, um, homework.
4. Style the closet, too
Photo by California Closets ConnecticutÂ
After all your hard work with decor, youâd hate to see it covered up with sweaty hockey gear and random T-shirts. The fix: Make the closet area a standout so your teen will actually want to pick up.
âCloset organization is key as well as a place to put dirty laundry, other than the floor,â says Cummings.
5. Build in a workspace
Photo by Kathy Corbet InteriorsÂ
Folding doors, as shown here, hide desks and shelves when theyâre not in useâand they help a teen stay on task since the built-ins are right in the bedroom.
âAnything you can do in a kidâs room should absolutely be geared toward setting themselves up for success on a daily basis,â says Cummings.
6. Install fun shelves
Let her display treasures overhead with this trio.
Wayfair
Curating your own bookshelves with favorite objects and pictures is a big part of the decor in a teenâs room. This affordable set of three floating shelves is easy to install and comes in black, dark walnut, and gray ($25, Wayfair).
7. Allow for primping
Even boys want to check out their look.
Wayfair
A simple full-length mirror is important for reviewing the #OOTD, so opt for a neutral style thatâll appeal to every kind of kid. The grayish white ($190, Wayfair) tones here will match nearly every color scheme in a teenâs bedroom, and this piece comes with all the hardware you need for quick hanging.
8. Try a mural
Photo by Dufner Heighes IncÂ
Decor thatâs out, per Cummings: cutesy wallpaper, cartoon images, paper posters, flags, plastic cheap things, and anything pinned or taped to the wall.
As for whatâs A-OK? âCool original artwork or a mural on the wall,â she says.
Consider an abstract print or a world map, as seen here, especially if itâs of the peel-and-stick variety.
The post 8 Trendy Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas Thatâll Make Them Love You for at Least a Week appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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âGood Bonesâ Is BackâWith a Really Creepy House
HGTV
Season 6 of âGood Bonesâ has begun! And in the season premiere, Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen Laine find something truly creepy within the walls of their house.
In âScary to Chic in Old Southside,â this mother-daughter team have bought a house in Indianapolis. While the team is tearing out walls, it stumbles across an old shoe wrapped in nylon. The construction foreman explains that hiding shoes in the wall was once thought to ward off evil spirits. He also says that this shoeâs nylon wrapping was likely a Wiccan binding spell.
Starsiak Hawk and Laine decide to leave the shoe where it was found, hoping that its presence might bring them good luckâor at least ward off bad juju. Hereâs how this renovation unfolds, which contains plenty of lessons you might be inspired to try in your own home.
Donât let a tree ruin your curb appealâor plumbing
With a twisty tree out front, this house looks spooky.
HGTV
This house not only has creepy vibes inside, but the exterior looks kind of scary, too, due to a twisty tree out front. Right away, Starsiak Hawk and Laine decide to remove this eyesore, particularly since it could mess with this propertyâs plumbing.
âItâs really important in a city to plant a city-friendly tree,â Laine explains. âYou want something thatâs not going to break through your drainage tile or break up your sidewalk. You want an appropriate size, and different trees have different behaviors, so you want one that behaves differently than this one is behaving.â
With new landscaping, including a small tree, this house now has great curb appeal.
HGTV
They replace the old tree with a small maple on the opposite side of the yard. The young tree is petite and perfect for a city yard.
Play up details that make a house special
This fish scale gives the house extra character.
HGTV
This house may be partly hidden under an ugly tree, but Starsiak Hawk and Laine are still able to see the unique wood details on the exterior. The home has gingerbreading over the porch, plus some lovely fish scale siding near the roof. Both add character to the home.
To highlight these features, Starsiak Hawk and Laine give the fish scale a coat of dark paint, then they remove the ugly lattice railing on the porch and replace it with a piece designed to match the gingerbreading above.
This new railing complements the original detailing.
HGTV
âIt just really helps feature the craftsmanship and detail that we have in this house,â Starsiak Hawk says of the upgrades. âAnd I feel like buyers are really going to be impressed with it and just fall in love with the house.â
Add a bookshelf to a corner
This living room was a wreck!
HGTV
Starsiak Hawk and Laine completely redo the layout of the ground floor, moving the kitchen and making it all much more open and welcoming. Itâs a smart change; however, designer MJ Coyle notices an unused corner, so he suggests adding a library with chunky wood shelves.
âItâs kind of an awkward corner right there, so I think itâll make it more functional,â Starsiak Hawk says, giving Coyle the green light.
These wood shelves not only enhance the interiorâs natural aesthetic, but also add some smart storage. In the end, this addition turns an underused corner into an eye-catching feature.
This bookshelf adds storage and style to this living room.
HGTV
A vaulted ceiling is worth the investment
The vaulted ceiling is a big selling point.
HGTV
After a ton of demo, project manager Tad Starsiak (Starsiak Hawkâs younger brother) comes up with an idea to vault the ceiling in the kitchen. Starsiak Hawk isnât sure about the $1,600 price tag, but agrees to the upgrade.
âIt might make [a] cool enough focal point that might sell it a little bit quicker, which is great,â she explains.
When the kitchen is finished, it looks beautiful. But the true âwowâ factor is the vaulted ceiling. Itâs a feature rarely found in old homes like this, making it a true standout.
Brown counters can warm up a white kitchen
Dark countertops look great in this kitchen.
HGTV
After agreeing to spend extra money to vault the ceiling, Starsiak Hawk wants to bring attention to that feature.
âIn the kitchen, weâve got those big vaulted ceilings, so that architectural feature is going to be really cool,â Starsiak Hawk says. âSo I want to keep everything else kind of, like, white, clean, simple cabinets.â
However, she decides to do a brown matte countertop, explaining that itâll warm up the otherwise very white kitchen.
When the kitchen is finished, the brown counters look perfect. Theyâre warmer than a white countertop, and not so stark as black would be. Brown counters are certainly uncommon, but perhaps Starsiak Hawk has just started a hot new trend.
Do this homeâs good bones pay off?
Karen Laine is excited to see this hidden treasure!
HGTV
This house takes a lot of work and a lot of demo, costing them $195,000. But in the end, this expensive renovation appears to pay off when Starsiak Hawk and Laine find a buyer for $257,000, leaving them with a $22,000 profit.
Looks like that shoe in the wall might have been a good luck charm after all!
The post âGood Bonesâ Is BackâWith a Really Creepy House appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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3 Mini Makeovers for Guests /// Ideas for Entryways, Powder Rooms & Living Rooms
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The Best Mess-Free Trees and Plants To Surround a Swimming Pool
Getty Images
Ahhâsinking into the cool water of a swimming pool on a hot summer day is heavenly. Diving into a tangle of slimy leaves and bugs? Not so much.
Welcome to pool ownership, which finds many folks hard at work skimming surface debris and sweeping decks to banish acorns and twigs before barbecue guests arrive.
But it doesnât have to be that way. The types of trees, shrubs, and flowers you pick to surround your pool can spell the difference between a summer packed with pool cleaning, or one where you can recline in an inflatable swan in peace.
To that end, weâve highlighted the best (and worst) poolside foliage to help you beautify your swimming area while keeping maintenance to a minimum.
The worst âhigh-litterâ trees to have around a pool
Prune this pretty pick as a hedge or tree.
FormLA Landscaping
Yup, this term is just what it sounds likeâa tree that drops leaves, needles, pine cones, and berrylike fruits all the time. One in particular is the eucalyptus, which is notorious for making a mess near pools, decks, and patios.
âWith this tree, even if itâs at a distance from the pool, youâll be cleaning it every day,â says Oscar Ortega, maintenance care manager at FormLA Landscaping. In fact, FormLA worked with clients who actually gave up and removed their pool rather than continue facing the onslaught of a neighborâs eucalyptus droppings.
Susan Brandt, the gardening pro at Blooming Secrets, warns against crepe myrtle and flowering cherry trees, as both drop flowers that are prone to clogging filters.
âAnd skip honeysuckle trees since both the vines and shrubs can become invasive and litter the yard with spent blooms,â she says.
Better picks, Brandt suggests, are the Australian willow or the catalina cherry (shown above), a California native thatâs lovely to behold and produces low litter. Or consider palm trees for their tropical vibe, lovely shade, and minimal leaf drop.
Measure the crownâand roots
Photo by FormLA Landscaping
When you consider planting a sapling or two around your pool, âthink about how large the crown will be when itâs fully grown and know that the roots will reach at least that farâand in a drought, theyâll extend even more,â says Cassy Aoyagi, president of FormLA.
Avoid aspens and the American elm tree, says Brandt, as their large root systems may impact your poolâs structure.
If you have space in your yard, a California live oak (above) or a sycamore may be fine. For small yards, try a western rosebud tree or blue Palo Verde.
Avoid prickly plants
Photo by Coastal Landscapes
Bare feet are the name of the game in summerâso when youâre poolside, this means that your shrub choice shouldnât drop anything thorny (and, of course, no cactusâever). The FormLA team always looks to install native plants in its garden designs, but shy away from bristles that could hurt swimmersâ toes.
One example is Fremontadendron (above), which sports large bright blossoms but also prickly exteriors. Instead, check out shrubs like western columbine or coyote mint for its gorgeous purple blossoms and heady scent.
Not a fan of creepy critters near your pool water? Youâll want to pass on peonies.
âThey tend to attract bugs, especially ants,â says Brandt.
Keep your water type in mind
Cut this grass short or let it sprout out.
FormLA Landscaping
The kind of pool you own is also a factor, says Aoyagi.
Beach-native bushes are accustomed to constant salinity, making them ideal picks to surround a saltwater pool.
âBut highly chlorinated splashing on certain foliage creates an inhospitable environment,â she adds.
The turf grass (above) is another smart option, as it can be kept short or allowed to drape longer; plus, it can withstand any poolside play from family and friends.
Try herbs or fruit trees
Photo by Spaces Landscape Architecture
Ahh, lavender! The delicious scent evokes Provence, and itâs easy to grow and tend.
âNot only are herbs pleasing to the the eye, but lavender by the pool can feel like a trip to the spaâand itâs low-maintenance,â says Brandt.
Consider containers to decorate
Photo by Elemental Construction Inc.Â
Save time on weeding and deadheading as well as money on larger shrubs and trees by focusing on a minimalist approach, says Brandt.
âA few carefully placed container pots can look just as nice as a lush poolside garden,â she notes.
Another bonus with containers by the pool: They can be moved around, depending on the season or occasion.
âAnd if you plant dozens, you might spring for containers with a drip system set on a timer,â she says.
The post The Best Mess-Free Trees and Plants To Surround a Swimming Pool appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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Decluttering for Dummies: How To Downsize Your Bathroom Junk
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Decluttering is one of those things thatâs easier said than done, especially when it comes to all the junk that accumulates in your bathroom. Of course, the goal is to achieve an organized, Marie Kondoâapproved space. But when it comes time to get rid of our stuff and make it happenâwell, you know how that goes.
If youâre having trouble getting motivated, youâve come to the right place. In our latest installment of âDecluttering for Dummies,â we focus on tidying up the bathroom, from the medicine cabinet to the makeup drawers.
That countertop overflowing with half-used lotion bottles, 3-year-old shaving cream, and random cotton balls has been staring you in the face for far too long, but your piles of stuff are no match for our tips from professional organizers.
Ready to downsize your bathroom items to just the essentials? Here are five strategies to help you get organized now.
1. Gather all bathroom items
The first step in getting your bathroom items in order is to take inventory of everything you have. Get messy with it, and throw everything into a big pile; this step does not need to be done in an organized way!
âGather everything [that belongs in the bathroom] from all over the home, inside cars, purses, etc.,â says Caroline Roberts of The Simplified Island. âBy gathering the items from all locations, youâll know exactly how many of something that you have. You may realize you have an abundance of something you rarely use, like Band-Aids, which can save you a trip to the pharmacy in the future.â
2. Divide items into categories
Once you have all of your bathroom stuff in one place, itâs time to start categorizing. There are a few ways to do this, and the method you pick will all depend on how many people you live with and what kinds of things you store in the bathroom.
Katy Winter of Katyâs Organized Home suggests organizing your items by use.
âOnce everything is out, sort things into categories. Examples of categories are face, nails, lotions, hair, perfume, and makeup,â says Winter.
You might also consider categorizing by the owner of each item or by how often the item is used (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
3. Decide what to keep
Armed with a sense of your bathroom inventory, itâs time to decide what to keep and what to toss. For many people, this is the hardest part of decluttering. Getting rid of items, especially if youâre still holding on to them âjust in case,â can be a real mental hurdle.
Professional organizer Danielle Della Pella, of Home Story, has her clients ask themselves the following questions: âDo I use this product? Has it expired? Is this a backstock item or an extra? Do I still like this item? If you bought it on sale, would you buy it again if you had the chance?â
Get your other household members involved in this step, and have them ask themselves these same questions.
âAnything thatâs expired or hasnât been used in a year is an automatic discard,â says Roberts. âFor the other items that are being kept âjust in case,â weigh the cost of storing the item versus the cost of replacing it. This is especially important when space is at a premium.â
If the item is inexpensive and easy to replace, stick to this rule: When in doubt, toss it out.
4. Toss responsibly
Now that you know what stays and what goes, itâs time to start discarding the rejects. But when it comes to tossing medicines or other potentially harmful products, itâs important to do so responsibly.
To get started, grab a few garbage bags. One bag can be used for donations of unopened and nonexpired itemsâlike samples or travel-size bottlesâand the other bags can be for trash. Make a third pile for things that shouldnât be thrown in the garbageâlike expired medications.
âMany communities have medication drop events where prescription and nonprescription drugs can be taken,â says Roberts. âWalgreens has kiosks in many stores.â
If you donât have a nearby drop-off and youâre unsure what to do with your old medications, familiarize yourself with these FDA guidelines. While some medications can be flushed down the toilet (as a last resort), others shouldnât be. Do your part in keeping our water supply clean by learning how to get rid of your old medications and cosmetics the right way.
5. Organize your essentials
With all your bathroom clutter out of the picture, itâs time to organize everything you plan on keeping. If you donât already own them, invest in a few baskets, boxes, jars, and drawer organizers.
The organizing products you use depend on the items you have, but some of our favorites are wicker baskets ($34.99-plus, Amazon), acrylic boxes ($20, Target), glass jars ($8.99-plus, Amazon), and plastic organizers ($12.99, The Container Store).
âFor bathrooms with multiple users, I try to give each person a drawer and then have a communal space for shared items,â says Roberts.
The post Decluttering for Dummies: How To Downsize Your Bathroom Junk appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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Christina Haack Breaks a Huge Design Rule: Should You Try It, Too?
HGTV
Christina Haack has done some memorable makeovers on âChristina on the Coastââso itâs no surprise when some of her old clients contact her to renovate more of their house.
In the Season 4 episode âBoho Industrial Bathroom,â Haack meets up with past clients Miguel and Sabrina. In Season 3, Haack had renovated their kitchen and living room with such great results that the couple now want her to redo their master suite.
Sabrina describes their style as âmodern, earthy, minimalistâ; but above all, they want their master suite to match the kitchen so the house looks like it was renovated all at once, rather than piece by piece.
Hereâs how Haack puts her $70,000 budget to good useâand, along the way, commits a design crime in the loo that might catch on big-time. Check out what sheâs done if youâre looking for some daring inspiration on what to do around your own home, too.
Make your bathroom tile complement the kitchen
Christina Haack designed this boho kitchen in Season 3.
HGTV
From the beginning, Miguel and Sabrina know that they want their master suite to complement the kitchen, so when it comes time to pick out a shower tile, they home in on selections that echo the kitchen backsplash. Eventually, they narrow it down to two options: a distressed subway tile, and a square tile with varying colors that Haack describes as being ânot too perfect.â
This square shower tile looks chic and unique.
HGTV
Both tiles have the same feel as the kitchen backsplash, but theyâre certainly different looks. In the end, the couple pick the square.
âI really like the square tile, and I like the variation of color,â Sabrina says.
Once the tile is installed, Sabrina and Miguel love how it complements the kitchen.
âIt has the same vibe but not the same look,â Miguel says of the tile.
Kitchen cabinets can work for a bathroom vanity
This bathroom certainly needed an update.
HGTV
Sabrina and Miguel want to continue taking inspiration from the kitchen, so Haack offers to install the same cabinets she used in the kitchen for the bathroom vanity.
âI know how much you love those beautiful custom cabinets in the kitchen, so we have this,â Haack says, presenting the cabinet sample. âItâs a very classic look.â
This new vanity ends up looking just as lovely in the bathroom as it does in the kitchen. âAgain, it carries downstairs and it doesnât look like a separate home,â Sabrina says.
The new vanity looks the same as the kitchen cabinets.
HGTV
A wood floor in the bathroom is actually possible
Sabrina and Miguel couldnât decide on a new flooring, so they never replaced their carpet.
HGTV
To finish this renovation, Miguel insists on using the same wood floor as downstairs. While the flooring would be consistent, Haack points out that in general, a wood floor in a bathroom is a bad idea.
âThat flooring, there is always a risk of water damage,â Haack explains. âThereâs a reason why a lot of people donât do that is you have to be careful with the water.âÂ
Yet in this instance, Haack decides to break this cardinal design rule once her contractor Mike Rose points out that this flooring can be safely installed, as long as they use a special glue that provides a vapor barrier to resist water.
âThe glue itself will stop any water thatâs going to come through it,â Rose says.
Wood isnât the typical choice for a bathroom, but it looks great.
HGTV
Sabrina and Miguel agree to the wood and, in fact, they love it so much that they decide to run the flooring all through the second story. This costs a few thousand dollars extra, but the couple decide itâs worth itâand Haack agrees.
âI like how everythingâs matching now,â Haack says. âYour house has become very cohesive; before it was mismatched.â
Who knows? Maybe Haackâs unconventional design move could start a new trend of wood floors in many more bathrooms than this one.
Add texture to your plain closet doors
These mirrored closet doors were dated.
HGTV
Haack knows that when it comes to bathroom design, itâs all about the details, so she pays special attention to the closet doors, where she cleverly adds some basket weave material to the front.
âAdding a basket-weave front is a really great way to incorporate Sabrinaâs earthy boho style to what would normally be just a basic closet door,â Haack says.
Itâs a smart upgrade that doesnât cost a lot, and it can add a bit of texture to a clean, modern bathroom like this one.
Haack gave this closet a big upgrade on the cheap.
HGTV
Donât settle for a typical barn door
The master suite desperately needed a bathroom door.
HGTV
To finish the suite, Haack suggests installing a barn door to separate the newly painted bedroom from the elegant new bathroom.
âWe should do a barn door right here so you guys have some privacy,â Haack says. âSomething thatâs not your typical barn door, but has the style of the bathroom.â
Sabrina and Miguel like this idea, so they meet with Haackâs farm door fabricator to create something unique. They decide on a diamond design in a medium-tone wood that wonât blend in with the light wood flooring.
Once the door is installed, it gives Sabrina and Miguel some privacy while adding a punch of style to their fabulous new boho bedroom.
âItâs the best barn door Iâve ever seenâever, ever, ever,â Haack says.
This is the âbestâ barn door Haack has ever seen.
HGTV
The post Christina Haack Breaks a Huge Design Rule: Should You Try It, Too? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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10 Best Ways To Get Your Pest Control in Check This Summer
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Thereâs no denying it: Summer is the season of pests. Flies, mosquitoes, and rodents are all way more active during long, hot daysâin search of food, moisture, and respite from the sun. The bad news for you? Theyâre likely to take their search inside your home.
And although you can never fully guarantee your house is 100% pest-free, there are two main tactics you can take to control pests: prevent bugs from getting inside your home and deal with them when they arrive.
To help you take on this summer bummer, we asked experts to weigh in with their best tips for pest-proofing a home in summer. They delivered a bunch of recommendations, which we sorted by the amount of time they would take to execute. Whether you have five minutes to take a quick, preventive measure or an entire weekend to devote to dealing with your bug problem, check out the advice below.
If you have 5 minutes
If you can spare just a few minutes, you can assess what kinds of pests are in your home.
âPut sticky traps in every room to determine what kinds of pests you have,â says Diana Ludwiczak, a certified bedbug specialist and CEO of Doctor Sniffs Bed Bug Dogs in New York City. âKnowing exactly what youâre dealing with will help you come up with a treatment plan.â
Cost: $12-plus for sticky traps for insects and small rodents
âââââ
One sneaky entry route for insects is through sink drains.
âA sink and floor drain can accumulate a lot of debris,â says Jordan Foster, a pest control expert and writer based in Southend-on-Sea, England. âThis attracts pests and offers an ideal breeding site, especially for small flies. You should regularly clean all of your drains, including those in the laundry room and basement.â
Cost: Free
âââââ
If you have 30 minutes
You know what bugs love? Moisture.
Most insects need a certain amount of humidity to survive, and pipe-filled basements are a popular hangout for these creatures, because of the humidity that can often be found on pipes.
âPut a dehumidifier in your basement crawl space,â advises Jeff King, president of the Pest Rangers in Wilkes-Barre, PA. âRemoving excess moisture from your home will keep bugs away and force current bugs to find more hospitable quarters.â
Cost: $36-plus for a dehumidifier
âââââ
Now, about your garbage.
Even if you canât smell or see the garbage caking the sides of your garbage can or recycling bin, the bugs can. Lining each with a plastic bag at all times is a good start, but your bins still need regular scrub-downs.
âTake 30 minutes to scrub your cans and recycling bins with soap and water to eliminate buildup and trace food and liquid waste,â says Zachary Smith, president of Smithâs Pest Management in San Jose, CA.
Cost: Free
âââââ
If you have 1 hour
With an hourâs worth of time, you can launch a true combat plan. When it comes to the war on bugs, most people are either staunchly for or staunchly against deploying chemicals, so we have included options for both methods.
For the chemical proponents, Smithâs Pest Management recommends applying a granular insecticide bait around the perimeter of your home and âspraying a residual insecticide under all the eaves, foundations, window and door entries.â
For those seeking a more organic approach, Ryan Smith of Ant & Garden Pest Control in Beaverton, OR, recommends making solutions to deter pests from items you likely already have in your home.
âFor ants, mix equal parts water and vinegar and spray on surfaces like doorways and windowsills,â Smith advises. âFor insects, mix a few drops of essential oils, such as peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, or citronella, with two cups of water and spray surfaces.â
Cost: 12-plus for insecticide
âââââ
Do you have a fireplace or fire pit? You may want to reconsider your wood storage because another sneaky place where insects burrow is wood.
âIf you have an indoor fireplace or outdoor fire pit, remove all wood from inside your house immediately,â advises Megan Cavanaugh of Done Right Pest Solutions in St. Paul, MN. âIf the wood is already outside, keep it as far away from your home as possible, and donât stack it against your house. Wood piles are havens for carpenter ants, termites, wood-boring beetles, and other insect pests. They can also harbor mouse nests, rat nests, or squirrel nests.â
Cost: Free
âââââ
If you have 3 hours
With three hours, you can do a lot of critical maintenance on your home that will make it far less easy for pests to slip inside.
âStart by sealing your window, door frames, and screens,â says Cavanaugh. âGnats, flies, ants, and other insects can crawl or fly into openings in screens and the frames of windows and doors. Hornets, wasps, and other stinging pests love to make homes in the wall voids; they enter them often through small gaps in doors and windows.â
Next, use wood putty or caulk to fill in any gaps in the wood frame. Use a metal mesh cover to take care of any openings and tears in screens.
Cost: $4-plus for putty and caulk; $6-plus for screen repair kits
âââââ
Itâs a well-known fact that standing water attracts insects. But few homeowners consider just how much standing water they have in their gutters and around their downspouts.
Take a few hours to thoroughly clean your gutters and remove debris. Also, clear out the area around your downspouts, ensuring nothing is clogging them and that water is being diverted efficiently away from your home.
Cost: Free if you DIY, $100-plus if you hire a professional
âââââ
If you have a weekend
Thereâs something magical about a home surrounded by greenery. Unfortunately, if vines, trees, or shrubs are touching or creeping up your house, you may as well be rolling out the red carpet for insects and rodents.
âTrimming trees and other plants touching your house is essential,â says Cavanaugh. âMice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and other rodent pests can use trees as a way to climb up to your roof. If you have any opening in the roof, soffit, facia, or gutter area, these pests will find a way inside. Keep in mind that only a quarter-inch gap between soffit plates is needed for a mouse to get inside.â
Cost: Free if you DIY, $100-plus if you hire a professional
âââââ
Another less obvious culprit for infestations can be mulch.
âI recommend removing all of the mulch surrounding your home and touching the foundation,â says King. âIt retains moisture and can provide food, water, and shelter for all insects, including termites and other wood-destroying pests. Replace the mulch with stone.â
Cost: $150-plus to replace mulch with river rock stone
The post 10 Best Ways To Get Your Pest Control in Check This Summer appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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Can the Property Brothers Keep Up With the Kardashians? An Unforgettable âCelebrity IOUâ
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âProperty Brothersâ stars Drew and Jonathan Scott are back for Season 3 of their show âCelebrity IOU,â and this time, theyâre keeping up with the Kardashians!
In the episode âKris Jennerâs Backyard Retreat,â Kris Jenner (with the help of daughters Kim Kardashian West and Kendall Jenner) surprises close family friend Lisa with a brand-new back and front yard for her Hidden Hills, CA, home.
Lisa had just moved into this house after tragically losing her husband, and she doesnât have the funds to redo the exteriors. Luckily, the Kardashian-Jenner bunch wants to give their friend a yard she can relax in so she can make a fresh start.
Hereâs how the Scott brothers turn this property into a California oasis, which might inspire some changes around your own yard this summer, too.
When it comes to tree size, you have options
This house had no curb appeal.
HGTV
To make Lisaâs front yard look more welcoming, the Scott brothers add a new walkway and plant some olive trees beside the path. However, theyâre careful about what kind of olive trees they plant.
âBecause we wanted these trees to be a specific height to complement the landscaping, weâve selected mature trees over saplings,â Drew explains. âThese are about 60 years old, and with each one weighing in at about 5,000 pounds, itâs a delicate process that requires patience and a ton of people power.â
Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian West, and the Scott brothers surprise Lisa.
HGTV
The brothers plant a total of 11 trees in the back and front yards, bringing not only beauty but also shade to the property. These mature trees may be more difficult to plant, but in the end theyâre well worth the effort.
These trees make all the difference.
HGTV
Lay brick in a unique pattern
Kris and Kendall put some sweat equity into the backyard.
HGTV
An outdoor fireplace is a must-have on cool California nights, so Drew and Jonathan are sure to add a stylish fire feature to the new sitting area. They give this structure a clean look and finish it with a subtle but unique brick detail in the firebox.
âI find sometimes the regular running brick just feels played out,â Jonathan says. âSo Drew and I always try to do a herringbone pattern with the stone. That subtle little textural change actually has a pretty big impact.â
This dark firebox looks chic.
HGTV
They paint the brick a charcoal shade to give it a modern look and, when the fireplace is done, it looks great. The herringbone detail gives this upgrade an extra bit of style.
Think beyond the barbecue
This outdoor kitchen is as functional as the kitchen inside!
HGTV
Drew and Jonathan want to make this backyard the ultimate entertaining spot, so while they already have plans to build a new pool and fire pit, they want to top it all off with an outdoor kitchen.Â
They go all-out, adding a double fridge, burners, sintered stone counters, and a large island with stools. When the kitchen is done, it looks a lot like a kitchen one would find inside the home.
âWhen you have all the same features outdoors that you would expect to have inside, especially with this L.A. weather, well, then youâve truly got the best of both worlds,â Jonathan says.
Donât forget about shade
This pergola is a great addition to this kitchen space.
HGTV
To top off this gorgeous kitchen space, the brothers add a custom pergola.Â
âItâs a stunning design element that will not only define the kitchen from the dining and sitting areas, but it will add even more texture with its height and clean lines,â Jonathan says of the pergola. âAnd it will tie in all the other design features weâve created in this backyard paradise.â
Plus, this pergola provides a bit of shade for the cook.
âItâs not going to provide total shade,â Jonathan says. âBut itâs definitely going to provide a total statement.â
White on white marble will give your pool a spa feel
This yard space was underused.
HGTV
Drew and Jonathan come up with a plan to rip out Lisaâs small, dated pool and build a new, more luxurious pool in a different spot. They want this pool to be elegant and chic, so they pick light, bright materials that will match Lisaâs style.
âLisa obviously loves white,â Jonathan says, referring to her white farmhouse-style home. âShe loves that clean aesthetic. I think thatâs how she wants to bring modern into the ranch house feel.â
This white marble elevates the space.
HGTV
The team goes with a white marble color for both the walkway and the area around the pool, giving the entire space a uniform, spa feel.
In the end, this pool looks much more luxurious than the old one thanks to the clean, chic marble. Itâs the perfect addition to this marvelous backyard that impresses Lisa as well as the Kardashian-Jenner bunchâsetting the stage for many amazing summer parties here for years to come.
The post Can the Property Brothers Keep Up With the Kardashians? An Unforgettable âCelebrity IOUâ appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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8 Houseplant Myths Most People Think Are TrueâDebunked
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Houseplants are wildly popular these days. And why shouldnât they be? Even if you live in a tiny downtown studio surrounded by skyscrapers, you can still bring a little nature indoors with a few houseplants here and there.
But be forewarned: Your friends and family members will give you tons of unsolicited houseplant adviceâand they wonât always be right. Unfortunately, misconceptions about houseplants are all too common.
To help you do whatâs best for your plant babies, we investigated some of the most popular houseplant mythsâand dug deep to figure out the truth about each one.
1. Houseplants purify the air indoors
Reality: You may have heard about scientific studies showing that houseplants remove toxins from the air. But itâs important to remember that these studies were conducted in controlled laboratory environments, not in an actual house or office.
Researchers at Drexel University found that youâd need approximately 5,000 plants in a tiny 500-square-foot apartment to really reap any of the often-touted air-purifying benefits of houseplants. It would feel like a jungle! (Where would you sleep?)
On top of that, not all plants are created equal when it comes to purifying the air, says Laura Smith, owner of All Star Cleaning Services.
The areca palm, also known as the butterfly palm, for example, is one of the best plants for cleaning the air, she says.
Pothos, aka devilâs ivy, is another good choice. And while aloe vera doesnât clean the air, it can serve as a low-tech alarm system, turning brown if there are too many toxins in the room.
2. I donât have enough sunlight to grow houseplants
Reality: Sure, many houseplants prefer some amount of light, whether indirect or direct. But donât give up so easily.
Just as there are outdoor plants that prefer shade over sun, there are several types of houseplants that can thrive on little to no sunlight, including snake plants, philodendrons, pothos vines, and plantain lilies, says Susan Brandt, co-founder of Blooming Secrets, a gardening website and shop.
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Watch: How Does Your Vegetable Garden Grow? Indoors
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3. Houseplants need to be watered every day
Reality:Â Slow down there!
If you water your plants every single day, youâre going to cause some serious problems. In most cases, this is just too much water. Each plant is different, but generally speaking, the soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings.
One sign that youâre overwatering your houseplants is the arrival of fungus gnats, tiny little bugs that feast on the rotting roots of your plants. Chances are, youâll need to create a watering schedule for your houseplantsâand this may include watering them on different days and with varying frequencies. Drought-tolerant plants, like cacti and succulents, hardly need any water at all.
4. Houseplants need big pots to grow
Reality: If you think your plant is starting to outgrow its home, your first instinct might be to rush out and buy a larger pot. Not so fast.
You can actually harm and, in some cases, kill houseplants if you move them into a pot thatâs too large. Why?
Because large pots hold lots of soil, which can retain too much moisture for the plant. This can cause dreaded root rot, which is bad news for your formerly healthy plants.
5. Houseplants, if ingested, could harm my dog or cat
Reality: Yes, there are some houseplants that are toxic to pets if ingested. But there are also hundreds of nontoxic varieties to choose from if youâre worried about your four-legged friend feasting on your plants. Some examples include the African violet, begonia, and Christmas cactus. Plus, many pets simply leave houseplants alone anyway, says Brandt.
6. You canât grow vegetables indoors
Reality: While you might typically wait until spring and summer to plant your vegetable garden in the backyard, did you know you can grow yummy edible plants all year long, inside your home?
Potted herbs are a great addition to your windowsill. You can also regrow green onions, lettuce, and celery from scraps indoors in a cup with a little water!
7. Houseplants are expensive
Reality:Â You donât have to dump your entire life savings into your houseplants. Sure, some houseplants are expensiveâbecause they take years and years to grow. But others are incredibly affordable, starting at just a few dollars apiece. Even better? You can often get houseplants for free on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor.
Tell your friends and neighbors that youâre a houseplant lover and youâll be amazed by how many of them respond by offering to give you starts or pups from their own beloved plants. And if a big, beautiful, expensive plant catches your eye at the garden store, ask if they have any younger versions of that same plant. Yes, it will be small to start, but it will also be more affordable. And with the right love and care, it will grow into the mature, adult version you first spotted.
8. I wasnât born with a green thumb, so Iâm doomed to kill houseplants
Reality:Â This is just plain false, not to mention a defeatist attitude! All gardeners make mistakes, and they spend a lot of time doing research and educating themselves on the best ways to care for their plants.
All Star Cleaning Servicesâ Smith, for example, says she used to accidentally kill every houseplant she touched. Eventually, though, she wrote specific care instructions for every plant in her home, then stuck the notes directly into each pot. She also grouped plants together based on their characteristics, such as how often they needed to be watered. It worked!
Now, Smith says sheâs a houseplant pro.
The post 8 Houseplant Myths Most People Think Are TrueâDebunked appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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Vintage Vibes: Instagramâs Top Living Room Looks Are the Throwback We Need Right Now
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Itâs officially âHot Vax Summer,â and we know most of you are eager to get outside and do thingsâall things. But some of us are still indoor cats, and we prefer to curl up in the solace of our air-conditioned living rooms and cycle through the latest installment of âDirty John.â
For those of you who have no desire to venture outside (yet)âwe get it. But we also know youâre probably sick to death of looking at your same old four walls. And if youâre staying inside, why not use this time to spruce things up a little in the living room?
As we always do, we turned to the design gurus of Instagram for some inspiration.
We scrolled through hundreds of living room decor posts to ID the ones that earned the most double taps. What we found is the collective internet must be feeling a bit nostalgic: the most-hearted design schemes all have a little vintage flair in them.
As it turns out, sometimes the best way to decorate your home with the styles of today is to turn to the past. From art decoâinspired textiles to faded wall prints and brightly colored retro lamps, these five living room designs offer beautiful inspiration that spans eras. Scroll to see themâand make sure to check out the ways you can steal the looks.
1. Mix ânâ match neutral sofas
instagram
Remember all that brown and tan and white furniture of the â70s? Well, itâs backâbut this time with a stylish makeover in the form of these neutral mix ânâ match sofas featured by @forthehome.
âPairing furniture in natural shades is an effortless way to bring big style into your home without the worry of matching patterns and colors,â says designer and color expert Diana Hathaway, of Gorgeous Color. âWith the decline of the sofa and love seat combo set that has graced our living rooms for decades, mix-and-match neutral pieces give that pulled-together vibe without the dreaded matchy-matchy look.â
Get the look: Consider adding these Crosby armchairs to your living room.
2. Black and white geometric patterns
instagram
Neutrals not your thing? Make your decor pop with these art decoâinspired black and white geometric patterns from @anthonywdesign.
âBlack and white color palettes are a hot trend, and what better way to show it off than with a gorgeous geometric print,â says Hathaway. âRugs are the most natural choice for this bold pattern, but accent pillows and even artwork work beautifully.â
To keep your design from becoming too busy, choose one large feature piece in a black and white geometric print.
âItâs OK to add black and white floralsâand even stripesâto the room, especially if youâre also adding plants and wood elements to balance things out,â Hathaway adds.
Get the look: Bring some of those classic black and white vibes into your space with this Kiril geometric area rug.
3. Retro lamps
instagram
 Everyone needs some mood lighting in their living room, but why not make it summery and fun with a retro lamp like this one from @mattinamoderna?
âThe light fixtures in your living room can add character to the space,â says designer Andra DelMonico, of Trendey. âChoosing a vintage-inspired lamp can create an eclectic feel when combined with bohemian and modern pieces.
âYou can blend your vintage-inspired lamps into almost any living room decor,â she adds. âTry to find lamps that match the color scheme in your living room.â
Get the look: Get funky in your living room with this cotton candyâesque ombre cone lamp.
4. Vacation-inspired prints
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Thereâs something soothing about faded tropical prints that look like they could have been taken 50 years ago. These vintage vacation prints from @puresaltinteriors are a much-needed reminder that palm trees and boardwalks do still very much existâwhether we get to visit them or not this summer.
âVacations allow us to escape and see our surroundings differently,â says designer Michelle Harrison-McAllister, of Michelle Harrison Design. âAdding inspired vacation artwork to your home is a visual reminder that allows you to channel that time.â
Get the look: Frame your favorite vacation views or shop these coastal palm tree prints from Etsy.
5. Dark blue walls
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Deep blue is the color thatâs absolutely everywhere this yearâincluding in this atmospheric midcentury-styled living room by @georginashomedecor.
âDark blue paint color is a scene stealer for any other room in your home,â says Harrison-McAllister. âThis simple yet bold color effuses so many different flavors, from moody to refreshing, with a neutral balance that promotes striking results for the other design elements in the room.â
Get the look: Get a bucket of Dress Blues by Sherwin-Williams to bring all those moody retro vibes into your space.
The post Vintage Vibes: Instagramâs Top Living Room Looks Are the Throwback We Need Right Now appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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How To Grow a Thriving Vegetable Garden on Your Patio
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Stepping into your own garden to pick homegrown vegetables and herbs can be extremely satisfying. Sun-ripened vegetables straight from the garden almost always taste better than the ones you pick up from the store, and growing your own crops can even save money.
But hereâs the news: The dream of cultivating a thriving vegetable garden isnât just for homeowners with large backyards. If youâre short on outdoor square footage, planting and harvesting your own small crop can still be done right from your patio.
âEven those with little to no garden space can raise substantial volumes of vegetables, fruits, and herbs using many kinds of containers or pots on a patio, deck, porch, or balcony,â says Venelin Dimitrov, senior product manager at Burpee, a seeds and plants retailer.
Growing your own vegetables and herbs on the patio is gaining in popularity because it doesnât require a lot of time, space, or expertise. Ready to get planting?
Select container-friendly vegetables
Plants need room to grow, but if youâre gardening on a patio youâll need to select vegetables that thrive in smaller spaces.
âThere are lots of tomato, pepper, and even cucumber varieties that are naturally compact, making them ideal for use in container gardens,â says Amy Enfield, horticulturist for Bonnie Plants. âLook for bush-type plants that stay under 2 feet tall when making selections for your container gardens.â
Many plants in the Bonnie Plants Harvest Select lineâlike Siam Tomato, Hot Burrito Pepper, and Fresh Bites Orange Pepperâhave been chosen because of their compact growth needs.
Dimitrov also recommends starting with herbs and baby greens such as lettuce and spinach since they are easy to grow in containers.
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Watch: How to Build a Raised Herb Garden With Pallets
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Select the right container size
Most veggies can be grown in containers, but different plants have different requirements.
âSmall plants like strawberries, most herbs, and leaf lettuces do well in containers that are 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Tomatoes and peppers need even larger containers that are 16 to 18 inches in diameter,â says Enfield.
Like summer squash? Enfield says to look for containers that are at least 24 inches in diameter and to make sure containers have at least one drainage hole in the bottom so that excess water can drain away from the roots.
Create combos using companion plants
Building strong plant communities is also important.
âTime-tested garden wisdom has shown that certain plants grown close together become helpmates. Plants, like people, compete for resources, space, and nutrients,â says Dimitrov. âIn plant communities, certain plants support each other while others just donât get along.â
Burpeeâs website features a Companion Planting Chart that lists what vegetables you should and shouldnât plant near each other.
Dimitrov also says you should try to interplant with flowers and herbs.
âLarge groupings of one type of vegetable often entice problematic pests,â he adds. âIf you mix in flowers and herbs, it becomes more difficult for pests to find your veggies.
âThe scent of flowers and herbs, as well as the change-up in color, is thought to confuse pests,â he says.
Try hanging baskets
Flowers and vegetables in pots hang on the balcony.
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âWhen youâre tight on space, going vertically is a great option. Hanging baskets allow you to grow edible plants in traditionally unused space,â says Enfield. âLook for vegetables and herbs that naturally trail, like strawberries and Tumbling Tom tomatoes.â
Dimitrov says the most important part of container gardening is watering since soil dries out faster in pots than in the ground. So if youâre using hanging baskets, you might need to water more frequently.
âYou should water enough until you see it coming out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot,â he says. Or you could buy some self-watering hanging baskets.
Consider window box gardening
Another small-space solution for growing vegetables is through window box gardening.Â
âThey are an essential element in the old-fashioned, cottage garden style, and they serve a huge need on suburban deck rails and city balconies, where high-rise dwellers canât hope for anything more than a couple of square feet of soil in a box,â says Dimitrov.
He says you can plant a window box with a quick crop of lettuce in spring, or fill one with parsley, basil, rosemary, and other herbs for a steady supply for the kitchen all summer long.
Provide proper care
Now that you have your patio vegetable garden, you need to make extra sure it gets the appropriate amount of TLC.
âMake sure that your containers receive plenty of sun. Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of sun per day,â says Enfield. âContainer gardens should be watered whenever the top 1 inch of soil is dry to the touch. Insert your index finger into the soil. If itâs dry, water; if itâs still damp, wait.â
Water thoroughly until water comes out the drainage holes, and be especially watchful during hot, sunny, or windy weather when they may dry out faster.
âAlso, donât forget to feed your container gardens,â says Enfield. âYour vegetables and herbs will quickly deplete the nutrients in the potting mix, and theyâll need to be replenished to keep your plants growing happy and healthy.â
The post How To Grow a Thriving Vegetable Garden on Your Patio appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.comÂŽ.
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