13 essential tools you need to get started as a gardener

You don’t need fancy, expensive branded equipment, but investing in sturdy gear will ensure that it lasts for years to come.

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In a White Light

Hello everyone, I  hoe you had a great weekend. On this bright sunny but cold winter day I thought  my color scheme would be white today. A sun room white tea with white linens and lace. One of my favorite white teapots. Some pretty vintage lace children's dresses An antique blouse with beautiful creamy white roses. A winter white tea

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Trading places in Bath

Originally a biscuit factory, this quietly elegant home/shop renovation is an ode to British craftsmanship

Renditions of Bach’s Goldberg Variations played on an 18th-century harpsichord float harmoniously out of a shop doorway and across a cobbled street. Peer through the glass windows of this Georgian shopfront in Bath to see flickering candlelight and a spellbound audience. This is Berdoulat.

What began as a fantasy for a small child who loved to play shop is today a splendid reality for designer Patrick Williams, who moved from London to Bath and opened the boutique hotel, Berdoulat & Breakfast, with his Turkish/Bulgarian wife, the photographer Neri Williams. Everything they sourced was local and handmade and guests lusted over the chic interiors and tasty Turkish breakfasts.

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Moving homes creates tons of waste. Here’s how to be greener about it.

Yes, you already have a million things to think about when moving to a new house or apartment. But some simple tweaks can make the process climate-friendlier.

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Moving homes creates tons of waste. Here’s how to be greener about it.

Yes, you already have a million things to think about when moving to a new house or apartment. But some simple tweaks can make the process climate-friendlier.

* This article was originally published here

TikTok design guru Annie Elliott dishes on the dreaded vertical blind.

Interior designer Annie Elliott joins Jura Koncius for a chat about window treatments and all things related to home decorating.

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Book Review- The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done

As someone who is constantly bombarded by the constant noise of societal expectations and pressure to do more and be more, I was in desperate need of a guide to help me navigate this overwhelming maze. That’s why I was drawn to “The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done“. And let me tell you, it was a game changer!

From the first chapter, Kendra Adachi’s relatable and humorous writing style had me hooked. She breaks down the idea of being a “Lazy Genius” – not about doing more or less, but about doing what matters to you. Her thirteen Lazy Genius principles are a breath of fresh air, giving you permission to let go of the “shoulds” and focus on what truly matters to you.

One of the principles that really resonated with me was “Decide Once”. Kendra explains how making decisions once and sticking to them can save us so much time and energy in the long run. It’s a simple, yet powerful idea that has changed the way I approach my daily tasks and responsibilities.

I also appreciated how Kendra emphasizes the importance of rest and self-care. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget about taking breaks and taking care of ourselves. But as Kendra points out, rest is just as important as work, and when we prioritize it, we’re able to perform at our best.

“The Lazy Genius Way” has transformed the way I think about productivity and living a fulfilling life. Kendra’s writing style is approachable and easy to follow, making this book accessible to anyone who needs a break from the chaos. If you’re looking for a guide to help you simplify your life and focus on what matters, I highly recommend this book!

 

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Escapist, flamboyant, fun: White Lotus inspires love of Italian maximalist look

Over the-top ceramics have been flying off the shelves since the hit TV series aired, boosting artisan trade

Fans of The White Lotus will be familiar with the classic Sicilian vases known as testa di moro that adorn the fictional luxury hotel in the second season of the TV drama. The handpainted faces hark back to the legend of a Moorish man who fell in love with a local woman, only to have his head cut off when she discovered he had a wife back home.

The director uses these ornaments as a powerful visual motif to remind viewers to be wary of the guests and their actions. But their appearance in the hit show has also prompted a surge of interest in Italian maximalism and ceramics.

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Think Pink

Happy Weekend! I hope you enjoy this long weekend. It is Islander Day here on Monday so we can enjoy some extra events that are going on here as the Winter Canada Games are starting here today. Today, I am thinking pink ....I planned to get this posted before Valentine's Day but some projects got in the way. We have been painting our bedroom walls ,ceiling and woodwork etc. Spring will

* This article was originally published here

What’s the next ‘desirable gray’? Vern Yip of HGTV takes your questions.

Vern Yip joins Jura Koncius to chat about ways to make your home a relaxing space and all things interior design.

* This article was originally published here

BEFORE AND AFTER BASEMENT

So I was just looking back at my post and realized that I do have some good stuff to share!  It's hard for me to remember what I have posted and I haven't :) Somebody recommended me to this client and what a gem she has been....So sweet and so trusting!  I have had the best time working on a few rooms in her home. I did her office, powder bath and guest room which I will share soon but we

* This article was originally published here

20 DY Crafts To Make With Clay Pots

For all the crafty people out there looking to find a new and inventive way to express your creativity, why not try using clay garden pots for your next project? Clay garden pots are an amazing resource for crafting projects, as they are easy to work with and provide a unique three-dimensional canvas for you to create whatever you can imagine.

From pottery to sculptures, clay garden pots are the perfect material for you to use to create something unique and beautiful. With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can make a variety of crafts that will make a great addition to your home decor. Plus, clay garden pots are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, making them a great choice for anyone who wants to try their hand at crafting.

To help get you started, we’ve put together a list of step-by-step tutorials to show you just how easy it is to make crafts with clay garden pots. From fun and whimsical figures to decorative wall hangings, these tutorials will walk you through the process of making some of the most popular crafts using clay garden pots. We’ve included complete instructions, photos, and even helpful tips to make sure you have the best results possible.

So, if you’re looking for a new and creative way to use clay garden pots, be sure to visit the links to the step by step tutorials we have listed. With these tutorials, you’ll have all the information you need to make something beautiful and unique for your home. So, don’t wait any longer – get crafting with clay garden pots today!

 

Napkin Decoupage Terra Cotta Pots from We Three Shanes

Yarn Wrapped DIY Flower Pots from Craftsy Hacks 

Stenciled Pretty Planter from Love Our Real Life

DIY Flower Pot Centerpiece from Hearth & Vine

 

Distressed White Terra Cotta Pot from Petticoat Junction

Flower Pot People from The Country Chic Cottage

DIY Succulent Pineapple Planter from Today’s Creative Life

Painted Fairy House from Projects With Kids

Marbled Terra Cotta Pots from Sustain My Craft Habit

Footprint Butterfly Classy Pot from Messy Little Monsters

Unicorn Planter from Red Ted Art 

Clay Pot Apple Jar from Ruffles & Rain Boots

Clay Pot Serving Dishes from Refresh Restyle

Rainbow Button Clay Pot from Creatively Beth

Farmhouse Style Flower Pots from Our Handcrafted Life

Vertical Succulent Planter from Really Daydream

Photo Collage Planter from The Crazy Craft Lady

Mini Clay Pot Birds Nest from Ella Marie Home

20. Clay Pot Fairy Garden from Mod Podge Rocks

One fun project to make with clay pots is a succulent planter. Simply paint the pot in your desired color and add a drainage hole to the bottom. Then, fill the pot with soil and add your succulent plants.

Another great idea for clay pots is to make a candle holder. Paint the pot in any color and add a candle to the center. You can also add small pebbles or gems around the base to give it an extra touch of elegance.

Clay pots can also be used to make bird feeders. Paint the pot in a bright color and drill small holes around the top. Fill the pot with birdseed and hang it from a tree or post using twine or ribbon.

Another idea is to make a simple yet elegant vase using clay pots. Simply paint the pot in a solid color or in a design of your choice and add flowers to it.

You can also make a wind chime using clay pots. paint the pots in different colors and add a small hole to the center of the bottom. String the pots together with a cord and add small bells or chimes to the bottom. You can hang it in your balcony or terrace, it will chime with the wind.

 

 

 

* This article was originally published here

When the dishes mean war: Couples share their fights about the home

Battles over furniture, how to hang the toilet paper, and which way to load the spoons — these are the headaches of cohabitation.

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Shooting star: a seaside cottage near Rye

On the edge of an MOD firing range, a terrace house in poor repair provided the perfect canvas for a contemporary revamp

Four miles along the coast from Rye at Jury’s Gap sits a cluster of nine coastguard cottages. Built in two short, perpendicular terraces, the white brick facades and lichen-covered roofs are a familiar sight on Britain’s coastline. “The design of these cottages was very considered,” explains Marta Nowicka, who owns an end terrace. “These are one of the original live-work spaces, so it’s a very practical space.”

Nowicka’s cottage faces out to sea, but she is quick to add that the setting is far from idyllic. The cottages are on the edge of an MoD firing range – what Nowicka calls a “no-go area”. This creates a “tension” that appealed to her. She’s a London-based interior architect who purchased her cottage in 2010.

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* This article was originally published here

Treat yourself! 40 little luxuries for less than £20 to take the edge off

From a silk eye mask and a velvet cushion cover, to Belgian chocolate and bath salts … give yourself a ‘gee up’ in these difficult times with these little indulgences

As a teenager, I’d often come home from school on a Friday to find my favourite magazine or a new lip gloss on my bed. My mum called it a “gee-up” – a little treat to add cheer to the end of the week.

Fast-forward to 2023, and with the gloomy news cycle and a cost-of-living crisis, I’ve found myself buying my own mood boosters. A locally made peanut butter. An aesthetically pleasing mug. Soft cotton face cloths for taking makeup off like a pro. It turns out I’m not alone.

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* This article was originally published here

Can broken kitchen drawers be replaced? Maybe, but it’s not easy.

Installing new drawers should be possible, though it’s neither cheap nor easy.

* This article was originally published here

How to run your house on clean electricity, no solar panels required

Many homes can't accommodate solar panels. But a growing number of programs offer more ways to tap into renewable energy at home.

* This article was originally published here

AN ALMOST FINISHED BEDROOM

Well I guess I did take a small break....every time I say I am going to blog more I curse myself:) But hey....I guess that is what old people do...I don't know....but maybe!  I will be 71 in a little over 3 weeks....yikes! Anyway....This will be short but I thought you might enjoy a bedroom that is 95% finished except for one big wall that needs something but you won't see it in these

* This article was originally published here

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home with your kids

Once you have kids, it's harder to have those romantic dinners out on the town that you used to have — but that's okay.

* This article was originally published here

Picnic Days in all Seasons

Hello everyone, I hope you had a lovely weekend. It was a bitter cold one here...colder than it has been in many years. Although I like winter I am happy that it has warmed up. Thank you Laura for the suggestion that I do a picnic theme for a post. I went through my old pictures to collect some for this post.... hope you enjoy it! Winter picnics with a thermos of hot

* This article was originally published here

Superb exotics that don’t grow in the tropics

Dreaming of the flowers of the Costa Rican jungle? Take comfort, some of the most fantastic plants are far better suited to cooler climes.

In the long cold months of this winter, I have spent ages scrolling longingly through page after page of gloriously glossy images of tropical landscapes on various Instagram feeds.

Whether it’s rope bridges festooned in flowers in the Costa Rican jungle or my own videos of favourite adventures spent wandering through the lush and verdant greenery of Singapore, it’s my horticultural coping mechanism. It’s what I do when I have a desperate urge to see light and life around me.

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* This article was originally published here

Marrakech expressed: turning an old farm into a light-filled home

A couple of French designers, helped by their son and two donkeys, have transformed a Moroccan chicken farm into a stunning family home

When French fashion art director Julien Tang met photographer and model Cyrielle Rigot in Paris, she was “longing for new air and far-flung adventures”. “Marrakech awaited us,” says Julien. Shortly afterwards, in 2014, the couple transformed a 16th-century townhouse in Marrakech’s medina into Riad Jardin Secret, an hôtel particulier. Once home to Yves Saint Laurent, who entertained his young lovers there, the house conjures up a 1970s Hideous Kinky design appeal.

Today, the couple also run an interior design studio specialising in a crafted, authentic aesthetic with a contemporary twist in their family home, a former chicken farm 25km outside Marrakech.

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* This article was originally published here

How to repair gaps between vinyl flooring planks

Vinyl planks are usually installed as a floating floor. You should be able to nudge the planks together to close the gaps.

* This article was originally published here

‘AphroChic’ authors on color, art, culture and the Black family home

'AphroChic's' Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason join Jura Koncius to chat about their new book and the Black family home.

* This article was originally published here