DIY Projects

Window Treatments (diy)

While redecorating a room can seem overwhelming, a good place to start might be by focusing on the window treatments. Imagine what sort of mood you want your home to convey. Do you want an airy look? Would you rather have a warm, cozy look? Do you want it to be romantic or elegant?

Since windows treatments come in so many shapes and sizes, there are just as many types of window treatments to use on them. One great benefit of a well-designed window treatment is that should you decide to put your house on the market, well-designed windows will up the value as prospective buyers gaze on in admiration.

Keep in mind also that another great benefit is the potential that a window treatment has for conserving energy. You might want to block the sun out of a bedroom, while taking advantage of the sunlight in a family room.

 

·Sheer window shades allow you to control light levels and privacy and help soften the look of your home. In addition, you can choose sheers with light-filtering or room-darkening options.

·For parents concerned about kids becoming entangled in window shade cords, there are a number of cordless options that are beautiful, stylish and safe.

·If you love the idea of wood blinds, but not the warping, cracking or fading that goes along with them, think about engineered or faux wood.

Look for vertical blinds that are energy efficient, use soft fabrics and operate without the use of bottom weights and chains.

Consider roman or roller shades. Both combine the operating benefits of a window shade with the subtle textures and patterns of drapery style fabric.

See our pinterest page for more ideas:  https://www.pinterest.com/robertmoyer3194/easy-window-treatments/

Funny Garden Moments

Survival of the Fittest

Survival of the fittest. You see that every day in the garden, and not only among plants and bugs. Every spring I barely survive my own enthusiasm. This is the time of year when I’m wishing the snow away and eager to get out into the yard, where the first thing I’ll likely do is strain something. I do it every weekend. At the first opportunity I’m out there poking away at the dirt to see if it moves. If it does it means the frost is out of it and it is dry enough to do something, so I run to get something to dig with. Then I spend the rest of the week walking funny and cursing when it’s really my own fault for letting myself get out of shape.

As each year goes by I’m finding harder to stay in shape, so I came up with a great idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. Maybe it should create a garden gym. Tied a couple of bricks to a shovel, and I hooked up a rake to the wall with a bungee cord.

Being cooped up in the house without the distractions of nature I’ve discovered a whole new perspective on what I’m actually doing to myself out there in the yard every spring. After a few weeks, I’ve come to realize how much stress I actually put my poor body through.

No wonder it’s always grumbling. I now believe that gardening is just as grueling as any sport. Why, maybe gardening should be in the Olympics. That would be so thrilling. Can you imagine the spine-tingling tension of a topiary competition, or the excitement of competitive weeding? And let’s not forget the sheer titillation of questionable garden clothing.

But then I suppose there’d be the usual scandal over the use of illegal growth hormones (that will be a biggie, I’m sure), and we’d have to watch those hokey interviews with the medalists: “I owe it all to my cow, Jenny, for providing me with what it takes to grow healthy plants.” Meanwhile the medalists will all be sitting there holding shovels with trademarks showing and wearing shrink-wrapped spandex with the logos of huge fertilizer companies plastered over them.

Maybe not. Maybe I’ll skip today’s workout and give the dirt a poke instead.

Container gardening

Plant Containers for added Appeal for the Front of your Home

Admit it: your house might not be the dumpiest on the street, but it could probably use a little pick-me-up. It doesn’t take much to spruce up your house and add a little extra curb appeal, especially through container gardening. Outdoor planters are a fantastic and easy way to add a little extra oomph and increase your home’s curb appeal.

Entryway

The front door can speak volumes about a house – it’s where visitors get their first impression of your home and the people inside. Outdoor planters can add a touch of life to the entryway to make your home more inviting and warm. When decorating around the front door, symmetry is key. Add a tall planter box, to either side of your front door with bright flowers or tall leafy plants. Line the walkway to your front door with smaller planter boxes in coordinating plants and flowers. Choose plants that fit with the overall style and feel of your home, such as short canna lilies for a modern home or petunias, geraniums for a more traditional style.

Driveway

An often forgotten part of the home, the driveway and garage doors have a huge impact on curb appeal. Not only is the driveway one of the largest parts of a home’s outdoor space, but it is virtually a blank canvas full of possibility. To spice up an often bland area, place outdoor planters between the garage doors or along the side of the garage. Tall planters can add height to a space and break up the monotony a garage door. Add plants such as verbena or alyssum for a pop of energy-just make sure the planters are far enough away from the garage door that you won’t hit them with your car! To define the driveway with more than just concrete, place large planter pots along the edges. For these planters, it is better to opt for lower plants like coleus or white licorice that will define the space but still allow you to see into the front yard and entryway.

 

Deck

Just because a deck might be on the backside of the house doesn’t mean it can escape a curb appeal improvement. Instead of allowing your deck to turn into a yard furniture wasteland, add some large planter boxes. The color and life will work wonders on the space and create a more defined outdoor entertaining area. A grouping of large planter pots full of coordinating plants is an easy way to add a sense of style and personality to your deck. See more examples on our pinterest page:  https://www.pinterest.com/robertmoyer3194/planting-containers-for-the-front-door/