Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • How to Create a Craft or Sewing Room

    Making and enjoying crafts requires space to spread out and be creative and to quickly store your masterpiece-in-progress whenever you’re interrupted or called away. In addition, you’ll need even more space to store the materials and tools you use in an organized and productive way.

    You can start small with a corner desk in a spare room, or double up so your home office allows you to do personal work. Or you can find space in your basement, addition, or heated garage. Before you create a room of your own, think about craft room decor at the start and you’ll end up with a room that’s not only functional, but one you want to spend time in..

    Lighting, a good, big working surface, storage, and easy access to tools are four of the most important aspects to creating room for your crafts. A devoted crafter needs a large working table, a storage cabinet, an easily organized and accessible grab-’n-go tool rack, and a sink or rough equivalent to get started.

    Lighting

    LED panels are cheap and quick to install. Go to a Home Depot or Lowe’s to find easy-to-install, plug-in lighting panels that will illuminate even the darkest space. 1000 lumens is more than enough light for the average-size room. A new 1000 lumen LED panel should cost you less than $60.

    Work Table

    Most kitchen counters are 31 inches above the floor. Using that as a guideline, a 31-inch surface  provides you with an easily accessible working platform that doesn’t require stretching or stooping.

    If you don’t have a folding table already, check online used shopping sites in your area for cheap or free tables. If you want or need to make a solid table, go to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore and purchase an old hollow core door as a table surface. In larger cities, you could try your local Ikea and purchase a table or desk surface for less in the discount room, where the components of broken furnishings are unpacked and sold cheaply.

    Online shopping is useful not only for cheap, ready-made table surfaces, but also for free, broken tables. If you find one with functioning legs, detach its broken surface and reuse the legs for your hollow core door or Ikea desk surface. The advantage of screw-in legs is that they’re not bulky, so you can store other material you will need for your crafts right there at hand. Anything from fabrics to colored or wrapping paper can fit, and larger tools like hair dryers or paints might also be accommodated, depending on their size.

    Once the table is assembled, attach rulers or measuring tapes to two adjoining sides of your surface to help you measure your crafts quickly and easily. You can also use a yardstick to draw a square grid on the table surface with a pencil, then make these marks permanent with an indelible marker or chalk paint. You can attach magnetic strips to hold tools you will use for your crafts on the wall above the table.

    Storage Cabinet

    A lot of material goes into making crafts. You need to organize them or you’ll get buried in an avalanche of paper, ribbons, and fabric. When it comes to getting organized, you can store hangers for school-sized colored paper rolls on the back of your craft room’s door. It’s a little extra space bonus.

    Then,  find an old filing cabinet, a kitchen hutch, or a library card catalog in any one of your favorite thrift spots. Repaint your treasure so that it’s fresh (you could even color-code the partitions), then position it against an easily accessible wall and attach a light on a spring arm so you can root around in the various cubbies looking for that gorgeous spool of thread or ball of wool.

    Alternatively, find an old desk with many drawers. Remove the desktop and replace it with a thick sheet of glass. Now you have a second working surface that enables you to look into the storage drawers to locate things as they come to mind. On top of the repurposed desk, you could put a modular bookcase to store more material and tools.

    Grab-and-Go Tool Rack

    Do you sew, knit, or do paper crafts? You will need special tools for each craft. Organize your pencils and markers and your needles and scissors by color and size, and deposit them in visible and easily accessible mason or pickle jars. If you are short on jars, you may be able to find some at your local recycling center.

    If not, you can chop equal lengths (five to seven inches) of PVC piping with a hacksaw blade and glue them together with plumber’s adhesive. If you’re storing paint brushes, stuff strips of corrugated board into the open necks of the PVC containers to separate different colored brushes.

    Happy crafting!

  • Unique Home Storage Ideas

    “A place for everything and everything in its place.” No one is sure who first coined that proverb, but we’ve been trying to implement it since at least the late 18th century. Here are a few DIY storage ideas that may make life in the 21st century a little easier—or at least a little less cluttered.

    Bedroom DIY Storage Ideas

    For the price of a package of shower rings and a hanger, you could potentially free up an entire drawer if you slip the shower rings over the bottom rung of a hanger and use it to store your scarves. Mount it to the back of your closet door and your scarves will be accessible and won’t get wrinkled.

    A wooden hanger can become an ideal storage device for jewelry, especially necklaces and dangly earrings. Just add eye screws at small, even intervals and hook them through the eye screws.

    Under-bed storage is always a great idea. While you can buy beds that come with drawers underneath, you can also create your own. Use shallow dresser drawers to which you’ve added wheels and you’ll be able to slide them under the bed. The wheels will make them easier to access when the summer turns to fall and you suddenly need to grab a sweater but aren’t yet ready to do the summer/winter clothing transfer. They’ll also make cleaning under the bed a lot easier, too.

    Little wooden spice racks make both perfect displays and storage containers for perfume bottles, nail polish, or other cosmetics.

    Bathroom DIY Storage Ideas

    Unless you have one for every single family member, bathrooms can be storage nightmares. There are only four corners to a bathtub, and those corners fill up fast when everyone in the family likes to use a different kind of shampoo. Hang fruit baskets from your shower rod and store shampoos, conditioners, nail brushes, loofahs, and body sponges in the baskets. They’re also a great place to store small bath toys.

    Pedestal sinks have been in vogue for a while now, and for good reason: their clean, elegant lines make modern sinks the bathroom focal point and they introduce a feeling of space to what’s usually the smallest room in a house. That said, everyone who’s bought a house with one or replaced an old vanity with a pedestal sink has been faced with the dilemma of where to store their bathroom cleaning products. The solution may be to create a shallow, narrow cupboard between the joists in your bathroom walls. Maybe even two, one on either side of the sink.

    A large wine rack mounted on a bathroom wall makes for idea towel storage. You can build your own or buy one. Or you can mount a series of baskets to the wall and store towels, face cloths, and small appliances like hair dryers, curling irons, beard trimmers and electric razors in the baskets.

    Don’t forget to use the space above your toilet and above your towel racks. Install floating shelves and use glass jars to store cotton swabs, facial wipes, makeup remover pads, hair elastics and bobby pins or hair clips.

    Craft Room and Home Office Storage Ideas

    An old muffin tin will fit nicely in even the shallowest desk drawer, and it automatically gives you a dozen small compartments to store paper clips, push pins, elastics, and USB drives. If the drawer is wide enough, add a kitchen cutlery tray and you’ve got storage for pens, markers, scissors, rolls of tape, and charger cords.

    Revolving countertop spice racks with clear glass bottles are perfect for small craft supplies like pins, needles, buttons, beads, and sequins. If your craft room has a closet, take the door off and add more shelving. You can still use the curtain rod and pants or skirt hangers to hang folded fabric or scrapbooking supplies.

    Pick up an old dresser at a flea market, paint it with chalk paint, and store crafting tools and supplies in the drawers. Dividers are always a good idea. You can buy them or make your own out of cardboard covered in wallpaper. Or you could invest in some more dollar store kitchen cutlery trays.

    If your closet has a bifold door, don’t throw it out or store it in the garage. Mount it to the wall and buy some decorative hooks so you can hang scissors and other tools or rolls of ribbon from the hooks. There’s a reason those home workshop pegboards with tools outlined became so popular: they work. Not only can you see where your tools are at any given time, there’s also no doubt where they belong. Once you’ve analyzed the space available to you and the possessions you need to store, you’re well on your way to creating a place for everything. After that, keeping everything in its place will be a lot easier.

  • Pantry Organization Hacks to Streamline Your Kitchen

    While it’s possible someone somewhere once said, “My kitchen’s too big, too well organized, and has too much cupboard space,” it’s highly unlikely. Most of us struggle to work with kitchens that are less than ideal. Having a pantry can help in a variety of ways. If you don’t already have one or if yours needs a serious refresh, here are some pantry organization hacks to streamline your kitchen.

    If you already have a pantry in or just off your kitchen, make sure you’re making the best use of the space you’ve got. Here are some suggestions for a DIY pantry makeover:

    Use Shelves and Racks

    Make the most of skinny shelves, tiered shelving, and under-shelf storage racks. A row of skinny shelves on the back of the pantry door, or even a shoe holder with clear plastic compartments, can hold all kinds of small items, whether it’s spice, soup, or sauce packets or small condiment jars. The inside of a door is almost always wasted space, and it’s perfect for smaller items that will otherwise get lost among the cans and bottles.

    Tiered shelving will let you double or triple the amount of storage you get from your existing shelves, and there are even eco-friendly, expandable bamboo tiered shelves available now.

    Under-shelf slide-on storage racks are available almost anywhere that sells housewares, including dollar stores, and installing a few will give you storage for potatoes, onions, and garlic under your existing shelves. Bonus: that will free up some space in your fridge.

    Installing small tension rods on existing shelves also means you’ll be able to store bulky, awkward items you don’t use often, like platters and cookie sheets that take up a lot less space stored vertically rather than horizontally.

    Create a Snack Station

    Another great tip for streamlining your kitchen is to get rid of packaging and create a snack station at child height. Even if you’ve succeeded in training your family not to leave empty cereal boxes in the cupboards, the amount of storage space a family-sized box of cereal consumes is huge and never decreases until the box is disposed of.

    Set up a little clothesline or use a piece of dowling as a hanging rack in an area of your pantry. Alternatively, you could invest in some larger storage boxes that will fit on your shelves and take dry goods out of their boxes. Make sure you label the cereals or the clips you use to hang them up. This works best for items that are bulky, crushable, and light, like potato chips, cereal, and crackers.

    If you set up a snack station at child height in your pantry, you may succeed in keeping your kids out of the fridge and away from the stove while you’re trying to do dinner prep. The snack station can be as big or as small as you like: you can devote the entire bottom shelf to kid-friendly snacks like dried fruit, mini cookie packs, and granola bars. By creating a dedicated space in the pantry for kids, you’ll keep them from climbing the shelves to get at snacks and possibly prevent a fall, shelf collapse, or tumbling tins.

    Make Use of Corners

    Installing Lazy Susans in corners and investing in metal magazine racks for pantry storage is a great way to make use of corner space. No matter how small, chances are good your pantry will have four accessible corners. Install Lazy Susans in each one and you’ll be amazed how much more accessible your canned and dry goods are. There are stackable Lazy Susans available now, and if you really like to stock up when things are on sale or if you make regular Costco runs, they’ll come in handy.

    Metal mesh magazine racks make great storage containers for canned goods. Their height means you can stack the tins in at least a double row. Plus, if you worry a toddler might get in the pantry and upend them, you can turn them around, so the “spine” of the magazine rack faces out and individual tins are less likely to tumble.

    If you’re starting from scratch to create a DIY pantry, be creative. Pantries are basically just shelving arrangements, so anything you’ve got with shelves or racks can be transformed into a pantry. Old bookcases or nightstands can be stacked in a low-traffic kitchen area (preferably a corner). If you see an armoire bargain, especially a corner armoire, grab it. With a few extra shelves added, you’ve got the makings of a small but efficient pantry. Alternatively, you can create a pantry under your stairwell and install a glass-fronted door. Other potential spots for pantries include laundry and mud rooms and rarely used closets. If you buy in bulk, you can even create a pantry and cold storage room in your basement. While not as handy as having your pantry in or just off the kitchen, restocking your kitchen shelves can become part of your laundry routine as you flip the clothes from the washer to the dryer.

  • Best Ways to Make Your Home Cozier for Fall with Interior Design Pro Jennifer Adams

    As the weather cools down this fall, it’s time to transition your home so it’s cozy, relaxing and enjoyable for you and your family. With these simple tips and ideas, the transition can be effortless and inexpensive.

    Outfit Your Bed

    At the end of a chilly day, nothing beats a warm, inviting bed. Switch out your summer sheets with flannel or heavyweight cotton and layer your bed with a coverlet or quilt. If you don’t need the extra blanket, keep it folded at the foot of your bed.

    Use Quilts and Throws

    Who doesn’t love to curl up with a warm blanket? Add on cozy quilts or throw blankets to your sofa and armchairs. Think soft, plush fabrics and textures, like wool, fur, velvet or fleece.

    Avoid Cold Feet

    A great way for staying cozy is to keep your feet warm. Keep slippers in your entryway or by your bedside, so they’re ready to slip on when you get home or wake up. Add rugs or woven mats to your uncarpeted areas, like your bathroom, kitchen and entryway. Rugs come in a myriad of sizes and shapes, but whatever you choose, invest in rugs that feel comfortable to your bare feet and for sitting on.

    Insulate With Curtains

    One effective way to insulate your room from cold drafts is to use heavier, thicker curtains. Let your curtains enhance your décor by choosing ones that add a splash of color or are complimentary to your color palette. Deep tones are always lovely and create a warm ambiance for any space.

    Create a Cozy Nook

    Having a little place to retreat to is a great way to unwind and recharge yourself. It can be your reading nook or just a relaxing nook, where you can have a quiet break from the day’s activities. Make it comfortable with throw pillows, a quilt, and a lamp or candles.

    Enjoy Candles

    Create a warm glow by using candles. They enhance your home and your mood, creating an inviting and relaxing space. Scented candles are especially enjoyable and help to freshen the space. Group candles together on your coffee, dining or bedside tables, and don’t forget to use candles to enhance a soothing bath.

    Warm Up the Outdoors With crisp morning air and clear starry nights, fall is a wonderful time to enjoy your garden or patio by warming it up with a fire feature. There are many options to choose from, so you’re sure to find a fire feature that suits your space and needs.

    Want to cozy up your home for fall? Click the banner below and enter our Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes for the chance to win $1000!

  • How to Decorate for Halloween Without Being Kitschy with Interior Design Pro Jennifer Adams

    Instead of the usual kitschy Halloween decorations you’ve done over and over again, try something new and chic this year. These classy yet playful DIY home décor ideas will inspire and create just the right Halloween ambiance.

    Go With a Spooky Wreath

    The entryway or porch is where most of the action happens when trick-or-treaters and guests come knocking at your front door. Adorn your door with a spooky wreath, like one made out of dried twigs, vines or dark-colored flowers. Add black bats or spiders hanging from their webs to create an eerie vibe.

    Decorate with Lights

    String up seasonal lights around your porch or front and backyard trees. You can also have carved, miniature gourds or pumpkins with tea lights inside lighting up your outdoor walkways and stairways.

    Scary Black Cutouts

    For a creepy front yard, use cutouts or decals for your windows. For a stylish look, don’t overdo them. Instead, keep the look simple and minimal—for instance, a couple of well-placed ravens, bats, or a ghastly ghoul or witch.

    Create a Gothic-Inspired Table

    Hosting a Halloween dinner party? Decorate your dining table with a gothic flair. Create a color palette of deep reds, blacks and purples, as well as gold; use textiles like velvet and silk. You can arrange your table with a gorgeous velvet table runner, vintage candlesticks, and a bouquet of dark red roses. For additional drama, play with black or red glassware and plates with accents of gold.

    Black and White Pumpkins

    Instead of the standard orange and black, go with white and black. Rather than carving your pumpkins, you can paint them!  Create spooky faces or whimsical patterns in contrasting colors to make them really stand out. 

    Monochromatic Décor

    If you want to go simple, then decorate your home with only one color, like white, black or orange. You can create a fun yet classy monochromatic ensemble for your entryway or around a fireplace and mantel.

    Haunting Floral Arrangements

    Experiment with unconventional arrangements by using feathers, dried and fresh plants and flowers, twigs and vines. Keep the color palette dark and rich with pops of bright color. Look for unique vases or containers.

    Dia de los Muertos

     For a twist, celebrate Halloween by using the Mexican Day of the Dead as your décor and party theme. Display vibrant and colorful sugar skulls, candles and folk art, like a paper cutout string banner called a papel picado. Have skull masks for your guests to wear, or even better, turn it into a party activity by letting them decorate their own masks. And don’t forget to serve up traditional Mexican foods and drinks!

    Want some funds to help you decorate for Halloween? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Trend Alert from Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur – The Outdoor Fireplace!

    One of the most popular additions to the backyard is the outdoor fire pit with seating around it. Having an area for entertaining that is separate from the patio table has been featured in magazines, websites and all types of social media. Even the designs that I’ve been doing for homes in downtown areas seem to always include high-end wood or gas burning fixtures.

    Before you go any further in exploring if an outdoor fireplace is right for you, check your municipal bylaws. Some areas ban outdoor burning altogether. Others allow outdoor fireplaces but regulate the smoke to ensure that your neighbors are not disturbed. Some municipalities require that grills be in place so that these fire pits fall under barbeque laws. Just because a store in your area sells you a fireplace doesn’t mean that you can actually use it.

    If, however, you’re like me and love the smell of burning wood, the sound of crackling logs and can spend hours watching flames and coals, then there is nothing like an outdoor wood-burning fireplace. That said, burning wood always comes with lots of risks and rewards. Live fires are unpredictable and as a result, can be dangerous if not handled properly.

    When it comes to fire safety, make sure that you allow for at least 6ft. of space between the edge of the fireplace and the chairs. Sparks can easily fly from natural burning fires. If you don’t have sufficient clearance, choosing a natural gas or propane option would be a safer solution. If you do go with wood burning, then make sure you have either a source of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.

    Also, consider where the best spot is for your fire pit and what surface it is going on. The best surface solution is always stone. Whether its manmade pavers, natural flagstone or even gravel, stone is perfect for dispersing heat or flying sparks. I have created fireplaces on wood decks but I always make sure that the area under and around the fire pit is either gravel or concrete. When it comes to locations, wood-burning fire pits need to be away from the house. Smoke always seems to get into open windows or patio doors. Be sure to choose a spot that is away from large trees or anything that is burnable.

    Having an outdoor fireplace can be an amazing way to spend a summer night or even host an après ski party. Just make sure you do a little research first.

    Want an outdoor fireplace (or fire pit) of your own? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Fall Décor Trends with Interior Design Pro Jennifer Adams

    With fall just around the corner, it’s the perfect excuse to update your home décor and welcome the new season in style. To effortlessly transition your home, here are some of the best décor trends to try.

    Bring Nature Indoors

    Taking inspiration from Mother Nature, bring the natural, lush beauty of the outdoors into your home with houseplants. They make great decorating accents by adding color and character, and they help create a flow between your indoor and outdoor spaces. With the variety of species, sizes and shapes, you have an array of choices that fit your needs and style. Additionally, plants purify the air and produce a calming effect. They’re the perfect natural mood-enhancer!

    Flower Power

    From patterns on wallpaper, curtains and upholstery to fresh bouquets dotting your tabletops, flowers are a gorgeous way to uplift any room. Like houseplants, flowers are a great accent, adding a splash of color and giving your space a finished look. With a myriad of options to choose from, you can go bold with a bright, colorful bouquet on your dining room table, and grace your entry table with an elegant monochrome arrangement that welcomes you home every day.

    Natural Wood

    Continuing with the theme of bringing nature indoors, you can’t go wrong with fine natural wood pieces like tables, stools, chairs, shelves and accessories. The idea is to allow the natural wood grains and tones take center stage. This trend also includes unfinished or distressed wood furniture like a rustic farmhouse kitchen table or dining room table.

    Earthy Tones

    As for a color palette, think earthy tones. Rich shades of brown, green, and blue are excellent choices, as well as soft whites that evoke sand dunes, pale wood, and natural linen. The idea is to create a soothing sanctuary to retreat and relax in. Don’t forget to add those pops of color, too—a burst of red, yellow or orange will enliven the space and your senses.

    Soft and Curvy

    From circular lampshades to round accent pillows to curvy sofas and armchairs, it’s all about soft lines. When you look around nature, curves rule—whether it’s the graceful curve of a flower’s petal, the delicate spiral of a seashell or the hardy roundness of a tree trunk. Similarly, incorporating curves into your home décor creates an elegant, fresh and inviting space with a natural flair.

    Looking to add some of these trends to your home? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Fall 101 with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur

    I can’t believe that I am about to talk about a fall checklist…but according to the calendar and according to the nip in the air at night, its time to start thinking about the end of summer <<Gasp>>. I’m personally a little torn by this. I love the gardening season, but there is something very special about the turning of the season that I also really love. Maybe it’s the autumn leaves or the smell in the air or even the fact that the outdoor temperature is now comfortable even at noon; whatever the case, I’m not too upset that its time to think about putting the gardens to bed.

    There are a few things that home gardeners get wrong at this time of the year. First off is bulb planting. I love tulips and daffodils in the spring, but I never plant the bulbs in the ground until the soil temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius. Being patient when planting your bulbs is so important to ensure that they stay dormant until spring. Also, remember that the squirrels will probably dig your bulbs up if you are not smart about how you plant them. Squirrels like to steal food from other squirrels. They look for areas of disturbed soil thinking that this is where their neighbor has hidden something edible. When you are planting your bulbs, make sure to disguise the area with some leaves so that it looks like the ground is still undisturbed.

    Speaking of your leaves; KEEP THEM. I know that some homes have huge maples or other deciduous trees in the yard and the amount of fallen leaves far exceeds any needs that you may have. However, mulched or composted leaves are the best fertilizer you can get for your gardens. Leaves that have been running through the mower are also fantastic as an insulator. A few years ago I bought a Black and Decker 3 n1 leaf vacuum, blower, and mulcher, and it’s become my go-to tool for creating my own free fertilizer.

    Don’t forget to wrap your plants and trees! Once again, Mother Nature is giving us some early warning signs of another hard winter to come; specifically, all of the cone-bearing evergreens have them at the tops of the trees. This is a sign that we are in for another rough season, which is going to be hard on your plants. Go out and invest in lots of tree wraps and burlap. Having a windbreak is crucial for plants like rhododendrons, cedars and even your rose of Sharon. The key is to wrap your tree snuggly enough that the burlap will stay up in the wind, but not too tight as they break branches. You should also wait until your plants have gone dormant, which is tough for your evergreens. I like to wrap my tender shrubs and bushes at the end of October.

    You may not have to start thinking about these jobs now, but trust me, winter is really just around the corner!

    Need some help with your fall prep? Click the banner below and subscribe to the blog to enter to win $1000 during the Fall for Your Home Sweepstakes.

  • Fall Lawn Prep with Outdoor Pro Carson Arthur

    Fall is the perfect time to get your lawn prepped for spring, and now is the time to do it! Most homeowners ignore their lawns in the fall but the cooler weather is fantastic for your grass. During this time of year, your lawn is actively storing water, nutrients and generating energy so that it can make it through a long winter. If you take care of it now, you’ll have a healthier, lusher looking patch of green in the spring!

    Now is the time to lower the blade on your mower. I keep mine between 3 and 3.5”s during the warmer months. In the fall, it is time to drop it down to 2”s to allow more sunlight to get to the crown of the grass.  There are a couple of things to remember; never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade length at a time. This is really hard on the grass.  You can lower then mower once by a third, and then again by a third in the second cutting. If you have a bagging option, now is a good time to put it on. Removing some of the cuts blades will help your lawn can more oxygen down to the roots as better airflow can occur without the build-up of cuttings (called thatch).

    Aerating in the fall is also a great solution for getting oxygen, moisture, and nutrients the roots. The best aerators remove plugs of soil that are 3”s long. This is the perfect depth to reach the roots below the ground.

    Feeding the lawn in the fall is actually more important in my mind than doing it in the spring. The fall fertilizer helps the roots grow below the soil, encouraging an earlier and deeper flush of green grass once the snow melts. Look for fertilizers like a 0-6-6 combination. Make sure to avoid a fertilizer with a high first number as this encourages more leaf growth above ground. Instead, get a high middle and last number. This promotes root growth and improves the overall health of your lawn.

    I wait until early October for my last fertilizing of the year.

    I like to top-dress the bald spots on my lawn at the end of September. The occasional rainfall and the cooler temps are perfect for seed starting. When buying your grass seed mix, also get a bag of topsoil. By blending the two BEFORE you spread the mix on the lawn, you get a higher rate of germination of the seeds because you’ve ensured the “seed-to-soil” contact that they need to grow.

    Weeds are also getting ready to go through the winter months. This makes them extra susceptible to herbicides and natural treatments as they are in full “absorption-mode”. Just be careful and follow the instructions on whatever weed solution you decide to go with and wait until the end of Oct to apply. This is extra important in the areas that you’ve planted new seeds so that they have a chance to get better established. Finally, rake those leaves!  Getting the leaves off the lawn before they become a wet mat that smothers your lawn is so important. Try these steps and you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with the greenest and happiest lawn on the block!

  • Potpourri: Fall Décor’s Secret Weapon

    While the golds and oranges get all the glory, the scent of earthy florals also help create fall memories. Potpourri should be included in your seasonal aesthetic to make any home a bit cozier on the blusteriest of days. With the waning daylight, settle close to your crockpot, stove or oven and begin crafting with dried herbs, flowers and spices.

    Crockpot

    Jennifer Adams, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate’s interior design Pro, offers a delightful recipe that can simmer in a crockpot to spice up your home as you step out for work or a day of apple picking with the family. Simply quarter two oranges and place inside a crockpot of any size. Next, toss in 6 cinnamon sticks, 2 tablespoons of cloves and 2-3 bay leaves. Add 2 cups of water and set on warm. This is the perfect way to welcome loved ones home, or to set the tone for a party.   

    Stove

    Rosemary is a delightful aromatic herb that not only tops pumpkin, infuses olive oil and seasons potatoes, but is a great herb to simmer on the stove during fall. Thinly slice 2 lemons and place them in a stockpot alongside 2 sprigs of rosemary and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Add 2-3 cups of water and set on low. Make sure to do this on the backburner with a lid to prevent little hands from being too curious.  

    Oven

    Dried potpourri is also a stellar project to do during fall. Satchels can be placed throughout the house before the cold of winter sets in. Potpourri can also be placed in jars and gifted for housewarmings or Thanksgiving. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Slice 3 apples into 1/8-inch sections and place on a cookie sheet to bake for 2 hours. Flip over every 30 minutes. In a mason jar, place 2 whole vanilla beans, 3 whole cloves, 5 whole coriander seeds and 4 cinnamon sticks. Once the fruit has cooled, add to the jar and shake with the lid tightly closed. One option is to toss the lid and keep the metal band that screws into the jar to hold burlap piece in place over the opening. These non-visual décor statements are sure to help you welcome fall into your home.