Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Ask a Pro

Ask a Pro: Carson Arthur’s Outdoor Sweeps Edition Part 2

Check out Part 2 of Carson Arthur’s best outdoor maintenance tips from our recent Facebook Q&A, here on Ask a Pro!

Q. Hey Carson. I have a rooftop patio. I want to buy artificial grass. What kind/brand do you suggest? Where should I buy it? How do I maintain it?

–Lisa R.

A. The tricky part about artificial grass is how it is used afterwards. A majority of the products on the market are made from recycled materials but cannot be recycled after they become turf. Either look for a biodegradable or recyclable option, or choose an outdoor rug made of natural sisal. Maintenance is easy, wash it with a hose!

–Carson Arthur

Q. How do I create height in my gardens without pulling all my plants out? Do I start over again?

–Kristin D.

A. No way! Save the plants! Consider adding a lattice panel with a nice vine on it. It’s an easy way to create the exact height even in the middle of a bed.

–Carson Arthur

Q. I have 3 agapanthus, aka lily of the Nile. Can I take the pods after the flowers are gone, dry them out, and plant them to make new ones?

–Tisa J.

A. You definitely can… but it’s a SLOW SLOW SLOW process to get them to a stage where they will bloom.

–Carson A.

Q. I have violets growing in my grass. What’s the best product to use to kill them once and for all without killing the grass?

–Max W.

A. Patience, sadly. I know there are a lot of chemicals, but if you want to go the natural route…it’s all about ripping them out one at a time. Sounds like fun?!?

–Carson A.

Q. Is it too late to start a small garden?

–Robin C.

A. Not at all! Go for it! Try some lettuce and radishes. They grow they fastest! Also spinach, kale, even some tomatoes and peppers will work for you now!

–Carson A.

June 30, 2016
Ask A Pro Q&A: Carson Arthur’s Outdoor Sweeps Edition

Missed our Facebook Q&A on the best outdoor design, advice, and gardening tips with outdoor design expert and Dream Team member Carson Arthur? Never fear! We’ve gathered up the answers from the expert himself in our latest Ask a Pro.

Q: I am trying to eradicate spearmint from a very small garden, but it is covered. I’ve put most of my plants in pots so the roots don’t get mixed with the mint. I just keep pulling the mint. Is there a better strategy?

–Tara P.

A: Oh no. That’s evil stuff! Unfortunately, the mint sends roots under the ground making it tough to pull out. Instead, bury the entire area with 7 layers of newspaper (working around the plants you want to save). Cover the newspaper with mulch and voila! An effective mint barrier that will smother the noxious weed and safely biodegrade into the garden.

–Carson Arthur

Q: Hi Carson. I recently planted a jalapeno plant as well as some cilantro in my small garden. Do you have any tips on how to best grow these plants specifically? Thanks!

—Victoria D.

A: Hot! As in, they love it hot! The more heat the better. Consider doing a 6″ cardboard ring around the bottom of pepper plant to allow it as much exposure as possible without any competition from other plants.

–Carson Arthur

Q: I have a 12-foot square area that we have tilled that is literally sandy soil. Mostly sand and rocks. What will grow here? We can’t plant grass because there is just no way to get rid of the rocks. Help!

—Pam M.

A: Tricky problem. I would consider doing a mass planting of some decorative grasses. They will handle the soil and give you amazing fall colour. Look for Northern Rye as a great option.

–Carson Arthur

Check back for Part 2!

June 20, 2016
Ask a Pro Q&A: How to Host a Housewarming Pool Party

The real estate market has been hot this season, and now the weather is catching up! To celebrate moving into her new home, one reader is throwing a housewarming pool party. Find out what advice Dream Team member and lifestyle expert Carolina Buia has for hosting a safe and fun housewarming pool party that adults and kids can both enjoy.

We just moved into our dream home and we’re having a housewarming party to celebrate! We will be hosting it in our backyard since we now have a pool. There are kids on the guest list and I want to make sure they play safe and are entertained while my adult guests can enjoy themselves too. Any advice? Thanks!

-Vanessa C.

There is nothing more fun—for kids—than a pool party. That said, it’s not always fun for the host—because water makes grown-ups nervous, and rightly so, safety should always come first. It is so important that you keep those kids safe, as accidents can happen so easily! I would suggest “splurging” for a local life guard; they typically can be hired for about $15-$20 an hour. It’s a small price to make sure everyone is safe and free to have fun. You can also monitor the pool with a friend and take turns working the pool area.

Now for the fun part! I would suggest getting some of the older kids (yours or your neighbors’) to arrange games in the pool, like water balloons! Don’t forget the pool floats and noodles!

An ideal pool party allows parents to enjoy their kids but also have time to socialize with their like-aged peers. Set up tiers of appetizers (spanakopita, cucumber tea sandwiches, cheeses) and drinks inside primarily for the adults, while easy finger food can stay outside for the kids to devour. I love snacks that all ages can enjoy, like crudités, Nutella mini-sandwiches, juice slushies, etc.) Be sure to have plenty of water, so no one gets dehydrated.

Make sure you have extra towels and a bucket of complimentary sunscreen for your guests: they will thank you for it (especially the forgetful ones)! You can even plan to have an umbrella set up outside, for those with more sensitive skin. Music is always a great way to set the mood, but better that it’s inside so you can hear all the kids splashing about.

And don’t forget, the pool wears everyone out, so keep the party short and sweet! One of my favorite party philosophies is to always leave your guests wanting more. But most of all, enjoy yourselves, and don’t be afraid to get wet with the kids, whether you’re 18 or 80! Marco?

-Carolina B.

May 31, 2016
Ask a Pro Q&A: Starting an English Cottage Garden

Garden season is here and we can’t wait to fill our backyards with flowers, sculptures, and so much more! Hope A. in South Carolina is a garden-lover and wants to style her yard after an English cottage garden. We loved the idea so we sent her question to Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur for his best advice, because the more you know, the more you grow!

Q: I would love to have a cottage garden in front of my home here in South Carolina! Unfortunately, my house is built on a slab and the garden area is mostly in the shade. Right now I’m growing dwarf gardenias, hosta, calla lilies, astilbe, Japanese painted ferns princess lily, and colocasia. The current plants are dispersed throughout the space and look sparse even though the space is small. What can I do to bring my garden together and create an English-inspired look? Thanks!

-Hope A.

A: Everyone always assumes that an English cottage garden is all about the cute plants. The truth is, this style of garden started in part because of the terrible rocky soil that they were grown on. It sounds like you have lots of plants, but now it’s time to start adding the rocks! You can create extra depth in the garden using large and small stones. Consider building tiers using the stones as well. Just make sure to go with moss-covered rocks or rocks that are clearly aged. There are two crucial things to remember when adding rocks to the landscaping. First, the bottoms of the rocks should be under the level of the soil so that they look like they have always been there. Next, plant in the pockets of the stones… just like you would see in nature! Happy gardening!

-Carson A.

May 2, 2016
Ask a Pro Q&A: Building an Outdoor Kitchen

Warmer weather is on the way and we can’t wait to spend time in the backyard! We know our readers feel the same way, especially Faye T. and her family. They’re planning to build an incredible outdoor kitchen, complete with a combustion stove. But how can they ensure a safe, family-friendly space? Dream Team member and outdoor design expert Carson Arthur has the recipe for building their backyard oasis!

Q: We’ve made 2016 the year of creating our dream home! We’ve been working on a few updates inside, but we can’t wait to start building an outdoor kitchen. We would love to include a combustion stove but, of course, we want to be careful and not run into any issues down the road. How can we proceed?

-Faye T.

A: The trick with combustion stoves is to give them adequate space away from anything flammable or heat-retaining. It makes for a tricky design in an outdoor kitchen. You might want to consider going with a style almost like a galley kitchen with an outdoor island. That way you can have the workspace without the threat of catching it on fire from the heat.

-Carson A.

February 26, 2016
Ask a Pro Q&A: The Great Grout Mistake

A simple design mistake has halted one reader’s remodeling project! What can you do when you don’t like the tile your contractor has already installed? Never fear, Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams reveals the stylish solution!

Q: We made a mistake when we installed “12×12” white tile in our home. The contractor used gray grouting that wasn’t sealed very well. I would like to get rid of it but I discovered it’s glued to the flooring underneath. Now I’m wondering if I can paint the tile, and if so what products to use. Thank you very much for your help!

-Carol V.

A: Ohh… this is truly a tough situation! I’m sorry you have to deal with it. While white tile isn’t a mistake all by itself, any tile incorrectly installed is going to be a problem at some point.

Do you know if there is damage underneath the tile as a result of the poorly sealed grout? If this isn’t the case and you like the look of the white tile, chances are good that your floor can simply be cleaned or re-grouted and sealed properly. Contact a professional tile installer to take a look and answer more specific questions and for an estimate, and follow their instructions about cleaning. Harsh chemicals and acidic cleansers will quickly deteriorate sealers and the grout itself.

To answer your question about painting tile directly, well yes, technically, tile can be painted if it’s cleaned, prepped and primed properly. This includes sanding, cleaning again and using a special bonding primer. If you’re thinking about handling this project yourself, the staff at your favorite paint store should help you choose the right products.

However, I wouldn’t recommend painting any tile if it’s on the floor or in wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens! The paint is not likely to hold up to the wear or the moisture, and won’t look good for very long.

If you’re thinking about changing the look of your floor, I recommend having your old tiles removed and new tile or other flooring installed. Talk with a licensed contractor for options!

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

November 12, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Using a Vision Board to Achieve Design Dreams

Stuck in a decor nightmare? Wake up and envision your next home makeover! Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams reveals how to make your design dreams come without the reality of rearranging! Find out how to create your own Decor Vision Board!

Q. I always have a tough time deciding what kind of decor to purchase! I would love to create a welcoming space that my friends and family gush over, but it’s hard to figure out what goes together without actually seeing it in place. How can I create a visual layout without having to buy everything and possibly return it? Please help!

-Jen B.

A. First of all, I have to say you should always design your house so that you love it, not necessarily for your friends and family! You’re the one who spends the most time there. When you love your home, you will be happier and healthier, and that confidence will rub off on your friends. Everyone will feel more comfortable in the welcoming space, including yourself.

In order to toss around ideas, try creating a Vision Board to help keep you from being overwhelmed! I use this tool all the time. It will help you narrow your options and make it easy to track down the items you really want and colors you like before actually buying them.

Start by collecting images from your computer or by cutting out pictures of things you like from magazines. Room pictures, individual items including furniture, art, accessories, whatever. Print out and physically place on a poster-sized piece of cardboard, or make a digital version on your computer. Add, then take away the less-strong pieces, and add more as you find them.

Take pictures of the pieces you’re keeping, too. If you were lucky enough to find a picture of a room that is exactly what you love and says it all, put that at the very center of your Vision Board. It’s OK if you didn’t find a picture like that, keep your eyes out… it will eventually emerge through the other images.

Do you see a common theme or color scheme? Look for shapes in common, such as boxy shaped furniture or curvy ones. Do your images include lots of fluffy pillows or a minimal amount? Dark wood tones or painted? This will be the start to defining your personal style, and an outline for when you shop for missing pieces.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

August 11, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Is Black Paint Too Dark for Walls?

One reader is ready for a makeover, but how drastic is too drastic? Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams comes to the rescue and shows her the light when it comes to painting a wall black!

Q. Is black too dark for a wall color?

-Lyn W.

A. It depends on the room and its purpose. Dark colors often make a room feel dramatic, intimate and luxurious… but in the wrong hands it might feel dark and dreary! Typically I prefer lighter toned neutrals on walls across the board, but you can get away with dark and dramatic colors in rooms such as powder baths, entries, game or movie rooms, and maybe kitchens and dining rooms if there is also a lot of lighter colored cabinetry and a lot of natural light.

Dark paint in a room such as a living or dining room with a lot of windows could be beautiful, as the change from daytime to night would be so dramatic. But don’t limit dark paint to just large rooms. For small rooms like powder baths you can play up the dark paint with dramatic and sparkly accessories.

If you think black might be too dark, it might be your gut telling you it is. But if you like the idea of something dramatic and bold, think about dark warm gray or navy blue instead, for a softer effect. You can even work up to a dark color by painting a medium tone warm gray or navy blue first, and see how you feel about it.

Talk with your paint provider before doing it yourself. A tinted primer or a special type of paint that will hold the color might be necessary for the color you want.

Send in a picture and let me know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

July 28, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: How to Redecorate Heavy 1970s Decor

This week’s installment of Ask a Pro is a blast from the past! One reader is curious how she can transform her dated 1970s decor into something more modern. Find out what Dream Team member and interior design expert Jennifer Adams has to say below.

Q: I live in a cabin that was built in the 1970s with a lot of orange and dark paneling. There’s even orange shag carpet! I would love to lighten up the decor, but without getting rid of the dark paneling. Can you help me?

-Melinda S.

A: Dark paneling is often beautiful, and can create a very comfortable, warm room. I would suggest getting rid of the orange shag carpet… no matter what color it is, any carpet installed in the 70s should be replaced!

From there, you can go rustic with light colored, wide planked wood flooring and sisal or jute area rugs, or more refined with pale neutrals in carpeting or even stone flooring. Paint the ceiling light colored, but not white as that would contrast the dark paneling too much. A grayish or ivory toned off white would feel very light in comparison to the walls, and make the room feel warm.

Keep your window treatments very sheer if you need them at all. You’ll want as much natural light coming in as possible. Balance out any bright natural light glare with additional lighting at the perimeter of the room, especially on the opposite side. If you can’t afford to have additional lights added to the ceiling or sconces on the walls, use floor or table lamps that direct light upward to the ceiling for an indirect glow.

Your furniture should also be very light neutral fabrics and light wood tones. Accent with bright colors, my favorite lately has been fuchsia with taupe, ivory and gray! Or go with cooler colors such as pale turquoise, sage greens, grays and tan colors.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

-Jennifer A.

July 14, 2015
Ask a Pro Q&A: Storing Winter Clothes During the Summer

Summer is in full swing, which means we can officially pack up those big winter coats, sweaters, and boots! But how do you keep your winter necessities and everyday clothes ready to use at the first snowflake? This week on Ask a Pro, Dream Team member and lifestyle pro Carolina Buia shares her advice for keeping winter clothes damage free during the summer.

Q: What’s the best way to pack up my winter clothes for the summer?

– Kathleen F.

A: When it comes to packing away your winter clothes, you’re going to need two mindsets: VIP and quotidian. First, decide which pieces will get VIP treatment. Nicer cashmere and wool sweaters, pants and skirts should be cleaned (at home or professionally – read the label) before put to rest for the summer months. Wrap them in acid-free paper, expertly fold them and store in plastic containers, adding a layer of paper between each piece. Keep them in a cool place, such as a basement. As for other VIP items like coats, you can cover them in a breathable garment bag or an air tight contractor bag (the inexpensive, DIY option). Forget about those plastic covers you get at the dry cleaners, as they trap moisture and may lead to mildew staining. Get your clothes out of those as quickly as possible.

As for the everyday, long-sleeve cottons and heavier slacks and skirts: You can clean and gently fold them into clear containers without worrying about the acid-free paper, except for at the top. As for your heavy, winter boots, add some paper (you can even use magazine tear sheets) to the tips, so that they keep their shape come next winter. If you still have your original shoe boxes, great. Now is a smart time to quickly polish your winter shoes, so they are ready for the next blizzard. You don’t have to get too crazy with specific shoe polish colors, just buy a jar of clear and in half an hour you can do a modest polish on your favorite boots. Finally, don’t forget to keep some cozy pieces on hand. There are the occasional cool summer nights or unexpected trips up north, where you will want your favorite cerulean sweater and you won’t want to be digging through boxes. Enjoy the summer!

– Carolina B.

July 7, 2015