Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Seasonal

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Discover Beautiful Dining Table Decor Ideas for Every Season

    So many of our dining table decor ideas involve bringing the outdoors in, as if to assert some kind of connection between our consumption and its creation. More often than not, seasonal dining table decor reflects this theme. We use pumpkins or smaller gourds, twine leaves and garlic braids with twigs for harvest. We cut pine boughs and dip their cones in gold paint and splash some holly and ivy around for the winter holidays. We continue the trend with greenery for spring and cut fresh flowers in summer.

    There’s no end to found-in-nature objects you can use to jumpstart dining table décor brainstorming. To move beyond the ordinary, here are a few non-traditional suggestions.

    High contrast for winter

    Since the three functional elements of a dining room are its chairs, lighting and the table itself, why not focus on two elements at once and make your centerpiece the most food- and mood-flattering light source you can find? After all, it is in the winter when we rely most on artificial lighting to boost our spirits.

    Whether your table is round, square or rectangular, the centerpiece should be your dining room’s pièce de résistance, the object that draws the eye to the table before your guests’ gaze radiates outwards.

    The classic approach is, of course, candelabra—a single, large fixture centered on the table, or a series at intervals. Instead, try taking an eclectic approach: if your dining room is modern or functional, find the most elaborate, massive, rococo bronze candelabra available and pose it on a damask brocade table runner with gold tassels. The contrast between your sleek teak or glass table will startle and intrigue.

    If your dining room is traditional, go another route and invest in something modern and Calder-esque—a candelabra made from copper plumbing fittings, clean, geometric metal shapes or simple, black staggered cubes of variegated height.

    Clean and green for spring

    When the days start to get longer, it’s time to time to strip the table and let its lovely lines and textures speak for themselves. Get rid of your layered-linen approach and switch them out for placemats and a runner. Alternatively, try a long, narrow mirror on a rectangular table to shine and reflect light from new angles.

    Spring is all about seizing the day and ending our hibernation, as well as spending time outdoors for longer and longer each day. Make it easier to migrate to the patio or deck by using a round, square or rectangular tray as your dining table centerpiece. This makes it easier to grab when you realize it really is warm enough to have coffee or dessert outdoors.

    Try also to sneak more than one shade of green into your dining room: a series of small succulents, the palest of green linen napkins or some startling chartreuse placemats. Think beets and asparagus, snowdrops and lilacs when choosing your table linens.

    Light and airy for summer

    Summer is all about fresh, and your dining room decor should reflect that. It’s a time for linen and lace, not brocade and velvet. Let your table decorations reflect that sentiment and get rid of heavy tablecloths in favor of light and airy fabrics and bold, bright colors. If they make you think of corn and watermelon and fresh peas, they’re a perfect choice. Consider also translucent fabrics paired with white linens.

    Still want to bring the outdoors in? Use an herb garden as your table’s centerpiece and keep some kitchen shears handy so you can make the rounds just as dinner is served. You can welcome guests to your table as you sprinkle a few fresh-cut chives, a basil leaf or two, or a fresh sprig of rosemary, coriander or parsley on each plate.

    Invest in a few great fruit bowls that are also conversation pieces and lead with a fresh fruit dessert centerpiece—mangos, berries and cherries for a summery feel.

    Spare and bare for fall

    Most fall dining decor themes reflect the abundance of the harvest season, with its russets, taupes, ochres and rich, dark greens. Try taking a minimalist approach to fall dining decor. The falling leaves expose a tree’s true form, and decor that reflects structure can be dramatic. Take advantage of the changing angles of light to feature a series of small wood sculptures as centerpieces. Choose ones that look good from all angles and contain depths of color: marble, granite or wood. Or try a large round metal piece that both reflects and absorbs light. Embrace the stark and don’t be afraid of high-contrast color choices. Rather than black and white, though, think tan and gray.

    Just as what we eat changes from season to season, the way we eat changes too. Try to create a dining experience you can customize to reflect the rhythm of the season.

  • Top 10 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home in Working Order: A Checklist

    Your home is likely one of your biggest investments. Taking care of it properly is essential. The chores and tasks necessary to maintain a home throughout the year can seem daunting, but they’re easier if broken down into seasonal duties.

    Even if you don’t have the time or physical ability to tackle these must-dos yourself, refer to our home maintenance checklist below when you hire handymen.

    Spring

    At the start of spring, many homeowners are eager to do a little cleaning. This season is the perfect time to empty closets, wax floors, give carpets a deep shampoo and more.

     

     

     

     

    Here are some good spring cleaning actions you can take to care for your home:

    1. Give the grounds an overhaul. Start cleaning by
    • raking up leaves
    • turning outside faucets on if you’ve turned them off for winter
    • inspecting trees for illness or dead branches
    • re-seeding your lawn
    • planting perennials
    1. Tend to your home’s exterior by
    • looking for and filling cracks in concrete
    • fixing broken rain gutters
    • giving your home a power wash
    • touching up paint
    • cleaning windows
    • repairing patios and decks
    • treating pool water
    1. Look after the inside of your home by
    • inspecting HVAC systems
    • draining your boiler
    • giving plumbing a once-over
    • checking your chimney
    • replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

  • A Few Helpful Gutter Cleaning Tips for Your Home

    Autumn is one of the most seasons. The crisp air and changing leaves make even a walk through the neighborhood feel like an event. Those leaves, however, have to go somewhere and many of them end up in the gutter. We have a few helpful gutter cleaning tips to keep you safe and prevent property damage.

    Let someone know what you’re doing

    Of all the gutter cleaning tips, letting a friend, family or neighbor know what you’re doing is the most important. It is helpful to have someone check up on you. Also, make sure to have your cellphone somewhere near you in the unlikely event of an accident to easily call for help.

    Use a safe and sturdy ladder

    Using a sturdy ladder will keep you safe. Before stepping onto the first rung, check to see that the hinges are completely open and that the ladder is in good shape. A four-legged ladder is easy to transport and use for a single story home, while a two-legged extension ladder is the best choice for homes with multiple floors. A ladder can get heavy, so if you have a heart condition or other health issues, know your limits and ask for help moving it around your home.

     

     

    Use a sand shovel

    Don’t try to use metal gardening tools, as they’ll only scrape and potentially damage gutters. Instead, pick up a small plastic scoop or a kids’ sand shovel.The trick isn’t to try to remove all of the leaves and other debris at once, but remove a little bit at a time. This will lighten the load of each sco and save your back.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Add Designer Flair to Your Front Porch for Fall

    Add Fun Fall Decor to Your Porch

    Just because summer’s over does not mean you can’t still enjoy sitting in the fresh air. With autumn weather quickly blowing in, now’s the time to give your porch a makeover. From festive seasonal decorations to thoughtful touches, we’ve pulled together a handful of our favorite ways to add fall decor to your porch.

    Stay warm

    First, make sure your porch can be used during autumn. If you live in an area where fall brings cooler temperatures, gorgeous crisp evenings can turn into cold nights. Invest in either a propane or electric patio heater. There are many models on the market. Some of them are set on the ground to warm your feet, while others are hung overhead. A few models look a lot like indoor lamps, adding a warm, room-like feel to your porch.

    In addition to heaters, set out a couple of wool blankets for guests to put over their legs. Not only do blankets keep loved ones warm, they also give a cozy vibe that inspires conversations to run long into the night.

    Buy new patio furniture

    Most people buy new patio furniture during spring and summer. It’s in fall, however, that you should head to your local home and garden stores to check out items on clearance. Choose durable fabrics in neutral colors so the furniture will match any season. Design the rest of the porch around your new seating areas.

    Fall foliage… right to your front door

    Tis the season for collecting brightly  colored autumn leaves. Why not take things one step further by making an arrangement of leaves to enjoy year after year? Pick up a handful of faux leaves from a local fabric store and coat them to handle the weather. Add a little sparkle by sprinkling glitter of various colors over the project as it dries. Try out similar projects with found objects such as pinecones. Finished arrangements can be hung on windows or your front door. Make a large fall wreath by using a pre-assembled twig wreath and decorating it either with silk flowers or fresh marigolds from a local florist.

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