Q: We need help deciding between roof colors.
A: The roof is never something that you want to be the focal point when people look at your home. As boring as this may sound, neutrals or dark greys and blacks are the smart choice when choosing a roof colour.
~ Carson
Question:
When painting a cinder block foundation and front steps, should the colors be the same or contrasting?
Answer:
ALWAYS paint them the same colour unless you are trying to draw the attention away from the home. Neutrals like greys and tans work best on the foundation and stairs as they are not the first thing that will draw the eye. You want to visually make them go away
~ Carson
Question:
We are looking for a hedge or tree to create privacy from our neighbors. There is already a chain links fence separating us but would like to put something in the ground that is approximately 8’ high and 4’ to 6’ wide that is not too expansive and would grow well in both sun and partial shade. Any advice?
Answer:
For many years, that 5-foot fence with the piece of lattice on top combined with a few strategically placed trees was the default method for creating privacy from the neighbours. Then houses started to change. Bigger houses on smaller lots became the norm. More square footage on the inside meant that houses were being built taller and wider, closer to the property lines. As a result, the traditional fence was no longer enough when it came to backyard privacy.
I love using any of the poplar family like aspens or Tulip tree with my evergreens. Here is how I add great privacy using a row of trees.
Not sure where you need the most privacy…try standing on your deck or patio and really take a good look around you. Who do you see? If you can see your neighbours, then your neighbours can see you! Try some of my suggestions at creating privacy in your space and enjoy this summer in your private sanctuary
~ Carson
Looking for the best way to add privacy to your backyard? Carson Arthur answers this question about the best way to tackle this DIY.
Question:
I’ve got a large yard with neighbors on each side. We have an aluminum fence around the perimeter, but it doesn’t offer any privacy. As I look into trees and bushes, I am curious about ivy. Seems like it might be less expensive and not take up the precious real estate that shrubs would. Does that seem like a good option? There are so many different ivies, is there a particular type that would work best?
Answer:
Great question. I love the idea that you are using the existing fence to create some privacy. I would definitely consider a few vines. My personal favorite is Virginia Creeper. It requires very little effort and has fantastic red foliage in the fall. Partner this with a few white Clematis and you will have a thick, show stopping privacy wall that provides interest all season long. – Carson Arthur
Carson Arthur, outdoor design pro, shares some tips on how to chose the right paint color for a home’s exterior.
Question:
I am looking for some advice on what color to paint our raised ranch home. We’ve been living here 3 years and we are finally getting around to painting. It’s currently a faded tan color with rust color shutters and white trim. We live in an area with a lot of trees and the house is older. I would like it to be more modern and pop out with a classy chic look. I just can’t seem to decide on a color. Can you give me some guidance? We are getting new windows put in with white trim and would like to paint before the windows are placed. We also ordered a new front door, which is a dark gray referred to as midnight. I thought that color could match with any color scheme but I’m just all confused now and hoping I didn’t make a mistake. Help please!
Answer:
Sounds like you are doing everything right but are afraid to pull the trigger. Here are a couple of simple tips.
Go get 3 testers of the following colors:
Paint all three on the front of the house in big sections.
Leave them for a week….even if it looks crazy, trust me. After a week pick the palette you’ve grown to like the most. Now you have a simple starting point and can choose from all of the colors in those palettes.
Have fun painting!
Discover how to create a cinema in your backyard so you can watch movies under the stars all summer long.
In this video our outdoor pro, Carson Arthur, shares few simple ways you can transform your outdoor space into a tv room everyone can enjoy. All you need is a projector, a white sheet or white outdoor wall, and some furniture or blankets to put outside. If you want to step it up a notch hang string lights around the yard for ambiance. Then all you need to do is pop the popcorn, pick a movie and unwind.
Our Recommended Movies to Watch:
Family fun:
Monsters Inc
Shrek
E.T.
Inside Out
Matilda
Onward
Mrs. Doubtfire
Romantic:
Sixteen Candles
The Notebook
Casablanca
The Way We Were
When Harry Met Sally
Action/Thriller:
Black Panther
Jurassic Park
Shazam!
Predator
Lord of the Rings
Feel Good:
Little Miss Sunshine
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Way Way Back
Forrest Gump
Remember the Titans
It’s A Wonderful Life
The Peaks of Being a Wallflower
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Upside
Drama:
Catch Me If You Can
The Help
Silver Linings Playbook
Moonlight
Good Will Hunting
Green Mile
Whiplash
Dead Poets Society
Comedy:
Bridesmaids
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Booksmart
The First Wives Club
Weddings Crashers
I Love You Man
Pitch Perfect
Three Amigos
Classic:
The Princess Bride
The Shawshank Redemption
Pulp Fiction
GoodFellas
Ferris Buellers Day Off
The Sandlot
The Sound of Music
The Goonies
Enjoy!
Looking for the best way to mount your deck? Carson Arthur answers this question about the best way to tackle this DIY.
In theory, yes you can. We often mount decks to the house using proper lag bolts and screws. As for the other corners in the yard, you will want to use something more solid than concrete blocks as the weight of the deck will cause them to sink into the soil over time causing your deck to start to lean. Take a look at some proper footings available at any box or construction stores. They work the same way as concrete blocks, but they disperse the weight better so you avoid that sinking feeling.
-Carson Arthur.
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.
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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!
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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!