LIVing Design Tips

Read the latest trends and best practices  from our team!

Spring Cleaning In Your Yard !!

Posted by Andrea Howell on

 

Are you seeing signs of Spring and just not sure where to start? Start with the Basics! Boring, I know, but it’s the best way to start the season off right.

Clean leaves out of beds, prune dead wood out of hydrangeas, put down new mulch, repaint or repair garden furniture, etc.  Next, step back and really think about the upcoming year. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

-Do you have any invasive plants that have outgrown their spot and need to be removed?
- Look up! Are there any trees that need to be thinned, dead limbs removed, or taken down?
- What’s missing? Are there areas to concentrate on this year to improve color or texture?

Starting with a plan is the best way! Let me know how I can help you get ready for Spring!

Read more

Spring Cleaning In Your Yard !!

Posted by Andrea Howell on

 

Are you seeing signs of Spring and just not sure where to start? Start with the Basics! Boring, I know, but it’s the best way to start the season off right.

Clean leaves out of beds, prune dead wood out of hydrangeas, put down new mulch, repaint or repair garden furniture, etc.  Next, step back and really think about the upcoming year. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

-Do you have any invasive plants that have outgrown their spot and need to be removed?
- Look up! Are there any trees that need to be thinned, dead limbs removed, or taken down?
- What’s missing? Are there areas to concentrate on this year to improve color or texture?

Starting with a plan is the best way! Let me know how I can help you get ready for Spring!

Read more


BONES !!!

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Halloween is just around the corner, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the BONES of your landscape.  HAHA!  Seriously, It is easy to add a new pot of annual color or colorful shrub border, but there are many other things you can do to trick out your garden and turn it into a treat. 

  1. Take a look at your trees.  Could they do with a “haircut” or maybe even removed entirely to provide a better view of your home or let more sunlight in.  As trees mature (and decline) they can shade shrubs underneath and make them appear scraggly or thin.  If you decide to go this route, be sure to look for a reputable, insured tree removal contractor, and get an estimate before starting work.
  2. Get a Mailbox that Delivers.  Create an interesting mailbox bed full of Iris, Boxwoods, and maybe a clematis vine to add instant curb appeal! Or simply consider dressing up your mailbox to one of the more interesting options out there like Copper, Traditional, or mid century modern.   Choose something that will enhance and complement the style of your home.
  3. OPEN the Front Door.   Everyone wants a front door that pops!   Matching planters are a great way to accent your front entry, but a new front door is a game changer. Going from a solid 6 panel door to a door with glass, or painting it a bold new color can change the whole feel of your home.  
  4. SEE the difference! Low-Voltage or Solar Landscape Lighting is an easy way to change the look and feel of your home at night!  It can make dark, spooky  areas  safer and more inviting. You can also shine a spotlight on your home with new accent lighting. Choose a  color that illuminates, and highlights your home’s beauty.  We always opt for warm shades of light over cooler blues.

As always we can help you LIVen up your outdoor space!! Call me with any and all your ideas and together we’ll put them to work!


Oh, and Happy Halloween!


Read more

BONES !!!

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Halloween is just around the corner, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the BONES of your landscape.  HAHA!  Seriously, It is easy to add a new pot of annual color or colorful shrub border, but there are many other things you can do to trick out your garden and turn it into a treat. 

  1. Take a look at your trees.  Could they do with a “haircut” or maybe even removed entirely to provide a better view of your home or let more sunlight in.  As trees mature (and decline) they can shade shrubs underneath and make them appear scraggly or thin.  If you decide to go this route, be sure to look for a reputable, insured tree removal contractor, and get an estimate before starting work.
  2. Get a Mailbox that Delivers.  Create an interesting mailbox bed full of Iris, Boxwoods, and maybe a clematis vine to add instant curb appeal! Or simply consider dressing up your mailbox to one of the more interesting options out there like Copper, Traditional, or mid century modern.   Choose something that will enhance and complement the style of your home.
  3. OPEN the Front Door.   Everyone wants a front door that pops!   Matching planters are a great way to accent your front entry, but a new front door is a game changer. Going from a solid 6 panel door to a door with glass, or painting it a bold new color can change the whole feel of your home.  
  4. SEE the difference! Low-Voltage or Solar Landscape Lighting is an easy way to change the look and feel of your home at night!  It can make dark, spooky  areas  safer and more inviting. You can also shine a spotlight on your home with new accent lighting. Choose a  color that illuminates, and highlights your home’s beauty.  We always opt for warm shades of light over cooler blues.

As always we can help you LIVen up your outdoor space!! Call me with any and all your ideas and together we’ll put them to work!


Oh, and Happy Halloween!


Read more


Winter Projects for Your Home

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Winter is just around the corner, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the bones of your landscape.  It is easy to add a new pot of annual color or colorful shrub border, but sometimes you need to look beyond to make your garden come to life.

  1. Look UP.  Look for trees that need to be removed or limbed up to provide a better view of your home or let more sunlight in.  As trees mature (and decline) they can shade shrubs underneath and make them appear scraggly or thin.  Always look for a reputable tree removal contractor who is insured when working near your home.
  2. Mailbox that Delivers.  An interesting mailbox box bed full of Iris, Boxwoods, and maybe a clematis vine can ad instant curb appeal!  Consider upgrading your mailbox too.  There are so many interesting options from Copper, Traditional, and mid century modern, etc.  Look to your home’s dominate style to lead you to the best choice
  3. Front Door Redo.  Everyone wants a front door that pops!   Matching planters are a great way to accent everything, but consider a new front door.  Changing from a solid 6 panel door to a door with glass can change the whole feel of your space...or maybe just a fresh coat of paint is the answer.  From Black to a vibrant Green can liven up an entry!
  4. SEE the difference! Low-Voltage or Solar Landscape Lighting is an easy way to change the look and feel of your home at night!  It can make dark areas more safe and inviting for entertaining.  Also consider new accent lighting on your home.  Lights that are the wrong size or style can make your home look dated.  Also, notice the light color—always opt for warm shades of light over blues.

 

As always, we can help you LIVen up your space!!

Read more

Winter Projects for Your Home

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Winter is just around the corner, so I thought it might be a good time to talk about the bones of your landscape.  It is easy to add a new pot of annual color or colorful shrub border, but sometimes you need to look beyond to make your garden come to life.

  1. Look UP.  Look for trees that need to be removed or limbed up to provide a better view of your home or let more sunlight in.  As trees mature (and decline) they can shade shrubs underneath and make them appear scraggly or thin.  Always look for a reputable tree removal contractor who is insured when working near your home.
  2. Mailbox that Delivers.  An interesting mailbox box bed full of Iris, Boxwoods, and maybe a clematis vine can ad instant curb appeal!  Consider upgrading your mailbox too.  There are so many interesting options from Copper, Traditional, and mid century modern, etc.  Look to your home’s dominate style to lead you to the best choice
  3. Front Door Redo.  Everyone wants a front door that pops!   Matching planters are a great way to accent everything, but consider a new front door.  Changing from a solid 6 panel door to a door with glass can change the whole feel of your space...or maybe just a fresh coat of paint is the answer.  From Black to a vibrant Green can liven up an entry!
  4. SEE the difference! Low-Voltage or Solar Landscape Lighting is an easy way to change the look and feel of your home at night!  It can make dark areas more safe and inviting for entertaining.  Also consider new accent lighting on your home.  Lights that are the wrong size or style can make your home look dated.  Also, notice the light color—always opt for warm shades of light over blues.

 

As always, we can help you LIVen up your space!!

Read more


Our Top 4 Curb Appeal Ideas for Ranch Style Homes

Posted by Elsa Hoffman on

One of the best ways to boost the curb appeal of a house is to update the outside of your home from the style and look of the outside of your house to the plants and landscaping. Ranch style homes come with a distinct look and feel but can be easily updated to look even more modern and appealing. Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

Read more

Our Top 4 Curb Appeal Ideas for Ranch Style Homes

Posted by Elsa Hoffman on

One of the best ways to boost the curb appeal of a house is to update the outside of your home from the style and look of the outside of your house to the plants and landscaping. Ranch style homes come with a distinct look and feel but can be easily updated to look even more modern and appealing. Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

Read more


Donʼt Forget the Groundcover

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Groundcover has an amazing way of pulling the look of your landscape together!

Read more

Donʼt Forget the Groundcover

Posted by Andrea Howell on

Groundcover has an amazing way of pulling the look of your landscape together!

Read more