Month: February 2019

Tropical Style

What Shrubs Could Be Planted on the West Side of a home?

| Ause1977

The west side of a house presents challenges for homeowners and landscaping plants. Subjected to sun for the hottest day hours, this region is more difficult to cool in summer. Shrubs that shade the region help save energy, but they need to withstand half a day’s total sun, heat and drying conditions. In winter months, it is fantastic for sunshine to strike the west side to help heat the rooms. Deciduous, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant shrubs work best on the side to aid with energy conservation. Tall Shrubs On west-side walls unbroken by windows or doorways, plant tall shrubs for maximum summer shading. Consider allowing western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, to grow as a large tree. Keep it to the desired height and conformation by routine pruning. Magenta spring flowers are followed by glossy, rounded leaves. This indigenous plant tolerates…

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Fireplaces

Measuring Spectracide for Shrubs

| Ause1977

Using chemicals on shrubs to get rid of or avoid insects and diseases requires attention to detail when it comes to diluting and program prices. When using Spectracide to get rid of insects, the particular amount for each shrub rides on the entire height of the shrub. Treating fungal issues with Spectracide is not as precise but the right dilution rate is important to avoid damaging the leaves. Ounces According to Height Spectracide Tree Shrub Insect Control Concentrate Drench Spray is intended to penetrate shrub roots to treat and prevent borers, various species of beetles aphids and scale insects. Measure how tall — at feet — the shrub is in the soil to the peak of the canopy. Multiply the height of the shrub by 3 then translate the resulting amount into ounces. For instance, you’d use 15 ounces of Spectracide tree shrub insect control concentrate on a 5-foot-tall shrub….

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Fireplaces

So You've Moved In Together — How to Merge Your Stuff

| Ause1977

Whether you and your honey have moved into a brand-new space together or just one of you has made the move, unpacking the boxes can be cause for alarm. All these are items taken from house to home, items which were concealed under the bed, and boxes and boxes of incredibly important things. Even when you’re ready to share space with the one that you enjoy, merging styles can result in some bumps on the highway. When that broken-down recliner appears — you know, the one with the duct-taped arms and sunken seat — you might feel as if you’re losing your sanity. But don’t worry, there is a way to deal with it which can keep both of you happy. Ryland Peters & Small | CICO Books One of the most difficult scenarios couples confront is not related to the way to decorate (though that is near the top)….

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Life

Clear the Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Purifiers

| Ause1977

In case you have asthma or allergies, or are sensitive to pollution, you may have considered buying an air purifier to clean the air inside your house — but with so many types of filtration systems on the market, and prices ranging from $100 to nearly $1,000, it can be tough to know where to start. Have a look at this quick guide to house air purifiers to determine which are worth spending your hard-earned bucks on. Ltd, Albertsson Hansen Architecture Why use an air purifier? Indoor air pollution comes from a blend of particulate matter (dust, mold and pet dander) and gaseous pollutants (exhaust, smoke and chemical fumes), and may be much worse than the pollution outside, simply because it doesn’t have any way to dissipate. Individuals who suffer from asthma or allergies can be especially sensitive to air quality, and with the air purifier may be useful, together…

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Decorating Guides

12 Antique Store Finds to Nab Today, Place Later

| Ause1977

I get asked fairly often where I find the accessories in my projects. My response is stores. “Antiquing” is my favourite type of searching — and occasionally my favorite contact sport, as well. Antique stores offer you one-of-a-kind objects, reasonable pricing and immediate gratification. Beware, though, of competitive shoppers eyeing the thing you merely inquired about. It is best to wear flats to your next stop for an antique store; you might have to do some fancy footwork. It is helpful to know what you are looking at as you wander through, specifically, whether or not a bit is truly classic or contemporary. And there are a handful of things that I constantly buy if I find them. These objects are about the “buy now, ask later” listing: When I see one of these objects I simply buy it and then determine where it will go after. For some people,…

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Pool Houses

6 Fantasy Poolside Retreats

| Ause1977

As the temperature creeps toward 90 degrees Fahrenheit today, I am dreaming of being able doing the Nestea plunge in a swimming pool in my backyard. As the dream expands, I envision a beautifully appointed pool home where I will settle among cushions covered in Trina Turk cloth in my bathing suit and stylish Tory Burch tunic (I do not actually have either), grab some unsweet tea in the wet bar and write my own ideabooks while I cool off. Alas, it is just a sweltering day’s daydream, but cruising through the beautiful pool houses on helps improve it. Whether you’re planning to create your pool plans come to fruition or just need to join me in the dream, I hope these six varied pool houses will cool off you and take you away for a few minutes today. Crisp Architects 1. Revival in the Connecticut countryside. Symmetrical pergolas add…

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Eclectic Homes

Let's Be Transparent Here

| Ause1977

The proprietors of the midcentury modern home in New York’s Hudson Valley liked the casual nature of the original 1952 design, but they wanted a stronger connection to the scene. Jeff Jordan Architects opened both the floor plan and outside, providing the clients a more straightforward, pared-down version of the home, with expansive glass walls and perspectives that recall Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House along with other contemporary glass houses. in a GlanceLocation: Newburgh, New YorkSize: 2,200 square feet Jeff Jordan Architects LLC The Hillcrest House has basically a U-shape plan, with the master suite and garage occupying one leg each, and the open living area found at the bottom. The latter is where architect Jeff Jordan really opened up the home, as can be seen here in the east-facing living area. This view shows the way the exterior cedar siding is continuing inside to combine the inside and…

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Eclectic Homes

Get a Grip: Create Handle Openings With Only Two Tools

| Ause1977

Trays, totes, stools and a few benches feature handle openings that enable you to transport them readily and comfortably. You are able to attach mass-produced handles or knobs to those items, however they often stick out, ruining a sleek profile. Additionally, it’s often difficult to center them precisely. By producing your own handle launching, you’re not just adding a wonderful practical attribute, but you’re also highlighting a bit of skill and customizing a project. Chris Hill Quantify and Mark the Spot Precise measuring and therefore are crucial to create a handle launching. Start with marking center points for two starter holes which are equidistantly spaced from the center point of the board. Leave at least a 3/4-inch space between the handle opening and the upper edge of the board. For a 1-inch-wide opening, that means indicating a center stage 11/4 inches from the edge. A fantastic rule of thumb for…

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Patios

Is the Future Hinted at by These Surprising Contemporary Exteriors?

| Ause1977

Walk down any suburban street, and you can probably imagine the general design of almost all of the houses. We are familiar with conventional houses and absorb the clues their facades reveal — a tall, vertical window possibly reveals the stairs; a little window with opaque glass indicates a bathroom; a huge window at street level usually opens into a family room. However, what if the house has an unconventional appearance, and the recognizable components which compose the facade aren’t really where we expect them to be? In such cases a first read of modern houses can puzzle initially, but if we stop and take a closer look, we might have the ability to interpret what shaped it. An understanding of the historical, architectural or cultural heritage may also notify us a bit. However one thing for sure is that modern houses rarely reveal their secrets at a glance. We…

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