Retain a soft pebble pathway by using brick edging for support. Soft surfacing for garden paths consists of natural materials that include combinations of stone, wood and shell.
Nary a backyard retreat is complete without a deck built for entertaining. Just like any indoor space, this exterior structure can be customized to your wants and needs. Multiple levels, shady overhead structures, and spa-like amenities are all within the realm of deck design possibility—with a little planning. Take inspiration from these 17 creative deck ideas for a relaxing space built just for you. (Feel free to share it with others.)This Old House
Favorite outdoor spaces usually have two things in common: comfy seating and a little screening. The front yard at Leni and Fred Wiener's lacked both. Add in heavy shade and the traffic of their New Rochelle, New York, neighborhood, and it's no surprise the couple went decades without using the space. But when a nor'easter took out a few old trees, they seized the chance to start over.
Popular with garden designers worldwide, boxwood hedge is perfect for use as topiary. It requires full sun to grow, so it's best fit for placement in front of a porch or patio rather than inside a shade-covered outdoor area.
"Wrap small bouquets in plain paper and group them in galvanized buckets, where they'll serve as rustic decor and gifts for your guests." – David Stark, event planner
An all-white centerpiece gives a table a sophisticated, glamorous look. Porcaro says "simple, clean winter whites and the sparkle of the season" was the inspiration for this arrangement, which consists of Dusty Miller, spray roses, and amaryllis.
For her own front yard, designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates Inc. matched the hardscape to her home's architectural style for a cozy cottage garden. To keep the yard low maintenance she laid a large patio using Arizona flagstones, then filled the rest of the space with lush flower beds. A reclaimed concrete bowl is transformed into a water feature that brings the sound of rain to the garden.
Salads usually require forks, but here a classic Caesar is transformed into a clever finger food. Toss chopped endives with a lemony dressing, then spoon the mixture inside the elegant endive spears, topping each with cheese and crunchy mini croutons.
Holiday hues don't have to be red, green, or gold. Amethyst vases, decanters, and two hefty hurricanes from William Yeoward Crystal set up a striking color scheme and complement a garland made of two kinds of arborvitae. Spheres from Areo and white bronze Robert andirons from Lyle and Umbach create a shimmering still life in the nonworking fireplace. Mirror fromCarvers' Guild.
Make fancy folded treat holders as a pretty home decoration, food gift, or as party favors. Our free download includes a pattern and instructions. You'll want to pick out pretty scrapbook papers for the pyramids, plus decorative ribbon and metallic twine or yarn for finishing touches.
Better Homes And Garden
An extra-long porch swing anchors this porch space and, at 7 feet long, invites stretching out for long afternoon naps. The swing is hung the swing by ropes to give it a more natural look. A brightly patterned outdoor rug pops against neutral tones.
A major upgrade over the picnic blanket—and infinitely more comfortable for long lunches—your familiar table and chairs will seem fresh and new when moved into the light of day.This Old House
To cut back on gutter-cleaning duty, consider installing aluminum, foam, or vinyl gutter guards that help block debris from entering while allowing water to drain. Remember that nothing is foolproof, so look for models that can be removed for periodic cleanings.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.
Twenty varieties of hosta create a lush patchwork in front of this New Hampshire barn.
Consider it a manifesto against foundation plantings, those familiar beds of rhododendron, yew, holly, and euonymus first used to cloak the high foundation walls of tall Victorian-era homes. "Foundation planting has become a safe cliche—it's time to move on," proclaims Gordon Hayward, who works nationwide as a garden designer and lecturer, and is the author of 10 books on landscape design. Hayward is a proponent of the entry garden, wide borders flanking a front walk that serves as the garden's spine. "I want you to walk through and experience the front garden rather than pass it by," he says.
Fall is the ideal time of year for alfresco entertaining: It's cool enough to enjoy the outdoors comfortably, and changing leaves offer up a veritable kaleidoscope of color. This autumn, invite friends and family to an outdoor celebration of the season, complete with farm-to-table recipes, rustic DIY table decorations and step-by-step instructions to make your party shine.
Skip the sewing machine and opt for this no-sew, ruffled tree skirt in a rainbow of ombre. You'll need: 1 yard of fabric in 3-5 different colors and patterns; 1 yard of canvas; fabric scissors; hot glue gun; hot glue sticks.
Gather supplies; be sure to get enough white fabric to cover the size lantern you're using so it drapes nicely (Image 1). Assemble paper lantern, then drape fabric over it. Cut a slit in the top of the fabric to allow the lantern's metal hanging hook to pop through. Tie a piece of string or twine to the hook for hanging ghost. Trim fabric as needed along the bottom to create ghost shape.HGTV
Some mahonias — leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei) and selected cultivars of M. x media — bloom in winter; these shrubs are hardy in USDA Zones (6)7 to 9. A close relative, Oregon grape holly (M. aquifolium) flowers in early spring and is hardy to USDA (4)5.
