Terry John Woods and Dale West extended their Vermont farmhouse sensibility to Down East Maine to create what they consider “the perfect summer home.” The familiar things have their place here: a well-used table; an old cupboard, scraped and painted, awaiting a new round of memories; a scattering of reclaimed boards, smoothed and finished into […]
Living
Watch a step-by-step demonstration on how to sew welt cording onto a pillow.
Terry John Woods’ Summer House celebrates the beauty of home inspired by the summer season. Woods’ vision is captured room by room in detail by photographer Kindra Clineff. Accessible ideas and inspiration for achieving a casual summer style appear throughout the book and in these select images. Learn more about author Terry John Woods and […]
I like to pay extra attention to the small details around my home. Often, I find there is great beauty in the details. Take the lowly light switch plate, for example. They often come in repelling shades of beige, and although small and unassuming, they tend to be a bit of an eyesore. But with […]
Garden blogger, Shelley Wigglesworth offers a broad range of botanical advice to our readers. Whether you need tips on curing common houseplant ailments or are looking for a plant that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, she’s here to help. Do you have a gardening question for Shelley? If so, post it here and she’ll […]
Tips to make Gardening More Effective, Enjoyable and Environmentally Friendly Garden blogger, Shelley Wigglesworth, shares her top 5 tips for gardening. 1. Invest in good tools gradually (one or two a year) and take care of them. Gradually accumulate quality garden tools and take proper care of them. My top five tool picks to acquire […]
I love crafts that are useful, serve to beautify my home, and are made using easy-to-find items. Even better. . . crafts that reuse, or recycle items that we all have lying around the house. Most of my crafty pursuits are pretty quick and easy to make. With a five-month old baby, my craft time […]
It’s tempting to skip tool cleanup when your gardening chores are done — there’s always something else that needs your attention. But wise gardeners will heed this advice from the British Ministry of Agriculture’s Allotment & Garden Guide of January 1945: “A little care is well worth while. Many a tool has had years taken […]
Gardens
Make a Rain Barrel
Keep your garden hydrated by making your own rain barrel that will save money and water. Keeping your garden well-watered through the summer months is easier when you make a rain barrel to use as a reservoir to store spring rain in. Traditional rain barrels were typically made of wood, but wooden barrels are heavy […]
Plant cuttings can be used to expand your collection in a cost-effective way. Use these tips on how to take plant cuttings from existing plants.
Expand your choice of floral materials beyond the carnations from grocery store flower stands, and you can keep arrangements in your house much more often—and enjoy more creative fulfillment from your artistry. One oft-overlooked choice is cuttings from blooming shrubs such as lilacs or azaleas, or even bamboo or reeds. However, you can’t just plunk […]
Sweeping a tile or linoleum kitchen floor can be a dust-swirling proposition, particularly if you’ve had a recent baking spree or beachgoers have descended on you with sandy feet. Instead of struggling to suck up every last grain of flour or sand with the vacuum, do a better job with a plain old broom. These […]