Kimber Watson

Would it shock you to know that the air you’re breathing indoors can be up to 5 times worse than the air outside? Neglecting the quality of the air you breathe on a daily basis can result in illness, allergies, asthma, and frequent headaches, and it can even be harmful to your digestive system! But you don’t have to settle for poor air quality. Here are five simple, ways for you to naturally purify the air in your home without purchasing an expensive air purifier.

Well before fall even arrives, garden centers, big-box and grocery stores already have their shelves stocked with an abundance of chrysanthemums. And if you were one of those individuals quick to get a jump on decorating for the harvest season, then you’re probably living with some pretty sad looking mums right about now. So what should you be doing with all those mums that are past their prime?

I’ll admit, when I think of courtyard gardens, I naturally think of sprawling estates with hidden outdoor rooms, bordered by perfectly manicured boxwood hedges boasting a grand urn water fountain. Perhaps I’ve been watching too much Downton Abbey, but courtyards aren’t just unattainable outdoor spaces limited to the wealthy.

Armillary spheres (sometimes referred to as armillary sundials) are a common decorative ornament in many gardens but can most often be spotted in the traditional English garden. Today’s armillary spheres, used as simply a decorative feature instead of a scientific instrument. are primarily fabricated of metal, and have become much more streamlined compared to their ancient counterparts. So what exactly is an armillary sphere, you might wonder?

Notice the raised, brown growth on my Sago Palm. This is an example of scale. I’m currently dealing with a really sticky problem — yes, pun intended! — and anybody that has discovered one of their houseplants has a case of scale knows exactly what I’m talking about. While you may think scale is only attacking your plants, think again. Yes, it is first and foremost a plant pest, but this little creature can also wreak havoc on your home. So what exactly is scale?

Kitchens can be daunting and expensive to remodel, yet they remain the room people want to renovate the most. Whether you’re on a tight budget or a renter with constraints on what you’re actually allowed to do, the kitchens shown here are excellent examples of what can be achieved by simply painting cabinetry, removing cabinet doors, swapping out lighting or hardware, or upgrading appliances.

Houseplants have many benefits, from purifying the air to adding color, texture, and interest to the home. They can also provide much needed winter therapy for those of us that garden in climates not suitable for year-round gardening. Here’s an array of products designed to help you give optimal care to your beloved plants, regardless of the color of your thumb. 2. Haw’s Indoor Watering Can, Williams Sonoma, $89.95.

A few weeks ago (with advice from Houzz), I delved into things you can do now to help ready your garden for spring. And of course, one thing you can do is gather inspiration for your 2014 gardening plans! It’s only fair that I heed my own advice, so I decided to take a short bike ride to our local conservatory — a great way to spend some time escaping from the cold weather.

The extreme cold temperatures gripping much of the country this winter have many of us going a little stir crazy (yes, I am hands down one of them!). Fortunately, the Winter Olympics are right around the corner, which will at least offer up some entertainment in my self-imposed house confinement. In the spirit of the Olympics, here are 15 gold-medal worthy DIY projects to try your hand at while taking in a few skiing or figure skating events. 1. Gold Leafed Ikea Desk Hack from Style Me Pretty.

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies, but it can also be expensive when you start buying lots of plants and pots. What if you could double, triple, even quadruple the number of plants you currently have without spending a dime? If you have a little bit of time on your hands, along with a lot of patience, you can do just that. Let’s dig into cacti and succulent propagation!

I’m fortunate to have a house in the city with a backyard that receives lots of morning sunlight and a front yard that basks in the strong afternoon sun.  I get to experience the best of both worlds, but many of my friends aren’t as lucky, and their gardens and yards often show it.

Last year I talked about design dilemmas common with the quintessential rectangular urban yard, and space (or should I say, lack thereof), is usually at the top of the list. From inspiration to DIYs, tips on products available on the market and where to source them — this post will surely have you dreaming up new ways to best utilize a small footprint in the garden. TOP ROW: Inspiration Look! Living Canopy on a Tiny Balcony Dwell On Design: Vertical Gardens Look!