Outdoor Plants & Spaces

We’ve said it here before: plants bring life to all living spaces. If you’re concerned about killing plants, we’ve consulted with a plant expert, Debra Prinzing, to bring you the hardiest ones. 1. Dracaena marginata (also known as Dragon Plant) “It’s pretty sculptural,” Debra says. “Good for the young and modern.” She recommends getting two and putting them on your fireplace mantel or on your entry table.

There are a lot of options out there for apartment dwellers who want to compost, and like most things it’s not as simple as one style fits all. It’s about finding what works best for you. Try something! And if it doesn’t work for you… try something else! This is an easy indoor compost option for people who need something cheap, customizable and space friendly.MaterialsA container to house your compost. It can be as big or small as you like.

It’s ok, go ahead and laugh… and then get your mind out of the gutter. But if rare, unusual statement plants cause your heart to flutter, then the Platycerium is for you. This tutorial will show you how to mount your stag to a piece of wood, then properly care for your new living art! Like orchids, the staghorn fern (Platycerium) is an epiphyte, which means they do not require soil to grow but attach to and gain nutrients from other plants, while not harming the host plant.

As someone who has a tough time keeping indoor plants alive, I knew I would never use my antique plant stand for its intended purpose. Instead, it is used to hold an iron kettle (Image 10). Occasionally I shove some cut flowers in the kettle but that’s about as green as my plant stand gets. It seems I am not the only one who has found alternative uses for plant stands.

San Franciscans know Paxton Gate as one of the city’s best garden stores, but you may not know that they also do landscape design. Their portfolio is full of inspiring before and after photos, including gorgeous gardens that started out as leveled dirt lots, overgrown backyards, and scraggly hillsides. If you’re the owner of a weedy lot or an unkempt patio, these photos might just be the kick-start you need to plan an outdoor renovation project.

So many of us battle with our feline friends over the houseplants we’d rather they not eat. Ever wonder what plants you can grow specifically for cats? There are the obvious ones that I’m sure we can all name, but there are some less known plants that will make your kitty very happy.1. Cat Grass (dactylis glomerata)- this is an obvious one, but why spend $4 – $6 a pop at the store when you can grow it yourself?

As spring drifts into summer vegetables like spinach, broccoli rabe, radishes, and peas will finish up, which means now is the ideal time to plant new vegetables in their place. This planting strategy is called succession planting and the goal is to plant food all summer long so you have a continuous harvest. I’ve listed some of my favorite crop combos after the jump, but I am also curious what you are planting in your garden right now.

There’s nothing to fuel inspiration more than a really great set of before and after images. We definitely find that here, with this wonderful front garden renovation at the home of Dee Randolph and David McQuaide in the North Park area of San Diego. Especially wonderful is the replacement of sod in favor of drought tolerant plants.The homeowners also changed the trim color and red tiles on the roof to better compliment the newly completed garden.

Most folks don’t realize how easy (and cheap) it is to grow your own baby greens, even with a very limited amount of space. Just think about all the plastic bags and clamshell containers used for packaged greens that you buy at the store (not to mention how long they’ve been sitting in that plastic before they even get to market). Why not save the packaging and transit time, and harvest your own baby greens at home?

My sister moved into a great little fixer-upper a couple of years ago and this past spring our Mum joined forces with her for a three-week landscaping caper. One of the most striking changes was this fantastic fence project.Even though the old fence had seen better days, the next door neighbors weren’t ready to replace the structure outright. Rather than just sprucing up her side with some paint, Big Sis designed a modern facing to glam up the area beside her deck and patio.

Many traditional neighborhoods need a little boost before they’ll be able to move to grass free yards. This project serves as just that. The yard in front of this home goes from a terrible looking patch of dead grass to a sustainable rockscape. Check out the dramatic transformation after the jump.Without the huge water needs of a typical grass lawn, this yard looks great with minimal upkeep.

People are quite often very surprised at the cost of putting in an outdoor living space and garden. Generally to create a patio, planting areas around it and paths to access it, you might be looking at paying the same as if you were doing small kitchen renovation. It makes sense since you really are creating another room on your house but it also makes sense to go the DIY path in the garden….

What is a garden designer without a dirt level garden to do? Well of course, make the most of the available 150 sq ft balcony. Jenny Peterson, who lives and works in Austin, Texas transformed her ‘L’ shaped balcony from a mish-mash of outdoor ‘stuff’ to a cohesive and relaxing southern inspired place for her to enjoy the outdoors.

I had another post in mind today until a good friend called to tell me about her planting success. She and her husband are trying to move – they have found and made an offer on a new house, but needed to sell theirs. We all know that the market is still in a funny place and trying to recover, so they opted to pull out all the stops and plant a St. Joseph statue to try and ensure house selling success.I had never heard of planting a St. Joseph as a real-estate superstition, have you?

In this before & after project, one clever couple in Los Angeles upcycles an old, abandoned dresser, turning it into a garden of succulents. I think you’ll agree it’s a huge improvement.Curt and Jessica of the blog Grizzly Bear Modern took advantage of an old dresser left behind in the garage of their new home by drilling a few drainage holes in the drawers to create a sturdy vessel for a garden of succulents.

Tim and D’arcy’s backyard makeover is a great example to keep in the back of your mind when buying a house without landscaping. It is a case of turning “nothing into something” illustrating looking beyond what’s there and the potential of an outdoor space…We took a tour of the inside of Tim & D’Arcy’s Modern Eclectic in The Junction and now we’re back to see what they’ve done with their backyard.

Carolyn Chadwick is a master of making beautiful feminine gardens — one of my all time favorite dream gardens was designed by her and it resides in the Greek isles. This garden, which also brings to mind Mediterranean delights, resides in Cologne, Germany.Not only is the design beautiful, but I feel I must point out a few details that make this a real masterpiece.

I like this makeover because the “before” deck looks like many decks extending from city apartments. In fact, cut it in half and take out the hot tub (or, take out the very best parts), and it looks a lot like my own back deck. But all hot tubs aside, I’m inspired to see how some very doable changes totally transform this flat space into a lush outdoor living area.What strikes me about the “after” is how homey it looks.

Sometimes unhealthy, worn-down grass left unattended by previous owners is beyond repair. And if your yard is on the smaller side, like this one, installing an outdoor patio is a better use of the space. Add shutters, shrubs, and window boxes, and instant ambiance is imminent.Liza from Mel & Liza has done it again, this time transforming her ailing back yard into a lush oasis perfect for entertaining.

When it comes to homemaking and child rearing, the Marshall household makes it look easy. They’ve taken this cold corner of their backyard and warmed it up with a little wood and made it a salad-lover’s paradise. The kids think it’s pretty badass too. Want to see what it looks like now?We stopped in over at Pacing The Panic Room to check out the latest work that Ryan and Cole have been muscling away at. Their plan was to grow all sorts of salad greens in the hot Florida heat.

Weeds. They’re polarizing little things, met with hatred by some and indifference by others. I, for one, am not loving the dandelions popping up in my yard this spring, as we’ve been working on a grassy (albeit imperfect) area for our son to play in without resorting to chemicals, and dandelions are foes of grass (especially tender new shoots). Once they spread their ground-hugging leaves, they stifle what’s around them, leaving only dirt behind.

In spring of 2013, I decided to bust out and build a tree house for my daughter Ursula, which I’d never done before. I remember having one as a kid and loving it. I wanted one that I could build in a day, wouldn’t be too high up so as to worry me or other parents, and which was SIMPLE in design to maximize playtime and allow for adding on later. It’s light, open and can go up and down easily.

Steve Martino is arguably one of the most exciting (IMO) landscape designers currently working. Even though he works in a climate that’s nearly the polar opposite of mine (Arizona — and I am in New England), he is on my shortlist of colleagues that I study for inspiration and ideas. This project makes me want to pick up and move southwest — to a deserted grocery store.

Planting season is upon us, so let me tell you a little story of how this garden came to be. When we bought a house last year, I failed to inquire about the summer weather, thinking it would be just as warm and clear as it was on our open house day. NOPE. Instead, I encountered summers full of chilly fog and harsh winds, much to the dismay of my aspiring green thumb.

Most people think that having a green thumb is just something you’re born with. Little do they know all it takes to keep your household foliage alive is a little 411. Are you chronically killing your leafy friends? Here are a few reasons why another one might be biting the dust.  Watering: Most folks tend to water their plants when they remember. The watering schedule you should stick to depends on your lighting and your humidity level.

On a humid Saturday around this time last year, I married my husband on an 330-acre organic farm in eastern Pennsylvania. (That’s us above.) It poured for part of that day, but thanks to careful planning — and, you know, being really excited — I barely noticed. 1. Have a backup plan, and know when to implement or drop it. 2. Rain doesn’t have to be a terrible thing. 3. Let the scenery shine. 4. Consider how people will get to, from, and around the event. 5.

I took a trip to the craft store a couple of weeks ago with the intention of picking up a few Christmas decorations. On a whim I decided to DIY my own succulent wreath, and walked out with my arms filled with supplies. I love the idea of decorations that can easily be modified and used year round. When the season is up I plan to remove the bow and hang my wreath outside.

As a shelf, this piece of furniture is a little bit of a snoozer. Meggie bought it off Craigslist for $15, not because she loved the look of it, but because she had grander plans in mind. For just a few more dollars, she transformed it into a fun, useful addition to her rental apartment. Check it out: Says Meggie: I have been on the hunt for a bar cart for months, but everything I liked was upwards of $100.

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?

As the last of the daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs fade away, there is a natural desire to clean up the remaining shriveled flowers and the inevitable floppy leaves that were so welcome just a few weeks ago, but which now appear old and messy. But don’t do it!! Here is why. Bulbs need that greenery because as the flowering ends, those greens stay on and continue to collect energy from the sun, feeding it back into the bulb.

Product: Click and Grow Smart Herb Garden Price: $99.95 Rating: Strong Recommend* I love growing my own food. Sadly though, I have spent most of my adult life in tiny apartments with limited light and no outdoor space. Enter the Smart Herb Garden, a setup for growing herbs indoors in even the smallest and darkest of spaces, which promises success for even those with the “un-greenest” of thumbs. Originally launched via Kickstarter, the Smart Herb Garden ($99.

Planning on entertaining outside this summer? Here are 10 party worthy beverage dispensers that will help you serve your beverages in style and keep the party flowing. Personally, I’m looking forward to making summer sangria and spicy ginger lemonade. TOP ROW 1. Enamel Beverage Dispenser, $98 from Terrain 2. Yorkshire Glass Beverage Dispenser, $32 from Circle Glass 3. Del Sol Pineapple Beverage Dispenser, $48 from Home Essentials 4. Glass Infuser Dispenser, $25 from World Market 5.

Sarah, from Smitten Studio, and her husband, Rupert, recently bought a house in Los Angeles, and worked very hard to renovate it. With this big project complete, they now have the time (and space) to work on some of the smaller ones, like their backyard. According to Sarah, the corner of the yard pictured above was basically used as a dumping ground for old plants and furniture, and now with some custom built benches, paint and accessories it’s another full living area.

It’s the perfect time of year to have the kids active and outside and, if they love to watch birds, to encourage that, too. If you have a beginner birder at your place, here’s everything they’ll need (and a couple of things they’ll love) to get started on what often becomes a life-long hobby. 1. Audubon Bird Call can produce generic bird calls $8 from Los Poblanos Farm Shop. 2.

Last time we checked in with Aaron & Heather Hawes in Saint Louis, they shared the transformation of their old firehouse into a modern and sleek photography studio. Today they are back with a new project: the recent makeover of their outdoor parking area. As before, the Hawes’ did all the work themselves, and the results are quite incredible. Now before anyone freaks out, the photo was indeed taken at a different angle, but I think you can see why.

Ashley had a very faded striped pastel umbrella that she could have easily jettisoned. Instead, she took a little inspiration from this Urban Outfitters umbrella, budgeted about $20 for her version, and gave it a little makeover… Ashley used a paint sprayer with thinned down latex paint to give it about three coats of bright white paint. Then, she and her husband laboriously hand-painted a design on each panel. The final step was attaching pom-pom trim around the edge.

Strawberries are the quintessential summer fruit. Juicy, flavorful, and packed with vitamin C, they are a must-have for any summer garden. Organic berries can often be on the expensive side at the grocery store, so grow your own, cut down on packaging waste, and keep that extra cash in your pocket! Strawberries love the sun, they need at least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day, so keep that in mind when placing your containers, or tilling up your bed.

Few things are more satisfying than growing food that you can eat. If you’re living in an apartment or any other place without a backyard, you may think that this is an impossible dream, but you might be surprised by the variety of edibles you can grow in containers. The following is a list of things I’ve had good luck growing in small(ish) containers, along with some other plants that have been recommended to me as good small space growers.

Why are front porches so often sad and droopy? They’re the first impression your home puts out, yet so many are woefully neglected. (No judgement here, believe me. I just take notes on what I see.) Case in point: this lovely farmhouse, which is absolutely lovely, but could use a boost. Click to see what it looks like now, and what you can learn from this, and a bunch of other makeovers. The Curbly porch makeover involved tossing a bunch of stuff that just lingered on the porch forever.

Sarah and her husband Charles bought a 1902 American foursquare a couple of years ago. Since the house originally belong to his grandmother, its restoration became a labor of love for the couple, even though it was in terrible condition. As Sarah says “Our back porch was literally falling off of the house when we bought it. Soffits were completely rotted and railings had been long forgotten. Oh, and the stairs to the basement?

This home was owned by the same family since it was built in the 1950s, so when Kelly and Dave purchased it a few years ago, there were lots of updates to be made. One such project was bringing the exterior of the home up to date. Removing the shutters was “a big deal”: a decision that came after much consideration by the new homeowners. We think they did the right thing- look how much lighter the new facade looks!

When Danielle’s side yard was about to be paved over by management, she saved as many plants as she could. She then looked to her apartment’s small, enclosed patio, transforming it into an outdoor oasis: From Danielle: While the majority of my plants and flowers are in containers, I had no place to store them while the work was being done, which meant much of it was going to be sacrificed. My husband and I only had 2 days to clear the side area and salvage what we could.

This area of Leslie’s backyard where her grill lived was lacking. But not wanting to pay exorbitant custom kitchen cost, she found functional and stylish workarounds to create that custom look— with a lower price tag. From Leslie: I didn’t want to invest in a new grill, nor invest in a custom outdoor kitchen, so I endeavored to create an affordable, usable outdoor space.

This sad-looking border in front of my house is the first proper gardening project I ever tackled. My previous experience of growing things was limited to a couple of window boxes and some short-lived herbs in pots, so when I put a few plants in the ground last spring, I wasn’t sure how they would turn out… One year on, I have a blooming border of three different types of lavender, alliums, agapanthus (African lilies), nemesia, and daisies.

Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you still might be enjoying the delicious harvest from your backyard, but here in the Midwest, I’m tearfully waving goodbye to, well, almost everything fresh. While it’s probably impossible to keep gorgeous heirloom tomatoes growing, I’m looking on the bright side at the plants and herbs that will continue to thrive indoors during the dreary winter months.

Long-time Apartment Therapy readers might remember a little renovation diary series about The World’s Ugliest Condo — the affectionate title for my in-laws’ second home in Florida before I redid it for them several years ago. At the time, I shared the entire renovation process, but the one area we didn’t touch was the outdoor space. Until now. The outdoor space was originally just so blah. And tan. And then more tan. Followed up by some tan.

You can give your yard a little love with a simple DIY garden path.

Cut flowers offer a lovely, if ephemeral and short-lived pleasure—while fresh, that is. Preserved flowers keep on giving, and several fresh picks that can be found in markets now have a gorgeous extended life when dried. The long-lasting, low-maintenance loveliness these preserved blooms offer might sway those looking for the never-ending flower. Here’s a guide to five varieties with decidedly current appeal and timeless potential.

If you live in a typical suburban house, chances are good you have a side yard — a barren little strip of land between the side of the house and the fence covered in grass or rocks and probably not much else. But one California homeowner, instead of seeing an awkward, useless space, only saw potential. Clued in by the sun streaming through her bedroom window, Rebekah realized her sunny side yard would be the ideal place to grow vegetables.

Before we bought a house, we were champion renters. We lived in a studio, a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a house —all without taking on the title of owners. During those years, I experimented with lots of ways to customize our home without altering the bland beige, sad shag, and lame laminate inside — not to mention the outside space when we had it. I’m a crafty DIYer, so I was able to work some non-permanent magic.

In an effort to soak up every last bit of summer, we’ve rounded up some inspiring seaside homes, from cozy bungalows we can imagine ourselves walking around barefoot in, to pristine spaces straight out of the glossies. Want even more beach-home eye candy? Click through for the full tours of each of these spaces. If you absolutely have to work in paradise, it might as well be at a distressed wood desk, surrounded by surf art, and with a few stray seashells as paperclip catchalls.

The downside of a lot of typical American neighborhoods is that from the outside, all of the houses look almost exactly alike. But if you want to make your house stand out from the pack, or just make it a little easier for visitors and delivery men to find your home, there plenty of things you can do to give your home a unique look that don’t involve remodeling. Some of them might even be allowed by your HOA. 1.

Now that it’s officially fall, it’s probably about time to bring your green friends inside for the season. I’m talking about the houseplants you put outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. But if you’ve ever gone on a tropical vacation during the winter, then flown home to snow, you’ll realize that sudden changes in climate and temperature can be shocking.

I know, I know. We too get sick of hearing that [insert anything here] is the new black. But I think we’ve truly found the perfect alternative to the ubiquitous fiddle leaf fig which — although admittedly lovely — is somewhat hard to take care of. If you are looking for a new plant hero to transform your interior, without demanding too much of your time, please allow me introduce you.

Cat Meschia of ctrl + curate is a craft blogger based in Gainesville, Florida where she spends her time creating beautiful things that encourage thoughtful living. Known for her affordable small-space solutions and practical yet artistically-driven designs, Cat shares everything from DIY planters to no-weave wall hangings through simple tutorials and inspiration boards.

With end of Daylight Savings near, you’re not the only one anticipating (or rather dreading) the harshest months of the year. Pretty soon, your houseplants will be busy dodging drafts and soaking up every last ray of dwindling sunlight. To give your ferns and fiddle leaf figs a fighting chance at survival, follow these ten tips for winter plant care to get your plants through the worst of it. 1. Move plants away from vents, radiators or drafty windows.

It looks like those plant lady vibes may actually be improving your lifespan. Recent research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital dives into the results of an eight year study covering the possible link between vegetation and life expectancy—and the data suggests it’s time to turn over a new leaf. Spoiler alert: Women who live in homes surrounded by vegetation not only have lower mortality rates, but improved mental health, too.

Back in October 2016, IKEA’s external innovation hub Space10 announced the Growroom, a spherical structure that allows people to grow their own food locally and sustainably. Last week, Space10 made the plans available to anyone who wants to build their own circular farm.

When I chose the trim color for my home, it was the last decision in a long line of decisions at the end of a gut rehab. I was in project overload and gave some vague instructions to the painter one random day that I wanted gray, and the next thing I knew it was done. I’m totally fine with the color, but it’s maybe just a teensy bit dour? (Never mind that Edward Gorey called from the grave to accuse me of stealing his look.

Set the style standard on your street.

Oh where to begin? My backyard is a pit of earthly despair, good for only three things really: dog waste, weeds and my own tears. I had good intentions when I first created the space, but my installation was poor to begin with, and then ongoing maintenance was not my friend. Ultimately, the grass didn’t stand a chance against all the dog abuse and my own neglect, so weeds and mud moved in, choking out any chance of happiness.

I’ve reached a new state of being, and I owe it all to my front yard. I call it “peak curmudgeon.” Because there’s one soul-sucking Sisyphean home task that drains me like no other — the endless loop of pulling weeds. I try to keep on top of them, but no matter how often I deal, they are there waiting for me again the following week. Weeds leave me muttering and cursing mess.

We love our pets, even when they are annoying little troublemakers. So when our furry friends start munching on our plants and digging around in the dirt, it’s our job to keep them safe (even when we want to strangle them). Being the human in the relationship means doing the research and only populating our homes with non-toxic varieties of plants. We’re making it easy for you. Below are some of our favorite pet-safe plants that are non-toxic for both dogs and cats.

Okay so I’m admittedly a bit of a black thumb. For starters, my apartment—like most in New York City—has windows that directly face the brick exterior of a neighboring apartment, which means natural sunlight is, well, reserved for time outdoors. Throw a busy schedule and life in the mix and remembering to water your succulents is not as easy as it sounds . So although it’s upsetting that I can’t even keep an air plant alive, it’s not terribly surprising.

Vertical gardens are an exciting outdoor project because they show off your flowers and plants beautifully and aren’t difficult or expensive to make. In fact, they can easily be made out of mostly recycled (and recyclable) materials. Vertical gardens are also especially well-suited to small outdoor spaces so no worries if you don’t have a whole yard or deck to work with. Below are the basic instructions for how to make a vertical garden planter using scrap wood and a pallet.

First things first: congrats to Amanda on purchasing her first home! Taking the plunge can be nerve-wracking, exciting and is always a very big deal. (We’ve got some tips on making it less scary if you need them.) After settling in to her new abode, the next step was to tackle the exterior, which Amanda felt needed a little boost. With the help of a few family members, a super smart paint job and flower power, the home has a fresh look and a whole lot of curb appeal.

The highly-anticipated Pandora: World of Avatar opens officially to the public on May 27 at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park. While most will beeline it to the two new rides, the photos we’ve seen of the incredible landscape make the argument to slow down the pace (just a little bit —wouldn’t want to lose your spot in an up-to-six-hour line).

Turning a driveway and storage area into a beautiful lounge for adults and children alike seemed like an impossible feat for Ali and Evan. Luckily they had a great friend, Lake, who knew exactly how to transform this space! From Lake Sharp of array.la: The lean-to structure immediately creates a sense of privacy and much needed shade, but still allows for airflow and light. The look of the patio is centered around the colorful Laotian lanterns that Ali showed me at our first meeting.

When you live within city limits, it’s rare to have access to private green space. In a perfect (and sustainable) world, we would all have our own backyards, overflowing with lush shrubbery, robust herbs, and fruit-bearing trees right next to our cute little chicken coops. In reality, we’re forced to get a little more creative – vertical gardens, hanging planters, and fruit purchased from the local market.

Ashley’s adorable home needed a bit of a boost in the exterior paint department. After giving herself permission to just friggin go for it, she decided that they would not only be painting their home sea-foam green, they’d be doing it themselves. Sweat was sweated, paint was painted and a few labor heavy weekends later, a bold and bright house emerged.

Homes across the world come in a rainbow of colors, but there’s one hue that’s king when it comes to working with just about any style of architecture. It’s not an exterior paint choice for the faint-hearted. But those willing to take the paint plunge will be rewarded with a dramatic curb appeal sure to get the neighbors talking. All black!

In today’s real estate market, affordable ranch homes are proving their potential. When they aren’t dismissed, torn down, and then replaced by larger McMansion-style homes, they get snapped up by eager buyers happy for the large lots, large windows and friendly layouts. These exterior renovations show you don’t have to compromise your style, and that there are so many ways to customize and modernize an ‘outdated’ home’s appearance.