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5. Avoid Plastic Where Possible
It can be surprising how much plastic we use in the landscape. There are those single-use black pots that garden center plants come in, for example, as well as plastic seed trays, plant labels and twine.
But with a little thought, you can replace these unsustainable items with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Use wooden labels and traditional garden string, and seek out garden centers that will recycle the black plant pots. Also, hunt around for biodegradable seed trays that will break down into the soil when they reach the end of their lifespan.
When you’re planning outdoor structures such as greenhouses, opt for glass instead of plastic if possible. The initial cost may be higher, but a model glass will last a lot longer than a cheaper plastic one.
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2. Designate an Area for Workout Clothes and Equipment
If your goal is to exercise several times a week, consider devoting a section of your dresser or closet to your workout clothes and towels. Keeping everything together will save you time since you won’t need to dig to find your outfits. This is especially helpful if you work out early in the morning and want to savor every last minute of sleep.
Similarly, keep your exercise equipment (yoga mats, weights, exercise balls) in one area (perhaps close to the TV if you stream a workout). I keep all the accessories I need for walking — sunglasses, hat, gloves, earphones, sunscreen — in a drawer in my entryway table. That way I can get out the door without delay. Prepack your gym bag with toiletries, towels and other personal items. After laundering, you can place items right back into the bag or your dedicated gym clothes space.
Find a pro to help you create a home gym
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7. Replace Cabinet Hardware
A subtle and simple way to give your kitchen a fresh look is to replace the cabinet handles and knobs. You can make a traditional kitchen feel a bit more contemporary by opting for a sleek, modern pull, for example, or a sterile-feeling kitchen feel warmer with brass or wood. If the new hardware has different dimensions than the old hardware, just add backplates to cover the previous holes. Whatever you choose should be durable, feel comfortable in your hand and be properly proportioned for your cabinetry (no dinky pulls for wide, heavy drawers, please!).
If you’re concerned about having to change out your plumbing fixtures, appliances and lighting to match your new hardware, rest assured that mixing those metal finishes is not only OK but recommended by many designers. When in doubt, stick to a single color and finish in each category. For example, designers often choose stainless steel and chrome for plumbing fixtures and appliances but opt for unlacquered brass for the cabinet hardware. That said, given how high-touch and visible a faucet is, if yours is just “meh,” consider upgrading it to a beautiful new model anyway.
How to Mix and Match Your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Shop for knobs and pulls
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4. Roll Out a New Area Rug
It’s a rare living room that doesn’t call for an area rug. Even in a carpeted room, an area rug helps to define a seating area and make a room feel complete. So if you don’t already have an area rug, or the one you have doesn’t reflect your current taste, this is a good opportunity for a refresh.
If you’re trying to make a formal living space feel more casual, consider a flat-woven or natural-fiber rug (such as jute). Tufted rugs with asymmetrical patterns or high-low textures are good bets if you’re looking to add a contemporary element to your room. Color-wise, light colors tend to make a room feel larger while darker colors make it feel more cozy. And the busier the patterns of your other textiles, the simpler your rug can be, and vice versa.
At least as important as the style of your rug is its size. A common recommendation is that all of the legs of your furniture — or at least the front legs of your seating — should be on the rug. If you love your current rug but it’s too small or irregularly shaped, you can layer it on top of a larger one. Natural-fiber rugs or solid, neutral-toned wool rugs are often good, affordable choices as base layers. A small, vibrant but well-worn antique Persian or Moroccan rug can look gorgeous over a large jute rug, for example.
All of that said, the “perfect rug” isn’t a specific size or style. It’s the one that most appeals to you and fits your lifestyle and budget.
11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them
Shop for an area rug
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7. Celebrate Leaves
Take in the fall foliage on a hiking trail, at a local park or in your yard. Turn raking leaves from a chore into a chance to appreciate Mother Nature’s show. Once you have a pile of leaves, it might just be time to channel your inner child and jump in.
Rather than immediately bagging your leaves, consider using some or all of them as a natural mulch. You can spread a thin layer over your garden beds or lawn, allowing the leaves to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Don’t make the layer too thick, especially over a lawn, as you don’t want to kill whatever might be growing underneath. Use a lawnmower or garden shredder to turn the leaves into smaller pieces.
5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
7. Celebrate Leaves
Take in the fall foliage on a hiking trail, at a local park or in your yard. Turn raking leaves from a chore into a chance to appreciate Mother Nature’s show. Once you have a pile of leaves, it might just be time to channel your inner child and jump in.
Rather than immediately bagging your leaves, consider using some or all of them as a natural mulch. You can spread a thin layer over your garden beds or lawn, allowing the leaves to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Don’t make the layer too thick, especially over a lawn, as you don’t want to kill whatever might be growing underneath. Use a lawnmower or garden shredder to turn the leaves into smaller pieces.
5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
7. Celebrate Leaves
Take in the fall foliage on a hiking trail, at a local park or in your yard. Turn raking leaves from a chore into a chance to appreciate Mother Nature’s show. Once you have a pile of leaves, it might just be time to channel your inner child and jump in.
Rather than immediately bagging your leaves, consider using some or all of them as a natural mulch. You can spread a thin layer over your garden beds or lawn, allowing the leaves to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Don’t make the layer too thick, especially over a lawn, as you don’t want to kill whatever might be growing underneath. Use a lawnmower or garden shredder to turn the leaves into smaller pieces.
5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
3. Removable Inset Cutting Board
Owners of beautiful edge-grain wooden island countertops might think twice about using them as cutting surfaces. New Orleans-based NOLA Boards, which made this T-shaped one from century-old cypress logs pulled from the bottom of a river, addressed that reluctance by insetting a designated cutting board. It’s made from the same sinker cypress wood but in end-grain block construction, which shows knife marks less readily and is easier on blades than edge-grain. The best part? The board is removable, making cleanup, maintenance and serving a breeze.
Design note: The long end of this T-shaped island is supported by hand-turned legs, making it look more like a farmhouse table than cabinetry.
50 Wonderful Wood-Topped Kitchen Islands
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3. Decide on Your Business Model and Stick to It
Whether you choose a fixed or hourly fee strategy, it’s important to be consistent. Any changes to this could reduce your client’s confidence.
Gemma Hill of Bayswater Interiors says her firm uses an hourly pricing structure, as they feel it’s fair for both parties. “Clients only pay for what we’ve provided,” she says. “In the past, we’ve had projects where clients have increased the scope of our work, or changed their minds unexpectedly midway through the process, and expected us to start again to incorporate their new ideas, which ended up costing us money in lost hours. This way, we’re invoicing for work completed and are not out of pocket, and this is clear and fair to the client throughout.”
Nicholls, on the other hand, prefers a fixed pricing structure. “When we put together our fee proposal, we estimate the amount of time we’ll spend on a project, using similar jobs as a benchmark,” she says. “Once we’ve given our fee proposal, our fee doesn’t change unless the scope of work changes or there are unforeseen circumstances. We would then discuss this with our client and adjust the fee if necessary.”
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business
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Lighting is often called the jewelry of a room, but given its functional importance, especially in a bathroom, that analogy might be selling it a bit short.
One easy way to improve the functionality, safety and look of a bathroom through lighting is to add hidden LED strips. They can be placed under toe kicks, shelves and cabinets, boosting ambient light during the day and providing soft illumination at night. Waterproof versions can illuminate your shower niche or threshold, improving visibility. The strips can be hardwired by an electrician, but they’re also available in plug-in and rechargeable versions.
Some light fixtures are designed to be virtually invisible. The rest, including your vanity sconces, should work hard and also look great. The easiest approach is to keep your new sconces in the same locations as the old ones, but if your vanity sconces are overhead, you may want to hire an electrician to move them to either side of your mirror. This will provide more even lighting and an up-to-date look.
Tip: Be sure to check whether fixtures are damp- or wet-rated and to adhere to local code when replacing or moving fixtures.
Your Guide to Perfect Bathroom Vanity Lighting
Tell us: What small updates made a big difference in your bathroom? Share in the Comments.
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