If you are looking for inspiration in home design, Houzz is a great place to start. They have more than 500,000 photos from designers that you can clip and save in your “ideabook” for easy reference. Houzz also has…
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Outdoor
Everyday the ocean reveals a bit of itself as the tide recedes and in areas of shallow shoreline the trapped water becomes a tide pool that can contain an amazing variety of marine life including seaweeds, coral, mussels, crabs,…
For years developers have been scraping the topsoil (8-12 inches) from properties and selling it to sod farms. It’s another way that land can be monetized and topsoil is a valuable commodity that contains minerals and nutrients from years…
A couple months ago I checked out the NexGen grass seed lab and the Pennington Seed factory in Oregon and received some valuable information on lawn care as well as a hands-on look at their 1 Step Complete combo…
We are always looking for ways to bump up the curb appeal of our home and when Clopay approached us about sharing some interesting new products that do just that, we had to take a look. But first we…
Gyms are expensive and if you’ve got the space at home, why not invest a bit in building and setting up a home workout space. Not just a home gym with some weights and a Soloflex but a real…
Falling trees are frightening — and worse, they pose a safety risk not only to your property, but to you and your family, too. Although you can’t predict storm damage, you can examine the trees on your property and…
During a rainy Saturday morning last weekend, my husband and I found ourselves at the hardware store to stock up on picture- and art-hanging supplies, as well as a masonry bit and, the motherlode of all finds – a…
Before the temperatures start to dip too low, you may want to consider sealing your driveway. Periodically applying a sealant will help protect your driveway’s condition, and is an especially good idea if you live somewhere with hot summers…
Whether you’re considering selling your house or simply want to freshen up your home’s exterior, you can’t go wrong with installing a new garage door. In fact, this project consistently ranks high on Remodeling magazine’s Cost v. Value report.…
Maybe dogs wouldn’t be so aggressive or bark so much if they could see what was beyond their fence? Well the pet peek could be the perfect solution. It looks easy to install and if you’ve got a curious…
As soon as I saw the title of Garden Rant’s post, “Cool Stuff To Do With Weeds,” I was hooked. Because, after all, there aren’t a lot of productive things you can do with weeds–well, besides kill them, that…
For the last several years, I’ve been keeping a list of features I want in my dream house. They include a library with floor-to-ceiling shelves, a giant kitchen and maybe even a secret passageway. Another thing to add to…
With summer in full swing, your home’s outdoor areas are likely getting a lot of use. We’ve already talked about how to create a year-round outdoor living space, complete with furniture and seasonal elements. When you’re creating such an…
What’s not to love about a sidewalk? You can draw on them with chalk, and they’re a safe haven on which to walk, bike, jog, jump rope, play hopscotch–you get the idea. Yet over time, sidewalks can crack and…
Grilling, dining al fresco, relaxing in a hammock with a good book–it’s no wonder that spending time outdoors is one of the top activities during the summer. And if your home has a leisure-inducing outdoor space, then you know…
As temperatures heat up, now is the perfect time to think about your yard’s irrigation. If you don’t already have a sprinkler system, you may want to consider one, especially if you plan on traveling. By having an automatic…
While watching an episode of “Friday Night Lights” last night, I was struck by a scene in which football star Tim Riggins selflessly donates his time to clean and repair his (hot female) neighbor’s rain gutters. OK, so they…
In a couple of weeks, HGTV will premiere a new series: “HGTV’d.” And we love the premise. HGTV hosts will travel around the country (accompanied by a massive HGTV’d 18-wheeler) to surprise unsuspecting viewers with home makeovers! Home makeover…
From foliage to roughage, a well-tended garden can boost your home’s curb appeal, cut your grocery bill, and help you be more environmentally friendly all in one swoop. But if you’re like us, finding the time to garden between…
For a multitude of reasons, not everyone can plant a traditional garden. Maybe you live in an apartment or condo where green space is sparse and not really yours to dig up. Perhaps your soil is inhospitable to anything…
It’s the season to start thinking about your lawn and getting it back into shape for summer. It’s possible that weeds have taken root and infiltrated much of your yard. If you’re not high on chemicals and toxic weed…
Adding a fence to your property–or swapping out an old fence for a new one–is not only a good idea for your home’s security, but also adds aesthetic appeal to your yard. If you have pets, adding a fence…
We’re seeing some amazing photos around the Internet of newly renovated outdoor spaces. ‘Tis the season to break out the patio furniture and barbecue grill and spend as many hours outside as possible! But perhaps your outdoor area is…
Here in the Ohio contingent of Charles & Hudson, we’re looking at rehabbing both our front and back yards — because in a former life they were actually small urban farms instead of lush green space. While we’re all…
Spring has officially arrived and it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll care for your lawn. Should you stick with your loud and dirty gas-powered mower or would you considered a cleaner alternative? This weeks Giveaway is a…
Have you guys seen that commercial (for a headache medicine, maybe?) where the husband pressure washes the deck and obliterates all of the outdoor furniture? Too funny! All joking aside, however, pressure washers (also known as power washers) can…
Warmer temperatures mean that critters are on the move, both inside your home and outside. Yesterday, one of our Facebook friends posted a plea for mole removal techniques, so after a little research, we have a few options for…
A reader recently contacted us regarding a driveway gate he is planning on installing. His home is of a French Normandy/Storybook style, almost like what you’d find in the Swiss Alps, and he’d like to stay true to this…
Searching for a way to garden a little greener while creating less waste in the kitchen? Look no further than your trusty coffee maker for one of the best fertilizers, composters, bug repellants and worm cuisine! Here’s a list…
We may be getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but it’s time to think spring! Even if you’re not quite out of the winter weather woods, we’ve got a short list of tasks you can tackle to get your…
Painting building roofs white is a movement that’s slowly catching on in big cities. A light-colored roof reflects light, rather than absorbing it, a function that can significantly reduce energy costs. And when air conditioning use is decreased, the…
Spring will soon be here, and that means it’s prime home show time for much of the country. Whether your city hosts a home show or a combined home and garden event, these expos can be valuable resources of…
Our tour of the John Deere manufacturing facility in Augusta, GA was amazing and testing the latest tractors and riding mowers was definitely the highlight. Our photos and videos from the event have been getting a lot of attention…
We’ve had a ton of interest in our John Deere tractor articles so we thought we should provide even more detail on their newest utility tractors. We’ll start with the base model from their new 1-series the 1023E sub-compact…
We’ve been sharing our favorite home improvement apps for a few years so we decided to compile them into a helpful guide that is categorized according to your home improvement needs. Many of these apps are available for your…
Now that a much-needed warm-up has been forecasted across a large portion of the U.S., many homeowners will turn their attention to snow and ice removal, especially those who have been hit hard by recent storms. If the task…
We’re always on the lookout for new products. Or old products done better. Or anything, really, that gets the mind spinning with DIY possibilities. The Liteblok from Cresco Concrete is one of those products that offers environmentally friendly building…
A large portion of the U.S. is currently digging out from a snowstorm. Although it seems the high priority is to shovel your driveway, porch and sidewalk, you should also turn your attention to other parts of your home…
CES has expanded their Connected Home area and it seems that Kenmore and GE are leading the way with introducing their latest in home technologies. For a consumer brand as large as GE its surprising that this is their…
Ice melt is a terribly useful invention, but the drawback is that many conventional formulas contain a high degree of chemicals that, during a thaw, can run-off into nearby water sources or become absorbed by the groundwater. So what,…
Who says all of your DIY fun has to be confined inside during the winter months? If you’re lucky enough to live in a locale that receives snow (or are on the East Coast and have more snow than…
The Northeast is digging out today from record snowfall and people are putting their snowblowers and snow shovels back in action. Here are some tips for digging out from the snow safely and what to do in case you…
File this one under creative genius! Nashville resident and artist Matt Glassmeyer found a way to use 350 vinyl records — attaching them to a roof in place of shingles. Conflicting Internet reports claimed that Glassmeyer’s record roof had…
In today’s downturned economy, it can seem nearly impossible to find somewhere to live where there are jobs, affordable housing, and banks willing to approve a loan. If you’re not lucky enough to live in one of the most…
Yes, we said it — the dreaded s-word! As snow begins to fall in parts of the country, it’s time to think about stocking up on winter supplies and that most dreaded of chores — shoveling snow! Shoveling snow…
With autumn drawing to a close, it’s time to address the arduous task of cleaning up all those gorgeous fall leaves strewn about your yard. However, many waste management companies and municipalities are requiring that yard waste be bagged…
Visit any big box retailer and you’re likely to see no shortage of blow up monsters, ghosts, goblins and other creepy creatures for Halloween. But we were impressed by this massive-sized homemade monster of the eight-legged variety. Whether it…
Driving the I-10 corridor from Tucson to Phoenix isn’t where you’d expect to find an amazing organic farm and pumpkin patch but if you ask anyone in Arizona, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek is the place to be in…
As we mentioned in our fall maintenance checklist, cleaning gutters is very important to the overall health of your home as gutters blocked by debris such as leaves and branches will cause water to buildup on your roof as…
I love a good list. It keeps me organized and focused, and I savor the sense of accomplishment when I can draw a big line through a completed item. Thanks to Kiplinger’s newly released fall and winter home maintenance…
Yes, I said it — the dreaded “w” word! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but freezing temperatures, snow and ice will be here before you know it (for a lot of the country, anyway.) Before…
What better way to celebrate the crisp weather of fall — especially those delightfully chilly evenings — than with a backyard fire pit? And thanks to a DIY version featured in this month’s Fresh Home magazine, you can be…
Despite a steep decline in home prices, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) reports that many homeowners are still choosing to invest money in their homes, especially for projects “that promote greater energy efficiency and accessibility throughout the home,”…
Solar landscape lighting is convenient and beautiful when it works. When the lights don’t work, it can be maddening. Fortunately these systems are fairly simple and generally easy to fix. With a little know-how and some quick tests, you…
We love treehouses at C&H: in fact, the more luxurious or exotic, the better! So when I first spotted these new designs on Casa Sugar about German company Baumraum, I was excited. Craftsmen at the company include architects to…
Well, I’ve always wanted an underground lair. Luckily, I’ve found one that looks more pastoral than evil and gloomy. Made of concrete and earth, this Swiss estate is a cluster of grass-blanketed houses encircling a pretty little lake. According…
The Eames House is one of the hidden gems of Los Angeles and located just off the PCH in Pacific Palisades, California. Completed in 1949, some believe the Eames House has yet to be equaled in modern architecture. The…
Summer is far from over. But as the sun sets a little earlier each day, bonfires are starting to take center stage on the schedule. You don’t need to head for the beach or campground to host a bonfire.…
Ipe wood decking came on the scene quickly and it seemed the whole world went wild. Once consumers get a feel for it, the hype didn’t let up and now demand for Ipe wood decking is fierce. A fairly…
Is there anything more refreshing than jumping into your own green swimming pool? No, not a pool filled with algae. That would be gross. A green swimming pool is one that has minimal effects on the environment and actually…
I don’t know about you, but as a kid, I spent the majority of my time in a sandbox. My favorite park in my hometown had a huge sandpit complete with child-sized, handle-operated “backhoes” with which we could dig…
What goes better than plants and green building? Well, nothing, really. So how about building a green roof on that potting shed, creating a miniature garden? Having a green roof does not mean you’ll have additional square footage to…
The worlds strongest redneck turns a mower into an edger.…
My inspiration for C&H blog posts knows no bounds–magazines, newspapers, HGTV, friends and family–and now, television commercials. Last night, I found myself intrigued by an ad for The Bagster, a dumpster in a bag that can be purchased at…
I have trouble believing that there is anyone that would actually want to do this, but I digress. Lawn mowing can be an art form. For those of you inclined to challenge yourself the next time you’re looking for…
You may have heard this term before. It’s also been called “the new urbanism” or “agrarian urbanism”. The idea is that city neighborhoods could be built and restructured in order to be self-sustainable, a harmonious blend of urban and…
It’s the classic dilemma. You have a beautiful border garden around your patio or foundation. Bright blooms and neatly mulched beds compliment your lush green lawn. All is right with the world. But there is one major problem involving…
Treehouses have come a long way since the days of Little Rascals. There are now firms that specialize in designing luxury treehouses, many of which are built using sustainable materials and are of minimal impact to the environment. The…
Now that summer is officially here, we’ve got 5 projects that anyone can do that will improve your quality of summer living. Build a wooden trellis Install a screened in porch Make a glass ball chandelier…
A lot of design in green homes often raises the question – how much space do we really need? Architect Michael Katz and designer Janet Corne offer the L41 (“all for one”) that squeezes everything you need into 220…
While in Maui we had the pleasure of visiting designer Xorin Balbes latest project he’s named, Ke-Ao Lanihuli which translates to “The light from the heavens to overturn old conditions bringing enlightenment.” The name is certainly fitting for this…
If you’ve got a big enough lawn that requires a riding mower then the time is now to shop for some great new offerings. Manufacturers are now realizing the strength of the market and have developed some lawn mowers…
It was a dark and stormy night… Oh wait, no it wasn’t. It was darkish. And overcast. And really stormy. But it was the middle of the day. And it was the last day to enjoy my mature honeysuckle…
A great weekend project is making sure your home is clear of overgrown tree limbs. It may not be a pressing issue but cutting back these limbs can prevent issues down the road such as the branches and limbs…