You Said It: ‘Which Color Truly Reflects You?’ and Other Quotables

This week in my hometown, Atlanta, rain washed away a lot of the pollen, the sky cleared and temperatures soared to the 70s. I was anxious to spend as much time outside as possible, catching up on Houzz stories out on my screened-in porch. Naturally, the ones that dealt with making the most of fresh-air time appealed to me. So did a mix of great solutions for inside the home. Here’s a look at some of this week’s highlights.

“Houzz’s new spring landscaping survey … found that 56 percent of the 4,500 surveyed homeowners plan to update their landscapes to create a better entertaining space.” — Mitchell Parker

Houzzers, don’t worry; if your backyard is a work in progress, you’re not alone. Check out all the plans other Houzzers have for their yards, from xeriscaping to creating edible gardens.

Full story: There’s a Party in the Backyard, Says a Houzz Landscaping Survey


“One of the toughest places to find good plants for is dry soil, from clay to sandy to rocky.” — Benjamin Vogt

If you are one of the aforementioned homeowners struggling with difficult conditions in the yard, these stunning ground covers can be a big help.

Full story: 6 Native Ground Covers for Tough, Dry Spots


“Neighborhood kids as well as the couple use the two swings on a regular basis.” — Becky Harris

Or maybe all you need for a better outdoor space is a swing. When interviewing interior designer Shannon Ggem for this ideabook, I loved the thought of an adult couple adding two waterside swings for themselves. We could all use our own swing, no matter how old we are.

Full story: Room of the Day: An Idyllic Lakeside Dock


“The porch is located to take advantage of the garden. It is also tall enough to act as a link between the two floors of the house via a spiral staircase.” — John Hill

These aren’t the typical screened-in porches of yesteryear (though we love that style too). Hill takes us on a tour of interesting modern and contemporary screened-in porches that enhance the architecture of the homes, take full advantage of their sites and improve quality of life. Now if only someone could invent a screen that keeps that pesky pollen out …

Full story: Breezy and Bug-Free Modern Porches


“An arrangement of air plants adorns the wall and is reflected in the mirror over the vanity.” — Fred Albert

If you cannot get outside yet, use plants indoors. Side note: I want to immediately move into every house I see on Houzz in Healdsburg, California.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Reviving a Farmhouse in California’s Wine Country



“Which color truly reflects you?” — Jennifer Ott

Ott is talking about choosing a front door color, and she’s put together a fun personality quiz that will help you figure it out. I’ll take any quiz that involves describing my spirit animal.

Full story: Houzz Quiz: What Color Should Your Front Door Be?


“He [Antonio Martins] asked another cousin to photograph the 4- by 4-inch blue and white tiles that people associate with the region. He enlarged those images, and master decorative painters Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus re-created them over a series of 24- by 24-inch Masonite tiles, giving them a crackle glaze that fools the eyes into believing they are looking at an ancient ceramic surface.” — Mary Jo Bowling

This is just a really darn clever idea, and the results are stunning.

Full story: Imagination Rules at the 2014 San Francisco Decorator Showcase


“Rather than letting the TV take center stage in an open-plan living space, consider moving it into a separate space. Not having the TV in the main living space makes it easier to avoid turning it on ‘just because.’” — Laura Gaskill

With the popularity of open plans hitting an all-time high, lots of homeowners are finding they need a quiet room. Why not make one noisy room instead and keep the rest of the house peaceful?

Full story: 16 ideas for a Healthy Feel-Good Home


“This small San Francisco kitchen was in desperate need of extra prep space. The solution: a custom rolling cutting board and base cabinet that can be pulled out should the sous-chef need some extra elbow room.” — Christine Tusher

Sometimes I feel like my entire home could fit into some of the beautiful kitchens we see on Houzz. It’s refreshing to read about smart solutions for those of us who want to be well organized for cooking in smaller spaces.

Full story: 8 Kitchen Design Tips for Foodies


“ … there is often one particular thing that really kicks the room up a notch — that gives it that little something extra. — Becky Dietrich

It’s so true; one great light, bench, work of art or antique can take a room design from just dandy to fantastic. I look forward to following this series, which points out these stellar pieces room by room.

Full story: Single Design Moves That Can Transform an Entry

Tell us: What new idea did you stumble upon this week?

URL: You Said It: ‘Which Color Truly Reflects You?’ and Other Quotables http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23360.html