You Said It: ‘Stay Humble’ and More of the Week’s Tips and Ideas

This week Houzz made me excited about summer. For me, summer’s beginning has nothing to do with a solstice, but rather the day I can officially start wearing white jeans: Memorial Day. (I went to college in the South in the ’90s, so you’ll never convince me “there are no rules like that anymore.” No ma’am.)

It’s time to get out the canoe and the swimming towels, slather on the SPF, pack picnics, hang the swing and spend maximum time enjoying the outdoors. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

“Stay humble. For this shower room, Surratt and Hernandez kept things simple.” — Matthew Ankeny

There is something dreamy and cozy about the simple camp look. Ankeny breaks down how to achieve it just in time for summer. Get the bug juice ready.

Full story: Lessons From Camp: Cottage Inspiration for Home


“She found that by simplifying cleansers, she could simplify her cleaning routine, making it easier to do on a weekly basis.” — Melanie Loftus

While you’re busy simplifying a few things with camp inspiration, think about simplifying your cleaning routine a la Bea Johnson. Johnson and her family generate next-to-no waste by giving careful thought to everything they bring into their lives. Castile soap, vinegar and baking soda are the only cleaning products she and her family use, for example. Not only does that cut down packaging waste, it saves money too.

Full story: 6 Tips From a Nearly Net Zero Waste Home


“Instead of feeling deprived, look in your cupboards and closets and focus on feeling grateful for the abundance in your life. And the get creative.” — Laura Gaskill

Honestly, not spending on stuff I don’t need is challenging for me to do for even one day, especially if that day involves me going anywhere near a T.J. Maxx. So I’m going to bookmark this ideabook and read it as I try to get through a buy-less day, then week, and hopefully month.

Full story: Simple Pleasures: 10 Ideas for a Buy-Less Month


“Resting raised cedar beds on gravel instead of soil is a smart move, because the gravel will drain water quickly away from the cedar and does not retain moisture.” — Falon Mihalic

This article is full of great tips about which types of wood best resist rot when used in your outdoor projects. Bookmark it for when you get ready to build that new fence, replace the deck or start a container garden.

Full story: 8 Rot-Resistant Woods for Your Outdoor Projects


“When the client sought her out to design a farmhouse home in the sloping hills of Lakeville, Connecticut, she did what was only natural. She looked at the land around her.” — Matthew Ankeny

In doing so, architect Elizabeth Demetriades created a stunning connection between the home and its bucolic surroundings. This is one breathtaking Houzz Tour.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Minimalism in a Pastoral Mood


“The lark deck is designed so that as the tree continues to grow, it will be easy to increase the hole’s diameter.” — Annie Thornton

In the words of the great Liz Lemon, I want to go to there. Breathtaking and thoughtful alpine style and spectacular shots of the mountains took me away to a faraway land.

Full story: Style and Nature Come Together in a Slovenian Landscape Design


“Whether you want to store spices, books, toys, bathroom accessories, clothing or art objects, nooks between the studs are a great way to make the most of your square footage.” — Joni Hilton

If your stuff could use a little more breathing room but you don’t want to take up floor space with shelves, bookmark this ideabook. It’s full of great ways to make the most of the space inside your walls.

Full story: Tap Into Stud Space for More Wall Storage


“These 20 summer storage ideas cover both indoors and out, so whether you have a large garage or a small apartment, you should find a storage spot here that works for you.” — Laura Gaskill

Whether you’re make fishing rods a part of your decor or need a spot for that kayak, Gaskill has you covered. If I may be so bold as to add one more, I’m a big fan of extra-large L.L. Bean boat totes. Instead of monogramming with them with initials, monogram them with words like “pool,” “tennis,” or “lake,” fill them up and hang them on hooks or stash them on a closet shelf.

Full story: 20 Great Storage Spots for Summer Gear


“Initially the space was an unwelcoming pit — sited well below street level and surrounded by 22-foot-high concrete walls.” — Bonnie Monte

This is one of the most dramatic before-and-after yard stories we’ve ever featured. The before shots seem hopeless, and the end results left me in awe of the designers (and the folks who had to get what looked like a dump truck load’s worth of gravel out through the apartment). Well done.

Full story: From Concrete ‘Jail Yard’ to Lush Escape in Brooklyn

Tell us: What did you take away from your reading this week?

URL: You Said It: ‘Stay Humble’ and More of the Week’s Tips and Ideas http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23611.html