You Said It: ‘Put It Back’ If It Won’t Help Your House, and More Wisdom

We hit a major milestone this week on Houzz, which I’ll get to in a second. We also refused to give up the gardening until spring, offering insight on how to gather seeds, getting to know new fall bulbs and how to add a little mystery to our gardens. We learned how to keep the stuff we don’t need from ever entering our houses, and found a sneaky spot in which to store some of the stuff we do. There were some great cheat sheets that collected all kinds of advice for how to tackle tasks in the kitchen and the yard. There was even a circus caravan made with love by a grandfather. So get your bookmark finger ready; here are some of the highlights from this week.

“Is that metallic gold horse sculpture you just plunked in your cart going to help your home be clean and spacious? If not, put it back.” — Laura Gaskill

OK, Laura, but how is that perfectly perched pear going to keep my house clean and spacious after it starts to turn brown? And Becky joins the ranks of those who poke a little fun at beautiful photo styling. Seriously, though, this was one of those articles that had me smiling and nodding my head at all the bad habits that can lead to a cluttered home full of useless stuff. Thankfully, Gaskill gives us a guide to how to thwart them.

Full story: 5 Ways to Pare Down Your Stuff Before It Gets in the Door


“I wanted to give my granddaughter something that wasn’t made of plastic and may fall apart after a few years.” — Declan O’Neill, as told to Jenny Drew

This project made my day. It was a story about a man’s love for his family and his desire to make something beautiful that would last for generations to come. Plus, the little caravan he created is such a charming delight, and because he is a landscape photographer, the photos give us an absolutely stunning peek of New Zealand.

Full story: A Child’s Playhouse Brings the Circus to Town


“When the seeds start falling off or blowing away, they’re ready.” — Benjamin Vogt

I’ve always been curious about how to collect seeds in the fall, but I always assumed it would be tricky and I’d never figure it out. I guess I was also too lazy to look up how. No more excuses; Vogt makes it really easy. Just give this ideabook a quick read — the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

Full story: Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery


“Next year’s garden may seem far away, but you can get it off to a great start by planting spectacular bulbs this fall.” — LuAnn Brandsen

Fall is upon us, but gardening time is definitely not over. It’s not only time to gather up the seeds; it’s time to start planting bulbs. Daffodils and tulips are great, but Brandsen introduces us to a wider variety of beautiful options here.

Full story: 6 Unsung Bulbs for Fall Planting


“It has been my experience that great gardens include an element of mystique, an aura of mystery and awe.” — Jay Sifford

There’s structural work to be done in the garden as well. Sifford shows us how to make a good first impression with a gate or an arbor, create windows to peek through to an enticing view and, my personal favorite, add a folly.

Full story: To Make Your Garden Memorable, Add a Hint of Mystery


“The most revered trait of the live oak is its famously wide, arching canopy with dense leaves and branches that twist and spread toward the sun. Some of the trees that are hundreds of years old have lower branches that swoop down to touch the ground and then reach back up again.” — Falon Mihalic

My heart sang when I saw this ideabook. The Southern live oak is my favorite or second-favorite tree (I flip-flop between it and the American beech). The most glorious cinematography often includes live oaks — think of the landscapes in Forrest Gump and The Big Chill. Anything that encourages planting them will get a shout-out from me. I do have one tip, though: Don’t be tempted to grab any of the beautiful Spanish moss that can grow from these trees to use for decor. Crazy, angry red bugs, spiders and chiggers tend to hang out there.

Full story: Great Design Plant: Southern Live Oak Offers an Unbeatable Canopy


“A toe kick doesn’t have to be wasted space. Drawers for extra storage are the perfect use for this overlooked space.” — Yanic Simard

These toe-kick drawers are the cleverest idea I’ve seen all week. Here a stepladder is tucked away in the handy space. Others stash cookie sheets, muffin tins and more.

Full story: The Kitchen Storage Space That Hides at Floor Level


“But with the increased focus on function comes a lot of stuff that needs fixing, replacing, tweaking, cleaning and organizing.” — Mitchell Parker

This is what I call a great cheat-sheet ideabook. Parker has scooped up all sorts of DIY kitchen projects and put them in one place for you. Bookmark it and keep all of the quick links that will guide you when you’re replacing your faucet, painting your cabinets, cleaning your grout or your cutting board, shopping for appliances and much more, all in one place.

Full story: 19 Kitchen Projects Every Homeowner Should Know About


“We had all kinds of things to decorate with, but we didn’t have any structure.” — actor Ian Harding, as told to me

I’ve noticed that so many Houzzers wonder when it’s time to call in a decorator. Here’s a great gauge: You have a good sense of what you like, and you’ve started collecting, but you can’t figure out how to put it all together and make it work.

Full story: Houzz Tour: Good Vibes for a Hollywood Couple in Laurel Canyon

Did something on Houzz strike a chord with you this week? Did you bookmark anything? Please share it with us in the Comments section.

URL: You Said It: ‘Put It Back’ If It Won’t Help Your House, and More Wisdom http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24653.html