Prevention is your best bet against pests inside and outside the home. Here are eco-friendly methods for controlling common pests. By Ruthanne Johnson What homeowner isn’t totally bugged to discover insect pockmarks in the once-pristine petals of favorite flowers? Or yellow jackets buzzing your head while you’re trying to soak up a little R&R in the yard? […]
Some dogs dig, bark and trample, but there are ways to turn your yard into a dog-friendly zone rather than your pet peeve. By Ruthanne Johnson In the 1990s, Elizabeth Bublitz began wondering how backyards could be more dog friendly. At the time, she was working for a Denver landscaping firm and often heard complaints […]
Lawn games add a dose of fun and elegance to outdoor summer parties Sunshine, food and Champagne abounded at Joni Klippert’s birthday party at Chautauqua Park last summer. But it was the novel lawn games beneath shady trees that made the celebration memorable—and tons of fun, with guests throwing balls, tossing bags and balancing wooden […]
Sniffling and sneezing are no way to spend the summer–or spring or fall, depending on which allergies you have. Here are 10 natural alternatives to mitigate seasonal flare-ups. By Mary Lynn Bruny More than 25 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, with symptoms ranging from sneezing and runny nose to chest tightness and itchy, watery […]
Every garden needs a peculiar prennial–something out of the ordinary to catch the eye. Here, the senior curator of Denver Botanic Gardens shares his top 10. Maybe there’s a spot for one in your garden. By Panayoti Kelaidis When flowers come to mind, most of us think of their beauty, colors and charm. But we who […]
Nature has always been an intimate friend, embracing me with a serene peacefulness that is both profound and spiritual. Having lived in a big city as a small child, feeling confined and uneasy in the concrete chaos, my family’s relocation to a rural community of 700 people, surrounded by farms, fields, forests, ponds and streams, […]
We all want our homes to be comfortable, look great and reflect who we are. The trouble is getting there. Here are 10 professional tips to help your home be the best it can be. By Mary Lynn Bruny Seasoned interior designers have their tricks of the trade—you know, those little design secrets they’ve gathered from years of […]
Making art stand out can be challenging, but your pieces will pack a visual punch with these 10 tips from interior designers. By Carol Brock Art has the power to inspire, infuriate, communicate and exasperate. But when improperly displayed, artwork misses the chance to do just that. “Always think of making art the most visible thing […]
Trees are in trouble, and they’re our lifeline to the future. Here’s how one man is ensuring the survival of the planet’s most ancient trees. By Ellen Dee Davidson In Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World, the Dalai Lama writes, “I have always been a believer in the power of the individual. Throughout human […]
Enjoy a few minutes browsing these spectactular homes and gardens, chosen as staff favorites to celebrate this 10th Anniversary issue. By Kristin Noguera To celebrate Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine’s 10th anniversary issue, the staff voted on some of the most heavenly homes and grooviest gardens featured in these pages during the past decade. […]
The handmade posters andyard signs popping up everywhere indicate it’s officially garage-sale season. Whether you’re setting out wares or prowling for goods, here are tips to make a sale or cinch a deal. TIPS FOR THE SELLERS 1. Choose a Good Date Avoid major holidays and conflicting events, like marathons, bike races or festivals. But […]
When it comes to landscaping, don’t neglect the corners in your yard. Here are 10 ways to make corners as welcoming as the rest of your garden By Lisa Truesdale It’s never a good idea to cut corners—especially if it means ignoring the corners of your yard when landscaping. Though often overlooked, yard corners, especially those created […]
Roughing up soil is the best way to make it healthy. Here’s a primer on amendments for this area. BY CAROL O’MEARA Roughing up soil is the best way to get it in shape for both plants and beneficial microbes. Here are the best soil amendments for this area’s growing season. Every gardener dreams of […]
Learn the right way to plant trees. BY MARY LYNN BRUNY Think you’re planting trees correctly? Compare your method with the experts’ and give leafy life-forms a leg up with these tips from two local arborists. When choosing a tree for your lot, consider its mature height in the planting location. Will limbs grow into […]
How to put a little je ne sais quoi into your garden. By Karen Mitchell Some of us visit France to take in the sights, the history and the gastronomic delights. But when Erica Althans-Schmidt made a recent trip, her sightseeing focused on the many gardens in France, from formal château and parterre gardens to […]
Dramatic, showy foliage makes this king of begonias an indoor/outdoor must-have. Text and photos by Mary Lynn Bruny The Rex begonia is a regal plant worthy of a throne in any home. “Rex” means “king” in Latin, and this plant is definitely king when it comes to showy, ornamental foliage. With a huge variety of […]
