Creating a sustainable soil environment is crucial to growing vigorous plants. Here’s a guide to organic fertilizers that will help your soil become healthy. Text and Photos by David Wann All fertilizers are investments, but organic ones are more likely to give reliable returns. Fertilizers from natural sources release a wide spectrum of nutrients slowly […]
Boulder County homeowners are more familiar with wildlife than most urban dwellers. The best motto is “live and let live,” but a wildlife expert offers tips when unwanted animals move into your home. By Carol Brock Photo by Tony Campbell As a professional wildlife-control operator and rehabilitator, Jack Murphy has seen it all—from skunks under […]
It’s time to clear away winter cobwebs and invite in fresh spring breezes. Here’s how to make everything in your home spick-and-span. By Mary Lynn Bruny Ah, spring! The sun is shining more brightly, and if you take a close look at your home, you may see it needs some spring-cleaning. If you want to […]
Wood is a standard material on many homes’ exteriors, but more people are finding creative uses for wood indoors, where its versatility and organic beauty shine. By Lisa Truesdale Want a rustic look and feel for your home? Use lots of wood. Prefer a sleeker, more contemporary look, or perhaps dramatic elegance? Use lots of […]
An energy audit is one of the best ways to green your home, because it gives you ideas you never would have dreamed of to improve your home’s carbon footprint. By Carol Brock Photos By WEINRAUCHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM When I contacted EnergySmart to do an energy audit of our 40-year-old home, I felt good. Who doesn’t want […]
Perched on a rocky ledge in a canyon near Lyons, this tiny cottage was once the original Hoverhome before the Hover family built their mansion in Longmont. By Lisa Marshall Photos by WEINRAUCHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM On a rocky, tree-laden hill-side above the tumbling waters of the North St. Vrain River, a deeply private artist is inconspicuously preserving […]
Winter’s the time to plan your landscape for spring. Here’s how to make the most of your garden budget. By Lisa Truesdale Whether you’re starting a landscape from scratch, overhauling an existing one, or simply adding a few new features, winter is the perfect time to start planning ahead. Setting a budget is a crucial first […]
Pros and amateurs let you in on their greatest garden find that actually thrived in our miserably hot summer What’s your favorite new plant? We asked local gardeners and experts to share their newest finds so we could share them with you. Maybe you’ll discover a new plant to love in their lists. By Mary […]
Connecting with nature is a gift this gardener gladly shares with others For this Longmont gardener, connecting with nature is a gift he shares and gives thanks for. By Lisa Truesdale Jerry Vaughn and his wife, Carolyn, are both artists. But while she works with the kind of canvas that hangs on the wall, Jerry’s […]
Protect your home and family from deadly radon Radon kills thousands of people every year, and Colorado homes are particularly vulnerable to this deadly gas. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family from this killer. By Maria Cote A creepy basement is the stuff of great horror flicks. On film, all manner of evil […]
Baby-boomer housing options are springing up throughout the county Boulder County is a hotbed for aging baby boomers, and housing options that allow them to stay in their homes and stay active are springing up all over. By Neshama Abraham Baby boomers love Boulder County, where interest in fitness, culture, education and the environment abounds, […]
These pantry items can add nutritional value to everyday meals The grocery store offers plenty of food options, but most of us gravitate to the same items each and every shopping trip. By switching out a few pantry staples with the following easy-to-find-and-use items, your everyday go-to meals will get a flavor makeover and a […]
How the owners/chefs of a Nederland brewpub revamped their personal kitchen By Lisa Marshall – PHOTOS BY WEINRAUCHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM Take a seat in one of the sleek, high-back bar stools in Cori and Tom Boogaard’s newly remodeled Nederland kitchen, and you feel as if you should be ordering a glass of red wine and a plate […]
A professional tells how to avoid remodel nightmares By Larry Parrish Do you like surprises? Likely, that would depend on the nature of the surprise. Some are good, others not so good. For example, an unexpected bonus with your paycheck—good. A pink slip in your pay envelope—not so good. When it comes to remodeling […]
Don’t let winter doldrums get you down. These easy ideas will perk you up. By Carol Brock OK, we’re in the thick of winter. It’s dark. It’s cold. It’s dreary. But there are simple ways to blast those winter blues, and they all begin and end with your home. Here are ideas to make long winter […]
Is an energy-efficient greenhouse possible? Yes, and it’s made right here in Boulder County. By Mark Collins Want to save on gas and food and help the environment at the same time? Consider an energy-efficient greenhouse that’s made in Boulder. Ceres founder Marc Plinke inside the Shoffners’ greenhouse. It’s the middle of October, 10 days […]
How a handy couple restored their Queen Anne house to the pinnacle of perfection Text and photos by Gayl Gray When Larry Gossman saw an intricately carved antique mirror at the Hotel Boulderado one day, he couldn’t shake it from his mind. The lovely detailing in the thick wooden frame even included a peering gargoyle. […]
This gorgeous house, designed by MQ Architecture & Design, was built in a very tight space on a steep slope. The water feature alone is a remarkable feat of engineering, with 20-ton boulders that beautifully mimic the Flatirons. By Lisa Marshall Close your eyes as you step inside Bruce and Becky Gamble’s newly built dream […]
Here are 10 things your grandmother had that you should have, too. By Carol Brock Photo by Sandra Cunningham Walk into your grandma’s house and you’ll probably find items you won’t find in your own home. Stuff like pressure cookers, meat grinders, water-bath canners—big, unwieldy things you don’t know how to use or don’t want […]
Small spaces don’t have to cramp your style. Here are 10 strategies to create the illusion of floor-to-ceiling spaciousness. By Sharon Cutler There are ways to live large, no matter how small your space. It’s all about illusion and tricking the eye, so try these tips from local design professionals. Start at Ground Level When […]
