Try these tips to create a happy, inviting landscape. By Carol O’Meara Keeping a lovely house with an immaculate interior may be where your skills lie. But if guests are dismayed by your overgrown yard, savvy décor alone may not impress them. If it’s time for a landscape face-lift, here are some tips from the […]
Here are some guidelines for buying home furnishings based on bloopers that others have made in their homes. Text and homeowner photos by Mary Lynn Bruny With spring in the air and the economy looking a bit better, you may want to buy a few new home furnishings you’ve been holding off on purchasing. Prices […]
When it comes to siding and decks, there are options other than wood that are attractive, durable and sustainable and require less maintenance. By Lisa Truesdale There aren’t many “sure things” in life, but it’s a safe bet that any home you enter will have wood in it somewhere. From framing and siding to flooring […]
Here are easy ways to make a difference in the planet’s health, and consequently, humankind’s health. By Anne Minard If you’re reading this, you’re probably part of the solution already. Our community has a reputation for eco-conscious citizens, businesses and government officials, and it’s richly deserved. But we can always do more. Photo by Morgan […]
This ranch home went from dark and gloomy to chic and airy, without overwhelming the neighborhood’s character in the process. By Juana Gómez For 25 years, a photo of Julie and Tim Herrin sat on a shelf in their former home’s dark basement office. Tim had just finished a race, bike in one arm and […]
No home is fireproof, but these strategies will make your home fire-resistant. By Scott Rodwin & Ron Flax In the wake of the Fourmile Canyon Fire that destroyed 169 homes in Boulder County, learning how to create a fire-resistant house is on the minds of many residents. Though there’s no such thing as a fireproof […]
Living in proximity to wildlife has its joys—and sorrows. If you have outdoor cats, they’re at risk from predators. Here’s how to keep your cats safe and happy. By Ruthanne Johnson They leap to kill birds, pounce on mice and even wrestle snakes into submission. Yet despite their killer instincts, cats have somehow stolen our […]
Potions and powders claim to reduce wrinkles on aging faces. Nobody likes to grow old, but are there things we can do to slow the aging process? By Kate Schwartz Seamons We’re bombarded with appeals to our vanity every day. Ads tell us to buy this cream, apply this mask, take this or that, and […]
[Companion article to Beyond Beige] In a color quandary? Here’s how to take the leap from boring beige to beauteous color in your home: Pick colors that create a mood or atmosphere. Ask yourself, “How do I want to feel in this space? How could color support this room’s purpose?” Consider the relationship of wall […]
Did you know… Marinating meats in certain herbs and liquids before grilling can reduce cancer-causing compounds by up to 60 percent? When cooking meats at high temperature, the amino acids, sugars and a compound called creatine in the meat convert to heterocyclic amines (HCAs). While HCAs have been shown to increase cancer risk, antioxidants in […]
Break out of the beige rut with this advice from a local color consultant. [Also see companion article, Color Your World, for Tips on adding color] Text and photos by Cathy Rivers We’ve all been there. Overwhelmed by the thousands of paint chips or going for the safe resale bet, we hit the color-default button […]
Secondhand shopping is a great pastime, if you crave thrills, deals and green deeds. By Wendy Underhill When Shirley Jenkins stopped off at Boulder’s new Goodwill store, she thought she’d pick up a few things to decorate her daughter’s dorm room. After two hours of scrutinizing the jam-packed shelves, Jenkins (not her real name) came […]
If your home guzzles energy there’s no better time than now to do green remodeling, because rebates and incentives still exist. Two local green builders explain what your best bets are in terms of payback and the environment. By Scott Rodwin & Ron Flax If your house is more than 15 years old, an energy-efficient […]
By Molly Rettig If deer treat your yard like a buffet—munching roses, gulping from your pond, and nibbling your hard-grown fruits and veggies—you’re probably at your wits’ end. But it is possible to get deer to pass on the potluck. These cute but pesky garden visitors can attract predators like mountain lions into your yard. […]
A fanatical love of gardening is passed from father to daughter. By Mary Lynn Bruny I am a ridiculously ardent gardener. People admire my garden and “ooh” and “aah,” but I’m a little embarrassed about it. It shows that I purchase way too much and spend way too many hours puttering that I should probably […]
Ravaged by disease or old age, a beloved tree can live on in a different incarnation. If your favorite tree’s time is up, here are ideas to keep it around a little longer. By Lisa Truesdale It’s easy to fall in love with a tree. Trees are symbols of permanence and faithfulness, reaching optimistically for […]
This lush landscape is a 40-year work-in-progress for the homeowner, single mom who did most of the work herself. photos by weinrauch photography.com The day Catherine Schweiger closed on her Mapleton Hill home, she walked through the front door with a sledgehammer in one hand, a shovel in the other, and a plan. It was […]
Here are a few things to consider when choosing stonework for your garden, walkways or patio. Ground Preparation Proper ground prep, especially for stone and brick surfaces, is crucial. “Here in Boulder we have clay-based soil,” says Brian Scott, a stonemason and owner of StoneScapes in Boulder. “You want to make sure you have your […]
Here are three delicious desserts guaranteed to please. I don’t believe baking should be complicated. I know some people like the challenge of a baked Alaska, and that’s fine. But I lean toward baking’s more creative than challenging side. That may stem from having to do a TV segment in four minutes that has to […]
Windows frame the outdoors and ventilate our homes, so it makes sense to know the different styles before you shop so you can choose the appropriate windows for your home. We drape them, dress them, shade them and gaze through them, but we often ignore their functional aspects. Windows frame our views and connect us […]
Photo Devi Chung