Inspire Me

Toxic Plants in the Home

2011-05-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest decorative accents in the home is a lush display of plants, flowers or other foliage within planters or floor vases. Botanical accents can bring the look and benefits of nature into a home, brightening up its feel and helping to increase beneficial oxygen levels. Plants and flowers have a natural ability to create an atmosphere of love and dedication within a home, but

Night-Blooming Gardens

2011-04-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

For those who spend much of the day behind a desk or in a building, experiencing the enchantment of a garden does not have to wait for weekends or days off. As the warm breezes of late spring and summer evenings begin to waft throughout the night, the magic and beauty of a night-blooming garden can enhance the sensory experience that can only be enjoyed once the sun has set, bringing special

Start Your Own Container Garden

2011-04-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

The popularity of container gardening is growing as more people appreciate the variety of plants, vegetables, herbs and flowers that can be grown in small spaces. These gardens eliminate the need for space in a yard, appealing to those who live in apartments, condos and townhomes, and the ability to change up the look and feel of a container garden within the space of a home. Container

HGTV Green Home Giveaway Starts April 14

2011-04-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Living “off the grid” is a dream that many share. The ability to live in an ecologically-advanced and environmentally friendly residence that provides a unique quality of life while reducing the impact a typical family makes in its daily travels may seem out of reach to many. With the continued advancements in sustainable home décor, like floor vases, planters or botanical accents or appliances

Container Gardening 101

2011-04-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

When space is a concern, or for those who want to keep the fuss of gardening to a minimum, a container garden can fill the need of a twitching green thumb ready to dig into the earth, but unwilling or unable to plant herbs and vegetables in the ground. Container gardening is becoming a popular way for those in urban environments or for those with mobility issues to still maintain a

Spring Flowers and Floor Vases

2011-03-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air, and with the warmer breezes, budding trees and blossoming flowers comes a new opportunity to display the signs of spring inside your business, home or office. This is the time of year to brighten up decor, establish a feeling of newness and wonder and bring the colors of the season inside to compliment the wonder of the season. The abundance of flowers available at this time

The Right Vase for the Flower

2011-03-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

When it comes to decorating with vases, the type, style, shape and color can be a meaningful way to impart personality into a room. With the addition of flowers or botanical accents, a vase becomes not only a piece of art, but an expression of the unique characteristics of the room’s inhabitants. The combination of decorative floor vase, bowl or bottle with a flower or flowers that compliment the

Decorate a Home or Office For Spring

2011-03-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Winter’s grip is loosening and the first signs of spring are sprouting and budding in gardens and homes across the country. With the entrance of the spring season, both professional and amateur decorators, are looking for ways to incorporate the colors and feeling of spring into home and office decor, bidding a fond farewell to the gray of winter and welcoming the warmth and light of the new

Downsizing Decor and Saving Plants

2011-03-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

When people move, the value of items in a house becomes clear as yard sales are held or the freecycle or trash pile grows, even before the moving truck arrives. Hauling outdated, decorative accents to a new home may not appeal to the person trying to downsize or make a fresh start in life, especially when many decorative items are purchased with a current living space in mind. One of the

Garlic: Growing Goodness in a Container Garden

2011-03-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

Garlic is one of the most versatile perennials known to humankind and it can be easily grown in a garden, or in a container such as a planter. Garlic is an edible plant commonly used to flavor meals, or as a side dish all its own. Aside from its culinary benefits, garlic is also known to have different medicinal properties to help treat ailments in both people and animals. With the common uses

Best Flowers for Drying at Home

2011-02-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

Since fresh flowers are not known for longevity and many people do not enjoy the look of artificial or faux flowers, dried flowers are making a comeback for those who want to have a natural botanical accessories in the home, but also want to spend less and have something lasting to display as a centerpiece or in a floor vase. Dried flowers can last for years, can be purchased at various

Zen Gardens

2011-02-15T10:06:00.000-08:00

Zen gardens are artistic works that can range in size depending on the vision and space limitations of the gardener. These gardens, while typically grown without the benefit of plants and flowers (although, there are zen gardens bursting with foliage and greenery), are thought of as a hands-on experience that involves the mind, body and spirit, as the innocuous elements are tended to by the

Decorating a Home Office

2011-02-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

With a presidential incentive for more telecommuting jobs to help save resources, for those who run businesses but need extra time at home with children and everyone struggling with the elusive "work-life balance," the home office is becoming an important part of a home's interior. Formerly known as a den, library or nook, the home office is quickly establishing itself as a selling point in

Indoor Gardening

2011-01-31T18:24:00.000-08:00

For the avid gardener, the time between New Years and the first signs of spring can be torture. After planning the spring garden on paper, buying seeds or bulbs, preparing tools and generally performing winter busy work, at some point, all that is left is waiting for the ground to thaw and open up to the promise of a new season of glorious gardening. The gardener may envy those who live in

Decorating Plant Ledges and Pot Shelves

2011-01-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

Whether its called a “pot shelf” or “plant ledge,” if you have high ceilings, then you may be perplexed when it comes to utilizing that open space in a decorative manner. These ledges are typically found as decorative architectural accents in living rooms, bed rooms and in kitchens between cabinets and the ceiling, as well as many office or professional buildings. They can virtually be used to

Plants for Valentine Romance

2011-01-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

Love is in the air, it makes the world go 'round and means you never have to say you're sorry. As Valentine's Day approaches, the time to express feelings to partners is prominently displayed in our minds as the chocolates on display in the grocery store. For many, the choices for valentine gifts are simple: candy and flowers, but since both chocolate and cut flowers have short shelf lives,

Shopping for Vases in 2011

2011-01-12T18:39:00.001-08:00

Whether shopping for a vase for your living room, bedroom, garden or office, knowing the right type of vase to buy can make a big difference in the look and feel of the space in which the vase will be displayed. A simple vase can seem like an easy choice to make, but there can be great importance placed on vases considering their presence as heirlooms or iconic pieces of art within a home,

Winter Container Gardening with Bulbs

2011-01-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Fresh flowers can make a home feel brighter and livelier and even be a soothing and beautiful addition to any home décor. With winter’s colder temperatures, it is nearly impossible to grow flowers outdoors. The selection available at stores and florists may be vibrant and incredible, but those flowers do not last long and the financial investment can add up. For those who love the appearance

Media Rooms, Home Theaters and Decorations

2010-12-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

Media and entertainment rooms are growing more and more popular as electronics and technology become more affordable and easier for the home owner to use within their spare rooms or basements. The ability to watch a movie as a family, or encourage a festive gathering of friends for televised sporting events is attracting people from all walks of life to convert existing living spaces into

Home Décor Trends for 2011

2010-12-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

For the home decorating fans, it is time to start thinking about changes you can make to your existing décor to bring in the new year and define your style for 2011. Home decorating, like many other fashionable trends, changes annually and seasonally, reflecting cultural influences, inspirational colors and new home accessories, like vases, that are created with new designs, materials or

Winter, Plants and Indoor Gardening

2010-12-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

Winter is typically the time of the year when there is less sunlight and colder temperatures. Because of the lack of sunlight, trees lose their leaves and go into a dormant growth phase, storing up energy in preparation for the return of longer periods of sunlight and the eventual start of a new year of growth. Losing sunlight does not mean that your outdoor plants are destined to wither and

Buying Seeds for Spring Planting

2010-12-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

With winter quickly approaching and temperatures dropping, most gardeners are out of a hobby and looking for ways to fill their time until they can begin planting in spring. Gardening does not have to stop during the winter months, but the approach to gardening may change. Winter is a great time to plan for spring, when the ground has thawed and temperatures begin to warm again. Spring is

Fresh or Artificial Flowers for the Home?

2010-11-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

When it comes to flowers and botanical accessories for the home, there are two distinct options that bring the essence of nature in to your home – artificial flowers or fresh flowers and botanical accents. Both fresh and artificial flowers and botanicals can enhance your home décor, especially during the seasons in which your own garden may not be in bloom. There are advantages and

Bamboo Bonsai

2010-11-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

A Bonsai tree is any variety of tree that is not only grown in a pot, but is also attended to and shaped as a form of meditation, art or other esoteric function. It is not enough to put a Bonsai in a pot, it is also important to prune, form and train your Bonsai into a preferred figure with regular attention and care. Keeping a Bonsai small occurs by the careful control of the plant's

Dwarf and Miniature Fruit Trees

2010-11-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

Those who live in apartments, condos, townhomes or other small dwellings with little- to no yard area, or a strict Homeowner’s Association can rest easy, there is a way for you to have your compact living space and eat home-grown fruit, too. Dwarf and miniature fruit trees can help combine your love of orchard-grown fruits and petite living spaces, giving you a harvest of cherries, apricots