Every year many homeowners plan to spruce up their outdoor space, whether it’s a porch or patio, but get frustrated when it starts looking dull and boring. Well, master gardeners say don’t get frustrated. It’s all in how you utilize the unconventional and downright unusual to make striking container plantings. Everything doesn’t have to be new, instead think shabby chic.

• Get creative and make use of your unused fire pit. It makes the perfect home for a combination of plants including tropical ferns. The lid keeps the planted area shady.
• Another idea. Why not make use of old watering cans. Just drill drainage holes in the bottom, fill it with soil and add plants!
• Tom tom plants planted with ferns and placed in iron stands, add height and interest.
• Master gardeners recommend placing container plantings at various heights to add interest.
• Container plants don’t have to be confined to just the porch or patio. They add texture and visual interest almost anywhere in the landscape.
• Make new terra cotta pots look old and weathered by dipping them regularly in your water garden.

Good luck, and remember there are no rules in gardening. Just have fun!

Does your old, out of date bathroom need a makeover? If your ready to give your bathroom a makeover but don’t want to shell out a bunch of money, we’ve got some great ideas! If your budget is about $150, you can do a lot! Go out and buy paint, vanity hardware, towel and toilet paper storage, and accessories.

First take a look at the bones of your space. Molding, flooring and plumbing tend to be quite expensive to replace, so try to live with them. A bath with innate personality (yes your funky tile) will be showcased best by the addition of subtle accessories. A basic bath, with lets say, a black and white pattern or a simple limestone, requires more eye-popping accessories such as apple green or red walls.

Your sink faucet is another area you can easily update without breaking the bank. For a more consistent look, choose a faucet ($120 to $500) in the same metal that was used for the cabinet hardware It’s easy to overspend on sinks and toilets, so try and spend modestly on the toilet ($190 to $400) and splurge on your sink area.

Wallpaper is making a comeback in a big way. Bold prints, ethnically inspired designs and an array of grass cloths make wallpaper a bathroom luxury that far surpasses even the best paint job. However, the labor can get costly, so try to hang it yourself (if you are handy) or find a friend in the business who is willing to install it for $15 to $20 a roll. Good luck and remember, a beautiful bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

The bathroom is the new den, man cave, or mom cave! More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms, outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors. But peace and quiet aren’t the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and is a great investment.

One trend that is becoming big when remodeling a bathroom, is the shower. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass. They want to feel like they’re going into a spa. Homeowners want to feel like they are on vacation all year round.

Noisy jacuzzi’s are also being replaced by soaking tubs. These jet-less tubs are often deep, insulated tubs. Notably missing: the huge amount of decking that typically surrounded many tubs installed in nicer homes in the ’80s and ’90s. Top designers say the master bathrooms are more than just bathrooms, they’re becoming sanctuaries. People want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before.

That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom. Another big trend in the bathroom scene is steam. People are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress.

If you are sick and tired of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets you are definitely not alone! Many homeowners “live” with their cabinets for years and years because they simply don’t know how to change them without having then ripped out and starting fresh. Well, I want you to know that you don’t have to “live” with ugly, old looking cabinets any longer. You also don’t have to spend thousands of dollars having them ripped out and having new ones installed. All you have to do is buy some paint and supplies, and roll up your sleeves. Exerting a little time, energy, elbow grease, and about $50 is really all your need to transform your cabinets into the focal point of your space.

The first thing that you need to do is de-gloss the cabinets or no paint is going to get good adhesion. Don’t skip this step, it is vital to getting a good result! Once the prep work is done (the most important part) then it’s up to the look you want. A brush is always going to result in a brush stroke look while a roller will give you a more even finish. If you have a raised panel door you would need a brush to get into the nooks and crannies and then you could finish with a roller. A sprayer will give you the most even finish.

Take the handles off the doors and string them up through the handle hole. Then spray. This will give you the best look (just be careful the spray paint doesn’t run). Purchase some new hardware and once everything is dry, start screwing them in. If you don’t skip any steps and take your time, you will love the final results. Plus, you can brag to your friends that you did it yourself!

If you are about to build your dream house, it’s important to make choices that you love, but that don’t break the budget! Let’s talk about a few ways to save money when deciding on those dream house features.

Let’s start with flooring. The most common flooring choices in the family room or great room are carpeting, laminate hardwood, engineered hardwood, or site-finished solid hardwood. Carpet is usually the least expensive option, but may need to be replaced in 5-10 years, due to wear. Hardwood is another popular option. It can be expensive, but with proper care and eventual refinishing, can last for the life of the home. High-quality engineered or laminate floors can cost as much as site-finished natural hardwoods, or even more. It’s important to determine what the best investment is for your budget, initially and long-term.

In today’s homes, fireplaces are chosen more often for their visual appeal and the lure of cozy, romantic winter evenings than for traditional heating imperatives. In 1991, 62% of new homes had a fireplace. By 2007, only 51% of new homes included fireplaces. And most fireplaces today are gas, rather than wood-burning. A full, floor-to-ceiling stone surround can be the most striking focal point in your home. But it can get expensive, so you may also want to consider a ceramic tile fireplace, which can also look beautiful as well. (This will also be a big money saver!)

Now let’s talk about built-ins. Beautiful yes, but their price can definitely add up. A beautiful, furniture grade built-in with lower cabinetry, upper bookshelves, and special places for electronics can really make a room sizzle. But this type of upgrade can cost several thousands of dollars. If you simply can’t afford this, talk to your builder about “framing“ in preparation for future additions.

A higher ceiling can make a home feel a lot larger than it actually is, but it does have its drawbacks. If lower heating and cooling costs and more efficient use of space are more important to you than open space overhead, you might agree with the most recent trends that are replacing wide-open ceilings with a full size bonus room occupying that space. This a good option that will definitely save you on your energy bills.