Spring Planting

In more southern areas it's the perfect time to start your spring planting.  This week I started some cilantro and basil because I use these a TON, especially in the summer.  Though these two herbs look different I still like the look of garden markers.  Here's a few I found that looked fun:



Simple White markers from JustWork.



Make your own with these instructions from Woo Jr.



Bamboo markers Oryx and Crake Design.

Garden Plans

I can't believe it's almost February!  It has got me thinking that, at least in Texas, spring planting season isn't far off!  I'm thinking of trying a container garden this year for some herbs that I use a lot for cooking, mainly cilantro and basil.  I'd also like to try making my own upside down tomato planter.

Since my trip to Italy last summer I've been dreaming of making this sandwich that my husband and I ordered in Florence for lunch with fresh garden-grown tomatoes, basil, and piles of melted mozzarella cheese.  This entire sandwich was at least 7" in diameter!

Do you have any big plans for the spring or anything you'd like us to answer or cover here on the site?  Be sure to let us know!

Garden Marker Round-up

It's time for many to start your gardens!  Need to label which rows have what planted in them?  Here are a few favorites I've seen recently:



Foil Printed garden markers from the Modern Gardener.



Garden markers made with vintage silverware from the Etsy seller Monkey's Always Look .



Copper leaf markers from Etsy seller JCraneJewelry.

Have any big plans for your garden this year?  Trying something new?  We'd love to hear about it!  Have a great weekend!

Alternative Gardening

I'm loving these suspended gardens from StringGardens of the Netherlands.  Wouldn't they look having a whole string of little flowering plants with fresh grass growing on them hanging on your patio eaves?  Wondering if I could make one myself...

DIY Garden Chair

I spotted this Rubber Hose chair (via curbly) and my head is just spinning with ideas.  Wouldn't it be fun to play around with these colorful hoses?

I can just see a handful of them out on my back patio in a range of colors.  Nothing like a bit of color to make a space more fun.   Instructions on how to make the chair can be found here.

Do you love the way your bedroom or bathroom are decorated?  Do they make you happy?  Enter your favorite space in your home for the current design challenge.  You have the chance to win a 5′ x 7′ area rug from FLOR!

Beautiful Benches

Aren't these some fun benches?

Kristoffer Fagerstrom

Jeremy Bell's Photostream

Orange22

Decorology

My favorite magazine:Elle Decor Idees

Usually I subscribe to 4-5 design magazines per year.  When it's time to renew I gauge how much I like them by how many pages are earmarked, or just plain ripped out.  If there's only one or two per edition I usually don't renew.  This year I decided not to renew 3 of them and went with one that was a little more expensive and in French!  Was it worth it?  You tell me:

This is the first edition of Elle Decor Idees that I got.  More than half the pages are earmarked!

Here's a few of the images from the current one that I loved!

Need an outdoor table but don't want to spend a lot of money?  Here they took 3 different used tables and painted them all the same: white with an aqua stripe across the top.  I bet you couldn't even tell at first glance that they are all different styles!

I'm not a huge "work in the garden" kind of lady.  I've tried!  I really have!  Every year for the last 3 years something else seems to eat/kill my plants.  But, I think I might try a little harder if my garden shed were painted like this!

You can order your own subscription through Amazon.

P.S. Don't forget that the design challenge ends tomorrow!  Enter here.

Monday Redesign- Nicole & Tristan's Balcony

Don't forget about the design challenge and your chance to win the Kelli Kit valued at $125!  All submissions end this Thursday, April 30th.

Remember Nicole & Tristan's balcony?  They wanted a new design to help store all their bikes, use it for toy storage and garden/grow plants.  They also mentioned their son likes to watch the trains go by so they didn't want too many plants.  After talking with Nicole more about the color palette, we decided to brighten it up a little since the space would be outside.  Below is my floorplan of the space.

I wanted to create a beautiful balcony that would serve a dual purpose:  1.  Storage for outside items & 2. An oasis to garden, visit, and watch the trains go by.  Nicole is an avid gardener, very handy and crafty so although many of my recommendations are for products are online, Nicole and Tristan may be able to find a similar item to the ones I suggested, yet at a more reasonable price using freecycle, craigslist, thrift store, and garage sales.

Here is my breakdown of the items I used in the space:

1. Solar Laterns-  These are solar powered laterns made out of nylon- no cords or flame needed.  They should hang from the top of the balcony to provide light in the evenings, and accent the balcony with some color during the day.  They will also provide a buffer for the bikes hanging from the "ceiling".


2. Folding Chairs-  I would recommend getting two of these and staining them in a nice warm brown.  These are great because they fold up when they aren't needed, but provide additional seating if you'd like to have an evening hanging outside, enjoying the view.


3. DIY Bike Storage-  Purchase one 8'- 10'-2x4 and cut it down to two pieces that are 4'-5' feet in length.  Each foot should allow for 1 bike, when they are staggered.  Before hanging these boards to the wall, attach some plastic to the wall, using a stapler.  This will ensure that the bike tires don't scuff up the wall.  {When you move out, your landlord will be happy}.  The only other item you need are some nails and large hooks.  Hang the lower board at a sufficient height for the children's bikes and then hang the top board at a sufficient height for the adult bikes.  Viola!  You have a inexpensive and practical bike rack.  If you want to dress it up a little bit, you can paint the 2x4s.  If you want to provide even more of a buffer from the outside world, you can install outside curtains to hide the bikes.


4. Rectangle Planters-  I know gardening and flowers are important to Nicole & Tristan.  I thought these rectangular planters would be perfect if they lined the entire balcony ledge.


5. Flagstaff Planter-  This should go right next to the bench, between the bench and the bikes.  I would plant a tall plant/shrub here to provide another buffer from the bikes from your seating area.


6. Storage Bench-  This storage bench will allow you to store all your toys and outside goods so they are hidden from everyone to see.


7. Bench Cushion- {in Sunbrella Melon}  This will dress the bench up a little an add a color pop.  It will make the bench more enjoyable to sit on too.


8. Pillows- Orange pattern {cover}, Solid Orange, Turquoise pattern {cover}, Solid Turquoise To accent the space, I would buy a few pillows {6-7}.  I would put some on the bench and one on each chair when it's being used.


9. 5x9 Rug-  This is a foundational piece of the space and will tie everything together.  It is a large outdoor rug that will cover much of the balcony floor.  It will make the balcony seem larger and tie everything together.


10. Shrubs & Plants- I would recommend planting some greenery on the front side of the balcony to dress it up and pull everything together.

Nicole and Tristan I hope you love your balcony redesign and have fun implementing it.  It was a lot of fun and I love all the bright colors.

Do you have a space that you need redesigned? Come tell us about it here.

Miniature Moss Garden

Gardening isn't just for the outdoors!  There are many ways to incorporate fresh garden arrangements inside.  Try growing a mini moss garden!

Image Courtesy of Otomodachi

To grow your own moss:

Take a clump of healthy moss and crumble it into your blender.  (If you don't have it in your yard then it's easy to find at a park.  Moss will grow in shady areas under trees and bushes.  You won't need a lot to grow your own.)
Add 2 cups of buttermilk and 2 cups of water
Blend at the lowest speed until it is completely mixed and the consistency of a thin milk shake.  Add water if necessary.
Paint the mixture onto rocks, pots or statuary, or simply pour it on the ground wherever you'd like your moss to grow!

Make Your Own Moss Instructions Courtesy of The Garden Helper.