I believe it was Socrates who coined the phrase, “All things in moderation.” Only a statement so true could have lasted these long millennia, losing none of its vitality and permeating all aspects of our culture. Including our horti-culture and, more familiarly, our landscape design.

Just like the Earth, your landscape has two poles: one hard, one soft. Achieving a balance between these two is essential to the success and comfort of your yard and your home.

What is softscape?

Softscape is plantings. This includes flowers, shrubs, bushes, trees, grass, whatever. If it grows out of the ground and is in your yard, call it soft. (more…)

I have torn off my fair share of wallpaper: a laborious and often frustrating job, as I am sure many of you understand. I’ve come so close to grabbing the sledgehammer, the most persuasive tool in existence, and finishing the job right then and there, to my own chagrin. Instead I angrily leave several scratches and torn sections of drywall as calling cards for impatience. Yet it’s okay, because this is when skim-coating comes in handy.

Skim-coating is a technique used to bring rough textured or damaged drywall back to a smooth texture prior to painting or, perish the thought, more wallpaper. It is not very difficult and saves a lot of time and money compared to the other option (sledgehammer). Here are a few tips on how to skim-coat your drywall back to its original luster.

1. Clean the surface to be coated. Wipe the area down with warm water and a rag to get it relatively clean. You’re not looking for perfection here, just a light cleansing.
2. Apply all-purpose joint compound using a 6″ to 12″ drywall knife. This is a first coat so don’t worry too much about thickness or stroke lines in the mud. Try to keep it smooth but don’t fret too much, blemishes are inevitable as you get used to the process. Cover cracks, scratches, visible seams, anything you’d later see through the finish paint. Let it completely dry.
3. Lightly sand away any bumps and bruises, so to speak, in your first coat. Use a fine grit sandpaper to do the job. (more…)

Whoever said the kitchen is for work? I say the kitchen is all about fun! Even those occasions spent slaving away in the kitchen can be enjoyable when you work in a space that is neat, comfortable, and looks good to boot. There are many ways you can add to your kitchen design while still having the space you need to cook, bake, and at times, make a general mess.

Add Comfort

There’s nothing more delightful than a cozy kitchen, where all the delicious smells come together with a homey feel. One possibility – a heated floor. These floors are more established in the bathroom, but why not the kitchen as well? After all, kitchen floors aren’t typically made of carpet, making them conducive to heating. Also, cooking happens in all seasons and weather, including cold winters. (more…)