The most iconic feature of an English cottage garden is themixed border. These are large beds planted with a mixture of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, and shrubs. They’re a charming, organized chaos that can be tougher to pull off than they look. Credit:Ed Gohlich The property comprises more than 1000 acres of lush gardens in the Sussex countryside. Plan the Color Scheme Youre going for the illusion of a natural color scheme, Coward says....

Help your veggie plants thrive, even through heat and drought, by using straw mulch correctly. Mulching your vegetable garden with straw has a long list of benefits. Straw is inexpensive, easy to work with, and good for your soil. Credit: Marty Baldwin A layer of straw mulchbetween your veggie rowssets off your plants and makes your garden look neat and tidy. Here’s what you oughta know about using straw mulch around your edible plants....

Baffles are typically dome- or cone-shaped and can be purchased or homemade. you might also place a smooth plastic or metal pipe around the pole to serve the same purpose. Before adding a baffle, consider where your feeder is located in relation to squirrel access points. Credit:blightylad-infocus / Getty Images Choose squirrel-proof bird feeders. A weight-sensitive feeder shuts if a squirrel or other critter jumps onto it. You don’t have to worry about the birds being shut out of accessing birdseed....

Keep your island functional and stylish with these ideas for countertop decor. Kitchen islands are the heart of the contemporary home. Have Fun with Fruit A fruit bowl is a kitchen island staple, but why not try something unexpected? Credit: Jeff Herr Less is more, so keep decorative objects to a minimum to avoid an overcluttered worktop. That way your innovative fruit display doesn’t compete for attention (or counter space)....

Your favorite spring bulb has a long history. Check out these things you may not have known about tulips. Of those 3,000 varieties, tulips can be divided into approximately 150 species. Tulips Have an Expensive History Tulips caused quite the pandemonium in the 1600s. During this time, tulips were as expensive as homes. The Flowers Are Edible Tulips are actually a part of thelilyfamily, which also includesonions,garlic, andasparagus. The petals are edible and have been used as an onion substitute and to make wine....

‘Lemon Queen’, for example, produces gorgeous creamy-yellow blooms in late summer and early fall. And despite its common name of sneezeweed, it won’t aggravate your allergies. Clusters of these unique flowers appear around August and keep going until freezing weather sets in. Credit: Peter Krumhardt This perennial likes damp soil, so it makes a good choice near water gardens or in bog gardens. It has downy white stems, gray-green willowy leaves, and spikes of pinkish purpleflowers that attract hummingbirds....

Apply this practice where you sleep to promote restful nights and wake up refreshed. The right balance canpromote more restful sleepand a greater sense of well-being overall. Arrange your bed in the command position. Credit: John Granen When lying in bed, you should ideally be facing the door without being directly in line with it. This prevents energy from flowing too quickly out the door. Tidy up your bedroom. Credit: Matthew Williams...

These sips are for the girls. Chocolate Strawberry Martini According to @lexinicoleta, you might transform the sweetestValentine’s biteinto a sippable treat. For this cocktail, start by rimming a martini glass with chocolate syrup. Credit:Candice Bell / Getty Images Toss ice into a shaker and pour into the chocolate-rimmed glass after shaking. The creator added a strawberry as a garnish (bonus points if you dip it in chocolate). Top with seltzer for some fizz, and slice a strawberry in half for a heart-shaped garnish....

Designers predict retro carpets and hardwood floors will be popular choices. Replacing your flooring is a big commitment. These are the flooring trends you’ve got the option to expect to see in the next year. Credit:Jay Wilde And, whether driven by the desire to live more sustainably or honor legacy, were excited about it. Our upcoming release for Karastan, Stitchery, has been inspired by this retro revolution. Leave your plain gray carpets behind; This nod to nostalgia is far more inspiring....

These fragrant groundcovers offer pleasing aromas and colorful flowers. Greg Scheidemann Groundcover plants add texture and color as well as a sense of continuity to the garden. For added value, why not consider a groundcover that adds fragrance too? Credit:Greg Scheidemann The following groundcovers will make a refreshing addition to your landscape, thanks to their scented flowers or foliage. It spreads by rhizomes but is not invasive; clumps may reach 4 feet or more across....

Create a gorgeous outdoor retreat thats comfortable and practical with a clever arrangement of your front porch furniture. The front porch is an extension of your home and your design style. But if you think you have to sacrifice comfort for style, think again. Credit: Edmund Barr Maximize Space on a Small Porch Less space doesn’t have to equal less style. It’s all about optimizing your area by choosing furniture in proportion with your front porch’s size....

Experts reveal the worst front yard landscaping mistakes and how to avoid them. The National Association of Realtors found landscape improvements deliver up to 217 percent ROI. Neglecting Curb Appeal Basics Well-maintained edges in plants, hardscaping, and finishes are vital tocreating curb appeal. Credit:Laurie Black That way, your neighbors, postal workers, and pizza delivery persons can find you quickly and safely. Peeling paint, slippery steps, shaky railings, worn pathways, and sticking doors need to be addressed....

Industry experts say upcoming furniture trends will highlight comfort, timeless design, and artisanal craftsmanship. “Furniture trends will highlight a blend ofretro influence, sustainable materials, and bold, rich colors. “2025 is all about creating spaces that feel personalized, yet timeless,” Clendenon says. Credit:Keyanna Bowen “Expect ‘new heirloom’ piecesfurniture that combines timeless craftsmanship with modern functionality,” says designerSarah Hargrave. “Expect furniture that feels warm and familiar, blendingvintage appealwith modern functionality,” she says....