Paint color experts and design pros say these are the best lavender hues for every design style. Courtesy of Valspar Everyone is talking about thelavender color trend. The color is light and airy, and conjures a relaxed feel wherever you use it. Credit:Courtesy of Valspar She suggestsusing the color on all four walls, particularly where you want a relaxing aesthetic. “Its gentle, muted qualities look wonderful simply teamed with cleanStrong Whiteon your trim and ceiling....

Built-ins around a fireplace can add much-needed storagenot to mention stylewhile keeping your favorite accessories at the forefront. Always keep safety at the top of your mind when designing and installing fireplace built-ins. Your local building codes and ordinances might specify materials and required dimensions to maintain noncombustibility. Credit: Adam Albright Before youadd built-insaround a fireplace, consider the rest of your home. Do you need just a few key spots for books?...

These easy-care ferns are perfect for dark, damp places in your yard. In all climates, they need protection from afternoon sun to prevent drying and leaf scorch. Ferns can reach 12 inches to 6 feet tall, depending on the key in and growing conditions. Ferns can thrive in a variety of environments, including squeezed between large boulders.Credit: Robert Cardillo Like other perennial plants, you candivide fernsin spring or fall. Keep the new divisions well-watered until plants are established....

Experts say these small personalizations can make any home feel high-end. If you tend to think of home upgrades as decadent or frivolous, try tweaking your mindset. Luxury home design updates arelong-term investmentsthat make can living in your home an enjoyable experience. Credit:Jeff Herr Jared Kuzia 1. Upgraded Countertop Materials Countertop materialslike marble, granite, or quartz provide a luxurious aesthetic. These durable, scratch-resistant, and low-maintenance tabling materials offer great value over time....

Oftentimes, vegetables tend to assume the role of a side dish rather than the main course. For whatever reason you decided to cut back on meat (i.e. Luckily, a lot of these meat substitutes have a great amount of plant-based protein. Credit: Jacob Fox Here are some of the best veggie meat alternatives to start adding to your weekly meal plan. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money....

Most regularly-priced items end in .99which means you’re paying the highest price for that item. Sale items, however, will usually end in .89, .79, .69, .59, or .49. These prices indicate a sale that Costco is offering through the item’s manufacturer. Credit:Getty Images / BING-JHEN HONG According to employees, these items have also usually been marked down quite a bit as well. If an asterisked product is something you regularly purchase, consider stocking up before it leaves the store forever....

This timeless style is grounded in simplicity and a strong connection to nature. The sereneJapandidesign aesthetic, which combines Japanese andScandinavianstyles, is gaining popularity in the US. Japanese design is grounded in simplicity and a connection to nature. Credit: Courtesy of KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN It features clean lines, rough-hewn textures, aneutral color palette, natural materials, and minimal styling. “We are trying to harmonize, always. Simplicity is also key, says Masa Kaneko ofCrafits Design StudioandIppin Projectin Brooklyn, NY....

The best soil for tomatoes provides all the nutrients and water your plants need to thrive. The best harvest for tomatoes starts with providing the best soil for tomatoes. Create the best soil for tomatoes you possibly can with these 9 tips. Credit:PaulMaguire / Getty Images PaulMaguire / Getty Images 1. Compost supplies elements tomato plants need to produce healthy foliage and flavorful fruits. It provides valuable structure to the soil, adding air space and amplifying the soils ability to hold moisture....

Pruning hibiscus properly will boost blooming. Get tons of eye-catching flowers with these tips. Bob Stefko Few plants say summer quite like hibiscus with theirbig, colorful flowers. Credit:Bob Stefko Pruning begins with identifying which pop in of hibiscus you are growing. Once you know that, pruning is a cinch. In general, these plants have straightforward and minimal pruning needs. Credit: Dean Schoeppner Heres how to prune any throw in of hibiscus with confidence....

Keep your indoor garden thriving through the colder, darker, and drier months. Winter is known as the quiet season in the garden becausemost outdoor plants aren’t doing much. It’s the same for your indoor garden. Credit: mdbildes / Adobe Stock Of course, your houseplants don’t have to endure snow and chilly winds whipping across the landscape. You’ll need to adjust how youcare for your houseplantsin winter to keep them healthy and thriving....

These naturalistic garden design ideas will help you create a landscape that is both stunning and sustainable. Here’s how to weave key naturalistic garden design ideas into your own backyard in big or small ways. Carson Downing 1. Credit:Gabriela Herman Kelly Norris “Our gardens are not separate from the world around us. Even the smallest patch of green helps connect us to the larger ecological quilt.” Color isn’t absent from naturalistic gardens, but the palette tends to be tighter and more subdued....

Learn which materials are safe for birds building nests, and which can be harmful. However, choosing the right materials can be confusing. Holly Grantis a project assistant for NestWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Credit:Mike Powles / Getty Images The specific materials birds use vary by species, notes Grant. The following natural fibers provide excellent nesting material for a variety of backyard birds, according to Grant. Harmful Nesting Materials for Birds There are many misconceptions about what nesting materials are safe for birds....

Upgrade your bathroom with a fresh paint job. Our expert advice on the best bathroom colors will help you pick the perfect palette. In fact, the hardest part of the process is deciding on the color scheme. Credit: David A Land The concepts of color theory can help direct you toward hues that complement one another. When in doubt, turn to the wheel for quick and easy solutions to your questions....