Posts

The three main types – annual helianthus, perennial helianthus, and tithonia – are all native to the Americas, and once you’re in the know about how to grow sunflowers, all that remains is to get the timing right and these beauties will brighten borders and add impressive height. On top of that, many make great cut flowers and attract wildlife. Our guide has all the details you need about when to plant sunflowers of each type plus expert advice to ensure these desirable blooms thrive in your yard....

When it comes to bedroom color ideas, if your favorite color is a bright or bold tone, it might be better to use this elsewhere in your home, argue paint experts, while sleep experts have strong opinions on what to choose if you want to sleep better. ‘The bedroom should be a relaxing oasis, and the colors you incorporate into the scheme will play a huge part in this,’ explains Helen Shaw, UK director at Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab)....

Peace lily care is somewhat particular. ‘When it comes to humidity and temperature, the peace lily should be kept away from cold drafts, and will do best in a humid room, such as a bathroom,’ says Samantha Jones, Gardening and Plant Expert at My Job Quote (opens in new tab). ‘However, you can place your peace lily on display elsewhere in your home and mist the plant every few days to mimic this environment....

It is no surprise that this 18th-century trend continues to stay in fashion – it exhibits the unmistakable charm of the period while offering a serene sanctuary to unwind in a modern living room. Plus, it’s often the perfect solution for a space-starved room, providing seating and storage options, plus, often, a lovely view, in one. We wouldn’t be surprised if you are already sold on a window seat, but before you make a move, we’ve taken the best window seat ideas and design tips from a selection of celebrated interior designers to help you perfect your window treatment ideas....

See: World’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe Designed by Land Morphology (opens in new tab), and often called one of the ‘most significant gardens in Connecticut’ – The InSitu Garden – integrates hard landscaping, abundant plantings and modern art to create a spiritually and emotionally inspiring garden. See how you can recreate elements of this glorious space in your own backyard. 1. To have a garden lawn or not?...

While researching for our small kitchen ideas gallery recently, these were some of the best expert design tricks we came upon. Try them out in your remodel or upgrade – you’ll be surprised at the impact small changes can have. 1. Prioritize drawer space over cupboards The Vancouver-based designer Gillian Segal (opens in new tab) specializes in bringing modern eclectic glamor with a laid-back feel to her spaces. She is very much in favor of drawers over cupboard space in a kitchen - a smart small kitchen storage idea that maxes out your storage....

A host of homeware brands have stepped up to show support for the Ukraine refugee crisis – including our five favorite below. If you’re experimenting with new decorating ideas this week, these are the best places to start. 1. House of Hackney This week (until Sunday, March 13th), 15 percent of House of Hackney’s (opens in new tab) sales will go towards Choose Love’s Ukraine Appeal – so you can rest assured that you’re spending money in the name of a good cause....

There are many difficulties when it comes to designing a rental home, but interior designer Laura Hur wasn’t about to let that stop her from creating a dream space to work, entertain and relax in. After a decade of diverse experiences in the design world, Laura Hur launched Lorla Studio to provide clients with holistic design solutions, blending her background in the social sciences with her expertise in the built environment....

Keen bakers often opt for a hand mixer when they can’t justify the expense or countertop for a full-size stand mixer, but we love the flexibility cordless designs give us in the kitchen. Our Ecommerce staffer Molly Cleary put each of these hand mixers through a rigorous testing process in our testing kitchen (more on that lower down the page) to discover which will suit your culinary needs best. In doing so, not only was she able to ensure each hand mixer was meticulously tested, but she was also able to compare like-for-like to bring you honest results....

They do not replace the best vacuums — you still need a full-sized vac for deep cleaning and keeping up with your floor routine — but for digging up crumbs between car seats, easy stair cleaning, or refreshing various upholstered pieces, a handheld vac is very handy. Their small size (and hopefully lightweight build) makes it easier to clean, too. We’ve researched and compared the best handheld vacuums. All you need to do now is choose the right one for your needs....

The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker is ideal for people who have discriminating taste. If you’re looking for the best coffee maker that would look great on the kitchen countertop, and is also SCA Gold Cup Certified, this definitely fits the bill. It’s also a good option for people who like choice, since there are 4 brew strengths and the temperature can be adjusted by 20 degrees. Finally, those who like to program the best drip coffee makers and control it via smartphone will also appreciate the coffee maker’s features....

Retlev – a furniture dealer specializing in antiques and contemporary handcrafted pieces – spent two-and-a-half years transforming a pair of adjacent 1930s apartments in the city into a three-bedroom home for her and her young family. ‘I have found it helpful to begin projects without any preconceived ideas,’ said Retlev. ‘Every space is unique and has its own feeling, so when I walk into a space for the first time I try to listen to what my first feelings and impressions are of the space and then begin to weave a story....

Mudrooms are a staple feature of a country home, a place to remove muddy boots, store outdoor clothing and keep the outside from covering the rest of the home. A mudroom is the perfect spot to shake off the waterproof jacket – and also to dry off the dog after a bracing country walk. A mudroom is also the ideal place to store necessities that you don’t want to keep in the main kitchen, and can be the perfect place for your washer dryer, too....

These are H&G’s most of-the-moment destinations that any keen traveller will have their eye on. Get planning now and as soon as your local restrictions allow, book yourself a heavenly trip to restart your vacations in style It’s time to dig out and dust off that passport… See more: Life & Design – everything you need to make life better 1. The ski resort: St Anton am Arlberg, Austria How will we do socially distanced skiing?...

And’s it remarkably simple, with an emphasis on its lightweight and compact design. As the Omni-glide doesn’t need to pull up dirt and dust from carpet, it doesn’t have, nor need, the same power to leave your floors smooth and dust-free. But the real charm of Dyson’s most compact vacuum yet is how it moves. In any direction, like a dance, with a flick of the wrist. It almost feels like there is no limit to what the boxy floorhead can reach....

Despite having unrestricted and unrivaled access to some of the world’s best homes, the business magnate publically vowed to ‘own no house’ and lives in a compact home worth $50,000 in Boca Chica, Texas. ‘I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house,’ Elon tweeted (opens in new tab) in May 2020. Since then, he has offloaded his multi-million dollar estate portfolio – including an eco-friendly futuristic home, and actor Gene Wilder’s estate in California....

With National Gardening Week fast approaching and time at home in plentiful supply we now have an opportunity to focus on our outdoor spaces; whether that’s a magnificent garden, a small garden design (opens in new tab), an allotment, balcony or windowsill. You might want to grow your own food, welcome wildlife or add a splash of colour, none of which needs to take hours of strenuous labour. It is widely recognised that gardening is good for our wellbeing – both mental and physical, as much as it is for encouraging nature to thrive....

It seems the answer to this is sought after by homeowners worldwide as, most recently, celebrated British interior designer Kelly Hoppen appeared on a British morning chat show to offer her advice on this ever-important question. Reminding viewers of her one timeless design tip, she explained: ‘If you have a lot of light coming into your room, you would go for a much darker floor. If it’s a very small room, you would go for something a lot lighter… It’s all about balance and contrast....

With an iconic past – yet a thoroughly contemporary scheme – amid one of America’s most sought-after postcodes, it is unsurprising that the listing is currently the most expensive listing in the San Fernando Valley – and one of the world’s best homes. The home in Los Angeles’s Byrdview Estate is one of the four homes designed by Pereira, whose firm, Pereira & Luckman Architects, is best known for designing Los Angeles International Airport....

Recent studies have shown that spending just two hours a week outdoors in the garden is linked to better mental and physical wellbeing. Sometimes referred to as ‘green therapy’ spending time outdoors in the fresh air, caring for your garden and learning new skills are all positive steps you can take to keep occupied. Not only that, you’ll find all of the digging, raking and weeding is an excellent way to get some all-important exercise....