Author: Joseph Greenfinger
There are many types and shapes of roofs for homes, garages, or even sheds. However, an A-frame roof is not always the right choice for your home. Use this guide to learn what an A-frame roof is and learn more about the pros and cons of this roof style. What is an A-frame roof? The A-frame roof is often recognizable by its flat top, which is often shaped like the letter A. The flat, triangular top of the roof is called the gable roof, and is made up of shingles, slate, brick, or whatever material is used to make the…
Gardens are colorful, peaceful, and relaxing spaces. But can you take the time to enjoy the well-maintained beauty when the garden is at its most vibrant and alive? You can work during the day, working in the garden or working at the outdoor grill. When you’re ready to relax as the sun sets, the colors of the flowers and leaves soften as darkness falls.Extend the time you can enjoy your outdoor space by designing a garden that glows in the evening. A moon garden is filled with plants that look beautiful at night, with bright white flowers and silver foliage…
Without a proper organization system, your pantry can become cluttered with expired goods and duplicate products, leaks and spills can go unnoticed for days or longer, and items you need and want can get lost in the chaos. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your pantry organized, such as categorizing items, using clear bins, labeling containers and shelves, and more. The guide below will walk you through how to organize your pantry, with some of the most popular and effective tips for keeping this beloved space clean and tidy. Take everything out of the pantry FilippoBacci / Getty Images…
Happy Friday GPODers and welcome to part two of GPOD Vignettes! In case you missed it, check out the first part of the series here: GPOD Vignette #1. When I was putting together this collection of entries, I didn’t realize at first that all of these photos and gardens fit into one common theme: small spaces. Whether it’s a tiny garden or a small part of a larger landscape, all of these GPOD contributors want to share how their small spaces make a big impact. I know the GPOD community as a whole loves to see gardens of all sizes,…
Housewarming gifts are a sweet way to honor a loved one’s important transition into their space. They can beautify a new home or apartment or make everyday tasks easier, but the best housewarming gifts combine both to be both functional and stylish. At The Spruce, we’re constantly researching and testing the best home products, so we know a thing or two about beautiful and useful gifts. Several members of our team have moved into new spaces in the past year, so we asked The Spruce editors to find out the best housewarming gifts they’ve given or received and why they…
With everything you have to do on a daily basis, it can be difficult to remember when to water your plants, when you last watered them, and how much water to give each different plant. If you’re having trouble keeping your beloved houseplants alive, this new smart device is here to help. Meet your plant’s new savior and friend: Smarty Plants. What is Smarty Plants? Smarty Plants is a high-tech device with smart plant sensors specifically for your indoor plants! This little device tracks the exact needs of each indoor plant, whether it’s more water, more or less sunlight, and…
Even though he grew up in Texas and is no stranger to the heat, Chip Gaines is looking forward to cooler weather this coming fall—believe it or not. “Thank God,” he said when I mentioned the upcoming season. In addition to being a respite from the hot summer days, fall is also a great time for homeowners to tackle some home projects that they can’t do in warm weather and need to complete before winter arrives. As a contractor and star of the hit show, FixAlong with his wife Joanna, Gaines specializes in home improvement projects, and he has a…
In recent years, homeowners have become increasingly interested in showers that function as home spas with a variety of luxurious relaxation features, from built-in seats and keypad controls to full-body jets and especially steam showers. Saunas often provide a relaxing experience in any bathroom, so we’ve created a guide to help you make the decision to install a sauna and what to consider if you’re considering one. What is a sauna? A steam room is a completely enclosed bathing space equipped with a steam generator to provide similar functions to a sauna room commonly found in a spa or health…
Native shade-loving plants are perfect for those difficult areas of the garden where other plants struggle to thrive. Many plants that thrive in shade are native to many parts of the United States, but you can always check with your local extension office for local species. You won’t regret planting some of these native shade-loving plants, which are adapted to your environment; they benefit wildlife and attract native pollinators to your garden.Native shade treesThere are many native shade trees to choose from. Here are eight of our favorites.1. Fern(Image source: Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images)Most ferns thrive in shade, and…
Every morning, Amish farmer Amos Miller, who lives on 75 acres in Lancaster County, PA., rises early to milk his 43 Jersey cows. He also raises beef cattle and 150 pigs that eat whey and organic oats, and chickens that peck at insects among the greenery. His sons are the family’s horsemen, raising standardbred horses for carriage. and muscular Belgians to mow and harvest hay. The animals live outdoors, grazing on grass and herbs. The milk and dairy products from Jersey cows—all unpasteurized—are sold to a nationwide network of private customers. Amos Miller Organic Farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy…