@your-not-invisible-to-me wanted to see the finished yard/yard of the dragon lair and I'm happy to show it off!

There are now ALL native plants planted which will grow in over the course of the next two years and fill the yard! There's also thyme planted in the pathway, which will grow to fill in between the painted bricks like grass (and it will be PINK!). Baby Nessie has a pond to swim in with Croki nearby, Baby Sue has a corner with tall grass, and Nigel the reading dragon is taking up his bench!

And here's a closeup of some of the bricks, all of which were painted by my mom - some from online designs and some just out of her own thoughts like the cat brick with all our cats! Over time, the plantings of thyme (har har) will fill in the dirt as groundcover, leaving a magical pathway of small pink flowers and colored bricks. 😊

How to grow a beautiful garden?

Four experts tell you everything you need to know to get growing—even if you don’t have a green thumb.

1 Know Your Region

It may sound obvious, but not everything grows everywhere, so what you plant is determined by where you live. “Take a look at the characteristics of your garden area—from the climate to sun exposure,” says Brian Sullivan, Vice President for Gardens, Landscape, and Outdoor Collections at The New York Botanical Garden. “It’s the most important thing to start with because you’ll want to understand the limits and the possibilities.” Talk to someone who works at your local garden center about the best native plants for your region, says Chris Lambton, professional landscaper and host of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers. “These will perform the best with less maintenance.” dr pye's scanmask https://www.justhomegardening.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bugs-in-houseplants-soil

2 Test Your Soil

To get a thorough reading of your soil’s pH and nutrient levels, send a sample to your local nursery or cooperative extension, suggests garden expert Christy Dailey of christy gardens. (There are also at-home testing kits available at Lowes, Home Depot, or any gardening store.) The results will tell you how acidic or alkaline your soil is, which affects how plants absorb nutrients. Since different plants thrive best in different pH levels, this test will help you decide what to plant or indicate how you should treat the soil.

Examine soil texture, too. “It should be easily shoveled and crumble in your hands,” says Annette Gutierrez, owner of Potted in Los Angeles. “If your soil is super hard or clay-like, it will be difficult for most plants to grow roots. Add fresh soil, mulch, and compost, being careful to aerate as much and as deep an area as you can before planting.” How to Revive An Air Plant https://www.justhomegardening.com/how-to-revive-an-air-plant

3 Start With “Easy” Plants

“Growing vegetables is a fun introduction to gardening,” says Sullivan. They don’t take as long to grow, so if you make a mistake you won’t have wasted months and months of your time. Sunflowers are also a good option, since they grow quickly and tall, or try easy-to-grow ferns—both of these can be grown all across the United States. “Early success is inspiring,” he says. “It might make you want to move on to more complicated plants.”

4 Create a Plan

To avoid crowding, Sullivan suggests researching your plants first so you know exactly how big they will get and how to space them out accordingly. “Typically perennials, plants that live for more than two years, should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart,” says Dailey. “This allows enough room for new growth and will usually make the garden look filled right away.”

It’s also important to know how high your plants will grow, he says. “Shorter and creeping ones should be planted toward the front and edges of the garden bed, with the taller plants in the back.” This is where knowing about sun exposure comes in handy—be mindful of taller plants that would block smaller ones, or the varieties that prefer a lot of sun or shade. How To Get Rid Of Bugs In Houseplants Soil https://www.justhomegardening.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bugs-in-houseplants-soil

5 Keep a Notebook

“A journal is really about the big picture, so jot down your dreams for the garden or inspiration,” says Sullivan. “It’s a great way to keep track of garden activity. You can also use it to keep notes about the interesting plants you come across elsewhere, so you can make a reminder to include them in your garden next year.”

6 Set a Calendar…

…or have a general idea of your big gardening tasks each season. “In the spring, I start fertilizing all plants and do that every six-to-eight weeks throughout the growing season, which usually ends in the fall,” says Gutierrez. “It’s usually too hot to plant in the summer. In the fall, after the heavy heat has passed, I prune trees and large shrubs. If I want to add bulbs or any new plants for the next year, I add them at this time, but you can also plant in early spring. And winter is when I cut back woody plants and roses, usually before the first frost.”

7 Water Carefully

“Give a consistent and ample amount of water,” says Sullivan. “'Consistent’ means you’re doing it on a regular basis and ‘ample’ means enough, which varies from plant to plant. Make sure the water penetrates the soil as opposed to just putting a little bit on the surface.” Newer plants will need to be watered more frequently because their root systems aren’t completely developed. As for the best time of day, Lambton suggests early morning before it gets too warm so the plant can really soak up the water. If you water in the evening, your plants might be more prone to fungus and other diseases. Gardening Tool Set for Mom https://www.justhomegardening.com/best-gardening-tool-set-for-mom-delightful-gift-for-mom-gardener

8 Keep Up the Good Work!

You might not have to do a lot of work everyday, but “proper maintenance is the greatest thing you can give your garden and the most rewarding,” says Dailey. “Taking time to deadhead, weed, prune, and tidy up will get you in tune with what the plants need to thrive. You will inevitably see how each plant reacts to weather changes and how to correct issues like infestations before they become too problematic.” If you notice stunted growth, check what’s going on with the roots of the plant by carefully examining and digging around the underlying soil, Sullivan says—sometimes they will need to be gently opened or teased so that they can spread out in the soil.

“Gardening is a process,” says Sullivan. “It doesn’t just happen in one day—it takes time.” Sometimes impatience will cause you to overwater or fuss too much with the plants in the hopes that they will grow faster. Monitor them regularly, but unless something looks wrong, let them be.

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Anytime I wanted an upgrade, I put my house on the market and moved on. Things are different now, I’ve settled down and figured out owning a home larger than the one we have just isn’t for me.

My husband and I bought this house in an awesome Hockessin neighborhood about 8 years ago. We love it here! The neighbors are our friends, maintenance is easy, the house is the perfect size and the school feeder pattern for our young kids is unbeatable! 8 years is a long time, life changes. Our current IKEA kitchen isn’t bad at all but I’m ready to upgrade to a kitchen I love!

Step 1: Determining what exactly I love?! This is somewhat easy but still time consuming. Being a Realtor, I tour lots of homes and know which trends I like and dislike. I love an open and easy kitchen layout, classic cabinetry with some personality, maximum storage, quality materials. After viewing tons of photos online, I know I love a mix of white and dark cabinetry (bold and not for everyone, I know), Quartz counters, unique light fixtures, unique tile backsplash and simple stainless steel appliances. I stood in our kitchen envisioning and measuring over and over to make sure I was committed, the changes would make sense and be an upgrade in lifestyle.

Step 2: Can I get what I want? I’ve seen homes make amazing transformations, I was pretty confident the changes I wanted would be possible with an experienced contractor. Therefore, budget was my main focus. I went into this hoping to spend 20K-35K. If this renovation was going to exceed that budget, it wasn’t going to be worth it because of our home’s size/value. I needed a designer and contractor to educate me on pricing and logistics. I visited 3 suppliers and interviewed 4 contractors.

One supplier being Lowe’s because I thought they’d be a lot cheaper and they carried cabinets I loved the look of. I was wrong, they weren’t cheaper and on top of that, they weren’t at all helpful. I knew we couldn’t handle a Lowe’s do-it-yourself kitchen.

Next up was a longtime local supplier who actually handed me a kitchen layout that was worse than our current kitchen. I’m talking only 12” counter space next to the range. No way, no thanks.

Bath Kitchen Tile was my next stop. There I received good customer service and worked with an experienced designer, Kelly, who thoroughly measured the kitchen and gave us good options with one clear layout that made sense and worked with my vision. Kelly also found the door style I had to have from one of their vendors. Woo hoo!

3 out of the 4 contractors gave the typical experience of not getting back to me or giving a quote that was much more than we were expecting.

It was clear we’d have the best experience with Bath Kitchen Tile as the supplier and American Craftsmen as the contractor.

Kenny from American Craftsman and Kelly from Bath Kitchen Tile worked up a great design. With their help, we picked finishes that fit our budget. Speaking of budget, there are great ways to finance the renovation if cash isn’t an option.

Step 3: When and How is this going to happen?! The cabinetry we chose takes 8 weeks to come in. Planning and choosing our vendors had already taken over a month. This didn’t line up with Summer vacations. We had carpet ripped up and hardwoods installed while we were on vacation last year. Obviously, it was amazingly easy for us and the contractor! However, for this 4-5 week project our family of 4 and our 2 dogs would be home for all of it! My husband works shift work and sleeps in most mornings. We’ll see how all of this plays out. At least the kids are back to school for snack and lunch! Luckily we are 5 minutes from HAC Cafe where we can easily eat and hang out. I have a few friends letting me borrow their kitchens to heat up some meals and stay for dinner once in awhile.

I saved up boxes for when it’s time to pack up our kitchen stuff. Our garage will be transformed into storage/work space and the beer fridge will become our main fridge. Our dining room table will be jammed into our living room. The buffet in the dining room will also move to the living room and serve as counter space and a cabinet. Kenny will be here the week before the project starts to review the plan.

Step 4: Lets. Do. This.

Packing up took longer than I expected. 4 days and a lot of boxes. But it was nice to trash things that needed to go.

I sold our range, refrigerator and kitchen furniture on facebook days before reno started.

I moved the buffet from the dining room to the living room and set it up with the coffee maker, toaster and cereal/snack boxes. I put silverware in the drawer. I left out a pot and pan (which we never ended up using) and bowls. The powder room sink was the substitute for our kitchen sink. Stocked up on paper plates.

We hit Lowe’s during a big appliance sale, placed our order and had them holding the delivery until we needed them.

Ready!

Monday morning the American Craftsmen crew arrived on time. The guys were super nice, professional, careful and clean.

We went about our day and came home late afternoon. The crew still had a few hours of work so we hung out in the garage and yard. Staying out of their way when we arrived home would be our biggest challenge throughout the renovation. My good friend made us a delicious chicken parm which I heated up up in my neighbor’s microwave. Set up a microwave somewhere if you can. For the most part, we were ok without one but it would’ve made life a little easier.

Week one consisted of careful demo of the existing kitchen and wall separating the kitchen and dining room. At the end of week one we were already thrilled. We could see taking down the wall and getting rid of the soffit for taller cabinets was going to be a huge improvement. I was surprised at the amount of drywall taken out and how clean and safe the crew kept the house. We totally appreciated this.

Week two consisted of new drywall, cabinet delivery and placement and the first coat of paint. I totally complicated the paint choice. I loved my original orange kitchen but I was about the only one. I wanted something just as “me” for the new kitchen. I consulted my awesome interior designer friend for advice. Even though I have a designation for interior decorating/staging for work, I have a hard time making decisions for myself. Anyway, she suggested a lot of nice melon shades. After getting samples, I realized I didn’t want melon. I wanted a color that was going to be a good match for the dark gray dining room and mocha colored family room that flanked the kitchen. Sherwin Williams ColorSnap app became an obsession. After hours on it, I discovered “anew gray”. It was a nice “greige-y” color that complimented the dark dining area, mocha family room and light gray hallway; all visible from the kitchen. Phew.

When we had the new flooring installed over a year ago, I had one leftover box. That was it. We’d need more since a wall was taken out. We found the last opened box at our Lowe’s, the flooring was discontinued. The crew knew it would be a challenge to make this work. I was pretty confident until they told me they really needed more flooring. Mike and I spent an afternoon on the phone with just about every Lowe’s trying to track down just one or two boxes. No luck there. Mikey from American Craftsmen worked really hard at stretching what flooring we had left. He came through and made it work. Phew.

Rolling along on schedule...

Week 3: Since cabinets were placed, Bath Kitchen Tile sent out an employee to measure for the quartz countertops. That was a quick process. Not so quick was the wait for the quartz to be cut and installed. However, we knew what we were in for with this. We were informed from the beginning the wait is about 8 business days. It wasn’t all bad, at least we could be home without feeling like we were in the way of construction.

It was important to me to have a versatile kitchen with everything being a good fit. A few people suggested a peninsula or counter bar seating. In a smaller kitchen like ours, I hate that look and arrangement. A peninsula interrupts flow, bar seating with family all in a row just isn’t for me. Instead, I found a great kitchen cart online and picked 4 stools to go with it. It was delivered and I took the break in construction to put it all together one night. It’ll double as our table and more counter space when we need it.

Week 4 consisted of more waiting and an afternoon of quartz installation. The quartz was set to arrive one morning towards the end of the week. It was late, arriving in the late afternoon. I was home for installation, it was quick and painless. The silicone used to attach the quartz has an unbelievably strong smell. We played in the backyard for a few hours until that smell went away.

The quartz looked great and it was exciting to see it closer to completion.

Week 5: This was a pretty big week! On the list: tile backsplash, crown moulding, paint, cabinet hardware, light fixtures and appliance delivery and installation. At the end of the week we’d be able to unpack and use the new kitchen!

Appliances?! Who knew out of a major renovation appliances would be a big challenge?! When I ordered the fridge, I wanted a counter depth size. I ended up loving a regular depth fridge and ordered it. Kenny told me I’d be much happier with counter depth. I knew he was right. I went back to Lowe’s and didn’t find a counter depth that would be in on time. Went to Home Depot, blew the appliance budget a bit on a counter depth. On delivery day, I moved everything from the “beer fridge” to coolers. The truck shows up, the guys unpack the fridge and the doors are dented. Home Depot informs me it’ll take over a month for another one to arrive. Eek. Searched around and JC Penney had the same fridge available for delivery about a week later. The range also came dented and took a few days for replacement. Order appliances in advance, make sure they’ll fit.

The tile backsplash went in mid week and it looked amazing! We chose an arabesque that came on a mesh sheet. They were cut apart and each one carefully placed by hand. We were so happy with it. Once it was grouted, it was safe to say the backsplash made the kitchen! It’s just pulls everything together.

On Friday of week 5, the whole crew worked all day. It was totally exciting and I had to keep checking back, I couldn’t stay away. The crew was excited for us and knew we couldn’t wait to start unpacking.

They left and we just took it all in.

Damn. So stunning and so worth the wait!

We brought all of the boxes up. I spent most of the next day unpacking and organizing. Such an awesome feeling!

First meal in the new kitchen: CHILI! Mike couldn’t wait to make it. It tasted way better than it used to in the old kitchen. Ha! It feels like we moved into a new house.

The funny thing is, this is how the layout should’ve been all along. The openness and flow is perfect for this house and our daily lifestyle.

Taking the wall out and cutting the remaining wall flush to the kitchen ceiling made for a breathtaking view! Even from the far end of the family room, you see a wide open kitchen then a vaulted ceiling over the dining area that highlights, defines and showcases the dining area. This is also a match for how the foyer opens to the living room.

So here we are, enjoying our stunning, gorgeous and super functional kitchen made up of Yorktowne Cabinetry (yes, soft-close, perfect drawers and a great pantry); Cambria quartz countertops that are super durable but also sparkle and shine; new sleek stainless steel appliances (Whirlpool microwave, dishwasher and slide in electric range, Samsung 4 door flex fridge) with technology and efficiency that make life easier; modern light fixtures and cabinet hardware; fantastic tile backsplash full of character.

If you’re house hunting and old out dated kitchens seem like a disadvantage you can actually make it work to your advantage! Let’s scoop that house up and make it a dream home by renovating the kitchen!

Tips to build a beautiful garden

1 Know Your Region

It may sound obvious, but not everything grows everywhere, so what you plant is determined by where you live. “Take a look at the characteristics of your garden area—from the climate to sun exposure,” says Brian Sullivan, Vice President for Gardens, Landscape, and Outdoor Collections at The New York Botanical Garden. “It’s the most important thing to start with because you’ll want to understand the limits and the possibilities.” Talk to someone who works at your local garden center about the best native plants for your region, says Chris Lambton, professional landscaper and host of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers. “These will perform the best with less maintenance.”

2 Test Your Soil

To get a thorough reading of your soil’s pH and nutrient levels, send a sample to your local nursery or cooperative extension, suggests garden expert Christy Dailey of christy gardens. (There are also at-home testing kits available at Lowes, Home Depot, or any gardening store.) The results will tell you how acidic or alkaline your soil is, which affects how plants absorb nutrients. Since different plants thrive best in different pH levels, this test will help you decide what to plant or indicate how you should treat the soil. Gardening Tool Set for Mom https://www.justhomegardening.com/best-gardening-tool-set-for-mom-delightful-gift-for-mom-gardener

Examine soil texture, too. “It should be easily shoveled and crumble in your hands,” says Annette Gutierrez, owner of Potted in Los Angeles. “If your soil is super hard or clay-like, it will be difficult for most plants to grow roots. Add fresh soil, mulch, and compost, being careful to aerate as much and as deep an area as you can before planting.”

3 Start With “Easy” Plants

“Growing vegetables is a fun introduction to gardening,” says Sullivan. They don’t take as long to grow, so if you make a mistake you won’t have wasted months and months of your time. Sunflowers are also a good option, since they grow quickly and tall, or try easy-to-grow ferns—both of these can be grown all across the United States. “Early success is inspiring,” he says. “It might make you want to move on to more complicated plants.”

4 Create a Plan

To avoid crowding, Sullivan suggests researching your plants first so you know exactly how big they will get and how to space them out accordingly. “Typically perennials, plants that live for more than two years, should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart,” says Dailey. “This allows enough room for new growth and will usually make the garden look filled right away.”

It’s also important to know how high your plants will grow, he says. “Shorter and creeping ones should be planted toward the front and edges of the garden bed, with the taller plants in the back.” This is where knowing about sun exposure comes in handy—be mindful of taller plants that would block smaller ones, or the varieties that prefer a lot of sun or shade. How to Revive An Air Plant https://www.justhomegardening.com/how-to-revive-an-air-plant

5 Keep a Notebook

“A journal is really about the big picture, so jot down your dreams for the garden or inspiration,” says Sullivan. “It’s a great way to keep track of garden activity. You can also use it to keep notes about the interesting plants you come across elsewhere, so you can make a reminder to include them in your garden next year.”

6 Set a Calendar…

…or have a general idea of your big gardening tasks each season. “In the spring, I start fertilizing all plants and do that every six-to-eight weeks throughout the growing season, which usually ends in the fall,” says Gutierrez. “It’s usually too hot to plant in the summer. In the fall, after the heavy heat has passed, I prune trees and large shrubs. If I want to add bulbs or any new plants for the next year, I add them at this time, but you can also plant in early spring. And winter is when I cut back woody plants and roses, usually before the first frost.”

7 Water Carefully

“Give a consistent and ample amount of water,” says Sullivan. “'Consistent’ means you’re doing it on a regular basis and ‘ample’ means enough, which varies from plant to plant. Make sure the water penetrates the soil as opposed to just putting a little bit on the surface.” Newer plants will need to be watered more frequently because their root systems aren’t completely developed. As for the best time of day, Lambton suggests early morning before it gets too warm so the plant can really soak up the water. If you water in the evening, your plants might be more prone to fungus and other diseases. edible mushroom growing kit https://www.justhomegardening.com/8-best-edible-mushroom-growing-kit-plus-growth-tips-for-beginners

8 Keep Up the Good Work!

You might not have to do a lot of work everyday, but “proper maintenance is the greatest thing you can give your garden and the most rewarding,” says Dailey. “Taking time to deadhead, weed, prune, and tidy up will get you in tune with what the plants need to thrive. You will inevitably see how each plant reacts to weather changes and how to correct issues like infestations before they become too problematic.” If you notice stunted growth, check what’s going on with the roots of the plant by carefully examining and digging around the underlying soil, Sullivan says—sometimes they will need to be gently opened or teased so that they can spread out in the soil.

9 Try to Be Patient

“Gardening is a process,” says Sullivan. “It doesn’t just happen in one day—it takes time.” Sometimes impatience will cause you to overwater or fuss too much with the plants in the hopes that they will grow faster. Monitor them regularly, but unless something looks wrong, let them be.