Exterior house design
Whether tucked in a petite powder room or gracing the walls of a cozy study, bibliophiles will have no trouble thinking of a place or two to put this library wallpaper. Just remember with a design this detailed, less is more: It will look best in a smaller space. Wallpaper: Library Multi, Andrew Martin
The wall is made out of 2-by-3-foot galvanized steel baskets that are connected with tie straps. This gives the wall its shape and rigidity. The frame is built around steel supports that give the wall additional structural strength. As they added on baskets, the team filled each one with riprap. In this case, that was two tones of crushed limestone. “The wall weighs a lot,” Burke says. “It should also last longer than the house itself. It’s not going anywhere.” The longevity comes at a price. Burke estimates that this type of wall costs 10 times more than a normal fence. But it will also require little-to-no maintenance and will weather nicely alongside the home’s corrugated steel and reclaimed wood exterior.
The rock wall is 8 feet high, 23½ feet long and 2 feet thick. “Traditionally, these types of walls are built to retain large embankments,” Burke says. “It’s more of a civil engineering, not residential, application.” The expanse of wall provides privacy to the homeowner’s side yard, which has a pool and seating space.
f you have an old fountain or birdbath you’re no longer using for its intended purpose — whether that’s due to water restrictions in your area or in an attempt to keep mosquitoes at bay — consider repurposing it as a planter instead. Trailing plants with a lush look mimic the effect of water spilling over the rim.
Make a family portrait. If you have a bit of chalkboard paint left over from another project, or you decide to make your own, paint ovals on the front of pumpkins. You can draw faces of your family, roommates or favorite animals with chalk, or use the ovals to spell out “Boo!” or any other message. Tired of your chalk creation? Use a damp cloth to wipe it off and start fresh. A bonus: Only painting part of a pumpkin, rather than covering the whole thing, helps it last even longer.
Wood effect. Unlike wood, porcelain stoneware doesn’t get scratched when you move the furniture or when your kid’s toy car loses its rubber wheels; it doesn’t need special, delicate detergents to maintain its color and patina or any special finishes when it’s laid in a damp environment such as a bathroom or kitchen. Though wood-effect stoneware is already widespread, new variations, such as the Woods collection by ABK, pay particular attention to finishes. In addition to being offered in six colors that resemble natural hardwood flooring, the collection also features a ceramic surface that’s almost completely matte.
Resin effect. Is it possible for a continuous surface to be reproduced in tile? Yes, if the finish imitates the color, shine and typical brushstrokes used when laying resin. Likewise, using large-format tiles results in minimal interruption to the fluidity of the surface. An example of this is seen in Casalgrande Padana’s Resina collection, shown here on both wall and floor. It combines the durability of ceramics with the aesthetic appeal of a continuous surface.
Because when else is it considered acceptable to pile up squash and call it decoration? Look for spaces like steps, window boxes or deep windowsills that give you room to be creative with the arrangement. Try mixing gourds with potted ferns, sprays of fall leaves, ornamental corn or pots of trailing ivy.
For a fresh, more minimalist take on fall decorating, limit yourself to a handful of pumpkins placed by the front gate — but make those pumpkins really stand out. A coat of matte white or black paint, or white with a drizzle of black, gives pumpkins a distinctly modern look. Black-and-White Pumpkins for a Scandinavian-Style Halloween
The heart of this Dallas kitchen is the island-breakfast bar, which features rich materials and a double waterfall structure. The raised breakfast bar is made of warm walnut, while the island top is white marble with gray veining. Homeowner and builder Chris Dauwe covered the space beneath the breakfast bar in reclaimed wood, sourced from a barn in North Carolina. Using natural-looking materials helped Dauwe achieve his goal of “a contemporary home with an industrial twist,” he says. Island and kitchen countertops: Mountain White marble; leather stools: Halo Styles
Create a path. Even more leaf colors and shapes are placed under this place setting. “This one was really inspired by all the leaves on the ground,” Johnson says. “It’s like you’re walking on a path and there are leaves everywhere.” Additionally, a rough-textured and fall-colored napkin brings in another element of layering and contrast.
Hardy survivor. Cast iron plant gets its common name for a reason — this plant almost thrives on neglect. In fact, it hates coddling; it prefers to be left alone. Cast iron plant is great for a somewhat larger container, reaching 2 to 3 feet tall with dark green or variegated 4-inch-wide oval leaves on slender stems. It is slow-growing, so choose a larger plant if you want it to fill a space. It is not toxic to people and pets. Plant in well-draining potting mix and let the soil dry out completely before watering again in spring and summer; water even less in fall and winter. Daytime temperatures should be between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 29 degrees Celsius). Feed with a one-half-strength water-soluble fertilizer once in spring and then, if needed, again in summer. Spring is also when you can divide the plant. Spider mites can be a problem; get rid of them with insecticidal soap. Yellow leaves indicate too much water.
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