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Renovation Diary

Gardeners Mix Perennials for Textured Fall Containers

by Fernanda Perez

GG155 fall-container-lead: Perennials (and a shrub) pack this container, but it’s a good investment because you can plant them in the garden in fall to enjoy next year! A fall container garden excels through color and texture contrasts. Blue and orange hues stand out against muted late-season tones, while varied textures, thick leaves, spiky seedheads, and trailing vines, maintain visual interest even as blooms fade. The foundation lies in pairing…

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When a property’s plumbing system begins to show signs of distress—whether through recurring clogs, slow drainage, or unexpected moisture in unexpected places—the decision of how to proceed can be complex. Property owners and managers often face the choice of pursuing temporary, symptom-focused fixes or investing in a comprehensive assessment to understand the root cause of the issue. For those overseeing commercial or residential properties, especially within a varied landscape like…

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Shade Garden Features Variegated Foliage Plants

by Rina Sari

Large hostas form a solid background in this shady bed. A shade garden bed featuring variegated weigela and hostas can bring color and texture to part to full shade areas. This perennial garden layout creates layers of eye-catching foliage, with a mix of hosta varieties and unique cultivars that pollinators will love. Designing a Shade Garden Bed Large, broad-leaved hostas form a solid background in this shady bed, making a…

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Modern home blends with West Vancouver woods

A modern home in West Vancouver blends with the woods through minimal...

Consuelo Espinoza • Oct 8, 2026 • Builder Spotlight

Modern home blends with West Vancouver woods

O penspace Architecture designed a 7,000-square-foot West Coast modern home. A 7,000-square-foot West Coast modern home in West Vancouver appears to float among the trees, thanks to the ultra-minimal material palette used by Openspace Architecture. The project features a...

combination of wood, concrete, and glass that mirrors the surrounding nature. The clients, two empty nesters, had a strong vision for a modern minimalist aesthetic that could adopt its environment while standing in stark contrast to it. According to Eric...

Chimney Swift Populations Plummet as Chimneys Vanish

Chimney swift numbers are plummeting as brick flues disappear, urging conservationists to...

Maite Ramirez • Oct 5, 2026 • Floor Plans

Chimney Swift Populations Plummet as Chimneys Vanish

C himney swifts arrive in North America each April and remain until October. Chimney swifts are disappearing as the country’s old brick flues vanish, prompting conservationists to urge yard owners to create safer habitats for the fast-flying insect eaters....

When Chimney Swifts Arrive In April the birds return to North America, filling the sky with chittering calls that persist until October. Their arrival marks the beginning of a season when they dominate the airspace above towns and parks, swooping...

Garden Experts Recommend Top White Flowers

Garden experts recommend top white flowers for a versatile and elegant addition...

Fernanda Perez • Oct 1, 2026 • Floor Plans

Garden Experts Recommend Top White Flowers

W hite flowers thrive in morning or evening soft light. White flowers are a versatile and elegant addition to any garden, capable of conveying a range of styles from casual to formal. A writer who specializes in gardening notes...

that white flowers can reflect the color of nearby flowers, making them a great choice for mixing with other blooms. When using white flowers in a garden, it's essential to consider the shade and lighting. The writer mentions that white...

Cool-Toned Fall Container Ideas From Seattle Designer

Cool-toned fall container ideas from Seattle designer Susan Nock, offering unique seasonal...

Rina Sari • Sep 28, 2026 • Material Guide

Cool-Toned Fall Container Ideas From Seattle Designer

S usan Nock of Seattle has over a decade of experience crafting seasonal container displays. Photo: Gene Samit/Pexels Garden designer Susan Nock knows that fall containers require careful attention to maintain their appearance through the colder months. Based in...

Seattle, Nock has over a decade of experience crafting seasonal displays for clients and her own garden. Her approach to fall planting favors cool-toned combinations that stand out from typical warm autumn hues. Watering and Fertilizing Essentials The most critical...