The front entryway is the first thing that you, your family, and your guests see before entering your house. Here are some ways to prepare it for Spring.

Hardcovers, paperbacks, and cocktail table tomes get the attention they deserve

As you may have read before, Farmer B and I are on the quest for the perfect attached run for the chickens. They currently have a run-less coop and a separate hoop-run that we move around the yard every couple of days. We know there has to be a better method, so we've (meaning "I've") been researching the heck out of chicken run alternatives. One alternative that I found fascinating is the Chicken Moat. When I mentioned this to Farmer B it led to an interesting discussion about whether chickens can swim. (This has been much debated, but yes they can swim, although usually NOT by choice. Who knew?) Instead of a water-filled moat, this is a ground-level fenced-in "moat" around a vegetable garden. picture from Mother Earth News The chicken moat is a fenced area that runs along the perimeter of a garden that keeps the vegetable garden pest-free as the chickens scamper around the moat snapping up weeds and bugs. I read about it on Mother Earth News and think it is a great solution for someone with a vegetable garden and serious carpentry skills. I envision little drawbridges, turrets and dragon stencils around the edges, but that's just me. You can click here to see some great photos. Another really cool idea for people with a raised bed vegetable garden is to build a chicken run that is the exact size of your raised beds. picture from Garden Girl TV Each season you place the chicken run on top of one of your raised beds that is out of commission for the season. That bed becomes the flooring for the chickens who will scratch around and prepare that bed with all their nitrogen-rich chicken poo for the next planting season. Each season you rotate the chickens to a new raised bed where the process continues again. You let them do the work for you. Yes, you there - you chicken - you lay fresh eggs AND prepare my garden bed for next season's planting! Garden Girl TV has some great photos of a chicken run on a raised bed and even a tutorial for making a raised bed run. As cool as both of these ideas are, sadly neither one will work for us. I think we'll end up renovating a chain-link dog run into a chicken run if we can acquire one on FreeCycle or CraigsList. We don't have the time, energy and mad carpentry skills to make a nice, fancy wood and wire chicken run, so I think adapting a pre-made dog run to meet our needs is the way we'll go.

Today I have this family home with a study to show you. The plan is a great size and would suit a normal residential block. The 3 kids' bedrooms are to the front of the home with the master being behind the garage.

Oooo this is a goodie today. A big house, but still a really good plan. I love a u-shaped house… I always imagine a pool and outdoor area fit for a king in all of that enclosed space. I wouldn’t need to change anything in this house. It’s got a formal…

53 p., ill, 32 cm, trade catalog

This classic farmhouse plan enjoys a wrap-around porch (8'6" wide) that's perfect for enjoyment of the outdoors. To the rear of the house plan, a sun terrace with a spa opens from the master suite and the morning room. A grand great room offers a ceiling that slopes from 9' to 15' and a corner fireplace with a raised hearth. The formal dining room with 15' ceilings is defined by a low wall and by graceful archways set off by decorative columns. The tiled kitchen has a central island counter with a snack bar and adjoins a laundry area. A secluded master suite nestles in its own wing and features a sitting area and ceilings that slope from 9' to 11'. Bedrooms 2 and 3 ceilings rise from 9' to 13' and the foyer is 18' high.

This serene desert community in North Scottsdale offers 1 acre home sites with excellent schools and lovely mountain views. Open floor plans are featured with Contemporary, Spanish Colonial, and Tuscan style architectural designs. 10 distinct floor plans range from approximately 3,627 square feet to 6,430 square feet. Home highlights included 3-4 bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 bathrooms, 3-4 car garage, media rooms, serving centers, casitas and outdoor living options.

Image 2 of 21 from gallery of Gehry Residence / Gehry Partners. Photograph by netropolitan.org

An outdoor fireplace design on your deck, patio or backyard living room instantly makes a perfect place for entertaining, creating a dramatic focal point.

Today on Floor Plan Friday I have this large 4 bedroom home with a wide traditional homestead layout...

I hate cleaning. Loathe it. Will put it off for forever. I could do laundry or wash dishes until I am blue in the face, but cleaning…not so much. A couple days ago though, I decided to embrace my inner Mom of the Year and go for it. It went well. My son started rolling […]

I think this is a neat tool if you've been wanting to try out some new furniture placement in your home! No heavy lifting required. :) Urban Barn has created The Room Planner, an easy-to-use room planning tool that makes you the designer of your own home.

This is a good plan! I think it will tick all the boxes for many families looking at building a new home. The kids’ bedrooms + activity area is on the front, with the HUGE master room in the middle. The best part of the home is the kitchen, dining…

The streets of West London have been transformed with breathtaking floral displays for Chelsea in Bloom. Take a look at the most gorgeous creations.

A blog about Decorating, fashion, gardens, the beach, gardening, cooking, photography, all influenced by my Italian and Argentine roots.

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by today. I found this big traditional country style home which you may like the look of. I couldn’t find a matching facade photo, so you’ll have to use your imagination. It would suit quite a large block because of the garage position. I love…

Specifications  Total Living Area: 1838 sq ft Main Living Area: 1838 sq ft Garage Area: 414 sq ft Garage Type: Attached Garage Bays: 2 Foundation Types: Crawlspace Slab - * $395.00 Stem Wall Slab - * $395.00 Exterior Walls: House Width: 36' House Depth: 76' Number of Stories: 1 Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 2 Max Ridge Height: 22'1 from Front Door Floor Level Primary Roof Pitch: 0 Roof Load: 55 psf Roof Framing: Truss FirePlace: Yes 1st Floor Master: Yes Main Ceiling Height: 9' * May require additional drawing time.

Top design experts share their best decorating tips.

With today's advances in technology and changes in the family dynamic, some homes need to be more than just after-work and weekend retreats. This crisp rambler typifies the multifunctional home. The floor plan serves on many different levels, beginning with ideal office and studio space for work-at-home professionals. The office, located off the gallery from the foyer, features double-door privacy, built-ins, and a next-door bath. For further separation and privacy, a studio is located next to a covered porch at the end of a family and game room wing. Entertaining space flows from the open foyer to the sunken living room and to the formal dining room. Built-ins, light and display shelves, and a fireplace are pleasing to behold. For informal needs, a family and game-room space flows off the kitchen and breakfast nook. The fun of a family gathering can quickly spread outdoors onto a covered porch off the game room, where a fireplace and space for a built-in barbecue grill await. A wing on the opposite side of the home caters to children. Three children's bedrooms surround an open play space, where toys can be contained and where children can conveniently watch a movie before bedtime. The master suite is down the hall and includes a massive walk-in closet, walk-in shower, and spa tub. Related Plans: Get a smaller version with house plan 69664AM (3,278 sq. ft.) and check out another "X-shaped" design with house plan 69786AM.