A few years before I met my husband, I wrote A LIST. On it, I noted all of the things I was looking for in a partner, namely my forever partner. I folded up the three pages, put them at the back of my journal. Planned to offer the list to the Moon, and see what happened. Real talk, I ended up offering the list to my washing machine first, transferred from my journal to a sweater with pockets. The list then resembled gloop, but I remembered what was on it. On my first date with my husband, I swear, little things on THE LIST. That no one would know. Neither did this first date dude. Because I wanted a second date. These days, he knows about THE LIST. We’ve even added to it, crossed things out, laughed about it. I believe if you write down what you want, the Universe/the Moon will work on it with you. Even if the laundry gets it first. And so, regular readers will know that we are looking for a house and planning to move back to the city. There haven’t been any updates on that because we haven’t found one. I’m frustrated […]
Visual food !
Pink hot cocoa, chandeliers and treats fit for royalty!
7 alternative Prague insider tips from Prague locals and lovers, to enjoy another face of the city away from the tourist masses.
Philodendron silver sword is classed as a rare plant because they are under the risk of habitat loss in southeastern Brazil (within protected forest areas)
January and February weather drives us all indoors at this time of year – but a luxury summer house or conservatory is the perfect way to enjoy your
Calathea is a large genus of leafy tropical plants found growing in the damp, swampy forest floors of the Americas. They’re characterised by their beautiful foliage, often looking as though someone has painted their leaves – and our plant of the month, Calathea Ornata (pin stripe calathea), certainly has that look about it! It’s soft pink stripes against the dark green leaves and a deep purple underside make them a hugely popular choice for us to keep in our homes. Calathea as a whole are fast growing and very easy to look after – because they’re used to periodic flooding, they’re also ideal for the erratic waterers out there! In colder months they like to be left to dry out a little between waterings, but only allow the top layers of compots to dry out. In warmer months, you can keep the top surface of the soil damp the whole season. They prefer a humid environment so can be misted regularly. Grouping similar plants together also helps to create a microclimate that provides them with some natural humidity - a lack of humidity will cause browning at the edges of the leaves. As mentioned above, Calathea Ornata have a deep purple underside to their foliage which allows them to absorb light in lower light levels, meaning they are best grown in shade or indirect light. Placing your Calathea in direct light will scorch the leaves and they won’t be happy for very long! Because of their natural shade dwelling and humidity loving habits, they’re the ideal bathroom plant. They prefer a warmer climate too (preferably above 15 degrees Celsius) so are best positioned away from any cold draughts. Repotting yearly will ensure your plants vigorous growth and health, but if you’re neglectful of this they will still survive another year in the same pot (unless the roots can be seen emerging from the bottom/top). Leaves on a Calathea can be seen to move around regularly, looking as though they are waving to you. They move around to adjust to the light, and often draw in during the night hours. Keep an eye out for the spreading movement when they first see daylight! Common problems with Calathea Ornata are browning tips of the leaves, and significant leaf curling. The leaf browning is nearly always due to either a draught, direct sunlight, or lack of humidity, whilst the leaf curling means it’s in desperate need for a water, so make sure to be aware of these signs! To Propagate: Calathea are propagated by division. In spring and summer months, you can separate clumps of foliage and roots and re pot them into separate pots of multipurpose compost. Who wouldn’t want to double up on this beautiful specimen!
Interior designer Kathryn Tyler has renovated this Cornish cottage in a relaxed and contemporary style, opening up the layout and installing vast windows that frame the extraordinary sea views
Working in a cluttered and disorganized workspace can be stressful and overwhelming. It can also negatively impact your productivity and ability to focus on tasks...
Most visitors to Amsterdam have a visit to the Anne Frank House at the top of their must-do list so it’s not surprising that many end up disappointed when they discover how tricky it can be to book a ticket. That being the case, let’s start with how to secure a booking before moving on […]
When first home buyer and building designer Janik Dalecki bought a dumpy little Maylands cottage, his friends thought he had lost the plot. “The house ticked all my boxes and I instantly saw what potential it had,” he says. “But family and friends thought I was crazy and said things like, ‘it’s a bowl-over’!” But Janik, who runs his own business Dalecki Design, was undeterred. He’d been searching for a first house
The Twin House Barndominium plan is a unique design. The floor plan incorporates an open-concept living and dining room on the main floor and two bedrooms on the second floor. Every square foot of this floor plan is designed to be functional yet incorporate the outdoor beauty of the landscape. Featuring a sleek black exterior that exudes modernity, the Twin House Floorplan seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. Inside the barndominium, you'll find a spacious open-concept living room with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two offices, and a play area. Combined with the ADU, the entire barndominium plan includes four bedrooms. This plan is designed with a conventional wood framing system with black siding that keeps the building process simple. The Twin House Plans were initially inspired by a barn house with a modern touch. The two basic-shaped structures joined by a screen porch create a unique and captivating modern and traditional look. The black siding and roof give the property a sleek and contemporary feel that contrasts beautifully with the light wood accents. The key living room space leads to a small covered patio. One of the standout features of the Twin House Plans is its use of standard door and window sizes, making it easier for owners to source materials locally and manage their construction budget. This barndominium plan is perfect for creating a dream house with a unique design. Whether you prefer traditional homes or modern designs, the Twin House Plans can cater to your taste and style. Main Residence Step inside the Twin house; the living quarters are designed with an open floor plan living space and dining room with high, vaulted cathedral ceilings. The large double-height windows offer a view from the great room to the outdoors, and a sliding door leads to a deck. The open floor plan design creates one ample space for all the living spaces. The L-shaped kitchen includes a center island and a regular-sized pantry. There is a powder room and closet for storage on the ground floor. Storage is also available under the stairs. Other features include a dedicated dog washing station, a laundry and mudroom, a master suite with a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with a separate wet room containing the shower and bathtub. The second floor includes two bedrooms with tons of closet space, two offices, a play area, and a bathroom. These two home offices perfectly adapt to the new lifestyle of working from home. The floor plan has additional play spaces that can be enclosed as a game room or converted into a four-bedroom house. Screen Porch The 164 sqft screen porch can be accessed from the side of the main residence and is designed for entertaining guests or hosting dinner parties. The patio offers protection from mosquitoes and other insects, even on rainy days. The screen porch is an extension of the living quarters for the beautiful summer days. ADU The Twin House Plans also include an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) incorporated as a unique feature of this floor plan design. The ADU has two spaces. One is a multi-functional space that can house another bedroom with enough room for a work desk. It has a kitchenette, bath, and a small cozy loft bedroom - perfect for accommodating extended family or rental income. The other part is a workshop and storage with a French garage door. These spaces are independent of the primary residence and can only be accessed outside. Whether you're looking to build a new family home or invest in a rental property, Twin House Plans is one of the perfect style house plans for those seeking luxury living with a functional and eco-friendly design. Ground floor of the house: 1,299 sqftGround floor of the ADU: 420 sqftScreen Porch: 164 sqft Footprint of the House 55'L x 26'-3"W x 30'-4"HFootprint of the ADU: 15'L x 31'W x 19'-6"H Bedroom 1 Size: 12'-3" L x 14'-4" WBedroom 2 Size: 10'-9'' L x 12'-7" WBedroom 3 Size: 10'-9'' L x 12'-7" WADU Loft Bedroom Size: 14' -1" L x 7' -5" W Living room: 12' L x 16' W Dining room: 13'-4" L x 11'-4" W Kitchen: 10' L x 15'-6" W Pantry size: 4'-8" L x 6' W Living room deck: 11' L x 3' W Bathroom 1: 10'-7" L x 9' WBathroom 2: 10'-9" L x 5'-3" WADU Bathroom: 8' -8" L x 5' -1"W Laundry & Mudroom: 10'-7"L x 6'-11" W HVAC system: Mini-split, HRV, ERV
Black-and-white checkered marble floors reclaimed from an 18th-century church in Spain are a highlight of this Denver Polo Club home's serene transformation.
The Getty Conservation Institute and the Eames Foundation announce Eames House conservation management plan
Coy Yiontis Architects designed this modern beach with 'his and hers' wings for a couple on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Philodendron Tortum is also called Philodendron Bipinattifidum. It is an evergreen plant that belongs to the Arum family.
FOOD WORTH TRAVELING FOR ! Do you eat to live, or do you live to eat? Denis and I are definitely in the latter category. In fact, we will travel long distances just to eat in the restaurant where a favorite recipe was created. Such a trip is even more exciting if the chef who... Read More »
Are you looking for a new way to relax and unwind in your outdoor space? Look no further than hanging cloud loungers! These unique pieces of furniture offer
How to grow hellebores: for an easy flower to grow that brings colour and life to your garden in the colder months, look no further than the humble hellebore.
