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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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Five-year-old kitchen finds new home on Paper Island

A 5-year-old kitchen design finding new home on Paper Island with ash...

Rina Sari • Oct 9, 2026 • Contractor Corner

Five-year-old kitchen finds new home on Paper Island

G arde Hvalsøe designed the kitchen for Josephine Yaa Akuamoa's studio. A 5-year-old kitchen has found a new home on Copenhagen's Paper Island, in the residence of Josephine Yaa Akuamoa. The kitchen was created by Danish kitchen design company...

Garde Hvalsøe for Akuamoa's studio, File Under Pop, before being moved into her home. The kitchen is built in ash on a zinc frame, and is Garde Hvalsøe's Solid model. It features long, wide planks and finger-jointed drawer fronts, with...

Modern Japanese Steakhouse in Toronto Features Denim-Inspired Design

Experience a modern Japanese steakhouse in Toronto featuring a denim-inspired design at...

Rina Sari • Oct 6, 2026 • Floor Plans

Modern Japanese Steakhouse in Toronto Features Denim-Inspired Design

T he modern Japanese steakhouse is located at 333 Bay Street in Toronto's Financial District. Shinji, a brand-new Japanese steakhouse positioned at 333 Bay Street in Toronto’s Financial District, harmonizes the fast-paced energy of weekday professionals with a more...

relaxed weekend ambiance. Situated within a historic office building, the venue’s design draws from Japan’s denim industry, crafting a setting that feels both communal and grounded. A Blueprint in Blue Architects at Toronto-based Odami orchestrated the interior with rich indigo...

New garden varieties offer drought resistance and faster harvests

2024’s best drought-resistant garden varieties offering faster harvests and climate adaptability for...

Consuelo Espinoza • Oct 2, 2026 • Material Guide

New garden varieties offer drought resistance and faster harvests

A vibrant assortment of pumpkins and gourds in various colors, symbolizing the harvest season. Photo: Jonathan Cooper/Pexels A gardener seeking to expand their harvest in 2024 has more choices than ever. Each year brings new fruit and vegetable...

varieties that deliver unique flavors, textures, and growing advantages over traditional crops. This year’s selections are engineered to perform well across diverse climates and spaces, from compact urban plots to container gardens. While many gardeners rely on familiar crops like...

Mesa Red Blanket Flower Thrives in Sunny Spots

Mesa Red blanket flower thrives in sunny spots, producing deep red blooms...

Maite Ramirez • Sep 29, 2026 • Floor Plans

Mesa Red Blanket Flower Thrives in Sunny Spots

M esa Red blanket flower is a compact variety that won't fall apart or sprawl over neighboring plants. Mesa Red blanket flower is a North American native that thrives in hot, sunny spots, producing deep red, daisy-shaped blooms from...

late spring to late summer. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate dry soil, making it a great option for areas with poor soil quality. This perennial grows 14 to 16 inches tall and 20 to 22 inches wide,...