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The warmer months see insects emerge from hibernation and produce many generations of offspring throughout the summer. So, if you’re looking for a natural way to keep insects out of the house, then this is one of the best indoor plants for the job. How does eucalyptus keep insects out of the house? ‘Pests are alarmed by strong smells, and eucalyptus is typically not a smell that is native to the area, so its unfamiliarity combined with its potency causes pests to perceive it as a threat,’ Jeremy says....

What color is magenta? On the color wheel, magenta is a secondary color that sits directly between primary colors, red and blue. The result of this mix of two primary colors creates a striking shade that is best described as a pinky-purple. Magenta is also part of the set of modern primary colors used for printing, cyan, yellow, magenta and black, known as CYMK. These four colors can be used to create all other colors on the color spectrum....

When browsing bedroom or living room carpet ideas, it can feel natural to begin with the color or pattern first, but experts suggest the pile is equally as important – especially in terms of longevity. Low pile carpets are the best choice for rooms that see a particularly large amount of foot traffic – whether that’s in your entryway, living room, or along your stairwell. So, before you investigate the latest carpet trends, it’s important to know that your low pile from your high pile, and be confident that your flooring will stand the test of time....

The anti-lawn movement centers itself on allowing the wilderness to take over once again, encouraging wildlife into yards and boosting the local ecosystem. A step further than simple wildlife garden ideas, the anti-lawn movement moves away from traditional gardening and towards free growth with occasional trim and tidy to ensure the yard does not become too wild and untameable. So, why has the anti-lawn movement become so popular? And how can you join in?...

When choosing kitchen appliances, a dishwasher is often at the top of many of our lists, and knowing what not to put in a dishwasher can make sure this additional appliance continues to serve our homes for years to come. Putting the wrong things in your dishwasher could result in extra work – or even extra costs if your dishes, or your dishwasher itself, ends up broken. Here, experts share 13 things you should avoid putting in your dishwasher to help prolong its lifespan and keep your kitchenware in top shape too....

These spicy peppers can be difficult to grow, so learning how to pick them is important for reaping the rewards of your hard work. What’s more, with these chili peppers being rich in vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, they make excellent additions to your vegetable garden ideas, and picking them at the right time can make all the difference between a bitter, underdeveloped pod, and a tasty, albeit spicy, addition to a wide range of dishes....

They can bring so much to the yard: single-flowered varieties provide for pollinators, such as bees; fruiting hybrids produce vivid scarlet hips for birds; and the romantic double cultivars are coated with buxom, chalice-shaped blooms for months. Combine knowhow about how to plant roses with this guide to the optimum time to plant roses and they’ll establish quickly, producing healthy, glossy foliage and masses of beautiful flowers that flood the garden with sublime scent....

While you can buy seedlings and plug plants from garden centres and online suppliers, planting vegetables from seed is the most economical way of growing produce, plus it also offers the opportunity to try all sorts of different vegetable varieties. However, with a dazzling array to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to begin. Whether you’re in the process of creating a kitchen garden or simply want to grow a few veggies in containers on your patio or balcony space, this handy vegetable calendar will help get your kitchen garden ideas get off to the best start....

Fall lawn care will prepare your lawn for the remainder of the year, and from overseeding a lawn in fall and perhaps dethatching a lawn there is plenty to do to ready your grass for better growth the following year. So, when should you stop watering your lawn in the fall? And why is it so important to get this basic right? When to stop watering a lawn in fall ‘While knowing the best time to water your lawn is the most frequently asked lawn care question, it is just as important to know when to stop watering a lawn in fall,’ says Rachel Crow, garden editor for Homes & Gardens....

If you’ve noticed dark blotches on the bottom of your tomatoes, your crop is likely suffering from this condition – often caused by a lack of calcium in the fruits. And while tomato growers may be more than aware of this problem, it is not limited to this popular fruit. Instead, it occurs in other vegetable garden ideas, including peppers and aubergines. However, while blossom-end rot may appear detrimental, the solution to this condition is far from complex....

While your initial kitchen ideas may be led by minimalist principles, don’t forget that it needs to feel like home. In this stunning example by kitchen design agency Roundhouse, an architecturally astute, pristine design is brought to life by deftly executed tactile details. Roundhouse’s Senior Design Consultant Daniel Lau gave us a tour of the space, and showed us how to do modern kitchen ideas right. 1. Make your island monolithic An island is not only a practical addition to your kitchen layout ideas – it can be a design piece too....

With a calming atmosphere to rival the world’s best homes, this West Vancouver property was recently given an interior update by designer Amanda Evans. ‘We did a bit of renovation work to make the space feel more comfortable as it was very contemporary,’ said Evans. ‘The house itself was a blank slate designed by the previous owners. We added in things like paneling in the family room, marble in the principal bathroom and custom millwork in the living room to add interest to the rooms and create a more layered and comfortable space....

These fabulous decorating ideas – and essential design advice – will help you lighten and brighten up your bedroom so it no longer feels dark and dingy. See: Bedroom ideas – designs and inspiration for beautiful bedrooms 1. Offset dark furniture with light elements We often have pieces of furniture that have meaning, that we want to still use even if they can slightly inhibit the light in a room....

When Georgina’s father came to Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, he originally farmed the land. But when the area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, he encouraged wildlife to flourish and turned the arable land back to extensive grazing for cattle. Today, Elmley is a nature reserve and an important breeding ground for migratory birds. The birds are so unaccustomed to predators, they don’t bother hopping out of the way when a car drives along the two-mile track to the farmhouse....

The Bissell ICONpet model is a clear winner when it comes to the best vacuums for pet hair. Powerful suction traps pet hair and dander, notably great for those with allergies. While it didn’t live up to my expectations on the carpet, this cordless vacuum is perfect for hardwood and area rugs. If you’re like me and appreciate versatility, consider the ICONpet your new must-have – you can use this gadget on more than just floors....

However, this is the one space that really deserves some love. ‘Entryway ideas trail in popularity behind those for living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms,’ says Homes & Gardens’ Editor in Chief. ‘And this space is often left until last when homes are decorated. However, they set the tone for your whole home, so it’s vital to get them right.’ We spoke exclusively to interior designer Charu Gandhi, founder of interior design agency Elicyon (opens in new tab), which is famed for its contemporary projects....

The firm’s timeless designs, which have a symmetry and structure that work happily in small or large spaces, seamlessly bridge the gap of 160 years. Today, they are sold in the US by Zoffany but in UK, where the interior design archive (see below) – including original blocks, logbooks and pattern books – are kept, Morris & Co forms part of Zoffany’s parent company Sanderson Design Group. William Morris: the man behind the name While at Oxford and during his early years in London, Morris made friends with founding members of the Pre-Raphaelites (see a recreation of the style for the 160th anniversary, below), including Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti; the group shared a love of nature, medieval aesthetics and Gothic architecture – and a dislike of mechanisation....

And even if you’re looking to add color in a minimalist way, introducing it in a beautiful rug or a few cushions on a sofa, can be a minefield. We spoke to five fabulous interior designers to get their top tips on how to achieve a perfect color scheme – and to highlight the mistakes to avoid. See: Living room color schemes – the best color ideas for living spaces...

The London-based fine artist has been designing contemporary carpets and rugs for over 20 years. Using the most sumptuous silks and wools, Deirdre’s designs are typically hand-knotted in Nepal, bringing an artisanal expertise to this delicate craft. Each year Deirdre releases a new themed collection to chime with interior design trends, and for 2021 she has found beauty in the everyday materials and moments that we all experienced in lockdown....

Built in 2012, this condo has an industrial feel, with concrete adorning the ceilings and walls throughout the home. This industrial-style interior remains an on-trend look: it adds depth to a scheme, complements period buildings such as lofts and warehouses as well as new-builds and adds an updated edge to a country style too. But it can create a cold look if used over-zealously, so it was up to interior designer Christine Lin at Form + Field to ensure that this family home remained calm and serene yet characterful....