Yellow paint trend warms up the home palette
Design pros pick 8 shades that won't be lemons
Home and Garden
Fungal diseases are the real thorns in the rose garden
Botrytis blight, black spot, rust and more thive in humidity; here's how to minimize their...
Tiny outdoor space? Turn it into an inviting retreat
By Kim Cook For The Associated Press Whether it’s a modest balcony, a pocket-size patio...
To save more water, American homes need smaller pipes
Most of the plumbing pipes in the United States are oversize, wasting water in a...
California king-size bed not big enough for you? Meet the Alaska.
A niche product popular with pro athletes and the super-tall, megamattresses are now finding a...
Learning on the job: How a Kensington couple discovered a ion for historic preservation
Kensington reno-turned-restoration used ‘Old House’ resource guide from Save Our Heritage Organisation
3 ways to set a gorgeous holiday table, starting with stuff you own
Consider using flowers, vintage items or thrifted goods to make seasonal magic.
The odd rule: Why every room needs something weird to make it pop
Intriguing objects are like the character actors of the design world, adding novelty and meaning...
Mexico City’s floating gardens have fed people for hundreds of years; now they’re threatened
Amid urbanization, new generation aims to rekindle interest in fading practice
How can I hang heavy art without damaging the wall?
Securing to studs is the most reliable option, and worth the extra effort, expert says
San Diego’s woodworkers prepare a bigger haul for 2024 holiday gift sale
Hundreds of handcrafted pieces will be available for purchase Nov. 22 and 23
Captivated by nature, couple thinks everyone else should be, too
They have cataloged natural life online and have developed board games and walking tours to...
Her native plant garden brings all the butterflies to the yard — and irers too
After 2021 home purchase, Whittier woman immerses herself in transforming turf into living canvas, one...
Garden Mastery: Kate O. Sessions, shaper of San Diego's green legacy
As advocate for climate-appropriate plants, she helped establish botanical treasures across the city, including Balboa...
If you think you can hold a grudge, consider the crow
The brainy birds carry big chips on their shoulders, scientists say. And some people who...
Normal Heights property takes hilltop dreams to another level
Custom contemporary home is decked in creativity with a terraced, tropical paradise that's filled with...
Checkmate the 'disease triangle' in your rose garden
Plant choice, setting and monitoring each offer opportunities to encourage a diverse, healthy display
Help is at hand for planning out your native landscape
Nonprofit group Wild Ones offers a free library of designs, with plants specific to your...
Make a ‘base plan’ when planting in the November garden
Diagram carefully, irrigate properly and mind the needs of different species
Black flowers, sad statues: Gardens are going goth
Some gardeners are embracing a gloomier vibe in their outdoor spaces.
After your death, who will care for the dog?
A pet trust is a legally binding way to ensure continuity in future
Throwing a dinner party is a way to connect: Rookies, you got this
Set the scene for success with food, music and a focus on friends
For the birds: Renamed nonprofit marks 75 years helping local wildlife
San Diego Bird Alliance to present free community celebration Oct. 20 in Liberty Station
6 steps to stylish shoe storage
Have a mountain of footwear inside your front door? These strategies will help you tame...
Outside lights are deadly to birds, especially this time of year
Study: Collisions with windows kill more than 1B every year in the U.S.
Hate cleaning? These 6 strategies will actually get you motivated.
Use the principles behind the science of behavior change to train yourself to do household...
Fridgescaping is everywhere. But is it safe, and does it really need to be picture-pretty?
Fridgescaping display trend generates safety concerns (and some eye rolls), but it could reduce food...
Garden Mastery: Despite a dark reputation, bats are beneficial hunters
Voracious insect-eaters are also important pollinators
Front vs. top loaders: Is one type of washing machine better?
Mildew, water consumption, space and other things to consider when choosing a laundry machine.
Before renovating your kitchen, ask: What would Julia Child do?
You don’t need walls of French cookware to borrow a page from the legendary chef’s...
Garage organization: Get in gear
San Diego organizers offer guidance on how to get past the chaos, clear away the...
The 'rose nose' prize: innumerable shades of fragrance
Expert outlines 5 general categories of heady scents that aficionados seek out
Summer vacation is over, too, for root-bound houseplants
Plants that spent the season outdoors, with more light and air, may be due for...
In the October home garden, it's prime time for planting
Follow this checklist for phasing out summer vegetables and moving on to winter produce.
Decorating with fauxliage
Plantscaping gets a practical boost with lush-looking, no-water replica plants and moss walls
Cancer patient loved their Halloween display. They remade it to cheer her on.
A stranger left a note thanking them for their fun skeleton display. They quickly re-created...
7 ways to get a colorful home without going gaudy
Subtle wall colors can help transform, as can inspiration from artwork and nature
An artist's studio to fire up the senses
In Los Angeles, a creative design collaboration yields a custom home studio for blind potter
Don't work in bed, and other tips for creating a peaceful sleep zone in a studio apartment
By Kim Cook For The Associated Press There’s a lot to be said for...
From sketchbook to wallpaper: Behind the scenes at Rifle Paper Co.
How a hand-painted work eventually becomes a ubiquitous pattern.
Your luggage is gross. Here’s how to clean it.
Bags can become a repository for germs, after frequent with other people and well-used...
Trading Porsches for a houseboat and a gentler way of life
Rocked by success, a 'wallpaper guy' has found peace and a tolerable amount of society...
Garden Mastery: California native grasses bring 'natural' into home landscapes
Choose the appropriate species to increase biodiversity, help retain soil and reduce erosion with their...
10 ways to upgrade your bathroom in an hour or less
Whether it’s art, plants or hardware, these touches will spice up your space
Is attending a remodeling workshop worth your time?
Hosted by design firms or contractors in San Diego County, these free events can be...
Rosarians' vacation checklist: How to protect your plants at peak pest time
Physical presence in the garden is one of the most important tools in the gardener’s...
Portable fans are everywhere. Here's how 4 did in the summer heat.
If you watched the Olympics or traveled in Europe, you’ve probably seen portable fans in...
Get a look at mountain lifestyle in Sept. 14 Idyllwild home tour
Doors open to 5 distinctly different residences in major fundraiser for historical society
Follow this September checklist to strategize for fall planting and set garden goals
For The Union-Tribune Will the hot, humid conditions continue into September? That’s the prediction;...
La Jolla Historical Society home tour to highlight ‘one of the birthplaces of Modernism’
La Jolla is home to many different styles of architecture — from small cottages to...
Seeking a simpler life, he built an urban homestead. Now his family keeps it growing.
By Jeanette Marantos Los Angeles Times In 1984, a determined back-to-earther named Jules Dervaes Jr....
New construction blocking the view? ‘If you can’t beat them, them.’
Neighbors on New York island took a clever approach to a common problem: They hired...
How to arrange furniture like a professional home stager
By Jennifer Barger For The Washington Post In real estate listings and the “after” reveals...
Design strategies for your Airbnb
Furnishing a short-term rental is different from furnishing a residential home, and there are thousands...
He turns hedges into works of art. One appears on Google Maps (4.7 stars).
“I think people like bonkers things in their lives to cheer them up,” said Tim...
Why your garden hose keeps breaking — and what to do about it
Avoid replacing your hose every year (or more) with this expert advice.
Why these waterbed devotees never gave up on the jiggle
Waterbeds make up less than 2 percent of all mattress sales today, but a handful...
These people hated their mattresses — so they built their own
Frustrated by the high prices and lackluster comfort of big mattress brands, a growing community...
These plants wait their whole lives to bloom once, and it's usually spectacular
When monocarpics do flower, it’s usually a spectacular event
Seeds are gifts from nature, a major organic producer says; it's ending sales and giving them away
Decision by multimillion-dollar company Fruition Seeds sparks inspiration, confusion
In a hot LA neighborhood full of brown lawns, his DIY native plant garden thrives
After learning how to get rid of thirsty turf, Los Angeles resident set about transforming...
Garden Mastery: How to grow garlic, onions, leeks and chives — the Allium genus
Cool-season plants are aromatic powerhouses in the kitchen
Seed libraries are sprouting across San Diego County
Seed libraries are sprouting across San Diego County
'The queen and her garden courtiers': Companion plants enhance the setting for your roses
Choosing compatible plants in varied sizes, shapes, colors and textures ramps up visual interest and...
Growing your own blueberries yields sweet, nutritious snack from garden
By Jessical Damiano For The Associated Press I’ve been growing dwarf blueberries for three years...
With summer harvest in full swing, here are 50-plus tasks in the August home garden
Fill your baskets with squash, tomatoes, watermelon and more, and recheck irrigation setups for fruit...
Aging-in-place ADU a soft landing for mom
After 89-year-old is pushed out of apartment and housing options dwindle, daughter adds accessible unit
Wealthy couple in Maine accused of poisoning neighbor's trees for a killer ocean view
The incident ignited outrage in the community, especially because the poison leached into the ground....
How to (gently) talk to aging parents about downsizing and decluttering
It can feel insensitive — and even morbid — but there are tactful ways to...
Booties. Indoor dog parks. And following the vet’s orders. How to keep pets cool this summer
Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family ...
WaterSmart makeover: Embracing a low-water garden
Carlsbad resident takes on project to transform yard
Is your lamp the right size? There’s an equation for that.
To figure out the perfect size lamp for your space, you need to consider its...
Your fridge isn’t built to last. Here’s why.
You're not imagining it: Kitchen appliances these days aren't built to last. They might be...
The best souvenirs are home decor
It takes strategy to avoid loading up your suitcase with stuff you’ll never use. Here’s...
Second corpse flower now in bloom at San Diego Botanic Garden
Following last month’s rare bloom of a pungent corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), San Diego Botanic...
Creating a home for butterflies
Even the smallest outdoor spaces can bloom with plants that draw the pollinators; these resources...
Minneapolis cat tour started as joke, now draws hundreds of irers
Feline fans relish the experience as as two-mile stroll shows off neighborhood's companions
Garden Mastery: What to consider with palms in the landscape
Beloved symbol of Southern California lifestyle needs a plan for care and maintenance, say San...
ASID designers to host donation drive July 21 for nonprofit Humble Design
ASID Interior Designers Host Donation Drive with Humble Design for Families Emerging from Homelessness on...
Deg a bedroom that a teen will love
Teens can help steer the design process for a space that reflects their need for...
Essential to the quest for rose-growing success: soil
Caring for soil through amendments, organic mulch will ensure that roses have the richly fertile...
In the July garden, it's high time to plant another round of summer vegetables
Garden expert Nan Sterman explains the garden chores for July, including updating your watering patterns...
San Diego's interior design experts offer 'Summer Spruce Up' special
San Diego's interior design professionals offer their annual 'Summer Spruce Up' special through Aug. 31:...
15 best native plants to grow in your yard if you also want fragrant bouquets
With the right preparation and care, a garden of native plants can also supply stunning,...
Getting rid of poison ivy is a serious matter. What you should and shouldn't do.
Getting rid of poison ivy is a serious matter. What you should and shouldn't do.
How to throw a kid’s birthday party with less waste
How to have a greener birthday party: The goody bags, confetti and uneaten food aren't...
How to care for houseplants during a heat wave
Expert advice on how to protect your houseplants as temperatures soar: Water frequently, keep them...
Corpse flower's 'stinky beauty' has reopened at San Diego Botanic Garden
Corpse flower's 'stinky beauty' has reopened at San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas
Nature Trail at The Nat to debut June 29
Nature Trail at The Nat, a free outdoor interpretive exhibit, is San Diego Natural History...
Tips to find quality furniture at a price you can live with
To find quality pieces at a price you can live with, it's important to do...
7 ways to use wallpaper — without covering a whole room
Sometimes, less is better: Design pros share their favorite tricks for making a big impact...
Secrets to growing great basil
For healthy basil plants, follow some basic rules about watering, harvesting and disease prevention
5 ways to get better window treatments on a budget
Interior designers share their best hacks for getting the look of custom curtains and shades...
We asked experts whether cooling bedding works. Here’s what they said.
Americans are facing a hot summer. If you already struggle with overheating at night, you...
Renovation transforms collectors’ waterfront house into lavish salute to iconic entertainers
Consider the 21 gilded mirrors lining the music room, each more extravagant than the last....
Garden Mastery: Outsmarting skunks, raccoons and opossums – meddlesome critters of the night
Pepé Le Pew, Rascal and Pogo maybe cute characters on the screen, but skunks, raccoons...
7 extra-large houseplants that make a big statement
I live in a mid-century style house with 16-foot ceilings at the tallest point, so...
There’s an art to arranging a bookshelf. Here’s how it’s done.
In a public library, styling a bookshelf is easy: Just fill it with books. At...
WaterSmart makeover: Creating a neighborhood oasis in Escondido
Couple finds the fun in researching possibilities, deg and putting in the hard work for...
Deg a space to inspire the growing child
Years ago, Jessica Nicholls, principal designer at Bungalow 56, designed the bedrooms of two daughters...
Beware crimes of negligence and omission in the rose garden
It must have been the atmosphere in the Hall of Justice. On my recent jury...
30-plus tips on helping your June garden produce to the max
As spring finally transitions to summer, “June Gloom” typically brings us some gray skies, especially...
Luckily for cooks and gardeners, some herbs come back year after year
If you like to cook, odds are you’re painfully aware of the price of herbs...