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Summertime is swimming pool time. If you have a pool already, perhaps you’re looking to add some features that will turn it into even more of a backyard destination than it currently is. If you’re thinking of adding a new pool, you’ll want to explore the options that can give you the pool of your dreams.
Read on to learn more about some of the fun and unexpected pool options and amenities that can help make the most of your pool. While some of these projects, such as a natural pool, need to be done during initial construction, others, including updating the pool deck or installing a fire feature, can be added to an existing pool.
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2. Plant a Fruit, Veggie or Herb You’ve Never Grown Before
Whether you plant ‘Green Globe’ artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, purple beans, alpine strawberries or hot peppers, try growing something new this season. Most likely, you’ll be surprised, even delighted, by how it grows and tastes — and inspired to use the new produce in summer meals.
Kitchen garden already maxed out on space? Pot up a few containers with unusual herbs such as Thai basil, shiso, lemongrass, Vietnamese coriander, chocolate mint, chervil or lemon verbena and have them inspire your recipes.
What to Know About Adding or Renovating an Edible Garden
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9. Social Graces
The initial goal of this Illinois project was to build an outdoor pavilion and kitchen on a newly purchased lot next to the homeowners’ existing lot. But one thing led to another, and a team including Joey Rossa of JMR Landscaping, Nick Shaver of Century Bay Builders and interior designer Laurie Demetrio ended up giving the homeowners a pool, a spa, a two-level guesthouse and a two-car garage as well.
The generously appointed pavilion has ceiling heaters and a fireplace to keep things toasty on cooler days, plus ceiling fans to stir up breezes when it’s warm. Cushy seating surrounds a coffee table, promoting conversation and connection. The outdoor kitchen is party-ready with a grill, smoker, pizza oven, wine cooler and more. There’s also a five-seat bar with plenty of countertop space, and a TV above the fireplace.
Read more about this project
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Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Keeping an eye on sinks and tile surrounds can help prevent costly water damage and repairs down the road. Make note of areas in need of new grout or caulk, as well as any slow leaks to repair. While you’re at it, freshen the kitchen drain by grinding a few ice cubes along with a few tablespoons of salt in the garbage disposal.
Check safety devices. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the test button; replace batteries as needed. Also, take a moment to check the expiration date on any fire extinguishers in the house and replace them if needed.
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As the air turns crisp and the leaves change from green to amber, red and gold, you may find yourself wanting to linger a little longer on the porch and savor that glowing autumn light. From clusters of candles to cozy wool blankets, here are eight ways to help create a comfortable, welcoming porch that says, “Fall is here.”
Tuck Wool Blankets Around Lounge Chairs
Plaid wool throws folded neatly atop the seat cushions of lounge chairs look crisp and cozy. And when you want to enjoy your porch just a little bit longer in the evening, all you need to do is pull up a blanket and snuggle in.
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Go Wild With Candlelight
Why stop with just one or two candles when you can have 10 or 20? Cluster them together on a tray or metal side table, and the glow they cast will instantly boost the evening ambiance on your porch. For safety, consider choosing battery-operated candles — some look very realistic!
Cozy Up the Hammock
Help your hammock look right at home as the leaves begin to fall by boosting its comfort level with a smattering of pillows and a super-soft throw. Then just swap out your summer iced tea for a mug of hot apple cider, and you’ll be happily swinging and swaying until the first flakes fly.
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Display Pumpkins in Subtle Hues
If you want to get a jump on fall porch decorating but it’s a little early for full-on Halloween, consider picking up some pumpkins and gourds in a more subtle color palette. Silvery green, white and pale orange pumpkins are beautiful and elegant, and they don’t scream “fall” so much as whisper it.
Carry Out Some Quilts
If you have an enclosed porch and don’t need to worry about textiles being damaged in bad weather, consider bringing out a few thick quilts to drape over the seating. The colors and patterns (not to mention the warmth) will be most welcome as you sit and watch the leaves drop.
8 Screened-In Porches for Watching the Seasons Change
Create a Luxurious Mood With Orchids and Throws
If you live in the city or lean more modern in your taste, there are plenty of ways to cozy up your porch without overdosing on mums and jack-o’-lanterns. Instead, try a rich plum-colored throw and pillows, plus a potted orchid on the coffee table. It’s simple, elegant and easy to pull off.
Light a Fire
If you’re lucky enough to have a working outdoor fireplace on the porch, fall is the perfect time to make use of it. Just be sure to schedule cleaning and maintenance before lighting it for the first time this season — buildup from previous fires, as well as debris or old animal nests, can cause a chimney fire.
Pros Share 8 Design Tips for Screened-In Porches
Boost Evening Lighting
As the days become shorter, good porch lighting will ensure that your leisurely evenings alfresco can continue all season long. If possible, have the lights put on a dimmer switch. It’s great to have a really bright porch light to see who’s at the door, but when you’re just hanging out, a soft glow is much more welcoming.
Tell us: What does your fall porch look like? Share a photo in the Comments!
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A gardener’s work is never done. Even though August is the high point for the summer vegetable garden, with ripe tomatoes and peppers, freshly picked corn and never-ending zucchini rewarding you for your hard work in the spring, it’s time to start thinking about what vegetables you want for fall.
The following are 12 edibles you can plant now that will extend your vegetable growing season well into the fall months. Some, like carrots and radishes, are familiar spring options that will grow quickly and help fill in any bare patches left when you pull out your spent summer favorites. For others, such as kale and turnips, fall is the optimal planting time and frost is a plus. If you’re in a warm-winter climate, vegetables such as chard might even keep producing well into winter.
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New York
CNN
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Listing your home in the spring used to be a no-brainer. But a major real estate shakeup is complicating the equation.
That shakeup is coming from a $418 million settlement the National Association of Realtors announced last week with groups of homesellers that could go into effect as early as July. The settlement will eliminate the long-standing standard 6% commission paid by the seller, which could ultimately make it cheaper to sell your home post-settlement.
But is it worth waiting to list your home and potentially risking a sale?
Would you rather be unloading boxes from a moving truck in a potential snowstorm or heatwave as opposed to when it’s a pleasant 60-degree day?
That’s one of the main reasons spring has been the most popular season to buy a home.
For families with children, it’s also an ideal time to close on home because it would allow them to stay in the same school.
By springtime, people are also more likely to have paid off any debt they took on over the holidays, said Phil Crescenzo Jr., the southeast division vice president at Nation One Mortgage Corporation.
The settlement could present a major downside to homebuyers.
Under the current system, the buyer’s agent’s commission is baked into the total they pay for a home. That meant buyers could pay that added cost over the entire length of their mortgage.
But after the settlement is finalized, many may have to pay flat fees upfront to agents. That would add to the financial burden for homebuyers – especially first-timers. And that’s on top of coming up with all the money they need for a home downpayment, closing costs, a lawyer and all the other fees associated with buying a home.
Buyers, therefore, may have more of an incentive to close on a home sooner rather than later.
There’s also no guarantee a federal court will sign off on the settlement as is. The unknowns associated with that are enough of a reason not to wait to list your home, said Crescenzo. From conversations he’s had with real estate agents, he said he’s not seeing any signs that the NAR settlement is delaying listing activity.
“There is no reason to wait,” Mike Downer, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Realty in Naples, Florida. “The seller does not currently need to provide any compensation to the buyer’s agent.”
The biggest advantage of waiting to list your home until the settlement is finalized is being able to negotiate an agent’s commission down more than they otherwise would’ve been able to. On top of that, they may be able to avoid having to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission.
That could allow them to pocket thousands of dollars more on the sale of their home.
If selling your home boiled down to a business decision, Mike Downer, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker Realty in Naples, Florida, said he’d try to list it as soon as possible.
“If I am trying to test the market, there would be no need to list it 1723291007,” he added.
But in his view, the NAR settlement shouldn’t be a major consideration when it comes to timing.
“An agent who provides value will always be worth more than an agent who does not provide value,” because they can help you net more money for the sale of your home, he said.
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12. Designate a place for drinks. Borrow the idea of a bar cart for your outdoor space. You won’t want to keep the drinks there full time, but having a set location and a few accoutrements handy, including a tub for chilling drinks and bar tools, will mean you’re ready to go when it’s time to bring things out. A bar cart also can do double duty as a table or counter when not in use for drinks.
Closed cabinetry will let you keep some glassware and cutlery as well as any bar tools outside. To make juggling everything you’ll be bringing out from the kitchen even easier, consider having a weather-friendly tray on hand.
If space is tight, look for other possible options when it’s time to entertain: the end of a counter, the top of a storage cabinet or even a potting bench.
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Locate your screen in a spot that’s relatively free from adjacent lighting, and set up the projector and sound system. Also, be aware of how your location will affect your neighbors. You don’t want to blast them out with loud sounds or project something unsettling, such as a horror flick, to the neighborhood. Then just add popcorn and enjoy.
10 Etiquette Rules for Outdoor Living