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    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
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    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

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    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
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    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you're a beginner baker who's just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We'll help you set up a baking essentials kit for beginners with 21 pastry tools. For those who already own these handy tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking tools and equipment inventory starts here.
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    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
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    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
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    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

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  5. Colorful Backyard Makeover

Colorful Backyard Makeover

February 19, 2016
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Brightly decorated deck
These San Diego homeowners and landscaping novices transformed their backyard into a lush getaway with do-it-yourself projects and salvaged materials.
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Found, Free, and Fabulous

Brightly decorated deck

A backyard makeover does not have to break the bank. By asking friends, searching the Internet, and using objects found in the yard, these California homeowners transformed a bleak backyard into a lush getaway.

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Cheerful Welcome

Painted outdoor rug

An inexpensive outdoor area rug blooms thanks to an oversize floral stencil and some bright paint.

2 of 19

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Double Duty

Painted ceiling medallion

A ceiling medallion coated with exterior paint brightens a table and holds down a tablecloth on a windy day.

3 of 19

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Sassy Plants

Painted plant pots

Graphic stencils and paint in happy hues give plain terra-cotta pots sunny dispositions.

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True Identity

Herb pots labeled with chalkboard paint and chalk

A small rectangle of chalkboard paint on a ceramic pot is a perfect place to ID a fresh herb for a table garden.

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Bring the Indoors Out

Painted outdoor wall artwork

Wall art constructed from plywood, exterior-grade paint, and a double coat of sealer provides interest on a privacy fence.

  • To download the artwork templates, click here.

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Touch of Nature

Fern painted on outdoor pillow

A botanical motif stenciled on an outdoor pillow continues the nature-inspired decorating scheme.

  • For even more botanical stencil ideas, click here.

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Help Yourself

Painted utensil holders

Plain white ceramic windowsill planters become perky utensil holders for dining outdoors when customized with brightly colored paint pens.

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Warm Glow

Decoupaged candle holders

Small glass jars decoupaged with tissue paper (and shellacked for maximum weather-worthiness) glow when tea lights flicker inside.

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Fun and Functional

Paper lantern

Solar-power paper orbs add colorful ambience overhead -- no electricity required.

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Illuminating Lilies

Floating waterlilly lights

Battery-power LED lights masquerade as water lilies in the pond.

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Light the Way

Candle in metal lantern

Candles tucked into lanterns boost the coziness appeal.

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Cozy Nook

Freestanding deck with pond

Placing the pergola-topped deck as close to the hand-dug pond as possible gives this oasis a docklike feel. Bright bedsheets used as curtains add privacy. A vintage trunk becomes a movable ottoman/coffee table/storage bench with a fresh coat of paint, a set of casters, and a padded top wrapped in festive, weather-resistant vinyl.

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Snack Time Outside

Tray on outdoor ottoman

Pretty patterned vinyl atop the DIY ottoman (see previous slide for full project) repels spills and moisture. A bright tray holds drinks and snacks.

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Tiny Comforts

Small cottage with porch

Materials left over from a home addition provided the bones of this tucked away cottage. Old windows and doors, extra wood, and leftover roofing were used to create this charming bonus room.

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Pretty and Perky

Small window box for potted plants

A shelf outfitted with dollhouse fencing, both found at a crafts store and then painted orange, makes a delightful window box when planted with petunias and pinwheels.

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Welcome Home

Spray painted welcome mat

This custom welcome mat project cost less than $25; crafts sticks and inexpensive house numbers from the home store act as masks for the spray paint.

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Doggie Dwelling

DIY doghouse

Leftover building material also provided a new space for the family dog. A removable roof makes it easy to clean.

  • To see the homeowner's plans for the doghouse, click here.

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Customized Containers

DIY doghouse close-up

Chalkboard paint applied to a dog dish further customizes the pup's playground.

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    1 of 19 Found, Free, and Fabulous
    2 of 19 Cheerful Welcome
    3 of 19 Double Duty
    4 of 19 Sassy Plants
    5 of 19 True Identity
    6 of 19 Bring the Indoors Out
    7 of 19 Touch of Nature
    8 of 19 Help Yourself
    9 of 19 Warm Glow
    10 of 19 Fun and Functional
    11 of 19 Illuminating Lilies
    12 of 19 Light the Way
    13 of 19 Cozy Nook
    14 of 19 Snack Time Outside
    15 of 19 Tiny Comforts
    16 of 19 Pretty and Perky
    17 of 19 Welcome Home
    18 of 19 Doggie Dwelling
    19 of 19 Customized Containers

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