Latest articles by Hugh Metcalf
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This centuries-old trick for keeping your garden well-watered might be the answer to your plants surviving a hot summer
A garden that self-regulates its watering so it's never too dry or too waterlogged might sound like it requires smart tech, but it's actually an idea that's been around for hundreds of years
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Best outdoor mirrors – stylish designs that can make your backyard look bigger and your landscaping more dynamic
The best outdoor mirrors work the same magic on your backyard as they do indoors – making a small space look bigger and creating emphasis on your favorite design features
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Is No Mow May a good idea? Garden experts weigh up the pros and cons of not mowing your lawn this month
No Mow May sees gardeners down lawnmowers for an entire month to encourage more bees to their lawns. But is it the right course of action for a healthy garden?
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20 paint ideas that are easy to achieve, but will transform your home from ordinary to extraordinary
Paint ideas that show how the world's most creative interiors designers are using paint right now in their decorating schemes
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The best fast-growing trees for privacy, shade and a more mature-looking backyard
Looking for quick gratification from your garden planting? The best fast-growing trees promise a fuller, private backyard in no time at all
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I tried Nate Berkus' genius trick to make a King size pillowcase fit a standard pillow – and it works like a charm
This simple trick for making your pillowcases look better might be second hand to some, but for me, it solved one of life's great bed sheet mysteries
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How can I make my garden look fuller? 8 tips that'll make your backyard planting appear more mature on a budget
From fast growing trees and plants to simple tricks landscape designers always use, here's how to design a backyard with instant gratification
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Best trees for front yards – these are landscape designers' 8 top picks for effortless curb appeal
The best trees for front yards might provide structure, seasonal interest or complement a home's architecture – and it might do all these and more
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Colorful living room ideas – 10 spaces that prove going all-out with color can create stylish and sophisticated spaces
Going colorful with your living room ideas is all the rage – these 10 rooms show how you can wield colors without overwhelming your home
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How can I create privacy with my garden planting? 7 tricks to solve your overlooked-backyard woes
From choosing the best hedges and trees to perfecting positioning, this is how to use landscaping to create a more private backyard
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'They're divisive!' How an unexpected take on Brutalist interiors has us convinced these spaces can be soft and welcoming
A new approach to this architectural trend introduces surprising colors and textures into the mix – say hello to the softer side of Brutalist interiors
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Best trees for privacy – 11 trees to plant to block out your neighbors and unsightly views
If your backyard is overlooked, planting the right trees can help you reclaim your privacy. These are the trees landscape designers always choose
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8 hacks the best designers use to make a kitchen more ergonomic – from the right layout to raising your appliances
For a kitchen that flows better and is more comfortable to use, consider these design hacks that will ensure your space's functionality lives up to its good looks
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'It tricks you into thinking you're on vacation' – this interior designer's own backyard is a Mediterranean dream
Interior designer Jessie Lane turned a backyard plot overtaken by an oversized pool into a modern Moroccan retreat
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10 of the best outdoor sofas that actually make it comfortable to spend time in your backyard
From plump sectionals to cozy loveseats, these 10 outdoor sofas pick up on the latest trends, while making your backyard more comfortable, too
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4 genius things you can do with home security in 2023 that'll give you extra peace of mind
From clever features to smart buys that can make your system smarter, here are some of the things exciting us in home security tech right now
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Balcony ideas – 13 thoughtful design touches that will make your apartment's outdoor space rival any backyard
These chic and stylish balcony ideas will help you make the most of a small city balcony, and turn it into a space you'll enjoy spending time in.
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'It's 50/50 human and robot' – behind the inspiring furniture trend where time-old techniques meet cutting-edge technology
The interior trend for softly sculpted marble furniture might be a labor of love – but clever technology is making it less labor intensive
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We're calling it – the "open" bathroom trend might divide the crowd, but its pros far outweigh its drawbacks
This hotel-inspired ensuite bathroom trend looks amazing, but it's not going to prove popular with everyone
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The 10 most stylish outdoor chaise lounges to buy, inspired by this trend-filled backyard in Palm Springs
When it comes to choosing an on-trend outdoor chaise lounge for 2023 take inspiration from this colorful, eclectic backyard
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Why does my home's color scheme feel flat? This is exactly what your lackluster palette is missing
To create more sophisticated color schemes for your home, the key lies in bringing nuance through accent colors, says Dagny Thurmann-Moe
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10 bathrooms with built-in bathtubs that prove they're a minimalist alternative to freestanding styles
Once cast out of the bathroom for hotel-inspired freestanding tubs, built-in baths are having a resurgence with some of the world's most creative interior designers
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This 'poison color' trick is the secret to elevated decorating schemes - I'll never look at a room's palette in the same way
This color theory goes to prove that there can be nuance in choosing a contrast hue for your scheme
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30+ of the very best outdoor kitchen ideas that will elevate your cook-out to the next level
If you're planning an outdoor kitchen project, here are some of the best, cleverest and most stylish ideas to inspire your own design
