Not far from the wood shed, a wood fence and play-set also offer dry fuel for fire. Both are separated from the home by vibrant, hydrated, well-maintained foliage that can serve to slow a fire's path. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

We’re crazy about succulent arrangements! You might remember these thick-stemmed plants from the 70s, but we Americans have had an on-and-off love affair with succulents dating back to the 18th century. Today, the Millennials have spurred a big comeback for these plants, for many reasons. Succulents are hardy and they don’t need a lot of care. They can tolerate small amounts of water, in case you occasionally forget to hydrate them. Most of them don’t grow quickly, so they don’t require much space and you won’t have to transplant them often. Succulents don’t need much pruning, if any, and of course, they are so pretty and unusual looking! Planting them in a piece of dried wood only amplifies the organic vibe.

Bee House in the garden
Inspiration for a vegetable garden landscape in Seattle for spring.

Bright berries of Firethorn (Pyracantha spp) photo by Jocelyn H. Chilvers
Photo of a landscaping in Denver.

Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan
Design ideas for a landscaping in Chicago for winter.

Spa Steam Room
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in Philadelphia

SaladScape of 'Mervielles des Quatre Saison' (French Four Season) lettuces. The side box is ready to harvest, the top tray about 2 weeks from harvest. Photo by Steve Masley.

A simple coffee/tea station for guests.
Example of an eclectic kitchen design in Sacramento

Container plantings designed and installed by Westover Landscape Design, Inc. More at www.WestoverLd.com Photos by Rich Pomerantz
Photo of an eclectic landscaping in New York.

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause. Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible. It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved. A Symbol for Change The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities. The Winning Bid We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands. #ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes The Plans A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped. The Build Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better. The Final Product Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page. This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

The variability of these low-growing, native plant materials halts rolling embers more readily than turf or hardscape. They will also hold hydration better than turf and non-native foliage, although we do not leave that to chance! Hydrozoned, low-flow, subsurface drip irrigation on weather based controllers ensures the foliage gets just the right amount of water. Organic wood chip mulch (never flammable mulches like shredded tires) to further bolsters soil hydration. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause. Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible. It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved. A Symbol for Change The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities. The Winning Bid We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands. #ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes The Plans A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped. The Build Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better. The Final Product Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page. This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

Photo Credit: Randl Bye
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Philadelphia

As with the other foliage in proximity to the home, Oregon Grape, native to California, also holds its hydration in high, dry heat. This helps it resist fire as long as possible. In the spring, it fills with delicate, bright yellow blooms. In summer, it turns blue with edible berries. The leaves will also transform into shades of burnt sienna, mahogany and scarlet in fall. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

Recently, TaskRabbit challenged a group of 10 Taskers to build a Tiny House in the middle of Manhattan in just 72 hours – all for a good cause. Building a fully outfitted tiny house in 3 days was a tall order – a build like this often takes months – but we set out to prove the power of collaboration, showing the kind of progress that can be made when people come together, bringing their best insights, skills and creativity to achieve something that seems impossible. It was quite a week. New York was wonderful (and quite lovely, despite a bit of rain), our Taskers were incredible, and TaskRabbit’s Tiny House came together in record time, due to the planning, dedication and hard work of all involved. A Symbol for Change The TaskRabbit Tiny House was auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds going to our partner, Community Solutions, a national nonprofit helping communities take on complex social challenges – issues like homelessness, unemployment and health inequity – through collaboration and creative problem solving. This Tiny House was envisioned as a small symbol of the change that is possible when people have the right tools and opportunities to work together. Through our three-day build, our Taskers proved that amazing things can happen when we put our hearts into creating substantive change in our communities. The Winning Bid We’re proud to report that we were able to raise $26,600 to support Community Solutions’ work. Sarah, a lovely woman from New Hampshire, placed the winning bid – and it’s nice to know our tiny home is in good hands. #ATinyTask: Behind the Scenes The Plans A lot of time and effort went into making sure this Tiny Home was as efficient, cozy and welcoming as possible. Our master planners, designer Lesley Morphy and TaskRabbit Creative Director Scott Smith, maximized every square inch in the little house with comfort and style in mind, utilizing a lofted bed, lofted storage, a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower, a compost toilet, and custom details throughout. There’s a surprising amount of built-in storage in the kitchen, while a conscious decision was made to keep the living space open so you could actually exist comfortably without feeling cramped. The Build Our Taskers worked long, hard shifts while our team made sure they were well fed, hydrated and in good spirits. The team brought amazing energy and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they worked together. Stay tuned, as we’ll be highlighting more of our Tiny House Taskers’ stories in coming days – they were so great that we want to make sure all of you get to know them better. The Final Product Behold, the completed Tiny House! For more photos, be sure to check out our Facebook page. This was an incredibly inspiring project, and we really enjoyed watching the Tiny House come to life right in the middle of Manhattan. It was amazing to see what our Taskers are capable of, and we’re so glad we were able to support Community Solutions and help fight homelessness, unemployment and health inequity with #ATinyTask.

A Malibu beach-front retreat built by art collector, designer and antiques dealer Richard Shapiro has “the look, age and aura of a very old, windswept structure from the Mediterranean or the Aegean.” All walls in the house are sheathed in frescoed plaster and partially covered by the Renaissance-style frescoes created by fresco artist iLia Anossov. Photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna. True (buon) fresco—the oldest and most celebrated painting technique—is painting with natural pigments on wet plaster. Paints are prepared from minerals and various clays. Plaster is made of slaked lime (calcium hydrate) and sand. As wet plaster cures a natural reaction occurs permanently embedding pigments into the cured plaster. This artwork is created using true centuries-old fresco techniques and materials. Unlike faux finishes and fresco imitations, true (buon) frescoes create a unique feeling of authenticity, depth and richness of the artwork. The frescoes can be applied in traditional or contemporary settings: from genuine buon fresco fragments that are aged and worn to match period and style of selected era, to full-sized wall or ceiling frescos whether aged and stylized or fresh and new.

True Residential 24" Undercounter Refrigerator Drawers- Overlay Panel Ready Brick Wallpaper-York Wallcovering, Up the Wall #RB4304 Cabinetry- Manufacturer: KitchenCraft, Door style- Asher, Wood Species & Color- Maple Cirrus Hardware- Richelieu 7544160170 Backsplash- Chalkboard paint Flooring- Pergo Laminate, Homestead Oak

Chaparral native foliage, which holds its hydration throughout LA's climate cycle, grows low near to the home, providing defensible space. Native tree canopy further out can "catch" flying embers before they can reach and ignite the home. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

A Full scale Design, Renovation & Furnishings project for our Coasters Chance Cottage in Cutler, Maine. This story was featured on Magnolia Network & Discovery Plus On The Show “A Designers Profile” Season 2 Episode 5. This showcase is full of the start to finish within a renovation and the design & attention to detail that Moore House Design Creates. Full of rich tones, textural plaster, and plenty of Custom Moore House Designed Furnishings. FEATURED ON TV: MAGNOLIA NETWORK & DISCOVERY PLUS TV SHOW: A DESIGNERS PROFILE - SEASON 2 -EPISODE 5