Outdoor Renovations: Think Outside the Box

PennyMac. April 23, 2018. By Jerrica Kowcheck: When it comes to remodeling plans, most homeowners immediately think of upgrades to be made inside of the house… We talked to real estate and renovation experts to gather their tips and insights on renovation projects for your home’s outside. Here are the top outdoor renovation ideas for you to focus on this year!

15th Annual Native Plant Garden Tour

KTLA. April 9, 2018. By Nancy Cruz and Gale Anderson. (Video)

See it: A Showstopping Urban Meadow

Los Angeles Times. APR 03, 2018. By Lisa Boone: DiAnna Moore used to be known as the Rose Lady. “I had a carpet of red roses in my front yard,” Moore says of her Northridge garden. “We tried to keep them alive, along with our Bermuda grass,” all while trying to adhere to water conservation rules in place at the time.

The Best Trees for Privacy, Shade, and More

Realtor.com. Mar 29, 2018. By Jennifer Geddes: What are the best trees for privacy, shade, and your yard in general? Such questions are well worth asking, since not all flora are created equal.

There Goes the Neighborhood!

Realtor.com. March 12, 2018. By Stephanie Booth (@stephaniebBarth): Your neighbors couldn’t care less about what you keep on the mantel above your fireplace. And they wouldn’t expect you to check with them before you pick out new paint for your bathroom. Your yard, however, is a very different matter.

The Ideal Home Office

Inspired Living Omaha. February 26, 2018. By Erik Martin: One of the perks of working from home is the ability to roll out of bed on your own clock and get down to business in a bathrobe, if you so desire.

But another major perk is the opportunity to create a workspace that’s as conducive to comfort as it is productivity.

Plant Right, Prevent Fires

KABC House Smarts, October 21, 2017. Host Lou Manfredini interviews Cassy Aoyagi about the Authentic Foothill Gardens and how the picking the right plants protects the foothills from fire. (32:18)

What’s Next in LA Green-Building?

Green Home Builder. September 2017. By Cassy Aoyagi: This is a ripe and critical moment for the green building community in Southern California. Just as builders and developers worked to define an aspirational standard for buildings, we have the opportunity now to help the public understand the impact and value of green spaces – at home and in our neighborhoods.

7 Fire-Retardant Plants

September 30, 2017. By Lisa Boone: Consider all the potential solutions to help save your home during a wildfire and landscaping seems an obvious choice. But are the drought-tolerant solutions that many of us have already implemented – turf removal among them – enough to fend off fire?