Stretch Your Garden Budget

Better Homes and Gardens. July 23, 2021. By Nafeesah Allen: It’s easy to overlook your landscape when budgeting for home maintenance and renovation projects. Yet this summer is bound to yield an abundance of backyard BBQs and other outdoor entertaining, ensuring that landscaping is a line item on your home improvement to-do list (and budget). Costs can quickly add up for outdoor projects, but with a little preparation, you can keep expenses down and really make every penny count. Read More

Protect Your Home (and Neighborhood)

Realtor.com. June 20, 2021. By Larissa Runkle: After last year’s record-setting wildfires, which burned over 10 million acres, experts predict this year’s wildfire season will be just as dangerous. Scorching temperatures and drought conditions make it nearly impossible to prevent some fires, but if you live in a place that’s considered at risk for wildfires, you’re probably concerned about how to protect your home.

While there are many obvious ways to help stop the spread of wildfires (mainly, by respecting fire bans), there are also some steps you should take to mitigate the risk of fires. Read More

Understanding Green Architecture

RocketMortgage. July 12, 2021. By Katie Ziraldo: As society looks toward the future to find new ways to combat climate change, one of the biggest solutions may lie in our past. The concept of green architecture, with the added assistance of modern technology, may hold the key to a better future for both buildings and people.

“Our living environments profoundly impact our health and social equity,” explains Cassy Aoyagi, President of FormLA Landscaping. Read More

Shoutout Cassy Aoyagi

Shoutout LA. July 1, 2021. ShoutoutLA Staff: We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassy Aoyagi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassy, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how? Read More

No-Mess Poolside Plants

Realtor.com. Jun 30, 2021. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: Ahh—sinking into the cool water of a swimming pool on a hot summer day is heavenly. Diving into a tangle of slimy leaves and bugs? Not so much…

But it doesn’t have to be that way. The types of trees, shrubs, and flowers you pick to surround your pool can spell the difference between a summer packed with pool cleaning, or one where you can recline in an inflatable swan in peace. Read More

What We Renovated

Realtor.com. Jun 23, 2021. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: There’s no better time to renovate than amid a pandemic—and according to a new report by Houzz, we’re spending more on remodeling than ever.

According to the 10th annual Houzz & Home report, which polled more than 70,000 respondents on their renovation habits, our home improvement budgets ballooned by 15% over the past year—up to a median of $15,000 per household. Read More

Senseless Garden Trends

Realtor.com. May 31, 2021. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: Yardwork is a sweaty labor of love, from planting flower beds to designing your patio. And come summer, it can be all too tempting to hop onto the latest trends you see lining the aisles at your local Home Depot. But beware—trends come and go, and many just don’t stand the test of time for good reason: They’re uncomfortable, impractical, and, all in all, just don’t make much sense. Read More

Add Statues – Correctly

Realtor.com. Apr 29, 2021. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: A statue in the yard can give people pause. Does it mean you’re a pretentious snob? Take heart, dear homeowner, and understand that putting a sculpture on your lawn doesn’t need to be a grandiose statement. Read More

Just Add Water

Realtor.com. Apr 27, 2021. By Jennifer Kelly Geddes: Every homeowner wants a calm oasis in the backyard. For some folks, this means a fully loaded outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven and mini fridge, while for others it’s a simple hammock strung between two trees. But for the ultimate in backyard tranquility, we’re here to suggest you add a water feature. Cooling and quiet, installing a new H2O design can transform your outdoor space into a true escape. Read More