We like to think of our gardens as an extension of our home. And just like any room in the house, sometimes you just want a few new things to brighten it up. For your reading pleasure, here are some fun products and ideas that can liven up any outdoor abode.

The Lluna planter by Serralunga is a cool modern planter as you can see:

But if you find yourself needing a cold drink instead of more greenery, this planter obliges. It would work well for a large backyard soiree!

Speaking of that garden party, if you are looking for a use for the empty beer bottles you stashed in the planter/ice bucket, look no further than Design*Sponge’s bottle garden idea.  It’s an easy idea for a really cool garden…and it’s a great way to re-use without recycling!

If the bottle garden inspires you to find a way to re-use objects in your garden, then consider Re-Nest’s idea to turn your chandelier into a planter. Where the bulbs would be, you put small pots of flowers instead. It’s unique, funky, and classically quirky.

What are some fun ideas you’ve tried for “re-decorating” your garden?

All images are from blogs linked to above

Apartment Therapy recently featured some self watering planters — perfect for those of us with irregular schedules or who can’t quite remember that all living things need water! Now, they’re not completely maintenance free — you will have to put water in every so often. But once the water is in, you can sit back and watch your plants grow.

There are quite a few options out there, but our favorite is the Grobal Self-Watering Planter designed by Karim Rashid (see some of his work for the myMarvin project here). The Grobal comes in enough colors to satisfy any decorating scheme and features Rashid’s signature curvy lines. With something as easy as this, there’s no excuse not to try growing something this summer!

Photo courtesy of A + R

Late spring is one of my favorite times of year to have visitors to my garden because there’s so much in bloom. The roses are spectacular, such as the ‘Lamarque,’ which I have growing over my tool shed. It’s just one of about 25 or 30 old-fashioned roses I grow in my garden. Technically, an old-fashioned rose is one that was introduced before 1867; that’s when the hybrid teas were first introduced. Now, I have a lot of rose varieties in my garden that were introduced before that date, and a lot afterward.

I use old-fashioned roses in a variety of ways. One of my favorites is to use them to punctuate an entry as I’ve done with climbing ‘White American Beauty.’ This rose has filled the entire bonnet of an arbor. Now this rose is also known as ‘Frau Karl Druschki,’ it was introduced in 1901.

Another one of my favorites is ‘Iceberg.’ I grow it three different ways in my garden. One way is in a tree or standard form where ‘Iceberg,’ is grafted onto the stock of a different type rose. This makes a beautiful presentation. The climbing form of ‘Iceberg’ is yet another way I grow it. It is beautiful supported by twig trellises and it can grow to quite an impressive height. And the last way I grow it is as a shrub in my flowerbeds. It’s a beautiful rose that will bloom right until frost.

Russell’s Cottage rose only blooms once a year, but it is a real showstopper. I grow it because of its incredible fragrance. Now, it’s an exuberant climber and it has literally grown up into the branches of an overhead elm tree.

‘Russell’s Cottage’ isn’t the only rose I grow in trees. I also grow ‘Madame Alfred Carriere.’ She actually blooms just as the foliage is beginning to appear in the tree.

Of course, anyone can appreciate the beauty of a rose. But from a garden design standpoint, I think that the thing I enjoy most about these old-fashioned roses is that they make such dramatic statements in the landscape.

When I chose rose varieties for my garden, I wanted to maximize the bloom potential. I chose varieties that bloom early in the season and roses that bloom right on through the fall. There are so many different varieties to choose from, there’s a rose for every situation. Some will grow beautifully in containers, others will even take some shade.

‘New Dawn’ is one of the most prolific and carefree roses that I grow. I tell people that it is a must have for their garden. Technically, it isn’t considered an old-fashioned or heritage rose, it was introduced in the early 20th century, but it has the same beauty that many of these old fashioned roses can have.

What’s all the fuss about indoor-outdoor living? It’s more than just dragging a few lawn chairs onto the deck. Indoor-outdoor living can add real value to your life.

The Census Bureau estimates that 2 million Americans will add a deck or patio to their home every year. And with more people choosing to stay at home rather than taking expensive vacations, money spent on outdoor space can be very well-used.

Additionally, there are many steps along the indoor-outdoor living spectrum. Maybe you just need to add a patio to grill out, or a deck to watch the sun set. You can also choose to completely re-landscape your yard to add beautiful gardens and comfortable seating. Or maybe you will add an outdoor kitchen for a completely new room.

Let’s talk about improving what you have. Interior Decorating Buzz suggests taking your current porch or deck and making it just a little bit nicer. Got a porch swing? Make sure it rocks easily and doesn’t creak. Consider painting it a cheerful color for a focal point. Durable wicker furniture doesn’t have to be expensive. Depending on the size of your porch or deck, you can create “conversation pits” for an intimate feeling. And don’t forget to accessorize! Adding things like large urns can add a lot of interest.

If you want to go the kitchen route, there are two options. One is the true outdoor kitchen and the other is an interior kitchen that is designed to be deeply connected to the outside. Re-Nest takes a pictorial look at the interior kitchens. (Hint: if you are considering going this route, consider a door like Marvin’s Ultimate Lift and Slide).

And Outdoor Kitchens Guide gives a review of what to think of when planning an outdoor kitchen. A couple big points are to think carefully when it comes to budget and space available, and do your homework when choosing appliances.

With a little forethought you can make a beautiful space to enjoy outdoor living.

Photo courtesy of Eberly & Collard Public Relations on Flickr.

Window replacement is a subject near and dear to MLuxe. There’s so much to love about new windows: They look great, perform better and are more energy efficient.

The old windows get recycled or discarded, but what if you have a creative side?

Calfinder gives some fun tips on what you can do with your old windows. Remember that not all windows will work for these creative uses. You might wish to consult with your building professional.

Windows among the flowers: Use old windows in the garden as a flowerbed divider or as a background for a window planter.

Windows as furniture: Need a new headboard? Your old window might just do the trick!

If you have a green thumb, you could use your old windows to start a small greenhouse, where light is essential for growing.

Visit Calfinder for more ideas about how to put old windows to good use.

Images courtesy of Calfinder

[Editor's note: Yes, we're still (or already) talking about gardening. Just think of this has early prep to inform your gardening this spring.]

Being able to grow anything has always given me such satisfaction, particularly when it’s something I can eat. The early spring offers so many opportunities to grow vegetables without a lot of space. This is the time of year I start what I call my salad garden.

Early spring’s cool temperatures are ideal for growing some of my favorites. Green onions, radishes, English peas and broccoli will spice up any meal. And since I’m such a salad person, I grow plenty of arugula and a wide range of leafy salad greens, such as my favorite: Buttercrunch lettuce.

I like to start my first crop with young plants and then sow seed for those that follow. In no time my vegetable bed will be full of delicious, tender, fresh lettuce. There’s just something about homegrown that is hard to beat.

The seed of many cool weather crops will germinate as soon as the soil begins to warm a bit. I coax the seedlings along with little plastic covers that I’ve made for my raised beds and they have the added benefit of protecting them if the temperature drops suddenly.

Many salad greens grow so quickly I can harvest several crops before it is time to plant the warm season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and squash.

If you don’t have room for raised beds, you might try growing some salad greens in containers. It’s a great way to make the transition into spring even more enjoyable and you may find that what you grow is too beautiful to eat.

Over the years I have really come to appreciate the value of hedges. They can be an effective way to create privacy. And from a design standpoint, they are a great way to divide your garden into separate garden rooms or interesting spaces. Now if you’re willing to have patience and put in a little sweat equity, they can be an inexpensive alternative to brick or stone walls or even fences.

You just can’t believe the number of plants, both deciduous and evergreen, that are suitable for growing as hedges. In the North, you might try hemlock; in the West, escallonia or even bay; and down South, hollies are popular.

No matter where you live or what kind of shrub you grow there are certain principles you can always follow to make sure your hedge is lush and beautiful. And one of the first things I always do to promote fullness from top to bottom is to cut my hedges on a slight bevel so the bottom is out just a little further than the top. This will insure plenty of sunlight on the lower foliage. If I let the top grow out too far it would shade the lower limbs and they would become leggy and spindly.

Also, it’s important not to let other plants grow too close to the base of your hedge. They too can block the light, causing the foliage to become thin and weak creating holes in the form.

Incredible Textured Kitchen Countertops
CalFinder
According to CalFinder, “Cosentino North America has quarried and extracted semi-precious stones like amethyst, jasper, quartz and more… And their commitment to green manufacturing is impressive: Cosentino’s ECO line uses 75% post-consumer/industrial recycled materials, including mirrors, porcelain, stone scraps and glass bottles.” And they look great.

Before & After: Kati’s dining room + Dominique’s hall
Design*Sponge
Some inspiration for great, creative paint jobs. Take a room from OK to awesome with a clever idea and some good weekend work. Be sure to scroll down to see the photos of Dominique’s staircase.

First-Class Cabins
Dwell
“From the familiar log model to Swiss chalets and Swedish friggebods, cabins are the simplest of structures, made from local materials in forms that respond to climatic and cultural needs. However, these no-frills wilderness escapes no longer require giving up modern comforts and aesthetics. Today’s cabins synthesize traditional typology with present-day design know-how and allow architectural explorations in a way traditional homes rarely do. Here we highlight five modern retreats that might give you cabin fever of a different sort.”

House with Enclosed Internal Garden
DigsDigs
This is direct from the “eye candy” category: We’re sharing it mostly because this house looks amazing. Most homes with gardens put them on the outside, but this house is built around a garden. And it’s stunning.

Over the years I’ve learned that the best designed gardens, whether they are expansive tracts of land, simple flowerbeds or even just containers on your patio, all benefit from some thoughtful planning. Having a plan to follow can save you time, money and energy when you go to the nursery as well as help make your garden more beautiful.

It’s best to plan ahead and prepare for your visits to the garden center and nursery before the spring rush. One way to do this is to follow that old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words.” A few snapshots will go a long way in describing your particular situation. A plot plan of your property can also be very helpful to the professional assisting you. These plans can be done by a surveyor or you can even prepare one yourself. Accurate measurements are the key.

Another suggestion you might consider is to make lists of plants that you like and take photographs of some of your favorite gardens. These can help you describe and illustrate your tastes and preferences. Keep this information in a file so that you will know where to find it when you have the urge to plant.

Garden centers and nurseries are full of well-trained professionals. So, remember if you’re prepared, they can help you make the best choices.

I’ve tried just about every type of fertilizer there is in my garden over the years, but regardless of what I use throughout the season, every spring I always try to work in a generous amount of animal manure around my plants.

I like to work it in with compost, some of the existing soil and sand for great results. But if you use animal manure, you need to realize that, like other fertilizers, it can burn your plants if you use too much of it.

I found that established trees and shrubs can take a little more than tender perennials and annuals. And I like manure because, when I apply it, if I’m a little heavy-handed, it’s more forgiving than conventional chemical fertilizers and the results can be astonishing.

The type of manure I use in my garden depends on what I’m trying to accomplish. If I want to build up the soil by adding more humus or vegetable matter, I’ll use something like horse or cow manure. If I just want to increase the nutrients, I may use something more concentrated like poultry or chicken manure.

You can’t believe how chicken manure greens up my hedges — there’s almost three times as much nitrogen in it as there is in cow or horse. Whatever manure you use, you should always gently work it into the soil around the plants and never apply it directly on them. And just like any other fertilizer, you want to make sure to water it in after you apply it.

If you use this stuff directly out of the barnyard, you can expect weeds, so you may want to use some of this filter fabric and then cover it with a generous layer of mulch. And always make sure it’s well rotted and aged. Fresh manure can contain some of the same dangerous E. coli bacteria that can be found in undercooked beef. That’s why I like to get it aged, put it in my compost and heat it up, so it reduces the chance of any getting any on my vegetables — especially some of those that I eat raw, like lettuce.

Now if you’re planning on using compost with manure in it on your lawn or your ornamental flowerbeds, you obviously don’t have to worry about the bacteria.