Staircase nook

<p>Hey hey all! Well, it’s about that time! I’m off to Atlanta today to prepare for the Haven Conference that starts tomorrow. It’s been a year of planning and I can’t even believe it’s already here! SO excited to see everybody. </p> <p>So I finished up a quick little project this week that I’ve been meaning to do for months. Or a year. A year and a few months. </p> <p>We have a little ledge/nook/cut out spot in the basement staircase that has been sitting half way done for that year and a few months: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8eiDYUqRJHRESRoKzV7haUinPCP5fasdsQlhTL3eppzbpF9G-oFGhc_Q4L-88qikTGEJCQ5RFOjFJbgeBq1kqI1XIsY-FL2yvk86eEqiFcNXwkh-OgdOEvyIBsFs-1oeW9WQe81uSeg/s1600-h/IMG_6137%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRj6zCGnt2xmG90X0G_ILY76DCnifb0hALmBUw1SATHX6sWaN4mWzjgRFMwwodYwtsd_enwIkmoMUmrekDs-oiXkffs21LkXa8BAI6jK0jz1QkWR6wUOBPxfVfMNssd9k7paKwtWsG0I/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="550" /></a></p> <p>You may remember that I installed a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-wood-planked-wall.html">wood wall</a> on the main wall in the staircase about this time last year. I still LOVE that wall. So very much. </p> <p>Before we had the basement finished the wall next to it going down the steps had a weird cement wall bump out thing. Instead of drywalling all the way up I asked them to make it a little ledge instead. They installed a wood piece that I was planning on painting later, hence the stain spatter I didn’t worry about: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24bIFd4v1hWxRH791qkNRWsQyi9d-nyX_FSGXOG4GLzKTJo6lQP89UFUWVwmxDuxHk86tkLUP84JAmTpFfsF9YA84G8BHZONTcEW5eEluAqNa58-Z7u4HTq4hlHgemTIDYR54b287xG8/s1600-h/IMG_6139%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pau9aB2CedeHi8HqrJIqGhz72qC7kVteYHtAs5QJM6bLSU86Oguvt3MxJkLYjPzswwL-8EBK5haW93j9o_U7oVOLfAnk4Ah4yYgOmD-axXf4080RNFyDL9H67U0i8UrBpo1Zqi1573o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="550" /></a></p> <p>But since then I’ve decided I wanted it stained instead. I’m kind of obsessed with the look of the dark wood against the gray blue walls (Marina Gray by Ben Moore) and white trim down there. </p> <p>So I needed to sand off that stamp and the stain dots: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6Cbl5kRiGEclVNMx_8dn4n9nBj5_4Q-nbYlRHJNAioHzGAZBmLMjv-vXj-X5lQ4HdkFirPDbnCswiP_K2JquH16hbibWRfeGiJvY3kpO0rOB2T2o5LSDqrFFFBQHwPJm1i57FIduHBA/s1600-h/IMG_6141%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sanding before staining " border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuVLyJwaI1WMOsHqoFu4hftxJhaw6esqSya9fIkI_aueLbKAsHrGOpHNU3UbHG6nZx0rTwAvMJQ-0PdK_Zp7kLFWXYPLfVLvrIHOxinFbjrnma-Yatnc4Mzd77SJZ6CZG1ugc_iWyGVE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sanding before staining " width="400" /></a></p> <p>It just took a few seconds and I was ready to go – then I taped everything off with my Frogtape really well. I find it’s hard to keep stain from going everywhere since it leaks easily and spatters all over the place. (It could be the operator, who knows.): </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXGUcyG2U-9ZT2KJn70Pbb_aPpOZJvK0jm4-ZEeUVr9aveyd5MzbNkfuhQI4XqBLd1EBoqi_XFjdNjWayf-x8E8eZGZuQ8PH8eUlT0Prslt9ZPm5KG9cf-NhC_3bNpBYtwsbmGLChbnw/s1600-h/IMG_6143%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="prepping for stain" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U5W74rJGBj77d6aEtPg5d3SerQCJ-UkAhUdoLq1M3ZrmdHAfZqzSvhyd8N23DyPJ6pDez3QHPJY8e7OJzsboQOufS5Q1YZ9-fnYLZ544RnQ4RYMOiLBscnNMf_AtPQ3nb9cACB4xjps/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="prepping for stain" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kR2NL0kC0xvjeGfUf-GDGVyFK24uA2q2RaI2L1ke6YHpCDwY8wCtia_GWxJRek950z0lHyoQiwcst6iKLxGWVuJ8GLly5SqQY1z6yWjHvJdL4T64WMzdOD1cJIoN8JsI84jc7i240fw/s1600-h/IMG_6145%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8boXbftuGrpgzKzpdSGG81td4kzAPC5hHA6omNl-cGR5JIx263JZyAPUGhpGRT_XODhayS4tV9I8Ocq6CFa_-6IUdJi18G_TkZGW8gSF9MXQAcnwT27IueSv9IrWidPxmhupZmAiQaFQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a></p> <p>After I wiped everything down well (and let it dry), I grabbed my dark walnut stain and went at it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DDRfBBYo2c7UzDzJjNjKGx0K06zVa3HAjkxYWfA_3YG8fY64cqVoL_TdzhVmtZbEbq1DSKDJqf1ELKrHIduSaMYiMaRAHYUmiYoZy1NbkUu10iQTSHh1LRCtiWA1FXqVN7dCKk54OcI/s1600-h/IMG_6151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to stain" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo-BCHMG1hJWryOeq23wwo-PsJfNt1eYMu3Mff6CJSnmYuo2o0Wo4lnIGnQn6xW1SHPyUsqxd5t2payfgMz3fi9j5BlbX8b7erVGLHy7AudNhFEZK6_Rl0xB5c_77gYC98gtSf29zFt8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to stain" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Remember when you stain to work quickly and to keep the “wet edge” – if it dries at all during the process you’ll see where you left off. OH, and wear gloves!! Trust me – no matter how hard I try I always end up with stain on my hands. </p> <p>I let it sit for a few minutes and wiped the excess off. I only usually do one coat – I find that’s plenty for the color I want. </p> <p>While it dried I started hanging the frames I’ve had leaning there forever. Most of them are pics from the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade/NYC trip I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/02/family-in-family-room.html">here</a>, but there was one collage my stepdaughter gave us last Christmas (so sweet!) that I wanted to include too.</p> <p>Here’s a little tip when hanging pics that have two hangers instead of one – just tie a piece of string or wire between the two: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsAmDhhfvrbOIeorbtwwmscBaXproytYtrtMRFmSEUceXyYR41TAOpxueptPhcBieHFtwYS3XGGM6doOAyWRuxZYnfkOoy4aYi_FrpGMc9rFygxauIzyniNWyGKHF3YJnrIRWTM6SeDw/s1600-h/IMG_6154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging picture without a level" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcOi2prFy3eCPC5-4K1NMW-ne-_xVpZQ1pFgVoKMKVu5sWCgYAZv9VT4G8eOdX8RErBxr5s58NKH_glTppl59uxOwr2Wa0iyKPMyWAD8l90S5Dkh7TyYoqc0tMlzURzf4ZGe_7OnVKDk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging picture without a level" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Then hang that on the the nail. SO much easier. I mean, sometimes what you’re hanging is heavy enough you’ll want two nails, but most of the time I find one is just fine. And this way you don’t have to worry about measuring, finding a level, all that stuff. Ain’t nobody got time for that. </p> <p>Like all of my gallery walls, I just kind of put stuff here and there – yes, that meant a few extra holes in the wall but they’re tiny. The wall will survive: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvng4owwgfEP1lzriMupTUcOq2crxWmGrmxcgR54L1d4ERmJ2REzYwK16hG4S0XiQDdcFJbhGawqkpsr0_tBqHaRq4eH-elvzAvbRsaphf6kcvTRA2yfQG4dz0yroiMVo0wJvhcLNaGw/s1600-h/IMG_6159%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="matching frames gallery wall" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrGCDIxuuSSbXGgx9AFDcCOUHrPU_oRNYAKW6XvU7cS-xOwDAj1snYnDLjfJGPXD2wjgZBh6c_sLACnu_B5pBHQYa5XSt6R70LwmlEU6YAzAuXdKsaGm9PWB215qbUcgLF2ks7atD61Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="matching frames gallery wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I was trying to use frames that I had on hand and I liked the (mostly) matching frames, so I didn’t go crazy trying to fill empty spaces. The “S” we’ve had for years and it perfectly filled one spot that was bugging me. </p> <p>The ledge has plenty of room for accessories, but for now I just left a couple candlesticks we had here before (they ended up on there because I was too lazy to take them all the way to the storage room): </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfliZGihp5uhCCxCuvF6Rg7wM9ukWSQjQP0GhN45dNS4Beug-7HrUgR0LAsNOUV8I-Q3J4jnB4bSalKd8cg3alathzodQEJJWoU5Heei5aGHGu7S7vwnUqGFGWgI2A_p3OH9XaoO0W0Us/s1600-h/IMG_6160%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="matching frames gallery wall " border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPg_t1F-G1gAb0HqBSvx4jjXO_4uzhfJ8K0vAsbX6pg8j46N4cOV3kve4KutjzuIgwsBwJp4vtMnENjM098WbA83GDKn-hqELTVNdtnksnv8yVeHGkYta0YORDDV4ruY_Bbbbqv3KL7E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="matching frames gallery wall " width="500" /></a></p> <p>They are fake candles and they operate on a timer, so it’s kind of cool to have that little glow as we walk down at night. </p> <p>It was a quick project and I think it turned out pretty cute! I love how it looks with the planked wall: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivc7ssi5BceNlzRyZXGD_gqSx6f6yaj-5_5txWCKFI7ZazKp5tRj6_Eloe2iywAdKZFNVZ7m8-Jk3pAm8_FTA0inUBHU9pE9wcfqmh_thgY-2GuG-f0K52cJ91-uhGZSfLP22Wz8zsaFw/s1600-h/IMG_6161%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked wall " border="0" height="826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQKQmCuJXbtuBsaHXnGmodULmh0DsATcMhwMxpPcLgvJ2HtPBH_bsGTfnVQsqeVPrs6tSSH999uSLrJS15qLg2tIiDOlt3OGo7KLyvgnA7I_X99vMm4AmEZBQO0MqBvSc3lBkMlFiiOM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood planked wall " width="550" /></a></p> <p>Next up in this space – touch up the wall and ceiling paint and install chunkier baseboards. Maybe I’ll tackle those in another year. Baby steps. </p> <p>So are you loving gallery walls? I am and I don’t think they’re going anywhere soon. It’s such a personal, easy way to fill wall space! And remember you can find frames at Goodwill for super cheap and spray paint them. One color for all of them will unify frames no matter their design.  </p>

Staircase nook

Hey hey all! Well, it’s about that time! I’m off to Atlanta today to prepare for the Haven Conference that starts tomorrow. It’s been a year...

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MI RINCÓN DEL DÍA

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiK5mhU2XMEh4MglnPjJu458oHSvzHgaRify33XaxYMXATKrg2FbmMjvAP5E_PVJJwHKYCxgWO9edcvlF0ZWvcMI1FPB6HLyxrj6Wo10aptPMQeS1z46gfCNyOnbzgdc0ACpr0V_sY2k/s1600/striga8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiK5mhU2XMEh4MglnPjJu458oHSvzHgaRify33XaxYMXATKrg2FbmMjvAP5E_PVJJwHKYCxgWO9edcvlF0ZWvcMI1FPB6HLyxrj6Wo10aptPMQeS1z46gfCNyOnbzgdc0ACpr0V_sY2k/s640/striga8.png" width="487" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Visitamos la cocina de la casa en Marsella de la arquitecto Karine Striga. Una cocina con mezcla de piezas de diseño y vintage llena de una atmosfera bohemia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Podéis ver el resto de la casa <a href="http://frenchbydesign.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/house-tour-at-home-with-karine.html#more">aquí</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiggIXKSUrq29uqHiMR6UuBfDrIKNqNrLTqqjiMimPC4NIinH9SO3bQFWQW0ru2HDSgbBaQN4lKLhBFHSTOVr6aK9vCmLWeMz7IeJ2LeX5RyqSR8m8vCi-qI2MkhxN0j9xnZtUBycCF6c/s1600/striga7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiggIXKSUrq29uqHiMR6UuBfDrIKNqNrLTqqjiMimPC4NIinH9SO3bQFWQW0ru2HDSgbBaQN4lKLhBFHSTOVr6aK9vCmLWeMz7IeJ2LeX5RyqSR8m8vCi-qI2MkhxN0j9xnZtUBycCF6c/s640/striga7.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7sR08Z5tKZrejUbhiatJS-XRxoazXPxKF1A6zb4e8QpQGM-tOnUCnCGZCIiweLxLpqkt1CZ5lQxlUSNBN69J4E5cP8G7hUKxAo_pMODBZFTjAMYvT_0D6W1Mhw91UAkXGj6JXp6l8js/s1600/striga6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7sR08Z5tKZrejUbhiatJS-XRxoazXPxKF1A6zb4e8QpQGM-tOnUCnCGZCIiweLxLpqkt1CZ5lQxlUSNBN69J4E5cP8G7hUKxAo_pMODBZFTjAMYvT_0D6W1Mhw91UAkXGj6JXp6l8js/s640/striga6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Imágenes: <a href="http://frenchbydesign.blogspot.com.es/2013/03/house-tour-at-home-with-karine.html#more">French by Design</a></div>

MI RINCÓN DEL DÍA

Visitamos la cocina de la casa en Marsella de la arquitecto Karine Striga. Una cocina con mezcla de piezas de diseño y vintage llena de una ...

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SINGULARES MAGAZINE ESPECIAL VERANO

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://singularesmag.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3j7YZzQUASwR_lpuk4L8P5Sdciu6J2zlgFE_qwsVogsf3WvH87lpTQh1vZaBgAwBE69J4VtAASE3NyC0nECnP2HzelyXlRsarEhkT801e8fJ9_ms65d577ftcxtDlCTLBS59fGHGvYw/s1600/SINGULARESMAG+%236_PORTADA_COVER_FONDO+-+b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Llega esta mañana recién salido del horno nuestro último numero. Un precioso ejemplar de 170 pgs que mas veraniego no puede ser, que nos chifla y que estamos seguros que a vosotros también os va a encantar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ahora toca un poco de relax y disfrutar este numero de <a href="http://singularesmag.com/">Singulares Magazine</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Feliz Verano!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br />

SINGULARES MAGAZINE ESPECIAL VERANO

Llega esta mañana recién salido del horno nuestro último numero. Un precioso ejemplar de 170 pgs que mas veraniego no puede ser, que nos chi...

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Growing hydrangeas (not killing them)

<p>Hey heyyyy! How was your weekend? Have I mentioned how wonderful our weather has been? One or 50 times? Yeah. It’s been awesome. 51. </p> <p>I’ve been spending SO much more time outside this summer, I’ve truly enjoyed this season. I’ve been planting a bunch of new things, transplanting some, just enjoying our outdoor space and the flowers. </p> <p>I wrote last summer about my pathetic hydrangeas and how I was the pretty much the worst hydrangea parent EVER. <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/hydrangeas-hate-me.html">They hated me</a>. I’ve learned a ton about them since and figured I’d share my new knowledge. (So many great tips in the comments of that post!)</p> <p>Mine still have a long way to go, but I as long as we don’t have a scorching summer next year, I think they’ll do even better. It’s SO exciting to see them actually grow and bloom this summer! Seriously a thrill after I’ve worked so hard to help them along.</p> <p>They were sad and pathetic last year, really. The biggest surprise I got a few weeks ago were the start of blooms on my limelight hydrangea. I’ve had it three years people – not one bloom till now. Here is was last summer and now: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKhftRkoCUO8_hd2v8lLkbQneGlowl1-WqljsqsoPJu0Q9bXQcuQT14obLfUWesCduvIiO-jzIGvmSMr7FzbxaI9jmYBNRIDENPpdnY8JWImkvyaT029S5kI6k9epahYb2gE8wpoHI9s/s1600-h/IMG_1147_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to grow hydrangea" border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjClu6TpW5I8ElfMb3Q3aZ4P5y7Hl9mtKjNMhAOnItHeKXbOu5peuJNcy2-avDU07-IbOmZhi2T_BiCXdmIpVKAbANg7Vhg-xNYF4PvG50G1k8Wc7bUs0cj6zCW1BSaxdix2sj-N1JRU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangea" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX8QtRTf3Y0cBH1qiDWEwF4pm4mjjYaacV-zNsdH5GAz9QeDKs2oj7MZz0mMZtiqxc2MkZ6MXqFJIbcwEZT74Jikgk-e0-qzuNXnmVjUD7kSpDXBuBGFfT2gJJWX3IiyB8YxbmLxHHY0/s1600-h/decor-steals-Feed-grain-sack-fabric-rolls%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="limelight hydrangea" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XbniKDxcDNKbpsEJRVYcF3J_mFJgFRFi1rkvpWnj-8jc4V7Y2WcaDrsDaNCCifsQgkwA72oQG3NCS4kA9pUI2A88W7gpxQ3a2bDlFfhnrP3qpFK4X_tsUIWe-QMkZFEZxsndxRI-YVw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="limelight hydrangea" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>It’s now FILLED with beautiful white blooms! They’re all only about half way done too, so in a week or two it will be full of puffy white flowers: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rw-n_3rZLe4/UfaP9shVElI/AAAAAAAAfGY/qvv4yMk4rtE/s1600-h/IMG_6103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="limelight hydrangea" border="0" height="751" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GswNeWtG7hM/UfaP-JU-JsI/AAAAAAAAfGg/7jiHJqvElgs/IMG_6103_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="limelight hydrangea" width="500" /></a></p> <p>So here’s the first piece of advice – the sleep, creep, leap saying is true. Most plants I have planted follow this – the first year they don’t do much, the second the come along a little bit and the third they leap! I got this guy on clearance at the end of the season two summers ago and last year you can see that it grew, but didn’t do much else. </p> <p>The third year (this year), it has doubled in size and is full of blooms. I think with hydrangeas you just need to have patience. Which is hard when you buy one full of blooms and then it poops out on you. </p> <p>Here’s another biggie – you will see hydrangeas <em>everywhere</em> in full sun all the time – I see them at restaurants, stores, churches, drive throughs – everywhere. But mine did horribly in full sun:  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoFyE9IG3nmsq2_tRxL9KnBjveZsVzu9KNbCTQaq9sMikEa_NXBj3nz0GE7qR_pVh28Db2ymwyyGwMSp5mwzYqiFZCcSI_Q6-F79PFZQPsN1YJgiC2KPHIHWpZzSD6Qbrkg9zaIY8-oE/s1600-h/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="full sun hydrangea" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMf2-jvD3EYk66R4oXYDL0YCbL-ka-n3oaHfT4LjH46um9Gyxzm0mnWRE7WtUQSoRDgfxkMVBlPtBBmIixnOjElPtOW_ebXb5HrmMaBxzyy1VBHG2tpfDk_kalt_wX1uShKHwn24_kGWQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61mOybzCGe7Lqnb6YmXGsx9h_EZ8pIOdZo6IjCXtCS0r-qpZ3Naqda2HvIXDP9HKnXbMQoMudFFVurov0RQDuMAxwlrWz2RSumvsWL5ZKq3GLNO2T7Zm9Fdk75fc09pffiapQCv1ubMY/s1600-h/IMG_1150_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="full sun hydrangea" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aj0nqfJxw2Fi64b7I6kB-VGd8f-z0omkBDqj-orXOf6aitgsKqhjwbWh5ekP3u5mKBFyhDyZpibLBwaLDQnTIabfjr72UqEzF_iB7naaagNPz3qewZwG9-ydtTVtxll6UNAHIY4CK64/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" width="190" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AY6v69MPPMEy47pBgIbp_zp_bbaZNv7p_2zJEYNVSgs3I1iu5LG_5COUScG4BIiGQRvLWQr7haB0bVqatM7r60ikaWKzBcZ2fc9Q8YkCJYoSivOkQkpDyaY6OZqZ-pG-u98j8ZPXN9A/s1600-h/IMG_1152_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="full sun hydrangea" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZaDL41lca9cC2U-PyuDFUsRlJRnbVvMjWb7cu084ZjN-4SHhtJZllpaB0VHTlcLgNJ2yQcX15EMEZFnXJ5ZANbC4F9r8kWMBzaNDjh5BG0kbXoonSYjcG24V4rU5Zw7qP36bjaqmX40/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="full sun hydrangea" width="190" /></a> </p> <p>I showed you these last summer – I’d had them for two or three years at that point? Not one had ever bloomed, they all barely grew, it was just sad. Sad sad SAD. </p> <p>Now those three look like this: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNuBa4Ci6r93X_JAQKOWd8fG_vfvm_WCyatsv5VIyyY210dIuF4u_LjWEgaY9i7ilUWfxy3nkqyW_zyKNTx3mdjKVX3r76YVjoCA8EUI6vid8U_L12sKotsJiiL6hsWBbgKx2LT4nTRI/s1600-h/IMG_6105%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to grow hydrangeas" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhajPXrvShtPHx4Gl48qnTLa-glVxswjnrLvdhqVNkruWEOGCRyCTPNcmmnb0JiiAEEetLO5tgC3WGqGiO4aowVOGwYKCsmd9nIu_SsDeQmur7msE_riCR5kzAZ_yTvme_LYrtyqGhfo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to grow hydrangeas" width="550" /></a></p> <p>The one on the left has grown a TON from where it was (it was the smallest one) but it’s still not blooming. The other two have done great! They just don’t have a ton of blooms right now because I cut so many of them a few weeks ago. ;) </p> <p>These are the mophead variety, and they have really strong, beautiful leaves too: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKHxnkNytTSmlPvZ0cFXjml2PmTMG_Rql57nC88t3nE3du66ZQQTDcWkHpi3jtJXGPKRZGc_llxjrRcDyBtBI4GoGj2whMUwTdZ2YRjmu02Ea5E-tdLhN26euaebcREbBgrsnzczogQk/s1600-h/IMG_6108%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mophead hydrangea" border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_zYaUueh1KGy6qEKM-1vOHWxHze4hE4VY-iLxGyBLMYUHG6dkXOmSVSVtokoZO4KHr_t_B55gGWeD0hEWavbJ4DBKF5RYNmPh6ehojmGFFAgu_UVbwKSBYzORAiQbnxreZOMFAoze2k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mophead hydrangea" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-LvfsxYVnNVb0yACUbiUDGT1b3hhLnY4NC4O1dWFuVY6Qw3qEhQBxLMy1144smt2NlN-_8J4q5Bz8SUNWQGcfynU12F_3jBBmF9wOrU4CY1d2Mirkvkofi1ncW8m5j5dy-zvUWtfI7E/s1600-h/IMG_61092%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="growing hydrangeas" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwfVzg25yUhyLCOp4FPqac9gQndTEsKD7fTqDBMmk20CxJx4svbA_FNNqh1IPHzcc0Fj9bYmyj7is7BiqpYhkYblfS-0Xk2Etcu-V8QV0CDZsVyyQanJijYdlyjbfbzROgVWhfauTDOM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="growing hydrangeas" width="290" /></a></p> <p>The leaves on that pink plant are especially hardy, dark and pretty. </p> <p>Tip two – they do best in morning sun and afternoon shade (or dappled shade). Mine in afternoon shade (these above) do even better than those in the back that get the dappled shade. If you are having problems getting yours to grow – try moving them to a spot where they’ll get some rest from the heat in the afternoon. </p> <p>I found some PeeGee trees on clearance a couple years ago and was so excited – they are basically a hydrangea tree. The year I planted them they did great for the rest of that season, but last year they looked like butt, like the rest of mine: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ndLAyDh1nUc/UfaQFDccedI/AAAAAAAAfII/rbzvIf1m7c0/s1600-h/IMG_1156%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pee Gee hydrangea" border="0" height="601" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3xa6EEIqmRo/UfaQGG6PF5I/AAAAAAAAfIQ/1EsAgISfgKk/IMG_1156%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pee Gee hydrangea" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Now, they are amazing!!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgQ7RyShGklg9gxi4wGj0uw_xDK0r0DsaeJYPMC_-lcufeU90E49LbKd4hoCgQzL5nyI0jDlHJNPzO6eXalb8SQkQ7dd_wNdvQiJHhXshOSLMHjWzz_nmz2pwSqdJrSF4DmTiZxG3CfI/s1600-h/IMG_6113%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pee Gee hydrangea blooming" border="0" height="752" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau_xwfg0mlSfJG9cyaUgVcOFR3vJK1d8DLozw9YX07DNwHVWmxuIZbzf8Li-K9BfISLz3cLKWpkC38vFz0A7Hk2LKZayIVk0_lQ2Djkgv8g2-_CD6PrlW4o4TErA9SmkVNG6phveA6fk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pee Gee hydrangea blooming" width="500" /></a></p> <p>They are both blooming and full and doing great. </p> <p>Here’s the thing (tip three) – hydrangeas need MEGA water. I mean, it’s in their name. :) Last summer was the complete and total opposite of this one here in Indiana – super hot, drought conditions – it sucked. This year we had a really wet early summer and it’s helped tremendously. </p> <p>I just watch my plants – if they start to wilt at all I know they need water. They need a lot of it, but watch how you water them too. I’ve got one mophead that has a fungus on the leaves (it hit one of my peonies too) because we’ve gotten so much rain. If you can, water them at the base of the plant (not with a sprinkler) so the water goes right to the roots and doesn’t sit on the leaves. (The fungus will not really hurt the plant so I’m cutting off those leaves and letting it be. If it had happened earlier in the season I would have used something on it.) </p> <p>The Pee Gee tree is a paniculata hydrangea, like the limelight I first showed you. These two have the more cone shaped flowers: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Yjo6aTW2XkavOKKvdyqkyxkcWNDjfj0YzyICg2OGuGjDltxbuXAOwfZEh_LoG5ATZw1p5bggTSKAJ2mTl3I0Lr_k3wjraM2NbzbkNRYPVTQmP1tSqxaBhVG0RyQZAYTcBoDJvionvG4/s1600-h/IMG_6116%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pee gee hydrangea bloom" border="0" height="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF46o6WbmlP-znyW65Fhhhou8YhoZ-3FfRHk2yDKoquKw3h1jOOzLJhf6eKEx9rsPpIECA8Z3v2n1uyPWkQDZ3YTOAYRcUjnEDINCxR3vkCnkVJKY1XlyS7YBwKtQ_m1wo3X0QFZiW1AY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea bloom" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I much prefer the big round blooms, but these are beautiful too. They turn the most beautiful pink/green in the early fall – they are just gorgeous! I used them in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/09/deck-reveal.html">this post</a> a couple years ago: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2vaMb7guuPSQXMguzZZZfI2P6C2kSlmDal7w3KujYq0sC9EFc_zfAtOeS1ds2EJtZbWhthvnpioET2vD2xn4rw7KS4EtGOSA6Q5B8y9wvm4LLwiHx7v5e_iXirxI1-L7DrDdzfiLHOU/s1600-h/IMG_6739_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pee gee hydrangea fall " border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGh18bVmCAOdTo1Cemmqhk83Cysz2PP4Y2lUSzbAzrH6ZbUdw3vldpnvTsO_171V-x1b1fGAIzR5Jd8IZ0oZLzIRyzBWbSx4ORVCmH4a5jRWdQnzrtApKm_LajB0SFzvcmaqw-EUpgcs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea fall " width="550" /></a></p> <p>Aren’t they pretty? </p> <p>I have about ten hydrangea plants out back now, and this one was my most recent addition: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SN-UhvHN1cs/UfaQKVplekI/AAAAAAAAfJI/Cvj9wvJ37Ic/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="pink hydrangea mophead" border="0" height="564" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sNTtfsa_Vm4/UfaQLed1xYI/AAAAAAAAfJQ/sTi0RpYpCkA/photo_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pink hydrangea mophead" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I shared it on <a href="http://instagram.com/thriftydecorchick">Instagram</a> – it was in full bloom when I got it and looked amazing! This plant was HUGE (I got it at a local nursery) and was $30 something dollars – you can find them half that size for the same price, so make sure to go big! </p> <p>Those flowers are now done and are turning brown but the plant is doing great: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zwyyJ48UtZA/UfaQMO57BuI/AAAAAAAAfJY/MUKriqTiazg/s1600-h/IMG_6118%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pee gee hydrangea" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ux0nkA5MBi4/UfaQMs84iJI/AAAAAAAAfJg/9tsQ3MOkPLA/IMG_6118_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pee gee hydrangea" width="550" /></a></p> <p>You can see my two PeeGee trees better here – they start to droop a bit as the blooms get bigger. (The one on the left is ahead of the other one by about a week.) </p> <p>That brings me to another tip (number four?) – plant them in early summer or late fall if at all possible. It’s a lot of upkeep to keep them healthy and hydrated if you plant in the heat of mid-summer. I think the best time would be early summer so you can enjoy the blooms all season, <em>but </em>you can get some killer deals on them later in the fall, so it’s a hard call. I also think if you plant in the early summer you’ll have a better chance at a healthy, blooming plant the next year, since it has more time to get settled. </p> <p>That huge mophead above was blooming pink when I bought it and the guy at the nursery said they will turn blue in our soil unless I changed the acidity. I have others that are blooming pink so I don’t know if it’s just this type? I was happy with that though because I have white, purple and pink and wanted blue: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zyskmfqtoec/UfaQNL_KJRI/AAAAAAAAfJo/K0qBiDF-u4A/s1600-h/IMG_61202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue hydrangea" border="0" height="676" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lH3dFjnB_rY/UfaQN1icvgI/AAAAAAAAfJw/bemRQCdLKUk/IMG_61202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue hydrangea" width="450" /></a></p> <p>He was right! ;) The new blooms are blue. </p> <p>Behind that one is a climbing hydrangea I planted last year: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kBF97yBuUS8/UfaQOe-2cvI/AAAAAAAAfJ4/KEG-L7C8Xkk/s1600-h/IMG_6122%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="climbing hydrangea" border="0" height="676" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OPdR177ZiEQ/UfaQPOdR_gI/AAAAAAAAfKA/jocBAq_UpkY/IMG_6122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="climbing hydrangea" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Again, the plant is doing great, but not a bloom in sight. It’s not going to bloom this year at all, I can tell. I’m moving that one to a different spot soon so we’ll see how it does there. </p> <p>Around the corner from those are a few more – mostly mopheads and one surprise lacecap: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispxVLnRkBX7eQezTTpxITjysHt9wqv8nFykfsywzPCkpnb3kymW07f7rKZkkGYjh1g2SEHBiCxAe75pN596m9cgtX-Z9Q-LyZ6yBjHoJRQ1lZXHPpWT1nYgVi2GjnRX-tQecMfy9neHE/s1600-h/IMG_6128%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="lacecap hydrangea" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmHwd9gaf1Tqtj-epMSS6Biv0JvKblvYghpPIiz7zjscb9iFFhpJBNkShlaLvNAXJCECn3jYF1TzllYQyz8L5SFSo51kEu4Bqr5jKJjgzxvemKI0hZBkLP10VOnonx7PycrL-0YWGgP8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lacecap hydrangea" width="290" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5Z67ucWNa78/UfaQQpfeo4I/AAAAAAAAfKY/5BOUtuaH_5k/s1600-h/IMG_6127%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="lacecap hydrangea" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jOKyfyqKbJM/UfaQRMPxMUI/AAAAAAAAfKg/wCN8kSPhdAk/IMG_6127_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lacecap hydrangea" width="290" /></a>  </p> <p>This is why you want them to be blooming when you buy. The lacecaps are more delicate – they have little bitty flowers that grow in the middle of the more traditional looking blooms. They are beautiful, but I just prefer the bigger fluffy ones. I am excited to see how these look when they are all blooming though! </p> <p>Here’s my final big tip – I don’t prune my hydrangeas and they have done great this year. I mentioned <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/tour-of-our-garden.html">earlier this year</a> that I had pruned them and I misspoke a bit – I just (mostly) took all the dead wood off. </p> <p>This can be tricky because sometimes it’s hard to tell between the normal and dead wood. Most hydrangeas bloom on dead wood – so you want to keep those ugly sticks like mine had last summer: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzIhGvxNLsWw5bjaUz5sPGe2j5jRxeayC0u-7j56EriLvOzhdxCZZD7_d5Bf_gDERRhtxUCR45aZ_T_mzsGxOY1XGY14Ls-P92_5sS2bnKqp9zJQ33Q9M1JgHw0mHl2SF7uC1L0RIGYk/s1600-h/IMG_1148_thumb%25255B6%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hydrangea grow on old wood" border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85tllk8fK61l-_dW_Q-qQg1ZU28BSSMFX7SmZOH2jl5pNMllFupLM2kwno9NkiiUl5o7BYxuRJmXK5rVaj5CW5zkoA-Nw5ScMYLB9LoDl81AjkFt7bBfs9ykt4RRoOpYvoZNw3-oQo_I/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangea grow on old wood" width="250" /></a></p> <p>But I think it helped mine a ton to pull the dead wood out – they just shot up when I did that. I don’t know if it was just coincidence with the timing, but it seemed to help. I just pulled the dead stalks out of the plant – it will give easily if it’s dead. If it doesn’t, leave it. </p> <p>I did trim down the Pee Gees just a bit though – just some of the tips that were total toast. And it seemed to work! I did this in May of this year – I’ve heard that’s a good time to do it if you’re going to. So I won’t cut them down this winter, and at best I’ll do a tiny bit of pruning next May, but that’s it. Otherwise I’ll leave them alone. </p> <p>So that’s about it – I’ve learned a lot over the past year! I was determined because hydrangea are one of my all time favorites and I LOVE having them to cut and bring inside: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvilXMd5O_tn2Cm-kDh92SD6DIgszb1TpNHpkfRKHApfTHxIu9IIcPb7UpZZ9hQzuA3NGywj_gHb9mOAeHZBjfwk_HWBrTPLpixK0XldYHLUt1nh7e44DlLPNOLzG90xU5x-PRzdfJko/s1600-h/IMG_6014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pink white hydrangea" border="0" height="676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeXkM7_gxHCIF5yIfXIIQUUvSTdfZfV3B1MxK7c5odzmRLnrC9arWEZ-kre-6tCTp2qg3op4LdkRCKLyezhFfpZA3DI1sI0tugvQWUdRsCRbzMiofnjnhacPVgZGqXDZjgb8eBF3uTEs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pink white hydrangea" width="450" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKHNy8DpZhqNkyE-aTTjvBgG7AGbsqb3PHSrPZo9ff-DOpTQvf0-GpM_L2X_jtU9imRAwkPo7i9LXkN3zNPqH9wJD-M8Xs98b3GbCybBO4HC7T-Cbxyf17lRw87hSMXC4hoWQkEu_C0E/s1600-h/photo2%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="mophead hydrangea pink white purple" border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8AYmDeKfoK3gVxo2sPITZqtVmy7wOSX5NF8LIkj0vaMUxZX-2i6NHylfIkwrYo_PmlbAbgWi-E9ilItADMr6gRXi0Wrk9C5HSkUytobjVn_BIGQlEoSYjoJ36UGRpAq9GuZPy2GsF7s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="mophead hydrangea pink white purple" width="450" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpym6BFUVtSF8U9qKJfG56bfY0E7c8e0Dgx5aGk-N4ZtCE33vFp7ZYowdTFm791LOVn297wcmM6SThdJ16h3zlAekxnYMFj1KVaR1FC54ZxMfUeSA5Lih3FYjb_WlzI5MB6GXodOzg9A/s1600-h/IMG_5953_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hydrangea in wood box" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmgz1pfystAO58p20-DxQfPuLyupbhwANsRoxk-6LdeSggrJL6UYyk1z_Ore0QUyMY93nkJaDyxIFMVZhlzSNpNgrN2U3KaVRIP0mS00yk-zU8QQ354kdBXmhlFglRH_1AuJqryrYNFI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangea in wood box" width="550" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vs1Lfwqz5ic/UfaQWfkpcDI/AAAAAAAAfLo/Ut_7CfQ1wfo/s1600-h/IMG_5971_thumb%25255B4%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dresser as entertainment center" border="0" height="751" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rM7NABj_KlE/UfaQW5taQcI/AAAAAAAAfLw/3vcbfXDNfnc/IMG_5971_thumb%25255B4%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dresser as entertainment center" width="500" /></a> </p> <p>Mine still have a long way to go – most are still tiny compared to a mature plant. But they are doing SO much better than the past. I think I’ve finally figured out how <strong>not </strong>kill them! Bonus!</p> <p>Here’s a few other tips: </p> <blockquote> <p>- If your climate is too warm for hydrangeas, consider the Pee Gee tree. It loves full sun so it should do better for you. </p> <p>- You can change the color of your blooms with some stuff from the nursery or hardware store, or there are DIY methods too. (I’ve heard nails, pennies, etc.) The color of your blooms depends on the acidity of your soil. (Other than the white ones – those can’t be changed.)</p> <p>- It seems like they are high maintenance, but once established hydrangeas are easy to take care of – they just need WATER. </p> <p>- You know those planted hydrangeas you find in the spring/early summer at grocery stores? Yeah, they aren’t really meant to be planted. I had no idea! Go <a href="http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/foil.html">here</a> to read more about that. I still think my one plant that isn’t blooming may be one I got from the grocery that I planted years ago. If it doesn’t bloom next year I’ll replace it. </p> </blockquote> <p>I hope that helps any of you who have struggled with growing this beautiful plant! Again, I’m no expert but I’m getting there. ;) I think the change I made that made the biggest difference was where I planted them – the afternoon shade is key, at least at our house. </p> <p>Are you a hydrangea lover? Any great tips I’ve missed? Have you tried and failed at these? </p> <p> </p> <p>**For more on that DIY wood trough with the flowers in our family room go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-trough-thingy.html">here</a>! </p>

Growing hydrangeas (not killing them)

Hey heyyyy! How was your weekend? Have I mentioned how wonderful our weather has been? One or 50 times? Yeah. It’s been awesome. 51. I’ve ...

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CASA MIRAMAR

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPxwwDjsaHahfK20TQAzBQEHTl4pUEQaSOisGKFNfQi6ZU_FlBbAhTZzPVH4Zqs-tnlh-7iuh4hkKAeKtLjnmQfNSl-fSiBg1oEHblqyi52effjtD0tnbLLxzRj81gYo3jEEYfdUvERA/s1600/2528848_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPxwwDjsaHahfK20TQAzBQEHTl4pUEQaSOisGKFNfQi6ZU_FlBbAhTZzPVH4Zqs-tnlh-7iuh4hkKAeKtLjnmQfNSl-fSiBg1oEHblqyi52effjtD0tnbLLxzRj81gYo3jEEYfdUvERA/s1600/2528848_original.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Como muy bien indica su nombre, esta casa  australiana tiene unas vistas increíbles al océano. Todo su interior es abierto y desde casi cualquier punto se puede divisar el mar. En ella predomina las lineas rectas y minimalistas y se ha utilizado como base el color blanco para toda la casa. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Y aunque no están nada mal los interiores, sin duda me quedo con las terrazas abiertas al mar.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_UaomYSsqXGtdG_q4mH6zcUWFQOTUVMWDM2to66CQi1vt7Ia0Y08nCzD8H7S8-p4sQblhx40u7ukL8WItSiv-1_6rQJ-4_34vBIIh89z7qBzunsj6EcldePaRn4eqT7LQKVUrR8q4cc/s1600/2529199_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_UaomYSsqXGtdG_q4mH6zcUWFQOTUVMWDM2to66CQi1vt7Ia0Y08nCzD8H7S8-p4sQblhx40u7ukL8WItSiv-1_6rQJ-4_34vBIIh89z7qBzunsj6EcldePaRn4eqT7LQKVUrR8q4cc/s640/2529199_original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36HAqUyl0SDLEdQooj3tdVK6cqxgSMi4emNvFTGitQLsmZ2KEx-NQO2sMuacYNp8qZRV56zsTky5i0xOFI0aD4QhwLTslsIJqci9rCOUqQLq1uc-iH4MENzm7WaigrFABtsfjdzfZThg/s1600/2529345_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36HAqUyl0SDLEdQooj3tdVK6cqxgSMi4emNvFTGitQLsmZ2KEx-NQO2sMuacYNp8qZRV56zsTky5i0xOFI0aD4QhwLTslsIJqci9rCOUqQLq1uc-iH4MENzm7WaigrFABtsfjdzfZThg/s640/2529345_original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC0ARR3t1eFRgAeOk5X1kHZsxCImLNdskahNcmwHM_-mMUEOZY7h2q4xFTXYDRbuolVAqUyX5FtkacJ7XSOWebpnNJMk-4JfbxEh8HEGe7zCRbsVQzgLW8fCLo1uNlrpaGc25jdEjf9w/s1600/2529683_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC0ARR3t1eFRgAeOk5X1kHZsxCImLNdskahNcmwHM_-mMUEOZY7h2q4xFTXYDRbuolVAqUyX5FtkacJ7XSOWebpnNJMk-4JfbxEh8HEGe7zCRbsVQzgLW8fCLo1uNlrpaGc25jdEjf9w/s1600/2529683_original.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yc3lSs24qc4rwYQCwUwEhwxVOSyAm8GO9egV9SEuopyNgkNiLdHtWqQEQCS8amFiM7ucRn-DRw5VQbjEhtB37A7Lzs4PBs8XfEHfVz_ohSet2Glznt-59M9tat3zkbzxKSd4NWZMCdc/s1600/2529974_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mHwpvYReHWK8yCbX_s7yiOEtci5TqfyHwgNYSyAS4ZGHZOUJ_dTBZl09r8uY3q_jHalC2EK356UkXh5mt3XiUOEIbgRzviS04aNEP4IoMW5LtTXWq_x0s05djPIgaeSoZ6vLbjVUhkw/s1600/2530331_original.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSRsJ0LvD7e9whQ7RE-OYAUIxBDRoGrtnWibAVfgK4JyCfUU15iXTfM4dyuOk2gvnkt-rkLuv8bipWJS2Oyz4vmx0eK7NMOr9a1dM-etSbm8yMdue69hxggu1d2ffI-zax1xv6agVwcc/s1600/2530781_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSRsJ0LvD7e9whQ7RE-OYAUIxBDRoGrtnWibAVfgK4JyCfUU15iXTfM4dyuOk2gvnkt-rkLuv8bipWJS2Oyz4vmx0eK7NMOr9a1dM-etSbm8yMdue69hxggu1d2ffI-zax1xv6agVwcc/s640/2530781_original.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID5fUaBLIy0G58Ro1it3RE96OdIJiy23-1H7JqnFt3tYIgZkvth6AGoGkwTVZnl0ZEsWK1IjgMDuwfbfcXMF2RZqZoFdViODSmFlV8AMgqep0g1whftn3s7pG-ODltlNkNfOi2X2hH1s/s1600/2530961_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinzZUgwpU1NycNsJTeEkb4tVy_Q9yaSb1wzhYeBN6F83kGwdb8n0AOzDUPBC-AU05hm4CvSeABnx5zVEJpbNiAX6L27O08qWEvGQWWUZhvBnzz9VP8pcq33YeU-gpOTRRlTfj17Uded0/s640/2531476_original.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqThEWxEsICOkFh9geCj3Ka7xm0PVhNo9UsoalRep_hvyBPnhLCWYQfhkUTokzMhVTk93d8GWrxuEWZzEbOETT7FYoGONPwkD_67rftjsBrMLR0iYLh6g9TyAgq7UykwPMmDGzeNfHs40/s1600/2531616_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqThEWxEsICOkFh9geCj3Ka7xm0PVhNo9UsoalRep_hvyBPnhLCWYQfhkUTokzMhVTk93d8GWrxuEWZzEbOETT7FYoGONPwkD_67rftjsBrMLR0iYLh6g9TyAgq7UykwPMmDGzeNfHs40/s1600/2531616_original.jpg" /></a></div><br />Imágenes: <a href="http://www.elle.es/elledeco/casas/casa-frente-al-mar-en-australia">Elle</a>

CASA MIRAMAR

Como muy bien indica su nombre, esta casa  australiana tiene unas vistas increíbles al océano. Todo su interior es abierto y desde casi cual...

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