This Weekend: Spruce Up Your Reading Spot and Pick Apples

Laura Gaskill at Houzz takes a look at getting cosy for Autumn.

With the official start of Autumn arriving soon, this is a good weekend to tidy up the garden and then get cosy indoors with a good book (and maybe a slice of apple pie). Seven could-dos for a satisfying weekend are ahead, including apple picking, garden journals, desk organising, reading nooks and rainy day essentials.

1. Set Up a Cozy Reading Nook

Take some time this weekend to declutter the space on and around your comfiest reading spot. Then bring in a few cosy comforts to make your reading experience a little sweeter — like a footstool, a soft throw blanket and a small potted plant or bud vase filled with flowers. Pour yourself some hot tea or cider, curl up with a good book and savor your spruced-up nook.

2. Price Out a Home Project You’ve Been Dreaming Of

Wishing for custom storage to tidy hallway clutter, beautifully refinished floors or a media wall to tame the TV? Go on a fact-finding mission this weekend and see if you can fill in a few specifics, like how much your project may cost and how long it will take to complete. Browsing home improvement articles on Houzz can be a good place to start. And when you’re ready to take the next step, call a few local pros to get estimates for the work.

Second Nature Interiors

3. Organise Your Work (or Homework) Space

With back-to-school energy in the air, September is a good time to give your home office a little love. Sort through the piles of paper, toss out dry pens and wipe down the surface of your desk. Then bring in something pretty to keep you inspired as you work, like a green plant, a vintage globe, artwork or found treasures from nature. Have kids at home? Work together to tidy up their homework zone too.

Lore Patterson

4. Go Apple Picking

It’s apple season, which means many orchards are open for picking. You may also have apple trees at home to make the most of so consider making homemade apple sauce or apple pie. Bonus: It will make your house smell like Autumn.

5. Get Ready for Rainy Weather

Outfit your entryway for rainy days with a sturdy umbrella holder and doormats both inside and outside the front door. Stock the hall with a tray for holding dripping boots and a basket of old towels for mopping up puddles on the floor. While you’re at it, check to be sure you have a properly working umbrella and a raincoat for yourself too.

6. Do an End-of-Summer Cleanup

The tail end of summer is a good time to clean up and maintain your outdoor spaces before wintery weather arrives. Give your BBQ a thorough cleaning, disconnect the propane and put on a cover to protect it from the elements. Clean and seal wood decking if it needs it. And if you won’t be using your outdoor spaces any more this year, roll up and store outdoor rugs and furniture cushions.

7. Take Garden Notes for Next Year

What worked well in your garden this year and what would you like to do differently next time? Sit down with your garden book (or start one if you haven’t yet) and take note of what you have learned. If you’re not sure what to record, here are a few ideas for getting started:

List the best-tasting veggie varieties from your garden.
Make a sketch of where spring bulbs are planted.
List flowers you would like to add to your garden next year.
Note major projects or changes you would like to make, such as adding an edible garden or redoing the patio.

Read the full article on Houzz here

13/09/18