Coastal Colors That Make Your Room Look Bigger
By Laura Mueller Living in a small home? There are a lot of ways to increase the visual appearance of your space, even if you can’t increase your actual square footage. This includes a...
COASTAL HOME & GARDEN Blog
The Editor’s Pick
Coastal Home & Garden is California's premier resource for all things home and garden. Connecting the community with industry professionals to tackle all projects, all year long.
Plant Bulbs Now to Have a Colorful Spring Garden
When it comes to planting fall bulbs, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Try out these tips this fall, and you should have lots of beautiful blooms next spring! As you are...
High-ROI Home Upgrades to Improve Curb Appeal
Your home’s exterior can say a lot about you and your family while also making a first impression on guests and potential buyers. Because of the impact curb appeal has on the amount prospective...
Fill Your Home With Comforting Color
In the world of design, what’s old inevitably becomes new again, and a similar pattern is inspiring today’s on-trend color palettes for home decor. The latest styles reflect reviving and comforting colors influenced by...
Clever Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
No matter how cramped and cluttered your living space may be, you can almost always find a spot or two for extra storage. It’s often just a matter of getting creative and utilizing a...
What to do in Santa Cruz During Fall and Winter
Winter is an incredible time to explore Santa Cruz. The crowds have died down and the pace is slower. All attractions and tourist sites remain open year-round there are a few that are open...
No Free Lunch for Gophers
By Tony Tomeo Wildlife belongs in the wild. Many of us appreciate it there, and get pictures of it to share with others as if it is rare and unusual. Deer, raccoons, skunks, squirrels,...
Succulents: A Great Addition to a Drought-Resistant Garden
With rainfall averages seemingly going down year after year, creating a drought-resistant garden is the future. There is no better place to start, or yet end, then with succulents. By very definition succulent plants...
How to Grow Delicious Juicy Tomatoes
Growing big juicy tomatoes is part of what makes vegetable gardening so enjoyable. Whether purchasing plants from your local nursery or starting tomatoes from seed, here are a few basic steps to ensure that you harvest...
Keeping Pets Safe in the Garden
If you have pets that enjoy spending time outdoors, it’s important to make sure your yard is a safe place for them to be. Consider these hazards that can negatively impact the well-being of...
Trends for a Refreshed Home in 2022
Spring brings new opportunities to refresh your living space and add new colors into your life. These five trends are all about incorporating more of yourself and your lifestyle into your home, whether it’s...
Your Home: An Even More Valuable Asset
By Jondi Gumz Home prices in Santa Cruz County skyrocketed in March to a new record median price – $1.6 million, up 46% from a year ago – as sales dropped by 7%. The...
Smoking Meat at Home 101
If you really want to infuse deep aromas and flavors into meat like chicken, pork, beef, and lamb, smoking is the best way to do it. Thanks to the development of commercial smokers, smoking...
Designers’ Trends to get Your Kitchen and Bathroom Ready for 2022
Life at home has changed a lot and, for many people, being “on trend” has taken a backseat to designing around their needs. When it comes to styling your kitchen and bathroom, taking time...
Outdoor Living at its Finest
Spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your creature comforts. With a few small adjustments you can make your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. Turning a yard, patio, porch or other outdoor...
Generational Trends in Home Buying
Since 2013, the National Association of REALTORS® has produced the Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report. This report provides insights into differences and similarities across generations of home buyers and sellers. The home...
Invite Monarch Butterflies to your Garden
Attracting monarch butterflies to your garden can be a fun and fulfilling hobby for your family. It’s always a thrill to see these orange-and-black beauties flitting around your flowers to fuel up on nectar...
How to Reduce Water use at Home
With California in a drought once again, state officials are calling on local residents to cut water use by 15 percent compared to 2020. BUT HOW?Here are tips from H2ouse.org to reduce water use...
Transition Your Fall Décor into Winter with These Easy Ideas
Treat your home to a seasonal lift with ideas to warm up every room! Fall décor can easily transition into Winter so you can achieve a cozy look without doing too much. Rethink your...
Plan a Coastal
Road Trip Excursion
If you’ve never traveled along the Pacific Coast, or maybe you’d just like to experience it from a new perspective, there are few things quite like a road trip to take in the sights...
Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder
A thick and hearty soup with delicious winter vegetables. Serve with a crusty loaf of bread fora delicious winter dinner. Serves 6Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, toss the butternut...
Look at What’s in Season in Your Local Market or Garden!
ArtichokesArtichokes are fun to grow, and you can plant them in late fall. You can buy the starter plants at your local nursery. They grow quite tall so make sure when you plant your...
What Came First, The Tomato or The Seed?
Planting Your Next Garden With Seeds. Saving seeds from one year to plant the next is an age-old tradition, some families even pass down seeds by generation. Saving vegetable seeds can help preserve the...
Water-Smart
Helping our customers with water conservation is an essential part of what we do at the Soquel Creek Water District. A lot of water savings can be achieved through changes inside our homes, but...
Creating A Vibrant Backyard Oasis
Fall is in full swing, but are you truly making the most of it? Creating a vibrant outdoor space can expand the living area of your home, while providing a unique venue for entertaining...
Modern Kitchen and Bath Upgrades
Upgrades happen for all kinds of reasons, but one of the most common purposes of a home renovation is to make essential spaces like kitchens and bathrooms more modern. Modernizing your spaces isn’t just...
Infuse Living Spaces with Color
From experiences to surroundings, the past year has brought a renewed focus on feeding the soul. In an era of overstimulation and information overload, many are finding a new appreciation for living life minimally...
SUCCULENTS
It is safe to say the succulent trend is omnipresent! Everywhere you go these low-maintenance colorful dwellings are present. You can find them for sale at almost every garden center, nursery, and botanical garden....
The Perfect Summer Time Beer
All grainBoil Time: 60 minFermentor volume: 6+ gallons8 gallons in kettleEfficiency: 70% Grain build8 lb Pale 2-Row3 lb Munich1 lb Vienna10 oz Caramel / Crystal 80L10 0z Caramel / Crystal 20L0.50 lb Carapils (Dextrine...
Grilling Always A Summer Favorite
Tips to grill by Start with a Clean GrillUse a wire brush to clean the grates and remove any food residue or char. Then wipe down with paper towels or cloth using some vegetable...
How and Why to Build a Raised Garden Bed This Season
Fairly easy to construct and even easier to maintain, raised garden beds are a great way to raise plants and vegetables in the comfort and convenience of your backyard. In a recent episode of...
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
In-law units, granny units, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are self-contained, smaller living units on the lot of a single-family home. These are units that typically include their own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living...
Roses
Even though roses are some of the most popular and beautiful flowering shrubs, starting a rose garden may seem daunting to new gardeners. However, growing roses for beginners can be simple and rewarding. Roses...
Creating an Inviting Porch
Ocean breeze and summer warmth create the perfect porch environment with daydreams and sweet dreams, lemonade and biscuit cookies. A front porch allows you to wash away the stress… Let us help you create...
Backyard Inspirations
Decks and PatiosEstablish a gathering place – One of the most important features of an outdoor space are areas for socialization. A central location with a variety of seating options creates a welcoming atmosphere....
8 Tips For Mental Wellness
Here are some tips that can help everyone improve their mental wellness: Develop a positive attitude — people with positive attitudes are happier, more successful, and better able to handle crises and stress. And...
How to Combat Social Isolation
Even before COVID-19 limited social contact with friends, family and colleagues, many adults experienced loneliness and depression due to limited contact with others. Now, a year after the pandemic forced many people into even...
3 Fresh Trends to Inspire Your 2021 Garden
Home gardening offers plentiful benefits that support mental and physical health, and many people have decided to begin or expand their gardens during the pandemic. Whether you’re a new gardener looking to learn or...
5 Fall Fix-Ups For Your Outdoor Deck
After a long summer relaxing on your deck or patio, autumn is a great time to renovate your outdoor space – or build one from scratch. Home improvement expert Alison Victoria, host of HGTV’s...
The Family Kitchen—Still at the Center
Ever since fire was discovered, the kitchen has been at the center of family life. Originally communal living took place around the cooking fire with several families and generations sharing the space, the food,...
Have Your Windows Passed Their Prime?
Replacing Your Windows May Be One Of The Most Cost-Effective Home Improvements You Can Make. When considering new windows, look for easy-clean features, durability, and quality construction. While replacing your windows can reduce energy...
Time for a Change
Color has the power to completely transform the feel of a space. The right palette can energize a lackluster room or convey a sense of calm in a busy home. And for those of...
MULLED WINE
The most wonderful time of the year has not truly started until you’ve indulged in your first cup of mulled wine. It’s a winter favorite enjoyed by mankind since antiquity. During the 2nd century...
Home Brewing a Winter Beer
All GrainBoil Time: 90 minFermentor volume: 6 gallons8 gallons in kettleEfficiency: 75% Grain build18 lb Pale 2-Row5 lb Munich1 lb Honey Malt0.50 lb Caramel / Crystal 120L0.50 lb Caramel / Crystal 60L0.50 lb Carapils...
Fall & Winter Gardening On The Central Coast
If you’ve never gardened before or you are a seasoned gardener, you’ll soon figure out that fall is a great time to grow your own produce. Cooler temperatures & milder sun can spell success...
Is Granola Good for You?
Granola Is Usually Considered A Healthy Breakfast Cereal. It’s a toasted mixture of rolled oats, nuts, and a sweetener like sugar or honey, though it can also include other grains, puffed rice, dried fruit,...
Creating Your Home Workspace
These days more and more people are working and schooling from home. If your day is going to consist of working and/or studying, a pleasant environment is the place to be. Since more people...
Choosing the hardwood floor that’s right for you
After kids go back to school, homeowners finally have time to complete remodeling projects. This makes autumn a popular time for home improvements. In fact, since Covod-19 appeared and so many of us are...
Plant Your Own Bee Garden
Bees are vital for the pollination of one third of our basic food staples. These insects have been pollinating plants for millions of years, as long as there have been flowers on the planet,...
4 Home Improvement Ideas
Whether you’re thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or any other type of home improvement project, these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and www.coastalhomeandgarden.com can help...
Fire Safety for Furry Family Members
If you have a fire escape plan in place for your home, you’re steps ahead of many Americans. According to the National Fire Protection Association, only 30% of American households have developed and practiced...
Culinary Herbs With Landscape Appeal
Vegetables grow mostly in designated vegetable gardens because they are not appealing enough for the rest of the landscape. Flowers for cutting might grow in designated cutting gardens, from which they are not missed...
Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space
Home improvement projects aren’t limited to indoors. In fact, not only can upgrades to areas outside the house expand your livable space, they can also increase your home’s value. Outdoor living projects account for...
Fall Bulbs
Drought or no drought, your garden can have bling in spring. But to enjoy this miraculous March show, you need to get to work now. Planted in November, spring-flowering bulbs can turn a boring...
Gardening Essentials for Essential Gardening
By Sydney Andrews. The world, as we know it, has changed drastically in mere hours. TV’s, phones, newspapers, and people are constantly displaying information about the world’s pandemic: COVID-19. Feelings of worry, uncertainty, grief,...
ZOMBIE DUST Clone
American IPAAll GrainBoil Time: 60 minFermentor volume: 6 gallons7 gallons in kettleEfficiency: 70% Grain build11.75 lb Pale 2-Row1.50 lb Munich0.50 lb Carapils0.50 lb Caramel / Crystal 60L0.50 lb Melanoidin MashMash temperature between 152° F...
Cioppino it’s whats for dinner
Sause ½ cup olive oil 2 tbs chopped yellow onion 2 tbs chopped garlic 2 tbs chopped parsley ¼ cup chopped celery 1 tbs chopped green pepper 2 cups whole tomatoes 1 cup tomato...
Grow Your Own Vegetables Out of Kitchen Scraps
Don’t be hasty in disposing those vegetable scraps! You can save them, plant, and reap the rewards of your own garden. Many vegetables can be replanted and grown into plants, so you always have...
Boost Your Immune System
with fruit in the morning Many foods will pick up your immune system. For example, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, spinach, and poultry all are potent foods that have vitamins and many immune benefits....
How AI is Transforming Life at Home by Thinking of You
We all love the idea of having a washer, refrigerator or smart appliance that gives us important messages and guides our next steps. But not all smart technology is alike. The last thing you...
Vegetable Container Gardening
Getting started with vegetable container gardening can seem overwhelming but it doesn’t need to be complicated. It is an easy project with a delicious reward. All you need is plants or seeds, a container,...
How Learning About Wine Can Improve the Way You Drink
The world of wine can sometimes feel intimidating to the uninitiated, but a bit of knowledge about wine from experts can help anyone navigate everyday situations. “Once the basics are demystified, you’ll not only...
It’s time to go back to basics
In times of uncertainty, it’s nice to be able to be self-sufficient. 2020 Started with incredible energy, and it felt as if this year was going to hit a home-run, that energy was stripped...
Reconstructing An Industry
OFFERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH GREAT DESIGN By Erin Kelly-Allshouse The homebuilding industry is evolving fast with changes in technology, construction and how homes are built. Joy Line Homes –a new construction company that designs...
Grow Hops in Your Backyard
Whether you want to get into home brewing or are simply looking for a hardy perennial to provide shade, consider planting hops in your backyard. This quick-growing plant will attract butterflies and can provide...
Enjoy Your State Parks
By getting outdoors & Being Safe. During the uncertain times in the world right now, the rule is to stay in. At some point in time, we will be able to get out again...
Chicken Coops
Americans across the country are taking strides to be more self-reliant, including growing food, composting, and raising animals. While these types of activities are most often associated with people who live in the country,...
Decorating Farmhouse Style
Originally, farmhouses were decorated with whatever was handy and practical. These days more thought goes into decorating “farmhouse style”, but practicality is still an important factor. If you are a flea market and yard...
3 Tips for finding a lost dog
Dogs are important and adored members of their families; however, millions go missing every year. The reasons are varied and probably not all that surprising. A curious dog might jump over a fence or...
5 Ways to Get Kids to Eat Healthier
Every parent knows the struggle of convincing their little ones to eat more nutritious foods. Luckily, by encouraging your kids to get involved in the kitchen, you’re helping them build a solid foundation for...
Growing From Seed
Beans, Beets, Cucumbers, Kale, Peas, Radishes, Salad Greens, Squash, Swiss Chard By Home and Garden Seed Association Most of the vegetables typically grown in a home garden can be sown directly in the garden...
Create Your Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a secondary housing unit that can be attached or detached accessory structure associated with single or multifamily dwellings. ADUs are part of the solution to Santa Cruz County’s critical...
Modern Kitchen Trends
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it the place to be is essential. A kitchen must be both functional and stylish. It has the potential to completely transform your daily...
Perfect Pumpkin Bread
Fill your house with the aroma of fall with warm slices of this Pumpkin Bread Loaf dolloped with butter. Find more seasonal dessert recipes at Culinary.net. Pumpkin Bread Loaf Nonstick cooking spray 4 eggs...
Living With Fire in Santa Cruz County
The danger of wildfires in Santa Cruz County reminds us all about the need to be proactive in preventing the spread of fires. This publication has been distributed in order to provide residents a...
Homemade Pizza, Family Fun
Pizza, pizza a favorite amongst all! A traditional oven can take up to 30 minutes to preheat and cook a pizza, whereas an outdoor pizza oven can cook a pizza in as little as...
