Stone a Rustic Appearance

Stone a Rustic Appearance Why wait until after Thanksgiving to liven your door? Our fresh cotton and lavender stem adds just the ideal rustic touch for autumn. Mix in a few Christmas decorations or battery-operated lights to keep its good looks moving through the holiday season. Craft your own with our guide.  



Go Crazy for Color Cover a wire wreath form with freshly snipped magnolia leaves to create this modern and multi-hued take on a traditional wreath. To bring in the color, choose six different colors of paint based on your home's structure or decide on a conventional fall palette of oranges, oranges and yellows. Learn to create your own.  



Mix Fruit With Succulents A wire wreath type topped with succulents, berry sprigs, seasonal greenery and bright yellow Fuyu persimmons is guaranteed to add a cheery pop of fall color anywhere. The fruit and greenery used here are fresh so that this toaster's beauty will be short lived; for a long-lasting wreath, sub synthetic materials to make a wreath you can display every year. Create your own using our step-by-step directions.  



New Take for an Old Rake Forgo the wreath form for this fall decoration that employs a new or older garden rake because its foundation. Faux autumn flowers and silk leaves ensure it's an arrangement you will be able to display for several drops ahead. Craft your own using our step-by-step instructions.  



Fall Moss Wreath Add seasonal flair to your front door with this simple to make fall wreath. Learn to create your own.



Switch Ribbon Into Roses Craft a cheery touch of autumn for front door using a moss-covered wreath form and autumnal ribbon roses that look complicated but are actually a cinch to make.   Learn how to create your own.  



Provide Your Wreath Just a Tiny Character Our buddies at HGTV Magazine discuss how to create this adorable fall wreath with affordable items from the regional craft store. Get crafting together with our step-by-step instructions.  



All the Colors of Fall Top a twig wreath form with corn husks, maintained fall leaves, mini pumpkins and dried blossoms to create this front doorway decoration that could resist the elements while offering your entrance door a vibrant fall upgrade.  



Make It Bountiful Add pinecones and various faux berries and greenery into an affordable grapevine wreath to make a stunning autumnal decoration you can exhibit either inside or outside. Best of all Just put in a red ribbon to transition this wreath from fall to Christmas. Learn how to make your own with our step-by-step instructions.



Make It Multipurpose A straightforward grapevine wreath type, chartreuse reindeer moss, wooden numbers and a plaque are all you need to craft this front door that will double duty brightening your entrance whilst making it effortless for vacation guests to seek out your address. See more ways to deck outside front porch for fall from our friends at HGTV Magazine.



Craft a Mini "Pumpkin" Wreath Although the small orange contours covering this wreath look like life-sized, they're really putka pods. A great stand-in for mini pumpkins, the dried organic seed pods do not deteriorate, which means that your wreath could be displayed year after year. Create your own using our step-by-step directions.



Put Nature's Bounty to Work Go foraging in your backyard to gather the acorns and pine cones needed for this woodsy, budget-friendly wreath. But, free materials mean a little additional prep: To protect against the acorns out of cardboard or some other creepy crawlies from seeming, first wash, then bake the acorns on a foil-lined sheet for 1-1/2 to 2 hours at a 200-degree oven. Pine cones are less likely to contain bugs although the sticky sap can make a real mess so put them in the oven with the acorns for the last hour of baking to crystallize the sap. Get step-by-step directions.    



Wreaths Aren't Just for the Outdoors An inexpensive wreath type, moss and our   free printable templates are all you will need to make this rustic autumn wreath. The paper blossoms and banner are adorable but definitely not weather-resistant therefore hang the completed wreath over a mirror on your entry or on a kitchen cupboard to bring a drop touch indoors.  



Craft a Holiday-Spanning Wreath Wrap freshly cut magnolia leaves around a manageable foam wreath form for a streamlined, modern take on a traditional fall wreath. The leaves will dry position and turn a gorgeous coppery colour. It's not necessary to take this wreath down when you swap out of your Thanksgiving decorations for Christmas -- just change the decoration to match your holiday decor.   Get step-by-step instructions.



Pile on the (Faux) Pumpkins Faux pumpkins are useful for so many functions but they're light weight and long-lasting durability make them an especially great candidate for being turned into a cheery wreath. Hot glue them to a wreath shape cut from plywood or even foamcore for front door decoration you can craft in moments. Picture courtesy of HGTV Magazine.



Make a Rustic Wreath Add an earthy touch indoors with this twist on a traditional round fall wreath. Dried mushrooms, moss, seed pods and grasses form the foundation while russet fresh or faux blossoms add a pop of fall colour. Learn how to make your own.



Perfectly Personalized Give your front door a personalized touch by turning cheap craft-store materials to a rustic monogram to take the place of a standard fall wreath. Create your own using our step-by-step educations.  



Try a New Twist on Tradition Shake your front door using a square wreath featuring colorful ears of Indian corn. Head to the local craft store for substances then build this harvest-themed outside decoration in just a couple hours.   Learn to make your own.  



Brighten Up the Entryway Wreaths aren't just good as front door decorations, they're also a simple method to put in a touch to your entryway. Hang one over the mirror or on the back of the front door to swiftly deck out of your foyer for autumn. Get more tips for decorating for fall.    



Freshen Up Your Front Door Variegated croton in saturated colors of green, gold and red surrounded by brilliant mums and pumpkins give HGTV enthusiast gdiveris' front entry a colorful fall pick-me-up. Both crops are perennials and may be brought indoors to weather the winter or, if you reside in a warm climate, planted to add color to your landscape.

Get in the Groove

Get in the Groove These record-label beverage coasters, made by Pennsylvania artist Jeff Davis, are created from the centres of actual vinyl recordings. They have a protective seal to protect the first document labels. They come in sets of six and each pair contains a exceptional range of labels. $18; UncommonGoods



Cocktails LP's The Art of Rock by Paul Grushkin, an exhaustive, encyclopedic history of concert posters and other relevant artwork, is a visual feast -- lively, color-drenched and covering the musical eras "from Presley into punk." It comprises over 1500 examples and features commentary from artists, musicians and other rock notables. It encircles images connected with lots of rock's icons as well as original art in an assortment of distinct styles from early-rock letterpress bills to San Francisco's psychedelic scene to the minimalist aesthetic of New York punk and new wave. Featured artists include Stanley Mouse, Alton Kelly and Rick Griffin. $41.53; Barnes & Noble



Rock's Bold Visions Eilon Paz's coffee-table sized publication Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting, is a comprehensive research, and a party, of the area of vinyl obsession. Lavishly illustrated with photo essays set in the 'listing rooms' of some 130 hyper-avid collectors, it's a fascinating and insightful journey into the mind and motivations a number of music's most fervent enthusiasts. Available in various editions ranging from $49 to $120; Dust & Grooves



When Collecting Becomes Religion (or alcoholism) Those who hope to (or long to return to) the pleasing experience of dropping a needle onto a record, and taking in that rich, warm sound of analog sound, might feel a bit lost when shopping for a new turntable.   Pro-Ject Audio Systems provides a solution in the form of its 'Essential' and 'Debut' lines, putting quality analog hi-fi within reach. These sound, entry-level elements have gained a solid reputation among audiophiles and positive reviews as a worthy entrance point into high-end audio. Prices begin at $299;   accessible from Audio Advisor and other sockets



Analog Audio for the Masses After John, Paul, George and Ringo recorded the bulk of their catalogue, electronic recording had not been dreamed of and "stereo sound" was still considered something of a novelty. Their records, up till 1968, were recorded and mixed in mono. That format was the standard at the moment, and each the technological energies poured into manufacturing were within that sonic context. Ergo, the original mono master tapes are arguably the most authoritative record representing the lion's share of the Beatles' studio output.   But for years, you'd be hard pressed to hear those records. They were supplanted by multiple generations of re-releases, remasters, remixes and electronic transfers. Now that has changed. The Beatles in Mono is a 14-LP boxed set which lets you listen to The Beatles' albums precisely since they were heard. The collection contains all of the records from Please via  The White Album -- cut from the first 1/4-inch master tapes and pressed high-quality vinyl. Also contained are the 3-LP compilation of extras, including Mono Experts, and      also a 12"x12" hardbound book with rare photos and archival documents.   Absoutely no electronic dominating is in evidence   any place in the lineage of the new and historically true pressings. Production work was done at Abbey Road Studios in which most of the Beatles' albums were originally recorded. $329.99; MusicDirect (a CD version can also be available for $199)



The Beatles for Purists An iconic musical figure whose catalogue has, in recent years, been largely inaccessible on vinyl is David Bowie, among rock's truly great innovators. That notable vacuum is in the process of being stuffed thanks to a run of high profile reissues.   Who Can I Be Today? Is the next in a series of career-spanning boxed-set collections (the first group was Five Years: 1969-1973)  providing the artist's album catalogue, meticulously curated and remastered on high-quality 180-gram vinyl.   This 13-LP set represents Bowie's output signal from 1974 through 1976 and includes classic studio records Diamond Dogs, Young Americans and Station to Station, in addition to the David Live double LP, a previously unreleased live recording from 1976 branded  The Gouster, a collection of obscure singles and b-sides  and an accompanying hardcover book. Several of the LPs are represented within their first mix in addition to another remix version. Mastering with this new pair was controlled by long-time Bowie collaborator and producer Tony Visconti. $249.99; MusicDirect (a CD variant is also available for $149.99)



The Return of the Thin White Duke Nick Hornsby's first publication High Fidelity follows Rob Fleming -- the owner of a London record shop that caters to some specially dedicated niche acquaintances -- as he attempts to recover from a romantic split and can be drawn to an existential examination of past relationships. Among other things. It's a smart, funny, incisive narrative -- seen through a lens looking out onto a world filled with esoteric musical understanding, obscure pop culture references and sharp repartee. You've probably seen the movie version with John Cusack, with the story transplanted to Chicago. The book is worth looking into as well, and is likely to ring true to music devotees, especially those with a strong connection to that time when "indie" and "underground" music has been defining itself. $10 (paperback); Barnes & Noble



Bowie in Berlin and Beyond For a lot of people, The Smiths were flat-out the most important rock band ever. Though their trajectory as a group endured just five decades and four studio albums, their rich and crafted music spoke to crowds and addressed subject matter in a way that hadn't been attempted in popular music. Where the Beatles, the Stones and Dylan defined one formative age of music, it may be argued the Smiths -- using their jangly, ringing guitars and whip-smart, poetic and feindishly off-center lyrics  -- described another. Part of a huge music directed squarely at outsiders, The Smiths were removed from the 80s-era material women, princes of pop and flocks of seagulls -- and instead occupied rarified air populated by the likes of Joy Division, New Order, The Cure and Echo & the Bunnymen on a single side of this pond, also R.E.M. and (earlier) The Velvet Underground on another side. One UK critic called them "the sole truly vital voice of the '80s", along with a 2002 poll in Britain's New Music Express rated them as "the most influential artist ever", outranking even The Beatles. We are going to leave that argument on the dining table, but let us just say they left a resounding impact, and any seriously thinking individual could be hard pressed to listen to their music without being effected on multiple levels. The 1986 album that most consider their creative pinnacle, The Queen Is Dead, has been given the expansive re-release therapy, expanding it from a single LP to five, adding to the remastered original record lots of alternative takes, b-sides, obscura and also a live recording from a 1986 performance in Boston. There's also a 2 CD version and also a 3CD DVD edition. Five-LP vinyl version: $90. Accessible from Amazon.



A Novel of Life, Love and Musical Obsession Sony has resurrected its iconic Walkman at the form of the new Sony Walkman NW-ZX2 -- a high resolution mobile player that supports, not just the now ubiquitous MP3, but fuller sounding formats such as WAV (the format used for CD's), FLAC, Apple Lossless and super high-definition 24-bit files. It's by no means cheap, but if you truly serious about sound, it is well worth a look. $1,199; Sony



Zenith of Cool The paper inner sleeves which came inside most albums for years come with some distinct disadvantages. Chiefly, they could cause 'paper scrapes' to the vinyl LP surface, leading surface sound during playback and damage to the record itself as well as the playback stylus. They are also able to create static charge since the vinyl disc is removed, leading to dust particles being drawn to the grooved surface and inviting additional damage. Ordinary paper also produces acidic residue as it deteriorates over time. None of that is ideal for long-term preservation. Audiophile recording company Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab  provides a great solution at a modest price. Their Original Master Sleeves  would be the same protective, anti-static sleeves that they use in packaging their high-end audiophile pressings. They're regarded as the standard among serious collectors for security and archival storage of precious vinyl. $20 (pack of 50); MusicDirect



The Boys With the Thorns in Their Sides Declan Patrick McManus, aka Elvis Costello, crashed headfirst onto the music scene in 1977, smack in the middle of the punk and new wave explosion, with his defining record, My Aim Is True. Since then he's proved to be one of popular music's most prolific songwriters and performers. Pegged early on (somewhat undeservedly) as an angry young man, Elvis has ultimately proved to be one of the stone's very charming, articulate and collaborative emissaries. The memoir Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink was written entirely by Costello and supplies a direct and very clear look inside the mind and life of a genuinely intriguing artist. $20.40 (hardcover); Amazon



Digital Portable Player on Steroids The importance of John Coltrane's landmark album, A Love Supreme, can scarcely be overstated. The 50th anniversary of this landmark 1965 recording known for something particular, and that came in the form of Verve Music Group's A Love Supreme: The Complete Masters (Super Deluxe Edition). Over three disks we hear the original record as performed by Coltrane's classic quartet (Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison) as well as previously unreleased recordings that provide insight into development of this package and also a live recording of this substance made later in the year of their original release. $33.98 (CD); Amazon



Archival Pampering It is not a new notion that album covers are themselves frequently works of art, and the 12"x12" format lends itself to visual display as wall art. A number of companies offer simple black frames which will allow you to create a visually arresting gallery wall using your favorite albums. Available from a number of sellers such as IKEA and Michael's.   Pro-Ject Audio offers the Play & Display system that allows albums to be easily removed from the framework for for playing. $149; Audio Advisor



His Aim Is True Irrespective of whether you're a avid Amy Winehouse enthusiast or only casually acquainted with the troubled artist's songs, career and controversies, this provocative biographical documentary, originally titled Amy: The Girl Behind the Name, probably contains things that will take you by surprise. In the unsettling details of her family life and public broadcasts to the endearing shyness and humility she exhibits when documenting the duet "Body and Spirit" with Tony Bennett, Asif Kapadia's searing movie leaves one with the knowledge that there was a lot longer to Amy than the tabloid character. $12.89 (Blu-ray), $9.04 (DVD); Amazon



Traditional Essential Audio geeks and tweakers understand that vibration from the context of sound components is seldom a good thing. Negative vibration may degrade the performance of audio and video elements in a variety of ways. There are many gadgets and devices out there for dealing with this, in a surprising range of prices. Among the less expensive ones is your Vibrapod system. Praised and positively reviewed, Vibrapod isolation ft and cones can be set under speakers, turntables, CD players and other elements to minimize vibration and improve audio definition, bass response, sonic imaging and soundstage. $24 (set of four); Audio Advisor



The Jazz Album, Expanded Many audiophiles feel that the most crucial element in the chain of equipment comprising a sound system is that the speakers. When it comes to components, deciding on speakers is probably the most important decision you'll make. If money is no object, consider a set of Whisper XDS out of Legacy. Every speaker stands 63 inches high and contains 11 drivers including four 15" carbon-composite subwoofers, four 7" silver-graphite midwoofers and dual air-motion tweeters. They could withstand amplification up to 600 watts, but each contains an on-board 500-watt amplifier. Each one weighs 332 pounds. The Whispers are available in a variety of wood finishes which have rosewood, cabernet sapele pommele, birdseye maple and olive ash burl. The price depends on what finish you select but benefit from how the Whisper has been favorably compared to speakers costing $75,000 to $100,000! $25,000; Legacy

Mini-Dipping

Mini-Dipping A stained bamboo motif with a lively color palette transforms this remodeled home in Austin, Texas to a work of art further enhanced with a private backyard deck with a showstopping plunge pool of tile and concrete.



Deck Dynamo Refresh yourself with an invigorating water spa treatment while appreciating the marvels of the architectural wonder made by Urban Landscape.



Nighttime is the Right Time Mood light, a private setting and a stylish layout from Platinum Poolcare make this plunge pool the perfect choice for a midnight dip. The stamped concrete deck with composite timber decking supplies the handsome framing for a pool that includes interlocking natural stone veneer, stamped concrete dealing and a stainless steel scupper.



Mini Water Earth Fountains, gushing wall scuppers and overflowing basins make a dynamic water feature showcasing a dip pool and a spa created from recycled stainless steel by Bradford Products.



Water and Fire A triumph of form and design with Pool Environments, this modern recreational space unites flames, flowing water, natural greenery and daring colors to create a unique visual aesthetic. The decking is coloured concrete along with the red clay colour wall is stucco.



Liquid Oasis Boost your outdoor living space with the inclusion of a plunge pool that's ideal for nighttime dips but also a lovely architectural accent.



Glass Mosaic Fantasy A glistening wet-edge spill over dip pool lined with deep blue glass mosaic tile guests in this backyard paradise with a Bali-like landscape layout from Crystal Pools.  



Think about the Frame Beneath a painted cedar pergola in which boxwoods framework the patio walkway, this plunge pool stunner knows how to make a fantastic first impression with its Eden veneer spa wall and glorious courtyard setting.  



A Touch of Class A beige and white colour scheme, mood lighting, a petite infinity pool with tile inlay around the rim and  planters for visual accents create an atmosphere of understated elegance.



Cosmic Immersion An elaborate and colorful tile-lined dip pool is provided additional visual pizzazz by an unique and mesmerizing lighting layout that transforms this indoor pool area by Cipriano Landscape Design and Custom Swimming Pools to a planetarium.



Scenic Decor If your outdoor recreational area is restricted, you may always locate the perfect solution for your dip pool placement such as this compact but luxurious structure that provides visual interest to a exterior design.



A Patch of Blue An outdoor terrace becomes an architectural gem in this layout from Platinum Poolcare that comes with a spa with partitions of Oakfield Flagstone plus a pool deck of Silver Creek Travertine with Unilock Copthorn Accent banding.



Copper and Steel Step up to luxury in this fashionable production from Diamond Spas that is both a plunge pool and a spa made from stainless steel and copper.



Pool Point of View Conveniently positioned for a spectacular view of the surrounding marshes and estuary, this combination of spa (lined with ceramic tile) and infinity plunge pool transforms the deck of the North Carolina residence into a marvel of design.  



Perfect Summer Escape If you could imagine the ideal plunge pool/spa to refresh yourself on a hot summer's day it would likely look like this small gem with Bluestone decking, Indiana limestone coping and ceramic tile around the inner perimeter.  



The Grotto Within this unusual invention from Urban Landscape a plunge pool assumes the look of a natural stone quarry or grotto.



Small Blue Magic Place in a frame of sandstone colored concrete pavers, the offbeat design of the dip pool with its stylish band of ceramic waterline tiles and Bay Pearl Q-pebble lining is one of some kind.  



Sun Worshipper This glamorous circular plunge pool takes full advantage of its exterior, open air setting and sports an off white/gold pebble liner with Sandstone coping.



Private Lagoon Nestled into an intimate oasis of specimen trees and plants and lawn, this combination spa and plunge pool is flanked by natural rock from Pennsylvania at a design by Pool Environments.  



Purple Passion An evocative purple light scheme accents the exceptional qualities of the dip pool in a composite wood deck framework including water jet fountains, a Travertine deck with Indiana limestone coping.



Subtle But Sublime Like a jewel set in a ring, this diminutive but dramatic dip pool out of Diamond Spas gives a distinct contrast to the surrounding white and green color palette.



The Infinity Plunge From the style of the popular infinity pool models, this smaller version gives a dramatic showcase for a garden terrace with its sweeping views and state of the art hardscaping with a travertine deck and coping of Leuder limestone.  



Distinctive Facades Blue patterned glass tile, concrete and an ultra chic wall fountain transform this plunge pool to a work of art.



Timber and Sandstone An elongated plunge pool created for lap swimmingpool, this sleek jewel comes with a Q-pebble navy lining with blue glass mosaic waterline tile inlay across the rim. The Himalayan sandstone working and Merbau timber decking and edge further enhance the visual impact.



Uplighting Marvel A dip pool using a glass tile exterior looks more magical at night with atmospheric light in this outdoor design that pairs it with a comfy outdoor living space and terrace.



Private and Secure A long, rectangular dip pool with a centre blue painted fountain wall is separated out of the backyard by a child-proof glass wall for both security and privacy.  



Depth Perception The simple but flashy design of this dip pool is shown in its varying degrees, stripes and textures.



Balcony Spa Looking for an idea to transform your private balcony to something exclusive? Why not install a spa/plunge pool similar to this elegant version with blue tile lining?



Double Date Why settle for a single plunge pool as soon as you can have two in this innovative design from Urban Landscape that introduces them in an impressive stonework framework.



Liquid Arches Decorative jets of water add a lively element to this unique L-shaped plunge pool with Bluestone decking from Platinum Poolcare.  



The L Shape Brick light, a stonework edge and beige pavers enhance the rustic splendor of the L-shaped dip pool.



Priority Placement The placing of your plunge pool should be your first factor and here is a good example of one that will be the star of the courtyard garden.



Bird's Eye View Viewed from above at night, this miniature backyard pool shows its simple but stylish design and glowing blue inside that's surrounded by a Shotcrete shell having an exposed aggregate finish.



Flaming Stones A combination dip pool and spa framed in earth-colored tiles is further enhanced from the cascading wall fountains, Grecian urns and flaming stone and water characteristic.



Fountain Art This indoor plunge pool stands out from the rest with its beautiful water slide and a custom made ceramic tile fountain that looks like a modern art installation.  



The Perfect Compliment Stonework with tile accents create this Mediterranean style spa pool an perfect companion for your linking lap pool.



Low and High In this fashionable configuration of pavers, fountains and water features, you have a choice of some raised dip pool or one in the patio level, both fed by wall scuppers.



Underwater Lighting The bubbles, ripples and swirls within this pool  create a soothing and alluring effect at night as a result of some strategically placed underwater lights.



Under Western Skies The two-tier design of this rectangular dip pool is set off by the stonework framing and blends perfectly with the desert-like atmosphere.  



Rough Hewn The garden steps and frame of this dip pool have the classic splendor of old cobblestone.