Completing a home renovation is an exciting time. But when there is so much to do, it’s also overwhelming. You aren’t sure where to start or how to get the most from the renovation with energy efficiency and aesthetics.
The 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing team has guided countless homeowners through the remodeling process. They’ve helped answer the big question that homeowners have: Where do I start?
Their advice is always to start with windows and siding. These areas of your home offer protection and can prevent costly fixes later should water get into your walls. They’ll also provide the greatest long-term benefits and energy efficiency so you are saving a little each month on your energy bills.
Evaluate your home renovation options by learning more about window and siding upgrades.
Why You Should Focus on Your Home’s Exterior First
Credit: https://depositphotos.com/
When completing a home renovation, many homeowners naturally gravitate toward the interior first. That’s the part that you see each day and where you want to optimize your living space with ideal storage and functionality.
And while that makes sense, your home’s exterior shell – its windows, siding and roofing – are essential to protecting the home from water damage and pests.
1. Focus on Protection First
Your siding and windows are more than just the part of the home that provides curb appeal – though of course they do offer this valuable feature. These elements are the first line of defense from the following.
Rain, snow and wind
Extreme temperatures
Pests
Moisture
UV rays
If your home’s exterior deteriorates, it can lead to water damage, mold, and structural problems. By starting with the exterior first, you’ll know your home is sealed and protected for many years.
2. Energy Efficiency Provides Immediate Savings
Worn-out windows and aging siding can lead to massive energy loss. If you’re experiencing drafts in your home or notice that it’s tough to keep the house cool in the summer, it might be due to poor insulation or leaks through your windows.
By upgrading your windows and siding, you can lower your energy bills, make your home more enjoyable no matter the weather, and even make your HVAC system last longer.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that new energy-efficient windows and insulated siding can improve a home’s energy efficiency by 25%-30%.
The Case for Replacing Your Windows First During a Home Renovation
Windows offer more than just a main focal point of your home. They are also a key element in the home’s performance. If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, it’s time to replace your windows.
Drafts or air leaks
Condensation between panes
Difficulty opening or locking
Rotting frames or warped sashes
Noise pollution from outside
Modern window designs offer double or triple-pane glass, low-E coatings and argon gas fills. These elements significantly improve your home’s performance. Plus, new windows can improve your home’s security and reduce outside noise from reaching your home.
The Case for Replacing Your Siding Early During a Home Renovation
Siding is a major element in your home’s curb appeal and is the armor that protects your home from failure or risk. Here’s a look at some signs it might be time to replace your siding.
Cracking, warping, or rotting panels
Fading or peeling paint
Bubbling or blistering surface
Increased energy bills
Mold, mildew, or pest infestation
Installing new siding offers waterproofing to protect your home’s structure while insulating it from the elements. Built-in foam can make your siding even more insulating if that’s a priority for you during your home renovation.
You’ll enjoy an instant upgrade in curb appeal to provide a fresh, modern appearance. And depending on the material you select, upgrading your siding can lead to an ROI of approximately 80% according to the 2024 Cost Vs. Value Report.
The Value of Replacing Windows and Siding Together
If you can afford it, replacing windows and siding at the same time offers the greatest reward on your investment. That’s because you’ll get extra advantages from the combo project. Those advantages include:
Seamless Integration
Replacing windows and siding together allows your contractor to get the best seal possible around each window. Replacement windows are inherently challenging because you can’t install them in the same way that you can new construction. While contractors are experts at making the most of the replacement process, replacing siding at the same time offers the greatest moisture protection and insulation possible.
Cohesive Look
Coordinating your window and siding projects offers the greatest cohesion as far as the overall appearance of your home. You can update your home’s exterior all at once so that you don’t have modern siding designs mixed with old windows or vice versa. Accomplish your design dreams with a perfect match between your windows and siding.
Potentially Lower Labor Costs
When you complete multiple projects at the same time, you potentially reduce your labor costs. Some contractors will give you a bulk rate for your installation because they’re already on site. Plus, your window installation won’t be as involved since the process is streamlined when your siding is off your home.
Less Disruptive
Renovating your home is disruptive, even when you work with the most flexible and caring contractors. So reduce the overall disruption by getting your full exterior renovation done at once. Then you’ll have less time with your home’s exterior looking like a worksite.
Get to Know the 2FL Project Process
As you work to coordinate your home’s renovations, learn more about what to expect when working with 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing.
1. Get Your Free Consultation
The team will assess your home, take measurements and recommend the products and services that will beautify your home. During this time, you can show photos of what you’d like your home to look like and they can help guide you toward the best manufacturers for long-term beauty.
2. Design Guidance
Not sure what you want for your new windows and siding? The expert team will guide you toward trending colors, classic designs or contemporary finishings. It all depends on your style and how you want your home to look. If you’re contemplating a home sale, they’ll even help guide you in finding designs and products that will maximize your home’s sale price.
3. Precision Installation
The licensed, bonded and insurance crew will expertly install your windows and siding. They’ll ensure they take special care to provide the longest life for the products and protect the manufacturer’s warranty with the utmost craftsmanship. Plus, they offer an installation warranty that offers peace of mind for homeowners.
4. Final Inspection
Before they leave the worksite, they’ll carefully clean it up and ensure you’re satisfied before leaving you to enjoy your new, beautified home.
Regardless of the type of home you’re updating, its age or its design style, 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing will help you make the most of your renovation with quality workmanship and industry-leading warranties. Experience the difference by scheduling your free estimate now.
Stand in your kitchen and look around. As you think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you’ll notice that the kitchen offers the two foundational needs: safety and physiological. In this space, you have food, water, shelter, health and wellbeing. And when you use the kitchen for gathering, you move up the pyramid to love and belonging, which focuses on family, friendships and community.
Because of the purpose that a kitchen serves in a home and a family, it is often referred to as the heart of the home. When designing or renovating a kitchen, the kitchen cabinets and doors are some of the most impactful decisions you’ll make.
So whether you’re planning a full remodel or a simple face lift, you have an opportunity to elevate your entire home with meaningful changes. Balance style and storage with kitchen cabinet organizers or quickly modernize the space with something trendy, like grey kitchen cabinets.
Mastery Cabinetry is your Orlando, Florida-based partner in transforming your kitchen. In this guest post, they’re looking at some ways of upgrading your kitchen.
1. Paint Existing Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets are still functional and offer the storage you need, consider a good paint job. Grey kitchen cabinets offer a modern, popular option that will make for a sleek appearance. Plus, these cabinets are not the cookie-cutter white that many homes display today.
With grey kitchen cabinet options, you can make your home distinctive while drawing people into the space. As a light color, grey will also keep the space feeling open and airy for a sophisticated appearance.
If you want a bolder appearance, opt for deep charcoal. The contrast to that would be dove grey, which is about as light as it gets for this shade of color.
2. Mix See-through Doors with Removable Wallpaper
Add some character to your kitchen with removable wallpaper on the back wall of cabinets that have glass doors or are open. Using removable wallpaper will allow you to change it out as the style changes, or to get rid of it altogether when the style changes.
3. Add Crown Molding
Crown molding offers a variety of perks to your kitchen:
The appearance of more height to your cabinets
Visual interest
A sophisticated feel
If you aren’t familiar or comfortable with working with wood, hire a skilled craftsman or carpenter to do it for you.
4. Update Your Hardware
Credit: Deposit Photos
With time, hardware wears, might lose its sheen or simply be outdated. If that’s the case in your home, give your kitchen a refresh with new hardware that better meets modern design standards. The best part of this is that it’s simple, inexpensive and can do a great deal for giving your kitchen a face lift.
5. Add Sliding Shelves
Custom kitchens have many built-in storage options that add to their functionality. So if your kitchen cabinets are just standard shelves inside, you can work some serious magic with roll-out shelves designed specifically for how you use those cabinets and drawers. A Mastery Cabinetry designer can work with you to tailor systems that will better meet your needs for your kitchen.
6. Ditch the Doors
Not all of them, but strategically removing some doors from your upper cabinets can freshen up your kitchen and highlight your beautiful glassware. Transform your kitchen into an open, airy appearance with modern changes.
Or if your doors are chipped, dented and tired, consider refacing your kitchen cabinets with new doors that will freshen the kitchen’s appearance without a full renovation.
7. Create Visual Interest with Beadboard
Boring kitchen cabinets can be transformed with beadboard sides or doors. This can add visual interest on what was once a plain surface. Depending on your skillset, you might want to bring in an expert as if you do it wrong, it could destroy your existing cabinets.
8. Add Toe Kick Storage Drawers
Maybe you love everything about your kitchen, except that it has no storage space designed for pans, cutting boards, or other large, flat items. In some parts of your kitchen, you might be able to add toe kick drawers where baseboards currently sit.
9. Add Storage Ideal for Your Needs
Credit: Shutterstock
Instead of allowing your plates to just sit in a cabinet, add pegs to keep them right where you want them. This is especially nice for deep drawers. You can build storage that’s right for the size and shape of your food storage containers or pot and pan lids. Instead of digging through a mound of plasticware or cookware, make the space work for you with the right cabinet and drawer inserts.
10. Add Under-Cabinet Shelving
The space under cabinets can be dead space unless you intentionally make a plan for it. Add under-cabinet shelving to house mugs, wine glasses, dessert plates, baking sheets and other items. You have many options for how to do this, but for best results and a classy appearance, work with a kitchen designer who knows what’s on trend.
When It’s Time for a Full Kitchen Renovation
While you have many options for upgrading your existing kitchen, cabinets reach a certain point at which they no longer function the way that you want or need them to. Some signs that it is time for a full kitchen renovation include:
Water damage to cabinets
Outdated cabinet style
Insufficient storage or inefficient use of space
Damage to cabinets, such as cracks, chips or warping
Mold
Sagging cabinets
If you’re dealing with these cabinet problems, you’re likely better off completing a full renovation with custom cabinets designed specifically for the space in your home.
Mastery Cabinetry works with homeowners to design their ideal kitchen based on style, material and color preferences. Not sure what you want? We’ll help you decide using our decades of expertise. We know what questions to ask to help draw out your style preferences and have a gallery of options to help you envision what your home could look like.
Our custom cabinet factory is based in Orlando, offering you high-quality products in less time. Let’s get started transforming your kitchen into the ideal space for you. Contact us now to get started.
Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce have broken the internet with news of their engagement, but it’s not the huge sparkler on her finger that’s grabbed my attention. I’m more interested in the couple’s beautifully romantic floral display and how to get the look, too.
In an Instagram post (dated 26 August), Taylor shared the moment with fans, revealing the stunning cottagecore garden where Travis popped the question. Packed with some of the best fairytale plants, I immediately wanted to know what plants I needed to achieve the look.
So, I got to work and asked the experts. And these are the four romantic blooms from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, plus how you can style them, too.
1. Roses
Roses – the flower of love – it’s a given that these traditional, romantic blooms would be present. Plus, a classic, cottage garden plant, it helps create the stunning, whimsical look that has dominated this year’s garden trends.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)
‘Perhaps the most striking element of this enchanted garden is the hundreds of roses littering the beds and crawling up the archway. Other than the commonly known symbolism of true love in deep red roses, the happy couple opted for whites and light pinks to frame their intimate moment,’ says Darren Beard, gardening buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
‘Pink roses are common in engagements as they represent femininity, something which Taylor embraces in herself and champions for women. They also express gratitude and admiration, a powerful representation of how the couple view each other and their relationship. White roses, common for weddings, representing fresh starts and new beginnings, a tribute to the couple entering their next chapter.’
You can buy roses:
Sign up to our newsletter for style inspiration, real homes, project and garden advice and shopping know-how
2. Hydrangeas
‘Hydrangeas, recognised by their large, showy flower clusters, symbolise gratitude, grace, and beauty. Their lavish blooms are often associated with abundance, while the smaller flowers represent love, harmony, and peace,’ says experts at Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland.
(Image credit: Future PLC/James Merrell)
It’s no secret that the Ideal Home team is obsessed with growing hydrangeas. These huge, lavish flowers are a great way to make a statement, and in Travis and Taylor’s case, frame the most romantic moment perfectly.
You can buy hydrangeas:
3. Pink Trumpet Crinum Lily
Lillies have long been associated with death, but in this case, these beautiful blooms do the opposite in this proposal.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
‘Perhaps the hardest to spot in the mammoth piles of floral bouquets, the sweet pink trumpet lilies are hidden in the background, barely tipping over the larger, more imposing flowers. Smaller and more elegant than average oriental lilies, these delicate blossoms often grow up to six heads on a single bloom,’ says Darren.
‘Lilies have long been debated to represent different meanings; however, the innocent beauty of the lily flower has long been associated with fresh life and rebirth, perfect to push the couple into their new era. Pink lilies stand for admiration, a loving touch for the adoring couple.’
You can buy Pink Trumpet Crinum Lily:
4. Delphiniums
Delphiniums have traditional charm and beauty. They’d be my top pick for creating a fairytale romance due to their association with nobility – who doesn’t want to be a princess on their wedding day?
(Image credit: Getty Images)
‘Delphinium, also known as larkspur, is a striking flower prized for its tall, plume-like clusters and vibrant colours, ranging from pale blue, sky blue, lilac, and cobalt to white, yellow, pink, purple, red, and even two-toned varieties. Blooming mainly in summer, it’s a favourite in cottage gardens and attracts butterflies and bees,’ say the experts at Plants & Flowers Association Holland.
‘Symbolically, Delphinium represents protection, health, pleasure, nobility, wealth, and a big heart, and historically was used in rituals to ward off negative energies. Its dramatic height and vivid colours make it a standout choice for gardens and cut flower arrangements alike.’
You can buy delphiniums:
4. Ranunculus
With beautiful, swirly, pink petals, planting Ranunculus in your garden is an easy way to step up the romance.
(Image credit: Getty Images/CoinUp)
‘Ranunculus is admired for its beauty and deep meaning, associated with passion. This flower is a symbol of charm and passionate love, representative of the couple’s true and deep affection. In many European cultures, this meaning is extended to representing true and deep affection,’ says Darren.
‘Overall, the floral details are a stunning reminder of the true love and admiration the couple hold for each other, and we are counting down the days to dissect the wedding!’
Get the look
While these beautiful plants give you the foundations of a romantic, cottage garden, if you want it to look anything like Taylor’s, I’ve asked the experts for a few more pointers.
‘Swift and Kelce’s garden engagement shoot is what floral dreams are made of. The entire scene felt like something straight out of Lover, the pop star’s record dedicated to all things romance,’ says Maryam Ghani, flower expert at Haute Florist.
‘It’s easy to replicate something similar at home by using pale roses, hydrangeas and lilies, all of which should be easily accessible and available to purchase. Just like Taylor did, put roses at the centre of the display as they’re the ultimate symbol of love, and keep a cohesive but slightly varied colour scheme. Pinks, whites and reds should all be accessible, and send an elegant and romantic vibe.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Jeremy Phillips)
And to up the romance vibe even further? It’s time to bring out your garden lighting ideas and use soft solar lights – like these Habitat Solar String Lights (£6 at Argos) – to frame your romantic blooms.
‘If I were recreating this look at home like Taylor and Travis, I’d mix these blooms in different heights and textures, let the greenery run wild, and keep the arrangements loose and organic. And for that extra touch of enchantment, I’d definitely tuck in some candles or soft lighting among the flowers. It’s amazing how those little details can fill a space with warmth and a fairytale glow,’ says Luke Newnes, expert gardener and member of the Interior Squad at Hillary.
With the release of the second series of Meghan Markle’s lifestyle show on Netflix (named With Love, Meghan) comes the inevitable rush to identify all of the hallmarks of her kitchen, as well as seeking out affordable alternatives.
But in the midst of Meghan’s cooking and hosting tips, the kitchen essential I found myself most interested in was her trusty new frying pan, which seems to have found favour over her beloved Le Creuset collection from series one.
So what’s the new go-to pan she’s swapped it out for? It looks like it’s the Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro (£155 at Our Place), which I recently awarded the accolade of the best non-stick frying pan on the market, after testing dozens as Ideal Home’s Kitchen Appliances Editor. Here’s why it’s become Meghan’s kitchen staple (and mine!).
Our Place
Titanium Always Pan Pro in Chrome/Gold
Meghan’s exact pan is this Chrome/Gold version, but its also available in Chrome all over if that’s more your style.
In an Instagram teaser reel for the new series, Meghan showed herself cooking up a pasta dish using the Our Place pan, which is a change from her endorsement earlier in the year of the Le Creuset Shallow Casserole (£149 from Le Creuset) for her one pot dishes.
With its recognisable gold handle, it’s little suprise that Meghan has chosen to add this particular piece from Our Place into her chrome kitchen – and not just because it looks great.
The USP of this new pan is that it is, according to the brand, ‘virtually indestructible’ thanks to its tri-ply construction, stainless steel exterior and titanium interior. But what does that actually mean in practice?
Well, the titanium interior means that you’re not limited to using wooden or silicone utensils with this pan. Just as Meghan does in the video, you can go straight in with a fork instead or any other metal tool you want to use to cook with.
Sign up to our newsletter for style inspiration, real homes, project and garden advice and shopping know-how
Our Place claims the titanium material is ‘300% harder than stainless steel’, which means no worrying about a coating on this non-stick pan peeling off or getting into your food either. It also has a quick-heating aluminium core, which means that it conducts heat quickly too.
(Image credit: Our Place)
I’ll be honest, I thought this all sounded too good to be true before I tried this pan for myself. Can a pan really be ‘indestructible’ if you’re using it three times a day?
But after testing it for three months, I have to say I’m sold. No matter what I throw at it (caramel sauce, cooking meat and even stir fries), nothing sticks to the textured bottom of this pan and once I’ve given it a once over with an acacia brush (like this for £7.89 from Amazon), it comes out good as new. Even the exterior!
Image 1 of 1
(Image credit: Future)
While I’m still a lover of my Le Creuset cast iron pots for stews and baking, the hard-wearing design of this Our Place pan has totally won me over for everyday use – it seems like the same can be said for Meghan Markle.
Do you have a go-to pan brand that goes the distance in your kitchen? Let me know in the comments which it is!
Houseplants have become more than just a trend – they’re now a staple of modern interior design. From minimalist apartments to open-concept offices, greenery is being embraced as both décor and a wellness enhancer.
Yet, while the design world celebrates the aesthetic and psychological benefits of indoor plants, one crucial factor often gets overlooked: proper maintenance.
Without regular trimming, even the most beautiful plant can quickly shift from a statement piece to an overgrown distraction.
Plant trimming is not simply about keeping greenery neat; it’s about transforming living décor into a design element that elevates a space.
Just as an interior designer carefully curates furniture and color palettes, plant care professionals shape and maintain greenery so it complements, rather than competes with, a room’s overall look.
The Aesthetic Impact of Overgrown Plants
In interior design, balance is everything. A well-placed fiddle-leaf fig or draping pothos can add warmth, depth, and texture to a room. But when plants become overgrown, their beauty is diminished. Straggly stems, yellowing leaves, or tangled growth create visual clutter that disrupts harmony in a carefully designed space.
Overgrown plants may also block natural light, crowd furniture, or overwhelm smaller rooms. Instead of enhancing design features, they pull attention away from them. In minimalist or modern interiors, where clean lines and simplicity are key, untrimmed plants can feel especially jarring.
Trimming as a Design Tool
Trimming is not just a horticultural practice; it’s a design technique. Regular maintenance allows plants to maintain their intended shape and size, ensuring they fit seamlessly into a space’s design scheme. For example:
Shaping plants through trimming allows for sculptural forms that mirror modern furniture and décor.
Removing dead or yellowing leaves instantly refreshes a plant’s appearance, making the room feel cleaner and more polished.
Encouraging new growth through pruning adds vibrancy and fullness, helping greenery look lush without becoming unruly.
In this way, plant trimming becomes an act of styling, a way to treat plants like living art pieces that adapt to the evolving design of a space.
Supporting Biophilic Design
Modern interiors increasingly embrace biophilic design, a philosophy that integrates nature into built environments to promote well-being. But biophilic design is not achieved by simply placing plants around a room. It requires thoughtful integration where greenery feels intentional, harmonious, and well-maintained.
Trimming ensures plants remain healthy and vibrant, preventing them from detracting from the calming, restorative qualities they are meant to bring. A thriving, well-shaped plant enhances a biophilic space by providing a sense of vitality and natural order—qualities that contribute to improved mood, productivity, and comfort.
Health Benefits Beyond Aesthetics
Proper trimming also benefits plant health, which in turn enhances the environment. Overgrown or neglected plants are more prone to pests, diseases, and poor air circulation, which can compromise both the plant’s beauty and the room’s air quality. By trimming regularly, you not only extend the life of your plants but also maintain the wellness benefits that greenery brings indoors, such as improved air purification and reduced stress.
Plant Care and Interior Design: A Perfect Collaboration
Interior designers curate spaces that inspire and uplift, while plant care professionals ensure that the living elements of those spaces continue to thrive. Collaborating with a trimming service ensures that the plants selected for a space maintain their intended elegance over time.
Designers can choose plants that match the aesthetic vision.
Plant trimming services keep them shaped, healthy, and visually appealing.
Together, they create interiors that feel both stylish and alive.
This collaboration turns plants from mere accessories into dynamic design features that evolve with the space.
Conclusion
From overgrown to elegant, the transformation of indoor plants lies in regular trimming and care. Healthy, well-shaped greenery elevates interiors, reinforcing design principles of balance, harmony, and beauty. In modern spaces, where simplicity and intentionality define the aesthetic, plant trimming is not just maintenance, but an essential element of design itself.
For homeowners, business owners, and designers alike, investing in plant care ensures that greenery remains a source of elegance, wellness, and inspiration. After all, in the language of modern interiors, plants are not just decoration – they are living design statements that deserve the same attention and care as every other element in a space.
I organize the Before & After series and cover DIY and design. I joined AT in October 2020 as a production assistant. I have an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in Journalism from Belmont University. Past editorial stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and local magazines in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
