In the past year, outdoor living and swimming pools have become a top priority for homeowners and here’re some of my top tips for designing a pool. Function First – Tips for Designing A Pool  Pool time creates lasting memories for friends and family but you really have to be thinking long-term when designing a pool.  Today, you may have young children but how will you use the pool in ten years? A shallow end may be a priority right now but where will you put sun loungers and an outdoor dining table?  Contemplate the expected length of the chaise lounge and be sure your ..read more

Refresh, recharge and find inspiration is something we all need and here is my ultimate Palm Beach, Florida travel guide because it is one of my favorite spots for this!   The Kipps Bay Decorator Show House in West Palm Beach was absolutely stunning in 2021. Click here to see Veranda’s online tour.  Palm Beach Travel Guide – Fun Places To Eat From Atlanta to Palm Beach is a direct flight making travel easy to the South Florida area which is separated from the mainland by pretty Lake Worth Lagoon.  Your impression of Palm Beach may be luxury estates, delicious restaurants and h ..read more

Gatherings with friends and family are now an option again, thank goodness, and here’re my top six tips for creating summertime entertaining memories.   Photo by Hector Sanchez Create Summertime Entertaining Memories How many brunches and dinners have you been dreaming up in the past year?!  I want to inspire your events, big and small, by helping you personalize your entertaining. We are so excited its 2021! Last summer, at a socially distanced event, we invited family and friend pods over for an Orchard Dinner at our Johnston family farm pecan orchard in Thomaston, Georgia. The g ..read more

There is nothing more welcoming for a guest than a pretty front door container and I’m thrilled I got to create this for the Country Living  June issue, now on stands! Country Living Front Door Beauty! My sweet friend Barbara Hale generously allowed us to use her stunning Columbus home’s front porch as the backdrop for the March photo shoot. My team and I were honored to work with nationally renowned photographer, Mali Azima, who has done it all from Veranda to the Wall Street Journal!   So honored to work with so many talented people on the Country Living magazine shoot!   Wh ..read more

It’s time to get your front door summer ready and I’ve got a great challenge for you with a sweet reward coinciding with my June story in Country Living magazine! Front Door Challenge – You Could Win! Along with several of my influencer friends, Noell Jett, of Jett Set Farmhouse, Sarah Elizabeth Ray and Sara McDaniel, of Simply Southern Cottage,  we’ll be sharing with you through May 21 some front door inspiration.  I want you to create your own dreamy entry and enter for a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize!  The second place winner will receive a FaceTime front door consultatio ..read more

This week’s HGTV® Smart Home 2021 premiere showcased just how much smarter our homes can be with the latest in home technology and I was thrilled to be the 2021 Tech and Wellness Expert for the project.   HGTV® Smart Home 2021 in Naples, FL. Photos © 2021 Discovery or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved.   Home Technology And Smart Design Elements Showcased The Naples, Florida home has beautiful regional architecture and the views of the golf course and lake are just incredible! Wondering how I got involved? Click this previous blog for the details. Inside, it was ..read more

The HGTV Smart Home 2021 in Naples, Florida is smarter and more innovative than ever and I’m pleased to share I served as the tech and wellness expert which you’ll see during the April 21 special.   Photos © 2021 Discovery or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All rights reserved. HGTV Smart Home 2021 Tech, Wellness Expert If you are wondering how I connected with the smart folks at HGTV/Discovery, last year I was thrilled to attend the influencer event for the HGTV Dream Home 2020 in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Designer Brian Patrick Flynn gave me an Alexa/Delta faucet demo which ..read more

What’s in Bloom: March Edition Spring is approaching quickly and we are ready at Carmen Johnston Gardens. Check out what Carmen’s six favorite March blooms are! Did you miss our last blog? We share the best winter tips to ensure a beautiful spring garden — check it out here. The post What’s in Bloom: March Edition appeared first on Carmen Johnston Gardens ..read more

Taking the time for winter prep can result in a beautiful spring garden so check out these great tips and then grab that coat and gloves and get to work! Photo by Carmen Johnston Gardens Winter Prep For Beautiful Spring Garden – Perennials It is important to consider your location and the current weather your area is experiencing. Located here in South Georgia, we have mild winters. If you live in a cooler region, you will want to delay the following garden tasks until just before spring but begin with perennials.   Perennials are nature’s gift that keep giving year after year. To keep ..read more

Check out the magic behind the multi-dimensional, landscape installation of this beautiful river house my team and I did on the banks of the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia.     River House Landscape Installation  Yes, I love putting together gorgeous container gardens but many times that’s the icing on the cake.  Now, let me tell you about the cake.     On this project, I was honored to consultant with my amazing clients from plan to installation collaborating with the talented landscape architect, Jessica Ezzell. This comprehensive project in ..read more