, , , , , ,

The 20-minute trick that will help a carved pumpkin last for weeks

, , , , , ,
 
 

Carving a pumpkin is one of the joys of autumn, but they typically only last between three and five days before beginning to rot.

To stop your pumpkin from looking sunken, sad and smelly, experts have recommended a clever 20-minute vinegar trick that could help your carved creations last for weeks in the run-up to Halloween and beyond.

Better still, this simple solution is an eco-friendly alternative to the trend of spraying pumpkins with bleach.

It's also safe for wildlife too, so you don't have to worry if you leave your pumpkin outside.

"The vinegar kills fungus, making it hard for the pumpkin to rot. That's why vinegar-soaked pumpkins look so new; they're unblemished by the grossness that inevitably befalls their untreated peers," says the team at Taste of Home.

How to preserve a carved pumpkin with vinegar

Want to give this trick a go? According to Taste of Home, you can make your fresh pumpkin last longer by using vinegar and water. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Choose a healthy pumpkin from your local pumpkin patch. "Make sure there are no soft spots or discolored areas, and avoid any gourd that's too bruised," says the team.

2. Next, carve your pumpkin with your desired design. Browse our guide on pumpkin carving ideas for plenty of inspiration.

3. Fill a large bucket with 10 parts water and one part vinegar (the bucket needs to be big enough for your pumpkins). Some experts also suggest doing this in the bath or a large sink.

4. Submerge your pumpkin in the vinegar and water solution, leaving them for 20-30 minutes. Once the time is up, pull them out and let them air-dry. You can then place your carved pumpkins outside for a long-lasting display.

Read more at CountryLiving.com

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

, ,

Just Listed: Stunning Home in Arvada’s Desirable Skyline Estates

, ,
 
 
 

Welcome to this stunning 5-bedroom, 4-bath home in Arvada’s desirable Skyline Estates!

From the moment you arrive, you’ll fall in love with the curb appeal—mature trees, a lush green yard, and a welcoming exterior that set the tone for what’s inside. This fully finished two-story home offers plenty of room to spread out, with a warm and inviting flow that’s perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. Step inside to find light-filled spaces, beautiful flooring, and a bright kitchen that opens seamlessly to the living and dining areas. The nice-sized bedrooms provide flexibility for a home office, guest rooms, or hobbies, and the thoughtful layout creates a sense of comfort on every level. Outdoors, three raised garden beds and shady trees invite you to relax and enjoy Colorado’s sunny days. This home has been beautifully maintained with countless updates, giving you peace of mind for years to come: new flooring throughout the main level, updated lighting and fixtures, refreshed kitchen cabinets, a stylishly updated half bath, brand-new Samsung appliances, new garage doors and openers, some new siding and exterior paint, new windows and sliding glass door, and more smaller touches! Blending charm, convenience, and modern upgrades, this Skyline Estates gem is truly move-in ready!

Listed by Nicole Green for West + Main Homes. Please contact Nicole for current pricing + availability.

 
 
 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(720) 903-2912
hello@westandmainhomes.com

Presented by:
Nicole Green
(303) 990-2094
nicole@westandmainhomes.com

Search homes in Colorado
 
, , , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Planted with a Purpose

, , , , , , ,
 

Larkspur Landscaping
Artfully Designed Gardens That Connect You to Nature

Recommended by Joy McEntaffer

““By helping people connect with nature in their own backyards, I believe we can heal both the mind and the planet.””

Larkspur Landscaping transforms Colorado’s wild beauty into vibrant, sustainable gardens. Led by two passionate creatives—founder and lead designer Nicole Chernyakhovsky and owner and lead designer Nicole Zelyez—Larkspur blends native plants, florals, and edibles to create gardens that thrive in the state’s unpredictable climate while supporting local ecosystems.

Nicole Chernyakhovsky, inspired by the quiet of quarantine and the wild beauty of the Colorado landscape, founded Larkspur to help people reconnect with nature. What began as a personal garden project during the pandemic soon blossomed into a new career path—one that combined her longtime love of design, plants, and flowers with years of business experience. 'By helping people connect with nature in their own backyards,' she shares, 'I believe we can heal both the mind and the planet.

Nicole Zelyez, a designer with over a decade of experience in the Front Range, focuses on sustainable, water-wise landscaping. She ensures every project combines creative vision with technical expertise, using plants that handle Colorado’s intense sun and temperature swings. “We want our gardens to feel like they were always meant to be there—designed specifically for you and your piece of Colorado,” she says.

Larkspur offers full design, build, and consultation services, including personalized plant guides and seasonal care education. The Nicoles pride themselves on helping clients become confident gardeners while creating spaces that feel timeless and meaningful.

Beautiful, Resilient, Wildlife-Friendly: Larkspur’s Picks for Colorado Gardens

Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)

This lavender-pink native perennial
offers more than just beauty—its
fragrant foliage attracts over 20
species of native bees, butterflies,
and hummingbirds. Drought-tolerant
once established, it thrives in sun or
partial shade, adding versatility to any
garden.

Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)

A true Colorado favorite, Agastache
brings striking vertical interest (2–4
feet) and an extended bloom season
in sunset shades from orange to deep
purple. Its anise-scented foliage
appeals to the senses and supports
hummingbirds, butterflies, and native
bees. It’s also highly drought-tolerant.

Epilobium angustifolium (Fireweed)

One of the first plants to return after wildfires, Fireweed sends up vivid magenta-pink spikes (3–5 feet) and transforms in fall with fiery red-orange foliage. It supports native bees and serves as a host plant for several moth species.

Learn more about Larkspur Landscaping
 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

 
, , , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Serenity in style

, , , , , , ,
 

Stacie Staub's Renovation
A Bathroom Refresh byNeuHaus Remodeling

For NeuHaus Remodeling, every project is more than just a renovation—it’s about building lasting relationships and creating spaces that feel like home.

Owner of NeuHaus Remodeling, Tim recently completed a stunning bathroom remodel for West and Main CEO + Co-founder Stacie Staub. With his unique approach to renovation— what one client has dubbed 'construction therapy'—Tim brought Stacie’s vision to life with a perfect balance of creativity and functionality.

NeuHaus Remodeling may be a relatively new company, but Tim’s diverse background and passion for design and construction have equipped him with the skills to lead with confidence. “I’m a good listener, and I also balance it with the ability to lead and create confidence with decisions,” he shares. This approach made him the perfect match for Stacie, whose ideas for the bathroom were more a spark than a fully-formed vision.

When Tim first saw Stacie’s space, he knew exactly what it could become. “We need to put a big bathtub in front of this window, cut a door in this wall, and make this one gigantic en-suite,” he recalled. From there, the renovation unfolded seamlessly. Together, Stacie and Tim combined her design sensibility with his creative construction process to craft a serene retreat, flooded with natural light and calming details.

Tim’s team played a crucial role in the project’s success. “I’ve been very lucky to find some top-notch people who are willing to collaborate with me,” Tim explains. “There’s no way I could do this without them.”

Looking ahead, Tim hopes to continue blending creativity with construction, much like he did with this project. “What’s important is finding the right match between contractor and customer,” he reflects, underscoring his commitment to personalized service and excellence.

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

 
, , , , , , ,

As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Mermaid Tile + Modern Vibes

, , , , , , ,
 

A Townhome Revamp with Bev Marsh

“ “After 17 years, including a decade as a rental, it was ready for a glow-up.”
”
— Bev Marsh

When W+M agent Bev Marsh decided it was time to give her longtime townhome a facelift, she had one goal in mind—lighten, brighten, and bring it back to life. “After 17 years, including a decade as a rental, it was ready for a glow-up,” she says. And with her daughter moving back in post-college, the timing was perfect.

Calling in the expertise of Harmonious Mountain Renovations, led by Natasha Fox, Bev had a vision, and Natasha helped make it a reality. “She suggested things I hadn’t even thought of,” Bev shares. “At the end of the day, I was so happy to partner with a great renovation company.”

While the project was mostly straightforward, a few surprises popped up along the way—including the discovery of the perfect mermaid tile, which quickly became the star of both the fireplace and kitchen backsplash. “We are in love with it,” Bev laughs.

Of course, no renovation comes without a few budgetary twists. “I didn’t realize how expensive flooring was,” she admits. “But I didn’t want the cheap stuff since I don’t plan on replacing it for another 20 years.” And while new backsplash and lighting weren’t originally in the plan, they became must-haves as the project evolved.

The final result? A stunning, airy kitchen featuring Tradewinds blue cabinets (Sherwin-Williams), Valor Gold Quartz countertops, and gold hardware that perfectly ties it all together. 

“We found a great remnant piece for the counters, which saved us some money,” Bev adds. And with new flooring from Carpet Direct and stylish tile from Floor & Décor, the entire space feels fresh and modern.

So, what’s her advice for anyone tackling a similar renovation? “Hire a professional!” she says without hesitation. And if she had to sum up the whole transformation in one phrase? “Kitchen Glow-Up—Mermaid Style!”

 

Related Links

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

 
 
W+M_Logo (1).jpg
 
Cart (0)