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.

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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.

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7 Areas You’ll Be Glad You Cleaned Before Fall Starts

As the nights grow a little chillier and you realize there are only a few weeks left at the beach or for pool time, it hits you—fall is almost here. That means cozy days and pumpkin spice lattes are just around the corner. But before the festivities begin, and life gets busy with back-to-school plans, sports, and other social obligations, it’s crucial to take some time out for yourself and your home. Here are seven areas you should clean before fall begins—you'll be glad you did!

Windows and Window Sills

According to Robin Murphy, cleaning professional at Maid Brigade Westchester, it’s a smart idea to give your windows and window sills a good wipe down. “Clean windows let in more light, which helps brighten up your home as the days get shorter," Murphy explains. "Use microfiber cloths because they work great for both windows and sills.”

Air Vents and Filters

No one wants to walk into a house and feel like they can’t breathe or that the air is filled with dust. One of the easiest ways to prevent this problem is to make sure your HVAC is in good working order. Murphy recommends changing the filters seasonally for optimal air quality. “Clean vents and air filters allow better airflow and improve air quality as you prepare for cooler weather,” she says.

Entryways and Mudrooms

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Giving your entryway or mudroom some attention not only helps you stay more organized but also makes you feel good when you walk into your home. “A clean and organized entry area prevents dirt and clutter from spreading throughout the house,” says Murphy.

She recommends investing in baskets and bins to control clutter and stay organized. “They allow easy access to items and maximize space," she explains.

Dusty Nooks and Crannies

Summer can bring in lots of dirt, dust, and even sand if you spend a lot of time at the beach. Logan Taylor, founder of The Dazzle Cleaning Company, says a deep dusting is essential this time of year.

“With your vacuum hose, vacuum under couch cushions and behind and under any furniture that doesn’t sit directly on the floor," he suggests. "This is always a good thing to do, but if you have hard floors of any sort, it is even more important because that dust will continue to circulate around your home until it is removed. Carpet traps it quite a bit more.”

Outdoor Areas and Outdoor Furniture

You might still be able to enjoy your patio or deck in the fall, but Taylor suggests giving this space a very good cleaning prior to that first frost hitting. “It’s amazing how busy fall gets, and while you’ll want to give them another scrub down in the fall, it will be that much easier if the grime hasn't been building up for months," he notes.

And don’t forget to hose down or power wash your patio furniture!

Bedrooms Closets

One of Taylor’s favorite pre-fall cleaning projects is a mini closet reset. “Any summer clothes that you haven’t worn this summer are clothes you will likely never wear again, so donate them so that someone else can wear them," he says.

An overcrowded closet is tough to navigate—get rid of what you don’t wear so that you can easily see and find what you do wear. "And finally, pull out any stored fall and winter clothes and let them take their rightful place for the coming season," Taylor adds.

Coat Closet and Seasonal Storage Areas

Wendy Zanders, a professional organizer who specializes in helping neurodivergent individuals, military families, and seniors, says that decluttering and organizing your coat closet or seasonal storage is something you should definitely do before you drink your first pumpkin spice latte.

“If summer items are still mixed in with winter gear, mornings get chaotic fast," she says. "Families end up digging for what they need and feeling frustrated like a daily treasure hunt. Instead, we sort, donate what we don't need, and store off-season items so fall and winter essentials are front and center.”

While this might seem daunting, Zanders notes that breaking it down one category at a time and making sure things still fit and are in working order can make the process much easier. Finally, ensure everything is labeled properly and stored in appropriate bins.

Read more at Real Simple

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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.

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5 Places in Your Home Designers Say You Should Refresh Every Season—and Why It Matters

It's not surprising that interior designers love updating their homes in honor of the start of a new season. That said, these changes should be intentional, explains Jennifer Baxter, founder of Baxter Hill Interiors. "Seasonal updates should feel purposeful, not performative," she says. "The best changes to make are the ones you actually use, need, or delight in."

Here, designers share five areas of the home that always deserve a bit of a seasonal switch-up and provide tips on how to do it in a sophisticated—not cheesy—way.

The Living Room

As a new season arrives, use this as an opportunity to switch out your living room pillows, suggests Liz Kirby, founder of Surf Road Interiors. "I'll keep in mind current trends, and replace bright summery pillows with warm autumn tones in the fall," she says, citing cranberry, olive green, and navy blue as her go-to picks for the cold-weather months and pastels as a top choice come springtime.

The Powder Room

The powder room—a "typically small but often heavily trafficked space," according to designer Katie Wolf—is an easy area of the home to update as the seasons change. Wolf likes to refresh the powder bath by bringing in a new hand soap, a fluffy hand towel, some paper guest towels, and fresh flowers.

It's easy to go season-specific while still keeping this space looking tasteful and elegant, not chaotic. Try a peppermint hand soap and red and green striped towel in December, for example. As Baxter says, "Don’t add bulky seasonal items that create more clutter than joy."

The Bedroom

Updating your sleep space for a new season can be as simple as swapping out your bedding, says interior designer Laura Benson. She will bring in darker, printed sheets for the fall and winter, and then switch to lighter and brighter sheets in the summer.

Don't just tackle your bedding, though; pay attention to your floors, too. "I love layering a rug over carpet for extra warmth underfoot," interior designer Mara Silber says regarding winter decor updates. "It adds both visual and physical comfort and is a simple change that makes the entire room feel more inviting and layered."

Consider swapping out accessories as you wish, too, adds Margie Kaercher, founder of Hearth & Honey Homes. "Maybe it’s switching out the artwork above your bed or mixing up the lampshade from time to time," she says. "It's like a seasonal mood swing—but cute."

The Dining Room

The dining room deserves plenty of seasonal touches, Kelly Collier-Clark explains. "The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but the dining room is the pulse," says the founder of House of Clark Interiors. "If it’s designed for entertaining with festive decor for the respective seasons, it creates a more inviting, welcoming feeling for the family and guests."

Practice the art of switching up your tablescape, as designer Courtney Aleksa did in the space shown above. "Each season provides opportunities to incorporate new colors, textures, and prints," she says.

Better yet, swapping out your table decor is an excellent tactic for small space dwellers and those with larger homes alike, as it's easy to store seasonal linens and small decorative items in a bin when they're not in use. "Use runners or placemats switched out seasonally," says interior designer Kelley Kolettis. "The centerpiece is a great way to update the whole room instantly with each season or holiday!"

The Front Porch and Entryway

The front porch is your home's chance to make a first impression and is a fun spot to jazz up as the seasons change. "Lean heavily on natural elements," instructs Julie Mishler, founder of Bon Air Studio, who likes to display potted plants, pumpkins, wreaths, dried flowers, and the like, depending on the time of year.

No front porch? No problem. Extend the concept of making a strong first impression to your home's entryway. "The great thing about refreshing the entryway is that it normally doesn't take more than a few pieces to give this space a whole new look," says Esther Ellard, founder of Effortless Designs. You can still spruce up this area of the home with greenery and natural items, as the designer recommends, while also being thoughtful when it comes to your traditional decorative items.

"Switch out table decor like decorative books that reflect the season and bowls and vases that are light and textured (or dark and moody) depending on the season," Ellard says.

Chandler Hammons, founder of Chandler Helms Designs, agrees with both of these approaches. "Refreshing your porch and entryway is one of the easiest ways to make a lasting first impression," she says. "Simple updates like seasonal potted flowers, fresh landscaping, or a new centerpiece on your entry table can instantly brighten the space for you and your guests, without the need for a full renovation."

Read more at Real Simple

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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.

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From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy. Homes were listed one day and gone the next. Sometimes it only took hours. You had to drop everything to go and see the house, and if you hesitated even slightly, someone else swooped in and bought it – sometimes even sight unseen.

That kind of intensity pushed a lot of buyers to the sidelines. It was stressful, chaotic, and for many, really discouraging.

But here’s what you need to know: those days are behind us.

Today’s market is moving slower, in the best possible way. And that’s creating more opportunity for buyers who felt shut out in recent years.

The Stat That Changes Everything

According to the latest data, homes are spending an average of 58 days on the market. That’s much more normal. And it’s a big improvement compared to the height of the pandemic, when homes were flying off the shelves in a matter of days.

That means you now have more time to make decisions than you have at any point in the past five years. And that’s a big deal. Now, you’ve got:

• Time to think.

• Time to negotiate.

• Time to make a smart move without all the pressure.

More Time Means Less Stress (and More Leverage)

Based on the data in the graph above, you have an extra week to decide compared to last year. And nearly double the time you would have had at the market’s peak.

Back then, fear of missing out drove buyers to act fast, sometimes too fast. Today, the pace is slower, which means you’re in control. As Bankrate puts it:

“For years, buyers have been racing to snag homes because of the fierce competition. But the market’s cooled off a bit now, and that gives buyers some breathing room. Homes are staying listed longer, so buyers can slow down, weigh their options and make more confident decisions.”

With more homes on the market and fewer buyers racing to grab them, the balance has shifted. Bidding wars aren’t as common, and that means you may have room to negotiate. And you can actually take a breath before you make your decision.

More listings + a slower pace = less stress and more opportunity

But, and this is important, it still depends on where you’re buying. Nationally, homes are moving slower. But your local market sets your real pace. Some states are moving faster than others. It may even vary down to the specific zip code or neighborhood you’re looking at. And that’s why working with an agent to know what’s happening in your area is more important than ever.

To see how your state compares to the national average (58 days), check out the map below:

As Realtor.com explains:

“While national headlines might suggest a buyer’s market is taking hold, the reality on the ground depends heavily on where and what you’re trying to buy. Local trends can diverge sharply from national averages, especially when you factor in price range, property type, and post-pandemic market dynamics.”

A smart local agent can tell you exactly when to move fast and when you can take your time, so you never miss the right home for you.

Bottom Line

If the chaos of the past few years drove you to hit pause, this is your green light. The market’s pace has shifted. You have more time. More options. More power.

And with the right agent guiding you, you’re in the best position you’ve been in for years.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

Related Links

• 5 Easy Ways to Store Bedding and Finally Declutter Your Linen Closet

• How proptech is driving financial inclusion

• Here’s How First-Time Homebuyers Can Personalize Their Homes Without Breaking the Bank

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.

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More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead.

When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing. But according to the latest data from Redfin, that’s happening a bit more often lately. The good news is, it’s completely avoidable if you lean on an agent for insight into why that is and how to avoid it happening to you.

This June, 15% of pending home sales fell through. That means those buyers backed out of their contracts. That’s not too much higher than the norm of roughly 12% from 2017-2019, but it’s still an increase. And it’s one you don’t want to have to deal with.

The key to avoiding this headache is knowing what’s causing the issues that lead to a buyer walking away. A recent survey from John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) finds that agents reported the #1 reason deals are falling apart today is stemming from the home inspection (see graph below):

Here’s why. With high prices and mortgage rates stretching buyers’ budgets, they don’t have a lot of room (or appetite) for unexpected repairs.

Not to mention, buyers have more options to choose from now that there are more homes on the market. So, if the inspection turns up a major issue, they may opt to walk away. Afterall, there are plenty of other homes they could buy instead.

Or, if the seller isn’t willing to tackle repairs, a buyer may back out because they don’t want the expense (and the hassle) of dealing with those issues themselves.

The good news is, there’s a way you can get ahead of any unpleasant surprises as a seller, and that’s getting a pre-listing inspection. It’s not required, but the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains why it’s helpful right now:

“To keep deals from unraveling . . . it allows a seller the opportunity to address any repairs before the For Sale sign even goes up. It also can help avoid surprises like a costly plumbing problem, a failing roof or an outdated electrical panel that could cause financially stretched buyers to bolt before closing.”

What’s a Pre-Listing Inspection?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: a professional home inspection you schedule before your home hits the market. Here’s what it can do for you:

• Give you time to fix what matters. You’ll know what issues could come up in the buyer’s inspection. So, you’ll have time to take care of them before anyone even walks through the door.

• Avoid last-minute renegotiations. When buyers uncover unexpected issues after you’re under contract, it opens the door for concessions you may have to make like price drops or repairs, or worse, a canceled deal. A pre-listing inspection helps you stay ahead of those things before they become deal breakers.

• Show buyers you’re serious. When your home is clean, well-maintained, and already vetted, buyers see that. It builds trust and can help you sell faster with fewer back-and-forth negotiations.

The bottom line? A few hundred dollars upfront can save you thousands later.

Should Every Seller Do This?

Not necessarily. Your real estate agent can help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation, your house, and your market. If you decide to move forward with a pre-listing inspection, your agent will guide you every step of the way. They’ll:

• Advise on whether to fix or disclose each issue

• Help you prioritize repairs based on what buyers in your area care about

• Make sure you understand your local disclosure laws

Bottom Line

If you want to avoid potential snags in your deal, a pre-listing inspection could be the way to go. Connect with an agent to go over whether a pre-listing inspection is the right move for your house and market.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

Related Links

• 5 Easy Ways to Store Bedding and Finally Declutter Your Linen Closet

• How proptech is driving financial inclusion

• Here’s How First-Time Homebuyers Can Personalize Their Homes Without Breaking the Bank

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.

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