James Hardie Blog

The green rolling hills of Marsh Creek in Chester County, PA, are about an hour’s drive from Philadelphia and beckon outdoor enthusiasts for miles. Visitors and locals of the area enjoy the lake, Marsh Creek State Park, and the long list of tasty food options. When in Marsh Creek, look out to see the sparkling nearby lake and look up to see the sprinkling of bright-colored hot air balloons in the sky—they launch in nearby Pottstown. Here are some other must-sees while you’re in the area:

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Just 25 miles west of Philadelphia, is a small town in Chester County called Malvern. Here, you’ll stumble upon beautiful homes, tree-lined streets and a small-town feeling that’s tough to replicate. With Malvern just a short (express) train ride from two city centers—Philadelphia and New York City—you have easy access to the bustling metropolis, when you crave it, and the quiet and calm respite when you don’t. Here are a few of our favorite Malvern communities, all with home exteriors clad in James Hardie® siding and trim.

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Despite losing portions of both arms and legs from an IED while on active duty in Afghanistan, retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is not slowing down. A year later, in September 2013, Travis founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist combat-injured veterans. And four years after that, he opened the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat in Rome, Maine, an 11,000-square foot space on 17 acres, aimed at helping combat-injured veterans and their families. 

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There’s nothing more inviting than a chair, except maybe a hanging one. Like a moth to a flame, swinging chairs and hammocks attract our sit bones big time. Explore these five hanging chair and backyard hammock ideas.

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There’s nothing like walking out to your backyard garden and picking a bold, green bell pepper and a ripe, round tomato straight from the vine. When you tend to your own vegetable garden, you reap the fresh, tasty, nutrient-packed rewards, and woo your dinner guests in the process. We spoke to garden professional Karen Emmett, of Chicago’s Sprout Home, to gain the expertise necessary to get your backyard garden growing, ready to produce stunners by summer. From the best starter varieties, to the soil to use, and how much water to douse them in—here are the details you need to create and tend to a vegetable garden of your own.

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In the rolling hills 18 miles outside of downtown Richmond, Virginia, is the fast-growing suburb of Midlothian, where the picturesque community of Hallsley calls home. Combining a small-town Southern feel with amenities that feel like a 5-star resort, this new community has strong roots, just like the old growth trees that surround it.

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It’s important to have a well-lit home, after all you want to show off all the hard work you’ve put into your home’s exterior. Outdoor and patio lighting choices can create the atmosphere you’re hoping to achieve or help you accent certain parts of your house.

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No matter where you reside, you have a house number — unique digits assigned just for your home. Whether it’s a single digit or a longer series of numbers, you want your very own unique address to look as one of a kind as it is.

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After the long 90 days of winter have passed, we land on it, the first day of spring. The time is finally here—time to thaw, time to smell the moist dirt, time to feel the warm sunbeams, time to see the flower bulbs poke up from ground.

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From a design standpoint, stacking elements on top of one another adds texture and interest to your entire exterior look. From your landscape choices, to home siding styles, to the fabric on your porch swing cushion — adding layers can incorporate a multidimensional-yet-unified aesthetic that will make neighbors do a double take.  

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