Hey There! I’m Richard Hunt
Founder of SimplyGreenHome.com | Gardener | Author | Age 53
Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based home and garden enthusiast who believes beautiful spaces should be simple, sustainable, and deeply connected to nature.
My Story
I didn’t set out to become a home decor and gardening writer. For most of my adult life, I worked long hours in jobs that kept me indoors, under fluorescent lights, staring at screens. By the time I hit my late 40s, I felt disconnected from my home, from the seasons, and honestly, from myself. What I craved wasn’t more productivity hacks. It was peace. It was dirt under my fingernails and a space that felt like it could breathe.
That longing brought me back to something I loved as a kid growing up in rural Pennsylvania: gardens. My grandmother had a small backyard plot where tomatoes, marigolds, and basil grew side by side. Recreating that feeling in my own Lancaster home started as a weekend hobby. I planted a few herbs, rearranged a tired living room corner, and slowly began to see how much our environments shape our energy.
SimplyGreenHome.com grew out of that personal shift. What began as a private experiment in making my home calmer, greener, and more intentional turned into a mission to help others do the same without overwhelm, perfectionism, or big budgets.
The Turning Point
The real turning point came one spring morning after a rough winter. I’d just lost a close friend, and the grief felt heavy and disorienting. I remember standing in my backyard, cold coffee in hand, looking at a patch of soil I’d ignored all year. On impulse, I grabbed a shovel and started turning the earth. It smelled rich and alive. That scent hit me harder than I expected.
As I worked, I noticed how my breathing slowed. My shoulders dropped. For the first time in months, my mind got quiet. I went inside, moved a few plants closer to the windows, opened the curtains, and let in the light. The house felt different lighter. So did I.
That day, something clicked: healing doesn’t always come from big changes. Sometimes it comes from small, consistent acts of care toward your space and yourself. Gardening and home decor weren’t just hobbies anymore. They were tools for grounding, clarity, and connection.
What I Learned the Hard Way
I used to think I had to do everything perfectly. I followed rigid planting schedules, bought trendy decor pieces I didn’t really love, and tried to copy what I saw on Pinterest. Most of it failed. Plants died. Rooms felt staged instead of lived-in. I wasted money and energy chasing someone else’s version of “beautiful.”
I also burned out more than once trying to do too much too fast renovating whole rooms in a weekend, planting more than I could maintain, saying yes to every idea. I learned that sustainability isn’t just about eco-friendly materials. It’s about creating rhythms you can actually keep.
The hardest lesson? Your home and garden should support your life, not stress you out. Once I stopped forcing things and started listening to the space, to the seasons, and to myself everything got easier.
My Approach Now
These days, I focus on slow, intentional changes. I start with how a space feels, not how it looks in a photo. Is there enough light? Airflow? Comfort? Can you sit there with a cup of tea and actually relax?
In the garden, I work with nature instead of against it. I plant what thrives in Pennsylvania soil and weather. I compost. I rotate crops. I accept that not every season will be perfect and that’s okay.
At SimplyGreenHome.com, my goal is to share practical, grounded ideas that fit real lives. Not everyone has acres of land or a huge renovation budget. But everyone deserves a home that feels calm, welcoming, and alive.
What I Believe
- Your home should reflect who you are now not who you think you should be.
- Gardening is as much about patience as it is about plants.
- Simple, natural materials create the most lasting beauty.
- Sustainability starts with small, repeatable habits.
- A peaceful space can change your whole mood and mindset.
How I Can Help You
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, disconnected from your space, or unsure how to start gardening, you’re not alone. I work with homeowners and renters who want to create greener, more intentional environments without the pressure to be perfect.
Through my writing, guides, and resources on SimplyGreenHome.com, I share step-by-step garden plans, seasonal decorating ideas, and realistic ways to make your home more sustainable and soulful. I focus on what works in real houses, with real schedules, and real budgets.
Whether you’re starting your first herb garden or rethinking your living room, I’m here to help you build a space that supports your life not just your to-do list.
A Little More About Me
When I’m not writing or in the garden, you’ll probably find me walking the back roads around Lancaster, browsing local farmers markets, or reading books about design, ecology, and simple living. I love old notebooks, strong coffee, and early mornings before the world gets loud.
I’m still learning every season about plants, about people, and about myself. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Let’s Connect
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re curious about gardening, home decor, or just trying to create a calmer life, you’re always welcome here.
I believe the best ideas grow through conversation, and your questions, struggles, and wins matter. Let’s build something meaningful one home and one garden at a time.
Get In Touch
You can find more inspiration and resources at simplygreenhome.com.
For questions, collaborations, or a simple hello, email me at contact@simplygreenhome.com