The Advocate » Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 2R » HOMES WEEKLY
From flavors to fragrances to cures, herbs deliver DEAN FOSDICK ASSOCIATED PRESS
Herbs are among the most useful plants in nature. They deliver flowers, flavors, fragrances and cures. They’re also good for repelling deer, attracting pollinators, clearing the air, freshening your breath and concocting beauty treatments. Most are easy to grow, indoors or out. Herbs don’t require much space, and many thrive in dry conditions. “These are really multi-purpose plants,” said Sue Goetz of Tacoma, Washington, author of “The Herb Lover’s Spa Book” (St. Lynn’s Press. 2015). “There is no other plant category with so much diversity.” Herbs probably are best known for their culinary qualities, but using them for fragrance has captivated gardeners for thousands of years. “Plant extracts were used in bathing, and for scenting and cleansing linens and clothes, the floors of homes, tiles, tents, horses and even the sails of ships,” Goetz said. “In Elizabethan times, aromatic herb waters and cut stems of plants were sprinkled on floors to mask unpleasant odors.” There are more than 100 different herbs from which to choose. It all depends on what you want from them. Think beyond kitchen gardens, said Goetz, who recommends herbs for sanctuary settings. “Surrounding yourself with herbs in the garden is
like having your own fresh apothecary,” she said. “These aren’t just plants that do one thing, like taste good; they heal, have anti-bacterial qualities, soothe skin, calm See HERBS, Page 3R
AP
Shown is a stand of lavender growing along a fence line near Langley, Wash. Lavender is an evergreen shrub with masses of scented blooms that can tolerate drought-stricken areas. Dried stems and leaves can be placed in fireplaces and wood stoves as a fragrant additive when lighting up.
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down a bad mood.” Goetz singles out mint as a plant familiar to most people yet with healing qualities all but unknown. “It is a wonderful aromatic that uplifts a tired mind, or when used in a foot spa, mint is a stimulant that revives tired feet by bringing blood to the surface or the skin,” she said. Herbs also come in handy if you have animals around the house, said Pam Miller, a master gardener from Frederick County, Maryland. “A wonderful way to deodorize carpets from pet smell is to mix two parts of baking soda to one part dried lavender
flowers or leaves,” she said in a University of Maryland Cooperative Extension fact sheet. “Sprinkle onto the carpet as you would use a carpet deodorizer,” Miller said. “Wait 15 minutes and vacuum. Not only will your carpet be refreshed, but also the ingredients will not harm your dog or cat. And it smells great when you vacuum it up.” Miller also suggests saving dried lavender stems for woodstoves or fireplaces as a fragrant additive when lighting up. Here are some herbs that people often overlook, along with some extraordinary uses: BASIL: “Most people think of this herb (for) their latest pasta dish, but it is a good tonic herb,” Goetz said. “Basil water will help heal irritated skin. I love using the pur-
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AP
A blooming shrub of rosemary, bordering a yard near Langley, Wash., is a multi-purpose plant like many other herbs. Rosemary has an array of uses — as an ornamental alongside other flowering perennials, for crafting, flavoring, attracting pollinators and as an aromatic.
ple-leaf varieties to add color to container gardens.” LEMON VERBENA AND SCENTED GERANIUMS (PELARGONIUMS): Intensely fragrant when rubbed or brushed against. GERMANDER: “Nice as a small herbal hedge,” Goetz said. “Hang them in the kitchen or bathroom for a deodorizing air freshener.”
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 » The Advocate
Herbs
The Advocate » Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015
Book looks at how top artists choose, display works at home KATHERINE ROTH ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK - Imagine being invited on a house tour of the homes of 25 well-known contemporary artists, strolling around their big, airy downtown lofts and other city abodes as they take you aside and explain how they chose the artworks displayed there. The new book “Artists Living with Art” (Abrams) is that tour. The coffee-table book, photographed by Oberto Gili and written by Stacey Goergen and Amanda Benchley, with a foreword by art historian Robert Storr, includes dozens of photos and interviews with the artists, most of whom live within blocks of each other. Chuck Close, Will Cotton, Rashid Johnson, Marilyn Minter, Cindy Sherman and others discuss how they select and display the artworks decorating their homes, and their
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AP
The book “Artistis LIving with Art” , written by Stacey Goergen and Amanda Benchley, photographed by Oberto Gili, with a foreword by art historian Robert Storr, invites readers into the homes and personal art collections of some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists.
GRANVILLE Riley, James Richard and Kelly D. to Fraley, Nicole Louise and Tylon J., 110 Rose View Drive, $765,000 Mehal, Donald M. and Heather L. to Cunningham, Douglas A. and Michelle D., 116 Stone Creek Drive, $485,000 Wade, Brandi, Trustee, to Yeater, Alene K. and Benjamin, 18 Pine Village Drive, $135,000 Oliver, Lisa M. and Dennis K. to Litton, Claudia, Deeds Road, $54,000
NEWARK AP
This photo provided by Abrams shows artist Chuck Close in his home with his Old Masters paintings, included in the book, "Artists Living with Art," published by Abrams, in October 2015.
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thoughts on collecting. The result is an artistic and original approach to interiors. Here, art tends to be moved frequently — often every six months — and paintings can be overlapped, often leaning casually against walls. Chinese scholars’ rocks — stones naturally formed by the weather into interesting forms — and a range of handmade ceramics are featured in almost every home. And each intimate interior reflects friendships and inspirations, and includes
an often-unexpected array of collections, many displayed in unusual ways. “Through looking at the things artists own and listening to their stories of what it means to them, you can learn more about their work, inspirations and relationships,” explained Goergen, who previously worked in the curatorial department of the Whitney Museum of Modern Art. “In every home featured, we saw a passion for form,” she said, mentioning the artists’ shared interest in rock formations. “Joan Jonas collects interesting stones or rocks herself and sometimes gives them to her friends
Drasal, Peggy and Fitzgerald, June to Barrett, Anthony A., 57 S .28th St., $70,500
PATASKALA
NVR Inc. to Nader, Ashley E. and Eric, 2030 E. Gardenia Drive, $278,410 NVR Inc. to Rai, Rup D. and Til M., 2116 Gardenia Drive, $277,130 Phillips, Jacquelyn A. and Eberhart, Jason and Stephanie, 10741 Hazelton-Etna Road, $235,900 Grunkemeyer, Brenda M. and Timothy J. to Swaney, Stacy, 101 Eswine Drive, $222,900 Maronda Homes Inc. Of Ohio to Pinager, Dyshawn Lee and Teirra Dion, 1536 Mary Lou Drive, $222,650 Pulte Homes Of Ohio LLC to Hall, Regina, 252 Glen Crossing Drive, $179,527 Scott, James D. and Shaffer, Wendy Lynn to Steadman, Melanie and James, 123 Gala
Ave., $170,900 Hollis Homes Inc. to Marullo, Tamara S., 608 Pack St., $166,900 Ponto, Scott A. and Kimberly E. to Searls, Heather A., 855 Whitehead Drive, $162,900 Laucher, Richard K. and Beverly B. to Clark, Kathleen A., 238 Bent Tree Lane, $134,000
REYNOLDSBURG Wolfrom, Irene to Osborne, Linda D., 57 Georgian Drive, $105,550
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 » The Advocate
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
UTICA Weber, Arlene J. to Miller, Matthew K. and Yalonda J., 2467 Homer Road, $153,000
as gifts,” Benchley added. Unlike professional art collectors, who might buy art as an investment or focus on a specific genre, or interior designers, who select works with an eye to decorating a space, these artists require a deeper, more personal connection for a work to gain entrée. The results can be startling, like Close’s passion for Old Master canvases and drawings, sometimes alongside more contemporary masters like Roy Lichtenstein and Willem de Kooning. “If an artist’s work can hold the wall with that of his heroes, he knows he’s on the right track.,” writes Storr in the book.
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The Advocate » Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015
KIM COOK
HAVING FUN
CLASS ACT
Yummy, photo-printed gingerbread cooks up a luscious paper at Zazzle. Black may not seem like a seasonal color, but with brightly colored ornaments, holiday lights or reindeer in the foreground, you have a paper that pops. The retailer also has some personalized options that let you add a family photo or name to a design of your choice. (www.zazzle.com ) Royal-blue paper studded with glitter creates an elegant wrap at Paper Source. And for fun, there’s a Hanukkah paper populated with herds of llamas. A page of handdrawn Hanukkah wishes in white on blue would be just as pretty framed as it would be as wrapping paper. (www.papersource.com )
At Paper Mojo, find some art papers perfect for small and special gifts. One refined, colorsaturated paper is handmarbled by Brazilian artist Renato Crepaldi. “We were originally attracted to Renato’s work because of his vibrant colors and crisp lines,” says company co-founder Shelly Gardner-Alley. “He’s exhibited his work in art galleries around the world.” The retailer also has Japanese prints known as “chiyogami” silkscreened onto papers made with kozo plant fibers, available on special order. And an Indian paper is embossed with myriad metallic pebbles, giving the impression that you’re wrapping something in hammered gold. Also,
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Why settle for run-ofthe-mill holiday gift wrapping when there are dozens of wonderful papers available? This year’s designs reflect what’s going on in decor, with metallics of all kinds, and masculine and feminine motifs playing off each other, says Krissa Rossbund, senior style editor at Traditional Home magazine. And as with home décor, there’s also room for adding your own touch.
YIN AND YANG “There’s wonderful visual tension right now in design that has a masculine slant,” Rossbund says. For instance, The Container Store’s got a repeating deer print on a blue background, and a handsome gold antler print on black; both have a menswear vibe, great for wrapping guy gifts. (www.containerstore.com ) Rifle Paper Company’s got some designs that
AP
Colorful ornaments tumble across an eye-catching, almost 3-D wrapping paper from Zazzle designer Unique Christmas Gifts.
aren’t overly Christmas-y yet evoke the season. Graphite Lace puts a feminine print on a chic gray background. Holiday Greens renders flowers and greenery in rich, earthy hues. Blush, mint, charcoal, gold and cream in a similar print make for a Winter Wonderland. (www.riflepaperco.com ) Pier 1 has a realistic, birch-bark printed paper, and a homespun plaid that reverses to poinsettias and holly. (www.pier1.com )
there are Snow & Graham’s striking yet simple papers: Designs include ribbon candy and holiday lights. (www.papermojo.com ) Recycled cotton fiber is used to make ecofriendly papers at Luxe Paperie. On one, silvery reindeer strut across a rich yellow background; on another, a gold, French, damask-inspired design on deep red looks like luxe linen. Mod Moroccan and ikat patterns are rendered in soy inks on recycled content paper. (www.luxepaperie.com )
PERSONAL TOUCH Rossbund suggests making gift wrap your own by opting for a solid “signature” color. Opt for a couple of big rolls in colors you love, and then customize them with add-ons like contrasting ribbon bows or even yarn. Think beyond the giftwrap roll, if you want. Foreign-language newspapers, and pages from children’s books or coffee-table art books make interesting wrapping paper.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 » The Advocate
Right at Home: fun and festive holiday gift paper
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The Advocate » Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015