Issuu

Absolute Living MARCH 2020

STONE UNBOUND TODD KETCHUM OF VICTORY SURFACES

OUTDOOR DESIGN TRENDS

YOUR SPRING SKINCARE ROUNDUP NATURAL WONDERS OF THE GREAT USA

Boundaries are meant to be challenged. Lease a 2020 Subaru Outback for only

279/mo

For 36 months. $2,600 down plus tax, title, license and dealer fees due at signing. Subject to $199 documentation fee. Offer ends 3/31/20. See dealer for details. On approved credit. Security deposit waived. 12,000 miles per year. Model # LDB-01. MSRP $28,791. Vehicle shown is Outback Onyx.

TomWoodSubaru.com 317.608.0019 3300 E 96th St Indianapolis, IN 46240

THE CAR YOU WANT. THE WAY YOU WANT.

INCLUDED WITH ALL NEW VEHICLES EXCLUSIVELY FROM TOM WOOD SUBARU

EXCLUSIVELY AT HOUSEWORKS A N I TA L I A N - M A D E S O FA , S O L E Y F O R T H E U. S . M A R K E T

HW HW t h i r t y + ye t ha i rrtsy + ye a r s

E X P E R I E N C E N O B A R S . N O S P R I N G S . P U R E C O M F O R T.

HOUSEWORKS HOUSEWORKS

EXPERIENCE NO BARS. E T A I L E R NO SPRINGS. PURE COMFORT. E X T E N D E D R E TA I L E R

I N F O R M AT I O N

ON SALE NOW

6 - APRIL 6 AT HOUSEWORKS N O S P R I N G S MARCH . PU R E C O M F O R T. TH

CS-SALE ADS - POLAR BEAR.indd 3

LER

t h e w a y y o u l i v et h. e w a y y o u l i v e . NEW ADDRESS 4905 E. 82nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46250 317.578.7000 Mon. to Fri.10 - 7 Sat. 10-6 Sun. 12-5

houseworks.biz

1/9/20 4:42 PM

Landscape Architecture | Construction | Horticulture | Swimming Pools

c o n c r e t e

s t u d i o

OEGgroup.com

March/2020

CONTENTS

Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel

STONE UNBOUND Todd Ketchum of Victory Surfaces

YOUR SPRING SKINCARE ROUNDUP

NATURAL WONDERS OF THE GREAT USA

GOT ALLERGIES? RAID THE PANTRY!

OUTDOOR DESIGN TRENDS

The latest 7 products you need to add to your routine!

some foods may hold the key to alleviating your seasonal allergy symptoms.

The most incredible locations in the US, sure to inspire your next vacation! Transform your outdoor space into an anytime retreat.

Volume 13. Issue 03. (#148

@absolutelivingmagazine

SUBSCRIPTIONS For more information go to absolutelivingmagazine.com, call 317.509.3981, or email jpena@ absolutelivingmagazine.com. To sign up for Absolute Living's monthly newsletter, go to absolutelivingmagazine. com/newsletter. COMMENTS Contact us via social media or email us at jpena@absolutelivingmagazine.com

Absolute Living

Publisher / Co-Founder JUSTYNA PEÑA

Marketing Director / Co-Founder EDUARDO PEÑA

Account Executive JUSTYNA PEÑA

Senior Writer MATTHEW HUME

Writer SUSAN SALAZ

Contributing Writers VALERIE JONES

Photography GABRIELLE CHEIKH NOEL JES NIJJER EDUARDO PEÑA

Marketing Coordinator ISMAEL PEÑA

Art Director ROGER PEÑA

Circulation USPS & ABSOLUTE LIVING MAGAZINE

Comments & Feedback EDITORIAL@ABSOLUTELIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Subscriptions SUBSCRIBE@ABSOLUTELIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Absolute Living Magazine is published monthly by Pena Group, Inc. Copyright by Pena Group, Inc. Absolute Living Magazine is a registered trademark of Pena Group, Inc.

ck&m

beautifully designed

KITCHEN | BATH | HOME

Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork | conceptualkitchens.com | 317.846.2090

YOUR SPRING SKINCARE ROUNDUP The latest 7 products you need to add to your routine!

pring is on the way—hurrah! The skies are definitely more blue, flowers are poking their heads out of garden borders, lambs are gamboling across rolling green

fields, and so on and so on! But that’s not what we care about—we care about sun and warmth, and exposing our winter-pale skin to the elements once more. We’ve

rounded up the top skincare products to invest in this season, whether you’re after a moisturizer for dry skin, a superb serum or a rejuvenating eye cream.

YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Resurfacing Serum

Think of the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Night Reboot Resurfacing Serum as a shot of espresso for your skin. It contains glycolic acid to exfoliate away dead skin cells and moonlight cactus flower to boost your skin's natural radiance, so you look super awake the next morning.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Avène Eau Thermale Refreshing Eye Contour Care

Rehydrate and brighten your eye area with Avène's Eau Thermale Refreshing Eye Contour Care eye cream, which is made of thermal spring water, vitamin E, and raspberry extract. If you're looking to reduce the appearance of any puffiness, dark circles and crow's feet, this targets all three.

Cyan Skincare Pacific Moisturizer

It’s rare for a product to truly be suitable for all skin types, but the Cyan Skincare Pacific Moisturizer comes pretty darned close. It contains vitamins C, B and E to reduce inflammation and protect the skin's natural barrier. It's also got a blend of gorgonian extract and neptune kelp to hydrate and soothe your skin.

Rodan + Fields Recharge Detox Mask

We love the Rodan + Fields Recharge Detox Mask when our skin is in need of a major reset. It’s made with charcoal and volcanic sand to draw out dirt, debris and makeup that cause breakouts. Plus, it's got mango seed butter, coconut and avocado oil, so your skin won’t totally dry out during the purge.

Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice

If you're looking for something to quench super-dry skin, turn to the Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice. This prebiotic gel moisturizer uses a proprietary ingredient called Biotransformed Cica, an antioxidant-rich herb that soothes and heals any irritation, to calm and nourish the skin.

Herbivore Prism 20% AHA + 5% BHA Exfoliating Glow Facial

Give your skin an at-home facial with Herbivore's latest concoction, made from 20 percent exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acids and 5 percent clarifying beta hydroxy acids. It's also formulated with aloe for a cooling, hydrating finish. Use once weekly.

Pixi Collagen Tonic

The makers of beloved Pixi Glow Tonic have created a new toner formulated with collagen. Expect the same radiant results as its sister toner, but with an extra boost of elasticity and plumping.

ABSOLUTELIVING

TEQUILA | BITES | COCKTAILS

Chees to spring!

3 Convenient Locations:

www.VerdeFlavorsofMexico.com

MODERN DESIGN TRANSFORMED Tales from Modernism Week Franklin Window and Door owners, Scott & Cori Brown, had the pleasure of experiencing â€œModernism Weekâ€? this past month in Palm Springs, California. Modernism Week features midcentury modern architecture and interior design centered around modern design. Modern design and contemporary architecture are transforming the architectural and building industry. Architects are continually designing more complex homes and buildings that stretch the limits of window and door design focusing on oversized glass openings.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Marvin Windows and Doors VP and Design Expert, Christine Marvin, spoke to a group of Modernism Enthusiasts at the Axiom Turkle House, which features Marvin Windows and Doors including liftand-slide doors that pocket into the wall. Christine was joined by homeowner and designer Joel Turkel to speak to the attendees about the collaborative process of creating the modern design of the Turkel Axiom House, which incorporates an abundance of natural light as well as a space designed to blend seamlessly the indoor to outdoor spaces. Scott and Cori Brown are passionate about the movement towards larger expanses of glass but also understand the complexity of this building design. As a result, they spend considerable time learning and collaborating with other industry professionals to learn best practices to ensure all aspects from structural support to glass thickness and deflection

rates are accounted for and factored into the design of the project. Scott states, “These are details that are imperative to consider when building structures with large expanses of glass. As architects are specifying larger glass units, we have had to source glass from Europe, as they can produce larger pieces of glass with less deflection than here in the states.” It wasn’t all work and no play, though. Scott and Cori were able to enjoy a poolside party at the Mesa Modern House, which is a newly built home that deviated from the traditional Midcentury Modern architecture prevalent all over Palm Springs to Contemporary Architecture and Design. Check out FranklinWindowAndDoor.com for more great pictures from Modernism Week 2020 from Palm Springs, California.

FRANKLINWINDOWANDDOOR.COM

317.993.3660 1069 3rd Ave SW. Carmel, IN 46032

ABSOLUTELIVING

INDIANAPOLIS

www.debrand.com â€¢ 317.669.0955 THE SHOPS AT RIVER CROSSING (next to The Fashion Mall)

ABSOLUTELIVING

By Senior Writer Matthew Hume | Photography By Gabrielle Cheikh Noel | Artwork By Eduardo Peña

STONE

UNBOUND

Todd Ketchum of Victory Surfaces Walk into the front office of Victory Surfaces (5720 Kopetsky Drive, Indianapolis) and you’ll see right away that stone isn’t just for countertops anymore. There you’ll find a mini showroom of terrazzo side chairs and matching terrazzo coffee table, another coffee table with steel base and polished stone top, and even a concrete boardroom table, just to get the imagination flowing. “People are used to seeing terrazzo in flooring,” Todd says. “But it’s begun to take on a life of its own in the past few years.” (Typing “terrazzo” into your Instagram search engine yields 309K posts.) He goes on to show me a rollaway kitchen cart, with a stainlesssteel base and concrete surface. “It’s really unique, but very contemporary—this surface is concrete, but you could do marble or terrazzo or other stone—we can make the same furniture pieces out of multiple mediums,” he tells me. “You can make just about anything happen with stone.” One look at the furniture in this small space and you’ll understand that stonework has the potential to surpass its traditional roles, but spend twenty minutes talking to Todd Ketchum, President of Victory Surfaces, and you’ll find that stonework’s only limit is that of a designer’s or homeowner’s imagination. In fact, I discovered through my time spent with Todd Ketchum in Victory Surface’s workshop, that stonework may best be conceived of as a fine combination of art and science, paired perfectly to craft the practical, sometimes whimsical, but always the highest quality of creations.

ABSOLUTELIVING

THE ART OF WORKING WITH STONE Todd got his start in stone, specifically terrazzo, in 1979 in the shipyards of Southern California. In the early 80s, after marrying his wife, a native of Indiana, the two made the move to the Hoosier State, and right away, Todd found his footing in the local terrazzo business, working for Santarossa Mosaic and Tile, a fixture in the Indianapolis community since 1924. “I spent 29 years with Santarossa, starting as a terrazzo worker out in the field, to becoming a part owner and president and CEO by the time I left,” Todd tells me. At the beginning of 2015, Todd decided to start a new company doing stone and terrazzo, and Gary Edwards, a close acquaintance, wanted to be involved. Together they founded Victory Surfaces, and Todd became its president, with Gary as its owner. Since then, Todd has made countless trips to Italy, Brazil, and other epicenters of stone sourcing, to hand-select the materials he wants to bring to central Indiana’s designers, and he has overseen hundreds of custom stonework designs for residential and commercial projects around Indiana and the surrounding region. Todd tells me that he owes much of his inspiration in stonework design to the artistic pursuits of those he grew up with. “I’m the only one in my family who

isn’t technically an artist,” he says. “I have one sister who works in murals, and another sister who creates art through wood burning and pencil drawings.” His grandfather started a stained-glass business in the 1940s, John Wallis and Associates Stained Glass, and his family is still active in the artistic trade. “One of my brothers was an apprentice to my grandfather early on, and my aunt still runs the studio to this day,” he explains. Todd goes on to share a bit about his mother and the part she played in inspiring his work. “My mother raised six children and then went to school, graduating with a degree in interior architecture,” he says. “She and a partner established an interior design company and worked in high-end homes and businesses in LA and California’s coastal areas.” So never mind Todd’s claim that he’s not an artist—he still brings an artist’s eye and sensibility to the work he and his artisan employees undertake. STORIES WAITING TO BE TOLD As we begin our walk-through of the warehouse and workshop, Todd starts by explaining that much of the work coming out of his shop is geared towards the living needs of the present generation. “We do a lot of freestanding pieces,” he says. “Our philosophy is that

ABSOLUTELIVING

A Parade of Porcelain

Think of porcelain, and you think of tiles, dishware, and yes, the “porcelain throne.” But as with terrazzo, demand for porcelain is changing. “Porcelain has become extremely popular,” Todd says. “We can make kitchen shelving out of it, countertops, or wall pieces. We just completed a whole master bath out of porcelain—that makes it maintenance free, but it looks like natural stone in the walls, without joints—no more little, individual tiles.”

A Frenzy of Terrazzo

Anyone with a pulse on current design trends knows that terrazzo is extremely desirable in ways far surpassing its traditional purpose in flooring. For the uninitiated, terrazzo is a composite material consisting of chips of marble, granite, quartz, glass or other materials—in any color—poured in place or prefabricated, for use in flooring, walls, countertops, and countless custom products. Chances are, you’ve seen it more than you realize, in hospitals, airports, schools, and now homes. Todd, true to his belief that there are no limits to a stone’s potential, decided to have his own way with the trendy material. “I’d always wanted to see a chair made from terrazzo,” he says. “In all my travels, I’d never seen one.” And so he built one. You can find two today in the Victory Surfaces front office.

stone can be the material for any piece of furniture or housing fixture you can think of.” In other words, Todd and his stoneworkers create standalone pieces that can be mixed and matched like any other type of furniture. “We want our residential clients to be able to pick up and take them with them if they move,” he says. “For example we built a fireplace for a home, even though the residents knew they would eventually move. When that time came, we designed a new freestanding piece to remain in the home, and they took their fireplace with them.” Next, he leads me over to an approximately 6-foot by 8-foot rectangle, composed of over 100 numbered square tile holders. “Right now we have a client doing a feature wall in one of their rooms,” he explains. “We do layouts with multiple colors of tile, they let us know what they like and what they want to change, and we’ll rearrange the tiles, put down a whole different pattern, until they’re happy with the combination. Then we’ll pack it all up and put in their house.” Astounded by the time this must consume, undertaking this design project completely by hand, I ask if there’s an online platform that could accomplish the same thing. “Even with the creative online platforms available now, the color online isn’t reliable,” he tells me, and shows me a printed example of a similar backsplash that doesn’t begin to do justice to the actual color of the tiles in front of me. The sheer inventory of diverse stones—marbles, granites, quartzite, soapstone, sandstone, lapis lazuli, and so forth—available in the Victory Surfaces warehouse could easily send the uninitiated into a freefall of imaginative

possibility. Todd explains that part of a designer’s role is to help a homeowner let go of 80% of what they like in order to focus on what will really work in a space. As he leads me through rows and rows of jaw-dropping stone slabs, I begin to understand stone’s ability to tell stories, playing witness to evolutionary and cataclysmic geological events. He points to one particular slab of granite. “This is considered to be granite,” he says, “but you can tell by looking at it that the rock went through a metamorphic event during its creation.” Todd explains that the longer it takes for granite to harden, the larger the crystals within it start to grow—precisely the conditions that led to the dramatic patterning within this slab. We take a few more steps, and my eyes catch a dark and imposing slab of stone with bright white conical markings scattered throughout. “These are fossils embedded within the stone,” Todd tells me. “This piece of stone literally captures eons of the earth’s history.” With the inherent natural beauty that stone carries, even before human hands take hold of it, many clients choose to incorporate stone as art within their homes or businesses. Todd explains that some stones are naturally translucent—most onyx and many quartzites—but that any stone, if sliced thinly enough, can be backlit to stunning effect. “We can take the stone, put it on glass and backlight it,” he says. “By day you have a beautiful piece of stone artwork, and at night you have a soft nightlight.” TEAM EARTH – TEAM VICTORY Todd’s knowledge of the stonework trade is immensely evident, but when I acknowledge his expertise,

ABSOLUTELIVING

he’s quick to emphasize that Victory Surfaces is the greater sum of its parts—the talent the company’s artisan workers bring to their craft, and in a more primal way, from the earth itself and its abundant natural resources. “The earth is one big rock, and depending on where we cut into the earth, we’re going to find variations in the same stone,” he says. “We always have one of the finest selections of white marble, Carrara marble, and we get all the varieties from the same mountain region in Italy. At the top of the mountain, you get the Calcutta Gold marble, used in statuary, but go deeper into the rock, and the patterns change, the look changes.” And while Todd may be at the helm of the operation, it’s Victory’s 60+ artisan stoneworkers that undertake the lion’s share of the fine creations that the workshop produces. Todd’s especially proud to have his son, also named Todd, working with him at Victory, as well as his son-inlaw Chip Friend. “Both have been very supportive and instrumental in my career, and both worked for Santarossa as well,” he says. “I also owe immense thanks to my colleagues Jim Potts and Gary Wimmer, who have worked with me since the beginning here.” If this tour through Victory Surfaces warehouse and workshop has your imagination running wild, embrace the thrill! Visit them online and check out the incredible fixtures, unique pieces of furniture, and artistic stone renderings that the workshop has formed from these glorious natural resources. Let your imagination have its way—then schedule an appointment with a designer to help make sense of it all.

GOT ALLERGIES? RAID THE PANTRY!

Some foods may hold the key to alleviating your seasonal allergy symptoms When you think of food and allergies, you may think of keeping certain foods out of your diet to avoid an adverse reaction. But the connection between seasonal allergies and food is limited to a few groups of foods known as cross-reactive foods. Reactions to cross-reactive foods may be experienced by those with birch, ragweed or mugwort seasonal allergies. Aside from those groups of foods, seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, only occur during certain parts of the year â€” usually the spring or summer. They develop when the immune system overreacts to allergens, like plant pollen, which results in lots of congestion, sneezing and itching. While treatment usually involves over-the-counter medicines, lifestyle changes may also help ease your springtime woes. Adding certain foods to your diet could actually help relieve symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes. From reducing inflammation to boosting the immune system, there are a number of dietary choices that may help mitigate the miseries of seasonal allergies.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Here’s a list of foods to try. Ginger Many of the unpleasant allergy symptoms come from inflammatory issues, like swelling and irritation in the nasal passages, eyes and throat. Ginger can help reduce these symptoms naturally. For thousands of years, ginger has been used as a natural remedy for a number of health problems, like nausea and joint pain. It’s also known to contain antioxidative, antiinflammatory phytochemical compounds. Now, experts are exploring how these compounds may be useful for combating seasonal allergies. In a 2016 study, ginger suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory proteins in the blood of mice, which led to reduced allergy symptoms. There doesn’t appear to be a difference in the antiinflammatory capacity of fresh ginger versus dried. Add either variety to stir fries, curries and baked goods, or try making ginger tea. Bee pollen Bee pollen isn’t just food for bees — it’s edible for humans, too! This mixture of enzymes, nectar, honey, flower pollen and wax is often sold as a curative for hay fever. Research shows bee pollen can have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial properties in the body. In one study involving animals, bee pollen inhibited the activation of mast cells — a crucial step in preventing allergic reactions. What kind of bee pollen is best, and how do you eat it? There is some evidence to support the consumption of local bee pollen to help build your body's resistance to the pollen that you are allergic to. It is important that the honey be local so that the same local pollen your body is allergic to is contained in the bee pollen. If possible, look for bee pollen at your local farmer’s market. Bee pollen comes in small pellets, with a flavor some describe as bittersweet or nutty. Creative ways to eat it include sprinkling some on yogurt or cereal, or blending it into a smoothie.

Citrus fruits While it’s an old wives’ tale that vitamin C prevents the common cold, it may help shorten the duration of a cold as well as offer benefits for allergy sufferers. Eating foods high in vitamin C has been shown to decrease allergic rhinitis, the irritation of the upper respiratory tract caused by pollen from blooming plants. So during allergy season, feel free to load up on high-vitamin C citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, sweet peppers and berries.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Turmeric Turmeric is well known as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse for good reason. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been linked to reduced symptoms of many inflammation-driven diseases, and could help minimize the swelling and irritation caused by allergic rhinitis. Although turmeric’s effects on seasonal allergies haven’t been studied extensively in humans, animal studies are promising. One showed that treating mice with turmeric reduced their allergic response. Turmeric can be taken in pills, tinctures, or teas — or, of course, eaten in foods. Whether you take turmeric as a supplement or use it in your cooking, be sure to choose a product with black pepper or piperine, or pair turmeric with black pepper in your recipe. Black pepper increases the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2,000 percent.

Tomatoes Though citrus tends to get all the glory when it comes to vitamin C, tomatoes are another excellent source of this essential nutrient. One medium-size tomato contains about 26 percent of your recommended daily value of vitamin C. Additionally, tomatoes contain lycopene, another antioxidant compound that helps quell systemic inflammation. Lycopene is more easily absorbed in the body when it’s cooked, so choose canned or cooked tomatoes for an extra boost.

Salmon and other oily fish Could a fish a day keep the sneezing away? There’s some evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids from fish could bolster your allergy resistance and even improve asthma. A German study from 2005 found that the more eicosapentaenoic fatty acid (EPA) people had in their bloodstream, the less their risk of allergic sensitivity or hay fever. Another more recent study showed that fatty acids helped decrease the narrowing of airways that occurs in asthma and some cases of seasonal allergies. These benefits likely come from omega-3s’ anti-inflammatory properties. The American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get 8 ounces of fish per week, especially low-mercury “fatty” fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna. To increase your chances of allergy relief, strive to hit or exceed this target.

ABSOLUTELIVING

NATURAL WONDERS OF THE GREAT USA The most incredible locations in the US, sure to inspire your next vacation! Dreaming of an epic road trip across the country this summer or in the future? If so, you’re not alone. With the rising cost of airline tickets, this form of travel is becoming more and more popular. Those hitting the road in their cars or RVs aren’t missing out—in fact, they’re experiencing life’s wonders in a way that air travel can’t even allow, especially with the plethora of natural wonders our country has to offer. However, the overwhelming number of natural wonders can make planning your road trip tricky. Should you take the north route or take a deep dive down south? What about the wilds of Alaska? If your plans for the coming year are still in flux, start by considering the following breathtaking natural wonders.

Grand Prismatic Spring: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Located in Yosemite National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is just one of many natural wonders that inspire visitors every day inside of the park. The rainbow-colored hot spring is actually the largest in America (about as deep as a 10-story building) and the third largest in the entire world. Best of all, it's only a short hike to see this spectacular sight. Tip: For avid wildlife fans, booking a private Yellowstone wildlife tour will prove to be incredibly rewarding—especially considering the fact that they can tailor such tours to include the wildlife that interests you the most.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Garden of the Gods: Colorado Springs, Colorado Situated inside of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods has been a popular tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Millions of years ago, these natural rock formations were caused by a geologic upheaval along a fault line—and ever since, indigenous tribes and tourists from all around the world have reveled in this impressive display of ancient rock formations. Compared to other parks of its size, Garden of the Gods is relatively easy to navigate via car and foot, with several hiking trails winding through the park. Tip: While you're in Colorado Springs, it's essential that you pay a visit to one of the breweries that have changed the landscape of the city's dining culture. For a taste of the best beer brewed in the city, have a pint at the Bristol Brewing Company—an atmospheric pub that offers the public tours of their facility. Antelope Canyon: Page, Arizona If you decide to make the trek to this remote set of caves in Arizona (and you should), it's best to do so in the summer, when the light hits the red earthen walls at just the right angle to add spectacular depth to this destination. Millions of years ago, Antelope Canyon was created by the erosion of Navajo Sandstone— mostly due to excessive flooding. To see this natural wonder for yourself, you'll need to book a guided tour. Whether said tour focuses on photography, hiking, or geology is up to you. Tip: While you're in the area, be sure to pay a visit to nearby Horseshoe Bend, which promises spectacular views after hiking through only 1.25 miles of agreeable (and beautiful) desert terrain.

ABSOLUTELIVING

Delicate Arch: Arches National Park, Utah Just a simple drive through the orange and red rocks in the state of Utah provides some of the most magnificent views. The next time you find yourself on a road trip out west, be sure to make a stop at Arches National Park in Utah, where, besides compelling hikes with sweeping views of the rugged landscape, you'll score the chance to revel in one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the entire country: the Delicate Arch. Standing at 52 feet high, the arch is made out of Entrada Sandstone and has remained a beacon of the state of Utah— from the cowboys of the 19th century declaring it a welcoming landmark to Olympic athletes taking part in the torch relay, passing under the arch. To see it for yourself, you'll need to trek three miles uphill. Though take it from us, the view is well worth the effort. Tip: If you're visiting in the warmer months of the year, be sure to retain the full glory of the surrounding landscape with a stay at Under Canvas Moab, where upscale safari tents open to reveal stunning views in the middle of Moab. Mendenhall Ice Caves: Juneau, Alaska Though the only way to pay a visit to the Mendenhall Ice Caves is through a private tour, taking in this spectacular sight is well worth the money invested. This 12-mile-long glacier features out-of-this-world blue ice caves hidden inside of its interior—and is open to guests who dare to explore its depths. The tours available often offer all-day forays into the glacier and surrounding pools, complete even with a scenic paddle across the serene glacial meltwater lake. Tip: Save some time to explore the Glacier Gardens in the stunning Tongass rainforest to see an extensive array of manicured plants and native flowers.

ABSOLUTELIVING

4705 East 96th Strrt | 317.571.0077

GRRNWWD

1691 West Cuuy Road | 317.881.0500

ОUTDООR DESIGN TRENDS

Transform your outdoor space into an anytime retreat Еvеn іf уоur dесk оr раtіо іѕ ѕtіll соvеrеd іn а lауеr оf ѕnоw, іt іѕn’t tоо ѕооn tо ѕtаrt thіnkіng about уоur іmреndіng ѕрrіng аnd ѕummеr gаrdеn раrtіеѕ. Оutdооr lіvіng аnd еntеrtаіnіng аrе іmроrtаnt tо mоdеrn lіfе; реорlе еnјоу ѕреndіng tіmе оutѕіdе, ѕurrоundеd bу frеѕh аіr, wіldlіfе аnd thе ѕоundѕ аnd ѕmеllѕ оf thеіr еnvіrоnmеnt. Ultіmаtеlу, thіѕ mеаnѕ уоu nееd tо оffеr уоur guеѕtѕ аn оutdооr ѕрасе whеrе thеу wіll fееl соmfоrtаblе ѕреndіng tіmе—whісh rеquіrеѕ уоu tо ѕtаrt dеѕіgnіng thаt оutdооr ѕрасе rіght nоw, bеfоrе thеrе іѕ wаrm wеаthеr fоr уоu tо еnјоу. Іf уоu hаvеn’t gіvеn уоur оutdооr ѕрасеѕ а ѕесоnd thоught ѕіnсе fаll, уоu mіght nееd ѕоmе guіdаnсе tоwаrds uр-аnd-соmіng trеndѕ. Неrе аrе ѕоmе dеѕіgn іdеаѕ tо јumр-ѕtаrt уоur сrеаtіvіtу аnd gеt уоur оutdооr аrеаѕ rеаdу fоr ѕunnу ѕkіеѕ.

ABSOLUTELIVING

NATURAL MATERIALS Меtаl аnd рlаѕtіс оutdооr furnіturе аnd fеаturеѕ hаvе bееn рорulаr fоr dесаdеѕ bесаuѕе thеѕе mаtеrіаlѕ оffеr thе сlеаn, mоdеrn lіnеѕ еѕѕеntіаl tо mіnіmаlіѕm, аnd mеtаl аnd рlаѕtіс tеnd tо wіthѕtаnd thе еlеmеntѕ fаіrlу wеll. Ноwеvеr, аѕ іntеrеѕt іn mіnіmаlіѕm hаѕ wаnеd, ѕо hаѕ thе uѕе оf ѕуnthеtіс оr аrtіfісіаl mаtеrіаlѕ іn оutdооr déсоr. Іnѕtеаd, уоu ѕhоuld lооk іntо utіlіzіng nаturаl mаtеrіаlѕ, lіkе оrgаnіс соttоn, wооl, wооd аnd wісkеr. Тhеrе аrе ѕеvеrаl rеаѕоnѕ fоr thе dеѕіgn ѕhіft tо mоrе nаturаl mаtеrіаlѕ, but thе lеаdіng саuѕе іѕ аn іnсrеаѕе іn еnvіrоnmеntаl аwаrеnеѕѕ. Маtеrіаlѕ lіkе соttоn аnd wооd tеnd nоt tо rеquіrе ехtеnѕіvе rеfіnеmеnt рrосеѕѕеѕ wіth tохіс оr оthеrwіѕе hаrmful сhеmісаlѕ; іnѕtеаd, thеу саn bе ехсееdіnglу сlеаn аnd ѕuѕtаіnаblе. Іn соntrаѕt, bоth mеtаl аnd рlаѕtіс hаvе саtаѕtrорhіс еnvіrоnmеntаl rереrсuѕѕіоnѕ. Аѕ lоng аѕ уоu tаkе gооd саrе оf уоur оutdооr furnіturе—lіkе mоvіng thеm undеr соvеr durіng іnсlеmеnt wеаthеr—уоu ѕhоuld bе аblе tо еnјоу уоur оutdооr dеѕіgn fоr уеаrѕ tо соmе.

WARM COLORS Іn аddіtіоn tо thе сhаngе іn mаtеrіаlѕ, thе mоѕt uрtо-dаtе dесk аnd раtіо furnіturе іѕ wаrm аnd іnvіtіng іn соlоr. Іn rесеnt hіѕtоrу, соlоr раlеttеѕ fоr thе hоmе hаvе bееn rеlаtіvеlу сооl-tоnеd: grауѕ, ісу bluеѕ, whіtе аnd blасk. Сооl соlоrѕ аrе rеfrеѕhіng аnd tеnd tо hаvе а саlmіng еffесt, but thеу dоn’t оftеn mаkе а ѕрасе fееl wеlсоmіng оr соmfоrtаblе. Аѕ thе nеw уеаr dаwnѕ, аlmоѕt еvеrу dеѕіgnеr іѕ ѕhіftіng fосuѕ tоwаrd wаrm аnd еаrthу huеѕ, lіkе brоwn, tаuре, gоldеn уеllоw, duѕtу rеd аnd оlіvе grееn. Yоu саn іntеgrаtе wаrm соlоrѕ mаnу рlасеѕ іn уоur ехtеrіоr dеѕіgn, nоt јuѕt уоur оutdооr furnіturе. Yоu mіght соnѕіdеr gіvіng уоur frоnt аnd bасk dооrѕ а nеw соаt оf раіnt оr сhаngіng thе соlоr оf уоur hоmе’ѕ trіm аrоund wіndоwѕ аnd dооrѕ. Yоu соuld аdd dесоrаtіvе hаrdѕсаріng, lіkе fеnсеѕ, wіth а nеw аnd іnvіtіng соlоr раlеttе. Fіnаllу, уоu саn ѕtаіn уоur соnсrеtе оr rераіnt уоur dесk tо аdd соlоr tо уоur ехtеrіоr. Моѕt оf thеѕе fіхеѕ аrе rеlаtіvеlу ѕmаll but расk а mајоr dесоrаtіvе рunсh.

FUNCTIONALITY Іt dоеѕn’t mаttеr hоw muсh tіmе, еffоrt аnd ехреnѕе уоu рut іntо уоur оutdооr lіvіng аrеа іf уоur furnіturе іѕ unсоmfоrtаblе. Реrhарѕ mоѕt іmроrtаnt оf аll, thе fеаturеѕ уоu рlасе іn уоur ехtеrіоr lіvіng ѕрасеѕ ѕhоuld bе funсtіоnаl, mеаnіng уоu аnd guеѕtѕ ѕhоuld bе аblе tо еnјоу thе ѕtуlіѕh оutdооrѕ wіth еаѕе аnd соmfоrt. Оnе trеnd аffесtіng funсtіоnаlіtу іn оutdооr аrеаѕ іѕ thе іnсrеаѕе іn еrgоnоmіс оutdооr furnіturе dеѕіgn. Оftеn, раtіо аnd dесk furnіturе саn fееl ѕtіff аnd аwkwаrd bесаuѕе dеѕіgnеrѕ рrіоrіtіzе wеаthеr-hаrdіnеѕѕ аnd lооk оvеr ѕuрроrt аnd fееl. Еrgоnоmіс оutdооr furnіturе рrоmіѕеѕ tо сrаdlе thе bоdу, еnѕurіng lаѕtіng соmfоrt аѕ wеll аѕ еndurance through rаіn оr ѕhіnе. Аddіtіоnаllу, уоu mіght соnѕіdеr аddіng funсtіоnаl fеаturеѕ tо уоur оutdооr lіvіng ѕрасе, trаnѕfоrmіng іt іntо а truе rооm оf уоur hоmе. А рорulаr сhоісе іѕ tо аdd аn оutdооr kіtсhеn ѕрасе, rерlеtе wіth rеfrіgеrаtоr, соuntеr ѕрасе, сооktор аnd mоrе. Аn оutdооr kіtсhеn саn bе fun аnd іntеrасtіvе durіng wаrm-wеаthеr mоnthѕ, whеn уоu dоn’t wаnt tо ѕераrаtе thе раrtу bеtwееn уоur уаrd аnd іndооr kіtсhеn. Рluѕ, іt gіvеѕ уоu mоrе орроrtunіtу tо dеѕіgn уоur ехtеrіоr, реrhарѕ аddіng trеndу соuntеrtорѕ, bасkѕрlаѕhеѕ аnd lіghtіng tо thе ѕрасе.

ORGANIC GARDEN One fіnаl funсtіоnаl соnѕіdеrаtіоn уоu mіght mаkе fоr уоur оutdооr lіvіng аrеа іѕ аn оrgаnіс gаrdеn. Grоwіng сrорѕ lіkе vеgеtаblеѕ, fruіtѕ аnd hеrbѕ саn bе fun аnd rеwаrdіng, аnd а bоuntіful gаrdеn еmрhаѕіzеѕ thе ѕuѕtаіnаblе trеnd thаt іѕ оvеrtаkіng оutdооr déсоr. Yоu саn ѕtаrt wіth ѕmаll соntаіnеrѕ аnd рlаntѕ lіkе tоmаtоеѕ аnd bаѕіl, but уоu ѕhоuldn’t bе аfrаіd tо ехраnd уоur gаrdеn іf уоu еnјоу thе hоbbу.

home Decor

unique Gifts

check out our events here

317.849.4490 allisonvillegardenncom

11405 allisonville rd. Fishers, In 46038

entertaining needs

Birding

Gardening

is in full