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Outdoor plants

By JENN WILLHITE | PHOTOS By ADOBE STOCK

There’s nothing more welcoming than patio spaces filled with beauteous pots and hanging planters filled with blossoming summer flowers and cascading compositions of vibrant colors and varied greenery. Achieving such gardening triumphs isn’t difficult. In fact, it is quite easy, says Elaine Dougherty of S&E Produce and Flowers in Greenwood.

Any number of summer flowers are ideal candidates for the perfect arrangement, Dougherty says.

Million bells, also known as calibrachoa, is an annual with lots of personality, comes in a variety of colors and is ideal for hanging baskets and containers. These beauties are not sun shy and tolerate shade but the tradeoff is they are voracious feeders, so they require a bit more attention when it comes to watering and fertilizing.

“People like their hanging baskets to cascade down, so what you want there is something that vines,” Dougherty says. “Your million bells will vine. You can also do a vining or semi-vining geranium. They will go all summer, as well, with proper care.”

Ivy leaf geraniums are very fast-growing and come in a variety of bright colors, making them a great option for hanging arrangements. Known commonly as Pelargonium peltatum, this cascading geranium can spread up to six feet and has enough longevity to make it the entire summer season.

Begonias are another option that make for beautiful baskets with their vibrant colors and come in several varieties, depending on one’s taste. Popular varieties include angel-wing and wax begonias whose flowers come in a variety of colors,

including pink and white, and plants have characteristic waxy, rounded leaves. Rhizomatous begonias are a different looking vibrant variation that offers large, serrated leaves with pops of color that can grow to up to three feet.

Diamond frost is a good plant for mixing things up a bit, Dougherty says. Similar to baby’s breath, this light greenery offers a dainty white flower framed by green leaves that bloom all summer. There is also vinca plants, also known as periwinkle, which is not only beautiful but tolerant of heat and is fairly drought tolerant and isn’t much of a diva at all requiring only little attention overall.

Once you have the plants, it is simply a matter of maintenance, and that means watering and fertilizing to keep them bright and thriving, Dougherty says.

It is easy to spot a plant that needs a drink. Depending on the plant it may be saying it needs water via drooping or by its wrinkled or browning leaves.

“People think if it rains, it will be enough and that is not the case,” Dougherty says.

Regular watering and fertilizing are essential for plant development and overall health, Dougherty adds.

“We tell people to get some potting soil – it can have fertilizer or not,” she says. “If it doesn’t have fertilizer in the soil then they need to fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer every couple of weeks. They need fertilizer to keep them vibrant in color and for growth. Really, basically, it isn’t the flower, it is how they take care of it.”

DESIGNER bED ROUNDUp

Create a bedroom inspired by the pros

By KATIE LAUGHRIDGE PHOTOS By TRIBUNE NEWS SERvICE

I’ve always been inspired by the possibilities of fabric. From one bolt and a little imagination can emerge curtains, an ottoman, pillows and a duvet. Every month, we feature bedding designs brought to life by our design team. It isn’t magic, though — some real work goes into making design dreams a reality.

From the moment our designer or bedding team member makes a fabric selection for a bedding design, a member of the fabric team steps in to measure and cut fabrics and trims. The next stop is the workroom, where the duvet and pillows are cut and stitched and detailed by one of our experienced sewists. After they’re finished, it’s back to the shop and upstairs to the bedding department, where it is steamed, fluffed and added to a bed. Additional furniture and finishings are brought in to complete the look. As with any artisan process, the results aren’t immediate. It typically takes a few months from concept to completed look, but after the big reveal, it’s always worth the wait.

With these beautiful beds complete, it felt like the perfect time to do a bedding roundup.

NEW CASTLE DREAMS

This soothing bed was dreamed up by our designer Liz, who was inspired by the New Castle fabric when creating for an out-of-state client. She realized how many different fabrics there are that pair well with it and decided she wanted to pull out some of the blues with this design. Completed in March, it felt like the perfect look to bridge the gap between winter and spring.

One of my favorite details that ties it all together is the front boxed pillow with a fun, pleated edge, which Liz also dreamed up. And with the darker side of the pillow and the decorative pleating, it’s the perfect balance of girly and polished.

Looking to create a similar look at home? Sometimes a bed you see on display might be almost what you’re looking for, but maybe the pillows aren’t exactly right. My advice here is to be like Liz. When there wasn’t the right proportion of pillow for her design, she decided to try something totally new. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and choose a different option to complete your look.

CHINOISERIE MASTERPIECE

This bedscape by our designer Anne is a beautiful blend of masculine and feminine. Anne’s original fabric inspiration for the design was the chinoise toile of the front pillows, and the bed was built around them. By repeating the tape trim on the duvet and lumbar pillow, Anne brought some continuity between the pillows and the bedding design and successfully tied in the aquamarine colors found in the lovely inspiration fabric.

A flaxen duvet with turquoise tape trim is a fantastic option for a minimalist or someone who wants to create a foundation for playing up interesting pillows. It’s the perfect example of fine details done well to create a polished and refined look.

A FIELD OF WILDFLOWERS

This bright, beautiful bed was brought to life by our bedding team, its darling floral fabric just sings spring. We love our blue and white, and the addition of greens and yellows makes for a fresh interpretation of the pairing for the warmer months ahead.

Delightful yellows and sweet blues accented with spring greens pop off clean white backgrounds in all these featured textiles. Butter yellow buffalo check pillows bring out the yellow found in the wildflower fabric of the duvet. The front lumbar pillow is a crisp white with a Greek key design, bringing a more tailored feel to the otherwise organic fabric selection.

BRIGHT BOTANICALS

This bedding design is all about the big and bold details. This bright botanical print featuring peonies and hydrangeas is the obvious inspiration, used in not only the pillows, but as the foundation for the cane-detailed bed itself. This fabric has so many color options to pull from when selecting accompanying details, finding pairings is a spring breeze. We felt inspired by the navy tones throughout and found a few preppy fabrics with minimal pattern to allow the botanical to really shine. For this finished look, we combined custom bedding components with a green-trimmed, ready-made duvet.

Playing with patterns and pillows always gets me inspired. With every bedding feature, I want to recreate my bed at home all over again!

Miniclover

By JOAN CASANOvA, FAMILy FEATURES

PHOTOS By OUTSIDEPRIDE.COM

That lush, green lawn most people strive for is struggling to survive as our climate experiences “weather whiplash,” meaning abrupt swings in weather conditions from one extreme to another. Outdoor water usage is still astronomical, synthetic chemical use is ever-present and fuel-guzzling lawn blowers and mowers sing all summer. Traditional lawn maintenance is expensive, unnatural, untenable and increases greenhouse gases, wastes water, pollutes ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.

Average American families use 320 gallons of water daily, about 30% outdoors, with more than half devoted to watering lawns and gardens, according to the EPA. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated at almost one-third of all residential water usage, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons daily.

Gas-powered lawn mowers spew pollutants that can cause planet-warming gases, contributing to climate crisis and drought. According to the EPA, gas-powered lawn equipment releases more than 22 million tons of CO2 emissions and estimates over 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled refueling lawn equipment; that’s more than all oil spilled by Exxon Valdez.

There are many issues causing harm to environmental health, from the ridiculous, like billionaires taking 17-minute flights in private jets, producing 2 tons of CO2 emissions, to everyday lawn care wasting staggering amounts of water for aesthetics while polluting the environment through run-off and toxic emissions.

Cash rebates, up to $5,000, are being offered to some for the removal of grass lawns. To get the

rebate, other water-efficient options must be put in place. It’s time to take a page from the past; sowing clover seed can create a great-looking, water-efficient, sustainable lawn. Decades ago, clover was standard in lawn seed mixes. Then agricultural chemical companies created herbicides to rid lawns of broadleaf plants, killing everything but grass, clovers included, branding them weeds.

“Today, clover is making a comeback,” said Troy Hake, president and owner of Outsidepride.com, offering drought-tolerant grasses, clovers, wildflower seeds and more. “Tik Tok’s #cloverlawn has over 65 million views, evidencing it’s time for sustainable options, like adding ‘miniclover’ or replacing lawns with it. Miniclover (trifolium repens), is one-third to half the size of white Dutch clover, only grows 4-6 inches and produces a thick, carpet-like look that blends well with turf. Less expensive than grass seed, it’s a natural solution for self-sustaining, low-maintenance lawns that look beautiful and help eliminate the need for fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and weekly mowing. It’s healthier for people, pets, soil and waterways. You can’t go wrong with it.”

There’s nothing you can do about those 17-minute private jet flights. However, anyone with a lawn can add in miniclover and redefine what sustainable lawns and responsible lawn care looks like. Sales of miniclover rose dramatically last season, surely an indicator that this lawn renovation trend was well-received and continues to grow.

So... what’s not to like?

For other drought-tolerant options, visit Outsidepride.com.

BENEFITS

l Nitrogen fixer. Miniclover takes nitrogen from the air and “fixes” it in soil, eliminating the need to apply nitrogen, keeping lawns green and growing while adding natural nitrogen to surrounding soil.

l Drought tolerant. Miniclover can stay green all summer with minimal watering.

l Deters bugs. Grubs that feed on grass roots will not eat miniclover, and adult beetles and bugs are deterred from laying eggs in it.

l Crowds out weeds. Miniclover is evenly dispersed via stolons (stems grow horizontally along the ground), crowding out weeds, preventing new weeds and controlling erosion.

l Low-to-no maintenance. You can mow miniclover — the more it’s cut, the smaller the leaf size — or let it grow. Miniclover only blooms once in summer, providing bees with nectar; mowing will prevent blooming.

l Thrives in sun to partial shade. Does well in partial shade that receives some direct sunshine daily.

l Stands up to soil and subsoil compaction.

l Immune to “dog patches” Dog urine discolors lawns, but miniclover stays green and lush.

l Feels soft and springy on bare feet.

is droughttolerant, simple and sustainable

By FAMILy FEATURES| PHOTOS By ADOBE STOCK

5must-haves for outdoor entertaining

Gatherings and get-togethers may commonly take place inside, but giving your guests extra space takes nothing more than a little creativity and the right outdoor appliances. Open a new door — literally — and head outside to take advantage of unused deck, patio and yard space.

As a natural extension of your home, a few key pieces of lighting, heating and cooking equipment can turn your backyard into an entertaining oasis. Let your personal style shine and elevate your hosting skills with these ideas from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council.

LIGHTING

Flame lighting may not be every homeowner’s first consideration, but more hosts are relying on it to add upscale elegance to outdoor gatherings. Custom lanterns, modern chandeliers, pendants and tabletop units offer stylish additions to modern and classic designs alike.

No matter your tastes, propane flame lighting fixtures can be placed in multiple areas for aesthetic and practical purposes. While it’s hard to top the soothing effect of a starry night while calming flames reflect off your windows and add a glow to your patio, flame lighting also can ward off intruders or animals and help prevent tripping in the dark.

GRILLS

Propane can help you bring your dream kitchen to life outdoors. First establish a budget and identify a builder then build out the features of your high-performing kitchen in the peaceful setting nature offers. Often, the centerpiece of the space are grills, which are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Some offer features like side burners for sauces and rotisseries.

Because they heat up fast and provide precise temperature control, propane-powered outdoor cooking appliances are a popular choice

for homeowners who want to spend less time preparing food and more time enjoying it. With instant on-off convenience just like indoor gas ranges, outdoor propane grills, pizza ovens and ovens help home chefs create perfectly cooked meals with no coals, soot or ash to clean up. The appliances can also be built in to a straight, L-shape or U-shape bar to complete your outdoor cooking paradise.

PATIO HEATERS

If chilly weather brings on the blues in your region, make the most of your outdoor space with a propane-powered patio heater that allows for entertaining nearly year-round. Propane patio heaters can raise the outdoor air temperature up to 25 F while emitting a circle of radiant heat up to 25 feet in diameter. Next time you want to get outside before patio season arrives, start up a propane patio heater to enjoy cozy warmth in a clean, safe, reliable way.

FIREPLACES

Another option for bringing warmth to outdoor entertaining can happen with the push of a button in the form of a propane fireplace or fire pit. These smokeless solutions come without the maintenance of wood-burning fires, meaning you can enjoy the heat and ambiance of flames dancing in the night sky while skipping the fuss of soot, ash and burning logs. Plus, clean-energy propane delivers heat more efficiently with a lower carbon footprint than traditional energy sources like wood, which take a toll on the environment.

POOL HEATERS

You can maximize your fun for as much of the year as possible and combat the elements with propane pool and spa heaters. Available for in-ground and above ground pools and spas, propane heaters operate at a higher efficiency than electric systems and maintain heat better in cooler weather while also operating cleanly and taking up minimal space.

NO FUSS FLOORING

Local experts discuss best options for the high-traffic kitchen

By JENN WILLHITE | PHOTOS By ADOBE STOCK

wWhen looking for options to stylishly revamp tired kitchen flooring while meeting the challenges of day-to-day life, many homeowners are leaning into luxury vinyl plank and tile for a variety of reasons, experts say.

Tony Burton, owner of Burton’s Flooring Center in Franklin, says luxury vinyl plank is leading the pack when it comes to flooring trends because it offers better features for weathering the potential challenges posed by water, small children and pets over the long term.

Although nothing replaces real porcelain, wood or stone, the benefits of the convenience luxury vinyl plank offers far outweigh the cons, he says.

Luxury vinyl flooring brings ease of care, convenience, affordability and added floor warmth, Burton says, however, it is important to note that vinyl plank isn’t necessarily bulletproof against all potentialities.

“It is definitely a savings compared to real stone or real tile,” he says. “There’s a

benefit of floor height with vinyl plank because you don’t have to raise your floor so high and it doesn’t take an underlayment, typically.”

Joseph King, store manager with Floors to Go in Greenwood, adds that luxury vinyl plank is multi-transitional, which brings cohesiveness and continuity throughout the home.

Compared to sheet vinyl or ceramic tile — which can handle a little water — luxury vinyl plank is 100 percent waterproof and allows for ease of transition from room to room without the old school use of trim, which normally defines transitions between flooring types.

“It allows you to put that wood-looking product right at the front door and continue it through those areas that would have typically had a different kind of floor covering,” King says.

Contrast that with actual wood flooring, which isn’t very forgiving and can be damaged, dinted and scuffed, and requires regular maintenance and care.

Not only does luxury vinyl plank not only look like real tile, but it comes in a variety of colors and patterns to complement any décor and style. It is not only easy on the eyes, but its interlocking design makes for easy installation with little hassle, he adds.

“Light-colored flooring is trending right now,” Burton says. “Many people are opting for warm tones, like browns and light grays.”

These days the turnaround time from order to installation is around four to six weeks, Burton says. The timing of the actual installation of new flooring is dependent on the size of the job, but generally for a 300- to 500-square-foot space it takes about one single day, King adds.

Most homeowners want the ease of installation without the fuss, says Tabatha Bowman, assistant manager with LL Flooring in Greenwood.

Luxury vinyl plank offers its own elements of convenience and, for many, it’s the price, she says.

“Vinyl is a lot cheaper at around the $2 to $3 range,” Bowman says. “It is easy to get and put down.”

Overall, vinyl flooring to laminate is generally going to be the most economical option beginning around the $2-per-square-foot range. By comparison, organic materials like hardwood to slate can cost in the neighborhood of $4 to $6 per square foot on the low end and as much as $28 or more per square foot depending, on the material and source.

Continued on Page 16

When choosing what type of flooring is best, shoppers are encouraged to consider their lifestyle and the kind of traffic of the intended area. Clearly, vinyl flooring in its many iterations offers more economical convenience coupled with durability and long lifespan with little risk of damage or issues over the long-haul.

The main difference between vinyl or laminate and organically-sourced flooring of a more natural and porous material is upkeep.

“Hardwood is a bit different because you need certain cleaners and things, so you don’t put a glaze on it,” Bowman says. “You just need normal mop and water for vinyl and laminate flooring.”

For those who are undecided, Bowman recommends going

online for ideas. Common apps like Pinterest and Instagram can be a fount of unending inspiration, Bowman says.

“We do have people who will come in and buy five or six boxes of different flooring and integrate them all together to make their own style of flooring, which I think is really neat,” she says. “They will just buy different colors and lock them together. The only issue is they all have to be the same width.”

Aside from doing a little homework, Bowman recommends shoppers come prepared with not only their inspiration, but measurements.

“Have your measurements ready,” Bowman says. “Generally, people will come in for one thing and start looking and will go for another. The main thing is having your square footage and then add about eight to ten percent, just in case.”

ADD SOME ARTISTIC FLAIR wallpaper making a comeback

By KAITLyN KEEGAN, HARTFORD COURANT | PHOTO By TRIBUNE NEWS SERvICE

Over the years, wallpaper has been all the rage. Step into a house renovated from the 1950s to early 1990s, there is probably a lot of wallpaper. Current generations remember the sticky, smelly glue that soaked into your sheetrock and ruined anything it touched. As we turned into the mid-to-late ‘90s, wallpaper began to fall out of favor.

Homeowners began ripping it down, dealing with the price tag-like paper that left glue everywhere. They steamed, they scraped, they wet the walls with wallpaper stripper — anything that would help peel the stubborn paper and glue off.

Nowadays, wallpaper is back and better than ever.

The new wallpaper does not apply the same way as it used to. There are two methods in which wallpaper can be

applied. Either paste the wall or peel and stick. It used to be that the installer had to soak the paper to activate the adhesive.

Peel and stick is the most commonly used; it is like using a sticker. Paste is used for more heavy, high-quality wallpapers with a non-woven backing. You apply the glue to the wall and then hang the dry paper. You can then adjust the paper and smooth it out as needed before it dries.

The best part? Peel and stick wallpaper can often be reused.

Wallpaper that has a non-woven backing can be peel off dry and leave behind some spots of glue that can be washed off with soapy water. The important thing about modern wallpaper is proper preparation of the walls prior to application. Make sure paint is dry and the walls are clean before you apply it.

Beside the changes in application, wallpaper is now accepted and encouraged in the interior design world.

“Wallpaper is a great way to add drama to a space,” Kellie Burke of Kellie Burke Interiors said. “It adds that artistic flare that a piece of art would bring to a space.”

Whether an accent wall or a whole room, wallpaper is a way to add individuality into a space. Individuality and bold colors are both trending for 2023.

“We are also loving the reinvented granny florals that were such a trend in the ’80s,” Burke said. “Layering of the same pattern on drapery, upholstery and walls is magic and warms up a space.”

When looking at your space and considering what to do, or while questioning a choice, Burke said to go for it.

“Dare to be bold,” she said.

With remote and hybrid work schedules here to stay for many Americans, it’s important to have a space dedicated to comfort and productivity. The initial transition to remote work may have involved setting up an impromptu workstation at the dining room table but creating a long-term, functional home office can be one of the first steps to increasing efficiency, focus and productivity.

Whether your work area is a spacious room, small den or a desk in a quiet spot in the house, these ideas can help you create a space where you enjoy working.

SELECT PERFECT LOCATION

While some remote workers have a spare bedroom or den they can dedicate as a home office, others may need to create a multi-use area in which office space occupies another room, such as the dining room, family room or basement. If you have several options for your workspace, consider how lighting and sound may impact your ability to focus.

For example, positioning your desk near a window can help increase your mood and reduce boredom. Similarly, if possible, choose a location where noise from other family members moving around or traffic outside will be less of a distraction. Earplugs or background noise can help drown out sounds if you’re restricted to a specific location in your home.

CHOOSE A DESK AND CHAIR

Start by measuring your space to see how large of a desk you can accommodate then

COMFORT & PRODUCTIvITy

decide between a traditional desk or trendy adjustable-height version, which can allow you to sit and stand throughout the workday and has been shown to provide health benefits in addition to increasing work performance. An ergonomic chair with a padded seat and armrests is also a must-have to provide lumbar support and increase comfort while seated.

FIND STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Storage is one of the most critical aspects when designing your home office. To avoid clutter and keep documents and other items organized, consider options such as built-in cabinets and shelving, base cabinets with desk file drawers, utility cabinets and wall bookcases.

You can even customize your cabinets and choose from a wide selection of styles including traditional, transitional, casual, formal, contemporary or eclectic with options from Wellborn Cabinet.

KEEP COLOR IN MIND

Colors can influence productivity and mood, so it’s important to consider them when designing or updating your workspace. Avoid white, which can lead to boredom, and instead choose a color scheme that can make a positive impact.

Warm colors like red or orange can increase energy; blues are relaxing and can help keep blood pressure down; and green can help reduce stress.

By FAMILy FEATURES

An on-trend option like the Granny Chic Home Office from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., can be set up in nearly any area of the home to create a stylish workspace. Featuring Premier Series cabinets with Napa doors in an olive finish and satin nickel hardware, this desk and hutch also includes base and crown moulding to help set it apart as a space devoted to productivity. Plus, accessories like a wastebasket pullout, drawer inserts and dividers, and tiered organizers can make organization easy.

ADD PLANTS AND DECOR

Office plants provide numerous benefits, including improving air quality and increasing productivity. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of Environmental Horticulture” found productivity increased 12% when workers performed a task on a computer in a room with plants compared to those who performed the task in the same room without plants. Low-maintenance species such as orchids and succulents also produce a pleasant aroma and earthy atmosphere to decrease stress.

In addition, consider your space’s decorations if you will be conducting video calls. If your home office doesn’t have much natural light, place a light source behind the camera. While the background for your calls should be relatively neutral, a mural or art on the walls or shelves can complement your professionalism and add a creative touch to your space.