Spring Home & Garden - East/Northeast

Gardening with a purpose takes rootCheck out the top 2011 gardening trends.

Get your landscape in shapeExpert advice.

Keep pests from hatching in your homeInsects that hibernate in the winter re-appear in spring.

Color the new year with trends for 2011See what’s hot in home decorating.

Features36

Roof Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Perfection Handyman . . . . . . . . . . .5

Roger’s Pavement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tom Viox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Deck Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Four Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Featured businesses

8

11

ContactSpring Home & Garden is an annual advertising-sponsored

magazine published by the Specialty Publications Departmentof The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor MelissaStewart c/o The Community Press/

394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 or e-mail [email protected].

For advertising information call 687-4614.

Home & GardenMarch 2011 East | Northeast 3

Put on your garden gloves andjoin in the fun because “gardeningwith a purpose” is taking root.

The purpose may be to growyour own food or create urbansanctuaries, but planting for agreener good is changing neighbor-hoods and communities – one gar-den at a time.

According to the Association ofProfessional Landscape Designers,homeowners are growing more oftheir own food – more herbs, veg-etables and fruit trees – both indedicated vegetable gardens andmixed in the garden among flowersand shrubs.

But it’s not just food productionthat’s driving today’s gardener.

As backyard conservationists,gardeners are transforming yards,gardens, rooftops and even urbanalleys into green and productivespaces.

Here’s a glimpse of what SusanMcCoy, garden trend spotter, seesfor 2011.

Gardening with a purpose Nine out of 10 households want

to manage their lawns and gardensin an environmentally friendly way,according to the NationalGardening Association.

“Gardens continue to reflectawareness of how our landscapesenhance and improve the environ-ment around us,” Patricia St. John,president of the Association ofProfessional Landscape Designers,says of this trend.

Since healthy plants start withhealthy soil, people are looking forsustainable and organic soils likeOMRI-listed, compost-based, pre-mium-blend potting soil fromOrganic Mechanics Soil Company.

This all-purpose premier blend isgood for all your plants and goodfor the earth.

Eco-scapingThe move to de-lawn large

tracks of turf and transform lawnsinto sustainable landscapes isachievable with the right plants thatuse less water and pesticides.

Beautiful native plants likeSolidago “Solar Cascade,” exclu-

sively available from North CreekNurseries, part of The AmericanBeauties Native Plant collection,are low-maintenance plants thatattract wildlife and beneficial polli-nators like butterflies, bees andbirds.

Proceeds benefit the NationalWildlife Federation’s CertifiedWildlife Habitat Program.

Sustainable containers For small space gardens, grow-

ing food in containers makes sense.Blended containers with herbs andveggies provide a one-two combofor freshness and convenience.

And, containers blooming withnatives, re-bloomers and ornamen-tal grasses beautify spaces and ben-efit the environment.

Succulents Dry gardening using less water

is bubbling across the nation.Attractive and low-maintenancesucculents have showy flowers andthick, fleshy foliage that storeswater like a camel’s hump.

Drought-tolerant and able tothrive in a variety of conditions,succulents look great in small gar-dens and large landscapes.

Get ideas from Costa Farms onvarieties that you can mix withperennials, containers and stand-alone or in roof gardens.

Indoor gardening From “steampunk” Victorian

hipster decor rocking among youngurbanites to upscale suburbanhomes, decorating with house-plants like orchids, ferns and palmsis hot.

Chic and easy to grow, orchidsadd a lavish touch to any room.Plus these hard-working beautiesclean indoor air of volatile organiccompounds and provide oxygen.

Phalaenopsis (moth) orchids aswell as other varieties are perfectchoices for affordable, colorfulplants that look as comfortable in21st-century homes as they did inVictorian days.

To learn more about the healthbenefits of indoor houseplants,check out www.O2forYou.org.

Growing up with vertical gardening

“Vertical gardens are becomingincreasingly popular and will growfar beyond anything we can envi-sion,” says Joe Zazzera, with PlantSolutions, Inc. and Green Plants forGreen Buildings (GPGB.org).

“Businesses are seeing the pro-ductivity, environmental qualityand return on investment thatindoor plantings and vertical livingwalls are bringing to their projects.”

From containers with climbingvines, flowers and veggies to verti-cal walls blooming with edibles,plants are growing up.

Urban farming and CSAs In step with the move to reinvig-

orate communities, urban farmingand Community SupportedAgriculture farms (CSAs) arespringing up nationwide. Urbanfarming “micro-farms” are convert-ing small spaces in blighted areasinto thriving farms that grow freshproduce for inner city communities.

CSAs offer fresh produce andprovide the chance to learn aboutvarieties, maintaining plants andsharing experiences.

New urbanismSustainable urban communities

that offer spots to enjoy an outdoorlifestyle are on the rise.

Planting water-wise plants, col-lecting rainwater, building walkablestreets, and fostering diversity ofshops, homes and apartments withless turf and more plants encour-ages better stewardship of theearth, and reconnects everyone asfellow stewards of resources andcommunities.

“We had trouble wrapping ourheads around saving the rainforests,” says McCoy, “But we clear-ly can wrap our arms around sav-ing our own backyards. Diggingand planting gardens brings aware-ness that we’re all earth’s caretak-ers.”

For a complete look at theGarden Media Group 2011 GardenTrends visit: www.gardenmedia-group.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Gardening with a purpose takes rootTOP 2011GARDENING

TRENDS

Orchids are perfect choices foraffordable, colorful plants thatlook as comfortable in 21st-cen-tury homes as they did inVictorian days.

Beautiful native plants, likeSolidago “Solar Cascade” fromNorth Creek Nurseries, are greatfor attracting wildlife in yourbackyard.

Blended containers in frontyards with herbs and veggiesprovide a one-two combo thatcan’t be beat for freshness andconvenience.

From containers with climbingvines, flowers and veggies tovertical walls blooming with edi-bles and foliage, plants aregrowing up.

4 Home & Garden East | Northeast

Just before thespring growing seasonis the ideal time toprune trees andshrubs, because thetrees can quickly healand regenerate oncethey start growing.

As interest grows in living more efficient-ly, people are building smaller homes. Infact, new homes are now 7 percent smallerthan they were the previous year, accordingto the U.S. Census Bureau.

Trendy kitchen color palettes. Boldexpression: Exuding optimism, this palettecreates a look that is both unconventionaland energetic. Unique color mixes, such asintense purple combined with butterscotchand Capri blue, or sunny orange with darkred balanced against a soft neutral likechampagne, create a space that's eclectic,yet warm and welcoming.

Hot home tips & facts

It’s going to be a busy seasonfor roofers because of recordwinds, rainfall, and accumulatingsnow, many roofs in the area are“devastated,” explained JDShoemaker of A New Roof Time.

Also in the current economicclimate, there’s a movement to“improve, not move” mentalityby homeowners. More and morepeople are choosing to invest intheir house by adding attic insu-lation and changing their roofs toshingles that resist ugly blackstains and strong winds that arerampant in the Ohio valley. Inaddition to the beauty and com-fort these type of improvementscreate, homeowners also receivethe added benefit of improvedproperty value should they everdecide to sell.

At Roof Time, spring hassprung. Their roof crews arebooked through the first of Apriland their estimators have beenbusy preparing new estimatessince the first of the year. Their

company keeps busy year rounddue to their “approved insurancevendor” status with many agentsand the fact that they have abooth in three home shows.

A New Roof Time is a wisechoice for homeowners lookingfor honest, skilled work. Theyhave earned the prestigiousAngie’s List award every yearsince 2006. Fewer than 5 percentof the roofing companies inCincinnati receive this award;fewer than 2 percent win it withconsistency. Their A-plus ratingas members of the BBB and com-plaint-free record proves thathomeowners can trust them to doeverything they promise.

“It is our No. 1 priority toalways do the right thing by ourcustomers,” stated JD Shoemaker.

Roof Time is also one of onlythree contractors in the Tristatethat are Owens Corning certifiedas “Top of the House” insulation-ventilation-roofing experts. “Weexclusively recommend and

install the Owens Corning line ofproducts,” explained Shoemaker.“Homeowners know and trustthe OC brand, plus the quality,price and selection are second toanything else out there.”

Roof Time crews are requiredto always be up to date on thenewest products, technology andcodes, through company paidseminars and certifications’annually conducted by OwensCorning. The company also usesqualified estimators that do notwork on commission. Thisensures that the customer alwaysreceives an honest estimate.

“We’re not the biggest compa-ny,” said Shoemaker. “There aresome that have been aroundlonger, some that are cheaper,some that are more expensive,but there is not a company thatwill provide the level of detail orwork as hard for a homeowner aswe will.”

Most roofing companies canonly be reached weekdays 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m. The reality, however, isthat a storm can happen onnights, weekends, and holidays.“If you need us we’re there,” saidShoemaker. “We know if some-one is calling it means they needhelp, so we forward our officelines to an emergency cell to beavailable.”

Roof Time provides free writ-ten estimates and will explainwhat they can do to fix a home’sissues. Services include newroofs, roof repairs, attic insula-tion, and seamless gutters, andare among the best in the city.They also are box gutter expertsand love working on olderhomes. Their use of digital cam-eras, satellite measurements, andthermal camera scans allow themto provide “to-the-inch measure-ments for to-the-penny pricing’

Visit the website atwww.newrooftime.com or call513-753-8463 to get a free inspec-tion of your roof, attic insulationor gutter system.

Don’t delay – it’s Roof Time now

We have all spent the lastthree months cooped up in ourhouses and most of us have puttogether a list of needed homeimprovement projects a milelong. Now it’s time to bring inthe experts!

Perfection Handyman canhandle all of your home repairs,remodels and maintenance needs.

Their business grew naturallyfrom their sister company,Perfection Pest Control, becausethose customers were always ask-ing for handyman suggestionsfrom issues that had arisen fromtheir pest issues. Both companiesare owned and operated by TimLeatherman who has been servingNorthern Kentucky and GreaterCincinnati for over a decade.

Leatherman and his team ofhighly experienced professionalswould often times see termitedamage and would recommendthat their customers fix thoseissues and also install other pre-ventative measures like door and

window stripping. It only madesense to expand their services toinclude home repairs so that theircustomers could receive qualitypest control along with qualityhandyman repairs.

Perfection Handyman can dojust about anything includingpatch drywall, install electric fix-tures, plumbing, hang new doorsand build decks and porches.Over the last several years theyhave become experts at installingscreen porches.

They use a system calledScreen-Eze that comes with a 10-year warranty. This product cancontinuously stretch screen overa 150-square-feet area withoutsupport in between.

Another great service thatPerfection offers their customersis a maintenance plan that takesthe burden off the homeowner toperform routine mundane tasks.Perfection’s maintenance plancan be taken advantage of on aquarterly, bi-annual or annual

routine and includes a full homeinspection on such things aschanging filters and checking thehot water heater.

Free estimates are offered onall of your projects and all formsof credit cards are accepted.

The entire staff at PerfectionHandyman is committed to pro-viding the same quality servicethat Perfection Pest Control isknown for delivering. The PestControl company was given theSuper Service Award for 2010from Angie’s List. They are alsoQuality Pro Certified, a designa-tion given by the National PestManagement Association for acompany’s exemplary businessethics and standards.

Perfection Pest Control offersresidential and commercial pestcontrol services for termites, ants,cockroaches, fleas, rats, bats andbed bugs. Spring is the time totreat your home for ants and ter-mites and a regular preventativemaintenance plan is the best

solution to keeping your homefree of these pests.

Perfection has been treatingfor bed bugs for over five yearsand was the first Kentucky basedcompany to use a certified bedbug detection K-9 team. Beddyand Sofy are single-scent traineddogs certified through the ActionCanine Institute in Michigan.

Beddy and Sofy team up for ahighly thorough inspection andcan find one bed bug (or a viableegg) in a room in 8 to 10 minutes.Perfection K-9 Services can effi-ciently search not only privateresidences but also theaters,office buildings, hotels, universi-ty dorms, and hospitals.

Perfection also provides semi-nars for businesses interested ineducating their employees onbed bugs.

Perfection Pest Control’s serv-ices include a treatment proposaland instructions on pest manage-

Home & GardenMarch 2011 5

Invite the Perfection Handyman experts into your home

See PERFECTION on page 6

ment. They provide a planet-

friendly approach to pestmanagement and on-going preventive inspec-tions to keep your prop-erty protected. They

always respond promptlyand you can rely on theirteam to always be profes-sional and on time.

For more informationon Perfection PestControl and Handyman

visit their website atwww.perfectionpest.comor call 859-525-8560 for atrained professional toassess your handymanneeds or pest controlissues.


Asphalt is the mostrecycled product inAmerica! Conservingresources now is the keyto saving the planet.

Local pavement con-tractor, Doug Rogers,owner of RogersPavement MaintenanceInc. in Blue Ash, is astrong advocate for recy-cling and conservingresources.

“It's important to meand my company that wetake measures to recycleand save our valuable nat-ural resources,” Dougsaid.

“I'm a parent and con-cerned citizen and I wantmy children and futuregenerations to be able toenjoy our planet and all ithas to offer, which is whywe at RPM take advan-

tage of recycled asphalticmaterials as well as recy-cled gravel as often as wecan.”

RPM takes pride intheir workmanship andprovides superior qualitywith every job.

“What makes us suc-cessful is the completesatisfaction of our cus-tomers,” said Rogers.

“We will manage yourproject from start to finishwith minimal disruption toyour daily schedule.”Rogers adds, “We strive toexceed your expectationsand believe we only get oneopportunity to do our best.”

Their expertise is notlimited to driveways only.

“Our professional serv-ices include patching,resurfacing, paving, crack-filling or sealcoating. We

service patios, hardscapes,sports courts and walk-ways, both residential andcommercial,” heexplained.

Whether your jobrequires maintenance orcomplete replacement,there are numerousoptions available atRogers PavementMaintenance. If you arenot sure what to look forin a quote or need a betterunderstanding of pavingand sealcoating terminol-ogy, please visit their blogat pavementmadeeasy.net

Rogers PavementMaintenance wants you tobecome another satisfiedcustomer this year!

Call them for a competi-tive quote today – 791-9001or visit their website atwww.rogerspavement.com.

Is black the new green?

PERFECTION | From 5

Now is the time to startplanning your landscapefor spring and summer.

Tackling a landscapingplan can be overwhelm-ing, so it’s a good idea toconsult a professionallandscape designer whoknows the ins and outs ofwhen, where and how toplant and how to installhardscapes.

By starting in the win-ter, designers will be morereadily available to helpyou refine your plans andyou’ll be ready to get ahead start as soon as theweather breaks.

Here are some tipsfrom professional land-scape designers that willinspire you to get startedwith your plans rightnow.

Consider the viewIs there a certain room

from which you tend tospend more time lookingout at your landscape?

If so, take the time toreally examine whatyou’re seeing. Take note –literally – of anything thatcatches your eye, good orbad.

Follow the sightlines,and notice where theytake your eyes.

This will give you abetter defined idea ofwhat you want to accen-tuate, what you want tohide, and what could beadjusted through simplechanges like pruning orminor transplanting.

Collect inspirationFlipping through mag-

azines with colorful pho-tos of beautiful gardens isalways fun, but it can alsobe practical.

Pull out pages that fea-ture ideas or plants thatyou’d like to incorporateinto your landscapedesign.

Be sure to look at

smaller photos, whichoften have a hard timestanding up to full-pageimages, as they can be justas rich with ideas.

Creating a file ofimages that inspire andexcite you is a good idea,and it can be a great wayto connect with yourlandscape designer whenyou meet.

Think curb appealHaving a beautiful

backyard retreat is oftenthe goal of a landscapingproject, but the view thatguests and passersbyhave is just as important.

A well-designed land-scape can emphasize yourhome’s beauty and dimin-ish any potential eyesores,making it more appealingto you, your neighborsand any potential buyers.

According to the“Journal of EnvironmentalHorticulture,” it’s beenshown that well-designedlandscapes can increasehome sale prices up to10.8 percent, compared tohomes with simply aver-age landscapes.

Courtesy of ARAContent

Expert design tips

A stepping stone path beckonsthrough a classic arbor designed bylandscape designer Susan Cohan.

Designed by Margie Grace, thislandscape has a lovely focal point todraw attention.

Tom Viox, owner ofTom Viox Construction,has 35 years of experi-ence. He has built customhomes, and has donemany years of high-endremodeling.

Owning his own busi-ness for 12 years, he takesgreat pride in all his work.Tom only does qualitywork and craftsman shipthat you can trust. He isdependable and has rea-sonable rates.

"I have an eye fordetail he said.

“Your home is yourbiggest Investment so atTom Viox Constructionwe do not take that light-ly. If you are not happy, Iam not happy. My cus-tomers are treated withrespect because I wantthem to feel like they cancall me for any of their

repairs for their homesand rely on me for manyyears.”

Free estimates, promptprofessional service, pic-tures and references ofjobs already completedare available with everyproject. All his work isguaranteed and he is fullyinsured – there are nosub-contractors. You workwith Tom on a one-on-one

basis.Tom’s work includes:

all exterior repairs andupgrade, decks, windows,kitchen, bath remodels,closet designs, some lightplumbing and electric.

“I can do just aboutanything,” Tom explained.

“So give me a call andtry me out. You won't bedisappointed. My workspeaks for itself.”


Your home is yourbiggest investment

Tom Viox

Call 687-4614 to advertise in CCrreeaattiivveeLiving


As spring approaches,homeowners won’t be theonly ones opting for stay-cations. Insects that hibernateduring cold winter monthsreappear in the spring, settingtheir sights on a location clos-er to home than you think –the safety and warmth ofyour house.

Hundreds of thousands ofpests breed and hatch in largenumbers in early spring. Forexample, most spiders liveeither one to two seasons andone female spider may pro-duce as many as 3,000 eggs.

“Hidden places in yourhome could be the breedingground for pests that hatch inspring,” says Aaron Hobbs,president of RISE(Responsible Industry for aSound Environment), anational organization repre-senting the manufacturers,

formulators and distributorsof pesticide and fertilizerproducts used in and aroundhomes and businesses.

“Once these pests hatch,their numbers quicklyincrease, and food sourcesand shelter often determinethe length of their stay.”

Pests like bedbugs andstink bugs that have foundtheir way into homes acrossthe country often stay yearround, as long as they findfood and shelter.

Also, as the spring real-estate market heats up, manylenders are requiring re-inspections that could revealpest-related health and safetyhazards. At least buyers andsellers are on the same pageabout one thing: the impor-tance of taking preventiveaction to avoid or managepest infestations. Ask any pest

management professional toshare horror stories aboutproblems new homeownershave experienced with pests,often with repercussions forsellers who neglected to fix aproblem.

What can homeowners andsellers do? Take these easy-to-follow steps, suggested by theacronym I.N.S.P.E.C.T listedto the right.

To make inspecting yourhome easy, visitwww.debugthemyths.com/inspectandprotect for a step-by-step checklist. You’ll also findadditional resources includingregional fact sheets, kids’activities and other helpfulinformation to help you pro-tect your family’s health andyour property value frompests.


Keep spring pests fromhatching in your home

As spring approaches, bugs are breeding and hatching in the cleanest of homes.

IINNvveessttiiggaattee – Become a pest detectiveand investigate your home or a poten-tial new home for pest problems. On

the inside of your home, open food containers,look for cracks in interior walls, look for signsof droppings, check vents to the outside, holesin window screens and know that pests like tohide in cool, dark places like attics and base-ments. On the outside of your home, makesure the cold temperatures aren’t causingcracks in your exterior walls, and investigatefor holes, unsealed garbage cans, woodpilesand plants that may be too close to the home.Also, check any structure that can hold stand-ing water, which is a favorite breeding groundfor mosquitoes. Also check for stinging insectnests on the ground or in your gutters.

SSttuuddyy – Identify your pest problem sothat you can use the proper method tosolve or control the issue. Take time to

search reputable online sites to identify pests.You can also contact a university extensionoffice, or visit a local garden store that mayhave insight on common pests in the area.

PPrreeppaarree – Think about the tools you’llneed to solve your problem, includinggloves, caulk and insecticides or herbi-

cides. “One of the most common problemshomeowners have is that they aren’t surewhich products to use or who to call to solvethe problem,” says Janet Hurley, integratedpest management specialist with the TexasAgriLife Extension Service. “Doing yourresearch, talking to professionals and correctlyusing the products are the quickest ways toeffectively end those pesky pest problems.”

EElliimmiinnaattee – Take the time to eliminateaccess points and other inviting entry-ways for pests lurking outside.

Remember to seal windows, caulk gapsaround windows and doors and fix any waterleaks. Be ready to tackle neglected or over-grown shrubs and trees near your home.These areas encourage ticks, fleas and sting-ing insects to stay, increasing your risk forLyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever,and infections and allergic reactions resultingfrom bites and stings.

CClleeaann – Pests need a place to live, foodand a source of water, so make sureyou aren’t providing them with room,

board and all the comforts of home. For exam-ple, store cereals, crackers and other fooditems in plastic containers with secure lids.Without easy access, pests won’t be able tofind their way into your food.

TTrreeaatt – Treating pest problems with theresponsible use of pesticide products willhelp keep your home, lawn and commu-

nity pest-free. This includes purchasing theright products for your problem. For some sig-nificant pest problems, such as termites, call-ing a certified pest professional is the bestoption.


Deck Aid, a deck cleaning andsealing company, is dedicated tocleaning and protecting woodendecks, fences, play-sets and gaze-bo. They can also do minorrepairs.

“Quality service at a reason-able price,” is their top priority,according to Operations ManagerDavid Pritchard.

Deck Aid is committed tousing safe and effective products.They will help you select the cor-rect product to protect yourinvestment. These products areall biodegradable and environ-mentally friendly.

Deck Aid has the appropriateproducts, the necessary equip-ment and proper training to dothe job right.

They are happy to providedetailed information on each ofthe products they use and arebonded, licensed and fullyinsured, which is important.

The absorption of rain, snow

and other moisture into unpro-tected wood will cause it to soft-en and expand. The sun will drythe wood, causing it to shrink.

This unrelenting cycle willwarp, split and crack you wood.Unprotected wood is also subjectto mildew, algae, mold, rot,decay, and graying caused fromultraviolet degradation.

After your deck is pressuredwashed thoroughly, Deck Aidadvises that an oil basedstain/sealant be applied to pro-tect your wood from weatheriz-ing.

A new deck should be sealedwithin six to eight weeks afterconstruction. Regular schedulingfor cleaning and sealing is alsorecommended every two years toprotect your investment and keepit looking top notch.

Deck Aid, Wolman-certified, istrained in the proper techniquesof treating all types of wood.They use a specialized sealant

with your choice of four premi-um stains: Golden Pine, Natural,Cedar and Redwood.

Other colors can be done atthe customer’s request.

“Not only do we use top qual-ity products but we have aunique process that is designedto protect from overspray pro-tecting your largest investment,your house,” said Pritchard.

Deck Aid also offers storage offurniture and other outdooraccessories over the winter. Thisincludes pick-up and delivery,cleaning, sealing and storingyour furniture.

Deck Aid is a member of theBetter Business Bureau,Cincinnati USA RegionalChamber of Commerce andHome Builders Association ofNorthern Kentucky.

For more information call 859-344-1221 or visit www.deckaid.com.Deck Aid offers excellent 24/7 cus-tomer service.

Quality service, reasonable price

Hothome tips

Check your yard forbare spots and overseedthem, as necessary.

Give your yard a goodraking or use a dethatcherto get rid of any deadgrass or leaves that canhamper growth. If youdon't have an overseederor dethatcher, don't worry.

Your local rental storeswill have tools and equip-ment you need.

Visit RentalHQ.com ifyou need help finding arental store in your area.


Going green begins with land-scaping. Landscaping is one ofthe few opportunities in thegreen movement that actuallypays for itself.

A recent study by a major uni-versity found that landscapingcan often result in a return oninvestment in excess of 100 per-cent. The report concluded that“homeowners wanting toincrease the value of their prop-erty will do well to consider thecost-effective return potential ofquality landscaping and to safe-guard their investments by hiringlicensed professional landscapecontractors to perform the work.”

A society of real estateappraisers survey revealed that95 percent of the appraisers

responding to the surveybelieved that landscaping adds tothe value of real estate with 99percent of them saying itenhanced its sales appeal.Various other studies show thatlandscaping can increase proper-ty values from 5 percent to 20percent.

In addition to increasing prop-erty values, proper utilization oflandscaping can reduce energycosts up to 30 percent.Evergreens can provid an effec-tive wind barrier during the coldwinter months. Well-placed treesand shrubs can also help cut airconditioning costs. Trees, shrubs,ground covers and grass are veryeffective at intercepting and soak-ing up the sun’s heat while tran-

spiring cool moister into the air.Air conditioners run much less ina home shaded by trees than theydo in one that is baked by thesun. Deciduous plants drop theirleaves in winter and have theadvantage of allowing the sun toreach buildings in the winter forwarmth, yet provide heat duringthe summer. The proper place-ment of shrubs around an out-door air conditioner or heatpump can also save energy.

In addition to the financialrewards landscaping can pro-vide, there are numbers of otherbenefits. Properly designed andinstalled landscaping providesprivacy and reduces noise. Plantsimprove air quality by consum-ing green house gases and pro-

ducing oxygen. Landscapes canbe designed to attract desirablewildlife such as butterflies andhumming birds. Optimal use ofoutdoor space along withimproved home appearanceresult in a higher quality of life.

At Four Seasons GroundsManagement they have morethan 50 years of experience andwon numerous awards in thegarden industry. Four Seasonsuses environmentally friendlyand recycled materials wheneverpossible, as well as Americanmade equipment. All of theiremployees are trained, insured,legal, and U.S. taxpayers.

Please call them at 489-7669 tosee how they may be of service toyou!

Financial, environmental benefits of landscapingA sample of what Four Seasons can do for your home.


What’s in store for home deco-rating in 2011? No matter whatyour taste, you’ll have no problemfinding a hue in the 2011 forecast ofpopular paint colors to fit yourlifestyle … and your tastes.

“The 2011 color forecast containssome extraordinarily versatile andcontrasting hues that have beeninspired by everyday life,” saidDonna Schroeder, color marketingand design manager for Dutch BoyPaints.

“The depth and range of whatwe’re predicting to be next year’smost popular colors provide exten-sive options for adding accents to aroom, changing themes and styles,or even completely redecoratingfrom scratch,” she said.

The five 2011 trend palettes areas follows:

WornThe appreciation of old and nat-

urally rusted or decayed items isprevalent in Dutch Boy’s firstpalette. The passage of time is heldsacred, and beauty is seen in allthings weathered from time and theelements. There is a strong influ-ence of holding onto heritage as wecontinue to move forward and look

to the future. A true appreciation ofcraftsmanship and natural materialsand finishes abounds. As such,rusty colors that emanate deepwarmth are featured. These include:Brick Fleck, Bittersweet Orange,Nature’s Way and ChestnutsRoasting.

RebirthSustainability and the respect for

the environment are now a lifestyle.There’s a sense of personal respon-sibility when it comes to nature.This is reflected in these saturatedand wholesome colors. Rich greensare nature inspired and warm goldsmirror the vegetables found in afarmers market. Colors in thispalette include the following:Aubusson Vine, Endless Ocean,Brilliant Impression and Nectar.

WonderEscapism and nature-in-the-

extreme drive the next trend.There’s a definite need for fun andfantasy to satisfy that inner childthat’s in all of us. This trend comesto life with colors such as brightfuchsia, deep blue and cheery aqua,all balanced by a nature-inspiredgreen. You’ll find a hint of 1980s

influence here, but the combina-tions are much newer to the eye.Colors include the following:Moonlit Sky, Rockets, Merlot Grapeand Victory Red.

FunctionalityOn the flip side, there are those

who embrace a truly practical wayof living and look into the depthsand layers of nature. Within thistrend, texture is key and colors aresoft and faded. Windswept andwashed effects and monochromaticlayering set this palette. Colorsinclude the following: BoardwalkBlue, Composed Bloom, SpruceHollow and Range Brown.

AbyssThe last 2011 trend revolves

around technology. Here, technolo-gy influences a stripped-to-the-boneor cellular level of design. The colorpalette reflects a void element, aswe move into the future andbecome ever more reliant on onlineand virtual communication. Colorsare neutral and gray and includethe following Dutch Boy hues:Gargoyle Shadow, Fresh Linen,Pursuit of Happiness and Piccolo.


Colorthe new

year withtrends

for 2011

Spring Home & Garden - East/Northeast

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Transcript of Spring Home & Garden - East/Northeast