The Homefront

Space Lift

The Sorensons’ home renovations are full of warmth, air, and style.

Things are warming up in the Sorenson home, with cosmetic updates to their living room and dining room, bringing style and sophistication to the open space.

For the family room renovation, the Sorensons wanted to remove the carpet, but didn’t want to match it with mismatched tile. So, they began searching for where the existing tile was manufactured in order to replicate it. “We were able to find the tile in Texas,” says Allison Sorenson. “It matched perfectly, but was two inches shorter than the original. So we did a border and laid it in a brick pattern. You can’t even tell Bobby and Allison Sorenson with their 3-year-old daughter, Stella where it starts and ends!” They then added crown molding, a fresh coat of light neutral paint, and a shiplap wall of nine-inch planks.

The dining room also received a new coat of paint and crown molding, as well as a new light fixture and sheer neutral curtains. A new dining set with a simple silhouette and light wood helps brighten the room more than the original deep-colored set. The greatest new feature, though, was removing the chair rail and replacing it with five-foot wainscoting. “Our biggest design change was to make everything light and bright when you walk in,” says Allison.

With the primary indoor entertaining spaces done and wrapped in a bow, the Sorensons have now set their sights on their outdoor space. “Our next plan is turning the backyard into an outdoor oasis for entertaining and swimming,” says Allison. “We can't wait to get the project started!”

HOT GARDENING

Tips for keeping things green this summer.

Tip #1: Check your irrigation systems for clogged or misaligned heads. We mentioned it last summer because of the lack of rain; we’re mentioning it now because two or three days in the high 90s without rain can cause severe stress to lawns and landscapes. This spring put a strain on many landscapes due to irrigation issues.

Tip #2: Fertilize carefully. Orange County has fertilizer restrictions through September, but that doesn’t mean you or your lawn can’t fertilize if you need to, so long as you’re in compliance with the State of Florida’s Green Industry Best Management Practices. We recommend taking the Orange County Fertilizer Application Education Course online.

Tip #3: Save the heavy trimming for fall. The summer sun can cause serious injury to previously shaded plant parts. Planting new plants or stepping up potted plants is fine.

Tip #4: Check on your veggies. New gardeners especially can be frustrated by planting the wrong crops here in the summer—especially tomatoes, which will not set fruit if nighttime temperatures are above 70ºF.

Wes & Vickie Parrish The Parrishes know their landscaping, and have spent years studying the science of horticulture, and previously owned their own nursery. Wes frequently travels around Florida to give seminars about his passion and knowledge.