Home and Garden 2009

Spring 2009

Home & Garden

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Page 2 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

Rearrange a Room to Emerge from a Rut

By Leah Smith with Lynda Parker, Decorator

OppOrtunity is KnOcKing!

Tired of looking at the same, humdrum room, day after day? Perking up and rearranging can make a room much more exciting and enjoyable.

And good news: with these hints from local decorator Lynda Parker, you don't need a lot of money to make some refreshing changes!

1. Paint for cheap and instant drama.

2. Update your artwork. If you like the prints, change the mat; spray-paint the mat a flat black for dramatic elegance.

3. Change the focal point of the room. For instance, in the winter, you might have centered the furniture so that the focus would be on the fireplace.

In the spring, the focal point could become the television or a window.

4. Change your pillows. Add different colors and different textures.

5. Shake things up. Move stuff around. Just because a chest is in the bedroom doesn't mean you can't use it in the foyer or in the dining room as a server, or put it in the living room to hold a lamp or a T.V. 6. Add plants. Real ones are better, but if you're too busy, fake ones work too. Plants add a pop of color and also add softness to a room. A pot of geraniums can add happiness. Add a fake tree in the corner, some greenery on the wardrobe, a potted plant on the coffee table.

7. In the bedroom, buy new bed linens. You can buy a bed-in-a-bag set that comes complete with sheets, comforter, shams, dust ruffle -- the whole nine yards! Then, take one of those colors in your bedding and paint -- the whole room or just an accent wall, say, the wall behind the bed.

With these hot tips, you can take a room from boring to beautiful without spending a lot of money. Not sure what your decorating style is? Just for fun, visit LifeScript.com to take a short quiz.

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Details Make the Difference

by Rebecca Compton, ASID, CKD NCIDQ Certificate #009127

While attending a meeting last year in Hilton Head, I had the opportunity to visit with friends of mine, Donna and Jim, for a few hours. They live in one of the beautiful neighborhoods on the island with winding streets and beautiful

old trees that were left in place as homes have been constructed over the years. Because the homes and landscaping incorporate many of the existing trees, the whole neighborhood has a wonderful natural quality that is very serene--and very beautiful.

During our visit, Jim told me about a new home that was under construction next door, and how beautiful it is. He said, “You have to see it before you leave!” So we took the short walk to see this Italian influenced home.

Despite the fact that a lot of the finishing touches were still being completed, such as the painting, cabinet installation, and lighting installation, it was apparent to me each aspect of this project had been carefully thought out. Each room had a wonderful scale and balance to it. The doors and trim work were beautifully detailed, but not overdone. More dramatic details were used where they had

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the most impact---such as the front door, and the curved staircase in the entry. Even the ceilings in the downstairs hall had a barrel vault detail that was fabulous! I felt a sense of history and tradition as I stood in that space, but with all of the modern conveniences.

The layout of the home felt fairly open, but contained and separated at the same time, with a wonderful flow. The kitchen area was obviously the heart of the home and had been designed for serious entertaining and family gatherings.

It had a family area at the end of the room with access and views to the back yard, porch, and pool area. Even the upstairs bedrooms had access to a second floor porch and covered patio area that was fabulous! Inside and outside, this home had a beautiful symmetry and flow.

Details truly make a difference, as you can tell from my very brief description of the Italian influenced

home I toured. During these tough economic times, when many people are under a lot of stress, it pays to take a careful look at your home and see what changes can be made to make your home a calming retreat for you and your loved ones. It could be something as simple as changing some of the paint colors and rearranging the furniture, art, and accessories. Or, it could be more involved by opening up some areas and rethinking your floor plan, remodeling your bath to create a spa-like retreat, or adding and changing some of the trim and other details. You may want to consider replacing or updating some pieces of furniture, art, rugs, or accessories for a new fresh look. Window treatment and floor covering selections can also have a dramatic effect on a room by helping establish a certain look or mood. The combinations of options are endless.

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Details, from page 3 Regardless of which approach you choose, most projects can be implemented in phases so they are not so overwhelming. By having an overall plan, you can stay focused on the things you need to find or purchase, and not purchase things you don’t need. If you’re not sure where to start, or prefer to have someone else handle these types of projects, help is available for that as well.

As I think about Donna and Jim’s neighborhood again, a feeling of calm and peace enters my mind even now---all because of the landscaping in conjunction with the natural landscape. You sense the environment more than the homes---even though they are beautiful as well--because they are tucked into the landscape. Consider the views as you drive into your driveway each day, as well as the view out of your windows. Inspiration is all around us, as well as in books and magazines. Pay attention to garden areas that create calmness in you, and think about incorporating aspects of those gardens into your landscape. Your landscaping can create a tranquil effect when planned thoughtfully, as well as enhance the value of your home.

Spring is a great time to freshen up your home and garden. Take the time to consider each aspect of your project, and plan each detail carefully. It will pay off for you now as you enjoy those improvements, and later when the time comes to sell your home. Remember, details truly make a difference---inside and outside!

Rebecca Compton received a B.S. in Interior Design from Winthrop in 1983, passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Exam in 1990, is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, a Certified Kitchen Designer, and co-owner of Gallery 406, 406 Miller Rd., Sumter, SC.

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www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13, 2009 • Page 5

Improve Your Focus

By Leah Smith

Your home should be your haven.

But when life gets busy, as it tends to do, the house doesn't protectively step in and start taking care of itself: dirty clothes pile higher; bills are stacked on counters, dressers and tables; faucets leak; weeds grow; and paint chips. And a vicious cycle begins. The more tasks are added to your to-do list of career and parenting responsibilities, the less time and energy you have to take care of your house; and, unfortunately, the more disarray the house withstands, the less energy and focus you have at work, social functions, and even at home.

I know it sounds ironic, but it's time to carve out a couple of days to focus on getting the house in order.

I'm not talking about New Age, Feng Shui, or Zen psychobabble when I say this, but: an orderly home leads to an orderly mind. With the place you live cleaned up and fixed up, you'll be more organized and rest better, and therefore be more productive in other areas. And that's simple psychology.

After reading volumes of "sprucing up your house" information from online sources such as The Frugal Panda, Construction Owl, Buzzle, Fly Lady, Forbes and Sound Money Tips, I consolidated a list of home improvement suggestions:

Clean Up

Starting outside, moving in, pressure wash the house, manicure the lawn, and de-clutter and clean.

Pressure washing removes mold, dirt and grime from not only siding, but also brickwork, driveways, patios, garden walls, pathways, garden furniture and so much more. A wellmanicured lawn has short grass, edged driveways and sidewalks and neatly trimmed bushes and grass.

Hire professionals to get you going, and the upkeep will be much easier; in addition, if you're working with a limited amount of time -- for instance, a weekend, -- you can be working on the inside while the professionals are working on the outside. Getting rid of clutter in your home makes cleaning it a snap. If you can't bear to throw See Improve page 6

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Page 6 • Friday, MArch 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

Improve, from page 5 away, give away, or sell, then store unused furniture and other items that are causing your home to look cluttered. "Fly Lady" recommends putting on your tennis shoes, turning on some music, making the beds, starting a load of laundry and scrubbing the kitchen sink to get started.

Lighten Up

Pretty light, enough light and energy-saving light are all bright ways to improve your home. Does your entryway say, "welcome home?" If not, replace the entry light with something attractive that works. Does your home have enough light and enough ambiance? Lamps add a warm glow to a room and make for a cozier night-time atmosphere than do harsh overhead lights. To save even more electricity, replace 100-watt bulbs with 60-watt ones. Adding a floor lamp to a corner of a room can create a soft glow; and with all the different styles of lamps that are available, you're sure to find some that fit your taste. Finally, replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs saves energy and money.

Color

A coat of fresh paint in a fashionable color can make a big difference in the airiness and feeling of a room. An added benefit to painting a room is that preparations to paint will force you to move "stuff" -- which often leads to de-cluttering (see #1, Clean Up.)

Repair

Investing in plumbing and electrical repairs not only gives added ease and peace of mind to those who live in the home, these changes can also save money in the long run. A faucet that won't stop dripping, a toilet that keeps running long after it's been flushed, a thermostat that won't regulate...these and other problems are not only aggravating, but they can also tack on extra dollars to the water or the electricity bill. It's crucial to find the right person for the job when hiring for such important repairs,

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so it's a good idea to talk to several professionals and get estimates before hiring. And according to a recent article at Sound Money Tips, plumbing and electrical repairs yield the home-owner a 260 percent return on the investment, should the time come to sell your house. This is not as high as the 973 percent average return on cleaning and de-cluttering, but a greater-than-double return is, still, nothing to sneeze at.

Replace If you do have money to spend and you want to know which rooms are going to give you the most bang for your buck, citings on site after site convey that kitchens and bathrooms are "where it's at." The characteristics of appliances and fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms can give away their age faster than a beehive hairdo on a middle-aged woman! If you have an avacado green or a harvest gold refrigerator or stove, that might be a good sign that it's time for a change. On the other hand, if you don't have the funding, refer back to the old adage, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it." Other refreshers you can make to the kitchen are new cabinet fronts, drawer pulls and floor coverings. In the bathroom, replacing a vanity with a stylish cabinet unit adds both beauty and storage space; replacing a tiny, "70s blue" or "80s pink" bathtub with a garden tub or jacuzzi might just make you not want to come out of the bathroom; replacing an outdated toilet with a new, better flushing one can save hassle (of frequent plunging) and money. And finally, steam off that outdated wallpaper and paint the walls a color worthy of the new millenium.

Of course not all of these suggestions can be accomplished in a weekend. I suggest you choose the area that's bugging you the most - even if it's the project you want to do least - and tackle that. Facing a stressor head-on is the quickest way to making it vanish.

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www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13, 2009 • Page 7

Flower and Vegetable Gardens: Ask a Master Gardener

By Leah Smith with Master Gardener Linda Mungia

When spring pops in for an early visit, flirts, and leaves, many folks start itching to plant, waiting patiently for that final frost of the year to bid us adieu. Some can't wait to fill their flower beds with streams of vibrant color; others dream of the mouth-watering pleasure of being able to pluck fresh veggies and herbs directly from their back yards; and still others are newbies, starting small, barely beginning to garden, yet sure, somehow, that gardening is in their souls.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Linda Mungia, Master Gardener and employee of Sumter's Clemson Extension several questions about planting gardens.

Flower Beds LS: In March, is it best to plant from transplants or seeds, and how soon can flowers be planted?

LM: You can grow plants either from transplants or from seed. Many seed packets contain more seeds than you'll need for your first garden, yet a packet of seeds is less expensive than most transplants and many plants are as easy, and in some cases easier, to start from seed. However, because most seeds are relatively inexpensive, you lose little if you don't plant a complete packet of seed. Remember that you are gardening for enjoyment as well as a successful harvest. You'll have a better gardening experience if you keep rows small and plant a variety of plants than if you limit your garden space to only one or two types of plants. Any young, tender plants should be planted or seeded after the last frost.

LS: When do you plant bulbs?

LM: Purchase bulbs while supplies are good during September or October, but wait to plant until cooler weather. Choose firm bulbs without mold or bruising. Store bulbs in a cool area below 60 °F until planting. Plant daffodils in October or November, but wait to plant other spring-flowering bulbs until the soil temperature at planting depth stays below 60 °F. In coastal areas, most bulbs should be planted in late December or early January. Bulbs can be planted in flower beds, in lawns, around trees, or grown in pots or window boxes.

LS: What are some advantages of planting perennials and of planting annuals?

LM: Since annual plants complete their life cycle and die at the end of each growing season, you'll need to replace them each year. Garden centers and nurseries offer many young annual seedlings priced rather inexpensively in flats that contain four or more plants. This is an added benefit, since many varieties of annuals can be closely grouped to fill in barren areas of your landscape. Although perennial plants are typically more expensive to purchase than annuals, in the long run you may find them less expensive since they last for years beyond a single growing season.

LS: Do you recommend limiting the variety of flowers in a single bed?

LM: For an area in your front yard that you would like to make a statement, using a single planting is recommended. In other areas of your garden, a variety of flower plantings will attract beneficial insects to your garden.

LS: What are some hardy plants you'd recommend to beginners? (or to those who've not had a "green thumb" in the past and need to build their

confidence in their gardening abilities) LM: Here are a few hardy annuals: pansy, sweet alyssum, viola, and many dianthus varieties. Hardy perennials for our area include: Mexican sage, purple verbena, lantana and coneflowers.

Vegetable gardens LS: What are some vegetables that grow particularly well in this area?

LM: Recommendations for vegetables best suited for your area of South Carolina from the Home and Garden Information Center at Clemson University at http://hgic.clemson.edu or by phoning (888) 656-9988.

LS: How important is spacing?

LM: Spacing is crucial to maximize plant growth. Correct spacing will reduce potential disease and discourage insects and provide adequate circulation and sunlight for maximum growth.

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Page 8 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13, 2009 • Page 9

Landscaping on a Budget

By Amanda McNulty

It’s a good thing I didn’t wait for things to get better in the finance department when we moved into our new old house, or the back forty would still be a corn field. I found a local nursery that had lots of one-gallon plants at a great price, and we planted forty wax myrtles and forty cleyeras. Even with no more than me and a hose for irrigation, those little troopers did what plants do – grow, and now we have two beautiful screens that cost in total what you could pay for a half-dozen large specimens. With that price combined with the fact that small holes are a whole lot easier to dig, we had a winning combination.

Plants grow! And young plants grow like children, much faster than large, mature individuals. If you have a small budget, buy small plants.

Don’t put it off. The most important factor to keep in mind is spacing – sometimes it seems impossible that that tiny little shrub will within a few years be four or five feet wide. Remember that a planting scheme that is based on a triangular grid is much more graceful (and forgiving if you lose a plant) than a straight line.

The most important holes you dig are the ones for trees. Trees give scale to your house, they tie the ground and the sky together into a coherent unit. Charlie Holmes, our City-County Arborist, reminds me that a three, five, or seven gallon tree, bought at a small price, will actually catch up with a $200 behemoth in about five years if given water, fertilizer, and mulch, mulch, mulch.

Deciduous trees planted on the southwest of your house can reduce your air conditioning bill, or, if like me you don’t have air conditioning, still reduce your overall testiness and summer heat rash complaints significantly. Our own beloved bald cypress is a good tree to plant in a grove for this purpose as they grow quickly and are among the safest trees in hurricanes and ice storms. After Hugo I planted three $5 tulip poplars that are now forty feet tall, again with only me and hose as their source of extra water during a time when I was more concerned with nursing babies than tending to the trees’ water needs.

Think small when planning your lawn. Lawns are the biggest sinks for water, fertilizer, and chemicals in any landscape (unless you are a rosarian with a hundred hybrid teas). Add to that the hours you spend on a lawn mower, the repairs to that lawn mower, and the gasoline that goes

into that lawn mower. Make your lawn small and you’ll have a more interesting landscape, with beds of trees and mixed shrubs gracefully framing your house. Once established, trees and shrubs planted in the right environment (full sun, part shade, shade according to their needs) require very little extra water or nutrients if you maintain a good organic mulch over the top.

Choosing the right plant for the right place is the first step in any landscape design project.

Clemson has a great resource that you can find by searching Clemson Home and Garden Information Center. You can find fact sheets on azaleas, camellias (you’ll learn that they are not happy in full sun – it makes them more susceptible to disease and pest attacks), turf grass descriptions (centipede is the easiest and cheapest to grow but can’t take much foot traffic), and how to dig a hole and plant that tree or shrub.

If you don’t do anything else after finishing this article, at least read the fact sheet on “Planting Trees and Shrubs.” Selection of the “Right Plant for the Right Place” is first in importance, tied with getting the root ball loosened if necessary and making sure that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil.

After that, weekly irrigation for the first year or two accompanied by properly applied and maintained mulch should be your next priority.

Of course you want some fun flowers to show off your new to you home, and you’ll get a lot more value if you put them in containers. Can’t afford large pots to sit in beds besides your front door? Choose smaller containers and put them up on the stoop where they get a boost from being elevated. Group several containers, maybe of different sizes for interest, and let them serve as focal spots. With concentrations of color combined with even small trees and small shrubs and a small lawn, a properly installed and balanced landscape sends a signal that you are in it for the long-run and intend to nuture and groom your yard so it grows up to be self-sustaining and a positive contributor to the neighborhood.

Now I would be a poor example of an Extension agent if I didn’t encourage you to take a six dollar soil test. If your soil pH out of whack, you might as well have a Hannibal Lecter mouthpiece over the roots of your plants – they won’t be able to absorb the nutrients they need to grow. That same Clemson HGIC website I mentioned gives you soil test instructions, too. The results will tell you exactly how much lime and fertilizer to add – another way to save money.

Fertilizers, especially slow release fertilizers which are your best choice, are expensive. That’s why the old motto makes such good sense – “Don’t guess, soil test.”

Page 10 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

Garden, from page 7 LS: Please elaborate on the three stages of vegetable gardening.

LM: There are three stages to vegetable gardening….Plan, Prepare and Plant.

1. Plan and select your site, taking into consideration the following: space, light, and irrigation. Collect a soil sample, and have it tested at your local extension office. Cultivate your soil, and add amendments based on recommendations from your soil analysis.

2. Purchase seeds and transplants based on what you and your family likes. When selecting seeds, choose those varieties that are adapted to your area.

3. Decide where your vegetables (seed and transplants) should be planted. Perennial (asparagus, horseradish, etc.) vegetables should be planted in one section of the garden. Tall crops such as corn okra, sunflowers and poles beans should be planted together. They should be planted on the north side of the garden so they do not shade low growing vegetables. Keep a sketch of what you’ve planted and where so you can rotate your plantings properly in the future to avoid diseases.

LS: What precautions should one take to keep pests out of the garden?

LM: Fencing your vegetable garden can discourage pests such as dogs and rabbits. To discourage insect pests, always use chemical pesticides as a last resort and read and follow the directions on the label. Planting a variety of flowering plants like sunflowers, cilantro, salvias, and coneflowers among your other plants will attract beneficial insects who will help keep the “bad” bugs under control.

Gardening can be a great hobby and an excellent source for creativity and relaxation. Flower gardens and pots bursting with hearty flowers provide both beauty and value to a home; vegetable gardens can not only help save money on a grocery bill, but can also add to your family's health. Fun, beauty, health and wealth... Get ready, get set, and, after the final frost, go!

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Been to a Garden Party?

By Leah Smith with Perry Villarreal and Welsh Carson

Numerous studies have shown that as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, people generally feel more gregarious. As this tendency to want to socialize returns, more parties are planned. And more often than not, even those who want as little as possible to do with the great outdoors while the air is frigid and wintry, are glad to be outside when sweet, exciting spring arrives.

So when planning a celebratory gathering of friends, why not throw a garden party? A person need not even have a garden to do so. A garden party theme can easily be carried out in a small back yard or side yard, on a deck or a patio, or even, with the right props, in an apartment.

Some large potted plants, decorative string lights, and whimsical touches such as hollowed-out coconut halves for bowls or cups will convey the festive idea of celebrating the outdoors.

What are some good foods to serve at an "outdoor party?" Camden caterer Perry Villarreal suggests, "Anything seasonal -- whatever's fresh and available at the time [in the way of] fresh vegetables and fruits. Also, serve anything that's cooked outdoors -- barbecue, grilled steaks and other gilled meats."

If you decide to hire a caterer, there are a few things you'll need to know to affectively communicate with your catering crew.

"A caterer will usually want to see the location where the party will be held; that lets you know he's a customized caterer. He'll inquire about the number of guests, and ask questions about what you want, regarding foods, decorating, etc. Every party's different; every event is unique [with customized catering.] One that's not a customized caterer might have three different "party themes" to choose from and three different prices, and that's it," Villarreal said.

Welsh Carson, another caterer, agreed. "It's good to meet the client where the party's going to be, to draw everything out, to scale it on paper. We'll [also] ask, 'How many people? What type of party? What type of menu? and What is your budget?' You [as a client] will want to ask, 'What type of party or presentation are you capable of putting together?'

Some caterers just do food; others do the whole presentation: Ice sculptures, table cloths...Ask how creative they can be with foods and incorporating different artwork with the food."

As far as decorating goes, add bright, citrus-colored cushions to lawn and patio chairs; set out some miniature water fountains for sensory ambiance; place colorful umbrellas in the middle of tables that can sport them, and little paper umbrellas dotted about those that can't; paper lanterns, luminaries and tiki torches are popular lighting touches.

"Make sure you use tiki torches only in spacious areas," said Villarreal, "They can blow off a lot of smoke and choke you out."

For extra elegant decorating, "Ice sculptures are really cool," said Carson. "And in the seating areas, candles on the tables, and sometimes, marbles in a jar of water and have goldfish in there. It depends on the environment."

Carson's and Villarreal's companies will coordinate with a florist and the client, if the client desires. "For those on a budget, we'll see what's blooming in the area."

In case of inclement weather, and for guests who simply don't wish to remain outside, it's a good idea to have the room directly off the yard set up to be receptive to guests.

"We like to place food tables in various locations, set drinks or a bar up wherever you want most people to be, and do have a station inside to give people that option."

www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13, 2009 • Page 11

Landscaping

Improves Home Value and Lifestyle

By The South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association

Spring is on the way and many of us begin to think about vacations and travel. This year, with so much uncertainty about the economy and home values continuing to fall, why not consider putting those vacation funds into your yard by landscaping? Doing so will not only increase the value and enjoyment of your home but, if carefully planned, create the perfect ‘staycation’ paradise.

A study by the American Nursery and Landscape Association found that beautiful landscaping could increase property value by seven to fourteen percent. Many experts believe that homeowners can recover as much as 100 percent of the money they invested in cultivating landscapes when they sell their homes.

One of the best reasons to landscape is for energy savings. Studies have shown that properly placed trees can save up to 25% on a home’s heating and cooling energy consumption. It is important to note that if you want the benefits of having trees in your landscape, spring is a good time to plant them. Trees take several years to establish and grow to the point where they can provide the energy saving mentioned.

Landscaping can also effectively increase the amount of living space associated with your home by creating outdoor "rooms" such as cooking or dining areas, as well as, relaxation and recreational areas. According to Rick McAbee of Roebuck Wholesale Nursery & Landscaping,Roebuck,

SC "Our number one most requested landscaping feature now is to provide outdoor living areas such as sitting or cooking areas.”

One aspect of landscaping that is often overlooked is the idea of planting herbs and vegetables. If you like to cook, what could be better than fresh herbs or vegetables from your own yard? Many herbs, especially, can do double or even triple duty providing a pleasing aroma and aesthetic in addition to their usefulness in meal preparation.

Vegetables not only can be planted in the typical row garden fashion but in containers as well. “We’re seeing a surge in the number of people wanting to grow their own vegetables in container gardens. They’re easier to maintain and require less space.” according to George Hyams owner of Hyams Garden and Accent Store, Charleston, SC. Of course, landscaping can be helpful in other practical ways such as dealing with drainage issues. More and more often municipalities are requiring homeowners and builders to address and contain drainage in a positive way. Rainwater can be collected from gutters and used to irrigate the trees, shrubs, herbs and flowering plants in your landscape.

When it comes to simply beautifying your yard nothing gives the proverbial ‘bang for the buck’ better than annuals. Color is King in the landscape and it is never more so than when you’re trying to attract or impress potential buyers.

Given all these great reasons to invest in your yard why wait? If you’re the do-it-yourselfer, now is the time to get started. If you need some help putting all the pieces together, call a Landscape Designer or consult your local garden center staff. Regardless of which avenue you pursue, make sure to visit your local nursery and garden centers for materials and advice. Be sure to visit the South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association website (www.scnla.com) to find nurseries and garden centers in your area, as well as for a vast collection of articles and information to help you make the most of your landscaping dollar.

Your Total Home Decor Store...

56 Market Street • Sumter, South Carolina

803-469-8620

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm www.sumterlighthouse.com

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940 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150

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Page 12 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

bright and sunny

Spring's forecast is

By KIM COOK For The Associated Press

It's a pretty outlook for spring 2009 on the home decor front. The color palette includes fresh blues, saucy pinks and upbeat yellows, as well as a veritable laundry line of clean whites.

Patterns are playful or romantic. It's the season of renewal, and a great time to fluff up the feathers in the nest.

Louise Smith, color and design manager for Dulux, points out, “This is the year to go wild and express yourself. Since fewer people will be moving, the onus is on personalization and reinvention.”

So if you've never been brave enough to dip your toes in the color pool, now's the time to get wet.

Never been a flower child? You may reconsider when you see the new floral motifs. The mood-enhancing benefits of a re-styled living space cannot be underestimated.

Yellow is such a happy hue, and so right-this-minute. Look for it in dishes, furniture, soft furnishings, even trash bins: Vipp's Yellow Cab stepcan may be made in Copenhagen, but the vibe is totally New York.

Spring in the city is evoked in Blissliving Home's contemporary bedding ensemble, “Off the Park”, which pairs a black and white print with bright yellow. Designer Mei Xu notes the color's “cheerful, optimistic tone. It has the power to bring a smile to your face.”

Conran USA continues to support international craftwork with the ceramics of south African designers Philippa and Werner du Toit. Their pitchers and cake stands are embossed with tribal fabric textures, then washed in soft yellow. They're quirky, rustic and charming.

We'll see white as another dominant color, either crisp and pure or vanilla-tinged. Gather a group of snowy vases, fill them with white blooms, and place on a textured runner. Pull off all the dark drapes and hang white cotton or silk; the light will pour in, awakening everything.

Garnet Hill has the Angie lamp, a

curvy little number in soft tones accented with barrel shades in on-trend motifs like black and white ironwork, white-on-white bubbles, or orange and green zinnias.

Florals are blooming on casual dinnerware, wall art and soft furnishings.

Some are feminine, painterly prints while others are bold, contemporary graphics. Xu says her Kew Gardens bedding ensemble, which has a green and white trellis pattern as its centerpiece, was inspired by her visit to one of the royal British gardens.

“I wanted to translate that happy memory into an uplifting design that would bring home the essence of spring,” she says.

Over at Homegoods, there are sweet little footed bowls in robin's egg blue, as well as a creamy lacquered chest hand painted with chrysanthemums.

Indeed, as befits the season, garden themes dominate. Wrought iron and trellis motifs are a new twist, and a departure from the ubiquitous damasks of the past couple of seasons. Lattice patterns are versatile; they can evoke either English Garden traditional or Palm Beach Moderne.

For something really different, look to ModernDose's new pouf festooned with dozens of laser-cut wool blooms.

While it may look like Grandma's Sunday-best hat, you have permission to sit on it.

Spring's the perfect time to change out a few accessories and introduce some new hues; without spending a great deal, a room can look refreshed and invigorated in no time.

Target has inexpensive yet appealing floral throw pillows and wall art, as well as a pretty filigreed votive holder in grass green, white or deep pink.

Perfect for the patio, when the nights begin to warm.

Sourcebook: www.blisslivinghome.com - Off the Park bedding collection, $50-$295; Garden Party bedding collection, $65-$295

www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13 • Page 13

Quick Start Tips for a Healthy Lawn: What to do first for gorgeous grass this spring Provided by TruGreen®

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Your outdoor living room, your playground, your sanctuary. Approximately 84 million Americans participate in their own lawn care, transforming their lawns into a relaxing oasis to enjoy family, friends and the warmer weather.

With spring right around the corner, TruGreen, the nation’s leading professional lawn care provider, offers simple guidelines to help get your lawn in top shape fast.

• Lawns in South Carolina are typically warm season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede and St. Augustine grasses that will fill in as warmer temperatures arrive. If needed, you can sprig or sod warm season turf in the early summer.

Some improved Bermuda and Zoysia seed is available, but it should be planted in the early summer to allow at least 100 days of warm weather for successful germination.

• Determine which fertilizer will give your lawn the boost it needs. Take advantage of free services provided by local Extension Services and professional lawn care companies.

Many will perform a free analysis to determine your lawn’s overall health and treatment options.

Typically in the spring, only potassium is needed to build the root system. Around mid- April, when ground temperatures warm up, a more balanced fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) can be

applied.

• If you choose to fertilize your lawn yourself, use a rotary spreader.

Before you start, check the calibration to ensure accurate application. Avoid spreading fertilizer by hand because it’s difficult to distribute it evenly and consistently.

Water after you fertilize to help nutrients soak into the soil and reach the roots.

• Water your lawn well and infrequently. Follow local water restrictions in your area. Turf grass should be watered so the soil is moist to a four-inch depth. To determine the depth of soil moisture, push a screwdriver or a garden trowel into

the soil. If it meets little resistance, then the soil is moist. If it does not push easily into the soil, then it needs additional water.

• Most Southern turf grasses do best mowed frequently, typically keeping between 1.5 to 3 inches.

The exceptions are Bermuda and Centipede grasses which should be cut at 1 to 2 inches to promote horizontal growth. Taller heights can promote an environment for disease and grasses will thin out, causing weed issues. Studies show that frequent mowing stresses the grass plant less than infrequent cuttings. The general rule is cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade See Quick

Start page 14

Brown’s

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We invite you to our store to see why we were voted #1 in Sumter for Best Furniture & Best Bedding.

Page 14 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

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• Inspect your lawn mower blades. The sharper the blade, the cleaner the cut, and the better your lawn will look. If your blade is dull, carefully remove it and have it sharpened at a repair shop. Sharpen blades at least twice a season. If the blade is chipped or has other damage, replace it.

• After you mow, return grass clippings to recycle nutrients and reduce the need to apply added fertilizer later in the season.

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www.theitem.com • Friday, March 13, 2009 • Page 15

Fix and flourish all season long with these local Clarendon County businesses.

Turn Your Backyard Into An Oasis In-Ground Pools • Above Ground Pools Spas • Chemicals • Accessories Free Water Testing

Jimmy’s

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Portable Storage Buildings, Carports, Garages Carports Starting at $695.00 Installed!

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26 E. Boyce St., Manning, SC 29102

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Visit our Retail Store at 539 S. Mill St. in the Lake Road Shopping Center.

To advertise your business in one of our upcoming specials, call (803) 435-8511.

Page 16 • Friday, March 13, 2009 • www.theitem.com

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Come by our Wesmark Blvd. location and let our lawn and garden experts, Ronnie Galloway & Sue Timmons help you with all your gardening needs 40 W. Wesmark Blvd. • 320 W. Liberty 350 Pinewood Road • 3 W. Rigby, Manning