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Big ideas for small spaces Homeowners offer their tips for a smaller garden

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iving with a postage stamp-sized garden doesn't have to limit you when it comes to gracing your table with beautiful flowers or plump, juicy produce. Whether you live in a house with a small yard or an apartment with a strip of soil, you have the room for a not-so-secret garden.

"The easiest way to expand a small garden space is to go up," said Brad Staggs, a former HGTV and DIY network host who is now on HGTVPro.com. "Build a nice wooden arbor in just a few hours and give your flowers a home to roam."

Plans for an arbor can be found on the Southern Pine Awareness Network's web site at spanpine.com/project-plans.shtml.

Even the tiniest space can produce beauty. Marie C. Trudeau moved into a condo in 2006 and began growing enormous and eye-catching sunflowers on a strip of soil immediately in front of her unit. What began as a free packet of sunflower seeds has turned into a neighborhood landmark. Trudeau also attempted growing upside-down tomatoes from her balcony, but admitted she "had a little success, but mostly learned from mistakes" and will try again this summer.

A 2-foot-wide and 20-foot-long area is enough for Heidi Eklund and Wayne Pyle to grow tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, lettuce, green beans, red peppers, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and a potted herb garden.

Eklund said it takes time to maintain a healthy garden and offers the following tips: "Water and weed a lot. Don't crowd too much into one space. Protect from pests with fencing and natural deterrents and grab a gardening book that makes sense to you. If you have children, get them involved in a fun way and remember to compost all your vegetable scraps in a small area of the yard for fabulous soil."

"I grow a tiny vegetable garden," said David Schneider. "We can have a short growing season, and not a lot of heat. The secret is to raise the garden bed up by six to 12 inches (using lumber to make the side walls), and stuff the soil full of nutrition — compost, peat moss, green feed.

Each box should be about 4-feet-wide and as long as you like. Never walk on the soil — it compacts too easily. Walk around the outside of the box. Put the plants in close

A smaller garden may be a challenge, but there are numerous plants available that will fit — and plenty of friends to help you.

together, stake everything, and watch it explode."

Homeowner Kari Jones said she views gardening as a 10-month-a-year project.

Her 8-year-old garden is about 300 square feet and long rather than square. She grows a mixture of perennials and vegetables such as leafy greens, beans, peas and potatoes, which are her biggest producers.

"If I were starting a garden again I would try to think about the landscaping first," she said. "It's a real drag to have to take out plants that are just beginning to settle because you realize that you need to

put a path right where they are."

She also cautions new gardeners about how much they are planting.

"Remember that plants grow," she said.

"I grew over 40 tomato plants, 20 basil plants, a few oregano, thyme and marjoram all on the plot. I got over 500 tomatoes and more basil than I knew what to do with, with remnants in my freezer as we speak."

No matter how small your garden, you can find great pleasure tending it, like Yvonne Maffei does in the 20-foot-by-20foot lot she rents.

"My gardens have been the delight of my life," she said. "I never feel more energetic in the morning than when I begin planting because I can't wait to see the miracle of a plant's growth right before my eyes, the miracle of the seed that you plant in dirt and what it becomes with simply rain and light.

"I think it's why I cried the very first time I ever picked a fruit I planted with my own hands," she said. "I didn't grow it, I just helped it along, and for that I finally felt I had a connection to our Earth." ❏ — Creators News Service SPRING 2012 | SPACES 5B

Posh patios and decks

Outdoor furniture retailers lay out hot trends for 2012

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hisk yourself away to a rustic retreat Up North, delight in the balmy breezes of a Nantucket waterfront, or nestle into the charm of a Southern wraparound porch. The possibilities are endless when you buy luxury patio furniture, with which each day can be a blissful "stay-cation" of relaxation and enjoyment of the serenity just outside your very own home.

Many homeowners want to showcase their patios and decks so that their well-deserved lazy days are spent in elegant comfort while accurately reflecting their own personalities, taste and style. Whether that's relaxing on the lake, taking in the sun as pontoons mosey by, or entertaining friends with pool-side margaritas and alfresco dining, outdoor furniture should exude sophistication and deliver comfort.

Today, outdoor furniture collections range in style, fabric, design, and versatility. Some popular mediums used include cast aluminum, wrought iron, vinyl/wicker/rattan, and polished woods. Plush cushions are an added benefit for optimum comfort and style.

Upscale and posh patio furniture may be on the pricier side, but the traditionally high-quality custom pieces are often handcrafted and weather-resistant for increased dura-

bility. Painted surfaces typically use more than one coat of paint and often come with scratch- and rust-resistant finishes.

Choosing the right outdoor collection that reflects your own taste has never been easier, particularly since so many furniture specialty stores provide top-notch brands and a slew of styles for their varying customers.

The southeast Michigan region has no shortage of retailers specializing in the kind of upscale outdoor furniture that allows homeowners to maximize the use of their outdoor space — be it a deck, a patio, or both — with functional style.

What follows is an overview of some high-end metro Detroit area patio and outdoor furniture stores that can help make your patio or deck an oasis complete with elegant outdoor furniture where everyone feels like they are stepping into a world of luxurious living.

One Oakland County store that has its pulse on the popular and best outdoor furniture on the market is Palm Beach Patio & Casual Furniture, located at 7350 Highland Road in Waterford Township.

For 28 years, owner Jane Fedrigo has been catering to area riparians' tastes.

"We sell what is functional and durable with attention to aesthetics," she said. "We specialize in Americanmade products which are longer-lasting."

Fedrigo cited tubular inserts as one

example. These American-made products are considered superior to China's goods since they are made from heavier construction materials.

As far as trends go, Fedrigo says high-end, deep-seating collections are classics and appeal to a large stream of customers.

"Every year, there are new designs and (there are) ones I savor, like nice curved sofas and sectionals (which) I think are attractive," she said. "Some think these sectionals are contemporary, but we have one that's traditional

by Brown Jordan that is very unique, called Day Lily II." She added that motion swivel gliders are gaining in popularity.

"These deep-seating gliders and wicker swivel gliders are so attractive and durable that you even put them inside," she said.

Fedrigo banks on top-notch manufacturers such as Tropitone, Homecrest, Telescope to deliver the best.

"One of the most popular is from Telescope, an American company," she explained. "They are making pieces with marine-grade polymer, a resin material that's unfinished but the color goes all the way through. They make it with the same composite used for boat decks. (It's) a fabulous material."

Customers are also moving away from bar-high to balcony-high (counter height) tables.

Moreover, glass tables are a trend of the past.

"We've come full circle from glass," Fedrigo said. "There are some composites still around like faux stone, but the favored medium is cast aluminum because it's maintenance-free."

She added that an earth-tone palette tends to be customers' top pick.

"We're still in earth tones and also seeing apple green or spa blue, but starting to see orange as an accent color," Fedrigo said.

Palm Beach Patio also lends out its in-house designer to come straight to customers' homes as a consultant.

"Customers usually want to buy a complete set for a whole deck, or more than one deck, or a patio when they come in," Fedrigo said. "The lakefront owner tends to be more interested in patio furniture because it's used more due to entertaining."

In addition, Fedrigo is still seeing fire pits or wood burning stoves as popular accessories.

Outdoor furniture collections range in style, fabric, design, and versatility. Some popular mediums used include cast aluminum, wrought iron, vinyl/wicker/rattan, and polished woods. Plush cushions are an added benefit for optimum comfort and style.

She also notes that her business continues to stay afloat in this difficult economy since people are investing in their homes and staying put.

For nearly a decade, Patio Plus Outdoor Furniture in Northville has been providing first-class outdoor furniture that reflects the current market trends.

"We sell thicker quality grade with more styles, including more choices on cushions, including colors and fabrics," said Ken Jacobs, who co-owns the store located at 42367 Seven Mile Road. "The products are made from sturdier constructions and we offer a greater variety of inventory. If we don't have it, our customers can order different products."

The 5,000-square-foot Patio Plus showroom offers top Michigan-based brands like Lloyd Flanders, which produces primarily wicker and woven resin vinyl products; and Woodard, which specializes in aluminum and wrought iron creations, as well as

deep-seating sofas, loveseats, and chairs.

Other popular manufacturers include Al-Fresco Home, which specializes in cast aluminum dining sets, deep-seating furniture, and accessories; and Homecrest, known for luxurious deep-seating products.

"All are pretty comparable with good warranties and nice products," Jacobs said. "I also look at how well they take care of problems for us and our customers."

This year, Jacobs said new resintype seating — including Adirondack chairs and picnic tables — is immensely popular.

"It's made from recycled milk cartons with a 20 year-warranty," Jacobs explained. "The color goes all the way though, it's great for homeowners and it's very durable."

Colors range from canary yellow to bright blues to vivid reds, and from lime green to tangerine. Chairs start at $299 and tables start at $800.

Jacobs noted that fire pits and propane fire pits are also still in high demand.

"They come in a lot of different sizes and varieties," Jacobs said.

"Some of the more expensive ones use crushed glass instead of logs. They are pretty neat and reflect the sun, and the fire burns right through it."

These accessories range from $899 up to $3,000.

Jacobs also said an up-and-coming trend is the waterproof material Crypton, which he said is perfect for lakefront homes and lifestyles.

"It's made of soft material that's not only waterproof, but durable and stain-resistant," he said.

For deep-seating cushions, he recommends Sunbrella, a material that carries with it a four-year warranty.

"It's the best material out there for outside cushions," Jacobs said. "It's fade-resistant so you don't have to worry about choosing a vibrant color."

PAGE 9B ❯ ❯ ❯ ❯

SPRING 2012 | SPACES 7B

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While reds, bronze, taupe, and oranges have been popular colors for outdoor furniture in recent years, black has remained a popular color with many customers “because it’s classic.”

Outdoor furniture cushion colors that are proving popular with today’s customers include vibrant shades of orange, red, blue and even purple. Today’s consumers also benefit from more choices in cushion fabrics.

❯ ❯ ❯ ❯ PAGE 7B

Woodard; Homecrest; and Telescope.

She cites today's popular paint colors as hues of bronze and taupe, but customers are preferring bolder fabric colors.

"Reds and oranges have been very popular in just the last few years," she said. "I've been in the industry forever and when I first started out, the popu-

For the customer who already has the goods but their patio needs a little extra TLC, Casual Refinishing at 15505 Beech Daly Road in Redford Township can help restore old and tired vintage furniture to mint condition for half the price of buying brand new, high-end furniture pieces.

"We're unique because we're the only game in town," said manager Nancy Wallace. "Some people don't realize refinishing can be done."

Casual Refinishing begins by sandblasting off the old paint, going right down to bare metal through a state-ofthe-art priming and refinishing process that is electrostatically applied, according to Wallace.

"We then offer a wide range of colors for repainting and replace common vinyl straps, and things like that."

Wallace has been in the furniture business for 24 years, and sees refinishing as a means of protecting a customer's investment.

"High-end furniture is an investment," she said. "There's furniture from the 1950s, for example, that lasts so much longer because it's high quality.

There's no reason to replace it when you can refinish it."

She has seen cases where furniture has been handed down from generation to generation and still has that heirloom quality. It doesn't need replacement — just a facelift.

"You can take something outdated

and, by changing the color to a new factory finish, it looks like a brand new set," she said. "This is vintage furniture that's well constructed and representative of American-made quality."

She agrees with Fedrigo and Jacobs in their assertions that some of the top brands on the market today include Brown Jordan; Tropitone; Winston;

The following outdoor furniture stores are a sampling of metro Detroit area retailers that carry high-quality pieces and accessories: • Casual Concepts, 828 N. Main Street, Rochester. 248-652-1080.

• Patio Plus Outdoor Furniture, 42367 Seven Mile Road, Northville.

248-347-6190.

• Coastal Outdoor Living Space, 1751 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills.

248-758-1400.

• Allstate Pools, Billiards, Patio, Hot Tubs & Fireplaces 30650 Plymouth Road, Livonia.

734-838-6555.

• Allstate Pools, Billiards, Patio, Hot Tubs & Fireplaces 26159 Novi Road, Novi. 248-468-2400.

• Casual Refinishing, 15505 Beech Daly Road, Redford Township.

313-533-7720.

• Palm Beach Patio, 7350 Highland Road, Waterford Township.

248-666-2880.

• English Gardens, 6370 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township.

248-851-7506.

• Bordine's, 8600 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 248-625-9100.

• Bordine's, 1835 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills. 248-651-9000.

• Art Van Furniture, 2125 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township.

248-454-0900.

• Art Van Furniture, 5053 Dixie Highway, Waterford Township. 248-674-4731.

• Art Van Furniture, 27775 Novi Road, Novi. 248-348-8922.

• Ethan Allen, 275 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham.

248-540-8558.

• Ethan Allen, 42845 W. 12 Mile Road, Novi. 248-380-7900.

• Ethan Allen, 100 Brown Road, Auburn Hills. 248-393-6600.

lar colors were beige, pewter, bronze and black. But black is still popular today because it's classic."

Cushion colors are trending toward vibrant shades of orange, red, blue, and purple.

Wallace said that as far as furniture construction is concerned, fabric mesh, which makes up the backs of chairs and cushions, is gaining in popularity. She also noted that deep-seating groups as opposed dining groups tend to sell more.

"People want more sofas, love seats, lounge chairs, and conversation tables vs. dining tables, or a coffee table with chairs around it because people like to have an area where they can chat with friends as opposed to having a meal," Wallace said.

Aluminum tops the list as the favored table construction material of choice today, according to Wallace.

"It's always a better seller because it's light weight, rust-free and maintenance-free," she said. "People are getting away from glass and going with mosaic, marble, granite, or fiberglass."

Retailers in the outdoor furniture sector say that the discriminate shopper tends to buy high-end sets that demonstrate their personality and entertaining needs, despite the jump in price from so-called "big box" store merchandise.

"Even though the economy has been difficult, there's always a need for quality," Fedrigo said. ❏ SPRING 2012 | SPACES 9B

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Time to fire it up, get cozy A pit can warm up those chilly nights, add atmosphere

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big blaze on a crisp spring or summer evening is a creature comfort few can deny. You've probably drooled over some of the phenomenal backyard fireplaces unveiled on home improvement shows — those flick-ofthe-switch, gas-powered granite hearths surrounded by posh patio furniture with a stainless steel smoker grill on the side.

For most homeowners, though, these decked-out decks are the stuff of dreams. Luckily, those on a more modest budget have plenty of options, from simple store-bought fire pits to do-ityourself backyard bonfire rings — and nothing transforms a simple patio into a home outside the house quite like the crackling embers of a cozy fire.

"There is something primal about watching a fire and seeing the flames twisting upward and the smoke wafting here and there," said landscape contractor Roger Cook of PBS' perennially popular "This Old House" and "Ask This Old House."

"The sensory pleasures that you derive from the landscape around your house all come from the most fundamental natural elements — earth, air, water and fire," said landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy, author of "Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love." "To many of us there's nothing more magical than being outside in a warm place looking up at a night sky."

Ready-made fire pits are all the rage, from copper cauldrons to cast iron pits that transform into posh patio tables.

But when it comes to creating a cozy atmosphere on a budget, nothing beats a chiminea. Also known as Mexican fireplaces, they resemble giant urns set atop metal stands — and their unique shape makes them ideal for small patios and porches.

The long neck acts as a chimney, controlling drafts and protecting the fire from sudden gusts of wind, while the curved fire pit deflects and radiates heat with surprising efficiency. Many feature grated doors and spark arrestors that double as rain guards.

With prices starting at around $80,

A fire pit is a useful accent to your garden. It not only provides warmth during cold spring and summer nights, but also doesn't have to cost a lot of money.

chimineas are something of a bargain — and, because they use considerably less wood than traditional fire pits, you'll save money on firewood. For the best burn, try pinion or juniper wood.

Both have a high heat content and a pleasant pine scent that repels insects naturally.

Do-It-Yourself Fire Pits Looking for something a little larger? Turn the cool evenings into an asset with a quick do-it-yourself fire pit that's high on style and easy on the pocketbook.

"Fire pits can be as simple as a ring of rocks around a slight depression in the ground, or as intricate as cut granite pieces fitting together to make the perfect circle — plus, it's inexpensive if you want it to be," Cook said.

He suggests the following: Start by digging a hole about 4-feet-wide by 1foot-deep. Fill the depression 6 inches deep with crushed stone, and line the

edge with large rocks.

For added style, use concrete or brick-segmented wall blocks in lieu of the rocks. Available at any home improvement store, the segmented blocks, generally used for landscape edging, elevate an everyday fire pit to a

formal landscaping feature.

Look for retaining wall blocks cut to fit curves. The interlocking units require no mortar — simply stack and you're ready for your first backyard bonfire.

Expect to spend about $2 per block.

For added fire safety, surround the retaining wall with loose stone or flat stone that compliments your landscaping.

"If you already have an outdoor patio or kitchen, it's always better if the material of the fire pit ties into the existing scheme," Cook said.

This simple design allows for easy upgrades. Add a spit or rotisserie for an alternative to the traditional grill. Don't forget to add a few essentials like comfortable seating, side tables and an eating area.

"Remember that any fire element is a focal point that draws both the eye and the body to its dancing flames and its warmth," Messervy said. "By combining a fireplace with an outdoor kitchen or grill and a durable living and dining room set, you'll create a home outside that meets your every need."

Before building, determine the proper location and brush up on your local fire regulations. A fire feature should be far enough away from the house to ensure proper safety and avoid smoke drifting in through the windows, yet close enough for guests to grab refreshments or make a quick pit stop.

There should also be a water source nearby in case of mishaps.

Some municipalities and neighborhood associations have strict rules on what, where and when you can burn, so check with your local fire department before stoking the flames in your new fire pit. ❏ — Creators News Service

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