Home Interior Design – Connecting Little Rock

Archive for August, 2011

Article by Elizabeth B.

Since we spend about one third of our lives sleeping and a lot of our down time in the bedroom, it is important to make the space as warm and inviting as possible. Furnishing the bedroom with bedroom furniture that will ensure our comfort and ability to relax is of vital importance to our sense of well-being.

Start with a plan. Before going shopping for bedroom furniture, knowing how you want your bedroom to look, how much room you have to work with, what bedroom furniture pieces you want to include and how much you want to spend will save you time and money in the long run. You don’t want to order a queen size sleigh bed for your master bedroom only find that it won’t fit. Cheap bedroom furniture, especially when it comes to bedroom furniture sets, isn’t necessarily a bad thing; well-made bedroom furniture doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Another great way to save money on bedroom furniture is to buy a bedroom set. Bedroom furniture sets are a quick and economical way to furnish a room with minimum time and effort. Purchasing a bedroom set is generally less expensive than buying each piece of bedroom furniture separately. They come in a wide selection of styles and combinations designed to give you maximum choice and flexibility. A bedroom is much more than a place to sleep; your bedroom is also a sanctuary where you relax, hang out with the kids or get ready for the next day. Buying a bedroom set allows you to create a restful place without having to give too much thought to what kinds of bedroom furniture pieces you want and whether or not they match one another in size, scale and color.

It is also important to consider other bedroom furniture pieces you may want to include in your bedroom design plan such as an armoire, a bedroom vanity or a full length mirror. A typical bedroom set includes the bed, a nightstand or a pair of nightstands. In addition to a bed and nightstand, larger bedroom sets may include a dresser, a dresser and mirror combo or a TV armoire or a wardrobe armoire.

A major consideration to take into account when choosing bedroom furniture that will be as comfortable as possible is the size of the bed and the size of the mattress. When two adults are sharing, consider purchasing a queen size mattress or a king size mattress for your bed; this will give you the desired extra sleeping space per person.

Of course, the focal point of any bedroom is the bed. Many bedroom furniture sets give you a choice of what type of bed you want. From contemporary to traditional, sleigh beds are a popular type of bed because of their graceful lines, soft curves and warm, inviting appearance. Platform beds are an ideal way to decorate a bedroom that is short on floor space, because many types of platform beds include storage options that will ultimately give you more options while increasing the room’s functionality.

Poster beds and canopy beds are naturally the centerpiece of any bedroom, due to their soaring posts and dramatic appearance. In determining the feel of your bedroom, it’s important to select quality discount bedroom furniture and bedroom furniture sets that not only looks good but is practical and comfortable as well.

Article by Garden Media Group

DES MOINES, Iowa; 17 February 2008-Better Homes & Gardens announces the launch of bhgnaturesgarden.com–a community-based Web site for gardeners who love nature. Inspired by Nature’s Garden the magazine, the Web site is building a community of green-hearted gardeners who will join discussions with like-minded nature-lovers, post photos of backyard wildlife, and share local and regional events with other nature enthusiasts.

“Finally here’s a place on the Web for people like me,” says Nature’s Garden editor James A. Baggett. “People who enjoy attracting birds and butterflies, people who want easy ways to incorporate healthful garden practices, and people who want to share their love of the natural world.”

The Web site and Nature’s Garden magazine (on sale now at all major newsstands) are dedicated to making the world a better place…one backyard at a time. The magazine, published twice a year, is filled with backyard wildlife, birds and butterflies, certified backyard wildlife habitats, organic gardens, rooftop gardens, clip-and-save field guides, easy nature-inspired projects for the home garden, community efforts, book reviews, and a whole lot more. The Web site promises to be a great place for eco-friendly gardeners to connect with others.

Here’s some of what visitors can do at bhgnaturesgarden.com:

* Share local garden and nature events with other gardeners. Find out about garden tours, plant sales, nature walks, classes, workshops, bird walks, and more!* Check out discussion groups. * Share tips for attracting feathered friends to your garden or finding better, easier ways to garden in harmony with nature. * Post favorite photos you have taken of your garden and backyard wildlife! * Create your own profile so your friends can find you and meet other gardeners!* Post your online journal or blog.What are you waiting for? Click on bhgnaturesgarden.com and start exploring! And don’t forget to bookmark the page so you can check in every day to see what’s new.

To schedule an interview, request an image of the home page, or to receive a copy of Nature’s Garden magazine, e-mail James A. Baggett at james.baggett@meredith.com or call Heather Knowles at (515) 284-3048.

Article by My Bathroom Guide

Why is bathroom planning and design so popular today? It can be expensive and time-consuming to redesign and redecorate your bathroom. However, the benefits often outweigh the disadvantages. Here is why you should consider bathroom planning and design in your own home.

Bathroom Planning Helps You Create a Personal Sanctuary

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It can be a source of relaxation and enjoyment, an oasis of peacefulness in your own home. By learning about how to plan your dream bathroom, you can transform a regular room into a place that helps you forget about your daily cares, and wash away your troubles.

Bathroom Planning Increases Your Home Value

Good bathroom planning and design can also significantly raise the value of your home. A luxurious home spa in your bathroom will make your house stand out from all of the others. Especially in neighborhoods where most of the houses are cast from a similar design, this can be a real bonus to helping you get the price you want when you sell.

Bathroom Planning Can Save You Money

Many standard bathrooms are anything but energy efficient. You lose money through poorly sealed windows, leaky sinks, and expensive central heating. When you embark on your bathroom planning project, you can change that, installing warming elements that cost just cents on the dollar, while making you feel more luxurious.

Bathroom Planning Has Health Benefits

Redesigning your bathroom can have a number of health benefits. For example, replacing that slippery tile with textured ceramic could avoid dangerous accidents, or adding a steam shower could soothe away arthritis pains or help you sleep more soundly. Embarking on a bathroom planning mission can make your home safer and can ease health problems.

As you can see, there are some very good reasons why bathroom planning is so popular today. Whether your goal is to add a touch of luxury to your home or to save money in the future, a bathroom redesign can help you achieve your dream room.

Article by WaterDamage Kitchen

Water damage kitchen is very common and worth-noting problem. Water is very important element in human life. Water is a biological need and it is also necessary for all daily matters of life. People are facing water damage kitchen problem almost in every house because kitchen is daily useable and very needy place in the houses.

Everyone likes to go to the kitchen in the morning time for the breakfast. This is the first activity in every house. After taking breakfast, you start your official work, your college or your domestic affairs. The people who are starting the day with breakfast without their own kitchen they cannot properly do work and do not have good health only if they are facing water damage kitchen.

So this the first place they cannot leave it. Without eating they cannot alive on the earth. Water is important for different functions of daily routine life. Water is used as a cleaner of daily home uses. It is best natural source of cleaning drinking and some other purposes. We need water to wash pots of the kitchen cloths, and house cleaning. Water is a sharp cleaner and washer of dirt from the pipes of water supply. It is helpful unit to abolish germy and murky effected things from commercial kitchen water defective system.

A kitchen is two or three times used for every member of the house. But it is very important to arrange a system of water of the tubes for water supply in the water damage kitchen which will be serviceable and useable. Taps sink and dish washer should be strong and useful for lifetime. The system of pipes of water flowing of commercial kitchen is not imperfect. All damage and imperfect water tubes are not in good condition is to extirpate.

Drains must be properly worked for taking off water. The over water flowing is not good. Avoid over water flowing and throwing. The imperfect pipes of water flowing commercial kitchen not able to use, these are useful appliance. Root out the damaging pipes and put new watery pipes in the kitchen. A workman or a contractor which you arrange to solve your problem, it is important to instruct him about the best company of water pipes and plugs.

Some suggestions are here, a water damage kitchen of heaving proper repairing tools required. A box of repairing tools for kitchen watery pipes and plugs taps also. A helping book of guiding kitchen repairing pipes of water supply should always in your kitchen. You can easily get information from it. Start colourful plastic taps in commercial kitchen. Attach the rubber lids and the covers on the kitchen water supply pipes.

When you consider these watery pipes are not working well open the lid by your workman and dirt removes from filthy pipes after one weak. Clean with water and other germicide sprays and liquid washers daily. These fruitful suggestions help you to make your kitchen well worked. If problem is serious like the walls of the kitchen are affected by the bad water supply problem you must call a contractor to repair the walls of the kitchen however the problem may not be increased.

Article by Oz Gardener

Background

Rain gardens are planned gardens that capture, and filter, rain water that would otherwise run off, or through, your property.

Runoff is a serious problem where increased development has replaced land with impervious surfaces … roads, roofs, patios, etc. that preclude rainwater from soaking into the ground.

Problems Associated with Rainwater Runoff

Pollution of streams and water supplies as rainwater picks up chemicals from roads, lawns, farms, and parking lots

Erosion of surface soil and subsoil, sometimes resulting in sinkholes and structural damage

Reduction of replenishment of groundwater supplies

Benefits of Rain Gardens

You’ll help the local environment and improve the beauty of your immediate surroundings. Once established, rain gardens are nearly maintenance-free and very attractive.

The Basics

1. Locate your rain gardens at least 10 feet from your house to prevent water accumulation around your foundation.

2. Don’t put it immediately over a septic system.

3. Your rain garden should be 4 to 8 inches lower than the surrounding surface of the lawn, to trap rainwater for a short period of time, allowing it to seep into the soil

Plan Your Rain Garden

Select a location where water runs off or through your property.

Then, decide how big your rain garden should be.

For very sandy soil, plan on 20% of the total area of impervious surface.

For loamy soil, the area should be about 35%.

For heavy clay soil, your garden may need to be 50% of the impenetrable area.

Second, decide the shape. Shapes similar to squares and ovals work better; long, skinny gardens won’t capture much runoff.

Third, decide what to plant. Experts recommend “native” plants, because they will thrive in your climate. For specific recommendations, you can Google “Rain Garden Plants for [your state].”

How to Build Your Rain Garden

First, remove the sod from the area, roots and all.

Second, add compost, which will significantly improve both the fertility and tilth of the soil. The Mantis tiller is especially good at mixing compost into the soil. For more on compost, visit http://www.thegardenofoz.org/composting101.aspor http://www.howtocompost.org/

Third, plant “native plants”. You can include trees and shrubs, which will develop large root systems and absorb a lot of water.

Fourth, mulch the garden to help prevent weed growth. My first choice would be a thick layer of well pulverized brown leaves (not walnut leaves … oak or maple are ideal).

Fifth, water the garden until it is well established. You’re your newly transplanted trees, shrubs, and flowers for a little while. Once established, the rain garden should be almost maintenance free.

More Information

Helpful websites that I recommend:

http://www.raingardennetwork.com/

http://www.rainscaping.org/

Get Started!

Start with a plan, but get started. You might find that you want to change your plan later. If you’ve picked the right spot, that will be easy. Remember, any rain garden is better than no rain garden.

Article by Virtual Kitchen Concepts

Kitchen remodeling can be the most rewarding of all home renovations, but also the most intimidating. Home owners may be concerned about the disruption a kitchen makeover will have on their lives. They may also find themselves frustrated with their own efforts to communicate the vision of their dream kitchen with their contractor. And yes, kitchen remodeling is expensive – too expensive to make a mistake. The combination of the three concerns leads many would-be remodelers to push their kitchen project to the proverbial back burner.

However, with the help of virtual kitchen design software, those contemplating a kitchen remodel may find it a bit easier to commit to their makeover so they can sooner, rather than later, be enjoying the added aesthetic quality and value to their home that an updated kitchen brings.

How can virtual design software help the remodeler? It is simple. Left click and traditionalists can “try on” a contemporary kitchen sink in the midst of their traditional design with no cash commitment. Click again and modernists can literally see how the massive stainless steel commercial quality appliances their cooking fetish demands could mesh with their vision of a sleek “George Jetsonesque” kitchen – or not. The point being that virtual kitchen design software is giving novice kitchen remodelers a level of confidence that was once enjoyed only by the most experienced interior design experts.

Remodelers need only visit a kitchen showroom where virtual design software is available, to try their hand at designing the kitchen of their dreams. While an appointment is not necessary, it can be helpful in making sure that the software is available at the time of a client’s arrival. Clients can then just sit back and allow showroom staff to serve as guides in the creative process. Kitchen layout, materials coordination, custom kitchen cabinet design – all are functions of the software that help today’s remodelers make choices and feel comfortable with the choices they have made.

When it comes to kitchen design in Mercer County residents once intimidated by the thought of remodeling their kitchen can breathe a sigh of relief and know that kitchen remodeling may turn out to be an enjoyable experience. One kitchen showroom near Lawrenceville NJ that offers virtual kitchen design software to its clients found that their customers enjoyed the process of creating the kitchen of their dreams with the click of a mouse. “I think everyone has a bit of designer in them,” says a kitchen showroom staffer who had struggled in the past to help clients communicate their kitchen remodeling ideas in Princeton, NJ. “The software helps me help them bring the kitchen they see in their heads to life.”"The software helps remodelers see their vision on paper – a comfort to most people who don’t work in the design field on a daily basis,” says a Mercer County designer. “It is one more tool I have at my disposal to help my clients begin the actual installation with the assurance that what they are getting is just what they wanted.”

For more information on location or to view an online gallery, please visit our website at Virtual Kitchen Concepts

For inquiries about this article, please contact:Tom Gilmoure-Xplorations Internet MarketingSearch Marketing Specialist in Bucks Countye.xplorations.com@gmail.com

Article by Custom Home Builder

I find myself constantly having to explain to prospective customers why modular homes are superior to site-built (or “stick-built”) homes, so I’ve compiled a “Top 10” reasons, Letterman style, for you:10. It’s the state-of-the-art in homebuilding

For centuries (literally), human beings have built their shelters the old-fashioned way, one board (stud) at a time. In the past two decades, the modular industry has taken giant leaps forward in both focus and capability to the point where virtually every modular plant is able to produce modules for Custom homes. Whereas many traditional production builders are still stuck with their old-world ways of individually framing the same structure by hand, over and over again on different lots, the modular industry has left their former one-design-fits-all approach and created the means to take any design and build it in pieces in a factory, to be assembled into a custom home in the field. The former Achilles heel of the modular industry—the inability to customize their product offerings—is gone, and they are cranking out solid, custom homes by the dozens. In an age where we’re all used to Googling a product, paying for it on the web, and receiving it in a few days, it’s fitting that the modular industry can finally provide the speed and quality we all expect.9. You wouldn’t want your car built in your driveway, why build your house that way?

Check out a stick-built job site. Better yet, check it out in the rain. See how much mud is caked onto the sub-floor of the home, how wet the lumber gets, and notice the extremes in temperatures and weather conditions workers have to contend with while building in that manner. Modular homes are built in climate-controlled plants, where workers are comfortable and do similar tasks every day. They are also supervised by the same supervisors every day, and are monitored by quality control managers both from the company they work for, and third-party inspectors. Workers in the field, on the other hand, have very little oversight, and it’s the builder’s superintendent who must singlehandedly provide supervision and quality control for each phase of construction. Even banks know that the quality of modular homes is on-par or better than stick-built homes, which is why they do not differentiate between the two for financing construction loans.8. Shorter, more predictable time line

While you’re visiting that stick-built home in the rain, consider the effect on a construction time line the weather can have. The modular process allows much of the uncontrollable forces to be mitigated because the home goes from foundation to 80% complete in one day. While a stick-built home might drag through different rain, snow, wind, and heat cycles, with all the associated delays and wear-and-tear on people and materials, the modular home is built in about 2 weeks in the factory, where the production schedule is virtually unalterable.7. Built stronger

Structures built on-site are built platform-style, where the ceiling structure of one level is also the floor structure for the level above it. Because modules must be transported and placed by a crane onto the foundation, they are built as six-sided structures (that’s why they’re also referred to as “boxes” in the industry). The resulting home is then a product of stacked boxes, which is stronger and more stable than a platform-style structure. This explains how modular homes come from the factory with plumbing, electrical, drywall, and even cabinets and tile complete! It also explains why the resulting structures are stronger: they are built to much higher standards than site-built structures.6. Reliable Quality Control

Quality Control (QC) is the way you are sure your home is going to be built well. The nicest granite, most rare Brazilian flooring, and most beautiful interior decoration cannot rectify mistakes made during the construction process. The only way homes are built to exacting standards every time is by having a strong QC system in place, and with site-built homes, that responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the builder’s site supervisor (typically one person). Modular homes, by contrast, are built in factory settings by skilled workers who have the same managers overseeing them day in and day out. These managers constantly perform quality control checks as homes are being built, and beyond the QC they do, each modular production plant is inspected by third party inspectors on an on-going basis. Beyond the inspections in the plant, the modules also undergo inspections in the field once they are set to ensure the connections are made correctly between modules and to the foundation. But local inspectors are not inspecting for quality, only for building code compliance, so it is important to understand the builder’s QC process if you want your home built well. With modular, you are sure to have many more people checking the quality of your home before you move in.5. More pre-construction planning, fewer surprises

Any builder who has ever built a true Custom home, one that has never been built before, knows that inevitably some details of the plan end up “not working” well in the field. The reason for that is that the Architect or Engineer who draws the plans typically is not a builder (and the builder is not an Architect or Engineer), so when the theoretical world collides with the practical world, things can go awry. With the modular process, this does not happen because the plans are given a great deal more scrutiny before construction begins by both the builder and the modular plant managers—they have no choice. Builders who use the modular process are motivated to scrutinize plans much more closely than they would in a stick-build process because their crutch of “figuring it out in the field” is not available. They know that what appears on the plans will be built at the factory, whether or not it is the best way. For the modular factory, they invest a lot of time and effort to ensure that they think through each plan so problems in production are averted. This coming-together of builder and architect/engineer is what makes the Custom part of Custom Modular run much more smoothly than it does with stick-built custom homes.4. You care about the planet

Green much? Compared to stick-building, modular construction creates WAY LESS landfill trash, because the factories that produce them get better lumber (fewer rejects), waste less during framing (reuse scraps), and some even use the bits they can’t reuse as fuel to heat the factories! Most stick-built homes produce over 4 dumpster loads of debris, and a great deal of it is just plain wasted material. If you don’t believe me, just look inside a dumpster the next time a framing crew is busy at a job site near you. It’s very hard to get framing crews who are paid for labor only to care about the materials they waste because the builder pays for that, not them. I’ve seen framers make 2’ blocks out of 10’ long 2×4’s when their dumpster was full of cast-off lumber. It’s a real problem.3. ENERGY STAR® – it’s not just for appliances anymore

We’ve all seen the ENERGY STAR logo on appliances, but what does it mean, and how does it apply to homebuilding? In order for a home to bear the ENERGY STAR logo and certification, it must pass a series of inspections to prove that it was built to certain tolerances, AND performs well. The certification ultimately tells you that the home consumes 15% less energy than a home built to today’s building code. This is a third-party inspection process that takes place during construction, and just prior to move-in, where the home itself and the HVAC ducts are all pressure-tested to determine the energy losses. Many modular suppliers produce homes so well put together that they virtually don’t need to alter any of their processes to attain an ENERGY STAR rating. In fact, the losses that do occur in typical modular homes occur more often in the HVAC systems, which are usually done after the home is set. The ENERGY STAR logo, and the various other Green certifications available, should make you confident that your home will outperform homes built by other builders.2. More bang for your buck

Let’s face it, everyone likes a bargain, and Modular homes are right up there as bargains go. Because modular homes are produced in a facility that buys materials in mass quantities, and the labor rate in the rural areas where modular plants are is much lower than in major metropolitan areas, they tend to be cheaper as compared to a home built to the same specifications in the field. Custom Modular homes will be cheaper than Custom one-off homes built in the field if the finishes are equal as a general rule. That doesn’t mean that Modular homes are always cheaper, because there are cheaper ways of building a home. As is typical with most products, you get what you pay for, and all things being equal, a modular home will typically deliver higher performance than a stick-built home of the same price, giving you the proverbial more-bang-for-your-buck.1. It just makes sense

When all things are considered, the modular process just makes sense. If quality, speed, performance, and cost are all better with modular homes, why would anyone choose to build the old-fashioned way?

Article by Kitchen Repair

Fire damage commercial kitchen repair is serious and hot issue. It is also firm and solid problem. A person entangles, he feels be panic. He depressed by the damage and loss of costly things. When some ones precious things damages and burns, this problem becomes a tension all time for him and he wants to save his life quickly from the loss. He needs more dollars to establish a new kitchen in his home in his commercial fired kitchen.

A commercial kitchen comprises on many important things. A cabinet, kitchen articles, kitchen pots, stove edible things and kitchen basement all things are necessary for daily use. When a commercial kitchen burns, the electric wires and metal wares destroy. It depends on the quantity of the damaging things in commercial fired kitchen.

Everyone wants to make his kitchen to an attractive place. But if he is careless, in seconds he can face a big loss of costly things in his commercial fired kitchen. A fire damaging commercial kitchen you must call an emergency team and you found them on the door of your home. After burning commercial kitchen when he calls a helping team, he at once discussed his problem with them for save costly items in commercial fired kitchen. They apply their techniques to take off fire they start their investigation.When if you are a traveller or a visitor and you are interested to going to another place outside your country you hire a room with a kitchen in a hotel or a home. You are far from your country you are in fact in different people. If you are for long time period in another place you need such a home or room with a kitchen which will be suitable for you but it is very important to save your commercial kitchen from burning.

For example you are an officer to go for official purpose in a broad you must reach in time for concerning place. You must keep attention on your home fully and the important things of your kitchen also. Everything of the kitchen must be saved by your mistakes and carelessness. During your stay it is required to be careful at the time by stove. If you are in this accidental problem of kitchen damaging due to fire your problems are many. Before reaching office a person you please check your kitchen from every nook and corner. You feel consolation about the security of the house. You can easily go out in your office. A damaging kitchen requires costly new things. Therefore he must a list of new things keep in your hand and estimate the amount of the damage. Now you need a heavy amount to repair your commercial fired kitchen, many companies are working for this purpose. You must have decided to choose better service or company for your commercial kitchen. Every company has different ideas to repair a kitchen.

A luxurious apartment and home consists always on a beautiful kitchen. Steps to resolve this problem new wires and wares first you need to change. A commercial kitchen cannot be impressive without its accessories. Furthermore it is very important to change the paint of the walls of the kitchen. When you opine with your contractor on all aspects you can start repairing of your kitchen.

Article by Garden Media Group

Change has come to America. The pop culture phrase “show me the money,” boiling throughout business and industry, has cooled down and is forcing people to take a hard look at what is really important in life.

“Just look around you,” says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and outdoor living expert. “Our relationship with money has changed. Hard work, common sense and a return to small-town values are causing a shift in priorities from boardrooms to backyards.”

According to GMG’s 2010 Garden Trends Report, “The rewards of growing your own – from basil to berries to flowers – are boundless,” says McCoy.

Here is a glimpse of what McCoy and her team of trend spotters see for 2010.

* Edible gardens are in. Lawns are out. Growing your own groceries is hotter than ever and is transforming homes and communities. A recent survey by the National Gardening Association shows a 19 percent burst of new hobby country farms and urban edible gardens over last year.

“It’s time to reclaim our land for our greater good,” says Margie Grace, the 2009 International Landscape Designer of the Year, awarded by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. “Take that food-producing garden from the back 40 and put it wherever we want. Reunite the ornamental with the edible – roses beside tomatoes, beds edged with herbs, and veggies used as annuals.”

Grace is one of many wanting to “de-lawn” America. Front lawns are being transformed into vegetable and rain gardens. “Hell strips” – the patch of high-maintenance lawn or dirt between the sidewalk and street – are being planted with sustainable flowers, grasses and shrubs that need little to no care.

Gardeners with limited space are finding ways to have fresh herbs and vegetables in their kitchens. Innovative plant systems like Fertile Earth’s new Simple Gardens come with soil, seeds and a how-to guide packed in stylish square containers that make it a snap to grow kitchen gardens in any bright spot. Just add water.

* Slow gardening is in. Instant gratification is out. With the rising demand for locally-grown food, organic and energy-efficient products, people are gardening for the greater good. According to Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability, (LOHAS) seed sales are up 30 to 50 percent and canning saw a whopping 45 percent increase. Along with vegetables, people are planting and picking fruits and berries – especially blueberries and raspberries – for their nutritional value and ornamental good looks.

Many new products on the market are designed to help sustain the environment. Space-age technology saves gardeners time and water. AquaLok, a sustainable hydration system from Costa Farms, is a self-watering system for plants made from recycled soda bottles. It allows plants to thrive without drainage, and reduces watering needs by more than half.

For the do-it-yourself gardeners, add just a little GeoHumus, a new soil additive made from volcanic rock combined with state-of-the-art super absorbents, to all your containers and new plantings. It stores water and releases it to the plants on demand.

* Eco-boosting is in. Chemical-dependent gardens are out. Demand is up for earth-friendly, sustainable and organic garden products, like the first OMRI-listed compost-based premium blend potting soil from Organic Mechanics Soil Company. The caviar of potting mixes, the all-purpose premier blend is easy to use for all your planting needs.

For all-natural garden products and animal and insect repellents that are environmentally safe for people, pets and plants, turn to innovative companies like The Liquid Fence Company. The company just released FreezePruf, a revolutionary spray that helps plants withstand fall frosts and spring frosts, extending the growing season by a couple of weeks in fall and spring.

* Multi-tasking is in. Single-purpose gardening is out. Roofs are no longer just for parties. Green roofs are springing to life in cities and small towns, transforming barren space into lush gardens that help cool buildings, absorb rainwater, filter air pollutants, and create wildlife habitats.

Folks are bringing the outdoors in with houseplants. Mini orchids from Costa Farms are affordable, easy to care for, and come in a wide array of colors that are perfect for decorating rooms and gift-giving. Indoor plants are living art accents that provide oxygen, and remove carbon dioxide and harmful volatile organic compounds, 24/7. Check out these natural air-cleaning machines at http://www.o2foryou.org.

* Perennials and shrubs are in. Divas are out. Sustainable landscapes, water conservation, perennials and small edible shrubs are hot as gardening with natives attracts needed pollinators and birds, critical for the balance of nature. Consumers are looking for plants that are easy care, have great color, and are pest- and drought-resistant, like the new hardy early and repeat blooming daylily – Jersey Earlybird ‘Cardinal’.

Demand is up for sustainable hybrids like rhododendrons and grasses that provide great impact with little fuss. Look for a new hardy hybrid rhododendron and the first-ever tri-colored Hosta from Briggs Nursery. Rhododendron ‘Trocadero’ is a compact grower with bright red trusses and Hosta ‘Trifecta’ is a drought-tolerant stunner that helps shape landscapes with striking good looks and easy care.

Proceeds from The American Beauties Native Plant collection help support the National Wildlife Foundation’s Backyard Habitat program. Families are connecting with each other – and the earth – as purposeful gardening for wildlife catches on.

Article by Gardeneer Ltd

There is nothing better than being able to step into your garden on a warm summer’s day and feel as though you are entering your own private tranquil retreat. Somewhere with flowers blooming, the sun shining and a comfortable area for you to sit and relax whilst enjoying nature’s beauty. However it can be difficult to decide on how to plan and create this idyllic setting with so many options available.

One thing you may wish to consider is decking. This provides an excellent area for you and your guests to relax, socialise and party whilst admiring the rest of the garden. Decking is particularly useful when dealing with unlevel areas or parts of your garden that may have previously been unusable. This is because it is built on support posts concreted into the ground and therefore these can be adjusted appropriately to provide you a perfect hard standing and stable area for your garden. You can also use decking to create a designated barbeque, seating or storage area for example. This helps to protect the lawn and also makes the area a little more interesting and attractive.

Creating a rock garden feature can prove to be another great idea that will ensure your garden looks beautiful. Through the use of suitable plants, rocks and gravel, this will assist in the addition of colour and decoration to any garden. You can use a rock garden to create a border between areas of the garden or you may wish to make it into a small feature that is sure to be admired all year round. Rock gardens are also particularly good for drainage.

The soothing sound of running water whilst relaxing in your garden can’t be beaten. Having your very own water feature offers pure luxury and will prove to be a stunning addition to your garden. Furthermore there are endless design options which means you can create a beautiful water feature that fits perfectly with the rest of the garden. This may include fountains, waterfalls, pools and ponds of any shape or size. A water feature will not only help to produce a serene and attractive setting but also adds dimensions to your garden as typically it will be built up or dug into the ground.

A final addition you may wish to consider is a pergola or arch. These are a very popular choice in modern gardens and create a unique and attractive walkway through the garden. Pergolas and arches can be placed in whatever place best suits within your garden. Climbing plants will help to add even more decoration to the already intricately designed pergolas or arch. They are highly affective when used to separate sections of a garden or you may wish to use them as a particular feature with seating underneath.