Special Section : Home & Garden Renovation Guide
The following tips will guide you on the right path to do-ityourself landscaping :
• Always layer your planting beds . Layering in three rows , begin with your tallest plants in the back row , next tallest in the middle and shortest plants in the front . And don ’ t just plant one bed — put another elsewhere in your yard to help provide a sense of harmony .
• Calm your yard with water features . Providing focal points in your landscaping is a must , and one great way to do it is incorporating water features such as ponds and simple waterfalls . They both look appealing and add an attractive element to your yard — the calming sounds of moving water .
• Utilize retaining walls . If you are planning on protecting the fragile landscaping work around your home , it ’ s imperative to construct a strong retaining wall . Erosion-prone areas in your yard will benefit greatly by incorporating segmental retaining walls constructed from concrete masonry . Using concrete not only provides the best value for the investment , but also delivers superior design flexibility and aesthetic appeal to any landscape .
• When planting flowers , go with annuals . To have a continuous sense of color throughout your yard , plant annual flowers alongside your favorite perennials . Research and lay out creative flower combinations that make use of both kinds of flowers for lasting beauty .
• Think year-round . One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is only providing one or two seasons ’ worth of eyecatching landscaping . Plan for having plentiful trees and shrubs during the springtime , fall foliage during autumn months , and good , visually interesting plant life in the winter , such as holly shrubs or bayberry bushes .
Dream Decks
One way to add living space to your home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio . Having a great outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house . It can be enjoyed by the whole family or experienced in quiet solitude as a retreat to the zen of outdoor living .
If you like to entertain , then an outdoor space is a must . Guests can spill out onto the patio , extending your home to allow more freedom for guests to mingle both inside and out .
Though the words “ patio ” and “ deck ” are often used interchangeably , there is a difference . A patio is generally constructed of stone pavers , tile or a simple concrete foundation that sits squarely on the ground . Decks are usually made of wood , PVC ( also called vinyl ) or composite , which has wood content that has been encapsulated in a PVC wrap . Decks can either be ground level or elevated . When considering which option is best for you , you ’ ll want to look at the costs and which one works well with the style of your home . The good news is that regardless of the option you choose , you ’ ll get a positive return on your investment — somewhere between 30 and 75 percent .
For a wood frame house , wooden , composite or PVC decks can match the trim of the home . Since wood can be painted , a wooden deck offers the most color options , however it will also require frequent repainting . Both PVC and composite decks are available in a wide range of earth tones to match your home ’ s style . Experts
say there are cost differences , but PVC and composite decks require less maintenance in the long run .
The costs of materials for a deck have risen dramatically over the past few years , running anywhere between $ 15 and $ 35 per square foot depending on the type of material . Wooden decks are attractive , but they do require more maintenance and will have to be resealed every few years to give them maximum life . Both PVC and composite decks require significantly less work but aren ’ t entirely hassle-free . You should be sure to power-wash your deck for cleaning , with frequency depending on location . If the deck is adjacent to trees and shrubbery , leaves and pollen will settle on the frame , so washing is required to keep it looking sharp .
If your home is made of stone , you may opt for a patio that is a continuation of the stone look , but this also works well with a wood frame or brick home . Patios work best in yards that are level , while a deck can be placed pretty much anywhere , including a hilly or uneven lawn .
Homeowners are especially keen to add a fire feature to their outdoor area , functioning as a gathering point for both family and guests . Traditional wood-burning fireplaces not only add physical warmth and beauty , but emotional warmth as well . Contemporary homeowners are opting for very modern linear gas fireplaces , with smooth , clean lines to mirror the style of their home .
For those who don ’ t have the space for a fireplace , fire pits or fire tables make a great feature , with some creating a beautiful flame that glows through crystal rock . Tables are available in three different heights , with a lower coffee-table height , dining table , and bar height . Homeowners also have the option of selecting wood- or gas-burning fire pits .
Kitchen in the Great Outdoors
When the summer heats up , the prospect of slow-cooking a roast or searing some ribs is just not as appealing when you know it ’ s going to heat up your house and drive up your air-
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