Special Section : Home & Garden Renovation Guide
imperative to construct a strong retaining wall . Erosionprone 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 .
opportunity to tidy up outside could pay off . Having your outdoor space set up to give potential buyers an idea of what could be may be a selling point .
• Finish your basement . Basement space isn ’ t just for storage and should be taken full advantage of if you ’ re looking to sell . Even just adding insulation , drywall , and flooring to create a finished look could interest buyers . Unfinished rooms may look like more work to potential buyers , so putting some funds toward finishing them prior to placing your home on the market may be a good investment .
Lush Landscapes
If you ’ ve ever attempted to transform your backyard into a beautifully designed paradise , then you have probably planted , trimmed , and dug your way into a few minor frustrations along the way . While good landscaping can vary by degrees , including budget , skills and climate , there are a few easy things you can do to be proud of your landscaping without paying an expert .
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
Home Sweet Office
Are you one of those lucky individuals able to work from home ? The world just seems like a nicer place when you ’ re dressed in your pajamas , doesn ’ t it ? But work is still work . You need a place that ’ s organized , designed well , and in which you feel comfortable . Chances are , you may also need a degree of privacy to do your best work .
One of the most overlooked factors in productivity is lighting . Many studies demonstrate that natural lighting is best whenever possible , and results in more productivity among workers and a more positive attitude toward the work itself . Lighting can have a profound effect on your mood and can even influence your hormones . A good overview of this subject is provided by Andrew Jensen , a business growth , efficiency and marketing consultant , at andrewjensen . net .
If placing your home office in an area with windows is not possible , try the soft lighting of a lamp instead , and try to avoid harsh fluorescents . Adding a silk plant or two , along with a picture of the outdoors , will help transform a windowless area into a more inviting space . Warm colors like reds , yellows and orange will also help warm up an otherwise dark office area such as a basement . Next , you ’ ll want to design your workspace with cabinetry where office supplies and files can be tucked neatly out of sight . Shelving that is custom designed for the way you work can transform even a tiny space into an efficient work area . Having cabinets and shelves that are suited to your exact purpose will eliminate a great deal of frustration and overwhelming feelings of disorganization . A designer and expert carpenter can help you get the most from your workspace .
Just because you don ’ t have an entire room in your house for a home office doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t have a dedicated workspace . Even a closet can be transformed into a workspace with the right planning , and the whole “ office ” can be put away at day ’ s end by simply closing the closet door .
If you have even less space to work with , try a wall-mounted desk that can be extended when in use and collapsed flush with the wall when it ’ s not . Cubby holes built into the interior wall area
Continued on next page >
ROSS TOWNSHIP ❘ SPRING 2023 17