House Curb Appeal | Driveway & Garden Design Tips & Updates

                   Origin of Lightouses

Egypt was the original country to guide ships with light from a lighthouse. In 283 A.D. the Egyptians built at that time the tallest lighthouse in existence. Rome and Greece also built lighthouses. In the beginning, lamps were used for light but could only be seen for a short distance. Modern lighthouses were built in the 1800′s and that is when the fresnel lens was first installed in a lighthouse using prisms. The first American lighthouse was on Brewster Island in Boston Harbor (Boston Lighthouse), first lighted in 1716. They were very important in warning sailors and ships with ringing bells and cannons and light. In today’s lighthouses, most of them are run by electricity. We have re-created these beautiful lighthouses in our beautiful, authentic looking mailboxes. We have many to choose from. Shown above is the Cape Hatteras in red, black and white and is located in Cape Hatteras. It is the tallest American lighthouse at 208 ft. tall and the light can be seen as far as 20 miles away.

Lighthouse slideshow 

Image: carolinalights.com

     Choosing a Style and Color

A garden hasn’t been created that is complete without having climbing roses. These beautiful roses also known as ramblers or trailing roses are not vines because they do not grow their own support structures, but they are very popular because they are so ornamental and gorgeous. Since they don’t have the ability to hold on to a structure they need a little help. The first thing is to select the color and style of rose that will compliment your decor or landscape.  Some types are called “everbloomers” which means they bloom all during the growing season.  Also, consider the size that the climbing roses will grow to, some can get up to thirty feet tall.  One of the best things about climbing roses is that they need very little care, not much pruning. Not at all in the first two years and about every 3-4 years thereafter.  

     Selecting a Support

The next thing you will decide is where you want to locate your climbing roses. They are truly beautiful whether on a fence, trellis, or arbor. If you put them on a trellis like beside your house, position at least a foot and a half from structure for ease of pruning and maintenance. Also, keep in mind the strength of the support as these roses will become heavy when grown and in wet or windy weather.  Support system should be firmly anchored in the ground to protect roses from moving and possibly being damaged. They will actually grow more roses when grown horizontally like along a fence than if grown on a trellis.

   Planting and Care

Make sure you dig a hole big enough for the root spread (twice as big) and around two feet deep. If planting a bare root rose set it on a little mound of dirt in the center of the hole to allow roots to drape. Graft union should be about 2-6 inches below soil level in cold climates and about level or an inch above in warmer climates.  Adjust soil evenly under and around roots then water quite a bit. Apply compost or manure or other rose fertilizer around the plant and then water again. Apply a good mulch like wood chips or similar around the bottom but do not heap it up.  Attach the canes to the support system with stretchy cloth (old pantyhose work very well) to allow for movement of growth. Periodically you may have to retie new cane growths for support.  Sit back and be patient, soon you will be enjoying a magnificent sight ! When they become established they will be worth the work and planning. Be sure to protect your climbing roses in winter by untying and laying them gently on the ground and covering with mulch or other protective covering. 

How To Train and Maintain Climbing Roses

Images: hamptons.com     growquest.com     

Cracks in Driveway

Repairing Small Cracks

Most of the time, driveway cracks are caused by constant cold temperatures, the soil beneath moving, or even by tree roots that have tried to come up through the concrete. When this happens it is time to do a little concrete repair. The best time to do concrete repair is when the temperature is moderate, not too hot or cold. For smaller cracks here are some tips on repairing them. Be sure that all dirt, dust and pieces of broken concrete are removed from cracks so the sealer will adhere well. A good idea would be to use a power washer for cleaning before starting. You can either use a concrete mixture (preferably gravel instead of sand) that is mixed in a large bucket (don’t mix too much at a time as it will harden too fast), or you can use a polyurethane caulking which is a little more expensive. As you fill cracks make sure that you tamp it down as you go and when the crack is barely raised just drag a float over it evenly to make the surface smooth. After the concrete dries for about 24 hours you can put a water and resurfacing mixture on the whole driveway, make sure you apply this to a wet surface ensuring the whole driveway is covered. Smooth with a rubber squegee for evenness.

Larger Crack Repair 

Repairing larger cracks (larger than 1/2 inch) will take a little more care but can still be done. First, chisel out the crack so it is wider at the bottom than at the top (undercutting). This will prevent the patching material from pushing out at the top. Remove any loose pieces and clean cracks carefully of debris. Apply a bonding material inside of crack first to ensure a bonding surface. Pour small amounts of concrete at a time and tamp down thoroughly. You can use a coat hanger to poke in it in order to get a good filling. Finish the same as smaller cracks.  Be sure to wet down the cement daily as this helps it to set properly. Vehicles should not be driven on the renewed driveway for about 4 to 5 days. A new or repaired driveway will enhance the whole look of your home.

How to Repair Your Driveway

Images:   buzzle.com     howstuffworks.com

Embodiment of Elegance

Because of the versatility of Roman Shades, they are absolutely the embodiment of elegance and beauty. They can be adjusted for light or privacy by a pull of a string, which allows the shades to fold up or down. Roman shades can be functional for just about any room in your home depending on your tastes. However, roman shades are not recommended for small children or infants bedrooms as there could be a danger of cords getting wrapped around a small child’s neck. Roman shades come in just about any style, color or fabric you could imagine including; bamboo, wood, or fabric. They can be insulated for warmth or privacy where this an issue.

Advantage of Roman Shades

Probably the first reason for choosing roman shades is they are truly beautiful. But, they are also economical, easy maintenance, and go with just about any decor. Roman shades can be purchased at numerous department stores and home improvement stores.  Roman shades can be easily removed for cleaning and are easily installed. They can be dressed up or dressed down for a more casual look if preferred. So, whatever style you choose, these roman window shades will provide a warm and appealing atomsphere to your home.

Vinet Modern Roman Shades

Images:  tvshuttersandblinds.com     myrastarling.us

Getting Ready for Spring

This year you can have the yard that is the envy of all the neighbors with just a little maintenance and preparation.  The first thing that you are probably going to want to do is rake your yard vigorously with a thatching rake (stiff).  This will pull up any dead roots, debris, or clippings that have gathered over the winter months and also aerate the soil for the new grass. Make sure the turf has dried out somewhat and is not soggy as this can cause damage to the turf.

Using a Good Fertilizer and Pre-emergent Herbicide

The next step in the process is using a good grass fertilizer.  Choose a slow, controlled release fertilizer that will release a small amount of nitrogen over a period of time.  Fertilizing should wait until the lawn has been mowed at least a couple of time, usually in early April or May.  Also, when applying a pre-emergent, timing of your weed killer is very important, keeping in mind that you don’t want to wait until you can actually see the weeds growing. Remember that you should use pre-emergent at least six weeks before putting down new seed as it will also kill the new seed if applied at the same time.

Re-seeding the Lawn

Although some recommend seeding the lawn in the spring, this is not actually the most favorable time. If the hot weather sets in before the new seed can get thoroughly established it can burn up the new seedlings.  A better time for seeding the new lawn would be in the fall because of weather conditions and fewer weeds.  But, if you do plan to seed your lawn in the spring be sure and get it done by late April or early May at the latest and after mowing two or three times.

Spring Preparation Tips Video

Images:  creeksidescapes.com

Mailboxes in American History

According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington DC, mailboxes have been around for over 150 years. But, Paris, France has the honors of creating the first known mailboxes that at that time were set up on street corners in 1653. However, the first use of a “home mailbox” in America was in the 1850′s when the first postage stamps were introduced. At first, there were only curbside mailboxes that were for the convenience of the mailman. In America the red mailbox flag was also introduced. Typically, they were made of iron or wood and weren’t very decorative, after all, they were for mail. In the late 1890′s there became a real necessity for a home mailbox as virtually hundreds of large cities were delivering mail to homes. Although it was not the first one, George Becket from Providence, RI obtained a patent for his “house-door letter box” that could be mounted on the front door. So, in 1923 the U.S. Post Office Department made it mandatory that all households must have a mailbox for delivery of mail. Thus, we have evolved into today’s beautiful and decorative mailboxes individually designed for each one’s tastes.

Image: texasescapes.com

Edible Landscape Ideas

Now that we are in full swing winter, the time is now to be planning your spring landscape.  So, had you thought of a beautiful, edible landscape?  The benefits are many and of course it can be quite eye appealing.  Edible gardens have been integrated into landscaped garden designs for centuries.  With today’s soaring food prices and limited space for individual landscaping, it is actually a great idea.  Think outside the normal range of vegetables, fruits, trees and vines.  Non-edible perennials, trees, and shrubs can be mixed in with the edibles according to your preferences.  You can also mix container plantings with herbs and other edibles into the landscape for additional beauty.  Herb gardens are very pretty and can add many colors, textures, and tastes to your landscape along with your ground cover edibles such as thyme, chamomile, etc.  Fruit trees and vining fruits can be grown in a variety of ways to add to the edible landscape.  You may wish to add fruit trees as a border or background and grape vines or beans can suffice as a hedge or border.

Some Good Reasons to Have an Edible Landscape

You can’t dispute that home grown food tastes far better than produce bought in a store that can take up to months to reach our tables.  Another reason is for economy; it will save lots of dollars in the long run.  You are also creating a beautiful garden with creativity and a sustainable food supply.  Limited space for essentials is another good reason for an edible landscape, incorporating these tasty edible foods into your beautiful typical non-edible greenery, trees, and flowers.  Some typical  plants to put in your edible landscape are: Apple, pear, walnut, and cherry trees, grape vines, mints, strawberries, tomatoes, and squash.  Although there are many to choose from, experiment with the end result desired and of course consider what foods you most like.  It can be a lot of fun as well as beautiful and also very rewarding.

Benefits of an Edible Landscape

Images:  rosalindcreasy.com        garden.org

What About A New Driveway

Have you ever driven by a particular house and could not take your eyes off the look of it?  Probably the first thing that caught your eye was the driveway. Let’s face it, your driveway says a lot about the rest of the look of your home. You’ve made all the repairs and remodels for the rest of the house and the landscape, now let’s take a look at a driveway makeover. You can always go with the usual asphalt, which can look very nice, or you can go with a little more durability and use concrete. Both are good choices, although concrete will probably last 2 to 3 times longer than asphalt.

Decorative Concrete Driveway

Decorative concrete has become very popular in the last few years and it is very understandable. When you look at a regular gray concrete driveway and a colored, decorative concrete driveway, there really is no comparison. Your driveway can be color coordinated to match the landscaping and color of your home which makes for a beautiful scene. Your contractor can dye and stamp with your desired preferences and dying provides a more lush and uniform look than acid stain. Stamping is a technique that creates an illusion of bricks or tiles. You can also add stenciling or engraving, such as your address. Another addition you could consider is “texturing”. This is accomplished by adding small stones or other rough materials and then sealed, ensuring stones stay intact. For a more elegant look, you could add a stamped or stenciled border around the textured areas. 

Polished Concrete Driveway

Polished concrete has been growing in popularity as well, and who could argue? It is simply beautiful and very durable. Polished concrete actually shaves the surface of the concrete, and liquid surface hardeners are applied to acquire the look of polished marble and this results in a very durable finish. The cost of decorative concrete is of course going to be a little more expensive, but oh, so worth the spend! Decorative concrete driveways do require a sealant that needs to be reapplied every few years, but should last for years and years to come. Maintenance is relatively easy; an occasional cleaning and sealant is about all you’ll need. Your new decorative driveway will become the focal point of all those oohs and aahs of passersby on a regular basis.

Decorative Concrete Driveways

Images:   Colored brown driveway

                   Stamped driveway

                    Polished driveway

Looking for a new decorative mailbox:   www.incrediblemailboxes.com

Blinds vs Curtains

So, you’ve remodeled your room and everything is just beautiful !  Except, the sliding door needs something special.  What to do, what to do.  Because of the functionality of the sliding door, the window treatment will probably be different from other coverings and the pros and cons must be considered.  Most commonly used on patio doors are vertical blinds and these are attractive and convenient, but, they’re not SPECIAL !! Blinds are nice for allowing light in the room if this is an issue, are low maintenance, and come in many colors, textures, and styles.  Sheers are also very popular and can be very pretty, but do not allow for any privacy.  All of these options must be considered when selecting your choice for your sliding patio door.  Always try to select the option that suits your tastes, color scheme and theme of the room.  Another thought is “how much traffic will this door be getting”?  If you will be using it a lot, then of course you will want tie backs or blinds that will not be getting in the way every time you open the door.

Window Cornice

If you have a lot of heavy traffic throughout the day such as children, visitors, etc., then you might consider window cornices.  The privacy that can be afforded from vertical blinds can still be had with a cornice.  Check out local antique stores for some deals on beautiful hand carved wooden cornices, just be sure of the fit.  If you are a handyman or have one available, you could even make your own wooden one and they look so lovely.  A cornice should compliment the rest of the room; a casual look would not go well with silk or satin whereas if you have a formal living room then this type of cornice would be ideal.  You can make your own from foam insulation board or plywood.  Try decorating with tassels, lace, rope braid or whatever you fancy.  A cornice is hassle free and can fit right over the vertical blinds.  So, for a touch of elegance and simple practicality try a cornice for that sliding patio door.  You could even add tieback draperies underneath at a later date if you so desired.  Don’t be afraid to shop around for the right look and try your skills at making your own, you won’t be sorry.  Good luck !

Hot To Make a Cornice

Images:    Patio Doors

Cornices and Blinds

Looking for a new Decorative Mailbox?  Incredible Mailboxes

Freezing Temperatures-

Winter is coming, so let’s get that lovely garden ready for the duration. If you live in an area that has regularly freezing temperatures, one of the worst things for plants is ground that is saturated wet, this will kill most plants. Make your plant choices wisely in regards to the area that you live in. There aren’t very many plants that will survive the type of soil that does not drain freely, and need to be in a place that will not be over-saturated but can still be kept moist but not wet. When the roots of plants get over wet they will freeze and this will certainly kill them. Some established plants that would normally survive in mild weather would probably die because of root freeze.  So, be sure you help with lots of organic matter and roughage in the soil and this will improve drainage, and this will also cause the soil to warm faster when spring comes.  Your plants, shrubs and trees also, if possible, need to be sheltered from freezing winter winds.

Plant Coverings-

Don’t be too quick to cut away all of the dead plant growth.  This can provide some protection from frost, unless you live in a frost free area (warmer).  Most nurseries will carry “frost cloths” like burlap for wrapping plants against winter cold.  Make sure you provide air circulation around roots to inhibit fungal growth.  Another alternative is plastic wrap used over a frame lightly, so as not to touch the plant.  Probably the most vital item is mulch to protect the plant and the soil from damaging affects of fluctuating temperatures.  It also helps to manage plant disease and control garden pests.  Make sure you use organic mulch such as pine needles, shredded leaves, or wood chips spreading about 6 to 12 inches around plants (don’t pile up).  You can move potted plants closer to the house and each other for a little extra warmth and cover with burlap.

Reap The Rewards-

So, do some planning and think it through, and cover those nice plants.  You can protect your garden through a frosty or problematic winter and have another beautiful garden come next spring, and it won’t be as hard as you think. Just remember to choose your plants wisely, choosing locations in advance in preparation, and also remember that the cold will kill those nasty garden pests. Take a little time to protect and you will reap the rewards!

Images:      http://www.agrowingtradition.com/2009/12/growing-winter-garden.html

http://www.bozemancottage.com/Bohart.htm

Looking for a new Decorative Mailbox: http://www.incrediblemailboxes.com