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Gardens and flowers have

a way of bringing people

together, drawingthem from their homes.

MOMENTS

GARDEN

Gardeners are - lets face it - control freaks. Who else would willingly

spend his leisure hours wresting weeds out of the ground,blithely making life or death decisions about living beings, moving

earth from here to there, changing the course of waterways? The

more one thinks about it, the odder it seems; this compulsion to

remake a little corner of the planet according tosome plan or vision.

~Abby Adams,What is a Ga rden Anyway

~Clare An sbe r r y,The Women of Troy Hil l

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6 DESIGNERS CORNERMelissa Galt shares with HBD thewonder of color.

11 COOKINGCooking with the seasons best andfreshest ingredients.

36 CRAFTSWindow box garden.

42 GALLERYMaster woodworker Craig Parker.

46 DESTINATIONSRelax and rejuvenate in a 19th centurytudor mansion.

DEPARTMENTS

16 A SELF TAUGHT GARDNERSydney Eddison shares her journey.

20 SUBTROPICAL GARDENA room-by-room stroll through aMediterranean masterpiece.

24 ROOFTOP GARDENFresh veggies and flowers in the City

of Brotherly Love.28 A SECRET GARDEN

Katie Ukrop shares her private garden.

32 CHALLENGES BECOME OPPORTUNITIESTransforming a suburban yard into a livable garden.

40 SEA OF PAPERLearn how to organize your clutter.

FEATURES

CONTENTSAPRIL|MAY|2003

page|24

page|16

ON THE COVER

Lush perennial garden in Connecticut.

Story on page 16.

page|46

page|6

page|36

page|40

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APRIL|MAY|2003

PUBLISHER TWENTY-TWO FIVE, LLC

EDITOR BRANDON LEE

GARDENING FEATURE CONSULTANT NAN STERMAN

CREATIVE TEAM SHANNON KALOPER, MEGHAN LEE,

LAURA SWAYNE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CATRIONA TUDOR ERLE, CYNTHIA

TOWNLEY EWER, KIM FUQUA, MELISSA GALT, CHRIS ROMAN,

NAN STERNMAN, RHONDA SWAYNEY, REBECCA SWEAT, CHRIS

A. VERSTRAETE, PHIL WOOD

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS CATRIONA TUDOR ERLE,

WILL GULLETTE, SEAN HARTNEE, KATHI INGLESBY, JON

KOWNACKI, RICH POMERANTZ, ROBERT THIENE, PHIL WOOD

TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR SEAN HARTNEE

OFFICE MANAGER PAT MONTGOMERY

DESIGN NICOLA AUGUSTSON

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE

1250 Ironwood Drive, Suite 226, Coeur dAlene, ID 83814208-676-0569, 208-676-0469 FAX.Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Editorial Inquiries: [email protected]/editorialcalendar.pdf

Real Estate Agents or Mortgage lenders who are interested in usingHome By Design in their marketing plans, please contact our salesoffice at 877-423-4567.

Copyright 2002 Twenty-Two Five, LLCAll Rights Reserved

Recipients of Home By Design magazine receive their subscription as acourtesy of a real estate professional or mortgage lender.The Home By

Design magazine program is an exclusive marketing program created byTwenty-Two Five, LLC.Twenty-Two Five, LLC has contracted with allreal estate professional and mortgage lender clients that Twenty-TwoFive, LLC will not use the supplied mailing list for any other purposesother than to mail copies of Home By Design magazine. Your mailinginformation will never be leased, sold, traded or used for any otherpurposes.

For more information on our mailing list policy or for more informationon Twenty-Two Five, LLC and our Home By Design magazine program,please contact our office at 208-676-0569.

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This season, more than ever before I can appreciate spring! My family and I havespent our first season in a region that actually has 4 distinct seasons. We have

experienced our first real winter. All the locals tell me it was a mild winter soI am very thankful for our timing.

Growing up in California I heard about cabin fever and what seem to be endlessdays waiting for spring to be sprung. But this year, I can honestly say that I welcomespring with great big, open arms.

This is a very exciting issue to me and I think you will enjoy it. As you arepreparing, planning and beginning to get back in the yards I hope this issue helpsmotivate and inspire you to be creative.We discovered 5 fantastic garden storiesto share with you. I intentionally mention the story rather than just the garden

because I found the stories enhance my appreciation for the gardens.

Our garden articles begin on page 14.You will read about 5 very different gardens and how theirowners dreamt, created, struggled and now enjoy their gardens. I especially enjoy the rooftopgarden in Philadelphia. I enjoyed the enthusiasm and excitement in which Rob and Debbie sharedwith me about their garden. It is truly an amazing garden overlooking Philadelphia. It gave me anew appreciation for people with a green thumb.

I am also extremely thrilled to bring you The Wonder of Color. I asked interior designer, MelissaGalt to share with us about using color in our homes. I get a lot of letters from our readers aboutmany different aspects of using color. Most of us want to use color in our homes but we are nervous

about how it will look and how it may affect us. If you ever had these thoughts, this article is amust read.

HOME BY DESIGN|APRIL MAY 2003 5

LETTER FROM THE EDITORSpringt ime!

Enjoy!

page|6

page|24

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All colors can run hot or cold depending on their base, yellow orblue. Many of our associations with color are historically andculturally based.Not sure what you really like? Check out yourcloset,chances are you tend to wear colors you enjoy and they are

also good options for your interior, possibly in different hues.

The guidelines for selecting colors include using test boards orwall areas of at least two feet by three feet in two dry coats.Youll need a larger test area if it is a darker color. Not eventhe pros select from those one inch chips in paint decks!Check the color morning, noon, and night with lamp light,and daylight for a true effect. Selecting the right finish is as

important as choosing the best color. Lighter colors are best inan eggshell finish because it allows for easy maintenance andlimited touch up. Darker, richer colors need a satin or semi-gloss finish to really bring out the depth and avoid chalking.

Ceilings can be in flat, but do need to be tinted.White is definitelyout.White wont show off your architectural trim. Consider awarm neutral like bone, or in childrens rooms and sunroomsa robins egg blue.

Color is dramatically affected by light, and in fact the samecolor can look completely different on each wall in a roomdepending on the light and shadow at play. Most can learn

6 HOME BY DESIGN|APR IL MAY 2003

THE WONDER OF COLOR

WRITTEN BY MELISSA GALT|PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT THIEN

Making it work in your home

Color! It is often the first design element that a homeowner considers in the decorating

scheme. It is also the easiest and most cost effective way to make a dramatic change in any interior. It affects

our moods, our look, our health, and even our success.We use colors to describe emotions and our state of

mind, feeling blue?, seeing red?, looking a bit green? So read on to find out more about how to make

the most of your favorite hues and get the scoop on their real meaning.

RED

PINK

YELLOW

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their geographic room orientation without a compass, just payattention the where the sun rises and sets in relation to eachroom. Northern and Eastern light is much harsher, brighterand bluer. It exaggerates blues, greens, and purple tones, andbalances warmer shades.While Southern and Western light isricher, yellowier, and mellower and will literally make a room

feel several degrees warmer without any true change in thethermostat. Homes are often oriented to have a kitchen facingeast, to catch the morning light, while a dining room may havea Western exposure that would feel hot in the afternoon butat night when used most often is quite comfortable.This is justthe tip of the palette, with millions of combinations possible.When looking for a starting point, try working with a rug,starting at the bottom, or a piece of favorite artwork, startingat the top.This will effectively provide parameters to establisha scheme, certainly changeable later. Most of all have fun withcolor! Next well explore the meanings of the most popular

used colors in todays interiors.

HOME BY DESIGN|APRIL MAY 2003 7

DESIGNERS CORNER

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Ever wonder why so many dining rooms are burgundy??Burgundy is a derivative of red, which has been proven to

stimulate your appetite and raise your heart rate. For the samereasons and more, many restaurants, especially Chinese,Italian, and Mexican and fast food chains know it can makeyou spend more money, and lose track of time, all while eatingmore. On a diet? Dont paint your kitchen red. Looking for agoods nights sleep? Keep red out of the bedroom, it doesntpromote rest.

Instead consider the purple family,from lavender to aubergine,purple is known to slow the heart rate, and encourage dream-ing, certainly an advantage in a bedroom. On the other hand,

it is also a teenage favorite for promoting daydreaming, andcreativity, if the kids arent studying enough or sleepingexcessively and have a lot of purple in sight, maybe a changeis in order.

Blue and green are the most universally accepted colors,because they are found in nature. Blue is one of the most chal-lenging colors to select for an interior, but can be used togreat effect on ceilings, for a sky appearance, or even in indi-go for a night time feeling. It promotes calmness and trust.

Remember the expression true blue?

When you want to use a brown, the choice is chocolate ormud. Food monikers make it all delicious. Brown, in fact, hasbeen enjoying tremendous popularity in recent years. It ismore interesting than beige, and it is warm and reliable. (Yes,UPS did know what they were doing!) Brown is a wonderfulaccent to green, purple, orange, and even pink. Mocha,espresso, latte and more are all showing up in homes as oftenas Starbucks.

Green is truly the new neutral, especially in moss, sage, andkhaki. It gives the illusion of bringing the great outdoors, in,and is highly livable over long periods of time. It also com-plements every other color well, and is said to generate afeeling of re-growth, renewal,and rejuvenation.Green is alsoa great example of its all in a name! Many will remember thedays of avocado and harvest gold.We have seen a real resur-gence of these colors in the last five years.

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Yellow gives the illusion of sun and is a wonderful option fordark spaces, back hallways or any windowless room. It can

get too bright if not balanced with a bit of black in the mix.Studies have shown babies to cry more in a yellow room, thanany other color, (full strength of course). Butter cream isalways easy on the eyes, but often electric yellow will proveirritating over long periods of time, much as we associate yel-low with caution and slowing down in daily life.Yellow visu-ally, is also known to promote memory skills.Yes, legal padsare yellow for a reason!!

Orange is indicative of affordability and is said to make uslaugh. It also is considered to encourage learning and can be

used in classrooms. Peach is still pass, but orange is enjoyinga resurgence as tangerine, coral, Hermes orange, Cimarronand paprika in conjunction with browns or pinks most often.

Pink, isnt just for little girls rooms anymore, but can befound in bedrooms, baths, and living rooms leaning towardinviting and romantic rose, quiet cameo blush, orange-tingedsalmon and more. Pink is often considered a soothing color,once used regularly in beauty salons. Many can recall whenbaked goods came in pink boxes, stimulating our desire forsugar.Think of Baskin Robbins, and Dunkin Donuts! Need togive yourself and your interior a boost?? Try pink light bulbs,they soften the glow subtly, and you may find yourself gettingmore complements on your appearance!

Black with its inherent associations with elegance, and moneyis often best in small doses. A gleamy black lacquer tray, asleek black leather bench, perhaps a cozy black chenillethrow, all can add that touch of drama to the right interior. Ablack dining table, with brass or nickel wheel accents, andupholstered chairs establishes an air of formality.

White indicates independence and a free spiritedness. It isbest used when an interior enjoys an exception quality of nat-ural light, such as the desert, or island living. Otherwise ittends to look like primer and you are waiting for color!White doesnt have to be boring, but it needs texture to makeit work,and a willingness to keep it clean.White can be beau-tiful but grungy is not!

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11/48HOME BY DESIGN |APRIL MAY 2003 11

Part of the secret of

success in life is to eat

what you like and let the

food fight it out inside.

~Ma rk Twain

When I think of seasonal cooking, I invariably think of spring!

Who can resist the vibrant colors and fresh scents of herbs and veggies newly plucked fromthe garden? As winter months come to a close and spring begins to bloom, hearty soups and

stews make way for lighter, brighter dishes. This time of year calls out for fresh, colorful

ingredients - and this menu is chock full of the seasons best. Fresh asparagus, thyme, arti-

choke hearts, and red potatoes each play starring roles. Best of all, the complex flavors of

seasonal ingredients eliminate the need for complicated cooking techniques. A friendly,

casual presentation, paired with virtually no preparation time, make this meal ideal for

either a creative family repast or an informal dinner party for friends.

RECIPES BY LAURA SWAYNE|WRITTEN BY KIM A FUQUAPHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHI INGLESBY

COMFORT FOOD

WITH A TWISTA seasonal approach to classic home cooking

COOKING

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SAUTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITHARTICHOKES, LEMONS, AND CAPERS(SERVINGS:4)

Prep time: 5 minsBaking and chilling time: 15 mins

With a dash of Mediterranean flare, this recipe originatesfrom Fosters Markets in North Carolina, one of LauraSwaynes favorite haunts. It is featured in the new FostersMarket Cookbook, compiled by chef/owner Sara Foster,former chef for Martha Stewarts catering group.The color-ful presentation and complexity of flavors belie the simplici-ty of this dish.

The season for white wine is here, and this dish will allowyou to utilize your favorite white wine in the sauce.Hint: Never cook with a wine you wouldnt be willing todrink.The quality of every ingredient counts!

Sauting the chicken over high heat in a large skillet allows itto retain moisture. A heavy 12-inch skillet or 10-inch sautpan will do. Chicken breasts cooked without crowding in askillet will render their own fat, forming a crusty surface thattraps the juices inside.

4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 113 pounds)Salt and fresh-ground black pepper

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter1 Tablespoon olive oil13 Cup of flour1 Lemon, sliced paper thin14 oz. artichoke hearts14 Cup capers1 Cup dry white wine6 Bay leaves

Trim chicken and pat dry.Season the chicken with salt, pepper,and thyme. In a large skillet, melt the butter with the oil overmedium-high heat. Dust chicken with flour and add to pan.Sprinkle lemon slices, artichoke hearts, and capers overchicken. Cook until brown and crispy, about 5 minutes perside. Add wine and bay leaves and simmer, partially covered,until the chicken is just done, about 5 minutes. Remove bayleaves.Transfer chicken to individual plates and pour remainingsauce over the top.

Herb Twist: Try any fresh herb you like from your garden inplace of the thyme. Rosemary, marjoram, sage, or oregano,will all work well in this dish.

12 HOME BY DESIGN |APR IL MAY 2003

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13/48HOME BY DESIGN |APRIL MAY 2003 13

MASHED RED SKIN POTATOES(SERVINGS:4)

Prep time: 5 minsBaking and chilling time: 25 mins

I also like to refer to this dish as Lauras Lazy Taters. Thisrecipe was created out of a need for speed in the kitchen.Cutting baby potatoes in half is so much quicker than dicinglarge ones, and the boiling time is the same! Because oftheir thin skins, there is never a need to peel red potatoes.Thistimesaver also makes for a colorful presentation!

2 Pounds baby red potatoes, halved12 Stick unsalted butter, room temperature14 Cup cream cheese, room temperature

Milk or cream, for desired consistencySalt and fresh-ground black pepper

In a large pot, cover the potatoes with cold water and bring toa boil. Salt the water generously and boil the potatoes untilvery tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colanderand return to the pot. Mash potatoes, adding the butter andcream cheese. Continue mashing until the potatoes aresmooth. Add milk or cream to the potatoes and mash untilthoroughly blended. Continue adding milk or cream to obtaindesired consistency. Season with salt and pepper and servepiping hot.

Italiano Twist: Instead of cream cheese, try mascarpone, arich and delicious Italian cream cheese.

Herb Twist: Add 2 teaspoons of fresh tarragon or dill.

Garlic-Lovers Twist:Add 2 cloves of minced garlic (or more,if desired).

FRESH ASPARAGUS(SERVINGS:4)

Baking time: 10 mins

Fresh asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to this springmeal. To enhance the rich green color of cooked asparagus,soak spears in a large bowl of cold water for 5 minutes priorto cooking. If you cannot locate (or do not favor) fresh asparagus,use fresh green beans instead.

1 Pound fresh asparagus, trimmed2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

Salt and fresh-ground black pepper

Cover the bottom of a large skillet with water and heat to

boiling. Add asparagus and cook 1-2 minutes. Add butter andreduce liquid until it becomes slightly caramelized. Seasonwith salt and pepper.Transfer to a platter and serve.

Wine: The tart flavors of the lemon and capers call for a tartclean-tasting wine.Try a full-flavored white wine with decentacidity, such as Frances Pouilly-Fuiss, made from chardonnaygrapes. Also, New Zealand sauvignon blancs have a uniquestyle, with a potent streak of acidity, ripe citrus flavor, and anote of asparagus.

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14/4814 HOME BY DESIGN |APR IL MAY 2003

They come into existence through a variety of scenarios. Sometimes they are

planned and designed by professionals with a goal and purpose. While other

times they evolve through some hapless actions by a hopeful, amateur gardener.

Either way, they get to a point where they take on their own life, grow, transform

and become a beautiful living environment.

It is easy for all of us to focus on the colorful and fragrant flowers in gardens.

However, when I see a phenomenal garden I am in awe over the beauty of it

and then I think, Wow, someone had the creativity and patience to design,

plant and maintain this masterpiece.

What we have put together for you in this issue are some very beautiful gardens

but more importantly we have shared with you great gardening stories.

Behind every spectacular garden, and even the not-so-spectacular gardens, is

a gardening story.

Please enjoy the pictures because they are truly wonderful to see. But dont

deprive yourself of the stories. The stories bring the images to life and allow

you to appreciate the beauty that much more.

Gardens are incredibly intriguing.

5 magnificent gardens and their inspirational stories

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Left: Old pink variety

peony in Connecticut

garden.

Right: Red Peonies

with yellow center

with white peonies in

3rd generation

Connecticut garden.

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Four decades later, the plot and plant borders that face garden writer Sydney EddisonsConnecticut home explode with color and texture that changes with each season.

The result of hard work, on-the-job training and, yes, even repeated plantings when some-thing didnt work the first time, this garden now provides a seasonal show that mothernature wouldnt hesitate to give her stamp of approval.

Bordering four acres of woodlands, Eddisons perennial garden is also a perfect example ofhow a plain or even dismal patch of dirt can be transformed by anyone with the slightesttrace of a green thumb and the motivation to do it.

It was my first garden of any sort, says 71-year-old Eddison, author ofThe Self-TaughtGardner, Viking Penguin 1997, which describes her planting journey and offers advicegleaned from her own and a couple other gardens. Her latest book, The GardnersPalette, McGraw-Hill, November 2002, focuses on using color in the garden.

She offers sage advice as an author and guest lecturer at places like the New York Botanical Garden,

but when she started her garden, Eddison readily admits she was clueless.

I hadnt a clue as to what I was doing, she says.It takes a few years before you know whatblooms with what. For awhile it was kind of spotty.

What she did, and advises others to do, is to plunge right in. She recom-mends that anyone who wants a garden to just grab a trowel and startexperimenting. You never know what will grow until you try it, sheadvises. Im big on trying things.

In her case, the result is a horticultural paradise that includes a main border

stretching 100-feet long and about 15-feet wide.The garden encompassesnot only hundreds of varieties of day lilies, prized for their mid-summerburst of color, but other plants that make a garden look good no matter

what the time of year.

The first step was to find plants that were cold tolerant and suitable to Zone 6 conditionsto survive the often-brutal winters of the East Coast. It also was a matter of choosing plantsthat would grow with minimum upkeep and maximum appearance.

HOME BY DESIGN |APRIL MAY 2003 17

Top: Lambs ear borders

garden in full sun with weeping

cherry blossom behind.

Bottom Left: Early blooming

pink-purple primrose.

Bottom Right:Old homestead

of 3rd generation garden.

It was once an overgrown, weed-choked cow pasture.

A SELF-TAUGHT GARDNER

WRITTEN BY CHRIST INE A. VERSTRAETE |PHOTOGRAPHY RICH POMERANTZ

Sydney Eddison shares her journey

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The first showing in Eddisons garden comes in spring as theheads and spiky leaves of dozens of bulbs poke their waythrough the soil after their long winters rest. Literally hun-dreds of daffodils and tulips, mostly in shades of cream andwhite, burst forth in a serene, yet striking, blanket.

Touched with patches of red tulips and the green of the yet-to-bloom plants, it is an understated, but effective, display....The foliage of the perennials make a nice background, shesays. I save the wall of color for the summer.

By late May, the garden transforms again. Eddison calls it verysuccessful, but its very brief, alas. The garden now is a softer,but still vibrant blend of reds and blues with touches of pink asthe Siberian Iris and Rhododendrons bloom. In early June, redpeonies add a spark beside the soft white-silver of a bed of

Lamb's Ears and the stark white of bunches of daisies.

A brief lull in blooming in June shows the importance ofpicking plants not only for their flowers, but also for theiroverall appearance.

Nothing is in bloom, so it matters a lot to have decent

foliage, Eddison says.

A mistake? Not quite.

Call it more of an intermission before the grand performance.In July, the day lilies take center stage. Contrasting with the bluesof the Globe Thistles, the literally hundreds of varieties of daylilies in shades of gold, orange and yellow fill the garden witha welcome explosion of color.

As the garden begins to quiet down for its winter nap, it offers

a different face in the fall.Then, it blooms more subtly with

The garden is full ofjoys and disasters, andits full of surprises and horrible surprises....Having a piece

of ground, thats the trick. Suddenly, that piece is

yours to fool with and do with what you like.

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the orange hues of the Autumn Joy sedum, the sunny yellow of sun-flowers, the blue-green flowers and rounded shape of the Blue Mistshrub, and tall tufts of Joe-Pye weed.

And even in winter, the garden provides an interesting profile as orna-mental grasses, bare branches and spent tufts of sedum thrust throughthe snowy layers.

The garden also features favorites like Rose of Sharon, Maiden Grass,Irises, Butterfly Bush, Black-eyed Susans and Gayfeather, among others.

While Eddison says she worked by trial-and-error, having taught highschool theater production gave her a sense of order that came inhandy.Would-be gardeners neednt fear,however, that such a backgroundor special knowledge is needed. Planning and maintaining a gardenjournal are keys to a successful garden.

If Id known what I was doing, I wouldve been a bit intimidated, she says.

Instead, she was smitten, as she hopes others are.

The garden is full of joys and disasters, and its full of surprises andhorrible surprises, she says Having a piece of ground, thats the trick.Suddenly, that piece is yours to fool with and do with what you like.


Opposite: Fringe tree peonies and iris

in border.

Above left: Paprika Velvet red daylily with

Ageratum Blue Horizons and bright

orange Hem.

Below left: Primroses thrive in shaded areas.

Above right: Hummingbird spigot silhouet-

ted at entrance to garden.

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SUBTROPICAL GARDEN

WRITTEN BY NAN STERMAN|PHOTOGRAPHY WILL GULLETTE

A room-by-room stroll through the Mediterranean

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Opposite Page: The grand entry hallway

draws visitors from the front gate into a

private jungle with sweeping ocean views

Right: Palms, giant bird of paradise and

other plants are planted in a circular

arrangement similar to the way cut

flowers are arranged in a bouquet

Far Right: Clay pot planting: Canna,

geranium, grasses, impatiens and more

are displayed here.

timbers that lean over a stucco wall which, despite its eight foot height, looks a bit like a tooshort vase holding long stem flowers. Step beyond the wall and enter a secret subtropicalgarden in Del Mar, California.

Del Mar is a coastal community just north of San Diego.The climate is classic Mediterraneanwith warm dry summers. Rain is limited to about 11 inches in a good year, all of it arrivingin the mild temperatures of winter. It is a great climate for growing low water plants. Addenough water and you can grow subtropicals.

When the homeowners purchased this property in the 1970s, the site held a pink and greenboardn batten house with a white rock roof. Extensive remodeling started immediately,after which, they turned their attention to the garden. Because the Southern California sunis so intense, their goal was to create a dappled shade garden with an overhead canopy.Theyalso wanted open areas of light and shade much like those found in a forest.

They divided the 2/3 acre garden into several different rooms, each with a specific theme,characteristic plants, and flooring surface to distinguish it. Densely planted fishtail palms,king palms, queen palms and bamboos form the backbone of the garden by serving as roomdividers and as the high, overhead canopy.

Pass through the street sidewall via a heavy wooden gate into a grand entry hallway. Here, athick carpet of green grass leads past a bamboo lined colonnade. Shrubs, ferns, and peren-nials in the hallway are chosen for flower color, for leaf color, and for interesting leaf shapes.

From the street, all that is visible are huge bamboo

PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE HALLWAY

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One of the owners favorites is a tender perennial is Iresineherbstii, also known as blood leaf for its deep burgundy col-ored leaves.The burgundy contrasts beautifully with the deepgreen background.

A bit further down the hallway is the first of what the ownercalls bouquet plantings enormous living compositions ofpalms, ferns, bird of paradise and other plants, arranged as onewould arrange a bouquet of cut flowers.The inspiration comesfrom a childhood spent in his fathers florist shop. In transfer-ring the bouquet concept to the garden, he holds true to thebasics of flower arranging: tallest elements in the center, sur-rounded by circular arrangement of plants of varying heights,

textures, and shapes. Because these are living bouquets, he alsohas to factor in growth rates to ensure that as the plants grow,the bouquet effect is not lost.

The tinkling tones of wind chimes fill the air along the lengthof the hallway. While metal chimes play the treble notes, bassnotes come from hollow bamboo chimes made of timbers cutfrom the garden.

The entry hallway opens onto a wide opening that holds a rec-tangular koi pond. Beyond that point towards the west is a lovelyview of the ocean. In order to emphasize the view, the ownerhas been careful to limit the vertical plantings. Ancient pepperand carrotwood trees that predate the garden are carefullylaced to frame expansive views from inside the home. Golden-colored Bambusa vulgaris Vittata with its thin green stripes,along with the revered Moso bamboo, Phyllostachys heterocyclapubescens contribute to the beauty of the scene.

Between the thick, green grass carpet, the lacy overhead foliage,and constant ocean breezes, this garden room is cool and inviting,

even in the hottest days of the summer.

On its western edge, the property drops off to a steep slopeplanted in richly fragrant gingers. The gingers, which flowerbest in the hot temperatures of late summer, grow so thick thatby August, walking through the ginger patch is like walkingthrough a perfumed corn patch.

Enormous living compositionsof palms, ferns, bird of paradise and other plants, arranged as

one would arrange a bouquet of cut flowers.

THE WEST GARDEN AND POND

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As is typical of homes in hot climates, this one is designed ina u-shape to create a private inner courtyard. A twistedPodocarpus tree arches over the entry to the courtyard creatinga sense of intimacy. Potted hydrangeas along with gingers,

impatiens, canna, and other flowering subtropical plants line thepatio. Here again,the homeowner calls upon his florist backgroundto arrange plants in pots. Each pot features plants in a varietyof heights, leaf textures and colors, as well as flower colors.

The road to a wonderful garden is not without its painful lessons.Nearly two decades ago, the twenty fishtail palms were plantedthroughout the garden.The problem with fishtail palms is thatonce they flower, they die. In late 2000, the 35 foot tall palmsstarted flowering, a clear sign that they had reached the end oftheir lifecycle, though far sooner than expected. Rather than

wait for the tremendous trees and their hundreds of pounds offruit to fall onto the house, the owner had the palms allremoved at once. It was a tremendous job that required theefforts of seven workers, a crane, and a pulley system.

At first, the owner was upset by the holes left in the landscape,but he quickly realized that as in any natural habitat, change ispart of the process. It was heartbreaking to loose them, hesighs,but then I realized that without the palms,all these otherplants could really come into their own. In the six months fol-

lowing the loss of the fishtails, the planting beds that had suddenlyseemed so open and bare became new planting opportunitiesfor this masterful gardener.

Brick court: Bamboo is used for

fences, wind chimes and large,

dry arrangements like this one.White hydrangeas fill out the

base of the arrangement.

Living room view: Large trees

were used to enhance the ocean

view from the comfortable

living room.

THE INNER COURTYARD

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LIVING ON THE EDGE

WRITTEN BY NAN STERMAN|PHOTOGRAPHY CATRIONA TUDOR ERLER

Fresh veggies, flowers and a pond in the City of Brotherly Love

7/30/2019 03-apr-may


and peppers. For 6 years, Debbie Bicker and Rob Hewell would climb out the window oftheir downtown Philadelphia row house to reach pots of vegetables growing on the roof.Why on the roof? I just have to grow things explains Debbie, and not having much of aback yard, I started growing things on the roof.Today, their 150 year old home has a modern,

multi level rooftop garden complete with Adirondack chairs, a flourishing vegetable garden,dining area, flower planters, and a pond.

The couples rooftop garden project started off slowly. First, they widened the windowopening and installed French doors, We didnt want to make our guests climb out the win-dow, explains Debbie.Then, they replaced the roof itself, which proved to be a challenge.It seems that asphalt and tarpaper roofs like theirs are typically covered over rather thanreplaced.We had 9"to 10" of roof from all the years of adding layers, Debbie recalls.Whenremoved, the old roofing filled an entire dumpster and weighed nearly 11,000 pounds.After that, the couple stopped worrying about how much their new deck would weigh.

Rob is trained as an architect though he doesnt practice professionally. He, Debbie, and con-struction contractor Matt Galer of Cresheim Valley Construction, Inc. worked together todesign a deck that would accommodate the multi-story roofs changes in elevation.This wasto be a modern looking deck built of attractive but utilitarian and long-lasting materials.They ended up with a tiered mahogany structure that changes elevations gradually ratherthan all at once. Railings are made of aluminum electrical conduit that is bent to round thecorners gently and attractively.

Today, the first deck level just outside the French doors is used for storage.Thisis where Rob and Debbie keep potting soil, garden tools, paper plates, candles,a corkscrew, and all the other important supplies for life on a rooftop.The deckover the second floor is what the owners refer to as the farm. This is where wegrow all our produce, Debbie says, tomatoes, all kinds of hot peppers, cucum-bers, and beans. Debbie tried planting peas and lettuce but the birds ate them.It is a whole new ecosystem up here she says,We dont worry about squirrels,rabbits or deer, just about birds.

Up a flight of steps from the farm is the roof over the homes third floor.This main deck areameasures about 12' x 15'. There is a dining table, chairs, as well as a pair of Adirondackchairs. On a nice weekend, we spend all our available time up there, says Debbie,We hangout up there, read the paper, eat lunch.We have a tiny grill so we often eat dinner on the

It started with the desire for homegrown tomatoes

Above: The foundation of this

rooftop garden is an elevated,

multi-level mahogany deck.

Left: Fresh flowers, a pond

and sweeping views of the

Philadelphia skyline.

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On a nice weekend, we

spend all our available time up

there,....We hang outup there, read the paper,

eat lunch. We have a tiny grill so

we often eat dinner on the deck.

At night we sit in the

Adirondack chairs and look at

the skyline of the city.

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deck. At night we sit in the Adirondack chairs and look at the skyline of the city. Two steps leadfrom the dining and sitting area to what the couple calls the widows walk at the front of thehouse. The named this after the widows walk along the houses in the Outer Banks of NorthCarolina.A pond is built into one side of the stairs and at the top is a viewing bench.

Planter boxes line much of the upper decks. In addition to vegetables, the couple grows a varietyof flowering perennials, grasses and vines. The roof is very windy and in the winter it alsogets very cold. These conditions make the rooftop garden suited for only very hardy plants.Ornamental grasses like the switch grass Panicum virgatum Heavy Metal, Pelargoniums,Wisteria, climbing roses, Sedum, and junipers have worked well, as has a Japanese Maple.

Bamboo, did not work at all,I thought is was indestructible, Debbie says aboutbamboo,but we killed it. Automated drip irrigation keeps planting soil moist,a critical factor in a bright light, high wind environment like this one. The pondis planted in water irises that die back in winter but sprout again in spring.Water annuals such as duckweed are added every spring.

Winter care is a big question for plants on a roof in a zone 6 garden but Debbieand Rob take a low-key approach, partly out of necessity. Because there is noroom in the house, plants cannot come in for the winter. Instead, the couplemakes sure that plants are watered well at the beginning of winter and thenallowed to die back.They find that plants survive better if the dead top growth isleft until springtime. Rob disconnects the drip irrigation system and drains it.

He disconnects the irrigation timer and brings it inside (the pond pump stays on all winter - thewater sometimes freezes over it, but the pump keeps running.) So much for winter gardening. Ifa plant dies over the winter, we replace it with something else, says Rob. I think of it asDarwinian Horticulture.

The last five years of Philadelphia rooftop gardening have involved much trial and error but havebrought Rob and Debbie much joy along the way. I am an outdoor person, says Debbie, so theonly way I can handle living in the city is to have this deck. It is like a second house without leavingthe city...like being on vacation when we are up there.

Opposite Top: Pot planting

their fresh tomatoes.

Opposite Bottom: Using potted

plants to secure the perimeter

of their rooftop garden.

Above: A casual sitting area to

enjoy the sweeping views.

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A SMALL SECRET GARDEN

WRITTEN BY NAN STERMAN|PHOTOGRAPHY CATRIONA TUDOR ERLER

A Richmond, Virginia woman shares her pr ivate garden

knee, some helping dad mow the lawn, and some people discover gardening a bit later in life.Katie Ukrop falls into the latter category. Katie spent three years at a stock brokerage firm. Itwasnt the career for me, she recalls I left and got a job at a nursery and caught the gardeningbug. A business selling cut flowers followed, but was soon replaced by a new home, childrenand a myriad of other responsibilities. Still, Katie maintained a love of plants and flowers. Shesimply transferred her affection to the home that she and husband Ted purchased in the Fan dis-trict of Richmond,Virginia. Richmonds Fan district is an eclectic urban neighborhood of greatold brick houses with high ceilings and small yards.At 20' wide and 50' long,Ted and Katies

narrow garden is one of the larger Fan properties.The house stands at one end of the garden.On the opposite end is an old garage made over to look like a cottage.

When they moved into the house, the yard was a plain green rectangle with a curving swath ofivy growing in unattractive brick beds.A chain link fence surrounded the space.It looked very1950, says Katie.The couple soon set to digging and tilling the garden. Bit by bit, they moveda pile of old bricks from Teds grandfathers farm to their garden.Ted laid the bricks into a pationext to the screened porch that looks out over the yard. He also laid a long walkway that bisectsthe garden.The couple followed their intuition in creating the layout, It is a long skinny yardso we just went with it in terms of design, Katie recalls. I am not much of a planner, the gar-den sort of planned itself...

Some people learn to garden at their grandmothers

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Opposite Left: Heavily

planted beds create a

full and brilliant look to

this small garden.

Opposite Right: Thebrick lined path allows

for peaceful strolls

through the garden.

This page: The potting

bench is both functional

and beautiful as it is con-

trasted with the white

picket fence behind it.

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You never know what is behind the walls in these gardens,...

You cant see it from the street...

it is a secret garden.

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As Ted laid bricks, Katie gardened, I was dying to get in there and plant, she says, As soon aswed do a little of the brick, Id plant that section. Fortunately, the property had great soil so thevery first spring, Katie and Ted were rewarded with 6' tall foxgloves. Eventually,Ted finished thebrickwork, which by then included a large circle in the center of the garden. Katie placed an urnon the spot to serve as the gardens focal point. A white picket fence replaced the chain link.Finally, the couple added a metal arch and planted it with a climbing pale pink rose called Eden

Rose.When the rose is past its prime, the arch is blooming with fragrant, white flowered clema-tis that Katie describes as growing like a weed.

Teds garden work is largely complete but Katie never quite finishes gardening. Her cottage stylegarden lends itself to wild and wonderful masses of flowers including pink cosmos, white Shastadaisies, purple coneflower, purple and white foxglove, blue Russian sage, and white bloomingviburnum. Their informality works to complement the formal layout of the space. Still, Katiesometimes feels that the garden gets a bit over-exuberant so she works to contain it by edgingbeds in clipped germander and boxwood. I am working on restraining myself, she says, but itis not my best quality.The garden has some orderly days and a lot of not orderly days.

Lately, Katie has been using her garden to experiment with cutting bouquets. Over time, hertastes have matured. She finds her garden and her bouquets relying more and more on foliage asa counterpoint to beautiful flowers. My favorite foliage plants are lambs ear, hostas, ferns, box-wood, hellebore and anything variegated, she explains. Pineapple mint, variegated thyme, rose-mary, and sweet potato vine are more favorites.

Visitors are often surprised when they come upon the Ukrops garden. You never know what isbehind the walls in these gardens, says Katie, You cant see it from the street... it is a secret garden.

Opposite Page:Variegated thyme

and bright green leaved sweet

potato vine spill from an urn that

bisects the long axis of the garden

and serves as its focal point.

This page: Katie created depth in

this quiet corner of her garden by

using plants and herbs of different

heights. She also incorporated the

window box to add more depth

and fullness.


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come directly from a persons need not their detailed planning. Such is the case with thislarge, beautiful garden in the Seattle suburbs.

This garden lacked a sense of privacy.The back yard is higher than the surrounding yardswith no screening from the neighbors.The only paved area was a ten-foot square, exposedaggregate pad built by the contractor.The sloping lawn was not a welcoming play space.

To create livable outdoor space, the main terrace just outside the family room was enlargedand given a semi-circular edge on one side to create a pleasant main dining and sitting ter-race.The concrete was covered with natural stone to give it textural interest and to unify theoriginal and new concrete paving.

Tying the design into a harmonious whole, the stone used in the main terrace wasrepeated throughout the garden. Called Idaho quartzite, the stone is smooth andeasy to lay. Its lightness and reflectivity brighten up the gray Pacific Northwest win-

ters and it looks wonderful with plants.Three different applications were used inthis garden: set with mortar on concrete for the main terrace, dry-laid on a graveland sand based for paths and as informal stepping stones in the south side garden.

Curving arbors are used on each end of the garden to create a screen between thehouse and the neighbors. These were used instead of trees because the ownerswanted to keep the garden as sunny as possible and trees would have provided toomuch shade.The curve of these arbors reflects curved shapes in the paving. The carpenterthat built them took special care to bend the wood that connects the posts by laminating,gluing and clamping strips of wood.

The lower terrace was leveled into the slope with a stone retaining wall that also serves as abench.This space is the perfect location for a portable fire pet, a feature the owners plan toadd in the near future. Because it is lower than the rest of the yard it feels like a special privateplace away from the center of the garden and away from any neighbors view.

Sometimes the most beautiful and livable gardens

CHALLENGES BECOME

OPPORTUNITIESWRITTEN BY PHIL WOOD|PHOTOGRAPHY PHIL WOOD

Transforming an exposed yard into a livable garden

The side yard of this

Seattle home was

designed to createa scenic view out of

the large, dining

room window.

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Enthusiastic plant lovers and

gardeners, the owners wanted

year-round interestin the planting design.

The Seattle area, with its

mild winters and relatively cool

summers has a nurturing

horticultural climate.

Designing a private backyard setting in a sub-

division can prove challenging. Most people

look to tall trees and shrubs for privacy. There

are other options for creating privacy when in

a sub-division setting.

Arbors: Arbors add an element of nature and can

help create privacy without blocking sunlight. Arbors

can be designed in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Depth: Adding levels to a garden create more

privacy than a flat garden. Using multiple levels

and a retaining wall may provide an appealing

and functional element to your garden.

Above: The arbor provides plenty

of room for climbers like blue

potato vine which can thrive all

year long in the Seattle climate.

Below: The garden was divided

into 2 levels for functionality

and privacy.

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The south side garden runs the length of the house and passes the large, dining room window. Thisprovides a beautiful view from the dining room and helps set the ambiance for evening gatherings.

A birdbath provides a focal point, with a curving stepping stone path around it.A fence and a coniferhedge provide shade at the ground level, perfect for tucking in hostas, ferns and bleeding heart.

The slope of the lawn was leveled by increasing the height of a retaining wall and building a second,smaller wall to create planting beds stepping down the slope.The newly leveled lawn can be used forcroquet or other lawn games.

A gate frames the entrance to the garden from the north side yard.The arch and curve in the gate pickup the curving theme of the lines of the garden.

Enthusiastic plant lovers and gardeners, the own-

ers wanted year-round interest in the plantingdesign. The Seattle area, with its mild wintersand relatively cool summers has a nurturinghorticultural climate. Trees include a service-berry,Amelanchier Autumn Brillianceoffers bothspring flowers and dazzling fall color. Stewartiapseudocamellia offers white summer flowers andstriking winter bark, washed with tones of gray.

The arbor offers lots of room for climbers.Theblue potato vine, Solanum crispum Glasnevinwill live through most winters here, and growsinto a clambering shrub with a myriad of blueflowers all summer. Many varieties of clematisare available.They chose Clematis viticella andits hybrids because the vines can be cut close tothe ground each fall so that there is no build upof a tangle of stems. Honeysuckles provide fra-grant blooms and are not invasive in theNorthwest as they can be in other parts of the country.An unusual vine is Akebia quinata, a vigorousclimber with small, fragrant, purple bells in spring. One more fabulous climber is a grape, Vitisvinifera Purpurea. Its leaves emerge downy green in the spring, turn purple in maturity, and screamscarlet in the fall.

Most of the beds are mixed borders, planted with a combination of trees, shrubs and perennials.This gives interest in every season, whether in flowers, leaves, berries or bark. Wintersweet,Chimonanthus praecox, has fragrant winter blooms on bare branches, while Camellia sasanqua offersits winter flowers on evergreen foliage. In front of these are planted summer-blooming perennials thattake the stage when the weather warms up.

The owners are happy with a garden that provides year-round beauty and a sense of privacy and solitudein the suburbs.They have a great backyard that gives them choices for entertaining guests, reading ona warm day, playing together as a family and enjoying their gardening hobby.


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CR EATE YOU R OWNWIND OW B OX G ARDE NCREATED BY SHANNON KALOPER|WRITTEN BY REBECCA SWEAT|PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON M. KOWNACKI

Have you ever wished you could have a garden but either dont

have the time to care for one or dont live on a large enough lot to put in a

garden? Or are you simply looking for a way to add some charm to your

home? If so, a window box garden may be for you.A window box is a small

container garden that can be planted with a variety of herbs, small vegetables,

or flowers. It can be used inside your home, or more frequently mounted

outside a window.

Window boxes are both decorative and functional, says, Shannon Kaloper.

Theres nothing like being able to open your window, pick a handful of

herbs to cook in your dinner that night.Window boxes also look nice over-

flowing with flowers such as lavender, jasmine, or miniature roses.

Kaloper painted and antiqued a window box for her kitchen, which she filled

with a sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, chives and parsley to cook with, and

rose-scented geraniums and chocolate-scented geraniumsjust for their smell.

You can do the same thing for your own home in just a few easy steps.

CRAFTS

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A window box garden is an

excellent option when you have

limited space or you want to

add some charm to the inside

of your home. This window box

garden was designed to give

the homeowner easy access to

fresh herbs and fragrant flowers.

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The first thing you need to do is purchase an unfinished win-dow planter box.It should be at least 9 inches deep and 9 inch-es wide, and the length of the planter should be the samelength as the window you will be mounting it to.You can pickup an unfinished window box from a home supply or craftstore, or you may be able to find one from numerous sites onthe Internet. Kaloper purchased hers from www.matthews-fourseasons.com.

Lightly sand the entire surface with a 120 grit sandpaper. Makesure that you follow the grain when you sand.This will removeany dirt or loose bits of wood. Set the planter on too woodenblocks to make it easier to paint the bottom. First, prime thesurface with a primer and let it dry. Check for any drips orinsects that might have gotten stuck on the wet surface andcorrect those imperfections with a 220 grit sandpaper andthen wipe it clean using a soft cloth.

Next, paint the planter using a latex eggshell paint. If youregoing to put the planter underneath a window, choose a colorthat matches the exterior of the house or the window shutters.Paint the entire outside and the inside top portion of theplanter. Put on two coats of paint, being sure to let the firstcoat dry thoroughly before putting on the second.

Once the second coat of paint is dry, you are ready to antique(or distress) the wood.This is accomplished by using fine

sandpaper or a file to round off the sharp corners and edges toresemble wear and to let the wood underneath come through.Remember as you work on distressing your piece, a little goesa long way, dont over do it. Once youve distressed the planterto your liking, wipe it with a clean cloth to get all the dust andgrit off.

You can then apply the finish. Kaloper used a Ralph Laurenglaze called Tobacco on her planter to give it more of an aged

effect. Put on one coat and let it dry.Then in a well-ventilatedarea, lightly spray on a top coat.

After the top coat is dry, you can mount the planter. If youvegot a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you can mount thegarden box on your center island, shelf, or kitchen counter.But for most people, outdoors is probably best. Attach theplanter to the window using metal L brackets attached to thewall. Mount the box so that there is a sizable gap for proper aircirculation. Otherwise, window boxes can trap moisture andcause the windowsill siding to rot.

The next step is to prepare your garden box for planting. First,put small rocks or stones or pieces of broken pottery at thebottom of the window box to allow for proper drainage.Thenfill the box halfway with a lightweight potting mix. A goodgrowing mix is a mixture of equal parts of potting soil, peatmoss and vermiculite (or perlite.) Arrange your plants into apleasing design.


GATHERING YOUR SUPPLIES

Unfinished wood planter box

120 & 220 grit sandpaper

Paint brushSoft cloth

Latex eggshell paint

Paint glaze

Spray can of top coat-urethane sealer

Small stones

Potting mix

Plants of your choice

PAINTING YOUR WINDOW BOX

FILLING YOUR PLANTER

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Kaloper suggests you stair-step your plants, placing the tallestat the back and the shortest at the front.To add interest, vary

the shape, texture, size and color of the plants you choose. Forexample, a silver-foliaged plant such as horehound enhancesred or pastel foliage. A plant with round flowers looks nicenext to a plant with spiky flowers.

You may decide to only put flowers in your garden box or justherbs or vegetables, or a combination.There are a wide varietyof herbs and flowers that can thrive in window boxes.Leaf lettuce,Oriental greens,kale, mustard,Belgian endive, and green onionscan also grow well in small spaces.You can usually find a goodselection of herbs and seedlings at nursery stores and garden

centers, at least during the spring and summer months.

Be sure to take into account how much direct sun the windowbox is going to get and whether the plants youve chosen willhave the right amount of sunlight. Southern and westernexposures are generally sunny and hot, and herbs such ascoriander, thyme, basil, dill, sage and chives do best in thesesituations. Northern and eastern exposures will likely beshady and cooler. Herbs that do well in shade include parsley,spearmint, peppermint, and oregano.

Once youve chosen and placed your plants, add the pottingmix to about 112 inches below the rim of the box.Tamp thesoil down firmly and water generously. If desired, you can adda mulch, compost or moss to the top to keep the moisture in.

When the plants are actively growing, fertilize them every

three or four weeks with a mild all-purpose liquid fertilizer.Keep the window box nicely moist but not too wet or too dry.When the soil feels dry below the surface, put in just enoughwater so that a small amount comes out through the drainageholes at the bottom of the planter.

Check the plants frequently for insect pests such as aphids,whiteflies or spider mites; if you see any, spray the plants withinsecticide soap. Isolate any plants exhibiting symptoms of dis-ease to prevent problems from spreading to your other plants.If one of the plants dies, take it out and replace it with a new one.

During the growing season,pinch off leaves or pick off scent bloomsto keep the plants bushy and prevent seed heads from forming.

Good maintenance habits will keep your plants healthy through-out the spring and summer months and perhaps even intoAutumn. Its a satisfying experience knowing you still havethe pleasures of the summer herb garden within your reach,Kaloper says,even during the time of year when youre cook-ing your Thanksgiving dinner.

MAINTAINING YOUR PLANTER

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Rafts of paper flood into the average home each day.The mail-box discharges letters and bills and bank statements. Briefcasesexplode with journals, pay stubs and calendars. School back-

packs unload childrens artwork, meeting notices and sportsschedules.Without a plan for paper management, a householdcan drown in a rising tide of paper.

Paper clutter costs money, time and stress. A missing permis-sion slip derails the entire family on the way out the door.Hide-and-seek bills lead to late payment fees. Lose the roster,and its back to the Yellow Pages each time you need to contactthe soccer car pool.

Take back your time! Try these tips to pull the plug on paper piles:

At the bottom of paper pile-ups is deferred decision-making.Its fun to flip through the days mail at the kitchen table, butif it's left there to molder, itll have to be sorted again later.Chances are, important items will go missing when the tableis swept clear for dinner.

Instead, decide what to do with each piece of paper the firsttime you handle it. Ask, Will this item need to be paid,answered, filed?, then drop the paper into the appropriate

folder of an Action File. An immediate sort-and-stow opera-tion heads off paper clutter at the source.

Long-term paper management is easy as ABC: action, basicand classic file systems. An ABC filing system will sort paper-work at the source, find documents easily, and maintain andretrieve important papers into the future.

Action File: a tabletop file for daily, short-term filing. Use anaction file to organize bills for payment, papers that require

response, and information that must be filed.

Basic Files: a households working file system. Kept in a filecart, cabinet or drawer, basic files hold medical insurancerecords, credit card statements, mortgage or rent receipts andbank statements. Use basic files for routine activities like billpaying, tax files, medical information and home maintenance.

Its tax time. Do you know where your records are?Chances are, theyre swimming in a stack of paper ... somewhere.


CREATE AN ACTION FILE

Make quick work of daily paper management with anAction File. Using a small tabletop file, add hangingfolders labeled To Pay, To Do, and To File.Include separate folders for each family member,and for religious, sport or school activities.

Each day, sort and drop incoming paperwork into theappropriate file. Bills go to To Pay, while medicalinsurance papers are addressed To File. When its

time to handle weekly deskwork, youll find it all inthe Action File!

SEA OF PAPER

WRITTEN BY CYNTHIA TOWNLEY EWER|PHOTOGRAPHY BY ORGANIZEDHOME.COM

Pull the plug on paper piles!

DECIDE TO DECIDE

EASY AS ABC

AN ABC HOUSEHOLD FILING SYSTEM INCLUDES:

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Classic Files: archives for long-term file storage. Copies of taxreturns and insurance policies, homeowners records, medicalrecords, and copies of legal documents belong in classic files.

Use file cabinets or records boxes to protect these items forlong-term storage. Note: original documents such as insur-ance policies, legal documents, or tax records should be storedin secure facilities such as safe deposit boxes.

Try these ideas to manage different types of paper pile-ups inthe home:

Childrens Artwork: When you cant see the refrigerator,its time to triage the flow of childrens artwork. Sort each

days papers into an artwork folder in the Action File. Eachweek, select the best work to display as Refrigerator Art ofthe Week, and consign last weeks entry to a basic file markedwith the childs name. At the end of the year, tuck the collec-tion of the years best works into a large envelope, mark it theyear, and add it to the households classic files. Share extra artprojects by writing letters to family members on the backsideor using colorful papers to wrap gifts.

Calendars, Menus and Phone Lists: Save telephone timeby keeping calendars, schedules, take-out menus and phone

lists in clear page protectors in a 3-ring binder. Flip throughthe household notebook to quickly check meeting dates orfind phone numbers.

Newspapers and Magazines: Forget placing fanned-outmagazines or neatly stacked newspapers on table surfaces.Low-sided baskets or trays use the principle of controlled

clutter to display readable items without permitting them tooverrun the family room at will.

Cards and Correspondence: Birthdays, celebrations andevents are a regular part of lifeso why dash to the card storefor each occasion? Once a year, purchase an assortment ofgreeting cards, sympathy notes, and stationery items. Storedtogether with stamps and pens, theyll handle social corre-spondence without stress.

Daily Mail: Sort each days mail over the recycling bin to

make quick work of unwanted catalogs, coupons or ad circu-lars. For safety, run credit card applications through a shredderbefore recycling.

Inexpensive paper baskets or

trays are quick solution to messy

newspapers and magazines.

3-ring binders and clear page protectors

help keep schedules, phone lists and

take-out menus organized and easily

accessible when they are needed.

TOP TIPS FOR PAPER TYPES

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By reading these two-dimensional words, you are at a distinct disadvantage.The most pleasurable part of enjoying Craig Parkers work is in the touch.

Craig Parker is passionate about working with wood. Anyone who has worked with Craig

or has seen his work would say that this is a huge understatement. Craig, a former diesel

mechanic, left his profession to pursue his hobby of working with wood on a full time basis.

I just loved working with wood and being creative that it was all I wanted to do Parker

says with a smile. It completely fulfills my need to be creative and innovative, he adds.

When Craig first started working full-time as a carpenter he focused on making kitchen

cabinets. It was interesting to me at first but I found myself getting really bored. I started

to design furniture when I had the time and found that people really liked it. That is when

he teamed up with Tucson based interior designer John Bissel. Bissel began using Craig for

a variety of projects and Craig very quickly became busy full time making custom furni-

ture. Craig quickly adds that he has never advertised and he continues to keep busy through

client referrals and word-of-mouth.

One of Craigs proudest projects is his work for Janos, a five-star restaurant in Tucson,

Arizona. It started out with some very simple stools. I was so excited that I made the stool

in hard maple and rushed it right over to them.When I showed them the stool they loved

the design and then asked me to distress it to match their interior. Craig had to explain tothem that maple was too hard of a wood to distress and that he would just start over and

create the stool with a different type of wood. Although it was a bit of a rough start, his

relationship with Janos flourished.

Janos restaurant commissioned Craig to design and create 15 pieces for their restaurant.

His work included a fireplace, benches, stools, desk, chairs and Craig's favorite, an African

mahogany and walnut dinning table. I enjoyed creating this table because they left the

design and everything completely up to me. It was such a great project. Since it was for

CRAIG PARKERArt i s t i c doors and furni ture des ign

WRITTEN BY RONDA SWAYNEY|PHOTOGRAPHY SEAN HARTNEE

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GALLERY

I enjoyed creating this table because they left the design and everything completely up to me.

It was such a great project. Since it was for their private dining and wine room I wanted

to create an environment where the guest would be so fascinated with the table that it

would enhance their overall dining experience.

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their private dining and wine room I wanted to create an environment where the guest

would be so fascinated with the table that it would enhance their overall dining experience.

A dove tail style gave the tabletop a distinct finish. The contrast of the dark Africanmahogany and the lighter walnut

created a wavy blend to the fin-

ished piece.

A few years ago, Craig and his wife

Margo moved to Coeur dAlene,

Idaho. Craig fell in love with

Northern Idaho and was anxious

to move there but he was con-

cerned about his client base. Upon

the suggestion of an interior

designer friend, Craig started to

make custom doors because they

are easy to ship anywhere in the

United States.

It has been 3 years since he began

Artistic Doors and Craig doesnt

plan on looking back. He starts

each door with a raw wood like

alder, mahogany, oak, and ash. He makes certain to never use wood from any endangeredtree species. His process for creating doors is best described as a combination of designing,

building and sculpting. Parker adds, The way I sculpt doors changes the way they look

based on the angle at which you look at the door. From one angle it may look flat while

from another angle it appears wavy. Margo, who is extremely proud of her husbands work

adds, The finishes are so wonderful and soft that when you touch a finished door it feels

almost buttery.

At a recent art festival in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, Craig and his wife, Margo, were surprised

by the reaction people had to three of his doors that were on display. People gravitated to

them. They would spend time checking them out.You could see that touching the piecesmade people happy, says Parker.

When asked why he is so enthusiastic about doors, Craig responded, I saw too many homes

with the wrong door.You couldnt begin to mass-produce doors the way I make them. Mass

produced doors have no interest. I build doors that reflect the individuality and creativity

of the owner. I like to build unique doors with character.

Two of Craigs more simpler

designs. These are mahogany

doors with an added touch of

Craigs design and passion.

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Parkers creations cant be pinned down to any one style. He produces doors that can be

described as rustic, artsy, Old West, or Southwestern in style.And, according to his wife,

he also creates what she calls fairy-tale style-doors that would fit just fine in oldHollywood or even as the door of a Tuscan or European-styled home.

On seeing and touching these amazing doors, it is obvious that they are hand-hewn by

someone with great skill and tremendous passion for working with wood. It is truly amazing

to stare at something intended to be stationary, but yet possess so much movement and flu-

idity. It is easy to identify the deliberate artistry subtly moving through the lines and finish

of these incredible works of art.

And, to put on the final touches to each of his masterpieces, Craig includes his monograph

and creation date on the hinge side of each door. So, the next time you encounter an incredible

wood door, take a peek as see if it is one of Craigs pieces of passion.

Left: Master Craftsman Craig Parker busy

at work in his studio.

Below: The lobby for Janos restaurant

filled with Craig's work. He created over

15 different unique pieces for this lobby.

You can contact Craig Parker at:Artistic DoorsShowroom (by appointment)Coeur dAlene, IDToll Free: 888-769-4838

www.artisticdoorsonline.com

I saw too many

homes with the

wrong door. You

couldnt begin to

mass-produce doors

the way I make them.

Mass produced doors

have no interest.

I build doors that

reflect the individuality

and creativity of the

owner. I like to build

unique doors with

character.

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SEEKING THE ULTIMATE RESORTEXPERIENCE? CRANWELL HAS IT ALL...

LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS

WRITTEN BY CHRIS ROMAN|P HOT OGR A PHY BY TURNKEY PHOTOGRAPHY

I t s hard to bel ieve that a two and a hal f hour drive can transport you from busy

Boston or Manhattan into the idyl l ic tranquil i ty and old world charm of the

lush Southern Berkshires of New England.

But its true.


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Picture a 19th century Tudor mansion, high on a hilltop and

lovingly restored to its original splendor of the Gilded Age...

surrounded by quaint Nantucket-style cottage suites and a

championship 18-hole Golf course. Then add the modern

amenities: a glass-enclosed 35,000 square foot spa, four dis-

tinctive restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, a state-of-the

art fitness center with a team of personal trainers, and tennis

courts.Welcome to the all-season Cranwell Resort and Spa in

quaint Lenox, Massachusetts.

Men are finding out what women have long known, smiles

Karen Karlberg, marketing coordinator at Cranwell. Spas

are restorative and rejuvenating! In fact, were seeing a large

number of athletes and casual golfers come in for our unique

spa treatments. Once they see the difference it can make in

their game performance, theyre back for more. Cranwells

new Thermal Clay therapy has been gaining steadily in popu-

larity with the golfing set.When warm clay is applied to the

spinal column and self-heated with a thin layer of micron foil

and a blanket, it promotes a deep state of relaxation and

detoxification. A Vichy warm and cool water rinse eliminate

clay residue, while a Swedish massage completes the treat-

ment. Or try Cranwells Seaweed Experience to re-balance

your body with a rich seaweed masque to stimulate the bodys

metabolism followed by a warm oil scalp massage.

DESTINATIONS

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Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club1 800 272 6935

Contact Information

Summer comes alive in the Berkshire Mountains, with a vivid

fusion of art, music,and theater festivals.After a day of sport,

spa, and tranquil mountain vistas, Cranwell guests often ven-ture out for an evening of world-class music at Tanglewood

with the Boston Pops or Boston Symphony Orchestra (which

performs almost nightly from June through August).

Excellent theater is in abundance too, as big name performers

trickle down from the Big Apple for more relaxed summer fun.

Seeking a family-friendly vacation spot this summer or a

romantic weekend get-away? Cranwell Resort and Spa offers

a scenic year-round hideaway steeped in history, culture, andrestorative spa therapies guaranteed to leave you refreshed

and energized. Check out the resorts day spa packages, public

golf course, and complete amenities at www.cranwell.com.

As Karen Karlberg likes to say...You dont have to stay here

to play here!

03-apr-may

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