home & garden 2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

About the coverFeatured on the cover is the home of Kyle and Elaine Conner, located in Southside Columbus. Photos by Matt Garner.

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Alarm One ......................................................................................2

Badcock Furniture ........................................................................6

Bella Interiors.................................................................................4

Biddy Saw Works ...........................................................................1

Bloomers .......................................................................................10

Brown’s Farm & Garden ............................................................12

Cash & Carry Building Supply ..................................................10

Deen’s Carpet & Interiors ..........................................................1

Discount Building Materials ........................................................4

ERA Town & Campus Realty.......................................................5

Farrell Calhoun ..............................................................................9

Flexsteel ........................................................................................11

Friendly City Mini Warehouses .................... inside back cover

The Granite Guys .........................................................................4

H&H Home & Truck Accessory Center ..................................7

Handyman Rental ..........................................................................9

Lowndes Farm Supply ..................................................................7

Martin Truck & Tractor .................................................................3

Northeast Exterminating ..........................................................12

Quality Aluminum .........................................................................2

Ron Lor Window Fashions .......................................................12

Shelter Insurance/Brian Portera ..............................................10

Smith Landscaping & The Greenhouse .....................................9

Something Southern .....................................................................6

Southern Awning & Construction .............................................5

Southern Caregivers .....................................................................8

Starkville Flooring & Interiors ....................................................3

Yardworks .......................................................................................1

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.comHOME & GARDEN SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011 1

Biddy Saw Works

1218 Hwy. 69 South • Columbus, MS • 662-328-7291Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Saturday 7:30 a.m. - Noon

Our ONLY BUSINESS Is Outdoor Power Equipment.We have the training and experience to match the right equipment for your needs AND we service what we sell.

Start at$14999

Hand Held Blowers

Start at$17999Chain Saws

Start at$14999

Trimmers

MEET THE REVOLUTIONARYZERO-TURN WITH STEERING

WHEEL CONTROL

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Starting At$3999

92 Alabama St.Columbus, MS

the old Carts & Clubs location

We Deliver! 662-327-0399We Deliver! 662-327-0399

© The Dispatch

Top Soil • Several Varieties of Mulch • Garden MixPine Straw • Cross Ties • Boulders • Field Stone • Creek Stone • Flag Stone

Landscape Gravel • Lime Stone Gravel • Washed Gravel • Pea GravelMason Sand • Fill Sand •Fill Dirt

Trees • Shrubs • Tropical Plants • FernsGazebos • Play Sets • Play Houses • Adirondack Chairs • Benches

Backhoe Services • Tractor Work • Driveway Repair

Simple Elegance...

Cla� ic Style

Find the perfect look for your home with

Deen’s Carpets & Interiors; serving the Golden Triangle

for over 40 years!

Deen’sCarpets & Interiors

1347 Hwy 182 East • Starkville, MS

662-323-6086

[email protected]

deensinteriors.com

© The Dispatch

SPECIAL TO THE DISPATCH

Application is the most impor-tant aspect of making a floorpurchase for your home. So

many customers only consider theaesthetics such as color, pattern andstyle when selecting a floor cover-ing. There are several factors to con-sider before a floor purchase:

n Is my room a high or low traf-fic area? Is this floor covering thebest selection for long-term durabili-ty?

n Is the sub-floor condition suit-able or surface right for the flooringto be installed?

n What will be the requiredmaintenance to maintain the floor-ing? Will it require a regular profes-sional cleaning service or can Imaintain it myself?

These questions should beanswered before investing in a floorfor your home.

Every household is different inrelation to determining the high orlow traffic areas in the home. Howoften an area is used and traffic flowpatterns within the household are amajor factor. Also, how many adults,children or pets occupy the house-hold should be considered in select-

ing a floor covering.Every floor covering has to be

compatible to the substrate or sub-floor that it is installed on. Someflooring requires not only removal ofexisting flooring, but total re-surfac-ing of sub-floors with certain speci-fied underlayments, before the newfloor can be installed. This aspect isvery vital to a floor covering beinginstalled properly and will affect theoverall longevity and beauty of thefloor covering.

It is just as important to maintainyour new floor covering properly,whether it be by a certified profes-sional cleaning service or using thespecified cleaning agents recom-mended by the floor manufacturer.This is a key component to experi-encing the end result of a beautifulnew floor that you can enjoy formany years to come.

Seek out a professional floor cov-ering retailer who can assist youthrough the buying process and pro-vide the proper product knowledgeand service that you will need. Thepurchase of flooring for your homeand the right application of thatflooring is as important as any otherinvestment that you will make as ahomeowner.

Choosing the right flooring

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com2 SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2011 HOME & GARDEN

Quality service at a price you can afford!

1430 Gardner Blvd.Columbus, MS • 662-327-8880www.givemeprotection.com

Locally owned and operated

ALARMS • CAMERAS • MUSIC • TELEPHONES • HOME THEATRES • COMPUTERS

•Patio Covers•Vinyl Siding•Screen Rooms•Carports•Glass Rooms•Replacement & Storm Windows•Seamless

Aluminum Gutters

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM!Quality Aluminum & Canvas

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BY CHARLES WELDON JR.Alarm OneSpecial to The Dispatch

How do you keep your homeor business protected? Thisis a question more and more

people want to know these days.With the cost of personal contentsand necessary essentials everincreasing, and also the current eco-nomic and unemployment status, itmay be prudent to look into a secu-rity and/or camera system.

Keeping your home, apartmentor business protected has neverbeen more affordable as it is today.And most major insurance compa-nies allow a percentage discount offyour policy for having your home orbusiness covered by an alarm sys-tem. Security systems are strategi-cally placed sensors that send a sig-nal to monitoring personnel in theevent an alarm is triggered.

Upon an alarm being triggered,the monitoring station will try tomake contact with the owner. In theevent no contact can be made, themonitoring personnel will immedi-ately notify emergency personnel

such as fire department, lawenforcement or emergency healthservices. At Alarm One, Inc. we pro-vide the sales, service and profes-sional installation of these alarmsystems along with great customerservice after the sale. We also pro-vide monitoring for alarm systemsby communication of telephone, cel-lular back up communicators andalso internet monitoring. Now youcan provide safety and security foryour home and family without hav-ing a home telephone.

An alarm systems coverage con-sists of motion sensors, door/win-dow sensors, glass break detectors,smoke/heat detectors as well asfire, police and medical panicduress buttons. Alarm systemsshould be installed by a state certi-fied licensed alarm technician toassure they are properly installed toprovide the best service and protec-tion possible for you and your fami-ly.

We also sell and install camerasurveillance systems. These arebecoming popular with homeown-ers as well. Alarm systems can nowalso be controlled and operated

from your computer or PDA-stylephones with Internet service. Youmay also view cameras at yourhome or business by these meansas well.

Alarm One, Inc. offers free noobligation estimates on any of thesesystems and other services such asintercoms, music receivers, hometheater systems and central vacu-ums. We pride ourselves in theservice we provide our customersbefore and after the sale. We alsooffer units like the Life AlertMedical units with two-way voicecommunication. These units aredesigned for people with medicalconditions, senior citizens and peo-ple living alone who may need assis-tance.

Another safety tip for your homethat you can speak to your localhardware store or electrician aboutis well-placed outdoor motion light-ing. This will help illuminate areasfor you so you will not have to comehome to dark area to get out of yourcar. Also, keep hedges trimmedaround doors and under windows.By doing this, it will reduce thechances of an area someone could

hide behind around your home.Alarm One, Inc. is locally owned

and operated. We care about thecommunity we were all raised in.We strongly urge people if you’reinterested in getting an alarm orcamera system to research the com-pany you are thinking about using.In the event you are unable to findany information on a company, con-tact your fire marshall’s office. Theywill be happy to provide you withinformation about a company. Allcompanies are required by state lawto be licensed in the state they dobusiness and all their technicianshave to be licensed and checkedthrough local and FBI backgroundchecks. These are just some safe-guards to assure you are dealingwith a safe and legitimate companybefore allowing them into yourhome. Also have a list of questionsyou have thought of about an alarmor camera system ready to ask arepresentative when they come outfor an estimate. Alarm One, Inc.cares about you and the safeguardof you and your family and we hopethat these tips or topics may havebeen helpful to you.

Home security systems now more affordable than ever


Martin Truck and Tractor Co., Inc.

www.martintruckandtractor.com“Serving East MS & West AL Since 1933”

5666 Highway 182 E.Columbus, MS 39702

662-328-5341

Starkville Flooring & Interiors

414 Hwy. 12 East • Starkville, MS • 662.615.1404414 H 1

We specialize in:Custom renovations, beautiful silk draperies,

fabulous furnishings, and all types of flooring

“Offering great advice to homeownersin the Golden Triangle!”

Let us make your

home beautiful!

Katharine,Suzanne & Meme

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BACK TO BASICS

Redecorating, building your dream home or asimple renovation can be overwhelming with-out proper guidance, a plan

and a budget. A beautiful homeis something everyone wants,and the transformation can beaccomplished by incorporatingbeautiful furnishings, rugs andaccessories or small construc-tion projects like installing floor-ing. It is helpful to find an expertthat will serve clients on a per-sonal and professional level, andit will make your experience apleasant one whether you arerenovating or constructing a new home.

Professional designers and decorators cancome into your home and suggest paint colors,fabrics, furnishings and placement that can makea big difference in your home decor. Often smallchanges using your existing furniture, new silkpanels, a new mirror, lamps or a rug can make abig change. Investing in a professional is moneywell spent. Here are some tips that can help youto make decisions with fabulous results:

n Well designed homes aren’t just “pretty:”they work well together and have a good flow

between spaces and furniture with finishes beingboth durable and beautiful.

n Antiques, vintage and reclaimed furnishingsare more prevalent than ever. Find ways to incor-porate these pieces. Mixing traditional, transition-al, contemporary and primitive work extremelywell and compliment each other.

n Consider the fixed surfaces in your home.One room has six sides so make one of them,such as your floor stand out. Beautiful hardwoodor tile can dramatically change a room.

n Find the best features of your home anddraw attention to them. Don’t overcrowd your fur-niture and accessories. Remember less is some-times more.

n Layering colors and textures has alwaysbeen a concept on the forefront of design. Theright amount of layered rugs, pillows, fabrics, anddecorative objects bring a great “collected” feel.People are returning to the beauty of handmade

furnishings from all over the world. As for paintcolors ... you can never go wrong with neutrals ifyou like busy fabrics and rugs.

n Invest in the kitchen and bathrooms withstriking surfaces. Consider the flow between cabi-netry, countertops, backsplashes, custom tileshowers and tub surrounds, flooring and fixtures.Professionals can help you to pull your looktogether and help prevent you from feeling over-whelmed.

n If your kitchen is large enough for an island,consider a fabulous piece of furniture instead of abuilt-in island. The same is true for built-in cabi-netry in living rooms, studies, bedrooms and din-ing rooms. A gorgeous bookcase will move withyou to any home

n Last but not least is the decorator/designerobjective list that is imperative to work with foryour benefit, priority, budget, time frame, scaleand balance. This helps if you are getting readyfor a party, holidays or renovation. Organizationhelps keep things on track and minimizes confu-sion.

Remember beautiful furnishings and finishesare an investment for any home.

Suzanne Lindley is owner of Starkville Flooringand Interiors.

Design, decorating and renovation tips

Suzanne Lindley

Often small changes using yourexisting furniture, new silk panels, anew mirror, lamps or a rug canmake a big change.


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BY SALLY EVANSBella InteriorsSpecial to The Dispatch

With the ugly economicthreats losing some steamthis year, it’s time to revamp

and revup our seasonal décor. I don’tknow about you, but I’m ready to seesome all-out displays of seasonal joy!For the past few years, it seems likethe months disappear, having disre-garded any visual explanations of thetime of year, except for a fewChristmas lights in December.

This year will be different. 2011 isnewness. We are now ready to cele-brate the changing times, hoping forthe positive turnarounds we haveassociated with this new year. Mindyou, we are going all-out, but the pre-vious desire for “cutesy” and superbright colors have waned.

Big and bold is still ‘it’, but afterthe past few years, we want to feelthe true essence of the seasons, theiressential meanings of renewal, oftime passed and time to come, theirebb and flow, which naturally guidesus. And I say “naturally.”

For instance, take the obviouslynatural color of green. Green is a fan-tastic color because it ranges sowidely in its varying shades and val-ues, and by grouping several ele-ments of green together along withother pieces that represent MotherNature, well, hello spring! And thisalso provides your semi-blank canvasthat can have other colors andobjects interchanged within it to rep-resent the changing seasons, or yourmood, whichever comes first. Warmflora-inspired tones of red and orangepartnered with a dash of cool blueswill psychologically enhance our gid-diness for the summer season, allow-ing us to forget the heat and enjoythe sunshine.

This trend of portraying theessential nature of the season willsurely extend through 2012, as wemust make up for the recent “décor-ignore” we’ve experienced. Be readyto start fresh, knowing that with eachseason, we will gain a real awarenessof the time, a positive outlook, andultimately, we will possess a truegratitude for the seasons to come.

Revamp your seasonaldecor for a fresher look


Town & Campus Realty111 West Main StreetStarkville, MS • 662.615.6077(offi ce)

www.eratownandcampus.com

Dream HomeNEXT EXIT

If only finding your dream home were this easy! Navigating the real estate market can be tricky on your own, so put our experience to work for you.

ERA Real Estate has been in the business of fulfi lling the dream of homeownership since 1972. By working with a member of the ERA® family, you benefit from a variety of programs, services, and methods created specifically to meet your needs.

At ERA, we are never too busy to take good care of you.

Each ERA™ office is independently owned and operated

DEBBIE NETTLES Special to The Dispatch

The American family is ever-changing, and its primaryspace — the home — has

always changed with it. The presentday is no exception: The largest seg-ment of the American public, the“baby boom generation,” is enteringretirement age in high numbers, andconfronting “empty nests” when thekids go off to college or marry andmove out permanently, presentingthe challenge of what to do with thesudden extra space (because most“boomers” prefer to “age in place”rather than leave their longtimehomes).

Also, the perennial family respon-sibility of caring for older relativesbecause their health needs requirethem to move in with their grownchildren or in-laws. Extended fami-lies (including grandparents raisingtheir grandchildren) have alsobecome more commonplace.Situations like these can pose the

challenge not of how to deal withextra space, but how best to addmore.

Changes that only affect theinside of a house can be the simplertype, but are not necessarily anyeasier a decision; however, thereare a number of inviting options toconsider. Mature baby boomers,who are ready to enjoy the fruits ofa lifetime of work and have thefunds to invest in doing so, are con-verting the extra space vacated bythe kids into everything from “winecellars” to libraries.

Home offices are popular and tapinto a growing trend. They come inhandy for organization and privacy,whether you’ve got a business ormerely need a space to keep yourbills and personal files straight.

Hobbies are big with boomers,so a hobby room for sewing andother crafts makes sense. A smallhome gym, with treadmill, weights,and a TV, is also a good investmentfor fun and health.

On the other hand, many of

today’s homeowners are opting toadd that extra room — or rooms —if they don’t already have one, forentertaining guests, housing return-ing relatives or setting up a separatebut accessible space for an elderlyparent or in-law. Before you do this,consider a number of questions toanswer, including what local zoningordinances will allow for additions,and how the aesthetics and size ofthe addition will affect resale value.

You also need to make certainfamily maters are explained and dis-cussed indepth and that all involvedunderstand. While some youngerfamilies move grandma in withthem, some older parents/grandpar-ents sell the house to a son ordaughter and move into the additionthemselves. In all such situations,it’s important to agree beforehandwho owns what part of the house,whether rent will be assessed, whowill pay for any extra utility or prop-erty-tax costs, and other sensitiveissues that don’t have to becomedivisive ones.

The right real estate professionalcan give expert guidance. Programslike the SRES (Seniors Real EstateSpecialist) designation available toERA Real Estate professionals isone guarantee of expertise in seniorconcerns, and other programs suchas ERA® Select Services is anothergreat way of finding reliable con-tractors and possible discounts.Consult with your local real estateoffice, and no matter how yourhouse may change, it will remain aplace where everyone feels athome.

Debbie Nettles is broker/owner ofERA Town & Campus Realty inStarkville. Retired from MississippiState University, she is a “certifiedBaby Boomer,” who earned her SRESdesignation to help provide olderclients with substantial informationwhen faced with decisions regardingtheir residential and lifestyle changes.You may contact her at [email protected] or 662-312-6337 tocall or text.

Remodeling for departing kids and returning parents EMPTY NESTS AND FULL HOUSES


RR

416 Hwy. 12 W.Starkville, MS662-323-3175

HOT DEALS16 $999rooms

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full size $1549.70 $898more value savings $521.70

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southie collection85” reclining sofa $799.95 $598 SAVE $201.9585” queen sleeper $799.95 $598 SAVE $201.9577” console reclining loveseat $799.95 $578 SAVE $201.95

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BY CYNDI RUTHERFORDInterior Designer, ASID MemberSpecial to The Dispatch

On television, home makeovershappen within half an hour.We viewers get to see dramat-

ic transformations and homeowners’surprised reactions when seeing forthe first time everything transformedat once. It’s a real life before andafter viewing and always exciting.And although the power of televisioncan give us that immediatemakeover, in reality, designers man-age more practical circumstances.Homeowners usually can’t or don’twant to leave while their homes arebeing trampled through or torn apartduring construction. Rare opportuni-ties do arise though. As a designer,I’ve been fortunate to present clientswith immediate makeovers, but mostoften, I work closely with them dur-ing a process of planning, design,construction and installation. My jobis not only to satisfy my clients bydesigning their spaces so clearly spe-cific for them, but also to go aboveand beyond what is expected byachieving what we designers call the

wow factor. The wow factor explainsa first and lasting impression of awell-designed room that takes theviewers by surprise. That surpriseshouldn’t only be the result of a sud-den transformation like presented sowell in television, but also the resultof great design.

A few ways to achieve both greatdesign and a wow factor can be in theunexpected use of color, oversizedpieces, recycled treasures and dra-matic lighting. Installing floor to ceil-ing draperies outside the perimeterof a window frame will very easilycontribute to the wow factor, as wellas the use of bold or unexpected col-ors in accent pieces such as pillows,rugs, art or accessories. Even anaccent wall can be another opportuni-ty to use bold color. Large scaleditems, regardless of the size of theroom, are also surprising. Examplescould be shown in large pottery andbranches reaching high overhead orin a life-sized painting or mirrorleaned against a wall. So often thesedays, recycled architectural elementsare becoming a part of new design.

The wow factor

See WOW, 7


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A well-designed room leaves a lasting impression. Using bold or unexpect-ed colors in accent pieces will easily contribute to the wow factor of theroom.

WowContinued from Page 6

Old doors can be hinged for use of afolding screen, old windows can beframes for photographs or mirrors,and even long-standing structuralexterior columns can be broughtinside to compliment new construc-tion or simply added to the decor.Lighting is a very simple way toachieve the wow factor. A room willeasily stage itself by using as manylamps as appropriately possible andremembering to turn them on.Overhead lighting shouldn’t be used

unless necessary or unless those fix-tures can stand alone as art, such asstately chandeliers.

Regardless of the use paint, fab-rics, accessories, architectural piecesor lighting, redesigning a room takestime. Time and careful planning pro-duce great design. And while we allappreciate the immediate transforma-tions seen on television, dramaticresults can be reached in many waysattributing to the wow factor we allprefer to have in our own spaces.


From fall prevention and seniorizing your home to preparing meals or fixing leaky faucets, let our caring staff help you remain in the

comfort of your own home.

328 Highway 12 West | Starkville, MSStarkville/Columbus

662-324-2405Tupelo/Oxford662-620-8854

Helping Others Is

Our TraditionAvailable 24 Hours A Day, 7 Days A Week

Dedicated to helping you...your way in the comfort

of your home.

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BY MARIE MCCLENDON Southern CaregiversSpecial to The Dispatch

Most of us start life depend-ing on our parents to takecare of us. But as they

age, chances are the roles willreverse. Here are some tips youcan follow to help yourself or yourloved one continue to live inde-pendently and safely in the com-fort of home and age in place safe-ly:

Luckily, many simple, quick andaffordable updates can makehomes safer and more enjoyablefor you, your family and your par-ents.

n De-clutter: Disabled spous-es and older adults have reducedreflexes and balance. Spruce upthe look of your home — and avoidtripping hazards — by removingclutter and items you no longeruse (especially obstacles in walk-ways).

n Shower safety: Showers canbe an enjoyable and luxurious partof anyone’s day — if they are safe.Simple renovations can make itsafer and more enjoyable. Start byadding rubber grips to the bottomof the shower to avoid slick sur-faces. Add a comfortable showerchair and a hand held showerhead,and you have created a safe andenjoyable atmosphere.

n Handy handles: In thecourse of a day, you grip manyobjects — from cups and pens, todoor knobs and faucet handles.Swapping out door knobs orfaucets with knobs for lever-handlemodels can make these everydaytasks a bit easier — especially forsomeone with arthritic hands.

n Get a grip: For any age,stairs are a falling hazard in homes— whether it’s one step or 20. Toincrease safety, add hand rails ordecorative hand grips in high-traf-fic doorways where there may be astep, such as the garage or frontentry.

n Communication: Installtelephones in every room and havea cellphone always charged andaccessible. You don’t want seniorsrunning from room to room to finda phone, and potentially falling as aresult.

n Flat flooring: According tothe Home Safety Council, falls arethe leading cause (66 percent) ofall nonfatal home injuries. To helpyou — or your loved ones — avoidbecoming a statistic, remove throwrugs or ensure that they have anon-slip backing to provide morefirm footing.

n Be prepared: Are the wash-er and dryer in the basement? Arethe bedroom and bathroomupstairs? Since stairs can be diffi-cult to navigate for disabled spous-es or aging parents, having all thenecessities on one floor is ideal.While it may not be in the budgetto move everything to the mainfloor now, gradually start gettingready by wiring a closet or smallroom for the laundry — or plan-ning to expand a half bath to a fullbath.

Aging in place isn’t overly diffi-cult, and you can keep yourself oryour loved one safe at home, andliving in comfort with some ofthese tips. With a few minorupdates, you can breathe easierknowing your home is safer foryour loved ones — both young andold.

Home safety throughthe senior years

Installing rails on the side of thebathtub, along with rubber grips onthe bottom of the bathtub, is aneasy and inexpensive way to ensuresafety for your loved ones.


604 18th Ave. N. • Columbus, MS • 662-327-6664Hours: Monday-Saturday • 8am-5pm, Sunday 1-4pm

Landscaping, Irrigation, & MaintenanceQuality Nursery Garden Center

Serving North Mississippi Since 1977

© The Dispatch

For all your equipment needs:Tillers, aerators, excavators, bobcats, pressure

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662-323-1556 • 402 Hwy. 182 W, Starkville, MS

Delivery is Available!

436 Hwy. 12 W. | Starkville, MS | 662-338-1997

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METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS

For gardeners everywhere,finding enough landscape tostart your dream garden is

often a big hurdle to clear. Unlessyou live on a farm or own a largeamount of property, your landscapeis likely more limiting than you’dprefer.

But a lack of landscape doesn’tmean you can’t have the lush gar-den you’ve always dreamed of.Instead, it simply means you’ll haveto pull a few tricks out of your gar-dener’s cap to get the most out ofthe land you do have.

n Use containers: Containergardening has grown especiallypopular in recent years, as the sizeof most people’s yards has shrunkthanks to more building throughoutthe country’s suburban neighbor-hoods. Plant whatever you’d like incontainers, which take up less spacethan a traditional garden and alsooffer more flexibility, as the contain-ers can be moved around at will.Containers can also be moved

around for parties or placed at dif-ferent places in the yard if you'dlike your landscape to have a differ-ent look every now and then.

n Consider the color: Muchlike the paint you choose for a roomcan give the illusion of that roombeing bigger or smaller than it real-ly is, the color of your garden canoffer a similar illusion. The colorblue is known for making gardenslook larger than they are, so keepthese cooler colors at the back ofthe garden to give the impressionthat they are more distant. Consultwith a local gardening professional,be it your landscaper or a salesmanat a nearby gardening supply store,for advice on which plants will bestmatch your needs.

n Build up, rather than out:A raised bed for your garden won’ttake up as much space, but will stillallow you enough room for anattractive, landscape-complementinggarden. Some can even be built atopmoveable structures, making themsimilar to container gardening withrespect to their flexibility.

Gardening, landscapingtips for small spaces


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PLANTSOMETHING

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CharmAnnuals &Perennials

BY TOM KRISHERAP Auto Writer

With gas prices rising andinstability in the MiddleEast, the thought of an elec-

tric car in the garage might be get-ting more appealing.

Before you jump for the new tech-nology, though, make sure yourgarage is ready to be a refueling sta-tion.

Depending on which car you buyand how old your home is, it couldcost a couple thousand dollars toprep the garage so you can charge acar quickly enough to take off forwork in the morning with a full bat-tery.

Start with the age of the home.Older houses may not have enoughjuice to handle an electric car. Fiftyyears ago, who would have thoughtwe’d be plugging in cars at night?

So the garage may have to berewired. According to experts, youneed at least a 12-amp circuit tocharge a car in a reasonable amountof time. You also need a circuit in the

garage with little or nothing else onit. Anything else drawing power fromthe same circuit can slow the charg-ing.

Even if you have a dedicated cir-cuit in the garage, it still may notwork for you. Most garages havestandard 120-volt outlets. But a dedi-cated 240-volt outlet, similar to thekind that powers an electric dryer,can cut the charging time in half.That’s important depending on theelectric car you buy.

Two mass-market electric cars,the Chevrolet Volt and the NissanLeaf, have different power systemsand different charging needs. TheLeaf is all electric and can go up to100 miles on a single charge. But itneeds more juice than the Volt torefill the batteries. It takes eighthours to recharge a Leaf even with a240-volt circuit.

The Volt can only go about 40miles on battery power, but it has asmall gas motor on board that cankeep the car going when the batteryruns out. With its smaller batterypack, it can be recharged in 10hours even on 120 volts.

Thinking of an electric car?Get your garage ready


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BY JENNIFER BARGERThe Washington Post

My husband and I dwell at The StagedHouse Inn. OK, it’s our Virginia row-house. It’s up for sale, so we’ve jettisoned

stuff that might repel buyers (vintage toy robots, aphoto of Grandpa that makes him look like a vam-pire) and transformed our space from color-ladento mostly neutral. Think white curtains, tiles, tow-els, carpet. I’m mad for brights, but being sur-rounded by simplicity, I’m calmer, and our padseems cleaner, even if we forget to vacuum. Plus,when I thumb through shelter mags or hit furni-ture stores, I’m noticing a lot of other people aredoing a similar sort of, well, whitewashing.

“I think the last few years, we’ve seen a lot ofsaturated colors on walls and in bedding, and that’swhy people are returning to white,” says interiordesigner Emily Henderson of HGTV’s “Secrets of aStylist” and the blog Style byemilyhenderson.com.

This design neutrality pact has resulted inglossy Parsons tables (hello, West Elm!), snowyRoman shades and - gasp - the return of the white,slip-covered sofa, last seen during shabby chic’sheyday, circa 1992.

Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler, known for hermilk-on-cream rooms, has been creating palespaces for much of her career, and she recentlylaunched a collection of predominantly whiteaccessories - pottery, faux antlers - with BallardDesigns (Ballarddesigns.com).

“What I love about white is that you can layer in

dimension with texture or furniture shapes,” shesays. “It’s a way to simplify. And if you mix in metalpieces or natural things, it’s beautiful.”

Kasler thinks a full court press of palenessevokes the shore or cottage. But many other designfiends find living in rooms devoid of all color a bittoo sci-fi-spaceship for every day.

“When I walk into an all-white room, I feelcold,” says David Dennis, who sells lots of brightpieces in his Washington, D.C. shop RCKNDY .“There’s not much creativity in that. I prefer aspace with white and pops of color.”

Indeed, the reason why retailers like Ballard,West Elm and Crate & Barrel are selling so muchwhite may be that it plays well with other shadesand keeps a room from looking like a Mardi Grasfloat.

“I love color, but we’ve gone over to more whiterecently,” says designer Marya Karlton. “In thebedroom in particular, it’s nice to not have somuch visual noise.” She decked the boudoir sheshares with her husband Rick with a white IKEAbed, snowy antique dressers and cream walls, butaccented it with a bright red Persian carpet and agray quilt.

Sometimes, the opposite idea - accessorizing acolorful space with creamy finds - can work equallywell.

“I’m obsessed with footed white pottery, and Ibring groups of it into almost every room I do,”says Henderson. “It looks kind of Swedish.”

Suddenly, the collection of vintage bumpy milkglass bowls and compotes I’ve collected for years

seems chic to me again.Of course, many people may steer clear of the

new snow daze for purely practical reasons: Paletextiles, floors and walls show dirt faster than apoodle in a puddle. “In a super-white room, youwonder, ’What is the lifestyle of this person?”’ saysDennis. “Obviously they’ve got no kids, no petsand no red wine!”

Still, after my slightly pallid makeover sells myhouse, I’ll be taking those white towels and cur-tains to our new place. I’ll need all the serenity Ican muster as we unpack a zillion boxes.

Does lots of white make it chilly or chic?

AP Photo/Two’s CompanyThis product image courtesy of Two’s Companyshows the Victoria pierced porcelain plates. Likefreshly washed laundry dancing on the line on asunny day, this season’s white decor is a wel-come sight.


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METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS

Growing a garden is a rewardingexperience for someone look-ing to add color and wildlife to

the landscape. However, growing afruit and vegetable garden offers thesame delight and more — a harvestof fresh produce you can enjoy withevery meal.

There are few things more satisfy-ing than nursing a seedling or youngplant into maturity and being able toharvest what it grows. However, keepin mind that biting into that juicytomato or grilling up that fresh-plucked zucchini is the last step in asuccessful garden.

Plan your gardenWhile you may want your garden a

stone’s throw from the home for easyaccess, consider the conditions of thesoil and the light that area gets beforeplanting. A vegetable garden typicallyneeds six or more hours of sunlightto thrive. So watch how the sunstrikes areas of your landscapethroughout the day and see what bar-riers to the sunlight (trees, houses)present themselves. Soil conditionsinclude how well the soil will drain,

soil quality and obstacles that showup while digging, including rocks ordeep roots. Determine if soil qualitycan be amended with compost, peatmoss and other nutrients.

Prep the soilThe best soil for a successful gar-

den is fertile and well-drained. Hardshale, rock ledges, gravel beds, deepsand, and other types can make gar-dening difficult to impossible. If thisis all you have to work with, considercontainer gardening instead, whereyou can better control the soil condi-tion. Most soil just needs a simpletune up with organic matter to makeit hospitable for a vegetable garden.

Get plantingIf you are sowing seeds, create

shallow grooves into which you willdeposit the seeds. Cover the seedswith a fine soil and lightly water toset. The most important thing toremember concerning seeds is thatthey require adequate moisture togerminate. Keep seeds moist untilthey form strong seedlings.

Depending upon your choice ofvegetables, you could enjoy fresh veg-etables from May through October.

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Spring is here and with it arrives a fresh, authentic lookat the Golden Triangle, its residents and life in the South.

IN THE PREMIERE ISSUEAn exclusive interview

with Columbus native and Minnesota Vikings Head

Coach Leslie Frazier•

The paintings of Paul Thorn •

Betty and Mike Watersat home

•Discover the Meridian you

never knew existed

...plus the fashion of Spring, strange food habits, a review of Tom Franklin’s latest novel

and much more!

THE PREMIERE ISSUE — The South’s Newest Showcase of Southern Culture

At the HelmLESLIE FRAZIER

of the Minnesota Vikings

UNTAMEDINTERIORS

Mike & Betty Waters at Home

+The Art of the

Trailer Park Troubadour:

PAUL THORN

IN COLUMBUS Beard’s Antiquities on 5th, Bella, Books-A-Million, The Dispatch, Fitness Factor/Kudoz Coffee Shop, Front Door/Back Door, Lighting Unlimited, Reed’s of Columbus,

Tennessee Williams Welcome Center IN STARKVILLE Barnes & Noble MSU Campus,Designers Gallery, Thyme IN WEST POINT Culin-Arts

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home & garden 2011

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