By Suzanne MahlerGATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

F or those who are often obli-gated to view their gardens only as twilight descends,

plants that feature pastel flowers or variegated foliage may offer the greatest enjoyment.

The trunks of white birches, the variegated leaves of shrub dogwoods and hostas, the pristine white flowers of tall phlox, impa-tiens and Rose-of-Sharon all glow in the fading light of the August landscape.

Perhaps the most dramatic and impressive white blooms during the month of August are provided by members of the Hydrangea family.

While so many homeowners

pursue the stunning blue blooms of the mophead hydrangeas, we often face annual disappoint-ments when shrubs produce only sporadic blooms due to adverse weather conditions.

Since these shrubs bloom on old wood, the timing of pruning is always tricky, but few can deny the allure of the elusive blue blossoms and the thrill of seeing the spec-tacular display of shrubs positively drooping with bountiful blooms as they have this season.

New cultivars have improved the potential for blooms by sum-mer’s end, but what about all the other hydrangeas that bloom reli-ably year after year with minimal pampering?

Many of these carefree hydran-geas are season extenders with a

profusion of blooms that transi-tion from white to lime green or rose pink with practically no maintenance from season to sea-son.

Hydrangea arborescens “An-nabelle” is a personal favorite with massive, symmetrical clusters of sparkling white flowers that begin to appear in July and continue to bloom for weeks, gradually fading to a rich lime-green.

An improved selection of a na-tive shrub, this hardy, reliable bloomer produces enormous blos-soms up to 10 inches across on stems 3 to 4 feet in height.

Snowball hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be cut to the ground in early spring, which will promote larger leaves and giant blooms, although these size-

able blooms may flop after heavy downpours.

Grow “Annabelle” in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Although it performs best given morn-ing sun and afternoon shade or dappled shade throughout the day, it tolerates full sun but should re-ceive supplemental moisture dur-ing dry spells.

Suzanne Mahler is an avid gardener, photographer and lec-turer who has been developing the 1.5-acre property surrounding her home in Hanover, Mass., for more than 30 years. She is a member of two local garden clubs, past Presi-dent of the New England Daylily Society, an overseer for the Massa-chusetts Horticultural Society and is employed at two garden centers.

HOME HELP

HOME-SELLING TIP

Appraisal can be usefulConsider obtaining a formal written appraisal if you have unique property, if there hasn’t been much activity in your area recently, if co-owners disagree about price or if there is any other circumstance that makes it difficult to put a value on your home. — Century 21

DID YOU KNOW? The National Kitchen and Bath Association has a helpful glossary of terms at www.nkba.org/consumer_tools_glossary.aspx.

Home

Think beyond blue hydrangeas in your garden

IMPROVEMENTS

Your guide to hardwood flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is just that — a solid plank of hardwood milled into a piece of flooring, usually with a tongue and groove on the edges and ends so that the pieces fit together.

While it comes in a variety of thicknesses, 3/4-inch is the most common produced in the U.S. and is usually nailed to a wooden subfloor. Thinner profiles, such as 5/16 inch, can be glued di-rectly on to a surface such as concrete.

In all cases of hardwood flooring installation, a clean, moisture-free surface is es-sential to eliminate future problems with movement or moisture.

Care and maintenance of hardwood flooring is easy; often just a matter of com-mon sense. Follow these sim-ple guidelines and your floors will last a lifetime, providing the warmth and feel only real hardwood can offer.

— ARA

ARA

DECORATING TIP

Complement your curtains

The hardware that accom-panies drapery might not be at the forefront of your mind as you shop, but there’s a vast array of options avail-able. Here are some tips:■ Determine beforehand

what kind of theme or overall look you’re trying to achieve. Some drapery hardware is well suited for contemporary designs while other types will be more at home amongst traditional or rustic.■ Hardware can be hid-

den from view to provide a greater focus on curtains or placed ostentatiously out in the open to serve as a coun-terpoint.■ Curtain rods are the

single largest piece of hard-ware, and the rod you choose will help determine the types of end caps, brackets, rings, tiebacks and more.

— Home Depot

HOW TO

Save energy in a rented home

When a home’s not your own, it’s hard to make major energy-efficient changes. But there are easy ways to lower costs.■ Change your lighting.

Replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs.■ Turn your appliances off

— all the way. Some equip-ment continues to use elec-tricity even when it’s “off.”■ Use cold water. If laun-

dry facilities are included with your rental, switch to cold water for your full loads of laundry.

— Alliance to Save Energy

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By Clare HowardGATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

When Mike Ryon found the 1920 stucco and brick Dutch Colonial home in Peoria, Ill., he was able to look beyond the powder blue paint and carpeting to see the Arts and Crafts bones of the structure.

He bought the home in 2002 and started renovations.

“Everyone who has lived here has taken care of the house,” Ryon said.

He started stripping woodwork. Even the fireplace had been painted. The mantel is now a rich chestnut, and the fireplace sur-round is Arts-and-Crafts-style tiles that

could be handcrafted Batchelder or Rook-wood tiles. The firebox is a Gothic arch.

Wall-to-wall carpeting was removed, and the oak floors were refinished.

Ryon installed a plate rack in the dining room and found marks on the plaster walls indicating a plate rack had originally been in the same spot.

A previous owner had upgraded all electric wiring in the home and added a second air conditioning unit.

Most of Ryon’s furniture is Mission style. The home’s original French doors separating the living room from the sunroom are Mis-sion style.

He has purchased oriental rugs from Pako-

bel Rugs on the Internet and at local antique shops and shows.

“If you buy what you are attracted to, it will all come together,” he said.

Ryon immediately recognized the easy traffic flow when he first toured the house. Guests enter a small front foyer and walk into a large front hallway between the living room and dining room. Stairs to the second floor start in the front hallway.

“I moved here from a 900-square-foot house,” Ryon said. “This is 2,800 square feet and can easily accommodate 30 to 40 people comfortably.”

Ryon had recessed lighting installed in the kitchen and bought a large antique kitchen cabinet 7 1/2 feet tall by 6 1/2 feet long that is similar to one original to the home. Light-ing above the cabinets illuminates some of his pottery collection. A sun-filled breakfast room is connected to the kitchen.

The home’s 1920s stucco required repair work when Ryon bought the house. When he had a pergola installed in the backyard, he used textured paint on the columns to complement the stucco on the house.

He priced stone for the patio under the pergola and ultimately went with concrete air conditioner pads that look like oversized stones.

Near the small back porch is the original ice door dating back to the era when ice was delivered to homes in the neighborhood.

Man rehabs home to find Arts and Crafts roots

Hand-made beauty

PHOTOS BY DAVID ZAlAZNIk | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICEThe sun room in Michael Ryon’s house serves as a delightful room for relaxation as well as a sun-drenched office.

The front hallway facilitates traffic flow to the staircase to the second floor or the dining room or living room. Wooden floors and carpets complement the Arts and Crafts style.

Ryon found the cabinet at left, which was was similar to the home’s original cabinets, after seeing an old photograph of the kitchen.