News garden 2008-05-26 Andanh.com

Marge Colborn: Area's top designers transform a Georgian Colonial into a show house Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:58:00 EST
This year an ornate cap on one of the load-bearing pillars of the 1941 Georgian Colonial in Grosse Pointe Park practically disintegrated days before the 2008 Designers' Show House opens to the public.

Martha Stewart: Check furniture fabric tags for durability ratings Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:59:00 EST
Q. While shopping for furniture upholstery, I came across something called the "Wyzenbeek rating." What is this, and how should I use it?

Khristi Zimmeth: Chips and breaks hurt this French lamp's value Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
"I bought this lamp at a tag sale in Westchester County, N.Y., just recently and took it on the plane back to Plymouth," wrote Judy McNamara in her recent letter to Trash or Treasure. "I was visiting my grandson who goes to college in New York on the border with Connecticut. This poor lady was in perfect shape when I bought her, but somehow I managed to not only put a small chip in the pink flower but also to drop the wooden candle insert with the dropping wax and step on it. I have all of the pieces and am certain that the part could be fixed. The lamp has been wired and on the bottom it reads Paris, France."

Nancy Szerlag: Though it's tempting, don't start planting yet Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Between gardening programs and fix-it projects, I've been spending lots of time lately at hardware and big-box stores -- where plants are on display.

Marney Rich Keenan: Personal chef to the rescue in time of need Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
When my parents were in their mid-80s and less inclined to cook three square meals seven days a week, they'd often "just happen to be in the neighborhood" of one of us kids.

Jocelynn Brown: Safety-pin bracelets are a snap to make Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Believe it or not, safety pins can help you make a really sharp and fashion-forward statement. Just ask Dana Rankin, who uses them to craft colorful, beaded bracelets.

Jeff Ball: Dispelling tree-planting myths Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Over the years, various tree-planting myths have evolved so that there are at least eight points in the tree-planting process where you can screw everything up and sometimes eventually kill the tree.

Glenn Haege: Get winter-scuzzy windows sparkling Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
The weather is getting nice and it is time for spring cleaning. You walk around your home, but you can't see inside. The windows are dirty.

Glenn Haege: Deck materials have evolved dramatically Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Spring is here and deck displays are in bloom at lumberyards and home and garden shows all across America.

Tips for treating your windows well Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:55:00 EST
Windows finish off a room and admit light and air, but they can be tough to dress.

Glenn Haege: Automotive cleaners will remove stain from kitchen countertop Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST
Dear Glenn: I have a Formica kitchen counter, it's about 28-plus years old and has lost its shine and is stained.

Marge Colborn: Highlights from High Point Sat, 03 May 2008 00:43:00 EST
Roomfuls of furniture created by your favorite decorators and TV stars.

Khristi Zimmeth: Pickle crock outvalues a 'loo' under any name Sat, 03 May 2008 00:45:00 EST
Ever wonder where the British term "loo" comes from? Maybe not, but the "necessary" has a fascinating history, some of which Ann Gregory of Harper Woods and other attendees learned during a recent Trash or Treasure appraisal at DuMouchelle Gallery in downtown Detroit.

Martha Stewart: Give that garage some order Sat, 03 May 2008 00:42:00 EST
Garages were created for cars, but people park a lot of other stuff there as well. Shovels, sports gear, pet supplies -- you name it. The catchall can quickly turn into a dumping ground, which is why organization is essential in any garage.

Jeff Ball: Hanging baskets provide color where you need it Sat, 03 May 2008 00:42:00 EST
I am amazed at how the hanging-basket business has exploded. I'm told that surveys show that the thirtysomethings among us don't have time for nor real interest in gardening, but they like having color on the porch, by the patio or wherever. What's really exciting is the incredible combination of plants that are being planted in one container. They are miniature gardens all in one pot.

Nancy Szerlag: Make transplanting easier on your plants Sat, 03 May 2008 00:45:00 EST
Gardening books tell us the best time to plant is on a cool, calm, cloudy day. But when planting time arrives in Michigan, regardless of the weather, carpe diem is the cry.

Glenn Haege: 'Remodeling' guidelines will help with green-home plans Sat, 03 May 2008 00:40:00 EST
The greenest things you can do when building or remodeling happen long before anyone lifts a hammer.

Jocelynn Brown: Child's vest is simple slip-on Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
It ain't over 'til the lady knitting finishes her row.

Glenn Haege: Installing a deadbolt helps secure a home Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 EST
A deadbolt lock is a good way to give your home added protection against break-ins.

Tackling the yard is a family affair Sat, 03 May 2008 00:38:00 EST
It doesn't take much to inject a little life into your yard. Start small, with one well-defined area or task, like prepping one flowerbed or clearing all debris from the lawn. You might just be amazed at how "big" the impact can be.

Light touch will invite 'barefoot living' Sat, 03 May 2008 00:36:00 EST
The sand between your toes, the wind in your hair, the sun high in the sky: If you could translate the touch and feel of outdoor living into four walls and a roof, you'd have what architect Marc Vassallo calls the barefoot home.

Glenn Haege: Metal roofs last longer than asphalt Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Dear Glenn: I have seen metal roofs in use in my trips to Florida and now see ads for long-life metal roofs. Are they good for my area?

Marge Colborn: Gospel music star's contemporary home in Bloomfield Hills is a hit Sat, 10 May 2008 01:32:00 EST
Vickie Winans took Homestyle for a tour of her bi-level home, which, like its mistress, boasts star-quality, glamour and a wonderful sense of fun.

Marney Rich Keenan: Army faces 'force of nature' in Mary Tillman Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Mary Tillman is not a madwoman, fueled by grief. She is not hysterical, overreactive, emotional, or any of the other stereotypical feminine weaknesses typically used by the highest military leaders in the land to dismiss her.

Jocelynn Brown: Get hooked on this beaded, crocheted hat Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Three years ago, when Lynette Holliday of Oak Park taught her 10-year-old granddaughter, Aujinea, to crochet, little did she know she would find herself hooked the second time around after years of not crocheting a single stitch.

Nancy Szerlag: Save water and money with right tools Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Scientists tell us that plants are made up of 80 to 90 percent water. So it stands to reason they need to be well hydrated to live. To keep our gardens healthy, plants need from 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water a week, and if Mother Nature doesn't supply enough we need to make up the difference.

Jeff Ball: Feed the soil food web for a healthier lawn and trees Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Have you fed your soil food web lately? What? You didn't know you had a soil food web? If you have any plants in soil, you have a soil food web. This complex network of beneficial soil creatures from earthworms, centipedes and millipedes, down to tiny bacteria, fungi and protozoa, all need to be fed some form of organic matter every year. If you have not fed yours lately or ever, your soil food web is a sorry group of creatures. When they are fed each year, they will perform absolute miracles for your lawn, your trees and shrubs, and all your gardens.

Khristi Zimmeth: Time may increase value of artists' prints Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
After spending time working in a framing shop, Dan Devendorf of Northville developed an appreciation for a wide variety of prints.

Glenn Haege: Dripping kitchen faucet is an easy fix Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
The kitchen faucet gets used constantly throughout the day. You use it for cooking, washing dishes and sometimes washing your hands. With so much use, the kitchen faucet can start to leak. Use these simple steps to replace the ball faucet and stop the drip. Saving water is everybody's responsibility.

Glenn Haege: Bargain homes can be found, but beware of hidden mold Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
The old stock market adage is "buy low and sell high." The same thing is true in real estate and right now there are some great bargains.

Siblings promote city-inspired hand-crafted products Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
How refreshing! We've discovered two terrific people who are doing something really positive for and about the city of Detroit. Andy and Emily Linn, sixth-generation Detroiters, started their company City Bird in 2005. Devoted to designing and hand-crafting products that are Detroit-oriented, the siblings do themselves and their city proud.

Welcome mat Sat, 10 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
After Harry Slatkin created his innovative ScentPort -- the plug-and-go device that diffuses a subtle, sophisticated scent throughout your surroundings -- a light went on in his head, and the ScentPort Night-Light was born. Use it wherever you need a hint of light at night (bathroom, hallway, nursery). The newest scent is Clean Mist, which combines bergamot and mandarin with hints of rose, lily of the valley and orange flower. The ScentPort Night-Light is $9, Clean Mist refills are $12.50. Find the product, which would make a lovely Mother's Day gift, at Bath & Body Works stores or go to www.bathandbodyworks.com.

Glenn Haege: Remove cork tiles and then paint the walls Wed, 14 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Dear Glenn: I have self-adhesive cork tiles on a wall. Is it better (easier) to remove them to paint or to seal and paint over them? If so, what sealer?

New durable fabrics for the patio can move indoors as well Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Outdoor fabrics are showing sophistication that is a spot-on match to the most fashion-forward indoor counterparts.

Pick up a plethora of petals at annual Flower Day Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
For more than 40 years, Flower Day at Eastern Market has turned a humble concrete square into a magnificent rolling pasture.

Mary Carol Garrity: Pillows will transform look of living room Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Q . I'm looking for an easy way to freshen my living room's look. Any ideas?

Glenn Haege: Dimmer switches let you set the right mood Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Replace your light switch with a dimmer switch. Lighting can be very important to the mood of a home. Having more control of how much light a room has can effect the way you feel. Changing out static light controls to dimmer switches is easy and can give you the ambiance you are looking for in a room. CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs) are available in a dimmable feature.

Martha Stewart: Milk is the difference between cheeses Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Q . How does Parmigiano-Reggiano differ from Pecorino Romano?

Jocelynn Brown: Loopy chain-mail bracelet is a simple, stylish project Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Just six months after going to a bead store to have an item repaired, Lisa Hammerlee opened the doors to her own jewelry-making shop, String Beads! "I just felt at home there," says Hammerlee, who's been quite successful with her shop during its 23 years. She does, however, admit to working a second job in the beginning.

Marney Rich Keenan: Global disasters give us option to offer aid, relief Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
In the course of less than two weeks, an eerie number of natural disasters have struck around the world, and no matter how far away, the devastation has been palpable.

Nancy Szerlag: Hit the road to experience variety of plant nurseries Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Thanks to modern technology, there is such a vast array of garden plants available that no one garden center can carry them all.

Jeff Ball: Learn to keep the soil food web active and fed Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Last week, I tried to convince you to take the annual feeding of your soil food web seriously. This week, I'll give you the options available for giving the soil food web its annual lunch.

Khristi Zimmeth: Value of 'Millie' comic book collection could go up Sat, 17 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
With the release of the new movie "Iron Man," comic books and their superheroes (and superheroines) are once again in the spotlight. Comic-book collecting, however, has been a popular pastime since the first comic book was released in the late 1800s. As popularity increased, publishers came up with new stories and characters, including Action Comics No. 1 in 1938, which featured the introduction of Superman.

Glenn Haege: Check wood's moisture before sealing your deck Wed, 21 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Dear Glenn: I am at a loss on what to use on our exotic Tigerwood deck. We had the deck built 1 1/2 years ago and last summer I applied Superdeck's Exotic Hardwood Sealer. It lasted maybe two months before starting to peel. It has almost all peeled off, except under the covered areas. I have researched this on the Internet, but for every pro that comments on certain brands, there are several people who have said negative things about each product. Any suggestions that won't have me doing the deck every year?

Christ Church Antiques Show inspires collectors Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Craig and Susan Larsen were in Virginia on Valentine's Day when they spotted an abandoned, cane-back armchair with gaudy animal print upholstery. It would look smashing, they thought, in the living room of their 1925 Dutch Colonial in Detroit's East English Village.

Rescue it: These 7 tips will help you clean and organize the garage Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Want to have a garage sale but can't seem to find the space in the garage due to all the stuff you should sell? You're not alone. Many people are constantly fighting the junk burial ground that is their garage. Motivating yourself to organize the garage can be a trying task, but it's one that could make your life easier, happier, safer and more cost efficient.

Glenn Haege: Brush up on the latest home paint products Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
The National Hardware Show in Las Vegas from May 6-8 had better products than attendance. Many hardware store owners and buyers stayed home because of the poor economy.

Jeff Ball: Save money this year by cutting your grass taller Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
It has been frustrating to me over the years when I have tried to use logic to help homeowners understand the importance of cutting their lawn at least at 2 inches high. Still, 80 percent of Americans cut their lawn shorter than 2 inches.

Nancy Szerlag: Mix up a magic potion for healthy plants Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
I'm always looking for lotions and potions to help me grow healthy plants, especially my tomatoes. According to Lee Fryer, author of "The Bio-Gardener's Bible: How to Build a Super-Fertile Garden," Liquid Sunshine can be used to increase the production and flavor of tomatoes.

Khristi Zimmeth: Frankel Antiques event to benefit Alzheimer's Sat, 24 May 2008 01:00:00 EST
Shopping at Judy Frankel Antiques in the Antiques Centre of Troy is a treat any time of year. But it's especially fun when you can do some antiquing and do good for others, as will be the case on June 5.

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