As temperatures rise, peo- ple increasingly venture out- doors to soak up the sun, en- joy the mild breezes and enter- tain under the open sky. Clean and comfortable furniture can make outdoor entertaining that much more enjoyable. After months in storage or nestled under protective tarps, outdoor furniture likely needs a good cleaning before it’s put to the test once again. Mildew may have formed, insects may be hiding out within cushions or other crevices and dirt may have accumulated — even if the furniture was cleaned before being stored away. Experts rec- ommend cleaning outdoor fur- niture between three and four times per year to keep it in op- timal condition. Before cleaning, determine the material your furniture is made of, as some cleaning prod- ucts may not be safe for all ma- terials. When in doubt, read the care tags on cushions and other products or refer back to the original packaging for clean- ing instructions. Always test a cleaning solution in an incon- spicuous area first. The following are some addi- tional general furniture clean- ing guidelines. Wood Wood comes in many variet- ies, from hard and softwoods to wicker furniture. Mild oil- based soaps and products geared especially to cleaning wood can be handy. On wicker and painted woods, it may be best to dilute the solutions be- fore use. Hardwood furniture and built-in decking structures may benefit from annual sand- ing and then reapplication of a protective finish to maintain the look of the wood for long periods of time. Plastic resin Commercial cleansers may be too harsh to use on plastic resin furniture. Before risk- ing discoloration or scratch- ing, try some ingredients that are may be lying around the house. For example, use a wet sponge dipped in baking soda as a mild abrasive to clean resin. Just be sure to thor- oughly rinse off the powdery residue afterward. Automatic dishwasher de- tergent mixed with a gallon of warm water also may do the trick. The detergent con- tains a mild bleaching agent that will not cause damage like straight bleach. Glass Dish detergent and gen- eral home cleaning solutions work well on glass surfaces. Remember to clean all sides, including bottom-facing ar- eas. After cleaning, use vin- egar or a glass cleaning so- lution and a microfiber cloth to produce a streak- free shine. Outdoor cushions Outdoor fabrics are derived from different materials. How- ever, this general-purpose rec- ipe, courtesy of the DIY Net- work, may help clean many outdoor fabrics. Mix 1 tea- spoon dishwashing detergent, 1 quart warm water and 1 table- spoon borax together. Saturate a sponge and use it to wash the cushions. Let it sit for 15 min- utes and then spray it off with a high-force hose. Stand the cush- ions on their edges to dry out- doors. Remember, vinegar can help inhibit mildew growth. Therefore, keep a bottle of di- luted vinegar around to spray on plastic mesh and furniture that gets wet from the rain or a pool. Store outdoor furniture away from inclement weather whenever possible to prolong its life. MetroCreative METROCREATIVE Aſter months in storage or nestled under protective tarps, outdoor furniture likely needs a good cleaning before it’s put to the test once again. TAKE A SEAT Clean and prepare outdoor furniture for the season Swimming weather is some- thing to enjoy. But for pool own- ers, few things are more of a head- ache than wanting to jump into the pool only to find that the water is cloudy, green and uninviting. Clean pools are safe, and that safety requires periodic mainte- nance. Homeowners may need to periodically revisit pool wa- ter chemistry and cleaning tech- niques in order to maintain clean, healthy and safe pools. Disinfectant levels Maintaining a satisfactory level of disinfectant will help prevent the multiplication of bacteria and algae in the pool. Many pools are kept clean through the use of chlo- rine products. The ratio of chlo- rine to water needed to maintain the clarity of the water depends on the size of the pool, the sanitizer used, weather, sunlight and evap- oration, and the pH. In many in- stances, the available free chlorine in a pool when tested should be between 3 and 4 ppm to offer ad- equate sanitation. Frequent test- ing will help pool owners gauge how well the pool water is hold- ing chlorine and how to compen- sate if extra is needed. Brushing/vacuuming Nearly every pool owner has had to deal with algae at some point in his or her life. One of the best ways to minimize algae spores in the pool besides high- sanitation levels is through rou- tine brushing and vacuuming. Ac- cording to LeslieÕs Pool Supplies, pool walls, floors and steps are the most common places to find al- gae in a pool. If left untreated, al- gae can burrow their roots inside the cracks on these surfaces, mak- ing them very difficult to remove. ThatÕs why weekly (or more fre- quent) brushing and vacuuming can help keep surfaces clean and algae-free. Vacuuming also helps remove debris that has fallen into the water and sunk, which can de- compose and contribute to water cloudiness. Maintain pH Maintaining the proper chemi- cal balance of pool water will help keep it clean and protect system components from damage. The pH level of pool water measures its acidity or alkalinity. The pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6 for best results. Latham Pool Prod- ucts says water that is too acidic can cause eye and skin irritation and damage liners or equipment with corrosion. High pH may cause cloudy water and make chlorine less active. Again, frequent test- ing helps pool owners understand their water chemistry better and make adjustments. Filtration For cleanliness, water circula- tion and filtration is essential. This helps spread the chemicals to all ar- eas of the pool and also helps to re- move debris. Filters come in differ- ent types, including sand, diatoma- ceous earth, or DE, and cartridge. Each has its pros and cons. How long to run the filter depends on wa- ter temperature, gallons of water in the pool and the estimated water turnover rate of the filter. Pool own- ers can start with longer filter run times and gradually cut down until they find the right rate based on wa- ter appearance, according to popu- lar pool forum Trouble Free Pools. MetroCreative DIVE IN Keep your pool water sparkling The trend toward out- door living spaces that mimic the look, comfort, convenience and func- tionality of indoor spaces doesn’t have to stop at the backyard grilling sta- tion. A growing number of homeowners are ex- ploring new additions to their outdoor spaces, in- cluding outdoor showers and powder rooms, and even garage entertaining areas anchored by sinks and wetbars! While traditional plumbing techniques might once have lim- ited just how homey you could make outdoor ver- sions of kitchens and bathrooms, modern up- flush plumbing cost-ef- fectively solves many problems. Above-floor macerating plumbing systems, like those from SFA Saniflo, U.S.A., al- low the easy addition of a sink, shower or toi- let outside, regardless of where plumbing lines are located inside. They also eliminate the need to cut through concrete if you’ll be placing your project inside a garage or on a concrete patio. Fi- nally, the compact sys- tems fit perfectly into smaller spaces, such as inside cabinets in an outdoor kitchen or in an outdoor powder room. Here are four water- and drainage-depen- dent, outdoor living fea- tures that are more pos- sible and popular than ever, thanks to up-flush plumbing. Kitchens Outdoor kitchens are in high demand, and have evolved to be true mirrors of their indoor counterparts. In addi- tion to cooking facili- ties, such as a grill, cook- top, or pizza oven, today’s outdoor kitchen incorpo- rates running water. PLUMBING THE POSSIBILITIES Kitchens, showers highlight outdoor living spaces PLUMBING PAGE 6 » nhregister.com Friday, May 26, 2017 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/NEWHAVENREGISTER AND TWITTER.COM/NHREGISTER D1 HOME + GARDEN
Transcript
As temperatures rise, peo-ple increasingly venture out-doors to soak up the sun, en-joy the mild breezes and enter-tain under the open sky. Cleanand comfortable furniture canmake outdoor entertaining thatmuch more enjoyable.
After months in storage ornestled under protective tarps,outdoor furniture likely needsa good cleaning before it’s putto the test once again. Mildewmay have formed, insects maybe hiding out within cushionsor other crevices and dirt mayhave accumulated — even if thefurniture was cleaned beforebeing stored away. Experts rec-ommend cleaning outdoor fur-niture between three and fourtimes per year to keep it in op-timal condition.
Before cleaning, determinethe material your furniture ismade of, as some cleaning prod-ucts may not be safe for all ma-terials. When in doubt, read thecare tags on cushions and other
products or refer back to theoriginal packaging for clean-ing instructions. Always test acleaning solution in an incon-spicuous area first.
The following are some addi-tional general furniture clean-ing guidelines.
WoodWood comes in many variet-
ies, from hard and softwoodsto wicker furniture. Mild oil-based soaps and productsgeared especially to cleaningwood can be handy. On wickerand painted woods, it may bebest to dilute the solutions be-fore use. Hardwood furnitureand built-in decking structuresmay benefit from annual sand-ing and then reapplication of aprotective finish to maintainthe look of the wood for longperiods of time.
Plastic resinCommercial cleansers may
be too harsh to use on plastic
resin furniture. Before risk-ing discoloration or scratch-ing, try some ingredients thatare may be lying around thehouse. For example, use a wetsponge dipped in baking sodaas a mild abrasive to cleanresin. Just be sure to thor-oughly rinse off the powderyresidue afterward.
Automatic dishwasher de-tergent mixed with a gallonof warm water also may dothe trick. The detergent con-tains a mild bleaching agentthat will not cause damagelike straight bleach.
GlassDish detergent and gen-
eral home cleaning solutionswork well on glass surfaces.Remember to clean all sides,including bottom-facing ar-eas. After cleaning, use vin-egar or a glass cleaning so-lut ion and a microf ibercloth to produce a streak-free shine.
Outdoor cushions
Outdoor fabrics are derivedfrom different materials. How-ever, this general-purpose rec-ipe, courtesy of the DIY Net-work, may help clean manyoutdoor fabrics. Mix 1 tea-spoon dishwashing detergent,1 quart warm water and 1 table-spoon borax together. Saturatea sponge and use it to wash thecushions. Let it sit for 15 min-utes and then spray it off with ahigh-force hose. Stand the cush-ions on their edges to dry out-doors.
Remember, vinegar canhelp inhibit mildew growth.Therefore, keep a bottle of di-luted vinegar around to sprayon plastic mesh and furniturethat gets wet from the rain ora pool. Store outdoor furnitureaway from inclement weatherwhenever possible to prolongits life.
MetroCreative
METROCREATIVE
After months in storage or nestled under protective tarps, outdoor furniture likely needs a good cleaning before it’s put to the test onceagain.
TAKEASEAT
Cleanandprepareoutdoorfurniture for theseason
Swimming weather is some-thing to enjoy. But for pool own-ers, few things are more of a head-ache than wanting to jump intothe pool only to find that the wateris cloudy, green and uninviting.
Clean pools are safe, and thatsafety requires periodic mainte-nance. Homeowners may needto periodically revisit pool wa-ter chemistry and cleaning tech-niques in order to maintain clean,healthy and safe pools.
Disinfectant levelsMaintaining a satisfactory level
of disinfectant will help preventthe multiplication of bacteria andalgae in the pool. Many pools arekept clean through the use of chlo-rine products. The ratio of chlo-rine to water needed to maintainthe clarity of the water depends onthe size of the pool, the sanitizerused, weather, sunlight and evap-oration, and the pH. In many in-stances, the available free chlorinein a pool when tested should bebetween 3 and 4 ppm to offer ad-equate sanitation. Frequent test-ing will help pool owners gaugehow well the pool water is hold-ing chlorine and how to compen-sate if extra is needed.
Brushing/vacuumingNearly every pool owner has
had to deal with algae at somepoint in his or her life. One ofthe best ways to minimize algaespores in the pool besides high-sanitation levels is through rou-tine brushing and vacuuming. Ac-cording to LeslieÕs Pool Supplies,pool walls, floors and steps are themost common places to find al-gae in a pool. If left untreated, al-gae can burrow their roots insidethe cracks on these surfaces, mak-ing them very difficult to remove.ThatÕs why weekly (or more fre-quent) brushing and vacuumingcan help keep surfaces clean andalgae-free. Vacuuming also helpsremove debris that has fallen intothe water and sunk, which can de-compose and contribute to watercloudiness.
MaintainpHMaintaining the proper chemi-
cal balance of pool water will helpkeep it clean and protect systemcomponents from damage. The pHlevel of pool water measures itsacidity or alkalinity. The pH levelshould be between 7.4 and 7.6 forbest results. Latham Pool Prod-ucts says water that is too acidiccan cause eye and skin irritationand damage liners or equipmentwith corrosion. High pH may causecloudy water and make chlorineless active. Again, frequent test-ing helps pool owners understandtheir water chemistry better andmake adjustments.
FiltrationFor cleanliness, water circula-
tion and filtration is essential. Thishelps spread the chemicals to all ar-eas of the pool and also helps to re-move debris. Filters come in differ-ent types, including sand, diatoma-ceous earth, or DE, and cartridge.Each has its pros and cons. Howlong to run the filter depends on wa-ter temperature, gallons of water inthe pool and the estimated waterturnover rate of the filter. Pool own-ers can start with longer filter runtimes and gradually cut down untilthey find the right rate based on wa-ter appearance, according to popu-lar pool forum Trouble Free Pools.
MetroCreative
DIVE IN
Keep yourpool watersparkling
The trend toward out-door living spaces thatmimic the look, comfort,convenience and func-tionality of indoor spacesdoesn’t have to stop atthe backyard grilling sta-tion. A growing numberof homeowners are ex-ploring new additions totheir outdoor spaces, in-cluding outdoor showersand powder rooms, and
even garage entertainingareas anchored by sinksand wetbars!
While traditionalplumbing techniquesmight once have lim-ited just how homey youcould make outdoor ver-sions of kitchens andbathrooms, modern up-flush plumbing cost-ef-fectively solves manyproblems. Above-floor
macerating plumbingsystems, like those fromSFA Saniflo, U.S.A., al-low the easy additionof a sink, shower or toi-let outside, regardless ofwhere plumbing linesare located inside. Theyalso eliminate the needto cut through concreteif you’ll be placing yourproject inside a garage oron a concrete patio. Fi-
nally, the compact sys-tems fit perfectly intosmaller spaces, such asinside cabinets in anoutdoor kitchen or in anoutdoor powder room.
Here are four water-and drainage-depen-dent, outdoor living fea-tures that are more pos-sible and popular thanever, thanks to up-flushplumbing.
Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens arein high demand, andhave evolved to be truemirrors of their indoorcounterparts. In addi-tion to cooking facili-ties, such as a grill, cook-top, or pizza oven, today’soutdoor kitchen incorpo-rates running water.
PLUMBINGTHEPOSSIBILITIES
Kitchens, showers highlight outdoor living spaces
PLUMBING >> PAGE6
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» nhregister.comFriday,May 26, 2017 >> MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/NEWHAVENREGISTER AND TWITTER.COM/NHREGISTER
D1 HOME+GARDEN
Visit any retailer'spool aisle or website,and you'll quickly real-ize a challenge your par-ents and grandparentsnever had to face - morepool inflatables to choosefrom than you could everimagine. Whether you'reshopping for a larger-than-life f loat island orsomething to help keepyour non-swimming lit-tle one safer in the pool,the sheer range of op-tions can be overwhelm-ing, but exciting!
"Shopping for pool in-f latables is supposed tobe fun, not overwhelm-ing," says Marvin Na-tareno, an inf latablesexpert with Intex Rec-reation Corp., the lead-ing manufacturer of nov-elty pool inflatables. "Yetthere are so many choicesthese days that compari-son shopping for the bestinflatable for your needscan be a challenge."
Natareno offers sometips for choosing inflat-ables that will help keepyour summer fun goingswimmingly:
Grownup fun andrelaxation
When shopping for anadult-sized novelty float,Natareno says, keep com-fort, quality and origi-nality in mind. Today'sf loats can provide aunique, unexpected wa-ter experience. For ex-ample, Intex is the onlymanufacturer offering arodeo bull-themed float.The INFLATABULL Ro-deo Bull Ride On Floatprovides a "bull-riding"experience in the waterand is around $50 at se-lect retailers both in-store and online.
Quality countsWhen investing in a
large novelty float, qual-ity certainly counts. The
last thing you want isfor it to fizzle f lat dur-ing summer fun.
"If you're investing ina large novelty float, youwant to know it will lastfor many summers, notjust one," Natareno says."Floats with quality PVCconstruction, well-sealedseams and colors that re-tain their vibrancy areones to consider, espe-cially for a more activegroup."
Intex offers high-qual-ity floats with everyone'sfavorite themes, includ-ing the Mega Toucanand Mega Pegasus IslandFloats, the WatermelonIsland and Popsicle Float.All are available in-storeor online through selectretailers that can easilybe found via a quick on-line search.
Cost doesn't alwaysequal quality
When shopping for areasonably priced, qual-ity inf latable, Natarenorecommends looking atthe construction andmaterials, and suggestslooking for a brand namethat you recognize andthat has a long businesshistory.
"Large-scale inf lat-ables are very trendyright now thanks to so-cial media and celebritycommentary," Natarenosays. "You don't have topay a premium price toget a quality inf latablethat will provide hours offun season after season."
Inflatables for kidsBeach balls and classic
rings might have been thefirst inf latable toys forkids, but today there aremany more options, frominf latable arm bandsmeant to help stabilizelittle ones in the water towhale and plane-shapedride ons. Manufacturers
like Intex make a widevariety of inflatable toysfor kids and offer someof the bestselling andmost popular tubes andlounges that can be usedfrom pools to rivers andlakes, like the River Ratand River Run tubes.
"Take a quick poll ofyour kids and see whichstyle of float would be ofinterest for this pool sea-son. Consider adding newones each month as theseason evolves for morecreative fun," adds Na-tareno.
Long live yourinflatables
Inspect inflatables ev-ery time you use them,looking for any tears orsign of wear that canbe repaired before theyjeopardize the struc-tural integrity of thetoy or f loat. Althoughchlorinated pool waterdoes a good job of keep-ing inflatables clean, us-ing them at the beach orlake could mean somedirt. If inf latables be-come dirty, clean themwith a soft brush andliquid soap and water.
Safety FirstMost importantly, fol-
low strict safety prac-t ic e s a round pools .When it comes to f loats,practicing good safetyhabits, setting and fol-low ing r u le s , c a re -fully reading instruc-tion manuals and vig-i lant superv ision cangreatly reduce the like-lihood of injury as wellas reduce injury sever-ity. Take time to reviewall safety informationto assist in keeping youand your family safethis summer: www.in-texcorp.com/safety-in-formation-pools.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
INFLATABLES 101
Tips for choosing theperfectpoolfloat
BRANDPOINT
Large-scale inflatables like the Intex Mega Toucan Island are very trendy right nowthanks to social media and celebrity commentary.
BRANDPOINT
The INFLATABULL Rodeo Bull Ride On Float by Intex provides a “bull-riding” experiencein the water and is around $50at select retailers both in-store and online.
At the corner of MainStreet and Route 1 in OldSaybrook lies what hasbecome a small shoppingvillage. 40 years ago,owner Keith Bolles, andhis mother, Clara Zirken-bach, purchased the his-toric Captain AmbroseWhittlesey home and be-gan the process of build-ing the Saybrook CountryBarn.
As it stands today, theSaybrook Country Barnexists as the premierhome furnishings and dé-cor shopping facilities inthe state of Connecticut.Growing from a small giftshop, the Barn now en-compasses 45,000 sqft ofshowroom space, featur-ing furniture, rugs, cus-tom window treatments,hardware and lighting,home décor, and a men’sand women’s apparelshop.
Furniture dominatesthe majority of the avail-able showroom space,with styles ranging fromtraditional hand-turnedtiger maple tables andchairs to the more con-temporar y EkornesStressless sofas and chairsfrom Norway. Being thatthe store is located a mileoff I-95, in the shorelinetown of Old Saybrook,a lot of the furniture ondisplay has a coastal feelto it. But if coastal isnot your style do not letthis deter you! With over1,000 different fabric op-tions for upholstery, andnumerous finish optionsfor dining and bedroomsets, you will be able tofind the exact piece thatmatches your home andpersonality. The store hasa staff of interior design-ers on staff eagerly await-ing to help bring your
ideas to life.As the store has grown
over the course of 40years, so have many of thedepartments. The rug de-partment has grown fromoffering woven oval rugs,to being able to providejust about any flooring.Whether you want a hall-way runner, or wall towall carpeting, or a one-of-a-kind hand-woven ori-ental rug, the Barn has itall!
In addition to an ex-panded Rug Department,the Saybrook CountryBarn has expanded theirWindow Treatment ca-pabilities, now offering afull-service custom win-dow treatment depart-ment. Combined with thecapacity of the rug depart-ment, and furniture de-signers, the Barn can helpyou turn your house intoyour home. On top of itall, they also offer in-homedesign services, a furtheraddition to the unparal-leled service they alreadyprovide.
Once you have pickedout your custom furni-ture, window treatments,and rugs, you can com-plete the look with helpfrom the Home Shop.With everything fromfloral, to candles, to ta-bletop accessories, theHome Shop is the per-fect place to finish offany look. As the sea-son's change, so do thedisplays throughout thehome shop. If you arehosting an event for, say,Easter, the Home Shopis a must visit. With thevast selection of homedécor, you will be thehostess with the most-ess! During the winterholidays, the Home Shoptransforms into a winter
wonderland. The per-fect one stop shop to findsomething for everyoneon your holiday list, espe-cially when paired withthe Apparel Shop.
Finally, we arrive at theApparel Shop. The mostrecent addition to the Say-brook Country Barn fam-ily of shops, it was a nat-ural complement. Whilegoing from putting fabricson sofas to putting fabricson humans was a little bitof a transition, the Ap-parel Shop has grown intothe best selection of men’sand women’s clothinganywhere along Shore-line CT! The men’s col-lection has grown to in-clude many great brands,such as Vineyard Vines,Southern Tides, TommyBahama, and Peter Millar.The selection of women’sclothing has grown to in-clude brands such as NotYour Daughters Jeans,Vineyard Vines, Ecru,and, the crown jewel, Ei-leen Fisher.
Overall, the SaybrookCountry Barn representsa shopping experience un-like anywhere else in thestate. The overall mix ofofferings allows for ev-eryone to find somethingto fall in love with. TheSaybrook Country Barn,spend a day, enjoy a life-time!
To find out more in-formation, visit for aday. Open Tuesday-Sun-day. The Saybrook Coun-try Barn is located at 2Main Street, Old Say-brook, CT. Follow themon Facebook and Insta-gram: Saybrook CountryBarn. For any additionalinformation, please visitthe website at www.say-brookcountrybarn.comor call 860-388-0891.
Since 2000, TorrisonStone & Garden has beencreating stunning yardsand gardens with customstone work and landscap-ing. As an award-win-ning landscape construc-tion company, we special-ize in year-round design,installation, repair andmaintenance.
Thousands of Connect-icut homeowners andbuilding professionalshave partnered with Tor-rison Stone & Garden torealize their inspired vi-sion for their outdoorspaces with stone andretaining walls, patios,walkways, fire pits andfireplaces, poolscapes,custom gardens and more.They source the best qual-ity products in the indus-try including bluestone,fieldstone, travertine,and granite, and a widerange of pavers and nat-ural stone veneers.
Whether your designis softscape inspired, oris combined with hard-scape elements, ourskilled landscape expertsand masons have the ex-perience and knowledgeto fully realize your vi-sion. Our landscapecrews are well-versed indifferent plant materialsand have the hands-onexperience to completeyour project from de-sign to installation. Ourstonemasons have manyyears of experience andthe knowledge to workwith a vast array of nat-
ural stone and manu-factured products. Tor-rison Stone & Garden’sinstallation teams arethe best at what they doand no application is be-yond their abilities. Yourdesign plan will be in-stalled with exacting at-tention to detail.
We offer extensivelandscaping services in-cluding tree and shrubinstallation, excavationand finish grading, lawnand sod installation, andtransplanting, as well asdrainage and irrigation.We can help you get youryard barbeque-readywith seasonal cleanup,mulching, pruning, edg-ing and weeding, andfine garden maintenance.Call us for a design con-sultation and we willwork with you to createbeautiful container gar-dens, showcasing the col-ors and textures that youlove. We also offer a va-riety of customized land-scape maintenance ser-vices and seasonal pro-grams, depending on yourneeds.
Our masonry repairand maintenance teamwill keep your stone worklooking its best, year af-ter year. Our services in-clude stone and paver re-set and repair, sealing andstaining, wall repair andrebuild, patio and steprefacing, and naturalstone veneer – perfect fora variety of applications.We can even repoint yourchimneys and replace thepolymeric sand in yourpatio and walkway.
Torrison’s team in-cludes over 60 employeesincluding a licensed land-scape architect for profes-sional design planning,knowledgeable projectmanagers to oversee yourproject, skilled landscapeexperts and stonemasonswho are the best at what
they do, and a friendlyoffice support staff to an-swer your calls, sched-ule your appointmentsand keep your project ontrack.
We partner with thebest and most knowl-edgeable contractorsto complement our ser-vices. Whether you needcustomized landscapelighting, a tranquil back-yard pond or water fea-ture, or a state-of-the-artoutdoor audio system,we will work together tomake your project cometogether seamlessly.
Conveniently locatedin central Connecticut,Torrison Stone & Gar-den has built a reputa-tion for exceeding cli-ent expectations with af-fordable, quality workthat is installed to lookgreat for years. Beforestarting your next proj-ect, Torrison Stone &Garden invites custom-ers to visit its recentlyrenovated and expandedshowroom to see dozensof displays and materials– the perfect place to getinspired. Our beautifulbarn-inspired post andbeam showroom includesboth indoor and outdoordisplay areas showcas-ing outdoor kitchens,fire pits, fireplaces, ve-neer walls, and a mo-saic of floor materials in-cluding bluestone, gran-ite, travertine, porcelain,bricks and pavers. Pleasevisit our showroom lo-cated on Main Street inDurham, Connecticut.Visit our website or fol-low us on Facebook, Ins-tagram and Pinterest forthe best design and proj-ect ideas to inspire you.Torrison Stone & Gardenoffers free estimates andis open Monday throughSaturday. Call us today,860-349-0119 or visit tor-risonstone.com.
LOCALBUSINESS
Saybrook Country Barn:One Great Place for AllThings Home
LOCALBUSINESS
Get stunning results fromTorrison Stone & Garden
Our skilledlandscapeexperts andmasons have theexperience andknowledge tofully realize yourvision.
| HOME+GARDEN | NEW HAVEN REGISTER FRIDAY, MAY 26, 20172 D
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 3D
The stereotype: Millennialsspend more time interactingwith the digital world than thenatural world around them. Thereality: Five million of the 6 mil-lion people who took up garden-ing in 2015 were millennials, ac-cording to the 2016 National Gar-dening Survey.
More millennials (people be-tween the ages of 21 and 34) thanany other age group are falling inlove with gardening. As a hobby,gardening is a great fit for themillennial mindset and lifestylethat emphasize individuality, in-dependence and value. However,the advantages of gardening thatattract millennials are also rele-vant to every age group, and any-one who wants to begin grow-ing a nutritious, healthful foodgarden.
Here are seven reasons whymore millennials than ever aretaking up food gardening, andwhy you should, too:
1. Gardening fosters betternutrition.
Millennials care about goodnutrition and knowing wheretheir food comes from. Multiplestudies show members of thegeneration are health conscious,and understand the relation-ship between the food they eat,good nutrition and good health.Millennials know fresh vegeta-bles deliver great nutrition, andmillennial gardeners know that
growing their own veggies andherbs also means they can putmore nutritious food on the ta-ble. With transplant purvey-ors like Bonnie Plants offeringmore than 250 varieties of pop-ular, heirloom, hybrid, new andtried-and- true vegetables andherbs, it's easy to grow a gardenfull of healthy, nutritious, eco-nomical veggies and herbs.
2. You can save money inthe grocery store.
Millennials are into savingmoney. Eighty percent have abudget, 72 percent are savingfor retirement and 51 percenthave an emergency fund, ac-cording to a TD Ameritradesurvey. Gardening can allowyou to spend less in the gro-cery store produce aisle - andthat kind of saving savvy ap-peals to millennials as well asany other age group!
3. Gardening is good forthe environment.
Awareness of environmentalissues and a desire for healthfulproducts that contribute to eco-logical balance are hallmarksof the millennial generation. ANielsen study found millenni-als care about environmentalissues and find ways to person-ally support a healthy environ-ment. When you grow your ownvegetables and herbs, "food
miles," the distance a food itemis transported from producerto consumer, shrinks substan-tially and includes only the dis-tance from your kitchen to yourown backyard. Choose plants inbiodegradable containers, likethose from Bonnie Plants, andgardening is even more envi-ronmentally friendly.
4. You can grow a gardenanywhere.
While many millennials arecity dwellers, others live in sub-urbs. The fact that they can gar-den anywhere - on a city bal-cony, urban patio or suburbanbackyard - makes gardening theperfect hobby for them. Usingtransplants from Bonnie Plants,all gardeners can create a back-yard garden plot, a vertical gar-den in an alleyway between citybuildings, or a container gar-den on a balcony or deck.
5. The garden is a greatplace to come together asa family.
It's true that millennials makethe most use of digital devices ofany generation; they also valuedeep family relationships. Plant-ing a garden with their children,significant others or friends al-lows everyone to spend enrich-ing time together, working to-ward an enjoyable, shared goal.
6. Gardening can be achallenge anyone canachieve.
Working toward a goal, andhaving a vision, are very impor-tant qualities for millennials.Gardening takes time and ef-fort but with the right resourcesand information, it's somethingvirtually anyone can succeed at.Millennials turn to online re-sources, like Bonnie Plants' veg-etable and herb growing guides,gardening how-to's, videos andrecipes to help them achieve andensure success.
7. Gardening can be anadventure.
Sixty-four percent of millen-nials say they love to cook, and75 percent enjoy eating cui-sine from other cultures, ac-cording to a survey by Barkley.For a generation of adventur-ous eaters and cooks, gardeningcan be an opportunity to growand try new things, from edi-ble flowers and exotic herbs, tonew types of vegetables, all thewhile saving money by growingtheir own.
With millennials now domi-nating the workforce, and manystarting families and reachingtheir peak earning years, it'slikely their interest in garden-ing will continue to grow.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
BRANDPOINT
More millennials (people between the ages of 21and 34) than any other age group are falling in love with gardening. As a hobby, gardening isa great fit for the millennial mindset and lifestyle that emphasize individuality, independence and value.
Innovations in smart tech-nology continue to make ourlives easier — and now thatextends to appliances andamenities for added conve-nience and control. Here arethree to consider.
MultitaskingRefrigerators
Gone is the era when yourrefrigerator merely kept yourdairy and produce chilled.These days, appliances likethe GE Café and Profile seriesfeature a Keurig K-Cup brew-ing system, so you can con-veniently brew your morn-ing cup of java without hav-ing to prepare the coffeepotor cue up an additional ma-chine. For more information,visit GEAppliances.com.
Smarter FireplacesYour typica l f ireplace
adds comfort, coziness andwarmth to one specific room,but sometimes you want toenjoy the ambience and aes-thetic benefits without allthe heat. Smart technologiescan help you divert some ofthe thermal energy to otherrooms. For example, Heat-Zone and Heat Duct Kits dis-tribute up to 50 percent of afireplace’s warmth to anotherroom or within your home, al-lowing homeowners to enjoythe ambiance of their fire-place throughout the year, nomatter the climate.
These heat managementtools of fer homeownersgreater f lexibility and con-trol, giving them a truly cus-tomized fireside experience.
To learn more about heatmanagement options and howthey open up possibilities forunique fireplace installations,visit HeatnGlo.com.
Double-DutyWashersWe all have days when we
generate a small but mightyload of laundry— after amuddy soccer game is one ex-ample — and new technologyis making it easier to takecare of those loads withoutwasting water, detergent oreffort. Many manufacturersnow offer separate compart-ments for small loads, whileothers have added conve-nience by introducing unitsthat wash and steam cleanclothes, eliminating a trip tothe dry cleaners.
When making home up-grades, first consider thosethat promise to make lifemore convenient and com-fortable for your family.
While nearly all municipal-ities or waste haulers providetrash carts and cans, most let res-idents and businesses use more asneeded.
“It can be tempting to select anadditional trash can based on cost,but looking at other factors canmake your life easier,” says AndyBardsley, Vice President of Retailand Pro Sales at Toter, a leadingmanufacturer of trash cans andcarts.
Bardsley advises consumers totake the following factors into con-sideration:
• Animal-Proofing: While this isa major consideration in high bearpopulation areas, it’s extremelycommon for small animals likeopossums, raccoons and rats toget into trash, leaving a mess andhazard in their wake. Choosing acertified animal-proof cart witha locking lid can eliminate thisproblem. Many products claim to
be animal-proof, so look for a rat-ing by an outside group, such as
the Interagency Grizzly Bear Com-mittee (IGBC), which performs ex-haustive testing todeterminewhichproducts are strong enough to with-stand repeated clawing, topplingand chewing.
• Odor control: Carts stored in-doors or in areas prone to heat canposeanodorproblem.Selectbrandsoffering accessories like cart linersor odor eliminators to keep yourcart clean and aid in deterring an-imals.
• Design: Hoisting heavy cartscan pose an injury risk, so look forlighter containers with a higherstrength-to-weight ratio to ensuresafety and ease. Wheels are criti-cal, but be sure to “test-drive” thecart first to see how it maneuvers.This will tell you how much force isneeded to tip roll the cart, and howstable it is when loaded.
• Durability: Waste haulers andconsumers alike are tough on cansandcarts, sochooseonedesignedfor
industrialuse.Plasticcansarelighterand more portable than metal ones,but avoid lightweight plastics thatwear quickly. Drilled areas createweakspots,so look for solid-moldedplastic carts that are reinforced inkey areas, such as along the rim,handles and bottom. Remember,a well-made cart from can last 10to 15 years under normal use, andwill likely come with a warranty.
• Local Regulations: It’s be-coming increasingly common formunicipalities or haulers to regu-late cart size and weight, so checkfor any suggestions or restrictionsfirst. The number to call for thisinformation is usually stampedon the can provided.
• Capacity: While 96-gallons isgenerally the hauler standard, cartsare available in 32-, 48-, 64- and96-gallon capacities. Seniors andindividuals with physical impair-ments often prefer to use a 48-gal-lon “half cart” to keep weight to a
minimum.• Sustainability: If you’re con-
cerned about your carbon foot-print, select products made with ahigher percentage of recycled plas-tic, whichare easily recyclable whenthey reach the end of their servicelife. A higher-quality can will lastlonger and prevent being land-filled.
• Alternative Uses: Trash cansand carts can be used for morethan refuse collection. Popularalternative uses include storingsports equipment, organizinglawn tools and providing a pest-proof container for dog food, birdseed, rock salt or mulch.
For more information onchoosing the right can for yourneeds, visit toter.com/consumers.
Dealing with trash is never fun,but making informed choices canhelp make the chore hassle-free.
Courtesy of StatePoint
STATEPOINT
Plastic cans are lighter and moreportable than metal ones, butavoid lightweight plastics thatwear quickly.
TALKINGGARBAGE
8 things to consider when choosing a trash can
| HOME+GARDEN | NEW HAVEN REGISTER FRIDAY, MAY 26, 20174 D
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 5D
If there’s anything better thanheating up the grill and chillingdrinks with close friends lateinto a summer evening, it’s dec-orating the space in which it alltakes place. As with all thingssummer, refreshing your outdoorspace calls for a simple, relaxedapproach. Here are a few ideasfor making a quick splash.
Less is More, SometimesAs fun as it is to design for
new things, subtraction is of-ten where the real opportunityis hiding. Make a tired spacefeel new again by donating, re-purposing or storing items thatsimply don’t serve a purpose oradd anything visually.
Rethinking Arrangements
There’s more to design thanplacing chairs around a table orfire pit. Striking the right balancetakes some intentionality andthought. Incorporating strong el-ements of symmetry and repeti-tion can do as much toward estab-lishing a relaxing, inviting toneas an eclectic playlist or perfectlyplated appetizers.
Identifying the focal point is akey early step. Often in backyardsettings, it’s a permanent feature,such as a particular view, land-scape design or fire pit. When thisisn’t an option, or if the area servesa specific purpose such as dining,furniture can be used to create thesame conversational effect.
Color and Pattern
Most permanent fixtures andlarge outdoor furniture piecestrend traditional. Adding flour-ishes with vibrant contrastingseat cushions and boldly pat-terned throw pillows is a quickway to express personality.
To customize your space, checkout the Improvements line of out-door furniture cushions and pil-lows, which offers an array oflively styles, patterns and colorcombinations. Their step-by-stepoutdoor cushion measuring guidemakes finding the right-sizedcushion easy, and quick and sim-ple video instructions take theguesswork out of the process, en-suring the proper fit. For more in-
formation, visit improvementscat-alog.com.
Lighten UpOne of the easiest ways to dra-
matically enhance an outdoor set-ting is often overlooked -- light-ing. Good lighting boosts safetyand security. After all, sum-mer is the season for trippingover pavers in the dark. Anda thoughtful approach can betransformative -- from illumi-nating paths through the back-yard to setting a relaxing tonefor a patio. Many solutions, suchas higher-voltage lighting sys-tems, call for a contractor’s ex-pertise. Even some lower-voltagesystems will require some addi-tional equipment for proper en-
ergy control.To keep it simple, solar is the
way to go. Just make sure thephotovoltaic cell is positioned tocollect maximum sunlight dur-ing the day so it’s ready to shinethrough the night. For example,the new Provence solar post andpath lights from Improvementsare a good way to accent land-scaping while keeping pathwayssafe.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all template for the per-fect backyard summer sanctuary.But with a creative mindset anda clear vision, you can transformyour backyard into a unique ca-sual space.
Courtesy of StatePoint
STATEPOINT
As with all things summer, refreshing your outdoor space calls for a simple, relaxed approach.
HOTFORSUMMER
Createaperfectoutdoorescape
As the spring gardening seasongets underway, here are three of thetop trends you can take advantageof inyourownvegetablegardenthatcanhelpyoureachanewfoodielevelin 2017.
Trendnumber 1:Gardensizedoesn’tmatter
You don’t need massive outdoorspace to enjoy the benefits of grow-ing your own food. In fact, today’sgarden veggies make it possible toachieve that fresh-from-the-gardentaste even if you only have a smallsunny patch or balcony. With Take2 Tomato Combos from Burpee youcombine a delicious slicer tomatowith a sweet cherry in one con-tainer. They ripen at the same timefor a steady supply of great-tastingtomatoes, like BushSteak and BabyBoomer. Next to your hardwork-ing container, plant complementaryherbs,peppersorlettuces,whichalsogrow well in smaller spaces.
Trendnumber2:Explorefresh, unique tastes
Unleash your inner gourmet byselecting vegetables for your gardenthatcreateauniqueflavorstoryorex-perience. Cupcake Summer Squashoffers a new twist on a familiar fa-vorite. Its edible zucchini-like skinis shaped perfectly for savory stuff-ing. The presentation is sure to im-press dinner guests, while it’s petiteenoughtoenjoysolo.Continuetoex-periment and be on the lookout forother unique vegetables and herbs
with color, texture and global fla-vor. Your garden can be a culinaryadventure.
Trendnumber3:Growsomethingamazing
We’re all a bit of a showoff whenit comes to growing vegetables. Thesatisfactionofsuccessisevensweeterwhen you can impress your friendsand neighbors - either over the gar-den wall or on social media. So whynot grow the biggest, the earliestor the best? SteakHouse is one ofthe world’s largest beefsteaks. Thistomato routinely tips the scale atthreepoundsormore.Loadedwithtomato flavor and fragrance, it willget them saying, “Wow!” and getyouexcited fordinnertime.Upyour
social currencywithotheramazingselections like the season’s first to-mato, the best herbs for recipes allseason, high-yielding peppers andmore.
Like many other aspects of yourlife, the 2017 trends in vegetablegardening are all about maximiz-ing your time, space and abilities tocreate an experience that’s uniquelyyours. Use these ideas in your gar-den as your next step to fresh andflavorful food.
Visit BurpeeHomeGardens.comto start your shopping list of FoodieFresh, Space Savers, and AmazingVeggies vegetables and herbs. Gettimely garden tips and recipes fromBurpee experts in their weekly blog.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
LET ITGROW
This year’s top 3 trends invegetable gardening
BRANDPOINT
You don’t need massive outdoor space to enjoy the benefits ofgrowing your own food. In fact, today’s garden veggies make itpossible to achieve that fresh-from-the-garden taste even if you onlyhave a small sunny patch or balcony.
While a sink is an obvious ne-cessity in outdoor kitchens, tra-ditional plumbing can limit thelocation, configuration, size andcapabilities of the space. Up-flushplumbing affords homeownersgreater flexibility in designing anoutdoor kitchen.
For example, using a Sanivitedrain pump to remove wastewa-ter more than 150 feet horizon-tally allows homeowners to installtheir outdoor kitchen where theydesire, rather than having to relyon gravity and grading to movewater. The pump is also capable ofdraining up to three separate fix-tures,meaningyoucanhaveasinkand a dishwasher in your outdoorkitchen.
ShowersIf you have a pool or are lucky
enough to live near the beach, anoutdoor shower can keep sand andother messes from getting trackedinto the house. However, tradi-tionalplumbingpracticescan limitwhere you can locate your outdoorshower. Up-flush plumbing sys-tems use pumps to move wastewa-teraway fromthedrain, soyoucanlocateanoutdoorshowerwhere it’smost convenient.
Products like the Sanishower fitinto a small footprint and its lowprofile is easily concealed beneaththe shower floor. Yet the systemcan handle drainage of up to 20gallons per minute.
WetbarsWhether you would like to add
a wetbar to a patio or tucked intoa corner of the garage, up-flushplumbing can make the processeasyandcost-effective.Above-floorplumbing can handle wastewaterremoval in spots where no drain
is present or possible. This meansyou can easily install a wetbar ona wooden deck, concrete patio oranywhere else where installing atraditional drain would be costlyand inconvenient.
Powder roomsWhen is an extra bathroom
ever a bad idea? Imagine hostinga backyard barbecue or pool partywithout the need to make gueststraipse through the house to reachthe facilities, or wait in line insidethe house while missing all the fungoing on outdoors. Exterior bath-rooms can solve those dilemmas,and up-flush plumbing can makeit easy to add a toilet and sink out-side the house.
While tying into existing tra-ditional plumbing lines might re-quire you to snuggle your outdoorpowder room against the side ofa house, above-floor plumbing al-lows you to position it virtuallyanywhere that’s convenient andappealing for your needs. TheSanicompact is a decorative one-piece system that combines a clas-sic china toilet bowl with a built-in macerator/pump that can han-dle drainage from the toilet and anearby sink.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
PlumbingFROMPAGE 1
BRANDPOINT
If you have a pool or live near thebeach, an outdoor shower cankeep sand and other messes fromgetting tracked into the house.
| HOME+GARDEN | NEW HAVEN REGISTER FRIDAY, MAY 26, 20176 D
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 7D
If grubs overtake yourlawn this spring, willyou know how to get ridof them? Do you have thetime and skill to effec-tively patch those uglybare spots that developedover the winter? A lushlawn and beautiful land-scape are on virtually ev-ery homeowner's wishlist, but a lack of time andknowledge commonlykeep people from effec-tively caring for their ownlawns.
Americans spend an av-erage of just 20 minutesa day on lawn care, ac-cording to the AmericanTime Use Survey. What'smore, many homeownersdon't know how to prop-erly care for their lawnand landscape, a HarrisPoll reveals. Conductedon behalf of the NationalAssociation of LandscapeProfessionals (NALP), thesurvey found that whilenearly seven in 10 Ameri-cans said their lawn couldbe better, nearly one inthree didn't know how of-ten to water their lawnsand nearly a third admit-ted to not knowing how togrow a healthy lawn.
"A healthy lawn isn'tjust for cosmetic appeal,"says Missy Henriksen, vice
president of public affairsfor NALP. "Properly main-tained lawns can not onlyelevate home value butalso reduce exposure toweed-induced allergiesand help purify the air incommunities."
Of the 94 percent ofpeople with landscapingaround their homes, 44percent hired profession-als to help over the past
year. Working with lawncare professionals canhelp ensure your lawn re-mains healthy and attrac-tive all year round.
NALP offers some ad-vice for getting the mostfor your money when youwork with a lawn care pro-fessional:
● Put some thoughtand research into thehiring process. Look for
lawn care companies thatare members of an indus-try association, and askfriends and neighbors forrecommendations. Whenyou're interviewing com-panies, find out how longthey've been in businessand the experience levelof staff. If you live in astate that requires lawncare professionals to be li-censed, make sure the one
you're considering has avalid license. Ask for awritten, detailed contractthat specifies what workthe company will be do-ing in your yard.
● Talk with your lawncare professional aboutyour long-term vision foryour yard so you can de-velop a master plan to-gether. For example, ifyou envision large plant-ing beds in front of yourhouse or a shade gardenin the backyard, they canhelp suggest how to prog-ress in phases that will fityour budget.
● Be clear about yourbudget and expectationsbefore hiring a lawn careprofessional. Will youwant the company to aer-ate and seed the grass?Manage weeds and trou-bleshoot problem areas?Your lawn care profes-sional can work with youto include specific tasks ina contract that sets expec-tations for both parties.
● Be open to your lawncare professional's sugges-tion about types of grassseed for your landscape.Often, professionals preferworking with grasses andplants that are native toyour region since they'remost likely to thrive in
your landscape.● Follow your lawn
care professional's guid-ance for watering and anyother lawn care tasks thatyou'll be handling your-self. Ideally, your DIY ef-forts should complementthe work your professionalis doing, rather than un-dermine it. For example,if your lawn care profes-sional seeds your lawn tofill in some bare spots, fol-low his or her instructionsfor watering the seed toensure the best possibleresults.
Seventy-f ive percentof Realtors have sug-gested home sellers do astandard lawn care pro-gram before putting theirhomes on the market, ac-cording to the 2016 Re-modeling Impact Reportby the National Associa-tion of Realtors and theNALP. What's more, 14percent say professionallawn care helped closea sale for them, and theproject recovers 303 per-cent of its investmentvalue at the time of sale,the report found. To finda lawn care professionalnear you, v isit w w w.loveyourlandscape.org.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LAURELROCK COMPANY/LOVEYOURLANDSCAPE.ORG
A lush lawn and beautiful landscape are on virtually every homeowner’s wish list, but alack of time and knowledge commonly keep people from effectively caring for their ownlawns.
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ZACK’SHANDYSERVICES
NO JOB TOO SMALL!• PAINTING• DRYWALL REPAIR• BASIC CARPENTRY• SIDING REPAIR• PROPERTY MAINTENANCE• LANDSCAPING• POWERWASHING
Are You Are Still Cooling Your HomeWith A Window Air Conditioner?Window AC Units Are Loud, Inefficient And Ugly and They Only Provide CoolingIn The Summer… (not the best way to maximize savings, comfort, and convenience).
This littleWall-Mounted Unitcan efficiently cool,
heat and dehumidifyyour home…
(without the noise and uglylooks of a window unit).
7 Reasons To Replace Your Window A/C UnitWith A Ductless System...
1. Safety and Security: A Window A/C unit makes itvery easy for someone to break into your home.
2. No Damage: Window A/C units leak condensationonto your window frame causing the wood to rot, thewindow casing to warp, and Mold and Mildew.
3. Quiet Operation: Window A/C units are mostly loudand obnoxious when compared to a Ductless A/CSystem.
4. Comfort: Ductless A/C Systems use a remote-controlthermostat to maintain constant room temperature,while Window A/C units control temperature basedon a thermostat that is close to the window giving it afalse reading, causing uneven temperature swings inthe room.
5. Aesthetics: Ductless A/C systems do not stick out ofyour home. Window units make a home look ugly!There are several options of Ductless indoor units thatwill keep your home looking good inside and outsidewhile keeping you cool and comfortable.
6. Convenience: Once installed, there will be no moreinstalling and removing heavy Window A/C units everysummer, or worse, leaving them up all year!
7. Efficiency: Ductless A/C – Heat Pump Systems arefar more Energy Efficient and more powerful thanmost traditional Window A/C units. Also, it is far lessexpensive, and much easier to install a Ductless Systemthan traditional ductwork for a Central Air System.
How A Ductless System Works:A Ductless System has two major components..1. A unit inside your home. (Air Handler)2. The main unit outside. (Condenser or Heat Pump)
You can Heat and/or Cool just one room, or have multipleinside units working independently. The inside unit(s) areconnected to one outside unit.A small air handler is mounted on the wall or a unit hiddenin the attic and is piped to the outdoor condenser orheat pump.
For example: One unit can be installed in your living room,one in the kitchen, one in the master bedroom, one in theyour kid’s bedroom and all of the units are piped to onlyone outdoor unit.A Remote-Control, for each indoor unit, allows you to setthe desired temperature in each room, independently.
Ductless Heating & Cooling systems are THE FUTURE ofhome heating and cooling.
Here are “THE TOP 10” biggest “Thank You’s”we get from our customers after almostevery installation of a Ductless System…1. It is so quiet!
2. No more lugging around heavy units
every spring and fall.
3. I saved over 40% on my heating bills.
4. I don’t have to worry about someone entering through
that open window anymore.
5. Thanks for removing that eyesore from my window.
6. I get more sunlight now. It used to be so dark in here!
7. I feel like I have an extra window now.
8. I can actually use my window now.
9. There are no more hot and cold spots.
10. No more rotting or warping window sills.
Sizing and Pricing Your Ductless System...The best way for us to give you a competitive quote on yourductless system is to have one of our Comfort Advisors visityour home to gather specific information, such as:
• Total square feet of the living space that you want tocool or heat
• Window sizes (square feet)• Are your windows single or double pane• Which direction each window faces
(North, South, East or West)• Insulation value in the walls, ceiling and floor (R Value)• How many levels is your home• Do you have a basement or slab floor
We will need to gather all of this information beforeproviding any “REAL” pricing.
It only takes about 60 minutes for us to gather thatinformation and put together a Free Estimate for you.
What Rebates Are Available?Connecticut Utility Company rebates for Ductless Heatingand Cooling systems range from $300 to $1000. OtherManufacturer rebates are available and change from timeto time. We will advise you of the current rebates and takecare of the complicated paperwork for you so you get yourrebate(s), as promised.
What Financing Options Are Available?Financing options are available through the utilitycompany’s financing partners and we offer many otherfinancing options to keep your monthly payments as lowas possible. (There are “No-Interest” options available)All credit cards are accepted.
What About Ethics, Installation And Guarantees?Office Staff: You will always get a knowledgeable personto answer your questions, schedule an install, schedulemaintenance or a service call.
Technicians and installers: All are professional inbehavior, neat in appearance, have a great work ethic,HVAC licensed and are criminally background checked.
Guarantees: To protect you from a bad experience and toset us apart from other contractors, we include: InstallationDate Guarantee, Comfort Guarantee and your PropertyProtection Guarantee. ALL IN WRITING.
YOU CAN VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TO SEE, HEAR &FEEL HOW OUR DUCTLESS SYSTEMS WORK.
Air, Inc. Fireplace Showroom104 Frontage Rd., East Haven, CT 06512Tuesday – Saturday 9:00AM to 5:00PM
We Would Love To Hear From You Too! License: S1-391442
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Call For A FreeIn-Home Estimate
(203) 315-0323Air, Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning
Wayne R. Krasnow
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 9D
Everyone looks forward to ashift into summer mode, with itssun-soaked days, flower-scentedbreezes and velvety nights underthe stars.
Now's the time to take advan-tage of a golden opportunity rightoutside your door. Celebrate sum-mer and all it offers by recreatingyour outdoor space. Whether it'sa balcony, a patio or a deck, a fewtouches are all you need to turnit into a highly functional livingspace.
When done right, a patio make-over is like a boost to your home'ssquare footage of living spacewithout straining your wallet.Think of the patio as a summerroom, and the possibilities reallyopen up.
One approach to making yoursummer room perfect is to startby thinking of your needs andwhat you love to do. If you couldadd any room to your home, whatwould it be, and what would youuse it for? Then, turn to a re-source like Big Lots, which offerseverything you need to build thatsummer room, while keeping youwithin budget.
Your summer living roomTransform any outdoor space
into a relaxing oasis that's perfectfor unwinding and summer day-dreams. Your key piece is a com-fortable outdoor couch you can re-ally sink into.
It's always best to start witha neutral-colored cushion, thenwork the accessories and ac-cent pieces, including side tables,brightly colored throw pillowsand outdoor lanterns to makethe space feel extra homey andjust like an authentic living room.These decor pieces can be easilyand affordably switched out year-over-year to make your outdoorspace feel fresh and new.
With an easy assembly gazebo,you can also keep the space cooland comfortable in the heat ofthe day.
Finally, if your patio faces anopen or public area, a row of ev-ergreens planted in large colorfulpots will transform it into an in-timate space with a perfect touchof nature.
Your summer party room
With the right pieces, you canset the scene for any gatheringof friends and family. Start withample seating. Add to the tradi-tional living room setup with anoutdoor cushioned bench, and po-sition some accent chairs and ta-bles in a nook or two for conversa-tion clusters. A patterned outdoorrug also helps to delineate spaceson a large patio or deck.
A fire pit always creates a nat-ural centerpiece and gatheringspot. Some designs take this upa notch and incorporate the softglow of fire right into a tabletop,making it easy to talk long intothe summer night. As a finishingtouch, be sure to have a wirelessspeaker and playlist ready to setthe mood with music.
Your summer kitchen
The downside of summer liv-ing is building up unwanted heatin the kitchen from cooking din-ner. The best solution is to takeit outside. Don't limit the grillto weekends and burgers andbrats. Explore the many grill-ing recipes out there to ex-pand your repertoire. Whileyou're doing this, set up yourpatio as an outdoor cook-ing station that's ready to gowhenever you're ready to startcooking.
Set up a sturdy table forprepping veggies and meatsand a selection of lightweight,outdoor serving dishes. Thevariety of colors and designsare endless and add to thespace aesthetic. (Just as youwould indoors, make sure the
surface is clean before you getstarted.) Use colorful crates tokeep grilling tools, potholdersand outdoor dishes and glass-ware organized and handy.
Finally, pick up some bright-colored pots that match yourdecor style and plant rosemary,parsley, basil and other herbsso they're within easy reach toadd fresh flavors to your grilledfish and chicken, as well asthose tasty summer veggies.These potted plants also makefor beautiful, easy centerpieces.
Your summerdining room
Dining outside is a fun andrelaxing way to enjoy food aswell as the company of yourfamily and friends. When youchoose a patio table, choose one
with ample seating, and keepthings comfortable and colorfulwith waterproof cushions. Um-brellas can throw shade on a sun-drenched deck or patio, makingdaytime dining (or your morn-ing coffee time) more pleasantand easy on the eyes. If you'relooking for something differ-ent, a patio umbrella outfittedwith lights on the underside willlet you linger over dinner longer.
Creating beautiful outdoorspaces can be easy, but it alsodoesn't have to break the budget.Big Lots has a wide variety of af-fordable patio furniture and dé-cor so you can create an outdoorscene with indoor style. Visit Bi-gLots.com or a store near you forall your patio and outdoor acces-sory needs.
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Demand remains high for energy-efficient, eco-friendly home features,according to a survey by the Na-tional Association of Home Build-ers. In fact, the majority of buildersnow put energy-efficient windows,heating and cooling systems, ther-mostats and appliances in their con-struction, the survey says. If you'reselling your home and hope to com-pete with new construction - as wellas set your house apart from otherresales - making green improve-ments could significantly pay off.
"Updating your home with greenfeatures can attract more buyersand even increase your home's saleprice," says Geoff Lewis, presidentof RE/MAX, LLC. "Buyers are notonly looking for cosmetic upgrades,they also want improvements thatwill help save them money for aslong as they live in the home."
Some green projects you can eas-ily accomplish yourself, like replac-ing less efficient light bulbs withcompact fluorescent light bulbs orLEDs throughout the house, or in-stalling a programmable thermo-stat. Other improvements may re-quire professional expertise butcan result in even bigger payoffs.
Here are five popular green homeimprovements that could help boostyour home's resale value, and saveyou money until you're ready tosell:
● Windows: Replacing older win-dows with ENERGY STAR-ratedhigh-efficiency windows couldlower your annual energy bill asmuch as 12 percent, according tothe United States Department ofEnergy. What's more, ENERGYSTAR-rated windows may qualifyfor a tax credit of 10 percent offthe cost of the windows.
● Insulation: Most homes inthe U.S. don't have enough insula-tion, according to energystar.gov.Adding insulation and sealing airleaks could reduce annual energybills by 10 percent. At the time ofresale, adding fiberglass insula-tion in the attic could recoup 107percent of the cost, according toRemodeling Magazine's Cost vs.Value report.
● Front door: It's a key part ofyour home's curb appeal and thelast exterior feature homebuyers
see before entering your house.However, a front door needs todo more than look good. Replac-ing an older, wooden door withan energy-efficient, secure steeldoor recoups more than 90 per-cent of its cost when you sell yourhome, according to the Cost vs.Value report.
● Landscaping: With warmweather approaching, it's a greattime to think about landscapingthat has green value as well ascosmetic appeal. Adding treesin addition to f lowers can pro-vide shade that will help keep thehome's interior cooler in summermonths. In fact, according to theNational Association of Land-scape professionals, planting fiveshade trees can return up to 100percent of the project cost whenyou sell your home.
● Water: Most water heaterslast about 10 years, so if yourhome is older, a new water heatercould be a big selling point. A
tankless water heater could beeven more appealing; becausethey only heat water when it'sneeded, rather than consume en-ergy to hold gallons of water at aset temperature for hours, tank-less water heaters use far less en-ergy. ENERGY STAR says a tank-less water heater could save youup to $1,800 over its usable life- which is twice as long as thelifespan of traditional tank wa-ter heaters.
When you're thinking of sellingyour home, you'll probably invest alot of time and energy into staging.Consider saving some additionalbudget for energy-efficient homeimprovements that may help boostyour home's value. A knowledgeablereal estate agent can advise you onwhich green home improvements canget you the biggest return on invest-ment. Visit www.remax.com to finda real estate agent near you.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
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Replacing older windows with ENERGY STAR-rated high-efficiency windowscould lower your annual energy bill as much as 12percent, according to theUnited States Department of Energy.
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 11D
nights and endless op-portunities for adventureare probably causing youto daydream about travel.Whether you’re planning aday trip or a month-longextravaganza, summeris full of opportunity foryou. But what about yourempty house while you’reaway?
Unfortunately summermonths are also peak pe-riods for home burglaries.Seasonal patterns exist inhousehold burglary rates,according the U.S. Depart-ment of Justice, with thesecrimes happening morefrequently in the summerthan during other seasonsof the year because peopleare traveling more and areaway from their homes.
Planning your nextweekend at the cabindoesn’t have to involveworry about a break-inback home. Give yourselfpeace of mind no matterwhere you are by taking afew proactive steps to pro-tect your home today.
Step 1: A smart homeis a secure home
Law enforcement agen-cies agree that one ofthe best ways to protecta home is with a secu-rity system. Something as
simple as a sign noting analarm system is onsite canbe enough to deter a po-tential theft. Closing andlocking all doors (includ-ing dead bolts) and thensetting an alarm dramat-ically decreases burglaryodds.
Smart home technol-ogy is creating greater in-novation in home secu-rity, with systems like Irisby Lowe’s allowing home-owners to create a do-it-yourself, tailored systemthat’s not only convenientbut effective security. Thisaffordable system featuresmore than 100 compatibledevices that include secu-rity cameras, motion sen-sors, smart locks, adjust-able light bulbs, connectedthermostats, smoke alarmsand more.
-For an even more securehome, Iris now offers pro-fessional home monitoringfor less than $15 a month.The service gives home-owners the ability to haveemergency responders dis-patched to their homes inthe event of a security,smoke, carbon monoxide orpanic alarm, with no long-
term contract required.Whether you’re at work oracross the country, you canrest easy knowing someonewill respond quickly to anyhome emergency.
Step 2: Avoid signsthat show your homeis vacant
An empty home is aneasy target for break-ins.It can be pretty obviouswhen homeowners areaway, especially if they’vebeen gone for a while. Butwith a mix of simple stepsand effective technology,you can give your house a“lived-in” feel, even whenyou’re miles away.
Stop your mail andnewspaper delivery whentraveling, or ask a neigh-bor to gather these itemsfor you so they don’t accu-mulate on your property.Have someone come andtidy your yard and waterplants so everything ap-pears tended to. Use yourIris smart home system toset lights to turn on andoff throughout the day.You may even ask a neigh-bor to periodically park
in your driveway to givethe impression people arecoming and going.
Keep in mind social me-dia has become a rich re-source for criminals. Keepprofile settings to privateand never post photosor other messages on so-cial media about your va-cation while still away.Travel posts are like newsalerts that your home isempty. It’s best to wait un-til you return before shar-ing those precious imageswith friends and family.
Step 3: Rid yourproperty of hidingspots and easy pointsof entry
Homes with lots of over-growth and natural cover-age provide hiding spots thatmake break-ins simpler.That means now is the timeto trim bushes, hedges andtrees, especially around en-trance points in the home.
Next, look for vulner-able areas of your house.For example, the garagedoor may be easier to openthan you think. Considerusing a C-clamp on ga-
rage doors while gone orintegrating a smart garagecontroller so you can keeptabs on whether it’s openedor closed from your smart-phone.
Windows are anothercommon way for burglarsto enter a home. Hot sum-mer months often meancracked windows, so dou-ble check all are closed andlocked. With a smart homesystem like Iris, you caneven check on this remotelyand get notified if a windowis opened or broken. If youhave a window air condi-tioning unit, you may wantto install window framelocks to prevent a criminalfrom pushing out the unitand entering the home.
Summer should be atime of relaxation insteadof worry. These three stepscan help you be smart aboutsecuring your home so youcan actually enjoy that va-cation.
Visit MyIrisSecurity.comor your local Lowe’s or tolearn more about install-ing Iris in your home to-day.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
The smart hub is the heartof the Iris ecosystem andhere it sits in a family’sliving room. Seasonalpatterns exist in householdburglary rates, accordingthe U.S. Department ofJustice, with these crimeshappening more frequentlyin the summer than duringother seasons of theyear because people aretraveling more and are awayfrom their homes.BRANDPOINT
BRANDPOINT
A woman uses the Iris app on her smart phone to remotely see who is at her front door.
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| HOME+GARDEN | NEW HAVEN REGISTER FRIDAY, MAY 26, 201712 D
With the snow meltedand the ground thawed,many eager homeown-ers and landscape pro-fessionals across thecountr y w il l rol l uptheir sleeves and reachfor their shovels to startprojects that require dig-ging this spring.
During the transitioninto "digging season,"Common Ground Alli-ance (CGA), the associ-ation dedicated to pro-tecting underground util-ities and the people whodig near them, remindshomeowners and profes-sional diggers that call-ing 811 is the first step to-ward protecting you andyour community fromthe risk of unintention-ally damaging an under-ground line.
Every digging project,no matter how large orsmall, warrants a freecall to 811. Installing amailbox or fence, build-ing a deck and landscap-ing are all examples ofdigg ing projects thatshould only begin a fewdays after making a callto 811. Calling this num-ber connects you to yourlocal one-call utility no-tification center.
According to data col-lected by CGA in a phonesurvey in March, mil-lions of American home-owners will likely do DIYprojects involving dig-ging this year, but 44 per-cent of them do not planto make a free call to 811before digging. Extrapo-lated to the full popula-tion of U.S. homeowners,approximately 58.5 mil-lion people will dig thisyear without first call-ing 811.
A utility line is dam-aged every six minutesin America because some-one decided to dig with-out making a call to 811to learn the approximate
location of buried utili-ties in their area. Unin-tentionally striking oneof these lines can resultin inconvenient outagesfor entire neighborhoods,serious harm to yourselfor your neighbors, andsignificant repair costs.
As a result , CGA of-fers the following tips tomake sure you completeyour project safely andwithout any utility ser-vice interruptions, so youdon't become a statistic.
Here's how the 811process works:
1. One free, simplephone call to 811 makesit easy for your local one-call center to notify allappropriate utility com-panies of your intentto dig. Call a few days
prior to digging to en-sure enough time for theapproximate location ofutility lines to be markedwith flags or paint.
2. When you call 811, arepresentative from yourlocal one-call center willask for the location anddescription of your dig-ging project.
3. Your local one-callcenter wil l not i f y af-fec ted ut i l it y compa-nies , which wil l thensend professional loca-tors to the proposed digsite to mark the approx-imate location of yourlines.
4. Only once all lineshave been accuratelymarked should you rollup those sleeves andcarefully dig around themarked areas.
There are nearly 20
million miles of under-ground utility lines inthe United States, whichequates to more than afootball field's length ofutilities for every personin the U.S. Your familydepends on this buriedinfrastructure for youreveryday needs, includ-ing electric, natural gas,water and sewer, cableTV, high-speed internetand landline telephone.With that much criticalinf rastruc ture under-ground, it's important toknow what's below andcall 811 before digging.
To find out more in-formation about 811 orthe one-call utility no-tification center in yourarea, visit www.call811.com.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
BRANDPOINT
During the transition into “digging season,” Common Ground Alliance (CGA), theassociation dedicated to protecting underground utilities and the people who dig nearthem, reminds homeowners and professional diggers that calling 811 is the first steptoward protecting you and your community from the risk of unintentionally damaging anunderground line.
KNOWWHAT'S BELOW
Call 811 before digging One of the ways homeowners can keep their lawnslooking lush and green is to aerate the turf when the needarises. Aerators perforate the soil with small holes. Theseholes allow air, nutrients and water to penetrate all theway to the roots, helping them grow deep and strong.Deep, strong roots are essential to healthy, lush lawns.While aeration can help many lawns, not every lawn willnecessarily need to be aerated. Lawns that get heavyuse, such as those that are often played on by childrenor pets, will likely benefit from periodic aeration. Feel-ing the lawn also can help homeowners determine if itneeds to be aerated. Lawns that dry out quickly or feelspongy may be overcome with thatch, which can pre-vent lawns from getting the air, water and nutrients theyneed to thrive. Lawncare professionals recommend aer-ating lawns that contain thatch that is more than one-half inch. Thatch also can foster grub infestations, pro-viding another benefit to removing it and aerating a lawn.When to aerate depends on the type of grass. Homeown-ers should consult with a lawncare professional about thebest time to aerate their particular lawns, but it’s gener-ally recommended that cool-season grasses be aeratedin early spring or fall, while it’s best to aerate warm sea-son grasses in late spring.
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Real estate agents help buyers and sellers throughthe often complicated process of navigating the realestate market. Individuals not only want to find anagent with expertise, but also one with whom theyhave a strong rapport. The following tips can help buy-ers and sellers find the right agent.
● Find out how long the agent has been in the busi-ness, including how many homes he or she turns overon average. Think about using an agent who is a full-time real estate professional, rather than one whoonly dabbles part-time.
●Consider which geographic areas the agent han-dles. It’s best to find an agent who is familiar with aparticular town, city or even subdivision.
● Assess the agent’s personality and ability to remaincalm under pressure. He or she can then extend thatplacid demeanor on to buyers or sellers who may be feel-ing stressed by the prospect of home ownership.
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If you think that the only way to exercise and burn cal-ories involves gym equipment, think again. Yard work canbe just as challenging as a thorough aerobics workout ata nearby fitness club. To reap the greatest benefits, gar-deners should use as little motorized machinery as possi-ble. Manual tools will get you moving and can burn a sub-stantial amount of calories. Try to vary positions and al-ternate which hands you use to reduce strain and get aneven workout. Fitness experts say that gardening can im-prove strength, increase endurance and assist with flex-ibility. According to a report in the UK publication TheTelegraph, clearing a pond or weeding can burn some 300calories in an hour. Forty-five minutes worth of garden-ing can burn as many calories as 30minutes of aerobics.
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Is it difficult to pry your kidsaway from their electronic de-vices to get them outdoors?From tots to teens, today's kidslove their electronics. After all,where could you find anythingto compete with the brightsights and sounds of their fa-vorite video game? The answermay be no farther than yourbackyard and the brightly col-ored songbirds visiting duringwarm weather.
Interacting with nature helpskids in many ways, from helpingthem understand science con-cepts and care for the environ-ment, to lifelong physical andmental health benefits. One ofthe easiest, most enjoyable waysfor children to interact with na-ture is to feed wild birds right intheir backyard.
"Feeding birds, planting gar-dens, anything you do with chil-dren that's nature-oriented helpsthem understand their connec-tion to the natural world," saysElaine Cole, president of Cole'sWild Bird Products. Cole learnedher own love of wild birds byfeeding them with her father,company founder and birdingexpert, Richard Cole.
Cole's offers some tips tohelp engage kids' love of naturethrough bird feeding:
● Get kids off the couch, ditchtheir devices and introducethem to their backyard! Tellchildren what type of locationis best for a birdfeeder, then letthem hunt for the spot. Choosea location where a feeder canbe seen from indoors (so theycan enjoy watching their feath-ered friends), yet is safe frompredators. Let math and criticalthinking skills come into playby measuring the distance fromthe door to the feeder and fromthe feeder to the nearest shrubswhere predators could hide andtrees where birds can shelter.
● Take the opportunity toteach the importance of goodnutrition - for the child andthe bird! Explain how good nu-trition helps living creaturesstay healthy and energized.Help them understand the nu-tritional value of food they eat
by explaining what birds like toeat and how birds need a healthydiet of nutritious food optionslike Cole's Wild Bird Feed to sup-port their health and well-being.
● Help kids understand wildbirds have food preferences justas they do. Talk about how somebirds like to eat bugs, grubs andworms, while others prefer ber-ries and some like seed.
● The feeder you choose willinfluence the kind of birds thatvisit. Many types of birds willvisit a bowl feeder, and its openshape makes it quick and easyfor kids to fill with any type offeed and clean. Giving childrenthe task of filling and cleaningfeeders can teach them respon-sibility and basic life skills, plusthey'll take ownership of thefeeder and nurturing backyardbirds.
● You can also use bird feed-ing to help kids understandconcepts of finance, includingspending their money wisely.Try an experiment with them;buy a bag of cheap birdseed, fillthe feeder and watch what hap-pens. Fewer birds will visit anda mound of waste - the fillerin cheap feed - will pile up un-der the feeder. Then replace thecheap feed with a Cole's seedmix and observe results. Kidswill see plenty more birds vis-iting and less waste under thefeeder. The experiment can helpteach kids that not everythinglow priced is a good deal.
Ultimately, feeding wild birdsshould be fun for families. Hereare some types of bird feed thatshould appeal to children's in-terests:
● Suet - While today's high-energy suet comes in different,convenient forms, like Cole'sNutberry Suet, and Suet Kib-bles, kids will love the idea ofserving up a big hunk of fat inthe form of a Suet cake. Kids canstick it directly on tree bark andbranches, which they'll find fun!
● Seeds - Many songbirds pre-fer seeds. Serving high-qualityseed, like black oil sunflower,can help attract songbirds.Learn more about seed mixesand birds who love them.● Dried
mealworms - The early bird mayget the worm, but birds, such asbluebirds, f lickers and nut-hatches, prefer a tasty treatlike dried mealworms. Kidswill get a kick out of fillingup feeders with somethingyucky-looking for their feath-ered friends.
"My dad got me hooked on
bird feeding by challenging meto identify as many birds at thefeeder as possible," Cole says."I did the same thing with mykids. My dad recently gave my10-year-old daughter a bird-ing journal. She loves to iden-tify all the birds she knowsand anything interesting aboutthem.
"Kids taking part in attract-ing birds to their backyard isgreat fun; they'll love gettingout of the house, taking chargeof their new feathered friendsand they'll learn a lot of good les-sons through the process."
Courtesy of BrandPoint
BRANDPOINT
Interacting with nature helps kids in many ways, from helping them understand science concepts and carefor the environment, to lifelong physical and mental health benefits. One of the easiest, most enjoyable waysfor children to interact with nature is to feed wild birds right in their backyard.
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Engage kids' love of nature through bird feeding
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| HOME+GARDEN | NEW HAVEN REGISTER FRIDAY, MAY 26, 201714 D
Are you taking advantage ofyour yard and maximizing itspotential as a living space? Allyou need is a bit of time and en-ergy to transform your yard intothe perfect place to spend timewith family and friends.
“There are so many projectshomeowners can do themselvesto increase the appeal and us-ability of their outdoor livingspace,” says Doug Scott, land-scape designer and blogger be-hind “Redeem Your Ground.”
A new, free six-part how-tovideo series from Exmark, aleading manufacturer of lawncare equipment, can help.“Done-in-a-Weekend” offersDIY projects that empower al-most any homeowner to improvetheir yards and enjoy the payoffof their work for years to come.To get you started, here are afew ideas from the online series.
Get CozyA portable fire pit is a cozy
gathering space that’s simpleand cost-effective to create.First, select a location and ob-tain any necessary building or
fire permits. It’s best if the firepit is set at least 10 feet awayfrom your home, fence andother manmade structures. Thespace should be about 15- to 18-feet in diameter, which allowsfor five to six feet for the firepit itself and another five to sixfeet around the perimeter forseating and mobility. Mark thespace then prepare the generalarea by raking away debris andleveling the ground. Use fire-re-sistant materials such as minislate chips, stone or brick tocreate the floor of the pit. Then,select seating and other accesso-ries to give this space the samecozy feel as any room of yourhome.
Connect the DotsWalkways and paths can en-
hance the beauty and func-tionality of your yard, tying to-gether outdoor spaces. Graveland mulch are cost-effectivematerials that are easy to in-stall. To kick it up a notch, usepaving stones, which are moredurable and less likely to causedrainage problems. Before
starting, call 811 to have all util-ities located and marked. Then,measure and mark the locationsof your walkways.
Use a sod cutter to removeexisting sod and make roomfor the walkway to be installed.Next, level and prepare thearea. After laying the pavers,fill the joints with sand and in-stall a soldier course along theborder to tie the walkway to-gether. Finally, compact the en-tire walkway so it’s level withadjoining surfaces, eliminatingtrip hazards.
Layer UpSelect and install plants that
vary in form, size, color andleaf structure to help you cre-ate the dream outdoor space.Seek plant varieties well-suitedfor your growing conditions.Note, this will change as youmove around the yard, as sunexposure varies. Also, whenplanning, keep in mind thatplants will be larger once theymature.
To complete these projectsand all standard yard care
maintenance, be sure to usehigh-quality equipment de-signed to help you work faster,not harder. For more projectideas and videos, visit WeA-reExmark.com/diy.
With the right tools and in-spiration, you can make moreof your outdoor spaces, simplyand cost-effectively.
Courtesy of StatePoint
STATEPOINT
A fire pit is a cozy gathering space that’s simple and cost-effective to create.
DIY projects to improve youroutdoor livingspace
LIVINGROOM
Ready to step up your outdoorliving experience this season?You’re not alone. Nearly 70 per-cent of design and build firms re-port an increased demand foroutdoor living space, accord-ing to the American Instituteof Architects.
When updating your outdoorliving areas, focus on additionsthat stylishly and seamlesslyblend your spaces together.Consider elements that accentyour home décor, enhancecomfort, create beauty and of-fer low-maintenance upkeep soyou can kick back, relax andenjoy the space.
Here are two ideas forachieving these goals.
FireplaceFire features are the most
popular outdoor design ele-ment, according to the Amer-ican Society of Landscape Ar-chitects. This is understand-able; outdoor fireplaces offerprivacy, warmth and createa distinct focal point aroundwhich to gather when spend-ing time outdoors. Outdoorfireplaces also offer a greatreturn on investment: 90 per-cent of real estate agents sayan outdoor fireplace increasesa home’s value, according to aHouzz.com study.
One major consideration tokeep in mind is the type ofentertaining you want to do.Those who want the conve-
nience of a gas fireplace maywish to consider the clean,modern lines and utility of amodel such as the innovativeand sleek Palazzo from Heat& Glo, which features an in-dustry-first power screen thatmoves up and down at thetouch of a button, allowing for
an uninterrupted view of theflames. Marine-grade stainlesssteel ensures it maintains itsluster and multi-colored LEDlights shine through crushedglass.
Others may be looking forsomething a bit more nostal-gic -- like the scent and crackle
of smoldering pine to bringback great memories and setthe tone for outdoor gather-ings. One popular choice thatcan achieve that effect is theLongmire wood-burning fire-place from Heatilator, whichhas a clean, contemporaryshape that features a draw-
bridge gate and hinged glassdoor to make loading wood androutine maintenance simple.
Learn more about outdoorfireplace options at Fireplaces.com/outdoor.
KitchenAdd ease and charm to din-
ing al fresco by creating an out-door kitchen. These days, it’spossible to include many of thesame amenities you would findin a traditional indoor kitchen-- from a working faucet andstovetop to even a dishwasher.If space or budget are limited,think about what features mat-ter most to you and considerworking with an architect toplan the most efficient and at-tractive layout. Architects canalso serve as a great resourcewhen it comes to building withmaterials that can withstandlocal weather.
Outdoor friendly lightingcan help you keep up the cu-linary adventures, even af-ter nightfall. And don’t for-get, you’ll also want to makespace for a bar. Frozen daiqui-ris, anyone?
A patio is no longer “just a pa-tio” these days. Elevate your out-door living and entertaining ex-periences with a few stylish, func-tional upgrades, and add comfortand elegance to your home’s exte-rior spaces.
Courtesy of StatePoint
BLENDINGSPACES
Tips to step up your patio experience
Getting outside on the deck orporch is an ideal way to relax andescape stifling indoor heat formany Americans. To make sureyour outdoor living retreat is acool oasis, consider these threetips to beat the heat:
1. Create stylish shadeWhile an umbrella or a roll-
up sunshade provides a fast andeasy way to block direct sun,they can quickly fade or becomea dingy eyesore. A stylish alter-native is to cast refreshing shadewith a gazebo or arbor. With ei-ther option, you also can createa lush and fragrant grotto us-ing climbing vines such as roses,clematis, wisteria or honeysuckle.
For a weekend do-it-yourselfproject, look for gazebo and ar-bor plans on popular social me-dia sites.
2. Spritz yourselfwith amister
Sunbelt residents and visitorsare familiar with outdoor cool-ing misters installed at popu-lar outdoor cafes, theme parksand other places people gatheron hot days. Now, homeownersthroughout the U.S. are install-ing these systems on their decksor porches. The ultrafine dropletsof water created by these systemscan cool the air as much as 35degrees. In addition to providingcool and refreshing moisture onhot summer days, some manufac-turers report the systems help re-pel flying insects and clear the airof smoke and pollen. Easy-to-in-stall misters are available start-ing at under $100.
3. Don’t forget the surfaceMany deck surfaces become
uncomfortably hot in direct sun.The problem is especially acutefor dark-colored deck boards,which absorb heat throughoutthe day, as well as some densecomposite boards that hold heat.As a result, rather than a comfort-able stroll to your favorite chair,you might end up hot-footing itacrossa scorchingdeck.Anoverlyhot deck is especially problem-atic for young children and pets,whose feet are more heat sensi-tive.
“Many people tell us they lovethe beauty and durability of theircomposite deck, but not the heat,”saysBrentGwatney,vicepresidentof MoistureShield decking. Hiscompanyhasdevelopedasolutionthey call CoolDeck(R) technology.The boards are engineered to ab-sorb up to 35 percent less heatthan other composites in similarcolors, for a noticeably lower sur-face temperature in direct sun.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
BEATTHEHEAT
Learn howyour deckcan keepits cool
STATEPOINT
When updating your outdoor living areas, focus on additions that stylishly and seamlessly blend your spacestogether. Consider elements that accent your home décor, enhance comfort, create beauty and offer low-maintenance upkeep so you can kick back, relax and enjoy the space.
“There are somany projectshomeownerscan dothemselves toincrease theappeal andusability oftheir outdoorliving space.”— Doug Scott, landscapedesigner and blogger behind“Redeem Your Ground”
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 15D
Now that warmerweather has finally ar-rived, you want to beoutside to enjoy it. Yourbackyard could be theperfect place to bask inthe sun, entertain friendsor indulge in your hob-bies. It just needs a lit-tle sprucing up, and theright projects can help.
Best of all, many ofthese projects are quickand easy. To get youstarted, here are threeprojects you can accom-plish in a spring week-end - and enjoy all sum-mer long.
Forging a fire pitWhether it's an after-
noon gathering or anevening under the stars,adding a fire pit to yourbackyard is a great wayto make an enjoyable get-together last even longer.And building one is eas-ier than you think.
Start by marking thecenter of your pit in theground. Spray a circlearound the center, outlin-ing your pit's desired cir-cumference - say 5 feet.Dig this space to a depthof 6 inches. In your new-found pit, make a similarcircle 12 inches in fromyour outer circle to makethe inner wall of your pit.
Fill this area withsmall stones to serveas the foundation, andlay wet concrete on theground to solidify andbuild that foundation. Ifyou do not have the toolsyou need to successfullymake concrete, you canalways rent them to elim-inate the need for a one-time purchase.
Once the foundation isready, apply mortar andstones around the ring.Build up the fire pit wallwith additional mortarand stones. After the pithas been built to a heightof your choosing, use abrush to remove excessmortar from the inside.You may also spray theinside with a can of spraypaint to give your pit's in-terior a uniform look.
Planning theplanters
I f you've a lwayswanted to add a pop ofcolor to your backyard,planter boxes can be justthe ticket. They are rel-atively simple to buildyourself.
Start by choosing awood, like cedar, foryour project. Cut fourstrips with two half thelength of your other two,but sharing the sameheight. These strips willform the foundation ofyour rectangular planter.If you lack a saw to cutthem with, you can al-ways rent one.
Once your strips arecut, butt the ends to-gether and apply woodglue at the joints to securethe fit. Drill a screw intoeach end to solidify thefit. Next, attach the bot-tom panels with glue anddrill a screw through theends of the bottom panelsinto the sides for a moresecure fit.
Finish by lightly sand-ing any rough or un-seemly spaces on thefoundations. Add a touchof paint or stain to im-prove the planter's ap-pearance and offer long-term protection.
Shedding new lighton the shed
If you're going to spendmore time in your back-yard this year, it's timeto finally do somethingabout that old shed you'vebeen ignoring for years.Fortunately, somethingas small as a new coatof paint can have a largeimpact on your shed's ap-pearance.
Before applying a dropof paint, inspect the shedto be sure no structuralmaintenance is needed.Then it's time to clean it.Rent a pressure washerfor a quick clean that willfree the building of dirt,debris and cobwebs.
Once the shed is cleanand dry, apply an oil-based primer, which willhelp protect the buildingfrom the elements andmake it easier to paint.
Finally, it's time topaint. A long-nap rollerworks well for this proj-ect, but you can alsorent a paint sprayer.Choose a color to yourliking and be sure to se-lect a paint designed foroutdoor projects.
Each of these threeprojects can be tack-led in a single week-end, and each can havea lasting effect on youroutdoor space. So, whatare you waiting for? Getstarted on your out-door DIY project today.To find a rental tool pro-vider near you, visit Rent-alHQ.com.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
GET ‘ERDONE
3projectsyoucan tackle inaweekend
BRANDPOINT
If you’re going to spend more time in your backyard this year, it’s time to finally do somethingabout that old shed you’ve been ignoring for years.
BRANDPOINT
Whether it’s an afternoon gathering or an evening under the stars, adding a fire pit to yourbackyard is a great way to make an enjoyable get-together last even longer.
Whether it’san afternoongathering oran eveningunder thestars, addinga fire pit toyour backyardis a greatwaytomake anenjoyable get-together lasteven longer.
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You’re getting ready for the dayand decide to wear a chic blousepaired with your skinny jeansfrom your favorite designer. You’llbe feeling and looking good withminimal effort thanks to ready-to-wear fashion.
In fashion circles, ready-to-wearclothing is what designers producefor shoppers to easily buy and wearwithout modifications. Essentiallyit makes your life easier becauseyou get on-trend clothing that in-stantly looks amazing.
Fashion influences a variety ofindustries and gardening is no ex-ception. The ready-to-wear fash-ion concept has evolved into whatflower experts call “grab-and-gogardening.”
“People want a stunning, stand-out garden without a lot of hassle,and that’s why the concept of flow-ers that are ready to go and grow isso popular,” says Claire Josephson,garden decorating expert. “Thesegrab-and-go styles are easy for gar-deners to plant and are full of in-stant, long-lasting blooms in mod-ern color mixes that enhance youroutdoor living space.”
This season, you’ll see fashion’sinfluences as soon as you enteryour local gardening retailer. Jo-sephson says petunias are the per-fect example: expertly designed pre-mixed petunias take the guessworkout of decorating and mixing col-ors, so it’s easy for experts and be-ginners alike to design eye-catch-ing pots, hanging baskets, flower-beds and more. Try any of these2017 ready-made gardening trendsthis season:
Bold colors: Pops of color canbring energy to your wardrobe andyour garden. Bright, bold colors arealways on trend for the summer. Se-lect flower mixes make a statementin your seasonal decorating withfestive, vibrant hues. Wave Fire-
cracker mix petunias add richnessto your landscape with a crowd-pleasing combination of coral, pur-ple and blue. Unlike real fireworks,these colors won’t quickly fade.
Mixing it up: Mixing patternsand textures is popular in fashion,and it’s starting to be seen in gar-dening trends, too. Have fun blend-ing texture combinations to createa customized look that reflects yourpersonality and makes your homestand out from any other on theblock.
Explore combinations likeLemon Dream and Razzle Daz-zle that feature Wave’s signaturespreading petunias and incorpo-rate additional colors and textureswith high-performing annuals likeverbena, calibrachoa and phlox.
Classic styles: Basics are thefoundation of any wardrobe, anda classic approach to style is alwaysin season. If you prefer to stick tothe classic gardening styles, choosemixes that are perfect for subtlesplashes of color, making decorat-
ing easy, simple and timeless.The Wave Lovin’ It petunia mix
is an excellent choice; designedby experts, this mixture of violet,pink and yellow is a classic splashof color that creates full, eye-catch-ing garden containers and flower-beds and complements any decor.
For more information and tosee pictures of ready-to-wear gar-dening examples, visit www.wave-rave.com.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
Fashion influencesgardening trendsGARDENSTYLE
BRANDPOINT
Fashion influences a variety of industries and gardening is no exception. The ready-to-wear fashion concepthas evolved into what flower experts call “grab-and-go gardening.”
WATERFEATURES
The benefits of koi pondsKoi ponds can make for beauti-
ful additions to landscaped back-yards or home gardens. Whilemany people are drawn to koiponds because of their aestheticappeal, there are many addi-tional reasons for homeownersto consider installing koi pondsin their backyards.
Ponds and water gardens cantransform yards rather quickly.
Ponds can add appeal to oth-erwise mundane yards and pro-vide eye-catching, relaxing spotsto sit and enjoy the scenery.
Koi ponds have recently falleninto a favor with homeowners inNorth America, but these pop-ular water features date backseveral centuries to Asia. Cen-turies ago, Chinese rice farmersbegan keeping carp in their ricepaddies, and that practice even-tually caught on in Japan. Thefish started to breed and formslight color variations. Koi, of-ten referred to as “Nishikigoi,”are actually descendants of thecommon carp, though the koi oftoday are more brightly huedand ornamenta l f ish thancarp.
Koi can become a low-main-tenance family pet. These fish
tend to grow accustomed tohav ing people around, andwill often interact with visi-tors at the surface of the wa-ter. It’s not unusual to have koibeg for food or take food froma person’s hand. They also maytolerate some light handling.
Another benefit of koi pondsis that they create a miniatureecosystem within the yard.When stocked with aquaticplants and other fish that canhelp keep mosquito larvae andother parasites at bay, theycan sustain themselves quitenicely. Ponds also can attractbirds and beneficial insects,such as butterf lies and dragon-f lies. By implementing straightvertical walls on the perimeterof the pond and setting up somenatural barriers, homeowners
can avoid unwanted predatorsfrom disturbing their koi ponds.
Koi ponds also provide somepsychological benefits. The soundof the water can be soothing andrelaxing. Sitting by the pond mayhelp alleviate stress, as unwind-ing next to a pond and watchingthe fish swim by can help indi-viduals decompress.
Homeowners who have koiponds may also benefit sociallyfrom these eye-catching addi-tions to their landscapes. Home-owners may connect with otherswho share their passion for koiand water features. This opens upthe opportunity to share the land-scape and pond with others, build-ing new friends and relationshipsin the process.
MetroCreative
METROCREATIVE
While many people are drawn to koi ponds because of their aesthetic appeal, there are many additional reasons for homeowners to considerinstalling koi ponds in their backyards.
Ponds can addappeal to otherwisemundane yardsand provide eye-catching, relaxingspots to sit and enjoythe scenery.
Summer is the seasonwhen your backyard takescenter stage. As warmweather arrives, it's time tohead outdoors and create abeautiful and lush outdoorspace that you can enjoy allseason long.
"It's no secret that back-yards are the best placeto spend time with familyand friends in the summermonths," says Chris Lamb-ton, yard and garden ex-pert for Fiskars. "Using theright tools to take care ofyour grass, trees, plants andshrubs will freshen the lookof your outdoor space andcreate a yard that feels likean oasis for you and yourguests."
Lambton offers his tipsand tools to help your yardflourish this season:
Maintain proper lawnheight
The optimal grass heightfor a healthy lawn changeswith the time of year. Cutgrass shorter in the springand fall and keep it longerin summer so it won't dryout. Use a reel mower thatallows you to easily adjustthe cut height for the sea-son. In addition to mak-ing your lawn look its best,pushing a reel mower pro-vides an opportunity for ex-ercise and fresh air.
Encourage new plantgrowth
Pruning and deadhead-ing are necessary for planthealth as they encouragenew growth. Pruning isgreat for keeping tall plantswithin bounds, stimulatingbranch growth and bloomsand tightening up plantsthat get lanky throughoutthe season, including pe-rennials and shrubs. Handshears, like the FiskarsPowerGear2 Pruner, cutthrough stems and lightbranches and are perfectfor quick and easy mainte-nance projects around theyard. Deadheading can bedone year-round when aflowering plant fades usinga tool like a pruning snip.
Knowwhen to waterIf you walk across the
grass and the blades don'tspring back, then you knowit's time to water. Choose anadjustable sprinkler, likethe Gilmour Pattern Mas-ter Circular Sprinkler, thatallows you to customize thespray pattern and tailor toirregularly shaped lawns toprevent over-watering.
When watering pottedplants, the goal is to cre-ate soil that's damp but notsoggy. Depending on thesize of the pot, water yourplants one to two times aday using a thumb controlwatering nozzle, which eas-ily adjusts water flow withone touch. Be sure to pairyour nozzle with a hose thatstands up to the season'sheat and sun, like the du-rable Flexogen Super DutyHose.
Incorporate decorativeDIY
Creating a comfortableand inviting outdoor spacemakes seasonal entertain-ing easy and fun. One wayto update your furnishingswithout buying a new patioset is to upcycle materialsfrom your home.
Containers are an easy,low-commitment way toadd design elements andeven a splash of color toyour backyard. They'realso highly versatile, allow-ing you to rearrange youryard on a whim or changeout plants to match the sea-son or mood. Repurposeglass jars, aluminum cansand ceramic pots to makebeautiful container gardenson your patio.
Another easy DIY is toturn old wooden cratesinto extra seating by paint-ing them in bright colors,securing them atop one an-other and adding a decora-tive cushion - the possibili-ties are endless!
Courtesy of BrandPoint
SPRUCE ITUP
Makeyouryard anoasis
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 NEW HAVEN REGISTER | HOME+GARDEN | 17D
Do you have a small patio? Doyou think you can't do much withthe space due to its size? There'sprobably a lot more potentialthan you think.
From the influx of urban dwell-ers, empty-nesters in transitionand even the tiny-home move-ment, the trend of downsiz-ing continues across the UnitedStates. Contrary to popular belief,you can have an impressive patioeven if you have a smaller abode.
Here are a few design ideasto help bring your limited patioarea to life while maximizing thespace:
RugsAdd visual interest under foot
with a patterned rug. A rug prop-erly placed under a table canbreak up a smaller f loor, giv-ing the illusion of more squarefootage. Colored rugs are read-ily available in a variety of de-signs. Pick your favorite striped,chevron or paisley variety and seewhat a difference it makes.
Water featuresThe natural elegance, gentle
gurgle and sparkle of a f lowingwater feature can add a sense ofpeacefulness to any patio. Forsmaller spaces, easily turn a dec-orative waterproof container orplanter into a beckoning waterfeature by simply adding wa-ter and a smartpond Low WaterShut-off Fountain Pump. Thissmart pump automatically shutsoff if the water becomes too low,preventing pump burnout. It'salso a great replacement pumpoption to revive a decorativepremade fountain that has quitworking. Learn more at www.smart-pond.com.
Think vertical
To get the most out of a lim-ited space, think upward insteadof outward. Hanging plants area classic option, but vertical wallgardens are a top trend that'ssure to be a conversation starter.You'll enjoy plenty of greenery butalso open floor space for your fur-niture, water feature and enter-taining to ensure a welcomingarea for hosting summer parties.
Built-insTo get the most out of every
inch of your petite patio, look forfurniture and features that multi-task to help save space while max-imizing functionality. An easy so-lution is to opt for a table thatopens to become a cooler for bev-erages or a bench to hold blanketsand other patio extras. Just re-member to keep scale in mind soyou don't overwhelm your spacewith massive furniture.
Mixing materialsMatching is out for 2017, so for-
get about perfectly paired com-bos and explore a variety of de-cor. A great way to try this trendis to add visual interest by exper-imenting with different materi-als. Inject your own personalitythrough various finishes. Oneexample: consider setting blackresin pots next to a handwovenwicker for an eclectic blend oftextures.
Vibrant colorsDon't make the mistake of think-
ing a small space must have mutedcolors. Vibrant hues inject energyand style, often making a smallpatio feel larger than it is in reallife. From ocean blues to ferociousfuchsia, an accent pillow here anda throw blanket there will trans-form your space dramatically.
From DIY water features to ver-tical gardens, a small patio doesn'thave to be short on style or func-tionality. Let these top trendsguide you to create a space you'llenjoy all year long.
Courtesy of BrandPoint
BRANDPOINT
The natural elegance, gentle gurgle and sparkle of a flowing water feature can add a sense ofpeacefulness to any patio.
GAMECHANGERS
Big-impact ideas forsmall patiospaces
FromDIYwaterfeatures to verticalgardens, a smallpatio doesn’t have tobe short on style orfunctionality.
