Articles filed under Home & Garden

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Antioch garden club sets plant sale May 15, 2013 12:00 AM
The annual Antioch Garden Club perennial plant sale is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at the Centennial Park pavilion, 701 Anita Ave., between Depot Street and North Avenue, Antioch.
Water and fire features on the upswing for outdoor living May 12, 2013 12:00 AM
No matter where you go in the country, fire and water features are uppermost on homeowners' back yard wish lists. National studies show that fire features rank No. 1 among homeowners, while water features come in at No. 4, according to Mike Haumersen, outdoor living specialist with Belgard Hardscapes.
Outdoor makeover contest Week 2: Too much hill; not enough ideas May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Please, we really need some real help here! This space off the back of our house remains unused because of several problems that exist within this space. There are underground electric lines, an unforgiving hill, and a ground level window all within this space that have become formidable barriers to making this part of the yard useful for us.
Outdoor makeover contest week 2: Dreams can come true May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
I am sitting at the table on my patio underneath the umbrella. There is a warm breeze with the sweet smell of flowers. The candlelight flickers and the glow of garden lights softly light up the beautiful brick paved patio.
Outdoor makeover contest Week 2: Help this backyard May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
My husband and I bought this house in Lake Zurich in 1987; built new, first owners. We have not been able to enhance our backyard and would love to give not just ourselves, but also our neighbors, something nice to look at. We would love to be able to sit outside when the weather is warm and read the Daily Herald, good books, etc., and feel like it's a bit of an escape.
Outdoor makeover contest Week 2: Neighborhood eyesore May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Our front yard is the eyesore of the neighborhood. Just ask any of our neighbors — they will agree! Like our backyard, the front yard is missing any blooming flowers or plants. The only shrubs do not match or are cut down to stumps.
Sustainable landscaping is eco-friendly and less work May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Landscaping provides people with a huge array of benefits from shade to rainwater absorption to the prevention of soil erosion and beautification. But it delivers the maximum number of benefits to humankind and the planet when it is designed in such a way that it works with nature, instead of against it.
Adler-designed lake mansion inspires decorator in all of us May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Designers who can update a 1916 Italianate villa and make its 15,000-square-feet warm and welcoming can surely answer some of your decorating quandaries. Renowned architect David Adler designed the home, chosen as this year's Lake Forest Showhouse.
Low-maintenance trend grows in landscaping May 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Not everyone has a green thumb. People can spend hours in the garden and still not be able to make their homes the showpieces they envision. With this in mind, more homeowners are looking for plants and shrubs that are low- or no-maintenance, said Jean Bragdon, operations manager at Lurvey's Garden Center in Des Plaines.
Vibrant colors chosen for ShowhouseMay 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Here are the Farrow & Ball paint colors used in the Lake Forest Showhouse.
CLC hosts plant sale May 9-10 May 1, 2013 12:00 AM
The College of Lake County's horticulture department will host its annual plant sale on Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the horticulture greenhouses in Grayslake. Proceeds from the plant sale help support CLC student scholarships and enhancements to the career programs. Many plants have been raised from seed by CLC students and staff.
LED lighting uses less energy, increases use of your outdoor space Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Even the lighting in your yard can now be sustainable and green. Over the past few years, LED lighting has almost totally taken over the landscape lighting market from the previously popular low voltage incandescent and halogen systems, according to Thomas Reindl, commercial lighting manager at Northwest Electrical Supply in Mount Prospect.
Outdoor makeover contest: Week 1 finalists Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
It's time to get in a summer state of mind and that means it's time for our outdoor makeover contest. For the second year, Daily Herald readers submitted photos with essays telling us why they needed to get their patios and yards in shape as part of our "Get Your Summer On" series and contest.
Wauconda chamber host its annual Tree and Shrub Sale Apr 24, 2013 12:00 AM
The Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the village of Wauconda, will participate in the nationwide observance of Arbor Day with its 8th annual Tree and Shrub Sale Saturday, April 27.
Streamwood commission hosts environmental education day Apr 23, 2013 12:00 AM
The Streamwood Natural Resource Conservancy Commission is hosting an environmental event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, to celebrate Streamwood Environmental Education Day. Representatives from various groups will be on hand by the garage in the back of village hall, 301 E. Irving Park Road,
A handblown glass item from ItalyApr 20, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I have attached photographs of a handblown glass item that — to me — looks like an ostrich. It was found in my mother’s attic, but I have no idea where or when she obtained it. It is 12 inches tall. Can you give me any information as to what it is and its current value, if any?
HGTV designer’s style rooted in the suburbs Apr 9, 2013 12:00 AM
HGTV Design Star winner Meg Caswell found all sorts of inspiration while shopping at Scentimental Gardens in Geneva last week. The 35-year-old Kenilworth native and Chicago design firm owner is always on the lookout for items she can feature on her HGTV show, “Meg’s Great Rooms.” “My business before was my heart and soul, but it was a lot of hard work. I sometimes had 20 clients at once. Now, I have the privilege to select just a few clients,” she said.
Advice for Midwest gardeners available in new book Apr 7, 2013 12:00 AM
After nearly 40 years of dispensing advice, columnist Jan Riggenbach has delievered on a promise to readers with a new book, "Your Midwest Garden: An Owner's Manual." Riggenbach's 2,000th column is schedueld to run in late April.
Is Regina music box noted for its high value? Apr 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I was wondering if you had any info on this Regina music box. I inherited it when my grandmother passed away, but supposedly it was purchased for my great-grandmother, who was bedridden. I think the music box dates to the late 1800s. In the 1950s I used to play the discs and dance to the music. The cabinet is in really rough condition, but the mechanism still works. Any history or value would be wonderful.
Satsuma pottery fell in quality over the years Mar 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. These two vases are each 18½ inches tall. I inherited them from my mother, who got them from a sale in 1946. I understand that they were quite old then. As you can see, the bottoms have different markings, and although the vases look alike, there are slight differences in the patterns. They are in good condition with no chips or cracks. Anything you can tell me about them would be most helpful — especially the age and valuation.