Arboretum style landscaping key to two suburban developments

Lush landscaping and other amenities are considered vital to the success of both an 86-acre and a 50-acre corporate in the suburbs.

On one site, The of , the developer said it is spending twice as much on as most similar centers, although no dollar amount was given.

“It very unusual to have this many species and plants going in any commercial project,” said , a landscape architect based in Atlanta. and Associates primarily designs for centers, mixed-use developments and across the country.

“We are surrounded by some of the most expensive homes in ,” he said. “It’s only appropriate that our be lush and special. We are committed to honor the history of the nursery that operated here for many years by an unsurpassed plan that would be the talk of the suburbs.”

“The will really make the place stand out, with counts and mixes that are designed to give interest throughout the year. We are also trying to incorporate The ’s nursery history in the design of the entire site.”

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Friday, June 20th, 2008

Its Hot Again This Year Eco Chic Gardening

the average household spent more than $400 for garden-related items. Landscaping grew by 19 percent, water gardening by 49 percent, planting by 26 percent and by 1 percent. Experts watch sales and several other areas to distinguish trends.

Why are they important? Garden and landscape trends shape for the next year and years to come.

I mentioned last year after returning from the International Conference in Little Rock that green gardening was the undertone of many of the speakers. For 2008, the Garden Media Group identified going green as the No. 1 , professional trend-watchers for the gardening industry.

“Environmentally savvy homeowners know that it’s not just good enough to live an environmentally friendly ; you’ve got to be environmentally responsible ” said Garden Media’s Susan McCoy.

Gardeners want to find , use locally produced or recycled materials and use environmentally responsible .

Eco-chic is the for gardens designed and maintained in an ecology friendly manner. Gardeners are recycling plastic pots, composting and using to catch rainwater. To restore balance in nature, they are creating feeding spots for birds and so that bees, ladybugs and have fruit and nectar to eat.

Water gardening is still trendy. However, it is not necessary to have a huge . In fact, is out. New smaller scale fountains and ponds are . They use less water, require less maintenance and can be more interesting in a home . Pondless waterfalls are an option as are tabletop and recirculating fountains.

Many gardeners are opting for less grass in smart and easy landscapes. They are adding stamped concrete patios, walks and driveways. Turfless landscapes are showing up as gardeners install rocks, , trees and ground covers rather than traditional . More expensive initially, it will save time, money and energy in maintenance, especially if combined with a drip irrigation system. Natives show up frequently in gardens as well as ornamental grasses.

Half of this country’s consumers say that a lack of time is a bigger issue than a lack of . The service industry is exploding as homeowners who have purchased homes with large landscaped lawns just cannot find time to maintain the outdoor aspects. Full-grown plants and trees are hot sellers for homeowners too impatient to wait for smaller ones to naturally mature in the .

Outdoor rooms take center stage in gardening trends. For the past five years, outdoor living and decorating were cited as the top two mega trends. In 2007, $6.2 billion was spent on outdoor furniture, accessories and grills. More than a million outdoor kitchens were constructed, and upscale homeowners opted for construction of gazebos near their outdoor pools. Stylish table lamps, special submersible lighting for fountains and dramatic illumination options are now on the market as a result of interest in outdoor living projects.

Simplicity is in with a new twist on the monochromatic slant. One basic color theme dominates a bed or pot with foliage and succulents, many of them variegated, used as accents. Services A ratio of 60 percent of a primary color, 30 percent of a secondary color and 10 percent of accent color is attractive for a pot or bed. Big is beautiful these days. Big in big containers with big bold color are being used to create stylish pot scapes.

The “slo” food movement is growing, according to and Garden Consultant Adele Kleine.

“This philosophy reduces dependence on convenience and processed fast food. One of the purposes of gardening is to encourage adults and children to feel better emotionally and to inspire them to take more control over what they consume. That’s what slo food does,” Kleine said.

Farmers markets and organic food stands are part of this movement, as well as home . Garden sales via the Internet are increasing dramatically. This year, sales are expected to equal or exceed catalog sales, growing from $7 million in 2007 to more than $10 million.

Consumers jump on the bandwagon for products that are new and hot, so growers will continue to introduce hundreds of new each year to meet consumer demands. Organic pesticides, fertilizers, eco-friendly products and drought tolerant and/or pest-resistant , many of which are container suitable - plus more native options - are expected to be big sellers this year.

Hopefully, these eco-friendly trends are not merely fads that will fade with time Landscaping Services. We all can be responsible caretakers of the environment, but need readily accessible products to help us do so.

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Monday, May 26th, 2008

New South Barrington Mall Still Plans September Opening

A and a slowing economy has only slightly dampened plans for the area’s newest .

The of , near routes 59 and 72, is moving ahead to open on the weekend of Sept. 12.

While the stores are under construction at the upscale center, The Jaffe Cos., owner and developer of the project, is placing a heavy focus on landscaping for the project. A handful of area nurseries are supplying a total of 2,700 trees and 30,000 shrubs, perennials and grasses at the 86- with a price tag of about $200 million.

“The economy is strained, but we didn’t cut a dime out of the budget,” said , president of Jaffe Cos. in .

Landscapers attempted to incorporate the history of the area into the design. The occupies a portion of a 610-acre site that once belonged to Klehm’s Nursery. In the late 1990s, the Klehms sold the tract to a called The Woods of . A portion was designated for commercial use and in 2006, plans for The of were announced, paying homage to its roots.

“The will really make the place stand out, with counts and mixes that are designed to give interest throughout the year. We are also trying to incorporate The ’s nursery history in the design of the entire site,” said Lee , landscape contractor for the project.

As the planting process kicks off, contractors continue construction. The first phase of the outdoor mall, known as a center, is about 80 percent occupied. By the end of the year about 40 stores and restaurants will be open for business.

Many of the stores will be ready for the set for the weekend of Sept. 26. The latest retailers to sign leases include Anna Shea Chocolates, Francesca’s Collections and .

A key component of this type of is to offer a selection of stores not found at . For instance, Anna Shea Chocolates, a chocolate lounge and wine bar, is making its first home in the Midwest. will open its fourth Illinois location at the new center.

Jaffe believes the overall project coupled with the demographics of the Barrington area are attracting tenants.

Retail experts agree this isn’t the prime time to launch something of this magnitude.

“It’s not the optimal time to be opening a , but the location is good,” said Will Ander, senior partner at Chicago-based McMillan Doolittle retail consultancy.

It’s a tough time in retail, Ander said. “We’re at the verge of recession. It looks like things are bottoming out,” he said.

Family incomes are shifting more to gasoline and food. As a result, retailers at the new mall may see lower sales than they originally anticipated, Ander anticipated.

But when the mall was planned several years ago, spending was strong.

“The economy is now in a lull, but who can predict that,” Ander said.

Used book fans: The Little City Used Book Sale is set to take place June 6 through June 15 at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie.

Tents filled with hundreds of tables stacked with more than 125,000 books will line the west parking lot by Lawler Avenue.

Change your mind: Because of increasing prices of gas and groceries, consumers are altering their plans on how to spend their tax rebate checks.

Shoppers plan to spend more of their checks on necessities such as gas and food rather than on discretionary items, like electronics and apparel, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

Shoppers have changed their spending plans since February.

In February, 4 million people said they plan to use their check to purchase furniture. Three months later, only 2.7 million people still have furniture on their list. About 3.2 million people said they planned to buy a vehicle in February. That number has now dipped to 2.4 million.

Many retailers have already announced creative promotions to give customers an extra incentive to shop with them.

According to the survey, women are more likely to spend or save portions of their check, while men are more likely to pay down debt.

Sale dates: Nordstrom is preparing for its half-yearly sale for women and kids.

Shoppers can expect to find 40 percent off or more at the 6-day sale that starts Wednesday.

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Monday, May 19th, 2008

Living Room In The Garden

Theres nothing like smelling the perfume of flowers and witnessing lush right in your courtyard! Outdoor living, with aesthetic utility, is at its best when nature dazzles the eye and nurtures the soul, explains Neera Gulati

Retreat spaces is what I would call them. Landscaping   If you have your own land and are building an independent house for yourself and the family, it would be a wonderful idea for you to create a living space away from your main house, which would be a sanctuary you will want to remove from the house to create a sense of privacy and solace. In this busy world, you would love to be away from the busy and create a space outside your house, that is either in the garden area or a backyard. Or if there is , you could do something in a or a terrace.

One of the most popular is the outdoor dining room and kitchen. Plans for outdoor can range from the basic to the outrageous, depending on your inclination and budget. Merely placing to take advantage of (or to avoid) the sun, with a barbecue set up nearby, may be all you need.

Even so, consider accents to dress up the space, like and . If you want to go broke, install an entire with weatherproof cabinets and appliances to form the ‘walls’ or boundaries of the space which you can then dress up with lively tiles and a dining set, and use a to provide shade and some cover. are often the only access to nature that the modern affords. You can create natural spaces at home. It certainly isn’t difficult to build . But it does take an appreciation for the ‘divide and conquer’ approach. We take it for granted that our houses are divided into rooms, but the concept for having similar may sound odd.

At first indeed, the biggest standing in most people’s way is that it just doesn’t occur to them to divide up a yard so as to maximize their enjoyment of it. The more conscious we become of , the more we can tailor them to suit our needs. Having separate allows you to create mini landscape designs. Just as you can paint or wallpaper an indoor room using a colour scheme unique to that room, so also you can use colour to make individualised statements for each of your . But here, instead of paint or wallpaper, you determine your colour scheme when you select the plants you’ll be using for the area. Proper application of colour theory in landscape design can even influence mood and perception.

More the merrier

The materials which you can use for can be different from the indoor rooms. For floors, for eg, you could use grass, patios or . For the walls, you could use , fences or informal hedges. For the ceiling pergolas, decorative canvas canopies, awnings or lawn umbrellas will be great. Keep both aesthetics and function in mind when constructing outdoor rooms. But in areas dedicated to physical activity, if you have to choose between the two, focus on function. Never compromise on safety. You can make up for compromises in aesthetics later, when you accessorize your outdoor rooms.

Below are examples of outdoor rooms and how to put them together.

Pool areas: around swimming pools presents specific challenges regarding safety, maintenance and  privacy. You don’t want people slipping on anything, you don’t want to spend all your time cleaning the debris, and you don’t want the neighbours peering in at you. In selecting a ‘wall’ to enclose the area, all of these considerations come into play. ‘Floor‘ in areas must be slip-resistant.

Meditation areas: For meditation gardens, (which is a wonderful way to de stress from your busy schedule), privacy is very much an issue. Here reflection, not physical activity, takes centre stage. Aesthetic consideration, consequently, will carry greater weight. Most people find more relaxing than hardscape, so consider planting hedges to form the wall of such outdoor rooms. For a floor, consider a combination of natural materials.

In meditation gardens, a ceiling may come in quite handy. Here, you’ll choose between aesthetics and functionality. A vine covered arbour may be more inspiring to gaze up at, than a lawn umbrella, but the latter will keep you and the books you may be reading, dry. If you’d like something more solid than an umbrella, consider installing a and covering it with fibreglass. But water shouldn’t be banned from contemplative outdoor rooms. If there’s any place in your yard for accessories such as garden fountains and waterfalls, surely its here. There is nothing like the soothing sound of bubbling water to put you into a reflective mood.

You could also create an living room outside. Deck it up with cozy furniture, speakers and ambient lighting, with of your choice, and you would love to use this place, all the year round.

Nowadays, most people want to live and entertain in a much more informal atmosphere. Guests also would love to gravitate towards the great room, which blends into the kitchen and .

These outdoor dining spaces should reflect the informal yet stylish design of the interior great rooms. Create an outdoor retreat that allows you and your guests to spill outside from the room. Don’t be afraid to mix chandeliers and old antiques outdoors, especially in outdoor dining areas. Utilise a touch of indoor style and unify the space by adding outdoor drapes, pillows and rugs to complete the look.

The use of colour, pattern and texture in fabrics is an excellent way to reflect the indoor space. Add colourful elements by choosing flowering to accent containers scattered throughout the outdoor living space.  Mix and match materials in these outdoor settings, juxtapose wrought iron with glass, steel with terracotta, wood against woven components. Outdoor living is at its best when nature dazzles the eye and nurtures the soul. Create your perfect casual environment out.

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Friday, May 9th, 2008

Gcc Spend On Garden And Landscaping To Reach Dhs60.5Bn In Five Years

The exhibition will be held from May 25 to 27 at the Dubai International Convention and Centre.

‘The market for outdoor goods is growing due to two key factors, the boom in property, leisure and municipal developments, both require considerable amounts of interior and exterior landscaping.’ said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. ‘Dubai authorities forecast that spend on projects this year would be worth Dhs165m ($45m). Construction of parks and new golf courses in the region for the next five years will fuel spending on gardens and , estimated at Dhs60.5bn ($16.5bn)

‘The second factor is the fact that home buyers themselves are keen about improving their with a view to increase the property’s value, Yard Landscaping and to differentiate their property from their neighbors,’ Mr. Pruy said.

Population growth combined with changes in property laws in some areas, allow foreigners to own property; good weather and high disposable incomes are also spurring the demand for outdoor living and garden products such as barbecues, garden furniture, garden tools, and swimming pools, by over 12.5 % per annum.

‘The UAE population is expected to grow at 3.3% per annum to reach around 4.15 million in 2010 and expatriates account for more than 75% of UAE population. Asians account for 80% of expatriate population and a big number are investing in property in the UAE,’ said Gavin A. Morlini, Senior Show Manager of Garden and Middle East. ‘The UAE’s population is young - with more than 40% under 25. Latest census shows that 82% of Dubai’s population comprised of expatriates, who could be attracted to invest with the new liberalized rules on property. Dubai’s population was 862,000 in 1999, which constitutes 27.7% of UAE’s population

The country’s growing population and fast paced construction activity in and Dubai leading to infrastructure and real estate development in the countries, has highlighted the importance of an such as, Garden and Middle East, as a relevant forum for developers.

A massive beautification drive will see the stretch of land from Dubai World Trade Centre behind the skyscrapers of Shaikh Zayed Road turned into a massive garden with the Business Bay lagoon flowing into the area, after a massive demolition and reconstruction of old villas in Satwa. Many such upcoming projects would add a total of 113 hectares of to the urban landscape.

‘A big factor in the success of last year’s was the support enjoyed by the Garden and Middle East from local government authorities and departments such as Road Transport Authority (), Dubai Municipality, and UAE Society of Engineers’, said Mr. Morlini.

RTA has announced their support to the in 2008 as well. The recently launched department of the , which has allotted Dhs170m to implement projects in Dubai roads, will be taking this opportunity to exhibit their plans for making Dubai a ‘greener’ place to live in.

Internationally, the show is supported by GardenEx UK Yard , the Garden &; Leisure Federation which helps create export trade opportunities, and the Taiwan Importers and Exporters Association.

Garden and Middle East has been growing 60 per cent year on year, and 80 per cent of those who exhibited in 2007 have booked their participation for this year’s edition of the trade show as well.

Mr. Morlini added, ‘The are presented with an opportunity to capitalize on this rapidly increasing industry and raise their company profile in the Middle East. 89% of the last year stated that Garden and Middle East is crucial to their marketing activity in the region. From the 6000 unique visitors that attended the in 2007, 95% were directly involved in the onsite purchasing decision.’ This year 150 are participating from 23 countries.

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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

Global Garden Products Market To Surpass Aed 835 Billion By 2010

Homeowners taking an avid interest in designing the outside of their homes and outdoor living in general have boosted the garden products market worldwide and it is projected to register strong growth and surpass AED 835 billion in sales by 2010.

“It is in to be out-doors - whether you are cooking, entertaining, reading, Landscaping Rock relaxing or even working in the great outdoors and this new trend has ensured higher sales of garden products worldwide,” said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizers of Garden and Middle East, the region’s largest industry platform for design, garden equipments and outdoor living products scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 25 to 27 2008.

Mr. Pruy noted that the garden and business was driven by emerging trends and the rising popularity of garden as an extension of modern homes. Growing material comforts, increasing annual household incomes, Rock and changing consumer lifestyles are resulting in increased investments in gardening, and garden landscaping, thereby creating ample opportunities for growth in the industry.

“Higher fuel prices are expected to further drive this trend as more people continue to stay closer to home for their entertainment and relaxation needs,” Mr. Pruy observed.

The trend towards turning the backyard and the garden into livable areas of a home is directly translating into business opportunities in the garden products market.

“Homeowners today are as focused on designing the insides of their homes as they are about decorating the outside of the home,” remarked Gavin A. Morlini, Senior Show Manager of Garden and Middle East.

He noted that homeowners are paying more attention to flowers and plants, exterior lighting, cozy couches and containers adding spots of color throughout the yard and an increasing number of people choose easy and simple gardens that are and full of color.

Mr. Morlini added:“ Home owners are choosing simple elegance over fussy gardens so less is in fact more and the buzz word is minimalism.“

The surge in garden activities such as lawn parties, backyard camping, barbeque with family and friends, are generating a need for equipping the garden.

The Garden and Middle East enjoys the support of RTA, GardenEx, Society of Engineers, Rock and the Taiwan Importers and Exporters Association. Also participating in this year’s are country pavilions from China, Germany, India and Taiwan.

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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Green Cut Landscaping Services Participates To Support Local Military Families

Green Cut Landscaping is participating in “GreenCare for Troops” in the Middlesex county area. “GreenCare for Troops” is a nationwide outreach program initiated by Project EverGreen that connects participating local lawn and landscape firms with families of the men and women away from home serving our country in the armed forces.

Landscaping Stone In announcing the new program, Orlando Fernandes, Owner said, “Lawn and maintenance becomes a definite hardship when a family’s major breadwinner is on active duty away from home. The “GreenCare for Troops” program seeks to ease this stress by helping affected families with the important task of caring for their yard and .”

Families interested in applying for the “GreenCare for Troops” program should contact Green Cut at 732-379-1745. Participation is limited.

Green Cut is a full service company that is committed to providing you with quality work and the best customer satisfaction. With their attention to detail and their commitment to quality they are dedicated to providing you with the best possible care in the industry. The staff at Green Cut Services has served central jersey for over 10 years with full service residential and commercial . Their staff has the knowledge and experience necessary to make sure the job gets done right the first time, and without any unnecessary problems or expenses.

They offer weekly lawn maintenance, landscape design, complete all season maintenance and snow removal. Their customers understand the Green Cut Difference, the importance of their prompt and personalized attention, trust, integrity, and dependability has earned them many valuable customers throughout the years. Green Cut Landscaping Services looks forward to working with you on your next residential or commercial venture.

From saving trees by offering paperless billing to supporting local charity you will see that Green Cut Landscaping Services is already one step ahead of the industry. They set a new standard to being a full service company. Visit www.greencutservices.com for more info.

About Project EverGreen
Headquartered in New Prague, Minn., Stone  Project EverGreen is a national non-profit organization representing green industry service providers, associations, suppliers/distributors, media companies, other organizations and individuals. Project EverGreen’s mission is to raise the awareness of the environmental, economic and benefits of landscapes and promote the significance of those who preserve and enhance green spaces at home, work and play.

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Monday, April 14th, 2008

Global Garden Products Market To Surpass Aed 835 Billion By 2010

Homeowners taking an avid interest in designing the outside of their homes and outdoor living in general have boosted the garden products market worldwide and it is projected to register strong growth and surpass AED 835 billion in sales by 2010.

Hillside Landscaping “It is in to be out-doors - whether you are cooking, entertaining, reading, relaxing or even working in the great outdoors and this new trend has ensured higher sales of garden products worldwide,” said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizers of Garden and Middle East, the region’s largest industry platform for design, garden equipments and outdoor living products scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 25 to 27 2008.

Mr. Pruy noted that the garden and business was driven by emerging trends and the rising popularity of garden as an extension of modern homes. Growing material comforts, increasing annual household incomes, and changing consumer lifestyles are resulting in increased investments in gardening, and garden landscaping, thereby creating ample opportunities for growth in the industry.

“Higher fuel prices are expected to further drive this trend as more people continue to stay closer to home for their entertainment and relaxation needs,” Mr. Pruy observed.

The trend towards turning the backyard and the garden into livable areas of a home is directly translating into business opportunities in the garden products market.

“Homeowners today are as focused on designing the insides of their homes as they are about decorating the outside of the home,” remarked Gavin A. Morlini, Senior Show Manager of Garden and Middle East.

He noted that homeowners are paying more attention to flowers and plants, exterior lighting, cozy couches and containers adding spots of color throughout the yard and an increasing number of people choose easy and simple gardens that are and full of color.

Mr. Morlini added:“ Home owners are choosing simple elegance over fussy gardens so less is in fact more and the buzz word is minimalism.“

The surge in garden activities such as lawn parties, backyard camping Hillside , barbeque with family and friends, are generating a need for equipping the garden.

The Garden and Middle East enjoys the support of RTA, GardenEx, Society of Engineers, and the Taiwan Importers and Exporters Association. Also participating in this year’s are country pavilions from China, Germany, India and Taiwan.

Show Profile:
Garden + Middle East is the only dedicated international trade event in the region for the and outdoor living industries. The show offers the perfect regional industry networking event to present the latest trends, products and services available to the sophisticated market of and outdoor architecture The next Garden+ Middle East is scheduled to take place from the 25-27 May in 2008, in the Dubai International Convention and Centre, . Show website: Show website: www.gardeningexpo.com

Company profile:
EPOC Messe Frankfurt GmbH is a subsidiary of Messe Frankfurt, the world’s largest trade fair organiser with its own fairground. It conducts over 150 events worldwide with 15 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, America, Africa and the Middle East, and brings 800 years of experience to Dubai, the strategic hub for the region.
The successful portfolio of events of EPOC Messe Frankfurt GmbH in Dubai include: Intersec Middle East, Materials Handling+Logistics Middle East, Hardware+Tools Middle East, Garden+ Middle East, ISH kitchen+bath Middle East, Light Middle East, Beautyworld Middle East, Wellness &; Spas Middle East, International/CES Hometech, Automechanika Middle East, Hillside and the Middle East Toy Fair.

*RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The report is collated using data from companies in the major product segments of Garden &; Seeds, Lawn &; Garden Care, Garden Tools &; Implements, Garden Furniture, and Garden Accessories from USA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and the Rest of World. The data is based on historical annual market analytics and data obtained from key and niche players’ &; includes both primary and secondary research comprising select online sources.

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Monday, April 14th, 2008

Take Your Tape Measure And A Camera To The Show

Great condo gardens are built from inspiration. Before the perspiration begins, inspiration sparks the imagination and drives the condo garden design.Equipment Landscaping Insight and ideas spring from many sources: glossy books and magazines, neighbouring condo gardens as well as show gardens at home and garden shows.

Knowing just how important ideas, innovation and inspiration are to GTA’s residents, the Toronto Star has sponsored the dream gardens at the National Home Show ( Place, daily until April 13). Arnis Budrevics (director and principal architect of Alexander Budrevics &; Associates) along with 16-featured landscapers designed and built the gardens – 42,000-square-feet with flowers, foliage, accessories and well-designed spaces.

“I’m a second-generation landscape architect from the same firm that has been looking after the National Home Show for over 40 years,” Budrevics says. “Alexander, my father, ran the home show over the last 35 years and I’ve actively co-ordinated the dream gardens for the last five years.”

Each garden’s space is about 1,000 square feet, specifically transferable to small urban gardens.

“If you want to reduce it further to make it a condominium garden,” Budrevics says, “remember the entire show is built on a hard concrete slab. Therefore everything you see can be adapted to your garden because it’s already manufactured and it’s not planted in-ground.

“The show gardens serve as inspiration, in its entirety or just parts of it,” Budrevics explains. “Inspiration could come from a unique fountain, a pot, plants or the arrangement of furniture.”

“The garden should be a reflection of your and interests,” Budrevics says. “A successful garden is one which you created yourself, Equipment Landscaping because it is an extension of your own life. It has to be your design, not something that someone is going to sell you, because pretty soon you will either modify it or you won’t use it since it isn’t you.”

Since balconies, courtyards and terraces can be seen from inside the condo, it looks better if a similar style and materials are used in both spaces. To create a seamless transition, take decorating cues from the inside, such as colours and textures, and use it outdoors. The outdoor space not only becomes an extension of your living space, but it is also a place that reflects your taste, personality and .

Memory is tricky, and with the hustle and bustle of the show, details become fuzzy later on. So, before you go, pop a few things into your bag: a rough sketch of your garden (outlining shape and size), a notebook, a tape measure and a camera.

Take photos of the show gardens or objects that spark your imagination. Use the tape measure to objectively measure things. Once at home,Equipment   see how the images translate into your outdoor space. Remember, with condo gardens it’s all about scale. Smaller spaces need smaller scaled furniture and . Measure to see if the “inspiration” will fit into your space.

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Saturday, April 5th, 2008

NW Women’s Show has what it takes to heat things up

Is it just us or is it getting a little hotter in the Northwest Women’s Show?

Seattle firefighters will take the runway in a, ahem, fashion show. And Miyoko Fujimori, a top pole-dancing coach from Los Angeles, will lead “The Art of Pole Dancing” all in the name of fitness, of course. The 20th annual show, already the nation’s largest consumer exhibit of its kind, will also host the Northwest Women Living %26amp; Eating Green Expo at Qwest Field Event Center this weekend.

So expect to see about two dozen clothing and bag designers showcasing their renewable fabric lines, as well as organic food and other sustainable products.

The show, known for its celebrity appearances and workshops, will feature Aiden Turner from “All My Children,” Maksim Chmerkovskiy from “Dancing with the Stars” and Matt and Suzy Hoover from “The Biggest Loser.”

The three-day event starts Friday and includes cosmetic, fitness and fashion workshops. This year’s cooking demonstration lineup features Crave chef Robin Leventhal and wine tasting. The event is expected to draw 25,000 women and 500 vendors. In keeping with its green theme, bring your own reusable bag to carry information and goodies collected.

The details

Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Cost: $14 at the door, $12 tickets available at any Bartell Drugs.

Location: Qwest Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle.

Getting there: Paid parking at several surrounding lots, $8-$10. For bus information, call Metro Transit at 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.metrokc.gov.

More information: 425-605-4131 or www.nwwomenshow.com.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or %26#116;%26#118;%26#105;%26#110;%26#104;%26#64;%26#115;%26#101;%26#97;%26#116;%26#116;%26#108;%26#101;%26#116;%26#105;%26#109;%26#101;%26#115;%26#46;%26#99;%26#111;%26#109;

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Sunday, March 30th, 2008