EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTS

GREEN THUMBWhat’s growing onus this month …

Shade GardeningThe shady spots in your yarddon’t have to go bare. Thereare plenty of plants that willthrive with little sun, yet stillbrighten your day.

n Hosta: These rippledleaves are dark green witha hint of blue, sometimessurrounded by a cream-colored edge. Growing

best in the morning sunand shade, these plantsgive your garden a sum-mery and bountiful feel.

n Rex Begonia (above):Their deep red, golden andgreen swirls are mesmeriz-ing. Also known as "fancy-

leaf" begonias, theseplants can grow up to afoot tall both in homes andin shades. Moist soil is allthey need to flourish.

n Astilbe: Bringing life andbreath to the summertime,these flowers range from asalmon to hot pink, orsometimes red. They willcomplement the pool inyour backyard or add colorto a shady green area.

n Lily Turf: Sometimes, all that isnecessary are these thin

green plants that resem-ble grass. The lily turf isjust that, with tiny pinkflowers that bloom latein the summer, serving as a nice backdropfor a colorful garden. –Mylin Batipps

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Edited by Liz Hunter

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FRONTGREEN THUMB

SIMPLIFY COVET WHO KNEW?

What to know about ...front door colorsYour front door can set the tone for your wholehouse, but how do you decide which color isbest for your overall exterior while still display-ing some personality?

n First, consider your home’s color. If the sid-ing is light, choose a darker front door; if theexterior is dark, choose a lighter shade forthe door. This will draw the eye to the door.

n Next, what is your personal style? Are youtraditional, or do you follow your own de-sign path? Traditionalists might opt for doorsin black, gray or red—all classic choices. Oth-ers might go an unexpected route, choosingsomething sassier, like green, raspberry ororange.

n Lastly, think about the mood created witheach color. Blues are associated with wis-dom and loyalty and exude a serene vibe;reds symbolize energy and excitement;greens represent harmony and peace; andyellows are cheerful. What do you wantpeople to feel when they knock?

15BOOKMARK15CREATURECOMFORTS

13JULY/AUGUST 2014 HOUSE & HOME

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HOUSE & HOME JULY/AUGUST 2014 14

SIMPLIFYTips & products to declutter and de-stress

Hidden StorageFinding storage around our homes is anever-ending battle. There are the ob-vious choices: closets, cabinets andattics, but what happens when thosespaces fill up? Or what if you have abunch of little items that just can’t seem tofind a home? Before you buy a biggerhouse, consider utilizing the hidden nooksand crannies in your home, such as underbeds, above the washer and even behinddoors.

In fact, one new product is capitalizingon the idea of behind-the-door storage.Cabidor (pictured) is a system that attach-es to the hinges of any door. Shelves canbe adjusted to fit any size item and reten-tion rods will keep tall items—like wrap-ping paper—firmly in place. This productcomes in several varieties, including a jew-elry model, which includes necklacehooks, earring slots and a drawer. Pricesrange from $129.99 to $249.99. For pur-chasing information, visit Cabidor.com.

AquariumCoffeeTable

Here’s something you don’t seeevery day: a coffee table thatdoubles as a fish tank. Or is thefish tank masquerading as acoffee table? Either way, thisFish Tank Aquarium CoffeeTable is sure to spark someconversation at your next din-ner party. Made of cell-cast

acrylic, this25-gallon tank

comes complete withwater pump, filter, light andgravel, and can be used forfreshwater or saltwater fish.The glass top is removable foreasy cleaning, and a side open-ing lets you feed your colorfulfish friends without hassle.Available for $750 at OpulentItems.com.

COVETMust-have products for the home

JULY/AUGUST 2014 HOUSE & HOME 15

WHO KNEW?Unusual uses for common products

Rubber BandsA staple in yourhome’s junk drawer, rubberbands can pull their weight inother ways, such as:

n Fixing a broom’s bristles:Tie a rubber band aroundthe bottom of a broom forabout a day to bend bristlesback into shape.

n Keeping a cutting board inplace: Wrap two rubberbands around each side ofthe board to stop it fromsliding across the counterwhile you slice.

n Child-proof cabinets: Grand-kids coming over? Tie a rub-ber band around cabinetdoor handles and keep kidsfrom getting into pots, pansor cleaning supplies.

CREATURE COMFORTSFor pets living in the lap of luxury

Outdoor Pet BedWhen relaxing by the pool, you like to look and feel your best with anice pair of sunglasses and bathing suit, lounging in a padded loungechair. In the dog days of summer, your four-legged friend wants to feellike a million bucks, too. With a modern chevron print and waterproofcovers, P. L. A. Y.’s Outdoor Dog Beds collection will have your dog living in the lap of luxury poolside. Made for dogs ranging from 20 to130 pounds, this pet bed is eco-friendly and machine washable. (PetPlay.com, $75) – Ethan Stoetzer

BOOKMARKAdd this to your bookshelf

The $50 Home Makeover: 75 Easy Projects to TransformYour Current Space into YourDream PlaceLooking to turn an ordinaryliving space into a vibrant,dream room without breakingthe bank? Shauna West has thekey to give those stale roomssome creative and modernlooks. With 75 do-it-yourselfprojects for under $50, Westhas the interior makeover youwant at a bargain price. (Adams Media, July 2014,$14.96, Amazon.com) –E.S.

Picture PerfectIf you’re tired of looking atthose unoriginal pictureframes hanging on your wall,it might be time for a change.Upgrade to the Cape CodTriple frame, which holdsthree 4-by-6 inch photos thatare sure to stand out. Inspiredby the northeastern coastline,the wooden frame has awhite-washed look, a weath-ered grain and imperfections.The wood slat varies fromframe to frame with differentcolors and texture. No twoframes are alike based on the

amount of water-based paintthat is used for the slat. Iteven has a front loading stylemaking for easy, accessiblepicture changes. Available for$139 at BeachFrames.com.

Cape Cod CoolIf your living room seems a little bland, try adding a Lacoste Striped Knit Throwto give your furniture a popof color. Its preppy style andstripes will provide both alook of sophistication andsportiness. The throw comesin a variety of colors, ranging from blue to red to green. The machinewashable cotton fabric allows for easy cleaningand its 60-by-70 inch dimensions make it bigenough for two. Pick upyour own Lacoste StripedKnit Throw atMacys.com for $130.

Mythical MatHaving a knack for all thingsquirky is what makes youunique. Embrace your stylewith a Trans Ocean ImportsLiora Manne-Front PorchMermaid Crossing rug. Itsloop-hooked construction is

made with acrylic

and polyester, offering a beauti-ful flow of colors throughoutthe rug, most notably on themermaid’s tail. The MermaidCrossing rug is sure to be awhimsical touch to any entry-way. Available at Rugs-Direct.com in a variety of sizes,starting at $30.

HOME FRONTCoastal ChicWhether you live in the suburbs or closer to the Jersey Shore, youcan incorporate coastal décor into your home in a tasteful way.From nautical stripes to weather worn wood, these items willmake you feel close to the sea any time of year.

Resort Relaxation

Edited by Davin Jurgensen

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Lying on a towel at the beach is overrated. Sand gets everywhere, and let’s faceit—it’s simply uncomfortable. Ballard Designs offers a solution to this beachgoers’problem with its Classic Beach Fold Chair. The solid teak frame allows for durabili-ty and a natural finish look, while the chair itself offers a sling seat with a head pil-low, providing comfort for your neck. Coming in a variety of colors, it also has fouradjustable positions, so you can decide on your reclining level, whether you’rereading a book or working for that sun-kissed tan. Available atBallardDesigns.com for $219.

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