Expert strategies for defining flow and function in your yard

Here are a few ideas experts use that will instantly improve the function and flow of your yard, helping create a space that is not only beautiful, but value-enhancing, too.



Recreation - No matter what size your yard, it's important to incorporate some type of open space. It's visually appealing and offsets other landscape features, plus it's a must for pets and family. Designate at least one segment of your yard for open space, and plant grass or another plant that's friendly to foot traffic.



Property line - Define your property with attractive trees, shrubbery and fencing. Keep in mind today's homeowners aren't stuck with bland chain-link fencing. Try mixing sizes of beautiful vinyl fence in different areas. Amarroso vinyl fencing adds beauty, value and safety. Consider installing a 6-foot vinyl fence in the back of your yard to increase privacy. In the front, a beautiful white picket fence adds a decorative accent with all-American appeal.



Relaxation - A deck or patio serves as an area of relaxation typically located close to the home for easy access. Define the space with multifunctional furniture, decorative accents and outdoor dining necessities. Thoughtful placement of furniture helps create boundaries that enclose the outdoor room and encourage socializing and relaxation. Just be sure not to block doors or stairways.



Amenities - Value-enhancing amenities should be highlighted in your yard. Do you have a pool? An intimate spa? How about a meditation garden? Add definition to these amenities while also protecting privacy with attractive professional-grade fencing. Amarroso's Pro Series line of fencing has no external hardware, making installation easy while yielding sturdy results.



Functional - Each year, interest in gardening at home grows. The good news is that even a basic vegetable garden can be an attractive yard enhancement. Gardens typically need a sunny location, but make sure the placement doesn't disrupt the flow of the yard. The last thing you want is the kids mistakenly tromping your prize tomato plants. Define the space and protect plants by adding modified vinyl fencing around the perimeter.



Concealment - No matter how organized your yard is, there are bound to be items you'd rather not see. Yard waste, garbage cans and compost piles can detract from the beauty of your outdoor space. There's a simple solution: Amarroso fencing can conceal these things so they don't disrupt the organic beauty of a yard. You can even partition AC units and storage sheds while keeping them easily accessible by incorporating Amarroso's gate kits.



Designers and builders know that flow and function are as important outside as they are inside. Homeowners who want to take a fresh look at their existing outdoor space can apply these concepts to help define different areas to improve the appearance and functional potential of their yard for all-year enjoyment.

​Green gardening tools and techniques that really work

One answer may be the common misconception that eco-friendly products and practices don't work as well as less environmentally conscious ones - such as chemicals that repel common garden pests, but can also cause groundwater contamination.



"Advances in environmentally responsible products have made it possible for homeowners to effectively care for their gardens and landscaping, while protecting the environment at the same time," says Elizabeth Summa, president of Repellex, which makes eco-friendly lawn and garden products.



Some greener gardening tools are time-honored, like rotary lawn mowers. Others are leading-edge, such as pest-control products that are eco-friendly. Here are a handful of environmentally safe, effective ways to keep your landscape and garden green this spring and summer:



Responsible repellent - Deer, rabbits, squirrels and gophers - animals munch on landscaping and garden plants because they're hungry and the vegetation tastes good to them. Eco-friendly repellents, like those made by Repellex, use taste aversion and natural ingredients like pepper, dried bloodmeal and egg to make non-edible plants less appealing to foragers. Repellex Systemic Tablets deliver a dose of pepper to the roots of plants - just place in soil, water and walk away. The flavor gets absorbed through the roots into non-edible plants, making them taste unappealing to garden pests. For edible plants, Repellex Fruit & Vegetable uses a combination of putrescent eggs and plant extracts to keep animals and insects away from fruits and vegetables all season long. Log on to www.repellex.com to learn more.



Friendlier mowing - Long before combustion engines made it possible to mow your lawn quickly and easily, people relied on rotary mowers - also known as reel mowers. Environmentally responsible gardeners have rediscovered these people-powered mowing machines. Reel mowers have many positive attributes: they are pollution-free, quiet and very economical to operate. Modern reel mowers are lighter, smaller and with fewer working parts that require maintenance and repair. They're also a great way to exercise; walking behind a rotary mower burns more calories than pushing a self-propelled mower.



Organic fertilizing - Chemical fertilizers are a well-known source of groundwater contamination, yet some form of additional nutrients is almost always necessary for successful gardens and lawns. The EPA says composting can eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and results in higher crop yields. You can compost food waste from your own kitchen, as well as grass clippings and other yard waste. Composting your own organic waste at home not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, it can provide you with an effective, eco-friendly and essentially free way to fertilize gardens and flower beds. For lawns, you can find a variety of organic fertilizers - based on natural ingredients rather than chemicals - at most hardware, big box stores and garden centers.



Kinder weed control - Weed killers are also well-known contaminants, and can be hazardous when used around small children or household pets. Before you bring out the spray bottle, consider weed-elimination alternatives that are kinder to the environment. Some very effective options include using a mixture of vinegar and water, boiling water and even pulling weeds by hand. Removing weeds by hand also adds a health benefit for you - you'll burn more calories pulling weeds than simply spraying them.



Bug-free without bugging the environment - Chemical insecticides can be harsh on the environment - not to mention skin if you use a chemical repellent to ward off mosquitoes and other biting bugs. Instead of chemical insecticides, consider natural alternatives. Repellex's Mosquito & Tick product keeps mosquitoes, ticks and other insects off you by keeping them out of your lawn and garden. The all-natural repellent sprays on your lawn, garden, patio, deck and home exterior to ward off these disease-carrying insects.



Choosing to go green with your lawn and garden care doesn't mean you have to give up effectiveness. With the right tools, it's possible to accomplish your lawn and gardening goals while protecting the environment at the same time.

Recognize the signs of trouble at school

For parents, recognizing that their child might be struggling in school is not always easy. According to the education experts at Oxford Learning, there are five main signs to watch for:



5. Children making comments such as: "the teacher picks on me", "do I have to go to school today?", or "this assignment is pointless";



4. Daily homework not being completed;



3. Assignments and projects missed completely or submitted late;



2. Poor test scores and poor grades on projects and assignments;



1. Disinterest in school and school-related activities.



Oxford Learning founder and CEO, Dr. Nick Whitehead, says that not all of these signs of school trouble have to happen at the same time, but when one or more happens frequently, things may be getting off track.



"The sooner that parents recognize the symptoms of school trouble and seek help for their children, the easier getting back on track and ending school troubles becomes."

Start enjoying your deck after one day's work

Most deck owners know that one of the keys to keeping their decks looking good is staining it every few years. However, while deck staining is a process that most homeowners are capable of doing themselves, finding the time to do it can be difficult. With the right approach and the right products, you can get everything done in just one day and spend the rest of the year enjoying your newly stained deck.

By perfecting your process, you can take staining from something that you dread to a simple one-day process. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your deck looking good in a day:

* First, choose the look you want to project on your deck. Do you want a clear, semi-transparent or solid finish? Do some research to see which type of wood stain would look best on your deck. Clear finish generally looks better on newer wood, while a solid finish might be used on older decks to hide imperfections. If you are looking for the solution that will allow you to accomplish your project in one day, you'll need to choose a product like Flood OneCoat Waterproofing Finish, which can be applied within a few hours of cleaning the surface.

* Always know your deck's square footage before heading to the store to buy stain. Don't estimate, because nothing is more frustrating than having to stop your project because you ran out of stain - Flood.com offers a handy calculator so you can get an idea of how much you might need. Make sure you also have all the necessary supplies before leaving the store.

* Before the day you stain, examine your deck to see if there are any necessary repairs that should be done. If your deck is squeaky, it's likely due to loose nails. Replace loose or missing nails with deck screws, as hammering a nail into the same spot won't fix the problem.

* Once you have all the supplies, check the weather report and pick a day that's good for staining. Required temperatures will vary but it should set for at least 48 hours without a threat of rain.

* Remove everything from your deck and use a wood cleaner to clean and prepare your surface. Decks that are in good condition can simply be cleaned before staining. But if your deck is peeling, has mildew growth or experiencing other surface irregularities, it's best to strip it before staining.

* If you're using Flood OneCoat Waterproofing Finish, you can begin staining a few hours after you prepped the surface. Quick tip: If you're using multiple cans of stain, mix them together for color consistency and continue to stir throughout the process.

* Work the entire length of each board and make sure you are applying evenly throughout. If you are working on a vertical surface, start at the bottom and work up to avoid streaking.

* Take your time to do a thorough job, but make sure you use only as much stain as the directions call for. Especially when working with oil products, using too much can ruin the look of your deck.

It's important to note that for larger decks, or decks that pose unique challenges such as numerous hard-to-reach areas, the process could take longer than a day. But by following these steps, you'll ensure that your deck will be looking great in less time and with less hassle.

Once you've finished staining, dispose of any extra stain or cleaner as directed by the instructions on the can and let the deck dry for the prescribed amount of time before walking or placing items on it. In no time, you'll be enjoying your deck for the seasons to come.



For more deck staining tips, helpful tools and videos and help finding a home improvement retailer near you, visit www.flood.com.

APRIL 2016 MARKET UPDATE

April 2016

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for April! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

http://realtytimes.com/209/DeLenaCiamacco

Make your own masterpieces - freshly painted focal points for any room

(BPT) - Still love the overall design scheme of a space, but feeling a little bored? The best way to breathe new life into it - without revamping the entire area - is by creating a new focal wall. Instead of a decal, stencil or pricey artwork, make a statement that's one-of-a-kind with a little creativity and painter's tape.

Heavy patterns on every wall can be overwhelming; adding zest to just one is your best bet to make a positive impact. Before you begin, scan the room to determine the best wall to update. When you enter the space, where do your eyes naturally gravitate? If it's an area that you love, amp up the style to make it really stand out. But if it's something that catches your eye for all the wrong reasons, pick a different side of the room. Repositioning the focal point will draw attention away from the elements you don't like or can't easily change, like architectural features, window placement or heating and cooling returns.

Once you've determined where you're going to paint, it's time to think about what. Here are a few easy ideas to get the creativity flowing.

Awesome artwork

Purchasing oversized artwork can be pricey - ranging anywhere from hundreds to even thousands of dollars. Don't shell out a ton of cash to add personality to an empty wall when it's easy to make your own art. Bring your design ideas to life with new FrogTape Shape Tape - a painter's tape cut into unique patterns that allows you to quickly and effortlessly create works of art on walls, accessories, furniture and more. The three Shape Tape patterns - Wave, Scallop and Chevron - can be positioned on surfaces in various ways to achieve different results; by staggering the tape or varying the placement widths, you can make your own impressive designs. Best of all, patented PaintBlock Technology on the edges of FrogTape Shape Tape helps prevent paint bleed and leaves precise lines, keeping your artwork looking sharp. For more information visit frogtape.com.

You can create one oversized piece of art directly on the wall, or paint a number of smaller canvases that can be arranged as a DIY gallery. Whatever you choose, you'll have a new focal point that will surely serve as a conversation starter at your next get-together.

Natural touch

Creating a mural on one wall is extremely popular, especially one that helps bring the feel of the outdoors inside. Trees are an easy element to paint on any wall. For a sophisticated look, keep it simple with silhouettes. Use painter's tape to create the outline of birch trees from the floor to the ceiling, leaving six to 12 inches between each trunk. Paint all the trees using the same color. Be sure to use a shade that coordinates with the rest of the room, or a neutral like white, gray or beige delivers a crisp look.

Fabulous faux framing

If your house is lacking interesting architectural features like decorative molding, you can mimic the look with paint and painter's tape. Measuring and installing the real deal can be time-intensive and tedious, but using paint is an easy way to dress up a space without the cost and labor of installing numerous pieces of trim. From crown molding to wainscoting, using paint to imitate intricate trim work will add high style to your home.

For a stunning makeover, apply painter's tape three feet up from the floor along the entire wall to emulate a chair rail. Then, add additional squares and rectangles in a repeating pattern below. Apply a fresh coat of paint in a color that coordinates with the original wall color; and once you remove the tape, you'll have crisp lines that look like molding... without all the work.

Next time you're looking to spruce up a space, think beyond painting your walls a solid color. With a little imagination and painter's tape, you can design eye-catching rooms throughout the entire house.

Family fun that is quick and delicious, easy and nutritious

Making your own version of your favorite take-out meals at home means you can control the amount of sodium and fat your family is consuming without compromising on flavor. If you stock your freezer with whole-wheat pita and your pantry with healthy pasta sauce, you will always have the base for a perfect Pitazza at a moment's notice.

Healthy cooking tip: To add protein to your Pitazza without the extra sodium, roast a whole chicken. Remove the meat and store in your fridge. Freeze the bones for when you have spare time to make your own, low-sodium chicken broth.

Prep time: 8 minutes

Bake time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

Serving Size: ½ pita

Calories per serving: 202

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (125 mL) Healthy Choice Garlic and Fine Herb pasta sauce

• 1 90g whole wheat pita, split in half to make 2 circles

• ½ cup (125 mL) finely sliced peppers (red, orange and/or yellow)

• ½ cup (125 mL) sliced mushrooms

• ¼ cup (50 mL) minced red onion

• 2 tbsp. low-fat feta cheese crumbled or your favorite low-fat cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400F/205C.

• On large baking sheet arrange pita bread

• Spread ¼ cup (75 mL) Healthy Choice Garlic and Fine Herb tomato sauce evenly on each pita half

• Top with ¼ cup (50 mL) each: peppers, mushroom and 2 tbsp.(25 mL) red onion.

• Evenly sprinkle crumbled feta cheese; bake for 12 minutes or until the pita crust is golden.

• Slice Pitazza into two pieces, serve with garden salad.

Tip: Top with diced chicken for an extra protein punch

Tip: Make it Naanzza using low fat, low sodium naan bread