An Acquired Elegance

March 19, 2008 by ark_admin

When Counts and Asa Morton began preparing to move in to their west Little Rock home after their marriage, they faced the inevitable design challenge of merging two established households with very different styles. They purchased a nearly completed spec home with copious windows, light limestone floors and an open, high-ceilinged layout, which seemed the perfect spot to embark on their life together. However, it was worlds away from both her quaint traditional home in St. Charles Place and his 1970s ranch-style abode in Pleasant Valley.

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Annual Gardening Guide

January 10, 2008 by ark_admin

SPRING

“Fertilize your flower beds with an all-purpose fertilizer after the danger of frost has passed, which is usually around April 15,” says Chris Olsen of Botanica Gardens in Little Rock.

Jennifer Gibson of the Good Earth Garden Center in Little Rock says March is the time to prepare the soil in your landscape beds with soil amendments such as lime and organic material.

Plant your summer annuals and perennials. “I always try to purchase mine in early April if the weather is warm to get first pick,” says Olsen. This is also a great time to plant tropicals, such as palms, hibiscus and ferns.

Gibson says to prune forsythia, azaleas and other spring blooming plants when they finish blooming.

“After your spring bloomers have bloomed, spray them with Triple Action Plus to prevent fungus, insects and mites,” says Olsen. Repeat as necessary about every four to six weeks throughout the growing season.

“Treat your lawn with a fertilizer during the growing season. The timing for this application starts in April and should be repeated every six to eight weeks,” says Chris Harris of the Green Grass Club of Arkansas in Little Rock. “During this time we spot spray weeds that the pre-emergent process missed. The thicker the lawn, the more difficult it is for weeds to become established. Not to mention, this treatment is what makes the lawn green up!”

“This is the perfect time to sow summer annuals by seed,” Olsen says.

“By May, the soil temperature is warm enough to plant those summer bulbs,” says Gibson.

“Water with Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub, a 12-month insect preventer,” says Gibson.

Gibson also notes that now is the time to check your sprinkler system and make necessary adjustments.

SUMMER

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Complementary Design

December 18, 2007 by ark_admin

At more than 7,000-square feet, the 2007 Build for the Cure Idea House is a stunning Spanish-Colonial home that calls to mind the spectacular residences of old Hollywood. Nothing complements a home of such grand stature more than beautiful landscaping and amazing outdoor spaces, and that’s exactly what Clint Morris and David Chappell of Morris-Chappell Landscaping and Neptune Pools and Chris Olsen of Botanica Gardens brought to 21 Bella Rosa Court.

Upon arriving at the house, a lush front lawn designed by Morris-Chappell Landscaping features El Toro Zoysia grass, which performs well in both sun and shade, making it ideal for both the front and side yards. “The front of the house was so balanced and straight forward that we wanted to keep the landscaping symmetrical,” says David Chappell. “We chose a number of plantings that would help maintain that Spanish-Colonial, old-Hollywood look and complement the architecture of the home.” To that end, arborvitae trees were planted next to the street and in the beds, with their slim look echoing the columns across the front porch, and as they grow, they’ll only become more streamlined. Japanese maples and Yaupon holly trees were also incorporated near the house, with pansies, white and coral Encore azaleas and Indian hawthorn to add color.

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The Hanging of the Greens

December 17, 2007 by ark_admin

Since mid-winter festivals in ancient Roman times, wreaths have been popular decorations on doors and tabletops. Though wreaths can be found in modern homes all year round, they’re especially popular at Christmas time, evoking a classic holiday symbol. In fact, the evergreen boughs most wreaths are made of symbolize immortality and the strength of life, while their round shape is indicative of the eternal nature of God’s love, especially meaningful at this time of year.

To explore the endless possibilities inherent in the wreath’s basic form, we asked three Arkansas florists to create wreaths in a variety of styles. When you begin selecting a wreath, it’s important to decide where you’ll display it. Fresh botanicals work best for exterior display, although silk wreaths can weather the elements in protected outdoor areas. For indoors, silks are often a better choice if you want to display the wreath for an extended period of time, as heat will dry out fresh cuttings, which can’t be continuously watered like your fresh tree. Beyond greenery, also consider including elements like fruit and berries, as in the round wreath designed by Cabbage Rose in Little Rock.

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Outdoor Living

October 25, 2007 by ark_admin

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Tuscan Getaway

October 25, 2007 by ark_admin

Encompassing roughly 1,500 square feet, the rear loggia and patio of Ray and Elise Mitchell’s Fayetteville home offers Mediterranean-style outdoor living thanks to exterior designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design in Fayetteville. Combining custom furnishings and upholstery with natural materials for a rustic, Tuscan-inspired aesthetic—accented with hardy, evergreen plantings for texture—Keeley incorporated all of these elements to create spaces that complement the home’s stucco exterior, from the outdoor breakfast and dining areas to the more intimate living areas.

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An Acquired Elegance

Annual Gardening Guide

Complementary Design

The Hanging of the Greens

Outdoor Living

Tuscan Getaway

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