East Valley Tribune - At Home

Divine Design: Makeover lets entertaining couple stay put

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:05:38 -0700

Carl and Tony have lived in their charming semi-detached house for 14 years. They are the social butterflies of their neighborhood and are always hosting get-togethers, poker games, barbecues and even Easter-egg hunts. The duo recently decided they had outgrown their small home — especially their dark, cramped living and dining rooms — and started contemplating a move into bigger and brighter digs.

Plant of the week: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:24:48 -0700

The plant: The intriguing name alone will make you want to grow it. I confess I have not grown it yet but was captivated by this plant on a recent trip to a wholesale grower. Yesterday, today and tomorrow is a member of the solanaceae, or nightshade, family. It is native to the woodland areas of Brazil and cannot be considered a xeriscape plant. This beauty requires special attention and correct placement to grow well in our low desert. The plant is reliable, growing well in the warmest parts of Texas as well as in California’s hot Coachella Valley. About the silly-sounding name: It’s all because of the fascinating way the plant blooms. Flowers open dark purple, fade to lavender and finally become almost white, all in three days’ time — hence the name. It is also known as morning, noon and night. This tropical gem puts on a spectacular show of profuse, fragrant, repeating blooms from spring into early summer.

Falling for figs

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:05:31 -0700

Even though it's actually a summer fruit, there's something about figs that say fall. Maybe it's the color of the dark, chewy, sweet flesh, or the crispness of the seeds, like the crisp autumn air.

Arizona Gardening: Solarization can burn away weed woes

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:59:04 -0700

Q: I can’t keep up with the weeds and grasses in my garden and I’m uncomfortable about using chemicals. Is there any other method to control them?

Plant of the week: Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:24:48 -0700

From the Cellar: Sangria offers a change of pace

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:18:07 -0700

And I thought I was creative in the kitchen. I just read through "101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks" by Kim Haasarud (Wiley Publishing) and was blown away by her use of exotic ingredients like ginger, hibiscus and sake, among others, in the classic summer drink.

A great room lives up to its name

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:56:56 -0700

Peter and Anna have had a busy four years: They met (on a blind date), got married, bought their first house and had a baby girl. Their home, while lovely, was just too small for their growing family, so they decided to undergo a full-scale renovation and double the amount of living space.

Small-space solutions can get us out of tight spots

Fri, 16 May 2008 21:56:30 -0700

Small spaces have their challenges, to be sure, but there is always a solution to making the most of tight spots. I get a real thrill when I come across well-executed design that has a distinct visual stamp to it. Since rooms are more multipurpose than ever, experiment with materials that will alter the ambiance of a single section. The work space shown here is part of a contemporary bedroom that has white walls. A nook has been carved out just large enough for a sleek desktop. The wood-clad inner walls set this section apart, show a different purpose and warm up the work space like wood paneling in a library or den would do.