Something To Remember In The Future

This is a local story of a grass-free xeriscaped* yard. The owner removed the grass in his front yard and replaced it with plants that don't need to be mown (saves gas, electricity, man power) or watered by artificial means (city water through hoses or rain barrels). These plants (mostly sedums) can exist on natural rainfall, even in near-drought conditions. Richmond graphic artist Noah Scanlin posted on the continued progress of his front yard on his blog Another Limited Rebellion. Here are pictures of other xeriscaped lawns using rocks and drought-resistant plants:

   

Since I already know that I am lazy (and eco-conscious) this will be the #1 way I will landscape when I get that sweet cottage in the future. 

Images: landscapes-design.com, luxuryhousingtrends.com, landscaperm.com 

*xeriscape = Greek for xeros = dry, -scape = view or scene

National Rebuilding Day!

HGTV Green Home Giveaway!

I am so excited! This weekend, after years of vocal support for Rebuilding Together-Richmond and ACORN I will finally be putting my muscles to the test for these organizations. I will be finally working on my first volunteer home repair project. I was lucky to get into this group project because someone in my office sent out an email asking for volunteers.

By coincidence, my Historic Preservation professor (an ACORN board member) has also volunteered and will be working on the same house with me. Wow, I don't even have to try to stalk this woman, she is everywhere.

Would you believe, that knowing nothing about me, they tasked me to paint! How perfect. I have to put together a list of all the painting supplies that I have so I can bring in some stuff to supplement what they will have on site. I think I might have to clean out my cars' trunk so I can bring my four-foot ladder too. I just hope it doesn't rain as it has been for the last three days. The pollen and mold have sapped about 50% of my strength and stamina.

The neighborhood I am working in is also directly behind my "pet" neighborhood, Woodland Heights, so that adds to the goodwill.

It may be too late to participate in the 2008 National Rebuilding Day but there is plenty of time to get involved for next year's event. Volunteers rehabilitate and improve the homes of low-income Americans at no cost, recipients of services include the elderly, disabled, military veterans, and families in need. To find a Rebuilding Together affiliate in your area, enter your state or zip code on the national organization's main page.

Also worth looking into is the HGTV Change the World: Start at Home effort with Rebuilding Together, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. This campaign "focuses on revitalizing communities across the country and helping consumers make smart choices for the environment within their homes and daily lives."

I will report on my Saturday next week after I've recovered from my all-day giving effort.

Time saver, water saver, and all around good thing

I just saw this on Erwin House.

I'm famous for taking long showers. I have in fact been late to many an appointment because I would step out of the shower (which I need to fully wake up in the morning,) look at the clock in horror, and then have to rush out like a demon.

The one I did have didn't have an alarm and it kept falling off the shower wall. This one is cute but I would like to find one a little cheaper, but that's just me.

The company also makes a four-minute timer. Only four minutes!? It takes you up to 24 hours to get dirty and in only four minutes, poof, you are clean? Am I the only person who thinks that is too short?

Alabama Chanin

I recently discovered artist Natalie Chanin in a Domino magazine profile. Her lifestyle-focused company, Alabama Chanin, creates limited-edition artisan created clothing, home furnishings, and jewelry from new, organic, and recycled materials. Natalie still resides in her small hometown of Florence, AL and all of her company's creation and manufacturing is done with local artists in Florence. Such an enterprise is sustainable for the local economy and very admirable.

Since her items are artisan-produced, the prices are understandably pricey. However, Ms. Chanin offers instructions for some projects, such as these appliqué t-shirt designs, on her website.

The sections on her website for Tips and Treats supply you with a list of books that have inspired her work and recipes that have been enjoyed by her family and friends.

 

Natalie is also publishing a home sewing book, Alabama Stitch Book, due next spring.

The rugs of Ballard Designs

Avondale in Black, Green, Chocolate and Red, 5'7" x 7'7" size is $90!

I received another new Ballard Designs catalog this week. It is strange that I love Ballard because their overall style isn't really my style at all. It is more their small things than the big picture that attracts me. Their accessories and decorative items are incredible and sometimes amazingly affordable.

This week this rug jumped out at me for its great neutral color, strong design, and practicality. This is an indoor/outdoor rug and Ballard does great indoor/outdoor rugs! They don't just give you a few plain sisal rugs, but numerous different patterns and at least with this style, real value. This style was loomed to look like sisal although it is actually polypropylene. This means it is not only mildew resistant but you can wash it with simple soap and water. In addition, if you use it outdoors you can just rinse it off with a garden hose.

Therefore, they are also an ideal type of floor covering if you are a pet owner.

Besides being mildew resistant, rugs made of polypropylene (also called olefin) are non-allergenic. So as an allergy sufferer, even though it is a man-made product, I support its use in rugs. Believe me, the shedding of a real sisal rug is beyond horrible and something I never want to experience again. Oh, and at this point, I can't afford 100% natural wool rugs which is the alternative for for allergy sufferers.

Some of their other polypropylene rugs:


Capetown Stripe in Green, Black, Red, or Chocolate, 5'7" x 7'7" is $90


Milas in Aqua or Terracotta, 4'9" x 7'4" is $119


Wyndham in Sand/Black and seven other color combos, 5'3" x 7'7" is $149

Can You Help Me?

Here are two things that I have moved with me from one apartment to another. Neither of them has ever been displayed or used properly. Things like these are the true source of my clutter so please help me figure out what to do with them.

• One 4-lb bag of beach glass*.

• One $1 bill with director John Waters' autograph.
  (Obtained when he came to speak on campus during my Sophomore year of college in the late 80's.)
  

Do you know anyone that would want to make jewelry out of this glass?

What is the best way that I should frame this dollar? This is a valuable autograph that luckily has not been exposed to the sun over the years.

* Interesting fact: Beach glass is one of a few objects made valuable by actions of the environment on man-made litter.