Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The gardens at historic Villa Artemis on Thursday night won the third-annual Lesly S. Smith Landscape Award, given by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

Nievera Williams Design created the extensive landscaping as part of a recent and extensive renovation undertaken at the North End estate. The oceanfront Villa Artemis, at 656 N. Ocean Blvd., was completed in 1917 for the Guest family and has been owned for several decades by members of the Rosenthal family.

Landscape architect Mario Nievera and his business partner Keith Williams collaborated on the landscape design, which respects the estates original understated grandeur but emphasizes updated plant choices, Nievera said.

Michael and Jane Rosenthal Horvitz live in the estates main house, while her sister, Cynthia Rosenthal Boardman, occupies the newly built guesthouse.

Boardman, Nievera and Williams attended the award presentation during a Preservationist Club dinner at the foundations headquarters on Peruvian Avenue. The Horvitzes were unable to attend.

DARRELL HOFHEINZ

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Gardens at historic Villa Artemis win landscape award

Last week's taste of warm weather served as a reminder that spring is still coming after one of the coldest Illinois winters in decades.

For landscape and lawn maintenance companies, it was an indicator that one of their busiest times of the year is about to begin.

"It's been a long winter and people are starting to think about what they can put in," said Cathy Stetson, manager of Changing Seasons Landscape Center in Marion. "It's a good time to get (landscape installations) booked because once the weather starts warming up, time slots start filling up and it's hard to get installations scheduled."

At Tri-County Lawn and Tractor in Murphysboro, a line of lawnmowers awaited servicing on Monday while mechanic Jason Fred used a forklift to position a recently received shipment of 20 new Cub Cadet machines.

"Everybody wants to get their oil changes, blades sharpened and get everything ready before mowing season," said Fred, who said he services between 300 and 400 machines per year. "We don't do just Cub Cadet, we do all models."

According to industry market research company IBISWorld, landscaping services is a $74 billion industry that is forecast to experience rapid growth in the next five years as the construction sector recovers from the recession.

IBISWorld predicts that growth will encourage households and businesses to return to outsourcing yard care by 2019, while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted a 14 percent increase in landscape architect jobs by 2022.

"I think the housing market is fixing itself and people are putting equity back into their homes whether they're staying put or selling," said Scott Grams, executive director of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association. "That drives the landscape industry."

Grams said that he believes 2014 will be a flat economic year for landscapers, but better availability of plant material in 2015 could spur industry growth.

"Because of the recession, nurseries cut back on the number of trees they ordered, which hurt homeowners and landscapers," Grams said. "Tree prices in some areas have doubled and I would advise consumers that if they're looking for a deal on landscaping, now's the time."

See the article here:
Spring means busy season for landscape and lawn maintenance companies

Q. This drought has me thinking about replacing my lawn with water-wise plantings. Can you help me get started?

A. First, mow the turf as low as you can and remove or cut down all other plantings.

If you choose to replace it with a desert motif, cover the space with landscape fabric (not black plastic) and place gravel, boulders, rocks for a dry stream bed, etc. over it immediately. If you plan a cottage garden or a drought tolerant Mediterranean and native species landscape, try sheet mulching. It suppresses weeds and saves labor by composting them in place, improves the soils structure, moisture and nutrient retaining capacity, and will eventually improve plant vigor and health, often leading to improved pest and disease resistance.

Once youve mowed and cleared the area of plantings, lay down a permeable weed barrier cardboard, several layers of newspaper, burlaps bags or discarded natural fiber carpets (not nylon, and again, dont use black plastic). Overlap so you cover the area thoroughly, then wet to hold the barrier in place. Then layer compost and mulch on top chipped plant debris or prunings, leaves or straw weed free and 2 inches to 5 inches deep. You can add rougher organic material on top of that. Cut holes in the cardboard and plant directly into these. The area around them will gradually turn to soil. Airborne weed seeds will settle on the mulch, so some weeding will be necessary. Keep the material at least 6 inches away from trunks and stems and use wire mesh to protect from rodents as needed.

The Shasta Master Gardener Program can be reached by phone, 242-2219, or email mastergardeners@shastacollege.edu.

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Master Gardener: Use landscape fabric, cardboard to cover lawn to create new yard

This sand cherry bush has attractive white flowers in the spring and produces tasty cherrylike fruit all along the stems.

As spring rolls around and you get ready to plan new garden projects, take a moment to consider using edible plants as part of the landscape.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gardeners tend to see the world around them in two different ways, either as a landscape or as a practical/utilitarian food-producing spot.

Some gardeners only enjoy landscape gardening, growing roses, shrubs and perennials that provide beauty. Other gardeners only grow vegetables and fruit, seeing produce as the ultimate goal of gardening.

Even those gardeners who do both still treat their landscape and food gardens discretely, as if they were separate tasks that should be done separately.

But what if we blurred the lines a bit? What if we started to see the beauty in the foods that we eat? What if we saw the food in the plants that we admire for beauty? The result is called edible landscaping.

I've been "lecturing" and writing about edible landscaping for a while now. I decided when I bought my house that has a tiny yard (25 by 120 feet) that I wouldn't grow anything that I couldn't eat.

That's when I discovered edible landscaping -- I mix the best of both worlds. You get beautiful plants that also produce delicious food. It can be fun to find new and interesting things to grow too.

So mom was wrong -- you can play with your food.

Getting started

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Garden Guru: Sometimes its OK to play with your food

Published: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 7:27 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 7:27 p.m.

Gardening has been on the minds of many North Florida residents, the stubborn cold temperatures of late notwithstanding. And while most experienced gardeners know the steps needed to begin the season on the right foot, we talked to landscape and gardening experts for suggestions on how to start the season right.

One note: The area isn't past its final cold snap. The average last killing freeze is March 10, after which it's considered safe to plant.

Another note: The University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Lab is offering free soil testing at its third annual and newly renamed Lawn and Garden Fest on March 29. It's a good way to know with certainty what your yard needs. More on that later.

Depending on the micro climate in a particular yard, the growth of the lawn slowed down or stopped altogether for the winter. As the days get longer and the temperatures increase, the lawn will start to grow. It may seem obvious, but a good first step is to check that your mower is in good condition. Blades should be sharpened at least once a year to ensure a clean cut.

TIP: Mowing heights for different types of grass: St. Augustine 3 to 4 inches; Bahia 3 to 4 inches; Zoysia 2 to 2 inches

TIP: In general, depending on the amount of shade and soil type, irrigate once a week during the spring and once or twice a week during the summer. The amount of water needed does not vary: to inch of water.

TIP: If you maintain your own lawn, fertilization should take place after April 1, when the likelihood of a late frost has passed and new growth has started. During the winter, warm-season grasses lose a portion of their root system, reducing their ability to take up fertilizer. Fertilizing too early increases the risk of leaching nutrients into the groundwater supply and causing water pollution.

TIP: Read directions carefully, and look for the correct ratio of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium for your grass.

One of the first things the nurse does during a doctor's visit is take a person's blood pressure. It gives an index of what else is going on in the body.

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Spring garden primer

The extensive renovation of one of Palm Beachs most renowned estates, historic Villa Artemis, demonstrates clearly the advantage of bringing landscape designers into projects early.

The landscape, the house and a new guesthouse truly work as one, lending visual elegance and cohesiveness to the oceanfront estate, completed in 1917 for the Guest family but owned for more than four decades by the Rosenthals.

In recognition of its significant role as part of a greater whole, the garden design by Nievera Williams Design on Thursday won the third annual Lesly S. Smith Landscape Award from the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. The honor was announced at the foundations headquarters on Peruvian Avenue during the annual dinner of its Preservationist Club.

Designing one of the most iconic vistas in Palm Beach was never going to be easy, but, the garden design at Villa Artemis by Nievera Williams is a triumph, said Alexander C. Ives, executive director of the foundation, in a prepared statement. An example to all, it is a great choice for the award.

Villa Artemis is home to Michael and Jane Rosenthal Horvitz as well as to Cynthia Rosenthal Boardman, Jane Horvitzs sister. Prior to the renovation, the family had successfully worked with Mario Nievera on small projects at the beachfront estate.

It came as no surprise that they enlisted his services again when they began planning major additions and renovations to the Regency-style estate at 656 N. County Road two-and-a-half years ago. The architectural firm of Ferguson & Shamamian of New York City designed the renovations.

I worked with the architect and the owners to come up with a scheme based on the existing house and walls. This is the ultimate Regency house, said Nievera, whose business partner, Keith Williams, was involved in developingthe landscape plan.

From the start, the team agreed that the landscaping would showcase the classically-styled structures rather than compete with them. The result is a design respectful of the estates original grandeur, but with an emphasis on more updated plant choices.

While horticulture has changed over the years, I wanted the grounds to look like they did in my clients memories, Nievera said.

Hence, pittosporum, Australian pines and St. Augustine grass have been replaced with green island ficus, clusia, Confederate jasmine, dwarf podacarpus, hibiscus and zoysia grass. The existing sea grapes and sabal palms couldnt be touched because of protective regulations.

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Landscape award honors Villa Artemis gardens

A record number of exhibitors and vendors will make this year's Valley Flower, Garden and Pool Show the biggest ever.

The show runs March 7-9 in the Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

"Once Upon a Time" is the theme of the show, which will feature displays by 17 professional landscapers and more than 60 retailers and artisans.

"It's perfect timing," says organizer Laurie Wuchter. "I think everyone is so over snow."

Four new landscapers will have displays Around the Ground of Bernville, Redstone Landscaping of Slatington, and Merkle's Landscape and Tall Timbers Nursery, both of Allentown.

The layout of the show is different, too, Wuchter says, and will feature exhibits on both sides of the Agri-Plex.

New this year, visitors will enter through the door at the Agri-Plex Annex into the National Pool and Spa Expo presented by Doctor Feelgood's of Bethlehem.

Speakers will present programs on pruning, soil testing, attracting birds and other topics, including two hands-on workshops for children at a stage at the Agri-Plex main entrance.

This is the fourth year for the show, which returned annually after taking a hiatus in 2009 and 2010.

Visitors can buy fresh flowers and arrangements. Also, the Lehigh Valley Floral Association will demonstrate flower arranging, and at the end of each day, the floral designs they produce will be auctioned off to raise funds for the association.

Continue reading here:
Lehigh Valley Flower, Garden and Pool Show boasts record number of exhibits

Earthy hues that blend into the landscape tend to dominate the outdoor furniture market. Understated woods, metals and cushions are easy-to-incorporate neutralelements.

But outdoor spaces also offer the chance to be more adventurous than we are inclined to beindoors.

Maybe bolder balconies and peppier patios are on your redecoratingradar?

Vibrant color has dominated the home furnishings arena since last fall, and after an unusually cold winter, the times ripe for bright color to become a focus for our outdoor spaces. Color is a great energizer, said Jackie Hirchhault, marketing vice president for the American Home Furnishings

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A Neely Bistro Set in peacock blue adds unexpected, fun color to a patio or smallterrace. (Full-size photo)(All photos)

Earthy hues that blend into the landscape tend to dominate the outdoor furniture market. Understated woods, metals and cushions are easy-to-incorporate neutralelements.

But outdoor spaces also offer the chance to be more adventurous than we are inclined to beindoors.

Maybe bolder balconies and peppier patios are on your redecoratingradar?

Read more:
Boost patio panache with bright colors - Sun, 02 Mar 2014 PST

Published on Mar 01, 2014 10:15 PM

A resident sprays water on a peatland fire in Pekanbaru district in Riau province on Indonesia's Sumatra island on Feb 16, 2014. Singapore has asked Indonesia to share evidence of any involvement by Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices, in reply to comments by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono alleging their role in the ongoing haze over Sumatra.-- PHOTO: AFP

By Zakir Hussain, Indonesia Bureau Chief In Jakarta

SINGAPORE has asked Indonesia to share evidence of any involvement by Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices, in reply to comments by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono alleging their role in the ongoing haze over Sumatra.

"The Government of Singapore takes a serious view of these allegations," a spokesman for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in response to media queries on Mr Agung's remarks.

"If there is credible evidence that Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans were involved, the Government of Singapore intends to take further steps against these errant companies and individuals," the spokesman added.

Ongoing forest and peatland fires in Riau saw the province declare an emergency till March 12 and reactivate a disaster command post.

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Singapore calls for evidence of companies here involved in illegal land clearing

SINGAPORE:Singapore has reiterated its call to the Indonesian government to share evidence relating to any involvement by Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said this on Saturday in response to media queries on comments by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono.

Mr Agung had said publicly that since 2013, the Indonesian police have launched 41 investigations against errant companies and individuals that may be involved in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia.

Mr Agung said some of these cases involved Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans.

MFA said that the Singapore government takes a serious view of these allegations.

It added that if there is credible evidence that Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans were involved, the Singapore government intends to take further steps against these errant companies and individuals.

The ministry also urged the Indonesian government to take the necessary legal and enforcement action against errant companies or individuals, regardless of their nationality.

It said the primary responsibility for legal and enforcement action lies with Indonesia, where these companies and individuals were allegedly conducting such illegal activities.

MFA noted that a state of emergency has been declared in Riau province due to the severe haze arising from the ongoing forest and peatland fires there as well as fires elsewhere in Sumatra.

Singapore hopes that the fires will be quickly dealt with to prevent a recurrence of transboundary haze.

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Haze: S'pore urges Indonesia to share evidence on errant firms