Improvement I
love December: the music, the lights, the good cheer, and the sparkle—especially the sparkle. It’s the time of the year that ignites imagination. Here are my top four tips on how to get creative this season no matter what the size of your budget or your home:
1. TO TREE OR NOT TO TREE? That is the question I ask my-
self every year, and the answer is always the same: Absolutely. But a tree doesn’t have to be a noble fir, or some other poor specimen that got the ax. Think about it: The “tree” is really just a place to display baubles and other holiday inspired ornaments. You can find plenty of clever ways to do that throughout your home without using a big tree. If you are chal- lenged for space, consider displaying your ornaments on a nifty non-tree; such as the newsprint wrapped branches of the “Twig Topi- ary” which can be found at the Mission Valley store West Elm. If you’re lucky to have a fireplace, a garland draped over the mantle is a great spot for hanging orna- ments too.
Why allow one big tree
to receive all of the atten- tion? Try purchasing several smaller trees (real or not) in various sizes from one to three feet tall. In a space that perhaps people see upon entering such as a foyer or living room, clear off a table and place three together to create a tree collage. Consider using a different color scheme on each tree, such as purple, teal and silver. This will help “spruce” up almost any room!
2. ADD SOME NEW HUES TO YOUR HOLIDAY BLUES Red, green, gold and silver
are holiday favorites, but why not buck tradition and test out a few new colors this year. I am particu- larly drawn to the metallic color platinum—it’s not silver, not gold,
Sudoku Puzzle from page 20
LivingSpaces Beatrice Kemp
but a perfect mix of each. Royal blue, rich purple, and bright lime can combine to create hip urban holiday décor. While orange is usually associated with fall, why not pair it with silver and blue for a new twist. Or go for the drama and mix black, silver and gold. Your
or colored ornaments nestled in between. Consider using the same idea on the mantle by using a doz- en candles of varying heights with cut greens or garlands, sprinkled with ornaments. One of the best places in town to stock up on beau- tiful and affordable baubles, as well as fresh cut greens, is Wholesale Flowers at 5305 Metro St. in San Diego.
4. SOMETIMES IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE DECO- RATIONS
Sometimes we need to try new things that go beyond the ordinary. Why not be bold and brush off some ideas you’ve been yearning to try for the New Year? Lusting after a red leather armchair? Try a cheap alternative first. Buy a red slipcover in the appropriate dimensions and if you like it, save some cash to buy the real deal. It’s always best to test a new concept to see if it works in your space. In the case of the red armchair, dress it up for the holidays with beaded holiday pillows or just buy holiday pillow covers that you can switch out once the holiday season is over and keep the inserts. Thinking of being more daring? Paint a wall! Metallic paint in gold, silver or pewter is great statement colors that not only look good in Decem-
color scheme should be consistent, and evident, but not overdone. Remember to use whatever color scheme you choose on ornaments, candles and napkins, but don’t forget to infuse hints of it in your table arrangements, centerpieces or other decorative items.
3. DECK THE HALLS, EVEN THE BATHROOM HALLS Sometimes even the subtlest holiday decorations make us the most cheerful—no matter which room of the house they’re in. For instance, in the bathroom place a small clear glass bowl filled with various sized ornaments in your color scheme. Or for a more tradi- tional touch, create a centerpiece for your dining table using five or more candles in varying heights interwoven with fresh cut holiday greens and several small clear
ber, but can be versatile colors all year round.
On a final note, in your decorat-
ing frenzy don’t forget the reason for the season!u
Beatrice Kemp is the owner of B. Kemp Interiors a space planning and interior design studio in San Diego. For more information or a consultation, call (619) 977-9006.
HARDWOOD FLOORING MOBILE SHOWROOM HARDWOOD FLOORING + MOBILE SHOWROOM Hundreds Of Samples Of Hardwood Flooring At Your Door
San Diego Uptown News December 10–23, 2010
27
Four ways to spruce up your home for the holidays Does your lawn drink responsibly?
D
rinking respon- sibly is
a term we often
UrbanGarden Joel Berlin
hear associated with our favorite martini or light beer, but is not often associated with our lawns. Roughly 96 percent of Southern California lawns are using grass types that originated in wetter climates. The average lawn of 650 square feet will cost you about $60 per month on your water bill and uses 316 gallons of water per month as well. They are truly clunkers and can be coined “grass guzzlers.” Similar to hybrid cars, there are lawn alternatives that can lower your bill by costing only $10 per month and use a more conservative 52 gallons of water. Here are some grass alterna- tives that will make you and your wallet happy:
Buffalograss (Buchloe Dacty- loides)
My first choice as a lawn substitute is the only turf grass that is native to the U.S. called “UC Verde;” it’s a type of buf- falograss. Developed from a turf grass improvement program at the University of California at Davis and Riverside, it’s the only buffalograss cultivar developed in California for our state’s climate.
This vegitatively- propagated, seed- less, warm season grass is the only
buffalograss developed in the Southwest for the vast majority of our climates—it’s truly a remark- able alternative lawn. In trial studies, UC Verde appears to grow well along the California coast and trial results
Buffalo grass
note it tolerates the intense heat of the Arizona and California low deserts as well. With a deep root system of 6 to 8 feet, it uses only quarter-inch of water per week. Known for its high turf density and soft, bright green, fine leaf blades it has the best visual rating among the warm season grass group. With a slow vertical growth habit, peaking at 4- to- 6-inches tall, UC Verde requires no set cutting schedule. For a manicured lawn, once a month is sufficient.
see Garden, page 28 HARDWOOD FLOORING + MOBILE SHOWROOM Proud member of the GSDBA | License # 897390
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Top Flooring’s unique Mobile Store brings the shopping experience to your door. Our vehicle is designed to make choosing a hardwood or laminate floor that matches your style convenient and fun. Onboard we offer hundreds of quality samples for you to choose from with professional installation services.
www.topflooring.com | 858.354.3142 |
chuck@topflooring.com
No Wrinkles Crossword from page 24
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