Lawn Begone
by Lee Walker
That American icon, the front lawn, has become an un- sustainable, water-guzzling phenomenon that no longer serves the future of San Diego or the planet. Eco-friendly makeovers and alternatives to the common grass blanket found in most front yards can be easily undertaken by homeowners or professional landscaping companies to ensure more manageable water bills. Kent Horner, owner of C&H Gardens Artistic Land-
scape and Tree Service, Inc., suggests that home and commercial business owners resist the urge to throw down turf. “Instead, use a wide array of succulents, palms and grasses, which can all help create a dramatic visual introduction to your residence or building,” says Horner, who emphasizes that a low-water-use garden is a must in share our unique Mediterranean climate, which includes warm, dry summers, relatively wet winters and a low annual rainfall, depending on the El Niño and drought cycles,” explains Horner. Conditions like these are perfect for a large and diverse group of plants that are drought- tolerant, water-wise and pleasing to the eye. To create a playful sense of aesthetic beauty that is colorful and easy to maintain, use multi-hued rocks, landscape, and prominently display specimen plants and ornamental grasses to their full advantage. Consider including blue fescue, desmondia, purple blooming ice plant, agave attenuata optic grass, rosemary prostrata, black aeonium, echever- ias, sago palms, lantana and society garlic. “Your home is your castle, refuge and place of
peace,” muses Horner, “and this is what we consider when compiling the ingredients for the quintessential California landscape or garden.”
Kent Horner has worked for more than 30 years on com- mercial properties, such as the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, - ing to professional hairstylist Paul Mitchell, in Malibu, and writer Anne Rice, in La Jolla.
For more information, contact C&H Gardens Artistic Landscape and Tree Service, Inc., 1244 Berryman Can- yon, Encinitas 92024-7915. Call 760-846-2202 or visit
PlantCh.com. See ad opposite page.
Wood-like composites made from recycled plastics are as much or more effective as solid wood for interior decoration. Timbron Interna- tional makes decora- tive moldings that are 90 percent recycled. “Our moldings can be cut, nailed, glued, sanded, caulked and painted, just like wood,” says Steve Lacy, the company’s president and CEO, “but, unlike wood, our product
is more
durable and impervious to water.”
Innovative sources include Timbron.com and PlasTeak.com.
Window treatments should complement décor, rather than dominate or dictate it. Earth-kind window fashions that come in soft, natural colors allow furnishings and decorative touches to be the star. Select natural window treatments that are easy on the planet and anything but drab.
Natural shades enhance any design aesthetic, from tradi- tional to modern. Earthshade, a leader in natural window fashions made from rapidly renewable plants such as grass, reed and bamboo, produces shades in an array of styles and - ous quality standards his shades must meet, as well as the fact that they are sustainably procured and fair trade crafted, all without chemicals.
Learn more at EarthShade.com.
Natural window fabrics may be luxurious silk or organically grown cotton, hemp or linen. These fabrications are much more than renewable, however. Hemp, for example, is naturally insu- lating and can improve a window’s energy performance. Loose protecting furnishings from harsh sunlight.
Reputable sources include Rawganique.com and PlumRidge. com.
Lighting is an integral part of a room’s appeal, but the right lighting does more than enhance the beauty and utility of a
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San Diego Edition www.na-sd.com
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