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Garden Splendor® Unveils New Showcase Plants for 2010

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The Garden Splendor® brand by Overdevest Nurseries announced 10 new 2010 Showcase selections from the company’s premium plant collection of more than 500 varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses, patio plants, shrubs and vines.

This will be the seventh year that Garden Splendor has offered the Showcase line, and independent garden centers appreciate the consistency and branding of the high-quality product. This year, we spoke directly with a few garden centers that carry the Garden Splendor brand to gather some retailer insight about the Showcase line.

Glenn Pendergast is the owner of Willow Run Home & Garden Showplace, an independent garden center that has carried the Showcase line for four years. When asked about the benefits of carrying the Showcase line, Pendergast said, “Carrying a co-branded plant line of the highest quality benefits us as a good reflection on our company with our consumers.” Pendergast also shared with us that his customers have come to recognize and even anticipate the Garden Splendor Showcase varieties for quality and value.

The 2010 Garden Splendor Showcase line will be available to homeowners at participating independent garden centers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions beginning spring 2010. They will be shipped to the garden centers at the best times for consumers to plant them. The plant material is chosen each year through extensive research and rigorous on-site evaluations for quality, innovation and reliability.

The new Garden Splendor® Showcase Plants for 2010 include the following:

  • Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’
  • Aquilegia Winky Double ‘Blue and White’
  • Chamaecyparis ‘Oregon Blue’
  • Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’
  • Dianthus ‘Raspberry Surprise’
  • Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’
  • Echinacea ‘Mac n’ Cheese’
  • Hosta ‘Touch of Class’
  • Schizachyrium ‘Carousel’
  • Veronica ‘Giles Van Hees’

Additional information about the Garden Splendor brand and plant availability can be found at www.gardensplendor.com. If you are a member of the media, contact us if you’d like us to assist with our usual spring or summer article contributions. We can quote local expert gardening and plant sources in most any area.

~Leslie

Color Series: December Red

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There are plenty of memory associations that accompany color. We think back to a favorite painting we saw in a museum or the fading colors of a carousel we used to love visiting. Every color can connote a feeling of past or present, and very few shades exemplify the feeling of the holidays quite like red.

Velvety scarlet, deep burgundy, bright cherry – there are dozens of shades worth a moment’s pause in the spectrum of this primary color, and they all have a place in exterior and interior design. The hue complements the blues, greens and whites common of the season as well as provides a bold design statement for the rest of the New Year.

While we have previously placed a focus on one specific shade for our color posts, we wanted to break from tradition this time to discuss different shades of red and how each one can be used to provide maximum interest.

What does red denote?

Red is often associated with passion, free-expression, fire, courage, and self-confidence. Best used in accessories and accents, red can be overwhelming if over-used and actually cause stress in abundance. However, just a dab of red can increase excitement and is a classic color option for nearly any room.



A few ways to use red:

In the Home: A little red can go a long way. This is a good motto when designing with a bold or bright shade of red. Even an accent wall may be too much, so the best way to use red is accessorize. Trends have shown stripes of red to be extremely popular in indoor and outdoor furniture. Combined with blues, browns and tans, red is the best method of making a more neutral pallet pop. Candles, lamp shades, mirror frames, table runners, and cut flowers are all easy ways to add red into a room. Red is an excellent color selection when designers choose a contemporary look, but rustic and deep burgundies can mold quickly into the principals of Victorian style.

Especially during the holidays, red can be a treat for the eye. Any shade of red will complement evergreen, so consider adding red throughout a room or on a door using decorative wreaths such as this one from Jackson & Perkins.

In the Landscape: While hundreds of shades of red have been produced in blooming flowers for spring and summer radiance, it is often harder to find bold, daring reds for the landscape during the fall and into winter. This year, we recommend a brand new perennial, Heuchera ‘Autumn Leaves’ by Terra Nova Nurseries, for an absolutely stunning display of cranberry-red foliage during frost.



Our favorite shade:

Glidden offers two shades of red we highly suggest, as each provides two different application possibilities for the color. Candy Apple is a fantastic option for a bold statement through accents, accessories and containers. The deep, classic red will not disappoint to draw the eye to new heights or into unused corners of a space.

We have also notated Terra Cotta Rose, or similar shades, as a popular choice for 2010 design. This lighter, more soothing red has brown tones that calm the shock of the color, allowing designers to use more if they choose. An excellent example can be found in the stone flooring of this outdoor space.



How have you used or plan to use red in your interior and / or exterior design work this year? Or, if a member of the media, what types of color information, sources and photos would be most applicable for your audience members during 2010?

To read more from our color series, visit our September and October suggestions.

~ Leslie

R&R with T&E

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As we all do, I sometimes need a bit of rest and relaxation to rejuvenate myself. Between work and endless chores at home, I often need to force myself to find time for R&R, whether it be reading on my back patio or eating dinner with some friends on the weekend.

On a rare occasion, we find companies that are willing to help consumers find these valued moments of peace. Recently, I became acquainted with Thompson & Elm, also known as T&E, which offers fabulous items that make relaxation possibilities all the more endless, beautiful and easily accessible. Just what we all need!

Here is a bit of information about two of their specialties – casual outdoor furniture and easy-to-create Always in Bloom™ container gardens:

Outdoor casual furniture from T&E, designs for outdoor living…

This photo shows the Grand Estate Collection with deep seating furniture and an oversized coffee table made from cast aluminum. All T&E furniture is made from fully welded, one-piece construction. The long seating section pictured above is expandable to the size and direction needed for a space, making it extremely flexible! The collection’s frames are bronze in color with Flagship Cocoa Sunbrella Fabric.

The photo above shows another favorite at Eberly & Collard Public Relations. The 120-inch rectangular dining table supports seating of up to 10 placements (shown with eight). The dining set is of the Seville Collection and made with cast aluminum in matte black. With the writing and public relations work we do regarding outdoor rooms and casual furniture, I can tell you this dining set will create new trends of design in the coming months.

Always in Bloom™ Container Gardening in 1-2-3…

Above, I have placed two photos showing an easy, fun way to container garden for the busy consumer. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ ready-made containers in three different sizes – deluxe, prestige and estate. Once the consumer selects her favorite container combo in the size she wants, all that is left is to pick a decorative pot in the same size from T&E. The company offers custom-sized pots in euracast, ceramic-glazed pottery and cocoa-liner metal plant stands. The ready-made (already planted) pots fit perfectly into the decorative containers for instant garden success that will last an entire season.

Essentially, the program offers consumers the ability to decorate their patios without the mess of planting, and create beautiful, lasting containers without extensive gardening know-how. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ containers for all four seasons.

Between the easy Always in Bloom containers and premium outdoor furniture, I think your readers can have some true one-of-a-kind R&R! In fact, T&E truly offers consumers a one-stop makeover of an outdoor room or patio. If you are a member of the media or a garden writer working on assignment, just let us know if you need photos or more information. We can connect you with the knowledgeable folks at T&E. To learn more about Thompson & Elm, feel free to visit the Web site.

~ Leslie

The Look and Feel of Form and Function

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Creating an outdoor living space has quickly become a backyard mainstay. Homeowners across the country are creating outdoor sanctuaries ranging from simple fire pits and built-in grill enclosures to elaborate kitchens, patios, and retaining walls. Then, too, city and municipality leaders seek new physical forms and styles of public spaces in an era of outdoor recreation. Meanwhile, Landscape Architects and outdoor room designers supply a vast amount of design and technical knowledge in keeping with the development of such outdoor spaces. Hardscapes serve as the foundation and accents for many of these sites, adding to the natural appearance of the outdoors.

Our industry findings and trend-watching show hardscapes with stone and manufactured stone are growing in popularity among homeowners, designers, architects, city planners, and developers. A key factor is cost. While natural stone and manufactured stone both have their benefits, the manufactured sort certainly has many pluses including ease of installation, dimensional consistency, and regular availability…all important aspects of planning for you LAs.

Rosetta Hardscapes, a company that specializes in decorative stone, offers several stone collections to fit most any hardscape need. The company’s stone products look like natural stone with all the benefits of a manufactured product.

The Belvedere collection is the perfect fit for retaining or freestanding walls, as the stones are great for stacking with a natural, attractive appearance. Rosetta’s step collection – of irregular and dimensional hardscape products – helps designers and homeowners create outdoor staircases that seamlessly blend into any environment.

A retaining wall built with the company’s products can provide function by bordering a nearby roadway or path, but the real benefit seems to be enhancing the setting with beauty. Rosetta Hardscapes offers diverse product application photos, unique design layouts and how-to instructions online at www.discoverrosetta.com.

~Don

RockWood Casual Furniture

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Totem poles may recount familiar legends, clan lineages, or notable events. Some poles are erected to celebrate cultural beliefs, but others are intended mostly as artistic presentations. Speaking of artistic presentations, the new Totem Collection of outdoor woven furniture from RockWood Casual (Outdoor) Furniture is definitely a work of art. It offers the best of contemporary design with a traditional flair. The collection is smaller and retro in its curves and can be mixed and matched for versatility and function. Our favorite is the interlocking coffee table and seating pieces that double as ottomans for other chairs in the collection.


During the International Casual Furniture & Accessories market in Chicago this September, the company’s showroom team also introduced a new line of outdoor furnishings with true leather coverings and cushions. Called Xtreme Leather and created with a special nanotechnology embedded with silicone, RockWood can supply the leather to customers in just two weeks. The leather is a premium bull hide from Australia in 40 beautiful colors. Our pick is this green leather chair that stands ready in the showroom’s front entryway to yield comfort and durability for future owners.


Multiple product lines are detailed at www.rockwoodfurniture.com.

~Jeff

Color Series: October Green

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As you may remember from the first post in our color series, we will be sharing the hottest colors of the season with you, what they mean, how they can be used in interior and exterior design, and, simply put, why they are great colors.

October is the epitome of autumn, the changing of leaves and the first touch of frost in the air in many places. Because of this, we tend to steer away from bright colors in all things design – from our own wardrobes to the colors of our place settings – to initiate the tranquil months of the season. Not to mention one of the largest associations people make with the month of October, Halloween.

So, based on trend research and our own experiences in design and related publicity work, we have narrowed down our October color to a soothing, khaki green. A similar color was selected as one of the top ten new colors for spring 2010 by Pantone, but we thought we would write about it now because it is greatly relevant.

We continually see new home and garden products every year in the marketplace adopt this color, as it is a classic neutral for design. It matches everything, blends well into the background, or can be combined with other colors to create striking focal points. It is also the perfect complementary color for common rustic fall décor items in orange, burnt-reds, browns, and other color hues.

What does green denote?

Green, especially the soft, soothing olive or flax color, is often associated with nature, nourishment, balance and stability. You’ll often see this color in commercial buildings, offices, spas, and hotels, as it is frequently used to promote physical and emotional well-being. Designers also enjoy using the color when re-designing an outdoor living area for a rejuvenated and natural look. An example: Summer Classics, a manufacturer of high-end casual / outdoor furniture, uses this color in one of its premier garden collections, part of the Skye line:


A few ways to use green:

In the Home: Green remains one of the most commonly used colors in design. This neutral khaki green is incredibly flexible within a space and can easily find a well-suited fit in a large room or small nook. Many designers suggest using this color en masse because it so easily adapts to new accessories and furniture. Furniture fabrics and draperies are an excellent choice, as the color is not too dark to overwhelm the space. However, accent pieces should not be overlooked. Lamp shades, mirror frames, art, throw pillows, linens, and accent chairs are easy ways to supplement and harmonize this shade of green.

In the Landscape: As fall brings in the cooler weather, foliage becomes a focal point more so than blooms. The color of dried herb can be found in dozens of groundcover and perennial varieties for beds and border. However, while plant options are in abundance, we highly suggest accessorizing with this color in the landscape, much like one would with interior design. This color can often have a provincial or sylvan feel, yet add gorgeous ambiance to spaces in the forms of potted containers, accent or vertical garden walls, outdoor furniture, and even painted shutters or doors.

Our favorite shade:

Terrapin Green by Benjamin Moore is a perfect shade of green for flexible, calming design. With just a touch of gray to add neutrality but with enough green to make it pop, this color can be used in hundreds of different ways in interior or exterior design.

We also recommend the color selected by Pantone, called dried herb. A bit more khaki colored and with just a touch of brown, this is a perfect color for relaxed settings or areas designed to convey homey atmospheres.

How have you used or plan to use green in your interior and / or exterior design work this year? Or, if a member of the media, what types of color information, sources and photos would be most applicable for your audience members during 2010?

Watch our blog and follow our tweets for more about our take on color and the ways in which industry designers and manufacturers are coloring our world.

~ Leslie

Domus Ventures America Wows Market Attendees

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Dave Hill of Domus Ventures America is one of the most knowledgeable and friendly people you can meet on a trade show floor or at one of the casual furniture / home industry markets. Talking with Dave offers fresh insight surrounding the industry’s latest trends and product innovations, especially some of the leading and cutting-edge products at the hands of Domus Ventures America. He was on site at the latest Chicago market and offered us an enlightening view of all things modern and gorgeous for outdoor spaces.

After viewing all or almost all of the participating exhibits and showrooms at this year’s International Casual Furniture & Accessories Show in Chicago, Jeff, the other co-owner of ECPR, and I had a hard time selecting our pick of a dozen or so top innovators. Several companies, like Domus Ventures America, made the task a bit easier, given such evident technological advancements juxtaposed with high design. (We were on site at the show / market for our own writing and article research, to speak on Garden Design magazine’s product / design trends panel, and on assignment for a number of editor contacts of ours).

Since the show / market, many of you have touched base to share your opinions about our related event product picks and trends research. We have enjoyed your emails. Feel free to also post your comments here, on our blog.

Well, back to Domus… The new Isle of Pines Massage Lounge from Domus Ventures America utilizes the latest high-tech features while offing the ultimate in outdoor comfort. Possibly our favorite product pick of the entire market, this spectacular piece has a waterproof remote-controlled Shiatsu massage unit incorporated into a beautiful reclining lounge. When I showed the photo to an editor friend, she said she wanted this piece on her patio…and in her office for breaks on those pressing deadline days. – No kidding! Talk about relaxation, an ion battery with AC charger provides up to 14 hours of continuous use. A solar panel side table is also available to charge the battery, making the entire reclining massage lounge totally self-contained and waterproof. This is a lounge that sets the standards for others to follow.

A breath-taker at the show was the marine-grade vinyl especially designed for Domus Ventures. Jeff and I had a chance to take a seat on the company’s Luxor Collection, and it looked just like leather. The collection offers tight seats and backs with deep seating comfort, without the headaches and inconveniences of dealing with cushions. After stitching, the covers are sealed from the inside, making them totally water proof. The covers are attached to Aluminum frames with a marine adhesive like that which is used for inflatable life rafts.

Being marine grade means the covers are not only highly UV resistant but also UV reflective, reducing the absorbed heat. The Luxor Collection includes dining, deep seating, single and double sun-loungers, and canopied lounges in two sizes. The best-kept secret… Hidden in the back cushions of the larger size piece is a ready-to-use cooler, a good example of function meeting form.

Sure to fit the photo and editorial needs of some magazine editors reading this post, the Santa Cruz Double Massage Lounge with its beautiful and angled canopy from Domus Ventures America utilizes the latest high-tech features and offers the ultimate in outdoor comfort. This piece has two waterproof remote-controlled Shiatsu massage units incorporated into a reclining canopied lounge. The canopy can also be collapsed for tanning while getting a relaxing massage. Then, when sun becomes too much, up it goes. A solar panel side table is also available to charge the battery, making the entire reclining massage lounge totally self-contained and waterproof. In our estimation, this is a must-have, pool-side piece for vacation homes. And, what a benefit for high-end hoteliers and resort managers / owners who have outdoor relaxation or spa areas to furnish.

Last, but not least, Domus Ventures America’s Corentine Collection is made of powder-coated, welded aluminum frames. They are hand-woven with 100% virgin HDPE resin wicker. Elegant and sleek, the sculptured design is true-modern. This dining set is well-matched in design and function for home use as well as alfresco spaces and cafes utilized by hotels and resorts.

Domus Ventures America impresses us by setting, rather than following, the standards for unique and modern design of outdoor furniture. You can learn more on the company’s site at www.domusventures.com. Members of the media, please post your comments and let us know if you have interest in sharing any of this information with your readers, viewers, etc.

~Don

Re-Post: A Few Design / Decorating Tips on Color

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Due to a great number of comments recently from interior and outdoor room designers, and requests for more information on color design, we are re-posting this brief article on decorating tips. This post was originally written back in August, but still conveys important color design concepts applicable to everyday décor.

Original Post:

The use of color in interior and exterior design and decorating should demonstrate order and harmony. When the elements are unbalanced they radiate chaos, leaving an unfavorable impression.

Red – Whether positive or negative, the color red is an attention grabber. The use of red should be used sparingly in the home, it is a vibrant, powerful color. Accents are an essential aspect of interior design, the color red possesses the illusion of depth as it seems to spring these items forward.


Brown – Often paired with red for a warm, rustic texture, the color brown is frequently associated with the age or richness of the space. However, lighter shades of brown such as tan, beige, and sand offer a clean earthy feel. When used in an interior setting, brown helps other colors appear fuller and brighter, conveying a sense of wholesomeness.


White – White is one of the most widely used colors in interior design and decorating. The use of a white background offers a sharp contrast to other colors, like red curtains amongst white furniture and walls. However, white should be used carefully as it can be seen as cold.
What are some of your design techniques and / or tips regarding the use of color?

~ Adam

We’ve already heard from some great furniture manufacturers and other interior design professionals, and we look forward to receiving additional feedback as we gather color trends for 2010!

Virtual Tours: International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago

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For those of you who were unable to attend the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market a month ago in Chicago, Casual Living offers several virtual tours of highlights on the magazine’s Web site. Really, it’s great even for those who did attend! With approximately 350 manufacturers from around the world filling more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, it was incredibly hard to explore everything.

The videos cover several showrooms and new products from companies such as Pride Family Brands, Les Jardins and Agio. For a bit more information about the show, see our previous blog post here, which delves into 2010 trends and a panel discussion with Eberly & Collard Public Relations’ president, Don Eberly.

~Leslie

Please Take a Seat

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The great outdoors should be embraced for entertaining all-year round, and creating a versatile, inviting setting to host a fall fireside BBQ or winter get-together is the first step. The design of an outdoor room or patio serves as a backdrop for the event and the outdoor furniture, color selections and accessories play significant roles in ensuring guests will be able to easily visit with one another while they dine and drink.

One of the exhibitors at this year’s International Casual Furniture & Accessories market that caught our attention, Homecrest Outdoor Living, established in 1953, combines a rich history of quality and classic design with today’s demand for affordable luxury and versatile living. Through trend studies and years of listening to sophisticated customer demand, Homecrest Outdoor Living offers customers furniture that flows seamlessly from the indoors, out.

After spending some time with casual furniture expert Scott Coremin, vice president of sales / marketing for Homecrest Outdoor Living, at the ICF&A market – and reviewing his 2010 product lines – it was obvious to us the company is making trend-based strides in product development and design. A few of our top picks that offer both beautiful form and practical function are as follows:

Havenhill Dual Motion Loveseat featured in Hickory frame finish and Mojito padded sling:

This is an outdoor loveseat anyone can love. The Havenhill collection includes a new twist on a Homecrest classic with the introduction of the Dual Motion Loveseat. This unique seat features a patent-pending Butterfly Basket®, which provides guests with the ability to rock independently while enjoying another person’s company.

Havenhill Dining chairs in Flagstone finish and Aloe sling fabric with granite dining table in Kenoran:

Sleek, clean design sets the mood with this set. Peace and tranquility are easily attainable with the Havenhill collection in the cool tones of the Flagstone finish and spring green color of the Aloe sling. Havenhill’s modern frame design and uniquely flared sling provides the maximum in comfort, style and value.

Havenhill Balcony chairs in Flagstone finish and Creole sling fabric with Sorrento table:

Sure to make a splash on the balcony of a condo or in the backyard of any home, the Butterfly Basket® is one of Homecrest Outdoor Furniture’s newest collections. It has been engineered with the standards of quality and craftsmanship that have made Homecrest a trusted, American-made outdoor furniture resource for over 50 years.

Wescott Dining chairs in Sedona frame finish and Bocha fabric with Sandstone dining table in Mesquite:

Traditional in styling, the new Wescott collection is designed with the Butterfly Basket® and is handcrafted with conscientious details. The intricate finials and quality construction of this classically inspired collection will suit the grandest estate or the most charming garden setting.

Swivel Rocker Balcony stools in Bessemer Padded Sling and Hickory finish with Cast table in Hickory:

Comfortable and stylish, the Wescott is a handsome addition to the Homecrest Sling collections. With ornate detailing and international flair, the classic look of this seating collection also features the patent-pending Butterfly Basket®. Balcony chairs – not too tall or short – that rock and swivel are an enhanced trend for 2010, as evidenced by these and other lines addressing the application.

Do you have a favorite collection? Visit the company’s Web site and let us know your opinions. If you are an editor, publisher, or Home Industry show producer, we’ll be glad to connect you with the furniture experts at Homecrest Outdoor Living.

Read more on our blog about trend products and innovative companies from the various markets, shows and events we attended this summer. Watch for ongoing, new product reviews and trend picks for 2010 from us in the coming days and weeks.

~ Leslie