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!

Moss Acres, a leading supplier of live moss since 2001, released news at this year’s IGC and ASLA shows about a new product for shady garden areas – the Moss Milkshake. This dry mix is a unique blend of fragmented moss plants, powdered buttermilk, acidifying agents, and a special water retention gel powder. By simply adding water to the mixture, gardeners, landscapers, and moss enthusiasts can create a gel-like “slurry” that is ideal for spreading over most any firm, bare surface. A lot of folks with whom we talked at both of these shows said they thought the product name and milk carton-shaped (for consumer / retail sales) packaging were ingenious. We agree.

Mosses thrive in shady landscapes. Most any shaded or partially shaded area can be ideal for utilizing the Moss Milkshake technique. For shaded lawns where grass is limited, moss is an ideal alternative. Instead of fighting nature by attempting to grow grass in shade, many homeowners and professional landscapers are turning to moss.

Once established, moss is low maintenance. After installation and cell nodes have a chance to activate, moss plants do not require frequent watering to survive. However, watering does help maintain lush and green moss over time. For a look at various moss products from the company, take a look at www.mossacres.com.

~ Jeff

At the IGC show this year, Novelty Manufacturing displayed a mix of gorgeous, affordable new products for 2010. Checking the Web site is a good and easy way to become familiar with the company, its best practices (which are pretty impressive), and the latest products and lines.

The new Ella planters, with their square contour, stand out to us as having some incredible wide appeal. These chic containers bring a modish new twist to the ArtStone Line. They are trendy in color and durable in strength. Tall Ella containers can bring endless beauty to doorways and patios with their striking form. The Ella rectangle containers are the perfect choice for adorning a table top or accessorizing a windowsill.

Here’s the best part… Novelty believes in sustaining the environment. Most of the company’s products are made of recyclable polymers and alloys. They use pre- and post-consumer recycled materials in some of their best-selling items. This unique selling proposition can then be passed along to retailers, which we all know, is important to end-consumers.

To learn more about Ella planters or other product offerings from Novelty, visit, www.noveltymfg.com. – Also, post your comments / questions about these and other trend containers.

~ Adam

Start to think about planting fall plants in the garden and packing up the beach towels because summer’s end is right around the corner. But, outdoor living can continue to be enjoyed through fall and winter, from the warmth of outdoor fireplaces or fire pits.

Learn about the design and installation of outdoor fire features stemming from an interview of David Gatti, co-owner / CEO of P.O.P.S. Landscaping, conducted by David Beaulieu, landscape editor for the popular information-based Web site About.com.

In the interview, expert David Gatti offers helpful information and recommendations about adding outdoor fireplaces and fire pits to existing exterior spaces.

Select this link…and begin warming up to the idea of outdoor fire features for your homeowner-clients or readers… http://landscaping.about.com/b/2009/06/06/outdoor-fireplace-or-outdoor-fire-pit.htm

To learn more about outdoor design and living, visit www.popslandscaping.com and http://landscaping.about.com/

– Adam

The hardscape and landscape industries offer many innovative forms of natural stone products. However, a deeper look reveals many subsidiary and supportive products such as these.

Paver Kare products for cleaning, protecting and maintaining concrete, clay and natural stone pavers include Deep Sheen, a high-gloss protective treatment. Non-yellowing and slip-resistant, Deep Sheen’s lustrous finish guards pavers against destructive water penetration and other contaminants.

To learn more about these great products visit: http://www.prosoco.com

~ Adam

https://eberlycollardpr.com/2009/08/711/

A decade ago, a professional grower decided that creeping perennials needed a face (and “feet”), as they were particularly well-suited for problem areas in the landscape and areas that need to tolerate foot traffic. Thus, Fran Hopkins created the STEPABLES® brand. Now, as part of its ten year anniversary, Under A Foot Plant Company has decided to enlighten the market again with the launch of a one-of-a-kind merchandising campaign called Grab n’ Go Paks, to be sold in conjunction with the brand’s well-known 3-inch STEPABLES pot line.

I was privileged to see the new packaging first hand during the grand unveiling at this week’s IGC Show in Chicago, and, wow…I’m just floored! There are three new unique programs from which growers and IGCs can select, including:

· Tough Ten – Top 10 most robust plants in the entire STEPABLES line
· Sole Mates – Top 45 best plants for direct foot traffic usages
· Garden SOLEutions – The most diverse 40 solution plants for common landscape applications

The paks serve to reduce retailer’s 2010 signage and POP costs, as the new packaging targets consumers with clear and concise brand messaging printed directly on the pak. When I spoke with Fran about it, the concept was made even clearer by her simple statement, “Think of it like this; instead of point-of-purchase, it is point-of-contact.” Customers don’t have to search for signs to provide essential purchasing information, and retailers no longer have pressure to search for ample signage space. Customers will have all the plant information readily available the moment they pick up the package. Not only that, retailers are now able to sell a value-added product to consumers, offering a quick solution to buying STEPABLES in bulk.

Because this is such an innovative concept, I really enjoyed standing in the STEPABLES booth today and yesterday, listening to what passers-by had to say. I was really excited to find most people were thrilled by the idea. Several retailers commented that their customers will love the colorful, handled paks. One IGC owner said, “My customers are going to like these since they are drawn to plants with innovative information. The packaging is creative and just makes gardening look like a lot of fun.”

Research has shown that consumers, especially Gen Xers and Yers, want information immediately and opt not to take extensive time to research a product or even ask questions of an employee at times. Therefore STEPABLES Grab n’ Go Paks market directly to consumers who are used to being able to look at a cereal box or shampoo bottle and find all the information regarding that product readily available at-a-glance.

Thank you everyone for stopping by the booth and for your positive feedback.

~ Leslie

Cora Cascade is a new trailing vinca series from Goldsmith Seeds, a Syngenta company and one that is dedicated to the innovative breeding of plant material.

Every vinca is covered with beautiful, vivid flowers with no bald spots. These gorgeous blooms are available in five colors, Cherry, Lilac, Magenta, Peach Blush, Polka Dot, and a mix.

The Cora Cascade Series is not only heat and humidity-tolerant, but it has been tested and trialed to perform with a high level of reliability, making the plants an excellent choice for large beds, landscapes and hanging baskets. Also, Cora Cascade offers patented resistance to aerial Phytophthora.

These beautiful yet tough plants are a must-have for any gardener who wants to enjoy bountiful blooms all season long. We hope members of the media, bloggers and garden writers share these varieties with their readers. They are certainly worthy and will catch the attention of home gardeners everywhere.

The company’s motto is “Quality Products through Creative Research.” We have enjoyed seeing Goldsmith Seeds’ solid breeding goals and outcomes in many cases as well as the support the company and its personnel provide to the industry.

Take a look at the Web site for more details: www.goldsmithseeds.com.

~Adam

According to N.V.S. Kitchen & Bath, Inc., as kitchens continue to increasingly become the social gathering area of the home, homeowners are tearing down walls between the kitchen and dining rooms to increase the open space.

https://eberlycollardpr.com/2009/08/718/

Spending time with Suzanne Di Staulo in the Braun Horticulture exhibit booth was definitely an OFA highlight for us this year. Sue is a great friend of ours, and she is a true gem in the industry! If you have not had the pleasure of meeting her, you should.

Her Urban Collection of containers caught our eye. This brand new collection of containers is constructed of galvanized metal with a smooth, matte-gray finish. These ingeniously designed containers are sure to grab the attention of the younger, modern gardener – based upon their shapes, finish and sizes.

Another fantastic product offering from Braun Horticulture is the company’s unique set of hanging baskets woven from natural seagrass. These baskets are sustainable, durable and rich in tonal and texture variation. These baskets bring the coast to the front porch.

Learn more about the exceptional product offerings from Braun Horticulture at www.braungroup.com.

~ Don

Braun offers a unique line of causal seating and dining sets as part of the Braun Classic Living Collection for those with eco-friendly design tastes. What makes this furniture unique is its natural jute fiber, which is treated to be weather resistant.

https://eberlycollardpr.com/2009/07/725/