The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1480126
The Press-Dispatch Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 28, 2022 E-5 Many homeowners think they have to spend tons of green to get green in their landscape, but that isn't nec- essarily so. Homeowners can improve their landscapes without digging themselves into financial holes. These strategies can help anyone save some cash and still end up with attractive gardens and more. • Use stones or gravel for a walkway. If commercially in- stalled pavers or cement walk- ways are not within your bud- get, there are some afford- able alternatives. Flagstone or individually purchased and spaced pavers and pea grav- el can be used to create path- ways. Some construction sites even offer free stones when asked. Soften the look with moss or other plants on the perimeter. • Remove some lawn. Lawns can require hours of upkeep that may involve the application of expensive fer- tilizers and weed-killing prod- ucts that are not always so eco-friendly. Reduce the size of a lawn by putting in a mixed planting bed of perennials or ornamental grasses, or use landscape fabric and mulch. • Look for free mulch. Municipal recycling centers may offer residents access to free mulch made from grind- ing up leaves, branches and other plant debris collected throughout the town. Simply bring a few containers to the recycling center and spread the mulch for an ornamen- tal look or to insulate land- scapes over winter and pro- tect against weeds. • Repurpose old items in- to planters. Old wheelbar- rows, barrels, watering cans, and other items can be repur- posed into container garden- ing vessels. Figure out if items marked for the garbage bin can be incorporated into gar- den features instead. • Invest in plants that are easy to propagate. Perenni- als are the gardener's friend when it comes to saving mon- ey. These plants sprout anew each year, and many, such as sedum, catmint, ferns, hos- tas, and black-eyed Susans, can propagate by division. Figure out the best times of year to divide the plants and start growing them in individ- ual containers before plant- ing the sturdy new shoots in the ground. A single variety of plants grouped together in mass plantings is affordable and easy. • Shop end-of season sales. Garden centers may begin to make room for holiday items come the fall. Take advantage of reduced costs on remaining plants and landscape accesso- ries during this time of year. Plants can be covered or al- lowed to thrive indoors un- til they can be planted in the spring. • Pool your resources. Homeowners planning on a big landscaping or revital- ization project may want to speak with neighbors to see if they're interested in doing the same. Contractors guar- anteed business from a few homes in the same neighbor- hood may be willing to nego- tiate lower prices for the vol- ume of work on things like driveway repaving, deck- or fence-building, or installation of paver patios. Some handy ideas can help homeowners transform land- scapes without spending too much. Revitalize your landscape on a budget Homes contain a variety of components that appeal to homeowners with different ideas about the perfect place to call home. That starts with the style of a home. Buildings are classified ac- cording to share components. A Craftsman style home will have a covered porch with a set of wide base columns, while a Cape Cod home is of- ten defined by a gabled roof and dormer windows. Mod- ern houses, which are some- times called contemporary homes even though the terms are not interchangeable, will have their own sets of unique characteristics. Here's a look at seven features that make modern homes unique. 1. Minimalist approach: Contemporary and modern homes both employ an ap- proach that leans toward min- imalism, including clean de- sign lines. Spaces are open and airy without the clutter of too many ornate architec- tural details. While modern homes may have some curva- ture to their design, contem- porary ones are all about an angular look. 2. Neutral color palette: Modern homes tend to utilize a neutral color palette. Mod- ern homes may use "earthy" elements, such as wood and brick, in ways that do not look rustic. Contemporary homes rely on a color palette of black and white with shades of gray or other neutral colors. 3. Geometric shapes: Mod- ern homes have strong hor- izontal and vertical ele- ments that showcase geomet- ric shapes in their designs. Contemporary homes often have flat roofs, while modern homes may not. 4. Large, unadorned win- dows: Most modern homes showcase a lot of natural light by utilizing large win- dows that are not covered up by heavy window treatments or elements like shutters and thick trims. Large windows are the focus of the interior and shift attention to the view outdoors. 5. Open floor concept: A hallmark of modern interi- or design, the open concept floor plan removes many of the walls that tend to sepa- rate common areas of a home. This helps to foster the spread of natural light and maintains the emphasis on simplicity of design. 6. Smart elements: Thanks to the proliferation of smart technology, smart homes are cropping up with greater fre- quency. While smart devices can be included in any home style, they tend to feel like they were designed specifi- cally for modern homes. In a similar vein, modern homes may include environmentally friendly elements, such as so- lar panels, upcycled materials, added insulation, and energy efficient lighting. 7. Updated kitchen spaces: The clean lines and attention to technology and open space generally extends to modern kitchens. Modern kitchens tend to feature efficient, top-ti- er appliances with additional storage and space amenities that keep the room from feel- ing cluttered. While some may consider modern homes austere, ma- ny others are right at home among their clean lines and airy spaces. Your Window Fashion Store Since 1954 704 Main Street, Jasper | 812-482-4040 Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Visit us at our studio or online at www.corbinsstudio.com hometown store APPLIANCES APPLIANCES ALL MAJOR BRANDS AVAILABLE! FURNITURE FOR THE ENTIRE HOUSE GE, S a m S u n G, F r i G i d a i r E, LG a n d m o r E. 812-385-5757 1607 W BROADWAY, PRINCETON, IN Owned and Operated by Debra Walker HOURS : Monday thru Friday 10am to 6pm • Saturday 9am to 5pm • Sunday Closed ASK ABOUT COMMERCIAL AND BULK SALES! www.walkershometown.com • No-Interest Financing Available • 90 days Same as Cash • Lease to Own Maintaining a clean and healthy environment! Characteristics of MODERN HOMES