A visit to the Ruth Palmer Blanke Boxwood Garden virtually transports visitors to another time and place, as the meticulous plantings display the Missouri Botanical Garden’s outstanding collection of boxwood. There are 60 unique varieties of boxwood in the Boxwood Garden, which have the reputation of being difficult to grow in the Midwest. Boxwoods have been valued in gardens for thousands of years, from the “pleasure gardens” of ancient Persia and the landscapes of Greece and Rome, to the formal gardens of Europe.

When it comes to wine, Italy’s Piedmont region – the charming, hilly terrain southwest of Milan – has two faces. The southwestern sector produces mostly big red wines made from the Nebbiolo grape that are generally very tannic and need time to mature before being consumed. The northeastern part, in close proximity to the River Tanaro, which imparts a slight marine influence that allows the grapes there to mature faster and produce less-harsh tannins, is better known for lighter, more modern-style wines, such as Barbera and Barbaresco.

The desire for more storage, technology and luxury in the bathroom has resulted in a new design aesthetic that offers a high level of customization, convenience and utility. “Homeowners have moved past plated glass mirrors that cover the entire wall, “ observes Amy Launius, Showroom Manager of Premier Plumbing Studio. Mirrors, lights and shelves now can be configured into almost unlimited arrangements that suit a variety of functional requirements and style preferences. 

When husband and wife Patty and Tom of St. Charles put the finishing touches on their Florida-style home two years ago, their focus quickly turned to creating an outdoor haven that was just as welcoming as the interior.

“We have three children, and our oldest [son] has two kids and our daughter had our third grandchild,” explains Patty. “That’s how the whole [backyard project] got started. We wanted a space we could share with them.”

When you think of a trough, you probably associate it with a farm or plumbing from the olden days. Gone are the days of the traditional trough sink. Today’s troughs are sleek, industrial and gaining popularity in residential bathrooms. If you are looking for a single focal-point sink that is big enough for multiple family members to share, consider a trough sink.

one: Beach side house, by BDR Executive Custom Homes. Photography by Jim Yochum.

two: Custom master bath vanity, by Susan Jay Design. Photography by Tom Bonner.

For our August Bath issue, we asked local kitchen and bath professionals if freestanding tubs are a classic or a craze. Here's what the professionals had to say: