A hall bath used by all visitors was in need of a redesign. Since it was the only bathroom in the home to retain a tub for resale purposes, the homeowners were afraid they couldn’t achieve a “wow” factor. Dashing Design by Elizabeth Kavlock suggested several unexpected selections to make the space a showstopper while still maintaining functionality. A Kohler undermount tub was chosen and a tile flange was added on two sides while the other two sides were treated as tub decking with a seat and front ledge.

Ready to scale down from their stately family residence in Frontenac, these well-traveled, fun-loving empty-nesters began looking for a home better suited to their newfound freedom. The vibrant, semi-urban atmosphere and walkability of Old Town Clayton proved irresistible and, in 2016, the couple found a 1980s-vintage Georgian townhouse that could be adapted to their lifestyle and many interests.

Jay Laux's Wildwood garden can easily be described in multi-syllabic superlatives. But on a hot summer day, when someone steps through the wooden gate and catches their first glimpse of the cool, green glowing landscape, the words you are most likely to hear are "Oooh," "Aaah" and "Wow." 

Spice up the front of the home or the side of a deck with a beautifully planted window box. Colorful and catching, window boxes can be filled with a variety of plants and flowers. Trailing plants make a statement by spilling over the sides. Check out local landscapers' favorite trailing varieties for window box planting.

All of August: Annuals may appear leggy and worn now. These can be cut back hard and fertilized to produce a new flush of bloom. Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.

August 1 - 15: Madonna lilies, bleeding heart (Dicentra) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria) can be divided and replanted.

August 1 - 15: Sow seeds of beans, beets, spinach and turnips now for the fall garden. Spinach may germinate better if seeds are refrigerated for one week before planting.

Your work is finally done. The garden is planned and planted, the weeds are pulled, the deck is set and your patio furniture is beckoning. You pour a glass of something lovely and pour yourself into an Adirondack chair. It is, at last, time to enjoy a summer sunset that makes your weeks of toil worth it. But that’s when you hear the all-too-familiar buzz, feel the all-too-familiar bite and face your necessary but limited options: slather on the smelly sprays or retreat.