The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

MY FAVORITE WEEKENDS SPOTS TO GET AWAY WITHOUT THE KIDS AND JUST RELAX

1) AMERICAN CLUB IN KOHLER, WISCONSIN www.destinationkohler.com. I love the Kohler Resort for a beautiful, peaceful getaway, especially if you love playing golf and peaceful tranquility, which the resort offers.  I just visited a few weeks ago, having spent a nice, quiet weekend without the kids, and playing golf at Golf at the Bull, a fantastic (and less expensive than the pricey Kohler course) public course right next to the PGA golf course at Kohler.  There are lots of cute little romantic spas and restaurants not to be missed in the little Kohler Village.  If you love Baker Furniture, the Kohler family, who owns Baker, has done a great job of furnishing the resort with elegant Baker Furniture and Kohler Bath fixtures that surround the entire luxury resort.

2) EL MONTE SAGRADO IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO www.elmontesagrado.com/.  I was lucky enough to win a weekend trip to this 5-star, award-winning newer, very romantic resort nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Taos.  I had always wanted to visit New Mexico, and Taos, in particular.  The surrounding terrain is beautiful and so are the views, but I especially love the little private villas, with big fireplaces, luxurious bedding, private little pools, spa, and organic food at the intimate dining room.  If you are a lover of Southwest food, hiking and river rafting, this resort is a must.

3) EAGLE RIDGE RESORT AND SPA IN GALENA, ILLINOIS www.eagleridge.com.  Yes, even in Illinois you can find breathtaking views and a beautiful resort in the middle of the country.  If you love hiking, skiing and relaxing in a cozy spa with fireplaces burning everywhere, Eagle Ridge is the place for you.  I love the relaxed atmosphere in the restaurants on property, perfect with or without the kids, the beautiful hills and mini-mountains, and luxurious rooms inside the lodge–great for a romantic weekend.  If you are bringing your family, you may wish to rent one of the newer and  larger homes that can accommodate up to twenty people.  The town of Galena is well worth the visit.  I love to play golf, and enjoy the award-winning US Open golf courses on the property—there are 4.

4) FOUR SEASONS HOTEL IN WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA www.fourseasons.com.  To get away from it all, winter or summer, I love this little newer, less stuffy Four Seasons Resort in Whistler.  The view of the flower-, grass-, and tree-covered mountains make me realize why this jewel was chosen as the spot for the 2010 Olympics.  For a romantic weekend, enjoy the pool, hot tub and elegant bar/restaurant.  This is a wonderful place to be trapped during a winter storm!  On the weekends in the summer, visit the best farmers market in the world, with fresh, organic meals and dishes prepared right at the booths—local produce is some of the best I have had.

5) SHANGRI-LA HOTEL IN VANCOUVER, CANADA

www.shangri-la.com.  This Asian hotel chain is one of the best in the world, paying attention to every detail and designing beautifully appointed rooms.  Look no further for your evening’s romantic date than the high tea room on the first floor, or relax in the most luxurious bathrooms that boasts large tubs and televisions.  Right in the heart of beautiful Vancouver, and just steps away from the water and mountains.

WHAT KIND OF STATEMENT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE WITH YOUR NEW HOME?  DOES YOUR HOME TRULY REFLECT YOUR OWN TASTE, OR SOMEONE ELSE’S?

Through all uncertainties of the real estate market and the economy you might say that home decor has changed for most homeowners.  Stodgy, impractical and stuffy furniture of the 70′s and 80′s, the look of our parents’ generation, has given way to more functional, comfortable and affordable fashions.   Picking up the basics at places like Costco and fashionable, urban, flea markets, have become the norm.

MY FAVORITE FREE RESOURCES  TO HELP  GET IDEAS ABOUT FURNISHING YOUR HOUSE EXACTLY TO YOUR LIKING

MAGAZINES

1. Dwell ( ideas for a more efficient house, soup to nuts)



2. Reader’s Digest (decluttering ideas–fresh and new ideas that will make your life a lot easier)
3. Oprah Home (multiple choices displayed for every piece of furniture you will need)
4. Martha Stewart Home (smart, fashionable choices for each room in your house)

WEBSITES/BLOGS

1. Homeportfolio.com (lists thousands of choices of products and design ideas, and links to the sites where you can buy them–saves huge amount of time)
2. Lesliehindman.com (great Chicago-based auction house that offers monthly auction in a wide variety of styles, periods and prices–take advantage of the great auction prices right now)
3. Designspongeonline.com (perfect place to get ideas that are well thought out and executed-no need to hire a designer if you go to this site–artistic, creative, easy to use and fun!)
4. Decor8blog.com (special finds and secrets from around the world, for all the little details of your house, with links to the nation’s best stores, all in one site)
5. Freshome.com (displays latest design and function characteristics for every piece of furniture you buy)
6. Trendir.com (the latest in materials, colors, textiles, trim)
7. Homedesignfind.com (beautiful layouts of entire room designs–great place for room design ideas)

History repeats itself.  Studies have shown that over time, people tend to make the same bad choices the second time around, and most of us are guilty of shopping at the same awful stores that we vowed we would never step foot in again.

I have also been in this rut.  I vowed when the stock market crashed last year that I would explore new retailers, and new ways of shopping; I’ve been surprisingly happy with the results I came up with.

GET OUT OF YOUR SHOPPING RUT

After recently shopping at Costco (and renewing my membership for a whopping $50) I realized why I signed up in the first place.  My son likes their chocolate cake.  That’s it.  That’s the only reason.  And I paid $50 for that privilege to buy that one cake, one time.

In a recent radio show I hosted with the Miserly Mom, Jonni McCoy, listeners learned why Costco isn’t the price leader for many household products we assume must be cheaper because of their massive bundled quantities.  You don’t need to be a repeat shopper.  There may be other better ways to shop.  You don’t need to pay anymore to belong to a “club”.  Save your money.

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It dawned on me recently that along with my kids,  I haven’t eaten as much fast food this past year.  In the past, with 2 young kids and their hectic schedules (and mine) I would occasionally stop at the usual fast food places.  Not this last year.  After reading a recent article in Health magazine about fast food, even the “healthy” fast food options make me now understand why America isn’t losing weight.

Fast food places, like Chipotle, carry long lines out the door, with kids and their parents, believing they have found a new lower calorie, healthy alternative to fast food.  A few years ago after the movie, Super Size Me, came out my kids decided that they would no longer eat fast food.  The movie painted a very bad picture of fast food, and what it can do to your weight and overall health.  It seemed that many kids decided to stop eating fast food as a result of watching this movie.  Then in NY a few years ago, restaurants came under fire for serving unhealthy choices, and not alerting their customers about the nutritional contents.  As a result, NY restaurants are now required to post all nutritional information in a highly visible place for their customers to see when ordering their fast food.

How should you navigate your way around fast food?  It is inevitable that we will need to grab fast food once in awhile.

FAST FOOD MYTHS

Mexican fast food places, like Chipotle, are often viewed as offering healthier options than the traditional standby’s, McDonald’s and Wendy’s.  Chipotle lets you decide what you want on your burritos, which makes people feel like they are eating fresh made, made-to-order food that isn’t processed.  Here’s the bad news and the startler–if you look at this wonderful nutritional post for Chipotle you will see what the fat and calorie count is for the exact type of combination you order.  The average burrito has over 1,500 calories, and many options have over 2,000 calories.  The Burrito Bowl is a better way to go, so you can skip the fattening tortillas, but get all the protein and other healthy ingredients–just watch the cheese, sour cream, guacamole and, of course, leave off all the onions.

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ARE YOU ONLY GETTING SECOND BEST, AT BEST?  IF NOT THOUGHT OUT PROPERLY, YOUR NEW HOME CAN BECOME A DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THE REPAIR BILLS APPEAR

Retailers bank on the fact that people are too busy these days to shop for their homes just one piece at a time, and just want their houses done.  Period.  Well, if you fall into the rut getting everything at once, you will regret your purchases.  Each piece you buy should represent a purchase you made because of your everyday living needs .  If not thought out carefully you will risk overpaying and creating a generic-looking space that really doesn’t reflect who you are, your taste or current daily lifestyle.

RUSHING TO CREATE THE PERFECT HOME CAN BE A DISAPPOINTMENT

We’ve all felt the pressure to have the perfect house, whether it be for an upcoming party, the holidays or to simply blend in with the neighbors.

CONSIDER SHOPPING AT AN AUCTION RIGHT NOW

After buying my first home, I realized how empty it looked.  I went to auctions at the time, and felt the urge to bid on dozens of inexpensive items, hoping to be the “lucky” winner of all of them.  I overbid on things I never even loved—the prices seemed too low to overlook, and I had a house to furnish.    I wound up with over twenty pieces of junk for my home, and after putting everything inside, I realized I didn’t like half of the pieces, and would have no real use for them.  Several of the pieces later required a considerable amount of work; something I never considered budgeting for.

START OUT SMALL, HAVE PATIENCE, AND WAIT TO BUY YOUR FAVORITE PIECES, BUT DON’T SETTLE JUST TO GET YOUR HOME FULLY FURNISHED

FLEA MARKETS: My best advice for someone with refined taste, who wants an elegant, interesting home is to start out small.  For that reason, flea markets are the best way to get your feet wet.  In Chicago, I love the Randolph Street Market, a flea market that has an urban flair mixed with country charm.  Dealers rent stalls, and I’ve picked up pieces from $5-$2,000 at flea markets.  The trick is buying only what you love, one piece at a time, mixing new with old, and only buying pieces you have a use for.  Learning these skills takes time and a trained eye.

AUCTION: Auction is another great way to furnish a great big house, or even a city apartment.  I especially love shopping at local auctions for artwork, and especially love that I don’t have to pay for shipping.  Thanks to my big car.  My favorite auction houses for the great values are: Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago, Neal Auction in New Orleans, and occasionally Sotheby’s more reasonably priced auctions.  You can’t go wrong.  Especially if you put in a silent bid and agree only to a maximum price you would be willing to pay.  Becoming emotional about a piece will not serve you well.  Avoid auctions or brokerage firms that charge an astronomical amount to sellers or buyers, like 1stdibs.  These places are not the best about warrantying the products they are selling.

BECOME YOUR OWN INTERIOR DESIGNER

The fastest way to date your house is to make everything look perfectly coordinated.  The perfectly coordinated look is outdated and always has been.  Your home will express more about you and your personality when you acquire one piece at a time.  Designers will also want to save themselves time, and earn the most amount of money possible by trying to create an entire ”look” for you and your family.  I’ve especially seen this when they are working with big families and know that people don’t have a lot of time to deal with all the details.

Take your time, and you, too, will have the house you love for a lifetime.

One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is to take my kids to the apple orchard.  We each have our own favorite kinds of apples.  My favorite is the Honeycrisp, a man-made apple variety.  If you go to the orchard, you need to know when the different apples will be ready for picking.  The span is 3 months for most varieties in the midwest.

Radke Orchards is located in Northwest Indiana, just across the border from Illinois.  It takes about an hour to get there from Chicago.  Radke Orchards is more reasonably priced than comparable orchards nearby.  Radke doesn’t have much in their tiny store, but their trees are all tagged well, your kids can take an open truck ride through the orchards, and there are ladders for easy access.  I also love the homemade caramel, coming in every variety—watch out for kids with braces!

BEST VARIETIES FOR FALL APPLE PICKING IN THE MIDWEST (FROM RADKE ORCHARDS, WHO ALSO HAS OTHER APPLE VARIETIES)

Cameo

· Sweet-tart flavor, firm apple
· Excellent for salads, pies, sauces, and baking
· Good for eating also
· Harvest time: mid-October

Cortland

· Sweet with a hint of tartness
· Juicy
· Tender, snow white flesh
· Excellent for eating, salads, sauce, pies and baking
· Good for freezing
· Cortland apples do not turn brown quickly when cut.
· Harvest time: mid-September

Crispin/ Mutsu

· Sweet yet very refreshing
· Very juicy
· Super crisp
· Excellent for eating, sauce, baking and freezing
· Good for salads and pies
· Crispin favorite roast.
· Try Crispins for roasting whole apples or thick slices.
· Harvest time: mid-October

Empire

· A wonderful blend of sweet and tart
· Juicy
· Very crisp, creamy white flesh
· Excellent for eating and salads
· Good for sauce, baking, pies and freezing
· Small Empires are great for school lunches.
· Harvest time: early October

Fuji

· Very mild sweet flavor
· Popular for desserts because of sweet flavor and good texture
· Store well
· Harvest time: late September

Gala

· Mild sweet flavor
· Juicy
· Crisp, creamy yellow flesh
· Excellent for eating and salads
· Gala’s size, mellow flavor and thin skin make them a perfect choice for kids
· Harvest time: early September

Golden Delicious

· Mild sweet flavor
· Juicy
· Crisp, light yellow flesh
· Excellent for eating, salads and sauce
· Good for pies, baking and freezing
· You can cut down the sugar in pies and sauces made from Golden Delicious apples.
· Harvest time: late September

Granny Smith

· Pleasantly tart flavor
· Firm, crisp flesh
· Good for eating, baking, salads, pies and freezing.
· Keeps shape when cooked
· Harvest time: late October

Honeycrisp

· Complex sweet-tart flavor
· Super crisp yellow flesh
· Excellent for eating and salads
· Good for sauce, baking & pies
· This ultra crisp apple is a great way to encourage healthy snacking by children.
· Harvest time: early September

Idared

· Sweetly tart
· Juicy
· Firm pale yellow-green flesh, sometimes tinted rosy pink
· Excellent for sauce, cooking, baking and pies
· Good for eating, salads and freezing
· Idareds are good for making a beautiful pink applesauce.
· Harvest time: mid-October

Jonagold

· Honey sweet with a hint of tartness
· Juicy
· Crisp, creamy yellow flesh
· Excellent for eating, salads, sauce and baking
· Good for pies and freezing
· Jonagolds make great fried apples. Simply sauté in a little butter and add a little cinnamon.
· Harvest time: early October

Jonathan

· Crisp and juicy, tart flavor
· Excellent for eating and baking
· Good for salads, sauces, and pies
· Harvest time: mid-September

McIntosh

· Sweet with a tart tang
· Very juicy
· Tender, white flesh
· Excellent for eating and sauce
· Good for salads and pies
· McIntosh’s tender flesh cooks down quickly. Add a thickener if making a pie.
· Harvest time: early September

Red Delicious

· Sweet
· Juicy
· Crisp, yellow flesh
· Excellent for eating and salads
· Red Delicious apples look great for a long time and are the favored choice for holiday centerpieces.
· Harvest time: late September

GREAT APPLE RECIPES

1) RADKE’S APPLESAUCE

This is our method of producing applesauce. You can make as little or as much as you like.

We wash and quarter the apples, taking out the seeds but leaving the skin. The skin contains the natural pectin that will thicken the sauce. We use our seconds for sauce so we do take out any bad spots from the apples. Place the apples in a saucepan and add a very little amount of water. Cook the apples, stirring as necessary to prevent sticking. We put the mixture through a food mill to remove the skins and any seeds. Wait until the sauce cools before deciding if any extra sugar is needed. We don’t add any extra sugar to our sauce.  We often use a mixture of apples. Golden Delicious apples used alone makes a lighter colored sauce.  We prefer freezing the sauce using canning jars that are freezer safe. We have canned sauce using the hot water bath method.

2)  RADKE’S APPLE CRISP

• 6 cups sliced, peeled apples
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place apples in 8×8 baking pan. Mix remaining ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.

Melt 1/3 cup butter and drizzle on apple mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. This recipe comes from the St. Paul Lutheran Cookbook, Otis, IN through Bonnie Martin’s Aunt, Lois Burge.

Radke Orchard traditions – I’ve seen my mother-in-law, Gladys Radke, sprinkle a little vanilla and/or cinnamon over the apples before she adds the crust mixture. She adds the cinnamon before the crust because the cinnamon on top makes the crust a darker brown. She adds the vanilla because her mother-in-law, Jessie Radke, always added vanilla to enhance the apple flavor. When doubling this recipe, sometimes more crust mixture is necessary. We prefer Ida Red apples, although Golden Delicious work well also. Mutzu makes a crisper crisp, as those apples remain crisp when baked. A soft apple, such as McIntosh, makes a softer crisp. We use enough apples to generously fill the baking dish.

By Liz Arnold, RealSimple.com

(RealSimple.com) — Invest in these designs now, and the pros say they’ll be coveted collectibles one day.

1. Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck

Great indoors or outdoors, this chair is a refreshing twist on the 250-year-old Louis XVI version, a court of Versailles staple that had a huge impact on furniture design.

To buy: $400, exitartcatalog.stores.yahoo.net.

The backstory: French designer Starck, the man behind boutique hotels like the Delano, in Miami Beach, joined forces with Italian furniture manufacturer Kartell in 2002 to create this beauty, which is made by injecting molten plastic into a mold (so it has no seams). It resides in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

What design pros say: “Starck’s a design genius,” says Jeffrey Beers, founder and CEO of Jeffrey Beers International, and architecture and design firm in New York City. “This chair will certainly appreciate tenfold in 25 to 30 years.”

Real Simple: Decorating with door accessories

2. Garland Shade Light by Tord Boontje

This shimmery fixture features a doilylike shade in brass or silver, which clips to the base of a bulb. You can combine shades to create larger designs.

To buy: $95, momastore.org.

The backstory: In 2001 botany met bare bulbs when Dutch designer Boontje devised a pattern of leaves and flowers on a sheet of metal that could be cut with a laser. His light has been exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London, and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City.

What design pros say: “I can see why I’d still be excited about this piece in 30 years,” says Anthony Di Bitonto, director of industrial design at Smart Design in New York City. “Some things are too heavily styled, and they can look dated. But this is pure and simple.”

Real Simple: Marbleized home accents

3. Balcons du Guadalquivir China by Hermès

Strikingly chic — but also dishwasher- and microwave-safe — this set features a red pigment meticulously applied by hand in several layers to achieve dimension.

To buy: $357 for a five-piece place setting, parkavegifts.com.

The backstory: Known for its leather goods, the French luxury purveyor Hermès branched into tableware in 1984 and in 2005 introduced Balcons du Guadalquivir, named for the iron balconies overlooking the Guadalquivir River, in the Andalusia region of Spain.

What design pros say: “Everything Hermès stands for is about quality and timelessness,” says Ralph Pucci, owner of Pucci International showrooms.

4. Tight Back Sofa by Baker

With a sturdy maple hardwood frame, this sofa will last for generations. Reminiscent of midcentury modern Danish and Scandinavian designs, it mixes a traditional camelback style with contemporary, clean lines to create a timeless look.

To buy: $5,516, Sofa No. 6386-80, bakerfurniture.com for stores.

The backstory: Baker has been turning out classic furnishings since the company was founded, in 1890. This sofa, introduced in 1995, hails from the debut collection of San Francisco designer Michael Vanderbyl for Baker.

What design pros say: “Baker furniture holds value in the same way antiques do — and antiques never go out of style,” says Jennifer Litwin, a home-furnishings expert in Chicago.

Real Simple: Simple updates for old furniture

5. Rug by Madeline Weinrib

This handwoven cotton rug is reversible and features an interpretation of an endless knot, a Buddhist symbol that represents unity or eternity. In textiles, the motif is typically seen as part of a larger pattern, but this version celebrates it on its own.

To buy: $1,050 (8 by 10 feet), madelineweinrib.com for locations.

The backstory: Designer Weinrib, whose great-grandfather founded ABC Carpet & Home, created the Megan rug in 2005. She also designs home accessories.

What design pros say: “It’s the perfect blend of minimalist design and maximal color,” says Celerie Kemble, an interior designer in New York City. “When that’s done right, it can become iconic.”

Real Simple: Insiders’ guide to home décor websites

6. Throw Pillows by Jonathan Adler

Bursting with texture and graphic oomph, these handmade Bargello pillows from designer Adler get their name from a type of needlework that produces a zigzagging pattern of long stitches.

To buy: $110 (Diamonds) to $145 (Flame), jonathanadler.com.

The backstory: Although needlework had a resurgence in the 1970s, and then again around 2000, Adler modernized the medium in 2005 by infusing his throw pillows with what he calls “Palm Beach style”: punchy colors and geometric designs.

What design pros say: “Adler is so well-known that having one of his pillows has its own cachet,” says Lisa S. Roberts, an antiques connoisseur in Philadelphia. “In 25 years, they’ll be collectible, because they’re from his original line.”

7. Silver-Coated Seashells by Ruzzetti & Gow

These seashells are gathered in the Philippines and sent to Rome, where Ruzzetti artisans coat them — wholly or partially — with sterling silver.

To buy: $40 to $2,500 each (most are in the $200 range), ruzzettiandgow.com for stores.

The backstory: Designer Christopher Gow first saw these shells in 1993 — they were being produced in the Italian silver factory of his friend Giampiero Ruzzetti. “I would bring them back to the United States as wedding gifts,” says Gow, “and people went crazy for them.” The duo began exporting them in 1996.

What design pros say: “Who knows what silver is going to be worth in 50 years?” says Chip Cordelli, a furniture dealer and prop and interior stylist in Brooklyn. “I think it will be something really special.”

Real Simple: Eclectic home décor ideas

8. T-table by Patricia Urquiola

Made of shatterproof injection-molded plastic, this table features a 20-inch-diameter top with a delicate cutout design. It’s available in three heights.

To buy: $263, unicahome.com.

The backstory: Spanish designer Urquiola had a hit with this table at the 2005 Milan International Furniture Fair, and in 2006 it went into mass production.

What design pros say: “In 30 years, the table will look just as fresh,” says Di Bitonto. “It’s simple and modern.”

Real Simple: 4 ways to create a royal home

GARDEN WRITER OF DISTINCTION: DEBRA PRINZING

www.debraprinzing.com

Contributing Garden Editor, Better Homes & Gardens

Contributing Editor, Garden Design magazine

Regular Contributor, Los Angeles Times HOME Section

Debra’s work also appears in Country Gardens, Sunset, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Organic Gardening, The American Gardener, Flower magazine, Alaska Airlines magazine, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, Cottages & Bungalows, and others. Debra’s work will soon appear in Canadian Gardening and Style at Home.

Photo credit: Mary Grace Long

It is not every day that you meet a reporter who has covered every imaginable topic within their field. Just spending 5 minutes with Debra Prinzing is a true learning experience. Debra, one of the country’s most well-respected and recognized writers, with a true passion for all things having to do with the outdoors (and indoors, I should mention), has an endearing way of teaching how to tackle even the most vast garden. Though I live in a city home, I love beautiful country gardens, interesting containers and organic foods. Debra’s garden tips appeal to people living in all parts of the country, as she helps break down gardening in the most understandable way.

Debra’s sites and blogs:

www.debraprinzing.com

www.afreshbouquet.com

MY INTERVIEW WITH DEBRA PRINZING

Me: How did you develop a passion for garden writing and turn your love for the garden into a career that has grown exponentially over the past few decades?

Debra: My background is an interesting combination of textiles, journalism, garden design and horticulture. I have a BA in Textiles, but during my senior year in college I transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, where I worked on an advertising and communications minor. There, I took a class in magazine journalism, which soon became my first love, thanks to my professor named Anne Bernard. She encouraged me to pursue an internship with Seventeen magazine, which I did. And that led to my first job after college, working in the education department at Seventeen magazine (I edited a magazine called Seventeen-at-School, which was sent to high school home economics teachers in the 1970s and 1980s).

Later, after returning to Seattle, I studied international business and marketing while working on a Masters of Communications degree at the University of Washington in the late 1980s. I thought I was going to cover the fashion industry, which was burgeoning at the time in Seattle. And that’s exactly what happened. I joined a regional business newspaper and covered the “chick” beat—all design-oriented businesses, like fashion, retail, hotels, restaurants, advertising, media and architecture. And sadly, I never finished that degree.

In 1997, I was working as Director of Communications at an international nonprofit agency. I remember sitting at my desk, looking out my window and saying to myself: I want to be a garden writer. That sounds strange, but after graduate school I realized that I had all the tools to be a features writer and reporter. My background studying textile design gave me the language of design principles, so that wasn’t a concern. But I knew that simply being an avid home gardener wasn’t enough—I had to improve my knowledge of plants and horticulture.

Thanks to my dear friends, who have influenced and helped me over the years, I dove feet first into the horticulture and design world 15 years ago. I have been an active garden, design and outdoor lifestyle writer ever since. When I started, my two closest friends were garden designers, so I have learned the business vicariously through them. Karen Page and Jean Zaputil—I call them my Garden Muses. Simple networking led to my first paying “gig”. I was having coffee with a woman who I wrote about when she was President of Seattle’s largest woman-owned advertising agency. I mentioned wanting to get into garden writing to Charmel and she said: “Oh, I’m buying media for a new garden center. Do you want me to connect you with my client?”

That simple connection led to a 3-year relationship with Emery’s Garden in the Seattle area. I learned so much from the smart and talented people at that nursery. They encouraged me to use my skills in writing, editing, events planning, PR, marketing and seminar development to promote the nursery. From them I learned all about plants, especially growing plants in the Pacific Northwest.

Me: You probably get asked this question a lot, but do you work in your own garden all the time?

Debra: Jennifer, the sad story is that I have created and left behind three gardens since 1989. Two were in Seattle and one was in LA. Nothing makes me happier than to putter in soil, play with plant combinations and decorate my garden with furniture and ornamentation. One of my favorite literary sayings is by Beverly Nichols, a British garden writer from the first half of the 20th century:

“…surely, if you are privileged to own a plot of earth, it is your duty, both to God and man, to make it beautiful.”

The next chapter is exciting, as we have returned to Seattle after 4 years in Los Angeles. By this summer, I hope to be again in possession of my own little plot of land. Right now, I’ve turned my creative energies to floral and container design…those are portable gardening projects that one can do whether she owns a garden or not.

Me: Portability is definitely an important option for garden lovers who must move often. How did you get the idea to write a book about garden sheds and all that you can do with sheds?

Debra: Off and on between 2000 and 2006, I worked as the Garden Editor for a magazine called Seattle Homes & Lifestyles. I was also covering homes and gardens for a daily newspaper called The Herald, which is published in a suburb of Seattle. In my role for both of those publications I scouted gardens constantly. It seemed to me that nearly every garden I toured and wrote about was occupied by a fanciful garden shed. Not just a crummy storage unit, but an ornamental structure at the heart of a landscape.

After a while, these gardens sheds grew on me! Another friend of mine invited me to meet the owner of a garden shed building company called “Garden Solutions”. My friend, Cindy, invited me to tour several of the company’s clients’ garden sheds. All of a sudden, I was seeing sheds that were used for all sorts of purposes other than for storing tools and lawn mowers. One owner had a retractable roof that opened so he could watch the stars through his telescope. One woman used her shed as a pottery studio, while another entertained her grandchildren with tea parties.

The first newspaper story I wrote appeared in 2000 and was called “Shed Chic”. For my second story, which appeared in Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, the Art Director hired an architectural photographer named Bill Wright to do the photography. That story was called “Garden Getaways”. After that piece appeared in 2001, Bill and I started producing garden stories for Romantic Homes magazine. Again, it seemed like every garden we covered contained a beautiful, romantic or whimsical garden structure. At one point, I said to Bill: We should do a book about these sheds. And that is what happened. The book, Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways, was published in 2007.

Me: I know you are speaking all over the world these days—there is so much interest today in the garden—what kinds of speaking engagements are you working on?

Debra: My current focus as a speaker relates to my next book project, A Fresh Bouquet: Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers. I love spreading the word about the benefits (to the environment and to humans, alike) of sourcing floral ingredients from the garden, local flower farms, U-Cut Fields, farmers’ markets and those that have been wild-gathered or foraged. This spring I will be speaking on this topic at Canada Blooms in Toronto, the largest indoor flower show in Canada, and at the Denver Botanic Garden’s spring lecture series, as well as at major horticultural societies and garden centers in the Northwest. By September of this year, I will assume a 2-year term as President of the Garden Writers Association, our main professional organization for garden and horticulture communicators. We have 1,800 members with information and resources to stay competitive. Education and training will be my focus as president.

Me: Most of us are novices in the garden. What’s your advice to help us get started?

Debra: Nothing beats walking through a garden gate into a friend’s backyard, as I did, asking him or her questions, like “what is this plant?” or “how do you grow that plant?” Every county in the US has Master Gardener training programs. Once you are certified, as am I, you “give back” to the community by volunteering at demonstration gardens or local horticultural events. When I did my MG training, I was 38 years old, so I ended up working side-by-side with people as old as my parents. Their experience and wisdom rubbed off on me.

I also recommend joining your local horticultural society. These groups hold monthly educational meeting with great speakers on relevant topics to their region. They have plant sales and opportunities to volunteer on garden tours. Once you start meeting kindred spirits, you will not be able to resist getting more involved in the garden.

Organic food lovers have so many wonderful options. Most cities or regions of the country have Edible magazines, such as Edible Seattle. In these magazines you can find out about food and wine festivals, local farmers growing interesting crops, or raising delicious ingredients. The “foodie” world and the gardening world are converging. All you have to do is check the bookstore shelves to notice an explosion of grow-your-own vegetable gardening book titles!

Photos copyright © William Wright, www.williamwrightphoto.com

Read about my new book project with photographer David Perry:
www.afreshbouquet.com

Check out my GWA Gold Award-winning book, Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways with photographer William Wright (Random House/Clarkson Potter, 2008)

SHOPPING FOR APPLIANCES FOR A NEW HOME?  DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF BELIEVING THAT ONLY THE IMPORTED APPLIANCES ARE THE BEST

We all want to know we’ve made the right buying decisions on everything we buy; especially on big ticket items for the home.  While you are shopping for the major appliances; washers/dryers, dishwashers, etc., make sure you really do your research and talk to people who have recently shopped for the same appliances.  Just because you bought your last appliance at a store doesn’t mean you should buy your new appliances at the same store, especially if you now have a big house you need to fill with appliances. Now may be the time to do your own research instead of relying on your salesperson.

APPLIANCE SALESPEOPLE TEND TO PUSH PRODUCTS THAT WILL MAKE THEIR STORE AND/OR THEM THE MOST MONEY

This is true.  Many products are sold at only the retail price, as I was told Miele and Bosch adhere to.  On these more “high-end” products you will be forced to pay retail and may only get discounts on shipping or installation.  Consumers often feel safer with products they don’t have to negotiate for–retail pricing diminishes the fear associated with bargaining, or with discovering you may have paid the wrong price.

WHY I CHOSE 2 MIELE DISHWASHERS

After spending more than 20 years shopping for appliances at Abt Electronics in Chicago, I moved into my current home in Chicago, and spent the next several years living with my 15-year old appliances.  They actually worked really well, so I decided not to switch them out.  We had more expensive, important projects that needed more immediate attention.  During the few years that he used our old washing machine and dishwasher, except for the loud noises, the appliances washed thoroughly and with little problem.

Eventually the old Maytag dishwasher and washing machine died.  I began to look for newer, more state-of-the-art appliances.  Every store I went to I was hearing about Miele and Bosch.  I decided on a Miele dishwasher and Bosch washing machine, just to switch things up.

MY FIRST MIELE DISHWASHER LASTED ONLY 5 YEARS

Miele was a no-brainer for me in making my selection for the dishwasher.  Miele offered a virtually silent wash and had a great utensil drawer.  The best part was that my salesman told me I wouldn’t need much detergent or water to get the dishes extremely clean, and that the hot water would sanitize my dishes.  That part I loved.  However, about a year into owning the machine, I began having problems.  Problems that included my dishes not get particularly clean, and repairmen telling me that I need to greatly reduce the amount of detergent and frequently clean out the arm.  Cleaning out the arm was virtually impossible to do, because you couldn’t open it.  Other than trying to clean it out with a knife, and under water, I couldn’t do anything really besides calling the repairman to come over and try to fix it.

What I have noticed with both Miele and Bosch is that when they work, they work beautifully.  They are both quiet, the water gets really hot and the dishes come out sparkling.  But that is only about 2/10 times.  The rest of the time I can’t seem to get it right.

The first Miele ultimately broke down, and I was told I would need to replace it…after only 5 years.  Yes, you’d think with all the problems I had with the Miele I would switch back to Maytag, or to some other old-standing, reputable company.  But no, I was again led to believe that Miele was the way to go.  So again, I had a beautiful new stainless dishwasher installed.  This time, I was told I was getting the top of the line…the Advanta.

MY SECOND MIELE DISHWASHER DISASTER

That was 3 years ago.  But today, I am still having the same problems that my first Miele posed.  The dishes are not consistently getting clean; not even close.  And if I want to run a big load I actually have to break the load into smaller loads, or else the dishes won’t get clean.

MIELE HAS PERSUASIVELY TRAINED ELECTRONIC STORE SERVICE PEOPLE  THE CONSUMER TO TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD KNOW HOW TO FIX THEIR MACHINES, AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE RECURRING MIELE PROBLEMS AND THEMES

Though I have continually battled the same service issues, Abt has promised me that the manufacturer will come out to inspect the unit.  That visit has yet to happen.  If you buy Miele and Bosch, the warranty period is so short that by the time you realize you are having a problem your warranty has run out.

THE BOSCH WASHING MACHINE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE MIELE

The washing machine story is virtually the same as with the Miele dishwasher.  When I bought my Bosch, the washing machine was newly introduced into the US.  The Bosch cost about 50% more than the US brands, but I was told again that the Bosch will run extremely quietly and require very little water and detergent to clean my clothes.

WHY THE LITTLE WATER/LITTLE WATER THEORY BY BOSCH DOESN’T WORK, IN REALITY

I have had problems for the past several years with my Bosch.  With as little water as the unit uses, the washer never seems to drain all the way.   So by the time I get to the clothes they are soaking wet.  Abt repairmen have told me that the reason why this happens is because I need to run a temperature boost cycle several times, and add bleach, or vinegar, to make sure the clothes get clean; of course, when the washer is empty, thereby using more water.  I don’t get it.

MY NEW BOSCH MOTOR HASN’T CORRECTED THE RINSE CYCLE PROBLEM

After having the service man out several times, over many years, Abt said that Bosch would replace the motor.  Finally, a new motor.  What a great idea.  But the new motor hasn’t fixed the problems.  After my last service call, I was instructed again to use only HE (high efficiency) detergent.  But I had been using Tide HE for years.  So we are back to square one, and Bosch isn’t doing anything about it.  I have been told that the unit needs to be replaced, yet again.