DESIGN | by DEBRA PRINZING

ENJOY THE EVENING VIEWS WITH LANDSCAPE LIGHTING. Safety, utility and security are top reasons for designing an outdoor lighting system, according to Aime Lindsay, whose family owns Malibu-based Stone Manor Lighting. The functional use of outdoor lights is obvious, but Lindsay says the artistic use of illumination should also be incorporated into the garden’s overall design scheme.

SOURCE: STONE MANOR LIGHTING

“By lighting your backyard, you are adding hundreds, if not thousands, of square feet to your living space at night,” she says. “With the proper outdoor lighting, you can enjoy your garden in the evening and also make it appear more dramatic than it does during the daytime.”

Lindsay uses lighting to accentuate the best areas of her garden. She relies on warm-colored lights to add excitement and cool-colored lights to give the landscape a tranquil feeling.

Here are some of her design tips to inspire you:

• Path lighting: Usually low-impact (12- to 25-watt bulbs) path lighting is typically placed 10 to 12 feet apart, staggered to create pools of light that draw you along a path. It can illuminate walkways or highlight water features and falls.
• Area lighting: A grouping of lights or a hanging lantern used to illuminate a larger bed, border or small specimen tree.
• Wall lighting: A wash of light that sweeps along a vertical surface, such as a wall or fence. Sconces are the ideal type of fixture to throw a glow above or below (but not into) the eyes.
• Then there are lights you want to show off, like works of art. “The caveat in lighting has always been never to show the source,” Lindsay says. “But my lights are highly decorative in the landscape. Plus, the amber glow is pretty on plants.”

BACK TO BASICS | by JANNA LUFKIN

YOU KNOW HOW WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE, you just have to pass it on? I feel this way about certain tools in my kitchen.

IMAGE SOURCE: SURLATABLE.COM

Over the years I’ve come to realize that there are a few essential tools I just can’t live without. They make the time I spend in the kitchen that much more enjoyable.

Here are my top five must-have kitchen essentials:

• Parchment paper sheets. I buy them at the restaurant-supply store and use them for everything from lining baking pans to wrapping a gift.
• Microplane grater. It’s so easy to grate chunks of hard cheese or zest a lemon, and it saves your knuckles too!
• Oxo can opener. Once you have one of these, you’ll NEVER need another one. It easily and smoothly opens a can, and best of all it crimps the edges so you’re not throwing away anything sharp.
• White ramekins. I have about a dozen of them and use them for all kinds of things including for their intended use: baking lovely individual soufflés or puddings. I also press them into service nightly for food prep, and as wine coasters to keep a bottle ring off the dining table. They’re great for corralling little objects in drawers or cupboards, and are the perfect size for a butter dish.
• A good pepper grinder. If you buy a quality one, you’ll have it for life.

Day in and day out, I use these over and over again. I am thankful for their simplicity and functionality.

CELEBRATIONS | by KAT SPELLMAN

THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO THROW A PARTY: celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, those holidays, yadda yadda yadda. Come Super Bowl Sunday you can have another great reason to party beyond the standard seven-layer dip and brewskies. This year, party for a cause on game day.

Use this weekend’s 2010 Super Bowl Sunday gathering as a reason to support and fundraise for a special cause close to your heart.  Email your pals with an invite and include hyperlinks to the charity’s website ― letting them know they’ll be putting their Super Bowl money into a kitty for a cause this year. If it’s a local organization, invite a staffer to come talk to your guests.

On game day, set up a laptop on the buffet, playing a loop of videos from your chosen nonprofit’s website. Display brochures, photos, and print materials from the organization or create a storyboard “case study” to educate. Friendly betting always a given on game day? Then let guests know that if they’re the gambling type, wagers to support your charity are an excellent and fun way to donate.

For ideas on what nonprofit to select, peruse the Internet, poll friends and look through your neighborhood paper. A great one that’s all about promoting the fun of physical team sports while shattering stereotypes is the Special Olympics “Unified Sports Teams“. This program joins Special Olympic athletes with teammates without intellectual difficulties. Playing together, both discover the thrill of the sport, whether it’s basketball or figure skating, and while doing so prejudices are overcome and respect swells.

Party on. And pass the brewskie.

PASSIONS | by VALERIE GRIFFITH

DELICIOUS ONLINE WINDOW SHOPPING IN PARIS.

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Faire du lèche-vitrines, literally “window licking,” is the French expression for window shopping. It’s what Parisians do in their free time – they stroll, stop, stare and dream. Women, men, even dogs do it. I once saw a chic petite chien, paws glued to window, salivating over a foie gras display.

If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Paris, you will perfectly understand the sentiment. From designer boutiques to patisseries, Paris’ windows dazzle. They’re playful, sensual, outrageous and exquisite. Like everything else French, window design is an art form and faire du lèche-vitrines expresses both an appreciation and desire for what is so beautifully displayed.

Can’t be in Paris at the moment? Do a little window licking online. Like their brick-and-mortar versions, these web destinations are by turns beautiful, très cool and inscrutable.

Here are four to sample. Before you surf, be aware of a couple of things: Most of the sites use Flash (download and install if you don’t already have it); let your intuition be your guide – these sites are highly interactive so click around and see what happens. There’s often an English version available; look for the British flag. French sites often are accompanied by looped music. If you find it annoying, turn off or mute the sound.

• Patrick Roger. Chocolate artist.
• Chantal Thomass. Lingerie goddess.
• Christian Louboutin. Shoe impresario.
• Musée du quai Branly. Museum of indigenous art.

CONNECTIONS | by CELESTE TELL

MY FRIEND CAROLYN SAID IT IS LIKE BIRTHING A BABY. Standing by the huge Thai-style Anagama wood-fired kiln that her husband Jim Stout built on Lopez Island in Washington State, we were helping with Jim’s annual kiln firing, which has become a community happening.

© JIM STOUT

The huge kiln even has a shape reminiscent of a pregnant woman. Made of bricks and steel and stucco, it takes on a life of its own as the temperature starts to rise. Expanding as the heat rises, bellowing smoke out the chimney, quieting as the hot ashes settle on the works of clay inside, we cycle with the kiln through its process over an intense 48 hours.

The process is earthy and physical, like childbirth. And like childbirth it has an organic momentum, and no two firings are exactly the same, even in the same kiln. Different types of wood. Different weather. What’s the temperature? More wood. Less wood. Morning shift. Afternoon. Evening under the stars. Making it through those dreaded-yet-peaceful graveyard shifts.

There is something primal about the fire, the heat, the way we gather around it. Forging physical changes to the clay inside and fusing we humans closer to each other and to the earth. Its pull irresistible. From raw clay, human creativity, fuel and heat: something new.

Somewhere along the line, in all our modernity and innovation, it feels like we’ve lost touch with where things come from. How we make things. But experiencing the firing provides a visceral connection to how things are made. It’s a primal human need. Like heat. Like fire. Like birth.

BACK TO BASICS | by MOLLY MARTIN

OUR OLD STOVE’S ELEMENTS NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN ― or so I thought.

Removed elements and drove to the appliance-parts store. Woman #1 said if the receptacles they plugged into were old, the new elements would keep failing. Easy to replace those receptacles yourself, she said.

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Drove home. Got stove model number. Called store. Woman #2 confirmed they had replacement receptacles in stock. Feeling miserly, decided not to call an electrician and try it myself, first time. Enlisted husband’s help to make sure I didn’t electrocute myself. ID’d corresponding circuit breaker and switched it off. Turned element knob to confirm power was off. Removed one old receptacle.

Drove to store with receptacle. Man #1 looked up part, went into the back, returned with new receptacle. Looked different. He said it would fit.

Drove home. Checked that circuit-breaker was switched to off. Turned knob to confirm power was off. Installed new receptacle. Tricky. Finally fit at one end but not the other ― element didn’t push in far enough to nestle in drip tray. Called shop to confirm right part. Woman #3 said it should fit. Tried again. Called shop. Just closed, Man #2, said not open again until day after tomorrow. Turned power back on. Cooked dinner on one element.

Drove to store Monday. Talked with Man #1, who turned out to also be Woman #3 (high telephone voice), and apologized for giving wrong receptacle. I apologized for calling him a her. He found correct receptacles. Looked like the originals.

Drove home. Turned off power. Installed first receptacle. Turned on power. Worked. Forgot to switch off circuit breaker but luckily wasn’t electrocuted before remembering. Turned off power. Installed second receptacle. Turned on power. Worked.

Now, about those track lights that went out in the bedroom?

Called electrician.

BACK TO BASICS | by SHERRY STRIPLING

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, AN AMATEUR PAINTER with no end to paint-worthy walls, you’ll take any help you can get. For what it’s worth ― and believe me nobody pays me to paint ―here are my favorite paint tools and tips. 

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The 8-in-1 putty knife: I have used this versatile tool for putty, but I primarily use it for scraping. It pries up trim boards, tough plaster, nails. You can use the cut-out to remove paint from paint rollers. Rumor has it you can also use it to open beer.

Blue masking tape: Yes! My woes with pulling paint off as I remove masking tape are gone. You can also use this lightly sticking tape to outline where to put a flat-screen TV.

Quality paint: Frankly, you get what you pay for. I nearly choked recently when I paid $130 for two gallons of exterior paint and a quart of primer but I know it will last. Bonus hint: Find a paint store that keeps track of colors you’ve purchased.

Buy good brushes and take care of them: I’ll pay $25 for a good brush. I clean my brushes every night using a paintbrush comb and warm water or solvent (for oil-based paint). Retain the shape by drying the brush in its cardboard jacket.

Tools I’d like to try:

No-peel or peel-stop primer or a stir-in bonder-sealer-primer adhesion system. Priming is vital. Moisture is your enemy, so take care to paint in dry conditions, allowing time to dry between coats.

Bucket grid: Used to remove excess paint from brushes and other applicators before applying.

Accubrush XT edger or MX edger: I’ve only seen the video and read reviews, but I want one. Sells for $30 (MX) to $100 (kit with both) from Painthelpers through Amazon.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING | by CELESTE TELL

WHEN REMODELING A KITCHEN, FLOORING IS A CRITICAL DECISION. For hygienic reasons, many people think that installing hard-surface tile in your kitchen is the best way to go. Yet ceramic, granite and marble tile can take a physical toll on the body, especially as we age.

CORK FLOORING SOURCE: EXPANKO.COM

While commercial kitchens often have hard-surface floors for hygiene and maintenance purposes, professional chefs know that industrial-strength rubber mats have to be added on top to prevent injury, fatigue, and back and leg strain.

For those of us not running full commercial kitchens, wood, bamboo, cork and linoleum are all acceptably hygienic, yet have much more “give” and are easier on aging bones:

Wood. Wood floors provide warmth and beauty. Look for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood to ensure it comes from managed forests.

Bamboo. Similar to wood, bamboo floors are beautiful, easy to clean — and a renewable resource.

Cork. Cork is a renewable resource made from tree bark. It comes in both tiles and floating floor systems. Cork comes in a variety of patterns and beautiful natural colors.

Linoleum. Unlike vinyl, which is made from petroleum, linoleum is made from linseed oil, a natural substance. It comes in tile and sheet goods in a huge range of colors.

If you love to cook and spend any appreciable amount of time in the kitchen, a softer floor will give you years of healthy payback.

BACK TO BASICS | by JANNA LUFKIN

GIVEN THE RECENT CRISIS IN HAITI, IT’S CRUCIAL THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMLY be prepared if a disaster of any kind occur. By assembling an emergency kit now and dedicating a handy space to store it, you will be set should the need arise.

Here’s what’s essential for the kit:

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• Water: enough for each family member, stored in plastic gallon jugs and rotated quarterly
• Dry or canned food for each family member
• First-aid supplies
• Copies of important documents
• Cash ($200)
• Change of clothing
• Sleeping bags and blankets
• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlight and batteries
• A few toys, books and small games (cards work well)
• Waterproof matches
• Extra house and car keys
• List of contact names, addresses and phone numbers
• Food, water and supplies for pets
• Large plastic bags
• Bar soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
• Toothpaste and brushes
• Feminine and infant supplies
• Toilet paper
• Bleach and an eyedropper for purifying water
• Sturdy shoes
• Sturdy latex and work gloves
• Tent
• Tools: ax, shovel and broom, crescent wrench for turning off gas, screwdriver, pliers and hammer
• Rope, plastic tape and sheeting
• Knife and/or razor blades
• Garden hose

A large plastic storage bin is a good choice to use for your kit. Check out this one from Rubbermaid.

Once your kit is complete, store it in a convenient and easy-to-get-to place. Inside the garage, close to the door is a good option. Review its contents yearly and replace any used or out-of-date items.

There is a multitude of valuable information available on this subject. These and other websites have more good ideas:

• Ready.gov
• FEMA preparedness site
  

This weekend, add pulling together an emergency preparedness kit to the top your to-do list.

CONNECTIONS | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

“MOM, WHEN CAN I GET A CELL PHONE?”

“I don’t know … probably when you get to middle school.”

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This conversation apparently transpired between me and my grade-school-aged kids during some car ride a few years ago. (I don’t recall when it happened, since conversations like this take place every time we’re in the car!)

Now the kids ― especially my 10-year-old, fifth-grader daughter, who begins middle school next year ― are holding me to my promise.

While my initial “middle school” answer was arbitrary (I’m sure I thought it was a long way off), research and advice from other parents of middle schoolers are proving it’s a reasonable, appropriate age (at least for my child; all families are different) to have a cell phone.

For tweens, getting a cell phone is a both a step toward independence and a status symbol among friends. It’s also kind of a lifeline to a support group of family and friends, which becomes so important when you enter the middle-school “big pond” world of multiple classrooms/teachers and general adventures in adolescence.

For parents, the benefits are more tangible. You get to keep in touch with your child at all times and you’re provided with a sense of safety and security, especially in emergency-type situations. Texting is a great way for teens to discreetly communicate with parents. Plus there’s the practical aspect, i.e.: “Call me when you need a ride home from soccer practice.”

Like any form of technology, it’s best to establish rules of use. Consider:

• A pre-paid plan with a limited number of minutes so you don’t face extra charges.
• The ability to put limits on what the phone can do, such as turning off web access.
• Devising a plan for monitoring your child’s text messages.
• Have a discussion about serious cell phone issues, such as the dangers of driving while on a phone, cyberbullying and cell-phone etiquette.