We like this Belmont place for its lush look. Its vine-laden walls and portico are bordered by a spacious yard (evening mojito? Yes, please). The round window-and-pillar combo makes this home stand out among its neighbors, and even as the greenery says, I’m mysterious, the bright red door says, Come on in.

  Hot enough The full sun of summer wilts plants and people. Faced with a southwestern exposure, most living things welcome the relief of afternoon shade—our “Elysium,” according to the little mountain’s favorite son. Large trees like red maples and willow oaks cast canopies that lower temperatures 20 degrees. Dogwoods and redbuds suit smaller spaces […]

  The Spring Street cocktail Created several years ago by Cynthia Schroeder and Blue Light Grill’s Remington Donovan in honor of Schroeder’s boutique, Spring Street, this cocktail’s personality is “effervescent, happy and lively,” in Donovan’s words. And it’s pink as a summer sunset. 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blackberries or mixed berries 1 Tbs. sugar […]

And this one’s just right Question for Zeke Cox, owner of The Mattress Gallery: How do you select the perfect mattress? Answer: First of all, test it the way you use it. You’d be surprised how many people just come in and flop down on their backs, says Cox. “If you’re a side sleeper, you […]

  Pink: the new blue Shoppers who recently said au revoir to the French antiques and homewares shop 2 French Hens at 100 South St. (a.k.a. the “pink building”) can soon say buongiorno to the Italian ceramics and farm tables shop Verity Blue. Mark Cave, who owns Verity Blue along with his wife, Victoria, tells […]

  Chilling out on A/C Cranking the central air yet? We all know it’d be better not to heat up the planet just to cool our houses. Here are the best strategies for minimizing your house’s solar gain in summertime, courtesy of Reed Muehlman, a designer with Bushman Dreyfus. This way, you won’t need to […]

  Clear the decks Question for Bates McLain, general manager of Spray and Wash: What are the best ways to maintain a wooden deck? Answer: The biggest mistake people make when cleaning a deck is using bleach, says McLain. “It breaks down the lignin, which holds the wood fibers together, causing the wood to fall […]

  Spring chicken If you want to feed yourself and your family, reduce the number of bugs in your yard, and find a good home for your food scraps, consider the humble chicken as a backyard pet. Chickens have been domesticated for thousands of years, and whether bred for meat or for egg production, they […]

  Summer’s easy Now that daffodils have faded we are faced with the telling dilemma of what to do with all that lush foliage. Whack it down immediately? Twist and tie it into cunning little braids or loops? (Gardening personality hint: If you have the time and patience for this, you might also enjoy training […]

You’ve probably seen this house; it begs to be noticed by drivers coming down the steep bend on W. High Street. The stucco exterior is a break from your more typical brick and vinyl, and it gives the place a slightly Old World vibe. (Prosecco, anyone?) Everything stands out here—from the carefully groomed plantings to […]