Archive for September, 2013
Yard and Garden: Low Maintenance “Animals”
by admin on Sep.05, 2013, under Shop@RoseCottage
You may not have time for pets and you may not have much space in your garden, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have animals there.
These animals won’t need to be fed and won’t need trips to the Vet, and the neighbors will never have cause to complain about any noise! Take a look below – maybe you’ll want to “adopt” one of these for your yard…
Free Shipping to any address in the Continental USA
And who is there to protect them?
++ Click below for other styles and sizes.
++ Most of these items ship from the factory within 2 weeks of order date.
++ Don’t forget – Free Shipping to any address in the Continental USA!
Real Estate: Windows Upgrade
by admin on Sep.04, 2013, under Real Estate
Sorry – I couldn’t resist!
All “punning” aside, the subject of windows when it comes to houses and real estate, often gets a cursory consideration when in fact, windows can provide many clues about the quality or state of the home.
People on HGTV are always talking about “natural light” – blah, blah – but they never seem to look at the quality of the windows. (Renovation is not the subject of House Hunters so we’ll cut them some slack!) Window quality is just as important in a warm as in a cold climate. Are the windows double-pane or even triple-pane? Manufacturer may be less important than the actual quality.
I did one house rehab where all the windows were just nasty – and I knew this from Day One. I also knew that this was a relatively quick and inexpensive fix – with major benefits. I ended up getting some mid-range windows from Lowe’s for about $200 each. Once the windows were replaced, not only did they all now actually OPEN and match in style, the house got a lot more quiet and the first cold season, heat loss was greatly minimized.
New window planning isn’t reserved for REALLY old houses as the one shown here.
Houses in the 15-20 year old age range can also be prime candidates for window upgrade and replacement. Dependent on the home’s builder – which you may or may not be able to discover – windows may have taken a back seat in priority to a fancy garden tub or upgraded carpet or flooring. You may find you have a prime opportunity to increase both the value of your home AND its energy efficiency – without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
Don’t forget doors and skylights too. A good place to start your research would be Energy.gov
Gazing Balls – A Brief History
by admin on Sep.02, 2013, under Shop@RoseCottage
Gazing balls originated in 13th century Venice where they were hand-blown by skilled Italian craftsmen.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria, sometimes referred to as Mad King Ludwig, adorned his Herrenchiemsee palace with lawn balls. Thereafter, they became a fixture of European gardens and are associated with Victorian era English gardens in particular.
The biggest mistake I see regarding these gazing balls or garden globes is when people with little space, use too many. For the best effect, these globes should be a sudden and unexpected garden surprise. Otherwise, your yard might start looking like a bowling alley!
10″ Illuminarie Blue Swirl Gazing Globe
GLOW IN THE DARK!
These unique glow-in-the-dark garden gazing globes contain luminescent crystals that absorb sunlight during the day and then emit a radiant glow at night for up to four hours. Beautiful during the day too!
Hand-blown glass
10″ Diameter
Stand not included (see below for stand options)
Phoenix Mosaic Gazing Globe 10″
This mosaic gazing globe utilizes individually hand-blown glass pieces creating a beautiful array of golds and reds along with other colors, making a great addition to any garden area.
Place a gazing ball among your perennials, near the rose bushes, or at the end of a pathway.
Stand not included
Hand-blown glass, mosaic finish
10″ Diameter with 2″ neck at bottom
Garden Gazing Globes – Ocean Mist Illuminarie
These unique garden gazing globes contain luminescent crystals that absorb sunlight during the day and then emit a soft green glow at night for up to four hours. Beautiful during the day too!
Hand-blown glass
10″ Diameter
Stand not included
The best news about Gazing Balls and stands or columns? You can usually find a nice globe/stand combination for your patio and garden – and spend less than $100!
Stands for Gazing Globes come in a huge variety of shapes, colors and heights:
++ Treble Clef Gazing Ball Stand (12″H)
++ Three-Ring Globe Stand (34″H)
++ Fleur de Lis 10″ Globe Holder
