Home & Garden

PHOTO FROM METROCREATIVECONNECTION.COM   Springfield Jaycees Lawnmower ClinicApr 16, 9am-1pm Sat. Lawnmowers serviced at reasonable prices. $50-60. O’Reilly Auto Parts, 1501 W. Jefferson, 793-1872. Woodland Wildflower and Tree SaleApr 16-17, 8:30am-4pm Sat, 1-4pm Sun. Choose from 14 different shade-loving woodland wildflowers and 15 bare-root trees and shrubs. Free admission. lincolnmemorialgarden.org. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. […]

Living room at the author’s gallery, stocked with repurposed furnishings and reused materals. Homes and landscapes are individual and personal. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is a time-tested tradition in much of art and design. While art and beauty can depend upon individual preference, there are basic considerations to be made when […]

PHOTO FROM METROCREATIVECONNECTION.COM When it comes to home improvements, a good roof isn’t as obvious as a new garage, as entertaining as a new sound system or as cool as a new kitchen. In fact, it could be said that the best roof is one you never notice or think about. Because it’s doing its […]

PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM It’s my yard, I’ll do what I want – right? Maybe, and maybe not. Before breaking ground for a new garage, planning your first pool party, going into the egg business or working on your cousin’s car, make sure you’re up to date on Springfield’s building and zoning rules. Zoning administrator Matthew […]

PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM The useful life of an appraisal is just one year, so any sale, refinance or home equity loan will likely require a new appraisal ordered by the financial institution, conducted by a qualified appraiser familiar with your area, and filed in your permanent record. State-certified residential appraiser Henry Helton of Springfield offers […]

PHOTO FROM ISTOCKPHOTO.COM If landscaping goes in cycles, where every few years there’s a wildly popular new thing you suddenly see everywhere, followed by a few years of refinements until the next new splashy thing, this is one of the quiet years, according to Green View landscapers Pamela O’Neill and Becca Trace. This year, there […]

PHOTO FROM METROCREATIVECONNECTION.COM Growing asparagus is best reserved for patient people, as the first crop cannot be harvested for at least a year after planting. This frustrates many home gardeners, and is one factor that can make asparagus relatively expensive in grocery stores. Commercial growers must spend time and money to weed and maintain plots […]

Prairie GardenSep 17, 5:30pm Thu. Learn which prairie plants will make great additions to your garden. Hosted by University of Illinois Sangamon-Menard Extension. Free. 782-4617. University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit, 2501 N. Eighth St., Illinois State Fairgrounds, Bldg #30, Springfield. Bird Feeder WashSep 19, 10am-1pm Sat. Springfield Audubon Society members make your feeders clean […]

Island with marble countertop. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY BURASKI BUILDERS Frank Buraski of Buraski Builders, who has been in the business of renovations and construction for 34 years, finds that kitchen trends are cyclical. He notes with interest that people are becoming more concerned with function than in past years. The trend toward commercial-looking kitchens exemplifies […]

PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION People all over the world who have a surplus of space, an adventurous spirit and the desire for extra income have opened up their homes to guests via Airbnb. For those who haven’t experienced it yet, Airbnb (short for airbed and breakfast) is a website where travelers can find lodging […]

While many people can build their own patios with simple designs, complex designs such as this call for professional help. PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Whether your yard is the size of a football field or a putting green, a well-planned brick or stone patio can make your space into a sanctuary and add value […]

Curb appeal can set your home apart from others, and improving curb appeal doesn’t have to be expensive. PHOTO BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Curb appeal can help a home get noticed in a bustling real estate market. Curb appeal also can contribute to the aesthetics of a neighborhood for residents who plan to stay put, […]