Home & Garden

Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive to look expensive. Designers use a number of tricks to create interesting and original artwork without breaking the bank. Here are seven tips for adding artwork to your decor on a budget. *  Mix and match. Whether using frames and prints of different shapes and sizes or placing two […]

There is a good amount of planning involved in creating a successful community garden. To help people and organizations build and maintain productive community gardens, the University of Illinois Extension has created the community garden webinar series. This series takes users through a variety of modules discussing the different steps that can be taken to […]

It’s one of the unwritten rules of remodeling that a project will always cost more and take longer than expected. But just because this is the norm, you don’t have to take it as a given. With the right combination of planning, discipline and smart shopping, your renovation can end on budget and ahead of […]

As the temperature rises, so does crime. Make sure your home isn’t an easy target. Lock and light, day and night Lock your house, your car, and your garage all the time, says Sergeant Travis Dalby, head of Sangamon County’s crime prevention unit. “As the weather heats up, all kinds of crime increases. But you […]

Grape vines are a beautiful feature for your landscape that provide both aesthetic and edible benefits, says a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Fresh-picked-from-the-vine grapes are delicious,” says Bruce J. Black. “The work you put into growing your grapes definitely pays off during harvest.” Grapes can be grown in Illinois if you choose a […]

Early spring is a wonderful time to attract birds to your yard. Natural seed sources from last fall have been picked over and used up. Many of the insects that overwinter are still inactive. And it’s courtship and nesting time, which creates a high demand for fuel and housing. To make your yard a neighborhood […]

New trees are taking root at Lincoln Memorial Garden, Rotary Park and Centennial Park, thanks to a collaborative project among the five Springfield Rotary clubs. Rotarians purchased and helped plant 175 trees at Lincoln Memorial Garden last December, and in April 22 trees are being planted at Rotary Park and 30 trees at Centennial Park. […]

“Basically, David beat Goliath.” Michelle Knox, president of Springfield-based renewable energy and efficiency company WindSolarUSA, has reason to feel triumphant. A unanimous decision handed down April 3 by the Illinois Commerce Commission found in favor of a coalition of 12 Illinois solar businesses, including Knox’s. The ICC decision heads off what could have been a […]

With each new year comes a fresh set of interior design trends. And those topping the list for 2018 are sure to inspire homeowners making updates big and small. Angie’s List recently attended the shows at Design and Construction Week for a firsthand look at what’s up and coming in home improvement. Here’s a look […]

After a long winter, gardeners are always eager to get outside again. “Get a head start on your vegetable garden by planting cool-season crops,” says Gemini Bhalsod, a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “Cool spring weather favors vegetables like leafy greens, root vegetables and members of the onion and cabbage family.” Most cool-season vegetables, […]

Lilies add long-lasting color and fragrance to flower gardens and summer bouquets. These stately flowers provide vertical interest and blend nicely with other perennials. And best of all, with very little care, you’ll be enjoying them for years to come. Plant different types of lilies to extend your enjoyment from early summer into fall. The […]

Spring can be a time of transition in more ways than one. Yes, the days are longer and brighter, but your home can be transformed as well.If you are looking for some ways to brighten and lighten your home this spring, here are some of our top Design Recipes tips. DO 1. Use lots of […]