THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606210088
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By Mary Flachsenhaar, Special to Home & Garden
LENGTH: 116 lines
YOU DON'T HAVE to own a cottage in the country to enjoy the charm of one. The June issue of McCall's magazine tells how to give any home the look and feel of a country retreat.
Add fabrics, like curtains and pillows, that bloom with cottage florals, from wildflowers to roses. Try classic checks and stripes in fabrics and wallpaper, such as a cheery gingham print or traditional ticking stripes.
Nothing adds a cottage touch like white wicker for rockers, coffee tables and chaise lounges. A sheet of beaded board nailed to a pantry wall, a kitchen island or the interior of a bookshelf, continues the country theme.
Well-worn finishes, achieved naturally or artificially, also enhance the cozy look. Cracking varnish gives furniture an aged, weathered appearance. Milk paint, with its flat finish, gives an old-fashioned effect.
Keep houseplants happy
While you're on vacation, don't give your houseplants a vacation from TLC. If you can't get a neighbor to plant-sit, try these alternatives.
Before you leave, advises a story in the June issue of Southern Living magazine, water plants thoroughly. Even if they like it bright, pull them out of direct light so they won't require as much water. Fill a tub with a few inches of water and set the plants in the tub, suggests the magazine. Or place a kiddie pool in the cool basement, fill it with a few inches of water and set the plants in the pool, elevating small plants so they won't get water-logged.
Another solution is the ``plant sitter'' system available through Gardener's Supply Company catalog. Each kit includes a small water tank that hangs on the side of the pot, a ceramic cone and a siphon tube. Water is wicked into the plant as needed. One plant sitter costs $11.95 and two or more are $10.50 each. Gardener's Supply is at 128 Intervale Road, Burlington, Vt. 05401-2804. The toll-free number is (800) 863-1700.
Rainy day chores and more
We listen to the weather report before choosing what to wear. We'd be wise to tune in before planning household chores too, according to ``The Old Farmer's Almanac 1996 HomeOwner's Companion.'' Here's advice from the magazine:
Exterior painting: Never paint after a long wet spell. Ideally the weather the day before you paint should be dry, with a breeze or wind, so the surface to be painted is moisture-free. Too much wind on the day of painting can bring dust and debris. For your own safety, don't paint on very hot days.
Interior painting: Avoid this task on a cold, windy day or a humid summer day. A dry day in the 50s or 60s, with a light breeze, is best. Windows should be left open.
Washing windows: An overcast, fairly warm day without a breeze is the best day to wash windows. Windows washed in the sunlight or on a windy day will streak much more readily than those that dry more slowly on a cloudy day.
Heavy-duty cleaning: If you're using a cleaning product more potent than plain soap and water, save the job for a dry day with a brisk breeze. Open windows on opposite sides of the house for cross-ventilation so harmful fumes can exit quickly.
Dusting: This is the ideal job for a dull, rainy, still day. The minute particles that usually float in the air will be more settled and easier to nab with your dust cloth.
Defrosting the freezer: Save it for a cold winter's day, when frozen food can be kept outdoors in the shade while you work. Condensation won't form on the food, and the freezer will not have to work as hard to regain its proper temperature. Warm summertime air trapped inside a freezer creates new frost.
Making a move
When moving furniture, cover doors with fitted mattress pads to protect both the door and the furniture. That smart reader tip comes from the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
Mow with care
Lawn mowers and small children can be a bad mix. The July issue of Good Housekeeping magazine reports that about 10 children are killed by riding lawn mowers each year, and almost 30,000 are injured by mowers and other lawn and garden tools. The magazine warns parents to:
Keep children off and away from all mowers. Allowing them to ride in your lap while you mow gives children the idea that the mower is a big toy for climbing and playing on.
Use caution when rounding corners, trees and shrubs. Children can hide or dart out unexpectedly.
If you shift into reverse while on a riding mower, first look back and down for small children.
Clear the lawn of large sticks and stones and any pieces of glass or metal before mowing. When thrown by moving blades, these objects can cause serious injury.
Know where your children are at all times. If possible, keep them indoors while operating the mower.
Never leave the mower, or any power equipment such as hedge clippers and weed trimmers, unattended.
Keep gasoline and other hazardous materials out of children's reach.
Extending the life span
In the house where I live, the scenario is common: The day after the warranty expires so does the appliance. The June issue of Ladies' Home Journal magazine researched how long five common household items should last, with advice on how to maximize some life spans.
The average VCR lasts 11 years, but using high-quality videotape and cleaning the heads after every 20 hours will extend its life.
A cordless phone should last about five years, longer if you keep the batteries charged and don't damage the antenna or punch the buttons too hard.
Hair dryers should keep on humming at least three years, especially if air filters are cleaned every few months.
A drip coffee maker has an average life span of four years. But if you clean it about once a month with a white-vinegar solution, the coffee maker might last as long as seven years.
A mattress should be evaluated for support and comfort after eight to 10 years of use. It might be time to buy a new one if the mattress creaks, if you feel achy or stiff in the morning or if you tend to roll toward the middle. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo Ethan Allen by CNB