Your Template Here

Create an HTML page using whatever layout and sizing you like. Link to your own stylesheets for consistency with your main website. Then place the word [ minisite ] where you want our MiniSite to appear. Our system automatically inserts the latest content and serves it to your readers.

Navigation

When your navigation changes, you can log into our admin panel and upload a new template. Or, just use an iframe to share code from your main website. We don't stand between you and your regular web updates.

In addition to your standard site navigation, web MiniSites are a great place to link to existing revenue drivers. You can create any connections you like between different areas of your site. MiniSites can offer gateways to:

  • Coupons
  • Directories
  • Mini-sites
  • Storefronts
  • And more!
header
Text size:    
 



First Impressions

A well-designed front yard welcomes friends and increases property value. Here's how to make it happen


Image courtesy istockphoto

It really is possible to create a front yard that says everything you want it to ... and it's easier than you think.

Establish a theme

Plunking plants in the ground without consideration for how they will look next to each other, or without considering the soil and lighting environment they prefer, is guaranteed to give your garden a choppy look and plants that will not thrive. (One of the least attractive yards I've seen had tall palm trees panted next to several pine trees and a handful of rose bushes. Yikes!) It helps to pick a theme - Mediterranean, tropical, alpine, herbs, butterfly-friendly - that suits the architecture of your home and the sun exposure of your yard.

Develop a color scheme

Some color combinations clash, too many colors can give your yard a cluttered look, and not having enough blooming color can make your yard boring. Go monochromatic - select one color and its variations, such as purple, and blend lilac, pale purple and eggplant-colored flowers together. Or go with an analogous scheme, in which you plant related colors, such as yellows, golds, oranges and reds to give your yard a harmonious feel. A complementary scheme, one in which you select colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as purple and yellow, will give your yard a more dynamic look.

De-clutter the front porch

Keep your entry simple and inviting. Stash kid's toys and gardening supplies; remove spent potted plants and make sure your welcome mat is fresh.

Pitch scraggly, unhealthy or overgrown plants

Most everyone I know is reluctant to release plants that need to be put out of their misery. Brown leaves, misshapen limbs, and sparse foliage do not add beauty to your landscape. Overgrown junipers and yews planted 35 years ago can dominate your yard and give it a dated look. Remove offenders and replace with appropriate plantings. Group or cluster plants, with the tallest toward the rear and those of lesser height in front. Leave a little space between groupings and plant a ground cover to unite them.


Kit Davey Kit Davey, an interior designer based in Redwood City, Calif., helps clients redecorate their homes through the creative use of their existing furnishings. E-mail Kit your questions: kit@ctwfeatures.com

Comments Date
Name:
Email:
Comments :
 
footer_logo

Advertisements

You can use the space around the MiniSite content to create multiple ad and sponsorship positions that you can customize to your market. In fact, you can create a premium sponsorship opportunity by inserting ads or custom navigation inside the MiniSite area using a special feature in our system.

If you use JavaScript tags for ad serving or site tracking, you can add them to your template, and manage your MiniSite pages with the same tools you use to manage the rest of your site.

Footer