BC Home & Garden

home + garden » expert advice PRO PICK Williams and Sonoma jumps on the technology train with their sleek iPad kitchen stand and optional Bluetooth speaker attachment for added sound output. ask the experts... In this issue our experts spruce up your winter containers, add a masculine touch white kitchen with the best countertop and table, walk you through your first succulent container garden, optimize seating in a bowling alley-like living room and dole out budget-friendly landscaping tips. to a girly space, match a { Q Q } We have just purchased a home and I don't have a lot of money left over for landscaping. What's the best use of my budget? GLENNA PARTRIDGE answers: Use what you have. Start with existing trees and shrubs. They are the backbone of any garden. A qualified arborist can advise you on necessary pruning or removal. Keep as many large specimens as you can. With proper pruning and cleanup, your garden will look better without planting anything additional. For instant gratification, plant your favourite flowers, herbs and vegetables in a few large containers. Place them close to your outdoor seating area and they will satisfy your need for colour, be easy to maintain and won't cost as much as planting entire beds and borders. PHOTO (portrait) Dennis Green The kitchen in my new home is going to have white cupboards and dark hardwood floors – what do you recommend for a countertop and kitchen table? TAMARA WOUTERS and EMMA COMESOTTI answer: There are a number of directions you can go in choosing your countertop. Our preference is to use a light to mid-tone counter material in either a natural or engineered stone. This creates a dramatic effect that doesn't break up the contrast you've created by choosing dark floors and light cabinets. When it comes to your kitchen table, we have two suggestions. If you are keen to use a dark table, we recommend pairing it with light-coloured chairs to continue the contrast between light and dark. A second option is to use a light table, preferably in white, to tie in with your cabinets. In this case, either light or dark chairs would work well, depending on your preference. 54 | BC HOME & GARDEN April 2013 p54-57_AskTheExperts.indd 54 13-03-14 11:40 AM

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