A garden can be many things. It may simply be a place where pretty flowers grow. Or, taken to another level, it can be a refuge, a quiet space to sneak away from the rest of the world. Georgette Smith has successfully created a small sanctuary in the series of gardens surrounding her home in the Villages of Old Landing in Rehoboth Beach. Her gardens are more than just beautiful trees and flowers; they are an extension of her home, a collection of memories and, ultimately, works of art.   The groupings of beds flow like that of a custom home plan, spilling from one beautiful splash of color to the next with surprises around each winding bend. Immediately out the side door is a glass and iron patio table with chairs where Georgette and her husband, Paul, frequently entertain and share meals with friends. Beyond is a pergola nearly overtaken with ivy winding in, out and all around it. The bright, cheerful pillows in the pergola’s seating area and quiet solitude of the encl... » Click here for the full story.

This Snow Hill property was once completely consumed with 80-foot pine and hardwood trees – so many in fact that it was virtually impossible to see the residence from the street. That was until Mark Frostrom and his Land Escapes crew stepped onto the scene and formulated a plan to transform the setting from lackluster to lavish.   “This property was nearly overtaken by the trees,” Frostrom said. “In addition to the aesthetic issues, the large collection of trees stunted grass growth and provided one massive maintenance problem every time the wind intensified. Tree limbs, leaves and pine straw littered the yard each and every time this occurred. ”   Phase one of the process was to remove a majority of the trees – 99 percent of them according to Frostrom. But rather than carelessly discarding the mammoth piles of wood, Mark painstakingly transported each tree to a lumber yard where it was milled into pieces that he could incorporate into... » Click here for the full story.

Quality. The word describes one’s ability to produce or provide products or services of high standards. It is also the word that justly illustrates Pool Tech and its founder, Bill Culver. An honest, hard-working man who has always prided himself on strong family values and a commitment of fairness and excellence to his customers and employees, Culver has spent the last 30 years steadily building one of the Eastern Shore’s leading pool companies. “Our quality is demonstrated through our work,” said Culver, who started the company in 1979. “We have a business that makes people happy. Pleasing our customers, and seeing them year after year, gives me the greatest satisfaction.” Culver built his Salisbury-based business on the rock solid foundation of his beliefs, and instilled these lessons in his daughter, Jaime (Culver) Toner, and son, Andrew, who today are integral components of the family business. They each serve as a company vice president... » Click here for the full story.

There’s a reason Casual Living magazine named Tyndall’s Casual Furniture one of their top-100 “Power-House Specialists.” It’s because the business commonly known as “Delmarva’s largest casual furniture dealer” has more varied and exciting outdoor selections than the beaches of Ocean City have grains of sand. (Well, almost.) So it stands to reason that when it came time to check out what’s hot in outdoor furniture for the summer of 2010, we would check in with Vonda Calhoun and Roger Whitney, co-owners of Tyndall’s Casual Furniture, to shed some (sun)light on the subject. “Well, there are certain products and product lines that are essentially modern classics and therefore in demand year in, year out,” said Whitney. “Names like Hanamint, Tropitone, Summer Classics and Telescope, which we probably sell more of than anyone on the peninsula, are always popular. “More recently, though, we’re seei... » Click here for the full story.

Have you been dreaming of a backyard patio or outside fireplace, but think it’s out of reach? Industry expert David Hastings of the Salisbury Brick Co. offers some advice on how to get started with outdoor paving projects. Your dream may be closer to reality than you think! Q:  How much space is necessary to build a nice patio? A: It all depends on the space you have to work with. My suggestion would be 10’x20 or 20’x20’. This should be enough space to incorporate a grill area, your furniture and the landscaping to pull it all together. Q: What are the benefits to building a patio instead of, or in addition to, a deck? Does having a patio help to add value to my home? A: A paver patio when installed properly is maintenance free. It will add extra living space to your home – which adds value to your home. Q: If I want an outdoor kitchen or fireplace, who would I have install those items?   A: A reputable landscaper or mason with ha... » Click here for the full story.

People love spending time outside. It’s the primary reason why the outdoor furniture industry has become nearly as diverse and well-rounded as the indoor side of the business – offering creative and functional options for dining, living and even sleeping spaces outside. So many design options are available today. Outdoor furniture is being created with comfort in mind – and it starts with cushions that rival most interior choices. Varied table heights run the gambit – from standard dining to bar, counter and even gathering heights. And with the ever-growing selection of outdoor rugs, lamps and artwork for exterior walls – patio, deck and porch spaces have become true extensions of the home. Expanding the look and feel of an outdoor setting with new furniture is usually accompanied by challenges involving maintenance and care. That’s why we asked industry expert, Sheila Elliott of Sunsets Casual in Salisbury, to share some tips on how best to pr... » Click here for the full story.