Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment 
boutique. For inquiries call: 631-862-6198.

If any season can be associated with a definite desire to decorate, it has to be spring! The term “spring cleaning,” dating back to before the turn of the century, inspired many feelings. It meant untold back breaking hours of work beating rugs, white washing woodwork, polishing silver and cleaning the house from top to bottom. But with it came the great satisfaction of cleanliness, orderliness and the newness of spring. 
    Our human desire to renew– as the earth does– translates into spring, thus becoming the busiest design season of the year. In truth, if people wanted to be ready for spring, they would prepare in the winter; however, most don’t think ahead until there is strong evidence of the season changing. Frustration abounds when shoppers find they must wait for furnishings to be delivered; hence, impulse buying ensues. Immediate purchases may not be the best long-range decision, however it occurs more often than not. Furthermore, starting with an inappropriate purchase (wrong color, scale or style) may put you on a one-way street to continued misdirection. Even now you can still plan ahead. Here are some tips to help: 
7 Steps to Spring Redecorating
•    Do a real clean-up and discard.  Organize closets, clean up clutter and simplify your surroundings. This will not only provide a sense of satisfaction, but will force you to make intelligent decisions about items you need or want. Now, you can see which furnishings can stay and look well with just a “face-lift”.
•    Make a plan in writing. Using graph paper and a ruler, make a plan of the room as well as the pieces of furniture you’d like to keep. Moving furniture on paper saves a lot of wear and tear on your back and enables you to see many options. (We have furniture templates available to help you get started; just contact us  631-862-6198)
•    Now, rearrange the furniture. Look at the furniture carefully; bearing in mind those pieces which may need re-upholstery, as well as necessary additional furniture. Try to visualize the end result.
•    Don’t forget your plan when you shop, but be flexible. If you find something you really like and your plan can be modified- buy it. If, however, your purchase will cause havoc with what exists or your budget- wait. Diligence and patience go a long way in decorating.
•    If you’re on a limited budget; painting, repairing and slipcovering can make  amazing changes to existing rooms. If you are handy and can do some or all of the labor yourself, you can stretch your money even further. If you’re hiring labor, get references, and see their work beforehand.
•    Remember, your front door area, porch and walkway can make the entry to your home springlike and colorful just by adding flower pots of lovely annuals. Vases of fresh flowers in the home can brighten every room, as well.
•    When you have a challenging design project which is beyond you, seek professional advice. It will save you time and money in the long run and will allow you to enjoy the results without the additional stress to your already busy life.

So get to it, get started, and happy spring! Ask us about our special spring consultations!

In the last 43 years 
VanBourgondien Nursery has expanded into a year-round full service Garden Center. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality plants to ensure your gardening success
vanbnursery@gmail.com

Spring Cleaning, Pruning and Feedings in the Garden!

We have all heard of a good spring cleaning inside our homes, but this is also true for spring in the garden!

In flower beds, spring clean-up involves cutting back winter-killed foliage and flower stems on those perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees that were not cut in the fall. This should be done in early spring as soon as the ground has thawed and before growth begins. Get out to rake those leaves and debris from your garden beds.
    Remove last year's dead foliage from your hostas, daylilies, iris, and peonies. In fact, many perennials fare better during winter if they’re pruned or cleaned in early spring rather than the fall. These include butterfly weeds, coral bells, tickseeds, artemisias, asters, campanulas, cardinal flower and Russian sage. Cut back ornamental grass and other perennials you left standing in the garden through the winter.                
    PRUNING AND CLEANING                  TREES AND SHRUBS 
    
    When trees grow too close together, leaves and branches die as they compete for sunlight and airflow. Pruning helps to maximize flowering and produce bountiful fruit. On a mild, dry day, it helps plants develop into sound structures without over-stressing their limbs. When pruning, first prune out dead and diseased branches; this is called thinning. Then, remove the overgrown and smaller branches to increase light and air at the crown of the tree. Cut branches at the node: the point at which one branch or twig attaches to another.
    Trees and shrubs that should be pruned in early spring include narrow-leaved evergreens (conifers), like arborvitae, juniper, pine and yew. Pruning improves their shape, keeps them in bounds, induces bushy growth, and thins out unwanted branches. 
    Broad-leaved evergreens grown primarily for foliage and summer-flowering shrubs, vines, etc., that should be pruned are: butterfly bush, crape myrtle, perennial hibiscus, rose of Sharon and trumpet vine (not old fashioned hydrangea).
    Prune bush roses (hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras and miniatures) which help repair winter damage, shape plants to induce flower-bearing shoots. This type of rose blooms on new growth. Climbing roses should only have winter-killed parts removed at this time; in most types, blooms develop on shoots arising from old wood. Any cane that has lived through the winter is a potential source of flowers, and therefore precious.
    If a plant flowers in the spring, it can be pruned immediately after it has finished blooming for the season. Plants that bloom in the early spring set their flower buds in the fall. Winter or early spring pruning of these plants can reduce the amount of spring blooms they would produce.
    Think twice, cut once, and watch carefully. Always disinfect your pruning shears before moving from one plant to another to avoid spreading any disease amongst plants. A quick dip in rubbing alcohol works well as a disinfectant. Also, make sure your pruning shears are sharpened– a nice clean cut is always preferred.

Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment boutique. Enjoy Natalie’s Long
Island Focus featured in House Magazine or call: 631-862-6198.

So – with winter hopefully behind us, spring is the time to think of your outdoor property as an extension of your living space.  Plan in the spring and you will ensure a great summer getaway within your own home.  

Here are some ideas to think about:

• Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits have become very popular for those chilly nights to extend the outdoor entertaining season.

• Pergolas define spaces and can be surrounded by seasonal foliage to create a destination in an area not on your deck or patio.

• If you use weatherproof fabric on furniture for your patio and deck that reminds you of your comfortable indoor seating, and use planters or potted plants to define the space, you will have a second den outdoors!

• If you need privacy, think of creative ways to screen your space from neighbors’ view with lattice, natural plantings, or even outdoor fabric curtaining.

• Add a hot tub for relaxing and entertaining, especially if you would like a water feature that is not a full-size pool.

• On the subject of water features, think of adding an area with a waterfall or a fountain for great visual effects.

• Create ambiance with proper lighting for enjoyment and function all through the night (light paths, focal points and seating areas).

• Create shady areas under umbrellas, awnings (retractable can be a consideration) and in gazebos or other structures.

• Use appropriate electrical wiring to play soft backyard music or guest karaoke. (Invite the neighbors so they won’t complain).  
• Create focal points for socializing with seating, ex: sofa areas, dining areas, built in deck seating or bar stools around the kitchen area (everyone loves to gather ‘round the chef).

• Create eye appeal with colorful plantings and planters that flower throughout the summer season or use perennial greenery which is a design staple.

• Use outdoor area rugs to define space and create an outdoor “room”.

And, if you’re lucky enough to have the space and funds, build your own pool house! Here's one which includes a full kitchen and bath, fireplace, T.V. and comfortable poolside seating. It is an all year ‘round “destination” hang out room that adds a new dimension to a stay at home getaway!