Articles

Backyard Bouquets

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 14:26

One of the many pleasures of nurturing and cultivating a garden has to be the rewards of having an abundance of resources for creating flower arrangements for my home. Spring, Summer, Fall and even Winter have provided plenty of color and textures for my seasonal arrangements.  Whether or not you're a gardener, every yard has the resources to be a free "flower shop."

The burst of Spring

Tree Planting Season is On!

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 17:16

The best way to increase your property value, create curb appeal, and invite wildlife is to plant a simple tree. Trees offer many wonderful benefits besides their beauty.

  • By planting a tree on your property one can increase the home’s property value by as much as 20%.
  • They help to reduce heating and air-conditioning by as much as 50 percent.
  • They remove CO2 from the air, produce oxygen and give

Behind the scenes of HGTV’s White Room Challenge

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Sun, 04/28/2013 - 21:30

Recently Emmy-nominated TV Host, Lifestyle Expert and best selling author Mar Jennings—one of the country’s top lifestyle experts—appeared on HGTV’s White Room Challenge, hosted by David Bromstad. Mar quickly became a fan favorite.

Home Staging 101

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 04/22/2013 - 15:40

Presentation counts! We have all heard it. This week’s sMARt tip is perfect for the spring Real Estate market: Staging your home to sell quickly in a competitive market is all about creating space, ambiance and drive-by appeal.    

SPACE: Remove furnishings in order to open up floor space and allow easy flow through the house and yard. Do what you can to limit the amount of furniture.

1 Sofa, 3 Looks

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Wed, 04/17/2013 - 02:31

Tired of that old sofa but can’t bear to part with it just yet? Here are three fabulous looks that can transform any old or tired sofa; each of them simple and budget-friendly. Time to make something old into something new and inviting again. Pick a look you love and get started!

1. Traditional

Add classic throw pillows for a fresh new look and feel.

Fresh Ideas for the Laundry Room

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 18:04

No longer does the laundry room have to be a gloomy industrial space in the corner of the house.  Here are a few sMARt tips for how to spruce up your laundry room for cleaning duty and beyond.

Be fully functional.  Add a TV, music player, or phone to your laundry room. Provide a small table so family members can use a laptop or pay bills while waiting for a cycle to finish.

Curb Appeal

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 16:24

Experts say it only takes 60 seconds after pulling up at the front of a home for potential buyers to decide whether or not they want to buy it. If you are thinking of listing your house, here are a couple of sMARt tips that sell.

Use flower power!  Plant new flowers in the landscaping and use plant stands of various heights to quickly freshen up a porch or a deck area.

Add design touches to your

Mossy Delights

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 03/25/2013 - 15:16

Find yourself with an unused indoor planter? Want something both decorative and interesting, but which requires no water or maintenance? Consider decorative moss as a wonderful way to perk up the look of a spare planter.

This sMARt tip is about discovering ways to use moss as a decorative accent in the home.

Fine Art & Flowers: Garden Talk and Luncheon

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Sun, 03/24/2013 - 17:52

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art 

600 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 278-2670

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Garden Talk, Luncheon & Book Signing with Garden and Lifestyle Expert Mar Jennings – 11am-1pm


Mar Jennings, Emmy-nominated TV host, lifestyle expert and best-selling gardening author, will discuss his photographic essay documenting the four seasons of his Connecticut garden and garden

Downton Abbey Style at Down-To-Earth Prices

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Tue, 03/19/2013 - 20:16

Have you ever been inspired by a designer item and dreamt about the lifestyle and touches of opulence and wealth?

Even if you have not seen a single moment of Downton Abbey you are likely aware that it shows the differences between the upstairs family and the downstairs help.

Scrumptious Spring Pasta

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Tue, 03/19/2013 - 17:26

Just in time for the Spring, here is a scrumptious Spring Pasta Salad--great-tasting and easy to do--that the whole family will love and want again and again.

A Pet Friendly sMARt Tip

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 03/18/2013 - 15:15

Even people who don’t have pets can be dog or cat lovers. But no one likes to sit on a sofa covered with pet hair. So here are a few sMARt tips to keep your pet-friendly home both stylish and comfortable for you and your guests.

If you can, plan ahead.

Bin Sins

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Fri, 03/15/2013 - 02:27

Have you ever considered the notion that something as simple as a trashcan could be a home fashion statement? Trash receptacles, whether large or small, are a part of our daily lives.

Color SMART

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 03/11/2013 - 16:16

As a professional lifestyle expert and designer I’m often asked by my clients when to go lighter with room color and when to go darker. This sMARt Tip is all about when to use light versus dark shades to make the most of any room.

In general, the smaller the room the lighter the color.

To open up a room that appears small and dark, using shades of cream or light grey can quickly create an airy

Farmington Community Library Lecture & Book Signing

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Sun, 03/10/2013 - 15:40

FREE LECTURE!  

On Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m., the Farmington main library will host Emmy-nominated TV host, lifestyle expert and best-selling gardening author Mar Jennings to discuss his photographic essay documenting the four seasons of his Connecticut garden and garden studio, from the lawn to the layout and from the flowers to the folly all directly inspired by visits to and plans of

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