Articles

Think inside the box (boxwood, that is)

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 14:53

Today’s sMARt tip is all about the boxwood.  When it comes to being creative in your garden, no need to think outside the box; the boxwood might just allow you to do it all. Winter, spring, summer or fall, there’s a boxwood use for you. And with over 500 hundred boxwoods on my property alone, I’m hoping I can entice you with at least one design idea that can work in your space.

Pair them.

Traveling in Casual Luxury Style and Comfort

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 14:58

Ah, vacation time! People everywhere are gearing up to pack themselves into cars, trains, busses and planes for a beach get-a-way.  Regardless of where you are going I think you deserve to arrive in casual luxury style.  Here are some sMARt tips to help you do it:

  • Reduce stress by spending where it counts. When purchasing luggage for yourself or family its best to invest in something that is

Mar Jennings Creates Gatsby Inspired Garden Party

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Wed, 06/05/2013 - 18:19

New York/CT– Emmy-nominated TV Host, Lifestyle Expert and best-selling author Mar Jennings throws pre-launch Gatsby themed garden party for his upcoming LIFE ON MAR’S, Creating Casual Luxury national book release scheduled for September 2013.

Passionate About Peonies

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:32

The peonies in my garden will soon be out of control and I love it! This spectacular display comes only once a year, but it’s so worth the wait. I am not concerned about our mild winter. As temperatures drop in late fall, peonies go dormant regardless of how little snow is on the ground.

How to Create An International Garden

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Wed, 06/05/2013 - 14:31

No need to grab your passport or to even pack a suitcase when you use travel as your inspiration in your garden. A garden that reflects international sensibilities is more about the places you have been and the signature design styles of those places that remind you perhaps of a special time in your life.

Choosing the Right Area Rug

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Wed, 05/29/2013 - 14:34

Area rugs offer both protection and style to hardwood flooring.  But knowing how to use them to their best advantage can often be a secret that only the professionals know.  Here’s a few sMARt tips to keep in mind.

Most people think of rugs as a replacement for wall-to-wall carpeting; this is the biggest error. Rugs are accent pieces, not function pieces.

sMARt Travel

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 18:47

I have always had a passion for traveling and seeing the world. It’s no wonder. It began with a passport at the age of three. Who knew the world would become my playground with so much to discover, learn and pass along.

Chicky-Bloom, Chicky Bloom

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 18:45

Succulents….you’ve seen them for years. These whimsical, interesting and often times oddly shaped plants are found predominantly in rock gardens, stone walls and shallow containers. Commonly know as “hens-and-chicks”, how they got this nickname is obvious when you learn and observe their growth characteristics.

LIMITLESS CONTAINER GARDENING

Submitted by Mar Jennings
on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 18:43

I have come to believe that the career of a gardener should begin and end the same way: with containers. My grandmother taught me this early on when I first expressed interest in her garden. I was just a little boy when she gave me a small terra cotta container as an introduction to the world of gardening.

I had complete autonomy over my container, and also complete responsibility.

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.

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