Tuesday, February 18, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Garden

THE LAZY BERKSHIRE GARDENER: Week of February 13, 2025

Seeds are inexpensive compared to purchasing the same volume of produce. Make a plan to start some favorites this year!

TRANSFORMATIONS: How to get the powder room that wasn’t there

Here are a few projects where we found the space by inserting, carving out, and adding where possible to get that powder room without losing too much valuable space.

Berkshire real estate transactions, June 28 — July 4, 2015

The latest report of Berkshire real estate sales, as compiled by the Warren Group.

Berkshire real estate sales, June 21 through 27

The latest reported real estate transactions for the Berkshires, as reported by the Warren Group.

NATURE’S TURN: Gather sunshine for summer flavors, winter food

Sow seed for heat tolerant radicchio lettuce and Rainbow Swiss Chard now for beautiful, long lasting autumn harvests. Frost tolerant crops like kale are worth planting now, too.

TRANSFORMATIONS: ‘Atomic Ranch’ in Tyringham

My contention has long been that everything we create is a lens through which we can understand the entire culture of the time; we really are what we build ... the end product represents a consensus of the values, aspirations, myths and fears of the cultures at that time and place.

Berkshire real estate transactions June 14 – 20, 2015

The very latest real estate transactions in the Berkshires as reported by the Warren Group.

Berkshire real estate transactions: Week of June 7 — June 13

The latest real estate transactions, for the week of June 7 through 13, 2015, as reported by the Warren Group.

TRANSFORMATIONS: ‘Rock on,’ Great Barrington

Our clients wanted us to integrate into the design a large supply of boulders that were dug out during the excavation of the house foundation.

NATURE’S TURN: Peak sunshine, peak gardening, edge elements

Although the vegetable gardener is focused on growing staple foods, immeasurable benefit is gleaned when “edge elements” are included. Plants of purely botanical and ecological interest invariably attract beneficial birds and insects.

Berkshire real estate transactions: May 31 — June 6

The latest Berkshire real estate transactions as reported by the Warren Group.

TRANSFORMATIONS: Unique renovation in Williamstown               

The owner wanted to create a bright, simple, fun space that’s a joy to live in even on the dreariest of days. Inside and out, the 1950’s theme has been preserved, combining a nod to mid-century modern with a contemporary feel.

TRANSFORMATIONS: Program, Design, Budget – Three interdependent components in any project

Mr. and Mrs. S. are folks I’ve known for years. Their house was built in the seventies – a kind of economical deck house with upside down organization – bedrooms below, living dining kitchen above. They wanted to add a bedroom and bathroom. The existing building had two bedrooms, one full bath at the bedroom level and one half-bath at the upper level. Their budget was tight, and they knew it.

Berkshire real estate sales: May 24 – 30

The latest Berkshire County real estate transactions, as compiled by the Warren Group.

NATURE’S TURN: Rapture in the garden, water play with a hummingbird

I aimed the cold-water spray through the trellis wire to the outer row, swinging the hose slowly, deliberately. Into the midst of my concentration on the task, a ruby-throated hummingbird flew, suspending its colorful little body in the spray I was creating.

Berkshire real estate transactions: May 17 through 23

The latest real estate transactions for the Berkshire Region as reported by the Warren Group.

TRANSFORMATIONS: The foyer as gateway to your home

Your entryway should flow easily into the rest of your home, creating a cohesive transition between rooms. Think of a foyer as a beginning. It is the beginning of your home, the start of your home’s décor, and a welcoming space for your family and your guests.