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The Nth degreeVisUally rich wallcoVerings add glamoUr withoUt glitz, textUre withoUt going oVer the top.

soft metallic accents enhance the natural beauty of cork, a rapidly renewing sustainable material. metallic cork is from the designer resource grasscloth & natural wallpaper collection by ronald redding designs for york wallcoverings.

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bring on the bling subtle, shimmering, mesmerizing … metallic wallpaper can transform a space.

Organic capiz shells and banana fibers are woven into a lateral

pattern, then highlighted with stripes of shining capiz for a naturally

glamorous, earthy matte effect.

Flashy Woven by Ronald Redding Designs for York Wallcoverings.

woven capiz is from the modern luxe collection by candice olson for york wallcoverings.

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hearth & home

Fireplaces add ambience, comfort and warmth to a room. In fact, home buyers rank them among the top three must-have features desired in a new home, according to the National association of Home Builders.

the standard stone or brick fireplace, installed by an experienced craftsman, can make a fireplace a home’s true asset. Wood-burning fireplaces are being far outpaced by the convenience of gas. You can turn on the fireplace for instant atmosphere or to warm up a space with the touch of a button on a remote control. Direct vent fireplaces also are now becoming more common in homes. Often these are linear fireplaces, only about 20 inches tall but stretch 5 or 6 feet wide. Sealed vent fireplaces, which use gas and burn air from the outside, continue to be popular because of their highly efficient ability to heat rooms. they’ve come a long way from fireplaces of yesterday, with more realistic-looking logs.

there are other alternatives, too, such as ventless fireplaces, a growing segment of the market. temporary hearths can be installed in spaces where it would be cost-prohibitive to build a traditional fireplace. One drawback to ventless fireplaces, specifically because there is no way to send gases outside the home, is that they often emit an odor, similar to the smell from an oven when it is on. Ventless fireplaces offer a variety of decorative options including ceramic logs, glass chips or river stones. they can range in size from about 24 to 42 inches wide and stand about 24 inches high.

electric fireplaces are catching fire (pardon the pun) as a practical alternative to a gas or wood-burning fireplace. Many electric fireplaces are ready to plug into any standard 120V household outlet, while others require direct-wire installation. an electric fireplace insert can be easily installed and requires no venting or gas line, so it can be placed in locations where conventional fireplaces won’t work. there are also fireplace products that use alcohol gel cartridges instead of electricity.

Source: Washington Post

choosing a hearth. these questions are a starting point. seek out a trained hearth products retailer to help you choose the best heating fuel and ideal product:1| Where do you want it? With

today's venting options, fireplaces, stoves, inserts and other hearth appliances can be installed almost anywhere in the home. also consider if you want a fire for its aesthetic appeal or its warmth. Some products are simply decorative; others are efficient and beautiful at the same time.

2| are you building a new home or remodeling? talk to your architect, contractor or interior designer about fireplace ideas.

3| Do you have an existing fireplace or stove? Converting to a new hearth product may be simple and affordable. Gas logs or a fireplace insert may be just right.

4| How much of your home do you want to heat? Once you decide whether to use your hearth as a room, living zone or entire heat source, your local hearth dealer can help you determine the right size appliance for your home. they also can help you choose the best heating fuel factoring in climate, floor plan and lifestyle. Other considerations include allergies, accessible fuel sources and ability to build and tend a fire.

5| How much do you want to spend? Price is always a consideration. also consider fuel prices.Help everyone feel at home by including a range of seating: an upright chair with arms, a well-padded armless chair, a club chair with ottoman.

Source: HPBa.org

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You're hosting a holiday gathering for the extended family. You want to set a table that's refined and elegant but not too fussy. a table that makes loved ones feel merry and

comfortable. "Go for maximum impact with minimum effort, keep shapes and forms simple," says Susan Spungen, author of "What's a Hostess to Do?" and culinary consultant for films such as "Julie & Julia" and "It's Complicated."

the dining table and chairs set the tone, but often the furniture is too big for the space. You want to fit as many people as possible, but you also need space to shove out the chairs, walk around the table or serve yourself from the buffet or sideboard.

Measure your room before buying a table. that way you’ll know your available floor space. Fit the scale of the furniture to the size of the room. the right proportions can make a room feel comfortable. If you need extra length, buy a table that has leaves that will expand to seat more guests (and don’t forget extra chairs)!

Choose dining room furnishings that fit your home’s style, but give it some personality, too. these days, anything goes with chairs, so create combinations with wood and upholstered

chairs or mix genres and styles to create a comfortable, distinctive look. another hot look is a bench on one side – or both sides, with an armchair at either end.

Can’t afford new chairs? Give them a fresh finish with paint or stain and new upholstery or slipcovers. Fabric can add color, warmth and texture.

Whatever you choose, make it the best quality you can afford. a well-made table and chairs are an investment and should last for decades.

the dining room is one space where glamour feels at home. Paint the walls in a dramatic shade, paper the walls with a gorgeous wallcovering or hang interesting artwork. lighting, too, is one of the most important layers in the room. Dazzle guests with a chandelier above the table and sconces on the wall. remember to install dimmers so you can set a mood.

For great holiday tablesetting ideas, check out CVHG’s entertaining digital magazine at www.cv-hg.com.

dressing for dinner Give style a place at your table

stretch zebra surefit slipcovers are a quick update.

a round table fits nicely in a small space.

scale matters when choosing a table.

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elements

glitz blitzall that glitters is festive! take a look at our favorite finds discovered on a trek through some of our favorite eastern Iowa shops. these Christmas decorations and trimmings are certain to add a sparkling touch to your tree and home.

Glistening antlers dress up these elegant black reindeer, $59, Inte-

rior Perfection, Hiawatha.

Old World Santa, $52.95, Basket of Daisies, Cedar Falls.

Glamorous and lush, this lighted silver and black garland can be

draped just about anywhere, $140. Interior Perfection, Hiawatha.

Treasure trees in copper, gold bronze, priced from $20.25, Basket

of Daisies, Cedar Falls.

These snowmen are certain to become favorite ornaments, from

$38 to $75, depending on size, Interior Perfection, Hiawatha.

Sparkling cashmere and copper village houses, $43.95, Basket of

Daisies, Cedar Falls.

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Post perfectby melody Parker

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Brian Hall Onsite Photography

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POSt PerFeCt

It's hard to decide which word best describes this freshly renovated home: Sophisticated or extraordinary.

Both words fit, but somehow seem inadequate to describe the contemporary and comfortable family home. Even the homeowners are still a bit in awe. "I was here every day, sometimes twice a day, throughout the whole process, and still I can't believe it's our house. I'm almost afraid to live here," the wife says, laughing.

Working with contractor Gary Frakes, the house's footprint was more than doubled, expanding from 3,000 to nearly 7,000 square-feet. Careful, thoughtful planning and attention to detail throughout the construction process created expansive new living spaces in a structure that still fits the scale of the property and feels at home in the neighborhood.

For interior design, the homeowner enlisted Kennon Springer of Interior Perfection Design Group in Hiawatha. Although she has a passion for home renovation and is a veteran of numerous projects, she wanted help refining her vision.

“Kennon’s work caught my eye. We have the same taste, so it was a fun project,” says the homeowner. Springer agrees. “She wanted a turnkey project. When we first met, she showed me the art she collects, and we talked about how she envisioned the house. She likes real things, not knock-offs, and she likes post-modern contemporary.”

Although the homeowners love to entertain, they also wanted a place where their family could comfortably hang out.

There is a sense of “less is more” to Springer’s minimalistic approach of incorporating stainless steel,

black, gray and platinum. Rather than industrial, there is a luminous quality that infuses the uncluttered home where the emphasis is on quality, not quantity.

“This is the most under-accessorized house I’ve ever done, but it has so much drama,” the designer acknowledges, smiling.

Genuine “wow” factor welcomes guests into the foyer. Subtly glistening walls are dressed in a custom paper, metallic bronze-gold on a black base with sparkles that catch and reflect light. Matching demi-lune cabinets in a luminous silver finish and sculptural mirrors epitomize streamlined elegance.

Five shades of gray are layered into the monochromatic palette, including thistle gray with its faint undercurrent of lavender. The color scheme promotes a sense of tranquility and serenity, and plays nicely with the exotic Brazilian walnut floors.

Chic and sleek, but far from intimidating, the great room is graciously proportioned. Italian tile dresses the angled fireplace wall. A curved, buttery soft but durable Donghia leather upholstered sofa in metallic platinum rests on a stainless steel base. Retro 1970s-style pillow fabrics add pops of pattern, and richly textured chairs are grounded on the round, plush neutral rug.

“All of the pieces have low profiles to play up the views through the broad doors. All of the window and door frames are black, which adds to the sleekness,” Springer explains.

Well-proportioned chairs upholstered in horizontal tufting flank the custom-designed dining table. It seats 12 but it can be extended four feet to seat 14 to 16 guests. A trio of Italian-made

Brian Hall Onsite Photography

autumnEffortlessby melody Parker photography by Brandon Pollock

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eFFOrtleSS autuMN

A rranging a grand piano in any room can be a bit like fitting a square peg into a round hole. It’s especially

challenging when that room also contains a fireplace, tall windows and staircase.

“We positioned it first on graph paper. I wanted to fit it in at a 45-degree angle to the corner. It’s an intimate arrangement, really, for this space but it fits, and it doesn’t feel awkward,” says Rhonda Staley, IIDA interior designer with The Mansion in Iowa City.

The glistening black piano is the focal point in the warm, traditional sitting room that the family calls their music room. An open wrought-iron staircase and Dover white walls form the backdrop for a crescent-shaped sofa, Bergere chairs and round pouf that provide comfortable seating for an audience.

There’s the same thoughtful and well-thought-out detailing throughout the house and landscaping. Beginning with the house itself, built by master craftsman Steve Johannes of North Liberty, the entire process evolved quickly and if not effortlessly, at least like clockwork.

Influences for the interiors were drawn from the exterior. “The homeowners wanted consistent color throughout the house. The exterior is stone and window frames are brick red, and that unusual detail helped inspire the interior color scheme that is very autumnal — butterscotch, caramels, terra cotta. Those colors seem to work with this house,” says Staley.

Elegant and traditional wood paneled walls by Johannes and American-made plantation shutters add character throughout the home. Brazilian cherry floors

underfoot create a rich contrast against the timelessness of oatmeal-colored, molded panels. In the formal dining room, a muted Middle Eastern rug in a geometric pattern with botanical elements accents the round, glass-topped formal dining table and pierced-back side chairs.

Repeating the color scheme and paneling throughout the house, Staley says, has created a calm and comforting atmosphere. Her client “likes to keep clutter to a minimum,” the designer notes.

There’s a clubby, casual atmosphere in the hearth room, beginning with the fireplace flanked by plump twin sofas that marry Pindler and Pindler chenille damask with warm butterscotch leather from Moore and Giles. A custom-designed panel closes over the television when not in use.

The light-drenched breakfast area offers garden views and a relaxing spot to linger over coffee. The Emerson et Cie table with its curvy wrought iron chairs has airy, New Orleans’ French Quarter appeal.

Johannes’ custom cherry cabinetry stands out in the open kitchen, accented by gold-toned granite countertops on breakfast and prep islands. Hand-glazed tiles create an ageless appeal above the cooktop, while double ovens add functionality. The appliance garages keep counters tidy.

Casual summer and fall evenings are often spent in the sunroom, visually and physically expanding the home’s footprint with its expansive views of the property. Lloyd Flanders sofas upholstered in Sunbrella’s Dupione sand are comfortable for kicking back and enjoying the outdoors without being bothered by insects.

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Charismatic kitchenby melody Parker photography by Brandon Pollock

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Thirty-five or more guests for Christmas dinner?No problem.This newly remodeled kitchen by

contractors Harting-Hunemuller boasts every convenience in one beautifully wrapped package. The broad island, topped in Earth Glitter Cambria granite, will groan with ham, turkey, scalloped corn, salads and other favorite side dishes. Guests can easily circulate around the island, filling their plates buffet-style, laughing and enjoying the spirit of the season.

Another long granite counter will be filled with delectable homemade pies — French silk, pumpkin, cherry, butterscotch, along with cheesecakes and platters of cookies. With four ovens (a double oven and convection/microwave oven), baking will not be the days-long labor of love it used to be in the old kitchen.

The Wolf cooktop is a dream for stovetop cooking, the homeowner says, and the Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer is deep and will hold plenty of dishes prepped in advance (and any leftovers for warming up later that evening).

Although the kitchen was actually finished in the nick of time — Dec. 24, to be exact — for last year’s feast, the homeowner spent that night before unpacking boxes, buying groceries, baking and cooking, basically learning her way around those new appliances. She was exhausted. The dinner turned out just fine, but with a year’s experience under her belt, she expects this holiday to go like clockwork.

Understandably, she’s thrilled with the kitchen — its polished look and functionality, not to mention the sheer amount of storage in the new cabinets. She never had enough storage in her old kitchen and kept baking pans, Crockpots and other cooking and serving utensils in her lower level. When entertaining, she also used an old oven she’d stored downstairs.

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“I ran up and down those stairs so many times! My new kitchen is really saving me steps. We have a big extended family, and when we’d entertain, the old kitchen would be cramped and crowded, and we were always running into each other,” she recalls.

They purchased the home in 1985, and it’s their first major remodeling project. Enlarging and reconfiguring the kitchen, a new powder room and laundry room meant bumping out walls and relocating patio doors in the family room to gain the extra square footage.

“I wanted to buy a new house, but my husband didn’t want to move. We like the neighborhood and size of the yard, so we decided to remodel.”

Her former kitchen was tan with black appliances and tan and cream plaid wallcoverings. “Very traditional,” she says, but when she started this project it was with “a totally different kitchen in mind. I thought all-white with dark floors, but that’s not how it ended up.”

She got her dark floors — stained hickory, but fell in love with dark cabinets she saw in a showroom, Wood-Mode custom cherry cabinets stained in Java. Paired with the black-and-gold metallic granite and an unusual metal backplash, the overall look is charismatic and sophisticated.

Renovating a wall in the family room required new carpeting, draperies, textured leather section in rich caramel and a graphic area rug. “I like the transitional look, just a little contemporary that fits the style of the home.”

The formal dining room, too, got a facelift with the expansion.

Since finishing the kitchen, a bathroom has been remodeled in sunshine-y Florida style, and she’s updating her living room with new carpeting, draperies and furnishings.

“It’s very exciting for us. It’s like having a new house without having to move. I couldn’t be happier with that kitchen,” she adds, smiling. H&G

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Heart & soulby melody Parker photography by Brandon Pollock

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Heart & SOul

S-N-O-W is a four-letter word that spells fun for this outdoor-loving couple and their children. When the

first flakes begin to fall, they begin dreaming of a white Christmas filled with sledding, snowshoeing and snowboarding on the hills outside their back door.

The holidays are just as merry and bright indoors, as everyone gathers near the fireplace with its broad plank mantel to savor steaming hot chocolate, cider or other beverage after a busy day. A freshly cut, fragrant Christmas tree twinkles in one corner, loaded with vintage and family ornaments.

This cozy, comfortable home is well-suited to its bucolic rural, wooded and hilly setting.

“Every season is beautiful, and we love to be out in it,” she says, smiling. “The home looks like it belongs here from the outside, and on the inside, we wanted to take advantage of the views. The open-concept design suits our family’s lifestyle.”

From the back of the house, a screened-in porch adds more living space — and another place to decorate for Christmas. The broad front porch is welcoming, and a free-standing deck located a short distance away is a place to sit quietly and watch deer roam across the property.

She describes her decorating style as “collected” and “a little bit rustic.” As an example, she points to the 10-year-old dream home’s wood floors. “It’s car siding flipped over to show the other side. It’s kind of primitive-looking, which we love, and it’s very durable. You don’t have to take your shoes off to walk in this house. I don’t like fuss, but I do like a little fun.”

There’s a “come on in!” vibe,

particularly because everyone who enters must pass through the kitchen. Honey-toned Omega hickory cabinets are warm against the car siding flooring and traditional white appliances. And here’s that word “fun” again — to describe the “constructed” kitchen island that is the star of the kitchen.

She found the base at the Omega cabinetry outlet and fell in love with the farmhouse style. An old aluminum star hangs from pegs on one side and a pair of large, old crocks sits on the lower shelf. The added-on butcher block top allows “more work space for me and a place for the kids to grab breakfast or a snack and do their homework.”

The chunky dining room table got a little sprucing up earlier this year with a coat of Annie Sloan green paint, too. Although the men in her family groused about hefting the school lockers — a heavy, solid unit of three — into place, they look great painted with black chalkboard paint. “And they’re perfect for storing the broom and cleaning supplies.” They love the look she achieved with chalkboard paint (and the extra storage).

There are only a few pieces in the home that she can point to and say “we bought that new.” Instead, furnishings are a mix of family antiques, found objects, hand-me-downs, and all of it has sentimental value.

She ticks off her favorites: “My husband’s grandmother’s rocker, the same chair his dad was rocked in and grandbabies have been rocked in. My grandmother’s crocks. The side table and lamps were wedding gifts. The sofa came from neighbors who were moving. The bureau in our bedroom belonged to grandparents, and I used it as a changing table for

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babies. I like moving things from room to room, finding new uses for things.”

She collects vintage Christmas decorations such as glass ornaments in reds, greens, blues and silvers, as well as old crates, bushel baskets and crocks — “and anything else that appeals to me. I like rust,” she laughs, and has a “thing for galvanized metal.”

The family room brims with vintage signs and pops of red and green, fitting for the holiday season. One corner is devoted to a wrestling mat where her sons practice their moves.

In her 9-year-old daughter’s bedroom, the footboard from a 150-year-old bed frame serves as a headboard. “I used that bed, too, when I was young. It finally fell apart, except we were able to save the footboard,” the homeowner says.

“I love these things because they speak to me, and so many of them have wonderful memories for our family. It keeps me connected to the past.” H&G

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an awe-inspiring cake & stress-free lasagna

PerFect PartY

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alan simmer / on cookinG

oliday parties are some of my favorite get-togethers. there's something about the snowy

days of December that makes being with family and friends even more meaningful.But soirees like that can certainly be time-

consuming, with the hours spent perfectly polishing every piece of silver, and the three days it takes to think up the ideal centerpiece.

It's all worth it in the end, of course. there's nothing like that moment of satisfaction after the last guest has been ushered out, finally getting a chance to sit down, look around and think, "Yeah, I threw one hell of a party."

During the holidays, though, an empty nest can turn

into a full house overnight. and when you're worried about airport runs and adequate bedding, there's not a lot of time and energy left to fuss over dinner for a crowd.

this time of year — the ultimate collision of fashionable and functional — calls for recipes that are flexible enough to meet either demand.

to that end, try a lasagna that works as fancy finger food or a make-ahead casserole; a cake that will thrill the taste buds as a three-tiered showstopper or a humble sheet cake; and a drink that's glitzy enough for company but won't break the bank if you start in on a second pitcher while gathered around the kitchen table, reminiscing about Christmases gone by.

RaspbeRRy CHampagne Cake2 1/4 cups plain cake flour, plus more for dusting the pans1 cup milk, at room temperature6 large egg whites, at room temperature2 teaspoons raspberry extract1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 3/4 cups granulated sugar4 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened but still coolRed food coloring, optional

Adjust oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and preheat oven to 350 F. Generously grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line pans with rounds of waxed or parchment paper. Grease parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

Pour milk, egg whites and extracts into 2-cup liquid measuring cup and mix with a fork until blended.

Mix flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer set at low speed. Add butter; continue beating at low speed until the mixture resembles moist crumbs, with no powdery streaks remaining.

Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to crumbs and beat at medium speed (or high speed if using a handheld mixer) for 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk mixture; beat 30 seconds more. Stop mixer and scrape down sides of bowl. Return mixer medium (or high) speed and beat 20 seconds longer.

Divide batter evenly between pans, adding food coloring as desired; using a rubber spatula, spread batter to pan walls and smooth tops. Place two pans on upper rack and one on lower, baking until toothpick comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. (Be sure to check each layer individually, as bottom pan will likely be done first.)

Let cakes rest in pans for 3 minutes. Loosen from sides of pan with a knife, if necessary, and invert onto wire racks, peel off parchment and reinvert onto additional wire racks. Let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

Chef's note: For the ombre in the cake pictured, add four drops of red food coloring to the whole batter; fill one pan with a third of the batter. Add three more drops of food coloring to the remaining batter; fill second pan with half of batter. Add two more drops of food coloring to last third of batter and scrape into final pan.

CHampagne butteRCReam2 cups champagne4 large eggs1 cup sugarPinch salt1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool, each stick cut into quarters

Pour champagne into medium saucepan and boil over medium-high heat until reduced to about 1/4 cup.

Combine the eggs, sugar and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer; place the bowl over a pan of simmering water. (Do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water.) Whisking gently but constantly, heat the mixture until it is thin and foamy and registers 160 F on an instant-read thermometer.

Beat the egg mixture at medium-high speed until light, airy and cooled to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium and add the butter, one piece at a time. (After adding half the butter, the buttercream may look curdled; it will smooth out with additional butter.)

Once all the butter is added, add 1/4 cup reduced champagne, increase the speed to high and beat 1 minute until light, fluffy and thoroughly combined.

For assembly:Spread small dab of frosting in center of cake plate. Place first layer on cake plate and cover top with frosting. Repeat with remaining two layers, frosting sides and top of cake. Garnish with cranberries or other decoration as desired.

Alan Simmer is a gourmet cook, food blogger and copy editor for Courier Communications.

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entertaininG

tHeRe’s no sLeeping in on CHRistmas moRning, especially if you have children excited to see what Santa Claus has tucked under the tree. after a hectic but fun morning spent knee-deep in wrapping paper, ribbons and boxes, you’ll be glad you popped that breakfast casserole into the oven.

enjoy a festive breakfast fireside in the living room or gathered around the dining room table. It’s a relaxed and easy way to enjoy the merriest day of the year! these recipes from a few of our favorite Hy-Vee Store chefs are simple to make with delicious results. You can prepare the recipes the night before and refrigerate until it’s time to put them in the oven to bake.

Just add muffins or bread and fresh fruit, and you’ve got the perfect holiday family breakfast – or a “company’s coming!” brunch. Warm up from the cold with Hot Mocha Caramel Coffee and melt Peppermint White Hot Chocolate on a Stick into warm milk for a flavorful hot chocolate.

CHoCoLate bRead pudding

Serves 4 to 6 people

12 leftover dinner rolls1/2 cup Reese’s chocolate chips1/2 cup chocolate chips1 1/2 cups heavy cream1 cup sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract4 eggs1 jar hot fudgePinch of salt

Cut your leftover dinner rolls into large cubes. In a sauce pan melt half of both the Reese’s and chocolate chips . Mix with cream, sugar, vanilla, eggs and salt on low heat, mixing continuously.

Combine the remaining chocolate chips, dinner rolls and prepared custard mixture in a bowl.

Place bread pudding in a sprayed 9-x-9 baking pan and bake covered at 350 F for 25 minutes, Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Drizzle with hot fudge. Served hot or cold with Hy-Vee vanilla bean ice cream.

Hot moCHa CaRameL CoFFee

3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa1 cup half & half3 cups strong brewed coffee¼ cup caramel flavoring syrup (Torani brand)½ vanilla bean (or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract)

Whisk cocoa and half & half in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vanilla bean while still cold. Heat just until hot, but not foaming over. Stir in coffee and caramel flavoring (add vanilla extract at this point if using instead of vanilla bean).

Garnish with whipped cream and your favorite chocolate or caramel ice cream topping sauce. (A bit of grated chocolate on the whipped cream really makes this drink look decadent!)

Recipe from CHeF HaLey siLHaCekAnsborough Avenue Hy-Vee, Waterloo

Recipe from CHeF asHLey kapLeRCollege Square Hy-Vee,Cedar Falls

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hostess plants looking for a thoughtful hostess gift?

plant like clivia miniata may be the perfect gift to give (or receive). like amaryllis, clivia belongs to the lily

family. It’s a lovely foliage plant that produces an orange bloom in the dead of winter.

let it spend summers outside, fertilizing every two weeks with 20-20-20 fertilizer. In fall months, care for it like a Christmas cactus. Move it indoors before the first freeze. Provide optimal light. Stop watering it between Oct. 1 and Jan. 22, and chill the plant at night temps just below 50 F at night for six to eight weeks. If the cold treatment is not provided, the plant may not bloom until late sum-mer.

to bring the plants out of dormancy, begin watering and gradually raise the temperature to 60 F. Flower buds should begin to show about two weeks after the temperature is raised.

they are slow growers, and a mature plant can reach 2 to 3 feet tall and almost as wide. It prefers to be rootbound. Clivia don’t like high humidity and shouldn’t be misted.

as colorful as confetti, ornamental pepper plants are an exciting hostess gift to give or re-ceive. these cheerful chile plants are easy to care for, look good for weeks and generally make great indoor winter house plants. During the holidays, ornamental peppers are sold as fully fruited plants. usually the fruit will last for about two months.

Ornamental peppers require bright light to prevent yellow leaves. they like to be kept moist when in bloom, and should be fed every two weeks. use a water-soluble tomato fertilizer ac-cording to package directions. after the fruit begins to drop, reduce the amount of fertilizer and apply only once a month.

temperatures should be kept at 55 to 60 F. Mist-ing plants is encouraged. If temperatures are closer to 70 and humidity is lacking, leaves will drop. Plants will fruit again if pruned hard, repot-ted and set outside in the summer.

although edible, most commercially available potted peppers are "for ornamental use only." that's because they've probably been sprayed with chemicals not for human consumption.

Caution: Don't confuse ornamental peppers and Jerusalem cherry or Christmas cherry plants. they are not the same thing. the Jerusalem cherry re-sembles a cherry tomato, and it is toxic if eaten.

Ornamental pepper

Clivia

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wHat's new

A lovely wreath is the perfect “welcoming” – and finishing – touch for your front door. one of these creative ideas may work or use your own

imagination. A little glitz, a mix of natural and faux materials, and you’ve got some real “wow!” factor.

festive holidaywreath ideas