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 Illuminating Ideas
Six fresh table lamps to make your place modern now … and to auction
off as design classics later. (See you on eBay in 2027.) — Rob Brinkley
Bourgie Table Lamp
Now this is what we call seeing the light. Designer Ferruccio Laviani employs crystal-clear
polycarbonate to hint at the inner workings of the curvy little Bourgie, a thoroughly modern
update on a baroque shape. Its height is adjustable, so you can use it as a floor lamp in your lounge or as a table lamp in your boudoir. Decadent. $287 at Design within Reach, (800) 944-2233, www.dwr.com.
1. Celeste Table Lamp
An illuminating architectural presence, indeed. The hand-wrapped shade of silken white cotton strands bridges twin metal uprights that come in dark bronze and satin nickel finishes. Approximately 19 inches tall, $80 at Crate & Barrel, (800) 967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com.
2. Unity Accent Lamp
Oh, that amazing Eva. The prolific Ms. Zeisel — she’s been designing since the late 1920s — shapes Nambé’s trademark metal into pure organic magic and tops it with a robust little shade. Approximately 10 inches tall, $125 at Nambé, (800) 443-0339, www.nambe.com.
3. Porcini Paper Lamp
Finding inspiration in the plump and curvy porcini mushroom, superstar designer Jasper Morrison wraps Japanese washi paper tightly around a lightweight metal frame. The result? A delicious glow. Available in three sizes: 12, 18, and 26 inches tall; $210 to $430 at Ameico; (888) 350-8765; www.ameico.com.
4. Sophie and Isabella
It’s a material whirl: Sand-casted aluminum in a fetchingly organic shape by Venezuelan industrial designer Pablo Pardo (who has created everything from Fisher-Price roller skates to car concepts for DaimlerChrysler) gets topped by a white polycarbonate diffuser, and, voilà, you see the light. Sophie is 12 inches tall, and Isabella is 18 inches; $80 and $124 at UncommonGoods; (888) 365-0056; www.uncommongoods.com.
5. Oval Aluminum Table Lamp
Move over, Henry Moore. This handwrought aluminum beauty — even its oval shade is woven by hand — has all the artful presence of a sculpture that you’d see in a major museum, much less in a living room. Approximately 25 inches tall, $125 at Pier 1 Imports, (800) 245-4595, www.pier1.com.
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Yard of the Month
With spring’s first kiss, the itch to get outside and whip your yard into a creative work of art can be almost irresistible. (Plus, there’s that friendly little competition you’ve got going on with your next-door neighbor for yard of the month, which you really do deserve to win.) To give you a head start, we developed this handy guide of tools and tips to turn your yard into the eighth wonder of the world. You should probably rip out these pages and take them with you — you know, to keep your neighbor from getting the same edge. — Becca Hensley
The Tipping Point
A few useful bits of knowledge …
Save the rain Does global warming have you worried that a drought is coming? Learn the ancient art of collecting rain in barrels. Naturally soft and relatively free of contamination and chlorine (and other chemicals), rainwater could save you oodles of money. Try erecting roof barrels like the Bermudians do, or siphon it from the gutters before it runs into the storm drain.
Turn off the sprinkler Don’t drench your lawn to turn it emerald green. Water less frequently and allow hydration to penetrate more deeply. Plan on giving your lawn an inch of water once a week, depending on the climate and the soil condition. One way to measure? Just wait until your grass is dry to the touch.
Go organic Toss the pesticides and all other concoctions marked with a skull and crossbones and watch your garden grow — the natural way. Lots of independent garden centers have moved to organic fertilizers, weed killers, and insect controls. Try horticultural vinegar for weeds; orange oil, neem oil, and diatomaceous earth for insects and ants; and blends of compost and agricultural by-products like cornmeal and alfalfa meal for fertilizing lawns, trees, and shrubs.
Dirt really matters Even better than conventional compost are the superstrength liquid versions created by garden stores like the Great Outdoors in Austin (www.gonursery.com). Their compost tea — active compost distilled from concentrated nutrients, dense compost, and water — is what your vegetables crave.
Dirt matters Plants thrive in healthy soil, so invest in your dirt. Rich soil is a gardener’s best friend. Enrich it with compost, and never assume it’s healthy enough. In other words, don’t put a $10 plant in a 10-cent hole.
Marching Orders
What to do now to have the perfect flower
beds and gardens this summer
1. Devise a plan. Good gardeners are clever architects, and a well-conceived design ensures that your yard will be a sight to behold (i.e., the eighth wonder of the world we told you about).
2. Mulch as if your life depended on it. The two or three layers of mulch you apply now secure and protect your plants, enrich their environment, and beautify your beds. Use bark, compost, or even brightly colored gravel.
3. March is the prime time to plant spring and summer annuals. Depending on your gardening zone, you may begin early in the month or wait until the end. Common annuals include petunias, geraniums, heliotropes, impatiens, marigolds, and begonias.
4. For most gardening zones, March is also the month for onions. Plant them as soon as you can work the ground. Buy onion sets (these are baby onions that are about the size of a dime) and plant each with the tip of the bulb and its green shoot barely exposed. Reserve some sets in your fridge and then plant them weekly to ensure a good crop.
5. It’s time to sow tomatoes, radishes, eggplants, cabbages, lettuces, and peppers indoors. You can use one-liter milk cartons; staple or tape the pouring lip and poke holes in the bottom for drainage. About five seedlings will emerge, and they can be transplanted into your warm spring garden in about a month.
6. Begin building your greenhouse for the winter. If you wait until the first frost, you’ll be sorry. Plus, starting this far in advance means you can go beyond the utilitarian version and erect a structure that you’ll be thrilled to spend time in. In addition to lots of shelves and plenty of floor space for plant storage, consider adding a hot tub. Imagine: you with all that greenery, soaking your cares away on cold winter nights.
Tools of the Trade
The latest inventions to keep your yard the
best-looking one on the block
Dig, cut, weed — do it all with the multitasking Hori Hori Weeder Knife, a bladed instrument that was traditionally carried by bonsai enthusiasts into the Japanese mountains to gather samples from rugged cliffs. $35. www.cleanairgardening.com
The blade of the Heart Hoe is heart-shaped for a purpose — the unique shape makes it easier to outline flower beds and borders. It’ll be love at first use with this essential sod remover, hole digger, and weeder with varied cutting angles. From $20. www.hearthoe.com
Six steel tines make The Ripper your best ally in the war against weeds. Slide this sturdy tool under roots to remove them with ease. Even stubborn grass varieties like Saint Augustine and zoysia beat a swift retreat. From $30. www.hearthoe.com
Appease your green conscience and save fuel costs with the Sunlawn EM2  Cordless Electric Mower. Lightweight and powered by two 12-volt batteries, this dream machine maintains medium-size lawns the guilt-free way. $380. www.peoplepoweredmachines.com
Keep that garden well groomed with the easy-to-maneuver Cordless Dual-Action Hedge Trimmer by Black & Decker. Battery operated, it features dual-action blades that move in opposite directions to ensure professionally styled, straight, and even hedges. $70. At all major hardware stores.
Keep your feet on terra firma and reach high branches at the same time with the rechargeable  Cordless Pole Pruning Saw by Black & Decker. Comfortable to hold, this eight-inch bar-and-chain blade cuts branches up to six inches in diameter and reaches up to 14 feet overhead. From $140. At all major hardware stores.
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Pedaling Some Good Advice
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong may have set aside his spandex-clad cycling career, but the record-holding athlete remains as active as ever. We couldn’t resist touching base with him — between his running marathons and opening multiple 24 Hour Fitness clubs — to see how he likes “retirement” and to snag several frequent-flier-friendly biking and workout tips. — Scott Steinberg
Do you have any fitness tips for all the road warriors out there? Yes. Do yourself a favor and get into a steady routine, even if that means taking the odd day off. Not everyone has to be in the gym every day. Just get on a steady program. Cycling isn’t the only thing you should do to stay fit, either, and it certainly isn’t the only thing I do to work out, myself. Try activities like swimming, running, and kayaking, which burn calories quickly and help build cardio ability over time. And if you ever feel like slacking, just check the scale, which is the one thing we pretty much all have in our bathrooms. It never lies.
What are things people should watch out for when in the gym? I can’t say it enough: Concentrate on your form and technique when you’re exercising. It’s crucial. You don’t have to work with a trainer to maximize workouts, but if you don’t have proper form, if it’s incorrect, you won’t just wind up not getting an optimal workout; you may be courting potential injury, which is even worse. So if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask them. It may seem embarrassing at first, but it’s better than the alternative.
Tell the truth: Is biking really that good of a way to take off the pounds? Oh yeah. And stationary bikes are available at virtually any hotel too. An hour of sustained effort on one is enough for most folks. ... [Take] a Spinning class if one’s offered. Instructors generally do a great job of helping you sweat off the calories.
How about some — ahem — food for thought: What’s the best way to balance your diet when you’re on the road all the time? That’s definitely a big problem, as I know. I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe, though, and based on that, I’ve come to the conclusion that they eat best, meaning I highly recommend eating the way that Europeans traditionally do. They have a lot of things like butter and oil and wine in their diet, but it’s okay to enjoy those as long as you do so in moderation. Limiting portion size is imperative, as well; they’re much better about that overseas than we are here. The next time you’re at a restaurant, try reminding yourself that you don’t have to go overboard, even when you’re dining with an associate. There’s really no need to overdo it on your food intake.
Short Cuts
 Favorite Manufacturer
Trek
“Still the best bike company in the world — we could see another Tour de France champion riding one this summer.”
2007 Prediction
America Rides On
“It’s doubtful there’ll be much of a dip in domestic cycling — we’ve still got what it takes to train champions.”
Top Cycling Spots
Santa Cruz, California, and Vail, Colorado
“Both are absolutely great places for mountain-bike
riding — frankly, for my money, you just can’t go wrong with either.”
Place to Be This Spring
Tour de Flanders: Flanders, Belgium
“I’m spending time with the Discovery Channel cycling team during Europe’s one-day classics to support George Hincapie and the boys.”
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 Almost Famous
Mona Lisa? Been there, done that. The Blue Boy? Seen it. Michelangelo’s Pietà? Ancient history! But don’t think you’ve done it all. Everyone should see these more obscure — yet just as great — works of art in their lifetime. So put on your glasses and get gazing. — Becca Hensley
1. Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)
Jackson Pollock, 1950
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Part of a series of immense, eloquent canvases Pollock created that year, this painting manifests the artist’s ability to walk the razor’s edge between controlled and accidental creation in his work. He was known to pour, drip, and splat paint, and his intuitive, radical technique matched his personality. www.metmuseum.org
2. A Grotesque Old Woman
Quinten Massys, about 1525–1530
The National Gallery, London
Based on a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, this portrait is both whimsical and horrifying. Apelike, she leers from the wall of the National Gallery in perfect satire. Her low-cut bodice and seductive pose should serve as cautions to those who dare to dress in a manner inappropriate for their winter years. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
3. The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
El Greco, 1586
Church of Santo Tomé, Toledo, Spain
In characteristic teal hues and with Byzantine influences, this work hangs in the vestibule of a small church in charming Toledo. Depicting the count’s soul ascending to heaven, it also features portraits of El Greco and his son, from whose pocket pokes a piece of paper that states “El Greco made me.” Plaza del Conde, 1 y 4, 011-34-925-256098
Torso in Metal from ‘the Rock Drill’
Sir Jacob Epstein, 1913–1914
Tate Modern, London
Questioning the aggression of the modern world, this alienesque sculpture appears both bellicose and melancholy. His tribal-mask face and armorlike torso suggest a Frankenstein that blends the past with modern times. Displayed under the bright lights of the Tate Modern, Epstein’s creature gives us pause. www.tate.org.uk
Hand Puppets
Paul Klee, 1916–1925
Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern
Displayed amid the 4,000 works by Klee in this Renzo Piano–designed edifice are some of the
50 hand puppets Klee made for his son, Felix, from found materials such as fur, nuts, bones, and electrical outlets. Primitive, moving, and imaginative, these dolls celebrate childhood. www.paulkleezentrum.ch
And 10 More…
-The Garden of Delights, Hieronymus Bosch, 1504 >The Prado, Madrid. museoprado.mcu.es
-Portrait of a Man in a Red Cap, Titian, 1516 > The Frick Collection and Frick Art Reference Library, New York. www.frick.org
-Children’s Games, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1559–1560 > Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. www.khm.at
-Summer, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1563 > Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. www.khm.at
-Officer and Laughing Girl, Johannes Vermeer, 1655–1660 > The Frick Collection and Frick Art Reference Library, New York. www.frick.org
-Wheatstacks, Snow Effect, Morning, Claude Monet, 1891 > The Getty, Los Angeles. www.getty.edu
-Bedroom at Arles, Vincent van Gogh, 1888–1889 > Musée d’Orsay, Paris. www.musee-orsay.fr
-The Family, Egon Schiele, 1918 > The Belvedere Gallery, Vienna. www.belvedere.at
-Le Petit Pâtissier, Chaïm Soutine, 1922 > Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris.
www.musee-orangerie.fr
-Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, 1975 > Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. www.mfa.org
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What’s It Worth to You?
There are few sounds sweeter than rain on the roof of a cozy home — but one of them is hearing that your home is worth lots more than you thought. Knowing your home’s value is critical when you’re considering equity loans, questioning tax assessments, and, of course, buying or selling. And today that information is much easier to get, thanks to online home-valuation tools that let anybody plug in an address and instantly see a dollar amount.
Home-value websites have exploded in popularity since Seattle-based Zillow.com went online in early 2006. By the end of the year, five million people a month were clicking on the entertaining and easy-to-use site. Zillow (and most other sites) runs public data on more than 60 million homes and 20 million sales through computer algorithms to estimate sale prices. Online valuations aren’t quite as accurate as those made by human appraisers, but they are fun and offer a starting point for real estate discussions. Some are free (supported by advertising), others charge a fee, and a few make you consult with a real estate agent to get your free estimate. Here are five popular sites and what makes each different. — Mark Henricks
Zillow.com
Charges no fees and requires no personal data. Type in any street address and zip code to get a “Zestimate” of the home’s possible sale price. Fun features include a City Heat Map, which displays a city’s most expensive areas in color codes.
RealEstateABC.com
Works similarly to Zillow but offers more comparable sales and has a simple sliding tool so you can adjust values based on market conditions; the service is free.
HouseValues.com
Makes money by billing real estate agents for referrals. The site feeds data you supply to a local agent, who will contact you with a no-charge market analysis.
ElectronicAppraiser.com
Supplies an elaborate estimate, including maps, sales history, and valuation trends. But it’ll cost you $30 a pop.
InstantHomeValue.com
Charges $99 for an in-depth computer-generated report that’s based on information you give to the site.
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