Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-August 5, 2009 Issue

August 5, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 11 Summer Home Improvement Create a successful, well landscaped garden pond design all sharp objects are removed from the bottom and sides of the pond, and that there are no roots that may grow and penetrate the pond liner. It is advisable to line the pond with a protective underlay as an added precaution against damage to the pond liner (many pond suppliers only offer a lifetime or 25 year guarantee on pond liners when purchased with protective underlay). If the purpose of your pond is to attract wildlife, such as frogs and toads, they will require ease of access and exit to your pond. This is achieved by constructing at least one gentle slope into the pond. Once the excavation is complete and you are satisfied with the shape, size, and slope of the pond, find a quality liner. Remember: The better the quality the less likely you are to have to repair the liner in years to come. Line your pond with a protective pond underlay and then drape your chosen pond liner evenly over the hole and allow it to settle into the contours of the pond, keeping an even overlap on all sides. Then push the pond liner into place and ease out any small wrinkles and neatly pleat any larger folds. Once this is complete, you can begin to fill your pond. When the pond is full, wait at least 48 hours before finishing around the top edges to make sure the pond liner has not been damaged during installation. The pond may now be finished in the style of your choice. When adding paving slabs around the edge of your pond, ensure they overlay the pond by at least two feet to hide and protect the edge of the pond liner. A well planned and constructed garden pond will bring joy and tranquility to any garden. There are many things to consider before you start to dig. First, decide on the size, shape, and style of pond, which will vary according to whether you want your pond to attract wildlife or to keep fish, the amount of space available, your budget, and the suitability of the site in your garden. Decide where the pond is to be sited, ideally a level site that receives at least half a day’s sunlight and is not crossed by buried pipes, cables, or the roots of a tree. Also check the availability of electricity if you plan to install a pond pump and lights. The use of a length of rope or garden hose laid out in the proposed shape of your pond should help you decide what is right for your site. The depth of the pond should be a minimum of 18 inches and generally the deeper the better as this helps maintain a more stable temperature and avoids complete freezing in winter. Once the size, shape, and site for the garden pond have been determined, it’s time to start digging the pond. Try to ensure a slope of 15 degrees on all sides and incorporate shelves at different depths to accommodate the needs of various aquatic plants. Once you have finished the construction work, make sure the top of the pond is level, �� INTERIORS by Decorating Den Comes to Your Doorstep! ertiﬁed Interior Decorators Lucia Palmeri and Lauren Woods provide a complete in-home or in-ofﬁce interior decorating service by bringing thousands of samples of drapery fabrics, furniture, ﬂoor coverings, wall coverings, and accessories directly to their clients. They are then able to design the room in the client’s own surroundings. “It’s our belief that your home should indeed say something about you – your personal interests – the area in which you live – your culture – your talents – your loves. A beautiful home doesn’t just happen. Good decorating is the result of good planning and should start by developing a comprehensive, detailed decorating plan. We have the talent, experience and specialized knowledge to help you pull it all together.” Lauren Woods, C.I.D. and “We don’t charge design fees or hourly rates, Lucia Palmeri, C.I.D. nor do we have ‘minimums.’ We pride ourselves on our ability to work within our clients’ budgets to create a custom room for function, comfort and beauty. We handle all the details so you don’t have to.” “Clients working with our small business have the buying power of a very large established company behind us. Unlike a store, we have no loyalties to a particular vendor and in fact have over 100 different manufacturers to make the right choices for our clients.” Lucia and Lauren are ready to help clients with any size project. “No project is too small or too big.” Call (201) 661-8606 today for a complementary 90 minute consultation. Please join us for our Decorating Workshop on Thursday, August 13th at 7:00 pm at Devon Fine Jewelry, 303 Franklin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. Seating is limited so RSVP today! (201) 661-8606. Don’t miss the great door prizes. �� C ��