Home and Garden

NEW MEMBERS JOIN MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE

Thirty-six real estate professionals representing six companies joined the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island in December. Homesfinder Realty Group, Lubkin Appraisal Service, Premier Properties by Haig Point, Palmetto Real Estate, HomeLight Inc., and Hilton Head Properties are now MLS Hilton Head members. These strategic partnerships will give members access to more properties for sale, providing more exposure for buyers and sellers.

The golden blossoms of daffodils herald the arrival of spring in the Lowountry, and did you know the flowers also symbolize friendship?

Daffodils belong to the genus Narcissus. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and set against a star-shaped background of petals. Often the trumpet is in a contrasting color from the petals. Daffodils are hardy and easy perennials to grow in coastal South Carolina. Plant the bulbs in autumn and they will bloom in early spring.

CALM, GRAY NEUTRAL HUES ADD A SENSE OF BALANCE TO COLLETON RIVER ABODE

Cynthia Bailey loves empty space, a blank canvas to transform nothingness into a vision of colors, textures, light, balance and warmth.

“That’s a dream for me,” said Bailey, who owns CW Bailey Interiors in Okatie.

With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to tackle your home’s to-do list. Whether you’re in search of ideas to spruce up your home for a quick sale or finally complete a long-planned home renovation, the upcoming Lowcountry Home & Garden Show, including the Parade of Homes Tour, offers ideas and inspiration and will introduce you to local professionals.

As the weather begins to turn warmer, the last thing many homeowners want to think about is prepping the lawn, garden and outdoor living spaces. That being said, take the time to visually inspect your property, taking in the natural scapes to hardscapes. Think spring planting, outdoor entertaining and casual outdoor living. Look for wear and tear on your deck, check your outdoor lighting, walkways and driveway for raised or uneven surfaces, clean your outdoor kitchen and outdoor furniture; inspect the greenery.

BEAUTIFUL YARDS START WITH GREAT DIRT

Dirt, not love, makes the world go round. There is more to good dirt than meets the eye. Although this is not brain surgery, there is a bit of bio-chemistry involved.

In general, soils may be sandy or clay or somewhere in between, but frequently lacking is sufficient organic matter for good tilth. Sandy soil is composed of large particles of mineral material with large spaces between, causing water and nutrients to drain swiftly through (leaching). Clay soils have small, sticky particles that inhibit the flow of water. The result is water logging and stem rot.

ALLIANCE GROUP WELCOMES TWO

The Alliance Group Realty recently welcomed Grant Evans and Heather Nix to its sales team. Evans practiced chiropractic medicine for 30 years in Ohio before moving to Hilton Head Island in 2014. He has built more than a dozen homes in the Lowcountry and plans to concentrate on general brokerage. Nix is a licensed Realtor and has lived in Bluffton for more than 20 years. She is co-owner of May River Flooring.

CENTURY 21 DIAMOND REALTY ADDS NEW AGENTS

Century 21 Diamond Realty welcomes Georgia Angelillo, Bob Colonna, Vanessa Maloney and Karen Meyer to its real estate team.

Angelillo and Colonna moved to Hilton Head Island in 2010. Angelillo was president of a co-op building for five years, while Colonna has experience in vendor management and contract negotiations.

EVEN AMATEUR DECORATORS CAN DEVELOP A GOOD EYE

Some people are born with a great eye for decorating, and some, well, aren’t. Even if you don't have a natural knack for interior design, mastering a few basic techniques can go a long way. Below are some tips often offered by area pros.