• Sections
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Education
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • MVMA
    • Perspectives
    • Travel
  • Shop Local
    • Arts & Culture
    • Bridal
    • Community
    • Dining & Cuisine
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • Financial & Professional Services
    • Florists, Gift & Specialty Shops
    • Health & Wellness
    • Home & Garden
    • Real Estate
  • Calendar
  • Dining Guide
  • Advertise
  • Login

Merrimack Valley Magazine

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • Perspectives
  • Travel

The Backyard Naturalist – BEHOLD!

December 27, 2021 by Sarah Courchesne Leave a Comment

The Unbreakable, Unshakeable Air Plant

I keep many houseplants, but I do not always keep them well, or long. As I write this, the remains of a jade plant sit in silent rebuke beside me. The plant had flourished for months, and I had started to feel a measure of pride that I found its preferred water and light levels as new, fleshy leaves continued to sprout at semiregular intervals. Then, during one of the unbroken stretches of stifling humid weather this summer, the stalks of the plant began to soften and then molder. Now it’s a pile of gray mulch in a pot at my elbow.

I’ve had other plants that were dead and I couldn’t even tell. A cactus I continued to water, sparingly as instructed, was not growing, but was still green and perky. Then one day I knocked into it and the cactus tipped over and rolled across the floor, unconnected to the soil and, it turned out, hollow inside. It was a long-dead husk of its former self.

These experiences have led me to be leery of the impulse-buy plants that garden shops put right near the registers. Venus flytraps and an array of sensitive plants, all presented as novelties your kids would beg you to buy like they do packs of gum at the grocery store. I resist these plants, knowing my skill set and their certain fate if they come home with me. The one exception to the rule I have ever found are the air plants. 

 

While at a local garden and gift shop one day, I saw a weathered box beside the register with a jumble of air plants in it. These were labeled “Tillandsia,” which is the name of a genus that includes several hundred different species. These plants do not need to root in soil, living instead as epiphytes or aerophytes — plants that draw water and nutrients through their leaves. The air plants in the shop tousled in the box, their clusters of silver gray spears elegantly curving, soft and felted to the touch. I succumbed to the retail trick and bought three of them, taking them home and setting them up in a cracked clear-glass Christmas ornament I found in a box of free stuff outside a thrift store. The Tillandsias have been hanging in my kitchen window ever since, and I am fairly certain they are still alive.

The plants came with the kind of simple instructions that appear straightforward at first and then prove to be wildly and inadequately nonspecific when put into practice. Phrases like “bright, indirect light,” “moderate temperatures,” and “water when needed” leave me in paroxysms of doubt, knowing that I have killed so many plants before, some by drowning, some by fever, some by too little attendance, some by its excess. An orchid I received as a gift months ago is the first one I have kept alive that long, and only because the tag read “water once a week by placing two to three ice cubes in the pot,” though even the latitude of choosing between two or three ice cubes gives me weekly pause.

For the Tillandsia, the instructions were to soak them for 10 minutes a week. I let mine float in my fish tank for their baths, and they seem none the worse for the head-buttings the fish give them. Sometimes their leaf tips get a little browned and crispy, but then it goes away. They’ve been in the globe in the window for more than a year, not really growing, but not really dying, either, and that, if you were to ask the jade plant, looks like victory.

©noppharat – stock.adobe.com

     

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: airplant, Gardening, home, plants, Tillandsia

Holiday Home

December 9, 2021 by Katie DeRosa Leave a Comment

Sometimes the best alternative to a typical dining room for the holidays can be a barn setting. Carriage houses, barns, and other such warm and old-fashioned rustic buildings can be used as comfortable locations to adorn for your holiday feasts. 

The carriage house we have featured here is used by North Andover’s McLellan family for their annual holiday celebrations. Because of its open-air feel and convenient location near the kitchen, it’s easy for even large groups to gather there.

Horse painting by Stephanie Mobbs Deady, $1,400; Dash & Albert rug, $286 – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing, Andover, Mass. Custom table and chairs, pricing upon request – Melissa’s Perfect Piece, Georgetown, Mass. Decorative Christmas trees, $32 to $42 – Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop, North Andover, Mass. Abilene urns, $458 each; table runner, $24; gold nests, $12 each; Ariel ornaments, $18 each – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Flutes, dishes and silverware – Stylist’s own. 

The carriage house has enough room for a tree, piano and several sideboards. Simple strung lights enhance the mood and children can play inside without feeling constrained. Celebrations are relaxed, with the focus on enjoying family rather than doing anything elaborate or fancy.

Left: Dash & Albert rug, $190 – Helen Thomas Simply Smashing, Andover, Mass. French cane bench, $985; Pine cone wreath, $98 – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Antiqued wood truck, $190; Wool snowflake pillow, $122; Bedford Cottage chunky knit throw, $218; Tree stand, $68; Antiqued wood sleds, $52 each – Acorn Design Center, Andover, Mass.
Right: Custom table credenza, pricing upon request – Melissa’s Perfect Piece, Georgetown, Mass. Small urns, $42 to $66 – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. Red berry wreaths, $68 each; Camac Fragment by Aidan Gray, $110 – Acorn Design Center, Andover, Mass. 

If you have an area outside the home that would make a cozy place for the holidays, take a chance and explore simple ways to transform it into something special.       

Selection of handmade wreaths, pricing upon request – Les Fleurs, Andover, Mass. 

style editor and set design
Lysa Pelletier – Anchor Artists

photography
Emily O’Brien – Boston, Mass.

accessories
Acorn Home & Design
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornDesignCenter.com

Rose & Dove
Specialty Gift Shop

North Andover, Mass.
(978) 689-4141
RoseAndDove.com

Helen Thomas Simply Smashing
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-7981
ShopHelenThomas.com

floral and accessories
Les Fleurs
Andover, Mass.
(978) 475-9669
LesFluers.com

Special thanks to the McLellan family of North Andover for their hospitality during this photoshoot at their homestead.

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: Acorn Design Center, Decoration, Emily O'Brien, Helen Thomas Simply Smashing, holiday, Holiday Home, home, Ideas, Les Fleurs, Melissa's Perfect Piece, Rose & Dove Specialty Gift Shop

Home Beat – Maintain Warmth and Comfort Inside Your Home

November 17, 2021 by Tyler McMillan

New England winters can deliver heavy snow and bitter cold, which means discomfort for us and potential problems for our apartments, condos and houses. Issues often arise when cold air creeps into our homes. Here are some ideas for winter-proofing your residence in order to keep it warm and comfortable, allowing you to focus on the holidays and grandma’s top-secret cookie recipe, rather than having to call a contractor to fix your pipes. 

Lock your windows – According to Boston landlord and real estate agent Phillip Robertson, locking your windows prevents drafts. “My tenants will often call me and ask for newer windows,” he says. “They’re always amazed when I stop by and simply ensure that both sides [of their windows] are shut and locked. It makes a huge difference.” Locking your windows seals up spaces and gaps, especially in older models. This can stop cold air from penetrating your home, causing heating costs to skyrocket.

Regularly check exterior vents and chimneys – A common reason heating systems stop working is a buildup of snow or ice that blocks the vents around the exterior of the home. Most heating systems have sensors for carbon monoxide. If a heating system’s vents are blocked by snow, causing carbon monoxide to reenter the home, the heating unit will automatically turn off. If your heating system stops working during the winter, it makes sense to check the vents before making a service call. 

Update your thermostat – Older thermostats aren’t as energy-efficient as current models. You may be spending more money on heat than necessary if you have an older thermostat that isn’t providing an accurate temperature reading. Newer models have many functions that can make your heating system run more smoothly and therefore cost you less money. Many smart thermostats come with deals or discounts with heating companies and/or Mass Save. If you plan to change your thermostat, a quick search online can help you get the best deal.

Maintain your heating system – If you have neglected your heating system, it might be time to bring in a professional to service it. Required maintenance can vary depending on your system, but in general, changing filters and cleaning heating vents around your home can help keep your system working efficiently and your home warm and comfortable. 

Vincent Forzese, broker/owner at Realty ONE Group — NEST, says, “Simply put, your number-one priority in the winter is ensuring that your heating system is operating safely and effectively.” Forzese also stresses safety measures. “Even if your heating system is working, take safety precautions like ensuring you have carbon monoxide detectors and clearing flammable materials away from your furnace,” he says. 

Winterize outdoor irrigation systems – If you have invested in outdoor sprinklers or another irrigation system, don’t forget to winterize it before the snow begins to fall. These systems are prone to break or cause other issues if you forget to service them before the bitter cold sweeps in. 

 “Keeping a checklist is crucial,” Forzese says. “Homeowners should keep a list of activities they must complete [before] every winter. I suggest my clients use [the end of] daylight savings as an indicator to break out their checklists and begin preparing for the winter season.”

No matter how cold or snowy it gets this winter, these tips will help you enjoy the season.  

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: energy, home, Home Beat, MAR, MARealtors, realty, winter, winterize

Downsize Rising – Tiny Homes Offer Housing Alternative

October 17, 2021 by Kristin Cole

Whether one is looking to downsize, travel the country or settle closer to a loved one, tiny homes offer an innovative solution. These minimalist houses offer chic, smaller spaces that reduce the stress of upkeep and create financial flexibility for new hobbies — especially when built on wheels. They are also eco-friendly and frequently built with renewable materials. 

“When considering the benefits of a tiny home for a variety of demographics, it comes down to financial freedom and flexibility,” says Tina Orlando, owner and principal engineer of Backcountry Tiny Homes in Hampstead, N.H. “If someone feels that they might want to travel or spend more time being contract-based for their job, it gives them more flexibility. They can move their entire home with them instead of starting new in every single state.”

Since 2014, Backcountry Tiny Homes has been designing and building customized tiny houses on wheels for customers who span the country and the globe. They have built houses for customers in all fifty states, as well as Canada, Mexico and Europe. Originally based in Washington, they relocated to New Hampshire during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to be closer to Orlando’s Merrimack Valley roots. 

Despite their compact, portable nature, these tiny homes offer abundant amenities. According to Orlando, each tiny home is equipped with insulation, heating, ventilation, a full bathroom, a full range kitchen with an oven, fridge, and countertop space, a living area with space to entertain, and either lofts or first floor bedrooms. And that’s the bare minimum. Back Country also offers customization options — such as adding in a small garage — to help you build the home that best suits your hobbies. 

 

Tiny home exterior fieldTiny Home KitchenTiny home hallTiny home deskTiny home living roomTiny home loftTiny home exterior eveningTiny home balcony sunsetTiny home kitchen

Compared to the rising price of houses, condos and even renting apartments, these tiny homes are reasonably priced for their offerings. Orlando explains that home pricing ranges from approximately $30K to $95K, with an average price of $60K to $65K.  

For Orlando, who grew up in Dracut and has since lived in 30 states, a tiny home is perfect for her nomadic lifestyle. However, one doesn’t need to have traveling aspirations to downsize. Tiny home owners looking for more stability can own land and place their custom-built home there. For those interested in a more flexible lifestyle, there’s mobile and RV parks, or an online option where one can rent space similar to the process of Airbnb. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught many of us the value in adapting lifestyles to remote work, in turn opening up opportunities to live more flexibly. This sentiment, paired with the increasingly frustrating housing market, has created a perfect storm for tiny homes to thrive. In fact, they have been gaining traction in the Merrimack Valley, says Orlando, who has multiple clients working on homes in Lowell and Dracut. 

“We’ve had a surplus of people making decisions because of COVID, saying goodbye to their jobs a little earlier than they would’ve, and using the housing market to sell their existing home at a higher rate and opting for the smaller home to travel with,” Orlando says. 

So, considering a downsize might not be so bad after all, especially when you can trade square feet for miles and miles of adventure.  

Backcountry Tiny Homes
Hampstead, N.H.

(603) 489-1721
BackcountryTinyHomes.com

 

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: BackCountry, downsize, home, homeonwheels, mobilehome, nomadic, pandemic, tinyhome

Heating Up The South

September 12, 2021 by Tyler McMillan

The Days of Great Deals on Southern Homes May Be Over

This summer, my wife and I went on a 3,400-mile road trip (and honeymoon). This adventure gave me the opportunity to look at housing markets outside of the Merrimack Valley.

We began our journey with the assumption that the South would be much more affordable. Many New Englanders have heard stories about people moving there and buying homes of twice the size for half of what we would pay in the MV. Those days may be over, at least in prime locations. As usual, location is the primary catalyst of home prices, and large city centers with clear economic development command the highest prices in the housing market, whether you’re talking Massachusetts or Mississippi. 

Take Charlotte, N.C., for example. We stayed in the NoDa (North Davidson) neighborhood. It’s an “up-and-coming” destination spot, with home prices that have skyrocketed in recent years to the point where values are reaching levels that mirror communities directly north of Boston. Many homes sell for a half-million dollars or more. When you move farther out of downtown Charlotte, the prices sink and are comparable to areas in central Massachusetts, such as Leominster and Fitchburg. 

 

Southern mansion
There was a time when MV residents could move to the south, expecting outrageously low home prices. Those days are likely over, particularly in areas with hot housing markets. Still, the cost of living can offset the rising house prices.

Farther west, Tennessee boasts homes at prices low enough to shock New Englanders, but Nashville’s housing costs have risen greatly due to the city’s popularity. In Louisiana, Slidell, a community north of New Orleans, is very affordable, but in New Orleans’ French Quarter, house prices rise to the million-dollar mark.

Heading back north, Pittsburgh bucks the city inflation trend and shocked us with its affordability. We visited for a day, stalking neighborhoods with our mobile real estate apps like sharks in seal-infested waters. We pulled up to a beautiful neighborhood on the northwest side of the city. By the looks of the regal homes adorned with stone siding, we assumed values in the millions, but when we searched online, nearby homes with more than 2,000 square feet were listed around $350,000. 

There are other factors to consider beyond home values. Take food. In southern Ohio, locals flock to diners and eateries where breakfast can be covered with a $10 bill. West Virginia offers plenty of restaurants that serve cheap entrees and drinks. In many smaller towns and cities in the South, affordability and cost-effectiveness are heavily esteemed. To my delight, we found restaurants and breweries in Charlotte that offered daily and half-off specials. Beyond restaurants, groceries in general were slightly cheaper than those up north. Louisiana had some of the cheapest groceries I found, especially seafood, possibly due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Chicken sandwich / Southern night skyline
In many places below the Mason-Dixon line, prepare to pay less than you would back north for exemplary dining options. Photos by Martha Robertson.

Focusing on real estate and food prices only gives us a sense of the cost of living. Wages and personal revenue are crucial considerations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Massachusetts in 2019 was $81,215, compared with Charlotte at $62,817 and Nashville at $59,828.

Looking at wages alone, the rising cost of housing in hot Southern markets doesn’t seem justified. However, with economic growth and new tech jobs, Southern states continue to see populations rise. With this demand comes increased home values and overall higher costs associated with basic living expenses. These rising costs put a damper on my idea of buying a part-time vacation home in Charlotte, and laid to rest daydreams of life in a Southern mansion.

   

Filed Under: Home & Garden Tagged With: home, homevalues, housingmarket, realestate, South

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 13
  • Next Page »

Current Issue

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premier source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Sections

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Bridal
  • Community
  • Education
  • Fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home & Garden
  • MVMA
  • Perspectives
  • Travel

Links

  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Regular Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

Orangetheory Fitness Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901

Orangetheory Fitness Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Valid on new memberships during the month of September 2020.

 

Newsletter Signup

MERRIMACK VALLEY TODAY: Noteworthy. Local. News. (Launching May 2021)
Wellness Wednesdays
Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend (Thursdays)
NoteWorthy - Happenings, Movers & Shakers (Sundays)

Orangetheory Methuen is celebrating it’s one year anniversary with an
Open House, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your friends and neighbors to learn more about the fastest growing workout sensation in the nation. Tour the studio. Meet the coaches. Enter to win a 10 pack of classes. The first 20 people who sign up for a free class at the event will receive a free bonus class, no obligation. 

Click here to learn more! 

Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Chelmsford @DrumHill / (978) 577-5901
Click here to schedule your FREE CLASS in Methuen @The Loop / (978) 620-5850

*Free Class for first-time visitors and local residents only.