Last fall, Hurricane Sandy flooded the 50-year-old home for the first time in the house’s history — remarkable considering its proximity to the Esopus Creek and Hudson River. The house needed to be deconstructed and restored – at which point the family saw an opportunity to do some needed updating. Several 35-year-old custom-cut beams were removed.
It was then that John saw a golden opportunity to fulfill his wife Katie’s vision of raised garden beds. He enlisted the manpower of Saugerties-based B. Hansen Construction to carry out the project.
For John, the benefits were manifold. This spring, his family will have a vibrant garden to enjoy. But, just as importantly, John says he was proud to find another way to keep the memory of his late father, Walter Livermore, alive. “Family history and local, Saugerties history is very important to me,” says John.
Turn clothing disasters inside out
Have some old garments in disrepair? Or shoes in good condition, but just out of style? Consider turning your old kicks into a new home for plants. All that’s needed is a trip to the local hardware store and a little ingenuity.
Local home furnishings guru Bill Yosh sells his own version of shoe-vases – actually, cowboy boot vase – at his novelties boutique Rock Star Rodeo on Partition Street. His secret? Yosh rests a foam cup inside an old boot. Then, using a water-resistant spray sealant, he adheres the cup to the boot. The sealant also effectively seals any pores that could allow for water to leak out.
Bill says you can use any style boot for the project, but an ornate leather cowboy boot adds a special flare to home décor. Additionally, the sides of cowboy boots are stiff and high-standing, and won’t fold in and crush delicate flowers.
Boot vases are best left indoors during inclement weather, but make a perfect addition to any sun-room plant arrangement or indoor garden.
