When a Town & Country couple set out to build their third custom home just over two years ago, they found that pictures were indeed worth 1,000 words – and the key to streamlining their vision into a picture-perfect reality in just 13 months.

St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles Garden of the Year. Although an honor, the words hardly do justice to Muffy and Chip's horticultural masterpiece. Those who have been lucky enough to stroll the couple’s two-acre, Olivette landscape might easily term it a garden for the decades or a wonder of the suburban world.

Create an ornamental effect in your landscape with a specimen plant. Serving as the focal point in a particular spot, specimens bring dramatic impact.

Chamaecyparis Reis Dwarf
“Unique and a bit unusual is a good way to describe the Chamaecyparis Reis Dwarf, one of my favorites. This conifer has foliage that is a dark, rich green with short contorted branching. “ Jim Graeler, Chesterfield Valley Nursery.

It must take tremendous confidence to say to your builder, “surprise us!” But that’s exactly what this couple did when choosing Lorrien Homes to build out the lower level of their nine-year-old story-and-a-half in Chesterfield.

Homeowners reap many benefits when hiring a professional remodeler for their home renovation. Experienced remodelers bring a multitude of skills and qualities to successfully execute a home remodeling project. What qualities do professional remodelers provide to a home renovation?

What can a homeowner do to prepare for a remodel? NARI provides a top 10 list of steps homeowners should take before breaking ground on their next remodel.

» Research your project. Taking time to research projects on the Internet and NARI.org will provide a good sense of what is involved such as price, scope of work, return on investment and new product/material options. Also, research property values in your neighborhood to make sure your project is in line with other homes in the area.