KATHY'S INSIGHTS

But we know that regardless of what the experts say, you define your own individual style. We hope you will be inspired by what you see, then take what you like and make it your own.

The scenic route
	What's in • Japanese landscapes. • Color, as in paint. • Combinations of arid succulents. • Charm. • Color plants and evergreen plants. • Annuals in containers only. • Ocotillo fences. • Spreading ground covers instead of grass. • Gravel and mulches (in combination with various sizes of rocks and boulders). • Small water features for sound and to attract animals, birds, and butterflies. • Bird and butterfly plants. What's out • Large lawns. • High-maintenance gardens. • High-water-use plants.
Duffield Ratliff Landscape Design, LLC 4125 N. Camino Encerrado, 577-1241

Get wired

What's in

As new homes become larger, people are spending more money on high-end systems for lighting, security, heating and cooling, audio and video. The drawback is the clutter that starts to add up on valuable wall space. Home system integration allows the homeowners to have control of their system from anywhere.

What's out

• Having to get out of bed to reaffirm the garage door is closed.

Arizona Sound and Light, 1530 E. Broadway Blvd., 629-8880, www.asl-special-systems.com

Building basics

What's in

• Open areas with more suitable living features, wide halls, no steps.
• More storage space; walk-ins.
• Upgraded countertops.
• More diverse exterior colors.
• Energy efficiency.
• Low-E windows.
• More tile, less carpet.

John Wesley Miller Companies 635 N. Craycroft Rd., Ste. 201, 325-3313, www.armoryparkdelsol.com

In black & white

What's in

Classic black-and-white photography by American masters including Ansel Adams, Aaron Siskind, Harry Callahan, W. Eugene Smith, Danny Lyon, and others.

Etherton Gallery, 135 S. 6th Ave., 624-7370, www.artnet.com/etherton.html

One for all!

What's in

A well-engineered media center that complements your decor while maintaining the highest level of performance––all controlled by a single, easy-to-use remote control.

What's out

Coffee tables filled with remotes that only the kids know how to use.

Area 51 Audio Engineering & Consulting Inc., 470 W. Roger Rd., 544-4951, www.area51audio.com

Sitting pretty

What's in

• The scaled-down sofa. Convinced that all sofas are made for homes with huge rooms and 15' ceilings? Don't despair! Smaller scaled upholstery is available in an abundance of fabrics and styles.
• Ottomans. Store them under a sofa-back table or console, then pull them out for extra seating when entertaining.

What's out

• Beaded, fringed lamp shades.
• Small, scattered accessories and collectibles.
California Design Center, 3700 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., 881-3700, www.californiadesigncenter.com

Home trends

What's in

• Antiques are always great for the accent pieces that complete most homes––whether modern or traditional.
• Carpeting has taken a swing to the deep shag. On the other hand, the low, level loop or cut loop that is almost commercial in style continues to be popular. Rugs are big due to the use of so much tile and natural stones for floors.
• The trend in lighting is toward the use of more architectural and "rail" type lighting.

Design Images, 7070 E. Calle Morera, 529-0606

Little Italy

What's in

• The Tuscany influence is tremendous. This Old World style is very eclectic in nature. Venetian plaster walls and ceilings, stone architectural details including arches, floors, and fireplaces all provide the textural backdrop of a Tuscany decor. Furnishings have substantial scale, using distressed woods, wrought iron, and plush fabrics. The rich, warm color palette includes olive greens, crimson reds, silvery blues, and golden yellows.
• Specialized paint and plaster techniques. These techniques include tromp l'oeil, Venetian plaster, frescos, and bold walls of rich color.

What's out

• Faux-painted walls.
• Whitewashed oak.
• The extremely overdone kokopelli motif.
• An entire color scheme of pastels and the orange-and-brown color scheme from the 70s. Even if you are doing a retro look, you need to update your colors to pumpkin and mocha.

Contents Interiors, 3401 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., 881-6900

Shower power

What's in

• The master tub is no longer a musthave item. In a number of the homes we are currently building a larger, jazzed up master shower and the tub is being eliminated. For many people, the master tub is going the way of the living room. It's amazing how many times we hear, "We never take baths, but we have to put one in for resale."
• The use of masonry, steel framing, and ICFs as the primary structure of the home is much more popular than it ever was due to the increased amount of consumer information about these products available to the consumers as well as the increased labor pool available to install them.
• The use of high-efficiency HVAC equipment—SEER ratings of 14 or above—is much more prevalent than ever before. In addition, the use of high-efficiency filters to improve the indoor air quality is on the rise.

Milestone Homes, 4021 E. Grant Rd., 322-6336, www.milestone-homes.com

Ethnic bohemian

What's in

Country French, Asian, casual contemporary, ethnic bohemian, and vintage. Colors include persimmon, pear, lemon, slate blue and cocoa, spearmint, and coral. Neutrals include taupe, camel, and black with red accents. But these styles and colors don't work with just any pieces of furniture. Unique chairs with multi-fabric combinations, center hall tables, overscaled cocktail tables, mixed dining room sets, painted accent furniture, and a mix of woods are all popular.

What's out

Faux finishes, sectionals, jewel tones, high-gloss wood furniture and matched sets of furniture.

DeWitt Designs, 415 N. 6th Ave., 622-1326, www.dewittdesignsinc.com

Interior pallettes

What's in

Color and more color. Strong colors for accent walls and whole rooms. Much bolder colors, whether in a dark palette or bright primaries mixed with a universal neutral.

What's out

Less specialty/faux painting than in the last five years, and it is confined to fireplaces, niches, feature walls.

Elaine Davis, by appointment only, 490-6256

Local color

What's in

Shaded walkways and plazas, cultural style, walking from your house to get lunch or buy food for the evening meal. Live/work spaces, pedestrian emphasis, walking to work, vibrant lifestyle community planning, "new urbanism," as they apply to Tucson, its culture, heritage, and future.

What's out

Driving, big-box stores, bland mall spaces, subdivisions of houses only, pavement, hiding in a garage-door community.

Rammed Earth Development, 802 S. 8th Ave., 623-2784, www.rammedearth.com

The Wright stuff

What's in

Frank Lloyd Wright designs.

What's out

Monochromatic color schemes.

Rug Gallery, 5330 E. Broadway Blvd., 571-7847, www.ruggallerynet.com

Fresh, fresh, fresh

What's in

More casual and country-type catering. French country weddings and luncheons.

Ghini's French Caffe, 1803 E. Prince Rd., 326-9095

A plan for the future

What's in

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are part of a new trend in housing. These communities, such as Splendido at Rancho Vistoso in Oro Valley, combine an engaging way of life with a solid plan for the future, offering a continuum of healthcare that celebrates today while providing for tomorrow.

Splendido Information Center, 229-8889

Asian influences

What's in

• East meets West.
• Tibetan rugs.
• Chinese porcelain vases and figurines wired as lamps.
• Eastern objects used creatively such as a celadon bowl used as a soap dish or an 11th-century Chinese jewel box used as a napkin holder.
• Antique doors and shutters.
• Limestone buddhas and sculpture in the garden.

Eastern Living Oriental Gallery, 5605 E. River Rd., Ste. 101, 299-3889

Remarkable rugs

What's in

Color is back––on the walls, covering furniture, in artwork, and especially in area rugs. Innovative, new palettes of colors combine to enhance any decor. Choose colors that make you happy and comfortable.

Outrageous Rugs, 3010 E. Broadway Blvd., 321-4272, www.outrageousrugs.com

The grass menagerie

What's in

Dried grass arrangements are totally "in" for accents in the home. They appear in all sizes and shapes.

Silk Expressions, 4320 N. Campbell Ave. #128, 577-1977

Wall to wall fun

What's in

Murals with classic images, such as Dr. Seuss characters, that may even have been personal favorites from your own childhood.

What's out

Very trendy themes for children's rooms (i.e., Sponge Bob Squarepants, Thomas the Train) that may never become true classics and tend to not hold the child's interest for long.

Before & After Designs, by appointments only, 792-2416, www.beforeafterdesign.com

Going native

What's in

• Mosaic and handtiled benches and garden art.
• Natural stone applications are popular––fieldstone, cantera Talavera.
• Using more native plants, counting on perennials more for color instead of annuals, large pots in groupings with drip irrigation.
• Outdoor cooking centers, fireplaces, natural gas and propane fire pits.

Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St., 886-5475, www.harlowgardens.com

Quarried away

What's in

Enhancing your garden, patio, or courtyard with "natural" handcarved or uncarved Cantera stone planters, birdbaths, fountains, and sculptures with stone quarried from the interior of Old Mexico.

What's out

Plain terra-cotta, plastic, or concrete flower pots and containers. Dry Heat Trading Co., 532 N. 4th Ave., 670-1700, and 6451 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #27, 733-2499, www.dryheattrading.com

Cuisine scene

What's in

• Incorporating a favorite family recipe with a unique twist.
• Themed menus and libations.
• Using family heirlooms or existing home decor to build your table centerpiece around.
• All dessert and cordial affairs.

El Charro Catering, 792-9922, www.elcharrocafe.com

Picture perfect

What's in

Plasma TVs are not only beautiful to look at, but behind their sleek styling and phenomenal picture quality lie advanced technology and unparalleled performance. With models as thin as 3" deep, the plasma flat-panel TVs feature high-resolution picture, stereo sound, built-in HD tuner, and viewable screen sizes from 32" to 61".

What's out

Console TVs.

Roh's Audio Video Appliance Supercenter, 2922 N. Campbell Ave., 795-8573

Plein & simple

What's in

There is a renewed interest in plein air paintings. This style of painting was extremely popular from the 1900s to the 1930s in California. We now see this outdoor style of painting showing a resurgence throughout the West.

Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Ste. 7, 722-7798, www.medicinemangallery.com

Get organized beautifully

What's in

• Elegant and stylish closets individually tailored to fit your needs, with adjustable shelving and rods, drawers, baskets, and convenient storage accessories.
• Large dressing room closets that are an integral part of the master bathroom.

What's out

• Plain-Jane, basic-look closets.

Classy Closets, 3110 N. 1st Ave., 795-1880, www.classyclosetstucson.com

Sleek surface

What's in

New materials are emerging that look great and cost less. Silestone has a 10-year warranty and is made of 93% quartz. This new material looks remarkably like granite, but costs less. It is also stain, scratch, heat, and wear resistant. In addition, there is a new quartz-composite sink by Blanco that is both stain and scratch resistant and is easy to maintain.

What's out

Corian and laminate countertops.

Interior Options, 2741 N. Campbell Ave., 323-9922

The great outdoors

What's in

• Water features that are subtle and simple.
• Using boulders in a way that complements the natural shape of the existing landscape.
• Planting huge numbers of the same plant, such as purple verbena for a striking wave of color.

What's out

• A little here and a little there planting style.
• Just your basic backyard with rock and plants done only in a Southwestern style.

Box Hill & Co., by appointment only, 909-6109

Wild tastes

What's in

Wild game is big now, including buffalo. Also, carbohydrate alternatives, pork comfort foods.

What's out

Heavy sauces and white rice.

Jonathan's Tucson Cork, 6320 E. Tanque Verde Rd., 296-1631, www.jonathanscork.com

Seamless architecture

What's in

Historically correct additions that mimic and enhance the original home's style, detailing, and character are hot. This is especially true in the Sam Hughes and Blenman-Elm historic districts, where tax credits are available on some properties. Professionally designed enhancements will reap healthy profits down the road when the house is sold.

Stephen C. Bohn, Architect Inc., 2140 E. 7th St., 884-5564, www.creativearchitecture.com

Party plans

What's in

• Atkin's awareness.
• Vegetarianism.
• Cocktail parties.
• Dessert and Champagne events.
• Using premium ingredients.
• Full-service events.
• Alternative wedding formats.
• Black-and-white occasions are always in style.

What's out

Dinner buffets. Blue House Catering

Inc., 722 N. Stone Ave., 791-0835, www.bluehousecatering.com

The answer is clear

What's in

Carved glass, antique mirror, pattern laminated glass, fused glass, cast glass, architectural glass, European look on shower, tub, and steam enclosures.

What's out

Wireglass for shower doors.

Artistic Glass & Mirror Co. Inc., 2029 E. 14th St., 624-4984

Frame to fame

What's in

• Original paintings or, for the budget-conscious, limited-edition enhanced giclee prints.
• Using old techniques such as encaustics, which is a medium mixing acrylic paint with beeswax, giving the painting a unique look.

What's out

• Open-edition prints. They look much cheaper and aren't worth framing.

Old Pueblo Framework and Gallery, 1825 E. River Rd., Ste. 101, 529-9677

Cool spools

What's in

With today's smaller yards and hectic lifestyles, the spool is becoming ever more popular. What's a spool? Essentially a small pool/fairly large spa hybrid. Most are between 12 and 20 feet long and 8-12 feet wide. Many have contoured benches, varied jet heights, and loungers built in.

What's out

Diving pools.

Carl Ragel's Natural Pools & Gardens Inc., 2143 N. Country Club Rd. #C, 323-2627, www.naturalpoolsandgardens.com

All in one

What's in

Technologies such as home theatre, lighting control, and whole house audio/video are staples in today's homes. Integrating technology into the home is key. The hottest device going into homes today is the plasma television, which can open up a room's floor plan and offers excellent picture quality. Technology should be present but not seen. Simplicity is in.

Ambient Acoustics, 460 W. Roger Rd., Ste. 105, 292-2260

New west

What's in

There is currently a lot of interest in contemporary paintings of the Southwest. Art glass is also very popular right now.

El Presidio Gallery, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Ste. 16, 733-0388, www.elpresidiogallery.com

Hot accents

What's in

Handmade art glass is hot right now, including big pieces for homes and offices in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Philabaum Glass Gallery, 4780 N. Campbell Ave., Ste. 105, 299-1939, www.philabaumglass.com

An eye for detail

What's in

The addition of crown molding and fluting to customized closets. Use of pull-down rods to take advantage of high ceilings in Tucson. Metal rods with matching hardware.

California Closets, 1131 W. Grant Rd., Ste. 135, 884-1105, www.calclosets.com

Rich woods

What's in

Deeper and darker stain finishes that bring out the richness of woods such as alder, maple, oak, or clear pine.

What's out

White wash or color wash finishes, especially over oak, which tend to peel, fade, and yellow.

Thomas Woodcraft, by appointment only, 887-3268

What a steel

What's in

Fountains add an ambiance that helps free the mind and relax the body. From the very basic models to the large focal-point pieces, they enhance residences all over town. The new trend in upscale fountains is custom steel sculpture that can be sized and shaped to echo the feel of virtually any landscape. The natural rust patina adds ageless warmth with minimal maintenance, while powder coating adds the option of vibrant color. With designs that can transition the contemporary to the Old World, they can look ideal in almost any location.

What's out

Traditional concrete or plaster fountains that come in a limited array of styles, with very little opportunity to customize.

LBD Custom, 313 W. Sahuaro St., 882-6650

Hang loose

What's in

Draperies are back, but using less fabric and longer pleats. You end up with window coverings that hide unattractive windows but don't obstruct your view. Also popular–– iron or traverse rods covered with a wood fascia and handpainted.

Sunset Interiors, 16250 N. Oracle Rd., 825-2297

Simply sonoran

What's in

Desert landscapes.

What's out

Skinny mats and metal frames.

Madaras Gallery, 1535 E. Broadway Blvd., 623-4000, www.madaras.com

Of sinks & ceilings

What's in

• Vessel sinks have a new look—recessed, lit, and incorporated into a stunning pedestal that has the appearance of art.
• Stamped concrete adds a unique interest and dimension to what could otherwise be a very simple fireplace.
• Utilizing bamboo poles and pendant lighting in a floating ceiling pushes an ordinary dining room into something very dynamic.

Lori Carroll & Associates, 1200 N. El Dorado Place, B-200, 886-3443

Robin's egg blue, persimmon, raspberry & lilac

What's in

• Robin's egg blue combined with beige/taupe. This gives an interior a cool, peaceful, and serene effect.
• Persimmon adds punch and warmth to an interior. Often seen ranging from the orange/red hues to the softer corals, this color will often be paired with green and gold.
• Raspberry and lilac are two other "in" colors. The raspberry has a blue-red base and is combined with blues, ivory, and green. The lilac couples well with off-white and green.

Skyline Design Studio, 6041 E. Grant Rd., 296-8079

Melting pot

What's in

It is definitely appropriate and visually interesting to mix different cultures—merge lustrous woods of ancient dynasties with modern steel. Chinese country furniture possesses minimalist refinement and undeniable staying power.

The Cavern of Chinese Country Antiques, 2 Copper Queen Plaza, Bisbee, 520-432-2600

A cook's dream

What's in

• Sandblasted granite countertops.
• Cadena Mexican tile.
• Mission-style cabinets.
• French Country pottery as accents.

Studio Encanto, 7055 N. Oracle Rd., 318-9300, www.studioencanto.com

Cool countertops

What's in

We see more people using engineered stone in high-end homes. The mini-war between granite and engineered stone is leaving Solid Surface as the best-valued product out there, with its seamless applications, stain resistance, bacteriafree surface, and inlay possibilities. Pricing is at an all-time low with the new big leaders— Hi-Macs, Avonite, Wilsonart, and Staron. The builders are seeing the value in solid surfaces, especially with pricing so close to laminate. Solid Surface is the only product out there with 10-15-year warranties, which adds to its incredible value. There has also been an explosion of Solid Surface applications in the commercial market.

C & L Desert Solid Surface Inc., 3202 E. President St., 573-1382

Bigger is better

What's in

Big pots. They can be a structural element in a landscape or create an outdoor room on the patio. The biggest you can afford and place, the better. The pot will also save on water usage and open the door for what is planted in it—a colorful array of annuals mixed with perennials or a tree with wonderful plantings underneath.

What's out

Little pots that create a sense of clutter.

The Contained Gardener, 2130 S. Hearthstone Ave., 722-0269

That Southwest style

What's in

• Southwestern-style carpets and rugs.
• Vertical blinds and mini blinds for windows.
• Granite countertops.

Apollo Flooring, 5851 E. Speedway Blvd., 296-5411, www.apolloflooring.com

Always in style

What's in

A Mediterranean look––the timeless approach to using period antiques with everyday furnishings never goes out of style. The mixing of Spanish Colonial tables, benches, and accents goes well with the bold colors of Navajo weavings and natural colors of baskets. A true reflection of the Spanish Mediterranean style for the Arizona home.

Morning Star Antiques, 2020 E. Speedway Blvd., 881-2112, www.morningstartraders.com

A-Z interior design

What's in

• Saffron yellow, cinnamon red, sage green, and china blue
• Interior architectural elements
• Rustic leathers, suede, nail heads, tapestries, and faux animal skins
• Pastoral and harvest scenes in fabric, textured and quilted fabrics
• Valances with swags, wraps, sweeps, and cornices
• Antique elements such as old ginger jars and bronze statuary are in for table lamps
• Painted concrete floors
• Tin and iron fixtures and lamps
• Long-necked potfiller faucets for the kitchen
• State-of-the-art stainless steel appliances
• Alder, maple, and natural cherry wood for the kitchen
• Moroccan, Portuguese, and Mexican tiles
• Saints and other statuary in and around the garden

What's out

• Beige
• Mauve, peach, and rust
• Brocade upholstery
• Traverse drapery and hardware
• Wall-to-wall carpet
• Shiny brass lamps
• Black and white appliances
• Washed oak

Design Awareness Inc., 2055 N. Kolb Rd., Ste.111, 733-1149

Break the mold

What's in

Handmade, highly textured ceramic vessels—large—make a statement. Also, textiles for the wall—they're like paintings with depth.

Obsidian Gallery, 4320 N. Campbell Ave. #130, 577-3598, www.obsidiangallery.com

Glass act

What's in

• Custom glass shower doors with wide-faced, real copper, brass, or stainless steel trim, framing, and hardware.
• "Slumped" or "molded" glass— available in many textures and patterns and as tempered or safety glass—is now popular for countertops, tabletops, and shower doors.
• Polished stainless cladding in the kitchen and bath.

What's out

• Bottle glass—typically green- or amber-tinted and used for entry doors and sidelites. They really date a building.
• Beveled, frameless mirrors, which draw the eye and distract from decorator features.

Hartman Glass & Metal, 119 W. Sahuaro Blvd., 903-0766

Simply marvelous

What's in

• Simple bedding with clean lines, sometimes with special bandings
• Roman shades in all shapes and styles are in, as are draperies with special pleatings and bandings.

Sonoran Shades, by appointment only, 297-8299, www.sonoranshades.com

Think "spa"

What's in

Dress up your windows using natural Roman shades or elegant velvet panels on iron rods. Bath linens should be natural and luxurious— think "spa." For your bed purchase the best you can afford. The higher the thread count, the better the quality.

What's out

• Stuffy window treatments.
• As far as linens go— no blends!

Comfort Zones Interiors, 5751 N. Kolb Rd. #2204, 577-5593, www.comfortzonesinteriors.com

Shaken, not stirred

What's in

Martini bars are back with force! Also in: flavored vodkas and homestyle cooking––roasts, potatoes, soups. No-carb requests are also up.

Event Productions, by appointment only, 296-9787

Au Naturel

What's in

• Window and door mouldings, columns, and fireplaces made of natural stone.
• Handcarved cantera stone for fountains, pool coping, and pavers.
• For landscaping–– handcarved pots, benches, animals, etc.

Cantera Custom Creations Corp., 4818 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-6051, www.canteracustomcreations.com

The fashionable home

What's in

• Accenting with traditional ethnic objects such as iron candleholders, a Mexican painted metal tree of life, or Indian pots and weavings adds warmth to a space.
• Layering accessories gives the eye several stopping places.
• Furniture that can multitask—home desk units that fold away, tables that fold to dining size or sofa table size (similar to antique gateleg tables). Wall units with bars, display space, flexible space for changing TV sizes, etc.
• Adding a wine cellar to a house by remodeling a closet, building on a small addition, or turning an outside storage shed into a space with regulated temperature and shelving.
• Computers that attach to the bottoms of the upper cabinets with flip screens that connect the cook to the Internet for favorite recipes or cooking how-to shows.

Linda Britt Interior Design Inc., by appointment only, 742-2566

Outdoor living

What's in

• Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces.
• More low-voltage lighting.
• Flagstone.

What's out

Brick

Oasis Gardens Landscaping Inc., 3431 E. Lind Rd., 325-9811

Opportunity knocks

What's in

A gorgeous entry door sets a tone of elegance and strength. We're seeing people investing in quality doors in a variety of woods such as oak and mahogany, sometimes with special features such as this speakeasy-style window, which allows homeowners to see who's calling.

Dale's Doors 'N' Windows 321 S. King Pkwy. 623-9874

Water features

What's in

Aeration systems are in—they really do help with water quality.

What's out

UV light systems are out and that's a good thing. They were designed to sterilize water and work against creating a balanced, natural ecosystem. Desert Streams & Waterfalls

Inc., 3232 N. Winstel Blvd., 749-0475, www.desert-streams.com

Home is where the art is

What's in

Larger, more colorful paintings and Southwestern furniture—both traditional and contemporary. Also, painting from the 50s and 60s.

Sanders Galleries, 6420 N. Campbell Ave., 323- 8838, www.sandersgalleries.com

"Green" house

What's in

Trends in 2004 are heading in a more modern direction, with a focus on Green Architecture. Homes are getting smaller, with more emphasis on quality instead of quantity of space. This generation of clientele is looking to be more environmentally sensitive. Computers, televisions, security systems, environmental system controls, and home entertainment systems are becoming one, turning our homes into "smart homes."

Kevin B. Howard Architects Inc., 4547 E. Fort Lowell Rd., Ste. 421, 322-6800

Old world living

What's in

Luxury homes specializing in the Tuscan and Old World styles.

Bartholomew Custom Homes Inc., 4818 E. Speedway Blvd., 326-5808

Que syrah, syrah!

What's in

Extraordinary custom furniture adapted for use by those with exquisite taste in wine and furniture. This style looks good in any office, living room, library, wet bar, or place of business. The upper section is for red varieties of wine and the lower for white.

Dorado Designs, 4640 E. Sunrise Dr., 577-1800

It's eclectic

What's in

Moroccan, Asian, island fusion. Eclectic designs with a more "collection" feel than a super-matched model home look. Brighter and richer colors are in style, topped off with decorative beading, trimmings, and iridescent crinkle sheers in a myriad of colors.

What's out

Pastels and completely beige or one-color rooms.

Fabrics That Go, 3105 N. Campbell Ave., 881-4444

Absolute agave

What's in

• Flagstone patios broken up with mosaics or marbles.
• Indoor foliage for patios.
• Big pots with agaves (Aloe ferox, Agave zebras, Agave colorata, Agave victoriae-reginae) and yuccas (Yucca elata, Yucca aloifolia).
• Ponds with water plants and koi.

Horticulture Unlimited Inc., 3237 N. Richey Blvd., 321-4678, www.horticultureunlimited.com

A vase is a vase is a vase

What's in

Expanded use of tile as a decorative surface––indoors and out. Tile is popping up in unexpected places, lending a custom look and unique surface treatment to many American homes. Trend spotters have noted that Europeans lead Americans in the use of ceramic tile in home building and remodeling, and that what is hot in Europe often translates to the American market. Interestingly, Italian-made tile has surpassed US-made tile in US sales. Mexican, Spanish, and Turkish tile also sell very well in America. Tile is used around the world, indoors and out, as a durable, easily maintained, and colorful surface. Consider tiling an entire wall as a focal point in your interior decor or on your patio. Add tile to fireplaces or niches, or use as a wainscoting or chair rail. Consider door and window surrounds of tile. These touches lend character, color, and drama to a variety of decors.

What's out

Limiting the use of tile to bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.

Santa Theresa Tile Works Inc., 440 N. 6th Ave., 623-1856, www.santatheresatileworks.com

Copyright 2005, tucson.com