http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2009 MiamiHerald.com Home & Garden 60 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:06:54 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/florida-finds/story/1263120.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/florida-finds/story/1263120.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT You probably think of the Mai-Kai as a fun place for anniversaries, proposals or other special occasions. It's where locals take out-of-town guests for fruity drinks and Pacific Island ambience. But a source for home décor? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320516.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320516.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST One of tropical America's oldest and most important fruit crops is being threatened by the laurel wilt fungus, causing both the commercial grower and the backyard gardener in South Florida to worry: Should I plant avocados? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320524.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320524.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST After house-hunting, negotiating a price and working out details of his move, Patrick O'Leary was ready to tackle the real work: understanding and operating the various mechanical systems in his new, 6,000-square-foot home. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318703.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318703.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Whether it's fine architecture or a hardwood hammock, homes at this price offer a slew of cool digs. One property revisits Greek classicism with a stunning result, while another seems lifted from a colonial estate tucked into the hills of a Caribbean island. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320525.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1320525.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Ah, the recliner. The American invention that linked lazing in the living room to television and frozen dinners is one of the few bright spots in a well-worn U.S. household furniture industry. http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/848216.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/848216.html Tue, 15 May 2007 15:35 EDT Learn how to prep your home during hurricane season http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/699522.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/699522.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:06 EDT Your guide to an environmentally friendly home and garden http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/699528.html http://www.miamiherald.com/1219/story/699528.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:06 EDT A year-round guide to gardening in South Florida http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318716.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318716.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Remember the bad old days of 11th-hour mortgage settlement cost shocks and mystery junk-fee charges? Remember when the ``good-faith estimates'' your lender gave you upfront said closing costs would be about $2,000, but somehow they ballooned to $3,500 on the final settlement sheet? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1321571.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1321571.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: A few years back, some owners were allowed to install carpet on the walks of their building. We are planning to paint and weatherproof our building. The board is requiring that the owners have the carpet removed at their expense. The board says that the carpet is not in compliance with Florida law. Who is now responsible for the cost of removal of the carpet? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318706.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318706.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: Our fishtail palm is dying. There are many seedpods, which seemed to sprout overnight. E.W., E.W., North Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318719.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318719.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Singer Melanie Brown, also known as Scary Spice from her days with the Spice Girls, has purchased a gated home in the San Fernando Valley area for about $3.15 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318717.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1318717.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST EVENTS Annual Festival of the Trees: Local, nation and international designers decorate holiday trees from every imaginable material; 6 p.m. Thursday; Coverings ETC Corporate Showroom, 7610 NE Fourth Ct., Miami; $55. 305-348-1059 or www.festival http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308287.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308287.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Not too long ago most of us thought outdoor furniture was a table with four chairs for the patio and maybe a few chaises by the pool. No longer. Outdoor furniture has gone uptown with styles as varied and as comfortable as what we put indoors. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308449.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308449.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Having moved five times in the last nine years, Pam Syx, now of Venice, Fla., had many opportunities to chuck some of her two children's artwork along the way. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308286.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308286.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT I went to a couple of gardening events last year that focused on Florida natives and came home from each with a small tree to add to an area of my yard in which wildlife-friendly plants -- mostly natives -- predominate. Both have turned out to be much more attractive than I expected. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308284.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308284.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT When Edith Frank, 83, got an offer on her three-bedroom Florida house, there was a catch: The buyer wanted to close in two weeks. No way, she thought; she couldn't possibly sort through a lifetime's possessions so quickly. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308282.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/1308282.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I have paid my homeowners' association fees for years. Recently, all homeowners were assessed an extra fee because many homeowners have not paid their dues, some of them for more than one year. Although I realize that foreclosures and hardships have hurt many individuals, some have simply refused to pay their dues. My understanding from attending the meeting was that every time the association has to pay a lawyer to send a letter and/or put a lien on a property, the rest of the association is absorbing the cost. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1320516.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST One of tropical America's oldest and most important fruit crops is being threatened by the laurel wilt fungus, causing both the commercial grower and the backyard gardener in South Florida to worry: Should I plant avocados? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318706.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: Our fishtail palm is dying. There are many seedpods, which seemed to sprout overnight. E.W., E.W., North Miami http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318717.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1318717.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST EVENTS Annual Festival of the Trees: Local, nation and international designers decorate holiday trees from every imaginable material; 6 p.m. Thursday; Coverings ETC Corporate Showroom, 7610 NE Fourth Ct., Miami; $55. 305-348-1059 or www.festival http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308286.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308286.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT I went to a couple of gardening events last year that focused on Florida natives and came home from each with a small tree to add to an area of my yard in which wildlife-friendly plants -- mostly natives -- predominate. Both have turned out to be much more attractive than I expected. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308281.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308281.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Q: When is the best time to graft mangoes? Please note that I have no grafting experience! M.T., Homestead http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308461.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1308461.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS Fairchild's Bird Day: Leading ornithological experts answer questions on birding. Also explore the James A. Kushlan Bird Trail with five bird zones, including hummingbird and hawk zones; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday; Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; $20, $15 seniors 65 and up, $10 kids 6-17, free for kids 5 and under and FTBG members. 305-667-1651 or www.fairchildgarden.org. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294966.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294966.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical tree native to western India that has been cultivated in Florida for more than a century. It is a handsome tree and has the added benefit of producing a large, sweet fruit. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294958.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294958.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: What is the proper fertilizer for topiaries? The tips of the branches appear to dry out. L.F., http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294965.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1294965.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT EVENTS East Everglades Orchid Society Annual Show & Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; R.F. Orchids, 28100 SW 182nd Ave., Homestead; free. www.orchidseeos.com. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285730.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/gardening/story/1285730.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT It's autumn, and South Florida gardeners' fancies are turning to thoughts of . . . impatiens? The colorful water hogs are the most popular cool weather bedding plants in South Florida, but in these days of water restrictions, other choices might be more practical. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1319566.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1319566.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: My condo association recently adopted a rule that limits pets to one per unit. It's all because some residents aren't scooping their dogs' poop. As a cat owner, I think this is unfair. My cats need one another. Can you convince them otherwise? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1307793.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1307793.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I've been seeing lots of ads for pet insurance but I'm not sure whether I should get it for our new puppy. The hospital we go to offers a plan but it's only for basic care at one place. Do you have an opinion? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1296339.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1296339.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: My small beagle, April, is getting fat. I've tried everything to make her lose weight and she won't budge. She now only gets one cup of food and one pig ear a day. Please help! http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1285736.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1285736.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT It's a question that comes up frequently for interior designers: How do you create a stylish living space when a dog that sheds or a cat that scratches is part of the mix? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1285298.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1285298.html Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: My cat Cassandra is the fattest I've ever seen. I adopted her as a 20-pounder and never managed to get the weight off. I started feeding her only a small handful of kibble twice a day but she got sick and had to be hospitalized for fatty liver disease. The vet said it was my fault for feeding her so little, but I'm worried she's eventually going to die of diabetes or heart disease. If only she would exercise! http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1273919.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1273919.html Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I have two black pets, Frosty the cat and Chocko the dog. I live in Coconut Grove on a gated property. My pets are always inside the fence but some of my neighbors have told me to be careful since black pets are often targeted this time of the year. I always thought this was an urban myth. What can I do to keep them safe outdoors? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1262712.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1262712.html Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Dougal and Romeo live in different countries and have never met in person. One's a dog, one's a cat. But they're quite the party animals. The two pets -- OK, their owners -- host ''pawpawties'' on Twitter to raise money for animal causes. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1262714.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1262714.html Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I live in Miami with a service dog. I take him to a dog park that requires leashes but, unfortunately, most of the owners don't comply. My dog has been attacked three times by unleashed dogs. My calls to Parks and Recreation have not been returned. I'm thinking about taking the advice of some friends and carrying a Taser. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1250668.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1250668.html Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: Last year I lost my chihuahua mix, Chicho, when a painter left the door open. He was tagged and microchipped but was never found. I know you like to recommend microchips, but could you let your readers know they are not foolproof? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1239511.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/pets/story/1239511.html Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: Why does my cat need a rabies vaccine? Missy never leaves the house, never sees other animals and doesn't go to a boarding place when I'm out of town. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1318719.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1318719.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Singer Melanie Brown, also known as Scary Spice from her days with the Spice Girls, has purchased a gated home in the San Fernando Valley area for about $3.15 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1308285.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1308285.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Actress Meg Ryan, who will star opposite Timothy Hutton in the December comedy Serious Moonlight, seems to be getting serious about selling her Bel-Air home. She has put it back up for sale at $14.2 million -- a 27 percent price reduction from what she was asking in 2008. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1294961.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1294961.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT A home at 34 Indian Creek Dr. off Miami Beach has sold for $6 million. At 3,684 square feet, that is $1,629 per square foot. The house, built in 1965, is Old Florida style and has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half baths. Features include fireplace, two-car garage, heated pool and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1285734.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1285734.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Actress Jennifer Carpenter, who stars on Showtime's murder-centric Dexter with her husband, Michael C. Hall, has listed her Hollywood Hills bachelorette pad for $695,000. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1274480.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1274480.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT A Mediterranean-style residence has sold for $9.5 million in the Sunset Islands area of Miami Beach at 1400 W. 28th St. Based on a building area of 9,933 square feet, the property cost $956 per square foot. The two-story home, built in 2003, has seven bedrooms and 7 1/2 bathrooms. A three-story rotunda tower serves as the estate's entry. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1274479.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1274479.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT The longtime Beverly Hills home of singer, pianist and comic actor Jimmy Durante has been purchased for $3.2 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1263122.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1263122.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Model-turned-actress Natasha Henstridge, who starred as the alluring human-alien hybrid Sil and her clone Eve in the sci-fi horror Species films, has sold her Sherman Oaks home for $1.75 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1251728.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1251728.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Newlywed actress and model Milla Jovovich, the weapon-toting glammando from the Resident Evil films, has sold a Beverly Hills Post Office area home for $2.75 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1239868.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1239868.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT A night at the Stiller compound? Comic actor Ben Stiller and his actress wife, Christine Taylor, have listed their Hollywood Hills property at $12.5 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1228372.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/hot-property/story/1228372.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Pop star Natasha Bedingfield, who launched her own British invasion of the U.S. airwaves with such often-played hits as Unwritten, has purchased a home in Los Angeles' Los Feliz area for $2.3 million. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1321571.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1321571.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00 EST Q: A few years back, some owners were allowed to install carpet on the walks of their building. We are planning to paint and weatherproof our building. The board is requiring that the owners have the carpet removed at their expense. The board says that the carpet is not in compliance with Florida law. Who is now responsible for the cost of removal of the carpet? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1308282.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1308282.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I have paid my homeowners' association fees for years. Recently, all homeowners were assessed an extra fee because many homeowners have not paid their dues, some of them for more than one year. Although I realize that foreclosures and hardships have hurt many individuals, some have simply refused to pay their dues. My understanding from attending the meeting was that every time the association has to pay a lawyer to send a letter and/or put a lien on a property, the rest of the association is absorbing the cost. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1294959.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1294959.html Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: We are about to close on a short sale in a condominium association. We understand that many of the condos are available on a short sale status in this building. We have heard that on our unit, the bank is negotiating with the builder on back HOA unpaid fees. Reading your column regularly, we see that the builder should have made efforts to foreclose on the delinquent units. Now we are concerned that when the property moves from the builder to the association all these short sale units that are not sold will be pending unpaid liabilities for the community. Can you help us to understand what the situation might be? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1285727.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1285727.html Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I live in a condominium and since late 2007 we have been without a working board of directors. One by one, the directors have moved and some have sold their units. Some have just failed to serve as directors. Two years ago the former president filed the annual report but none has been filed since. Our condominium has been dissolved by the state. We notified the Division of Corporations but it advised us to seek the advice of an attorney. Should we file for a new association or keep the same association? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1274471.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1274471.html Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: We now realize that we are unable to maintain both our home up North and our condominium here in Florida. Because we have two homes of furnishings, we would like to buy the unit next to ours and open the wall to provide the area we will need. We know we will have to pay taxes and fees on both units. Would it be legal to own both units and can we connect the units? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1263109.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1263109.html Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Q: Our board has relieved our treasurer of her position while disclosing at a shareholder meeting that she has done nothing wrong or illegal. Now three people on the board have taken over the job of writing checks and distributing funds. The board is also talking about having a nonvoting shareholder do data entry of the finances. From what I have been told, a nonvoting shareholder does not have to be bonded. If this is so, who would be accountable for financial errors or losses? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1251721.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1251721.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I live in a deed-restricted townhome community and have a neighbor who thinks the county's right-of-way is her property. She will not allow me to put out my trash bags for pickup even though it is a common area. She throws my garbage and yard waste onto my driveway. The association, police officers and waste removal service representatives have spoken to her yet she refuses to allow me to utilize this service area. What do you suggest I do? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1239857.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1239857.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: I was recently elected to a HOA board and act as president. Each meeting many minutes are, in my opinion, wasted because when we discuss delinquencies and infractions of the covenants only unit numbers are provided by the manager and we have to scramble to look at plat maps, etc., to determine addresses. The manager claims that privacy laws dictate this method. I thought that names and addresses are public records and should be used in board of directors meetings. Why is the board required to keep secret on violators and delinquent accounts? http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1241190.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1241190.html Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:27 EDT Robert Falor, once the condo-hotel king of South Florida, is accused by federal regulators of improperly pocketing about $5 million from investors in failed South Beach and Chicago ventures. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1228361.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home-garden/condos/story/1228361.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Q: Our board willfully used funds from the reserve account without unit owner approval for other purposes. The state imposed a fine on the association and not the board. Who is responsible for such action?