Southern almanac

Southern Living, Mar 2001 by Thompson, Annette

Spring returns March 20 along with balmy breezes as fresh as a robin's whistle. Before you venture out on a spring break sojourn, first welcome the season into your home. Call it spring-- cleaning or replenishing, the process of reorganizing your cabinets and

closets, garage and attic, bedrooms and living room revitalizes. We've scoured the Web for some handy shopping and service sites to get you started; some of them also offer showrooms that you'll want to visit on your next trip.

In With the New

Start with a good night's sleep on sheets from a great Mobile shop: The Giving Tree. Go to www.givingtreeonline.com to see their fine collection of French and Italian linens as well as tips on the care of these heirloom pieces. Owner Carol Teplick welcomes you to the site and invites you to visit her store, located on Old Shell Road near Spring Hill College in Alabama's port city (1-888-678-0068).

Shed some light on your newly clean home with the help of www.wildwoodlamps.com. This North Carolina company hand-- crafts fine lamps, wall screens, mirrors, and eclectic furniture pieces in their Rocky Mount facility. Artists sculpt, paint, polish, and wire materials into fashionable accessories. Wildwood primarily manufactures lamps and decorative accessories, and their Web site is a great place to view these items.

When looking for a special old treasure, go e-antiquing. You can start by browsing booths of the Cyber Mall at www.antiqueinfo.com/mall.htm without ever leaving home.

A couple of our favorite virtual (and real) antiques shops that you'll want to visit feature furniture and household fixtures. Eugenia's Antique Hardware, a Chamblee, Georgia, store that you can access at www.eugeniaantiquehardware.com, puts an enormous collection of door and furniture hardware, such as knockers and bolts, as well as bathroom accessories, at your fingertips. Each photograph can be enlarged on your computer screen, and folks stand by in the actual store to answer your questions ([770] 458-1677). Not all their inventory is on the Web site, so give them a call if you are looking for something specific.

If Eugenia's doesn't have what you're looking for, try www.antiquehardware.com, a Bluffton, South Carolina,

antique fixtures and furniture business. Or stop by and visit owners Tim and Ellen Judge at their shop on your way to Hilton Head (1-800-422-9982).

When you don't want to buy new furniture, preferring instead to repair and repolish what you already have, set your browser on www.funitureknowledge.com. You'll click through a store full of tips on topics such as cleaning waxy buildup, removing water spots, and fixing squeaky bed frames. Enjoy shopping their extensive collection of woodworking tools, and get inspired by the how-to section.

When spring fever hits hard, and opening a window to let the air in just won't do, move your efforts outside to the patio or deck. But first, click on www.thegardenroom.com to select outdoor-living pieces from this Winston-- Salem, North Carolina, company, and select your new patio furniture collection from a variety of wrought iron, wicker or rattan, and aluminum items.

Out With the Old

Once you've removed all the cobwebs and dug out all those no-- longer-in-style accessories that you don't really need, separate the items into two piles. Give as much to charity as you can (look to www.unitedway.org for a listing of local agencies that will accept your gifts). Then, access www. yardsalesearch.com to get a great set of tips for organizing a garage sale. While visiting the site, register your own event for other Web shoppers, and scope out the latest sales in your hometown. Click on their free sign maker to create your own street advertisement, or join the chat room and talk with others about selling your stuff.

Starting Over

Not satisfied yet? Some of us want more-a whole lot more-out of our homes. Hands-on kind of folks will enjoy the handy Web site, www. doityourself.com, which is loaded with information about home improvement and home repair. It's full of how-tos, tips for when you need a contractor, and best of all, a community forum for others like you. Topics range from plumbing and painting to home security.

If you prefer to hire a contractor at the beginning of a remodeling project, first check out www.improvenet.com. This extensive site will walk you through the stages of home improvement, such as designing your new kitchen, bath, or patio; as well as finding the best contractor, architect, or designer; selecting products; and locating a lender near you.

Annette Thompson