Seeking 'desperate landscapes'

Do you hate your front yard? DIY Network is casting for its sixth-annual one-hour special, "American's Most Desperate Landscape." Viewers with ugly yards can apply to appear on the special and receive a renovation of their desperate landscape. The lucky landscape chosen, and its owners, will appear on the special, premiering June 5.

To apply, visit www.jaytv.net, where you can upload photos and video of your hideous landscape. Do it soon. Applications will be accepted until Friday.

Free wall/paver seminar

If you'd like to turn your yard into an outdoor retreat, you can learn some of the basics at a free seminar at Gertens. The seminar will cover pavers and retaining walls. Attendees will learn what products are available and what can be done with them.

The seminar will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.

Decorating with nature

Nature meets home decor in Shane Powers' "Bring the Outdoors In: Garden Projects for Decorating and Styling Your Home."

In the book, stylist and designer Powers shares 22 projects for bringing nature into the home using live or dried plant materials. Among them are a flowering branch wall sconce, prints made from mushroom caps and a geometric sculpture made from foam cubes covered with dried blooms.

Some of the projects involve making unusual containers or arrangements, such as an indoor water garden and a planter covered with sea-glass crystals.

"Bring the Outdoors In" is published by Chronicle Books and sells for $24.95 in hardcover.

AKRON BEACON JOURNAL

Home inspiration

Is your home ready for a makeover? If you're thinking about remodeling and wondering how to make the most of your space and your budget, mark your calendar for March 26 and "Inspired House," a panel discussion about home design and remodeling, featuring local architects.

It's a chance to chat with architects about your remodeling project, and also see the winners of this year's Home of the Month contest, which will be announced that night.

"Inspired House" will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 26 at International Market Square, Lyndale and Glenwood Avenues, Mpls. Tickets, which include light refreshments, are $20 with online registration by noon March 22, at http://hotm2013.eventbrite.com, and $25 at the door. For information, visit www.aia-mn.org.

KIM PALMER