CasaSugar

Smith and Hawken Closing Its Doors

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

After 30 years in the garden business, Smith and Hawken is closing its doors. The website, catalog, and call center have all shut down, and you can expect sales storewide starting today. Smith and Hawken gift cards will be honored at the stores during the closure process. With over 50 stores across the United States, this is a sad day for employees of the company.

In a prepared statement, Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer of ScottsMiracle-Gro, which owns Smith and Hawken, said:

We would have preferred to sell the Smith and Hawken business in order to protect jobs and keep the retail franchise intact. However, after discussions with several potential investors over the past 12 months, it became obvious that shutting down the business was the best option available.

Do you shop at Smith and Hawken? Do you know anyone who works there? Are you sad to see it close its doors?

Garden Therapy: Inside Inspiration

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:00:20 -0700

I recently cashed in the Smith and Hawken gift certificate that my mom, auntie, and grandmother gave me as a bridal shower present. These green ceramic pots caught my eye, so I bought a trio of them to use for an indoor plant project.

To see how I'm using them, read more.

I'm using them to force hyacinth bulbs! Instead of pebbles, I used plate shards from a mosaic project to anchor the bulbs. So far, so good. The bulbs have put down good roots, and they're in a shady spot to encourage growth. I just have to make sure to keep these little guys watered!

Steal of the Day: Painted Adirondack Chairs

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:15:20 -0700

I love Adirondack chairs for their distinctive and comfortable shape, and I love them even more when they're found at a ridiculously reasonable price. This Painted Adirondack Chair ($99, regularly $169) from Smith and Hawken is a fabulous steal, though plenty of other folks have realized that as well: while the chair was available in sage, white, and red, only the red color is still available. Crafted from durable, weather-resistant acacia and rubberwood, the chairs also feature galvanized hardware and are painted with a matte acrylic. These would be perfect on a porch, deck, or lawn, and would definitely enhance any outdoor entertaining you do.

And the Winner Is...

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:00:09 -0700

Jastyck!

Congratulations to Jastyck, who won Smith & Hawken's 12 Months of Flowering Plants ($459). I hope she enjoys her year of flowers, and keeps them good to grow.

Steal of the Day: Fleur-de-Lys Window Boxes

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:15:32 -0700

I was just looking out my bedroom window the other morning and thinking about how a window box would improve the view. And since I'm also a fleur-de-lys fan, this Smith and Hawken window box offers me everything I could possibly want in a flower box - including a reduced price tag. These sturdy steel Fleur-de-Lys Window Boxes ($119-$159) would look great wherever they were placed, whether in a New Orleans Creole or a Cape Cod beach cottage. But wherever you put it, geographically, make sure to fill it with beautiful blooms.

Target Acquires Smith & Hawken Brand

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:30:34 -0800

Gardeners and decorators have been in mourning since Smith & Hawken closed its doors last June. But there is hope for us yet: Target has acquired the Smith & Hawken brand! Executive Vice President of Merchandising Kathee Tesija says, "We're thrilled to own such an admired and iconic brand. We believe the Smith & Hawken brand complements our existing portfolio of owned brands and provides our guests with another compelling reason to shop Target."

Target has established itself as a retailer dedicated to good design in both the worlds of fashion and home décor. Target's gardening and outdoor capsule collections by Cynthia Rowley and MIO were both a big hit, and the Smith & Hawken brand has had a loyal following since 1979, so I'm sure the purchase will prove to be a smart one. Target has yet to announce when its Smith & Hawken-branded offerings will be in store, but I'll let you know when they do.

On another note - the landing page at SmithandHawken.com (which now redirects to Target, shown above) suggest two things: one, Target's new campaign for Smith & Hawken may be called "rebloom," and two, Target plans to introduce a gardening social network for its new Smith & Hawken property. Stay tuned to see what's growing in the garden!

Sale Alert: 20% Off at Smith & Hawken

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:30:19 -0700

Smith & Hawken is currently offering 20 percent off of metal furniture, outdoor pavilions, cedar and teak storage, and garden structures. The perfect deal to get your garden into shipshape for Good to Grow month! Of course, you've got to do a little gardening, too. But, if you win 12 months of flowers that shouldn't break the bank either! Here's a few items I wouldn't mind calling my own:

Source

Steal of the Day: Teak Planters

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:00:31 -0700

Aside from the occasional crack, I certainly have no complaints about classic, terracotta planters; they'll never go out of style. But, who says you shouldn't mix it up a bit? The Smith & Hawken Teak Planters ($13.99- $18.99) will add a new visual element to your indoor herb garden, without overwhelming your wallet. I love the beautiful woodgrain of teak, and also the fact that these planters' watertight aluminum liners will trap water to prevent staining your floors and tabletops. I say this steal is good to grow in!

Cool Idea: Twelve Months of Flowering Plants

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:30:25 -0700

If you're the type of shopper that tires of new purchases easily and runs out to shop some more, Smith & Hawken's Twelve Months of Flowering Plants ($459) will keep you happy year long. Kind of like your favorite shelter magazine, you'll be delighted each month when beautiful blooming plants arrive at your doorstep. Ranging from White Amaryllis in January, Gerber Daisies in July, to Hydrangea in December, each plant is chosen for its "singular beauty and variety of form and color." The plants come in a nursery pot, and your order comes with a free cache pot so you'll have a spot to keep them. When the year's up, you can transfer your beloved monthly plants to your garden (if you have one), and you'll be Good to Grow for years to come!

Unfussy Fall Wreaths

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:39:58 -0700

Most of you don't bother much with changing your decor along with the seasons, but I'm always looking for excuses to switch things up and add some new home accents. Right now, I've been on the hunt for a charming and chic wreath that will look autumnal but not old-fashioned.

I'm torn between the sophisticated full foliage options, simple acorn-and-stick adornments like this Smith & Hawken Fall Leaf and Acorn Wreath ($99), or one very cool wreath made out of herbs. Either way, these would look great hanging on a front door, in the kitchen, or in another subtle spot. Do you decorate with wreaths? Check out my finds below and tell me which one you prefer.