Wise buys

Garden sink: What gardener hasn't wished for an outdoor sink for potting, clean-up, rinsing veggies and holding tools? Water Station Plus, by Backyard Gear, (about 10 by 14 inches) connects to a garden hose, has a tilting faucet and "collapsible" wings covering the sink that open into sturdy shelves as well as a soap dispenser, hose caddy and storage cubby. $89.99 at Web site. It's popular, so be sure to ask about delivery.

Shop talk

Interior design kudos: Jane Vernon Harter of Bittner's scooped up two awards from the American Society of Interior Designers for the Ohio South/Kentucky chapter Friday in Lexington. She was a winner in Best Residential Single Space and Best Model Home or Show House Room/Area categories. H.J. Euless Jr. of Greiwe Interiors was the winner for Best Residential Design Over 2,000 Square Feet, and Patricia Sowell of the College of Mount St. Joseph won Best Student Project.

Remodeler national winner: The work Neal's Remodeling did on Marcy and Randy Spears' Indian Hill home earned the Dent firm a 2003 Contractor of the Year award in the Entire House Remodel category from the annual National Association of the Remodeling Industry awards in Orlando. The expansion included an indoor pool/spa, a 700-gallon aquarium and hearth cooking area.

Stained glass gazebo: This tiny stained glass gazebo with miniature furnishings was created by Sekerak's Stained Glass and Art Decor in Sharonville and donated to the Sharonville Fine Arts Council for an auction Sunday at Evergreen Mansion on Galbraith Road. Nancy Sekerak liked the way it turned out so much that she's making another, valued at $600, to display at the shop, 3327 Creek Road. Information: 769-1050.

In print

Trading Spaces tips: 3M, makers of Scotch Blue painter's tape, has a free how-to room makeover guide with tips from Genevieve Gorder of TV's Trading Spaces. "Undo My Room Blues" teaches the basics of painting and gives step-by-step instructions for adding personal flair to four surfaces: wood floors, paneling, cabinets and glass tabletops. Send an e-mail with your name, address, city, state, and zip to ScotchBlueTips@hunterpr.com or a postcard with the same info to Undo My Room Blues, c/o Scotch Blue Painter's Tapes, P.O. Box 3148, Grand Rapids, MN 55745-3148 until June 30.

You can win a visit with Gorder, plus $5,000 to implement her suggestions, by describing why one of your rooms needs a makeover in 250 words or less, including photos. Details at www.hunterpr.com/newsroom/roombluescontent.html.

Contact Joy Kraft by phone: 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: jkraft@enquirer.com.