Design & Décor 3/15/23 edition is published by Anton Media Group.

DESIGN & DÉCOR

TREAT YOUR WINDOWS

INSIDE

Design books to inspire DIY toolbox

How To Prepare Your Garden For Spring

BY KATIE JACOBS specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

The cold winter months can seem to stretch on forever for those of us who love our lawns and gardens! Instead of staying shut indoors, why not make the most of your time and bundle up for some springtime lawn prep?

Some planning and work on the front end will help make your garden all the better and spring garden maintenance more manageable. Here is a short checklist of items to work on this winter.

Get Your Tools Ready

Winter is a great time to dust off your spring tools and arrange for any cleaning or repairs needed. It’s also the time to take stock of what might be missing from your shed that you’ll need come springtime. Think about items like your mower, garden spreader, blower, rakes, shovels, etc. There is nothing more frustrating than going to do yard work on a beautiful spring day only to realize that the tools and equipment you need either aren’t there or don’t work.

Clean Up Beds

Get the not-so-fun task of cleaning up the beds in your yard out of the way during winter so that in the springtime, you’ll be able to enjoy planting and seeing the

plants and flowers you cut back thrive with new growth.

Clip away anything that didn’t make it through the winter or needs pruning and think about making room for new plants and flowers. Think about adding fresh straw or mulch to beds if needed.

Create A Spring Planting Plan

If it’s just too cold and miserable to be outside but you still want to get a jump start on your spring garden, get your creative juices flowing and create a spring lawn and garden plan.

Think about what you’d like to grow, what grows best in shade versus sun and begin to map out where things will go in relation to what you already have growing. Taking time to draw up a plan will prove beneficial in the end as opposed to figuring things out as you go...things like timing and placement are important.

Select A Spring Fertilizer

Temperatures are finally starting to warm

up and the arrival of spring draws closer. As temperatures increase, soil temperatures also increase and this creates different conditions within the soil. Your garden will require certain nutrients at this time.

Pull Winter Weeds & Get Rid Of Pests

Garden weed control is much easier to tackle on the front end, so now is the time to get rid of those weeds that will hamper spring growth. It might seem like everything is either dormant or dead in the winter, but not those pesky weeds! They seem to hang on no matter what.

Go ahead and rid your lawn and beds of weeds so that you will have healthy soil to plant your spring plants and flowers in the spring. Be sure to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent spring and summer weeds.

Pests are another issue that will quickly get out of control come springtime, so consider pre-treating your garden with a broad-spectrum insecticide to make sure that grub worms in your garden don’t move in. Want to learn more about achieving a great lawn? Visit www.sodsolutions.com to check out more Sod University tips.

—Katie Jacobs writes for Sod Solutions.

Careful planning makes for a successful garden.

Gotcha Covered

North

Shore window treatment expert shares what’s trending

BY CHRISTY HINKO

Far from the miles of dark heavy fabric and ornate cornices and double row curtain rods of the olden days, today’s homeowners are flocking to lighter and airy window treatment designs.

“People are going for simplicity, the cleanest, most simple look and they are doing that in a variety of ways from Roman shades with a crisp bottom or a clean roller shade and no valance,” said Graham Byers, president and window treatment expert for Gotcha Covered North Shore. “They are looking for subtle textures rather than bold patterns, seeking out fabrics for a cellular, roller or wood shades that have a wonderful texture in them, but that offers variations in color and density. It’s not loud or drawing attention to itself and it creates a luxurious feel without having it go overboard.”

Byers said the trends in window treatment choices are consistent with broader interior design trends as well.

“I don’t see homeowners going toward strong colors, in line with bold color trends that get talked about,” he said. “Homeowners want something that they’re going to like this year, as much as they’re going to like it in five years.”

Re-doing major decor elements, like furniture, window treatments and

flooring, too frequently is not popular.

“People are choosing neutrals and subtler tones, even in reds and blues, but that are more muted,” Byers said. “You want to bring color into your room, but not so much that you are like, ‘Wow, this is great, but now I have to change it next week,’ it has to be something you can live with.”

Of all window treatment options, Byers said shades are the most popular choice for decorating.

“I’ve got a lot of clients who have got elaborate top treatments, valances, swags and cascades of fabrics; it’s just really heavy stuff,” he said. “They are choosing shades because they fit the window frame; they are not these big, huge pieces of fabric that cover so much more than the window; shades are light and airy.

He said the most popular choice is a single roller shade, minus the valance across the top. The roller shade is a low-maintenance choice because when it’s up, it is out of sight and when it’s down it is just a piece of hanging fabric.

“It barely attracts dust and dirt and now

a lot of the new materials have a coating on the fabrics that repel dust,” Byers said. “They are much easier to clean and maintain.”

Long gone are the days of formal drapery, although Byers said he does still get occasional requests for drapery; if that is what the customer wants, that is what he is prepared to deliver.

“It is almost like window treatments are taking a step back so that other things in the room can shine,” he said.

The typical timeframe from consultation to installation is approximately four to six weeks.

Byers, who has been in the window treatment business for two years, said that post-pandemic production and manufacturing has nearly returned to normal, but there are times when a single component is not available and can delay the process significantly.

If you are planning a renovation project or making major changes to your windows, it is best to schedule the window treatments consultation for after the new windows are in place.

“Window treatments are custom to an eighth of an inch (shutters are custom to a 16th of an inch), so it’s really precise,” he said. “I have been in a lot of houses where homeowners have ordered something

themselves from somewhere online and they do their own measurements. They have these huge gaps on the sides that just don’t fit the way they’re supposed to.”

He said they might have measured correctly, but they do not have the expertise of how the fabric falls or where the gaps in coverage will be.

“Maybe they did not know that this kind of shade has a deduction of two inches, or the fabric is an inch, and a half less,” he added.

If you want new window treatments, you want to do it after you put new windows in because inevitably, the size of the window might change by a half of an inch or the molding ends up being narrower.

“I always wanted to start my own business,” Byers said. “It was the right thing for me at just the right time.”

He works closely with his wife, who is an interior designer. The duo often collaborates on design projects.

“When I am working with any designer, I let them lead with the fabric,” he said. “I bring the vision to life.”

Ready to get started? Visit www. gotchacovered.com/north-shore or call 516-701-0141 to find inspiration and to book a consultation.

Christina Byers Design

Design With Inspiration

Check out these new book titles for home interior and design inspiration

1Arranging Things by Colin King

3

McAlpine by Bobby McAlpine

New York–based stylist Colin King shares his wisdom and insights for cultivating beauty in our everyday surroundings—composing objects into simple, sophisticated vignettes that enrich our homes and our lives. The go-to stylist for many of the world’s leading brands and publications, King is a regular contributor to Architectural Digest, T, Ark, and Rum magazines. He collaborates regularly with West Elm, Anthropologie, Zara Home, Crate & Barrel, and Roman and Williams Guild and has his own celebrated product lines with Beni Rugs and Menu, with more in the works. 2

Heirloom Rooms by Erin Napier

Erin Napier, designer, host of HGTV’s Home Town, and author of Make Something Good Today, returns with a gorgeously illustrated and one-of-a-kind celebration of the homes we live in and love. Our homes are more than an assemblage of bricks and glass, wood and nails. They are the keepers of our childhood memories, our milestones, and heartaches. They evolve as we do. As a family grows and eventually retracts, a home can change hands and begin again. We are the chapters in the book of a house. They carry on after we are gone, setting the stage for another story, a new life, new memories.

The work of renowned firm McALPINE has always communicated the power of romanticism, speaking directly to the heart through the beauty and poetry of the home. Tapping diverse influences, the residences draw from architectural languages ranging from Elizabethan and Dutch to colonial Caribbean and agrarian American. The book opens with Bobby McAlpine’s own newly designed house, featuring exquisite spaces that are modern in expression but classical in order and balance. Other projects include a white-on-white neoclassical pavilion-bythe-sea in the Bahamas; a masonry dwelling in the rolling hills of Virginia; a quintessential American country house in Tennessee that combines the familiarity of a farmhouse with crisp minimalism; and an exuberant house sited on the edge of a pastoral golf course in Alabama. Freely choosing from architecture’s treasury, the assembly of houses is familiar, bold, and surprising, all at the same time—reflecting the complexity of the human experience. 4

Sacred Spaces by Carley Summers

Before she became an internationally renowned designer and photographer, Carley Summers suffered from alcoholism and addiction, spending nights in jail, the emergency room, and rehab. As someone who celebrates recovery today, she knows firsthand the importance of a warm and inviting home. Summers uses her life experience and her craft to ensure that the homes she photographs and designs are comforting, healing spaces to live and grow in. Sacred Spaces takes readers on a beautifully photographed journey inside fourteen homes, from North Carolina and California to Canada, France, and Morocco, as Summers uncovers the vulnerable stories behind each one: a mother who uses her kitchen to heal her son with food, a woman who found her sanctuary after overcoming childhood abuse, and more. She even offers a tour of her mother’s home and her own.

Nine Must-Have Tools For Your Tool Box

A well-stocked tool box is necessary for homeowners and renters to do basic home repairs and simple DIY projects. From hanging pictures to assembling furniture, a good set of tools lets you take on all types of projects instead of calling somebody else to get the job done.

Tape Measure

The golden rule of DIY is to measure twice and cut once. You need a tape measure to do this. A 12-foot tape measure is long enough for most homeowners’ needs. It’s also small enough to fit in a drawer or tool box and won’t break your budget.

Unless you are building a shed or tackling a larger DIY project, avoid the contractor-grade 25-foot tape measures which are heavy and expensive.

Ball Peen Hammer

A traditional claw hammer is a must for construction, but an 8-ounce ball peen hammer is better for DIYers for tapping picture hangers into walls or making light-duty repairs.

A ball peen hammer is lightweight, takes up less space in a tool box, and has no sharp claw to navigate around, making it a better choice for general household use.

Screwdrivers

A good set of screwdrivers can help with a range of home improvement tasks

from installing overhead lights to changing cabinet pulls. You need at least three different sizes of flathead and Phillips head screwdrivers to cover most jobs.

A multi-bit screwdriver has interchangeable screwdriver heads and will take up less room in your tool box, but it’s easy to misplace one of those bits. If you’ve got more space, buy a screwdriver set. A good set of screwdrivers could last you the rest of your life.

Adjustable Wrench

A pair of high-quality adjustable wrenches can take the place of multiple wrench sets. An 8-inch wrench hits the sweet spot for most projects, but if you plan on doing light plumbing or other heavier home repairs consider buying a full set of standard and metric wrenches.

Utility Knife

A utility knife or box cutter is the most used item in your tool box. Utility knives are indispensable for opening packages as well as any household task that requires cutting, scraping and scoring. Keep one in your tool

box, but keep a second one in your kitchen drawer or somewhere else for easy access. A folding pocket knife can do the same tasks, but if you want to keep your blade sharp opt for a utility knife that uses replaceable blades.

Torpedo Level

You need a sturdy, 9-inch torpedo level for hanging shelves, mirrors or televisions straight. Hang them with no level, and they’ll end up crooked. Look for a level with a bubble that is easy to see and can take both horizontal and vertical measurements. It’s also good to have a level with built-in magnets which can help you go hands-free and make small adjustments to a metal surface.

Hex Keys

Hex keys are also known as allen wrenches or allen keys. Hex keys can be used to tighten bike seat posts and assemble flat pack furniture. Sometimes products include hex keys with the instructions but having your own set with longer handles will make the job much easier. A full set of allen wrenches in standard and metric sizes will get more use around your home than you realize.

Socket Wrench Set

If you plan to do any mechanical or auto repair, you will need a good socket wrench set. Choose one with a 3/8” drive to cover most uses and sockets in standard and metric sizes.

Unless you are a mechanic, you don’t need those giant sets with 50 or more sockets. You’ll be fine with a socket set half that size.

Personal Protection Equipment

Personal protection equipment (PPE) includes safety glasses, work gloves and hearing protection. Keep these items in your tool box so you have no excuse not to use them. Use safety glasses any time you are striking or grinding something, as well as during yard work or working on something overhead that might cause dust or debris to fall.

Work gloves prevent splinters and protect your hands from minor nicks and scratches. Leather work gloves are the most durable and are ideal for gardening and heavy-duty applications. Nitrile work gloves allow for the most feel and will keep your hands dry and clean. But a good multipurpose work glove can cover almost every job.

Use hearing protection around loud equipment such as lawn mowers or heavy machinery. Earmuffs offer the most protection, but ear plugs are smaller and easier to carry. Still need more information on what tools to get? Visit www.lowes.com to watch the DIY Basics video series and view tool buying guides to help you find the right tools for your project.

—Reprinted courtesy of Lowe’s

The right tools make projects easy. Lowe’s

Easy And Eye-Catching

Home design on a budget

Are you bored looking at the same old decor around your house? Maybe it’s time for a change. If a slim budget is holding you back from updating your space, here are six ideas to help refresh your home that will cost about $100 or less.

Wallpaper a Nook

For a big impact at a low cost, wallpaper a reading nook, an alcove or a study space. Today’s fantastic wallpapers range from retro florals to zingy geometrics, and at less than $15 a roll in the discount bins at your favorite home store, it’s a statement you can afford to make.

Create a Sticker Backsplash

If tile is too expensive, consider a backsplash made of peel and stick, waterproof stickers. Just peel and apply them to a clear, flat surface. At a cost of $30 or less for 16 stickers, you can bring a whole new look to your kitchen.

Highlight Your Front Door

Choose a stand-out paint color that says ‘Welcome.’ Add a jazzy new house number, a cool door mat and, if the budget will allow it, a bright new door knocker.

Install Crown Molding

Add elegance to a living or dining room with do-it-yourself crown molding. Depending on the size of your room, you can find peel and stick kits, including pre-cut corner pieces, beginning at around $100. Solid wood molding costs up to $4 a foot, but since it’s hard to see at least eight feet above your head, you can opt for a vinyl look-alike for less.

Plant a Window Box

Up your home’s curb appeal with a cheerful window box or two, featuring foliage and flowers that complement the home’s exterior. The boxes are available at most home stores all year long for less than $100 each.

Hang a Gallery Wall

Make your house feel more like home with a gallery wall displaying treasured framed photos, your favorite artwork and even some of your kids’ fabulous artwork and/or posters. A failsafe way to do this is to create paper cut-outs of each framed piece and arrange them on the floor to your satisfaction first, before you start banging nails into the wall. Visit www.onekeymls.com for more home tips, real estate advice and market statistics.

Accent a wall with wallpaper. Choose

Sticker backsplashes are easy to install. Window planters add curb appeal.

Mix and match art with a gallery wall.

Crown moulding is classic.

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