Home In Style

SUMMER 2011 T H E B R YA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N E A G L E

THE NEW BLACK

Black and near-black plants take center stage in outdoor landscapes

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW Visitors, merchants energized by Downtown Bryan renovations

LOCAL DIGS

Thrift store table proves ‘junk’ isn’t a dirty word

AMAZING SPACE ROOM MAKEOVER Win a room makeover from The Eagle and Amazing Space

Family

History BRYAN COUPLE TURNS HOME INTO GENERATIONAL MUSEUM

Family 10 History Br yan couple turns home into generational museum

Contents

5 the new black

Black and near-black plants take center stage in outdoor landscapes

8 Something old, something new

Visitors, merchants energized

by Downtown Bryan renovations

16 light up the night and day

Outdoor lighting is as much about setting a mood as shedding light

21 have your flowers and pick them, too!

Enjoy your garden by planting for cuttings that leave outside blooms beautiful while enjoying the bounty inside, too

22 A Brand New Room Contest winner enjoys living room makeover

23 Win a room makeover

Enter to win a room makeover from The Eagle and Amazing Space

18 local digs

Thrift store table proves ‘junk’ isn’t a dirty word

Hermann Furniture

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Home in Style Summer 2011

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1729 Briarcrest Bryan, Texas 77802 Publisher Jim Wilson Director of Sales and Marketing Ron Lee Display Advertising Manager Joanne R. Patranella 979.731.4719 joanne.patranella@theeagle.com Creative Services Manager Jim Bob McKown 979.731.4706  jimbob@theeagle.com Special Projects Editor Billy Mau 979.731.4704  billy.mau@theeagle.com Section Designer Courtney Lewellen For questions or comments, please call: 979.731.4738 or email: homeinstyle@theeagle.com www.theeagle.com

Just the

Facts, Please A comprehensive look at the state of gardening, home improvement and outdoor living

By DeBORah DOUglas CTW FeaTures

21

Percent of homeowners who give their lawn and landscape maintenance practices a passing “green” grade Source: National Gardening Association

4

Percent increase in spending on home improvement last year Source: NPD Group

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Publication Date: Thursday, August 25, 2011 Space Reservation Deadline: Friday, July 29, 2011

8.5

million

Number of gas grills shipped in 2010, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association

56

Percent of consumers who grill year-round Source: HPBA

4

Home in Style Summer 2011

3.5

Percentage growth in home improvement spending expected in 2010-15

84

Percent of Americans who turn off lights and appliances when not in use Source: Harris Poll

60

40

Percent of consumers who have a movable grill system on a patio/deck with outdoor furniture and dining space Source: HPBA

71

Percent of Americans who use power strips

Percent of shoppers who make it a point to buy from companies that support their values

Source: Harris Poll

Source: Young & Rubicam

750,000

The number of cars whose carbon dioxide emissions would be offset if every customer of IKEA replaced one 60-watt bulb with an energy- saving bulb

64

Percent of Americans who will invest in home renovation projects in 2011 Source: American Express

Left: ‘Ebony Knight’ black mondo grass works well as an accent plant in a border or in a container Center: the bright contrast of ‘Tropicana Black’ canna blossoms and foliage Right: ‘Moonlight’ coral bells make a dramatic statement in a garden border

the new

black

By Dawn Klingensmith

H

CTW Features

aving a “black thumb” takes on a whole new meaning this gardening season.

That’s because black and near-black plants are gaining in popularity – so much so that the new Black Velvet petunia, unveiled last spring, has been dubbed the most talked-about plant in 2011.

Ball Horticultural Co. claims its Black Velvet is the first all-black petunia, and has been aggresively promoting the fashionable novelty. “Everybody wants to be the first on their block with a hot new plant,” says Ball’s Bill Calkins. “Like a little black dress or a black leather jacket, black goes with everything,” he enthuses on a YouTube video, talking up the merits of the petunia as “part of a fun, awesome mixed basket.”

A few years ago, chartreuse plants that seemed to glow from within enjoyed their star turn as the must-have color among serious gardeners. This season’s darlings happen to be black. Novelty is just one of the virtues this color offers gardeners. why black is beautiful

In nature, the color black does not recede into the background.

“Black plants are popular in our area because they give good color and are used by landscape designers for impact,” says Pat Gillette, senior manager, Wheat’s Landscape, Vienna, Va. Yet black is not a show-stealer. An excellent color for contrast, “black can really help another color, like orange or pale pink, pop out in the landscape,” says Amy Stewart, a contributing editor to Fine Gardening and author of “Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities” (Algonquin Books, 2009).

Stewart’s book covers deadly botanicals. “But as I was researching, I did find that people are really interested in black plants, even if the only thing that’s ‘wicked’ about them is the color,” she says.

“These plants do not have to look like the Addams Family garden – not that there’s anything wrong with that!” Stewart adds.

In fact, black looks modern and sophisticated, especially in urban and balcony

Black and near-black plants take center stage in outdoor landscapes

gardens, Stewart says.

Some dark-as-night flowers – like black pansies, Black Barlow columbines, Black Gamecock irises and Queen of the Night tulips – actually blossom a deep, dark purple or wine color.

Other black beauties include shrubs and trees, like the Black Lace elderberry, which “looks a little bit like a Japanese Maple with its fine, lacy foliage,” Stewart says. “It produces beautiful sprays of pink flowers in spring, and the combination of the pink against the black leaves is really extraordinary.”

Equally striking is the Tropicanna Black canna, an exotic-looking spiked plant that produces bright

scarlet or orange flowers.

Black Mondo Grass is “low-growing clump grass used as ground cover, in rock gardens or as a border, or just for added interest because of its unique color,” Gillette says.

Plant it around the edges of containers or beds to frame and accent your other plants, Stewart suggests.

Just because a plant is black does not mean it shuns the sun like a vampire, Stewart warns: “Some of them need full sun in order to really turn black. Be sure to read the plant labels, and give them a spot that will really allow their darkness to come through.”

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Hit the deck New composite, plastic decks offer good looks with less work By eliZaBeth BRewsteR CTW FeaTures

At ease: a composite deck by Trex with the company’s new outdoor furniture made of recycled plastic

A

backyard deck is supposed to be a relaxing retreat.

But there’s nothing relaxing about the drudgery of cleaning, sanding and staining a wood deck over the years. A growing number of homeowners are looking beyond wood to higherpriced but lower-maintenance alternatives such as composite (ground-up wood mixed with new or recycled plastic) and all-plastic decks.

“A wood deck is going to need some annual protection from the elements,” says Shawn Miller, president, North American Deck and Railing Association. “A composite deck is only going to 6

Home in Style Summer 2011

need to be hosed off every now and then.”

new Deck tecH The first composite decks in the 1980s were more susceptible to mold and fading, and sometimes acquired a bad reputation, says Michael Rudh, deck designer for Decks.com, Alpharetta, Ga. But new composite products introduced during the past few years use different technologies to guard against those problems. The newer products are generally priced higher than earlier-generation composite materials but offer much better protection against the elements, says Miller.

Some newer composites encapsulate the deck material in vinyl for added resistance to stains and scratches.

Composite products use a mixture of recycled woods and man-made materials that help prevent mold, including bamboo, straw and even rice hulls, which are more water-resistant than wood.

Composite boards come in a range of white, gray and brown shades and realistic wood textures, says Rudh, with railings to match.

“A lot of people are using gray,” he says, “and the light-brown cedar color and the dark brownish redwood color are probably the most popular.”

Color and texture: a composite deck in contrasting rustic birch and forest green

let’S get ‘Real’ “There are some very realistic-looking materials now; you really have to look at it to tell if it’s composite or not,” Miller says.

All-plastic deck materials made from PVC (vinyl) offer many of the same benefits as composites but tend to be pricier. They have the added advantage of being impervious to moisture,

so mold and decay don’t enter into the picture.

“PVC options are a little lighter in color than composite decking, and they’re a little cooler underfoot [in hot weather] because PVC doesn’t retain heat the way plastic does,” Miller says.

The newest breed of vinyl decks are made of cellular PVC formed into solid planks, with a much wider variety of wood colors and textures than

more traditional hollow vinyl decks.

Both composite and vinyl deck materials will likely stand the test of time better than wood, says Miller, president of Classic Designs Inc. in the Denver metro area.

“They protect themselves, and they’re not susceptible to cracking and splintering,” he says.

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Something Old

SOMETHING NEW

By shaROn ROe sPeCIaL TO THe eaGLe

Visitors, merchants energized by Downtown Bryan renovations

W

ith events like First Fridays and the Texas Reds festival, Downtown Bryan is making a name for itself as it continues its transformation into a new hub for food, fun and entertainment. The ongoing renovations to the area have visitors and business owners alike excited about what is going on in the old town.

“People can’t help but feel the energy in downtown,” said Kristy Petty, owner of Village Café and Art 979 Gallery. “There’s so much growth and rebirth. I think that’s because you see people living out their dreams in downtown, whether that’s renovating an old building, working for yourself, or for a nonprofit organization and giving back to people.”

Cassidy Barton, executive director of the Downtown Bryan Association, agrees.

“Downtown is the center of our community,” said Barton. “People don’t know what they’re missing down here. The Downtown Arts and Culture Committee has been working with the community to make art 8

Home in Style Summer 2011

more accessible. The arts live in downtown Bryan.”

Restoration on the Queen Theater’s crown will be completed by the end of September, but that’s not the only renovation supplying downtown’s fresh face. Businesses are restoring storefronts and making improvements indoors.

“The City of Bryan made a big investment in projects like the LaSalle hotel and underground utilities hoping that would be a catalyst for private sector investment,” Barton said. “Loft spaces are being renovated, storefronts have been turned into art galleries, Casa Rodriguez just finished a beautiful new tile bar, and Catalena Hatters restored the original façade and also put in a cedar hat-creasing bar.”

Over the summer, the abatement and demolition stage will begin on the Queen’s interior. “The holes in the roof were left for so many years, the theater seating and wood staircase cannot be salvaged,” Barton said.

“Due to safety issues it all has to go. What

will remain will be the solid elements. We’ve had so much input from those in the community, and a high degree of community participation. And it’s been wonderful to see the businesses that have chipped in to help further the project.”

Artist Greta Watkins, owner of The Frame Gallery on N. Bryan appreciates the neighborly feel of the area. Watkins is responsible for starting First Fridays, hosting the first events in her own shop.

Now encompassing all of downtown, First Fridays provide a canvas to showcase the community’s latest artistic endeavors.

Restaurants, shops and galleries stay open later and offer live music and art demonstrations in various locations. Every month offers something a little different as each event spotlights different themes.

“Whether you’re an artist or art enthusiast, there are multiple demos featuring everything from pottery to painting to photography,” Barton said. “We kicked off last month with an outdoor movie series in Sale Park. Always family

friendly, the movies will be anything from Disney to old classics, and they start at dusk. It’s also a great time to try out a new restaurant.”

Maps located in the windows of participating vendors downtown list where and when the artist demos will be held, and for the kids, the MSC Forsyth Center Galleries on N. Main hosts a craft time, making photo frames or lanyards, projects simple enough for all ages.

“There are so many different ways to enjoy downtown,” said Watkins, “from the historical perspective in the details of the older buildings, to the social side that feels like a little neighborhood, and then

the techno side with the fiber optic cable running through downtown.”

For other live music events downtown, check out Casa Rodriguez for mariachi on second Fridays, The Stafford on Main Street, and The Revolution Café and Bar. The Village Café and Art 979 also feature live music every Friday night, or try out a new dance style with their salsa lessons on Wednesday and Saturday nights. All these events and more are listed on the Downtown Bryan website calendar.

For more information, consult Downtown Bryan.com.

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Fami History

By Billy maU THe eaGLe

PhOtOs By ChanDleR aRDen

Bryan couple turns home into generational museum

10 HOME IN STYLE Spring 2011

ily y

A

person’s home often makes a statement about who they are, but in the case of the home of Dr. Pat Guseman and Clay Gerngross, the house serves as more of a family museum.

When the couple married, they wanted to build a house that reflected their families’ German heritage while paying homage to the Hill Country area where so many German families settled in the early years of Texas. Once built, they filled the home with family heirlooms and antiques from Germany as well as across the state.

The first impression that visitors get upon entering through the beautiful double doors is one of grandeur. The doors open into the Great Room, which encompasses the foyer, living room and kitchen. The Great Room extends 27-feet straight up to the ceiling by way of the open second floor of the house.

Large windows open onto the lush backyard, giving the room even more depth.

The original design for the house had no second story above the Great Room, but Guseman said she and her husband decided to add them in to enhance not just the room, but also the whole house.

“We didn’t want the room to look too sterile,” Guseman said. “We added the media room and upstairs bridge to

Opposite: Pat Guseman and Clay Gerngross designed their home to feature their many great antiques and family heirlooms. The framed panels flanking the fireplace were ceiling tiles from an old Bryan saloon. The one to the right even has a bullet hole from an undoubtly rough night at the bar. Above: The media room offers a bird’seye view of the living room.

Below: Opening into the living room, the kitchen offers plenty of room for cooking while still letting the chef mingle and interact with guests.

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11

the original plan to give the room a more cozy feel. Without that, it would be 27 feet of ceiling, which is not very cozy.”

Thanks to the trained eyes of the By Design interior decorators, visitors are treated to a visual feast from the moment they walk through the door. A pair of antique German credenzas from the Black Forest region that flank the living room fireplace on either side highlight the living room furnishings. Hanging above the credenzas are ceiling tiles from an old Bryan saloon. A bullet hole in one of the tiles is a testimony of the rowdy days of the town’s early history.

A granite island separates the living room from the kitchen while still allowing an open sight and conversation path, meaning the cook can tend to the meal while still being part of the gathering in the living room. Two large display cases in the kitchen house a collection of glassware from five generations of Guseman’s family.

“When people come to visit, they always love looking at this,” Guseman said. “When my mother started to go blind, she wrote out notes for items in the house. I kept those because I knew I’d want to know what she had to say about all of this.”

The Great Room separates the two downstairs wings. Turning right from the main entry leads to the study/guest wing. This area includes a pair of bedrooms and a bath. One guest room doubles as Guseman’s study and features an antique piano her mother bought for her when she was still a child. The other bedroom is decorated with items belonging to Guseman’s late mother. Her violin hangs on a wall opposite the organ she played for many years. A bookshelf holds books, pictures and other decorations while a small desk made by Guseman’s great-grandfather sits near the door.

Every item tells a story and the room is Guseman’s favorite in the house.

A turn in the opposite direction leads to the master suite by way of a hallway dedicated to Guseman’s greatest passion: old maps of Texas.

Guseman is a Texas demographer and geography and maps are a natural companion to that. She has sought out many unique maps dating back to the Republic of Texas, many of which were made by foreign countries. One German map of the Republic of Texas is paired with travel papers granting passage to Texas.

This hallway also houses a one-of-a-kind treasure. Guseman’s father was the director of a 12

Home in Style Summer 2011

Top Right: This model castle was made by German POWs in a WWII prison camp in East Texas.

Guseman’s father ran the camp and gave the castle to her as a gift. Center Right: Five generations of family crystal and china dishes are on display in the kitchen, each labeled with who originally owned the piece. Bottom Right: A narrow walkway on the second floor known as “The Bridge” spans across the living room to the media room. The shelves along this wall are used to display a collection of heirlooms and old books that can be seen from the fist floor of the house. Left: The master suite boasts a hand-carved crystal chandelier, fireplace and a great view of the backyard.

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Home in Style Summer 2011

POW camp in East Texas for German prisoners during World War II. Some of the prisoners built a model of an old German castle. The castle opens up to reveal a detailed interior populated with miniature soldiers. Some of the prisoners left uniform buttons in the castle as well.

The hall corners towards the master suite that features patio access, a fireplace and a stunning view of the Heron Lakes in Miramont Estates. As lovely as all of that is, the most striking feature of the room for most visitors is the hand-chiseled crystal chandelier above the bed.

“I love the chandelier. It’s something that will never go out of style because it is more art than decoration,” Guseman said. “The crystals in most chandeliers are precision cut and glisten, but this is the countervailing approach to using those same kinds of crystals. These are hand-chiseled, so they aren’t shiny and precisely cut.”

The room has a little something for both Guseman and Gerngross. She likes the use of a modern painting above the fireplace to offset the older and more rustic aspects of the room, while he can be found most mornings with his binoculars bird watching through the window overlooking the lake.

The second floor of the house features a guest suite at one end and a media room with Gerngross’ home office at the other end.

The landing of the stairs from the first floor serves as a display area for family treasures that Guseman rotates on a regular basis. From there, a walkway known as “The Bridge” spans across the back wall of the Great Room to the media room area. The wall along this passageway is a continuous line of shelves holding old books, family mementos and old stereoscopes. The stereoscopes are something the couple collects and at least one can be found in almost every room of the house. They are more than just decoration, as the couple often uses them for entertainment.

Tucked away in the corner of the upstairs is a balcony that is popular with guests as the balcony

Far Left Top: The view from the back patio includes both Heron Lakes, named for the blue herons that fish the waters. Far Left Bottom: The back patio doubles as an outdoor living area with a full fireplace and kitchen, making it a popular spot for gatherings. Left Top: Guseman turned one of the guest rooms into a place to display her late mother’s treasures. In a house full of stunning rooms, this is her favorite place in the house. Left Center: The guest restroom with its hand-detailed walls shows that no room in the house was overlooked when it came to design and décor. Left Bottom: The entrance foyer houses one of Guseman’s favorite paintings and her prized antique Texas maps.

door is right next to the guest suite. Sitting atop the house, this balcony offers a wide view of the lakes behind the house and easily picks up any breeze passing by. Specially made fans on the patio blow a fine water mist and can cool the balcony off considerably on hot summer days, making this an ideal place for an outdoor breakfast or even an afternoon nap.

Below the balcony is the large back patio, which easily could be called an outdoor living room. The back patio features a full kitchen, a fireplace and plenty of seating.

Much like the balcony above, water mist fans keep this area cool enough to run the fireplace at night if so desired.

Much as By Design did with the interior of the home, Bob Ruth helped the couple create dynamic outdoor areas and features.

Guseman is especially proud of the landscape of the front yard. Under Ruth’s guidance, the landscape springs to life with a variety of German-Texan themed plants. Flowerbeds along the house and walkway are full of sage, sweet potato vines, cacti and rosemary among other indigenous plants. Irregular

stone patterns give the walkway character, while twin gas lamps welcome visitors to the front door and give them a small sampling of the beauty they will find within the home.

When Guseman and Gerngross designed their home, they did it with the goal of creating a cozy place to live and to showcase their own family treasures. They’ve been in the home for a year and a half now and couldn’t be happier with the results, especially when it comes to sharing their history with others.

“We’re able to showcase treasures of family members now deceased, and it gives you a feel for the life and times of generations far removed,” she said. “They aren’t valuable items necessarily, but they explain each person’s family legacy.”

In combining the old with the new, this couple created a home that reflects not only themselves, but generations of their past as well. If this is any indication of what is to come, the house could serve the same purpose well into the future, too.

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Light Up the

Night and Day Outdoor lighting is as much about setting a mood as shedding light.

There’s plenty to choose from.

By miRielle Cailles CTW FeaTures

E

legance and function in a contemporary outdoor lighting solution can come at a high price these days. But a tight budget doesn’t have to impede ambitions for either when choosing outdoor lights for the home. From the patio to the pool side, all of today’s lighting needs have trendy options that will fit any budget and make an outdoor space glow.

“Tiki torch lighting, colored paper lanterns, glass lanterns, twinkle light and hurricane lamps are all cost-effective and stylish solutions for lighting any outdoor area.” Christina MacDonald, publicity director of Studio City, Calif.-based DRS & Associates.

If you have a garden, consider placing outdoor torches around it to create a tropical setting. This is

Exciting

a favorite trick of Vicki O’Neal, owner of Form and Function, a Richmond, Va.-based interior and landscape design firm. The flame of a tiki torch can be fueled with oil or gas and should always be extinguished when your outdoor area will be unoccupied for long periods of time.

When applied safely, candles can add inexpensive, calming décor to any outdoor space.

South Florida-based celebrity design expert Kathy Peterson likes to couple candles with antique dishes to create unique stands. Create faux chandeliers by hanging votives with hand wire or hang a candle fixture on a wall to add some outdoor lighting.

O’Neal says that it’s important to place candles away from artificial lighting so they will get the attention you want. Avoid mishaps by keeping candles on a secure surface in an enclosed holder or lantern.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative, batteryoperated candle pillars create the same ambience without the risk.

Some of the new lighting options for this season: Affordable fire pits of all sorts are providing warmth and ambiance to many backyards. The Orion Fire Dome from Good Directions sports a domed top, cut out to resemble the starry sky.

Weber's new round wood-burning fireplace has a porcelain lid and bowl to protect fire gazers.

Some new fire pots combine flame and water.

A gentle stream of water cascades down the sides of

Rustic glow from a garden fire lantern California Outdoor Concepts’ La Jolla Waterfall fire pit. Flames in glass crystals flicker at the mouth.

Cut-out sculptural blocks from Xiamen Synsun Garden Co. display a flame at the top and a brimming pool of water in the center.

For a do-it-yourself solution to light outdoor areas, create a paper lantern. There are many how-to guides that allow you to customize your outdoor lighting décor, and you can also purchase one at a low cost.

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Home in Style Summer 2011

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Keep the

Pit-Fires BURNING Since man discovered it, fire has been a vital source of

warmth and comfort. So if the best it does in the backyard is scorch hot dogs on the grill, it might be

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time to return to the romance of flame.

“Fire has always been something we gathered around as a community,” says Michael Zimber, the president of the functional sculpture company Stone Forest. “It is a real focal point for gathering, and [watching fire] is something like watching waves — it has an almost trance-like or calming effect on people.” Light a fire in no time with these easy tips for setting up a fire pit.

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Some fire vessels are sculpted by hand from a single block of granite, which look opulent but can also drive up the price. Stainless steel, cast iron or copper bowls are available at local retailers of all sizes. Choose between a gas and wood-burning vessel.

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For something quick, easy and permanent, take the do-it-yourself approach. Head over to a hardware store to get landscaping blocks and a steel ring.

This DIY method doesn’t use mortar or expensive bricks, and it might be the simplest fire pit to make.

Simply dig a trench, place the brick circle, fill the inside with pea stone and put some flat stones on top.

3. tHink Safety fiRSt Don’t build or place a fire pit too close to a house or too close to the flower garden, and choose a spot away from these high traffic areas. Scott Cohen, of the Yucaipa, Calif.-based Concrete Network, suggests building at the edge of a property for people to admire.

4. conSiDeR tHe inSiDe View Think about how things will look from indoors; it is possible to enjoy the fire from a living room window.

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T

local digs!

Thrift store table proves ‘junk’ isn’t a dirty word

here is a whole junk movement happening, even in our little towns of Bryan and College Station. What is “junk” you ask? Don’t shy away from the word. Junk is anything that has received a little love in its lifetime and is simply looking for a second chance at beauty. Some may call it “vintage” or “distressed,” but at the heart of this movement is an eye for potential.

It might take some work and a bit of out-of-the box thinking to get to the final product, but when that chicken wire and window frame turns into the cutest darn wall hanging your friends have ever seen, you’ll understand what I mean.

The junk and trends of the past that we have cast aside are sitting idly in thrift stores waiting to be "snatched up. Most don’t take a second glance because a table is covered in laminate, or a chair has a plastic seat cover, or the paint is chipped down to nothing… but don’t be fooled. Under the cheap fabrics is often beautiful woodwork and metal detailing. Just like floral shirts and bell-bottom jeans have come back into our wardrobes, furniture shapes and styles from all decades are reappearing in living rooms everywhere.

Just five minutes before my favorite thrift store was going to close, I discovered a sweet little TV table tucked away in the back. The legs jetted out at an angle that gave it a 1970’s feel and the plastic laminate on top made it perfectly hideous. When the store attendant yelled “store’s closing!” I knew a decision had to be made. What did it for me was the space beneath the top, perfect for a basket or tray.

As always, I needed to establish a color palette. The faux-stone laminate was a perfect medium to test out contact paper - a wall paper-like material that comes in a variety of patterns. Contact paper can be found in just about any craft store and most large grocery stores. For an even bigger variety, there is a whole online market of contact paper and similar products. It could take a week or so to deliver, but if you are looking for a specific pattern, it may be worth it.

18

Home in Style Summer 2011

BEFORE

Beauty. Design. Character.

Outdoor Furniture

Working showroom with more than 50 displays

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3213 Hwy 21 West Bryan, TX

979-775-1747

While out grocery shopping, I took a look at the contact paper selection and found a simple and bright throwback pattern that would complement the shape of the table nicely. I loved the lime green base with a dainty paisley print in white. I also grabbed a fabric covered magenta tray table for the shelf space beneath. The color was just for fun, but the storage is great for a candle, spare change, or any other knick-knacks a side table might need to hide away.

The colors on the contact paper made it easy to decide on paint. The black paint currently covering the table wasn’t too bad, but a crisp white coat would make the piece seem brand new.

It took roughly three coats of white spray paint and a few touch-ups to cover the black paint

completely. Remember, no matter what kind of paint is being used, let it dry completely before moving onto the next coat. Turns out I had to go out and buy another can, but there was a significant amount leftover when all was said and done. My advice: buy two cans just to be safe. It is the biggest pain to leave in the middle of a project to buy more paint. If it ends up not being used, you will most likely use it some time in the future. contact PaPeR: SweaR woRDS, a SQueegee, anD SucceSS Now, friends, don’t let this title completely scare you off. My battle with contact paper was a grueling one, but I fought it tirelessly so all of you don’t have to. I’m sure there are many methods out

there instructing the “easiest” way to apply this sticky medium, but instead, I just went right in. Joke was on me.

The first part wasn’t so bad. I measured out the size of the space and used a sharp blade (scissors would work too) to cut out the paper. My thought was to just peel off the paper on the back and lay the stuff in there from one side to the other, working out the bubbles as I went. Boy was I wrong. It bunched up in every which way and I was left with a sticky, vinyl mess. When foot stomping and huffing ensued, mom stepped in to help. The back of the paper instructed a hair dryer with low heat for the bubbles, and my dad jumped in with the idea of a squeegee to press down the adhesive.

We started at one corner and slowly laid down

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19

the paper, using the heat of the hair dryer and three fingers to smooth out the bubbles. When we got a good portion down, I came back with the squeegee and pressed down harder to make sure it was in place. Once we got a system going, it truly wasn’t hard at all. Someone knew what they were talking about when they said, “Parents know best.”

When everything was put together, the table seemed hardly recognizable. The white paint contrasted the magenta tray and green top nicely, but keeping the gold legs in their original form was a reminder of its true place in time. For less than $25, I had saved a piece of junk and conquered my fears of contact paper. The steps are simple enough for anyone to tackle and the price is hard to beat. Upcycling has endless possibilities. Take a look at the local junk and a treasure is sure to surface. To purchase this item or other items made by Mollie Dean, visit comeandtakeitdesigns.blogspot.com

Co

m

in g

So

on !

AFTER

Emerald Ridge Estates A Gated Acre-Homesite Community Centrally Located in College Station For More Information Call: (979) 774-2900 AFTER

HAVE YOUR FLOWERS aND Pick tHEM, too!

Easy ways with flowers: a romantic display in a teacup, left; a formal bouquet placed in a recycled coffee can, below

Enjoy your garden by planting for cuttings that leave outside blooms beautiful while enjoying the bounty inside, too

By Dawn Klingensmith

T

CTW FeaTures

o cut or not to cut? That is the question: Is it nobler to leave flowers intact in the outdoors, or to take clippers against a sea of blooms, and by bringing them indoors, hasten their demise?

Besides shortening the lifespan of plantings you’ve lovingly tended, cutting flowers for indoor arrangements diminishes the floral show in your yard.

But it’s possible to have the best of both worlds by setting aside space specifically for a cutting garden. Tuck it away where it’s not on display, or combine it with a vegetable garden. Keep in mind it’s a production garden, so the layout should be utilitarian, not ornamental, with widely spaced rows for easy access. Choose a site that receives generous sun and drains well.

Create space nearby for a compost pile.

“In a cutting garden, once something stops blooming, you pull it out and replace it with something else. So you produce a lot of green waste,” which can be turned to compost for next season’s garden, says Nicholas Staddon, director of new plants at Monrovia, headquartered in Azusa, Calif.

Plant to tHRiVe Choose plants wisely: “Not all flowers that look beautiful in the ground will thrive in a vase. Poppies are a perfect example – as soon as you cut them, they flop over and die,” says Johanna Silver, test garden coordinator for Sunset magazine.

Classic cutting garden plants include cosmos, daffodils, daisies, dahlias, geraniums, larkspur, peonies, phlox, sweet peas, sunflowers, tulips and zinnias. Include foliage plants such as Artemisia and lamb’s ears, as well, to add texture, color and contrast to fresh and dried flower arrangements, Silver recommends.

Group plants by species and care requirements. For maximum production, plant annuals in succession, with early season, mid season and late-season bloomers grouped together.

“A good cutting garden offers something in bloom all season long,” says Amy Stewart, an avid gardener and author of two books about the global cut flower industry. “You might start with sweet peas in early spring, and move all the way through to dahlias that bloom in early fall.”

Cut and deadhead blossoms regularly to spur and maintain flower production; otherwise, they will go to seed and stop blooming.

The Shellenberger Team David - (979) 229-4005 Melina - (979) 229-4006 www.melshell.com

To cultivate flowers that will stand proud and tall in a vase, encourage them to grow straight to begin with by placing stakes around the perimeter of the cutting garden and creating a grid of strings that run between the stakes, supporting the flowers in an upright position, Stewart suggests.

Harvest flowers in the morning, when they are freshest, and place them in lukewarm water as soon as possible. Use floral sheers instead of scissors so as not to crush the stem and cut off the blossom’s water supply. aRRanging: 101 Leave just a few leaves for color contrast and visual interest, and remove the rest so they won’t deprive the flower head of nutrients. Make sure none of the remaining leaves come in contact with the water.

For foolproof floral designs, “You can’t go wrong with monochromatic arrangements,” says Grayson Handy, author of “Flowers for the Home: Inspirations from the World Over” (Rizzoli, 2009).

Complementary colors work well, too, he says, “but using too many colors can look very naive, like a child who got his first box of crayons and is trying to use every color.”

Instead of vases, use vessels you find around your home and garden, such as watering cans, jelly jars and water pitchers.

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21

A Brand

New Room Contest winner enjoys living room makeover

BEFORE

AFTER

W

hen Ashli Poling saw the entry form for the room makeover contest in the last issue of Home In Style magazine, she knew exactly what she was going to submit for her entry.

Ever since she and her husband, Matt, moved into their home, the living room had been a challenge. No matter what she tried in the room, it never seemed quite right.

“It’s always been a difficult room to deal with because it’s long and narrow,” Poling said. “I would get one part of it situated the way I liked, but then I wouldn’t know what to do with the other parts of it. There would always be some kind of empty space that I thought was awkward.”

Poling took pictures of the perplexing room and sent them in where they caught the eye of Georgianne Zemanek, owner of the interior design firm Amazing Space.

Zemanek saw potential in the room and selected it for the makeover.

The color of the walls is what initially attracted Zemanek to the project. The Polings had painted the living room walls a deep golden color that they hoped would highlight and complement the cream-colored sofas being used in the room.

Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect.

“I really hoped the gold color would make the couches look more taupe and would give the room a very rich look,” Poling said. “Instead, it made the room look really drab and I was worried because it made the room look even worse than before.”

Luckily for the Polings, that gold color was inspiring to Zemanek.

Once she came to the house, she saw she needed to decorate the room to contrast the walls. Instead of going for a look that blended with the walls, Zemanek wanted to make them stand out on their own.

Zemanek specializes in making over rooms with items already in the house, something that saves homeowners money and lets them enjoy what they already have in a new light. With that in mind, Zemanek had Poling take her around the rest of

the house. After the tour, Zemanek had a plan of action.

“The living room needed a little warmth that it didn’t have,” Zemanek said. “Most of all it needed to be pulled together and accessorized the right way.”

Zemanek sent Poling out of the house and brought in movers (Brazos Moving & Storage) to help with the heavy work.

First to go were the creamcolored sofas. They were moved to the adjacent game room and swapped for the darker sofa in there. An armoire from the Polings’ daughter’s room was brought down to accent the golden walls and present a point of height opposite the living room fireplace. Armchairs, tables and lamps were also brought in from other rooms to finish out the room.

Reds in throw pillows and an armchair played off the gold color on the walls, while the darker sofa and a blue armchair contrasted it. The big find was a painting of a Europeanstyle block of storefronts. The yellows and tans of most of the stores played into the gold motif, but one store sports a bold turquoise awning. The sharp color in that painting went perfectly with a lamp from the master bedroom and played well with the blue armchair.

The change was dramatic and had Poling in awe when she returned home to see the final results.

“It was so pretty and cozy and inviting. It was just amazing,” Poling said. “I couldn’t imagine how Georgianne thought this up. She really could see going through my house all of the colors and she pulled it together.”

Zemanek was also very pleased with the final results of the five-hour project.

“There is a whole ambiance now,” she said. “The room goes with the house now. Everything really came together for this room.”

For more information about Amazing Space or to set up a consultation with Zemanek, call 979774-5095 or 979-229-7197. She can also be reached by email at amazingspace@verizon.net.

Georgianne Zemanek registered Interior Designer, has teamed with The Eagle to bring one lucky Home In Style reader a FREE Room Makeover by

Free Room Makeover

BRAZOS MOVING

Zemanek – who has been based in Bryan-College Station for more than 30 years – uses the furniture and accessories already in a client’s home and gives the space an amazing new look. That is why Zemanek named her interior design business Amazing Space because that’s what she does. The idea for using existing furnishings, instead of buying all-new, came to her after she finished a major design project for Dr. Terry Jones and his wife Betty.

Zemanek and her Amazing Spaces have been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles as well as on Houston-area TV stations.

“I look forward to working with readers of The Eagle,” she added. “I think the chosen entry winner will be amazed at the change that will happen in their rooms, just by rearranging their existing furniture and room decor. They’ll have a new look using all of their own things.”

Georgianne Zemanek Registered Interior Designer 979.774.5095 • 979.229.7197 • amazingspace@verizon.net

Enter to Win a FREE Room Makeover Name __________________________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________________

Free Room Makeover

City ___________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone _________________ Evening Phone __________________ # Of Photo Entries (Maximum of 5) _________________________________ Amazing Space FREE Room Makeover Entry Rules 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7. Winner will be selected by Amazing Space and notified by Friday, July 1.

8. Makeovers must be completed by Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

Entries must be submitted on original Home In Style Entry 9. Photos may be submitted in the form of Original Photo, CD, Forms to: The Eagle 1729 Briarcrest Dr., Bryan 77802 Flash Drive, Memory Card or Online.

Attn: Jenny (No duplicate, photocopies or emailed forms will be accepted.) 10. All photo entries must be identified with name and address.

Submit photos in person, by mail or to bcscene.theeagle.com 11. Photos, CDs, Flash Drives or Memory Cards will not be returned. and click on “Latest Contest”. Log in or register to upload 12. Before and After photos of the winner will be featured in the photos.

August Edition of Home In Style.

Maximum of 5 photo entries allowed.

Entries must be received at The Eagle by Friday, June 24, 13. Contest is for Room Makeover Only. Purchase of furnishings, décor, paint, flooring etc. is not included.

2011.

One Entry Form Per Household.

Residential Homes Only within 20-mile radius of Bryan/ College Station will be considered.

The Eagle www.theeagle.com

23

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Who’s Who

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND ...

RITA OGLETHORPE

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