House & Home July 2015 by Bradford Publishing

JULY 2015

Vol. 1 Iss. 2

Home on the Hill “It’s like living in a park.”

Realtor listings in the Twin Tiers

Agent Spotlights

Real estate news & trends

Home improvement & decorating ideas

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

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JULY 16, 2015

House & Home is a must read for anyone in market for a home in the Twin Tiers The three newspapers — the Olean Times Herald, The Bradford Era and The Salamanca Press — of Bradford Publishing Co. have combined their resources to produce a new special section, House & Home. The intention of the edition is to make it a must-read for anyone who is in the market for a new home in the area — or even someone who is thinking of selling a home. House & Home includes regular, locally produced features on interesting homes in the area — perhaps for their historic value or because of certain features — while the section is filled with information on remodeling, decorating and landscaping trends as well as the money matters behind buying and owning a home. The section also includes numerous listings from area Realtors of homes for sale. Homeowners who believe they have living spaces with enough character and features to be spotlighted in House & Home are encouraged to contact special sections coordinators Adam Vosler at (716) 372-3121 ext. 231 (email is avosler@oleantimesherald.com) or Alex Davis at (814) 362-6531 (email is a.davis@bradfordera.com).

Jim Eckstrom Executive Group Editor

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

Backyard sheds reimagined as pubs, studios, getaways By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON Associated Press

hen Morgaine Ford-Workman and Wren Workman bought a house with a backyard shed, they saw the potential for something more than storing garden tools. The couple transformed the 10-by-12-foot building into a bar to use during outdoor parties at their house in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. “We’re involved in community theatre and we like to throw a lot of parties,” Ford-Workman said. “It’s an extra place to hang out.” People looking to get more use out of their backyards are building or converting sheds for a variety of purposes. There are backyard pubs. “She sheds,” when they’re built by women. Home offices. Art or yoga studios. TV rooms. “As we continue to explore other ways we can utilize our backyard space, we will continue to see trends like this,” said Stacy Nelson, who owns a backyard-design consulting firm, Backyard Mamma, in Weston, West Virginia. “We want to be in nature and unwind.” The do-it-yourself element and the sheds’ visual impact have made them popular on social media sites, Nelson said. “It’s gaining in popularity. It’s all over the board what people are using them for,” she said. The sheds range from stylized structures with sliding glass doors to buildings made from repurposed materials. Ford-Workman and her husband spent about $300 fixing up their structure, which friends have dubbed “Barshed.” They furnished it with cast-off furniture from friends. “Our Barshed is nothing to put in a home-design magazine by any stretch of the imagination, but all our friends rave about its existence,” she said. Studio Shed in Louisville, Colorado, sells prefabricat-

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Associated Press This undated photo provided by courtesy of Morgaine Ford-Workman shows the bar shed she and her husband created in the backyard of their house in Morrisville, Penn. A growing number of homeowners have begun throwing parties in converted sheds and outbuildings constructed for entertaining.

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Associated Press This undated photo provided courtesy of Morgaine Ford-Workman shows her backyard bar when it is closed in Morrisville, Penn. When she and her husband entertain at their house, they open the doors to reveal a stocked bar with eclectic decorations.

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ed structures to people who want more living space or to enhance their backyard, said Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, the company’s creative director. The buildings, which range in price from $7,500 to $20,000, offer flexibility and are less expensive than adding a room to the house, he said. Jennifer and Eric Antonow added a shed to their Palo Alto, California, property because they can’t afford a bigger house. “It made so much economic sense,” she said. They use their shed as a home office and recording studio. It sits next to their hot tub, so sometimes they use it as a changing room. She also anticipates serving drinks there while entertaining outside. The Antonows needed a permit to install the shed, which rests on a

concrete slab. City and county rules vary, so check with the local zoning department before adding a structure, said Jim Ayers, a contributor to hometalk.com, an online home and garden forum for do-it-yourselfers. He did not need a permit to build the gardening shed that he later converted into a tiki bar at his Nashville, Tennessee, home. The building, which sits on concrete blocks, is not a permanent structure, he said. He transformed the shed into a party spot at the urging of his wife, Monika. “It didn’t take much for me to go her way,” he said. He estimates he spent about $500 on the project. He already had some of the lumber. Many of the items are repurposed. The Ayers spend a lot of time in their backyard, and love to invite friends. “If we’re not at somebody else’s place or away on a trip, we’re out there,” he said. “My wife loves it. In her younger years, she was a bartender.”

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

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The Home on the Hill ◗Couple restores, lives in Greek revival house built in 1840s By CHRISTA NIANIATUS Special to House & Home

assersby may first notice the pillars that mark its facade, but most around town know it as the “Home on the Hill.” Situated on California Hill Road, the house was originally built in 1845 by William Hurd Eddy, the namesake of the Eddyville hamlet in Mansfield. Eddy moved his family of six to the area in 1843 from Herkimer County, coming by way of a team of oxen. He became one of the town’s leading merchants, manufacturing cheese boxes, and served as postmaster and justice of the peace for the town for several years. The home is reminiscent of Greek revival architecture popular during that time, evidenced most clearly by the large front-facing pillars. The lumber for construction was furnished from a 40-acre stand of red pine Eddy had purchased for the sake of building the house. Also unique to the structure is the hand-crimped metal roof of Eddy’s own design. Robert and Kelly Keis purchased the home in April of 1978 with

HAMLIN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

THE BANK THAT TAKES CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS

www.hamlinbank.com

671 E. Main St., Bradford, PA 814-368-5555 333 W. Main St., Smethport, PA 814-887-5555 34 Fraley St., Kane, PA 814-837-8200 35 East Main St., Mt. Jewett, PA 814-778-5441 151 Main St., Eldred, PA 814-225-4767 2102 West State St. Olean, NY 716-543-4000

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the intention of restoring the historic place. The pair turned out to be appropriate residents, as Robert Keis has served as town supervisor of Mansfield for nearly 30 years. “The house was in pretty rough shape when we bought it,” said Kelly Keis. “The drywall needed replaced. The ceiling was leaking. We have been trying to restore it to what we saw in old photos of it.” The couple has also taken great care to keep their restorations as authentic as possible. “There is actually an upper and lower roof and we have used the original material to replace it. It’s not just metal, it’s sheeted steel,” she said. “It was also hand-crimped using oldfashioned tools.” While some modern materials have necessarily made their way into the house, Keis said they have tried to choose fixtures and decor that are in keeping with the original style of the home. “We’ve tried to get wallpaper like that flock wallpaper that looks velvety, and an older-

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

looking porcelain sink in the bathroom — things like that,” she said. The time and effort needed to bring this old house back to its former glory was really a labor of love for Keis and especially her husband. “My husband had grown up in this area and his parents actually rented this house when he was 9 or 10 and he decided then someday he would come back and buy it,” she said. Additionally, Robert Keis had worked on the farm of Jim and Velma Eddy nearby as kid, baling hay and milking cows. Jim Eddy was the great-grandson of William Eddy and Robert had learned much of the structure’s history during that time. One of the best aspects of the house, according to Keis, is the property surrounding it and the attractive landscape. “Our favorite thing about this place is the historical aspect, but we also just love looking out at the backyard and being able to see the deer and the fauna and being able to look out over Eddyville. It’s like living in a park,” she said. Keis added that if there was one thing she wanted people know know looking up at the big old house it that, “It’s not just a house. Our children grew up here and now our grandchildren come play here. It’s a home where we raised our family.”

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

Our area’s dedicated realtors offer you many properties some of which are highlighted in House & Home Spotlights. Call an agent today.

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

Home Design with Furry Friends in Mind By Alex Veig

ven for households that count four-legged fur friends as part of their family, pet-friendly features can be easily overlooked when it’s time to build or redesign. Architectural details, such as cabinetry, offer clever ways to provide pet-friendly function to any room. There are three categories to keep in mind when integrating your pet into your next home improvement design. Pets, like humans, need a place to be bathed, to sleep, and to eat.

Bathing Whether your dog is large or small, having a space to keep them clean is a necessity for year-round grooming. Another bonus: by giving them their own space, you no longer have to use your kitchen sink or bathtub to get the job done. One perfect place to include a pet grooming area is the laundry room. This room is often hidden from guests and lacks carpet, which makes it the ideal place for bathing animals. Using Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.’s You Draw It Program, you can design a custom cabinet solution that puts all the supplies you need for grooming close at hand.

Sleeping It’s pretty common for pets to have their own bed, but often this

is simply an oversized pillow lying out in a high-traffic area, such as the living room. A living/entertainment space or the kitchen is ideal for getting dogs and cats out of the way and giving them their own little cozy corner with a more pleasing aesthetic. For example, a cutout area under the kitchen counter is an attractive way to tuck your furry friend’s bed away while allowing him to remain close to the action.

Feeding Your four-legged friends have to eat just like everyone else. Create an area for food and water bowls out of the way of daily commotion. Feeding stations are commonly found in the kitchen or laundry room, but with a built-in system you can establish a functional and attractive dining destination in other rooms of the home. Features such as wells to hold food and water dishes, a bin on rollers for dry food and shelving for cans and treats will put everything you need at your fingertips for mess-free chow time. Do your pets a favor and keep them in mind when building your home or doing your next remodel. For more ideas on how you can include your pet in the design of your home, go to www. wellborn.com.

This cat likely appreciates having a place of its own in this home design.

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Design Your Dream Outdoor Kitchen By Chuck Abraham

t often starts as a blank spot on the patio, usually somewhere just outside the back door. Then come the “things” to fill the spot. There’s so much to consider that it gets difficult to make a decision. According to a 2014 survey of residential landscape architects by the American Society of Landscape Architects, one of the most popular features to fill that space is the outdoor kitchen. The first two decisions “Outdoor kitchens expand a homeowner’s opportunities to gather together with family and friends,” said Maria Stapperfenne, certified kitchen designer, certified bath designer and 2015 president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association. “However, just like indoor kitchens, outdoor kitchens must be designed thoughtfully.” Ken Kelly, a certified kitchen designer and principal at Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly in Williston Park and Sag Habor, N.Y., said the first decision is to pick a location and pay attention to the prevailing winds. “Wind direction and where the kitchen is located could cause smoke to

blow into guests or even into the house through an open window,” he said. “Keep the grill downwind of guests.” Russ Faulk, vice president of design for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, said the second decision has to do with grill placement. “Do you want the cook to face the guests, or look at the scenery?” he asked. Faulk, who also teaches outdoor kitchen design classes, said it is important to keep the cook in the party. “It makes the outdoor kitchen less of a workplace. When the cook can talk to the guests, the space becomes more social and enjoyable,” he said. Zoning it out Maximum enjoyment also comes when everything else is in its proper place, or zone. There are four zones in an outdoor kitchen - wet, cold, hot and dry. Faulk said getting these in the right combination makes

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prepping food, cooking and cleaning much easier. “Keep the cold zone next to the wet zone. This makes it easier to move things from the cold zone refrigerator to the wet zone sink to wash them off and get them ready for the grill in the hot zone,” he added. Zones are especially important when a pool is nearby. “Keep the cold zone nearest to the pool,” said Faulk. “It will keep kids who want a cold drink from running past a hot grill.” A key to proper zoning is counter space. Grills should have a minimum of 24 inches of uninterrupted space to one side and 12 inches to the other. This gives the cook nearby room to place platters, cooking utensils and more. If there’s not room for that amount of counter space, “incorporate an open-shelf cabinet below. You get additional ‘counter space’ by being able to put things on shelves,” said Kelly. An outdoor kitchen is a long-term investment that will enhance a home. With the right planning behind it, homeowners and their guests can enjoy it for many years. For more information, visit kalamazoogourmet. com.

Photo courtesy of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

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Right at Home: Fruity, summery colors perk up decor all year By KIM COOK Associated Press

h, summer — the season when oranges are transformed into ice pops, limes add zing to slushies, peaches become pies, and berries take over nearly every dessert from June to September. Citrus and other fruity hues look fresh and energetic in summer décor, and there’s no need to remove them once fall approaches. Their upbeat nature makes them a smart choice all year round. “Citrus hues are lemon sorbet for your eyes. Everybody’s home could benefit from a little extra zest, and bright juicy colors are the ultimate palate cleanser. A taste of lemon yellow, tangerine orange or lime green adds sunny optimism,” says designer Jonathan Adler. Adler’s Brigitte chair, one of his favorite designs, resembles a big comfy hand. You can have it in a spectrum of tasty hues including a

Associated Press This photo provided by Maine Cottage shows a Ale Nellie 2-Over dresser. The fruity hues of summer can make home decor look fresh and energetic all year long.

Creamsicle-like orange and a navy as rich and dark as a blueberry. Lime-green upholstery brings extra drama to Adler’s modernist Peking sofa. (www.jonathanadler.com ) Faith Phillips, design and trends expert for La-Z-Boy, likes the fresh pop of mango for an interior accent hue as the temperatures start rising. “For those of us who love a touch of ‘sunset’ in our home, this color’s for us,” she says. “It’s a bold color that can take natural hues like linen and sand and make them look richer.” It’s also lovely paired with any shade of gray. For a playful, beachy vibe, consider mixing mango with strawberry. La-Z-Boy’s Nightlife sofa, part of the Urban Attitudes collection, is available in tangelo or berry, among other colors. (www.la-z-boy.com ) At Homegoods, look for an accent chair upholstered in deep rasp-

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berry, an ottoman clad in grape, and some happy-go-lucky orange table lamps. (www.homegoods.com ) CB2 has found a fantastic lemony yellow that’s available in accent pieces like a high-gloss serve tray, a fun little teapot, a knitted pouf and a quilted pillow. There’s a bar stool, patio umbrella and bookshelf, too. (www.cb2.com ) If the crisp tang of apple red appeals to you, consider Target’s turned-leg accent table or Windham bookcase, both from the Threshold collection. There’s an upholstered headboard in the hue, and a wellpriced tub chair too. (www.target.com ) Maine Cottage has built its business on color, and the extensive furniture collection, which includes beds, tables, bookcases, dressers and chairs, is available in an extensive palette of both intense and quieter shades. Consider a dresser or bookcase in a grapey blue, bunk beds in apple green, a hutch in banana, or a dining table in apricot. (www. mainecottage.com ) Fruity hues look fresh and lighthearted against neutrals, so consider white, gray or ivory walls and large furniture pieces, with your color as punctuation. Decorative accents like pillows, art, vases or rugs are inexpensive ways to add impact. These deep, juicy shades will look lush paired with woods, leather, metallics and dark backgrounds. Think grape or pomegranate with walnut or brass; rhubarb or raspberry with ebony accents and a textured rug.

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

Put punch on the patio with Plow & Hearth’s outdoor wicker ottomans, seating, and planter baskets in banana, papaya and honeydew melon. (www.plowhearth.com ) If you’re ready to go big, think about introducing these colors through architectural elements. A fireplace, window trim, baseboards and moldings, or a feature wall set the stage. Add neutral furnishings and textiles to set off the color, then stand back and admire the fruits of your labor.

THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

NY SCHOOL DISTRICTS Cattaraugus County

Allegany County

Allegany-Limestone Central School District 3131 Five Mile Road Allegany, NY 14706 716-375-6600

Alfred-Almond Central School District 6795 Route 21 Almond, NY 14804 607-276-2981

Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District 207 Rock City Street Little Valley, NY 14755 716-938-9155

Andover Central School District 31-35 Elm Street Andover, NY 14806 607-478-8491

Ellicottville Central School District 5873 Route 219 Ellicottville, NY 14731 716-699-2368 Franklinville Central School District 31 North Main Street Franklinville, NY 14737 716-676-8029 Gowanda Central School District 10674 Prospect Street Gowanda, NY 14070 716-532-3325 Hinsdale Central School District 3701 Main Street Hinsdale, NY 14743 716-557-2227 Olean City School District 410 West Sullivan Street Olean, NY 14760 716-375-8018 Portville Central School District 500 Elm Street Portville, NY 14770 716-933-7141 Randolph Central School District 18 Main Street Randolph, NY 14772 716-358-6161 Salamanca City School District 50 Iroquois Drive Salamanca, NY 14779 716-945-2403 Southern Tier Catholic School and Archbishop Walsh Academy 208 North 24th Street Olean NY 14760 716.372.8122 West Valley Central School District 5359 School Street West Valley, NY 14171 716-942-3293 Yorkshire-Pioneer Central School District 12125 County Line Road Yorkshire, NY 14173 716-492-9304

Belfast Central School District 1 King Street Belfast, NY 14711 585-365-9940 Bolivar-Richburg Central School District 100 School Street Bolivar, NY 14715 585-928-2561 Canaseraga Central School District 4-8 Main Street Canaseraga, NY 14822 607-545-6421 Cuba-Rushford Central School District 5476 Route 305 Cuba, NY 14727 585-968-1556 Fillmore Central School District 104 Main Street Fillmore, NY 14735 585-567-2251 Friendship Central School District 46 West Main Street Friendship, NY 14739 716-973-3534 Genesee Valley Central School District 1 Jaguar Dr Belmont, NY 14813 585-268-7900 Scio Central School District 3968 Washington Street Scio, NY 14880 585-593-5510 Wellsville Central School District 126 West State Street Wellsville, NY 14895 585-596-2170 Whitesville Central School District 692 Main Street Whitesville, NY 14897 607-356-3301

Pennsylvania School Districts on page 20

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PA SCHOOL DISTRICTS McKean County, Pa.

Potter County, Pa.

Bradford Area School District 150 Lorana Ave. P.O. Box 375 Bradford, Pa. 16701 | 814-362-3841

Austin Area School District 138 Costello Ave. Austin, Pa. 16720 (814) 647-8603

Otto-Eldred School District 143 R.L. Sweitzer Drive Duke Center, Pa. 16729 814-817-1380 Smethport Area School District 414 S. Mechanic St. Smethport, Pa. 16749-1522 814-887-5543 Kane Area School District 400 W. Hemlock Ave. Kane, Pa. 16735 814-837-9570 Port Allegany School District 87 Clyde Lynch Drive Port Allegany, Pa. 16743 814-642-2590

Coudersport Area School District 698 Dwight St. Coudersport, Pa. 16915 814-274-9480 Northern Potter School District 745 Northern Potter Road Ulysses, Pa. 16948 814-848-7506 Oswayo Valley Area School District 277 Oswayo St. Shinglehouse, Pa. 16748 814-597-7175

Cameron County, Pa. Cameron County School District 601 Woodland Ave. Emporium, Pa. 15834 814-486-4000

142 Davis St. Bradford, PA www.bisett.com

! w e N

Stop in for Pricing!

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THE BRADFORD ERA • OLEAN TIMES HERALD • THE SALAMANCA PRESS

which may be unusually shaped to ﬁt a speciﬁc location in the home, started with the chopping of wood, constructed with hand tools and then applied a coat of paint, annually. Hand Forged tools could be used on the land or domestic application. From Rush lamps, crusees or betty lamps to forged tools for cooking. These items that we classify as primitive and treasure were not made for their aesthetics but for practicality. Stoneware from the general merchants contained everything from vinegar to molasses to moon shine in half gallon to 20 gallon crocks that made up the yearly supply of preserves. Today’s collectible stoneware or crockery usually and is now among the most collected china products in

bears the name and town of the merchant. The mer-

the world.

chant would give these embossed and painted crocks to special customers during the holiday seasons.

Why old when you can buy new? Most modern furniture is mass produced and constructed of mixed/manmade materials that are not capable of surviving the next 75 - 100 years. Whether they realized it at the time or not, antiques dealers that opened up shops in the 1950s and

Families with more afﬂuence could order from the

Montgomery Ward catalogue everything from clothing to furniture. After the depression most families could only afford to purchase second hand goods to furnish their homes. What kind of measures do you have to take when talking to dealers? If you are buying an “antique” as an investment do as much research about the manufacturer/crafts-

1960s are the original “recyclers”. Selling pieces to a

man before hand. Most dealers will allow you to put

new home diverted them from the “burn pile” or land

an item on hold for a few days. The internet has allowed us to research more

ﬁll. If we could only hear the stories some pieces have to tell. The many layers of paint on a cabinet subjected to the yearly spring painting of the house. When our ancestors needed something for their homes they made it. For instance a cabinet for storage,

quickly and broadly. Previously, research was limited to reference books, trips to the library, letters or long distance phone calls to track down any providence. And even today we discover that the early reference books have information that has been proven incorrect with more advanced global communication.

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Add upcycling to your home improvement tools (MS) — Upcycling is not just for craft projects — it offers lots of possibilities to make changes in your home décor, especially cabinets and furniture that will save money and reduce your contribution to the local landfill. Woodcraft can help you with upcycling ideas, products and advice. For the past year, Woodcraft retail stores have hosted upcycling demonstrations on the third Saturday of the month to help customers discover the potential for upcycling in their home projects. “To support this upcycling effort, Woodcraft.com added an Upcycling Resource Center to our website (http://www.woodcraft.com/media/upcycling.aspx) to introduce viewers to upcycling and announce demo topics and dates,” Vince Grlovich, vice president for sales and marketing, said. “Viewers can also watch a segment of Lifetime’s Designing Spaces where Woodcraft product development manager Kent Harpool shows host Aliane Baquerot how to create a shelf from a wooden pallet.” Both Woodcraft’s Pinterest page (www.pinterest.com/woodcraftsupply/upcycling) and Instagram gallery (http://instagram.com/woodcraftgallery) include upcycling ideas, and the blog, Woodworking Adventures (http//:blog.woodcraft.com) has featured upcycling several times. Jewelry Armoire Makeover Inspired by the upcycling trend, many Woodcraft employees have completed projects, including marketing manager Lori Haught, who transformed a 1980s Jewelry Armoire (see photo) into a more stylish, modern piece for her bedroom. She gave it a new coat of paint, new silver/glass pulls and flocking on the drawer interiors. You can see the entire process by visiting Woodworking Adventures and searching for “The Jewelry Armoire Makeover.” An Irwin Marples Blue Chip Chisel was used for the disassembly that was required to add new hardware and make other changes to Lori’s armoire. To remove the residue from old finishes and polish, Lori chose Norton Soft Touch Medium 120-180 Grit Sanding Sponges for the contour detailed areas and Preppin Weapon Sanding Blocks, loaded with Mirka Abranet 23⁄4” x 8” Sanding Sheets, for flat areas. Once the sanding was finished, all the pieces were cleaned with General Finishes Furniture Cleaner using handy Star Wipers rags. Three coats of General Finishes Black Gel Stain were applied to the armoire. Although each coat was allowed to dry overnight because of other commitments, the actual time required between coats is two to four hours. (Gel stains come in 12 other

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colors including the popular java.) Two coats of General Finishes High Performance Satin Water-Based Top Coat were applied next. To prep for the new hardware, Golden Oak Water-Base Famowood Filler was used to plug screw holes. More chiseling was required before a pair of 11⁄2” X 11⁄8” Satin Nickel Stop Hinges could be installed. Before reﬂocking the drawers, Bulls Eye Sealcoat Universal Sanding Sealer was applied to the interior of the drawers and the dividers. Wearing an Anti Microbial Dust Mask and 6 mil Medium Powder Free Nitrile Gloves, Lori applied Light Blue Donjer Flocking, using a Donjer Mini Flocker. Reassembly of the armoire required System Three 5-Minute Epoxy and a Bessey K-Body REVO Jr. 24” Single Parallel Clamp.

Other Popular Upcycling Products Soy-Gel is a 100 percent biodegradable, virtually odorless coating remover. Restor-A-Finish can be used to clean and restore the luster to a clear ﬁnish, as well as hide minor issues like scratches. It will also remove water rings. Milk paint is a popular coating, especially for furniture. General Finishes Milk Paint is premixed and available in 28 colors that can be mixed to make custom colors and lend themselves to decorative effects such as distressing and antiquing. Old Fashioned Milk Paint is a powder that comes in 20 colors and is good for use on porous surfaces such as bare wood and raw masonry. A special effect Old Fashioned Milk Paint Crackle Finish provides a weathered look. The 23-lb. portable QuikBENCH™ is a lightweight, easy-to-set-up workbench capable of holding up to 300 lbs. Convert two QuikBENCHES to sawhorses, and together they will hold up to 2,000 lbs. Two or more benches can be connected together to form a workstation. Each bench has a 24”-wide by 31⁄2” opening vise and a 15-amp, circuit protected, three-outlet power strip, plus four plastic bench dogs. To learn more about these and other upcycling products, visit your local Woodcraft store, call (800) 535-4482 or visit www.woodcraft.com. SH152974

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Ask a Designer: Sweat the details like doorknobs and handles By MELISSA RAYWORTH Associated Press

t ’s a small thing, often overlooked amid major items like furniture and paint colors when you’re decorating a room. But don’t underestimate the power of household hardware. These small items — doorknobs, drawer pulls, cabinet-door handles — are “the jewelry” that can add style and sparkle to any space, says New York-based interior designer Young Huh. Just as the right necklace can turn a simple dress into a fashion statement, a striking new set of knobs on an old cabinet, or vintage crystal doorknobs can bring a huge dose of style to your home with minimal expense, she says. In many homes, these hardware items are mostly ignored. Interior doors may have mismatched, inexpensive knobs that were installed at different times. Drawers and cabinets may have functional but unappeal-

ing knobs or bars. Swapping these items out is often easy, and Los Angeles-based designer Betsy Burnham says her clients are frequently surprised at the visual impact of something as simple as carefully chosen hardware. Last summer, she added door pulls made of rope tied in small nautical knots to the built-in cabinets at a California beach house, inexpensively adding a dash of personality to the space. Here, three interior-design experts — Huh, Burnham and designer Brian Patrick Flynn of Flynnside Out Productions — offer advice on choosing the right hardware and using it to coordinate the look of a home. TRENDS One of the most popular styles now is lacquered or aged brass. “Ten years ago,” Huh says, “it was all about nickel: brushed nickel, shiny nickel. Now it’s the resurgence of brass.” Designers are using “bold tones, and things that look worn,” she says, by installing unlacquered brass that tarnishes over the course of a year, or paying extra for “pre-antiqued” brass that already has a colorful patina. Flynn uses a lot of brass, especially “satin or antique finishes, because they’re more sophisticated and less formal than polished, glossy styles.” In addition, “a newer option I’m seeing and totally love is matte black hardware,” he says. “This is excellent for modern kitchens or for adding dark contrast to an otherwise light and bright space. The matte

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finish helps camouflage any scratches or smudges you’d deal with on glossy black pulls and knobs.” Another dramatic favorite of Flynn’s: unlacquered iron. UPGRADES AND CHANGES Burnham and her staff recently gave a preteen girl’s bedroom a more grown-up look by “changing the vibe from kind of old-fashioned to Bohemian.” Their changes included a new set of striped, bone-inlay knobs from Anthropologie that gave the furniture a funky appeal. The same approach can make grown-up furniture look just right for a baby or child’s room: If you are turning a guest room into a nursery, Burnham says, change the cabinetry hardware to something “sweet or pink or shiny,” or choose knobs shaped like birds or other animals. If you’re shopping, Huh suggests hunting for an affordable piece of furniture and then making it look more expensive by adding dramatic hardware. The range of available styles is enormous, and shopping for new or vintage items online is easy. Even if you’d prefer to buy in person, Burn-

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Associated Press In this undated photo provided by Burnham Design, vintage-look ceramic and silver-toned faucet and white ceramic cabinet door pulls are a perfectly casual, unpretentious match for the plaid window shade and wood-paneled walls in this residential bathroom.

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to inject some dramatic contrast. Either method works, as long as it’s done deliberately. “If you don’t do it consciously,” Huh says, “then it could all look really messy.” “You don’t want to have shiny brass in one case and unlacquered in another and nickel hardware on something else,” she continues. “Having similar tones is a good way to start. When you feel more expert, then mix metals.” In a kitchen, “your finishes should probably match,” Burnham says. “You wouldn’t want the finishes to be fighting just a little.”

Associated Press In this undated photo provided by Burnham Design, sleek, half-moon metal drawer pulls that evoke Chinese design are a perfect complement to the assorted international knickknacks on this built-in cabinet designed by Burnham Design.

ham says a bit of online research “makes your creativity kind of percolate a little bit.” “Just pay attention to dimensions,” she warns, because you “may not realize that in person, an inch-and-a-half sphere is quite large.” Measure the size and location of the holes left behind by your current hardware, she says. If you buy replacements that don’t match, drill new holes and fill the old ones. And amid all the focus on style, do choose hardware that is easy to grab and use. CONSISTENT OR CONTRASTING Take note of all the hardware and metals in a room, including lamp bases, and decide whether you want them to match or whether you’d like

GET CRAFTY “In addition to pulls and knobs, I think nailheads can make a huge impact in a space,” Flynn says. “After updating cabinets and drawers, I’ll also give closet or interior doors a unique look by adding a nailhead border around the perimeter. This can elevate a basic hall closet into an architectural feature.” You can buy nailheads at a craft store, or roofing tacks from a hardware store. Then cut fabric batting to size and use spray adhesive to cover the door with the batting. Stretch your fabric across the door and attach it with staples. Finally, place nailheads over the staples and secure in place with a mallet or hammer. “Although it may seem small, hardware can make the biggest impact of all elements in a space,” Flynn says. “With so many styles and finishes to choose from and so many available price points, there’s no reason not to update hardware regularly to give a room a fresh new look.”

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