Savvy Spaces January 2009
Get a Grip on
Your Space
A Colorful Expression p. 8
Warming Your Winter Home p. 28
Houseplant s p. 42
Health, Happiness, &
Revive in Five p. 17
Bedding to fit any dream
Designs by Titean www.titeanstyle.com
goes with anything.
anything goes!
whatever your walls want, we’ve got.
wallflower works
*
paints and papers for interiors
visit our garden at www.wallflowerworks.com
On the Cover 8 A Colorful Expression 17 Revive in Five 28 Warming Your Winter Home 42 Heath, Happiness, & Houseplants
Content s January 2009 Issue
In Every Issue
Interior Innovat ions
22 Dear Savvy
Nine ways to creatively organize your home with stylish and affordable baskets.
24 Test It Out: Bathroom Heroes Ever wondered which cleaners really stand up to
17 Revive in Five
Got a problem? Savvy can help you unclog your toilet and get your shower drain flowing.
14 Basket Case
Maintenance 101
Kick up a drab, lifeless living room in five steps.
18 Channeling Your Chi Use feng shui to redirect your flow of positive energy and create balance in your home.
their claims? We’ve put them to the test.
Do-it DĂŠcor
30 Back to Basics: Getting a Feel for Texture Add life to your home with texture.
42
8 22
28
14
59
30
52 18
8
32 Creative Recycling
Simple, clever ways to reuse t-shirts, books, and old centerpieces.
36 Affordable Alternatives
An elegant room doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Deals and Steals
58 Savvy in the City
Check out these affordable alternatives.
Touch of Green
42 Health, Happiness, & Houseplants
Savvy readers around the country share their hottest finds.
59 Editor’s Pick Check out our editor’s favorite savvy steal.
See how houseplants can improve your physical
Features
and emotional health.
44 Ask an Expert: Turning Your Thumbs Green
8
Colorful painting tips to enliven your interior
Gardener Alissa Lewis gives tips and tells how to have blooming tulips in February.
48 Inside the Box: EarthBox Gardens
A Colorful Expression spaces and make your guests green with envy.
28 Warming Your Winter Home When it’s freezing outside, make your home a warm and cozy retreat.
Don’t have an acre to plant veggies? EarthBox
38 Mission: Moving In
gardens are possible no matter where you live.
52 Poinsettia Profile
Tips and tricks to survive your move.
54 Skim Before You Shop
Little-known facts about America’s favorite
Let Savvy do your legwork; see these store
winter flower.
reviews to find hot deals in cool stores. January 2009
5
Savvy Spaces
Editor in Chief Marvin K. Gardner Managing Editor Erica Wolfe Department Editors Andralynn Brown, Ashley Fillmore, Bethany Moore, Ashley Mordwinow, Natalie Quinn, Liz Stubbs Associate Editors Megan Hambly, Amanda Lewis, Erica Wolfe Copyeditor Natalie Quinn
Delisa’s Delights The perfect gift for any gathering
Art Director Megan Hambly Department Designers Andralynn Brown, Ashley Fillmore, Megan Hambly, Bethany Moore, Ashley Mordwinow, Liz Stubbs Designers Priscilla De La Vega, Amanda Lewis, Natalie Quinn, Erica Wolfe Photographers Maren Fischer, Bethany Moore Cover Photographer Kaitlyn Tolman Illustrators Daniel Olguin, Karen Sorenson Contributing Writer Priscilla De La Vega Production Director Amanda Lewis
Naturally sweeten every experience with our berry pies and cakes
Staff Writers, Editors, Designers, Production Artists Andralynn Brown, Ashley Fillmore, Megan Hambly, Amanda Lewis, Bethany Moore, Ashley Mordwinow, Natalie Quinn, Liz Stubbs, Erica Wolfe Publisher Marvin K. Gardner Advisor Kaitlyn Tolman © 2008 by Marvin K. Gardner 4045 JFSB, Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602
Go to www.delisas.com for store locations or to order online
Savvy Spaces was produced as a group project for English Language 430R, “Editing for Publication,” the capstone class of the editing minor at Brigham Young University. It is not intended for distribution. The views expressed in this publication are solely the views of the authors and in no way represent the views or opinions of Brigham Young University.
Dear Friends of Savvy Photography by Maren Fischer
As the winter season settles in and I move my activities indoors, I’m starting to reconsider my home’s décor. I moved into my new home this past August, and since then I’ve been busy unpacking boxes, situating furniture, and putting everything in its proper place. However, now that I am spending more time indoors, I find myself wanting to make each room in my home reflect my personality. Are you feeling that way, too? One way we can personalize our homes this winter is to find and try out a few creative projects. While researching and experimenting with new decorating projects for this month’s issue, we here at Savvy came across some fabulous ideas! Many of these projects were new to us, and since we still consider ourselves novice decorators and home improvers, the Savvy staff and I fully appreciate the value of learning and trying new things.
With Savvy at our side, we can all be successful interior decorators—even if we have little or no experience! Do you want to create a more beautiful and inviting look in your home? I recommend that you browse through these pages, pick a favorite idea, and follow our simple instructions. As you read this month’s issue, you will find easy yet clever ideas on how to transform your living space into a home that radiates your personal style and expression. Here are some of my favorites that will help make your space truly “savvy”: •
•
Examine how to grow a garden in a box within your own home from our exploration into
EarthBox, page 48. Read Basket Case, page 14, to learn how to clear your clutter with common but decorative baskets.
•
Gather top-notch ideas on where to shop for new decorating deals at affordable prices with our store review, Skim page 54.
Before You Shop,
Our goal here at Savvy is to provide you with the best, the simplest, and the most affordable home décor tips. We don’t claim to be experts—just enthusiasts willing to learn these home improvement strategies so we can share them with you! We love experimenting with new ideas and creative projects and hope that you will too. As you delve into this issue’s mixture of creative tips, advice, and ideas, we hope they will be as satisfying as sinking into that steal-of-a-deal sofa in your living room. Remember: decorating and improving your space doesn’t have to be an overwhelming, mind-boggling experience— rather, it can and should be a fun and exciting adventure.
Erica M. Wolfe Managing Editor
Best of luck as you work some savvy magic in your space!
January 2009
7
A Colorful Expression By Erica Wolfe
Use color to express the personality of your home
Adding a splash of color to your home is a simple way to get a new look without draining your pocketbook. With a creative eye—and a basic knowhow—you can easily set the mood of any room. When visitors walk in and see how beautiful your home is, they too will want to know all your colorful and successful decorating secrets. Read on for ideas to enliven your interior spaces.
Imaginat ion:
be your own designer
After newlyweds Austin and Kira Miller moved into their first real home—a dinky two-bedroom, one-bathroom basement apartment—people were surprised when they saw the place. What began as a dark and empty abode soon became a cheery, colorful, and comfortable home— definitely not what you would expect the quarters of a business management grad student and an entry-level school psychologist to look like! However, Austin and Kira were able to transform their apartment not because they had more money than their peers, but because they had learned to use their imaginations. One of the first and most important tricks the Millers learned while decorating their new home was that using color makes even the most dingy of apartments look good. Generally a house comes with white walls; the Millers made those the first things to go. To eliminate the blank, empty feeling of their rooms, they chose to
• How do you want the room to feel? Warm? Cool? Relaxing? Energetic? Cozy? Festive? Once you decide on the feel, it becomes easy to choose colors and even easier to pick unique color combinations. • What activities will be performed in the room you are painting? Answering this question will help you decide if you want a color that will soothe or one that will energize. • How much do you like a particular color? If you are not sure about a specific color, it is best to avoid it. Chances are high that over time you will gradually dislike it even more and start to avoid whatever rooms you chose to paint in this color.
The color effect
Like the Millers, many new homeowners have discovered color’s ability to transform a room by subtly influencing
Green is a calming color . . . and can provide that touch of green that is missing from the winter landscape. incorporate colors that enlivened their moods and stimulated their emotions.
Colorful
expressions
The colors in a home are an expression of the individuality of the people who live there—and are a matter of personal taste. Although choosing your home’s colors can be exciting, you may feel anxious about picking your palette. For example, you may worry about changing your mind after you have bought your paint—a costly error. However, you needn’t worry: painting is one of the most economical ways to transform a room. In order to choose your colors wisely, ask yourself these important questions before you buy your paint:
human emotion. Color is very powerful. Psychologists believe it can influence our moods and the way we feel about spending time in a particular room. Colors can make you feel sleepy or energetic, happy or depressed, and any emotion in between. They can make a small room feel spacious or a large room feel confining. With this in mind, psychologists attribute specific characteristics to certain colors: • • • • • • •
Yellow: bright, warm, and cheerful Blue: restful, soothing, and cool Green: reassuring and natural Black: sleek and elegant Deep purple: suggestive of grandeur and luxury Light violet: feminine White: stylish—like gray and black, it amplifies the effects of other colors
January 2009
9
• Red and orange: exciting, but these colors can make people feel uneasy if their presence in a room is too dominant These basic associations need to be taken with a grain of salt when choosing your interior color scheme because the ambiance of your room will vary depending on the intensity of the color you choose. Dilute any of the strong colors and the effect will differ. A bright, intense yellow might make you feel uncomfortable, while soft buttermilk yellow may make you feel happy and peaceful. When choosing paint for your home, blue is probably not a color you want in your kitchen or dining area. This color has been proven to suppress appetites, and you are apt to find people not wanting to eat much in rooms of this color. Red, on the other hand, increases appetites and keeps people awake and sociable. This is an excellent choice for any dining area. Some people, however, find their blood pressure rising when they are near a great deal of red; try using a burgundy or wine color instead. This will induce the red emotions but will keep them from becoming overpowering.
1. Choose a color palette carefully. When selecting background colors for flooring, walls, window frames, and large pieces of furniture, think “long-term.” In other words, select colors that will not go out of style in a few years and that you won’t tire of quickly. Think of colors that stand the test of time. Neutrals and earth tones are safe and blend beautifully with a wide range of colors. Shades of white, beige, gold, tan, brown, and rust have been in vogue for years. Choose colors that stand the test of time. 10
Savvy Spaces
Living rooms, family rooms, and game rooms all do well with the color orange. Seen as a cheerful color by many people, orange will induce warm, friendly feelings. It must be kept in mind, however, that too much bright orange, red, or yellow can be overwhelming. Use these colors sparingly. Try painting one wall with a bright shade and the other three with a lighter shade of the same color. This will soften the effect somewhat and make the energy easier to handle. Avoid using browns in rooms used for relaxation. Neutral and earth colors often make people feel uneasy. Darker browns can even generate the sensation of being trapped. If you must use these colors—for example, in paneling—have at least one wall painted a bright color or add colorful stencils and borders to lighten the effect.
Color
schemes
Carefully consider the proportions of different colors you wish to use. One color should always dominate a color scheme. A scheme that always works well is to have two-thirds of the room done in one color and the other third in another color. You should avoid using two colors of the same strength and intensity.
Helpful Suggestions 2. Colors you can see are influenced by the light that you have available. Select a range of different paint swatches and take them home to observe in your own interior space with the light sources you’ll be using in the room. Always do a test patch on your wall before purchasing paint. Try living with the test color on your wall for two or three days and see how you really feel about it.
3. Remember: you are the best judge of whether or not to use a certain color. Choose the colors that make you and your family feel comfortable. Your home is your canvas, so have fun painting.
People often choose their color schemes from one of three different categories. Complementary schemes are chosen from colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel, such as red and green. Harmonious schemes are based on colors that are close together on the color wheel, like yellow and orange. Variations on one color, such as three different shades of blue, are also popular. You may want to choose colors for your bedroom that are very different from those you choose for your kitchen, but it is a good idea to connect all rooms by using a common color somewhere, even if it is only in your furnishings or trim. Remember: you are the best judge of whether or not to use a certain color. This is your home, and you must live within its walls on a daily basis. Choose the colors that make you and your family feel comfortable. Those colors are truly the best in any room of your home.
Colorful
bat hrooms
A bathroom is considered a private place, a retreat from the world. Now it can also say something about your personality. When you enter your bathroom, what do you want it to say to you? Would you like it to be lively, fun, neutral, relaxing, or elegant? Choosing the right color can convey exactly the impression you want. Blue is the most popular color for bathrooms because it has a calming effect and makes people think of water. Since not everyone can live by the ocean, you can opt for a blue bathroom to fool your brain into thinking that sand and waves are nearby. Blue also has the added bonus of making a small bathroom look larger. This year, blues and other common bathroom colors are more muted. Look for muted shades of turquoise, blues with gray undertones, or toned-down navy hues. Green is also a great choice for the bathroom. It is a calming color, and for someone who lives in an area that gets a lot of snow and has harsh winter weather, it can provide that touch of life that is missing from the winter landscape. Greens with names like sage, moss, sea green, and muted jade are currently popular.
Surprisingly, purple is another favorite this year— but not just any old purple. Colors like aubergine and purple dusk, with rich, dark undertones are the “in” shades: think of deep wines and Tuscan friezes. These purples are elegant and warm, yet they still make a statement. Neutral colors will always be popular because it is very hard to go wrong with them. Colors like bisque and ivory create a warm ambiance without being overpowering. Today’s neutrals can be tinted as well, in shades of pink, blue, and green. If you prefer a warm, cozy feel in your bathroom, opt for peach, yellow, or apricot. Warm shades make a bathroom look smaller, so make sure to use some white around the door and window frames, in the floor tile, or with wall art to balance out your warm wall color. These shades will make your skin look great when you are looking at yourself in the mirror. Bathroom colors for this year tend to be more elegant than bright. People are choosing to use pearl
January 2009
11
and metallic finishes, as well. A good rule of thumb is to pick a minimum of three colors for your bathroom: a light color, a medium color, and a dark accent color. Use the light and medium colors for the majority of the room and the accent color sparingly but in at least three places, such as in towels, window frames, or accessories. Above all, your bathroom should be a room where you feel comfortable. Choose colors you love, regardless of trendiness. There is a dizzying array of choices, so you’re sure to find colors that suit your personality. Make your bathroom the gorgeous retreat you always wanted it to be—a spot of luxury and relaxation right in your home.
Six simple solutions to refresh your rooms with color 1. Add a hint of tint Stenciling can satisfy your craving for color and add personality to your home. Try a shade or two darker than your wall color, or go bold and use a contrasting color that makes the pattern pop.
2. Create background Choose a vibrant shade of paint to take the inside of a bookshelf from dull to dramatic. Not only will it add color, it will make items on display stand out.
3. Turn to textiles New slipcovers are a great way to add a jolt of color—and they can be changed seasonally. Or swap out ho-hum drapery for something vibrant. Even easier: Pump up the volume quickly and affordably with colorful new throw pillows, bath towels, or bedding.
4. Pick the right rug Area rugs can add instant color. A bright throw rug in front of your kitchen sink will stand out on your tile floor. If you get tired of a rug in one room, switch it for one in another part of the house for an instant, cost-free change.
5. Recycle Turn old furniture into new “wow” pieces with a fresh coat of paint in an unexpected hue. Try painting the drawer fronts one color and the body another. Revamping stuff destined for the landfill not only saves the planet but saves you money, too.
6. Use pictures and frames A great way to add color to a room is to buy inexpensive pictures that catch your eye in both patterns and color. Vibrant frames can also add some life to a room, since they come in a wide variety of styles and colors. To add personal touches and character to a room, buy wooden frames that you can paint or decorate yourself. 12
Savvy Spaces
MODPAINT
WHAT WILL YOUR COLOR BE? Over 50 locations in the U.S.A. OVER 100 COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM. WE MAKE CUSTOM COLORS. MODPAINT.COM January 2009
13
Basket Case By Bethany Moore
Photography by Bethany Moore
From shoes in the doorway to cleaning supplies in the cupboard, household clutter is everywhere. Luckily, baskets are a quick way to organize your home without making it look like a storage unit. Using baskets around the house allows you to keep your many projects and supplies in sight and in mind— but out from under your feet. So whether your style is country comfort or modern chic, baskets are the stylish and affordable way to creatively clear up your clutter.
1. Rid your entranceway of shoes.
2. Keep track of the necessities.
Place a large basket inside your door where shoes can be kicked off and kept out of sight.
Set a small basket on an entrance table or on the kitchen counter. Toss in your keys, wallet, gum, sunglasses, and cell phone every time you walk through the door.
3. Manage those magazines.
4. Put your DVDs in order.
Transfer your coffee-table magazines to a basket in a corner by the couch and tastefully arrange them so your favorites are readily available.
Categorize your DVDs alphabetically or by genre and then separate them into clearly labeled baskets.
5. Stop searching for the scissors.
6. Categorize your cleaning supplies.
Set a basket inside your kitchen or desk drawer as a place to store scissors, tape, Post-its, safety pins, and other items that are usually hard to find when you need them most.
Fasten small plastic baskets to the inside of your cleaning closet and throw in sponges, brushes, and other small tools.
January 2009
15
7. Conserve counter space.
8. Banish bathroom sink clutter.
Add baskets to your kitchen counter as a way to store fruit, bread, napkins, candles, mail, and other items that usually create clutter.
Organize lotions, lotions,perfumes, perfumes,brushes, brushes,vitamins, vitamins, andand other daily-use items in a wire-rimmed basket on your bathroom your bathroom counter. counter.
9. Save yourself a trip. Position a basket at the top or bottom of your stairs. Throughout the day, throw in items that belong on a different floor. This way you can make a single trip at the end of the day to put these items away.
16
Savvy Spaces
Savvy
Says: Looking for ways to organize your home? Turn to page 54 to find out about the best places to buy baskets and other organizational tools to fit your space.
5
Revive in Five By Bethany Moore
Kick up a drab, lifeless living room in five easy steps!
1. Squeaky-clean scrub-down Sometimes all your room needs is a little elbow grease. Scrub down your living room walls, trim, and baseboards to get rid of built-up grime and dirt. This will brighten and refresh the whole room.
2. Cover-up coating
If you don’t have time, money, or patience to repaint all your walls, just touch up your baseboards and trim. These tend to get beat up and become dirty more quickly than the rest of the room; however, by putting a little paint on them, you can fool yourself into thinking the whole place just got a new paint job.
3. Operation organization Remove the clutter. Recycle old magazines and newspapers and store the rest of them in a bookcase or magazine rack. Go through your books, DVDs, CDs, and decorative knickknacks. Save only those items you can’t live without—and give the leftovers to Goodwill.
4. Painless polishing
Give your wooden furniture a fresh face. Take a rag and some stain cover or wood polish to the entertainment center, coffee table, side tables, and bookcases in your living room. You’ll have bright, freshlooking furniture without spending a fortune on new pieces or on an expensive refinishing job.
5. Illumination integration
Good lighting can make all the difference. Go through your living room and replace all burned-out lightbulbs. Also think about adding lamps to dim corners. Make sure your windows are clean and streak-free so the sun can easily shine through.
Savvy
Says: Add life to your living room with houseplants! Turn to page 42 to find out more about beautiful houseplants you can keep alive all year long.
Illustrations by Karen Sorenson
January 2009
17
Calligraphy by Karen Sorenson
Channeling
Your Chi By Erica Wolfe
Free your home’s positive energy with feng shui Feng shui, or “wind and water,” is the ancient Chinese art of ideal placement. Dating back over 3,000 years, it originates from the Taoist belief that everything in the universe can be—and should be—balanced. The most important principle of feng shui is “chi,” which the Chinese consider to be the life source of energy present in all environments. Feng shui practitioners believe that by redirecting the flow of the chi around you and by correctly balancing it in your home, all individual problems relating to health, wealth, work, family, and relationships can be eliminated. This is due to the belief that a harmonious environment creates a harmonious lifestyle.
18
Savvy Spaces
While feng shui is a complex discipline, several of its basic principles can be applied quickly and easily to improve nearly any environment. The arrangement of a home’s interior, and more particularly the placement of its furniture and décor, is vital to creating good chi. Effective arrangement creates a path through which the chi can move fluidly. To find this fluid path to balance in your life, try these quick 30-minute projects to improve your home’s chi.
Each room in your home can be stylized using certain guidelines consistent with feng shui. Your
living room …
Your
bedroom …
should evoke an energetic, lively feeling. Items in the room should be arranged to avoid a stagnant chi. For example, any alcoves or shadowy places should be made colorful and spacious so energy can flow freely. Even the walls and shape of the room should be monitored— sharp edges are like bullets to the chi. Disguise the edges with decorative mirrors or lush foliage. Windows, revered as the “eyes of the chi,” should be repaired if necessary, cleaned frequently, and kept free of cracks. When considering furniture placement, set your pieces around the perimeter of the room, none with their backs to the entrance. Above all, avoid arranging anything in a way that causes an individual’s back to face the door.
should be designed very carefully. This space is conducive to peace and quiet. First and foremost, avoid placing mirrors in front of or above the bed (this placement can cause headaches and sleeping problems) and do not sleep directly under a window. It is best to place your bed in the northern part of the house—this direction has a calming energy and awakens spirituality. Never sleep with your feet toward the door—doing so indicates death in the feng shui tradition. Facing the door with your head creates feelings of insecurity. Avoid beds with drawers underneath, as you do not want to sleep above clutter.
Your
Your
kitchen …
is often the most difficult space to adapt to feng shui. It is important to be conscious of appliance placement in relation to the rest of the home. For instance, do not place the stove on the first floor directly under a bed on the second floor; doing so can lead to colds and infections. Because the kitchen embodies energy and activity, avoid clutter so the chi can easily move about and become energized. Do not place knives on display— doing so suggests death and violence. Disguise sharp edges with mirrored, attractive metal appliances.
bat hroom …
evokes an entirely different feeling than your bedroom does. The toilet should be positioned so that it is not visible upon first entering the room. Because of the excessive presence of water in bathrooms, avoid Westernized, water-related bathroom décor, like seahorses, dolphins, and blue walls. The four universal elements are earth, wind, fire, and water. So instead of water-focused decorating, incorporate earth tones—like brown, terra cotta, and yellow—to balance the environment.
Savvy
Says: Don’t let décor divert your chi; look for feng shuifriendly winter decorating ideas on page 28.
5 Dos of Feng Shui
5 Don’t s of Feng Shui
Clutter is a distraction that interrupts the energy flow through your home—so get rid of or store objects that are not often used. Place commonly used clutter in accessible drawers or storage containers. A decorative box or basket on a coffee table for the remote, TV listings, and spare coasters is infinitely better than having these items scattered across the table’s surface.
the following feng shui don’ts:
1. De-clutter a room
2. Pick and prune your plant life Houseplants are wonderful to have around the house because they keep the air clean and fresh. However, some plants can disrupt the balance of your home. Avoid plants with spikes, thorns, or extremely pointy leaves: these plants can slice into the energy flow of your home, creating negative effects. Plants with rounded leaves are desirable as long as they are healthy. Make sure to trim off brown or dying leaves.
3. Eliminate drafts While smooth airflow is desirable, drafty areas are not. Identify the source of any drafts in your home. If drafts are from doors or windows, seal the leaks with weather stripping, caulking, or tape. Arrange furniture so that you are not sitting or sleeping directly under vents.
4. Rearrange your bedroom Simply rearranging your bedroom using basic feng shui principles can improve the quality of your sleep. Position your bed so it does not directly face the doorway of the bedroom. Ideally, the bed should be positioned with an equal amount of space on either side. Make sure no large mirrors, especially those without rounded shapes, face the bed; this includes mirrored closet doors.
The elaborate philosophy of feng shui is prone to misinterpretation, and people often make mistakes as they attempt to follow its principles. Some of the most common mistakes are easy to spot and remedy. Consider
1. Decorate with too much red Red is a very active color and invites a lot of energy into a space. It is frequently considered to be the luckiest color. However, red can easily be overused, and large amounts of red can agitate your mood and cause harm, such as accidents and illness.
2. Overuse mirrors Mirrors are very powerful and stimulate the flow of energy in a space. While active energy flow is critical to a healthy space, it is important to avoid creating an overstimulating environment. Too many mirrors can add a chaotic feeling to a room.
3. Forget to Focus Since feng shui affects every aspect of the lives of the people living in a space, it is important to focus feng shui on a specific goal. In other words, if so-called improvements are made without a master plan, the energy will not be properly focused.
4. Get carried away It is easy to get excited about feng shui, and many people get carried away when they first discover the principles of this art. Remember that even small changes can have a tremendous impact on a space, so consider making modifications gradually. Take care with each positioning, be alert to the way it affects the other objects in the room, and examine the changes it brings about.
5. Place a fountain in your home
5. Optimize for an individual
Flowing water actively encourages chi to flow throughout your home. Placing a small indoor fountain or aquarium in the living room or in a bedroom can enhance the enviroment. Position the flowing water in the southeast portion of your home to increase your wealth.
In many homes where feng shui has been practiced, the environment has been optimized for only one of the individuals living in the home. For example, a wife may be happy in the home, while her husband is uncomfortable. Proper feng shui takes into account the chi of all members of the household.
20
Savvy Spaces
jewels by
jeanine Custom jewelry for your custom style Visit our website today to design your own unique piece www.jewelsbyjeanine.com
Dear Savvy
Clogged toilets, slow-draining tubs, blocked sinks, leaky pipes . . . All of these problems plague even the savviest of homeowners. But never fear: Savvy is here! Our maintenance experts can give you all the information you need to fix these and other pesky problems without paying for a professional.
Dear Savvy, I hate it when the toilet gets clogged. I’ve used the reddish-orange plungers with the wooden handle, and I’ve also used the softer black ones. With all the different types of plungers, are there certain ones that work better than others? And are the cheaper ones just as good as the more expensive ones? Thanks,
Poorly Plunged
As a matter of fact, the kind of plunger you use makes an enormous difference. The reddish-brown plungers are often used on toilets, but the bell is built more for a sink, where there is a flat surface to which the bell can suction. For toilets, the best plungers to use are the ones with the black bells. They are built for toilets and have the best suction—and without that suction, plunging won’t do a thing for your clog! When you plunge your toilet, make sure the bowl is at least half full of water. That water pressure, along with the suction, will give more power to your plunge and unclog the toilet faster. When plunging, do your best to plunge straight up and down. Also, make sure that the water level is really low before you flush the toilet again. If the toilet is clogged, flushing when the water level is higher than normal may flood your bathroom, and no one wants that! If your toilet does begin to overflow, however, just turn the water off. There is a knob on the wall behind the toilet. Turn it, and the water will stop running and stop filling the toilet bowl.
Savvy
Pleasant plunging!
22
Savvy Spaces
Photographny by Maren Fischer
Dear Poorly Plunged,
Dear Savvy, I’m having a bit of a problem. After I take a shower, it takes the water forever to drain! Halfway through my shower, I am standing in water up to my ankles—which is kind of weird. Do I need to call a plumber? Thanks,
Waterlogged Dear Waterlogged, Ahh, tub clogs: the bane of a female’s existence! Tub clogs are one of the most common maintenance complaints. The problem is that women tend to have a lot of hair, and loose hair often comes out during a shower, makes its way down the drain, and gets stuck there. To unclog your drain, you will need a screwdriver (it could be either a Philips or a flat blade, depending on your tub) and a wire hanger. Needle-nose pliers are helpful as well, but not necessary. Take out the drain cover (generally, you’ll need the screwdriver for this). There will probably be some hair right there under the drain cover. Pull this hair out with the needle-nose pliers, or anything else that you might have that would grasp the hair, because you really won’t want to touch it with your fingers. If you take all of this hair out and the water is still backing up, straighten out the wire hanger and make a small hook at the end. Insert the hooked end of the hanger into your drain and push the wire down as far as it will go. Then twist the hanger a few times and pull it out. There should be a lovely wad of wet hair wrapped around the end. This usually does the trick. If it doesn’t, however, I would recommend trying an unclogging chemical like Drano. But don’t use Drano first—it will not break down enough of the hair to unclog the drain. It will break down some of the clog, but only enough to make the hair come out in little bits and pieces instead of in one big clump. If you frequently have tub clogs, try brushing through your hair before you get in the tub or shower. This will pull out the loose hairs that would otherwise come out in the tub.
Savvy
Happy showering!
Do you have a problem that needs a Savvy solution? We’ll do our best to resolve your home and maintenance woes! Email us at savvyspaces@gmail.com.
TestIt Out:
Bathroom Heroes By Amanda Lewis
Illustration by Daniel Olguin
Sometimes home life is one small crisis after another: Saturday you shrink your favorite jeans in the dryer; Tuesday you burn the curry with all the expensive ingredients; and Friday you stub your toe on the mound of stuff that has accumulated on your bedroom floor in the past week. While cleaning catastrophes often join the ranks of mishaps, cleaning the house doesn’t have to be dramatic or traumatic. To help you tame your home, we’ve tested a mess of bathroom cleaners to find the best solutions. These bathroom heroes will make you the master of clean—whether you’re tackling some deep spring-cleaning or simply tidying up.
24
Savvy Spaces
Crisis:
You’ve had a cold for three months straight, and you suspect that the mold in your shower is the culprit. Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover. This is the most miraculous of our cleaning heroes. It requires good ventilation (the only drawback), but obliterates difficult mold. Spray it, leave it for five minutes or so, and come back to effortlessly wipe the mold away along with the cleaner. Even especially stubborn mold can be eliminated by a few cleaning repetitions.
lid. We prefer Kirkland’s smell and packaging over Tough and Tender Disinfecting Wipes from Ecosense (Ecosense’s wipes came in a re-sealable plastic package that is more likely to dry out over time). We also tried Windex Multi-Surface Wipes, but we are wary of their advertised versatility (generally we think that something claiming to leave a window streak-free probably isn’t all that great at cleaning a bathtub). They seem to shine countertops just fine but probably don’t completely disinfect them. (The package itself only claims to leave surfaces sanitary— there is no mention of disinfecting.)
Crisis:
Crisis:
Hero:
Your dog won’t stop drinking from the toilet bowl’s dirty interior, and you’re afraid he’s going to get a disease from its grime.
Hero:
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner. This cleaner is king of the porcelain throne. At many stores, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of alternatives. Fortunately it has earned its title and removes both regular grime and stubborn stains. Lysol’s loyal sidekick in this rescue is the double loop brush—one brush is at the regular angle to clean the main body of the bowl, but another loop points up at a perfect angle to scrub right under the lip of the bowl, where grime and stains like to hide.
Crisis:
You’re afraid a pond might be cleaner than your dirty porcelain-like sinks and bathtubs.
Hero:
Softscrub Cleanser. Although many allpurpose cleaners claim to work on these surfaces, an abrasive cleanser is often needed to get the sink or tub really clean. We tested Ajax with Bleach and Softscrub and found that the Softscrub performs better and is more pleasant to work with. (The Ajax smells like a public swimming pool.) The Softscrub also seems to leave a less-grainy residue on the surface. Be aware that fiberglass finishes and other newer materials can be cleaned only with a limited number of cleansers. Dawn dish soap works well for these surfaces.
You’re running out the door, but you know the hair and makeup combination on your bathroom countertop is going to drive you nuts tonight if you leave it there all day. You need a quick clean.
Crisis:
Hero:
Cinch and Windex Powerized from Windex’s commercial line. Although both make fixtures nice and shiny, the Windex seems to add an extra gleam. We especially like the sturdy spray-action of the bottle, which speeds up the cleaning process. But if you’ve got really tough water spots to cut through, go for the Cinch. While they may require some scrubbing, most spots can be taken off with this method.
Kirkland Household Surface Wipes. Kirkland is the Costco company brand, but another generic wipe with the same characteristics could work just as well. The Kirkland wipes beat out Clorox Disinfecting Wipes because of their double-sided texture (one side is smooth and the other is bumpy for easy scrubbing) and because of the less-hassle design of their dispensing
You can’t remember what color your water-spotted fixtures used to be.
Heroes:
January 2009
25
Crisis:
You can’t seem to keep your toothbrush in your mouth while you’re brushing your teeth, and the end product is a speckled mirror.
Hero:
Windex Powerized from Windex’s commercial line. We also tested Fuller Brush Company’s Ammoniated Foam Window Cleaner and Invisible Glass. The Windex outshines the Ammoniated Foam and has a better smell than the Invisible Glass (which causes some coughing without ventilation).
Crisis:
Your coworkers are coming to visit, and you want them to be able to use the bathroom without being disgusted by your grimy counters and dirty toilet bowl exterior.
Easy Solutions
Hard Surface Floors for
Heel marks: Use a mixture of baking soda and water (the mixture should have a pasty consistency) and a cloth to remove heel marks.
Crayon marks: Get a damp cloth, squeeze a little bit of toothpaste onto it, and rub those marks away. You’ll be suprised how quickly the unwanted colors disappear.
Candy stains: Dip a plastic scrubbing pad into
Heroes:
Lysol Basin, Tub, and Tile Cleaner; Fantastik Heavy Duty Antibacterial Cleaner; and Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner. Because they seem to perform nearly the same after several tests on different surfaces and stains, these three tied for the nomination. All have disinfecting chemicals to keep bacteria away. Clorox’s cleaner has a foam option for spraying, which is intended to help you target stains and keep the cleaner where you want it. For our tests, it didn’t seem to make much of a difference. So which one should you pick? Open the bottles and pick the clean scent you like the best!
Crisis:
You stand at attention in the shower because you don’t want to rub against your water-spotted and soap-encrusted shower walls.
Hero:
The Works Tub and Shower Cleaner. The Works does a good job removing all of the water spots and leaves the surface feeling clean and smooth. It has a strong smell, so be sure to have plenty of airflow.
Savvy
some warm water. Sprinkle some powdered detergent onto the pad and start scrubbing.
Blood stains: Mop or sponge with clear, cold water. If this does not defeat the stain, mop or sponge it with a solution of cold water and ammonia. Test the solution on a “hidden” section of the floor to make sure it won’t damage the surface.
Alcoholic beverage stains: Dampen a cloth with a solution of detergent and warm water and rub. If this doesn’t work, dip another cloth in some denatured alcohol and try again.
Grease, candle wax, and chewing gum: Place an ice cube on the spot to freeze the gum, grease, or wax. Then use a plastic spatula to scrape off the gum, grease, or wax. Wipe up any residue with a dry cloth.
Says: Learn how these products can help ease the movingin process on page 38. 26
Savvy Spaces
Begin your own art gallery “Swan River� by Blaine J. Davis
Casa Gallery casagallery.com
custom frames and canvas variety of artists wide selection available
Warming Your Winter Home
By Liz Stubbs
Every autumn the leaves fall from the trees and cold air starts creeping through the cracks underneath the doors. Before long, fall gives way to winter, and as snow blankets the sidewalks, you dig for that warm coat you stashed away at the beginning of spring. Your family and friends call to ask when they can come visit you during the holiday season. After you decide on dates and times, only one item is left on your to-do list before they arrive: to transform your home into a winter-worthy abode!
browns, and deep golds can really brighten a space and add warmth to cold corners. But taking a paintbrush to the walls to incorporate these interior colors isn’t always an option. An easier, more budget-friendly way to highlight your home with these beautiful winter hues is to use couch covers, tablecloths, and simple draperies. Merely framing a frosted window with deep gold curtains can make all the difference in creating that warm wintry feel.
Color
Texture
To warmly welcome the winter season into your home, the first thing to do is change the colors—especially in the front room. Color has an uncanny ability to create a mood for any setting. Rustic shades of orange, natural
Beyond changing the colors of a room, adding texture can also contribute to the seasonal transformation of your home. An easy way to add depth to the room is to layer your fabrics. Try layering your couch with pillows or
28
Savvy Spaces
layering your bathroom with more towels—just a quick extra something to enhance your winter makeover. What about those neglected throws collecting dust in the closet? Give them a good shake or wash, and then orchestrate their winter debut! Placing a throw blanket or two on a couch or loveseat invites a visitor to snuggle up for some conversation and encourages your family to wrap themselves up with a good book. Throws and extra pillows give a feeling of comfort that every home needs during the frosty months ahead.
Scent
A Warm Rug Some of us may have obstacles in certain rooms that detract from the warmth we’re trying to accomplish. If one of these obstacles is a large wooden floor, there is an easy remedy. Wooden floors are great for cleaning up spills and giving a room a larger feel; however, if you want to make that room cozier, simply place a coordinating rug in the center of the floor. Rugs pull the room together and create a more personal feel.
Placing your candles near pictures can show your favorite faces and places in the best light.
Candles can add a finishing touch to your rooms as they accent and highlight the colors and textures you have already used to embrace the winter season. But candles also have other effects. Choosing just the right scents to welcome your guests will likely give them that “refuge from the cold” feeling. Sweet smells of cinnamon or brown sugar spread the aroma of something baking—without all the work. The placement of each candle is key in the transformation process: be sure to grace the space near mantles and fireplaces with your favorite luminaries.
Light
A Bowl of Fruit
Do you ever have a craving for cranberries? These tangy berries not only tickle your palate, but they are also handy as a garnish or decoration—as are other fruits like clementines, tangerines, and pomegranates. Placing some fruit in a bowl as a centerpiece for your dining room table or in the front room is one way to complement your new warmer spaces. These garnishes also add depth to smaller areas. Now that your winter home is lit, layered, comfortable, and decorated, you are prepared to heat up some hot chocolate and welcome your guests to your warm wintry home.
Besides accenting and scenting a room, candles can also perform their more traditional role of lighting a room. As the sun spends less time shining outside, you may have a darker corner in a family room or dining room that needs a little bit of extra illumination. And placing your candles near pictures can show your favorite faces and places in the best light. If you’re not a big fan of candles, or if you just want guests to stop and stare, add a string or two of clear lights around your home—for example, near a centerpiece or another focal point—to flaunt the flair of your room. No matter what the holiday, clear lights can shine through the whole winter season.
Making use of fruit as a centerpiece adds a wintry feel.
January 2009
29
Back to Basics
Feel
Getting a
for Texture By Ashley Fillmore
Because texture is often considered an advanced aspect of interior design, novice decorators frequently avoid it altogether. However, texture doesn’t need to be intimidating. Instead, it can be a unique and effective way to add a new dimension to any room. So say goodbye to your decorating doubts and fears: it’s texture time! The Layers of Texture When tackling texture, it is important to first understand the different layers that exist in a room. The first layer is the texture of the room’s structure—its basic architecture. The second layer is the texture of the walls and floors. You usually have less flexibility with these two layers, so make sure to work with what is already in place. The third layer uses the texture of window coverings and furniture. And the fourth and final layer includes accents and accessories. While your ability to control texture will vary in each layer, the freedom of this fourth layer can compensate for the inflexibility of other layers. Make the most of it!
Texture Material Now that you are aware of the different texture layers, prepare to decorate your rooms by learning the effects of the most commonly used materials.
Stone is a popular material that can be adapted for the indoors. It can be incorporated within your home through floors, fireplace mantels, and even walls. 30
Savvy Spaces
This centerpiece adds texture to the room by incorporating wood, metal, and greenery.
Photography by Maren Fischer
This room incorporates texture through accents such as the throw blankets and throw pillows. The wooden chest adds a nice flair of texture, as does the plant placed on top of the chest.
Plaster is a relatively inexpensive way to add texture to a bland room. For example, add a coat of plaster on a wall to add depth and interest.
Glass takes on different textures depending on whether it is cut, beveled, hand blown, spun into cones, or infused with design. Use this single material to create an abundance of different textures.
Metals—whether stainless steel, gold, brass, or silver— all shine and reflect light. Metals can add texture while also creating the illusion of space.
Leather sofas, chairs, and books give a feeling of masculinity. While bulking up a room, they also help create a sense of warmth and comfort.
Wood, the most popular material in most homes, can be carved and cut to any shape and size, and always brings energy. You can lay a wooden floor, panel your walls, and incorporate wooden furniture to maximize wood’s energizing effect in your home.
Finishing Touches Texture affects not only the general feeling in a room but also its lighting—which, in turn, affects how people perceive a room’s colors. For example, rough textures, like burlap, will absorb light; smooth textures, like satin, will reflect light. Some materials, such as marble, feel heavy in a room, while other textures, like woven baskets, feel airy. Remember, texture is both tactile and visual. For instance, a chair covered in a smooth fabric doesn’t have tactile texture; however, a stripe pattern in the fabric can supply visual texture. When considering the use of texture in a space, go slowly. Add one or two textured items in complementary styles, and see how you feel with them over time.
Savvy Says: For tips on how to spice
up the texture of your room with houseplants, go to page 42. January 2009
31
Creat ive
Recycling By Megan Hambly
When looking for new things to decorate your home with, why buy when you can reuse and create? Our creative recycling ideas will help you turn the random stuff you already have around your house into creative and classy decorative items. Photography by Maren Fischer
Project 1: T-shirt Art
What you need: 1 t-shirt (Use something that has an interesting pattern or a design that matches your room; your local Salvation Army is a great place to find fun and affordable shirts.) Staple gun (If you don’t have one, this is a great time to get to know your neighbors—borrow! ) Staples for the staple gun 1 piece of poplar wood, 4 ft. x 1 ½ in. x 1 ½ in. Saw
What you do: 1. Saw the wood into four pieces, each 12 in. long. (The This project was inspired by my husband’s t-shirt collection. He has tons of t-shirts he never wears but won’t throw away because of their “sentimental value.” (You know the ones I am talking about—the “this was the shirt I wore when I hit my first home run!” kind of shirt.) One day I finally made him sort through his shirts to throw some away, but he came up with this project instead. Now his t-shirts adorn our home as art and add a splash of color to our walls.
32
Savvy Spaces
hardware store can do this for you.) The end of each piece should be cut diagonally at a 45° angle. (The longest side should be 12 in. long; the lower side of the diagonal cut will be shorter than 12 in.)
2. Match the ends of each piece to form a square. 3. Using a staple gun, fasten the corners together. The staple should overlap both pieces of wood (see photo). You should now have a square wooden frame to hold your t-shirt.
4. Cut a t-shirt along the seams so that the back side is separated from the front side.
5. Lay the side of your t-shirt that you want to use on your work surface, pattern-side up. Place the frame on top of the t-shirt, framing the section of the shirt you want displayed.
6. Cut the t-shirt into a square shape. On all sides the t-shirt square should be about 2 in. longer than your wooden frame.
7. Using the staple gun, staple the t-shirt to the back of the frame. Start with one side of the frame you created. Attach the shirt completely along that side. Now attach the shirt to the opposite side. (For example, if you attached the shirt to the left side of the frame first, you will now attach it to the right side of the frame.) Stretch the t-shirt tightly across the frame as you staple.
8. Once you have all the sides stapled, you are ready to hang your art on the wall.
Project 2: Book Shelf (Get it?)
shelves never fail to intrigue our guests, and they add a simple accent to our walls.
What you need: 1 vintage book that you don’t mind cutting the pages out of. (They are quite inexpensive at Salvation Army or other secondhand stores. Choose one with an attractive spine.) Scissors Elmer’s glue 1 piece of pine board, 1 in. x 2 in. x 6 in. Saw 6 wood screws, 1½ in. long Screwdriver (electric if you have access to it) 2 toggle bolts and anchors (the kind that push through the wall, open up, and anchor into the wall; these come as a pack), 4 in. long
What you do: 1. First, you need to cut the pages out of the book. Don’t cut the full page out; leave a ½-in. portion of the page along the top and bottom. (When the book is closed and you look at the top or bottom side, it should still look like it has pages.) Take care to preserve the binding of the pages—they will fall out if you cut too far. Be sure to use scissors, as ripping the pages breaks the binding. You will be able to cut only 10–20 pages at a time. As you cut, be careful that the leftover portions don’t get tangled—they are hard to untangle!
2. Once you have cut out the pages, coat the inside
This is an item my husband saw online; he fell in love with the idea of making a shelf out of a book and just had to try it. We designed and created the project together, and by the end we were quite proud of ourselves—the online price of one book shelf was $70, but we created three book shelves for only $10! Our book
edge (the one you can’t see when you look at a closed book) with Elmer’s glue. Let the glue dry. Now the pages should stick together and stay in place.
3. Now you need to make the bracket that will act like a frame for your shelf. Cut the pine board into two 4-in. pieces and one 6-in. piece. (If you aren’t comfortable with your wood cutting skills, the hardware store where you purchased the wood will generally do it for free or for a small fee.) January 2009
33
Screw the 4-in. pieces into the 6-in. piece—they should make a “u” shape.
What you need:
4. Now attach the bracket to the wall.
Puzzle pieces, bouncy balls, stones, candles, etc.— you choose!
Drill two holes into the 6-in. piece (in between the 4-in. pieces). Using the toggle anchor bolts, screw through the 6-in. piece of wood and into the wall. Your bracket should now be securely anchored to the wall.
5. Next slide the book on the bracket. Screw the bottom of the book into the bracket. You might need to buy longer screws than recommended in the materials list depending on the size of your book—you want the screws to be about ¼ in. less than the width of the book binding.
6. For a finishing touch, place small items on top and use as a decorative shelf!
Project 3: New Life for Old Centerpieces
Centerpiece
What you do: 1. Give some away! This is a great way to thank helpers or to make new friends with the neighbors.
2. Empty the centerpiece of whatever was originally in it. For example, if it had flowers inside, take them out.
3. Now choose what you want to put inside. Puzzles: Choose puzzles that are brightly colored and that are mainly monochromatic. Some puzzles have colored backs and colored fronts—these are great. Puzzles can be purchased at secondhand stores; for your purposes, they don’t need to have all the pieces. Fill the centerpieces with the puzzle pieces, taking care to flip the puzzle pieces so the colored side faces outward. Stones and candles: We gave my mother-in-law some of our centerpieces and she chose a classy route. She bought inexpensive “river rocks” that can be found at craft stores. She put a small layer of rocks in the bottom of the centerpiece. Then she purchased a pillar candle that matched the color of the room and put the candle into the centerpiece. The effect was elegant.
After my husband and I got married, we ended up with dozens of leftover centerpieces, and we didn’t know what to do with them. Not much later we helped with a friend’s reception and were rewarded with—you guessed it—centerpieces. So we had to figure out what to do with twenty wedding centerpieces. If your centerpieces (such as vases, bowls, etc.) can hold other items, here are a few suggestions for you. 34
Savvy Spaces
Bouncy Balls: This is a more expensive alternative, unless you have access to many inexpensive bouncy balls. You can order specialized balls online to come in specific patterns or colors, or you can just buy whatever you find at the store.
4. Once you have filled your centerpieces, you are ready to put them on display. Align a few on a shelf. Place one on an end table. Be creative!
Let the Classic Candle Co. warm your home and heart this winter season.
classiccandleco.com
Affordable Alt ernat ives
By Andralynn Brown
Beautifully decorating a room is hard; beautifully decorating a room on a budget is even harder! Nevertheless, it is certainly possible to give your living room a great look without breaking the bank. We compared the prices of standard living room furniture at high-end stores with prices from lessexpensive stores to help you make your living room look designer-worthy without going into debt! Photography by Maren Fischer
4
2 5 3 36
Savvy Spaces
1
Savvy
Says: To see alternatives other readers have found, go to page 58.
1 2 3
4 5
Coffee table: Glass-topped coffee tables can give your room a sleek, classy look. A table like this one runs upwards of $1,000 at high-end furniture stores like Ethan Allen. However, we found one with a similar look at Overstock.com for only $170.
Sofa: Seating is absolutely essential for a living room, but sofas can be wallet busters. They can cost up to $2,400 at Pottery Barn, but Overstock.com carries them for $500 or less, with various colors and models to choose from.
Rug: Area rugs can give a boring floor a splash of color and pizzazz. Unfortunately, rugs can be some of the most expensive accessories you can buy. At Ethan Allen the least expensive rugs cost about $450, while the most expensive cost a whopping $4,200. At Wal-Mart, on the other hand, area rugs run from $25 to $200, depending on the size of rug and the quality of fabric.
Mirror: Mirrors on your walls can give your room depth, space, and beauty. At Ethan Allen, mirrors with ornate frames cost anywhere from $300 to $550. IKEA sells mirrors for $20 to $100, depending on the size of mirror and the type of frame.
Chair: A nice, comfortable chair can balance your room while adding more functional seating. At RC Willey these chairs run from $400 to $730. At IKEA they start as low as $250.
It’s true that decorating on a budget is difficult. Luckily, stores like IKEA and Wal-Mart make decorating easier and more affordable. Looking online at sites like Overstock.com can also expand your choices. These stores are only a few of your many options for affordable furniture and accessories. Shop around—you might find something spectacular that you never expected! January 2009
37
MISSION: Moving In
Illustrations by Karen Sorenson
By Megan Hambly
Big moves raise lots of little questions: What do you do first? When do you paint? How do you fix those pesky wall holes? Savvy has compiled the following tips and tricks to help make your transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Turn on the utilities When moving into a new space, turning on the utilities should be your first action. Although this is a necessity, it is one of the most commonly forgotten steps. Without your utilities turned on, you won’t have heat (including hot water for the much-needed post-moving-in shower), air conditioning, access to appliances, or electricity. If you are a renter, talk to the previous tenant or your landlord about turning on the utilities. If you are a new home owner, look online for information on how to contact the city utilities. If the Internet isn’t connected yet, ask the neighbors for contact information—it’s the perfect opportunity to get acquainted!
2. Perform a safety check Before you start fixing those leaky pipes or moving furniture inside, think about safety. Make sure your smoke detector works by pressing the “test” button. If the smoke detector doesn’t start beeping, try replacing the batteries. If new batteries don’t solve the problem, you need to replace the smoke detector. You can buy one at Home Depot or any other home improvement store. Next, locate your water, electricity, and gas shutoffs so you are prepared in case of an emergency. Locate the nearest “emergency exits” so you know how to get out fast if you need to. And keep your first aid kit handy. If it isn’t unpacked yet, unpack it! You will likely need it for the minor scrapes you acquire while moving in and fixing things up.
3. Document existing problems Before you start fixing up your new home, document any problems you see. Compile a list of things that are not working or that are not in proper repair when you move in. And remember to take pictures. Then give copies of the list and photographs to your landlord. This could save you your deposit later because you will be
able to prove that you didn’t cause unresolved problems. This list is also a great way to see what you want to improve—it can be your starting checklist for homeimprovement projects. If you are moving into a new home, check to see if your home builder is responsible for fixing items that weren’t properly installed or that are in poor repair.
4. Clean your home If you’re lucky, the previous tenants or owners cleaned when they left. However, don’t just assume they did a good job—they were leaving the place behind, not staying to live in it! Do a general cleaning of the house before you move your furniture inside: sweep, mop, vacuum, clean bathrooms, and wipe down all surfaces and countertops. Now is also the perfect opportunity to clean those hard-to-reach places. For example, how often in the next year do you expect to completely move all your furniture and clean behind it? If you’re like me, this is probably not going to be very often— if ever! So clean your baseboards and scrub the tile grout underneath the refrigerator. Clean as much or little as you like—but at least do a basic surface cleaning.
5. Check your outlets It’s important to check wall outlets to see if they work. Checking outlets is a very easy project: just plug in a small electrical appliance to see if the outlet works. If it doesn’t, it’s time to make some repairs. First, momentarily turn off your power. Turning the power off will keep you safe from accidental shock or even electrocution. Because you have already found the emergency power shutoff, this shouldn’t be too hard—just flip the January 2009
39
switch to “off.” You can turn it right back on when you are finished with your project. Once the power is off, unscrew the faceplate. Generally, the faceplate has only one or two small screws to undo. Take care not to lose these screws; they are small and easy to misplace. Now you have an exposed outlet. There are three screws for you to undo on this exposed outlet—generally they are located above the top outlet, below the bottom outlet, and between the two. Unscrew these screws and put them in a safe place, too. Check the back of the outlet to get the amp, voltage, and wire gauge readings so that you can get the correct replacement. New outlets can be found at any home maintenance store and are inexpensive. Be sure to screw the outlet and faceplate back into the wall while you are gone so you don’t leave wires exposed. Once you have your new outlet, remove the faceplate and old outlet again. As you remove the old outlet, be sure to remember the arrangement of the wires. After you’ve marked which wires were located where on the outlet, you can remove them by unscrewing them or by pushing the release button, depending on the type. Attach the wires to the new outlet in the same way that they were attached to the old outlet. Once you have attached the wires, screw the new outlet into place. If you are not painting, replace the faceplates. If you are painting, don’t replace them yet: you will want them off the wall while you paint.
6. Patch up small wall holes Now that you have documented all your problems and know where all the safety components of your house are, you are ready to start fixing up your home. Wall holes are something very simple to fix, and eliminating them will improve your
40
Savvy Spaces
walls’ appearance. However, before you start filling in the holes, think about the objects you are going to hang. If there is a nail hole perfectly centered on the wall and you plan on hanging a picture in the same spot, don’t fill the hole—you can reuse it. For the holes you do want to fix, there is a simple solution: fill these little eyesores with plain white toothpaste, which works just as well as expensive caulking filler. (Just be sure the toothpaste you use is plain white paste, not gel!) Squeeze a small drop of toothpaste onto the hole (less than you would use on a toothbrush) and wipe off the excess with a damp paper towel. The toothpaste will dry quickly. If you plan on painting the wall, the paint will cover the hole so completely that you won’t be able to tell it is there. If you don’t paint the wall, the small spot of white will be relatively unnoticeable. For larger wall imperfections like dents or scratches, start by sanding the surface thoroughly. Use coarse sandpaper and a good sandpaper block. Fill the dent with joint compound or drywall mud using a spreader (these can both be found at Home Depot or another home improvement store). Spread the compound evenly, pressing it firmly into the dented area. For extremely large dents, allow the compound to dry overnight and then apply a second coat. When the material is completely dry, sand the area and prime it for painting. You will want to paint these patches, because they will be very noticeable if left unpainted.
7. Paint your place First, a few tips on colors: lighter colors can help a small room feel spacious, while darker colors can help an immense room seem cozier. Some colors can even accentuate or hide a room’s features. For example, if you have molding at the top of your walls that you want to accentuate, paint the molding a color that contrasts with the paint on the wall. If you have something you want to hide, paint it in a neutral hue or one that is similar to the
majority of the color in the room. Once you have selected your color, it’s time to choose your paint. Try a water-based enamel instead of an oil-based gloss. Waterbased gloss enamels have fewer odors than oil-based paints, are easier to clean up, and wear better over time. Purchase high-quality paint. It will retain its color, will go on smoother, is easier to wash, and is dirt resistant. Once paint has dried on a wall, it can look very different from the small color swatches you brought home from the store. So when you are purchasing paint, purchase test quarts of the colors you have chosen, and then paint a sample portion on your wall before you paint the entire room. This will help you decide if you like how the color looks on your wall. Once you have tested and approved the color, you will be ready to paint your whole room. Good luck!
8. Make a floor plan Now that your walls are dry, it’s time to move your furniture into the house. Before you get started, you’ll want to plan the basic layout; after all, it’s much easier to erase a diagram than to have to lift and move your furniture over and over again. As you consider your layout, think about electrical outlets and floor vents. Don’t make electrical outlets completely inaccessible, and don’t cover floor vents or they won’t work as effectively. Be sure to measure spaces to see if your furniture will fit. Once
you’ve created the basic layout, you are ready to bring in your furniture.
9. Place big items first It is much easier to place large items, such as beds and entertainment centers, before placing smaller items. By doing so, you won’t have to maneuver the large items around all the smaller pieces as you are bringing the furniture indoors. As you move your big items, put them in the spots you already planned on your layout. Then it will be easier to move in your smaller items.
10. Move into one room at a time Because moving in can be quite overwhelming (so much “stuff ”!), it’s helpful to focus on one room at a time and to start with the right room. Which room is the “right” room? It’s the room that might be the most important for you to have unpacked. I like to start with the bathroom: it’s definitely helpful to have toilet paper in the bathroom for when you need to make a quick trip! I would go for the kitchen next; you will probably get hungry and thirsty while you unpack, so it would be nice to have plates and cups to use. Next, work on the bedrooms: you’ll want somewhere cozy to sleep after you have spent a long day unpacking! Do the entertainment and living rooms last—and before you know it, voila! Your moving-box–filled house will be a fully moved-in, comfortable home.
Moving In: Professional Moving Company vs. Me Professional Moving Company Pros
“Me” Pros
1. Save time. You won’t have to worry about packing and unpacking all your possessions.
1. Gain control. You can control every aspect of your move.
2. Avoid overexerting yourself. The movers will load and unload all your heavy boxes and furniture.
2. Be flexible. You don’t have to plan your schedule around the movers.
3. Don’t drive. A licensed truck driver will be in charge.
3. Save money. Movers can be expensive.
4. Improve your chances for a damage-free move. Professional movers are experienced in moving fragile items. If they do break any items, the moving company will be liable.
Professional Moving Company Cons
“Me” Cons 1. Inexperience. If you have never moved yourself, it may be difficult to coordinate a long-distance move. 2. Driving skills. You will have to drive a moving truck, which can be tricky and stressful.
1. Feeling uncomfortable. They are strangers, after all, and they have a truckful of everything you own.
3. Liability. You are responsible for damages to your items.
2. Spending time. You have to research moving companies.
4. Injuries. You don’t have movers to lift the heavy items.
Health, Happiness, & Houseplant s By Priscilla De La Vega
Plants have a therapeutic quality about them and a presence that can transform any drab or dreary environment into a fresh room filled with life. Along with the many other benefits of keeping foliage indoors, potted plants have the curious ability to help make homes and their residents comfortable. Because of their many positive mental and physical effects, keeping plants can bring health and happiness into any environment. Mental Wellness Most homes are viewed as sanctuaries and places where people can escape from the outside world. When places like school and work become stressful, a fresh and vibrantly decorated home can actually decrease stress and increase productivity. Plants are one kind of
decoration that will freshen any room. A study by Helen Russell showed that people living in an area with plants were generally less stressed than those who were inside an area without houseplants. After being given stressinduced activities, the individuals in the planted areas were able to recover more quickly than those in rooms without greenery. It’s clear that after a busy day at school or work, coming home to a beautiful, green, stressreducing environment can be just the thing to keep you healthy and stress free. Just as an antique mirror or a modern art piece can bring aesthetically pleasing thoughts to your mind, houseplants can be a part of your dÊcor that simply makes people feel better. With different colors, smells, and sizes, plants are like pieces of art that make a room feel whole. They can help you color-coordinate your home, fill up empty or lonely spaces, and revive a lifeless room.
Air Quality Houseplants come with a bounty of benefits. In addition to positively influencing the emotional atmosphere of a home, they can also have an effect on the actual 42
Savvy Spaces
What Kind of Houseplant Person are You? The Grim Reaper
If you’re the kind of person who buys a plant, overwaters it for two weeks, and then forgets that the plant exists, the Heart-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) is for you. This plant—which has few pest problems, limited water requirements, and needs just as much light as you want to give it—will thrive on your tender neglect.
The Caveman The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is the perfect houseplant for those who live in homes that don’t get much direct sunlight—and for those who “live” in their cubicles! Throw your ZZ into any dark corner of your home or office, water it once every two weeks, and you’ll be amazed at how long this hardy plant will hang on.
The Go Getter Take on any member of the orchid (Orchidaceae) family and you’ll feel like you’ve just adopted a deprived pet. Orchids require all the extras, including supplemental lighting, strict humidity levels, and weekly diagnosis of every leaf and bud. If you’re the kind of person who loves a challenge and loves spending lots of time getting cozy with your houseplant, the orchid is the perfect plant for you.
atmosphere by improving air quality. They do this in the following ways: • Reducing carbon dioxide levels • Increasing humidity • Minimizing levels of certain pollutants • Decreasing airborne dust levels • Keeping air temperature down
Noise Reduction Roadside plants and trees are strategically placed to help reduce traffic noise. This same concept works inside a home. Plants have large surface areas and can exchange gas and water with their surroundings. Because of this, plants and their leaves absorb, diffract, or reflect background noise. They also alter room acoustics by reducing the reverberation time of sound waves. This can make your living environment more comfortable for you and the other occupants. Perhaps your roommates play their music too loud or talk on the phone too much;
perhaps children yell and scream inside the house all day. Whatever the noise, plants can reduce it and help a home feel more peaceful. Depending on plant type, planting density, location, and sound frequency, there will be different levels of noise reduction. The greatest thing about indoor plants is that their many benefits work together! Reduced noise and improved air quality due to houseplants can transform your home into a cleaner, more peaceful, and more positive place. So add a touch of green to your home, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier, more comfortable lifestyle.
Savvy Says: Increase your health
and happiness with feng shui! Turn to page 18 to find out how to use houseplants to channel the chi in your home.
January 2009
43
Ask an Expert
Turning Your Thumbs Green
By Amanda Lewis
Houseplants can bring a splash of color and vitality to any domestic space. But with so many plants available to the aspiring indoor gardener, it’s hard to know which ones to choose! And once you’ve chosen a plant or two, keeping and caring for your greenery can be a challenge. That’s why Savvy sat down with our friend Alissa Lewis, an expert gardener, to dig up some dirt on houseplants. Here’s what Alissa had to say. What kinds of plants make the best houseplants? Pothos vines make good houseplants because they’re really hard to kill. Rubber plants or a fichus tree would also work well. You can also grow herbs inside. What are three or four basic principles for having healthy houseplants? First, make sure they have enough light. Second, make sure you don’t overwater them. On the surface the soil will sometimes look like it’s dry, so you’ll think you need to add water. But if you stick your finger a couple inches down into the soil and it’s damp, you don’t need to water it. Third, dust them occasionally because dust can inhibit the photosynthesis from working. Fourth, it’s important to plant your houseplant in a pot that has good drainage. Good drainage prevents root-rot and will also allow the roots to get oxygen. When the water goes through, it pulls oxygen through too. So make sure your pot has a hole in the bottom. Fifth, from spring through the end of fall, you need to fertilize your houseplants about once a month with a diluted fertilizer. How often should you check the water on your plants? Usually once a week. Sometimes you can tell from the plant: if it’s looking a little wilted or droopy, it might need water—if you haven’t watered it. Sometimes 44
Savvy Spaces
overwatering will give the same symptoms. Once again, if you do the stick-your-finger-in-the-soil trick, you should be able to tell if it needs more water. How much water should you use? You want to water your plant until water comes out the bottom of the pot, but it takes a little while for the water to come out. Don’t water it and water it and water it until you see the water. Water a little bit and wait a while to see if water comes out the bottom of the pot. If not, water it a little bit more. Do different plants need different amounts of water? Yeah. It’s good to know a little bit about your plant. Some plants like to have constantly moist soil. Other plants like the soil to totally dry out before you water again. If you got your plant from a greenhouse or someplace where there are knowledgeable people, they can give you information about it. The Internet is also a good source. If you know the scientific name of the plant, the Internet can usually tell you what you need to know. Besides watering problems, what other problems can houseplants have? They can get diseases and pests. Usually the plant will look different, or it will show signs of distress. Sometimes you can see insects on them. There are two kinds of pests that most houseplants get: mealybugs and spider mites. Mealybugs are little white bugs that like
the new growth of plants. If you see some white fuzzy stuff where your plant has new growth, it might be mealybugs. Spider mites like the undersides of leaves. You can tell when a leaf has mites because the leaf will look a little speckled, and if you look on the underside, it looks a little dusty. Both of those things can be treated with insecticidal soap for houseplants, or you can even mix a few drops of dish soap into a half gallon of water and wipe the plant clean. What kind of soil is needed for healthy houseplants? Don’t dig soil up out of your backyard or something. That would be bad—it’s just not good soil. You can buy a bag of soil. There are some that are better than others, but basically, if you buy a bag of soil at the store, it will be pretty good. Where would you get fertilizer? You can get it at any one of the big box stores (like WalMart). It’ll say “houseplant fertilizer” or “all-purpose fertilizer” on it. You could also go to a garden center and ask them about it, and they’ll recommend something. Once you buy the fertilizer, I would recommend using it at half strength. Many times you don’t need as much fertilizer as the bag or box says, especially for houseplants. You mentioned herbs earlier. How would you grow herbs inside? You just treat them like another houseplant.
If you’re the type of person who kills houseplants . . . “Actually, I didn’t used to be a big houseplant person. I had a hard time with them. My husband was more into that because he’s better at being consistent and taking care of things. He just watered them every week, and they did well. So if you’re not very good at it, just work on being consistent.” Alissa Lewis
January 2009
45
When do you trim houseplants? It depends on what kind of plant it is. If it’s a vine and it’s getting too “viney,” you can just cut it back and it will be fine. For all plants, you can also trim off any dead leaves or anything like that. What can you do if you want houseplants but you live in a basement and don’t really have good sunlight? Some plants don’t require much sunlight. The pothos vine is a good one when you don’t have a lot of sunlight. I don’t think your plants will ever get too much sunlight in an apartment. Just give them as much as you can. Do houseplants need special care in the winter? Don’t fertilize them in the winter because they don’t grow as much since they get less light. And don’t water them as much. Since they don’t get as much light, they don’t grow as much, and they don’t use as much water.
What do you need to do to winterize shrubs or perennials? It depends on what kind it is. If it’s one that’s called “tender,” which means it needs special care, you can mulch over it, and that will keep it insulated at the same temperature and keep it protected. In most cases, it’s best to let the plant do its thing in preparing for the wintertime—it’ll lose its leaves and focus its growth and energy into the roots. If you cut it back right before the winter, you’ll send the plant into a reproductive mode. That’s bad because instead of storing energy in its roots in preparation for winter, it sends its energy into new growth. Most of the time, cutting a plant back right before winter will make the plant much more vulnerable in the wintertime. Wait until spring to cut it back and cut out all the dead foliage.
Hibernating Tulips
There’s a way to have blooming tulips and daffodils in the wintertime. Just plant them in a pot with soil and put the pot in the refrigerator two months before you want the flowers to start growing. Make sure the soil is moist; check it every couple of weeks or so. Eventually, it will start sprouting. Then take it out and put it in a spot where you’d put a plant—with sunlight. It just blooms inside.
D esi g n
with
Yo u
in mind
Obella Offices quality furniture and art visit our website at obellaoffices.com to shop online or to find stores near you
Box
Inside the EarthBox Gardens By Natalie Quinn
Have you always wanted a garden but never had the space? Do you wish you could grow your own fresh flowers and vegetables? If you are the kind of person who longs for a little more green in your life, now is the time to stop dreaming and start digging: EarthBox is here! It is early on a beautiful August morning. Sunlight is dancing playfully through the leafy boughs of the trees as my mom leads my 17-year-old brother, Nate; my 19-year-old sister, Lyndsey; and 20-something-year-old me out the side door and into our yard for our EarthBox tutorial. She will be leaving town in the afternoon and has enlisted us to care for her “garden” while she is gone.
The “garden” consists of an assortment of large plastic tubs—EarthBoxes—in which a variety of vegetables are growing. As she lectures us on the finer points of watering and plant maintenance, it is clear to me that with the help of these mineral-and-dirt-filled tubs, my mom’s thumbs have gone green! Under Mom’s watchful eye, I can’t help but entertain some skepticism as I start plucking wilting leaves from the tomato plants; however, before long, I feel the therapeutic power of gardening taking hold of me too. Will my thumbs be the next opposable digits to go green?
What is an EarthBox? An EarthBox is a plastic tub 29 in. long, 13.5 in. wide, and 11 in. tall. In other words, it’s about the same size as a large plastic storage bin you might have in your closet or attic. But don’t be fooled: it is so much more than your average storage bin! On the website (www.EarthBox.com) these plastic tubs are praised as “the world’s most revolutionary gardening system” because they are designed to be as efficient and easy to use as possible. (No wonder my mom loves them!) A basic EarthBox costs between $47.95 and $52.95, depending on the desired color and style. For example, you can differentiate between a regular bin and a more organic (and expensive)
48
Savvy Spaces
bin; however, the difference in materials has no effect on the plants placed in the EarthBox. All tubs come with a plastic screen and set of accessories (attachable wheels, a watering tube, etc.) that are easy to put together. Potting mix is sold separately on the website, or you can buy your own when you buy your seeds and seedlings from your local nursery or gardening store. Once you have your EarthBox and other supplies, you’re ready to grow vegetables and other plants anywhere a plastic tub can fit!
How does an EarthBox work? An EarthBox is designed to provide plants with a constant reservoir of water and with enough fertilizer for one growing season. The reservoir is located at the base of the EarthBox, beneath a plastic screen. You keep it full by adding water through a fill tube located in one corner of the tub. The tube extends from the reservoir up through the potting mix that fills the EarthBox. At the top of the EarthBox is a strip of dry fertilizer—thinly veiled in a two-inch trough under a layer of potting mix—
that sustains the plants throughout the growing season. A black plastic cover goes over the top of the EarthBox, protecting it from freeloading flora and fauna, like weeds, as well as other traditional gardening grievances. With your EarthBox prepared and covered, you are ready to plant your seeds or seedlings. Cut “X”-shaped holes into the cover, one for each plant in any part of the EarthBox, but as far from the fertilizer strip as possible. Seeds or seedlings are placed in two- to three-in. holes within the potting mix and watered from the top—but only this once! Since they have just been planted, they need this top-loaded water to help remove any air spaces from around their roots. Once your seeds or seedlings are in the EarthBox, caring for them is simple. While a conventional garden would necessitate weeding and careful management of fertilization, EarthBox only requires having sufficient sunlight for six to eight hours a day, being constantly covered by the black plastic cover, and having the reservoir refilled regularly through the fill tube. EarthBox makes gardening simple and efficient.
January 2009
49
the box. Following these simple recommendations can save your plants from being overcrowded and therefore unable to grow—a lesson that my mom had to learn the hard way when her squash plants strangled one another and subsequently died.
Why was EarthBox developed? EarthBox was created by Blake Whisenant, a tomato farmer from Florida whose own crop of tomatoes succumbed to a hurricane in 1992. Whisenant began working with a plastics developer, Mickey Lynch, in the mid-1990s to manufacture and market EarthBox products to the public.
Why use EarthBox? Where can an EarthBox be used? Patricia F., a satisfied EarthBox customer from Texas, declares on the website, “For apartment dwellers or homes with limited garden space, this product is great. The plants grow faster, stronger, greener and more productive.” As Patricia F. suggests, EarthBoxes can be used almost anywhere as long as the box is guaranteed its needed six to eight hours of sunlight per day, whether outdoors or indoors. For those who are city-bound or short on space but still crave fresh vegetables and flowers, the EarthBox is a great solution.
What can you grow in an EarthBox? Vegetables are by far the most popular produce planted in EarthBoxes. The possibilities are numerous and include traditional garden vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peas, as well as less common vegetables like artichokes and kohlrabi. However, EarthBox contents are not limited to vegetables: other possible produce includes fruit like strawberries and melons, any kind of flower, and herbs. You can personalize your EarthBox according to your tastes and desires. Once you are ready to plant, you can follow the guidelines on the EarthBox website, which explains how many seeds or seedlings to plant and how to place them within
50
Savvy Spaces
The box, made from recycled plastic, prevents contamination through its self-contained design. The company claims that an EarthBox yields more than double what a conventional garden yields and is far more environmentally friendly, using only half of the fertilizer and
Garden Fresh Pico de Gallo
The only thing more exciting than growing your own vegetables is actually getting to eat them! This recipe for pico de gallo, which literally means “rooster’s beak,” comes from Lyndsey Quinn (one of the siblings mentioned in the first paragraph of our EarthBox article). She learned how to make this fresh, delicious, and colorful salsa while studying in Mexico. As you can see, it uses produce like tomatoes, cilantro, cucumbers, and chili peppers—all of which can be grown in an EarthBox. Ingredients: • 4 tomatoes
40% of the water of conventional gardens. Thus, EarthBox gardening is more efficient and more environmentally friendly than conventional gardens.
What are other users saying about EarthBox? Naturally, EarthBox’s website is full of glowing reports from users who are enamored of this gardening system’s user-friendliness and productivity. These gardeners testify that they are not only outgrowing their conventional garden-cultivating peers but are also enjoying unprecedented overall success. They use adjectives like “unbelievable,” “awesome,” and “incredible.” My experiences with my mom’s EarthBoxes were similar to the ones recounted on the website. Within my first morning of EarthBox duty, I was sold! Because EarthBoxes are so efficient and easy to use, I also give them two green thumbs up. Thomas Moore, a nineteenth-century gardener and botanist, once observed, “The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden.” Thanks to EarthBox’s innovative and user-friendly system, souls are thriving wherever a 29 x 13.5 x 11 in. plastic tub will fit. In the comfort of your own home or yard, no matter what size it may be, you can grow your vegetables and eat them too.
• ½ onion • 1 or 2 lemons • 1 or 2 chili peppers • Cilantro to taste • Salt to taste • Pepper to taste • Optional ingredients: radishes, cucumbers, avocadoes, etc. (It’s up to you!) Dice all vegetables and place in a bowl. Finely chop cilantro and add to your vegetable mixture. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the salt and pepper; stir. Let your pico de gallo sit on your counter to marinate (at least 15 min.). Serve with crackers and chips or use it as a topping on your favorite Mexican dish for a true fiesta feel. ¡Olé! January 2009
51
Poinsett ia Profile By Ashley Mordwinow
Winter has arrived, and that means poinsettia season is here. As you get ready to pick and place your plant, browse over these fun and informational facts that Savvy has put together: from waterlogged soil to Franciscan monks, here is everything you ever wanted to know about poinsettias. Name Game • The common name of “poinsettia” was given by William Prescott, who named it after Joel Poinsett. • English nicknames that refer to the poinsettia are Mexican Flame Leaf, Christmas Star, and Winter Rose. • Some foreign aliases of the poinsettia include Noche Buena (Spanish), Stella di Natale (Italian), Cuetlaxochitl (Aztec), and Bent El Consul (Egyptian). • The scientific name for the poinsettia plant is Euphorbia pulcherrima, which means “very pretty.”
Origins and Uses • The poinsettia is native to Central America. • This plant was introduced to the U.S. in 1825 by Joel Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. • The Aztecs used the plant’s milky sap to treat fevers and extracted purple dye from the bracts to be used in textiles and cosmetics. • Franciscan monks in Mexico have used poinsettias in their Christmas celebrations since the 17th century.
Business Buzz • Poinsettias are the best-selling flowering potted plant in the U.S., even though they are mostly sold within just a six-week period during the holiday season. • U.S. businesses typically make a total of $220 million on poinsettia sales during the holidays. • 90% of all poinsettia plants are exported from the United States. • 80% of the poinsettias produced in the U.S. for the wholesale market are grown at the Paul Ecke Ranch in California, making California the top state for poinsettia production.
Random Facts • There are over 100 different kinds of poinsettias. • In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.
52
Savvy Spaces
This is called the bract. It is also referred to as the leaf. This colorful part of the plant is often mistaken for the flower.
• Poinsettias can grow to be ten feet tall. • The price of poinsettias is determined by the number of blooms—the more blooms the plant has, the more expensive it is. • In 1992 the poinsettia was included on the list of most helpful houseplants for its effectiveness at removing pollutants from indoor air.
How to Select and Care for Your Poinsettia • Be wary of plants displayed in paper, plastic, or mesh wrapping, or that are crowded by other plants. Wrapping and crowding reduce airflow around the plant and compromise its health. • Examine the plant’s soil. Particularly, avoid waterlogged soil, especially if the plant seems wilted. This could be a sign of irreversible root rot. • Check the proportions of the plant. A standardsize poinsettia should be about 2 ½ times larger than the diameter of the container. • Inspect the stem and bracts. Stems should be firm and bracts should appear richly colored. • Choose a plant that is balanced, full, and attractive from all angles. • Protect your plant during transportation. If it’s windy and/or below 50° F, place your poinsettia in a roomy shopping bag. • Let your plant get about six hours of indirect sunlight each day. It should be in a place where temperatures are between 65° and 75° F.
This is the flower, or cyathia, of the poinsettia plant. • Water your poinsettia when the soil is dry to the touch. Don’t overwater—wait for the soil to become dry before watering again. • Avoid leaving your plant near appliances, fireplaces, ventilation ducts, or anyplace with cold drafts or excessive heat. If you care for your poinsettia properly, it could last until Valentine’s Day!
The Christmas Star The Poinsettia’s association with Christmas is based largely on a Mexican legend. A poor girl had no gift to bring the Christ child, but she lovingly laid at his feet a handful of weeds that she had gathered on the roadside. The weeds miraculously transformed into radiant blossoms, creating a poinsettia plant. This story has endeared the poinsettia to the hearts of many at this special time of year.
January 2009
53
Skim Before You Shop
A Review of Home-goods Stores By Ashley Mordwinow
This store is the epitome of organization and a major helpmeet for the novice interior designer. These qualities seem to come with a price, as this is a slightly more expensive place to shop for home supplies. While it does carry kitchenware, cleaning appliances, and decorative accent pieces, Bed Bath & Beyond’s primary contribution to home décor takes shape in bedroom and bathroom supplies. At the back of the store you will find shelf upon heavy-laden shelf of sheets, sham pillows, and comforters. You will even discover a few sample beds, made up to show off just a few of the possible bedding combinations. The area reserved for bathroom décor is no less impressive. Want your shower curtain, trash can, towels, rug, and soap dish to match? No problem. Matching designs and patterns can be found in a glance. Patterns can be life savers for an inexperienced designer, but if you feel like going beyond these prescribed combinations, try to mix and match your favorite designs. This can add some fun variety to your home and help you uncover your flair for decorating.
website: www.bedbathandbeyond.com
54
Savvy Spaces
Photography by Maren Fischer
Bed Bath & Beyond
Find ready-made combinations for your bedrooms and bathrooms or pick and choose from the fun variety to create your own look.
Dive into Pier 1 to find great home decorating items and ideas. The colorful environment will get your creative juices flowing, and you won’t be able to help wanting to go home and get busy!
Pier 1 Imports What a treasure trove for home décor! This place is fun and loaded with incredible pieces. Fabulous colors and patterns throughout the store make every corner special and exciting. Pier 1 has more actual furniture than the other stores featured in this article: love seats, couches, armchairs, and papasan chairs (the deep oval ones), in addition to small dressers, kitchen tables, and patio furniture. The prices of the furniture may lighten your purse, so if you’re on a tight budget stick to the vibrant colors and designs of the dinnerware, table runners, pillows, and vases. These items are reasonably priced and give off a bold and sassy vibe. For someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with interior design, the variety of colors and patterns in Pier 1 may be a little overwhelming. Remember that mixing and matching is okay, but don’t go overboard. Use tips from other articles in this issue to review the basics of coordinating colors and textures— then go out and try it!
website: www.pier1.com
January 2009
55
Ross If you’ve ever passed up Ross thinking it was just another store for bargain clothes, go inside and check it out! You might be surprised to find that it offers a great selection of home accessories. Due to some slight disorganization, you may have to do a little digging to find what you’re looking for, but it’s worth it. Decorative mirrors, paintings, clocks, and other wall hangings can be purchased for unbeatable prices and will add flavor to any room in your home. Stylish trunks and baskets, which are also cheap (in cost only), can play a duel role as storage holders and accent pieces. You can also get great deals on cutlery, drinking glasses, and kitchen towels. Many fun surprises await the shopper at Ross, so strap on your purse and start digging!
website: www.rossstores.com
56
Savvy Spaces
Come find fun and unique items that will enhance your home décor without sending your wallet to the emergency room.
Lowe’s If large stores make you anxious, this one may seem intimidating at first—but the floor is relatively easy to navigate. So don’t let the size of the store discourage you from going in and exploring its wide variety of contents. If you plan on doing some serious home renovation and only want to make one trip for supplies, Lowe’s has just about everything you need, from roofing and gardening supplies to floorboards and interior organizers. Lowe’s also boasts a large assortment of competitively priced major appliances.
website: www.lowes.com
Department Stores Several big-name department stores, such as Mervyn’s, JCPenney, Target, and Wal-Mart, also serve as great resources for home decorating supplies. While the patterns may be more conservative, they can have the same beautifying effect. Even though the selection in each section of home décor is slightly less varied, you can still find something great for every room of your home—and the prices are incredible!
Mervyn’s
website: www.mervyns.com
JCPenney
website: www.jcpenney.com
Target
website: www.target.com
Wal-Mart
website: www.walmart.com
January 2009
57
Savvy
in the City By Natalie Quinn
Wherever you live, whatever you do, we know that you know how to be savvy when it comes to décor. That’s why we asked you to tell us about your savvy steals that you’ve made in your own spaces across the country. Oh, you urbanistas: we love seeing your style and flair!
Cat herine Knight
C
Location: Cambridge, MA Job: PR assistant Items: Her couch and her bookshelves
A
Ann Christensen Location: Boston, MA Job: Graduate student Item: Her artwork collection
girl with a sense of wanderlust is bound to pick up some memorable souvenirs—and for Ann those souvenirs have turned into great décor. From her travels, Ann has gathered masks from South Africa and Mongolia and “a sumo wrestling tournament bracket from Japan that I can’t even read but . . . still looks cool in the $5 frame I got from Bed Bath & Beyond,” she explains. In addition to these items, Ann adorns her apartment walls with framed Mongolian, Egyptian, and Italian art. She loves her art and masks because of the memories and experiences they represent. Ann observes, “My art collection personalizes my house with unique things that you can’t buy from just anywhere . . . and it brings back happy memories for me.” She also sees an added bonus to the fond memories associated with her art. She confides, “Much of it I bought from local artists—so while it cost me almost nothing, it really helped some of them out.” Décor that gives back: now that’s savvy! 58
Savvy Spaces
atherine had been eyeing her dream couch for a few months before she bought it. Although she and her husband, Kevin, had moved to New York City for a few months and were living in temporary housing, she was still thinking forward to their more permanent residence in Cambridge. “We saw the couch at IKEA over the summer and got it on our way back to Beantown [Cambridge/ Boston],” Catherine says. “It is real leather, comfortable, sleek, the right scale for our apartment, and inexpensive.” In other words, it was love at first sight and sit. And since the first sighting, that love has only deepened. In addition to finding the great couch, Catherine and Kevin also found some great shelving units at IKEA. The thrifty couple both love to read, and they house many of their books on these shelves—not all of them fit. “But at $15 per shelving unit you can’t beat it,” Catherine says. It seems the books are happy, too.
L
Erica Nielsen
Location: San Mateo, CA Job: Life-story writer, free-lance editor, and new mom Item: Her mattress and box spring ike all savvy decorators, Erica knows that getting some rest is just as important as completing a new project. That’s why she and her husband, Ryan, went hunting for a good bed after they arrived in San Mateo. They got lucky after they did a little investigating at area stores, where they learned that many stores sell their floor model beds at a discounted price every few months. Erica and Ryan’s mattress got scuffed up during shipping from the manufacturer to the store, so the vendors couldn’t sell the mattress at full value. The Nielsens bought it for 25% off the original price! Erica says, “What would my home be without a place to rest my head? The mattress is so comfortable, and I sleep even better at night knowing I got it for a good price.” Now that’s a foolproof formula for sweet dreams!
Savvy wants your voice heard!
Do you have a favorite piece of
furniture in your home? Tell us about it! Email your stories and pictures to savvyspaces@gmail.com, and you just might see your name in print!
pick
Editor’s
F
By Ashley Fillmore
or this issue I picked a creative way to dress up plain walls and boring picture frames. I got this idea from a friend who recently redecorated her apartment. While rearranging her decorations, she didn’t know what to do with several simple black picture frames she had purchased. My friend had guests coming over and didn’t have any paintings or photography to put in the frames. She did, however, have that month’s issue of Vogue lying around. Flipping through the pages and pulling out several ads from high-end designers—Chanel, Dolce & Gabana, etc.—my friend filled the frames with these ads. I love her idea! Since ads are often the avant-garde creations of extremely talented, in-demand photographers, it’s only natural that they would make for both edgy and elegant wall art to give any room an artistic feel. This decorating technique doesn’t have to be done with fashion ads; you can search through any magazine and choose any striking pictures. Another great place to find cheap photographs is in old coffee-table books found at thrift stores. So grab your old magazines and coffee-table books and get into a creative “frame” of mind!
Beautify Your Home ...
floralbrights visit us online at floralbrights.com