Coastal Home & Garden 2023 — A Special Publication by Coastal Point by CoastalPointNewspaper

A Special Publication by Coastal Point

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Coastal Home & Garden 2023

In this issue… Transitioning from one season to the next isn’t always easy. Especially if you really love one more than the others. Some of you may still be mourning the dog days of summer and clinging to your shorts and sandals for as long as possible. Others are eager to pull out the cozy sweaters, blankets, and autumn décor. No matter your seasonal preference, Fall is indeed here. And with that shift from a lazy, hazy summer into crisp, cool, and autumnal, is a marked focus on hearth and home. Because the winter months are just around the corner, prepping your home and gardens for the holidays, guests, inclement

weather, etc., really should start now. is issue brings you advice and suggestions for that home to-do list that you may—or may not—have already started. We’ve got fire pits and mancaves, coastal gardening, and greenhouses. Home updates that cover laundry rooms, winterization, and water purification; there’s a lot here to inspire. And we hope it does, because regardless of the season, at the end of the day it’s good to be home.

23 Publisher

Susan Lyons susan.lyons@coastalpoint.com

Executive Editor

Taryn King Editor

Darin McCann darin.mccann@coastalpoint.com

Editor

4 8

Bayside Blues: A local home showcase

What to know to begin winterizing your home

32 36

Mancaves fulfill need for comfort, entertainment

Melt away chillls with a fire pit

Taryn King taryn.king@coastalpoint.com

Technical Director Shaun M. Lambert shaun.lambert@coastalpoint.com

Digital Content Editor M. Patricia Titus patricia.titus@coastalpoint.com

Advertising Manager Susan Mutz susan.mutz@coastalpoint.com

So you want to get a houseplant?

Water purification systems soften the flow

Reporters Kerin Magill kerin.magill@coastalpoint.com Jason Feather jason.feather@coastalpoint.com

14 18

Bayside and seaside home gardening tips

How to maximize composting for your household

Planting for Pollinators

Susan Canfora susan.canfora@coastalpoint.com Mike Smith mike.smith@coastalpoint.com

Reimagining your laundry room

Mike Stern mike.stern@coastalpoint.com Cori Burcham Writer

Advertising Sales

Building your own greenhouse

Nadine Timpanaro nadine.timpanaro@coastalpoint.com Jane Johnson jane.johnson@coastalpoint.com

On the cover: Autumn is the theme of Carol & Brent Hurley’s front porch of their home in Bayard. n Photo by Shaun M. Lambert CH &G

Coastal Home & Garden 2023

Graphic Design Chris Aube chris.aube@coastalpoint.com

By Susan Canfora Staff Reporter During a pleasant conversation on the porch of their Quillen Point Road home, overlooking the Indian River Bay, Frank Miranda recalled eventually coming to like the color of the home he shares with MaryHelen Staruch, their two dogs, adult cats and a handful of shy kittens. At first, he wasn’t impressed with it, but knew Staruch would be. “She’s Mrs. Blue,” Miranda, a local builder, said with a smile as he motioned toward her and she nodded and returned the smile.

Bayside

Blues

A local home showcase CH &G

e color of their 2,900square-foot home is called Deep Ocean, a dark hue that pleases her, as does the blue stove with matching hood in the kitchen, backsplash, tile in the showers and other decorative touches. “We wanted that blue stove and hood to make a statement in the kitchen. We picked it all out. We changed things and made it our own,” Miranda said, recalling finding BlueStar brand stoves while researching. e company allows customers to design their own stoves, from the size, number of burners, Please turn to page 6

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Continued from page 4 knob color, trim and backguard. eir home, near Quillen’s Point, has large casement windows throughout — 30 by 72 inches on the porch, perfect for enjoying the view of mature trees, a pond that oﬀers the soothing sound of rushing water and private dock leading to the bay. “Who wouldn’t love this view?” Staruch asked, pointing out an osprey nest and egret poised on the dock as one of their dogs, Linus — a rescue from the couple’s trip to St. Lucia — lay with his head on her lap. In 2000, one of the original cottages ever built in the area, now 60 or 70 years old, was on the property where their home is now, and Miranda had it moved. e lot remained empty for a while and was a favorite spot for children at play. en their house was built in 2018. Prior to construction, Miranda lived right behind the lot where the house now stands. “e house is extremely well-insulated. It has all the modern features, geothermal heating and cooling. I have no electric bill at all. ere are solar panels on the roof,” he said.

e two-story, cement board-siding home has two guest rooms, each with a roomy closet and a bathroom with expert and eye-catching tile work, and the master bedroom features a sitting area and his oﬃce. “Our bedroom has a tongue-andgroove wood ceiling. I saw it in a house we did — a 2003 major renovation we saw in Bethany. It’s not a flat roof .… I’ve been a builder for 25 years, so I had a hand in designing this home on the bay. e guest suites are really nice. ey are very large bedrooms with walk-in closets. We put some time and eﬀort into the showers. In the living room, we have a wood-burning fireplace,” he said. Of particular interest is the floors. e home was included in the 2019 Beach & Bay Cottage Tour, and the tour booklet described the floors as being fashioned from 350-year-old red and white oak from reclaimed barn wood “retaining nail holes and gouges purposely left as testament to their age.” “Remnants of that same reclaimed oak appear in the fireplace mantel, powder room vanity and a bathroom mirror frame to create custom focal points. …

Almost every corner of the house has a breathtaking waterfront view. e interior is simple yet casually elegant with rustic touches to warm the light-bathed spaces. Variable width tongue-and-groove floors add character throughout the home,” the description stated. “e floors were made from old barn beams, oak barn beams,” Miranda said. “We had them sliced up, so in the entire house the wood is from trees grown 400 to 500 years ago. e wood came from barns in Pennsylvania that had been torn down in the last decade or two. at makes it unique,” he said. “e view is No. 1. e home has a nice-sized master bedroom and sitting areas, my oﬃce and two closets. MaryHelen likes to say her closet is bigger than her college dorm room was. Mine is a walk-in closet, too, but a little smaller. It was designed like that. “We made adjustments as we went along, changed things as they appeared to us. We changed what we didn’t like and made it our own. e view is No. 1. What makes it home to me is it’s a very personal space.”

Coastal Home & Garden 2023

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Protect that investment over the winter By Darin J. McCann Executive Editor ere’s something magical about owning that “beach home.” But regardless of whether it is a full-time home, a “summer” house or a significant purchase that helps you earn during the rental season, that beach home is an investment — an investment financially, and an investment in your very soul. And it is critically important that you protect that investment.

Beach houses face more environmental dangers than those at other locations or, at the very least, diﬀerent dangers. Per Ocean Home magazine, our beach houses have to stand tall against myriad dangers. Salty sea air is “likely to cause rusting metalwork, chipping and scratching to paintwork, and damage to mechanisms such as window latches,” they shared. “e damage caused by sand and salt is unavoidable. Finally, consider sudden tidal surges and waves whipped up by the high wind. High waves and rising water levels can mean that gardens and home exteriors, and even interiors, can be damaged by floodwater.” Ocean Home also spoke about weathering and erosion as the threat of rising sea levels creates even more angst going forward. So, yes, every home, no matter where it might sit, faces some issues in terms of maintenance and environmental impacts. But beach homes are somewhat unique due to water, salt air and the path of tropical storms that tend to impact coastal areas more frequently than those inland spots. And when you have a home that you are

CH &G

expecting to only really function in the summer months, for vacations or rentals or what have you, it’s important that you prepare it for those winter months, when the ravages of weather combine with having no one on site to protect it can add up to serious troubles later.

Let the well run dry Just a figure of speech here, as far as drying up your well, but it is time to shut off the water supply to your home if no one is going to be using it. You do not want to come check on your house over a three-day weekend and discover that a water pipe has been leaking or burst, and you find yourself facing a serious, expensive problem. Speaking of wells — if you do have one, just shut the breaker off to that pump, according to American Home Shield (AHS). On the other hand, “If you’re not going to shut off the water supply,” advised AHS of winterizing, “you should leave some water running through the pipes. Turn on the fixtures closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, like an upstairs bathroom, so there’s a

Coastal Home & Garden 2023

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Just open all the faucets in your home and flush all your toilets, according to AHS. After the toilets have drained their tanks, go ahead and flush one more time to clear the water out of the bowls. Also, if you shut oﬀ your pilot light for your water heater, drain the water heater as well.

Check the temp

steady trickle. e water needs to be constantly flowing to avoid a problem.” It’s not a bad idea to wrap a little insulation around those pipes, too. In particular, according to AHS, focus on the ones leading to and from the water heater, and ex-

posed pipes outdoors or in crawlspaces. Oh, and this is important, too: If you do shut oﬀ your water, do not forget to drain those waterlines, lest you find them freezing and expanding into an eventual explosion that can certainly cause major damage.

“If you are going to spend months away from your vacation home, you might want to consider investing in a smart thermostat that you can control remotely with your smartphone or tablet,” advised the people at Bay to Beach Builders. Keep those temperatures where you don’t have to spend a ton of money keeping your home warm when nobody’s home, but if you’re not winterizing the water system, keep it warm enough to help keep those pipes from freezing. Also, before you leave that home for the winter, Bay to Beach advises that you make sure there are no gaps in windows or doors that will let in cold air, adding more work for your heater when you don’t need it to be humming all the time for an unoccupied home.

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Protect your things Seasonal homes are targets for thieves in the offseason, according to Bay to Beach — easy targets. Consider taking out valuables before you shut the house down for the offseason, or lock them in a room that can’t be seen from street level. If bad guys can’t see stuff worth breaking into, they might move on to a different target. Don’t make it easy for them.

Inspect, inspect, inspect Before you close that house down for the oﬀseason, perform an inspection, according to Vacasa, experts in vacation rental management. Look for cracks or crevices in the home’s foundation before winter hits, knock out those small repairs that could become larger repairs down the road, and take a good look at your home’s siding and trim. ey also say to take a good look at the roof and gutters. “Stay on top of small repairs as they come up throughout the year,” according to

David Willis, manager of Vacasa’s operations across 10 states in the Northeast. “You don’t want to be burdened by homeimprovement projects during your own stays.” Vacasa also suggests unplugging those electronics and appliances that won’t be getting used during the winter, as well as cleaning out your freezer completely.

Consider rentals over the winter Willis also suggested just leaving the heat running and renting out your home over the winter. “Travel trends are changing,” said Willis. “We have guests searching for quiet and peaceful beach and lake homes in colder months, especially around the holidays. Your winter rental revenue could quickly provide a return on your investment.”

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So you want to get a houseplant Oh, you have no idea where to start? We’ve got you. A Zamioculcas Zamiifolia Raven plant is just one of the suggested houseplants that are relatively easy to care for. n Stock photo

First, determine what light you have. Most houseplants prefer light from a west or south facing window that is bright and indirect. While many plants can handle medium to low light, if your plant isn’t really flourishing or seems a touch unhappy, sometimes you just need to move it closer to the window. But if you don’t

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have a lot of natural light in your home, fret not—there are plants for you too!

Celebrating 20 Years!

Photo by Kenneth Arni

On to the fun part — 7 of our favorite easy-to-care for houseplants: n Spider Plant: Bright/indirect light n Pony-tail Palm: Bright/indirect light n Anthurium: Bright/Indirect light n Pothos: Prefers bright/indirect light but can tolerate medium/low n Philodendrons: Prefers bright/indirect light but can tolerate medium/low n ZZ Plant: Medium/low light n Cast Iron Plant: Medium/low light If you plan on repotting the plant, choose a soil mix that is loose, organic and won’t pack down as fast—something like PROMIX potting soil. And don’t rely on the plant tag for watering needs. Do a little research first (Google is your friend!) If you’ve got houseplant-care down to a science and want to dabble in something new, consider orchids. Lisa Arni, expert gardener and orchid master, suggests Phalaenopsis as a good beginner choice. “ey’re the easiest to grow and will flower up to six months at a time. An east window is ideal for lighting. Repot it after 2-3 years as the media breaks down. ey like to be fed, but flush them with water in between because the salt in the fertilizer builds up. Feel the heaviness of the plant after watering. You never want it to sit in water. Nothing rots the roots sooner.” Arni also recommends potting orchids in clear plastic cups so you can see what the roots and soil are doing. And finally, for the more experienced in orchid growing, Arni suggests Cattleya orchids. ey require a lot of light, but there are smaller varieties that produce big flowers if you’re pressed for space.

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Coastal gardening for bay and seaside homes CH &G

By Taryn King Editor Living in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region oﬀers a multitude of benefits: easy beach access, mild winters, fresh seafood, stunning views, etc. e few downsides that we do face are mostly navigable, and if you prepare properly — We’re looking at you, hurricane season — there’s really nothing that pushes into the not-worth-it category. But if you’re not already familiar with how the area works, you’ll soon discover there are numerous little adjustments required for that perfect beach life you’ve dreamed up. One of our favorites in this particular category is the eﬀects of a unique coastal ecosystem on your home and gardens. If you’re lucky enough to claim a coastal home, you may have discovered that your property came with unexpected landscape challenges. Wind, salt and harsh sunlight are standard elemental issues for both bayside and beachfront homes, with the added concern of erosion for the latter. And just about every home found in the coastal communities is graced with sandy soil and some combo of the above elements. For

avid gardeners, this is both a blessing and a curse. Lovers of rich, loamy soil and colorful ornamentals often find that many of their favorite plants simply can’t handle the climate and are also considered invasive to the area. Currently, there are 37 invasive plants banned for sale in Delaware (find the complete list at https://delcode.delaware.gov/ title3/c029/index.html), and an additional 720 plants that, while not banned, are still considered by the state’s natural resources oﬃcials as non-native species that can potentially cause environmental harm. Fortunately, there is an abundance of native plants and grasses that are perfect for Southern Delaware’s planting zone of 7b, and hardy enough to handle our coastal ecosystem. But what if you’re starting a garden from scratch and you don’t already have established plants? at can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, finding skilled coastal gardeners isn’t hard in a county that boasts multiple gardening clubs, one of the Top 100 independent garden centers in the country and a worldclass botanical garden. Lisa Arni, founder of the Gardeners by

F O R

T H E

the Sea garden club and long-time resident of Fenwick Island, gave us a plethora of tips and tricks for starters, getting established, and an overview of her own Old Worldstyle pollinator garden. Her love of gardening started when she was just a little girl and circled back around when she and her husband, Ken, first bought their home 22 years ago. “My grandmother was a gardener, and when we lived in New York City she had a garden, and I helped her whenever I could. I was also briefly in a garden club in my early 20s, but between work and school, there was no time for gardening, and it stayed that way for a long time. But then I took a job that allowed me to work remotely, and we had bought a home that I envisioned with established gardens. … I was finally in a place in my life where I could make that happen.” Her biggest piece of advice for beginners? “Start with irrigation. at’s the first thing you need to consider when you’re going to start a garden. Where is your water source?” Please turn to page 16

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Continued from page 15 Improving soil is the next step. Arni uses compost to augment the inevitable sandy soil that comes with a home overlooking the bay— adding 2 inches of compost around the plants and replenishing it during growing time as the layer thins. Because sandy soil tends to lack moisture, compost can improve water retention and add much-needed nutrients. When it comes to the plants you put in your garden, “You have to have tough plants here on the coast. ey’re sturdy stock once they get established. I grow a lot of magnolias, and it took at least three years to get them looking good. ere’s a lot of plants that, once you get over that initial bump, they will just flourish.” It’s also important to consider your existing landscape. For example, without other buildings or structures nearby, you might need to improvise with large boulders or build low walls to oﬀer plants shelter against strong coastal winds and harsh sunlight. “We have a wall out front by the road, and that really helps because of the extra protection. And that’s true of the house, too — if you plant on the sunny [south] side, especially for things that aren’t so hardy. But not every space supports life. If I can’t get a plant to grow in a specific area, I get an ornamental art piece to put there.

Gardens here tend to have their own little micro-climates.” For the bayside garden in their back yard, Arni created an Old World-style pollinator garden dotted with classical statues and other garden art, four herringbone brick walkways and a garden fountain feature. In addition to manicured shrubs, the formal garden includes pollinator plants, such as roses, catmint, coneflowers, tickseed, daylilies, major wheeler and scentsation honeysuckles, vermilionaire cuphea, black and blue salvia, obedient plant, hibiscus (hardy and non-hardy), orange butterfly weed, swamp milkweed, milkweed, bronze fennel, hyssop, parsley, mountain mint and penstemon. e home also boasts gardens at the front entrance, and north and south parts of the front yard. “I really stick to perennials, and then just dot in annuals here and there when I want additional colors. Something is always in bloom here, and I’ve got color for all seasons. I love double play candy corn spirea. It changes color with the seasons and blooms a small purplish flower. I’ll get three seasons’ worth of leaf colors, although it does lose its leaves September through January. And rose of Sharon — the new varieties are sterile and don’t recede like older versions. ose are pretty sturdy stock, too.” As the intense heat passes and the

weather stabilizes with cooler days, Arni said this is the perfect time for fall planting. “If it’s already fall and you’re just getting your garden started, another option is to plant in very large containers and place them somewhere bright and sunny in the yard. ose plants can then be moved into the garden in the springtime.” If you’re looking for fall plant suggestions, Arni likes mums and hardy asters as staples for later seasons. Russian sage is good all the way to frost, and good for dry, hot spots. “Tardiva hydrangeas also look beautiful this time of year. Although they need to be watered for at least two years to get them established, and keep an eye on them the third year if there isn’t a lot of rain. After that, they don’t need that much attention.” Arni said the safest approach is to trim hydrangeas after they flower. Tardiva and limelight hydrangeas are the exception to this rule — trim after the first frost and cut all the way down so the stems can grow back stronger and hold up the heavy flowers. Arni’s final suggestion for coastal gardens: “Stay away from the pesticides. If you’re using compost, which sandy soil really needs, it allows other beneficial organisms to present, and you don’t want to kill those by adding pesticides. And we want the bugs, especially the pollinators. I always say, ‘Spray your ankles, not your plants!’”

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Q. What exactly is composting? A. The natural process of decomposition and recycling of organic materials. Q. That’s great—but what’s the point? A. There are several, in fact. Composting cuts personal food waste as well as landfill waste and methane emissions, it increases water conservation, and improves soil health. When you live in a region that boasts extremely sandy soil, adding compost to your gardens is an excellent way to increase water retention, lessen erosion, and introduce additional nutrients. Composting ingredients require a balance of nitrogen, carbon, air, and water. Spoiled meat, dairy, and other perishables can attract unnecessary pests and wildlife. To aid in remembering what’s allowed and what’s not, think of nitrogen ingredients as “green” and “carbon” ingredients as brown. (We’ve included a handy graphic below with what’s included in each category.) Optimal airflow is achieved through bin vents, layering materials, and occasionally turning the pile. The water element is usually taken care of through the wetness of food waste, but if it’s too dry, water can be added until the pile is suffi-

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ciently damp. From an in-home kitchen composter to local recycling facilities, there are several ways to compost, and picking the one that works best for you and your needs is the first step. The most popular system is backyard composting, which is usually presented in one of two styles; the first and most standard is the stationary bin (available in multiple different sizes and materials with insulation and airflow designs varying), and the second is a tumbling bin. Stationary bins are fairly self-sufficient—requiring the least amount of work with next to no agitation—but take the longest to achieve usable compost (1-2 years). Occasionally turning the mix with a pitchfork or rake can help speed the process up a bit. Tumbling bins utilize manual cranks or hand turning which, while faster in the long-run (4-8 weeks), tend to be smaller in size than stationary bins.

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Continued from page 20 That said, sizes range from 20-100 gallons which usually offers plenty of compost for the average home garden. Backyard composting is ideal for those with large vegetable and flower gardens that can benefit from compost layering. For smaller gardens, or those with limited outdoor space, we suggest indoor composters. Usually the size of a large appliance, these composters can hold anywhere from ½ to 18 gallons and can be stored wherever you

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have space; be it the kitchen counter, under a cabinet, or in the basement. DIY options can be as simple as a large lidded bucket or wooden crate, while ready-to-go choices include basic kits with added enzymes, or more enhanced electrical composters that can create a dried compost within days. One of the advantages of outdoor bins is that they do allow for the addition of yard waste to the compost pile, while in-home systems are primarily for food waste. If adding a composting system to your property just isn’t for you, but you’d like the benefits of adding compost to your gardens, there are still options available. Local recycling centers such as the Millville Organic Center in Millville and Blue Hen Organics in Frankford will accept yard waste dropoffs for a fee and have ready-to-use compost available for purchase. For more information, DNREC offers a handy guide for setting up your own system. To download the Backyard Composting Guide, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/wast e-hazardous/recycling/composting/.

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Building your own greenhouse By Samuel Sandler CP Intern The memories of the brutal summer heat will fade away during the quick change into the fall season, accompanied by the falling leaves and cooler temperatures. For those that grow plants and crops, it means that the optimal growing season has come and gone once again, but for those who own a greenhouse, that isn’t necessar-

ily the case. Building a greenhouse means that growing many crops is no longer as difficult during the colder months of the year. This is because all greenhouses have higher levels of humidity during the cooler months than the surrounding fields. Even in unheated greenhouses, it is possible to grow plants from the many seeds that react well to cooler temperatures. In a heated greenhouse, root and

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leafy vegetables are the best type of crops to grow, according to the Green Citizen website. These types of crops are described by the Garden Products Blog, which states that potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach and winter lettuce are all the best types of crops to grow in cold winter months. While there are many different types of research and opinions about the best crops and plants to grow during

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the non-summer months in various types of greenhouses, information about the benefits of having a greenhouse in Coastal Delaware is where local experts come in. Amy Hughes and AJ Kelley are with Lord’s Landscaping in Millville, where they currently have numerous greenhouses on their property. While many are heated, there are a few that are unheated, with four of them having been built in the last few years. When build-

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ing a greenhouse, Kelley said, “A lot of manpower is needed to successfully build a greenhouse. Other than that, building one requires basic mechanical skills, and the ability to use nuts and bolts.” Of purchasing the needed materials to construct a greenhouse, Hughes said, “We have growing companies that we go wholesale through, but you could go to Home Depot as an individual.”

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“I do know that most of the steel that we used to build these greenhouses is recycled. A lot of the aluminum, and all of the other metals, are all recycled.” Using recycled materials can cut down on the costs associated with building a greenhouse, and it will cut down on the carbon footprint by allowing the second use of many materials that could have otherwise been Please turn to page 26

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Continued from page 25 wasted. The possible benefits of owning a greenhouse are endless. And while Kelley joked that “You can get a tan in the winter in a greenhouse,” there are other tangible benefits to having access to a greenhouse. “We are able to grow tropical plants in the greenhouses that otherwise would not have survived in this climate,” Hughes said. “We can plant them in a greenhouse, where they will survive throughout the entire winter.” Growing tropical plants does require heating in the greenhouses, which does incur a significant investment in the electrical systems required to heat the greenhouse, plus the cost of actually heating the greenhouse during the winter, which can become quite expensive. Hughes said it is likely better for an individual to build a greenhouse that does not include heating, but “You definitely can build one with heating, it will just be more expensive to maintain during the winter months.” While the benefits of having access to fresh-grown plants during the colder months is an obvious benefit, Kelley also mentioned the positive psychological benefits that owning a greenhouse can have. “People definitely get the winter blues, but if you come into a hot greenhouse in January and you are surrounded by palm trees and 90-degree weather, you definitely prevent those blues by having access to something like this.” But the year-round growing space can create some work. “If my neighbor put up a greenhouse, I would tell him to be prepared to battle the bugs and diseases, and to make use of organic substances with no harmful and toxic pesticides or anything like that. We do a thing called ‘bug warfare,’ where we release beneficial bugs so that we do not have to release those pesticides, which could run off into the bay.” Asked about building a greenhouse on their properties, Kelley said he had

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had one at his first home. “Having the greenhouse was definitely worth it,” he said. And while Hughes has never owned a greenhouse at her own home, she has the next best thing, or perhaps something even better. “My husband and I put a three-season room as an addition on our house, so it acts almost like a greenhouse. But it’s all windows, and we have like 60 house plants in that room.” Building a three-season room is an alternative to building a greenhouse with heating, because the resident still gets many of the benefits of having the ability to heat a room where they can grow many more types of plants. But it comes at the cost of not being able to plant vegetables and other types of plants commonly found in heated greenhouses. Kelley said positive impacts like these can be seen when building a greenhouse, but that one has to use organic materials to ensure that the local environment is not negatively affected by the new greenhouse. Hughes agreed, adding that having a greenhouse would “allow you to grow your own food and to supply local needs if you do it correctly.” According to Kelley, the best time of year to plant those seeds would be during January and February. For those who have a greenhouse without heating, “The best type of plants to grow in that type of environment would be those plants that are best equipped to have a dormant cold period during the winter in order to perform the next year, like perennials. If you are planting vegetables, you can start those in March.” For those that are still reluctant to invest in building a greenhouse, Kelley said, “It is worth the investment and definitely worth it in the long run.” Kelley and Hughes said they hope others will continue to utilize greenhouses, whether it is on their own properties or by visiting the numerous greenhouses found at Lord’s Landscaping.

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Fall in love with your home: 4 ways to renovate your home this autumn

Fall is the perfect time to take on some home renovations, before the holidays hit and winter sets in. With just a few changes, you can make your home into a more functional space and create a warm, inviting atmosphere in which

you and others will enjoy spending time for many seasons to come. Let these four home renovation ideas inspire you to spruce up your space this autumn.

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1. Make over the mudroom If you have a mudroom, you know how helpful this space can be during the changing season. Over the course of fall and winter, a mudroom can help keep your house clean and organized by containing the mess of wet coats and dirty boots. Upgrade your mudroom to make it more functional and easier to maintain. For example, you can incorporate storage solutions to store and organize your boots, add a bench to sit on while you take your shoes oﬀ and install hooks to hang your coats.

2. Upgrade your flooring One way to bring a whole new look to your home is by bringing in new flooring, which can serve as the foundation for all interior styles. And, while there are so many great flooring options to select from, many homeowners today are opting to seek out floors that not only look

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great but also can stand up to busy households and traffic. A great option that brings fantastic, realwood looks coupled with kid-and-pet-proof performance is LL Flooring’s new ReNature by CoreLuxe. is floor is waterproof and resistant to dents, scratches, scuffs, and stains - plus it’s made from 25% recycled materials, another perk for homeowners who prioritize aesthetics, functionality and responsible manufacturing. What’s more, with renovation season upon us, DIY’ers will love this easy-to-install flooring. “ReNature by CoreLuxe is a perfect flooring solution that unites progressive manufacturing with design ingenuity, resulting in a product that’s both resilient and stylish,” said Jen Meska, Head of Merchandising at LL Flooring. “is flooring is manufactured with a commitment to material reuse, while providing a tough, resilient and waterproof solution for pros and homeowners.” e company also offers myriad stylish, quality options in solid hardwood and Duravana hybrid resilient flooring, so you can choose the perfect flooring for your fall home renovation project.

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3. Give your fireplace a facelift As the weather cools down, it’s time to light your fireplace. But before you do, give your fireplace a makeover so you can transform your living room into a relaxing and welcoming space for your friends and family. Some easy ways to give your fireplace a facelift include updating or replacing the mantel or replacing the current surround with new stone or tile. If you’re feeling ambitious, add a built-in seating area nearby. is seating area makes it easier to enjoy the warmth and glow of the fireplace and acts as a focal point for fall gatherings.

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4. Extend your entertaining space outdoors Don’t limit your entertaining to the indoors. With a few additions, you can easily extend your living or dining room into your outdoor space. Add a firepit or fire table to your deck or patio so you can have cozy conversations around the fire underneath the stars. Also, consider investing in comfortable outdoor furniture so you can dine outdoors or enjoy drinks surrounded by the fall foliage. ese additions make it easy to maximize your time outdoors. is fall, give your home a little time, love and care. Using these four tips, you’ll be well on your way to turning your home into a space you’ll love to spend time in this season and beyond. - (BPT)

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Mancaves fulfill the need for comfort and entertainment By Mike Stern Staff Reporter It is the most entertaining room of the home. In addition, it provides the perfect escape when you just need to be alone. We are referring to “the mancave.” is valuable space provides a haven in which to retreat with your thoughts, as well as enjoy watching your favorite sporting events, movies, music and related programming with your family and friends. If you currently have or are planning to add a mancave to your residence, you might want to consider several must-have items that will enhance your experience.

"Its a family cave, not a one person cave" said Frankford homeowner Jeff Lynch. He did all the construction work himself. n Special to the Coastal Point - Butch Comegys

ese additions will also ensure an optimum level of comfort and convenience.

TV or not TV? is one is a slam dunk. Your mancave

will hardly be a mancave without either a flatscreen TV or a projection system. Either choice will provide you with a highquality entertainment system. Let’s briefly examine your selection of either a flatscreen TV or a projection system.

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Although big-screen televisions are extremely popular, the technology available with contemporary projectors can provide a viable alternative. Unlike TVs, a projector offers a flexible image size. In addition, a massive screen is available from a small projector, but not from a smaller TV. For most consumers, a 75-inch TV is affordable. Larger TV screens are available, but at a considerable increase in price. Unless your mancave is enormous, a 65- or 75-inch TV is probably your best bet. Flatscreen TVs are available at different price points, with the larger ones costing more. e farther you are sitting from the TV, the larger the screen will be required to deliver the most captivating experience. A suggested rule of thumb is to divide by two the distance between the screen to where most of the seats are located. For example, a 10-foot distance (120 inches) from the screen would require a 60-inch highdefinition TV for your mancave. If you are adding a flatscreen TV, consider the difference between 1080p and the more recently manufactured 4K resolution ultra-high-definition (UHD) selections. A 4K screen is capable of displaying four

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times the number of pixels as a 1080p screen. is will enable you to choose a smaller screen size and still enjoy an optimum viewing experience. In addition, it is virtually impossible for someone to tell the difference in picture quality between the two screens from a distance. Depending on the size of your budget, 1080p may be sufficient. But you may want to consider buying into the 4K UHD technology. While your flatscreen TV or projection system will determine the level of entertainment that you will enjoy, audio speakers will take your mancave experience to a whole new level. A premium sound system will enhance not just the viewing of a game or movie, but an exhilarating experience for listening and singing along with your musical entertainment. You might also consider adding a soundbar, which plays the role of a loudspeaker that projects audio from a wide enclosure. A sound bar can be mounted above or below a screen, with multiple speakers in a single cabinet to help create a surroundsound effect.

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Relax on a recliner Your relaxing retreat should also include at least one and possibly several recliners, which will provide a comfortable place in which to relax. Recliner chairs can support modern technologies to relieve pains and strains in the back, neck, shoulders and muscles. Some contemporary recliners also oﬀer a massage and/or heating features at your preferred comfort to improve overall comfort and health.

or take a traditional décor approach. In either case, there is a multitude of creative bar ideas to help make your mancave stand out. When it comes to bar seats that can further enhance your bar experience, a wooden style is highly recommended. Wooden chairs are built to last and are warp- and dent-resistant. ey will also match up with most interior themes. In addition, you can select wooden stools that

include backs, armrests and cushions for enhanced comfort. Finally, be sure to add a small refrigerator to keep drinks and ingredients at a certain temperature. is will also enable you to conveniently serve your guests their delicious drinks, snacks, ice cream or cake — just to name a few.

Family style: local inspiration Looking for something that the whole family can enjoy? Jeﬀ Lynch of Frankford shared the carefully curated “Lynch family cave” with us. A covered patio converted into a relaxed cabana-style bar is the perfect stop between their outdoor kitchen and enclosed oasis pool. With colorful skim boards filling the ceiling, vintage beer trays, hanging buoys, and bright tropical beachthemed décor, it’s easy to imagine kicking back at the bar with friends and family. For your own “family cave” inspiration, focus on the creature comforts that you turn to at the end of a long day. And don’t hesitate to make it your own with personal collections or a fun, quirky style that speaks to you and your family.

Belly-up to the bar Do you enjoy your favorite libations and snacks in your mancave? en consider adding a bar or tavern to your mancave. is would be a wonderful space for you to relax and enjoy quality time with friends and family while staying hydrated and sustained. Your bar space can add a compelling, special touch of style, class and personalization to your mancave. You might consider something sleek and modern,

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Take away the chill with a fire pit By Darin J. McCann Editor The nights will soon be getting cooler, but that doesn’t mean your evening fun has to come to a stop. In fact, there’s little more relaxing than beating crisp, cool air with the hypnotic and bone-warming embrace of a fire. And a fire pit in your back yard can serve as the fuel of that soulfilling warmth, as well as the epicenter of social interaction. Sold yet? You ready to put in that fire pit, get the family around it tonight and embark on a future of making memories and slamming s’mores? Well, there are still a few things to consider.

e where You can’t just draw an X on the ground, light a match and start basking by the glow of your new fire pit. There are some serious things to decide, including where to put the darn thing. “While it may seem obvious, fire pits should never be used indoors, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association,” per The Spruce. “Other places not to place the pit: on a wooden deck, anywhere that is considered too close to your house or another structure, on the lawn, under an overhang, or anything that could quickly catch fire.”

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e can It’s probably a good idea to know if you even can have a fire pit where you live. You know — according to the law. Some cities, counties, states or homeowner associations might have laws or rules strictly forbidding outdoor fire pits or open flames. Those restrictions might be passed due to safety or environmental concerns, so it’s a good idea to check in and make sure you are allowed to do this before you... you know... do this. “It’s better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you know the laws before you buy anything,” said Architectural Digest.

e commitment So, you know where you want it, and that you’re allowed to have it there. Now you have to decide just how strong you feel about it becoming a permanent structure on your property. Your fire pit can be a permanent addition, or there are portable models, as well. Maybe you just want to pull it out of the garage when you have company over, or maybe you want it to be a fixture that you can build the rest of your outdoor living area around. Now’s a good time to decide.

e fuel “If you love the sound of a crackling fire and an aroma that will linger on your clothes and in your hair, then wood might be the choice for you,” explained The Spruce. “Average-sized logs are 24 inches, so make sure the pit can accommodate them.” If course, you can also use natural gas or propane to fuel your fire, as well as electricity. Both of those options are cleaner than wood, and don’t produce as much smoke or ash. Another option is to use a gel that is designed purely to provide long-lasting flames. “Cans of alcohol gel fuel — a mix of isopropyl alcohol, water, salt and binders — yield yellow flames that last up to three hours with 3,000 BTUs,” said This Old House. “Liquid ethanol,

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or pure alcohol, yields thinner, orangeyellow flames, needs about 15 minutes to warm up, and provides 4,000 to 5,000 BTUs and about five hours of burn time.”

e material Now you get to decide the kind of pit you’d like to have. Fire bowls are a popular choice, and they are typically made of metals (such as stainless steel or copper), while others are made of concrete. Fire tables are also a solid option, and are typically fueled by propane, natural gas or electricity, per The Spruce. They are commonly used on porches and can double as a place to sit your cocktail — you know, if you’re into such things. Which I am. If you are thinking smaller, there are plenty of options that sit on top of tables. Again, these are typically not fueled by wood, and stay relatively clean in the process, making it easy to just Please turn to page 45

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Water purification systems soften the flow By Mike Smith Staff Reporter When considering water purification systems for the home, the homeowner must ask: What is the objective? Is the eﬀort to treat the water for hardness from iron and therefore the object to purchase and install a water conditioner system? Or is the work required to remove harmful chemicals from wells and the aquifer, such as nitrates, which means a full home water-treatment system? Shore Water Refining is a water analysis and purification company in Dagsboro that has been serving customers in this region for more than 50 years. It’s a family-run business with expertise in both types of water filtration systems and in-home purification. Shore Water is owned and managed by Mike and Randy Ettinger locally in Dagsboro. “Shore Water has been here for 50 years, and we have had customers who have been around with us since the very beginning,” said Bryce Kenton. “Depending on what the main complaint or concern is, customers can go to the website or call into our oﬃce for a free analysis. We send out a representative to test the water on hardness, iron, pH and other water chemicals,” he said. “If the homeowners are concerned about well water being contaminated, we can run a lab test, or they can do a state lab test through Delaware Department of Public Health. And they have a test kit

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you can pick up from the health department for just $4, and it tests for bacteria and chemicals.” Kits may be picked up at the Adams State Service Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Georgetown. “Nine times out of 10, people don’t know what is in their water. Some homes

can have high levels of nitrates from runoﬀ or other bacteria,” which comes from local sources and even from underground aquifers, said the manager at Shore Water. Christophe Tulou is executive director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, which studies water resources and clean water in the region. “One of the challenges we have is that a lot of the pollution that ends up in our bays flows through underground routes,” Tulou said. “e flow of nitrogen and phosphorous that has been applied 20 to 30 years ago may still be coming through groundwater.” Kenton said that water purification systems can remove 100 percent of the iron that makes water hard. Water hard-

ness creates hard-water scale, which causes costly damage to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and ice makers, and reduces water flow throughout the home. “People put water softener in for iron issues, but it’s not always successful,” said Kenton. “We pride ourselves in being able to remove 100 percent of iron from your drinking water. In certain cases where water is more diﬃcult to treat, such as saltwater intrusion, organic binding, we will work with you step-by-step to see that all of your water-treatment needs are met.” Shore Water tests for and solves the nitrates issues in homes, with an 80-plus percent reduction of these groundwater contaminates and for other pollutants, such as for salt, and Kenton said their systems can capture 99.9 percent of the salt content in the water. e water source for the Southern Delaware regional supply comes from the Columbia Aquifer. e aquifer is clay and quartz rock, and ranges in thickness from 20 feet to 200 feet. at depth is quite shallow, with water resources available at ground level and sea level, and the water table reaches a depth of 20 feet at the deeper sections. Agriculture and farmers are able to access water for crops, but this may mean groundwater runoﬀ from the fields may contaminate the resource.

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Safe drinking water — government resources e Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies are responsible

for ensuring safe drinking water for Americans. ere are many online resources for consumers to review the specific programs for water purification and the water quality standards public (and private) systems are called to meet. Shore Water noted that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) found widespread

polyfluorinated substances, PFAS contamination, in a recent survey of water wells in Delaware. In fact, the findings noted more than half of the well-water systems had these plastic-like chemicals (https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/pfas -detected-samples-untreated-well-waterdelaware). PFAS are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. “e USGS noted in its sampling study throughout Delaware that 16 of the 30 wells tested had chemicals like PFAS.” What people really want to know is: “Is that water safe to drink? ere are hundreds of chemicals that could be in the water,” said Kenton. He said the highest number of these pollutants in Delaware are in Sussex County and Kent County. “We are seeing PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, PFHxA and PFHxS in these aquifers.”

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Continued from page 42 local schools this year, including in water from drinking fountains and food-prep sinks. All of those lead sources have since been located and remediated, according to the Indian River School District, which noted that these are plumbing issues that required removal of pipes and replacement. “e acidity of the water in our area sometimes strips the lead out of the pipes and puts it in the drinking water source,” noted Kenton of Shore Water.

Better water comes at a modest cost In order to get a water purification system up and running, be prepared to invest $1,400 up to $2,200 with companies like Shore Water. “We carry a variety of diﬀerent equipment, and our two lesser expensive, or cheaper, systems do address most contaminants,” said Kenton. “UV light is only for bacteria, for removal throughout the whole house,” he said of that approach. “We use reverse osmosis, or RO, just for the drinking water at the sink and in the refrigerator,” he said, noting that RO systems run from $1,400 to $1,500. “ey remove 90 to 95 percent of the chemicals in the water. Each model is certified and has better rejection rates for certain contaminants.” “If we are working on the whole house, and we are dealing with water hardness and iron deposits within the system, those water purification and treatment programs start at about $2,200 installed,” said Kenton. Editor’s Note: e Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) recently announced a new financial assistance program for homeowners that obtain drinking water sourced from private wells. Eligible Delawareans can receive free test kits for their primary residence in the state, which were previously available for $4 per kit (public water kits remain $4). For more information about the program: email DHSS_DPH_PrivateWell@delaware.gov or call 302-7444546 Option 9.

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Continued from page 39 put away when the fire is done (and it has cooled all the way down). A few other options are fire columns, which offer verticality and a unique look, along with chimineas, which have been around forever and were traditionally made out of clay to retain the heat. Now they are also constructed out of metals, as well, and can be fueled with wood. Note that these are heavy. Like, super, super heavy. “Your best fire pit design depends on your other landscaping choices,” said Architectural Digest. “A brick fire pit or one lined with pavers emits an entirely different aesthetic than one built from concrete blocks or a repurposed washing machine drum.”

e numbers As was the case yesterday and will remain so tomorrow, price is a concern of any project or addition you might be considering, right? Well, fear not. ese fire pits are Please turn to page 47

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Continued from page 45 not overly cost-prohibitive, and there are some reasonable options. Most fire pits, according to e Spruce, are priced between $35 and $500, depending on materials and size. “A top-of-the-line smokeless fire pit or a custom-built fire pit using natural stone and other customized features can cost several thousand dollars,” e Spruce advised. Of course, there are other financial elements to consider, as well. Long-term elements. “A gas fire pit is safe, clean, and easy to turn oﬀ or on,” according to Architectural Digest. “Since gas and propane are both fossil fuels, their prices will likely increase. e cost of wood depends mostly on where you live and how accessible fire wood is to you. “Firewood, though messy, is easily accessible,” they continued. “Propane is simple, clean and environmentally friendly. Natural gas is a less popular choice due to its higher cost.”

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e maintenance Once you decide on what fire pit to go with, and how you will fuel it, you are going to want to keep it clean and well-maintained. “Clean metal with soap and water, dry well, and store out of the elements to keep rust at bay,” advised is Old House. “Scrub masonry with a paver cleaner, and use a masonry sealer to prevent staining. Treat gas burners like a grill: Keep the burner clean and check it each season for even flames. Use a cover to keep water or snow from collecting.”

e tools You thought we’d forget accessories? Ha, I say. Ha. Our friends at is Old House shared a list of “Handy Fire Pit Tools,” and we thought we’d share their hard work with you. ey mention a poker, to help you maximize your wood-fueled fires; a tripod grill, so you can cook burgers, dogs and s’mores; a hinged spark screen to contain sparks; and a fire dome to prevent ashes or small embers from igniting a fire outside of your pit.

Photo courtesy Story Hill Farms

Planting for pollinators From the farm to your back yard By Cori Burcham Writer Delaware’s beach towns annually attract millions of visitors from all over the world to come explore the coast. But one of these annual visitors — known for its recognizable sunset-orange hue and white spotted wings — isn’t interested in surfing the waves or savoring the

fresh catch of the day, but rather comes to Delaware for another delicacy yielded by the land: the milkweed plant. Every spring, generations of monarch butterflies exchange the oyamel fir forests in Mexico to migrate north, instinctively guided by a genetic compass that once led their progenitors. Many monarch butterflies, however, will arrive in Delaware to find the very thing that drew

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them north is in short supply. Learning about the plight of the monarch — specifically that their population east of the Rocky Mountains has declined by 80 percent — inspired Helen E. Raleigh to establish Story Hill Farm in Frankford, which has served as a refuge for pollinators over the past three and a half years. Raleigh and the team at Story Hill Farm — including her husband, Steven, and farmhand Derek Kuebeck — work every day toward the goal of conservation, whether that entails raising heritage-breed livestock, such as the Randall cow, or planting acres of native landscape that’s more characteristic of Delaware’s agricultural past. e team has cultivated up to 10 acres of wildflower meadows to rebuild native habitat and establish healthier pastures for pollinators. Over the past year, Raleigh’s mission to save pollinators began to expand beyond the limits of the peaceful fields at Story Hill Farm. Acknowledging that the scope of the problem was too vast for any one person to solve, Raleigh started giving local presentations on her work, with the ultimate aim of educating the public and inciting citizen action. “Trying to work on replanting native plants for pollinators is super-critical for all of us as stewards of the watershed here,” said Raleigh, maintaining that everyone who lives inland has a responsibility to preserve the area’s coastlands. According to Raleigh, the three main reasons pollinators are declining are: pesticides, climate change and habitat loss — that last being an issue that Raleigh has been focusing on more this year by studying species specificity. “Certain native species here — certain bumblebees and butterflies — have a particular plant species that is their host plant that they prefer, and we call these the ‘keystone’ species,” said Raleigh. While non-native plants may provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, Raleigh explained that those plants don’t yield the same benefits to wildlife as the keystone species. “For example, if we plant an oak tree here — as opposed to, say, planting a crepe myrtle — you’re going to support hundreds and hundreds of diﬀerent species and increase biodiversity by a really big amount,” said Raleigh, who suggested consulting the top 20 list of keystone species of trees, shrubs and plants for our region developed by Doug Tallamy, an entomologist and professor at the University of Delaware. As a self-proclaimed city girl from Wilmington, Raleigh cites her own journey to becoming a farmer, with no prior training or experience,

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as proof that any novice can begin to plant with ecology in mind. To make the lawn-to-meadow conversion accessible to everyone, Raleigh created two mini pop-up meadows — one 200square-foot and one 800-square-foot — to demonstrate a downsized version anyone can grow in their own back yards. Apart from occasional mowing or planting more seeds the following season, a minimeadow is a surprisingly self-sustaining project that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Creating a mini-meadow only takes a few simple steps: select a section of the yard that’s underutilized, remove the lawn grass and plant a variety of native wildflowers. To simplify the process even further, Story Hill Farm’s store offers custom wildflower meadow seed mixes suited to the Atlantic coast — typically available in spring, in packages ranging between $10 and $30. For those who can commit to a more unpolished aesthetic, mini-meadows can be left standing throughout the winter, when they act as a habitat for solitary native bumblebees in hibernation. By gently cutting down the barren stalks in springtime, the property owner will allow the mini-meadow to regrow on its own. Apart from planting a mini-meadow, Raleigh Please turn to page 50 Photo courtesy Story Hill Farms

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Continued from page 49 details a few other ways to incorporate native plants into a yard. Growing an herb garden is a simple way for beginners to get started, because herbs are fairly easy to grow and are aromatic. “Herbs are excellent for pollinators, because a lot of them are host plants and help them complete the lifecycle,” said Raleigh. “I think people have a lot of success with those because you can snip parsley or basil and bring it into the house and cook with it in the summer as well.” Comparing their beauty to the majestic grasslands of the American prairie, one plant Raleigh believes is often overlooked is native grasses, such as little bluestem and big bluestem, which pair well with native flowering perennials. A novel plant like the zinnia — a flower that is neither native to Delaware nor considered invasive — is another plant locals can grow that will oﬀer some benefit to the monarchs and any other fall migrating butterfly. Known as the “cut and come again” flower, zinnias will continue to bloom until the first frost in autumn, acting as a nutritional snack for a super generation of monarch butterflies as they make the 3,000mile-long journey south for the winter. It’s for

this benefit alone that Raleigh decided to grow her own 200 square-foot zinnia patch this year, extending between their hoop house and the farm store. Reintroducing native plants into the local ecology for neighboring butterflies and bees will benefit people in the long term as well. “Having all of us try to save pollinators is really beneficial from an agricultural point of view, because we need pollination in order to eat. One in three bites of food is pollinator-dependent. It does circle back to us,” said Raleigh. Native plants can also make the area’s inland bays cleaner, because their roots naturally filter out pollutants. Raleigh also hinted that those who continue to maintain their native landscape for multiple years will get to witness something quite special. According to Raleigh, a yard will change from a conventional landscape to a more ecological one within the first season of planting. Not only will the yard be graced with fragrant flowers or savory herbs, but homeowners will get a front-row seat as pollinators begin to visit their garden and the insect layer of biodiversity rebuilds. Attracted by the caterpillars, birds — such as yellow and black finches Raleigh said she has never seen in the region before — arrive by the third year and multiply by the fourth.

“It doesn’t take Mother Nature very long to rebuild biodiversity once you put some of the right foundations in place,” said Raleigh. Whenever Raleigh is met with hesitation or resistance from locals during her presentations, she often reminds them of a simple fact. “ere are 688 species in Delaware on the list of greatest concern,” said Raleigh, warning those creatures may be at risk of disappearing from Delaware and, eventually, the planet. As an ordinary citizen who was inspired to take action herself, Raleigh is able to envision a more optimistic future in which the community can do its part for pollinators and establish a legacy in the process. “It would be so neat if Sussex County was the first county that didn’t have any species in danger of disappearing,” said Raleigh, dreaming further of a day when the same could be said for the entire state. “And anybody can work on it, from 0 to 100-plus.” To learn more about Story Hill Farm’s mission to save pollinators, attend Raleigh’s upcoming presentation for the Center for Inland Bays’ Winter Lecture Series or visit storyhillmoos.com to register for one of Raleigh’s workshops on creating mini meadows for the backyard.

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Another area of the house that could always use some sprucing up — the laundry room.

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Reimagining Your Laundry Room By Kerin Magill Staff Reporter Laundry is one of those chores that is, well, not exactly up there in the rankings of favorite things for most humans. It’s kind of a rite of adulthood — the first time most of us do laundry totally on our own is when we leave home for college or our first home other than that of our parents. My son is a freshman in college. He just did his first solo load of laundry a couple weeks ago. During a quick tour of the dorm laundry room with his big sister on movein day, he asked her if the soap would already be loaded in the machine. I know, I know — clearly a parenting fail. However, I am happy to say he successfully navigated the process after somehow going through all his clean shorts in the first three days on campus. Seriously, though… laundry is one of those things that is super-satisfying in so many ways. (I admit to being sort of ad-

dicted to the smell of freshly washed clothing.) But it’s so challenging, sometimes, to get through all the steps in a timely fashion. Let’s face it, laundry rooms tend not to be really high on the list of priorities when it comes to sprucing up our homes. Considering how much time some of us spend doing laundry — especially during a certain period of our lives — that seems, well, wrong. In my own home, the “laundry room” is just a closet oﬀ the kitchen. So, when I received the assignment for this article, I knew I needed to consult an expert. Marni Barron of Piper by Marni fits the bill there. Barron’s design business specializes in organizing and designing interior spaces “using our client’s existing belongings and, in some cases, adding just a sprinkle of something new to enliven the areas,” she said. Barron is a third-generation organizational expert — and I can’t think of anywhere that benefits from organization

more than a laundry room. You need all your laundry tools to be handy, for sure. You also want them to be clutter-free, because laundry is all about efficiency. “e three most common challenges when reimagining a laundry room are space, clutter and efficiency of storage/organization solutions,” Barron said. “e reality of available space will dictate how many supplies can be stored in a functional and aesthetically pleasing way.” To that end, Barron further advised, “Once items are stored, it’s important to add a system of organization to keep the space orderly and user-friendly. e most efficient storage solutions are modular in nature,” she said. “For example, natural fiber baskets or cubes are an excellent and bacteria-free way to store laundry supplies and backstock. I always encourage clients to ‘shop their own home first’” before shelling out big bucks for storage pieces. Please turn to page 54

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Continued from page 53 “Finding existing household items or small furniture items to use as storage and personalization is a fun way to reimagine the space.” Barron said. If you’re one of those people who can peruse Pinterest without getting hopelessly depressed (that would not be me), loads of ideas for freshening your laundry room can be found there. Whether you’re looking to add pops of color or prefer a more muted, calming palette (both of those seem to be favorite directions, judging by a Pinterest search), Barron said you’re on the right track, as either can work. “Getting away from an industrial feel will improve one’s mood while doing laundry,” she said. “Current trends include earthy tones, a mixture of gray, white and blue, or even adding a bold color to make the space pop. Deciding on the décor should start with calming colors, minimizing patterns and a minimal amout of excess decorative items. e key to keeping the room/space decluttered is to contain and label all supplies in an attractive way,” she advised. Whatever color palette you choose, Barron said functionality and minimalism are

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popular general trends for laundry spaces. “e inclusion of cabinets, a drying bar and convertible/retractable elements adds to ease of use within the space,” she said. “Also, personalizing the room with pictures or photographs adds a unique touch,” without adding clutter. When it comes to picking materials with which to build your ideal laundry space, Barron said, “Eco-friendly solutions, with sustainable materials, use of smart technology, use of antibacterial materials — like tempered glass, stone or metal — on the surfaces of which viruses do not linger for a long time — are the best way to protect the space from everyday wear and tear.” Stackable units are an excellent way to maximize space — particularly in the smallest laundry rooms, Barron said. “If there are vertically challenged household members, having a stepstool nearby is a good idea,” she said. In general, upgrading a laundry room comes down to personal taste and each family’s unique needs. “Whatever makes sense to improve the use of the laundry room is what I recommend,” Barron said.

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