Fall Home Improvement A Special Supplement of the Community Advocate
October 3, 2014
Rug Refresh Five new trends in area rugs
F
An area rug can change the look of a room, making it seem as if you’ve just painted, and can elevate the look of your furniture.
or an easy room refresh, simply add a new area rug. Unlike the complicated task of a full-room rug installation, all it takes to create a new feel for a room is to unroll an area rug of any size, set it in place and call it a day. Area rugs achieve several decor goals at once: adding color, adding texture and defining a space within a room, such as a sitting area or an area for play or sleep. For example, a large area rug placed beneath a bed becomes a sort of Rug refresh page 10
Too Hot? Too Cold?
If you want Just Right...
call MEACHAM 800-328-7350 www.markemeacham.com
Your Comfort is Our Business
2 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
Unique Walls
Newest trends in wall hangings
H
ow often do you redecorate your home? A survey by retailer HomeGoods found that 47 percent of Americans haven’t redecorated in the past five years, with 9 percent saying it’s been over 10 years since they made decor changes. If you’re ready for a decor refresher, changing your wall hangings is a good place to start. For a small investment, you can make stylish updates to your home.
“It’s one of the last pieces that go into a space, but whole rooms can be centered and worked off it, if done correctly,” she said. Wall hangings may be the finishing touches to a room, but they have big impact. “It makes the space cozy, inviting and more interesting than staring at blank walls,” noted Suchitra ParikhCrandall, owner and creative director for children’s brand Monkie Birdie.
Creating Interest and Impact “Wall decor is one of the integral layers in every space,” said HGTV star and interior designer Genevieve Gorder, host of “Genevieve’s Renovation.” Wall decor can range from framed photography to mirrors to window treatments.
Gallery Walls One of hottest looks in wall decor is creating a gallery wall. They are easy to design and can be changed as often as homeowners want. “Whether you choose art, frames or mirrors, a gallery wall instantly adds visual interest and depth to a room,” designer Kerra Michele said.
One of the hottest wall trends is creating a wall gallery using multiple pictures, like these four from Birdie Monkey.
The founder of the interior and event design company Apartment Envy, Michele thinks gallery walls, which can be large or small, are a fit for people who don’t want to paint or use wallpaper. “With a gallery wall, all you need is a hammer, some nails and a couple hours of your time to completely transform your space,” she said, noting it personalizes the space, which is “a big plus for renters looking for ways to make their borrowed space feel more like home.” Decals Wall decals are also trendy - for kids and grownups, too. The decals, available in vinyl and Photo Tex fabric, are available in a variety of styles and colors and can be changed out as often as desired. Unique walls page 3
At Special Rates
Home equity Line of Credit • Use it as you need it • Fixed Rate for 1 year
– adjusts monthly after that
fixed Home equity Loans • When you need it all at once • Choice of fixed rates & repayment terms
FREE $500 CLOSING COST CREDIT . . . Available for a limited time only! 489 Boston Turnpike • Shrewsbury, MA 01545 THANK YOU for voting us #1 Community Bank
508-845-6755 • 800-889-8121
www.shrewsburycu.com
New England’s largest kitchen showroom. Complete range of countertop replacement choices, including granite, Corian, Zodiaq, Silestone.... and more.
Unique Walls
Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014 • 3
Newest trends in wall hangings
Unique walls Continued from page 2
“Although most vinyl decals are removable, they are, in most cases, not re-stickable,” Parikh-Crandall said. “Fabric decals can be removed and reapplied to the walls more than a few dozen times, making it perfect for families on the move or for rentals.”
Design expert and HGTV star Genevieve Gorder said wall hangings don’t have to be expensive to have impact in your home.
Creating a Feel Wall hangings help define a room and separate spaces, too - for example, designating a sitting area in a family room or a small office in the corner of a kitchen. “Where you want to guide people to go and what you want them to do in a space, the wall decor is a director of that,” said Gorder, who’s partnering with solar service company Sunrun to talk about the must-haves in designing a smart, stylish home, including home solar. Creating contrast in the room can maximize the effect of your wall hangings. Cool
shades and low contrast can be calming - “almost spa-like” Parikh-Crandall said, adding that high-contrast wall decor can make a space vibrant. Be conscientious about the size of wall hangings, too. “A huge piece of art in a small room can overwhelm and intimidate,” ParikhCrandall said, whereas “a tiny art piece on a big wall would barely make a difference.” Personalization The easiest wall hangings to change are pieces that are stand-alone, such as a mirror in a hallway or a frame at the top of the stairs. Established collections for example, a series of plates hung on a wall - are most likely to remain unchanged because it’s a larger job to redecorate. Still, wall hangings can be a very personal thing. “I tend to decorate with things that are sentimental, an old ticket stub in a frame,” said Gorder, whose walls at
home are decorated with a shadow box featuring her grandmother’s satchel and vintage maps from schools. “Everything you put on the wall becomes a little precious once it’s there,” she said. “It’s meaningful if you have it on the wall.” Affordability You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have new wall decor. Wall hangings are “an accessory,” Gorder explained. “Sometimes the pieces that are the least expensive are the most powerful.” Gallery walls, for example, fit any budget, Michele said, noting you can go pricey using original artwork in custom frames on the wall or budgetfriendly, decorating the wall with “flea market finds and Ikea frames to create your unique look.” Parikh-Crandall estimates that prices for art prints and wall decals can range from under $15 to up to $100.
CUSTOM FRAMING
ʊ $ 727$/ (1(5*< &203$1< ʊ
Propane Plumbing Heating Oil Generators Service Plans Air Conditioning Equipment Installations 24 Hour Heating Service Call Today To Become A Customer...
508 - 753 - 1475
www.ckSmithSuperior.com
SALE * f f O % 20on Your Next
Where great quality and the best design means something to you
Custom Picture Framinotiong s.
other prom *not to be combined with any 2014. promotion ends october 25,
18 Lyman Street WeStborough Shopping Center
508-366-5650
artandFrameemporium.com
artandframeemporium@verizon.net
are you FRuStRateD & Have no tiMe to shop for WinDoW tReatMentS? Porro’s will come to your home and help you select the perfect window treatments for your color palette, taste and budget. They even offer affordable installation and take the hassle out of buying window treatments!
Visit Our New Showroom St. at 305 Shrewsbury Worcester!
PRioRity DealeR
Shades • Shutters • Honeycomb Blinds • Draperies • Slipcovers Fabrics • Repairs Owner, Eileen Gareau
www.porroscustominteriors.com oveR 50 yeaRS in BuSineSS 305 Shrewsbury Street • Worcester • 508.754.7692 Mon-FRi 10:00am -5:00pm • Sat 10:00am-3:00pm
Hot in here
4 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
Five new heat features for your home
W
ith cooler weather on the way, you’re likel y thinking about ways to warm up your house without raising heating bills. According to the U.S. Energy Department website, heating and cooling accounts for more than half of the energy use in a typical American home. And as you know, those bills add up. In addition to energy expenses, big chilly weather pet peeves may be those ice-cold floors your feet meet each morning when stepping out of the shower or the need to wrap up in blankets when watching TV in your den. Some homeowners are ready to upgrade their furnaces to more powerful models, but if the time isn’t quite right for you, consider these five popular heat features to keep your home toasty warm.
Getting a new fireplace doesn’t have to be a big construction job. There are many models of portable, stylish fireplaces that require no chimney and don’t create the mess of a real fireplace.
1) Portable fireplace. A real fireplace may be on your wish list, but a big construction job is not. If you’d like to avoid demolishing walls, hiring a contractor, bringing in an electrician and other pricy steps of fireplace installation, you’ll be happy to discover the many models of portable, stylish fireplaces that require no chimney and don’t create the mess of a real fireplace. The experts at Holly & Martin show portable fireplaces in a range of wood colors from mahogany to white, utilizing gel fuel cans that imitate the crackling sound of real wood. Upscale models can support a lot of weight on the mantel. 2) Radiant heat. Radiant flooring, usually installed beneath the tiles of bathroom floors, creates a comfortable warmth when you step on Hot in here page 5
FALL FALL SPECIAL! SPECIAL! C & S Carpet Mills Carpet & Linoleum 30 Sq. Yds.
WORK OVER $200
Free Metal Included
EXPIRATION 12/31/14
589 Installed with Pad
$
20% OFF
Berber • Plush • Commercial
Call Tom
800-861-5445 or 508-886-2624
ROOF
WASHING SERVICES Removes black stains, moss, lichen, mildew and algae. Future stain prevention offered.
774-303-1155
ECO-FRIENDLY BIO PRODUCTS
Low pressure washing Bob Blanchette Northboro, MA 01532 Insured
SPECIALIZING IN ELECTRICAL WORK Residential & Commercial Emergency Generators
Licensed and insured with over 31 years of experience!
10 Main St. • South Grafton
508-839-3345
www.edwardweberelectrician.com
THEN SHoW IT!!! for:
With lanDsCape lighting frOm
• Free Estimates • Design • Installation • Care
Since 1985
Call today for: 1-800-210-3181 Free Estimates www.wildecompanies.com Service Install Repair
50
$
OFF* ANY
Title 5 Inspection *With this ad. Cannot be combined
License # 26420E
Call tODay
Landscape Lighting.
OFF* ANY
*With this ad. Cannot be combined
DO yOu lOve yOur hOme? With
10
$
Any Septic Cleaning
DO YOU LOVE YOUR HOME?
THEN SHOW IT!!
Culley’s Septic, Inc.
And much MORE
Owner: Jeff Curtis www.csiseptic.com
SEPTIC & EXCAVATION
Specializing in Title 5 Septic Inspections Sewer/ Water Connections, Septic Installations, Pumping, Repairs, Maintenance & Drain Cleaning. Sitework • Backhoe Services Protecting Your Investment For Over 60 Years!
Westboro: 508-366-5055 Berlin: 978-838-0200 Toll Free: 866-366-5055
Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014 • 5
Five new heat features for your home Hot in here Continued from page 4
that flooring after a bath or shower. No longer will you feel as though you’re standing on a block of ice while brushing your teeth. Tile floors tend to hold low temperatures, especially if your thermostat is set to low temperatures overnight. Radiant heat flooring removes that bone-chilling (and perhaps arthritis-annoying) cold, eliminating the need to raise your thermostat to dramatically high levels each morning. 3) Eco-friendly portable space heater. The experts at the eco-living website TreeHugger recently selected their favorite models of ecofriendly space heaters. Among the designs are those with a 360-degree heat radius to quickly warm an entire room, spaceage oval designs and portable space heaters with a preheat timer that allow you to wake up to an already warmed room. 4) Towel warmer. Electric towel warmers ensure that you
can immediately wrap yourself in a cozy, warm towel when you step out of the shower or bath. They come in rack form - in chrome or antique gold color - or as a lidded canister that fits several towels at once. An automatic shut-off feature in some designs provides added safety. 5) Solar heat. For a pricier fix, consider adding solar panels that harness the sun’s energy to create heat and energy. The U.S. Energy Department suggests getting an expert energy audit for your home, and then working with building professionals experienced in energy-efficient house design. Whenever using heatproducing products, always familiarize yourself with the product’s safety instructions to prevent fires and electrical issues, and never leave heating features on when not in the room or after leaving your home. To maximize energy efficiency, unplug your electric heating features so that they don’t continue to draw upon your energy system even when they’re not in use.
Electric towel warmers and eco-friendly portable space heaters provide instant heat on those chilly winter mornings.
LOWEST PRICES • FULL SERVICE • WE ACCEPT MOST MAJOR CREDIT CARDS
What makes a house a home?
It’s the ppeople p who live there…
ay! d o T l Cal
Serving Worcester County for almost 60 years!
TRIGO TRIGON ONOMETR RY 24-HOUR EXPERT BURNER SERVICE •
508-753-7221
• www.alsoil.com
Discover the th he diff diff iffe ffeerence renc re ncee a nc professional designer can make! Once considered a luxury for the wealthy, interior design services are now considered more of a necessity for busy homeowners who do not want to risk making costly design errors.
The designers at Décor have been designing beautiful interiors for more than thirty years.
* 10% Off On all Customer Window Treatment
AERATION & OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION WINTERIZATION Call now to schedule 508-835-2020 508-842-7110
Guaranteed Holiday Delivery
* 15% Off Entire In-Stock Inventory
*With this ad. Some restrictions may apply. Expires 12/31/14
Custom Interiors 33
508-898-3169
www.decorcustominteriors.com
133 Hartwell Street • West Boylston
www.McCarthysLandscaping.com
26 South Street • Westborough Mon.- Thurs. 10:30am - 4:30pm Fri. & Sat. 10:30am - 2pm • Sun. by appointment
6 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
Hungry for Home Improvement Five dining room remodel trends
D
uring the fall and winter holiday season, your dining room will be an important gathering place for dinners, brunches and cocktail parties. The dining room has experienced an evolution in remodeling popularity lately, thanks to breathtaking design projects shown on popular home decorating website Houzz, as well as Pinterest. No matter how large your dining room, you can give it a makeover. Here are the top trends in dining room remodeling projects: 1) Add interesting lighting. Julia Buckingham Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors + Design said, “A chic dining room is no longer defined by an opulent crystal chandelier; instead make a statement with a one-of-a-kind piece.” Examples include a trio of
R EPURPOSED , H ANDPAINTED , V INTAGE F URNITURE , H OME A CCESSORIES & OTHER U NIQUE FINDS
243 W. Main St • Northborough
774-696-7710
Dining room page 7
The Window Scene SALE!
100%
guaranteed
or you don’t pay
Custom window treatments, blinds, shades, shutters, slip covers, upholstery, rugs, and wallpaper.
Don’t Replace,
SAVE ON HEATING COSTS THIS WINTER!
Save hundreds or more on your bathroom remodel.
®
SHOP NOW and SAVE!
269 West Main Street Northboro 508 351 6555 www.thewindowscene.com
Refinish Bathtubs, Fiberglass, and Ceramic Tile too!
The Quick, No Sanding Solution To Beautiful Wood Floors!
satisfacti o ur o y
www.thepatinabarn.com
Reglaze!
pendant lamps, a rustic wood round holding frosted glass lights or a rainfall-like effect of crystals surrounding lights. “Unique lighting allows you to put your thinkingoutside-the-box skills to work and serve as a conversationstarting focal point. Guests will appreciate your use of the unexpected to light their meal,” she said. Add your new choice of lighting fixture above the dining room table. With portrait lights on the walls, and perhaps uplighting placed behind potted trees, the easy task of installing a dimmer switch will give you the option of different light intensity whenever you wish. 2) Choose a new paint palette. “Move over white walls; in 2014 we’ll be seeing rooms with a lot more drama and
n
Now Carrying American Paint Co. CHALK PAINT
In fall and winter, your dining room is a stylish prime gathering space.
We Also Refinish Tile!
508-853-0600 Call Today!
Visit Higgins Energy Alternatives for economical & affordable: • Wood, Pellet & Gas Stoves • Wood & Pellet Boilers & Furnaces • Wood & Gas Fireplaces & Inserts • Accessories
The best money saving investment you’ll ever make!
Color changes
(508) 596-1119
www.ultimatereglaze.com
140 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 122), Barre, MA • 800.424.6343 HigginsEnergy.com • Open 7 Days
www.MrSandless.com
Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014 • 7
Five dining room remodel trends Dining room Continued from page 6
glamour,” AphroChic design blogger Jeanine Hays said. Dining room walls might finally get a makeover from their boring beige hue to stand out in deep navy blue, which style blogger Mark D. Sikes said is a big trend for 2014. “I’m seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in chic interiors,” he noted. While navy blue can sometimes look a bit country, gleaming metal fixtures and accessories (also a big trend) create more of a formal, modern and stylish look. Other popular shades for dining rooms include cranberry and eggplant for warmer tones, and, if you’d still prefer a neutral shade, slate gray and chocolate brown are topping the trends. 3) Chair rails and molding. Adding new chair rails and molding to the dining room adds an upscale finishing touch to the room, and may hide those less-than-perfect paint lines where the ceiling meets the wall. A chair rail also invites the trend of having one paint color above the rail and another color or wide paint color stripes below for creative flair. If you’re doing the project yourself, buy extra lengths of wood to allow for some inevitable miscuts and wood splits. It’s better to have extra than to have to go back to the lumber store. 4) Knock out a wall. According to Realtor Magazine’s recent Cost vs. Value Report, the average return on investment for home remodel projects is 66.1 percent, and creating an open floor plan is one of the most requested features by new homebuyers. Even if you won’t put your house on the market any time soon, you may still want that open, airy arrangement. 5) Refresh with trendy furniture and accessories. Dining rooms have gotten more eclectic, which means you’re not limited to the all-matching dining room chairs. Now a trend is to mix up chairs and benches or alternate chair fabrics and print patterns, place grander chairs at the heads of
the table, and more creative pairings. A big trend is the rustic look, placing a roughhewn wood table at the center of the room for a relaxed vibe in an otherwise formal dining room, creating an inviting gathering place. Alternatively, to add some glam styling to your dining room, think mirrors. Not just mirrors hung on the walls - although an oversize, ornate mirror instantly adds opulence to your dining room - but mirrored buffets or sideboards add drama to the room, especially when you place silver accessories such as candelabras and art pieces minimally on your dining room furniture. Supersize artwork is also a trend, and home stylists say that large artwork may be hung on the walls or even leaned against a wall.
WANT A CARPET STORE WITH QUALITY, SELECTION & PRICE?
0Financing %*
For one year.
*
! t I t o G u o Y We make shopping for Carpet enjoyable W • Over 10,000 sq ft. of showroom featuring thousands of carpet samples to choose from • All major brands • Largest selection of remnants in Metrowest • Expert, no hassle clean installations • All work warranteed • FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATIONS
100 OFF $50 OFF
$
Carpet purchase of $950 or more
Quality Customer Service Since 1965
Carpet purchase of $450 or more
Coupons must be submitted at time of purchase. Not valid on prior purchases. Valid for carpet only, excludes pads & labor. Coupons cannot be combined with any other offers or sale items. Expires October 31, 2014.
508-485-2227
www.postroadcarpet.com 782 Boston Post Rd. East Marlborough
IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU!
E Q U I T Y
AVERAGE MORTGAGE
L O S T
AVERAGE RENT (2 BEDROOM APARTMENT)
PURCHASE PRICE ----------- $210,200 DOWN PAYMENT (3%)----- $6,306 LOAN AMOUNT ------------- $203,894 INTEREST RATE ------------- 10/5 ARM @ 3.875% MONTHLY PAYMENT PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ----------- $958.79 EST. PROPERTY TAXES -------------- $225.00 EST. PRIVATE MORTGAGE INSURANCE- $135.93 EST. HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE ----- $60.00
TOTAL MONTHLY PAYMENT $1,389.38
TOTAL MONTHLY PAYMENT $1,400.00
F TIME T HOMEBUYER H P CENTRAL ONE OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF MORTGAGES INCLUDING A FIRST PROGRAM ! ! WITH OUR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAM, WE OFFER YOU RATE REDUCTIONS AS WELL AS
$
EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER
$1,000 PRE-APPROVED VISA CREDIT CARD UPON CLOSING & A $50 HOME DEPOT GIFT CARD! DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER AND START MAKING YOUR DREAM OF OWNING A HOME HAPPEN NOW! CALL A CENTRAL ONE LENDING SPECIALIST TODAY AT (508) 842-7400! WWW.CENTRALFCU.COM
We’re not a bank...We’re Better Westborough • Shrewsbury • Northborough • Auburn EQUAL HOUSING
LENDER
www.CENTRAL.COM
Home Energy Audit 8 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
A
Ensure an energy-efficient house this winter
n energ y-efficient house is paramount to keeping winter heating bills down. By conducting a fall season home energy audit, no doubt you will find ways to save energy at home this winter. Even if your home was originally constructed as an energy-efficient house, ultimately time and nature have a way of taking their toll on your home. For example, opening and closing doors and windows over months and years can cause weather-stripping to break down and lose its ability to insulate and protect your home from cold winter drafts. To ensure an energy-efficient home this winter, grab a pen and notebook, and take a tour of your home and conduct your own home energy audit. Start in the furnace room. Check to see when you most recently had your furnace cleaned. It should be cleaned every year, even if it is a gas furnace. A Servicing - Shrewsbury - Southborough Northborough - Westborough
FALL CLEANUPS
To ensure an energyefficient home this winter, take a tour of your home and conduct your own home energy audit.
clean furnace is critical for ensuring that it is operating safely and efficiently. If your home has a basement, check the exposed hot water supply pipes and see whether they are insulated with pipe foam insulation. If not, insulate
them. It’s cheap, and it is an easy do-it-yourself project for saving energy at home. Next on your home energy audit is to check all the doors and windows and confirm that they open and close properly. Inspect the weather-stripping
Bark Mulch
GR A CO FTON MM ON
Screened Loam and Compost
508-829-3809
508.886.6823
• TREE REMOVAL & TRIMMING • CHIPPING • BRUSH REMOVAL • STUMP GRINDING
UNCOmmON GiFTS ON ThE COmmON
• AERIAL BUCKET SERVICE
Jojos, Lenny and Eva, John Medeiros, Thymes, Mariposa, Cape Cod Jewelry, pottery, cards, nostalgic candy & much more! We welcome you to stop by and meet the new owners and check out the new look and exciting product lines! Grafton Common, Grafton MA | 508-839-4898 | www.graftoncountrystore.net
Central Mass Oil, Inc. Call today for your free quotes, or to sign up!
By replacing the old shower heads with low-flow shower heads, you can dramatically save energy at home. After addressing the bigticket items in your home energy audit, look at the electrical appliances and light fixtures. By replacing the standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can reduce your home’s lighting energy consumption by as much as 70 percent. Also, if you have the budget, consider replacing some of the old appliances - for example, the refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and washer and dryer - with Energy Star appliances. So conduct your own home energy audit this fall, and implement some, if not all, of the suggestions I recommended. By doing so, you will be guaranteed to have an energy-efficient house this winter.
GRAF TON COUN TRY STOR E
Deliveries Available
Residential & Commercial Lawn Maintainance Fertilizing Programs Brush & Tree Removal Landscaping
to confirm that it’s in good working order, as well. Ideally, examine the doors and windows on a cool, windy day so that you can check for drafts. The attic is the chief culprit for winter home energy loss. Heat rises, and if the attic is improperly insulated, heat from the lower living areas of the home will find its way into the attic and eventually out of the home via the ridge and soffit roof vents. Inspect the attic for proper insulation. Depending upon where you live, you should have at least R-30 or R-38 insulation in the attic. Make sure that when inspecting the insulation, you check for small breaks. Even the smallest of uninsulated areas in the attic can lead to a dramatic reduction in energy efficiency. Next take a look at the shower heads in your bathrooms. Heating water is another major culprit in high energy costs.
PROUDLY SERVING YOU SINCE 1996
All Types of Home Repair & Remodeling Odd Jobs, Maintenance & Much More!
CentralMassOilinc.com
Licensed Bonded Insured
Heating, A/C, Repairs and Installations of oil or gas. Call Us: Monday-Friday 7am - 4:30pm
(508) 366-3690
508-839-4777 www.skyhooktree.com
Jason Magnusson TREE SPECIALIST
FULLY INSURED
Owner on every job
POOL REMOVAL • Above Ground • Liner Pools • Gunite
By Tebo.com Call Herb Tebo for Estimates
Cell 5 508.328.3838
www.mrhandyman.com MA HIC #146014 MA CS # 107504
FREE ESTIMATES
No Pool Too Small
1.800.649.3095
Winterizing Your Garden
Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014 • 9
Keeping your garden safe ‘till’ spring
W
hen the leaves have turned color and are beginning to fall off the trees, it is time to prepare your garden to ensure a healthy yard next year. Start winterizing your garden by removing the dead plant remnants from this year’s garden. Dig up all of the plants, including their root systems and either remove them entirely or pile them on top of the garden. Ideally, it is best to remove them and to put them in a compost pile. Leaving old crop debris creates a haven for rodents and insects. Also, if the plants are diseased, it is important to remove them from the garden to prevent next year’s garden from becoming infected as well. If you decide to leave the plant remnants in the garden, dry them out and till them into the soil in late fall or early spring with some of the fallen leaves from your trees. By tilling the fallen leaves into the soil in the fall, your yard will absorb some nutrients. Leaving them on top of the garden and waiting until spring to till them in retards the absorption of the nutrients and delays the warming of the garden soil in the spring. Do not put fertilizer on your garden in the fall. It is bad for the environment and it is a waste of your money. Without the garden plants, there is nothing to absorb the fertilizer. Consequently
it washes away causing harm to creeks and wetlands. Save your money and apply the fertilizer in the springtime. If you are inclined to add a chemical to your garden in the fall, check the pH level of your soil and see if you should add lime or sulfur. Fall is an excellent time of the year to add these chemicals. Simply spread them on the garden soil and till. Tilling your garden in the fall is helpful in several other ways. It helps destroy any
Hardwood floors – a beautiful trend
earlier in the autumn season, typically before the leaves begin to fall off the trees. In spring, till the cover crop over about one or two weeks before you plan to plant so that the
cover crop plant material has time to decompose. With these few garden winterizing tips, your garden will be prepared for another great planting in the spring.
VALOIS
HOME IMPROVEMENTS Custom Carpentry Kitchens & Baths
Decks, Porches Home Repairs
Windows & Doors
508-845-1107 RAYMOND VALOIS
Licensed & Insured ~ No Job Too Small WWW.V ALOISH OMEI MPROVEMENTS.COM
DIMENSION stone STONE dimension marble & granite countertops countertops
Frank Pupillo, owner, Mr. Sandless Region - Hardwood floors are becoming more and more popular for many reasons. The look, ease of maintenance or a family member who has allergies are just some of the reasons to opt for hardwood over carpet. Whether you rip up old carpet and refinish the existing hardwood underneath, or install new hardwood floors, you can be assured of having beautiful new floors that will add quality and value to your home. For more information contact Mr. Sandless Wood Floor Refinishing at 508-853-0600 or visit www.MrSandless.com.
A DESIGN/BUILD COMPANY
57 Old Princeton Rd., West Sterling, MA 01564 978-422-6008
❖ KITCHENS ❖ BATHS ❖ ADDITIONS and MORE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT
www.kitchensbydesign.com kitchensbydesign.ma@gmail.com
insect larvae in the soil. Also the thawing and freezing of the soil that occurs during the winter and spring breaks down dirt clogs and ensures a smoother soil for planting in the spring. Planting rye grass or another cover crop is a good idea to prevent erosion and improve your garden’s soil. Simply broadcast it and rake it into the soil per the manufacturer’s recommended levels. However, if you do decide to plant a cover crop, you should do it
FALL SALE! 8 Colors at
39.95
$
A Foot Complete! With 30 Square Feet or More
508-845-8060
567 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 www.thedimensionstone.com Mon-Fri 8 AM-5PM / Sat. 9 AM-1PM
10 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
Rug Refresh Five new trends in area rugs find so boring. An area rug can change the look of a room, making it seem as if you’ve just painted, and can elevate the look of your furniture - say, by bringing out the shade of your couch or the soft texture of its suede material. Best of all, this is one “remodel” that can be done on a budget, especially if using home-decor store coupons or reward points to load up on area rugs for several rooms at once. Here are the top five new trends in area rugs to help inspire you: 1) Shape. Area rugs aren’t just the traditional rectangular styles you may be used to. Now, you can find square rugs, ovals and circles to create your desired effect. 2) Graphic patterns. In a simply designed room with little pattern, area rugs add a
Rug refresh Continued from front page
frame for the bed, and depending on your choice of color and material, a rug can add warmth to a room or a dramatic pop of color in that neutral room you
Helping People Move Since 1979 D NOT TO PARTICIPATE
E RECESSION… you opt out as well!
U…
PPLIESwww.marksmoving.com WITH ANY MOVE
S AD WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR MOVE
Mark’s Moving & Storage, Inc.
111 StreetWestborough, ■ Westborough, 111 MilkMilk Street MA MA
508-983-6000 508-983-6001 www.marksmoving.com
Refresh page 11
Area rugs provide a quick and colorful change to a room’s look.
you know that Lisa’s carries s for under $70?!
SMALL LOAD
CONCRETE
t us and see w far your dollars –SERVING CENTRAL NEW ENGLAND – l go… WHY SMALL LOAD CONCRETE?
CONCRETE APPLICATIONS
or 10% • off entire purchase Buy ONLY what you need
•
exp. 5-30-09
• Flexibility – according to your schedule • Custom Mix / Pour on the job… no “Hot-Loads” Expensive•than bagged and large mixers Needham• Less Ma 02492 (781) 444-5117 • No job too small • No Minimum Quantity to purchase • Cost Effective • No Waste • Environmentally Friendly
Homeowners
Contractors
• Patios • Steps • Fence Posts • Decks • Retaining Walls • Pool Decks
• Gas Stations • Road Work • Footings • Curbing • Sidewalks • Pre-Cast
Custom-Concrete: Buy only the quantity you need. NO LOAD TOO SMALL! Concrete forms designed/installed & concrete nishing services available
Also available for delivery on SATURDAYS… SAND, STONE, & SCREENED LOAM
115 Southwest Cutoff ~ Worcester, MA 01604
508-770-1200 • WWW.SMALLLOADCONCRETE.COM
Celebrating
Our 3rd YEAR in Westborough
Personalized Design & Architectural Services Fine Tile - Stone - Ceramic - Marble - Glass
Interior Design & Professional Installation COLONIAL PLAZA C
45 East Main Street W Westborough, MA 01581
(508) 870-2211
Fax (508) 870-2230 info@roomswav.com
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10am ~ 5pm m Thursday: 10am ~ 7pm Friday: 10am ~ 4pm Saturday: 10am ~ 2pm Other times available by appointmentt
www.roomswav.com
THANK YOU
for your business!
Owned & Operated by Dave Halterman ONE CONNECTOR RD. WESTBORO, MA 508-366-RUGS (7847) Closed Sunday & Monday Tue & Thurs, 9 am - 6 pm Wed 9 am - 8 pm Fri 9 am - 5pm Sat 10 am - 3 pm WWW.CARPETLOVER.COM
BABY we have a HUGE SELECTION of CARPETING for you... Spruce up for the Holidays NOW! Guaranteed Lowest Prices
S Starting BERBERS from… $ 95
21
& Up
(Installed with Pad)
S Starting from…
LAMINATES
3 -5
$ 99 $ 95 per s. f.
(Plus installation, moldings & accessories)
L A M I N AT E S • A R E A R U G S • C A R P E T • T I L E • L I N O L E U M • H A R D W O O D
Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014 • 11
Rug Refresh Five new trends in area rugs
In a simply designed room with little pattern, area rugs add a punch of artistry to the space.
Refresh Continued from page 10
punch of artistry to the space. According to the design team at the Home Design Lover blog (homedesignlover.com), trendy patterns for area rugs include oversized geometric shapes, colorful checkerboard patterns, cobblestone, branches and other nature motifs including birds, black-and-white lace for a formal bedroom or bathroom design, oversized stripes that create a nautical theme, and pairing two vibrant shades for a child’s playroom. 3) Layered rugs. Shelly Hill, associate editor at the online furniture company Wayfair.com, said, “To create a space that’s unique and full of warmth, consider layering two (or even three) area rugs on top of each other. A few popular combinations are: jute or sisal and animal hide, multiple kilim rugs, and flatweave and sheepskin. The key to this trend is to keep the larger bottom rug in a neutral
color. By setting a neutral base, you can layer a fun, colorful or patterned rug on top, and it won’t clash or become too overwhelming.” Hill advises making sure the top rug is at least 12 to 18 inches smaller
NORTHBORO OIL CO.
kitchen to make your coffee, you can see “This day will be beautiful” on the rug at the foot of the sink, or be reminded to “live, laugh, love” on an area rug set before your coffee maker. Kids’ rooms could have
RENT THE BEST
Rent State-of-the-Art Tools
Family Owned & Operated for Over 60 Years
A Full Service Fuel Oil cOMpANy • • • • • •
than the bottom rug so that you can see the contrast between the two. 4) Message on a rug. Messages are not just for wall hangings. Every morning when you walk into your
Heating System Upgrades Automatic Oil Delivery 24 Hr. Emergency Service Diesel Fuel Convenient Payment Plans Air Conditioning
GET EXPERT ADVICE Learn how to work like a pro and get the job done fast
, inc.
WE SELL PROPANE
Fast, Convenient, Always AvailableJust Stop By!
STorm
Season is coming
cALL NoW
247 West Main Street • Northborough
508-393-6200 • www.northborooil.com
50 EAST MAIN STREET, WESTBORO, MA
508-366-1336
TOTAL HOME COMFORT
Design Center
for our Fall tree pruning special rates
STORE HOURS: MON.-F RI. 7:30AM-5PM • SAT. 8AM-4PM
RENT THE EQUIPMENT. KEEP THE ADVICE.©
• expert Hand climbing crews • removals
Come See What’s New!
• Pruning • Stump Grinding • cabling
Kitchen & Bath ~ Interior Room Design ~ Specialty Rooms
GIFTS • Home Décor • AcceSSorIeS
Professional MeMber
508-393-3866 | pnbinc.com
Templeman
Tree Service
SAVE MONEY
Eliminate ownership costs, including maintnenance, repair & storage
custom-worded rugs, such as “Zoe’s Magic Carpet,” and an area rug in your walk-in closet could feature a sassy phrase like, “You look amazing, darling!” 5) The effect of a rug. The experts at custom bathroom design company Birdsall Bath say that a custom, ornate mosaic tile pattern incorporated into your bathroom floor tiling can create the look of an area rug placed in front of an armoire or in front of his-andhers sinks. Remember that just like wall-to-wall rugs are now made with recycled and ecofriendly materials, so, too, are area rugs. So explore your options in rugs made from ultra-soft bamboo and other materials to ensure they are comfy to walk, stand and play on, yet not too plush so as to pose a tripping hazard for your family and guests. Try them out in-store to be sure they pass the “touch test” and are ideal as a functional element of your room.
10 ChurCh St | Northborough
“A Full Service Tree Removal Company” Since 1980
Fully Insured • Workmen’s Comp.
Free estimates
tovahandcompany@gmail.com 508-353-2544
508-366-7693 508-839-5961 www.templemantree.com
12 • Community Advocate • Fall Home Improvement Guide • Friday, October 3, 2014
W
Ideas for maximizing your mudroom space
hat better room to trick out than your laundry or mudroom? Usually, it’s the smallest room in a house, so going for fun wallpaper or specialty faux finish shouldn’t be frightening. You are not committing to a wild color or pattern for the entire house. It is the perfect room to experiment with a faddish color - e.g., a citrus green or bold watermelon - as the paint can be changed easily once you tire of the hue. Often this is the room to hang cute signs or a whimsical piece of art. The room also can do double duty as a message center or a room for wrapping gifts. Beyond adding pizazz to a utilitarian room, you can add some functional elements that might prove to be huge conveniences. These ideas are mainly for a laundry in a more spacious home. I’ve seen clients install shower pans and low faucets so that dirty garden shoes or rain boots are cleaned without creating a mess. People use those same acrylic shower pans as a catch for a drip-dry area to hang hand-washables. Sometimes
simply adding a door from a laundry to the yard or garage area is a boon. The sink that is pictured here features gentle whirlpool jets to thoroughly launder delicate washables. It is 25 inches long, 22 inches wide and 11 inches deep and uses approximately five gallons of water. Careful hand-washing extends the life of a garment and is a wise way to treat expensive garments. Other cool ideas include small pet spas and pedicure tubs. For the single woman with resources, what better way to spoil yourself than having your private spa at home? Other amenities might include drying racks or drying cabinets. In Europe, they have had drying cabinets in Laundromats since the 1980s because the typical home is too small for residential use. The luxury home market here in the U.S. encouraged a handful of appliance manufacturers -- such as Asko, Maytag and Staber -- to supply drying cabinets that are approximately the size of a narrow apartment-size refrigerator. A drying cabinet is an electrical
Forty Nine Years in Business “Your Resource for Beautiful Floors”
The mudroom is a perfect room to experiment with a faddish color like citrus green as the paint can be changed easily once you tire of the hue.
machine designed to expedite the drying of clothing articles that are delicate and have tags that indicate you should “hang dry” or “not tumble dry.” Items such as boots, hats, gloves and bulky coats also can be dried safely in this way. A mudroom is also a logical place for a message board and a charging station for electronic gear, such as cellphones and tablets. Check out the eNook, by Anthro, to see a compact station with a flip-down mini desk. It comes at approximately 36 inches wide, and when closed, it is a mere seven inches deep. When open, it is about 22 inches deep, and you can lock the entire thing to keep your devices secure. There is a channel with multiple plugs for charging, and when it’s closed, your devices remain able to recharge. Simple whiteboards and old-school cork bulletin boards are popular and very useful for the room that everyone passes through on the way out of the house. Racks or hooks for coats are also useful, as are benches with a shelf for shoes.
The Smart Call for Heating & Cooling
Great Rebates and Financing! Limited Time! Call Today! *thru Mass Save
3 years to pay with credit approval
All Up To 0% for 84 Months for Oil, Gas, or AC • Expires 10/31/14
“Savings available refer to code 2681 must be presented or mentioned at time of purchase” 30 days only
276 Turnpike Rd, Westborough (508) 366-9556 950 Chestnut St, Franklin (508) 520-2681
www.flooringamerica1.com
Gas or Oil Sales & Service • Serving Metrowest 508-653-5050 • 800-262-6462 • www.coanoil.com