Home Plus Style

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

The Free Press MEDIA

The Real HOUSE FLIP 2019 Trends OPEN HOUSE 3 Design & Decor

Quality Products and Exceptional Service from your local, hometown lumber yard and rental company for over 72 years.

Lloyd Lumber Company Marvin windows and Doors brings its Built around youŽ philosophy to life with every customer and every product it creates. A premier manufacturer of made-to-order windows and doors, Marvin offers unparalleled value with craftsman-quality construction, energy-efficient technology and the industry’s most extensive selection of shapes, styles sizes and options.

507-625-4500

1860 Commerce Drive North Mankato HOURS: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

» G R E AT G OL F,

great meetings.

GOLF DIGEST EXECUTIVES KNOW GREAT GOLF and have named Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort

»» Play where the champions play

& Spa and Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel at Grand National two of their newest Editors' Choice Winners, along

on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones

with Pebble Beach, The Greenbrier, Pinehurst and 65 other North American locations. When you need to step

Golf Trail. To book your next outing,

away from the office for a great golf getaway or an off-site meeting, plan your visit to Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The best part about the Trail is you don’t have to break the bank to play world-class golf. »»

call 800.949.4444 today and visit rtjgolf.com to learn more.

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

6 26 30

Table of Contents

20

6 Keeping it All in the Family 7 What is a Vision Board?

20 The Real House Flip 26 2019 Trends: What’s Coming and What’s Going 30 Spring Cleaning and Clutter 34 Open House 3 Design & Decor 38 No green thumb? No worries 42 Directory SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

The Free Press MEDIA

VISION Boards Color me HAPPY The CHANGING FACE of Real Estate SPRING Landscaping Home Magazine • The Free Press • MAY 2018 •

2 •

34

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Spring Issue:

• 1

The Free Press

Fall is CARDINAL SEASON CLUTTER Matters TECHNO Living

MEDIA

Home Magazine • The Free Press • OCTOBER 2018 •

On the Cover:

101 Goodyear Avenue Photo by Mankato Jordan Powers Photo by Jordan Powers Mankato Home Tours Mankato Home Tours

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

• 1

38

MAINSTREAM CABINETS IDEAS TO REALITY

Free Estimates 10% OFF New Customers

• Lawn Care & Landscape Services • Fertilization and weed control programs • Landscape Installation • Landscape Insect Control

REMODELER LICENSE #CR067199

CABINET DESIGN & COMPLETE INSTALLATION KITCHEN & BATH SHOWROOM 306 MAIN ST., MAPLETON 28+ years experience 507-524-3377 visit us at www.mainstreamcabinets.com Owner/operation: Kevin Boertje

Tree Care by our Certified Arborist: • Disease protection • Insect Control • Emerald Ash Borer Protection • Deep Root Fertilization lawnpromn.com 507.869.3847 1.800.722.2268

Dream to Fruition

DREAM | DESIGN | BUILD

304 Dancing Waters Circle, Mankato MLS#7019870

Dan Baker 507-382-6000

Bonnie Kruger 507-327-0633 Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 3

TRY SOMETHING

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

BOLD!

The Free Press MEDIA

April 2019 | Spring/Summer Issue PUBLISHER

Steve Jameson

EDITOR

Marianne Carlson

CONTRIBUTORS

Heidi Newbauer Madison Hoffman Marianne Carlson Nicole Hallman Rachel Hanel

PHOTOGRAPHERS PAGE DESIGNER

Jordan Powers Christina Sankey

ADVERTISING MANAGERS

Mary Kay DeGrood

ADVERTISING SALES

Danny Creel Deena Briggs Dorothy Meyer Joan Streit Jordan Greer-Friesz Josh Zimmerman Marianne Carlson Mary Kay DeGrood Theresa Haefner Yvonne Sonnek

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Barb Wass

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Christina Sankey Heather Zilka Sue Hammar

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Justin Niles

Home +Style is published by The Free Press Media bi-annually at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001.

For editorial inquiries, call Marianne Carlson at 344-6338, or e-mail mcarlson@mankatofreepress.com.

1750 Northway Drive • North Mankato, MN 56003 www.corpgraph.com

800-729-7575 4 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

For advertising, call 344-6364, or e-mail advertising@mankatofreepress.com.

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 5

J. Scotty Builders Inc.

Keeping It All in the Family

By Marianne Carlson

I

n 1988, Jeff Williams established J. Scotty Builders with the goal of creating beautiful homes and a lasting legacy.

The company name comes from Jeffrey Scott Williams and Jason Scott Williams who is Jeff’s son. Jason was six years old when the company was formed with the hope that one day Jason would join the team.

Jason Williams That day has come.

Jason recently joined the J. Scotty Builders team full time.

For the last five years, he has been in the project management and client interface role with a custom home builder in the west metro. The experience helped grow his understanding of the ever-changing best building practices. Jason’s new role with J. Scotty Builders is sales and project management while Jeff oversees business operations.

Over the last three decades, J. Scotty Builders have built quality custom homes in the western suburbs and the Mankato area. The team at J. Scotty Builders has refined the building process to ensure craftsmanship and quality throughout the whole course of building. The lasting relationships of the subcontractors that have been nurtured through the years shows in the pride that everyone takes in their work.

“We have great subcontractors that we’ve worked with for years and years,” Jason said with a laugh. “We have a plumber that we work with, who has known my parents longer than I’ve been alive.”

6 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Building a new house is not as complicated or intimating as it might seem, Jason explained.

“We set up a meeting and ask a bunch of questions,” he said. “How many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, how many garage stalls, that sort of thing. We can design a plan from scratch or most likely we have a floor plan that we can simply tweak and make changes to.”

J. Scotty Builders puts together a spec book for each of their clients where they can keep track of the accessories for their new dream home. Jason explained that when you work with a custom home builder, clients can visit wholesale retailers that are only available to contractors.

This spec book is more than keeping up with the latest trends, Jason said.

“It’s more than a wish list,” he said. “This is where we keep track of everything that will go into the home. Everything from flooring to faucets. This is what we use when bidding out the project. If we have good solid specs, then we can get an accurate bid for our clients so there are no surprises.”

According to Jason, most custom builders get their lumber and products for a similar price and operate within the same profit margins so he suggested finding a builder who you are compatible with.

“You need to find someone you can trust, who is going to build something that can stand the test of time,” Jason said. “Referral and reputation is all you have in this industry.

We know our product and we stand behind it. It is so cool to look back at something that was just a piece of dirt five months ago and now there is a family living there. This is a very rewarding job.”

What is a

Vision Board?

By Marianne Carlson

A

Vision Board is a tool that you can use to help visualize your future.

Simply put, a Vision Board is a visual wish list.

They are often created on a large sheet of paper or tag board that you fill with photographs or magazine clippings of images that represent your goals and dreams.

Deciding to build a new home or even planning a home remodeling project can be a huge undertaking. Everyone wants their home to be unique – to say something special about them and who they are.

A great way to keep track of your ideas is to put them all on a Vision Board. Find images that inspire you. They can range from home décor accessories such as throw pillows and art, all the way to faucets and light fixtures.

Certain objects and even colors can evoke strong emotions. Now put several of these objects together in one space and you can create a room that makes people feel relaxed, joyful, excited, nostalgic, even energized.

While websites like Pinterest are basically one giant Vision Board where you can pin everything from recipes to workout routines, a true Vision Board is meant to be seen on a daily basis as a way to manifest your ideal reality.

Some people believe that a Vision Board “activates” the Law of Attraction which states that you can program your mindset to actually attract things and situations into your life.

On the next several pages you will find inspiration from local builders, home improvement and organizational experts, interior designers, landscaping professionals and local retailers who can help you update everything in your home.

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 7

Your Regional Professional for Closets, Garages, Pantries, Mudrooms or any area of your home.

800-750-5670 or 507-327-3370 Call today for a free estimate and inquire about our monthly specials

For more images and ideas see us at

orderlyquarters.net

8 •

or facebook.com/OrderlyQuarters/ • APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Vision Board brought to you by "Elegant Creations"

Family owned and operated since 2001 1371 State St South • Waseca, MN

507-835-7129

From Start to Finish we are your one stop shop

www.elegantcreations.com

Custom countertops with a blend of old world craftsmanship and state of the art technology From Commercial and Residential, no project is too big or too small.

Kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, outdoor barbecues, offices.

Serving all of Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa

Largest indoor heated showroom in Southern MN. Granite, Quartz, & more

We cut your stone exactly to your specifications giving you a level of customization and attention to detail simply not found anyplace else.

Call today for your FREE estimate Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 9

Pilgrims Rest Cemetary

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY INTERIORAND AND ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY | 507.933.0411 JORDANPOWERSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM JORDANPOWERSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM | 507.933.0411 INSTAGRAM@JRDNPWRS INSTAGRAM@JRDNPWRS

Hilltop Florist and Greenhouse

Fresh &

flawless

Discover the extraordinary floral, home and gift

885 E. Madison Ave. 507-387-7908 www.hilltopflorist.com

Starting At $349 Over 100 Reclining Save Up To 40% OFF* Sofas, Love Seats, Sectionals & COME IN AND SEE WHY MORE PEOPLE BUY Recliners THEIR FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES FROM US!!

On Display!!

8” Gel Memory Foam Queen Mattress

$1,499.99 Enjoy $500 OFF All Signature Base Recliners & Ottoman or LegComfort Recliners.

SPRING SPECIAL

$499.99

M AT T R E S S

Feel The Difference When You Walk In Our Door F U R N I T U R E & M AT T R E S S

The Reserve 9 New Lots Coming This Spring

Designing and Building Quality Ramblers & 2-Story Homes Since 1988!

Contact Jeff Williams

or

Jason Williams information and pricing

Email: jscotty1988@gmail.com or jasonwilliams1226@gmail.com JScottyBuilders.com Phone: 612-701-6315 or 612-723-3181

Design is a difficult product to define. Whether you’re looking for a color to pull together the room or a complete scaled drawing for entirely restructuring the space, designing takes someone’s time and thought to create.

Having the vision for the project is one thing, but being able to develop and then execute the concept from start to finish is another. Professional assistance from one of our designers is key to succeeding at this process. The Mankato Design Center houses businesses for all aspects of a new construction or remodel project and The Design Element and its talented team of designers lie in the heart of it!

PRODUCTS COORDINATED, SELECTED, AND SOLD in each Concept-To-Project Completion. ◆ PLUMBING ◆ LIGHTING ◆ CABINETRY ◆ FURNISHINGS ◆ FLOORING ◆ COUNTERTOPS ◆ ETC.

AFTER BEFORE

Complete Transformation

ABC SEAMLESS® STEEL SIDING No other siding performs like seamless steel siding. It’s seamless beauty lasts long after you replace, paint or caulk other types of siding.

Schmidt’s craftsmanship, combined with the most dependable product on the market, help set the standard for permanent siding.

PROVIA® ENTRY DOORS

ProVia® entry doors are the result of old-world craftsmanship combined with modern technology.

The doors are built with the finest materials and the highest level of care. Enjoy the lasting beauty and durability of these doors that reflect how we care for details in ways others won’t.

RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN WINDOWS®

Renewal by Andersen® windows help beautify your home while also making it more energy efficient. Windows are custom-made to fit within the exact space of an existing window. Schmidt’s expert crews install them right all year round.

Colonial Grids Windows

Toll Free 877.625.6412 | SchmidtMankato.com

18 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 19

Before

T

The REAL

HOUSE Flip

By Heidi Newbauer

oday’s house-flipping market has reached a variety of heights. From investor groups to individuals, buying a home to flip has become very popular. Television shows, such as The Real Big Flip, Flip or Flop: Las Vegas, First Time Flippers, Rehab Addict, and House Hunters, show us the thrill of purchasing, more than often, a run-down property and flipping it into a beautiful home with at least $100,000 resale value.

However, it’s not like you see on television. When the housing bubble burst in 2008, house-flipping was a relatively new, and less competitive, market for those wanting to try their hands in real estate. According to NPR, “flipping peaked in 2005, when 8.2 percent of all single-family homes sold nationwide were flips, about 344,000 homes.” According to ATTOM Data Solutions, a leading provider of property data, “two-thirds of home flips nationwide were financed with loans.” Many land lords and other house-flippers took out mortgages on multiple properties, many being adjustablerate mortgages (ARMs), and rode the bubble until it popped.

20 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Over the past decade, the housing market more or so stabilized, and borrowing options became less volatile, making it important for potential flippers to have some cash down on their property (ies) of interest. And research shows that those in the flipping market today are keeping up with the Jones’s. Research from ATTOM Data Solutions shows that the number of homes flipped in 2018 represented 5.6 percent of all single-family homes, just a 2.6 percent decrease from 2005. Given the damage done by the housing crash in 2008, house-flipping has remained relatively steady. In addition, the dollar volume of financed home-flip purchases was $19.9 billion in 2018, an 11-year high. From 2005 to today, the house-flipping market has turned into a more competitive market than ever before.

Even with today’s competitiveness, house-flipping can be a rewarding venture. Besides financial discipline, learning more about the real estate market and investing in a resourceful network of realtors, tradesmen and women can get you going on your first, or fifteenth flip, with a keen edge.

After

So, where do we start?

Justin Ek, a painter and community parson of Bellissimo Painting and Coating, advises potential flippers to not only study the market, but to “think about what your skills are, where you close the labor gap.” For example, if you are great at carpentry, and/or a carpenter by trade, put your skills on the table. It could save you thousands in the long run. If you don’t think you have the labor skills to bring to the flip, research the professionals out there. Since the market is so competitive, you may well get bids that are cost-effective.

Bellissimo Paint and Coatings is just one of those trade businesses that can potentially close your labor gap.

They pride their business on “establishing trust with the customer.” They believe in expanding the trades with their customers by sitting down with them and talking through what the customer wants, and/or can do. For example, if you are not a great painter, but can easily take apart your kitchen cabinets, label the doors, and lay them out for the painter, then you are potentially decreasing your costs by a couple hundred dollars. (Naturally, this amount depends on the situation in and of itself.) Regardless, you are getting more than beautifully painted cabinets from them, you are in a position of learning and trust.

Ek also points out that “the stamina must be there.” Houseflipping takes working with many types of people for a variety of reasons. Bellissimo Paint and Coatings started around 12 years ago, a time when the house-flipping market was robust.

From these early experiences, the company gained a plethora of contractors and contacts, including plumbers, carpenters, and electricians, to real estate agents, investor groups, and individual buyers. They learned by each other and from those

in other trades, recently expanding their services to hardwood flooring.

Yet, their company remains small, around 10-25 employees, with the latter amount more often busy in the summer months. Jennifer Ek, Justin’s mother and part-owner of the business, told me that “we consider our employees as part of the family.” They also value the Mankato community, connecting their painting trade with the arts. Justin Ek recently painted three mandalas at the new Sun Moon Yoga location in Union Market, in which he “wanted to help promote wellness in our community.” He has also painted murals around town, connecting children with painting and the arts.

Outside of the family business’s community ventures, many of Bellissimo’s customers are those in the houseflipping business. Today, though, they have seen an influx of customers who are buying luxury homes to those who are flipping homes for themselves, and/or staying in the home for a good while before selling it. Regardless of the customers, Justin Ek agrees that a few other stones of wisdom are important to consider: “check out the property first.” The kind of work that needs done on a home can cause a lot of headaches, especially since research shows the majority of today’s flipped homes are 30 years old or older. Lastly, he notes to recognize your challenges: “You will have to carry the bill (supplies and materials, contractor fees, equipment, and so on) until the property sells.”

Safety is also an important concern for Bellissimo.

Asbestos, lead paint, and mold are just a few things that can be common in older, and sometimes modern, homes.

Ek points out that they want the property to be “safe for Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 21

Before

families, even if those flipping don’t know the ropes.” Trust, safety, and expanding the trades are hallmarks of working with a contractor like Bellissimo Paint and Coatings.

Having relationships with one, or many, contractors will give you a rewarding final product, but where do we start in the buying process?

Many homes went on the market as foreclosures after the bubble burst. According to ATTOM Data Solutions, 2,871,891 homes were sold as foreclosures in 2010. As of 2018, the foreclosure activity has dropped to a 13-year low, with only 624,753 homes sold as foreclosures. Buying a foreclosure may not be as possible today as it was during the housing crisis, but they are still out there. George Massad and his team at True Real Estate work with foreclosed homes frequently. He notes that “buying a foreclosed home is similar to buying a regular house. The buyer just needs the okay from the bank. Even a first-time homebuyer can buy a foreclosure.” Yet, Massad points out that “attractive foreclosures are getting bought right away. The foreclosures that sit out on the market today are in rougher shape, and need more work.”

Even with the competitiveness of the house-flipping market today, and the decline of foreclosures on the market, many homes listed have the potential to be flipped. It just depends on the situation and what the buyer wants. For example, some of Massad’s clients have a construction background and can flip a home with a professional product on the market in a productive timeframe. Other clients may buy a home, live in it, and fix it up over five or six years, and then sell it. One advantage to the latter example is lower taxes. The home inhabited by people is called their primary residence, which 22 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

equals lower property taxes than those who buy a home to flip and do not live in it. A primary residence can be anything from a trailer to an apartment to a home. Primary residences also usually qualify for lower mortgage rates.

Regardless of the situation, what the buyer wants matters.

Massad and his team of realtors sit down with each client to discuss the client’s needs and desires in buying a home. They value having conversation with each customer to find out what they want, and work to give them the best option for the customer’s needs.

If the buyer is looking to flip today or sell five years down the road, safety is also an important concern for Massad and his team: “we go through the conditions of each home and look at what needs to be done in terms of safety.” If they find outdated, and usually toxic, materials that need replacing, such as lead paint, they are able to reach out to their established network of contractors and professionals that do trades for a living, such as Bellissimo Paint and Coatings.

They consider those in the trades and other professional services, such as carpet cleaning, invaluable resources for getting the best job done, with safety in mind.

Along with addressing safety concerns, they also work with potential buyers in each room of a listed home to see its potential market value. Cosmetic concerns, such as carpet coloring, wall décor, flooring choices, are a big part of resale value. Educating buyers on potential resale value gives each buyer choices to consider so they can gain the most equity out of the home.

Massad and his team of realtors have successfully helped buyers in many types of house-flipping situations. With luxury homes becoming more popular on the flipping market today,

After

he notes that while those may be successful, they “have much less leeway for profit. We usually see those getting the most out of their money when they buy homes in the $250,000 to $300,000 range.” When asked about any advice he’d give to potential house-flippers, he acknowledges that “it is not as easy as people may think. It takes a lot of time.” He has seen people much more successful when connecting with professionals in the trades. Many people who try to do the work themselves instead of hiring professional contractors have ended up starting over, and at over-budgeted costs.

Community connections are also important to George Massad and his team of realtors. They are the exclusive team in Mankato and North Mankato for the “Homes for Heroes” program. It is a national program that helps firefighters; EMTs; military personnel (active, reserve, and veteran); healthcare professionals; law enforcement; and teachers save money on buying homes, and also puts ease into the buying process. For example, one could save up to .7 percent of the home purchase price when working with a real estate specialist from the Massad team, and/or can pay reduced costs on lender fees, title services, just to name a few. His team of realtors also works with a host of other home-buying programs.

Many realtors, including Massad’s team, have found homes for their clients, and others have found homes to flip by themselves, through real-estate auctions. Jay Dailey and his wife, Willa, owners and proprietors of Dailey Realty & Auction Service, have been in the real estate and auction business for 29 years. Dailey has a steady list of houseflip buyers at his auctions. He notes that “they are bidding against each other. There is plenty of competition.”

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 23

Before

Dailey remembers when there used to be very few flippers out there. He began to see more people trying to flip homes throughout the housing bubble and with the explosion of television shows out there. He notes that some flippers he worked with “washed out, and those who kept at it are making a decent living. People can make money on them, but they really need to pay attention to business.” Just like Ek and Massad pointed out earlier, Dailey says that “what makes a difference aren’t just the big details. The small details bring resale value, too—flipper may like one color and the buyer may not.” Resale value is important to consider whether flipping the home to sell in six months or five years.

So, if you find a property listed online or in the paper as a real-estate auction, how does it work? Every property on the auction block has a couple of open houses, or previews, where potential buyers can take a look at the inside and outside of the property. This is also a good opportunity to bring a home inspector, a banker, or your realtor if you like the property and want second opinions about it.

At every open-house, Dailey provides disclosure forms for every prospective buyer to take with them. The disclosure forms tell you just about everything about the house, such as additions added to any damage done to the structural aspects of the house, such as shape of the foundation and roof, and the sewer system. Naturally, the disclosure form is lengthy.

Having a professional in the field, such as a realtor, look over the terms of the disclosure will save you some headaches if you have never dealt with such paperwork before.

One last thing you will need before you go to an auction is a letter from the bank stating that you are approved for 24 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

financing the property. This caveat is one part of the auction process that allows it to go rather quickly. Once the property is sold, it’s sold.

Dailey recognizes that every seller’s situation for auction is different. Sometimes the bank is the seller, and sometimes people are wanting to wrap up an estate. Such varied situations give way to the type of auction held for the property. In Minnesota, there are three types of auctions: absolute, with-reserve, and minimum-bid. In an absolute situation, the sale is awarded to the highest bidder. When the bidding stops, whoever has the highest bid gets the property.

However, in a with-reserve auction, the seller has the right to take the final bid or not, depending on how happy the seller is with the price. A minimum-bid auction happens when the seller wishes to place a minimum bid, such as $150,000, on the property. The auction starts at the minimum bid and ends when no one is willing to go higher on the bids at place. For example, if a few people are bidding up into the $160,000 range, and no one bids beyond $162,000, the person who bid that last price gets the property.

When I asked Dailey how house-flipping has changed his business, he said, “yes, business constantly changes. Sitting with the seller and listening to their needs is important to our business.” He and his wife went through extra schooling to earn designations as certified real estate auctioneers.

Last year, over 50 percent of their business was in realestate auctions. Their motto, “We can sell your house and everything in it,” rings true in their auction house.

Dailey had some words of advice to those thinking of trying out a real-estate auction for the real house-flip: “Take

After

a look at the property. Ask yourself why you really want to buy it.” Understanding the business and asking yourself why you really want to buy it gives you, yourself, disclosure. Lastly, Dailey advises those who are new to the real-estate auction process to have “persistence. Those who come in hard will most likely own it.

Those who nickel and dime repair costs into the price of the home will lose steam quickly.”

The steps to buying a home for flipping start with knowing what you want.

Working with a realtor and possibly trying out the real-estate auction will help you get a feel for the pace of the business and the housing market. Once you feel ready to buy, and know the types of repairs required for your chosen property, working with local contractors and professionals will give you a chance to learn more about other trades, and possibly save you money. Buying a home to flip in today’s competitive market can be rewarding with financial discipline, persistence, imagination, a little skill, and room to learn.

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 25

2019 Trends:

What’s Coming and What’s Going Whether you are building, buying or redesigning a home, there are many distinguishable trends to consider.

By Nicole Hallman

T

he constant change of trends in home design can be hard to keep up with. But those working in the industry see the change every day. Realtor working with True Real Estate, Amber Bruender, fell in love with selling homes.

She has been working with the company ever since it opened in January 2016. As we were sitting in True Real Estate’s bright orange conference room, Bruender discussed with me color trends that are changing amongst modern and vintage homes. Grays have been very popular within home design, but those are slowly starting to fade.

“You’re still seeing a lot of the grays popping through, but it’s going out. They’re changing into more neutral colors.”

As spring comes, brighter tones enter throughout separate rooms of the home. Living coral is a color that will make any room more vivid for the warming season.

“The houses are flowing better with just one color throughout the home and you’ll maybe see a pop of color in a bathroom or a bedroom. The coral is really in, definitely in the spring, it’s the perfect color,” said Bruender.

26 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Although changing colors each season may not be for everyone, you can still find dark colors within the home such as hunter green and navy blue. “If the home is a little older, you’ll see people painting their cabinets a green or other fun colors.”

While selling homes, Bruender notices bold accent colors throughout them, including décor.

“Bold colors are in, definitely the blues and gold.”

Some trends dissolve faster than others but it hasn’t always been that way. Honey oak was very popular in the 90’s to the

Margot Wyhe, owner of The Design Element, has favorite designs that include a pop of color through accents.

2000’s. But as the oak starts to fade so do other trends and it proceeds very quickly. Amanda Stevens tells me what she has seen. “Home design use to have a much slower pace as far as design and color trends would go, but today it’s moving and changing at a much faster pace.”

Steven’s parents opened Independent Paint and Flooring 30 years ago and she knew that was the field she wanted to work in. Graduating with a merchandising and business degree allowed her to bring that to their company.

There are other aspects of your home that can stand out aside from paint colors. According to Stevens, the mid-west

is big on neutral tones as far as paint and flooring goes. But there is still a need for accent colors or designs through rugs or decors. There is another way to include accent colors and it comes from a trend you didn’t expect to see again, wallpaper. That’s where pops of color and design filter in.

These can be seen in more subtle rooms such as a bathroom or laundry room. “I think floral will be a big inspiration on rugs, accessories, and wallpaper,” said Stevens.

Margot Weyhe, owner of The Design Element, has favorite designs that include a pop of color through accents. “One of my favorite trends is the way finishes are being used. In earlier Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 27

Margot Wyhe loves mixing and matching different print patterns.

years everything needed to match (i.e. fabrics to the wallpaper, and metals would all be the same). Now it’s ok to inject something unexpected, like a brushed gold fixture perhaps?” Weyhe always dreamed of being a designer and now her business is in its tenth year.

To compare modern homes to vintage, there are varying differences.

Weyhe tells me how they differ but also how they work together. “In today’s design world we often juxtapose vintage with modern and vice versa.

That melding of modern and vintage is 28 •

something you might see in a modern farmhouse aesthetic, or possibly a more industrial design.”

A difference Stevens sees within a vintage home is how traditional it is compared to a modern home.

“Vintage homes are more traditional with larger tile formats and wide planks. The colors tend to highlight and complement the woodwork. We also see a lot of mixing of metal and wood,” said Stevens.

It may be surprising to see the vintage look and how it falls into

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

a traditional style home. But it is commonly seen, as Bruender tells me she sees raw materials such as stone, wood or shiplap amongst the home.

And of course, you can add anything to your home if you want the vintage look. “The vintage vibe is in. You can pop it with fun colored upholstery chairs,” said Bruender.

Modern homes, however, are still changing beyond the décor that decorates the home. Structure is the big change. The high ceilings are in with an open floor plan. Stevens tells me, “The modern homes today are emphasizing open concept, high ceilings, and lots of bright natural light.

They are using variations of white, and pops of color with accessories.”

As Bruender is selling homes she also sees these modern trends and they are now some of her favorites of the year. “Statement ceilings are really in right now, the really tall ones with beautiful beams on them. Just creates such a fun open feel.” A unique way to use the best of the high ceilings is creating design that most people wouldn’t expect when they walk in your door, ceiling designs. “People are just kind of starting to do designs on their ceilings and then have all white through the room and have the ceiling be the statement part of it,” said Bruender.

What décor, design or structure can bring a statement to your home? The designers have a few different ideas as they watch the new trends come in.

A major design trend is in patterned tile. “They are manufactured to look like hand painted tiles, but instead are printed on porcelain so they are more functional and affordable. Hand painted tiles are still hard to beat if you are looking for something more unique, but do plan to spend more,” said Weyhe.

One of her favorite designs that is currently a popular trend, Stevens enjoys tiles. “I love the textured tiles that are made to look like fabric. Hard surface flooring options have been picking up in popularity and by having a softer look on tile, it’s a great way transition from carpet to tile,” said Stevens.

One of the most creative ways to make a modern home unique is the use of texture or geometrics. “Geometric and Textures are in. You’ll find a lot of rugs and geometrics,” said Bruender.

On top of all the textures that could be used in a home, fixtures can make

Amanda Bruender, is a Realtor with True Real Estate.

all the difference as well. Bruender comes across the mid-century Italian pendulant light fixtures above kitchen islands.

There are many ways to make design changes to your home, whether it’s one room at a time or one big project, think about working with a professional. “There are innumerable options when it comes to design and it can be very overwhelming. That’s where working with a professional is a true advantage. We can assess your project and give you options that suit your personal style,” said Weyhe.

With all of the design opportunities that are at our fingertips, there is a lot to decide on and you may need a solid amount of inspiration. Take Stevens advice, “I say utilize the great resources we have online. Look through the different home product brands websites, Pinterest and Houzz and find something that speaks to you.”

As trends come and go, you can keep up with the old and the new through numerous sources. Take advantage of all that you can and work with the designers who can help with your future interior design projects.

“We know our products like the back of our hand, so when someone comes in with design inspiration, we can build it to fit their individual budget,” said Stevens.

RICKWAY CARPET

1107 Cross Street, North Mankato 507.625.3089

www.rickwaycarpet.net

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER | NMLSR ID 504851 | FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA

SAVE MONEY. BORROW LOCAL. YOUR HOME LOAN EXPERTS!

507-387-3055

www.mnvalleyfcu.coop

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

4 YEARS IN A ROW • 29

Custom-made organizational systems help families make the best use of their space.

Spring Cleaning and Clutter

I

By Madison Hoffman

t’s finally that time of year where the snow starts melting and the birds are back singing. For most families this also means it’s time for one of the most undesirable events of the year: spring cleaning.

Whether it be cleaning and clearing out the clothes in your closet or finding a better way to arrange all the junk in the garage or storage room, every family has some need for spring cleaning around the home. From the kitchen to the bathroom to the laundry room to the bedrooms there are always new ways to arrange space so it can be used the best way possible. It’s time to wipe down those countertops dust off those ceiling fans and bring those summer clothes to the front of the closet and create a fresh start for the home this spring.

Shelly Young, owner of Southern Mn Cleaning Service, finds that one of the messiest places in the home is where you first walk in. Whether that be the front entryway or the mudroom/laundry room, Young says that when that area is a mess a family can feel slightly unorganized.

30 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

“That area where you first walk in and set things down seems to need the most attention,” Young said. “Especially in wintertime with the salt and the sand from the outdoors, it can be a place that gets dirty rather quickly.”

Another important area to keep clean is the place that is used the most to relax. If that area isn’t clean than there is no place in the home to decompress after a long day at work.

“It’s that area that when you come home you want to relax and get comfortable in and let go of your day,” Young said.

“If that area is messy, you’re going to feel distraught and always think that you have to clean and get things done.

When everything is organized from when you wake up to when you walk out the door, it makes the start of the day that much easier.”

When organizing Young says it’s important to ask these questions when decluttering an area: • When did you last use the item? Was it more than a year ago?

• Do you need it? Can you live without it?

Putting drawers in a walk-in closet can help clear space in the bedroom by removing the need for dressers.

• Do you love it?

• Does it add any value to your life?

“If not, get rid of it. Many people can use the items that aren’t being used,” Young said. “It’s the perfect opportunity to donate items and give essential items to people in need.

There are many thrift stores that will take almost all donations.”

Around this time of year it can be common for families to go room to room and organize everything top to bottom.

Sometimes the best way to do this is to make each room a small project. Instead of doing all you spring cleaning on one weekend, try to spread it over a few weeks.

“If you try to do all this cleaning in a short period of time you may not go into as much depth of cleaning that an area needs,” Young said. “Make lists, create small projects for yourself. You will do a more thorough cleaning if you take a project one step at a time and clean the house in stages.”

Some other tips for keeping organized are: • Set a schedule. If you are consistent for when you clean you are more likely to do it.

• Clean an area from top to bottom. The dust and grim fall to the ground the more you clean, so always finish with the floors.

• Don’t forget about those hard-to-reach places. Dust and mold can always be found in those places you never think about like behind doors, in the track of the shower doors and ceiling fans.

“If you let your house become so unorganized it can be really difficult to find the motivation to start cleaning,” Young said. “Its okay to ask for help. I encourage you to ask for help and after you’re finished you will feel liberated.”

Another important part about spring cleaning is putting organizational systems in important spaces. These systems are used to make sure that all the space available in a specific area is used with a purpose and that extra space is never wasted.

Ryan Schmitz, owner of Creative Closets of MN, creates custom-made organizational systems and solutions for places in the home such as closets, pantries and garages. Traveling all over southern Minnesota from Maple Grove to Mankato, Schmitz knows how to make use of space but doesn’t try to overdo it.

“One mistake people make when organizing closets is trying to use every inch,” Schmitz said. “Unfortunately the corners of a closet are dead spaces. The clothes we don’t wear much always end up there. If you haven’t worn it in a year get rid of it. The more things you get rid of the more space you free up for things you do use.”

A common trend he is seeing is the use of drawers in walk-in closets. This trend helps clear space in the bedroom by removing the need for dressers. People have more space for a larger bed or a lounge chair without them in the bedroom. He also sees more people using double hanging racks to double the amount of space to hang clothes in closets.

“When you are able to double hang you stack more Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 31

clothes on top of each other, and it accommodates more every day and non-dress type articles of clothing,” Schmitz said. “Most people will still leave a small section of long hanging for items like dresses, but it is always about their style and how they prefer to be organized.”

Even houses that have a smaller reach-in closet have options to help maximize space. Vacuum seal bags and underbed totes are an ideal solution to families who are running out of closet space. It is always a good idea to take any good space that is available in the home and change it for storage needs.

Another area he sees people taking more advantage of in space and usage is in the pantry. With the different varieties of pantries ranging from simple reach-in pantries, walk-in pantries, butler pantries and corner pantries, there are helpful techniques families can use to benefit their use of space.

“Most pantries we see are the corner pantry where you have an angled door and then two walls and most of them will be floor-to-ceiling in shelving,” Schmitz said. “A lot of times now if they are big enough, people will put drawers in there for potatoes and onions.”

Other hot items are wine racking and basket use. When the wine bottles are stacked on top of each other or organized into slots, the bottles are easier to pull out to read labels and it saves space by storing things upward.

Baskets make pantry organizing easier because it allows someone to place specific items together. It also helps with clean up by making it easier to take things in and out of the pantry.

“I think the baskets are the most effective,” Schmitz said. “Sometimes when you use the drawers, they can get a little airtight and that doesn’t allow things like potatoes and onions to breathe well.”

Even though how everything is organized in a house is based on personal preference there are systems that many people find more beneficial when it comes to storage, specifically when it comes to closets and the layout of shelving and hanging.

“The difficulty of putting shelving below hanging items is not being able to see everything that is toward the back of the shelves because the hanging items are too far out above them,” Schmitz said. “If you want 32 •

Pantries are a great way to maximize the use of space.

it that way it might be easier to do drawers, but if you want shelves it’s easier to do them above the hanging items, so you can see the depth of items at eye level.”

In most bedroom closet situations, he tries to adjust the system structure, so it accommodates the types of clothing it stores. Most of the time the closet space with be more hanging items compared to things in drawers or on shelves but, depending on space, the closets could be more 50/50.

“Larger closets tend to be a good mixture of both, and smaller closets are more hanging items,” Schmitz said. “If it all fits in the house one way its going to fit in there another way. You have the choice of how you organize your closet, so organize it in the way that benefits you.”

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Other locations in the house that see some improvement during spring cleaning are the garage, laundry room and bathroom. Lon and Darci DePoppe, owners of Orderly Quarters out of St. James, create organizational systems that help eliminate clutter and find places for everything to belong in rooms all over the home.

“We do new home construction, storage, so that’s going to be closets, pantries, garages and any place where you would store your things,” Lon DePoppe said. “We also do remodeling, so we help people upgrade their existing home.”

Two keys things to keep in mind when organizing a home is having the correct space to store your items and not overfilling that space with those items. Some families can have bad habits of having a space like a garage or a storage room and filling it with items that aren’t organized in any specific way.

“We have come into situations were people are looking for more organization, but people may have more stuff in an area that that space isn’t designed to hold,” DePoppe said.

“We can encourage them to go through those items and select what they need and in turn help them maximize the space they do have. You have the space, you pay for that space, we just help you make the most of the space you have already paid for.”

Another common trend for systems in the home is finding storage solutions that are changeable. Storage systems change due to that facts that users also change. Whether it be a family changing their mudroom to be more accessible for the kids or a young couple changing their kitchen to hold more cooking utensils and pots and pans or an office been used as a spare bedroom with the addition of a murphy bed.

“There is so much variety for people when it comes to their home,” DePoppe said. “If people have a smaller type of home, the office may also be used as a guest bedroom. The murphy bed can be a good solution for that where the space can double as a bedroom, but when that’s not needed it functions as an office.”

Organizational systems in the laundry room or mudroom are also changing. Some families are finding locker style systems to be more beneficial for their growing families because they give their children

more responsibility by being able to keep their own area clean. However, one problem DePoppe sees is the organization of shoes in these areas.

“People so badly want to put their shoes on the floor,” DePoppe said.

“Put the shoes high. When people kick their shoes off and leave them their it creates a mess. Then when they go to leave, they put on that same pair that is already there because they are easier to grab instead of getting on their hands and knees looking for another pair.”

By putting shoes on shelves or in racking systems they are at the ideal place to be seen. By taking a few seconds to take shoes off and put them in a designated area on a shelf they are that much easier to find for next time.

Also it makes it easier to start wearing those shoes that aren’t worn as often because they aren’t at the bottom of the shoes pile anymore.

“Especially if you’re late to work,” DePoppe said. “It makes it that much easier.”

Garages are now an area that can been seen as a type of multipurpose room that isn’t only used for storage.

It can store cars and other items; tools and sports equipment, but it can also double as an entertainment space.

“There are more and more people using that garage space for entertainment.” DePoppe said. “They are getting finished floors and finished walls, so it’s insulated. Then there is a spot for drinks and chips and a space for a TV and other electronics.”

The area can also be a hobby space where one corner or more is transformed into an office style room or space. That space can be used for hobbies such as recreational sports to model airplane building to art.

With all the space a home has it can be tricky to know how to use it to its advantage. Figure out was systems work best for the lifestyle in the home and Know to set up those organizational systems early when moving into a new home. The sooner they are set up in that new household the easier they are to maintain. For those homes that need a little more love during this time of year take the time and care the home needs to get it right because it’s better to do it right the first time.

So put on those rubber gloves. Get out the disinfectant. Roll up those sleeves. And get to cleaning.

L I T I G AT I O N • B U S I N E S S • F A R M • P E R S O N A L

BLETHEN TITLE SERVICES & EXCHANGE LLC Trust us to manage your residential or commercial real estate transactions.

We act as a Qualified Intermediary when an investor wishes to sell and replace assets with like-kind property.

Mankato

507-345-1166

New Ulm

507-233-3900

blethenberens.com

237295-1001

IN HOUSE DRAFTING & CABINET DESIGN SERVICES

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

MANKATO SHOWROOM AND LUMBER YARD

BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE | 1631 STADIUM ROAD

507.387.5608

| HOURS: MON-FRI 7AM-5PM

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 33

Open House 3 Design & Decor Live With What You Love

By Marianne Carlson

L

ast June when Jeanie Rasche decided to quit her job in hospice and become a small business owner in Windom, Minnesota, it took a leap of faith.

“In the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if this small town could support me, but every time I took a step, there was ground in front of me,” she said. “Once I stopped being afraid everything fell into place .”

Once she decided to make the investment, Jeanie said she had to force herself to be bold.

“I forced myself to do the exact opposite of what I would normally do,” she said with a laugh. “Anything that made

34 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

me nervous … I did it. I took out a small business loan and that was it. I was all in. If I couldn’t rationalize a reason why I shouldn’t do it, then I did it.”

Open House 3 Design & Décor is now sneaking up on its one year anniversary.

When asked about the name of her store Jeanie said, “Opening up your house is such a personal thing. I want everyone to be proud of their homes and be able to share them. And 3 is my number. It always has been. It represents my faith. It is a symbol of the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The Rasche’s modern Southern cabin on Fish Lake

Occasional Sales to Storefront

Design

Jeanie is no stranger to hardwork and retail sales. Before opening her storefront, Jeanie hosted occasional sales in her barn.

“It was fun but it was super time consuming,” she said.

“About 70% of the items were found objects so I would paint them or refinish them or repurpose them.”

Although she enjoyed it, Jeanie said these occasional sales were very limiting.

“It would take me six months to a year to build up an inventory,” she said. “This is a way better situation. I don’t have people coming into my yard. I can be open everyday. I get to find and use unique vendors. Now I have a combination of found and purchased items. It is so much more efficient.”

Although, she doesn’t have a degree in design, Jeanie said, designing living spaces is what she has done her entire life.

“When I went to college you didn’t get a degree in interior design unless you were going to move to Chicago or New York where super rich people were going to hire you,” Jeanie said. “It is not just super rich people that want help. A lot of people just need some direction so they can feel confident moving forward. It has taken me so long to learn that.”

Jeanie said she loves meeting new people and working in her store but being in people’s homes is where she really comes alive.

“It is really important to me that people trust me,” she said. “Your home is very personal. The only way to gain that trust is to get to know the people you are working with.

The first thing I tell people is that doing your house is not a sprint, it is a marathon.”

As she is getting to know her clients, Jeanie said she explores their home and looks at the different items already in their home. She asks them if there are items that they are willing to get rid of and which items are non-negotiable and must stay.

“It is not just about purging. Using objects people already have can save a lot of money. Then when they are ready to buy new things, they can buy better quality,” Jeanie said. “I will always work within a client’s budget.”

If a couple is remodeling their home, Jeanie said, she encourages them to start a Pinterest page together.

Décor Open House 3 is mostly accessory driven, Jeanie said.

“I actually had someone tell me, ‘It doesn’t matter what you like, it’s about what will sell.’ But that is not me. I’ve learned ,I have to be enthusiastic about what I sell. How do you sell something you don’t like? I wouldn’t even know how to do that.”

Jeanie said she immediately decided that because she liked a lot of different styles, she was going to sell a lot of different styles.

“I like mid-century modern, farmhouse, bohemian, all of them,” Jeanie said. “I have bits of all of those things in my own house and cabin. I love everything that I sell.”

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 35

According to Jeanie Rasche, owner of Open House 3 Design & Decor, certain objects can act as touch points that create a sense of flow.

“They can both add things they like to the page and then go through the pins together and narrow it down from there,” Jeanie explained. “I’m finding that people really want to simplify. They want permission to get rid of stuff.”

According to Jeanie, one of her limitations is that she does not sell furniture in her store. However, she can make recommendations and even connect people with a retailer in Sioux Falls that she works with.

One of the benefits of having a store full of accessories is that clients can redecorate a room or even their whole house in a matter of weeks rather than spending a whole year on it, Jeanie said.

“Having a store full of inventory is like getting instant results,” she said.

“If I don’t have something they want, I can make online recommendations and whatever they don’t like, I can sell.”

On Monday & Tuesday, Jeanie does in home design and you can find her at the store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Friday.

Jeanie said she battled an inherent fear that there would only be so many people in her small town that could afford to hire her but thanks to some great word-of-mouth recommendations she is continually working with new people in the area.

“What you think is true, is not always true,” Jeanie said with a laugh. “Things out of the ordinary come to teach me to not think I know the way things are.

I try not to have preconceived notions because I have been proved wrong a lot.”

As Jeanie continue to grow her clientele, she hopes to expand into the Mankato market.

Seeing What Others Don’t See Jeanie said she likes to push people to the very edge of their comfort zone.

Just like people need permission to get rid of items, they also need permission to be different, she said.

“Abstract art is a great example,” Jeanie said. “The great thing about abstract art is that it can mean something different to everyone who looks at it. Plus it ups the ante. It gives your style credibility. Some people are more open to being pushed a little.”

Being able to create flow in a home is very important, Jeanie said. Flow is 36 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

something that most people can feel but not necessarily something they can explain.

“One room can be a part of another room. It just needs to have a transition,” Jeanie said. “It can be as simple as a couple of new pictures or paintings in the hallway to create a flow from one room to the next.

Certain objects can act as touch points that creates a sense of flow without most people even realizing it.”

In addition to designing other people’s homes, Jeanie and her husband Steve have built two homes together. Most recently, they built a cabin on Fish Lake in Southern Minnesota.

“The idea behind the cabin was to have fun,” Jeanie said. “I didn’t want to build the same house twice. We did everything very modern with the cabin. One thing that I think people don’t focus on enough, is lighting.

Lighting is super important and bigger is always the way to go. I think having done two of my own homes has really helped give me confidence with the business.”

Jeanie grew up without a lot of money and she said that has given her an creative edge.

“Boredom and lack of resources, really forces you get creative,” Jeanie said with a laugh. “Creativity was born from boredom. Because we didn’t have a lot of money growing up, I think that is why I see things differently than other people. I see what could be, rather than, what is.”

Rasche said the idea behind their cabin was to have fun.

A sense of joy really comes out in the objects that are on display.

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 37

Sara Nett, the owner of Sweet Alice in St. Peter, says many plants are “neglect-friendly,” meaning they can withstand some human forgetfulness and still survive.

No green thumb?

No worries

By Rachael Hanel

P

lant-killers, there’s hope for you yet.

Local flower and plant experts say a variety of indoor and outdoor plants can thrive even with relatively little

care.

Sara Nett, the owner of Sweet Alice in St. Peter, says

38 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

many plants are “neglect-friendly.” Succulents and cacti are a couple of examples.

“Cacti are so on trend right now,” she says, with social media sites such as Instagram and Pinterest helping them rise in popularity.

With cacti, it’s important to recreate the desert environment they’re used to. Let them dry out c o m p l e t e l y, and when it’s time to water, flood them.

This mimics the torrential, brief rains then days of dry weather found in the desert. They love the sun, so set them in bright light, such as in a southwest- or west-facing w i n d o w.

And if you do forget to water them, they’ll let you know with a blaze of brilliant color.

Succulents also require minimal care and water.

They also like bright light.

Both cacti and succulents r e q u i r e a grainy soil and a fertilizer made specially for cacti and succulents.

Kathy Van Tol, chief operating officer of Hilltop Florist, also has many recommendations for people who are wary of plants. Her biggest piece of advice: “Letting [plants] dry out is better than overwatering.”

One easy plant is the ZZ plant.

It likes to be completely dried out between waterings. When watering, make sure the soil becomes thoroughly moist. It prefers moderate to high light but can tolerate any light condition.

The informational card Hilltop Florist supplies for the ZZ plant says it’s “almost care-free.”

Van Tol says a trendy, easy-care plant that’s been popular recently is dracaena, or dragon plant. It can grow tall and has glossy leaves. This

Indoor plant experts say succulents, with minimum water requirements, are a great option for people who can’t devote a lot of time to plant care.

plant’s popularity started to rise with a mention by Joanna Gaines, the influential star of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.”

Both Nett and Van Tol will bust myths about certain plants that people think are difficult to care for.

Nett says the African violet is actually easy to care for if you follow some simple rules. The plant needs to take water from the bottom. If water gets on its leaves, the leaves will lose their distinctive fuzz. A terra cotta, unglazed pot is perfect and allows for the bottom-watering. As long as it’s in a soil made for African violets and in northeast light, it should do well.

Van Tol says ferns have a reputation for being difficult, but certain varieties such as the Kimberly queen fern or staghorn fern do well even if they are left alone for a while.

In terms of outdoor plants, a perennial such as sedum is easy to care for, says Johanna George, landscape designer at Drummers Garden Center & Floral.

“Just cut it once a year. That’s it,” she says. For new gardeners, she recommends clean-up in early spring.

Late fall clean-up works, too, but you have to make sure the plants are fully dormant.

Other flowers such as day lilies and cone flowers require minimal care.

Day lilies will bloom throughout the season, and cone flowers provide color in the mid- to late season.

Other easy-care options include:

Indoor plants

• Inchplant, or wandering Jew. This plant shines with green or purple color and will provide flowers in the summer. It prefers indirect, bright light, ideally in the morning.

Avoid intense afternoon light. The soil should be moist, but not soggy.

It can be moved outdoors in the summer. Gradually increase the time outdoors each day to ease the transition.

• Snake plant, or mother-in-law’s tongue. It produces a variety of colors and will grow fast in bright, indirect light. But it’s also tolerant of low light (and you can water less frequently).

• Peace lily. A peace lily prefers low light and dislikes temperature extremes. If the leaves droop, it means it needs more water. Avoid letting it dry out. It only needs to be repotted every 2-3 years; when it’s rootbound, it will produce more flowers. When the flower is done blooming, cut it at the base with a sharp scissors to encourage regrowth.

• Devil’s ivy. This plant prefers low light, and it will provide lovely color. It should dry out between waterings. If the leaves look droopy, water it and it generally will bounce back within a day.

• Chinese money plant. The glossy, green leaves look like coins. It likes filtered bright light, next to a sunny window. Rotate on a regular basis so it grows evenly. It needs welldrained soil, and it should dry out completely between waterings.

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 39

Day lilies are an easy option and will provide color throughout the season.

Think Spring!

With A New Zero Turn Mower Two Great Brands – One Great Location We Service What We Sell!

Authorized Dealer Sales & Service

BLINDS I SHUTTERS I SHADES I DRAPES I MOTORIZATION

Style and service for every budget.

Start Saving!

FREE Consultation FREE Installation w/Purchase Prompt & Courteous Service Exclusive Warranties An Employee Owned & Local Business Since 1957

HIGH STYLE, EXPERT SERVICE. NO SURPRISE PRICE. NO-QUESTIONS-ASKED WARRANTY.

507-373-8535 I Toll Free 1-877-373-8535 sales@coolwindowshades.com I budgetblinds.com 40 •

HOME • FARM • COMMERCIAL 1951 Riverfront Dr., Mankto • 507-387-1171 www.candssupply.com

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

Outdoor plants

• Easy-care evergreens. An evergreen such as a dwarf evergreen is “no fuss,” according to George.

Evergreens can grow in many different soils found in the Mankato area, from “St. Peter sand to hilltop clay,” she says.

• Hydrangeas are not fussy. They just need consistent moisture, so if it’s a dry summer be sure to water at least once a week. Prune them once a year.

• Roses are one of those plants that people think are difficult.

But George says roses have been genetically modified in recent years to produce easy-care varieties, such as Easy Elegance.

• Decorative grasses are easy to care for and provide visual interest in landscaping projects.

Easy-care tips

• All three plant and flower experts have tips that make it even easier for people to keep plants and flowers alive.

• Fertilize regularly. The easiest care plants may only require fertilizing twice a year, in spring and fall.

• Account for natural growth cycles.

Plants grow more slowly in the winter, therefore will need less watering. But that same watering schedule may result in dried-out plants in the summer, when the longer hours of sunlight will result in more growth and thus will require more watering.

• Use distilled water, not tap water.

• If you’re using plastic pots, pay special attention to watering. The drainage in plastic pots isn’t as good as in a terra cotta pot.

• Stick your finger in the soil to gauge moisture. Just looking at it or only touching the top will not give you an accurate measure of how moist the soil is.

• If you think you’ve just about killed an easy-care plant, some can come back if you have even just one good leaf left. A leaf attached to a stem may regrow if repotted.

• For outdoor work, George suggests getting a good pruner, a kneeler and a small garden rake.

Overall, plants add a little something, whether they are indoors or outdoors.

“A plant just brings a touch of grace to any space,” Van Tol says.

Tom Hamberg Brian Westerlund Dalton Westerlund NRPP Certified

507-304-3537 Mankato & Albert Lea

Premier Patio Homes & Townhomes by

Bonnie Kruger

507-327-0633 Dan Baker

507-382-6000 Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 41

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Local DIRECTORY

Accra Home Care Agency Mankato 507-225-6900 New Ulm 507-225-0623 accracare.org

Ameradon Services LLC radonservice @ameradon.com ameradon.com

866-935-3515

507-304-3537

Budget Blinds

Builders FirstSource

1704 N Riverfront Dr. Mankato bcotton@budgetblinds.com budgetblinds.com

877-373-8535

Design Element 1711 Premier Drive Mankato www.thedesignelement.net

507-345-8771

42 •

1631 Stadium Road Mankato bldr.com/locations/ mankato-lumber

Blethen | Berens

Blinds & More

100 Warren Street, Suite 400 Mankato

424 Belgrade Ave North Mankato

blethenberens.com

507-345-1166

C & S Supply 1951 N Riverfront Drive Mankato Candssupply.com

507-387-1171

507-387-5608

blindsandmore.org

507-380-5019

C21 Bonnie Kruger 209 South 2nd St. #200 Mankato bonnie@atwoodrealty.com century21.com

507-327-0633

Elegant Creations

First National Bank Minnesota

First National Bank Minnesota

1371 State Street South Waseca

500 Long St, Mankato bank.mankato@fnbmn.com Fnbmn.com

226 W Nassau St, St Peter bank.stpeter@fnbmn.com Fnbmn.com

elegantcreations.com

507-835-7129

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

507-625-1121

507-931-4000

First National Bank Minnesota 209 Main Ave, Gaylord bank.gaylord@fnbmn.com Fnbmn.com

Hilltop Florist 885 Madison Ave. Mankato hilltopflorist@hickorytech.net hilltopflorist.com

507-237-5521

507-387-7908

JScotty Builders

LawnPro

jscottybuilders.com Jeff

612-701-6315

15399 615th Avenue Mapleton lawnpromn.com

Johnson Furniture

Jordan Powers

Corner of 2nd & Cherry Street Downtown Mankato earljohnsonfurniture.com

jordanpowersphotography.com

507-345-3223

507-933-041

Lloyd Lumber Company

Mainstream Cabinets

1860 Commerce Drive North Mankato lloydlumberco.com

306 Main Street Mapleton msc@hickorytech.net mainstreamcabinets.com

507-869-3847

507-625-4500

401 Eleanor Street Mankato

Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union

Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union

McGowanWater.com

100 Memorial View Court Mankato mnvalleyfcu.coop info@mnvalleyfcu.coop

1640 Adams Street Mankato mnvalleyfcu.coop info@mnvalleyfcu.coop

Chris

507-382-4945

McGowan

507-388-3361

507-387-3055

Too precious not to protect.

1609 N Riverfront Drive Mankato

507-524-3377

MinnStar Bank 201 Poplar Street, Mankato customerservicemk@ minnstarbank.com minnstarbank.com

507-625-6816

507-387-3055

The original and most trusted mosquito eliminator since 2005.

Call The Squad today

TESTED. PROVEN. EFFECTIVE.

507-320-3223

or visit MosquitoSquad.com

Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 43

Minnesota Paving & Materials 1905 Third Avenue Mankato mguillemette@omgmidwest.com omgmidwest.com

Mosquito Squad of Mankato

Northern Comfort Inc.

Orderly Quarters

Good Thunder mankato.mosquitosquad.com

917 Southbend Ave, Mankato sales@ northerncomfortinc.com northerncomfortinc.com

1014 12th Avenue N. St. James info@orderlyquarters.net orderlyquarters.net

507-320-3223

507-387-6596

800-750-5670

Schmidt Siding & Window

St. Andrews Title

True Real Estate

901 N 5th St, Mankato info@ schmidtsidingandwindow.com Schmidtmankato.com

300 St. Andrews Dr. Suite #210

112 S Riverfront Dr #122 Mankato truerealestatemankato.com

standrewstitleandexchange.com

507-345-(TRUE) 8783

507-388-3122

Rickway Carpet 1107 Cross Street North Mankato rickwaycarpet.net

507-625-3089

507-625-6412

507-385-4459

WILL TRAVEL

GET YOUR

PERFECT MATCH We offer a variety of samples to choose from, to ensure the perfect look for your space.

FREE Consultation FREE Measurement FREE Installation

FOR BLINDS

LET'S MEET AT

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION 507-380-5019

YOUR PLACE

BlindsandMore.org

Shop at home convenience! We bring our samples directly to your home or office. Providing Service throughout Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa.

44 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine

YWCA 127 S 2nd St, Ste 200 Mankato mankatoywca.org

507-345-4629

The Free Press Media 418 South Second Street Mankato advertising@ mankatofreepress.com mankatofreepress.com

507-625-4451 The Free Press

Home Magazine 1400 Madison Ave., Suite 616 Mankato homemag@ homemagonline.com homemagonline.com

507-387-7953

MEDIA

Experience Counts.

KELSEY GOETTLICHER

CONNIE FROEHLICH

HOWARD HAUGH

CASSIE WINTERS

507.385.4459

Located in the Community Bank Building

300 Saint Andrews Drive Suite 210, Mankato, MN

We Are Truly Grateful For Your Confidence & Trust

Thank You For Voting Us #1 Best of Mankato 2018

Front: Brooke, Chris, Keith, Peg, Greg, Julie; Middle: Wendell, Nick, Lucas, Monica, Jay, Jesse, Korey, Alex; Back: Tim, Travis, Roger, Mike, Derek, Paul, Rex, Mike

For over 40 years your comfort has been our business! Heating • Cooling • Plumbing Northern Comfort offers heating, air conditioning and plumbing services to residential and commercial customers.

Remember To Place Your Vote For Best Of Mankato 2019!!

917 Southbend Ave | Mankato, MN

507-387-6596

www.NorthernComfortInc.com Home Magazine • The Free Press • APRIL 2019 •

• 45

HELPING FAMILIES FOR OVER 25 YEARS. Accra provides support to families that need help in their homes for a loved one with a disability.

We’ll help you navigate the different services available to you.

Non-Profit Home Care Agency We accept major insurance plans; Medicaid and private pay.

Call our office and ask about the possibilities!

507-225-6900 • 507-225-0623

NEW LOCATION – MANKATO

NEW ULM

SERVING PEOPLE STATEWIDE

www.accracare.org

46 •

• APRIL 2019 • The Free Press • Home Magazine