Spring Home 2019

Spring home 2019

MAGAZINE

‘BEE’ A HERO:

CREATE A POLLINATOR - FRIENDLY YARD

CABIN FEVER:

A RETIREMENT LAKE HOME BUILT FOR COMFORT AND COMPANY

SPRING CLEANING, DECK TRENDS, KITCHEN REMODELS AND MORE!

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table of contents

A pollinator garden opens in full bloom.

Submitted Photo

A cabin built for comfort and company................................................................................................................................................ 6-7 Plant potential: Tips to make yards, green spaces more pollinator-friendly...................................................................8-13 Backyard beehives: Starting your own apiary..............................................................................................................................10-13 Spring yard and garden tips...................................................................................................................................................................14-18 Spring cleaning tips from the pros..................................................................................................................................................... 19-21 Spare room rehab.......................................................................................................................................................................................22-23 Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel.............................................................................................................................. 24-25 Emerging deck trends..............................................................................................................................................................................26-27 Create a tick-free zone in your yard................................................................................................................................................. 28-29 How lawns benefit from aeration..............................................................................................................................................................30

Contributors:

Publisher:

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mswenson@dlnewspapers.com

jhoyem@forumcomm.com

Nathan Bowe Vicki Gerdes

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Kaysey Price

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4 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

Melissa Swenson

Editor:

Marie Johnson

mtjohnson@dlnewspapers.com

Jamie Hoyem

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Marie Johnson/Spring Home

The main level of the home is open-concept and features large windows that overlook the lake. The tall, knotty pine-covered ceiling is a favorite feature of Carolyn’s.

A CABIN BUILT FOR COMFORT AND COMPANY

COUPLE BUILDS THEIR IDEAL RETIREMENT HOME ON EAST SPIRIT LAKE

BY MARIE JOHNSON

C

For Spring Home

arolyn Meske and her husband, Kerry, built their lake cabin retirement home with family in mind.

They knew they wanted a place with mostlyone-level living, which would meet their needs when it was just the two of them, but that would also have enough space to comfortably host their kids, grandkids and extended family and friends for fun summer weekends, holidays and other gatherings.

Their new home on East Spirit Lake, in rural Vergas, meets those needs and then some. Construction was completed just over a year ago, in January 2018, and already, “We’ve made great memories,” Carolyn says.

“We’ve enjoyed some really great times already with kids and friends out here.”

6 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

The two-level “cabin,” as the Meskes refer to it, features four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The downstairs is designed for company, with three of the bedrooms, a bathroom with a whirlpool tub, a spacious living room and a big, soft wraparound couch that works well for sitting or sleeping.

The master bedroom and two bathrooms, laundry facilities, kitchen, dining room and another living room are all on the main level. When it’s just Carolyn and Kerry there, they don’t really need to go downstairs at all.

Inspired by a picture and blueprint of a cabin they found online, the Meskes worked with Modern Living Concepts in Detroit Lakes to design and build the custom home. “We knew we wanted the home to face the lake, and we wanted a large deck,” Carolyn says of their design priorities.

“

The biggest thing is, we want people to feel warm and welcome here

”

- CAROLYN MESKE

“We wanted two living areas inside, plus an outdoor area. We wanted to spend a lot of time outside, and entertain friends and family. The biggest thing is, we want people to feel warm and welcome here.”

As far as decor goes, the Meskes wanted the interior look of the cabin to be somewhat “rustic,” Carolyn says. Knotty pine is used for the trim throughout, and also covers the tall ceilings on the main floor — one of her favorite features of the house. Paint colors are light and neutral, while most of the furnishings, fixtures and decorations are dark-toned, adding depth and splashes of color to every room in the house.

Some accessories, like the kitchen stools and bathroom towel holders, were made by the Meskes themselves, adding one-of-a-kind, personal touches.

Kerry has created a “man cave” for himself in the attached garage — a place where Carolyn says he spends a fair amount of his time, working on projects like those.

For now, the cabin is still primarily a weekend place for the couple, but after they retire it’ll become their full-time home. They currently reside in West Fargo, N.D. Carolyn works as a therapist and manages a

Marie Johnson/Spring Home

Since moving in about a year and a half ago, Carolyn and Kerry Meske have already hosted several family get-togethers at their lake place in Vergas, including a 60th anniversary party for Carolyn’s parents, pictured here.

Marie Johnson/Spring Home

Hickory cabinets in the kitchen complement the knotty pine ceiling and trim throughout the home, while a darker backsplash, fixtures and counter tops add some depth and a rustic feel to the room. The stools around the center island were handcrafted by the Meskes.

mental health clinic in Fargo, while Kerry is a bridge work project coordinator and estimator. They have two grown sons and daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren (with another on the way).

One day, Carolyn says, the cabin will be passed down to those younger generations. She and Kerry want the property to be a place that always stays in the family, and where happy memories are always made.

“We plan to hand it down to our kids and make it a family place,” she says. “When we started having grandbabies, we just really wanted to have those wonderful memories with them, in a cabin.”

They found the East Spirit Lake property after several years of casual searching, Carolyn says, and they knew it was the right spot for them. They like the area’s “just right” mix of tranquility and opportunities for outdoor fun, plus Carolyn’s sister’s place is right next door.

The lake is big enough to be used for recreation like boating, canoeing, tubing and fishing, Carolyn says, but not so big as to ever become “chaotic.”

The Meskes still have a few finishing touches to complete — they plan to pave the driveway this summer, for example, and add some stone around the exterior pillars in front of the main entryway — but those are “extra” things that aren’t really needed to fully enjoy the place as it is.

Carolyn says it’s more than enough that she can sit out on the deck in front of a small fire at the end of the day, coffee cup in hand, just looking out at the water.

It’s one of her favorite things to do.

“It’s very peaceful,” she says.

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019 | 7

Submitted Photo

A long-horned bee collects pollen from an apple blossom.

PLANT POTENTIAL

POLLINATOR PROTECTORS GIVE HELPFUL TIPS TO MAKE YARDS, GREEN SPACES MORE FLORA AND FAUNA FRIENDLY

BY KAYSEY PRICE

Y

For Spring Home

ou can kind of look at pollinators as a canary in the coal mine,” says Laurie Schneider, noting that 90 pecent of the monarch butterfly population and 50 percent of the honey bee population has died off. “That’s just two pollinators … We don’t even really know what’s happening with other insect populations.”

Schneider is the executive director of Pollinator Friendly Alliance, one of a number of organizations in Minnesota that aim to make the state a more friendly place for pollinators, like honey bees, butterflies, and beetles — all insects, really.

Recently, Schneider’s group has been doing a lot of work in Stillwater, Minn., helping people convert turf 8 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

and boulevards into pollinator-friendly patchworks, with bright, colorful bursts of flowers and other plants that attract and help invigorate the local ecosystem.

“Most pollinators, they only move a few meters or yards from where they’re nesting. They don’t go very far,” says Schneider. “If we have these little corridors or patchworks…especially during the winter months, they can find food and nesting sites along their way.”

Do nothing, ‘bee’ a hero

While the initiative started with a “save the bees” campaign, Schneider says it’s changed and expanded into a push to “protect pollinators.” And there are a number of ways that people can help.

Some ways are very simple, practically equivalent to doing nothing at all.

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SAVING BEES, ONE HIVE AT A TIME THE BASICS OF BACKYARD BEEHIVES

Scientists and environmentalists have been warning the public for years that honeybees are disappearing at alarming rates. Though no single cause is to blame, data has pointed to pesticide use and the mysterious colony collapse disorder, which is a name given to the dwindling colonies seen around the world.

National Geographic News says bees are essential because of their roles as pollinators. Agriculture industries rely on honeybees, especially managed honeybees, to keep commercial crops pollinated and productive. Estimates indicate that roughly one-third of U.S. crops rely on honeybees, accounting for more than $15 billion in crop production. Without bees, the costs of everything from blueberries to apples to broccoli would rise, as farmers would have to use a different, more expensive pollination method.

Backyard beehives or bee farms can help bring healthy colonies back and are beneficial to the environment overall. The art of beekeeping has become an important endeavor, and just about anyone with some time and resources can start their own apiary. Visit the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association website, www.mnbeekeepers.com, for more information.

• Start by studying bees. Interested beekeepers can begin their journey by reading all they can on beekeeping. The American Bee Journal or backyard beekeeping books and articles are great places to start. State or local beekeeping associations also are invaluable resources for information on local bee species and traits.

• Know the laws. It’s important to get the goahead from local authorities before introducing bees into the community. By checking city or town ordinances, potential beekeepers will know how many hives are allowed and which type of property sizes are amenable and allowable.

Currently, residential bee farms are not allowed within the city limits of Detroit Lakes. Becker County has no ordinances specifically related to bees.

• Get the right supplies. Research can help prospective beekeepers understand the type of equipment they will need. One can purchase this equipment, but some beekeeping organizations may be willing to lend or rent it to interested parties.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 10 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

“We ask that people accept some of these plants — or flowers, rather — that people consider weeds,” says Schneider, listing a few: dandelions, creeping charlie, goldenrods and thistle. “Some of those weed plants are the most important plants that we know.”

A lot of the work Schneider does involves trying to change people’s perspectives on insects and weeds and, while it seems simple to just leave a weed well enough alone, for many it can be challenging to accept.

Another piece of the natural puzzle that would protect pollinators is to stop using pesticides. Again, maybe easier said than done. To do so, people will need to accept that they will most likely see some plant damage, and they will have to accept insects.

“Everything is in balance, and everything works together,” says Schneider, speaking to the importance of weeds and insects. “We try to teach people to look at their yards as a little ecosystem.”

Another simple change Schneider asks of people is to wait a little longer before starting their spring yard work.

“Our little sleeping friends (pollinators, like ground bees) are still in those stiff plant stems and under leaves and mulch piles. If we disturb those too early, they won’t make it,” she says, adding that people can know it’s safe to start moving mulch when the trees begin to bloom. “The pollinators usually emerge in perfect balance with the plants, as they provide pollen and nectar.”

“

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Everything is in balance, and everything works together. We try to teach people to look at their yards as a little ecosystem

”

- LAURIE SCHNIEDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, POLLINATOR FRIENDLY ALLIANCE

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A monarch butterfly nestles on goldenrod.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Getting down and dirty

Of course, there are other, more hands-on ways to help protect the pollinators, too, like planting bee lawns, also known as low-mow lawns.

“What a bee lawn or a low-mow lawn is a flowering, grass carpet that provides habitat and only requires a mow once a year and does not need to be watered after it’s established,” explains Schneider, adding, “It’s low-maintenance, and it provides habitat. And it builds up the nutrition in the soil.”

Converting standard grass (or turf) lawns to bee lawns is beneficial because grass is essentially a food desert for pollinators. Grass provides very little — if any — food for insects. Not to mention, it requires a lot of maintenance on the homeowner’s part to upkeep grass.

“I kind of feel like anyone that has some property has a responsibility to get rid of as much lawn as possible and plant things for the natural world,” says Terry McDaniel, president of the Minnesota Hobby Beekeeper Association.

12 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

“

Submitted Photo

Fill your planters and gardens with flat-topped and trumpet-shaped flowers that provide nutritious pollen and nectar our winged friends are seeking. Add a few birdhouses, as well

”

- MARA BERGEN, BERGEN’S GREENHOUSES

If people can’t entirely convert their lawns, McDaniel suggests they try getting rid of 25 percent of their grass and just see if they like it. Maybe by planting a garden or some native flowers.

“We will never go back to what we had… People need lawns,” says McDaniel, knowing that these changes will require compromise, but she is of the opinion that it’s a win-win for people who rise to the occasion: “See what it’s like to have a garden, if you enjoy watching the...bees and the butterflies.”

Mara Bergen, owner of Bergen’s Greenhouses in Detroit Lakes, says to really attract pollinators to a yard, use bright colors that they can see.

“Fill your planters and gardens with flat-topped and trumpet-shaped flowers that provide nutritious pollen and nectar our winged friends are seeking. Add a few birdhouses, as well,” she says. “It’s fun to have something blooming in the spring, something different in the summer, and then fall blooming plants. This provides our wildlife with different seasonal options.”

Bergen suggests planting lantana, petunia, salvia, verbena and monarda, as well as annuals, perennials and varieties of shrubs and trees.

Both McDaniel and Schneider say it’s the small changes, like those Bergen suggests, that are going to add up and make a big difference. Even planting a native tree or a shrub in a lawn can provide essential nutrition and nesting environments to pollinators.

“Trees and shrubs are really important, and that’s something that’s sort of overlooked. In the spring, the first food sources happen to be the trees,” says Schneider.

They also both encourage people to not just think of protecting pollinators as only a homeowner’s task, suggesting that businesses and schools also consider converting turf.

“Schools can do this, and it’s a great way for science to be incorporated into their curriculum, and then also for them to learn civic stewardship, and with their science classes,” says Schneider.

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File Photo

With time, homeowners can become successful beekeepers and do their part to replenish much-needed bee colonies.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Hive boxes, bottom boards, a veil, a jacket, a smoker and a top feeder are just some of the supplies needed.

• Order bees. Bees can be acquired from other beekeeping enthusiasts or can be ordered online. The bees will need to consist of the queen, drones and worker bees. According to the resource Bees Brothers, a starter set of bees is called a “nuc.” Bee suppliers start selling in the winter for spring swarms.

• Place the hive. It’s important to set up hives away from foot traffic. In addition, face hives away from strong winds, with the ideal directions being east and south. Hives need sunshine and some shade on summer afternoons, advises BackYardHive.

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SPRING YARD AND GARDEN TIPS FROM A LOCAL PRO

G

BY NATHAN BOWE For Spring Home

etting the itch to get out and start working in the yard and gardens? Don’t try to do too much, too soon — you can damage your plants. That’s the advice of Marsha Watland of the Becker Soil and Water Conservation District.

“It’s important not to trim back your perennials too soon,” she says. “Let the frost come out of the ground — you don’t want to disturb the crown areas too soon.”

When it’s time, trim perennials down to 2-3 inches from the ground.

Same goes for raking the lawn too soon.

“May would be a great time for cleanup on the average lawn,” she says. Popular lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass have shallow root systems that can be damaged by early yardwork.

14 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

“If you start raking too soon it will open your lawn up to dandelions,” she says. “Let it get established, a good firm grip. That means the frost has to come out of the ground.”

One thing you can do while the ground is still frozen is clean up stems and dead leaves from around plants, taking care not to pull up perennials.

Wait out the frost

Once the ground is firm and the frost is out, then rake the area. For a healthy lawn, mowing height should be 2-3 inches — the roots will get deeper and that reduces problems with weeds.

Once you have mowed the yard, apply a lawn fertilizer. There are a lot of fertilizer and herbicide mixes that can be applied at the same time.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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“

May would be a great time for cleanup on the average lawn.

”

- MARSHA WATLAND, BECKER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Use herbicides in the early morning

Expect a lot of weed seeds in mulch from public drop sites. Watland advised gardners to let the mulch set for 10 days and see what germinates, then use Roundup (weed killer), which has a 10-day lifespan, and wait another 10 days before you plant. Apply Roundup again if more weeds come up and wait another 10 days before planting.

“If people have questions with herbicides, they can ask me,” she says. “The timing of herbicide application is very important to our native pollinators. You want it dry and early in the morning before the pollinators start moving.”

She usually sprays at around 6 a.m. and doesn’t recommend going past 8 a.m.

When adding a new garden, she says, make sure the soil is loose and not compacted. Remove all grass and other vegetation and spray with Roundup. Wait 10 days, see what germinates, and spray Roundup again if needed, then wait 10 days before planting.

She suggests planting perennials in the springtime or summer.

“I’m not big on fall planting, except it’s a good time to seed your lawn and prepare perennials for the winter,” she says. Throughout the summer, in fact, “you can plant anything in a container,” but you have to be willing to water them regularly.

like Lilacs and Forsythia, then don’t trim them in the spring, she says.

The rule of thumb is that, for spring-blooming shrubs, do not prune until the plants have completed blooming. But be sure to prune before August, since plants set flower buds in the fall.

For fall-blooming shrubs, it is OK to prune in the springtime.

For shrubs that bloom on two-year-old stems, be sure not to prune to the ground. This is where it helps to have a gardening notebook that covers the care of the different plants.

To do gardening right, you need to know your plants and stay on top of their needs as the seasons change.

“Start a gardening notebook or gardening Excel program,” Watland advises. “With the new plants you pick up, know what you need to do in spring, summer and fall.”

Keep track of information such as the care and soils that each plant needs. And make sure you choose plants that are not aggressive for both garden and foundation plantings.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Pruning and dividing

Spring is a good time to assess winter kill and new growth coming in.

“Some perennials like to be divided in spring and some like to be divided in the fall,” Watland says.

Make sure to get information on the specific plant to determine when it should be divided.

When pruning, never remove more than 25 percent of limbs on a tree, and don’t prune on a rainy day. Fire blight and other spores, viruses and bacteria spread easily in the rain, she says.

When it comes to shaping shrubs, not all should be trimmed in the spring. If they bloom in the spring, Forsythia Flowers.

16 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Save the bees

Plants that are friendly to pollinators are very popular these days, but not all pollinator seed packages are equal.

“Look at the seed varieties in there and look to see if annuals are in there,” Watland says.

“They’re less expensive, but with all the pollinators we deal with, look for annuals or plan on planting that same area over and over.”

Don’t be afraid to use a pollinator package of native seeds — they’re better for native bees and other native pollinators, she says. And it’s OK to mix native and nonnative plants; as a former landscaper, Watland says they mix well.

You can get native pollinator packages from the Becker Soil and Water Conservation District.

Whether you are growing native or nonnative plants, or a mixture of both, make sure you water them faithfully and baby them the first year.

And be aware that when you spray your yard for mosquitoes, “it kills everything,” including bees and other insects, she says.

Stumped by a plant?

If you move to a new home and don’t recognize some of the garden plants, or weeds that come up, you can always bring in samples to the Extension Service for Master Gardeners to identify on Friday mornings, Watland says.

If you have soil questions, check with the Becker Soil and Water Conservation District, which offers soil testing kits to the public.

One thing Watland learned over the years is that new homeowners or lake cabin owners should give it a year before launching a major landscaping project.

“If you just bought a place, people need to know how they’re going to use the yard,” she says.

Same goes for lake access on a lake lot: “It’s really important to use the lake lot for a year before you decide where you want access to the lake and where you want play areas.”

Often the space is used differently than people think at first blush. Children’s play spaces like sandboxes or swing sets should be in the shade, and they can go into sunny areas for shorter times, to cool off in a pool, for instance.

“Happy kids play in the shade, crabby, tired kids play in the sun,” she says.

For those interested, Watland recommends an upcoming Native Plant and Rain Garden Workshop in Frazee on May 16. Register through Frazee Community Education.

Submitted Photo

A bumble bee comes in for a landing.

18 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

Submitted Photo Trisha Lake is the owner and CEO of TLC Cleaning, which takes on clients within a 30-mile radius of both Detroit Lakes and Fargo.

SPRING CLEANING:

WHERE TO START, FINISH AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

S

BY VICKI GERDES For Spring Home

pring is a time of renewal — planting a new garden, starting a new construction or landscaping project, freshening up your home decor.

But the first step to tackling most of these projects is something that, for many, is the most unpleasant aspect of the whole endeavor: Spring cleaning.

If the task appears a bit too daunting, TLC Cleaning owner/operator Trisha Lake suggests starting small.

“Don’t think of cleaning and organizing the whole home at once,” she says. “Focus on one room at a time and you won’t feel so overwhelmed.”

Lake, who works with clients within a 30-mile radius of both Detroit Lakes and Fargo, suggests starting on a room by clearing out everything you don’t intend to keep.

“I find the best way to get started is to declutter as much as you can,” says Lake, adding that the first step is getting rid of “anything you don’t need or use anymore.”

(Another tip: If you haven’t used something in the past year, you probably don’t need it.)

“Have two or more boxes handy and label them,” Lake continues, noting that either large boxes or totes can be used. Labels should be simple, like ‘donate,’ ‘trash’ and ‘keep.’

“This will help clear space for easier cleaning,” she explains.

Other items you should have on hand before starting include: • Microfiber cloths; • Magic erasers (or a similar product); • Multi-purpose cleaner; CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019 | 19

• Dawn dish soap; • Degreaser.

(Having a checklist can be helpful in keeping track of what still needs to be done in each room, so you don’t miss anything.)

Persistent problems with dust? Lake suggests changing the air filters in your home once or even twice a year, depending on the level of the problem.

“Vacuum your carpets as many times as the number of household members — including pets — each week,” she adds. “Declutter as much as possible.

Many objects equal many surfaces for dust to land and build up on.”

Rust problems? Lake says, “Your best friend to get rid of pesky rust stains will be (cleaning product) Bar Keeper’s Friend. I personally go to the spray foam kind as it sits easier on surfaces.”

Soap scum? Lake suggests one easy solution is to use liquid soap rather than bar soap to keep clean.

“We find that a huge majority of soap scum that we come across is from bar soap in showers and tubs,” she says.

“If you do use bar soap, store it farthest away from running water when you bathe, to keep it from running down your walls and creating a layer of build up that will be tough to scrub out when you go to clean.”

“

Spring is the best time to think about freshening up your carpets and rugs…

Steam cleaning is not only perfect for getting those heavy traffic areas cleared up but it also keeps your carpet fibers from wearing down and looking flat and dull

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- TRISHA LAKE, OWNER/OPERATOR OF TLC CLEANING

throughout the past several months,” Lake says.

“Steam cleaning is not only perfect for getting those heavy traffic areas cleared up but it also keeps your carpet fibers from wearing down and looking flat and dull.”

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When you do encounter rust or soap scum, Lake suggests using magic erasers.

“They work amazingly well on soap scum and rust,” she says. “Always keep some handy in your home.”

The heavy snow load this winter has also created lots of issues with leakage, and even, in some cases, flooding. If you’ve had flooding or water damage in your home, whether due to Mother Nature, a leaky roof or plumbing issues, Lake suggests the following: “First, I would get the supplies needed to pump as much water out of my home as fast as I could. While the water is pumping out, I would be gathering any items that are in contact with the water and move them to a dryer place, with fans blowing on them to dry them out quicker. Get as many fans drying out the flooded room as you can, as soon as you have the water pumped out.”

Once everything is dry, give the room a thorough cleaning, top to bottom.

When all your walls, appliances, cabinets, closets and furniture have been thoroughly cleaned, the final step is deep cleaning the floors — including carpets and rugs.

“Spring is the best time to think about freshening up your carpets and rugs from the harsh winter weather of ice, snow and salt getting tracked on them daily

SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019 | 21

SPARE ROOM REHAB BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO AN OLD ROOM

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o you have an extra spare room in your house that hardly ever gets used? Here are some ideas on how to renovate a vacant room into a more useful space — or a playful place.

• Hobby haven: Set up a crafting room, homebrewing station or artist’s studio, whatever you’re interested in. Figure out which supplies you will need and begin reworking that former bedroom into a new sanctuary for leisure interests.

• At-home gym: Build a mini studio right at home.

Fill an old bedroom with fitness equipment, such as an elliptical trainer, a bench press and free weights. Store rolled-up mats in the closet for yoga or Pilates sessions.

• Expanded bathroom: If space is at a premium in the bathroom, borrow some square footage from an empty bedroom and turn it into a spa. Install a soaking tub separate from the shower, and fill the room with other amenities, such as a warming lamp or even a small sauna.

• Laundry room: If you’ve always wanted a mainfloor laundry area, or if you just need a laundry File Photo room in your home, at any level, a spare bedroom Give an old spare room a fresh purpose, like this bedroom that has been transformed into a home gym. may be the place to put one.

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You’ll need to look into plumbing costs for water supply and drainage.

Home office: Turn a bedroom or den into an office space with a new desk and bookshelves.

Install a barn door or french-style doors for a less bedroom-y feel.

Library: Create a dedicated book storage and reading area with freestanding or built-in wall-towall bookshelves, a comfortable spot to sit, some reading lamps and a few plants.

Bar lounge: Transform a spare bedroom, particularly if it’s a downstairs room, into an File Photo intimate home cocktail bar. Choose a fun A smaller extra bedroom easily converts into a spacious walk-in decorating theme, put in a bar with a sink, mini closet. fridge and wine rack, and get ready to impress your guests.

Walk-in closet: A smaller extra bedroom easily converts into a sizable walk-in closet; the addition of shelving, drawers, hooks and rods will give you Jean’s has everything you plenty of room for clothing and shoe storage. Add need to get your spring a vanity and/or full-length mirror and you’ve got projects started! Not quite sure where to start? Stop in and a whole new luxurious space for getting dressed talk to our knowledgeable staff and ready.

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MUST-HAVES

FOR AN AMAZING KITCHEN REMODEL

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itchen remodels are among the most popular home renovation projects, whether they consist of simply swapping out cabinet hardware or doing major demolition.

Due to the sheer amount of time families spend in the kitchen, not to mention the number of tasks performed in this space, it is easy to see why Remodeling magazine consistently ranks kitchen renovations as projects that will enable homeowners to recoup a high percentage of their investments.

In the magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report, midrange major kitchen remodels, costing an average of $63,829, recouped 59 percent of that investment.

When investing in a kitchen project, it is important to incorporate items that are coveted: • Deep, double sinks: Having a double sink enables you to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other. It also makes it easy to wash and prep produce for meals.

• Kitchen island and bar stools: Even though File Photo many meals are enjoyed around the table, there’s Kitchen remodels are exciting to envision, and several design something to be said for the convenience of choices can make these high-traffic spaces even more coveted.

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a kitchen island and some well-placed bar stools for quick breakfasts or snacks.

Smart kitchen storage: Work with a contractor to include storage solutions built into cabinetry and the pantry. Slide-out shelving, nooks for a paper towel roll and custom-designed areas to store stand mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional.

Outdoor access: If possible, design a kitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors.

This can make outdoor entertaining or even coffee on the deck much easier.

Under-cabinet lighting: Fixtures installed under cabinets provide both ambient lighting and task lighting. Such lighting makes it easier to see what you’re working on, as well, as even well-placed overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and spots on the counters.

Convenient warming drawer: This appliance provides backup to the oven. It’s a slide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm until they are ready to be served.

This is particularly handy for holidays and other entertaining.

Beverage station: Designate one area of the kitchen to beverages, such as coffee and tea. Or make the area an informal bar. This can limit traffic in the kitchen to a single area.

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SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019 | 25

EMERGING DECK TRENDS

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ustom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Certain deck trends have emerged as industry experts’ top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these trends are on point.

• Established perimeters: “Picture framing” is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs that conceal the ends of deck boards for a clean finish. Some designs feature contrasting material colors on the ends for even more impact. This helps create refined perimeters for a polished look.

• Roof-top decking: Many new condominium and townhouse communities are incorporating roof-top decks into their designs, particularly in communities with water views or other impressive vistas. HGTV experts suggest roof-top decks File Photo feature light-colored materials and fixtures to help Deck trends continue to improve on the form and function of keep the area cool even in direct sunlight. outdoor living spaces.

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incorporate water or fire elements for visual • Distressed hardwood: Builder and Developer, appeal. Gas-fueled fire elements can expand the a management resource for professional functionality of decks beyond the warm seasons, homebuilders, says that the trend for using or make enjoying them practical on nights when distressed hardwoods at home has migrated the temperature plummets. outside. Some decking manufacturers have recently introduced low-maintenance composite deck boards that mimic the look and feel of distressed, rustic hardwood flooring. This weathered appearance gives the look of age without the upkeep of real aged wood.

• Wooden walkways: Decking can be the more traditional design people envision with a patio table or outdoor furniture. But it also can consist of wooden walkways or a low-laying patio to accentuate the yard.

• Mixed materials: Homeowners may be inspired by commercial eateries, breweries and urban markets in their exterior design choices. Decks featuring composite materials and aluminum railings blend sophistication and comfort.

• Personal touches: Homeowners can customize their decks with personal touches. It’s not unheard of to wrap columns in stone or glass tiles for more impact. And a vast array of decking colors now File Photo enables fun interpretations for outdoor areas.

Custom-built decks can expand a home’s usable outdoor • Fire pit conversation area: Many decks can entertaining space.

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File Photo Ticks are problematic, but various measures can help control tick populations in a yard.

CREATE A SAFE, TICK-FREE ZONE IN YOUR YARD

D

espite their diminutive stature, ticks are a big concern for people, particularly those with pets.

As the weather warms, ticks are out looking for a host to climb on and get a blood meal from.

Ticks are a significant concern because they can be infected with bacteria, viruses or parasites, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis are just a few of the many tick-borne diseases. These pathogens can be passed to humans and pets via the bite of infected ticks.

In 2018, at least one variety of disease-transmitting tick had been found in all of the lower 48 states, according to the CDC. Preventing tick bites has never been more important. The process starts right in one’s own backyard.

According to Consumer Reports and the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, 28 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

controlling wildlife that enters one’s yard can help keep tick numbers down. Open access means animals can enter, and so can ticks. Fencing and pest management solutions may help.

Other ideas include landscaping techniques that can reduce tick populations: • Remove leaf litter from the yard.

• Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edges of the lawn. Mow regularly to keep the lawn short.

• Create a barrier between wooded areas and the yard if it abuts a forested area. According to Consumer Reports, a three-foot-wide path of wood chips or gravel can prevent tick migration by creating a physical barrier that’s dry and sometimes too hot for ticks to tolerate. Such a barrier also serves as a visual reminder to anyone in your household to be especially careful if they

• • •

step beyond the perimeter.

Bag grass clippings, which can serve as habitat for ticks.

Remove old furniture, trash and other debris that can give ticks places to hide.

Remember to use a tick-repellent product when venturing into wooded areas. Flea and tick products also are available for pets; consult with a veterinarian.

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SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019 | 29

HOW LAWNS BENEFIT FROM AERATION

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ompacted soil can have a dramatic effect on grass. Compacted soil blocks oxygen, water and nutrients from reaching the root systems of the turf. That creates a lawn with weak roots, which make grass more vulnerable to disease and compromising its ability to withstand harsh weather, such as summer heat.

The buildup of thatch, which is a matted layer of grass clippings and other organic debris that collects on the top of the soil, is one indicator that a lawn could benefit from aeration, a process in which the surface of the lawn is perforated to break up compacted soil and allow oxygen, water and nutrients to reach root systems. Other signs that aeration may be necessary include patches of thin grass, brown spots and a high concentration of clay in the soil.

When faced with a lawn that could benefit from aeration, homeowners may wonder if such as task lends itself to DIY or if it’s best left to professional landscapers. Aerating a lawn is not always easy, and typically it involves the use of one of three types of aerators: • Core aerator: A core aerator uses hollow tines to pull plugs of soil from the lawn. The plugs are left on the surface of the lawn. Homeowners can pick up the plugs or, according to the grass seed experts at Pennington, leave them in the yard and allow them to break down.

• Spike aerator: Spike aerators employ solid, spikelike tines to poke holes in the soil. These aerators leave the spikes in the soil. Some people wear spiked aeration shoes while walking around the yard to mimic the effects of spike aerators.

• Slicing aerator: According to Pennington, slicing aerators employ rotating blades that slice through thatch and down into the soil. These aerators leave the soil in the ground.

Aerators can be operated manually, though professionals tend to use motorized aerators. The machines are often heavy, so homeowners should consider their health and physical ability before deciding to aerate on their own. Hiring a professional landscaper who has experience aerating may the quickest and most effective way to restore a lawn to full health.

File Photo

Patches of thin grass, brown spots and a high concentration of clay in the soil are all signs that aeration may be necessary in your yard.

30 | SPRING HOME MAGAZINE 2019

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