Your Dream Home March 2022

Your

DREAM HOME EVERYTHING FOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE HOUSE MARCH 2022

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Kitchen & Bath • Additions • Basements • In-Law Suites • Sunrooms • Outdoor Living

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March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 3

around the home

Welcome Home!

Thoughtful (and Useful) Designer Housewarming Gifts

MWW Handcrafted Design: Modern birdhouse.

WEST ELM

W

hether you’re searching for a hostess gift or something for a new homeowner, look no further than these practical and stylish ideas.

Monika Lubkowska-Jonas: Bubble rocking tumblers

$60 | We love the bubbleinspired iridescent finish and rounded bottoms on this set of four 12-ounce lead-free crystal drinking glasses. The hand-painted tumblers are hand-wash only.

MWW Handcrafted Design: Modern birdhouse $65-$70 |

This sleek, minimalist birdhouse, available in eight fun colors, is made with vintage barn wood and comes with a leather strap for hanging. It is handmade in Pinckney, Mich.

Open Sea Design Co.: Garden plant care journal $24 | What

indoor gardener wouldn’t want a place to track their houseplants’ growth and health, along with their responses to water and light? Pair this journal with a potted succulent or pothos.

Roopip: Coiled cotton bowl $40 | These simple but

elegant 8- by 3-inch bowls are handwoven in South Africa using locally sourced cotton.

They are a perfect catchall for keys, change, jewelry, hand towels and more.

Tal & Bert: Blue calcite mod planter $75-$150 | These

concrete planters come in three sizes (3-inch, 4-inch and 5-inch) and feature a geode crack embedded with raw natural minerals.Texture and shading varies.

Anthropologie: Modern tea and toast mug set $32 | There’s

nothing cozier than a cuppa in the midst of winter. Pair this set with a favorite tea and some jam or preserves for a comforting holiday or hostess gift.

John Derian: Six-inch wine coasters $60 | These coasters,

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Anthropologie: Modern tea and toast mug set.

4 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

handmade from collaged paper under blown glass, are available with botanical prints, butterflies and other images. They are made to order, so allow 2-4 weeks for production.

FLÎKR Fire: Personal concrete fireplace.

Letterfolk: Tile mat $75-$100 | We love the personal touch of these vinyl mats that resemble hexagonal tile, come in a variety of bright colors and feature removable caps that you can use to create your own designs.

FLÎKR Fire: Personal concrete fireplace $99 | Bring on the

s’mores, without the hassle of building a big fire. This 5-by4-inch mini firepit, fueled by rubbing alcohol, can be used outdoors or indoors (in a wellventilated space).

Harlem Candle Co.: Gold wick trimmer $20 | Experts say that

keeping wicks trimmed can help

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candles last longer. Pair these brass trimmers with a candle for a perfect housewarming, hostess or holiday combo.

Moglea: Sunrise clock

$104 | Each of these beautiful wood clocks from the Iowabased design studio is handpainted, which means your gift is guaranteed to be one of a kind.

Karen Jai Home: Jeju floor pads $68 | Floor pillows just got a

major upgrade: These handmade water hyacinth pads, 16 inches in diameter, are stylish and functional at once. ­— The Washington Post A special supplement to The Frederick News-Post

A special supplement to The Frederick News-Post

March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 5

renovation

Bright Alternative I

f you’ve been thinking about adding a solar power system to your home, you aren’t alone.

Some 3 million systems sit atop American roofs, including about 400,000 that were installed each year in 2019 and 2020, according to Becca Jones-Albertus, director of the Solar Energy Technologies Office at the U.S. Energy Department.

For many homeowners, the decision to go solar is a two-part process. The first is the financial side: Will the investment ultimately pay for itself and reduce or eliminate electric bills? Assuming the answer is yes, then you are ready to dive into the second — and more practical — part of the process: How do I get quality solar photovoltaic panels installed at my home by trustworthy professionals?

Here are answers to some basic

6 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

What you need to know about installing solar panels questions to get you started.

and use it later.

How does solar work?

Is my roof good for solar?

Multiple panels are wired together into a solar array. When sunlight hits the panels, the energy is converted into usable electricity.

Your home consumes the electricity produced by the system.

The solar array connects to the local grid, so you receive electricity when panels aren’t producing enough or any electricity. The grid also stores any excess solar energy you produce and, through “net metering,” ensures you get credit for all of the electricity your system creates, whether you consume it immediately or send it to the grid

Adequate sunlight is key. Solar panels won’t work for rooftops heavily shaded by trees or adjacent structures, says Jason Gonos, co-owner of Power Production Management in Gainesville, Florida. Other roadblocks include insufficient roof space, a complex roof design, or the age and slope of your roof. Typically, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees. However, east- and west-facing roofs also work. A good starting point is the website of real estate company Zillow,

THE WASHINGTON POST

Jones-Albertus says. Type in your address and look for the Sun Number score. The Sun Number ranks the suitability of a structure’s rooftop on a scale of one to 100.

The higher the number, the better suited a home is for solar.

My roof is kind of old.

Does that matter?

Yes. Your roof should be less than 10 years old or, if it’s a roof with a longer-lasting material, such as tile or slate, have at least 10 years of life left. It should also be in good to excellent condition.

Why? “Because if you have to replace your roof for any reason other than insured storm damage, it is expensive to uninstall and then reinstall the panels and frames,” Gonos says.

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March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 7

moving

Americans Stay Put Contrary to Popular Belief, No Great Migration in Pandemic

C

ontrary to popular belief, there has been no great migration in the U.S. during the pandemic.

New figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that the proportion of people who moved over the past year fell to its lowest level in the 73 years that it has been tracked, in contradiction to popular anecdotes that people left cities en masse to escape COVID-19 restrictions or in search of more bucolic lifestyles.

“Millennials living in New York City do not make up the world,” joked Thomas Cooke, a demographic consultant in Connecticut. “My millennial daughter’s friends living in Williamsburg, dozens of them came home. It felt like the world had suddenly moved, but in reality, this is not surprising at all.”

In 2021, more than 27 million people, or 8.4 percent of U.S. residents, reported having moved in the past year, according to the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

By comparison, 9.3 percent of U.S. residents moved from 2019 to 2020. Three decades ago, that figure was 17 percent.

Besides giving rise to shelterin-place restrictions, the COVID pandemic may have forced people to postpone life-cycle events such as marriages or having babies that often lead to moves. But the decline is part of a decades-long migration decline in the U.S., said William Frey, a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution.

“These numbers show a lot of people didn’t move or moved at a slower rate,” Frey said. “But it’s a longer-term trend.”

That’s not to say that nobody

8 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Students finish loading belongings into a U-Haul truck as they move out of their dorm in Washington on March 18, 2020.

The proportion of people who moved over the past year fell to its lowest rate in the 73 years that it has been tracked, in a refutation of popular anecdotes that there was a great migration in the U.S. during the pandemic, according to figures released Wednesday, Nov. 17 by the U.S. Census Bureau. moved. The one uptick in mobility patterns last year took place in longer-distance moves, from state to state, compared to moves within a state or county. Those 4.3 million residents who moved to another state may have done so because of the pandemic, Frey said.

Demographic expert Andrew Beveridge used change-ofaddress data to show that while people moved out of New York, particularly in well-heeled neighborhoods, at the height of the pandemic, those neighborhoods recouped their numbers just months later. Regarding the nation as a whole, Beveridge said he’s not

surprised migration declined.

“The same thing happened during the financial crisis. Nobody moved. Nobody got married.

Nobody had kids,” said Beveridge, a sociology professor at Queens College and the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York. “All demographic change sort of just screeches to a halt.”

Other factors contributing to Americans staying put have been an aging population, since older people are less likely to move than younger ones; the ability to telecommute for work, which allowed some workers to change

jobs without having to move; and rising home prices and rents that kept some would-be movers in place, demographers said.

“I think the boom in remote work because of COVID coupled with the economic shock is the big reason,” said Mary Craigle, bureau chief for Montana’s Research and Information Services.

Mobility in the U.S. has been on a downward slide since 1985 when 20 percent of U.S. residents moved. That was an era when Baby Boomers were young adults, beginning careers, getting married and starting families. ­— The Associated Press

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Budget-Friendly Dining Room Renovation Ideas

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f the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the dining room may be akin to one of its arteries. The mood created in the kitchen spreads to the dining space where family and friends gather to eat and enjoy one another’s company.

Dining rooms can get lost in the home renovation shuffle, as many homeowners tend to focus on renovating kitchens and bathrooms instead. Homeowners do not have to invest a lot of money in renovations to give their dining spaces awe-inspiring makeovers.

Here’s how to do so on a budget.

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• Lighten and brighten. Dining rooms were once very formal spaces. Dark woods, large pieces of furniture, over-the-top chandeliers, and other details could be found in many homes. But now that houses are being built with open floor plans, dining rooms can blend with other spaces, which have moved to lighter colored walls, flooring and furniture. A fresh coat of vibrant paint can work wonders and it doesn’t cost much. If you can’t remove a floor, cover it with a brightly colored area rug.

• Improve lighting. Make the chandelier the statement piece of the space. Go for a bold color or an innovative design. Then add accessories throughout the space that coordinate with the chandelier.

• Add bench seating. Those who need additional seating may not have to get entirely new furniture. Swap out some chairs for benches, which can fit a couple more guests than chairs.

• Create depth with color. HGTV says that using various shades of the same color in a space can add depth. Coordinate drapes, walls, seat fabrics, and accessories for a cohesive design.

Renovating a dining room doesn’t require a large investment of time and money. A few simple steps can give dining spaces a whole new feel without busting homeowners’ budgets. ­— The Washington Post

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March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 9

remodel

Building Relationships B rian Gawthrop has waited over six months to remodel his home.

The Washington statebased certified financial planner and his wife have a long enough wish list to keep a contractor busy: a kitchen remodel, new flooring, a new deck and many other upgrades.

They did a cash-out refinance last summer, which lowered their mortgage rate and gave them money to use toward home improvements. They planned to start soon after receiving the cash, but by mid-December Gawthrop still hadn’t found the right contractor.

Contractors say pandemicprompted home remodels have kept their schedules full, while labor and material shortages have extended project timelines. That means the next contractor you call may be more selective about the projects they accept, and your quote may be higher than you expected.

Here’s how to stand out in a crowd of homeowners vying for a contractor’s attention.

Get a referral

A contractor may be more likely to call you back if an existing customer refers you. You can try a friend, family member or neighbor who’s had work done recently.

Mike Williams, owner of Maryland Professional Contractors, says when he has dozens of voicemails, referrals get the first calls back.

Williams says he enjoys working with new customers, but the referral network supports his business.

“That base supports about seven full-time employees right now,” he says. “I know that was there before this boom, so I’m pretty sure after the boom we’ll 10 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

he says a reputable contractor will use your budget to help you assess options, not overcharge you.

Your budget may need to be higher than before the pandemic, he says. Wood prices skyrocketed last spring and still haven’t fallen to their pre-pandemic levels.

Other materials, like shingles and siding, are also more expensive than they were in 2019, Starmer says.

Larkin recommends getting an itemized estimate in case you need to find opportunities to cut costs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

How to Attract Busy Contractors to Your Home Remodel have that referral base.”

You might also use your real estate agent. Williams says about half of his referrals come from agents.

Be patient — and nice

For Williams, summer is the busy season and demand starts to drop in the fall; last year, however, he stayed busy through the end of the year. Renovation timelines could be delayed by backlogged city permit requests, a shortage of subcontractors and backordered materials.

Christina Starmer, building contractor at CenterBeam Construction in Jacksonville, Florida, says she returns every customer’s call, but acknowledges that not all contractors do.

“I think it’s really important to be extremely kind to the customers and call them back, but the customers right now are just extremely frustrated because they can’t get anyone to pick up

the phone,” she says.

Frustrating as it is, don’t let anger get the best of you. Starmer says renovations are hard work, and a little empathy goes a long way.

If someone is unkind early on, Starmer assumes they’ll be unkind to her staff as well, and usually moves on to a new client.

Know what you want

Research finishes, like cabinets and countertops, before calling a contractor because they can make a big difference in the project’s cost, says Jonathan Larkin , sales manager of St. Paul, Minnesotabased JoNick Construction.

“It’s much easier to write up a bid if somebody has some solid ideas of what they really want,” he says.

If you don’t have the details ironed out, Larkin recommends setting a budget ahead of time.

Giving a number may feel like relinquishing leverage, but

Protect your finances

Gawthrop says his wife wants to start their renovations sooner than later, but he wants to stay budget-conscious. In this market, he says price seems largely at the discretion of contractors.

“It kind of feels like the wild west,” he says.

But you can maintain control of your finances.

For example, ask to build a pricing buffer into the contract.

Larkin says if material costs increase or decrease by more than 12 percent between the time he makes a bid and when the project starts, he’ll correct the bid. This helps protect him and his customers from volatile materials prices, he says.

If you’re not paying for the renovation in cash, compare financing options. For example, home equity financing typically comes with single-digit rates and repayment terms of 10 or more years, while personal loans can have rates between 6 percent and 36 percent but shorter terms of one to seven years.

Weigh each type of financing to find one that works best for you. ­— NerdWallet

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March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 11

décor

TARGET

Artificial branch plant arrangement from Target.

CB2

CB2’s faux potted succulent.

BLOOMIST

The EcoFaux arbequina olive spray from Bloomist.

Fantastic and Fake The Best, Most Realistic-Looking Artificial Plants for Decorating Your Home

F

aux houseplants used to be, well, a faux pas. Interior designer Jennifer Davis of Minneapolis was recently staging a house for a woman who had been trained in interior design 60 years ago. She said her professor would “roll in her grave if she used faux plants.” In her time, artificial plants were a strict no-no, probably because they looked as fake as they were.

That’s no longer the case.

Today’s artificial houseplants look closer to the original than the plastic-y ones designers of yore abhorred. “In the past 10 years or so, the quality has improved tremendously,” says Leia Ward of the staging firm LTW Design in New Canaan, Connecticut, noting that these days it’s harder to tell artificial ones from the real thing.

As live plants have become more popular to own in the past few years, some people are finding that they either can’t keep plants alive or parts of their homes don’t have enough light. “The younger

12 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

generations are really busy, focused on kid things, focused on their careers,” Davis says. “They might not have the attention span to focus on live plants every day.”

Enter the fakes, which are growing in popularity right along with real plants. In response to this demand, in 2019, even the New York-based online plant delivery business the Sill launched a faux plant line. When plant and interior stylist Hilton Carter, based in Baltimore, did a plant line for Target this year, he made sure to include faux options. “Faux can help an individual elevate a space when they’re trying to pull in as much greenery as possible,” Carter says.

Quality faux plants can be worth the investment, Davis says, to get the most realistic version — though a discerning eye could even find one at less-expensive big-box stores. Wherever you shop, look for variation in leaf color and shape.

Often, fake houseplants come

in “pretty sad” pots, Davis says, so look for ones with character.

Check the height of the plant inside its new pot, and prop it up if needed. Put preserved moss around the plant’s base, says Erin Marino, editorial lead at the Sill, to give it added life, and replace the moss once it becomes too dusty.

If there are wire stems, Davis suggests bending them to make the branches look as though they are aiming for light.

Caring for faux houseplants

Though they are easy to care for, fake plants aren’t necessarily no-maintenance. Marino recommends dusting the leaves occasionally to keep them looking real. “You can use a paper towel, feather duster, even a hair dryer on low,” she says.

Try to keep them out of bright direct light and avoid spaces with high moisture, both of which could discolor the plants faster, Marino advises. If they do get Decorate with a mix If you can, use both real and fake stains, try spot-cleaning them with plants in your home. In areas that a cloth and warm, soapy water. can support live plants, go for it, Forget worrying about but in dark areas, don’t be afraid to overwatering, under-watering, go faux. seeking out sun, and pesky bugs.

Also vary the type of faux plants “Faux plants make life a little you choose. “It’s always important simpler,” Ward says. to have a mix of sizes, colors, “It’s OK to have a faux plant shapes, varieties, just to create that in your home,” Carter reassures. sort-of outdoor look,” Carter says.

“Don’t feel pressured to always “You don’t look outside and see the shove these living plants into the same type of plant, tree, shrub. ... corners of your home and then Mixing it up can make it feel more have them die on you.” tropical or more desert. ... Lushness ­— The Washington Post is what I go for.”

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around the home

How to Make Your Bed

S

Undercover Work

lipping into a well-made bed is a reward at the end of a long day.

But many of us give more thought to constructing a great sandwich than to layering the right components for a bed that is comfy and cozy, that looks stylish and inviting — and that doesn’t have the sheets all scrunched up at the bottom.

Yes, some people seem to be able to fall asleep on anything. “But most of us need a comfortable setup, and bedding is so important in getting a good night’s sleep,” says Keith Cushner, product expert at sleepfoundation. org. “If you are uncomfortable, you just won’t sleep well.”

We asked three experts — a bedding designer, a cleaning expert and an interior designer — to weigh in on setting up and maintaining a stylish, comfortable bed. Here’s what they had to say.

The basics: Bed-Making and Caring 101

First things first: Do you know how to make your bed? Melissa Homer, chief cleaning officer at MaidPro, offered the following tips to help you get your sheets, pillows and blankets just right.

Start with the fitted sheet, hooking the pockets as far as they will go over each corner of the mattress, beginning in the most difficult corner to reach if the bed is pushed against walls. Then lay out the top sheet — if you still use one — with the patterned/finished side facing down, because it will give things a more finished look when you fold back the sheet.

If you like to add blankets, lay them on top of the sheet, then fold back the top of the sheet six to eight inches and tuck it tightly under the mattress on three sides.

Spread your comforter, duvet

THE WASHINGTON POST

or bedspread over the bed and smooth it out.

Put pillows in pillowcases and fluff and smooth them. If you just have sleeping pillows, place them flat at the top of the bed. If you have decorative pillows, place the sleeping pillows upright and layer the decorative pillows in front, from largest to smallest, in a symmetrical, centered pattern.

Homer says you can get away with washing sheets twice a month — unless you are someone who sweats a lot, eats in bed or has pets. Then, go for weekly washing.

“Modern detergents are designed to get you excellent results in cold water, but the ideal temperature is warm,” she says. Always read washing instructions before you buy. “If you have unpredictable members of your household, such as pets or children, do not buy

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anything for your bed that can’t go into the washing machine,” Homer says.

Spring for new mattress covers when you get a new mattress or if yours show signs of wear. “It’s the number one step to make sure your investment lasts as long as possible,” Homer says. Find one that protects against bedbugs, allergens, vomit, spills from drinking or snacking in bed and child accidents. She recommends encasement covers, which shield the mattress. “They used to be rubbery and noisy, but now they feel like nothing,” she says. She likes the SureGuard mattress encasement ($49.97 for the queen size, Amazon) for both mattress and box spring. (Yes, it’s a good idea to also cover your box spring if you have one.)

Wash poly-fill pillows every

six to 12 months, Homer says, and use dryer balls when drying.

“Dryer balls gently whack into the bedding as it tumbles, breaking apart clumps of down and stuffing, so they dry fluffy instead of lumpy,” she says. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning for memory foam, down and other specialty pillows, because some can only be spotcleaned. Don’t forget to wash pillow protectors, too, Homer says, such as waterproof ones

by SureGuard ($27.97 a pair, Amazon).

If you struggle with a messy bed every morning and love tightly tucked sheets, Homer suggests using mattress suspenders (RayTour bedsheet straps $9.96, Amazon), which clip under your See BED 18 March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 13

14 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

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March 2022 | YOUR DREAM HOME 15

remodeling trends

Making the Best of a Small Dining Space

METRO

S

ome homeowners may aspire to have expansive dining rooms replete with seating for 12 beneath a stunning chandelier. That kind of space certainly makes hosting dinner parties easier. However, modern homes typically have small dining rooms that require homeowners or renters to be resourceful when entertaining guests.

Hosts may not be able to expand their dining spaces, but there are some clever ways to maximize every inch of a small dining room and even some smart solutions for those who don’t have dining rooms at all.

• Create the illusion of more space. Eating areas can be made to feel larger with a few tricks. A

16 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

mirror on the wall will reflect light and make the room appear larger.

In addition, a large-scale patterned floor or oversized artwork on the wall may make the room appear more spacious.

• Maximize seating. Chairs can take up a lot of room in a dining space. To maximize seating availability in smaller dining rooms — or in spaces where you need to create a seating area — look to built-in banquettes or bench seating. These ideas can help create an instant cozy nook and save on space in the process.

• Let space lead furniture choices. Depending on the size and shape of the room, select a table that will fit comfortably. A

round, pedestal table may take up less real estate in a smaller room than an oblong or rectangular one.

Also, if you have a narrow, galleytype dining space, select a narrow table and low-profile chairs. Again, benches may work well in narrow spaces.

• Utilize the kitchen island.

Many modern homes have no dedicated dining rooms but kitchens that open up to living rooms. Homeowners with kitchen islands can utilize large islands as dining areas, and they’re easy places to enjoy casual meals when stools are pulled up to the island.

• Install a drop-leaf table.

Drop-leaf tables do for dining spaces what Murphy beds do for

guest rooms. A wall-mounted drop-leaf table can be dropped down for entertaining and folded back up when the space needs to be repurposed.

• Lighten up the color palette.

Make dining spaces seem larger with brighter colors. Brightly colored decor, furniture and flooring can do the trick.

• Invest in storage pieces. A simple buffet can store silverware, table cloths, wine glasses, and more, but also serve double-duty as a bar or server for a buffet.

Petite dining spaces can be functional when space is maximized and design tricks are called into action. ­— Metro A special supplement to The Frederick News-Post

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SOLAR, continued from 6

the life of the system. If you have a smaller roof, you may opt for more Do panels work in all climates? efficient panels. Those with a larger You don’t have to live in famously roof may also choose high-efficiency sunny California or Arizona to go panels to use fewer of them overall, solar. In fact, one of the largest says Peter Faricy, chief executive of adopters of solar is Vermont, Jones- SunPower, a leading residential and Albertus says. Of course, panels commercial solar company based in produce more energy on clear, sunny San Jose. “Be sure to ask any potential days in the spring, summer and fall, installer if the suggested panels but even on winter’s shortest days are the most efficient you can buy. or during rainstorms, the panels will Consumers should look for panels generate some electricity. Although that are 20 percent efficient or more,” a snow-covered panel can’t generate he says. electricity, snow doesn’t stick too Are solar panels easily long to the steep, slick panels. damaged?

Are all solar panels alike?

Although panels operate similarly, the key difference is efficiency: how much sunlight they convert into energy. Typically, high-efficiency panels come with a higher price tag but produce more electricity over

They are built to withstand wind, hail, snow and torrential rain.

According to Gonos, at minimum, a solar panel can take a pummeling by up to one-inch hailstones. Any weather event that will break panels will probably damage your roof first.

BED, continued from 13

Degradation is a measurement of how much efficiency is lost over time. Faricy says panels should retain 80 to 90 percent of their efficiency over 25 years.

How do I find an installer?

Ask friends, neighbors and family who have gone solar about their experiences. Check review websites such as EnergySage, SolarReviews, ConsumerAffairs and Verified Reviews. When looking at reviews, make sure you are comparing your roof with ones of a similar material (slate, tile, shingle).

You want a company that has been in the business for a long time and is going to see the process through from beginning to end. Avoid those selling solar energy systems installed by a third party. These are intermediaries who hire contractors and bear no responsibility for installation quality or performance. “You want one that sweats the details,” Faricy says. For example, the installer should discreetly hide the conduit from the panels on the roof to the battery storage unit in the garage to maintain your home’s aesthetic qualities. Gonos is a proponent of local companies. “I like that I can walk into their office or showroom,” he says. ­— The Washington Post

Styling a well-dressed bed

Essential bedding building blocks

18 YOUR DREAM HOME | March 2022

What is degradation?

What am I looking for?

to transition my bed between seasons by adding or subtracting layers,” she says.

mattress and can anchor multiple layers of bedding at once.

Fun fact: You don’t have to make your bed as soon as you get up. In fact, it’s better not to. “Turn down your bed in the morning, and make your bed after breakfast,” Homer says. “Give your bed a chance to air out. Open your blinds for the sunshine to come in.” Let moisture from sweat dry out. “This will reduce allergens and dust mite colonies and won’t make your bed into a breeding ground for things that don’t make it smell so fresh,” she adds.

“It’s so important that people spend the time and energy to think about how to create and invest in a comfortable sleep experience,” says Ariel Kaye, founder and chief executive of Parachute, maker of stylish sheets, quilts, duvet covers and other bedroom essentials. “You will spend a third of your life in bed.”

After a mattress, pillows are the most important element in building a dreamy place to sleep. There are many varieties, including down, down alternative, memory foam, poly fill and buckwheat. Some unzip, so you can adjust the level of fill to your comfort level. Many pillows are marked for firmness, density or “loft.” Standard-size bed pillows (20 by 26 inches) are the typical choice;

“In fact, the biggest problem is not hail or storms. It’s squirrels that chew the wires,” says Ben Delman, spokesperson for Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that helps people go solar.

for a king-size bed, you might want a longer pillow (20 by 36 inches).

Kaye says she is a “maximalist” and likes to have one medium pillow and one firm. “Then I can layer them depending on what position I end up sleeping in,” she says. Side sleepers usually like a firmer and higher style to help them take the strain off their head, neck and back. Stomach sleepers might prefer a thinner version. “A super plump pillow forces a stomach sleeper’s head into a pinched angle,” Kaye says. She likes to add 26-inch European square pillows either in front of or behind sleeping pillows. “They add a nice polished look and are functional for

Dressing up your bed is a lot like dressing up yourself, says Melissa Sanabria, founder of D.C. design firm Sanabria & Co. Layering is key. The price of layers adds up, though, so when you choose bedding, you may have to start with the basics, then add decorative elements, such as throws, shams and quilts, over time.

“When I was a broke college student, I always invested in the best sheets I could afford, as that is the first layer that touches your skin,” Sanabria says. For the top layer, THE WASHINGTON POST she prefers duvets, which can be reading, watching TV or working in changed up with new covers. She recommends neutrals such as white bed,” she says. or tan for duvets or blankets, and she Start with two sets of sheets, so adds various colors and textures with you have one for the bed while the accessories. other is in the wash. Kaye likes the When it comes to pillows, classic choice, percale, which she don’t go overboard. On a queensays has “more of a cool hand feel.” size bed, Sanabria starts with two The Parachute line also includes sleeping pillows, then two pillows brushed cotton, which feels “worn with coordinating shams. Add two in like a T-shirt”; a smooth sateen with a warmer feel; and linen, which decorative square pillows, such as Crate and Barrel’s Eyelash pillow is heavier but still breathable. Kaye covers ($29.95) or West Elm’s Cotton says thread counts are often just marketing gimmicks. “Anything over Linen & Velvet Corners cover 400 is really not necessary” she says. ($42.50). Buy pillow inserts that are at Go for a comforter or duvet if you least one inch larger than the covers, like more warmth; a blanket or quilt so you get a really full look, she says. are lighter options, Kaye says. “I like ­— The Washington Post A special supplement to The Frederick News-Post

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