Spring 2017 Home Improvement

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 7, 2017/Page 8

Maximize Your Home’s Value With American Hardwood When it’s time to sell, hardwood floors not only add good looks, they increase the value of your home.

Here are some key findings from the survey to assist in getting the best value for your home:

Poplar ceiling beams add interest and beauty.

Between two similar properties, buyers will gravitate towards the home with hardwood floors, and that home will sell in half the time.

According to a nationwide survey of real estate agents commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association in 2012, 99 percent of respondents agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. In addition, 90 percent said these homes sell for more money.

Upgrade your kitchen prior to going on the market. Homes without updated kitchens will take longer to sell, and will sell for less. Buyers see kitchen upgrades as being rather expensive, so take that stress away

Bring Home Improvements to the NEXT LEVEL

from a prospective buyer. Simple cabinetry updates won’t break the bank, but they will result in a higher return on your investment. By swapping out dated doors and drawer pulls, a homeowner can get the look of a newly updated kitchen and save up to 50 percent of the cost of a complete overhaul. Architectural details – hardwood crown moulding, baseboards and other millwork – add depth and character, provide a finished

look, and change lackluster to extraordinary, so much so that according to the 2012 National Association of Home Builders’ What Home Buyers Really Want study, crown moulding ranks higher than other luxury features such as fireplaces, kitchen seating, and window seats. For more information on how to maximize your home’s value with American Hardwood, visit www.hardwoodinfo.com.

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HOME Spring HOME HOME HOME HOME

A Touch of

Home Decorating Tips • New Looks for Spring • Adding Color

Find the Experts & Ideas for Your Spring Home Improvement Needs! Supplement to The Freeborn Co. Shopper

SPRING 2017

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 7, 2017/Page 2

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 7, 2017/Page 7

Design Concepts for New Bathrooms

Create Drama With Bold Paint Colors Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space. Paint colors can dramatically change the mood and the design of a home. And depending on a homeowner's goals, paint can make a statement or blend into the background. Many people are now looking to bold colors to make spaces stand out. But choosing a paint color can be challenging. Homeowners looking to update walls and complement decor may want to look at some of the more impactful colors that Pantone indicates will be popular for the 2017 season. Primrose Yellow, Lapis Blue, Flame, Pink Yarrow, and Greenery are some of the more eye-catching selections. Once colors are selected, consider these guidelines for using bolder colors in room designs. · Decide how big an impact you want to make. Are you looking for color overload or just a small focal point of vivid color? Remember, using bold color doesn't mean every wall must be lathered in that hue. Instead, select one

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wall to serve as an accent point and use that spot as your bold color display. Otherwise, rely on bold colors to dress up otherwise mundane areas, such as the back wall of a cupboard or moldings and trim. · Try bold in a small space. Many people are surprised at how well bold colors work in small spaces. Powder rooms can be an ideal spot to experiment with paint colors. Try deep colors that can make the area seem intimate and even exotic. Dark, bold hues can be toned down by different accents, such as neutral colored fixtures and towels. · Go bold in the kitchen. Incorporate a splash of color in the kitchen without going overboard. Try an appliance or design fixture in a bright shade. Or paint the inside of the cabinets in your favorite color and install glass inserts in the cabinet doors so that everyone gets a peek of the color beyond. A neutral kitchen also can be brightened up with the use of silverware, dishes, pots and pans, and other kitchen items featured in bold hues.

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· Stick to boldness on interchangeable items. Those who like to experiment with color may find that they like to switch out the colors now and again. Instead of having to repaint every few months, use decorative items in bright shades to make swapping out color that much easier. For example, replace area rugs, throw pillows and draperies. Paint over terra cotta flower pots when the mood strikes. · Establish balance. Rely on neutral furniture, rugs, moldings and

baseboards if you decide to take bold colors up a notch. This will help create a sense of balance in the room. Painting is a fun way to experiment with color. Many homeowners are not hesitant to use bold shades of color when they learn the right techniques. And because paint is an inexpensive option for making over a room, homeowners who find they do not like a particular color can easily paint over it with a new color.

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Today’s modern bathrooms are depicted by the ever changing styles from year-toyear. Recent modern designs include sleek, straight and geometric lines with white remaining the prevalent choice in bathroom furnishings sporting ultra mod bath and basin mixer taps in polished chrome.

Once you have selected the style of bathroom, think about how you will be using the space. When it comes to function and space planning, calculate the dimension of the bathroom this will also help you to decide on the type of bathroom furniture pieces you can place within a designated area. Assess your bathroom storage needs, will you need a bathroom cabinet, shelving or vanity. For smaller bathrooms a minimalist style means honing in on crucial space and utilizing it in order create a clutter free bathroom ensuring the bathroom furniture has strong clean lines and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Traditional bathrooms tend to focus more on architectural details bringing nature inside. With the inspired look of wood such as oak, maple, and beech shelves and cabinets, wood finishes enhance the mood by giving the bathroom a warm earthy tone, similar to a country or rustic looking bathroom.

Look at several bathrooms designs, with several hundred bathroom design ideas available on the internet choosing a style that fits your style, space and budget can be simple and a pleasurable task The key element that has to be taken into account is budget, keeping in mind if you are not a do-it- yourself (DIY) person, then it is best to leave the job up to a professionals even though this will cut into your bathroom budget, you are guaranteed the job will be done right. For the DIY’s, making mistakes can be equally costly not to mention frustrating if your plans were not carefully thought out especially when it comes to the plumbing and electrical supply within your bathroom space. According to renovating and contracting firms when homeowners decide to remodel their bathrooms themselves they see a bathroom suite they want, purchase it, and get it home only to run into complications. People forget when transitioning from a standard bath to a whirlpool bath there are several critical factors that must be considered like plumbing, hot water heaters, and floor supports.

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Bathroom floors are built to bear the weight of a standard bathtub not whirlpool spa baths. Today's custom homes will accommodate most luxury tubs, but floor joists may require reinforcement in older homes if the tub is oversized especially whirlpool baths. Whirlpool baths have the water capacity of up to 80 gallons, if the proper hot water tank is not installed it will result in tepid bathwater taking away the enjoyment and purpose of a whirlpool bath. By creating a blue print to your bathroom remodeling project, you will not only save time, but save money on unexpected amendments in order to compensate your bathroom requirements.

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area, modern bathroom accessories are a welcomed addition to give the bathroom a finished look.

Depending on the size of bathroom, keep in mind that less is best in the way of accessorizing. Over powering the look of the bathrooms with numerous accessories tends to make a small room appear even smaller unless you are utilizing bathroom mirrors which lends way to a more open space. On the other hand when working with a large

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Remodeling your bathroom doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank or taking out a second mortgage on your home, but what it does mean is a well thought out master plan, some drawings and a calculator. Think in terms of an artist starting out with a blank canvas, he or she has their own unique design concepts for what they perceive as art. Creating your dream bathroom takes on a similar approach in that we must first decide on look we are trying to achieve.

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Services Performed on Gators

Change engine oil and filter • Replace fuel filter • Check fuel line • Replace air filter(s) Check wheel bolt torque and tire pressure • Check brake fluid • Check drive belt condition and tension • Check transaxle oil • Check for loose, missing, or damaged parts and hardware Lubricate drive line • Check and adjust parking brake • Test safety systems • Clean engine Sales l Service l Parts www.KibbleEq.com cooling screen and radiator • Clean, fill and load test battery

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Reclaimed Wood Adds Instant Appeal To Home Projects Salvaged doors, fences, shutters, beams, and so much more can be put to new use. Repurposing salvaged wood is a popular trend in the home improvement industry. Not only can using salvaged wood give a home a one-of-a-kind look, but it's a handy way to incorporate the three Rs of green living into your lifestyle: reduce, reuse and recycle. Reclaimed wood is often used in flooring, beams, wall treatments, and doors, but it also can be turned into furniture or home accent items. Reclaimed wood adds warmth and historical interest to a home's decor that newer materials may lack. Although finding wood that can be salvaged takes time and some legwork, such efforts can quickly pay

off. Many businesses are now devoted to reclaimed timber, which can help make the process of finding and using salvaged wood even easier. Homeowners considering reclaimed wood may be interested to learn that such wood can serve various functions aside from benefitting the planet. · Match old-growth wood. New regulations may prevent certain species of trees from being cut down. That means it can be challenging to match old wood in a home, particularly if you're looking to maintain historical value and authenticity. Relying on salvaged wood items can alleviate this concern, ensuring that you can find rare woods that are no longer available brand new.

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· Salvaged wood has character. It's difficult to mimic the natural age marks and character that older wood may have. Instead of being raised on farms, wood harvested decades ago probably grew in natural environments, making the wood both durable and strong. The color and grain of salvaged wood may also be unique. · Look at objects in a new way. Doors are versatile pieces of reclaimed lumber because they're already flat and rather large. Doors can be turned into headboards, tables or benches. Staircase or porch posts can be turned into candlestick holders, and wood shutters can dress up walls and provide a place to hang artwork and other wall items.

· Reclaimed wood can be found everywhere. Most people do not have to look too far to find wood they can salvage. Check salvage yards, landfills, dumpsters in front of older homes being renovated, or older, unused barns in rural settings. You also can collect driftwood or discarded shipping crates. While some reclaimed wood can be used as-is, some pieces may require millwork, including sanding, cutting, shaping, and finishing. If you do not have these skills, you probably will have to hire someone who does. The Internet is awash with ideas for putting salvaged wood to use. Get inspired and then find the pieces that will fit your project.

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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, March 7, 2017/Page 5

Make Garage Organization Go Smoothly Garages tend to fall victim to disorganization during the winter, when homeowners want to hurry inside and get some respite from the cold. As a result, many homeowners resolve to clean their garages come springtime. Cleaning a disorganized garage overcome with clutter can be an allday job, so homeowners would be wise to reserve a springtime Saturday or Sunday to get their garages back in order. Upon designating ample time to clean their garages, homeowners can then utilize a few

additional tips to make the project go as smoothly as possible. · Empty the garage. The first step when organizing a garage is to empty it completely. Old machinery and rusted lawn and garden tools have a way of disappearing in garages, and those items may remain there for years if the garage is never emptied. Once you have emptied the garage, you might be surprised to learn just how much or even how little space you have to work with.

· Clean the garage top to bottom. After you have emptied the garage, give it a thorough cleaning. Cleaning the garage serves multiple purposes. A clean garage is less likely to be overcome with dirt and/or critters, both of which can contribute to the deterioration of tools and machinery stored in the garage. In addition, you may be less likely to let a clean garage fall back into disorganization, saving you the trouble of reorganizing the garage next spring. · Look up. Many homeowners fail to make adequate use of the vertical

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space in their garages. But keeping items off the floor can make it easier to clean the garage and will provide more room for your car or other machinery you don't want to leave in the driveway or a backyard shed. Install shelves so you can more safely store automotive fluids and cleaners, and hang some hooks or hammer a few nails into the garage walls so you can hang tools like rakes and garden shears.

less likely to be overcome with clutter. Designate one corner of the garage for lawn and gardening tools and another for winter tools like snow shovels or snowblowers. This makes it easier to find tools when you need them. When grouping tools, you can also group items by who uses them. For example, parents can designate one area of the garage for their tools, while kids can get their own area for their toys and bicycles.

· Group tools by season. Grouping tools by season can make for a more organized garage and one

· Resolve to park in the garage. One of the best ways to keep a garage organized is to park your vehicle

or vehicles inside the garage each night. Parking in a garage protects your vehicle(s) from the elements, and you also won't be tempted to leave items lying around on the garage floor if you know you will eventually be pulling your vehicle in. A few simple strategies can make springtime garage organization more effective and efficient.

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