Spring Home Improvement

Your guide to the latest trends in home improvement

&

www.herald-review.com

DECATUR, ILLINOIS APRIL 25, 2014

2

April 25, 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

Renovations that pay dividends

By Lee News Service If you're planning to invest time and money into your home this spring with a few improvements and upgrades, it's important to consider what the return on that investment

will be if and when it comes time to sell.

Since 2002, REMODELING – a trade magazine for contractors and builders - has been tracking how much it costs to do common home improvement projects and calculating how

much of that cost is recovered when the home sells.

After tracking this data for more than a decade, it's clear that although kitchens and bathrooms always steal the spotlight in a home remodel, they aren't

necessarily the ones that have the highest return on investment when you sell your home.

When the results of the magazine's annual Cost vs Value Report are released, HOUSELOGIC – which is part of the National Association of Realtors - is quick to report the projects with the highest return on investment.

However, for 2014 the group took a historical perspective and released the following report on how projects have performed since 2002.

The biggest jump is for backup generators, which had some of the lowest ROI rates over the years as low as 47.5 percent in 2011 - soared to 52.7 percent in 2012 and then took an another 15 point

jump to 67.5 percent in 2013.

You can thank the weather for that one.

While the following list of projects didn't have similar highs and lows, they are the ones with the most consistent ROI for more than a decade.

These “long-term winners” share four characteristics – lowmaintenance, good (but not necessarily the highest) quality, energy efficient and not too costly.

Here's a general look at how remodeling investments fare over time based on the analysis by HOUSELOGIC: Replacing your front door Year in and year out, no single project has provided such a healthy

SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT A publication of the Herald & Review 601 E.William St. Decatur, Illinois 62523 217.421.6983 Fax: 217.421.7965

kitchens and bathrooms always steal the spotlight in a home remodel, they aren't necessarily the ones that have the highest return on investment when you sell your home.

INTERIM PUBLISHER Gary Sawyer EDITOR Gary Sawyer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Joel Fletcher LAYOUT AND DESIGN Steve Wetherholt The entire contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or part, without permission of the

publisher. Advertisements are not endorsements by the publisher. The publisher is not responsible or liable for errors or omissions in any advertisement beyond the paid price of that advertisement.

New subscriptions, renewals, inquiries, changes of address, mail to: Herald & Review 601 E.William St., Decatur, IL 62523.

To advertise or questions regarding advertising: 217.421.6920 © 2014 by Lee Enterprises, Incorporated. Any editorial content or advertising published is the property of Lee Enterprises, Incorporated

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

return on your home improvement dollar as a new front door. A replacement steel door averaged a 97.2 percent return on investment – by far the highest return in our historical look at the Cost vs Value Report. It's also the lowest-cost project in the annual report at $1,162. It's an energy upgrade that has great curb appeal and needs virtually no maintenance.

New siding: No other feature has as much impact on curb appeal as siding. Clean, well-caredfor siding signals home improvement mastery.

Old, worn siding can contribute to a loss of up to 10 percent of your home's value. That's one reason new siding has such a high ROI. In fact, of the top 10 long-term averages from the Cost vs Value Report, three of them are replacement siding projects: Vinyl siding is lowcost, durable and easy to install, hitting all the right notes when it comes to getting a good return

on your home improvement dollar. Over time, vinyl siding replacement projects have returned 81.6 percent on the initial investment.

Fiber-cement siding also shows a strong ROI, with the second-best return of any project in the long-term look at the Cost vs Value Report – 83.8 percent. Although it's more expensive than vinyl, it does have one thing vinyl still lacks – the perception of quality.

Foam-backed vinyl is another winning project, with an average longterm return of just under 80 percent and a cost that's slightly higher than fiber-cement since it's an energy-efficient upgrade, with an R-value of R-2 to R-3 that delivers estimated energy savings of 5.5 percent over a measured two-year period. Minor kitchen remodel Pinterest-inspired remodels took a big hit on ROI during the recent recession, but a minor kitchen remodel with a

relatively modest financial commitment weathered the economic bumps with an average return of 82.3 percent over the years. The 2014 Cost vs Value Report estimates the cost at $18,856 for labor, new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, countertops, flooring and appliances.

Wood deck addition Deck additions have been popular projects with a high ROI but, like a lot of investments, decks fell off during the recession.

Even so, the outdoor living trend kept them on the list of long-term winners with an average ROI of 80.6 percent.

Another reason may be the fact decks and patios expand living space at a low cost of $8 to $30 per sq-ft, which is a bargain when compared to an addition at $150 to $300 per sq-ft.

Attic bedroom remodel Attic bedroom remodels

round out the list of smart investments with an overall ROI of 79.4 percent. Attic conversions were especially popular during the recession, when homeowners put off buying move-up houses

April 25, 2014

3

and instead turned to increasing the living space they already owned. Makes sense with the rise of multigenerational households over the past few years.

P.O. Box 3427 Decatur, IL 62524 jspumpserv@yahoo.com

Closs Electric Company, Inc.

4246 W. Main St., P.O. Box 1393 Decatur, IL 62525

Bus. (217) 428-8222 Cellular (217) 433-8221 • Fax (217) 428-3676

Kubota: Power, Versatility and Value

POWELL LAWN CARE

All-Around Versatility: BX70

On the Go: RTV1100

• Mowing • Gutter cleaning

Do-it-yourself is easier with America’s top-selling sub-compact tractor of the decade – equipped with an 18, 23 or 25.5 HP Kubota diesel engine and Category I, 3-point hitch.

Rugged performance meets convenience in this popular utility vehicle, featuring excellent cargo capacity and a factory-installed, premium Grand Cab.

• Power washing • Tree service/stump grinding • Residential & commercial • Insured • Free estimates

Celebra ting ove

(217) 619-2152 ars 3 Ye 9 r Kitchen & Bath Remodel Basements Decks Fire Damage

Water Damage Room Additions Handy Man Service . . . . . . . and more!

877-2611 | www.jjswartzco.com 2120 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur

On the Grass: ZG Kommander

In the Field: M135GX

Take command of your lawn with professional quality ZG100 Kommander zero-turn mowers. Available with a 23, 24 or 27 HP gasoline engine and optional LED headlights.

Top-of-the-line, 135 HP Kubota CRS diesel engine with triple-range, Intelli-Shift transmission – crowned by the largest Kubota cab ever built.

Hogan Grain & Equipment Route 51 South Elwin, IL 62532 (217) 865-2312 • (217) 865-2450

www.kubota.com Optional equipment may be shown. ©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2014

$0 Down, 0% A.P.R. for 60 months on new Kubota BX, B, L, M, TLB, ZP, DM, RA and TE Series Equipment is available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 6/30/2014. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws.

Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers. 0% A.P.R. and low rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 6/30/2014. See us for details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.

4

April 25, 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

Renew, refresh and restore your home this year's tones are a welcome warm up from all the cooler shades of gray.

The Associated Press Whether you're home improvement goals this spring revolve around a few easy updates or something a bit more ambitious, chances are you'll be looking for expert advice to guide you along the way.

For example, when it

comes to incorporating the latest design trends into your existing home, the experts at Better Homes & Gardens recently outlined what they are loving right now, including simple tips for making them impactful.

With trends, it's always interesting to see which ones are here to stay,

which ones will quietly go away and what's next on the horizon – like navy blue. It seems to be popping up everywhere!

For now, here's a look at a few of the trends Better Homes & Gardens is already seeing this year along with their take on how you can simply incorporate them into your current design scheme.

WARM GRAYS: Warm

grays, especially those with yellow or reddish undertones, are the neutral of the moment and are as versatile as they are trendy right now.

Since there doesn't seem to be any end in sight to the popularity of grays, this year's tones are a welcome warm up from all the cooler shades of gray. If you still have beige walls, switching to warm gray is easy.

GOLD AND BRASS: While silver and its cohorts have been the first place metal in home decor for quite some time, yellow metals are inching their way back into the spotlight. Try embracing the trend with gold accents that have a little softer finish, rather than metals with a full-on shine. For those of you who have finally managed to switch out all those shiny brass light fixtures and doorknobs, no worries. Gold is being used in fresh new ways – from accessories to picture/mirror frames as

well as upholstery and pillows.

PASTELS: Think bright, not Easter eggesque when it comes to pastels. These fun hues lend a feminine aura to flea market finds and rustic and industrial finishes – or when paired with traditional furniture and styling, recall a romantic look. This trend is an obvious nod to Pantone's “Radiant Orchid” color of the year.

TAXIDERMY: Making its way out of the hunting lodge, taxidermy is now mainstream. Whether it's antlers and horns or stuffed heads and papiermache models, taxidermy-inspired pieces offer a quirky alternative to standard wall decor and tabletop accessories.

Probably still not for the squeamish however.

DHURRIES: These affordable flat-weave rugs that hail from India are a stylish alternative to thick-pile rugs. With a variety of colors, patterns and sizes to choose from,

When you get your loan at Earthmover, it stays at Earthmover.

810 E. Pershing • Decatur, IL 62526 Phone: 217-877-7840 • Fax: 217-877-7843

Professional

FREE ES AT ESTIM

GET THE

GARAGE

1

#

21/2 CAR GARAGE w/ vinyl siding starting at

$

www.decu.com | 217.875.2301

8,495 + Fill

Since 1952 1395 N. 22nd St, Decatur

Built by Decatur’s OLDEST & FINEST BUILDER

428-8322

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

you can layer them on an existing rug or introduce them in spaces where you currently are not using a rug.

WALLPAPER: Wallpaper adds interest on an accent wall or in small spaces such as an entryway or powder room. It will be interesting to see how many people who stripped their walls clean are ready to give this trend a try in small doses.

SCHOOLHOUSE STYLE: BHG has declared school is in session in the decorating world. Repurposed schoolhouse furniture and lighting, beakers used as vases and vintage flashcards as art can add a bit of flea market whimsy to a range of spaces.

PAINTED

FURNITURE: Innovative homeowners are not only giving their personal items new life, they are scouring secondhand shops for pieces that can be repurposed with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. While there is a great appreciation for beautiful wood in our homes, painted pieces with a special purpose are unique treasures right now.

STATEMENT LIGHTS: Since good lighting is essential in any room, why miss this opportunity to add a little extra style?

Beautiful fixtures are available everywhere and have taken on more importance in decorating.

Colorful front doors are a Pinterest favorite and easy way to spruce up your home's exterior.

Plus, did you know that

when it comes the remodeling project that offers the best return on investment, replacing your front door is consistently number one over the years. A replacement steel door

has by far the highest return in a historical look back at the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs Value Report, which has been published since 2002.

With an average cost of $1,162, a steel front

When your dream is to remodel.

Or simply redecorate.

Busey has your backing.

You’re more than ready to own a home. With Busey’s free pre-qualifications, you can search for the perfect house knowing all of your options. We promise to help find the financing that’s best for you—whether you’re just starting out, tired of renting or upgrading to your dream home.

Busey. Your Dream. Our Promise.

217.424.1111

Member FDIC

April 25, 2014

5

door replacement is an energy upgrade with great curb appeal that offers the added benefit of no maintenance.

Other larger projects that made the list for best return on investment over time include new siding (vinyl, fiber-cement and foam-backed siding replacements all made the top ten), a minor kitchen remodel (new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, countertops, flooring and appliances), wood deck addition and attic bedroom addition.

While turning previously unused basement living space into a bedroom suite, family room, craft/exercise/office area and/or second kitchen (i.e any useful space) has become a top performer on the Cost vs Value Report in recent years.

6

April 25, 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

More consumers choose contemporary kitchens McClatchy-Tribune News Service Consumers are starting to embrace contemporary kitchens.

They're realizing this style is more than just a clean, uncomplicated look. It also can be functional and easy to live with.

It's been a decadeslong crawl to move this approach to design out of trendsetting hubs such as New York and Los Angeles and into locations where traditional home decor

has been the top choice.

A change of heart is creeping in with our growing affection for open floor plans and uncluttered spaces – both bedrocks of this style.

You'll also recognize contemporary design by its strong linear look, open shelving, smooth surfaces and, for a counterbalance, touches of wood.

White kitchens are still No. 1 with consumers, but gray hues ranging from platinum to steel gray are making a forceful move for first place.

Poggen Pohl – long known for chic, European styling – is right in the heart of this contemporary movement.

Its interpretations include the use of warm taupe and gray finishes as well as wood accents with well-defined veining and grain.

Kitchen cabinets are becoming more like furniture these days.

Sleek wooden doors with

a horizontal grain are fundamental for this style. Large and small appliances can be covered with the same finish to keep the sense of order.

Less-fussy door styles, a mirrored-glass-tile backsplash and smooth, solid-colored countertops are a good fit with this style. Adding open shelving to a kitchen makes it possible to store

and display items in high style. Dark hardwood floors help tie it all together.

Double-wide lower drawers can offer easy access to stacks of dishes or pots and pans. Long stainless and chrome pull bars that run the width of the drawer add a touch of simple sophistication, and that's really what contemporary design is all about.

New Members Welcome!

Remodel Equity We Have Great Rates!

3330 North Woodford St. • 440 N. 22nd St. • 423-9767 •

StaleyCU.com

Membership is open to all who live or work in Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, DeWitt and Shelby counties.

Some restrictions apply • This institution is not federally insured.

Proudly Insured by American Share Insurance. ©2014 Staley Credit Union.

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

April 25, 2014

Jack-A-Slab Construction, Inc. wants to thank Decatur for trusting us to take care of all your mudjacking, foundation, and basement wall repairs.

If your basement looks like this…

BEFORE

Don’t hire the company that makes you do it yourself. When we leave, the job is finished and the wall is straight.

AFTER

• Driveways • Patios • Sidewalks • Steps • Porches • Garage Floors • Pool Decks • Air Conditioner Pads

Jack-A-Slab Construction, Inc. Champaign, Decatur, and Springfield FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED

217-358-4141

Monday-Friday 7:30-5 • Saturday 8-1

7

8

April 25, 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

Florals, updated, return to decor find a floral print that really appeals to you personally

The Associated Press After years of simple solids and geometric prints, the lowly flower is making a comeback in decor. Floral patterns have been blooming all over fashion runways in recent months, and they are slowly finding their way back into the world of home decorating, too.

It wasn't long ago that any mention of floral upholstery or wallpaper

brought back memories of 1980s cabbage roses, flowery Shabby Chic borders stenciled high on bedroom walls, and suburban homes designed to feel like precious cottages swathed in pink and green.

But today's new patterns aren't your grandmother's florals.

And they can be a refreshing antidote to the minimalist patterns that have dominated home

SCHROCK BUILDERS “Professional, Prompt and Reliable Service at an Affordable Price!”

decorating in recent years.

"It's what we're all craving," says New Yorkbased designer Jon Call, founder of Mr. Call Designs. "It's romance, it's a softness ... and it feels fresh again, because no one has defined it for our generation."

While brands like Laura Ashley delineated the floral look of a generation ago, the new florals have no rules.

Which makes them more fun, and more challenging, to use successfully.

Here, Call and two other interior designers, Betsy Burnham of Los Angeles' Burnham Design, and Brian Patrick Flynn, executive producer of HGTV.com's Spring House series, offer advice on working with this fresh crop of floral patterns.

What size?

G & H Boat Docks & Lifts • Boat Lifts • Boat Houses • Swim Rafts • Personal Watercraft Lifts • Roll-A-Docks • Ladders & Full Line of Accessories

• Gutters (All Colors) • Decks • Tear Offs Owen Schrock 217-543-2977 Cell 519-2638

• Pole Barns • Siding - Soffit Reuben Chupp 217-543-2707 Cell 519-0130

350N CR 200E • Arthur, IL 61911

• New Roofs • Re-roofs

100% Satisfaction - Insured Over 25 Years Combined Experience Locally Owned and Operated Roofers Lic. No. 104-014137

SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION

217-423-8665 www.ghmarine.com

"Scale is the most important factor in modernizing the look and feel of florals," says Flynn. He suggests avoiding flowers that are depicted at their actual size. Instead, pick patterns where the flowers are bigger , between 50 percent and 200 percent larger than life-size.

Call agrees: He's a fan of using vintage prints in "the largest scale you can find," so that the print's eye-popping size contrasts with its traditional style.

But Call and Burnham also think floral prints can look modern if they're printed on a very small scale, especially if they're used on smaller items like throw pillows.

Which pattern?

Find a floral print that really appeals to you personally, Burnham suggests. "Nothing corny, nothing ordinary," she says. You want "something really special."

You might try "chinoiseries that include figures and florals," Burnham says, "or flora and fauna... That's a way to do it if you're kind of scared of just flowers."

Another option is choosing a pattern that's more "botanical" than flower-filled.

"Homeowners with aversions to super-girly florals featuring rosebuds or elaborate petals may find botanicals a better fit," says Flynn. "While

CHUB PARK

SHREDDED OR UNSHREDDED TOP SOIL DIFFERENT SIZE LOADS FOR DELIVERY

217-454-1105

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

floral prints include shapes and silhouettes of actual flowers, botanicals rely more on stems and leaves."

Call points out that designers like Vivienne Westwood have created digitized, pixilated floral prints that mix traditional and modern style. But, he says, even the most classic chintz fabrics can look great in a modern home if they're handmade and high quality.

Flynn encourages clients to mix floral patterns with other

prints.

"The floral cottage style of a decade ago was all florals and ribbons," Flynn says. "Anytime I'm dealing with a home occupied by couples arguing over masculine and feminine styles, I'm likely to mix botanicals or florals with classic masculine prints such as gingham, check or plaid."

That juxtaposition of "classic girly prints with iconic patterns used for men's spaces" creates a modern, gender-neutral room.

Where to use it?

Floral patterns can work especially well on sleek, modern pieces of furniture, Burnham says.

Rather than choosing a floral sofa that's rounded and tufted, use floral upholstery on a simple sofa with straight, clean lines.

And rather than hanging floral draperies in a bedroom or choosing a floral bedspread, use solid colored fabrics in those locations and then upholster the headboard in a bold, oversize floral.

What colors?

A great pattern can look dated if you pick the wrong color palette, says Flynn. "Florals with mustard yellow and burgundy palettes instantly feel old and stuffy. To make them fresh and fun, look for those with unexpected color palettes, such as black and violet or springy greens and punchy pinks. The pattern will keep its classic appeal, but with a youthful update."

Burnham says floral patterns done in just two colors (or in two shades of the same color) can look more modern than florals that include several colors. And "if you go for something on a crisp white background," she says, it "might read more current than something on a tea-dye that's more muted."

Call thinks just about any color can work, though he prefers to steer clear of pinks and purples. "It gets too sweet, too endearing," he says. You have to "be careful with the sentimentality," he says, or you'll lose some of the modern edge.

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

• Field Tile Repairs • Drainage • Excavating

• Septic Systems • Footings • Driveways • Rock

www.deanosbackhoeservice.com

April 25, 2014

• Waterproofing of Basements & Crawl Spaces

217-763-6062

HARPERS LANDSCAPING • Retaining Walls • Landscape Design • Patios • Rockscapes • Clean-Up Services • Edging • Grading-Hydroseeding • Sodding

Caleb 217-620-0439 • Bryan 217-521-7469

Farm • Commercial • Residential

Metal Roofing custom ordered length

22 Colors to choose from

Installations available

Grand Rib • Commercial Rib Standing Seam A complete line of Pole Building material All trim, fasteners, etc. Your One Stop Supplier

Custom Built Pole Buildings

Graber Building Supply 217 -543-3259 • Sullivan, IL

www.graberbuilding.com

9

10

April 25, 2014

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

White walls? There's a trick in choosing the right hue

NEW YORK (AP) – So you want to paint a room white. Sounds easy, until you go to the hardware store to buy paint and discover there are dozens of whites to choose from.

Many have familiar yet poetic names that conjure up ever-so-slightly different hues: cream, pearl, vanilla, snow, chalk, ivory, jasmine, bone. But the closer you look, the more confusing the choices are. You want a plain, basic white, but the purest white on the color chart looks a little harsh next to all those soft shades with just a hint of something else – beige, gray, peach, rose,

yellow or the palest-ever blue or green.

Often people default to white because they don't want strong colors in their home. But as it turns out, "it's harder to choose white than any other color," said Sharon Grech, a color design expert at Benjamin Moore Paints.

She says Benjamin Moore alone offers more than 150 whites, and "when people are choosing white, I see more people unhappy or making a mistake or being shocked at the color than when they choose other colors."

And watch out if you

go with a pure white untinted by any other hue. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, which maintains color standards, says "the purity and cleanliness" of the purest whites "can also make them feel very sterile and cold. And you can literally get eyestrain from too much dazzling white. So you've got to be cautious. Most people don't want to live with hospital white."

More so than with other colors, whites are also more influenced by colors around them, so Grech says it's crucial to try a sample to see how it looks in the room. Buy a pint and paint a 2-by-2foot board that you can move around your home.

"Sometimes the sun hits it one way or another at different times of day, or it looks different against the rug, or you realize it's got a lot of pink in it or green in it," she said. "It

might look totally different in the morning than at night."

The paint sheen makes a difference too, whether matte – a flat paint – or a shiny high-gloss. One recommended mix is a semi-gloss trim with matte on the walls.

And don't forget the ceiling. "More people are thinking of the ceiling as a fifth wall," Grech said.

"Think about it in terms of all the rooms that white is going to be

LAKESIDE TREE SERVICE • Trimming, Topping, Removal • Crane Service • Complete Cleanup • 24 Hr Emergency Service • Free Mulch and Wood Chips

• Fully Insured Inc. Workmen’s Comp.

• Free Estimates • MC/Visa • Senior & Disabled Discounts • No Job too Large or Small

Ask about our Neighborhood Specials

217-519-4794

ff The O g n i k c We’re Ki son!! a e S e l a Garage S

SATURDAY APRIL 26TH 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Held at the

Macon County Fairgrounds RT. 121 NW, Decatur

INDOOR Community

Admission: Adults $2.00 • Children Free (12 and under)

Garage Sale

Plenty of Free Parking!

Over 70 Booths in 3 Buildings!

Food Concessions on site

HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Herald & Review • Decatur, Illinois • www.herald-review.com

don't pick colors online, advises Martin, because they can be distorted.

of art against a white wall, it isolates the painting so it becomes like a postage stamp – a thing in a box,” Martin explained. “If you put the same painting against a colored wall, it eliminates those boundaries, pulls the colors out of the painting, and brings the painting to life."

Martin doesn't like white walls, though he'll

use off-white in a ceiling.

He cautions that bright white trim and a bright white ceiling will make other colors look brighter than they would if you were using an off-white.

What can work, he says, "if you really like white," is to choose a warm white for walls in a flat sheen, then high-gloss trim the same color. "It's a very sexy, subtle thing to do,"

• Tree and Stump Removal • Pruning/Deadwooding • (2) 60 Ft. Aerial Trucks • Firewood and Mulch • Free Estimates “Family-Owned • Fully Insured Business for 45 Years” • 24 Hour Emergency Service • 2 Full Time Certified Arborists on Staff

Romer Bros. Tree & Shrub Service Inc. 877-1596 • 4225 N. Bearsdale Rd., Decatur

eyeing is more on the rosy side or the orange side, follow it in the fan deck from its palest iteration to its deepest, to see its true undertone.

Warm tints include red, orange, yellow and offshoots like peach and apricot, but if you want to cool a room off, go for colors like blue and purple. In between are the neutrals – taupe, gray, beige.

And don't get overwrought about the choices. "I think most people have more judgment than they think they do," Eiseman said.

"You look at something, you have a doubt about it because your eye is telling you something is off here. Or you look at it and it pleases you. In the end, it's your eye and your comfort level."

CONCRETE

CREATIONS • Stamped & Colored Concrete (50 Colors Available)

• Pool Decks • Driveways • Porches, Steps & Sidewalks • Foundations • Foundation Repairs

From Simple to Decorative - We Do It All!

3RD GENERATION OF

BLAKE’S COMPLETE LAWN CARE Spring Clean Up • Mowing Trimming • Gutters

229 East Main Street Maroa, Illinois (217) 794-2226

Free Estimates - Insured Senior Discounts

- Family Owned & Operated for Three Generations -

Call 217-917-1990

11

QUIK-N-EZ

SPECIALIZING IN:

flowing through on the ceiling."

Most people want flat paint on the ceiling, but if you want to bring focus to the ceiling, a semi-gloss or high gloss can look "spectacular" in the right space, she said.

James Martin is an architectural color consultant whose company, the Color People, designs colors for buildings. He says "if you're going to have white, you want to use a warm white -- yellow white, peachy white, rosy white. Anything you live with, you want it to be warm." It's especially important in an old house: "If you use a warm white, you'll see all the wonderful details in the surrounding woodwork much better," he said.

He adds that "white kills art.”

“When you put a piece

he said.

Don't pick colors online, advises Martin, because they can be distorted. But there is an art to studying the paper fan deck of paint colors in the store. Bring a white piece of paper with a square cut out so you can focus on the color you're considering without being influenced by the hues around it.

And if you're colorchallenged and unsure whether the white you're

April 25, 2014

Specializing in Lumber, Building Materials, Hardware and Rental

“BURNETT QUALITY” JESSE BURNETT Owner/Estimator

217-454-7772 arcticsnwman@aol.com www.quik-n-ezconcretecreations.com

FOR THAT HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT... Remember

BUY LOCAL and use LOCAL SERVICES J.L. ALLEN COMPANY LLC 980 North CR 610 East Tuscola, IL 61953 217-253-3371 FAX 217-253-2834 ALLTECH ELECTRIC INC. 5790 W. Macon St. Decatur, IL 62522 217-963-1001 FAX 217-963-1023 ALPHA ELECTRIC OF DECATUR INC. 5054 Cundiff Ct. Decatur, IL 62526 217-872-6454 ANDERSON ELECTRIC 1921 Oak Ave. Mattoon, IL 61938-5241 217-234-7476 FAX 217-234-8124 BODINE ELECTRIC OF DECATUR ELECTRICAL SERVICE COMPANY 1845 N. 22nd St. P.O. Box 976 Decatur, IL 62525-0976 FAX 217-423-4658 217-423-2593

COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS INC. 720 N. 33rd St. Mattoon, IL 61938 217-235-5016 FAX 217-235-5011 CURT CROSBY & ASSOCIATES 269 North 2700 East Road Pana, IL 62557 217-562-2618 FAX 217-562-5174 E.M.C. P.O. Box 468 Decatur, IL 62525-0468 217-872-9120 FAX 217-872-9121 HART ELECTRIC INC. 8998 Hunters Crossing Dalton City, IL 61925 217-864-9179 FAX 217-864-9179 J.H. MOORE ELECTRIC 15515 E. 875th Rd. Effingham, IL 62401 217-536-5152 FAX 217-536-5155 MORRISON ELECTRIC INC. 651 S. Webster Taylorville, IL 62568 217-824-3822

BRANDT ELECTRIC 8030 Burgett Decatur, IL 62521 217-864-0774

NADLER ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING INC. 1210 E. Jackson Sullivan, IL 61951 217-728-8857 FAX 217-728-8857

COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC 720 S. 17th St. P.O. Box 1157 Mattoon, IL 61938-1157 217-235-0616 FAX 217-235-0141

PALS ELECTRIC INC. 12900 N 1775th Rd. Teutopolis, IL 62467-0662 217-857-3683 FAX 217-857-1882

Serving Central Illinois for more than

YEARS

T & B ELECTRIC INC. 718 E. Jackson Pana, IL 62557 217-521-0143 FAX 217-562-7171

TELECOMMUNICATION CONTRACTORS

TRIPLE K KONSTRUCTION P.O. Box 554 Clinton, IL 61727 217-935-8700 FAX 217-935-4346

BODINE COMMUNICATIONS 1845 N. 22nd St. P.O. Box 976 Decatur, IL 62525-0976 217-423-2593 FAX 217-423-4658

WEBB ELECTRIC 309 N. 2nd St. P.O. Box 1003 Mattoon, IL 61938-1003 217-234-2980 FAX 217-234-2987

FIELDWRXS, INC. P 0 Box 691 Teutopolis, IL 62467 217-347-9797

SIGN & GRAPHICS CONTRACTORS 4MC CORP. 8040 Jordan Road Argenta, IL 62501 217-795-4416 FAX 217-795-4423

HEART TECHNOLOGIES INC. 860 E. Pershing Rd. Decatur, IL 62526 217-872-1300 Service 309-427-7070 FAX 309-427-7007

BENDSEN SIGNS & GRAPHICS 2901 N. Woodford St. Decatur, IL 62526-4715 217-877-2345 FAX 217-877-2347

FE MORAN INC. 305 W. Professional Park Ave. Effingham, IL 62401 217-347-0321 FAX 217-536-6741

NEW ERA SIGNS 7776 Buttercup Road Weldon, IL 61882 217-521-1040

OTHER SERVICES

MOTOR SHOP CONTRACTORS BODINE ELECTRIC MOTOR SHOP 1845 N. 22nd St. P.O. Box 976 Decatur, IL 62525-1810 217-423-2593 FAX 217-420-4286

IBEW

Local 146

MIDWEST LIGHTNING RODS 2835 N. University Ave. Decatur, IL 62526 217-872-4676 FAX 217-872-4677

une 26, ed J 19 r te

12

100

DECATUR INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC 1650 E. Garfield Ave. P.O. Box 1188 Decatur, IL 62526-1188 217-428-6621 FAX 217-428-6189

STAR ELECTRIC 1321 W. Spresser Taylorville, IL 62568 217-824-2009 FAX 217-824-2086

Ch ar

FULL SERVICE CONTRACTORS

AFL-CIO

www.ibew146.com

De

s catur, Illinoi

Well Trained and Highly Skilled Professionals Within a Community Minded Organization