The Ada News Home/Garden Decorator by Fox Printing and Digital Publishing

The Ada News

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D E C O R AT O R 08

DIY SLIDING BARN DOOR

CREATE JOY WITH FENG SHUI

PLANTS THAT REPEL PESTS

NATURAL STAIN REMOVAL

An l l a F d e t Enchan

Fall 2019

Contents

14 An

l l a F d e t n a h c En 06

GROWING VEGGIES FROM SCRAPS

THE ROOMBA

860 4

PLANTS THAT REPEL PESTS

DIY SLIDING BARN DOOR

CREATE JOY WITH FENG SHUI

WOOD LOOK FLOORS

Every morning, I vacuum the entire house … the kitchen, dining area, bathrooms, den, living room, front entryway, around the cat box and even under the beds. All while I’m not home. Thanks to my iRobot.

NATURAL STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE

PAINTING VS. REPLACING

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D E C O R AT O R

Executive Publishers Greg and Suzanne Fox Jumpstart Publishing, LLC Managing Editor Suzanne Polk Fox Editor Chad Ruiz Contributing Writers Tami Charbonnet Patricia Danflous Michele Robert Poche Art Director Dianne Waller Production Claire Thomas Design Tra Pham ÂŠ 2019 Fox Print and Creative Publishing, New Orleans, LA All rights reserved Printed in the USA by Fox Print Services (igofox.com) I-13, V4 Home Garden Decorator is a bi-annual magazine that is a resource for readers in your community for home decor inspiration, creative DIY projects, gardening tips, home selling tips, product reviews and much more. From gardening to real estate, this magazine has something for everyone! We would love to hear of your ideas and projects to share with our readers. If you would like to submit a project, recipe or idea, send pictures and instructions to editor@hgdecorator.com

Fall 2019

GROWING VEGGIES FROM SCRAPS

lant an onion, get an onion. It’s that simple. Place the bottom of a halved onion in a little soil; watch for roots to appear; discard the old onion and wait for new ones to grow. “Gardening on your windowsill or kitchen counter is a great way to learn more about vegetable gardening, supplement your food supply and help the environment by re-purposing scraps,” says Master Gardener Jane Hirling. “It’s also a fun do-it-yourselfproject for you and your grandkids. You may even get them to try carrots that they grew themselves.” Just about any vegetable can be grown from scraps, but there are a few that Hirling recommends for their ease in planting and care. They taste pretty good at harvest time, too. “Follow a similar procedure for other vegetables,” she explains. “In

BY PATRICIA DANFLOUS

general, use water as the growing medium for green onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, celery or lettuce scraps. Seeds from tomatoes, pumpkins or watermelon should be planted and covered in soil.

“START WITH A CARROT TO GENERATE GREENS,” SHE SUGGESTS.

1. 2.

Cut off the top of a carrot leaving about a half-inch. lace it standing up in a P small bowl filled with about an inch of water; a glass candy dish works well.

3. 4.

Put the bowl in a sunny spot. Change the water daily and wait for the tops to sprout before transferring to your garden.

“...we’re seeing a shift toward sustainable landscapes that reflect a renewed sense of mindfulness for the Earth and its ecosystems,...”

DIY

SLIDING BARN DOOR BY LIZ MCGEHEE

fter moving into a “3-bedroom” shotgun house with my cousin, I quickly became obsessed with the idea of installing a sliding barn door. The reality was that only one of the rooms came with an actual door. Not anticipating noise and privacy, I offered the secluded room to my cousin, which left me vulnerable to unintentional noise made throughout the night.

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After a few months of this, I’d finally had enough. My budget was small, but I couldn’t compromise my sleep any longer. I then took it upon myself to install a sliding door in the hopes that it would create some semblance of privacy and absorb sound. Luckily, my mother has worked at Home Depot for over 25 years, so I’m no stranger to DIY projects. (No employee discounts though, unfortunately.)

You can end up spending a lot on barn door kits, which is fine if you have the means. Home Depot, Lowes (forgive me, Mom) and Amazon also sell easy-to-use, barn door installation kits that come with a pre-built door. I chose to make my own door since my place came with a lot of scrap wood in the backyard and the doorway is wider than a standard entry. The most expensive item for this project was the track, but Amazon had very reasonable options. You want to make sure the track is twice the width of your opening so that you can move it out of the way when moving things from room to room. You will need to measure the opening where you wish to hang your door to determine the width of both the track and door. Home Depot sells 4x8 pieces of plywood in various materials that work very well as the door for this project. Consider how heavy the material is when choosing, as well as how sound-absorbent and durable it is. If you don’t have a saw, Home Depot will cut your wood for free at the store, but you may need to purchase a sander. Before you choose your wood, think about the tools you have at home and whether or not the wood will need finishing. To achieve the barn door look, you will need five to seven boards to nail around the edges and inside of your door. The two outside boards should go on first, and they should be the same length as the door from top to bottom. Next measure the width between these

Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon also sell easy-touse, barn door installation kits that come with a door. I chose to make my own door. two boards before cutting the next three boards: one for the top, one for the bottom and one to go across the center. Optional: two boards going diagonally across the each of the two areas you’ve created. You can be creative here and customize your door to fit your desired aesthetic. Next, you’ll want to prime your door, sand once more before

painting with two coats of enamel paint. Then you’ll need to install your track, following the directions exactly. I measured the width of the entryway before buying a track so that I wouldn’t have to cut it myself. You will likely need a strong drill to mount the track to the wall and to attach the rollers to the door. Finally, feel free to add personal touches

to your door like a false knob or a unique handle. I am pleased to say the sliding barn door has solved all of the noise issues at home. It didn’t break the bank, AND it looks amazing! For more on installing a sliding barn door, speak with a hardware associate in person or visit blog.homedepot.com/ easy-barn-door-paint-and-install.

to i Q e h T g n i t a e r C l u f e c a e P Space: Sun explains Qi as simply the natural energy found in the environment. Forms such as mountains, beaches, oceans and evenskyscrapers affect Qi.

he universe is very mysterious. There’s so much energy to pick up, but most people don’t know how…” – Tin Sun, Feng Shui master, New York A Feng Shui master’s job is to evaluate an area of earth, find the Qi and design the property accordingly. First, what is Qi? Sun explains Qi as simply the natural energy found in the environment. Forms such as mountains, beaches, oceans and even skyscrapers affect Qi. When Qi flows naturally, those who occupy the space are healthier, more vibrant and perform better in every aspect of life. Not only does Qi open occupants to better health, but it also contributes to their ability to capitalize on opportunities. Sun explains, “When beneficial Qi is clogged, or when Qi does not reach a property or is forced through, then the well-being of the occupants is affected, which in turn affects their capability to function at their best. When people are unhappy or sick or negative minded, they don’t perform at their optimum and don’t see the opportunities coming their way.” There are simple yet specific objects and arrangements that add Qi to a property, and there

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S hu i g n Fe BY TAMI CHARBONNET

"...the key to creating a cure is to strategically place art, specific colors, a big plant or vase of flowers, specific pieces of furniture or mirrors..." are subtle ways to cure negative energy flow to create positive fend shui. For instance, did you know that a staircase facing the entrance or front door of a home blocks energy thus creating bad fend shui? According to Feng Shui masters at thespruce.com, a staircase facing the main door blocks the Chi or energy flow from the rest of the home. At Spruce, masters teach that “the key to creating a cure is to strategically place art, specific colors, a big plant or a vase of flowers, specific pieces of furniture or mirrors (please note that mirrors should never face the entrance directly, as this pushes the energy away instead of drawing it in.)” We are all in search of happiness, and yet it can be elusive. There is negative energy in our lives, and we are often too busy or preoccupied to find a lasting solution. In the whirlwind of modern living, it can be difficult to find peace and center our minds. Our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions. It is not surprising that the powerful but subtle energies that influence our lives pass unno-

ticed. Take a moment to evaluate the placement of objects in your home. Try a few subtle adjustments to create positive energy flow throughout your personal space.

1 . Eliminate clutter 2. Get two nightstands to create equal balance.

3. Do not turn your back to the back door.

4. Add life to your space with living plants.

5. If you have broken appliances or broken objects, either fix them or get rid of them.

6. Hang Feng Shui crystals in

a bright window with lots of sunlight or in a dark hallway.

7. Add wind chimes to your

garden, patio or balcony to cure negative energy!

Plants That Repel Pests BY MICHELE ROBERT POCHE

With the shift to greener, less chemically controlled landscaping, plants that can actually repel unwanted insects and pests from your home and garden are in big demand.

 Basil – It’s great in soups and salads, but did you know that basil also repels house flies and mosquitoes? Keep it in pots in outdoor areas where you eat and entertain.  Marigolds – Often considered the vegetable garden’s best friend, marigolds repel root-knot nematodes, microscopic worms that live in the soil and attack tomatoes, potatoes, okra, beans, peppers, peas, cucumbers, carrots, squash, and melons.  Lavender – It scents your home, induces sleep and repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes. The oil from the flower can be applied directly to the skin to serve as a natural insectifuge.  Petunias – Available in many colors and easy to maintain, petunias repel aphids, tomato hornworms, asparagus beetles, leafhoppers and squash bugs.  Fennel – Not only is it useful in flavoring many different types of dishes, the fennel plant is a natural enemy of aphids as well as slugs and snails, the most bothersome pests in many gardens and landscapes.  Chrysanthemums – Nature’s miracle repellent, these flowers contain the potent insecticide (pyrethrin) which repels roaches, ants, Japanese beetles, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, spider mites and root-knot nematodes.  Catnip – Studies have shown than nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip, has ten times the efficacy of DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Of course, you might attract a few cats.

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Fall 2019

An l l a F d e t n Encha BY LIZ MCGEHEE

s hot summer nights turn into cool autumn breezes, my thoughts are directed at entertaining. There are two times of the year when it is ok to entertain pleasantly outdoors; Spring and Fall. Summer and Winter are too hot, too cold and unpredictable. The crisp autumn air makes outdoor dining pest and heat free. The leaves are on the cusp of turning shades of orange and yellow, but there is still enough green on the trees to make the evening enchanting. To create this whimsical effect, we hung twinkling lights in the trees, placed candles on anything with a flat surface or a hook for hanging and painted the furniture and accent pieces gold. Gold goes with anything and we especially like it with the colors of the fall. We made place settings with garland, grapevine twigs and wire wreath forms from the dollar store placed them on top of a moss-covered table. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to let your guests go home hungry. Since the cooler weather brings larger appetites we served a heavier fare of food. The finger-foods topped off the evening with ham sliders, raisin-pumpkin bread pudding in mason jars and pumpkin soup.

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If you want to share pictures of your Enchanted Fall, send them to editor@HGDecorator.com. We would love to share them on our web site and social media. The world is lovelier with genuine crafting tips.

TUNA CAN LANTERNS

BY SUZANNE FOX

By purchasing the supplies at the dollar store, each lantern costs $4.00 to make, including the candle. You will need dowel rods, tuna cans, nails or screws, hammer, paint, glass vases and candles. INSTRUCTIONS: ❶ Purchase dowel rods from a home improvement store. ❷ One tuna can per rod. ❸ Glass vases, also one per rod/can. (Some vases are too large for the regular tuna can so we used a large tuna can and two regular sized cans for variety.) ❹ Clean tuna cans, remove paper wrapper, wash and dry. (I ran them through the dishwasher.)

❺ Nail or screw the tuna can to the top of the dowel rod. (Screws make the lanterns sturdier than nails, but the nails are easier to use.) ❻ Shave the bottom of the rod into a point so that it is easier to hammer into the ground. ❼ Paint the rods and lantern holders any color to match your theme. ❽ Place the glass vase and candle in the can.

TWINKLE TWIG PLACE SETTINGS BY SUZANNE FOX HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED:  1 wire wreath form for each place setting (from dollar store)  1 twig garland for each place setting  1 ivy and grape garland for each place setting  1 strand battery operated mini twinkle lights for each place setting  1 can of gold spray paint  1 skein of twine (at least 72 inches)

This place setting is very simple to make and will grace your table all through spring and summer! Each place marker is designed to place a charger in the middle to hold the plate. A standard 10” plate may be too small for the center. This place setting is simple to make and comparable to settings found at high-end stores this spring with hefty price tags. INSTRUCTIONS: ❶P aint the wire wreath forms with gold spray paint. ❷ Cut six pieces of twine, 12 inches long each. ❸ Once the wreath form is dry, wrap the twig garland around the form and with the twine, tie it to the form at each crossbar.

❹N ext, layer the twinkle lights and tie with the same twine, then the ivy and tie with the same twine ❺ Cut excess twine. Place the battery for the lights in the center of the place setting and place a charger over it.

We used painted glass chargers with gold trim, but gold chargers can easily be found at the dollar store to complete your Midsummer Night’s Theme.

Fall 2019

INGREDIENTS • Pack of Kings Hawaiian Rolls • 1 lb. Black Forest Ham (thin sliced) • 1 lb. Baby Swiss Cheese slices • 1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter

SUPER EASY

1. 2.

Ham Sliders

BY SUZANNE FOX

10.

6. 7.

11.

emove the rolls R from wrapper.

Keeping the rolls intact, slice in half. Remove top half.

Place bottom half of rolls in a 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Melt butter and garlic and mix.

Drizzle half of melted butter and garlic on bottom half of rolls. Layer ham and cheese on entire loaf. P lace top half of rolls back on prepared sandwiches.

rizzle remaining D melted butter and garlic on top of rolls.

Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Bake in 350ºF oven for 20 minutes or until tops of rolls are golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut rolls apart with a sharp knife, separate and serve.

• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic • 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

WOOD

Bamboo is naturally amber colored but can be stained or carbonized to achieve a darker look.

LOOK FLOORS BY LIZ MCGEHEE

ith an average cost of $9 to $12 per square foot, wood floors are quite an investment. While there are many benefits to owning real wood floors, such as easy maintenance, durability and added value to your home, there are other things to consider before taking the plunge. Hardwood floors tend to be cold, loud, expensive, require regular cleaning and make it hard for pets to move around the home. There’s no denying the beauty of hardwood flooring, but is there a way to get the look without the price tag? There are a few alternatives:

Vinyl Planks This is by far the most prevalent wood alternative. Unlike cold hardwood, this material is warm and soft. You can walk around the house barefoot and pets

won’t go sliding across the floor like a bowling ball. This material realistically mimics the hardwood-look. Vinyl comes in a number of colors and textures so you can easily customize your floors. It also tends to be waterproof depending on the vinyl.

Laminate With easy installation, resistant to moisture and fading, resilience and affordability, Laminate makes an excellent wood alternative. This material comes in a number of looks, but you can get laminate that mimics real wood. It’s scratch resistant so it’s pet and kid friendly. The only downside is that most laminate, like wood, is not waterproof and requires specialized cleaning products.

Porcelain Tile When you think of tile, you might think of stains. You’re probably thinking of ceramic tile,

which is what many people are accustomed to. Porcelain tile, however, is fairly resistant to tinging and water damage. While the installation is trickier, porcelain is more durable than ceramic and aesthetically versatile.

Linoleum Linoleum is making a comeback. That’s right. The stuff you likely saw on the gymnasium floor at your high school is having a renaissance of sorts as more people discover its benefits. A more ecofriendly substitute for vinyl, linoleum is extremely customizable and is capable of more designs and patterns than the above-mentioned wood alternatives.

Ecofriendly Alternatives Bamboo grows very quickly and is quite strong. The natural patterns in the stalks create attractive patterns as well. It is naturally amber colored but can be purchased stained or carbonized to achieve a darker look. Like Vinyl, cork is both tepid and lenient on the feet. An innate insulator, cork not only soundproofs your home, it also saves money on heating and air conditioning. Cork can be stained as well as painted or left natural. Just make sure you do your research first! Hgtv.com is a great resource for weighing your flooring options.

Fall 2019

N AT U R A L S TA I N

REMOVAL GUIDE BY ANJA SPRINGTHORPE

Spot test vinegar or baking soda stain removers on a less visible part of the fabric to test colorfastness.

In this day and age, stain removers for virtually any type of stain are readily available. However, these products often contain harsh chemicals, parabens or solvents. Switching to natural alternatives helps reduce the toxic burden we are exposed to on a daily basis. ❤ Spill stains can be treated with club soda. Liberally soak fabric in club soda to remove even the largest of red wine stains. ❤ Sunlight can be as effective as conventional bleach for brightening linens and sheets. The trick is to hang the sheets into direct sunlight while still dripping wet. ❤ Exposing your mattress to direct sunlight twice a year will brighten and air out your mattress. Because direct sunlight kills dust mites, it also disinfects your mattress and reduces risk of allergies.

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❤ White distilled vinegar is an inexpensive all-rounder when it comes to natural stain removal. Vinegar contains acetic acid that softens and brightens fabrics as well as removes unwanted odors. Adding ½ cup of vinegar to your laundry will boost stain removal and eliminate the need for laundry softeners. ❤ For more persistent stains, such as grey stained t-shirts or socks, add 1 cup of vinegar to 1 large pot of boiling water. Take pot off of heat, soaking clothes overnight before laundering. ❤ Baking soda is great for the removal of oil, blood and sweat stains. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste. Dab paste on stain, let sit for 20-30 minutes and rinse out prior washing. Additionally, baking soda can be used to clean carpets, rugs or soft furnishings. Simply apply paste to stains. Vacuum up once paste has dried.

D E C O R AT O R

DIY REMODEL

. S V G N PAINTI G N I C A L REP BY ANJA SPRINGTHORPE

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From the moment we purchased our home, I loved our kitchen – the layout, appliances, quality and functionality. What I didn’t like was the color of the dark cherry wood cabinets. It made the kitchen look small, dark and uninviting.

e enquired about the costs to replace the existing cabinets. Quotes ranged from $9,500 to $13,500. Having just moved houses, our budget was drained, and we concluded this had to be a DIY job. It took weeks of research, reading blogs and watching YouTube tutorials until we gathered the courage to purchase paint, glaze and varnish. After 12 weeks, we finally put back the last painted cabinet door. The result was what looked like a brand new kitchen. I have not once regretted our decision to paint the cabinets ourselves. Even now, two years later, with an active 7-year-old and two 70lb dogs, the cabinets look great without a paintchip in sight. However, painting the cabinets has been a long

project, greatly disrupting our family time together. We learned during the process that, depending on the paint used, it can be hard to achieve a 100% perfect surface look. We decided to use an antique stain (I love the shabby-chic look), which

depends on a number of aspects. We opted for chalk paint. Not because it’s the latest DIY craze, but because we could avoid sanding the cabinets. Our house features a large openplan layout, so we didn’t relish the idea of having

Our house features a large open-plan layout, so we didn’t relish the idea of having sawdust in every nook and cranny. conveniently covered the odd, visible brush strokes. If you aim for a slick, glossy look, painting the cabinets can be a challenge and replacing may be the better option. What paint is best for cabinets? That greatly

sawdust in every nook and cranny. Other types of paint, such as latex and oil based paints, require sanding to achieve lasting coverage. One bit of advice: don’t skip painting the insides of doors and cabinets. At

the time, it may seem like a time-saver, but imagine how much you’ll regret this decision every time you open a cabinet for years to come. Other considerations are the age or quality of your kitchen. If your cabinets are solid and well-working, there is no reason why painting wouldn’t spruce-up your kitchen. But, if you are already unhappy with the functionality or sturdiness of your cabinets, a coat of paint is unlikely to change that. Considering the money we have saved, I can only recommend painting vs. replacing. But I loved our kitchen to start with, which had good quality cabinets. Thankfully, we had the patience to complete the task. I’m already planning my next project – painting my bathroom cabinets. Fall 2019

THE ROOMBA

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BY MICHELE ROBERT POCHE

There are a number of different models in the line. I went with the midrange Roomba 860. It comes with a premium lithium ion battery (not available with all models) and offers the following features: • iAdapt Navigation • AeroForce™ 3-Stage Cleaning System • Brushless Extractors • Automatic Recharge between cleanings • Virtual Wall

Designed for carpets, rugs, tile and hard wood floors, the bagless robot’s navigation and cleaning system (50% stronger than older models) enable it to tackle a whole room, traveling under furniture, around chair legs and along wall edges. As a cat owner, I love the 860’s brushless extractors. My previous model was a mess of hair tangles (both human and pet), but the 860 allows for little to no maintenance. Simply empty the debris

reservoir and change out the lint filters regularly. The machine automatically recharges at its base after every use. If a room is especially dirty, I just close the door and let the machine work there for a while. Or you can set up the virtual wall. My favorite use for this feature is keeping it away from the Christmas tree every year. Sure, it’s cliché, but I’m still going to say it. The Roomba 860 has set me free!

Fall 2019