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On the road to Grand Targhee LOCATED IN ALTA, WYOMING, minutes from Grand Targhee, this 3 br, 2.5 bath cedar home is so cozy! Featuring cedar T&G, cathedral ceilings, lots of southern exposure with a fully landscaped yard including a mature raspberry patch. $679,000. Adjacent .36 acre lot available with home at $859,000.
Gorgeous horse ranch in Alta, Wyoming. This property has it all--30 acres Located in Alta, Wyoming, this is an income producing property with with log home, horse barn, guest house, swimming pool, trees, creek, pond and fabulous views of the Grand. The house features 5,600 sq. ft, 5 br, 5.5 ba, wood a Teton view! Unique and one of a kind-$3,995,000. burning fireplaces, oak floors and a separate guest house all on 3.47 acres. Priced at $2,800,000.
91 E Little Ave., Driggs, ID 83422 (208) 354-8988 • Fax (208) 354-8992 2040 N. Stateline Rd, Alta, WY 83414 1-877-395-6239 Broker/Owner Kathy Runyan Associate Broker Roger Brink Located near the foothills of Darby Canyon, Darby Ranch offers 2.5 to 4 acre lots with fabulous water rights, outdoor riding arena, paved roads, landscaped entry with log and stone entry gate and access to some of the best riding trails in the world. Entry prices start at an amazing low price of $145,000.
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Sales Associates John Vance Moulton Karen “Kui” Urban Margaret Sloan Prissel Nancy Reese Chris Runyan Michele Waatti Rachelle Fullmer Dave Dery
Expect the best® An Independently Owned and Operated Member of Coldwell Banker Residential Affiliates, Inc.
THE REAL ESTATE CO.
CROSS A CREEK AND DRIVE THROUGH the trees to your dream home. Lovely home on 5 private heavily treed acres with a creek running through. Private bath for every bedroom, two levels of living space, beam and log accents, attached garage. A private setting for quiet living. $1,525,000
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY in Victor. 93+/- acres with home half block off Main Street. Zoned Transitional-Commercial allowing for many potential uses. Trail Creek irrigation water, rental potential, street frontage, borders downtown commerical property. $600,000
2.37 ACRES with fantastic Teton views. Located in Four Peaks Estates Phase I off 400 North, this lot has power and phone to lot line and a seasonal creek running thru . A good value at $219,000
4 ACRES NORTH OF FELT with highway year round access. Sits on a bench and offering unobstructed views of the Teton Range. Gorgeous building site. $239,000
4 BEDROOM HOME tucked among the aspen and pine in Sorenson Creek Subdivison offering privacy and seclusion. Owner built with great attention to all details. Full finished basement, infloor heat, full rock fireplace, large decks, detached four stall garage. All sitting on a 6+/- wooded lot. $1,399,000
3 BEDRM/2 BATH HOME located on a corner lot in Valley Vista Estates with good location between Victor and Driggs. New pergo flooring, open floor plan, well maintained, 2.5 bay garage with workshop area, landscaped lawn. $247,000
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELLING YOUR PROPERTY CONTACT ONE OF OUR AGENTS TO HELP YOU GET ON LINE. Broker: Patty Lyons • Sales Associates: Andy Johnson, Mark Thompson, Ken Chambers, Bruce Bushong, Linda Young, Shauna Crandall and Vivianna Mullen
47 S. MAIN STREET, P.O. BOX 174 DRIGGS, ID 83422 (208)354-2337 • 1-800-758-1969 (208)354-8580 fax
http://www.coldwellbankerdriggs.com Page
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A Guide to growth and development in
Teton Valley Table of Contents
The Teton Valley News Grand Homes 2007 Fall edition is a publication of the Teton Valley News Stacy Simonet | Publisher Lisa Nyren | Managing Editor
Advertisers Index
all resort realty Alta Realty
5
Energy efficient living
6
Beauty in rare woods
8
Home heating choices
coldwell banker
10
Carpeting and cleaning
cougarscapes
12
Lighting options for your home
13
Sprucing up old furniture
14
Sustainable homes
grand teton log homes
17
Winterizing your yard
Horizon Star Construction
20
Building your own house
jackson moore lighting
22
Outdoor lighting
24
Concrete staining
26
Warm bedding options
S&R Trucking
28
Cozy fireplaces
Steve Horn Gallery
32
Appliance trends
34
Steve Horn Gallery
37
Coordinated bathrooms
American Realty West Bank of idaho
DW Tile and natural stone fireplace by design first bank of the tetons
Laurie waterhouse design Sotheby's/Kathy Johnson The Rusty Nail
Swiss Precision Landscape Design Trail CReek Auto two feathers construction United Bank of Idaho vip Asphalt Vistas at water edge Windermere/Julie Bryan Windermere/Maren Erickson
Emily Palm | Writer Alex Billings | Writer Rachael Horne | Writer Shel Williams | Writer for Grand Homes Amy Wright | Photographer Meg Heinen | Advertising Sales Matthew Mulica | Advertising Sales Nanci Montgomery | Advertising Sales Jen Rochette | Graphic Designer
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Cover photo courtesy of Grand Teton Log Homes
Tax deductions for energy efficient living Rewards offered on both state and federal levels By Rachael Horne
I
dahoans can reduce their tax bills when they install insulation or alternative energy systems in their homes. “The state of Idaho offers two energy tax deduction for homeowners,” said Gerry Galinato of the Idaho Water Resources Energy Division. “On a federal level there are also a number of tax credits that can also be claimed.” The deductions are claimed on the Idaho Supplemental Schedule, Form 39R. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created numerous tax credits for consumers and businesses if they purchase, install and place into service a variety
of energy conservation projects and renewable energy technologies. The tax credits will reduce federal income tax liability on a dollar for dollar basis. If you install an alternative energy device in your Idaho residence, you can deduct a portion of the amount actually paid or accrued. Qualifying devices according to the Idaho Department of Water Resources Energy Division: • A system using solar radiation, wind or geothermal resource primarily to provide heating or cooling, or produce electrical power, or any combination. • A fluid-to-air heat pump operating on a fluid reservoir heated by solar radiation or geothermal resource but not an air-to-air heat pump unless it uses geothermal resources as part of the system. • A natural gas or propane heating
unit that replaces a non-certified wood stove. • An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified wood stove or pellet stove meeting the most current industry and state standards that replaces a non-certified wood stove. In the year the device is placed in service, you can deduct 40 percent of the cost to construct, reconstruct, remodel, install or acquire the device, but not more than $5,000. In the next three years after installation, you can deduct 20 percent of these costs per year, but not more that $5,000 in any year. You can’t claim the cost of a built-in fireplace unless it is equipped with a metal heat exchanger that delivers heated air to a substantial portion of your home and has control doors and a regulated draft. Nor can you claim an air-to-air heat pump.
Lazy I Ranch On Teton Creek Nestled amid the soaring splendor of the Teton Mountains is an exquisite 7.27 acre ranchette in Alta, Wyoming. A Rocky Mountain paradise, with National Forest access and Teton Creek’s year round beauty, this property is close to Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Driggs, Idaho. The full-round log home, with total square footage of 3,855, has four bedrooms and three baths. In addition, there are three fully fenced pastures, a three stall log barn with apartment and a 750 square foot hay shed. Come to the mountains and relax...... $2,600,000. StuNNiNg
A m e r i c A n
traNquil
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SereNe
Please contact, Brooke saindon, Broker 208.354.2348 ext. 14
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189 N. MaiN Street, DriggS, iD. 83422 208.354.2348 w w w . a r w e S t . c o M t e t o N V a l l e y i D a h o & w y o M i N g
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Running with the grain:
Local woodworker reveals beauty in rare woods By Shel Williams David Trapp takes a philosophical approach when working with wood. A table sits in his showroom, fashioned from two boards of a Western black walnut tree. In life, the tree had grown to incorporate the remnants of a branch, eight inches in diameter, removed years before. By luck, the sawmill had sawed the board along the branch’s length, revealing a grain streaked in rich browns, black and silver. He set it aside, saving it for a table top. “That was a once-in-a-lifetime board,” Trapp said. It’s a find that would have slipped through the fingers of many a woodworker, were it not for Trapp’s insistence on hand sorting every wood shipment he receives. “When we get a load of lumber, we go through the shipment board by board and sort it, hand selecting wood boards that are suitable for a given purpose,” Trapp explained. “One board might be suitable for a tabletop, where it has an unusual grain, while another board may not be. That makes a big dif-
David Trapp uses rare pieces of wood to make his furniture.
ference between our shop and others.” And that day as they continued to sort the black walnut shipment of 5,000 boards, another man found its twin, and the two boards were reunited in the tabletop now displayed in the showroom of D. L. Trapp Woodworks and Design.
Hand-sorting his wood pieces, David Trapp chooses only the finest for his work, for example, above, a coffee table and at left, a side table.
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The spacious 12,000-square-foot building in Victor might seem to belie the painstaking production that goes on inside. While Trapp’ business supports the demands of the multi-million dollar homes cropping up in Teton Valley, he deliberately keeps the business small enough that it remains a craftsman’s shop rather than a factory, which allows him to be personally involved in every job the seven-member staff produces. In keeping with his philosophical approach, Trapp is firmly committed to working in rare and unusual hardwoods only in an environmentally sound way. As a result, one hardwood absent from his inventory is Honduras mahogany. “The harvesting method is so destructive that, my understanding is, about five acres of tropical forest is destroyed for every Honduras mahogany harvested,” Trapp said. “I’m not comfortable with that ... “We use an African mahogany, which is more plentiful and is harvested with less damage.” And while rosewood is endangered
WOODS continued on Page 7
WOODS continued from Page 6 in its native continent of India, Trapp has discovered the identical wood species growing in a cultivated form in Indonesia. “Interestingly, in India, rosewood was largely cut down for cooking fuel, not lumber,” Trapp said. “In Indonesia, it is grown in tea plantations. Tea bushes can’t take direct sun; they need partial shade ... “There’s always a generation of trees that are getting too big, and they cut those down for lumber.” As his lumberyard has worldwide roots, so does the craftsmanship Trapp employs in furniture making and cabinetry. Cabinet boxes are frameless like those found in Europe, and drawer boxes are 5/8-inch solid birch or maple with dovetailed joints and Europeanstyle concealed undermount drawer slides that preserve the look of wood on wood. Not surprisingly, Trapp’s cabinets forgo the iron-on veneer edge tape that can easily peel off as cabinets are used. “Instead, we use a 3-millimeter solid wood edge banding that we make here,” Trapp explained. “We have experimentally tried to remove the banding even with a chisel, and the only way you can get it off is to destroy the banding and the panel. Under normal household use, it won’t come off. And, by making the banding here, we can get a perfect match to the panels.” Designing cabinets or custom furniture is a collaborative effort into which Trapp enters with each client. The resulting designs frequently have a contemporary flair, sometimes with Asian
or Scandinavian influence. Yet even when producing unique and custom work, the shop is savvy at working to a budget. While they don’t compete with the Home Depot market, fair money for fair work is Trapp’s motto. “It’s doesn’t matter what a person’s bank account looks like,” Trapp said. “I would rather make a living indefinitely than make a killing just that once.” Wood fashioned in Trapp’s shop is never stained. Since the shop routinely works in as many as 30 species of wood, an oil finish is usually all that’s needed to protect and beautify the boards. “There are enough varieties of woods that we work with, that if someone wants a different color wood, we get a different wood which is that color naturally,” Trapp said. With Trapp’s reverence for wood, it’s notable that Trapp’s favorite wood comes from the Western black walnut. “It’s much harder and has much better color,” Trapp explained. “And it’s also available in much larger boards, because it’s a much bigger tree.” But some boards are too precious to end up in a cabinet or table. A piece of Gabon ebony from Africa is among those Trapp treasures, but for which the perfect use has eluded him. “I’ve had this board for 30-some years. It’s spectacularly large – eight feet long, 13 inches wide and 1-½ inches thick,” Trapp said. “Because it is so rare, I think it’s going to end up on my wall sometime, just for what it is.”
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Home heating choices and efficiency
Beating heating costs By Rachael Horne
The average American family spends about $1,300 a year on heating. That has homeowners across the Untied States looking for and investigating alternative heating options. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts on average, households heating with primarily natural gas are expected to spend about $350 or 48 percent more this winter on fuel. Those who heat with oil can expect an average $378 increase, or
32 percent more. If temperatures are colder than expected, those numbers could be significantly higher. Fireplaces are a traditional and still popular source of additional heat in many homes. They give off a lot of heat
and provide a sense of coziness and warmth. As well as providing heat, fireplaces create an attractive focal point for a
HEATING continued on Page 9
Jackson Moore Interior & Lighting Design A rare breed Professional Lighting Designers
980 W. Broadway — P.O. Box 12560 Jackson, WY 83002-2560 307.734.8986
W. Andrew Romo & Heidi Wadsworth Page
131 North Valley Centre Dr. Driggs, ID 83422 208.354.3400
parts than their wood and gas burning equivalents, so they need skilled support services. They also depend on electricity to operate. Pellets are renewable fuel, essentially taking wood waste.
HEATING continued from Page 8 room. Installing a fireplace makes sense from an investment or resale value perspective as well. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, homeowners can raise their selling price from six to 12 percent, just by adding a fireplace.
Gas
Wood
Heating value – Open fireplaces are estimated to be 10 percent efficient; the percentage refers to the net amount of usable heat generated from the fuel burned. Old wood stoves are marginally better at 20-30 percent efficient. Stoves, wood-burning fireplace inserts and prefab high efficiency fireplaces made in the past 15 years have upped that percentage to the mid-60s to mid70s.
Pellets
Heating value – They are generally made from sawdust shavings or wood pulp and were first made in the 1970s as a response to the energy crisis then. The have only five to 10 percent
According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, homeowners can raise their selling price from 6 to 12 percent, just by adding a fireplace. moisture content, so they burn at 79 to 86 percent efficiency. Pellet stoves have more moving
Heating value – Gas stoves, inserts and fireplaces are efficient ranging in the high 70s to mid-80s in the net amount of usable heat generated from the fuel burned. Gas and propane prices tend to fluctuate more than prices of pellets and wood because they are tied to the price of oil on the world market. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted that natural gas prices would rise 11 percent this winter and propane prices 17 percent. Electricity is needed for operation of some gas heaters, but others have a pilot light that is constantly on and do not require electricity to operate. Unlike pellets and wood, natural gas and propane are not renewable resources, and their burning contributes greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
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Carpet & cleaning
By Alex Billings Choices for flooring have changed significantly from early pioneer days where the only choices were dirt or wood. There has been a recent explosion of flooring materials ranging from linoleum and hardwoods to tile, concrete and carpet since the 18th century. For many in America however, carpet remains a good choice for a flooring material, being both warm and inexpensive compared to hardwoods. The type of carpet bought depends significantly on several factors including usage, location, amount of traffic and features like stain proofing imbedded in the carpet by the manufacturer. Expensive carpet is not always the best bet when looking for a long-lasting, multi-use carpet, said Verne Royal, owner of Royal Floor Coverings in Victor. Royal suggested consumers look for a carpet suitable for the area they intend to use it in. For use in a personal space such as a bedroom, a higher quality carpet could be used, but in a rental unit a cheaper carpet would be a more economic and practical choice. The key to any carpet, Royal said, is making sure to get a good pad underneath the carpet. According to Royal, the price of a carpet is largely dependent on the number of ounces of yarn per square inch or square yard of carpet. The more ounces of yarn per square inch or yard denotes a higher quality carpet and is therefore more expensive. A Berber weave, created from large and small tufts of material, giving the carpet a rugged look, holds up well to high traffic areas. In addition to a Berber weave there are many types of carpet available including cut pile, sculpted, nylon, and wool. Jim Shultz of Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings in Victor said recently cut and loop patterned carpet has been popular, created from loops and cut pile (where the loops have been cut apart). There are also eco-friendly carpets, Shultz said, which can be recycled to create other carpets, Page 10
Photo by Amy Wright
Royal Floor Coverings in Victor offers a variety of flooring options to home owners.
More information
• Royal Floor Coverings can be contacted at 4 N Main in Victor or by calling 787-2419 and carries carpet, vinyl, marmoreal, laminate flooring, hardwoods, ceramic tile, and Hunter Douglas window blinds. • Nationwide Floor and Window Coverings can be reached at 787-7100 generally by appointment with a mobile showroom able to go to the customer. Appointments can be scheduled for weekends as well. • Medalist Cleaning and Restoration can be reached at 354-6297.
keeping resources out of landfills. Carpet is an economical choice for most homeowners with advantages in cost and warmth over hardwoods. Hardwood flooring, while visually attractive, can be cold and costly while for the same price per square foot a consumer could buy a high quality carpet that is warmer and equally attractive. Even the highest quality carpet will eventually become soiled with dirt and need cleaning. Vacuuming works to pick up debris and small objects that occur from average use. However vacuuming will not always be enough to
get rid of all dirt in a carpet, sometimes a more in depth cleaning is needed. John Beal, owner of Medalist Cleaning and Restoration in Driggs, said a carpet should be thoroughly cleaned every six months for a private residence. A hot water extraction method works by pre-treating a carpet to break up dirt, letting it rest for 15 to 20 minutes before using an acid rinse to neutralize the treatment. This is done, Beal said, to eliminate any soapy residue, which would occur otherwise. After the carpet is rinsed thoroughly, this removes all of the dirt tracked in from outside and from inside the building. Beal said portable cleaning units only generate around 100 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure while professional cleaners operate at 400 psi with water temperatures reaching 200 degrees. Before any type of in-depth cleaning takes place a carpet should always be vacuumed to remove any loose debris. When deep cleaning a carpet the resulting water allows the person cleaning the carpet to see exactly how dirty the carpet is, when the carpet is clean, so will be the water.
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Lighting
life at home
How lighting can enhance your home atmosphere By Shel Williams
comes to choosing light fixtures, dark is in, hether it’s a crackling fire, glimmering said Jessica Likes, a candles on a dining room table or an accent designer with Buildlamp highlighting a treasured momento, ers Design Center in a home’s lighting captures the eye and the Idaho Falls. Today, imagination. wrought iron combines with And by consulting a lighting designer, you can explore alcream-colored glass to replace the brushed nickel ternatives that make the lighting in your home both functional look that was popular in the 1990s. and economical as well as attractive. Likes suggests considering the color of the door handles, “A lighting designer comes into play because he or she hinges or faucets already in the room when you’re deciding knows the amount of light you’ll need for various tasks, and among metal colors in fixtures. If the room has bronze door the best way to present that light,” said Heidi Wadsworth, accents, you’ll want to continue that in your lighting fixtures a lighting designer with Jackson Moore as well. Plus, many fixtures can help pick up the Lighting in Jackson, Wyo. theme of the room’s furnishings. A den might have several strategically “In the Driggs area, the rustic style is very Lighting Designers placed table lamps to encourage relaxed popular,” Likes said. “Anything that has to conversation, while one corner might feado with animals – antlers, or silhouettes of and Fixture Retailers ture a pendant light over a table dedicated animals.” to jigsaw puzzles set up for cold winter In some cases, the light fixture itself can be • Builders’ Design Center evenings. a work of art. A variety of antler creations can 530 E. Anderson When a room has multiple uses, it also bring a Western look to your home through Idaho Falls, ID 83401 requires multiple types of lighting. the showrooms of Wild West Designs. With (208)522-4043 “Each space should have at least three locations in Idaho Falls and Jackson, Wyo., layers of lighting: one layer could be table the company creates lighting – chandeliers, • Jackson Moore Lighting lamps, one layer, track lighting, and a third candelabra, lamps and wall sconces -- from the 980 W. Broadway could be wall sconces,” Wadsworth said. antlers of elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed Jackson, WY 83001 “Layers help with the versatility and help to deer, even caribou. A four-light white-tailed (307) 734-8986 set moods.” deer chandelier begins at $895, and options inwww.jacksonmoore.com A key to setting the mood is installing crease in price and complexity up to a 21-light dimmers on switch plates. Dimmers allow chandelier constructed with a combination • Wild West Designs you to adjust the light to precisely the level of moose, caribou and elk antlers, said Travis 2037 N. Yellowstone you need and decrease the power required Saxton, one of the store’s managers and artists. Idaho Falls, ID 83404 to light your home. “Everything we make here is out of sheds,” Phone: (208) 523-8800 “We put dimmers on everything,” said Saxton, who has been creating antler art 1-800-565-HORN (4676) Wadsworth said. “Dimming a light by 10 for more than 16 years. “They’re all natural; we percent doubles the life of the light bulb as don’t change the color or anything.” • Wild West Designs well as saves on the electric bill.” While not every room requires an expensive 140 W. Broadway Once you’ve decided the kind of lighting chandelier, it’s common for homeowners to inJackson, WY 83001 you need, you’re ready to choose the style Phone: (307) 734-7600 LIGHTING continued on Page 15 in which that light is delivered. When it
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From faded to fabulous The ins and outs of sprucing up old furniture
By Rachael Horne
W
hether you want to give old furniture a new look or give a special person a unique gift, sprucing up and decorating pieces can add style and elegance to any decor. Browsing through show homes can be a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon. But it can be discouraging, too. After all, how many can afford to splurge on new furniture, draperies and all the other accessories that make show homes so eye-catching? It is possible, however, to create a beautiful and elegant home environment without draining the bank account. All it takes is patience, persistence and resourcefulness.
Distress it - Give items like dressers and bookcases a hint of sophistication and age by distressing the surface. Paint a base coat on the object and then age it with a second color. Using a rag, wipe a bit of the second color on the corners and edges. Then, using a paintbrush, fling tiny speckles of paint everywhere. This will give your furniture a stylish, yet aged look.
Maxbarger.com
Above: A stencil print from the computer, printed it out on sticky label paper and stuck to wood, then the sections are cut out with a blade and painted over with black paint to spruce up the legs of a coffee table.
Decorate it - Use stencils and sponges to create fun designs on surfaces. Stencil flowers and butterflies on a drab storage chest for garden tools or create depth and texture on an old hutch with some paint and a sponge. Hand-painted designs add a personal touch to any object, while also adding style and elegance to the decor.
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Personalize it - Add a unique touch to any room with personalized furnishings. Paint an old rocking chair for the nursery-add babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name or birth date to create a special place to rock the bundle-of-joy to sleep. Or, paint a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desk with letters of the alphabet or numbers to create a cozy place to study or color. Not only will this make the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workspace fun, but it will also encourage learning. Restore it - If you are not ready to make a drastic change to a piece of furniture, but it is starting to look dull, restore it. Re-paint or re-stain the piece to bring it back to its original state and beauty. This will bring a fresh, new look to the piece, while carrying on the tradition of the object. Tile it - Add beauty and color to boring tables and chairs with mosaic-tiled artwork. Using broken pieces of tile and stained glass, create a design of your choice, adhering each piece with super glue. Next, use a grout to fill in the space between tiles. Page 13
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Insulation and air quality are key elements in the winter
Sustainable homes
By Emily A. Palm
A
sustainable home needn’t be a funky little Quonset hut. Not that there’s anything wrong with that style if it floats your boat, but any home in any style can have sustainable aspects. Christina Thomure, Director of Sustainable Operations at Grand Targhee Resort in conjunction with Andy Tyson of Creative Energies, in Victor, hope to highlight homes throughout the valley that have made sustainable options. “With the rising costs of energy and warnings about climate change, many homebuilders are finding solace in smaller, ‘smarter’ homes. Smarter homes use renewable energy sources and incorporate water conservation. They use natural, healthy building materials and create better uses of their space. These homes are beautiful, economical and will last hundreds of years,” Thomure said. Tyson noted, a “sustainable home” is defined by three-pronged criterion, resting upon materials, environment and energy. “It’s just such a wide subject,” he said, adding, “There are a lot of different things that go into being sustainable.” One home, a log cabin in the valley, is made of straw bale, which has a high insulating value and is a
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Photo courtesy of Mark Fisher
Clean and frost-free solar panels in the wintertime run properly. This log cabin, owned by Georgie Stanley of Victor, will be among those showcased in the sustainable homes tour on Oct. 27.
More information
A Sustainable Homes Tour on Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featured homes of all shapes and sizes around the valley with sustainable options. Call the sustainability office at Grand Targhee at (307) 353-2300 ext. 1375 for details. readily available building material locally. The home is also solar powered enough to take it off the energy grid. A generator backup was installed perchance in the heart of winter storming the dwellers need backup energy. Solar panels need to be cleaned and maintained, as they rely on solar gain to actually operate, for example, keeping snow and frost off of it in the wintertime. Getting the word out on other options too is important, Tyson noted. “Many people know that the off-grid straw bale cabin exists,” Tyson said, “but what people don’t realize, is more traditional homes can be done sustainably. “It can look and act like a
normal home, focused on its resources, doesn’t have to be “off the grid” make a portion of your power, I think the more mainstream the message is, the better, its’ really easy for people to say funky little cottages in the trees that are off the grid, I hope that we have those, I know that in this valley there’s a lot more than that. Many buildings around the valley have been built under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. While Tyson praised the program, he emphasized one needn’t go to some certified standard to make some green choices. “This isn’t all or nothing,” he said, “You can just choose
things that make sense for you and your budget and they can be within your budget.” He hopes that an Oct. 27 tour highlighting homes with sustainable options achieves the message that anyone can make sustainable homes. Tyson noted that wintertime sustainability concerns generally center on energy and making sure a home is well insulated and air sealed as to not lose heat to the environment. During the design and siting phase, he suggested not having doors on the southwest side of the home as to prevent getting blasted by the weather, also to think about how to get from an un-attached garage to the house considering the high amount of snow. After a home is built, winter weatherizing can help in sustainability by tightening up and sealing the home.
LIGHTING continued from Page 12 nocently skimp on the budget when it comes to lighting. “If you’re building a home, lighting should be one to three percent of the cost of the home,” Wadsworth said. “Usually it’s much less than that.” Another area often overlooked is landscape lighting. Many homeowners believe outside lights are for security and safety on sidewalks and driveways, but in most cases lighting your landscape adds another living space to your home. Lighting a deck extends the time a family can enjoy outside after a barbecue, and spotlighting a graceful tree in the front yard adds beauty -and value -- to your home. “Most people don’t realize this, but landscape lighting can add $10,000 to the value of your home,” Wadsworth said. “And very few people do it.”
Basic types of lighting When planning your lighting, look at the activities that occur in each room, the atmosphere you want to create and the decorative elements you wish to emphasize. Take note of those areas serving more than a single purpose, which will likely require more than one type of lighting. There are three basic types of lighting that work together to light your home: general, task and accent. A good lighting plan combines all three types to light an area, according to function and style. • General lighting provides an area with overall illumination. Also known as ambient lighting, general lighting radiates a comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and walk about safely. It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights. A basic form of lighting that replaces sunlight, general lighting is fundamental to a
lighting plan. • Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as reading, sewing, cooking, homework, hobbies, games or balancing your checkbook. It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and portable lamps. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain. • Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of a decorating scheme, it is used to spotlight paintings, houseplants, sculpture and other prized possessions, or to highlight the texture of a wall, drapery or outdoor landscaping. Accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting around it. This usually is provided by track, recessed or wallmounted fixtures. Source: American Lighting Association, www.americanlightingassoc.com.
Your Home, Your Way LOG KITS – Hand Craft Chinked/Hand Craft Full Scribe/ Hand Craft Post and Beam/Milled/Machine Profiled/ Material Packages – Windows-Doors-Custom Designs Rod Carson and Link Schooner | 474 South 50 West, Victor, ID
208-787-2239 | grandtetonlogohomes.com Page 15
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Even temperatures and load-free covers key for wintertime tubs
Hot tubbing in the winter
By Emily A. Palm
W
hen it comes to hot tubs, skimpy should be reserved for the bathing suits. Cutting corners on the initial purchase of a hot tub can result in an inefficient and uncomfortable money hemorrhage rather than the amenity hoped for. Size, design, options, and insulation value set tubs apart from each other, Rich Phillips, Fireplace by design and Beachcomber Hot tubs in Broulim’s shopping center co-owner, said. Design of the tub involves the comfort factor. A cheap tub won’t feel comfortable to sit in and is neither rounded nor form fitting, Phillips noted. Cheap jets don’t massage, rather they just tap the skin causing the area to go numb, meanwhile cheaper tubs’ inadequate insulation causes the Local vendors include: power bill to go up, Phil• Davison Spas, (208)354-7727 lips noted. Thus, many • Fireplace by Design, (208)354-7868 people sell their tubs • Bridger Spa, (308)733-7215 when they realize, “This costs a lot of money and we never use it.” Where a tub is made can make a difference of the quality of insulation. Many California companies don’t manufacture hot tubs adequate enough to keep the water warm when facing negative temperatures. Though much of the heat is lost from the sides and bottom of the tub, keeping a cover atop the water helps in the efficiency. The more the cover is off, the more energy costs rise. “It’s like having front door open and heating your house,” Phillips noted. Along with keeping heat in, covers keep unwanted items such as sticks, leaves, bugs and rodents out. Heavy winter snows can accumulate on hot tub covers. The sustained weight can damage and take years out of them, Eric Heppler, owner of Bridger spa in Jackson, said. “It doesn’t take long before you have a concave cover,” he said, noting that covers can cost as much as $500. Proper care can keep the cover functioning for years, he noted. Those unable to remove the snow from their hot tub covers can utilize Driggs business Davison Spas maintenance service. For $50 a visit, they will travel to the home, check chemical levels, clean the filter, skim off the top of the water, clean it, and if a client is a second homeowner coming in from out Page 16
Photo by Amy Wright
Fireplace by Design in Driggs offers a variety of hot tub options for the finishing touch to any home.
of town with a call alerting the company they’re heading up, they’ll turn up the heat to where the owners like it. For second home owners owning a hot tub, Davison spas will visit a tub twice a month for a monthly cost of $100 to ensure it is not freezing up, offering piece of mind, co-owner Georgia Davison said. Phillips noted that someone plans to be away for an extended period of time and plans to drain the tub; they should contact the manufacturer to see the protocol. The hot tubs Phillips sells, Beachcomber, recommends using antifreeze used in recreational vehicles. Phillips emphasized the importance of flushing the tub really well to make sure all the antifreeze gets out when they go back to use it. It takes about one gallon to do this, which costs about $4, Phillips said. While the national average for operating and maintaining a spa is $1 day, the cost in the Tetons can be a bit unpredictable because of the cold weather. He also pointed out it depends on the use, comparing it to how much is the gas
HOT TUBS continued on Page 18
Winterizing your yard By Alex Billings Generally, when thinking of lawn care, the words mowing, raking and weeding are the first that come to mind. However, a yard, just like a car should be winterized for the coming cold. Winterizing prepares a yard not only for the winter months but also for the coming spring. Everything in a lawn can be winterized from the grass to tall trees, even sprinkler systems. The time it takes to completely winterize a yard depends directly on its size. Smaller yards take less time than larger yards with more trees and shrubs. Winterizing should begin when summer changes into fall, according to a
nursery worker for M-D Nursery and Landscaping. When considering winterizing, a homeowner should remember leaving old growth could provide a home for insects, small animals and disease. Homeowners can winterize their lawns themselves or hire a lawn care service to take care of the job. If going it alone, a homeowner can expect to spend several hours or days working depending on the size of the lawn. One benefit of winterizing a yard is when the snow melts, plants can grow faster and easier without having to fight through old growth. According to Heath Clinton,
owner of Cougarscapes Landscaping, when beginning to winterize flower beds it is best to cut growth back to a height of three to six inches, this lets new growth come in quickly. Grass is something generally thought of when mowing
YARD continued on Page 18
Cougar Cougarscapes Helping you with all of your landscaping needs
• Design • Construction • Maintenance • Winterize • Full seasonal contracts
Heath Clinton CELL PHONE
307.413.1289 OFFICE PHONE
208.787.0992 Page 17
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YARD continued from Page 17 during the summer but it can also be winterized by mowing it as short as possible and using fertilizer afterwards. Fertilizing after mowing gives the grass plants one last rush of food for the coming winter, even though the grass will not grow any more that season. One added benefit of adding fertilizer is the grass will stay greener longer than it would otherwise. Some fertilizer manufacturers now include the word winterize somewhere on their product to help do-it-yourselfers. Trees should generally be pruned back for the winter but not when temperatures fall below freezing. Pruned limbs need time to create a seal of sap over the cut area to protect the tree from disease, something not possible when sap is frozen. Hanging limbs close to power lines should be cut back as well as those encroaching on the roof. Leaving these limbs runs the risk that they could break in the winter and take down power lines and gutters. Any dead areas in trees or shrubs should be cut off and discarded. Fallen leaves need to be raked to avoid rotting leaves in the yard come spring. As with grass, this is a good time to give trees an extra bit of fertilizer and some water. Smaller shrubs should be wrapped, with material such as burlap, to protect them from being damaged by frost. It is not just plants that need extra care for the winter; sprinkler systems also require a little work before the big freeze. If left untreated, remaining water in the system could turn to ice and possibly break or crack the pipes, turning what could have been prevented into a costly repair job. To avoid this problem, all remaining water should be blown out of the system with an air compressor; this leaves the pipes empty and less liable to break. After the system is cleared leave the area where the compressor was connected open. This allows for air to move through the system, letting it freeze and thaw with the surrounding soil. To prevent sharing your warm home with any uninvited guests, while working on the yard keep an eye out for any holes or large cracks
HOT TUBS continued from Page 16 going to cost for your car. It depends on several variables. Chemical costs can depend on who uses the spa, namely children. They can be less apt to use the restroom in their proper place. Such variances also Page 18
in siding or foundation. Holes could potentially allow small animals to make their winter digs in your home. To stop this, any torn screens should be replaced, chimneys and windows wells capped and food and garbage sealed to not lure in hungry house guests. Moose and deer roam during winter months, browsing on whatever suits their fancy. To block potential nibbling place a barrier around areas you wish to keep grazerfree. Another option is to spray those areas with a product that repeals unwanted visitors. These sprays can range from a hot pepper taste to peppermint. After one nibble the undesirable taste quickly tells visitors to look elsewhere for lunch. Removing the threat of animal activity helps your grass, trees and shrubs stay healthy for the coming spring. Specialty plants requiring extra care should be taken indoors if possible during the winter months. Native plants are used to braving winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fury but plants from other climates might not be able to withstand the cold. If care is not taken to prevent frost or cold-related injuries, the plant might be unable to bloom again in the spring. One local nursery worker said that an alternative to ornamental plants is to cultivate native plants, which can be just as beautiful and hardy enough for the area. Using native species also keeps introduced plants from spreading and driving out native plants. Any lawn ornaments made of plastic should be taken inside before freezing while some ornaments and bird feeders/washers made of stone or ceramic might survive the cold. It is the homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to either pull everything in for the winter or to let the garden gnomes brave the elements. In a nutshell, winterizing a yard is the same as a bear lying down to hibernate. Both the lawn and the bear try to pack on as much food and nutrients as possible for winter. For both plant and animal, this episode of over-indulgence has to last until spring and warmer temperatures return. If caught unprepared a lawn, just like any animal, will suffer and run the risk of dying off due to lack of food. Winterizing adds an extra layer of protection so both the plants and the homeowner, can be assured of a healthy and colorful lawn in the spring.
determine how often the water should be changed but all agreed at least every six months. Fireplace by Design has a couple of computerized water analyzers that tests water people bring in from their tub. They can recommend the dosage of chemicals (if the customer knows the capacity of the tub) and whether or not
the water needs to be changed. Prices for a good hot tub can range from a little over $4,000 to $15,000. Options can range from simply the number of jets, horsepower and circulation pumps, to mood lighting, radios, and waterfalls. Aromatic additions such as apple blossom aromatherapy can also be made and are available at Davison Spas.
We invite you to experience the unmatched outdoor lifestyle in a choice Teton Valley location. A private gated community located in the heart of the Teton Valley view corridor, Vistas at Water’s Edge is surrounded by Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and the Targhee National Forest. It offers Teton Valley’s best views of both the Tetons and Big Hole mountains. Amenities include: • Seven acres of lakes, streams and ponds • World class fly fishing on the nearby Teton River • Wildlife migration corridor adjacent to project • Extensive landscaping throughout common areas • Over one mile of walking, biking and cross country trails on-site • Gated community with paved roads • Secondary, pressurized irrigation system for each lot for landscaping • Underground utilities including fiber optic communication lines to all lots Enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of rural living with the “creature comforts” you want and deserve. Choose from 44 lots. Introductory priced from $169,900* *Lot prices and availability subject to change.
Photo courtesy of Grand Targhee Resort
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Ken Dunn (866) 467-5752
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Featuring
Dave Fullerton (406) 375-1833
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By Emily A. Palm Photos by Amy Wright
W
Jennifer Brewer proves shes not afraid to play with the big boy toys as she builds her future home south of Driggs. Brewer says, “ The Shop-Vac is a key tool!”
alk into this Drictor (the area between Driggs and Victor) home, and an almost completed living room with vaulted ceilings, pale maple flooring (so it seems), and natural pine doors gives an airy light feeling. This is the house that Jen built. Valley resident Jen Brewer broke ground on her home last May. Along with hiring subcontractors, she has coordinated the construction process. “I’m my own contractor,” Brewer said, noting the building permit lists her name as both the contractor and owner. Fueled by Rockstar energy drinks and the motivation of moving from the tiny apartment she’s been living in to a bigger home, Brewer has spent countless hours working on the home. With a little help from her friends, this Jen of all trades has learned much about the homebuilding and construction processes. “You have to be able to drop everything,” she said of contracting her own home, noting when an Idaho Falls company delivered the wrong kitchen counter she drove out below to get the correct ones. Luckily Brewer has a flexible schedule. During the winter Brewer works as an assistant teacher at
Jennifer Brewer stands outside of her home in Victor. With a little help from her friends, Brewer, who is building the house herself, has mastered the art of building a home in Teton Valley on a shoestring budget.
the Community School in Victor, and housecleans and waitresses in the summer. As a single woman entering the field of construction, it hasn’t been quite as intimidating as one might think but testosterone still outnumbers the estrogen. “It’s definitely a man’s profession,” Brewer said, noting she has not encountered many ladies in the lumberyards. Some building types have overestimated her abilities, that or lost touch with what it means to be a novice. “I’ve found they think I can do a lot more than I can,” Brewer said, adding some people tell her she can do something on her own but don’t give directions on how to install this or something that. On the flip side, Brewer noted that as a single woman she has found more people willing to help.
Jennifer Brewer stands back to enjoy the natural sunlight that pours into the home she is building south of Driggs. She designed the floor plan and is building the house herself.
For example when the flooring guy dropped off the tiles, he stayed a bit and helped install some. Brewer led a grand tour through her home’s master bedroom with a walk-in closet and full bathroom, of-
fice, guest bedroom, guest bathroom, laundry room, two-car garage, full kitchen and living room. Following behind was Brewer’s faithful beagle Ellie, nails clicking across the floor. Not a scratch was
made on the flooring. That’s because what looks like maple flooring is laminate. While it looks like authentic wood, it is more durable and longer lasting than standard wood flooring. The tongue and groove sides snap together. The process took about a week, she said. The home came from the Canadian company, Whisper Creek, with its walls and windows installed. Brewer designed the floor plan to her liking. Other tailored touches include colorful tiles in her guest bathroom, which she bought from the boneyard at Stock Lumber where they keep leftover tile. She picked out the colors and designs. She found the perfect door for the garage at the Habitat for Humanity store in Jackson, with a doggie entrance for Ellie. To bring in natural light, Brewer installed two solar tubes in her ceiling. At first glance it looks like a standard ceiling light, but looking up the luminous pipe the blue skies shine down. Originally Brewer had hoped to finish her home by the end of August, but now she has her sights set on the end of September. The friendly help from the valley helped her keep things in perspective. Often her good pals would remind her to focus on one thing at a time. It was a challenge not getting overwhelmed, she said, adding, “I wouldn’t be able to get through it without some of my good friends.” Brewer, who moved to the valley in 1999, will soon have a spacious place of her own. With a price tag resembling that of a standard non-custom home, she will have exactly what she hoped for and continue to enjoy what she came to the Tetons for. And what brought Brewer out here? “Skiing of course,” she said.
The house that Jen built Constructing a tailored home on a shoestring budget
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www.solarlightstore.com
Shining your outdoor light Christmas lights, spot lights, solar lights, you choose the source By Rachael Horne
O
utdoor lighting extends the time that you may appreciate hardscape and softscape features -- namely, into the night. Outdoor Christmas lighting is a great way to spruce up your winter landscape design, winter being the toughest time of year to keep the landscape interesting. Not only are there fewer daylight hours in winter, but there is also inherently less visual interest on the landscape -- so you have to make the most of everything at your disposal, including outdoor Christmas lighting. But you don’t have to restrict yourself to outdoor Christmas lighting, per se. A simple spotlight can do a lot. Picture a spruce tree rising up out of a blanket of snow, with a stonewall as a backdrop. By throwing a spotlight at night on this scene to highlight it, you create a winter wonderland. Outdoor solar lights are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Best of all, they provide free electricity. Outdoor solar lighting systems use solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries for use at night. Manufacturers most commonly use nickel cadmium, sealed lead acid, and lead acid batteries. Outdoor solar lighting systems will work in most areas of the United States.
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Lighting lingo
• Down lighting is oriented from above to imitate the natural light created by the sun or moon. It may be used as safety lighting for pathways, driveways, and stairs. • Down lighting also is effective to light decks and to accent plant material. • Up lighting adds depth to trees, landscapes, and home features by lighting from below, creating a rather dramatic effect. By placing lights at an angle, the textures of fences or walls can be accented. • Backlighting silhouettes an object of interest, such as a tree or shrub, against a lit surface. This indirect lighting effect is achieved by angling the light against a wall or fence behind the object.
However, it is important to consider geographic and site specific variables when choosing a product. A solar lighting system will work well only as long as the solar cells receive the manufacturers recommended hours of sunlight. The “nightly run time” listings on most off-the-shelf products are based on specific sunlight conditions. Outdoor solar lights located in places that receive less sunlight than the solar cells need, will operate for fewer hours per night than expected. Nightly run times may also vary depending on how clear the sky is on any given day. Operating times in the winter months may vary as much as 30 to 50 percent.
Unless the solar lighting system has been sized specifically for winter operation, it will not operate for the specified number of hours per night in a given location. Shading of the solar cells by landscape features (vegetation, buildings, etc) will also impact battery charging and performance. Watch for bird droppings, too. Insufficient battery charging will not only affect performance, it also may reduce the life of the battery. Some solar lighting systems are selfcontained units. You only need to place the lights in a sunny location. Others have the lights separate from a solar cell panel. Only the panel needs to be placed in a sunny location. Units vary in size from small eight-inch, red-glowing pathway markers to pole-mounted patio and high-beam security lights. Before you buy an outdoor solar lighting system, check with the manufacturer to see if replacement bulbs or batteries are available. Some units do not provide replacement options. Home outdoor solar lighting systems are often available in hardware, lighting, and discount stores as well as through environmentally oriented mail-order companies. Be aware that interruption of the dark period during the night may delay dormancy in some plant species, causing possible damage to plants during the winter.
DW Tile and Natural Stone, Inc. Custom Designs ~ Superior Craftsmanship 208.787.8589 Office/Showroom 208.406.8589 Cell dave@dwtileandnaturalstone.com
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Coloring concrete concrete staining is an effective way to add life to your home
By Alex Billings
Photo by Amy Wright
Concrete staining offers a variety of style options and colors adding a sleek look to floors and counter tops in any home or business.
Concrete staining is a relatively recent addition to floor choices, able to create a uniform look or a design on concrete. Like carpet and hardwoods, concrete staining can be used in any area of the home or business. However, concrete staining is cheaper than other flooring materials since the initial cost of the concrete is already there no matter what flooring material is used. The actual cost of staining the concrete can be as little as one third of what it would take to lay carpet or hardwoods. Furthermore, concrete can be stained or stamped in a design unique to the consumer. Large or small designs can be stamped onto the
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concrete, or a design can be cut into the concrete and then stained in any number of colors. The end result can imitate rock, stone, tile, marble, wood and even leather. Concrete is a bit like a blank canvas, possessing a neutral tone allowing for infinite possibilities. Once a stain or pattern is set, unlike paint, it will not peel or crack away from the concrete, instead it will become part of the concrete itself. Since concrete can contain minute imperfections in its surface, no two areas will be exactly the same color. In the past, stains available did not have a lot of color choices, staying close to natural tones of tan, brown, terra cotta and some blue-
STAINING continued on Page 30
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Staying snug as a bug in your bed By Emily A. Palm
A
fter a day of hitting the slopes, snowshoeing the hills or whatever prompts the bracing of the cold, nothing beats a hot shower followed by a cozy blanket. In Teton Valley the winter nights can dip, and considering energy prices don’t seem to be getting any lower, warm bedding becomes increasingly appealing. The most popular winter warmers are down comforters, flannels, and quilts. Popular winter color tones are browns and reds. “Things that feel cozy,” Jennifer Fay, owner of Linen Alley in Driggs said.
Warm winter options to stay cozy at night
most of the flannel sheets made in the springtime. Thus in the wintertime when smaller vendors go to buy, it’s difficult to find. “It’s really hard to get flannel,” Fay said, noting Linen Alley sells a combed cotton that offers the same cozy feel without clinging to you when turning over in bed. Since flannel is made of natural fibers, generally a wool and cotton blend, they are a bit warmer. While flannel bedding can’t be purchased in Teton Valley, Fay noted Linen Alley has flannel pajamas available. Fay noted any natural fiber, such as cotton or wool, is the way to go to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, since it breathes.
Quilts
Just looking at a quilt invokes a homey tenderness. Lisa Geisler, who manages Nothing beckons welcomthe home and gift departing warmth like down. Fay ment at The Wardrobe in noted the most important Driggs, noted they sell quilts warmth factor is the fill powyear-round, but the bulk of er. Linen Alley has a variety their sales begins in October of warmths and price ranges and continues through the for down. The fill power is winter. Geisler noted their the standard that notes the company does custom number of cubic inches filled and special orders as well. by each ounce of down. The “There’s not just a rustic log more space an ounce of down look to homes around here,” takes up (thus allowing for she said, adding “We have more air to be trapped, which such a diversity of styles.” provides the warmth), the She noted that a quilt has a more warmth it offers per comfort feel and a certain ounce. Not all geese are the hand-done look to it. While same. Down from Scandinasome look hand-sewn vian and Polish geese are the and are antiqued, Geisler warmest, and thus, often the noted there are some elegant most expensive. Down is the varieties made of velvet and insulating fluff found under Photo by Amy Wright satin. “There’s a huge variety the chest feathers of waterof quilts you can get,” she fowl. The lightweight clusters Large prints and warm colors are the way to go for bedroom linens this fall. Check out Linen Alley in Driggs for the latest in home furnishings. said. formed trap air, which proFor a truly hand-sewn vides the warmth. look, local seniors spend many a winter day quilting, and have their quilts on display at valley banks and beverage Flannel shops for people to purchase raffle tickets to win. Proceeds go Flannel sheets are a hot commodity. Large retailers, such toward their senior center. as The Company Store and Garnet Hill tend to purchase
Down
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Job#: 24397 Client: All S Agency: Adv 406.248.711 Title: Premie Pub: Fall Art Color: Full Size: 10.167 Submitted: Submitted to FTP upload
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[ Grand Homes ]
A cozy fireplace
Fa l l 2 0 0 7
By Alex Billings
O
n a winter night, a fireplace provides ambience and warmth against the cold. Both new and existing homes can utilize a fireplace whether it be wood-gas-or pellet fueled. Each type of fireplace has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Wood burning fireplaces require no outside materials save wood to run and therefore can be very cheap in comparison to gas or pellet fireplaces. If consumers were to provide their own firewood then the cost would be very minimal. One thing Rod Barnes, owner of Driggs Stovehouse can attest to is “a man who chops his own firewood warms himself twice.” A disadvantage of a wood fireplace is the possibility of
Photo by Amy Wright
Fireplace by Design in Driggs, offers a number of heating and installation options for home owners.
a chimney fire from improper maintenance. Large fireplaces are able to heat areas as large as 3,000 square feet and can also heat areas as small as one room. A homeowner should always make sure the damper (a valve or mov-
able plate in the fireplace to regulate the draft) is working properly and is open when using the fireplace. The damper creates a natural channel of air, supplying oxygen and letting the wood burn. Gas stoves, in comparison, do not
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require wood, instead they operate off a propane tank. Gas fireplaces are considered cleaner than wood-burning fireplaces since there is no leftover ash to clean. Instead logs in a gas fireplace are made from a ceramic fiber and are very durable. A gas fireplace can also be a convenient choice since it works in conjunction with a thermostat to provide even heat. This is done, Barnes said, by utilizing a standing pilot light. Gas fireplaces can be technologically savvy and operate from a remote control, which lets the user change the temperature and turn the fire off or on. However one disadvantage of gas fireplaces is the danger of either a silent gas leak or an explosion, both of which can prove fatal. Pellet fireplaces work off a thermostat the same as a gas fireplace and burn similar to a wood-burning fireplace. Instead of being restricted to a single fuel, one model of pellet fireplace can burn any type of grain from wheat and corn to sunflower, cherry pits and more. Other models are able to burn a combination of pellets and wood while
others are limited to wood pellets. Older model pellet fireplaces use some electricity to get started while newer models can be run off a battery. The electricity needed to use of a pellet stove, Barnes said, is similar to that needed to run a hundred-watt light bulb. When the thermostat calls for heat, the electricity heats an oil that then ignites the pellets. Rich Phillips, part owner of Fireplaces by Design in Driggs, said pellet fireplaces can be maintained similar to wood-burning fireplaces and both require storage for wood or pellets. No matter what type of fireplace is ultimately chosen, the selection is near endless with fireplaces available in any size and for any budget. The choice depends largely on the lifestyle of the consumer and can work with an existing source of heat to provide extra ambience and comfort. Another choice is the one between a freestanding fireplace and one built into a wall. Both operate the same although Barnes said there are more built-in fireplaces in newer construction than in previously
existing homes. However, Barnes said, any house, new or old, can be retrofitted for a fireplace. Those interested in purchasing a fireplace should check the rules and regulations of the subdivision they live in. Some subdivisions do not allow certain types of fireplaces, Phillips said, so the buyer should be aware before making a choice. One type of wood burning fireplace that is EPA Phase II compliant is made by Heatilator and is allowed in areas where air quality regulations or bans on burning are strictly enforced. Each type of fireplace has advantages and disadvantages; it is up to the consumer to choose the one which best suits their needs. While fireplaces served as a primary source of heat in the past, said Phillips, fireplaces are now becoming decorative parts of the room as well as a heating source. Fireplaces can be small enough for one room or big enough to heat a lodge, whatever the size, fireplaces keep a sense of nostalgia allowing for both memories and functionality.
THE RUSTY NAIL
Y O U R W E S T E R N R E T R E AT F U R N I S H I N G & D E S I G N C E N T E R
Home is where your breath should be taken away, and not just by the view
208-354-4663 • Broulim’s Shopping Center • 180 S. Main, Ste. C2 • Driggs, Idaho Page 29
T e t o n Va l l e y N e w s
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STAINING continued from Page 24
the concrete. Bill Brown, owner of Pour It Concrete, said water based stains help hide some imperfections in the concrete greens. With newer stains the sky is the limit on color choices while acetone based stains are good for floors finished with a including vivid red, oranges, yellows and purple. A stain can power trowel. Acid based stains etch the surface of the concrete be a solid color or semi-transparent, to let the concrete show about one eighth of an inch deep. One gallon of stain can spray through. an area roughly 200 to 300 square feet, however when first beThere is a lot that goes into concrete ginning it is best to spray in a small area to check staining beyond just the application of the the color of the stain on the floor. More information stain or stamp. First, the area chosen must Concrete staining runs about $3 per square • Pour It Concrete can be be completely cleaned, then an acid-based foot and up, said Brown, depending on the design reached by calling 787-2095 or stain is sprayed in a two coat process onto the or pattern. The cost ultimately is based on the 313-3475 or at www.Pour-it.com concrete and brushed around for an even look. size of the job and the colors chosen. The more Office hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The stain remains on the concrete for 24 hours complex the color or design, Brown said, the more Monday through Saturday. and is then removed and neutralized. After anexpensive the stain. other 24 hour wait the concrete is sealed and Concrete staining is not limited to basements left to dry for 24 hours. The total time includor garages. Whole floors can be stained, although ing cleaning, staining and sealing can take anywhere from five this tends to happen more in new construction where the to seven days. The seal used on the concrete can create either a house can be built to handle the weight of the floor. dull sheen or a high gloss depending on the consumer’s choice. Stamps and designs can run the gamut from simple designs Concrete stains are available using three different bases, to company logos and family crests. Just as with stains, the acid, water and acetone. Each base lends something different to consumer’s imagination is the limit for ideas and techniques.
+SWWMT ]SYV KVERHQSXLIV HSIWR±X IZIR ORS[ Teton Valley News tetonvalleynews.net
208.354.8101 Page 30
The First Bank to Serve You on Both Sides of the Tetons
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[ Grand Homes ]
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The latest functions and fashions of home appliances
Appliance appeal
By Shel Williams
W
hen it comes to making life easier in the kitchen, manufacturers have found a myriad of ways to help you keep your cool. One of the hottest new methods in the modern kitchen is induction cooking. Pick up a new set of specialized stainless steel cookware to go along with an induction cooktop, and you’re ready for the next generation of food preparation. “Induction cooking uses a electric smoothtop, and it has to use magnetic pans,” said Shana Peterson, manager at Denning’s Showkase in Idaho Falls. “That’s what conducts the heat, so when you take it off, it’s instantly cool.” Which means you can say goodbye to accidentally scorched tabletops or unexpectedly sizzled fingertips.
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Sharp’s microwave drawer preserves all the feautres of a full-size microwave while freeing up counter space. At about $900, the unit is available in two sizes.
Mounting that cooktop in an island allows vegetables, pasta or potatoes, and sauces to be prepared without standing directly over the heat of a roast simmering in a 350-degree oven. To move the steam and heat out of the kitchen and yet avoid the look of a hood swooping down from the middle of the ceiling, some homeowners choose to install a down draft, suggests James George of Elements Building Specialty in Driggs. “A down draft is the same as a hood, but it’s mounted on the back of the cook top,” George said. “With a push of a button, it comes up about 12 inches to provide ventilation.” In many kitchens, the hood shares its cabinetry with a microwave mounted above the stovetop. But when the cooktop is part of an island, it can leave your microwave homeless. A popular alternative is the under-counter microwave drawer. Available in 24- and 30-inch widths, it’s large enough to hold a 13- x 9-inch pan without sacrificing counter space. “With everyone doing the decorative wood hoods, it’s hard to find a place to put your microwave,” said Peterson. “This is a great alternative.” Microwaves aren’t the only appliances that fit in a drawer these days. Several manufacturers offer refrigerator drawers and even dishwasher drawers. The advantage to dishwasher drawers is that if you’ve entertained on the grill and only need to wash a rack of glass tumblers, there’s no need to run the whole dishwasher to clean half a load. “Basically, they run as two separate units,” George said. “Typically, the top drawer is a little bit bigger for pots and pans. If you don’t have a full load, you can just run half of it.” Another useful item in under-counter appliances is the wine cellar. With about 24 inches of space, you can cool as many as 48 bottles of wine. Dual zone units allow you to chill both red and white wines to separate temperatures, so no matter what the meal, you’ll be prepared with the appropriate wine chilled to perfection. But some things just won’t fit underneath the counter.
APPLIANCES continued on Page 38
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[ Grand Homes ]
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sTeVe Horn’s furniTure arT
Carving masterpieces By Stacy Simonet
W
hether you are looking for a gift for a friend or a major piece of furniture for yourself, the Steve Horn Mountain Gallery in Tetonia has it all. Although the works of many artists are featured, the highlight of the gallery is the work of the gallery’s namesake. Steve Horn began carving wood in third or fourth grade when his hockey coach taught him to carve balls, cages and chains. Horn said he was hooked then and would carve around the campfire any chance he got. It wasn’t until 1996 when his wife Nora needed some furniture for her office that Steve began to carve a name for himself professionally. He said she needed furniture and asked him to make it, so he did. Shortly after that he was featuring his work in a show in Jackson and dove into the business full-time. “It’s all just a God-given ability,” said Steve, sitting in his gallery in a chair he made. “I’m so blessed, it’s hard to put into words.” Although he creates masterpieces, he doesn’t consider himself an artist. He works at his home in a small shop he calls “the cave” and uses a variety of tools to carve his wood, including hand tools and power tools alike. More recently, Steve said he’s enjoying carving in stone. Looking around the gallery you will see a variety of work from small wall hangings featuring bears carved into cottonwood, to coffee tables, to a bar. One of his personal favorite pieces is called “Mammy’s Stove.” At first glance, although it’s made out of Virginia oak and reclaimed barn wood, the piece of furniture looks like an old-fashioned wood-burning kitchen stove. On closer inspection a complete beverage center is found. The stove caps removed to reveal a blender, the hot water reservoir
GALLERY continued on Page 38 Page 34
Photo by Amy Wright
Steve Horn Mountain Gallery in Tetonia offers a variety of home furnishings and decor that capture the spirit of the west.
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[ Grand Homes ]
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Coordinated bathrooms offer luxury and convenience Courtesy of ARA
H
omeowners are spending billions of dollars each year on residential improvements, but when it comes to home design, bathrooms have not always been placed at the top of the priority list. One of the smallest and most practical rooms in the house, its utilitarian function at one time caused the bathroom to be seen as a room of necessity rather than luxury. Now, a growing trend in home remodeling is creating luxurious retreats in the home as an escape from the every day. Recent changes in this perspective have led to the bathroom being viewed as a place of relaxation, and consumers are beginning to invest more time and money to create a place of seclusion and escape. Now considered an extension of the bedroom, bathrooms are designed with care and comfort in mind. The newest trend desired by consumers is a coordinated look throughout the entire bathroom. People view harmonizing bathrooms as an upscale commodity that will bring a feel of luxury into their home. Thanks to complete bathroom suite collections, homeowners are able to find a style and finish they love and incorporate it throughout the entire room. These collections offer everything from faucets and shower systems, to an array of bathroom accessories. All pieces in a collection are created with a consistent design and range from traditional to contemporary themes. For consumers and builders alike, coordinated collections mean the added convenience of obtaining all bathroom components from one supplier, eliminating the time-consuming process of locating matching accessories. This makes for easy decision making and simple upgrades, getting the job done faster.
Courtesy of ARA
The Victorian Bath Collection from Delta allows homeowners the flexibility to coordinate everything from faucets to lighting to shower systems in the bath.
“Coordination allows the bathroom to be seen as a whole room rather than an area filled with different functions of necessity.” Paul Patton, senior product development manager, Delta Faucet Company “The 21st century homeowner views the bathroom as an escape from everyday life, which can sometimes be chaotic. So the goal is to create a simple, clean and soothing look within the four walls of the bath,” says Paul Patton, senior product development manager, Delta Faucet Company. “Our Victorian Bath Collection is an example of a suite that offers everything homeowners need to complete their bathroom with stylish coordination and convenience. From faucets to showers, tubs and accessories,
the homeowner will have a consistent look throughout.” Bathroom collections offer a wide array of accessories and finishes that give consumers a chance to personalize their bathroom, allowing them the opportunity to express their individuality and creativity in this personal space. Many of the accessories in these collections add to the decor of the room, while providing functionality and increased storage space to the bathroom without compromising design. For example, a towel rack that also serves as a shelf provides double duty, saving space and money. “Coordination allows the bathroom to be seen as a whole room rather than an area filled with different functions of necessity,” says Patton. “Complete collections bring a sense of cohesiveness to the bathroom, resulting in a luxurious, soothing sanctuary to relax and unwind.” For more tips and information on trend-setting kitchen and bath products visit www.deltafaucet.com or call Delta Faucet Company at (800) 345-DELTA. Page 37
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APPLIANCES continued from Page 32
GALLERY continued from Page 34
Making its renaissance is the French door refrigerator. The two-door unit opens to reveal 17.5 cubic feet of refrigerated space, and frozen foods are stored in a spacious drawer that pulls out from under the refrigerator unit. “A lot of people like to be able to see more of their refrigerator,” Peterson said. “This way you’re not bending over to get into the crispers.” Not to be outdone by advances from the cooler side of the kitchen, oven manufacturers have added steam cooking to traditional baking. “Steam cooking is a new thing in ovens,” Peterson said. “You have to have it hooked up to a water line, but for breads, especially the French bread which is crustier, it sprays a mist of water during the baking.” And top-of-the-line Aga cookers allow a rainbow of colors to grace the kitchen décor. Dark blue, claret and British racing green are among the finishes available in models that range up to $20,000. Aga’s heavy-duty, cast iron units feature four separate baking compartments, each permanently set to a specific temperature. “They do not turn off -- you have to have them vented outside,” Peterson said. “Back in the day, the reason they didn’t turn off is because people used to heat their houses with them.... Some people try to remove some of the insulation in their house, so they can still use them that way.” So in this case, getting the heat out of the kitchen has some advantages.
is actually an ice maker. The space that would be the oven is actually a wine/beverage cooler. The cost for this Horn masterpiece is $10,500. It’s a very unique piece made by Steve but inspired by Nora. “She wears a lot of hats,” Steve said about his wife. “She’s the main hub, I’m just the delivery boy.” Steve said he enjoys working with his wife and that she comes up with a lot of ideas he’s able to make reality. Having been a logger for many yeas, Steve collected a lot interesting wood that he uses for his craft. Much of the wood for his projects comes from Teton Valley but he also makes a couple trips a year to Virginia for maple, black walnut and rustic oak wood. “I go through piles and piles to find what I’m looking for [for a project].” In addition to just the right pieces of wood, Steve said he uses other types of materials in each piece. For example he may uses oak, leather and granite in one piece. “It doesn’t have to be expensive,” Nora said about Steve’s furniture and accessories that are for sale in the gallery, adding that prices range from $49 to $17,000. She said they listen to what
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people want and try to deliver it. She said about half Steve’s time is spent making “functional” items like lamps and benches. The rest of his time is spent on upper-end items. Steve said some of the more popular items right now are the pieces of furniture made out of reclaimed barn wood. He said he tries to keep the gallery stocked with the items that are in demand. While most of Steve’s pieces are available for purchase only through the gallery, he does do some commission work. His most recent commission is to carve a bust of Ephraim Hanks, most famous for riding more miles than anyone else for the Pony Express. Steve said he hopes to get more into architectural carving – making wood or stone structural items in a home look more like a piece or furniture or art. People wanting to see Steve’s work should visit the gallery on Main Street in Tetonia. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
s
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