At
HOME
2017 Trends
Mixing and matching designs to fit your style
Dream closet
How to organize the closet of your dreams A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
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Table of Contents LETTER from the
EDITOR Scrolling through Pinterest and home magazines getting inspiration for my home and daydreaming of a large farmhouse with a wraparound porch are favorite pastimes of mine. Since starting this At Home publication, it has become such a joy to find and write these stories that I hope will inspire someone else to improve their home. In this issue of At Home you can learn about 2017 design trends, how to achieve your dream closet and tips on using a space heater during the cold months. I am still looking for homeowners who have tackled a big DIY or home renovation project or anyone who has an interesting story about their home. If you would like your story told, please contact me at mrichardson@messengerinquirer.com or 270-691-7233. — Meghann Richardson Special Publications Editor
HOTEL STYLE AT HOME
SPACE HEATER SAFETY
page 4-5
page 8
on the cover
The year’s biggest design trend mixes and matches styles to fit your taste | PAGES 6-7
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How to create the closet of your dreams
BY FAMILY FEATURES
searching for things they can’t find. Introducing some organization is a If you’re one of the 57 percent simple way to alleviate these worries. of women who believes having an Whether you reside in an apartment organized closet would make finding in the city or a home in the suburbs, what you want easier and faster, there’s no time like the present to stop your best starting point is to create a dreaming about having a beautiful and plan of attack. Professional organizer Barbara Reich of Resourceful organized closet. Take charge and Consultants offers these tips for start the project now. getting started: Having a disorganized closet Assess your needs. Ask questions is a problem for at least one in like: Do you have a walk-in closet or four women, according a recent a reach-in? Need to create one within ClosetMaid survey. Some women (1 a room? Do you prefer more shelves in 10) are even depressed when they open their closet doors. What’s more, over hanging space? Is shoe storage important? Do you prefer a flexible some research suggests the average system, like wire, that can adapt to American wastes as much as 55 minutes a day (roughly 12 days a year) your changing needs or do you prefer
something with a designer look? Are you a DIYer or do you require professional assistance? Define your taste and style. Do you prefer modern or traditional? Or are you more eclectic? Identify the product that works best for your needs and your budget. One option to consider is ClosetMaid SpaceCreations, a designer-inspired, DIY-acquired option that provides customizable storage inside and outside of closets. Available in Classic White or Premier Dark Java, it’s easy to install and is extremely versatile with different accessories and options like shoe shelves, drawers and acrylic dividers to provide a completely
personalized look. As an added bonus, this storage option can be adapted for a nursery, mudroom or pantry. A handy online design tool or a complimentary professional designer can assist you with the layout and design. Let the organizing fun begin. Before you restock your new closet, scrutinize your wardrobe and accessories, and get rid of items you won’t ever wear or use again. Once you’ve got everything neatly in place, enjoy your newfound organization, but be vigilant about keeping your closet in order. Dedicate 15 minutes each week to keep it looking as good as new.
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New book offers decor tips to help bring hotel styling home BY KATHERINE ROTH
solve those dilemmas — after all, they have to book every room, every night.” Inspired by the interiors of boutique Here are highlights from an interview hotels around the world, author Sara Bliss gave to The Associated Press: Bliss wanted to share easy and affordable AP: What is it about these hotels tips on how to bring that style home. that caught your imagination? In “Hotel Chic at Home” (The BLISS: Boutique hotels have become Monacelli Press), she tries to capture the incubators for new interior design trends transformative power of travel, and that that not only transport visitors to Thailand moment in a stylish hotel when you say to or Tuscany, but solve familiar design yourself, “Why can’t my life be more like challenges on a budget, while setting an this every day?” unforgettable mood. It’s a magical mix of Bliss, author of seven books including feeling both transported and at home, and “Exotic Style” and “The Thoroughly there are plenty of ideas that can easily be Modern Married Girl,” gathers design adapted at home. One of the things I love ideas from innovative small hotels, from about these hotels is that they are pretty Marrakech, Morocco to Palm Springs, fearless in their design choices. We could California, and talks with some of the all get more comfortable with the idea of designers. She has chapters on subjects having confidence in our design choices. including foyers, lighting, dramatic walls AP: Is it important to stick to a single and floors, and setting the scene with art. theme throughout when planning a “Even the chicest hotels have the same design redo at home? issues as most homeowners — awkward BLISS: Mixing up inspiration from spaces, cookie-cutter architecture, Africa and France and Morocco is lackluster views or dark rooms,” Bliss perfectly OK. It’s coolest when it’s writes. “The difference is that hoteliers have figured out how to use design to CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 ASSOCIATED PRESS
1019 Lincoln Ave. t Evansville, IN 812-423-2338 t therugmerchantevansville.com
The Monacelli Press via AP
This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows detail of a bathroom in the Unicorno Garden Suite at the Borgo Santo Pietro hotel in Tuscany, Italy. Accessories specifically designed for a bathroom tend to be cold and clinical. But in this charming Italian hotel, romantic and elegant accessories like art, curtains, and lighting add warmth to the space. The photo is featured in the book “Hotel Chic at Home” by Sara Bliss.
Exclusively at
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FROM PAGE 4
organic and reflects things you love. Big, crazy design ideas are sometimes too fun to talk yourself out of — and they’ll always be memorable and meaningful. AP: Can you suggest some quick and affordable ways to add glamour to a room? BLISS: Cubes painted shiny gold would glam up any room as side tables. And for walls, I love dark colors. So many of the hotels I visited feature a beautiful dark space lit by candlelight in the evenings. If painting an entire room is too much, employing stencils or graphics, even on a single surface, like a wall or ceiling, can have big impact. AP: Any suggestions for making garden spaces more inviting? BLISS: Consider colorful blankets or poufs, and also eye-catching cabanas to create an inviting seating area. And lining up lanterns with tiny candles inside makes everything look magical, especially at night. A row of lanterns along walkways or at entrances, or even along tables as a centerpiece, really sets the mood. AP: What about jazzing up powder rooms? BLISS: For bathrooms, you always want to have fresh flowers and maybe a votive or two, and The Monacelli Press via AP fragrant little soaps. A fabulous and unexpected This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows the Casas Del XVI in the Dominican Republic. The space is light fixture can instantly transform a bathroom into a great example of how to make a bold color statement work for real life. The conversation-starting poppy red hue a memorable space. Consider a crystal chandelier, avoids being overwhelming by pairing it with shades of brown. The photo is featured in the book “Hotel Chic at Home” framed art or velvet curtains. Be brave. Don’t be afraid to go for that extra dash of glamour. by Sara Bliss.
Photos provided by The Monacelli Press via AP
Above: This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows an outdoor dining space at the Viceroy Santa Monica, in Santa Monica, Calif. While cabanas are usually set up poolside for lounging, one could be set up in a backyard with a table and chairs to enjoy outdoor meals. The photo is featured in the book “Hotel Chic at Home” by Sara Bliss. Left: This undated photo provided by The Monacelli Press shows the cover of the book “Hotel Chic at Home” by Sara Bliss.
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Messenger-Inquirer
Saturday, February 11, 2017
At Home
The home design trend you need to know about
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Mixed materials, styles create customized look BY BPT
With the new year underway, the housing world is buzzing about the next transformative trend in home design and remodeling. This year it seems certain the growing trend of mixing and layering materials, something many designers and architects noticed was growing in popularity over the past few years, will dominate the remodeling and design scene. When it comes to mixing materials, there’s no rule book; all you should do is find a combination to match your personality. This might be one of the biggest reasons why people have taken to mixing materials, as it truly allows you to create a home that is uniquely yours.
BOLD AND INNOVATIVE
The most immediate effect of mixing materials is that it opens new possibilities and new ways of expression. An example of this can be likened to how hard stone surfaces in a room can be complemented by soft carpet and furniture, or how the highly textured wood on a ceiling can stand in stark contrast to polished stone. Some of the hottest looks today, such as the blending of unfinished industrial materials with modern floors and cabinets, would have been considered outlandish only a few years ago. Mixing materials gives you greater freedom to create a space that represents your style.
STYLE ON A BUDGET
Of all the rooms in a home, kitchens and bathrooms still get the most attention. Unfortunately, getting that dream kitchen or perfect bathroom isn’t always inexpensive. For those who have uncompromising taste, but are on a budget, mixing materials is the ideal solution. For instance, say you had your heart set on a marble island and surrounding countertops, but just can’t afford marble. Instead, you can choose from a variety of Wilsonart(R) Quartz for the island. Engineered to showcase the erratic veins and patterns prized in marble, quartz also has the advantage of being non-porous, so it won’t stain and
requires virtually no maintenance. A timeless look that continues to win the popularity contest are nature’s neutrals in white, grey and black, offering flexibility to play with bold or demure colorful accents. You can complement the quartz island by mixing in an even more affordable material like Wilsonart(R) Laminate for the perimeter countertops and vertical applications such as backsplashes and walls. With numerous styles to choose from, you’ll be able to create a stunning contrast and dimensionality that will make your room pop. With today’s innovation in laminate manufacturing and fabrication, adding affordable luxury to your kitchen or bath has never been easier.
Winter Store Wide Savings
UTILITY MEETS STYLE
Parents, in particular, face a constant dilemma: They want a home with rooms that can stand up to all the abuse toddlers and teenagers can throw at it, but still have it look good. The answer lies in Wilsonart(R) Solid Surface. This material is tough, non-porous, seamless and repairable without sacrificing beauty. With a wide variety of styles replicating stone, you can easily mix it with other material looks to make an intriguing statement.
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Follow 5 tips for safe space heater use
During the coldest days of the year, space heaters are one of the easiest, most efficient ways to get warm fast. However, when not used correctly, they may also be one of the most dangerous. Space heaters accounted for 40 percent of all home heating fires and a staggering 84 percent of home heating fire deaths, according to research from the National Fire Protection Association. And, as you might expect, these tragic accidents most often occur during the year’s coldest months. The same research finds nearly half of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February. While these facts are sobering, it doesn’t mean you need to avoid using your space heater to find the comfort you need during the year’s coldest days. You just need to be careful when doing so. To help you keep yourself and your family safe while enjoying comfortable space heater use, Peter Duncanson, of ServiceMaster Restore, offers these five space heater safety tips. Stay warm and safe this winter by:
• Reading the labels. When you’re out purchasing a new space heater, it’s important to know what to look for. Review each model thoroughly and look for a label from a recognized testing laboratory. This label should tell you if the heater’s construction and performance meets voluntary U.S.
safety standards. • Choosing a model with a safety sensor. Before purchasing a space heater, make sure the unit has a safety sensor. This sensor will monitor the heater, shutting it off automatically if it overheats, reducing the risk of a fire. • Ensuring cords are in good
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working order. Whether you’re buying a new unit or monitoring your existing one, always check the condition of the cords as damage here increases the risk of fire. Once you’re sure the cords are in satisfactory condition, be sure to use them properly. Never plug a cord into a surge protector. Many surge protectors cannot handle the wattage, which could result in a fire. • Keeping drapes and flammable items away from your space heater. A draped linen can quickly catch fire, so protect against this by selecting a location for your space heater with at least three feet of clearance on all sides. The more room you provide your space heater, the safer you’ll be. • Unplugging it when not in use. Always remember to unplug your space heater when you’re not actively using it. This includes when you go to bed and even when you simply leave the room. A space heater is an effective way to stay warm and comfortable during the winter months, and if you use it correctly, it can also be safe.