3-24-18 At Home

A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

At

HOME

Deck Design

Tips for planning a perfect outdoor oasis

Layout Apps

See how furniture frames your home before you buy

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LETTER from the

EDITOR Greetings, friends!

This extended winter is something, isn’t it? Just when we’re about to clear our gardens and open our windows, down comes more snow! So while visions of a true spring dance in our heads, let’s dream a bit about what to do with our outdoor living spaces.

This edition of At Home will explore how to plan and produce a comfortable backyard entertaining space and the latest garden trends, as well as how to bring a bit of the outdoors in via indoor food growing. We also delve into how apps can help lay out furniture, color schemes, even plants!

As always, we’d love to hear about your DIY projects, redecorating experiences and home renovations. If you think your living space has an interesting story to tell, let us know by calling the Special Publications desk at 270-691-7233. We look forward to hearing from you!

— Jodi Keen Special Publications Editor

Experiment with growing food indoors

BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Foodies find it hard to beat vine-ripened tomatoes plucked right out of a garden. Other edibles, such as fresh lettuce for a small luncheon salad or a handful of fresh parsley right out of a pot to add to a marinade, also add a lot to meals.

The convenience and flavor of freshly grown edibles propels many home gardeners to grow produce and herb gardens in their yards.

But those short on outdoor space may be happy to learn that many edibles grow equally as well indoors as outdoors.

Many people maintain comfortable temperatures between 70 and 75 F in their homes all year long, which can be the ideal condition for growing an array of edibles no matter the season. For those with homes that receive ample sunlight (or if homeowners are willing to supplement with artificial light), growing conditions can be even stronger. An indoor garden can comprise as much space as a homeowner is willing to devote. Shelving can maximize vertical areas and enable gardeners

to include even more planting room.

Keep these tips in mind when cultivating indoor edible gardens.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes should be reserved for the sunniest spot in a home or one where additional UV light can be used. Tomatoes will need pots or containers that are roughly six inches deep with ample drainage.

Keep in mind that tomatoes grown indoors will be smaller than outside fruits, and you may want to consider plum or cherry tomato varieties.

CUCUMBERS

For those fresh salad mixes, cucumbers can be grown indoors in large pots so they can have space to develop. Be sure to put a climbing structure in the pot so that vines can grow vertically, and place cucumbers in a sunny, warm location.

deep pots with loose, well-draining soil, you can cultivate carrots indoors. Carrots prefer cooler spots for sweet yields. Plus, carrot greens can make for attractive indoor decorations.

MICROGREENS

Swiss chard, basil, dill, kale, and other greens can provide nutrient-dense additions to any meals. These plants do not require a lot of depth to a container and can thrive on a sunny windowsill in a room that’s between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

SCALLIONS

These plants of the onion family add flavor to many recipes. When scallions are grown at home, gardeners can snip off the greens as needed. Choose deep pots so the scallions can establish strong root systems.

TURNIPS

Large, deep pots are needed to CARROTS grow turnips, says Loyal Gardener.

Natural Living Ideas says that You can grow them from seeds and if you have between four and five be harvesting turnips in about two hours of bright sunlight per day and months.

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Cut expenses without cutting corners on your bathroom remodel

BY BRANDPOINT

When homeowners get the urge to remodel and renovate their homes, two rooms immediately top the list: the kitchen and the bathroom. In the last decade, we’ve seen something of a renaissance in home bathroom design.

From an innovative use of materials to radically reimagined bathtubs and toilets, today’s bathrooms offer a dream space with comfort and convenience in a stylish package.

This dream, however, comes with a price tag. A mid-range bathroom remodel that includes a steel tub, a pressurebalanced shower, ceramic tile floor, vanity and integral sink could cost almost $20,000, and that’s for a 5-by-7 room. An upscale remodel might cost as much as $60,000.

But before this sticker shock scares you away, know there are secrets to saving money and still getting a beautiful bathroom. We sat down with Lynn Schrage, interior designer at Kohler Co., to learn some of her tips and tricks. Here are five of the best.

1. FIND A FOCAL POINT

You don’t need to have top-of-the-line everything to create a stunning bathroom. Think in terms of what piece you want to be the star of your bathroom.

Maybe you want it to be the sink, a freestanding bathtub or a spa steam shower. Pick one fixture that will draw the eye in and take center stage. You’ll be amazed at what this does for the overall effect.

2. INCORPORATE CREATIVE STORAGE SOLUTIONS

quality material will help offset costs and give you the look you’ve dreamed of.

4. SELECT AN INTEGRATED VANITY TOP SINK

Looking through your many choices of sinks, showerheads, toilets and other fixtures is downright inspiring, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Of all the options available, consider setting your eye on a vanity top with sink mounted on any number of vanity styles you like. This combines style with functionality in a timeless design and cuts down on clean up and your installation cost.

In remodeling a bathroom, it’s always exciting to stumble upon a solution that brings together the practical and the beautiful. This happens a lot when you try 5. WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL to figure out how to store toiletries, towels Many people who want to save on and more. Wall cabinets, wicker baskets, a bathroom remodel think the most storage ladders and storage towers create economical way is to go it alone and take charm and keep your essentials orderly. the DIY route. However, a professional designer can help you discover the style 3. A TOUCH OF LUXURY that fits your personality and budget — GOES A LONG WAY and help you avoid costly mistakes. For One of the most effective ways to instance, Kohler’s Bathroom Design create a stunning overall effect is to mix Service provides expert advice, 3-D a touch of luxury with quality materials. bathroom renderings and logistical For instance, coordinate wooden cabinets guidance. with a tiled paneling treatment around the To discover more inspiration for your bathroom. Also ripe for coordination are bathroom, visit ideas.kohler.com, where choreographed shower panels with stone you’ll find the ideas and advice that will or porcelain tiles. Focusing and investing get you started on your journey to your in these luxury elements while using dream bathroom.

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101 DECK DESIGN

Tips for planning a perfect outdoor oasis

BY FAMILY FEATURES

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DESIGNING YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE

Timing can be ever ything, especially when it comes to planning an outdoor living space. By getting a jump-start on planning, you can afford yourself time to complete the process with maximum creativity and minimal stress.

Try these expert tips and tricks of the trade to help make your dream deck a reality.

LAY A SOLID FOUNDATION

long-lasting looks. It can also outperform both wood and PVC alternatives over time. With a wood deck, the cost of regular sanding, staining and painting compound considerably over time. Over the life of a composite deck, the reduced maintenance costs of simple soap and water cleanings can add up to a greater return on investment — not to mention the value of all the time spent enjoying your deck rather than maintaining it.

GET THE RIGHT TOOLS

Railings can be one of the most visible parts of any deck so it should be considered at the same time as the deck boards. A good rule of thumb is to use the “three C’s,” which are: coordinate, contrast, customize. For example, crisp white posts and black aluminum balusters coordinate beautifully with gray deck boards, delivering an elegant look and feel.

For a beachy vibe, opt for a contrasting look with allwhite railings. Or go completely custom with sleek, black aluminum railings to create a space that’s both modern and inviting.

Don’t skimp on the substructure. Often overlooked, the substr ucture can have tremendous impact on performance and appearance. For maximum strength and stability, opt for steel framing over wood in order to achieve a consistently flat decking surface. Wooden substructures can split, warp and shift over time, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards. Dimensionally stable steel offers durability benefits over wood, plus greater design flexibility, sustainability, safety and fire resistance.

In addition to magazines, TV shows and social platforms offer outdoor living ideas and inspiration.

There are also a number of online tools designed to help guide you through the planning process, such as the Trex Deck Starter, which can help anyone at the outset of their deck building adventures. It provides a user-friendly way to experiment with various deck configurations and design combinations.

In three simple steps, the tool can help you choose the right materials for your project and design a customized outdoor living space before ever raising a hammer.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIALS

When selecting materials, invest in decking that can hold up against the harshest weather and messiest cookouts. High-performance, low-maintenance composite decking offers superior durability and

ADD SAFETY AND STYLE WITH RAILINGS

INCORPORATE PERSONAL TOUCHES WITH ACCESSORIES

Have fun exploring the many design elements that are available for customizing your deck. Things like built-in seating, planters and storage, as well as add-ons such as a pergola or outdoor furniture, which can add comfort, character and convenience to your outdoor living space. Further personalize your space with a variety of deck and landscape lighting fixtures. Set up path lights to brighten walkways and use spotlights to showcase trees and architectural features. Easy to install and energy efficient, an option like Trex Landscape Lighting can help keep your outdoor enjoyment going long after the sun goes down.

For more inspiration and tips for designing your dream deck, visit Trex.com.

Before any work can get done on the deck of your dreams, designing comes first. It’s important to have a plan in mind before diving in so that you have a vision of what you want your deck to become.

For example, you might envision your deck as a spacious place to host family and friends with room to mingle, while others may prefer a small, quiet space for reading a book or enjoying the peace of the outdoors. Different sizes, shapes, colors and other factors can all have an outsized impact on the final look of your deck, so take all factors into account before getting started.

Try these starting points for the ultimate deck design:

CHOOSE A DECK PLAN

From classic rectangle to bevelededge to scenic overlook, an online tool like the Trex Deck Starter features a library of proven, ready-tobuild deck designs. For a space that defies pre-made plans, you can also opt to create a custom deck plan to fit the layout of your home.

CHOOSE YOUR COLOR

The right decking color can enhance your yard’s scenery, complement your home or make your deck stand out. Match your surroundings with natural tones, blend in with your home’s exterior by matching the trim or consider bold colors like a spicy red for a deck color that pops.

FRAME YOUR SPACE

The right railings can pair with your decking to safely frame your space, enhance your view and open even more design possibilities. Based on your decking color, the experts at Trex can help make it easier by offering designer- curated decking and railing duos. You can also customize your railing, making the design your own from start to finish.

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The latest apps for home layouts, inside and out

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BY KATHERINE ROTH ASSOCIATED PRESS

Planning out how to arrange furniture in your home — or plants in your garden — used to involve a pencil, graph paper, a measuring tape and a lot of imagination.

The process has gotten easier — and way more streamlined — thanks to a burgeoning selection of home and garden apps.

Fur niture companies, interior design firms and even landscapers have been rolling out a new generation of apps and online programs to make the process more foolproof for novices and pros alike, often using virtual and augmented reality technology.

“Design apps are really great for generating ideas, and deciding on materials and sources for do-it-yourself projects,” says Margaret Mayfield, an architect in Los Osos, Califor nia. “And they’re also ver y helpful for communicating design ideas to contractors and architects.”

The technology allows you to see what fur niture would look like in your home before you buy it, using just the camera on your phone, for example, instead of dealing with the hassle — and back pain — involved in returning, say, an ill-chosen sofa.

And the design apps do not stop at the door. With spring around the corner, there are landscaping apps to help take the guesswork out of deciding what to plant and where and when.

Among the most popular home apps is Houzz, a free app with 40 million users around the world each month, according to Liza Hausman, vice president of industr y marketing for Houzz. Features include a huge database of design photos — searchable by style, countr y or color, for example — to create a personalized “idea book.”

The site’s “Visual Match” feature allows visitors to order furniture and other products that are the same or similar to those seen in the magazine-type photos. You can work with a friend by using the “Invite a Collaborator” feature, or, through “Director y,” contact local designers, architects or landscapers.

One of the newest features is “View in My Room 3D,” which invites you look at your room through your phone and then — using augmented reality technology — place a selected piece of furniture there to see what it would look like.

Other indoor design apps include Hutch,

Home Design 3D, and Home Design 3D Rooms, and interior design apps from stores like IKEA and Overstock.com.

For outdoors, Houzz features articles and advice from gardening pros, and a forum where home gardeners can share ideas and suggestions.

Another popular landscaping app is iScape, which helps you visualize your garden, save and share ideas, and buy gardening products.

As with all technology, though, the apps have a learning cur ve that in some cases is far greater than the old graph paper and pencil method of laying things out. And professionals warn that for major jobs, it’s still best to seek out a pro.

Just don’t be surprised when your landscaper or designer pulls out their phone to consult an app.

Matt McMillan, a landscape designer in Pound Ridge, New York, says, “My designs are ver y focused on drawing nature into the garden. So I frequently consult the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin app. I also have apps for dragonflies, butterflies and mushrooms. I can’t live without the ‘Toolbox’ app in general, and specifically its compass.”

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Simple strategies to stay on trend in your garden

BY BRANDPOINT

Life is just better with the perfect accessories, isn’t it? A modern space looks amazing with a bright rug and your favorite piece of art. At work, strategically placed plants and family photos breathe life into any cubicle.

Accessories enhance your home and add personality.

But what about your outdoor living space? A beautiful garden is easy to create and can fit into any size footprint.

Gardening with a variety of textures and colors brings an instant wow factor. Best of all, you don’t have to commit to a single trend.

You can change trends with the seasons, adding bold, colorful new looks throughout the year. This guide will show you how.

SPRING INTO GARDENING SEASON

This is where it all begins, when that first breath of fresh spring air brings life to your garden.

Because spring days — especially mornings — can still be frustratingly cold, you’ll want to start your garden off with a hardier flower that can withstand the cooler mornings and warm afternoons. Cool Wave Pansies have the resilience you need to keep your garden looking great throughout the early spring until those warmer temps finally arrive. Planting these durable flowers is easy and they don’t require constant care.

But what if you don’t have a large space? No problem! Add these beautiful blooms to hanging baskets and patio containers to give your outdoor area a simple facelift everyone will notice.

SOLUTIONS FOR SUMMER CELEBRATIONS

Summertime is full of party possibilities, so why not use your garden to make your event the envy of your stylish friends? Wave Petunias are perfect for Mother’s Day and the Flying the Flag combination of red, white and blue is a must for the Fourth of July. It’s easy to get creative for any event with Wave Petunia’s Plug & Play Combos because they make tailoring your garden for any occasion a breeze.

This is also a great time of year to branch out and add some fun new twists to your already amazing garden. Fresh herbs and tomatoes, anyone? The Italian Bistro container recipe gives you the best of both worlds — a beautiful patio statement and delicious summer salad, all in one pot.

DELIGHTFUL OPTIONS FOR THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Things are heating up this time of year, but keeping your garden bright and fresh is simple.

Bold tropical colors like the Easy Wave South Beach combo and Tidal Wave Red Velour are all heat lovers and easy to maintain. They’ll grow quickly to fill out any container or basket, and you can watch it happen from the comfort of your air-conditioned home.

For more information and to see examples of trending gardens, visit www.wave-rave.com.

For your beautiful Bath and Kitchen Cabinets We have the ideas for you. Come visit.

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