4-22-17 At Home

A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

At

HOME

Light it up

How to ip the switch for a brighter home

Shortcuts to sparkle How to kick start your spring cleaning

2 At Home

April 22, 2017

Messenger-Inquirer

Table of Contents GOING UP

LETTER from the

Rooftop decks, gardens are ideal for city dwellers pages 4-5

EDITOR Spring has sprung! The warm weather is here to stay and home projects are in full swing. It’s also the time for spring cleaning and getting rid of anything you did’t use over the past year.

In this edition of At Home, you will learn how to flip the switch on better home lighting.

With more light bulbs in your house than almost any other home product, lighting should be a top priority in your home.

Other topics covered in this At Home are rooftop entertaining and shortcuts to make spring cleaning a breeze.

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

FLIP THE SWITCH

Save money with these lighting tips. pages 5-6

SEASON TO IMPROVE DIY projects to keep your home in tip-top shape page 8

5 shortcuts to make your home sparkle this spring Messenger-Inquirer

April 22, 2017

At Home

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BY BPT

We all know that one person who just adores cleaning. But for the rest of us, it’s a necessary evil that gets old very quickly!

Before you tackle that long list of spring cleaning tasks, tr y some of these cleaning hacks designed to make these chores faster and easier. When cleaning is fun and even ef for tless, you’ll feel more energized and gain the momentum you need to knock out your list of chores. After ward, your house will sparkle from top to bottom, which is its own reward!

1. FIND SMARTER TOOLS

Throw out the messy bucket and mop and reach for a smarter floor solution that’s efficient and fun to use. For example, the O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System has a built-in wringer that offers superior moisture control of the mop, which makes it safe and easy to use on all hard floor surfaces — even hardwood! The hands-free wringer requires a simple press of the foot pedal to easily spin out the water and help finish the job with less mess and faster drying times.

2. TRY NATURAL SOLUTIONS

Commercial cleaning solutions can add extra costs to your deep cleaning session, not to mention the harsh chemicals can leave behind unpleasant odors. Why not experiment with everyday pantry items? These often cost less and are just as effective in their cleaning power.

A simple solution of warm water and vinegar removes built-up grime from your floors, while leaving a clean, rinsefree finish. Just add a half cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and start mopping.

If you dislike the smell of vinegar, add a couple drops of your favorite

essential oil — the fresh scent will be streaks a thing of the past, so you’ll get hard-to-reach places, such as decoralike a small reward! the job done more quickly. tive molding and ceiling fans, making cleaning day more difficult. To clean your ceiling fan without showering 3. SHORTCUT TO 4. USE A CLEANING METHOD dust bunnies ever ywhere, an old pilSHINING WINDOWS THAT ALSO PROTECTS If you want streak-free mirrors and Aarssen has an easy tip that will not lowcase is your best tool. Spritz the clean windows without the hassle, Cas only shine up your kitchen appliances, inside of the pillowcase with a vinegar Aarssen, author of “Real Life Organiz- it will repel fingerprints and food splat- and water solution and slip it over the ing: Cleaning and Clutter-Free in 15 ters often left behind. Just spritz on blades of the fan, pulling it back to Minutes a Day” and the YouTube chan- a little wood furniture polish and rub trap the dust.

For those tough to reach moldings nel ClutterBug, has this expert tip: Add in with a soft cloth until the surface and corners, use a sturdy rubber band a teaspoon of cornstarch to your favor- shines like new. to wrap a microfiber cloth around the ite glass cleaner and shake until disend a broom, and give those hard-tosolved. Cornstarch improves the clean5. CLEAN UP TOP ing power of the solution and makes Dust can collect on those high, reach areas a clean sweep.

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April 22, 2017

Messenger-Inquirer

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

BY KIM COOK

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photos by Chicago Roof Deck and Garden via AP

Messenger-Inquirer

Backyards and balconies are great places to enjoy an al fresco meal or a sun bath, but to really elevate your outdoor lifestyle, consider going up. To the roof.

A rooftop deck is nice if you’re lucky enough to have expansive nature views. But it’s also attractive to city dwellers keen to escape the confines of the concrete jungle without decamping to the wilderness. A vista of evening lights, with the city quite literally at one’s feet, can be captivating, and add value to your home.

PRIVACY

Urban rooftop decks might need to be screened from nearby buildings, or from unsightly elements like water towers or air-conditioning units. Laser-cut steel, wood or tempered glass do the job, and add a decorative element.

Los Angeles architect Dan Brunn has done several beach-adjacent rooftop projects. He cautions that seaside decks need good wind screening, and homeowners must be mindful of community height restrictions. Wind can also be a problem for outdoor grills, keeping them from heating up properly.

Use planters, pergolas and gazebos to define areas of a rooftop deck, Brunn says.

“The other great thing about a gazebo structure is that it can house heating elements and lighting,” he says.

Pergolas provide some privacy and shade, too. Ipe is a popular wood because it’s durable and insect-resistant.

Chicago Roof Deck & Garden, in the city’s Bucktown/Lincoln Park neighborhood, has even made them out of reclaimed barn wood. “With the client, we developed a material palette that mimicked the contemporary, steel-and-beam loft feel of the interior,” says company principal Adam Miller.

PERSONALIZED SPACE

Everyone has a different use for outdoor space, so feel free to customize.

Miller recalls one beer-loving client who wanted his rooftop deck to feel like a bar.

“He had this great collection of growler jugs,” recalls Miller. “So we built a growler wall on the west end of the deck. It picks up the late afternoon sun to give the space a really cool glow.”

For a family with children, the company custom-built a hanging daybed and installed a hot tub on the roof.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Echoing the aesthetic of the home’s interior can create a cohesive feel. Use a similar color palette in weather-resistant fabrics and paint, and incorporate design elements like industrial shelving or a comfy rattan sectional.

Miller says space and weight are two of the biggest challenges on rooftop decks. A kitchen, lounge space and dining area can be a lot to fit on a roof. And you can’t use heavy pavers or counters.

He and his team have developed a lightweight concrete that holds up well to the Chicago climate.

Anthony Carrino, a builder in Jersey City, New Jersey, like to use engineered quartz products, like Dekton, for outdoor kitchens and entertainment counters, because it’s durable.

For cabinetry, a Wallingford, Connecticut company Danver Outdoor Kitchens makes a powder-coated stainless steel line that can be ordered in a range of colors and finishes. Besides regular storage, you can

April 22, 2017

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use cabinets to house smokers, fridges and other outdoor appliances, for a streamlined look that mimics an indoor kitchen.

Dining and lounge furniture now resembles interior furniture more than ever. Look for big, comfy sectionals, cool bar stools, and finishes ranging from weathered wood looks to textural weaves and sleek modern silhouettes. For rooftops, look for heavy pieces that won’t sail off on a windy day.

While ipe and other marine-grade woods make beautiful decking, a less costly flooring to consider is tile. Slate, granite, ceramic, plastic and simulated wood squares are easier to lay on an uneven rooftop.

HandyDeck, Fiberon and Greatmats are some options.

Homeowners need to check regulations on fuel sources for rooftop fireplaces and cooking appliances.

GARDENS IN THE SKY

Weather is a consideration not just for the deck’s structural and decorative elements, but for landscaping.

“Hardy plants that can take a lot of wind — and salt, in coastal areas — are a must,” says Miami designer Fernando Wong. “I have an 80/20 rule for my landscapes: 80 percent hardy, and 20 percent flowers and other plants that add beauty but are more fragile.

We sometimes use the same plants on the ground, to create cohesion between the two spaces.”

The goal is to use greenery that softens the roof’s hard materials.

Wong says he likes to use a limited color palette in creating lush spaces; two colors, and one of them is green. “I’ll incorporate lots of flowering vines and things that cascade out of pots and planters,” he says.

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April 22, 2017

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At Home

beautiful home Messenger-Inquirer

April 22, 2017

TIPS TO A

Flipping the switch has never been made so easy

PUT YOUR HOME IN ITS BEST LIGHT

Even with the right colors, perfect accessories and trendy furniture, a home can look lackluster. Look for new options, such as GE’s High Definition LED light bulbs which are engineered with a higher color rendering index for greater color contrast and boldness over an average

BY STATEPOINT replacement bulb would require bulb. This means the colors and about 800 lumens. The higher this features in each room can look The average home has 45 number is, the brighter the light even better. light sockets which means you will be. And remember: when you Just imagine a room makeover probably have more light bulbs invest in an LED that’s expected in five minutes simply by changing than just about any home product, to last more than a decade, you your light bulbs. With today’s and yet the lighting aisle can still want one that’s going to reliably advanced options, there’s no better be a daunting place. With the live up to your expectations, so time than now to shed some new right knowledge, you can save brands that have been around light in every room in your house. money, protect the environment for a while and have proven their Maximizing natural light in a and bring the best features of your commitment to quality truly home is a smart and sometimes home to life. matter in this space. low-cost renovation. Homes Here are four quick tips to get that are dark and drab can you started: IDENTIFY HOW drain energy levels and reduce YOU USE EACH ROOM productivity. In addition, dark OPT FOR LED AND THE MOOD YOU’D rooms may not be inviting places By 2020, half of all residential LIKE TO CREATE to gather as a family or when sockets will have converted to Use comfortable, soft white entertaining.

LEDs, which is good news, as light in cozy places like bedrooms, Certain factors contribute to a LEDs can last over 10 years and family rooms and dining rooms. dark home. Houses that face north use up to 85 percent less energy Active spaces like laundr y rooms or east may not get the same level than the traditional lighting you and playrooms can benefit from an of sunlight as those that primarily may use today. Available in a energetic daylight bulb. Feature face south and west. Geographic variety of shapes, sizes, wattages pure, clean lights in kitchens, location also plays a role in the and color temperatures, they are bathrooms and craft and hobby amount of natural sunlight. becoming increasingly affordable, spaces that tend to benefit from Mountains, buildings and even too. Just a few years ago, LEDs light that delivers exceptional latitude can affect the amount of topped $40, but today you can find color contrast and brightness. natural light that enters a home. a high-quality LED for less than Today, select manufacturers such The style of a home and its $5. as GE, are taking the guesswork attributes also may create dark out of the equation by listing conditions. Deep house eaves as PAY ATTENTION whether each bulb has a warm or well as small windows or too few TO COLOR TEMPERATURES, cool tone and by offering room windows also can contribute to a WATTAGES, SHAPES AND and use recommendations on the deficit of light indoors. A major QUALITY OF LIGHT packaging. A warm white light will remodel certainly can remedy the A few lighting facts can help have a lower K (Kelvin) number, situation. However, there also are you make useful purchases. For while a cool daylight will have a other less-extensive strategies to example, an average 60-watt higher K number. improve natural light.

LIGHTEN UP WINDOW TREATMENTS

Heavy drapes or thick blinds can be replaced with translucent alternatives. Translucent shades will allow light into the room without compromising privacy, say the experts at HGTV.

USE MIRRORS STRATEGICALLY

A mirror placed opposite a window will reflect light all around the room. This can make a small room seem larger and a dark space instantly brighter.

INSTALL NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS

If the budget allows, installing larger windows in a home will allow more natural light in.

French doors or sliding doors also may make a home’s interior more bright. Think about adding windows to a side of the house that has none, or increase the size of the windows on the side of the house that gets the most light.

MAXIMIZE SUNLIGHT FROM ABOVE

Skylights will bring light into a home as the sun passes overhead.

Tubular skylights can bring natural sunlight into spaces where you may not expect skylights to be practical. According to Houzz, a design and architectural resource, tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs, can make a big difference.

TDDs are reflective pipes installed between the roof and ceiling, with a clear plastic dome.

Natural light is an important commodity in a home. Sunlight can improve mood and go a long way toward keeping home occupants healthy and happy.

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8 At Home

April 22, 2017

Messenger-Inquirer

Kick off home improvement season with easy maintenance projects As the days get longer and the weather improves, this is the time to make sure that our homes or rental properties are well maintained. Here are a few do-it-yourself projects to keep your home in tip-top shape:

TOP UP YOUR ATTIC INSULATION

Many older homes have inadequate levels of insulation in the attic that wouldn’t meet today’s building code. Topping it up will help reduce energy consumption and keep your house cooler in the summer months. Insulating properly could also provide added benefits, such as improving the longevity of your air conditioner by reducing stress on the unit as temperatures rise.

INSPECT YOUR ROOF

Winter can be especially hard on a roof. Look for ice, hail or water damage. Replace any cracked or missing shingles and clear any debris.

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CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

It’s not glamorous work, but your home’s gutters play an essential role in moving water away from your home and preventing damage. Consider installing gutter guards to ensure your gutters remain functional and free from debris.

INSPECT, RE-CAULK WHERE NECESSARY

Because a proper seal is essential in both heating and cooling seasons, this job should be performed twice a year on windows and doors to protect against drafts and moisture, and to keep insects out. Worn weatherstripping should also be replaced.

Other simple jobs include fixing leaky faucets, repairing and resealing decks, inspecting the foundation and scheduling a checkup for your HVAC system. The key is being honest about what you can handle and, when in doubt, call in the pros.