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Outdoor living

Improve your patio with these upgrades

Green thumb

Gardening trends for 2017 A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

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Saturday, June 17, 2017 Messenger-Inquirer

Table of Contents GARDENING

LETTER from the

Check out the top trends of 2017 pages 4-5

EDITOR This week has been a hot one. Instead of working in my yard or tackling home projects, I’ve been day dreaming of ways to spruce up my patio. We have a swing and a fire pit, but that’s it.

In this week’s edition of At Home, there are tons of tips to help make your patio pretty and useful, refresh rooms in your home and trends in gardening.

Whether you’re taking solace inside with air conditioning or spending all of your time outside, At Home has something for you.

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

REFRESHER Tackle spring cleaning like a professional pages 6-7

DIY

Spring home improvements you can do in 24 hours or less page 8

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Saturday, June 17, 2017

At Home

STEP UP YOUR PATIO EXPERIENCE

BY STATEPOINT

R

eady to step up your outdoor living experience this season? You’re not alone. Nearly 70 percent of design and build firms report an increased demand for outdoor living space, according to the American Institute of Architects.

When updating your outdoor living areas, focus on additions that stylishly and seamlessly blend your spaces together. Consider elements that accent your home décor, enhance comfort, create beauty and offer low-maintenance upkeep so you can kick back, relax and enjoy the space.

Here are two ideas for achieving these goals.

FIREPLACE

Fire features are the most popular outdoor design element, according to

the American Society of Landscape Architects. This is understandable; outdoor fireplaces offer privacy, warmth and create a distinct focal point around which to gather when spending time outdoors. Outdoor fireplaces also offer a great return on investment: 90 percent of real estate agents say an outdoor fireplace increases a home’s value, according to a Houzz.com study.

One major consideration to keep in mind is the type of entertaining you want to do. Those who want the convenience of a gas fireplace may wish to consider the clean, modern lines and utility of a model such as the innovative and sleek Palazzo from Heat & Glo, which features an industry-first power screen that moves up and down at the touch of a button, allowing for an uninterrupted view of the flames.

Marine-grade stainless steel ensures it maintains its luster and multi-colored

LED lights shine through crushed glass.

Others may be looking for something a bit more nostalgic -- like the scent and crackle of smoldering pine to bring back great memories and set the tone for outdoor gatherings. One popular choice that can achieve that effect is the Longmire wood-burning fireplace from Heatilator, which has a clean, contemporary shape that features a drawbridge gate and hinged glass door to make loading wood and routine maintenance simple.

Learn more about outdoor fireplace options at Fireplaces.com/outdoor.

KITCHEN

Add ease and charm to dining al fresco by creating an outdoor kitchen. These days, it’s possible to include many of the same amenities

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you would find in a traditional indoor kitchen — from a working faucet and stovetop to even a dishwasher.

If space or budget are limited, think about what features matter most to you and consider working with an architect to plan the most efficient and attractive layout. Architects can also ser ve as a great resource when it comes to building with materials that can withstand local weather.

Outdoor friendly lighting can help you keep up the culinar y adventures, even after nightfall. And don’t forget, you’ll also want to make space for a bar. Frozen daiquiris, anyone?

A patio is no longer “just a patio” these days. Elevate your outdoor living and entertaining experiences with a few stylish, functional upgrades, and add comfort and elegance to your home’s exterior spaces.

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Messenger-Inquirer

TOP gardening

Whether you have a backyard or just a few containers

on the patio, sunny days are your cue it’s time to garden.

Growing your own flowers, herbs and vegetables is a lot of fun, and with some simple tips, it can be pretty easy to make sure your outdoor space is a showstopper.

trends

Messenger-Inquirer

Trend number 1

CREATE CURB APPEAL

Your home’s exterior will influence the first impression of anyone that visits. Give your entryway an instant beauty boost with begonias. They’re perfect for the time-starved gardener, grow well in sun or shade, and fill in fast and full. At the forefront of this trend are Megawatt begonias. New for 2017, they feature exceptional performance and a unique bronze-leaf color that is sure to be noticed by guests.

Trend number 2 TABLESCAPES

Bring the beauty of gardening indoors with tablescapes. Use your harvested vegetables as decor inside in display bowls; you’ll give your interior design a fresh look. There are also non-edible potted veggies like Hot Pops Purple Ornamental Peppers.

They mature in multiple colors to keep you in color all season.

Trend number 3

FRESH FOOD FASCINATIONS

There’s nothing like pulling fresh food from the garden, but 2017 is trending toward more unique flavors. Replace your traditional pepper plants with specialty hot peppers like jalapenos or chiles. And you don’t need tons of space to enjoy multiple tomatoes.

Try Take 2 Tomato Combos which give you a slicer and a cherry tomato in one pot, providing twice the flavor in half the space. Travel the globe through herbs: Plant a kitchen garden of different basils, lavenders and mints. Use them in your next cocktail!

Saturday, June 17, 2017

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Get started on your garden project today! The 2017 gardening season is just beginning, so now’s the perfect time to make friends with your local garden center for the best plant selection. Incorporate any or all of the top trends listed and your garden will be beautiful and rewarding throughout the year.

Trend number 4

CUSTOMIZE WITH COLOR

A great garden is more than just a food source, it’s also a thing of beauty. One of the hottest trends for 2017 will be accenting your garden with unique colors that reflect your style. If your favorite color is purple, pink or white, weave some petunias into your garden design. If you adore red, try Archangel Cherry Red Angelonia for a delicate texture that weathers any extremes. Fill your garden with plants to match your favorite team’s colors for a fun customized twist.

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room-by-room

REFRESH Tackle spring cleaning like a pro

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BY FAMILY FEATURES

Spring is a sensible time to refresh and restore your home after heavy indoor use during winter. It’s also an opportunity to conduct overdue home maintenance and achieve a sense of accomplishment.

Tackle the project room by room with these tips from the experts at Office Depot to make the work feel more manageable and ensure you complete a thoroughly satisfying job.

ENTRYWAY

The main entrance, whether it’s the front door or a mudroom entrance off the garage, tends to become a dumping ground where items are shed with each trip through the door. You may have to wade through some clutter to make headway, but after a thorough cleaning of the furniture, floors and walls in this space, your next challenge is making sense of all the mess.

One solution is assigning designated storage spaces for each family member. A series of plastic storage boxes or cubby-style organizers can help contain possessions like shoes, backpacks, handbags and more. Rely on stylish hooks or a coat tree for extra storage.

Put your finishing touch on the freshly cleaned entryway with some pops of color and personality, such as cheerful wall art and a welcoming rug.

and color-coded folders can help make frequently used documents more easily accessible.

For archival materials, such as tax returns and insurance policies that you’re likely to consult infrequently, a secure but separate storage solution makes more sense. Drawer labels and colored hanging file pockets paired with a categorical or alphabetical HOME OFFICE If there’s any room that comes close organization system can make it easy to dispose of unwanted clutter without to the clutter of the entryway, it’s the tossing important papers. home office. A major difference is Once you’ve dealt with all the that generally, office messes come in paperwork, don’t overlook important the form of paperwork, and paper can details like dusting the computer actually be organized quite easily. desk and screen to make your freshly Sorting is the best first step, so you cleaned office extra inviting. Adding a know exactly what you’re up against.

Create piles for all the different types of stylish, functional centerpiece like the See Jane Work Kate Writing Desk can paper you’re likely to encounter, from also help you stay organized now and in bills and to-do lists to the kids’ school work. Separate other items by category, the future. such medical records and financial KITCHEN documents or art supplies and books, Because it’s likely the most used into piles of their own. An option such as the 3M Weighted Desktop Dispenser room in the house, the kitchen sees a fair bit of cleaning year-round. However, and Organizer can help keep supplies in any busy household it’s easy to let like pens, tape, paper clips and sticky deeper cleaning slide. While you’re notes neat and tidy. tackling the rest of the house, take There are dozens of options when time to give the kitchen its due. Mop it comes to home filing systems. the floors, disinfect all surfaces and Consider keeping current documents remove clutter that has accumulated, in a location you can access at your including old and out-of-date food from fingertips, such as a hanging file drawer or a desktop filer. Labeled tabs the refrigerator and pantry.

Because consumables are such an integral part of this space, it’s a good idea to use green cleaning products that won’t leave harmful residues on your cooking surfaces or distribute contaminants into the air.

BEDROOMS

When warm spring weather arrives, throwing open the windows to circulate fresh air can be one of the most welcoming ways to wake up the bedroom after long winter months.

Freshly washed linens and a flipped or rotated mattress can also give the room a freshness you can see and feel.

Beyond the typical chores like vacuuming and dusting, don’t forget dusty baseboards and make sure to wipe down any glass or mirrored surfaces for extra shine. Another way to make a big difference is organizing items that exceed the storage capacity of your furniture. In the bedroom itself, a trunk at the foot of the bed or a wardrobe organizer that complements your other furnishings is a smart bet.

In the closet, you can repurpose common office supplies and organizers to make the most of limited space. For example, adhesive hooks are perfect for handbags, necklaces and scarves.

Lightweight shelving or cubbies make it easy to confine shoes, and for an assortment of accessories and

knick-knacks, try stacking plastic bins.

Another idea to maximize drawer space in your dresser: move undergarments and socks into a portable storage cart with trays or drawers that fits neatly in the closet.

MULTI-PURPOSE ROOMS

Sometimes space dictates that each room in the house cannot be dedicated to just one purpose, but combining multiple spaces — such as a home office and craft room, den or storage area — can often lead to clutter accumulating. Start by organizing things into piles based on which part of the space is best suited for each item. An option like a Realspace Mezza Mobile File cabinet can help you file away documents and by aligning multiple cabinets together, serves as a versatile workspace, craft area or television stand.

Also, take time to check for broken items or ones you haven’t used in a while and determine what can be repaired, donated or discarded. Once everything has been properly sorted, store any items that didn’t previously have a home. Hanging items that are used often for crafting is one way to make creative use of your space and free up space for additional furniture or storage, such as shelving or attractive totes.

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Improvements

you can do in 24 HOURS

OR LESS

BY BPT

For most of us, the idea of spring cleaning probably sounds refreshing after a winter of bundling up against the cold. Now that spring has arrived, it’s finally time to get started! Sprucing up your home doesn’t have to take lots of time, and is a great way to leave you feeling reinvigorated after a long winter.

To help you spring into warm weather home improvement, here are 24 simple projects that take 24 hours or less to accomplish: • Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door. Standard paints can take a long

time to dry, especially if you live in a humid climate.

• Update kitchen cabinets. Recently, homeowners are changing the facades of their kitchen cabinets and painting them instead of staining them-a trend that has grown tremendously. Add new knobs to complete the look for an easy, inexpensive way to give your cabinets a facelift. Swap pillows and throws. You can’t change your couch every time the season changes, but switching out pillows and throws is a great way to give seasonal flare to your living room decor.

• Create a statement wall. Installing graphic wallpaper or wood planking on one wall, or simply painting one wall or the ceiling a contrasting color, can add drama to any room in the house.

• Spruce up the deck for summer enjoyment. A refinished deck looks great, and doesn’t have to be a lot of work. SuperDeck(R) from Sherwin-Williams goes on fast and easy, and protects the integrity of your wood deck. It can even reduce the surface temperature of the wood, making the deck barefootfriendly on a hot summer day.

• Add wow factor to your entryway.

Large planters with hardy, bright blooms add curb appeal when positioned on either side of the front door.

• Create a gallery wall. Hang multiple family photos and/or chic prints in varying frame styles and sizes on one wall of the living room.

• Rearrange your furniture. Talk about a no-cost way to get a totally different look. Experiment with different furniture configurations, and don’t be afraid to move pieces from room to room.

• Create a recharging drawer in your kitchen. Clean out that junk drawer, add dividers and a power strip and you have the perfect place for recharging your

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family’s electronic devices.

• Organize your mudroom. Whether it’s a formal mudroom or a corner of the entryway, every house has a spot where shoes, backpacks and other personal items collect. Organize that area with hooks for hanging and cubbies or shoe racks for storage. Add a display shelf above a doorway. A wooden shelf above a doorway is a great place to feature collectibles.

• Replace a kitchen faucet. A new kitchen faucet can be practical and decorative, but can also control water flow, saving money.

• Pressure wash siding and walkways. Power washing exterior home areas makes siding and walkways look fresh.

• Hang a new mirror in the bathroom. A decorative framed mirror in place of a standard bathroom mirror adds interest, elegance and even light to the space.

• Wash windows! What’s the one spring DIY task that will make all the others in your home look even better?

Wash windows to allow spring and summer sunlight into your home.

Trying just a few of these easy homeimprovement tasks is a fast way to perk up your home for spring and summer.