7-1-17 At Home

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Fancy floors

What to know before replacing home flooring

Crisp color

How to use color to influence the mood of your home

A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

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Table of Contents LETTER from the

EDITOR With summer in full swing, we have more daylight now than we do during any other season.

Become a weekend warrior and knock out several projects during your two days off. Painting a room, replacing a faucet or researching how to make home more ecofriendly are all ways to get the ball rolling on some big summer projects.

In this edition of At Home, you will read about how to use color psychology to influence the mood of your home, how to maximize your kitchen space with functional and stylish ideas and what to know before replacing home flooring.

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@ messenger-inquirer.com or 270691-7233. — Meghann Richardson Special Publications Editor

MAXIMIZE SPACE page 6-7

COLOR IMPACT page 4-5

SOLAR ENERGY page 8

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What to know before replacing home flooring

BY STATEPOINT

Whether you are building a new house or making upgrades on a current home, there is a lot to consider when it comes to flooring.

It’s important to keep in mind that the choices available have changed in recent years.

Here are some things to know.

CHOOSE STYLE

When people choose flooring products, they may be ruling out a large swath of options because

of the associations they have with specific materials. For example, you may not associate vinyl with luxur y but new products on the market are redefining vinyl flooring, offering fashion-for ward high-quality products in striking elegant designs.

ENSURE DURABILITY

If you love the look of traditional hardwood floors, consider all of your options. New vinyl technologies are allowing homeowners to get the same elegant style engineered to withstand the wear and tear to

which wood is susceptible. For example, Mohawk SolidTech, a luxur y vinyl tile, has a thick, rigid construction and planks that look and feel just like real hardwood, but are designed to resist scratches, scuffs and indentation, and maintain stability under heat and temperature change. The planks also fit together to create an impenetrable lock so that the floors remain waterproof and odor-free.

CONSIDER MAINTENANCE

Make sure the flooring you opt

for is easy to clean and requires ver y little maintenance. If you have pets, you may want to consider getting extra protection with a special warranty designed for pet owners, such as Mohawk’s All Pet Protection and Warranty, which covers all pets and all accidents. More information can be found at MohawkFlooring. com.

Before making flooring decisions, get savvy and weigh all your current options. These days, it is possible to find flooring products that combine style, durability and low maintenance.

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How to use color psychology to influence the mood of your home

BY BPT

Black comes back: It may be surprising that black is the second Looking to make a few changes most popular color (32 percent), around the house? A fresh coat of and is especially liked among paint can make a big difference on millennials, at 41 percent. Many the look of your home and how you have fallen in love with darker tones feel living in it. But unless you’re a again, and dark black like Tricorn color expert, it’s hard to know what Black SW 6258 and even charcoal, colors are best among the endless navy and deep jewel tones are all array of options. A great place to start gaining in popularity, adding urban is by understanding the psychology sophistication to a wide range of behind various colors, so that you can spaces, from living rooms to kitchens. achieve the look and create the effect What green really means: you want in each room.

Generations see green hues “Color is such an important differently. Millennials associate it factor in setting or improving our with energy (33 percent compared moods; it greatly influences human to 24 percent of Gen Xers and baby emotion and behavior,” says Dr. boomers). Boomers are more likely Sally Augustin, a color psychologist than millennials to associate green who applies science-based insights with calmness (26 percent vs. 20 to how we experience colors. “The percent). When it comes to the brain interacts with color in a variety psychology of green, the color seems of ways, from calming to energizing. to enhance creative thinking, making By applying color psychology to your a green such as Derbyshire SW 6741 paint selections, you can make each a good option for a study or for a room evoke the emotions you desire.” stimulating playroom.

Most people talk about neutrals Raving for red: According to like black and white, according to Dr. Augustin, since red is also the a new color study conducted online color of many fine wines, painting a

by Harris Poll on behalf of Sher winwall Rave Red SW 6608 in a dining Williams through listening to social room can appropriately call wine to media conversation about colors mind. Red also offers people a burst mentioned with areas of the home. of strength, making it an effective But when asked directly, the majority color choice for spaces like laundr y of participants say more vibrant rooms, where “heavy lifting” is done. colors should be used throughout the According to the sur vey, almost half home, such as blue, red and green. of Americans (49 percent) said the Based on this new research and most associated emotion with the Dr. Augustin’s insights on color color red is excitement. psychology, here are some ideas on Cheer y vibes with yellow: choosing colors for painting projects: Forty-two percent of Americans In the mood for blue: If you’re associate yellow with happiness. The drawn in by beautiful blues, you’re color yellow is also psychologically in good company. Sixty-two percent linked to physical warmth. Other of Americans select blue as one golden colors that are a bit darker, of the colors they like the most. such as Cut the Mustard SW 6384, This strong preference for blue is would work in a kitchen dining area, consistent across genders, locations as warm colors stimulate appetite and and age, making a blue like Adriatic can make a space seem cozy.

Sea SW 6790 a good choice if you’re What’s right about white: considering more vibrant colors, or if The top feeling most Americans you’re painting a room in a home that associate with white is calmness you plan to sell soon.

(34 percent). In color psychology, “No matter where you go on the white also signals cleanliness, so planet, people are most likely to say shades of white can be good choices that their favorite color is blue. In our for the bath, laundr y or anywhere primordial past, blue was linked to in your home that you want to add good things in our lives. It is the color brightness. of the sky on a fair weather day and For more tips and ideas on how to also a color of a watering hole seen spruce up your home with paint color, from a distance,” Dr. Augustin says. visit swpaintingweek.com.

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Maximize your kitchen space with these functional, stylish ideas

BY BPT

Years ago, the kitchen served a very utilitarian function — a place to prepare food and clean the dishes.

Today, it’s truly the nerve center of the house where people eat meals, discuss the day’s events, plan calendars, do homework, check email and entertain guests.

With that increased demand on the kitchen, and the trend toward creating flexible living spaces, homeowners are seeking ways to maximize their overall layout and make their kitchens work harder.

Expanded work surfaces, smart appliances and carefully thought-through floor plans are just a few elements that have recently emerged in kitchen trends. But one of the most noticeable differences in today’s kitchen is the demand for multiple sinks and various water sources.

According to Katherine Riley of Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products, many homeowners are using multiple sink areas to increase efficiency and literally spread out the work. However, they don’t want to sacrifice the ability to showcase their personal tastes and eye for design.

“Homeowners and designers place a lot of emphasis on a sink’s role when planning a kitchen remodel,” says Riley.

“While convenience and functionality have always been key factors, today’s homeowners also want to enhance the room’s ambiance and decor they’ve worked hard to achieve. In fact, the kitchen is one of the best rooms in the house to showcase a home’s personality through design.”

If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your kitchen more functional and stylish, consider integrating these options into your kitchen remodeling plan:

MAIN SINK

An all-purpose station primarily used for clean-up duty, the main sink often features a deeper, single basin

to handle dishes and oversized pots and pans. Riley suggests pairing these sinks with a pre-rinse faucet such as the Danze Parma Pre-Rinse or its new The Foodie faucet. These faucets improve functionality of the sink area by allowing users to literally “take the water to the work,” but are noticeably fashionable.

In addition to the primary functional faucet, many kitchens feature a water filtration faucet or tap as part of their main sink configuration.

SECOND SINK

Often located in a center island, this sink helps avoid congestion at the main sink and is a great way to increase a kitchen’s workflow. Many refer to this sink as a prep sink, which quite literally

is one of its primary uses. Homeowners commonly use this extra workspace for cutting vegetables, chilling wine or washing hands before a meal.

Choosing a faucet style and finish that complements the room’s decor can add an eye-catching decorative piece to an otherwise “ho-hum” island.

BAR SINK

Sometimes referred to as a convenience sink or a beverage center, this area is traditionally used for entertaining purposes. It’s occasionally located on the center island, but is often placed on a separate countertop in the kitchen or adjacent room (if space allows). Make sure to choose a faucet that matches the other kitchen

faucets. Danze offers several types of bar faucets, including high-arc options, small-scale faucets and pull-down faucets. Choose a style that will make this space “entertaining.”

Looking for another water source without a full sink? Try incorporating a pot filler faucet at your stovetop. These faucets provide a convenient, safe way to add more water to boiling pots or saute pans.

As you plan your kitchen remodel or look for ways to maximize your work areas, don’t be shy about making your sinks, work surfaces and water sources work hard for you. However, since this space serves as the epicenter of most homes, be sure to also use the room as a way to express your unique style.

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The benefits of choosing solar energy

Home improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now.

But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings.

According to the Solar Energies Industr y Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016. Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year.

The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar.

• Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes.

But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace

indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved payback on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time.

• Property value: Whether they plan to do

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so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Mar yland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the countr y.

• Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum. The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any countr y that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence.

The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.