At
HOME
From drab to fab Up your laundry room’s wow factor
Fall upgrades
Tips to give your home staying power
A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
2 At Home
Saturday, November 11, 2017 Messenger-Inquirer
LETTER from the
EDITOR I cannot believe it is already November. The year is winding down and the holidays are coming at full speed. This edition of At Home is meant to serve you and help you start preparing your home for the holidays. Simple upgrades and safety measures will go a long way in being party-ready. In this edition of At Home, you learn how to make your home safe for children, what to do to improve your laundry room and why you need to consider a home theater. 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
Ready your home for end-of-the-year guests
The holiday season is about more than just rushing to stores to food and gifts. Socializing and hosting friends and family members to catch up on a year’s worth of news also makes this time of year so special. Before friends and family arrive, holiday hosts must take steps to prepare their homes for their guests. The following home prep plan can make relatively easy work of tidying up the house and ensuring it is inviting to guests.
START WITH THE ENTRANCE
Hosting can motivate homeowners to finish certain home improvement projects that enhance the appearance of their homes. Tidy up your home’s entryway to make it more welcoming. Be sure the front door and walkways are well lit. Remove obstructions and trim back bushes and other plant life. Festive decorations can brighten up the space. Don’t forget a welcome mat to reinforce to guests that they truly are welcome at your home.
QUICK CLEANING
Sometimes the joy of hosting can be overshadowed by the task of preparing for your guests. Although a thorough cleaning of the home is great if you have the time, it may not be necessary. Go from room to room identifying spaces that are in need of a thorough cleaning. Spend time in the kitchen clearing clutter from the counters and make sure the dining space is clean and the table is presentable. A table runner and a centerpiece of festive flowers can brighten up the space instantly. Fluff cushions on sofas and give floors or carpets a quick vacuuming.
Always be sure the bathrooms are clean and fresh, with laundered hand towels at the ready. Children’s bedrooms and other areas of the house may not require such a critical eye. Simply keep doors closed in off-limits rooms.
STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES
Purchase extra travel-sized toiletries at the drug store so your guests’ needs are covered in case they forget something. Store them in a zip-top bag and let guests know where these items are kept. Purchase a guest set of towels, CREATE A GUEST SANCTUARY sheets and pillowcases. Keep Overnight guests should these in an air-tight storage bag have a designated space they or bin, so when guests arrive, can use as a retreat. If you do they will have their own set of not have a guest room, consider linens. Launder these linens after having children bunk with one use. another and designating one of the kids’ rooms for your guests. STOCK UP ON FOOD Fresh linens, an alarm clock, a Ask guests which foods and television, and Internet access beverages they prefer and tr y are nice touches. to have some on hand. Use A guest room also can be your spare time to prepare set up in a den or office with a some meals and freeze them. pull-out sofa bed. Provide access This way if someone drops by to a nearby bathroom so guests unexpectedly, you can simply can enjoy some privacy. defrost a meal and have it ready Hosting children is easier in no time. Keep a tin of cookies than hosting adults because and tea bags ready for those they won’t require the same who pop in for a snack and level of privacy and space. An conversation. extra mattress tucked under the With the holiday season in bed in your child’s room can be full swing, holiday hosts must an impromptu place for kids to ready their homes for overnight retire. guests.
Messenger-Inquirer
Saturday, November 4, 2017
At Home
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4 tips to redesign with kids’ safety in mind BY BPT
quick and easy to install and may save a life. (See www.anchorit.gov for additional information.)
Smart homeowners take a strategic approach to home improvement projects such as redoing a playroom, living room or bedroom to keep kids’ safety in mind during the redesign process. By being proactive today, you can ensure your entire family can safely enjoy the results of your home improvement project. Here are the top four things to keep in mind to create a stunning yet safe space for your family:
INTERIOR PAINT
WINDOW COVERINGS
Corded window coverings are a Top 5 Hidden Hazard in American homes, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Dangling or accessible cords on window coverings can pose an accidental strangulation hazard to infants and young children. The closes automatically when not in use. Window Covering Safety Council Larger electrical enhancements recommends only cordless window can help as well. Streamline the coverings or window coverings with aesthetic of your space while inaccessible cords be used in homes eliminating cords by updating wall with small kids. lighting. For example, a few sconces Consumers can might replace reading easily identify products lights, plus they’re high You’ll love your best suited for homes enough to keep out of updated home even reach of young kids. with young children by looking for the Best more when you can Another example: a for Kids certification new dimmable ceiling trust it is safe for label on the packaging fan provides safe you and your of a large variety of air circulation with children. With these customizable light products. Window covering products that simple tips you can output. qualify for “Best for Kids” create a space that either have no cords FURNITURE AND is secure, stylish or inaccessible cords. DECOR In order to be eligible and safe for all. That vintage armor for this certification, will look perfect in your manufacturers must submit their just-redone space ... until your kids products for third-party testing to start to pull out the drawers and determine if they meet the Best roughhouse around it. Tip-overs are for Kids program criteria. (See another Top 5 Hidden Hazard by windowcoverings.org for additional the CPSC, which notes in the U.S. a information.) child is sent to the emergency room ever y 30 minutes as a result of falling ELECTRICAL furniture. Electrical updates should always Furniture, TVs and appliances be made with curious kids in mind. can tip over and crush children, so It’s easy to update outlet covers to take an extra step to keep kids safe. sliding plug options. With these you Always stabilize furniture, decor and never have to worr y about replacing any other items that could fall over. the outlet plug again because it Safety anchors and brackets are
widely available online and at retail home improvement stores. They are
Painting a room is one of the most affordable yet dramatic ways to refresh a space. However, not all paint is created equal. To maintain high indoor air quality and a safe area for curious kids, be a selective shopper with interior paint. Before you select your hue, research paints that are appropriate for children. Look for zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) labels and environmentally friendly options. When in doubt, ask at the paint counter which paints are best for sensitive family members. You’ll love your updated home even more when you can trust it is safe for you and your children. With these simple tips you can create a space that is secure, stylish and safe for all.
4 At Home
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Messenger-Inquirer
Up your laundry room’s wow factor BY BPT
Doing the laundr y is no longer relegated to dark, musty basements where no one cares to go. Thanks to modern technology, great design and access to innovative ideas online, laundr y rooms have moved upstairs and come into their own. In fact, laundr y rooms today are right up there with dream kitchens and dream bathrooms — and the more style, function and “wow factor,” the better. “Laundr y rooms are no longer just utilitarian,” said Anitra Mecadon,
TV personality and award-winning interior designer. “People want stylish, healthy environments where they can relax, multitask and have some fun while doing the laundr y.” Below are four ways Mecadon recommends to ramp up the wow factor, function and allure of your laundr y room:
before starting your search — and we’re talking about more than gas or electric, front- or top-loading, color, budget and space parameters. Today’s “smart” appliances offer custom wash cycles, wrinkle removal, steam cleaning, less noise, delayed start times, moisture sensors with allergen and sanitize cycles and more. There’s even a machine that washes two separate loads with HIGH-TECH APPLIANCES different setting options at the same When looking for washers and dr yers today, there are more features time. And nearly ever y machine today is Energy Star-certified for than you can imagine. You should energy efficiency. consider your needs and desires
LOADS OF STYLE
Laundr y rooms today can be decorated to complement other rooms in your home — and Pinterest and Houzz offer loads of pictures online to spark your creativity. Laundr y rooms can be countr y French to modern, whimsical to multifunctional — and it’s not unusual to see them in bold or soothing colors, with comfy chairs, statement lighting, flat-screen TVs and docking stations to play music or charge tablets and phones. They also can include windows to let in
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Saturday, November 4, 2017
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natural light. If you think white and stainless are your only color options, think again. They can be turquoise, burnt orange, glacial blue, fire engine red, kelly green and even black stainless.
FUNCTION GALORE
Washing and dr ying are only part of doing the laundr y. There’s sorting, folding, hanging and ironing — and each of those steps needs its own space, supplies and storage. Baskets for sorting and carr ying laundr y can be wicker, plastic or wood and stored for all to see or out of sight. Counters for folding can be granite, marble, quartz, butcher block or laminate, and many people put them over their washers and dr yers as well as around the room. Dr ying racks made of ladders or upcycled cribs can be creative and functional. Ironing boards can be stand-alone, foldable and stored in cabinets or retractable and out of sight. Washers and dr yers can be big or small, stacked or all in one — and even put on pedestals.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE DRYWALL
When laundr y was relegated to the basement, part of the dread of doing laundr y was the thought of being surrounded by dampness, mold and mildew — sometimes from washing machine water hose failure causing mold to grow within the wall cavity. Because your washer and dr yer introduce water, moisture and heat into the room, it’s important to use dr ywall with extra protection for your laundr y room walls and ceilings — such as moisture-, mold- and mildew-resistant PURPLE XP dr ywall by National Gypsum. PURPLE XP — which stands for “Xtra Protection” — products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for indoor air quality, while aiding in the creation of healthier indoor environments. “I love that prettier and more functional laundr y rooms are becoming places people want to hang out and do laundr y, but it’s important to think about what’s behind all that style and function — and that’s their walls,” said Mecadon. “Walls and what they’re made of are important and they’re not all the same.”
6 At Home
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Messenger-Inquirer
This fall, make home upgrades with staying power BY BPT
Fall can be the perfect time for homeowners to complete projects that busy summer schedules didn’t allow. It’s also a great time to look at ways to add lasting value to your property. This season, upgrade cheap fixes, freshen dated looks and incorporate lasting improvements in your home. Changes that can bring impact and also increase the resale potential of your home include:
LOSE THE LINOLEUM
Linoleum has been popular in many homes since the 1950s, but these days it’s not the only flooring option for durability and waterproofing in areas like the kitchen and bath. Wood-look
tile has become hugely popular, and the style isn’t going anywhere. Retailers like Lumber Liquidators carry an array of wood-look porcelain tile, vinyl and engineered flooring products that are versatile, water- and stain-resistant and fit with any decor.
UPGRADE LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS
Particleboard and laminate are affordable options, but not ones that will create impact in the kitchen. These days the options are vast for elevating countertops with butcher block, quartz, marble, concrete and more. Create a cohesive look with countertops matched to the cabinets. Updating hardware can also be an economical way to freshen the space and tie the
look together.
SCRAPE POPCORN CEILINGS
Common in many homes because they’re easy to apply, popcorn ceilings are often one of the first things a new homebuyer wants to change. If you’re looking to sell, scraping the popcorn in favor of a smooth look may win over prospective buyers. Always test popcorn ceilings for asbestos before you start.
RETHINK WALLPAPER
Wallpaper had its day, but many new homeowners want it gone — and that’s not always an easy update. Save the headache now and later and opt for neutral paint styles while bringing interest and color with your décor.
Whites and neutral paints for walls and trim brighten a space and make it appear bigger.
NO MORE WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING
Many homeowners can’t wait to get rid of old, dirty and dated carpets in favor of the quality, reliability and beauty of hardwood and wood-look floors. Now there are a variety of hardwoods, bamboo and wood-look flooring styles to choose from, and it’s possible to achieve the look of hardwood at an accessible price point. The best part of making improvements like these now is that homeowners can enjoy them all winter long, and far beyond. And you’ll increase the odds the next generation will love your home, too.
Messenger-Inquirer
Saturday, November 4, 2017
At Home
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8 At Home
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Messenger-Inquirer
5 Reasons to consider a home theater system now BY STATEPOINT
that include models that work well in any size room or home theater. When it comes to entertaining 3. It allows you to get cozy. When ourselves at home, there are more the weather outside is frightful, options than ever before. Whether why head to a drafty movie theater? you are looking to upgrade your Nothing beats staying-in and enjoying family’s existing movie night the comfort of your own home — you experience or you are just getting can even wear your PJs if you want! started in assembling a home theater 4. You can make it a party. With a system, here are five reasons to home theater system, you can invite consider doing so now. all your friends and family over for 1. There is more media available. movie nights. Ask ever yone to bring a With so many streaming ser vices treat inspired by the movie that you’ll accessible, more movies and shows be watching for some fun, quality time are available at your fingertips than together. ever before, making it possible to 5. You can save time. Sports instantly enjoy ever ything from recent practice, homework, the school play; blockbusters to classic favorites to a your kids are busy and so are you, marathon of your favorite TV series. which means you may not always 2. You can find high-quality tech. find time for the entire family to head Today’s high-quality tech makes it to the movie theater for a specific possible to get an upgraded movie showing. However, with a great theater-like experience at home. For theater in your own home, you can example, the projectors from Casio’s plan a spur-of-the-moment movie LampFree line-up offer quick, easy night whenever it works for your set-up and reliable, brilliant images family.
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