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Beautiful Basements Brighten your underground digs

Mini Makeover

Simple ideas to refresh a room A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

2 At Home

Saturday, September 9, 2017

LETTER

SAFE

Messenger-Inquirer

Three helpful tips to reduce the number of injuries

HOMES

from the

EDITOR After enjoying Labor Day earlier this week, I think we can all agree that every weekend should last three days.

On Monday, my husband and I conquered our massive home to-do list and it felt great to get so many things accomplished.

Even if you don’t have a long weekend or lots of time, there are still little projects you can do around the house to make it feel refreshed and modern.

In this edition of At Home you will learn three ways to make your home safer, how to refresh a room in a short amount of time and how lighting can change the entire feel of your home.

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

Injuries that occur around the home contribute to millions of medical visits and tens of thousands of fatalities each year.

Falls account for the largest percentage of home accidents, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that around 30,000 fall-related fatalities occur each year in the United States. Many home accidents are entirely preventable when proper caution is exercised.

As homeowners prepare for home-improvement projects, improving safety inside and outside the home should be a priority.

1. IMPROVE LIGHTING

One of the easiest ways to

reduce the risk of falls is to improve lighting around the home. The National Institutes of Health state that adequate lighting is important at entrances to the home, stairways, hallways, and other frequently traversed areas. Make sure lighting fixtures are using the highest wattage light bulb allowed. Artificial lighting sources become even more vital in fall and autumn, when natural light is less abundant in a home. In addition, install lighting outdoors by the front door.

2. MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS

Repair loose floorboards and pull carpet taut if it has started to stretch out. Address cracks

outdoors and ensure that patio stones, bricks and pavers are secure and level to reduce tripping hazards. Fix areas of the landscape where water may pool and freeze, creating potential hazards.

3. INVEST IN ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Handrails, grab bars, nonslip stair treads, and many other devices can make homes safer for people of all ages and abilities.

Outfit cabinets and closets with organizers that put frequently used items within easy reach.

Taking measures to reduce the risk of falling around the home is a worthwhile home improvement project.

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Saturday, September 9, 2017

Messenger-Inquirer

MAKE LIGHTS

SPARKLE

As days get shorter and natural light is less abundant, interior lighting becomes ever more important.

Chandeliers, pendant lamps, recessed lighting, and tableside lamps are most effective when they are clean. HGTV experts say dirty lights can give off up to 20 percent less light than clean ones.

Dirty fixtures also waste energy.

Lighting fixtures that are within reach are easy to tackle, but what about those fixtures that hang or have multiple crystals, globes or bulbs? These tips can cut down on the time needed to give lights a thorough cleaning.

STOCK UP ON THE RIGHT CLEANING SUPPLIES

Microfiber dusting cloths are smart choices because they can help trap grime and tend to be machine-washable and reusable. Extendable static-charged dusters are another handy item to have around, particularly for fixtures that are hard to reach.

DUST REGULARLY

Dusting regularly can prevent the buildup of grime that’s difficult to wash off. Try to dust light fixtures weekly or biweekly. The more frequent the fixtures are dusted, the less time each cleaning session will take. Soft cloths

can remove the dust from most bulbs and exterior surfaces. Lamp shades may need more attention. Use a lamb’s-wool duster to attract dirt so it doesn’t leave a residue on the lampshade.

DEEP-CLEAN AT TABLE LEVEL

Deep-cleaning at table level is more manageable. Remove any glass accents and set them out on a cushioned surface so they do not break. Soft cloths dampened with a vinegar solution should remove most of the dirt on chandelier crystals and the globes or outer glass coverings of other types of fixtures. Take a photo of the lighting fixture prior to cleaning so you’ll know how to replace removed parts correctly once everything is clean and dry.

If you cannot remove a fixture for cleaning, use a sturdy stool, a spray bottle with your cleaning mixture and a soft cloth to wipe away the dirt. Remember to place something absorbent beneath the light to catch any drips. Do not spray liquids directly onto light bulbs; otherwise, you can damage the bulb and the electrical components.

It’s best to exercise caution when cleaning lighting fixtures. Turn off the light itself and shut off the circuit breaker to avoid the risk of shock or burns from hot bulbs.

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Kris Rogers Photography Kris Rogers Photography

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR

o r i R t t K y c

UNDERGROUND Optimize tricky spaces and make your basement dwelling feel like home

Shannon Claire Smith

t s w c E R d y

Messenger-Inquirer

BY MAIA SILBER

THE WASHINGTON POST

It’s no easy feat to find an affordable apartment in many cities. Renters will scour the city streets for a decent deal, searching uptown, downtown and increasingly, underground.

But basement dwellings often have low ceilings, cramped rooms and little natural light, making them challenging to decorate.

We asked designers how renters can optimize these tricky spaces and make basement dwellings feel like homes.

Here are their tips:

KEEP IT COOL

“Lighter, brighter, cooler colors help the walls recede,� said Jaye Langmaid, owner of Hudson & Crane, an urban design studio in Washington, D.C. Light blues and grays can make a small room feel larger and enhance limited natural light. But don’t be afraid to accent a wall in a darker color, which can lengthen an oblong room or hall. Stay away from warm colors, which may make a small space feel crowded.

RAISE THE ROOF

Shannon Claire Smith, a D.C.-based interior decorator and design blogger, said that renters have a number of ways to make low ceilings appear higher. “I always have clients try to stretch the walls as high as they can,� Smith said. “A darker color on the ceiling makes it look like the night sky — you don’t know where it ends.� Hang floor-length drapery panels, or arrange artwork gallery-style so that it fills walls from floor to ceiling. If you don’t have enough artwork to do that, a few large pieces can have the same effect.

ADD MIRRORS

Decorative mirrors create an illusion of space and light. “Mirrors can help reflect what little natural light comes into a basement apartment,� said Sarah Roussos-Karakaian, who co-founded the artisan contracting and design team Nestrs with her husband, Nick Karakaian. “The light bounces around your space.� Floor-length mirrors, too, can make a low ceiling look higher.

LOOK TO THE PAST

There’s nothing new about trying to make the best of a small, oddly shaped space. To find furniture that will fit down narrow stairwells and into cramped rooms, check out French, English and Japanese antiques, said Rachel Dougan, founder and principal designer of ViVi Interiors. “In Paris, you had really tiny alleyways and

Saturday, September 9, 2017

At Home

5

stairwells,� Dougan said. “These vintage pieces were made for smaller spaces to begin with ... and they’re made to be disassembled and put together again.� Dougan especially recommends “campaign furniture,� originally made for soldiers on the move. If you don’t like the old-timey aesthetic, she said, you can always add a fresh coat of paint to an antique piece.

LIGHTEN UP

Overhead lighting in rented apartments tends to be less than flattering, said designer Anna Matthews, who suggests buying lamps that will warm up the space. For an affordable option, try Robert Abbey; if you’re willing to invest, Matthews recommends Bunny Williams. “I love to put good table lamps on either side of the sofa because it makes it feel more like a home,� she said. “It personalizes the space, which is so important.�

MULTITASK

Get the most out of a small space by purchasing furniture with more than one function. “Have all your furniture be multipurpose,� Roussos-Karakaian said. Couches can pull out to double as beds for overnight guests, and coffee tables with built-in shelves can serve as storage space. Roussos-Karakaian also recommends wall-mounted shelves: Use them as bookcases or fill them with decorative storage baskets.

PRIVATIZE

English basements often have ground-level windows that may allow passers-by to see inside. Solar shades or privacy blinds allow light to come in while preventing pedestrians from peeping into your bedroom. Jo Kerrigan, district manager for Next Day Blinds, recommends the brand’s Honeycomb Shades, which have a soft, delicate look and offer total privacy. The shades, made out of a polyester fabric, also absorb sound, making them ideal for a basement on a busy street.

GO GREEN

English basements are often accessed through narrow alleyway entrances, and plants placed by your front door can help welcome guests into your home. They can also improve air quality in basement apartments, which may get hot during the day.

Smith recommends the snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, a leafy indoor plant that helps purify air. She also suggests that basement renters invest in air conditioners and humidifiers.

Photo courtesy Next Day Blinds

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the mini

MAKEOVER

Messenger-Inquirer

Saturday, September 9, 2017

At Home

7

THREE IDEAS TO REFRESH A ROOM WITH MINIMAL EFFORT

BY STATEPOINT

Looking to bring new energy to a space? Hoping to update that outdated décor? These easy tips can help you revitalize any space in your home with minimal time and effort — utilizing color, accessories, accents and more.

A NEW COLOR SCHEME

Looking at the same wall color day after day can be uninspiring. Consider a new color scheme to change the dynamic of your space. Blue hues are shown to create a calming, tranquil effect, making them the perfect choice for a baby’s nursery or spa-like bathroom.

Pastels are also a fun way to

stimulate the same soft, calming effect of blue, and their less saturated nature creates a unique twist.

Color is also a great way to explore new looks. Both coastal and farmhouse styles are easy to accomplish through a neutral color palette, giving you plenty of opportunities to incorporate your unique style accents.

FIND A FOCAL POINT

When choosing a design aesthetic, many find inspiration from an accessory, like a piece of artwork or textile. However, highly functional objects that feature great design can also serve as your muse. One such example is a ceiling fan. Its elevated, and often central location, can serve as

a stylish focal point, while enhancing comfort.

Whether you decide to incorporate a fan that blends into the existing style or opt for a statement piece, the addition can help put a new spin on your room.

Consider stylish, yet timeless options, such as the Hepburn from Hunter Fan Company. Its mid-century, modern flair is complemented by light and airy colors, combined with a brass finish.

ACCESSORIES AND ACCENTS

Revamp a tired space with new and inexpensive accessories. A new duvet cover, vibrant pillows, or a statement floor rug can help to refresh a room without a high price tag. Adding in mixed metal items can add texture to

an otherwise boring countertop, while positioning items in groups of threes can create a visually pleasing setup.

Go shopping in your own home.

You can also switch things up by using objects from around the house, to make a space new again. Decorating a built-in bookshelf with jars, candles, pottery and those favorite items you just can’t find the right place for, can make your room feel new without having to purchase anything at all.

More design tips and inspiration can be found at hunterfan.com/inspiration.

Updating a room doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take months to complete. Mini-makeovers that focus on smaller details can make all the difference.

8 At Home

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Messenger-Inquirer

WHAT

TO DO

WHEN YOUR

home project

STALLS

Upon embarking on a home improvement project, homeowners who have never before lived through such undertakings are often told to expect their projects to take more time than initial estimates suggested. Unforeseen complications can compromise project timelines, and some homeowners may find their projects stuck in neutral.

Stalled projects can make life at home difficult, and homeowners may feel helpless with regard to getting a project back on course. But there are ways for homeowners to get stalled projects back on course.

START OFF ON SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING

It’s important that homeowners who want to upgrade their homes enter the home improvement process with a realistic grasp of their finances.

Many home improvement projects stall when homeowners run out of money.

Homeowners can avoid such unfortunate situations by only beginning a project they know they can afford. Whether funding a project with a loan or savings or a combination of both, homeowners should make an honest assessment of what they can afford to commit to a given project. If the amount of money available

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does not add up to the estimated cost of the project, delay the project now or you might be facing a stalled project down the road.

HONESTLY ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN FINISH THE JOB

Do-it-yourselfers may have the abilities to complete a project, but they should not let their pride get in the way of their ultimate goal, which is the completion of the project. In addition to money, time or lack thereof, is often the culprit behind stalled projects. Homeowners with full-time jobs, families or both may not be able to find the time to complete a job in a timely fashion. If the project has been stuck in neutral and no sudden windfall of free time is on the horizon, start contacting contractors to finish the job for you.

ASK FOR HELP

There’s no shame in asking for help to complete a project. Some homeowners may underestimate the scope of a project until it’s too late. Asking family, friends or neighbors for help might be the only way to get a stalled project back on track.

Stalled home improvement projects can be a nightmare. But homeowners can address such delays in various ways to get projects back on track.