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New neutrals
Check out the new color trends for 2017
Fresh start
Begin the new year with a clutter-free home A special publication of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
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Saturday, December 31, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
Table of Contents LETTER from the
EDITOR The start of a new year brings so many new and wonderful things. The spirit of starting over with a clean slate is on everyone’s minds — it’s almost like with January comes magic. While I believe change can come at anytime, the start of a new year is still exciting. I encourage you all to open your windows, breathe in some fresh air and set your home up for new beginnings. In this issue of At Home you can learn about the new color trends for 2017, how to pack up your holiday decorations and how to start the new year clutterfree. I am still looking for homeowners who have tackled some big DIY or home renovation projects. If you would like your story told, please contact me at mrichardson@messengerinquirer.com or 270-691-7233. — Meghann Richardson Special Publications Editor
LET IN THE LIGHT pages 6-7
PACK IT UP TIPS TO PUT AWAY HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
pages 8-9
SAFETY AT HOME page 12
Update your home for the new year with do-it-yourself decor projects | PAGES 4-5
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Make the year ahead clutter-free Many people feel the dawn of a new year provides an opportunity to clean the slate and begin anew. That notion can be applied in various ways, including around the house. Cleaning the slate at home may involve reducing clutter around the house. Clutter can gradually overtake a home’s interior, turning a once pristine home into one over whelmed with nonessential items. Clearing a home of clutter can seem like a monumental task, but the following tips can help homeowners and apartment dwellers make the year ahead clutter-free. • Scan important documents and save them on a computer. Some documents cannot be discarded, but that does not mean they have to be stored in bulky file cabinets or desk drawers. Scan important documents such as medical receipts or tax returns and save them on your computer where they won’t take up any physical space. Purchase an external hard drive as a safety net where you can store backups of important documents in case a computer crashes and cannot be rebooted. • Thin out DVD and CD libraries. Thanks to streaming ser vices and digital music players, DVDs and compact discs have become somewhat obsolete. Discard or donate DVDs that you can just as easily stream through your television, and convert compact discs to digital files that you can play on your computer and MP3 players, ultimately donating the discs and clearing space. • Purchase furniture that doubles as storage. Storage ottomans and benches can help clear common areas and bedrooms of clutter such as blankets and bed linens that can make rooms feel more claustrophobic. Storage furniture might not get excess items out of the house, but such furnishings can create a more comfortable, welcoming environment. • Switch to e-statements for bank documents and utility bills. Paper is a big contributor to household clutter. That’s still the case even though many adults now pay the majority
As intimidating as clutter can seem, discarding it is easier than it may appear. of their bills online. When given the chance to choose between paper or e-statements, opt for the latter so bills and bank statements don’t pile up on your desk or throughout your home office. If you still want to keep important bills and bank statements, download them to your computer and keep them in a designated folder on your desktop. • Adopt an “out with the old, in with the new” mantra. Resolve to discard old items after purchasing new ones or receiving birthday or holiday gifts. Hanging on to old items because they can still function and ser ve some utility is a recipe for a cluttered home. Anytime you or a family member brings a new item into your home, make sure the item it’s replacing finds its way out the door. Clearing clutter is a goal for many people at the dawn of a new year. As intimidating as clutter can seem, discarding it is easier than it may appear.
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Saturday, December 31, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
Messenger-Inquirer Saturday, December 31, 2016
Glitter and Lights Canvas CRAFTING TIME: 3-5 HOURS SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
Foam brush 18-by-24-inch canvas Decoupage medium Ultra-fine to coarse gold glitter Craft knife 3 packages battery-operated warm white LED moon lights Duct tape Protected work surface Use foam brush to cover entire canvas with layer of decoupage medium. Working 12 inches from canvas, dust canvas with glitter. Apply glitter so bottom is fully covered, fading into less glitter at top to create an ombre effect. Apply additional layers of glitter to achieve a thick consistency at bottom. Mix types of glitters to create dimension. Apply thin layer of decoupage medium over entire canvas to seal glitter. Tip: Ensure base layer is completely dry before applying top coat to avoid smearing glitter. Poke small hole in back of canvas with craft knife. Push tip of moon light through hole and secure in place with duct tape. Repeat, adding holes and lights over entire canvas. Continue ombre effect by placing more lights at bottom of canvas and less toward top. Apply layers of duct tape to hold lights securely in place on canvas.
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Add light with DIY decor BY FAMILY FEATURES
designed by crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, can be adapted to any palette; just When your home decor needs change out the color of the glitter an upgrade, but expensive, to match the hues in your favorite ready-made items aren’t in your room. budget, DIY projects can be an For a charming, subtle accent, easy and affordable solution for this frosted jar and doily not only revitalizing rooms in your home. adds quaint flair — the jar also One simple way to enhance the provides a soft glow of light. It’s character of a room is with lighted perfect nestled on a shelf or sitting elements. atop a dresser with similarly styled Add a glistening, on-trend items. look with a lighted canvas, which Find more creative ideas to bring features twinkling lights that dance a touch of light to your home decor on shimmering glitter to lend a glam look to any room. The project, at joann.com.
Frosted Ball Jar with Doily CRAFTING TIME: 1-2 HOURS SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:
SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
Ball jar (1-quart) Frosted glass spray Doily (8- to 10-inch diameter) Spray adhesive Hemp twine 1/8-inch ribbon Battery-powered tea light Follow manufacturer’s directions and spray Ball jar completely with frosted glass spray. Allow to dry completely. Spray working side of doily with adhesive. Press doily to jar, smoothing out any wrinkles. Allow to dry thoroughly. Use twine and ribbon to embellish top. Place battery-powered tea light inside.
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BRING LIGHT INTO A HOME
A home without ample lighting can be uncomfortable. Dark rooms can exacerbate feelings of depression and make a home feel less inviting to guests. However, bringing in more outside light or supplementing with artificial light can quickly transform the atmosphere of a space. Daylight hours begin to shrink in the northern hemisphere starting as early as September. When daylight savings time is in full force, it can get dark as early as 4:30 p.m. While this premature darkness may be ideal for animals who are hibernating for the season, for humans who remain active throughout the year, increasing the amount of light that is present in a home is a goal each winter. There are different strategies to let in more light when the sun sets. • When purchasing a new home, be conscious of window placement and also the direction in which a home faces. Apartments and homes that face north will be dark most of the day. Rather, those that face south will have ample sunlight. In addition, look at how many trees are on the property. Even a home that faces south can have compromised sunlight if it is hampered by many trees. • Open curtains and blinds all the way throughout the home during the winter months. Not only will this let in more light, but it also may warm the home from the sun, cutting down on heating costs. • Clean the windows. Dirt and grime that accumulates on windows can affect how much sunlight filters through. • When planning a home renovation project, consider adding a window on a wall where there currently is none or think about the inclusion of skylights to let in more light from above. Innovations in skylight technology enable small ones to be placed in rooms and connected through interior tubes that reflect the light. French doors also can bring in a lot of light. Separate a dark room from a bright room with a set of French doors to spread even more light throughout the home. • Paint walls with lighter colors that reflect light more effectively. Dark-colored floors and walls tend to absorb light, enhancing a cave-like atmosphere. • Purchase light fixtures that allow for a higher wattage of light bulb, which will be brighter. You may find higher wattages even in energy-conserving compact fluorescent bulbs and LED bulbs. • Stagger lights at varying heights to cast equal light throughout rooms. Task lighting, overhead lighting and decorative ambient lighting can combine to achieve a warm, inviting atmosphere. • Use solar lights outdoors to add extra illumination outside, which can make your home more welcoming when arriving home at night. • Clear rooms of clutter as such items can interrupt the flow of light. • If you find that the light in your home is still lacking and you can benefit from a burst of extra light therapy, consider the purchase of a therapy lamp that simulates sunlight. Set the timer and have it face you in the morning or afternoon. There also are alarm clocks that wake you with the simulation of a rising sun. To banish winter doldrums, sometimes the key is to simply let more light into a home.
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UNTIL NEXT TIME
How to pack your holiday decorations
Soon it will be time to bid farewell to another holiday season. By now the gifts have been unwrapped and the last of the turkey leftovers are long gone. The only task that remains is to put away all of those holiday decorations that have been decking the halls since Thanksgiving. Although packing holiday decorations may not be a favorite task, the following strategies can save both time and effort. • Get motivated. The first supply you need when putting holiday decorations away is a healthy dose of motivation. It’s easy to put off the taking down of lights or rolling up of holiday garlands, but the earlier you start the more quickly you can move on from the holiday season. Plan a day when you can pack away decorations, and do not schedule anything else for that day. • Purchase storage bins. Stock up on storage bins as they go on sale. Even if you end up with extra bins you ultimately don’t need to store holiday decorations, you will no doubt find another use for them. Choose bins of various sizes and don’t be afraid to use takeout containers, which can hold smaller items and be stacked inside of larger bins to keep everything neat and organized. Zip-top storage bags are also handy for ornament hooks and other small trinkets. • Find cushioning material. Fragile ornaments will need to be packed in some sort of soft wrapping to prevent breakage. Tissue paper, newspaper, old dish towels, and even faux polyester “snow” can be used to line bins and boxes. Label accordingly so you can isolate the breakable items. • Start with the tree. If you have a live tree, this should be the first item you remove. The longer the tree dries out, the bigger the mess it creates. Take down the lights and spool onto an empty paper towel tube or package into individual plastic bags to avoid knots and kinks. Thread a tree bag over the top of the empty tree and scoop around the bottom to contain as many pine needles as possible. Drag the tree outdoors and dispose or recycle according to neighborhood collection guidelines. Vacuum up any fallen needles. If you have an artificial tree, take the same steps, but store the tree away for next year. • Divide your home up into quadrants. You likely use the same decorations in the same places each year. To make decorating easier next year, dismantle holiday displays and pack them up according to specific areas of the home. For example, store all picture window decorations in one bin and label thusly. Continue to store decorations according to the room where they are hanged. Items that are used strictly for outdoors can be grouped together and stored in the garage. • Use a gift wrap organizer. Under-the-bed storage containers are ideal for storing gift wrap and assorted accessories. You also can use a hanging shoe organizer to store bows, tape and name tags. Wrapping paper rolls also can be stored horizontally over rafters in the attic or garage. • Be especially careful with candles. Pack candles separately from other items, as candles must be kept in a relatively cool area so they do not melt when temperatures rise. • Keep an empty bin handy. Use this bin to store any gifts or decorations you buy throughout the year. This way you won’t forget where you stashed them.
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Saturday, December 31, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
New neutrals dominate color trends in 2017 BY BPT
From furniture to walls, new homes to remodels, cool grays have dominated home design palettes for the last five years. Look to 2017 to gently shake things up with a focus on fresh neutrals that bring warm and cool tones together to create versatile color with timeless appeal. One of the most notable trends of the year is the transition of neutrals from monochrome gray to warmer hues, including complex taupe, beige, khaki and brown colors. These warmer tones create an inviting feeling, and while grays will continue to be popular, look for hybrid hues that blend the best of gray with warmer undertones for colors that are unique, yet familiar. The perfect example of this trend is Poised Taupe (SW 6039), the Sherwin-Williams 2017 Color of the Year. Earthen brown combines with conservative gray resulting in a weathered, woodsy and complex neutral that fits well in virtually any room. “Poised Taupe celebrates everything people love about cool gray as a neutral, and also brings in the warmth of brown, taking a color to an entirely new level,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “Not cool or warm, nor gray or brown, Poised Taupe brings a sense of coziness and harmony that people are seeking.” If you’re looking to refresh your space with this new color trend, there are countless opportunities. Here are four stunning home decor themes using this up-and-coming color:
CORNFLOWER HUES
With its cool-yet-warm vibe, Poised Taupe is an ideal complement to cornflower hues. For example, when paired with the faded indigo of Stardew (SW 9138), it creates a charming palette ideal for French countryside aesthetics. This fun twist on a classic is sure to produce timeless results in the kitchen or living spaces.
ORGANIC RE-IMAGINED
Create an updated nature-inspired palette in your home with citrus green, weathered bronze, mustard yellow and light, cool-toned blue paired with earthy neutrals like Poised Taupe. This
contemporary organic look is perfectly re-imagined for the modern world with just the right amount of visual appeal.
WINE AND TAUPE
Saturated color pairings that evoke deep moods are gaining popularity. Taking cues from baroque and romanticism designs, the SherwinWilliams Noir palette is rich with colors that are reminiscent of vine-ripe fruits, dramatic wine colors and deep blues. Balance this mysterious palette with a neutral like Poised Taupe and you’ll have a look that is unexpected and gorgeous.
YELLOW POP
Gray tones always provide a clean, modern base, but contrasting these hues with vivid colors allows you to transform any room into a contemporary paradise. Try using the deep teal of Marea Baja (SW 9185) and sunny hued Bee (SW 6683) alongside Poised Taupe to create a graphic look perfect for the office or kids rooms. Ready to make this the year you update your house with fresh designs and stunning colors? To learn more about top trends for 2017, visit www. sherwin-williams.com.
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Saturday, December 31, 2016 Messenger-Inquirer
Easy ways to make your bathroom safer BY STATEPOINT
You may think of your bathroom as a relaxing oasis. Unfortunately, bathrooms are actually the site of 200,000 injuries annually nationwide, according to the National Safety Council. These incidents happen to people of all ages — from young children who may see the bathroom as a play area, to expecting women whose balance may be off kilter, to seniors.
INSTALL GRAB BARS
You can reduce the risk of falling by adding grab bars near the toilet, along the showerhead wall and on the back wall of the tub or shower. Grab bars also provide assistance for getting in and out of the tub, as well raising or lowering yourself onto the toilet. Because people of all ages are prone to injur y, adding these safety features is a good idea for ever y household. And these days, you can do so without compromising on style — brands like Moen offer grab bars in different sizes, finishes and styles, so these elements can blend seamlessly into any décor. With a few simple considerations, you can prioritize safety in your home’s bathrooms.
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