Spring Home Improvement - South Edition by Big Fish Works

SPRING

SOUTH EDITION

HOME IMPROVEMENT 2015

yesterday, today, tomorrow

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2 | 2015 Spring Home Improvement, South Edition

WATCHING THEM GROW

grow

Gardening ideas for kids and families

BY AMANDA MCKNIGHT amcknight@swpub.com

Laura Wood, owner of Garden by the Woods in Chanhassen, explains that Mason bees pack mud into the holes — rather than honey — of their houses.

ith the weather finally warming up and buds forming on the trees, many people are thinking about whether or not to plant a garden this year. While determining what to plant, parents might also consider involving their children in the gardening process. Laura Wood, owner of Garden by the Woods in Chanhassen, said many kids enjoy watching something they’ve cared for grow and bloom into a fruit, vegetable or flower. (And a few lucky gardeners might end up with children who are actually interested

Laura Wood tinkers with makeshift planters made from old toys and boots at her store, Garden by the Woods, in Chanhassen.

Old toys can make for fun planters for children.

PHOTOS BY AMANDA MCKNIGHT

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the house or somewhere you could let a few pumpkins grow or some sunflowers. Sunflowers get big, and you can watch them grow. The kids will be in amazement, and you can get the seeds out at the end and bake them in the oven.” Even something as simple as watching a watermelon grow from nearly nothing to its final shape can be fun for kids. Not only does it teach them the growing process, said Kokesh, but it also teaches them responsibility in caring for a living thing. Kokesh said he always cautions those who are new to gardening: start small. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and lose interest in the project altogether if it starts too large. “You can keep it very small so it’s not an elaborate and time consuming thing,” he said. “Think 8 feet by 12 feet. Families are so busy these days, so keep it manageable for the time you have.” Some new gardeners might want to consider a straw bale garden. Vegetables and fruit can be planted in soil-filled holes in the bale, using the bale itself to take root and get its nourishment. This way, the bale can be thrown out after the harvesting season, and all remnants of a garden will be gone. “You just tip a straw bale on its side and take whatever plant you have, make a small hole in the bail with just a little soil on it, and then the straw bale holds the moisture

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in eating their vegetables for the first time ever.) “The best things to plant are things that kids can pull off as snacks, like the little dwarf carrots,” Wood said. “And popcorn is something I would definitely grow.” That’s right — it’s possible to grow the corn used for popcorn in your very own garden. What kid (or adult, for that matter) wouldn’t love that? Wood also suggests that pickle lovers grow cucumbers to turn into their very own style of pickle. “Cucumbers to pickles can be a fun process to watch come alive for kids,” said Wood. “It’s a pretty simple process called ‘refrigerator pickles.’” Steve Kokesh, owner of Kokesh Landscaping in Wayzata, also recommends planting vegetables and fruits that kids can easily interact with and eat. “It’s good to stay basic with your vegetables because if kids can watch something grow, run outside, pick it, and you cook it that night – it makes more sense to them,” said Kokesh. A ny t hi ng f rom dwar f carrots, like Wood mentioned, to beans or strawberries or tomatoes would make for a great gardening project for younger green thumbs. “Even beans can be decorative in the yard,” added Kokesh. “The greens will grow up on a trellis. What’s really fun for kids is if you can put your garden on the side of

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2015 Spring Home Improvement, South Edition | 3

Refinancing: Not just about interest rates BY AMANDA SCHWARZE amandas@weeklynews.com

Online resources

Holders for bird nesting material can be a fun project for kids — just don’t use any plastic!

GROW continued from 2

the plants need and nourishes it. Then in the fall you just throw the straw bale on the curb and it’s hauled away,” said Kokesh. “It’s a way to introduce you and your family to it in a low cost and low maintenance way.”

CREATING AN ECOSYSTEM Besides involving kids in the planting, growing and harvesting process, though, there are a number of other ways to get even toddlers playing in the garden. A favorite landscaping trick of Wood’s is to use an old toy as a planter. This might make gardening seem like more fun to your child. If your kids are younger and not ready to actually plant yet, an old toy dumptruck will do the trick for them to dig in and get dirty with some soil. The fun doesn’t have to revolve around the act of gardening itself, though. Kids can help contribute to the yard’s ecosystem by hanging Mason bee houses or making a holder for bird nesting material. “Mason bees don’t produc e honey,” Wo o d ex-

plained. “They pack mud into the little holes in its nest. If you have orchards or need a pollinator, these will passively live in your yard and help your vegetables be healthier.” To make a holder for bird nesting material, anything organic or natural is considered safe to use. If it’s aesthetically pleasing, that’s just a bonus for the yard! “The best materials are natural cotton or strips of fabric, six- to eight- inch strips of natural fibers and paper products,” explained Wood. “I would avoid plastics. You can use straw, or feathers are great, too.” Stuff the materials into a straw orb or hanging gourd, and birds will flock to it for comfortable bedding. When it comes down to it, Kokesh and Wood agree that it’s important to do what’s best for your own family. Busy families who don’t want to commit to an annual garden may opt for a straw bale garden, while others might want to work the garden into the yard’s landscape theme as a whole. “This can give the kids a bit of responsibility and also bring the family together,” said Kokesh. “It’s something they all can relate to.”

efinancing a home can be a way to save money in the longterm, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Refinancing means a mortgage is renegotiated, and the existing loan is paid off with a new loan. The goal is get more desirable terms, such as a lower interest rate or a change in the length of the loan. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, a decision to refinance a mortgage depends on the borrower’s current situation. What works for one person will not necessarily end up working well for everyone, they warn. Mortgage banker Alex Stenback of Alerus Financial in Minnetonka agrees. “There’s not a simple good or bad test for refinancing,” Stenback said. “There are many variables and many reasons people refinance. “Traditionally, one refinances to pay less interest over the term of the loan. That can be accomplished through both a reduction in rate, and a reduction in term, say moving from a 15- to a 30-year loan,” he explained. “Sometimes a refinance makes sense to remove mortgage insurance, or to consolidate multiple loans. Sometimes a refinance is situational — think divorce, job loss, change in household finances. People sometimes tap equity through a refinance to im-

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Borrowers should do research before deciding to refi nance their home mortgage. prove the home, or make a down payment on a second home.” Regardless of the reasoning behind refinancing, the Minnesota Department of Commerce advises people to think about how long they plan on being in their home before deciding to refinance. If a person is going to remain in the home long enough to recoup all costs involved in the refinancing, such as the appraisal and closing costs, then it could be a good idea to refinance. It may not be a good idea to refinance for people who plan to sell their home soon. Once a borrower decides to pursue a refinance, he or she needs to start doing research, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. They suggest contacting various lenders to inquire about interest rates, terms of available mortgages and closing costs. Borrowers should understand the various loan options and what impact each will have on them, they said. Stenback said that borrowers shouldn’t just consider interest rates when it

comes to refinancing. “Most consumers carry the intuition that the lowest rate is always the best,” he said. “This is true, but only to the extent that one also considers the fees to get that rate. I am firm in my belief that the vast majority of borrowers are best served by taking a rate that involves the absolute minimum in up-front costs. The best way for consumers to navigate the landscape as it relates to fees, closing costs, and interest rates is to speak with two or three reputable lenders, ask them to break down rates and costs, then make a comparison and choose the best fit.” When looking for a reputable vendor, keep in mind that mortgage companies and individual loan officers need to have a valid Minnesota Mortgage Originator

 www.portal.hud.gov  www.fha.com People may also go online to see if a mortgage company or loan officer has a valid Minnesota Mortgage Originator license. That information may be found at http://mn.gov/ commerce/banking-andfinance/consumers/licenselookup/.

license. License holders may be looked up online. Stenback also suggests getting a recommendation from a trusted acquaintance. “If you don’t have a relationship with a mortgage banker, pick a good, reputable serviceoriented lender by getting a personal referral from someone you know, love and trust,” he said. “Anything else can have mixed results.”

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4 | 2015 Spring Home Improvement, South Edition

OUTDOOR entertaining spaces BY CRISTETA BOARINI cboarini@swpub.com

should go in your new backyard digs?

s we Minneso tans have slogged t h roug h a not her depressing winter, it is our right, nay our duty, to get outside and enjoy the few warm months granted to us. Whether you’re a king of the grill, an aspiring Top Chef or a domestic goddess, one way to bring your outdoors game this spring is wit h a new enter t ai ni ng space in the backyard. When it comes to outdoor entertaining, you can do so much more than a grill and some chairs out on the patio. And the time to upgrade is now. Matt Blanchard, who runs the masonry and contracting company The Brick and Stone Artist out of Minneapolis, said his company has seen about a 15 percent annual increase in business each year for the past few years. So what kind of features

FIREPLACE Wit h snowstor ms t hat come as late as May and as early as October, keeping warm is a priority. So when your a fter noon barbecue turns into an evening over drinks, keep everyone toasty with a nice fire. Wood-burning or gas, a fireplace becomes a great customizable centerpiece to your outdoor entertaining space. A fire pit allows for everyone to get around the fire, while a grand fireplace not only offers warmth but a beautiful conversation piece. You could also go for a wood-fired pizza oven, to make crisp personal pizzas with a touch of char taste. All are great for toasting marshmallows with the kids or a special someone. Blanchard said granite, stone and polished concrete are extremely popular with his clients for fireplaces. He said he builds them from

scratch on a foundation, with an efficient design “The great thing about these kinds of f ireplaces is you can use them yearround,” Blanchard said.

SPACE TO PREP Whether it’s a graduation party or a family reunion, one of the frustrating things about entertaining in the backyard is constantly going in and out of the house. Getting drinks, prepping food — the back door is constantly opening and closing to let in bugs or let out all the air conditioning. But with space and appliances to do all that work outside, a host can get all the work done while still entertaining with guests. Having a polished concrete countertop in the backyard with some built-in appliances like a stainless steel fridge or warming drawer means more time outside for everyone. And these features are built to last even through the toughest Minnesota weather.

IT’S ELECTRIC! Blanchard said the most c o nv e n i e nt f e a t u r e y o u could include in a new outdoor entertaining space is wiring in some electrical sockets and lighting. If you want to have some blended drinks, keep a crock pot out for the party, or even plug in a bug zapper, it’s much more convenient to have a plug easily accessible right on the patio rather than running an extension cord from inside the house or across the yard. Another great feature? Ambient lighting. With the installation of a grand fireplace or a brick oven, ambient feature lighting not only higlights the beauty of the piece, but also allows you and your guests the ability to maneuver once the party continues after dark — no stubbed toes on chair legs! Whatever you choose to do in your backyard, remember the options are endless. Happy entertaining!

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRICK AND STONE ARTIST

This customized fireplace was built by Matt Blanchard.

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2015 Spring Home Improvement, South Edition | 5

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A before (left) and after comparison of a garage that was organized by Monkey Bars.

STORAGE WAR

BY ALEX HALL editor@savagepacer.com.com

oes your garage look like a small tornado whipped t h rough the inside of a storage unit? You’re not alone. In fact, Ted Wood has probably seen worse. “So many garages we walk into, everything’s piled on the floor.” Ted a nd his son Steve Wood are authorized dealers of Monkey Bars, a unique garage storage system that incorporates shelving, cabinets and overhead racks. They are based in Jordan and serve the counties of Hennepin, Scott, Carver and Wright. Ted Wood said that too often, the garage is the most neglected space in a house. “It’s kind of the forgotten room, or the last area of the house people really pay attention to,” said Steve. The only way to get the most out of a garage is to make use of all its possible space. The first step is getting items off the ground and uti-

lizing space on the walls and the top corners of the garage. Getting items off the floor is important because it makes it easier to clean the garage floor, and it also keeps stored items safe from the elements, especially during the winter. “You also don’t get the critters in your boxes, which is a big one for me,” said Steve, “and you’re not tripping on things.” Ted added that by getting items off the ground, you may be saving money in the long run. “With everything on the floor, things are getting lost or getting damaged, people are going out and buying things they already have,” he said. With the Monkey Bars system, a shelf is installed to hold long-term storage items like camping equipment, spare tires or bins. Each shelf is made of melamine and designed to hold up to 1,000 pounds for each 4-foot area. Underneath the shelf or shelves is a system of polycoated steel bars and hooks that allows items to be stored several layers deep on a wall.

“In most single-stack systems people have, you just hang one item, then the next and the next [along a wall],” said Steve. “With this, you can layer or tier the storage… We can get your stuff in about a third of the space as other products.” Steve said that anything with a hole or a loop or a “T” would hang on the racks. “Basic a l ly t hi ngs t hat don’t fit in a cabinet or a box, and that’s a lot of garage stuff,” said Ted. While the shelving and bars and hooks system is at the heart of what Monkey Bars offers, the company also offers cabinetry and overhead racks. The racks are key to making sure you’re getting the most out of your garage space, said Steve. The design and steel structure of Monkey Bars’ overhead racks make them capable of supporting up to 750 pounds of storage. The Woods say it’s important to take into consideration many different factors before deciding where to put shelves and cabinets, such as where a person typically

Go big or go home Looking to do something a little more adventurous than a simple reorganization of your garage? One of the simplest ways to add some pizzazz to your carport is to replace the flooring. “That’s been kind of a big, popular one,” said Gary Bannochie, general contractor and owner of Bannochie Builders, Inc. “Sometimes garage floors, in time they’ll start pitting and cracking. You put a polyurethane [finish] on there, and it puts a nice little smooth finish on there.” But putting in new flooring is small potatoes compared to some of the renovation projects Bannochie has been involved in. Bannochie has helped turn garages into home offices, music studios and “man caves,” and he’s even taken out part of a roof in order to put a second level into a garage to be used as a billiards room. The first step is making sure the garage is properly insulated and sheetrocked. “Some guys are just so excited to get the thing cleaned up and sheetrock up and paint it, they forget to insulate it properly, give it a proper vapor barrier,” said Bannochie. In addition, if you plan on living out your rock star dreams in your garage, you may want to take some steps to avoid alienating your neighbors. Proper insulation and sheetrocking should help to soundproof, but having some heavy duty garage doors doesn’t hurt, either. Bannochie keeps his drum kit in his garage, and he has 2 1/2 inch commercial garage doors on his. “You still can hear,” said Bannochie, “but if you’re going to try to push that next level, where your going to really be jamming in there, then there’s products you could put up to deflect sound.”

parks and the length of vehicles. For many homeowners they work with, a simple reorganization allows them to park in their own garage for the first time. “The difference is dramatic,” said Steve.

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6 | 2015 Spring Home Improvement, South Edition

Rooms reborn: TWO WAYS TO REPURPOSE

BY HANNAH JONES hjones@swpub.com

he fall of 2012 brought two big developments to t he Lyseng family in Eagan. First, Jordan Lyseng, a recent college graduate, left for Japan to visit his fiancée. Then, Brenda Lyseng, his mother, got pneumonia. W hi le she was resti ng up a n d r e c ov e r i n g , s h e fo u n d h e r s e l f w at c h i n g a lot of HGT V. T he more she watched, the more she thought about her son’s vacated bedroom. The Lysengs had always been an artsy family, but t hei r cra f ti ng supplies – paints, fabric and more – were relegated to a closet in the basement. With Jordan out of the house and his room conveniently unoccupied, Brenda saw a chance to use the space a new way. “I thought, ‘We need a sewing and art studio,’” she said. She text messaged Jordan and got his permission to totally repurpose his room. Brenda did what a lot of homeowners do after years in the same space. As their

PHOTO BY HANNAH JONES

Roberta Kortes is the owner and principal designer of Crabapple Cottage Designs based out of Prior Lake.

Brenda Lyseng of Eagan turned her son’s old bedroom into a craft studio, which she uses as a space for her new business venture, a company called Sew Together.

lifestyles change and their home s st ay t he s a me, it becomes increasingly appealing to repurpose and revitalize rooms. There are essentially two ways to do this: on your own, or with a professional. Br end a cho s e t o do it

Then she painted the walls a butter yellow and added various vintage bookcases and furniture — a shelf from Brenda’s graduate student days and a table from an old library — to the room. One of the few brand new items, a high craft table with a spa-

alone. She spent a week just laying out everything on graph paper, rearranging and reorganizing, and keeping a Pinterest board for inspiration. After that, the carpet was torn up and new hardwood floors were installed.

cious top, was installed in the center of the room. So, how did that go? “ It went ac c or d i n g t o plan,” Brenda said. The whole project cost about $1,500, and today, Jordan’s old room is a bright, s u n ny c r a f t s p a c e w it h

shelves loaded with art supplies. Brenda even found a way to use the room to get a return on her investment. She started her own business, “Sew Together,” which offers the room and supplies,

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REBORN continued from 6

as well as her expertise, for g roups taking on sewing projects. All of that happened after a nasty bout of pneumonia, a couple weeks of preparation and a month of execution. But of course, her success was couched in her extensive planning, which took a few weeks for a reason. “Ju st f ig u ri ng out t he layout was the most difficult part,” she said. “But that was always fun.” With the proper amount of planning and some gumption, Brenda’s D.I.Y. method can certainly work. However, for those who aren’t as crafty, hiring an interior designer is also an option. Roberta Kortes of Prior Lake is the principal de signer of her own interior design firm, Crabapple Cottage Designs. It’s her job to act as a voice of authority on interior design projects and find tasteful arrangements everyone can agree on. “This is what I do, and it’s my passion,” she said. One thing that sometimes drives potential customers away from hiring an expert like Kortes is the perceived cost. As a more experienced interior designer, Kortes’ services run at about $150 per hour for consultations. “The biggest myth is that we’re too expensive,” she

More information Brenda Lyseng’s new business, Sew Together, provides space, materials and guidance for sewing and craft projects. Learn more at her website: http://sewtogethergathering.com/ Roberta Kortes is the owner and principal designer of Crabapple Cottage Designs in Prior Lake. See more of her work and contact her at her website: http://www.crabapplecottage.com/index.htm

said. “In fact, we’re usually saving people money.” By hiring an interior designer, Kortes’ clients are ensuring that projects will be right the first time around, and that the materials will all be appropriate for the job. Interior designers also usually have relationships with vendors and can get discounts on materials, which they can then pass on as savings to the homeowners. Kor tes a lso has techniques to ma ke more so phisticated designs fit into a more modest budget. She often does what she calls an “Ikea hack,” taking an inexpensively made piece of furniture and adding a finish or embellishments that make it look more high-end. She’s even used wallpaper to customize a table and add value. Even if hiring a designer seems like a totally different approach from Brenda’s craft room remodel, Kortes actually has some similar

advice for potential room renovators. “I encourage people to really think about it a while, about what makes sense at that point in their lives,” she said. Planning, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring help, makes for a successful room repurpose. Other general tips: make sure a redesigned room has a clear purpose, which adds value to the home. Be honest with yourself about your budget and your expectations. When possible, reuse, recycle or modify older or cheaper furnishings. And, in that all-important planning phase, start with a blank slate, not with the current identity of the room. A note to all empty nesters looking to reclaim their childrens’ old rooms, too: It turns out, Jordan did come back to the Lyseng’s home later on. But, Brenda said, he was more than happy to stay in the basement.

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