The St. Joseph area
Home Improvement Guide
Inside, find tips and information about: Spring cleaning Finding a contractor Furniture Home safety Lawn and garden Home electronics Outdoor living Paint and wallpaper Window treatments and more
Spring 2012
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Spring 2012 Home Improvement Guide
Cleaning |
Finding a contractor |
Flooring |
Furniture |
Home safety |
Spring home maintenance checklist |
Home electronics |
Lawn and garden |
Outdoor living |
Paint and wallpaper |
Window treatments |
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Home Resource Guide Spring 2012 3
4 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
Cleaning high and low
An extensive spring tidying may include air ducts and carpet By ERIN WISDOM St. Joseph News-Press
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f you’re an ambitious spring cleaner, chances are you’re bent on sprucing up your living space from top to bottom. Just don’t overlook the very top and very bottom: Your air ducts and carpet, which both call for a deep cleaning periodically. Exactly how often depends upon lifestyle factors, according to Jeff Hoyt, owner of Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning in Savannah, Mo. “Some people take their shoes off and some don’t; some people have pets and some don’t; some people have kids and some don’t,� points out Mr. Hoyt, whose business serves five area counties. The rule of thumb he shares is to have carpets professionally cleaned once every six months if you have kids or pets and once every year if you don’t. “It’s best to treat carpet like you would your clothes,� he adds. “Carpet will last forever, honestly, if you take care of it the right way.� As for cost, you can expect most professionals to charge between 20 and 35 cents per square foot. Renting equipment to do the cleaning yourself is also an option, although it’s important to consider exactly what your savings will be after paying the rental cost, as well as how much labor your job will require and what the potential is for running into problems such as over-wetting or overuse of detergents going the DIY route. The benefits you can expect from deep cleaning your carpet include not only a better appearance but also a better-smelling and healthier living environment. The latter can also hold true for air-duct cleaning, according
to Greg Schomburg, owner of Schomburg Heating and Cooling in St. Joseph. “People are becoming more cautious about the air quality in their homes,� adds Mr. Schomburg, whose business serves both the St. Joseph and Kansas City areas. Like carpet cleaning, the necessity for cleaning a home’s air ducts depends upon various factors, including the age of the house and whether any pets live in it. One factor contributing to the need for air-duct cleaning that is common to most homes, however, is central air conditioning. According to Schomburg Heating and Cooling’s website, www.schomburgheatcool.com, airborne contaminants like dust, dirt and allergens are drawn into the air ducts through the cold-air return every time the system kicks on. Over time, these contaminants build up inside the air ducts, creating a natural breeding ground for mold, bacteria, fungi and other microbes. (While the same holds true for heating systems, as well, it is particularly the case with central air conditioning, since the damp, cool air it distributes creates an environment in your ducts in which mold spores and other organisms can thrive.) Thus, having your air ducts cleaned might reduce suffering from allergies, asthma, hay fever, headaches, dry or itchy eyes, nasal congestion and other respiratory ailments. It also might turn up some surprises, Mr. Schomburg notes. “I’ve found shaving from wood, toys from kids, even money,� he says. “You’d be surprised what comes out.� Erin Wisdom can be reached at erin.wisdom@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SJNPWisdom.
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Getting the job done Ask questions, check references when hiring a contractor
6 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
By KEVIN KRAUSKOPF St. Joseph News-Press
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o matter your home renovation project, the bottom line is you want the job done right by a contractor you can trust. “Quality and honesty is what you’re looking for,” says Jim Francis, who with his brother started Bob’s New Life Home Improvement in 2004. The business has gained a reputation for quality work and has continued to grow since, mostly through positive word of mouth. So how can you be sure that the contractor you’re about to hire for that kitchen remodel is both qualified and trustworthy? Brett Strough, general manager of The Dillon Co., a locally owned family business since the 1970s, says one of the first places to check is with the city in which the contractor works. The city of St. Joseph, for instance, has it on record that The Dillon Company has obtained all necessary licenses and insurance to conduct business here. Also, ask the contractor to provide documentation of the company’s certifications. Not only will this show the contractor is in good standing, but it provides evidence of the ongoing training its employees receive — a detail many required certifications hinge upon, Mr. Strough says. Potential clients also should check with the area branch of the Better Business Bureau for a history of complaints against a contractor before entering a binding agreement.
All of those will help you get a clear picture of the quality of a contractor’s work. But there’s also the matter of trustworthiness. Both Mr. Strough and Mr. Francis attest to the fact that word of mouth is among the best ways to determine if a contractor does good, honest work. Ask friends, family and neighbors who worked on their homes if they were satisfied. Also, be sure to ask the contractor for references — then take the time to follow up with the contacts provided. A bit of diligence in this regard could protect you from a remodeling or repair job gone awry. “If somebody doesn’t do quality work, then people hear about it pretty quickly,” Mr. Strough says. There also are a handful of red flags to watch out for when looking for a contractor. Be wary of a contractor who doesn’t want to put anything in writing; who’s not easily accessible by phone or e-mail; or who doesn’t provide documentation of licenses, certifications and insurance. Mr. Strough and Mr. Francis also say to be judicious about merely accepting the lowest bid. A bid that’s significantly lower than the rest may suggest the contractor uses lower-quality materials or otherwise cuts corners. “If you have two bids that are here at $20,000 and then another bid at ($10,000),” Mr. Strough says, “ten sounds great, but you really need to check into that.” Kevin Krauskopf can be reached at kevin.krauskopf@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @stjoelivedotcom.
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8 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
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Choices in flooring come down to preference, maintenance By KELLY FINDLEY St. Joseph News-Press
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ake the time to look at your floor. Is it what you always wanted, or is there something about it that you could change to make your home the place to be? “The flooring is one of the most important things in a home,” says Tim Westcott, owner of Carpet Masters Mill Outlet. Your floor can say a lot about you. The colors you pick or even the texture make a statement. When you are looking for a change, take into consideration the amount of traffic that a room gets. “Location, uses and traffic should be considered when you are thinking about carpet and hardwood flooring,” says Steve Eckard, owner of Eckard’s. Carpets show how much traffic a room gets more than the hardwood floor. But with carpet, you can change the color and the type more often. “Carpet is less expensive and is considered temporary,” Mr. Westcott says. Mr. Westcott says that hardwood floors are more work and a more permanent decision than carpet. However, “The uses of hardwood
flooring is increasing,” Mr. Eckard says. Another benefit of hardwood floors is they are easier to clean and they tend last longer. But often the decision between flooring types comes down to personal preference. “People pick carpet or hardwood floors because that is what appeals to them,” Mr. Westcott says. The homes themselves go through cycles. One owner wants hardwood and then the next wants carpet, but when they sell and the new owners find out that hardwood floors are under the carpet, they may remove the carpet and refinish the hardwood floor. It becomes a revolving door as to which flooring is in a home. Beyond hardwood and carpeting there are other choices. “Porcelain and ceramic tiles have a value appeal to them,” Mr. Westcott says. With the more high-end flooring, the value of your home goes up. When people see the work that was put in, they may find they like the home better. The importance of flooring is that it creates warmth, color and texture. It’s all about the environment of your home becoming more comfortable and enhancing the living experience.
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10 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
Have a seat Furnishings and decor can make a home more welcoming By KELLY FINDLEY St. Joseph News-Press
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urniture makes a room come together. Wanting a change or even just making what you have look better is always on the to-do list. So why wait? “People are focusing on the family room the most,” says Aaron Frazier with Colony House Furniture and Bedding. The focus is there because that’s what most people see when you enter a home. If you think you might get new furnishings, consider that having neutral shades gives people the option to change up the colors in the rooms more often. “For sofas or chairs, I would recommend using a sofa/chair slipcover which can be found at any retail store for an affordable price. Or you can have the piece reupholstered,” says John Brock, owner/design consul-
tant of jBROCK/DesignCo. Making your home look good doesn’t mean you need to spend all of your money. If you’re buying new, think about the future, because you know you are going to want to change the look again. Go for that neutral color so that what you have to change are the little things, and you’ll still get to keep the couch you like. If your seat cushions have lost the ability to be comfortable, you can add some more cushion to them when they are being reupholstered. But don’t stop with just chairs and the couch. What about that lamp you love but everyone says needs to go? “An inexpensive way to create change in a room is to replace old lampshades with new-colored ones,” says Mr. Brock. “Don’t get rid of the lamp, just buy a new shade, which can be very affordable.” This saves money, and if you want to change back to the old lamp-
shades, you can. Your friends might even think that old lamp has been replaced by a new one, and you never have to tell them it is the same one you had yesterday. You also can have your living space match the time of year. All you have to do is change the color you are using. The colors you use make the room festive. Bring in the holidays with reds and greens, or if it is spring, get those pastel colors. “The little accents of you make it more personal,” Mr. Frazier says. This also goes for the changes of the little things that never seem to be noticed by anyone but you. “Decorative pots, containers, vases, etc., maybe spray painted to fill in cracks or wear in them,” Mr. Brock says. “Or choose a new color and change the entire look of a piece.” Making the home more friendly is always the way to go. Also, be sure everything is flowing in a welcoming manner, the experts say.
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Home safe home Furnishings and decor can make a home more welcoming By KELLY FINDLEY St. Joseph News-Press
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ake a look around your home. Are you safe where you sit, or is there something more you could do to make things better?
12 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
Mother Nature is always changing her mind, and you never know what she might throw at us next. We need to be ready for anything that she will bring. At this time of year, damage from flooding, hail and high winds and tornadoes is not uncommon. American
Family Insurance offers these tips on its website to protect your home:
FLOODING O Use a high-quality urethane-based caulk to seal cracks in the exterior walls of your building.
O Apply internal sealant to the interior of basement walls.
Poor lighting and
O Remove soil from around the foundation and install a waterproof membrane.
doors not visible
HIGH WINDS AND TORNADOES O Limit or remove yard objects to prevent them from becoming projectiles.
O Install a garage door bracing system. O Brace roof gable ends. O When re-roofing, take additional measures to meet high-wind guidelines. O Install window/door shutters. HAIL O Keep your garage clean so you can store your car in it when the weather turns nasty.
O Install storm windows to protect windows and sills. O Install a high-impact rated roof cover (class 3 or 4). But Mother Nature isn’t the only thing we should be aware of. Those who feel the need to be running around and taking things that don’t belong to them are out there also. “Have insurance. Renter’s insurance covers theft, slips and falls,� says Rick Hoop with Ameri-
are the main reasons peoples’ homes are broken in to. Camera and alarm systems are nice because they catch more than anything or anyone would have. — CAPT. KEVIN CASTLE, St. Joseph Police Department
can Family Insurance. At night, can you see your front door? “Poor lighting and doors not visible are the main reasons peoples’ homes are broken in to,� says Capt. Kevin Castle with the St. Joseph Police Department. Homes where you can’t see the front door or the light is burned out become targets to predators. Be sure to replace bulbs as needed, add lighting if necessary
and trim back any plants blocking a clear view of the door. Even if your door is visible and well-lit, make sure it’s also secure. “Use the proper locks. The ones that come with the home might not be strong at all and just there for looks while the home was for sale,� Mr. Hopp says. “Camera and alarm systems are nice because they catch more than anything or anyone would have,� Mr. Castle adds. Home security systems are costly, but they do help when a home becomes invaded and no one was around to see it. “If you have security systems, some insurances can give a discount,� Mr. Hopp says. If you can’t afford home security, consider setting up a neighborhood watch. Neighborhood watches may seem to be just nosy neighbors, but having others know who comes and goes at your house can help when most needed. And if you’re going to be gone, make sure your neighbors know that and also know whether anyone should be coming or going in your house, the experts say.
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Spring home checklist g Clean and unclog gutters and downspouts. Make any needed repairs. g Inspect roof for leaks and loose shingles. g Inspect and clean chimney. g Check foundation for cracks. Make needed repairs. g Make sure water is draining away from home. Landscape as needed. g Inspect brickwork, stucco and siding. Make repairs as necessary. g Repair cracks in sidewalks and driveway. g Check trees and shrubs for damage. Trim/remove as needed. g Check decks and patios for damage. g Power-wash concrete.
g Weather-proof windows and doors. g Clean windows and repair screens. g Check outdoor faucets for any winter damage and turn on water. g Check lawn mowers and other power tools to make sure they work. g Clean away any leaves or other debris around the yard. g Clean pools and spas and prepare for use. g Give outdoor furniture a good cleaning. g Make sure grill is ready for the season. g Clean planters, pots and hanging baskets and prepare for use. g Prepare flower beds for planting g Inventory garden tools and make
g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g
sure all are in good condition. Clean out garage/shed. Check attic and basement for dampness and mold. Give home a general cleaning. Clear out closets and drawers. Have carpets professionally cleaned. Check plumbing for any leaks. Change batteries in smoke and CO detectors. Clean/replace air and air conditioning filters. Get air conditioner serviced. Install any window AC units. Clean ceiling fans. Clean out refrigerator and freezer. Check pantry for expired items. Clean/replace bedding. Clean curtains and blinds.
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Beef up your entertainment center
Check out the hottest, most advanced products in home electronics By SHEA CONNER St. Joseph News-Press
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oku? Xeo? OLED? These may sound like the names of Star Trek villains, but they’re actually some of the most advanced entertainment center products on the market. From TVs and music systems to Blu-ray players and set-top boxes, here’s more on the hottest items in home electronics.
TELEVISIONS LG and Samsung both unveiled OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, and many major media outlets gave the companies a best-in-show award as a result. Many will ask what makes OLED so much better than LED TV sets — the current king of the TV market. While they sound similar, their working processes are com16 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
pletely different. OLED panels emit their own light when an electric current is passed through, whereas cells in an LCD display are transmissive. In other words, they require an external light source for brightness. For this reason, OLED sets are the thinnest on the market and offer much lower power consumption than their counterparts. OLED panels also boast unmatched black levels and a killer contrast ratio. This results in breathtakingly deep blacks and bright whites, as well as improved color accuracy all from a set that’s only 4 millimeters thick (that’s thinner than most smart phones) and weighs only about 16 pounds. The biggest knock against LED TVs has always been responsiveness, so gamers and sports fans often sprung for plasma TVs because they handled fast-moving footage with less blurring and fewer delays. Well, even that aspect has been improved in OLED sets. Please see Page 18
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CONTINUED FROM Page 16 “Gamers and home cinema aficionados are going to absolutely love OLED,” says Jamie Martin of TechRadar.com, who actually got to test LG’s 55-inch OLED TV. “Having tried it ourselves, we can vouch for the lightning-quick — and we mean it — responsiveness of the panel.” While the OLED craze is sweeping through the industry, HDTV innovation is stretching far beyond picture quality, backlighting and power consumption. Several companies, including Samsung and LG, already have added gesture control as well as facial and speech recognition features to their 2012 HDTV sets. Gesture control allows users to adjust settings of the TV without a remote. For example, people can change the volume with the wave of a hand. With facial recognition, the TV set automatically can log you into Skype or other services with one look. OLED sets will make their way to stores in the coming months. No prices for OLED TVs have been announced yet, but experts estimate that the 55-inch models will likely fall somewhere in the range of $8,000 to $10,000. Before you bargain shoppers scoff, remember that it was only a few years ago that 50inch LED TVs cost that much. “They will dramatically drop in price over the next few years,” says Chuck Nill, general manager of the St. Joseph Electronics store, “and the quality will only improve.”
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SET-TOP BOXES These boxes stream content from apps to your television. Boxee ($167.99) boasts Netflix, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, Pandora, CNN and Vudu Movies, among other offerings. Roku (a one-time purchase of $49 to $59) not only streams Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime Instant to your TV but also lets you watch NBC News and feature-length movies on apps like Crackle. “The Roku device has a lot of different apps, and it basically turns any TV into a smart TV,” Mr. Nill says.
BLU-RAY PLAYERS Blu-ray player technology hasn’t advanced much in recent years, but anyone in the market for a new one should seek a model that has a wireless Internet connection and the ability to play 3-D Blu-ray discs. Those who do so will enjoy Web content on their television screens, and they won’t need to upgrade their Blu-ray players if 3-D TV sets become commonplace. “We’re telling everybody that your Blu-ray player or your TV should have some sort of connection to the Internet,” Mr. Nill says. “That way, you’re kind of fool-proofing your whole system.” Samsung, Sony and Panasonic all offer 3-D capable Blu-ray players with Wi-Fi connections priced at $150 or less.
WIRELESS MUSIC SYSTEMS Two music systems debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and made big splashes. Dynaudio unveiled its Xeo line of active (i.e., internally amplified) wireless speakers. Now, most audiophiles will tell you that it is impossible to faithfully reproduce audio without using wires, which may be true, but the beautiful Xeo speakers — the Xeo 3 bookshelf model ($2,300 per pair) and Xeo 5 floorstanding model ($4,500 per pair)— come about as close as you can get. Danish company Bang & Olufsen also turned some heads with the release of the $800 BeoLit 12. The cube-shaped music system weighs a mere six pounds, comes equipped with a leather handle for easy travel, and offers playback of AirPlay-enabled or wireless network–connected devices and computers, as well as devices wired via standard USB, line-in or Ethernet cables. Shea Conner can be reached at shea.conner@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @stjoelivedotcom. 18 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
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Let it grow Five things you can do now for your lawn and garden By SYLVIA ANDERSON St. Joseph News-Press
T
he rule of thumb, according to gardening experts, is that you should wait until Mother’s Day to plant your garden. Frost can kill warm-season plants like tomatoes, and usually by Mother’s Day the threat is over. But with the unusually warm weather we’ve been having, some are willing to take their chances and have already begun. “This year we’ve been about a month ahead of schedule,” says Tom Hall, landscape designer with Archer Lawn Care Inc.
The company provides everything from lawn maintenance to snow and ice management for residential and commercial properties. He’s been planting annuals for a couple of weeks now. If you’ve already planted warm-season plants, you’ll probably be safe, but it’s still a good idea to be prepared for frost, says Tom Fowler, horticulture specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Service. “I remember four or five years ago, we had a frost May 10,” he says. “So it’s possible.” Cloth is better than plastic, he says, for covering plants. You can use an old sheet Please see Page 20 Home Resource Guide Spring 2012 19
CONTINUED FROM Page 19 or buy garden fabric, also known as row cover. Just drape it over garden plants in the evening. Remember to remove the covering once the temperature warms up. Here are four more things you can do now for your lawn and garden:
SHARPEN MOWER BLADES If the blade is dull, the grass will turn slightly brown because the blades of grass are shredded instead of getting a sharp, straight cut. For the best looking lawn, you need nice, sharp, mower blades. “The rule of thumb is after 10 mowings on an average lawn you need to sharpen the blade,” Mr. Fowler says.
SET UP WATERING SYSTEM It could be a hot spring, so figure out how you will water your lawn and garden. The worst way is to do a light watering every day, Mr. Fowler says. “Almost all of our plants can use an inch to an inch and a half a week,” he says. “It’s better to do a deep watering once a week rather than a light watering more frequently.” If you use a sprinkler system and are not sure if your lawn is getting the right amount of water, homeand gardenideas.com suggests setting an empty soda can near one of your sprinklers and then measuring the water that collects in it. Mulch can help conserve water around the plant and helps moderate the temperature of the soil. But if you have a very large area to mulch, it may be more cost effective to set up a soaker system, says Marlin Bates with the University of Missouri Extension Service. By delivering irrigation water slowly and directly to the root zone, very little water is wasted.
GET THOSE BAGWORMS Typically, the end of May is when bagworms start hatching in evergreen trees and shrubs, but with the unusual weather they could be hatching by the first of the month, Mr. Fowler says. Start scouting now, and once you see them, spray well. 20 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
Then three or four weeks later, spray again. “We get calls in July and August about a big bagworm hanging there, but they are so big and protected in the silk bag they’ve made, treating them really doesn’t do anything at that point,” Mr. Fowler says.
PLANT ANNUALS FOR A SEASON OF COLOR Perennials are nice because they grow back every year, but if you want a full season of color, you need to add annuals into the mix, Mr. Hall says. Petunias are readily available everywhere, but there are many other options that don’t require the tedious pinching back that petunias do, like tropical plants. They make extremely colorful annuals. He likes to plant palm trees in pots around a pool. You can get decent size palm trees at Home Depot for about $40, and they will grow another two feet during the summer. When fall comes, they will be done — or if you are ambitious, bring them into the house. When Mr. Hall works on landscape designs, he figures in the annual colors and when each plant will bloom. It’s a good idea to plot this all down on paper. If you don’t, the color combination may be a summer surprise you don’t want.
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Home Resource Guide Spring 2012 21
Get out
Outdoor spaces like patios and pools give you extra living room By KELLY FINDLEY St. Joseph News-Press
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he hot days of summer are upon us, and what better way to spend time than outside living up the good life? Turn your backyard into the place where everyone wants to be. Even if the space you have to work with is very limited, you still can have a great place to hang out. “Choose furniture such as a bistro set with a couple of chairs, or two chairs and a small table or low outdoor coffee table. Keep it simple and comfortable,� says John Brock, owner of jBROCK/ DesignCo.
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Imagine a kitchen or bath... Turn those hot summer nights into cool pool parties, and even keep the house cool by starting up the grill. “A swimming pool makes your backyard inviting and great entertainment for your friends to come over for a barbecue,” says Katie Power of The Comfort Center. Cookouts are a great reason to get out of the house, and there’s not much work involved at all. Add a little water to make it even better. “We recommend having a pool and spa in your backyard to entertain and enjoy all year round,” Ms. Power says. The fun doesn’t have to end when summer does, but while the heat is on, make it the best summer possible. Above-ground or in-ground pools fit the bill. The pool will give the kids a place to hang out with their friends, and you will know where they are at. You want the best for the inside of your home, so why not have the best for the outside as well? No one will want to hang out at your house if
they can’t relax while they are sitting around. “There are so many options out there. I recommend choosing a set that complements your home and is comfortable,” Mr. Brock says. “This is an area you want to be relaxed. Also, invest in a set that is guaranteed to withstand the sun and weather through the season.” Ms. Power also recommends outdoor fireplaces where you can create that perfect night by the fire, but be safe about it. Creating your own little piece of heaven and being able to share it on occasions is the best relaxation for a summer evening. “Popular tiki torches and lamps are great for an evening outdoor atmosphere, Mr. Brock says. “A new trend are outdoor solar lighting features that come in many shapes and sizes.” Don’t skimp when setting up your backyard. Little pieces like the lighting will keep the flow smooth.
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Home Resource Guide Spring 2012 23
Spruce up your home with colors and patterns Earth tone paint and wallpaper replace eggshell-white walls By JENNIFER GORDON St. Joseph News-Press
White walls, much like white shoes and pants, have their season, and area paint specialists say the season of white and cream-colored paint has ended. Ben Shellito, a paint specialist at Westlake Ace Hardware, says so many people gravitate toward color paint that the store stopped pre-mixing antique white shade paint. He sees earth tones trending, like darker reds and sage greens. Peter Kamstra, co-owner of Store of Colors in both Maryville and St. Joseph, has noticed the earthy preference, too. He sees a lot of customers buy gray tones and rust colors with pops of accent colors in amethyst, blue and persimmon. “They’re not loud colors, but they’re just comfortable colors. They make sense,” he says. Combination primer and paint has
24 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
become more popular during the past couple of years, Mr. Shellito says. He sells the primer/paint for every type of wall but fresh drywall. Eggshell finishes sell well at Westlake Ace Hardware because they don’t put off the same glare as a satin or semi-gloss finish. If you’re unsure of which color you want, try out a couple of samples. Put test colors in every corner of the room where the light hits and check it at different times of day. The color will change slightly depending on how much light you have in the room, and you want to be sure before you’re three walls in that you like the hue in all its variations. Add a complimentary color to the ceiling to add a little more color to the room, Mr. Kamstra suggests.
Not an earth tone person? Go with a color scheme you enjoy. But don’t shy away from a little color, even if it’s beige or a light tan, Mr. Kamstra recommends. “It’s amazing how many people are afraid of color, but once they get color on the wall they’re really happy with it,� he says. Decorators who like to mix up the look of a room should opt for paint, but the do-it-once-and-be-done-withit crowd should consider going with wallpaper. Although wallpaper comes with a steeper up-front price tag, it outlasts paint, says Cynthia Barber, a wall specialist for Eckard’s. “Twenty-four-year-old wall paper will still look fresh,� she says. Wallpaper also helps pull a room together faster than a coat of paint. If you go for a pattern, all you need to do is find accent colors to decorate with, Ms. Barber says. Traditional floral patterns still sell well, and Ms. Barber says she’s starting to see looks that were popular back in the ’60s and ’70s. Like paint, gray patterns and neutrals seem to be trending, mixed with melon and robin’s egg blue accents. But do-it-yourselfers beware. Hanging wallpaper takes some skill. Ms. Barber recommends you try shelves and closet spaces first to test how a print will go on. If you don’t have the patience to do it, Eckard’s has a list of area wallpaper professionals who can help you out. Jennifer Gordon can be reached at jennifer.gordon@newspressnow.com. Follow her on Twitter: @jjgordon.
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Home Resource Guide Spring 2012 25
Cover up Window treatments offer privacy, energy savings and a little pizazz By KELLY FINDLEY St. Joseph News-Press
O
ut with the old, in with the new. Hedges are the old privacy thing. Now people are using drapery, blinds and curtains to shade them from the world. Well, to be truthful, they have been around forever, but they have come back to give us our privacy. “Window treatments are for privacy and sun control,” says Janet Alexander, owner of Alexander’s Blind and Drapery Shop. “Window treatments are the accessories to the room like jewelry is to the wedding dress,” adds Linda Huffman, owner of Interiors II The Nesting Place. A room is not finished unless you have your windows done. There are two types of window treatments: hard and soft. Hard window treatments are the ones that people call blinds or shutters, and the soft are of course the ones made out of fabric. In addition to dressing up a room, window treatments help keep the bills down, which everyone should be in favor of. “The blinds or drapery create an air pocket, which helps insulate the home and keeps it warm during the winter and cool during the summer,” Ms. Alexander says. It is up to the customer when it comes to the style of window treatments. “Most generally you want to match the style of your home when doing it,” says Cathy Hammer, interior decorator for Alexander’s Blind and Drapery Shop. You don’t want to have a small window with lots of curtains and blinds. Putting a lot on a small window will only make the room seem tiny, because you cut out what little natural light there is. “Sheers have become more popular in a different way than they used to be,” Ms. Huffman says. The sheers are used now as a full curtain instead of a backdrop for the curtains. “The fabrics do not have to match,” says Ms. Huffman. The couch can be a paisley and the curtains can have just a very plain but fun pattern on them. It’s really up to the homeowner. Ms. Alexander says that the most popular time to change window treatments is spring and fall. Spring cleaning is here, and most people just don’t want to hassle with getting the drapery cleaned, so they just buy new. In the fall, people are wanting to match the holiday seasons. “If they are planning to sell their home, it also has an impact on the choices in which they pick their drapery,” Ms. Alexander says. Consider a color that is going to draw people in, not something that might push a person away, the experts advise.
26 Home Improvement Guide Spring 2012
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