Smart Living Fort Wayne - September 30, 2021

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • October 2021 • No. I

Meet the Shipshewana Amish

New ‘One and Done’ Metal Roofing

Tips for Choosing the Right Flooring How to Make a Kitchen Update Last Discover Fort Wayne through its Art Trail

Quality, Smart Products & Services for Your Home, Family, Health, & Entertainment!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ...............................Cover & p. 16 Explore Charming Shipshewana Your Community ..........................................................11 Fort Wayne’s Public Art Trail Your Outdoor Living ...................................................13 Have You Considered a Metal Roof?

Inspiration & Worship ................................................14 A Prayer for Us Your Home ...............................................................13, 21 Updating Your Rooms; How to Choose Flooring Your Kitchen .................................................................25 Kitchen Updates That Stand the Test of Time Your Family Fun ...........................................................28

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Lisa Brandt, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com

Smart Living.

Copyright 2021 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Fall in Fort Wayne

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t’s always bittersweet to see summertime wane, but a Midwest autumn soon makes us forget our grief. It’s poetic that warm weather goes out in a blaze of orange, red and gold as if desperately clinging to warmth before cool colors prevail. Winter hues sparkle with their own subtle beauty, of course, but let’s don’t rush things.

Autumn charms all of our senses, from the sounds of crunching leaves and flying geese to the eye candy of orange pumpkins and colorful vines. Pots of soup and chili bubble on our burners again, thrilling our tastebuds and filling our homes with feel-good aromas. Snuggling close to loved ones feels extra good by a fireplace or under cozy blankets and sweaters we pull out from storage.

Many of us also like the feeling of restored order as routines replace erratic summer schedules and scents like sharpened pencils urge us forward to learn and grow and work harder than we did when pools and lakes were calling to us.

A sense of community saturates autumn as we settle in, vacations behind us, to gather for fall sports, festivals and farmers markets rich with new harvests. Opportunities for outings only expand during a Fort Wayne Fall.

We could fill all of these pages with event announcements, from concerts to nature walks.

Personally, fall is my favorite time to visit local zoos because, well, they smell better in cool weather! Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is open through October, so don’t miss your chance this year. Fall is also when many performing and visual arts groups launch new seasons. This region has an embarrassment of riches, when it comes to creative arts events.

Smart people will also do some Christmas shopping in October, before crowds and weather grow worse. This is especially good advice this year, as supply chain problems persist and shortages of certain gift items are expected.

Please keep in mind that buying from locally owned stores is exponentially better for our local economy than big-box shopping or online shopping from out-ofstate retailers who have no stake in Indiana’s future.

The joy really is in the journey!

Have a great fall week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SL Editor Tell them you saw it in ...

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Outdoor Living

Metal Roofing: A Long-Term Solution

By Janine Pumilia f you like the idea of never having to think about your roof again, you may want to consider installing a metal roof that will outlive you and your children.

“The average grade asphalt roof has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years but with a metal roof, it’s one and done,” says Farbod Salman, marketing director for Shield Exteriors in Garrett, Ind. “This roof is never going to give you issues. And if your home passes down to your children, or you sell it to a new owner, they’ll never have issues either.”

The popularity of metal roofing has risen along with its aesthetic beauty and a better understanding of its value proposition, says Salman.

“A lot more people are installing metal roofing for its durability, but they also just really like the way it looks.”

Unlike the metal roofing of yesterday, most often associated with rural pole barns, today’s metal roofing The new styles of metal roofing are highly attractive as well as durable. comes in many colors and styles.

It’s also an environmentally responsible choice since metal A Shield Exteriors metal roof offers high value because it’s is easily recycled; the average asphalt roof is made with galinstalled only once. The company offers a double lifetime accilons of crude oil. Some 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dent-free warranty, meaning the original owners are covered for dumped into landfills each year. as long as they own the home and the next owners, or descenShield Exteriors employs its own crew of trained, licensed dants if the home is passed to children, are covered for the durainstallers. Once a homeowner decides to install a metal roof, a tion of their ownership, too. home is measured down to the inch and roof panels are custom “There’s no small print in this guarantee and no limit to how cut to fit the home. A metal roof may be installed over a layer of many times we’ll come to repair the roof if a storm causes a tree existing shingles, depending on local building codes. limb to fall on it or it gets damaged,” Salman explains. “This is Metal roofing can be installed on a new construction home how we’ve built our reputation for impeccable customer service. if the walls are built, says Salman. Since careful measurement is We answer the phones seven days a week and never leave a cusrequired, it can’t be ordered from a blueprint alone. tomer hanging. If a problem happens, we’re out there immediMetal roofing is lighter in weight than a shingled roof but ately to take care of it.” more durable in every kind of weather event, he adds.

Many insurance companies offer a discount to homeowners “The typical customer for a Shield Exteriors metal roof is with metal roofing because they understand its durability. someone who plans to stay in that home for a long time,” says Salman. “But in the event they do decide to put the home on the market, this kind of roof is definitely a selling point.”

Owners of homes at all price points are choosing metal roofing, says Salman.

Shield Exteriors installs all types of roofing and serves residential customers in northeast Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. It provides free estimates.

“Reliable customer service is the thing we’re very well known for,” says Salman. “That’s how we’ve built our reputation.”

Learn more by calling Shield Exteriors at (260) 818 6072 or stop in at 600 North Randolph, Garrett, Ind. ❚

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Metal roofing from Shield Exteriors comes with a lifetime guarantee and more.

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Your Home & Garden

Flooring Options Have Never Been Better

By Janine Pumilia

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hether you’re flooring a high-end home or a modest rental unit, there have never been better products on the market at all price points, says Krista Jones, co-owner of Select Flooring with her husband, Mike Jones.

“The technology now used to manufacture every kind of flooring has come such a long way,” says Jones. “Flooring is more attractive and easier to maintain than it used to be. And the variety of textures, styles and colors is just amazing.”

Hard surface flooring has trended upward for many years and vinyl luxury plank (VLP) is the most in demand.

“It’s very durable, easy to maintain, water-resistant, petfriendly and works with every kind of design,” says Jones. “Vinyl is also warmer and a little softer underfoot – easier on your body if you’re standing on your feet a long time while cooking etc. We’re seeing the owners of beautiful, high-end homes install vinyl plank throughout the whole home, everywhere except in the shower. Then they change out area rugs every four or five years and give rooms a whole new look.”

A sister product to LVP is LVT, luxury vinyl tile, which imitates the look of solid stone flooring. Anyone who’s ever installed or removed a grouted tile or stone floor understands the benefit of getting a stone look without the labor-intensive mess.

Using vinyl flooring throughout a home especially makes sense with today’s open-concept floor plans, where one room seamlessly flows into the next, notes Jones.

At its showroom in Kendallville, Ind., Select Flooring carries a wide variety of area rugs to top off hard-surface flooring.

It also employs a binding specialist who can size, cut, back and bind any kind of carpeting for your home.

“This is a nice alternative to area rugs,” Jones explains.

“New carpeting is beautiful and stain-proof and it can be more affordable to cut carpeting to the size you need instead of buying an area rug.”

Wall-to-wall carpeting is still favored by many people, especially in bedrooms.

“It’s nice to wake up and step onto soft, warm carpeting on cold mornings,” says Jones.

Real wood floors, both solid and engineered, also are in high demand. Each type offers benefits.

“Engineered wood looks exactly like solid hardwood because there’s a veneer of wood on the surface,” says Jones. “But underneath are criss-crossed layers of a highly compressed core that enables fibers to expand evenly in all directions with changes of humidity. Especially in a climate like Indiana, where we can experience all four seasons within one week, engineered wood is very practical.”

Hardwood is more inclined to develop cupping or gaps between boards with changes in humidity, but some people prefer it because it can be sanded down and refinished more times than engineered wood. The price points of each are comparable.

The beauty and durability of luxury vinyl plank flooring makes it popular.

As with other flooring types, the wide variety of wood products is really exciting, says Jones. “It’s not just the oak hardwood floor anymore. There are all sorts of wood species and stains to choose from.”

Mike Jones has nearly 40 years of experience in the home product industry and he and Krista opened Select Flooring 17 years ago. Krista says this is a wonderful era for designers like herself to be involved with home renovations.

“What’s really exciting to me is that, in the past five to seven years, the home has become more of a fashion statement. People are doing more fun, upbeat things and aren’t afraid to use bold colors or to make their rooms a reflection of who they are. This is easier than ever before to do because of the enormous selection of high-quality products now available.”

Along with flooring, Select Flooring carries cabinetry and hardware, countertops, tile, window treatments, accent furniture and lighting. It also has a reputation for designing custom bathroom showers. The store employs its own designers and installers for all products it sells.

“We have our own installers and they make all the difference,” Jones says. “The work they do is impeccable and I’m so proud that we have them on our team.”

A freshly updated home is not exclusively the domain of the well-heeled.

“With everything we carry, we have a variety of price points. For example, sheet vinyl flooring is at a low price point but is really attractive compared to how it once looked and the same holds true with laminate countertops. Good design is about knowing what you like, not just how much you spend,” she says.

As the parents of six children, the Joneses understand that most families have a limited budget for home projects.

“We know the value of a dollar and the work that goes into earning it,” says Jones. “We want our customers to get the most for their money. We have a great team of people working here and once we work with a customer, it’s like they become part of our extended family.”

Learn more by calling (260) 347-5565 or stop in at the showroom, 964 Harlash St., Kendallville, Ind. ❚

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Inspiration & Worship

His Prayer for Us

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beautiful prayer is found in John 17.

Jesus prays it shortly before he is arrested. He prays for himself and for his disciples, but he also prays for us – those who would someday hear and believe his message in the future (verse 20). Read the whole chapter and notice the intimate tone.

Here’s a portion. (John 17:8-16, 20-23 NIV) ...For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world ...

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ❚

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Right in Our Region

Shipshewana: A Unique Experience

The Amish/Mennonite community in LaGrange Co., Ind., is known for producing wonderful handmade products and foods that shoppers and diners love.

By Janine Pumilia

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hether or not you’ve always been curious about the Amish, consider making a road trip to LaGrange County, Ind. Although it’s just 60 miles northwest of Fort Wayne, in many ways it’s another world.

LaGrange County has many charming communities worth visiting but is best known for Shipshewana, a town of about 650 residents that attracts some 2 million tourists each year. Visitors come from around the world to shop for high-quality furniture, hand-made quilts and other goods.

“The Amish are known as industrious entrepreneurs,” explains Phyllis Youga, executive director of LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They make and sell their wares from backroad country barns or in shops throughout the county. People enjoy seeing the horse-and-buggies, the women in long dresses and the men wearing hats, but they also come for the amenities – to dine, shop and be entertained.”

Now in its 100th season, the largest weekly flea market in the Midwest, boasting 700 vendors on 40 acres, takes place in Shipshewana May through Labor Day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“It began as a market where the Amish met to trade their goods onTuesdays and to auction livestock on Wednesdays,” says Youga.

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Even after Labor Day, plenty of good shopping continues year-round.

“There are new shops opening every year, as well as old favorites with long and interesting histories,” says Youga.

One favorite is Shipshewana’s Davis Mercantile, which stands where the 1891 Davis Hotel existed before it was destroyed by fire in 2004. The Alvin and Elsie Miller family, who are Amish, rebuilt the structure that’s now home to 21 stores. A giant Douglas fir log – the tree was 370 years old when harvested – stands in the center of the 4-story structure. A 1906 Dentzel carousel on the third floor, with animals hand-carved and painted by local Amish artists, delights visitors, including the Millers’ 23 grandchildren. Shops in Davis Mercantile sell toys, candy, clothing, puzzles, linens, Amish foods, home décor, fabrics, furniture and more.

The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre is another main attraction. The original site housed an old factory purchased in 1984 by Mel and June Riegsecker, who transformed it into a workshop where visitors could watch Mel and his crafters make the miniature wagons and six-horse hitches that had become very popular.

In time, the venture expanded to become Riegsecker Marketplace, a hotel, shopping area, furniture store, bakery and

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Right in Our Region 750-seat restaurant with six dining rooms.

“The restaurant serves wonderful foods in Amish homecooked tradition, like fried chicken, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef and 20 kinds of pie,” says Youga. “Mel Riegsecker wanted to give the people who come to Good food and entertainment, excellent shopping and unique experiences draw 2 million visitors per year to Shipshewana. town for the flea market some food and entertainthe 16th century Anabaptist movement from which Amish, Menment, so he opened a 350-seat theater above the restaurant that nonite and Hutterite groups evolved. features musicals.”

“They do an excellent job of explaining the origins of these In 2020, Blue Gate opened a second venue, the Performing communities and have interesting displays so people can see, for Arts Center, which books big-name entertainers of many styles. example, what an Amish kitchen looks like,” says Youga.

Among them this October are Boz Scags, the Greatest Piano Similar to the Pilgrims, the Anabaptists sought to restore Men, Three Dog Night, the Booth Brothers and Travis Tritt.

Christianity to the purity it enjoyed in the first three centuries afJust outside the Blue Gate Restaurant, visitors find a buggy ter Christ. They believed state control of religion had corrupted station from which they can depart for a peaceful horse and bugit. Many were persecuted by the church and state in Europe. gy ride through Shipshewana. Entertainment in LaGrange CounAlthough a day trip to Shipshewana is fun, an overnight stay ty doesn’t end with the Blue Gate Theatre, however. is even better, says Youga.

The Michiana Event Center, with its motto of “Built for “There’s plenty to keep visitors busy for a few days and evBig,” boasts a 4,500-seat capacity and hosts not only top enterery kind of lodging is available, from popular hotel chains along tainers like Willie Nelson, but also rodeos and circuses; auto, the I-80 and I-90 corridors to VRBOs and privately owned bed home and camping shows; giant craft fairs; and many kinds of & breakfasts with Amish décor.” equine events, like the Six Horse Hitch Classic Series At Stutzman Dairy Farm, for World Finals that took place in September. example, guests stay Amish style Visitors who want to better understand the Amish life– meaning there’s no electricity style enjoy the Menno-Hof, a cultural center that explains but there are plenty of farm animals to pet and a special room for viewing cows during milking.

In keeping with religious tradition, most businesses in Shipshewana are closed on Sundays.

“Many visitors explore the beautiful parks throughout LaGrange County on Sundays,” says Youga.

There are also a number of trails in the county, like the Pumpkinvine Trail, a well-maintained, solid-surface biking/ walking trail connecting the towns of Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana.

“I know the word ‘unique’ is used too often, but it really fits when you’re talking about LaGrange County,” says Youga. “It’s a unique and very special place.”

Learn more, find a list of holiday Boz Scags, the Greatest Piano Men, Three Dog Night, the Booth Brothers and Travis Tritt are just some of special events and access a visitor’s guide the acts booked for October at this new performance venue in Shipshewana, Ind. at visitshipshewanain.com. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...

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Your Kitchen

Kitchen Remodels That Age Gracefully

By Janine Pumilia

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major kitchen remodel can make your home more enjoyable and increase its resale value, but it’s probably not something you want to undertake often. That’s why choosing cabinets with staying power makes good sense, says Dana Knueve, a designer at Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting, in New Haven, Ind. “It’s fine to have a kitchen that’s themed, but you want to express that theme with accent items, not foundational pieces like cabinets,” says Knueve.

“It’s much easier to change out a backsplash or even a countertop later when trends change.”

White-painted cabinets in a simple style like Shaker are timeless, she says.

“About half of our customers choose painted cabinets – mostly shades of white – and about half choose stained wood,” she says. “The most popular wood species now is maple, which has a fine grain Cabinetry is the most costly item in most kitchen remodels. Choosing a classic style that won’t feel that’s not busy. Stains are nice, medium- outdated in a few years is a wise decision. You can always update smaller items later to keep up with trends. brown tones, not extremely dark or light.”

Quality of construction and selection, he says.

A clean cabinet style never has to compete with a lively At higher price points, dovetailed joints, thicker sidewalls backsplash or countertop. and features like soft-close drawers are used.

“Light, airy and simple are the key words right now, and “A lower price point may offer you fewer color options in the more windows, the better,” says Knueve. “But that doesn’t a particular door style, whereas a more expensive line will ofmean there’s no pizzazz. People find lots of ways to add their fer any color on the Sherwin Williams color wheel,” explains own splash of personality and color.”

Walsh. “We have products that fit into a budget and those which It’s worth noting that doors are the most expensive part offer every option.” of cabinetry.

Trinity sells quartz, granite, solid surface, laminate and “By changing the style of the door in a kitchen design, you butcher block countertops. can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars and still have “We sell more quartz and granite than anything else,” says the features you want, like Walsh. “Granite is a natural stone and each slab is one-of-a-kind. a built-in trash can or rollYou can see and select your slab. If there are certain features outs,” says Knueve. you’d like to see in your island, for example, we can position the Today, black hardware top to highlight those attributes. Periodically, you seal granite by is popular. Placing two largspraying polish over it and wiping it down with a cloth.” er pendant lights over an isQuartz is man-made from crushed stone, is non-porous and land, rather than three smallpractically maintenance-free. er ones, is also on trend.

“All of the countertops we sell today look great and are Trinity carries cabinetry durable,” says Walsh. “It’s just a matter of what you like best.” in price points ranging from Trinity Kitchen, Bath & Lighting has been locally owned mid-level low to mid-levsince it opened in 1958. It offers one-stop design, product and el high, says Kevin Walsh, installation services. Learn more by calling (260) 493-2574 or owner.

What’s the differBeauty and function are equally stop in at the showroom, 11034 Lincoln Highway East. ❚ ence? important to a good kitchen design.

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MEET

AGAIN

EXPLORE

AGAIN

FLY

AGAIN

PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO DO IT ALL AGAIN. So, whether you’re planning your next business trip. Or, booking that long-awaited vacation.

We’ll provide the safe, sanitary, socially-distant terminal.

So, you can fly…again.

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FWAIRPORT.COM Phoenix • Orlando • Tampa • Fort Myers • Las Vegas • Myrtle Beach • Sarasota • Dallas Smart Living Fort Wayne October 2021 • I To Advertise Call 260-600-7340 Chicago • Charlotte • Philadelphia • Atlanta • Detroit • Minneapolis

Our Community

New Pass Highlights Public Art Trail

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By Peggy Werner ometimes, discovering what’s in your own backyard can be an exciting adventure you’ll want to share with others.

One of the newest ways to get residents and visitors acquainted with Fort Wayne was launched in August. It’s a free digital pass for the Public Art Trail that guides people to more than 150 locations to view and learn about larger-than-life murals, functional and fun sculptures, and other pieces of public art.

“The digital pass works like an app on your phone and it’s a fun way to discover and enjoy art,” says Kristen Guthrie, vice president of marketing at Visit Fort Wayne.

Sign up for the pass on visitfortwayne.com/PublicArtTrail and “check in” at the various locations to earn prizes. The more places you visit, the bigger the rewards, with the top prize being a mural print after 75 visits.

In a similar vein, the Outdoor Pass was introduced for visitors and residents of Allen County, encouraging them to use 20 self-guided smartphone tours for hiking, biking and paddling, at every skill level and in every direction of the county to explore rivers, trails, and parks.

A 22nd annual “Be a Tourist in your own Backyard” event took place Sept. 12 and featured free admission to 19 museums and other attractions in the city. The event draws about 20,000 people each year, Guthrie says.

“We want our residents to do everything that visitors do.

Visitors love our community, but residents don’t always take the time to explore. Take this chance to make those discoveries and see all the life that artists have brought to our downtown,” she says.

Alexandra Hall, founder and manager of Art This Way, took responsibility for enlivening Fort Wayne with street art.

“At the time, I was working full-time as an artist,” she explains. “Having traveled the world, I appreciated street art and saw how it adds energy to a city. I wanted to bring that spirit to Fort Wayne. When given an opportunity to talk to the Downtown Improvement District, I helped them see how it could happen. Fort Wayne was ready, but they didn’t know how to do it, and I could be that person to facilitate the program.”

Art This Way works with building owners and artists to bring many of the city’s

murals to life. A program of Fort Wayne Improvement District, the all-volunteer organization aims to change the way locations throughout the city are seen and used. Projects are funded by grants, corporate sponsorships, fundraisers and community donations.

For Example, Artist Bryan Ballinger has painted two murals, The Blue Birds and The Ruddy Turnstones. He partnered on the second project with Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, whose mission is to empower people with disabilities. Turnstone helps them to achieve their highest potential for independence through social services, counseling, adult day services, adult and pediatric therapy, childcare, fitness and aquatics, sports and recreation and more.

“To be able to be a part of the amazing Fort Wayne creative community in this visual way is awesome,” Ballinger has stated.

The most recently unveiled mural is “River Otter,” by artist Arlin Graff, at 919 Harrison St. The building owners wanted to support the arts and because the river otter was once an endangered species in Indiana, but now inhabits about 90 percent of the counties in the state, the mural is a reminder of how people can positively impact the environment, Hall says.

Each mural has a plaque with the artist’s name, the name of the mural, the sponsors and the message. A QR code can be scanned to open videos featuring artists talking about their work. The videos are also available on the artthiswayfw.com.

Other murals will be completed this fall and a search is underway for an artist who can paint a veteran’s mural in celebration of those who served and are serving the United States of America. It’s anticipated the mural will be completed next spring or summer and will be painted on the south and west sides of a commercial office building at 135 W. Main St., Hall says.

“We want our residents to be our best ambassadors,” Guthrie adds. “When you understand your city, you can share what you know with others and that’s a big part of our goal.” ❚

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Your Home & Garden

How to Bring Your Room Up to Date

By Janine Pumilia

(Taylor King Photo)

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f your living space looks a bit tired, consider giving it a makeover. That may not be as difficult or expensive as you think and can be a real mood lifter.

“It’s easy and affordable to achieve a nice update by swapping out some accessories and smaller furniture pieces,” says Christy Howe, a designer at Fairfield Galleries in Fort Wayne.

“The best way to get started is to come in and take a few laps around the showroom. Find out which looks draw you in. If you’re not sure how to integrate fresh ideas with your existing furniture, ask one of our designers to help.”

Snap some images of your existing room and bring them to the store, Howe suggests. Or, if you’re planning a major revamp, set up an in-home appointment with a designer.

“We’re very customer service oriented and happy to help people put together a new look. Sometimes people just lack the confidence to go forward because design is not what they do every day. We can help. We don’t impose our personal tastes on you – we help you to figure out what you like.”

Take advantage of the deep product knowledge and personal design expertise store professionals offer, Howe urges. That’s something you can’t get online.

“Along with advice about patterns and colors – the fun stuff – we can also answer questions about how a piece of furniture is made, which fabrics are most durable, and how to combine furniture pieces and accessories in ways that are attractive but also functional.”

A living room or great room is often the first candidate for an update because it’s heavily used. Fairfield Galleries carries a huge selection of sofas and sectionals that anchor these rooms, plus accessories that complement them.

“You’ll mostly find neutral and tonal sofas and sectionals in our showroom because most people think it makes sense to stick to neutrals for the big pieces and occasionally freshen up the look with smaller pieces and accessories,” Howe says.

“We’re seeing a lot of vivid colors in artwork right now – deep ocean blues and sea greens, splashes of tangerine and hot pink. There’s also a softer version of this same color palette in more muted tones like soft pinks and sage greens.”

Area rugs, artwork, spot tables made of wood or mixed metals, décor pieces, ottomans and “poufs” – soft stools used for child seating, footrests or a surface to set something on – offer opportunities to add color and personality to a room with neutral furnishings.

“Just replacing your lamps can really freshen up a room,” says Howe. “We have so many nice choices for lamps that use different materials and colors.”

But there’s more to a room than color.

“Along with color, give some thought to textures,” says Howe. “Layering in some items with velvet or knotty fabrics or perhaps a jute or sisal rug can make for a nice change.”

Larger neutral pieces can be freshened up with splashes of color, pattern and texture, as shown in this room by Taylor King, one of many furniture brands sold at Fairfield Galleries in Fort Wayne.

In Fort Wayne, Howe sees many customers moving away from strictly traditional styles to a more transitional look with a subtler color scheme.

“It depends on the customer, but most people today don’t want blatantly matchy-matchy furniture,” says Howe. “You want to add ribbons of compatible colors, but in a less overtly intentional way.”

Mixed metal accents are popular.

“Gold accents are back, but in a champagne gold tone that mixes well with bronze or silver. Items like large clocks and mirrors are still trending, but in updated versions.

“Everything is oversized and large scale in accessories, from large florals or abstract patterns on pillows to large pieces of artwork on walls.”

One of the most functional and versatile furniture pieces today is the low-slung console table used in any room as a TV or lamp stand, as a dining room or kitchen storage sideboard, as an entryway table or as an anchor to focal-point wall art. They come in many styles, often with concealed storage or open shelving.

“Not everyone wants to hang their TV on the wall because that tends to lock you into one furniture floor plan,” says Howe.

“A console table is more versatile.”

When it comes to other rooms of the house, there are easy ways to upgrade a space by replacing your old headboard with a new upholstered one or swapping in new chairs for your older but beloved dining table.

“People still like to have large dining tables for gathering the family together,” Howe says. “Dining and bedroom furniture are the pieces we tend to hold onto longest and there are ways to update those rooms without replacing all the furniture.”

Freshening up your home is easier than you think – and can be a lot of fun, too.

“At the end of the day, we just want people to walk into their homes and feel good about what surrounds them.”

Learn more by stopping in at Fairfield Galleries, 5010 US 33 North, Fort Wayne, or call (260) 489-5526. ❚

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Your Fun Fort Wayne Ballet: Diversions 21 Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 7 p.m. A fun mix of standalone pieces, both classical and contemporary, for all ages. Location: Parkview Physicians Group Artslab, 300 E. Main St., Fort Wayne. fortwayneballet.org.

Kuehnert Dairy Fall Festival Days Oct. 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24. Hours: Fri. 6-10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. Experience the 6th-generation Kuehnert family dairy farm, with its corn maze, festival activities and dairy-inspired food for sale.

Kuehnert Dairy Farm, 6532 W Cook Road, Fort Wayne, Kuehnertdairy.com.

Mersey Beatles at Clyde Theatre Oct. 5, 7 p.m. Born on the banks of The Mersey River in Liverpool, this group ia regarded by many as the world’s best-loved Beatles tribute. Clyde Theater, 1808 Bluffton Road, (260) 747-0989, clydetheatre.com.

Birdwatching at Camp Scott Oct. 24, 9-10:30 a.m. Beginners to pros are welcome and a limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow. The Camp Scott Nature Preserve isn’t usually open to the public, so these are great opportunities

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Entertainment & Events to see a lesser-known gem, guided by Fort Wayne Trails. 3615 Oxford St., Fort Wayne, (260) 969-0079. fwtrails.org.

Visions of the Old West Garden Exhibit Through Nov. 14, daily except Mondays. Stroll down the main street of a not-quite Ghost Town with your fella, listen to rag-time tunes from the honkey-tonk saloon and appreciate the rugged beauty of cacti, succulents and wildflowers. Pump water from the community well, play a game of cracker-barrel checkers in the shade and look over the “WANTED” posters for local outlaws. A free bag of soil to sort using an old-fashioned mining sluice is included with regular admission while supplies last. botanicalconservatory.org.

Science Central: Our Weakening Web Until Jan. 22, Thurs.-Sun. With displays, dioramas and interactive components that encourage hands-on learning, visitors learn about the ecological relationships that bind all life forms together. Our Weakening Web helps us to understand the importance of the Earth’s richness and the biological diversity that supports life. 1950 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne.

ScienceCentral.org.

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Take advantage of a rare chance to visit Camp Scott Nature Preserve on Oct. 24.

Nashville Thursdays 7-10 p.m. Free live music, country, bluegrass, Americana. Club Room, Clyde Theater.

Clydetheatre.com.

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily in October. 3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne. Kidszoo.org.

Open Acoustic Jam Each second Tuesday, 5-8 p.m. at Sweetwater, 5501 US Hwy 30 West, Fort Wayne. All skill levels welcome. sweetwater.com. ❚

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VAN’S HOME CENTER

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Whether you’re starting new construction or remodeling, our team of professoinals will help you find the perfect floor for your home. Browse hundreds of flooring, carpet, and tile samples on display in our Flooring Showroom. Or visit our website to use our new room visualizer from your mobile device.

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FURNITURE | APPLIANCES | FLOORING MATTRESSES | CABINETS | COUNTERTOPS 20 Minutes From Fort Wayne! Just Off I-69 & State Road 8 In Auburn! www.VansHomeCenter.com 106 Peckhart Ct. Auburn, IN | 260.927.8267 *Discount applies to flooring product only, and is not a discount on labor and materials. Offer good for free basic carpet installation.

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To Advertise Call 260-212-8968