Spring Home & Garden Magazine

CONTENTS

6

Planning ahead is essential in home renovations. The first step is determining your motivation.

12

Curb appeal is often seen through the lens of how homes appear during daylight hours, but landscape lighting can make homes look better and more modern, and potentially safer, after the sun goes down.

14

Kitchens and bathrooms often get the most attention when it comes to home improvement. However, every room and space in a home may need a renovation at some point.

From our advertisers:

Lighty Construction — Oklahoma’s trusted construction company since 1987. Page 7

Verona Marble Company — Last year, Verona opened Oklahoma City's only dedicated, climate­controlled quartz gallery. Page 9

On the cover:

Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents this year’s Show House May 6‐21 at 6713 Grand Boulevard in Nichols Hills. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Apollo Window Cleaning — Taking care of your biggest investment. Page 10

Habitat for Humanity — Needs your help to build over 400 homes in its new Cornerstone Creek development. Page 11

Lighting by TQI — Brings your home to life at night and extends the use of your beautiful outdoor spaces. Page 13

50th Symphony Show House S

Since 1973, the Symphony Show House has been one of Oklahoma City’s most‐anticipated spring events. Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents this year’s Show House May 6‐21 at 6713 Grand Boulevard in Nichols Hills. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

“We are excited about the highly visible, fabulous location of this year’s house,” said Blossom Crews, OKCPHIL development director. “It was built in 1949, in Colonial Revival style, and is situated on a beautiful 1.25‐acre estate. It has more than 2,000‐square‐feet of outdoor entertaining space, and the house itself retains many significant historical and original fea‐tures.”

The designers selected for this year’s Show House have taken inspiration from the traditional style of the home, Crews said. Visitors can expect to see luxurious textures and sumptuous furnishings throughout the

main house, and a bit of the unexpected in the 1,500‐square‐foot pool house.

Proceeds from the Show House benefit the OKCPHIL’s Education and Community Engagement programs.

“Our primary mission is providing inspiration and joy through orchestral music,” said Brent Hart, OKCPHIL executive eirector. “Our activities extend into the community, bringing students into the fold with our education programs, music competitions and ‘Spotlight School’ series. Our family‐oriented Discovery concerts are a fun way to introduce children to the world of music.

“All of these programs and more are directly funded through proceeds from the Symphony Show House.”

Tickets may be purchased online beginning in mid‐April at okcphil.org along with more information pro‐gramming.

The 2023 Symphony Show House is located at 6713 Grand Boulevard.

Before: Symphony Show House

Local interior designers are busy transforming these rooms and many others into luxurious spaces. The Show House is set to be open May 6‐21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Vibrant wallpapers line the stairwell and walls of the 2023 Symphony Show House. The spaces should be unrecognizable after the designers do their magic.

Wide open spaces, hardwood floors and lots of storage are evident throughout the Show House which is located at 6713 Grand Boulevard.

Planning ahead is essential in home renovations

Remodeling projects are significant undertakings. Homeowners must consider a host of variables before any such proj‐ect can begin. While planning ahead may take time, it is essential to ensuring successful completion of a renovation proj‐ect. Consider these pre‐renovation planning pointers to help any job go smoothly.

Determine your motivation for renovating

Renovation projects often involve balancing needs and wants, and determining if a project is a necessity or a luxury can set the timeline and course of the project. Is the roof leaking? If so, immediate action is necessary. Could the kitchen be a bit more functional? If the kitchen is still manageable, a homeowner may be able to wait a little bit to get better prices on appliances or contracting services.

Separating needs from wants helps homeowners map out a viable timeline that maximizes productivity and affordabil‐ity.

Get professional advice

Many homeowners are under the impression that doing the work themselves can save a considerable amount of money. This may be the case for homeowners with renovation experience. But by and large, professional contractors are an asset to any renovation. They can provide a realistic overview of the project, map out projected costs, point out areas that could be troublesome, and may have industry contacts that can keep supply costs low. Even if a homeowner will do a portion of the job, a contractor can do the bulk of the work and keep the project on budget.

Get necessary permits

Permits are designed to ensure the work is being done to code and in a safe manner. However, they are not without additional costs and processing time, and that can cause some homeowners to skip this step. According to the home information site

The Spruce, building permits cost anywhere from $400 to about $2,200 for new home construction. Building permits for smaller projects can cost $100 or less, and typically are based on a percentage of the antic‐ipated cost of the project.

A permit may be issued the day the application is submitted, while other cities and towns may issue permits up to two or more weeks later. Factor permit fees and processing times into the renovation plan.

If it comes to light a homeowner did work without a required permit, he or she may face penalties; may have to tear out work done to have it inspected or redone; some may be unable to sell a home until permits have been obtained and work has been done to code. Homeowners insurance coverage also may be affected if homeowners do not obtain the proper permits.

Other considerations when planning a renovation include writing out a strict budget, gathering inspiration, drawing up to‐scale renovation plans, pouring over material reviews, and getting recommendations for reliable professionals to do the job. While not every obstacle can be avoided, planning is a good way to start successfully.

Lighty Construction

Oklahoma’s trusted construction company since 1987

BBorn into the general construction industry in 1958, Don Lighty, owner of Lighty Construction LLC, is highly skilled contractor. Lighty Construction is a full line commercial and residential renovation company specializing in flat roof repair and replacement.

Only the best available materials are used by highly skilled craftsman to ensure that the customer is getting a job that is done right the first time. Don’t throw good money after bad.

Let Lighty Construction walk you through the process of your project and give you a detailed estimate to compare to other bids. You will love your finished project.

Residential Roofing

At Lighty we understand that the most important roof is the one that you sleep under. We take pride in our installations so you have can always

count on us.

Commercial Roofing

Having a reli‐able roof for your business is cru‐cial, and we understand that. With Lighty you'll get the best roof for your business with as little down time as possible.

General Contracting Lighty Construction is an authority in roof installation, repair and damage assessment. We specialize in improving your residen‐

Don Lighty is the owner of Lighty Construction LLC, a full line commercial and residential renovation company specializing in flat roof repair and replacement.

Options to finance home improvement projects

Renovating a home is a great way to impart personality indoors and out. Improvements can make spaces more livable and address safety issues. Home renovations often take residents' lifestyles into account, and changes can be customized to accommodate a grow‐ing family or an empty nest.

No matter the job, home improve‐ments tend to be costly. According to the financial resource SoFi, on average, the cost to renovate or remodel a whole house runs between $10 and $60 per square foot. Certain rooms demand a higher cost, with a kitchen or bathroom remodel costing around $100 to $250 per square foot due to electrical and plumbing needs.

The following are some financial considerations and financing options for homeowners looking to renovate their properties.

• Consider if the investment is worth it. Remodeling magazine rou‐tinely assesses common improvements and how much homeowners can expect to recoup on the investment in its

annual "Cost v. Value" report. In 2022, a homeowner spending $4,000 on a garage door replacement recouped 93.3 percent of the investment, where‐as adding a midrange bathroom at $63,000 would only offer a 51.8 per‐cent return. Homeowners must decide if they want to go forward with the project if they're likely to get just a $33,000 return when they choose to sell the home later on.

• Refinance the home mortgage. Homeowners can use a cash‐out mort‐gage refinance as a way to access thou‐sands of dollars for a remodel. This taps into a home's equity. Keep in mind that the mortgage will then be a new mortgage at the current interest rate and an outstanding balance higher than what was the current one. Typically 20 percent equity in the home is needed to refinance.

• Take out a personal loan. For those who do not want to refinance, a personal loan or home improvement loan can be good for midsized projects, according to American Express.

Personal loans for home renovations typically require no collateral and one's credit score determines the inter‐est rate.

• Utilize a home equity line of credit. A HELOC is a form of revolving credit, like a credit card. Homeowners borrow against the credit line granted with the home being the collateral. As a person pays down what is owed, he or she can borrow more. This is a good idea for recurring or long‐term home improvements.

• Try a home equity loan. Home equity loans use the home as collateral like a HELOC. The home equity loan is an installment loan for a fixed amount on a fixed monthly schedule for a set term. These are sometimes called sec‐ond mortgages.

• No‑ or low‑interest credit card. Smaller projects can be financed using credit cards. Many will offer introduc‐tory rates with no interest for a few months. This is generally only prefer‐able if a person can pay off the balance before interest is charged.

Verona opens OKC’s only dedicated, climate‑controlled quartz gallery

Last year, Verona opened Oklahoma City's only dedicated, cli‑ mate‑controlled quartz gallery.

Forty‑six individual hand‑select‑ ed quartz slabs have been set up on display racks and remote access is available for the consumer to enter and go as they please during busi‑ ness hours. The Quartz Gallery was designed and created specifically with the OKC community in mind.

The facility is located at 430 W. Wilshire Blvd.

Verona Marble Company is a wholesale importer and distribu‑ tor offering the largest selection of Santamargherita quartz and mar‑ ble‑based engineered tiles and slabs in North America. The com‑ pany also imports and distributes carefully‑selected natural materi‑ als including granite, quartzite,

marble and other natural stones from around the world.

Verona Marble has been serving the residential and commercial stone industry for 38 years. The company’s mission is to be recog‑ nized as the best company in the stone industry by providing excel‑ lent service and integrity, high quality products at a fair price, knowledgeable and friendly staff and years of industry experience.

In 1984, a partnership between Santa Margherita and Verona Marble Company was formed in Dallas, Texas. Verona Marble Company was established as the sole distributor of Santamargherita Marble and Quartz based engi‑ neered stone products for the US market. The primary focus was large scale commercial tile projects

specified through the architectural and design community.

As demand for natural stone grew in the US, Vernona Marble expanded our product line to include natural stone tiles and slabs from around the world in 1996. The company opened a new dedicated slab facility with 10,000‑ square‑feet of indoor and 20,000‑ square‑feet of outdoor slab stor‑ age, serviced by three overhead cranes. This new facility allowed Verona to expand into the residen‑ tial countertop market, along with the current commercial tile mar‑ ket.

Verona went on to expand to other areas of Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

For more information, visit vmc‑ stone.com.

Taking personal care of your biggest investment!

AApollo Window Cleaning is based on and run according to three important principles:

The Golden Rule

We believe in honest, fair, and dependable service. We treat your house and your property as our own, taking

special care to respect your home and your belongings.

Good Enough is Never Good Enough

We strive for nothing short of perfec‐tion in everything we do. If for some rea‐son you are not 100 percent satisfied, we will make it right.

Pride

Pride in our work is the foundation of our success. We are judged day to day on our quality of work and the attention to detail. We also provide friendly personal service to each customer to leave a last‐ing positive impression.

Please help Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s Cornerstone Creek Neighborhood to Blossom

Greetings!

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) will build the first home in our new Cornerstone Creek development in far northwest Oklahoma City this August! We must raise $3 million to pay for the groundwork to construct over 400 homes — a stepping stone in the most extensive development in our history.

Recent reports estimate Oklahoma has a shortage of over 70,000 homes for limited‐income households. Tax credits attract out‐of‐state developers to build afford‐able apartments seemingly left and right in central Oklahoma, but many fam‐ilies cannot afford the high rental rates.

Research shows affordable housing access is the most cost‐effective way to reduce intergenerational poverty and promote economic mobility. Only when people can manage the expenses of a secure and stable home can they reap

these benefits. To end such poverty, not just maintain it, we must fight for and win the resources and conditions neces‐sary to broaden homeownership oppor‐tunities.

Acquiring Cornerstone Creek’s 160 acres in 2019 was an incredible COHFH victory. Now, as we prepare to build our

first affordable homes in Cornerstone Creek, we’re confident it will further strengthen cen‐tral Oklahoma.

Homeownership is key to both indi‐viduals and communities alike.

Homeowners garner positive socio‐economic outcomes that maintain the health and welfare of neighbor‐hoods and cities. They also pay prop‐erty taxes!

Your generosity makes everything we do possible! Please scan the QR code to learn more and DONATE to Cornerstone Creek.

Blessings, Ann Felton Gilliland CEO/Chairman

COHFH CEO Ann Felton Gilliland and Board Member Mike Hinchey review the plans for the first phase of the development.

Light up your world

HHome improvement trends come and go, and one trend that has become wildly pop‐ular in recent years is recognizable in yards every night. Landscape lighting has trans‐formed how people see and enjoy their properties at night, making it one of the more sought‐after upgrades among modern homeowners.

Curb appeal is often seen through the lens of how homes appear during daylight hours, but landscape lighting can make homes look better and more modern, and potentially safer, after the sun goes down. With such potential, landscape lighting is worth exploring for homeowners looking to upgrade their properties.

Are there different types of landscape lighting?

When considering landscape lighting, homeowners should know that there are various options to consider. According to the lighting experts at Lumens, spotlights project a concentrated and narrow beam of light that's usually around 45 degrees. Spotlights are often chosen to highlight

specific features on a property, like a com‐ponent of the landscaping. Individuals who want to cast light over wider, more general areas may consider floodlights, which Lumens notes spread light up to 120 degrees.

Inground lighting is among the more sophisticated landscape lighting options. Lumens notes that inground lighting illumi‐nates the whole of a tree or structure, often creating a dramatic look. These circle‐shaped lights also are great at illuminating walkways and driveways.

Post lights are another outdoor lighting option, and these are often used to light up long walkways and pathways so it's easier and safer to navigate dark areas at night.

Is landscape lighting a job a DIYer can handle?

Replacing an existing electrical fixture may be well within the skill of a seasoned DIYer, but installing a new fixture is a job best left to the professionals. Homeowners

See LIGHTING, Page 14

Landscape lighting has transformed how people see and enjoy their properties at night, making it one of the more sought­after upgrades among modern homeowners.

TQI brings your home to life at night

WWhether you’re looking for striking and dramatic or soft and elegant, let Lighting by TQI bring your home to life at night.and extend the use of your beautiful outdoor spaces.

Many people pay high prices for bold architecture and gorgeous sweeping landscapes, but fail to light it properly after dark. Create the perfect ambiance for your home with timeless outdoor lighting, which has always been shown to be more of a deterrent to burglars than replacing doors, locks and windows!

Lighting by TQI serves many clients throughout the

Oklahoma City metro area with first‐in‐class expertise and knowledge. Because it’s very difficult to adequately photo‐graph and capture lighting at night, we offer in‐person tours upon request so you can see the stunning end results first‐hand.

“Offering beautiful lighting to clients is not my job, it’s my passion” said Lighting by TQI Owner Ashley McMillin. “I do all the design and installation from start to finish because I enjoy it, and I stay involved in 100 percent of the job.”

Lighting by TQI serves many clients throughout the Oklahoma City metro area with first­in­class expertise and knowledge.

Five signs it’s time to renovate

Homeowners renovate their homes for a variety of reasons. Renovations can increase the value of a property and make homes safer and more comfortable for their occupants. Improvements also can be made to stay cur‐rent with the times or to give a home a new vibe.

Statista projects $510 billion will be spent on home improvements in 2024. The home improvement market is generating significant revenue. In fact, nearly a quarter of Americans opting to renovate their homes will spend an average of $10,000 on their projects. According to a Home Stars Renovation report, 8 percent of Canadian homeowners who have renovated have spent more than $20,000 on a home improvement project.

Kitchens and bathrooms often get the most attention when it comes to home improvement. However, every room and space in a home may need a renovation at some point, and the following are five signs it's time to renovate.

1. Age

The National Association of Home Builders states that 50 percent of U.S. homes are over the age of 40. That means that age alone could dictate a need to renovate, particularly if some materials are original to the home. For example, asphalt roofs typically last 25 to 30 years, while window frames can last 20 to 50 years depending on how well they have been maintained.

2. Inconvenient layout

Some homeowners scratch their heads when faced with awkward floor plan layouts. While one may live with the inconvenience for some time, typically a floor plan that isn't working for the homeowner is a major driver of

LIGHTING

From Page 12

whose homes currently have no or very little landscape lighting are almost certainly better off working with a professional. Solar lighting that does not require any electrical work can be installed quickly and easily by anyone, but such options may not provide the look homeown‐ers are aiming for.

renovations.

3.

Outdated looks

A home can look dated even if it is a relatively recent build. That's because trends change quickly. For example, dark, cherry cabinets that were popular just a little while ago have now been replaced by lighter color palettes. Homeowners whose homes do not match the looks emu‐lated in design magazines may consider a change, partic‐ularly if they're planning to sell soon.

4. Deterioration

Signs of water, storm or structural damage should be addressed as soon as possible. Any deterioration should be a strong indicator that it's time to renovate.

5. Efficiency

Escalating utility bills could be indicative of an ineffi‐cient home. Homeowners can conduct energy audits and then improve the areas where energy loss may be occur‐ring, such as windows, doors, siding, and insulation. Homeowners can renovate their homes when they see fit, but various signs may warn that it's time consider updating or remodeling a home.

How much lighting is necessary?

The amount of lighting homeown‐ers want to install is up to them. If the home currently has little or no landscape lighting, a consultation with a professional can help to deter‐mine how much lighting to install and where to install it. When dis‐cussing landscape lighting, home‐owners may want to inquire about dimmers. Dimmers can increase or decrease lighting depending on the situation. For example, homeowners

may want a little extra light during a party, but less when relaxing alone outside at night. Dimmers allow homeowners to adjust as necessary.

Landscape lighting is a popular home renovation trend. Homeowners considering adding landscape lighting to their property are urged to work with a skilled pro‐fessional to devise and install a set‐up that makes their homes more appealing at night.

Every room and space in a home may need a renovation at some point.