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Time for a clean sweep Proper fireplace care to protect hearth and home
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he family-room fireplace is a natural gathering place during the winter months. The soft, flickering light of the flames has a soothing quality that contrasts with the heat generated by the red-hot embers. You're drawn closer, yet you still need to keep your distance. While a chimney may have no moving parts other than the flue, it does require attention. Years of fires can leave deposits in the chimney that need to be swept out and moisture can build up, damaging brick and mortar. Experts from the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommend annual inspections for all home chimneys. And the best time for an inspection is soon after the burning season ends, allowing time for a chimney sweep to be called or to make any needed repairs. Waiting until the weather turns cold is like trying to get your air conditioner fixed just as the first heat wave arrives. Good luck. When the time comes to have your chimney inspected, it's important to choose the professional wisely, because proper care and attention to service can help protect people from dangerous fires and carbon monoxide poisonings. "Hiring the right professional to inspect and maintain the system is one of the most important steps that a homeowner can take to ensure safety and efficiency," said Ashley Eldridge, director of education for the Chimney Safety Institute. Eldridge offered homeowners three tips to help find a qualified chimney professional: • Verify advertised credentials. Reputable national credentials must be renewed on a regular basis to remain valid. Check with the organization granting the credentials to be sure that the individual you hire holds the credential he or she advertises. • Ask for and check references. Conscientious companies will have references available from previous clients and are eager to share reports from local consumer advocacy organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or Angie's List. • Learn the language of chimneys to level the playing field. The interactive fireplace glossary at www.csia.org
Safety experts advise homeowners to have their chimneys inspected each year to keep the structure clean of dangerous residue and make any necessary repairs.
outlines the 13 most important terms you need to know to communicate with any professional chimney sweep. The site also offers short presentations on chimney sweeping and inspection processes. Choosing the right firewood will help avoid having to hire a chimney sweep. Choose well-seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months and stored in a covered and elevated location. Do not burn treated wood, and certainly don't cram the Christmas tree into the fireplace. One alternative to burning wood in a
fireplace is Java-Log, made from spent coffee grounds and vegetable wax. Simply place the log, still in its paper wrapper, in the fireplace and light the wrapper — it will burn for two to three hours. Since coffee has three times more energy than wood, the flame is brighter and it gives off a sweet, natural, woody smell. Java-Log releases 83 percent less particulate matter than firewood and 87 percent less creosote and carbon monoxide, easing stress on both your chimney and the Earth's atmosphere. Sooty deposits aren't the only chimney challenge — rainwater can get
into an uncapped chimney and become acidic when it comes into contact with exhaust gasses, eroding the brick and mortar. Water can also seep into cracks and expand during freezing weather, causing the chimney to crumble and chunks to break loose. And animals can find their way into an uncapped chimney. Fortunately there's an easy and cheap solution: Install a chimney cap. "They don't cost much, something like 50 bucks," Eldridge said. "And a chimney without a cap is like a house without a roof." ❏ — Creators Syndicate FALL 2012 | SPACES 3B
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Color codes for interiors The secret to choosing the right scheme of hues
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ith cooler weather bringing people indoors and the holidays just around the corner, many folks are ready to spruce up their home's interior. However, when it comes to picking a new color scheme, some homeowners just don't know where to begin. After over 15 years in the design business, paint expert and designer Dana Pfeiffer has explaining color down to a science. She speaks of a color wheel and says color comes in a variety of schemes — for example, monochromatic, complementary, analogous and triadic. Pfeiffer, who co-owns a design business, explains the monochromatic color scheme is any one color on the color wheel used on most every room surface. "This color can be different shades in a room to offer variance," she said. Complementary color is a pair of colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel, such as blue and yellow, red and green, salmon and teal, violet and apple green. Some decorators prefer a split complementary color scheme, which is one main color and two opposite colors, such as using blue as the main color and adding yellow and orange. Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other, such as green, yellow and orange or blue, purple and red. Finally, the triadic color scheme uses three colors that are equally spaced on a color wheel, such as purple, teal and orange. "Most paint stores have colors preselected in these schemes, which makes it easy to select a color," Pfeiffer said. "You would just need to have your favorite color in mind and the sample books will do the rest for you. However, a color scheme offers a guideline for your project." According to Pfeiffer, the monochromatic color scheme is the easiest to work with. "A monochromatic color offers you different shades or tints of a basic color you choose, such as green — apple green, dark green and light green," she said. "It's recommended that color flow throughout your home or office as it creates a harmonious atmosphere. "This is where you can get more
Contemporary shades of violet, blue and green reflect an analogous color palette, with color families that are next to each other on the color wheel. Although these hues are striking alone, when combined they provide balance and create a more sophisticated style. Analogous colors tend to go well together because they are closely related.
technical in your color and venture into the complementary, triadic and analogous color options," she said. "All this starts with one color that could be your favorite." Pfeiffer says one of the today's most popular color combinations mimics the autumnal colors of nature. "A color scheme that is popular right now consists of burnt orange, a shade of red with accents of brown and a soft yellow," she said. "These are called earth tones and they tend to be the most popular. The scheme would be termed analogous as they are adjacent to each other on the color wheel and usually one of those colors is the dominate color like the burnt orange with red, yellow and brown as the accents." In his book "Texturing and Painting" (New Riders Press, $55), author and
decorator Owen Demers gives other examples of analogous colors. "Think of purple, blue and magenta colors in a twilight sky or the yellows, golds and oranges in an Arizona desert," he said. "A pine forest has light greens to blues and purples within it depths." Sometimes a person's house dictates it's decorating. "Modern homes tend to have contrasting colors that are bold, such as complementary or triadic color. Simple bold colors are red, black and white," Pfeiffer said. The split complimentary colors for a modern home could be blue, orange and yellow. The triadic colors might be purple, orange and dark teal. "Older homes tend to enjoy the earth tones as it lends to the traditional atmosphere, such as reds, burnt orange
and soft yellows," she added. "Some of the neutral colors used more frequently in older homes are off-white (cream) and brown. These colors are softer." No matter what kind of homes they occupy, some individuals feel uncomfortable working with color. "Most people get overwhelmed with color after the monochromatic scheme," Pfeiffer said. "This is where a professional color consultant can just spend an hour and have your whole scheme available to you." That's why homeowners who begin to feel overwhelmed with a project really should consider asking for a little assistance, Pfeiffer concludes. "If you want a more sophisticated scheme, paying a professional for an hour is well worth your time and money for that designer look." ❏ — Creators Syndicate FALL 2012 | SPACES 5B
Still a sound investment Remodeling kitchen offers big bang for your bucks
Photo submitted by Newmyer Distinctive Remodeling
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ransforming your kitchen from mediocre to magnificent is a project most people are eager to undertake and others can only dream of. Some remodels may be simple fixes like replacing a counter top or refacing cabinets, but even a minor makeover is deemed a sound investment. Consider the National Realtor's 2011-12 Cost vs. Value report, which cited a minor remodel job costs on average $19,588 and produces recouped costs of over 70 percent. For those looking to recreate a new kitchen or modify an existing one the focus is typically on the cabinets and counter tops, while others choose to change up appliances or lighting. Experts in the kitchen remodeling industry know what trends are up and coming to recreate the centerpiece of your house in comfort and style, and how you can be sure you're getting the biggest bang for your buck. Rik Kowall, co-owner of Accurate Woodworking, Inc., in Waterford Township, continually rises to the challenge of meeting client needs in a market that is always in flux. He says kitchen remodeling projects are commonplace nowadays since most people are choosing to stay in their homes longer due to the depreciation in the real estate market. "We are absolutely seeing the trend where people finally decide they've lost the value in their home and are slugging it out, so they come in and want to do a remodel," he said. "That remodel could be anywhere from a minor to major overhaul depending on their psyche. There's not enough consumer confidence in reconstruction so that's pretty non-existent." Kowall has observed that when sprucing up counter tops and changing up hardware, the costs can range from $3,000 to $5,000, but once people start switching out cabinetry, costs can soar from $5,000. "A nominal change would be a facelift to the counter top, hardware on the doors, paint or redecorating to freshen the kitchen up, but a second level remodel is redoing cabinetry ergonomically with aging in place," he said. "The trend is converting a base cabinet that has a drawer and two doors to being able to stand up while getting into the cabinet in an ergonomic design," he said. "The knees of a 25year-old are not those of a 55-year-old." One sought-after trend is installing an island in the kitchen. "This is the No. 1 request, but so many (homeowners) aren't able to install an island due to space constraints — sometimes micro islands work," he said. "The whole idea is to open up a room for a larger expanse and redesign the room to have it flow and appear spacious." Cabinet colors are now trending darker, according to Kowall. "The shades of the 70s are coming back with darker oaks, cherrys, and rich deep tones," he said. Kowall studies industry resources to see what designs in cabinetry are trending demographically.
"Trends are demographically defined — there is traditional cabinetry in the Northeast and nouveau contemporary on the east and west coasts, Los Angeles, Florida, and pockets of the Midwest like Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, but here in the lakes area it's a mixed bag," he said. Counter top surfaces have shifted from synthetic solid surfaces to stone, quartz or Idefinition laminates. To guide clients with color, material, functionality and design, Kowall employs two fulltime designers. "There's not a lot of roads we haven't gone down and we are well versed anywhere from ventilation to flooring," he said. Newmyer Distinctive Remodeling owner John Newmyer has been in the remodeling business for 44 years and takes pride in his team keeping up with the popular trends and timeless classics. To help clients coordinate color schemes and design work, one interior designer is on staff. "We are a full service company that does building to remodeling and repair," Newmyer said. "We have a well-equipped staff with continuing education." If a homeowner wants to cut corners, Newmyer said the important thing is knowing what you're doing ahead of time. "There are a lot of new products on the market and if you're installing them, you need to know how to do it," he said. One popular trend Newmyer has noticed is large kitchen vent fans being installed that require special attention to building codes. "A lot of people put in these commercial-type ranges in the home and generate a lot of heat so they put in hood fans that pull more air than they can give," he said. "You don't need a 1,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) fan in the house moving a lot of air in a short period of time. Large vent fans can be problematic and people need to be aware of that." As far as popular color schemes go, Newmyer says warm or chocolate browns tend to be the hues of choice for cabinets, with the design trending toward a minimalist look. "Cabinets tend to have a leaner, sleeker look — more contemporary with cleaner lines and not a lot of trim details," he said. For the frugal customer, Distinctive Remodeling offers production or semi-production cabinets that allow for more options, sizes, and features. "These customers would want to stay away from customized cabinets," he said. Quartz counter tops, although pricey, are in high demand. "People are choosing counter tops in solid colors and quartz is another alternative to granite," he said. "If you’re looking for solid surface tops, then granite is less expensive than quartz." Newmyer concurs with Kowall that items on customers' wish lists these days include full extension drawer glides, high-quality drawers, and functionality of space.
Continued on page 9B ‰
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Time to stop that drip A leaky faucet is just washing your money down drain
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rip, drip, drip, drip, drip — that leaky faucet is more than a nuisance in the night. It costs you money and wastes resources. What's more, cleaning rust stains out of sinks is just one more chore on the weekend to-do list. But you can turn that nerve-wracking sound into a sink that works right by following just a few easy steps. Faucets come in four basic types: compression, cartridge, ball, and disctype. With advice from the web site www.DIY.com, here are instructions on how to repair compression and cartridge faucets, two of the most commonly
found faucets in homes, as well as how to replace a faucet. Each procedure involves simple steps and requires a few basic tools any weekend warrior will have on hand. Repairing A Compression Faucet First, turn off the water supply and open the faucet handle to relieve water pressure. Carefully pry off the trim cap with a small screwdriver or putty knife. Remove the locknut with an adjustable wrench, and then lift the spindle out of the faucet. As needed, remove and replace the O-ring. Before reinstalling, coat the stem lightly with plumber's grease. As needed, remove the retaining screw and pry out the washer. Install an exact-replacement washer and tighten it. As needed, inspect the seat and replace if damaged. Install the valve and tighten, then
reinstall the handle and test. Repairing A Cartridge Faucet First, turn off the water supply and open the faucet handle to relieve water pressure. Remove the handle (often held on by a hex screw) and any trim. Unscrew the retainer nut by hand or with adjustable pliers and lift it off the faucet. Remove the retainer clip, if any, which holds the cartridge in the faucet body. Remove the cartridge stem and lift it out of the faucet body. If the cartridge is worn or damaged, replace it. If the Orings are damaged, replace the rings only. Reassemble and test the faucet. Replacing A Faucet First, turn off the water supply and open the faucet handle to relieve water pressure. Carefully loosen the coupling nuts at the shutoff valves and at the
‰ Continued from page 7B "People are very specific on where to put things," Newmyer said. "They like a lot of storage; for example, microwave drawers are very popular so it is kept hidden." Other considerations are lighting and appliances. Recessed lighting still remains popular, but bulbs may be a sticking point. "Once we determine what kind of lighting then we look at colors and pick products accordingly," Newmyer said. "LED lighting makes for really nice lighting and halogen is starting to disappear." Stainless steel appliances are still top sellers but appliance costs vary widely. "Typically people want to spend $5,000 on appliances, but costs can go up to $15,000 to $20,000 — the average home buyer spends $8,000 to $9,000," Newmyer said. Overall Newmyer, said homeowners are remodeling kitchens based on a specific budget. "We're still seeing the focus on needs vs. wants — as a budget winds down, they will cut certain amenities," he said. "We offer great service and believe there's a kitchen for every budget. I don’t want to be known for just upscale homes — we have clients in every price range. We are known for
Among the trends in kitchen remodeling is opting for cabinets with a minimalist look featuring sleeker, more contemporary and cleaner lines without a lot of trim details. (Photo submitted by Accurate Woodworking)
our attention to detail and keeping customers happy." While every kitchen remodel varies in design and size, Newmyer's team
sees costs that average in the mid $30,000 range and up. "People must consider that the kitchen spills over into other areas of
base of the faucet. Carefully remove the supply tubes. Remove the locknuts that hold the faucet to the sink and lift the faucet out. Clean the area where the old faucet sat. As needed, install the new spray hose and supply tubes, if any, through their holes in the sink. Set the rubber gasket that came with the faucet on the sink where it will be mounted. If no gasket is supplied, apply plumber's putty. Set the faucet into position and center it. From under the sink, attach the faucet locknuts to hold it to the sink. Reinstall the supply lines, then turn them on and test the faucet. Turn it on carefully because the line and faucet have air in them. ❏ — Creators Syndicate
the house, like converging across the floor so that will be added materials," he said. Another widespread trend is building out the kitchen so it expands into the living room. "One of the current trends is the death of the living room by taking out the formal dining room and expanding the kitchen into the dining space," Newmyer said. He added that many of the older colonial remodels have the traditional postage stamp kitchen that could use some redesign. "Many times we open walls up to make it a great room/kitchen/nook, that way the house is more functional and the family is in one area," he said. Newmyer noted that there are always new fads that come and go, but only a low percentage of the market will actually fall into that trap. "Trends box you in and in four to five years your kitchen could be outdated, so most people do things more timeless," he said. ❏ — Leslie Shepard, staff writer RESOURCES: • John Newmyer, Newmyer Distinctive Remodeling 248-669-3500 • Rik Kowall, Accurate Woodworking 248-666-3755 FALL 2012 | SPACES 9B
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