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Learn home improvement tips from local renovators and experts

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Friday, February 25, 2011

Step-by-step: Home projects you can do yourself Organize your home to create more space

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By Roger Hamann Feature Writer

Prospective home builders in LewistonAuburn should keep one thing in mind before putting hammer to nail: be prepared. Remember that old carpenter’s axiom, “Measure twice, cut once”? Bu i ld i n g you r d r e a m home today requires paying attention t o per m it s, fees, schedu l i ng , building techniques and... asking many questions from your local c ont r ac t or, pl a n n i ng b o a r d , bu i ld i ng i nspectors a nd code enforcement officers.

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Home builders be prepared

Fortunately, the initial process has become somewhat easier thanks to Lewiston’s and Auburn’s identical permit fee schedules. Although the two cities have their own unique zoning ordinances, their building, plumbing and electrical codes are identical, along with shoreland zoning and flood plains. “The process is pretty straight forward,” according to Lewiston’s bu i ld i ng /plu mbi ng i nspect or, Gar y Campbell, “provided t he person has a conforming lot for the zoning in which it’s located.” The specified lot location is plotted out on the city’s GIS (Geographic Information System) maps with overlays showing f loodplain and shoreland areas. “GIS has saved us so much foot traffic and is probably the biggest tool that has allowed us to reduce staff as much as we have in the last 10 years,” said Eric Cousens, Auburn’s city planner and code enforcement officer. If a homebuilder’s land lot falls within these designated areas, information on the possible need for f lood insurance and specific setbacks which must be met are broug ht to t he homeow ner ’s / builder’s attention.

G i l A r s e n au l t , L e w i s t on ’s director of planning and code development, stated that although t he cit y has yet to publish any guidelines as to set procedures for the building process for the person building their own home, local cont ractors are aware of “ t he ma ny nua nces of zon i ng issues,” depending on where you plan to build in Lewiston. “We will walk hand in hand with a first time homebuilder to make sure everything is done according to code, resulting in a timely and, hopefully, not too stressful build. The more you learn, the more you [realize what] you don’t know. The key thing to remember is to ask questions.” Campbell stated that as building inspector, he will visit the home site once the foundation has been pou r e d , che c k i ng for pr oper connection techniques between the footing and foundation walls, doing damp-proofing (tarring of exterior foundation walls) and drainage inspections. Depending on certain scenarios, t h e n e x t i n s p e c t i on s wou l d t a ke plac e when t he f ra m i ng a nd r oug he d-i n plu mbi ng i s done. More i nspect ions (t wo) are required for private sept ic systems being installed on t he site. An electrical inspection will also be made along with a final plumbing inspection.

“There may be more inspections now because of the new energy codes in effect.” Gil Arsenault

Campbell warns builders t hat insulation and its application will also be inspected now as part of the new MUBEC standards. As of December 1, 2010, both cities have adopted the MUBEC, the Maine Uni for m Building and Energ y Code, with the most significant cha nge bei ng t hat of energ y conser vat ion for wood framed homes with insulation R and U values having increased. C o u s e n s s a i d , “A l o t o f i t [MUBEC] is technique. It’s easy to understand the product , but

Prepared

page 3 ‰

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

Prepared

Let there be light and cost savings will follow

installing it properly is one of t he bigger cha l lenges i n t hat code.” Wit h homes being built “energy tight” to fit today’s energy saving demands, proper energy saving design and installation of materials is critical.

By Dan Marois Feature Writer / Photographer

from page 2

Auburn’s building permit allows the builder to start construction within one year from the date of issuance, Lewiston’s constructionstart date is six months. W h i le Aubu r n’s t i mel i ne for completion of the build is more dependent on t he const ruct ion process itself — “do this before you do that” — the city has a twoyear limit; Lewiston has a oneyea r l i m it . Bot h Cousens a nd Campbell did say that extensions are provided by request should the need arise. Bot h cit ies have a l l t he i n for mat ion one may need on t hei r r e spe c t ive websit e s by follow ing t hese steps... for Auburn residents: auburnmaine. org / departments / planning & permitting / FAQ. For Lewiston resident s: lew istonmaine. gov / departments & divisions / planning/code department.

consumer. “Replacing a 60-watt incandescent lamp with a 13-watt CFL has an estimated savings of $47 over the lifetime of the lamp,” said Ron Dumais, store manager for Lighting Concepts in Lewiston.

CFLs and LEDs. Thomas Edison would be amazed. T he i nventor who made significant improvements in the incandescent light bulb would be pleased that his work continues today with technology that hasn’t changed much in over 130 years. His amazement would come from seeing the next generation of bulbs to invade the market: specifically compact f luorescent lights and light emitting diodes. Ac c ord i ng t o Energ yst a r.gov, the website for the government’s Environmental Protection Agency a nd Depa r t ment of Energ y, a compact f luorescent lamp is an energy saving light designed to replace an incandescent lamp and can f it into most exist ing light fixtures formerly used for incandescents. LED bulbs are

“The CFL lamps last more than 10 t i mes t he l i fe of st a nda rd incandescent which means fewer trips to the store which also saves time and money.”

Nate Marcoux, from Lighting Concepts, works on a lighting plan for a customer. Marcoux is a lighting specialist with the American Lighting Association. l ig ht i ng a lter nat ives t hat use extremely low wattage, produce 30 % less heat than t raditional lighting, and provide a very highly efficient light source that is safe to the touch. T he ma i n appe a l of bot h of t hese bu lbs has one t h i ng i n m i nd— c ost sav i ngs t o t he

Remember... ask t he quest ions before applying hammer to nail, measure twice, cut once and may your dreams come true.

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Dumais added that aside from the energy cost savings, and up to 75% less energy used, the CFLs help the environment by producing less g reen house gases wh ich contributes to global warming. Energystar.gov notes that while CFLs have a higher purchase price t han incandescent lamps, t he lighting efficiency pays off in time. Dumais said t hat along w it h changes in bulb technology, the way to measure illuminat ion capacity is about to change in the industry and consumers will be introduced to a CRI rating (color rendering index) that will

determine how well a light source renders colors of people and objects. “Bulbs have been purchased on wattage with common ones at 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watts,” said the lighting expert, noting that soon consumers will purchase bulbs using the industry standard of lumens for light output. “In buying CFLs, you will need to decide how much light you need for a task,” said Dumais. For i n st a nc e , a 10 0 -wat t incandescent bulb and 23 to 32 watts for a CFL bulb are both considered 1600 lumens. A 60-watt incandescent bulb or 13 to 15 watts for a CFL will be 800 lumens. A s for c olor at ion , C F L s a r e available in sof t white, bright white and natural light. “ I rec om mend sof t wh it e for living areas, dining spaces and

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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Renovating an older home: Careful planning with room for unexpected Although Cindi wishes she had held onto the old clawfoot bathtub for p o s s ible u s e i n a not he r bathroom, it had to go to make room for a more functional and modern shower.

By Deborah Conway Feature Writer / Photographer

When Cindi and Larry Holbrook decided to renovate their Auburn home they didn’t mess around. They tore off the entire top story, down to the floorboards, and they didn’t stop there. Built in the 1920s, the house had been t hrough a lot of changes b e f o r e t h e H ol b r o o k s l i ve d t he r e a nd wa s a p at c hwork of a f ter t houg ht bed rooms, sunrooms, porches and mismatched roof lines. Prior to their renovations, the house was one-and-a-half stories, wit h a bat hroom on t he second f loor that was too small for a shower.

Larry, who also built a camp 20 years ago and readily admits that he “loves tearing things apart,” did most of the work himself, with Cindi by his side. When he ran into something he wasn’t sure about, he consulted his daughterin-law (a master electrician), and his niece’s husband (a carpenter), as well as other family and friends with construction experience. He also hired out a number of projects. According to Larry, a project of this scale should be looked at as having three distinct phases. Phase 1: Decide what it is you want to get done and, in Larry’s case, help his wife see his vision of the finished product. He recommends taking a lot of time to plan and price out the project. “Don’t rush.” Take the time to consult with and line up the experts who will help with the trickier aspects of the project. You

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Before and after photos of the Holbrook project. also will need to assemble your arsenal of “the right tools [because] you can’t saw with a screwdriver.” Phase 2: “Let’s do it.” This is the phase when you “knock it out, cut it out, make a heck of a mess and ask yourself ‘W hat did I do? ’” repeatedly. During this phase, the cliche, “Expect the unexpected,” is an especially accurate assessment of what one might encounter when ripping apart an old house. For

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example, a room that had been added by the previous homeowner was g ut ted. Ci nd i spent days r ipping out t he f loor, all four walls and the ceiling, and was treated to explosions and showers of “whirlybirds” that had been brought in by squirrels and other critters over the years. A small sunroom and exterior porch on the back of the house was deconstructed to make room

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for an expanded eat-in kitchen and ent r y way, wit h a laundr y a r e a h idden b eh i nd 6 -pa nel bi-fold doors. To facilitate this large expansion, a load bearing wall had to be removed and an engineer was brought in to size t he beam t hat would hold up the ceiling on the first f loor, and support the soon to be new and expanded second floor. For Cindi, the day that this massive beam was threaded through her house was by far the most stressful day of the project. The main beam in the basement also had to be incrementally “jacked up” to level and stabilize the floors. With the second f loor gone, the family slept on the first floor with the old wooden slats exposed after the horsehair plaster had been removed. Finally, cont ractors were hired to do the framing, to install the roof joists and to create a shell on the second floor so that it would be structurally sound, watertight and ready for Larry a nd Ci nd i to beg i n Phase 3 : “When it all comes together.” W it h a l it t le help f r om h i s daughter-in-law, Larry was able to do all of the wiring. In addition to electric, the house had to be ready for new technologies as

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

Garage door shopping: Have a plan in hand By Dan Marois Feature Writer / Photographer

If you are adding a garage to your house or replacing a garage door, a bit of planning can make the process go much easier. The International Door Associat ion (w w w.door.org), a trade organization for the garage door industry, offers these tips to consider before making your garage door purchase. According to the website, always consider the experience of the g a r ag e do or de a le r a nd t he reputation they have for the work they do. Don’t be afraid to ask for letters of reference from satisfied customers and you might want to talk to a few of their customers directly about their experience with the business. T he A s s o c i at ion g o e s on t o mention that there are numerous federal, state, and local codes and regulations that must be followed for garage door installations. Be sure to ask the dealer how they comply with the codes in your city.

of headroom required in the garage. “This refers to how much space there is above the door itself from the top of the door to the ceiling or lowest obstacle,” said Baril.

When it comes to garage doors, there’s no standard size. The last consideration is the design and quality of the garage door. For safety and liability purposes, do business only with dealers that carry proper insurance coverage and who are willing to provide t he c ompa ny’s Cer t i f ic at e of Insurance. If they don’t have one or hesitate to comply with your request, you might want to take your business elsewhere. Jason Bar il, manager of I nt er n at ion a l D oor C or p. i n Lewiston, one of the area’s largest garage door dealers, suggest s making your purchases at local businesses that are well known and who back up their work with quality service.

their work leaves something to be desired,” said Baril. “The most common request that people make is that they would like a quote on a garage door, and when asked what size, they often reply ‘standard size’,” said Baril, noting that there’s no standard size when it comes to garage doors. The first step in shopping for a door is to measure the height and width of the garage door opening. That’s important because the size of the door dictates the price. It is also important to measure the amount

Next, you should consider how well insulated you would like t he door to be and how much heat would you like to keep in the building. Some people have unheated garages and this isn’t an issue. Others have heated garages at t ached t o t hei r homes a nd shoppers should consider the “R” value—the resistance to heat loss number—used in the construction industry. “The higher the number, the better the insulation level,” said Baril. T he last considerat ion is t he design and quality of the garage door you’d l i ke t o pu rchase. “Always consider the quality of the door itself, the quality of the track and hardware; it is always important to get all the details regarding what you are getting for your money. Be sure your quote is based on comparable products and does the quote include all the

materials that you need for your project,” cautioned Baril. Jim Burke, of West Paris, offered his opinion on garage doors by suggesting that, “An automatic garage door opener offers great returns on the initial investment.” Bu rke ex pla i ned t hat t he automatic opener has been a joy since there are remotes in his vehicles as well as the garage. “So the door can be opened and closed in multiple places, making those cold, wintry days, in particular, more easy to take,” said Burke. “As luxuries go, it’s towards the top of my list.” Woody Woodwa r d , ow ner of t he H ig h la nd L a ke Resor t i n Br idg ton, suggested t he more practical. “Make sure there is an easy way to open the door in case of a power failure, and that the installer teaches you how to use it,” said Woodward. And when it comes to design, Woodward said, “Swing out, bifold, and outside-mounted sliding doors may look g reat on your garage, but remember the Maine winters and how they can keep your fancy door from opening when snow piles up.”

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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A new kitchen, a new sense of pride

Organize your home to create more space:

Cure cabin fever by cutting clutter

By Jackie Rybeck Feature Writer / Photographer

A

few years ago, Dan and April Wade bought a house in New Gloucester. It is nestled in the woods and the perfect size for their family... except for the kitchen.

By Elizabeth Webster Photos by Noelle Webster

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“We couldn’t fit two people in there,” explained April. “The fridge stuck out into the hallway and there were only two lower cabinets, which were so deep, we needed a flashlight to find anything.”

ith this winter’s wicked weather, many homeowners are suffering from a bad bout of “cabin fever.” One of its main symptoms is the feeling that the walls are closing in on you.

“The kitchen was only 10x10,” adde d D a n . “ T he r e w a s a n unused dining room next to it so we decided to open the walls to enlarge the workspace as well as open it up the living room.”

Wa y b a c k i n t h e m i d -17 0 0 s , Benja m i n F r a n k l i n of fer e d a n adage to help cure “cabin fever” that still holds true today: “A place for everything, everything in its place.”

Submitted photo

The f irst t hing t he couple did was call the kitchen department at Hammond Lumber in Auburn. Dan took some basic measurements into Amy Ashton, kitchen specialist. “We used his measurements to come up with the first design,” she said. “He mentioned he had some f lexibilit y in moving t he front door and actually eliminat ing a window if we needed to gain cabinet space.” T he nex t day Asht on made a trip to the Wade home. “I did a job sit e me a su r ement , wh ic h also helped me get a feel for the whole kitchen, dining, and living area,” she said. “It was such a small kitchen, it felt confining. It was dark and they needed more storage and room to work.” “It was so much help having a professional come in,” said Dan. “She made us aware of t hings we never even considered, such as spacers, c abi net si zes a nd countertop options.” In Ashton’s opinion, the kitchen is the most important room in the house and so she designed the kitchen around the family’s needs. “If the kitchen is enjoyable and i nv it i ng , ever y t h i ng else w i l l fall into place,” she smiled. “I loved the Wades’ idea of an open-

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Submitted photo concept design because it gave a br ig ht , f resh approach t hat makes them actually want to be in their kitchen.” The new k itchen is now 10x16 a n d i nc l u d e s n e w s t a i n l e s s appl ia nces ; t i le f loor i ng ; funct ional, shaker-st yle maple c abi net s ; la rge cou nter space and a pantry. “I just love t he pots and pans d rawer,” sa id Apr i l. “A nd t he soft-close feature never lets the drawers slam shut.” “We also have an open organizer to put keys and mail in,” added Dan. “I just love the kitchen. The i mprovement it’s made to t he house is unreal; we used to keep things in a box in the basement and now it’s in the pantry.” “Now if we have guests we can watch sports, cook dinner and play cards,” said Dan, “all in the same area and at the same time if we want. It’s great knowing all that hard work paid off.”

Jackie Rybeck

“It feels like a new house.” added April. “We can have people over and not feel crowded. We now have a sense of pride when we walk in; we absolutely love it!”

Now might be a good time to increase you r usable i ndoor acreage by weeding out and culling unnecessary clut ter i n you r home. Get fou r big boxes labeled: “Keep,” “Sell,” “Donate,” and “Trash,” and start small with the worst clutter areas.

your saved items through the clear plastic, and the stacked bins can be hidden behind a door or in any other nook area. Howe ve r, mo s t home ow ne r s wouldn’t be too hep on having rows of stacked plastic bins in their living or dining rooms. But they’re in luck because good February furniture sales are ongoing. “ Ma ny of ou r cu st omer s c ome t o us bec ause t hey don’t wa nt t hei r clut ter on d isplay,” st ated Steve Celona, general manager of Chilton’s Furniture on the Payne Road in Scarborough. Mostly made i n M a i ne , C h i lt on’s f u r n it u r e pieces are known for their Shakerinspired workmanship, function and simplicity of line and form. “ We of fer plent y of beaut i f u l ly desig ned pieces t hat assist ou r customers in organizing and hiding t heir clut ter,” Celona st ated. He pointed to t he bookshelves wit h doors, covered cupboards, hutches and an attractive cherry Shaker hall seat that “serves as a bench, storage bin and coat rack.”

You decide which box to toss a par t icular item in. A f ter you’ve made good progress, head to a store that sells big, sturdy, clear plastic stackable bins with covers.

Chilton’s general manager noted that its two-person storage bench with round armrests and curved legs and back — offered in either cherry or maple “is a beautiful piece of art to sit on with a spacious storage area under its hinged seat.”

These stacked “Keep” bins are true space savers. You can easily view

Chilton’s also has a six-piece cherry desk set “that will easily meet any

Close up of Chilton’s pine cubes with lined, wicker baskets. per son’s of f ic e a nd orga n i z i ng needs,” Celona commented. When it comes to quickly picking up a child’s messy room, Celona said that parents are picking the a f for d able pi ne c ube s w it h or without the lined wicker baskets. What about those folks who have cleared the clutter and still desire more open f loor space? How about those who decide to downsize for carbon footprint or financial reasons and find that their current furniture is too bulky and large for their new, smaller homes? Ross Endicott, of Endicott Home in Scarborough, is happy to come to their rescue. His furniture store is focused exclusively on well-made, smaller furnishings. His store displays a wide assortment of wall beds; narrow hall tables; and

smaller bookshelves, entertainment centers, cof fee tables and dining tables that integrate well in smaller homes and condos.

showing that every item on the desk stayed in its place when he pulled the hidden bed from its upright position to cover the top of the desk.

“I f you’re not goi ng to i ncrease your house footprint, you can still g ive t he i l lusion of more space by sh r i n k i ng t he si ze of you r furniture,” Endicott explained.

F reepor t K n i fe & K itchenwa re, in Freeport, is known for having one of t he la rgest select ions of Vic t or i nox Sw i ss A r my K n ive s in the count r y. Co-owner Rhoda Dillman said that they offer a wide variety of accessories, such as knife storage blocks, cutting boards, and env i r on ment a l ly g r e en ut en si l holders, made from recycled glass and bamboo, as well as retractable bamboo holders, to keep kitchen items organized.

He pointed to the condo sofa that he designed for his customers who were unable to f ind well-made, s m a l le r A me r ic a n uphol s t e r y. “ T h i s f u r n it u r e i s c omple t el y customizable. We can change the arm style; the seat deck height, width and depth; and make other frame and styling changes,” he commented. E nd ic ot t i s a l s o pr oud of h i s attractive and durable wall beds and convertible desk beds, available in all finishes. He succeeded in putting Ben Franklin’s quote to the test by

In one short week, the Wades went from cramped space to open space; from being a place to cook to being a place for conversation and interaction with family and friends.

“A no t he r p opu l a r i t e m i s ou r ma rble w i ne c ooler t hat ke eps white wine cool in and out of the fridge and can double as a utensil holder,” Dillman noted. Information garnered from Sherri, a chat represent at ive, at w w w. cratea ndba r rel.com suggest s that multi-functional items, such as storage ottomans and storage benc he s , a r e p opu l a r w it h it s customers, who a re look i ng for more open f loor space and an easy way to quickly stash clutter when unexpected guests arrive. The chat rep said that she’s also a big fan of the company’s various hanging bags with shelves for the closet, where users can store such things as sweaters and shoes. “I prefer more things to be in my closet rather than lying on the floor collecting dust,” she commented.

Ross Endicott displays a neat feature of his desk/bed: Everything on the desk stays in its place when bringing down the bed, above left. He also demonstrates how a well-designed wall bed gives more space when not in use, above right. Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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Advertising with Sun Journal Main Office â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LEWISTON 104 Park Street, Lewiston, Maine Mailing Address PO Box 4400, Lewiston, Maine 04243-4400

Advertising Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone 207-784-5411 or 800-482-0753 Retail Advertising Fax 207-784-5955 Classified Advertising Fax 207-784-3062 STEPHEN M. COSTELLO 689-2920 Vice President / Advertising and Marketing scostello@sunjournal.com JODY JALBERT 689-2913 Advertising Director jjalbert@sunjournal.com ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES:

Larry Baril 689-2960 lbaril@sunjournal.com Brian Croteau 689-2909 bcroteau@sunjournal.com Jeff Haggerty 689-2942 jhaggerty@sunjournal.com Ben Lachance 689-2974 blachance@sunjournal.com Dan McManus 689-2906 dmcmanus@sunjournal.com

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Window Treatments 101 “In designing window coverings, m a x i m i z e n at u r a l l ig ht a nd view by st ack ing draperies as much outside the glass area as possible,” Mor i n sa id. “ Usi ng ver t ic a l pat t er n s , a s wel l a s raising the top-treatments above the header will give the illusion of higher ceilings.”

By Jackie Rybeck Feature Writer / Photographer

Thinking of changing your window treatment, but don’t know how to begin? Window treatments compliment your decor and are an important part of why your home looks the way it does. Today’s treatments or coverings can range from a simple fabric draped over a rod to ornate draperies like those in notable mansions. According to Larry Morin, owner of Decorators Network, Inc., before you look at style, think of what you need your window treatment to provide in the form of function. “ Wi ndow t reat ment s of fer more t ha n just decorat i ng or complimenting your decor,” he explained. “So, the first question you need to ask yourself is: What do you want the treatment to do? Do you need privacy, light or sun cont rol, v iew preser vat ion or energy efficiency?” Amy Bilodeau, of Gamache and Lessard Co, Inc., agrees. “For instance, for more privacy, wood

Window treatments are available for unique decor situations. Professionals, like Larry Morin, above, can help you get the look you want in your home.

blinds are great,” she said. “For energy efficiency, look into cellular shades or insulated draperies.” Sunscreen shades, sheers and window film offer filtered sun cont rol a nd day t i me pr ivacy. Along with the cellular shades and draperies, which offer energy efficiency, shutters, roman shades, horizontal and vertical blinds offer adjustable light control. Swags, scarves, valances and cornices all compliment treatments or can be used alone as decoration. Both experts agree there are a few techniques in capitalizing light and view plus giving the appearance of higher ceilings.

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O n c e yo u h a ve p i c k e d t h e treatment that f its your needs, st yle is next . And t hat should match the overall design of the room and your personality. “If you have a cottage theme in m i nd , t h i n k shut t ers,” added Morin. “If you are conservative, think mini or wood blinds. If you have a Tuscan-style kitchen, think roman shades.” “With new technology, window treatment options are endless,” said Bilodeau. “With motorization and custom graphics on roller and cellular shades, a person c a n r e a l ly r ef le c t t hei r ow n personality with what they add to their windows.” Once your windows are treated, you may find the effort was well worth the outlay. “ Bet we en t hat , se cu r it y a nd privacy,” added Bilodeau, “you will definitely add value to the overall investment of your home.” “ You can also save money on heating and cooling,” said Morin. Both window specialists concur that it is also very important to remember child safety. According to the Window Covering Safety

Council, the only safe, window treatment is a cordless product. “ P a r e nt s who r e pl ac e t he i r w i ndow c ove r i ng s w it h t he c or d le s s p r o duc t s ava i l a ble can feel more conf ident about their child’s safety,” explained Executive Director Peter Rush.

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Rush offered the following guidelines: Replace window blinds, c orded shades a nd d raper ies manufactured before 2001 with today’s safer products. Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away f rom w i ndows and window cords, preferably to another wall. Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of ch i ld r en . M a ke su r e t hat t asseled pu l l cords a re shor t and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords. Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when t hey come to rest on a windowsill. I f you’r e st i l l over whel me d , c ont ac t a w i ndow t r e at ment specialist for the best selection of features, in addition to completing your interior decor. “Experts can help the client make the best decisions for their needs,” explained Bilodeau. “Whether it is light control, heat savings or just simply dressing up the windows.”

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

Older home wel l as telev ision a nd telephone. “ E v e r y t h i n g i s t i e d t o g e t h e r,” ex pla i ned La r r y, who ra n i nto a problem when he discovered that every time the furnace came on, the lights in the kitchen would dim. As with other problems that they encountered, he fixed that, too.

inhabited by wildlife would ultimately have a raised and sloped ceiling, a pocket door and a walk-in closet built by pirating one end of a large wraparound exterior porch, all to create more space in what would otherwise have been a small first f loor master bedroom. Although they were able to keep the beautiful hardwood floors in the formal dining room, the old f loor in the new master bedroom had sloped considerably over the years and needed to be raised to make it level.

The Holbrooks hired out the sheetrock installation. A local kitchen designer was enlisted to help with setting up the layout of the new kitchen, and Cindi picked out all of the paint, knobs, handles and window treatments. The room with walls that had once been

Taking advantage of the large ceiling beam, the entryway, now a part of the newly expanded kitchen, was given a sloped, tongue-and-groove pine ceiling, creating warmth and dividing the space between the kitchen and the entryway without the use of walls. While two

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Light

from page 3 bedrooms and bright white is good for general lighting, work areas, and office spaces,” said Dumais. “Natural light is a good reading light and good for displays as it shows colors accurately.” Dumais continues to be excited about the arrival of LEDs in the marketplace noting that product selection and benefits are putting these newcomers on a fast track to competing and eventually taking over t he CF L l ig ht i ng sou rce. Higher pricing is a current concern for some consumers, but it will eventually be more competitive wit h a higher payback on cost savings.

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new bedrooms and a modern bathroom were created in the reconst ructed second f loor, a few of the charming features characteristic of an older home were maintained including the hardwood banister and a built-in curio at the base of the stairs where Cindi displays china and other heirlooms. New exterior siding and roofing, which brought the mismatched rooflines into sync, as well as the completion of a 2-car garage, provided curb appeal to the newly renovated home. The only room in the home that has not been completely renovated is t he living room situated at the very front of the house. According to Cindi and Larry, the living room, Phase 1, is next on the “to do” list.

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“The benefits of LEDs are many. They reduce energ y up to 80 % whe n c omp a r e d t o s t a nd a r d incandescent, and last up to 50,000 hours or 30 times longer than the equivalent,” said Dumais. “Less he at is produc ed f rom L E Ds , reducing energy costs.” C F L s a r e most b ene f ic i a l i n high-use areas such as kitchens, bat h r ooms , lau nd r y r ooms , h a l l w a y s a n d e ve n o u t d o o r fixtures. Consider using them in hard to reach areas because their long-lasting life reduces the need to change the bulb often. Unfortunately, CFLs cannot be used on a dimmer switch. Similar to the CFLs’ locations, LEDs are a viable lamp source. Because of their low profile and cool burning, t hey shou ld be considered for under-cabinet lighting, in glass k it chen c abi net l ig ht i ng , a nd light ing t hat covers a specif ic, targeted area in the home. For more information on lighting, go to www.energystar.gov, www. light ingconcept s.com or w w w. gelighting.com

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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Furnish and decorate your home with antiques By Donna Rousseau Feature Writer / Photographer Over the past 22 years, Catherine Gregoire, of Lewiston, and her husband, Richard, have fashioned a photograph-worthy home from a mix of antique furniture and personal collections of antique glass, prints, and conversation pieces. “This is my heart,” said Catherine smiling. “We live what we have. It has taken years of searching, collecting, and layering.” With a professional background that includes retail management, Catherine admitted she doesn’t much care for “new.” “I try to bury it,” she laughed. Still, she can recall a time when Richard would stop at yard sales in search of treasure and she wouldn’t even get out of the car. “Then, one day we went to an auction in Gray. Everything was going for $5. Richard looked over at me and said, ‘Diversify!’” Since then, the two have shared a pastime of attending auctions, s c ou r i ng f le a m a r ke t s , a nd rummaging lawn sales in search of antique treasures for their home, camp, and Catherine’s re-sale antique booth at Lakeside Antiques in Winthrop. The bounty of their lifelong hunt is nestled throughout t he i r 19 5 4 “ r a nc helow.” A n authentic steamer trunk, with original interior, serves as a coffee

Antiques can be found in every room in the Gregoire house. table. A shoe salesman’s display trunk sits in the picture window, given new life as an occasional t able a nd c onversat ion piec e appointed with antique glass. T hei r d i n i ng room t able a nd chairs are more than 100 years old. Sha r i ng t he spac e is a n a nt iq ue g lass c abi net , a g i f t f r om C at her i ne ’s fat her a nd brought from a wealthy estate i n Con nect icut . I nside is her considerable collection of green Depression glass. Along another wall stands an antique oak buffet. And if there’s a drawer or some sort of receptacle, Catherine and

Richard have filled it with “cool stuff.” Despite what one may think, decorating with antiques can be very affordable. Catherine’s sun porch features a table she found in a van that she brought home and refinished. The two refurbished chairs, now coupled wit h t he t able, were fou nd a long side the road for five dollars a piece. Another roadside freebie is the baker’s display case that houses Catherine’s sea of green Jadite kitchenware and functions as extra counter space. Dan Poulin, owner of Or phan Annie’s in Auburn, conf irmed

that, given the recent economic climate, antiques have grown in appeal as has interest in vintage and “shabby chic.” Prices are down and today someone can furnish a home very economically with antique furniture. When asked how to choose antique furniture for the home, Poulin said it depends on the house and person. “ W hen fur nishing an old fa r m house, you wou ld n’t bring in brand new. You want the furnishings to look like they’ve been there for 100 years. Right now people are looking for furniture with old layers of paint, the more

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layers showing, the better. We even get a lot of Bates College students shopping for their dormitory rooms and apartments. They prefer real wood to cheap-looking laminated furnishings and t hey seem to understand the resale value.” The Gregoires and Poulin agree that when searching for antiques, whet her at auct ion, in a shop or in someone else’s yard sale, a little education can go a long way. Understand that “antique” means 100 years or older. Using the Internet, talking with shop keepers and collecting pictures all help in determining the look and period you like which can help in familiarizing yourself with price versus value. It is also helpful to know the defining characteristics of the period of the furniture you like. For instance, Victorian period f u r n it u r e g r ew i nc r e a si ng ly detailed and fancy, with turned legs and intricate carvings, as the years passed. Cathy Raynor, owner of Morin’s F ine F ur nit ure & Ref inishing in Lewiston, reminds would-be antique decorators to consider si ze and cond it ion of ant ique furnishing as well. “Much older f u r n i t u r e w a s de s i g ne d for smaller people. A man of 5’7” was considered tall back then. Today, someone over six feet tall may not be comfortable sitting in a chair designed for a smaller person.” She recalled one client who had a beautiful antique table she loved. “But she needed chairs because the ones that she had were too small for her tall son. So we found her some new chairs that were hand-planed and finished them to look like they were 100 years old. Old and new put together can be a perfect marriage. If you mix and match antiques with new pieces, you won’t be as limited as you might be if everything is antique.” L i s t e n i n g w i t h you r he a r t , however, is probably t he best tip for shopping and appointing you r home w it h a nt iques. “ I remember finding this lamp in Provincetown,” said Gregoire of the small, antique lamp adorning a bachelor’s chest that belonged to her mother. “I just loved it and now every time I look at it, I think of that vacation and all the things we did.” What better way to create a home, a haven for rest and peace, than to surround yourself with things that speak to you of comfort and those you love? An antique rocker can whisper generations of lullabies; an antique table echoes with voices of families who have gathered around it. For someone learning how to begin to create a home with antiques, know that treasures can be found wherever you are. Simply look and listen. The antiques will speak to you.

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

Jump start spring in your home By Deborah Conway Feature Writer / Photographer Ahhhh, springtime! It’s almost time to sweep the cobwebs from our corners, say “au revoir” to the long dark nights, toss open the windows and let the light and fresh air in. Winter in Maine isn’t easy on our souls or on our homes and after a long, hard winter our homes can look a litt le worse for wear and tear. With a little energy and thought, jumpstarting springtime in your home is easy to do, even before the snow is gone and the robins return. A g reat place to st ar t is w it h a new coat of paint . Michelle Barbay, at Sherwin-Williams on Lisbon Street in Lewiston, has her finger on the pulse of what is stylish this year and can help you choose colors that will freshen up your home. Barbay offers color choices from a range of pallets including “brights, pastels and subdued” shades. The current trend is to choose multiple colors from one of these pallets for use in a single room. Color charts that Barbay shared describe the bright g roupi ng as “expressive” a nd “high-energy,” and the pastel and subdued groupings as “fresh” and “airy,” “subtle” and “organic.” Somet i mes ou r c olor choic es b e g i n w i t h a ne w p ie c e o f f u r n it u r e . M ichael Bon ne au , at F.X. Marcot te in Lew iston, explained that casual furnishings are more popular this year than t r ad it iona l st yle s . Wit h new entert ainment technolog y, t he home has become the place to go for family fun and Bonneau sees a def i n it e t rend t owa rd f u nc t i on a l a nd c om fo r t a bl e home f u r n ish i ngs. At t ract ive a nd c om for t able home of f ic e furnishings and cozy hardwood dining sets for the game room are also in demand. Although leather is very popular, e spe cia l ly du r i ng t he c ooler mont h s , f u r n i sh i ng s c a n b e upholstered with fabrics of any color, texture and pattern to match your chosen pallet. From pastels to pinstripes, it’s easy to select a fabric that will add a bit of spring freshness to your living spaces. According to Bonneau, “Grays are the new neutral,” and a look at popular home decor websites such as crateandbarrel.com and potterybarn.com will inspire you with shades of gray that are indeed versatile and fun.

the seaside and bring that warm weat her feel i ng i ndoors. F.X. Marcotte carries a line of cottage furniture, made locally in Saco by Maine WoodWorks. L.L.Bean, in Freeport, also has a large selection of sturdy and attractive cottagestyle furnishings. Set a bookshelf or sofa table beneath a series of framed photog raphs of spring f lowers or watercolor paintings with nautical themes to create a room where family will want to linger with a good book and glass of iced tea. If the budget does not allow for new f ur nit ure, simply adding accent pieces such as new throw pillows in spring colors will do the trick. Coordinating these with window treatments, especially sheers that let light shine in, and area rugs that invite you to kick off your shoes, is an inexpensive way to add the freshness of springtime to the look of any room.

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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Homeow ners rely on t hei r furnace to provide a comfortable temperature inside t he home. Dur ing t he cold weat her, t he furnace might start to malfunction. Springtime is an ideal time of year to assess furnace troubles and make repairs because the warmer weather may not require constant furnace operation. Ma ny of t hese repa i rs a re easi ly t ack led by t he average homeowner.Sometimes furnace issues don’t require the services of a heating and cooling specialist.

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However, at any poi nt du r i ng repairs, i f a homeow ner feels u nsu re of h is or her work , a l ic en s e d , t r a i ne d i nd i v idu a l should be consulted. There are a few common furnace issues that homeowners often find easy to address without the need for professional help.

Frequent on and off A f u r nac e t hat is c onst a nt ly t u r n i ng on a nd of f c a n be a nu isa nc e a nd wast es energ y.

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A not her fac t or c ou ld be t he thermostat. A faulty thermostat that is not accurately reading the indoor temperature can trigger the furnace to turn on frequently. Replacing the thermostat with a new one might do the trick.

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Clogged furnace filters can also restrict proper airf low through the system and cause the unit to routinely turn on and off. Some units have a safety precaution where the furnace turns off if it is overheating or airflow is compromised. This could be the reason behind the improper functioning. Replacing air filters may fix the trouble. Blower motor ports need to be lubricated at all times as well. If they are dried out, it could cause the unit to turn on and off.

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There may be a few reasons for this problem. It could mean the home is just drafty and the unit cannot adequately keep it warm. Extra insulation and/or resealing around windows and doors may be able to alleviate this problem.

Blower constantly on An improper fan setting on the u n it may c ause t he blower to st ay on. If t he blower is set to “continuous,” it may need to be adjusted so that the fan turns on and off. Otherwise, the fan switch may be fau lt y a nd need to be replaced by a professional.

Funny noises Though complex problems are best left to the professionals, more standard furnace repairs can often be handled by homeowners.

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Furnaces all have their unique noises, but if something seems out of the ordinary, it could mean a malfunction. •A h ig h-pitched wh i ne cou ld indicate a failed belt or one that is worn out and requires replacement. •L oud rumbles may mean t he pilot light is not properly set or there is a dirty gas burner. Homeowners can try changing f ilters, adjust ing belt tension, replaci ng t her most at s a nd i mpr ov i ng t he i n su lat ion on t heir homes to alleviate many com mon f u r nace concer ns. I f these don’t remedy the problem, it’s best to consult with a qualified HVAC technician or the local gas company for further advice.

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, February 25, 2011

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