At Home Living 010618

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

remodeling project

A sunny addition Solarium: A room with a view page 6 n Right plant in the right place, page 2 n Adding affordable housing, page 3 n Pantone’s color of the year, page 5

keith horinek/the capital-Journal

2 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

2018 goal: Right plant in the right place Most resolutions fail, even with the best intentions. With that in mind, is there any reason to bother? Although resolutions tend to fail, there’s nothing wrong with setting goals, and maybe some will even come to fruition.

If you only have one gardening goal for the entire year, let it be to plant the right plant in the right place.

This has two meanings when you’re looking at adding to your garden. First, it means selecting a plant suitable for the climate you’re in. An easy way to find appropriate plants for our area is to utilize Kansas State University’s plant lists or the Kansas Forest Service’s regional list for trees or to consult with local nurseries and greenhouses.

The second meaning of “right plant, right place” is to place the plant in the proper area within your yard. This is the time to read the plant tag. Height and width and making sure shrubs aren’t too close to the house and trees can grow their full height without obstruction are key.

Many maintenance issues can be prevented by giving plants the space they need to grow. I can’t say that I haven’t bought a plant on sale and put it in a tight spot, knowing it would outgrow the space. But I do so with the realization that the plant will need to be trimmed or removed after a couple seasons.

Also pay attention to the sunlight and water needs listed on

Ariel Whitely-NOLL

arielw@ksu.edu

the tag. Hostas are planted under trees for a reason. Unless you like crispy brown leaves, put them in the shade.

You may want to plant according to water needs. Planting low-water-use plants together, in the farthest part of your garden, will reduce their likelihood of drowning. In the same token, put the needy plants close to your water spout to avoid the daily lugging of the garden hose.

Along the same vein of plant selection, make sure to look for plants with pest and disease resistance when possible. This is especially important if you’ve had disease or pest issues in the past.

Some trees and perennials have superior varieties, but more often annuals, especially vegetables, have been bred for resistance. For example, Jet Star, Big Beef and Florida tomatoes have some resistance to fusarium and verticillium wilt.

Verticillium significantly reduces fruit production, while fusarium kills the entire plant.

Both are worth preventing with

SELECTING PLANTS, TREES

Information about the appropriate plants and trees to plant in your garden or backyard can be found at these websites: — Kansas State University: hnr.kstate.edu/extension/info-center/ recommended-plants/ — Kansas Forest Service: kansasforests.org/community_forestry/ community_docs/Pref%20Trees%20 NE.pdf variety selection.

While we’re on the topic of pests and diseases, make sure you know what you’re dealing with before you begin treatment.

All gardeners hate to see their plants struggle with problems, but treating for the wrong problem doesn’t help.

Spraying a fungicide won’t get rid of spider mites, and jets of water on your roses will make powdery mildew worse. Even if you know what you’re dealing with, bagworms for example, timing the spray to when they’re vulnerable is key to control.

Although the job of identifying these things may seem daunting, it’s just what Shawnee County Research and Extension aims to alleviate. Our Extension Master Gardener Response Line is open April through September, but we take calls throughout the year. Identifying these issues is key to not only helping your plants, but also avoiding overuse

Submitted

A Chinese fringe tree is a drought-resistant tree suitable for the climate of northeast Kansas. of chemicals and the waste of precious gardening time.

These gardening goals just scratch the surface of what home gardeners can do to have a happy, healthy yard and garden.

Although some points may seem obvious, these are common mistakes that end up costing homeowners money, time and

labor.

You may not achieve all of these goals this year, but striving toward them will improve your garden’s beauty and health while enhancing the enjoyment you get from it.

Ariel Whitely-Noll is the horticulture agent for Shawnee County Research and Extension.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | 3

Association CEO targets affordable housing

By Liz Montano

Special to The Capital-Journal

There is a lack of safe, affordable housing options in the capital city, according to Ivan Weichert, CEO of the Topeka Area Building Association.

Weicher t hopes his recent appointments by Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast to the Affordable Housing Task Force and the Weichert City Advisory Council will be instrumental in creating more such housing.

Weichert recently discussed the appointments and how they could aid his goal of helping more financially disadvantaged Topeka residents live in safe housing and within their budgets, while eventually achieving the dream of home ownership.

TOPEKA AREA building ASSOCIATION Address: 1505 S.W. Fairlawn Road Information: Visit thba.com; email thba@thba.com; or call (785) 273-1260.

TOPEKA RESCUE MISSION Address: 600 N. Kansas Ave. Information: (785) 354-1744 HOUSING & CREDIT COUNSELING INC. Address: 1195 S.W. Buchanan, Suite 101 Information: (800) 383-0217 TOPEKA HOUSING AUTHORITY Address: 2010 S.E. California Ave. Information: (785) 357-8842 CORNERSTONE OF TOPEKA INC. Address: 1195 S.W. Buchanan, Suite 103 Information: (785) 232-1650 Q: How do you see being on the Affordable Housing Task Force and the City Advisory Council helping achieve that end?

Weichert: People with

backgrounds in construction and individuals from neighborhood improvement associations are invited to join these committees. I believe my many years in the local

construction industry will allow me to help guide the city where to most effectively spend housing and improvement monies, much of which is generated through federal grants.

I can offer help in construction methods and again where and how to use taxpayer dollars most wisely through consistencies and looking for wastes that can be better put to use.

Part of my effort will include involving local builders and subcontractors at reduced costs.

Q: You’ve indicated one desire through these appointments would be to help make it possible for disadvantaged Topekans to eventually achieve home ownership. How do you meld what you can WEICHERT continues on 4

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Weichert: Area agencies aid those with housing needs Continued from 3

bring to the table in these committees with your desire to make that happen?

Weichert: Through education — letting people know there is a multi-tier process to help someone who is homeless or living in substandard conditions.

That first step for a person who doesn’t have any kind of home may be to receive help from the Topeka Rescue Mission.

From there, getting into transitional housing, for example, through the Topeka Housing Authority. The THA subsidizes rent payments for people

‘‘

Topeka is a community that cares, and the city, along with these different agencies working together, will accomplish the end goal.”

Ivan Weichert

CEO of the Topeka Area Building Association

with less than perfect credit who meet income guidelines.

Cornerstone (of Topeka Inc.) is another excellent transitional housing option for someone who needs an affordable rental living arrangement.

The organization has 22 housing units dedicated to providing housing for the homeless, and they

have long-term rentals for needy individuals. Cornerstone does require a credit check and deposit.

I highly recommend that individuals who want to improve their housing situation, go through HCCI (Housing and Credit Counseling Inc.) classes to learn how they can eventually position themselves for better housing

opportunities, including home ownership. They help show you how to have a better housing arrangement with the money you have available to you.

TOTO, Topeka Opportunity to Own, in partnership with HCCI, would be a tier-two step to help an individual go from a renting situation to owning a home. TOTO provides education, financing and home rehabilitation to make home ownership possible.

Q: Are there additional steps you would recommend for someone seeking home ownership?

Weichert: A tier-three step would be to reach out to Habitat for Humanity, which is designed specifically to provide safe, decent, affordable housing.

Habitat doesn’t give houses away; you have to work for a home through sweat equity and then pay a mortgage.

The nonprofit does, though, offer a program with zero-interest mortgages.

Q: So this is definitely an ongoing process.

Weichert: It is a process which takes time but one which is effective. The need is that of sufficient

housing for the individuals going through this process.

That said, while the city may currently lack in the quantity of safe, affordable housing options, there is a good desire in the capital city of Kansas to see the situation improved and the need met.

Topeka is a community that cares, and the city, along with these different agencies working together, will accomplish the end goal.

Liz Montano is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at (785) 230-3907 or newsbizliz@ gmail.com.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | 5

Pantone picks its color of the year

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press

What we had in 2017 was a heap of chaos and disruption. What we need in 2018? The Pantone Color Institute thinks whatever that might be will come in the deep purple hue of “Ultra Violet,” its color of the year.

The color wasn’t chosen because it’s regal, though it resembles a majestic shade. It was chosen to evoke a counterculture flair, a grab for originality, inge-

nuity and visionary thinking, said Laurie Pressman, Pantone vice president.

The color, she said, playing out in home design, industrial spaces and products, fashion, art and food reflects the idea of living not inside the box or outside the box but with no box at all.

Ultra Violet leans more to blue than red and that, Pressman said, “speaks to thoughtfulness, a mystical quality, a spiritual quality.” There’s still a passionate heat from enough red under-

tones, and a touch of periwinkle, but “it’s really the cool that prevails.”

The purple choice, a la Prince and the glam rock of David Bowie — both of whom died in 2016 — speaks to rebellion, finding new ways to interpret our lives and surroundings, Pressman said. It also speaks to the pleasing calm of Provence, France, and its purple flower fields.

“I see this as very much an optimistic color, an empowering color,” she said.

The Pantone Color of the Year for 2018 is “Ultra Violet,” a deep purple shade chosen to evoke a counterculture flair, a grab for originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking.

Ultra Violet follows Pantone’s 2017 Color of the Year, “Greenery.”

Pantone Color Institute/Associated Press

6 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Sunny solarium looks over wooded area Topeka couple has long-term remodeling relationship with PDQ

By Linda Ditch

Special to The Capital-Journal

The journey for Sara Tucker and Ron Evans into remodeling with PDQ Construction started years ago with a door. A Honduran hardwood front door, to be exact.

The door was ordered, shipped and delivered, but it didn’t fit into the existing opening in their home.

The couple turned to PDQ , which led to more and more projects — the latest of which is a beautiful sunroom. After the front door, then the baseboards in the adjoining rooms didn’t match well and needed to be changed. Then, the couple wanted to change the builder-grade interior hollow-core doors to solid ones like the front door.

That led to installing wood floors, and on and on.

Recently, Tucker and Evans had the builder add a solarium to an alreadyexisting exercise room.

“Originally, we had an exercise room added to the house with a counter-current pool set half-way into the floor,” Tucker said. “We used it originally a lot, and then gradually less. When it came time to buy a whole new motor for the pool, we decided to bag it and have PDQ floor and tile over the hole.

“Then Ron started gardening more and more intensively, and I lusted after tropical-type plants that would need a sunnier spot to over-winter. So, we designed and added the many-windowed new solarium.”

The room, just off their master bathroom, features remodeling continues on 7

photographs by Keith Horinek/The Capital-Journal

The solarium that was added onto the home of Sara Tucker and Ron Evans features multiple windows, which provide ample light for their plants.

Homeowners Sara Tucker and Ron Evans added a solarium to their home so they would have a place to over-winter their tropical plants.

Sara Tucker and Ron Evans, retired Washburn University professors, have relied on PDQ Construction for several remodeling projects.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | 7

Materials for kitchen countertops vary

By Megan Alderton Angie’s List

If you’ve thought about remodeling your kitchen, you’ve probably given some consideration to countertops. After all, countertops aren’t just an important functional feature. They’re also a primary design element. And the many options available can make the choice seem overwhelming.

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of five popular materials to help you choose the best countertops for your kitchen.

— Granite.

Granite has long been a top countertop material, and for good reason: It’s durable, heat-resistant, attractive and easy to clean.

What’s more, granite is cut from veins of naturally occurring stone, which makes each slab entirely unique.

Typically, a granite countertop slab will run

Dreamstime

The right countertop will lend both functionality and style to your kitchen. The materials most popular for countertops are granite and engineered quartz. anywhere from $50 to $150 per square foot, though granite tiles will yield a similar result for less.

A downside to granite is it’s porous, so it must be sealed once a year to maintain its appearance and durability.

— Engineered quartz.

Engineered quartz is another popular counter-

top material. In fact, many designers argue that it’s taken granite’s place at the top. That’s largely because it’s tougher than granite.

It’s nonporous, so it’s resistant to cracking, scratching and staining.

And it doesn’t require the maintenance and sealing that come with natural stone.

Because the material is engineered, it comes in uniform slabs. But there are a number of attractive colors and design options available — ranging from sleek, modern monotones to traditional marble lookalikes.

Engineered quartz is one of the more expensive countertop options. Typically, you’ll spend as much or more for engineered quartz countertops as you will for granite.

— Butcher block.

Wooden butcher block countertops aren’t only functional and durable, but they also can add warmth and beauty to any home.

The downside to wooden butcher block countertops is they require frequent maintenance. Wood has to be sealed about once a month to prevent damage from heat and moisture, and regular wax and oil treatments will keep it looking its best.

The good news is minor

damages such as scratches and small burns can typically be sanded out.

Wooden butcher block countertops typically fall about mid-range in terms of pricing.

— Concrete.

Concrete countertops offer natural strength and heat resistance, as well as the opportunity for full customization. Not only can homeowners choose from an array of precast colors and designs, but they also may opt to include additives such as rocks, shells and colored glass to add texture or create a look all their own.

Concrete countertops used to crack and chip easily, but material innovations have addressed these issues. Concrete is a good option for both modern and traditional interiors.

And, like butcher block, it typically falls about midrange in terms of pricing.

— Laminate.

Laminate (commonly

referred to by brand name Formica) is one of the most affordable countertop materials. Generally made with paper pressed between plastic resins and bonded to particle board or plywood, laminate is durable but easily damaged.

The downside to laminate is it’s not heat- or scratch-resistant. The upside is it comes in a wide range of colors and textures that mimic higherend materials at a much lower cost. And, its price point makes it more easily replaceable than other countertop materials.

Of course, these are only a few of the countertop materials available. You also may consider options like soapstone, tile and stainless steel, for example, which all come with their own pros and cons.

Ultimately, the best material for your kitchen countertop will depend on your budget, use and design preferences.

Remodeling: Couple chose area for solitude Continued from 6

massive windows looking out over their front yard and the wooded areas around the house. Divided floor-to-ceiling windows fill the 11-foot-high walls, letting in plenty of light for the numerous plants growing in pots throughout the space.

Tucker and Evans enjoy their morning coffee and tea seated in comfortable wicker chairs while watching turkeys and other birds visit the two outside feeders.

So that garden-buff Evans could easily move the large potted plants in and out of the sunny space, PDQ built a concrete ramp and stairs outside the side door. Now, all he has

to do is strap the huge pots to a dolly and roll them to or from the back patio.

The couple had their home built in 1993 on 35 wooded acres just east of Auburn Road.

They chose this area not only for the solitude, but also to enjoy observing the local wildlife. It’s common for the couple to see deer, coyotes, opossums and turkeys.

“We think we’ve had generation after generation of wildlife living here,” Tucker said.

The space is perfect for two people who describe themselves as homebodies.

“I’m what psychologists say is an introvert. I like quiet and peacefulness,” Evans said.

Remodeling the house is “our creative thing we do to-

gether,” Tucker said.

Evans and Tucker are retired Washburn University professors — Evans in psychology, Tucker in history. They still teach online courses for Washburn and Fort Hays State University. Thinking farther into the future, they signed up with Brewster at Home, a program though Brewster Place that allows them to participate in classes and programs and have access to health services while still living in the home they love.

Why do they keep going with PDQ Construction time after time?

“They are highly competent. For this project, they had to deal with the roof line so the new space would blend in

with the existing structure,” Evans said. “They’ll also do extra stuff — handyman stuff.

When they come out to work, you can ask them to help fix something else. They’re real nice fellas. They explain what they’re doing, and they come when they say they’ll come.”

Tucker added, “They do the little tweaks that make the project better than you thought you were going to get, and you thought it was going to be pretty good already.”

So, what’s next?

“I can’t think of another project,” Tucker said with a grin, “but I’ve said that before.”

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at lindaaditch@gmail.com.

Submitted

PDQ Construction employees work on the solarium being added to the home of Sara Tucker and Ron Evans, who are retired Washburn University professors.

8 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Candelabra cactus is a simple plant to grow

By Lee Reich

The Associated Press

On my living room floor once sat a clerodendron plant, a gift that became an indoor oasis of lush greenery and clusters of red-tipped white flowers. Problem was, I had to tiptoe among its sprawling stems every time I wanted to approach the window.

What’s sometimes needed in a houseplant is a bold plant, but with a small footprint.

Such a plant has replaced my clerodendron. It’s variously called candelabra cactus, hatrack cactus or dragon bones, all of which describe it adequately.

Not a cactus

The plant is not a cactus but a euphorbia, evidenced by the milky sap that oozes out of cut stems. It does look like a cactus, a saguaro cactus, not prickly but with similarly thick, upright stems that branch to make arms.

The stems look like what dragon bones might look like: thick, three-sided, with paired spines running down the ridges and a milky green line dripping down each of the three flat faces. A few small, spoon-shaped leaves now cap the ends of some branches.

Flowers? No, dragon-bones has

never been known to flower. Too bad, because its flowers might be spectacular if they were anything like those of its cousins, poinsettia and crown-of-thorns.

Hard to find

For some reason, you don’t often see candelabra cactus for sale, or even mentioned in gardening books. The plant is easy enough to propagate, though.

My first plant started out as an impenetrable hedge that I happened upon during a visit to St. Croix. As soon as I saw this hedge, I borrowed a knife and took cuttings: two pieces of stem, each a half-foot or so in length.

Like those of other succulents, candelabra cactus cuttings root best if initially allowed to dry out and callus over.

Letting them sit out on a tabletop was the best I could do for them anyway for the few days until I returned home.

Once home, I stuck the base of each of the stems into a mix of peat moss and perlite, watered them, and then watered again only when the mix was bone dry.

Rooting and growth soon followed.

Easy to grow Candelabra

cactus

can

be

pruned at any time, which is how I keep my plant at 2 or 3 feet high, rather than letting it become the 15-foot wall of greenery that it was in St. Croix.

My plant summers in dappled shade on the deck, drinking mostly natural rainfall, although I give it occasional water and fertilizer when I think of it. As with other succulents, too much water is more harmful than too little.

To lessen the chance of drowning the plant, grow it in an unglazed clay pot and add extra sand to the potting mix for drainage. A tall, fleshy plant growing in often dry soil is apt to tip over, so the sand also adds needed weight.

With water and occasional fertilizer, dragon bones grows fairly fast in summer, in addition to sporting a lush head of spoonsize leaves near the top of each stem.

Come fall, candelabra cactus gets more brutal treatment, but never balks beyond dropping a few leaves.

I move the plant to a welllit spot in the living room and then totally neglect it, watering it maybe once a month, maybe less.

Well, not total neglect, because I do admire its svelte greenness each time I walk by.

Lee Reich via AP

Although not a true cactus, the so-called candelabra cactus is easy to grow and tend. The plant can be pruned at any time and requires occasional watering.

Home cleaning routines provide seasonal allergy relief Brandpoint Many people turn to nasal sprays and antihistamines to combat seasonal nasal allergies or hay fever, but keeping the home clean to combat allergens, pollen and dust mite debris is just as important in the fight against allergies.

Here are some tips that might help: • Vacuum often, and with the right filters and bags.

A key to minimizing allergens at home is to vacuum at least twice per week. Start by using attachments to clean surfaces up high, working down to the floor.

Make sure to vacuum curtains

and upholstery as well as hard surfaces, and pay extra attention to entryways and areas around windows.

It’s also important to select vacuum accessories that have been designed specifically to capture allergens. Arm & Hammer Premium Allergen vacuum bags are specially designed of synthetic material to capture even more allergens, dust and pet hair from the home’s surfaces.

In addition, the brand’s HEPA filters trap particles 75 times smaller than a human hair, including 99.97 percent of dust mite debris, animal dander, molds and pollen.

Frequently replacing vacuum bags and filters will keep vacuums running smoothly to keep a clean home happening. New bags are needed every one to two months, and filters should be replaced every three to six months.

Don’t be fooled by washable filters as they too should be replaced — after one or two washes they may become less effective at capturing dust and allergens.

• Wash bedding with hot water.

Vacuuming high and low can help with surfaces, but bedding also should be a focus when attempting to allergen-proof the home. Sheets, blankets and comforters all attract dust mites in

even the cleanest environments.

Wash bedding once a week in hot water to keep allergens at bay. It’s also smart to consider protective covers for mattresses and pillows to stop dust mites from getting in too deep.

• Keep air dry.

Too much moisture in the air can help dust mites thrive, and may also lead to mold. Using a dehumidifier, especially in humid climates or summer months, can help control the spread of mold and dust mites.

• Minimize indoor plants.

While plants can be a great way to build ambiance in the home, some indoor plants can

amplify allergy symptoms by releasing spores and other allergens into the air.

For those with a green thumb who can’t live without plants at home, make sure to research the plants that are least likely to increase pollen or mold exposure indoors.

• Keep the outdoors out.

While it’s hard to control exposure to pollen and other triggers when outside, those with allergies can avoid bringing pollen into the house with them.

Keep shoes and jackets limited to the entryway or mudroom, and shower and wash hair before bedtime to stop the spread of pollen.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | 9

4 redesign tips with kids’ safety in mind Brandpoint Smart homeowners who are concerned with kids’ safety take a strategic approach when redoing a playroom, living room or bedroom.

By being proactive in their redesign, they can ensure their entire family can safely enjoy the results of their home improvement project.

Here are some things to keep in mind to create a stunning yet safe space for your family: — Window coverings.

Dangling or accessible cords on window coverings can pose an accidental strangulation hazard to infants and young children. The Window Covering Safety Council recommends only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords be used in homes with small kids.

Consumers can easily identify products best suited for homes with young children by looking for the “Best for Kids” certification label on the packaging of a large variety of products. Window covering products that qualify for “Best for Kids” have no cords or inaccessible cords.

— Electrical.

Electrical updates should always be made with curious kids in mind. It’s easy to update outlet covers to sliding plug options.

With these you never have to worry about replacing the outlet plug again, because it closes automatically when not in use.

Streamline the aesthetic of your space while eliminating cords by updating wall lighting. For example, a few sconces might replace reading lights, plus they’re high enough to keep out of reach of young kids.

Another example: A dimmable ceiling fan provides safe air circulation with customizable light output.

— Smart home upgrades.

Smart window and door locks can be in-

Brandpoint

Parents would be wise to keep the safety of their children in mind when considering the redesigns to their home. stalled throughout the home. Kids now can enter securely without a key, and parents are

sent an alert at that time. You also can set alerts for windows left open so you know to close them to reduce fall risks.

Another smart home improvement to consider: motion-activated sensors. These sensors can be placed anywhere you don’t want children to be.

For example, when your child opens the front door before you wake or he tries to get into the medicine cabinet, you’re sent an alert to your phone that makes you immediately aware of the activity.

— Furniture and decor.

That vintage armoire will look perfect in your just-redone space — until your kids start to pull out the drawers and roughhouse around it. Tip-overs are another top hidden hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which notes in the United States a child is sent to the emergency room every 30 minutes as a result of falling furniture.

Always stabilize furniture, decor and any other items that could fall over. Safety anchors and brackets are widely available online and at retail home improvement stores.

They are quick and easy to install and may save a life.

Tip of the week: Safety checks

Metro Creative Connection

If you’re waiting for the smoke/carbon monoxide detector to beep before you change the batteries, you may be putting yourself and your family at risk, according to HDTV. Set an alarm on your phone, put it on the family calendar, or pick a holiday as the yearly reminder to change those critically important batteries.

Source: hdtv.com

10 | Saturday, January 6, 2018 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Ins and outs of toilet shopping

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: My wife and I have been toilet shopping for our master bathroom, and we’ve noticed that some toilets have smooth sides and some toilets have wavy sides with curves. What’s the difference, and why would you choose one style toilet over the other?

— Jerry and Gail, Massachusetts A: When you talk smooth-sided toilet bowls, it usually refers to whether or not the toilet bowl is “skirted,” or

exposed.

Standard toilets have what is called an exposed trapway, and that basically means you can see the outline of the toilet trap on both sides of the toilet bowl.

Some homeowners may find the exposed trap curves on a standard toilet a little less attractive and a little more timeconsuming to clean.

If that’s the case, many toilet companies do offer concealed or skirted toilet bowls.

A skirted toilet is, for the most part, a cosmetic upgrade that conceals the trapway of the toilet.

These toilet bowls have smooth sides and can be easily wiped down, because there are no nooks or crannies to worry about.

Bottom line: If you want an easy-to-clean fancy toilet, a skirted one can really help you dress up your bathroom.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande. com or write eadelg@cs.com.

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