At Home Living 021718

ATHOME

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REMODELING

Fixer-upper to modern-farmhouse Couple gives 1996 home a fresh look | Page 6 [LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

A PLANT ANYONE CAN GROW, PAGE 2

BUILDERS GROUP CHANGES NAME, PAGE 4

REVAMPING TEEN’S BEDROOM, PAGE 8

2 Saturday, February 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Snake plant doesn’t require green thumb Even novices can grow this popular succulent

By Maureen Gilmer Tribune News Service

Are you a houseplant killer? Do yours either turn brown and crispy or black and soggy? If so, consider growing the never-die house plant that has graced American homes since the 1800s.

Sansevieria, known as snake plant or mother-inlaw’s tongue, began as a problem-solver for natureloving Victorians. They lived in dark houses with voluminous drapes on the windows, so they couldn’t get house plants to survive. With so little natural light, they needed a plant that could live under such conditions and still look good every day.

Sansevieria grows a lot like marginal plants that can tolerate an inundation of water as well as very dry conditions.

That explains why you can overwater and underwater these plants and they’re still happy. Each plant develops thick traveling rhizomes, much like cattails, that spread underground, sending up new sprouts around the mother.

Eventually, whole colonies may result, because very few forms of wildlife will eat Sansevieria, even in drought.

Their tissues contain unpalatable toxins to protect from big-game browsers.

Now that you know how little light and water these plants demand, you can feel good about using them to accent your home this year.

Since the 1950s, breeders of Sansevieria have developed a huge range of unique hybrids that offer new colors — such as silvery blue, a very popular choice for highbrow modern rooms.

Most hybrids fall into one of two groups: upright forms or “bird’s nest” dwarfs that are very short and fill a wide pot or bowl nicely. Highcontrast variegations give the plants more presence in shaded locations, where cream or yellow edges and stripes stand out in gloom.

Sansevieria, like so many other succulents, is eager to reproduce asexually, because dry climates limit seed germination. The original plant sends out thick roots the diameter of your thumb that travel outward to sprout leaves at intervals. These are

all clones of the mother that may be severed and easily transplanted elsewhere.

Dividing the rhizomes is essential to repotting rootbound plants. The rhizomes are so strong they can literally crack a terra cotta pot or tear a plastic nursery pot.

They also send out roots from drain holes when fully potbound to continually search for more earth and water.

When the popularity of a plant ebbs and flows over centuries, we know it’s hard to kill and here to stay. When breeders change them for the better, we learn to grow one plant with many different versions. There is no better choice for the blackthumb gardener, a first-time house plant grower or office manager to instantly green up a room. We all want living plants in the house, but for the millions of novices out there — no other choice is so hassle-free.

Maureen Gilmer is an author, horticulturist and landscape designer. Learn more at MoPlants.com. Contact her at mogilmer@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 891, Morongo Valley, Calif. 92256.

The roots of a very large Sansevieria have cracked its pot and climbed over the edge in search of fresh ground to colonize. The pot was repaired with wire wrap. [MAUREEN GILMER/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]

Plants thrive with little care in Wardian Adding right amount of water is crucial

By Lee Reich The Associated Press

In 1827, a London physician with an interest in caterpillar metamorphosis built small glass boxes to contain the cocoons and emerging butterflies.

Peering into the “dirt” in one of the boxes one day, the physician, Nathanial

Ward, noticed that a fern spore had germinated.

Ward became so enthralled with the way the developing plant was able to flourish without care in the box that he changed his course of study. In 1836, he published a book titled “On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases.”

Wardian cases, as the glass boxes came to be called, became all the rage in Victorian England.

Plants were protected in the cases from the chilling drafts, dry air and gas fumes of Victorian homes.

Plant explorers also found a use for Wardian cases. Live plants from exotic lands could be transported by ship to England, protected in the cases from salt air and changing climatic conditions.

Today, we usually call such plant cases “terrariums.”

Care-free gardening

Whether in the home or on a ship, plants in Wardian cases need little care. The small amount of water that the leaves give off in their humid environment condenses on the glass and dribbles back to the roots.

Oxygen released each day from photosynthesis is used each night in respiration.

Ward reputedly grew ferns in one of his cases for 15

years without any care at all.

A Wardian case full of lush green plants is a yearround oasis, even if today’s homes are less drafty and the air is cleaner than in the homes of Victorian England.

Aside from decorative value and ease of care, a terrarium provides the humid, boggy environment essential to the cultivation of certain plants.

See CASES, 3

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, February 17, 2018 3

TIP OF THE WEEK

CASES

Makeup matters

From Page 2

Options abound Many kinds of containers can serve as Wardian cases. I have made my own, using glass and silicone glue. Other possibilities include 5-gallon water jars, 1-gallon canning jars, aquariums and oversized brandy snifters.

Large plastic soda bottles easily are converted into small terrariums. Some bottles have a dark plastic piece that covers the domed bottom. Pry that plastic piece off the bottom and then cut the bottle in half crosswise. Invert the dome over the base you initially pried off, and you’re almost ready to plant.

Once you’ve settled on a container, wash it thoroughly. You won’t get another chance once it’s planted.

Soil, plants, water To plant, start with a layer of charcoal, which will keep the soil “sweet.”

Next, add potting soil, the amount depending on the container, the plants and the type of “landscaping” you want. Perhaps, depending on your “landscape,” one or more rocks also. Finally, the plants. Dexterity with chopsticks helps in planting.

Choose plants that thrive in high humidity and won’t grow too fast. A spider plant in a terrarium I made for my brother a few years ago has pushed off the wooden lid and now is climbing out the top. Good plant choices for larger terrariums are dracenas, diffenbachias and palms. Low-growing plants include small-leaved cultivar English ivy, prayer plants, ferns, baby’s tears and mosses.

Plants in a Wardian case, now usually called a terrarium, can live for months and even years with little or no watering or other care. [LEE REICH VIA AP]

The climate within a closed container allows cultivation of insectivorous plants like the Venus fly trap, pitcher plant and sundew, all of which need moist, boggy soils and very humid air — and perhaps a fly every now and then.

The final step, watering, is the most critical. Add water gradually so as not to form puddles in the soil.

Add enough water to moisten the soil without making it sodden. Then set the terrarium in its permanent location, in bright light but out of direct sun, and watch for condensation.

If the right amount of water has been added, there should be slight condensation on the glass each morning. If you have overwatered, let the case dry out for a few days with the lid off.

Note the succession of plants and perhaps other organisms that thrive in the unique ecosystem created within each terrarium. Something always thrives. My first terrarium was far too sodden, but it grew an attractive and interesting crop of mushrooms, in addition to the plants that survived.

Who knew your favorite mascara had such a short shelf life? Only three months. The same goes for liquid or gel eyeliners, too.

As for the life span of other cosmetics, you’ll get a year out of lipsticks, lip liners, concealers, oil-free foundations, cream shadows and cream blushes.

Sturdier makeup like pencil eyeliner, lip gloss and powders (blushes, bronzers and shadows) will last two years.

Once an item has hit its lifetime max, ditch them so you don’t end up with icky — and infection-causing — germs on your face.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com CORRECTION The Andy Anderson Silver Award, presented at the 2018 Great Escape and Installation Banquet, went to Cathy Lutz, who is with RE/MAX Associates of Topeka. The real estate company with which Lutz is associated was listed incorrectly in last week’s At Home.

4 Saturday, February 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Association advocates for builders, homeowners Name change reflects group’s membership

By Liz Montano Special to The Capital-Journal

The Topeka Area Building Association is a trade association consisting of builders, remodelers and associate members. CEO Ivan Weichert recently discussed the difference the association makes in the Topeka community.

Q: We’ve covered many topics related to the building industry, but we really haven’t explained the function of the Topeka Area Building Association. Will you talk about its purpose?

Weichert: Our mission

statement says it best. Our purpose is to represent, promote, serve and support our members through

continuing education, services and programs, which will benefit the Weichert members of the association and their businesses.

We promote professionalism in the building industry and strive to enhance sound economic growth of our industry and the communities we serve.

We advocate at the state and national level for the benefit of homeowners and the building industry.

For example, right now we’re arguing against a bill before Kansas lawmakers which would prohibitively increase building costs by requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in all new residential construction.

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

Q: How did the association begin?

Weichert: In 1953, a group

of builders and businessmen got together and established the local chapter of the National Home Builders Association as the Topeka Home Builders Association.

It’s been in continuous operation since, attracting professionals in building trades, real estate development and associated businesses.

We began meeting in

various locations, without having a building or permanent offices. Eventually, the association did acquire office space, upgrading to better office space every three or four years.

In the mid-1970s, we decided to build a house made with contributions from participating companies, with the purpose of eventually selling it and providing funds to start construction on a new office building. That is where we sit now at 1505 S.W. Fairlawn (Road).

The project raised considerable funds to construct and sell the house, providing the startup cost for the new office building. We made it large enough to suit our need, as well as having space to lease for funds to sustain us through the years.

Q: How many members does the association have?

Weichert: We’ve had as

many as 400 members, including people from surrounding counties. In 200708, we lost many members due to the economic downfall. But the association hung in there and withstood those storms, returning to a present strength of about 200 members.

Q: What brought on a recent decision to alter the association’s name?

Weichert: It was first

established as the Home Builders Association, but as we grew and changed over the years, we realized it took many people and companies — from not only Topeka but also surrounding communities — to support

See ASSOCIATION, 10

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, February 17, 2018 5

6 Saturday, February 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Fixer-upper to modern-farmhouse showcase Six-week project gives fresh look to 1996 home

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

When Clayton and Jessica Mai bought their house last spring, they knew it would need to be changed. The 1996 home had many features they were looking for, but the style didn’t fit. The kitchen, living room, dining room and entryway all needed updating.

“We knew when we bought the house we would do a major renovation, but we liked the layout of the house, the neighborhood and the outdoor space,” Jessica said.

The Mais turned to Golden Rule Remodeling to make it happen. Owner Matt Vincent and designer Tammy Thiessen helped make the modernfarmhouse style Jessica wanted a reality, with the addition of black elements for a bit of sophistication.

The project only took six weeks, and Jessica said she was impressed with how Vincent coordinated the subcontractors to make the process go smoothly. She also was grateful for Thiessen’s help.

“I envisioned the design I wanted, but having Tammy’s help gave me confidence that what I was thinking was on the right track,” Jessica said. “She took a lot of the stress off of me.”

Hardwood floors were placed throughout the first floor. New woodwork and wainscoting also were put into place, and the staircase in the entryway was updated with black railings.

The newly designed kitchen features a huge center island that seats eight. The far end has legs to mimic a dining room table. Clayton is the cook in the family, but Jessica likes how her two boys, Kyler and Caden, can sit at the island to do their homework while

Clayton and Jessica Mai’s newly designed kitchen features a center island that seats eight, white kitchen cabinets, a marble backsplash in a herringbone pattern, dark-wood open shelving and lantern-style light fixtures. [PHOTOS BY LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

Hardwood floors were placed throughout the first floor of Clayton and Jessica Mai’s home. New woodwork and wainscoting were installed, and the staircase in the entryway was updated with black railings.

Two electric fireplaces are set into a wall between the living room and the kitchen to create the look of a double-sided fireplace. Another update to the room was replacing an old, built-in cabinet with new open shelving suspended from the ceiling.

dinner is being prepared.

off-set the beautiful marble

The living room showcases a large armoire, huge windows overlooking the backyard pool and a neutral color palette of tan, white and gray that is balanced with pops of color in accessories.

Plus, she’s looking forward to summer, when guests can flow from the backyard to the kitchen, where the island can hold a number of tasty dishes to enjoy.

The white kitchen cabinets

backsplash done in a herringbone pattern. Dark-wood open shelving was placed in the corner of the upper cabinets to break the sea of white.

Old-school, lantern-style light fixtures hang over the island.

See SHOWCASE, 7

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Take steps to remove stress on moving day Get at least three quotes from movers

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Moving is typically one of the most stressful times in a person's life. But it doesn't have to be. From choosing the right mover to DIY tips, here are some things to do or avoid to help ensure your next move runs as smoothly as possible.

Things to do • Check references. Quality movers won’t have issues.

• Ask for proof of insurance. In the case of condominium buildings especially, a mover won’t be able to enter a building without proof of the proper insurance.

• Ask for a firm and binding quote.

• Be honest. Nearly all movers base their quotes on labor and materials. It is in your best interest for a mover to have an accurate picture of the scope of work involved in your move.

• Request your more fragile items are wrapped in a careful manner.

SHOWCASE From Page 6

A wall was removed to open up the kitchen to the living area. The room would make “Fixer Upper” star Joanna Gaines very happy with its neutral color palette of tan, white and gray, balanced with pops of color

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. Make sure you hire a reputable mover and get a firm quote on the price. [DREAMSTIME]

Things to avoid • Don’t go with the lowest quote. Get at least three quotes and evaluate quality of service with price.

• Don’t think bigger is always better. A smaller company may provide a higher level of customer service.

• Don’t forget to check to see if there have been any complaints against the mover. The Better Business Bureau is a

— blue in the rug, green plants and colorful throw pillows. One wall is dominated by a large armoire, and another wall is filled with huge windows overlooking the backyard pool.

A double-sided fireplace is set into a short wall between the living room and the kitchen. Originally, it was wood-burning, but that had to change when the wall was removed and the beam to support the upper

good place to begin.

• Don’t sign a contract without understanding the pricing.

• Don’t move at the beginning or the end of the month, if possible. These are peak periods for movers and may make it more difficult for you to secure the mover of your choice.

higher-end pieces.

• Bubble wrap is key, especially when it comes to protecting the corners of artwork.

Aspects relating to a residential move, such as

packing your own artwork, may be a task you decide to do on your own. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

• High-end artwork may need to be first covered with a specialty paper to prevent fading.

• For less fragile art pieces, cardboard mirror cartons can be used.

• Paper pads can be used to further protect artwork during transport.

• Building a custom crate can be ideal for

level had to go through the fireplace flue. So, new electric fireplaces were installed on each side to replicate the two-sided look.

Another update to the fireplace area was replacing an old built-in cabinet with new open shelving suspended from the ceiling.

The sofa by the fireplace has become Jessica’s favorite sitting spot this winter.

She said the most difficult aspect of the project was

moving the entire first floor into the basement, and not having an actual kitchen, while the work was being done. The couple set up a make-shift kitchen in the basement with a refrigerator and microwave. Cooking also was done on an electric indoor grill and slow cooker.

Construction took place during the holidays, finishing just after Christmas.

“I loved coming home every day after work and

seeing the progress being made,” Jessica said. “I got used to having eight guys basically living at my house.

I was impressed with the way they communicated with us from the very beginning. All the workers were great and very respectful.”

Protecting artworks

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit cathyhobbs.com.

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka.

She can be reached at lindaaditch@gmail.com.

8 Saturday, February 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Renovation takes room from girl to adult Mother, daughter compromise on new look

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

It’s amazing how quickly kids grow. I’m gaining a new appreciation for this as my grandbaby Maeve seems to change before my eyes, leaving her toddlerhood behind and becoming an indomitable little girl with the world by the tail.

As a lover of interior design, it’s particularly fun for me to watch as children mature and discover their own design tastes. Over the nearly three decades I’ve had the pleasure to own Nell Hill’s, I’ve helped new mommas design their baby’s nurseries. Then, in

One trick Lisa Cook used was pushing her daughter Ellie’s little-girl twin beds together so they function like a king-size bed.

[BOB GREENSPAN/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]

the blink of an eye, we’re redoing the room for their elementary students, then

tweens, then teens.

The Cook family is one that I’ve loved to watch

grow. When we first featured Lisa, Jon and their three adorable daughters in my book “Feather Your Nest” 11 years ago, the girls were itty-bitty.

Now, the Cook girls are beautiful young women, pursuing their own dreams and passions. Lisa, their amazingly talented art director mom, has worked with each one of them as they’ve grown to transform their bedrooms into spaces that reflect each girl’s unique spark.

Let’s take a look at the room of 18-year-old Ellie, who is now a freshman in college and majoring in communications.

Ellie loves to decorate.

When she and Lisa come into the store, we have a blast. Ellie worked hand

in hand with Lisa on reimagining her room. The duo knew they wanted to keep a few of the key pieces they loved, but give the space an entirely new look.

Lisa is the queen of remaking furnishings, so she was up for the challenge of updating existing pieces and adding just enough new finds to make the room look brand-new.

One trick Lisa used was pushing Ellie’s little-girl twin beds together so they functioned like a king.

They picked out a mix of cheery fabrics to splash over the bed and a vibrant black-and-white rug to camouflage the carpet.

A sunny corner of the room is home to a plucky See RENOVATION, 9

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Get a 2-for-1 deal with combo bathtub Massage intensity differentiates types

A combo tub allows you to combine two flagship massaging features in one unit to double your bathtub fun.

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed, we’re looking into bathtubs for our new bathroom plans and came across the term “combination bath.” Can you please explain the term and give us some features of combination bathtubs?

— Phil, Nebraska A: Part of the confu-

sion about combination baths or combo baths is they can be a few different types of bathtubs.

From my experience, I consider a combo tub to be a bathtub that has at least two flagship features built into a single bathtub.

For instance, a whirlpool tub offers hydro-massage therapy and uses a pump

[KOHLER]

to provide a powerful massage, while a bubble massage tub uses an air blower with tiny holes in the tub base and gently lets the bubbles rise around you for an easy massage.

They are two completely different bathing experiences, but both are very enjoyable.

Bottom line: A combo tub allows you to combine two flagship massaging

features in one unit to double your bathtub fun.

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 eddel grande.com or write eadelg@ cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

RENOVATION From Page 8

dressmaker’s form, which sports a tutu from Ellie’s younger years and the tassels from her high school graduation.

One of the new pieces in Ellie’s room renovation is a campaign desk, a perfect spot to do homework and gaze out over the garden, dreaming of the future. The accents they chose for her desktop give you a lot of insight into this powerful young woman’s personality.

An old-fashioned desk nameplate says: “I’m not bossy. I am the boss.”

Lisa loves antiques, but her girls do not. So they came up with a compromise when redecorating the rooms, so everyone

would be happy: When possible, all antiques would get a modern facelift. Lisa updated an antique bamboo sofa by spray painting it black and upholstering the cushions in a vibrant magenta fabric trimmed in orange.

“When you put a fun fabric on it, it makes it acceptable to the girls,” Lisa laughed.

Another way Lisa and Ellie breathed new life into the room was to swap out the old lamps with new ones. Simply by updating lamps, you can take a room from dated to fresh in a snap. The pair of stylized foo dog-inspired lamps stand watch on either side of Ellie’s desk.

This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at nellhills.com. She can be reached at mary carol@nellhills.com.

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ASSOCIATION From Page 4

the association. Not all were builders, but all contributed in some way.

In 2016, we began to explore the idea of a name change to Topeka Area Building Association to more closely identify with our mission and purpose. It had always been known as the builders association, but we have always had so many members other than builders that we wanted to acknowledge and embrace that.

Q: Part of your commitment to serving the community involves having a variety of groups and events.

Will you talk about a few of those?

Weichert: We continually work to

improve the housing situation in the communities we serve, such as (with) our Professional Women in Building Council that does fundraising for families in need to help with housing issues and our Professional Remodelers Council that does service projects for families who can’t afford to do needed work on their homes.

One of our biggest annual events is the Topeka Home Show. We held our first one in 1962. This year will be our 56th annual home show. We’re proud we were the first show to be held in the (Kansas) Expocentre’s Exhibition Hall in 1987, where it has been held since. That speaks to the commitment to the community and the professionalism of our association.

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

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