At Home Living 031718

ATHOME

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REMODELING

When to call the experts Not all small projects are DIY-worthy, Page 6

[LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

GETTING RID OF MOLES, PAGE 2

ONLINE MARKETPLACES, PAGE 4

OPEN-PLAN KITCHENS, PAGE 8

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

Getting rid of moles takes effort MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Traps are the most successful removal method

M

their insect feeding is considered beneficial.

Identify the culprit

Eradication methods

When control of moles becomes necessary, it’s essential to properly identify the issue.

Shrews and meadow mice use mole tunnels as their own travel lanes. They also eat insects, and both are brownish-gray — the same color as a mole.

Due to similarities in appearance, it’s essential to identify the mammal currently in your yard for proper

Mole control should first begin with habitat modification. Allowing your soils to dry, packing the soils with a roller and controlling the white grub population all will deter mole activity.

With a reduction in food, however, moles may increase their tunneling activity in search for more food.

Repellents sometimes are

The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners will present “Spring Lawn Care” at 7 p.m.

March 22 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. For more information, call (785) 232-0062 or visit shawnee.ksu.edu/lawn-garden/ master-gardener.

Ariel Whitely-Noll

oles are small, stout mammals that use their strong legs and paddle-like forefeet to “swim” through soils.

With no external ears and eyes so small you almost can’t see them, these creatures are made for living underground.

If you find yourself brushing a mole’s hair, you’ll see there isn’t resistance in either direction, which enables a mole to move forward or backward in a burrow.

Despite these interesting features, moles aren’t considered desirable in most lawns and gardens.

They are known for their

control. Is it a mole, or is it another mammal utilizing the mole’s hard work?

Another mole look-a-like is the pocket gopher. These animals also create a mound of soil when they burrow, but they generally create more mounds than moles and their mounds are more spread out than the conical mole mound.

The hills that the mole creates when they make their tunnels are a distinguishing feature — not even the pocket gopher creates these.

It only takes one hungry mole to ruin a well-manicured lawn. The small animals are known for creating extensive underground passageways in their search for grubs and other food and leaving behind hills and mounds of soil on the lawn. [METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]

mounds and hills, which ruin lawns and trip up anyone who walks across them.

Moles create extensive underground passageways with varying depths, depending on the season. They use the passageways to find the insects, snail larvae, spiders, small vertebrates, earthworms and sometimes vegetation they eat. Earthworms and white grubs are mole favorites.

Moles also have favorite soils. Loose, sandy loam

soils are easier to move and find food in. Heavy, dry clay soils are considered undesirable habitats for them.

Mole damage in lawns will appear primarily as hills or tunnels and mounds of soil. Sometimes, lawns will have brown spots — attributed to root disturbance, because moles aren’t directly feeding on grass roots.

Although the movement of moles may cause damage to vegetation indirectly,

See MOLES, 3

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

MOLES From Page 2

marketed for moles. No repellent has substantial research that proves their effectiveness.

Toxicants, or poisons, also have barriers to success.

Although there are many substances that kill moles, it’s a requirement that the mole ingests the bait. Grain baits have few similarities to the squirming mole favorites — grubs and worms. Moles may have limited vision, but they’re clever animals that require work to eradicate.

A fumigant is a toxicant that is placed in a mole tunnel and releases a toxic gas. These substances take the mole’s choice to engage out of the equation.

Fumigants have varied success if they are placed only in shallower tunnels. Getting these into the deepest burrows

produces the best outcome.

Most fumigants are restricted-use pesticides and require a licensed technician to apply them.

Setting traps Traps, when properly placed, are the most successful and practical method for mole removal. Three kinds of traps work best for moles: scissorjawed, harpoon and Nash choker loop. Their names give you some idea as to what they do. Each type of trap is springreleased, like a mouse trap.

For each trap, you must select a tunnel that is in current use — not a tunnel used by the mole for feeding, because the animal likely won’t revisit that area.

To locate an active tunnel, look along fences, the house or sidewalk for a fairly straight tunnel. Step on one portion of the tunnel to collapse it. Wait a few days, and if the tunnel has

been repaired, it’s likely the mole regularly uses the tunnel.

The harpoon trap has sharp spikes that impale the mole underground. To set this trap, take the side of your palm — like you’re karate chopping — and depress a portion of the tunnel. If you use your foot or you flatten your palm, you’ll likely create too large of a depression.

Set the harpoon over the depressed area. When the mole comes to repair this portion of the tunnel, it will trigger the trap. If the portion of soil is too wide, the trap will engage but the mole may be inches out of reach.

The scissor-jawed trap requires you to dig out a portion of the mole’s tunnel and repack it around the trap. The trap should be set to straddle the runway. The bottom of the runway should be an inch above the points of the jaws.

When the mole comes to repair this portion of the

tunnel, he will be caught in the jaws of the trap. Take care to loosen the soil around the trap so the jaws can close easily and quickly.

For the choker loop trap, you’ll need to make an excavation across the tunnel. Make this hole slightly lower than the tunnel itself and only as wide as the trap.

Pack soil firmly underneath the trigger-pan, and set the trap so the trigger rests on the built-up soil. Fill the area with loose, gravel-free soil, ensuring all light is blocked out.

If you haven’t caught a mole after two days, the mole may have changed its habits, the trap was improperly set, or the tunnel was disturbed too much. No matter the cause, the trap should be relocated.

Ariel Whitely-Noll is the horticulture agent for Shawnee County Research and Extension. She can be reached at arielw@ksu.edu.

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

3 easy ways to sell your stuff online

March offers range of gardening opportunities

Online marketplaces get a cut of sale price

The Sacramento Bee

By Christen A. Johnson Chicago Tribune

Over the years, tastes change, life stages progress and styles evolve. And if you're anything like me, you buy new stuff every time one of those things happen, accumulating oodles of old furnishings and decor that clutter your basement — or the aisles of Goodwill if you did the noble thing and donated to charity.

But what if you have a piece that is actually worth something and you want to make a little money off of it? Yes, the tried-and-true sites like Craigslist still reign

supreme, but we're not all cool with having myriad random people parading through our home.

Here we compare three of the hottest online marketplaces and apps that can help you clean house and make a little extra cash — all with little hassle.

Chairish What it is: Chairish is an online marketplace and app that allows users to buy and sell vintage decor, art and furniture.

What it does: Screen listings to make sure inventory meets standards. Chairish will edit photos and item

See SELL, 9

Some vegetable seeds can be started indoors

By Debbie Arrington

Gardeners now have one foot in winter, the other in spring — with their eyes straight ahead on summer.

Straddling seasons, March offers an opportunity to plant a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. Take advantage of dry days and dig in: • Plant seed for beets, carrots, celeriac, celery, collards, endive, fennel, jicama, kale, leaf lettuce, mustard greens, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips.

• Start seed indoors for summer and winter squash, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. They'll be ready to transplant

Now is the right time to start summer vegetables indoors.

As the seedlings develop, transplant them to larger containers so their roots can develop before moving outdoors into the garden.

[LEZLIE STERLING/SACRAMENTO BEE/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE]

in late April or May. • Before warmer spring weather kicks into full gear, this is your last chance to plant such annuals as pansies, violas and primroses.

• Plant summer bulbs, including gladiolus, tuberous begonias and callas, as well as dahlia tubers.

• For spring and summer flowers, plant seed for aster, cornflower, cosmos, larkspur, nasturtium, nicotiana, periwinkle, portulaca, rudbeckia, salvia, snapdragon, verbena and zinnias.

• Shop for perennials. Many varieties are available in local nurseries and at plant events.

They can be transplanted while the weather remains relatively cool.

• Feed roses and other spring-flowering shrubs, so they can get off to a fast start.

• Pull weeds now.

Get them while they're small and easier to pull.

Better yet, use a hoe to whack them off just below the soil line.

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

Utility sinks are ready for prime time Living-area laundry rooms become norm

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: We're planning a new home, and for the first time I'll have my laundry room in the living area of our

home. This will be a finished area with cabinets, shelving and countertops. I don't want a laundry tub with legs.

Any recommendations on the type of sink I should install?

— Mona, New Jersey A: Living-area laundry

rooms are fast becoming standard installs in

many homes. Not only are these rooms convenient, but if designed properly, they also can add extra value to your home.

No matter how nice you make your new laundry area, keep in mind this will still be a working utility room.

So, I recommend installing a

top-mount, cast-iron utility sink in the counter area.

A utility sink is a deep, single-bowl sink designed to handle laundry and cleanup tasks. While available in different materials, enameled cast iron can give you beautiful color choices and great strength.

Bottom line: A highend residential utility sink for your laundry room can work like a mule and show off like a peacock.

Q: Dear Ed: Last year, I remodeled my bathroom and

See SINKS, 10

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

REMODELING

Know when to throw in the DIY towel Couple relies on contractor for small bathroom project

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

Many people think they don’t need to hire a contractor for small remodeling projects. Why spend the money, right?

Some make it a do-ityourself activity, watching YouTube videos and DIY television shows to find out how. Unfortunately, they may discover in the middle of the project that it was harder than they expected, or later on they notice something was installed incorrectly and needs repair.

Wally Slusser was a DIYer. He installed a plastic shower unit in his master bathroom many years ago.

However, when it came time to update the room, he and his wife, Billie, decided to enlist Passow Remodeling for the project, even though their bathroom was small compared to ones often seen in magazines or on TV. The room had a large vanity and a small shower. Ryan Passow, owner of Passow Remodeling, suggested they flip-flop the two, creating a huge shower with onyx sides made to look like tiles and a built-in bench. Because a large vanity wasn’t something the couple wanted, they agreed to the switch.

Passow recommended a sleek, modern hands-free faucet for the new vanity, with an onyx countertop. He also suggested a nightlight incorporated into the ceiling light/fan combo and a wider door frame to accommodate possible walkers and wheelchairs down the road.

“We would have never

When it came time to remodel Billie and Wally Slusser’s master bathroom, Ryan Passow, owner of Passow Remodeling, suggested flip-flopping the large vanity and small shower. The result was a huge shower with onyx sides made to look like tiles and a built-in bench. [LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

thought of this. Ryan has great ideas,” said Billie, while looking at the finished flip-flopped bathroom.

“A contractor has ideas you wouldn’t think of, and he knows the materials that are available,” Wally added.

The couple learned about Passow when they were looking to put a cover over part of their patio. Wally considered doing it himself, but Billie wasn’t too keen on the idea of him climbing ladders. A neighbor recommended Passow. After the patio cover, they had the remodeler redo their front bathroom and kitchen.

What should you know when hiring a contractor? Start with: • Find out how long they have been in business.

• Ask if they are licensed and insured.

• Get references — and call them.

• Ask who will be the primary contact person during the project.

The Slussers’ master bathroom remodel took just two weeks.

“A good contractor will

Ryan Passow, owner of Passow Remodeling, recommended a sleek, modern hands-free faucet for the smaller vanity that was installed in the master bathroom. [LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL

The new vanity in Billie and Wally Slusser’s master bedroom features an onyx countertop and a hands-free faucet. [LINDA A. DITCH/SPECIAL TO

TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

plan out the project,” Billie said. “If Ryan ran into something that would take a little longer, he would call us.”

A common mistake is choosing a contractor because they offer the lowest price. Sure, you want a good deal, but cost won’t tell you if the builder will follow through on all of your expectations.

Also, you want to feel certain the price the builder quotes will be close to the finished bill, instead of being quoted a low price only to have it skyrocket

by the end of the project.

Doing your research on the builder’s past projects is the best way to protect your bank account.

Even though Wally has DIY experience, he’s more than happy to let the professionals do the work.

“I enjoy watching.

I want to see how it’s done, especially things I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing, like plumbing and electrical,” he said.

The biggest complaint homeowners have about a remodeling project is typically

the dust it generates, which seems to spread throughout the home. But Wally said Passow did a marvelous job keeping up with the dust.

“If you have a good contractor, you won’t notice the dust,” Billie said. “To me, there are no drawbacks to hiring a contractor. You get what you pay for, and it’s nice to hire it to be done instead of doing it yourself.”

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka.

She can be reached at lindaaditch@gmail.com.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, March 17, 2018 7

10 ways to help sell your home Create a ‘look’ with accessories, accents

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Lifestyle selling techniques may not be something most homeowners are familiar with. But it's the hot buzz phrase in home selling, especially when it comes to the world of professional home staging.

Staging is a marketing and selling tool, often performed by a professional home stager, in which an atmosphere or lifestyle is created in a home to appeal to potential buyers and allow them to be able to envision themselves in a space.

Lifestyle selling techniques go hand in hand with the process, involving props as well as accessories and accents to achieve a certain look. The good news? You don't have to be a professional to help make your space enticing to potential buyers. Often, using lifestyle elements is the key.

Looking for ideas? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Determine the mood you want to create or message you want to send within your space, then incorporate appropriate lifestyle elements. For example, in a bathroom the message you may want to give is that the space is spa-like. In this instance, your lifestyle element could be candles or bath salts.

• Use colorful accents.

Color done purposefully can help appeal to potential buyers. Accents should be used sparingly.

• Develop a clear color scheme. The ideal color scheme consists of typically three colors.

• Consider the end user.

The foundation of lifestyle selling is to appeal to the

potential buyer, considering how they likely will wish to live and function in the home and create a space that will appeal. A key question to ask yourself in this process is: "Who will buy this home?"

• Create the look of a model home. In addition to adding lifestyle elements that give the feeling of a space that is lived in, staging is neutralizing and depersonalizing.

In choosing your lifestyle elements, look to create the same look and feel as you would see in a model home.

• Dress shelves and bookcases. Large empty shelves and empty bookcases can serve as a visual hurdle for many potential buyers. Showing potential buyers how they can be functional is helpful.

• Don't ignore areas such as kitchens and closets. Many potential buyers find elements such as organized and generous storage to be a bonus.

• Focus on main or key areas. Once inside a home, A desk is staged and styled for the purpose of helping a potential buyer see how the space can be used. there are often key areas [DESIGN RECIPES] or main rooms that will influence a potential buyer A staged dining room early in their walk-through area sends experience. Make sure the message these rooms are strong. of gracious • Create an appealing point entertaining of entry. Typically, buyers to potential make a decision about a home buyers. within the first few minutes.

First impressions are key.

[DESIGN RECIPES] • Use decorative elements, such as artwork, books and accessories, to help tell your story.

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 her website at cathyhobbs.com.

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

Low profile, high style

Open-plan kitchens go with the flow

By Kim Cook The Associated Press

Kitchens tend to be designed as star players on the residential stage. Their role is often aspirational — pro chef's lair, for example, or the country kitchen from that Italian movie you loved.

But there's a different story being played out by some kitchen designers today: kitchens that merge seamlessly into the rest of the main living space.

Sometimes, that's because there are space limitations — a smallish apartment, for example, where the kitchen is cheek-to-jowl with every other room. Or there may be plenty of space, but no walls, so each living zone looks into the next.

Some new kitchens are nearly invisible; others employ decorative and design elements that assimilate them into the look of adjoining spaces.

Cabinetry is the same style, color, material and finish as other furniture. The color palette is the same or complementary. Lighting and accessories echo those in the principal rooms. Flooring is consistent throughout.

Appliances are integrated.

Even the island and countertops reflect materials used in adjoining spaces.

The Dunagan Diverio Design Group in Coral Gables, Fla., recently completed a Miami penthouse project with an open floor plan. The clients loved to cook and needed lots of space that functioned well.

"But they also wanted the kitchen to have clean lines and be completely integrated into the home's design," said

This Tribeca kitchen, designed by Drake/Anderson, flows seamlessly into the main living space. Repeating touches of color run throughout the rooms, echoing the mosaic backsplash pattern in the chair upholstery.

The flooring also runs from the kitchen to the main living space. [MARCO RICCA/DRAKE/ANDERSON VIA AP]

firm co-founder Charlotte Dunagan. "We created a kitchen that flowed directly as part of the great room and living space. The concept we aimed for was to conceal as many of the appliances as possible, even going so far as to find a white oven to blend into the white cabinets."

It was important to have the finishes all work together, says her partner, Tom Diverio.

"The kitchen really becomes part of the space, especially with the neutral oak wood flooring that continues throughout the home," he said. "We were also careful to select finishes that were warm and inviting, which appear to be more like furniture."

Pale walls in the open layout allowed for the residents' art collection to carry through, further integrating the kitchen into the home.

Architect Dan Brunn in Los Angeles says he, too, keeps

The custom cladding appliance fronts and cabinetry create an integrated, serene sightline throughout an open-plan kitchen and living space in this Miami Beach, Fla., penthouse designed by Dunagan Diverio. Leaving walls free so art can be exhibited also helps minimize the utilitarian aspects of the workspace and adds to the cohesive overall look. [PAUL STOPPI/DUNAGAN DIVERIO VIA AP]

flooring the same throughout an open-plan home.

"The dining room and living room are typically connected to the kitchen, so we make the kitchen feel more 'domesticated,' less like a stainless steel lab," he said. "One of my favorite things is to specify full custom-front appliances."

Dunagan says the

inspiration for the Florida penthouse came from yacht design, in which all available space is maximized. A coffee station got tucked behind pocket doors. A laundry room, service kitchen and Sub-Zero appliances also are concealed behind wood doors or cabinets in the kitchen.

Modern materials and

technology make "hiding" kitchen elements easy.

Smart induction cooktops are nearly unnoticeable when not in use. Appliances that formerly sat on counters are now built into drawers. LED lighting can be installed virtually anywhere.

Henrybuilt, a Seattle designer and maker of kitchen furniture and storage systems, offers solid-surface counters with drainage for the sink.

Storage cubbies for tools, napkins and bread are built into milled wood counters, which are then extended to create eating tables.

Knife blocks, utensil, spices, pantry items, and recycle and trash receptacles all fit neatly out of sight in drawers and sliding cupboards.

Pay attention to how you illuminate the kitchen, says Sheva Knopfler, creative director of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Lights.com.

"The easiest way to streamline a kitchen is to incorporate simple lighting fixtures that blend in or almost disappear," she said. "And consider paring down the number of lighting elements, opting instead for fewer, brighter overhead fixtures."

Pick a style that suits you, and then create a visual flow with lighting in matching metallic finishes, she suggests.

And it's fine to tweak that plan by adding a piece that's got some drama or playfulness.

"A statement light allows you to add a bold dash of your personality. It becomes the 'artwork' of the space," Knopfler said, adding a large chandelier or a grouping of pendant fixtures might be considered.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, March 17, 2018 9

SELL

and must be in good to like-new condition.

From Page 4

Listing on Viyet is completely free. Once the company sells an item, the seller receives payment of up to 60 percent of the resale price.

descriptions to look uniform. Approved listings will remain online until the item sells or a user delists. If an item sells, Chairish orchestrates shipping and payment details. Buyers have two days to return the item if they don't like it. Sellers aren't paid until this return window closes.

What sellers do: Fill out an online four-step listing, then wait to hear if their listing made the cut.

If using the app, you can curate the listing straight from your phone.

How much it costs:

Listing with Chairish is free, and 80 percent or more of the selling price goes to the seller.

How much it costs:

Forget the yard sale. New online marketplaces can help sell items you no longer want or need. [ALEXEY STIOP/ DREAMSTIME]

Viyet Who it is: Specializing in new and secondary designer furniture and decor, Viyet offers a way to turn secondhand furniture and accessories into cash.

What it does: Viyet schedules an experienced curator to photograph and collect all details from the listing.

Then Viyet handles every step of the selling process, from writing

descriptions to arranging for pickup and delivery to the buyer. All prices are 40 to 80 percent below retail and available for immediate delivery.

What sellers do: Fill out a form to tell Viyet about the pieces you want to sell. Items must meet Viyet's minimum original retail price of $1,000 for furniture, $500 for lighting and $200 for accessories; must be a designer brand or desirable antique;

TIP OF THE WEEK

Paint brush rest Paint brushes are notorious for slipping into a full paint tray and making a mess of things.

Bob Vila, best known as a host for home building and home improvement television shows, offers this tip at his website, bobvila.com.

[METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]

Cut foam pipe insulaStick the brush in the tors to fit the side of a foam when you need to paint tray, and then make pause or take a break. slits along its length.

Source: bobvila.com

Why you should choose Viyet: "Our average

resale price per piece is $1,200, which allows us to deliver more value to the seller than any other consignment marketplace. For buyers, we offer incredible prices for rare vintage, antique and showroom items," said Elizabeth Brown, CEO of Viyet.

Everything But the House What it is: An online estate-sale business that aims to help transitioning families get

rid of large amounts of personal property.

What it does: Sell items and collections, from coins to furniture to home accessories and accents. Employees come to your home for a free consultation to inspect, photograph and list items. Once on the web, the sale goes live, with all items auctioned in up to seven days. Bids start at $1.

After the sale closes, EBTH manages payment, pickup, shipping and delivery, all free of charge to the seller. The sold items are removed from the home by EBTH, which gives sellers an itemized receipt, along with a settlement check within 30 days.

What sellers do:

Minimal work required from sellers. All they need to do is contact the

company for service, have a goal in mind and know what they need the company's advice on.

How much it costs: No initial fees. The company is compensated for its efforts based on the final sale price of an item. Sellers receive 50 to 85 percent of the sale price, based on the value of the object.

Why you should choose EBTH: "We're not just

about selling things — we are a white-glove service dedicated to helping families through their transitions by focusing on salable goods, what to donate and what to throw out. We want to make it simple. Our site is a great and fun place to buy, as well. Every day is something new to discover," said Brian Graves, cofounder of Everything But the House.

10 Saturday, March 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

SINKS From Page 5 realized I made a mistake.

To save money, I had a standard drop-in bathroom lavatory sink installed, when I really wanted a vessel bathroom sink. Will this now be a big job for me to upgrade to a vessel sink, and can I keep my present vanity in place?

— Shelly, Rhode Island A: The good news:

You should be able to keep your present vanity base and lavatory sink plumbing in place.

The bad news: You will most likely have to

A utility sink is a deep, single-bowl sink designed to handle laundry and cleanup tasks.

[DREAMSTIME]

remove the entire vanity countertop along with your old sink.

Once your contractor has the open vanity base, he or she can start the new vessel sink and countertop installation.

Vessel sinks mount above the vanity top and usually require a smaller drain hole in place of a

larger sink cut-out.

Finally, make sure you choose a deck-mounted vessel sink faucet, not a wall-mounted unit. With the taller vessel faucet installed on the countertop as well, you should be able to go with the flow to easily tap into the existing water lines below.

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.

Always consult local contractors and codes.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, March 17, 2018 11

12 Saturday, March 17, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com