At Home Living 051218

ATHOME

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O U T D O O R D E C O R AT I N G

Patio perfection How to transform outdoor living spaces, Page 6

OAK LEAF ITCH MITES, PAGE 2

SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, PAGE 4

MODERN FARMHOUSE TRENDS, PAGE 9

2 Saturday, May 12, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Itching to know about oak leaf mites?

Best way to avoid bites: Wear protective clothing

Ariel Whitely-Noll

I

n 2016, many Kansans experienced the pain and discomfort of an oak leaf itch mite bite. These microscopic insects had a huge population surge that year, and many residents are calling the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners Response Line to see if they will return this fall.

This pest population is highly dependent on a few changing factors, leaving the question of their return unknown.

Although the oak leaf itch mite’s life is heavily shrouded in mystery, there are a few things we know.

The name of the mite comes from the oak margin gall, which the mite feeds

Microscopic oak leaf itch mites can be carried in the wind for miles, so avoiding oak trees won’t provide full-proof protection. To avoid getting bitten by the mites, it’s best to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat. [SUBMITTED]

on and is caused by another insect called a midge. This food source is the reason many residents experienced the mite bites standing or working under their oak trees.

Some residents were so desperate to evade the mites they considered removing their oak trees. These microscopic mites can be carried in

the wind for miles, so avoiding oak trees won’t offer you full-proof protection.

The most recent research indicates that, in lieu of the oak margin gall, the itch mite will feed on a wide variety of insect hosts. Furniture beetle larvae, rice and granary weevils, oriental fruit moths, pine tip moths and

hackberry nipplegall psyllids are all victims of the mite.

These are only the species that research has shown the mites feeding on. Many more are believed to exist.

Because of the favoritism the mite shows toward feeding on the margin gall, the presence of this gall can be an indicator of mite populations. By looking for this gall on your oak trees in spring and summer, you may be able to predict if this fall will be another bad year for the mite.

Although food sources are certainly a factor in insect populations, there are many other factors we can’t measure. Temperature, rainfall and humidity can have significant impacts on the itch mite in its development and reproduction.

Although we can measure these influences as the season progresses, we aren’t sure how they affect the oak leaf itch mite’s life cycle.

Residents who have experienced the painful rash and bumps left behind by the mite often are desperate for a solution. In that area as well, research is still

catching up. There are no known sprays to control oak leaf itch mites effectively.

Some products are labeled for “mites” and have been sold under the guise of oak leaf itch mite control. Those products are a waste of time and money and may cause unintentional damage to other insects and the environment.

Effective controls rely primarily on covering your head and neck from open exposure. The mites blow in the wind or fall from the trees, so your head, neck and arms are the most likely targets for bites. Long sleeves, hats — especially wide-brimmed hats — and pants are all highly recommended. Gloves also can help, as will anything that covers your skin.

DEET-based repellents are sometimes effective.

The best results with these repellents occur when they are used in combination with protective clothing.

After you’ve been in your garden, change and wash your clothes immediately. Bathe as soon as you can and leave your See MITES, 10

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, May 12, 2018 3

May 19 sale features native plants Proceeds go to prairie preservation, educational programs The Capital-Journal

The Grassland Heritage Foundation will have its annual Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 on the lawn of Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont in Lawrence.

GHF plant experts will be on hand to assist buyers in choosing from 50 species of native wildflowers and grasses that can be used in home landscapes. All of the plants are locally grown Kansas natives and guaranteed to be free of neonicotinoid insecticides, which can harm bees

and other pollinators.

Plants available at the sale range from common plants like asters and coneflowers to more unusual plants like obedient plant, New Jersey tea and fringed loosestrife.

The sale also will feature Garden to Go Kits, which contain pre-selected plants for sun or partial shade, a sample garden design and planting instructions. The sun kit contains 14 wildflower and grass plants suitable for a 4-by-5-foot garden.

The partial shade kit has 10 plants — wildflowers, sedges and a shrub — for a 4-by-6-foot garden.

Kits are available only by preorder and discounted from the

foundation’s regular sale prices. For ordering information and a list of the available plants, email ghfplantsale@gmail.com.

Presentations slated at the sale are “GHF Garden to Go Kits and Native Gardening Basics,” 9:30 a.m.; “Plant an Urban Oasis for Butterflies,” 10:30 a.m.; and “Why Plant Grasses (and Sedges)?” 11:30 a.m.

Each plant at the sale costs $4. All proceeds will be used for prairie preservation and education efforts.

For more information about the sale, GHF or prairie preservation, visit grassland heritage. org, email grasslandheritage@gmail.com or call (785) 840-8104.

4 Saturday, May 12, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Smart irrigation systems help conserve water Hire professional to install the equipment

By Paul P.F. Pogue Angie’s List

The dawn of spring means time to think about lawn irrigation and sprinklers.

But irrigation is so much more than sprinkler heads and plumbing lines. Smart technology and careful design are revolutionizing the irrigation business.

Why is irrigation important?

A good irrigation and sprinkler system can keep your lawn and landscaping healthy, but you want to make the best use of your resources. You can actually damage your lawn by watering too much or too little, and an automatic sprinkler system can maximize lawn health without using too much water.

Water is a vital resource, and irrigation should be deployed wisely to

Smart irrigation systems account for seasonal adjustments and weather in order to help conserve water and prevent overwatering. [DREAMSTIME]

make the best use of it.

What are smart irrigation systems?

Automatic irrigation systems have been around for years, turning the sprinklers on and off at prearranged

times. However, these still required the homeowner to keep an eye on the system and change it when needed.

Sometimes you’d forget to switch it from the spring to summer settings, and you’d end up overwatering things or vice versa.

Also, older automatic sprinklers didn’t always take local conditions into account — the system might kick in even if a rainstorm was passing through.

Newer smart irrigation systems take both seasonal adjustments and current weather into account by connecting to local weather stations via Wi-Fi. They’ll bump up the water output during drier periods, then automatically turn it down when cooler weather sets in.

And they won’t activate at all during rain. Not only does this conserve water, you’ll recoup the extra cost over time in utility savings.

Furthermore, updated rotor heads can adjust the water level and spray between 3 and 30 feet.

See WATER, 5

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, May 12, 2018 5

WATER From Page 4 Who should install an irrigation system?

An irrigation system isn’t a DIY job. A professional will have a keen understanding of the best

water usage and how to position sprinkler heads so they don’t overlap each other or waste water hitting the side of your house.

Also, digging in your yard is a delicate matter.

Existing utility lines often can be found 18 inches below the surface, so you can easily damage these lines by digging to install

sprinklers. A professional will contact utility companies ahead of time to mark out the exact locations.

Top-notch irrigation installers also understand that lawns don’t call for a one-size-fits-all solution.

Different plants require different water levels, and adjusting to those needs is an important component

of an effective and efficient irrigation system.

A high-quality irrigation system will cost a few thousand dollars, depending on the size of your yard. Industry experts say you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 per installed sprinkler head, and most yards will require at least a dozen or

so heads — and many more if you have a larger yard.

Whether you’re installing a new one or having an existing system repaired, make sure you know the location of the master valve in order to shut the system down. That’s the first thing you want to do before calling a repair expert when something goes wrong.

6 Saturday, May 12, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

O U T D O O R D E C O R AT I N G

Designing the perfect patio Transforming outdoor space doesn’t have to be costly

By Carolyn Cogswell Special to The Capital-Journal

Bruce Mezera, general manager of Menards, said the home improvement store gets busier in the spring.

Customers coming into the store, 6401 S.W. 17th St., are looking to spruce up their homes, lawns and gardens.

“The sun brings people out … looking for whatever excuse they can for getting started on those projects outside,” he said.

One area homeowners may want to upgrade for spring and summertime entertaining is the patio. No matter how large or small, your outdoor patio space can be transformed with a new look. And it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

You can start with something as small as an attractive patio planter with your favorite flowers or plants, or as large as an outdoor fireplace. You choose.

If you want to start small, try a few outdoor pillows as accents to your patio furniture or a strategically placed statue or birdbath.

For a larger change, replace your patio furniture, which is available in several different materials, colors and styles. Dining sets come with or without built-in firepits.

Lawn chairs, park benches and picnic tables showcase an assortment of designs.

Outdoor gas or electric grills appear in all sizes and shapes. Outdoor heaters are available, too.

If you’re ready for more drastic changes, you

This patio furniture set at Menards features a table with a built-in fire pit. [PHOTOS BY CAROLYN COGSWELL/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]

Hot tubs, like this one at Patio Pool & Fireside, are popular among homeowners who are looking to update their outdoor living spaces.

might try a stone fire pit with a wood box, a different block design for your patio floor and wall, or a pond or water garden.

Wind chimes and fountains provide soothing sounds for an outdoor space and create an inviting environment for quiet conversation or watching the sun set. Add some goldfish to your patio pond for added calm and beauty.

Outdoor fireplaces are becoming more popular, because they increase the

Patio furniture comes in many materials, colors and styles. This set at Patio Pool & Fireside is high-grade and fade-resistant.

Colorful pots, like the ones found at Menards, can be filled with flowers and plants to spruce up a patio or other outdoor living space.

value of a home, expand entertaining space, create ambiance, provide a focal point for an outdoor space and keep mosquitoes away.

Patio Pool & Fireside, 3109 S.W. Huntoon St., specializes in high-end patio features, including aboveground pools, hot tubs, patio umbrellas, outdoor grills and specialty firepits.

“The furniture we carry brings the comfort of the inside outside and the ability to be unique,” said sales

A display of patio blocks and walls at Menards shows the variety of designs and materials on the market.

associate Wade Tajchman.

The store’s furniture and umbrellas are high-grade and fade-resistant, with hundreds of colors to choose from, he said. All of its patio furniture is special-ordered.

Tajchman said the store carries mostly propanebased gas firepits, which “take the chill out of cooler evenings while sitting outside with friends and family.”

Renovating a patio or other outdoor living space can pay off in the long

run, particularly if you decide to sell your home.

Dave Ramsey, a wellknown financial adviser and TV/radio personality, reports, “A National Association of Realtors survey shows more than half of surveyed buyers would pay a premium for a home with an outdoor living space.”

Carolyn Cogswell is a freelance writer from Topeka.

You can reach her at carolyncogswell@yahoo.com.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, May 12, 2018 7

Upgrades make bathroom more sellable Replace light fixtures, flooring to attract buyers

making improvements to a bathroom.

• Replace the old flooring.

Brandpoint

When it comes time to sell your home, not all rooms are created equal. Sure, potential buyers will walk through the entire house, but their opinion of a few primary rooms can ultimately determine whether they choose to offer or walk.

Your bathrooms — especially your master bathroom — are among these key rooms.

As you prepare to put your home on the market, it’s time to take an honest look at these spaces. What do the bathrooms say about your house? Do they say “buy me now” or “no thanks”? If it’s the latter, then it’s time for a few home improvements that will turn the sale of your house from stale to sold.

A sound investment?

Yes, it is. In fact, bathroom remodeling projects are some of the most

Upgraded sconce lighting, a high-efficiency toilet and stylish bath faucets can help attract potential home buyers.

[BRANDPOINT]

cost-effective improvements you can make to a home, according to HGTV. A minor bathroom remodel has an average return on investment of 102 percent at the point of sale. A major remodel returns 93 percent of your investment. That means your newly upgraded bathroom will actually help sell your home for more money in the long run.

Here are some tips when considering

Carpet and tiny tile flooring — offering two different looks and feels — are both outdated when it comes to bathroom decor.

Alternately, hardwood floors can add a more current, upgraded touch and can be achieved with water- and stain-resistant ceramic tile that looks like hardwood.

This delivers a distinctively modern look in a medium ideal for the humid bathroom environment.

• A new look for a familiar soak.

Nothing conveys the comfort of an extraordinary bathroom like a luxurious soak in the tub. To set your bathroom, and your home, apart from the competition, replace your existing tub, perhaps with the Studio Fold Over Edge tub from American Standard. This tub uniquely allows for a custom finish to the front apron to match wall tile and decor, creating a coordinated room.

Plus, the tub’s spacious bathing well and extra lumbar support mean relaxation and enjoyment for you before the sale.

• Shed a new light.

Proper lighting is essential in any bathroom, and up-todate light fixtures are a great way to increase the wow factor for potential buyers.

If your bathroom currently displays the outdated style of exposed bulb fixtures, try replacing them with contemporary wall sconce lights to create a look that is sure to draw your visitors’ attention.

• Find a first-rate faucet.

Even a perfectly functional bathroom can be discredited by potential buyers if it showcases dated brass faucets and accents.

If your space is guilty, try replacing the existing faucet with a widespread or single-handle model in popular polished chrome or brushed nickel finishes.

• Sink that old sink.

Those rounded-edge Formica sinks had their share of the limelight, but

now their time has passed.

Today’s modern bathrooms have become edgier, especially when it comes to sinks.

Straight-edge designs, made from natural stone, quartz or contemporary solid surface material, are popular sink solutions today.

Replacing your old sink with a newer style helps ensure your bathroom isn’t left behind. Home buyers notice sinks, and this is one project you should tackle for higher return when you sell.

• Shower your bathroom with a new upgrade.

Your showering experience should be as customizable as it is enjoyable. The Grohe SmartControl thermostatic trim offers intuitive, push-and-turn button operation for water temperature and flow rate control, all in a sleek, low-profile design.

Available in both round and square styles, in stylish chrome, brushed nickel or white finishes, it’s the shower system you’ll enjoy every morning — and so will your home’s new buyer.

Walk-in bath option for aging-in-place home Extra features: Heated surfaces, bubble massage

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Mr. Del Grande: My husband and I plan to remodel our bathroom to make it agefriendly. Right now, we are planning to replace our existing tub with a walk-in shower. But, I do like taking baths and would like some information on the new walk-in baths now available. Can you please tell me your thoughts on walk-in baths?

A: Just like a lot of walk-in shower stalls, most of today’s walk-in baths can fit in the same space as a standard tub. This really helps on remodeling costs and cuts down on installation time.

As for the walk-in bath itself, I would recommend a model with the following basic features: low step-in with a wide door, easy-to-reach handrails and controls, a multifunction hand shower and fast drain technology.

For extra options, some models have bubble massage

air jets, heated surfaces and generous tub depth.

Bottom line: If you want a tub in your new agingin-place bathroom, your next step may be installing a walk-in bath.

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.

Walk-in showers and walk-in tubs are age-friendly features that homeowners are choosing to have installed. [DREAMSTIME]

8 Saturday, May 12, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Ways to give apartment a grown-up feel Ditch the stuffed animals, add framed art

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Perhaps you have just graduated from college, started your first job, rented your first apartment or purchased your first home.

It’s an exciting rite of passage.

Part of the excitement relates to the opportunity to make a space your own, infusing your own taste and design sensibility. But, good design doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are a number of easy and affordable ways to make your pad feel fun yet sophisticated.

• High contrast. Sometimes, a single color palette can come across as unsophisticated. Try using highcontrast techniques, such as black and white. Light and dark tones can come across as more luxurious.

• Pastel colors. Pastel colors are back, both youthful and sophisticated. Don’t be afraid to use colors such as soft blue, pastel pink or mint green.

• High vs. low. Designers do it on

Decorating with books can be an easy and affordable design technique. [DESIGN RECIPES]

the runway, so why not do it in your home? Mixing more expensive

pieces with flea market or thrift store finds can be a fabulous way to create an overall sophisticated look.

• Decorate with books. Decorating with books is one of the most affordable ways to design and a go-to designer trick. One way to display books is to turn them spinein to create a consistent look.

• No stuffed animals. Stuffed animals are a no-no if you want your space to feel grown-up and sophisticated. If you can’t bear to part with them, consider placing them in a decorative bin.

• Add greenery. Plants, succulents, florals and trees are good for your environment and a great way to infuse color and sophistication into your space at an affordable price.

• Go for glass. Glass pieces of furniture are a fraction of the cost of wood pieces. Glass coffee or dining tables can help create an open, airy feel at an approachable price.

• Purchase quality large pieces. If you can afford it, try to buy one or two high-quality pieces you intend to own for years, if not decades to come. Some ideas of where to start include case goods, such as

armoires or dressers, beds and sofas.

• Consider leather. If properly maintained, leather can be both long-lasting and add an element of maturity.

• Purchase inexpensive artwork.

Artwork is like the icing on a cake and can really help make sure a space feels complete. Framed art tends to look more expensive than pieces that aren’t. Some ideas for inexpensive art include framing pieces of fabric, posters, calendars, wrapping paper and even postcards.

• Frame photographs. Whether they are from a vacation or your own collection, framed blackand-white photographs can be both interesting and mature.

• Add mirrors. Especially in smaller spaces, mirrors can really help open a space and can even help to act as windows.

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 cathyhobbs.com.

Energize a space with color combos Use contrasting hues as decorating tool

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Looking for fun ways to design a space? Instead of focusing on one color, consider mixing it up and blending various colors to create fun combinations.

One of the main obstacles for many homeowners is knowing how and where to properly use color. So often, rooms can feel boring and bland until color enters the picture.

When looking for spaces of the home to incorporate

interesting color combinations, first look for rooms that can be energized and invigorated — social areas such as family and living rooms or overtired, overworked spaces like dens.

Some basic colors are warm, bright and friendly, which can bring life to nearly any space. Basic colors to consider: • Yellow can be used in darker spaces and can mimic sunshine to make a space feel lighter and brighter.

• Orange, one of the happiest colors, will seldom disappoint and can be used in various areas of the home, from dens to living spaces

and even dining rooms.

• White, a color many people ignore as a color, is a great clarification color that can be used to neutralize and blend with other colors.

When looking to create interesting color combinations, contrast is one of your best decorating tools.

Mixing light and dark colors or warm colors with those that are cool are ideal.

Some suggested color combinations: • Charcoal gray and powder pink.

• Hot pink and chocolate brown.

• Lemon yellow and burnt orange.

A home office is energized through the use of bright colors, including orange and turquoise. [DESIGN RECIPES]

• Cool gray and indigo.

• White and black.

• Blue and red.

• Turquoise and orange.

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.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, May 12, 2018 9

Modern Farmhouse: Design trendsetter Style uses natural light, reclaimed wood, shelving

sink. These are deeper than other sinks, and you can find them in both single- and double-basin styles.

They are typically made from porcelain. However, stainless steel and copper sinks are popular in Modern Farmhouse designs.

By Lauren White HomeAdvisor

Modern Farmhouse design is one of this year’s hottest trends — and for good reason. The style combines the warmth of a traditional farm home with a streamlined, minimal aesthetic. And the result is not only stunning, but it’s also timeless.

There are lots of ways to achieve the look, but incorporating a few essentials will help you capture the core of the design and create the space you’re envisioning.

Open shelving Open or visible shelving is an important aspect of Modern Farmhouse design. It lends itself to a cozy, make-yourself-at-home feeling. Homeowners most commonly install floating shelves in a raw wood grain or a clean white, with or without visible brackets.

If your kitchen already has cabinets, you don’t need to pull them out to get this look. Simply remove the doors or replace them with glass door inserts.

Windows and natural light Modern Farmhouse design — one of the year’s hottest trends — combines a minimal aesthetic with the warmth of a traditional farm home. [DREAMSTIME]

and neutral colors that keep the space airy and minimal. Incorporate clean-line materials like bead board, shiplap and subway tiles. For accents like throw pillows, use handhewn textures, such as burlap.

Barn doors Barn doors can go a long way in anchoring your theme. Install them as sliding doors for pantries or bathrooms in either a sleek white finish or a rustic paint color. You can even use a reclaimed barn door to make a table.

Whites and neutrals

Farmhouse sinks

The Modern Farmhouse style marries clean lines with cozy textures and accents. Choose white, black

A great way to get this popular look is with the quintessential farmhouse sink, also known as an apron-front

To truly achieve the Modern Farmhouse style, incorporate lots of natural light. Your windows should let in as much light as possible.

Keep them clean; cut back on shady trees; and swap dark, heavy curtains for light window treatments.

If you have an opportunity to resize or reconfigure your windows, consider floor-to-ceiling fixtures in living spaces and rows of window panes in the kitchen.

This softens the barrier to the outdoors and maximizes natural light.

Reclaimed wood This is a staple feature of Modern Farmhouse style, and you can incorporate it in a number of ways. One popular installation is a beamed ceiling, constructed using reclaimed wood with its grain proudly exposed.

Another great installation is a plank wall, which you can either leave raw or whitewash for the look of painted barn wood. Otherwise, you can use reclaimed wood in accent pieces, such as tables and benches.

Antiques Sprinkle antiques sparingly and purposefully. This style leans toward minimalism, so you don’t want to litter your shelves and counters with memorabilia.

Vintage light fixtures, such as wiry pendant lights with Edison bulbs, are a perfect choice for overhead lighting. Industrial stools, vintage signs, porcelain jugs and functional mason jars also make great accent pieces.

The increased demand for Modern Farmhouse designs can be attributed to much more than aesthetic tastes. In today’s fast-paced culture, homeowners need their houses to be both an escape and a comfort.

Clear, defined surfaces and neutral tones are calming. Familiar, earthy textures are grounding. And natural light allows us to connect to the outdoors as our busy lives keep us inside and away from nature.

10 Saturday, May 12, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

MITES From Page 2

garden shoes outside.

Another more obvious solution: Limit your time under or near oak trees.

If you are bitten by the The name of the oak leaf itch mite comes from the oak margin gall on which it feeds. The gall is caused by mites, try not to scratch, another insect — the midge. [SUBMITTED] because this can cause infection. Consult your doctor for creams or bushes and yards. With Until then, keep an prescriptions that may the good, so comes the eye on the oaks and alleviate some of the pain. bad. We are likely to don’t forget your hat.

Insect populations see another outbreak of fluctuate every year. the oak leaf itch mites Ariel Whitely-Noll is Last summer, we had in the next few years. the horticulture agent enormous amounts of By then, research may for Shawnee County painted lady butterflies. have advanced enough Research and Extension.

These beautiful butto provide us with She can be reached at terflies covered entire more control methods. arielw@ksu.edu.

The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com Saturday, May 12, 2018 11

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