At Home Living 101417

Saturday, October 14, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Supporting Community

Frugal House Lofts fundraiser hits right note for symphony page 6 n Pesky fall invaders, page 2 n Electrical signs to heed, page 8 n Halloween decor ideas, page 9

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Bugs move inside with changing of season Gardening season is coming to a close, but we’re still getting calls on our Response Line at the Shawnee County Extension Office.

The calls change throughout the season as issues change. We haven’t received a call on tomatoes in weeks. Tree calls still come in with some regularity, while lawn questions are almost daily.

An issue that seems to be cropping up in these cooler days is insects inside homes. Although many insects can invade your home with malicious intent — or so we perceive — many are simply lost travelers.

Pillbugs, ants and ground beetles are the insects we’re seeing now. One may require removal, while the other two need a map and compass.

Pillbugs

Metro Creative Connections

Ants come into homes seeking water and food once fall arrives.

Keeping counters and floors clean and eliminating food sources help discourage an invasion.

Pillbugs and sowbugs — or as everyone I know says, roly polys — are a common crustacean 5 to 8mms long. Their color changes with age; they can be brown, gray or black. Sowbugs differ in their small, almost tail-like appendages that pillbugs lack. Sowbugs also can’t roll themselves into a

Ariel Whitely

arielw@ksu.edu

ball like pillbugs can.

Each of these crustaceans needs moisture, because they can’t control moisture loss from their bodies. Both also feed on decaying matter. Occasionally, they may feed on stems and roots of young seedlings. Neither insect is a serious problem in your home. Because they don’t live long without water, a broom and dust pan are the needed tools to resolve this issue.

Ants

Most people know an ant when they see one. The confusion arises when the ant you’re seeing has wings like a termite’s.

Ants have a large top wing and a small bottom segment, while termites have two large wing segments on each side. Termite

antennae come straight out of their heads, while ant antennae come out — a small segment — and then jut to the outside.

Ants have a visible waist, while termite bodies are thick all the way through.

Although termites are a much more serious pest, ants aren’t wanted in the home either. Ants come into your home seeking food and water. Once they find it, they leave a chemical trail for the rest of the family to join.

This trail can be treated, but the ants will find another pathway.

Spraying the nest with an insecticide labeled for ants will kill the inhabitants, but finding the outside nest is difficult. In your home, baits and sanitation are the best options. Keeping counters and floors clean and eliminating food sources help discourage an invasion. If they persist, a bait — found in your local hardware store — is a good way to kill the nest.

The ants may increase with the initial bait, because they see it as food to take back to their queen. But putting out more will eventually stop them.

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Whitely: It’s a mistake to apply indiscriminate, incorrect pesticides Continued from 2

If you’re still seeing ants, try a different brand of bait, because some ants have different tastes.

Ground beetle

“Ground beetle” is a generic term applied to more than 3,100 different species found in North America. The two most common species, Harpalus pensylvanica and Harpalus caliginosus, are often found congregating near buildings and dwellings.

They move inside, because they are attracted to light.

H. pensylvanica is ½ to 2/3 inch long and has a reddish-brown underbody and legs.

It is a predatory beetle, meaning it eats other insects, and is considered beneficial. H. caliginosusis entirely black, ¾ to 1 inch long and feeds on seeds. It can be considered a pest in that regard.

Both beetles are annoying indoors. They can be numerous and constant.

It is possible to seal the cracks they use to come indoors, although it could be time consuming to find each entry. A perimeter spray is another option, but it may not provide complete control.

Unlike some, these beetles don’t pose any health threat. They don’t chew or stain fabrics, and they don’t contaminate foods. As with pillbugs and

the sowbugs, a broom or vacuum for disposal is the best action.

No matter the insect, read all pesticide labels completely and follow their directions exactly. It’s always the best horticultural practice to properly identify pests, diseases or weeds before using any chemical control. Using chemicals without proper identification can be harmful to beneficial insects and the environment.

If you need help identifying any of the above mentioned insects or others, contact your local Extension office.

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

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Rain showerheads awash with new features

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Hi, Ed: I want a rainstyle showerhead and would like a little guidance from America’s favorite plumber. What new features should I look for in a rain-style head?

— Pat, Ohio A: Rain-style showers are flooding the market, thanks to new water-saving technology and fancy features.

Here are three of my

‘‘

These rain heads actually include a portable wireless speaker that lets you take a shower with your favorite music.”

ED DEL GRANDE

n Rainstorm showers.

These rain-style systems store water in a hidden reservoir and can produce a burst of warm summer rain to wash away your winter blues.

Rain-style showers are flooding the market, thanks to new watersaving technology and fancy features.

master contractor

favorite rain-style shower systems: n Wireless speaker rain shower. These rain heads actually include a portable wireless speaker that lets you take a shower with

your favorite music. n Water tile panels. These overhead showers are flush with the ceiling and built into an ambient lighted panel. Rain washes you while colorful lights soothe you.

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.

KOHLER

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FRUGAL HOUSE

Music to symphony’s ears

Photos by Keith Horinek/The Capital-Journal

Sharon Nolde, left, and Jill Beam put the finishing touches on a 140-year-old walnut bed that will be displayed during Frugal House, a fundraiser for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Youth Ensembles.

Mandy Swift, of Beauty from Ashes, gave new life to this cabinet that will be showcased at Frugal House on Oct. 21-22 at The Lofts, 718. S. Kansas Ave.

Fundraiser offers up-cycled furniture at affordable prices

By Jan Biles

jan.biles@cjonline.com

Chris Wolf, of Sagacity Designed Decor, took a regular-height table and lowered it to make this coffee table. The table was re-stained and inspirational messages were painted on it. The table is among the furniture that will be showcased at Frugal House.

Sharon Nolde and Jill Beam, co-owners of Bedsprings and Burlap, position a 140-year-old walnut bed into a small bedroom at The Lofts, 718 S. Kansas Ave. The antique bed, with a 6-foot-high headboard, had been handed down from one generation to another by a Holton family.

“We didn’t paint it. We glazed it and put on a protective top coat,” said Nolde of the work they did on the bed in their shop at 4008 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

“We just spruced it up, and it’s taken on a new life.”

Also in the bedroom are a chair with a gold velvet seat that has been painted a sparkly white; a darkly stained wooden serving table with a new coat of

blue paint and a zinc glaze; and a once-brown wooden dresser that’s now white.

The furnishings, which fall in line with the gray and white color scheme of The Lofts, are among the repurposed, up-cycled furniture and accessories that will be showcased at this year’s Frugal House, a fundraiser for Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Youth Ensembles. Most all of the furniture will be for sale at affordable prices.

Other items will be sold at the Frugal Boutique.

Frugal House will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22. The patron party will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20. Furniture and accessory pickup will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 23.

Tickets are $8 in ad-

vance and $10 at the door and $40 for the patron party.

Getting ready

Frugal House was introduced to Topeka last year at the Jackson Street Lofts and proved to be a successful fundraiser for the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Youth Ensembles, said Frugal House chairwoman Trella Anderson. Last year, the event raised $20,000.

This year, the event was moved to The Lofts being developed by Randy and Debra Clayton. A fire on Jan. 2, 2015, forced two businesses out of 720 S. Kansas Ave. and damaged 718 S. Kansas Ave. The space was empty, so the Claytons decided to make

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Music: Event a key chance to grow business Continued from 6

718 S. Kansas Ave. into lofts, and the next-door property into office/business space, according to Anderson.

Frugal House will be in the front and back lofts on the second floor of 718 S. Kansas Ave. The Frugal Boutique will be in the third-floor loft.

Anderson said the collection of furniture for the fundraiser begins in early spring. Volunteers pick up the donated furniture and home accessories and deliver them to a warehouse, where they are recorded and marked with an inventory number. The collection continues until early August.

Designers toured the lofts in late July to get an idea what space they wanted to decorate, she said. In early August, the designers “shopped” at the warehouse for items they could up-cycle or repurpose for their spaces. Each designer prices the furniture in the lofts — which reflects 75 percent of what they would charge in their shops or online.

Some of the furniture and accessories left in the warehouse will be retained for future

fundraisers, some is sold to individuals, and some is donated to Topeka Rescue Mission.

About 50 volunteers have helped with this year’s fundraiser, Anderson said.

Supporting community While Nolde and Beam were readying their furniture for the fundraiser, down the hallway Cheryl Bozarth and Joyce Varner, co-owners of Portico, 802 N. Kansas Ave., were moving furnishings into a study they were helping to decorate.

“All of these items were donated, and we re-imagined the pieces,” Bozarth said. “We picked three colors in the gray family that will blend in well with the unit.”

Bozarth and Varner, who are participating in Frugal House for the first time, chose a blue gray for the desk, chair and bookcase for the study and will use accessories to enhance the room.

Bozarth, who describes herself as a “cheerleader for Topeka,” said she wanted to be involved in Frugal House because she supports anything that promotes the city and cultural arts and encourages young professionals to stay in the city.

FRUGAL HOUSE IN THE LOFT AT KANSAS AVENUE

What: Fundraiser for Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Youth Ensembles featuring two decorated lofts and the Frugal Boutique When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oc-t. 21 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22; patron party from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20; furniture and accessory pickup from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 23 Where: The Lofts, 718 S. Kansas Ave. Participating designers: Mandy Swift, of Beauty from Ashes; Jill Beam and Sharon Nolde, co-owners of Bedsprings and Burlap; Carol Ingenthron, Debbie Geist and Sandy Martin, of 4 Girls’ Garage; Cheryl Bozarth and Joyce Varner, co-owners of Portico; and Chris Wolf, of Sagacity Designed Decor.

Cost: $8 in advance and $10 at the door; $40 for patron party Ticket outlets: Dillons stores, Hy-Vee Topeka, Eagle Auto Wash & Detailing Salon, Hazel Hill Chocolate, 4 Girls’ Garage and Portico and online at CitySpin NEKs. Information: (785) 232-2032 or (785) 272-5850

Photos by Keith Horinek/The Capital-Journal

Cheryl Bozarth and Joyce Varner, co-owners of Portico, crafted this sofa and table from recycled materials.

“And it’s an opportunity to promote our business,” she added.

Nolde, who participated last year’s inaugural Frugal House, agrees.

“We like to help give back to the community … and at the same time, we’re getting some recognition,” Nolde said, adding she also likes the “creative process” of the fundraiser and getting to see the other designers’ creations.

Other designers participating in this year’s Frugal House are Mandy Swift, of Beauty from Ashes; Carol Ingenthron, Debbie Geist and Sandy Martin, of 4 Girls’ Garage, 802 N. Kansas Ave.; and Chris Wolf, of Sagacity Designed Decor.

Contact niche editor Jan Biles at (785) 295-1292.

A hallway ceiling grate was repurposed as a table top by Carol Ingenthron, Debbie Geist and Sandy Martin, of 4 Girls’ Garage.

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Don’t ignore signs of home electrical problems

By Paul Pogue Angie’s List

Knowing the symptoms of an electrical problem can help you make repairs to prevent a dangerous situation that might lead to electrocution or property damage.

Although many problems should be diagnosed and repaired by a professional electrician, you may be able to troubleshoot some issues yourself.

Here are some common warning signs of home electrical problems, what they mean and what you can do about them. Always be cautious working with electricity, and always shut off the power before touching any wiring.

How to approach circuit breaker problems: n Circuit breakers trip when a circuit is overloaded. By shutting off the electrical supply, the breaker prevents wires from overheating and potentially starting a fire.

FRANK ESPICH

From flickering lights to hot ceiling fixtures, a wide range of issues signal potential electrical problems. n Breakers also can trip when they become old. Occasional tripping can indicate simple overloads. Try plugging the appliance into a different circuit.

If, however, a breaker keeps tripping, you should consult an electrician. n Working inside an electrical panel requires skill. Even with

the main breaker shut off, electrical power is still entering the panel. Leave this type of work to an experienced professional. Improperly replacing a breaker or fuse can cause overheating and fire. n Also, if your home dates between the 1950s to 1990, check the electrical panel to see if it or

its breakers were manufactured

by Federal Pacific. The company’s Stab-Lok brand breakers aren’t considered safe and should be inspected by an electrician. What about electrical shocks? n If you feel a mild shock or tingle when touching an appliance, a ground fault improper wiring is a likely cause. n If you notice a shock after crossing a carpeted surface, it may be from static, which is common in the winter and not cause for concern. You should, however, take other types of electrical shocks seriously to prevent the situation from becoming worse. n Light switches or electrical outlets not working?

Switches or receptacles that work intermittently reveal another home electrical problem.

Wiring may be loose, or the device may be cracked internally.

If a plug is loose, that can pose a problem as well.

If it partially falls out, an un-

suspecting individual could receive a shock when unplugging the cord.

This is another issue a pro should at least inspect. n Smell a burning odor or see sparks? If you detect a burning odor coming from any outlets or switches, turn the power off at the electrical panel and contact an electrician. The problem may be a faulty device, but it might also be a wiring or overload problem.

A burning smell is serious.

It could indicate the start of an electrical fire. Receptacles or plugged-in cords that are warm to the touch also signal an electrical problem. Don’t use the receptacle until the situation has been repaired. n Occasional sparks when you first plug something in aren’t unusual. Sparks that are large or happen frequently will indicate a problem with your outlet or the circuit. If you hear a popping sound, it may signal that a wire may be loose.

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10 decor ideas to dress up Halloween

By Cathy Hobbs

Tribune News Service

Looking for ways to dress up your home for the Halloween holiday? Here are some ideas for transitioning your home decor while making it more festive this Halloween.

Fall-themed decor elements. Instead of decorating your home just for a particular holiday, why not decorate your home for the season as well? Elements such as baled hay, potted cabbages, sunflowers or even flowering plants can create a desirable and appealing look. n Small pumpkins. Pumpkin carving can be great for the kids, but a little bit too messy perhaps for adults. A great idea is to purchase smaller pumpkins and, instead of carving, simply hollow out the core and insert a large oversized candle in the center. It works well along an entry pathway as well as a centerpiece.

n Paper lanterns. When it comes to lighting, you can make your own using decorative cotton or linen paper. Simply string thin metal wire through the ends to create your shape, then place over a hanging bulb or batterypowered light. n Greeting cards. Seldom do people think of sending Halloween greeting cards, but these colorful cards make for great instant artwork to adorn a table for entertaining or a trickor-treat table at the front door.

Just frame and you’re ready to go. n Create your own Halloween artwork. One of my favorite simple art tricks is to frame paper or cotton napkins. Now is the perfect time of the year to bring out all of the warm yellows, oranges, browns and blacks.

Dreamstime

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Small pumpkins work well along an entry pathway, as well as a centerpiece.

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Halloween: Signature cocktails, colored pumpkins spice up home Continued from 9

n Create a signature cocktail. For the perfect adult brew for Halloween entertaining, think color.

A chocolate martini with a foamed milk topping creates the perfect adult witches’ brew to bring any party to life. n Easy Halloween tabletop decor. Layer the table with yards of white netting, then place a colored cloth on top. The final touch is to place a battery-powered light under the table. The result is

a beautiful glow radiating through the netting and colored cloth that is sure to create the perfect atmosphere. n White pumpkins.

White pumpkins aren’t as common as their orange counterparts but look beautiful adorning a Halloween table. Spray-paint some black for a ghoulish mix. n Spooky napkin holders. It may sound a bit ghoulish, but hallowedout dog bones make the perfect napkin ring for a frightfully delightful table

setting.

Halloween elements such as cobwebs. Cobwebs are a wonderful way to adorn a table for a spooky atmosphere. Inexpensive stockings or pantyhose can create the look.

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. homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, July 29, 2017 | 9

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