At Home Living 123017

Saturday, December 30, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

COLD WEATHER

Conquering winter Shovel snow correctly; pack a driving kit page 2 n Master Gardener awards, page 2 n Scale down plants to fit size of lot, page 3 n Boho fatigue? Try these trends, page 4

metro creative collection

2 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Master Gardeners recognizes volunteers Every year, Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners has its annual recognition dinner.

The dinner serves as the holiday celebration for the group, but it’s also a time when the contributions made by our 160 volunteers are recognized.

In 2017, Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners volunteered 10,647 hours of their time to their community. These hours were spent planting new trial plants in the Prairie Star Prairie Bloom Demonstration Garden and teaching eighthgraders about composting.

Many hours were spent creating magic at the Kansas Garden Show and answering lawn and garden questions asked by those using the Response Line.

Last year’s plant sale was the most successful yet, with a line winding down the block before

Ariel Whitely-NOLL

arielw@ksu.edu

the sale even opened. Volunteers put on classes, hosted booths and utilized demonstration, private and public gardens as teaching laboratories.

Although there are many gardening gurus, Extension Master Gardeners stand out above the rest. The organization provides community members with quality research-based information to help answer their lawn and garden questions.

In addition to their volunteer work, Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners spent more than 1,470 hours in training courses this year.

They received training on lawn maintenance, native plants, tree trimming and water gardening, to name a few.

This year, we certified new members in the Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener class of 2017. These members took 40 hours of classes and then completed a year of volunteer time above what is required of our older members.

Members also were recognized for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service.

A truly special moment was when the four remaining members of our first Shawnee County Extension Master Gardener class in the spring and fall of 1988 —

R.O. Brown, Elaine Holmstrom, Christine Kramer, Betty Gillham — were recognized for 30 years of service to our organization.

Thirty years ago, the “compact computer” weighed 18 pounds, and you could get a gallon of gas for less than a dollar.

So much has changed, and yet these volunteers haven’t wavered in their dedication to the community.

We also recognized a member with our Emeritus Master Gardener honor. Carolyn Hull received this award after 10 years of service — the minimum required to receive emeritus status — a nomination and approval by the Master Gardener Advisory Board.

Along with tenure and nomination, Carolyn fit the criteria of “superior involvement and outstanding participation” in

the program. She served in numerous roles within the organization and has proven time and again her dedication and leadership. This award is best explained by saying, “She’s with us for life.”

Although we gave out plaques and certificates to some on this special night, the evening is to honor all who serve and lead this important group of volunteers. Each member contributes time, energy, expertise and care to the work they do.

This dinner is only once a year, but they deserve more gratitude than that. If you see a Master Gardener, thank them for their service, and then ask them your gardening questions — they love that.

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

Prepare for unpredictable wintry weather The Capital-Journal Mother Nature can be unpredictable, especially in Kansas during the winter months. One day can be sunny and warm, and the next cold and icy.

That’s why it’s a good idea to be prepared for clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways and driving in cold temperatures.

Snow clearing tips

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Removing snow from sidewalks and driveways can place a strain on one’s back. Warm up your muscles before beginning the task, and drink plenty of fluids.

One of the more common causes of back injuries during winter is snow removal, which can put undue stress on the spine and lead to muscle strains and falls, according to information compiled by Menards. However, many injuries can be prevented if a few precautions are taken: — Warm up muscles before you start shoveling.

— Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids to stave off dehydration.

— Use a shovel that’s comfortable for your height and strength. Don’t use a shovel that’s too long or too heavy.

— If possible, push the snow off sidewalks and driveways rather than lifting and tossing it. Don’t throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side, because the twisting motion required can add stress to the back.

Menards also says residents need to be cautious when using snow blowers, which can be more dangerous than shoveling. In addition to reading the user manual and labels on the machine, the home improvement company recommends: — Never stick your hands in the snow blower. If snow jams the snow blower, turn it off and use a solid object to clear the wet snow debris from the chute. Beware of the brief recoil of the motor and blades that occurs after the snow blower is turned off.

— Don’t leave the snow blower unattended when it’s running.

— Don’t add fuel when the snow blower is on or hot.

— Stay away from the engine, which can be hot and cause burns to unprotected skin.

— When operating an electric snow blower, be aware of where the

power cord is at all times.

To remove ice from driveways and sidewalks, use ice melt and all-purpose sand, which can add traction to the surfaces, according to Menards.

Ice chippers also work well.

Safe on the roads

Because winter weather and driving conditions can be unpredictable, WEATHER continues on 6

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | 3

Larger houses on smaller lots lead to scaled-down plants

By Dean Fosdick The Associated Press

Urbanization is transforming landscape design in many places: Larger houses and smaller lots are driving the development of scaled-down plants.

Plant breeders are introducing plants — everything from shrubs and trees to flowering perennials — that remain compact when placed in the garden. They look great in containers, too.

“This is happening in every urban area in the world where developers are trying to squeeze in extra homes per acre,” said Jonathan Pedersen, vice president of business development for Monrovia Nursery Co., which has brought hundreds of new plant varieties to market. “That’s making us look for downsized but diverse plants with a smaller footprint.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blueberries grow in a pot on a patio garden near Langley, Wash.

Urbanization is transforming landscape design with larger houses and smaller lots driving reliance on scaled-down plants.

People with smaller yard space must use it more resourcefully, he said.

“They don’t have as much room for large, lush gardens, but they still want seating areas surrounded by plants.

“We want to give them that with compact plants that bloom longer and require less maintenance,” Pedersen said.

“They reach a certain size and stay that way.”

Less can be more in smaller

gardens, said Eileen Obermiller, a landscape architect from Powell Butte, Ore. “You don’t want to crowd a small space,” Obermiller said.

“Plants should comfortably fit an area without taking over.”

Dwarf species or columnar forms are appealing options, she said.

“Be sure to read the attached tags when you’re dealing with specialized plants,” Obermiller said. “Make certain that you get plants that fit the space.”

Create a calmer environment by cutting down on the number of materials and plant varieties.

“For example, a good ground cover can tie a garden together well,” she said. “Instead of planting vinca, ajuga, woody thyme, creeping mahonia, kinnikinnik and sweet woodruff, plant just sweet woodruff in the shade and wooly thyme in the sun.”

4 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

New trends for those with boho fatigue

By Gabrielle Savoie Domaine

For years, California’s bohochic signature style was dominating every magazine spread, Pinterest board, even major retailer catalogs — some may say ad nauseam.

But as the proliferation of macrame wall hangings, batik pillows and Beni Ourain rugs spread like wildfire in our decor vernacular, another trend crept up in homes everywhere: monochrome minimalism.

Suddenly, brightly colored, eclectic spaces were pared back with almost superhuman restraint — to the point where we were left wondering: Does anyone even live here?

Despite the recent rise of minimal, modern and Scandinavian influences in our homes, many signs point to traditional decor making a comeback in 2018. One of the most frequent resonating themes this year, from interviews with famed interior designers to polls among our Instagram followers, demanded one thing from decor trends in 2018: a broader mix of periods and styles and an approach to decor that felt more authentic and personable.

After all, once the pendulum swings too far on one side, it has no choice but to swing back.

A recently released decor book, “Haute Bohemians,” by famed interior photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna, goes beyond the simple return of traditional decor by reintroducing bohemian style with a more authentic, individualistic approach.

You won’t find any instant decor formulas for boho-chic style in this book. Instead, you’ll find a collection of worldly homes photographed throughout the years — each wildly different from the other, but all tied together with one common thread: a deeply individual eclectic style paying homage to the city it lives in, the architectural period of the building, and the quirky personal style of its owner.

Wondering how to curate your home like a true haute bohemian?

We highlighted some of our

DREAMSTIME

A faded, vintage rug can give a room a bohemian flair. favorite interiors below — from Argentina to Paris — along with a few helpful tips.

Patterned tiles

Patterned cement tiles have seen somewhat of a revival of late, but few did it better than garden designer Umberto Pasti and couturier Stephan Janson in their Morocco home, where the tones of the walls, doors and door frames are loosely drawn from the tiles’ blue hues.

To further accentuate the variety of blue tones, bold, complementary-colored floral arrangements are strategically placed in perspective to create a striking combination.

Vintage rugs

In Oxfordshire in the English countryside, New York expat Bridget Elworthy’s manor sways between respectfully traditional

and unexpectedly modern. While the antique pieces and ornate moldings are unabashedly classic, the worn floors, faded antique rugs, and wild floral arrangements give the space a bohemian flair that feels fresh and new in its own way.

Classic appliances

Classic French ranges like La Cornue or Lacanche can be a little bit of an investment, but they’ve stood the test of time, both functionally and aesthetically. This is not an appliance you’ll replace anytime soon, and it adds to the timeless flair of a kitchen.

In writer Susana Bombal’s kitchen in San Rafael, Argentina, a French range is paired with patterned tiled walls that speak to the region’s traditional style.

Indoor/outdoor living

In garden designer Madison

Cox’s Tangier home, the outside environment plays a role in the house’s decor, where floral linens and rattan chairs contribute in merging the inside and outside.

Even the door frames, which are painted a soft green, signal that indoor/outdoor living is encouraged.

A simple base

Magazine editor Carolina Irving knows a thing or two about mixing patterns and colors, and it starts with a fairly neutral base. In her Paris living room, a light blueand-white dhurrie rug proves to be the perfect modern base for a varied mix of pieces, including a red kilim ottoman, a green ikat skirted table and paisley printed chairs.

New lampshades

Another room in Irving’s Pari-

sian abode reminds us of a very important decor lesson: Custom lampshades are one of the easiest ways to make a room look more expensive. Some classics like fabric lampshades, Louis XVI mirrors, and art lighting on bookcases have stood the test of time for a reason — they work every time.

These little touches can instantly elevate a room and make it feel more traditional, while the rest of the room can be populated with modern touches.

Bold colors

It’s easy to shy away from brightly colored walls, especially when your style is a little eclectic, but if Peter Hinwood’s London home has taught us anything, it’s that a bold seafoam green can be the perfect unexpected backdrop to a varied collection of mementos and antiques.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | 5

Should you install a home security system?

Tip of the week: Cleaning CDs or DVDs

By Megan Alderton Angie’s List

If you’re often away from your home, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place to deter would-be intruders. Better yet, consider installing a home security system.

Deterring crime

If your CDs and DVDs have dust bunnies on them, you’ll need to clean them.

Data is embedded in the discs, so clean carefully by wiping with a soft cloth — from the center to the edge.

Don’t clean in a circular motion, because that might damage the data.

Source: heloise.com

Experts say an alarm system plays more of a role in scaring burglars away from a home than it does in prompting a quick response from law enforcement. But that can go a long way in keeping your family and belongings safe.

About one in every six American families has an alarm system, according to the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association, and the number of security-protected residences is rising. That’s because homeowners who have installed burglar alarm systems statisti-

cally stand a better chance of avoiding invasion than those without protection.

In fact, homes without an alarm system are three times more likely to be burglarized than those with an alarm system. And burglaries are just as likely to occur in country and suburban settings as they are in urban city centers.

Choosing a system

Look for an alarm system that suits your needs and fits your budget. The standard home security package will include a master control panel, a control keypad, sensor pads for doors and windows, and a motion sensor device.

Some systems are connected to an off-site alarm monitoring service, while others have inhome alarms. Further, you can install many products yourself, while others will require the help of a professional.

JASON MICHAEL WHITE

Home security systems provide an extra sense of security while homeowners are away.

Examine the security measures included in each package. Then evaluate the applicability of each to your particular needs. If you experience frequent power outages, for example, you’ll benefit from a security system that uses a battery backup. And if your

family travels frequently, you may want to have a monitoring service handle alerts while you’re away.

Many providers offer extras, such as infrared sensors and closed-circuit camera systems, that fully monitor your home inside and out.

Open House Directory homes.cjonline.com Address

BR/BA

Open

Realtor/Company

Phone

Address

BR/BA

Saturday, December 30, 2017 631 W 5th, Holton

3/1

120 Pennsylvania Ave, Holton 2/1 2040 SW Randolph Ave 2710 SW Lee Ct

3/2 2/1

$50’s 12:00-1:00 Tyler Caudle/Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair $70’s 1:00-2:00 Tyler Caudle/Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair $100’s 12:30-2:00 Traci McDonald/Hawks Real Estate Professionals 2:30-4:00 Traci McDonald/Hawks Real Estate Professionals

Open

Realtor/Company

Phone

Sunday, December 31, 2017 380-6551

509 Illinois Ave, Holton

2/1

380-6551

208 Lincoln Ave, Holton

2/1

554-3919 554-3919

1647 SW 28th St

3/2

$40’s Sara Fox/Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair $70’s 12:00-12:45 Sara Fox/Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair $140’s 1:00-3:00 Ida Kirmse/Hawks Real Estate Professionals 1:00-1:45

364-0424 364-0424 213-7379

CONTACT US At Home Living is the #1 Real Estate Source in Topeka. As we go through the year if there is a topic you would like At Home Living to cover – please let us know.

To advertise, please contact Multi-Media Inside Sales Consultants Monica Brede – Multi-Media Sales Consultant Linda Girardin Karen Yost Real Estate Specialist 785.295.1223 785.295.1227 monica.brede@cjonline.com linda.girardin@cjonline.com

karen.yost@cjonline.com

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!!

6 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Weather: Keep candles for heat Continued from 2

Mary Knapp, a climatologist who works in Kansas State University’s Weather Data Library, recommends drivers carry a winter weather kit in the trunk of their cars.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Association suggests a winter weather kit include: — Shovel.

— Windshield scrapper.

— Flashlight.

— Battery-powered radio.

— Extra batteries.

— Water and snack food.

— Hats and mittens.

— Tow chain or rope.

— Road salt or sand for

traction.

— Jumper cables.

— Emergency flares and a fluorescent distress flag.

“In addition, they recommend having an empty metal coffee can and candles and matches,” Knapp said. “You can use that as an alternative heating source if you can’t keep your engine running.”

All of the items in a winter weather kit should be stored in the car, except the water.

“Don’t keep water as part of your kit,” she said. “In this kind of weather, it’s likely to freeze solid, and if you do run into difficulties, trying to melt that bottle of water when you’re already

stressed and stranded is not a good idea.

“The last thing you can do as you’re leaving the house is to grab a bottle of water or fill your reusable water bottle, so that it’s a liquid, not ice.”

Knapp said drivers should make sure their car’s maintenance is up to date, including antifreeze levels, wiper fluid with de-icer, windshield wipers, tires with good tread and battery strength.

Before heading out on the road, check the weather forecast for the route being taken to see if more time needs to be allowed for traveling. homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, July 29, 2017 | 9

Service Directory

Subscribers = All-Access Members

Activate NOW

where local lives ALL ACCESS | ALL PLATFORMS | ALL CONTENT

www.cjonline.com/allaccess

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | 7

8 | Saturday, December 30, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com