At Home Living 042217

Saturday, April 22, 2017 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

home.cjonline.com

fundraising tours

Showhouse showcase Designers make over Topeka home page 6 n Jamie Kidd on flower planting, page 2 n Picking the right shingles, page 7 n Make a springtime checklist, page 8

keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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As weather warms, plans for planting sprout I’m feeling it. I’m feeling it. My hands are itching to get down and dirty — in my garden, of course.

What did you think I would say?

This spring has been a real tease — warm, cool, warm, little frost. I know many of you have already planted your flowers and some vegetables. I’ve been a good girl and resisted the temptation for a good reason: The soil is inconsistently warm.

Most plants, while they may not die, won’t grow when the soil isn’t warm enough. Planting early may help you get a jumpstart on getting things into the ground. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ahead of the game in flower or fruit production.

JAMIE KIDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

I look at it this way.

Planting early means I have to weed, water and cover my plants at night — if the temperatures drop too much — for an entire month while they don’t grow. The plants I plant later in warmer soil will often outgrow the early plants, and I have less labor time involved.

Annual flower beds are just what they say they are — annual. Every year is a fresh opportunity to pour out your creativity

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

n “Herbs: Growing and Using Them” will be presented by Master Gardener Carol Bragdon at 7 p.m. April 27 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th. Free. n A retirement reception for Shawnee County Extension horticulturist Jamie Kidd will be from 3 to 6 p.m. April 28, with a short presentation at 4:30 p.m., at the Garden House in the Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, 3720 S.W. Yacht Court. n The Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale Extravaganza will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 6 in the Shawnee County Extension Office parking lot, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. The sale will feature annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, patio pots, hanging baskets, plants for monarch butterflies and other pollinators, and a prize drawing for a potting bench created by a Master Gardener from recycled materials. The suggested donation for the drawing is $1 per chance, or six chances for $5. and challenge yourself to explore new plants never before seen in your garden. Some plants will grow beautifully and others will push the limits, but, all in all, you’ll have learned a lot and enjoyed the journey.

The first step is to find an area in which you’d like to have a splash of color. Determine if the area is in full shade,

part shade or full sun. It makes a big difference when selecting plants.

Clear the area of weeds and grasses. Amend the soil, 8 to 10 inches deep, with peat moss or compost and mix in a slowrelease fertilizer, such as Osmocote. The added material will raise the bed somewhat. This will improve drainage.

Most annual flowers

don’t like to dry out, but they also don’t grow well in soggy soils. Building raised beds with boards or stones is another great way to maintain good drainage.

Using pencil and paper, roughly draw the shape of your garden. Graph paper can help with sizing. One square can equal 1 square foot. Use graph paper with large

squares to make it easier.

Colored pencils can give you a sense of what you’re trying to achieve in color schemes.

Designing with annuals can be as easy as picking colors. Choose three or four and buy plants that are only in those colors.

Monochromatic color schemes utilize various shades of the same color, such as light pink to dark red. Using colors that are opposite on the color wheel can add a great deal of excitement to your garden.

Choose plants that vary in height — small, medium and tall. Place the tall to the back and the small to the front. A variation on placement KIDD continues on 5

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Kidd: Check light requirements of plants you choose Continued from 2

would be to place combinations of heights in groups.

Avoid straight lines. They tend to be boring, unless it’s a border.

Kansas State University has a great list of annuals that grow very well in Kansas, called Prairie Star, and perennials, called Prairie Bloom, at prairiestarflowers. com. Many of these annuals and perennials will be sold at the Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale Extravaganza from 9 a.m. to noon May 6 in the

Shawnee County Extension Office parking lot, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. Don’t forget the foliage plants. Coleus and sweet potato vine are great plants for adding color without using flowers. Dusty miller has grayish-silver foliage.

It’s wonderful as a border and a contrast for the other more brightly colored plants.

It works well at night along with other white flowering plants. Night lighting really sets dusty miller off.

Remember to check the light requirements of the

plants you’re choosing. Shade plants won’t grow well in full sun and vice versa.

After all the flowers have been planted, water the garden well to settle the soil around the root balls. When you’re sure settlement has happened, sprinkle a preemergence herbicide, such as Preen or Hi-Yield Turf and Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper (Dimension).

Preen lasts six to eight weeks and will need to be reapplied during the season.

Water it in immediately for best performance. Dimen-

sion only needs to be applied once. Watering can be delayed slightly with no problems. Always follow the directions on the label.

Mulch the flower beds with 1 to 2 inches of compost, wood chips, straw, leaf mold (shredded leaves) or other organic matter. If a slowrelease fertilizer wasn’t used, irrigate with a water-soluble fertilizer at least every two weeks.

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

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designers’ showhouse

1927-era home showcased Event raises money for Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas

By Shanna Sloyer

Special to The Capital-Journal

Leslie Hunsicker, design coordinator for the 37th Annual Designers’ Showhouse, says this year’s featured home, at 3143 S.W. Shadow Lane in the historic Westboro neighborhood, is unique because homeowners Walt and Susan Frederick have been deeply involved in the design process.

Susan has worked alongside designers to design the thirdfloor suite of the home.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had homeowners do an entire space,” Hunsicker said.

The result is a return to the home’s original 1927-period features but using modern materials. During tours of the home, the public can expect to see new twists on vintage light fixtures updated for the 21st century; major renovations to the kitchen and master bathroom, including extensive tile work; and a dedicated library space typical to the 1927 period.

The Designers’ Showhouse will be open for tours April 29 through May 21. Proceeds from the tour benefit Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, which offers programs and services that help to improve the quality of childcare for working families in the area.

“Kids and daycare providers will benefit,” Hunsicker said.

Rehabilitating an older home can come with some unexpected challenges, and this year’s showhouse was no exception.

The majority of the walls and ceilings of the home are lath and plaster, which tend to crack over time. After a few repairs to the dining room ceiling, the designers were able to resume the de-

sign process.

The home’s wood floors also underwent more extensive renovations than originally planned, which set the designers back on their timeline. In spite of the setbacks, Hunsicker is confident the house will be ready when it opens to the public.

“The magic doesn’t happen until the last week,” she said in mid-April. “It will happen. As soon as they are done sanding and finishing floors next week, furniture goes in.”

The Fredericks’ home has a rich history. The son of the home’s original owner is now 97 years old and lived in the house from the ages of 10 to 17. He can recount every house that was on the street when the home was built and what they looked like, as well as every nook and cranny in the house itself.

Though he currently resides in Phoenix, Ariz., Designers’ Showhouse coordinators are hopeful he may be able to travel to Topeka to see the updated home during the fundraising event.

Several new activities are planned as part of this year’s Designers’ Showhouse, as well as the Showhouse Boutique and other returning events.

Families with children ages 1 to 7 can take advantage of Sunday Family Fun Days at 2 and 3:30 p.m. each Sunday of the event, where children can participate in a story time and supervised activities in the Showhouse tent while parents tour the home.

Group tours of 10 or more again will be offered, and lunch is available for those groups with advance reservations and HOME continues on 9

photographs by keith horinek/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

A third-room bedroom has been given a fresher look but retained its coziness.

DESIGNERS LIST

Here are the designers who have been working on this year’s Designers’ Showhouse: n Dana Niemack, of Tooter & Tillaye’s Home Goods, foyer n Sarah Henry, of Furniture Mall of Kansas, living room n Monica Parsel, of Winston Brown Construction, family room n Vickie Lynch and Angie Varney, of Soho Interiors, dining room n Brandi Bryan, of Carpet One, main floor powder room n Leslie Hunsicker, of Leslie Hunsicker Interiors, laundry room n Jan Davis, of Carpet One, northeast bedroom and bath n Leslie Hunsicker and Jan Hutt, of Jan Hutt Interiors, master suite n Cheryl Bozarth and Joyce Varner, of Portico, and Carolyn Cox, of The Open Window, northwest bedroom n Jennifer Metzger, of Fine Design Studio, second-floor hall bath n Cindy Manny, of cmDesign, home office n Susan Frederick, homeowner, and Caroline Bivens, third-floor suite n Thad Wende, of Wende Woodworking, and Dan Brungardt, of Home At Last, kitchen

DESIGNERS’ SHOWHOUSE

What: Tours of a 1927-era home that has been updated by local designers When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday, April 29-May 21 Where: 3143 S.W. Shadow Lane, in historic Westboro neighborhood Cost: $10 in advance, with list of ticket vendors at east. ks.childcareaware.org; $12 at the door Events: n Patron Party, 6 to 9 p.m. April 28; $60 per person; reservations required n Beer tasting, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 4; $25 per person; reservations required n Wine tasting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 12; $40 per person; reservations required n Ladies Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 18; $25 per person; reservations required n Sunday Family Fun Day, 2 and 3:30 p.m. April 30 and May 7, 14 and 21; free for ages 1-7 source: east.ks.childcareaware.org

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Storm season brings potential for roof damage

By Jan Biles

jan.biles@cjonline.com

The spring storm season is here, bringing the potential for roof damage from hail and strong winds.

As soon as he hears about a severe weather event, Darren Brennan, managing partner at ABC Supply Co., 2031 US-24 highway, contacts the five manufacturers with whom he works to make sure shingles and other roofing materials are readily available to contractors repairing damaged homes.

“A contractor can do a 40-square roof in one day,” he said, explaining a square measures 10 feet by 10 feet. “Some contractors with more crews will do

four to five roofs a day.”

Contractors typically use one of three types of shingles: n Three-tab shingles.

Brennan said this type of shingle creates a flat residential roof. The shingles often are used for new construction because the homeowner likely will upgrade the roof later on.

“They’re good for a starter roof,” he said. n Two-layer laminated shingles. Brennan said these shingles are created by the manufacturer by pressing together two layers of shingles to create a saw-tooth or shake laminate look.

“This is the most popular, and everyone upgrades to this,” he said. “It’s the

bread-and-butter shingle.” n Impact-resistant shingles. This type of highly rated shingle can withstand most hailstorms.

Brannen said most Kansas insurance companies will give homeowners a yearly discount on their policies if they install a roof with impact-resistant shingles.

Homeowners typically consider aesthetics when they are trying to choose what type of roof to put on their homes. Brannen said weatherwood is the most popular shingle color and is often used for apartment complexes, military bases and new construction.

Price also is a consideration. Three-tab shingles cost $60 per square, while two-layer laminated shin-

gles are $70 per square and impact-resistant shingles are $100 per square, he said.

“In Kansas how long shingles last depends on the shingle,” Brannen said. “Fifteen to 20 years for three-tab, 30 years for two-layer laminate and 50 years to lifetime for impact-resistant, which has a 100-mph wind rating.”

Homeowners should hire a state-licensed roofer who is familiar with local building codes, according to Angie’s List.

“Reliable roofers offer substantive guarantees for their work — between five and 10 years on workmanship, which includes free repair of any defects due to improper installation,” Angie’s List reports.

jan biles/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Darren Brennan, managing partner at ABC Supply Co., 2031 US-24 highway, says spring often brings storms than damage the roofs of homes. When considering a new roof, homeowners often weigh what type of shingle to buy, as well as its price and aesthetics.

Response line answers Standard spout kitchen gardeners’ questions faucets never out of style

By Jan Biles

jan.biles@cjonline.com

What plants thrive in shade? When should a lilac bush be trimmed? What is this rusty substance on my green beans? What type of bug is infesting my roses?

Shawnee County gardeners can get the answers to those questions and others about flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, landscapes, pruning, diseases and insects by calling the Master Gardener Response Line, (785) 232-0062.

Marc Galbraith, horticulture program assistant at the Shawnee County Extension Office, said the response line, which was established in 1987, received more than 700 calls last year.

Master Gardeners volunteer to work the response

‘‘

Master Gardeners staff two phones and two computer stations, and respond with research-based information.”

Marc galbraith

horticulture program assistant at the Shawnee County Extension Office

line at the Extension office, taking calls from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, April through October.

“Master Gardeners staff two phones and two computer stations, and respond with research-based information,” Galbraith said.

If a Master Gardener doesn’t know the answer to a question, he or she will take the caller’s phone number, research the topic and call back with the answer.

At times, a Master Gardener may consult with Galbraith,

other Extension staff or a Kansas State University expert.

In addition to the response line, Galbraith said, gardeners email or walk into the Extension office with questions or stop to ask questions at its booth at the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market.

Galbraith said questions vary by the season. What do the most-often-asked questions involve?

“Turf grass, trees, vegetables and particularly insects,” he said.

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: I am looking for a new kitchen faucet, and all my friends are telling me to get the pull-out spray style because standard spout faucets are old-fashioned. I enjoy my present standard spout kitchen faucet with a separate spray. But, are my friends correct and are standard spout kitchen faucets really outdated?

— Jean, Rhode Island A: From what I have seen, when it comes to plumbing fixtures, you never can tell what is outdated. As long as a plumbing fixture does its job in an efficient way, it could be in or out, depending on the current design trends. But plumbing fixtures are not really outdated for good in most

tribune news service

Faucet makers have made updates to keep standard spout faucets trendy. cases.

I believe this is the case with standard spout kitchen faucets. Like you mentioned, many people enjoy

the look and the operation of a standard spout kitchen faucet with a remote spray head over the pull-out or pull-down models.

With this in mind, faucet makers have made updates to keep standard spout faucets trendy. Some changes are sleek one-handle designs with high-arch swinging spouts, state-ofthe-art ceramic disk valves and water-saving aerators.

Bottom line: Standard spout kitchen faucets are far from being a washed-up plumbing fixture.

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.

8 | Saturday, April 22, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Spring means checking equipment, starting garden

By Cathy Hobbs

Tribune News Service

Spring is an ideal time to make sure everything is in working order. From checking your home’s vital equipment, such as water heaters and furnaces, to replacing windows, here are some items that should top your spring checklist. n Check attics and your home’s exterior for openings and cracks. The spring is when nature comes out of hibernation, and even the tiniest of holes can serve as an entry point for unwanted animals. n Have your home’s equipment serviced. From water heaters to furnaces, spring is an ideal time for a checkup. n Have your septic tank pumped. In many parts of the country, homes are serviced by individual septic tanks that tend to need to be pumped annually. The spring is a good

dreamstime

If you live in an especially wooded area, this may be a good time to trim trees. time, as the ground has softened from the winter thaw. n Check your driveway. The winter snow and salt often can damage driveways and pathways. The spring may be a good time to have driveways, pathways and walkways resurfaced. n Check your water. With so many homeowners opting for

their own water purification and filtration systems, checking the safety of your home’s water is a good item to include on your checklist. n Evaluate your home’s lawn.

From downed tree limbs to areas that may have been damaged by winter, spring is a great time to tend to your lawn so it’s nice and lush for summer.

n Start preparing your garden. For many homeowners, the joy of gardening begins in the spring. n Repaint. Repainting is an instant refresher for many homes. Freshening your home with a new coat of paint, either on the inside or the outside, may provide you with the perfect renewal. n Trim trees. If you live in an especially wooded area, this may be a good time to trim trees so they don’t become a hazard during a storm or provide easy access to your roof for animals. n Replace windows. Doors and windows that may be old or improperly installed create a draft all year round. Especially in the warmer months when you will be looking to be able to properly open and close windows, making sure they are fully functioning and operational should be on your spring checklist.

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Home: Ladies Night new this year Continued from 6

payment. Guided group tours will be given on Mondays by appointment.

Other events include a Patron Party for those who want to be the first to see the showhouse before it is open to the public. Ticket holders for the party will be able to tour the showhouse, meet the designers, enjoy hors d’oeuvres by Aboud’s

Banquet & Catering and sip cocktails.

Beer and wine tasting events for those 21 years and older will feature beers from local breweries, winetasting education, appetizers and door prizes. Tickets for the beer and wine tasting events include a tour of the showhouse.

Also new this year, Ladies Night will feature a showhouse tour, hors

d’oeuvres by The Palette Restaurant, wine and a signature event drink. Ticket holders also can enter to win door prizes.

“The home is absolutely fabulous, and it is so much fun to see the talent and skills we have in Topeka by so many different designers,” Hunsicker said. “And it raises money for this organization that helps so many others.”

Tip of the week: More than one use

Here are some alternative uses for everyday items: n Spice rack: Place in the bathroom and use to store nail polish, face wash and other small tools. n Safety pin: Affix a safety pin near your pant leg’s hem to fight static cling. n Rubber glove: When damp, a rubber glove is just the right texture to grab pet hair and fuzz. n Lint roller: Use to clean dust from stereo speakers, lampshades and purses.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com

Service Directory

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