At Home Living 011616

Saturday, January 16, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

homes.cjonline.com

Cover story

Maintain your fireplace for a cozy home in winter

page 6

Jamie Kidd on wildflowers, page 2 n Safety-proofing your home as you age, page 4 n Creating an attractive mantel, page 7 n Keeping your earbuds tangle-free, page 8 n

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2 | Saturday, January 16, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Wildflower garden adds patch of color to yard, ‘just makes sense’ Not far from where I used to live and along a highway is a wildflower patch. It isn’t large, maybe 10 feet by 20 feet. It captured my attention all summer long for years. I drove by it every week or two, and the view was always outstanding.

Something new was blooming, and the color palette was continually changing.

Not many of us have considered a wildflower patch in our yards, and not many of us have the room for a wildflower meadow.

However, most of us have enough space with the right conditions to create a fascinating wildflower garden.

The late first lady Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded an organization in 1982 to protect and preserve North America’s native plants and natural landscapes. The Lady Bird Johnson Wild-

Jamie Kidd

jamiehan@ksu.edu

flower Center in Austin, Texas, is known for its internationally influential research and has become an organized research unit of the University of Texas in Austin. This is a great destination vacation. There are public gardens, meadows and woodlands to explore and enjoy.

Part of the center’s programming is to teach people about their natural surroundings and how to grow native plants in their own backyards. In our state, we have the Kansas Native

DATES TO REMEMBER

n The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners will present “Using Recycled Materials in Your Garden and Landscape” at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. Highlights include a presentation, free door prizes and a display of homemade repurposed items made by Master Gardeners. n The Kansas Garden Show is Feb. 12-14 at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive.

Plant Society, www.ksnps. org, as a reference for local native plants. Some advantages of a wildflower garden are low maintenance, little water requirements and reduced mowing area. Be it flowers, trees or shrubs, native plants are adapted to the particular combina-

tion of soil, temperature, nutrients and rainfall of their region. Once established, they require little, if any supplemental water, fertilizer, pesticides or other chemicals. In a world with a hurting economy, this just makes sense.

Steps for planting wildflower garden

1. It is recommended to plant wildflowers in early spring in our region.

2. Select a site that drains well. Wet locations are usually very weedy. Most native plants are droughttolerant and thrive in well-drained soils. The site should have full sun for at least eight hours each day.

Water should be available for germination and seedling establishment.

Compacted soils should be aerated.

3. Use herbicide to kill any vegetation that may compete with your flowers.

Hand weeding is also an option.

4. Rake or lightly till the surface of the soil to a maximum depth of 1 inch.

Shallow soil preparation will limit the disturbance of dormant weed seeds deeper in the soil.

5. It’s easier to uniformly distribute the wildflower seeds over an area when the seed is mixed with a “carrier” such as potting soil, dry compost, etc., at 4 parts carrier and 1 part seed.

6. Broadcast one-half of your seed as evenly as possible over the prepared area.

Sow the remaining seed in a direction perpendicular to the initial sowing.

7. Press the seed into the soil by walking or rolling over the newly planted area. Seed must be in good

contact with the soil for successful germination. Do not cover the seeds with more than 1/16 inch of soil. Some of the seeds will remain visible. Some seed is so small that if planted too deeply it will use all its reserves to reach the surface and then have nothing left with which to grow.

8. Do not plant wildflowers in clover or grasses that grow during cool seasons, such as annual ryegrass or fescues. They are too aggressive to allow wildflowers to become established.

9. Keep area moist for four to six weeks. Wildflower seeds will germinate as the soil temperature and water availability are just right. Each species has its own timeline. The key here is patience. Once the seeds begin to germinate, don’t

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Deadline approaches for Great Escape Weekend The Capital-Journal The deadline to register for the 2016 Sunflower Association of Realtors Inc.’s Great Escape Weekend is quickly approaching. Registrations must be

submitted by Jan. 25.

The Great Escape Weekend will be from 1 p.m. to midnight Jan. 30 at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta.

Featured this year are: — Security 1st Sports

Lounge, with games on two screens, free snacks, cold beer while it lasts and a cash bar, 1 p.m. in the Great Lakes Ballroom.

There is no cost.

— Affiliate Sponsor Social Hour, 6 p.m. in the

Great Lakes Ballroom.

The social hour is free.

Because of gaming and Alcoholic Beverage Control regulations, all guests age 35 and younger must have photo identification and will be carded.

— Realtor Awards and Inaugural Gala, 7 p.m. in the Great Lakes Ballroom.

Gala tickets are $50 each.

In addition to the Jan. 30 events, a buffet brunch will be served from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Cost of

the buffet is $15.74 per person.

For more information, contact the Sunflower Association of Realtors at its Facebook page at http:// cjon.co/1R9mYkB or call (785) 267-3215.

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Transform your home today to ensure your safety tomorrow Brandpoint While many can only dream of the day they’ll retire, for baby boomers, that dream is quickly becoming a reality. By the year 2030, approximately 20 percent of Americans are expected to be age 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

But retirement doesn’t

necessarily mean relocating to a senior community. More and more, adults choose to “age in place,” remaining in their current home, even after retirement. Here are a few ways to add extra convenience today — and ensure a safe home in the future. n Change up common areas.

When thinking about the

long-term, start with the layout. In a perfect world, it’s ideal to have all the key living spaces — bathroom, kitchen and bedroom on the first floor. If your home wasn’t built with a first-floor bedroom or bath, and stairs have to be a part of your plan, install no-slip strips on the edge of each stair to help limit trips and falls.

Next, make sure there’s plenty of room to move. Aim for doorways that are at least 32 inches wide, though 36 inches is ideal. Tight corners and doorways are a challenge for those with walkers or canes. For stress-free opening and closing, change out door handles from traditional knobs to lever handles for an easier grip.

Then, focus on the flooring. Installing carpeting can provide warmth and cushioning for you to enjoy now, and offers an added element of safety when it might be harder for you to maneuver around in the future. Choose a low pile carpet to minimize tripping — too much shag is a safety hazard.

Area rugs are a major no-

no, as unsecured rugs and loose carpet are one of the main causes for slips and falls. If you can’t bear the thought of losing your area rug, use carpet tape to secure it firmly to the floor. n Boost the bath. If you can only update one place in your home, make it the

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Kidd: Weeds an inevitable factor Continued from 2 allow the site to completely dry out but avoid over-watering the area. Over-watering could saturate the soil and drown the seedlings.

After seedlings are 1 to 2 inches tall, watering should be gradually reduced and applied only if the plants show signs of stress.

Weeds are an inevitable part of any garden. Recognizing weeds versus seedlings can be a daunting task. For the first 45 to 90 days after germination,

your seedlings will undergo tremendous change in appearance. The University of Texas at Austin has a website, http://cjon. co/1WbE8xq, with pictures of wildflower seedlings.

This is helpful when deciding whether it’s a weed or a wildflower.

Some control of warm season grasses, like Johnsongrass, crabgrass and ryegrass, can be had using Ortho Grass-B-Gon, HiYield Grass Killer or PBI Gordon Ornamec 170. Use as recommended on the

label.

Native annual and perennial species return year after year once they become established and are allowed to reseed. Reseed by mowing to a height of 4 to 6 inches when the dead brown foliage offsets the floral display. Two mowings should provide good seed dispersal. Caution: Cutting below 3 inches can damage perennials.

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

Home: Injuries common in bathroom Continued from 4 bathroom. The bathroom typically offers the most opportunities for injury. In fact, roughly 234,000 injuries occur annually in the bathroom alone, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An easy way to incorporate safety is to install grab bars. Today’s grab bars are stylish, fitting in seamlessly with your space, rather than seeming obtrusive and sterile. Install them near the toilet, (make sure you have a comfort-height commode for easy sitting and standing) as well as in the shower.

Some models, like the corner shelf with grab bar from Moen, pull double duty by adding an element of additional storage you can take advantage of immediately, providing room to store your shampoo, and will help keep you safe while entering and exiting the bath. Check out retailers like Lowe’s for a wide array of options that are fashionable as well as functional.

Brandpoint

Grab bars and hand-held showerheads are good options for the bathroom.

In the shower, a handheld showerhead, like the Magnetix Engage showerhead from Moen, is an ideal option for those who may want to be seated while they bathe. Engage with Magnetix is also handy for cleaning the shower, by eliminating bending and squatting that can be hard on your joints as you age. Finally, at the vanity, choose a faucet with lever handles — they’re easiest to grip and turn — and install sconces near the mirror for additional lighting.

6 | Saturday, January 16, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Create a cozy home with a fireplace Most fireplaces, chimneys need cleaning yearly

flue. n Make sure the damper is open. To do this, you can look upward in the chimney, feel for a draft or light a match and see if the smoke rises.

You also should apply common sense when using your fireplace. Steinbock said he’s seen some homeowners do some pretty unusual things over the years.

“A fireplace is not the place for a bonfire, and some people cook in them and that’s a big no-no,” he said.

Steinbock won’t even attempt to clean a fireplace in which someone has used to cook because of the grease that can build up and cause a safety hazard.

By Dustin Lemmon Special to The Capital-Journal

Outside the wind is howling, and the temperature is falling and you feel a bit of a chill in the house.

If you have a fireplace, you might think now is a good time to build a fire, but how long has it been since you used it? When did you last have your fireplace inspected or cleaned?

If you don’t have a fireplace and are considering installing one, do you want it to help heat your home or just provide ambiance? What is your budget?

Here are some important questions to answer before building a fire — or a fireplace — that could damage your home or even set it ablaze.

Types of fireplaces

Safety

Joe Steinbock, owner of Steinbock Chimney Sweep, 2913 S.W. Wayne Ave., has maintained chimneys for 30 years and is aware of many fires that were started as a result of poor safety practices and failing to keep the fireplace and chimney clean.

“Every year, you should inspect and clean it,” Steinbock said. “If you only use it twice a year, then you don’t need it (cleaned as often).”

Beyond that, what are some basic steps when it comes to safety? n Buy good wood to burn. Don’t use softwoods like pine or elm, which will gum up the chimney

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Yearly cleanings, burning good-quality wood and warming the flue before setting a fire are safety measures to consider when using your fireplace. faster. Hardwoods, like fruit trees and oaks, are a better choice, he said. n Keep flammable objects, including your wood, a safe distance

from the fireplace. n Warm the flue before setting your fire. You can burn some paper to do this. If you don’t warm the flue, the initial smoke

from your fire will roll back into the house, Steinbock said. n Don’t allow any burning materials, such as paper, to float up into the

So, safety is all well and good, but you don’t have a fireplace yet, or maybe you’re looking to replace yours or add another one.

What are some important things you should know?

Wood-burning fireplaces are the most traditional and familiar, and an open wood-burning fireplace will give you the most authentic look, not to mention the crackle and aroma of a cozy fire.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice for everyone. These types of fireplaces require more work to clean and maintain. It also may not be as effective at heating your home.

Gas fireplaces have been around for years and are popular for their low maintenance and ability to help heat your home.

They can be cheaper to install than a wood-burning fireplace, because you can go with a direct vent option that won’t require a chimney. With a blower,

they also can do a better job of generating heat.

“They don’t give you the atmosphere of a normal (wood-burning) fireplace,” Steinbock noted.

However, most gas models feature ceramic logs.

So you’re familiar with wood-burning and gas fireplaces, what other options are out there?

Well, if generating heat while still using real firewood is a priority for you, you could consider a wood-burning stove instead of a fireplace. While these stoves are very efficient for producing heat, Steinbock noted, they are probably the most expensive option to install because they require a pipe to vent smoke.

“Newer stove models require a stainless steel liner,” he said. “They put out the heat and have blowers.”

If you’re not after extra heat, but love the look of an open flame, your best option might be an ethanol insert. These items produce low-heat flame and often have decorative elements, such as glass or stone. Not only do these units tend to be cheaper and easier to install than a traditional fireplace, but they also offer a more modern look.

Regardless of which option you choose, you may end up spending a minimum of $1,000 to install a fireplace in your home.

So, the question is, which fireplace will best suit your heating and ambiance needs. No matter what your decision, make sure to get expert assistance.

When it comes to installing a fireplace, Steinbock suggests homeowners consult a professional, be it a contractor, mason or chimney sweep.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 16, 2016 | 7

concentration Ideas for post-holiday mantel High of radon found in 1 Lights, layering items create intimate feel

of 4 Kansas homes

Snead: Testing should be done every 2-3 years for odorless gas

By Melissa Rayworth The Associated Press

When January arrives, even Christmas-loving homeowners might be happy to put away Santa and his reindeer. But the post-holiday mantel and fireplace can look strangely bare.

The days are still short and the weather chilly, so “the key word after the holidays is cozy,” Pittsburghbased interior designer Cathy Davin says.

A well-decorated fireplace — even without a wood-burning fire inside — can be the perfect source of cheerful style and warm glow throughout the winter months.

Davin and two other designers — HGTV stylist Meg Allan Cole and Atlantabased interior designer Mallory Mathison — offer four ideas for making the most of your mantel and fireplace: n Keep the winter theme.

Davin believes in celebrating winter even after the holidays are over. She removes red poinsettias, but keeps white ones and white cyclamen around her fireplace. And she continues lighting white and gold candles on the mantel. She also encourages clients to keep tiny white lights in their living space for a warm glow throughout January.

Cole agrees: White lights “can absolutely stay up all winter long,” she says.

“They yell, ‘Warm and festive! Come on inside! Get out of the cold!’”

Alongside traditional lights, she recommends using LED copper strips on the mantel. “Copper is really ontrend right now,” Cole says.

And these strips of lights are

K-State Research and Extension

Meg Allan Cole/HGTV Via THE Associated Press

Flameless lace votives are safe to use, easy to make and give your mantel a romantic and warm vibe during winter. You can keep the theme even after the holidays. battery-operated, so there are no wires snaking away. n Layer your favorites.

A clean, classic mantel with just a pair of vases or hurricane lamps flanking one large painting can look lovely year-round. It’s the perfect way to highlight a piece of art, and this sparse approach can be a nice break after busy holiday decorations.

Another approach “is to layer pieces on a mantel by propping up different sizes of art, mirrors and objects” in an asymmetrical arrangement, Mathison says.

This casual look is a great way to display a collection of items — perhaps small, framed prints in various sizes or a collection of tea cups.

This vibrant approach can make a post-holiday mantel seem a little less stark and empty.

To keep the winter vibe going on a layered mantel, Cole suggests using a collection of small animal figurines like deer and other woodland animals. Paint them silver or gold, then drape tiny white lights around them and perhaps even add little

wreaths around their necks.

This winter-inspired layered mantel can include any color palette, even cool pastels that hint at spring’s eventual arrival. We’re “letting go of some of those seasonal rules,” Cole says. n Look inside.

If you’re not using your fireplace for a fire, use that space decoratively by filling it with candles or other items. Just remember to keep things looking reasonably natural.

“The ‘go-to’ is a bundle of clean, pretty birch logs that are arranged as if they are waiting to be lit,” Mathison says.

“I love to use andirons and then stack the birch logs in a pyramid.”

Some designers fill the firebox area with small bookshelves or other unexpected items. Mathison prefers not to: She thinks using decorative items that aren’t made to be in a fireplace can “feel forced and contrived.”

Davin agrees: “I don’t like to see a plant pushed back into the firebox area” where it doesn’t get light, she says.

“One or two plants sitting

around the hearth, where they can actually get natural light” can look lovely, however. n Get crafty.

Your mantel is the perfect place to get creative. Davin suggests exploring Pinterest for DIY mantel decorations.

You’ll also find ideas on Cole’s Youtube channel.

One favorite of hers: Buy inexpensive cardboard cones that look like little mountains, then spray paint them in a mix of pastels with a bit of gold or white. Cluster them together with white lights, and then top them with a glass dome.

“A glass dome over anything screams design,” Cole says, and it can cost as little as $10 at a craft store.

Cole also suggests seeking out craft projects that use votive candles (she offers some ideas at hgtv.com).

Don’t forget to get creative under your mantel, too: Add tiny hooks if you don’t already have them for holiday stockings, then suspend little glass orbs with LED tea lights inside. They’ll provide a warm glow without the work of lighting a real fire.

There’s a saying: “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.”

Whether you agree or disagree, Bruce Snead, director of engineering extension at Kansas State University, is urging homeowners and other property owners to know the radon level in their home by testing for it.

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas produced by the decay of natural radioactive materials found in the soil.

It’s a naturally occurring environmental hazard that seeps into homes and other buildings through joints or cracks in the foundation and has been found above recommended levels in as many as one in four homes in Kansas, Snead said.

Radon is known to be the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.

While testing is recommended, Snead said it need not be costly or difficult.

“Many K-State Research and Extension offices offer low-cost test kits (between $5 and $10), and detectors also can be purchased at home, discount-department and hardware stores,” he said.

Following the directions provided with the test kits and detectors is important, so the results will reveal the potential for elevated concentrations in the lowest lived-in level of the home.

LEARNING ABOUT RADON

More information about radon, including testing and mitigation, is available at most K-State Research and Extension offices, from the Kansas Radon Program at www.kansasradonprogram.org or by calling (800) 693-5343.

If your results are low, consider repeating the test every two or three years, or whenever there is a significant change in the home’s foundation, heating system or air tightness from weatherization efforts, he said.

If radon is present above the recommended ceiling (4.0 pCiL/Pico Curies per liter), a confirmatory test should be conducted.

If you want to know the radon concentration in other areas of your home, conduct the desired number of tests at the same time.

When high results are confirmed, Snead recommends consulting a radon professional for mitigation system installation.

In Kansas, all residential real estate sales contracts have a recommendation for radon testing and disclosure of results.

Mitigation is not, however, required at this time, Snead said.

Find out more about your favorite listings at homes.cjonline.com

8 | Saturday, January 16, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Products untangle earbuds

By Kim Cook The Associated Press

Anyone who’s wrestled with tangled earbuds knows how hard it can be to keep the little devils from becoming a scrambled bunch of knots, no matter where or how you store them. Here’s the latest in cord technology designed to solve this messy problem.

Product ideas

n Zipbuds’ Juiced 2.0 and Pro Mike models have an actual zipper between the cords; the glow-in-the-dark green version would be easy to dig out of the dark recesses of a bag. The Slide model employs a tiny zipper attachment like the ones on resealable plastic containers. (www.zipbuds.com) n From Beats by Dre, urBeats have a flat, bright-red cable that resists tangling and is easy to see. (www.beatsbydre. com)

Storage ideas

If you’re not in the market for new earbuds but are just looking for a way to store them smoothly, there are lots of options. n The Sinch is a little rubber band that slips over a phone’s cord port. Wrap the cords around the phone and secure with the built-in magnet. (www.thesinch.com) n The Spyder Byte is a black, plastic, spider-shaped clip that attaches to the cords to clasp and secure them. (www. fredandfriends.com) n The Nest is a pliable silicone case with an inner spool to hold earbuds. Pull one of the earbuds to release them from the spool when needed. (www.digitalinnovations.com) n For kids or those after a bit of whimsy in their tech accessories, Storenvy has a silicone 3-D rabbit that offers storage in

its rear and room for a phone up front. It comes in a slew of hues. (www.storenvy. com)

DIY

Look online for ideas on repurposing tape dispensers, thread spools, badge clips, credit cards, small snack boxes, travel-size swab holders, gum dispensers, bandage holders and contact lens cases into earbud storage. n Crafty types might tackle the bunny, butterfly or bear holder shown on www. easyfreshideas.com; it’s made from just felt, Velcro and thread. n Cord tacos — discs that folds in half, with a simple closure — work for any tech cords, including earbuds. You can devise your own out of scraps of material, or find distinctive leather ones online. n Knitters can create a menagerie of cute earbud holders, including turtles, fish, frogs and mice. Tiny pouches secured with small buttons or snaps can be made quickly. Harry Potter fans might like a crocheted Golden Snitch; find Lissan Loi’s pattern on her Etsy.com site, Asian Freckles.

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