At Home Living 013016

Decorating trends for 2016

Grays, pinks popular choices Jamie Kidd on winter watering, page 2 n Picking the right chili peppers, page 3 n Easing through the home loan process, page 5 n How to de-clutter your home office, page 9 n Black is back in the kitchen, page 9

Saturday, January 30, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

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Linda A. Ditch/Special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

2 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Plants, trees benefit from watering over the winter Kansas is a strange state.

We have more humidity than we can stand in the summer, and winter is so dry we need humidifiers in our homes to prevent the walls from cracking.

Lotion commercials abound in winter, telling us our skin is like an alligator’s hide, and they’re right. Our bodies need hydration in winter almost more than in summer. Plants in our yards need water in winter, too.

Root systems easily can be damaged in dry winter soil. Affected plants may appear normal when they leaf out in spring but begin to weaken and die in late spring and early summer.

Their new growth is greater than their damaged roots can sustain. Weakened plants also are more susceptible to insects and diseases.

Root damage occurs

Jamie Kidd

jamiehan@ksu.edu

more often to woody plants that have shallow root systems, such as maples, birches, lindens, evergreens (fir, spruce, junipers and euonymus) and agastache.

Plants receiving reflected heat from buildings, walls and fences also are subject to damage.

Temperature fluctuations in the soil allow cracks to open and expose roots, especially of perennials and groundcovers. Periodic watering and a good layer of mulch will maintain mois-

ture in the soil and help prevent cracking.

New plants take several years to become established. Generally, one year for each inch in diameter of the trunk. Example: A new tree that is 2 inches in diameter will take at least two years to settle in. Winter watering should happen at least twice for newly established plants and at least once for older ones.

Watch for extended periods (7 to 10 days) of warm (higher than 45 degrees), dry, windy weather with no snow on the ground. These days are potentially harmful to plants and, therefore, would be good days to water. Water between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; this gives the plants time to dry off before the freezing temperatures return at night.

If water stands around

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 St. Highlights include free door prizes, a display of homemade repurposed items made by Master Gardeners and a presentation. n The Kansas Garden Show will be Feb. 12-14 at the Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 12-13 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 14. the base of a tree, it can freeze and damage the bark.

The size of your yard will determine how long it may take to irrigate everything.

Watering methods vary: hand watering, deep-root needles, soaker hoses or sprinklers. Be sure to completely empty hoses and store them away from sunlight when done.

Allow water to soak into the soil around the drip line (the farthest point from the trunk that leaves would drip from) and base of the

plant. The critical area to water in young trees is halfway between the trunk and several feet beyond the drip line.

If you use a deep-root needle, the depth at which water is applied will depend on the type of plant. For most junipers, about 18 inches is sufficient. With shallow-rooted trees, such as linden, maple and birch, 9 to 12 inches is correct.

If the roots of the plant grow under a sidewalk or driveway, slant the needle

to apply water under these surfaces.

Apply 10 gallons of water for each inch of diameter of the tree trunk. Newly planted trees and shrubs need five gallons of water twice a month, according to Colorado State University Extension. Established shrubs less than 3 feet tall require five gallons per month; shrubs taller than 6 feet require 18 gallons per month. Sprinklers are more efficient for large trees, and the lawn can be watered at the same time.

All lawns, whether new or established, can benefit from winter watering.

Southern- or western-facing lawns will need the most water.

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

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | 3

Pick the right chili peppers for your garden; consider heat

By Dean Fosdick The Associated Press

There are hundreds of chili pepper varieties from which to choose for the home garden, so it pays to know which deliver the most flavor and which pack the most heat. Others are popular simply for their looks.

“Color is a big factor,” said Robert Westerfield, a horticulturist with University of Georgia Extension.

“People are very color-conscious. Most peppers in the garden are green, but if you leave them in the ground

long enough, they change colors. They sell a lot better with color.”

Curiosity also drives purchases, said Dave DeWitt, an adjunct associate professor at New Mexico State University and co-author of “The Field Guide to Peppers” (Timber Press, 2015).

“There’s something appealing about taking visitors out to the garden and showing them ‘the hottest pepper in the world,’” he said.

Super-hot varieties, in fact, have become the most popular of the 500 different sweet and hot pepper plants

sold by Janie Lamson, owner of Cross Country Nurseries in Rosemount, N.J., and co-author with DeWitt of “The Field Guide to Peppers.”

“While some buy one super-hot for curiosity, others do enjoy them and buy in quantity,” Lamson said.

“Gardeners are making hot sauce like crazy now and giving it as gifts, using all sorts of varieties.

“They also are experimenting with more unusual and different varieties, using them to make new dishes, often from other ethnicities.

“It does seem that our tastes for different cuisines have evolved and expanded.”

Peppers are tender perennials, but most are grown as annuals because of their vulnerability to frost, Lamson said.

“We do have customers in Alaska,” she said.

“As long as there is decent weather for 60 to 70 days, you can grow early season varieties.”

Peppers need sun and warm temperatures, but very hot weather will cause plants to abort their buds.

“Folks in Florida have is-

sues when the heat is high,” Lamson said.

Peppers can be grown from seed but most gardeners choose transplants for easier planting.

“Seeding takes a long time and is not always easy, especially for beginners,” she said.

Some chili pepper varieties to consider: n For roasting: Colorado or California reds, Giant Marconi. n For eating raw: jalapeno and Jimmy Nardello.

Both are relatively mild, especially when young. n For canning and pick-

ling: banana (Big Bertha, Camelot), cherry and Serrano. The latter makes a good salsa. n For heat: Habaneras are real tearjerkers. “Unless you dilute them tremendously, the super-hots are not very edible,” DeWitt said. n For ornamentals: Chili peppers may never outsell poinsettias for holiday decorating but they’re becoming a hot alternative.

Try orange and black species for Halloween, red and black for Christmas, or pink to red for Valentine’s Day.

4 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Roller helps align sliding glass doors www.dulley.com Dear Jim: Our sliding glass door is getting more difficult to slide open. I found a small metal cylinder in the track.

Did this cause the problem and how can I fix it? — Mike H. Dear Mike: The small metal piece probably was a roller from the glid-

ing assembly. Also, it is important to fix it so that your door is aligned properly for an airtight, efficient fit.

Although most home center stores have sliding door replacement parts, in most cases, it is best to have it professionally repaired and adjusted. The door panel is heavy and difficult to handle.

Dear Jim: When we go to work in the morning, my husband leaves the television on for our dog.

He says it is better for the television to leave it on because the tubes will last longer. Is this true? — Carolyn F. A: This is not correct, and it is wasting electricity. Although new solid-state televisions use

less electricity than old tube-type ones, they still use a substantial amount of electricity if they are on all day long.

Dear Jim: I am planning to have a new roof installed on my house. I was thinking about using light-colored shingles this time to keep the house cooler. Does this make

sense and will they get the dark streaks? — Steve B. A: Light-colored shingles will reflect much more of the sun’s heat than dark ones.

They must be very light, almost white, to make a significant difference. Just lighter brown or rust colors will not help much.

If you keep your roof

reasonably clean and it gets some sun, dark stains from mildew shouldn’t develop. If they do, stretch a copper wire along the peak of the roof. This will give off copper ions, which retard mildew.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Topeka Capital-Journal, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | 5

Buying a home: Familiarize yourself with the process Brandpoint The home loan process can seem intimidating, especially for a first-time homebuyer. It is not a simple process, but it doesn’t have to be too complicated.

There are many resources available to help you prepare for your home buying journey, and your mortgage lender can answer the questions you have throughout the process.

Here are some of the key steps to the home loan process, as well as some tips to help you understand what you can expect: 1. Preparation and self-assessment.

Before you dive head-first into buying a home, make sure you know how much you can afford. The first step is to calculate your “debt-to-income ratio.” You can do this by adding up your current monthly bills then subtracting your total current income. This will help you determine whether you can afford a mortgage payment, and if so, what amount might fit into your budget.

2. The loan application.

Download a blank loan application ahead of time so you can look it over and familiarize yourself with it.

This will give you an idea

Brandpoint

If you are dreaming of buying a new home, it is important to know your budget and how the mortgage process works. of the information you need when completing and submitting the application.

The necessary documents may include: proof of income, proof of employment for the past two years, proof of identity, proof of residency and your Social Security card.

3. Origination and underwriting.

Origination: The loan officer will review your financing options, work with you to complete the credit application and create the loan account.

Underwriting: An underwriter will review the application and determine the level of credit risk you represent based on your credit

score, income, existing debt and down payment.

4. Satisfying loan conditions and full loan approval.

In this step, you will receive a “conditions to approval” list from your lender, which outlines the tasks you must complete before the loan can be closed. For example, the lender may ask for additional documentation to verify income, savings or emergency funds or other proof that you can afford to repay the loan.

5. Closing.

In the final step of the process, the lender works with a title company to obtain and review a title report and then finalize your title on the home.

6 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Grays, Rose Quartz pink popular choices Millennials prefer a ‘streamlined look’ in decorating

By Linda A. Ditch Special to The Capital-Journal

Just like the clothing industry, home design styles change each year. What’s in store for 2016?

Some Topeka designers shared their thoughts about the trends to expect in the coming year.

“I think we’re in a great time for anything goes,” Chris Grandmontagne, owner of Warehouse 414, said. “There are no great changes in design one way or another, other than baby boomers are downsizing and millennials don’t want it. They don’t want stuff. They like a streamlined look. The trend is to have less of better stuff, or throw-away pieces. And they don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning and dusting.”

Dan Brungardt, owner of Home at Last, noted, “Clean is a trend. Simple. There is something about simplicity that people are embracing.”

Color

Neutral tones are still the starting point for a home’s color palette, with gray being the popular choice. Pantone, the color authority in the design industry, recently announced the Colors of the Year for 2016 were Serenity blue and Rose Quartz pink.

“I see pink everywhere, mixed with gray, which is still popular from last year,” longtime Topeka designer Jan Hutt said. “Gray is still going strong. Rose Quartz is the color of the year this year, and I think a lot of people will love it.”

Brungardt said another color he sees trending is navy blue.

“Navy is a color that never goes out of style, but it is never quite in style either,” he said. “Perhaps now is navy’s time.”

In accessories, Brungardt said he’s seeing a lot of white and cream, as well as silver, gold and

Photographs by Linda A. Ditch/Special to THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

This dining room setting at Warehouse 414 shows how jewel tones can be incorporated into a home. brass, as the warm metal colors come back into style. Plus, jewel tones (emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, topaz yellow and amethyst purple) also are trending. However, he noted, “I see more neutral tones that give you a fresh, light appearance.”

“Brass is finally replacing silver, and black is replacing stainless steel in the kitchen,” Hutt said. “Black stainless steel appliances are beautiful and will be a welcome change.”

“Orange and purple are still big,” Grandmontagne said. “Orange is the new red. Blues and mauve colors are coming back again. It’s been 25 years, so it’s time for them to come back. Most customers stay with a neutral

CHOICES continues on 7

Left: The neutral tones of this grouping at Home at Last in Fairlawn Plaza allow for multiple accent options. Right: This set at Warehouse 414 is a perfect example of mid-20th-century modern, with the glass table from the 1970s and the chairs from the 80s.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | 7

Choices: People like to mix various design styles Continued from 6 palette and throw in colors that they can change.”

Style

Mixing design styles seems to be what most people want in their homes today. Last year, the urbanrustic look was popular, with modern, industrial furnishings and accessories mixed in with unfinished surfaces.

Urban is still popular, but now it’s trending toward a more chic, refined look. Big-city style, designed to fit into small spaces, is showing up in more streamlined furnishings that take less space but still offer comfort. The mid-20th-century styles of the 1970s and 1980s also are coming on strong, with

their modern lines and glass table tops.

Also hanging on from last year is repurposed furniture, with old pieces being repainted or moved from one room to use in a new way in a different room.

When buying furniture, Brungardt suggested consumers “choose permanent to semi-permanent pieces in neutral palettes and buy the best you can afford.”

“If you can only afford one piece, buy one piece,” he said. “Treat yourself.

Enjoy the luxury, and then look forward to buying the next piece. It gives a room an eclectic look to have pieces in different stages of life.”

Grandmontagne, whose shop sells vintage pieces, said a “home shouldn’t have all vintage and all

new pieces.”

“It should look like it has evolved over the years,” she said. “And don’t worry about two different pieces working together. If you love the pieces, then they have something in common. They should work together only because you love them.”

“We still want our homes to reflect our own personality, and using what we love to create our own space is still the most up-to-date style,” Hutt said. “We now have so much to choose from its easy to get the look that’s just you. Trends do come and go, but good style and comfort will always be the way to furnish your living spaces.”

Linda A. Ditch is a freelance writer from Topeka. She can be reached at thompson.lindaa@gmail.com.

Above: Neutral-toned accessories, such as this white floral piece at Warehouse 414, also are trending this year. Right: Pink is in, as with this accent chair at Home at Last in Fairlawn Plaza.

8 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | 9

Ways to refresh home office

By Gabrielle Savoie Domaine

Life in the 21st century has its perks. One of those is to be able to work from virtually anywhere. If you’ve successfully convinced your boss to let you log more hours from home this year, you’ll want a killer workspace to match.

Don’t let your home office become the dumping ground for all unwanted furniture and decor accessories. If you’re going to really use your home office, make it an inspiring and functional space. Keep reading for our top tips for upgrading your home office. n Clear the clutter.

Most of us are guilty as charged: Clutter accumulates throughout the year, be it unfiled paperwork, fabric samples or dried-out pens. Before anything else, sweep your space clean and start fresh. n Get organized.

After getting rid of all the excess clutter, find an organizing system that works for you. Make sure that everything that might end up in your office is accounted for: bills, important paperwork, magazines, office supplies. Store each item in its appropriate bin, box, container or tray. n Pay attention to the view.

There’s nothing more uninspiring than staring at a white wall all day. Is there room to rearrange the furniture for your desk to face a window? If there isn’t, consider artwork or even a mirror to hang above your desk and reflect the window behind you. Just make sure to hang it high enough that you don’t end up staring at yourself all day long. n Make your layout multipurpose.

In many homes, the office sometimes doubles as a guest room, media room or den. Setting up your

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If you are going to really use your home office this year, make it an inspiring and functional space. desk across from the sofa or sofa bed will serve as double duty for TV watching. With that setup, you can either stream Netflix from a desktop computer or mount a TV on the wall behind the desk. n Build it in or tuck it away.

Not everyone has the luxury of having a full room dedicated to a home office. When dealing with a workspace in an open space, sometimes the best solution is to create a desk space within a built-in storage wall to keep clutter at bay. n Float your desk.

Does your work involve a lot of client visits at home?

Or maybe you like having your husband or kids pop in and chat while you work? If so, consider floating your desk in the middle of the room, and adding in one or two guest chairs.

This layout is much more sociable and open. n Use the wall behind your desk.

Installing bookshelves behind your desk is possibly one of the most practical changes you can make in your home office. Think about it: A quick roll around and you have access to all your important files. n Check your lighting.

One of the phrases my mom repeated the most while I was doing home-

work growing up was, “Turn on the light or you’ll hurt your eyes.” Thus, I know the importance of adequate lighting in a workspace. During the day, you’ll want your computer screen facing away from a window to avoid the daylight glare. At night, make sure you have a good task lamp to keep you burning the midnight oil while keeping your eyesight in check. n Take a lesson in ergonomics.

OK, you don’t need a full lesson in ergonomics, but there are a few guidelines you should follow. Your chair should provide adequate back support to allow you to keep your back and shoulders straight. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Your elbows should be at a 90-degree bend and align with your hands on the keyboard (anything less can strain your wrists).

Your eyes should level with the top third of the screen, and don’t forget to take occasional breaks. n Get inspired.

If you work in a creative field (and if you’re working from home, chances are you do), you know the importance of finding inspiration on a daily basis.

Surround yourself with objects and images that get your creative juices flowing.

10 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Black kitchens serve up style Designers: Just don’t go overboard

By Kim Cook The Associated Press

The kitchen’s often a room to experiment — with decor, as well as food and drink.

Over the years we’ve seen yellow, turquoise, avocado green, greige and white take their turn as favored hues.

But right now, black is back.

“It makes perfect sense, style-wise,” says New York City designer Elaine Griffin.

“We began seeing the rise of black appliances as sleek and stylish non-white alternatives to pricier stainless options at the new millennium, and black as the ‘new neutral’ wall color has been gaining popularity over the past decade.”

You can go ultramodern or traditional when bringing black into the kitchen.

High-end, Euro-style lacquered cabinetry from companies like Boffi, Poliform and Bulthap is sleek and sexy. Marble countertops and geometric fixtures can create a glamorous, jewelbox kitchen, great for entertaining.

Put the hue on Shakerstyle cabinets, add rustic French tile, smooth quartz counters and hand-rubbed brass fittings, and you’ve got a sophisticated space. Or add a walnut or maple slab island and saddle leather stools for an industrial look.

A few things to remember if you’re going to get a black kitchen right: Contrast is key. Going overboard with black will get you a kitchen that resembles a bad mall hair salon, says Griffin. Use black on the cabinets and a paler hue on counters and floors, or vice versa.

Maria Killam, a color expert and designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, agrees.

“Make sure your floors and countertops are very light to balance and con-

trast the super-dark cabinets. Working with black is a balancing act and requires some skill,” she advises.

“Simple white tile with black grout is a great way to get some light in the space and give a nod to classic kitchens.”

Killam suggests including wood elements like a butcher-block island countertop.

“Wood lower cabinets would work with black countertops and upper shelving, for example. I would keep the wood finishes as natural as possible ... and relatively pale so the overall effect isn’t too heavy,” she says.

Ikea offers the Sektion kitchen cabinets in black, and there is a range of coordinating black kitchen fittings there too, including drawer pulls, storage items and trash cans. (www.ikea. com) You can repaint existing cabinetry if you’re budgetconscious. Consider Benjamin Moore’s Midsummer Night, Sherwin-Williams’ Black Fox, Valspar’s Raven Black or Behr’s Black Suede.

Many shades of black pick up other hues in an interesting way — midnight blues, chocolates and sooty grays, for example.

Choose the right finish: Save the glossy paint for trim or you’ll be swabbing fingerprints forever.

“Like a little black dress, accessories make a statement in a black kitchen, so choose your hardware and fixtures with care,” advises Griffin. “Polished or antiqued brass and black is a white-hot finish option right now, for both contemporary and traditional looks.”

Add a cool stool: Houzz has a big selection. Recent offerings include stools with chic, slim hairpin legs, as well as comfy-looking upholstered ones, and several stools in snazzy hues like red, orange and blue. (www. houzz.com)

Embossed or painted concrete, sculpted limestone, pressed tin or wallpaper would be striking complements to black cabinetry and fittings.

Add an Art Deco touch to a black kitchen with Giorbello’s Water Jet glass tiles.

Daltile’s Bamboo Forest faux wood tile would be a durable, style-savvy backsplash or floor. Italian ceramic tile maker Fap has a matte-black subway tile in its new Boston collection. (www.wayfair.com; www. italytile.com) The right lighting is important in a black kitchen.

Killam likes skylights and large windows to take advantage of natural light.

To avoid what Griffin calls “black hole syndrome,” install lights at multiple height levels: ceiling, pendant, under-cabinet and even countertop lamps.

Lamps Plus has forgediron and rubbed-bronze chandeliers and pendants.

Hudson Valley Lighting’s Lydney polished black nickel pendant would work well in any style of kitchen. (www. lampsplus.com; www.hudsonvalleylighting.com) Those who like the idea of black but are tentative might consider introducing one or two black elements. Chicago design studio KitchenLab has used black accents like islands, lighting, kitchen ladders and window treatments. (www.kitchenlabdesign.com) Artwork and textiles incorporating black with brights, whites or subtle neutrals like sage, putty and cream add drama.

Instead of paint, consider black appliances. GE’s got a slate, French-door refrigerator with a smudge-resistant finish. Ikea offers a black cooktop. Upscale brands like AGA and Le Cornue have black enameled stoves.

Jenn-Air’s Obsidian fridge has a black interior, ostensibly making even the humblest leftovers look magazine-worthy.

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12 | Saturday, January 30, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home