At Home Living 081316

HOME SALES

Saturday, August 13, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Navigating a seller’s market, page 3

n Jamie Kidd on choosing grass seed, page 2 n Repotting crowded houseplants, page 5 n Lighting: 100-watt decor tips, page 6 n Cool stools fill spaces, page 7

homes.cjonline.com METRO CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

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Light, foot traffic factors in choosing grass seed Rain in July and August in Kansas! Who knew we would stay so green so deep into the summer.

I’m grateful, and I’m sure many of you are. I also know that many of you are experiencing the “joy” of weeds. They like rain, too.

Weeds, fungi and turf death may have given you reason to repair your lawn. You’re in luck. I have some great information to share with you today and in my next two columns.

Make plans now but wait to overseed until Sept. 1, and be done overseeding by Oct. 15.

For now, assess your yard and measure the square footage in the damaged areas. Next, consider the following when choosing grass seed.

Use of lawn

The front lawn is usually ornamental and meant to be attractive and inviting to guests. It makes a statement and can add value to your home. First impressions are important, especially if you plan to put your home on the market.

The front lawn isn’t normally subject to wear and tear or foot traffic. Kentucky bluegrasses and tall fescues work well here.

Backyards typically receive a lot more wear and foot traffic. Tougher tall fescues do better than Kentucky bluegrasses, especially in hot, dry summers or where irrigation and fertilizing aren’t used to help maintain the turf.

Type of light

Turf grasses need at least four hours of direct sun or bright light each day. No turf grass grows well in deep shade, where

Jamie KiDD

jamiehan@ksu.edu

it suffers enormous stress and requires constant attention.

Pruning trees can aid in allowing more light to hit the ground. But, if the tree is large and dense, pruning may be a losing battle. The best idea for deep-shade areas is to grow another type of groundcover, such as pachysandra, ivy, vinca, liriope or mondo grass.

Here’s how you gauge light: n Full sun: at least six hours of direct sun or dappled sunlight (as through tree leaves) almost daily.

This is the ideal condition for turf grasses to thrive. n Part shade: at least four hours but less than six hours of direct or dappled sunlight over the course of the day. n Full shade: less than four hours of bright light each day. Areas under dense tree cover can be in deep shade.

Maintenance

Maintenance is somewhat related to how you want your turf to look.

Low-maintenance turf means different things to different people. To some it means, no maintenance — no water, no fertilizer, none or infrequent mowing, none or little pest control — much like roadside turf.

Buffalo grass is the best in this category, but it has some drawbacks. It becomes straw-colored

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

n “Gardens to Attract Bees and Butterflies,” a program about simple and interesting ways to make your garden a haven for pollinators, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. n “Sassy Succulents,” a hands-on workshop that focuses on tips for watering, propagating and growing healthy plants and building a take-home succulent container, will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Shawnee County Extension Office, 1740 S.W. Western Ave. Cost is $10; sign up and pay at the Extension office before Sept. 2. with the first hard frost and doesn’t green up until midto late May. It won’t tolerate heavy, constant traffic.

It’s prone to weed invasion if over-fertilized or overwatered and may invade flower beds. It doesn’t like to be mowed and, therefore, can look unkempt.

Kentucky 31, or K-31, can be a low-maintenance grass. It’s drought-tolerant, but tends to be light green and has a variety of weedylooking grasses in the blend.

Thinking it should look better, people over-fertilize, causing more mowing and use of more weed killers.

Medium-maintenance turf can be allowed to go dormant — it will look brown most of the summer — with no water necessary for five to eight weeks in the summer heat. Then, to prevent severe stress,

KIDD continues on 5

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Agents aim for fair deals in tight housing market Sellers face multiple offers; buyers take advantage of low interest rates

By Shanna Sloyer Special to The Capital-Journal

It’s no secret that it’s a seller’s market in the real estate business right now.

As buyers scramble to take advantage of historically low interest rates and grapple with lowerthan-average market availability, sellers often are faced with multiple offers, and many have come to expect they’ll receive their highest asking price or better.

For both buyers and sellers, hiring knowledgeable representation in the form of an experienced real estate agent can ensure a smooth transaction and a fair deal for the parties involved.

Carrie Calhoon, president of the Sunflower Association of Realtors and a Realtor with Reece and Nichols in Topeka, believes good Internet exposure is an important service that Realtors for both buyers and sellers should provide to their clients.

“Have your house ready as soon as it goes on the market so that your agent can take photos right away,” she said. “Expect a quick sale, but price it right and have it ready to show.”

Calhoon reminds sellers to maintain the upkeep of their lawn and curb appeal as soon as the sign goes in the yard or the house hits the Internet, including keeping land-

scaping trimmed back and windows washed.

With fewer houses on the market, buyers will jump on the opportunity to drive by or schedule a showing quickly, and failing to be ready could mean a lost sale.

Calhoon recommends interested buyers ask their Realtor to place them on an automatic email listing, so they’re notified of a house’s availability as soon as it appears on the Multiple Listing Service.

If you see something you like, don’t wait to schedule a showing because the house may be gone when you eventually get around to it.

“Any agent (you’re working with) who is a

member of Sunflower Association of Realtors has the capability of setting you up with automatic email notification,” she said.

Calhoon also encourages prospective buyers to be preapproved with a local lender before they begin their search.

Sellers with multiple offers will give preference to a buyer backed by a local lender over a riskier offer.

Also, buyers who are putting larger amounts down on a mortgage typically will be given preference over those able to make a smaller down payment, because they are viewed as the strongest buyer. Keep this in mind

when you talk to lenders about the type of loan structure you desire.

Another bargaining chip that can be used with multiple offers is the amount of earnest money a buyer is willing to put down.

Sellers may feel more secure knowing you don’t plan to back out of a contract and leave a large sum of earnest money on the table, tipping the negotiations in your favor over other offers.

While it may be tempting for a buyer to use the seller’s Realtor to save money on Realtor fees or a buyer to attempt to sell their home without assistance, it’s important both parties have representa-

tion that has their best interests in mind. A seller’s Realtor is going to be working to get their client the highest possible price for their home and may not be concerned about whether the buyer is getting the best deal in the process.

In this market, Calhoon reminds buyers that they have to be ready to act when they come across a house that catches their eye.

“When you see a house you love, be ready to make an offer on the spot if we hear that multiple offers are coming in,” she said.

“If you love it, you have to be willing to pay full asking price or more.”

Shanna Sloyer is a freelance writer from Topeka. You can reach her at ssloyer@yahoo.com.

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Wilting foliage? Roomier pot may be needed for houseplant

By Nancy Brachey The Charlotte Observer

The attention of many gardeners has been on the outdoors for the past several months. But while we were tending flower beds and vegetable gardens, houseplants did their thing, too.

They grew.

That means they deserve a close look to see if it’s time to move them to roomier quarters in a larger pot where roots can continue to expand more evenly.

This is especially true of such vigorous houseplants as philodendrons, tropical ferns, grape ivy, peperomia, pothos, begonias and peace lily. All of these remarkable plants do very well in homes, even in rather dim light. Perhaps you are surprised they seem to have grown so much since early spring, when you either bought them or gave thanks that they survived the winter.

Look for two indications that a houseplant is ready for transplanting. One is rapid wilting of the foliage; the second, roots growing out of the holes at the bottom of the pot.

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/tribune news service

Peace lilies, as well as other houseplants, need repotting every now and then.

Don’t hesitate to repot a plant showing either of these conditions. You will need a pot that is 1 to 2 inches greater in diameter and fresh potting soil. Look for the type that has granules of fertilizer.

Put down newspapers or

a plastic sheet to catch the mess that occurs with such a job. Take the plant out of the pot gently by tipping it and letting it slide out. If it resists, slide a knife around the inside perimeter of the pot to loosen the roots and encourage an easy exit.

Once out, you may see a lot of wound-up roots around the outside of the root ball. This is a clear sign the plant requires repotting now. Loosen these roots by gently pulling them away from the root ball. Shake off any excess soil.

Before you put soil in the larger pot, cover the drainage holes at the bottom with bits of broken pottery. This keeps soil from washing out of the pot and aids drainage.

Add enough soil so the plant will sit with the top of the root ball about 1 inch from the top of the rim. Add soil around the root ball, shake the pot to settle it and check to see that it is full.

Water the plant so soil will settle nicely and then check to see if more soil is needed.

Pay close attention to watering as the plant adjusts to its roomier home.

Kidd: Fertilize once or twice a year Continued from 2 water about a quarter-inch deep every two weeks.

Fertilizing should happen once or twice a year, along with broadleaf weed control. Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are good medium-maintenance choices. Fescues probably will require a fungicide to help prevent brown patch; usually the turf will recover in the fall.

High-maintenance turf will look green and

finished, but will require regular irrigation to remain a good color. Fertilizing should take place two to three times each year — May, September and November. Broadleaf weed and grassy weed control will be necessary.

Fungicides for brown patch will be needed. A blend of tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass — 90/10 or 85/15 — creates an attractive lawn.

K-State Research and Extension has trialed many

varieties of turf grasses.

They have determined which varieties grow best in Kansas; a recommended list is available at www. hfrr.ksu.edu/doc1853.ashx.

Local retailers consult this list and create blends of three or more grasses.

The cost may be slightly higher than the commercial brands, but you’ll save on maintenance expenses.

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

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Brilliant lighting makes a room In right now are oversize lamps, metallic finishes

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

I get pretty wired when I talk about lighting, because lamps and light fixtures are statement makers in a room and critical components of a well-designed interior space. Today’s designers are pushing the boundaries, tapping into their reservoirs of 100watt creativity to fashion lighting that truly makes a space brilliant.

More and more home furnishings companies we work with are adding light fixtures to their lines — proof positive that we are all embracing lighting as a central component of our interior spaces. And so many wonderful looks are in today that you can experiment and find the lamps and fixtures that are as unique as you and your home, telling your story with every flip of a switch. Here are some of my favorite ways to work lighting into my decor. n Mix it up.

I’ve always loved interior spaces that look evolved, not staged or matchy. So I’m over the moon about the new freedom we’re feeling to mix up the lighting in our homes. No longer are we handcuffed by the notion we should pick one style of lighting and use it exclusively throughout our homes.

If you are tired of rigid design categories, like “traditional” or “contemporary,” use your lighting to give your rooms a unique vibe that defies labels. How about hanging a modern pendant light over your traditional dining table? Or an antique chandelier in your contemporary kitchen?

It’s exciting to see how many different materials and finishes are being used in light fixtures right now. All of us have a different sweet spot when it comes to mixology.

In my home, I’ve kept my lights all traditional because that suits me best.

But many customers I work with like a little bit of lots of different styles and looks. As with any decorating decision you make, listen to your gut, following what feels best for you and your home. n Make a bold statement.

The more you scout for fixtures that tell the story of your home, the more playful and interesting your interior spaces become. Light fixtures that make a bold statement are trending in interior design right now, an approach to creating a room I’m sure is here to stay.

We are loving all the variations on ceramic lamps, which come in about every shape and color imaginable, topped with interesting shade shapes.

A big lighting trend today is oversized lamps, pendants and chandeliers.

Designers have taken all those rules about how big or small your light fixtures have to be, torn them up and thrown them out. I’m seeing overlarge, heavy pieces over tables now and they look smashing — talk about drama!

But you don’t have to go big for your light fixture or lamp to make a statement.

Some light fixtures look more like hanging sculpture, intricate and striking.

Others are noteworthy because of the interesting materials used to make

them. Like the rustic industrial pieces that mix weathered metal, glass and feature Edison bulbs.

Or the pickled wood framed lanterns that hint at French country. n Warming trend.

The interior design world is smitten with the warm metallic finishes of gold, brass and copper.

Truth be told, I never fell out of love with these soft finishes and have always liked to mix a variety of metals in my decor.

Today’s updated metal light fixtures are wonderfully and wildly diverse, from weathered and brawny industrial pendants that look like they were snatched from an early-20th-century warehouse, to glitzy and glamorous chandeliers featuring gold, Lucite, crystals or baubles, a touch of Hollywood.

Nostalgia is big right now, and designers are reimagining iconic fixture styles for nearly every decade of the last millennium.

It’s hard for me to pick favorites when it comes to lamps. I see these beauties like artwork. They have to speak to you, and when you find one you love, you grab it, then work it into your home.

One of our most popular styles right now is ceramic lamps that have either neutral, colorful or patterned bases, and structured drum or rectangle shades. Their clean lines and clear tones make them an ideal fit for just about every home.

This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www. nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.

tribune news service

Mix-and-match lighting can tell your home’s story with every flip of a switch.

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Take a seat when considering decor Grout sealing may not be Bar stools, swivel seats are functional, fashionable

By Kim Cook The Associated Press

A stool is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can get. It slides neatly under or up to a counter, takes up little real estate and can provide a handy perch in any room.

New York interior designer Kati Curtis finds herself employing stools a lot in her projects.

“I love using Lucite bar stools for spaces where the front of the bar is also a design feature,” she says.

She also suggests swivel stools in an open plan, where the action’s taking place in both the kitchen and family room.

Then there’s Powell & Bonnell’s Alto stool.

“When I need a bar stool that’s going to make a solid design statement, this is the go-to,” says Curtis.

“It’s a showstopper that stands on its own.”

The Alto has a trim, sculptural steel frame that you can get in a variety of finishes, including polished or satin nickel, brass and pewter. The lowprofile yet comfy seat, or saddle, looks great in caramel-hued leather, but can be custom upholstered. (www.dennismillerassociates.com) At Wisteria, each seat is unique on Javanese bar stools crafted of teak salvaged from old homes.

Another bar stool in the collection is clad in saddle leather that would develop a nice patina over time.

Both of these have a hip, loft-like vibe, and would work well in a men’s dressing room or an industrial style kitchen. (www.wisteria.com) Another option for a kitchen or home bar is Arteriors’ Caymus stool, available in two heights, with a mango wood seat

included with new tile flooring

By Angie Hicks Angie’s List

DENNIS MILLER ASSOCIATES VIA AP

The Alto stool has a trim sculptural steel frame that you can get in a variety of finishes, including polished or satin nickel, brass and pewter. The low-profile yet comfy seat, or saddle, looks great in caramel-hued leather, but can be custom upholstered. and an iron base with foot rest. (www.arteriorshome. com) Anna Karlin’s brassplated, cold-rolled steel Chess stools evoke the game pieces, with muscular geometric profiles. (www.annakarlin.com) Also for a bar, Curtis likes Bar Stool 109 by The New Traditionalists, a furniture studio in Torrington, Conn. Available with or without arms, the stool made of kiln-dried hardwood holds a seat that looks as good in denim with a racy, red-laced back as it does in buttery blue leather. (www.thenewtraditionalists.com) You can splurge a little on stools since you usually only need a couple. Check out Los Angeles studio Thomas Hayes’ limitededition, midcentury-style Cojo bar stool, which has a vintage, bent, Rosewood back and a seat sourced in Brazil. (www.1stdibs. com) Or consider a pair of Charles Hollis Jones’ midcentury stools. Jones is known for pioneering the use of acrylics in furniture design. The curvy stools are made of chrome and Lucite. (www.chairish. com)

Horchow has several elegant barstools. Bernhardt’s Paloma is like a leggy yet comfy club chair, in rich brown velvet. Mongolian lambswool makes a shaggy-chic seat for the brass-plated, Art Deco-style Imperial stool. (www.horchow.com) Need a fun little seat for a children’s craft space?

Kinder Modern has Polish designer Oskar Zieta’s Plopp Jr stool, which looks like a blown-up balloon chair but is in fact made of steel.

It comes in taxicab yellow and fire-engine red, among other colors.

The retailer also stocks Japanese designer Takeshi Sawada’s cute little Sheep and Bambi stools, crafted from hardwoods and upholstered with faux deerskin or shearling. The seat backs are shaped like antlers and horns. (www. kindermodern.com) Drawing inspiration from architecture, sculpture and vintage fashion, Irish designer Claire Anne O’Brien plays with the scale of knitwear patterns.

Upholstered in sheep and lambs’ wool, the stools are cozy, artful spots to sit. (www.bespokeglobal. com)

Dear Angie: Isn’t it standard to seal new grout after it’s placed? If so, isn’t it reasonable to expect a quality construction place to do this automatically?

They’ve said they don’t do that. The homeowner has to do it. — Andrew S., Silver Spring, Md. Dear Andrew: If you want the contractor to seal grout, make sure you say so in your initial conversations, before the job begins. Many companies don’t automatically include grout sealing in a job with new tile flooring for a few reasons.

First, companies can’t seal grout until at least 48

to 72 hours after applying grout. By that time, bathroom remodelers typically have already cleaned up from the job and left your home.

Secondly, some contractors use grout with additives that remove the necessity of grout sealer.

Experts say grout sealing’s main function is to protect against stains and mold, but the grout additives do the same job.

However, if you use natural tiles, such as slate or travertine, make sure the contractor seals the grout, regardless of what type of grout they use. Experts recommend sealing cementbased grout, grout in areas where water will regularly sit on it or grouts in areas

where staining might be a concern, such as kitchen backsplashes.

Expect to pay about $100 per coat of grout sealer if completed by a professional.

If your remodeler won’t seal grout as part of your contract, you can do it yourself.

You can purchase grout sealer at most home improvement stores. Grout sealers come in both spray and wipe-on varieties.

Expect to find 6- to 15ounce bottles of spray-on grout sealer for between $6 and $10.

Wipe-on sealers cost about $15 for 15 ounces. You also can purchase applicator bottles for this type of grout sealer for about $5.

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TIP OF THE WEEK

What’s the safest way to remove a light bulb that is stuck in a socket?

First, unplug the lamp or turn off the power at the breaker box.

Wearing thick gloves and eye protection, wiggle the bulb to loosen it at the base.

If it’s still stuck, place a cover over the bulb and break it off, along with the filament.

Insert a rubber jar opener into the base and slowly twist counterclockwise to remove it.

It may take several tries to do this.

Before replacing the bulb, wipe the empty socket with a dry cloth.

Source: www.goodhousekeeping.com

Service Directory

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Black, red and cream: Hot color combination

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service

Take one look at the fashions models strut down the designer runways and at one point you are bound to catch a glimpse of the color combination black, red and cream.

Is blending these colors together new?

No. But seeing the colors paired together in home decor is currently on trend.

The color combination is essentially a decor staple in which decorators can feel comfortable pairing and mixing these colors with a high likelihood of success nearly every time. Black and cream are foundation colors, meaning they act as a neutral palette within a space and pair well with other colors. Red is a vibrant, rich color that adds the perfect color pop.

A pop of red against a cream background is the perfect blend of light and

dark, the cream allowing the red to shine.

Conversely, if you place red against dark colors such as black, the red forces the eye to perk up and pay attention more than the black would on its own.

In considering ways to incorporate black, red and cream — or any color into your space — be sure to use color purposefully. Plan ahead and determine which pieces of furniture or which accessories you wish to have in a particular color.

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