At Home Living 120316

Saturday, December 3, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Kitchen transformation Remodeling project blends modern and 1920s styles, page 6 n Jamie Kidd on Christmas trees, page 2 n Decorating doors for the holiday, page 5 n Tips for installing additional wall outlets, page 9

home.cjonline.com REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

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Hessian troops spark Christmas tree tradition?

What do Christmas trees have to do with George Washington crossing the Delaware River and winning a decisive battle for the colonial forces in 1776?

Possibly a little bit of legend, and a little bit of truth. I always like this story.

It’s thought Christmas tree traditions most likely came to the United States with the Hessian troops — mercenaries rented to Great Britain by German princes to fight in the Revolutionary War — or with other German immigrants.

Legend has it that the Hessians abandoned their guard posts on a blustery, snowy Christmas Eve to eat, drink and be merry around a candlelit evergreen tree reminding them of home.

Falsely assuming that the Continental Army was in

JAMIE KIDD

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The Kansas Garden Show will be Feb. 10-12 at the Kansas Expocentre.

The theme is “Storybook/Nursery Rhyme Gardens.”

If you are an educational or nonprofit organization — not commercial — with subject matter related to horticulture or the environment and would like a booth at the show, contact Jamie Kidd at (785) 232-0062, Ext. 104. jamiehan@ksu.edu

winter quarters and incapable of mounting any type of concentrated action, the Hessians found themselves under a surprise attack. It was decisive and quick and turned the tide for the colonial forces.

Just a little bit of trivia for you to share with family and friends while you select your Christmas tree this year.

Last week in the At Home section, a story provided tips on choosing a Christmas tree at a farm. Here are some

to consider: ■■ Measure the ceiling height in the room where the tree will be displayed.

Trees in the field look small when the sky is the ceiling.

Measure the width also.

Trees that are 10 feet tall will be 8 feet wide at the bottom. Make sure you have enough room.

■■ Bring gloves and wear comfortable shoes and old clothes.

■■ Leave Rover at home.

Most farms don’t allow pets.

If you bring a pet, don’t let him “mark” someone else’s

tree.

■■ Ask about the pricing policy. Some trees are sold by the foot; others are sold individually. Select a tree that fits your measurements, style and price range.

■■ Check the trunk.

It should be sufficiently straight. Pines will usually have at least some crook in their trunks. Make sure the base is not bigger than your tree stand can hold. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk to fit the stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up

water and shouldn’t be removed.

■■ All conifers drop a certain portion of their oldest needles. This is normal.

Most farms provide a shaking or blowing machine to clean your tree before they net it.

The hunt for a tree at a retail lot is a little easier and less time consuming, provided you can all agree on the selection: ■■ Measure the space for your tree (see above).

■■ Check out the different varieties on the lot. Douglas firs have the best needle retention, but the least aroma.

Spruces are the opposite.

Pines have fair to good retention and aroma. Balsam and Fraser firs have excellent retention and aroma, and usually command a premium price.

■■ Look for a well-lit tree lot that stores trees in a shaded area.

■■ Ask the retailer when the trees were received and if they expect more shipments. This will help in determining freshness.

■■ Do a freshness test on the trees. Green needles on fresh trees break crisply when bent sharply with the fingers — much like fresh carrots. The needles also will bend and not break when wrapped around the finger. Needles on fresh pines don’t break, unless they are very dry.

■■ Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability and wrinkled bark. A good rule KIDD continues on 4

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Conserving can be stylish

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Dear Ed: I plan on remodeling my bathroom and want to install very elegant plumbing fixtures. Also, I want to conserve water and plan on installing a very efficient toilet. For my bathroom faucets I really want a classic look. Do they make high-efficiency faucets available in classic styles?

— Jane, Iowa A: In today’s green building market, just because you want to save water doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice good looks.

Many of today’s high-efficiency toilets, showerheads and faucets include many different styles from which to choose. Styles are available from contemporary to nostalgic, and even though the styles can be very different, the water-saving goals are the same.

FYI, standard faucets usually use 2.2 gallons per minute. If you want to upgrade to a water-saving faucet, look for a model set up from the factory that uses 1.2 gallons per minute. In many cases,you may even find a standard faucet you like, and by simply changing to a high-efficiency aerator, you

KOHLER

In today’s green building market, just because you want to save water doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good looks. can save water.

Bottom line: Today’s water-saving faucets perform better than ever and are overflowing with style.

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.

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Kidd: Place your tree in water as soon as possible Continued from 2

of thumb: When in doubt about the freshness of a tree, select another one. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot.

Here are a few tips to keep the tree fresh once

you get home.

■■ At home, recut the trunk 1 to 2 inches before placing in water. Don’t cut the trunk at an angle or “V” shape. This can actually work against a tree absorbing water. Farm fresh trees won’t absorb

as much water initially as other trees because they haven’t had as much time to dry out.

■■ Place the tree in water as soon as possible.

Don’t bruise the cut surface or get it dirty.

■■ If needed, trees can

be temporarily stored in water for several days in a cool location.

■■ As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water

doesn’t go below the base of the tree. Tap water is best to keep the tree hydrated despite some recommendations of adding sugar, pennies and commercial additives.

■■ Keep displayed trees away from sources of heat.

This year, when you shop for your traditional Christmas tree, remember the sacrifices our troops have made and continue to make to keep our nation free. And, as always, keep in mind the reason for the season.

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Door decorations can be festive

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

As a kid growing up in Atchison, my playground was the campus of nearby Benedictine College. Talk about an awesome yard to play in — especially on winter days when the snowcovered hills were crying out for sledding. We’d bundle up and sled until our fingers and toes were numb. Maybe that’s why I was so drawn to a nostalgic door treatment, one of several sledthemed looks created by Bev, our floral designer, to inspire you as you dress your door for the holidays.

To build this sensational display, Bev started with a decorative wooden sled, then picked out some winter floral picks to create a simple swag descending down one side of the sled. She wired in some tree ornaments and finished off with twists of

plaid ribbon. This warm winter plaid reminds me of a Pendleton jacket my grandmother used to wear.

Embellished wreath

If you are pressed for time, hanging a simple wreath on your door is a great option. But if you have a few extra minutes, embellish the wreath just a bit to up its impact.

Bev started a wreath that twists together bright red berries and an assortment of greens.

To give it even more pizzazz, she wired in one of the rustic metal bells we’re crazy about this year.

The ribbon flourish looks fancy, but it’s really easy to pull together. All you need is two 1-yard sections of wired holiday ribbon.

We carry the kind that looks sensational on both sides so when you twist it, there is no “wrong” side showing.

Bev created a loop with both ribbons then secured them with a zip tie.

Magnolia wreath

Bev grabbed a pile of plastic zip ties and got to work on a magnolia wreath, popping in a few red and green tree ornaments, some red berry picks and, at the top, a cardinal and her nest. The final flourish — a yummy velvet green ribbon — is absolutely gorgeous and takes the wreath to a new level.

We like to hang front door decor from ribbon loops. If you are like my husband, Dan, and are not a fan of hammering a big nail in your front door, try this trick: Stick a 3M hook upside down on the interior side of your front door, near the top of the door. Secure the ribbon loop on the hook, then cascade it over the top of your door so it hangs down over

your front door, serving as a hanger for your door treatment.

Simple look

A cluster of inexpensive metal bells can be incorporated into a door decoration fairly easily.

Metal bells are fairly lightweight and jingly when they are moved every time the door opens and closes. Bev clustered the bells with some red berry picks, ribbons and a Merry Christmas tree ornament. I need something unbreakable like this on my door because anything I put up there gets knocked off when people come in and out.

Tip: By using brighter, bolder ribbons, like a red plaid and stripe, the drama shoots up the scale. If your house sits back from the street, select ribbon that has strong colors and sharp contrasts so your door treatment is more visible.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Simply by using brighter, bolder ribbons, like this red plaid and stripe, the drama shoots up the scale on this holiday door adornment.

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Home Improvement

New kitchen blends styles Three rooms combined to create modern space with nod to 1920s

By Linda A. Ditch

Special to The Capital-Journal

The kitchen is the most popular room to remodel. For Cory and Katherine Clutter, work started on their home’s kitchen upgrade just a few months after they moved into the 1928 Tudor-style home in the Westboro neighborhood.

“We never fully unpacked, because we knew we were going to remodel,” Katherine said.

While wishing for a kitchen with all the modern-day features, the couple also wanted the space to blend in with the house’s early-20th-century style.

To accomplish their goal, they turned to Golden Rule Remodeling.

Cory, a Realtor, knew the company had a good reputation for doing work in the Westboro and Clarion Lakes areas. He also knew owner Matt Vincent.

“I’d never heard a bad word about Matt and the company,” he said. “For us, the process went pretty much as we expected.”

Three rooms into one

Golden Rule designer Tammy Thiessen helped the Clutters create the plan.

“I told Tammy I wanted the kitchen to look like it had always been here,” Katherine said.

Three small rooms — the original kitchen, pantry and mudroom — were removed to make the new space. It was one of the hardest demolitions the workers had ever accomplished, because the walls were made, not with the traditional wooden lath and

plaster, but with chicken wire to hold the plaster in place.

A large, arched doorway was installed between the kitchen and dining room to give the space an openconcept feel, while also keeping the room somewhat separate and fitting with the rest of the house.

Once the new kitchen walls were up, next came the flooring installation. The Clutters selected tile with a fleur-de-lis pattern to tie in with ones found in the entryway ceiling, over the fireplace and in light fixtures throughout the house.

Before being demolished, the old pantry still had the original 1928 white flat-paneled cabinets with glass in the doors of the upper cabinets. The new kitchen kept that style, but with glass in only a portion of the upper part.

Plus, because there is a lot of dark wood throughout the house, a wooden vent hood was positioned above the stove and large, dark-wood cabinets flank the white ones on one wall. The left dark-wood cabinet has mudroom cubbies, because it is by the back entrance. The right dark-wood cabinet stores papers and kids’ artwork, with white boards inside the doors for a place to write messages and reminders.

Katherine hopes to paint the adjacent wall with chalkboard paint to display the family menu.

Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances complete the look.

Not wanting double ovens built into the wall, the couple chose instead a 36-inch KitchenAid Pro gas range and a separate second oven installed in KITCHEN continues on 7

rex wolf/special to the capital-journal

Main: Because there is a lot of dark wood throughout the house, a wooden vent hood was positioned above the stove in the kitchen. Inset: The old pantry still had its original 1928 white, flat-paneled cabinets in this submitted photo.

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Kitchen: Remodel provides some valuable lessons Continued from 6

the island’s base.

The island also contains a drawer-style microwave to keep the countertop free from appliances. In addition, a corner appliance cabinet helps keep everything tucked away.

Lessons learned

Cory and Katherine Clutter recently hired Golden Rule Remodeling to upgrade the kitchen of their 1928 Tudor-style home in the Westboro neighborhood. They took out their old kitchen, mudroom and pantry and combined the space for a more modern, larger kitchen.

SUBMITTED PHOTOGRAPHS

Left: A “before” photograph of the Clutters’ old kitchen shows a door in the kitchen that opened into a mudroom. Three smaller rooms were combined to create one large, open kitchen in the family’s 1928 Tudor-style house in the Westboro neighborhood. Right: The old kitchen featured a yellow color-theme and multiple cabinets.

The family has only used the kitchen for a couple of weeks. While the whole process was relatively smooth, the Clutters learned a couple of remodeling lessons to share.

They stressed the importance of feeling comfortable with the company doing the job and the people you’re working with to bring the project to fruition. They advised using someone who has a good reputation, communicates well and finishes close to the estimated price.

Golden Rule Remodeling checked all the boxes for them.

“We got an email at the start of every week saying, ‘Here’s what’s going to happen this week’,” Cory said.

“When you’re in the midst of it, you obsess about what’s going on with your house. You stop in, wanting to see what work happened today.”

“When you’re in the middle of a renovation, you just have to be OK with dust,” Katherine said. “No matter how hard you try, dust still gets everywhere.”

After a job is finished, oftentimes homeowners wish they had added another feature or changed part of the design.

“To some degree, there’s always something you don’t like,” Cory said. “Once you get to working in the space, there is always something you wish you could change or tweak a bit.

“Our family lives in the kitchen. We entertain all the time. It’s nice to have a place to accommodate everyone.

We’re investing in where we spend most of our time.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY REX WOLF/SPECIAL TO THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances give the kitchen an updated look.

The island contains an oven and drawer-style microwave.

A large, arched doorway was installed between the kitchen and dining room to give the space an openconcept feel.

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Tip of the Week

Dishwasher cleanup A dishwasher can be cleaned with household vinegar or citric acid powder. Pour a gallon of vinegar in the bottom, let set for an hour or so, then run the washer through a full cycle. Citric acid powder also will help remove hard-water buildup. Add a half-cup of powder and run the dishwasher.

Source: www.heloise.com/

Service Directory

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Take care adding new outlets to old homes If possible, old wiring should be upgraded in aging residences

By C. Dwight Barnett Tribune News Service

Q: After purchasing a beautiful 1936 two-story home, I found there were too few outlets in the home. I hired a person to add outlets, but he wanted to cut out slots in the walls to run wires. Can outlets be added without damaging the walls?

A: Two things to think about when working on an older home: One, a handyman can’t add electrical service to your home. The work needs to be performed by a licensed electrician. Two, the health concern. A plaster home will have lead-based paint on the walls that shouldn’t be disturbed, and the plaster may contain asbestos fibers. Be-

fore cutting into a wall or ceiling, have a certified environmental contractor test the area and provide guidelines for the electrician to follow.

There may be other ways to add wiring without cutting slots into the walls. The home has either a basement or a crawlspace where wiring can be fished up and into the hollow wall space to add outlets.

Fishing is a process where a strip of stiff metal tape called “fish tape” is pushed through the wall cavity to an opening that has been cut for a future outlet. Wiring is attached to the fish tape and pulled back to where the electrician can connect the wires to the electric panel.

Older homes have wood

blocks in between each wall stud, usually one-third the way up from the bottom and one-third down from the ceiling. If there were a fire, the blocks were intended to slow the fire from spreading inside the wall cavity.

It’s the blocks that are a problem when trying to fish a wire from the attic or second floor. I have seen older homes with surface-mounted outlets with surface-mounted metal or plastic-covered raceways that contain the wiring. The raceways extend from the original outlets to all the added outlets in each room. In a few homes, I have seen a plastic crown molding added to the ceiling that contained the wiring in the cavity of the crown molding.

Where possible when adding outlets, the older wiring should be upgraded to modern wiring that has a hot, a neutral and a ground wire so the new outlets can be properly and safely grounded.

If the wiring can’t be upgraded, add ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection for the added outlets.

Don’t forget to add a smoke alarm in each bedroom, one in the hallway outside each bedroom and at least one on each floor level.

C. Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Write to him with home improvement questions at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 268, Evansville, Ind. 47702 or e-mail d.Barnett@insightbb.com.

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