Spring Home, Lawn & Garden 2015

Kitchen & bath upgrades p9 Spring lawn prep p17 Choose the right kitchen window p5 Deck designer touches p14

Spruce up your home p12 -

The Crescent-News

Thursday, April 2, 2015

PAGE 2 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

If space is an issue in installing a new water heater, it may pay a homeowner to think about installing a tankless water heater. They may be more expensive, but the cost for installing a new water line for a larger heater may be even higher.

Tips for homeowners replacing water heaters (BPT) — Some 37 million residential water heaters gave up the ghost and were replaced over the past five years, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Energy.

While some things get better with age, water heaters aren’t among them. In fact, the average life expectancy for a new water heater is 10 to 15 years, with the occasional stoic dinosaur making it two decades or more.

If your home’s water heater is approaching — or has surpassed — the decade mark, you may be looking at replacing it in 2015. Whether you’re proactive about it or you wait until the appliance fails completely, there are several things you should know about water heater technology, energy efficiency, cost savings and environmental impact.

• Being proactive pays in more ways than one.

Replacing an aging water heater is an investment, and you may be tempted to put it off until absolutely necessary. Replacing an old water heater before it stops working, however, has many

advantages. When a water heater fails, it can leak and cause damage to your home and belongings, especially if your heater is housed in a finished basement, closet or attic. If you wait until you’re completely without hot water to begin shopping for a new water heater, you may find yourself too hurried to comparison shop.

• Learn the different types of water heaters and compare costs. Two basic types of water heaters are available for residential use: conventional storage heaters that keep water hot in a storage tank, and tankless water heaters that directly heat water as you need it.

A residential, electric-powered storage water heater usually costs as little as a few hundred dollars. Gas heaters generally cost more — some models are upward of $1,000 — but cheaper natural gas prices can offset the added cost in the long run. Tankless heaters are comparably priced, but often are more expensive to install, until recently. More on that later.

• Heater, Page 6

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 3

Decor can be timeless or trendy for new year (BPT) — Are you looking for ways to update your home this new year? With so many fresh interior ideas available, it can be difficult to balance current design trends with classic styles for a look that is both of-themoment and everlasting.

Follow these guidelines to find a way to blend now and forever for a look you will love today and tomorrow.

Focus on the foundation As you are laying the groundwork in your bedroom, kitchen or bath, the

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key is to keep it timeless.

Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, lighting and fixtures should possess clean, traditional lines and classic finishes.

If it’s time to do a complete overhaul of your home, you may be tempted to invest in the latest and greatest in materials and furniture offerings, but sometimes the simplest of tweaks can bring your existing pieces up to date. For example, your oak kitchen cabinets are an ageless shape, but could be transformed by painting them a fresh color and swapping out the hardware.

Much like a smart wardrobe, as long as you have the basics, minor updates can be made throughout

the years by adding small touches in the form of accessories, paint, new hardware and other alterations.

Incorporate color Taking a classic space and transforming it when you have an itch to try something new is done easily with paint. For 165 years, Pratt & Lambert Paints has been synonymous with recognizing the shifts and nuances of home style and design. In the true fashion of merging timeless with trendy, the brand has recently released its 2015 Color Trends Forecast, called Origins, which goes full circle from essential neutrals to progressive pops of color.

Consider spicing up your kitchen with colors from the

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Whether your style is timeless or trendy, this year’s offerings in colorful decor and new furniture give a consumer a wide selection from which to choose.

Cadence palette. The collection focuses on co-mingling of cultures, and what better place to feature these hues than the room where flavors from all over the world are literally coming together on a daily basis?

Pratt & Lambert colors Baby Carrot (8-11) and Vibrant Red (4-12) can make a statement throughout the entire space, or just on an accent wall near a breakfast nook.

A bedroom is a place for rest — a calm, downto-earth haven. Pratt & Lambert’s two trend palettes, Elemental and Terra, are the perfect pick for the place in which you recharge. Interior designer and Pratt & Lambert Style & Design Guild member Laura Kirar recommends shades Tobacco (33-19) and Feather Gray (32-37) from the Elemental palette.

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PAGE 4 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Design a stunning backsplash that will make your kitchen stand out (BPT) — The kitchen is the heart of the home and a top-selling feature with homebuyers. Does yours convey style and functionality? Whether you’ve just completed a remodel or you’re looking for ways to upgrade your existing kitchen, a tile backsplash will instantly transform the space into an eye-catching masterpiece.

“Tile backsplashes are timeless, providing the ideal transition between the cabinetry and the countertop,” said Kirsty Froelich, design director for the Tile Shop.

“It’s one of the number one ways homeowners can add

value to their kitchen while adhering to their personal design preferences. Best yet, the process can be simple and enjoyable.”

Froelich offered her top tips for designing a stylish backsplash for a kitchen without headaches or stress: Determine your style profile and take action Start by looking at Houzz, Pinterest and home magazines to see what styles you’re drawn to. Are you more contemporary, vintage or transitional? It can help to see backsplashes in person to get a true idea of how different materials look, feel and reflect light.

For up close and personal inspiration, attend your local Parade of Homes, or visit a showroom environment like the Tile Shop to view multiple styled vignettes.

Follow your vision When exploring tile or stone, think about whether you want the backsplash to be a focal point or more subdued. Subway tiles in neutral tones are timeless for those who prefer a muted backsplash. If you’re looking to make a statement, clean and tumbled white marble is trending right now. Slate is comforting and earthy where metallic

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

A unique backsplash can mean the difference between an ordinary and an incredible kitchen.

offers a more eye-catching work or patterns. “Pop art” and contemporary look. For is also really hot right now added personality, consider (e.g., incorporating Andy designs with color, patch• backsplash, Page 8

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Expert tips for choosing the right window for your kitchen (BPT) — What are the hottest updates for homes in 2015? The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms in the home to remodel, and for good reason. According to HGTV and Trulia, a kitchen update is one of the secrets to selling your home.

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen you must consider many aspects — cabinets, counters, floors and appliances — but you may not have thought about windows. According to Remodeling.com’s 2015 Cost Vs. Value Report, window replacement, whether wood, vinyl or fiberglass, provides a good return on investment compared to other replacement projects, increasing the value of your home financially and aes-

thetically. So whether you’re making small updates or completely gutting your old kitchen, including window replacement in your project is a smart addition.

Here are some key elements to keep in mind when choosing a window for your kitchen: Style Kitchen windows are often placed above counters or sinks, making them hard to reach and prone to moisture. Choosing a window style that is easy to open and close, such as an awning, sliding or casement, is a smart move.

Awning windows — which can be pulled in or pushed out — are perfect for ventilation, which can be especially helpful in a hot kitchen. Since hot air

from the oven or stove typically rises, awning style windows perform the best when placed close to the ceiling or above eye-level.

Sliding or casement windows — which use a crank out method for opening and closing — are two good options for hard to reach areas, like above the counters or behind the kitchen Photo courtesy of Brandpoint sink. Pella motorized blinds Putting in new windows in a kitchen remodel makes and shades are also ideal for hard to reach window loca- sense since they will make the room look better and tions and can be controlled will help to increase the value of the home in the event with the touch of a button. of a sale.

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PAGE 6 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

From pastels to navy, here are the colors of 2015 decor Associated Press

For 2015, the hot colors in home decor range from yummy ice cream pastels to a few deep, saturated hues.

The pastels include blush, sky blue, vanilla, lilac and pale peach, hues traditionally associated with tropical or desert climes. But they work in northern light, too — just ground them with darker shades like charcoal, chocolate or navy.

Mint and shell pink might seem lightweight or juvenile at first glance, but the way they’re being used gives them some gravitas. A task lamp; a midcenturystyle chair; a bookcase — rendered in one of these hues, a room instantly looks Right Now. Mints to consider include Behr’s Mountain Mint and Pratt and Lambert’s Glacial Green; check out Pratt and Lambert’s Coral Pink and Behr’s Secret Blush for a gentle yet sophisticated soft pink.

Each year, paint companies and color trend gurus assess which hues will be hot in fashion and décor. Many choose a “color of the year.”

Coral Reef, a vibrant pink-orange, is Sherwin-Williams’ pick. Debra Kling, a New York-based color consultant, thinks it’s a region-specific hue.

“It feels more suitable for South Beach, the Southwest or the South Pacific,” she said.

Jackie Jordan, color marketing director for Sherwin-Williams, sad the color embodies a cheerful approach to design that’s a hallmark of 2015. “From our research, we know people do seek colors and décor that bring back memories of a destination vacation,” she said. “Coral Reef evokes that for people; others just love the color.”

She suggesed pairing it with white, black, or floral hues like lush green or deep violet to make it really sing. To calm things down, consider complementary shades of soft gray, driftwood or butter yellow. Patinated brass and medium wood tones would also be pretty accompaniments.

Benjamin Moore has gone with Guilford Green, a soft hue that some decorators and designers see as too pale while others tout its versatility as a “standard, go-to green.”

Framed with crisp white, Guilford Green gives off a pretty, garden-room vibe; add deeper floral tones like peony, daffodil and iris to enhance the botanical feel. Undertones of gray and brown make it a perfect color against just about any wood, creating a restful backdrop for a kitchen, nursery or sunroom, and it’s a good exterior hue, too. Check out Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green, a similar shade.

s e Sin

Heater From page 2

• A more energy-efficient water heater can save you money in the long-term. Heating water accounts for nearly 18 percent of the average home’s overall energy use — the second largest energy expense — and costs a household $200 to $600 per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. A newer, ENERGY STAR-rated water heater will consume less energy to heat water and reduce the amount you spend on utility bills.

Energy-efficient options include solar powered, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR gas or electric storage heaters and tankless heaters.

• Tankless water heaters are more “doable” than ever before. Because they heat water only when you need it, rather than keeping it hot in a tank, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient. Still, many homeowners have shied away from switching to a tankless heater because of installation costs. Existing water and gas lines used for storage heaters don’t line up neatly and easily

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with most tankless water heaters, increasing labor costs. Tankless water heater manufacturer Noritz has introduced a unit — the Noritz EZTR40 Residential Tankless Water Heater — that solves the problem.

Designed to replace a conventional 40-gallon water heater, the EZTR40 can use the vent, water connection and gas line already in place without moving anything to achieve a connection. The reduced labor means it costs less for homeowners to have the tankless water heater installed.

• Size matters, and it’s about to matter even more.

It’s always been important to match the size of the water heater to the size of the home and the needs of its inhabitants.

The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) — which goes into effect in April — will make size an even bigger consideration for homeowners replacing water heaters this year. Water heaters will have to meet a higher energy factor rating, which will require storage heaters to be larger.

Tankless water heaters are smaller, and they may be a solution for those with space problems.

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Five ways to improve your outdoor space (BPT) — Winter’s coldest days make you appreciate spring and summer, as well as the warm afternoons spent outdoors enjoying these seasons. And when the time comes, there’s no better place to relax than in your own backyard. If your space isn’t all it could be, though, this is the perfect time for a little outdoor upgrade.

Below are five projects you can tackle on your own to reinvent your backyard and turn it into the space you always knew it could be.

• Landscape for the year.

Landscaping provides a focal point in your yard, but don’t just landscape with the warmer months in mind. Include plants for each season. Showcase blooming flowers and hostas in the warmer months, and pair them with evergreen conifers for a look that’s inviting all year long.

• One-of-a-kind planter boxes. Showcase your most beautiful blooms or delicious herbs in planter boxes made from Western red cedar. Western red cedar is ideal for planter boxes because it is naturally rot, decay and insect resistant.

Plus, building the box is easy. You can learn how to build planter boxes of your own at Realcedar.com.

• Sitting beside the fire.

A fire pit is a great way to extend your backyard use into the evening hours, and giving the pit a professional look is easier than you think. Start by measuring the pit area and then build your wall of pavers.

Surround the pit itself with gravel, additional pavers or another non-flammable substance, then add some comfy chairs and prepare to enjoy.

• The all-in-one pergola.

Whether you’re looking for a little shade, a centerpiece for the yard or the perfect spot to entertain, a pergola

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 7

delivers. Building the pergola out of a lighter wood like Western red cedar will make the material easier to handle for any DIYer, and the appearance and smell of Western red cedar ensures your pergola will blend in naturally with the rest of your yard. You can find instructions for building your own pergola at Realcedar.com.

• Let there be light. Enjoy your backyard any time of day with just a little lighting. Solar-powered path lights are a low-maintenance way to showcase

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When landscaping your back yard, include plants that can be enjoyed • OUtDOOr, Page 10 through the year. Building a pergola can

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PAGE 8 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Victorian fretwork in a couple’s home inspires a design passion Carole Malakoff had never heard of Moorish fretworks when she and her husband, Bob, bought an 1871 Italianate-style house in Pittsburgh.

But ever since they found an 11-foot section of the delicate woodwork within a wall, they have become experts and collectors.

The Malakoffs’ garden has a large goldfish pond and courtyard, and sitting on their reproduction Victorian back porch (with a cleverly concealed handicap ramp for Bob Malakoff) is the perfect way to spend an evening.

It only gets better when you enter the back of the house, where

a cozy new room features a gasburning fireplace and a collection of rug beaters on the wall. Carole Malakoff, who also collects purses, said: “When you can have room to display things, you’re a collector.

Otherwise, you’re a hoarder.”

This house is a perfect showcase for collections, but it wasn’t when the Malakoffs bought it in 1992. Once owned by one of the Kaufmann brothers of departmentstore fame, it had been broken into three apartments. The couple began a nearly 20-year restoration project on the upstairs, sleeping downstairs in a parlor. Several years ago,

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when contractor George Barnhart discovered a large piece of fretwork sandwiched between two pieces of drywall in that parlor, the homeowners recognized it as Victorian fretwork. But they didn’t know what it really was until they asked Michael Eversmeyer, an architect and preservationist.

Moorish fretwork caught the Victorians’ fancy because it was ornate woodwork with Oriental style. Carpenter Paul Tucker of Mount Holly Springs, Pa., is a fan and expert. His article in the May 2005 issue of The Magazine Antiques was an eye-opener for the

backsplasH From page 4

Warhol visuals into the backsplash design).

Consider product type and maintenance requirements A backsplash isn’t necessarily maintenance-free, so know how much time you’re willing to spend

Malakoffs, who soon began searching for more examples.

Tucker credits Moses Ransom of Cleveland with helping to popularize Moorish fretwork by inventing a machine that could carve long, thin, spiral-shaped pieces of wood and weave it in intricate patterns.

In his 1885 patent application, Ransom wrote: “My invention successfully brings within the reach of people of ordinary means articles of great beauty and utility heretofore only attainable by the rich at great cost.”

before making a final design decision. If you prefer low maintenance, the best route is ceramic tile.

If you are drawn to the beauty of natural stone, keep in mind that there’s minimal annual maintenance, including resealing the surface to ensure the product’s integrity and beauty last.

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(Tribune News Service) “One of my current favorite backsplash looks is a new globally influenced Decor Mayflower pattern featured in the Tile Shop’s 2015 Spring Design catalog,” said Froelich. “It coordinates with the Treviso solid ceramic tiles that are available in three beautiful colors. Each piece has a handmade look and feel inspired by classic looks from long ago. This collection will definitely add a wow factor to your backsplash.”

“Another collection I love is the Devonshire Cararra marble. It’s crisp, clean and particularly elegant when set in herringbone pattern by itself or when paired with a picture frame design incorporating polished mosaic and marble profiles.”

Know your budget Before digging into any home improvement project, it’s important to know your budget. Convey your visions and cost parameters to any experts you work with, such as a contractor or interior designer.

Bring a sample of your cabinetry and countertop, or a picture of your kitchen, to the designer or showroom you’re working with.

It will help them maximize your budget while achieving your vision.

Add personal touches When finalizing your design, consider adding unique characteristics.

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 9

Easy kitchen, bath upgrades Save up to $1,200 to improve indoor spaces from day one. How’s (BPT) — Do your kitchen and bathrooms look a bit drab? If you don’t have the time or budget for a full remodel, there are still many simple updates you can do to refresh these spaces and invigorate each with impressive style. From affordable faucet updates to pretty paints, each takes one day or less to complete, instantly providing a dramatic effect.

Freshen the faucet Almost anyone who enters the bathroom or kitchen will use the faucet, which means it’s a functional focal point of the space. Installing a new faucet is a simple way to redefine interior design and reflect your own personal style.

The new line of Kohler faucets available at Home Depot offers exceptional quality at an affordable price. For example, set the ambience in your bathroom with the Georgeson line of faucets, inspired by the Gatsby era with chic detailing and unique shapes to provide a decorative, eclectic touch. For those who prefer traditional silhouettes, the Mistos kitchen faucet’s soft lines and classic aesthetic provide a timeless, upscale look.

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Update hardware and accessories Cabinet hardware and other accessories do for a room what jewelry does for an outfit — they provide the finishing touches that really elevate the space.

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There are several ways to improve a pensive and easy to do. They include new Kohler faucet. Each line bathroom or kitchen that are fairly inex- framing a bathroom mirror. includes coordinating Install a accesnew Trane heating and cooling system and you’ll be rewarded sories like towel year bars,after showyearmodern. with premium comfort and lower bills. will Nowbe trans- recessed lighting are popuing energy old mirror erheads and tub you’ll fillers.also be rewarded with up to $1,200 back—significant savings Frame the mirror formed immediately into an lar options.

Experiment with paint considering what a great value Trane systems are to alternative. begin with.

Every bathroom has a upscale For bathrooms, installing Paint is one of the most Fitzenrider, Inc. will even give you six months toSwap make alight payment, mirror, and some kitchens fixtures and task lighting by the mirror affordable ways to dramatiwhich means you’ll save even more. If you want to add value to your can help streamline daily cally change the look and and adjacent dining spac- bulbs home everything you domirrors inside ofasit, well. it’s the opportune time to buy. es feature If your current bathroom routines. Keep in mind, energy of a space. and If you Nothing enhances comfort like a aTrane. thinkkitchen you’ll feel pretty mirror provides focalWeand light fixtures cool, bright white bulbs have dated tile, research if A your good about the savings as well. tile paint is an option for point while reflecting light evoke nostalgia from a lost with a high color-rendering Expecttomore from your independent dealer. make it appear brighter. Trane era, it’s time for a swap. index (CRI) closely reflect your kitchen or bath. Don’t new heating cooling system will affect yourout comfort—and But and if you have a builderPick a new overhead natural light and therefore be afraid to Your experiment bills—for to come.

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PAGE 10 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Leaks are not the only sign a roof might need attention Associated Press

A harsh winter has taken a toll on many roofs. Maybe there’s a tell-tale leak, but sometimes problems are harder to spot. When the snow melts, it’s a good time to take stock.

IDeNtIFYING prObleMs

John Galeotafiore, associate director of home improvement testing for Consumer Reports, recommended that homeowners take out a pair of binoculars and check the roof from street level. Roofing contractors also can be hired to inspect the roof. Do you see any missing shingles?

Are some of them curled or cracked? Are there pieces of flashing missing?

Dirty or splotchy shingles also can be a sign of a problem, said Jim Englehart, senior merchant for building materials at Home Depot. “It’s indicative of

the granules being worn away,” he said.

Weather-related damage can include ice damming, when water backs up under the shingles, ices and then begins to melt. High winds can dislodge shingles or the flashing around chimneys or skylights.

repaIr Or replace?

Age is one factor in deciding whether to repair or replace a roof.

“If the roof is about 20 years old and you’re getting leaks, you’re probably going to have to change it,” Galeotafiore said. You might be able to patch newer roofs if the damage is limited.

“It gets down to aesthetics,” Englehart said. “If it’s on the front side of the house I don’t want to patch.

The patch is going to be a different color.”

Sometimes, new shingles can be layered over an

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rOOF tYpes

Most homes in the United States have a pitched roof.

Asphalt shingles make up a large share of the market, but some roofs are slate, metal or a composite material. Wood shakes and tile also are used.

A lot depends on your aesthetics and your budget.

“You could spend an extra $30,000 for real slate or wood shakes — or you could get a similar look for much less,” Consumer Reports said.

And then there’s geography.

“Different kinds of material will perform better in different climates,” said Bill Good, executive vice president of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

In the Midwest and MidAtlantic, he said, a lot of asphalt shingle is used.

Asphalt shingles come in two main types: three-tab shingles, which are a single layer, or laminated or archi-

tectural shingles, which are thicker.

But strong sun can take a toll on asphalt roofs, so in Florida and the Southwest, roofs are frequently made of tile, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association. In New England, you see a lot of slate because that’s where it’s quarried, according to Good.

Composite shingles are made to look like slate or wood shakes.

“The look would be as close as you could get to the real thing,” said Mark Hansen, vice president of sales and marketing for DaVinci Roofscapes, based in Lenexa, Kan. The company uses a high-performance polymer for its roofing materials.

Metal roofs range from steel to copper and other materials, either in panels or in shingles similar in size to asphalt shingles. Good said they last a long time, and “also tend to be reflective, so they can help with energy conservation inside the home.”

Check a roofing material’s weight to make sure it’s OK

for your home.

As for cost, asphalt is generally the lowest among roofing options. Slate and copper roofs, for example, can be much costlier.

pIckING a cONtractOr

Replacing a roof is probably not a job homeowners want to do themselves, experts agree.

Good recommends talking to two or three contractors before deciding on one.

Besides comparing prices and warranties, check that the company is insured and has a permanent place of business. It’s also good practice to ask for references, Good said.

OUtDOOr From page 7

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Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 11

Using real wood in different ways beautifies a home Associated Press

Working with wood comes naturally to New York interior designer Dan Faires. He grew up in an old farmhouse and has been developing his carpentry skills for much of his life.

So in any house or apartment he occupies, he finds creative ways to decorate with this natural material.

To rehab an apartment in Arkansas recently, he covered the dark pine floor with coats of glossy white paint, instantly brightening the room and making it seem larger.

But many homeowners have no experience working with wood, so they don’t realize, Faires said, how easy it is to make a home more beautiful by improving the existing wood or creatively adding new wood to walls, floors and even ceilings.

Designer Brian Patrick Flynn, creator of the Flynnside Out Productions design blog, agreed: “While different materials come and go with trends, wood is here to stay. Whether it’s for a home’s exterior, bedroom

walls or for adding shade to your yard or deck, wood is an investment that will never go out of style.”

Faires, Flynn and Betsy Burnham of the Los Angeles-based Burnham Design shared their favorite ways to decorate with wood.

or corner that’s tough to decorate with art, Faires said. Or cover the walls of a small bathroom to remodel it inexpensively.

Another great spot to add wood: “Interior entryways, especially those in new construction homes, are a perfect fit for a wainscoting update, as it can make an entryway feel much more FEATURE WALLS “Creating interior feature grand, add graphic impact, walls with soft woods is an break up the monotony of amazing way to add a focal point to a room otherwise considered a ‘basic drywall box,’” Flynn said.

You can add decorative wood to a wall from floor to ceiling, Burnham said, or just part of the way up.

Options include tongueand-groove panels, bead board or traditional board and batten.

No matter what you choose, a decorative layer of wood is “so much more interesting than drywall and paint,” Burnham said.

“It adds texture and interest and timelessness.”

Living room or bedroom walls are great candidates, but you can also use this technique to bring architectural interest to an alcove

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patterns, arranging panels of wood in a chevron or other shape, rather than horizontally or vertically.

“Overall, I say stick with a graphic pattern that’s large enough to read without becoming too busy,” Flynn DRAMATIC TOUCHES said. “Diamond patterns We expect to see wood on are my favorite since they’re floors and walls, but ceil- classic and work with many ings are also a great place different styles of decor and to add it.

• wood, Page 13 You can get creative with drywall and also ensure a classic look,” said Flynn.

“Wainscoting is probably one of the most traditional ways to use wood indoors, and it can be used impactfully in any room.”

PAGE 12 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Spring projects can spruce up the appearance of your home (BPT) — Warmer weather and sunnier days are on their way and many homeowners are itching to begin home improvement proj-

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If your windows felt drafty this winter, it may be time for replacements.

Replace your old singlepane windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows.

Double-pane windows can help you save on heating and cooling bills; they help keep the temperature in your home consistent year-round and help protect your furniture, carpet and window treatments from the sun’s fading rays.

Need to bring some fresh color into your home but don’t want to paint?

Try updating your blinds or shades. From different styles to colorful fabrics, blinds and shades can add a pop of color to your room. Motorized blinds and shades with Pella Insynctive technology come in more than 300 style and color options so you can find the right fit for your home’s decor.

Your front door is a major focal point of your home, enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Make a bold

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Spring projects can include new windows and doors or simply cleaning gutters.

statement and improve your home’s energy efficiency with a new ENERGY STAR-certified front door.

Consider options with decorative glass accents, and sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

Looking for something even easier? A new coat of paint to your existing door is a quick and easy way to give your home a fresh, new look.

Gutters and downspouts Excess water near your foundation can cause thousands of dollars in damages. Luckily gutter cleaning and downspout repair is fairly low-cost.

After all the snow melts, you’ll want to make sure to clean your gutters and clean out any debris that may keep spring rains from flowing freely through your downspouts.

Along with replacing

damaged gutter or downspout sections, you’ll also want to make sure you have added downspout extenders to ensure water is draining far away from your home’s foundation.

Extenders should reach at least five feet into your yard.

Gutter covers can also be added to minimize debris from gathering in gutters throughout the year.

Air conditioning It may be a few more months before you’re turning on the A/C, but spring is a great time to start getting your cooling system ready.

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Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 13

Paint can be a dramatic, low-cost floor covering for those with allergies Associated Press

When it became clear that allergies would prevent Nancy B. Westfall’s infant daughter from having a rug in her room, the Atlantabased artist turned instead to paint, a few stencils and a plan.

Westfall used the baby’s bedroom floor much like she would a canvas, painting on it a diamond-shaped pattern that gave the space a custom look you simply can’t achieve with a kid’s area rug.

Eleven years and another

wood

From Page 11

architecture.”

And you can experiment with color. Wood ceilings can be painted the same shade as the walls for a sophisticated look or in a contrasting color.

If you’re really ambitious, add decorative wood to a ceiling or wall in a pattern you design yourself.

“I’ve drawn designs for full walls and had them built in wood, like raised molding that gives the entire wall a pattern,” Burnham said. She has undertaken complicated chinoiserie patterns, but you can plan a simpler pattern and ask a carpenter to cut and install the pieces.

Or consider a painted design: It takes time and patience, but with a roll of painters tape and several shades of paint, you can create your own painted pattern on a ceiling or wood floor.

CUSTOMIZED COLORS

If you don’t see the stain you want at the homeimprovement store, find one that’s close and “talk to the paint guy,” Faires said.

“They actually can create a lot of washes with waterbased stains.”

Or bring a paint swatch and ask to have that color created as a water-based

house later, Westfall remains a big fan of bringing floors to life with color instead of covering them up.

“They look pretty refinished, and they look even better painted,” Westfall said.

You don’t have to be a professional artist like Westfall to do it, although proponents of painting the floor say it does require patience and nerve.

Rachel Cannon Lewis, an interior designer in Baton Rouge, La., encourages clients to consider it. Painting a floor, whether it’s wood

or concrete, can be more affordable than tile, carpet or other floor coverings, she said.

And in homes that date back more than a century, painted floors are more historically accurate: Back then, people frequently painted their wide, plank wood floors to protect them from warping, Lewis said.

Plus, painting just looks good.

“I’m starting to think of the floor as the sixth wall,” said Lewis, who considers floors “an overlooked opportunity to get creative and introduce

stain.

If you want to try creating a stain yourself, “heavily dilute paint with water,” Faires said, “which is kind of the old school way of doing it.”

Flynn recommends

choosing a stain that is “dark enough to add a touch of sophistication, but light enough that the grain of the wood is properly showcased.” Dark walnut and pecan finishes are his favorites.

color.” (The “fifth wall,” by the way, is the ceiling).

Painting floors yourself can be a lengthy process, Lewis said, primarily because the thin, oil-based paint she recommends requires multiple coats, with lengthy dry times between each one. Getting fancier by, say, creating a pattern with paint or a stencil, requires even more patience and precision.

Even if you hire a professional painter, however, “You have to be willing to embrace the idea that it’s going to be a different solution than what most people tell you to do,” Lewis said.

“There are going to be friends that come over who don’t get it, and your

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mom is not going to get it,” she said. “But I love the notoriety that comes with pushing the envelope and going for it.”

Painted floors are not as durable as some of the alternatives, especially in hightraffic areas, said Sidney Wagner, a Charleston, S.C., interior designer.

“Over time, even with polyurethane, they will show scratches and the paint will scratch off,” she said.

“However, a tip to help combat your floors from looking too shabby is to paint a contrasting layer of color underneath. So when that second layer of color comes through with the scratches, the marred floors will look planned with your color scheme.”

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PAGE 14 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Designer touches every well-dressed deck will wear this season (BPT) — When spring arrives will your deck be ready for “primetime?” Or will it still be wearing the

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are so last decade. Before warm weather gets here, consider upgrading your outdoor living space with the trends that every welldressed deck will be wearing this year.

Whether you’re lucky enough to live on the water or you spend a lot of time keeping your backyard green and blooming, wouldn’t it be great to be able to enjoy the view from your deck? Traditional wooden railings can block your view, and glass can be hard to clean.

More view-seeking homeowners are replacing wooden balusters with Ultra-tec stainless steel cable railings.

Do-it-yourself kits from manufacturers like The Cable Connection make it easy to replace old balusters with stainless steel cable, creating a sleek, upscale and view-friendly look.

The cable can be used with wood, metal or sleeved posts with a solid core, and you can retrofit any railing with the cable. Whether

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Adding cable railing to your deck or painting it lighter colors such as white or gray can make your deck stand out and look up-to-date.

your deck is made of wood or composite, cable railing works wherever you would install a traditional railing, including the deck perimeter and stairs. Visit www. thecableconnection.com to learn more.

Clear sealant for a natural look or subdued rustic hues have long been the colors of choice for decks.

This year, expect to see a plethora of fresh colors pop-

ping up on decks. While changing the color of a wooden deck from a darker hue to something brighter may be problematic, composite decking manufacturers have branched out into a variety of brighter colors, including whites and light grays. You’ll even see pops of color like greens and blues in designs and inserts set into decking planks.

You can also add color to your deck through plantings. Think outside the planter box — and traditional floral plantings — to mix things up with decorative grasses and leafy foliage that will splash color around your deck throughout the summer.

Wooden planks, wooden railings, stairs and even furniture — long gone are the days when decks were single-material constructions.

Today’s decks are a study in mixed media, incorporating traditional materials like wood, brick and tile with modern elements such as composite planks, cable railings and even ceramic tile.

The amalgam of materials can yield a multitude of patterns, styles and looks.

Pair a traditional wood deck with cable railing and stairs that descend to a patio of pavers set in a herringbone pattern. Use heat-resistant ceramic tile to create a decorative and functional cooking area on a composite deck.

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 15

Information on how to clean windows, blinds, curtains, etc.

Associated Press If you’re like some people (ahem) who put up window treatments and never give them a second thought, even as dust accumulates, this might just be the season to pay them a little respect.

No need to stress out about adding another task to your spring-cleaning to-do list: You don’t have to clean curtains, shades and the windows themselves THAT often. And many times, it’s not that difficult.

“In our experience, the windows and window treatments are something that people avoid cleaning because they’re not entirely sure the best way to do it,” said Betsy Goldberg, home director of Real Simple magazine.

“It’s not hard,” she added “It just takes a little bit of time.”

If simply removing dirt isn’t reason enough to clean, consider that dust can dull the fabric of curtains and shades. Household odors can linger. And washing helps preserve the fabric, especially for window treatments that get a

daily dose of sunshine, said Tammy Kupernik of retailer Country Curtains.

“If you don’t wash them, the sun will break down the threads,” she said.

“Washing them keeps the colors bright, it keeps the threads soft and it does add to the life of the curtain.”

cUrtaINs aND Drapes

Window treatments should be cleaned once or twice a year, experts say, and the best method varies by material. Some can be refreshed in the washer or cleaned with a vacuum, while others may require a pro.

Start by reading the care tag or directions that came with the product: Some items are dry clean only. If the instructions are unavailable, experts offer general guidelines: Most curtains that are lined or made of silk likely require dry cleaning, Kupernik said.

Curtains that are not lined or insulated usually can be washed by machine, in a short, gentle cycle with cool water, she said. Those made

of a poly-cotton blend can dows and the curtains and inator product. Use a handusually go in a medium- spray the curtains with a held fabric steamer, workheat dryer, but 100 percent wrinkle releaser/odor elim• cleaN, Page 20 cotton curtains should be line-dried to prevent shrinkage.

Curtains and roller shades that are insulated with a bonded layer that keeps out the cold can be machine washed in a short, gentle cycle in cool water and line dried, Kupernik said. If the insulated sides touch each other while drying, they can peel off and ruin the curtain.

Sheer and lace curtains should be washed by YEARS machine in a short, genSERVICE tle cycle with cold water and line dried, Kupernik said, adding that both can Robert V. Quillen be touched up with light ironing. Once sheers get in the high heat of a dryer, wrinkles become permanent, she added.

After curtains come down for cleaning, dust the rod before hanging them back up.

If you don’t want to take them down, Goldberg offers this method for cleaning unlined curtains made from lightweight, sheer or semisheer fabric: Close the win-

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PAGE 16 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Restoring an old apple tree to its former glory branches seemingly reaching out for a hug. The fruits, A neglected, overgrown, unfortunately, are more old apple tree does have often than not too small, too charm, its gnarled, elbowed high and too pest-ridden.

But don’t despair: Such a tree can be returned to its former glory by “renovation,” as corrective pruning of an old tree is called.

Before picking up a backhoe • trucking • bulldozer pruning tool, ask yourself trenching • stump grinding whether the effort involved sight leveling • power ditching in renovating a tree will be Full lawn Service justified.

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Associated Press

J.G. Excavating

they occupy — hence the It may be wise to hire a move toward smaller trees professional to do these first among fruit farmers. cuts, depending on how drastic they are.

It’s impossible to preCUT DRASTICALLY, BUT NOT TOO MANY scribe exactly how far back to cut these large limbs. It LIMBS If you want to keep the depends on the tree’s prestree and go ahead with ren- ent and desired form. Just ovation, begin now, while remember that new fruitit’s dormant, by drastically ing wood will begin above cutting back one or two whatever height you cut a large limbs near their origin limb back to. lower in the tree. Hold off making additional drastic SPROUTS MAKE NEW LIMBS cuts until next year, perIdeally, make your cuts haps the year after also, to back to well-placed side avoid shocking the tree.

Those drastic cuts quick- branches. But don’t worry ly lower the tree and open if no side branch is growing up what remains to light off near your cut because and air. Lowering the new sprouts, the tree’s tree makes picking easier. future limbs, will grow Letting in more light pro- from dormant buds.

Actually, too many new vides nourishment for fruit buds and, along with better sprouts will grow. Remove air circulation, reduces dis- most of them. It’s easiest ease problems by hastening to visit your tree every few drying of leaves and fruits. weeks through spring and

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summer, firmly grabbing any excess sprouts with your hand and removing them with a sharp downward jerk. Save sprouts that are well-placed as far as spacing and height of origin to make new limbs.

Any wayward sprouts that you miss during the summer could also be pruned back this time next year, but re-sprouting from their bases is then more likely. Be ruthless with sprout removal because too many new branches crowding each other will put the tree back where it started, with shaded, dank branches.

ON TO DETAILED PRUNING, AND A HUG

After making those large cuts, proceed to more detailed pruning with a small pruning saw and a lopping shear. Cut back dead, broken or diseased branches to sound wood.

Also remove stems that are overcrowded or weak.

Such stems typically grew in shaded parts of the tree and droop downwards.

Either cut them off completely or shorten them to the point where they start their downward arc.

The final and most detailed cuts are of the spurs, those short, stubby branches — only an inch or two long — on which fruits are born. Old apple trees commonly have too many spurs, which spreads a tree’s resources among so many fruits that those that do ripen are small and poor-quality. Use handheld pruning shears to completely remove some spurs, and to remove just a side branch or two from others.

For the finishing touch, tidy up the bark. Loose, old bark provides refuge for pests such as codling moth larvae. Scrape the bark clean with a short-handled hoe or some balled-up chicken wire. Be gentle, though — remove only the loose surface bark.

mid-feb 2014 mid-feb 2014

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 17

Some tips for prepping your lawn for spring mid-feb 2014

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Specifically, how the right From good soil-to-seed contact and proper depth, to accurate with I just one thing in mind — higher yield. Now that’s something compost, fertilizer or peat agronomic design at planting can make a difference at harvest. spacing soil Learn pressure, our planters engineered that can’tand be uniform duplicated. more about Earlyare Riser planters moss over your yard. The From good soil-to-seed contact and proper Now depth, to accurate with just one thing in mind — higher that’s something by visiting your Case IH dealer or goyield. to caseih.com. fertilizer will be absorbed spacing soil Learn pressure, our planters engineered that can’tand be uniform duplicated. more about Earlyare Riser planters quickly through the holes with just one thing in mind — higher yield.

Now that’s something by visiting your Case IH dealer or go to caseih.com. created by the aeration. that can’t be duplicated. Learn more about Early Riser planters BE READY. • When it’s time to mow. by visiting your Case IH dealer or go to caseih.com.

Optimal grass length is 2.5BE READY. 3.5 inches, so cut your grass as frequently as needed to BE READY. achieve this length without cutting more than third of each grass blade. Mowing high and often will produce a heartier lawn that is more adept at keeping weeds away, as well as making it less susceptible to heat and drought. The new Z200 series of residential zeroturn riding mowers from Husqvarna, handles your It’s just what the doctor ordered. mowing duties in a snap.

It’s justTrue what themowers doctor ordered.

The Z200 zero-turn platGrasshopper ZeroTurn™ are the perfect prescription to cure the Grasshopper Trueof ZeroTurn™ are the perfect to cure the form features SmartSwitch aches and pains mowing. mowers Our humanomic design,prescription foam-padded steering aches and of mowing.

Ourcomfortable humanomicseat design, steering technology that gives you levers and pains the industry’s most are foam-padded standard features, so levers and the industry’s most comfortable seat are standard features, so one-touch steering, SEE realoperators stay fresh, focused and alert.

SEE US USoperators TODAY. TODAYfresh, . focused and alert. time feedback and keyless Test drive astay Grasshopper today. Doctor’s orders. security so you can S mow SEE EE U US STestT TODAY. ODa A Y. today. Doctor’s orders. drive Grasshopper the lawn quickly and enjoy S SEE EE U US SIt’sT TODAY. O DAwhat Y. the doctor ordered. ably every time. just It’s just what the doctor ordered.

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Ourcomfortable humanomic design, foam-padded steering Photo courtesy of Brandpoint ate scenic interest to your levers and the industry’s most seat are standard features, so aches and pains of mowing.

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Test drive astay Grasshopper today. and Doctor’s operators fresh, focused alert.orders.

(BPT) — Those winter chills are almost finally history and it’s time focus on outdoor fun again. Your lawn is the perfect spot for family gatherings, sports competitions, barbecues and relaxing afternoons, so why not make it the best it can be?

Before your calendar fills up, apply these five tips and your lawn will be in great shape for the entire season.

• Clean up. Whether it was packed under the snow or blown in by the wind, the winter season leaves more than its fair share of debris behind. Grab a rake and get started raking up all of this garbage. Once the lawn is clean, apply a thin layer — about a quarter-inch thick

— of compost to give your lawn a boost and start it in the right direction.

• Reseed the bare patches.

Your travels around your lawn to rake up debris will probably reveal some bare patches. If you do happen upon a patch of barren ground, loosen the top 2-4 inches. Level the soil with your garden rake and cover the area with a mixture of grass seed and fertilizer.

You could also replace the fertilizer with compost. Pat the surface with the flat end of the rake when finished to ensure the seed remains in place. Water as necessary.

• Aerate your lawn.

Aerating allows oxygen, water and other nutrients to reach your grass’ roots, and

All rights reser ved. Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC.

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PAGE 18 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Smart renovation investments will keep you living more comfortably (BPT) — Now is the time when building industry experts urge homeowners to consider home renovations for the year. Stillfreezing temperatures offer an ideal time to assess your home’s energy efficiency.

Homeowners seeking to enhance their home living standard can make smart and informed decisions regarding their home renovation by doing some research first. The right home renovations can help

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you save money by avoiding additional maintenance costs and headaches in the future. Hiring an energy rater, inspector or appraiser can give you a better sense of the work that should be completed during a renovation, as he or she can make recommendations as to how best to invest your renovation dollars.

Today, most homeowners will choose compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and energy-rated appliances to create a more energyefficient home. Investing in energy-efficient windows, doors and high-performance HVAC equipment also contributes significantly to improving the efficiency and comfort of the home.

However, knowing what is behind the walls of your home will also influence where you should invest your renovation dollars. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration

recently said although home heating costs may be lower next winter, homeowners should be concerned about of sources of air leakage around their home, especially within the building walls. Online building industry resource, Green Building Advisor, points out that untreated air leaks are often responsible for up to a third of a building’s energy costs.

To combat the issue of air leakage, homeowners typically choose to caulk or weather-strip their homes.

These solutions do provide some relief to air leakage, but you should consider taking more assertive action. A recent study by the Building Science Corporation showed that heat transfer was much lower in a home equipped with spray foam insulation than with other, more traditional insulation materials.

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larity among homeowners since it is an energy-efficient material that delivers yearround benefits. Spray foam insulation, like that available from Icynene, delivers consistent R-value protection and air sealing all year round to help keep your home comfortable regardless of the season or climatic region.

Spray foam insulation performs for the life of the property, ensuring that homeowners can enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures all year round without overrunning their heating and cooling equipment. According to Insulationsmart.com, spray foam insulation can noticeably reduce heating and cooling costs — in some cases by up to 50 percent.

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Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 19

Raise rooms to new heights with eye-catching ceilings (BPT) — Want to infuse your home with architectural interest? Start at the top.

“The ceiling is the most overlooked design element in a space, hands down,” said Brian Patrick Flynn, whose interiors are regularly featured on HGTV. com and often showcased by his own company, FlynnsideOut Productions.

Consider this: The largest solid surface in a room — besides the floor — is the ceiling. Instead of leaving it bright white or builder beige, convert this blank canvas into a decorative

canopy of color and texture.

Flynn and other influential designers are forecasting a ceiling “revival” in 2015. Fresh interpretations of vintage styles, such as gleaming metal tiles and textural wood beams, are helping inspire that trend, along with new, easy-toinstall products that put these ceiling projects well within the reach of today’s DIY-ers.

“Just like people, rooms need different layers to be one-of-a kind,” Flynn said.

“That includes a ceiling that makes people look up and scan the entire space.”

Here are some hot ceiling trends to take your rooms to new heights: • Layer on the luster.

Stamped metal ceilings have contributed shine and sophistication to American homes since they were introduced in the 1880s.

Besides beauty, metal ceilings offer practicality. They resist mold and mildew, offer sag resistance and last longer than plaster or drywall. Metallaire metal ceiling tiles from Armstrong are available in 12 patterns, and a variety of finishes,

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

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PAGE 20 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

cleaN

From page 15

ing from bottom to top in 1-foot sections, holding the steamer nozzle about an inch from the fabric.

For drapes, which are generally made of heavier fabrics like brocade, suede or velvet and are often lined and pleated, vacuum each panel on a low setting

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Fabric curtains and shades, except silk ones, can usually be spot cleaned with warm water and a mild laundry detergent like Woolite, Kupernik said.

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Clean Roman shades with a vacuum or roller brush, Kupernik said. Vinyl shades can be cleaned as needed with a sponge.

Goldberg suggested vacuuming wood blinds and wiping each slat with a cloth dampened with a mix of water and a few drops of dish soap, wiping off excess moisture with a dry cloth. First, angle the slats down and wipe each one; then angle them up and repeat.

To clean the cord, pull the shade all the way up and run the damp cloth up and down it, followed by the dry cloth. If you have a wand, follow the same steps with the cloth.

WINDOWS For window panes, if the glass gets dirty enough, you may want to clean them every few weeks.

ceIlINGs From page 19

including chrome, copper, brass, white and lacquered steel. The lacquered steel panels also can be painted to accent or blend with the rest of the room. Regardless of the finish, the texture of the tiles creates a tactile top layer to the space.

• Mix and match ceiling styles. Some room designers are combining different decorating elements at the top, such as inlaying the recesses of coffered ceilings with gold or copper tiles.

Flynn said he’s also a fan of tongue-and-groove ceilings accented with beams. “This adds a ton of visual interest to the room, and can make it feel much larger,” he said.

• Create character with wood. From rustic timber to sleek teak, wood hues help set the tone in a room.

Besides imparting a sense of warmth, the grains and knots in wood panels add a textural layer that contrasts nicely with smooth surfaces like painted walls and granite countertops.

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 21

Home improvement projects that help to sell your home (BPT) — The real estate market has improved across much of the country, but homeowners thinking about listing their homes this summer need to stay competitive to attract buyers. Buyers are looking for long-term homes, ones they want to stay in for years while raising their children, or settling down and retiring.

To prepare your home for listing, or simply to enjoy it a few years longer, check

out these top five home improvement projects you can do yourself to make your home more attractive to buyers: • Give the front door a new look — The front door sets the tone for your home’s curb appeal and security, and it signals how well you maintain everything else. Buyers will be walking into your home via the front door, so be sure to give them a good first impression. If your door is

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Several home improvement projects can make your home easier to sell when the time comes. Experts advise investing in a good bathroom remodeling job or adding a nice deck or patio outside.

in good shape, you might just need to give it a refreshing new coat of paint or new hardware. But if it’s seen some wear and tear over the years, consider replacing it with a steel door — one that will show buyers your home is safe.

• Update the most-used entryway — While the front door needs curb appeal, the garage door is traditionally the most-used door in the home. Old wooden garage doors will start to sag and the paint will peel, giving your home a run-down look. Replacing this door with an insulated steel door will not only improve the exterior look of your home, but also keep the garage space warmer. Finishing off the garage can also be a big draw for buyers, but you probably won’t be able to recoup as much of the expense as you would by replacing only the garage door.

• Add additional living space — You might not think about adding a deck as the same thing as adding an extra room to the house, but if you’re selling your home during the warmer months, that’s how buyers will see it. They’ll be able to picture themselves enjoying breakfast and picnic dinners outside, or curling up on a lounge chair with a good book on a summer afternoon. To make your deck a good selling feature,

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PAGE 22 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Ways to make a kitchen healthier, free of harmful germs Associated Press

Even the tidiest kitchens might be harboring harmful bacteria, and often where they’re least expected.

Paying more attention to a few often-overlooked places can help keep your household safer, experts say.

For starters, home cooks should have four watchwords, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: clean, separate, cook and chill. Watch for cross-contamination, particularly with meats and vegetables; cook everything thoroughly; and keep both raw and cooked foods sufficiently cold when needed.

Then, cleaning a few often-overlooked areas in the kitchen could offer additional protection from E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, yeast and mold, according to NSF International, a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor, Mich.,

that has been promoting proper cleaning of kitchen tools since the 1940s. NSF International has put out recommendations on kitchen hot spots based on studies done in 2011 and 2013: • Scary sponges. “You can either get away from sponges altogether and use dish cloths or rags, which can be sanitized, or, if you do use sponges, put a wet sponge in the microwave for 2 minutes to kill most of the harmful bacteria,” said Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist with NSF. Betsy Goldberg, home director for Real Simple magazine, said, “Many people mistakenly think that rinsing a sponge with water is enough, but sponges really need to be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher or wet and then microwaved for 2 minutes,” and “obviously, if it smells or has loose pieces, it’s time to throw it away.”

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Dangerous beasties can lurk in the hard-to-reach areas under the thin, removable plastic gaskets found around the lids of some food storage containers, and also around blender gaskets and blades, according to Yakas. “This one people really find surprising. But think about how many times people make smoothies and just put the blender in the dishwasher or rinse it then use it again.

In our studies, we found Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold around blender blades and gaskets.” She recommends unplugging blenders, flipping them over and unscrewing the blade assembly, then washing all the parts and drying them thoroughly after every use.

For food storage contain-

ers, any unattached gaskets should be removed, cleaned and dried after every use, Yakas said.

• Creepy fridge compartments: “Meat and vegetable compartments are another place few people think about, but it’s where you are storing raw meat and vegetables that may still have some soil residue,” Yakas said. “Keep everything raw and cooked separately, and remove the compartments and wash them with warm soapy water about every two or four weeks, depending on your household needs.” Goldberg suggested removing them every so often and soaking them in the sink in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes. “While they are soaking, you can douse the inside of the fridge with

a disinfecting spray,” she said. “Wipe down the walls and then each shelf, and use a toothbrush spritzed with cleaner to get in the crevices.

After 15 minutes, drain the water and sprinkle the compartments in baking soda, then wipe them clean with a wet sponge.”

• Separate the spatulas and clean the can opener: Can openers should be washed in the dishwasher or at least hand-washed after every use, paying attention to removing any food residue on the blade, Yakas said. “And a lot of people are surprised to find that a lot of spatulas and scrapers are actually composed of two pieces that pull apart, and that the inside part can harbor Salmonella, E.coli and yeast,” she said.

projects

transform into a relaxing oasis, take the opportunity to replace the flooring, add cushy rugs, paint the walls and replace the accessories with more modern styles.

Faucets, showerheads, the mirror and even the toilet can all be upgraded with water-saving and stylish

designs. Buyers will take note of a maintenance-free bath, making your home one they’ll remember as move-in ready.

• Turn the backyard into a private paradise — Buyers will be visualizing themselves in your backyard when touring your home. They’re looking to see how quiet and secure the space is. Consider adding a beautiful wooden fence to enhance the privacy. It will make the home attractive to families with children and pets, and for couples who aren’t interested in having a conversation with the neighbors every time they go outside.

To make your fence an attractive selling feature of the home, consider using ProWood Dura Color fence pickets or pre-built panels. The cedar-tone or redwood-tone colorant driven deep into the wood fibers will stand up to the sun’s harsh rays and won’t gray out over time, unlike cedar fencing. You can match it to the deck coloring for a beautiful accent look that connects the colors in your backyard.

From Page 21

retreat — As the smallest room in the house, the bathroom tends to cost the least to remodel. If you have a guest or master bath that can use a little help to

A new garage door can offer energy efficiency (BPT) — With the first touch of spring on the horizon, it is a good time to think about replacing the garage door for one that is more modern and energy efficient.

The garage door is generally the largest moving object in your home and offers the greatest exposure to the elements. An insulated garage door will maintain the temperature in your garage in the winter and summer and likely decrease heating and cooling costs.

Insulated garage doors not only make the garage more comfortable inside but also affect the rooms adjacent to or above the garage. In addition, a well-insulated garage helps keep moisture out, and its sturdy construction offers a far greater noisereducing sound barrier than non-insulated models.

What should consumers look for in an energy efficient garage door? For starters, check out the R-value. R-value is a measure of thermal resistance to heat flow and is how most

garage door manufacturers show the energy efficiency of their product. The higher the R-value of a door, the more insulation you’ll get. Second, look at the door’s construction. Wellinsulated doors will have a “triple-layer” construction, consisting of environmentally safe polystyrene or polyurethane thermal insulation between two layers of heavy-duty steel.

Homeowner Rob Slaughter in North Carolina recognized the energy savings and noise reduction values of his new garage door.

“The original garage doors that were installed when our house was built in 1999 were non-insulated singlelayer of steel. Insulated doors are far superior to just plain steel doors in performance — not to mention the improved appearance,” Slaughter said. “The new doors are much quieter when we open and close them ...

“I could almost instantly feel our garage warming up

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Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 23

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

A new garage door is much more energy efficient than an older model and is better at keeping out cold winds.

after the installation of our new door, which happened to be on an unusually cold day in November. With the old steel doors, the outside temperature would come into the garage,” he added.

“I fully expect to see a significant drop in my heating

And the newer styles will add to the value of your home.

and cooling costs over the next year.”

Of all the budget-friendly improvement projects you can do, a new garage door will not only save on energy costs, it will give you one of the best returns on your investment and pro-

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PAGE 24 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Got an hour? Quick hints for kitchens, baths (BPT) — Busy has become a way of life. Between work, household chores, time with family and friends, people often don’t have time to complete that entire wish list of home updates.

Luckily, there are several simple kitchen and bath projects that you can conquer in minimal time that deliver maximum style and functional impact. In fact, here are a few projects that can be completed in about an hour or less.

Raise the bar with a new shower rod

Bring the luxurious style of a hotel to your bath and increase shower space with a Moen Curved Shower Rod. Available in singleand double-rod designs, both offer the elegant look often seen in hotel baths while adding up to 71⁄2 inches of extra elbow room

to create a more enjoyable shower experience.

If you’re short on time, Moen’s Tension Curved Shower Rod is a perfect choice: it can be installed in three hassle-free steps without drilling holes and removes easily, making it perfect for any shower, even if you’re a renter.

Finally, add decorative shower curtain rings and a new shower curtain to give your bath an instant makeover. For more information visit www.moen.com.

Style and storage makeover

Want to quickly enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom?

Accessories, such as towel bars, hooks and shelves can be a quick and inexpensive solution. It’s easy to eliminate bathroom pet peeves like towels on the floor and

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A new shower rod is a fairly simple item to install and can brighten an old

too many products in the shower with bath accessories that come in a variety of styles and finishes.

If safety is a concern, Moen also offers a variety of accessories that incorporate the benefits of grab bars into their designs.

Turn boring into beautiful with a backsplash

bathroom that is looking dingy and in need of modernization.

If you wish you could have the beautiful tile backsplash seen in high-end kitchens, but aren’t up for messing with mortar, you now have an alternative.

Today, there are many easy-to-install wall tiles that offer an adhesive backing or simply adhere with double-sided tape or adhesive.

Plus, they are available in a

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variety of faux tile, stone or metal designs to transform the look of your kitchen in no time.

Say hello to new kitchen hardware

Is your kitchen cabinet hardware looking dingy or dated? This simple project can make a dramatic difference in your home’s appearance. Look for new knobs and drawer pulls that are designed to match your existing faucets and fixtures in both style and finish.

Whether you prefer modern or something with a more traditional look, there are many options available to extend your sense of design down to the details.

But don’t stop with knobs and pulls — much like the bath, towel rings and hooks are the perfect solution for managing dish towels that are often carelessly strewn about countertops.

Establish a special spot for this kitchen necessity by mounting hooks, towel rings or towel bars on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in another kitchen work space.

Take an hour or two and try some of these quick and easy projects.

Five projects to remodel and renew your basement (BPT) — Have you ever wished you had more space in your home? Maybe you’d use the space to pursue a hobby, host out-of-town guests or just spread out and get some quiet time to yourself.

The space you desire could already be in your home in your basement. If your cellar is nothing but a series of unfinished areas used for storage, you’re not getting all the benefits you could be from the space.

Making the most of your basement doesn’t have to mean costly contractors and expensive remodeling scenarios. Several easy DIY projects that you can take on alone, with the aid of the right tools, can help you gain that extra space you wish for.

Ready to get started? Give these projects a try: • Build walls. Adding drywall to your basement has a big impact on the space immediately. Use 2-by-4s to mark where the walls will stand and place studs 16 inches apart. Then nail the panels to the wall where the edges meet the studs and cover the seams with drywall tape. Once the walls are up, mud the seams and areas where nail pops appear.

A drywall saw or power saw will help you shape your drywall perfectly, but if you don’t own one, you don’t have to buy one.

It’s more cost efficient to simply rent it instead for this one-time project. Your local American Rental Association member rental store will have what you need. Don’t forget to add drywall stands to your rental list.

• A touch of paint. A fresh coat of paint means you won’t have to stare at those drab walls in your new space. You can paint the space by hand, but if you have a large basement and you want to give every

room that professional look, rent a paint sprayer instead. The cost is worth the time saved.

• Freshen up your floor. If your basement is completely unfinished, you probably have cold, concrete floors.

How you improve them is up to you. If you want the polished, marbled look, consider renting concrete floor finishing equipment for a look that’s sure to amaze. And if the appearance of hardwood is more your style, laminate flooring panels are inexpensive and easy to install. Lastly, if you want the feel of carpet beneath your feet, don’t forget to add the pad first to make those future steps a pleasure.

• Eliminate the smell.

Your new basement is coming together, now what can you do about that musty

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 25

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

Remodeling your basement can give you extra living space and increase the

basement smell? A dehumidifier can help. You can purchase one at your local home goods store and when you get it home, try to place it near the washtub sink if your basement has one.

value of your home if you plan to sell in the future.

This will allow you to drain right into the sink and save you from having to empty the dehumidifier regularly.

• Install a sump pump.

Now that you’ve refinished your basement, don’t let

water damage ruin all your hard work. A sump pump can protect against flooding issues and installing one is easy. Most new homes have a location marked for a sump pump.

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PAGE 26 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

Hardwood trimwork can greatly enhance a room (BPT) — Just as tasteful, well-chosen jewelry can turn an unexciting outfit into a stylish, eye-catching ensemble, carefully applied hardwood moldings and trimwork can transform a plain-Jane interior into an interesting — even beautiful — space.

Today’s newly built houses often lack any sort of carved-wood ornamentation. Many older homes have lost their traditional decorative details through successive modernizing renovations. To transform stripped-down to charming, and ordinary to characterful, homeowners are incorporating decorative

millwork to enhance their interior design.

While there is an almost infinite variety of hardwood moldings and trims, the pros at the American Hardwood Information Center, www.

Hardwoodinfo.com, and most design experts, recognize the following most basic categories: • Baseboards, which run at the foot of walls and act as an elongated pedestal, are both aesthetic and practical. They visually anchor the wall to the floor and at the same time protect it from everyday low-impact The renovation of a house by Edina, abuse such as kids scooting Minn.-based architect Meriwether Felt, around in toy cars. included fitting the master bath with

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• Crown moldings, which run between the walls and the ceiling, soften the abrupt transition between wall and ceiling.

• Casings, the trim surrounding door and window openings, define a wall opening and help connect the spaces being joined.

“Our clients are attracted to the enduring quality and ageless appeal of hardwood molding,” said architect Jeff Murphy, principal of Murphy & Co. Design, a Buffalo, Minn.-based firm.

“For them, it’s the heart of the home — something they see and touch each day. Done right, it will last forever and always be in style.”

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new stained cherry crown moldings, baseboards, and window and door casings.

For architect Tim Button of New York City-based Stedila Design, hardwood moldings are appropriate in any room in the home, but he also said, “I think wood trim often makes its biggest impact in an entry hall where high ceilings allow for large-scale crown moldings.” And he’s a fan of using stained-wood moudings in bathrooms, “because it brings warmth to what can be a somewhat clinical space.”

Edina, Minn.-based architect Meriwether Felt agreed, having installed stainedcherry moldings, trims, and casings in the master bath of a home she renovated. “The client asked for a luxurious

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The stained wood warms up the bathroom and provides richness.”

The size of the trimwork and the complexity of its profile will be determined by the size and style of the space in which it’s being installed; the larger and more traditional the room, the bigger and more ornate the trim.

Crown moldings in particular have a profound and sometimes unexpected effect on how people perceive the scale, proportions and character of an interior, so they must be chosen with great care. If too small and plain, they’ll look skimpy and undernourished; too large and ostentatious and they’ll overwhelm the space.

If in doubt, consult a design professional.

Before the Civil War, American hardwood molding was made by hand, so it tended to be simple, elegant and expensive.

In the later 19th century, methods of mass production enabled builders to deck out even modest houses with affordable wood trim in ever-morecomplex profiles.

Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, The Crescent-News, Thursday, April 2, 2015 - PAGE 27

Soaking tubs offer benefits for bathers and those who prefer showers Associated Press

Some of us are shower people, and some are bathers.

But there’s a way to be both, as the Japanese discovered centuries ago when they developed the ofuro, or soaking tub.

Traditionally, the Japanese get clean with a shower or hand bath and then step into an “ofuro,” a deep tub full of clean hot water.

These tubs are often large enough that several family members can have a communal soak. It’s considered a relaxing and important ritual.

The idea has caught on here, and there are now several manufacturers making ofuro tubs suitable for one bather or a couple. Usually about 27 inches deep, the tubs typically have built-in seats, and often a grab bar.

They’re available in acrylic, composite, wood, even stainless steel and copper.

Here are the steamy details on some options, and what you should consider before adding one to your home:

Wooden tubs

Bill Finlay owns Sea Otter

Woodworks in Haynes, Alaska. While he’d been making outdoor hot tubs for a few years, he made his first ofuro at the request of a business associate, and that sparked an interest in perfecting the craft.

“I made a couple of factfinding trips to Japan, then developed my own techniques,” he says.

Finlay makes the Hinoki Ofuro in a couple of sizes, suitable for one or two people.

The material is an aromatic cypress native to Japan; the resin is bacteria- and rot-resistant and withstands humidity. The citrusy fragrance is a common aromatherapy component.

acrylic and composite tubs

Wykoff, N.J.-based bath designer Holly Rickert recently won an industry award for a design that incorporated an English

soaking tub into a Japanesestyle bath.

One of her clients was of Japanese heritage, and had given her some brochures from Japanese hot spring spas. She placed the tub, Cabuchon’s curvy Pleasance Plus model, on a bed of river rocks in front of a window with forest views.

“My aim was to replicate the ofuro experience for her,” said Rickert.

Made of a proprietary solid composite called Ficore, Cabuchon’s tubs aren’t heavy. The maker says they retain heat better than most acrylics, don’t chip and can be custom colored.

Kohler makes the Greek acrylic soaking tub, a 4-footlong, 23-inch-deep, oneperson bath well-suited to a smaller bathroom. Kallista’s Perfect Deep Soak bathtub has two raised corner seats at different heights.

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joists need to be able to hold the weight of the water, not just the tub.

Also, make sure you’ll be able to get the tub sideways through doorways.

Many tubs come with an overflow failsafe built in, but you should have a drain in the bathroom floor as well. The river rock bed is an attractive way to hide a draining floor system, but you can also tile the bathroom floor and install a drain. You’ll need lots of good hot water, so upgrade your system, and consider an inline heater that continuously reheats the full tub.

There are jetted options for many of these models, if you’d prefer some bubbles with your soak.

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Indoor air can be hazardous to your health. But you can breathe easier with the help of houseplants.

Common houseplants such as philodendron, peace lily, corn plant, Gerbera daisy, spider plant, golden pothos, English ivy, Marginata and others can pull chemicals from the air and break them down through their leaves, roots and soil.

Metal tubs

Diamond Spas in Frederick, Colo., welds recycled copper and stainless steel into tubs that are lined with foam insulation, then buffed to a nice Old World finish. Like kitchen pans, the copper tubs can be left to develop a patina, or rendered shiny with a polishing compound.

Soaking tubs aren’t as complicated to install as you might think.

If you’re putting in a smaller, one- or two-person tub, you’ll actually use less water than a conventional tub. But a four-person version can hold a lot of water — close to 250 gallons, compared to around 50 for a conventional tub. So floor

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PAGE 28 - Spring Home, Lawn & Garden, Thursday, April 2, 2015

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