Spring Home & Garden 2015

Home & Garden A Special Supplement to The Daily Republic & ADvisor

2015

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Home & Garden

Start with the ceiling Paint trends moving accent wall up

By KELLA RODIEK The Daily Republic If you’re looking for a popular paint trend, look up.

According to Jennifer Cooper, an owner of Thune’s True Value Hardware and Appliance in Mitchell, the idea of painting the ceiling is a new normal for decorators.

“Before, it was just a standard bright white for the ceiling, and now it’s very popular to have a lighter shade of whatever they are putting on their wall,” Cooper said.

This is done to compliment the wall colors, she explained, which can help tie the room together. Colored ceilings can also be used as the accent “wall,” which has been an especially popular trend over the last decade.

Cooper, as well as Chuck Thuringer, owner of Chuck’s Paint & Blinds

in Mitchell, said accent walls are still common, but are no longer as prevalent as they seemed to be for several years.

An accent wall’s design differs from the other walls in the room -- the color can be a different shade of the color of the other walls, or it could be a different color and/or material.

Thuringer explained that with accent walls, the darker or bolder the paint, the sooner people would statistically tire of the color and want to repaint.

In an average of five to seven years, people were ready to change colors, he said, referencing information from a paint seminar he attended.

“Several years ago, it seemed everybody just had to have a red wall,” Thuringer said. “When the seven-year thing hit on the reds, a lot of people went to browns.”

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April 2015 Beyond accent walls, this year’s popular colors have been shades of blues and greens, according to Thuringer, who listed Benjamin Moore’s “Guilford Green” as the brand’s general pick for 2015.

Cooper, at True Value, said that grays have been popular in her store.

As Thuringer mentioned, people see themes in magazines, Pinterest or home decorating shows and tend to go all in.

However, experts say it’s worthwhile to put more thought into your selections and choose a color that makes you feel good, rather than just following trends.

Colors, especially when covering an entire wall in your house, can have an effect on your mood, Thuringer said. He used the example of cool versus warm colors and how they can alter the atmosphere of the room.

“(Professional) decorators study that stuff and know those things in depth, but it’s also what the average customers that pick colors are thinking about, too,” Thuringer said.

Both Mitchell stores recommend paying attention to the types of lighting in your home when selecting paint. Availability of natural lighting, as well as the variety of light bulbs such as incandescent and florescent can alter the hue of the colors, Cooper said. Taking samples home to view in your own lighting is advised.

Regarding finishes, Thurringer said the trend is starting to move toward less shine. Chucks Paint & Blinds reported the pearl finish, a newer option, to be very popular, while satin was mentioned as the favorite at True Value.

The relationship between paint and mood

By Metro Creative Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space.

The colors homeowners choose for their walls can give rooms their own unique feel and even affect the moods of the people within them.

Finding the right shade for a bedroom or kitchen involves more than just selecting the first color that catches your eye. The paint color you pick may add energy to a space or create a tranquil retreat where you can unwind at the end of the day.

Blue To create a spa-like environment and a more serene space, look to shades of blue in soft variations. Cool blues are soothing colors that can help lower stress levels and promote sleep. That’s why blue is a frequent fixture in bedrooms and bathrooms. Just be advised that too much blue can make a room appear cold and stark, so balance out blue with some warmer accents.

Orange Many people do not immediately consider bright orange for their homes, but when used as an accent shade, orange can really brighten up a home. Orange is considered a shade that expands creativity and imparts a youthful appeal to a space.

Consider an orange accent wall or a burst of color with orange throw pillows. If pumpkin orange is a little too bold for you, tone it down by choosing a more pastel, peachy hue, which is equally warm and energizing.

Red Red stimulates energy and appetite, which is why the shade is so popular in restaurants and home dining spaces. Red is a good choice for social gathering rooms but may not be the wisest choice for a bedroom, as the color may prove overstimulating.

Green Green can evoke composure and tranquility and works in any room of the house. Since green is the primary color of nature, it also works well for those people who want to bring some of the outdoors inside and work with the fresh starts and new growth that green can inspire. To make green feel less subdued and sleepy, work with its complementary opposite, red, by using a few bold red accents here and there to balance out the tranquility of green.

Purple People have long related purple to royalty, and this dramatic color can add a formal, regal aspect to a home depending on the hue. Purple also may help stimulate the creative side of the brain. In paler shades of lavender, purple can seem almost ethereal and spiritual. Some designers suggest avoiding purple in a bedroom because that is a place you want your brain to rest rather than be stimulated.

Yellow Few colors are more vibrant than yellow, which can help stimulate conversation and make thoughts more focused. A luminous shade of yellow is an ideal way to make any space more welcoming and bright. Just use it sparingly, as too much yellow may not be a good thing. Yellow accents mixed with touches of purple can offer the balance needed to prevent yellow rooms from overwhelming residents and guests.

Home decorators should keep in mind that colors can be blended to create the desired environment. A color scheme based on complementary colors, or those opposite on the color wheel, may fit. Otherwise, analogous color schemes, or those colors that are next to one another on the color wheel, can create a variation that suits your design needs.

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Home & Garden

What to Know About Replacing Your Mower

By StatePoint Now is a great time to take stock of your lawn equipment, and assess whether your gear can withstand another season of wear and tear. If you’ve determined it’s time to replace your toolshed’s most valuable player -- your lawn mower -- get informed so you can make a savvy decision, as mower technology has changed a lot in the last several years.

Whether this is your first mower, your old mower is on the fritz or you’re simply looking to upgrade, these tips and considerations can help you make a decision that’s wise for you and your lawn.

Budget The first thing to take into account is your budget. You need the most dependable and durable mower that you can afford. However, keep in mind, you may not have to pay the entire cost of the mower upfront.

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Some brands offer various financing options that allow you to make

payments over time. Whether you’re seeking low minimum payments or you want to minimize interest payments, ask your dealer about your options.

Mowing Properties Take into account the size of your property. A smaller lawn requires a smaller machine.

“For properties under a half acre, a 21- to 36-inch walk-behind mower should be ideal,” says Daryn Walters at Exmark, a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial mowers.

For smaller lawns, consider Exmark’s Commercial 30 or a small zero-turn mower such as the Exmark Quest S-Series machine with a 34-inch cutting deck. Their mowers require little maintenance and offer fuel economy and durability.

If you live on a larger plot of land, don’t rule out a commercial zero-turn mower, which is more durable, tends to be more comfortable to operate, and offers increased productivity with more professional-looking results.

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April 2015 Keep in mind, properties of more than an acre may warrant a mower with a 60- to 72-inch cutting deck.

You’ll be using your mower a lot, so look for an advanced ergonomic design, such as with the Exmark Lazer Z, which takes a scientific approach to ensuring that less vibration is transferred from the seat to the driver.

Mower Engine and Features After you’ve considered your budget, lawn size and terrain, you’ll want to look at the engine and features offered.

Many models come with a variety of engine types and configurations, including eco-friendly models that can save you money on fuel. Mower accessories can include mulching, bagging and striping kits. Decide what your priorities are and get a model that’s right for you.

For an online guide to finding a mower, visit www.exmark.com/ products/filter/.

By tackling your lawn with a low-maintenance, durable, easy-to-operate mower, you can save time, money and energy. So do your research before making a purchase.

Gray Trending as a Home Exterior Color

By StatePoint Giving your home’s exterior a fresh look starts with color. And this year, many home improvement trend-spotting experts say the leading color family is gray, with its neutral yet refined elegance.

“Gray is an important home exterior color because it works equally well on all home styles, from historic to contemporary, and in every part of the country,” says Kate Smith, president and chief color maven of Sensational Color. “Quite versatile, gray tones can range from cool, clear bluish gray to a true neutral gray through a warm French gray or even taupe. With gray, it’s really hard to go wrong.”

While you may know whether you like something once it’s in place, achieving a look you love before making a commitment is crucial. Smith is offering tips for picking the perfect hues for your home: • The best gray for your home exterior is one that blends well with your roof and other fixed features, such as brick, stone or permanent design elements. For a middle tone that will

work on most homes, look for a classic gray that will never go out of style.

• Light, clear gray is fresh and airy -- just be sure to look for any undertones. What appears as light gray on the swatch could seem light blue or lavender once applied.

• If you’re going with dark gray as the main color, look for one that is rich but soft. Deeper shades with a harder edge are great as accents.

• Gray comes alive with dramatic accent colors. Paint your door a bold color to create a strong focal point.

Use other accent colors to play a secondary role.

• A touch of brass, bronze or copper warms up gray; gold or orange adds a spark of color.

• Both warm and cool greens look fresh against gray; from thyme to palm or forest, green naturally brings out the beauty of gray.

• Tried and true blue -- soft raindrop, bold blue paisley or admiral blue -- keeps gray fresh and clean.

• Go all neutral with gray on gray for a sophisticated scheme.

• If you’re updating your roof,

consider the 14 shades of gray offered as options for polymer slate and shake roofing tiles at DaVinci Roofscapes. Their newest color, Smokey Gray, reflects a deep, rich blackish gray reminiscent of real slate. Combined with softer gray roofing tones, such as Light Weathered Gray or Slate Gray, you can create a unique roofing profile.

For more ways to add gray to the exterior of the home, check out the insights from color expert Kate Smith at www.sensationalcolor.com.

For a home update that will signify stability, elegance and dependability, consider going gray.

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6

Home & Garden

Turn Your Bathroom into a Relaxing Oasis

By StatePoint Time spent in the bathroom can be precious, as it may be your only solo time. When prioritizing home upgrades, consider first transforming a ho-hum, conventional bathroom into an oasis of comfort, style and ultimate relaxation.

Relax Replace outdated fixtures with new top-quality options that offer greater functionality. Manufacturers such as Mansfield Plumbing, produce fixtures and fittings designed to work in tandem. Such “suites” of a toilet, sink and bathtub can improve the look of a bathroom setting.

In a toilet, there are certain features to seek. A SmartHeight toilet allows for easier access. For those who are environmentally conscious or looking for a pocketbook-friendly option, seek out a WaterSense rated toilet, signifying greater water conservation.

When it comes to relaxation,

the bathtub is king. Luckily, manufacturers are innovating features to go beyond whirlpools.

New bathtub offerings include chromatherapy mood light systems, thermotherapy heated backrests and in-line heaters that keep water heated perfectly.

Explore your options at www.

Mansfieldplumbing.com.

Retreat Make your bathroom the perfect retreat from the rest of the house and the outside world with a few stylish accents that provide greater solitude. For example, privacy decorative glass windows and privacy acrylic block windows offered from Hy-Lite are design elements that don’t compromise natural light. Available in four designer frame colors, you can go beyond plain frosted glass with stylish windows that come either operable or fixed in place. Offered in varying shapes and sizes, it’s easy to match windows to other bathroom elements, such as tiles

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Planning a home improvement job or remodel?

Planting a tree? Installing a fence or deck?

WAIT!

Here’s what you need to know first.

Whether you are planing to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means getting your underground utility lines marked before your start.

Digging without calling can disrupt service or harm you and those around you.

Look up and live. Know the location of all overhead power lines, power lines near trees and avoid flying kites away from power lines. Keep yourself and anything you are handling at least 10 feet from power lines.

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April 2015 and countertops. Full details are available at www.

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Take your spa retreat a step further by piping music into your bathroom with humidity-resistant speakers unsusceptible to steamy showers and hot baths.

Beauty On a limited budget you can give the bathroom an elegant long-term facelift by investing in millwork products that resist humidity so you don’t experience warping. From crown moulding to trim around showers and bathtubs to ceiling medallions, polyurethane is a more practical material than traditional wood for these design elements. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and most importantly, designed to resist the humidity of bathing.

To get the look of a luxury hotel, the experts at Fypon, which produce

thousands of pieces of polyurethane millwork, moulding and trim in a variety of architectural styles, recommend a few project ideas: • Install a set of pilasters on both sides of your shower stall and a door crosshead overhead to upgrade your bathroom’s look.

• Surround mirrors and decorative accent windows with painted or stained polyurethane mouldings that complement the room.

• Install chair rail moulding around the bathroom to add dimension. Paint above or below the moulding and use wallpaper, paneling or a different color paint in the other section.

Find more project ideas at www.Fypon.com.

While many think of the bathroom as a place to take care of necessary business, you can easily give yours an upgrade that will transform it into a whole lot more.

Tips to Add Design Appeal to Your Home

By StatePoint Want to set your home apart? You can add character and beauty to your home by learning more about your house’s architectural style and adding design elements to complement the look.

“With the right knowledge, it’s easy to transform any room of your home as well as the exterior,” says Niki Decker, senior product and marketing manager with Fypon, which creates synthetic millwork products.

The experts at Fypon are offering some tips and guidelines to achieve an authentic, coordinated look throughout your home -- inside and out.

• Proportions matter. If

one inch narrower than casings.

• If you have a classic Georgian style home, characterized by strict symmetry and a centered and paneled front door, cap the front door panel with an elaborate crown supported by decorative pillars.

• Enhance your Victorian style home with ornamental spindlework on the porches and patterned shingles on the roof. Offset the complexity with simple surrounds for windows.

• For country style cottages, consider clapboard shingles for siding, or wood shake for siding and roofing, and wide white trim or shutters around See DESIGN Page 8

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you’re going to be adding shutters to your exterior, do a bit of math. The width of shutters used in pairs on a window should be half the width of the window, and should be the same height as the window.

• The higher the ceiling, the taller the baseboard should be. Additionally, the height of your baseboard moulding should always be larger than the casing, which is the frame around a door or window.

• Make a room feel taller by placing a chair rail -- the moulding used to prevent the backs of chairs from rubbing against the wall -- one-third of the way up from the floor.

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Home & Garden

DESIGN Continued from Page 7

windows.

• Complete the look and feel of your Mediterranean-style home, rich with such decorative accents as round columns, tile and stone, by planting lush gardens and installing an ornate fountain.

• Maintain a traditional look with innovative, updated building material that lasts longer and with less upkeep. For example, polyurethane pieces are a lightweight alternative to wood. The pieces are easy to install and resist insects, moisture and weather conditions. Manufacturers like Fypon, which creates thousands of millwork pieces, offer products that come both textured and smooth.

A new line of Classic Woodgrain decorative millwork offers a refined woodgrain texture suitable for staining or painting, and complements home styles such as Arts & Crafts and Mediterranean.

To learn more about enhancing your home’s architectural style, you can download Fypon’s free Style Guide at www.fypon.com/literature/ catalog.asp.

Don’t just update your house haphazardly.

Do a bit of research so you can complement your home’s architectural style authentically and with sophisticated flair.

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April 2015

Home & Garden Section 2

A Special Supplement to The Daily Republic & ADvisor

Gardening for beginners Soil type, temperature key for first-time planters

Authorized &

base.

“As a rule of thumb, you don’t want to take soil out. You want to work with what’s naturally there and amend it,” Bode said. “It’s better to add to the soil than try to change it.”

Bode often speaks of amending soil -- meaning to add fertilizer, compost or other soil, which helps prepare it for what you want to plant.

She said the amount of fertilizer added will depend on what you want to grow.

Right now, it’s too early to add anything.

“You don’t want to stimulate growth, because we might get a frost or snow,” Bode said.

Beginners should grow starter plants in their garden, rather than start seedlings in pots. The best time to begin planting is toward the end of May. Soil temperature is important. It needs to be approximately 55 degrees before planting. If you do not have a temperature gauge, stick your thumb in the ground.

If it’s a comfortable temperature, the ground is ready, she said.

For a beginning gardener, Bode suggests using a base amount of plants -- those that require the least amount of attention.

When selecting plants, Bode said beginners need to identify whether the plants need shade or sun, can handle a lot of wind and how much moisture they See BEGINNERS Page 18

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By ANNA JAUHOLA The Daily Republic Soil preparation is key for beginning gardeners, whether you plan to grow flowers or foliage.

Brenda Bode, a master gardener near Mount Vernon, said soil around the Mitchell area is a loam mix, which is good for gardening. If the soil has been undisturbed, it’ll be good to work with.

If the soil has been compacted, adding good topsoil will help create a better

10

Home & Garden

Introducing kids to gardening

By LAUREN KNIGHT Special to The Washington Post Despite a long and particularly snow-laden winter for many parts of the country, warm weather is just around the corner. In many places, spring daffodils and crocuses have popped up out of the soil as the ground thaws and the sunshine warms the earth. It is time to start thinking about that vegetable garden.

Spring brings not only hope of warm sunshine but also ever-changing plans for our vegetable garden. Every year, it’s something slightly different; year one, our boys were small but eager, planting seeds with pudgy fingers deep into the mud, then tromping over them clumsily and forgetting. Year two brought the overzealous weeding that resulted in fewer kale plants but plenty of “weed” piles added to a large compost heap full of fat earthworms happy for the abundance of organic material to devour.

Year three resulted in an expanded garden that included a stick teepee hideout with bean plants climbing high

to shade the little boys squatting within.

During year four, strawberry plants were stripped daily; not a single berry made it to the kitchen, but instead were devoured by sticky little hands eager to taste sun-ripened fruit. This year we will plant our usual cucumbers and tomatoes, beans, kale, spinach, beets, carrots, squash, and peppers with hope that it will teach our boys the delicate process of where our food comes from, and also inspire them to taste and enjoy a wide variety of vegetables.

Gardening is a lot of work — it’s muddy and messy, and sometimes pests or weather can destroy best laid plans.

So why bother? The benefits of gardening for children are many. Children learn responsibility, cause-and-effect, and a greater understanding and appreciation for nature and its workings. A child who gardens has a better understanding of where her food comes from and an appreciation of the process and work that goes into producing healthy food. A seed patiently nurtured and protected will grow and produce and give

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April 2015 quickly in the middle of a hot summer.

Encourage exploration in the dirt.

Let your child get messy, dig in the dirt, hold earthworms, turn compost, and make mud pies. Part of the fun of gardening is the sensory exploration involved. Child-sized shovels, hoes, rakes, and wheelbarrows are available and encourage children to work alongside you.

Help children plant fun plants. Plants that grow quickly are really rewarding for children who can become impatient easily. Sunflowers grow quickly, seemingly before your eyes, and have large seeds that are easy for children to plant.

Let your child plant a row of sunflowers in a sunny spot and count the days until they grow taller than your child! Plus, the large blooms will attract all sorts of pollinators to your garden.

Don’t forget about the insects. Part of the joy of gardening for children is learning about all the insects that inhabit them, beneficial and pest alike.

Order a praying mantis egg sack or ladybugs online and release them in your garden. Children will enjoy learning about natural ways to control pests by pointing out the “good guys” as they do their job controlling pests.

Check out children’s gardening books.

There are so many great books introducing children to gardening. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt,” by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal 2. “Frog and Toad Together,” by Arnold Lobel 3. “Compost Stew,” by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Ashely Wolff 4. “Water, Weed, and Wait,” by Edith Hope Fine and Angela Halpin, illustrated by Colleen M. Madden 5. “Plant a Little Seed,” by Bonnie Christensen 6. “The Carrot Seed,” by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Crockett Johnson 7. “Sunflower House,” by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt 8. “The Curious Garden,” by Peter Brown 9. “Planting a Rainbow,” by Lois Ehlert 10. “The Tiny Seed,” by Eric Carle Visit gardens and farms. A great way to become inspired and knowledgeable about gardening is to visit established gardens or farms in your area. A trip to the botanical garden in your city or a talk with a member of your city’s local gardener’s association can give you great ideas on where to start.

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maintenance of the garden.

Another benefit to gardening is obvious: nutrition. Our boys are hesitant to eat many vegetables placed on their plates at dinner time, but they willingly and happily munch on fresh cucumbers, berries, snap peas, peppers, mint, basil, and even raw kale leaves they have plucked from the garden themselves.

Sun-warmed cherry tomatoes are sweet as candy; sugar snap peas split open to reveal tender peas within. It takes serious restraint to refrain from doing a happy dance every time I catch my boys harvesting and enjoying a vegetable from the garden.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the discovery that our children would seek out the garden just to spend time there. There is so much life to explore!

Crouched amid kale plants three feet high, they pick caterpillars off the leaves and collect them in small buckets. They gently scoop up ladybugs and earthworms to examine them. The occasional praying mantis brings shrieks of glee.

Last summer they even befriended a large toad, named it “Big Mama,” and habitually fed her small slugs by hand every morning until she was fat and round as a peach. With so much time spent in the garden, our boys began to learn about the flora and fauna within;

by July, they could each identify every plant, including the many herbs, and differentiate between what was a weed and what was food. They knew to spray the white cabbage butterflies with the hose whenever they saw them landing on the kale to lay their eggs — lovely creatures whose offspring would devour an entire crop of kale within weeks.

All in all, gardening brings our family tremendous joy. Here are some tips on introducing simple gardening to your children or starting a vegetable garden of your own.

Start small. Before you introduce a full-out garden to your children, you can show them the basics through simple projects. A growing jar is a great way to start: fill a medium-sized jar with a damp paper towel, place a few dry beans between the inside of the jar and the moist paper towel, and place in a sunny window. Leave the jar lid off and add water every few days to keep the towel moist, then note the changes in the bean as it sprouts and begins to grow.

Try container gardening. You don’t need a yard or large plot of land to reap the benefits of gardening. A sunny patio or apartment balcony can hold a few pots with herbs, strawberries, or cherry tomatoes. Just be sure to water them often, as containers tend to dry out more

12

Home & Garden

‘Wash winter away’

Spring cleaning offers a fresh start for some

By AMBER HILES The Daily Republic Bye, bye dust bunnies.

The winter chill that settled deep in the bones is beginning to subside, and windows are opened. Shades of grey change to a bright blue sky, sprigs of green grass poke through and a deliciously warm, bright yellow sun moves across the sky.

This time of rebirth and newness sparks a new energy, and the hibernation that kept people glued to the television set subsides.

Without much thought, the overflowing contents of the top closet shelf is brought down and organized. Dirt, dust and pet hair that have accumulated all winter will soon be gone.

The urge to spring clean has gripped tightly.

The tradition of spring cleaning in American culture

is a busy event, for those who participate.

People dust, sweep, scrub, wash, donate, organize and toss in closets and rooms across the country. But why do we do it? Experts say there are a combination of historical, seasonal and psychological reasons behind the annual ritual.

History The reason we spring clean is rooted in three cultures, Iranian, Chinese and Jewish.

According to neighborhood. com, every year on the spring equinox, or March 21, Iranians celebrate Now Rouz (new year).

This two-week long festival includes a variety of celebrations. Before it begins, Iranians participate in khanah takani (literally “shaking the house”).

They believe that everything must be made new again to be-

gin the new year the right way.

According to history.com, one of the oldest traditions still celebrated today is the Chinese New Year, which originated more than 3,000 years ago during the Shang Dynasty. Though entangled with myth and legend, this holiday began as a way to celebrate new beginnings of the spring planting season. Festivities last about 15 days, and history.com states that it is centered on family and home. People clean their homes to rid them of bad luck, and they make it a point to settle old debts. They start anew in their lives, homes and affairs.

Jewish Passover also has a similar custom of spring cleaning. Leavened food was prohibited during Passover as a remembrance of the biblical Exodus tale (history.com).

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Amber Hiles/Republic

According to the tale, fleeing Israelites left in such a hurry that they couldn’t even wait for their dough to rise. Observant Jews purge their homes of every trace and crumb of leavened foods, often using the process as an excuse for deep spring cleaning.

While there are sources claiming that spring cleaning came from one or all of these cultures, it could also be bio-

logical, according to neighborhood.com.

Biological effects As if the longer days and warmer evenings weren’t enough to spark good feelings, the process of cleaning and organizing the home can bring a sense of accomplishment.

Not only is the home clean and purged, but so is the mind, for some.

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13

April 2015 “I love spring cleaning my own home. I feel more accomplished if my own home is organized and freshly clean,” Shawna Diedrich, owner of Cleaning Queen of Mitchell, said.

“I love the feeling of getting a much-needed task done,” agreed Jasmyn Lang, owner of Shine Time Cleaning in Mitchell.

According to britannica.com, airtight homes can’t breathe. They are full of chemicals and gases, from the components of floor wax to the microfibers of carpets. The once noxious and air-tight home benefits from sunlight and fresh air.

During winter, people see less sunlight due to shorter days. Because of this lack, the pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that produces sleepiness.

When the body is exposed to more sunlight, much less melatonin is produced. Thus, humans are not as sleepy and have more energy.

Donna Alridge, a mental health therapist at Dakota Counseling Institute in Mitchell, said on a basic level, light is the zeitgeber -- literally time-giver.

“Light actually resets the biological circadian rhythms,” Alridge said.

On a chemical level, Alridge said, with more light (especially bright light), the

brain will produce more neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and cortisol. These chemicals have a direct effect on states of mind, like happiness and depression.

“Cortisol is a stress hormone,” Alridge said. “If there is not enough light, your body will produce more cortisol, and you are more likely to be stressed and depressed, especially on darker days.”

Alridge added that everyone produces chemicals at different levels, on a continuum. Some people produce more than others, or just enough. So, the effects from the lack of sunlight will have different effects of different people.

“Lack of sunlight actually causing clinical depression would be a very small number, but it does affect us,” Alridge said.

Alridge said lack of sunlight produces slowness, a tendency to gain weight and an overall sluggish and sleepy feeling.

People are generally more carefree and happy on bright days.

“I believe people spring clean because of being cooped up all winter and the shorter days,” Diedrich said.

Janelle Weber, owner of Weber Cleaning, said spring cleaning gives people a boost.

“People want to get that initial clean

done so they can focus on other things and have fun,” Weber said.

Weber said she fully believes that spring cleaning improves the health of those in the home.

“It helps with the attitude too,” Weber said. “It’s a load off. It puts a smile on your face.”

Alridge said that isn’t the case for everyone. Some people are hard-wired to be more anxious about a tidy home and clutter, while others just aren’t.

“There are two different types of personalities,” Alridge said. “Some people can tolerate messes and clutter, and some people can’t.”

Alridge said for those who cannot tolerate a mess, the need for control and lack thereof can turn a person into an anxious mess.

Others are a bit more laid back.

Eventually, the job will get done; it’s not a big deal if it isn’t done right now, or even today. Having a pair of both personality types in the home can cause friction.

“It’s genetics,” Alridge said. “Some people are just hard-wired to be more anxious.”

Alridge explained that the anxiety people feel in these situations goes back to the crib. When babies are exposed to a lot of stress, the structure of their

brains will change.

“Babies will produce more cortisol if there is more stress; they will also produce more adrenaline and norepinephrine,” Alridge said.

The structural change is attributed to not feeling safe. This change in the brain is the brain’s way of developing a person who is diligent to danger or dangerous situations. In a sense, Alridge said, it is a form of post-traumatic stress.

“Once the spring cleaning is done, the anxiety goes away,” Alridge said. “If that’s the case, by all means, get busy.”

Time to clean up Spring cleaning is like a ritual for many. The desire to clean often extends beyond the home into the yard. Leftover leaves are composted or burned, and those with a green thumb prepare to plant their favorite seasonals and veggies.

Though most are ready to be rid of the clutter and mess, generally, a compulsive hoarder or those who do not have anxiety about it, will not be joining in on the ritual.

Diedrich starts by storing winter items in tubs. If she hasn’t used an item within the last year, it is thrown out.

See CLEANING Page 14

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14

Home & Garden

CLEANING Continued from Page 13

Diedrich said she doesn’t have a yard sale after she cleans her home because she is too busy. Her business benefits from the busy schedules of customers during the spring months.

Weber said Weber Cleaning is busy through the whole year, but is hit pretty hard when spring comes. Not only are customers ready to tidy up, many need a deep-cleaning for graduation season.

“Spring is very, very busy for us,” Weber said.

Advertising for cleaning products take the stage and public service campaigns stress the importance of proper disposal of outdated materials found in the household and garage.

“I love norwex products, especially the window cloths,” Diedrich said.

Diedrich uses a wide variety of products and suggests that each individual use what works best for them.

“It isn’t the products you use that make the outcome. It’s the person doing the job,” Weber said.

Weber said spring cleaning is the time to “wash winter away.”

Spring cleaning for Weber’s business

entails an extensive list of cleaning, top to bottom, and front to back.

“We wash walls, take curtains down and clean the blinds. We get into every nook and cranny, every square foot,” Weber said.

Weber mentioned that many of her customers will add a fresh coat of paint and even bring out spring decorations.

Weber agreed that spring cleaning is more intensive than other times of the year.

“When you clean, you have to organize,” Weber said. “That is one thing that we try to stress.”

Weber said during the winter months, a lot of things accumulate in closets, leaving people more to organize in the spring. She said instead of adopting an “I’ll do it later” mindset, set time aside each day to tackle chores.

“Even if you only have 20 minutes to touch up on this or touch up on that, we can teach you to do a few things each day that don’t take that much time,” Weber said.

At Weber’s home, the family divides chores that need to be done.

Alridge said her mom likes spring cleaning.

“I just never picked up that was really fun,” Alridge said. “I know (my mother) shakes her head and wonders.”

Spring cleaning tips from experts If you find yourself a neurotic mess as you attempt to tackle the enormous undertaking which is spring cleaning, breathe, relax and check out these tips from area pros.

Shawna Diedrich: Cleaning Queen • Don’t put it off. Just start anywhere.

• Don’t just skim over corners and trim; take time to move furniture.

• Clean your windows inside and outside.

Janelle Weber: Weber Cleaning • Start at the back of the house and work your way forward.

• Start at the top of the room and go down.

• Wear good shoes. It will help your back and legs.

• Check the garage for over-accumulated items.

• Remove anything from all rooms that you haven’t used for a year, donate or toss.

• Focus on detailing, polish furniture and move appliances.

• Wash walls.

Jasmyn Lang: Shine Time Cleaning • Use a fresh lemon for hard water stains on shower faucets.

• A cloth dipped in vinegar and water can bring shine back to light-colored

linoleum.

• Dust backboards with a dryer sheet.

This method repels dust, making it easier to take a duster to the area with a light sweep.

• Remove stubborn toilet stains with a pumice stone. Follow up weekly with regular maintenance with your toilet brush and cleaner.

Spring cleaning tips from The Daily Republic staff • “Have a wax spill? Use a paper towel or old rag and an iron. The wax will come right up, and the carpet will be fine.” -- Lori Korbe • “I use bleach to wipe everything down for a fresh start.” -- Kayonnie Kitto • “Use Murphy Oil Soap on floors, cabinets, leather furniture, baseboards and trim.” -- Rachel Soulek • “Hire a cleaning service.” -- Micaela Nelson • “Use essential oils (citronella, tea tree, pine, lavender, peppermint, patchouli, sandalwood or rosemary) to repel bugs. Use a mixture (of one or more) with water to spray around the edges and windowsills of your home.” -- Amber Hiles

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Home & Garden

17

April 2015

What to Know Before You Replace Your Home’s Siding

Weather Extreme weather events, including high winds and hot and cold temperatures can damage or destroy siding.

Look for a product that is certified to withstand these conditions. No matter where you live, this should be an important consideration, as weather patterns have become more unpredictable across the country.

Rot Fiber-based materials (such as fiber cement planks) absorb water, which over time can make siding more prone to rot, decay and even disintegration.

At the store, ask to see siding options made of polymer-based materials, which are impervious to moisture.

Environmental Impact For improved energy efficiency,

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choose insulated siding, which will prevent undue loss of warm air in winter and cool air in summer. Where environmental impact is concerned, vinyl is a good bet, as it complies with environmental standards known as LEED and ICC 700 National Green Building standards.

Maintenance A certain amount of upkeep will be required to keep your siding looking great. However, vinyl siding requires only occasional soap and water, whereas fiber cement requires re-caulking and repainting to maintain color and help prevent moisture absorption.

First introduced in the 1960s, vinyl siding is the most popular home siding material today, due to its overall low cost, easy installation, durability and minimal maintenance. New products are particularly versatile, and easy to install and maintain, such as Heartland Siding by ProVia. Their super polymer vinyl siding comes in a number of styles, colors and price points. Additionally, the energy efficiency of the company’s CedarMAX line can help you save money down the line. Visit www. proviaproducts.com/vs for more information.

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Since siding is a long-term investment, you’ll want to make a decision from an informed place, especially with more options now available in the marketplace. With that in mind, here are some things to consider about different siding materials:

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Home & Garden

BEGINNERS Continued from Page 9

By ANNA JAUHOLA The Daily Republic Soil preparation is key for beginning gardeners, whether you plan to grow flowers or foliage.

Brenda Bode, a master gardener near Mount Vernon, said soil around the Mitchell area is a loam mix, which is good for gardening. If the soil has been undisturbed, it’ll be good to work with. If the soil has been compacted, adding good topsoil will help create a better base.

“As a rule of thumb, you don’t want to take soil out. You want to work with what’s naturally there and amend it,” Bode said.

“It’s better to add to the soil than try to change it.”

Bode often speaks of amending soil -- meaning to add fertilizer, compost or other soil, which helps prepare it for what you want to plant.

She said the amount of fertilizer added will depend on what you want to grow. Right now,

it’s too early to add anything.

“You don’t want to stimulate growth, because we might get a frost or snow,” Bode said.

Beginners should grow starter plants in their garden, rather than start seedlings in pots. The best time to begin planting is toward the end of May. Soil temperature is important. It needs to be approximately 55 degrees before planting. If you do not have a temperature gauge, stick your thumb in the ground. If it’s a comfortable temperature, the ground is ready, she said.

For a beginning gardener, Bode suggests using a base amount of plants -- those that require the least amount of attention.

When selecting plants, Bode said beginners need to identify whether the plants need shade or sun, can handle a lot of wind and how much moisture they need.

“Things that don’t have to be deadheaded, not watered daily, are a little more flexible with wind and sun,” Bode said. “In South Dakota, we have quite a

few of those options. Many are perennials. It will be good to start those, because perennials come back. Then you can add a few annuals for instant color between.”

Perennial plants and flowers return year after year, such as daylilies, clematis, cone flower and black-eyed susan. These flowers and plants take little to no maintenance, Bode said.

Bode also encourages beginners to look at the foliage of a plant more than the flower.

“Notoriously, perennials only bloom only twice a summer,” Bode said.

Since South Dakota has such a short growing season, picking flowers with interesting foliage will help liven up a flower garden.

“That’s what you’ll see day to day,” Bode said. “Some have frilly edged leaves, purple or wine colors and you can have a whole container or space in your garden for color foliage.”

Annual plants only grow and bloom the year they are planted.

Bode noted annuals are designed

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April 2015

Are your spring cleaning products safe?

By StatePoint Do you know what ingredients are in the cleaning products you buy? Probably not, as there are no federal governmental regulations requiring companies to disclose their contents. But harsh chemicals can take their toll on the indoor air quality of your home, are harmful to the environment and may irritate eyes and skin.

So how can you learn more about the cleaning products you plan to purchase? Luckily, certain retailers are making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions. For example, in 2011 Whole Foods Market introduced the Eco-Scale Rating System, which are the first household cleaner standards offered by a retailer.

This season, don’t just spring clean your home; take stock of your cleaners and clean up your entire act. By opting for green cleaning products, you can help make your home a safer, healthier place.

Here’s how: • Do an audit: Take a look at the cleaning products you currently own. Just because a brand or product is well known does not make it a healthy option. A quick Internet search can reveal the safety attributes of a product’s ingredients -- so long as the manufacturer has chosen to disclose ingredients. Toss anything problematic and make a shopping list of what you need to replace.

• Full disclosure: Avoid cleaning products that don’t disclose what ingredients they use. Look for brandsthat make it easy for you to know what ingredients are being used in the product you’re purchasing.

• Be informed: Know what ingredients to avoid entirely. Harsh ingredients like formaldehyde and chlorine can still be found in cleaning products today. Don’t know where to start? Take a look at the list of more than 40 ingredients that aren’t allowed in Whole Foods Market’s cleaning products, including chlorine, formaldehyde, phosphates, phthalates and triclosan.

• Lock-up: No matter the contents of your cleaners, it’s good practice to keep them stored in a safe place, such as a locked cabinet. Young children and pets should not be able to access your cleaning products supply • Do it yourself: A quick and easy way to know exactly what’s in your cleaning products is to make them yourself. Luckily, only a few inexpensive ingredients are needed to make your own all-purpose cleaner. Simply mix one part water with one part vinegar, add a few drops of your favorite pure essential oil, and you have an all-purpose spray.

Baking soda is another great cleaner that has a mild scrubbing power and helps combat odors.

Don’t have the time to make your own cleaner?

The Eco-Scale Rating system evaluates products for environmental impact, safety, efficacy, source, labeling and animal testing. Visit WholeFoodsMarket. com/ecoscale to learn more.

If you’re using conventional cleaning supplies, you may be exposing your family to harmful ingredients. By learning more about the products you use, you can green your spring cleaning, for a healthier home.

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20

Home & Garden

Make your design dream a reality Window treatments provide finishing touches for homes

By SUSAN TJARKS Nothing gives your house the allure and feel of “home” more than quality window fashions. The options are endless, but when done well, the result is a home that exudes warmth, comfort, and beauty.

Window treatments serve three general purposes: controlling light, helping to regulate the indoor temperature of your home and providing a beautiful focal point for any room. Determining the needs of your home will help you as you select the right product for you windows.

A big design trend for 2015 is calming, comforting decor in your home. Being constantly connected to technology, email, phone and text can leave you over-stimulated,

but a calming home can help balance out a hectic schedule.

Atmospheric colors of blues, greens, and grays will provide a sense of tranquility across your home.

Cellular shades are the perfect addition if you are looking to turn your home a tranquil getaway. They will insulate your home against wintery chills and keep the heat out in the summer. Cellular shades come in a variety of colors so you can choose the best option for your home. These shades allow natural light to diffuse the environment, and are also highly energy efficient.

More than almost any other window treatment, shutters add dramatic beauty and value to virtually any home. Shutters come in a wide variety of materials, colors and styles. They

can increase energy efficiency, are easy to clean and can help with light control, privacy and sun damage. Perhaps the most interesting trend regarding shutters is that the real-estate industry has begun recognizing the value interior shutters add to a home. Home appraisers are likely to include shutters when evaluating a home -- making them a real return on investment for owners.

To say sheer horizontal shades are unique is an understatement. These exquisite, soft window shadings combine the soft look of shades with the functionality of blinds.

Sheer shades offer unparalleled beauty and performance.

Horizontal fabric vanes float between two layers of soft, knitted fabric sheers revealing a diffused view when open and

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April 2015 full privacy when closed.

If you are looking for a truly distinctive and versatile window covering, Roman Shades offer a sophisticated alternative that warm up windows inside the home while providing privacy and protection from the sun. In their most basic form, Roman Shades are simply fabric window covering panels that can be raised or lowered with the help of a cord system and rings sewn onto the back of the fabric. When raised, the fabric stacks in evenly sized horizontal folds. Elegant custom Roman Shades add a designer flair to any room while also offering you expertly engineered light and privacy control. They are a popular choice since they can be used alone for a minimalistic approach or can be paired elegantly with drapes and other window fashions.

Finally, for the ultimate in window fashions, pair your shades or shutters with custom soft window treatments. The benefits of soft treatments are numerous. You can customize

the dimensions to your window size and create a tailored look, like a perfectly fitted suit.

Custom panels come in endless design options, from material to header style. You can also add beautiful, unique hardware or top treatments like cornices and valances.

As any decorator will tell you, curtains and drapes make a room, but only when chosen correctly. When it comes to window treatments, it’s a matter of color and fabric, length and lining and having beautifully custom-made products designed just for you. With so many decisions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so be sure to call a certified window fashion professional to help you select the perfect treatments for your style and budget. They should listen to your story, examine your style and find just the right mixture of fabric, hardware and accessories to make your design dream a reality. -- Susan Tjarks is owner of Gotcha Covered Blinds Draperies Shutters & More, based in Mitchell.

Five Top Home Improvements that Raise Your House’s Resale Value

By StatePoint Before you decide on a home improvement project, it’s a good idea to learn which ones will help raise your house’s value and recoup the most money when you decide to sell.

From replacing your front door to adding a deck, there are many midrange improvements that won’t cost a bundle but will deliver great bang for your buck. It’s not about spending the most money; it’s about improvements that best hold their value.

The experts at “Remodeling” magazine recently released their 28th annual Cost vs. Value Report, comparing construction costs with resale value for 36 of the most popular home improvement projects.

When it came to midrange projects, the report found homeowners recouped the highest percentage of costs on these five improvements: steel entry door replacement, installation of manufactured stone veneer on home exteriors, garage door replacements, vinyl siding replacement, and wooden deck additions.

“Making your home stand out from others on your block and others on the market

is achievable if you plan wisely when it comes to remodeling projects,” says Phil Wengerd, Vice President of Market Strategies at ProVia, a leading building products See VALUE Page 22

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VALUE

Continued from Page 21 manufacturer. “This year’s statistics indicate that moderately priced exterior projects can significantly enhance home resale values.”

This year’s analysis of top midrange home improvement projects provided definite direction for homeowners: • Steel Entry Door Replacement: The 20-Gauge Steel Entry Door has consistently delivered the best return on investment for resale, holding the top spot in the midrange product category since its debut in this report in 2009/2010. The steel entry door is the only project that, on a national basis, more than pays back its investment, typically recouping 101.8 percent. At ProVia, for example, the company’s Legacy Steel Entry Doors are a consistent top sales performer.

• Manufactured Stone Veneer: A new project on this year’s report is the installation of manufactured stone veneer on home exteriors. This category zoomed to the top of the midrange list, grabbing second place with a 92.2 percent cost-value return.

Increased product demand for Heri-

Home & Garden tage Stone is a reflection of this trend, observed by Wengerd and others.

• Garage Door Replacement: The installation of new four-section garage doors on galvanized steel tracks proved to be a valuable project with homeowners recouping 88.4 percent of their costs.

• Vinyl Siding Replacement: Replacing a home’s vinyl siding was one of a handful of projects that jumped up the list for recouping improvement costs. So not only can new vinyl siding beautify a home, it can keep it weatherproof and enhance its resale value.

• Deck Addition: Adding a wooden deck can do more than provide a place to enjoy the great outdoors. When it comes time to sell, you should be able to pocket more than 80 percent of the cost for this improvement.

More resources on home improvement projects, along with information on entry doors, vinyl siding and manufactured stone veneer, can be found at www.proviaproducts.com/cvv.

Before you dip into your wallet, learn which home improvements will best hold their value while enhancing curb appeal.

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24

Home & Garden

Create a healthy ecosystem in your own yard Invasive plants Invasive weeds can out-compete native species, changing the

local ecosystem. Many varieties, first introduced as flora to plant in gardens, can be confused with similar, native varieties. Here are two common damaging ones to watch out for: • Purple Loosestrife, native to Europe and Asia, is found in most states. One plant can produce more than two million seeds annually.

• Native to China, the Tree-ofHeaven was widely planted as an ornamental plant for many years and is often confused with other

trees having similar leaves, such as black walnut, butternut, and most sumac.

Invasive insects Invasive insects can also have a severe negative impact on native species by out-competing them for food and resources.

Many also cause and carry disease and prey on native species.

Two common ones to look out for include: • Emerald Ash Borer, native to Asia, is prominently found

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Mitchell - Parkston - Wagner & Surrounding Areas

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StatePoint photo

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By StatePoint This spring season, help promote a healthy ecosystem by learning to identify and control damaging plants and insects in your yard.

Information about common invasive species and backyard invaders is now being offered by Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE):

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across the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeastern United States. The larvae do the most damage, killing ash trees by feeding on the inner bark.

• Zebra Mussel, native to lakes in southern Russia, is found in hundreds of waterways throughout the United States. The species commonly clog water intakes, damage boats, and can cause cuts and scrapes if they grow on rocks, swim rafts, and ladders.

Backyard pests Did you know native plants and insects can cause damage too?

• Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Left untreated, Lyme disease infects the joints, heart, and nervous system. After time spent outdoors, check for ticks, especially in and around your ears, inside your belly button, behind your knees, around your waist, on your scalp, and in your hair.

• Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus. While most people may show few symptoms, 20 percent of people develop a fever along with headaches, body aches, joint

pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Follow the “five Ds” to protect yourself: Drain standing water; Stay indoors at dusk and dawn; Dress in long-sleeves and pants; and use DEET-based mosquito repellent.

• Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac can lurk in backyards. Almost 85 percent of people develop a rash when they come into contact with these weeds.

Control poisonous weeds longterm by carefully digging out the plants while wearing waterproof gloves or treating with a pesticide.

Defend your local ecosystem by identifying exotic plants in your garden or yard. Spot invasive weeds and insects in your area? Let your county extension office know, which may have a monitoring and management program in place.

For more lawn and garden tips, visit www.DebugTheMyths.com.

By being aware of invasive species and other pests in your area, you can help support native species and a healthy ecosystem in your own backyard and neighborhood.

StatePoint photo

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April 2015

26

Home & Garden

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27

April 2015

Garden-inspired decor brightens spaces and mood

By Metro Creative Many homeowners take up gardening to transform their homes with beautiful flowers and foliage, while others do so to yield fresh fruits and vegetables.

But gardening can be more than just a weekend hobby. In fact, it may be especially beneficial for homeowners to surround themselves with more plants and natural decor, whether in the yard or in the home.

Studies have indicated that gardening can be good for the mind and body. In addition to improving mood and reducing stress, plant life and gardening also may help people have a more hopeful outlook on life. If reaping the benefit of a beautiful landscape is not reason enough to get into gardening, elevating your mood and coping with depression or illness may be even further motivation to start developing your green thumb.

Home-design trends seem to be following suit, offering individuals more opportunities to surround themselves with potentially therapeutic plants.

Explore these emerging and established garden décor trends to try in and around

your home.

Living wall planters: A living wall planter can add greenery to any décor without taking up floor or table space.

Ideal for outdoor structures, these planters also can be used indoors if you safeguard against leaks and dripping.

A living wall planter is a framed device that houses plants in a manner that enables them to be vertically mounted to a wall surface. While there are commercially available models, you can create your own design and paint or stain it to match the existing décor. Use a soil-free potting substrate to avoid the mess that regular soil may create.

Combining fish with gardening: Enjoy the best of two relaxing worlds by installing a water feature in your yard.

Garden retailers offer ready-made kits that can make fast work of establishing a pond or other water feature in the backyard. Otherwise, there are plenty of water garden companies and installers who can suggest a design and put in your desired water features. Add fish suitable for outdoor life to your pond.

These include koi and certain goldfish varieties. Game fish are discouraged

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because they can destroy pond plants. If an outdoor pond is more maintenance than you desire, consider an indoor aquarium with a combination of fish and live aquarium plants.

Creative furniture designs: Maybe you’re a person who appreciates the unique and whimsical? Tables, benches and chairs can be built with planting channels that enable you to have greenery and garden décor in one piece.

Envision a picnic table with a cutout down the center for a thin row of plants or decorative grasses. This is a project the entire family can get behind, as the more creative ideas the better.

Improved outdoor lighting: People who like to spend time in their gardens and yards may not want to be limited by sunrise and sunset. By incorporating different lighting sources, you can create a retreat that is welcoming at any hour. Although flood lights and overhead lights can illuminate a space, consider ambient and decorative lighting to create the desired ambiance.

Functional fire pits and places: A blazing fire creates a cozy spot to gather on chilly evenings, but fire pits and

fireplaces also can be used as impromptu cooking spots for s’mores or frankfurters on a stick. You can purchase a stand-alone fire pit from any number of retailers or build your own with patio pavers and fire bricks to line the interior of the fire pit. Outdoor fireplaces require more work, and you want to hire a mason to ensure proper installation.

Enjoyable yard additions: While plants and seating may take center stage, some people still want to have fun in their yards. There’s an increased demand for yard designs and décor that can put the fun in backyard living. Bocce courts, ring- or horseshoe-toss setups, as well as bean bag-toss boards, can be incorporated into landscape designs, giving you yet another reason to spend a few hours in the great outdoors, where you can experience a few healthy laughs in the process.

Gardening and spending time outdoors are great hobbies and may even boost your mood. Homeowners can explore the popular trends in garden décor and natural elements that they can enjoy inside and outside of their homes.

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Home & Garden

CE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LLC CE Property Maintenance is here to help! We are a local company and we offer FREE, no obligation estimates.

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April 2015

Today’s Hawaiian style departs from tiki kitsch with subtlety and taste

By VERN YIP Special to Washington Post Now that it’s spring — at least the calendar says it is — we can begin visually warming up our nests by employing one of today’s biggest emerging home design trends: Hawaiian style.

Up until 15 years ago, I considered Hawaii a virtual second home. At least once a year, my family would escape winter’s grasp and gather on the islands of Oahu or Maui to defrost in the sun. Back then, Hawaiian style had a kitsch factor that more easily lent itself to souvenir snow globes and coffee mugs than to serious home decor. Think Santa donning a Hawaiian shirt on a Christmas ornament instead of a chic, decorative throw pillow.

All that seems to have changed, however, with style-setters from Michael Kors to India Hicks proclaiming their love of island life and the associated aesthetic.

So a few months ago, I paid the island of Maui a visit to explore this new trend.

What I discovered is that today’s Hawaiian style — from my rented digs (the elegant Coral Gardens in Makena) to the proliferation of uber chic stores and restaurants — is more sophisticated and usable while still retaining much of its original charm. Without losing its distinctive flavor, it’s now capable of integrating into a much wider assortment of decor styles.

Hawaiian style today still has a foundation in vibrant island color and the love of prints but balances it out with calming, neutral tones and the use of chic, natural materials that ultimately makes it more timeless and livable.

Although you can’t rush Mother Nature along any faster than she ultimately wants to go, you can fool your senses into thinking you’ve left winter’s dreariness behind for a Hawaiian island retreat by following some of these easy steps: Embrace warm island color: From a See STYLE Page 30

Washington Post photo

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30

Home & Garden

STYLE

Continued from Page 29 vibrant palette of exotic flora and fauna to the turquoise-colored ocean and sky, Hawaii naturally bursts with a wide spectrum of rich hues. On my recent trip to research Hawaiian design, I could almost count rainbows by the dozen, with each turned corner revealing a bigger and better one.

After a winter season dominated by every gray shade imaginable, it’s understandable why this particular trend seems to be taking hold. Instead of subdued pastels, think bold, warm colors that command attention but are still easily found within nature’s palette.

From the warm yellow-orange tones of papayas and mangos to the vibrant orange-reds of the hibiscus and coral, every shade of warm orange and red serves as a capable tool for injecting island life into your home.

Warm blues inspired by the turquoise Pacific waters make a natural companion for these colors, along with the myriad of warm greens found in fronds and the other abundant vegetation. To keep it timeless and sophisticated, limit these warm Hawaiian colors to easily changed-

out pillows, throws, artwork and decorative accents.

Pair with mid-to-light-toned neutrals and whites on walls, rugs and large upholstered pieces.

By the time the sweltering summer months arrive, you can easily change out your Hawaiian-inspired elements in case you start developing a case of island fever.

Employ nature-inspired prints: Although I’m a fanatic for clean and straight lines, Hawaiian style seems much more deeply rooted in the natural and organic lines of nature’s bounty.

Home decor textiles sporting exotic flowers, free-form geometrics and dramatic palms have been enormously popular and are abundantly available to help easily transform your living room into an island lanai.

To really get it right, go for larger-scaled prints (in warm, vibrant tones, of course) to create a graphic statement that instantly lends character to your space. And limit these large-scaled prints to one or two locations to avoid a calamitous sensory overload. Not everything in a room should scream for your attention.

For these prints and colors to endure in your space, there needs to be a clear understanding of who the star player is and

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who is happily serving in the supporting (and very critical) roles.

Neutral upholstery offers a structured foundation to showcase your colorful, nature-inspired throws and throw pillows. Upholstered pieces can also offer island-inspired details, such as sea grass or rattan worked into the body of the frames, if you’re ready to fully embrace this casual, yet elegant trend.

Create a foundation of warm-hued textures: Warm visual texture is key to Hawaiian style and one of the reasons why it’s the perfect solution for instantly depressurizing a room. Honey-colored sisal rugs atop bamboo plank floors, caramel-toned grass cloth walls and warm-white linen drapery and bedding are all great ways to build a foundation for island-inspired relaxation.

Textured materials like these lend depth to a room through the shadows created via their naturally imperfect composition. Our eyes have become accustomed to seeing nature’s imperfections in our natural surroundings. Imbuing our homes with that same controlled irregularity creates a sense of both familiarity and ease for most of us.

The bumpy, wavy and irregular surfaces of these natural materials beg for us to take our shoes off, curl up and un-

wind, and also are the perfect backdrop to showcase those warm, tropical accent colors and bold, graphic nature-inspired prints that critically make up Hawaiian style.

I’ve often dreamed of moving to the paradise state of Hawaii but, realistically, I know I’d miss the change of seasons and the frantic pace of city life that I often complain about — but secretly like.

But with bitter memories of last year’s polar vortex and this year’s even colder Siberian express, I’m also cheering for an unseasonably early and warm spring.

Although spring’s official start doesn’t necessarily signify warm, sunny days — and a Hawaiian vacation may be nowhere in your foreseeable future — treating yourself to an in-home island getaway is more attainable than you might initially think.

A new sisal rug underfoot, linen throw pillows adorned with a coral motif behind your back and a warm, orange throw covering your body may be just enough to power you through the fifth, sixth and seventh time of shoveling your snowpacked driveway.

Crank up your thermostat a few degrees, grab a pint of mango sorbet and embrace spring indoors, even if you can’t do so outdoors.

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April 2015

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Home & Garden

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