SUMTER
HOME & DECOR
2
Modern housing trends
4
Selling a new lifestyle
5Moody blues
6 Plan the
ultimate kitchen upgrade Now is the Time to get Ready for Winter Don’t let the squirrels out think you! THE SQUIRRELS ARE GETTING READY FOR WINTER. SO SHOULD YOU.
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2019 SUMTER HOME & DECOR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
THE SUMTER ITEM
Modern
housing trends BY SHELBIE GOULDING looking for toilets to be about two or three Sarah Jane Gibson, a realtor in Sumter inches taller than the average toilet height, and owner at Gaymon Gibson Group, puts which is 14-15 inches above the floor.” herself in the position of a buyer to think Another major trend people look at are about what Sumter residents are looking the floors in a home. for in the latest “Carpet has housing trends. totally gone out “Most of the of style. People time when peoare now upgradple are buying ing to someMillennials are seeking out houses, they thing called smaller, functional homes, want everything luxury vinyl tile,” they desire,” Gibson said. where before the dream was Gibson said. LVT is a a giant home with a space She said the durable, wamost common ter-resistant for everything. Now, it’s more trends people flooring that is of a smaller, functional space look for nowaused throughout days are granite every room in that is easier and cheaper counter tops, today’s modto maintain that’s still luxury stainless appliern home. This ances, fenced allows people to quality but on a smaller scale. in backyards, use stylish rugs Sarah Jane Gibson, newer windows, to decorate and Gaymon Gibson Group LVT flooring color to a room. and, surprisingGibson said ly, taller toilets. most peo“Nobody really looks when they go in a ple spend an average of seven years in a house, but that is often something somehome, especially with Sumter being a milione will update,” Gibson said. People are Continued on page 3
Photos by Paul Tomlinson/Waxed Designs
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Continued from page 2 tary-based town, so there are usually less updates needed in that span of time with LVT flooring. If carpets are still in a house, Gibson said it doesn’t matter how long the carpet has been down when it comes to updating it. “You need to have it professionally cleaned or replaced,” she said. “It just gets dirty so fast, and I think that’s kind of a miss number for people. It’s incredible how much dirt comes into the house, and it’s in that carpet.” With carpet not being considered a current trend, the same flooring tends to extend throughout each room in today’s modern home. This makes each room in the house have an ongoing space aspect. With the LVT floors having an ongoing aesthetic look, Gibson said a main housing trend homes have nowadays is an open concept living space. This is where walls are removed to make one big communal space to go along with the LVT floors. Dining rooms, kitchens and living spaces tend to be one big room in today’s modern homes, Gibson said. “Millennials are seeking out smaller, functional homes, where before the dream was a giant home with a space for everything,” Gibson said. “Now, it’s more of a smaller, functional space that is easier and cheaper to maintain that’s still luxury quality but on a smaller scale.” Gibson said the Gaymon Gibson Group is attempting to get Sumter residents’ perspectives on what they’re looking for in a home with a new project. “We have a house we purchased recently that we’re going to renovate and put on the market,” Gibson said, “but we’re going to use a series of polls to do the house.” The home is a two-bed, one-bath house that will be renovated based on the votes from Gaymon Gibson Group’s Instagram polls. “We’re going to start promoting and doing our first poll here in a few months,” Gibson said. Gaymon Gibson Group got the idea from The House that Social Media Built on Instagram, and they wanted to bring something like that to the Sumter area. Gaymon Gibson Group’s Instagram is @gaymongibson and will want the community’s votes to make the perfect Sumter home.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
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COMPARING RESIDENTIAL MARKETS Median price of residential homes sold (January-August 2019)
REGION Price Pct. Change from 2018 $156,000
+4.9%
Florence $140,000
+1.8%
Greater Columbia $181,472 (Richland/Lexington/Kershaw)
+7.5%
Greenville $216,856
Sumter/Clarendon/Lee
Coastal Carolinas (Horry/Georgetown)
$195,000
+5.8% +5.6% +6.5%
STATE AVERAGE
$213,900
+6.9%
Charleston $272,880
Source: South Carolina Realtors Report – MLS Statistics (August 2019)
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Prevent growth of mold and mildew in colder months Mold and mildew are not only unsightly, but unhealthy. These fungi grow readily in damp areas and are found in the air breathed both indoors and outside. If left unaddressed, mold and mildew can threaten the health of a home’s inhabitants. Mildew is a type of mold that remains relatively flush with the surface it grows on. Other molds can grow puffy in appearance. Molds serve the purpose of destroying organic materials, but in high amounts, these microorganisms can cause respiratory problems, sinus congestion, throat irritation, headaches, and other issues, particularly when mold grows unchecked indoors, says Better Homes and Gardens. As a result, it is essential to address mold before it becomes problematic. According to Polygon, a drying technology and temporary climate solutions company, the wet season in winter is when molds often grow and expand. Mold can break down the integrity and strength of the surfaces where it grows.
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2019 SUMTER HOME & DECOR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
THE SUMTER ITEM
Selling a new Full-service gas retailer wants to change Sumter’s views on outdoor living BY BRUCE MILLS Even as the cooler and cold months in Sumter and the region approach, who says you can’t enjoy the outdoors year-round here?
lifestyle
Palmetto Gas, the area’s only one-stop shop for natural gas and propane gas appliances, says it can solve people’s problems to heat outdoor spaces in multiple ways.
Photos provided
Company CEO Andy Smith and marketing consultant Emily Ward spoke recently about three different types of products fairly new to the industry that the retailer carries that they say will change the way people think about outdoor living. Smith said the first product is bromic infrared heaters that are either mountable to a ceiling or post or portable. “You see this when you go to places like Atlanta or big cities when you go out to a restaurant and its outdoor area and notice the space is heated,” Smith said. It works like a heat lamp, he said, and the infrared heat can change the temperature of a space from 30 degrees to 70. Next is fire pits, according to Palmetto Gas, and the retailer has two types: small pits and large pits. Smith said the store carries a popular Buck Stove small granite pit. Finally, the retailer also offers outdoor fireplaces of various makes and styles, he said.
Palmetto Gas’ outdoor living center also features durable Bob Timberlake Furniture with a 50year warranty, gas lights and saber outdoor grills – both in an outdoor kitchen version and individual cart style, Smith said. What some people might not realize, Smith and Ward said, is these outdoor living products are still considered somewhat unique and can help differentiate a person’s home and potentially sell it faster if a family is required to leave Sumter with a job relocation. “It’s really kind-of selling a lifestyle,” Ward said, “and the ambiance of what this can do to expand the home or business, if you are a restaurant or similar venue.” To put it in laymen’s terms, Smith describes the scenario that the average person in Sumter works about 50 weeks per year and gets two or three weeks off. “Now, that person will save their money and take their family Continued on page 4
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Those
moody blues Inky hues saturate home decor Photo by Micah Green
PALMETTO GAS
Where: 820 S. Pike, Sumter Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: (803) 775-4321 More information: palmettogas.com Continued from page 3 on a vacation, and they will spend $5,000 or $6,000 in the summer to have one week of fun, and then it’s gone,” Smith said. “You can spend that kind of money and enjoy your outdoor space at your home for the next 20 years if you make that investment once.” INDOOR APPLIANCE SHOWROOM Founded in 1962 in Sumter, Palmetto Gas relocated to 820 S. Pike about a year ago. The first area to open was its indoor appliance showroom, which features “live-burn” gas logs, space
heaters, gas ranges, water heaters, gas clothes’ dryers and matching washers, and linear fireplaces, also referred to as contemporary fireplaces or rectangular fireplaces. All products and appliances are available in both natural gas and propane, Ward said. Smith, who has worked in the gas industry for basically his entire career, estimates there are currently about 12 combination indoor-and-outdoor retail showrooms like Palmetto Gas in the state and it’s the only one in the Sumter region.
How mulched leaves help your lawn
By KIM COOK The Associated Press In fashion, it’s replaced black as the new dress-up color. And it’s riding a wave of popularity into home decor, too. What’s the buzz about?
The color blue.
And while all blues, from baby to sky, are popular, it’s the deep, inky ones that are exciting home decorators. “Navy is one shade with so many ways to implement it, from accessories to largescale furniture,” says Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design in Houston. “It can work within traditional or modern design aesthetics. It’s a favorite of mine, because it evokes a serene and calming emotion while also evoking a sense of luxury and opulence.” Dark blues have become popular in the kitchen, too. “We’re definitely seeing an increase in deep, moody blues,” says Houzz.com editor Mitchell Parker. “It’s usually used on an island or base cabinets with white uppers for a two-tone look, but the most popular kitchen photo uploaded to the Houzz site in the past three months featured all-blue cabinets. It’s a safe but strong color that pairs nicely with satin brass finishes, which are also having a moment right now.” Benjamin Moore’s color marketing director, Andrea Magno, says deep blues complement many styles or design goals, “modern to nautical, or sophisticated and mysterious. “Homeowners have more access to design ideas than ever, triggering greater confidence levels when it comes to selecting color — especially darker colors, which used to be a daring endeavor,” she says. “Dark blue has always been a classic, but today we’re seeing an increase in using this color for a variety of surfaces.”
Raking leaves has long been a task for fall afternoons, but homeowners may be surprised to learn that they might be better off putting their rakes in permanent mothballs. In the 1990s, turfgrass specialists at Michigan State University began exploring the potential benefits of leaving mulched leaves on a lawn instead of raking them and leaving them for curbside pickup. While the researchers noticed an obvious leaf residue on the lawn after mulching, they noted that it only sticks around for a few days. Eventually, the tiny pieces sifted down into the lawn, ultimately serving to control future weed growth while also providing the lawn with essential nutrients. Over time, researchers noted that homeowners who mulched rather than raked their leaves needed less fertilizer to give their lawns a green look in spring, saving homeowners the effort and cost associated with fertilizing. Researchers also noted that decomposing pieces of leaves cover up bare spots between turf plants, which have traditionally proven to be excellent spots for weed seeds to germinate. In fact, MSU notes that homeowners can expect a nearly 100 percent decrease in dandelions and crabgrass after mulching leaves for just three years. Depending on the type of mower being used, up to six inches of leaves can be mulched at a time. Push mowers can handle smaller amounts, though can still be as effective as ride-on mowers. Fall may be synonymous with raking leaves. However, homeowners who want to give their lawns a healthy boost should consider putting their rakes away and mulching their leaves this fall.
Magno says deep blue used on walls and millwork has a dramatic effect, and works well as an accent, too. “It pairs well with many colors, from soft yellow to deep teal, or even red, and it may be a softer option for cabinets, doors and walls than black,” she says. For paint options, consider Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy, Van Deusen Blue and Kensington Blue. PPG Paints’ Chinese Porcelain is the company’s 2020 Color of the Year. And at Sherwin-Williams, there’s Jay Blue, Moscow Midnight and Naval. “I see dark blue as the perfect opportunity for homeowners to move away from the beige neutrals we’ve seen dominating the home décor space the last few years,” says Phoenix designer Daniel Germani. “If you think about the ease and familiarity with which you’d wear your favorite jeans or navy blazer, this shade has the same versatility.” He’s collaborated with Cosentino , a maker of surfacing material, on a new collection of its Dekton Chromica for countertops, backsplashes and elsewhere that features an inky blue colorway. “It plays well with whites, grays, greens and brighter hues, and translates beautifully across decorating styles,” Germani says. Kohler is introducing Shadows, a collection of enameled, cast-iron kitchen and bath products that includes a rich, saturated Indigo Blue, celebrating the natural dye in a new way. You might put the color in the vanity: Signature Hardware’s Robertson console vanity comes in both single and double sink versions. Duravit’s Starck 1 Barrel vanity is also available in dark blue, and the unusual shape makes it a standout option. IKEA’s well-priced Billy bookcase is now available in dark blue, as is the Alex desk. Formica offers midnight blue-hued Nocturne laminate sheets, so you can cover whatever inspires you. At Pottery Barn , you’ll find the Irving armchair in an indigo blue leather. And at Arteriors , the Warby drum ottoman perches on Deco-inspired brass legs, all dressed up in blue velvet.
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2019 SUMTER HOME & DECOR
THE SUMTER ITEM
Plan the ultimate kitchen upgrade Family Features A kitchen serves as command-central of most homes, so it’s also one of the first rooms homeowners choose when it’s time to make upgrades. When approaching your kitchen remodel, it’s important to keep your family’s lifestyle at the forefront of your planning to create a space that fits the way you like to live. Get the most livable space and enjoyment out of a kitchen remodel with these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry: Make purposeful changes. A desire to bring your kitchen’s style up to date is plenty of motivation for a renovation, but to get maximum benefit from your new space, spend time considering what functional
improvements you can make, too. Do you need more cabinets for storage? Is there enough counter space for meal prep? Does the overall layout suit your family’s needs? Even if you chose the original layout and floorplan, chances are good that over time you’ve found a few things you’d change given the chance to do it again. Consider physical space. If yours is a family that cooks together, or if guests tend to congregate in the kitchen when you’re entertaining, a renovation is the perfect time to make adjustments that accommodate more bodies in the kitchen. You might want more work zones for multiple cooks or an island or peninsula set away from the high-traffic zone for guests more interested in snacking and chatting than getting hands-on.
Evaluate your shopping style. You may be in the habit of doing your grocery shopping to fit your available space. However, with a larger refrigerator and more pantry space, your shopping habits could change, allowing you to become a bulk shopper or at least increase the time between shopping trips. Be realistic about mealtime. If your family’s activities have everyone eating at different times, you may benefit from a feature like a warming drawer that keeps dinner warm until each family member makes it home for a meal. Think about features that would make the table space more practical, such as task lighting so kids can tackle homework at the table or convenient access to power for laptops.
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Choose appliances with care. It’s easy to get carried away with all of the design elements that go into a kitchen renovation, but at the end of the day, remember the appliances are the true centerpiece of the space. Be sure to leave room in the budget to select the best appliances for your needs so you have all the functions, features and space to make using your new kitchen as enjoyable as possible. Think into the future. A kitchen renovation can
be a costly venture, so it’s a good idea to project years down the road as you consider your needs. Are there features that would enhance the safety if a baby (that soon will become an inquisitive toddler) joins the family? Are there elderly family members may benefit from a lower or higher work station down the road? Find more expert tips to inform your renovation planning at RemodelingDoneRight.com.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
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Add a pop of to your garden this winter
color
5 fall tips for a healthy yard eLivingtoday.com While many homeowners think lawns need less care during the fall months, it’s actually the perfect time to give your yard the extra boost in needs to make it through a dormant winter. Giving your lawn a little autumn attention as it works to absorb energy, moisture and nutrients to sustain it through the colder months can pay dividends with a lush, healthy yard next spring. Consider these tips to take advantage of the fall growing period:
sageways for nutrients.
Mow Grass continues to grow until the first frost, so it’s important to keep mowing throughout the fall. Ideally, you should keep your yard at 2 1/2-3 inches in height, which is short enough to prevent matting and fungi like snow mold yet long enough to keep the root system deep enough to withstand the cold and dryness of winter. Leaving small clippings on the yard can also add organic matter, moisture and nutrients to the soil.
Fertilize Because grass grows slower as the weather cools, fall is the ideal time to fertilize. In mid-to-latefall, apply a dry fertilizer to your grassy areas to provide necessary nutrients and encourage deep roots and denser growth that can better compete with weeds and tolerate disease and insects. For optimum coverage, use a drop spreader, though crank-style broadcast spreaders also work.
Aerate Because your yard typically suffers some degree of soil compaction and heat stress, which can lead to brown or thinned grass, regular aeration can prevent soil from compacting and defend against thatch – a layer of roots, stems and debris – that blocks water, oxygen and fertilizer from reaching the roots. The process of aerating removes soil plugs from the yard to encourage root growth and free up pas-
Rake When leaves fall on your lawn, they can block out sunlight and, if left too long, stick together to form a suffocating mat on your grass, potentially leading to fungal diseases. Start raking as soon as leaves begin to fall or blow into your yard, and rake at least weekly. Alternatively, use your lawnmower fitted with a collection bag attachment to remove leaves from your lawn’s surface.
Over-seed A dense lawn not only looks good, but also helps protect against weeds. Over-seeding your existing turf can help fill in any thin or bare spots and also introduces the resilient grass seed. For best results, over-seed immediately after aerating when the ground is still warm, nights are cooler and the sun is not as hot during the day. For more strategies to build a healthy, better looking lawn, visit www.eLivingtoday.com.
Winter weather comes on the heels of a vibrant, colorful autumn season. Shortly after fall foliage falls to the ground, nature tends to greet us with a considerably less colorful palette. What’s more, much of the wildlife and plants that make spring, summer and fall so awe-inspiring tend to hibernate in winter, making it more difficult to find bright spots on drab days. If you think that winter means the end of beautiful garden colors, think again. There are plenty of cool-season flowers and other plants that can add a pop of color to brighten your day. These flowers provide color right when most people need it most. In areas where winter is not marked by a deep freeze, homeowners can plant pansies, snapdragons, English daisies, calendula, and other blooms from early fall through late winter. These plants will survive the cold, keeping containers, borders and gardens full of color. Camellias are a type of flower that bloom in fall and winter in hues of red, pink, coral,
white, and more. The plants are evergreen and will grow from shrubs or small trees when fully established. Homeowners who live in climates marked by cold winters can opt for plants that offer color but without flowers. According to HGTV, these include cabbages and kales, which can survive most cold winters and lend an interesting texture to a winter landscape bed. Of course, no list of winter’s colorful plants would be complete without holly, which offers an eye-catching display of evergreen leaves and bright red berries, though sometimes the berries are golden. Either way, they can be a sight for sore eyes on gray winter days. For more ideas, visit a local garden center to learn about plants that can add vibrant color to a landscape, even as autumn transitions to winter.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
2019 SUMTER HOME & DECOR
This design trend is coming back
Design trends come and go, but some have a funny way of resurfacing years after they first became popular. Homeowners who may have been considering renovating their home to remove a design element they believe to be passÊ might want to see if that feature has experienced a resurgence in popularity. In fact, one of the more derided home decor trends of yesteryear has slowly crept back into style, albeit in moderation. Wood paneling is back and better than ever, advise many design professionals. It’s the formerly ugly duckling that filled homes starting in the 1950s, creating drab dens and faux-wood family rooms. Paneling had long been an element of choice because it is relatively easy to install and can camouflage problem walls in a home, like those covered in boisterous wallpaper prints. Wood paneling reach the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and since then homeowners have been tearing down these faux offenders for years or masking them in paint to brighten up spaces. However, the experts at Apartment Therapy report that wood paneling in shades of brown are making a comeback in cozy spots such as dens or studies. The warm tones of wood paneling elicit
THE SUMTER ITEM a retro vibe. But unlike their fake predecessors, today’s paneled walls are being outfitted in real wood, making them more eco-friendly and stylish than ever before. Designers have flocked to reclaimed wood and veneer panelings to incorporate them into design elements. And while wood paneling used to be hung vertically, designers now experiment with hanging paneling. Many people no longer use paneling to cover an entire space. Paneling is used sparingly as an accent wall or another feature for character. Wood walls can be stained in a rich mahogany to look upscale or be weathered and rustic. Homeowners ready to re-embrace wood paneling can choose to enhance one wall in a room. Think about the space above a fireplace or a strip of wall behind a sitting chair and side table. Paneling also can serve as a headboard behind a bed in a master suite. Painted horizontally, paneling can add dimension and texture to walls, even in a bathroom. Wood paneling is slowly making a comeback, proving that no design trend every truly goes away.