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In the Garden
There’s more to poinsettias than leaves E
arly winter is when poinsettias come into the limelight, showing off their colors in homes and shop windows. But a poinsettia is more than just seasonally flamboyant. To check out more of this plant’s botanical flair, set your holiday poinsettia on a table in good light so that you can look closely at its flowers. The flowers are not those large, red, leaflike structures; those are just that — modified leaves called bracts. The bracts are for attracting pollinating insects. The flowers are in the cyathiums, the little, greenish, cup-shaped structures above the bracts. Each cyathium contains a single female flower surrounded by a harem of males. Pluck a cyathium from the plant and slice it in half LEE REICH from top to bottom. A magnifying glass helps here. You’ll see the cyathium’s inner wall is lined with numerous tiny flowers which, when the flower is mature, protrude up through the cup’s opening. These are all male flowers. You might also see a stalk attached to the very bottom of the cyathium, protruding up through the cup opening and capped by what looks like a turban. That is the female flower. On the outside of the cyathium is a single yellow gland that looks like the mouth of a fish poised to ingest food. Next time a friend comments on the beauty of your poinsettia flower, take out a magnifying glass and examine a few cyathiums before looking up and nonchalantly agreeing. Have you ever wondered how stores always manage to have blooming poinsettias for the holiday season? The poinsettia can be fooled into blooming at any time of year merely by exposing it to artificially shortened days. Along with chrysanthemums and most strawberries, poinsettia is a “short-day” plant. That is, short days induce it to form flower buds. (“Short-day” plants actually are responding to long nights, but the phenomenon was originally thought to depend on day length, and the term stuck.) To bloom for Christmas, commercial poinsettias are given artificially long nights by being covered with shade cloth. You can use this trick to make your poinsettia bloom again whenever you want. But first, your plant needs a rest. In the next few weeks, dropping leaves and fading flowers will tell you that it wants to be left alone, kept slightly cool, and watered just enough to keep its stems from shriveling. The plant should start to perk up in about April. Shorten the stems and give it good light — preferably outdoors, once the weather warms — and fertilizer and water as needed. In late summer, move the plant back indoors, to a sunny window. Begin the light treatment three months before you would like the plant to bloom. Make sure it gets 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily by moving it into a dark closet or covering it with an opaque bag. “Uninterrupted darkness” means just that; even a flash of light during the plant’s night will be read as two shorter nights. After eight weeks, flower buds will be evident, and you should have a blooming poinsettia within a month. If you want bloom for Christmas next year, start the light treatment in the middle of September. Poinsettia, like other members of the spurge family, oozes a white sap when its leaves or stems are cut. That sap is bitter and irritating, and can cause stomach upset but, contrary to popular myth, it is unlikely to be fatally toxic to a dog or cat.
This undated photo shows a poinsettia flower in New Paltz, N.Y. Poinsettia’s true flowers — the small, rounded structures at the very tips of the stems — aren’t as showy as its red bracts, but are quite fascinating under a magnifying glass. (Lee Reich via AP)
Shades of yellow are increasingly popular in home decorating and can bring a welcome burst of warmth to cooler, neutral spaces, as seen in this tabletop decorated with a vibrant yellow floral arrangement by New York-based interior designer Young Huh. (John M. Hall/Young Huh via AP)
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Using the yellow trend to its full potential By MELISSA RAYWORTH Associated Press Gorgeous shades of yellow have become increasingly popular in home decor, a trend that seems set to continue in the coming year. Yellow is prominent in the SherwinWilliams color forecast for 2017, while Pantone describes their new “color of the year,” called Greenery, as “a fresh and zesty yellow-green.” “We haven’t seen yellow this popular since the ‘80s,” says New Yorkbased interior designer Young Huh. And in the months to come, she says, “we will see more and more of it as accent colors and as whole room colors.” But while yellow is having a moment, many shades of it can be challenging to use successfully. We’ve asked Huh and two other design experts — Florida-based interior designer Andrew Howard and Kayla Kitts, managing editor of special projects for HGTV.com — to share tips on using this sunny, cheerful color. WHERE TO USE IT A recent report by Zillow Digs found that homes with white-painted kitchens sell for $1,400 less than homes with yellow kitchens. If yellow walls seem like too big a
gize the space, while still feeling relaxing. “The trick with yellow is that most people don’t even know they like it until they see it in a space.” says Howard. “Don’t be afraid to go big. I once painted an entire laundry room yellow and everyone that sees it loves it.”
Dramatic touches of yellow bring warmth and energy to contrast with the crisp whites and soft, natural wood tones in this relaxing sunroom, designed by New Yorkbased interior designer Young Huh. (AP photo) leap, Howard suggests using yellow for upholstery and pillows or for kitchen cabinets. In addition to kitchens, Huh says yellow is catching on for entries and hallways “because it makes these utilitarian spaces cheerful.” In hallways, it adds a sense of sunshine in a space with little natural light.
Kitts suggests using yellow in “small, more compact spaces that you’re looking to make larger,” like a powder room. She also says you might want to reject some conventional wisdom that yellow is too bright and busy for a bedroom, especially if it doubles as a home office. A warm yellow can ener-
FAVORITE SHADES Yellow is “such a fresh color, and instantly adds life to any space you use it in,” says Howard. He suggests starting with a primary yellow and then bringing in other colors for balance: “A room that is yellow by itself will get overwhelming. It needs a blue or green or even a lavender to cool it down a bit.” Kitts and Huh are both fans of more citrusy yellows, and even chartreuse. “I especially like Pantone’s primrose yellow because, like the color of the year, Greenery, there is an acid element which makes the color more exciting and edgy,” says Huh. “It’s a color we see in nature, but in an electric way. This is not your grandma’s yellow. It’s fashion forward and forward thinking.” These colors look great paired with gray or blue shades. “Pale yellow is also a wonderful ground color for extravagant colorful See Yellow p. 2D
2D The Mining Journal
Thursday, January 5, 2017
House to Home Mortgage Index 30-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pts.
15-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pt.
High rate
4.375
1
3.5
1
Low rate
3.875
1
3.125
1
Average rate
4.125
1
3.35
1
This graphic represents a Tuesday survey of regional lending institutions. Figures are based on rates at Range Bank, Northern Michigan Bank, mBank, Marquette Community Federal Credit Union and TruNorth Credit Union.
‘Tis the season to be thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Homeowners across the country are beginning to open their doors for friends and family in celebration of wintertime traditions. Not coincidentally, it is during the holiday season that homeowners pay particularly close attention to necessary home improvements as they prepare to host their loved ones. While spending numerous hours preparing their favorite holiday meals, owners may focus in on the ways their kitchen falls short and dream of a remodel. Thirty-six percent of homeowners said the top reason for remodeling their kitchen was to upgrade worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials, according to the National Association of Realtors 2015 Remodeling Impact Report. Modernization of the kitchen was the second most common reason for remodeling, and ultimately, it pays off; 82 percent of homeowners said they have a greater desire to be home since completing the project, said Stephanie Jones, President of the Upper Peninsula Realtors. According to NAR’s Home Features Survey, 53 percent of buyers undertook a home improvement project within three months of buying their home, and
Yellow from
This undated photo provided by Birch Lane shows their teak candleholder. This year's shelter magazines, decor retailers and lifestyle mavens are touting "hygge," Scandinavianstyle coziness, ease, conviviality and a warm glow. (Birch Lane via AP)
Hygge: This winter’s hottest trend has its heart in the home By KIM COOK Associated Press Search the term online and nearly 10 million results roll in. It’s being touted by this winter’s shelter magazines, decor retailers and lifestyle mavens. What’s so huge? It’s hygge. Often mispronounced “higgy,” it’s actually more like “hewgah.” To understand the term’s meaning, just burrow into a big comfy pile of phrases synonymous with “well-being.” Coziness, ease, conviviality and, above all, a warm glow. According to author Meik Wiking in “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” (Penguin 2016), hygge originated from a Norwegian word. The Danes appropriated the term to some extent, but it’s common throughout Scandinavia, as well as a good bit of the United Kingdom. In the truest expression of hygge, the warm glow should come from a candle. “No recipe for hygge is complete without candles. When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, an overwhelming 85 percent mention candles,” says Wiking, who also heads Copenhagen’s Happiness Research Institute, a think tank studying societal satisfaction. And forget scented candles, he says. If you don’t have a candle, go with a lowwattage lamp, Wiking suggests. Harsh, bright lighting is anathema to the hygge vibe. There are a few other decor elements that bring hygge home. “A warm, neutral color palette is best,” says Kayleigh Tanner, a writer in Brighton, England, who hosts a blog called Hello Hygge. Think beige, “greige,” terracotta, tan, warm white, orange and copper. Textures are important for hygge, too, she says, “so I like to go for very tactile fabrics like velvet, chunky knits, silk and faux fur. These can be mixed and matched to help create a cozy nest in the home. “For fragrances, I think familiar, homey scents work well. Comforting, food-based
aromas like spices, vanilla or cocoa.” In warmer months, even outdoor spaces can be hygge-worthy, says Tanner, who has fond memories of childhood evenings watching the sunset with friends. “Lighting can completely transform a garden, so think about solar lights and outdoor lanterns,” she says. “These can be placed down paths for a magical journey through the garden, or clustered in areas in which you’ll be entertaining, to maintain an inviting cozy glow.” She suggests gathering simple flower bouquets, and displaying collections of pebbles or shells. Hygge’s appeal is firmly tied to the natural world. “In my mind, hygge is about ambience, intimacy and the right setting,” says Kirsten Maclean, a Dane now living in a hygge-rich rural seaside town in western Nova Scotia. She finds that a day spent reading with a cup of tea and a cat is as hygge-inducing as a friendly get-together. Sometimes there are candles, sometimes not. Birte Lilholt Aret, who lives in Sydney, Australia, grew up just outside Copenhagen. “As a child, I remember visiting my grandparents, who lived in a thatched roof house. We’d be woken up during lightning storms because of the fire danger, and we’d sit in the kitchen in our pajamas, with coffee and candles, while the storm lasted. Making the situation ‘hyggelig’ by being together,” she says. In a conflict-torn world, the idea of a welcoming refuge seems especially appealing. In his book, Wiking recalls the end of a hiking day with friends. “We were all tired . half asleep, sitting around the fireplace in the cabin, wearing big (sweaters) and socks. The only sounds . were the stew boiling; the sparks from the fireplace .Then one of my friends broke the silence. ‘Could this be any more hygge?’” he asked. “‘Yes,’ said one of the girls after a moment. ‘If there was a storm raging outside.’ We all nodded.”
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prints,” says Huh. Even in its softer incarnations, “it evokes hope, sunshine and brightness.” Kitts agrees: “Buttery shades are really great for adding a warm glow and making a space feel cozy.” In rooms that get a lot of natural sunlight, she says, even more neutral yellows like cornsilk will offer that optimistic energy that characterizes yellow. CHALLENGES No shade of yellow is impossible to use, but do choose with care. Kitts says that if you’ll be painting walls yellow, test out a shade and view it throughout the day to see how it changes in different types of natural light and with different lamps. You might have to live
with a sample of a bright, lemon yellow for a few weeks to make sure it’s something you want longterm. Yet going with paler yellows isn’t always a safer bet. “Yellow can be tricky, because if it is too pale and the room it is in is relatively dark or gets cool, northfacing light, the color will look dingy rather than cheerful or calming,” says Huh. “In England, where the weather can be drab, period rooms are painted bright yellows. Nancy Lancaster’s famous yellow drawing room is perhaps the greatest and most popular example of a striking yellow room.” Contrast can also help: “Yellow needs to be paired with a cooler color to have it work effectively,” says Howard. “It cannot be the only color in a room.” So take time to choose
shades that delight you. “The yellows that are trending now are the ones that are not pure yellows, but tertiary colors,” says Huh. “These are not classic yellows that you may have seen in the past. They’re either refreshing or deep moody yellow, and will inspire more emotion than a pure yellow. Because of this, we’ll see these yellows in smaller moments, accents such as contrast pillows or on one upholstered chair in a room.” Despite its challenges, yellow is an easy color to love, says Howard. “In the last couple of years we remembered how much we always loved it,” he says. “I am really excited to see it popping up more and more, and hope that it’s not a trend but a permanent fixture in how we decorate.”
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the typical buyer spent $4,550 on those projects. Remodeling the kitchen was the most common home improvement project as nearly half of home buyers undertook a project in that room. Home buyers value modern kitchen features so much that they are willing to spend more money to have them. Seven out of 10 home buyers who did not purchase a home with new kitchen appliances would be willing to pay $1,840 more for a home with them. A modern kitchen is most important for single men and married couples as both groups placed higher importance on new kitchen appliances than other groups of buyers. A kitchen remodeling project could also make your home more attractive to potential buyers when you sell it, says Jones. When asked to rank the projects that appeal most to buyers, a kitchen renovation was at the top of the list of projects that realtors “feel will likely add value to the sale.” About 57 percent of realtors “also reported that they’ve recommended clients update their kitchens before putting their homes on the market,” said Jones.
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