Spring Home 2015 by The Progress-Index

SPRING 2015

A Special Supplement to The Progress-Index

FANTASTIC

FOLIAGE N AT I O N A L G A R D E N B U R E A U P R O C L A I M S 201 5 THE YEAR OF THE COLEUS

MAKING A SPLASH BACKSPLASHES BECOMING A KITCHEN FOCAL POINT

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OPENING STATEMENT WHAT YOUR FRONT DOOR COLOR SAYS ABOUT YOU

IN LIVING COLOR Tips for creating a multi-color paint scheme for a room AUTO_FOLIO

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OPENING

STATEMENT WHAT YOUR FRONT DOOR COLOR SAYS ABOUT YOU By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

A splash of color on the front door will boost curb appeal and grab the attention of visitors, but it can also reveal something about the homeowner. Whether or not we realize it, the colors with which we surround ourselves — in our clothes, cars and homes — say something about us. For example, bright colors often indicate an outgoing personality, while subdued colors imply a more lowkey persona, said Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. How can a hue say so much about you? Color has a psychological component through which we often communicate our moods, feelings, emotions and personality. One way we do that is through the paint colors we choose, even on the exterior of our home. “The entire exterior color scheme has meaning, but the color of the front door is H2

especially important,” said Zimmer. “Like a necktie, which is the focal point of an outﬁt, the front door is the focal point of the home. The color there sends a strong message: in the case of the front door, providing insight into how we view our home.” So, what does your front door color say about you and the way you regard your home? Here’s what a color psychologist might say about some of the most common front door colors: • Blue: Shown to be the most popular color in many studies, a blue front door signals that the homeowner views his or her home as a place of refuge — calm, serene and relaxing, the perfect retreat from an often harsh and demanding world. • Green: Another popular color for the front door, psychologically speaking, green connotes health, safety, tranquility and harmony, all highly desirable attributes for the home

Friday, March 27, 2015 | Home & Garden

environment. • Black: Those who paint the front door black are communicating something entirely different about their homes. A black front door projects strength, sophistication, power and authority, indicating to all who enter or even passersby that the home is a serious place inhabited by a person of substance. • Red: Regarded as a powerful “punch” color, red is the color of passion. By painting the front door red, the homeowner is saying that the home within is a vibrant place, full of life, energy and excitement. • Brown: Whether painted or stained, a brown front door looks natural and organic, but it can send mixed messages in terms of color psychology. On the one hand, brown conveys the positive attributes of warmth, stability and reliability, but certain darker shades of brown signal a desire for privacy, even isolation.

kitchen decor

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By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

itchens are a major focal point in modern home design, and backsplashes are an obvious and often affordable way for homeowners to show off their personal style therein. “The trend in kitchen design is exposing more wall with more open shelving and fewer wall cabinets. That allows backsplashes to play a major role in the kitchen,” said Jason Landau, owner and designer of Amazing Spaces of Briarcliff Manor, New York. Kitchens are increasingly “on display,” and homeowners are putting more thought into their design now, Landau said. If you’ve got money to spend, a kitchen backsplash can be more than just an artistic accent, with glass and metal tile options that can cost upwards of $100 a foot. The average cost of a kitchen backsplash falls around $10 a foot, Landau said. With a purpose of protecting walls from messy splashes and cooking grime, backsplashes can be a kitchen’s focal point, bringing together the room’s larger elements.

Porcelain Versatile and affordable, porcelain has long been an excellent choice in backsplashes. What’s new is designers are now using large porcelain slabs — 4 by 8 feet or

SHES SPL A G A K C A B MIN BECO N FOCAL E H KITC POINT

classic and understated, and still very popular. • Printed stone tiles in elegant, repetitive patterns are also trending for spring 2015, with patterns showing the inﬂuences of art deco, art nouveau, or Middle Eastern or Turkish mosaics. Geometric designs are not as hot right now. • Textured ceramics (rather than smooth) with three-dimensional patterns and arabesque shapes add visual interest and depth to a kitchen backsplash, Landau said. The design can be as calm and relaxed or eye-popping and strong as desired.

Mixed media For a more custom look, designers are blending random sizes and shapes and mixing elements such as glass, stone and metal. Size matters, and the options range from dramatic oversized tiles to cuteas-a-button tiny ones. Larger tiles that appear to be a collection of smaller tiles are also gaining popularity because less grouting means it’s easier to clean, Landau said.

larger — as faux natural stone backsplashes. The porcelain is printed to look like more expensive (and heavier) Carrara marble or granite. “It’s got the look, but it costs less, there’s less weight and it’s more durable,” Landau said.

Glass For a fresh look in the kitchen, tile is still very strong, but there’s been a little pull back on glass tile, Landau said. For some, though, the easy-to-clean aspect of glass tile is a big draw. Simply spray on a mild cleanser and wipe clean. While glass provides unlimited color choices and can be sleek and modern, playful or classy, the upscale market is moving away from glass. What drives the market is ﬁrst the higher end embraces a look, then it hits the middle and when it’s available at the big box hardware stores and everyone can have it, “we start seeing new trends,” Landau said.

Patterns Technology is also playing a role in backsplash trends, with manufacturers cutting tile with water jets instead of saws, allowing for more sophisticated, intricate patterns, Landau said.

Stone and ceramic • Love it or hate it, simple subway tile is Home & Garden | Friday, March 27, 2015

Protect your BASEMENT By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

Forget the adage “April showers bring May flowers.” They also bring basement flooding to many homeowners. To avoid potentially devastating and costly flooding, experts advise an ounce of prevention. “Basement flooding is more common than most people think,” said hydrologist Bruce Tschanz, professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville who has studied basement flooding. He estimates that probably 50 percent of homeowners have experienced flooding in the basement or crawlspace. Flooding is especially common in during big rains and as snow melts in the spring, said Bill Simone, owner of Healthy Basement Systems in Long Island, New York. “Water travels downhill,” summed up Simone. “Water is opportunistic; it builds up,”

added Tschanz. There are two major causes of basement ﬂooding, Tschanz said. First, people are not taking care of their roof water properly. Second, they’re not managing surface water, which should drain away from the home rather than toward it. Here are some tips from the experts:

Gutters, downspouts and window wells Manage roofwater all the way from the roof to a drainage area, Tschanz said. Install gutters that lead to drainspouts with a splash pad on the ground that directs water away from the home. While a splash pad won’t solve all your problems, it does help redistribute water, Tschanz said. Homeowners may also want to connect rubber tubing to direct water away from the house or out to the street. Clean gutters and downspouts. Even gutters with gutter covers can become

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clogged with pollen and broken leaves. Hose them out regularly to see that water ﬂows freely though gutters and downspouts. Also, be sure to cover window wells.

Slope Not all homes are ideally situated so that rainwater ﬂows away from the foundation. Water should ﬂow away from the home at a slope of 2 to 5 percent or 6 inches in 10 feet, Tschanz said. If that’s not possible, paved gutters or other drainage systems should be installed. Walks, driveways and landscaping features should be constructed so they don’t impede drainage. If surface drainage is a problem, homeowners can create a man-made swale (a drainage ditch) and direct water there. “If water settles around the foundation, hydrostatic pressure” will force

ﬂood prevention it through the concrete, Simone said. “Concrete is porous. Water comes in through crevices, cracks and seams in the foundation.” To prevent surface water from entering, a homeowner can install a perimeter drain around all sides of the base of the home, waterproof foundation walls and add a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting), Tschanz said.

Sump pumps “Every basement should have a quality, reliable sump pump” with an alarm to alert homeowners when water is rising and a covered drain that will accept water if a pipe breaks, Simone said. Be sure the sump pump is working properly so it doesn’t malfunction when you need it most. Since your sump pump probably runs on electricity, which can fail in a storm, make sure you have back-up battery power.

BUG

OUT KEEPING YARD, D, HOME PESTS S AT BAY

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

he tradition of spring cleaning and decluttering is not only a great way to get your house in order, it’s a proven method of

pest control preventing pests from infesting your living spaces, according to experts. “When cleaning, you have a great opportunity to prevent pest problems before they occur,” said Ron Harrison, entomologist with pest control experts Orkin. “Pests that have been dormant during the cold months can become more active with increased temperatures, and homeowners can take many steps while cleaning to guard against infestations.” The clutter that many homeowners may pile up in their garage, on their patio or in their home can make the ideal home for many pests, said Robert Welch, president of Orlando, Floridabased Pro Staff Termite and Pest Control.

more likely to have roaches, ants and rodents making their way inside for As temperatures increase, you can food and shelter, Harrison said. expect to see an increase in spiders, Warm-weather pests are more ants, centipedes, pantry pests such as than just a nuisance, as they presIndian meal moths, and stinging pests ent potential health risks for you and such as bees and wasps. These pests your family. Stinging insects such as usually thrive in temperatures above bees and wasps pose a risk through 60 degrees, said Harrison. toxic reactions to their venom and Pests are more likely to invade your through allergic reactions. Spiders, home during the summer, which such as the black widow and brown means you should take precautions recluse, possess poisonous glands now to stop them before they become that can cause skin irritation, nerve a problem. Eliminating yard clutter, damage and infection. Pantry pests including wood piles, leaf piles and carry harmful bacteria that can conany backyard junk stored on your taminate food and products on your patio or in the yard, can deter pests looking for a new home. When clutter shelves. piles up inside your home, you may be

Dangers

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• Inspect windows, walls, doors and the roof for spaces where pests could potentially enter. Seal interior and exterior gaps and cracks around your home to prevent pests from entering. • Keep ventilation systems clear and running.

• Vacuum regularly. You can use a vacuum to remove spiders and their webs as well as other pests and debris. • Clean pantries and closets thoroughly, picking up excess food and removing any products that

have been sitting on shelves for several months. Keep all food containers and non-perishables tightly sealed. • Pick up pet food at night. Don’t feed pets outdoors.

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kitchen By Melissa Erickson

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garbage disposal is a useful appliance that makes kitchen tasks and cleanup easier, but homeowners know they can clog up and break down. “Garbage disposals are very resilient and require no maintenance, but like any appliance, they work better if you use them properly,” said Leah Kondes, spokeswoman for InSinkErator, a manufacturer of garbage disposals. The typical lifespan of a food waste grinder (that’s the proper name) is about three to ﬁve years, said master plumber Glenn Gallas, Mr. Rooter franchise owner in Arkansas. “At the end of the day, it’s not a matter of if it will break, but when it will break,” Gallas said. While many people believe a disposal works like a blender, in reality a “disposer works more like a cheese grater ... and shreds/grinds food waste rather than cutting. It does not slice/cut like a blender or food processor,” said Kondes. “When food waste is placed in a disposer, it lands on a turntable spinning at high speed. Centrifugal force and the impellers (or lugs) attached to the turntable push the food waste against a

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TIPS FOR

GARBAGE DISPOSAL USE AND CARE

• Run disposer along with a moderate ﬂow of cold water and gradually feed in the food waste. Continue to run cold water for a few seconds after grinding is complete. • Throw some citrus peels down the disposal to add a fresh fragrance. You can even use a whole lemon. • Use moderation. A household garbage disposal is not an industrial appliance. If you put too much waste down it, it will likely clog your home’s pipes. • Run the disposal regularly to avoid rust buildup and corrosion. • Cut large food items into smaller pieces and feed them into disposal one at a time. • Hit the reset button. If the disposal isn’t working, check to be sure the electrical breaker is on and hit the reset button. It may save you a call to the plumber. GRAHIC: CREATIVECOMMONSPIXABAY.COM

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DON’T

stationary shredder ring. The food is ground into small particles so that, when mixed with water, it can safely ﬂow through your plumbing and into your wastewater system or septic tank,” she said. Problems occur when the disposal starts acting more like a blender. It appears to be working — it makes noise and moves the food down the drain — but the food isn’t being chopped up. Instead, it’s becoming a pasty substance that clogs the drain, Gallas said. “If you have a modern disposer with multiple stages of grind, your garbage disposal can handle most any food waste,” Kondes said. “If you have a standard disposer with only one grind stage, we recommend you avoid grinding large amounts of vegetable peels at one time and avoid grinding hard materials like bones and fruit pits.” How about putting ice cubes down the disposal? “Some people think putting ice cubes down a disposer sharpens the blades, but the fact is there are no blades in a disposer,” Kondes said. If you treat your garbage disposal correctly, it will serve you well for years. Below are a few do’s and don’t’s regarding your garbage disposal.

• Never put your hand into a garbage disposal. To remove something that has fallen in, unplug it or disconnect the power. Locate the “jam buster.” It looks like an offset Allen wrench and should have come with the disposal. Insert the jam buster into the hole in the bottom of the disposal and work it back and forth until blades can move freely. Then use a pair of tongs or a wet vacuum to remove. • Don’t use warm water, which softens and emulsiﬁes food, which can then stick to the blades. • Don’t put foods that are high in ﬁber down the disposal. Avoid starchy foods like celery, corn husks, artichokes, peas, potatoes and their peels. These foods turn into a starchy paste that will clog the disposal. • Don’t put foods like rice and noodles in the disposal. Pasta and noodles expand and can cause clogs. • Never put grease or fat into the disposal or drain. • Don’t grind glass, metal, paper or cigarette butts. • Don’t put coffee grounds down the disposal because they can accumulate and cause clogs. • Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners, which can damage drains and pipes.

garden

FANTASTIC

FOLIAGE NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU PROCLAIMS 2015 THE YEAR OF THE COLEUS

conditions. Q: What role does the coleus play in the garden? rom heirloom tomatoes to container A: The role is changing. Coleus is a fashiongardens and native plants, avid forward, décor foliage plant these days. Think gardeners are always looking for the about reorienting your gardening compass next big thing. The National Garden and point the needle at coleus. In terms of Bureau is happy to help, each year highlight- versatility, modern coleus are becoming more ing certain plants because they are popular, tolerant of any light level, so they do not easy to grow, widely available, genetically need to be kept in the shade any longer. Or diverse and versatile, said Diane Blazek, the in the case of Kong coleus there is the huge organization’s executive director. wow factor of enormous leaves for decorative This year is the Year of the Coleus. A appeal. member of the mint family, the humble, Q: How does the plant get its color durable coleus is best known for its variegated variations? leaves in basic A: A gardener can green and white play with changing and boldly colored the colors by the light patterns in shades coleus receives. Mahogof red, orange, any (deep red/brown More colors and garden yellow, green, pink, color) can be enhanced purple and white. by more light, while attributes are coming out Terry Howe, bright roses are more every year in an array of global prodprominently expressed plant sizes. Coleus can be uct manager at in lower light. Many an artistic addition to the PanAmerican plants enjoy morning Seed, shared his sun and afternoon garden and not be just a knowledge about shade, and if watering background filler plant this foliage plant often is not an option anymore.” that can be grown when in the heat of — Terry Howe indoors and out. summer, this strategy “More colors and relieves some of the garden attributes stress of cyclic wilting. are coming out every year in an array of plant Q: How easy or difficult is raising coleus sizes. Coleus can be an artistic addition to the from seeds? garden and not be just a background filler A: It is quite easy. One of the simplest to plant anymore,” Howe said. start from seed. Q: How are new varieties of coleus different Q: What else should people know before they from traditional coleus? get started? A: Newer varieties of coleus have an A: Be creative in your landscape and emphasis on three characteristics: sun tolercontainer designs. Have some fun. It is hard ance, interesting leaf shape or color, and to fail with coleus. They mix and match well outstanding landscape longevity. There is also with anything. I would suggest being aware another specialty segment in the extra-large of the final mature size so that they get placed leaf size such as The Kong series, which properly with relation to size with their have the largest possible leaves in shaded companions.” By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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decor

LIVING Tips for creating a

MULTI-COLOR PAINT scheme for a room

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By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

f you’ve had success painting accent walls in your home, maybe you’re ready to take the next step: creating a paint scheme using three or four colors in the same room. If you want to tackle this project, you need to look at the room’s wall space in a whole new light, said paint and color expert Debbie Zimmer of the Paint Quality Institute. She suggests that you envision your walls as large, empty canvasses that often have several components.

The next two steps are to determine the colors you’ll use to complement or contrast with your anchor color, then decide where the various colors will be used. For example, if there are chair rails in the room, they produce two separate “canvasses” on every wall, above and below the rail, doubling the room’s color potential. Are there half walls? An alcove? A soffit? These and other architectural elements present H8

opportunities to introduce additional colors into the space, and every one of these surfaces should be taken into account when creating a color plan. Multi-color paint schemes look best when a predominant color is employed to hold things together, Zimmer said. To that end, you should start to develop a color palette by selecting a hue that you really love as the room’s “anchor” color. The next two steps are to determine the colors you’ll use to complement or contrast with your anchor color, then decide where the various colors will be used. If this is your ﬁrst foray into the world of multi-color paint schemes, it’s wise to trust the judgment of professional colorists who create paint palettes for a living. Nearly every paint manufacturer offers free brochures showing professionally created, carefully coordinated color palettes. Choose a palette of harmonious tints and shades that include your anchor color, and you won’t go wrong. Whichever method you use to create your color plan, make sure that your anchor color is the predominant hue, taking up perhaps 40 percent of the total wall space, Zimmer said. A secondary color should take up roughly 25 percent of the wall space, and any other colors you use should be conﬁned to smaller areas where they’ll serve as accents.

Friday, March 27, 2015 | Home & Garden