Southern Home

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

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Animal Planet’s Victoria Stilwell helps dog owners balance their home design with their canine commitments.

The

bark is worse than the

bite

How to painlessly reconcile home décor with the family dog. As both the host of Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog” and a judge on CBS’ “Greatest American Dog,” Victoria Stilwell has proven that she leads the pack when it

comes to dog trainers. Educated by British experts, she co-founded several reward-based training companies in the United States. Living in Atlanta with her husband,

young daughter and 7year-old chocolate Lab, Sadie, Stilwell explains how to balance home design with your favorite four-legged friends.


SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME 1. What is the No. 1 rule people should follow when bringing a dog home? Be positive! The most important thing for new pet owners to understand is the overall concept of how a dog mind works. If you learn the general principles of positive reinforcement, you’ll build a healthier relationship with your pet and have a solid base from which you can tackle most problems that may arise. In simplest terms, positive reinforcement is the concept that rewarding good behavior will increase the chances of that behavior being repeated.

If you learn the general principles of positive reinforcement, you’ll build a healthier relationship with your pet and have a solid base from which you can tackle most problems.

2. How can people maintain their personal style while living with a dog? Provided you have created a structured, healthy environment in which the dog can thrive, there are very few situations that might hamper your ability to express yourself in your home design. When necessary, though, incorporate your design into your training routine. For example, when we first brought Sadie into our home, she had been in the habit of sleeping on sofas, which we decided we wanted to stop. As a part of the behavior

modification routine, we needed to place something on the sofas to prohibit her from jumping up, so I found some really beautiful design boxes that stayed on the sofas when we weren’t around. 3. What’s your advice for a family interested in owning a dog? Do your research. Make sure you decide on a breed type that fits your family dynamic and environment. Always look for dogs at your local shelter first – even if you’ve decided you need a purebred dog, many shelters have such dogs in abundance. Never buy a dog from a pet store or a breeder that won’t let you visit their facility – the vast majority of such enterprises support the horrific practice of puppy mills.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

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New eco-friendly bedding and accessories, including a talking pillow, can help children from toddlers to tweens sleep safely and stylishly – no boy band needed.

No more monkeys

jumping on the bed Children’s bedding isn’t just about popular cartoons and boy bands; with trend comes responsibility. Much like a good pair of sensible shoes, responsible bedding is more about form and function than the hottest celebrity endorsement. New eco-friendly bedding and accessories, including a talking pillow, can help children from toddlers to tweens sleep safely and stylishly – no boy band needed.

618-222-9290 Page 4 Thursday, May 20, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan

Sheets and blankets “A family wants to use eco-friendly bedding especially if a child/tween suffers from any upper respiratory

illnesses, allergies, asthma or suffers from headaches and/or insomnia,” says DeAnna Radaj, owner of Bante Design, LLC., Milwaukee. “Great colors are available in bamboo, jute and organic cotton.” When it comes to décor, Radaj suggests getting children involved in choosing colors, since “at this age, kids are starting to define their individuality, and it’s important to help support that.”

Pillows For those children or tweens with fears


SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME of sleeping alone, the newest trend is the Mumoocie – a pillow that lulls children to sleep with the scents and sounds of loved ones. “The innovative patented curved shape simulates the feeling you get when a loved one is snuggled up against you. Mumoocie also has a hidden voice recorder where a loved one’s voice can be heard. The child simply squeezes Mumoocie and the voice plays,” says Leigh Woods, director of sales and marketing for the Orlando, Fla.-based company. “The parent or loved one will simply use

Mumoocie for a night or they can spray their special fragrance on Mumoocie before giving it to their child, and the child will have their special scent so they can sleep soundly,” Woods says.

Mattress When it comes to their children, many parents have an even greater concern about exposure to chemicals than they do for themselves, says Michael Magnuson, founder of Best Bed Guide, San Francisco, an online source for mattress information. “For a baby

mattress, an excellent insulation material is coir fibers, which are made from shredded coconut shells,” Magnuson says. “Many green crib mattress materials, such as natural latex and certain types of organic wool, have the added advantage of being inherently anti-microbial and/or hypoallergenic. Organic mattress cover materials, such as cotton and wool, tend to be more breathable but may not offer the same protection against wetness as would more conventional cover materials.”

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‘Many green crib mattress materials, such as natural latex and certain types of organic wool, have the added advantage of being inherently anti-microbial and/or hypo-allergenic, ‘ says Michael Magnuson.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

Persimmon granted Make no apologies – think bold, confident and bright when it comes to heating up the great outdoors.

Bright and warm, happy and inviting, the color orange is too big to be contained indoors. Associated with many of nature’s most stunning displays, from setting suns to blooming wildflowers, the cheerful hue can add life to any outdoor living space. With spring fashion lines by Nanette Lepore, Maria Pinto, Pamella Roland and David Rodriguez all naming shades of orange as their signature color for 2010, it’s clear the hue isn’t just fun and games. When used tastefully, it can add a high-fashion sophistication to an outdoor designs. “For spring 2010, we are seeing a range of orange that includes some of the brightest tones in the orange family,” says Laurie Pressman, vice president of fashion, home and interiors at international color authority Pantone, Inc., Carlstadt, N.J. “These hot and luminous shades are thought of as gregarious, fun-loving and high energy.” Interior designer Callie Jenschke, coowner of Scout Designs NYC, says that because orange is already so pervasive in nature, it pairs well with the colors of the outdoors. “It can be found in sunsets, in changing fall leaves and in the skins of fruits and vegetables,” she

says. “Orange is perfect for any outdoor space since it pairs nicely with grass green and sky blue.” Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, agrees. “Putting orange against a green background makes it seem even more vivid and friendly,” she says. “The way to have real impact with orange is to go to the opposite side of the color wheel – colors that are in the blue and purple family, as well as the greens.” The boldness of orange intimidates some. “Orange is not a shrinking violet. Its intensity scares people,” Jenschke says. “But its warmth makes it such a great complement to any space.” If you’re timid about the tint, Eiseman suggests starting small and subtle with a striped umbrella. Even the most colorshy homeowner can give their garden a lively pop with an orange-hued plant. “Flowers instantly add a touch of whimsicality and friendliness,” Eiseman says. She loves gerbera daisies and marigolds; other bright blooms include canna lilies, zinnias and poppies. Nicki Clendening, who co-owns Scout Designs with Jenschke, notes that while orange is typically viewed as a loud color, different shades can feel more

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refined. “Bright orange is not very sophisticated when used in large amounts, but an orange with an umber tone, such as a persimmon or Tuscan-inspired hue, completely changes the color and can be used to create a wonderfully warm space,” she says. And what better space to warm up than a deck or patio, to complement the summer sun? “Orange is synonymous with energy. To bring that excitement to the outdoors, think about creating a great outdoor entertaining space,” Jenschke says. She suggests incorporating the color as accents, with outdoor plates, glassware, pillows, rugs and lanterns. For larger outdoor furniture and other accent shades, try vivid complementary shades to maximize intensity. Bring in neutrals to soften the look. “Orange looks sophisticated and fresh when paired with whites and ivories, and dashing when paired with its complement, deep purple,” Jenschke says. Whether on your table or in your garden, orange will feel right at home in an outdoor living space. “Its happy associations make orange a great shade to use outdoors,” Pressman says.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

A plant Sneak a peek at what’s prime for planting month-by-month.

for all seasons Curious about what plants, flowers and edibles are the easiest, most fruitful and just plain fun to grow? Think monthly when it comes to choosing the best backyard crops, and don’t forget to bring your appetite and a few spotless vases.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

The blossoms on citrus trees, like Meyer Lemons or Kaffir Limes, have a heavenly fragrance, says Elizabeth Morgan, founder of the NW Gardener’s Guild, a Portland, Ore.-based consulting and design company. In colder climates, small plants can be brought inside and kept in containers as long as they get five hours of direct sun each day.

Lenten Roses do well in partial to full shade in most winter climates from Anchorage to Dallas, providing interest at a time of year when much of the yard is devoid of blooms, Morgan says. If multiple hues are planted together, they can cross-pollinate, creating new color variations.

Start edibles like tomatoes, peppers and eggplant from seed inside, for transplanting outdoors later when the nights are consistently in the fifties, says Renee Shepherd, owner of Renee’s Garden, a Felton, Calif.-based seed company. Put coolweather-loving sweet peas directly in the ground as soon as the soil is workable.

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Plant cool-weather food crops like beets, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, bok choy and chard from seed, Morgan says. And consider including a hardy Himalayan Honeysuckle. It grows quickly, attracts birds and produces pretty purple bracts in the summer and berries in the autumn.

Now’s when you can shift trees and shrubs from containers into the ground, pretty much anywhere in the country, says Lee Reich, Ph.D., author of “The Pruning Book” (Taunton Press, 2010) and “Landscaping With Fruit” (Storey Publishing, 2009). Scatter or rake in seeds of warmweather flowers such as cosmos, marigolds and zinnias.

Fill out your garden by transplanting fruit and vegetable seedlings like melons, squash, cucumbers, beans and corn, Shepherd says. In hotter climates, where you may have planted earlier, make sure beds are well-mulched and use drip irrigation to keep things going.

Page 8 Thursday, May 20, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan

JULY Replant hardy vegetables like broccoli, carrots and beets by mid-month to allow a second crop time to mature before declining light levels and temperatures slow growth. Put in easy fall flowers, Morgan says.

“Japanese Anemones, for example, do well in moist, shady areas that are often difficult to plant, and they are equally happy in sun.”


SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME SEPTEMBER

AUGUST Late month is a good time to start grass seed in the northern half of the United States, Reich says, because temperatures are usually moderate enough to make watering less of a problem. It’s also ideal for planting fall produce like radishes, turnips and spinach in most regions, and kale in warmer southern states.

This is the beginning of the season for planting bulbs like daffodils and tulips. Prepare part of the garden for next year by sheet mulching, Morgan says. Layer cardboard, leaves, straw, compost, fertilizers and soil about 18-inches deep to make a thick bed which will break down and produce a rich planting medium in about six months.

OCTOBER It's the perfect time to plant hardy fruit trees such as apples and pears, and shrubs like blueberries, Reich says. “The soil is already in nice condition, and they will get watered-in naturally over the winter.” In hot climates, transplanting potted peach and nectarine trees is a great choice.

NOVEMBER Full sun and good drainage calls for sowing wildflowers, poppies and larkspur from seed in mild climates, Shepherd says. “They will germinate over the winter and bloom in the spring.” There’s still time to plant fast-growing greens like arugula for an aromatic winter salad.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

Roadmap to a

cozy home

Live in comfort and style — and under budget. The real estate market may still be down, but investing in the home will always be one of the wisest decisions a homeowner can make. Instead of planning a weekend getaway, why not invest in a new love seat to enjoy all year? That’s Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams’ philosophy, which they explain, along with a slew of expert decorating and remodeling tips, in their book, “The Comfortable Home: How to Invest in Your Nest and Live Well for Less” (Clarkson Potter, 2009). Co-owners of their internationally acclaimed, eponymous furniture company, the duo explains the value of creating a beautiful, relaxing space without breaking the bank. “Despite today’s real estate climate, it can still pay incredible dividends on so many levels if [people] set up their homes so they can really enjoy them now and for years to come,” Williams says. “We wrote the book to help them do that – and also to help them do it affordably.” Both men agree that the best way to make such an investment is to look for

Page 10 Thursday, May 20, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan

CONTENT THAT WORKS

Design duo Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams tout budgetfriendly decorating choices that start with an honest look at the function and expectation for every part of a home.

comfort at a reasonable price. “True comfort means being able to relax and feel at home in every room of your house, and to make guests feel welcome, too,” Gold says. “We strive to create a home that is a true haven from the busy outside world. We want it to look beautiful, make your everyday life easier and be simple to update and maintain.” But for homeowners, the problem often isn’t

committing to invest in their space; it’s getting started. “We’ve found that when people start trying to decorate a room, it can create stress and freeze them up,” Williams says. “We show them how to start the process by doing something only they can do: Decide how they’ll use each room in their house.” The pair advises homeowners to take the time to closely assess how each room will be used. Do you only use the living


SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME room to watch TV? Opt for a comfy couch. Prefer to use your space to entertain guests? Try upright seating. “Once you determine what activities will go on there and who will use a room, it becomes much clearer what layout and furnishings will work best,” Williams says. Gold practices what he preaches. “Because I travel so much, having a bedroom to come home to that’s a true sanctuary is so important,” he says. “One thing I love is the radiant heat in the floor of the master bath – now that’s comfort.” If you need additional guidance, both experts urge homeowners to consider working with a professional, as interior design services are much less costly than they once were. “Many offer hourly rates and consultations on single rooms,” Gold says. “The right designer knows what questions to ask to determine your needs.”

Make a list Many people find decorating stressful, and list-making helps. You don’t need a good eye or in-depth design knowledge to get the project moving. Keep these points in mind as you write your list: Think about how you’ll use the room: You’ll get a sense of what features each piece of furniture needs to meet your goals. Do you require extra storage? Will you be entertaining a crowd? Consider who will use the room: For true harmony, ask all members of your household to contribute to your list. Don’t overlook the youngest members, who are often especially tuned in to comfort. It’s worth taking the time to make lists for all your rooms, even those you’re not currently ready to update. That way, while you’re working on one room, you might find something that would enhance the usefulness of another.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

License to The backyard grill is no longer just for burgers. Flame-cooking with flair is in, and backyard chefs are getting creative. Families cannot live on hot dogs alone – desserts and vegetables have been reborn on the grill Maybe the economy has made eating at home more appealing, or maybe all that outdoor living space cries out to be enjoyed, but cooking outdoors is more popular than ever. Nearly nine out of 10 consumers in this country own a grill, noted “Casual Living” magazine and HGTV’s recent “Consumer Views on

Grills” report. In addition, the 20th Annual Weber GrillWatch Survey found that 61 percent of American outdoor grill owners are planning more grilling at home and less eating out this year. Both gas and charcoal grills have been selling at a brisk clip the past few seasons. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association reports a whopping almost 15 million grills shipped to retailers in 2009. And even as the economy has dampened new-grill sales a bit, charcoal sales are

Grill

holding steady, reports Don Johnson, director of market research for HPBA. So even if the grill isn’t brand new, it’s still in active rotation. In fact, just over half of those who own a grill report using it several times a week, noted the Weber GrillWatch Survey. Even in the blogosphere, this idea is catching on: “Instead of the ‘fire plus ribeye equal dinner’ why not use this year to take what you already have (a grill) and do some innovative twists?” suggests blogger

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Eric Yang, editor of gearpatrol.com. “[People are] cooking the same types of food outdoors that they do indoors,” Johnson says. “But when it’s cooked outside, they believe it tastes better.” Marinating is a triedand-true means of boosting flavor and tenderness. Fire Wire grilling skewers ($14.95 for two) take the kabob to the next level. These flexible stainless steel skewers can be loaded up, coiled and placed in a bag of marinade. When it’s

CONTENT THAT WORKS

Reinventing the grill-out with grill-top crème brûlée.

time to grill, bend and curve to maximize space over the flames. The Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue crème brûlée kit ($29.99) allows grillers to create this dessert in authentic, oldschool style. Raichlen says he was inspired by a visit to L’Hostelet, a

restaurant in southwest France where the chef caramelizes the sugar on crème brûlées with an iron heated in the fireplace. The kit includes ramekins and a swiveling metal salamander that heats up on the grill, then caramelizes custard tops to a golden brown.

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SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

Sleek heat Smokeless and soot-free, outdoor fire has matured.

A traditional outdoor wood-burning fireplace may seem like the perfect touch for a backyard, but some of them can end up being more expensive and messy than expected. This year’s Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo in Orlando, Fla., hightlighted innovative and affordable solutions for lighting and heating an outdoor area. Among the exhibitors was president of Anywhere

Fireplace in Larchmont, N.Y., Peter deVoogd, who notes increasing demand for eco-friendly options. “As time goes on, we’ll see more biofuel products on the market,” he says. Biofuel products use renewable energy generated from natural resources. They burn bioethanol fuel and give off water vapor and carbon dioxide but are smokeless and odorless, leaving no soot behind. DeVoogd’s

Gramercy Indoor/ Outdoor Bio-Fuel Fireplace can sit on tabletops because it needs no gas or electric hook-up. “Traditional fireplaces are still popular, but they cost more than $10,000,” says Dan Shimek, president of The Outdoor GreatRoom in Burnsville, Minn., which has an under-$300 table top flame line that also uses biofuel, the Venturi. Two

other new products are the OptiMyst by Dimplex North America Limited, which is an electric fireplace that produces the illusion of fire by creating a fine water mist using ultrasonic technology; and the Art of Fire by Bio Flame, which is a clean-burning fireplace that runs 12 hours straight without emitting gases, smoke, ashes or soot.

CONTENT THAT WORKS

DeVoogd’s Gramercy Indoor/Outdoor Bio-Fuel Fireplace can sit on tabletops because it needs no gas or electric hook-up.

The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, May 20, 2010 Page 13


SUMMER SOUTHERN HOME

By the

numbers

Count the ways address presentation can work for your home. If there’s been one change in consumer thinking lately it’s this: Needs trump wants, practicality rules. Some attitudes, however, never change. Proud owners will always care about their homes’ attractiveness. So, for those who have been searching for a value-conscious way to boost home appeal, your number has come up. The way the numbers of a home’s address are displayed may be one of the most neglected, underestimated elements of home design, contends Michael Malone, a

Dallas architect and author of “The Architect’s Guide To Residential Design” (McGrawHill, 2009). Instead of allowing standard issue numerals to be tacked in their traditional spot next to the front door, “we deliberately design where the address can be placed and how it will appear stylistically,” Malone says. Your home’s entrance is the first impression visitors get, and making it welcoming can carry a powerful, lingering message. Indeed, although the average cost for all remodeling

projects recouped upon selling a home is 64 percent, according to the latest study results from Remodeling magazine, the return for replacing an entry door tops 100 percent. Like a door, an address can be an integral part of entry design, although it’s typically inexpensive. “The face of the house you see from the street is so important,” says architect Sarah Susanka, author of “Not So Big Remodeling” (The Taunton Press, 2009). “The numbers of the address are literally the identity of the house, and when

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CONTENT THAT WORKS

Your home’s entrance is the first impression visitors get, and making it welcoming can carry a powerful, lingering message.

that identity is given care and thought it expresses value.” Susanka thinks of an address as akin to lipstick; a way to make a big impact with a little touch. There are many ways for owners to design an address. Here are a few pointers.

Seeing is believing An address has one job to do: identify your home. The prettiest design is all for naught if the address can’t do its work.

Proper lighting is a key consideration, Malone says. Place numerals on a lamp post or directly under a porch light to guide night visitors. Think, too, of how weather may obscure a clear read. The numerals of the address on his own home “are set on pins so that they are about three inches out,” Malone explains. “They stand out in bright sunlight since they cast a shadow.” Similarly, pinning numbers

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away from a flat wall punches up visibility in climates where snow and pelting ice can hinder the view. Addresses aren’t just for guests, either. Policemen, firemen and ambulance drivers will need to be able to easily locate and read your address in the case of an emergency.

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Twice as nice If you pretend that you’re a visitor who is searching to find your home, you can decide how to best place and highlight your address, Malone suggests. It may make perfect sense to display an address in a couple of locations. For instance, if a home is set far back from the road, placing an address on both sides of a mailbox or lamp post near the street, as well as near your entryway, guides visitors coming from any direction, Malone says. If the front of your home is fenced, you may be able to add interest to a gate or fencepost and provide a prominent display of the address, says Tim Thompson, designer for Mark Hickman Custom Homes, Hinsdale, Ill. “We recently did a home with an exterior stone fence and we had rustic boulders at the ends. We had the numbers chiseled into the boulders and then inserted other pieces of stone material into the space so that the numbers stood out but still had the same rustic feel,” Thompson says.

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accessory stores of every kind, it’s possible to find an address display that highlights and complements any home’s design, Susanka says. “There are typefaces that are representative of different eras, and I’ve found metal address numbers that have the look of the 1920s are perfect for Prairie-style homes,” Susanka says. For a cozy cottage with a garden, for instance, a plaque painted with both flowers and numerals may be the perfect way to highlight a comfortable the residence. Brightly painted tiles tacked on a Southwestern-style home can complement the art and style of the location. Malone says he thinks of an address as “jewelry” for the home. He likes to see a match between the finishes of metal numbers and other metal features, like the mailbox or the door knocker. The combined effect subtly communicates a polished, coordinated image, Malone says. Some older homes lend themselves to script numerals lettered over a

garage, a style that was prevalent in some historic periods, Thompson says. “I also consider how an address will look if it’s in Roman numerals,” he says. “Sometimes that can be a good look.” Nothing dictates that numerals should only be a few inches long, either, Thompson says. “If we’re placing it on a large area, we might make the numbers nine or so inches long, so that they look to be in proportion to the space.”

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From scratch An address is not too small a detail to ask about when building or remodeling, Susanka says. Sometimes, a front entry will be designed to specifically incorporate an address. For instance, a number plate could be placed in a recessed lighted area. For existing homes, it may be possible to etch numbers in the stone or brick for a relatively low fee — just about $300 or so, estimates Thompson, giving the impression that the address was built into the original façade.

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