Home Elements & Concepts–November 2017-January 2018

sharing the voices of local people who create the spaces we live in

Laundry Room Master Bedroom

Home Office

Specializing in Cabinets for

Every Room in your House!

Kitchen Pantry Garages Kids Closets

The family behind renowned remodeling company Dream House Dream Kitchens brings to Cabinet City a mission to deliver top-notch, dream home-quality cabinets at an affordable price point.

We are committed to upholding our reputation for impeccable design and exemplary service, and to helping a greater number of customers attain beautiful and functional kitchens, baths, mudrooms and more.

Chris Schmidt

Keven Schmidt

Closets | Laundry Room | Pantries | Garages | Kitchens | Master Baths

6649 University Avenue - Middleton, WI 53562 - 608-829-2489 w w w. c a b i n e t - c i t y. c o m

CONTENT

NOVEMBER 2017–JANUARY 2018 publisher Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913-2445 p 608.356.8757 • f 608.356.8875 homeelementsandconcepts.com

VOL. 4

Photograph provided by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin

editor-in-chief Amy S. Johnson info@homeelementsandconcepts.com publication designer Jennifer Denman senior copy editor Kyle Jacobson copy editor Krystle Naab sales & marketing director Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@homeelementsandconcepts.com sales & marketing manager Kelly Hopkins khopkins@homeelementsandconcepts.com sales representative Terri Groves tgroves@homeelementsandconcepts.com

ART

Creating Art

38

the process of not only creating art, but making a living doing it

HOME FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES

A Better Way to Sleep—Naturally it’s all about the bed

graphic designers Crea Stellmacher, Linda Walker, Barbara Wilson

Energy-Efficient Homes: A Look at Our Windows 20

administration Jennifer Baird, Sandy Carlson, Lori Czajka

European-Inspired Living Walls

contributing writers Theresa Abel, Kim Briske, Sue Brown, Chelsey Dequaine, Carla Mason, Deb Nemeth, Alina Poletskova, Dana Zurbuchen photographs 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Andy Jalbert of Jalbert Productions, Black Ice Studio, Creative Energy Designs, Inc., Hunter Douglas, Maureen Janson Heintz, Sage Green Life, Satara Home & Baby, Wausau Homes, Window Quilt® additional copies Home Elements & Concepts is available free at over 200 locations. If you would like a copy sent to you, please send mailing information and $4 (payable to Towns & Associates) for each magazine to Home Elements & Concepts, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. subscriptions To purchase an annual subscription (4 issues), send mailing information and $16 (payable to Towns & Associates) to Home Elements & Concepts, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913. Or sign up for a FREE online subscription at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

12

making a home energy efficient with custom window products

27

thinking outside the garden box with vertical gardens

NEW HOME

The Enjoyable (yes, enjoyable!)

Homebuilding Process 32

a higher-quality home constructed in a completely controlled environment

NONPROFIT

Wisconsin is Getting Grayer and Greener helping Wisconsin meet the needs of a changing population

46

REMODEL/RENOVATION

Remodeling for the Future: How a Basement Remodel Prevented Water Damage 6 remodeling for the future with Tony Trapp Remodeling & Repairs

Photograph by Andy Jalbert of Jalbert Productions

comments We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit to Home Elements & Concepts, c/o Towns & Associates, Inc., 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913 or email info@homeelementsandconcepts.com. advertise To place an advertisement, please call 608.356.8757x105 or email ajohnson@homeelementsandconcepts.com. all rights reserved. ©2017 No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission by the publisher, Towns & Associates, Inc.

Watch for the next issue February 2018.

Cover photograph provided by Hunter Douglas.

SERVICE

Three Important Questions You’re Not Asking Your Insulation Contractor

how to know if you’re hiring the right insulation contractor

42

4 Advertiser Index 50 From The Editor

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 3

from the editor The completion of our first year! We appreciate and are continually thrilled to receive such enthusiastic feedback from both our readers and contributors.

When creating a new publication, there are a multitude of hurdles. First, the idea—a regularly published magazine devoted to all things home: structural, functional, and design, with content provided by local professionals.

Then the contemplation—we think it’s a good idea, but will others agree? Will they pick it up? What do they want to read? Who will contribute?

The design—there are many free publications out there, some of which we publish, but how do we make this one different so it stands out from the rest?

Next, logistics—how do we get the publication to you? Distribution and visibility.

Finding the right network of locations is a constant consideration.

We feel very fortunate to have cleared the hurdles while receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. We look forward to growing with and for you, and hope you will reach out to us with topics you’d like to learn about. Whether it’s for professionally assisted projects, DIY, or a mix of both, right here in our community, we have the professionals with the expertise to do just about anything you need for your home.

We hope you’ll continue to enjoy this and every issue to come.

Amy Johnson

4 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 5

REMODEL/RENOVATION

Remodeling for the Future How a Basement Remodel Prevented Water Damage

by Chelsey Dequaine

6 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

The finished basement, which took about two months, now has a smaller room/office; a threequarter bath, where none had existed; a great room; and a utility room with space for a freezer.

After nine years in their home, Thomas Kammeyer, software engineer with Sun Nuclear Corporation in Madison, and Joan Bartel, associate principal at Sun Prairie Area School District, had a need for more living space. Like most families, needs change over time. Thomas’ father moved in, and the family decided it was time to remodel the basement to allow for additional family-friendly space for their children, Sam, 19, and Taylor, 14, to play and watch movies, and there would be room for an office.

“We didn’t build for something like that,” says Joan. Their 2,000-square-foot, two-story home was built for their needs fifteen years ago, in February 2002, on a lot off Monroe Street with three bedrooms and a 726-square-foot basement. For an update this big, they needed a professional remodeler.

It was Thomas’ mother who had first worked with Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs. She hired the team for work on her house. “She’s since passed away, but she had great things to say about Tony,” says Joan. “We got to know him a little through her experience.”

This was the first time Thomas and Joan hired a remodeler for a large project. “We decided if we wanted to do this, we wanted to install zone heating,” Joan says. “It has since drastically decreased our heating/cooling bills.” Tony and his team began the basement remodel in 2011 and finished in about two months.

Overall, Tony says basement remodels are less disruptive compared to other types of home remodels. “We took out a basement window to transport materials,” he says.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 7

A three-quarter bath was installed in the basement, where none had existed, making the basement fully functional for the entire family.

8 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

“We didn’t have to track through the house.” The finished basement now has a smaller room/office; a three-quarter bath, where none had existed; a great room; and a utility room with space for a freezer.

When Joan hired Tony for the basement remodel, one of her main concerns was water damage. Soon after the home was built, a cement tie came out. “We hadn’t been in the house long and we already had water leaking,” she says.

“The builder took care of it, but we knew we never wanted this to happen again.”

Interior perimeter drain tile was added beneath the basement floor, and a radon fan was used to help with moisture reduction. The fan circulates air beneath the

drain tile and evaporates water before it enters the house.

Exterior walls were built so the walls could dry on both the back and front side. Instead of fiberglass insulation, Tony used ridged Gator board foam. This foam allows water that might seep through the outer walls to run into the drain tile and not soak the drywall. He says this foam adds thermal comfort and isolates the wood framing and drywall from water that might seep through the outer walls on its way into the drain tile.

By adding a whole-house, zoned dehumidifier and a zoning system to the existing furnace and air conditioner, the homeowners gained the ability to have a thermostat for each level. This elevates their comfort. “Thomas and Joan have a more sophisticated heating and cooling system than

Among the remodel projects, Tony Trapp Remodeling & Repairs and his team installed interior perimeter drain tile beneath the basement floor, and a radon fan was used to help with moisture reduction.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 9

Exterior walls were built in the basement so the walls could dry on both the back and front side to help with moisture reduction. Instead of fiberglass insulation, Tony used ridged Gator board foam that allows water that might seep through the outer walls to run into the drain tile and not soak the drywall.

most typical homes, which helps with comfort and moisture control,” Tony says.

The preventative measures taken for water and moisture control damage paid off. In 2016, Thomas and Joan had a large flood due to a burst water softener. One inch of water soaked the carpet throughout the basement. “Luckily, the burst was caught quickly and nothing needed to be replaced or painted,” Tony says. “Not even the carpet after the water restoration team was done because of the extra measures we took in managing moisture.”

Tony Trapp founded Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs in 2002. His goal was to provide reliable home improvement services to develop long-term relationships with his customers.

Now, the company of seven also provides services to the community. They donate time and materials to Hammer with a Heart, donate used and surplus materials to Habitat ReStore of Dane County, and provide support for

10 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

organizations, such as Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL), which works to keep seniors in their homes. Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs also is a member of community organizations, such as NARI of Madison, Latino Chamber of Commerce, and Middleton Chamber of Commerce.

kitchen will need to be updated,” Joan says. “Tony Trapp and his team will be the contractor we choose.”

“Tony and his team are very detailed oriented,” Joan says.

“There is a real genuine quality to Tony. You can tell he wants things to be done right and well.”

Photographs provided by Black Ice Studio.

When Thomas’ mother died, Tony sent the family a bouquet.

“I was totally blown away,” Joan says. “It shows the type of person he is.”

As for the future, it seems Tony has secured a lifelong client.

“We haven’t done anything in a while, but at some point our

Chelsey Dequaine works as director of social media strategy for designCraft Advertising and is a freelance writer.

Tony Trapp Remodeling and Repairs 222 N. Midvale Boulevard #29 Madison, WI 53705 608.235.8982 tonytrappllc.com

By adding a whole-house, zoned dehumidifier and a zoning system to the existing furnace and air conditioner, the homeowners gained the ability to have a thermostat for each level, elevating their comfort.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 11

HOME FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES

A Better Way to Sleep—Naturally

by Sue Brown

There’s no question that sleep is important, and advice on how to get a good night’s sleep is abundant. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, wear amber-tinted glasses before bed, no electronics in the bedroom, keep the room dark, and on and on. But once you crawl between the sheets, it’s all about the bed.

To create a bed that promotes a good night’s sleep, begin with bedding made of breathable, organic, and natural materials. This starts with your mattress—one-size-fitsall doesn’t apply. The good news is you don’t have to compromise your comfort to meet the comfort needs of your sleeping partner. Instead, opt for a customizable mattress with each side optimized to meet the specific needs of each sleeper.

The silky feel of this organic cotton sateen duvet cover is ideal for sleeping in cool weather with or without a top sheet.

There’s no need to shy away from a wool-filled comforter with this washable wool comforter from Suite Sleep.

12 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 13

The Purists, an all-natural line of products by SDH, are luxuriously soft and beautiful. No chemical bleaches, chemical dyes, chemical finishes, or formaldehyde.

You can achieve this with a natural latex mattress with adjustable layers of organic latex inside an organic cotton-and-wool quilted cover. Wool helps regulate body temperature by wicking away moisture, keeping you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It has the added benefit of meeting federal flame-retardant standards without the use of chemical flame retardants.

Your mattress and pillow work together to provide proper body alignment; so choosing the right pillow is important.

Unfortunately, pillows have a tendency to compress. You may find a pillow that feels perfect but within a few months it’s simply too flat. An adjustable pillow can solve that problem.

Adjustable pillows feature a zippered cover that allows you to add or remove fill to get the optimal loft to support your head and neck. If your pillow compresses too much, you can add more fill rather than buy a new pillow. Choose from a variety of natural fill materials, such as wool, shredded latex, or kapok fiber, to get the level of firmness or softness that works for you.

14 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Your mattress and pillow provide the foundation for a healthy sleep environment. It’s advisable to use a mattress pad to protect your mattress and a pillow protector to protect your pillow. Mattress and pillow protectors are available in a variety of breathable, natural-fiber materials that contribute to a comfortable sleep and add longevity to your mattress and pillow.

When it comes time to select your bed linens, choose natural-fiber materials. The most comfortable sheets to sleep in are made of 100 percent natural fiber, such as cotton, linen, and silk, as well as manufactured cellulose fiber, such as bamboo viscose. They breathe, wick moisture, and are soothing to the touch. These fibers make the healthiest options for sheets when they are free of chemical finishes.

Despite popular belief, there is no intrinsic value to a higher thread count. What’s important when buying sheets is the

If your adjustable pillow is feeling too flat, add some fill and bring it back to life. Fill materials shown: Kapok and Woolly Bolas.

True to linen’s legendary durability, these linen sheets only get better with time and laundering, serving you well for years to come.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 15

feel of the fabric, which depends on the integrity of the yarn and the quality of the weave, not thread count. Cotton can be woven in a variety of weaves to create a distinct feel.

Choose the weave to get the feel you prefer.

•P ercale–A crisp, smooth sheet that feels cool against the skin—ideal for warm sleepers and summer weather.

•S ateen–A buttery-soft sheet with subtle luster and a warmer feel than percale.

• J ersey–A soft, stretchy knit sheet that feels like your favorite t-shirt.

•F lannel–Brushed to create a fuzzy surface on both sides of the fabric, making it the coziest and warmest sheet.

For the finishing touches, invest in a high-quality duvet/ comforter. With proper care, it will last for years. Although down and feathers are a common comforter fill, you may want to consider a wool- or silk-filled comforter. These materials wick moisture away from your body to give you a more comfortable sleep.

A duvet cover, pillow shams, and throw pillows add the finishing touch to your bed and reflect your personality. A duvet cover can be switched out to easily change the look of your bed seasonally or when you simply want a different look, creating an inviting, welcoming feel as you get ready to crawl in bed.

Sue Brown is co-owner of Satara Home & Baby.

Photographs provided by Satara Home & Baby.

View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

Satara Home & Baby 6333 University Avenue Middleton, WI 53562 608.251.4905 satarahome.com

Minimize your child’s exposure to chemicals with organic bedding including a mattress, pillow, sheets and comforter.

16 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Organic Bedding and Mattresses

home and baby A better way to live, naturally. satarahome.com • info@satara-inc.com • 608-251-4905 • M-F 10-6, Sat. 10-5 6333 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562 HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 17

HOME FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES

Before Sun beats in all summer, cold drafts all winter, your air conditioner and furnace running continuously…

Photograph provided by Hunter Douglas

Energy-Efficient Homes A Look at Our Windows

by Carla Mason

As homeowners sought energy-efficient products, a new field of science emerged. The focus was on local and global energy conservation, including products that are renewed, recycled, eco-friendly, organic, locally sourced, sustainable, and minimize use of resources to provide light and heat in homes.

For over 40 years, Creative Energy Designs, Inc. has worked with homeowners to create custom products to reduce home energy costs. In 1977, in response to community concerns about the increasing cost of energy, we introduced The Window Warmer™, energy-efficient roman shades.

20 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Four ways windows lose or transfer heat.

•C onduction–Glass is excellent at releasing heat. Windows feel cold to the touch compared to your walls.

•C onvection–When warm air rises and cold air falls, the circulation pattern is the draft we feel in our homes.

• I nfiltration–This trickster is not always obvious. Air enters around poorly fitted or leaky windows. Home maintenance, like caulking around windows or improving window fit, helps to reduce this energy loss.

Control the sunlight and improve the energy efficiency of your windows with motorized and cordless cellular shades! Hunter Douglas’ Duolite™ Cellular shade, with two fabrics, let’s you cut the light while keeping the view with a sheer fabric on top or block the light completely with the opaque fabric on the bottom.

Photograph provided by Hunter Douglas

No need to run around the house opening and closing your shades, PowerView® Motorization, Hunter Douglas’ brilliant new wireless operating system, gives you the power to control and schedule your Hunter Douglas window treatments from your smartphone, tablet, or a remote control.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 21

Photograph provided by Hunter Douglas

After

Glass sunrooms are beautiful, but can be a pain on your heating and cooling bill. Motorized, top-down-bottom-up cellular shades and motorized cellular skylight shades allow you to control how much and where the sun comes into the room in the summer. And because of the air pocket that cellular shades create, the room is kept warmer in the winter.

Window Quilt is an insulated panel that rolls down from the top inside tracks and creates a four-sided sealed window treatment when fully lowered, completely eliminating drafts.

22 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Photograph provided by Hunter Douglas

Photograph provided by Creative Energy Designs, Inc.

Cornices are often used with Window Quilts so that when a Window Quilt is fully raised, it’s hidden.

Photograph provided by Window Quilt

•R adiation–The loss of warmth to the outside in winter or solar gain in the summer through our windows increases our energy use.

We looked at window-treatment-product energy savings in winter conditions, and we learned the basic level rating for conventional and thermal draperies showed a 10 percent reduction in heat loss from a warm room. Traditional draperies trap cool air between the glass and the back of the drape. Warm air enters from above the window and travels down the cold window glass and out the bottom and sides of the drapes. This process is called a convective loop, often leaving a room feeling drafty.

The intermediate level for energy efficiency is the honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design of window shades.

The Hunter Douglas product, Duette Architella, help reduce the energy loss of a home’s heating and cooling by as much as 50 percent. Window shades are one of the simplest and most effective window treatments for saving energy, but to conserve energy, this style needs to be fitted close to the glass.

When you lower shades on sunlit windows during the summer and raise them in the winter during the day and lower them at night, you maximize your energy savings.

Options for motorized lifts and automated timers offer a convenient way for more-effective energy savings. In summer and winter, light control from sheer opacities to a palette of colors, spanning whites and soft neutrals to HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 23

When the weather turns cold, drop the Window Warmer down, clamp the edges, and that picture window gets a new look with great designer fabric.

Your room stays warmer and is no longer drafty.

You don’t want to block any of your great view with window treatments.

By mounting the Window Warmer above the window behind a wooden cornice, you’ve got nothing but view.

Before

midtone and more intense hues, lend distinct drama to the décor.

privacy, noise reduction, and feeling comfortable at lower temperatures.

The highest-rated energy-efficiency window treatments are sealed-edge roman shades. The Window Warmer, installed with full-edge seals, reduces window heat loss by 66 percent. This complete seal system is important in blocking infiltration of warm or cold air. Window Quilt ®, a similar product, utilizes a four-sided seal system to block this energy loss. When raised in winter, light provides a solar gain to warm your home. When fully lowered, their unique properties reflect summer sun or seal out winter cold.

Customer comments include the elimination of drafts, full

Carla Mason is owner of Creative Energy Designs, Inc.

24 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

Creative Energy Designs, Inc. 125 S. Dickinson Street Madison, WI 53703 608.256.7696 creativeenergydesignsinc.com

Photograph provided by Creative Energy Designs, Inc. Photograph provided by Creative Energy Designs, Inc.

After

www.centuryhouseinc.com

Discover

design

3029 & 3420 university ave. madison 608.233.4488

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 25

HOME FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES

26 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Thinking Outside the Garden Box European-Inspired Living Walls

by Alina Poletskova

In Wisconsin, summers are short and winters are long.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a low-maintenance way to have lush, verdant plants in your living space year-round?

Wouldn’t it be great to not have to worry about watering, fertilizing, or maintaining them? There’s a way, and it’s not as complicated or out of reach as you might think. Red Square Flowers has been designing and installing living walls (or

green walls, as vertical gardens are sometimes called) in corporate and residential settings for several years.

Living walls have been gaining popularity in Europe since the late 1990s. As usual, Europe is ahead of the United States when it comes to sustainable living and renewable resources. Living walls are completely self-sufficient vertical

Modular installations can fit many interior space specs and dimensions.

Living art.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 27

Installations can be incorporated into existing structures.

gardens that are attached to the interior or exterior of a building. The plants receive water and irrigation system nutrients from within the vertical support instead of from the ground. Not only are they beautiful conversation pieces that become part of your permanent dĂŠcor, but by improving overall air quality within your home, they are good for your physical and mental health.

A wide variety of plants can thrive in a living wall. The plants are grown in a very absorbent and durable hydroponic medium called rockwool. Rockwool is basically spun from volcanic material (basalt), which doesn’t degrade and can be reused or recycled. Each rockwool-filled biotile uses less than one quart of water per day, and provides excellent drainage for maximum plant health. Biotiles also lower energy consumption by keeping living spaces cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Living walls add to the illusion of being in an ideal, temperature-regulated outdoor space year-round.

28 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Be creative!

Think outside the box!

From a design perspective, living walls are modular systems that can be adapted and changed without having to start from scratch. Plants do have a lifespan so they would have to be replaced, but the entire installation can last for 20 years or more.

A living wall designer can customize intricate and original designs, incorporating the textures and colors of various plants to create your own living art piece. There are also

different sizes of walls available, from portable accent sizes to grandiose full-wall installations and every size in between, thanks to the modular system.

The plants are grown vertically from the beginning in a greenhouse facility and then shipped to your installer. This way, there is no adjustment period necessary for the plants going from horizontal growth to vertical establishment.

Growing time varies depending on your plant choices, but

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 29

For residential and commercial indoor green spaces.

in general, the biotiles are usually ready for shipment to your installer within 8 to 12 weeks.

A computerized irrigation system will be installed as part of the process and a no-maintenance drip irrigation keeps the plants moist without wasting water or creating overflow problems that can occur with potted plants.

Installation is relatively easy, but you should work with an interiorscape expert who has experience with this product since it is a fairly new concept in the American home market. Red Square Flowers has their own installers who are knowledgeable about how to install without damaging delicate plants. Some maintenance (fertilization, pest control, cleaning away dead parts of the plants) is required from your interiorscape expert to make sure the plants are receiving proper nutrient levels and to ensure the longest lifespan for your living wall.

30 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

The custom living walls are priced by the square foot, including structural materials, plants, and installation labor, and are not as expensive as one might think. You can achieve a high volume of planting with an extremely minimal footprint.

Living Walls are great eye candy without taking much space, and they add to the sustainability of your environment.

Alina Poletskova is CEO and founder of Red Square Flowers.

Photographs provided by Sage Green Life.

Red Square Flowers 337 W. Mifflin Street Madison, WI 53703 608.268.8200 redsquareflowers.com

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 31

NEW HOME

The Enjoyable (yes, enjoyable!)

Homebuilding Process

by Kim Briske

The Bethpage floor plan.

Making the process of building a home from scratch stress free is not something all construction companies are capable of. There always seem to be unforeseen costs, and timelines are dependent on the weather as much as they are the craftsmen. But there is another option: a climatecontrolled production process with firm pricing, an exact move-in date, and the ability to create timelines yearround without having to sacrifice home customization for customers with vision. They’re called panelized homes.

Professional carpenters work in a production facility to ensure that all home components are built with the highest precision, quality, and consistency. They don’t battle the typical outdoor elements, which ensures a stronger, tighter, higher-quality home with less waste and no cost overruns or time delays. The entire framework is constructed in a completely controlled environment, resulting in more 32 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

measuring and fitting accuracy and, therefore, more efficiency, saving money in the long run.

In addition, once the foundation is dug, the actual install of the framework components normally takes no more than two to five days. Everything is up and under the roof faster. There is less damage from the elements, and the component construction can happen any season, allowing for year-round building and more ease of meeting estimated timeframes.

At first glance, one might think this leads to more cookiecutter homes. The opposite is actually true. Carissa Manteufel, in the Mount Horeb Wausau Homes Design Center, explains, “We don’t build one-size-fits-all homes.

Our first priority is working with you to create the perfect home design that fits your family. With over 150 starting-

Wausau Homes builders are exclusive to their area.

point house plans and 33 customizable exterior designs, we can really make the home fit the lifestyle of the individuals or family building the home.�

Options generally include different categories of floor plans, such as family, vacation, and resort. These categories make the process less overwhelming because attention has already been given to the details that make designs fit lifestyles. If you need help deciding what sort of flex spaces will work for you, the guidance is there. Wider hallways?

Higher ceilings? It’s already been thought of and is easy to incorporate.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 33

Wausau Homes builds year-round, preparing the site before set day.

Customization makes it easy to build on city and suburb lots.

Companies that do panelized housing often work with local builders and train them in the building process. In 2016, long-time builder and Mount Horeb native Jim Sutter along with his daughter, Carissa Manteufel, partnered with Wausau Homes to bring this homebuilding experience to Mount Horeb and the Greater Madison area. Jim was extensively involved in area land developments as well as architectural review committees, and he had a family history of building barns and masonry. He has seen it all and knows how to customize efficiently.

34 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

“By taking this next step and partnering with Wausau Homes to open the Design Studio, we’re able to give customers a stress-free building experience different than anything out there today,� says Jim. Coordination with plumbers, electricians, insulating contractors, and drywallers makes final project completion a possibility in as little as three months.

The Design Studio features everything from cabinets and countertops to siding and shingles. Homebuyers can

explore samples of cabinetry, trim, doors, faucets, and tile all in one location to help plan and customize every aspect of their new home.

With the latest 3-D design software, homebuyers can also see their plan come to life and virtually walk through every room of the home. The homebuyer knows exactly what their new home will look like, inside and out, right down to how their furniture will fit in each room before it’s ever built.

days, no matter what season. Homebuyers who decide to build in the winter, when demand is down, can often receive a discount on the overall cost of their new home.

“From capturing the excitement during groundbreaking, bringing family and friends together for a set day party and finishing with a housewarming celebration, we want to make the experience memorable,” says Carissa.

Kim Briske is the marketing coordinator at Wausau Homes.

Once a floor plan and design are agreed upon, the plans will be sent to a team of certified engineers who use a 3-D home design software to make sure the house is structurally sound and order all of the materials necessary to complete the home. This system interfaces with computer-controlled components to accurately and efficiently cut materials to build roof trusses along with custom crafted floor and wall framework—all within a climate-controlled facility.

This streamlined building process allows homeowners to begin their new home project and move in in as few as 90

Photographs provided by Wausau Homes.

View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

Wausau Homes Mount Horeb 1804 Springdale Street Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 608.437.4442 wausauhomes.com/find-a-builder/mount-horeb-wisconsin

Cranes help complete a home’s framework in as little as one day.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 35

Home

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– – Seasonal Home DécoR

Willow Creek offers the area’s finest seasonal home décor for Fall and Winter…handcrafted Hot Skwash velvet pumpkins, one-of-a-kind Karen Didion Santas, Old World Christmas Ornaments, and the latest from top designers.

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Luxury Consignment Boutique Quality furniture, home décor, housewares, art, as well as designer clothing and accessories for women and children. Partnering with local artists to offer one-of-a-kind pieces. Find inspiration and the best quality goods at amazing prices.

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36 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

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Vintage and Nouveaux home accessories for those who love the useful AND beautiful.

Lamps, wall art, clocks, and much, much more.

Think outside the box this holiday season.

1228 Williamson Street, Madison, WI Stop | 608.280.1155 in and you’ll find unique furnishings including sofa sets, dining room sets, chairs, clocks, mirrors, etc., that complete a home that piecesunimagined.com inspires you, the owner....

T. 2 0 1 5

Ask about our custom built items that are very affordable!

1228 Williamson Street • Madison, WI 608.280.1155 • pieces.unimagined@gmail.com HOURS: 7 days a week 10am - 6pm piecesunimagined.com

– te with wha – t you love Decora

It’s the finishing touches that make a house a home!

Shop our selection of furniture, lamps, pillows, throws, artwork, candles, and florals, or let Brenda Myers help transform your space.

6661 University Avenue, Suite 106, Middleton, WI | 608.826.9060 For hours, visit camelot-interiors.com

CAMELOT INTERIORS

– Shopping Experience A

We are south central Wisconsin’s most unique furniture and home accessories retail store. Our merchandise and displays are always fresh and new. We sell right off our wood-planked floors, or you can special order.

Stop in today to see all The Montage has to offer!

5805 Highway 51, McFarland, WI | 608.838.7505 themontagehome.com

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 37

ART

Creating ART

Getting ready to place a finished bowl in the annealing oven.

by Theresa Abel

Aspects of the art world can appear very opaque to those outside of it, with one of the murkiest topics being price. I am frequently asked how to determine the value of art, so it seems appropriate that since this publication encourages you to include art in your home design, inside and out, we address the question of why art can seem expensive. To understand price and value, I’m going to share with you the process in not only creating the work, but in making a living doing it. This will be a two-part series, and I think that by the end you will have an appreciation for what it takes to create and bring art to you.

Well before an artist thinks about selling their art, there is an enormous amount of work to do. Being an artist is comparable to other professions that require a lot of 38 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

education and practical experience. The two most common paths to learn an art form are a formal education at a university and an apprenticeship with a practicing artist.

University study focuses on technical skills, the study of art history, and intellectual investigation of subject matter.

Apprenticing or interning with an artist teaches technical skills. An artist spends significant time perfecting their craft, comparable to years of work experience, because to be very good, dedicated time is necessary.

Once the education element is completed, the challenging work begins. There are not artist jobs waiting to be filled.

Whether one finds a job in a restaurant, working behind a desk, or teaching, an artist still needs to carve out studio time to create a professional and consistent body of work.

Most artists I know struggle the most with finding the time and space to work. Affordable studios are hard to find in most cities. Some art can be created in your living space—a painting studio in a spare bedroom or corner of the living room. If you work in ceramics, wood, glass, or you are a sculptor, specialized equipment is needed as well as space to house it. That can be very expensive. Artists often share overhead costs by working cooperatively in a studio, dividing the price of equipment, maintenance of that equipment, and utilities. Those costs can still seem daunting when you are not selling much of your artwork.

Pricing artwork is very challenging. Some artists keep track of hours spent on a sculpture or painting, and have an hourly studio rate they use. A studio rate reflects costs, such as rent, equipment, maintenance, electricity, and insurance.

They might also add an average cost of materials. Realizing how little one makes per hour can be depressing, so some artists find it better to not contemplate hourly wages. They instead have a track record of previous sales relative to size, and price new work accordingly.

The time put into creating a finished work of art can be deceiving because it does not consider the cost of education and the years spent perfecting one’s craft. It might appear that a talented ceramicist can throw a pot in a quick amount of time or an artist working in glass will dazzle us with their dexterity and speed when doing a glassblowing demonstration, but both of those skills take many years to master. In addition, the overhead associated with maintaining the studios is substantial. A landscape painter working en plein air might finish a beautiful oil painting by

Working at the bench.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 39

Reheating at the glory hole.

spending a day or two on location, but only through many years of dedicated work are they able to attain this success.

Please keep in mind that while art might seem expensive, an artist’s income is often only a fraction of different professions requiring equivalent education. It’s important to think of the many years of dedicated work that preceded any one finished artwork we might be looking at. We need to make a choice to support artists so that they can devote themselves to their craft. It’s a cultural mission, ensuring that meaningful art is a part of our society.

Theresa Abel is an artist and owner/director of the Artisan Gallery, a fine art and fine craft gallery in Paoli. She studied painting at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Scuola Lorenzo de’ Medici, Florence Italy, receiving her BFA in 1991. Theresa works in oils and recently has been creating a body of work incorporating silver point drawing.

Photographs by Maureen Janson Heintz.

Artisan Gallery 6858 Paoli Road Paoli, WI 53508 608.845.6600 artisangal.com 40 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

DECK RAILINGS ARE FENCES, TOO! Deck railings provide safety and beauty. This contemporary home deserved a modern-looking railing to complement its design. Aluminum was the top choice. We can cut, bend and weld this material to accommodate almost any situation.

If you look at our website, you’ll see we do more than railings.

608.849.4654 QualLineFence.com 801 South Division Street, Waunakee, WI 53597

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 41

SERVICE

Three Important Questions

You’re Not Asking Your Insulation Contractor

by Dana Zurbuchen

Many homeowners hire insulation contractors to upgrade attic insulation, perform air sealing, insulate basement boxsills, and more. When hiring a contractor, most follow a few basic steps: get quotes, ask if the contractors are insured, and check references or online reviews. These are all important, but if it’s where you stop, there’s important information you won’t get.

How an insulation contractor operates their business can affect your home. Quality contractors have a higher level of commitment to their industry, their team, and their customers. Without this attention to detail your home may not receive the best quality work, which can have a negative impact on the performance of an insulation system, your home’s comfort, and your potential energy savings. To know if you’re hiring the right insulation contractor, here are three additional questions to ask before signing a contract.

Installing vapor retarder on a new home.

42 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

How are installers trained?

It’s important to know that your insulation contractor provides comprehensive training for their installers. An installer team is one of the most valuable resources. Their

We have experience insulating all types of homes.

Prepping the area to collect excess debris during drilling and filling exterior walls.

work impacts energy efficiency, comfort, and safety of customers and their homes. At Rockweiler Insulation, training programs are a big part of company culture.

Educating on proper installation techniques should be the foundation of a company’s training program. A quality contractor fully trains installers to ensure they are educated on steps for proper installation so your insulation system performs at its highest level. A quality contractor will also hold regular training sessions to keep crews up to date on innovations in building science and to ensure any new installers receive proper training.

A quality contractor makes a commitment to regular training, including job site safety training and training on lead-safe work practices. Following proper safety practices keeps installers safe and helps ensure an accident won’t happen on your project. Additional training may include lead-safe work practice training. If your home was built before 1978, the paint used in your home may contain lead.

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 43

Seams are taped on the vapor retarder to ensure there are no gaps for moisture to migrate through.

Insulating and air sealing your crawl space may make your entire home more comfortable.

Following lead-safe work practices during your project will help contain dust that carries lead, keeping you and your family safe.

How are installers paid? Hourly or piece rate?

When an installer is paid at piece rate, the installer can earn a larger paycheck by installing more footage. The faster they work, the more they make. This can compromise the quality of the install by overlooking details in exchange for speed. Overlooking details during installation could result in deficiencies in the installation and cause damage.

A quality contractor pays a respectable hourly rate. This encourages installers to take their time and get the job done right. Your insulator should support a culture of quality installation rather than speed, and the pay structure is part of that. Gary Rockweiler, founder of Rockweiler Insulation, founded the company on the principle of investing the Rockweiler team in many ways, including installer safety and customer satisfaction.

Does your company have a quality-control process?

Even if a contractor has a robust training program, problems can arise. Installers may not have the experience to address customer concerns on a jobsite, or installers may encounter 44 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

a situation for which they need management input. When considering an insulation contractor, find out what kind of quality-control process they have in place.

A quality-control process should have two components.

The first component would provide installer teams with direct access to a supervisor or manager who can answer questions on the spot. The second component should involve regular quality-assurance checks by company supervisors to review installer work, confirm all installation

A wall-insulation system from Owens Corning is a wise investment for any home.

procedures were properly followed, and promptly rectify any issues.

Hiring an insulation contractor goes far beyond insulation.

Having these systems in place helps ensure you, your family, and your home are in good hands. Take the time to ask a potential contractor these questions. Their answers can provide peace of mind that you are hiring a contractor that you can trust.

Our team serves homeowners and builders throughout southern Wisconsin.

Dana Zurbuchen is the Marketing Strategist for Rockweiler Insulation.

Photographs by Andy Jalbert of Jalbert Productions.

View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

Rockweiler Insulation 211 Legion Street Verona, WI 53593 608.845.7625 rockinsul.com HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 45

NONPROFIT

Wisconsin is Getting Grayer and Greener Are We Ready for It?

By Deb Nemeth

Sound public policy required for a brighter future for all Wisconsites.

46 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Wisconsin’s population will be a lot grayer in the years to come, and that will probably mean greener landscapes.

According to state demographers, Wisconsin will have modest growth over the next two decades, adding about 800,000 more people. However, almost all of that growth will be in people who are over 65. And that will have a profound impact on the state’s landscape.

The number of people under the age of 65 in 20 years will be nearly the same as today. That means that the demand for new homes for new families won’t be growing. That also means that we won’t be seeing a lot of new development on the edges of cities because there is already enough housing to meet future demand for new families. It’s good news in the war against wasteful sprawl. Also good news for natural landscapes, farms, and rural areas that would like to stay rural. But what about those older people? Trends show that they will want smaller houses and apartments that are closer to shopping, doctor’s offices, government services, and the like. As they drive less, they will need

more transportation options. In other words, they will be looking for communities that have compact, mixed-use development with good pedestrian opportunities, safe streets, and destinations within easy reach by foot or transit.

But it won’t be all gray. Young people are also looking for more diverse and interesting places to live. They want to be closer to work and most don’t want a big house with all of the upkeep. All of this is reflected in real estate trends.

Property near the center of cities is increasing in value, while large suburban lots have seen steep declines in prices. After 50 years of decline, cities are cool again, and communities need to start preparing for changing demographics.

1000 Friends of Wisconsin is working with communities across the state to help them recognize and achieve their potential for this new urban growth. Our Green Tier Legacy Communities program is designed to help participants meet the needs of a prosperous, healthy community while having to cope with less funding for operations. Our

Heavy traffic— morning commute

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 47

Great Neighborhoods program provides an innovative approach to creating safe, more walkable communities. Our transportation initiatives are aimed at stopping wasteful, unneeded highway expansion and allocating more funds for local transportation needs, like filling potholes and improving transit and pedestrian/biking opportunities.

We rely on our members to keep in touch with their community leaders and their elected state officials to hold them to the task of helping Wisconsin meet the needs of a changing population—a state that is focused on building healthy communities that attract good jobs, meet the needs of a changing population, and are affordable for all.

Deb Nemeth is the executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

Photographs provided by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin.

View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.

1000 Friends of Wisconsin 16 N. Carroll Street #800 Madison, WI 53703 608.259.1000 1kfriends.org Inviting, safe places lead to greater economic development.

Kids in canoes enjoying Wisconsin’s great outdoors.

48 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Give the greatest gift,

a home for the holidays.

Dane County Humane Society giveshelter.org

608.838.0413

HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 49

– Advertiser index Avid Gardener 36 Cabinet City by Dream 2

Enter the – Drawing to Win

Camelot Interiors 37 The Century House 25 The Company Store 25 Coyle Carpet One 31 Creative Energy Designs, Inc. 31 Dane County Humane Society 49 Don’s Home Furniture 18-19 Garden Search & Rescue 31 Iconi Interiors & Consignment 5 Innovative Tree Care Specialists 49 Kitchen Ideas Center 17

Win a $150 gift certificate for a 2 hour garden design consultation including follow-up email summary.

Lori Jolin Design, llc. 25 Luxi Stone 41 Madison Gas & Electric 51 Monroe Street Framing 5 The Montage 37 Our Lives 49 Pieces Unimagined 37 Qual Line Fence Corp. 41 Rivendell DesignWorks 5 Satara Home and Baby 17 Simply Savvy Consignment 36 UW Credit Union 52

Enter by submitting your name, mailing address, phone number, and email at homeelementsandconcepts.com, or by mail to: Home Elements & Concepts c/o Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street Baraboo, WI 53913 All entries will be entered into a drawing. Deadline is December 11, 2017.

Good Luck!

Vault Interiors & Design 41 Willow Creek 36

– PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Towns & Associates, Inc. is happy to provide local lifestyle magazines free of charge to the Greater Madison area.

We could not do so without the support of our advertising sponsors, and we appreciate every one of them. We hope that you, our readers, will consider them when deciding where to dine, shop, and play, and when you need services.

These businesses represent the true entrepreneurial spirit of our community!

50 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com

Winner Thank you to everyone who entered our previous drawing.

A $150 Garden Search & Rescue Gift Certificate was sent to Rachel Olson of Black Earth.

Congratulations!

Want to save energy?

Make mge.com your first stop • Get easy, low-cost ways to save energy • Use calculators to estimate your savings • View energy-saving brochures • Learn about Focus on Energy Interested in our energy future?

Visit: energy2030together.com

GS3130 09/11/2017

____ RATES AS LOW AS ___

Refresh Your Home 3.99% Variable Rate Line of Credit1

APR*

It’s a great time to winterize your space or prepare for holiday visitors.

Our home equity options make payments easy and affordable.

Stop by a branch, apply at uwcu.org/heloc or call 800.533.6773, option 1. *APR is annual percentage rate. Rates are subject to change. The minimum loan amount is $5,000. Rates shown are for up to 70% loan-to-value. (Use the Custom Rate Quote Calculator at uwcu.org to determine your home’s loan-to-value ratio.) Home equity lines of credit have a $149 processing fee due at closing. Closed-end home equity products have a processing fee due at closing that can range from $75 to $200. Appraisal costs or title insurance may be required. Appraisal costs range from $400 to $600. Property insurance is required. 1During the 5-year draw period, the minimum monthly payment for HELOC 70%, HELOC 80% and HELOC 90% will be (a) $50 or (b) the accrued interest on the outstanding balance under the agreement as of the close of the billing cycle, whichever is greater. The minimum monthly payment for HELOC 100% will be (a) $100 or (b) 1.5% of the outstanding balance, whichever is greater. However, if you exceed the maximum principal loan balance allowed under your agreement, you will also be required to pay an amount sufficient to reduce your principal loan balance to the maximum principal loan balance allowed under the agreement. Balances of less than $100.00 must be paid in full. Late payment fee: $10 or 5% of your monthly payment, whichever is less. Processing fee: A one-time charge of $149 applies to newly booked HELOCs due at closing. Rate indexed to The Wall Street Journal Prime. APR is subject to change monthly but cannot exceed 18%. The APR will never fall below 3.99% for HELOC 70%, 4.49% for HELOC 80%, 4.99% for HELOC 90% or 7.99% for HELOC 100% except during the initial discounted rate period, if applicable.

No annual fees. A renewable draw period of 5 years and renewal fee of $100 applies to all HELOCs. Renewal fee is waived with Value or Premium Checking. After the end of the final draw period, the remaining balance will be amortized over 15 years. Your payment will be adjusted each time the interest rate increases or decreases to repay the balance within the number of months remaining in the repayment period.