Laundry Room Kids Closet Home Office
Garage Kitchen Pantry
Master Bedroom
Cabinets for every
room in your home!
6649 University Ave. | Middleton, WI 53562 | 608-829-2489 www.cabinet-city.com
CONTENT
NOVEMBER 2018–JANUARY 2019
VOL. 8
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
publisher Towns & Associates, Inc. 126 Water Street, Baraboo, WI 53913-2445 p 608.356.8757 • f 608.356.8875 homeelementsandconcepts.com editor-in-chief Amy S. Johnson info@homeelementsandconcepts.com publication designer Jennifer Denman senior copy editor Kyle Jacobson copy editor Krystle Naab
BUSINESS DESIGN
Stoughton Hospital Practices Intuitive Design
sales & marketing director Amy S. Johnson ajohnson@homeelementsandconcepts.com
a remodel to make Stoughton Hospital more pleasant for patients and their families
sales & marketing manager Kelly Hopkins khopkins@homeelementsandconcepts.com
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
graphic designers Crea Stellmacher, Linda Walker, Barbara Wilson
Planning Your Garden to Make a World of Difference
administration Jennifer Baird, Lori Czajka, Debora Knutson
FINANCIAL
contributing writers Ken Carlson, Angie Connors, Kyle Jacobson, Laurie Lodholz, Karina Mae, Patricia McMurtrie, Diane Sorenson photographs Brett Billings/USFWS, Mary D'Alton of Convivio, Dale Hall Photography, Fireside Hearth & Home, Garden Search & Rescue, Jane Graham/ The Prairie Enthusiasts, Empire-Sauk Chapter, Mandy Handeland, The Hardware Studio, Kyle Jacobson, Kessenich's Ltd., Laurie Lodholz of Laurie Driscoll Interiors, Krista Lundgren/USFWS, Laura Perlick/USFWS, Mindy Petersen/Gathering Waters: Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts, Amy Reiter, Cara Schildknecht/USFWS, Stoughton Hospital, Eric Tadsen, Washa Remodeling & Design 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. 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. ©2018 No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission by the publisher, Towns & Associates, Inc.
Watch for the next issue February 2019. Cover photograph provided by Kessenich's Ltd.
36
42
creating a pollinator- or bird-friendly garden in almost any yard is easy
Using the Equity in Your Home
34
learn about accessing your equity through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Photograph by Washa Remodeling & Design
FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES
Brass is Back
32
brass finish options for door and cabinet hardware
Decorating Your Holiday Table tips for a well-dressed holiday table
Shop Like a Chef
16
22
kitchen implements and accessories to outfit your kitchen
LANDSCAPE
After: An Exterior Makeover
28
see the results of an exterior makeover that we introduced to you in May
REMODEL/RENOVATION
Bathroom Trends— The Spa Feel in a Smaller Space18
a bathroom remodel to create a more modern spa-like feel without changing the basic footprint of the existing space
Cook Residence
6
restoring a 1930s home to reflect its original character, style, and charm
Love Your Fireplace
12
options to make your fireplace more appealing and more energy efficient
4 Advertiser Index 46 From The Editor
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 3
from the editor Here we are already at the end of our second year. In some ways it feels like we only just put out our first issue, while in others it feels like we’ve been bringing you ideas for quite some time. We continue with our business design series by focusing on Stoughton Hospital. This remodel is a perfect example of the considerable thought and planning that goes into a public project to make sure the everyday experiences of guests; customers; and, in this case, patients are the best they can be. The “after” to an exterior makeover we introduced to you earlier in the year is complete, and you’re going to be impressed. We also feature a beautiful home renovation and talk fireplaces, bathrooms, and HELOCs. And while colder temperatures may not immediately direct your attention to the garden, it’s not too early to start thinking about your next plan. Gathering Waters Conservancy encourages you to consider a pollinator garden and explains how it will enhance your home and garden enjoyment. Finally, we have great furnishing and accessory ideas. Brass is back if you’re thinking about new or replacement hardware, Kessenich’s helps you to shop like a chef, and we have decorative holiday table ideas. Thank you to all who supported us in our second year: readers, contributors, and sponsors. We hope to have you with us in year three and that we’re all a little better for it.
Amy Johnson
4 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 5
REMODEL/RENOVATION
6 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
COOK Residence by Laurie Lodholz
The project scope was to assist the homeowner in restoring their 1930s home on Madison’s near west side to reflect its original character, style, and charm. The young family who calls this house their home consists of two working parents and two elementary-aged children. The original home was transformed over the years into a hodgepodge of bolder, modern elements and finishes with only a few of the traditional design elements barely peeking through. Some of the modern additions that the current owner thought didn’t belong included a small glass
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
Photograph by Laurie Lodholz of Laurie Driscoll Interiors
Before
After
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 7
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
8 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
solarium sunroom that served as the family room, glassblock filling in a kitchen window over the range, modern Spanish tiles covering the original oak wood floor in the kitchen, and laminate countertops. Rooms were also added on to create more separate space rather than having a gentle flow between the main living spaces. The job for the designers was to restore the timeless and classical elements of the original traditional home while adding a more functional space plan with more room for storage, furniture, and places to spread out but still feel a part of the main living area of the home. The first floor contains the main living space for this busy family: kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. Adding better storage, more family-room space, and more organization was needed for this family to grow and be comfortable.
Before
After
Photograph by Laurie Lodholz of Laurie Driscoll Interiors
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
The new kitchen is larger, with the snack counter closer to the dining area. This makes the kitchen and dining area work more as one open space rather than two separate spaces. Although the snack counter is a physical separation between the kitchen, dining, and family area, it’s still close enough to those spaces to bring them together. Kids can sit at the counter and do homework while one parent is cooking and the other is working at the dining table. Each area has plenty of space yet is close enough that the family is still together. A beverage center was designed to look like a traditional dining hutch. It’s located between the main kitchen cabinet HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 9
In the old plan, the dining room table floated by itself in the dining room. A built-in banquette bench along one dining room wall was added with a long, rectangular table. This allows for more seating yet does not take up as much space as the older table and chairs did. The paneled back of the banquette resembles the kitchen cabinets on the other side of this larger open space. It also resembles wainscoted walls, which were typical in a 1930s traditional home. And the entry to the garage door from the kitchen was moved farther out.
Before
A successful remodel on a traditional home means the completed project allows the house to look like it should have always looked.
After
Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
Photograph by Laurie Lodholz of Laurie Driscoll Interiors
area and the dining table and adds to the charm of the home while serving an important function.
After
10 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
After Photograph by Dale Hall Photography
Before
Laurie Lodholz is the owner of Laurie Driscoll Interiors. View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.
Laurie Lodholz Laurie Driscoll Interiors 2654 Pennwall Circle Fitchburg, WI 53711 608.277.9767 John Kohl John Kohl Builder 702 Anthony Lane Madison, WI 53711 608.219.9474
Photograph by Laurie Lodholz of Laurie Driscoll Interiors
Rick Hoekstra Kitchen Ideas Center 2016 S. Stoughton Road Madison, WI 53716 608.204.8760
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 11
REMODEL/RENOVATION
Photograph by homeowner Amy Reiter
Love Your
FIREPLACE
by Angie Connors
You have a fireplace in your home, but do you know how to use it? Or does it simply exist? Do you like it or do you wish it was a different design? Many homeowners don’t even know what kind of fireplace they have, never mind that they can change the way it works and the design. There are many options that can make your fireplace more energy efficient and appealing. Let’s start with the kind of fireplace you have. In Wisconsin, there are two types: wood or gas burning. If it’s woodburning,
12 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Photograph by homeowner Mandy Handeland
Updated look to a wood burning fireplace.
contained. You’re not feeding the flame with the oxygen from the room, but you’re actually adding heat to the room as opposed to taking heat away from the room. Exciting new home construction.
you need to decide if you want to burn wood or change it to gas burning. If you decide to change to gas, there are two options: gas logs and a gas insert. Gas logs are similar to burning wood—they give a wonderful flame and look realistic, but they’re not very energy efficient. A gas insert is placed into the opening of a woodburning fireplace. It has two flex liners that feed through your chimney—one brings in oxygen, the other takes exhaust out. It has a piece of sealed glass that makes the unit self-
Most people think that when they decide to put gas-burning products into their home, they now have a gas fireplace. That’s not completely true. It’s still a woodburning fireplace, except now it operates with gas logs or a gas insert. There are two different types of woodburning fireplaces. To know for sure which one you have, there’s a quick check—it’s based on your chimney. If your fireplace has a brick chimney, chances are you have a masonry fireplace. If there’s siding going up the chimney chase, chances are you have a prefabricated firebox. A masonry chimney is common in older homes. The chimney can go either on the outside or interior of the home. Usually, HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 13
Photograph provided by Fireside Hearth & Home
Before Traditional gas fireplace transformed with a linear contemporary gas fireplace.
After Photograph provided by Fireside Hearth & Home
but not always, these fireplaces are part of the home structure and your options to change them are limited. Prefabricated fireplaces have been around over 35 years. There are more options to change these fireplaces. As stated earlier, a gas insert can be placed inside or the entire unit could be removed and replaced with a gas fireplace. Back to gas fireplaces. The difference between a gas fireplace and a gas insert is a gas fireplace is an independent unit with its own vent pipe. A gas insert is, as stated earlier, placed inside a woodburning fireplace. A gas fireplace can have a minimum vent run or the venting can go up the chase of the home. These fireplaces are very energy efficient and are very easy to operate with the flip of a switch or push of a button. If you just don’t like the way your fireplace looks, you must first determine what kind of fireplace it is to know what direction you can go. A homeowner can change or replace 14 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
the stone with tile or marble. Any noncombustible material will look fantastic. You can change the mantel, add a hearth, or take the hearth away. Go from a traditional fireplace with logs to a contemporary linear look with ribbon flame and glass stones. Your options are endless. With the many available options, don’t settle and certainly don’t let your fireplace go unused. Make it a part of your home to create even more memories. Angie Connors is an interior designer in Retail Sales and is a Hearth Expert at Fireside Hearth & Home. View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com. Fireside Hearth & Home 6709 Watts Road Madison, WI 53719 608.276.6010
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
GS3205 8/2/2018
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 15
FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES
Decorating Your Holiday Table Just a bit of sparkle makes everything festive. Decorate your holiday table with something unexpected, like vintage pieces from family collections. Or try brightly patterned serving pieces to contrast with solid patterned dishes and whimsical handles on utensils. The well-dressed holiday table always includes something not perfectly matched. Ribbons add panache when used to tie a bundle of candles together as a centerpiece or as napkin rings. Be sure the candles are unscented so they don’t interfere with the food. For a final touch, scatter beautiful ornaments across your holiday table as decorations that can be taken home by your guests.
CRÈME DE CASSIS Pour 1 oz. Crème de Cassis in a flute Top with Prosecco, Cava, or Champagne Adjust the amount of Crème de Cassis to taste or your desired shade of purple 16 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Photograph by Mary D'Alton of Convivio
Photograph by Mary D'Alton of Convivio
Items sourced from Convivio in Spring Green. convivio.com
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 17
REMODEL/RENOVATION
After
BATHROOM TRENDS The Spa Feel in a Smaller Space
Before 18 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
There are many homes with medium-sized bathrooms with outdated fixtures and dĂŠcor from the 90s that are in desperate need of a facelift. Our project homeowners were hoping for a spa feel without changing the basic footprint of the existing bathroom. The focus of the project was to replace a jetted bathtub (with moldy jets) with a more modern tub as the visual centerpiece, and to update the shower both cosmetically and functionally.
The room was gutted to the studs. Plumbing was housed in exterior walls—not a great idea in Wisconsin—so spray foam insulation was applied before work began on the interior cosmetic updates. The new tub was a round soaker tub with standpipe faucet, including a handheld wand. The water inlet was placed in the floor instead of the wall, creating the European feel the homeowner was looking for. The vanity and shower were built around the tub, making the tub the focal point of the room.
of waste tile, which allowed the project to be completed in a timely fashion instead of being delayed by an additional tile order. The new vanity and lighting and fresh wall covering contribute to the warm feeling of the overall space. Gold accents in the light fixtures, wall covering, and vanity hardware add visual interest, continuity, and warmth. Using industrial
Modern shower updates included a frameless shower door for a clean, modern look; new subway tiles with accent bands; bench seating; and shampoo niches to avoid clutter on the floor. The honeycomb tile pattern on the shower floor was repeated in the shampoo niches for continuity. The homeowner ordered Italian ceramic faux wood tile for the entire bathroom floor, but a miscalculation led to a shortage of tile to finish the project. Washa Remodeling’s tile setter suggested changing the directional orientation of the tile to a herringbone pattern to reduce the amount
Before
After
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 19
After
Edison bulbs that are gold tinted on the bottom to reflect light upward creates a clean horizontal line with the edge of the light. Geometric patterns in the wallcovering combine with the unique shape of the mirrors to add further visual impact. Adding a gold globe ornamental light fixture over the tub completes the look. Recessed can lights, including a vented can light in the shower, provide needed light. The bathroom remodel was all about the details. Carefully chosen design features create a modern spa bathroom that the homeowner can enjoy without adding on. Article submitted by Washa Remodeling & Design, which has been helping Madison area homeowners create beautiful and functional spaces since 1983. Photographs provided by Washa Remodeling & Design. View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.
After 20 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Washa Remodeling & Design 2605 S. Stoughton Road, Suite 300 Madison, WI 53716 608.838.8318 nick@washaremodeling.com
Selling Tips During a Wisconsin Winter Curb Appeal Still Matters! BEFORE WINTER HITS • Make it sparkle! Who doesn’t like a clean home? Wash windows, dust furniture, ceiling fans, and bathroom exhaust fans. Bleach dingy grout, recaulk tubs, showers, and sinks. Clean kitchen appliances inside and out. Empty trash/recycling daily to avoid lingering odors. • Consider taking pictures of your yard during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Showcase how much privacy your yard has when everything is in full bloom. • Make sure heating systems are functioning properly, and use this as a selling point that major mechanical systems have already serviced. On showing days, turn up the temperature to be comfortable and give incentive to buyers to linger longer. • If you have an older roof, have a roofing contractor evaluate it before snowfall. Get the evaluation in writing and use it as a reassuring selling point.
LIGHTING/AMBIANCE • Less sunlight + darker days = you need more lighting! Pull up blinds, open shutters, push back drapes on every window (unless outdoor scenery is undesirable). • Many people are allergic to commercial scents and deodorizers. Simmer spices in water or bake cookies for a better effect. • Consider installing a motion sensor that lights up in the evening when a buyer approaches your front doorstep. • Avoid using religious themes or too much distracting holiday décor. Outdoor holiday lights are OK, but don’t go overboard. • Use outdoor spotlights that highlight the exterior and/or landscaping features. • Soft background music during showings is a nice touch, but keep it non-religious. • Highlight rooms and features that make good hangout spots when you’re stuck inside: light the fireplace and show off your finished basement with space for kids and adults to play!
OPEN HOUSE/SHOWING DAYS • Clear a path through any snow, even if flakes are still falling. Footprints turn to ice when the temperature drops. Sprinkle a layer of salt or sand to ensure easy access for visitors. • Put a rubber mat by the front door to hold winter footwear and a container for wet umbrellas. • Be aware of the Packer and Badger football schedules! Make sure you coordinate correctly for open house times. • Near Thanksgiving holiday? Pull your home off the market or wait to list your property until after the New Year.
Laura Lahti with Badger Realty Team is a seasoned Realtor who enjoys thinking outside the box when it comes to staging and marketing your home. Contact her today for a free consultation/evaluation of your home and find out more about different incentive programs that she offers for health care professionals, teachers, veterans, law enforcement, and Epic employees.
Contact Laura today!
608.239.3469 teamlahti.com
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 21
FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES
The Crave collection of melamine dishes by American Metalcraft.
Stainless steel mini roasting pans.
22 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Demeyere sautĂŠ pan and no-stain Zwilling Pro knife.
Shop Like a Chef by Diane Sorenson
Today’s homeowner puts a lot of thought into creating their dream kitchen. They want beauty, function, and the capacity to entertain guests with ease. Money is spent on professional grade ranges, high-tech dishwashers, and sinks designed to handle much more than the average weeknight cleanup.
Prep and Cook Like a Chef Continuing with the durable, nonbreakable theme incorporating on-trend/modern styling, Farmhouse Collection melamine mixing and prep bowls will become your most-used vessels. These bowls have nonslip bases and convenient pour spouts for easy control.
But what about all the other kitchen implements and accessories you need to outfit your kitchen for maximum efficiency? Apply the same mentality to the details and you can achieve your goal of having a kitchen that flexes from family pizza night to hosting a 20-person dinner party.
Many of today’s home chefs have watched celebrity chef shows on television and may have even attended cooking classes. They’re more knowledgeable regarding proper techniques, such as knife skills, than the home chef of 20 years ago. If you’re a serious cook preparing food at home frequently, you want knives that give you precise control while staying sharp longer. The Dexter Duoglide Knife Collection has soft, textured grips, which reduce wrist, arm, and hand discomfort. The handles are designed to be gripped in different ways for ultimate control. High carbon steel blades that are individually ground and honed provide long-lasting edges.
Get Professional Power at Home Have you ever tried to puree large quantities of soup or sauce in your food processor only to end up with liquid oozing around the base of your appliance and all over the counter? A classic problem. To avoid having to prep in multiple batches, consider investing in professional grade small appliances for your kitchen. What they lack in style they make up for in convenience, power, and capacity. The Waring Pro line produces blenders, food processors, and stick mixers for the serious home chef, all available in the Madison Kessenich’s showroom.
Set the Table Like a Caterer Many serving accessories used by professional caterers for convenience and style in a buffet setting are available to the home chef too. The stainless steel Taco Taxi Caddy by
Farmhouse Collection melamine mixing and prep bowls from Tablecraft.
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 23
Hospitality Brand Utopia Creative Tableware Platters, elm wood.
24 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Tablecraft solves the problem of all the fillings falling out when serving tacos to groups. Tacos can be placed upright in the caddy and replenished as needed. Serving garnishes and toppings in colorful ramekins means your guests will have custom topping options without a mess. Melamine has come a long way since the 1970s. Today’s dishware still offers the reliable durability of nonbreakable dishes, but now comes in modern, stylish colors and shapes. Bright colors and contemporary neutrals are available and really dress up a table. Professional caterers routinely use melamine because it’s resilient, affordable, and comes in on-trend colors. Cast iron has long been a well-equipped-kitchen staple because it goes from oven to table, never wears out, and can be used for main dishes as well as breads, vegetables, and desserts. Home chefs love the rustic farmhouse look of cast iron, and it’s now available in a wide range of sizes for family portions and individual servings. Add Farmhouse jars from Libby and you have created a homey country style to your buffet that works well with popular comfort food recipes. Serve drinks in tin-can-style glasses or a variety of mason-jar- or milk-jug-inspired designs to complete the look. Stainless steel Taco Taxi Caddy by Tablecraft. Mason- and milk-jar-inspired fun designs from Creative Value.
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 25
Tabletop pizza stands with American Metalcraft 12 oz. glass beehive shakers—great for Parmesan cheese and spices.
Large Scale Home Entertaining Planning to host a graduation party? A bridal shower? A Green Bay Packers Sunday brunch? Many events can be personalized by hosting them at home as opposed to reserving a large space at a restaurant. Buffet entertaining is actually a great option if you have the right serving pieces to do it. You may have used Sterno cans to keep food hot on a buffet at one time or another. They don’t always stay lit, and we worry about open flame on a table with other flammable items, such as paper napkins. The new, safer, easier alternative is the Sterno SpeedHeat system. Just add water to these disposable, one-time-use packets for a full 45 minutes of steam heat to keep food hot. Pizza Night Shop for specialized equipment to create fun food items for your family. Tabletop pizza ovens, pizza peels, and pans are just some of the items that can make regular dining more of an at-home restaurant experience for your family and friends when you’re entertaining on a smaller scale or just trying to spice things up during the week. 26 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Shopping like a chef doesn’t have to break the bank, but consider focusing more on the quality and durability of professional grade items rather than on low cost. At a professional outlet and showroom, like Kessenich’s, you can find everything in a one-stop-shopping venue. If you don't see what you're looking for on the shelf, browse through Kessenich's special order sample section. Cooking at home can be an inspiring, rewarding, and educational experience for everyone in your home. Having the right equipment and accessories will make it all the more enjoyable. Diane Sorenson is the marketing & business development director for Great Lakes Hotel Supply. Photographs provided by Kessenich's Ltd. View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com. Kessenich’s Ltd. 3226 Progress Road Madison, WI 53716 608.249.5391 kessenichs.com
ARTIST-MADE
TM
WANTOOT.COM
MODERN AMERICAN ART AND CRAFT
IN AMERICA
236 HIGH STREET, MINERAL POINT, WI 608.284.5927
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 27
LANDSCAPE
After Photograph by Eric Tadsen
Photograph by Eric Tadsen
After
28 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
After: An Exterior Makeover by Karina Mae
Photograph by Eric Tadsen
Photograph by Eric Tadsen
After The gate and "kitchen" screen were designed to shield the street.
After
The kids can now run along the glacial smooth stones. Flowers and food fill the paths, offering many beneficial insects to view and vantage stopping points. The dog runs circles in the enclosed space, under and around the highflying tumblers on the trampoline. Mom calls out from the back porch door for a lemonade count as she eyes the grill and patio space thinking of the evening dinner. A passing neighbor offers a greeting through the circle gate as a new set of tumblers parade in. The gate closes seamlessly on its own, keeping the dog in place. The front stoop is now home to a game of cards, and a visiting grandma quietly reads just inside the screen porch,
Before
Photograph provided by Garden Search & Rescue
The project we introduced to you in May is complete, and the warmer season’s life at the home is greatly changed because of it.
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 29
After Photograph by Eric Tadsen
The pergola and back porch were designed to shield the street.
Landscaping Tips for the Fall Fall is the best time to soil build. Add natural plant debris, untreated lawn clippings, and leaves to the beds. If starting a new
observing it all. Grandpa and dad will return with the grill items, and the family will gather for an outdoor meal as they plan their Saturday together. Mom’s on the phone and back at the sink, and enjoys taking a few moments here. Just outside the kitchen window, a flowering vine climbs the screen, blocking traffic, and there stays a hummingbird feeding.
bed, lay paper down first. Leaves can be up to three inches thick and don’t need to be shredded. They’ll break down, providing essential nutrients and minerals to the plants throughout the winter, and they can be combined with chopped plant debris, such as hosta leaves, lily leaves, and other plant matter. We generally operate on a slash and drop method for cleanup of soft herbaceous perennials: slash the plant matter in several inch
Small moments of peace, fun, solitude, and joy are all to be had within outdoor spaces. Look for yours and love your yard!
pieces and leave it lay. This process will increase the number of beneficial insects and provide nitrogen and other nutrients back to the soil. Come spring, cover it up with a hardwood shredded bark mulch and you’ll never know it’s there. You’ll have less
Karina Mae is the designer and team leader at Garden Search & Rescue.
weeds that are easier to pull, and you’ll water less because of better soil. It’s important to remember to pull any debris away from the base of all plants by May.
View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com.
Don’t forget the water! Fall is a critically important time to water trees and shrubs, including, and especially, evergreens and
Garden Search & Rescue Madison, WI 53704 608.438.9571 gardensearchandrescue.com
other conifers. Trees and shrubs can suffer a type of frost burn if they go into winter too dry, and larger trees love the added boost to gather and store for the long haul. Roots follow the path of water, so be sure you water the way you want your roots to grow. Water deeply every couple of days
From Karina: “Many thanks to John Leonard of Star Valley Landscapes, Bob Matty of The Madison Handyman, Jason Higbie of Higbie Perfection Painting, and the amazing team at Garden Search & Rescue.”
instead of lightly more often. The optimum goal is to reach deep roots, not a lot of surface or shallow roots. Moisten the ground prior to the heavy water to allow for more absorption, and use rainwater to your benefit. Damp or wet ground holds a lot more water than dry ground.
30 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Photograph provided by Garden Search & Rescue
Before
The Kitchen Creative MadisonLighting.com 6701 Watts Rd., Madison
After
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 31
FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES
Brass is Back Though this time, it’s less brassy. The new finishes are richer and more luxurious, embracing natural, tarnished, aged, and antiqued patinas under polished, satin, and brushed finishes. Though lacquered pieces capture the beauty of the chosen finish, going unlacquered allows the piece to change with the environment over time.
1.
Painted cabinets and doors in whites, blacks, grays, navy blues, dark greens, and blue-greens pair beautifully with brass. Go contemporary with brushed brass or more traditional with aged brass. Whatever you want. There are no rules when it comes to your style. On a budget? You could go with plated finishes that give you the same look for less cash, or try mixing metals. A little bit of pop from the brass goes a long way with the chrome faucet in the bathroom or kitchen. From modern farmhouse to mid-century modern to traditional, the right brass hardware to complement your existing hardware is available. It’s jewelry for your home. Sometimes silver is in, sometimes it’s all about gold, and then there are times when people are mixing it up. Changing door and cabinet hardware is one of the easiest and quickest ways to give your home’s interior a whole new look.
4.
Items sourced from The Hardware Studio in Madison. hardwarestudio.com
1.
Satin brass and brown front entry handleset.
2.
odern disc door knob on a rectangular rosette shown in M satin brass.
3.
Solid rustic brass sash pull, made in the United States.
4. S olid brass pull shown in satin brass. Longer lengths available.
5. S olid brass pull shown in polished brass. Available in lengths up to 18 inches.
6.
Satin brass transitional 12-inch towel bar.
7. S olid brass cabinet knob with coined-edge details shown in revere tarnished finish.
8. S atin brass and acrylic T-knob. Pulls with adjustable sizes also available.
9.
Satin brass with glass pull, made in the United States.
32 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
7.
3.
5. 6.
8. 9.
Photographs provided by The Hardware Studio
2.
HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 33
FINANCIAL
Using the Equity in Your Home by Ken Carlson
As the housing market continues its recovery—and indeed, heats up in some markets—home values are rebounding. One advantage of increasing home values is that for many homeowners the equity in their homes has also increased. Utilizing the equity can be an effective tool with a variety of uses. This may be a blessing in light of the fact that there continues to be a shortage of homes available for sale. Housing inventory is tight, and most experts believe the market will remain that way for several years. This has pushed prices up so some people may opt to improve their current home instead of purchasing a new one, especially if they’re unable to get into an area they like at a price they can afford. 34 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
What is home equity? The equity in your home is the difference between what your home is worth versus what you owe on it. For example, if your home is worth $200,000 and your mortgage balance is $120,000, you have $80,000 in total equity. Some financial institutions will allow you access to all of it, while others allow you a percentage of it, say 80 percent. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) You can get a home equity loan for a fixed term at a fixed rate of interest. However, the more popular option to access equity is through a HELOC, a line of credit which works much like a credit card. As you pay back the amount you borrowed, it becomes available again as part of the line
of credit. You can borrow as much as you need up to the maximum amount of your credit limit. One feature of a HELOC is that it gives you access to funds but you don’t have to use all of it. As an example, if you qualify and secure a HELOC of $50,000, unlike a fixed loan where you would take the entire $50,000, the HELOC allows you to draw only what you need. And your interest is calculated on the amount that you withdraw or borrow. Because a HELOC is a line of credit, you make payments only on the amount you actually borrow, not the full amount available. The interest charged is also on the amount you borrow, not the entire credit limit available. A HELOC has several advantages over other types of personal loans. • HELOC loans generally have lower interest rates compared to other types of loans. • It’s easier to access a HELOC loan because your home serves as the collateral. • HELOC loans can come with a fixed or variable interest rate. The variable rate is usually lower but is for a shorter term, after which it may reset to a slightly higher rate. • With most financial institutions, even if you start with a variable rate HELOC, you can opt to convert it to fixed rate when you’re ready to pay it off.
HELOCs also come with a draw period and a repayment period. The draw period is when you can actively make withdrawals from your line of credit. During this time, you may make interest-only payments on what you have borrowed. Once the draw period ends, you will be required to make principal and interest payments, which at times may be much higher than just paying interest. Another point to remember is that HELOCs have a variable interest rate. That is, the interest rate is based on the prime rate, which can change over time. Some financial institutions, like UW Credit Union, will allow borrowers to convert a portion of a HELOC to a fixed rate loan. If you’ve withdrawn $10,000 from a HELOC which has a limit up to $50,000 and you decide that you don’t want a variable interest rate on the borrowed amount rate which may increase, you can request that the $10,000 be converted to a fixed interest rate loan. That still gives you the ability to maintain a HELOC with a borrowing limit of $40,000. Such options, along with the fact that you can use a HELOC for many purposes, make it a very flexible way to access the equity in your home. Ken Carlson is associate vice president of Consumer Lending at UW Credit Union. UW Credit Union 608.232.5000 uwcu.org
• A HELOC can offer tax advantages. The interest you pay may be deductible under certain circumstances. Consult an accountant or tax adviser for details. You can use your HELOC for almost anything, but most people tend to use it for larger expenses, such as a home remodel, a vehicle purchase, college expenses, or even placing a down payment on a vacation home. It can also be used to consolidate other debt. For example, you can pay off credit cards that may be charging a higher interest rate. The Fine Print on HELOCs HELOCs require you to use your home as collateral for the loan. In other words, you are taking out a second mortgage on your home. This may put your home at risk if your payment is late or you can't make your payment at all. If you sell your home, you have to pay off your HELOC line of credit at the same time. HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 35
Photograph by Kyle Jacobson
BUSINESS DESIGN
STOUGHTON HOSPITAL Practices Intuitive Design
Photograph by Kyle Jacobson
by Kyle Jacobson
36 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Throughout my childhood, hospitals often held a heavy fog of sterile. White floors, white walls, everything shiny and porcelain. The pediatrician was an exception, as was the occasional carpeted waiting room, but exchange the white wear for hazmat suits and it’s E.T. without Reese’s. Everything else felt like a social experiment where I had to guess what all the other patients were in for and sit farthest away from the most contagious. Or if I was contagious, sit away from the children and elderly. Stoughton Hospital took aspects of discomfort typically associated with hospitals into consideration with a recent
Photograph by Kyle Jacobson Photograph by Kyle Jacobson
remodel, making a patient-focused experience their top priority. The result integrated visual and audio aspects of intuitive design to make navigating the hospital more pleasant for patients and their families. Stress that came from feeling small or lost was replaced with a sense of respect and privacy. On privacy, Teresa Lindfors, FACHE, MBA, RN, and vice president of Growth & Development for the hospital, says, “Our registration area, for example, is four private rooms where patients can go in and give their private information. What we had before were three side-by-side stations, and some patients had concerns about someone overhearing their information.” So right away, patients understand that their best interests are in mind, and they’re not expected to go through a potentially uncomfortable situation because it’s more convenient for the hospital. Stoughton Hospital has utilized properties of psychological health when approaching the well-being of their patients, considering experience and expectations to be on par with the quality of care provided. Upon entering Urgent Care or the surgery areas of the hospital, a light-colored floor guides patients down hallways, HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 37
with a darker wooden border indicating areas used for staff. For further convenience, different naturescapes on elevator doors give each wing a distinct feel so visitors can easier navigate the building.
fit with the existing equipment. However, unlike in a closet, you can’t always get away with taking various articles to Goodwill. Old machines and tools may still be essential for helping patients with their various needs. The rooms now feel like everything has a place while accommodating more persons, providing more room for visitors, and allowing doctors and nurses to move efficiently as they work.
Photograph by Kyle Jacobson
Design principals of space utilization were embraced when enlarging the patient rooms. Teresa uses the analogy of a closet when describing how only so much fits, and it doesn’t take long before you’re contorting yourself to get where you need to be. Every new piece of equipment needs to
A room a lot of patients don’t see is the lab, which essentially works like the kitchen in a restaurant. Before the remodel, technicians oftentimes had to work around a maze to get to the right station, perform their test, then bring it to the next station and the next. “Our lab was part of the 1976 addition of our building. It had become inefficient in terms of workflow. With the renovation, we were able to do kind of a racetrack lab.” Now the stations often involve the technicians simply turning around or taking a step to the side to get to where they need to be, ultimately reducing waiting times for patients.
Photograph provided by Stoughton Hospital
It’s all a peace of mind thing. It starts with the patient being the top priority, then making sure everything is efficient, and ending with aesthetics. Teresa says they were aiming to make everything spa-like. “We wanted it to feel like a healing environment.” Some waiting areas really embraced this concept by incorporating stones and waterfalls with light sources acting to create mood with blooms of yellow against the walls and structures. Outside of that, patient rooms now embrace earth tones to break down the anxietyinducing reminders that they’re in a hospital.
Before
After 38 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
Photograph by Kyle Jacobson
For Teresa and much of the hospital staff, having high aims was essential for the remodel. Teresa says, “We wanted a great patient and family experience. We were going to deliver quality healthcare either way, but we wanted to make sure we took patient satisfaction, safety, and security all into consideration. We wanted to exceed our customer expectations when all was complete.” I’d say mission accomplished. The remodel took an understanding that no two patients’ needs are alike physiologically and interlaced a concerted effort to establish comfort and trust. The result is one of embracing process, ensuring each stage and its transition is considered thoughtfully, alleviating stress and maximizing care. Words into practice, practice into relief, relief into health. Serenity. Kyle Jacobson is a copy editor for Home Elements & Concepts, and a writer and beer enthusiast (sometimes all at once) living in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Photograph provided by Stoughton Hospital
After
Before
View additional photographs at homeelementsandconcepts.com. Stoughton Hospital 900 Ridge Street Stoughton, WI 53589 608.873.6611 stoughtonhospital.com HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 39
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Photograph by Jane Graham/The Prairie Enthusiasts, Empire-Sauk Chapter
PLANNING YOUR GARDEN to Make a World of Difference by Patricia McMurtrie
Chilly days are great times to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a seed catalog to plan next summer’s garden. Why not choose a low-maintenance option that supports the wildlife pollinating our plants? Creating a pollinator garden will give you hours of entertainment as you watch bees, butterflies, and birds flit around your plants. As they gather nectar and pollen for themselves, they perform a vital service for us all.
A monarch butterfly at a 2018 Wisconsin Land Trust Days event.
Photograph by Mindy Petersen/Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
Rusty patched bumblebees (endangered) have been sighted at several properties managed by The Prairie Enthusiasts.
42 Additional photos at homeelementsandconcepts.com
When bees and butterflies visit flowers, some of the pollen from the plant’s stamen sticks to their bodies. As these pollinators move from flower to flower, a portion of this microscopic pollen attaches to another flower’s stigma to complete the fertilization process. Experts estimate three out of four flowering plants depend on pollinators to produce fruits and vegetables, seeds, and nuts. These small creatures are responsible for approximately one-third of our food crops.1 But many pollinators face serious population declines. For instance, the rusty patched bumblebee, once sighted in 28 states, is now found in just 13.2 Since southern Wisconsin is home for many of the world’s remaining colonies, the species is of special concern for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
If we aren’t careful, the monarch butterfly will soon become endangered. Over the past few decades, we’ve lost nearly 90 percent of the monarch butterfly population.3 It’s significant because our bees, butterflies, and birds indicate the health of our environment. If they can’t survive, it’s just a matter of time until people feel the effects. Researchers attribute the decline in pollinator populations to pesticide and herbicide overuse and the loss of habitat. In Wisconsin, pollinators have lost thousands of acres of habitat. As natural areas disappear, so do our pollinators.
We have nearly 50 land trusts in Wisconsin involved in land conservation, including The Prairie Enthusiasts, Groundswell Conservancy, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, and Madison Audubon Society. Chances are you have a land trust working to preserve and manage environmentally significant land and water in your community. Many of these conservation efforts also provide pollinators with abundant sources of food and shelter. You can also help at home. Whether your yard consists of flower pots on your deck or 40 acres in the country, you can create a friendly area for butterflies, bees, and birds.
Photograph by Cara Schildknecht/USFWS
But there’s hope. Dedicated nonprofit groups called land trusts work to protect and restore the land’s natural habitat. Volunteers spend hours removing invasive non-native plants, collecting seeds from native species, and replanting prairies and other areas to reestablish Wisconsin’s flowers and grasses.
Plants for pollinator garden. Prairie smoke.
According to Brenna Marsicek, communications director at the Madison Audubon Society, “Wildlife needs four essential elements to thrive in any garden: • Food, usually in the form of nectar, pollen, berries, or seeds.
Photograph by Krista Lundgren/USFWS
• A water source, such as a birdbath or a puddle. • Trees, bushes, or other covered spaces that provide shelter. • Areas free of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, it’s easy to create a pollinator- or bird-friendly garden in almost any yard.” HOME ELEMENTS & CONCEPTS 43
For the most attractive pollinator garden, choose a variety of locally sourced, native flowering plants that produce hearty amounts of pollen and nectar in the spring, summer, and fall. Wisconsin’s native plants meet the nutritional needs of our native pollinators.
If you’re thinking about adding trees to your yard, consider oak, willow, plum, and chokecherry trees. Besides being hardy enough to survive Wisconsin winters, these trees provide shelter and habitat for several kinds of bees, butterflies, and birds. You can find more information about native plants at audubon.org/native-plants. Planting native plants and flowers in your garden will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are helping sustain Wisconsin’s pollinators and making a difference in the world around you.
Photograph by Brett Billings/USFWS
In the early spring, species such as prairie smoke, shooting star, and cream wild indigo supply nectar for queen bees and monarch butterflies migrating northward. Adding laterblooming asters, blazing star, butterfly weed, and several varieties of milkweed can encourage female monarchs to stay and their lay eggs.
Young girl looking at monarch caterpillar. Monarch butterfly on butterfly weed.
If you would like more information about native plants or protecting natural areas, contact Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts. Gathering Waters and the land trusts it serves are committed to ensuring Wisconsin residents have access to clean air and water, healthy wildlife habitat, and beautiful places that contribute to the Wisconsin way of life now and in the future. Patricia McMurtrie is the communications specialist at Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts. nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/plantsanimals/pollinate fws.gov/midwest/endangered/insects/rpbb/FAQsFinalListing.html 3 blog.nwf.org/2017/02/new-numbers-show-monarch-butterfly -populations-still-in-trouble 1
Photograph by Laura Perlick/USFWS
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Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts 211 S. Paterson Street, Suite 270 Madison, WI 53703 608.251.9131 gatheringwaters.org
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