Real Estate News
T R I A N G L E
home design
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“Cary is a city full of families who absolutely love their homes and their neighbors. Once they move here, they never want to leave.”
dedicated to showcasing the triangle’s distinctive homes
–Angie Cole, A Cole Realty
Captivating Cary Small-town charm and big-city opportunities collide in this award-winning town
- story on page 4
real estate news What’s new p2
design instyle Oomph p8
design trends
Lisa Sherry Interieurs p12
straight talk Fungus fights p15
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
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|real estate news
what’s new?
compiled by Whitney Berongi
JOIN US AT OUR SPRING OPEN HOUSE TOUR, MARCH 9 Join us for the Spring Open House Tour at Wendell Falls, located at 320 Vintage Point Lane in Wendell, N.C., on Saturday, March 9, from noon to 5 p.m. Borrow a bike from the information center and explore the community. Check out everything “new,â€? including seven new award-winning models, a new model row, a new townhome village, new parks and a new solar-powered model (one of the ďŹ rst in the state). Just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, Wendell Falls is where small-town community meets big-city urbanity, with new thinking about ways to live and work. There’s an onsite cafĂŠ, pool, ďŹ tness center, dog park, 10-plus miles of walking and biking trails, and about 273 acres of parks and open space. On top of that, a planned retail and commercial district will soon offer more restaurants, shops and ofďŹ ces within walking and biking distance. Homes at Wendell Falls range from 1,500 to 3,600 square feet and are priced from the $200,000s to $600,000s. For more information, call 888-794-0402.
www.BarstoolsAndDinettes.com 8620 Glenwood Ave Raleigh NC 27612
919.787.6680
Email real estate news to TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com. T R I A N G L E
home design Editor
Christina Darnell
Coordinator/Designer
Melissa Kennelly
Creative Strategy Buck Brice
Real Estate Marketing Consultant
Katina Faulkner, kfaulkner@newsobserver.com 919-836-5999
Advertising Sales Manager Becky Halliday, 925-382-6594
Section published by The News & Observer • 421 Fayetteville St. Suite 104 Raleigh, NC 27601. Editorial material in this section is the responsibility of the Observer Content Studio, 704-358-5185. It did not involve the news staff of The Observer.
Save on solid wood furniture & superior quality! Customize your table size, legs & finish. All in a wide variety of finish colors. Bermex Zimmerman Chair
Is there a neighborhood you’d like to see featured? Do you know of a new design trend on the rise? Did you use one of our ideas for your own home or home purchase?
We’d love to hear from you.
TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com
facebook.com/TriangleHomeDesign *Copyright 2019 by The News & Observer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without written permission.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
NEW HOUSE, NEW YARD
NEW CHALLENGES HERE’S A FEW TIPS FROM LOGAN’S GARDEN SHOP (RALEIGH) & GARDEN SUPPLY COMPANY (CARY) FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE CONSIDERING NEW LANDSCAPE OR GARDENING PROJECTS. Check for drainage issues!
Is water pooling around the home’s foundation or anywhere in the yard? Is run-off from neighboring sites causing erosion or other damage to your property? Does water exiting downspouts freely move away from the house?
Are there mature trees on the property?
If so, check them for dead or damaged limbs that may fall on the house or vehicles parked in the driveway.
Are there easements on the property?
Having easements may not allow for a fence to be built or may restrict plant choices in those areas.
Are there lots of large, overgrown shrubs or long lengths of hedges?
This could indicate the level of maintenance needed or be a sign of plants that should be replaced.
FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE & GARDENING NEEDS VISIT:
FIND & FOLLOW US 707 SEMART DRIVE RALEIGH, NC 27604 919-828-5337 INFO@LOGANTRD.COM LOGANTRD.COM
1421 OLD APEX ROAD CARY, NC, 27513 919.460.7747 INFO@GARDENSUPPLYCO.COM GARDENSUPPLYCO.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
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|living in Cary DID YOU KNOW? With a population of roughly 165,000 people and growing, according to recent U.S. census estimates, Cary is the second most populous incorporated town in the United States.
EAT
Ashworth Drugs Serving up nostalgic ice cream floats and hotdogs since 1957, this full-service pharmacy’s popular “soda fountain” area is a favorite with the locals. ashworthdrugs.com
PLAY
Koka Booth Amphitheatre Situated amongst beautiful hardwoods and abutting Symphony Lake, head to this outdoor performing arts center in Regency Park for fun events like the Beer & Bacon Festival and musical performances from today’s top artists. boothamphitheatre.com
EXPLORE
USA Baseball National Training Complex Located in Thomas Brooks Park, this $11 million facility features four major league baseball standardized fields and hosts an array of selection and training events for USA Baseball, as well as domestic and international baseball games and tournaments. usabaseball.com
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by Julie Cooper
L
ocated in the heart of the Triangle area between Raleigh and the renowned Research Triangle Park in Durham, Cary is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, work and play. With its convenient location, highperforming school district, thriving downtown area and plentiful green spaces, this fast-growing area lures homebuyers who want it all. “Cary is a city full of families who absolutely love their homes and their neighbors,” says Angie Cole with A Cole Realty. “Once they move here, they never want to leave. It’s mature, lavish and always vibrant thanks to ongoing enhancements, making the area better every day.” Thanks to careful planning, Cary has been able to keep up with its explosive growth by staying ahead of the curve. “The Town of Cary has received national recognition for the thoughtfulness of its planning department and growth,” says Chad Jemison with Bright Ideas Realty at Keller Williams. “They already had plans in place for park locations, the greenway system and property for schools long before the boom. Now that the land has largely been developed, there’s currently a focus on redevelopment of older communities and reinvesting in downtown Cary.” The investment is paying off too.
Downtown Cary is thriving with an influx of new locally-owned shops and restaurants—think breweries, bakeries, a wine market, boutique hotel, arts center and more—opening their doors. “I love downtown Cary,” says Cole. “The quaint shops are adorable. We love grabbing drinks at Bond Brothers Beer and a bite to eat from their sponsored food truck. Then, we walk over to FRESH Local Ice Cream for a scoop of our favorite flavors. It’s so much fun.” And there’s still so much more to love about this high-spirited town. “There’s an extensive greenway system, lots of parks and ball fields—it’s really family friendly,” says Jemison. “Bond Park is my favorite with its big lake and trails. Koka Booth Amphitheatre has a lot of acts come through. They also host a big fireworks display there each year on the Fourth. Cary’s just a really fun town.” The employment opportunities are also robust thanks to its proximity to Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the country that houses more than 250 businesses like Cisco, Lenovo and Fidelity Investments. “West Cary is right next to this park, and we have people moving from all over the country and even the world here,” says Jemison. “They choose to be
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
here for the quality of life—to be in a good school system, to lessen the commute and to have access to great jobs.” Thanks to its popularity and tremendous growth, the area is booming with new construction. “There are so many new neighborhoods going up in the area,” says Jemison. “They really run the gamut in prices from the mid-$300,000s to milliondollar-plus in luxury neighborhoods. Many of them are big planned communities like Amberly, which has about seven neighborhoods that all feed into one master amenity center with a swim team pool, kids’ pool with slides, an indoor gym with two full-size basketball courts, workout areas and gathering places. It’s really family-centric—more like a Disney resort than your typical community.” As for the real estate market, it couldn’t be better. “Because of its proximity to the big employment centers and the airport along with the plethora of new construction homes, the market tends to do well here. It’s a very attractive combination for buyers,” says Jemison. “I just sold an investment property in central Cary that went under contract in less than 24 hours—it got seven offers in one day! Properties here don’t stay on the market long.”
living in Cary|
204 Walford Way, Cary, NC 27519 Price: $989,000 MLS: 2237795 Listing Agent: Michelle Roberts, The Michelle Roberts Real Estate Team of Keller Williams Realty, 919-289-8950, michelle@michellesteam.com
207 Felspar Way, Cary, NC 27518 Price: $835,000 MLS: 2234412 Listing Agent: Rhonda Benkiel, The NC Real Estate Firm LLC, 919-6098333, rsteam.nc@gmail.com
This custom home, located on Cary Park Lake, is stunning inside and out. Built-in cabinetry and millwork. First floor features hardwoods, 10-foot ceilings, formal living and dining rooms and executive office. Stacked stone fireplace is focal point for open family room/kitchen area. Finished basement features huge hearth in den, guest bedroom, media and exercise rooms. Additional storage in basement and walk-up attic. Outdoor spaces overlook lake and include patio, screened porch and deck with gas line.
This gorgeous custom home is an entertainer’s delight with a spacious open floor plan and private wooded views. Gleaming hardwoods and extensive trim details. First-floor master with large walk-in closet and spa bath. Gourmet kitchen with keeping room and family room. Screened-in porch, deck with hot tub. Walk-out basement including rec room, fireplace, wet bar, flex room and bedroom with full bath. Lots of storage.
202 Parkman Grant Drive, Cary, NC 27519 Price: $799,999 MLS: 2238268 Listing Agent: Karen Coe, Allen Tate Realtors, 919-523-6267, karen. coe@allentate.com
103 N Coslett Court, Cary, NC 27513 Price: $750,000 MLS: 2234200 Listing Agent: Karen Coe, Allen Tate Realtors, 919-523-6267, karen. coe@allentate.com
Stunning six-bedroom, five-bath home located in popular Cameron Pond. First-floor guest suite. Hardwoods throughout first floor. Wide open family room/kitchen. Beautiful master suite with his-and-her closets. Spa-like master bathroom. Large secondary bedrooms with bonus room. Finished basement with rec room/sixth bedroom with full bath. Unfinished third floor. Mud room and three-car garage. Screened porch with private backyard. Community pool, playground and walking trails.
Stunning home with two-car garage tucked in the heart of University Park neighborhood. Beautiful hardwoods on main with open kitchen and breakfast room. Kitchen has gas range, granite countertops, walk-in pantry and beautiful cabinetry. Spacious dining/living rooms. Master suite is light and bright with large ensuite bath with dual vanities, huge walk-in shower and large closet. Sizable guest bedrooms with shared bath. Third-floor bonus room.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
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|living in Cary
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103 Poplin Court, Cary, NC 27519 Price: $749,000 MLS: 2218011 Listing Agent: Michelle Roberts, The Michelle Roberts Real Estate Team of Keller Williams Realty, 919-289-8950, michelle@michellesteam.com
614 Albion Place, Cary, NC 27519 Price: $640,000 MLS: 2235859 Listing Agent: Shane Kirk, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Go Realty, 919-599-5130, shanekirk@gorealty.biz
This custom basement home is located on a rare cul-de-sac near Cary Park Lake. Beautiful finishes and millwork. The first floor features formals, a spacious kitchen and guest bed/bath. The second floor has a master with sitting room, three additional bedrooms, two jack-n-jill baths and a bonus room. Third floor features a spacious office, bedroom/ flex room, kitchenette and full bath. The basement has den with stone fireplace, bar, rec room, bath and storage/safe room.
Who wants to shoot hoops year round inside? Watch a movie in your private theater? Have a sauna? Read a book in your library? All this is just in the walk-out basement! New landscaping adds curb appeal to this large executive home with fine details. Enjoy entertaining, or simply relax on the screened porch. Bedroom options on all floors to house guests. Finish out the third-floor walk-up attic.
236 Oakmere Drive, Cary, NC 27513 Price: $475,000 MLS: 2231681 Listing Agent: Angie Cole, A Cole Realty, 919-578-3128, angie@ acolerealty.com
1213 Chalk Maple Drive, Cary, NC 27519 Price: $439,000 MLS: 2239464 Listing Agent: Michelle Roberts, The Michelle Roberts Real Estate Team of Keller Williams Realty, 919-289-8950, michelle@michellesteam.com
Lots of natural light and an open floor plan in this single-story new build. Stainless appliances, island, granite countertops and pendant light package in gourmet eat-in kitchen. First-floor master with tray ceiling and walk-in closet. Laundry room with cabinets and sink. Sunny, open family room with cozy gas log fireplace and can lighting. Screened porch and deck for grilling. Two-car garage. Ready to move in.
The double front porches create undeniable curb appeal. Built-in display shelving surrounding family room fireplace provides elegance and functionality. Dining room features wainscoting and crown molding. Enjoy stainless appliances, granite counters and walk-in pantry in the kitchen. Three sets of French doors open from master to front porch balcony. Don’t miss private bonus room over garage with it’s own full bath. Two-car garage accessible from back alley.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
2019 Features Calendar 7 14 21 28
APR I L Fuquay Varina/Willow Spring Golf Communities Wake Forest Travel Feature
7 14 21 28
JULY Morrisville Brier Creek Senior Living Travel Feature
6 13 20 27
OC TOBER North Raleigh Estates Midtown Completely Custom Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
FEBRUARY Downtown Raleigh Cameron Village Chapel Hill / Carborro Design Feature
5 12 19 26
MAY The Condo Issue Historic Oakwood Garner / Clayton Travel Feature
4 11 18 25
AUGUST Luxury Homes Equestrian Communities Chapel Hill / Carborro Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
NOVEMBER Apartment Home Living Clayton American Tobacco Road District Travel Feature
MARCH
3 10 17 24 31
Cary Downtown Durham Living Knightdale / Wendell Pittsboro/Moncure/Jordan Lake Travel Feature
2 9 16 23 30
JUNE The Pool Issue Apex Apartment Home Living Roof Top/Outdoor Spaces Travel Feature
1 8 15 22 29
SEP TEMBER Green Living Zebulon Northern Durham Five Points Travel Feature
1 8 15 22 29
DECEMBER Holiday Decorating Condos & Townhomes Renovations Real Estate Top Producers Travel Feature
Call Katina Faulkner for advertising information or to place your ad 919-836-5999 421 Fayetteville St, Ste 104, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Triangle’s Premier, Weekly Real Estate Publication
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
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|design instyle
The unique shape and architectural details of the Westport Coffee Table by Oomph is a refreshing replacement for your existing glass or dark wood coffee table / oomphhome.com
Oomph
Add some zest to your decor by Vicki Payne
D
o you remember the painted furniture craze 20 years ago? Everywhere you looked furniture was painted and embellished with big floral designs, birds, chickens and roses. Unfinished furniture as well as vintage pieces all took on
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new life with artistic flare. Like all trends it fell out of fashion, and everyone turned their attention to more natural finishes as the industrial and farm house craze leaped from the TV screen into our homes
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
Calling upon the heritage of Newport’s famed Gilded Era, the Newport mirror is slightly decadent in design. The Kensington Vanity makes a bold statement with its simplicity and architectural detailing / oomphhome.com
The best-selling Easton chest with a “denim” version provides a casual look for a beach home or more laissez-faire foyer. The Charleston mirror is a traditional Chippendale design with a chic twist of oomph / oomphhome.com
and eateries. The more weathered, distressed or rusted the better. It’s a great look, but just like everything that goes to the extreme, we tire of it within five to 10 years. So, what’s next? I’m keeping my eye on fresh,
crisp painted surfaces. Oomph, a small shop in New Canaan, Conn., has been adding color to its customers’ homes for the past 10 years. Oomph is not only the company name, but it also describes its hip
Create a dramatic foyer with the Manhattan chest and the Westport mirror, both finished with black lacquer / oomphhome.com
tables, chic chairs, outstanding lighting and beautiful accessories. The design firm was born when three friends sought to bring a little “oomph” into homes. Beginning with the notion that everyone had a neutral-colored
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
couch, they thought the solution was as simple as a pop of color—that the smallest amount makes a difference in any room. With an extensive color palette, Oomph has transformed classic and
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whimsy furniture pieces into striking design statements. Black is always a handsome color choice, but when finished with a lacquer coating, you have a timeless piece that anchors a room while reflecting light from all sides. The secret to decorating with black furniture, such as Oomph’s Manhattan lacquered chest, is to pair it with the Westport mirror with the same finish. Keep wall colors light and add interest with a textured paper like grasscloth. Dark furniture on a shadowy wall is a terrible waste of resources. For more casual decor, consider a simple chest with a soft denim finish. Reminiscent of faded blue jeans, it is soft on the eye and the hand. Flank the chest with a set of red upholstered chairs. A patterned blue and white wallpaper adds an impressive companion. Feeling sassy? Tie scarlet tassels to the chest’s hardware. Ready to rid your bathroom of too much beige and dark finishes? Consider replacing your vanity with a pretty lavender one with a white marble top. Replace the flat wall mirror with a charming white mirror with a fretwork-inspired frame. A tone-on-tone lilac and white wallpaper provides a refreshing backdrop. It’s spring, and we need a salubrious inspiration. Consider a colorful piece of furniture or mirror to brighten your mood and decor. Every home can always use a little oomph.
Create an inspiring nautical retreat with the Wilton bed in firecracker red. The four-poster bed features hand turned posts with bamboo details / oomphhome.com
Vicki Payne Donatelli is an interior designer, project coordinator and popular speaker for renovation and new construction projects. She is the host of the national PBS series “For Your Home.” Visit her blog at ForYourHome.com.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9 NOON - 5PM
it’s a great day for a joy ride TOUR OUR MODELS PLAY IN OUR PARKS SEE IT ALL ON TWO WHEELS NEW HOMES FROM THE $200,000s TO $600,000s+ 3 2 0 V I N TA G E P O I N T L A N E, W E N D E L L , N C 2 7 5 9 1 888.800.1138 • W E N D E L L F A L L S . C O M
Newland Communities is the largest private developer of planned residential and urban mixed-use communities in the United States from coast-to-coast. Together with our partner, North America Sekisui House, LLC, we believe it is our responsibility to create enduring, healthier communities for people to live life in ways that matter most to them. www.newlandcommunities.com and www.nashcommunities.com 2019 © Wendell Falls. All Rights Reserved. Wendell Falls is a trademark of NASH Wendell Falls, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission. Equal housing opportunity.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
ADVERTORIAL
5401 NORTH IMAGINE A PLACE TO LIVE BETTER. 5401 North is located at the intersection of I-540 and Highway 401 in northeast Raleigh. The community is minutes away from everything you need and everything you love. A network of major highways surrounds the community giving you a fast track to work centers, medical facilities, schools, shopping and dining venues. A GREAT EDUCATION IS WITHIN REACH. With three schools are located onsite, including River Bend Elementary, River Bend Middle and Wake Technical
Community College. THE ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE. The Club offers spaces to enjoy with your family or to gather with your new best friends. The catering kitchen makes it a great place to host that special an-
niversary or birthday party. We’ve also included a fitness center for health and well-being. Walk out of the clubhouse to an expansive deck with cabanas that surrounds the resort-style pool. Plenty of space to lounge, read a book or catch up with your friends on social media.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
The pool includes spaces for floating and dreaming or for a vigorous workout in the lap area. Additional amenities include Purple Martin Community Farm, River Bend Park, Puptown Park, miles of trails linking to 35-mile Neuse River Greenway, numerous open spaces for playing and relaxing, Fitness Park, tree-lined sidewalks throughout and a planned community Town Center. Homes crafted by the region’s best builders are designed for every generation and tailored to fit your lifestyle and budget.
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|designer spotlight
Lisa Sherry of Lisa Sherry Interieurs by Bethany E. Starin
Photo by Erik Bourgeois
Photo by Mekenzie Loli
Photo by Mekenzie Loli
A
lways thinking she’d make a good teacher, Lisa Sherry never stepped foot in a classroom. But as life would have it, she became an advertising fashion stylist turned interior designer — and one who has taken over Charlotte with her clean, bright and neutral interiors. Confident and light-hearted, Lisa is humble about her talent that brought her from Minneapolis first to Virginia, then New York, on to North Carolina and now all over the the country crafting interiors. Chasing warmer days, she set up roots in High Point in 1998 and launched a branch of her firm in the Queen City almost a decade ago. There’s an element of fun to her designs and a whole lot of beautiful calm to her spaces.
Q: What got you into the interior design world? A: “After college, I worked in advertising for a number of years. Working in Minneapolis at the time, I wanted to do something creative. For ad agencies, I worked as a fashion photo stylist, even working some in New York and LA. After about eight years, I switched over and started doing set design and interior styling for national ad campaigns.” Q: Did you have a lucky break or did launching your own firm come through consistent hard work? A: “The president of the ad agency asked me to design his personal home in Virginia from the ground up. I said, ‘I don’t know how to do something like that!’ He laughed and said, ‘Well, come learn with me!’ I had no idea what I was doing. I knew stylistically what to do but didn’t know anything about running a business. If he had not given me that opportunity to work with him almost 20 years ago, I wouldn’t be here today. He was pretty well connected and people started seeing
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his house, and that’s how I got my first design clients. I have been very fortunate to work with really talented people—but I think it’s both. It was a lot of hard work on my end. The business side of it was the hardest part for me, learning how to shift gears and building a firm from the ground up.” Q: How does your stylist experience influence your designs? A: “There are so many great designers in Charlotte, now more than ever. But what set me apart initially is that I looked at things through a camera perspective. I was used to doing magazine shoots, so each little vignette was important to me. What does this angle look like? Breaking up the room into different parts of the whole was something I was really good at.” Q: How did your designs get to the Queen City? A: “I was ready to get out of the Minneapolis cold, so in 1998 I moved to North Carolina and built my interior
design business from the ground up. I opened a Charlotte office about a decade ago. Having worked in New York and LA, my design aesthetic is more aligned with California/West Coast. What I was bringing was something new to Charlotte. The clients I was getting were people who had moved from other parts of the country to Charlotte and were striking out for a designer who would do something different. In the last couple years, our business has really taken off, and the style we do is more understood and wanted.” Q: How do you describe your designs? A: “Classic modern. My style is eclectic, but I work where the architecture is classic and we juxtapose modern elements. We don’t follow the trends. We stick to neutrals and are all about textures and warmth and also working with the five senses.”
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
Q: How do you incorporate the five senses into your designs? A: “The sensual part is about textures—about mixing mohairs and organic woods and hides and a lot of different layers. When you work in a monochromatic world like I do, it has to be textural. What that creates is when you walk into the space, you feel enveloped and calm. Other designers do colors so beautifully and I love that, but I personally feel instantly calm when I walk into my own house and the spaces we create for our clients—you can breathe. Our lives are so crazy, and we value creating a home, not just a room. Home is a place of respite.” Q: What’s something you love about the design process? A: “All those little details. I am a detail nut. You might not notice at a first pass through a room, but it’s the juxtaposition of textures and finishes— brass and silver and interesting contrasts. I love to break the rules, color outside the lines. You have to know the rules to break them. A rule I broke once in a design project included a ping-pong table in the living room, which also converts to a dining table. When I trust my instincts on a project, I know the clients are going to be happy.”
Q: What projects are you drawn to? A: “Our favorite projects are whole-home projects where we start with architecture and pick out every faucet and piece of tile—building the bones of the house. Then we go onto the next phase, which is furnishing it. Creating something from nothing to this amazing full-blown project is great.” Q: Are there any misconceptions with interior design? A: “It is a lot less glamorous than people think. We always joke in our office because it is 20 percent creative and 80 percent details. It’s a million decisions, and it is a lot of detail work. We love the days when we get to select furniture, and we maybe haven’t done that for a month because we are in the weeds building a house. Clients would be amazed at the behind the scenes.” Q: What part of the design process makes you most alive? A: “When we are doing the floor plans and when we are selecting the furniture. I have instincts for what I want to do to the room, but we interchange pieces so many times before we get to the point where I think, ‘I love this, and every part of it is perfect.’ That is the part that feeds my soul, the creative part.”
Photo by Patrick Cline
LAND
100± ACRES GROOMED FARM
Friday, March 22nd @ 12PM Inspection Times: 1PM - 3PM
Dates: Sun 3/3 & Sun 3/17
Auction & Property Location: Alchie Lane, Nathalie VA 24577
HUNTERS! Looking for a PRIMO CAMP? “Ready to hunt from day 1” ... This is it! HIGHEST BID OVER $150K CONFIRMED
100 ± acre groomed farm, 24’ camper in place ($18k new), 5-6 tree stands in place, 70 ± Acres of Loblollies nearing harvest, 30 ± acres open in grass and game feed plots with over a mile of stream frontage. Convenient access, 1 mile off 501 on SR 795, 2.5 miles South of Volens.
Sale Manager:
Greg Lester 434-942-7000
Sale Manager:
Bill Bryant 434-525-2991
Directions: 501S past Brookneal and Volens (2.5 miles S. of Volens) to Right on Rt 795 (Alchie Lane), 1 mile to property on Left. Look for Auction signs . Terms: 10% deposit due on the day of the auction, balance due at closing within 30 days. Possession at closing. 10% Buyer’s Premium on Real Estate added to the high bid to determine final contract sales price.
VAAF93
www.countsauction.com
434-525-2991
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
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Love Your Organized Space 40% off any $1500 or more order Expires 3/31/19.
Plus a free accessory with this ad
(must present at time of sale only!) Expires 3/31/19.
• Custom Closets • Garage Cabinets • Home Offices • Pantries, Laundries & Murphy Beds
Photos by Patrick Cline
FIVE OF LISA’S MUST-HAVE’S FOR DESIGN 1. A current passport “I love to do the usual things in unusual places. My passport is the ticket to ride.” 2. Dry shampoo “If I have to explain, you’re a superior creature from out of space.” 3. My backup band “I have an amazing team of designers and mystic problem solvers at LSI.” 4. Benjamin Moore’s China White “There are so many shades of white. My current fave is a bit of a muddied white that never disappoints.” 5. Golden Goose sneakers “Or is it geese? Perfect with jeans or a cocktail dress (another rule I love to break).”
Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate.
919-850-9030
To find out more, visit lisasherryinterieurs.com or on Instagram at @lisasherryinterieurs.
Licensed and Insured Locally Owned and Operated
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2019
straight talk|
Fungus fights Experts agree—removing artillery fungus from vinyl siding is no easy feat by Allen Norwood
M
ore questions than answers from readers in response to last week’s column. I asked if anyone had helpful experience with any of the vinyl siding renewal products, you might remember. What I received—and I’m paraphrasing—was, “How do I clean this hateful artillery fungus off my siding? What are the easy tricks and secret cleaners?” There’s just no way to sugar-coat this.... There are no easy ways to remove the pernicious black dots. Some tactics are more effective than others, but they’re all a lot of work. There are no magic formulas that will completely dissolve the dots—and residual stains are likely to remain even after the raised bumps are gone. In fact, Dan Gibbs, whom I quoted last week, says it’s often easier to replace the bottom couple of courses of siding than to clean it. And he’s a house-cleaning
pro who knows his way around a power washer. (By the way, power washers most of the time won’t remove the stuff completely, either.) Gibbs recommends scraping the dots off with a plastic putty knife, then scrubbing with a magic eraser. The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service is a good source of information about artillery fungus, says Gibbs, owner of Mr. Handyman in Mooresville. He’s right. Here are a couple of online places to start: ncsupdicblog.blogspot. com/2012/11/fungal-frustrations.html and jackson.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/ uploads/2015/01/Jan-Feb-HGN-2015. pdf?fwd=no. Both of those online addresses will direct you to Penn State University and Dr. Donald Davis, a sort of artillery fungus whisperer and therapist for those battling it. He has been answering questions from homeowners for years. He maintains a
terrific online question-and-answer site. If you have a question, odds are that he’s fielded it. Here are some highlights: Artillery fungus thrives in moist, ground wood mulch. It doesn’t like pine bark chips as much, and one way to curb it is to replace your ground wood mulch with bark chips, or at least to cover the ground mulch with bark chips. Gibbs recommends the same approach. According to Davis, research also shows that blending used mushroom compost with landscape mulch “greatly” suppresses artillery fungus. Those dots? Under the right conditions, artillery fungus shoots spores at sunlight—or at your light-colored siding. (Or at your car. For heaven’s sake, don’t park near a mulch bed.) There are no fungicides legally registered to combat artillery fungus in landscape mulch, Davis says. Bleach, if it worked at all, would be temporary.
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Homeowners who’ve contacted Davis have used credit cards, popsicle sticks and sharpened chopsticks to remove the dark bumps. Or, you could try the plastic putty knife that Gibbs recommends. Here’s a final tidbit that’s really important: Some of those who’ve reached out to Davis swear by everything from mouthwash to oven cleaner to remove the specks. Check out the tips. But you ought to visit the Vinyl Siding Institute before using any strong chemicals on vinyl siding. Also, Davis warns: “Beware of any cleansers that have claims that sound ‘too good to be true,’ with regards to removing the artillery fungus. It is likely that they are, in fact, too good to be true.”
Allen Norwood: homeinfo@charter.net
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