Cedar Valley Home & Garden - Winter 2010

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2010 winter Cover image | Courtesy

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Our favorite things

Room awakening

New & next Mom caves, Size matters

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Color palette The color purple

features

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Low profile Industrial chic found downtown

In the round Shape makes home feel intimate

On the river’s edge Charming and cozy remodel

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Old world glitz Tuscan-inspired dining

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Hearth and home Fireplaces bring warmth The good earth Geothermal systems

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3D TV New TV picture is no fad

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Pocket games Choosing a quality pool table

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entertaining Well stocked 38

Setting up your home bar

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The big chill Keep your wine in a wine chiller

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7 steps Great holiday entertaining Supreme sauces Flavorful butter sauces

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Small plates Bite-sized appetizers Sugar and spice And everything nice Tastings

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PROJECT MANAGER & AD SALES Sheila Kerns 319-291-1448 sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com

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Cuttings What’s hot now

house plan Handsome facade

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EDITOR Melody Parker 319-291-1429 melody.parker@wcfcourier.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

Published quarterly by Courier Communications

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Courtney Towlerton AD DESIGNERS Emily Chace Michelle Seeks

CONTRIBUTORS Emily Christensen, writer Meta Hemenway-Forbes, writer Tina Hinz, writer John Molseed, writer Rick Chase, photographer Brandon Pollock, photographer

Congratulations! Ellen Visser of Iowa Falls is winner of the “Eat Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America’s Farmers”

by Janet Fletcher. Lori Hilmer of Dysart is winner of “The Small Budget Gardener: All The Dirt on Saving Money in Your Garden” by Maureen Gilmer.

cool comfort

ENJOYMENT IS WITHIN REACH

Offering patented features you won’t find on other recliners, from the glide system that follows your slightest movements, to the Plus™ system for correct neck and lumbar support in every position, Stressless® is still known as the ultimate recliner.

Home Interiors design team

can create an entire home experience from the very beginning of design to the final touches. We do it all, and are there to answer all your home design questions.

910 Parriott St. Hwy 57 Apllington, IA 866.345.2452 2302 W. 1st St. Thunder Ridge Ct., Cedar Falls 319.266.1501

www.homeinteriorsinc.com

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Acquire Boutique industrial lamps

Put your feet up on a fun, contemporary foot rest, $199.95, Basket of Daisies.

A great gift — and a practical one, too. Vintage liquor advertisements printed on coasters, $10 each, Interior Perfection in Hiawatha.

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Say it with meaning with letters and words that dangle from a metal rod.

The letters/words are $16.50 each, from Vintage Iron in Cedar Falls.

favorite things “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home.”

- Edith Sitwell Autumn’s falling leaves have given way to soft snow flurries and anticipation of the holiday season. We’ve begun feathering our nests for the colder days ahead, and here we’ve gathered a few beautiful things to warm your heart, lift your spirits or offer as gifts.

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Silver and gray tone sound a chic note in throw pillows from Vintage Iron, printed design $26 each, and ribbon design, $45.

The Theodore Alexander reproduction writing desk has a small footprint for tight spaces. Lift the top and it’s filled with cubbyholes and an elegant writing top, $1250, Home Interiors in Cedar Falls.

Subtly colored and lightly dusted with a silvery finish, these geometric designs create a pop art effect on this chunky Herman chest, $776, from Focal Point Interiors in Hiawatha.

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Artfully tossed across the back of a sofa or the arm of a chair, the Mongolian lamb fur and velvet throw in dark chocolate makes a statement, $1979, Interior Perfection.

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Gleaming trunks can be stacked for an acent table, $440, Basket of Daisies.

WIN THIS! When it’s cold outside, you can stay warm by curling up in this great wool and acrylic throw in soft grays. Called “Chatham” by Bedford Cottages, the throw is from Vintage Iron in Cedar Falls, and valued at $90.

Go to www.cv-hg.com to register to win

cv-hg.com WINTER 2010

Covenant Auxiliary

elements IDEA FILE

it’s more than you imagined…

Decorating a fireplace mantel can be a challenge, particularly in rooms with soaring ceilings. Here it’s made easy with a look that’s perfect for the holidays and, with a few tweaks, can last the entire winter. It’s all about layering and scale. This design features a mix of naturalistic and contemporary items from Basket of Daisies in Cedar Falls: Tall mirror ($329.95); square decorative mirrors ($153.50 each); contemporary landscape painting ($199.95); metal finial ($217); faux trees ($48 and $51.50) displayed in urns ($54.50 and $63); candlesticks ($24); glitz floral sprays ($3.75); garland ($25.75); acorn ornaments ($9.95).

Covenant Medical Center Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare

3421 West Ninth St., Waterloo Phone 319.272.7380

Call it “investment lighting.”

This sophisticated Maitland-Smith crystal and iron floor lamp, $1949, Interior Perfection, with its square shade would look at home in any setting.

All lit up — optic fibers change colors on this Christmas tree, $48, set atop glittering hammered silver square trays ($23, $18 and $13, not shown) for a modern look, Covenant Medical Center Gift Shop.

and a cou❮ Apleredof tree fat snowmen are full of ho-ho-ho, Basket of Daisies. Sliding or sitting snowmen, $21.95 each, tree, $22.

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Go west! The Luke western leather chair, $1320, and ottoman (not pictured), $475, fits into most home decors and is a comfy place to watch the game — or the snow fall, Basket of Daisies.

Nature is a natural part of our holiday decor, and what could be prettier than a pine cone as a lamp? This one is $99.95. The lantern is filled with holiday decorations, $81.95. All from Basket of Daisies.

Faith, Family and Friends snowmen are wonderful to give as gifts or display around your home throughout the holiday season, $10 to $25, Covenant Medical Center Gift Shop.

IDEA FILE You don’t have to sweep away everything to make room for the holidays. This wire metal bowl can stay out year-round; just fill it with decorative ornaments and trim — what could be easier? Bowl, $35, ornaments, $5 each. Covenant Medical Center Gift Shop.

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Room awakening Making scents of home fragrances Text | The Associated Press You may have sensed, pardon the pun, that there are hundreds of new home fragrance products in stores. The industry has sniffed out a trend: We’re spending more time at home, and we want our rooms to smell good.

Pier 1’s eucalyptus, clove and cinnamon candles and diffuser.

Among the newest products are scent “stories” that cycle through a timed series of fragrances; wooden wicks that evoke crackling fires; flameless candles; and no-spill diffusers.

According to Barbara Miller, spokeswoman for the National Candle Association, “The most notable trend is toward fragrances that transport you, that have a dreamlike or escapist quality.”

There are the “ozones” — scents that are considered refreshing and evocative of fresh air and water. Citrus-based scents are similar; many find them a finishing touch to a newly cleaned house.

Chesapeake Bay’s acai black currant candle

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“Over the past couple of years, in a colder economic climate, gourmand fragrances — like vanilla and pumpkin — have become very popular,” says Mei Xe, founder of Chesapeake Bay

Candles. “Generally speaking, these scents help bring back happy memories. They make you feel safe and warm, and in these times people are longing for a sense of security.”

Pier 1 has also focused on “cozy,” with scents such as Spiced Cake and Fall Fireside.

Glade and Febreze, mass market leaders in home fragrances, recently launched an array of products in attractive containers to accent home decor; scents for fall include Cranberry Pear, Pumpkin Pie and Cashmere Woods.

To avoid fragrance overload, Xe recommends “staying within the same category, whether it’s florals, fruity notes, woodsy fragrances, whatever. Don’t mix fragrances that are too different from each other.”

For those who prefer to go completely natural, essential oils such as citrus, rose, lavender and others can work well as air fresheners. Mix 4 ounces of distilled water, 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol and 30 drops of essential oil (or blend fragrances such as 15 drops of orange and 15 drops of clove for a winter holiday air freshener) and put in a carefully labeled spray bottle. •

new& next

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Mom should surround herself with things she loves, a comfy chair and a place to put up her feet.

mom caves TrANSFOrM A rOOM INTO A PErSONAl HAVEN Text & images | Associated Press Many women — and not just moms — are taking over some of the fallow ground at home and turning it into a haven to pursue personal pursuits. They stake out an unused closet, basement nook or extra bedroom. Some use the space to work without interruption — they’ve got it all teched up with WiFi, perhaps a TV. Others say none of that’s allowed, just books and maybe a music player.

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A black lamp with a lively, colorful fabric shade makes a great accessory in the Mom Cave, homegoods.com.

New York designer Elaine Griffin embraces the Mom Cave concept and recently partnered with Homegoods in Manhattan to show some decor and space suggestions. She says, “A Mom Cave is where the woman who nurtures everyone goes to nurture herself.”

It’s different from the quintessential “man cave,” where men do manly, messy and sporty things, often involving a recliner. Griffin notes, “Mom Caves are fun, frankly feminine spaces, and they’re personalized.”

Here’s what you need for your Mom Cave: a place to sit, storage space, an area to do what you want to do, and room for occasional visitors.

Every Mom Cave needs comfortable seating like this gray velvet chair from Homegoods.

Designer Elaine Griffin’s ideas on creating a nurturing Mom Cave include lots of color, such as these bright, graphic mix-and-match toss pillows.

“Organizing your stuff makes your space feel bigger.

I love bookcases — you can hide in plain sight,” says Griffin. Colorful boxes and file folders work well; group an array of favorite photos in fun frames on the shelves.

Griffin has a penchant for color. A reading corner with chaise and bookcases was painted vibrant fuchsia. A closet had been transformed into a tiny yet functional office, swathed in a warm caramel hue and accented with dramatic touches such as rattan lamps and black furnishings, including a chair with a nice wide seat.

No extra rooms available? Griffin suggests turning a stair landing into a mini-sanctuary using narrow console tables, a luxurious rug, and a couple of armchairs.

These spaces aren’t exclusive to women with families underfoot; all ages appreciate what Virginia Woolf termed “a room of one’s own.”

Since you don’t share it, you’ve got more freedom with the Cave to play with unusual wallpaper and accessories, create a Zen-like refuge or even revisit your childhood room. •

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new& next sIzE mATTERs Text | Associated Press Images | Associated Press

Even the size is up for grabs, but approximately 9 by 12 inches is common.

Artwork needn’t be large to pack a giant punch.

Anything that can be sewn onto fabric is fair game in the art quilt world — handmade lace, paint, glass beads, zippers, even nuts and bolts.

Take, for instance, small contemporary art quilts, which have found their place among the oil paintings and marble statues in fine-art galleries and museums.

A lot can go into these diminutive fabric forms — from materials to message. It’s quilting taken to a no-holds-barred level. There are no patterns to follow, as there is in much of traditional quilting, and no rules. In an art quilt, you get to play outside the lines.

“Anything you can pass a needle through or secure with clear thread onto a quilt” will do, says Colorado quilt artist Dorothy Raymond.

“It’s not like traditional quilting,” says Raymond. “You can’t be uptight. You can’t try to be precise.”

To display art quilts, frame finished pieces in shadow boxes. •

Ohio artist David Walker’s “moon Drift,” above, and “Crossing Boundaries,” left. Walker likes the immediacy and intimacy of small art quilts and travels the globe teaching how to quilt.

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color palette

Blackberry (Sherwin Williams 7577) is a restful and easy-to-livewith color for the bedroom.

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ThE COlOR purple

The left-arm chaise from Crate & Barrel has a certified sustainable kiln-dried hardwood frame and a bench seat that is made from soybased polyfoam, wrapped in feather-down blend and encased in downproof ticking, $1,199.

Gothic drama and dark mystery in the dining room. Dark raspberry and deep grape (strike a Pose No. T11-3 and Blood Rose No. T11-4) add edge. A coat of vivid magenta gives a traditional wood table a new dimension.

From Behr Paints.

PERFECT PlUm We fall in and out of love with purple. It’s a strong, bold color. Plum is a warmer purple, with red and black tones, and is perfect for plucking out of the palette for immersing a room.

“It evokes memories of food and wine, comfort and tradition. It’s a great color for the holidays, for winter nesting and can be considered classic in the same way as navy blue and forest green,” says Erika Woelfel, director of color for Behr Paints.

Plum comes in lots of shades from pale to dark, soft to brilliant.

Woelfel suggests pairing plum with moss green for a natural, casual feel, or russet orange and gold for a warm, spicy look. “lighter colors paired with dark plum purple makes it feel less overwhelming. Yellow or gold is a great complement and keeps some shades of plum from looking heavy.”

The Willow sofa in deep, rich purple from the Vivienne Tam Collection for Rowe Furniture features heavily tufted detail, a long bench seat and a generous rolled arm.

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low profile

Stark contrasts, whimsy and industrial chic found in reclaimed downtown spaces

Text | Melody Parker Images | Courtesy

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here was a time when wrecking crews were called to demolish closed or abandoned commercial buildings.

Now we call contractors and interior designers, who transform those downtown factories and warehouses into hip, urban dwellings.

At the Cedar Rapids Bottleworks, a defunct bottling company has been reclaimed as loft condos, offering contemporary, open floor plans and plenty of industrial chic. Kennon Springer’s Interior Perfection design group was chosen to design and furnish common spaces and model apartments.

At just under 1,100 square feet, Springer’s goal was to maximize space and play up such architectural details as high ceilings, broad windows, exposed duct work and in one particular loft, the origi-

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nal, pristine white subway wall tiles.

He chose the stark, classic contrast of black and white with pops of red as exclamation points.

Vintage tile and exposed mechanicals inspired him to bring in glossy porcelain tiles and graphite glass tiles for the kitchen. He also designed a floating soffit that is suspended above the main living area, creating a focal point.

“The concept was to introduce recessed lighting for ambient light. The top of the soffit is backlit to highlight duct work, girders and framework of the building’s structure,” Springer said.

Furnishings were kept at a minimum, and in the living area, their low profile affords an unobstructed view of the cityscape.

Zebra print introduces a bit of whimsy, repeated in dinnerware and an art print that hangs in the hallway.

No space is wasted. For example, the guest bedroom doubles as a home office by building a loft bed above the desk area, taking advantage of the high ceilings. •

Comfortable but minimalistic, it’s all about maximizing space and playing up the industrial and architectural elements of this downtown loft. The contemporary bed unit has clean lines and plenty of drama, above.

Opposite page, red is a bright punctuation point for the sofa and zebra print brings in a note of whimsy in the main living area. cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 15

Living large in a small space?

When decorating a small space, choose one color — red, for example — and carry it throughout the space as a focal point.

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Rethink your ideas. What was once unthinkable when it comes to an apartment or condo — avoid big, bold patterns, large furniture, lots of knickknacks — are now in the decorating tool kit to create the illusion of more space.

“Pay attention to scale of furnishings so spaces aren’t overwhelmed or overfurnished,” suggests interior designer Kennon Springer.

— Monochromatic color schemes can enlarge a space.

— Painting the walls and ceiling the same shade creates visual flow.

— Choose a color as a focal point, perhaps for a pillow or throw, and repeat it throughout the space for continuity.

— Let the sun shine. Allow as much natural light as possible into the rooms.

— Less is more when it comes to window coverings. Steer clear of heavy window treatments.

— Tired of mirrors magnifying your space? Opt for interesting artwork, paintings, botanicals or architectural drawings.

— Edit collections of bric-a-brac and display them in groupings, not scattered throughout the room.

— By varying scale of patterns and prints, you can distract from a small area. Play with texture for layering.

— Small furniture can make a small home feel like a doll house. Make do with fewer, larger pieces and consider built-ins to provide storage and interest.

— Furniture using clear materials such as Lucite and glass give the impression of openness while delivering function.

— Lamps placed at different heights brighten small rooms and make them seem larger.

— Round tables, rugs and pillows, and chairs and sofas with curves help small rooms feel less boxy.

— Floating shelves instead of cabinets add storage but look airy and chic.

Additional source: HGTV.com/small-space-design-guide

Columns and a curving staircase create flow in this traditional, very liveable home. Round shapes are emphasized throughout the spaces, including arches and mouldings.

in the round

Pleasing shape makes this elegant home feel welcome

Text | Melody Parker Images | Rick Chase

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raditional doesn’t always translate as “stuffy.”

Comfortable, livable and elegant are words that come to mind, particularly in describing this eastern Iowa home on a quiet cul-de-sac.

“It’s big, but I told my husband I could make it warm and cozy with furniture and decorating. That’s the feeling I want the home to have, and I want it to be a place were we can relax. I wanted formal living and dining rooms, and I wanted casual spaces, too,” said the homeowner.

Round is another word the home evokes.

Built by D & M Construction of Cedar Falls, the home features three bedrooms, three full and two half-baths in roughly 5,000 square feet. The brickand-stucco exterior is complemented by a long, rounded brick walkway, semi-circular drive and water fountain, which offer a clue to the “roundness” of the interior spaces, said Mark Schleisman of D & M Construction.

“My grandfather taught me to make sure everything was square, but in this house everything is rounded — hallways, crown moulding, soffits. Hanging a square door on a round wall was an interesting experience. We even built a round deck. It was a challenge but it was fun, too, and I think all that roundedness makes a large home feel inimate,” he explained. >> cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 17

The owner confesses that she’s all about the details. Pillars are a graceful architectural statement to play up the formality of the white marbled foyer, which opens to a broad formal living room tastefully furnished with a crisp white camel-back curved sofa and chairs upholstered in cranberry, and the formal dining room.

In the foyer, a curving staircase commands attention, leading to second-floor guest quarters. There’s also an elevator that makes it handy to shuttle holiday decorations from storage closets and will allow the owners to “age in place.”

A soft, neutral color palette on the walls flows from room to room, creating a backdrop for the owners’ favorite belongings.

Ceilings are often the forgotten “walls” in a home, but not here. Each room has its own ceiling treatment from tray ceilings in the dining room to the double-reverse barrel vaulted ceiling in the master suite and an oblong tray ceiling in the master bathroom.

In the master suite, a small rotunda divides the sleeping quarters from the bathroom. A sitting area and fireplace provide romantic ambiance in the bedroom. The original queen-sized carved bed frame has been expanded to king-sized comfort. A chandelier is a chic touch.

A dramatic sunken tub sits center-stage in the bathroom, separating hers-and-his vanities. The tub’s mirrored wall conceals a shower that can be entered from either side. Tucked into a >> 18

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The sunroom provides year-round views and inside-out living space.

The kitchen is a inviting and functional with plenty of storage, while a circular ceiling in the formal dining room adds drama, previous pages.

Subcontractor list Benton’s Sand & Gravel Martinson Construction Spahn & Rose Lumber Jesup Ceilley Insulation Iowa Wall System Michael Painting Benton Building Center Stickfort Electric Petersen Hudson Hardware Christie Door Peoples Appliance BK Tile Delta Masonry Schumacher Elevator Fireplace Creations Fager Framing Turf and Landscape Croell

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Residential/Commercial Framing

corner of one master closet is a stackable washer and dryer.

At the opposite end of the home, custombuilt floor-to-ceiling bookcases flank a large fireplace in the casual great room. “The wall was so big that a small fireplace would disappear. I wanted something with presence,” said the homeowner.

This is the heart of the home, and perhaps surprisingly, the kitchen isn’t massive.

Instead, it’s a manageable, functional space with enough elbow room for two cooks to circulate around the granite-topped center island preparing a meal. There’s a wealth of maple and cherry cabinetry, storage, an oldfashioned pantry and display space for pretty dishware.

Guests naturally migrate to this wing when the homeowners entertain, and the nearby sunroom offers year-round relaxation and a lovely view of the changing seasons. A galley-style office and laundry room are handily located just off the kitchen.

A patio and deck offer extended room for casual gatherings. •

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sand & Gravel Black dirt recycled asphalt & concrete excavatinG truckinG site GradinG site utilities

319-266-2621 905 Center St., Cedar Falls, IA 50613 PROVIDING SERVICE & PRODUCT FOR ThE FEATURED hOmE 20

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Serving Cedar Falls, Waterloo & Surrounding Area

The ceiling above the master suite’s sunken tub mimics its shape. It also acts as a divider between vanities.

river’s edge on the

Charming and cozy, remodeled 1937 cabin is all about the view Text | Melody Parker Images | Brandon Pollock

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morning seldom passes when Sue Girsch doesn’t settle into her comfy “retirement” recliner to watch the Cedar River flow past her window. Geese glide in for landings, birds skim the water and deer gather to quench their thirst at the river’s edge, and Girsch drinks it all in.

Two years ago, the serene-looking Cedar River overflowed its banks and filled the lower level of this 1937 cabin with one foot of water. The water took weeks to recede along Cottage Row in Cedar Falls. It left behind layers of silt, mud and thousands of dollars in damage to homes.

At the Girsch cabin, original oak floors curled, split and warped. Walls, furnishings and appliances were ruined. Undaunted, Sue and Mike Girsh decided to gut and renovate the home with a floor plan that suits their lifestyle, without

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Restoring the flood-ravaged 1937 cabin allowed the Girschs to play with a cottage-lodge motif, modernize the kitchen and take full advantage of Cedar River views.

sacrificing the cabin’s inherent charm. Contractor Reed Hunemuller of Harting & Hunemuller and Mike Flanscha, a designer with Interior Source, worked to achieve the couple’s wishes.

An abundance of windows faces the river view, and the open floor plan offers an unobstructed view of the water. “I wanted the biggest windows we could find,” said Mike Girsch. “The main living area was reconfigured and walls were torn down to maximize the space and take advantage of the view.”

Hickory floors were hand scraped for vintage appeal. The original brick chimney was salvaged for the fireplace, an old-fashioned cast iron wood-burning insert with granite tile surround, topped by a broad oak mantel. Above, a wicker moose head adorns the chimney, a whimsical touch.

An earthy color scheme furthers the lodge appeal. Distressed tan leather sofas provide plenty of seating and a large, curved sofa table with antlers — custombuilt in Texas — sets the cottage-lodge look Sue wanted in the home. The floorto-ceiling entertainment unit incorporates slats from the cabin’s old windows in doors hiding storage. A white oak grandfather clock sets upon a small decora- >> cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 23

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tive block — “to raise it above the 2008 flood level,” Sue noted, and she allowed her husband’s deer trophies to be mounted on the wall “because it suits the decor.”

The galley-style kitchen is functional, compact and efficient. Quarter-sawn oak cabinetry has the look of furniture, topped with granite. The walnut-topped island conceals a swing-out computer work station, and touches of red brighten the space.

Above the Wolf gas stove, rough-hewn tiles display a scene of a farmer and his horses cutting hay. Although it looks like a 1920s photo, it’s actually the photo of a late family friend screened onto the tiles.

Upstairs, the cabin’s original beadboard is intact on the second floor. The guest quarters for visiting grandchildren has a fishy motif, while the Girschs’ own bedroom spans the width of the cabin.

Although they own another home, they enjoy spending the majority of their time relaxing and playing along the river.

“It’s like a vacation every day,” the homeowners agreed. •

(563) 578.5080 | Cell (319) 269.4195

The cabin’s original beadboard can be found in the second-floor bathroom and bedrooms.

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old

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glitz

Tuscan-inspired dining room makes a sophisticated statement

Text | Melody Parker Images | Rick Chase

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hatever is enough is the translation for the Tuscan “quanto basta.�

The interplay of style, embellishments, color palette, fabrics and furniture is “enough� to evoke a feeling of the Tuscan sun beaming down in this eastern Iowa dining room and music room.

But there’s a hint of glitz in the Old World grandeur. A statement-making color of Tuscan bronze tinged with purple-silver understones sets the stage for these custom-designed environments in an award-winning design by interior designer Kathy Flack of Flack Interior Design Associates. “There’s an elegance that can be formal or casual and informal for entertaining, and the color is amazingly easy to accessorize throughout the seasons,� she said.

Glamorous faux-fur trimmed reindeer easily fit into the color scheme, and a simple arrangement of red roses is dressed up with sparkling artificial sprigs and set on a tray filled with crystal and votive candles.

Pillars are a classical, theme-setting touch at the dining room and music room entrances, which are separated by the front door and set off by the marbled foyer.

High ceilings feature heavy moulding punctuated by a classic acanthus leaf motif and tray ceilings dressed in metallic paint.

In the dining room, large furniture such as the custom cabinetry fits the scale of the room. The cabinet is actually five separate pieces assembled in place.

Cabinetry hardware is encrusted with faux pave gemstones and gleam like jewelry. A pedestal base easily allows extra seats at the racetrack-style dining room table — shaped like a large oval — that is built from mahogany. Tapestry covers comfortable chairs flanking the table, their backs upholstered in fine bronze-purple leather with nailhead trim.

A brocade tapestry drapery fabric puddles on the floor, hanging from a large rod adorned with dangling crystals. The same window treatment highlights windows in the music room, providing additional continuity between the spaces. A glossy black grand piano is set off by a tufted chaise lounge of soft purple, adorned with Swarovski crystals and buillion fringe. The custom-made music cabinet alsoserves as display space for favorite family photographs and a crystal collection. •

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Fireplaces bring warmth, energy-efficiency to any room in the house

Text | Melody Parker Images | Courtesy

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ocation, location, location.

Today’s fireplaces fit into virtually every room in the house. Traditionally, fireplaces were focal points in living and family rooms.

“The technology is so advanced now that fireplaces can be installed with ease in more non-traditional rooms in the house,” said David Coulson with Napoleon Fireplaces & Grills. “Fireplaces are great for the living room or den, but with today’s technology there is nothing stopping you from putting them in your bedroom or even bathroom.”

Electric and ventless gas and liquid gel fireplaces are hot trends.

New and improved technology in direct-vent gas fireplaces and stoves, gas inserts and wood-burning fireplaces and stoves make fireplaces practical and energy-efficient.

Half of all U.S. households (55 million) have at least one fireplace or freestanding stove, and fireplaces are among the top three features on new home buyers’ wish lists, according to the National 28

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Green your home 1. The newest wood stoves are certified to strict EPA standards that cut emissions, both inside and outside, by more than 70 percent compared to uncertified stoves. Natural gas and propane-fueled stoves and fireplaces are also some of the cleanest burning fuel options available.

2. Most fireplace and stove products are efficiency-rated and assigned a score between zero and 100. Look for the highest efficiency rating— a higher score means the product can burn less fuel but still heat efficiently and effectively.

3. Zone your heat. People regularly use less than 40 percent of their home and using a fireplace, stove or insert to warm the rooms used most (zone heating) allows families to heat more efficiently by turning down their central thermostat.

4. Burn wood wisely. Don’t burn trash or plastics, use only the recommended fuel for the product you have. Maintain your properly installed product.

5. Keep your design simple; install open shelving or cabinetry around the fireplace to maximize space.

Source: Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association & Town and Country Home Improvement Center, Waterloo.

Direct-vent fireplaces can be installed in living areas, as well as master suites, baths, kitchens and other areas of the home.

Association of Home Builders.

“How the fireplace looks is huge for female consumers because they want it to fit their home’s decor. In new construction and remodeling, people aren’t buying just one fireplace. They want one for the living area, the basement, the master bedroom and bath,” said Dave Krejchi, president of Dalton Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Cedar Falls. The firm sells natural and LP gas fireplaces and inserts in both fireplaces and stoves, wood burners, pellet stoves, outdoor fireplaces and firepits and electric fireplaces.

Wood-burning fireplaces may offer the height of ambiance, but gas fireplaces and inserts are more closely replicating those familiar flames, Krejchi said. “And there’s more viewing area, which adds to the ambiance. Designs are sleeker and there is the bonus of zoning your heating. Controls are being hidden on the sides of units, which looks better. Also, the quality has improved and the units are more energy-efficient.”

Chris Stafford of Dalton said fireplaces are increasingly being used year-round.

“Some models have ember bed lighting accents so you can have it on in the summer for ambiance without the heat. The LED lights give off a nice glow.”

Ventless fireplaces or heaters can heat a room, but don’t require a chimney, flue or duct system for venting. They are fueled by natural or LP gas. Some ventless styles are fueled by gel.

Chief concerns with ventless fireplaces are carbon monoxide and oxygen depletion. These models draw air from the room to burn the gas, so it’s important to measure the room’s square footage before purchasing a ventless fireplace and buy one that is designed for a slightly smaller room and contains an oxygen depletion sensor. Also, install a carbon monoxide detector with an alarm.

Free-standing electric fireplaces have caught fire with consumers, who appreciate the energy-efficiency and ambiance at the flip of a switch, said T.J. McGowan of McGowan’s Furniture.

“It’s a combination of ease of use — no venting is required and you don’t have to run a gas line to it. The units plug into a 110 volt household outlet, and they’re >> cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 29

efficient to operate at 8 cents an hour,� he explained.

Available in range of styles from traditional to contemporary, these moveable hearths have become decorating accessories. “The mantels are every bit as beautiful as gas mantels and the flame technology is much more realistic. Some have LED lights that pulse and look like real embers. You can run them without the heat, too, just for looks, but the units can warm up a chilly room.�

Particularly popular is the combination entertainment center/electric fireplace.

Average cost runs from $499 to $2400 and electric stoves are priced from $99 to $499.

Dalton sells 1500 watt electric fireplaces that have greater heat output and require 120 volt-15 amp dedicated circuitry.

McGregor’s Furniture also sells decorative electric fireplaces with real wood finishes.

Some surrounds are available that resemble stacked stones and river rock. •

fireplace plugs Even if your home is well-insulated, an open damper on an unused wood-burning or gas fireplace or improperly closed damper can raise overall heating consumption by 30 percent. Chimney dampers may not be airtight and glass doors don’t stop drafts, either.

One solution is to add a Fireplace Plug, an inflatable pillow that seals the damper and is removed when the fireplace is used, available from Battic Door, www.batticdoor.com.

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WINTER 2010 cv-hg.com

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goodearth

Geothermal systems keep you warm in winter, cool in summer

Text | Melody Parker Image | Shutterstock

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arly pioneers excavated dugouts in the ground for homes, using the earth as a shield to keep them warm in harsh winter months and cool beneath the baking summer sun. Animals burrow into the ground for safety, shelter and warmth.

The same principle governs geothermal systems which use the earth’s constant temperature to expel heat in the summer and pump heat in the winter.

“The earth is a constant 55 degrees, and a geothermal system is the most efficient system available. It costs less to operate than a conventional heating and cooling system, and there are environmental factors to consider as well, and the systems are very quiet,” said John Thomas at Young Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Waterloo.

“It’s the first renewable source of energy that we can utilize that will actually never run out,” said Gary Shawver, owner of Shawver Well Co., Inc., in Fredericksburg. “The long-term benefit of cost-efficient heating and cooling is very exciting. People looking to build or move into a new home want to know over the long-term how expensive it will be to maintain the home. Geothermal is going to be dictated by what electricity does over the years.”

The biggest tipping point may be the cost-savings. Although the systems cost more upfront for installation, the payback is long-term. “Energy bills are cut as much or more than 70 percent. That’s a substantial savings. We’re seeing customers respond to the 30-percent federal tax credit for installing geothermal systems in new home construction and retrofitting systems into existing homes,” said Dave Krejchi, owner of Dalton’s Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Cedar Falls.

The tax credit is available through Dec. 31.

But exactly how is geothermal installed and how does it work?

A well field is bored into the ground in the home’s yard and loop fields are buried underground, either vertically or horizontally, depending on the space and size of the house, to capture the heat, Thomas said. >> cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 31

F I N A N C I N G

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For more information on EnergyAdvantage Financing, including what equipment and windows may qualify, or to apply, call MidAmerican at 800-894-9599.

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Geology and soil determine how easy or difficult it will be to connect to the earth through a loop field. A third method is a re-injection well that draws heat out through the water and re-injects it back into the well.

Whatever the method, a heat exchange system is installed in the house that pumps geothermal antifreeze and water through the well field. A thermostat controls the home’s temperature in the same manner as a conventional system. Heating and cooling can be either in-floor or via duct work. Although the system still uses electricity, it is minimal in cost.

In winter, antifreeze and water circulating in the sealed loop system absorbs the earth’s heat and carries it to the heat exchange. Here, the water is compressed to a higher temperature and the heat from this process is sent as warm air to a blower for distribution in the home. In the summer months, the system reverses and expels heat to the cooler earth through the same closed loop system.

Some systems can be used to supply hot water heating (requiring a storage tank).

“That’s the true benefit — the versatility of the geothermal system,” Thomas said.

Homeowners should get two or three quotes from different geothermal contractors and study the footage of loop field proposed. If it’s not similar in footage, ask why. Also, the contractor needs to know the heat exchange rate of various soil types.

Installation takes about two weeks.

Systems can be retrofitted into existing homes, “although the work is more challenging,” Krejchi said, and can be more expensive because new duct work may be required.

And if the homeowner plans to landscape the area where a geothermal loop field is buried, Shawver suggests caution.

“Small shrubs and that sort of thing for landscaping is fine, but keep trees away from the field. In 20 to 25 years, tree roots could become an issue strangling one of the loops or breaking into one.

Repairing a geothermal loop field can be very difficult.” •

A Samsung 3D television through the special glasses at Don’s Maximum Sight & Sound in Waterloo.

3Dtv

Grab your glasses ... experts think new TV picture is no fad

Text | John Molseed and wire services Images | Rick Chase

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elevisions may be slimmer, but their pictures are getting deeper.

Once a novelty, 3D television is catching on. Almost all brands of high-end models now come with a 3D option.

“If someone’s looking for a nice TV, 3D comes with it,” said Brian Shaw, operations manager at Don’s Maximum Sight and Sound. Manufacturers are banking on the trend catching on. In fact, manufacturers like Sony no longer offer internet-capable, high-resolution televisions without the 3D option.

“They kind of clump the features all together,” he said.

Industry analysts are confident 3-D will take off.

DisplaySearch predicts that shipments of 3-D televisions will rise from 3.4 million in 2010, or 5 percent of flat-panel TV sales, to 42.9 million, or 37 percent of sales, in 2014.

Although televisions that have 3D capability can also be watched in conventional, flat picture mode, what aren’t clumped with those televisions are unlimited glasses viewers need to get the 3D experience. Each pair costs about $100 to $150.

Needing glasses to watch 3D television is one of the biggest reservations people have about the technology. “Some people aren’t too thrilled about that,” Shaw said.

Glasses that bring the picture to life on one screen may not work on another. Some glasses aren’t compatible with other brand televisions because different brands use different types of encoding to make a 3D picture. Some glasses need a battery to stay in sync with the television’s 3D 34

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encoding.

Jim Pingel of Sound Advice Vac & Video said some people can skirt around spending a fortune on glasses. Polarized sunglasses and standard movie 3D glasses can give a 3D effect for a few 3D television models set to 3D mode.

Some companies have worked on creating a 3D picture without the glasses. Toshiba has introduced such a model earlier this year that could hit stores in a couple of years.

A lack of 3D specific programming also is cooling some customers to the concept. A few 3D channels have already been launched, including ESPN 3. Some television manufacturers have teamed with companies that have produced 3D movies and provide copies of Blu-ray 3D DVDs with the purchase of the TV. Other companies are going a step further.

Sony teamed with IMAX and Discovery for Discovery 3D that is to start broadcasting next year.

Shaw said the 3D Blu-ray movies have the deepest pictures compared to broadcast 3D. To experience the movies, viewers need a 3D television, a 3D Blu-ray player and the 3D version of the movie. Even standard programming has some depth in 3D mode.

Pingel and Shaw agree the 3D picture isn’t a fad. Movie theaters are putting resources into technology to offer 3D movies. Interest in 3D television has picked up significantly in the last year. Shaw has more than a dozen models on the floor this year. Last year, Pingel sold only one 3D model.

“It will pick up speed,” Pingel said. “I think the price will come down as it becomes more mainstream.” •

pocket games

Tips for choosing a quality pool table for YOUR HOME Text | Tina Hinz Images | Brandon Pollock

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quality, well-maintained home pool table can last you a lifetime. With so many brands and styles, how do you choose? Figure out how much space you have, advises Lyman Frank, who cares for tables at Cedar Falls’ Break Room Billiards. “You need 10 feet plus the width of the pool table. Otherwise, you don’t have room for the cues.”

Cues measure five feet, so at least that much space is required around the table. A full-size table is 4.5 by 9 feet. A family table is 4 by 8 feet and a bar-size table is 3.5 by 7 feet. A smaller version is a 3 by 6 table, while a 6 by 12 is among the largest.

Look for the table’s playability — including cloth and speed — and longevity of its rubber bumper cushions, which can become hard and need to be replaced, said Ron Willis, co-manager at Mueller Recreational Products in Clive, near Des Moines.

Judy Kucera, manager at Cedar Rapids Billiards in Cedar Rapids, recommends a solid frame with support beams underneath and a slate playing surface. Cheaper, wood-top tables could warp in humid conditions.

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“Slate tables are a little heavier, so if you bump them the balls don’t move,” Frank said.

Most home tables have an inch-thick slate that comes in three pieces. Installation is best left to a professional. Seams are filled in with beeswax and must be “absolutely level,” Frank said, so balls don’t bounce when they roll over.

Plastic drop pockets or leather are a matter of preference, though some say plastic will crack over time.

“Ninety-nine percent of the time you’re buying a leather pocket,” Willis said. “You can get those in probably 15 different stains or with shields on the outside or fringe to decorate them up.”

The Olhausen company features a ball return system on a leather pocket table, which is unique and becoming more popular, Kucera said.

Cost

Good used tables often are available for a fraction of the price of a new one. But after shelling out $300 to $400 for someone to dismantle, move and set up the table, plus another few hundred dollars to recloth it and buy equipment, you’re better off shopping for a new one, Willis said.

Most of the new tables Mueller sells range from $2,000 to

$3,500 and have a lifetime warranty, with the exception of the cloth and pockets. Kucera promotes established American brands, like Olhausen, over imports, many of which are not good quality, she said. Tables at her store are as low as $1,475.

Custom-built pieces are much more expensive. Several varieties of wood and stain finishes are available, as well as laminate or veneer cabinets. Legs can be swapped out, and the rail design tweaked.

Accessories

A basic accessory package includes four cues, balls, a triangle, chalk, rule book, shake bottle and peas, brush and cover. Designer ball sets offer patterns, like a swirl marbleized look, dogs and cats or the University of Iowa and Iowa State University logos.

Dark green is traditional for the cover, though black tables are a growing trend, especially among Hawkeye fans, Kucera said.

A three-shade light is recommended above an eight-foot table, the most common size for home use.

Restoring antiques

Tables also can become family heirlooms passed from grandparents to children. Antique tables often are more ornate and collectible.

Cedar Rapids Billiards, in business since 1988, does a lot of antique restoration, including a table from around 1865, Kucera said.

Muellerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warehouse in Lincoln, Neb., also restores tables. Some take four or five months to complete and can cost upwards of $10,000. â&#x20AC;˘

Plastic or leather? Leather pockets are preferred because leather ages beautifully and adds more style to the pool table. Plastic can crack and likely will need replacing.

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319-277-0100 cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 37

entertaining

well stocked

setting up your home bar for easy entertaining Text | Emily Christensen Images | Brandon Pollock

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etting up a first home bar can be expensive.

Matt Hanlin, general manager of Benz Beverage Depot in Cedar Rapids, has helped customers outfit their home entertainment areas for upwards of $10,000. But you don’t have to go broke building a well-stocked beverage cupboard ready for any party.

“I would certainly try to get the major things: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and tequila. Then pick and choose depending on what you like to drink,” Hanlin said.

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Dwight Dehl, Kimball Avenue (Waterloo) Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits manager, said it is important to know your guests. If your best friend likes scotch, for example, find out what kind before investing in a pricey bottle. Some people like single malts while others prefer a blended malt, and the flavor is different enough that someone might like one and not the other.

“You may have a really nice scotch, but if no one drinks it you have tied up your money for nothing,” Dehl said. “I’ve got four or five bottles in my cupboard. It would be nice to trade them in for something else.”

On the bright side, Dehl said alcohol is aged in the barrel, so that 40-year-old bottle of whiskey should taste the same as one opened today.

To keep costs down many hosts will plan their gathering around a specific drink, Hanlin said.

“I don’t think there are many home bars where you can just go up and order what you want. Instead, people will say they are going to do a special drinks, like lemon drops, and then they have everything on hand for that.”

Wine and beer Wine tastings are the perfect way for wine newbies to get a feel for what they like, suggests Ben Dall, Logan Avenue (Waterloo) Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits manager. Keep at least one sweet and one dry wine on hand for guests.

Keep an uncorked wine fresher longer by storing it on its side. Once corked it will last, at most, three to five days.

“Once wine is opened it will never taste the same,” Dehl said.

If you’re serious about wine, invest in an aerator. It can “take an everyday wine and make it a really good wine or make a top-shelf wine everything it should be,” said Matt Van Ee, Cedar Falls Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits manager.

Hanlin said the best advice when looking for a party beer — don’t go crazy.

“You will never go wrong with a macro beer. There will be those who say they won’t drink it, but it is usually pretty universal. The more crazy you get, the more you will run into those who won’t drink it.”

After macros, people will usually upgrade to ambers or brown ales, then eurolagers before possibly moving along to the stouts and porters.

“I’d stay away from those unless you know your guests will drink it,” Hanlin noted.

Tools of the trade A plastic cup is perfectly capable of holding a mixed drink. That doesn’t mean it’s the best option.

True entertainers should keep a bevy of barware on hand for guests, Van Ee said. Among the possibilities: low and high balls, collins, martini and margarita glasses. Those serving wine should also keep a set of stemware at the ready.

And if you can afford the splurge, crystal really does make wine taste better.

“The pores in the crystal help the wine breathe a little more.”

If a bar full of glasses isn’t in the budget, start with the versatile oldfashioned (also called a lowball or rocks) glass.

Van Ee suggests other bar tools be included, such as a shaker, double-action corkscrew, rimming station for margaritas and a muddler for mojitos. •

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Make your vision a reality.

big chill the

Keep your whites and reds at optimum temperature in a wine chiller

Designer Kenley ellis

2811 Center, Cedar Falls

319-277-9409

www.bentonbuildingcenter.com 1123049 MS/SK 1/6V CVHG '10

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Text | Meta Hemenway-Forbes Images | Courtesy

I

t’s a telling odor. Vinegar. Musty. Stale.

If that’s what greets your nose when the cork comes out, your wine has been “cooked,” said Eric Christensen, manager of Indulgence, a specialty wine shop in Cedar Falls.

“You want to store wine in the coolest part of your home. The hotter wine gets, it starts to cook and destroys the wine. With white wine you’ll get a vinegar aroma. In a red, you might smell a musty odor, which tells you the wine has spoiled.”

The best storage temperatures are 42 to 46 F for white wines and 52 to 56 F for reds.

There’s no better way to keep wine at its best than with a wine chiller, experts say. Wine chillers can keep your reds and whites at temperatures designed to coax out the best flavors.

Many models offer digital temperature controls accessible without opening the door, helping keep temperatures consistent, according to Consumer Reports. Some models have humidity settings so corks and labels don’t dry out. For serious collectors, models with locks keep prize vintages safe from theft.

“Models with glass doors seem to be the most popular,” said Roger Butz, a salesman at Smitty’s Tire and Appliance in Cedar Falls.

“They also come in stainless (steel) and black, and there are some that you can put custom wood fronts on to match your cabinetry.”

Finish is just one feature to look at when

choosing a wine chiller. How many bottles you’ll be storing determines the size. There are chillers that house 40 bottles, and some house 60.

The average consumer goes with the 40bottle unit, said Karl Morehouse, co-owner of Direct Appliance and TV in Cedar Falls.

“You can get the big cabinet style that holds 200 or more bottles. I have never sold one.

You’ve really got to want to drink your wine.”

Direct Appliance and TV carries GE, Electrolux and Viking wine chillers, with prices ranging from $499 to $1,600. Their best-selling model is the GE Monogram. Wine chillers are by special order at Direct Appliance.

Wine chillers with dual temperature zones are great for red and white wine enthusiasts.

Some units have dual compartments, each with its own temperature control. Other models are single compartments, in which cool air sinks to the bottom to create a different temperature zone. According to Consumer Reports, more manufacturers are opting for separate chill zones.

As with other kitchen appliances, wine chillers come in built-in and freestanding models. A do-it-yourselfer can easily place a freestanding unit, but a built-in may require professional installation. “Under-the-counter models need an exact measurement,” notes Adam Morris, sales manager at People’s Appliance in Waterloo.

For the occasional wine drinker, a beverage center with a wine compartment might be a best bet. •

7

steps

for great holiday entertaining

1. Camouflage your flaws We all know candlelight makes us look better, though it won’t transform us into Cindy Crawford (unfortunately). It can, however, turn a lessthan-perfect house into one that seems cozy and glam. If the party is lastminute, or if the maid has the day off, or if frankly, you just have better things to do than clean, just dim the lights and rely on candlepower to make everything glow. But of course, leave the scented candles out of the dining room. The aromatic combination of salmon and patchouli? Not so appetizing.

2. Don’t be afraid to fake it You didn’t cook that delectable five-course dinner from scratch. So what?

Stick to what you do best, whether it’s cooking or arranging flowers, and take a few shortcuts on the rest. A happy and relaxed host ensures happy guests. Next week, no one will remember the souffle that flopped or the menu you labored over for hours. They will, however, relish in recounting the meltdown you had at the table when someone asked you to pass the salt and pepper. If you’re no Nigella Lawson, don’t think twice about serving Chinese takeout. Dish it up with a smile, and from a stylish platter — so that there will be absolutely no guilt over the takeout cartons hidden in your trash.

3. Be a mix master If you truly hate that fussy floral china pattern, let it go — it will be the right cup of tea for someone on eBay. If that plain white plate with platinum band is giving you the doldrums, spice it up. Bring in accent plates.

Alternate patterns at every other place setting. Use mismatched pieces of silver. Just stick to a fairly consistent degree of formality or a cohesive color theme, and then have as much fun as your imagination allows.

4. Know when (not) to fold them Tricked-up napkin folds are for restaurants. Forget the origami swans and stick with a simple, classic fold like the one we’ve pictured here.

5. See how low you can go We love low arrangements — if they break out beyond the center of the table, even better. Think small, clear vases at each place setting, or arrangements of greenery down the length of the table. Have a seat at the table before guests arrive and make sure everyone will have a clear view.

6. Break up a happy couple We’re talking strictly about seating arrangements here, and a dinner party is the right time to split up your favorite power couple. It keeps conversation flowing and encourages people talk to someone they don’t see every night across the dinner table.

7. Remember, some rules are not made to be broken It’s best to express your party flair in ways that will amaze your friends, not confuse them. In other words, no reworking of the “how to set the table” formula. It has served us well for years, and yet, some guests might still have a hard time remembering that when it comes to flatware, you work from the outside in.

Entertaining with Susie Coelho Want to simplify your holiday entertaining?

Lifestyles expert Susie Coelho enjoys lively, casual gatherings over stilted cocktail parties and stiff, formal dinners.

Easier for the hostess, more fun for the guests.

“Decide on a theme — Italian, Greek, a soup supper, dessert and coffee buffet, whatever — and ask friends and family to bring something to share that fits the theme. You make a big salad, set out wine, cheese, olives and bread.

People love the interaction, diving in to help in the kitchen, eating well, hanging out.”

It’s OK to simplify, she says. “What’s important is people coming together and enjoying themselves, not ‘here I am doing all the work to entertain you.’ You feel more relaxed as a hostess and a part of the gathering, especially during the holidays when everyone is so busy.”

The mother of two children, Coelho also minimizes her holiday decorating. She once kept a storage unit brimming with holiday glitz and glitter, but sold it at a garage

sale. “Honest truth — I didn’t want the clutter, the dust, the hassle of bringing it out, putting it up and taking it down. I don’t like anything that’s grandiose. But simplicity doesn’t mean I don’t put effort into it and that it’s not still beautiful and elegant. It’s about being thoughtful with your choices.”

She puts up a lovely, white tree she designed for Grandin Road that she describes as “stylish and modern. It brightens my day when I see it. I decorate it with gold and silver and if I want color, turquoise or lime green balls. The tree is so prominent that I don’t wrap banisters. I put white lights and a garland on the mantel, arrange my collection of mercury glass on an eco-friendly acacia wood table and turn on the chandelier I found for $400 in a consignment store.”

Coelho starred in two HGTV series, has authored four books on entertaining, decorating and dream weddings and is founder and CEO of her own multi-media lifestyle company. She also designs furnishings and accessories for Grandin Road, including a holiday collection.

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supreme

sauces Enliven holiday meals with flavorful butter sauces

Wild Mushroom Sauce and ginger; sauté until leeks are soft. Purée leek mixture in a food processor or blender; set aside.

Melt remaining 10 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Add leek purée, broth and salt and pepper; mix well and bring to a simmer; serve hot.

You may thin sauce with additional chicken broth, if desired. Store sauce in refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat to serve.

Pairs well with vegetables, poultry and beef.

Yields 1 1/2 cups 12 tablespoons butter, divided 1/4 cup shallots, diced 1 leek, sliced 2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated 4 ounces fresh wild mushrooms, chopped (crimini, yellow oyster, shiitake, etc.)

1/4 cup chicken broth Salt and pepper, to taste In a heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add shallots, leeks

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce shallots, white wine, white wine vinegar and tarragon; bring to simmer. Continue to simmer, reducing liquid to 1 tablespoon; set aside.

In a blender, combine egg yolks, water and lemon juice; blend on high for 1 minute.

With blender still running, pour hot butter in a slow, steady stream, until mixture thickens. Add reserved shallot and white wine reduction and red pepper; purée until smooth. Return sauce to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. Or store sauce in refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat to serve.

Pairs well with poultry, steak and vegetables.

Yields 1 1/2 cups 2 tablespoons butter, softened 1/4 cup shallots, minced 1/4 cup white wine 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped 3 egg yolks 2 teaspoon water 1 teaspoon lemon juice 6 tablespoon butter, melted and hot 1/2 cup roasted red pepper, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste In a heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons softened butter over medium heat. Add

Images | Real Butter Creating a special holiday dish doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. This pair of sauces, based on the classic Bearnaise but with a twist, can dress up holiday meals featuring beef, poultry, fish and vegetables.

A napkin fold for a finished look 1. Start with a large square paper or linen napkin laid flat on a table.

2. Fold the napkin in half, long-ways, right to left.

3. Fold the napkin in half, botton to top.

4. Fold in half again, left to right.

5. Make sure the loose edges of the napkin are at the top right and carefully fold each layer diagonally and under each other, leaving one large pocket in the back. You can also fold the corner

1&2

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3

of the first layer under, to create a straight line, or leave it open.

6. Place utensils in the back pocket, and a sprig of decoration in the front pocket.

From Home Made Simple by The Experts at Home Made Simple. Copyright (c) 2010 by the authors and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Griffin.

4

5

Baked Onion Dip Makes 2 cups 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup chopped onion Grated nutmeg, to taste 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Jarlsberg cheese In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion and nutmeg; stir in cheese. Spoon into a 1 quart oven-proof dish and bake, uncovered, 325 F for 40 minutes or until lightly golden. Serve warm with flatbreads, cooked sausage, boiled mini potatoes and vegetable crudités.

Mini Three-Cheese Balls Yield: 24 to 30 balls 1 4-ounce log fresh goat cheese 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese 2 cups coarsely grated Jarlsberg cheese 2 tablespoons grated onion 1/4 cup non fat plain yogurt 1/4 cup finely diced fresh chives, plus extra for garnish Dash hot sauce (optional) 1 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans In a food processor, process cheeses with onion, yogurt and chives until well blended. If you’d like, add a dash of hot sauce. Shape into mini balls and roll in slivered almonds or chopped pecans and chives, or spread in serving dish and top with nuts/chives. Chill several hours or until ready to serve. Serve with flat breads, fresh vegetables, etc.

Petite Cheese Tarts

small plates

Serve bite-sized appetizers with style

S

mall plates are a chic — and practical — way to serve appetizers. They’re easy for guests to carry and hold just the right amount.

Plan on a mix of hearty and light appetizers. These recipes take advantage of the versatile taste and texture of Jarlsberg cheese. A mild semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk, Jarlsberg has a buttery, rich texture with a mild, nutty flavor that lends itself to all kinds of flavorful bites. Add in some spiced nuts, marinated olives, fruit and a decadent cheese plate, and you have a small-plate party with plenty of style. •

Yield: 45 tarts 2 cups coarsely grated Jarlsberg cheese 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup heavy cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon paprika Ground white pepper 45 small phyllo shells Cooked crumbled bacon Heat oven to 350 F. Combine cheese, eggs and cream. Mix in mustard, paprika and pepper. Arrange phyllo shells on baking sheet. Use a small spoon to fill each cup three quarters full with mixture, top with crumbled bacon. Bake until mixture is golden brown in center, about 20 minutes.

Helpful tips — Let your grocery store or favorite restaurant do some of the work. Order two or three appetizers and make one or two on your own.

— Choose simple, easy-to-prepare recipes to reduce stress for holiday entertaining. Some recipes can be made the day before and stored flat in zip-top baggies on cookie sheets in the fridge. Pull out and pop in the oven at the last minute before guests arrive. Other appetizers can be frozen and thawed before finishing up.

— Three hot, three cold appetizers is a nice balance. Set out a cheese tray (blue cheese, brie, Parmesan) and if you’re having dip, set out a tray of crunchy bread loaves, pita chips, crostinis, etc.

Olives, nuts, chocolate and fruit are great fillers.

— One of my favorite bite-sized appetizers is a bacon-wrapped apricot drizzled with maple syrup.

It combines salt and sweet flavors, and dried apricots plump up nicely.

Chef Jim Nadeau, College Square Hy-Vee cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 43

Mini Empanadas Yield: 20 empanadas 1 package refrigerated pie crust Fillings: Potato-Onion-Cheese 1 1/4 cups mashed potato 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies, not drained 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste 3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups finely chopped cooked green onions (white and green parts) 6 ounces Jarlsberg or Jarlsberg Lite cheese, diced Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

Chorizo-Chicken-Cheese

Helpful tips â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Appetizers should be eye-appealing, easy to eat (not messy) and taste good. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Create or purchase appetizers that are fun to eat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; served on skewers or sticks that looked like grown-up lollipops, tucked into wonton wrappers, etc. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re planning to make appetizers ahead, it pays to know which ones refrigerate and reheat well or ones that could end up soggy. Just make sure cold appetizers are cold, hot appetizers are hot.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Have a mix of appetizers for meat-lovers and vegetarians. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Save time and order a few professionally prepared appetizers (be sure to order far in advance).

I like to prepare such tasty bites as bacon-wrapped figs stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts, a vegetarian crostini tray, gourmet stuffed mushrooms, Thai chicken and beef satay on skewers with peanut sauce are more.

Chef William Gerstenberger, Crossroads Hy-Vee

1 1/4 cups diced cooked chorizo 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced 2/3 cup mashed potatoes 6 ounces Jarlsberg or Jarlsberg Lite cheese, diced 1/3 cup packed chopped parsley (stems included) Salt and pepper, to taste Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

To make empanadas: Preheat oven to 400 F. Unroll dough and cut out 20 4-inch rounds. Place 2 tablespoons filling in center of each round. With wet fingers, moisten inside edges of dough and gently stretch over filling to make half moon shape. Using fork tines, crimp edges to seal. Bake empanadas on parchmentlined cookie sheet, about 14 to 16 minutes, or until light golden brown. Serve warm.

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SUGAR & SPICE We believe in the magic of the holidays.

How else can Santa squeeze back up the chimney after noshing all those delicious, home-baked cookies? Cooking baking is a holiday tradition for many of us, and from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day, our kitchens are filled with the sweet aroma of home-baked cookies. There’s no substitute for the flavor and performance of butter for baking.

These luscious cookies push the envelope with a trend-worthy surprise.

Whole-Wheat Caramel Lattes Makes 3 dozen cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup café mocha instant coffee crystals 1 egg 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 18 caramels 1 tablespoon heavy cream 42 chocolate-covered coffee beans Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and instant coffee crystals together, until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Combine flours in a separate bowl and add to butter mixture; mix well.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Press thumb into cookie center. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until cookies begin to brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

In a small saucepan, over low heat, heat caramels and cream; stirring frequently. Using a teaspoon, drop melted caramel into each thumbprint, placing a chocolate-covered coffee bean on caramel immediately.

Store in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to three days.

& EVERYTHING NICE Sea Salted Coffee Toffee Bars

Makes about 18 2-inch square bars First layer: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tablespoon instant coffee crystals Second layer: 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or dark rum 1 1/2 cups whole pecans, hazelnuts, almonds or other mixed nuts 1/2 to 1 tablespoons large crystal sea salt Preheat oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar and salt until light and fluffy.

Add flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring between additions. Add instant coffee crystals and blend until well incorporated.

Pat batter into ungreased 9x13x2-inch baking pan in an even layer. Bake until edges are lightly browned and center is puffy, 12 to 15 minutes Meanwhile, in heavy saucepan, stir condensed milk and 2 tablespoons butter over low heat until butter melts. The mixture will thicken and become smooth. Stir in vanilla or rum, remove from heat and let sit until bottom layer is done baking.

Sprinkle nuts over baked bottom layer and pour hot condensed milk mixture evenly over nuts using a spatula to spread.

Return to the oven and bake until top is golden and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes.

Immediately sprinkle desired amount of sea salt over bubbling toffee top. Cool slightly in pan and cut into bars. Bars can be kept up to one week in an airtight container.

ZOS ZDYHUO\LD FRP cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 45

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The gifT ThaT gives again

Generally despised as the last resort of the unimaginative or uncaring, the beer gift pack is low in the gift hierarchy, down among windshield scrapers and oil-change gift certificates. It reeks of desperation.

But I’ve come across first-rate sampler packs you can proudly present to the beer lover in your life. What sets these apart, aside from the beer quality, is inclusion of appropriate glassware with the brewer’s logo. Few self-respecting beer geeks, myself included, can resist glassware from a favored brewer. Making friends with your local retailer might get you a heads-up when they arrive or let your keyboard do the walking and order online from sellers such as Half Time Beverage or John’s Grocery. Be sure to check the websites for regulations concerning shipping beer to your state.

Never one to refuse a classy gift to myself, I’ve added two nice glasses to my collection in recent months, an elegant chalice from Belgian brewer St. Bernardus and a dimpled stein from German brewer Paulaner sturdy enough for home defense, and enjoyed the world-class beer included with them.

This holiday season, you can do the same for your fellow beer enthusiast, and hold your head high, when they un-wrap a gift that proves you care, at the very least, about serving good beer in the right glass.

Prost! — Brandon Pollock

holiday wines

Celebrate any occasion or family gathering with a sparkling wine, perfect for sipping and toasting.

“Beginning wine drinkers like the Moscatos because they taste almost like fruit juice and are low in alcohol,” said Dwight Dehl, manager at Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits at Kimball Avenue in Waterloo.

More sophisticated wine drinkers may prefer Il Conte d-Alba “Stella Rosa,” a fresh, sparkling wine with a hint of strawberries and sweet, crisp acidity.

Another option is “angel” wine or Electra, a California wine that has an angel on the label and is available in red or white. It is light and grapey and easy to drink.

Korbel, Ballatore and Martini & Rossi make popular sparkling wines, but another one to look for is the Segura Viudas sparkling Spanish wine. “It’s a very nice wine, and I’d recommend it for a gift because it looks very classy,” Dehl said.

TIP: Fill all your entertaining needs at Hy-Vee Food Stores and Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits.

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WINTER 2010 cv-hg.com

cuttings

new products, expert advice & what’s hot now

❮ Looking for a unique gift? Glittery glass bird feeders in harvest or blue moon are unusual one-stop feeders. In fair weather, they can perch on the rim to dine, and when the weather turns snow, wet and windy, they can hop inside to eat. Extra-thick crackle glass sparkles when it catches the light. Drainage holes keep seed dry. From Gardeners’ Supply, www.gardeners.com, $21.95 each.

Idea file: Think outside the traditional holiday table arrangement. Check out your

favorite florists’ offerings for fun potted plants and incorporate them into your decorating scheme. Here, flame striped and red tulips and fuschia hyacinths make a colorful statement displayed into pretty metal bowls. Mini poinsettias are tucked into the pots at the base of the bulbs. And don’t overlook cyclamen, ornamental peppers, Norfolk pines and other plants that can be dressed up as focal points for table tops.

How to force paperwhites:

New for 2011, Proven Winners’ Superbells “Blackberry Punch” adds a classy new look to the Calibrachoa group of plants.

The dark purple, almost black flowers, edged with vibrant magenta, bloom from the beginning of the growing season until frost.

Blackberry Punch is easy to grow and will ramble over the side of a container or hanging basket.

1. Choose decorative shallow bowl/pot.

2. Fill container two-thirds full of planting material such as fine gravel, aquarium gravel, marbles, etc.

3. Use as many bulbs as will fit, pointed side up. Fill in with gravel around bulbs. Fill pot with water to bottom of the bulbs.

4. Set container in a cool (45-50 F) dark room and in three weeks, shoots should develop. Move to a sunny, cool spot and stand back. Shoots develop rapidly and in several more weeks, you’ll have blooms lasting up to 10 days.

5. Stake stems as needed. Stagger plantings for blooms from Thanksgiving to March.

Varieties: Narcissus tazetta “Ziva,” white flowers, fragrance; “Galilee,” all-white blooms with pleasant fragrance; “Erlicheer,” white flowers with yellow centers; “Yael,” yellow cups surrounded by snowy white petals; “Grand Soleil d’Or,” yellow blooms.

cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 47

cuttings

win this “Home Made Simple” is the essential home reference for simplifying, beautifying, organizing and inspiring your life. In these pages, you’ll find tips, projects and recipes that will help you create the home you’ll love to live in. Register to win a copy of this book at www.cv-hg.com.

How to force amaryllis: 1. Soak roots and bulb base in lukewarm water for an hour.

2. Choose a container large enough for one bulb, about one inch larger in diameter than the bulb. Larger containers can support multiple bulbs. Make sure containers have drainage holes.

3. Place pea gravel or pot shards in pot; add several inches of potting mix and settle bulb into place. Add potting mix up to the bulb’s shoulder. The pointed top of the bulb should

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peek over the rim. Firm soil and water.

4. Place the bulb in a warm spot out of direct sun. Don’t water again until stalk and flower bud appear, in about two weeks.

5. Water regularly. Bulbs flower in six to eight weeks.

Varieties: “Christmas Gift,” white; “Lady Jane,” double, salmon; “Minerva,” red/white striped; “Picotte,” white with red edge; “Red Lion,” scarlet red.

VISIT CV-HG.COM REGULARLY FOR UPDATES ON THE FOLLOWING:

1 2 3

Decorating ideas and inspiration for every room of the house. Plus, photo galleries, inspiring color ideas and home trends.

Find great tips on easy entertaining, recipes, beer and wine, how-to videos and more.

Find garden news, tips and information about planning a garden, caring for indoor plants and preparing for next spring.

REGISTER ONLINE TO WIN...One reader will receive a great wool and acrylic throw in soft grays by Bedford Cottages. Valued at $90, it is from Vintage Iron in Cedar Falls. Also register to win a copy of Home Made Simple, the new home reference for simplifying, beautifying and inspiring your life, valued at $28.

48

WINTER 2010 cv-hg.com

DIY

Knit mitten ornaments

IMAGINE

Make the most out of old or outgrown mittens with these adorable, inexpensive holiday decorations. Incorporating greenery, berries and twigs lends an organic, festive touch.

Materials Mittens Fiber fill (a small handful per mitten) Mixed greens (fix, taxus, thuja and boxwood) Floral wire Berries (live or artificial pip berries) Small twigs (live or artificial) Ribbon Three 5/8 inch or larger jingle bells Hot glue gun Small beads, buttons and charms Three small candy canes Instructions 1. Lightly stuff the bottom of the mitten with fiber fill. Don’t forget the thumb! Set aside.

2. Arrange the mixed greens in proportion to the mitten’s size, setting the tallest pieces in the back and shortest in the front.

3. Hold the arrangement tightly at the cuff of the mitten and use a 6- or 7-inch piece of floral wire to wrap the greens together. Begin at the base and work upward.

4. Use the excess wire to create a loop of 4 to 6 inches. Fasten the loose end of wire at the base of the loop to create a hanger.

5. Wrap the wired stems with a small amount of fiber filler as cushioning in the mitten. Insert the greens into the mitten and fluff to arrange.

6. Using small pieces of floral wire, fasten assorted berries and twigs to your greenery to add color and texture. If using pip berries, wrap the stems around your finger and then pull for a whimsical curl.

7. Attach a complementary ribbon around the mitten cuff and string on a jingle bell. Tie the additional bells onto the two ribbon ends, staggering their placement for extra charm.

8. Using your hot glue gun, attach buttons, beads and charms to the mitten cuff.

9. Finally, insert the candy canes. Find the perfect spot to hang your mitten which can be your tree, the doorknob of your guest bath or even a kitchen cabinet.

From Home Made Simple by The Experts at Home Made Simple. Copyright (c) 2010 by the authors and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Griffin.

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An Iowa Original. cv-hg.com WINTER 2010 49

home plan

handsome facade

features columns, dormers and porch

Text |The Associated Press

T

10

he facade of this home, Plan HMAFAPW1548 by Homeplans.com, boasts a trio of dormers above a handsome front porch, complete with columns and room enough to enjoy a glass of lemonade with the neighbors.

The floor plan covers 2,506 square feet of living space.

Inside, the entry leads to a versatile study and expansive great room, which features a corner fireplace, vaulted ceiling and three large windows overlooking a large covered patio.

The modern kitchen enjoys an island work-station and a walk-in pantry. These, along with a snack bar, help to serve the formal dining room, great room and morning room.

The master suite offers a pair of walk-in closets and a private bath with a garden spa tub, a separate shower and dual sinks.

Two of the secondary bedrooms enjoy private baths. The other features a built-in desk and has close access to a hall bath.

A workshop in the garage is great for the family handyman. •

HMAFAPW1548 DETAILS: • Bedrooms: 4+ • Baths:4 • Main floor: 2,506 sq. ft.

• Total Living Area: 2,506 sq. ft.

• Garage and workshop: 560 sq. ft.

• Exterior Wall Framing: 2x4 • Foundation Options: crawl space A downloadable study plan of this house, including general information on building costs and financing is available at www. houseoftheweek.com.

To order: Call (866) 7221013, or mail to House of the Week, P.O. Box 75488, St. Paul, MN 55175-0488.

HOUSE PLAN

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For a guide to housing developments in the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities, visit http:// www.cv-hg.com/map/

50

WINTER 2010 cv-hg.com

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