Cedar Valley Home & Garden - Fall 2010

cv.hg.com FALL 2010

contents elements

6 Kitchen-aids 9 Color palette 10 Falling for fall

Savory season for spices

features Loft living

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Cover image Brandon Pollock

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Vintage Halloween New & next

Totally cool cork

2010 fall

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Vintage apartment transformed

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Signature space

Traditional style weds contemporary

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Kitchens that cook

Gathering place Kitchen is the heart of the home

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Top drawer Stylish and functional cabinetry Make a splash

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Granite rocks In kitchens, stone is tops

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Counter-intuitive Quartz, concrete, laminate

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Dining out Outdoor kitchens

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Fall issue resources

Parade of homes Annual parade Sept. 15-19

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Craftsman Time-honored mud set process

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Living color Forecaster determines colors

garden

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Garden gallery Sculptures bloom amidst flowers

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Cuttings What’s hot now

entertaining Cooking with beer Hearty flavors of fall

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CONTACTS

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Tastings

Country charmer

FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

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

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

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Courtney Towlerton 319-291-1457 courtney.towlerton@wcfcourier.com

CONTRIBUTORS Amie Steffen, writer Rick Chase, photographer Brandon Pollock, photographer

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

Published quarterly by Courier Communications

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Congratulations! Hannah Kline of Anamosa was selected winner of the online exclusive “WIN THIS! giveaway. She receives a collection of three books on knitting.

Trays are handy for serving and displaying objects. These metal ones are from Vintage iron, $42 and $52.

elements ❮ Idea fIle

Hanging drapery panels or valances from decorative drapery medallions is an exciting way to update window treatments. Add more drama by stenciling or handpainting designs in and around the medallions.

fALLing for

fall

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The crisp scent of fall is in the air, and as the leaves turn, we turn inward to our homes. We’re celebrating the return of fall by tracking down great finds to transform your home. Plus, we’ve got some great ideas to update your decor. Read on!

❮ This leather martini chair stirs up images of 1950s cocktail parties but with modern vibe, Home interiors, $1,980.

FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

Make a statement with tabletop torchieres in a tortoise shell-like motif, $1,369 each, interior Perfection.

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Decorate in Heartland style with warm pieces that give a nod to their country roots. With its streamlined design, this pie safe is perfectly at home in transitional settings. Use it to store table linens, DVDs or CD collections.

Little Red Schoolhouse, $725.

“A tangerine and russet cascade of kaleidoscopic leaves creates a tapestry of autumn magic upon the emerald carpet of fading summer.”

Judith A. Lindberg, “Shades of Autumn”

The Voluspa Truffle White Cocoa candles ($15 to $29, interior Perfection) smell good enough to eat!

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Mustard-glazed pottery can be decorative or practical, prices from $29.95, Basket of Daisies

❮ The glass-topped Chelsea end table, $325, Distinctions, works in transitional, contemporary or even Art Deco-style decors.

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What’s fun and plush at the same time? A pencil rug, available in 10 colors, various sizes, made from easy-care polyester, prices vary, focal Point interiors.

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Earthy colors bring autumn indoors.

Curl up with a java throw, $84.95 and a couple of toss pillows, $19.95 each, Distinctions.

idea file Create a fall tableau with contemporary artwork (Short Stories no. 3, $39.95, Distinctions) displayed with an organic wire basket filled with orbs. You could use solid or striped pool balls.

cv-hg.com FALL 2010

elements They’re called “wizard” chairs — lowslung with tall backs in black-and-silver patterned upholstery, $2,453, Focal Point Interiors. The fuzzy Tibetan lamb pillow is in a color called “gray frost,” $131.

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Lamps are as much jewelry for the home as a necklace displayed against a dress is.

From Simpson Furniture, brushed steel, $99.

❮ Accent with a few of the season’s trendy colors — black, ash violet and silver. The ash violet pillow sports a glittery border, $28.95, and the other has a rose motif, $23.95, tossed on a hip, square-backed Carlton chair, $660, Distinctions.

Sophisticated and utterly cool, the black and silver striped buffet would look great in a dining room or bedroom, $1,654; companion hexagon mirror, $528, Focal Point Interiors.

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elements

Need help determining wine temperature? Jakob Wagner’s wine thermometer attaches like a belt around the bottle.

Within minutes, you can read the temp on the digital display, $38.

Cassis, a deep eggplant purple, is the latest color from Le Creuset, the cast-iron cookware company. The five-quart French oven goes from stove top and oven to table, $299.

Gear, GadGets and Gizmos

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kitchenaids For an easy update, change your kitchen faucet to a flexible pull-out, pot-filler faucet, A.Y. McDonald Supply.

Days Ago fridge timers prevent food spoilage. Stick the timers by magnet or suction cup to containers like milk and set the timers to count off days or hours. They’re battery-run and reusable. Two in a pack, in orange, lime or black, for $7.99, ThinkGeek.com The commercial-style Dual-Fuel range from Kitchenaid features a steam assist convection capability, double ovens and powerful burners to provide a professional cooking experience, $9,549.

Got the time? It’s half past a spatula or a quarter ’til the slotted spoon with this cool clock from Distinctions.

The Mini Donut Factory, $19.99, from ThinkGeek, bakes up a half-dozen minis in under 5 minutes.

There’s no deep frying involved, and you control how much sugar goes on top once they’re baked, ThinkGeek.com

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elements

Terra cotta suede upholstered parson’s chair, $89, Distinctions.

color palette savory season for spices

shell hurricanes, $15 ❮ Tortoise and $8, and tea light holder, $3.95, pier 1 imports.

Elegant salmon charger with jewel base, $249, interior perfection.

when the trees are ablaze with fall’s glory, our thoughts turn to hearth and home and introducing the complex shades of autumn into our decor. cinnamon, spice, tawny orange, russet, rich apricot and similar hues turn up the heat to create cozy, appealing spaces They create a sense of opulence, luxury and intensity that is inviting — and skin flattering!

• Use spicy colors in small areas or spaces that receive little natural light for warmth.

• Harvest shades play nicely with other warm colors.

• paler, sun-kissed peach and apricot colors are flattering to most skin types.

• Deep colors can make accessories, artwork and fixtures pop.

spiced pumpkin (Dutch Boy)

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Orange Brick (Dutch Boy)

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warm & spicy

Valspar’s cinnamon cake and chocolate cherry are mouthwatering paint colors that will bring warmth into living spaces. The colors are saturated and pungent, but also bring radiance into a room.

elements VINTAGE HALLOWEEN Annie Hein gets into the Halloween spirit. The Waterloo resident began collecting vintage Halloween memorabilia years ago and has amassed a collection that is a Fright Night delight.

Prized possessions: 1930s papier mache pumpkins made in Germany; a Halloween candy horn dated 1921, manufactured in Boston; rare witch and black cat die-cuts made by the Beistle Co. of Shippensburg, Pa.; tin Halloween noisemakers (crickets, rattles and ratchets), vintage Halloween-themed paper dolls and postcards from the 1910s.

Also papier mache candy containers from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, Gurley candles, masks, pumpkin lanterns and 1950s cookie cutters in the original box and a complete Department 56 Halloween village with a haunted mansion, fortune tellers and a witch on a broomstick flying over the scene.

Favorites: A vintage book,“The Goblins Will Get You Ef You Don’t Watch Out” featuring Little “Orphant” Annie in read-aloud stories told in a rhyming slang.

History: Halloween objects from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s were meant to be frightening, not cute. In the 1920s, Halloween parties were for adults and jack-o’-lanterns, black cats, ghosts, skeletons, witches, bats and devils were commonplace imagery. Trick-ortreating came into vogue in the 1950s.

Halloween Molasses Cut-Outs Yield: 4 dozen cookies 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup molasses 1 egg 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Frosting: 4 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 to 4 tablespoons milk Decorator sugars Combine butter, sugar, molasses egg and vinegar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add all remaining ingredients.

Beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds; wrap in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).

Heat oven to 350 F. Roll out dough on surface lightly covered with equal mixture of flour and sugar, one portion at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with assorted 2 to 3-inch cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until no indention remains when touched. Let stand 1 minute. Cool completely.

Combine all frosting ingredients except milk and decorator sugars in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often and gradually adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency. Decorate cooled cookies with frosting and decorator sugars, as desired.

Source: Land o’Lakes

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elements

new& next

ToTally cool cork

Renewable resource appears in beautiful objects, building materials Text | Kim Cook Images | Associated Press

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FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

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Crafting websites have hundreds of clever ideas for repurposing wine corks, from turning them into picture frames to making ornaments to using them as knife cleaners or storage receptacles.

And the professional design world has discovered cork as well. There are beautiful examples to be found in furniture and home accessories.

Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak tree, found in the Mediterranean and, in particular, Portugal, where more than half the world’s cork comes from. The trees are a remarkable renewable resource; the bark can be harvested every nine or 10 years for the life of the tree — most live to about 200. A tree in its prime, at 80 years old, can yield 440 pounds of cork.

That’s enough raw material to produce about 25,000 natural wine corks.

Cork is durable, lightweight, naturally insulating, fire and rot resistant, and has a soft, pliable quality. It can be shaved thin enough to be used as a fabric for anything from handbags to upholstery. In thicker forms, or layered over other materials, cork makes great furniture and building materials.

Philadelphia-based designer Michael Iannone uses the material artistically in a collection of striking sideboards. Geometric and nature motifs are coaxed out of differently colored and textured cork.

Vitra’s smart stools appear at first glance to be wine corks for enormous bottles. They’re light and portable and would complement any decor.

In home renovation, we’re seeing more cork flooring. Warm, quiet and comfortable underfoot, cork floor tiles are available in many patterns and colors at a modest cost. Their resiliency makes them a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms.

Cork flooring, such as Ecohaus Capri cork flooring, is quiet, warm and comfortable.

Ferm Living’s cork ball trivet will keep hot dishes off the table.

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From Simple Forms Design, the studio of Portuguese designers Alzira Peixoto and Carlos Mendonca, a cork soap dish and washbasin.

A cork bath mat from Target puts the renewable resource underfoot.

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Branch Home shows Bambu’s collection of cork trays.

ferm LIVING’s cork din❮ Use ner mats to set the table and breathe new life into your dishes. These cork dinner mats can be wiped.

Michael Iannone’s deer-printed mosaic sideboard. Geometric and nature motifs are coaxed out of differently colored and textured cork.

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PICTURESQUE PERFECTION Exceptional hand built custom cabinetry design and installation.

Let our superior craftsmen assist you in creating perfection from the ground up.

Cabinet Creations, Inc. 801 62nd Street Marion, Iowa 52302 (319) 377-3787 www.cabinetcreationsiowa.com

loft living

Vintage apartments transformed into cool, hip loft

Text | Melody Parker Images | Brandon Pollock

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he loft feels like a penthouse with its dramatic view of the Cedar River, but it has all the cool and hip sensibilities of a cosmopolitan, urban apartment.

Transforming two old apartments above Vintage Iron, Julie Shimek’s trendy home decor store in Cedar Falls, into a single loft had been a dream for Julie and her blacksmith/artisan husband Andy for nearly 12 years.

Several years ago, they began swinging sledgehammers and carved out the shell of their new place. Demolition done, Julie laid out the floor plan using 2- by 4s on the floor to mark out rooms, then role-played the function of each space.

“Everyone told us to put the bedroom on the back of the space so we wouldn’t hear traffic noises. We wanted an open kitchen and living room, and a view of the river from the living room, not the bedroom, so the bedroom went to the front of the loft. I wanted the washer and dryer in the large walk-in closet and the master bathroom is between the hallway and our bedroom. I didn’t want >> cv-hg.com FALL 2010 15

The master bath is an earthy combination of rich, dramatic hues and striking design. In the master bedroom, the color scheme cools to gray, silver and black for a restful, chic retreat.

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Curving walls and mirror heighten the unique style of the Shimeks’ loft. Andy Shimek, a blacksmith/artist, created the twisted metal pedestal to support a heavy slab of Mozambique wood as the master bath’s vanity.

people walking through the bedroom to reach the bathroom,” Julie explained.

The result is a contemporary space where design and color express both Shimeks’ playful and artistic natures. Black and soft gray and silver create a soothing color scheme, and the ventless fireplace adds romance to the master bedroom retreat. Striking shades of terra cotta and curving walls set the stage for the real drama in the master bath — a solid slab of Mozambique wood supported by artistically twisted metal created by Andy Shimek.

In the kitchen, a mix of wood species and cabinet shapes, designed by Julie and built by Wood Grain Specialities, creates a sense of kinetic energy anchored by a granite-topped cooking island. A step down from the kitchen is the living area, where the furnishings are organic and comfortable. A funky, industrial alternating-tread staircase crafted from metal and concrete offers access to the rooftop patio.

Color bisects the various areas. A green shade called kiwi was used on the kitchen ceiling, while bog green dresses the living room ceiling. Earthy shades of brown, burnt umber and orange tie it all together.

“We both have strong opinions, and Andy’s never said no to my crazy colors,” Julie said, smiling. “It’s only paint, the color is easy to change and it adds personality. We pick and choose the accessories and things we want in the space because we don’t want it to look crowded. I work in clutter in the store, so I don’t want to live in clutter.” •

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signature space

traditional style weds contemporary for casual living Text | Melody Parker Images | Brandon Pollock

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ou’ve probably heard the word “transitional” or seen it in print, describing a particular style of home interior design.

But what does it mean? And what does it look like?

Transitional is a style that mixes together traditional and contemporary styles. The best results achieve an elegant, clean balance that perfectly suits today’s modern lifestyle.

It’s the look one eastern Iowa couple wanted to achieve

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when they decided to revamp the traditional home they’d just purchased. The Cedar Rapids home is a grand-looking, two-story house on a wooded lot that also boasts an in-ground sports pool and pool house. Rooms are traditionally divided with the exception of an open-concept, eat-in kitchen with a sitting area and fireplace. Structurally, there was little need for change, but the interior style was clearly dated.

“In our previous home, I’d come to realize I had far too much color in all the wrong places. I wanted a neutral color scheme, and I didn’t want anything too traditional in style. We wanted something transitional and a little

Clean lines, understated elegance and subtle use of color create a transitional style in a traditional home.

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more modern that would be comfortable for our casual lifestyle,” said the homeowner.

The overall design style is very “today,” but not mired in trendy interpretations that look tired in a few years. “Clean and classic.

It’s a contemporary feeling and a blending of spaces. That’s the look we wanted to achieve,” said Larry Roberts, owner of Larry Roberts Interiors.

Far from boring, the neutral palette is both crisp and soothing. There is a modern aesthetic to Roberts’ use of such earthy colors as chocolate brown, sable, taupe, toffee and ivory. Rich metallics are used with restraint.

All of the furnishings have simple, spare lines. Upholstered furnishings are a mix of sumptuous texture and utilitarian practicality.

Furniture, such as the living room’s classic camel-back sofa, are more streamlined than their traditional counterparts.

Surprisingly subtle, a textured vinyl wallcovering with a soft metallic coating offers a hint of iridescence in the living room. In the sophisticated formal dining room, a delectable glazed dark chocolate drenches the walls, lightened by a coppery metallic glow. The high-gloss table and chairs by designer Bill Sofield for Baker Furniture gleam beneath FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

a simple chandelier. There also is an inlaid walnut buffet and a black lacquered cabinet burnished in gold.

In the kitchen, cabinetry is glazed in soft toffee, a nice bridge between the old — cabinets — and the new, black granite countertops. A new fireplace surround to match the countertops is a welcome update to the sitting area’s fireplace and ties it together with the kitchen.

The luxurious master suite incorporates the home’s overall color scheme, with pops of gold and orange for a bright note. •

Unfussy furnishings, earthtones and simple accessories create a stress-free master bedroom. Crisp white cabinetry in the master bath is a classic detail.

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

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kitchens that cook cv-hg.com FALL 2010 23

Three kitchens, three different looks: At left, urban sophistication in a downtown apartment, designed by Classic Kitchen and Bath.

Center, oak cabinetry and solid-surface countertops by designer/ contractor Craig Fairbanks for Craig Fairbanks Homes. Bottom, Omega cabinetry and granite in a kitchen designed by Moeller & Walter; contractor Klunder Homes, Inc.

gathering place

NEW OR REMODELED, THE KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF THE HOME Text | Melody Parker Images | Brandon Pollock, Rick Chase

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he kitchen is the new family gathering place.

We’re entertaining at home more often than we go out, cook and prepare meals inspired by TV chefs and try to sit down together for a meal as a family at least once or twice a week.

There’s the obvious luxury of a spanking new kitchen in a newly built home, but remodeling an existing kitchen is part of what’s driving business in this economy, said Mike Flanscha, designer at Interior Source.

“We’re tearing down the walls that separate the kitchen from the dining room or other areas to create open-concept, family-oriented, multi-purpose spaces,” he explained.

Melissa McKean of Classic Kitchen and Bath agreed.

“People are staying put and updating their kitchen. They’re doing a little or a lot, and they want to put their own stamp on their kitchen.”

Kitchen designs reflect today’s less formal lifestyles, and one current trend is toward downsizing. “The kitchen is the center of a home, but it doesn’t have to be massive. We do a 24

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For appliances, bigger is better GE has introduced a new 29.1-cubic-foot side-by-side refrigerator, described as the “largest free-standing refrigerator in America.”

New KitchenAid double oven ranges — dual fuel, gas and electric — offer a gas rangetop with two electric ovens. At 6.7 cubic feet, the ovens on the dual-fuel model provide the largest oven capacity available. Plus all models feature a convection system in the lower oven.

Whirlpool’s newest Resource Saver side-by-side refrigerator comes with the most shelf space and largest crisper among leading side-by-side refrigerators, plus MicroEtch spill control shelves. It’s also billed as the most efficient side-by-side fridge ever, exceeding federal minimum standards by more than 30 percent.

A recent Associated Press poll showed that 60 percent of families sat down with the family for dinner at least five nights per week. That means plenty of time spent in the kitchen, prepping and serving meals and cleaning up.

There’s plenty of room for family-style dining and entertaining on this granite island; Kitchencraft cabinetry; designed

by Classic Kitchen and Bath and built by Dizdarevic Construction. Finish details count in a kitchen designed by Mike Flanscha of Interior Source and built by Magee Construction with Deb Waterman as project coordinator/designer.

lot of L-shapes with large islands and seating at the island because that’s where people like to gather,” said Jill Petersen of Moeller and Walter in Reinbeck.

Flexible work zones, particularly islands, are popular for food preparation, serving and eating and using the family laptop, as well as providing visual separation and some structure in open spaces, said Kathy Flack of Flack Interior Design Associates, a division of Simpson Furniture.

“Cabinetry is being made to look more like furniture pieces. You can get exactly the design you want with custom cabinetry, and it’s also possible to customize other cabinetry, too,” she explained.

We’re also filling our kitchens with granite countertops and high-end appliances, decorative range hoods, artistic backsplashes with tile and glass and fireplaces, but beauty should be more than skin deep. Homeowners also are watching their bottom line and sticking close to budgets, perhaps splurging on granite countertops and settling for mid-range appliances.

“No matter the size, a kitchen has to fit your lifestyle and function like you want it to, whether you cook everyday, see yourself as a gourmet cook or simply want a gorgeous kitchen for aesthetics,” said Kenley Ellis, kitchen/bath designer for Benton Building.

Scott Staebell at Town & Country Home Improvement Center said consumers are looking for low- or maintenance-free products, such as quartz countertops that don’t require sealing, which is the case with granite.

“Wilsonart High Definition stone-look laminate countertops are also a good option to granite and quartz for people on a tighter budget. It has a textured finish and good depth to the product, and people are fooled until >> they touch it.”

Whether it’s time to replace the fridge or dishwasher or install a new appliance suite into a new or remodeled kitchen, consumers want energyefficient appliances wrapped in a terrific-looking package.

“Energy efficiency is at the forefront of everyone’s thought process. People want to save money on operating appliances,” said Mark Skyles of Smitty’s Tire and Appliance. “Most people are replacing appliances as they break or get too old to work or repair. The lifespan of an appliance can be 10 1/2 to 11 years, so people want to buy the best quality they can afford.”

When shopping for appliances, remember size matters, said Fred Morris of People’s Appliance. For example, today’s refrigerators contain more foam in the back to up energy efficiency, making that new fridge 31 1/2 inches from the wall to the front of the fridge. “They used to be in the 27- to 28-inch range, so people replacing old appliances need to take that into account. We’re also seeing a trend toward taller refrigerators —67 inches was tall for older fridges, now 68 5/8 inches is nearly standard.”

The hottest trend in refrigerators is French door styling. “It’s our numberone selling refrigerator. It’s very easy to load and to find your food in. They have a great appearance as well as function,” said Tom Ridder, co-owner of Direct Appliance & TV. Drawer-style dishwashers also are gaining converts, although Ridder points out the style is more expensive and “when it comes to loadability, really big plates and serving pieces are harder to fit. You have to think about not only does it look cool, but is it usable for your lifestyle.”

Often consumers remodeling a kitchen or building new will purchase appliances as suites — all pieces in the same finish.

Stainless steel is de rigueur in nearly every HGTV show, and Ridder said it’s his best seller.

“But I don’t know if we’re as enamored of the commercial look as they are in the city. A lot of that look is driven by designers. White is still our primary color, then black and stainless steel. Bisque and almond are colors that have faded away,” said Skyles.

One complaint is that stainless steel shows fingerprints and requires more cleaning. However, new textured stainless steel finishes are said to reduce that problem. “Consumers want appliances that are easier to clean,” said Morris.

It’s still a good idea, especially for the kitchen’s appeal, not to mix finishes.

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Work zones provide space for computers, baking centers, built-in espresso machines, wine storage and chillers. There’s a trend toward “wireless” homes for tech-savvy families, as well as wall-mounted TVs and a contrasting return to old-fashioned walk-in pantries.

Color is finding its way back into the kitchen after a decade of soft (and sometimes boring) neutrals. “Colors have taken a turn toward a brilliant, natural palette and more saturated for crisp, clean impact,” said Kennon Springer, designer/owner of Interior Perfection.

And don’t overlook the power of wood floors and molding. Crown molding can frame out a kitchen and give it polish,said Ben Fisher. His company, Fishsticks, specializes in wood floors and moldings.

Hickory and maple are among his customers’ favorite wood species, and it’s becoming more popular to install wood flooring throughout a home’s main level, including the kitchen. “I base everything off the cabinets and tie everything together,” he said. •

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A room with a view and plenty of work space, above, designed by Mike Flanscha of Interior Source and built by Harting and Hunemuller Construction. At left, the curving breakfast bar conceals the cooktop, but the suspended vent is a dramatic touch. Wayne Magee Construction and Matt Freet designed/built the project; materials from Benton Building Supply.

topdrawer

stylish and functional cabinetry sets tone in kitchen Text | Melody Parker Images | Bertch Cabinets, Brandon Pollock, Rick Chase

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ountertops, flooring, backsplashes, sink and fixtures, hardware, appliances, paint — it all adds up to a pretty penny, but cabinets are probably the single biggest investment you’ll make in a kitchen remodel or new build.

Cabinetry is the most noticeable feature in a kitchen. The style, wood, finish and design set the tone for the rest of the kitchen and if your home is designed for open-concept living, the cabinets will be on full display 24/7. And no matter the style, you want your kitchen to be warm and welcoming.

There are three types of cabinetry: stock, semi-custom and custom-made.

Basically, stock cabinetry is off-the-shelf from home improvement centers or cabinet manufacturers, comes in specific sizes with few options for customization. Semi-custom cabinets are pre-manufactured, but offer more details and options than stock.

Custom-designed cabinetry is the most expensive option, but the cabinets are made according to specifications to fit your kitchen layout.

There’s a wider range of choices in material and finishes in custom cabinetry, including unusual and special features, colors, wood species and veneers, as well as specialized storage options, said Mike Pitzen of Cabinet >> Studios.

FYI

What to look for — Quality construction: Run your hands over the finish. If your nails get “caught” in the grain, the protective finish won’t hold up.

— Are the boxes plywood or particle board? More expensive cabinets feel solid and look solidly constructed.

— Ask the load rating on drawer glides.

Check to see if drawers fully extend and are undermounted for strength.

— Check shelf adjustability and thickness of shelving.

What’s the difference — Stock cabinets — Widths begin at 9 inches and increase in 3-inch increments to 48 inches. Preconstructed; many style options.

— Semi-custom cabinets — Size modifications possible; many style options.

— Custom cabinets — Constructed to fit any space or desire; unlimited possibilities.

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Previous page, kitchen by Bertch Cabinetry. Top, design by Jill Petersen and Moeller & Walter; construction by Klunder Homes, Inc. Above, kitchen by Dave Bartlett Construction.

tip Want to update your kitchen without buying new cabinets? Give your cabinets a facelift with a new paint or stain color and different hardware.

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Exotic woods and veneers, such as teak and sapele, are gaining converts.

“A custom-cabinetmaker can create something that’s unique and different for their home. That’s what many people are looking for,” said Jim Moeller of Cabinet Creations Inc. Although he does his share of beaded inset doors, his company “specializes in Euro or frameless cabinetry that’s very sleek and has about 1/3 more storage than cabinets with face frames. Custom cabinets are functional and practical. We do a lot of remodeling projects with clients who want to make the most of their space and create a beautiful kitchen. We make every inch of cabinet space work without fillers or spacers.”

Moeller’s customers prefer medium to dark finishes, as well as glazing and distressing wood. “They want warmth in their kitchens, a feeling that it isn’t brand new without a scratch on it.”

When selecting cabinetry, know your budget, said Randy Herman of Randy Herman’s Kitchen and Bath. “Most people selling cabinetry can sell to whatever price point you have. Let the cabinetry person know your price point, a general range. We don’t want to try to sell you a Cadillac if you’re wanting a Yugo.”

Regardless of budget, clients are concerned about craftsmanship and quality. “That’s not just the upper market. It’s anyone who is doing a remodel,” Pitzen said.

Traditional cabinet styles are the top sellers, but variations in wood and finishes can make give the homeowner more flexibility in choosing an overall kitchen look.

“Woods are moving toward cherry and maple and with some of the new glazes and treatments, it’s more appropriate to have less grain. Oak is out.

Alder is very soft and that scares people, but it’s a great-looking wood. Painted finishes are always going to be a percentage of the market,” said Herman.

Furniture styling is popular in today’s kitchens. Above, kitchen design by Mike Flanscha of Interior Source; Wayne Magee Construction with Deb Waterman, project coordinator. Hardware, left, makes a statement in this kitchen built by Harting and Hunemuller Contractors from a Flanscha design.

Cherry leads other wood species for Cabinets Galore, too. “It’s rich looking, and the resale is good.

It’s a rich-looking cabinet you can make dressy or contemporary because it changes with the stain,” said Niki Clements and Kathie Kane, designers for Cabinets Galore.

Quarter-sawn white oak still has its place, particularly in Arts & Crafts and Mission-style designs, said designer Mike Flanscha from Interior Source.

Stains are trending darker, but that often depends on existing woodwork in a home, Herman pointed out.

Cabinet facing styles are practically endless, it seems, but many homeowners are opting for a medium amount of detail, said Melissa McKean of Classic Kitchen and Bath. “It’s the flat panel with molding, a recessed panel with detailing around the edge, raised beading along the perimeter.”

Customization includes self-closing and motorized drawers, appliance lifts, adjustable roll-outs for drawers, drawer dividers, varying heights in cabinetry to increase a kitchen’s functionality and furniture-like styling and finishes.

“Customers are asking for furniture styling, not just standard cabinetry. The trend is toward dressier-looking cabinetry because the kitchen is exposed to the rest of the living area, the great room or can be seen from the front door,” said Clements and Kane. •

cv-hg.com FALL 2010 29

make a splash Text | Amie Steffen Images | Matthew Putney When you think of your dream kitchen, what do you picture as the focal point?

Why not a backsplash?

“Your backsplash can be an accessory,” said Nancy Meinders, owner of Home Interiors.

More than that, a well-done backsplash will have people stopping and staring, transfixed by the wall of your kitchen, said Kathy Flack, an interior designer at Flack Interior Design Associates, a division of Simpson Furniture.

To do that, you need to get the right materials, the right patterns and the right lighting — and that last part is especially key, said Meinders.

“It’s the same thing as putting light on a piece of art. The light on the backsplash under your counter just adds to the beauty.”

Design elements in a backsplash can include mosaic tile, metals or colored glass, depending on your taste and budget.

Stone is still the traditional way to do a backsplash, said Flack.

And granite — that material that everyone’s raving about these days — is also a big backsplash player, said Meinders.

Flack said there’s also something to be said for colored glass. “It gives you pops of color that are just pristine because of the shine of the glass. It’s a sleeker look.”

Make your vision a reality.

DESIGNER Kenley Ellis

2811 Center, Cedar Falls

319-277-9409

www.bentonbuildingcenter.com 30

FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

A well-done backsplash brings fashion into the kitchen and will attract attention.

Above, a design by Kathy Flack Interior Design Associates.

At left, a backsplash designed by Jamie Fouts of Fouts Construction.

Customers in the market for a granite countertop can walk the line at Cambrian Granite and Stone and select their slab.

Each slab has its own natural patterns and color combinations for a unique look.

Granite rules

IN new or remodeled kitchens, stone is tops for

countertops

Text | Amie Steffen Images | Rick Tibbott

T

o understand why granite has become the hottest material for kitchen countertops, one simply needs to follow someone like Marc Schweer outside of his showroom.

There, behind Cambrian Granite and Stone, you’ll find huge slabs of the mined rock propped up like murals in storage. No 1-foot by 1-foot square samples here, says Schweer, and that’s the way his customers like it.

“If you bought this off a little piece, you’d have no idea what to expect,” Schweer, the president and co-owner (with his brother, Brent Schweer) of Cambrian, said. “You really want to pick out your actual slab.”

That’s because granite — unlike other countertop materials like quartz, corian or marble — isn’t uniform. It has natural patterns and color combinations that make each piece essentially unique.

Mined from mountains in Italy, Brazil, China and even northern Minnesota, granite slabs are literally slabs of stone.

It isn’t a material that is ground up and glued or pieced back together to form countertop-ready slabs.

But even the engineered granite is popular, said Teresa Egli, co-owner (with her husband, Tom) of Granite Transforma-

tions. BK Tile confirmed their granite tile also sells well.

“I think (granite is) just the ‘in’ thing to do,” Egli said. “It is beautiful.”

Why it’s popular

If Google confers popularity, “quartz countertops” as a phrase has less than 950,000 hits. “Laminate countertops” generates even fewer, at 551,000. But “granite countertops” generates more than 4 million.

“Once you get (from) mid-range to upscale homes, they’re going to tell you to help sell your house you need to have granite countertops,” said Egli. “It’s kind of become, in new construction, the standard expectation.”

Jamie Harrison, an interior designer with BK Tile, said that’s probably because of granite’s strength. While not as hard as porcelain, another tile BK sells, it’s still more durable that other alternatives.

“Granite itself is a little bit stronger than other materials, and doesn’t stain as easy,” Harrison said. “It has a little bit different composition. It’s stronger than marble, and more scratch resistant.”

What’s the price?

Depending on what form you receive your material — be it slab, engineered stone or tile — and exactly which kind of granite it is (popular or rare >> colors, like blue, are more expensive), prices will vary widely. cv-hg.com FALL 2010 31

But it’s a safe bet that granite, on average, is going to be more expensive than other countertop materials. For instance, at BK Tile, granite tile runs from $10 to $15 per square foot. Compare that to their porcelain offering, which comes in at around $3 to $5.

Nevertheless, just because a slab is more expensive than another slab doesn’t mean it’s of higher quality and vice versa, said Schweer. Maybe a slab has an odd pattern that some customers find unattractive, but another will find perfect for their kitchen.

“Price is not a function of quality and durability. It’s more of a function of supply and demand,” he said.

Slabs vs. non-slabs

This apron-front or farmhouse sink and countertop are made entirely out of granite, an option offered at Cambrian Granite and Stone.

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Granite sellers say their products really need to be seen in their entirety, because of the variance of colors and patterns in one stone. But that’s true for slabs of both natural and engineered stones as well as tiles.

Egli said engineered stone is more heat- and scratch-resistant because it’s been sealed, which isn’t always the case with natural slabs.

“The benefits of polymer make the product non-porous, which is the big differentiator from slab granite,” she said. “If (slab granite) is not sealed on a consistent basis, it can get bacteria in it.”

Harrison said the tile also has more of a “glossy” look to it.

No matter what form your granite comes in, it’s likely to remain popular in mid- to high-end markets.

“It’s a great material in that you can be as creative as you want,” said Schweer. •

Corian solid-surface material is more realistic-looking than before.

Below, quartz has gained converts who like its consistent qualities.

Shown at Classic Kitchen and Bath.

counterintuitive Quartz, concrete, even laminate can make kitchen counters pop Text | Amie Steffen Images | Matthew Putney

S

o, you know about granite. How it’s the hottest material out there. There are drawbacks to granite, of course. It off-gasses radon, experts say, and it’s expensive.

There are good reasons to check out products like decorative concrete, quartz, laminate, Corian and recycled glass.

“You have to look at what style the house is and what the customer’s tastes are and try to blend those in with the product you’re selling,” said Melissa McKean of Classic Kitchen and Bath. “In a tiny, tiny house, you probably wouldn’t encourage a customer to go with granite, obviously because of their budget and it’s out of character to have granite in a home with that price range. ” Here’s a look at some of the popular materials that might fit your own style: Quartz Although she carries granite, McKean says quartz is actually her most popular product. Some quartz products fake the look of granite.

“It’s nonporous and also never has to be sealed,” she said.

Kathy Flack of Flack Interior Design Associates, a division of Simpson Furniture, agreed.

“What’s gaining the most popularity right now has been hard-surface quartz. They are more consistent than granite, and many use sustainable or recycled materials in them. And there’s generally no off-gassing.”

Pricing can vary, and depending on the quality, quartz can be more expensive than granite. But they also won’t be as heavy atop your existing cabinetry.

Decorative concrete Trying to match a granite slab to your kitchen’s design scheme takes time. It doesn’t have to, said Jason Grimm, owner of The Concrete Gallery.

“Give us the colors and design, instead of running around to do a bunch of shopping.”

And don’t think your countertops are going to match your sidewalk.

“It’s typically way smoother. In most cases it has a highgloss finish and is very rich and detailed.”

His product is comparable in price to “lower grades of granite,” he said, and styles keep getting better.

Recycled glass Recycled glass is put into other materials like quartz and concrete, but it’s also a countertop material in its own right, >> said McKean. cv-hg.com FALL 2010 33

“People (who) are conservationists tend to lean toward those products,” she said, although it is “not a huge market.”

Nevertheless, those looking to “go green” find granite out of the question.

“They don’t want a chemical emitted,” McKean said, referring to radon. “They want an organic product.”

Even at a business with “granite” in their name, Teresa Egli, co-owner of Granite Transformations, said she sees customers who see recycled beer and liquor bottles and want that for their countertops.

“We probably sell a little bit more of the recycled glass (than regular glass),” Egli said.

Corian Corian’s reputation suffered from a look too consistent for a countertop. Now that’s all changed, said McKean.

“Those particulates in the Corian looked phony, and now Corian’s come out with neat patterns that look more like marble. Those are coming back as a stronger position in the market.”

Corian is one of the few materials that allow for an integrated sink, meaning there’s no unsightly lip between countertop and sink.

And it’s also nice for the decor, said Flack. “Corian is the only (material) you can fuse without having a seam show.”

Laminates, etc.

Although she wouldn’t recommend stainless steel (“it scratches very easily and is hard to maintain”), McKean said those who like the look of the material can find it in laminates.

“I’ve found there are some laminates that look like stainless steel that are very attractive,” she said. “You can also get them in bronzes and coppers.”

No matter what you’re looking for, give all materials a fair shot.

In fact, said Flack, that might be what can really make your kitchen redesign pop. “Using different styles in a mixture can really be an answer to that ‘jewelry look’ you’re looking for.” •

WELCOME TO THE JETTA EXPERIENCE

JACKIE

KRIS

3310 University Ave. | Waterloo, IA

234-6854 Over 35 years combined experience

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Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 - 4:30

Honduran mahogany island, concrete for counters and underfoot, plus retractable skylights make for low maintenance and comfortable entertaining in the Magee outdoor kitchen.

dining

fire up your appetite in an outdoor kitchen If an outdoor kitchen sounds appealing, here are some factors to consider: 1. What’s the logical location?

2. Think about your lifestyle and how the space will be used.

3. Plan and use space to its best advantage.

4. Think about traffic patterns — where to locate appliances, how people circulate in the space, etc.

5. Is the look of the home going to change? Is the expansion of outdoor living space driving other changes?

out

Text | Melody Parker Images | Rick Chase

I

f you can’t stand the heat, move the kitchen outdoors.

It’s become one of the hottest new trends in home improvement as more homeowners look toward expanding their living spaces.

Even in a climate like ours that doesn’t lend itself to year-round outdoor entertaining, an outdoor kitchen can stretch the season. Men, in particular, like the idea of grilling out regardless of the weather.

But it takes more than a grill and a place to eat to call it an outdoor kitchen. These are complete cooking and entertaining centers featuring a full complement of weather-resistant appliances and amenities: grills fired by gas, wood, charcoal or hybrid grills which can be

switched from among all three, microwaves, warming drawers, pizza ovens, refrigeration, wine chillers, counters and islands for food prep and serving, cabinets, prep sinks, outdoor TV sets, sound systems, fire pits, hot tubs and more.

Wayne Magee’s outdoor kitchen and deck easily accommodates 50 or more people.

“We use our outdoor kitchen for nine months out of the year — we just use it differently in the winter. The roof structure brings the grill under cover so I can grill year-round,” he said.

The gabled roof features retractable skylights that automatically close at the touch of a raindrop. Concrete counters are black, and Honduran mahogany is an earthy touch on the island’s base. The heated floor is concrete with a limestone pattern overlay. >> Open grillwork is in keeping architecturally

cv-hg.com FALL 2010 35

with the home’s contemporary look for visual continuity.

Magee’s firm, Magee Construction, has custom-designed and built several outdoor kitchens in eastern Iowa.

“We love the outdoors, we love family gatherings and we love to entertain. Our outdoor kitchen allows us to accomplish all those things,” said one homeowner.

His sprawling but well-designed space encompasses the kitchen that boasts a massive grill, serving counter and Lshaped bar and appliances, as well as a nearby hot tub, burbling pond, swimming pool and pool house, extensive landscaping and a ring of Adirondack chairs encircling a fire pit.

From the first warm-weather spring day until the frost is in the air, the outdoor space is host to numerous parties, impromptu gatherings and Sunday morning alfresco brunches.

“Coming home each day is like going on vacation. The environment is designed for relaxation. It’s our Iowa oasis,” added the homeowner. •

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Consider this ...

— Install low-maintenance, weather-resistant appliances.

— Cabinetry and storage should be easy to clean and remain dry inside during bad weather.

— Install ceiling fans for good air circulation, if possible, and don’t forget lighting.

— Choose countertop material and flooring that resists staining and is easy to maintain.

FALL ISSUE RESOURCES Elements, pages 6-12 A.Y. McDonald Supply, Waterloo, (319) 234-6854 Basket of Daisies, Cedar Falls, (319) 277-3286, www. basketofdaisies.com Distinctions, Independence, (319) 332-0273, www.shopdistinctions.com Focal Point Interiors, Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids (319) 3950921 Home Interiors, Cedar Falls/Aplington, (319) 266-1501 or (866) 345-2452, www.homeinteriorsinc.com Interior Perfection, Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids (319) 395-7804, www.interiorperfection.com Little Red Schoolhouse, Independence, (319) 334-7199 Simpson Furniture/Kathy Flack Interior Design Associates, Cedar Falls, (319) 266-3537, www.FlackInteriors.com Vintage Iron, Cedar Falls, ((319) 268-1484 Kitchens that cook, pages 23-35 Benton Building Center, Cedar Falls, (319) 266-2609 Bertch Cabinet Manufacturing, Waterloo, (319) 296-2987 BK Tile Inc., Cedar Falls, (319) 553-3933 Cabinet Creations, Marion, (319) 377-3787, www.cabinetcreationsiowa.com Cabinets Galore, Cedar Falls, (319) 266-6654, www.cabinetsgalore.com Cambrian Granite and Stone, Cedar Falls, (319) 266-7160, www.cambriangranite.com Classic Kitchen and Bath, Waterloo (319) 233-8878, www. classickitcheniowa.com Craig Fairbanks Homes, Waterloo, (319) 553-1457 Dave Bartlett Construction, Cedar Falls, (319) 268-9501, www.DaveBartlettConstruction.com Fishsticks Millwork, Janesville, (319) 987-3091, www. fishsticks.biz Fouts Construction, Cedar Falls ( 319) 239-3608, www. foutscustomhomes.com Granite Transformations, Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids, (319) 378-4000, www.granitetransformations.com Harting & Hunemuller Contractors LLC, Cedar Falls (319) 277-0627 Herman’s Kitchen and Bath, Denver, (319) 984-5262 Interior Source, Cedar Falls, (319) 553-0353, www.interiorsource.com Magee Construction Co., Cedar Falls (319) 277-0100, www.

MageeConstruction.com Moeller & Walter, Reinbeck, (319) 788-6459, www.MoellerandWalter.com Omega Cabinetry, Waterloo (319) 235-5700 Rock Shop, Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids (319) 393-3847 The Concrete Gallery, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, (319) 277-8600 Town & Country Home Improvement Center, Waterloo, (319) 235-9565, www.tchomeimprovement.com Todd Block, pages 40-41 BlockWork Kitchen & Bath Concepts, (319) 830-3478, www.blockwork.net

FYI For more kitchens visit www.cv-hg.com. cv-hg.com FALL 2010 37

Parade of Annual parade sept. 15-19

homes

O

ne of the area’s largest real estate events takes place Sept. 15-19.

The 2010 Cedar Valley Parade of Homes attracts thousands of potential home buyers each year. This year 12 custom-designed, model, new and remodeled homes in Waterloo and Cedar Falls will be showcased for the public.

Sponsors are the Home Builders Association of Northeast Iowa and Courier Communications.

Potential home buyers and people interested in building their own home or remodeling an existing home can view what is available in the market, explore possibilities for remodeling or additions, as well as the quality workmanship of contractors and subcontractors in the Cedar Valley, said Bruce Radue, HBANEI director.

“The parade promotes the builders and makes the public aware of the workmanship of individual builders and introduces new products that have been incorporated into the house or remodeling project,” he said.

The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 and Sept. 17 and 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 and Sept. 19. There is an admission fee that includes all homes on the parade.

Featured new homes are: Craig Fairbanks homes, 1815 Greenhill Drive and 319 Spruce Hills Drive; Iowa Select Homes, 1523 Brookside Drive; Inspired Homes, 1327 Ashworth Drive; 4570 Whispering Pines Circle;, Klunder Homes Inc.; Kugler Construction, 4127 Mary Hill Drive; LGC Homes, 1117 Eagle Ridge Road; Runyan Custom Homes, 3019 Apollo Drive; Skogman Homes, 2723 Pendleton Drive, all Cedar Falls.

Remodeled homes are: Dizdarevic Construction, 1722 Pinehurst Lane, Waterloo; Harting & Hunemuller Contractors, L.C., 2520 Cottage Row and 608 Birdsall Drive, Cedar Falls.

Proceeds from the parade are used to fund scholarships for local students to pursue a career in a construction-related field. •

The barrier-free, all-accessible house features the latest in technology and equipment to enable physically challenged idividuals or those who wish to age in place to remain independent in their homes.

This is a joint project of Rooff Development, VGM Group, Inc’s Accessible Home Improvement of America and All American Homes of Dyersville.

cv-hg.com FALL 2010 39

Todd Block’s mud set process for installing tile is an old-fashioned method that ensures long-lasting luxury and better quality construction in the bath.

craftsman

SPECIALIZES IN TIME-HONORED MUD SET PROCESS IN SHOWERS Text | Amie Steffen Images | Matthew Putney

T

odd Block has the most expensive and time-consuming process of laying tile in the Cedar Valley.

He takes great pride in those facts.

That’s because Block knows his “mud set” process in a bathroom shower will make it so durable that it won’t crack, won’t warp and will even resist being demolished even if the rest of the house falls.

“With this technique, you get showers that are 80 years old still holding up,” he said, standing in a recently renovated bathroom he did in Dunkerton.

Mud set is an old process of pouring concrete on a wall for a sturdier surface than the typical cement board that is used today. Not many contractors bother with the technique, and Block says nobody does it in the Cedar Valley but him.

“It’s kind of a niche thing for me,” he said. “People (who) want quality will call me.”

That’s exactly what Dave and Lynne Stout did. The Dunkerton couple heard about Block through word of mouth and decided they wanted him to be the one to update.

“It was an original bathroom from 1963,” Dave Stout said. “It was time to

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change.”

The couple got a walk-in shower partially enclosed in glass block and tiled in marble stone on the walls and floor.

It accompanied new, more modern fixtures, including cabinets and a vessel bowl sink, complete with a chiseled edge granite countertop.

Dave doesn’t know how it feels to shower in there — the renovated bathroom is only for “the girls” of the house — but he likes the look.

“Todd does nice work,” Stout said.

The man behind BlockWork Kitchen and Bath Concepts is passionate about the mud set process. Normally, builders only used mud set up until about the 1980s, when cement board became more popular because it was cheaper and easier for a crew to set up, and it took far less time.

That’s what Block did for a while, but he got frustrated with the way the cement board seemed to be an inferior product. When he moved to Arizona after his wife got a new job, he learned a new technique — in the old style.

“I didn’t want to work with just any tile company, I wanted to do custom homes,” Block said.

He found Sunset Tile and Bath, a company originally from the East Coast, and they taught him the process.

Since moving back to Northeast Iowa in October with his wife, he’s been doing a brisk business — mostly in remodels, and mostly dealing with bathrooms — and hired a part-timer.

But it’s still tough getting home builders to understand his passion for mud set.

“Some of the older guys know what I’m talking about,” Block said. “They just can’t believe someone’s still doing it.”

A typical three-wall tile shower done in the mud set way will cost around $2,000 to $3,000, depending on the tile.

The bathroom in the Stouts’ home was begun in March and finished in April.

It’ll take a bit longer to get your shower finished. But Block insisted it’s worth it.

“If people are going to spend three, four or $500,000, or over $1 million on a house, they deserve a mud set shower,” he said. “It’s a better-quality luxury product.” •

FOR ALL OF YOUR GARAGE DOOR NEEDS

“Where being a specialist doesn’t make us more expensive, just better.”

CHRISTIE DOOR COMPANY

1905 STATE ST. CEDAR FALLS 50613 www.christiegaragedoor.com 319-266-1627

cv-hg.com FALL 2010 41

Living color

Forecaster determines which colors will influence our moods, adorn our homes Text | Melody Parker Images | Courtesy

C

Q. How are your color forecasts for home interiors determined?

A. We don’t sit in a room and throw darts at paint chips on the wall. (Laughs.)

Lifestyles, economy, environment, fashion, culture and entertainment. That’s huge — what people see in films and on TV has an effect. We look at what’s happening in the world, evolving trends, what has staying power. People are more thoughtful and hanging on to what they’re buying and want to make it look fresh. We follow how trends intermingle or react with each other. Color forecasting is meant to give consumers some incentive to try something a little different.

Q. What colors resonate with consumers today?

A. There’s no real definitive palette for 2011. It’s more about a collection of colors that fits different lifestyles. You can’t play to just one group and say ‘this is it.’ We did eight color palettes and a separate grouping for neutrals. There’s truly not a big difference in coloration; the difference lies in the ways they’re combined. For example, the Cottage Industry palette has classic colors with a sophisticated feeling. We captured the warm feeling of country colors — warm golden yellow, light blue, a green that goes to the pistachio side, a praline color, a pink lilac color and rosewood, a brownish red. We’re taking familiar colors and juxtapositioning to give them a fresh look.

Q. Do certain colors become more prevalent depending on the country’s economic mood? Or the good or bad memories we have associated with certain colors?

A. Absolutely. Look at avocado green. It was everywhere when a certain generation was growing up, and they’ll say please don’t show me anything with avocado.

Younger generations don’t have that recollection. In the marketplace, it’s out in a

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olor speaks volumes.

What does it say about you? What does it reveal to others? What feelings do you want color to convey?

There’s no better place to start the conversation than at home, says Leatrice Eiseman. “It’s the least expensive thing you can change. Color creates magic and mood. I think we’re becoming braver about taking risks with color because there are so many options.”

Eiseman is executive director of Pantone Color Institute, the company that tracks color trend directions in textiles, home furnishings and fashion. Their forecasts set the tone for colors consumers see in everything from upholstery fabrics to floor coverings. •

new color combination, pairing it with plum, amethyst purple or other reddish shade and suddenly we say, ‘wow, I can use avocado in a new way.’ Interesting, talented young designers are able to take a color that is tired and add a new spark to it to give a whole new feeling.

Q. Choosing colors for your home sounds simple, but it’s the most important piece of the puzzle. That may be one reason people are afraid to make mistakes with color.

A. Baby steps. Usually you can’t come in and make drastic changes. It may work for some people, but for most people, it’s easier to bring color in as accents and accessories. They’ll look at it, study it for a while and realize they really like the color and need to do something else with it. Then that color gets integrated into fabric, we put it on the wall, in an area rug or even fun, new plates for the kitchen.

You do a little bit at a time and you’re hooked and ready for a big change.

It’s your house, you live there, so don’t be fearful of what people will say about your color choices. You have to steel yourself that everyone has an opinion about your color, but that’s their opinion. You have to be able to say to yourself, ‘It’s my home, it’s comfortable and I like it.’ Not everyone is going to like it, so empower yourself.

Jean and Jerry Cowger pose on a colorful butterfly bench created

by Jerry, a metal artist. Jean says his work complements her garden which is designed around texture and foliage.

gardengallery Metal sculptures bloom amidst flowers and foliage

Text | Melody Parker Images | Brandon Pollock

A

rtist Claude Monet’s famous Giverny gardens in France are living landscapes. His impressionistic borders are composed with a painterly eye for flowers, foliage and color.

A different kind of art holds sway in Jean and Jerry Cowger’s sprawling eastern Iowa garden. Metal sculptures of varying sizes are scattered like seeds throughout the five-acre property, rising out of a series of informal but well-maintained country gardens and masses of wildflowers.

Visitors are welcomed through the home’s front gate by a bulbous spider suspended in the center of a large metal web. Twisting and curving vines bloom in metal to form an arbor across a garden path.

The butterfly bench is a perfect place to perch and drink in the surroundings, including a serene lake and metal-roofed gazebo. There’s humor, too, such as the bird bath with a metal crocodile — “It’s a croc” is Jerry’s name for the unusual piece.

Most of the artwork was created by Jerry, while the garden is Jean’s domain.

“I always say his sculptures wouldn’t look as good without my gardens and my gardens wouldn’t look as good without his sculptures,” said Jean, laughing. “We both love art, and we love nature. We wanted to keep the gardens as natural as possible, more landscape than gar>> dens, really. My principal goal is not to have lots of flowers. I like cv-hg.com FALL 2010 43

texture and foliage and color. Jerry’s sculptures bloom in the garden.�

A favorite gathering place is the barn-like gazebo that is topped with a cupola and cow weathervane. It’s an affectionate nod to Jean’s farm roots. “One of the best times is when a light rain is falling and we sit out here and listen to it rain on the tin roof. There’s nothing more soothing to the soul.�

And she loves to greet the morning by stepping onto her back porch, coffee mug in hand, and watch sunlight glint off Jerry’s sculptures, including a small tree piece the couple made together.

The Cowgers, who are retired, purchased the property 20 years ago. Jerry noticed it from the air while flying his ultra-light airplane, took Jean for a ride to see it and they signed on the dotted line. They restored the crumbling 1914 house built from native oak, and Jean set to work to carve out gardens in sandy soil that once grew strawberries and watermelons for the previous owners. “Moles had ravaged the ground. I’ve fought them for 20 years and I’m determined. Jerry always tells me, ‘girl, you just can’t leave things alone.’ And he’s right.�

She has planted dozens of trees and evergreens on the property and fills her gardens with sedums, groundcovers, hostas, daylilies, lilies, hollyhocks, ornamental grasses, coral bells and her favorite, blue oat grass. There’s also a hillside garden that trails down to the lake. “I strive for balance, scale and composition. My soil is not terribly fertile, so when I plant something I expect it to make it because I don’t have the time or interest to babysit plants. My style is to make my garden fit the space. You can’t be sentimental, and you’ve got to be flexible.�

Her husband’s ever-changing artwork means the garden is never static.

Permanent pads were installed in Jean’s gardens where the sculptures are temporarily “storedâ€? before being sent to permanent homes or exhibitions. •

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cuttings

new products, expert advice & what’s hot now

❮ Save water in your landscape with Rain Bird’s new ESP-SMT irrigation controller. About the size of a shoebox, it mounts outdoors and collects real-time weather data to determine optimum watering needs based on current weather conditions. Suggested retail price is $450, available at Rain Bird’s online store.

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“Northern Accents” shrub roses offer long-lasting color, easy care and are supposed to be as hardy as their Norwegian namesakes. “Ole,” “Sven” and “Lena” were developed by Kathy Zuzek at the University of Minnesota for zone-challenged gardeners.

You betcha!

“Lena” produces masses of frilly blooms in white and pink on shrubby, everblooming growth. “Ole” blooms prolifically and is a compact, disease-resistant rose, and “Sven” is sturdy and compact with a color spectrum from mauve to violet to pink. All are hardy to Zone 4.

Beekeeping is a hot hobby trend. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping” ($14.95) has all of the information a beginner beekeeper needs to know to start a hive and keep it buzzing.

The Girlyflage Collection from Womanswork includes garden gloves and hats made with a stylish girlyflage print in black, taupe and white. Gloves have sturdy micro suede synthetic palms and longer cuffs for better protection. Girlyflage hats are fully lined for greater sun protection (UPF 40 for the hat with wide brim). All are washable. Gloves, $16, and bucket hat, $12. Call 800-639-2709.

Three new daylilies to plant now for blooms next year!

“Eye on America” features contrasting butter yellow and plum red in patterns on crimped petals, plus a deep golden eye. It’s a semievergreen, early mid-season rebloomer. “Berrylicious” has apple-red petals edged in blackberry purple, semi-evergreen, early mid-season. And don’t overlook “Mildred Mitchell.” Rose pink, yellow, purple and bright green are streaked across fragrant 6-inch blooms, evergreen rebloomer, early midseason. Available through online sources.

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cuttings DIY

F I N A N C I N G Don’t put away those tomato cages!

Cut Energy Costs Sooner, Not Later MidAmerican Energy’s EnergyAdvantage® Financing program assists Iowa residential customers in purchasing energyefficient equipment and windows so you can enjoy lower energy bills sooner, not later. MidAmerican’s EnergyAdvantage Financing program, in partnership with First American Bank, is designed to provide customers access to competitive, fixed interest rates or six months same-as-cash when they meet First American Bank’s credit qualification requirements, and purchase and install qualifying equipment.

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

“Learn more about MidAmerican and energy efficiency by visiting our website.”

– Mr. Green

www.MIDAMERICANENERGY.com/ee 46

FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

Transform them into cool lanterns for outdoor fall entertaining. This idea is from Kelley Wilkinson, a craft designer and journalist.

Use muslin, patterned fabric, old sheets or pillowcases.

You can decorate with appliques, if desired. There’s a little handstitching to finish the lanterns, and once you put a battery-operated votive candle or white light string inside, all eyes will be on the glow.

You’ll need: Standard size tomato cage; strong wire cutters or hacksaw; 1 yard fabric; 10 to 12 clothespins, water-soluble fabric pen, fabric scissors, needle and thread; battery-operated votive candle or light string.

1. Turn the tomato cage upside down, with its largest ring at the bottom. Wearing safety glasses, carefully use wire cutters or a hacksaw to trim the upright prongs from the cage just above the smallest ring.

2. Working with the wider end of the cage on a table, hang the fabric around the top ring of the cage, with at least 1 inch folded over to the inside. Secure in place with clothespins. Let any excess fabric hang. You will trim it after fitting all of the fabric to the cage.

3. Pull the fabric taut to the bottom ring and secure in place with clothespins. Continue this around the bottom of the cage.

4. Trace along the top and bottom openings with the fabric pen. Next, trace along an upright support at a point where the seam should be. Then cut the fabric 1 inch beyond the marked line. Place clothespins at the top and bottom of the fabric to secure. As if you’re closing curtains, pull the fabric from the other direction to overlap beyond the fabric you just cut. Pin in place and trace along the same upright support on the unmarked end of the fabric. Also mark where you want appliques to be attached if using.

5. Remove clothespins and lay fabric on a flat surface. Cut 1 inch beyond your markings.

6. Re-drape fabric onto the cage, folding it over the top and bottom rings. Re-secure with clothespins.

7. Use a double-thread needle and thread, starting on the inside of the top of the cage, sew the fabric in place with a running stitch: Pass the needle through both layers of folded fabric to the front. Bring the needle back to the inside of the cage, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch along the fabric. Repeat all the way around. Do the same along the bottom, pulling the fabric taut as you sew.

8. There are a few options for finishing the side seam. If your fabric is pulled taut, you may not need to sew it closed because it will lie flat. To sew it closed, fold the overlapping edge 1/4 to 1/2 inch to the inside and stitch closed, placing your arm and hand inside the cage to steady the area you’re sewing.

9. Place the battery-operated candle inside the lantern to light.

entertaining Beer-Caramelized Onion and Eggplant Crostini

cooking with

ENJOY THE RICH, HEARTY FLAVORS OF FALL IN FAVORITE DISHES Text | Staff Images | NBWA

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venings are cool and crisp, and there’s a hint of autumn in the air.

Thoughts turn to golden harvests, windfall apples, pumpkin patches and scarlet and butterscotch trees that become “flaming torches that light the way to winter.” It’s the season we begin to enjoy the hearty, rich flavors of fall, including beer.

There’s a wide variety of beer flavors that make it a favorite ingredient for cooking. Beer adds a unique flavor that makes each dish special, such as tasty hors d’oeurves, elegant main entrees, even brownies.

For added elegance, pay special attention to the glassware used in serving the beer. As a general rule, use tall, fluted glasses for serving light colored beers like lambics, pilsners and pale ales. The tall shape of these glasses helps trap the aroma and provides a strong aromatic sensation. Shorter, round steins, mugs or pint glasses are traditionally used to serve darker beers, like porters or stouts. Wheat beer glasses, those with tall stems and wider-mouth tops, will maintain a thick head on a poured beer. •

Makes 26 to 30 pieces 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin 3 cups eggplant, peeled and coarsely chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup lager beer 1 loaf French baguette, cut diagonally into 26 – 30 slices, about ½ inch each 3 tablespoon olive oil 1/3 cup hummus (store-bought) ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 tablespoon basil, finely chopped 1 tablespoon oregano, finely chopped In large skillet over medium heat, warm two tablespoons olive oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add remaining two tablespoons olive oil and eggplant, salt and pepper.

Cook 5 minutes, until eggplant softens. Stir in garlic and lager beer; cook an additional 8 minutes. Remove pan from heat.

Preheat oven broiler. Place bread slices on baking sheet and brush with three tablespoons olive oil. Place pan on lowest rack in oven and broil until bread is golden brown and toasty, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Spread hummus equally on top of each bread slice. Sprinkle feta cheese equally on top of each bread slice. Spoon caramelized onion-eggplant mixture on top of feta cheese.

Sprinkle basil and oregano equally over each bread slice. Place bread slices on lowest rack in oven and broil for 5 minutes, or until feta cheese and bread begin to brown. Remove from oven and serve crostini warm.

Helpful tips — Use beer to replace liquid in recipes for everything from brownies and crab boils to dumplings, waffles, stews, hearty soups and braised meats.

— Beer is good for baking. It adds moisture and flavor, even in cakes. Use it to replace water in a cake recipe such as a cherry chocolate cake. It will be moist and flavorful, but it won’t taste like beer.

— A good rule of thumb: The lighter the beer, the less flavor it will yield. The darker the beer, the more flavor.

— Among Chef William’s favorite uses for beer: Sauerkraut and rye bread stuffing and sausages, red cabbage and apples cooked in beer.

— Serve a different beer, wine or champagne with beer-based foods to cleanse the palate.

Chef William Gerstenberger, Crossroads Hy-Vee

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Chocolate-Cream Cheese Stout Beer Brownies Makes 24 brownies Cream Cheese Filling: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg, brought to room temperature Brownies: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes and brought to room temperature 8 ounces dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped ¾ cup white chocolate chips 4 eggs, brought to room temperature 1 cup sugar 1 ¼ cup stout beer, brought to room temperature 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, or grease and flour pan. In medium mixing bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, prepare cream cheese filling by beating

cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in vanilla and one egg until just blended. Set aside.

In medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder and salt until well-combined. Set aside. In top of double boiler over very low heat, melt butter, bittersweet chocolate and white chocolate chips, stirring constantly until melted. Remove chocolate from heat.

In large mixing bowl, beat four eggs and one cup sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined. Beat reserved flour mixture into melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in stout beer. (The batter will seem a bit thin.) Drop semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly on top of batter, allowing some to sink into batter. Pour entire mixture into prepared pan.

Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie batter in pan. Cut through mixture several times with knife to create a marbled design. Place in oven and bake 30 minutes on center rack until top is browned and toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Remove brownies from oven and let cool, uncovered, until they reach room temperature. Cut into 24 brownies and serve.

Helpful tips — All beers can be used in cooking. Lighter beers work well with light dishes, salad dressings, seafood; darker beers and stouts work well with heavier dishes such as slow-cooker stews, etc.

— It’s fun to match up flavored beers with complementary dishes. For example, a beer with pronounced orange flavor makes a good viniagrette when mixed with olive oil, orange zest juice and a little balsamic vinegar. Use to toss a mandarin orange salad with red onions, romaine

WIN THIS Celebrate eating local — food grown by local growers — and make the most of the season’s fresh produce with “Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America’s Farmers.”

The new cookbook by culinary trendsetter Sur La Table and author Janet Fletcher features recipes for incorporating local, fresh ingredients into dishes, as well as profiles of family farms across the nation. Carrot zucchini bread with candied ginger, grilled country pork chops with bourbon-based grilled peaches, Sicilian stuffed artichokes, grilled flank steak with old-fashioned creamed spinach are a few of the home-style favorites featured in the cookbook.

To win a copy of “Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America’s Farmers,” register at www.cv-hg.com.

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lettuce and toasted almonds.

— Use beer to flavor marinades or make reductions. Or add the beer near the end of making a sauce to carry through the effervescence of the hops and maintain the beer’s full-bodied flavor.

— Reduce or substitute beer for water in recipes.

— Beer will caramelize when grilling or roasting for a more intense flavor.

Chef Jim Nadeau, College Square Hy-Vee

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SATISFy CrAvIngS What do you drink when the calendar says fall but the temperature is still talking summer? When the nights are cool, but the days still cruel with sunburn and mosquitoes?

I’m beginning to crave a darker beer on those cooler evenings.

Dunkelweizen (dunkel means dark in German) is closely related to hefeweizen and retains the classic clove/banana/bubblegum flavors, using darker roasted malts to achieve its beautiful, dark, hazy copper coloration and an additional rich layer of nutty complexity. Alcohol content is generally in the same low to moderate range as its lighter colored sibling, keeping it equally quaffable on warm days and cool nights.

Though the style is almost non-existent among domestic craft brewers, there are enough top-notch German examples widely available, including two favorites, to carry me through the seasonal transition.

imagine

Ayinger Ur-Weisse Dunkel: This beautiful dark honey colored beer is my gold standard. Deep layers of sweet ripe banana, clove, raisin, toasted nuts and caramel with the barest hop bitterness make for a softly rounded, utterly comforting and delicious brew.

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel: One might expect the oldest brewery in the world to produce a fine dunkelweiss and this one does not disappoint. The softly roasty malt body delivers flavors of nutty banana bread, brown sugar and clove. Crisply carbonated and slightly hoppier, it finishes noticeably dryer than the Ayinger.

Prost! — Brandon Pollock

Picture your perfect home, and make it a reality.

HArvEST wInES Desserts turn fruity and intense in the fall — think baked apples, apple pie, pecan pie. These desserts need a light dessert wine to rest easy on the palate, such as the popular Moscato d’Asti.

“They’re light and sweet and low in alcohol, a perfect dessert wine. Some have a little carbonation. White wines don’t age well, and Moscato d’Astis are meant to be turned in two or three yars.

It’s not something that lays down and gets better with age. Drink them now,” said Dwight Dehl, manager at Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits at Kimball Avenue in Waterloo.

Try these: Luccio Moscato d’Asti: Tasters describe it as lavishly fruity with hints of figs, honey and apricot, sweet and a little fizzy.

Risata Moscato d’Asti: Sweet and well-balanced, Risata boasts honey, citrus and ripe fruit flavors.

Torlasco Moscato d’Asti: Crisp, sparkling wine that is lightly sweet and works well with more delicate desserts.

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

home plan

country charmer

captilizes on outdoor space

Text |The Associated Press

T

his sprawling country rambler, Plan HMAFAPW00004 from Homeplans.com, is just waiting for the perfect lot to capitalize on its outdoor spaces and abundance of windows. The home has 2,456 square feet of living space.

The central great room features a cathedral ceiling, and opens to the breakfast room and island kitchen. A formal dining room off the main entry is the perfect setting for a holiday meal.

This home’s living spaces separate the owner’s sleeping quarters from the guest bedroom, which sits behind the garage and includes a private full bath. The master bedroom also has a cathedral ceiling, and includes an adjoining office area and access to the back patio. Two frontfacing secondary bedrooms complete the plan. • HOUSE PLAN

HMAFAPW00004 DETAILS: • Bedrooms: 3+ • Baths: 3 • Main floor: 2,456 sq. ft.

• Total Living Area: 2,456 sq. ft.

• Standard Basement: 2,456 sq. ft.

• Garage: 748 sq. ft.

• Exterior Wall Framing: 2x4 • Foundation Options: standard basement crawlspace slab 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.

s

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

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FALL 2010 cv-hg.com

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