Spring Home & Garden 2019 by Winchester Star

SPRING HOME

+ GARDEN

THE RETURN OF COLOR TO INTERIORS LOCAL HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK TOURS SPRING GARDENING EVENTS SPRING DECOR FINDS FROM LOCAL SHOPS

THE WINCHESTER STAR â&#x20AC;¢ HOME & GARDEN 2019

1315001 Bank of Clarke County 6x9.88

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THE WINCHESTER STAR • HOME & GARDEN 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Historic Garden Week in Winchester

Replacement plants for victims of the 2018 deluge

Galley kitchens are back in style

Create a morning sanctuary with a coffee station

Spring finds from local shops

10 design trends to watch for in 2019

The return of color to home interiors

Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel

Modern kitchen design trends

10 mistakes to avoid when spring cleaning

Emerging deck trends

12 ways to maximize verticle space

SPRING GARDENING EVENTS Virginia Historic Garden Week

April 27 - May 4 Winchester tour: April 27 Each spring visitors are welcomed to over 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during “America’s Largest Open House.” This eight-day statewide event provides visitors a unique opportunity to see unforgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color, as well as beautiful houses sparkling with over 2,300 flower arrangements created by Garden Club of Virginia members.

Garden Fair

May 11 - 12 at the State Arboretum of Virginia The State Arboretum’s annual Garden Fair is a huge plant and garden supply sale, with dozens of vendors of high-quality plants including annuals, perennials, small trees, shrubs, boxwood, bonsai, and more. The Foundation usually sells a selection of plants divided or propagated from the Arboretum collection. In addition to the plant sale, free events include Arboretum tours, native plant walks, and activities for kids. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days.

Orchid Show and Sale

April 19-20 at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley Enjoy an award-winning orchid display, purchase orchids, and learn about growing and caring for orchids from the experts in the Lord Fairfax Orchid Society. Bring your orchids in for suggestions, and have your orchid repotted (small fee). 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days.

GardenFest

June 1 at Belle Grove Plantation The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Assocation hosts its annual GardenFest at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown on June 1, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event will feature Gartenhaus workshops, garden and specialty vendors, a children’s trail and activities, a “Second Hand Rose” rummage sale, garden tool sharpening, a birdhouse decorating contest, raffles, food, and more.

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GARDENS

HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK IN WINCHESTER By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Four downtown Winchester homes in and around Washington Street will showcase their interiors and gardens for the annual Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour. The Winchester tour takes place on April 27 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is hosted by The Little Garden Club of Winchester and the Winchester-Clarke Garden Club. “We are fortunate to have access to four private homes that each have rich history and elaborate historical details,” said Sarah Browning, who co-chairs the event with Liza Carr. “It’s a real treat to see these whimsical gardens in their downtown setting. We are also lucky that the ticket price includes a self-guided tour of the beautiful gardens and grounds of The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley,” said Carr. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 through April 20 at Kimberly’s, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Bonnie Blue, and the Winchester-Frederick County Tourism and Visitors Center. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour for $40, or single-site for $20. Box lunches will be available at Bonnie Blue between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for tour attendees for $15 a person. For more information, visit www.vagardenweek.org.

This painting by Winchester artist Julie Read shows Macsfield, one of the downtown Winchester homes on the Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour.

Carter Hill 529 Jefferson St., Winchester “Carter Hill Manor” was built in 1949 by Louise A. Patten, the seventh direct descendant of King Carter. Mrs. Patten built Carter Hill with her ancestral home “Mannsfield,” near the Rappahannock River, in mind. Carter Hill is a Georgian Revival built of rose brick by the Shockey Company of Winchester and designed by Fredericksburg architect Philip N. Stern. The Jefferson Street address is actually the back of the home. Guests exit the front of the home, which was built on “The Old Lane” with a view of the properties’ three acres of gardens. The home sits on one of the city’s highest points, which was previously apple orchards. The early stone wall surrounding the home came from Mannsfield; the interior woodwork was also copied from that home. The brick walkway, surrounded by boxwoods, was brought there from the old wine cellar. Living room and dining room fireplaces feature King of Prussia marble and numerous American paintings. The owner is a collector of Shenandoah Valley furniture and the early Virginia joiner, John Shearer (c.1798). Her Shearer collection was featured in the magazine Antiques in 2010. Avid gardeners, the owners have a yellow peony garden, weeping lilacs, lavender rock garden and a field of flowering cherries. Linda Quynn Ross and Thomas Clifton Gibbs, owners.

Macsfield 426 Handley Blvd., Winchester Designed by architects Craighill and Cardwell, Macsfield was built by H. B. McCormack and his wife in 1930. The home is nestled on a 3.68-acre enclave overlooking Historic Winchester with views of the hills to the east. Considerable renovation and restoration over time has blended architectural and period details with exquisite finishes, state-of-the-art amenities, five fireplaces and a slate roof. Formal living and

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dining rooms flank the center entrance hall, with handcrafted woodwork including wainscoting, chair rail and crown molding. On the main floor there is a sunroom, a paneled den and a kitchen with a separate eating area. Upstairs are four bedrooms, and a dormitory room on the top floor for visiting grandchildren, as well as a sewing room. The basement floor has a recreation room and a wine vault. Noteworthy are the Persian carpets throughout the home. There is a separate apartment over the carriage house-style three-car garage, (originally the butler’s quarters, now used as an exercise room). The front and back porticos allow outside relaxation even in the rain. Visitors will enjoy a walk around the terraced lawn and boxwood gardens, some originally planted in 1930. The property includes abundant English ivy, wisteria, crepe myrtle, hydrangea, lavender, rose hedges and various flowering bulbs. In addition, there are apple, kwanzan cherry, dogwood and magnolia trees. Dr. G. Mac and Paula McNichols, owners.

the Strasburg area. The Baker family, locally prominent businessmen, built many of the homes in this block around the turn of the 20th century. Col. Harry Hunt Baker, mayor of Winchester from 1904-1912, constructed this castle-like building as his home. The interior features floors of longleaf yellow pine, and hand-carved woodwork with lotus flower motifs. The current third owners have painstakingly restored the house to its former glory. They have used William Morris wallpapers in the front hall and kitchen, and other period-appropriate, English Arts and Crafts papers and fabrics to accent their home. Since the house was originally piped for gas, not electrified, the chandelier in the front parlor is an electrified, antique gasolier; all other light fixtures on the ground floor are reproductions of gas-powered chandeliers. The home’s seven fireplaces would originally have burned coal, and each has a distinctive, decorative, cast-iron fireback. The owners have made great efforts to preserve, rather than simply to renovate. Melanie and Richard Lewis, owners.

801 S. Washington St., Winchester

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley 901 Amherst St., Winchester

The original center section of this stucco Colonial Revival home was built in 1921 and was called the Hack House. Subsequent additions include the sun porch on the south side of the home, and bachelor’s quarters on the rear of the house. The later section was remodeled and enlarged in 1987 to accommodate the needs of a growing family. The home has a painted seamed tin gable roof with exterior end chimneys and three pediment dormers. The front is highlighted by a pediment porch with fluted Corinthian columns framing the doorway with rounded arched moldings, fanlight and sidelights. The front six-over-six windows are crowned by cornice molding. An open porch on the north side of the home has matching fluted Corinthian columns and offers a retreat from the busy street. The landscaping is best described as a collector’s, or gardener’s garden, displaying cultivated chaos in English garden style. It is planted with a love for heirloom varieties and traditional Southern plants, while taking special care to preserve plantings original to the garden. Mary Bruce and Phil Glaize, owners.

21 S. Washington St., Winchester This Richardsonian Romanesque-style home was built in 1896 of limestone from

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) sits on land originally claimed by Winchester founder James Wood in 1735. The property was acquired by Wood descendant Julian Wood Glass, Jr., between 1952 and 1955. Aided by his partner at the time, R. Lee Taylor, the site’s Glen Burnie House, built in 1794 by James Wood’s son Robert, was turned into a country retreat. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the couple surrounded the house with elaborate gardens. After Glass’s death in 1997, the house and gardens opened to the public. In 2005, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley moved in, transforming the property into a regional cultural center. Galleries display changing exhibitions, Shenandoah Valley decorative arts and a collection of miniature houses. A short stroll from the galleries, the seven-acre landscape surrounding the Glen Burnie House includes rose, statue, vegetable, Asian and perennial gardens. Inside the house, interpretive panels tell the stories of those who lived in Glen Burnie from 1796 to 1992. At 214 acres, the MSV landscape is the largest green space in the city of Winchester and is the future home of The Trails at the MSV, a free-admission park that will offer miles of trails.

THE WINCHESTER STAR • HOME & GARDEN 2019

GARDENS

REPLACEMENT PLANTS By ADRIAN HIGGINS The Washington Post

Extreme weather associated with climate change appears to be arriving on cue, and the gardener cannot see out the year in these parts without reflecting on the Year of the Monsoon. Next year, by the way, will be the Year of the Big Chill, followed by the Year of the Great Drought, followed by the Year of the Steaming Cauldron. You heard it here first. But back to 2018, which brought not just a whole lotta H2O but also bizarre growing conditions. Plants thirst for rain, and a lot of precipitation can produce a pleasantly lush landscape, but many plants cannot abide constantly saturated soil. This was not a good year to have yews, aucubas, roses, figs, pines or herbs in beds that would not dry out. What are the lessons? Waterlogged sites are often associated with compacted clay soils, and addressing this vexing condition takes three approaches. You can put in a drain - complicated, expensive and, if you do it yourself, backbreaking. The last perforated pipe I laid became home to a

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Green victims of the 2018 deluge could use stalwart replacements.

smug chipmunk. I felt so — taken advantage of. Another option is to create raised beds above the swamp. This avenue also requires hauling a lot of material and follow-up appointments with the chiropractor, acupuncturist or massage therapist, or all three. Often the superimposed growing beds look like nasty roadside berms that no amount of vegetation can hide. The third option is the most sensible: that is, to remove plants that are unhappy or dead and replace them with others that can handle dense, poor soil and periods of inundation. Such conditions, by the way, are one of the common reasons lawns grow thin and weedy, and you may want to replace areas of turf with plant beds. Winter, far from being a dormant season, is tailor-made for such pondering and planning. You have to limit your choices when planting in wet ground, and in the past, the palette has tended toward one-season wonders such as red twig dogwoods and shrub willows. But the broad contemporary interest in native plants has opened the possibilities. You will find some great suggestions in a new book by Tony Dove and Ginger Woolridge, “Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States.”

I keep waiting for the ser viceberr y to become a more popular garden addition; it’s a beautiful, large, multi-stem shr ub with white blossoms in spring, red-purple summer fruit and brilliant orange fall color. If you have ill-draining soil, and perhaps a little shade, this is your answer. There are three or four different plants available in the nursery trade, including the bigboned Amelanchier arborea and A. canadensis. Most smaller gardens are better served by the Allegheny serviceberry, A. laevis, which grows to a big clump about 15 feet high and as much across, though the width can be reduced by the gardener. The Chinese fringe tree, I once discovered to my surprise, grows large and dense. But the native version (Chionanthus virginicus) does not, becoming a small, low-branched tree or large shrub typically 12 to 15 feet high and as wide at maturity, and covered in showy, fleecy white blossoms in the spring. As with many of these woody plants, it grows either as a multi-stemmed shrub or a low-branched tree; you have to peruse the nursery aisles to get the plant you want. Many people know the deciduous winterberry holly,

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which would work well in a poorly drained location, but its cousin, the possum haw, should also be at the top of the list. Its botanic name is Ilex decidua. It is bigger and a little wilder than winterberry, and could become something of a suckering mess with age and neglect. But in the hands of a loving gardener who will keep it shaped, it can have stunning presence - especially in winter in red fruit. As with other hollies, you will need a male version for fruiting. Dove and Woolridge’s book introduced me to another large shrub, the titi (tee-tee) or swamp cyrilla. It is large and loose, a little leggy judging by the photos, but attractive and different. The slender leaves turn orange in fall, and not all of them may drop in a mild winter. It is native to low-lying coastal areas of the Southeast. When it’s happy, it forms spreading colonies. By late spring, it is loaded with pendulous and fragrant white flowers. The Alabama croton (Croton alabamensis) is a novelty, six-foot-high filler shrub for the relaxed shade garden, with silver undersides to the green leaves. The silver contrasts dramatically with the orange fall color, the yellow flower clusters of late winter are more interesting than pretty, and the leaves emit an apple fragrance when crushed. “It’s a really cool-looking shrub,” Dove told me. I had forgotten about an evergreen named Morella cerifera, which was named Myrica when I last greeted it, but its common name has remained. Southern wax

THE WINCHESTER STAR • HOME & GARDEN 2019

myrtle hails from coastal New Jersey to Texas and is a handsome garden plant, and many dwarf varieties have been developed. The regular version grows quickly, as much as three feet a year (at least that in this year), and takes nicely to pruning, even shearing. This would make it a wonderful screening hedge — the leaves are dense but narrow and light green — for a gardener who likes order and a well-oiled pruner. If you can’t find these plants at your local garden center, native plant nurseries should have them, and many come together in the spring for collective plant sales. Local and state native plant societies list such sales in advance. If you do plant any of these beauties, keep them watered during periods of dryness, especially in their first two years as the roots get established. But first we must gird ourselves for winter, which I hope against recent odds will give us days that are constantly cool so plants may sleep. At least the days are getting reliably longer. That hasn’t changed. Has it? Gardening tip Poinsettias thrive in bright environments away from heat and drafts. Feel moisture levels with your finger — the soil should be allowed to dry a little between waterings. Remove decorative sleeves to allow water to drain through the pot.

THE WINCHESTER STAR • HOME & GARDEN 2019

KITCHENS

THE GALLEY KITCHEN By ELIZABETH MAYHEW Special to The Washington Post

When best-selling cookbook author Jenny Rosenstrach renovated her kitchen, she figured she would squeeze in as much storage space as possible. But over time, she found she had filled all the cabinets and shelves with useless things. Last year, she decided to rip out about 20 percent of her cabinets to not only open the space up, but also simplify; she purged useless gear and tools. Now, she says: “It’s so much better. I gave away three cabinets’ worth of small appliances, bowls and mugs, and I have not once said to myself, ‘Oh, I wish I had that back.’ “ Turns out Rosenstrach is not alone. Recent research from the National Kitchen &amp; Bath Association shows there is movement away from large cabinet-filled kitchens with appliances laid out in a triangular configuration to smaller galley or in-line kitchens, called such because the entire kitchen is laid out in one straight line. Kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, based in Maryland and Virginia, finds that 85 percent of new homeowners are choosing the cleaner, more contemporary and simple style of a galley kitchen. “People may have grown up in oversized

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Sleek, simple galley kitchens compete with larger, eat-in spaces.

houses with kitchens that were too large and poorly designed, so as a reaction they want smaller, more compact spaces,” Gilmer says. She makes a good case for galley kitchens: They allow you to work without the obstruction of an island or table. They also keep the work area smaller, which means less walking from one appliance to another or to the sink. And galleys are great for smallerhomes or apartments because they take up less room than an eat-in kitchen. Dan McFadden, president of PB Kitchen Design in Geneva, Illinois, and president of the Chicago Midwest chapter of the National Kitchen &amp; Bath Association, says another benefit of galley kitchens is that they cost less: “You’ll have fewer cabinets and fewer feet of countertop, so you can splurge on appliances, fixtures and hardware.” McFadden likes to use sleek built-in appliances with clutter-free controls such as Sub-Zero’s integrated refrigerators that sit flush with adjacent cabinets. For particularly small urban spaces, he suggests splurging on the Sub Zero 24-inchintegrated column refrigerator/freezer. The super-slim unit has one door that conceals both the refrigerator and freezer; no horizontal lines means it blends into the rest of the kitchen design. For a typical galley layout, McFadden suggests put-

ting the refrigerator on one end, a pantry (if there is one) and wall ovens on the other end, with the sink and cooktop centered in the middle on opposite walls. If the kitchen is wide enough, he recommends putting the cooktop directly across from the sink. But if the space is too narrow, he suggests staggering them so that two people in the kitchen won’t bump into each other. Gilmer recommends always locating the refrigerator on the same side as the sink. “It’s natural to take something out of the refrigerator and then need to use the sink prior to preparing the food,” Gilmer says. She also says to place the refrigerator near the doorway so that it’s easily accessible. But McFadden cautions, “if you have a galley layout with only one opening, don’t place the refrigerator or oven right next to the door — you don’t want the only entry to be blocked by an open appliance door.” Countertop space is critical in any kitchen, but especially in a galley. Elle H-Millard, industry relations manager for the National Kitchen & Bath Association, suggests thinking in terms of zones: “When you walk into the kitchen with bags of groceries, you need a landing zone. When you put the groceries away, you need an uploading zone. For dicing and chopping, you need a prep zone, and for cooking, a cooking zone.” To best create these zones in a galley kitchen, she

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agrees that the refrigerator should be at one end so the countertop space ends up in the middle, punctuated by the sink on one side and the range on the other. If counter space is limited, H-Millard says to opt for a range rather than a cooktop with wall ovens and consider refrigerator and freezer drawers instead of a traditional column design. And as any galley/small kitchen owner will tell you, make sure you have a large cutting board that lies over the top of your sink. That way you automatically gain, at the very least, a couple more feet of counter space. — Mayhew, a “Today” show style expert and former magazine editor, is the author of “Flip! for Decorating.” Washington Post

Galley kitchens have become popular with new homeowners looking for a contemporary and simple style.

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KITCHENS

THE COFFEE STATION By JURA KONCIUS The Washington Post

Washington Post

WASHINGTON — Tricia Huntley says coffee is a priority for her, but there is no way she could start her day at a chaotic Starbucks. Her morning Zen moment begins at the charming coffee station she created in her Washington home. The ritual starts with grinding Peet’s French Roast beans, brewing the blend, and drinking it either from a Wedgwood teacup or a hand-painted pottery mug. Everything she needs, including sweeteners in vintage bowls, spoons and a spoon rest, is arranged on a tray in a niche in her kitchen. “Cof fee is the one thing you can depend on for starting your day,” says Huntley, an interior designer. “Normally I like my counters clear, but coffee is a priority, and I created a special corner for it next to the refrigerator and under a cabinet. It’s nice to have one thing you can count on.”

Create a morning sanctuary with a well-ordered coffee station

A bit of order is impor tant in the morning, says Clea Shearer, co-founder of the Home Edit organizing company “just as important as a cup of caffeine.” Shearer and her co-founder, Joanna Teplin, have written a book, “The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals,” coming out in March, which features uber-organized coffee and tea setups with white mugs stacked in rows and tea boxes lined up by color. “What’s better than your own beverage station?” Teplin says. “It’s like your own little restaurant.” These stations can be as simple or as fancy as you want; the point is to have everything in one place. Rustic bowls, dainty tea cups and mix-and-match teaspoons add personal style. Shelves, trays and drawers keep things organized. Instagram is sprinkled with photos of pretty little coffee pods nestled like bonbons in glossy wooden drawers fitted with dividers or tea bags arranged by color.

You’ll see these setups in sleek trophy kitchens, on wooden farmhouse tables and in urban apartment nooks. In a chaotic world, these well-ordered spots seem to be sparking good feelings. “It’s a tiny little space in your life that matters. Making a cup of coffee makes me feel good,” says Ashley Murphy, co-founder of the Neat Method. “There aren’t enough personal moments in our lives that we get to pause and enjoy something.” Decorators, kitchen designers and professional organizers all get involved in creating and accessorizing these stations, which can look ultramodern, traditionally charming or just plain cute. But “anyone can do it,” Teplin says. “It’s such a little amount of work for the satisfaction and practicality.” Designer Bar r y Dixon says he doesn’t lay out a kitchen for clients without analyzing their morning routines and then specifying a spot for coffee, tea, espresso or latte. “It’s a byproduct of the Starbucks-ization of our homes,”

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Dixon says. “It’s a big part of 21st-century life.” Dixon’s own warm yellow kitchen at his 1907 country house in Warrenton, Virginia, has a station stocked with large ceramic mugs in black, celadon green, mustard yellow and burgundy. He has 40 varieties of tea stacked in a cabinet and a drawer for Keurig pods. If he has guests, he lays out a tea towel, a cup of tiny silver spoons with elephants on them that belonged to his parents, and his grandmother’s cow-shaped creamer. Some homeowners prefer to keep supplies behind closed doors. Julia Walter, showroom manager of Boffi Georgetown, a high-end Italian kitchen and bath company, says more customers are asking for coffee and breakfast stations, often with doors to allow for uncluttered counters. She describes them as a “modernized form of the appliance garage.” Walter adds: “Often these stations are multifunctional. In the morning you use the coffee machine, toaster and blender, then in the evening if you have guests, you use it to serve wine and then coffee again after dinner.” Richard Anuszkiewicz, a kitchen designer at Alt Breeding Associates in Annapolis, Mar yland, likes to design beverage stations so house guests can help themselves. “A kitchen is much more of the living room these days where everyone is hanging out, so we want

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everything properly stored,” he says. For one Annapolis family, he placed coffee makers and breakfast appliances on shelves on either side of a range. Then he installed marble panel doors on either side that can be lifted or lowered with the push of a button to keep the stations out of sight when not in use. A common mistake people make is setting up a kitchen with coffee-making elements scattered throughout, organizers say. The hulking machine may be at one end of the counter, the bean grinder somewhere else and sweeteners in a pantry. Murphy also sees out-of-control amounts of tea and coffee cups. “We go to a client’s home and often see three shelves full of coffee mugs. Even if they have sentimental value, we believe that no one will ever need 40 coffee mugs and you are taking over valuable real estate if you have this many.” She suggests keeping 12, and her preference is for matching mugs for a calmer look. “The simplicity is wonderful and they line up perfectly when they are all the same size,” she says. Tea bags, she says, are problematic because consumers often pick up boxes at random and never get rid of any. Tea does have an expiration date, she says, but people rarely cull their stash. Larry Rosen, president of Jack Rosen Custom Kitch-

ens in Rockville, Maryland, says he has noticed a big jump in interest from clients in beverage stations in the past 10 years. “It came with the popularity of the Miele coffee machine and Keurig cups,” he says. Miele’s sales have spiked as well. Kathrin Jahnke, Miele’s senior product manager, says the sleek built-in integrated coffee systems, which create the full range of hot beverages, cost about $3,300 to $4,100 (not including installation). Some models store up to 10 individual user profiles, so everyone can get their favorite blend with the push of a button. For any setup, Murphy’s tips include positioning the area as close to the sink and refrigerator as possible and using a rolling cart if counter space is in short supply. Use labeled canisters to hold coffee and filters and acrylic drawer dividers to line up pods, sweetener packets, honey and other essentials. Mugs can be hung from hooks for easy access. “If something picks up the aesthetic and tonal quality of your house and represents your style, you are more likely to maintain it,” Shearer says. “A coffee station starts your morning off on the right foot. If we can have one semblance of order in our lives, we will take it.”

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SPRING FINDS

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TRENDS

Vintage Mexican Pajaro $20, Make Nest Interiors

Kitchen towel $14, Bluebell’s

Juliska plates $22 and $38, Kimberly’s

Winchester pillow, $39.99, Kimberly’s

Spruce up your decor with these spring finds from local shops

Sand and Sea vase $115, Make Nest Interiors

Metal lantern, $72.99, Simply Charming

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THE WINCHESTER STAR â&#x20AC;¢ HOME & GARDEN 2019

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TRENDS

10 DESIGN TRENDS TO WATCH FOR IN 2019 By MEGAN MCDONOUGH The Washington Post

The home remodeling and design platform Houzz recently released its annual forecast, derived from conversations with industr y exper ts as well as trends spotted among its 40 million monthly users. It of fers a snapshot of what we might see in stores, living rooms and Instagram feeds this year. We chatted with Houzz editor and writer Mitchell Parker and asked him to dig into this year’s projections. So before you pick up that paintbrush, take a look at the colors and styles the pros say will be big in 2019.

The backsplash as a focal point In 2019, home design professionals expect to see more full-height backsplashes that seamlessly stretch from the counter to the ceiling — behind floating shelves and range hoods — for a clean and cohesive look. This dramatic statement can create the illusion of additional surface area.

Dark and moody colors throughout the home Although Living Coral may be Pantone’s pick for color of the year, Houzz predicts homeowners will lean toward darker and moodier colors, such as navy and forest green, in the new year. Color experts say it is a reaction to white and bright hues that dominated the design world for the past several years. Parker also suspects that visual social networks such as Houzz and Instagram may have helped people gradually become more comfortable with the idea of experimenting with richer and darker colors. “If you tell somebody, ‘Paint your walls dark blue or black,’ people might imagine the Addams family house,” Parker said. But when they see a photo of the design and how these colors create a warm and serene setting, they are much more likely to have the confidence to try it.

Destination tubs Bubble bath fans, rejoice. As bathrooms shift from private, utilitarian spaces to open, spalike environments, homeowners are focused on the accou-

trements, including free-standing tubs. According to Houzz’s 2018 Bathroom Trends Study, 80 percent of home remodelers were planning to upgrade their bathtubs. A soaking tub was the most popular option and received 69 percent of the vote (a 7 percent boost from the 2017 findings). To achieve the look, bath aficionados are “stealing space from hall and bedroom closets” to expand the size of the room, Parker says, and creating built-in nooks to keep the tub out of the footpath of the shower, sink and toilet.

‘Tuxedo’ kitchens Although white kitchens have long reigned supreme, professionals are seeing a return to black in kitchen cabinets, range hoods and island accents. The color can be edgy, chic and surprisingly practical for parents. “If you’ve got a house with dogs and kids, scuff marks on white kitchen cabinets are going to be a big problem. Black paint hides a lot more,” Parker says. Expect to see a lot more “tuxedo” kitchens contrasting black with white walls, backsplashes and marble countertops.

Glass-and-steel room dividers Thanks to the popularity of open floor plans, statement-making partitions will continue to flourish in the new year. Thin metal-and-glass doors and walls offer the illusion of open space while still providing privacy, light and noise mitigation. The dividers can also be used to add visual interest and provide definition to a room, without making it feel cramped or closed off.

Free-standing dining benches Custom, built-in benching, while popular and convenient, can be expensive. Homeowners are instead opting for padded furniture benches as an affordable alternative. The multifunctional pieces are great for small breakfast nooks, providing flexible seating and in some cases hidden storage.

Board-and-batten accents The modern farmhouse style will continue to flourish in 2018 and spread to the exterior of the home, Houzz ex-

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perts say. The white siding delivers a “homey look” and can provide texture and interest to an otherwise flat facade.

Kitchens that open to the outdoors Fans of entertaining and cooking may want to consider expanding their kitchen area to the outdoors. Homeowners in warmer climates are transforming patios into extra seating areas, with durable rugs, cushions and fabrics. Expect to see more kitchens completely open to decks and patios via collapsible doors and window walls in the coming year.

Wood vanities Houzz experts saw a resurgence of unpainted wooden vanities in 2018, and they predict it will only be amplified in 2019, with a turn toward reclaimed and light wood. Visible grain and knots can add texture and visual interest to a space and work well in crisp, clean white bathrooms.

A four-wall accent color Forget the accent wall; 2019 is all about the accent room. Instead of a bold-colored feature wall, homeowners are opting to paint all the walls — even the trim and molding — in one room a dramatic and bold color. “Typically, I see this trend happening in smaller, somewhat private rooms, such as bedrooms, home offices, studies and media rooms — places where you want a comforting and relaxing vibe,” Parker says. Popular color choices include navy and forest green.

Washington Post

The modern farmhouse style continues to be popular in 2019.

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THE RETURN OF COLOR

TRENDS

After years of white walls and kitchens reigning supreme, color has returned to interiors By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Each decade seems to have its own color trends. Interior designer Paul Miller, owner of Make Nest Interiors in Winchester, said that through the late 1980s and early 1990s jewel tones were popular. Yellow, tomato red, and sage green took over around the turn of the century. But after the recession, homeowners turned back to basics: white. “Homeowners wanted design that represented a fresh start and new beginnings. This has ushered in an era of blank white canvasses in design,” he said. The popularity of white walls and kitchens also owe some debt to the era of social media. Miller said that the fact that white interiors photograph well may have contributed to the volume of design inspirations that fit within that all-white style. While white walls and kitchens will always be classic, color has returned to interior design as this decade concludes and another one begins. “Our designs are custom and so, for me, color is always relevant and stylish,” said Miller. “I said in an interview a couple of years ago that I thought homeowners were ready for color again, if for no other reason than that color helps us personalize our style and set our homes apart from the houses of friends and neighbors. The decline of the farmhouse chic design style also pushes design away from the greige palette. Personally, I think even a pop of saturated color in a fairly soft room adds interest and makes a design more memorable.” Barbara Quast, designer and owner of Quast Interiors in Winchester, agrees that color is ready to return. “Colors create an emotional response — red is energizing, blue soothing, yellow cheerful. Gray is fairly emotionless (some say depressing). I think we’re starting to long for the energy that living with color brings, like the feeling of spring after a long gray winter,” she said. Miller said he’s seeing shades of emerald green, soft violets and rose tones. He anticipates fresh and striking colors like sunshine yellow, tangerine and cornflower moving forward. “I think we’re not going to see a return to heavy color palettes, but instead thoughtfully placed color used to enliven more relaxed, soft color scheme. “At a continuing education seminar last spring, we learned that the new neutrals will be suffused with colorful undertones, so that instead of straight gray, there would be desaturated undertones of color like blue, green, and violet.”

COLOR IN THE KITCHEN One area of the home that has often been awash in neutral colors — the kitchen — is now welcoming shades of blue, plum, and green on its kitchen cabinets and islands. “With so many kitchens that look alike these days, I love that things are starting to get interesting again. I love the large variety of tiles available, and open shelving instead of cabinets is great for displaying collections,” said Quast. Quast said she advises her clients to “trend wisely,” when it comes to investing in a new trend like kitchen cabinets in a vibrant color — pick up any shelter magazine like House Beautiful, and you’ll see bold kitchens done in green or plum. Quast warns that redoing a kitchen is a major investment that you’ll have to live with for a long time.

Top: Coral, the Pantone Color of the Year, adds a nice pop of color to a white kitchen. Photo conributed by Make Nest Interiors. Left: Colorful and unique patterns make wallpaper a great way to add interest to a small space, like a bathroom. Photo contributed by Quast Interiors.

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“I help my clients figure out what makes the most sense for them. So if my client has always loved blue, then by all means, let’s pick the perfect blue. But if they’re not comfortable committing to a whole kitchen of blue, we can bring in color with just the island. At the end of the day, they need to love their home and be comfortable with the decisions we made.” If color cabinetry is a bit too bold for you, Miller said there are other ways to inject color into your kitchen. “Kitchens can provide a great colorful backdrop against light and neutral cabinetry. Normally the majority of the walls are covered with cabinetr y and backsplashes, so picking color is a fairly lowrisk commitment,” said Miller. “White, of f-white, and taupe kitchen cabinets have staying power and are ver y flexible, which is impor tant, because a nicely renovated kitchen should please you for a long time. Using colors on the walls is a smart choice and can easily be changed.”

WALLS OF COLOR Painting walls in any room, even just an accent wall, is an inexpensive way to add more color to your home and per-

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sonalize your space. However, it can be challenging to select the right shade. “One of the biggest mistakes is using the wrong shade of a color,” said Quast. “People often error with too bright of a shade. They might pick a bubblegum pink while hoping for a softer, more sophisticated color. Remember to always make your selection in the space you’re painting because the light in the room makes a huge difference. Designers often do paint consultations as well.” Making the switch from safer, neutral colors to bold colors can be intimidating. Miller advises starting small and in rooms you frequent less. “Powder rooms and guest bedrooms are great places to experiment with color in because you can afford to go a little bolder than you might feel comfortable doing in a more regularly lived in space,” he said. “Seeking the help of a design professional is a smart choice, because we can map colors through the home so that there are enough neutral planes to keep the design from being heavy-handed and hard to live in.” “I’ve always encouraged client to keep their basic upholstery pieces neutral and add color through the room with accessories such as pillows, throws, art,

and rugs. That’s where your eye goes when you walk into a room. It’s the same as noticing a piece of jewelry against a simple black dress,” she said. “Plus, you can change accessories easily and inexpensively if you want to freshen things up. Some popular colors that look great with gray are shades of blue, aqua and teal and the pinks, like blush.” Due to home shows on networks like HGTV which often emphasize resale value, neutral colors and fixtures have been reigned supreme. However, designers like Miller urge homeowners to make

design choices based on what will make them happy. “Homeowners should always make choices that give them joy and serenity in their home. Letting a future buyer or even a real estate guru get into your head can lead one not to live in and love their home as much as those who really express their personality and preferences in their environment. If your home has good bones and you haven’t saddled a prospective buyer with a fuchsia bathtub or turquoise kitchen cabinets, the right buyer should be able to see beyond wall colors that can easily be altered.”

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KITCHENS

KITCHEN REMODEL Kitchen remodels are among the most popular home renovation projects, whether they consist of swapping out cabinet hardware or doing major demolition. Due to the sheer amount of time families spend in the kitchen, not to mention the number of tasks performed in this space, it is easy to see why Remodeling magazine consistently ranks kitchen renovations as projects that will enable homeowners to recoup a high percentage of their investments. In the magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report, midrange major kitchen remodels costing an average of $63,829 recouped 59 percent of that investment. When investing in a kitchen project, it is important to incorporate items that are coveted.

Deep, double sinks Having a double sink enables you to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other. It also makes it easy to wash and prep produce for meals.

Kitchen island and bar stools Even though many meals are enjoyed around the table, there's something to be said for the convenience of a kitchen island and some wellplaced bar stools for quick breakfasts or snacks.

Smart kitchen storage Work with a contractor to include storage solutions built into cabinetr y and the pantr y. Slide-out shelv-

Must-haves for an amazing kitchen remodel

ing, nooks for a paper towel roll and custom-designed areas to store stand mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional.

Outdoor access If possible, design a kitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors. This can make outdoor entertaining or even coffee on the deck much easier.

Under-cabinet lighting Fixtures installed under cabinets provide both ambient lighting and task lighting. Such lighting makes it easier to see what you're working on as well, as even well-placed overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and spots on the counters.

Convenient warming drawer This appliance provides backup to the oven. It's a slide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm until they are ready to be served. This is particularly handy for holidays and other entertaining.

Beverage station Designate one area of the kitchen to beverages, such as coffee and tea. Or make the area an informal bar. This can limit traffic in the kitchen to a single area. Kitchen remodels are exciting to envision, and several choices can make these high-traffic spaces even more coveted.

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KITCHENS

KITCHEN LAYOUT

Modern kitchen design trends cater to a growing need for a multipurpose space

Kitchens are the most popular rooms in many homes. Even though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the average person spends just 68 minutes each weekday consuming food, and around 37 minutes preparing meals, the kitchen is not just a spot for food. It also is a gathering place for conversation, homework and family time. In recognition that so much time is spent in this heart of the home, many people are embracing some of the more popular trends concerning kitchen layouts to maximize the comfort and efficiency of these rooms.

Communal zones Unlike the days of yore when the kitchen was utilitarian, today’s home floor plans make kitchens a focal point of a home. Food preparation also is no longer a solitary task. Thanks to larger kitchen footprints and multiple zones set up for meal creation, a greater number of people can hang out in the kitchen and help with meals. You'll find multiple

sinks, large islands and more counter space are key components of modern kitchen layouts.

Dining nooks Kitchen designs are bringing back banquette seating in a cozy nook. This design is a practical use of space, and can fit in large and small kitchens alike. It also can give a kitchen a high-end look, as built-in banquettes can highlight a bay window or seem custom-made for the space. Banquette seating can fit a number of people comfortably and provides a sensible and casual dining spot solution.

Family table The trend experts at Southern Living magazine indicate that formal dining and living rooms are now used infrequently. As a result, kitchens have evolved to accommodate meal prep and dining. A large family table in the center of the room brings people into the kitchen to get more involved with food, according

to San Francisco designer David Kensington.

Counter culture Taking a page out of a favorite corner diner or bar, kitchens are increasingly outfitted with a large island flanked by chic counter stools, according to the design pros at Domino. Family members can pull up a stool and grab a quick snack. It’s also a great place for friends to engage in conversation while a host or hostess prepares cocktails and appetizers for an evening soirée.

Work zone Many families like to have an area of the kitchen set up as a tech zone where kids can do their homework and even parents can do some work, such as paying bills. Setting aside an area of counter space as a small desk area can be a great idea. Such areas also help parents keep a watchful eye on children while they're surfing the internet.

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CLEANING

10 mistakes to avoid when spring-cleaning By DANIEL BORTZ Special to The Washington Post

Another year, another article telling you how to spring-clean your home. Not so! In fact, we’re here to tell you what not to do when giving your house the deep clean it so deserves this time of year. Here are 10 cleaning mistakes you’ll want to avoid this spring.

1. Starting without a plan of attack Debbie Sardone, co-owner of SpeedCleaning.com, says many homeowners make the mistake of beginning to clean their house without first devising a plan to get everything done. Instead of just diving in, Sardone suggests you start cleaning upstairs and make your way down, or start on one side of the house if your home is a single stor y. Then, “move room to room, tackling one room at a time,” she says.

2. Cleaning a room from floor to ceiling Some people begin cleaning a room by vacuuming or mopping floors, which is the wrong approach. Think about it: If you clean the floor, only to then knock dust and dirt to the ground from ceiling fans, blinds and furniture, you’ll have to clean the floor

again. A better strategy is to start at the top and work your way down. In other words, begin by removing cobwebs and dust on the ceiling, then “clean off clutter, dust furniture, wipe down walls, switches and doors” before cleaning the floor, says Beth McGee, author of “Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master.”

3. Using weak cleaning products for tough grime When asked to pick the attributes they seek when purchasing all-purpose cleaners, 40 percent of people recently surveyed by Nielsen said they want to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, and 36 percent said they don’t want to use cleaning products with harsh chemicals. Though that’s admirable, McGee says, all-natural cleaners aren’t always the best choice. “Don’t bring a knife to a sword fight,” she says. “If you have not kept up with cleaning and have difficult grime to remove, stronger cleaners may be in order to get your items into a condition that is easy to maintain with less powerful products.” Sardone agrees. “Some chores require sanitizing cleaners, like a bleach-based product, but most do not,” she says. To routinely clean your home? McGee says using

a spray bottle with a simple mixture of 1 cup water, 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup grease-cutting dish soap will clean most surfaces well.

4. Using only one rag to clean your house Rags get dirty the more you clean with them - that’s no surprise. Still, some people use one rag to clean their entire house, which can cause germs to spread, Sardone says. Instead, keep “a stack of 100 percent cotton cloths or microfiber cloths to change out when they are dirty,” Sardone recommends. “These can be washed and reused” the next time you clean.

5. Drying surfaces with paper towels Cotton or microfiber cloths are also more efficient for dr ying surfaces than paper towels — and they won’t leave lint behind. Another reason to stop using paper towels: Many have a rough surface that can scratch or damage delicate furniture and TV screens.

6. Not opening windows to let your house air out Ventilation is crucial whenever you’re using cleaning products, Sardone says. The simple act of opening windows can counteract the indoor air pollution from

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cleaning products and make it easier for you to breathe. Cranking up your air conditioning won’t solve the problem, because most home heating and cooling systems don’t mechanically bring fresh air into the house from outdoors.

7. Mixing chemicals from different products Combining chemicals from different cleaning products can create harmful fumes, Sardone warns. “Most of us have no idea what’s in the cleaners we’re using and how those ingredients react to each other,” she says. “Bleach and vinegar, for example, are a deadly combo.” Together, they produce chlorine gas — and exposure to chlorine gas, even at low levels, can cause coughing and breathing problems, as well as burning and watery eyes. “Higher levels of exposure can cause chest pain, more severe breathing difficulties, vomiting, pneumonia and fluid in the lungs,” according to the Utah Department of Health. “Very high levels can cause death.”

8. Washing the windows on a sunny day Though sunlight can help illuminate how dirty your windows are, you’re better off washing them on a dry,

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cloudy day. Why? Because strong heat from the sun will dry cleaning fluid more quickly, which could leave hardto-remove streaks or stains.

9. Vacuuming pet fur without an attachment Having trouble cleaning up pet fur? You may be using your vacuum the wrong way. By vacuuming without an attachment, odds are you’re just blowing fur around a room — not effectively removing it. That’s why home-maintenance expert Bob Vila recommends using a rubber-bristle brush that, “when attached to your vacuum tube, sucks hair directly from the brush to the vacuum canister.” Just make sure to buy one that fits your vacuum’s head.

10. Waiting until vacuum bags are full to replace them Many newer vacuums have an indicator that will let you know when the bag needs to be changed, but a lot of older vacuums don’t — and allowing a vacuum bag to become too full can affect its performance, McGee says. “If you notice your vacuum is not picking items up as effectively as you would like, then change the bag, if there are no other clogs impeding its efficiency,” McGee recommends.

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OUTDOORS

EMERGING DECK TRENDS Custom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Decks can surround pools and create outdoor patio areas that make it easy to establish multitiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas. Certain deck trends have emerged as industry experts’ top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these trends are on point.

Established perimeters “Picture framing” is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs that conceal the ends of deck boards for a clean finish. Some designs feature contrasting material colors on the ends for even more impact. This helps create refined perimeters for a polished look.

agement resource for professional homebuilders, says that the trend for using distressed hardwoods at home has migrated outside. Some decking manufacturers have recently introduced low-maintenance composite deck boards that mimic the look and feel of distressed, rustic hardwood flooring. This weathered appearance gives the look of age without the upkeep of real aged wood.

Roof-top decking

Wooden walkways

Urban areas also can benefit from decking to create usable outdoor spaces. In fact, many new condominium and townhouse communities are incorporating roof-top decks into their designs, particularly in communities with water views or other impressive vistas. HGTV exper ts suggest roof-top decks feature light-colored materials and fixtures to help keep the area cool even in direct sunlight.

Decking can be the more traditional design people envision with a patio table or outdoor furniture. But it also can consist of wooden walkways or a low-laying patio to accentuate the yard.

Distressed hardwood Builder and Developer, a man-

Mixed materials Homeowners may be inspired by commercial eateries, breweries and urban markets in their exterior design choices. Decks featuring composite materials and aluminum railings blend sophistication, urban appeal and comfort.

Personal touches Homeowners can customize their decks with personal touches. It’s not unheard of to wrap columns in stone or glass tiles for more impact. And a vast array of decking colors

now enables fun interpretations for outdoor areas.

Fire pit conversation area Many decks can incorporate water or fire elements for visual appeal. Gas-fueled fire elements can expand the func-

tionality of decks beyond the warm seasons, or make enjoying them practical on nights when the temperature plummets. Decks are reimagined in many different ways with continually evolving trends.

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ORGANIZING

12 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE VERTICAL SPACE Who hasn’t, at one point in their lives, lamented a lack of space and organization at home? A lifetime’s worth of items have to be kept somewhere, and without the right organizational strategy, clutter can quickly take over. The home improvement site Home Therapy says that, when square footage is limited, tapping vertical walls is the fastest way to maximize and multiply the space available — hooks, rods, shelving, built-ins — the sky is the limit when it comes to finding additional storage and adding a bit of personality to tight quarters. Even homes that may have adequate space can benefit from vertical solutions. Here are some ideas to put vertical and other less-utilized areas to work for you.

1. Hang wire or plastic file organizers on the inside of kitchen cabinets to easily store cookie sheets, trays and cutting boards.

on a wall can keep dirty clothes wrangled until it's time to wash them. This also eliminates clothes hampers on the floor.

9. Dowels or curtain rods and some fabric can be used to fabricate slings to hold books or magazines.

2. Save on counter or cabinet space with hanging spice racks. These can be hung directly on walls or on the inside of cabinet doors.

6. Add a second rod or shelving to the inside of closets to create more space for clothing and other items.

10. Invest in some magnetic boards that can hold keys or notes by the front door or store knives on a kitchen wall.

3. Stack all the stuff you can, including washers and dryers, beds (with storage drawers underneath) and even stacking nesting tables. 4. Choose furniture that is tall rather than wide. This can mean swapping out a dresser in a bedroom for an armoire or vertical chest of drawers. 5. Canvas bags hung on a towel bar

7. Take kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Store lesser used items on the uppermost shelves and the items you use each on the most accessible shelves.

11. Install two towel bars parallel to one another on the wall of a bathroom. These can hold extra toilet tissue or rolled hand towels.

8. Install a shelf over the entryway to a room to utilize this seldom-used space. Shelves also can be custom cut and placed in oddly shaped areas, such as in attic rooms under the eaves or on slanted walls.

12. Use rope plant hangers to store potatoes or onions near prep areas. The same plant hangers can wrangle stuffed animals and small toys in kids' rooms.

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