Saturday, July 19, 2014
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FOLLOW the Dotted Line.
Back to School Issue...AUGUST 1
Saturday, July 19, 2014
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HOMEOWNER’S ADVICE: BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Written by Blanche Evans
“Bringing the outdoors in” is now all about enhancing your best views. All you have to do is imagine that your garden, back yard, and the views beyond are part of your home, minus the walls and doors, of course.
Bigger, better windows Improving your windows make your views clearer. Low-e coatings on window glass prevent heat and ultra-violet rays from passing through glass. According to www.bobvila.com, low-e coatings mean your rooms will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, plus your window treatments, upholstery fabrics and carpets won’t fade and degrade nearly as much.
Outdoor colors for indoor ambiance Your garden and lawn have wonderful palettes of greens, blue, and other colors to choose from. By bringing these colors indoors, the outdoors becomes a natural extension of your home’s décor. Paint your walls one of the dominant neutral shades of your region, such as deep green with white trim for a forested area, or a warm gold or sandstone to complement a sunny southwest location. If you have a rose garden, repeating the reds, yellows, pinks and fuschias in a fabric or decorative accent can bring your favorite flower indoors. “Going green” is a very big theme in decorating and the colors of grass, tree trunks, flowers, bushes and foliage are usually soothing colors to live with. Natural materials balance our electronic lifestyle, warming rooms with entertainment centers and other electronics.
Bring plants indoors The lush accent of green plants is beneficial to your health, as plants clean and humidify the air you breathe. Lighting is important if your houseplants don’t have access to the sun. Choose plants that require low lighting such as palm tree, Chinese evergreens, rubber trees, ferns and ivy. Repeat your outdoor plantings of geraniums, impatiens, or hydrangeas with beautiful arrangements of these flowers in your favorite vases and bowls. Double check that any plants you bring in are non-toxic to children and pets.
Use natural scents Many outdoor plants will waft their fragrance into the house. Chinese cherry trees, peonies, verbena, lavender, roses and honeysuckle are strongly scented plants. Instead of using fragrance sprays with artificial ingredients, scent your home with boiled cinnamon and cloves.
Bring the casual look of outdoor furniture indoors Patio furniture has come a long way, and rivals breakfast room and den furniture for charm and practicality. The light, open weaves and leaf patterns of wrought iron patio furniture look great in a kitchen or breakfast room, and you can embellish the seating with custom cushions. New rattans and natural fabrics lend
an outdoor feel to furniture to and remind you of sunny days at the beach or lake. For continuity, tile your breakfast room with the same outdoor tile as the patio. Soften the room with a natural fiber rug such as bamboo, jute, sisal, sea-grass, and mountain grass. It’s easy to bring the outdoors in - just think natural and think green.
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Saturday, July 19, 2014
SO YOU’VE DECIDED TO BUY A HOT TUB NOW WHAT? Staff Writer
For years you’ve long dreamt of coming home from your stressful days at work to enjoy the hydromassage of a hot tub. But choosing the right hot tub for your home isn’t quite as simple as deciding you want one. There are a variety of things to consider before taking your very first soak. But don’t worry, whatever hot tub you choose, you’re one step closer to feeling the day’s worries melt away.
Portable or Permanent? You have two options when choosing a hot tub: a permanent or a portable one. A permanent version is built into the surrounding space, much like a swimming pool. Typically, these are made of concrete, which is poured into place once a chosen area in the yard has been excavated. By contrast, a portable hot tub is self-contained, sitting above ground. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. While a permanent hot tub can be designed to your specific needs, it requires a lot of space and commitment. If you don’t own your house or live in a flat, this type of hot
tub isn’t for you. Your best bet would be a portable hot tub because it can be easily moved if you change houses and it also requires less space to install. This type is also typically more affordable. However, one disadvantage of portable options is that they are not as easily customizable as permanent ones.
Understanding Logistical Needs There are a few logistical needs that go along with selecting the right space for your hot tub. If it’s portable, the chosen installation space must have a floor strong enough to support the weight of the hot tub when filled with water. Fox News notes that an empty hot tub usually weighs around 1,000 pounds, so it’s best to consult a structural engineer to find out if your desired location can support the weight of a full hot tub. The chosen installation space must also be level. If installing outside on uneven terrain, you can pour a concrete pad for the hot tub to sit on. Whether installing a hot tub indoors, in your backyard or on a veranda, be sure the space you choose is accessible for delivery and installation professionals. Consult the retailer to find out how much clearance the delivery of your specific model will require. Hot tubs run off your home’s electricity, so proximity to an electrical outlet is essential. For safe installation, you must consult a licensed electrician to install a 240 volt 50 AMP ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) that is neutrally protected. This will also require your
electrical breaker box to have a minimum of a 50 AMP breaker.
Learning the Basics Once you get your hot tub installed, you only have a little more work to do before your first dip. Procure all of the necessary chemicals and hot tub accessories from a reputable vendor like HotTubWorks.com. Learn how to use the chemicals and what you need to do in order to keep your water pH at the desired level. There are a plethora of videos on this subject available on YouTube and other websites to help you learn everything you need to know to keep your new hot tub in top shape.
it’s all about you Your free copy available at: JULY/AUGUST 2014
garden party
The Norman Transcript
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july/august
2014
digital edition available at nor mantranscript.com
Saturday, July 19, 2014
T TAKE US ON
Blood, sweat and skates Oklahoma Victory Dolls ready for showdown with Kansas City squad
Rory McIlroy leading British Open
Page A12
Sports
With You Since the Land Run of 1889 Norman, Oklahoma
Friday, July 18, 2014
Man burned by deep fat fryer A man was transported to the hospital Wednesday after a deep fat fryer exploded in his face, causing burns to his face and chest area, according to a Norman Fire official. Norman Fire and EMSStat responded to the report at 5:44 p.m. at The Garage, 307 E. Main St. The man was transported by EMSStat. – By Jessica Bruha, Transcript Staff Writer
normantranscript.com
Reaching out
50 cents
Dr. Lori Basey, president and co-founder of No Boundaries International, talks about the problem of human trafficking during a judges conference panel discussion Thursday at the Embassy Suites in Norman.
Panel explains human trafficking problem By Jessica Bruha
ning to look at is human trafficking. A panel discussed human trafficking Thursday afternoon during Many topics were discussed a plenary session at Embassy over the course of three days dur- Suites Conference Center in Noring the 2014 Oklahoma Judicial man. Conference, but one of the newest • See PANEL Page A2 issues the legal system is begin-
Transcript Staff Writer
Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
Icon raised
Tragedy strikes
Celebrating milestone year for state Capitol
Bee invasion — Page B11
KLAHOMA CITY — It was with great fanfare nearly a century ago that Oklahomans crowded into cars or horse-drawn buggies and paraded to 23rd and Lincoln. AnticiJanelle pation Stecklein had been building for nearly four years, ever since Oklahomans at the polls in 1910 made the monumental decision to move the state capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. After much deliberation, state
O Cutting jobs — Page A9
tautology (n) tau·tol·o·gy [taw-tol-uh-jee] 1. needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness Example: It became a
AP Photo
People inspect the crash site of a passenger plane Thursday near the village of Grabovo, Ukraine. Ukraine said a passenger plane carrying 295 people was shot down as it flew over the country.
Malaysia Airlines experiences second loss in less than 5 months
A l w a y s
C o n n e c t e d
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