County Living Magazine Fall 2014

COUNTYLIVING A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR HOME & LIFESTYLE

DISCOVER DISTINCTIVE PRODUCTS, SERVICES & DESTINATIONS

Special Fall Issue RANDOM MUSINGS from Gerry Mandel KING OF THE ROAD with John Drake Robinson WORKING FOR MISSOURI FAMILIES by State Rep Jill Schupp

Health & Fitness Sensory Pleasures Home Remodeling For Your Business Weekend Getaways Fall Activities & Events Landscapes & Exteriors More Resources: CountyLivingMag.com

FALL 2014

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 3

And that’s where the comparisons end.

Publsher’s Message

COUNTYLIVING

Take Some Time to Enjoy the Fall The news this summer has been full of conflict – in the Middle East, in Eastern Europe and right here in our own community. While in each case there are important issues to hash out, they shouldn’t completely distract us from appreciating so much that we have to enjoy in our lives here.

For ten years our publication has been all about providing useful information and resources for home, health and lifestyle. And this year we have been adding to these pages some terrific local writers sharing what they find meaningful and enjoyable in this part of the world.

Gerry Mandel’s column Random Musings in this issue on page 8 tells of his life-long love of music and the wonderful venues where all genres of music can be enjoyed here today. John Robinson’s new column King of the Road on page 14 shares his personal favorite nearby spots in Missouri to visit, and some recollections from his years travelling the back roads, backwoods and back yards of our state.

Speaking of things to enjoy, the Fall Activities & Events Calendar on page 12 features St. Louis area annual community events and activities that have become favorite fall traditions over the years, and in some cases decades.

And Missouri State Rep Jill Schupp on page 10 shares her thoughts on the values she learned growing up here, and what is needed to preserve opportunities for our children and grandchildren that have benefited previous generations and ourselves.

Take time to get out and bask in the crisp bright days, beautiful colors and wonder of our best season of all.

Todd Abrams

on the cover Custom designed for this stately home, the landscape lighting design plan includes an energyefficient combination of wall wash lighting and up lighting. The wall wash lighting accentuates the home exterior with soft washes of outdoor lighting to accentuate the architectural features and texture of the home as well as the landscape.

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VOLUME 14 | FALL 2014

staff PUBLISHER/EDITOR Todd Abrams Creative Director Fran Sherman PRINTING ADVISOR Creative Printing Services DISTRIBUTION DATABASE Target Marketing Technologies PRODUCTION Sherman Studios FOR INFORMATION REGARDING ADVERTISING CALL County Living Publications 314-432-1171 phone 314-569-3380 fax P.O. Box 411036 St. Louis, MO 63141 www.CountyLivingMag.com County Living Magazine is published quarterly

by County Living Publications and distributed to select homeowners in the St. Louis area. Articles are selected to provide useful information about home, lifestyle, health, travel and recreation.

Opinions expressed in articles and editorials are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of County Living Publications.

While every effort is made to assure accuracy, we are not responsible for how information found in County Living Magazine is used.

We are very interested in reader comments or suggestions. Correspondence should be sent to the address above or to editor@CountyLivingMag.com.

Reproduction of content of this magazine without permission is prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos and text for advertising, articles and editorials are assumed to be the property of the contributor, and County Living Publications does not take responsibility for unintentional copyright infringement.

County Living Publications has the right to refuse advertising and content not deemed appropriate for this publication.

Circulation is verified by U.S. Postal receipts.

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contents 18

50 8 RANDOM MUSINGS from Gerry Mandel 10 Meet Jill Schupp

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

12 Fall Activities & Events Calendar 14 KING OF THE ROAD with John Drake Robinson

LANDSCAPES & EXTERIORS

30 HAVE YOUR WOOD FLOORS REFINISHED BY THE EXPERTS Champion Floor Company is the established hardwood floor experts. They install the full range of new hardwood floors, and offer all options for restoring and protecting wood floors.

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18 Outdoor Room Addition Changes Couple’s Lifestyle 20 New Inspire AledoraTM Slate Roofing 22 Professional Landscape and Architectural Lighting 24 Enjoy a Natural Water Feature in Your Yard Part II 26 Does Your Home Have Damage from Wind or Hail?

28 A Stronger, More Durable Residential Fence 29 Save Money by Renewing Your Outdoor Furniture 30 The New Age in Exterior Wall Coating 32 Keeping Wooden Roofs Beautiful

HOME REMODELING

34 Remodeling Without Replacement 36 Five Zones For Organizing Your Kitchen 37 Stone and Tile Floors Looking Dull? Ugly Grout?

38 Why Tear Out Your Old Counters and Cabinets?

40 Is a Damp Basement Reducing the Value of Your Home?

HEALTH & FITNESS

42 Revolutionary Caregiving Model for Seniors 44 Hypnosis Can Be Your Key to Change 46 Siblings, Family Feuds & Aging Parents 47 Is Poor Sleep Affecting Your Health?

48 Are You Insured for Long-Term Care?

49 Mold in Your Home Can Threaten Your Health

SENSORY PLEASURES

50 The Pleasures of a Grand Piano 52 Eliminate Temperature Variances in Your Home

FOR YOUR BUSINESS

55 Dramatic Cost Savings on Your Cell Phone Bill 56 Work Life Balance for Business Owners 56 Sales Support Expertise for Successful Selling 59 The History of St. Louis County

6 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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random

musings FROM GERRY MANDEL

L

isten. Do you hear it? A violin. A trumpet. A bass. A Steinway and a Selmer. It’s out there the sounds of autumn. Nature’s world is going through her changes, leaving summer behind.

The World of Music flourishes in St. Louis.

I memorized “Fur Elise” on the piano when I was ten, thanks to my mom’s love of Chopin. So began my enjoyment of classical music. Jazz came next, in the shape of two LP’s from Columbia - “The 1938 Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert.” I had never heard songs and players like this before. I still have those albums, framed on my office wall.

Which brings me to the point of these musings: I love this time of year in St. Louis. Sure, the trees are colorful and yard work is about over (except for raking), the “back to school” ads have been recycled. But even as the autumn leaves pass by my window, I hear the downbeats, the countoffs, the tunings-up, the reverent silence and enthusiastic applause just around the corner.

The music season has returned to St. Louis, much of it centered on Grand Avenue. Yes, music is scattered across the city and county year round. It’s just that Grand is where the lights shine brightest.

St. Louis is home to one of the premier jazz clubs in America, The Bistro, aka Jazz at the Bistro. It sits near Grand and Washington, about a hundred yards east of the magnificent Fox Theater. The Bistro underwent an extensive facelift during this past summer, which promises to make it even more audience friendly than before. Gene Dobbs Bradford has done a terrific job over the years keeping jazz on track in our town.

The Bistro is “respectable.” Which is good, but I also remember, quite fondly, the jazz clubs here in the ‘50’s and 60’s. Peacock Alley, the Dark Side, Jazz Central, Gino’s, Georgie’s, and - on the East Side - the Blue Note, the Terrace Lounge, the Palladium. Those clubs had “atmosphere.” Which means they had uncomfortable chairs, watered down drinks, lots of chatter, and almost everyone smoked or so it seems.

Even today there are times when I’d like a Newport and bourbon while listening to jazz. I quit smoking

30 years ago. Still . . .

Enough about jazz. Let’s modulate over to classical. From The Bistro, stroll three blocks north and you’re at Powell Hall, home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Their season begins in autumn and runs through spring. Again, thanks to my mother (incredible how our mothers shape our lives) I saw my first symphony at the Kiel Opera House when I was at Jackson Park grade school. I’m still a sucker for the Russian romantics like Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. Give me a beautiful melody played by a whole lot of people and I’m happy. Even happier if the performance is on a Friday morning when Krispy Kreme provides free donuts. Hundreds of ‘em. With free coffee. There’s nothing like listening to Beethoven or Brahms while on a sugar high amped up with caffeine.

Kind of a senior Woodstock. Powell Hall and the SLSO make a beautiful couple. Did I mention the donuts?

While we’re on Grand, one final word. Namely, The Broadway Musical. Thanks to Mary and Leon Strauss, the Fox is still a showplace over eighty years after it first opened. Back then it was movies, one of the great palaces on Grand. Today the road companies from Broadway, as well as popular music acts of all genres, keep the Fox and the neighborhood vital.

One block west of the Fox is the Sheldon Concert Hall, built in 1912 and another superlative music venue with perfect acoustics.

So let the leaves fall, the chill winds blow, and summer become a memory. As long as there’s a soundtrack for autumn, I’m happy.

Gerry Mandel is a free-lance writer and video producer. For information on his video biographies, visit www.facebook.com/TheLifePreserver. His novel, “Shadow and Substance: My Time with Charlie Chaplin,” is available through Amazon or directly from the author, huevista@gmail.com. clm

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Working for

Missouri Families Preserving Opportunities for Our Children

BY JILL SCHUPP

I

love this country. I carry a sense of gratitude for my grandparents and greatgrandparents who traveled here from Eastern Europe in hopes of building better lives for themselves and the families they would go on to have.

When my young, handsome father, a Marine veteran, met my beautiful, creatively talented mother, it must have seemed inevitable that they would fall in love and marry. They saved their money, bought a home in St. Louis County and shared in the joy of having children.

In the early days, my dad and his father opened and ran a junkyard (he calls himself the original recycler). Working six days a week, he taught my brother, sister and me that everything has value, and that hard work is important and expected.

My mom worked part-time and encouraged us to do our best and to think “out of the box,” as we now say. Each of us learned that we could do anything we set our minds to.

The three of us became first generation college graduates and went on to start our own careers and families. I went to work for a small advertising firm while my husband Mark started his own company. We are very proud to have raised two sons who are now grown and successful in their own careers.

Today, the opportunities my family and I were able to take advantage of are slipping out of reach for more and more families. The average student in 2014 who takes out student loans will graduate with more than $33,000 in debt. The percentage of students taking out student loans has grown from about 45% in 1993 to more than 70% today. There is no guarantee today’s graduates will find a quality job. Last year alone, more than 260,000 college graduates were working in minimum wage jobs.

Policies in Jefferson City have moved in directions that seem to leave middle class families in the lurch. We continue to cater to special interests that want to see the tax burden shifted to the middle class and to working Missouri families.

Families are having a harder time providing their children opportunities for a better future than my generation and my parents’ generation had.

We know that education is critical to opening the doors of opportunity. Our priorities in Jefferson City need to reflect that. Capping tuition at Missouri colleges and universities, for example, would provide the next generation an opportunity to learn, grow and eventually start the successful businesses of tomorrow.

My mom and dad taught me to work hard and empowered me to believe that I could do anything. My husband and I like to think that the lessons of a strong work ethic coupled with opportunity will continue to be within reach of our two sons.

I am still hopeful that should our sons choose to become parents, their children will have even better opportunities than we did. I think we all want that for our children and grandchildren.

The special interests in Jefferson City have too much power. They are diluting the abilities of families to live their lives and take care of themselves. I am running for State Senate because we need more people in Jefferson City fighting for Missouri families…our families.

Make your voice heard. Vote for our future and our children’s future on November 4th.

Jill Schupp is running for Missouri State Senate in the 24th District, which roughly covers St. Louis County north of Manchester, south of I-70, east of 141 and west of I-170. She is currently the State Representative for the 88th District (Creve Coeur). Jill previously served on the Ladue School Board and the Creve Coeur City Council. More information is available online at www.JillSchupp.com. For questions or to get involved, you can call 314-225-1410 or contact Jill at Jill@JillSchupp.com. clm

10 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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Weekend Getaways

County Living Magazine

Fall Activities & Events ake advantage of these wonderful annual events. Make this the year you get out beyond your own neighborhood and enjoy the special festivals and entertainment events across the St. Louis metro area.

Best of Missouri Market Whoa there, tiger! This photo is already at maximum size.

Boo at the Zoo Nights October 17-30 St. Louis Zoo stlzoo.org

St. Louis Intl Film Festival November 13-23 Plaza Frontenac, Tivoli, Washington U, Webster U cinemastlouis.org

World Bird Sanctuary

St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights

October 3-5 Missouri Botanical Garden mobot.org &9733;

Share Code Link HTML

Historic Shaw Art Fair October 4-5 4100-4200 Flora Place shawstlouis.org BBCode

Link to this photo:

https://flic.kr/p/73hqTf

Large 1024

683

Square 75

75

Thumbnail 100 Square 150

Annual Open House October 18-19 worldbirdsanctuary.org

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150

Small 240

160

Small 320

213

Soulard Oktoberfest October 10-12 Soulard Neighborhood soulardoktoberfest.com

PHOTO COURTESY LAUREN HARTFORD

T

Harvest Festival

November 28-30 St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park stlouiszoo.org Thanksgiving Day Parade November 27 Location to be announced christmasinstlouis.org

Home & Remodeling Show

October 19 Laumeier Sculpture Park laumeiersculpturepark.org

Christmas Traditions

The Louisiana Purchase: Making St. Louis, Remaking America October 25-April 19, 2015 Missouri History Museum mohistory.org

October 10-12 St. Charles Convention Center STLHomeShow.com American Revolution on the Frontier Opens October 11 Missouri History Museum MoHistory.org

St. Louis Jewish Book Festival November 2-16 Jewish Community Center stljewishbookfestival.org

12 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Begins November 28 Main Street St. Charles historicstcharles.org

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 13

PHOTO COURTESY OF RURAL MISSOURI MAGAZINE

Feel like you’re the King of the Road...ride along with John Drake Robinson

BY JOHN DRAKE ROBINSON

RELAX LIKE A

Redbird

B

ack when I wrote copy for the Baseball Cardinals— before most of the current Redbirds were born— the Ozark rivers that surround the little town of Eminence became my favorite weekend getaway.

Nowadays, the spot has become a fun destination for some St. Louis notables.

In the past year, sharp Ozark eyes around Eminence have spotted the likes of Cardinals Shelby Miller, Matt Adams, Kolten Wong, and former Cardinal Joe Kelly, among others.

If these spring-fed streams attract young career professionals who don’t have much free time, they just might be right for you, too.

But how does a busy St. Louisan find out where to go? One way is to keep an ear to the rails.

!

“Keep Montauk a secret,” the conductor warned me.

The conductor was an old high school buddy, who had found out that my job was to promote tourism. He sat down with me for a moment and shared some special advice. And since he was the conductor, I listened. “Promote the trout fishing at Bennett Springs if you want,” he said, “and at Maramec Springs and at Roaring River. But keep the springs at Montauk a secret.”

Fishermen are that way. Secretive, bordering on paranoid.

I think it has something to do with spending so much time alone with beer and worms. Since I was on his train, I lied and told him I wouldn’t tell. At least until now. Truth is, there are thousands of secret water spots in the heartland.

But Montauk isn’t one of them. The conductor is painfully aware that every fly fisherman within a thousand miles knows about Montauk.

I grew up nearby, near enough to frequent that not-so-secret little Ozarks spring near the headwaters of the Current River. And roots being roots, I’m proud of Montauk. I recall my first trip to that remote little state park . . . It was about

as far back as my memory goes, back when I was practicing my phonics on Burma-Shave signs. My family unit rolled out of Rolla in a ‘58 Biscayne, leaving Route 66 in our rearview mirror, headed for the springs. Our car bobbed and weaved on a roller-coaster road that unfurled through the thick woods, out in free-range country where you not only had to keep an eye out for deer, but also had to dodge pigs and cows and horses.

When our family arrived at Montauk, not one of us wet a line. But we ran around the old mill, and fed the tiny fish in the hatchery and stood in the cold rushing water for as long as we could stand it, and marveled at the natural beauty of spring water busting out from under a mountain. And I slept all the way home.

!

But where will you sleep when you head to the Current and Jacks Fork rivers?

You’ll find great riverside campgrounds, a few motels along the way, and a lodge or two tucked into the hills. I always head to Eminence, named the state’s top outdoor outpost by Sports Afield magazine. In this little town deemed one of the top 50 outdoor outposts in America, my favorite Ozark outpost is the River’s Edge Resort. The resort sprouts works of art, literally, and owners Lynette and Alan Peters will welcome you while showing you some eclectic Ozark tool sculptures that stand almost everywhere you turn.

Speaking of turns, hop in your car, or better yet, ride your motorcycle on great twisty blacktop backroads that form trails with names like the Jesse James Getaway and the Ozark Hellbender. Alan’ll show you a map. Autumn is the best time to go. Great colors. Less traffic.

If you don’t spot any Redbirds, that may mean the postseason is unfolding nicely.

You’ll find more of John´s stories at johndrakerobinson.com.clm

14 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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Open floor plan with hardwood floors, vaulted great room, stone fireplace and boxed bay windows. Extra wide open stairway to recently finished walk-out lower level with rec room, second fireplace, large walk-behind wet bar and full bath walks-out to patio and pool area. Access to three private, stocked lakes. $495,000 Jason Cleveland / 636-751-4579 / jcleveland@trophypa.com TrophyPropertiesAndAuction.com 15965 Manchester Rd., Suite 108, MO 63011 / 636-527-LAND Licensed in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 15

Autumn . . .

the colors, deer season, grAndkids fishing, s’mores, thAt house or cAbin of your dreAms. Now is a perfect time to invest in farm, deer hunting and country home properties. These property types, as an investment class, appreciate nicely and are much more enjoyable than that 401K! Following are some images and descriptions from my current listings, I would be pleased to talk to you about finding that dream home, deer hunting or investment property . . . if you are thinking of selling, we can get you exposure to more than 400,000 active regional and national buyers through a very fine-tuned marketing program.

WARRENTON, MO – 93± acres awesome deer hunting and turkey, adjoins the back of Reifsnider State Forest, timbered, three creeks close to St. Charles and St. Louis. $247,500

BELLE, MO – 17 - 108± acres Gastineau log home, deer, turkey, food plots, creeks, spring and wildflowers. $398,000 – $570,000

MONTGOMERY CITY, MO – 120± acres mountain-style atrium ranch, good income as a certified organic farm. Trophy whitetail deer, turkey and stocked lake. $869,000

COLUMBIA, MO – 160± acres monster deer roam this property along Cedar Creek, this is a major shooting facility with sustainable income. $1,350,000

NEW BLOOMFIELD, MO – 5 Parcels: 61 to 333± acres black top road, turnkey farm, brick home, 2.4± acre fishing lake. Row crop income, Massive deer and turkey. $325,000 - $1,348,000

BLAND, MO – 25± acres two houses 6 BR, deer hunting, fishing adjoins large conservation property, on Gasconade river with very good access and spring fed lake. $359,000

BLUFF SPRING, IL – 232± acres Rare Ducks Unlimited property, ducks, could be duck club, Massive deer, ducks, geese. $244,000 PERRYVILLE, MO – 160± acres CRP Income, deer, turkey and quail, 1 hour from South County St. Louis, primitive cabin. $339,800

HERMANN, MO – 85± acres Primitive cabin, pond, the mixture of fields and timber plus the location create the perfect deer hunting property. $199,900 SHIPMAN, IL – 30± acres* Scenic along Macoupin Creek, has trophy deer, home site with great view, across from Beaver Dam State Park. $224,000 MINEOLA, MO – 87± acres great house, great deer and turkey hunting year round water and fishing. $387,000

STE. GENEVIEVE, MO – 31-108± acres ranches at Grayhawk with all the amenities, deer hunting, turkey, mountain view or lakefront lots. $99,900 - $315,000 NEW BLOOMFIELD, MO – 144± acres Income of $17-20,000, home site, deer and turkey, $4,160 per surveyed acre. $599,040 BELLE, MO – 167± acres mostly timbered with interior fields, great deer hunting property with mobile home for deer camp. $288,800

POTOSI, MO – 220 -1,680± acres 4 parcels, recreational and ranch, miles of shoreline, lakes, deer hunting, main lodge, bison or cattle ranch and much more. $998,000 - $7,853,000

Bill Ziercher | Direct 314-412-3966 | bziercher@trophypa.com

TrophyPropertiesAndAuction.com

15965 Manchester Rd., Suite 108, MO 63011 | 636-527-LAND 16 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

own A little slice of heAven in sAint genevieve county A private community in historic Ste. Genevieve County located just 35 minutes south of I-270 and I-55.

Weekend, retirement or permanent home sites, with lakefront, mountain and bluff vistas available. Property amenities include two 100± acre fishing and skiing lakes, swimming pool, gated entrance, and secured boat storage with 6 wineries minutes away.

LAKE FRONT LOTS: 12 newly available lots from 3-15± acres. Starting at $80,000.

THE WOODLANDS: 5-15± acres wooded lots starting at $25,000, secluded lots perfect for the country home or weekend get-a-away.

THE RANCHES: 31-108± acres consist of larger tracts for hunting, with existing game and riding trails, perfect for an equine property, country home or beautiful property to just get away. Seven lakeshore and mountain view tracts. Starting at $2,200/acre.

For Your Personal Grayhawk Property Tour call: 573-483-3205 GrayHawkMO.com FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 17

Landscapes & Exteriors

an outdoor room addition

Changes Couple’s Lifestyle

B

ob and Marty Lutter have a beautiful home in Chesterfield that had a cedar deck and staircase.

Over time the deck had deteriorated to a point where it was rarely enjoyed by family or used for gatherings with friends, and they were concerned with the safety of the structure, especially for their grandchildren.

Homeowners don’t always realize when an aging deck becomes compromised until it’s too late. Outdoor living areas, such as decks, patios and screen rooms, can be damaged by extreme weather, and should be designed and constructed to withstand such factors.

Realizing something needed to be done, the Lutters started researching websites, evaluating local companies specializing in the design of outdoor living spaces. As their planning progressed, their vision expanded to include a screen room, but they struggled with overall design and layout. Like many homeowners, they were not sure what they wanted without seeing it.

They met with Larry Brost, with Heartlands Building Company, who helped assemble their design ideas and wishes into a plan.

“After talking with Larry, we realized that he understood our vision better than anybody.” The design included a screened-in area providing space for both sitting and dining, and an open sun deck for barbequing. The focal point of the screen room is a beautiful stone fireplace. The Heartlands screen system provides a wonderful view of their yard and beyond.

Finishing details include ceiling fans, recessed lighting and staircase lighting. The structure is engineered to last and surfaces selected are easy to maintain. “When it came to choosing materials, their showroom was helpful, and completed projects were available for us to visit to experience first-hand Heartlands commitment to quality work.”

Bob stressed, “When Heartlands delivered their proposal, we expressed that the project needed to be completed as proposed and we did not want any surprises.

Not only were there no surprises, but also this was the most pleasant home project we have done. We enjoyed seeing the progress each evening and if we had any questions or concerns, a phone call or an email from Heartlands would put our minds at ease. We also appreciated how clean the work area was left each day – neighbors commented how organized everyone was.”

The Lutters now have outdoor living areas that blend seamlessly with their home – visitors often assume they are part of the original house. Marty says, “I had a vision of what we wanted, but this has exceeded our expectations. I don’t think we’ve ever spent this much time outside. We had no idea that replacing the deck would change the way we enjoy our home.

When Bob and I ome home from work, we go out to our screen room and relax. It’s like coming home to a mini vacation.”

To see a video of Bob and Marty Lutter enjoying and talking about their outdoor room, you can visit www. heartlandshome.com. There is a gallery of projects that includes outdoor rooms as well as custom homes, home additions and remodels. You can also visit Heartlands’ impressive new showroom at 680 Crown Industrial Ct. or call 636728-0003 for an in-home consultation. clm

“I don’t think we’ve ever spent this much time outside. It’s like coming home to a mini vacation.”

18 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Restore the original beauty of your

FLOORS, COUNTERS AND SHOWERS GRANITE • LIMESTONE • MARBLE • TERRAZZO • TRAVERTINE • SLATE Restoration, polishing, cleaning, scratch removal, chip & crack repair

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Landscapes & Exteriors

New Inspire Aledora™ Slate Roofing Brings the Authentic Beauty of Thick Slate to Homes and Buildings Everywhere

T

hick slate is one of today’s most desired roofing styles because of its majestic, natural beauty. But many homeowners and roofing contractors shy away from real slate due to its high cost, weight, and upkeep.

Inspire® Aledora Slate Roofing changes all of that, offering the stunning look of genuine, thick slate tile at a more economical price, lighter weight, and virtually maintenance-free. Aledora replicates both the color and variations of natural slate, at less than one quarter the weight and one third the cost. An innovative new solution from Inspire® Roofing Products, a division of The Tapco Group®, Aledora Slate Roofing is the most authenticlooking, thick slate-style roofing available anywhere.

With its exacting slate surface texture and appearance, sharp and jagged tile edges, and natural shadow variance, Aledora Slate enhances the architectural integrity and aesthetics of residential and commercial buildings. Not only does Aledora Slate’s rich, authentic texture create eye-catching splendor, it prevents undesired gloss on roofs. In addition to their authentic surface texture and appearance, all Aledora Slate 12inch tiles feature irregular edges, which are crisp and rugged, for a striking look that mimics genuine slate tile. These finely crafted edges cast a natural variance in shadows, giving Aledora Slate tiles an onroof appearance that’s indistinguishable from true, thick slate roofing. No other slate-style roofing product provides this level of authenticity and artistry.

While natural slate is heavy, it’s also relatively fragile. Aledora Slate is much lighter in weight than slate, yet it’s extremely strong and impact-resistant, standing the test of time and the elements better than slate. Since Aledora Slate is lighter, it’s also

much easier to install. In fact, it can be nailed by hand or nail gun. Because it places less load on roofs and helps preserve the roofing structure under the tiles, Aledora Slate is ideal for reroofs or for buildings not designed to bear the heavier weight of real slate tile. From magnificent commercial buildings to breathtaking custom homes, and even picturesque cottages, Aledora Slate makes a dramatic design statement.

Offering unmatched design versatility, Aledora Slate Roofing is also available in an alluring array of colors and color mixes, which further enrich its natural beauty. You can choose from an array of natural slate colors which include Charcoal Black, Mist Grey (light grey), Olive (grey green), Steel Grey (mid grey), Sage Green, Red Rock and Brandywine (purple). Sublime color mixes give roofs even more variegated, custom looks. In every color and COLOR PALETTE. mix, Aledora tiles weather OF SLATE WITHOUT THE COST AND MAINTENANCE OF correctly, just NATURAL SLATE. like authentic slate. Aledora Slate Roofing features a Class A fire rating, 110 mph wind uplift rating, Class 4 impact rating, sustainability, and an industry-leading limited lifetime warranty for ultimate peace of mind.

Inspire Roofing is a product of The Tapco Group®, a U.S. Green Building Council member. For more information, you can visit www.Inspireroofing.com. For customers in the St. Louis area, please contact Joan at GIE Limited at (314) 878-0102, or by email at gieltd@aol.com. clm

20 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 21

Landscapes & Exteriors

Landscape Lighting: Professional

How to Achieve the Best Results

O

nce you have made the decision to add the beauty, safety and security of landscape lighting to your home, the next task is selecting the company that will provide you with the best results and the best value. Here are some considerations for making that choice.

First, it is important to select a provider that is really focused on landscape lighting.

You can find sprinkler companies, landscapers and others who offer outdoor lighting as a sideline or to fill in months when they are not busy. But a dedicated landscape lighting company brings significant advantages.

A professional lighting company employs designers who are trained to artfully showcase trees, plantings and architectural features of your landscape and home without glare or uneven illumination. They should employ their own installers and service personnel for maintaining your system.

Ask about the equipment they use – you want fixtures that will really stand up to harsh weather conditions, a heavy-duty transformer that will provide balanced illumination and long life, and options for automated controls and energy saving.

The leading outdoor lighting provider in the St. Louis area is Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. They are the largest full-service design-and-install landscape lighting company in our area. Their professional lighting designers are trained to develop an array of eco-friendly illumination, proper fixture selection and placement to achieve your outdoor lighting goals. And they offer their Free Nighttime Demonstrations in the latest concepts in outdoor lighting to enhance your home and yard.

Their proprietary fixtures are made exclusively with corrosion-resistant materials such as hand-spun copper

and cast brass.

They will stand up for years in harsh outdoor settings where rain, fertilizers and sun would destroy other materials.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is leading the way with premium LED lights in fixtures that use a fraction of the energy of line voltage fixtures, saving their clients as much as 75% in energy costs. Residential energy expense for their LED lighting installations typically range around $10 per month, depending on the number of lights. They use commercial grade multiple-volt transformers to ensure perfectly balanced illumination, and their Lighting Control Automation allows you to set the system once and never change it again.

They can also adapt the system to control interior lighting for your security or convenience.

They take pride in prompt, capable service to their customers years after the initial installation. Following free maintenance for 12 months after your system is installed, they offer ongoing and very cost-effective maintenance programs where the lighting system is completely checked out and bulbs replaced as needed.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what to expect, ask satisfied neighbors who provided and services their outdoor lighting, and check accredited referral sources. Chances are that those who are most satisfied use Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. You can call them at 636-561-1818 for a Free Nighttime Demonstration at your home. Or you can visit their website OutdoorLights.com. clm

22 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Need a More Permanent Solution?

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For more information or to schedule a FREE in-home estimate, FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 23

Landscapes & Exteriors

Enjoy A Natural Water Feature In Your Own Yard Part II

T

his continues our discussion about planning a water feature, picking up where we left off in the Summer issue of County Living.

Consider Location When designing your water feature, plan it to be interacted with. Keep it close to living areas so that you can enjoy it from inside the house, and direct the waterfall toward the house.

This not only offers a line of sight to the feature, but also throws the sound toward the windows, so the cascading water can serenade you.

Contrary to popular thinking, the lowest point in a yard is one of the worst places to construct a water feature. Not only will it catch run off rainwater full of fertilizer and pesticides, but because water already collects in this area, the liner may bubble up as well. Another bad spot to put a pond is directly under the canopy of a large tree. Leaves and debris from the tree be an issue, and tree roots may hinder the construction of the pond. Underground utility lines can be dangerous and if you find that they are running through your chosen spot, you may want to consider a different one.

The last of the less than desirable areas is in full sun.

Too much sun can be bad for the plants you may want to use, and good for ones you don’t want. Algae is an example of the latter, and thrives on high levels of sunlight.

About 4-6 hours of low to moderate sunlight is perfect for a balanced pond.

Keep It Looking Natural One of the hardest parts of designing a water garden is keeping it to scale without going overboard. Homeowners are drawn to the idea of large waterfalls in their backyard,

but come to realize that they stick out like a sore thumb instead of blending into the landscape.

You want to create something that appears to have been placed there by Mother Nature herself. When placing the pond close to the house, it may require working against the natural grade of the lot. Retaining walls and extra dirt can get the waterfall to the proper height. A minimal elevation change can still produce beautiful waterfalls that are to scale with the surrounding landscape.

A natural pond will have different shapes and sizes of rock, to avoid the “ring of pearls” look, when all of the same size rock is stacked in a symmetrical way. Another common mistake is to create a “volcano” where the rock is stacked so high that the waterfall is completely exposed.

If you require height, keep in mind that the higher you go, the further the berm needs to extend into the surrounding landscape. This is necessary for it to blend in properly.

Small planting beds help soften a waterfall. By adding accent boulders and/ or outcropping stones to the existing landscape, you can help tie everything together for an inviting water feature that fits into your property naturally.

Chris Siewing is owner and president of Nature’s Re-Creations, nationally recognized as Master Certified Aquascape Contractor, first place winner of the North American Pond/Waterfall Competition, and St. Louis’s first Certified RainXchange Professionals. In 2012 Nature’s Re-Creations was named by Aquascape as the Artist of the Year. They stay on the cutting edge of technology and installation techniques to continually improve their projects and the environment. To discuss a water feature project, you can contact Chris Siewing at 314-220-3841 or check out their portfolio at www.re-createnature.com or on their Facebook page, Facebook.com/NaturesReCreations. clm

24 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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www.enduracrete-stlouis.com FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 25

Landscapes & Exteriors

Does Your Home Have Damage from Wind or Hail?

A Consumer Advocate on your side can determine any claims you may have. They work for you, not the insurance company.

A

Consumer Advocate gives you a voice in the claims process by assessing and informing you about the true condition of your home’s exterior, before you file a claim. They also offer assistance when you believe the insurance company has missed damage, or if they have devalued or minimized your claim.

Homeowners in the St. Louis area are certainly aware of the hail, windstorms and even tornadoes we experienced in 2012 and 2013. It is important to understand that damage to homes and businesses is not always obvious and may not be easily detected by the average homeowner – especially high on the roof.

Photos on this page show typical damage that can occur from hail and severe windstorms. Impact holes and tattered edges of cedar shingles, denting on a roof vent cap, a dented gutter downspout and a torn window screen help verify hail impact. Hail dam- DAMAGED SHAKES age to asphalt roof shingles includes tattered edges, shingle loss, extreme granule loss and penetration holes.

Damage from severe winds to asphalt roofs includes lifting, tearing and even missing DENTED VENT CAP shingles. A driving hailstorm can also dent the fins of an air conditioning unit.

When the wind gets under asphalt shingles and lifts them, it can pop the glue tabs DENTED DOWNSPOUT and nails, causing shingles to tear, not lie down and re-adhere. Damage to shingles can reduce their useful life and also expose cracks where water can penetrate, making the roof vulnerable to future leaks and more severe exterior and interior damage. If the roof is compromised in this way, it is important that it is completely replaced rather than patched or partially replaced, since there are very likely other areas where the damage is not so obvious.

Damage to gutters can cause leaks that rot the soffits where they are attached or cause water to pour down to the foundation or fill window wells, causing further problems. Damage to

HAILSTONES

air conditioning fins can impair operation, reducing air flow and raising the refrigerant temperature, leading to lost performance and reliability.

To determine damage, insurance companies will send an inspector to your home, right after the storm or up to several months later. Inspectors often miss these signs of damage, causing claims to be denied or limited to only what the inspector has seen. It is important that homeowners have an advocate who can provide a “second opinion” in the event that their insurance company denies or limits their liability to lesser damage than actually exists. Someone who can guide you through the claim process to make it easier, and assist in getting the maximum benefit your policy allows.

Midwest Roof Restoration Consulting & Design, an affiliate of Aspen Touch LLC Home Restoration & Remodeling, is a local, third-generation contractor and the advocate LIFTED SHINGLES for homeowners with expertise in storm damage and repair, including not just roofs but also siding, gutters, windows and more.

Midwest Roof Restoration Consulting & Design helps TORN SCREEN homeowners streamline the insurance process, while assuring that you get the maximum benefit your policy allows.

Many homeowners have found that damage to their roofing, siding and gutters DAMAGED AIR CONDITIONER FINS have met their insurance company’s criteria to authorize full replacement. Before contacting your insurance company, you can contact Midwest for a free evaluation and consultation on your home’s exterior and any storm damage. They are fully insured, and have helped numerous homeowners acquire new roofs, siding, gutters and repairs to their property affected by storms. You can reach Brian Teipel, owner and experienced inspector, directly at 636-346-1959 or by email at aspentouch.brian@hotmail.com, or the office at 636-542-8305. You can learn more on their website, www.aspentouch.net. clm

26 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

TIRED OF HAVING TO PAINT YOUR POOL EVERY YEAR? This year have Schilli Plastering renovate your pool with Pebble Tec instead.

warranty on labor & materials.

We are the leader in pool remodeling in St. Louis and the only licensed Pebapplied in the past 20 years. Family owned and operated for over 60 years.

Call us for a free at-home estimate or for more information

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314-909-8877 Visit our showroom at 123 Millwell Dr. Maryland Hts, MO 63043 See a gallery of our plastered pools at

www.SchilliPlastering.com FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 27

Landscapes & Exteriors

A Stronger, More Durable

Residential Fence

For a safer and more secure perimeter around your yard or pool

M

any homeowners have found that their fences made with standard 5/8” aluminum picket are just not holding up like they expected. Over time, kids, lawn service providers, bicycles and large dogs are

able to bend the pickets. In some cases dogs and kids have been able to get through these fences.

To address these concerns, Fence & Deck Depot Inc. has introduced Montage Plus, a stronger, more substan-

tial ¾” picket steel fence. These pickets are commercial grade, not easily bent or penetrated between pickets, a lot stronger and more stabile than standard residential fences. The American-made, high-quality Galvanized Steel with Zink Phosphate, Epoxy Primer and an Acrylic Topcoat give Montage Plus long service life and the end of tiresome maintenance.

Montage Plus Ornamental Fences feature an engineered Profusion Weld Technology that holds pickets tight in the rails, with no unsightly screws or loosely held pickets that can rattle in the wind. Gates are fully welded and E-Coated, and include high quality hardware and safety latches for secure entryways. Every Montage Plus Fence comes with a 20 year limited warranty and a five year labor warranty from the manufacturer.

The Montage Plus Ornamental Fence is available in the St. Louis area at Fence & Deck Depot Inc. You can see the fence and test its strength for yourself in their showrooms in St. Charles, MO, O’Fallon, IL and their new showroom coming soon at 513 North Eatherton Rd in Chesterfield. To schedule a no-obligation at-home consultation, you can call them at 636-940-8882, email at fencedepotinc@ sbcglobal.net, or visit their website www.fencedepotco.com. clm 28 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Save Money by Renewing Your Outdoor Furniture If your outdoor or patio furniture has strapping, slings or cushions that are worn, stretched or faded, you don’t have to spend the money for new furniture. Instead you can select your own fabric or vinyl strapping for a new custom look that will give you many more years of use and save the cost of new.

Apple Tree Custom Sewing specializes in renewing fine outdoor furniture by custom-making new strapping, slings and upholstered cushions. They have hundreds of fabrics to choose from or you can bring in your own. They will pick up your furniture and bring it back ready for summer with a whole new look.

Many of the leading outdoor furniture stores in St. Louis rely on Apple Tree Custom Sewing for their repairs. With over 30 years experience, their expert sewing technicians can provide complete sewing repairs as well as custom designs made to your personal specifications.

Don’t wait until spring, when you’ll want to use your outdoor furniture - take advantage of their off-season special pricing now.

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 29

Apple Tree Custom Sewing 5116 Hampton Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63109 314-752-8733

Landscapes & Exteriors

The New Age In

g in at Co l Wal rior ceramic ExteBreakthrough coating system lowers

energy costs and provides long-lasting protection for your home.

T

ens of thousands of homeowners and businesses worldwide are breaking the cycle of painting and repainting with a significantly advanced option. Ceramic exterior coating is a revolutionary product that combines the natural appearance of a freshly painted surface with the permanence and durability associated with vinyl or aluminum siding.

Ceramic coating like Rhino Shield looks like fresh rich paint and comes with a 25-year transferable warranty. It can be applied to virtually anything like all woods (including cedar), stucco, Masonite/color-loc, brick, block, Tudor-style homes, aluminum, steel and other metals. Not only does it waterproof, soundproof and insulate your home, but also your painting cycle is eliminated for good.

This coating forms a thick, protective shield that blocks out water/moisture and 90% of the UV rays of the sun.

These are the two most destructive issues associated with the deterioration of siding and trim boards.

This unique exterior coating also provides energy savings and environmental benefits. Solar radiation significantly raises the temperature of painted walls. But the ceramic microspheres in Rhino Shield reflect UV rays, helping lower wall surface temperatures up to 30 degrees and reducing your energy consumption by helping keep your home cooler in the

summer and warmer in the winter.

Rhino Shield is the market leader in ceramic wall coatings and they use an EPA-registered three-part-additive cocktail to protect against algae, mold, mildew and fungus. Rhino Shield uses either a two or three coat process, as seen on the home improvement shows “This Old House” and HGTV’s “Curb Appeal.”

First, they power wash to clean the areas that are to be coated, which helps to identify any siding or wood boards that need to replaced. They fill any cracks with a 60-year elastomeric caulk. After all the extensive prep has been completed, next they will apply an adhesive prime sealer that permeates the substrate and completely waterproofs the surface.

This also acts as the bonding agent for the durable ceramic finish coat.

30 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

When the application process is complete, the home is protected from the elements and will never have to be painted again.

Rhino Shield dealers must meet strict quality standards to become certified to apply their proprietary ceramic coating system. They have passed this test year after year by maintaining an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

When it’s time for an exterior finish for your home that will really last, you can call the professionals at the authorized Rhino Shield dealer for St. Louis, Kansas City and all of Missouri for a free inspection and estimate at 314-239-7947, or toll free at 877-257-4466. You can visit their website at www.GETRHINO.com for videos, photos and testimonials of your neighbors. clm

Outdoor living lovers just can’t live without us. $250 Off an incandescent system

$400 Off an LED system

Trust Outdoor Lighting Perspectives to help make your life a little brighter with energy-efficient outdoor lighting, exclusively designed for you. Whether you’re new to the concept of exterior illumination, or have had a system for years, you, too, can depend on St. Louis’ trusted source.

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visit OutdoorLights.com $250 offer valid on incadescent system $2500 or more. $400 off valid on LED system $4000 or more. For contracts signed by November 30, 2014.

• Free design consultations Holiday lighting too • Extreme energy-savings with LED • Free maintenance with system purchase • Ideas and solutions for your front yard, backyard and your outdoor living spaces • Service available for any outdoor lighting system FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 31

Watch for our tips and hints on Facebook and other social media

Landscapes & Exteriors

Keeping Wooden Roofs

BEAUTIFUL Periodic treatment preserves & protects

N

o other exterior building material compares with wood for its warm, natural look, resilience and versatility.

Cedar shake roofs, oak or pine log or cedar walls, down to redwood decks, a wooden home has a distinctive look that improves with age. However, to keep wood exteriors looking their best and prevent deterioration that can lead to costly repairs, it's important to periodically treat wood surfaces that start to dull or darken with mold, show signs of mildew or have lost protection from the elements.

Wood surfaces that are unprotected degrade from exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. These harmful rays turn bare wood dark, dull and uneven in color. Rain penetrates the wood, causing it to swell. Then blistering heat from the sun dries it. This cycle can cause wood to warp, splinter and crack. Moisture also can make cedar and other woods conducive to mold and mildew.

Unlike most other building materials, however, wood exteriors can be restored and maintained through proper care and treatment. Preserving wood protects it from moisture and sunlight, and helps it last twice, even three times as long. This extended life makes cedar roofs, wood siding and decks costeffective building solutions.

The experts at Aspen Touch Cedar Restoration & Installation have more than 25 years of experience in preserving, repairing and replacing wood roofs, natural wood siding and decks on St. Louis’s finest homes. Their restoration process uses a high pressure wash to remove algae, moss and lichen, returning wood to its natural color. Shingles are repaired, replaced and nailed as needed. Finally, a quality sealer/stain is applied. This restoration is also effective for asphalt roofs.

Aspen Touch is also expert in installing new cedar shake roofs, siding and decking. They can help you make informed decisions about preserving the beauty and value of your wood exteriors. You can call them at 636-458-8878, or visit them at www.aspentouch.net. clm 32 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 33

Home Remodeling

Refinish Your Bath and Kitchen

Remodeling Without Replacement BEFORE

A

AFTER

sk any decorator and you’ll find that kitchens and bathrooms are typically the most expensive rooms in your home to remodel. It’s because a big part of getting that new look means messy, time-consuming removal and replacement of countertops, bathtubs, vanities and sinks.

Restoring old surfaces with updated, new finishes is a technique that is saving St. Louis homeowners thousands of dollars. According to surface restoration expert Terry Kavanaugh refinishing is the smart money alternative to expensive and messy demolition.

St Louis has more than its share of yellow, green and pink bathtubs, worn fiberglass showers, and dated countertops. These scarred, worn out and impossible-to-clean tubs, tile walls, vanities, and countertops can be refinished to look and feel like new instead of being replaced.

The refinishing process first involves cleaning the surface to remove dirt, soap scum and body oil. Next, the best refinishers use a bonding agent to create a chemical bond between the old surface and the new finish. This penetrating bonding agent provides the strongest adhesion and is far superior to the old acid etching process. Finally, a durable, hi-tech acrylic urethane finish is applied which is not only beautiful but can extend the useful life of a fixture for 15 years or more.

Another remarkable transformation is how dated or damaged laminate, tile and Corian™ vanities and countertops can be given new life without messy tear out and replacement.

Stone-like finishes, such as Natural Accents™, are perfect for people who want the appearance of stone, but would rather

have a less expensive alternative. When Natural Accents is applied, knife cuts, burns, chips and outdated colors disappear; the result will be a refinished surface that is both beautiful and durable for a fraction of the cost of real stone.

Homeowners are learning that refinishing is a terrific way to have the bathroom or kitchen makeover they want without the expense, mess and time associated with traditional remodeling. In just 24 hours bathroom fixtures, vanities, and kitchen countertops can have a complete new look.

With growing concerns about overflowing landfills, surface restoration makes more sense than ever before, Kavanaugh says. Not only does refinishing reduce the burden on landfills, since replacement fixtures are not necessary, but it also helps reduce pollution created by manufacturing and transporting new fixtures.

Part of the 30-year-old Miracle Method Surface Restoration network, Kavanaugh is a licensed and insured refinisher. He has thousands of happy St. Louis customers, and he provides homeowners a five-year guarantee. Only Miracle Method uses a proprietary, non-acid bonding agent and does not introduce harmful acids into your home. The company’s process works equally well on porcelain, tile, cultured marble, fiberglass, acrylic, Corian™ and laminate surfaces. A Miracle Method refinished bathtub can last 15 years or more using the same simple care and maintenance recommended by new tub manufacturers.

To learn more about Miracle Method’s surface restoration solutions log on to www.miraclemethod.com/stlouis or call 888-819-4399. clm

34 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 35

Home Remodeling

For Organizing Your Kitchen Think About Creating Five Main Zones

October 21 - November 2, 2014

November 18-30, 2014

December 2-7, 2014

December 12-14, 2014

December 16 - January 4, 2015

314-534-1111 • MetroTix.com

Zone 1: Preparation. The best location is the longest counter space between the sink and your oven. Keep this counter area as clear and clutter-free as possible.

Store preparation tools close at hand in drawers below your preparation zone and cabinets right above or below.

Zone 2: Cooking. This zone is naturally located near your stovetop and oven. The ideal kitchen layout is to create a “triangle” between the stove, storage and food preparation zones. That way, you have easy access to everything, from preparation to the cooking and baking stages.

Zone 3: Cleanup. The best and most obvious location for your cleanup zone is close to your sink and dishwasher. This zone includes cleaning supplies and storage for dishes, glasses and flatware. This will save a lot of time in washing dishes and putting them away.

Zone 4: Serving. This is best located in a cabinet or buffet near where your family eats most often. The idea for this kitchen zone is to reduce the time and effort in setting the table and serving food, while keeping everything handy and easy to reach.

Zone 5: Food Storage. The food storage zone is made up of your refrigerator, freezer and pantry. It should be located near your food preparation zone. One trick to make your pantry look neat and tidy is a retail tool called “facing.” Simply turn all the faces of the canned and boxed goods in your pantry forward and line them up in neat rows, just like a grocery store.

Mary Meier is the St. Louis area franchisee for ShelfGenie.

They can help with your storage and pantry organization, putting everything within reach and counter tops clear and clutter-free. To see how you can better organize your own kitchen pantry and cabinets, you can call Mary at 314-677-0302. You can also check out their cabinet solutions at www.ShelfGenie.com.. clm

36 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Get Ready for Winter

▲

Stone and Tile Floors Looking Dull? Ugly Grout?

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for knowledge, integrity and expert service.

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M

ost stone or tile damage can be corrected. Whether it’s dull, stained, suffering water spots, cracks or chips, the problem can be addressed. A true stone professional will work with you to assess the root cause and to formulate a strategy to avoid a recurrence.

For the stone or tile surfaces in your home, it makes sense to contact a local specialist to discuss what can be done to restore them, and how to maintain them day-today. A brief dialog can extend the life of your stone and tile and save you from costly errors. The good news is that most problems are repairable and cost substantially less than replacement. Proper selection and application of a sealer can reduce or prevent damage from stains and water.

A ColorSeal treatment of your sanded grout can not only restore your original grout color but also topically seal it to better resist future stains. Many glass and tile cleaners will actually dissolve grout, leaving a rough spot. Fortunately, even this can be repaired. Grout repair and sealing are part of the repair and restoration process.

Experienced stone and tile craftsmen can provide pointers on how to maintain your stone and tile surfaces to keep them looking like the day they were installed.

Your ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, terrazzo, limestone or travertine will look new when your greatgrandchildren come to visit generations from now.

Don’t give up on your stone, tile or grout. For expert advice and restoration, you can call the professionals at MARBLELIFE-Groutmasters at 636-639-1304 or visit their website at www.marblelife-stlouis.com. clm

Let our licensed technicians perform a thorough cleaning and tune up of your furnace to help ensure efficient, reliable and safe operation and better comfort all winter long.

Price is per forced air system. Call for price for boiler systems. Expires 11/30/2014.

Great Savings on Furnace & AC Replacement Save up to

$1900

in in manufacturer manufacturer & & utility utility rebates* rebates*

Low-Interest Financing Available *Rebate amounts vary from $150-$1900 based on selected equipment. Minimum rebate assumes replacing AC with 14 SEER unit. Expiration 11/30/2014.

Energy & Comfort Evaluation

$95

Cost of audit can be credited toward home improvements of $1000 or more. Excludes spray foam. Expires 11/30/2014.

Normally

$199

Call Now!

314-644-1570 info@callsmarthouse.com

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SmartHouse is proud to be a St. Louis Owned and Operated Company

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 37

Home Remodeling

Why Tear Out Your Old Counters and Cabinets, When

You Can Beautifully REFACE Them?

S

tandard kitchen remodeling can be costly, messy and may take weeks to complete. Tearing out and completely replacing cabinets and countertops leaves you without use of a kitchen for an extended period, inconveniencing your family and leaves you with a house full of dust.

Thankfully, there is another option. You can get beautiful new cabinets, countertops and backsplashes in just a few short days by having them refaced with all new surface materials.

This is done without demolition, so you are not adding to landfills. Quality surface refacing is an innovative and green approach that can cut costs and give you a fabulous new kitchen with very little downtime.

For countertops, a beautiful slab of granite or sleek recycled glass is custom measured and cut to fit snugly over your countertop, for a completely new look. These slabs have superior heat, scratch, stain and bacteria resistance compared with standard granite. They never need to be sealed, come in a wide array of materials, colors and textures, and are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Cabinet refacing provides all new solid wood, painted or thermo-foil finish doors. Cabinet frames and all exposed sides

are covered with matching material. Hidden hinges and an unlimited choice of handles and knobs provide a clean new look.

Granite Transformations is the St. Louis area’s kitchen surface experts. They can reface your cabinets, install new granite over your existing countertops and add complementing backsplash. For a free in-home quote you can call them at (636) 449-1579, visit their showrooms in Chesterfield Valley at 17409 Chesterfield Airport Road or in Fenton at 1750 Fenpark Drive, or see examples on their website at granitetransformations.com/StLouis. clm BEFORE

AFTER

GATEWAY COPPERSMITHS long lasting beauty for your home • ROOFS • GUTTERS • FLASHING • TURRETS • COPING • CUPOLAS • CORNICE • LOUVERS • SPIRES & FINIALS • WEATHER VANES • CHIMNEY CAPS • CUSTOM FABRICATION • DECORATIVE • REPAIRS

CALL GATEWAY COPPERSMITHS FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 314-996-9144

STORM DAMAGE? WE WORK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY! VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.GATEWAYCOPPERSMITHS.COM 38 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Wildlife and Native Landscaping Bring the delight of perennial wildflowers and native grasses to your own yard.

Butterflies, hummingbirds and migratory birds will follow.

GARDEN GREEN provides landscape design and installation of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, soil, stone and mulch.

Offers maintenance and renovation of residential and commercial properties; spectacular gardens, identification and removal of invasive plants, organic lawn treatment and more.

Fall is a great time to plant. Call or email today for a free consultation.

GARDEN GREEN

Horticulture Service garden_green@live.com

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 39

Home Remodeling

Is a Damp Basement Reducing the Value of Your Home?

It costs you in reduced use, energy expense, health risks, and when you sell your home.

I

f your basement is damp or humid, or leaks in heavy rains, that is a problem you need to solve. It will improve your home’s overall air quality, since basement air has a 30% impact on the air on the floor above. Over half of mold and allergies are due to damp air in homes.

And, it makes your air conditioning work harder.

Fortunately, there are solutions to convert just about any basement to dry, attractive space. It starts with a company that specializes in solving basement problems, capable of providing a permanent solution

BEFORE

FINISHED WITH INSULATED WALLS, WATERPROOF FLOORS

to your moisture problem. They should provide a no-cost inspection of your home, interior and exterior, to identify existing conditions and developing issues.

In the St. Louis area, the company with the most experience in addressing basement moisture is Woods Basement Systems. In addition to providing a complimentary inspection, they can also check for radon, as well as address crawl space and foundation issues.

Once moisture issues are solved, the enjoyment starts. Woods Basement Systems offers their Total Basement FinishingTM System, a complete renovation package including walls, floors, ceiling, windows, lighting and electrical for a warm, dry and attractive space for your family to enjoy.

When it’s time to sell your home, you will offer dry, clean livable space and your lifetime dry basement warranty. In operation since 1986, Woods Basement Systems proudly serves the entire St. Louis metro area. You can call them for a noobligation inspection and estimate at 1-855-638-0697, or visit their website www.woodsbasementsystems. com. clm 40 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

CoastalMissouri

Driving on the Edge of Wild Somebody convinced the New York Times not to raft the Mississippi. But a Saturday Night Live producer did it. John Robinson rode along. “...stories you might not expect to hear from a former state tourism director.”

An Ozarks sheriff once jailed a photographer sent by National Geographic.

After tense nego? tiations, the sheriff sent him packing.

“John Robinson’s irreverent humor gets a workout in Missouri’s back country.”

A rowdy drunken canoeist saw a woman reach for her cell phone to call the law. He charged onto the gravel bar, grabbed the woman’s phone and heaved it into the river. Her husband, the local sheriff, arrested the drunk for robbery.

Robinson dove deep into Missouri’s fabric to get these stories.

“I knew I was crossing a threshold, a no man’s land scattered with rattlesnakes and rednecks, whirlpools and whiskey stills, deep woods caverns and cracks named after devils, nervous meth cookers and fish that jump up and smack you in the head.”

Water and Wilderness . . .

The stories that spice Coastal Missouri probably won’t show up in a high school history test. . . . Beauty and Danger In this age of interstates and instant gratification, Robinson took the long way around the state, with his only constant companion: his car. “...we’ve dodged rabbits and turtles, texters and drunks. We’ve slid sideways in sleet, jumped curbs and low-water crossings. We’ve passed every pun on every roadside marquee, every time and temperature sign, every clip joint and carny barker and corn dog vendor, every barbecue shack and Tex-Mex taco stand. And we’ve stopped at most of ’em.”

You can find this new book and John Robinson’s previous book, A Road Trip into America’s Hidden Heart, at Left Bank Books and other independent bookstores in the St. Louis area, or at online booksellers everywhere. And you can download ebook versions at johndrakerobinson.com. clm FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 41

Health & Fitness

Revolutionary Caregiving Model for Seniors

BY JEFF SCHWEIKERT

W

Standards and Expectations for Aging are Seeing a Dramatic Shift

e are living through an aging revolution. The last fifty years have seen major advances in medicine and nutrition, not only extending the years we can expect to live, but the quality of life we can hope to enjoy.

By 2031, every baby boomer will be over the age of 65, with the oldest aged 85. Seniors will comprise one quarter of our population! But it is not simply that people are living longer, standards and expectations for aging are also seeing a dramatic shift. Retirement age used to be about stopping, now it is about going.

Being in the business of providing in-home care to aging adults, we have found that aging adults and their loved ones are hungry to know why some adults to live longer, happier and healthier lives than others. While there is no single explanation, there is one place on earth that has been called the ideal place for aging: Okinawa.

Okinawa is an island prefecture of Japan where the average life expectancy is just over 82 years. This is over a year longer than in the rest of Japan and almost 4.5 years longer than in the U.S. Okinawans are three to seven times more likely to live to 100 than Americans. Of equal, if not more interest, is the quality of health most elders of Okinawa enjoy.

Heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes, and other conditions expected in older people in North America are rare in Okinawan elders.

Studies have found that genetic factors only account for about one third of their extraordinary health and long life.

Two-thirds appears to be the result of diet, exercise, low stress levels, familial and community ties, social practices and spiritual beliefs. These elements feed on one another in a symbiotic relationship.

Home Care Assistance has developed a revolutionary and proprietary approach to senior care based on these studies, called The Balanced Care Method™. Excellent physical health, mental awareness and inner calm are common among the studied elders. The Method seeks to capture some

of the lifestyle factors that contribute to such long-lived and healthy people. Its philosophy can be summed up in two words: moderation and variety.

Some of the main lifestyle components are: • Diet: A major factor in the extraordinary health enjoyed

by Okinawan elders is their distinct diet. It is plant-based, low in protein and high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. It includes low to moderate alcohol intake, plenty of fruits and vegetables and very low levels of saturated fat and sodium.

• Exercise: Okinawan elders have life-long routines of moderate exercise and physical activity. They walk most places they go, keep up daily tasks like housework, gardening and working well past our age of “retirement” and practice the soft martial art of tai chi. These physical activities also give them a sense of calmness and psychological wholeness.

• Sense of Purpose and Active Social Ties: The Okinawan elders’ lives are low stress, socially rich, purposeful and spiritual. Their inner calm and desire to remain productive into older age offers them substantial stress relief, social connection and purpose and a respected, important role in their community.

The Balanced Care Method™ views aging as a rich and meaningful part of life.

Each element – fostering independence, encouraging the maintenance of social ties, remaining active – supports and reinforces the others. The best lesson we can learn from the elders of Okinawa is to embrace and celebrate aging with a sense of balance and reverence. As we predict in our aging book, Happy to 102, expect to see bigger birthday cakes or thinner candles in the decades ahead!

Jeff Schweikert is President & CEO of Home Care Assistance of St. Louis, LLC. To learn more about Home Care Assistance and the Balanced Care Method you can visit www.homecareassistancestlouis.com, or call them at 314863-8989. clm

42 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Finest Custom Table Pads at Factory-Direct Prices The way to assure perfect fit for table pads is for the provider to visit your home to accurately measure and show you sample colors and textures to match your table and dĂŠcor.

Custom Table Pads & Linens, an independent St. Louis dealer, provides the finest custom American-made table pads at factory-direct prices. They measure at your home or business, and show you a choice of 23 vinyl tops and 5 velvet bottoms. Perfect fit is guaranteed. Pads are heat resistant to 550o, moisture and warp resistant. Patented hidden magnets minimize separation and slippage on your table.

Custom Table Pads & Linens also sells country club quality table linens and accessories in hundreds of colors and textures, with the look and feel of cotton linen at a fraction of the cost.

Custom Table Pads & Linens 314-752-5577 | thetablepadman@gmail.com

Like This Magazine?

WE PRINT IT! What Can We Print for You?

Contact Steve Turner o: 314.863.4550 c: 314.378.6323 e: steve@cpsstl.com www.cpsstl.com FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 43

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Select thequit level ofafter difficultyjust and we’ll QSPGFTTJPOBM 1VUUJOH (SFFO XJUI "TUSPUVSG 4FMFDU UIF MFWFM PG Putting Green Putting Green Putting Green AFTER pains. Water drains through tile and off the court. ElimiEJGžDVMUZ BOE XF¾MM CVJME JU build it. a Golfers, Eliminates constant repairs with 15 year limited we’ll help design your own Bullseye Homegolf professional (PMGFST repairs XF¾MM IFMQ EFTJHO PXO #VMMTFZF )PNFHPMG and to discuss how hypnosis could help you achieve positive nates constant with a 15ZPVS year limited warranty PuttingPutting GreenGreen with Astroturf. Select the level Green of difficulty and we’ll QSPGFTTJPOBM 1VUUJOH (SFFO XJUI "TUSPUVSG 4FMFDU UIF MFWFM PG Putting AF and 25-30 year life expectancy, AFTER change in your own life by calling her at (314) 962-7558, 25-30 yearEJGžDVMUZ BOE XF¾MM CVJME JU life warranty expectancy.

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Select the level of difficulty and we’ll or visiting her Web site at www.jfkhypnosis.com. clm build it. Putting Green Putting Green with Astroturf. Select the level of difficult Putting Green Golfers, we’ll| help design your own Bullseye Homegolf professional 44 | COUNTY LIVING magazine WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM Putting Green build it. help design your own Bullseye Homegolf pr Putting Green with Astroturf.Golfers, Select thewe’ll level of difficulty and we’ll Golfers,Green we’ll help yourSelect own Bullseye build it.

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 45

Health & Fitness

Siblings, Family Feuds & Aging Parents om always liked you best!” Funny how that phrase can spark the wildest of family feuds among siblings . . . and unfortunately, it

BY JEANNIE doesn’t always improve as we age!

As our parents age and their health and mental abilities begin to fade, adult children become increasingly involved in caregiving and decision-making.

Some families face these challenges by working together, but age-old sibling rivalries and bitter disagreements can arise.

Often it goes back to those childhood relationships. Who is the favorite? Who tends to “take charge?” Who avoids getting involved and doesn’t carry their share of the load? These old roles, resentments, and conflicts can resurface, making caregiving and decision-making even more difficult.

If parents become frailer, their children must begin to face these issues: • Money management – are the bills being paid accurately?

• Safety and Security issues – should they still drive?

• Medical and health care decisions – are the right prescriptions taken as needed?

• Long-term care – can mom or dad still live at home, do they need senior housing?

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What if your family is at odds on decisions such as these?

How can you resolve them? How can you begin to work together, not against each other?

Here are a few solutions, which may help you avoid legal fees: • Host a family meeting and try to keep the focus on your parent/s’ needs, not yours. This should be solutions-oriented, not finger-pointing.

• To avoid family “drama”, hire a professional Geriatric Care Manager to conduct an independent and objective In-Home Assessment of your parent/s’ care needs, with a written report with recommendations.

• Have the Geriatric Care Manager host a family conference to discuss their recommendations and help your family determine and agree on a Plan of Action.

• Research resources for additional support for your parent/s’ needs. Many are available online. A Geriatric Care Coach can help you navigate through these options.

Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM founded Pathways for Aging, Inc. They provide counseling for older adults, holistic care management for families with aging parents, and coaching for adult children. For more information, you can visit www.pathwaysforaging.com or call them at (314) 395-7560. clm

NOW IS THE TIME TO REMODEL YOUR LANDSCAPE! Call Us For Custom Outdoor Living Spaces You Will Love • Personalized Landscape Design • Patios, Walks and Retaining Walls • Planting and Landscape Lighting • Certified Installation, Fully Insured • 30+ Years In Business • Centrally Located With A New Facility • Year Round Scheduling And Staff • Serving Central St. Louis County

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46 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Is Poor Sleep Affecting Your Health?

Sleep apnea can lead to serious medical problems. premier independent sleep lab. They have a quiet, comfortable facility and provide expertise, privacy and personal attention to address sleep problems. They were recently featured on the Dr. Oz Show.

Dr. Anthony Masi, a physician specializing in sleep medicine, makes

A

bout half of all adults have trouble sleeping, and for many it is a chronic problem. If they often feel sleepy during the day, it could be evidence of a potentially life-threatening disorder called obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by collapsing or narrowing of the airway during sleep. Sufferers can actually stop breathing hundreds of times during the night, and may not be aware of the problem. Oxygen in the blood can drop to abnormally low levels, and if left untreated, it can damage internal organs, particularly the cardiovascular system. Sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Sleep apnea is one of the most under-diagnosed serious medical conditions, and can afflict men or women of any age.

A select group of specialized “sleep labs” have been established to address this need. They offer a sleep study or polysomnography, the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders. A sleep study can also detect other disorders including narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking and sleep talking. If sleep apnea is detected, the most commonly recommended treatment is continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or CPAP, which uses a small device to provide airflow to prevent apneas and provide comforting, sound sleep.

One leading sleep lab is right here in St. Louis County. Midwest Sleep Diagnostics was established in 1994, and is recognized as St. Louis’

the diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. Located on Manchester Road at Weidman, Midwest Sleep Diagnostics services and therapy are covered benefits in most insurance plans. You can call them at 636-227-8787, and learn more at www.midwestsleep.com. clm

Live Well at Home

The Leading Provider of 24/7 Live-in Services

The preferred choice of 9 out of 10 seniors!

Home Care Assistance of St. Louis is the area’s premium provider of in-home assisted living services. Our unique approach to in-home care includes: Our Balanced Care Method, a holistic program that promotes healthy diet, exercise, mental stimulation, socialization and a sense of purpose.

Hospital to Home Care, designed to ensure a smooth recovery at home, instead of a facility, after hospitalization.

Our new Cognitive Therapeutics Method program that keeps aging minds engaged through research-based activities designed to improve mental acuity and slow cognitive decline.

Ongoing Care Management provided through our dedicated team of Geriatric Care Managers to ensure your loved one receives the best possible care.

Receive a FREE copy of our book, Happy to 102 when you schedule an in-home consultation!

Call today!

314-863-8989 Changing the Way the World Ages

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 47

Health & Fitness

BY CAROL KUEBRICH, CLTC, CSA

If You Own Long Term Care Insurance, Consider Yourself Lucky.

T

he one reason you should consider yourself to be lucky is that up to now, you have not been sick or disabled for an extended period of time in which you were no longer able to take care of yourself without assistance. But just because you don’t require help now, doesn’t mean that you or a loved one won’t in the future.

The Need for LTC Insurance Did you know that approximately eight thousand people will turn 65 each day for the next 20 years, and that the average 65 year old will live another 18.7 years on top of that?

For some, those will be healthy, vibrant years. However, others might not be so lucky, and will experience declines in their health, perhaps needing assistance to do even the simplest of things like feed or bathe themselves. So then what do you do in that situation, you ask? Hope that you have long-term care insurance. Hope that your LTC agent at least sat down to talk to you about planning for the possiblity of needing care.

If you are unfamiliar with the term “long-term care,” it is the kind of help a person needs if you are unable to care for yourself due to a lengthy illness or disability. It refers to care provided at home, in adult day care, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home. And services can range from assistance with routine daily living activities like bathing, dressing, transferring, and eating to 24-hour care by a skilled medical professional. Long-term care insurance simply helps you cover the costs for that care, as typical nursing-home care costs can run around $82,000 annually (Source: 2013 Genworth Financial Survey), and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services reports that long-term care costs are increasing at a rate of 5.6% per year.

It does not pay to wait to buy LTC insurance. Each year that passes, the cost of care goes up, making new policies more expensive. The premiums just get higher the older you get.

Of course, a lot of people just assume that once they retire

and if they happen to fall sick and require extended care benefits, their major medical insurance, Medicare or Medicaid will cover their expenses. But unfortunately, that is not the case -- it will be up to you to cover those costs.

Chances are you probably haven’t saved enough to pay for even a one or two year need, much less an extended stay in a facility or a private care nurse. Which is why it is wise to have long-term care insurance . . . to prepare for the future, safeguard your assets and ensure that everything you have worked for and saved will be protected.

Many Choices to Make Many insurance carriers are offering long-term care insurance, which will protect you and your assets should you face a long-term care need. Policies can be customized and have different features and benefits that you can tailor to meet your individual needs. With so many choices and variables to consider and several plans available, it’s nearly impossible to make an educated decision without the advice of a qualified long-term care agent.

Planning for the future can be difficult, but what is clear is that not everyone is lucky enough to live their life and not need some form of extended care. If you protect your future with long-term care insurance, you will be the lucky one who planned ahead.

To see if you health qualify for LTC Insurance, what an LTC Insurance policy costs and how to save on your LTC insurance premiums, you can contact a qualified LTC agent . . . the sooner, the better.

Carol Kuebrich, CLTC, CSA has the Certified Long Term Care and Certified Senior Advisor designations. She is an independent Long Term Care Insurance Specialist in Chesterfield and an instructor for the Long Term Care Insurance Partnership Classes. To talk to Carol about your plan for extended care, you can email her at carolkuebrich@theLTCspecialist.com or call 636-537-0749 or 314-956-2757. clm

48 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Mold In Your Home Can Threaten Your Health Don’t delay addressing the problem, or it could get worse.

M

old has received a great deal of media attention in recent years.

The effects of mold on our bodies are just now being understood and while rare, serious health effects from exposure do occur. Black mold can cause allergic reactions that include runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and throat irritation. This can develop into asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease.

When moisture is present, molds can grow on virtually any substance, and people are more susceptible to the health effects when it occurs indoors. Prompt attention to water damage or visible mold can often keep a minor problem from becoming major.

It is important that experts in interior mold are called in when it is first suspected to determine the scope of the damage as well as action plans for removal.

One company with extensive experience in mold inspection and remediation is Steamatic of St. Louis. Their technicians and environmental professionals have the experience and tools to as-

sess mold damage and also the cause, including ambient moisture and humidity problems. They will determine if a loss is indicated, the scope of work required and a cost estimate for removal. Once the estimate is accepted, work can begin quickly.

Steamatic has experience working in collaboration with insurance companies and has earned their trust and respect. They use only the highest quality HEPA filtration equipment and state-ofthe-art technology to treat and abate fungal contamination.

Technicians will first stabilize the environment to control moisture levels if necessary. Areas with heavy mold growth will be cleaned, sanded, HEPA vacuumed or removed as necessary. If there is microbial growth within your air system, Steamatic technicians will use their proprietary equipment to clean and treat the system with an anti-microbial solution.

If you suspect a mold problem in your home or place of business, you can call Steamatic of St. Louis at 314-720-1684, and you can learn more about their services at www.steamaticstl.com. clm

ed & r i a p e R hedays! s i n i f e R for the Holid

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 49

See our work at XXX NJSBDMFNFUIPE DPN TUMPVJT

Sensory Pleasures

The Pleasures of a Grand Piano Today’s instruments are better than ever —with more options for your enjoyment.

A

fine piano is an investment that can bring ongoing pleasure for those who play the piano as well as those who enjoy listening. A grand piano is the one instrument that can truly fill a home with music. Here is an overview for those contemplating purchasing a piano, or who would like to get more out of the piano they own.

A quality piano can be the least expensive to own over time. A fine piano will hold its value best over the years you own it, and will offer greater playing and listening rewards as well. A handmade instrument is treasured by families, provides decades of enduring value, and is passed down from generation to generation.

The standard of excellence for more than a century has been the Steinway & Sons grand piano. A Steinway grand piano takes nearly a year to create. Nothing is hurried. The top quality materials, hand-assembly and unique voicing process provide the special quality that assures the full, rich Steinway sound.

Player System. Operated from an iPad, it provides a beautiful, fully expressive piano performance. iQ offers piano performances created by the world’s finest pianists, with titles in every category from classical to rock, and literally thousands of songs to choose from, including Billy Joel, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, Michael Buble and many more. The iQ has no visible electronics mounted on the piano, and doesn’t affect playability.

The St. Louis Piano Experts Steinway Piano Gallery of St. Louis is the region’s only Steinway & Sons authorized dealer. Whether your need is for a grand piano, upright piano, player piano, a used piano or the Piano Disc iQ Intelligent Player System, Steinway Piano Gallery will assist you with the finest products and service. They also provide piano restoration, rentals, tuning and financing. You can see and hear these fine offerings by visiting the Steinway Piano Gallery at 12033 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights, call them at 314-344-1133, or visit their website www.SteinwayPianoGallery. com. clm

Placing a piano in your home The room where the piano will be placed is an important consideration. The larger the piano that can comfortably fit in the room, the better it will Special In-Home Offer sound. A grand piano provides a fuller sound, The Steinway & Sons In-Home Concierge will visit your home and help you decide but a high-quality upright will sound better which grand piano is best for you. Steinway will provide a full sized paper template than a lower-quality grand. Where in the room to assist in configuring your music room or performance space. Let the expertise of the piano is positioned will also affect volume Steinway & Sons find the perfect grand piano to complement your home’s unique and acoustics. acoustics and layout. There is no obligation to buy a piano. This service is being Today’s Player Piano An entertaining option for your home piano is the revolutionary PianoDisc iQ Intelligent

offered complimentary for a limited time (A $100 Value).

You can sign up at SteinwayPianoGallery.com/grand-piano-template or call 314-344-1133.

50 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 51

Sensory Pleasures

Eliminate Temperature Variances in Your Home

Comprehensive Approach Addresses Homeowners’ Biggest Complaints

M

ost homes have challenging rooms for controlling temperature – upstairs bedrooms that are too hot, lower level rooms that are too cold. Sometimes it varies by the season or time of day - rooms that face west get too hot in the afternoon, while areas on the east side of the house are too cool.

The fact is that different rooms in your house have different climate control needs. Areas with a lot of glass are often more sensitive to outdoor temperature changes than conventionally insulated rooms. If your house has two floors but only one thermostat, then it’s almost s sure thing that you’ll be warm in summer.

Solving these problems is made more challenging by the tendency of whatever company you call to want to solve your problem with what they primarily sell – more insulation, a new HVAC system, or new windows.

But there is a company in the St. Louis area that has the ability to diagnose all of the systems and conditions that impact the climate of rooms of your home, and provide you with a comprehensive list of solutions, prioritized by effectiveness and cost efficiency.

SmartHouse has solved these temperature control problems for many homeowners in our area. Solutions can be as simple as improving the circulation of air through your HVAC system by sealing leaks or improving the flow of conditioned air delivery or returns. They can seal cracks at floor level or around doors and windows that may be creating drafts, and improve or add insulation where it is deficient.

For more challenging needs, SmartHouse provides more comprehensive solutions, such as creating separate zones on your existing heating and cooling system, each with its own thermostat controlling motorized dampers in your ductwork to direct air flow to specific rooms. There is also a new portable wireless thermostat that sets the temperature specifically for the room you are in. Where the problems are caused by an overtaxed or ineffective HVAC system, they can recommend a replacement or second system. Also, for rooms that can’t effectively be reached by ductwork, there are ductless solutions that address those areas specifically.

A SmartHouse Home evaluation is the first step to help you find the exact causes of common comfort problems or high utility bills.

SmartHouse will present you with a detailed list of improvement suggestions, an actionable and cost effective plan to fix the problems, rather than bandage the symptoms.

In addition to full-service heating and cooling maintenance, repairs and installation, SmartHouse also has on staff experts in insulation and air sealing, including ducts and crawlspaces. You select the improvements you want, and their expert crews will perform the services.

As your whole-home energy consultant, they don’t just “sell” something, they show you exactly what you need and why you need it. Their technicians are not paid commissions, so there is no incentive to sell something you don’t need. To schedule your comfort evaluation or annual maintenance, and learn about savings on more efficient equipment, you can email info@callsmarthouse.com or call 314-644-1570. You can learn more by visiting http://www.callsmarthouse.com. clm

52 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

CastleStone veneers are cast from natural rock and handcrafted right here in St. Louis for strength, durability, natural feel and texture.

Choose from a variety of stone styles, including Limestone, Shale, Fieldstone, Mountain Ledge, Cut Lime and Thin Brick, in a wide selection of colors or your own custom color.

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COUNTYLIVING A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR HOME & LIFESTYLE

DISCOVER DISTINCTIVE PRODUCTS, SERVICES & DESTINATIONS

FALL 2014

TM

Are You an Effective Connector and Communicator?

County Living Magazine is seeking a full or part time independent commissioned advertising sales and writer representative.

Flexible hours and opportunity for recurring income.

Qualified candidates should have direct selling experience, be energetic, personable, with good presenting and writing skills and have your own transportation.

Special Fall Issue

RANDOM MUSINGS from Gerry Mandel KING OF THE ROAD with John Drake Robinson WORKING FOR MISSOURI FAMILIES by State Rep Jill Schupp

Health & Fitness Sensory Pleasures Home Remodeling For Your Business Weekend Getaways Fall Activities & Events Landscapes & Exteriors

More Resources: CountyLivingMag.com

Contact Steve Turner o: 314.863.4550 c: 314.378.6323 e: steve@cpsstl.com www.cpsstl.com

Email resume to publisher@countylivingmag.com or call 314-432-1171.

FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 53

PROFESSIONAL HOME SERVICES

is family owned and operated by Jeff and Barb Probst. For over 44 years, AAA has continued to serve the St. Louis area with our award-winning staff. We focus on giving only the best in customer care, and stand behind our work.

Spots On Your Carpet?

Have you ever had a carpet cleaner tell you, “that spot is permanent – it won’t come out”? Or,“pet stains and odor won’t come out”? Ever spilled bleach on carpet or an area rug and had to cover the spots with a small rug?

The Spot Man, Rich Stoutenborough, specializes in removing impossible to remove stains and odor, and re-dying bleach spots. As one of only six IICRC Certified Master Textile Cleaners in the St Louis area, he and his Certified Technicians have the expertise to resolve issues other cleaners say can’t be corrected. Since he can get out the spots, just imagine how clean and fresh the whole room will look. For all of your carpet, rug, wood floor and tile & grout cleaning issues call The Spot Man where his guarantee says it all -The Spot’s Gone or It’s Free*. Call today for a Free Quote.

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54 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

For Your Business

Get Dramatic Cost Savings on Your Cell Phone Bill

BY NICK LINDWEDEL

B

Local Website “Cracks Code to Cellular” showing 95% of all users a reduction of up 50% on their bill.

y now, everyone who needs a cell phone already has one. So the carriers – AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile – can only grow by attracting customers from their competitors. They are offering their best rates to these new customers.

To prevent their own users from defecting, they are reducing some rates for them. But most customers have not received the full reductions available. So how can you know whether you are getting the best rate - to realize the greatest savings?

Monthly bills are hard to figure out - complex language and excessive unneeded information don’t make clear what you are being charged for. And, calling your carrier with billing questions often means long wait times and more confusion about their offerings.

Now there is a service that at no cost will review your cell phone bill and figure out the best rate – from your own provider, without extending your contract or purchasing a new phone. Our company, ReviewMyBill.com, has achieved dramatic reductions in monthly costs for businesses and individual cell phone users that customers would not have

achieved on their own.

Based on fifteen years of experience in the wireless industry, we have developed a proprietary and automated process for matching users’ cell phone needs with the best financial plan available for each line’s usage. The process is simple – you can just log onto ReviewMyBill.com to receive a free, no-obligation savings quote. This provides a customized rate plan with the maximum savings possible for you. We will then contact the carrier on behalf of the customer to implement the changes.

Our fee is based on what we save you – if there is no savings, there is no cost to you.

Nick Lindwedel is president and founder of ReviewMyBill. com, the nation’s leading provider of cell phone auditing services for individuals and businesses in the United States. Based in St. Louis and an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau, they have helped hundreds of firms and individuals lower their monthly wireless bills. You can learn more at www.ReviewMyBill.com, or by calling them at 1-888-510-7226. clm

LET US BUILD YOUR FAVORITE ROOM

Whether you want a comfortable sitting room, a greenhouse to cultivate exotic plants, or both.

Your customdesigned glass addition will be the favorite room in your house, and will look like it’s always been there.

Call today for a noobligation consultation at your home.

Office/fax: 314-423-3153 Cell: 314-560-3170

email: rdbgreenhouse@sbcglobal.net Learn more about us at

www.rdbgreenhouse.com FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 55

For Your Business

BY BARRY GLEESON

Work Life Balance…

It’s not easy – Especially if you’re a Business Owner!

C

ounty Living Magazine has a total circulation of approximately 70,000. Of that number, almost 20% of homeowners that receive the publication also are owners of a privately held business. For them, work/life balance is particularly challenging. In fact, a majority of business owners say they do not have balance in their life and that the business consumes much more of their personal time that they desire. How about you? Are you, as a business owner, so deeply involved in the day-today activities surrounding your business that you struggle to find balance? Do you feel that you’re running your business or that it is running you? If it’s the latter, what impact does this have on you, you family and your business – short and long term?

Are you too involved in the day-to-day?

If you are too involved in every detail of your business, you are likely jeopardizing not only your present day life, but, the future value of your business. This is especially important if you plan to sell the business somewhere down the road. You can ask any M&A (Mergers and Acquisition) professional what are the top criteria that make a business command a higher price, and you’ll find that a strong management team and a lack of dependency by the business on the owner are critical.

How can you achieve more balance?

So, what can you do to accelerate the growth and value of your business and yet, minimize your role in the dayto-day activities so you can resume a proper work/life balance? I can offer many suggestions, but those itemized in the next column would have the most impact.

If followed, these suggestions will free you from the day-to-day activities. There is no silver bullet, but, if you focus on having others become responsible for things you do, you’ll find the time for personal activities. If you do, you will create balance and you’ll increase the value of your business.

Barry Gleeson is an owner of The Alternative Board (TAB), an international Peer Advisory and Business Coaching organization designed to help owners of privately held small businesses maximize their potential and the value of their business through the experience of others. He can be reached at 314-313-8498 or by email at bgleeson@tabstlouis.com. clm

To Improve Your Work/Life Balance: • Embrace Jim Collins’s “Good to Great” principle of having the right people on the “bus” and in the right “seat” on the bus. Make sure you have the right people doing the right things. Fully understand the true skills of your employees and then place them where they contribute the most and are most productive.

• Focus more strategically - be clear about your vision and values.

Have an end-game in mind and work towards it in 90 day cycles.

Pick one or two important goals and tackle them before moving on to the next 90 day goals.

• Align your resources (employees, vendors, capital) to your vision and goals. Communicate your interests frequently and begin to build a culture that takes initiative and reports progress without being asked.

• Push decisions lower in the organization. Insist team members think about and discuss possible outcomes of various options when issues arise, just as you would.

• Accelerate results by leveraging the experience of others. Surround yourself with and meet frequently with other business owners who can share their experience and advice. Peer advisory boards or mastermind groups are very effective in helping you work on your business, not in it.

• Schedule time away from the office so others cannot lean on you for answers.

• Challenge your next-in-command managers to be more accountable.

56 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Sales Support Expertise

BY PATRICIA GAFFNEY

T

Could Make the Difference in Your Company’s Selling Success

oday every company is trying to do more with fewer people.

This often means that business owners or key performers are doing tasks for themselves that support staff handled in the past. While this can save some money, it unfortunately results in top people doing things that don’t represent the best use of their time.

In sales, your most effective closers may be spending time in the office instead of with prospects and customers. Doing things like putting together prospect lists and calling to qualify them, setting appointments and handling follow-up instead of being out there closing sales.

And as good as these top salespeople are, many just don’t handle these support tasks all that well. They may dislike cold calling, or be so eager to get appointments that they don’t qualify prospects well. That winds up frustrating them and bogs down the process instead of accelerating their selling success.

What to do? Fortunately, there have emerged in recent years specialist companies in sales support that very efficiently accomplish specific tasks to help their clients be more effective in selling. Unlike inside staff, these firms work on an as-needed basis, and they have to prove that they more than pay for themselves to stay in business.

I founded Rainmaker Sales Support because when I was in sales, I saw a gap in follow-through and prospecting among many of my peers. Our company is not a call center, but a staff of fifteen seasoned sales people who understand, genuinely enjoy and professionally manage the sales support process to make their clients more successful.

We help our clients by assembling lists of prospects, qualifying them, sales appointment setting, prospect and customer follow-up, phone sales and trade show support. We assign a team to very efficiently deliver your needs and work seamlessly with your selling team to help them more effectively do their jobs.

To learn how your company can get the sales support help you need, you can contact Patricia Gaffney, president, owner and founder of Rainmaker Sales Support, for a consultation at your office. You can

2010, 11, 13, 14 Energy Star Award Winner for Excellence in Retailing

reach Patricia by phone at 314-433-4660, extension 101, or by email at Patricia@ RainmakerSalesSupport.com. You can learn more about her company at www.RainmakerSalesSupport.com. clm

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FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 57

The History of St. Louis County, Missouri

by William Lyman Thomas

Celebrate the 200th Anniversary of St. Louis County

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any of us have lived here our whole lives, yet there is so much we don’t know about the rich history of our county.

County Living Publications has re-published this 100-year old book that documents the county’s first 100 years. It covers the period from the earliest settlers in the region, up through the Civil War and into the first decade of the 20th Century. Originally published in 1911, it is was re-published to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the organization of St. Louis County on October 1, 1812.

Every time you pick up the book and read a chapter you come away with an appreciation of life here 100 years ago, or a little nugget of information that has relevance to today. This book makes a great Holiday, business or personal gift.

For quantity pricing, more information or to order the book, please visit www.stlcountyhistory.com. clm

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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING MORE BUSINESS WITH UPSCALE ST. LOUIS AREA HOMEOWNERS? County Living Magazine is an attractive resource guide, an informative publication that readers rely on to discover distinctive products, services and destinations to enhance home and lifestyle.

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CLM is mailed by name to the top 20% of homeowners in St. Louis County and St. Charles County, the City of St. Louis and eastern Franklin County – all 70,000 of them. This publication provides considerably greater reach of upscale homeowners than any other glossy magazine.

Our advertisers are St. Louis area companies providing products and services to enhance home, health, wealth and lifestyle. We provide advertiser exclusivity, limiting the number in every category.

To learn more, call 314-432-1171 or email publisher@CountyLivingMag.com

58 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | WWW.COUNTYLIVINGMAG.COM

Bring nature home with your own

water garden We provide expert custom design and installation of ponds, streams and waterfalls.

These Sustainable ecosystems can be used to harvest rainwater and control storm water runoff.

We are Master Certified Aquascape Contractors, 1st place winners of the North American Pond/Waterfall Competition and St. Louis’ first Certified RainXchange Professionals.

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Visit our portfolio at www.re-createnature.com Facebook.com/NaturesReCreations FALL 2014 | COUNTY LIVING magazine | 59

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137 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd.

Chesterfield, MO 63005

636-530-7545

To view a gallery of our work, visit

www.scobiscompany.com