2 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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Designs underfoot: Try painting your hardwood floors By Tresa Erickson
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ardwood floors are all the rage these days, and most people prefer them au naturel. Sometimes, however, au naturel doesn�t work. The hardwood floors may not be in good enough condition to be refinished or be mismatched from various repairs made over the years. In instances like these, the best option might be to paint the hardwood. In the 1700s, it was not uncommon to find hardwood floors painted white, yellow, red and green. Paint protected the wide planks of wood from the hard-soled boots and shoes worn by people of the time. Today, painted hardwood floors are starting to make a comeback, and the key to durability is the layering of thin coats. Three thin coats of paint layered on top of each other will wear better than one thick coat of paint.
Painting hardwood floors is no different than painting any other surface. You can paint it all one color or multiple colors for a different look. You can create faux finishes or patterns if you wish. Who doesn’t like the look of a black and white checked floor? Painted hardwood floors not only look nice but can solve some design issues. A big geometric pattern can make a small room look larger, while vertical stripes can lengthen a room. When painting hardwood floors, think about color as well as pattern. Consider using various finishes and glazes for unique designs. Love the look of marble but can’t afford it? No problem. Hire an artist to create the look of a marbled floor with paint. For the best results, you will want to prep the floor well. Sand it down with 150-grit sandpaper. Repair all cracks and depressions. Then wash the floor to remove all dirt, dust and debris. Allow the floor to dry and then apply
a primer. Give the primer ample time to dry and then sand the floor lightly with 220-grit sandpaper for better adherence. Wipe down the floor again and apply a thin coat of paint with a natural-bristle brush for a smooth finish. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours and then apply another coat. Repeat twice more and add a couple coats of polyurethane for protection. Otherwise, heavy foot traffic will wear down
the paint quickly and give your floors a soft patina. Give the polyurethane six months to cure and apply one final coat. Painting hardwood floors is not difficult or expensive, and it can add interest to a room and disguise defects. However, it is not for everyone. Make sure it is what you want, because once you paint the floor, removing it won’t be easy.
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Character & charm: Add flare to your home By Tresa Erickson
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ake a look around your home. What do you see? Furniture, artwork and plants? Beyond that, what do you see? If you live in an older home, you might see a lot from the wainscoting in the dining room to the coffered ceiling in the living room. Generally, the older the home, the more charm and character it has. While newer homes are nice and tend to come with fewer problems, they often lack in character. Today’s construction methods and materials are different, and the homes being built reflect that. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to put back some charm into a newer home. Molding can do wonders for adding character, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Crown molding is fairly inexpensive, easy to install and can bring substantial charm to a room. So can chair rails, panel molding and decorative molding. If you have a larger budget, a coffered ceiling will instantly add charm to any room. Walk into any historic home, and you’ll see a lot of wood. You can make a big difference in your home simply by adding more wood with wainscoting, molding and more. You can upgrade the newel posts on stairs, replace fireplace mantels with vintage ones and trade out carpet for hardwood. If hardwood is too expensive, consider laminate. It is budget-friendly, very durable and many brands resemble real hardwood. Hardware and lighting are two more areas where you can easily and inexpensively add some charm. Shop around for vintage hardware and lighting as well as reproductions and install whatever you find. Trade out those cheap brass doorknobs for crystal doorknobs and those ceiling fans for chandeliers. Add some medallions above the chandeliers and some sconces to the wall for even more character. Not too handy? No problem. You can add charm with accessories. You’ll uncover many unique finds at antique stores, consignment shops and thrift stores. You’ll also find some great vintage reproductions at big box stores. Check with family and friends as well. Who knows what heirlooms they might be willing to part with. Imagine how much more character you could add to your guest room with your aunt’s old antique brass bed and a colorful, old quilt on top. There are dozens of things you can do to make a new home more charming. Consult design magazines and blogs for further tips. Have a look online. You’re sure to come up with all kinds of ideas in addition to the ones listed here.
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Spring Home Improvement ~ The Vermont Eagle • February 27, 2016 | 3
4 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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Color choice: Take chances By Tresa Erickson
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hen it comes time to paint a room, some people adopt a similar approach. They go to their local hardware store, find the paint swatches and stand there for some time contemplating the choices. Some may have an idea of the color they want and purchase a few samples, while others may be at a loss and take home whatever swatches interest them. Even then, selecting a color might be difficult. What’s a person to do? First off, take it easy. Choosing the wrong paint color is not the end of the world. You can paint again. Keep that in mind as you look for color cues. Study the accessories, artwork and furniture in the room. Perhaps you can draw inspiration for the wall color from one of your favorite pieces, the yellow in the weave of your sofa or the blue vase on your mantel, for example. Think about the purpose and mood of the room. Is it a place to chat, watch TV or get work done? Is it lively or quiet? Bolder colors will work well for more sociable areas like kitchens and dining rooms. Muted tones will work better for quieter areas like home offices and bedrooms. If you are dealing with an entertainment room, you might want to choose a dark color for the walls to enhance the viewing experience. Consider lighting and the color palettes of surrounding rooms. The more light there is in the room, the darker or bolder color you might be able to choose. Look at the color of the rooms that connect to the room you are painting and try to select a complementary color. That way, you will not interrupt the flow from room to room. When selecting a color, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. If you see a bright teal that you like, consider using it. It does not have to be on every wall. Try it on the trim, ceiling or just one accent wall. Consider using glazes or different finishes to add depth and texture to the room. Use flat paint on the walls and satin on the trim for a twist. When you have narrowed down your color choices, take the time to test them out. Get some samples and paint some large patches on the wall. Look at the samples in the morning, afternoon and evening. Compare them in different lighting and against items already in the room to determine what is going to be a good fit. Selecting a paint color takes time. Don’t expect it to happen in a few minutes. While it is possible, it is not likely. Explore all of your options, and should you run across a program that will allow you to import a photo of the room and paint the walls virtually, do it. It will be far easier to see how the room will look on the screen than it will be to envision it in your head.
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Installation done right By Tresa Erickson
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inyl siding is a big investment, and when done right, it can add tremendous value to a home. If the time has come for you to side your home, make sure you choose the right installer. The best siding in the world won’t make up for poor installation. Here are some tips to ensure you select the best company for the job. Ask around. Find out where friends and family got their siding done and how well the installation went. Browse ads as well. The best companies will have informative websites and offer free estimates. When you have a list of potential installers, give them a call and set up an appointment. Most will jump at the opportunity to send out someone to talk to you. If not, cross them off your list. If they are too busy to talk you now, they will most certainly be too busy to talk you later down the road during installation. When interviewing potential installers, make sure they are knowledgeable about their products and procedures. The salesperson should be able to show you the siding products the company offers as well as point out each product’s features, benefits
www.addision-eagle.com and warranties. They should also walk you through the installation process and offer design assistance and solutions to your unique needs. Ask about licensing, insurance and certification. Is everything in order? Can they provide a list of references? Do they seem easy to work with? Before the salesperson leaves, make sure you get a written estimate. Whatever you do, don’t sign on the dotted line until you are ready. Thank the salesperson for their time and get ready for the next appointment. Once you have met with the companies on your list, do your homework. Contact the references provided and find out how the installation went. Read some online reviews. Check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been lodged against the company. Set up another meeting with the companies at the top of your list to discuss the job further. This is when you can talk money and make sure the financing is in order. If the price seems too steep, don’t be afraid to say so. Chances are a deal can be made. You can also discuss design preferences and work scheduling. You don’t want to be on vacation when the installation begins on your home. Most jobs can be completed in less than a week, barring bad weather, and you’ll want to be there to ensure things are going as expected. At this time, the salesperson should walk around your home with you and tell you exactly what will be done. They should describe the installation process from beginning to end and
Spring Home Improvement ~ The Vermont Eagle • February 27, 2016 | 5 make sure all of your needs will be met. It is crucial that you do this step to ensure you and the installer are on the same page. With any luck, you will find an installer you like and trust. Once you do, make sure you get a contract signed. Don’t wait until it’s too late and the installer is all booked up. Call as soon as you make your selection and be prepared to put down a deposit. Choosing the right siding installer takes time. Don’t rush the process. Siding is too big of an investment to take a chance on the installation. When you choose a company and the job begins, do what you can to assist the crew. Open up your home to them if you live in a remote area or temperatures are extreme. The crew will probably work from sunup to sundown, and giving them access to a bathroom or a shady porch will make the day easier for them. When the job is done, take the time to review the work and let the foreman or project manager know if anything else needs done. Call, email or text any concerns you have. Don’t let things go for six months and then get in touch with the company and expect the crew to come rushing to your aid. Chances are they will be on another job, and you will have to wait, and wait, and wait. Speak up and get everything completed to your satisfaction as soon as possible. And, remember, if you’ve chosen wisely, everything should go well and end well.
6 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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Culligan Water Technologies Servicing Vermont, Upstate NY and New Hampshire www.CULLIGAN4U.COM Family Owned & Operated since 1949 1-800-400-0099 84188
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Repair & restore: Don’t throw it away By Tresa Erickson Oh, how you love that old leather sofa in your den. Sure, it’s a bit beat up. The leather is cracked, the nailhead trim is tarnished and the cushions sag, but the frame is still in good condition. Why throw it out for a sofa that will take years to break in? Why indeed. Why not repair it instead? With the economy still on the mend, more and more people are choosing to repair furniture rather than buy new. Some no longer have
the credit to finance new furniture, while others prefer older furniture made of real wood. Whatever the reason, more people are looking to furniture repair and restoration services to bring their sofas, chairs, tables and more back to life. Depending upon the scope of the work that needs to be done, you may be able to tackle it yourself. You may be able to treat the leather on your sofa and replace the nailhead trim and cushions. You can probably find everything you need locally, and if you can’t, you can always look online. Purchasing parts online is not un-
common. However, you need to be careful. Not every seller you run into will be honest. Look for a reputable seller on a reputable site. While you may be able to fix your beloved sofa, you may not be able to repair the broken leg on your baby grand piano. For that, you might need the help of a professional. Again, reputation counts. Look for a reputable service that will back their work. That way, should something unforeseen happen, like another leg break when the piano is en route, the service will take care of it. If you are dealing with an older piece in need of restoration, your great-grandmother’s pie safe, for example, you need to take extra care in selecting a service. Look for a reputable service that specializes in furniture restoration. The older the piece, the more valuable it may be, and the restorer must know how to proceed
without reducing the value. As any appraiser will attest, stripping the original finish from an antique can decrease its value tremendously. Quality restoration services will be aware of this and take steps to preserve the original finish during the restoration work. Keeping furniture in good condition is part of maintaining a home. You wouldn’t overlook a broken baluster on your stairway, so why overlook the sagging cushions on your sofa? Considering repairing your sofa, particularly if you love it so or are short on cash. In an economy that continues to struggle, the purchase of new furniture may not be an option for everyone. For those who cannot afford to buy new or simply do not want to, furniture repair and restoration may be the answer. Just make sure you do your homework and choose a reputable service that guarantees their work.
8 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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Storage above: Maximize attic space By Tresa Erickson
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e all have things we need to store. Many of us turn to our closets and drawers for storage, then to our garages and basements, and finally to our attics when all else is full. If you have an attic bursting at the seams, here are some tips for dealing with it. Unlike drawers, closets, garages and basements, attics are not as easily accessible, and once something goes into them, it really is out of sight, out of mind. Chances are there are a lot of forgotten items hiding in your attic, things you haven’t seen in a really long time, things you may not even need. To be sure, you will have to clear out the attic, drag everything downstairs and go through it. Choose a good day to clear out the attic and grab some buddies to help. Don’t go it alone. It could take you many hours going up and down the stairs to get everything out, and if you are flying solo, you may just give up and call it quits. Remove everything from the attic and take the time to sort through it. Have a keep pile, a donate pile and a trash pile and be ruthless in the sorting, retaining only what you need and use. If you haven’t seen or used an item in a year, you probably don’t need it. Donate it. If something is broken, toss it. Don’t set it back with the intentions that you will fix it when you have time. Chances are you will never find the time. The same goes for a sell pile. Don’t start one unless you know for certain that you will make the time to list the items or take them to a consign-
ment shop. When you are finished sorting, deal with the piles. Bag up the trash and drop it in the garbage bin or haul it away. Box up the donate items and take them to the nearest donation center. Box up the sell items and take them to the nearest consignment shop or list them for sale. Plan a day to deal with the keep pile and follow through. Pull out items that should not be stored in the attic due to extreme temperatures, candles, for example, and store them elsewhere. Then place like items together in plastic bins. Don’t use cardboard boxes, which can easily be penetrated by rodents, insects and dust. Label all bins for easier access. Depending upon what and how much you are storing in your attic, you may want to make an inventory. That way, you will know for certain what is and is not up there and won’t spend countless hours searching for something. Once you have everything boxed and inventoried, you can start putting it back in the attic. Don’t pile bins wherever. Place bins with items you use often near the door with plenty of room to get to them. Place bins with items you use less often, like Christmas decorations, farther back. If your attic does not have a floor, take extra care with storage. Put down some plywood for bins. Attic storage is essential for many, especially those with few closets, no basement and a small garage. Maximize your attic’s storage potential by taking the time to clear it out and reorganizing everything in a more efficient way.
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Smooth once more: Drywall tips By Tresa Erickson
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uild a house, and you may just get everything you want. Buy a house, and there will probably be some things you want to change. Maybe you’d rather have hardwood than carpet or a tiled backsplash in the kitchen. One thing that many homeowners long to change is textured walls. While texture can hide imperfections, it does not appeal to everyone. It can be difficult to clean and paint, and depending upon the quality of the application, it may not be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. If you are considering smoothing out some of the textured surfaces in your home, follow these tips. Gather everything you will need, including a couple of sanders and loads of drop cloths to catch the mess. You can purchase or rent a drywall sander and a pole sander. Don’t use a regular sander. It will take longer, and it will create a bigger mess. Drywall sanders have vacuum attachments to suck up the dust. You will also need loads of coarse, medium and finegrit sandpaper, as well as a dusk mask and eye protection. Don’t forgo the mask and eye protection. All of the dust swirling could easily lead to a sinus or eye infection. Finally, you will need some primer, paintbrushes, rollers and trays, as well as a trowel, putty knife and some joint compound. First up will be the sanding. Even with all of the best precautions-heavy drop cloths and a drywall sander-this step will be messy. Move everything possible out of the room, cover whatever remains including light fixtures, tape down some drop cloths, and prepare for the dust to fly! Strap on your dust mask and goggles, and grab that pole sander. Use it to scrape off large, heavy chunks of texture. Then get out the drywall sander and get to work. Start on one wall and work your way around the room, being careful not to press too hard and damage the walls. Make sure you stop from time to time to change out the sandpaper. When you have made your way around the room, you can start cleaning up the mess. Take the drop cloths outside and shake them out. Then grab a bucket of water and wash down the walls. Now you are ready to prime the walls. When the primer has dried, you can apply joint compound to the walls to fill in any holes and even out the surface. Apply one coat and let it dry. Then apply a second coat. Sand the walls once more with your pole sander, this time using low-grit sandpaper. Now you have smooth walls that you can paint as you wish.
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Spring Home Improvement ~ The Vermont Eagle • February 27, 2016 | 9
Try the Ombr’ Effect: It isn’t just for hair By Tresa Erickson
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ne of the hottest trends in hair coloring is the ombr’ effect, a graduation in color from roots to ends. The ombr’ effect is also hot in the interior design world, with many designers incorporating it into accessories and rooms. Interested in giving it a go in your home? Here’s how. Select three colors, preferably one light, one medium and one dark. For a subtle look, use three colors from the same color family, perhaps even from the same paint swatch. For a bold look, use whatever colors you desire. Prep the room for paint and divide the walls into three sections. Select a color for each section, dark to light or vice versa. Working on one wall at a time, paint each section the appropriate color. While the paint is still wet, lightly mist the edges of each band of color with water and use a dry brush to blend the colors together. Hold the brush at an angle and make small X’s. Keep blending until you achieve the desired result. You may also use a sea sponge or a rag to blend the paint. The trick is to move the paint in one general direction, either up or down depending upon how you want the colors to flow. Some experts also suggest mixing each of the paints and applying a thin band of the mixed colors between the solid colors to help with the blending and provide more paint to move around. If painting an entire room ombr’ does not suit you, why not try it in smaller doses. It’s easy to do with spray paint. With a few cans of spray paint and a little know-how, you can transform al-
most anything into an ombr’ masterpiece: furniture, mirrors, frames, vases and more. If it can be painted, you can make it ombr’. First, prep the piece for paint and select your colors. Then apply the lightest color first all over the piece. While the paint is still wet, stand farther away and apply a light coat of the second color, making sure you move in one direction, either up or down depending upon your preference. Repeat with the third color, standing a bit father away. Continue in this fashion until you get the look you want. If this is your first time working with paint, you might want to do a few practice runs to get a feel for creating the ombr’ effect. Try it on a scrap piece of drywall or a cardboard box. Practice until you have a real feel for the effect and then give it a go! And, don’t forget. The ombr’ effect is not intended to be perfect. It is a graduation of color, which can vary around the room or piece. The ombr’ effect isn’t just for hair. You can have it in your home on the walls, furniture, mirrors and more!
10 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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The right finish can make all the difference By Tresa Erickson
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o to the hardware store, request a gallon of paint, and in addition to the color, they will also want to know what finish you want. There are five basic paint finishes, and it pays to know the differences between them so you can choose the right one for your needs. Paint finishes vary in sheen. A flat or matte finish is just that-flat with no sheen. It reflects no light and is easy to touch up, making it a good choice for imperfect surfaces. Experts recommend a flat finish for the ceilings and walls in most rooms but bathrooms and kitchens. Cleaning flat paint can be difficult, so you might want to avoid using it in areas like bathrooms and kitchens. If you are looking for a finish with a hint of sheen like the surface of an egg, try eggshell. It touches up easily and holds up better to cleaning than flat, but it can be delicate. You don’t want to use it in areas with a lot of traffic. For a silky, pearl-like sheen, try a satin finish. It is not as easy to touch up, but it is easier to clean, making it a good choice for ceilings, doors, walls and trim. It can be scrubbed and works well in areas that get a lot of traffic. For kitchens, bathrooms and other areas where cleanup takes place on a regular basis, a semigloss finish is ideal. Not only is it resistant to humidity, staining, chipping and scuffing, but it is super easy to clean. Just wipe it down with warm, soapy water, and watch the dirt disappear. Because of the higher sheen, the durable finish will bring attention to surface imperfections and it can be harder to touch up. Finally, there is high gloss. Experts recommend the shiny finish mostly for furniture, cabinets, woodwork and trim because it reflects so much light and magnifies imperfections. Prepwork is essential for creating a good surface for a high-gloss paint. Once it is applied, however, it is highly durable and super easy to clean, though hard to touch up. Manufacturers are working hard everyday to make all finishes easy to clean and durable. Generally, the shinier the finish, the better it will stand up to washing and scrubbing. That’s why experts often recommend the use of more than one finish in a room. In a playroom, for example, you might use flat paint on the ceiling, satin on the walls and semigloss on doors, trim and other areas little hands are likely to touch. Selecting a paint color is just one part of the process. You must also select a finish. Think about the purpose and condition of the surfaces you intend to paint, and choose the right finishes. Glossy doesn’t always mean better.
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Totally transform your driveway By Tresa Erickson
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oil settles, tree roots expand, rain falls, the sun beats down, and before you know it, your driveway has not one but several cracks. Replacing the whole driveway can be expensive. Repairing the cracks can be much more cost effective, but the results may be unsightly. The best solution might be to repair the cracks and resurface the driveway. Resurfacing is essentially applying a new layer of concrete over the existing slab. It only takes a few days, and if done right, it can make your driveway look like new. The first step is to repair the cracks, and in order for them not to resurface, you must repair them right. Grind them out. Then give the whole driveway a good cleaning. This will ensure good adhesion of the concrete resurfacer later. Use a power washer to remove all dirt, debris, oil, grease and loose concrete. Pay special attention to the cracks, making sure all debris has been removed. Finally, fill the cracks with concrete epoxy. This will bond the broken slabs together and keep the cracks from reappearing. In order to resurface the driveway, you will need a concrete resurfacer. Regular concrete will not do. It may cost less, but it has no bonding agents and will not adhere to the slab. Be prepared to spend the amount needed for a quality concrete resurfacer. Most brands come in gray, but if you desire, you may have the resurfacer tinted. Ask the salesperson for assistance with tinting the resurfacer of your choice. Check the weather and choose a good day for application. The temperature must be 50 or above on the day of and 40 or above in the day following, with no rain for at least eight hours after application. You may also want to gather a few friends to assist you. Resurfacing an entire driveway is a lot of work. Before you get started, there is some prep work you should do. Sweep your driveway, and if needed, clean it again. Then fill all expansion and control joints with weather stripping to prevent the concrete resurfacer from getting into them. Finally, mix the resurfacer according to the manufacturer’s directions. You want a syrup consistency. When you are ready for application, pour the resurfacer onto the slab in one-foot wide strips and use a long-handled squeegee to scrub it in and spread it back and forth. Wait five minutes and then use a concrete broom to apply a nonslip finish. Mist it with water for the next 24 to 48 hours to cure it. Stand back and admire your new driveway. You should be able to walk on it in six to eight hours and park on it in 24 to 48 hours.
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Spring Home Improvement ~ The Vermont Eagle • February 27, 2016 | 11
12 | February 27, 2016 • The Vermont Eagle ~ Spring Home Improvement
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