9.2.18 SB_R

HOME & GARDEN September 2018

Lee Central Illinois Newspapers

WARM-WEATHER CHORES YOU SHOULDN’T SKIP PAGE 11

Update your deck with these do-overs PAGE 4

PLANTING FOR PRIVACY

PAGE 14

ELEGANCE IN THE DETAILS PAGE 12

HOME & GARDEN

2 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 2018

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Finley the dog guards the entryway at a home in Washington state. this foyer features a large piece of art on the walls, and a built-in bench crafted from a felled tree offers a seating area for someone to take off their shoes.

FRESHEN YOUR FOYER

10 ways to bring attention to your entryway KATHRYN WEBER

Foot worthy

I

Tribune Content Agency

t’s the first place you see every day when you leave or enter the house.

It’s also where guests have their first impression of your home. Whether friends arrive for a dinner party or the local pizza delivery pops in for a minute, your foyer is a great place to show you and your home’s personality. Give your foyer a touch-up with some fresh new updates.

Personality plus

The foyer is the place to add an eye-catching piece of artwork. Give your foyer personality by adding something dramatic or colorful here. Opt for something with size, or try a gallery wall in coordinated frames and matting.

More light

Every room benefits from good lighting, especially the foyer. Pull out all the stops and invest in an eye-catching light fixture for the ceiling, add lighting to artwork, and if there’s room for sconces, add those too.

If you have a console or entry table, dress it up with two statement lamps to add more lighting and interest.

Even though this is the spot where wet shoes and paws enter the house, don’t skimp on a stand-out rug. Try a bold color or pattern to add pizazz in your foyer.

Be sizeable

Look for accents and accessories that are generously sized, like your artwork.

Giving your entry table some unique accent pieces with some heft creates a wow effect when someone comes to the door.

Reflection perfection

For a quick hair or lipstick check, nothing is as handy at the front door as a mirror. Look for a unique piece with lots of style and size to beef up the entry way.

Add flair

Because foyers are usually small, give them the jewel box treatment and go all out on some luxurious wallpaper, an upgraded door handle set and a rich, glossy color on the door. Or, try painting the ceiling to give every surface a touch of style.

Wait and see

A welcome spot in the foyer is a place to

DO IT YOURSELF OR NOT?

Should you install an in-ground sprinkler?

sit. Try flanking a console table on either end with a pair of chairs. If there’s space underneath, add a stylish bench or a pair of stools that can be pulled out for someone to wait or to put on or take off shoes.

Flat space

Every foyer needs a spot to hold mail, place your keys or set a delivery parcel on. Even if your foyer is on the small side, there’s often enough room to add a shelf to the wall where you can set your keys or the day’s mail.

Add trim

Millwork and molding on walls can instantly create interest and elegance in a foyer. Try adding molding at the ceiling; or for something different, add molding about six inches from the ceiling. Add lighting behind it to make the foyer ceiling glow.

Pieces of interest

Look for items that give your foyer personality. Kids love hockey? Add a tall basket with antique hockey sticks, or a ceramic urn with interesting walking sticks and canes.

Need a place to stash your keys? Do it with panache by adding a richly lacquered box to hold them elegantly.

Potted plants add dimension Container gardening adds an additional layer to your landscape

GENE AND KATIE HAMILTON

KATHRYN WEBER

Avid gardeners agree that an automatic in-ground watering system is a good idea because it dispenses the exact amount of water your lawn or garden needs, when and where it needs it. The sprinklers are connected by hoses, and a controller directs valves to open and close much like a faucet turning on and off. A backflow valve prevents water in the garden hose from being sucked back into the water supply of the house.

While the system prevents damage from underwatering or overwatering and improves the health of the lawn or garden, it actually may lower your water bill by cutting down on waste.

Using a timer, you can water when you’re not home. Most agree that not having to drag a garden hose around the yard is another key benefit.

You’ll find these in-ground A handy homeowner can save a lot watering systems are sold at lawn of money installing an in-ground and garden centers and online, sprinkler. where there’s often help to plan and lay out the design. While you’re planning the job, it’s a good idea to check with your local building department about Pro cost: $2,214 any requirements.

DIY cost: $660 To install a system covering a Pro time: 37.1 hours 2,000-square-foot area an ir DIY time: 42.5 hours rigation contractor will charge DIY savings: $1,554 $2,214, which includes the labor Percent saved: 70 percent and material.

A beautiful garden is a joy to behold and makes your home feel connected to the outdoors.

One layer of a beautiful garden includes containers. Adding container plantings to your home and landscape adds an additional layer and dimension of greenery against the lawn and planting beds.

With the right containers, and when placed strategically, containers can also become focal points in your landscape.

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try dressing up the entryway walls with a large, unique mirror.

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In-ground sprinkler

No fuss

A creative way to use planters is to find a spot where a hardy plant will grow well and that’s in a space that catches your eye. It may be at one end of a sidewalk, the yard or next to the front door. Container gardens don’t always have to be annuals that you replace each spring or fall.

Instead, try adding plants that will stay year-round or regrow in the spring.

To get started, select planters that work well with your home’s style. If your home is traditional, a large Italian ceramic pot fits the bill. A square metal or ceramic container would work well with a contemporary home.

For modern style, try a low or no-maintenance Blue Glow agave plant (www.bonanza.

With the right vessels, containers can become focal points in your landscape. com). Its striking appearance, linear look and exotic blue-gray coloring outlined in red make this plant a real attention-getter on a walkway or as a vignette opposite a window.

Traditional clay or glazed ceramic planters will look wonderful filled with Little Ollie Dwarf Olive shrubs will stay green year-round, happily tolerate heat and cold, and require little maintenance (www.monrovia. com).

Check with your local grower or nursery for hardy plants that will do well in containers yearround where you live.

Big, beautiful annuals

One way to dress up those hardy varieties and add a punch

of color is to create a grouping of planters.

Pair a year-round container plant with a perennial potted plant and fill in with a pot of colorful annuals to add dimension.

Select planters of varying heights and shapes to add interest.

Look for plants that will also grow in varying heights and widths.

A terrific large annual that grows tall and attracts attention with showing red-tinged green leaves is a Dwarf Cavendish Banana Tree (www.fast-growingtrees.com).

These easy-to-grow plants will fill an empty corner of the patio or garden and look terrific all summer long. In some climates, they’ll freeze back and then regrow the next year.

Grasses are another large annual that have interest and grow quickly. Look for annuals that trail, spike and bloom to make your containers interesting in texture and shape.

Bright ideas

Fill in your containers with the unexpected, such as bulbs.

Try something exotic like spotted or black-colored elephant ears. They’ll grow quickly and can be removed in the fall and stored over the winter.

Caladiums come in a wide variety of styles and colors and every variety of speckle and splotch. Try a white and green variety, add a trailing companion, such as English ivy, and fill in with white impatiens.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 3

A small home office is made bright and light with the use of orange as an all over wall color.

DESIGN RECIPES PHOTOS

IN HOME DECOR,

ORANGE IS THE

NEW BLACK CATHY HOBBS | Tribune News Service

P

erhaps surprisingly, orange is one of the most versatile colors. Whether as an accent color or the foundation of your color scheme, orange is a color that can lend itself to both formal and casual settings. a large piece of art helps begin the orange color story in this living space.

Orange as an accent color

It may sound daring, but orange can also work well as a paint color either throughout a room or as an accent color. When using orange as a paint color, one of the most successful techniques is to incorporate high contrast. You can achieve this by introducing high contrast colors such as white, light gray or cream.

a rich orange accent wall serves as a backdrop in this minimal and modern living space. accents and accessories such as pillows, throws and lamps add colorful orange accents to this bedroom.

Color pairings

Orange is the new black in the sense that it can be paired with a number of colors. You can pair orange with cooler colors such as charcoal gray and blue, as well as neutral colors such as white, brown and taupe.

Why orange?

Orange is a warm color that can truly go a long way to help warm up a space. Unlike red, which the color orange is often compared to, orange is subtler, while still being a warm color. Many shades of orange also have strong yellow undertones, which also help to keep spaces light and fresh. a luxury living space is enhanced with a custom area rug with orange accents as well as a side chair finished in orange fabric.

a series of three pieces of artwork helps infuse orange into this living space.

Where to use orange

The beauty of orange is its versatility. Orange can be used in social areas to create a sense of energy such as a living room or family room, as well as in spaces where you may want to create a sense of fun, such as a children’s bedroom or bathroom.

4 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

When your nightstand is on the small side, it can throw the look of your bedroom decor off.

ARE THESE DECOR IDEAS

DATING YOUR HOME?

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

I

t might be something you saw in a decor store or a style you just knew you’d love forever, but it could be the thing that’s making your house look dated. It’s easy to not notice that your home is regressing before your eyes, because you simply stop seeing those dated elements.Over time,though, our houses can become a time warp of trends from various styles (chevron or ikat print,anyone?) and eras.

Even expensive investments lose their luster over time, but changing them doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation.

Old is new again

If there’s one item that can take you time traveling, it’s wallpaper border. Wallpaper is in again but borders are definitively out.

If you want to give your house a fast and easy update, simply take down that wallpaper border then see how your wallpaper stacks up.

Taking down the border will be an instant improvement.

a real sign that your house is dated is heavy wood cabinets and trim.

Reading signs

Nobody really needs to be told to eat, do they? Those cute signs and quotation decals will pull your home right out of today and make your decor seem older than it needs to be.

Remove those signs and take down those decals, and replace them with a chic grouping of pic-

tures or art pieces. A gallery wall adds interest, updates your room and will bring your home up to date.

Short stuff

If your kitchen backsplash is 8 or fewer inches, it effectively cuts the wall space between your upper and lower kitchen cabinets in

half, creating a visual water line on with some new grown up nightyour wall. Remove the backsplash stands and larger lamps. and add a new one that fills up the whole wall space and you’ll create Pendants a current look makes your kitchen The small pendant lights so popular at the turn of the censtylish and unified. tury have lost their luster. Replace Footboards these with larger drum shades for Today’s beds frequently don’t a fast change. Or for something have footboards. If they do, even quicker, take off the pendant they’re usually on the smaller glass and replace the bulb with an side, making the headboard more Edison bulb. prominent.

The cool shape and lighted filaOversized footboards can make ment create interest and character the bed not feel anchored in the that’s current. room. The simple fix is to remove them. If your bed frame is part Heavy wood of the footboard, consider a new A real sign that your house is bedframe so you can affix the dated is heavy wood cabinets and trim. headboard to it.

Lighten up by painting wood trim with white paint. In the Small bedside When your nightstand is on the kitchen, dark and ornate cabinets small side, it can throw the look of will take your home’s style backyour bedroom decor off. Bed side wards, but it’s nothing a coat of tables should be more generously light colored paint, such as a dove sized and in proportion to the gray or white, can’t fix. The new room and bed. The same is true color will lighten up your home and refresh your style without of lamps.

Give your bedroom an update buying new cabinets.

Do-overs that dress up, update your deck KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

Decks can be a simple addition to the backyard with enough room for a small grill and a chair or two, or they can be wooden behemoths complete with multi-levels, a hot tub and built-in seating. And whether your deck is simple or extravagant, it can use some refreshing. Over time, elements wear down the finish, making your deck age before your eyes; or your deck might simply be crying out for a makeover. Some quick fixes can get your deck revived and dressed up in a weekend.

Freshening

Every deck can look better instantly with a scrub or power washing. If you have more elbow grease than room in your budget, a good stiff broom and some deck cleaner will refresh your deck and take years of its look. Or, rent a power washer or hire a power washing service to give it a professional wash and bring it back to life. Once it’s washed, you can reseal, paint or update. Starting with a fresh, clean deck is always the start to giving it new life.

Painting

If your deck is stained, think about giving it a coat of paint that

to update your deck, try changing out the railings and giving it a good power washing. matches the trim of your house to make the deck look like a unified part of the house. Try painting the railing the same color as your trim color; then use a contrasting color to stain the deck flooring and use the same stain on the spindles. This dual color makes

a nice contrast that also dresses up your deck and looks like an upgrade from an all-stained or all-painted deck. If you’re creative, paint on an “area rug” or even stripes, like a nautical blue and white on a coastal home, to dress up your deck’s flooring.

You’ll add some vibrant interest to those rows of flat boards.

Upgrades

Some simple changes can help transform your deck and give it an updated look without having to rebuild from scratch. One way

to update your deck easily is by changing out your railings from vertical spindle to something horizontal and more open. The fastest option? Cattle panel or hog wire fencing.

Opt for the type bought at a farm, tack or feed store. These stores will have panels that come in more sizing options and with same-size panels for a unified look.

Other options include a metal cable railing that is fitted into the posts and then tightened to make snug, or cable system kits that you can find at your local home center. The horizontal line of steel rails, metal cable and cattle panel makes the deck feel more open and spacious versus the vertical lines of spindles, and also feels less cage-like. Even better, you get a freshened deck with an updated look with easy to install updated railings.

Some more super-quick updates: new solar post cap lights or under-railing lighting for nighttime enjoyment.

For more fun, try adding an arbor to hold a porch swing or hang a projection screen to create your own summer drive in. And don’t forget to try new plantings and landscaping around your deck to finish dressing it up.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 5

‘Company’s coming’ clean-up tips Unexpected guests?

How to tidy up your home in 15 minutes KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

Impromptu gatherings over drinks or dessert is one of the highlights of the summer months.

But, if your house is a mess, you may put off those surprise visits until you’ve had a chance to clean properly. Don’t miss out on one of the best parts about the season because the bed’s unmade and you have a sink full of dishes. In only 15 minutes, you can get your house in order quickly and be ready for company.

Basket case

One of the first tasks is to pick up stray items such as coats, shoes and magazines in the living room.

Grab a laundry basket and go to the main living areas and collect

all the strays, then place it in the laundry room.

Clear off top of coffee and side tables and give them a quick dusting. Straighten pillows and fold lap throws and hang on the arm of a chair or sofa. Next, move into the kitchen, grabbing piles of mail from wherever they’ve been left. Toss mail in a basket on the counter. Place any newspapers or old magazines in the recycling.

the counter and then give counters a quick wipe and check the mirror or water spots or drips.

Fold towels neatly and close the shower curtain. Wipe out the sink and polish the faucet handle. Put out a new hand towel, spritz the bathroom with air freshener and head to the bedroom.

Last call

Quick clean

When getting ready for visitors, be sure to remember this is not about getting the house cleaned to your regular cleaning standards. What it’s about is making the house tidy and neat-looking, so avoid over scrutiny. Pick up any stray dishes, and bring them to the kitchen. In the kitchen, load the dishwasher with any dishes left in the sink and do your best to clear the counters. Spray them down quickly with cleaner, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

in the kitchen, load the dishwasher with any dishes left in the sink.

Give the stove a quick wipe and then tackle fingerprints on the fridge, dishwasher or microwave while you’re at it. If you have large pots and pans to be washed, store those in the oven until your company leaves. In the bathroom your guests will use, check the com-

mode for stains in the bowl. Run a toilet brush quickly around the bowl, then using paper towels or a microfiber cloth, wipe down the rim, seat and lid. Place the lid down and check the toilet paper roll. Add a full roll is the roll is less than half full. Put away items on

Even though guests may not go in your bedroom, pick up any stray clothes and place in the closet. Tuck shoes under the bed.

Then, make the bed and give the bedspread or comforter a tug to remove any wrinkles. Turn on beside lamps and then head to the foyer. Remove excess coats or jackets and toss into the laundry room basket. Straighten foyer table, dust and turn on the lamp and outside lighting. Lastly, light a candle in the kitchen and living room, and put out glasses or plates as you wait for your guests to arrive.

ASK A DESIGNER

MELANIE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY, ABBE FENIMORE

delicate leaves and flowers of a potted flowering plant create a perfect balance with the architectural molding and a dramatic black front door at this entryway designed by abbe Fenimore of studio ten 25 in dallas, texas.

Front porches that say ‘welcome’

pass homes with brightly colored front doors, “you drive by and think, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s really pretty,’” Fenimore says, and it “gives you the warm fuzzies.”

Dark front doors painted black or charcoal have also become popular and work well on some houses.

“Personally, I don’t care for dark-colored doors unless it speaks to the rest of your home’s architecture and design aesthetic,” says Czajkowska. “However, I do think your door should be impactful, whether that means painting it a bold color or letting the beautiful craftsmanship and hardware shine.”

MELISSA RAYWORTH

Associated Press

I

nterior designer Joan Craig sees many clients who give the decorating of their living room or kitchen a lot of thought.

Yet while “people have become much more attuned to developing personality inside a house,” she says, “the outside becomes something that often can be much more generic.”

And even if you give your backyard patio or deck some decorating attention, the front entrance often remains an afterthought.

“The front of your home is the first thing your guests will see,” says Edyta Czajkowska, founder of the Chicago-based design firm Edyta & Co., “so creating a beautifully crafted, welcoming atmo- if a front porch has enough space, comfortable seating can create the sphere is important.” feeling of an outdoor room.

In this season of outdoor entertaining, we’ve asked Craig, ers for planting. hood, says Fenimore. One client Czajkowska and Dallas-based Or stay with simple planters, of hers, an artist, added artificial interior designer Abbe Fenimore but put dramatic plants in them: flamingos to the lawn around her for advice on creating the most “Even if you have a small con- front door. It wouldn’t work in welcoming front entry areas. tainer,” Craig says, “it can have an every neighborhood, Fenimore incredible climbing rose coming says, but at this house the effect Step back out of it.” She also suggests Bos- was “jazzy and classy in a fun way, It’s hard to assess your front- ton ivy or climbing ivy. without being too kitschy.” door area when standing right Czajkowska recommends hyin front of it. A home’s entrance drangeas, which bloom for months Include seating area begins where the visitor can and add color and texture to the Even a small front porch may first see it, says Craig, so stand at front of a house. Climbing roses have room for a little bench, and the road and consider your home also add drama and romance, she these designers say it’s worth from that distance. That may in- says, “and if your entry allows for adding seating. Tiny as your spire you to embrace larger, more it, adding a spot where they can space may be, Craig says, “think dramatic items. climb and envelope your entry can of it as an outdoor room.”

“Pump up the scale of lanterns add major impact.”

Fenimore likes porch swings, on either side of the door,” Craig Consider the style of your home which don’t have to take up much says, or go for dramatic contain- and the vibe of your neighbor- space and are welcoming. A sim-

a bold, blue-colored door set against crisp white creates a cheerful atmosphere in this front entry area designed by abbe Fenimore. ple canvas seat cushion matched with indoor/outdoor pillows can create a perfect space for reading or having coffee in the morning, she says.

Outdoor seating offers not just a spot to relax, Czajkowska says, but can double as a place to rest your bag while searching for keys.

It may even be worth investing in an expanded porch area to make space for seating, Fenimore says.

She remodeled her own front porch to create a sitting area.

Be bold with color

A beautiful, bright color can make an otherwise simple front door area look special. When you

Accessories

“Beautifully crafted house numbers,” says Czajkowska, “add a ton of character, while highlighting and playing off of the other architectural details on your home.”

Ditto for outdoor lighting: “Selecting good outdoor lighting can make or break the ambiance of your home,” she says. “Gas lanterns add an instant charm and set a cozy vibe, but if you don’t want to go with gas, make sure to choose warm lighting that creates a soft glow.”

Craig and Fenimore agree: Sweating the details can pay off handsomely.

“Whether you have a little space or a lot,” Fenimore says, “be creative with even the smallest things.”

HOME & GARDEN

6 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 2018

bulbs Edison

A unique, bright decor idea KATHRYN WEBER

L

Tribune Content Agency

ighting and, in particular, light bulbs have come a long way since Edison invented them. They put out more light than ever and use less energy. In an ironic twist, it’s the Edison bulb that is back in favor for decorating and creating a unique, industrial, retro vibe and has undergone eco-friendly changes.

Rather than change your lighting fixture for a new style, consider taking another look at swapping your old bulbs for Edisons. Think of it as redecorating with just a twist of your wrist.

Edison style

If you think there’s only one type of Edison bulb, think again. Edison style bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit almost any lighting fixture.

They can be found in tubular styles, round and a vintage-looking style called “antique.” If that’s not enough choice, the filaments also come in a variety of styles that range from a spiral to single filament and multiple filament bulbs. You’re certain to find a style that will complement your fixture and suit your taste.

But Edison bulbs aren’t behind the times. Today you can purchase LED Edison style bulbs in a variety of filament patterns just perfect for your lamp or fixture (http://www.1000bulbs.com). Try adding a new Edison bulb to a track fixture or pendant to create a new look in a snap.

Or, create your own lighting fixture by making a shadow box with some lumber you have lying around.

Stain or paint the wood, drill a hole, add a simple lighting wire and a cool Edison bulb and you’ve got a great new accent piece. Find an interesting wall hook, attach it next to the bed and drape an Edison bulb over it to create a bedside lamp.

For something a little less industrial and a little more chic, add Edison bulbs with large round sphere glass bulbs with a twisting filament (http://www. shadesoflight.com). Their bulked up look is captivating and they look terrific all on their own.

For something retro chic, make your own lighting fixture with a mix of antique and sphere bulbs. Even the standard shape bulb can now be found with an Edison style filament.

First light

Edison bulbs come in a variety of lighting styles and colors. You can find Edison bulbs in cool white, bright white and gold-colored lighting. Not all Edison bulbs have to be clear either. Some are all white and don’t show the filament, and others come in a variety of colors such as pink, red, blue and green (http:// www.lightinthebox.com). Just think how festive these would look for a party.

Take an older fixture, like a ceiling fan, and replace your old bulbs with an Edison bulb and you have a refreshed looking fan. The same can be done with an older Hollywood style bathroom fixture that has round white lights.

Replace with round Edison lights and you have a whole new look. You can even take off the shades of lighting fixtures and replace with a single Edison bulb for an easy switch. Any way you twist it, an Edison bulb is an easy and inexpensive way to give your fixtures a fun, fast update.

DO IT YOURSELF OR NOT?

Should you build a gazebo in your yard?

GENE AND KATIE HAMILTON

Tribune Content Agency

A gazebo is a small building that adds to the landscape of a yard, often becoming its focal point. Its open and intricate lines bring an old-fashioned charm and a design element that enhances its surroundings and often becomes a favorite place for kids as well as adults.

There’s a wide range of prices because all gazebos are not created equal. You’ll find them made of cedar, pressure-treated wood and vinyl in a wide range of sizes, shapes and styles. Most are designed to be built on top of a floor of concrete slab or brick or on wooden decking. You’ll find them sold locally at home, lawn and garden centers.

You can buy the components of a readyto-build gazebo with deck flooring for $4,575 and have it delivered to your property for a contractor or you to build.

That includes a 10-foot octagonal-shaped cedar gazebo with a cupola, cedar shingles and pressure-treated foundation and floor. Add the cost of labor $1,075

Gazebo

Pro cost: $5,650 dIy cost: $4,575 Pro time: 30 hours dIy time: 47.5 hours dIy savings: $1,075 Percent saved: 19 Percent

for a total of $5,650.

You can build it for $4,575 and save 19 percent on labor. The construction will take a long weekend, so it’s a major commitment of time and money that’s well worth the effort.

Check your property survey to make sure you locate the structure on your property and not your neighbor’s, and ask your local building department if a permit is required for the addition of a gazebo.

To find more dIy project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot. com on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 7

Kal Wallner’s home bar and brew room, background, is shown in his home brewery in Ottawa, Canada.

KAL WALLNER, THEELECTRICBEWERY.COM

A brew room You’ll have to face some design challenges before you enjoy a home-brewed cold one

MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON

Associated Press

T

he first time a batch of beer boiled over in his kitchen, Steve Clemens started thinking about creating a dedicated brewing space somewhere else in his home.

“That pretty much solidified it,” said Clemens, of Lodi, Wisconsin, who is one of an estimated 1.2 million homebrewers in the United States. “I also wanted someplace to brew indoors in the wintertime.”

Designating a space for brewing solves a number of issues for homebrewers, said Gary Glass, director of the American Homebrewers Association, in Boulder, Colorado. It eliminates the need to take down and set up equipment for every batch. And it often leads to moving the process inside, allowing for year-round brewing. A dedicated brewing space also makes it easier for friends to join you in preparing or sampling the beer, he said.

“Beer is a social beverage. Having a space to bring your friends in to share the experience — that’s a major incentive,” Glass said.

Dedicated brew spaces are a popular topic on the association’s website, Glass said. “People are constantly posting pictures of things that they’ve built,” he said.

“If you’re a homebrewer, to some degree you’re a do-it-yourselfer.”

On the online photo-sharing forum Pinterest, the number of users saving “brew room” ideas jumped 200 percent during the first six months of this year, according to a Pinterest spokeswoman, Lara Levin.

A home brewery doesn’t require a lot of space, but should include a water source, ventilation, drainage and a heat source, Glass said.

Water is needed for the beer and also for cleaning the equipment. “A big part of brewing is spent cleaning,” Glass said. “Everything has to be clean.”

A hood or source of ventilation is necessary to remove the water vapor that forms during the boiling stages of beer-making. A floor drain is helpful for spills and general cleanup.

And for many brewers, creating a brew room means moving from a propane setup — commonly used outdoors or in garages — to an electric one, Glass said. It’s not safe to brew indoors with propane. In recent years, a growing number of companies have begun to manufacture electric brewing systems for indoor

MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

steve Clemens and daughter Jillian Clemens work on a batch of beer last year in their home basement brewery in lodi, Wis.

KAL WALLNER, THEELECTRICBEWERY.COM

MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kal Wallner stirs the grain in 2013 in his home brewery room in Ottawa, Canada.

steve Clemens and daughter Jillian Clemens work on a batch of beer last year in their home basement brewery in lodi, Wis.

use, he said. Many entail little engineering to set up, but they often require a higher voltage socket, similar to a clothes dryer.

“The movement from gas to electric has been the biggest game changer” in the industry, said Kal Wallner, an electrical engineer who designed a system that he sells online at www.theelectricbrewery.com . With an electric system, “you can brew indoors in your flip-flops,” he said, an important consideration for the brewer from Ottawa,

Shorewood, Illinois. He spent about $2,500 on the project.

Having a brew room also improved the beer’s taste, he said, because the equipment he uses now regulates the temperature.

“It really takes it to the next level,” he said.

During the basement renovation, Hoffman also added a bar for enjoying the fruits of his labor. The Swamp Bar Brewery, as the space has been dubbed, has a bayou theme. It features corrugated metal walls and a beer tap

Canada.

A dedicated space makes brewing more convenient, said Wallner. “Everything is at your fingertips. I know what is where,” he said. “I find I’m a lot more interested in using it when I don’t have to tear down and set up.”

Dan Hoffman, who started making beer with friends about five years ago, estimates they make about 40 batches a year now — roughly six times more than they did before he added a brewery to his basement in

decorated with alligator claws.

Visitors to his home find the bar and brewery “a real point of interest,” Hoffman said.

Clemens agrees that brew rooms “get a lot of attention.” He retrofitted one into the basement of his old house, and recently worked with a contractor to add one in unfinished space in his new house. “You’d think people would be more interested in the home theater room,” but everyone wants to see where the beer gets made, he said.

8 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

YARDSMART

Wistful

MAUREEN GILMER PHOTOS, TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

nothing beats a big wisteria in full bloom to catch the eye in a large rural garden.

WISTERIA

How to choose the right vine for your garden MAUREEN GILMER

Tribune News Service

W

hen the East gave the West her first wisteria vines, they tricked us out of our flowers. Plant hunters were given seeds of Wisteria sinensis, not plants, to take back to France and England. The sharers failed to explain these incredible vines share a wide variation in flowering age. Most flower from 8 to 12 years after germination. Others, however, can take up to 20 years to make their first flowers. This is why there is such disappointment with these vines when their origin is questionable. You may not be willing to wait two decades for flowers.

This is clearly a genetic problem caused by the serendipitous process of sexual reproduction Pruned to control size, this wisteria has been maintained within a limited by seed. There can be a wide area to protect buildings. range of bloom age, color intensity, overall raceme size and cold forces them to bloom to repro- Very fine tendrils hunt slots in hardiness. duce before they die. Accord- the architecture to enter and Later on the plant hunters fi- ing to one English author, rec- anchor as the vine reaches up to nally entered Japan in the early ommended treatments include the sun. These penetrations grow 18th century and obtained lay- “severe root pruning, girdling larger in diameter each year until ered cuttings of Wisteria flori- the trunk, withholding fertilizer, they become wood and are imbunda. It’s interesting to note severe pruning and other man- possible to remove. They have this species twines from right to ner of intimidating the plant.” routinely invaded attics to lift left, while W. sinensis twines left Clearly these can also kill the roofs off old structures. Once wisteria, which may have been established they can be difficult to right.

Japanese wisteria is less rangy, desirable outcome for a plant to remove from tight spaces and bearing fewer but sometimes that refuses to produce its most wild lands if they escape when much larger racemes with ex- desirable characteristic. conditions are just right. quisite blossoms. This species When you purchase a wisteWisteria remains the most was heavily selected long ago in ria, be sure to consult an expert photographed plant in the world Japan for the most productive if you’re not plant-savvy. Look when it blooms. Nothing is so seedlings. The result is white for plants that are a named va- dramatic for bringing foliage flowers and some with incredi- riety, such as Wisteria sinensis and flowers far from the stem. In ble racemes up to seven feet long. ‘Texas Purple’. This old favorite is the 19th century, outdoor spaces These are national treasures in well proven for rural home sites, could be shaded with these beauparticularly in the arid West and tiful vines so corseted women ancient traditional gardens.

In 1920, one writer described South. Wisteria is hardy to Zone could go outdoors in the suma Japanese wisteria said to be a 5 with some exceptions. mer time.

Wisteria can engulf a house if thousand years old was docuToday their vigorous growth mented with a trunk of 32 feet not properly cared for. In open causes much trepidation while around. rural home sites, that vast scale the decidedly amazing bloom This demonstrates how early is a desirable characteristic. It remains unsurpassed. Thus garsome of the Japanese plants was popular for cloaking a dead deners continue to plant seedwere selected and propagated tree in English gardens. This is lings that cause the very same also a stunning choice for cov- problems without the payoff of and venerated in their gardens.

All over America though, seed- ering American shade arbors so flowers. Like all things great and ling wisterias continued to refuse the racemes hang in an incredible powerful, education is essential to bloom. It led to an amazing ar- display underneath before leaf- for choosing the right individual ray of tortures to make reluctant ing out in spring. that’s guaranteed ensure maxiwisterias bloom. They were deIn the city, a vine like wisteria mum benefit within your lifetime signed to stress the plants, which can be structurally devastating. without risk.

The long lavender racemes made up of hundreds of flowers bloom on bare branches prior to leafing out.

an arch planted with two wisteria vines that vary in their bloom time.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 9

ASK THE BUILDER

Swap your plunger for a bucket of water TIM CARTER

Tribune Content Agency

Q:

Tim, I was really grossed out this past weekend.

A toilet clogged in our home and while using a normal plunger some of the nasty water squirted up on me. It was horrible.

Then you have to clean the yucky plunger. Ick. Is there a safer and more sanitary way to unclog a toilet? — Becky, Scottsdale, Ariz.

you often don’t need a plunger to unclog a toilet. Just use 3 or 4 gallons of water from a bucket.

A: Everybody’s had to deal with a clogged toilet before, and that splash back is pretty nasty.

I’ve got good news. There’s an easy and fast way to unclog a toilet that doesn’t involve using the black bulb of nastiness in the toilet bowl.

I’ve been a master plumber since age 29. I’m naturally inquisitive and I thoroughly enjoyed both my high school and college physics classes. Years ago, as a young man, I noticed two things about toilet clogs.

The first was that when a clog happened and you flushed the toilet, the water would rise up to the top of the bowl and sometimes overflow. Talk about a gross mess.

I discovered how to quickly take off the lid of the tank and lower the flapper valve to stop the flow of most of the water into the tank to minimize the flood.

But then I noticed often after a few minutes or even an hour, the water level in the bowl would drop back down to normal. That meant

some water was leaking past the clog. I thought about these things and decided to experiment. I remembered a simple formula from my physics classes: Force equals mass times acceleration My thought was to dump the heavy water as fast as possible into a toilet bowl. This would produce a large force to free the clog. I filled a smaller bucket with water, perhaps two gallons, and poured it as fast as I could into the clogged toilet bowl without splashing it all over the place.

It’s important to realize I aimed the column of water from the bucket directly at the bottom of the bowl where you see the toilet colon passageway disappear. The water level in the bowl started to

rise and just before it was to overflow the rim of the bowl, the toilet flushed on its own. The rush of heavy water from the bucket cleared the clog.

This method doesn’t always work the first time, but I started to notice the water level in the bowl would lower faster. This meant more water was passing the clog faster, which meant I was making progress. I’ve even used this same method in hotel rooms using the waste can in the bathroom as my bucket.

I taped a quick video showing exactly how I unclog toilets with a bucket of water. You can go to my AsktheBuilder website to watch it. Just go to: http://go.askthebuilder.com/toilet

Global wallpaper available from Wayfair.

WAYFAIR

DESTINATION DECOR Travel has become a prime inspiration for interior design

MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON

Associated Press

W

hen Melissa Smuzynski learned that she was expecting, she wanted a nursery that reflected her family’s love of travel. But when she and her husband, Damon Lane, went shopping for appropriate decor a few years ago, they didn’t find much.

So they improvised, using luggage tags and airmail envelopes to create wall hangings. The look came together pretty easily and inexpensively, said Smuzynski, who gave birth to daughter Avery in February 2015.

“It was more budget-friendly than if we had gone with a pre-assembled theme. This reflected who we are,” said Smuzynski, who wrote a blogpost about the effort on her website, parenthoodandpassports.com. “Travel has always been a significant part of our lives.”

In just a few years, the trend seems to have taken off. “When I go into Hobby Lobby, there’s an entire section that looks exactly like her room,” said Smuzynski, of Oklahoma City.

Many interior decorators, home goods manufacturers and trend spotters have embraced the travel theme. Some people decorate with pieces they bought on vacation. Others simply go to the store for furniture and other elements that evoke the look and feel of places they’ve visited.

It’s all part of a trend toward making decor personal and customized, said Donna Garlough, style director for Wayfair, an online home goods store.

“These days, people crave homes that speak to them and their interests rather than one that was decorated in one fell swoop. And travel is one of those things that can really shape you, so it’s no wonder people want to reflect their favorite memories and destinations in their home’s décor,” said Garlough, whose book, “Your Home, Your Style” (Rizzoli USA), was published this spring.

STEPHEN YOUNG, LAURA CASEY INTERIORS

a dining room in Charlotte, n.C., highlights a closeup photograph of an african zebra.

MELISSA SMUZYNSKI, PARENTHOODANDPASSPORTS.COM

a framed poster of vintage luggage tags and a capital letter a decoupaged with a united states map hang on walls in on the wall hang in a travel-themed nursery.

Laura Casey of Laura Casey Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina, designed a dining room inspired by a zebra photograph that clients had purchased during a trip to Africa. She incorporated complementary colors, textures and patterns, using Moroccan-inspired tiles to help the room feel travel-inspired and eclectic.

Wall hangings are an easy way to add travel elements to a room, Casey said. Consider framing one of your photos or buying a print or art piece while traveling, she said.

“One of my clients has family photographs from many countries they have visited. In their kitchen and den we made small gallery groupings to represent each trip,” she said. “It keeps the room casual and family-friendly, while also allowing the family to be reminded of their adventures.”

Souvenirs are an obvious way to reference your travel, said Danielle Whitburn, a freelance writer for Home-Designing.com.

But there are other options, as well.

“I love pieces that make a subtle nod to another place or memory — a bicycle bookend that reminds you of riding by the shore, for example, or a pillow that reminds you of the color of a certain lake or sea,” said Whitburn, who lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Garlough agrees. “Rather than collecting souvenir spoons and refrigerator magnets like their parents and grandparents, today’s shoppers are incorporating their travel memories in bigger ways, such as an abstract landscape that reminds them of a hiking trip, or whimsical pillows with a beach motif,” she said. “It’s a subtle, constant reminder that they can appreciate every day.”

Of course, it’s also possible to achieve this look without ever leaving home. Moroccan leather ottomans, Persian rugs and Mexican artwork are distinctive elements that evoke a sense of place and can be bought online or at a store, Whitburn said.

As for souvenirs, today’s travelers often have a more global approach than in the past. “As travelling increases (in) popularity, we are seeing more pieces outside the traditional tourist haunts in Europe and North America,” she said.

HOME & GARDEN

10 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 2018

use a soft sponge or microfiber towel to clean stainless steel.

Maintaining stainless steel

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

T

he epitome of kitchen appliances for almost two decades has been stainless steel. Their easy to clean surfaces and industrial appeal has made the home kitchen look more like a professional restaurant. But with all that stainless steel comes fingerprints, dents and scratches.

Maintaining it isn’t hard, but what about stains and damage to the finish? The good news is you may be able to fix many stainless steel problems.

Prevention

Keeping your stainless steel looking good is a case of preventing damage to begin with. In sinks, adding a stainless sink grid or rubber liner and saddle over the divider can stop a lot of damage.

Try to use spoon rests or plates by the stove to hold metallic cooking utensils so the stove surface isn’t scratched. Use dishwashing detergent to clean with or use stainless steel cleaner. The beauty of stainless steel is its ease in cleaning. To clean, use a soft sponge or microfiber towel.

Avoid any chemicals like oven cleaners or anything with chloride (such as bleach) or acid (such as rust removers), because they can create stains on stainless surfaces.

When cooking or doing dishes, make it a point to wash off your sink or stove with mild detergent and a wet microfiber cloth and then wipe dry. Making this a habit will keep your stainless steel looking great and reduce the potential for rust or stains.

Lastly, be careful not to use the abrasive or scratchy side of your sponge to clean your stove or sink; it can scratch the surface.

Scratches

If you do have scratches or damage, don’t attempt to remove without first trying the removal method in an inconspicuous area first and with each method you try. Always start with something soft and then work your way up the abrasion ladder.

To begin with, you may want to try baking soda mixed with dishwashing liquid.

Make this into a paste and then gently rub the scratch and then rinse. The second method is a soft eraser cleaning block or a sponge with a small amount of liquid abrasive cleaner. It’s important to remember to always rub back and forth with the grain of the metal and not to use circular motions.

For stubborn scratches, try a polishing paste made specifically for metal polishing.

Another way to remove scratches is with very fine steel wool, called superfine steel

wool, and a small amount of cooking oil, again, always testing first. Be sure to rub the scratch with even pressure and in a back and forth motion. If you use a circular motion, you’ll end up with more scratching and a marred finish. These methods are suitable for brushed stainless steel appliances. Mirror-finish surfaces are the most difficult to repair, so they may need to be replaced.

Dents

One of the most frustrating problems with stainless steel after scratching is a dent. Dents that are large and shallow can sometimes be pulled out with suction.

Dings and creases are another problem altogether and aren’t typically something that isn’t easily repairable because the metal usually needs to be removed and pounded from behind.

DO IT YOURSELF OR NOT?

Should you replace broken window glass?

GENE AND KATIE HAMILTON | Tribune Content Agency

The sound of a shattering window glass can be jarring, and its repair an inconvenience; but the job is not as difficult as it may seem. If you can remove the window sash, you can take it to a glass repair shop or hardware store and have the pane replaced. If the damage is in a fixed window, you can hire a handyman or make the repair yourself.

You’ll pay a handyman about $252 to remove the damaged glass and replace a 24-inch square window pane with double-strength glass. You can make the repair for $40, the cost of the materials, Pro cost: $252 and pocket an 84 percent saving. The bo dIy cost: $40 nus is you’ll pick up a new life skill you’ll Pro time: 1.9 probably use many times in your years as hours a homeowner. dIy time: 2 hours For safety’s sake, wear a pair of work dIy savings: $212 gloves and eye protection, and use a Percent saved: screwdriver and pliers to remove the bro84 percent ken glass and old putty. To measure for the new piece of glass, use a steel measuring tape to find the length and width of the opening and have the glass cut 1/8-inch smaller. Buy some glazier points and glazing putty with the new glass. Use a scraper to clean the perimeter of the frame and dust it out with an old paintbrush. Then run a bead of putty around the frame, and press the new glass in place with glazier points. Gently tap them into the sash with a hammer. Complete the repair by applying the new glazing putty smoothed around the frame with a putty knife.

Broken window glass

some tricks for making a room appear larger include painting the walls white and adding a glass coffee table.

Designer tricks to make a small space appear larger KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

With the tiny house movement gaining momentum, the movement toward space-saving rooms and homes is clearly growing.

But whether you want to hitch up your home and haul it around the country, or you simply want to make the most of your small space, there are designer tricks that can fool your eye so that your space not only looks larger, but it lives that way too.

Color first

learning how to repair a window will give you a life skill you may use a lot over time as a homeowner.

Color is the first tool for making your space look and live larger. How so? One of the best ways to do this is to use a single color generously. The color that usually pops to mind is white, and that’s the color that really opens up a space. It’s trending now too. But it’s important to follow some color guidelines for making your room seem large.

Opt for all one color that is light so your room expands visually. Or, use different shades within the same color family, but keep the contrast down. This also applies to curtains and drapes.

By selecting a drape that’s solid and in the same color family as your wall paint, you’ll keep the look unified and that keeps your space looking and feeling larger.

For hanging drapes, place them high up on the wall to help make the ceiling feel taller; it makes your eye move upward, creating a look of spaciousness.

Furnishing for space

In a small space, watch your arms and legs. Go with a glass coffee and end tables on tall legs or chairs with open legs you can see beneath. Both keep your space looking and feeling open and airy. Opt for armless chairs (slipper chairs) and sofas that have small arms. Rolled arms attract your eye and creep out into valuable floor space. The same is true in a dining area.

Select chairs without arms or whose arms are small enough that the chairs can be pushed under the table to keep the room from feeling crowded. On the floor, use the same neutral tone from the walls and opt for a small pattern or simple texture to add interest. Oddly, having one or

two large pieces in a small space can sometimes make it seem larger, so don’t be afraid to add one or two pieces that are large.

Big angle

One designer trick that really opens up a room is to place an item diagonally to the doorway that captures your attention. By stretching your vision across the room, the space seems larger. Try angling furniture here, too, such as a club chair. Having a chair on an angle makes the eye sweep from side to side. Keep your furniture pulled away from the walls for more space to walk and for the eye to see.

Sizeable accessories

For more size-worthy options, opt for larger accessories. When you see multiple small items, your room will look cluttered and small, like the accessories.

Look, too, for a few statement pieces of artwork with strong coloring. This dynamic look in an oversized picture, for instance, makes the room seem more commanding, and that always makes it look larger.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 11

A lesson in decorating with oversized florals KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

It may be the one decorating element you thought you could escape, but floral is coming back and it’s all new; nothing like you remembered.

Today’s florals have exploded in size, with prints that are bigger and bolder than the florals we all grew up with. The graphic punch of oversized florals gives them more depth, texture and appeal.

When you see the new styles, it’s going to be tough to resist picking a bunch of full-blown florals for your next decorating project.

Graphic

Gone are the posies and nosegay arrangements we associate with florals in decor. The new florals are especially bold and graphic, standing out against either dark or light backgrounds, making the florals more, well, florally. Florals had been a riot of busy visuals, but the new trend in florals is a larger graphic that features scenes and oversized flowers or branches. Scenes that mimic a garden replete with birds and butterflies are very on trend.

The scale of the florals is what’s

Trends in floral decor include wall murals and oversized prints that create a stunning focal point in any room. most noticeably changed.They’re larger, more detailed and vivid.

For a room that pops, the “Rain Forest” wallpaper from Osborne & Little (www.osborneandlittle. com) will put you in the middle of a Central American rainforest

abounding with hummingbirds and exotic flowers entwined around branches. If sprays of flowers and a yearning for a room reminiscent of your great aunt’s beckons, the Suzhou collection of sweet pea sprays and garlands

in pink and white against a deep charcoal gray will bring you back and keep you current.

Supersize me

Love your peonies, roses and poppies gargantuan? The try a

showstopping oversized floral mural that blows out your favorite flower to epic proportions.

Your blooms will command the room and make those small-scale repeat pattern wallpapers elicit yawns of boredom. If committing to an oversized wall of flowers or branches has you worried, go for something less permanent but no less striking. The Ted Baker bedding linens (us.amara.com) have a Painted Posie collection, with graphic lilies, zinnias and peonies, that’s as sweet and beautiful as it is romantic. But, if you have your eye on one really large flower, the Porcelain Rose bedding set is set in soft tones of pale gray, white and pink. It would be at home in a contemporary bedroom and bring a soft graphic floral to your bedroom.

Other floral options are as varied as the flowers in nature. An oversized floral mural could be stretched out on an artist canvas for a king-size floral effect without the semi-permanence of wallpaper. Or, add small punches of big flowers, like a floral lamp (www.lampsplus.com), in your decor. When it comes to florals, it’s time to go big.

Give your grill a good scrubbing so that it’s clean for the remainder of the summer and not so built up with grime when you pull it out again next spring.

Warm-weather chores 10 areas to clean during the summer months

KATHRYN WEBER | Tribune Content Agency

Tackle window wells and screens.

If you tackled your windows for spring cleaning, the summer is the perfect time to vacuum and wipe out window wells and clean off screens. Give your screens a wash with the spray attachment on your garden hose and you’ll get rid of pollen and dust.

ot everything can be cleaned at all times of the year, making the summer a good time to take care of some of those household cleaning tasks while the weather is warm.

N

Wash your stove’s exhaust filter.

Clean your driver hose and vent.

Flush your hot water heater.

Check your dryer hose and your home’s exterior vent to look for build-up. Pull the dryer away from the wall and inspect the hose at the dryer by removing it to make sure lint hasn’t backed up into your appliance.

Wash your vacuum filters.

Our vacuums do a lot of the dirty work around the house; and if you have pets, the dust and dander can really accumulate in the vacuum’s air filters. If they’re not cleaned regularly, you can end up sending out a cloud of that dust when you vacuum. Wash, rinse, and air-dry vacuums outdoors.

Clean that grimy grill.

The summer is the best time to use the grill, and that means they can accumulate a lot of grease and cooking build-up. Give your grill a good scrubbing so that it’s clean for the remainder of the summer and not so built up with grime when you pull it out again next spring.

Inspect the fireplace and chimney.

When the weather turns cold, everyone will be calling to have their fireplace and chimney inspected or cleaned.

Do it before the first cold snap when your local chimney sweep will be anxious for the work and may even charge less for it.

Hoods and over the range filters can become greasy and messy. This is a good time to take them out, wash them in hot sudsy ammonia and let air dry.

Over time, sediment and minerals can build up in your water heater. Check and test the release valve and flush your water heater while the weather is nice.

Inspect and clean the basement.

Now is the time to inspect for leaks, mold, and insects.

Give your basement a good cleaning and thorough going-over before the cold and damp sets in and your basement will be in good shape when winter arrives.

Test your sump pump.

When the rainy winter comes, that’s when you’ll least want to find out that your sump pump isn’t working correctly. Check your sump pump to ensure the outlet pipe doesn’t have damage or is clogged with debris.

Wash pet beds.

Pet bed covers should be regularly cleaned throughout the year, but summer is perfect for cleaning the padding.

If your pet’s bed is oversized, has a foam mattress or a filling, it should not go in the washer or dryer. Instead, wash in a large tub with mild, diluted detergent, rinse and air-dry in the shade. If the mattress is memory foam, wash outdoors in tepid water with very dilute detergent, roll to release water, but don’t wring. Dry the pad thoroughly in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight.

Get your fireplace and chimney inspected or cleaned before the first cold snap.

HOME & GARDEN

12 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 2018

STYLE AT HOME

GREAT FURNITURE IS ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS

H

MARY CAROL GARRITY | Tribune News Service

ere’s to our upholstered furniture, the comfy pieces that make our down time so gratifying. After a long day, we can’t wait to flop down on that comfy sofa in our living room, the enveloping reading chair by the fire or dining chairs that make you reluctant to get up from the table. As if supreme comfort wasn’t enough to demand from our furniture, we also expect every piece to be beautiful and on-fashion, show-ready when it’s time to entertain.

I’m helping lots of folks choose the perfect pieces for their homes. The secret I share with them? It’s all in the details.

Select interesting fabrics

Before I talk about fabrics or anything else, I need to share this: Invest in the highest quality furniture your budget will allow. If you are trying to stretch your decorating dollars, it can be tempting to go for the cheap stuff. But while poorly constructed furniture may look OK on the showroom floor, it will likely fall apart in a few years, if not sooner.

Picking fabric for your furniture is a lot of fun, but can also be stressful. This is a big investment, so you want something you’ll like for years. Start by asking yourself, “How will I use this piece of furniture?” If it’s a dining room chair, you will need something durable and easy to clean, for example. “What colors and patterns will I love today, and tomorrow?” I like to cover sofas in safer fabrics like solids or very muted patterns. Then, have a little fun with the smaller pieces, like chairs and ottomans, opting for fabric with more color or pattern.

Legs that get a second look

Legs help set the style of a piece of furniture, whether classic or contemporary.

For years, I’ve been over the moon about turned legs on castors. Love that English look. But I’m also falling for today’s funky legs, like the Lucite number on the ottoman in the photo above. They are just so darn fun.

Skirts that make a statement

Don’t want exposed legs? Finish your furniture with a skirt. Traditionally, skirted furniture either looks formal or romantic. But check out the interesting interpretation in the photo above. The horizontal bands of color on the skirt of this chair add a fun flair. One note of caution on skirts: If you have pets that like to rest up against your skirted chair or sofa, it will get dirty and require cleaning from time to time. Thanks, Lyric.

Outline with contrasting welt

MARY CAROL GARRITY PHOTOS, TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

The horizontal bands of color on the skirt of this chair add a fun flair.

My style has evolved and changed through the years, but there are a few things I have loved for decades, and always will. Among them is furniture finished in a contrasting welt. Outlining the seams of a sofa, chair or ottoman is a mainstay of our look. There are so many directions you can go when you use a welt that’s a different fabric than the furniture is upholstered in. Try high contract. Or use a pattern or color that makes an appearance in another spot in the room, like your window coverings, accent pillows or ottoman. Sometimes I like to welt furniture in leather to give it a richer look.

This design decision alone will take a piece, and the entire room, from generic to custom.

Nail it with nailhead trim

Nailhead trim has been showing strong in the world of interior design for years now, and looks like it is here to stay. Finishing a sofa, chair or ottoman with these little dots of metallic sheen give it a nice clean, contemporary edge.

start by asking yourself, “How will I use this piece of furniture?” If it’s a dining room chair, you will need something durable and easy to clean.

Invest in the highest quality furniture your budget will allow.

lucite on this ottoman brings a contemporary feel.

Outlining the seams of a sofa, chair or ottoman is a mainstay.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 13

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS WITH

PEDESTALS

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

Visit any museum and you'll notice artwork, such as sculpture and statues, placed on pedestals.

Placing a bust or any type of artwork on a pedestal is a wonderful way to call attention to the piece.

Like a cake on a stand, almost anything you place atop a pedestal calls attention to the item and makes it more appealing.

Pedestals aren't just for bakeries or museums, though. In your home, they can be used in a variety of ways both indoors and out, adding an unexpected touch wherever they're placed.

Odd corners

One of the most common decorating conundrums is the odd corner. This can be in almost any room, or in odd spots, like a stairwell or foyer, or just an expanse of wall or near a window. Adding a pedestal in any of these places creates a stylish accent to your decor.

A tall pedestal in a corner with a figure, sculptural piece of art, or a pretty plant makes a beautiful statement and helps anchor a lonely spot.

A pedestal can also be used this way as a focal point in your garden too.

Short or tall

Of course, pedestals don't always have to be tall. Short pedestals are a great way to add a little extra height to a potted plant or to serve as a place to stack books on a coffee table.

Short concrete or clay pedestals are a terrific way to add emphasis to your front door. A pair of pedestals topped with beautiful plantings that flank the view of the front door gives your entryway instant elegance. It also adds

more symmetry and places the visual interest squarely on your front door, adding wonderful curb appeal.

Indoors, short pedestals of varying heights on a buffet table make the food look better as opposed to it sitting flat on the table or counter.

If you're short on space in a living area or need a spot to set a drink or book next to a chair, try using a pedestal instead of a traditional side table. A round shape is especially helpful for keeping space open and is a good choice for contemporary styles.

Try using a medium sized pedestal at your front door to create a seasonal vignette.

Place a large pumpkin on top of a pedestal, and then add a pot of mums and a few other pumpkins of varying sizes at the base for an eye-catching display that dresses up your front door.

Styles and sourcing

When selecting a style of pedestal, consider what you will use your pedestal for, whether for a plant or a piece of sculpture. You may also want to think about the style of your home and select a pedestal that fits with your decor.

However, it's sometimes nice to break up decor with something unexpected, such as a Grecian style column in a contemporary setting.

Look for pedestals at your local garden center, if you're after outdoor styles or at online stores such as Frontgate (www.frontgate.com). For indoor pedestals, visit your local design store or online stores such as Wayfair. com, Ballard Designs (www. ballarddesigns.com), or create a pedestal to your specifications at Pedestal Source (www.pedestalsource.com).

Try out these planters on pedestals near your front door.

a dark black wall is a dramatic backdrop for bright white furnishings.

It’s all there in black and white

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

Choosing a color is one of the hardest decisions to make when decorating. Homeowners will spend hours trying to find just the right shade for their homes or decorating projects. But sometimes, the right color is no color.

Just like black-and-white photographs have a way of sharply focusing on the subject, blackand-white decorating in the home does the same thing. It is chic and, in its simplicity, creates a stunning combination.

More than the absence of color, black and white is the addition of drama and elegance.

Balancing act

There’s a good reason why the black-and-white checkerboard floor style has lasted so long: It’s classic.

The best part about using a black and white pairing is that each one keeps the other in check.

Too much black can be overpowering and too dark, but add white drapes, carpet and flooring with black walls, and the room springs back to life.

The same is true of white. When there’s an overabundance of white, it’s a lot like looking at the sun; it’s overwhelming and feels flat. Black brings white from the edge of overwhelm and anchors it.

Decorating tips

Using black and white in a room lends an air of sophistication. Add in another color, whether that’s emerald, butter yellow, teal or red, and you have instant vibrancy. Or, consider adding metal colors, whether that’s gold, stainless, pewter or anything along the gray spectrum, and the black-and-white decor has another dimension of elegance. Another fabulous noncolor is clear. Add ghost chairs to the bar at the kitchen or add a pair of chairs on either side of a console in the foyer. Clear adds flair without detracting from the black and white.

Keep black and white interesting by coordinating various patterns, from hound’s tooth to stripes or even toile. Of course, there can be no more ultimate decorating pattern than a zebra pattern.Throw in a faux zebra rug on the floor,over a chair; try a zebra-patterned throw on the foot of the bed, or use in upholstery. The natural black and white of zebra makes a fabulous pairing in any black-and-white decorating scheme.

Black walls are beautiful and add drama. Simply keep floors and ceilings white, and you’ve got a dramatic backdrop for your bed, a sofa or any furnishings. Trim woodwork in white and add white

drapes for extra drama. Beige is another color that goes beautifully with black and white, so toss in some throw pillows or seating to keep the contrast from becoming too stark. For another layer of interest, try adding molding to your black walls painted in a bright white.

Or, if you prefer country style, paint walls in a bright white, add in a checkboard floor, and paint trim, doors and windows in a glossy black. The trim would look especially beautiful against white shiplap walls. Add in some wrought iron work, a glossy black barn door and you’ll have a sophisticated cottage style.

14 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

YARDSMART

Privacy planting

screens composed of closely spaced trees become maintenance problems that can require extreme pruning.

MAUREEN GILMER PHOTOS, TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Maintaining your own natural perimeter MAUREEN GILMER

Tribune News Service

Y

ou can’t sunbathe nude when neighbors look down onto your patio or backyard. They can watch every move you make, and you don’t want to see them either. Your neighbor’s rotting camper or junk cars may not suit your garden style.

The knee-jerk solution is to plant a closely spaced row of Italian cypress or other cigar-shaped evergreens. It may be a wasted effort because they are slow growers, unlikely to fulfill their purpose before the end of our lives.

This is not a new problem, and if you go back to old gardening books, you see how wider beds and borders were standard along the fence lines. This wasn’t just for beauty, but ease of maintenance and improved plant health. And yes, the borders featured screening trees because they had eyesores too. They didn’t recommend trees in lawns as shading is unproductive: Grass needs full sun. Their primary concern back then: successful beautiful gardens, period.

Wide beds allow for a diversity of plants that support a much wider range of wildlife. More importantly, if a pest or disease attacks one type of plant, it won’t destroy the garden as is the case with monocultures. If you lose one, things still look good until you plant a replacement. This rule of diversity in design ensures sustainability of the garden as a holistic ecosystem, not a habitat for a particular plant or insect.

Trees grown for screening are watered and fed with the rest of the plants in that bed. They are naturally compatible, rather than fighting with a lawn for water and nutrients. The flowering diversity here rewards good design with great color thriving under and around the screen tree.

Your first step to a solution is to evaluate the privacy problem. Where is it, how wide is it and tall? Is there a window or patio that is the most important vantage point at your house? If so, make your visual assessment from that point to ensure proper tree coverage. This exercise roughly shows you the ultimate shape and size of the tree needed to block it.

Selecting a certain tree for privacy screening is more difficult. It should be done with the help of a professional who is familiar with a wide range of locally successful tree species. With tree problems often limited to a region, these professionals will know the species to avoid and best bets.

Here are some general rules apply to the screening garden itself: A deciduous tree loses its leaves in the winter for semiannual screening. But you may not be in the yard during the winter anyway. Evergreens are essential for yearround screening.

Tree canopies offer varying degrees of

you hardly notice the fence or neighbor due to a high diversity of evergreen and deciduous trees. opaqueness. It’s related to the density of branches and how much foliage they carry.

Some want a more porous visual screen that blocks the view but not the light or breeze. These also offer a greater sense of depth while full blackout planting in hedge densities just make living walls.

Growers of trees have two methods of shaping young tree stock: standard and multiple trunk. A standard just has one trunk and a foliage head on top. Trees pruned to multi-trunk branch much lower, so they are wider earlier in life tan the same plant as a standard. Multis can cover a lot more fence line than a single trunk in the same position. Multis rarely need ugly staking in youth, though if unstable they may require guy wires. A good garden center can order your tree in as a multi trunk in any size containers from budget 15 gallon containers to sky’s the limit boxed semi-mature specimens.

The beauty of being a homeowner is the ability to create spaces for outdoor living.

It’s darned hard to do when you live in a fishbowl. Create beautiful deep border to augment your screen trees for maximized depth, screening, color and wildlife. The real payoff comes later when nude sunbathing, swimming or hanging in the spa finally becomes possible.

naturally tall shrubs, bamboo and evergreen background trees screen the pool and the separate hammock for private rest and reflection.

With trees limited to the perimeter beds, this lawn is in full sun and there is no competition for moisture, surface roots and litter.

semi-dwarf fruit trees make excellent spot screens in smaller gardens that offer the bonus of annual fruit.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 15

5 signs your bathroom is dated MEGAN LINHOFF

HomeAdvisor

S

ome old bathrooms are charming.

Claw foot tubs, seafoam tiles and pretty pedestal sinks can bring an amazing vintage vibe. Other old bathrooms are not so charming.

They just look sad and out of date. If you’re brushing your teeth under Hollywood bulbs; bathing in a jetted, almond-colored tub; or storing your toiletries in an oak-encrusted medicine cabinet, there’s a good chance your bathroom’s among the latter.

Not sure where your bathroom stands?

Here are a few signs that your bathroom could use an update:

1

Unfit flooring

If you’ve got carpet in your bathroom, it’s probably time to replace it. Bathroom flooring is meant to endure years of heavy moisture and foot traffic. Not only is carpet susceptible to moisture damage and mold, but it also collects bacteria from your toilet.

The fix: Swap out sullied carpeting for large-format tiles in ceramic or natural stone. Or, consider hot trends like patterned tiles or laminates and ceramics that look like hardwood flooring. Then, get that cozy carpet feel with a machine-washable bath mat.

2

Comatose countertops

Boring old countertops can really drag a bathroom down. Rounded, mauve countertops, for example, are a telltale sign that your bathroom saw its heyday in the 1990s.

The fix: Ditch the flat Formicas in favor of natural stone, engineered quartz or an up-to-date solid surface. Or, consider painting your countertops for a real budget-friendly solution. The key to modernizing your bathroom countertops is to focus on clean lines and earthy, neutral colors and textures.

3

Glaring glamour bulbs

Exposed bulbs were once the telltale sign of a glamorous bathroom upgrade.

These days, they’re just the telltale sign of a dated space.

The fix: Updating your lighting is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to modernize your bathroom. Renew your vanity lighting with a pair of LED sconces placed on either side of the bathroom mirror. Or,

DREAMSTIME

simple updates can breathe new life into outdated bathrooms. install an updated bathroom bar that includes a white or frosted shade for each bulb to soften the light.

4

Unfashionable fixtures and accessories

Dull, clear-knobbed brass faucets, plate mirrors, and bathroom fixtures in beige, bisque and bone are anything but current — and industry experts are now even declaring whirlpool bathtubs to be past their prime.

The fix: Think clean and crisp. White fixtures, framed mirrors, and sleek faucets

in chrome, nickel or gold will go a long way in helping you modernize an outdated bathroom.

And, if you’ve got the room and the budget to swap your old bathtub for a deep, free-standing soaker, you’ll create the kind of modern bathroom oasis that will impress and inspire your neighbors and friends.

5

Overworked oak

There’s no denying the fact that golden-toned oak had a respectable run as the go-to bathroom cabinet material, but there’s also no denying the fact that

the reign is over. And, if you’ve got old oak in your bathroom, there’s a good chance it’s looking a little worse for wear anyhow.

The fix: There are a number of ways to update tired bathroom cabinets, whether they’re made of oak or another material altogether.

The first is paint: Refacing your cabinets can give your bathroom a whole new look and feel at a far lower price point than an all-out replacement. The second option is to spring for new cabinets. In either case, think maximum storage in simple design — and opt for whites, refined neutrals and up-to-date wood finishes.

DO IT YOURSELF OR NOT?

Should you install a tile backsplash?

GENE AND KATIE HAMILTON | Tribune Content Agency

The good looks and durable surface of tile make it an ideal addition to the wall behind a kitchen counter. Ceramic tile does a stylish job of protecting the wall and its hard surface makes it easy to clean and maintain the space between wall-hung cabinets and the countertop, which is prone to splashes of food or sauce during food preparation.

You’ll find a dizzying array of tile colors, Pro cost: $383 sizes and designs to make the backsplash a dIy cost: $185 colorful focal point or stylish compliment Pro time: to the room.

4.6 hours A tile contractor will charge $383, which dIy time: includes the material and labor, to install 8.5 hours a 10-foot-long, 2-foot-high ceramic tile dIy savings: $198 backsplash.

Percent saved: 52 You can buy the materials, do it yourself percent for $185 and save 52 percent.

While you’ll see plenty of tiles at home centers, you’ll find a larger and more diverse selection at a tile retailer, where you can rent or borrow some of the installation tools you’ll need, including a tile cutter and nippers, a rubber float and a trowel.

To help you visualize the effect in the room, buy sample tiles or use colored paper cut to the size of tile you plan to use. But first work on paper or with a design tool to create the pattern using a measured drawing of the area to be tiled.

Tile backsplash

To find more dIy project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com on your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The first, least expensive, and easiest way to change the look of your cabinets is to repaint them.

Replace, re-face or re-door your kitchen cabinets KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

Ceramic tile does a stylish job of protecting the wall.

A kitchen renovation is one of the best investments you can make in your home when it comes to selling it and recouping that investment. But living in a home that has a freshly renovated kitchen will bring returns on your enjoyment, and that’s worth investment too. So, how do you get a kitchen renovation without the cost of buying all new cabinetry? Fortunately, there are options for renovating your kitchen that don’t require a complete gut job of the kitchen or your wallet.

Appliances and countertops are usually an easy and almost painless update to the kitchen.

But when it comes to the cabinets, that’s where the pain of time and money sets in. Much of the cost of kitchen renovations goes to cabinets, especially if they’re all wood and custom-made. This makes re-facing a good option.

A case for replacing is when your cabinets are extremely dated. Some of the cabinet styles of the ‘70s will still look like the ‘70s even if they’re painted white. Even so, there are still options that can give those old cabinets an update and bring

them into the current decade. If your cabinets are in bad shape, replacing them is usually the best way to go. Especially if the cabinets are MDF, or medium density fiberboard, which doesn’t always stand up to repairs as well as solid-wood cabinets. But when the style is dated and the cabinet is in good shape, re-facing is a good alternative. Re-facing will create a new look in the kitchen for a fraction of the cost to replace.

Alternatives

Re-facing can be done in one of three ways. The first, least expensive, and easiest is to repaint.

The difficulty comes when you have those ‘80s oak cabinets that everyone loved. Repainting oak cabinets simply turns them from that yellow oak look to an oak look that’s painted or re-stained a different color.

The problem with oak is the grain, and that’s what makes them look dated. To make oak cabinets look like newer cabinets, you’ll need to apply a grain filler first before painting. The grain filler will cover a lot of the grain, but on the expense scale, this is one of the most affordable ways to reface a cabinet and make it look current.

The second type of re-facing is using a veneer. The cabinets, drawers and doors are all re-covered with a thin wood veneer.

This is applied with an adhesive, or there are some veneers available with adhesive that are applied in a peel and stick fashion.

It takes time to do this properly, and having a professional do the job can cost a few thousand dollars.

The last type of re-facing involves resurfacing the lower and upper cabinets and then replacing the doors. Each type of re-facing is costlier than the next, but you still retain a significant savings over replacing all the cabinets in the kitchen.

Another option that isn’t as labor intensive as completely re-facing is to re-door your cabinets. The upper and lower cabinets would be stripped of the old paint and stain and then repainted or re-stained, and then new doors are applied. However, for a new look altogether, you can carefully remove the face frames of the cabinets, then replace with a new face frame and doors. You’ll have a new looking kitchen in less time and for less than the cost of replacing with all new cabinetry.

HOME & GARDEN

16 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

SEPTEMBER 2018

ample lighting is important to guests.

Decorating for renters How to prep your space for vacation rentals

Necessities

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

More and more people are renting a home or spare room when they travel.

That said, saving a vacation rental isn’t on everyone’s radar, but many people with a spare bedroom don’t mind sharing their home with out-of-towners.

If this is something you’ve thought about, then decorating is an important part of luring renters, making them comfortable and ensuring they enjoy their stay.

Decor

Add some drama in the room. This can be with a funky light fixture or chandelier or an interesting piece of furniture. Consider adding a really nice headboard on the bed or hanging an oversized picture above that’s unique.

You want your bedroom to stand out in photographs because it will be more enticing to renters than a barebones dormitory look. Room renters still want the feel of being in a home, but with a touch of pizazz and without the clutter of a regular bedroom.

Make your rental room a decorative middle ground between a regular bedroom

Take cues from hotels when setting up your space for guests and vacation renters. and a hotel room with unique accents and thoughtful touches.

Your town

Every visitor enjoys having a feeling of the place they’re visiting. If you live in a rural area, you may want to decorate with a country cottage look. If you’re in town, then something more contemporary is perfect. But whatever part of the coun-

try you live in, be sure to incorporate the look and feel of your area by using accents and pieces that speak to where you live.

A framed photo of the Statue of Liberty would be perfect for a room rental in New York, or find a picture of a wide Texas landscape if you live in Austin. A collage of postcards on large white frame mats is an easy and inexpensive way to add interest and your town’s touch to your decor.

Take a cue from hotels: Try to decorate in neutral colors, using bold colors as accents. Hotels always have a mirror in the bedroom or bathroom that’s attached to the room; give guests a good full-length mirror.

A small table top with a pen, notepads and a folder of menus from local restaurants is also a nice touch.

Make sure lighting is adequate with both a table/desk lamp and overhead lighting that will make the room nicely illuminated. It’s helpful for digging through a dark suitcase.

If the bedroom is large enough, and you’d like to accommodate families or friends who might be traveling together, consider a chair that folds out into a twin bed or a sofa or loveseat that opens into a bed.

Be sure to include an extra pillow and blanket in the closet. A soft throw and area rugs in a nice texture are great for cold mornings and adds a welcoming touch.

If you live near a city center or office buildings, you may have more business clients so having some workspace with plenty of ports is essential. Living near a beach, renters will appreciate towels and beach equipment.

Don’t forget the electrical necessities like extra cords, charging ports, a television, a music docking station and Wi-Fi access.

ASK THE BUILDER

Even a DIY rookie can fix a broken sink stopper TIM CARTER

Tribune Content Agency

Q:

Tim, is it true you said in a past column you’re a master plumber?

If it is, I need your help. My bathroom sink stopper is not working right.

When I pull up the knob in the center of the faucet, not much happens. It used to work great. The sink also drains slowly. Can you tell me how to fix all of these issues? Do you feel it’s a DIY project? Be honest, as my skills are limited. —Roxanne P., Tempe, Ariz.

A: Roxanne has a good memory. I’ve been a master plumber since age 28 or 29, as well as being a builder, remodeler and carpenter. My interest in plumbing, I believe, was rooted in the three-dimensional nature of creating a drainage and vent system in a home. If you ask me, it’s like solving a real puzzle.

If you have a cranky bathroom sink like Roxanne’s, I’ve got good news for you. You can get the sink stopper working correctly

and have the drain cleaned out with just a small amount of work.

It’s absolutely a DIY project even if you’re a rookie.

Often, it takes more time to get things out of the way and put them back than it does to make the adjustment.

My favorite go-to tool for this simple job is an adjustable set of pliers. I have one that has jaws shaped to grab hex nuts as well as larger rounded nuts. If you don’t have this exact set of pliers, you’ll just need an adjustable wrench as well as the standard pliers.

When you lie on your back and slide into the vanity cabinet, you’ll see a strange set of rods and a perforated metal bar that makes up the sink stopper mechanism. A chrome rod connects to the actual drainpipe that exits the base of the sink. The end of the rod connects to the sink stopper.

When you pull the control knob on the faucet up, the end of the chrome rod below drops down, taking the stopper with it. Push the control knob down and the

stopper lifts up. If you have a helper do this action while you look at the moving parts, you may see the control knob rod is slipping just a bit. Tighten the nut on the flat metal bar to solve this problem. The flat metal bar may have disconnected from the chrome rod that connects to the sink drain. Reconnect it.

The horizontal chrome rod that lifts the stopper connects to the drainpipe with a round nut.

Turn that counterclockwise to pull this rod out of the drainpipe. Once you do this, you can lift the stopper out of the sink. A large glob of hair and goo may come with it.

Clean all of this out and your sink should drain like new. Do everything I said backwards to put everything back together so you have no leaks I’ve got great photos and how-to videos for you at my AsktheBuilder.com website showing how you and I would fix your sink stopper if I came by to help. Just go to: http://go.askthebuilder.com/sinkstopper.

Put your head under your bathroom sink and this is what you’ll see. That horizontal chrome rod lifts the sink stopper up.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 17

DO IT YOURSELF OR NOT?

Should you lay your own sod?

GENE AND KATIE HAMILTON

Tribune Content Agency

Laying sod transforms the lawn surrounding a home and property and becomes a permanent part of the landscape. The care and feeding of the new green carpet is important but when it’s established the grass is there to stay.

Laying sod is not for the faint of heart,especially if you’re sodding a large area, because it involves a lot of heavy lifting and physical labor, mostly on your hands and knees.

A landscape contractor will charge $2,176 to lay down 2,000 square feet of sod which includes

Laying sod

Pro cost: $2,176 dIy cost: $825 Pro time: 42.4 hours dIy time: 50 hours dIy savings: $1,351 Percent saved: 62 percent

labor and material. A homeowner can buy the sod, have it delivered and do the job for $825, and save 62 percent for the effort.

Depending on the condition of the soil, the job can be difficult and involve raking and grading

it to make the surface level and free of stones and rocks. Rent a lawn roller ($60) for the beginning and end of the job, first to level the soil and finally to close gaps between seams in the sod once it’s laid. You’ll need a wheelbarrow, rakes, shovels, a sharp knife (to cut the sod into sections), and a garden hose and sprinkler. Wear kneepads to spare your knee joints, and schedule the job so you can lay it immediately after it’s delivered so it won’t dry out. Finally, plan to be home for the following weeks so you can water the new turf.

laying sod involves a lot of heavy lifting and physical labor, mostly on your hands and knees.

The countertops in bathrooms are often overflowing. Buy a stackable countertop organizer that can corral beauty items.

Quick decluttering jobs

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

We start the new year with high hopes of weight loss or eliminating unhealthy habits. At home, thoughts turn to slimming down too. Minimalism is trending now as stuff has overtaken our homes, making them an unruly mess. This year, take on small decluttering jobs that you can do quickly rather than massive undertakings.

Over the year, it can result in a pared down home that’s lighter and more organized.

Bathrooms

The countertops in bathrooms are often overflowing. Buy a stackable countertop organizer that can corral beauty items.

Better still, borrow an idea from the kitchen and install pull out drawers on a free weekend afternoon. This will enable you to pull out items, see what’s on hand, and keep the counters clear and neat. Edit

the shower and cabinets, tossing out any unused bathroom items.

Even if you paid good money for the shampoo that never lathered, you’re not getting your money’s worth if you’re not using it. Dump the contents and recycle the containers.

Bedroom

Take a cue from hotel rooms, and work to clear off the tops of dressers and tables. If you use lots of nighttime lotions and potions, put them in a decorative box or basket that that keeps them neatly in one place.

If shoes are spread out on the floor, contain them in a tub that’s tall enough to hold them, but still slip under the bed. Work at paring down artwork and pictures in the bedroom. Opt for a simpler look to make the bedroom into a tranquil oasis. Place a box in the bedroom closet to collect

clothing to donate throughout the year.

Be sure to edit the linen cabinet, throwing out worn, mismatched or damaged sheets and towels.

Kitchen

Install cabinet door organizers on the sink cabinets to hold cleaning products you use every day, like spray cleaner or dish soap.

Add a small basket inside the organizer to hold dishwasher detergent tabs. Place other cleaning items under the sink that you use less often in a basket on one side, keeping the items you use the most, like trash bags on the other side, rather than haphazardly putting anything anywhere.

This keeps the sink cabinet neater.

In the pantry and the refrigerator, remove any items that have been haunting the shelves too long. Specialty gourmet items you thought you’d use and haven’t

should go in the trash.

Clear out a shelf to put the toaster and other appliances inside a cabinet. If you don’t use it daily, put it away. Throw out all mismatched items, like plastic or dinnerware, and donate any doubles. Make it a point to wipe down refrigerator shelves each week before you go grocery shopping.

Your refrigerator will be more streamlined and cleaner.

Recycling center

To encourage getting rid of things, create a recycling and donation center at the back door. Junk mail can be dropped in easily on the way into the house, and when you’re in the kitchen, throwing away plastic or glass containers is in easy reach. Be sure to include a bin to hold items for donation.

When you have a dedicated container for donations, you’ll use it more often and it’ll encourage more decluttering.

The Midas touch: Dress up your decor with gold makes an instant statement that brings up the richness of the room.

Look for other simple gold touches like nailhead trim. Replace that old dark-colored trim with a gold-colored nailhead trim for a fast update that just takes a little patience to create a completely new look on your ottoman or on chairs. If you have no nailhead in the house, why not make some? Give Parson’s chairs a trim around the base of the seat or around the edges of the seatback.

KATHRYN WEBER

Tribune Content Agency

It’s true that everything that goes away eventually comes back again. And one trend that is coming back in a big way is brass/gold finishes. From shiny to bronzed, the golden hue of brass is showing up everywhere, from hardware to plumbing, and even trim on furniture, adding warmth and elegance.

Haute hardware

The shimmer of gold in the evening can’t be denied, and that’s true of gold hardware from the kitchen to the bathroom. Because it’s an easy switch, try adding gold hardware to a kitchen of white marble to bring instant richness and glamor; or consider swapping out those oiled bronze or nickel knobs and handles for a brushed

swapping out plumbing and other fixtures for gold versions isn’t too hard if you’re handy. brass finish or a shiny finish. Gilded effect It’s quick and makes a dramatic Try adding some small gold change without all the sheetrock pieces like a side table or console dust and expense of a renovation to warm up an entryway. Topped project. with glass or marble, a gold piece

Gold fix

If you’ve grown tired of the cold of white and stainless, swapping out plumbing and other fixtures isn’t too hard if you’re handy.

Transform your powder bath into a sparkling jewel box by replacing bathroom door and sink handles

with gold versions and switching out cabinet pulls and handles with new brass replacements.

If new light fixtures aren’t in your budget, take your current fixture down and spray paint it with gold spray paint. Try the Rust-Oleum Metallic or Bright Coat gold spray paint for a shiny finish, or give items a warm golden glow with the vintage Metallic warm gold hue (www.rustoleum. com). With an investment of a little time and a few dollars for paint, you’ll have a completely new fixture.

Swap out that glass vessel sink for a bright gold orb (www.wayfair.com) to really dress up your bathroom, and look for a new brass bathroom faucet. Your new guest bath will really sparkle in the evening when guests come for parties or dinners at your home.

18 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

DESIGN RECIPES

a kitchen is styled and photo-ready.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE PHOTOS

READY TO LIST

How to get your home photo-ready before you put it on the market CATHY HOBBS

Tribune News Service

W

hen it comes time to sell your home, photos may make all the difference. The reality is many potential buyers spend a lot of time perusing photos online before even deciding if they wish to see a property in person. This is where the power of photography comes into play.

These days, with the advent of lower-priced high quality cameras and even cellphones, it is possible for homeowners to take good quality photographs. Still, others may choose to leave the job to a professional. Regardless, there are some photography tips to keep in mind to make sure your property is ready for its close-up.

DO:

Take photos either in late morning or early afternoon. This is typically when you have optimal light. Never take photos at night.

Make sure all lamps and overhead lighting is turned on.

Add bursts of color to a space through colorful toss pillows, throws or accents. These types of touches will really help to make your photos pop.

Tell a story. Whether you choose to hire a professional stager, or style a space yourself, telling a story through the use of similar colors, finishes or complementary decor will help ensure a space is cohesive.

Add artwork. Artwork is a wonderful finishing touch and an important accent.

a modern living room is fresh and bright with help from the use of greenery.

DON’T:

Forget areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Overcrowd a space. A photograph can make a space feel smaller or larger than it actually is in person.

When in doubt, edit. Many potential buyers are turned off by photographs of spaces that appear to be overstuffed with personal belongings or furniture.

Forget curb appeal. Many potential buyers will judge a book by its cover. When it comes time for photography, you will want to make sure your home is appealing both inside and out.

Use a flash. Unless you are a professional, using a flash may create unwanted shadows. Instead opt for a manual setting on a professional digital camera.

Forget to use greenery.

Whether blooms, succulents, trees or florals, greenery can help make a space look finished and fresh.

artwork placed in a bathroom helps to enhance photography.

a child’s bedroom is staged with colorful accessories and accents.

a bedroom is styled for optimal presentation.

HOME & GARDEN

SEPTEMBER 2018

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • 19

BACKWARD BOOKS

A debate ensues about this design trend: Is it art or nonsense?

TRACEE M. HERBAUGH

Associated Press

L

COURTESY TRACEE M. HERBAUGH

The check-out counter at the indie bookseller newtonville Books in newton, Mass is made of rows of backwards books glued into place.

KODI BRYANT, COURTESY NATHAN SHAFER

nathan shafer, a life-long book collector, poses in front of his bookshelf in arvada, Colo. shafer said he feels there is no point to a backwards-facing bookshelf. “That’s not what books are for,” he said.

M 1

COURTESY TRACEE M. HERBAUGH COURTESY SAM PARVEN

Cari shane, of Washington, d.C., took her college-aged daughter’s advice and used backwards facing books to decorate a living space.

Oliver Peacock stands in front of a backwards-facing book shelf at The Container store in Chestnut Hill, Mass. some big box retailers have jumped on this design craze for their product displays.

ooking for an easy way to organize a messy bookshelf? You might consider turning all the spines backward.

Yes, the backward bookshelf is one of the easiest ways — albeit, not too functional — to clean up a hodgepodge of texts.

It's also an interior design craze that's about as culturally divisive as national politics in America.

Advocates tout the simplistic texture of the pages, while opponents argue that the idea is just plain stupid since you can't see which books are which.

Generally speaking, you love it or hate it.

The backward bookshelf began to trend in the mid-aughts, mostly as an artistic styling tool in photographs on small-scale design blogs or bookshop websites. Now, big-box retailers such as West Elm and The Container Store have incorporated backward bookshelves into their product displays.

A Google search for "backward books" will bring back millions of results, from sites including social-media mainstays like Pinterest and Instagram, various women's magazines and some interior design staples like Apartment Therapy.

"I can see the appeal because a lot of times, if there's a lot of books in a room, people find it distracting or overwhelming," said Sarah Cole, a Boston-area interior designer. "But it's not super-functional, and unless the books are purely decorative, it just seems challenging."

Backward books, Cole said, do align with the neutral, monochromatic look that is popular now in design.

Achieving a simple, stylish look is exactly why Cari Shane turned her books backward.

Four years ago, the public relations executive was renovating a 1914 row house in Washington, D.C., when her teenage daughter suggested the idea.

"I had these beautiful orange chairs for the living room and I needed something to set them off," Shane said. "I needed something that was going to let the chairs be the focal point."

The books used in the display were ones Shane had no plans to re-read.

"I couldn't tell you what books they are," she said.

On the other hand, Nathan Shafer, a life-long reader and book collector, has filled his Arvada, Colorado, home with hundreds of books, none of which face backward.

"They're entities, and when you turn them all backward it renders them one anonymous mass," Shafer said.

And an anonymous mass, Shafer said, defies the purpose of books.

"They're for the unique words, the unique ideas, the unique characters inside them," he said. "Part of the reason for hanging onto books is so you can go back and find something. You can't do that if you're hiding every identifying mark."

There are occasions, however, when art is executed just right, at least according to the customers of Newtonville Books, an independent bookseller in Newton, Mass. The store is known around the area for its visually intriguing counter, which is filled with backward books in different sizes and colors.

The shop's owner, Mary Cotton, saw the styling tool on the website of an Australian bookstore six years ago.

"We wanted to do something that was really beautiful and interesting, some sort of book art project," she said.

An architect helped design and execute the plan. Customers ask what books were used to make the counter, but Cotton said they never wrote down the titles. And, since the books are glued into place, there's no way of moving them.

"We had a lot of old used books that hadn't sold, and others we got from library sales and the covers were damaged," Cotton said. "I like it. It gives them another life. People seem to like it."

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