Home Spaces December 2018

Dreaming of your brand-newhome, or waystospruceupyour currenthome, is an enjoyable way to pass the time. Visions of smooth,marble countertops and tiled, walk-in showers canconsume your every waking thought

While the dreaming phase is fun, eventuallyyou’ll need to decide howtopay forit. And, unlessyou have piles of cash, this will likelyinvolve aloan. When it comes to financing ahomeremodel or brand-new construction, your options depend on the project.

Newconstruction

Annie Lepper,vicepresident of operations/ marketing forMinnesota Power Employees’ Credit Union (MPECU), explainedthatfor abrand-new home, aconstruction loan is in order

“While the home is being built, youpay interest on the amounts youwithdraw. When the home is completed, youconvert it into atraditional mortgage,” she said.

When building from scratch, you’ll also need to think about purchasing aplot of land. “Ifyou aregoing to build ‘later’ (i.e. years down the road), youcan get alot/landloanand startpaying it down,” Lepper said.

“Ifyou have it paid down entirely, mostlenders will letyou use this land as your 20 percent down on the construction loan, especiallyifyou’veput some cash into it (likebuilding apolebarnorgarage on your land) this demonstrates to alender thatyou have some skin in the game.”

Renovations/remodeling

When it comes to home renovations, financing options abound. “You cantakeout ahomeequityline of credit,using the equity in your home, and draw from it likealineofcredityou canborrow from and paydownrepeatedly,” Lepper said. “Ifyou don’t have equity in your home, youcan look foraspecialized home improvementloan, which areincreasingly harder to find.

“Another option, if youhaveequityinacar or other collateral, is to takealoan against it to access cash fora renovation. And, some folks will do zero-percent credit cardsfor renovations,”she said, “But youwanttobe absolutelysureyou payitoff before the interest rate kicks in. Theyoften have retroactiveinterest, which canbeveryexpensive.”

Interest rates

Your interest rate will have abig effect on your monthlypayment. “A home equity line will usually run youbetween 5and 9percent Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and canadjust annually,”Lepper said. “Construction loans usuallyhover around 5-6 percent APR, and carloans canrange from 3-15+ percent depending on your credit.”

Down payments

With anyloan, adownpaymentisusuallyrequired “Withnew construction,”Lepper said, “the lender will usuallyrequire 20 percent down on the land you’re buying, but it depends on the lender

“Withhomeequities, therewon’t be adown payment, but youmay have to paya few hundred dollars in closing costs foranappraisal, title work,etc Otherfinancing options usuallydon’t requireadown payment.”

FINANCING: Page 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

•Plan yourlandscaping projects now

•Lumber choices for exterior, interior uses

•Interior design:Tips and trends for 2019

•How to choose the right window treatments

•Caring for kitchen countertops And more!

001809574r1

Jennifer Saari, loan officer with MPECU, discusses financing with acustomer.

Despite the snow,begin planning now for your 2019 landscaping projects

ByAndrea Busche forthe Duluth News Tribune

Itisa well-known factthatMinnesota’s construction season lasts but abrief moment. Here,the land freezesearly and firm, and Old Man Winter doesn’t loosen his grip from November to May. Butjustbecause youcan’t breakgroundnow doesn’t mean youcan’t begin planning your 2019 landscaping projects. In fact, it’s beneficial to start planning now, so oncethe ground thaws, you’re ready to roll.

Nate Hooper,branchmanager of Duluth’s Brock Whiteoffice,amaterial supplier of brick, stone, pavers, concretesupplies, grass seed andother landscaping implements, explains some tips to keep in mind before spring has sprung.

Prep work

Beforeyou breakground, it’s importanttoconsider anynecessaryprepwork. This includes contacting an undergroundlocating service. “Any time youplan to put ashovelinthe ground, it’s agood ideatocallan underground locating service, such as Gopher State One Call, beforehand to have your underground water, gas,power,and cable lines located,” Hooper said.Also, consider anynecessary permits required forthe job.

“Typically, permits arenot necessaryfor landscaping projects, but some elevatedpatios and tall retaining walls do requireapermit,”hesaid. “Check with city officials prior to starting your project.”

Onceyou’rereadytobegin, forany landscaping project,prepping the foundation is key. “The base work or foundation should be done properly,” Hooper said.“It takes extratime, but making the surfaceflat andtrue will ensureyour project will last foryears to come.”

Safety

Thereare anumberofsafetyconcerns when it comes to landscaping. Theyprimarilydealwith protecting your eyes, ears, hands, and back.

“Ifyou rent asaw forthingslikecutting or chipping away at retaining wall pavers, takethe proper stepsto utilizePPE –personal protectiveequipment,”Hooper said.

“This includes earplugs, gloves, and safetygoggles. “And, Ialwaysforewarn people thatit’sgoing to be

How to choosethe

Plantation shutters? Mini-blinds? Cafe curtains? Formal draperies? Homeowners’ options in regardtowindowtreatments for their homes areextensive, which canmake outfitting home interiors challenging for novicedecorators.

Some people do not payalot of attention to windowtreatments, failing to realizejust howgreat an impactthe right windowtreatments canhaveona space. Windowtreatments areoften an afterthought because residentsmay not consider them necessities.

As aresult, homeowners mayinstall whateveris on hand or accept windowtreatments thatcamewith ahouse or apartment. Butignoring windowtreatments, especiallywhen theycan fulfill certain needs, is amisseddesign opportunity.One of the first steps to choosing windowtreatments is determining your end goal. Is privacyyour main goal? Areyou seeking more natural light in aroom?Istheretoo much lightand youneedtodarkenthe room?Windowtreatments can serve multiple functions, and some treatments may makebetter fitsdepending on homeowners’ ultimate goals.

Semi-sheer windowtreatments

Semi-sheer windowtreatments areoften fabric and canhelp brighten roomswithnatural lightbut offerlittle privacy. They’re usuallyappropriate forspaces wherepeoplegather, such as living rooms, dens or dining rooms. Semi-sheer curtains maybepairedwith

strenuous work.Landscaping products, such as pavers, arereallyheavy.”

Trends

Hooper has noticed thatlocal landscaping trends currentlyfeaturealot of charcoal,grey, andblack, with earthtones aclose second. And forstyle, it’s modern all the way.“The modern look is what’strending right now,”hesaid. “Lots of clean lines and sharp edges.”

Some popular landscaping projectsHooper has seen include outdoor kitchens and firebowls –similar to afire pit, but poweredbynatural gas or propane. “People areupdating their existing spaces and enjoying their ownbackyards,” he said.

Another trend is heated drivewaysand sidewalks. By utilizing aheating source suchasanelectrical grid or hot water system, these systems canmeltsnow and ice, preventing falling hazards and eliminating the dreadedtaskofshoveling.

DIY?

Please note thatwhile manylandscaping projects, such as patios and retaining walls, areusuallyagood option forthe average do-it-yourselfer,apreheated driveway or sidewalkisprobablybesthandledbya professional contractor.Hooperrecommends reading plenty of design books, doing internetresearch, and reaching out to professionals with anyquestions prior to beginning anylandscaping project

Curbappeal

Hooper shared thatwhile landscaping projects definitelymakelifemoreenjoyable forthe home’s residents, theycan alsooften add value to your property.Consider focusing on your frontyardtoadd the most value.

“Curb appeal plays abig role in your home’s value,” Hooper said. “And, while the backyardis nicetodress up, the frontyardisoften the first thing someone sees.”

rightwindowtreatments foryour home

another complementarywindowtreatmentsoprivacy canbecustomized as needed.For example, sheer curtains letlight into abedroom,but shades canbedrawn at night

Maximum privacy

Bedrooms, work spaces or bathrooms canbenefit from extraprivacy. While some people maythink that privacycomes at thecost of light,that’snot alwaysthe case. Functional curtain panels canbedrawn closed when privacyisdesired andthenopenedtolet in light The thickness of thefabricwill also dictate theamount of privacythe panels create Tiers arehung on ashortrod-pocket panel and usuallycoverthe lowerone-thirdofawindow. They’re popular choices to letlight in from the top, but obscureviews from the bottom portion of the window.

Cellular shades areanother option thatprovide privacybut still letlight in. Cellular shades come in hardand fabric varieties and theiruse dependson the room.Manycellular shades areconstructedwith ahoneycomb design so theycan insulate as well as decoratewindows.

Blackout shades/shutters

Perfect forrooms wherebabies nap, shiftworkers rest during daylight hours or external lights, such as thatfromastreetlamp, need to be blocked out, blackout shades do just whattheir name implies. Adense fabric lining helps keep light out entirely.

Shutters also canblock out light but add to the character of the room.Theycan be paintedabright color to makeastatementormatch wall colors to blend in seamlessly. When selecting windowtreatments, shoppers canchoose retailoptions or custom treatments.

Manydesigners recommend custom windowtreatments because theyare measured,manufactured and installedspecificallyfor homeowners’ windows. However,thereare many DIYoptions available at budgetfriendlyretailers.

Homeowners’ options in regard to window treatments for their homes are extensive, which can make outfitting home interiors challenging for novice decorators.

Some popular landscaping projects include outdoor kitchens and fire bowls –similar to afire pit, but powered by natural gas or propane.

Which wood is best?

Narrowing down your choices forsiding, flooring, cabinets andmore

ByAndrea Busche for the Duluth News Tribune

Ifyou’veeverspent an afternoon gluedtothe HGTV network, youknowthatselecting the proper wood products is an importantpartof anyhomeproject.Should youinstall cedar,maple or hickory? Engineered wood products or real wood?

From hardwood flooring to cabinetry, afeature wall to atongue-and-groove ceiling, the options for each project canseemendless. Frank Gerard, presidentofCampbell Lumber in Superior,helps us break it down.

Exterior siding

When it comes to exterior siding, Gerardrecommends one of three products: cedar siding, amanmade, engineered wood productmade by LouisianaPacific, called SmartSide, or pine log siding.

“Cedar has abeautiful grain and it is naturally resistanttodecay andinsect damage,”heexplained. “It has alow shrinkage rateand is alow-densityboard, so it stains andfinishes beautifully.

“SmartSide, which is made at aplantright herein TwoHarbors, is aman-made, modifiedwood prod-

uct,”hecontinued. “Itismade from strands of wood coveredwithresins, waxand zinc borate, which actas apreservative. Insectsdon’t likeit. Thereisa30-year warranty on the paint,and a50-year warranty on the boards, so it is amaintenance-free product.

“And, Irecommend pine log siding if someone wantsthe look of real logs,” he added.“It can be purchasedpre-finishedorpre-stained.”

Interior finishes

When it comes to your interior finishes, such as cabinets, moldings, trim, tongue-and-groove ceilings and featurewalls, the sky’sthe limit. “For cabinets, oak is still popular,and alder offers moreofarusticlook. Maple and hickoryare popular choices, too,”Gerard said. “You canalso purchase your products pre-finished,”headded.“Whiteisthe predominantlypopular color formolding and trim.

“For flooring,”hesaid, “engineered wood floors are very popular.Theydon’t shrink, expand or crack, and theyare more stable. Butifyou want arealwood look, hickory, oak, alder andpine aregood choices.”

Decks, porches, &patios

When it comes to high-traffic exterior spaces, such as decks, porches and patios, Gerardisabig proponentofengineered products, made of plastic or composite decking.

“Theycost morebut have better longevity –they offer25- to 30-year warranties,”heexplained. “Engineered products arefar outselling real wood.People aretired ofstainingtheir decks every few years.” If yousimplymusthaverealwood, however, Gerard says cedar is agreat option,due to itsnatural resistancetoinsectsand decay.

Invest in your home

Whileitcan be expensivetopurchasenew siding, flooring, or decking, Gerardsaysthe investment is well worthit.

“Invest in your home,” he said. “It’sa greatplace to put your money. You’ll improve the value of your asset, but you’ll also enjoythe benefitoflivinginanupdated, improved space.

“Invest in your home. It’s agreat place to put your money. You’ll improvethe value of your asset, but you’ll also enjoy the benefit of living in an updated, improved space

Minimize dustwhile renovating

Eventhoughdustisever-presentboth inside and outside of ahome, when renovations are in full swing, dustyconditions areoften exacerbated.

Whether ahome is neworold, numerous substances canbestirredupwhen removing walls, refinishing floors, removing tile, or expanding living spaces. These include silicafromdrywall, lead, asbestos, paintparticles, and even wastefrombugs or rodents.

Homeowners who want to remodel with minimal construction debris floating throughthe air–both forhealth purposes and general cleanliness –may findthese proactivesteps helpful.

Preparedust-containmentplans.Ifa contractor is involved,itisoften his or her responsibility to minimizedust. Doit-yourselfers must makedust containmentapriority.Protectingthe floor and keeping the dust confinedonlyto work areas can be achieved with plastic sheetingand other barriers.

Designate an entranceand exit It’s best to choose one doorwayasthe onlymeans in andout of aworkarea. Ideally, this doorway should lead to the outdoors. All other doorways should be sealedonbothsides.

Remove extraneous items. It’s best to remove clutter from the room,including anyfurniturethatcan be taken

out of the space. This helps items from becoming dirtyand hazardous particles from settling into nooks and crannies. Close ventsand registers. If forced airsystems arepartofthe home, it’s best to divertair away from the work area. Block ventsand intakeregisters so thatdustdoes not clog the system or transfer to other rooms.

Cutitems outside. Some power tools have vacuum extractors to suck up dust at thepointofcontact, removing 90 percentofdust whereitis generated.For thosewho do not have access to these tools, cutting and sanding canbedone outdoors to keepdust outside.

Open awindow. If weather permits, an open windowcan provideventilation. Another ideaistocreateanair vacuum in the work area. Picking a windowatthe far end of the work area andmounting awindowfan blowing outward cansuck dust out and away from other areasofthe house. Clean up daily.

By keeping on top of dust, including sweeping and vacuuming the work area frequently, dust will not accumulate and migrateelsewhere.

Dust is acommon side effect of home renovation projects, but it canbeminimized

According to Frank Gerard, president of Campbell Lumber in Superior, oak is still popular for cabinets and alder offers more of arustic look. Maple and hickory are popular choices, too.

Afeature wall can be used to highlight aroom’s existing focal point.

FRANK GERARD, Campbell Lumber

Interior Design:

Tips and Trends for 2019

ByAndrea Busche for the Duluth News Tribune

Aninteresting phenomenon happens to manyofusaroundthe startofthe new year.Webegin to cravechange, afresh start. And this“itch”often extends to our home environment. When it comes to your home, interior design projectscan be as grand or as humble as your budget and schedule allow. Rearranging your furnitureoraddingafresh splash of paintcan revitalizeaspacethatisfeeling stale. On the opposite end of the spectrum, designing abrand-new kitchen is amuch larger investment, but one youwill likelyappreciatefor yearstocome.

Maureen’sLLC is aDuluth-basedcompany specializing in kitchen and bath design. KellySmith, a lead designer at the business, offeredupseveraltips to keep in mind when planning your next interior design project

DIY

Manyofus, in an effort to save moneyand perhaps learn athing or twointhe process, will attempt a few “doityourself” interior design projectsthis year When doing it yourself, it’s importanttospend time researching and planning your project beforeyou begin. While books, websites, and TV shows can certainlybeagreat resource,Smith says thatfor larger home interior projects, it’s also importantto consult apro beforegetting started.

“Speak to aprofessional!” she said. “I often hear of howsomebodyunderestimatedhow much work it would be, howharditwould be to makeselections, or howtointerpret their vision to theirpartner.Wecan evenhelp youdoityourself if thatiswhatyou really want.”

Maximize home value

When planning an interior design project,many people consider those whichwill increase their home’s value. While these projectscan often be expensive (such as brand newkitchens or baths), thereare less expensivewaysto“spruceup” theseareas of your home

Forinstance, “Instead of afullkitchen re-do, I’ve dressedupoak cabinets with Cambria countertops and some newcabinethardware,”Smith said.

FINANCING: Page 1

Remodelingcan add value

In addition to being moreaestheticallypleasing, home remodels canadd value to your home, putting moneyinyourpocketshould yousell. Butbeing strategic with your projectsiskey

“Ifyou’redoing desirable projects(i.e. newkitchens and baths),”Lepper said, “theywillincrease your home’s value. If youare doing replacementwork, likeflooring or afurnace,you mightnot getasmuch bang foryour buck.”

Consider your budget

Whateveryourhomeproject,advanceplanning is key. Chooseyourprojectscarefully,createabudget, and stick to it

“Get asolid plan together and be disciplined, yet flexible,”Lepper said. “Whatdoyou need this project to do foryou and your family? What arethe nonnegotiable must-haves? Drafta budgetand atimeline. Most projectscost moreand takelonger than you anticipate, so be patientand knowhow you’ll handle anybumps in the plan.

Prioritizing

When deciding on products and materials you want to splurge on versus keep low-cost, consider your true needs. Smithsaid questioning your purposes forthe project canhelp youprioritizewhere your hard-earneddollars should be spent.

“Do youneed better function?Are youdoing this project to sell? Acook with abad back mayneed moreforgiving floors and aconvenientplacetosit while working,”she said. “Maybe those items are ahigherpriority than backsplash tile.”

For your remodeling project, select colors, materials, and finishes that you enjoy.

Trends

Smithshared some of the currenttrends she is seeing in her industry.

“I am excited to seethe morecontemporarylines of European cabinetrystyles,”she said. “Also, ‘less is more’ luxuryfinishes in smaller,thought-out spaces arepopular right now.”And when it comes to color, “Brushedgold is HOT!” Smithsaid.

Do what youlove

Smithoffers one final tip. While trends arealways fun, it’s importanttoselect colors, materials, and finishes thatyou enjoy, regardless of what’scurrently trending.

“Breakingthe rules in just the right wayisa grand brush-stroke,”she said. “Safeisboring. Everybody wantssomething bold or unique without being too gaudy…although gaudycan be ‘in’ifdoneproperly, too.”

According to the home improvement resource HomeAdvisor,adding square footage to ahomecan cost homeowners anywherefrom$7,000 to $100,000.When adding squarefootage to ahome, homeowners may need to knock downaninterior wall or walls, the cost of whichcan vary widely depending on thewalls being knocked down.

Load-bearing walls areneededtosupport the home, and while such walls canberemoved, homeowners mayneed to hirestructuralengineers at additional cost to orchestratesuchremovals. In addition, homeowners canexpect to paymorewhen knocking down walls thatcontain ducts or electrical wiring. It also canbecostlyfor homeowners whose homes areold to knock down walls. HomeAdvisor notes thatthe wall-removalprocess in oldhomes that containleadpaint or lath-and-plaster walls is more intricateand maycost homeowners moremoney

When it comes to color, “Brushed gold is HOT!” says Kelly Smith, alead designer at Maureen’s, LLC of Duluth.

Find and maintain the right carpet for you

Carpets provide both practical and aesthetic appeal inside a home. In winter,carpets help keep homes warm,and the right color carpet can add to design schemes. While rugs mayhave originatedinthe FarEast, NorthAmerica also has some rich carpet history. According to The Carpetand Rug Institute, the UnitedStates carpet industrybegan in 1791 when the first wovencarpetmill openedinPhiladelphia.

Others soon followedsuit. Tufted carpets and machine-poweredmanufacturinghelpedchurn out yards upon yards of carpeting, making it apopular, affordable and common addition to homes, especiallyafter the post-World WarIIhousing boom.

Carpeting remains ago-to flooring material in modern homes. In fact, many homes offera blend of both carpeting in some roomsand different flooring choices in others.

Upon choosing carpet,itisimportantthathomeowners followsome guidelines to prolong acarpet’slongevityand maintain itsstyle.The following aresomecommon carpeting dos and don’ts.

DO consider the room’s purpose and foot traffic beforeshopping forcarpeting. Makealistofthe attributes desired (e.g., soundproofing, easycare, high pile) and presentthese to the salespersonso he or she can help youmakethe best choice.

DON’T rush into flooring choices. Unlikepaintcolors, flooring materials are morepermanentchoices that areonly updatedevery severalyears or more. Weighall of your options beforediving in.

DO consider conservativecolors and styles. Neutral hues and patterns will blend better with furnitureoptions. This means you can change furnitureout and still keep theexisting carpeting, which complements anynew pieces. Also, if there’sa chanceyou might sell your home in the near future, buyers tend to look foraneutral color scheme theycan maketheir own.

DON’T skimp on padding to save afew dollars on the carpetinstallation. The carpeting needsa solid foundation to last and look itsbest. Inadequate padding canleadtoextraand noticeable wear and tear.Invest in agood foundation forthe carpeting, likefirm, dense padding in high-traffic areas.

DO become knowledgeable about different carpetstyles, such as frieze, Berber,Saxony, textured,and more. This will help ensureyou makethe most educated decision.

DON’T purchase at thefirst storeyou visit. Shop around to investigate differentpricing and specials. Also, consider the professionalism and expertise of the staffresponsible forcarpetinstallation. High-cost carpetmay not look very good if it isn’t installedcorrectly

DO stain-protect rugs and carpeting, which canhelp repel stains thatwould otherwise become permanentand can prolong the longevity of the flooring.

DON’T forget to vacuum carpets frequentlytoprevent ground-in dirtand debris.

DO pick textured carpets to conceal footprints and vacuum track marks.

Homeowners should consider as many variables as possible, including foot traffic in agiven room, before installing carpeting in their homes.

Caring for kitchen countertops

Kitchen remodels area popular home improvement project thathelp homeowners recoup large percentages of their initial investments at resale. Akitchen remodelcan invigorateahomeand make the most popular room in the house morefunctional.

According to HomeAdvisor,a home-improvementinformational guide, homeowners spend an average of $22,000 on kitchen remodels. However, lavish projectscan cost morethan $50,000.Protecting such investments is importantand requires thathomeowners understand howtoproperly maintain kitchen features so they have the longest lifepossible.

This includes the newcountertops thatmakethe kitchen look complete. Countertops come in various materials, not all of which should be treated the same way.Quartz, granite, marble, laminate, and tile countertops require different types of maintenance.

Quartz

Engineered quartz countertops are popular.Quartz countertops arenearly maintenance-free andresistantto stains, scratches and even heat. Quartz will not need to be sealedlikenatural stone and canbecleanedusing justa damp cloth with amild, nonabrasive soap.

Granite

Polishedorhoned granite countertops offera high-end look thatadds instantvalue to akitchen. Natural variations in granite give each kitchena custom look. To keep granite countertops clean, avoid abrasivecleansers that canscratch, and opt forwarm, soapy water instead. Stains arepossiblebut canbe remediedwitha baking soda paste left

•

•

to sitfor acouple of hours, advises Angie’s List. Wipe up oils, acids and soda promptlytoavoid stains, and follow advisedsealing routines

Marble

Marble is anatural stone thatis porous and will need to be resealed periodically. Because marble has high levels of the mineral calcite, it canbereactivewhen acids come in contactwith it andetch marks mayappear. Promptly wipe away tomato juice, lemon juice, perfume, or toothpaste.

Marble is softer than granite and will wear at afasterrate. Avoidscratching and exercise caution when using knives or sharp objectsaroundmarble.

Laminate

One of the morebudget-friendly materials, laminate countertops canbe fabricated to mimic the look of natural stone, wood or evenquartz. Laminate is less resistanttodamage than other materials and will need agentle touch.

Neveruse abrasivecleansers,scouring pads or steel wool when cleaning laminate countertops. For toughstains, an all-purpose cleaner should suffice when appliedwithanylon-bristled brush. Test anycleanser in adiscreet area first.

Tile

Cleaning tile countertops requires getting into crevices along the grout lines. Atoothbrush and amildew-fighting cleaner or bleach dilutedwithwater is advised. Also, unglazed tiles need to be sealedyearly. Some soap mayleave residue, which canberemoved with a solution of vinegar and water.

Check with the manufacturer or installer of the countertops to learn more about the waystoclean and maintain newcounters.