home appeal EARLY SPRING 2019
home / garden / renovation
Suburban Lancaster Co.
townlively.com
The Modern Kitchen: More Than Just A Food Space Early Spring Landscaping Tips Luxury To The Max: Freestanding Tubs TLC For Your Trees Enhancing A Yard With Hardscaping Published by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc.
The Modern Kitchen: More Than Just A Food Space
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Kitchens are among the most-used rooms in many homes. Even though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the average person spends just 68 minutes each weekday consuming food and about 37 minutes preparing meals, the kitchen is not just a spot focused on food. It also is a gathering place for conversation, homework, and family time. In fact, some of the more popular trends concerning kitchen layouts showcase homeowners’ desire to maximize the comfort and efficiency of these rooms.
Kitchens are the hub of the household, and modern design trends cater to a growing need for a multipurpose space. Communal Zones
Today’s home floor plans make kitchens a focal point of a home, and food preparation is no longer a solitary task. Thanks to larger kitchen footprints and multiple zones set up for meal creation, a greater number of people can hang out in the kitchen and help with meals. Multiple sinks, large islands, and more counter space are key components of modern kitchen layouts.
Dining Nooks
Kitchen designs are bringing back banquette seating in a cozy nook. This design is a practical use of space and can fit in large and small kitchens alike. It also can give a kitchen a high-end look, as built-in banquettes can highlight a bay window or seem custom-made for the space. Banquette seating can fit a number of people comfortably and provide a sensible and casual dining spot.
Family Tables
Experts at Southern Living magazine indicate that formal dining and living rooms are now used infrequently. As a result, kitchens have evolved to accommodate meal prep and dining. A large family table in the center of the room brings people into the kitchen to get more involved with food, according to San Francisco designer David Kensington.
Counter Culture
Taking a page from the style of a favorite corner diner or other eatery, kitchens are increasingly outfitted with a large island flanked by chic counter stools, according to the design professionals at Domino. Family members can pull up a stool and grab a quick snack. The island is also an ideal place for friends to engage in conversation while a host or hostess prepares appetizers for an evening soirée.
Work Areas
Many families like to have an area of the kitchen set up as a tech zone where children can do their homework. Setting aside an area of counter space as a small desk area can be a great idea. Such areas also make it easier for parents to keep a watchful eye on children while they are surfing the internet.
Kitchen Remodel Must-Haves
Kitchen remodels are among the most popular home renovation projects, whether they consist of swapping out cabinet hardware or doing major demolition. When investing in a kitchen project, homeowners should consider incorporating the following items: · Deep, double sinks: Having a double sink enables people to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other. It also makes it easier to wash and prep produce for meals. · Kitchen island and bar stools: Even though many meals are enjoyed around the table, there is something to be said for the convenience of a kitchen island and some well-placed bar stools for quick breakfasts or snacks. · Smart kitchen storage: Work with a contractor to have storage solutions built into cabinetry and the pantry. Slide-out shelving, nooks for paper towel rolls, and custom-designed areas to store stand mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional. · Outdoor access: If possible, design a kitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors. This can make outdoor entertaining or even coffee on the deck much easier. · Under-cabinet lighting: Fixtures installed under cabinets provide both ambient lighting and task lighting. This type of lighting makes it easier for people to see what they are working on, as even well-placed overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and spots on the counters. · Convenient warming drawer: This appliance, which provides backup to the oven, is a slide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm until they are served. It is particularly handy for holidays and other times when homeowners entertain. · Beverage station: Designate one area of the kitchen for beverages, such as coffee and tea. This can limit traffic in the kitchen to a single area when homeowners host gatherings.
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s winter tapers off, people may be antsy to spend more time outdoors in the increasingly warm weather. For those with green thumbs, outdoor plans may involve tending to the garden and preparing other components of their landscapes. Homeowners may draw inspiration from budding crocuses and daffodils pushing through the last remnants of snow and employ the following tips to prepare for the upcoming gardening season: One of the first steps is to apply a pre-emergent weed killer to get a head start knocking out weeds that can plague the lawn during the growing season. Killing weeds at the roots early on can mean far fewer hassles in spring and summer, and it may prevent new generations of weeds from cropping up each year. While it may be tempting to take a prematurely warm day as a sign that spring is in full force and purchase a bunch of annuals, it is better to know the last of the possible frost dates; otherwise, homeowners may waste time and money planting flowers or vegetables only to have them zapped by another frosty day. To check frost dates, homeowners should refer to The Farmer’s Almanac. Amend the soil so that it is the right consistency - just crumbling when lifted. Soil that is too muddy after the spring thaw can harden, making it difficult for plants to flourish later on. Gardeners should speak with representatives at a local lawn and garden center about which types of amendments can be added to the soil to enrich it. Fill in bare patches of lawn soon by mixing a few shovelfuls of soil with grass seed. Then apply this patch to a bare area, water it, and continue to care for the area until the spot fills in. Spend a day in the garage or shed tending to the lawn mower and other gardening equipment. Clean all tools and ensure that everything works, repairing parts as needed. Give outdoor entertaining spaces a good scrubbing, clearing away dirt and grime that may have accumulated over the winter. Use a broom and a leaf blower to remove any leftover leaves. Check if the front porch, railings, or decking need painting and/or staining. Tackle these projects when the weather is cooler so everything will be ready for those peak spring days. If hiring a professional, it is good to get on their schedule now to ensure the project is finished by the onset of nice weather.
Think about what annuals to plant in the landscape this year that will complement any existing shrubbery or perennials. Come up with a theme so that the entire yard is cohesive. Before homeowners know it, winter is gone and it is time to once again enjoy long days spent outdoors. Getting a jump start on spring lawn prep can ensure that homeowners can take full advantage of nice spring days.
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Luxury To The Max: FREESTANDING TUBS
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ne home design element that tends to have an instant wow factor is a freestanding tub. Freestanding tubs have an air of luxury that can help current homeowners relax and impress buyers when homes go on the market.
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Freestanding tubs are typically made of cast iron or porcelain. The home improvement website HomeAdvisor notes that cast iron is durable and solid and retains heat well, which is ideal for those who want to spend more than a little time relaxing in a freestanding tub. However, because cast iron is so heavy, installing a cast-iron tub may require structural reinforcement of the flooring, which will add to the overall cost of the project. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to install a tub varies widely depending on the type of tub, the materials it is made of, and other factors, including plumbing and piping. For example, the cost to install a freestanding tub will rise considerably if new plumbing and piping are necessary. Before purchasing a freestanding tub, homeowners should seek estimates regarding installation, making sure to get them in writing. Contractors will determine if structural reinforcement is necessary and include such costs in their estimates. In addition, homeowners should make sure to ask contractors to investigate piping and plumbing so no surprises pop up after the tub has been purchased and work has begun. If estimates from contractors indicate that such an installation project is a possibility, homeowners can consider these benefits of freestanding tubs before making their final decisions. · Cleaning: Because they are detached from other bathroom fixtures and not flush against the wall, freestanding tubs tend to be easier to clean than built-in bathtubs. Many freestanding tubs are accessible from all sides, making it easier to reach all those nooks and crannies where grime can build up. · Return on investment: In its 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report, Remodeling magazine noted that upscale bathroom remodels recouped 56.2 percent of their cost at resale. That was a better return on investment than an upscale kitchen remodel (53.5 percent) and an upscale master suite addition (48.3 percent). The thought of a sizable return on investment can make relaxing in a freestanding tub that much more enjoyable. · Warmth: Even freestanding tubs
made of materials other than cast iron offer notable heat retention. Stone resin bathtubs, for example, provide excellent insulation on cold nights. That is ideal for people who want to unwind in the tub without having to exit early because the water has become cold.
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Cold weather can take its toll on a property, especially when winters are harsh. Most parts of the landscape are vulnerable to damage from winter storms, but trees may be especially susceptible. By the end of winter, trees may benefit from some professional TLC. Tree services provide a host of offerings. While fall is a popular time to remove trees from a property, doing so in spring is not unheard of, especially if trees were affected by winter storms and now pose a threat to a home and the people who live inside it. Homeowners considering tree services can explore the following ways that some professional arbor attention can protect them and their homes. Tree services can help protect a home's foundation. Old trees that stretch well into the sky can be captivating, but they also can pose a threat to a home's foundation. Such trees may have especially large root zones that may extend beneath walkways and even a home. In the latter instance, foundations may crack
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experience the natural beauty just outside their windows. The average homeowner may be able to trim short trees on his or her own, but if views from the second floor of a home or higher have been compromised, it is much safer to call a professional tree service. Such services have the right tools and experienced personnel to safely trim high branches on tall trees. Tree services can help prevent future damage. Even if trees made it through a recent winter unscathed, that is no guarantee next winter or even the coming seasons of spring, summer, and fall will not ultimately prove their undoing. According to BNC Insurance and Risk Advisors, homeowners may be liable if a tree they know poses a threat falls onto a passerby or a neighbor’s property and causes damage or injury. It is important to have all trees properly trimmed each year, but especially those that can fall on one’s home or neighbors’ homes. Specializing In Live Edge Slabs
as roots try to stake their claim to the ground beneath a home. According to the home improvement resource HomeAdvisor, it often costs less to repair foundation issues than to fix major problems after they have taken their toll. A professional tree service can remove aging trees that might be beautiful and awe-inspiring but still pose a threat to a home and the areas surrounding them. Tree services can improve visibility. Trees that have aged a bit since their last trimming might affect the view of a property from inside a home. Overgrown branches can compromise residents’ ability to see and
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Curb appeal is beneficial in various ways. It can make a home more attractive to prospective buyers and give existing homeowners a place they want to come home to. In its study of the worth of outdoor remodeling projects, the National Association of Realtors found that standard lawn care and overall landscape upgrades were most appealing to buyers, as well as the most likely to add value to a home. Although plants, grass, and other items can improve curb appeal, homeowners should not overlook hardscaping. Hardscaping is an industry term that refers to the nonliving features of a landscape. These features can include everything from decks to walkways to ornamental boulders. Introducing paths or paver walls to a property helps develop that home’s hardscape. Hardscape and soft elements often work in concert to create inspiring landscape designs. DIY landscape designers can heed certain tips to add to the
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hardscape features on their properties or enhance the ones already in existence. Choose materials. As with many landscaping projects, homeowners must first determine what types of additions they would like on their properties. Common hardscape features include patios, decks, and walkways made of pavers or bricks, as well as retaining walls. Hardscape elements can be functional or simply decorative features that add whimsy to the yard. Choose a theme. The right style allows hardscaping and softscaping materials to work together. For example, homeowners may want to give their yards an Eastern feel, complete with a koi pond and decorative bridge or trellis. A formal English garden, however, may include manicured paths with stepping stones and ornate topiaries. Mixing too many styles together can take away from the overall appeal. Professionals suggest looking at the overall plan of the design, even if all of the work cannot be completed at once. This way the eventual finished project will be cohesive. Think about the purpose. Hardscaping can look good but also serve key purposes. Pebbles or gravel can mitigate trouble areas that do not grow grass or plant life well. Retaining walls hold back soil in yards that have sharply inclined hills. Mulch can set perimeters around trees and shrubs, as well as planting beds. Fencing, another form of hardscaping, is essential for establishing property boundaries and adding privacy. Consult a professional. While many hardscaping additions can be handled by novices, large-scale projects, such as patios and decking, can change the grading of the yard. Professionals can map out how to handle drainage issues and meet building codes. In addition, professional installation can ensure that hardscaping features last for years to come.
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