Hancock Homes

28 No. 6

d is T ribu T ed each mon T h aT locaT ions in and around h ancock c oun TY.

neither the listing realtor nor the publisher will be responsible for misinformation, misprints, typographical errors, etc., herein contained. The publisher reserves the right to edit any advertisement deemed inappropriate. copies are distributed free at banks, Greenfield chamber of commerce, drugstores, motels, quick stops, restaurants and realtor offices.

e Q ual housin G oppor T uni TY all real estate advertising in this publication is subject to the federal fair housing act of 1968 which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, or limitation.”

The daily reporter will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this publication are available on an equal opportunity basis. p

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This is a free publicaT ion and no T in T ended for resale. ©

the best vegetables for novice gardeners eAsY veggIes

By FAmILy FEATURES | PHOTO By ADOBE STOCK

Growing fresh, healthy vegetables at home may not be as hard as it sounds. Novice gardeners just need good dirt, easy plants to grow, lots of sunshine and the right amount of water.

Once you’ve prepared your garden plot, select one or all of these vegetables that are among the easiest to grow.

1. Lettuce: Plant lettuce seeds directly into the garden or a pot then repeat every two weeks. It can be cut a few weeks after planting. some harvest lettuce by pulling it up — roots and all — but cutting a little off the top every few days can keep it growing until summer’s heat turns it too bitter.

2. Spinach: this vitamin-packed green is planted and harvested just like lettuce.

3. Cucumbers: Make several mounds of dirt near the edge of your garden and place two or three plants around the center of each. Cucumbers are notorious for growing vines that overtake other plants, so be vigilant about keeping them contained.

4. Squash: Like cucumbers, summer squash is planted on small mounds at the edges of a garden so their vines can be contained. Most varieties, such as yellow squash and zucchini, are quite prolific, and just a few plants can feed a large family all summer long.

5. Tomatoes: Purchase plants that grow best in your area from your local garden center. All plants should be staked or enclosed in tomato cages because successful plants produce an abundance of large, heavy fruit throughout the summer months.

6. Bell Peppers: Bell peppers are easiest to grow from plants. space them about 1 foot apart, then watch them take off with little care required. the only real trick to growing bell peppers is knowing when to harvest. If you’re growing red, orange or yellow varieties, they’ll start out green then turn color as soon as they ripen.

7. Carrots: Dig a long, shallow trench in soil that is free of rock. sprinkle the seeds along the row, cover lightly with topsoil and wait for the top of the carrot to pop through the soil. Once a bit of orange appears, pull and enjoy.

Stacie Sarber

Kirsten Livingston

Ralston

Barbara Brooks

Add functionality without sacrificing style CLAssY kItCheNs

By BRANDPOINT

»

As the heart of the home, you want your kitchen to reflect your style but also help you get the job done — whether that’s cooking, cleaning, entertaining or numerous other tasks. If your current kitchen is slowing you down, you may want to consider functionality upgrades.

Keep in mind, functionality does not equate to lackluster style. Expert designers look for upgrades that enhance the kitchen’s usability and appearance. This blend of fashion and function will help you create a kitchen that will truly stand out.

Even if you can’t completely renovate the space, you can make strategic changes that make a big impact to your lifestyle. How do you decide where to invest time and money improving the function and style of the kitchen?

“Invest in products that are going to be the focus of the space or things you are using every day,” said Alex Yacavone, Kohler Design Studio manager.

For example, the sink is large and can be a focal point within the kitchen. By upgrading to a sink with a beautiful finish and thoughtful material, you’ll enhance style and function while elevating the overall aesthetic.

Yacavone recommends farmhouse kitchen sinks, like the Whitehaven sink in the color Truffle. This apronfront kitchen sink features a versatile farmhouse style that complements any decor. A large single basin accommodates large pots and pans, while the sloped bottom helps with draining and cleanup. Crafted from enameled cast iron, this sink resists chipping, cracking or burning for years of beauty and reliability.

Whether it’s a sink, faucet, lighting or appliance, once you decide which features to focus on, it’s time to research. With so many options available, this can feel overwhelm-

ing. Remember, you do not have to sacrifice style for functionality.

Yacavone’s advice: “The kitchen is a place where people gather, so it needs to be functional. The best way to not sacrifice style for function is to pick timeless styles and finishes to ground the space. Then you can add personal touches that showcase your unique style,” she said.

Finishes like chrome and polished nickel can feel elevated, but also complement a lot of different styles and colors. This allows you to play with tile and paint colors while knowing your metal finishes won’t clash.

For example, the Crue Touchless faucet in chrome blends function with classic styling. The silhouette — a simple arched spout and single-lever handle — offers a straightforward style that adapts to nearly any kitchen design.

Another noteworthy finish with staying power is French gold. The Purist faucet in vibrant French gold is a stunning faucet with a strong architectural form and simple-to-use features. The high-arch swing spout maneuvers easily around large cookware, while the side-lever handle controls temperature and flow.

Yacavone said warm colors like this have a connection with nature and are gaining popularity. These can make the kitchen feel calm and soft, evoking positive emotion in the space.

For personal touches that inject your own unique style, consider investing in a backsplash in graphic tiles or a favorite color. This showcases your personality and can make the room one of a kind.

When it comes to style and functionality in the kitchen, you don’t have to choose. With this expert insight and some strategic planning, you can update your kitchen and enjoy it for many years to come.

How to build an energy-efficient home gReeN IDeAs

How to build an energy-efficient home gReeN IDeAs

By FAmILy FEATURES

By FAmILy FEATURES

»»Whether it’s your primary objective or a secondary benefit, creating an energy-efficient living space is a smart choice for homeowners. Sustainable architecture and materials can help ensure you rely less on limited resources while reducing the cost of operating your home.

Whether it’s your primary objective or a secondary benefit, creating an energy-efficient living space is a smart choice for homeowners. Sustainable architecture and materials can help ensure you rely less on limited resources while reducing the cost of operating your home.

These green ideas range from relatively simple to major undertakings, but they all have one thing in common: energy-efficient living, which in turn results in lower energy bills.

These green ideas range from relatively simple to major undertakings, but they all have one thing in common: energy-efficient living, which in turn results in lower energy bills.

Be mindful of electricity use. Monitoring your usage habits is a simple starting point when you want to move toward more energy-efficient living. Using less electricity during peak hours reduces the strain on your energy provider, which can help curb your monthly bill. Check with your utility provider to confirm what times of day they offer lower rates. Other tips include using natural light to your advantage and turning off lights and other electronics when they’re not in use.

Be mindful of electricity use. Monitoring your usage habits is a simple starting point when you want to move toward more energy-efficient living. Using less electricity during peak hours reduces the strain on your energy provider, which can help curb your monthly bill. Check with your utility provider to confirm what times of day they offer lower rates. Other tips include using natural light to your advantage and turning off lights and other electronics when they’re not in use.

in the warmer months, blazing sunlight can quickly elevate a room’s temperature. However, energy-efficient windows act as an effective barrier to both cold and heat. They can even protect your belongings from fading and damage caused by ultraviolet light. Newly installed windows also tend to have tighter, unblemished seals, addressing another common culprit of energy loss. If new windows are not in your budget, check your window and door perimeters and consider resealing them to prevent air leakage.

in the warmer months, blazing sunlight can quickly elevate a room’s temperature. However, energy-efficient windows act as an effective barrier to both cold and heat. They can even protect your belongings from fading and damage caused by ultraviolet light. Newly installed windows also tend to have tighter, unblemished seals, addressing another common culprit of energy loss. If new windows are not in your budget, check your window and door perimeters and consider resealing them to prevent air leakage.

Opt for efficient appliances. Appliances may make modern life substantially easier, but they account for a significant share of a home’s energy usage. However, you can reduce how much they need by choosing an efficient model that uses 10-50% less power than less energy-conscious options. Not only do they help reduce greenhouse emissions and promote sustainable living, but some energy-efficient appliances also have lower maintenance requirements.

However, over time, loose-fill insulation (such as cellulose, fiberglass or mineral wool) can break down. It’s also common for homeowners to discover their homes were constructed with insulation that only met minimum standards at the time they were built, so there’s room for improvement. Consider adding insulation to commonly deficient areas like the attic, garage, basement and exterior walls.

However, over time, loose-fill insulation (such as cellulose, fiberglass or mineral wool) can break down. It’s also common for homeowners to discover their homes were constructed with insulation that only met minimum standards at the time they were built, so there’s room for improvement. Consider adding insulation to commonly deficient areas like the attic, garage, basement and exterior walls.

Install energy-efficient windows. Even standard double-pane windows lose a great deal of energy in the average home. In the winter, they allow cold to seep in, while

Install energy-efficient windows. Even standard double-pane windows lose a great deal of energy in the average home. In the winter, they allow cold to seep in, while

Opt for efficient appliances. Appliances may make modern life substantially easier, but they account for a significant share of a home’s energy usage. However, you can reduce how much they need by choosing an efficient model that uses 10-50% less power than less energy-conscious options. Not only do they help reduce greenhouse emissions and promote sustainable living, but some energy-efficient appliances also have lower maintenance requirements. Boost insulation levels. Adequate insulation keeps heat in your home when it’s cold outdoors and prevents too much heat from seeping in when temperatures soar.

Boost insulation levels. Adequate insulation keeps heat in your home when it’s cold outdoors and prevents too much heat from seeping in when temperatures soar.

Start with a solid foundation. Building a new home is a big investment, especially considering rising energy requirements and fuel costs. Relying on energy-efficient construction materials, like Nudura’s insulated concrete forms (ICFs), can provide homeowners nearly 60% energy savings compared to traditional building methods using wood. ICF construction results in less waste during the building process and also reduces the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling due to their continuous insulation, thermal mass and high R-value. The result is an airtight structure that enables building mechanical systems to heat, cool and ventilate more efficiently, creating a healthier living environment with a lower carbon footprint.

Start with a solid foundation. Building a new home is a big investment, especially considering rising energy requirements and fuel costs. Relying on energy-efficient construction materials, like Nudura’s insulated concrete forms (ICFs), can provide homeowners nearly 60% energy savings compared to traditional building methods using wood. ICF construction results in less waste during the building process and also reduces the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling due to their continuous insulation, thermal mass and high R-value. The result is an airtight structure that enables building mechanical systems to heat, cool and ventilate more efficiently, creating a healthier living environment with a lower carbon footprint.

Your guide to children’s room design A sPACe fOR the LIttLes

By CATHy HOBBS

PHOTOS By TRIBUNE NEWS SERvICE

Fun and whimsical or thematic and festive? Children’s rooms can be a wonderful opportunity to stretch and layer design, as well as create a cohesive color story.

WHERE TO START

First, decide how you want the space to function and feel. Then, decide your “big idea.” A big idea can be a color direction, theme, selection of a key inspirational piece for the room or other foundational concept. This idea will help you create a clear roadmap to guide your design process.

DESIGN RECIPES DO’S

Sticker time!

Do consider adding colorful removable wall stickers.

Imagine it! Paint it!

Do paint a fabulous wall mural on a primary wall.

Shelve it!

Do add wall shelves. Fun idea: Use skateboards instead of traditional shelving.

CREATING A PLAN

Before making any purchases, it is important to create a design plan first. This should involve taking pen to paper, in a perfect world while reviewing a floor plan to understand and plan key aspects such as furniture layout and selection.

Key elements:

l Beds

l Bedding

l Area rugs

l Case goods

l Wall art/mirrors

l Accessories

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design home staging expert. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com.

MAKE 2024 THE YEAR OF YOUR DREAM GETAWAY!

AIM Media Indiana is partnering with Premier World Discovery to offer readers the chance to travel together on journeys around the world! As a group travel specialist, PWD specialize in escorted tours, unique rail tours, “one hotel/unpack once” tours and river cruise charters.

DAYS

ACCOMMODATIONS:

2 Nights: Camden Court or Meslpil Hotel, Dublin

2 Nights: The George or Clayton Hotel, Limerick

2 Nights: Randles or Dromhall Hotel, Killarney

1 Night: Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel or Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

Dublin City Tour

Trinity College - Book of Kells

Whiskey Distillery

Pub Dinner

Guinness Storehouse

Cliffs of Moher Ring of Kerry

Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney

Limerick Tour

Galway, Adare, and Kilkenny

Irish Entertainment & Dinner in Killarney

Roundtrip Airfare Int’l Air Departure Taxes/Fuel 7 Nights First Class Hotel Stays 12 Meals: 7 Breakfasts & 5 Dinners Professional Tour Director Hotel Transfers

Motorcoach Transportation

Admissions & Sightseeing per Itinerary

Baggage Handling at Hotels