Spring Home & Garden 2024

H me & Garden SPRING

5 smart home products for the modern home

As you navigate the demands of modern life, it’s empowering to know that your living spaces can keep up. Here are five smart home technologies that can help you take control and elevate your home into a sanctuary of modern convenience and elegance.

1. Ovens: With a smart oven, you may be able to limit the incidence of traditional kitchen snafus. For example, the Sharp Smart Convection Wall Oven with Microwave Drawer Oven (SWB3085HS), a combination appliance, features a single simple-to-use, full-color touchscreen control panel. It Works with Alexa to accept voice commands. (Alexa-compatible device sold separately.) You can turn the oven on and off hands-free, keeping the control panel clean. This model is an excellent example of what technological innovation can bring to home cooking— allowing you to choose settings based on popular foods and recipes and giving you the ability to save up to 30 of your favorite menu items and cook times for easier access. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary jour-

ney, a highly functional smart oven can be a game changer in your kitchen.

2. Dishwashers: Who doesn’t love extra help in the kitchen, especially when it comes to cleaning? A smart dishwasher can simplify daily chores. Many smart models can be operated and monitored remotely from your smartphone, so you can receive notifications when the cycle is complete or customize wash settings with the touch of a button to keep cleanup moving along while getting on with other activities. For a modern, ecofriendly kitchen, prioritize energy-efficient features and advanced cleaning technology.

3. Air purifiers: Create a mindful living environment with a Smart Air Purifier like the Plasmacluster 7000 Series KCP110UW Smart Air Purifier and Humidifier by Sharp, which is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice control. (Assistant devices sold separately.) Monitor your home’s air quality, adjust settings remotely, and even receive notifications when it’s time to replace your air purifi-

er’s filters using the SHARP AIR app.

4. Microwaves: Today’s smart microwave ovens are available in countertop, over-the-range and even Microwave Drawer ovens, which can be installed under the counter or in an island to complement your lifestyle. Simple voice commands like “Alexa, microwave frozen veggies” or “Alexa, defrost 1 pound of ground meat” can rev-

olutionize how you spend your time in the kitchen.

5. Televisions: Thanks to smart televisions, you can elevate your binge-watching sessions and truly immerse yourself in stunning visuals, vibrant colors and seamless streaming experiences from the comfort of your home. Use your voice to find shows, play music, and control smart home devices with a Sharp AQUOS XLED 4K Ultra HD Mini LED Google TV. With personalized watchlists and profiles, everyone’s experience can be customized for them. Another option is a Sharp Roku TV OLED 4K Ultra HD television, which works with popular voice assistants, making it a perfect fit for any smart home.

“Embracing the future of smart living can save you time, energy and hassle. From the kitchen to the living room, let smart devices seamlessly integrate into your daily routine,” says Peter Weedfald, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Sharp Home Electronics Company of America.

H me & Garden SPRING

Color tips to make your home exterior pop

Home exteriors make a first impression, setting the tone for neighbors, guests, and if a property is on the market --prospective home buyers. So how do you boost your curb appeal and make your exterior pop? According to those in the know, a lot of it has to do with color.

“Choosing deep, bold colors for your door or siding can provide eye-catching focal points and dramatically increase curb appeal,” says Jon Lapp, vinyl siding product manager at ProVia.

To help you make selections that work best for your home and vision, ProVia is offering the following insights:

Siding

Color and texture play significant roles in the overall look and style of a home, so consider pairing your vinyl siding with other materials, such as manufactured stone, decorative shake, or board and batten. Whether you go for soft earth tones or deep hues of primary colors, color retention technologies will maintain the look through the years. To that end, here are a few qualities to look for in your siding:

• UV protection: Think of it as sunscreen for your house. This layer of protection helps shield your siding from the destructive effects of the sun’s UV rays.

• Weather barrier shield: Anti-weathering materials on the siding’s surface can help ensure long-lasting color fidelity and low-maintenance freedom for your home’s exterior.

• Heat resistance: Heat-resistant inorganic pigments ensure exacting deep colors, reflect heat from exterior walls, and deflect solar rays to reduce solar heat build-up and unsightly weathering.

• Anti-fade protection: A strong molecular chain, found in super polymer vinyl siding, is engineered for superior color retention.

“At first, it might be difficult to tell the difference between a good vinyl siding panel and an outstanding one. But over time, the true strength and quality of each panel will be revealed,” says Lapp.

It’s for this reason that ProVia’s entire lineup of super polymer vinyl siding is formulated with Tri-Pigment Reflective Technology, Color Keeper Anti-Fade Protection, Weather Barrier Shield and SPX2000 UV Blocker. These components work together to combat fade and increase weather resistance.

The entry door

The entry door is an amazing place to make a color statement. However, if you buy an exterior replacement door and try to finish it yourself, achieving the flawless finish you’re hoping for is easier said than done. Then there’s the trim, and possibly sidelights and a transom that also need to be painted to match or coordinate with the door color.

From classic hues, such as rustic bronze or forest green, to trending colors like avocado or burnt orange, you can ensure a consistent, beautiful and lasting finish by having your manufacturer paint the door before it leaves the factory floor. Bonus: the color will also be under warranty. Look for a manufacturer that crafts custom doors, allowing you to choose different interior and exterior colors and other specifications tailored to your taste.

To get inspired for your home exterior project, visit provia.com. In addition to photo galleries of finished projects, the site’s home designer tools allow you to visualize how various elements will look on your home.

By selecting professional-quality exterior products, you can ensure long-lasting durability and a big boost in curb appeal.

– StatePoint

How to Prevent Bugs from Bugging You at Home

Colder months have us spending more time indoors. Unfortunately, insects have the same idea, as they head inside to forage for food and seek shelter from the low temperatures.

“Those who want a bug-free home will have to be proactive year-round. Ants, certain fly species, such as winter crane flies, and other insects, are adapted to cold temperatures and can be very active during these cooler months,” says Daniel Perry, Zevo entomologist at Procter & Gamble.

To prevent unwanted houseguests and banish bugs from your living spaces, check out these cold weather tips:

• Ventilate humid areas: As the weather gets colder, hot water is more in use in places like the bathroom or basement. These closed spaces can create humid environments where insects tend to gravitate. To attract fewer bugs, keep these areas well-ventilated.

• Prime your space for plants: If you have plants that you bring inside in the winter, properly prime and debug your home beforehand to prevent potential infestations, and check all your houseplants for unwanted insects before you bring them inside and every week afterwards.

• Tidy up: Cleanliness is the most com-

mon strategy for coping with bugxiety (fear of bugs) and there’s a good reason for it – it’s effective. Make sure you take out your garbage regularly, especially. Be sure not to leave food (perishables especially) out for excessive periods of time as that can attract insects.

• Get round-the-clock protection: Get the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 protection against flying insects. Zevo Flying Insect Traps use blue and UV light to continuously attract and trap insects to an adhesive back that you never have to touch. Place the traps in the kitchen, garage and other areas where doors and windows are frequently opened, and keep

them plugged in to protect your home day and night from pesky flying insects.

• Fight back: Nip signs of a bug problem in the bud by dealing with it immediately. Spot a bug? Zevo Insect Killer Sprays kill bugs you see, targeting and shutting down biological pathways found only in bugs, not people or pets, making them effective and safe when used as directed.

“While bugxiety is very real for the majority of Americans, fortunately there are many strategies for keeping them out of the home that won’t disrupt your family,” says Perry.

H me & Garden SPRING

How to pick plants that will thrive in your climate

When choosing what kind of plants to put down in your yard, you likely focus on the what and the where. After all, a beautiful plant in a prime location enhances curb appeal and even bragging rights.

You may pay less attention though to understanding your plant hardiness zone and all the ramifications that come with it. To help ensure your plants don’t just survive, but thrive, the experts at lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark are sharing the following insights about plant hardiness:

What is plant hardiness?

The secret to growing healthier plants is called plant hardiness. Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as drought, flooding, heat and cold. Ever watched with frustration as a late-season temperature dip leaves your beautiful buds with a serious case of frostbite? That’s why plant hardiness zones were developed.

American farming contributes billions of dollars to the gross national product every year, which is one reason why the USDA has long monitored weather data. If determining when the average final frost may occur for every region in the country is worth billions, what could that same knowledge mean for your garden?

Well, choosing plants with hardiness levels appropriate to specific planting zones gives you the best chance of gardening and landscaping success.

What is my growing zone?

The United States is divided into 13 zones. Zones 1-6 being the coldest, and 713 the warmest. Zone 1 averages -60 degrees F while zone 13 never drops below 70 degrees F. A general guideline is to plant anything designated for your zone or lower, but never higher. Know what zone you live in, and be sure to always check the tag on the back of the plant or seed pack before planting anything.

Perennials versus annuals

There’s a reason you see palm trees in Miami, not Minnetonka, Minn. In the case of perennials, it’s not about when the first frost is, but how cold it gets, and whether that plant can survive and thrive through winter.

Plant hardiness zones are less important however when it comes to annuals. Because these plants are only meant to last the length of one growing season; waiting until after the average first frost date will save you from having to re-plant.

Know that even if your plant survives the frost, it may never match the photo you saw advertised at the nursery.

Planting zone rule of thumb

Plant hardiness zone maps are, well, all over the map. Consider the number assigned to your zip code as a starting point. You may live right at the break between one zone and the other. Remember that it’s better to guess too low, than

too high. In the South, the heat can put real stress on a plant not made for it. Your particular geography can also affect your hardiness zone, like if you live on a hill or in a valley.

For more insights, check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and watch “Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone,” a recent episode of “Backyard Smart,” an original series from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.

Understanding what plants will thrive in your climate is essential to having a healthy lawn and garden. Fortunately, free resources abound to help you garden and landscape successfully.

Hardiness zones can help you decide which plants will thrive in your climate. New Jersey is in Zone 7.

H me & Garden SPRING

Expert landscaping tips for choosing and installing plants

The perfect landscape may start with a healthy, lush lawn, but for interest and depth, you’ll also need to consider the plants that surround it.

Thankfully, it’s easy to make considerable improvements to your backyard life using tips from professionals. Landscape designer Doug Scott has partnered with lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark, to offer these tips for selecting and installing plants that will beautify your outdoor living areas.

Choosing plants

• Choose plants well-suited for your specific growing conditions. Knowing your growing zone is important, however you should also be mindful how conditions like sun exposure can change as you move around your yard.

• Choose the right size plants for the space. Bear in mind that what you’re planting today is much smaller than what it will be once it’s matured. Always read a plant’s care label to understand its optimal growing conditions and size at maturity.

• From a design perspective, think in terms of texture, layers and drifts. When addressing the overall texture of your

planting beds, choose plants that vary in form, size, color and leaf structure. This will create greater interest, and a space that’s more visually appealing and enjoyable to spend time in.

For a lush look, think in terms of layers when considering composition. Much like in a painting, you should have background, middle ground, and foreground layers. Your background layer should consist of taller evergreen shrubs to provide something alive and green to look at all year long, no matter what’s happening in front of them. Your middle ground layer should be lower than the background layer to create interest, and is where you can add a contrasting evergreen shrub or pop of color with a perennial plant. Finally, your foreground layer should help transition the planting beds to your lawn space. You can accomplish this with smaller perennials, evergreens, annuals or creeping ground covers.

When addressing drifts, read the plant labels to know how large they’ll grow. This can help ensure plants grow in together as they mature, but are not overcrowded.

Installing them

1. Dig a hole that’s about two times the

diameter of the pot your plant’s being transplanted form, and about the depth of the pot.

2. Mend in compost or soil conditioner to give your plant the organic material it needs to thrive. If you’d like, add slowrelease fertilizer, and mix well.

3. Place your plant in the hole, making sure that it sits at, or just above, the level it did in the pot.

4. Backfill with soil, stopping to add water when the hole is about halfway full.

5. Fill the rest of the hole with soil, then firmly press down.

6. Soak your plant with more water.

7. Finish by adding mulch, making sure

it’s pulled away from the base of your plant.

Scott offers more insights in “How to Choose Plants for Landscaping,” a recent episode of “Done-in-a-Weekend Projects,” an original series from Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners make the most of outdoor spaces.

“Now that you have the inspiration and know-how needed to choose and install plant material, you can create landscaping that reflects who you are and how you’d like to live outside,” says Scott.

– StatePoint

Spring cleaning: Don’t toss that ‘junk,’ it may be valuable!

From baseball cards and sports equipment to postcards and photographs, is that “junk” in your attic or basement dusty treasure or just dusty? We’ve all heard of families getting rich from the sale of rare memorabilia they found when spring cleaning.

A little time spent determining if items are valuable and where to sell them can pay off in the long run.

“The sale of older sports cards, postcards and photographs can yield thousands of dollars, even tens of thousands or more for the right ones,” says Al Crisafulli, Auction Director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports auction house that helps families identify and sell valuable sports cards and memorabilia.

Crisafulli has assisted people in selling tens of millions of dollars of baseball card collections, autographs, sports equipment and more. Such sales can be life changing. In one instance, he researched a family’s old baseball bat and proved it was game used by Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. His Love of the Game Auctions sold it for almost half a million dollars, a figure which would top a million dollars today.

Here are some of his tips to determine if your sports collectibles are valuable:

The older, the better with cards

Vintage sports cards from the early periods of sports are collectible, especially Hall of Famers. Do you have stars from the 1960s, 1950s or earlier? Look for names like Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb. Even non-star cards can be valuable, especially in nice condition with sharp corners and no creases.

Really early cards from the 1880s through the 1930s are particularly desirable, such as those by tobacco, gum and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, American Caramel, Goudey or Diamond Stars.

When determining where to sell cards and memorabilia, focus on a specialty auction house, such as Love of the Game, which employs trained experts in researching sports ephemera, and maintains bidder lists of sports collectors. More information is available at loveofthegameauctions.com.

Don’t overlook memorabilia and equipment

Cards aren’t the only potentially valuable things. Look for older promotional and advertising ephemera spotlighting sports stars, especially items that promote sporting goods, food or tobacco brands. Ads from magazines aren’t valuable, but store displays, signs

and premiums can be pricey.

Old sporting goods and equipment, such as balls, bats, gloves and uniforms, can also be valuable, especially if you had a family member who played minor or major league sports. Note that items from before the 1960s are highly collected. Also look for equipment endorsed by star players. Condition matters, but game-used equipment from professionals can be valuable in almost any condition.

Save postcards and photographs

If you have old photographs, cabinet cards or postcards of sports stars or ballparks, they should be evaluated. Those from pre-1960 can be expensive. Look for early “real photo” postcards from the 1900s through the 1940s, which are photographs printed on postcard backs.

Popular stars are key, meaning original images like Babe Ruth or early ballparks can be valuable, as opposed to images of your family members playing sports or of popular vacation destinations. When examining photographs, look for markings on the back, such as photographer, publication and date stamps. Also set aside cabinet cards, which are photographs from the 1880s through the 1930s adhered to cardboard stock.

“A good rule of thumb is that the older a sports item is, the more valuable it might be, especially from before the 1950s going back to the 1880s,” says Crisafulli.

This spring cleaning season, don’t rush to haul “junk” to the curb. Examine it first. – StatePoint

Photo Courtesy of Delpixart / iStock via Getty Images Plus

H me & Garden SPRING

How to green your home or apartment for maximum savings

Whether you own or rent the place you call home, ensuring that it’s energy efficient can help you save money, increase your comfort and contribute to improved indoor air quality. It’s also better for the planet.

To help you make choices that will trim your monthly expenses and reduce your carbon footprint, Freddie Mac is offering the following tips:

Home-Searching Tips

When house hunting, your realtor can help you learn about the current energy usage of the homes you’re interested in purchasing. If you’re explicitly looking for green housing, it’s helpful to work with a professional with specific expertise or credentials in this area.

Whether you’re in the market to buy or rent, basic energy- and water-saving features to check for when visiting properties include good insulation, properly sealed doors and windows, smart thermostats, low-flow or dual-flush toilets, high-efficiency or tankless hot water heaters, and front-loading washing machines. The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels are good indicators that the property, and the appliances within it, are designed with

efficiency in mind. You should also consider which direction the building faces and whether it’s shaded. The amount of direct sunlight your potential home receives can have a large impact on your HVAC needs.

Making updates

There are many steps you can take to improve your home’s energy and water efficiency. If you’re unsure where to start, consider referencing the Department of Energy’s data-driven tools and calculators. You could also hire a professional to perform an energy audit. This will pinpoint where you’re losing energy and what renovations will save you money. Some

quick DIY updates to make right now include caulking window casings, weatherstripping doors, replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs, and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads. Additional money-saving updates include installing a smart, programmable thermostat, replacing older appliances and installing a tankless hot water heater.

Renting? Reach out to your landlord to determine what updates they’re willing to make. You may not be allowed to make permanent changes, or interested in making investments in someone else’s property, but energy-saving habits, such as washing clothes in cold water and adjusting the thermostat when leaving town, can help. The return

You may be asking yourself whether all this effort is worth it. The answer? Up-todate, energy- and water-efficient technologies can save you 20% to 30% on your bills. And because today’s savvy buyers are looking for a home that will be kind to both their wallet and the environment, efficiency improvements can also boost resale value. In fact, Freddie Mac research found that homes with high

energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average than unrated homes.

Fortunately, there are programs available, such as Energy Efficient Mortgages, to help finance these improvements upfront. With the understanding that reducing home utility costs places families in a better financial situation and helps preserve home affordability over time, Freddie Mac offers GreenCHOICE Mortgages that can be applied to a new home purchase or a no cash-out refinance and can be used to cover basic energy efficiency improvements up to $6,500 without the need for an energy report. With a GreenCHOICE Mortgage you can borrow up to 15% of the home’s “as complete” appraised value to pay for basic energy and water efficiency improvements. Speak with your lender about the financing options available to you and which may best suit your needs.

There are no doubt long-term savings and gains to be reaped from greening your home. And thanks to new programs, paying for these updates is easier for more American families.

– StatePoint

Photo Courtesy of monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

H me & Garden SPRING

Reasons to upgrade to electric and induction cooking appliances

Cooking with gas? Industry experts say there are many reasons to consider retiring your gas-powered appliances.

To help you understand what your kitchen may be missing, Melissa Haber, the vice president of EuroChef USA, the exclusive importer of the Verona and Lofra brands of residential cooking appliances, offers seven reasons why your next home upgrade should include making the swap to electric or induction cooking.

1. You’re health- and eco-conscious. Gas appliances at home are associated with an increased risk of asthma and other illnesses, particularly in children, as they emit harmful air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and methane, even when they’re not in use. The same pollutants are also harmful to the environment, contributing to air quality issues and climate change. In fact, national annual emissions from gas cooktops are equivalent to the emissions transmitted from half a million cars.

2. They’re easy to maintain. Compared to the metal grates of a conventional gas stove, the flat surface of an electric or induction cooktop is nearly effortless to clean. A damp dish rag and soap works for

most cleanup sessions. For more involved messes, a little vinegar goes a long way.

3. They offer safety benefits. With no open flame, electric appliances lower the risk of burns or fires, particularly those with safety features such as “power on” lights and residual heat warnings that inform users when the surface is still hot. Induction cooking also has safety benefits, since only the cooking vessel is directly heated and the surface of the cooktop itself does not retain or give off heat.

4. You value precision. Induction cooking is faster and more efficient than cooking with gas. The high-end induction ranges offered by the Italian brand Lofra, which combine elegant design with modern cooking features, are a good example of how accurate temperature control allows you to prepare meals like a professional in the comfort of home.

5. Making changes can be feasible. Installing a gas hookup can be costly, time-consuming and involve inspections. The installation process for electric appliances on the other hand is easier and less expensive. Not able to replace your gas appliances with electric? Investing in a range hood is a sensible solution that can

With techniques refined over 81 years since its founding in 1943, our team has the experience and passion necessary to help you achieve your project goals.

cut your appliance’s air pollution by about half.

6. You’ll be ahead of the curve. A growing number of cities and municipalities are banning new gas hookups for appliances to reduce air pollution and help fight climate change. Making the switch to electric or induction can help you get ahead of the regulatory curve.

7. New options are being introduced.

With sales of electric appliances on the rise, a few select manufacturers have taken note, and to meet customer demand, have recently introduced additional options offering style and soughtafter features. For example, the Italian brand Verona offers electric ranges in its Prestige and Designer Collections that deliver an upgraded look, with single and double oven options to suit varying needs and tastes. All are equipped with five burners that accommodate pots of any size, and a multi-tasking dual element that ranges from simmer to boil with the simple turn of a knob.

“As more consumers have come to realize the value and advantages of electric and induction cooking, it became important to us to offer them the same versatility and style they might expect with traditional gas-powered cooking appliances,” says Haber.

Whether you want to prioritize your family’s health and safety, or you simply want to embrace the convenience of modern cooking technology, electric and induction appliances can be a game changer in your kitchen.

– StatePoint

Photo Courtesy of Susan Serra

H me & Garden SPRING

Five common weatherization myths — debunked!

If you haven’t yet weatherized your home this season, you’re not alone.

A new survey from Duck brand found that 80% of people that weatherize their homes notice a decrease in their energy bills – yet many homeowners and renters alike still aren’t taking advantage of these easy DIY solutions to create a more comfortable and energy efficient home. Why? Some common myths about weatherization may be to blame. Read on for the truth about the home weatherization process.

Myth No. 1: You need to hire a professional to properly weatherize your home. Weatherizing projects can be tackled over a weekend with a few do-it-yourself solutions. From rolled window insulation kits to weatherstrip seals, many home weatherization products are easy to install and remove, often requiring only basic tools, like scissors and measuring tape, or sometimes needing no tools at all.

Myth No. 2: Weatherizing only helps in cold weather climates. While insulation kits help block cold drafts in the winter, they also can maintain a comfortable room temperature in warm environments

by keeping cool air from escaping. Products like Duck brand Heavy-Duty Weatherstrip Seals and the brand’s Double Draft Seal for under the door also are designed to provide year-round protection from wind, dust, insects and pollen, providing added benefits during the warmer months.

Myth No. 3: It's expensive to draftproof your home. In reality, many weatherization products retail for under $50. Considering that 76% of people have experienced an increase in their energy bill in the past five years, it’s definitely economical to weatherize. One great solution is the Duck brand Max Strength Rolled Window Insulation Kit, which helps block drafts to lower heating and cooling costs.

Myth No. 4: Only old homes require weatherization. Weatherizing can make even newer, more energy-efficient homes more comfortable and less costly to heat and cool, while also protecting homes from the damaging effects of the elements throughout the year. For example, faucet covers are essential to help prevent freezing pipes in cold climates, while air condi-

tioner covers can guard units from damaging rain, snow and dirt.

Myth No. 5: Weatherizing is only for windows and doors. Windows and doors are the two most common sources for drafts, but other large openings, like the attic and garage, and even small ones, like electric sockets, are rarely insulated and can lead to air leaks. Luckily, there are a

variety of products available to create an airtight seal in these areas.

Understanding the short-term and long-term benefits of weatherizing can make all the difference in staying cozy and comfortable, saving money and increasing the longevity of your home, no matter where you live.

– StatePoint

Four trends to go from drab to dreamy H me & Garden SPRING

While neutral tones continue to be popular this year among home DIYers, bold and colorful surroundings also are trending right now.

From adding dramatic style to the kitchen to giving an unexpected space a splash of color, these ideas—inspired by the 2024 FrogTape Design Trends, as identified by celebrity interior designer Taniya Nayak—will make areas around your home pop in 2024.

Colorful Kitchens. Make the kitchen a focal point by painting the cabinets or panels on the island a vivid color. Calming blue will ensure a relaxed and laid-back feeling, while fuchsia will energize the design. Nayak recommends using FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape to prevent paint bleed and achieve crisp paint lines. The low-adhesion tape is designed to prevent damage on surfaces like cabinets, freshly painted walls, wallpaper and more.

Dynamic Décor. If painting projects aren’t in the plan for this year, revive a living room or bedroom by adding a collection of brightly colored pillows and throws, bohemian-style macramé, wall art and a rug with geometric patterns. As long

as the colors are complementary to each other, the blend of styles and textures will catch the eye and make the room feel refreshed with little effort.

Nourishing Green. A simple, but effective, way to boost the mood of a space is to fill it with large blooms. Place a modern plant stand in an empty corner or between rooms as a divider, and layer in green houseplants or ones with colorful leaves on the shelves. Accentuate the greenery with pops of the same color throughout the room to create a sense of cohesion.

Elevated Exteriors. It’s not just the interiors of the home that should speak to personal style, the outside should, too! Give the front door a facelift by painting it a daring color. Don’t be afraid to choose one hue for the outside of the door and another for the inside. For this project, apply FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape before painting, so that trim around the door and doorknob is protected from paint bleed.

Whether you choose one or all of these trends, they can be tackled by DIYers with a range of skillsets to transform dull living spaces into the home of your dreams.

– StatePoint

Stop in and see our BRAND NEW SHOWROOM with top of the line displays from some of the best AMERICAN MADE brands in our industry.

om some of the best A s frydispla op BRAND NE . AN MMERIC W SHOWR ands in our ADE br AN M op line OOM with t

ASK A SALESMAN HOW YOU CAN REGISTER TODAY OR

REGIS

W Y DAYODA TER AN OU C YO

GLHS beats first 3 opponents by 34-2 margin

(Continued from Page 14)

Governor Livingston was only scored on in one of its first 19 innings, when Oratory Prep produced both of its runs in the top of the fourth of the season-opener. Since then, Governor Livingston held its opponents scoreless in 15 straight innings heading into the scheduled game at New Providence on Tuesday, April 9.

Against Oratory Prep in the season-opener, up on the hill in Berkeley Heights, starter Matt Diskin threw onehit ball for six innings, striking out five, walking one and hitting one batter in a 72-pitch winning effort.

Governor Livingston extended a 4-2 lead with four runs in the fourth inning and its final two in the sixth. Matthew Shaffer was 3-for-4 with three runs and three singles. Alex Adornato was 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI. Both of his hits were doubles.

Zach Geertsma went 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in a run at Union. He banged out a single and two triples. Dylan Gardner was 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI.

Keith Mann earned the mound victory, tossing 63

Chris Roof is here with his Class of 2020 players that signed their letters-of-intent to play in college.

pitches in a four-inning stint. He allowed two hits, struck out seven and walked one. Ben Smookler struck out two batters in the fifth.

The Highlanders led 3-0 going into the top of the seventh at Morristown, when they broke out with an 11-run inning. Dominic Labisi and Adornato both produced three hits.

Labisi was 3-for-5, with one run and one RBI, and Adornato was 3-for-4, with two runs and one RBI. Shaffer, Michael Novotny and Gardner each connected for two hits.

Novotny pitched the first five innings for the win, striking out nine, walking none and hitting four batters. Anthony DeNora and Vinny Graham each pitched one scoreless inning.

Governor Livingston began the week 0-0 in Watchung Division play, since its wins were against Mountain Division foes Oratory Prep and Union and out-of-county opponent Morristown.

The seven-schools Watchung Division this year includes Cranford, Governor Livingston, Arthur L. Johnson, New Providence, Scotch Plains–Fanwood, Summit and Westfield.

File Photo

Governor Livingston High School head coach

Five smart home products for the modern home

As you navigate the demands of modern life, it’s empowering to know that your living spaces can keep up. Here are five smart home technologies that can help you take control and elevate your home into a sanctuary of modern convenience and elegance.

1. Ovens: With a smart oven, you may be able to limit the incidence of traditional kitchen snafus. For example, the Sharp Smart Convection Wall Oven with Microwave Drawer Oven (SWB3085HS), a combination appliance, features a single simple-to-use, fullcolor touchscreen control panel. It Works with Alexa to accept voice commands. (Alexa-compatible device sold separately.) You can turn the oven on and off handsfree, keeping the control panel clean. This model is an excellent example of what technological innovation can bring to home cooking—allowing you to choose settings based on popular foods and recipes and giving you the ability to save up to 30 of your favorite menu items and cook times for easier access. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary journey, a highly functional smart oven can be a game changer in your kitchen.

2. Dishwashers: Who doesn’t love extra help in the kitchen, especially when it comes to cleaning? A smart dishwasher can simplify daily chores. Many smart models can be operated and monitored remotely from your smartphone, so you can receive notifications when the

cycle is complete or customize wash settings with the touch of a button to keep cleanup moving along while getting on with other activities. For a modern, ecofriendly kitchen, prioritize energy-efficient features and advanced cleaning technology.

3. Air purifiers: Create a mindful living environment with a Smart Air Purifier like the Plasmacluster 7000 Series KCP110UW Smart Air Purifier and Humidifier by Sharp, which is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice control. (Assistant devices sold separately.) Monitor your home’s air quality, adjust settings remotely, and even receive notifications when it’s time to replace your air purifier’s filters using the SHARP AIR app.

4. Microwaves: Today’s smart microwave ovens are available in countertop, over-the-range and even Microwave Drawer ovens, which can be installed under the counter or in an island to complement your lifestyle. Simple voice commands like “Alexa, microwave frozen veggies” or “Alexa, defrost 1 pound of ground meat” can revolutionize how you spend your time in the kitchen.

5. Televisions: Thanks to smart televisions, you can elevate your binge-watching sessions and truly immerse yourself in stunning visuals, vibrant colors and seamless streaming experiences from the comfort of your home. Use your voice to find shows, play music, and control smart home devices with a Sharp AQUOS XLED 4K Ultra HD Mini LED Google TV. With personalized watchlists and profiles, everyone’s experience can be customized for them. Another option is a Sharp Roku TV OLED 4K Ultra HD television, which works with popular voice assistants, making it a perfect fit for any smart home.

“Embracing the future of smart living can save you time, energy and hassle. From the kitchen to the living room, let smart devices seamlessly integrate into your daily routine,” says Peter Weedfald, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Sharp Home Electronics Company of America.

H me & Garden SPRING

How to green your home or apartment for maximum savings

Whether you own or rent the place you call home, ensuring that it’s energy efficient can help you save money, increase your comfort and contribute to improved indoor air quality. It’s also better for the planet.

To help you make choices that will trim your monthly expenses and reduce your carbon footprint, Freddie Mac is offering the following tips:

Home-Searching Tips

When house hunting, your realtor can help you learn about the current energy usage of the homes you’re interested in purchasing. If you’re explicitly looking for green housing, it’s helpful to work with a professional with specific expertise or credentials in this area.

Whether you’re in the market to buy or rent, basic energy- and water-saving features to check for when visiting properties include good insulation, properly sealed doors and windows, smart thermostats, low-flow or dual-flush toilets, high-efficiency or tankless hot water heaters, and front-loading washing machines. The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels are good indicators that the property, and the appliances within it, are designed with

efficiency in mind. You should also consider which direction the building faces and whether it’s shaded. The amount of direct sunlight your potential home receives can have a large impact on your HVAC needs.

Making updates

There are many steps you can take to improve your home’s energy and water efficiency. If you’re unsure where to start, consider referencing the Department of Energy’s data-driven tools and calculators. You could also hire a professional to perform an energy audit. This will pinpoint where you’re losing energy and what renovations will save you money. Some

quick DIY updates to make right now include caulking window casings, weatherstripping doors, replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs, and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads. Additional money-saving updates include installing a smart, programmable thermostat, replacing older appliances and installing a tankless hot water heater.

Renting? Reach out to your landlord to determine what updates they’re willing to make. You may not be allowed to make permanent changes, or interested in making investments in someone else’s property, but energy-saving habits, such as washing clothes in cold water and adjusting the thermostat when leaving town, can help. The return

You may be asking yourself whether all this effort is worth it. The answer? Up-todate, energy- and water-efficient technologies can save you 20% to 30% on your bills. And because today’s savvy buyers are looking for a home that will be kind to both their wallet and the environment, efficiency improvements can also boost resale value. In fact, Freddie Mac research found that homes with high

energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average than unrated homes.

Fortunately, there are programs available, such as Energy Efficient Mortgages, to help finance these improvements upfront. With the understanding that reducing home utility costs places families in a better financial situation and helps preserve home affordability over time, Freddie Mac offers GreenCHOICE Mortgages that can be applied to a new home purchase or a no cash-out refinance and can be used to cover basic energy efficiency improvements up to $6,500 without the need for an energy report. With a GreenCHOICE Mortgage you can borrow up to 15% of the home’s “as complete” appraised value to pay for basic energy and water efficiency improvements. Speak with your lender about the financing options available to you and which may best suit your needs.

There are no doubt long-term savings and gains to be reaped from greening your home. And thanks to new programs, paying for these updates is easier for more American families.

– StatePoint

Four trends to take you all the way from drab to dreamy

While neutral tones continue to be popular this year among home DIYers, bold and colorful surroundings also are trending right now.

From adding dramatic style to the kitchen to giving an unexpected space a splash of color, these ideas—inspired by the 2024 FrogTape Design Trends, as identified by celebrity interior designer Taniya Nayak—will make areas around your home pop in 2024.

Colorful kitchens. Make the kitchen a focal point by painting the cabinets or panels on the island a vivid color. Calming blue will ensure a relaxed and laid-back feeling, while fuchsia will energize the design. Nayak recommends using FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape to prevent paint bleed and achieve crisp paint lines. The low-adhesion tape is designed to prevent damage on surfaces like cabinets, freshly painted walls, wallpaper and more.

Dynamic décor. If painting projects aren’t in the plan for this year, revive a living room or bedroom by adding a collection of brightly colored pillows and throws, bohemian-style macramé, wall art and a rug with geometric patterns. As long as the colors are complementary to

each other, the blend of styles and textures will catch the eye and make the room feel refreshed with little effort.

Nourishing green. A simple, but effective, way to boost the mood of a space is to fill it with large blooms. Place a modern plant stand in an empty corner or between rooms as a divider, and layer in green houseplants or ones with colorful leaves on the shelves. Accentuate the greenery with pops of the same color throughout the room to create a sense of cohesion.

Elevated exteriors. It’s not just the interiors of the home that should speak to personal style, the outside should, too! Give the front door a facelift by painting it a daring color. Don’t be afraid to choose one hue for the outside of the door and another for the inside. For this project, apply FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape before painting, so that trim around the door and doorknob is protected from paint bleed.

Whether you choose one or all of these trends, they can be tackled by DIYers with a range of skillsets to transform dull living spaces into the home of your dreams.

Photo Courtesy of monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus

With grocery store shelves loaded up with new and unfamiliar products, and social media influencers touting this or that food brand, a trip to the supermarket is not always quick or easy. After all, there are few consumer decisions more important than what you feed your family.

Fortunately, there is a way to tell whether a certain product is already loved by other shoppers. Whether you’re shopping online or ordering a grocery delivery through an app, Product of the Year USA can be a go-to resource. Each year it iden-

tifies the best new products as voted on by tens of thousands of consumers. The largest such consumer-voted award of its kind, you can be sure when you spot the iconic red seal that a given product is tried and true.

“Great products deserve to be celebrated and consumers deserve to know about them,” says Mike Nolan, global CEO of Product of the Year Management. “In a crowded physical and digital marketplace, we’re eager to help people cut through the noise and clutter.”

To reduce stress and save time on your supermarket visits, consider adding these 18 2024 Product of the Year food and beverage winners to your shopping list:

• Bread | ALDI-exclusive Specially Selected Sliced Italian Loaf – ALDI Inc.

• Breakfast | Quaker Fruit Fusion Instant Oatmeal – PepsiCo

• Cereal | Quaker Chewy Granola –PepsiCo

• Chocolate | Kinder Chocolate – Ferrero

• Cooking Essentials | ALDI-Exclusive Simply Nature Spray Oil – ALDI Inc.

• Hard Seltzer | Truly Red, White & Tru

– Boston Beer Company

• Healthy Beverage | Blender Bites –Blender Bites (Holdings) Limited

• Healthy Snack | Del Monte Fruit Refreshers – Del Monte Foods Inc

• Juice | ALDI-exclusive Nature’s Nectar OJ Blends – ALDI Inc.

• Meal Ingredient | Take Root Organics

– Take Root Organics

• Meat Entree | Boar’s Head FireSmith(TM) Flame Grilled Chicken Breast - Frank Brunckhorst Co, LLC (Boar’s Head Brand)

• Non-Chocolate Candy | SKITTLES Littles – Mars

• Pasta | ALDI-Exclusive Priano Hearty Ravioli – ALDI Inc.

• RTD Cocktail | Absolut and Ocean Spray Vodka-Cranberry RTD Range –Pernod Ricard USA

• Salty Snack | Pringles Harvest Blends

– Kellogg Company (Pringles)

• Specialty Dairy | Organic Valley Reduced Fat Eggnog – Organic Valley

• Spirits | Buchanan’s Pineapple – Diageo North America PLC

• Wine | ALDI-Exclusive Belletti Prosecco – ALDI Inc.

To enter the 2024 Product of the Year Sweepstakes for a chance to win a selection of this year’s winning products, visit productoftheyearusa.com/sweepstakes. For more information and for the complete list of this year’s winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com, and follow along on social media with #POYUSA2024 on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.

Time to restock the pantry and fridge? Let the “hivemind” help you make great decisions for your family quickly and with ease.

H me & Garden SPRING

Help keep kids safe from lithium coin batteries

About 7,000 children in the United States visit emergency rooms for batteryrelated injuries each year, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Lithium coin batteries, those small, disc-shaped batteries about the size of a nickel, are particularly dangerous.

The exact right size to get lodged in a child’s throat if accidentally swallowed, they can turn deadly, burning a hole in an esophagus in as little as two hours. And, they’re everywhere – in key fobs, key finders, flameless candles, remote controls, thermometers and many common home devices.

Despite parents’ thirst for knowledge on how to keep their children safe, the

potential dangers of lithium coin batteries are not widely discussed. It’s no surprise then that 55% of parents with children ages 6 and under don’t realize that lithium coin batteries are more dangerous than button batteries – in fact 45% think there is no difference. That’s according to a 2023 Duracell survey conducted by Wakefield Research. This is why the brand is reminding parents that when it comes to lithium coin batteries, #BitterIsBetter. As part of the #BitterisBetter campaign, Duracell is sharing these simple tips to help keep you and your family safe:

• One in 4 parents with kids aged 6 and under don’t know how many devices in their homes require lithium coin batteries

to operate. Do a survey of your devices, and move those that contain lithium coin batteries away from and out-of-reach of children. Examples of common devices include flameless LED tealight candles, key fobs and thermometers.

• Get down to your child’s eye level to see what they see. Look for loose lithium coin batteries in couch cushions, on low tables and shelves or any other areas that a child can reach.

• Inspect devices and secure lithium coin battery compartments by tightening the screws or securing them with tape for an extra layer of protection.

• Keep all new lithium coin batteries in a secure compartment, up high and out of

children’s reach. Remove expired batteries from devices, and place them away safely out of reach of children until you can recycle them properly.

• Power your devices with batteries that have child safety features. When it comes to lithium coin batteries, Duracell is the only brand on the market to offer a non-toxic bitter coating that helps discourage children from accidentally swallowing them. Look for the “Bitter Taste” icon on the packaging. The batteries also come in child-secure packaging, which is nearly impossible to open without scissors, making sure little hands, and mouths, cannot access them.

--StatePoint