ETX View Home & Garden 2023

& STORM PREP

PRESENTED BY

ROOF REPLACEMENT

A roof system is exposed to all manners of chemical and physical stress. The long-term effects of these forces are called Normal Aging. Small, isolated problems caused through abuse, stress concentration, inadequate ventilation, errors in installation, or other factors result in a shortened lifespan. Our certified team members can determine whether you are needing a roof replacement or how to preserve it.

ROOF REPAIR

If not detected and repaired, small problems or defects, inevitably become major problems affecting the performance of the whole roof system. This is important because if the roof fails, other features in your home could be damaged. These observations may give clues to not only roofing problems, but also other conditions affecting the performance of the building envelope.

ROOF INSPECTION

We perform thorough inspection of your complete roof, gutters, chimneys, ventilation, and fascia. Also, if accessible, one of the most important parts of your roof, the underside of the deck.

We look for cracks, stains, rusting, watermarks, efflorescence, wet spots, spalled mortar, or other signs of excessive moisture or deterioration when we inspect your roof.

ETX VIEW

PRESIDENT

Stephen McHaney

PUBLISHER

Justin Wilcox

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Alyssa Purselley-Hankins

903-596-6295

EDITOR

Tim Thorsen

ETX VIEW EDITOR

Santana Wood

PUBLICATION DESIGNER

Haley Holcomb

WRITERS

Jo Lee Ferguson

Jessica T. Payne

Yoleyne Romero

Symone Sheppard

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Michael Cavazos

Ana Conejo

Les Hassell

ADVERTISING SALES

Candace Kozak

Haylea Hudson

Kelly Benton

Kerri Esposito

Morgan Perry

Paula White

Shawna Yockey

Stuart James

Tracy Stopani

HOME, GARDEN & STORM PREP

This special edition of ETX View highlights home aspects, inside and out, for all things spring and summer as well as tips and tricks to protect your home during stormy seasons.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sarah A. Miller

COVER DESIGN BY Haley Holcomb

© 2023, M. ROBERTS MEDIA

100 E. Ferguson, Suite 501, Tyler, TX 75702

IN EAST TEXAS Gardening

How to care for flowers and plants in spring and

summer

STORY BY SYMONE SHEPPARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

Tyler is known as the Rose Capital of the world, but is also home to several areas where various plants and flowers can flourish. Between the spring and summer seasons, it’s sometimes difficult for beginner gardeners to tell which exact plants or flowers will benefit the most from each season.

“To ensure all season color, it's always nice to mix annuals in with your perennials. The perennials will come back every year and have their time of glory for their specific bloom time, depending on the variety. Then another one comes up and has it's show time.” said Dory Hersey, of Dory’s Gardens.

Annual plants only live for one growing season before dying off while perennial plants regrow every spring.

“The key is to know what blooms when so you always have an ever-changing landscape. Interspersing annuals will provide a desirable consistent bloom throughout the whole season,” Hersey said. “Here in East Texas, the annuals enjoy a fall/winter season or a spring/summer season, with overlapping color. For early spring, some of my favorite perennials are fern leaf phlox, candytuft and cyclamens. Some begonias and verbena, geraniums and petunias along with Primrose and African daisies are a really nice as an interim plant. Also, dianthus can help to fill in the gap early spring, and again in the late fall. And don't forget daffodil and paper white bulbs, along with hyacinth. Usually those are planted in the fall for an early spring show.”

Hersey said for the summer, you have an immense selection.

“Favorite annuals are begonias, geraniums, vincas, Caladiums, impatiens, and the list goes on,” she said.

Thirty-eight years ago, Hersey moved from Hawaii to Tyler. She had always had a sporadic experience with gardening. Hersey used to joke with her friends she would one day become “that little old lady in the straw hat, sitting by the road and selling flowers.”

“After being in Tyler a good while, an opportunity to start a landscape business arose,” Hersey said. “I came across a beautiful home right down the street in the historic brick street district that was for sale that had a huge yard in the back. It was a miracle that I was able to buy this place and have joyfully been developing it into what Dory's Gardens is today. Dory’s Gardens is a welcoming place and a unique experience. Pathways lead you through the backyard garden, where rows of plants, pottery, Wrought iron, wind chimes, and more items are available. Repurposing is a major theme here and many ideas spring forth from garden art displayed.”

Along with the break between spring and summer, Hersey also mentioned soil as a factor in making sure plants survive each season.

“Preparing the soil is key to good success in your garden,” Hersey said. “The

DORY HERSEY, owner of Dory's Gardens says flowers like this African Daisy are good interim plants during cooler times of the year but are not heat tolerant enough to withstand East Texas summers.

MULTIPLE COLOR varieties of Verbena.

DORY'S GARDENS

DORY'S GARDENS

plants have to have loose soil for the roots to breathe and absorb moisture in. Adding compost or bagged growers mix, 8 to 12 inches minimum deep is ideal. If you really want to invest in your garden, consider bringing in a truckload of bedding soil from one of the recycling places in town.”

Shaniqua Davis, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Gregg County extension agent, has some tips as well.

“You need to collect a soil sample so you know the proper nutrients for those individual plants so they will have optimal growth,” said Davis.

For Gregg County specifically, Davis works with homeowners regarding their lawns, gardens and trees in

a home setting.

“Some may even mix their flowers in with vegetables to promote for pollinators in the garden that will assist in production,” she said.

There are also a variety of different types of soils to choose from.

“East Texas is mostly sandy loam, but there are places that have red clay,” said Erin Smith, the horticulturalist of Hughes Plant Farm in Tyler. “And when you have clay it’s a very small particle, so you need to add organic matter into your soil. You can use composted cotton burr; you can use landscape/grower mix. It has composted bark or chicken manure in it, and you just make sure you turn

that into your soil. You don’t want to plant the plant in just the native soil because of the water content but if you just plant it in the potting soil, it will never go out into your native soil, so you need to mix that down in the roots.”

Along with types of soil, Smith also mentioned the need for fertilizer.

“We see organic fertilizer as more of a slowrelease fertilizer, because you can put it in the soil,” said Smith. “You don’t have to worry about it being too strong, and it will break down over time. The granular of the inorganic that we sell, that is helpful, but you need to be careful about your rate and that you’re not overfeeding. There’s a lot of recipes. Certain vegetables like certain nutrients.”

Beginner gardeners have plenty to consider when creating their first garden.

“A good way to start is just doing a few container gardens in pots or a raised bed or a small plot that you can easily access. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew as gardens take years to develop. Don't be discouraged if some plants die. It happens to all of us. Just put them in the compost pile so they can be recycled to the garden,” Hersey explained. “Talk to neighbors or friends, who seem to have successful gardens and learn from them. I have found that most gardeners want to share their knowledge and tips and extra plants. It is a great community to be a part of, very rewarding, not to mention the health and wellbeing that gardening will bring to your life.”

| CONT. FROM PG. 8

CUSTOMERS shop at Dory's Gardens.

Celebrating six years with Sleep First

buying experience with the best brands in sleep has been the key to our success."

Sleep First Celebrates 6 Years of Growth in East Texas with Unique Mattress Buying Experience

East Texas, USA - March 17, 2023 Sleep First, the premier mattress store in East Texas, is proud to celebrate 5 years of growth and success in the area. The company, with 3 locations in East Texas, has now become a leading provider of high-quality mattresses from top brands such as Sealy, Tempur-pedic, Purple, Nectar, and Beautyrest.

Sleep First was founded by Ryan Vinson, whose family has been part of the East Texas community since the 1800s. With a successful corporate career under his belt, Ryan returned to his roots to open his own business in the area where he grew up. According to Ryan, Sleep First owes its success to his dedicated team and the exceptional brands the store carries, which create a mattress buying experience unlike any other.

"We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and grateful to our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years," said Ryan Vinson, founder and CEO of Sleep First. "Our focus on providing a unique

Sleep First offers customers a wide selection of mattresses, including traditional innerspring, hybrid, memory foam, and adjustable beds. The store's knowledgeable sales staff is trained to help customers find the perfect mattress to fit their needs and budget.

In addition to its excellent product offerings, Sleep First is committed to providing exceptional customer service. The store offers a 365-night sleep trial, free delivery, and financing options to make the buying process as convenient as possible for customers.

"We believe that everyone deserves a good night's sleep, and we are passionate about helping our customers achieve that," said Ryan Vinson. "We invite everyone to come by and try the unique buying experience and mattress selection process that Sleep First has to offer."

For more information about Sleep First and its products, visit https://sleepfirstusa.com or stop by one of their three locations in Tyler or Longview.

Contact: Ryan Vinson Founder and CEO Sleep First info@sleepfirstusa.com

BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES

Take steps to keep your home safe

STORY BY YOLEYNE ROMERO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANA CONEJO & LES HASSELL

Disaster can strike your home with little or no warning — a tree falls through your house, pipes burst, a fire breaks out.

But Charlene Ingram, State Farm insurance agent in Longview, said homeowners can take basic steps to prepare for an emergency or even prevent it.

The easiest thing a homeowner can do is to make sure a smoke detector is installed and working, she said.

Homeowners should always set an emergency plan. Each family member should be aware of at least two ways to evacuate a home quickly, and a safe meet-up location should be determined as part of the plan, Ingram said.

Important possessions should be kept in a secure place so they can be easily retrieved during an evacuation. Ingram recommends investing in a lock box for documents and smaller items.

Stock up on essential food items and water and

include them in an easily accessible emergency kit. Kits should contain a couple days worth of non-perishable food items, two to three gallons of water per person, medications, important documents, flashlights and batteries.

To protect a home against a tornado and storms with high winds, Ingram recommends installing impactresistant windows as well as impact-resistant roofing.

To protect against wildfires, Ingram said creating a defensible space around the home can be done by removing any dead or unnecessary vegetation. A defensible area is a 5-to10-foot boundary around the home.

"Move your stack of firewood away from the house. Move all fire hazards like wooden patio furniture or other combustible materials. Use stones or gravel instead of mulch," she said.

| CONT. FROM PG. 12

In addition to taking precautions such as these, Ingram said it's important to make sure a home is properly insured. Homeowners should contact their insurance agent and review coverage, she said.

Additionally, finances should always be organized to account for an emergency. Ingram recommends having at least six months of money saved in case of disaster.

Here's more disaster preparation tips from the American Red Cross:

Fire safety: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas; test smoke alarms every month; and talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

Flooding preparation: Check with a professional to raise your furnace, water heater, and electric panel to floors that are less likely to be flooded as well as install check valves in plumbing to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home; use sand bags when flooding is expected.

Storms and tornadoes: Learn about your community’s emergency warning system for severe thunderstorms; discuss thunderstorm safety and lightning safety with all members of your household; pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm; make trees and shrubbery more wind resistant by keeping them trimmed and removing damaged branches; remove any debris or loose items in your yard; consider installing permanent shutters to cover windows; strengthen garage doors.

GAS-POWERED GENERATORS are for sale at Groom & Sons Hardware in Longview.

STORE MANAGER SAVANNAH SECOR is seen with a selection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at Groom & Sons Hardware in Longview.

NEW HOME TRENDS MAKING BOLD ENTRANCE IN 2023

STORY BY JESSICA T. PAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

From quartz countertops to different color appliances, there are many new home trends making their mark in 2023.

More and more homeowners are emerging from the last couple of trying years with renewed energy for creating lively homes full of color, pattern, texture and optimism.

Aaron Paul of A&B Custom Homes said although the home building process is a long one, it should also be fun.

“We feel as builders people are looking for a builder that will be knowledgeable about the process and work with them throughout the build on selections, attend

appointments, site visits, and more. The home building process is a long one but it should be a fun one,” he said.

Paul said the new trends are spanning both traditional and modern home styles. ETX View took a look at what Paul said are the hottest trends taking hold into 2023.

VINYL AND WOOD FRAMED WINDOWS

Vinyl windows are windows with frames made out of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), the same material used to make pipes and fittings for plumbing. The material is formed

EXTERIOR OF A&B CUSTOM HOMES' construction at 1729 Legacy Court.

into a straight shape and then crafted into a window frame and filled with glass.

Paul said vinyl windows are one of the most popular window frame choices for homeowners today. They are the most affordable option, and are known for being good insulators. Vinyl is also a highly versatile material that can be used to make the majority of window styles.

Wood framed windows are just as durable and long-lasting as other window frame options when properly maintained. They have been used in homes for hundreds of years. Though they have adapted to modern standards, they still offer the same general strength and aesthetic appeal that they have in the past.

BLACK WINDOWS

Black windows are another tool for creating an up-to-date look, no matter if a home’s style is modern, traditional, or something in-between. While black windows might have been seen as a strictly modern look previously, the rise of transitional architecture, which mixes elements of traditional and modern styles, means there’s more flexibility in how black windows are used. Black windows can work on a farmhouse, a modern home, and several other styles.

Much of the classic appeal of stylish black windows is the unique, sleek aesthetic they offer, but also their great versatility. Black windows suit the countless interior and exterior architectural designs, interior decorating styles, and color pallets.

QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Quartz is a manmade stone that is composed of roughly 80% to 93% natural material mixed with pigments and resins, making it a very durable and low-maintenance option. The artificial pigments that are added to quartz allow homeowners a wide variety of choices, making it a more flexible option when coordinating the other aspects of the kitchen design. Advantages to installing quartz countertops include recyclable,

long-lasting, easy to clean, variety of color and design options, and they are very durable.

DIFFERENT COLOR APPLIANCES

When it comes to home building, the kitchen tends to be the most popular spot for plans. The kitchen is an important source of food, comfort, family, and togetherness. Often, families enjoy spending time preparing a meal together or simply

sitting at the dining table and going over the tasks of the day or having a morning coffee.

Colorful appliances, whether a bold red stand mixer or soft mintgreen toaster, have long been found on the countertop. In contrast, major kitchen appliances have typically remained neutral, with stainless steel finishes dominating this century.

Paul said although designers and manufacturers anticipate

INTERIOR OF A&B CUSTOM HOMES' construction at 1729 Legacy Court.

HIDDEN PANTRY

OUTDOOR KITCHEN MASTER BATH

stainless steel will continue to be most prevalent, three factors are converging to bring more color to large kitchen appliances; a demand for personalization, an increase in color appliances on the market, and a shift to more color in the kitchen in general.

WALLPAPER

Paul said minimalism and all-grayeverything are becoming a thing of

the past, and in their place, bolder colors and bigger patterns are taking over. It’s no surprise that with this change, wallpaper is having a major moment and is officially back in fashion.

Some of the most popular wallpaper trends this year include textured papers, retro patterns, imitation and faux effects, joyful color and designs, immersive walls, removable wallpaper, and

wallpapered ceilings.

Paul said along with several new interior trends, homebuilders have also seen an uptick in homebuyers looking for energy efficient and energy saving homes as well as smart homes.

As we move further into 2023, it's clear home buyers are looking for a fresh start, bold colors, and new ways to brighten up their living space.

MASTER BATH MUD ROOM

GET OUTDOORS, GET ENERGY EFFICIENT Home improvement trends

STORY BY JO LEE FERGUSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

In a real estate market punctuated by higher interest rates, higher home prices and a low inventory of homes for sale, many homeowners are looking at upgrading what they have rather than moving.

"When we saw the interest rates start progressing upward, then there comes a trade off between the interest rates and what you can afford in new construction and what it looks like to keep and fix what you have," said Temple "Tem" Carpenter.

The Longview councilman, who also works in commercial sales at McCoy's Building Supply in Longview, pointed toward a January report of economic indicators for Longview: the city issued eight building permits for new homes in January, which is "significantly less" than the 31 permits issued a year earlier.

All of those factors are driving more homeowners to home renovations and improvements.

GET OUTSIDE

Carpenter said interest in "outdoor living" is one of the main drivers of home renovations and improvements

"We're seeing a lot of interest in, 'Let's get out of the house,'" Carpenter said.

Pergolas and gazebos are popular projects, he said, adding that McCoy's offers a service in which customers can bring in their own drawings for what they want in those types of projects and the store will develop the specific plans.

At Stone Works in Longview, Chief Operating Officer Blake Weber highlighted the growing popularity of outdoor pizza ovens. The store's outdoor kitchen display includes a pizza oven that is wood-fired and another that is gas-powered. Both have brick plates that heat up to make the bottoms of the pizzas crispy.

"There's advantages and disadvantages," for each type, Weber said. Some people like the flavors produced by the wood-fired oven, but the gas pizza oven will heat up quickly and easily and cooks pizzas in about a minute.

Outdoor griddles are popular as well, he said, because of the flexibility they offer in terms of what they can cook — they can sear steaks; be used to cook eggs, bacon and pancakes; or make fajitas, for instance.

A pellet grill on display at Stone Works can be used to grill or smoke food, and includes a searing area with an open flame. It also can cook low and slow to smoke ribs or chicken, for instance. An app allows a cook to control temperature remotely, he said.

"Especially now that it's getting more into spring time," Stone Works is seeing more people come in who want to be able to get outside with family and friends, Weber said.

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND CLOSETS, OH MY

Home experts say projects to remodel and update kitchens, bathrooms and closets are big right now as

STONE WORKS COO BLAKE WEBER speaks about the rising popularity of pellet grills.

well.

If people walk into a home they're considering buying, and it has a beautiful kitchen and bathrooms, they'll be more likely to decide they would enjoy living there, even if there are parts of the house they don't like.

It's more than just a selling point, though; as it can also offer a return on your investment.

Cabinet pulls, door knobs and lighting fixtures have changed over the years as well. According to home design website Houzz, black onyx, polished nickel, matte black and brushed brass were some of the top finishes unveiled at the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, where product manufacturers unveiled their latest product collections.

One popular phrase is “soft modern style,” when it comes to kitchen and bathroom fixtures, according to Houzz. Sleek hardware and fixtures remain a common choice.

Workstation sinks, which help save space and provide convenience in the kitchen, are also becoming more popular.

In the bathroom, steam showers are being built in many new-build homes and although the installation can be more difficult for a renovation, it is still a feature many homeowners are considering this year, according to Houzz.

Weber, at Stone Works, said another trending product that can be used on fireplaces, in bathrooms or even outside, are large format porcelain tiles — they're 24x48 inches but also come in larger sizes.

"It's very durable material," he said.

"It's an aesthetic advantage," he added, compared with the typical smaller ceramic tiles, and they come in a variety of colors, designs and finishes.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY, TRENDING APPLIANCES

Carpenter, with McCoy's, said he's also seen a trend toward projects that focus on energy efficiency — new windows and doors or tankless water heaters, he said: "Things that take what you've got and make it less expensive to operate and improve the comfort."

Weber, at Stone Works, said the business is about to change up one of its showroom displays to use the large format porcelain tiles paired with an Invisacook convection stove.

As he explained it, the convection cooktop is installed under the porcelain, where it's not visible.

"When you put a metal pot on top of it, then it heats it up," Weber said. "It gets warm to the touch, but it doesn't get hot where it's going to burn you."

Stone Works’ display also will include a phone charger using similar technology.

STONE WORKS COO BLAKE WEBER speaks about the popularity of outdoor kitchens.

STONE WORKS COO BLAKE WEBER speaks about the rising popularity of large porcelain tile.

STONE WORKS COO BLAKE WEBER speaks about outdoor pizza ovens.