HomeStyle-Fall-2012

Fall 2012 Meeker County Advertiser and Hutchinson Leader Shopper

Decorating with

Decals

PLUS

What to do when the power goes out Ergonomic bathroom updates for now Keep the cold out this winter When old becomes new again

2 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

What’s Inside Decorating with decals

When the power goes out

Use removable art, graphics and words to decorate your living space.

Backup sump pumps, generators and other equipment are a must if you want to survive a long-term electrcial outage.

Page 4

Page 7

Home Improvement is published twice a year by ...

28,100 copies of Home Improvement are being delivered through the Leader Shopper and Meeker County Advertiser. Ads are also placed on www.hutchinsonleader.com and www.independentreview.net.

Ergonomic bathroom updates for now / 9 Keeping the cold out all winter long / 12 Little Red Hen in Dassel: When old becomes new / 14 Monica Pedersen offers low-cost design tips / 18 THE LITCHFIELD INDEPENDENT REVIEW P.O.Box 921,Litchfield,MN 55355-0921 Phone: 320-693-3266 Fax: 320-693-9177 E-mail: editor@independentreview.net Website: www.independentreview.net

THE HUTCHINSON LEADER 36 Washington Ave.W.,Hutchinson,MN 55350-2440 Phone: 320-587-5000 Fax: 320-587-6104 E-mail: news@hutchinsonleader.com Website: www.hutchinsonleader.com

Leader HUTCHINSON

308 Main Street South Hutchinson (320) 587-8800

606 E. 11th Street Glencoe (320) 864-3161

737 Hall Street Stewart (320) 562-2553 94071 HI

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

By Alice Oglethorpe CTW Features t sounds too good to be true: A design element that works in traditional and modern, casual and formal. But that’s exactly what the Greek key motif does.

“It’s a very classic symbol that represents unity by displaying an eternal band that doesn’t end,” says Laura Casey, an interior designer based in Charlotte, N.C. “It displays order, structure, proportion and symmetry — all of which are classic principles of design, which is why it works with so many different looks.”

Originally used in ancient Greek art and architecture, the Greek key pattern fits in nicely with current home décor trends.

“Design is moving into a graphic look, and Greek key is a great way to get into the trend while referencing an ancient design motif,” says Wendy Estes, co-founder of home décor shopping site Layla Grace and its modern alter ego, Zinc Door.

“Because (the pattern) has been around

I

Fall Home Improvement 3

BOLD, GRAPHIC AND VERSATILE — WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR IN A MOTIF? THE GREEK KEY IS APPEARING EVERYWHERE FROM METAL FURNITURE TO CUSHY PILLOWS

for so long, it fits into traditional settings, but the graphic element gives it a modern edge, too.”

Greek key is versatile enough to be used in different colors and iterations, depending on the vibe of the room.

“In traditional homes, keep it more subtle by adding a Greek key edging to curtain panels, a smaller insert on a throw pillow or adding an accessory like a tray with the pattern on it,” Estes suggests. “In more modern settings, blow it up and use it on a larger scale or on more pieces throughout the room.”

Another way to make the Greek key pattern look modern is to go crazy with the colors. “Traditionally, Greek key is made with one dark and one light color,” Casey says. “But don’t be afraid to go bold with the color in a modern setting. It’s such a simple pattern that you can use bright colors – hot pink or turquoise – and it still works.”

Also, think beyond textiles. “Greek key fabrics are used on curtains, rugs and pillows, but the pattern is also showing up in furniture,” Estes says. “It might be a chair

where the arms curve around in the shape of a Greek key or a dresser with Greek key trim inlaid into the wood.”

Estes cautions that, while it may be tempting to go overboard and put Greek key everywhere in a room, the end result might be an overly busy look. “Add some elements into a room, but don’t make every single piece of furniture and every accessory match with the Greek key look.

That’s too much,” she says.

Because the demand for Greek key home décor items is stronger than ever, more and more companies are making products that feature it. “We put Greek key on a lot of our pieces, and those are always popular with the designers we sell to,” says Neal Edwards, vice president of sales and marketing at Worlds Away, Memphis, Tenn.-based home accessories wholesaler.

Edwards says, “Most designers today love to work a little bit of Greek key into their interior designs because it can go with any other pattern, whether it’s floral, paisley or another geometric graphic.”

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4 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

The bright red poppies and green stems add color to a basic beige wall.

It’s an easy way to dress up your space without spending a bundle of cash or investing a lot of time. Ready for a change? Just peel off the decals and save them in the original packaging or discard.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Decorating with decals WAKE UP YOUR WALLS WITH EASY-TO-USE VINYL WALL DECALS AND STICKERS STAFF PHOTOS BY KAY JOHNSON

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

Choices abound

come in just about every shape, style, size and color imaginable including action figures, sports stars, abstract designs, flowers, trees, buildings, skylines, landmarks, home furnishings, animals, fish, birds and more.

If graphics aren’t your thing, how about words? Favorite quotes are another way to spice up your walls. Again, the quotes come ready-to-use. All you have to do is peel, place and go.

Options, again, are almost unlimited.

A cook might like the French words “Bon Appetit” or sayings such as “Home is where the cookies are,” “I kiss better than cook,” or “Laughter is the best sauce.”

Need inspiration? How about a motivational quote such as “Follow your dreams and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls,” or “No fear. A life lived in fear is a life half-lived.”

If you’re a fan of Groucho Marx, how about, “I find television very educating.

Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”

Jimi Hendrix fans may prefer, “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens …”

President Abraham Lincoln offered, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

President Gerald Ford recommended,

When it comes to what’s available in the marketplace, the sky is the limit. Graphics

Continued on page 6

By KAY JOHNSON For Home Improvement ooking for art, graphics or words to jazz up your living space? It’s as easy as 1-2-3 with removable, repositionable and reusable vinyl wall stickers and decals.

Just peel off the design from its backing, position it and press into place. That’s all it takes to give your room a fashionable update.

Want to reposition it?

No problem.

Just peel it off and try it again.

It’s super easy and super fun.

While new wallpaper and fresh paint can dramatically change the look of a room, it takes an investment in time and products to make it happen.

If you’re looking for an affordable decorating option — especially perfect for apartment dwellers who can’t change their paint color or pound nails in their walls — selfstick decals are the way to go. The designs can be changed or updated quickly and affordably.

L

Fall Home Improvement 5

You can get Rebates for Energy-Efficient Products!

Attention Hutchinson Utilities Commission customers—

We’re offering our customers rebates for energy-efficient products. Rebate programs started January 1, 2012 and continue until funding is depleted. Applications for rebates are available at HUC’s office at 225 Michigan St. S.E., or online at www.hutchinsonutilities.com.

These residential rebate programs are available for 2012.

Residential Energy Conservation items and Rebate Amounts are limited to: Natural Gas Furnaces, “High Efficiency” AFUE 92%........$150 Natural Gas Furnaces, “High Efficiency” AFUE 94%> ....$250 Natural Gas Furnaces Tune-Up (biennial) ........................$25 ECM motor for furnace/ac motor upgrade for new installs or existing unit ....................................$75 Natural Gas Boilers AFUE 85% ........................................$200 Central Air Conditioners “Energy Star” (14.5> SEER) ....$250 Central Air Conditioners Tune-Up (biennial) ....................$25 Gas Hot Water Heater (Tankless) EF .82> ........................$150 Gas Hot Water Heater (Storage Type) EF .62> ................$50 Heat Pumps (Air Source) “Energy Star” 14.5> SEER 8+ HSPF ..................................................$75/ton Heat Pumps (Ground Source) “Energy Star” EER 14.1> closed loop ................................................$150/ton Clothes Washers “Energy Star”........................................$75 Freezers “Energy Star”(must have disposal verification) ..........$65 Refrigerators “Energy Star” (must have disposal verification) ..$65 Dishwashers “Energy Star” ..............................................$50 Dehumidifiers “Energy Star” ......................................$35 Ceiling Fans “Energy Star”................................................$25 Programmable Thermostats “Energy Star” ....................$15 Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs “Energy Star” ........Up to $15 max.

We’re Hutchinson Utilities Commission.

We’re here for you.

Small Gerber Daisies Peel and Stick Wall Decals by RoomMates were used in the bathroom. The package comes with six stems, six flowers and a variety of petals. Peel off the parts of each flower and apply to a clean, dry wall. Decals can be used on a variety of surfaces including mirrors, windows, tabletops and doors. Suggested retail price is $12.99.

Hutchinson Utilities Commission (HUC) is your locally owned gas and electric Public Power Utility. Hutchinson is one of 126 Minnesota cities that benefit from having a local municipal utility. A public power utility is a tremendous community asset.

Here are some of the reasons why:

We have great service.

We’re part of the community and our policy makers, managers and workers are part of the community. Our crews are always on hand in the event of an emergency. You don’t need to call an 800 number to talk to us.

We’re locally regulated.

Rates and service practices are set by members of the community who live in the community. If you have a problem, you know who to talk to.

We’re owned by our customers.

There is no tension between the interests of customers and the interests of stockholders. Our focus is Main Street, not Wall Street. We work for you.

We’re not in it for the money.

Municipal utilities are operated in the public interest. Our goal is long-term community benefit, not short-term gain. We work hard to save you money.

We’re the yardstick for the industry.

For generations public power systems have set standards for rates and service that other utilities have had to meet.

Hutchinson Utilities Commission 225 Michigan St. S.E., Hutchinson 320-587-4746 www.hutchinsonutilities.com

We’ll be there.

Hutchinson Utilities Commission has served their communities for more than 70 years. In an era when new competitors come and go faster than we can learn their names, you can count on us.

We will be there when you need us.

94996 HI

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

6 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Do it yourself

Continued from page 5 “Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.”

Enjoy sports? How about Pete Rose’s statement: “I’m no different than anybody else with two arms, two legs, and fortytwo hundred hits.”

Prefer a philosophical approach? Consider “It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor,” by Marcus Tullius Cicero, or Voltaire’s “Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.”

If you can’t find what you want, customdesigned quotes are available, too.

Although I haven’t worked with the peeland-stick words, you may need two people to position the quote properly depending on its size.

Peel-and-stick decals aren’t just for walls. The vinyl stickers can be placed on any flat surface including tabletops, closet doors, patio doors and mirrors, for example. It’s an easy way to give your home a customized look.

While my sister, Lynn, is a whiz when it comes painting and stenciling. I’m not so much.

When Memorial Day Weekend rolled around earlier this year, I was ready for a change. Maybe it was spring fever, I’m not sure. I wanted to give my living room and bathroom a lift, but it had to be quick and easy. I wasn’t ready to commit to redecorating a room or two. It just seemed like too much work to pick a new paint color or select wallpaper.

In the quest for ideas, I went to Menards and discovered stick-on decals. I had no clue if the decals would work or just end up looking weird and fakey.

The price was right at $12.99 for a package of Small Gerber Daisies Peel and Stick Wall Decals by RoomMates for my bathroom. The neutral gray walls needed something, so I thought I would place the flowers along the baseboard.

The flowers came in pieces, so they could be assembled in a variety of shapes depending on your space. I followed the picture on the package and found the decals easy to use. When I finished the 30minute project, I was very pleased. It added just enough color. I fully admit to taking a few minutes and being impressed

with my accomplishment.

I was so pleased in fact, that I went back to Menards to find something to jazz up my basic beige walls in my living room.

Poppies at Play Peel and Stick Giant Wall Decals by RoomMates were the answer. I really wasn’t sure how they would look, but my mom was confident it would turn

out OK. Again, I followed the directions on the package and placed three poppies to the right of my kitchen and three to the left of it. I was amazed at how much I liked it. It really gave my beige walls a kick of color.

So much so, that now I’ve got to do something about the kitchen …

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Do I Need a Building Permit?

If you are planning a home improvement project and are wondering if a permit is required... please call the Hutchinson Building/Zoning/Planning Department at (320) 234-4216; visit the City’s web site at www.ci.hutchinson.mn.us; or stop by the City Center at 111 Hassan St. S.E. Our friendly knowledgeable staff is eager to assist you!

Poppies at Play Peel and Stick Giant Wall Decals by RoomMates came with six flowers and six stems. All you had to do was pick your stem and flower. Peel each piece off the backing and apply to a clean, dry wall. It’s best to apply the stem first and then place the flower over the top. The vinyl decals can be peeled off and repositioned. Suggested retail price is $24.99

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Fall Home Improvement 7

What to do when the power goes out GENERATORS AND BACKUP SUMP PUMPS ARE OFTEN NECESSARY WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT

By JOSH RANDT Staff Writer osing power for an hour or two typically isn’t that big of a deal, but when it’s gone for a day or more it can cause damage and discomfort in your home.

Being prepared is a big part of preventing problems since an outage can happen at anytime, day or night.

If you lose power at midnight and can’t purchase a generator or sump pump back up until morning, there’s not a lot you can do other than hope the power comes back on.

Brian Lokensgard of L&P Supply in

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Hutchinson, recommends a 2,000-to 7,000-watt portable generator for the typical home owner, but said it really depends on your house and what you’d like to use during an outage.

“It depends what you want to hook up to it,” he said. “It depends if it’s just for an emergency, like a few hours, or if it’s for a longer period of time.”

One way to determine how many watts you’ll need is to visit portablegeneratorinfo.com, where a wattage calculator allows you to choose from appliances that you’d like to use and calculates the total power for the appliances.

Continued on page 8

STAFF PHOTO BY JOSH RANDT

Brian Lokensgard of L&P Supply showed his surplus of generators that could be used during a power outage.

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8 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Nate Johnson of Plumbing and Heating by Craig in Hutchinson recommends non-battery water-powered backups if you live in city limits.

If you live in an area where electricity is needed to pump your water, then he recommends a battery-powered backup sump pump.

Power Continued from page 7

STAFF PHOTO BY DOUG HANNEMAN

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You could also go to suppliers such as Lokensgard and discuss the right generator for your specific needs.

While portable generators are more common, there are standby generators that are permanently installed in your home, and are capable of powering your entire house.

Both types of generators will require some maintenance, which Lokensgard said is important to keeping your generator running.

“The biggest thing is the fuel,” he said.

“Making sure it’s good clean fuel, and then oil changes and your normal maintenance.

It depends how much they get used.”

Standby generators can be powered by propane or LP gas, which won’t go bad as quickly as gasoline. The generators usually require a yearly inspection.

“There usually is a maintenance inspection of at least once a year” Lokensgard said. “We’ll go out and do the service on it.”

Generators, portable or standby, are an investment, which can last for years, Lokensgard said.

“With the higher end ones (portable), if you use it a lot you typically can get a good 10 years out of it,” he said. “Longer if you don’t use it a lot.”

While standby generators cost more, starting at around $2,000, they’ll last longer than a portable generator.

“Typically those are a strong 20 years,” Lokensgard said. “Because they don’t run as often, unless there is a major power outage.”

Another aspect of your home that should be prepared for a power outage is your sump pump.

If your power is out during a heavy rain storm or if you live in area with a lot of ground water, losing your sump pump can end up costing you a lot in damages.

Having a sump pump backup can keep you covered if your power goes out, or if your original sump pump fails.

There are a couple different types of backups you can find, but Nate Johnson of Plumbing and Heating by Craig in Hutchinson recommends non-battery water-powered backups if you live in city limits.

“They’re not going to run unless there’s

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

make sure everything is working propera need,” he said. “The cost of operating ly.” that in an emergency versus not having How long your backup will last is an option — that’s not your primary determined on how well you take care of pump, that’s only for emergencies — so it. really I guess the cost is non-existent “Maintenance is everything,” Johnson unless you’re in a situation where you said. “If it’s been maintained, if the need it.” pump has been operated to Installation of watermake sure it’s in working powered backup ranges condition and the batteries between $500 to $600, are kept fresh, you could Johnson said, dependeasily see a 10-to 15-year life ing upon how close your cycle on it.” home is to a water supNate Johnson, Like generators, buying a ply and how far the disowner, backup, and being prepared charge has to be piped.

Plumbing & Heating by taking the necessary Johnson said he also

by Craig steps before an outage hapcarries battery-powered pens can go a long way to backups but said they preventing your home from require more maintedamages. nance than non-battery backups, and “A lot of times you look at the money cost anywhere from $700 to $1,300 you’re spending upfront and you can’t depending on which model you go with.

The more expensive ones may also come justify that,” Johnson said. “But if you look long term and say ‘Well if I have an with features that alert you when the incident like this, and I’m going to be battery is failing, or when the backup spending two grand off the bat on my turns on. deductible, and the potential for my “Battery backups, you do have to insurance rates to go up,’... I mean that watch the battery,” Johnson said. “Some can turn into an expensive situation, of the higher-end units have a pump whereas a $1,200 backup could’ve saved exercise that will actually cycle that you a lot of headaches.” pump on if it hasn’t been used just to

“Maintenance is everything.”

Fall Home Improvement 9

Ergonomic bathroom updates for now For many homeowners, the Golden Years are in the far future, but a bathroom remodel is just around the bend.

Though it may seem early to think about aging-in-place modifications, some of them make sense to do while the walls are open and the carpenters are on hand.

In many cases, the payoffs are immediate for comfort and ease now as well as accessibility later.

• Widen the doorway to accommodate a walker or wheelchair.

• Add a skylight to let in as much natural light as possible.

• Install a “comfort height” toilet, which is the same height as a chair.

• Include a built-in shower bench.

“They’re great for women shaving their legs,” says certified aging-in-place specialist Joseph Irons, “and they look pretty.”

• Install a shower spray with a hand

wand. “They make it easier to clean the shower,” Irons says.

• If grab bars aren’t needed now, add reinforcement for them so they’ll be cheaper and easier to install later.

• Incorporate toe-kick lighting for nighttime safety.

• Choose light fixtures that will accept LED light bulbs. “They are going to last 30 years,” interior designer Carolyn Deardorff says. “It’s an upfront investment, but you’re not going to be climbing up on a chair or counter to change the darn things.”

• Use contrasting colors for the countertop and floor, as depth perception can diminish with aging.

• Install J-hooks instead of towel bars for ease of use.

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10 Fall Home Improvement

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Fall Home Improvement 11 • Check out the September edition of the Monthly Real Estate Guide magazine at 85 area newsstands now.

• Search listings by location, price, property type, house style or agency at independentreview.net or hutchinsonleader.com Just click on Real Estate.

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME Cokato

Darwin

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Cute w/curb appeal! New windows, new roof, refinished hardwoods, updated BA, new private mst. BR & more. Lg. htd. gar. Home warr. $119,900.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Quality, Compton built 4 BR, 3 BA. 1.6 ac., Lake Stella & country views! 2 FR, lg. kit., cust. cab., pantry, gas fp, HW floors, 3 car gar. $269,900.

Kelly Babekuhl Realty 1, Inc. www.realty1mn.com 320-275-2225

Stunning cust. rambler, 36x48 shop w/in-floor heat & lofted living quarters. 2.3 ac. in quiet subdivision, 4 BR, 4 BA, office/ exercise, HW floors, S.S. appl.

Michaelee Jenkins ReMax Homes 1930 E. 10th St., Glencoe 952-992-9299

Unique 5 BR, 3 BA. Ceramic tile, 4 season sunroom/patio drs. to deck. Custom cab., full w/o fin. bsmt. w/in-floor heat, 3 car att. gar., 4 acres. $269,900.

Gwen Cram All-Star Realty 30 3rd St. E., Litchfield 320-221-3840

Affordable country home on 1 acre. Newer roof, new furnace & updated septic. All appl. incl.

Only 1 mile from town. C/D possible. $34,900.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Cute story and a half that sits on mature lot! Home features new furnace, central air, newer windows, HW floors and larger single stall garage! $79,900.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Hutchinson Bright, clean & new Cape Cod style home with 3 BR & 2 full BA. Large corner lot, 2 stall garage. Huge basement ready to finish. $179,900.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Litchfield Lots of room for toys, storage or shop. 3 BR, 3 BA home. Triple garage + single garage + shed.

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Hutchinson Nicely done 5 BR, 3 BA in popular SW neighborhood! Granite countertops, newly tiled entry, full mst. BA, mf fireplace, new shingles & lg. LL FR. $224,900 Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Hutchinson Full 2-story one owner home featuring 4 BR on one level, 4 BA, gas fireplace, 4 season porch and more. $325,000.

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Jeanne Ray EDINA REALTY

Realtor, RSA 320-583-7184

Litchfield Patio home. No steps, no association dues! 2 BR, 1.5 BA, big attached garage. Move in and enjoy the back yard patio!

Norm & Lorna Menken Menken Real Estate & Insurance 335 East Hwy. 12, Litchfield 320-593-3324

Litchfield Great lake living at an affordable price. 2 BR, 2 BA, mf laundry & many nice updates. Full bsmt. Home warr. 100’ lake shore on Star Lake. $175,000.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Norm & Lorna Menken Broker, Realtor® GRI 320-593-3324 menkenre@hutchtel.net www.menkenrealestate.com

Gwen Cram ALL-STAR REALTY

Jay Docken

Broker/Owner/GRI 320-593-1100 Cell: 320-221-3840

Realtor 612-298-5422

EDINA REALTY

Hutchinson Large lot, 6 car gar./htd. shop.

Quality updates, windows, siding, built-ins, arched doorways, sauna & basement bath. New roof. $157,900. MLS#4157624.

Jeanne Ray Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 320-583-7184

Litchfield Spacious Lake Minnie Belle home with 3 BR, 2 BA. Gorgeous views, mature landscape, private mst. BA & lots of garage space. $344,500.

Jay Docken Edina Realty 904 Hwy. 15 S., Hutchinson 612-298-5422

Mick Wigen EDINA REALTY

Realtor, GRI 320-583-1919

Kelly Babekuhl REALTY 1, INC.

Realtor 320-275-2225

Michaelee Jenkins RE/MAX HOMES TEAM JENKINS RE Inc.

Broker Owner, CRS, GRI, e-PRO, CDPE 952-992-9299

RE/MAX Homes

12 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Keep the cold out this winter SIMPLE HOME WEATHERIZATION PRODUCTS CAN SAVE YOU A LOAD OF MONEY

By ANDREW BROMAN For Fall Home Improvement eatherizing a home for winter is simple, relatively inexpensive and helps reduce heating costs.

One of the easiest weathering tasks is to install weather strips in doors and windows to seal cracks.

Weather strips come in two forms: open or closed cell. Closed cell strips are denser and won’t let air flow through. Open cell strips allow air flow, and they can be squished to fit into narrower gaps, accord-

W

PHOTOS BY ANDREW BROMAN

V-shaped fins are commonly used to seal doorways. They narrow or widen to fill the gap of a crack.

ing to Dave Kramer, owner of ACE Hardware in Hutchinson.

Along with foam, plastic V-strips can be used to create seals on doors and windows. The V-shaped plastic narrows or widens to fill the gap of a crack. Many weather strip products come in 17-foot rolls, about the amount necessary to seal a doorway.

In addition, a door sweep can help create a seal between a door’s bottom and threshold.

For windows, Kramer recommends ZipA-Way, a caulk-like product made by Red Devil. Unlike regular caulk, Zip-A-Way’s

Fresh Look Painting “See the difference we make”

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Freeates Estim

320-234-7927 InFsuully Cell 320-412-6749

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94058 HI

Interior & Exterior Residential & Commercial Decks • Pressure Washing Ceiling Texture & Repair Drywall & Repair Wallpaper Removal

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

For about $5, a door can be sealed with weather stripping. This brand of weather strip, Comfort Seal, is sold at Hardware Hank in Litchfield. texture is rubbery, and the caulk easily peels off. It can be applied to the inside of windows and be removed in the spring once temperatures rise.

A similar product is called rope caulk. A putty-like substance, it can be unrolled and molded to fit into gaps and easily removed in the spring.

Weatherizing a home will save money,

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Fall Home Improvement 13

Zip-A-Way is a caulk-like product, except it can be peeled off.

Use it to seal windows and then remove the caulk in the spring.

but not as much if people wait until winter, Kramer said. “It’s never too late, but you get more benefit” the sooner a house is weatherized, he said.

In addition to weather strips, creating seals on windows through plastic film insulation is a good idea. These products work by taping the film to windows and then using a hair dryer to secure the seal.

Window insulation can increase the R-value of a singlepane window by as much as 90 percent. A hair dryer is needed to secure the seal.

Along with weatherizing a home, some people might need to consider taking precautions if they plan to go on vacation and leave a home unoccupied, according to Jim Theis, owner of Hardware Hank in Litchfield.

A product called Winter Watchman senses temperature changes and turns on a light if temperatures drop below a cer-

tain level. If the light turns on, it signals to a neighbor that the home’s temperature may be dropping close to freezing point.

If a home uses any heat lamps, it’s a good idea to check whether those bulbs need replacing before cold weather arrives, Theis said.

Call Gopher State One Call at least 48 hours before you dig this fall!

Y ou may be planning a fall project now, such as building a deck or planting trees or shrubs. They’re great fall projects, but we urge you to be careful. Many sites are on top of underground utility lines. Cutting an underground cable or pipeline can be very dangerous and costly, so call Gopher State One Call before you dig. It’s the law!

Gopher State One Call is the clearinghouse to determine the location of all underground utility lines in Minnesota. After you call Gopher State, it notifies underground utility operators with facilities in the area. Locators are dispatched to mark where these underground cables and pipelines are located.

But this all takes time, so be sure to call Gopher State One Call at 1-800-252-1166 at least 48

hours before you dig, excluding weekends, holidays and emergencies. Calls are taken between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Gopher State One Call will ask specific questions, so please have the following information available when you call: • Type of work to be done • Location of the work site, including township, range, section and quarter coordinates. This is the property’s legal description.

• Estimated time needed to complete work.

Property owners should understand their full responsibility when digging.

• The property owner or excavating company

Hutchinson Utilities Commission

is responsible for calling Gopher State One Call at 1-800-252-1166 at least 48 hours before work is to be done so that locators can mark their company’s utilities.

• The property owner is responsible for hiring a locator and paying for locating costs if the underground wires are on the property owner’s side of the electric meter, such as secondary wires running to a house or buildings.

Remember, call 1-800-252-1166 before putting one shovel in the ground!

1-800-252-1166 McLeod Cooperative Power

225 Michigan St., Hutchinson, MN 320-587-4746 • www.HutchinsonUtilities.com

1231 Ford Ave., Glencoe, MN 320-864-3148 • 1-800-494-6272

Open Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Open Monday–Friday 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

93957 HI

14 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

When old becomes new again THE LITTLE RED HEN GIVES USED FURNITURE AND HOME-RELATED ITEMS A NEW LOOK AND PURPOSE

By KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com renda Rydberg and her husband, Kent, celebrated their fifth year in business in July as owners of the Little Red Hen Home Comfort occasional store in downtown Dassel. The anniversary was observed with cake, candles and a lot of cheering.

Unlike traditional retail stores that maintain a five-, six- or seven-day

B STAFF PHOTO BY KAY JOHNSON

Everything is for sale in this bedroom at the Little Red Hen. By setting up rooms, people get a better idea of how to use items. It also provides decorating ideas for those looking for something new.

Continued on page 16

– Interior Views – Where every window is a window of opportunity Hunter Douglas Shades & Blinds Custom Draperies and Valances Samples on Display at Factory Direct Furniture Showroom

Dawn Ashburn Design Consultant

Select Products in the Comfort of Your Own Home

Mike Renne Construction

Interior Views

125 S. Main Street, Suite 2, Hutchinson

Experienced License #BC20272860

320-587-6077

call for an appointment interiorviews.da@gmail.com

New - Remodel - Siding - Shingling Windows - Doors - Decks Free Estimates

83311

Ph. 320-857-2235

94662 HI

Windows of Opportunity

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

BRING IN THIS AD FOR $300 CASH BONUS

Bear Roofing & Exteriors COLD WEATHER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, nothing is more inviting that relaxing in the warm, swirling water of a Hot Spring® spa.

A hot tub is the perfect place to spend quality time with family and friends, reconnect with loved ones, or simply relax after a long day. Each Hot Spring spa is fully insulated to keep energy bills low, even in the coldest weather.

Stop by our showroom to see what a Hot Spring spa can do for you…looks like winter will be warm and bubbly!

• Is it time for a new roof?

• Want it completed in one day?

Then let the experts at Bear Roofing and Exteriors help you out!

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94126

Kandi-Mall, Willmar, MN

Fall Home Improvement 15

What Can You Buy for as Little as $11.67* per Month?

Peace of Mind!

When you have a Service Contract with TEK Service, we take the worry out of heating & cooling equipment maintenance. We provide a comprehensive cleaning & tuning of your heating equipment in the fall & your cooling equipment in the spring. You also receive a discount on parts & labor for any other work we do for you throughout the year.

Lic. ID #20223025 95005 HI

Need a new high efficiency furnace, heat pump or air conditioner but think you can’t afford one?

Call us for a free quote & financing options.**

TEK Mechanical Service, Inc. 220 5th Ave. NW Hutchinson, MN 55350 (320) 587-2779 www.tekmechanical.com

Agents: Scott Decker, Joyce Cripps, Charlie Suedbeck, Lea Dobberstein, Chris Kaczmarek, Jane Powell Citizens Bank Building • 102 Main St. S., Hutchinson

320-587-2674

94070 HI

94088 HI

16 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Red Hen Continued from page 14

Shoppers at the Little Red Hen in Dassel look for items to buy as well as decorating ideas. Groupings such as this rocking chair with artwork and decorative items provide ideas.

Liepke’s Decor-Aiding Making Your Home Beautiful

Anita Liepke

For all your wall covering installation and interior painting needs call

320-587-5753

93959 HI

New and gently used products for your home.

75% off Retail!

• Furniture • Appliances • Cabinets • Building Materials Hours: Thurs & Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm 320.235.9000 619 SW Benson Ave., Willmar, (corner of 7th & Litchfield, next to Family Dollar) www.habitatwcm.org/restore_donate.html

Fall Cleaning? Donations of used material accepted during business hours.

94173

Open to the Public!

schedule, occasional stores are open just that — occasionally.

The Little Red Hen offered seven sales this year with the next event planned for Sept. 27-29.

The Dassel emporium features repurposed home goods including furniture, artwork, linens, decorative objects and more. Many items feature a new coat of paint and decorative hardware while some have been reworked into new uses.

"With some glue, paint and elbow grease, any item can have a new life,” Brenda said.

“We want to provide our customers with home decor and furnishings for a reasonable price. We also want to make the shopping experience a fun thing to do. " While the occasional store is only open three days at a time, it takes about two weeks to get ready for a sale.

“For each sale, we choose a theme and change around the store,” she said, “so shopping at the Little Red Hen is never the same experience twice.”

When the couple opened the store,

Sunday, September 2, 2012

many of the items for sale had been created by them. That has changed. Today, about 10 vendors sell items through the occasional sales.

Vendors are charged 20 percent if they work 12 hours setting up and work one day of the sale or 30 percent if they don’t work.

While antique stores will rent booth space to vendors resulting in a patchwork of individual small stores within a single building, the Little Red Hen mixes everything up creating a store-like atmosphere.

“People draw ideas for decorating their own homes,” she said.

Popular items include dressers, beds, tables and chairs and one-of-a-kind finds.

Word-of-mouth has attracted such a loyal following that it’s not uncommon to find 35 to 50 people standing in line waiting for the doors to open.

“Pricing is the key,” she said. “You need to take time and be thoughtful. I like to be in the middle of the road. I want happy customers.”

pled with back surgery, Brenda looked around for a way to supplement the family’s income.

Opening a home store wasn’t a new idea, it was something she and her sister, Suzie Maki, had talked about years ago. To learn more about the occasional store idea, she took a booth at Second Hand Rose in Buffalo.

From there, Rydbergs found a building in downtown Dassel and went to work.

The name for the new store came from her sister, Suzie. It ties into Dassel’s rooster mascot and its popular Red Rooster Days as well as evoking feelings of home and Grandpa and Grandma.

“I’ve always loved making things look nice,” she said, “but I had never done anything like this before.”

She credited the support of the community as making all the difference. “People are still interested in finding something useful and functional,” she said. “They want to add a creative element to their home.”

How it started

If you go

Brenda Rydberg is a member of the Maki painting family in Hutchinson.

It’s no surprise she and her husband operate a painting and wallpapering business in the Dassel-Cokato area. When the economy tanked several years ago, cou-

Little Red Hen Occasional Store Hours and dates: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept.

27-29, Nov. 2-3, and Dec. 6-8 Where: 261 Atlantic Ave. W. in downtown Dassel Call: 320-275-9725

Fall Home Improvement 17 Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how a piece of furniture will work in your home. By creating room settings, the buyer has a better idea of how it will look.

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Check out our landscape block, bargain rows, non-stock colors, over-runs, discounted items at Grea blow out prices. Patio blocks, for F t Proj all edgers, retaining walls ects!

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Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

21563 Hwy. 7 W., Hutchinson(1.5 miles west of Burger King) • 320-587-3334

NEVER

CLEAN YOUR

GUTTERS AGAIN. www.larsonbuilders.com

94666 HI

18 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Q&A with Monica Pedersen of your kitchen.

In the bathroom, switch out the hardware. The finish people are gravitating toward is polished nickel. With a product like Kohler’s HydroRail, you can also convert a normal showerhead installation to a spa-like experience with multiple water sources.

By DAWN KLINGENSMITH CTW Features ithout setting foot in them, Monica Pedersen has been in perhaps a million American homes — maybe even yours.

As a designer on HGTV’s “Designed to Sell,” Pedersen shows viewers how to add value to their homes while working within a tight budget. On “Bang for Your Buck,” she showed which remodeling investments were likeliest to pay off.

And here, she offers advice on low-cost kitchen and bath renovations, revealing a surprise about her own kitchen in Highland Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb.

W

Q: What are the best low-cost updates for the kitchen and bath?

A: In the kitchen, a new countertop, a new faucet and a new sink. This mini makeover is not invasive in terms of construction and can be done in a day.

PHOTO BY HELEN BERKUN

This HGTV designer knows how to get more “Bang for Your Buck,” but guess what’s missing from her own humble kitchen?

Adding an apron-front sink is an affordable option that totally changes the look

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PRO HOME IMPROVEMENT Inc. On the level...

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Q: What about removing the tub altogether? Some say this hurts resale value.

A: I’m asked that all the time, it’s crazy.

But people are afraid to do it. I’ve done that on “Bang for Your Buck,” so I’ve asked Realtors and they always say as long as there’s a tub somewhere in the house, you’re fine.

Q: Do you agree with the conventional wisdom that the kitchen and bath are the best rooms to remodel?

A: For resale value, absolutely. Those are the rooms we spend the most time in, and as a buyer, you don’t want to plop down a bunch of money to bring them up to date — that factors into your decision. But set-

ting resale aside, I think those are smart updates anyway. You spend so much time in those rooms, you might as well enjoy them.

Q: Describe some features in your own dream kitchen.

A: I’m still waiting for my fantasy kitchen! I live in a 1920s Tudor-style home, and back then, kitchens were utilitarian.

It’s not a great space, but I’ve had the cabinets redone a creamy white and added some pretty molding pieces. For my fantasy kitchen, I’ll need to blow out a wall. But I’m so busy doing other people’s projects that I haven’t had time.

Q: And once that wall’s blown out?

A: I have island envy. Islands are so mainstream now. They’ve turned into the kitchen table, they’re great for entertaining, they’re a great place for kids to do their homework. Eventually I’ll get my island. But I do love my old home with all its charm.

FallHomeImprovement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Fall Home Improvement 19

Word Search 1st Place:

4 tickets to the 2012 Minnesota Renaissance Festival

2nd & 3rd Places: 2 tickets each to the 2012 Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Fall Home Improvement Word Search Entry Name: _____________________

Address: ___________________ __________________________ Phone: _____________________

All business ads that ran an ad within this special section are hidden in the search below. Find 43 business names - each business is only used once. The ampersand (&) is spelled out as “and�. Any numbers within business titles are also spelled out. Entries must be received by 5:00pm on Thursday September 13, 2012. Winners will be notified by phone.

Employees of the Hutchinson Leader & Independent Review and their immediate families are not eligible to win. Must be 18 to enter.

94086 HI

20 Fall Home Improvement

Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Don’t throw your leftovers.

Do you have partially used hazardous household or automotive products that you no longer need?

Drop them off and we’ll safely recycle them or stock them in our free Reuse Center.

See Us For All Your Building Needs!

94670 HI

Household Hazardous Waste Facility & Freeuse Center

www.mcleod.mn.us or call 1-800-335-0575 for hours and accepted items

Antiques & Things 12,000 square feet of quality used furniture and antiques.

New Homes • Additions • Ag/Pole Buildings • Commercial Decks • Kitchen & Bath Remodels • Custom Closets Computer Aided Drafting • Paint Matching Roofing • Free Estimates Free Delivery

124 East Commercial, Litchfield, MN

320-693-3616

Open 7 Days a Week! Mon.-Sat. 8-5; Sun. 10-5

132 Main St. S., Hutchinson, MN

320-234-9663

93962 HI

We’re located in Gibbon...it’s worth the drive to visit our shop and the two other antique stores in town!

94274

(507) 834-6529

Creating Landscapes that Reflect Your Style!

Full-Service Landscape • Design/Build Contractor Making “the Great Outdoors” more comfortable, accessible & stylish for over 10 years.

www.backyardmn.com • 320-274-6336

94111

We Specialize in Lakeshore Properties.