2 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
CONTENTS 4‐5
Lynn Institute signs agreement to take over the management of the 75bed Chesapeake Garden located on the company’s campus.
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Many different features can improve the functionality and luxury of an owner's suite, including an upgraded closet and fireplace.
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A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help homeowners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need.
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Looking to do some remodeling? Here are six places to look for the money.
Lynn Institute President and CEO Steve Petty and Board of Directors Chairman Betsy Brunsteter present the 2023 Thomas N. Lynn Community Champion Awards during the Legacy Luncheon.
From our advertisers: Architectural Hardware
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From sliding barn doors to industrial kitchen sinks and floating tubs, Architectural Hardware Designs has homeowners covered.
Habitat for Humanity
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DYI-ers love to explore Habitat’s ReStores and discover new or used treasures they can then buy at bargain prices to beautify their home, yard or office.
Oklahoma City Community College
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Verona Marble
“Student Success, Community Enrichment” is the mission of Oklahoma City Community College.
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Verona Marble is Oklahoma City’s only dedicated quartz gallery for all of your kichen and bathroom projects.
OCCC Performing Arts
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In its 26th Touring Attractions Season, OCCC has carefully curated 11 captivating productions, promising an unforgettable experience. OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine | 3
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OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine | 5
Upgrading the owner’s suite can create a real oasis
A Many different features can improve the functionality and luxury of an owner's suite, including an upgraded closet and fireplace.
An owner's suite is a sanctuary for homeowners. It's a place where adults can retreat, relax and unwind after a busy day. It's expected that a bed and some other furniture will take up residence in a standard bedroom, but certain elements can help homeowners create stunning spaces. While the largest bedroom in the home typically is dubbed the "owner's suite," it cannot be classified as a suite unless there is an adjoining bathroom. An owner's suite also may have many more unique features that individuals may want to incorporate into a remodel. Here are some ideas to consider: Upgraded closet Those who will be overhauling the walls and layout of the bedroom can configure the space to make room for a serious closet overhaul. A spacious, walk‐in closet that has built‐in shelves, drawers and rods can improve the func‐ tionality of the bedroom. Draw dividers and other compo‐ nents also can optimize space.
Sitting area In large suites, homeowners may have the potential to set up a sitting area in one portion of the room away from the bed. This area can have a sofa, chairs, chaise, or other furniture and make for an ideal spot to read and lounge. Some people also enjoy having a television adjacent to the sitting area so they can watch a show in the privacy of the bedroom. Fireplace Fireplaces add a unique ambiance to bedrooms and make for cozy spaces in which to cuddle up. While a tradi‐ tional, roaring wood fire is one option, there is much less mess and fuss with a gas fireplace. Some gas fireplaces may not even have to be vented, and they can be turned on with the flip of a switch. Private patio or balcony Owners who want to go the extra mile in owner's suite renovations can incorporate outdoor spaces into the plans. Many homes are now being built with owner's suites on the first floor, facilitating the possibility of aging in place at home. With this layout, the bedroom can be opened up to the outdoors by way of a sliding door or French doors. Decking or a patio can be outside of the room, or even a covered space similar to a Florida room. Those with sec‐ ond‐floor suites may want to consider a small deck or bal‐ cony where bistro seating can be placed. 6 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
Architectural Hardware Designs has it all!
S From sliding barn doors, left, to industrial kitchen sinks, above, and floating tubs, below, Architectural Hardware Designs has you covered.
Since the launch of Architectural Hardware Designs (AHD) in 2012 by industry veteran Gene Goforth, it has been the goal of (AHD) to pro‐ vide our clients with high quality products for their home renovations and designs. Our showroom offers our clients a visual appeal to help with their decorating needs. We will travel to your home or proj‐ ect site to measure and complete an order thereby, eliminating the chances of inaccu‐ racy.
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Modern kitchens are visual marvels
It's well‐documented that kitchens are the most popular rooms in many homes. Kitchens are where families tend to congre‐ gate during holiday celebrations, and many a child has tackled their homework as mom or dad pre‐ pares dinner just a few steps away. Whether homeowners are plan‐ ning a full scale remodel or a few tweaks to update the room, the following are three popular fea‐ tures of modern kitchens.
1. Kitchen island A recent survey from interior design experts found that kitchen islands are popular for a variety of reasons. Fifty‐eight percent of respon‐ dents indicated they enjoy eating at kitchen islands, while 49 percent reported they like islands for enter‐
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A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help homeowners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need.
taining. Forty‐five percent of respon‐ dents like socializing around kitchen islands. Islands provide a versatile functionality that comes in handy when preparing meals on typical weeknights and when hosting friends and family on special occasions like the holidays and birthdays. Islands
come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized to fit just about any space. Mobile islands can be uti‐ lized in small kitchens when home‐ owners want the extra prep space but think the kitchen would be too cramped if a permanent island were added. See Kitchens, Page 14
Habitat’s ReStores ready to help DYI‑ers beautify their homes
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Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s two ReStores were honored this summer by The Journal Record with a 2023 Beacon Award — a recognition given to businesses providing vital assistance in the “Nonprofits Serving Nonprofits” and other categories. Our first ReStore, then named Renovation Station, opened in 1998 in downtown Oklahoma City. We opened our southside ReStore in 2009. We daily serve hundreds of do‐it‐yourself (DIY) enthusiasts and bargain hunters from Mondays through Saturdays. ReStore General Manager Corey Roberts and staff work hard to offer new, popular name brands and “gen‐ tly used” items at extremely discount‐
ed prices. We hear all the time from DIY‐ers about how invaluable the ReStores are when it comes to finding everything from new home‐repair products to new and used building materials and furni‐ ture. The ReStores’ sales’ proceeds allow us to continue to build homes while helping to fund our Critical Home Repair program. We’re able to reduce landfill waste by providing our free ReStore pick‐up service and thou‐ sands have used our service to remove items they no longer want or use. We’re delighted to salvage the best to sell in our ReStores. DYI‐ers love to explore the ReStores and discover new or used
treasures they can then buy at bargain prices to beautify their home, yard or office. To donate, visit cohfh.org/donate‐ to‐restores/ or call (405) 595‐2828 to schedule a pick up. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at COHFH ReStore (@cohfhstores) and on Facebook at COHFH or cohfhstores.
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Home improvement plans? How to pay for it!
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Renovating a home is a great way to impart personality indoors and out. Improvements can make spaces more livable and address safety issues. Home renovations often take residents' lifestyles into account, and changes can be customized to accom‐ modate a growing family or an empty nest. No matter the job, home improve‐ ments tend to be costly. According to the financial resource SoFi, on aver‐ age, the cost to renovate or remodel a whole house runs between $10 and $60 per square foot. Certain rooms demand a higher cost, with a kitchen or bathroom remodel costing around $100 to $250 per square foot due to electrical and plumbing needs. Figuring out how to pay for the improvement project is as essential to the planning process as picking out materials and contractors. The following are some financial considerations and financing options for homeowners looking to renovate their properties. · Consider if the investment is worth it. Remodeling magazine rou‐ tinely assesses common improve‐ 10 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
ments and how much homeowners can expect to recoup on the invest‐ ment in its annual "Cost v. Value" report. In 2022, a homeowner spend‐ ing $4,000 on a garage door replace‐ ment recouped 93.3 percent of the investment, whereas adding a midrange bathroom at $63,000 would only offer a 51.8 percent return. Homeowners must decide if they want to go forward with the project if they're likely to get just a $33,000 return when they choose to sell the home later on. · Refinance the home mortgage. Homeowners can use a cash‐out mortgage refinance as a way to access thousands of dollars for a remodel. This taps into a home's equity. Keep in mind that the mort‐ gage will then be a new mortgage at the current interest rate and an out‐ standing balance higher than what was the current one. Typically 20 percent equity in the home is needed to refinance. · Take out a personal loan. For those who do not want to refinance, a personal loan or home improvement loan can be good for midsized proj‐
ects, according to American Express. Personal loans for home renovations typically require no col‐ lateral and one's credit score deter‐ mines the interest rate. · Utilize a home equity line of credit. A HELOC is a form of revolv‐ ing credit, like a credit card. Homeowners borrow against the credit line granted with the home being the collateral. As a person pays down what is owed, he or she can borrow more. This is a good idea for recurring or long‐term home improvements. · Try a home equity loan. Home equity loans use the home as collater‐ al like a HELOC. The home equity loan is an installment loan for a fixed amount on a fixed monthly schedule for a set term. These are sometimes called second mortgages. · No‑ or low‑interest credit card. Smaller projects can be financed using credit cards. Many will offer introductory rates with no interest for a few months. This is generally only preferable if a person can pay off the balance before interest is charged.
Verona has largest selection in North America
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A wholesale importer and distribu‐ tor, Verona Marble offers the largest selection of Santamargherita Quartz and Marble‐based engineered tiles and slabs in North America. The company also imports and dis‐ tributes carefully‐selected natural materials including granite, quartzite, marble and other natural stones from around the world. Last year, Verona opened Oklahoma City's only dedicated, climate‐con‐ trolled Quartz Gallery. Forty‐six individual hand‐selected quartz slabs have been set up on dis‐ play racks and remote access is avail‐ able for the consumer to enter and go as they please during business hours. The Quartz Gallery was designed and created specifically with the OKC com‐ munity in mind. The facility is located at 430 W. Wilshire Blvd. Verona Marble has been serving the residential and commercial stone
For more information, visit vmcstone.com. industry for 38 years. The company’s mission is to be recognized as the best company in the stone industry by pro‐ viding excellent service and integrity, high quality products at a fair price, knowledgeable and friendly staff and years of industry experience. In 1984, a partnership between Santa Margherita and Verona Marble Company was formed in Dallas, Texas. Verona Marble Company was estab‐ lished as the sole distributor of Santamargherita Marble and Quartz based engineered stone products for the US market. The primary focus was large scale commercial tile projects specified through the architectural and design community. As demand for natural stone grew
in the US, Vernona Marble expanded our product line to include natural stone tiles and slabs from around the world in 1996. The company opened a new dedicated slab facility with 10,000‐square‐feet of indoor and 20,000‐square‐feet of outdoor slab storage, serviced by three overhead cranes. This new facility allowed Verona to expand into the residential countertop market, along with the cur‐ rent commercial tile market. Verona went on to expand to other areas of Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma and Arkansas. “We strive to provide the market with the best quality and selection of natural stone, quartz surfacing and engineered marble slabs from around the world,” company officials said. “Our goal is to stay ahead of the trends and always look for ways to improve and grow our business in a positive and beneficial way for both us and the consumer.”
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Who wouldn’t rather do wood
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Hardwood floors have long been sought after by home buyers. Of course, hardwood floors aren't just for buyers. Homeowners who already have hard‐ wood floors know just how impressive these floors can be, especially when they're well maintained. Maintaining wood floors is not necessarily as straightforward as it may seem, and homeowners may benefit from a tutorial on how too keep the floors under their feet looking good. To polish or not to polish? Polishing floors is an inexpensive way to keep them looking good. But the home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that not all floors can be polished, and deter‐ mining which ones can depends on the finish. Floors with waterproof barriers such as ure‐ thane will benefit from routine polishing. However, floors with penetrating finishes like tung oil will need to be waxed rather than polished. What finish is on the floor? The Hardwood Distributor's Association recommends a simple way for homeowners to determine which type of finish is on their hardwood floors. Homeowners are advised to rub a finger across the floor. If no smudge appears, then the floor is surface sealed. If a smudge is created, then the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal. The HDA also notes that recently installed wood floors are likely surface sealed. For more, see Page 14
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OCCC: Student Success. Community Enrichment
Since its inception in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has been the heartbeat of the Oklahoma City metro, dedicated to empowering learners and strengthen‐ ing communities. Serving more than 18,000 students, we provide the opportunity of educa‐ tion to all who seek it. “Student Success, Community Enrichment” is our mission, and we offer more than 60 degree and certificate programs that
establish a foundation for further edu‐ cation or immediate career readiness. We bring qualified, trained grad‐ uates to workforces across the nation and worldwide. Our contin‐ ued commitment to workforce development and strong online edu‐ cational platforms opens doors for industry partnerships, creating a flexible learning environment with real‐world connections and practi‐ cal experience to prepare students
for success after graduation. We remain dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, high‐quality edu‐ cation that equips students to achieve personal and professional goals. OCCC is more than an institution; we are a community catalyst, fostering growth and success in our city, our workforce, and the lives of our students. Discover your potential at OCCC, where your future is our purpose. Visit us at occc.edu.
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KITCHENS
Fall is a good time to improve soil
From Page 8
Gardening enthusiasts recognize that fall is not a time to rest on their lau‐ rels. In fact, fall is a great season to spend time in the yard. The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst indicates fall is the ideal time to improve the soil for next season. Amending the soil in the fall allows it to react accordingly over time and reap the benefits in spring. UMass suggests getting an accurate soil test to see what is needed in the garden. Samples should be taken from various areas. Avoid doing so when the soil is very wet. At‐home kits can test for nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous and determine the soil's pH. Gardeners should till the soil and add compost or manure, which will coun‐ teract many nutritional deficiencies. Worm castings also are good to add, par‐ ticularly for summer vegetable gardens. A seed gardening company says that worm castings are high in minerals and effective at holding water — so much so that they even can be used alone in place of potting soil. Crushed egg shells, coffee grounds and banana peels also can be added in the fall, even if they are not part of a compost pile. The nutrients will break down throughout the fall and winter, and be available just in time for sum‐ mer plantings.
2. Deep sink The popularity of farmhouse style sinks is proof that large and deep sinks are sought‐after among today's homeowners. Farmhouse sinks may be best suited to a par‐ ticular aesthetic, but a 2021 study from the National Association of Home Builders found that side‐by‐ side double sinks and walk‐in pantries were the most popular of 30 listed kitchen features. That study surveyed more than 3,200 recent and prospective home buy‐ ers. Deep sinks are especially use‐ ful for people who love to cook, making them a solid addition to any kitchen where home chefs ply their trade most nights of the week. 3. Storage As the NAHB study indicated, kitchen storage space is sought after among modern homeowners. As home cooks expand their culi‐ nary horizons and cook more elab‐ orate meals, they need extra places to store specialty pots and pans, ingredients and other materials. Homeowners looking to add more storage in the kitchen can consult with a local contractor about how to create such space. A walk‐in pantry can do the trick, but home‐ owners with kitchens where space is more limited may need to get a little more creative. Sliding‐door pantries and roll‐out shelving in existing cabinets can add functional space in kitchens with close quar‐ ters. Modern kitchens are visual mar‐ vels and highly functional spaces. A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help home‐ owners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need. 14 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
Wood From Page 12 How often should floors be pol‑ ished or waxed? Wood flooring professionals rec‐ ommend polishing floors that can be polished once every few months. Waxing wood floors does not need to be done as frequently, and most can benefit from a fresh coat of wax every 12 to 18 months. What can I do on a daily basis? Some simple tricks and daily maintenance can help wood floors maintain their impressive look. • Utilize floor mats. The HDA notes that floor mats near entryways can reduce the time it takes to clean hardwood floors and reduce the wear and tear they endure. For example, tiny particles like dirt can scratch the floor and contribute to the kind of minor damage that adds up to significant scarring over time. Floor mats near entryways ensures that most of that dirt never makes it
to the wood floors. • Vacuum without a beater bar. Some vacuums contain beater bars, which are designed to pick up human hair, dog hair and other things that conventional vacuums may not be able to pick up. The HDA advises vacuuming without the beat‐ er bar, as it can contribute to small scratches in the floor. Sweeping with a high‐quality broom or microfiber cloth is another way to pick up dirt without damaging floors. • Use manufacturer‐recommend‐ ed cleaning products. Local home improvement stores sell a host of hardwood floor cleaning products, but the HDA notes that many floor‐ ing manufacturers now sell their own hardwood floor cleaners designed specifically for their floors. These products are likely homeown‐ ers' best bets. Homeowners who can't find them can seek recommen‐ dations from a local flooring retailer. Hardwood floors are attractive for many reasons. And they look even more stunning, and last much longer, when homeowners make an effort to maintain them.
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A season of cultural gems: OCCC Touring Attractions unveiled
In its 26th Touring Attractions Season, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) invites all to embark on a journey of artistic excellence and cultural enrichment. This year, OCCC has carefully curated 11 capti‐ vating productions, promising an unforgettable experience. The main stage Performing Arts Series opened with a vibrant celebra‐ tion of Motown Legends in “Forever Motown,” setting the stage for a series of extraordinary performanc‐ es. “Voctave” follows this month, offering rich vocal harmonies that breathe new life into Disney and Broadway classics. November brings “On Your Feet!,” a Broadway hit that weaves incredible choreography with striking vocals to tell the inspiring story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. In January, Jerry Herman's time‐ less Broadway hits take center stage. This concert, featuring some of New
For dates, showtimes and ticket information, visit tickets.occc.edu. York City's finest vocalists, promises an extraordinary experience for Broadway lovers. February brings a soulful groove with Joshua Henry's concert production, “Get Up Stand Up.” In March, the Branson award‐ winning musical, “Forever Young,” unfolds a heartwarming tale of friendship and music. The series cul‐ minates with “Love Happens” by The Silhouettes, AGT Golden Buzzer win‐ ners, offering a captivating shadow work production. Beyond the main series, the new OCCC Intimate Encounters at the col‐ lege’s smaller Bruce Owen Theater promises an off‐Broadway experi‐ ence. “The Wonder Bread Years,” a
witty salute to Americana by former “Seinfeld” writer Pat Hazell, kicked things off in September. In November, the forgotten true story of Mozart's genius sister will be brought to life in the one‐woman play “The Other Mozart.” February introduces the award‐winning multimedia pup‐ pet production “The Immortal Jellyfish Girl,” a captivating journey through a post‐apocalyptic future. Closing the series, the Grammy‐nomi‐ nated Raul Midón, a one‐man band, singer, guitarist, and eclectic adven‐ turist, promises to captivate audi‐ ences with his boundless creativity. This season promises a diverse array of performances that showcase the power of the performing arts to unite, inspire, and give voice to com‐ plex emotions. Join OCCC on this cul‐ tural odyssey and immerse yourself in the enchantment of the performing arts!
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