Home Improvement - Spring 2013

HOME improvement

guide SPRING 2013

INSIDE:

THINK Style

A special supplement published by the Kent Reporter and Auburn Reporter

& low maintenance

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HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

May 24, 2013

Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

Fabric in the home inside

O

ne of the most common comments we hear from our customers is “Boy does that make a difference!” What makes a difference? The use of fabric in covering or accenting windows.

We are blessed in the Pacific Northwest with abundant natural beauty.

Evergreen trees, water and mountain views, even a well-manicured yard is a sight to behold.

Many of us have windows that take advantage of these views, and we cherish them.

Large picture windows are like pieces of natural artwork. But what does a beautiful painting or picture require? A frame of course, and that’s where custom window treatments come in.

Fabric window treatments can make the greatest impact on your living spaces. The provide comfort and create an elegance that simple sterile blinds and shades cannot. Full

2 FABRIC IN YOUR HOME 4 IT’S NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S TILE 5 UNIQUE UPGRADES CAN MAKE YOUR HOME STAND OUT

6 TIPS TO SAVE TIME ON LAWN MAINTENANCE

7 CUT COST BY DOING IT YOURSELF 7 SOUNDPROOFING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME 2013 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE The 2013 Spring Home Improvement is a special section published May 24, 2013 by the Kent Reporter and Auburn Reporter.

KENT

Publisher:

Polly Shepherd

Advertising:

Tamie Beitinger, Marie Skoor, Jim Purviance, Carol Bower

REPORTER REPORTER

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length draw drapery add warmth during the cold wet winter months when drawn closed yet provide a framing of unsurpassed elegance when drawn open to take advantage of the magnificent summer light.

Fabric valances and cornices are a popular option in many of today’s homes with narrower windows because they still allow for maximum amount of light on darker days while adding style to any room.

Choosing the right fabric for your window treatments does not have to be a difficult task. Finding a color that coordinates with a sofa or favorite chair is a good starting point. A print or subtle pattern will add life to the fabric and need not be bold or risky when used in large treatments. Bright designs within the fabric are lots of fun but when used sparingly will not grow old.

Take the time to find the right fabric and style of treatment to add life to your home today!

AUBURN .com

BY DAVID KRAMER

Cover & Layout: Julie Black

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Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

May 24, 2013

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HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

May 24 2013

Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

It’s Not Your Grandma’s Tile

BY DARRELL HELBING tilelines.com

M

any people have a mental image of “tile” that’s limited to small, 4-inch ceramic tiles in an unpleasant pink color with wide, dirty grout lines, or glazed 12-inch floor tiles that have the same fake marble pattern stamped on every tile.

But the tile industry has made incredible advances in the past 10 years, with man-made products available in every imaginable size, shape, color, and texture.You can now order porcelain plank tile that mimics natural wood flooring, large 12- x 24-inch tiles with a realistic sandstone texture, metallic tiles that look like fabric, extra-large 3-foot x 9-foot panel tiles,

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* Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 4/3/13–6/14/13 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. All rebates will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card. Ask participating dealer for details, rebate form and information on qualifying purchases. This rebate offer may not be combined with any other Hunter Douglas offer or promotion. © 2013 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas. 34747 786968

and much, much more! And that’s just porcelain tiles—natural stone also offers a beautiful range of colors and textures that can accommodate traditional or contemporary design styles.

Why Choose Tile?

Tile is durable, easy to maintain, and ideal for areas where water and spills may occur. Kitchen floors, shower walls, laundry rooms, entry ways, and patios are all ideal areas for man-made tiles or natural stone tiles.

When the clay body of a porcelain tile is fired at temperatures exceeding 2350° F, the tile becomes incredibly dense and durable, able to withstand the high foot traffic of an airport or shopping mall, have incredible stain-resistance, and be cleaned with virtually any cleaning product.

Natural stone has been used as a building material for thousands of years, and it holds up well. Think of how many office buildings or shopping malls have beautiful granite or marble floors; with the right care and maintenance, these tiles will withstand thousands of footsteps and spills every year.

There’s no need to replace or refinish your floors every few years; a properly executed tile installation will provide a rock-solid surface that should last a lifetime. This means fewer materials ending up in the landfill.

If you have not considered tile or stone for your floor, shower or backsplash project, now is a great time to take a look at what is new.

HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

Unique Upgrades Can Make Your Home Stand Out (StatePoint) Remodeling your home? Don’t just keep up with the Joneses. Go a step further by giving your home truly unique upgrades.

Experts say that one great way to be distinctive and add value to your home is by going natural.

So if you’re thinking of redoing your countertops, floors, walls or other key home elements like no one else on your block, think marble, granite and salvaged lumber.

“There is no way to duplicate nature

in a laboratory or manufacturing environment,” says Garen Distelhorst, Communications Director at the Marble Institute of America. “Natural stone is quarried from rock beds formed over millions of years.You’re never going to find two pieces exactly alike.”

Here are some benefits of natural materials for you to consider • RETURN ON INVESTMENT: In many cases, marble and granite are less expensive than other premium materials and add value to a home when it’s time to sell. According to the most current data available, natural stone recovered between 80 to 86 percent of its remodeling cost at the time of resale.

• DURABILITY: The ancient civilizations were onto something when they built their cities. Natural stone stands up to weathering and time better than any other building material, natural or manmade. Stone floors, countertops and wall cladding will last for at least 100 years in many cases. Likewise, salvaged lumber is old growth wood, which means it’s stronger and has tighter wood grains than new lumber and can give your home project historical value.

• SUSTAINABILITY: Natural stone

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applications -- from floors to walls to fireplaces to roofing shingles.

• CLEANING: You can toss aside the heavy duty cleaners that irritate your eyes and nose. Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth are all that is needed for regular maintenance of most natural stone surfaces.

For more information on making unique upgrades to your home and locating a qualified stone contractor, visit www.marble-institute.com.

By avoiding synthetic materials, you can give your home classic upgrades that are durable, beautiful and easy to maintain.

1 Gallon of Paint May 24th through June 30th, 2013

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Spring has sprung... why spend it cleaning?

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is an environmentally friendly choice because it’s nearly 100 percent recyclable and is not bonded by petroleum based resins or created in a factory.

And because of its durability, it won’t need to be replaced for a long time.

• VERSATILITY: The number of different colors, patterns and textures of natural stone is limitless. This may make finding the perfect cuts to fit your design needs a bit of a chore, but what you end up with will be unique to your home. And different finishes and edge treatments can lend the same kind of stone a different quality and look, making it ideal for various

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May 24, 2013

HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

Tips to Save Time on Lawn Maintenance (StatePoint) f it feels as though your entire weekends are spent mowing, trimming and watering your lawn, there are steps you can take to speed up your lawn care routine.

I

• Check pull cords to ensure they aren’t frayed.

• Check that attachments are connected and working properly.

• If you use your mower infrequently, fill the tank with a fuel stabilizer.

• Periodically change the oil and perform air filter maintenance.

AUTOMATE

How many times have you forgotten to water your lawn -- or worse yet, over-watered it? You can eliminate the guesswork (and the grunt work of dragging hoses around your yard) by installing an automatic sprinkler and drip irrigation system that is based on your specific landscape, characteristics and geographical region.

A well-designed system ensures peak efficiency, which means you’re only watering your lawn when necessary.

This is great for your grass and plants -- and for your pocketbook.

New technologies are making it even easier to optimize a watering plan for your lawn, as they can be controlled from the comfort of your computer or from a handheld remote you can take into your backyard. For example, the Irritrol PCW Control system is a software system that allows you to set up an irrigation calendar for different areas of your property.This smart technology can even connect to the Internet and retrieve the day’s weather for your zip code, and change watering time and frequency accordingly.

Homeowners can visit www.irritrol.com to learn more.

LESS IS MORE

New technology allows users to control their irrigation and lighting from the comfort of their computer.

MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT Keeping your mower properly maintained will save you time all season long. For walking mowers, a good maintenance routine is as follows: • Carefully check blades for sharpness.

• Make sure the cutting deck is clear of clippings. Cooking spray on the underside of the deck will make a new mower easier to clean.

It’s tempting to cut the grass as frequently as do your neighbors. But where mowing is concerned, less is more.You can prevent weeds from taking over your lawn by letting your grass grow out a bit, as longer grass supports a deeper root system. If you cut more than one-third of the grass length, you will have clumps of clippings that lie on top of the lawn, slower decomposition, and a less attractive, bristly appearing lawn Keeping grass longer also allows it greater surface area to carry out photosynthesis, which results in healthier plants. In addition, taller grass grows slower than shorter grass.You can use this fact to eliminate up to 20 percent of the mowing you do annually, an average savings of about eight hours a year, not to mention the savings of gasoline and wear on equipment.

When you do cut the grass, be sure you’re using great time saving equipment. A model with great maneuverability will give you greater control around landscaping and obstacles.

With all that time saved working on your lawn, you’ll have more time to kick back, relax and simply enjoy your lawn instead.

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Just some of the excellent assistance we provide includes the following: • Local Moving and Storage • Packing and Unpacking • Long Distance moving • Moving Labor • Office/ Commercial Moving • Organizing and downsizing • Military Moves • In House Moves • International Moving Labor

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Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

Do It Yourself

BY TRESA ERICKSON AdBuilder.com

Y

ou’re planning a kitchen remodel, and like many homeowners, you are looking for ways to cut costs and stay on budget. The more work you do yourself, the more money you can save.

One task that you might consider doing yourself is staining the cabinets. It will take you some time but save you some cash in the long run. Here’s how to go about it.

To stain your cabinets, you will need some 120grit sandpaper, 220-grit sandpaper, wood conditioner, paintbrushes, tack cloths, rags, stain and polyurethane.

Some experts recommend water-based stain and sealer because they are easier to

work with, while others insist on oil-based products because of their durability.

Do some research to make the right choice for you.

Once you have all of the supplies in hand, you can start the process by preparing the bare wood. Using 120-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the wood in the direction of the grain; this will prevent scratches. Remove all of the loose dust with a tack cloth. Then sand the cabinets again, this time using 220-grit sandpaper; this will create a smooth finish.

Remove all of the loose dust with a tack cloth and apply a coat of wood conditioner to the cabinets. Let it dry completely and then apply a coat of stain to the cabinets. Brush on the stain with a paintbrush following the grain of the wood.

Then take a rag and rub the stain into the wood using a circular motion. Finish the staining by wiping along the grain of the wood one final time to ensure an even finish.

Let the stain dry completely. Then apply two coats of polyurethane following the manufacturer’s directions. Once you have sealed the cabinets, make sure you give them ample time to cure before you have them installed in your kitchen.

Staining your cabinets yourself can save you money big time in your kitchen remodel. Just be sure you have done your homework and have the time to commit to the project. Remember, you will be living with your cabinets for some time, so make certain they look good.

Soundproofing Tips to Turn Your Home into a Quiet Sanctuary (StatePoint)

A

ll around us, life is getting louder.

But home should be a place to relax and unwind. Between televisions, cell phones, computers and video games, it’s sometimes hard to find peace and quiet within the walls of your home.

Luckily, with a few do-it-yourself soundproofing projects, you can reclaim your home as a place of respite no matter what’s going on in the rooms around you.

• Fabrics: For a quick fix, think fabric. In addition to complementing the look of a room, soft rugs, carpeting, curtains and tapestries make great sound absorbers. And just a few rugs can spell a lot of disturbance-free foot traffic.

• Furniture: Give rooms a unique touch and a powerful sound barrier by placing thickly-upholstered chairs in each corner. Large bookcases against common walls can also help block noise.

• Surface texture: Rough surfaces on walls and ceilings, such as sprayed-on texture, a

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May 24, 2013

Kent Location: 13200 NE 20th St #100 Bellevue, WA 98005

www.firesidehearthandhome.com

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textured paint job or even wallpaper can help reduce sound waves in a noisy room.

• Insulation: The simplest, most effective way to soundproof is to reduce airflow between rooms with a high-density stone wool insulation that’s specifically designed for noise reduction.

For example, Roxul Safe ‘n’ Sound, for use between interior walls, in ceilings, and between floors, traps sound waves and vibrations in the thousands of interconnected spaces created by its fiber structure. Because it can be cut precisely with a serrated blade, it can be trimmed for the best possible fit, meaning maximum sound absorption.

Installation is easy and will go a long way to reduce sound transmission with the added benefit of improving your home’s fire resistance.

And because stone wool insulation is mold resistant and doesn’t slump or settle inside walls over time, it is maintenance free. More information can be found at www.Roxul.com.

• Cracks: Sound can burrow through crevices and cracks. Seal cracks around baseboards and in drywall, and block slits around window seals and interior doors.

While homes are getting louder, there’s good news -- many sound-proofing techniques have additional benefits, from aesthetic appeal to improved energy efficiency.Take steps today to make your home a more peaceful, comfortable place to live.

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Bellevue Location: 13200 NE 20th St #100 Bellevue, WA 98005

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May 24, 2013

HOME IMPROVEMENT INSIDE AND OUT

Kent Reporter | Auburn Reporter

A World of Tile & Stone (perfect for your home!)

Tile Lines has moved to a bigger, better showroom!

KENT W James St E James St

1531 Central Ave S Š Kent, WA 98032 Monday-Friday 7:00am-6:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

S Kent Des Moines Rd

HWY 167 S 277th St

Central Ave S / E Valley Hwy / 83rd Ave S

Willis St

We sell to homeowners and contractors alike, so stop by to see our wide selection of tile, stone, and installation products. Our friendly and helpful staff can provide professional advice AND PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE AND ASSIST YOU WITH kNDING THE PERFECT MATERIALS FOR YOUR NEXT REMODEL An Increasingly Wide Variety of Porcelain, Ceramic, Marble, Granite, Travertine, Limestone, and Slate Tiles, Mosaics, and Decorative Accents Layout and Design Ideas for Kitchens, Bathrooms, Fireplaces, and Floors Free Weekly Installation Classes

AUBURN 253.872.0449 X 1531 Central Ave S X Kent, WA 98032 X Monday-Friday 7:00am-6:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm X TileLines.com 785663