Spring Home & Garden 2013

By ERIN O’[email protected]

Spring has (almost) sprung, but is your house ready? Though it may be a little too soon to start digging up the garden, there are many important steps you can be taking to get your house ready for when the chilly temperatures finally loosen their grip.

Clean the guttersWhen it comes to your gutters and down-

spouts, putting in a little cleaning and mainte-nance on the front end is most definitely prefer-able to dealing with the aftermath of clogged gutters during the first spring shower.

“Gutters are a big thing to look at,” said Dean Williams, the owner of Dean Williams Quality Home Improvement in Le Sueur. “You want all the debris that has accumulated over the winter cleaned out before the spring rains.”

Take a little time on a Saturday afternoon to empty the gutters of leaves, sticks and whatever other junk may have found its way in there during the long winter months. Once they are cleared, take a good look at your gutters to make sure nothing has come loose or pulled away from the house.

“After the winter we’ve just gone through, it’s important to check the condition of your gutters and for any ice damage,” said Williams who pro-vides services on both the exterior and interior of houses.

Give your house a check upThough you may have been safely sheltered

from the harsh winter elements, your house has been through the ringer. Even the most well-

constructed and sturdy homes could use a little tune up in the spring.

“It’s good to take a walk around the house and check for any cracked caulking or breaking in the seal,” said Williams.

Any necessary re-caulking should be taken care of to prevent leaking or water damage. After the exterior of the house is in good working order, it never hurts to spruce the place up a bit.

“It’s a good time to give your house a rinse down,” said Williams.

Power washing the outsides of your home will get rid of winter grime and add a few years to the longevity of your paint job.

Trim your treesBefore your trees fill with leaves and you have

to wrestle through the branches, trim your trees to avoid the potential of long branches damag-ing your siding and causing other unnecessary headaches.

“Trim back any tree branches or shrubs that may be touching your home and may create an excellent path for bugs to enter your home,” rec-ommends Mary Anne Woelfel of Woelfel Building Construction in Le Center. “[These branches] can also damage the exterior as the wind brushes the branches back and forth against your house.”

Before you climb down off the ladder, Woelfel also suggests “removing any dead branches that could snap off in a wind storm and damage your roof or any other part of your home.”

Test your air conditionerThough the day when you’ll need to turn on

your air conditioner may seem like a long way off, it is better to make sure it is ready to run now, than when you are melting from the humidity

in July.“You will soon be running your air condi-

tioner instead of your furnace on a consistent basis, so you should check to make sure it is working properly,” said Woelfel. “If you encounter a problem it will much easier to schedule an HVAC contractor to come look at your system now, before they are swamped with people who wait until that first hot day hits.”

Reach reporter Erin O’Neill at 931-8576, or follow her on Twitter.com @LNHeoneill.com

Prep your home now for spring

Find time to clean out any debris in your gutters before the �rst spring rain.

Make sure your air conditioning unit is in good working order or have a

professional come out and check it over, before the warm weather hits.

Spring

&&&Garden

SpringSpring

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&&Home, Lawn

Wednesday, April 10 ■ � ursday, April 11, 2013

PAGE 2 SPRING HOME & GARDEN Wednesday, April 10 & Thursday, April 11, 2013

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Table of Contents

1 Prep your home now for spring

3 Use bold paint colors

4 Gardening tips for beginners

5 Tackle � ying pests in the yard

6 Pros and cons of open � oor plans

8 Designing a laundry room

9 Modernize your bathroom with a frameless glass shower enclosure

10 Cost-e� ective fencing options

13 How to prevent soil erosion

15 Safety measures can help reduce bathroom injuries

Many times it is to a homeowner’s advantage to open the drapes and let sunlight shine in. Still, for shift workers, parents of young children who need to nap or just those who have south- or west-facing windows that make rooms overly warm, darkening the room is necessary at certain times of the day. The easiest and most effective way to do so is to purchase blackout curtains. Depending on the brand and quality of the curtains, some of them may block out sunlight entirely while providing additional benefi ts. While preventing sunlight from entering a room, blackout curtains, which are thicker than traditional curtains, may also be effective at insulating rooms against drafty windows and providing noise reduction.

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Wednesday, April 10 & Thursday, April 11, 2013 SPRING HOME & GARDEN PAGE 3

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Using bold paint colorsPaint is one of the least expensive and

most versatile means to changing the look of a room. According to the experts

from “This Old House,” 60 percent of the colors of a home that visitors perceive come from the paint on the walls. Choosing a color scheme can be challenging, which is why so many people stick with neutrals like beige and white. For those who are ready to add a spark of color, there are a few guidelines to consider.Color theory is a science and there are rules of using color that are taught as early as a child’s fi rst foray into art class. We know there are primary, secondary and complementary colors on the color wheel. Even novice home decorators can do well with color if they use the color wheel as their guideline.According to HGTV, color should fl ow throughout a house. Every room need not be painted the same color. However, colors should be complementary enough that they fl ow into one another. Don’t paint one room in child’s basic primary colors, while painting other rooms in jewel tones and pastels. Stick with one theme and carry it through the house.Once you have decided to use a bold color, fi rst fi nd your color inspiration. Color combinations that appear in nature are more readily accepted by people, so look for an item in nature, such as a seashell or a

fl owering plant that you can base your color choices on. Others pull inspiration from a particular design item. For instance, maybe an area rug strikes your fancy. Use colors that appear in the rug in the room.Keep in mind that using bold color doesn’t mean you have to paint every wall from ceiling to fl oor in that color. Rather, if you’re just starting out with bold colors, select one wall to serve as an accent wall. Use that wall as your bold canvas and paint it with your chosen hue.Some people like to experiment with a more fl ashy color in a smaller space. If you’re nervous about beginning in the living room or kitchen, how about trying out bold color in a smaller space, such as a powder room? A more intimate space might seem less overwhelming when painted in a bold color. Go for a deep purple or another jeweled tone. However, try to avoid greens in the bathroom, as they may refl ect off of the mirror and cast a hue onto your face that makes you look

unwell. Pinks and peaches will shed a rosy glow.If you will be incorporating complementary colors into the room, use the paint color swatch as your guide. Most paint manufacturers use three or four different shades on one sample card. When selecting a complementary shade, be sure to pick from the same tone on the card. That means if you’re choosing the darkest of color #1 from a card, you’ll want to choose the darkest from color #2. Another idea is to leave walls neutral and use bold color on design accents. For example, designers at marthastewart.com recommend painting the inside of niches, shelves or cabinets with glass doors in bright tones and

the outside white to create an eye-catching space without going overboard. Put a bold color on moulding or use an appliance or a fi xture in a bright color as your splash of boldness.Remember to have balance. If you will be painting an entire room in a bold color, think about having the other decor items in neutral colors. Sofas and rugs should be neutral colors, or consider toning down a vibrant color with the use of white molding or baseboards.All it may take is a little inspiration to get started on fun, inviting color schemes in the home. Furniture store Raymour & Flanigan offers a handy design tool for incorporating different colors into a space.


Gardening is a rewarding hobby that many enthusiasts credit with helping them to peacefully escape from the hus-tle and bustle of everyday life. � ough gardening can be both

relaxing and rewarding, it’s not as easy as it may seem, and the more time and e� ort a person devotes to his or her garden the more likely it is to be successful.

Gardening can be a little

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Tackle �ying pests in the yard�e warmer months provide ample opportuni-

ties for outdoor entertaining or simply enjoying time spent in the yard as a family. But moments in the fresh air and sunshine can be negatively a�ected by the presence of �ying, buzzing or bit-ing bugs.

When the weather warms, insects that may have been dormant during the winter begin to exit their dens and reproduce in earnest. Many insects overwinter as eggs and larvae, and mul-titudes break their dormancy at the same time as host plants. Beetles, �ies, gnats, bees, mosquitoes, termites, butter�ies, moths, and many other bugs can be seen in abundance in the spring. While there are people who enjoy bugs’ presence as true harbingers of the new season, others who are less enamored with �ying insects, especially when they make time outdoors into an exercise in discomfort. Homeowners concerned about the presence of �ying insects in their yard can take various steps to manage sharing outdoor spaces with insect life.

PREVENTIONDi�erent varieties of insects begin their lives

as eggs that may hatch into nymphs or worm-like creatures known as larvae. O�entimes, these eggs are deposited in water or in damp areas. Mosquito larvae, for example, thrive in stagnant water be-fore they turn into winged, biting insects. Keeping

outdoor areas free of standing water and ensur-ing proper drainage are two ways to reduce the population of certain bugs in the yard. Welcoming animals, such as birds and bats that feed on a trove of insects, to the yard can naturally keep insect numbers down.

Flies lay about 50 to 100 eggs at one time. �e eggs will hatch into maggots in as little as 12 hours a�er being deposited. Keeping yards free from de-caying matter, especially around entertaining areas, can limit the number of �ies in the yard.

TRAPS�ere are a variety of di�erent traps on the mar-

ket geared toward di�erent insect life. Most use some sort of attractant, whether a scent or light to lure the insects to the trap. �en the bugs fall inside and cannot get out.

Although there are some chemical-based traps or bug “zappers,” there are other more natural traps and more humane options, too. Setting traps away from patios and living spaces will lure the insects to the traps and keep them away from you. Once the trapped insects expire, you can bury them in the ground to naturally decompose.

Setting traps out very early in the season will help to trap as many emerging insects as possible. You also may be able to trap the queens of certain insects, like bees or wasps, further reducing the

number of bugs you will see throughout the year.

REPELLENTSRepellents are natural or chemically derived

formulas that are worn or placed in proximity to people. �ese repellents want insects to �nd them. Once found, the repellents’ smell or taste is deemed questionable by the insects, who will then seek out other areas to reside.

Repellents will vary in e�cacy and some may need to be reapplied frequently to remain e�ective. However, they are a useful tool when you will not be staying in one spot in the yard.

SCREENSIf you spend ample time outdoors, especially

at dusk, then investing in a screened-in room may be the way to go. �is way you can enjoy the weather while the insects stay on the other side of the screen. In climates where three-season swim-ming is possible, some homeowners actually create screened-in rooms that encompass their entire pool.

BENEFICIAL BUGSInsects like butter�ies and bees are the unsung

heroes of the landscape, as they are responsible for pollinating many �owers and plants. Honeybees and bumblebees will generally keep to themselves if their nests are not disturbed and can actually be enjoyable to watch as they buzz from �ower to �ower. Wasps, like yellow-jackets, can be attracted to sweet smells, so keeping sugary drinks and foods covered can keep them at bay. Or you may want to lure them to another area of the yard with a bit of raw meat or a can of fruit punch.

Sharing outdoor living spaces with �ying in-sects can be aggravating. But there are many op-tions at a homeowner’s disposal to control such unwanted guests.


Open fl oor plans have evolved to be the fl oor plan of choice in new homes and current home renovations. Turn on a

home renovation show, and you’re likely to see eager homeowners knocking down walls to open the kitchen to the family room. Walls have become anathema to homeowners.There are many supporters of the open fl oor plan, particularly those who entertain frequently or like to keep an eye on children throughout the house. Although open fl oor plans are touted, there are plenty of people who have never been enamored with having all of their rooms fl owing into one. There also are some people who prefer a different style.For those who are not fans of the open fl oor plan, blame the excess of the 1980s for their inception. In homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, rooms were compartmentalized

and isolated for specifi c activities. During the 1980s, an era of “bigger is better,” when entertaining was widely popular among homeowners, designers noticed that many homeowners preferred an open fl oor plan in which rooms merged into one another, creating the illusion of more space. These fl oor plans also enable people to be in separate rooms and still interact with one another across the space.A home’s fl oor plan largely depends on the preference of the homeowner. There are many advantages to having an open fl oor plan versus one that is more compartmentalized. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons.Pro Open fl oor plans can be safer for parents of young children. If the home opens up with the living spaces branching off from the kitchen, parents can keep an eye on

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Pros and consof open floor plans

children while the parents prepare dinner. It also eliminates the number of places that kids can hide and get into mischief.Con Privacy is reduced in a home with few walls. Much in the way that an open fl oor plan enables children to be seen from every angle, it also enables you to be seen — and all of your belongings as well. There’s also no place to retreat to if you need a minute to collect yourself when entertaining. You’re on display unless you retreat to the bathroom.Pro Entertaining can be easier in a home with an open fl oor plan because hosts and hostesses are not separated from their guests or holed up in the kitchen the entire time. An open space enables everyone to mingle and conversations to fl ow.Con Those who like to host events without showing guests all of their dirty dishes or secrets of the kitchen may dislike an open fl oor plan. Pro Light can fl ow effectively through an open space, minimizing dark rooms and reducing the need to install more windows. Light in and of itself can help a home feel more spacious.Con While light can fl ow easily, so can sound. Noises through the house may be amplifi ed. A student doing homework in the dining room may be disturbed by the television blaring in the family room. Talking on the phone or even fi nding a quiet nook to read a book may be challenging.Pro Open fl oor plans allow for more family time together in one space than a home with a more compartmentalized layout.

Con People who are collectors or who have a lot of furniture or accent items may fi nd that open fl oor plans do not work well with this type of design mantra.Pro Because several rooms run into one another, color choices for walls and furnishings in a home with an open fl oor plan can be limited and cohesive, making choices easier.Con On the fl ip side, those who want to incorporate different color schemes and eclectic styles may have diffi culty deciding on where to “end” rooms or how to co-mingle furniture.


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When purchasing a home, buyers often look at the kitchen space and how many bedrooms there are, while largely ignoring other rooms, including the laundry room. O� entimes, the washer and dryer are relegated to a dark corner of the basement or garage, and homeowners simply accept their laundry lot.

Mo r e a n d m o r e manufacturers now produce washers and dryers that are both functional and aesthetically appealing. As a result, homeowners and renters need not feel they have to hide laundry rooms like they did in the past. Having the laundry nearby the family action — and paying attention to laundry room design — can make the work of keeping clothes tidy that much easier.

Many designers would agree that you need not sacrifice style for function in a laundry room. As with

any other area of the house, impart design elements into the room and make it a room in which you want to spend time.

• First and foremost, select appliances that offer the features you need and want. Also, find appliances that � t the space you have. Front-loading appliances have become the latest must-have, but some units may be too big or expensive for your space. Those with a limited area for laundry can invest in a stackable set, in which the washer and dryer are combined into one vertical unit. For those who want to add a pop of color, select among the variety of colored washers and dryers that are turning up in store showrooms. You’re no longer limited to white, black and beige.

• Consider cabinetry in your laundry space. Cabinets and drawers are not just for

the kitchen. They can hide cleaning products, detergent, dryer sheets and so much more. Fill drawers with stain-removal sticks and items to mend clothes that may be missing a button or have a small hole that needs tending.

• A laundry area also can be much more than just a place to wash and fold clothes.

Designinga laundry room

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More homeowners are looking to trans-form their bath-

rooms into luxurious, relaxing retreats that feature the looks and amenities of an upscale spa. One way to upgrade the appear-ance of a bath — and to lessen the burden of maintaining it — is to install a frameless shower en-closure with CLARVISTA® glass by PPG, a shower glass that fea-tures fused-on coating to keep its showroom looks longer than more traditional clear shower glass.

The biggest advantage as-sociated with frameless shower enclosures is that they can add to the overall value of your home if they’re done right. Here are some additional reasons to consider a frameless shower for your new or remodeled bath.

• They’re fashionable. Fra-meless shower enclosures open a world of possibilities because they perfectly complement du-

rable, high-style surfaces used in the bath such as tile, marble and granite. � ey also provide a great way to show o� distinctive shower heads, faucets and � xtures. Finally, because of their openness and transparency, frameless shower enclosures can make your bath feel bigger than it really is.

• Th ey’re versatile. Frameless doors can be designed to fit any

space, making them ideal for bath-rooms large and small. And they don’t have to be boxy — frameless shower enclosures can be circular, oval or triangular. Even standard square or rectangular enclosures can be dressed up with an artfully

bowed, patterned or etched glass door.

• Th ey’re durable. Frameless shower enclosures look elegant, but one of their most redeeming quali-ties is toughness. Standard shower glasses can range in thickness from

3⁄8 inch to 1⁄2 inch, which makes them sturdy, structurally sound and safe. Watertight seals prevent leak-age, and because there is little to no metal used in frameless enclosures, homeowners never have to worry about replacing corroded parts.

• They’re easy to live with. Let’s face it: we all want to live in our homes for as long as we can. Frameless shower enclosures are a great way to let your home age with

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Fencing serves many purposes. Some home-owners erect a fence for pri-vacy, while others do so to contain pets and children. Because fencing can be ex-pensive, some homeowners look for ways to cut costs, which can be relatively easy, especially for those home-owners willing to consider various materials when erecting their fence.

Traditional fences are available in materials rang-ing from wood to vinyl to metal. Homeowners have other options at their dis-posal if they prefer a more natural fence. Different shrubs, trees or grasses can be planted to create a bar-rier between properties or within the property.

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FENCING: Different materials to go with a variety of budgets

in just a few years. There-fore, the most cost-effective fencing material may not necessarily be the least ex-pensive one at the store. Here are some materials homeowners can consider.

Found material: Repur-posed wood or metal can be crafted into a rustic, one-of-a-kind fence. Materials can be found that are no cost, requiring only the cost of labor. Should you build it yourself, this can be next to nothing. Sometimes existing fences on another property can be disassembled and re-built on your own property for little to no cost as well.

Chainlink/chainwire: Chainlink fencing is one of the most economical types of boundary fencing. The fencing comes in a variety of diamond sizes and is fixed to galvanized pipes spaced across the perimeter of the property. Although it is some of the least expensive fencing, it does not offer much privacy on its own. But if you are looking at fencing simply as a barrier, chainlink could be the way to go.

Picket fencing: A wood-en picket fence is another inexpensive fencing mate-rial. The pickets can be pur-chased in various heights, and this fence may be used as garden border fencing or to mark a property line be-tween homes. Spacing the pickets widely apart may cut down on the number that need to be purchased, fur-ther keeping the cost down.

Bamboo: Bamboo is a rapidly growing grass that produces a hard wood-like material that is used in many building applications. Bam-boo wood can be used to build a fence, but the natural plant also can be planted to

form a living fence for pri-vacy.

Stockade fencing: A stockade fence is one of the more basic wood fenc-ing options. Wooden slats are placed alongside one another to form an effec-tive and affordable privacy fence. Stockade fencing can be stained or painted to preserve it. Many home improvement retailers sell panels of stockade fencing so that you can make fence installation a do-it-yourself project.

Vinyl fencing: Although vinyl fencing is one of the more expensive fencing ma-

terials at the outset (it costs about twice the price of a wood fence), it does pay for itself rather quickly thanks to minimal maintenance. Unlike some other materi-als, vinyl will not rot or dis-color. You also won’t have to purchase stain, paint and expensive cleaners for a vinyl fence. That means once you make the investment, you will have years upon years of maintenance-free enjoy-ment.

There are many different fencing materials that can coordinate with a variety of budgets.

From Page 10


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How to prevent soil erosionHomeowners who spend time tending to their landscape are increasingly looking eco-friendly ways to maintain their lawns and gardens. Homeowners who once relied on potentially harmful pesticides to craft a lush lawn now prefer ways that don’t leave such a significant carbon footprint.Preventing soil erosion is one way to incorporate conservation into lawn and garden care. Conservation is one of many environmental practices aimed at preserving the planet’s natural resources, which include soil. Preventing soil erosion is easy and can be accomplished in a number of ways.Don’t overwater. Some may assume that

keeping soil as damp as possible keeps it healthy. However, overwatering the soil can cause runoff that washes the soil away. In addition, overwatering the soil can degrade it and contribute to erosion. Instead of overwatering, keep the soil moist but don’t overdo it. If you’re having trouble keeping soil moist, consider laying down some mulch, which helps retain moisture and deliver nutrients to the soil that keep it healthy.Plant trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are friends to soil, providing shelter while their roots keep the soil in place and prevent it from easily blowing away on a windy day. It also helps soil from washing

Installing runoff barriers made of brick, stone or other materials around plants and shrubs is one way to reduce soil erosion and runoff.

See SOIL Page 15

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Falls cause many injuries inside a home. Seniors are especially susceptible

to harmful falls in the bathroom, where slippery tiles can prove too di� cult for older men and women to navigate.

A 2011 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-tion found that

nearly 234,000 Americans ages 15 and older were treated in an emergency department for non-fatal bathroom-related injuries in 2008. � at adds up to roughly

640 people per day. More than 80 percent of bathroom-related injuries were caused by slips and falls, mostly while getting in and out of the tub or shower, and about 30 percent of those injuries included cuts, scrapes and bruises.

Bathrooms can be more danger-ous than other rooms of the house for a variety of reasons. � e bathroom is generally comprised of hard surfaces that can become slippery when wet or exposed to high humidity. A bath-room may become hotter than other rooms because of the steam that ac-

companies a hot shower. Heat may dilate peripheral veins and lower blood pressure in some people. � is may lead to dizziness that can result in falls. Furthermore, people tend to rush in the bathroom as they get ready for work or school. Rushing around can lead to slips and injuries on wet surfaces.

Installing safety features in the bathroom is a key way to reduce the risk of accidents. Many manufactur-ers have even designed these features so they blend with bathroom decor.

When renovating bathrooms for safety, consider the following options.

• Anti-scald features: Burns can be serious business. Few people have been spared the momentary burst of hot water that occurs in the shower or at the faucet when another house-hold member � ushes a toilet or uses a large amount of cold water elsewhere

in the house. Anti-scald showerheads and faucets prevent sudden bursts of hot water. Use in conjunction with turning down the temperature of the hot water heater to eliminate burns.

• Nonslip mats: Bathroom in-juries o� en occur when people are getting in and out of the shower. Having a non-slip mat on the inside of the shower or tub as well as one with a grippable surface and plush top layer on which to step a� er exit-ing the shower can reduce falls. Don’t step out of the shower onto a � imsy towel that can slip out from under-neath your feet.

• Bath bench: The elderly or those prone to lightheadedness in the shower may want to invest in a bench or seat to put into the shower. � is enables sitting while washing.

• Safety bars: It can be tempting to grab onto towel racks or faucets to

get in and out of the shower, but these items cannot provide the necessary leverage to safely move in and out of the shower or bathtub. Safety bars with a brushed surface for traction are more secure. Grab bars need to be securely attached to a wood stud in the wall and not into drywall or the tub enclosure.

• Raised toilet seat: A raised toilet seat reduces the amount of squatting and the distance that has to be covered to sit on the commode. Grab bars on the raised seat itself will provide added safety.

• Telephone: � e bathroom may seem an odd place to install a tele-phone, but having one nearby in the event of injury can ensure help gets to the injured party much more quickly.

• Regular cleaning: Routinely ridding showers and tubs of soap scum and mildew can reduce the

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away when warm weather arrives and the landscape must be watered on a daily basis.Create runoff barriers. Runoff barriers are edges that can be made of brick, stone or other materials that help reduce runoff. Many homeowners install runoff barriers along sidewalks and driveways to ensure the soil does not spill out onto the pavement, but these also help the soil as much as they help to keep walkways and other areas free of soil and looking tidy.Consider leaving some

grass around the garden. Tillage is the process of preparing land to grow crops. While many homeowners don’t view their weekend gardening as growing crops, similar principles apply whether you’re growing crops on a farm or just a few vegetables in the backyard. One such principle is conservation tillage, which means leaving a portion of vegetation in the ground instead of stripping everything away before planting. For home gardeners, consider leaving a small amount of grass around the garden to keep the soil within the garden’s

boundaries. It’s a principle similar to installing runoff barriers, and it can be just

as effective at preventing soil erosion.

From Page 13SOIL: Create runoff barriers so soil does not spill out

Safety measurescan help reduce bathroom injuries

Anti-scald showerheads help reduce burn injuries in bathrooms.

slippery coating that forms as a re-sult of these substances. Also, be sure to keep clutter in the bathroom to a minimum to stop trips and falls over errant items in the area.

Bathrooms can present many dangers, but certain safety tools and renovations can help reduce the risk of injury.


Many people like to turn this spot into a multipurpose zone. By including some shelving and a refrigerator in the laundry room, you can create a food-storage pantry. A large countertop normally used to fold clothes can also double as a gi� -wrapping station. � ink about merging a laundry room with a cra� room where sewing or scrapbooking can take place.

• Remember to leave room for the soiled clothing. Raising hamper bins o� of the � oor to be suspended from a rod above the washer frees up valuable � oor space. Otherwise, keep the hamper behind a curtain or tucked into a cabinet to ensure the laundry room always looks neat, even when you haven’t yet gotten to the newest pile of dirty clothes.

• Don’t be afraid of adding color and artwork to the laundry space. In fact, embrace it. Here’s an out-of-the-way area of the home where you can explore your creativity and have a little fun. Try an eye-opening color, such as apple green or bright yellow to add a sunny disposition to the room.

• You don’t have to spend a fortune on a laundry room re-do. Shop in salvage stores or antique shops for custom pieces to add character to the space. You can probably � nd cabinetry or shelving for a fraction of the cost of new items, and these older items may add more character to the

space.• Save space by installing a

counter just above the dryer so you will have a place to fold and stack clothing.

• Th e bulk of dirty clothes will be generated in the bedrooms and bathroom of the house. But who wants to carry clothes down to a laundry area

on a lower level? See if you can tuck a laundry room into an upstairs closet or nook to make doing laundry more practical.

Although a laundry room is o� en an a� erthought, taking time to organize and plan the space can make it both functional and inviting.

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you because the entry can be leveled with the � oor to create easy access as you become older and less mobile. And frameless glass shower enclosures don’t become passé — they o� er a great way to meld time-less style with ageless accommoda-tion.

• Th ey’re easy to clean. With fra-meless shower enclosures, there are fewer nooks and crannies where dirt and grime can accumulate, making them easier to clean than other show-er styles. For an added level of clarity and sparkle, homeowners should request Clarvista glass by PPG, the coating of which is fused to the glass,

which makes the surface almost im-pervious to corrosion from water deposits, humidity, soap scum and household cleaners. Simply wipe the wet glass every few days with a dry towel or squeegee, and your shower enclosure can look as new as the � rst day you had it installed.

From Page 9

From Page 8

MODERNIZE: A great way to meld timeless styleLAUNDRY: Taking time to organize and plan can make your laundry room functional and inviting


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ing, especially for those beginners who adhere to the following tips aimed at helping novice gar-deners start their gardens o� on the right foot.

Determine what you should plant. Where you live will go a long way toward determining what you should plant. While you can plant any-thing you can get your hands on, the United States Department of Agriculture as well as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada have determined speci�c plant hardiness zones that indicate which plants are most likely to thrive in given locations. Maps of these zones can be found at www.usda.gov and www.agr.gc.ca. By adhering to the maps, gardeners can signi�cantly increase their chances of growing successful gardens. When in doubt about what to plant, consult a local gardening center or seek advice from a professional landscaper.

�ink location when beginning your garden. Beginners with large yards have the luxury of choos-ing the right location on their properties to start planting. When choosing a spot, consider how much sunlight a location gets on a daily basis and the spot’s proximity to a water supply. If planting �owers, try to avoid planting in areas with heavy foot tra�c so the �owers are less likely to be stomped. If you’re planting �owers to accent walkways, then consider erecting a barrier around the �ower bed to safeguard the �owers from foot tra�c.

Get started before you plant. Preparing the soil a few weeks before you start planting can help

the plants thrive down the road. Add some organic material, such as compost or fertilizer, to the soil roughly three weeks before planting. �is helps the soil retain water and nutrients, which will help your garden thrive.

Time your planting. When you plant is some-times as important as what you plant. Some cli-mates allow for year-round planting, but many do not. When buying seeds, the packaging might suggest what time of year to plant the seeds. Ad-here to these suggestions or your garden might not grow much at all. In addition, keep in mind that many seedlings need signi�cant light throughout the day in order to grow, so choose a time of year with ample daylight.

Don’t forget to mulch. Mulch can be as aes-thetically appealing as it is e�ective. Mulch retains soil, helping roots to grow stronger, while deterring bugs and preventing weed growth. And many gar-deners �nd mulch adds visual appeal their garden, and does so in a very inexpensive way.

Clean your tools. Beginners rarely recognize the importance of cleaning gardening tools before putting them away. At the end of each gardening session, clean your tools thoroughly, as soil le� on your garden tools can play host to potentially harmful microbes that might kill your plants.

Gardening can be a labor-intensive yet gratify-ing hobby. By sticking to a few simple rules, begin-ners can develop a thriving garden to reward all of that hard work.

Gardening: Clean your toolsFrom Page 4


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Spring Home & Garden 2013