Spring Inside and Out, April 14, 2012

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 1

SpringInside & Out

April 14, 2012

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Living Large in Smaller Spaces

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2 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

Although the spring runways were filled with 1980s-inspired

neons and the bright Tangerine Tango was named color of the year by the Pantone Color Instititute, don’t count out the classic combination of black and white. The contrasting colors aren’t stepping aside to make way for these trendy sunglass-worthy hues. Instead, they are fighting the bright with a bite of bold pattern.

“Black and white is a modern classic,” says Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of DwellStudio, a New York City home goods company with a modern aesthetic. “It instantly makes interiors look hip and graphic.”

The latest take on black-and-white includes everything

from big chevron and zig zag stripes to large-scale medallion prints. Although these patterns tend to be loud, they can also speak softly in a room. Stripes and chevrons, for instance, are interior design classics and they play well with oriental rugs, pinch-pleated drapes and other more traditional designs.

“It is easy to incorporate black and white into existing decor through accessories and pillows,” Lemieux says. “You can easily layer a black and white vase or tray into a cocktail table or a graphic black and white pillow to your sofa for an instant update.”

If the loud patterns just aren’t your thing, it’s still possible to get in on the black and white trend with solid colors. A simple black border on textiles like

rugs and curtains can do the trick.

“A plain white linen curtain with a three-inch black band is simple and streamlined. The black band adds some definition and elegance. It’s simple and understated,” says Jill Sorensen, owner of Marmalade Interiors in McLean, Va.

Using an area rug with a black border also defines a space and

adds a modern touch of crisp definition, Sorensen says.

Another way to dip your toe into the trend is with paint.

“It might sound cold, but sometimes painting walls a dark color like black can actually make a space seem larger,” says Julie Thigpen, owner of interior design firm Modern Chic Home in Irvine, Calif.

She painted all four walls of a bathroom black for one client.If dark walls aren’t appealing, look up. Thigpen recently painted a client’s dining room ceiling a high-gloss black and paired it with white crown molding. She used a neutral taupe-tan color on the walls to balance the daring ceiling.

“It was a risk, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as you would imagine,” she says. “It made the space dramatic, but comfortable at the same time.”

There’s more to paint than picking up a gallon at the local hardware store, though. There are hundreds

of shade nuances to even the most basic colors, including black and white. Thigpin recommends selecting a warmer shade of black, with undertones of reds or yellows, and avoiding shades with hints of blue. “Warmer blacks tend to look better, not quite so cold and sterile,” she says.Another way to keep black-and-white warm is by pairing it with contemporary colors.

“It’s great to build a room on the foundation of black and white and then to layer on color with textiles and accessories,” Lemieux says.She suggests adding seasonal colors to a black-and-white design, using blues and aquas in the spring and summer and yellows and greens in the fall.

She also likes to mix in red, fuchsia and almost any other ‘pop’ color – except orange, unless you really love Halloween.

“Black and white is just fun,” Sorensen says. “It’s a versatile classic that will never go out of style.”

Black and white is anything but over. The classic color combo is back in a big, bold way

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 3

Five Easy Ways to Add a Touch of Spring to Your Home Decor

The arrival of spring has long been celebrated by people of every

faith and from every corner of the globe as a time to say farewell to the cold and gray of winter and to welcome the return of warmth and color and the beginnings of new life.

While spring is breathing new life into the outdoors, it’s also a perfect time to add a little seasonal oomph

to your indoor environment. Here is an assortment of tips for brightening your home in celebration of spring.

Change is in the air Spring is a perfect time to bring the outdoors in. Spring flowers, arranged either in one large bunch or in several mini-bouquets placed in nooks throughout the house are not only a visual treat, but emit refreshing springtime scents.

Brighten upAdding seasonal touches to your home can be as easy as painting a piece of furniture, a single wall or the trim in the sunniest room in your home. The best colors for spring are light, clean, refreshing, and natural as opposed to either pale pastels or deep, color-drenched hues. Consider paint colors inspired by nature, such as shamrock, violet, slate and goldenrod.

Lighten up It’s hard to imagine that spring has sprung in a room decked out in velvet or other heavy fabrics. Warm days and spring

breezes call out for sheer or lightweight curtains, slipcovers in natural solid-colored or floral fabrics, and decorative pillows that bring splashes of color into the room. It’s not necessary to replace all of the fabrics in a room to usher in a new season. Sometimes simply changing out pillows and removing warm winter throws is enough.

Floor itDon’t forget to give your floors a spring facelift as well. Substitute lighter cotton, sisal, jute or seagrass rugs in natural shades for the heavy wool rugs that feel so right when the weather turns cold. (Spring and summer are also perfect times to have wool rugs cleaned and/or repaired.)

Re-viewShifting the arrangement of the furniture and decorative pieces in a room can have a major impact on its look and feel. During the cold winter months, it may be comforting to be nestled in a chair that faces a fireplace.

But once the weather warms up and the flowers begin to bloom, the best view in the house might well be out the window. Invite spring into your home with a furniture arrangement that is oriented toward a window or other source of natural light. Then sit down and enjoy the view.

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4 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

Shopping for carpeting? It’s not simply a matter of going into the store

and just choosing “carpet.” There are many different varieties of carpeting from which to select, each with its own unique characteristics.

Depending on the room’s use and the homeowner’s needs, there could be a carpet that fits with what’s desired.

Cut pile: This is one of the most popular types of carpeting. When most people think of carpet, this is what they envision. This carpeting is formed by cutting looped carpet fibers at the top with yarn bundles standing up vertically.

Berber:Berber has thick, durable loops that are good in high-traffic areas. This carpeting limits footprints and vacuum marks.

The downside is that loops can be snagged and unravel. Also, berber carpeting may trap in dirt.

Level-loop: Similar to Berber but looser in weave is level-loop. It is also good in high-traffic areas and will not trap dirt as easily as berber.

Cut and loop pile:This carpeting has a variation of secured loops and cut fibers for added texture. This will be a medium-durability carpet.

Textured:Textured carpet has a soft feel and is one of the carpeting styles growing in popularity. These carpets may have embossed patterns and come in solid colors.

Saxony: This soft carpet is medium-durability and will show footprints and vacuum marks.

Saxonies are tightly twisted cut piles that are heatset straight. Saxonies consist of two or more fibers twisted together in a yarn.

Frieze:A highly twisted cut-pile carpet that is good in high-traffic areas. The short fibers curl in different directions to hide footprints.

Plush:These carpets are lightly twisted, uniform-colored fibers that are soft and usually found in formal rooms. They will hold footprints and show vacuum marks.

Homeowners looking to revamp their rooms can turn to the versatility of carpeting for many of their needs.

Carpet Options Abound For Floor-Focused Homeowners

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 5

Q. What’s the history of your company? With offices and showrooms around the world, Granite Transformations offers new and exciting alternatives to traditional countertops, backsplashes, floors and more. The first Granite Transformations franchise opened in 1996 in Perth, Australia. Consumer response was overwhelming, and we’ve grown across Australia and New Zealand, and then into the United States in 2001. Now, Granite Transformations has nearly 100 showrooms across the U.S., and we’re adding more showrooms every year. In 2004, the company began U.K. operations and is planning to grow throughout Europe.

Q. What makes your product special? Granite Transformations brings a fusion of the world’s finest granites, combined with advanced manufacturing skills, to produce a strong, permanently sealed surface that’s backed by a lifetime warranty. From kitchens to bathrooms, fireplaces to bars, granite gives you a sleek, sophisticated look. The experts at Granite Transformations will do it for you in a way that makes sense and accommodates your needs. Installation is quickly, honestly, and with the utmost professionalism. Your new countertops are fabricated in their shop so that none of the time-consuming mess occurs in your home. On installation

day, they are already finished ready to install. Your beautiful new – heat, stain and scratch resistant – countertops are permanently bonded to your old ones. A Granite Transformation to a standard size kitchen countertop and backsplash is typically completed in just one day.

Q. How do you take care of it? This mold and mildew resistant material is amazing in showers, on vanities or tub surrounds. There is no special maintenance or cleaning needed with a Granite Transformations surface. Installation is incredibly fast as the material is installed over your existing tiles. You get a new look in two to three days. A full scale kitchen remodeling, where cabinets are removed and new cabinets installed, can take weeks or months to complete. Compare that with kitchen cabinet refacing. By refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them, you will save time, aggravation, money and wear and tear on other kitchen elements, such as the floor and countertops. With cabinet refacing, the project is often completed within two to four days, and the dust and dirt is kept to a minimum.

Q. What makes your company stand out? Our revolutionary product line has been extensively tested and proven to be heat, stain and scratch resistant. The surface makes cleaning easy and you can cut your vegetables right on the countertop without fear of leaving cut marks. You can even place a hot skillet right on the countertop. Because there are no grout lines, you have no fear of bacterial build up or dirty grout lines. Granite Transformations’ unique slabs are cut exactly to fit your existing old tile or Formica style countertop. Using special adhesives, the slabs are adhered directly to the countertop surface. While each project varies depending on the size of the space to be transformed, the installation of a Granite Transformation standard size

kitchen countertop counter and backsplash should take approximately 1 to 2 days. Because there is usually no demolition involved, there is minimal disruption and mess. Our expert consultants listen carefully to your needs, and their experienced installers finish the process quickly. They even back it up with a lifetime warranty.

Call Granite Transformations today for a free in-home consultation or look online to see the incredible variety of styles and colors or stop by the Spokane Valley location.

Business ProfileGranite Transformations1014 N. Pines Road, Suite 102, Spokane Valley (509) 931-1115www.granitetransformations.com/spokane

6 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

We have two Spokane locations and are opening a Coeur d’Alene one soon!

Downtown Spokane, 7 East 3rd Street (509) 455-4555

South Hill/Lincoln Heights, 2501 East 29th Avenue (509) 315-5332

Opening Soon: Coeur d’Alene, 245 West Appleway

Website for all locations: www.millerpaint.com

Q. How long has your business been around?

Miller Paint has been around since 1890. We are the last remaining independent paint manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest.

Q. What’s your main product/service and why do you offer it?

Miller Paint specializes in architectural coatings made specifically for the Pacific Northwest. Our interior and exterior products are suited for home, office and institutional environments such as schools and hospitals.

Q. What makes your company stand out from your competition?

Miller Paint has a long history

of extraordinary customer service. Couple that with the knowledge that comes with being in business for over 120 years and you have a big part of the secret of our success.

Q. As an expert in the industry, what’s one thing you think Spokane/North Idaho area homeowners should keep in mind this time of year to make their homes look great? DIY advice for early spring? It’s not too early to start on those summer projects. Start prep soon! Scraping and sanding can all be done well ahead of the painting. Taking the time to get the prep work done ahead of time will make the paint job go easier once you are ready to start painting. If you’re looking at hiring a professional to do the work, you should be talking to them now as they are booking for summer now. It’s always good to get multiple bids, talk with the contractor and make sure you are comfortable with the work they do. It can sometimes take a little time to find the right fit. We can also offer references.

Q. Any plans for the upcoming spring/summer season? (New service area, new products, promotions, etc.) We will be opening a new location in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in late April

or early May. Customers can look forward to our usual summer promotions as well as monthly promotions. Spring is a great time to start thinking about summer projects. If you’re looking at painting your house and changing colors, it’s good to start early as the color journey can be long for some. We offer $5 sample quarts to help you decide on colors and even offer free designer advice on a monthly basis (usually the second Saturday of the month) with a local professional designer – our Ask a Designer series.

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 7

The American home may be shrinking, but not the Great American Dream.

Americans are still living large, just doing so in smaller spaces.

To some trend-watchers, the downscaling of the American home comes as good news. Architects, designers and social observers say our willingness to resize our floor space means Americans are rethinking the way we really live and how we use whatever space we do have. Home, they say, has become less about impressing others and more about making ourselves happy. And since we are mostly baby boomers - that tidal wave of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 - who have long been accustomed to getting what we want, happiness is often defined in terms of luxuries and personal amenities.

“Natural materials like American Hardwoods are redefining the word ‘luxury,’” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center.

“Hardwoods bring richness and warmth to even small rooms, whether it’s used on the floors and walls, or crafted into

built-ins. Custom hardwood furnishings like bookcases and cabinets make a home personal, yours alone, and isn’t that the ultimate luxury?”

This new definition of luxury - top-quality, mostly natural materials, careful attention to architectural details like natural wood window frames and mouldings - is one that architect and author Sarah Susanka agrees with. And what Susanka thinks matters.

In 1998, her professional hunch launched what has become the “build-better-not-bigger” movement, when she published the first in her best-selling series of “The Not So Big House” books.

Her mantra is indeed, think smaller, and she also believes that “luxury comes from the materials we surround ourselves with. Beauty comes from natural materials. You can see where they come from - in the grain, the veining. The more natural the materials, like real hardwoods and granite, the more content you are. There’s a quality you can’t name, but you can feel it.”

Gale Steves, author, editor and design industry consultant sums

up a similar concept in her book about “Right-Sizing Your Home.” According to Steves, “Right-sizing is about making the best use of the spaces you have for the way you live.” She suggests these ways to best enjoy the shrinking and changing American home.

• “Create a room within a room,” Steves advises. Her ideas begin at floor-level. Install hardwood flooring throughout to unify the spaces and make them look larger, then use area rugs to define separate areas. Lay hardwood on the diagonal to set off special architectural features. Create a “rug” under a dining table with an inset frame of contrasting hardwood. Or outline an entire room with two courses of contrasting hardwood.

• More ideas: Use a sectional sofa to delineate an intimate seating area within an open floor plan. And - of special interest to the many boomers who are eschewing retirement

- find a standing wood-panel screen to create privacy or isolate a work space, say, in a bedroom office area.

• And don’t forget to make it sustainable. Living green is a high priority for the anti-McMansion generation. As Susanka sees it, we should think of the 21st-century house as “a well-tailored suit: you use less material, but it fits you perfectly.”

So while the size of the “average” U.S. home may be shrinking, remember that it’s more about space that works and that satisfies the psyche in the process that defines the ultimate in luxury. Think custom kitchens with pro-quality appliances, posh home-spa baths, stone countertops and the beauty and warmth that only come with hardwood flooring, cabinetry and millwork.

Living large in smaller spaces:The shrinking, changing American home

Small, quick repairs

As the weather continues to warm, you might be thinking about some of the

home improvement projects you put on the back burner during the winter. As you once again consult your to-do list, it’s the perfect time to think about a few small projects that can greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Where does a smart homeowner start? The answer: Begin with a few small projects that are guaranteed to greatly enhance your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home, or are simply trying to protect your investment and make it easier on the eyes, there are a few common improvements that can give the exterior of your home a quick and easy facelift.

Start with the drivewayRepaving or reconstructing your driveway

entirely can be a time consuming and expensive task, but for most homeowners, this can be avoided with some annual maintenance. If you neglect your driveway, cracks can quickly grow into potholes, which can cause it to lose its aesthetic appeal and pose a safety concern. A few hours work each year can greatly extend the life of your driveway.

“Patching” is a reliable option for every type of driveway repair because it can be used during all seasons and has a much longer shelf life - up to five years - than most pothole repair products. Because it’s made without kerosene, there’s no odor or mess, yet it’s strong enough to win praise from road repair professionals and contractors alike.

“I use U.S. Cold Patch both on my driveway at home and out on the job,” says Chad Patrick, owner of Patrick Landscapes in Pennsylvania. “The ease of use, lack of foul odor, and non-gooey application make it the logical choice for all of our blacktop repair projects.”

Using a product like this is simple: You just sweep the area, pour in the patching mixture and roll over it with a car tire. However, it is important that you completely fill the affected area and tamp it well to prevent future damage during freezing and thawing. More information on repairing cracks and potholes can be found at www.uscoldpatch.com.

In addition to maintaining your driveway, here are a few other

projects that can greatly contribute to your home’s curb appeal:

• Add some landscaping features along the edges of your driveway. This adds a point of distinction between the pavement and your lawn, giving it a more inviting look.

• Check your mailbox for winter wear. If it’s seen better days, consider replacing it.

Otherwise landscaping around your mailbox can add extra appeal. If you live in a colder region, be sure to use resilient plants, as this area can take a beating from the snowplow.

• While cleaning out your gutters is a necessary spring ritual, power washing the exterior of your home can add a little extra life to the look of your house, especially the front porch.

• Replace your house number and worn hardware on the front door, and consider a fresh coat of high-gloss paint on the door in a classy color, such as black.

• Early spring is an excellent time to trim trees and other vegetation before they begin to sprout leaves. It’s easier on your plants, and it’s easy to identify branches that need to be trimmed.

have a big impact on your home’s curb appeal - and value

8 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

Few things are anticipated more in spring than the arrival

of new leaves on the trees and budding flowers in the garden. A landscape awash with fresh colors can brighten the spirit and make anyone want to head outdoors.There are many different plants that begin to show their colors in the spring. A number of perennials, annuals and trees begin to flower or show new sprouts come the springtime. Here are some plants that can be planted for springtime enjoyment.

AnnualsLooking for first signs of color? Look no further than these wonderful annuals.

• Alyssum: Starting in April, this cascading bounty of tiny flowers offers a sweet aroma that attracts butterflies.

• Dianthus: These vivid flowers also attract butterflies and are often a cottage garden staple.

• Gypsophila: Also known as baby’s breath, these delicate flowers can serve as filler in any landscape. Pink and white varieties are available.

• Impatiens: One of the best-known plants for the garden, these annuals come in scores of colors and can generally tolerate full sun to full shade.

• Larkspur: Belonging to the buttercup family, these flowers bloom in shades of white to violet.

• Pansy: These flowers are some of the earliest spring bloomers, arriving alongside spring bulbs like tulips.

• Petunias: Petunias put on a show of color through the entire season, making them a popular bedding flower.

PerennialsThese plants will come back year after year and offer spring shows.

• Cherry blossom: The flowers that sprout on cherry trees are some of the first signs of spring. Their pink or white buds are often a spectacle, so much so that towns and cities hold cherry blossom festivals.

• Columbine: These beautiful blooms attract butterflies and can be a nice part of a garden bed.

• Jacob’s ladder: Variegated foliage that is dappled with violet-colored flowers can add

a sweet smell and visual interest to the garden.

• Primrose: These flowers come in a variety of shades, making them versatile in any garden. They also tend to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

• Sweet violet: These fragrant flowers are edible as well as attractive. These plants can self-plant, so unless a gardener wants them to spread, they should be kept contained.

Spring Garden Time

Home gardeners and lawn enthusiasts generally accumulate a number of tools of the trade in order to successfully manage their gardening needs. As a result, many homeowners build a garden shed to

store all their tools and lawn care accessories.A garden shed presents an ideal way to store all of the tools and appliances needed for the weekend hobby. Plus, it enables homeowners to clear out clutter from the garage or

basement. A locked garden shed can be a safe place in which to store sharp tools, fuel and some chemical products.

Just because the shed will have utility doesn’t mean it has to be an eyesore on the property. There are ways to create or purchase garden sheds that are aesthetically appealing and will blend in with the landscape or the main house.

Do-it-yourselfers who have decided to build a garden shed and want to do so affordably can shop around for lower-priced material.

It may be a good idea to purchase a framing kit from a home-improvement store or online retailer and then shop around for exterior materials.

Individuals can also find used sheds from auction sites or newspaper classifieds and simply retrofit these structures to meet individual needs.

Although sheds will be exposed to the elements, because they are not liveable structures they don’t require the same level of construction as a home or addition, like a garage. This

means that a homeowner is able to save some money with materials. Pressboard may be durable enough and less expensive than plywood.

There’s little need for insulation or expensive windows. In fact, unless it is for a decorative standpoint, windows are unnecessary altogether.

It is likely that people who have had recent upgrades made on their homes may have leftover materials that can be put to use on a garden shed. Roofing shingles, extra aluminum siding and wood trim can be used on the shed.

Even leftover latex paints and stains can be use on the shed.Homeowners should visit a retailer of prefabricated sheds to see how they are made. This can provide insight as to the size and structure and the type of construction that will be needed. If budget is not a concern, homeowners may want to purchase pre-made sheds that can be customized to mimic the architecture and color of the person’s home.

Stained glass and cottage features can make a shed seem like an intimate retreat nestled in the yard. In addition to being a fine place to store garden tools, a shed can also be constructed to serve as a child’s play space. A miniature home in the yard can be a fun play zone for kids and be the centerpiece for hours of imaginative outdoor fun.

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www.falcoshomeresort.com

9310 E. Sprague926-8911A+ Rating

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Business Profile

Q. How long has your business been around? Falco’s has been in the same location on Sprague Avenue since 1928, when Giuseppe Falco, the current owner’s grandfather, opened a market and fruit stand. The fruit stand evolved into a garden center where customers could buy petunias, roses, shrubs and shade trees. In the early 1980s, stoves and fireplaces were added to the product line-up. Giuseppe’s great-grandsons continue the Falco tradition today into the fourth generation.

Q. What’s your main product/service and why do you offer it? Falco’s offers products for the home including wood, pellet and gas stoves, fireplaces and inserts; hot tubs/spas; grills and barbecues; firepits; patio furniture; wood pellets and energy logs; plus a complete Parts & Service center to help consumers maintain their investments. Our products encompass warmth, relaxation, family and home enjoyment.

Q. What makes your company stand out from your competition? Because we know how fortunate we are to have endured for over 80 years, we believe every customer that comes through our door is the reason we are still able to serve this community. Every customer is treated like family. Our key personnel have over 100 years of combined experience in the hearth industry. Falco’s employs our own installers, delivery, service and estimate personnel-we don’t sub out any of these important jobs. We are very proud of our A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

Q. As an expert in the industry, what’s one thing you think

Spokane-area homeowners should keep in mind this time of year to make their homes look great? What about people shopping for your particular product or service? When considering home improvements, choose products that not only add value but personal enjoyment as well. Choose a company that is part of your local community, one that places value on relationships and continued service. It’s important to look for companies that use proper permits, carry insurance and product liability for consumer safety, and are rated superior by consumer forums such as the Better Business Bureau.

Q. Any plans for the upcoming spring/summer season? Our Service Center is being remodeled and updated this spring and summer and we’re celebrating with a $99 “Spring Cleaning” special on any Pellet or Gas stove, insert or fireplace. We’ll thoroughly clean and inspect the appliance so it’s operating at its best when cold weather appears again. Falco’s will be part of a community family event held Saturday, May 5, at the Spokane Valley Fire Station on Sprague across from U-City. The event is sponsored by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency to promote clean wood burning practices. There will be several demonstrations throughout the day, including how to build a wood shed; wood chopping; how to start and maintain a successful fire; fire

pits and recreational burning. There will be games for the kids and free hot dogs, plus lots of great information on rebates and discounts available to the public when upgrading non-certified wood stoves.

Falco’s annual “BBQ-Fest” will take place on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Falco’s location on Sprague in Spokane Valley. The community is invited to sample yummy food prepared on our signature pellet and ceramic charcoal grills, learn grilling secrets, enjoy discounts on our barbecues and accessories and enter prize drawings. Falco’s supports numerous community groups and events throughout the year. During our annual BBQ-Fest, all donations and a portion of our event proceeds go to Cancer Patient Care and the Loreen Miller Bike Ride and Walk of Hope.

Falco’s Fireplace & Spa9310 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA (509) 926-8911www.falcoshomeresort.com

10 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

Upgrading the kitchen is on many homeowners’ “to

do” list. And for good reason. A minor kitchen remodel ranks fourth on the list of the top 10 home improvement projects that deliver return on investment, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report.

But whether you’re in it for the investment, or just to freshen up the space in your home where people spend the most time, a new kitchen look could be a fun, impactful improvement to your house. Some may start with a weekend project and a $40 can of paint, while others will jump into a $50,000-

plus remodel. Either way, one thing is for sure - you can’t go wrong with a beautiful, highly functional kitchen.

A simple refreshIf time or budget constraints limit you to changing just a few basic elements of the kitchen, focus on things that make the most impact. Even novice do-it-yourself homeowners can complete many of these items on their own:

• Paint the walls. Painting always tops the to-do list when a mini makeover is in order. It’s an affordable, high-impact way to change the decor of a kitchen. If you’re not changing out cabinets or countertops, be sure to select a color that complements those major elements.

• Add new accessories. Switching out the small decor details in a kitchen can make the room feel entirely new. Maybe it’s replacing bar stools at the island, reupholstering pillows or a bench cushion, or even hanging a few new pieces of art or photos on the wall.

• Change the faucet. Often underestimated, the kitchen faucet has a lot of influence in the overall style of the room. Choosing a more up-to-date pull-down or pull-out faucet not only improves the look of the room, but can add significant convenience and functionality.

Faucets in the kitchen are much more than what they used to be. They play an important role in

setting the decor and focal points of any kitchen.

• A full remodel.Homeowners throughout the country are staying in their homes longer than they once did. Because of that, significant remodeling projects tend to rise to the top of the priority list. If you’re in it for the long haul (or even to ensure you get that return on investment), a complete kitchen remodel could be for you.

When the entire room footprint is your canvas, the possibilities are exciting. While a contractor is recommended for most of these projects, make sure you’re involved in exploring the options that will help you use this space as wisely as possible (yet provide beautiful decor in the process):

• Install display shelves. This hot kitchen trend is an eye-catching alternative to hanging wall cabinets. Taking down cabinets is a pretty simple task for two and hanging the shelves is even easier.

• Evaluate the flow of the workspaces. Adding more water sources to your room could improve efficiency and ease. Consider a simple, yet beautiful faucet on the island

for prep, a pot filler by the stove to help while cooking, and a hard-working faucet at the main sink for clean-up.

• Mix and match your surfaces. Replacing countertops is one ofthe most noticeable changes to any kitchen venue. Granite and Quartz surfaces are a popular choice, providing a unique combination of quality, hygiene and a look of natural stone. Selecting a lighter color surface for the perimeter and a darker, bolder color for the island is a great way to add another design element to the room.

With today’s growing popularityin cooking and a rise in the number of at-home chefs, kitchen flow and workspace needs are critical aspects to consider when completely remodeling your kitchen. The sink and faucet choices for each of these areas can play a big role in the functionality and enjoyment of the space.

Whether you’re looking to enhance a traditional decor, add sleekness to a contemporary professional-grade room, or something in between, leveraging faucets and other elements can help set the tone for the entire room.

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Q. What’s your main product/service and why do you offer it? We are here to serve all of your comfort needs; which includes heating, cooling,electrical, and water heater needs. We offer new equipment and repairs on all brands for the residential and commercial customers. Sturm Heating, Inc., services all types of gas and electrical heating and coolingsystems to give our residential and commercial customers confidence that theirsystems will provide them with maximum comfort in their home and business. Our tenured staff of certified technicians are trained in heating and air conditioningdiagnostic and repair. Our commitment to on-going training enables them with theability to work on virtually all types and brands of equipment.

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Q. As an expert in the industry, what’s one thing you think Spokane-area homeowners should keep in mind this time of year to make their homes look great? What about people shopping for your particular product or service? As winter drags on, it’s hard to imagine that hot weather is right around the corner. This is the time to start planning for your air conditioner tune-up that will ensure you’re preparedfor it. Tune-ups should be conducted when the weather reaches 60 degrees or higher for testing purposes once the work is completed. For Spokane that’s usually mid to late April, so scheduling it now will ensure you’re on the list as the busy season gets here.

Q. Any plans for the upcoming spring/summer season? Sturm started its new Duct Cleaning service on April 1, 2012. We will be introducing our new high-powered, state-of-the-art vacuum system utilizing a hepa-aire filtration system to remove dust and particulates. We will be offering a 15 percent savings to all customers who book their cleaning during April and May!

Business ProfileSturm Heating, Inc.1112 N. Nelson Spokane, WA [email protected] [email protected]

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12 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

10 Housekeeping Shortcuts

If it seems next-to-impossible to keep up with home maintenance, no need to

worry. Our cleaning experts have sketched out 10 quick-and-easy shortcuts that’ll help you fake the fact that you haven’t dusted in weeks. Read on and experience cleaning bliss:

1 Live like your home is for sale. Instead of thinking of tidying up as a chore, consider that you are simply putting your best foot forward. Those who open the door to regular homebuyer visits must keep their homes in ship-shape. With that mindset, it’s easier to do simple things like scooping up newspapers, putting away

the breakfast dishes and wiping down the dining room table. “Create the showcase space you want to come home to everyday,” says Marni Jameson, a syndicated columnist and author of “House of Havoc” (Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2010).

2 Clean while you cook. To avoid a bad case of ‘grungy kitchen,’ start every meal prep by emptying the dishwasher so it’s ready to fill. Then, before you start cooking, keep the sink filled with hot water and dish soap. “As you finish with a utensil or a pan, drop it into the sink to start the cleaning process,” suggests Linda Cobb, author of the New York Times

bestseller, “Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean” (Pocket Books, 2004). In addition, use a spoon rest to keep dirty utensils and food from spilling all over the counter.

3 Establish (reasonable) daily cleaning habits. To keep clean-up tasks from piling up, add some daily chores to your routine that aren’t too hard to follow. Making the bed right after waking up and putting away your toiletries right after using them are simple goals to start. Always hang towels up and put toilet lids down. “If something needs sweeping, wiping, washing or folding, do it that minute, so nothing snowballs,” Jameson says.

4 Don’t neglect the bathroom. Since this room can get really messy – fast – stay on top of it by keeping a microfiber cloth under the sink and using it daily. “Before you leave the house, wring the cloth out in warm water and wipe all the sink surfaces and faucets,” Cobb suggests. In addition, make sure everybody has a place to hang up towels and washcloths and use baskets under the sink to store hair styling tools and products.

5 Smells matter. If you can’t thoroughly clean a room, don’t despair. Spritzing a favorite home fragrance or light a candle. “If a room smells clean, you’ll feel less stressed that you haven’t had as much time to clean it,” says TV personality and author Leslie Reichert, a mom of three and an expert who specializes in ‘green’ cleaning.

6 When in doubt, fluff and straighten. It’s a small thing, but merely fluffing the pillows, straightening the chairs around your table and even putting fresh flowers on a table can make the entire room look

cleaner, Reichert adds. To fluff the pillows really well, toss them in the dryer on the ‘air fluff’ setting. “This removes dust and pet dander,” Cobb says. “Just be sure that you’re not overcrowding the dryer.”

7 Focus on the floors. There’s nothing worse than a mountain of dust bunnies to make you feel like your house is sloppy. So, after you vacuum your floors, go over high-traffic areas with a dry microfiber mop and your favorite spray cleaner. “This is quick to do and it makes the floors look good,” Reichert says. “When your floors look clean, the whole room looks better.”

8 Don’t underestimate the power of the basket. If your living room is filled with a mishmash of Legos, magazines and DVDs, consider purchasing a basket (or two) to keep that room looking neat and organized. “I like baskets that are large enough to hold everything,” Cobb says.

9 Corral the mudroom. Instead of seeing the clutter of multiple coats, boots and shoes when you first walk into your house, keep everything behind closed doors. “Get a toy box or some type of box with a lid to store the shoes and boots,” Reichert says. “Or, install a shoe storage hanger behind a door.”

10 Take a snapshot of each room at its cleanest. The next time you clean a room from top-to-bottom, take a picture of it in all its sparkling glory. This photographic evidence is especially helpful if you want your kids to pitch in and clean up. “A photo helps moms show their children how the room should look when they tell them to ‘go clean their room,’” concludes Reichert.

for the modern (and busy) familyNo time for a full-out spring cleaning session? Try these tricks to keep things tidy on the go

W hen unwanted stuff is taking over and you're itching to start tossing, it's

tempting to aim straight for the trash can.Resist the urge. Filling garbage bins should be the last resort, not the first, according to Micaela Preston, a sustainability advocate in Minneapolis, Minn.

“I try to avoid the trash until all other options are gone,” says Preston, author of “Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making” (Betterway Home, 2009).Alternatives such as selling, donating or recycling belongings can benefit others while avoiding harm to the environment, sustainability proponents say.

Of course, not all possessions have value to someone else; it’s not helpful to pass along pillows infested with bedbugs. Decide how to ethically eliminate clutter with a few basic questions.

Ask whether the items can be reused or recycled, or if they are hazardous, says Nathan Engstrom, regional sustainability coordinator at Northland College, Ashland, Wis.Depending on the answer, find ways to get rid of unwanted goods, Engstrom says.

Business writer Kimberly Palmer has a different approach: “My test is whether I’d give [the discard] to my younger sister,” says Palmer, of Washington, D.C.If the answer is yes, there is a wide range of opportunities, from selling to donating to creating something

new from the discards.

Here are some options:

Sell or trade:A local resale or consignment shop may be interested in better-brand clothing, dishes and small appliances that are in good condition. Clothing should be appropriate for the beginning of each season. Check first to see what the store is accepting.

Host a swap with friends:Get together a group of like-minded friends and host a clothes-swapping party (or any other tradeable item). Not only is it a trendy idea now, it’s a good way to get what you need while whittling down your wardrobe.

Donate: Opt for nearby establishments, such as a neighborhood thrift shop, if available. If the local shop isn’t taking merchandise, check nonprofit organizations, which may be able to redistribute the goods, says Palmer. Used books and magazines can have a second life in a senior center or shelter.

Don’t forget to do a little research about the organization. “Look for reviews online to see whether it’s legitimate. Get a sense of how they use the items,” says Palmer, also author of “Generation Earn” (Ten Speed Press, 2010). Getting a receipt for your donation is a good sign.

Recycle or repurpose:It’s true that one man’s trash is another

man’s treasure, and the Internet makes it much easier to find that man (or woman, or group). The Freecycle Network (www.freecycle.org) and similar services can help get goods into grateful hands. Preston, for example, found a taker for a box full of packing materials.

Perhaps unused items can evolve into tools for organizing the home. For example, stitch pockets onto an old towel and add hooks to the top. Add a rod and attach to a wall in the kitchen. Fill the pockets with small kitchen gadgets.

Lend or borrow: Community groups are springing up that allow members to lend goods to each other. They can help pare down possessions more than you thought possible. Instead of buying a roasting pan that’s only used once a year, borrow it.

Discard: Get rid of things that are irrevocably soiled, broken or hazardous, but do so in a way that doesn’t damage your surroundings or put anyone at risk, say the experts.

Stained, torn clothing won’t be accepted by a resale store, but it has more life to it. Call the local animal shelter to see if they’ll take scraps for bedding. Visit the website www.earth911.com to find nearby organizations that accept rags.

Although it’s tempting to dump metal discards on the side of the alley for scrap dealers to pick up, most municipalities frown on the practice. Check first.

Responsible Recycling

Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 13

Whether you’re an experienced DIYer or painting

your first apartment, one of the most important decisions you can make in assuring a quality paint job is the choice of painter’s tape. The right painter’s tape can make all the difference in achieving clean, straight paint lines, and protecting surfaces that you don’t want painted, such as glass, woodwork, wallboard, ceilings, and carpeting.

Before you buy your paint and painting tools, do your homework on the variety of tapes on the market. Read package labels carefully before making your selection. For most surfaces, a premium-quality painter’s tape will do the job. Here are four essential qualities to consider:

Resistance to “bleeding” One of the biggest problems painters face is paint seeping under – or “bleeding”– beyond tape edges. This can cause messy lines and uneven workmanship, and result in the need for frequent touch ups.

FlexibilityIf you have many architectural features or curved surfaces

to paint around, consider tapes with fine crepe paper backing which bend and “drape” easily around light switches, moldings, window sashes, and door frames.

Ease of removalA low-adhesive tape allows for easy removal, without leaving any residue or damage to the surface to which it is applied. It’s a good idea to test your tape to make sure it doesn’t pull off the paint; if it does, you’ll need to purchase one with less adhesive.

UV resistanceLook for ratings that indicate the number of days the tape can be left in place and in direct sunlight. This is important to know to avoid adhesive transfer from the back of the tape to the wall surface.

It’s essential that you educate yourself about the characteristics of painter’s tapes and understand the surfaces you will be working with before you make your tape selection. It’s a decision that will go a long way towards helping you achieve a quality painting job.

Not All Painter’s Tapes Are Created EqualFour qualities to look for that will assure a superior paint job

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14 Saturday, April 14, 2012 Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review

One of the best things about the dawn of spring

and the return of warmer weather is the chance to get out of the house and get some fresh air. For homeowners, this is the perfect opportunity to assess any damage the previous months did to yards and develop a plan restore properties.

• Don’t jump the gun. The first warm day of spring might seem like a great time get out

in the yard and get your hands dirty. But it’s best to wait until the grass has completely dried out before getting to work. Raking on wet grass increases the risk of tearing out grass, which can cause bald spots and the growth of weeds down the road. In addition, stepping on the grass

while the ground is still wet can compact the soil, which can slow drainage and block the lawn’s roots from breathing.

Patience should prevail with regard to mowing the lawn as well. A lawn’s roots will not start to grow until the average everyday temperature routinely reaches 40 F, so mowing too early is both unnecessary and potentially harmful to the lawn. When the temperatures regularly reach

50 F, then homeowners will likely start to see their lawns growing.

• Remove debris that’s piled up. Debris has a tendency to infest a yard over the course of the winter months. Fallen branches, stones and even trash can accumulate in a yard, putting those who spend time in the yard at risk of injury once the warm weather returns. For instance, bits of twigs and pebbles that are blown across the yard during a windy winter can be embedded in the yard, making the yard less of a haven and more of a hazard. Once the grass is dry enough to walk on, walk around the property and remove any debris that’s piled up over the last few months.

• Employ a pre-emergent weed killer. Homeowners who routinely spend their summers agonizing over weeds throughout the yard should consider applying a pre-emergent weed killer around the beginning of spring. It’s important to do so around the end of March or early April, when the weeds have not yet had a chance to grow. When applying, follow the dosage instructions provided by the product’s manufacturer. Such

instructions often recommend a second application right before summer begins.

• Remove thatch. Once the grass has dried, you can begin to remove thatch that’s built up over the winter. Thatch is potentially very harmful to soil, blocking sunlight, air and moisture the soil needs to ensure a lawn looks lush and healthy. Thatch removal does not necessarily need to be an annual task. If thatch buildup is insignificant, then it can be done every other year. Just use a dethatching rake to make the job much easier.

• Aerate, particularly if the yard is a heavy traffic area once the warm weather arrives. If your yard transforms into a child’s wonderland upon the arrival of spring and summer, you might want to revive the soil by aerating. When the yard gets heavy usage, it’s easy for soil to become compacted, which makes it hard for air and water to reach the lawn’s roots. That can eventually make for a less-than-appealing lawn. So if your yard is the place to be come the warmer months, aerate in the spring to loosen the soil and make it easier for the lawn to withstand the months ahead.

Restoring your property after a long winter No matter how harsh the winter months might have been, spring is a great time for homeowners to restore the property around their homes

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Advertising Supplement to The Spokesman Review Saturday, April 14, 2012 15

Whether you are self-employed, a telecommuter or

work from home occasionally, it’s important to keep the creative juices flowing inside the house. Most people strive to create a calm and distraction-free home office, but entrepreneurial and creative work requires a unique type of space.

Contrary to common thought, refined and polished environments are prohibitive in terms of getting people to be productive, says Scott Witthoft, one of the authors of “Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration” (Wiley, 2012) and a lecturer at the Stanford University d.school Institute of Design.

“This is the truth in conference rooms where you’re asking people to come up with ideas yet they’re sitting around a $40,000 table made of mahogany,” Witthoft says. He believes that people are better off treating their workspaces as workshops where they are willing to experiment and get messy.

Get FlexibleAs obvious as it sounds, defining enough space for the work area should be a priority. “People tend to think of a home work space as something that’s at the scale of supporting a laptop, but creative space requires more room than that,” says Scott Doorley, director of the Environment Collaborative at the Stanford d.school and Witthoft’s co-author of “Make Space.”

Doorley says that people who work at home should allow more room than they think they need. The space should easily expand and contract.

“You might literally have your dining room table as your office, but you want to be able to clean it off and have a nice dinner and then get back to work right after,” he says.

He suggests hanging removable boards or including large shelves to store work in progress. “You can also store a corner table in the room to pull out to make your desk double sized and then easily put away without having to take anything off it,” he adds.

Go VerticalMost entrepreneurs want to see overnight success, but rapid expansion means business owners need to get creative with space use.

PJ Jonas, owner of Goatmilkstuff.com, makes all-natural soap out of goat milk from her Indiana-based farm home. In 3.5 years her business has sold more than 200,000 bars of soap worldwide, and she had to keep up with orders without destroying the house.

“As we grew rapidly, there were many nights when we had picnic dinners on our floor because our kitchen table was covered in soap products,” she says.

Jonas decided to make use of all the vertical space in her home. “We didn’t just look at

the floor space or where we could put a desk or table, but anywhere we could put shelving and cabinets up high to make use of all that wall space was so helpful,” she says.

They used closets to store soap and installed racks above all their windows to keep materials and equipment.

Witthoft says the Jonas family got it right. “So often, people think the flat horizontal square footage of a desk or table is the extent of their work space when in reality all of the walls surrounding a desk and volume overhead have the opportunity to be used for creative work.”

Get Away from the ScreenWith adequate space, Doorley says, a person has more room to work outside the computer.

“If you have enough space to spread out and work on paper, you can sketch out early ideas more quickly than if you’re doing it in, say, PowerPoint.

Once you start using a computer tool, you start to get bound by the constraints of that tool,” he says.

While the computer is certainly multifunctional and useful, keep more materials on hand to experiment with, Doorley suggests.

Stay inspired by displaying creative pieces of art, other’s work or your own work that makes you proud.

Time away from the computer can also have a rejuvenating effect. To escape the constraints of a home office, Witthoft says, consider contrast.

“If you think about how a home work space smells, looks or sounds at any given time, mindfully think about what would be the opposite and go to that place,” he says.

A great home offi ce encourages diligence, productivity and creativity all in oneSpace to Create

Wood patio furniture can be a decorative

and functional addition to outdoor living. The longevity of the furniture and the upkeep required will depend heavily on the type of wood used in construction. Choosing the right wood based on use and budget can help consumers get more for their money.

Many consumers are selecting natural wood patio furniture over resins, plastic and metal options. Although it seems a simple purchase, when faced with the multitude of woods and designs available, shoppers can be easily confused. Learning about the different species of wood commonly used in furniture crafting can make determining why one table is $1,000 and the other is double the price.

Pine: Pine is a household name and a common component of many building products and furniture. Pine’s popularity could stem from its availability and affordability. The fact that it is often harvested locally helps keep prices down.

Pine as an untreated wood is susceptible to rot and may not be as durable as other woods. Very often pine is pressure-treated to improve its durability and performance. The light color of pine enables it to be stained or painted in a variety of shades.

Teak: Another familiar type of wood, teak is resilient, dense and straight-grained, making it a very stable choice for outdoor furniture. Without preservative, teak will weather to a gray color and still remain highly resistant to decay -- even up to 50 years. Thanks to that durability, teak is typically among the more expensive options.

Cedar: Cedar is a rapidly renewable resource thanks to it being a quick grower. That can make cedar an attractive choice to those who are interested in going green with their patio furniture choices. Another advantage to cedar is its resistance to weather and insects. Cedar satchels are often used in closets to keep moths and other bugs away.

Redwood: Another softwood, redwood is also harvested domestically from the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and California. Although it is highly resistant to rot and termites, it will need to be protected annually with an oil-based stain, sealer and preserver.

Although many types of wood patio furniture can be kept outdoors and remain durable, it’s recommended that homeowners cover or take in wood furniture when the season ends. This limits the chance of weather-related damage and cuts down on the amount of cleaning

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