SPRING 2014

hoMehoMehoMeSpring

iMproVeMent

Best on the Block: how to create

curb appealpage 2

prepping tips spring outdoor

projectspage 6

four tips achieving a

healthy lawnpage 8

SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT • APRIL 20, 2014 OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN 2

ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS

NON-ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS*Fluorescent Bulbs, *Latex Paint, Explosives, Infectious Medical Wastes, *Asbestos, *Antifreeze, *Propane,

*Auto Batteries, *Used Oil, Radioactive Materials, Business Materials, * Electronics

*Call the Winnebago County Landfill at 232-1800 regarding disposal. Charges may apply to some items.

2014 Schedule - No Appointment NeededHOURS: 9am-12 Noon April - 23, 26

May - 7, 10, 21 • June - 4, 7, 18, 21 • July - 2, 16, 19, 30Aug - 2, 13, 16, 27 • Sept - 10, 13, 24, 27 • Oct - 8, 11, 22, 25

NOTICE TO WINNEBAGOCOUNTY RESIDENTS

Winnebago County Household Hazardous Material Facility

AutomotiveGasoline, Fuel Additives, Starter Fluids,Transmission Fluids, Brake FluidCleanersTurpentine, Varnish, Stains, Solvents,Drain and Oven Cleaners, Pool Chemicals,Other Cleaners and Polishes

Garden & Lawn CareHerbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides, Poisons, Weed KillerMiscellaneousOil & Lead Based Paint, Grease & Rust Solvents, PaintThinners/ Strippers/ Removers, Adhesives, Wood, Kerosene,Preservatives, Household Batteries, Mercury, Spray Paint

For more information please call:Winnebago County Solid Waste(920) 232-1850 • (920) 727-2896 • Outside the Fox Valley 1-866-424-1850

105 W. County Road Y • Oshkosh, WI 54901www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste

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Best on the Block: how to create curb appeal

(BPT) - Spring is in the air, so it’s time to give your home an exterior makeover and add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home’s profile, and ensure visitors get a good first impres-sion when they arrive on your doorstep.Make a stateMent with your front door

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime? Make a bold statement and improve your home’s energy efficiency with a new Energy Star-qualified front door. Consider options with decorative glass accents and stunning sidelights to add more natural light while maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

“Pella entry doors feature stylish op-

tions in a variety of popular materials from wood to fiberglass and steel op-tions, and the real beauty is in their per-formance,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema of Pella Windows and Doors. “When replacing your old front door, choose from one that accents your home’s style, with high-performance features that help keep out air and water, and low-maintenance convenience like durable prefinished options with coordinating trim.”

accessorize with new hardwareReplace your front door hardware for

a quick, easy facelift. Choose hardware finishes consistent with those of your home’s light fixtures, mailbox and house numbers to maintain a polished, cohe-sive look. You’ll be surprised what a

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN APRIL 20, 2014 • SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT 3

General ManagerAdvertising Manager

Karen BefusOffice Manager

Lori StubbeGraphic DesignerMarie Rayome-Gill

SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT is published by The Oshkosh

Northwestern. Contents of the section are for The Northwestern.

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system, or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical,

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difference new hardware on your front door can make in creating a positive look and feel.

refresh exterior and triM colorsNow’s also time to add a new storm

door to help keep out the elements, or to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing exterior doors for a fresh look.

For a dramatic change, repaint your home’s exterior. You can also change trim color to refresh your home’s exte-rior impact. When updating trim, choose color schemes that match your home’s primary exterior color, or complement it with a fresh twist.

accent with lightingFor night-time curb appeal and safety,

add a row of exterior accent lighting to illuminate a walking path with ground-insert solar lights. Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or architectural focal points. Install new matching light fixtures outside your front door, garage door or patio door to create an inviting feel and provide well-lit doorways to greet you and visiting neighbors and guests.

create points of interest with plantsAdd pops of color by arranging potted

plants around your front door, or on a

porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest. Also, planting flowerbeds along driveways and walkways gives your home a softer, more inviting feel.

For more curb appeal inspiration, visit Pella Windows and Doors on Houzz, on Pinterest.com/pellawindows or to connect with a Pella representative to discuss your home improvement project visit Pella.com/News.

SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT • APRIL 20, 2014 OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN 4

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froM floor to fixtures: top spring home decor trends add style and personality

(BPT) - Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to refresh your indoor spaces to reflect the energy and opti-mism of the season. The top home decor trends of spring 2014 take a fresh ap-proach to traditional design elements to create an aesthetic that is fresh and full of life. Best yet, the trends are easily accessible, so anyone can update their space with a few simple tips.

carpetMore homeowners are seeking the

beauty, comfort and safety that carpet provides, making it a top flooring trend for spring 2014 and beyond. What types of carpet are popular?-

“New soft fibers,” says Vickie Gilstrap, director of design services for The Dixie Group, a top U.S. carpet manufacturer. “Consumers went away from wall-to-wall

carpet, as hard surface flooring gained in popularity. Then, people began to miss the softness and warmth of carpet. Carpet absorbs sound, making homes quieter, and traps dust at the base of the carpet fibers so that dust doesn’t circu-late in the room air.- The soft fibers give us a reason to put carpet down again.”

She is also seeing increased interest in “mixed-media” carpet styles - with hi-lustre and low-lustre yarns used in the same carpet. Additionally, patterns are being featured on top of texture, giving a multi-dimensional appearance to floor-ing.

Not only stylish, carpet is healthy, too. People with allergies or other sensitivi-ties can choose carpet as a way to im-prove indoor air quality. A recent study supports previous findings that carpet, when effectively cleaned, traps aller-gens and other particles, resulting in less dust, dander and airborne contaminants escaping into the air. For more informa-tion, visit the Carpet and Rug Institute at www.carpet-rug.org.color

Thoughtful use of color in home de-sign is a top trend for 2014. “Colors are getting warmer,” notes Gilstrap. “Taupe is the bridge color taking us from gray to browner tones. Warm pinks are return-ing, as well as warmer greens like moss and olive - even apple.”

Keep in mind adding personality to a space through use of warm color doesn’t necessarily require a complete interior overhaul. Consider incorporating spring colors using accent pieces. It’s easy to switch up pillows, throws or artwork without investing a lot of time or money. Plus it’s a fun way to update the per-sonality of your favorite spaces every season.texture and pattern

This spring, more homeowners are using textures and patterns to make a vi-sual statement through design. Strategic

use of texture and patterns can highlight certain interior spaces, manipulate the light within the room and influence scale. Blending both adds visual interest and helps homeowners create a unique space to call their own.

“Layering of pattern and texture - in floors, walls, upholstery, window treat-ments - gives a more individualized feel,” says Gilstrap. Scared of mixing patterns and textures? She suggests placing patterns on stairs or in hallways. If big and bold patterns aren’t your taste, consider sticking to small, neutral patterns that can be a subtle way to add visual interest and design complexity to interior spaces.lighting

Lighting plays an important two-pronged role: it makes a space func-tional and also helps define its design aesthetic. Adjusting the task lighting within a room can instantly make the space more livable and highlight the design motif. Another easy lighting up-date is purchasing new lamps or simply adding new shades to existing lamps - a great way to refresh a space with mini-mal cost.

Keep in mind, when selecting fixtures, there’s no longer a need to avoid gold tones. “Gold is coming back- we are seeing more gold and copper and less silver,” says Gilstrap.

Want to really redefine your home’s lighting? Ornamental lighting is big this year with designers thinking outside the box when it comes to how and where these fixtures can be used. For example, dramatic chandeliers are no longer reserved for formal spaces such as the dining room or foyer. This spring, you can add a touch of elegance to any space by adding a stylish chandelier, plus it doesn’t take up much design real estate space. Bedrooms, basements and bars are just a few unique areas where chan-deliers can be featured.

OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN APRIL 20, 2014 • SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT 5

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(BPT) - It’s time to start dreaming of a spring home makeover. Sources of design inspiration, like Pinterest, are plentiful and can help make your home decor and renovation projects easy and fun. In fact, now is the season to gather ideas and get started.warM up to color

A fresh coat of paint is an inexpen-sive way to transform a tired look into a vibrant vision. Choosing the perfect shade is often the most time consuming and nerve-wracking part of the process. Knowing this, paint manufacturers are coming to the rescue and providing many new tools to help give you the color confidence you need.

For example, pick up small-size paint samples, like Platinum Color Samples from Dutch Boy, tinted in your favorite shades and apply directly to the walls you’re interested in painting. These color paint samples help you visualize how the entire space will look before investing time and money on a large painting project. Plus, the Dutch Boy color samples are available in Dutch Boy’s highest-quality interior paint so you can test its best paint and perfect color together.siMple saMpling

Once you have a sample size of your perfect shade of paint, it’s time to test your hunch. Apply the sample paint on several walls. This will help you envi-sion the color’s look in various light sources, both natural and artificial. Be sure to check the painted wall at differ-ent times of the day - giving you a truer view of the end results. If you prefer, you can paint large white poster boards with your sample paint and move them around the room to verify your vision.

When testing multiple colors, avoid painting sample strips too close togeth-er as this might distort the appearance of the color. When you’re happy with a color selection, head to a local retailer to purchase the paint tinted in the quan-tities you need.size up your projects

The fun doesn’t have to stop with the walls. Dutch Boy Platinum color samples can also work for smaller interior projects because the sample

now’s the time to spring into diy action with home improvement projects

contains a premium paint. Try stenciling your favorite inspirational sayings or words of wisdom on your living room or office area walls. Another quick project is to use the samples to paint the trim on picture frames or mirrors to coordinate with your newly painted room.add soMe final touches

After you plan your painting projects, it’s important to prepare for the small details and finishing touches that help bring everything together. Break out the hot glue gun, some of your favor-ite springtime silk flowers and bright ribbons to make a whimsical wreath for the entrance to your home. When April showers bring May flowers, you will already have the perfect entryway accessory to welcome in the new season - and guests.

Whether entertaining friends and fam-ily or simply relaxing alone with a good book, having an outdoor oasis is crucial to enjoying warmer days and nights. To give your patio some pizzazz, why not create some decorative, weather-proof pillows or cushions? Utilize durable, all-weather fabrics in complemen-tary hues and patterns to achieve the lounge-worthy look you’re craving. This small sewing project will add a level of comfort and creativity to an otherwise boring patio set.

As the end of winter is upon us, it’s time to plan for spring home improve-ment plans. By conjuring up some great ideas for the upcoming season now, you’ll have more time to enjoy the beauty of the warmer months ahead.

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(BPT) - Soon, winter will be wind-ing down and homeowners will start planning - and prepping for - a variety of outdoor projects for spring. From cleaning, repairing or replacing decks, to creating raised beds for veggies and fl owers, now is the time to start gearing up for those spring projects.cleaning up

Start with spring cleaning existing

structures. Take a weekend to clean decks, gazebos and pergolas of dirt, debris, mold and mildew. For structures made of naturally durable Western Red Cedar, a broom, garden sprayer and hose, plus a little bleach are all you need.

Sweep winter debris such as twigs and leaves from decks, taking care to clean between planks on horizontal surfaces. This facilitates airfl ow and drainage, and can help prevent a buildup of moisture when spring showers arrive. Next, use a garden sprayer to apply a-mild oxygen bleach solution to kill mold and mildew. Be sure to leave the bleach solution on the wood surface for approximately 30 minutes, and then rinse with water. Never use a pressure washer as it can damage the wood. -Maintenance and repair

Carefully inspect outdoor structures for wear and tear. While Western Red Cedar contains natural preservatives that make the wood durable, all outdoor structures require annual care, including

prepping tips for spring outdoor projectsthose made of pressure-treated lumber or composites.

Check planks, beams and boards for cracking, warping or rough spots and repair accordingly. Replace damaged wood, and be sure to examine hardware to ensure it’s working properly and free of rust.new projects

If you’ve always dreamed about lounging on a lovely deck on a summer afternoon, or savoring a spring morn-ing beneath the shade of a decorative pergola, now’s the time to start planning the project.

A great deck is the showpiece of an inspired backyard, and spring is a prime time to add one. To ensure your deck af-fords you the most value and enjoyment, consider using an online deck planner to help you envision your deck before you begin building.

As gardening grows in popularity, you might consider adding raised planting beds to your landscaping. Raised beds not only make caring for and harvesting your garden easier - no bending required - they can also function as a decorative enhancement to your outdoor environ-ment.

The material you choose will infl uence the longevity, beauty and enjoyment of your structure, so carefully consider your options before deciding.

“Many homeowners choose Western Red Cedar for its beauty and natural durability,” says Paul Mackie, western area manager, Western Red Cedar Lum-ber Association, or “Mr. Cedar” as he is known in the industry. “It has a deep, rich luster that other woods and man-

made materials just can’t match. Plus, it’s a greener choice because it’s renew-able and recyclable - unlike composites - and doesn’t require chemical treatment as non-durable wood species do. It’s natu-rally rot and insect resistant, and you can stain it or leave it natural, depending on your preference.”

The green qualities and durability of Western Red Cedar make it a great choice for virtually any outdoor struc-ture - including those popular wooden playsets that begin appearing like wild-fl owers in backyards across the country every spring.

Whatever project you’re dreaming of this spring - from building a new deck, pergola, or planting beds to refurbishing an existing outdoor structure or playset - careful planning, cleaning, maintenance and the right materials can ensure your project adds value and beauty to your home environment.

Start with spring cleaning existing

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(BPT) - Does the change of seasons have you itching to refresh a tired, lackluster room? Or maybe you’re looking for some small ways to make a big impact on your home’s style? Whatever the case, here are some of this season’s most buzzed-about trends and how you can incorporate them into your next project.• Wood is the new neutral. This

season’s strong trend toward wood textures pairs the warmth, richness and texture of real wood with limitless design flexibility. Think wood-textured textiles, tree-printed wallpapers and em-bossed soaps that look like wood. Installing engineered wood ceil-ings and wainscoting can bring the unique look of reclaimed wood into any environment - an easy do-it-yourself project with striking results. -

• Ode to the elements. Mother Nature is inspiring design in a big way this year and homeown-ers are finding unique ways to incorporate rocks, minerals and other natural elements into their home’s design. Try replacing a common-place item like an alarm clock with one encased within a multi-colored agate. Bring this look to the kitchen with a stain-less steel backsplash, or swap out run-of-the-mill hardware with mineral-inspired drawer pulls and knobs.-

• Shore thing. Homeowners, inspired by the calm, care-free attitude of coastal living are all about bringing the beach inside this season. Beach-inspired design elements are popping up

throughout the home. Weathered and white-washed wood ceilings are a subtle but stunning on-trend addition - especially when finished with interior accents like decorative shells, drift wood fur-niture and marine-themed prints.

•Contrast in texture. Step aside Pantone, texture is spring’s hot-test new color. Homeowners are putting down their paintbrushes and adding interest with tex-ture through high-gloss finishes, metallics, sequins and mirrors. A textured tile wall brings visual and tactile interest, especially when paired with contrasting high-gloss lacquer or low-gloss matte accessories.

• Visual punch. Reawaken the senses this spring by incorporat-ing a striking visual element to the home. Multi-dimensional sur-face treatments in pearl, metallic and gold/silver combinations add panache as a coating used for hardwood, or can be applied to wallpaper, furniture or decora-tive accessories. And don’t forget to look up - coffered ceilings bring a striking je ne sais quoi to any room.

•Manipulated metals. The versatil-ity of manipulated metal makes it a great addition to any style home - from hand-crafted artisan to contemporary high gloss. Cop-per, pewter and nickel are getting in on the action and can be styled in a variety of ways, including hammered metal sink basins, tin-look ceiling tiles, antiqued copper light fixtures and brushed stain-less steel cabinet hardware.

six hot home design trends for spring 2014

Coffered ceilings are an easy way to add a visual element to the home.

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four tips for achieving a healthy lawn on a budget(BPT) - As spring rolls around, it’s

time to start thinking about yard mainte-nance. If your budget is tight, you might be tempted to let the lawn care slide, but maintaining a great lawn doesn’t need to be expensive - and the reward for just a small investment is a beautiful, envi-ronmentally friendly setting for outdoor activities of many kinds.

If you’re looking to ensure a healthy natural lawn on a budget, consider these four easy tips:

1. Water as needed. On average, a lawn needs about one inch of water per week, from rainfall or irrigation. This will soak the soil to a depth of four to six inches, putting water deep into your lawn’s root system. Letting the lawn dry out com-pletely between waterings will encourage the grass to grow stronger, deeper roots as it searches for water deeper in the soil. For best results, water in the early morn-ing when there is less wind and heat. Put a rain gauge on your porch to measure rainfall; if you receive one inch of rain in a week, skip the watering and save your irrigation money that week.

2. Fertilize naturally. Don’t break your

back trying to bag lawn clippings. If you mow frequently (about once a week dur-ing the growing season) and don’t remove too much height, you can leave the grass clippings on the lawn. The clippings will serve as a natural fertilizer. They con-tain the same nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as commercial fertilizer - and they’re free.

3. Use common household items. Take advantage of items already at your fin-gertips to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. For example:• Readytheruler.Mowingyourgrass

to the right height will help you create a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant lawn. Wait until your grass is three inches tall before mowing, and then cut it to two inches in height. By only trimming one-third of the blade length, you will avoid stressing the grass while leaving enough leaf to protect the roots from the sun.

• Letascrewdriverbeyourguide.Toseeif your lawn needs to be watered, test for moisture by pushing a screwdriver into the ground. If it’s difficult to push the screwdriver in, the soil is dry and

your grass needs a drink. If the blade goes in easily, you don’t need to water yet.

•Usemasonjars,vinegarandbakingsoda. Good soil is critical to a healthy lawn, and most turfgrasses prefer soil with a neutral pH (neither acidic nor alkaline). For a DIY pH test, pull out a pair of pint mason jars. Fill each jar about half way full with soil samples taken from several different locations around your yard. Be sure to remove rocks and other debris from your sam-ples. Add a half-cup of vinegar to the first jar. If the mixture fizzes, your soil is highly alkaline and you don’t need to test the other jar. If you get no reaction, continue the test by adding a half-cup of water to the soil in the second jar. Mix well and then add a half-cup of baking soda to the slurry. If this mixture fizzes, the soil is very acidic. Overly acidic soil can be amended with lime, while alka-line soil can be amended with sulfur.

• Dishsoapforthegrubs.Asyourlawnstarts its spring growth, watch for brown patches that never turn green. Dead patches could be caused by grubs

feeding on the roots in the fall. To de-termine whether grubs are indeed the problem, dig up square-foot sections of sod to a depth of about two inches in several areas in your yard. Next, examine the soil beneath your grass for short, fat, whitish C-shaped worms. If you find 10 or more grubs per square foot you should treat your lawn. To treat 1,000 square feet of grass, dilute two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in a gallon of water and spray it on the lawn, preferably immediately after a rainfall. This will cause the grubs to come to the surface, where you can col-lect them if the birds don’t do the job for you. Repeat the treatment weekly until the grubs stop surfacing.4. Maintain your mower. Take 30 min-

utes to service your lawn mower at the beginning of the season. Changing the oil, cleaning or replacing the spark plug and changing the filters once a year will help you avoid repair bills down the road. Also sharpen the mower blade if needed. A dull blade will tear the grass rather than cutting it, which will stress the lawn and leave it vulnerable to disease.