Trends 2012

TRENDSTRENDSExterior and Interior Home Improvement

Home Improvement5 signs your roof may be wearing down

Simple ways to soundproof a home

HomeCelebrity designer celebrates thesights and scents of spring

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

The Valley News & The Herald-Journalwww.valleynewstoday.com / www.clarindaherald.com

Technology

APRIL 2012

10 April 2012 The Valley News/Herald-JournalTRENDSTRENDS

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According to home designexperts the latest trend in floor-ing is to capture the warmth,charm and timelessness of abygone era with wire-brushedoak hardwood floors. As theheart and soul of the decor, thesefloors are used to convey a senseof comfort and well-being asso-ciated with a cozy home atmos-phere.

Just imagine a cabin in themountains, a ski lodge or an oldfarmhouse in the country withwide planked unfinished floorsand you get the feelings thesefloors help to emulate in a homedecor.

In wire brushed flooring, thesoft portion of the wood isremoved to expose the grain andbring enhanced definition toeach plank. Beautiful knots anddramatic oak character marksfurther emphasize depth and tex-ture of wire brushed flooring.

To keep up with the demandfor wire-brushed floors, manu-facturers such as Mercier WoodFlooring, one of North America'sleading hardwood flooring man-ufacturers, has developed aninnovative wire-brushed collec-tion featuring varying staincolours in matte finishes thatrespect the natural beauty of red

oak and its rustic look. Featured in Mercier's Heritage

collection, the wire brushed RedOak line features colours such as"Graphite" and the new"Macchiato." Each stain bringsits own distinct personality. Withits almost-black brown that per-fectly highlights the wood's char-acter and texture, Macchiatoplays the authenticity andwarmth card, explained Collin."Whether it is combined with asober style, a bold design, bright-ly colored objects, or a mono-chrome environment, thischameleon color is bound to turnheads."

Graphite, is a very dark brownstain that looks almost black. "Adeep color which makes anyroom looks naturally elegant," headded. "Graphite gives warmthand atmosphere to your homewith style and originality."Graphite offers versatility toyour decor as Collin explains itcan be used in a chic contempo-rary decor or in a more tradition-al setting. These new colours areavailable in solid, engineered andLOC versions in varying widths.More information on the latesttrends in wood flooring is avail-able at www.mercierwoodfloor-ing.com.

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April 2012 11The Valley News/Herald-Journal TRENDSTRENDS

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An echo here, reverberating footstepsupstairs ... few homes are completely freeof noise. But homeowners looking toreduce the amount of noise in their homescan take action.

Oftentimes, homes are not as quiet ashomeowners would prefer. Although cer-tain noises cannot be stopped, there are cer-tain methods homeowners can employ toreduce their distraction. Whether the desireis to prevent outdoor noises from causingstress or to reduce the intensity of soundsfrom inside the home, there are differentstrategies to take.

Windows: Quality, double-paned win-dows do more than just seal the homeagainst environmental factors. They arealso good at insulating against sound. If ahome is located close to a major roadwayor if its in the path of air traffic, good win-dows can make a difference. Talk with awindow retailer about the options availablethat can remedy external noise, and theyshould be able to offer some advice.

Staggered doors: Doors that don't lineup with one another are effective whensoundproofing a home because soundwaves that move in a circular fashion fromthe center of the sound will have barriersand won't travel as easily from room toroom.

Insulation: Adequate insulation inattics, walls and other areas can not onlykeep heating bills down, but also are effec-tive at reducing noise.

Carpeting: Although the current trend istoward hardwood floors or tile, these mate-rials may contribute to noise in a home.Carpeting and padding will buffer againstnoise, especially if it's the sound of foot-steps overhead on a second level of thehome. If carpeting is not desired, consideruse of well-placed area rugs or runnerswith padding that will absorb some of thesound in rooms.

Wall hangings: Bare walls deflect nois-es back into the home. Items on the walls,such as framed artwork, tapestries, shelv-ing, quilts, etc., absorb sound waves or dis-sipate them, reducing noise throughout thehome as a result.

Furniture: Plush furniture also reducesnoise much better than an empty room.Experts suggest that rooms have at least 25percent of some sort of noise absorbingmaterial, like furniture or wall hangings.

Extra drywall: If noise travels easilyfrom room to room, it could be due to thinwalls. Extra insulation or an extra layer ofdrywall can help remedy the problem ofnoise between walls. There are alsoacoustical paints that can be applied towalls to minimize sound.

Curtains: Thicker draperies will damp-en sound better than blinds or shutters.Consider using them if noise is an issue.

Noise is a problem in many homes. Byfiguring out the source of the noise, home-owners can take certain remedial steps tocombat external noise.

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CELEBRITYContinued from Page 7

ing accents such as valances, pillows, rugs,candle holders -- even the matting on a pic-ture. A neutral foundation opens the door toa new look with minimal changes."

According to Ellis, one of the best -- andeasiest -- ways to add seasonal color andrefresh a living space is with fresh flowersdisplayed in a variety of containers. Freshflowers not only enliven a room and bringin the sights and scents of the outdoors,they are perfect for playing up color andcolor combinations.

"A lot of people are afraid of color intheir decor, so a less scary way of introduc-ing color is with flowers and vases," Ellisnotes. "Fresh flowers can go with any typeof decor and generally last as long as yourmood, so there are endless opportunities toexperiment without making a long-termcommitment."

Decorating with flowers begins withchoosing a container that is in sync with theseason and the style of your home, coun-sels Ellis.

"There are so many container options forevery type of decor," Ellis says. "If yourhome leans toward country, think aboutusing old decanters, tins or even woodenboxes. For contemporary homes, glassvases with clean lines work best. And fortraditional homes, go with urns or ornatevases."

The same principal applies to the flowers

themselves. Mixed flowers tend to be moretraditional; bunches of local flowers lend ahomey, just-picked quality to a casual orcountry home; and monochromaticarrangements ooze modern. The key, notesEllis, is to pair flowers with both their con-tainers and the indoor environment inwhich they will be seen.

Next comes color. While Ellis leanstoward monochromatic arrangements ofwhite flowers -- stargazers, lilies, roses andorchids are among her personal favorites --she nevertheless appreciates the "pop" ofcolor that can be achieved with bolder blos-soms.

When choosing flowers for a particularspot or room, Ellis advises looking at com-plementary colors -- those that are on theopposite side of the color wheel. For exam-ple, if the walls are a warm shade of yellowor gold, a container filled with blue flow-ers, such as hydrangeas, delphiniums orsapphire orchids, makes a bold statement.And in the green room? Try flowers inshades of purple and violet.

"I think the greatest thing in the world isto bring your own vase or container to theflorist and ask for something special thatworks with it," she reveals. "Not everyflorist has a vase that suits your taste or willwork in a particular spot, so I take in mycontainers and say, 'I want something blue.'Then I'm both surprised with the result andcertain that it will work with the decor."

To learn more about Ellis and her latestprojects, visit her online at kelliellis.com.


2 April 2012 The Valley News/Herald-Journal

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TRENDSTRENDS

By TESS GRUBER-NELSONStaff Writer

For homeowners, spring cleaning is oneof the annual rites of spring. The return ofwarmer weather presents the perfect oppor-tunity for homeowners to open the win-dows, let some fresh air in and tidy up aftera few months spent cooped up inside whilethe weather outside was frightful.

But now that spring has arrived, the timeto clean up around the house has come.Homeowners about to start on their annualspring cleaning should consider the follow-ing before diving into the various tasks.

For example, to begin, a person needs theright cleaning tools, such as rubber gloves,garbage bags, and cleaning supplies.

Next, it’s best to go from room to room,pick up the clutter and toss the items youdon’t use.

Dusting can be done with a dry or dampcloth. Just gently wipe off picture frames,

doorframes, furniture etc…Then it’s timeto do the same thing with glass items, suchas windows, frames, and mirrors. Andfinally, the blinds and drapes, as they havealso accumulated some dust over the lastfew months.

If needed, take a broom and go fromroom to room knocking down any cobwebsthat may have accumulated during thecolder months.

Sweeping or vacuuming is another stepto do when it comes to spring cleaning, aswell as washing your bed linens, mattresspad, and bed skirting. With those items inthe wash, it’d be a good time to flip themattress.

Finally, beat the dust out of area rugsbecause often vacuuming the rugs isn’tenough.

A few simple strategies, such as the oneslisted above, can make spring cleaning gomuch more smoothly.

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Spring clean like a proAkin Building Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11Arbor Outdoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 4Concrete Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 6Easter’s True Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gowing Plumbing & Heating . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Henkeville Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9Henneman Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8J & R Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 9Katie’s Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 2Miller Building Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10On Time Construction, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .Page 10Orscheln Farm & Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 8Page County Federal Savings . . . . . . . . . .Page 3Clarinda Hometown Sears . . . . . . . . . . .Page 11Sleep’s Tile Yard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 7

April 2012 3 The Valley News/Herald-Journal TRENDSTRENDS

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By KENT DINNEBIERStaff Writer

Unseasonably warm weather con-ditions this winter have jump-started the growth of fruit treesand plants across Iowa. “The nice warm winter was goodfor us because there was not a lotof damage for our perennial fruitcrops,” Joe Hannan, Iowa StateUniversity Extension commercialhorticulture field specialist forcentral and western Iowa, said.“We saw very little, if any dam-age, to our apples, grapes, sweetcherries, peaches and brambles.”Hannan said it was fairly unusu-

al for less hardy fruits like sweetcherries and peaches to comethrough an Iowa winterunscathed. However, each ofthose fruits has already bloomedand apples are currently in bloom.As a result, local residents withfruit trees should have alreadystarted their pest managementprograms. Meanwhile, peoplegrowing strawberries need toclosely watch their plants, if theyare still under mulch, and getthem uncovered once new leavesstart to emerge.

Although the growing cycle inIowa is currently a couple ofweeks ahead of schedule, Hannansaid there are still two significantfactors that could impact thegrowth of local fruit crops. Thefirst threat is the lingering poten-tial of frost.“With everything breaking buds,

there is a susceptibility to frost.That is what everybody is inter-ested in,” Hannan said.Typically, Hannan said May 10 isconsidered the end of the frostperiod for Iowa. Still, he saidfrosts are very site specific. Evenif Southwest Iowa had a coldperiod, injury to perennial fruitswould vary from location to loca-tion.The second factor is drought con-ditions that have developed inportions of the state as a result ofthe low snowfall totals. Hannansaid Southwest Iowa is currentlynot considered one of thosedrought zones.However, he said growers in northcentral and northwest Iowa areexperiencing the most severe lackof moisture at the present time.Still, he said irrigation practicescan offset those drought condi-tions.

“So long as there is a water sup-ply for irrigation, this is manage-able,” Hannan said.Finally, Hannan reminded local

fruit growers that the production

season is just getting underway.He said the unpredictability ofweather in Iowa could still impactproduction totals in the state.“I’m not sure if the early start to

the growing season will push theharvest forward because we donot know what the rest of the sea-son is going to be like,” Hannansaid.

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By TESS GRUBER-NELSONStaff Writer

When it comes to painting theexterior of your home, there arereally only four basic rules youneed to know, explained TerryStanton of Miller BuildingSupply, located in Shenandoah.

According to Stanton, thesefour rules are second nature toprofessional painters and can addyears and equity to your home.

First, Stanton said it’s vital totake the time to properly preparethe surface, which is where a lotof inexperienced painters gowrong. If the area is not prepared,even the best paints can fail.

“That’s the single most impor-tant thing,” said Stanton. “Peopleusually don’t think about proper-ly preparing the area.”

Before dipping any brush intopaint, clean the surface thorough-ly. Stanton recommends using a

bucket of water and scrubbing thearea with a brush. He added don’tuse a power-washer as the woodwill only absorb the water, whichis not beneficial in the long run.

When finished washing,Stanton said it’s important to

remove any loose, flaking, orpeeling paint. Next, sand theareas with rough edges or wherethe paint is glossy. Finally,Stanton said to brush off the par-ticles left from sanding, then sandand prime any areas where there

is bare wood.“It’s important to prime the

areas where the wood is bare,” hereiterated.

The second secret is to paint inthe right weather conditions,which will enable the paint to dryinto a tough, durable, protectivefilm.

“That’s what people do wrongthe majority of the time,’ saidStanton. “Painting where there islow humidity is the single mostimportant thing.”

It's best to do exterior paintingin mild weather, ideally whentemperatures are above 50degrees, and when the wind isn'tstrong. He added to try to avoidpainting in direct sunshine, sincesurfaces sitting in direct sun canbe 10 to 20 degrees hotter thanthe air temperature.

The third rule is to purchasequality paint, which boils down toyou get what you pay for. The

best for exterior paint for woodsurfaces in this part of the countryis an acrylic, latex mix.

Stanton said top quality acryliclatex paint will typically last aminimum of 10 years and a max-imum of 15 years, compared tothree or four years for lower qual-ity coatings, and depending on ifyou follow these four rules.

The last, and least importantstep, is to use a good paintbrush.It’s simple, said Stanton, betterquality equipment makes thework easier and helps apply thepaint in a thicker, more uniformcoat for a better-looking paint job.

“Exceptional brushes aren’t asimportant for exterior painting asfor interior.”

These are just four simplerules, which don’t take too muchtime or effort, but they can saveyou in the long run - it just takesa little common sense and a littleself-discipline.

Tips to outstanding exterior painting


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Are noises in and around your home get-ting on your nerves? Chances are if youhave noisy neighbors, have a son or daugh-ter practicing for the marching band, or liveon a busy road, noise could be a problemfor you. Or maybe your noise is disturbingothers. Before you put a for-sale sign onyour front lawn, consider the ways you cantame the cacophony of your current livingspace. Some simple soundproofing tech-niques could give you the peace you desire.

Soundproofing is not as large a job asyou'd might think. Understanding howsound works can make the task even easier.

Sound SavvySound travels in low-frequency waves.

These waves radiate from the source of thesound in all directions. If the waves are metwith resistance, such as a wall or a piece offurniture, they will redirect and dissipate.Thicker materials may absorb soundwaves.

There are a few ways to soundproof ahome. One of the first ways is to createmore space in a room. A second way tosoundproof a home is to add items that willabsorb or block the sound. You can alsoprevent sound waves from vibrating off ofitems and creating noise. Soft materialswill muffle sound. These include soft fur-nishings and carpeting and should make up25 percent of a room's contents.

Getting StartedThere are likely a few rooms you have in

mind for soundproofing or noises you wantto block. For example, with the advent ofhome theaters or gaming rooms, sound inthe house has increased. These could berooms you consider soundproofing forgreater comfort. Bedrooms are other roomsyou may want to soundproof. If soundsfrom outside are troublesome, new doorsand windows may be the key to alleviatingthe noise.

Soundproofing TechniquesOnce you decide on the areas of the

home that need to be soundproofed, youcan take the steps needed to do so. Here aresome methods.

1. Add insulation: Insulation betweenwalls and in ceilings can block out noise.The thicker the insulation, the more sound-proofing you will have. If you are movinginto a new home, ask to have extra insula-tion placed between drywall. Blow in foamor paper insulation between walls of anexisting home.

2. Thicken drywall: Thicker drywall willmuffle sounds. Adding layers of drywallcan be a way to block sounds from neigh-bors if you have shared walls, such as in anapartment or attached home situation.

3. Add sound absorbers: Fabric on walls,cushiony furnishings, carpeting, even pic-tures and plants can help absorb sound andprevent the transference of sound waves.Soundproofing tile on ceilings or carpetingon upstairs floors can combat sound fromtraveling between levels.

4. Change the windows: Double-panedwindows, and those with acrylic frames,can reduce noise greatly. If new windowsare not in the budget right now, considersound-deadening drapery. These thickdrapes can help block sound and noise.

5. Reconfigure your home's layout: Toprevent sound traveling within your home,your hallways should be built so that door-ways are not across from one another.Otherwise you will be letting sound traveleasily.

6. Use soundproofing foam: Many homeimprovement retailers sell soundproofingdo-it-yourself kits. These kits may containconvoluted or nonconvoluted foam, facedacoustical foam, polyimide foam, 100 per-cent fireproof melamine foam, or closedcell acoustical foam.

Steps to Soundproofing a Home


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Replacing a roof is a costlyventure few homeowners lookforward to. According toRemodeling magazine's 2010-11"Cost vs. Value" report, thenational average cost of a roofreplacement is nearly $22,000, acostly endeavor considering thetenuous nature of the economy.What's more, homeowners whochoose more upscale roofingmaterials can expect to spendalmost $40,000 on their roofs.

Such costs make it no smallwonder that many homeownersfear the dreaded diagnosis thattheir home needs a new roof.While there's little homeownerscan do to reduce the cost of a roofreplacement, there are warningsigns homeowners can look forthat might indicate a roof replace-ment is on the horizon.Recognition of these signs canhelp homeowners be more finan-

cially prepared should the daycome when the roof needs to bereplaced.

1. The presence of algaeIf the roof has lots of dark

streaks and stains clinging to it,that is likely algae, which cangrow on the roof for quite awhile.Algae does not necessarily do anydamage to a roof, but it does dosome damage to a home's physi-cal appearance, as algae on theroof is not very pleasing to theeye. Algae is most often found onthe roofs of homes located in cli-mates that have warm, humidsummers. If algae is a problem onyour roof, spray washing with amixture of water and bleach caneffectively remove it.

2. Buckling shinglesLike algae, buckling shingles

are another unsightly problem on

a roof. But buckling shingles aremore than just an eyesore, theyactually might indicate significantproblems. When shingles buckle,that's typically because hot airfrom the attic is forcing the shin-gles away from the home.Buckling shingles also indicatethat the roof is poorly ventilated,which can take years off the roof'slife expectancy while driving uphome cooling costs along the way.

3. Granule lossGranule loss is typically a

byproduct of normal shingle wearand tear that results frominclement weather, such as hail.Older roofs might experiencegranule loss, but granule loss canalso occur on a new roof if adefective roofing product wasused. Any granule loss, even ifslight, should be addressed, as theside effects of granule loss

include a weakened roof and leak-ing. If granule loss is notaddressed, the consequencescould be severe the next time astorm occurs.

4. MoldUnlike the warning signs

already discussed, mold is not vis-ible on the outside of the home.Instead, homeowners should lookin the attic of a home to see ifthere is any mold growth. If thereis, the roof is likely leaking, andthe health risks of mold growth ina home are substantial. Mold isnot necessarily easy to detect, so aprofessional inspection might bein order if mold growth is suspect-ed. If a professional determinesmold is, in fact, present, then themold will need to be removed andall options, including a roofreplacement, must be consideredto keep mold from coming back.

5. Roof rotPerhaps the most discouraging

sign a homeowner can see on hisor her roof is roof rot. Roof rotappears when a roof is in consid-erable decay and, if notaddressed, its consequences canstretch far beyond the roof, dam-aging other parts of the homethanks in large part to water get-ting through the roof. If roof rot iseither not noticed or just ignored,it won't take long for water to getthrough the roof and blaze adestructive path through the restof the home.

Homeowners might fear a fullroof replacement because of thecost associated with such a proj-ect. But if ignored, problems witha roof could eventually prove farmore costly than the price ofreplacing the roof.

5 signs your roof might be wearing down


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Kelli Ellis is an interior designer for allseasons. But when spring rolls around eachyear, she is truly in her element.

An award-winning celebrity interiordesigner, textile designer and design psy-chology expert, Ellis's work is everywhere,from television (as a featured designer onTLC's "Clean Sweep," HGTV's "TakeoverMy Makeover," and Bravo's "RealHousewives of Orange County" as well asguest spots on NBC, CBS and ABC) andthe Web (as eHow.com's interior designexpert) to print media (as the monthlydesign advice columnist for the OrangeCounty Gazette). Known for her love offlowers and floral design, Ellis also servesas a spokesperson for the Society of

American Florists.For Ellis, spring offers endless opportu-

nities to update and refresh interior spaceswith touches of color. While she alwaysrecommends starting with a neutral foun-dation that includes walls and major piecesof furniture in shades of white, beige orbrown, Ellis loves to add seasonal flourish-es by changing up accents and accessories.

"With a neutral foundation," explainsEllis, "you don't have to invest a lot of timeor money to refresh. Once you have thebasics -- those pieces of furniture that youabsolutely love and will stand the test oftime -- the sky's the limit in terms of chang-

Celebrity designer celebratesthe sights and scents of spring

see CELEBRITY, Page 12


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Seemingly from the moment a home ispurchased, its new owners start envisioningways to transform their new pad into theirdream home. Once they turn their key forthe first time, homeowners enter an emptyhome and see a blank slate on which theycan improve.

But even before homeowners enter theirnew home, chances are the home's exteriorhas inspired a few improvement ideas aswell. One of the more common homeimprovements is changing a home's exteri-or siding. Many new homeowners want to

change their home's appearance with sid-ing but might not be sure which option isthe best fit for them. The following guideto siding options might help make thisdecision that much easier for homeownersstill on the fence.

* Vinyl: Vinyl siding is a popular choiceamong homeowners who don't want tobreak the bank to change their home's exte-rior look. Vinyl siding is one of the moreaffordable siding options, and many home-owners are attracted to its durability andreputation as a very low-maintenance sid-

ing option. Seamless vinyl attracts home-owners because of its aesthetic appeal. Ingeneral, vinyl siding is wind-resistant andunlikely to rot, scratch or blister, and vinylsiding does not attract insects nor is it sus-ceptible to mold or mildew. However, somevinyl siding cannot withstand extremelycold weather.

* Solid wood: Wood siding can last fordecades and many homeowners love itsold-fashioned appeal. However, homeown-ers who don't want the hassle of worryingabout their home's exterior might be bettersuited to other options, as wood siding canbe difficult to maintain. Because wood willexpand or contract depending on the sea-son, wood siding is prone to cracking orsplitting, and especially humid climatesmight foster mildew in wood siding. Woodsiding typically requires restaining orrepainting every few years, and such main-tenance is necessary throughout the sid-ing's lifespan. Proper and routine mainte-nance of wood siding can also help reducethe risk of termites or mold.

* Aluminum: Durable and affordable,aluminum siding is easier to maintain than

wood, though many homeowners stillchoose wood over aluminum on the basisof aesthetic appeal. Many homeownersoften come down to deciding between alu-minum and vinyl siding, and environmen-tal concerns might come into play whenmaking that decision. Aluminum siding isconsidered by many to be the more eco-friendly option, as some feel vinyl siding isbad for the environment and might evennegatively affect human health. Aluminumsiding is generally wind-resistant andhomeowners enjoy its status as a relativelylow maintenance siding option.

* Stucco: Many homeowners preferstucco siding because of its unique makeupthat allows them to choose a design andcolor uniquely their own. A manufacturedproduct made up of cement, lime, sand,and water, stucco is easy to maintain andcan last a very long time. Stucco installa-tion, however, is an intricate process andhomeowners can expect to pay more forstucco's installation than they would withother options, even though the installationcan be finished very quickly, particularlywhen compared to wood siding.

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On your side - Understanding different siding options

April 2012 9The Valley News/Herald-Journal TRENDSTRENDS1

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Outdoor entertaining is a pri-mary component of the warm-weather season. Individuals flockto their backyard patios and decksto barbecue or simply soak up alittle sun.

Over the course of the fall andwinter your patio may have expe-rienced some wear and tear. Or ifthe patio is several years old, itmay need some maintenance toimprove its appearance for thenew season. Maintenance oftendepends on the material used.

Before starting, figure out whatyour patio needs and stock up onthe supplies. Many patios arepoured concrete, and a simplepressure-washing could be allthat's needed to revive the look.Pressure washers can be rented orpurchased. If there are cracks orchips in the patio, some minorpatchwork may be able to fixunsightly problems. There are

fast-dry patching kits. If the patiois especially damaged, it may bein your best interest to simplyreplace the patio or cover it with adifferent material, like wood

decking.Some patios are constructed

from paving stones. Pavers areusually installed atop a thin layerof sand and then more sand is

brushed into the seams betweenthe pavers to set them in place.Over time, the sand may becomedislodged causing the pavers towobble or even grow uneven.Taking the time to brush new sandover a paver patio can keep thestones stable. Because pavers arenot a solid surface, weeds cangrow in between the stones. Handweeding and the application of aweed-killing product can helpwith keeping weeds at bay andfrom being unsightly.

This year, maybe it's not aboutrefreshing the patio but installingone instead. Although manyhomeowners choose to make theinstallation of a patio a do-it-yourself project with fine results,if you have a large yard or anintricate design, you may want toprice out masons. These contrac-tors could have relationships withsuppliers of concrete and patio

pavers, which could save on thecost of materials for the job. Plusyou will have the benefit ofknowing the work was done cor-rectly.

Now is also the time to washthe cushions to your patio set toenhance your patio decor. Do soon a sunny, warm day to allow thecushions to dry adequately sothey won't develop mildew ormold staining and odor.

If the cushions look dated orbeyond repair, this season couldbe a good time to head to the storeand purchase a new set.

Nothing refreshes a patio morethan bright colors and attractiveaccessories. While new plantersfilled with flowers could do thetrick, coordinate patio colors withnew upholstery for outdoor furni-ture, throw pillows and a newpatio umbrella to complete thelook.

Patio clean-up for seasonal entertaining

Trends 2012

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