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20112011

FallFall

An Advertising Supplement to The Times� Sunday, September 25, 2011

Bringing your home from sum-mer to fall is simpler than you think. It all begins with taking inventory of your home to deter-mine which nonessential items you can eliminate or switch and where you can add.

“Start with anything fabric,” says Maria Aguerri-Gomez, Academic Dean of The Art Institute of Michigan-Troy, a branch campus of The Art Institute of Michigan. “You can change your couch covers, pil-lows and your throw blankets, add a duvet to your bed, change your window treatment or bathroom towels; or simply add a table run-ner to bring fall into your home without breaking your budget.”

Take couch covers from creamy and off-white tones to fall tones and colors. Choose earth tones such as reds and browns to bring depth and warmth. Navy blue can also be a great color to add in fall that can transition to winter. Not completely committed to bring-ing that much color into your living room? Change your pillows or throw blankets to develop an accented atmospheric change. Take a look at your window treatments and consider a heavier fabric with possible prints.

“Paisley is coming back this fall.” Aguerri-Gomez says. “Use paisley prints on curtains or pillows, or venture out and buy a paisley arm chair that can nestle nicely into an unused corner in your bedroom or living room.”

Elizabeth Polish, an Interior Design Instructor at The Art Institute of New York City and owner of Elizabeth Polish Design, says bird prints are making their way into homes via lampshades and carpets this fall.

Keep the cold away by add-

ing rugs. Overlapping rugs is a trend that can bring contrasting elements together, while unifying sections of a room. Aguerri-Gomez recommends taking a bamboo or wicker rug and overlapping it with a more classical rug. “It’s a great way to bring contrast, color and texture to the room.”

Aguerri-Gomez predicts that mustard will be a key color this fall. Add a mustard table runner and change up your dinnerware and placemats to bring your table from light and airy to warm and

welcoming. Don’t want to part with the lemons and limes nestled inside your glass vase as table decor? Try compromising and replace the citrus with artichokes and pomegranates for a fall final touch.

For those that like to have feng shui elements in their home, you’ll be happy to know that gold is making a comeback. Try mercury or gold can-isters, vases and accents. In the past, gold and mercury were reserved for the holidays or special celebrations, but now you can bring them out ear-

lier to bring that shiny pop the room will need.

The last touch to bringing your home from summer to fall is mood lighting. Polish recommends utilizing energy efficient LED lights and bulbs. Because you’ve most likely added thicker curtains to keep the cold out, make sure key areas are lit. Where you don’t need too much light, go for the dimming effect. “Change your lampshades if you can’t dim your lights. Make your living space as cozy as you can while saving energy at the same time,” Polish says.

Change colors to take your home from summer to fall

Subtle color changes can make the transition to fall complete.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 �

There are numerous, simple proj-ects at homeowners’ fingertips that can conserve energy in a home and keep money in the bank. Although windows, doors and siding are the biggest opportunities to conserve energy and reduce costs, not every project has to be a major one. When it comes to improving energy effi-ciency, every little bit helps. Using the right products helps to ensure that projects are done correctly and withstand the test of time. Below are a few easy weekend projects to get any house ready for the winter.

Garage doors are usually the sin-gle largest entry point into a home and are rarely insulated, leaving a large area where air can seep in. Rubber thresholds, found at any hardware store, can be easily and quickly installed underneath the

garage door to help keep the cold at bay. Since most garage doors are aluminum, it is best to use a two-part epoxy to secure these two differ-ent materials together. Epoxy fills any surface gaps, creating a lasting, water-resistant bond. The pressure and weight of the door then helps seal the garage when the door is closed.

A similar type of seal can be made with a rubber gasket on exterior doors as well. By creating a tighter seal on this entry door, cold air is prevented from getting in and the warm air from getting out.

When the weather dips below freezing, there is a good chance that copper pipes will freeze. This is a potentially messy and costly issue that can be easily prevented. While it might be harder to get to the pipes

behind the walls, exposed pipes in the basement can be wrapped with-out difficulty. Flexible foam with a split-sleeve, purchased from any hardware store, will slip right over the pipes and can be easily secured with heavy duty tape. Either wrap tape around the insulating foam or run the entire length to seal the seam. Even areas where freezing does not pose a threat can benefit by keeping the pipes a more con-sistent temperature, and preventing costly drywall leaks caused by pipe condensation.

Attics, even when insulated, are a major source of lost heat. However, most homeowners forget to com-plete their insulation project by insulating the access door to the attic. For this project, it is best to use rigid foam insulation with a

radiant barrier. Cut the insulation board to the door’s dimensions. (It is best to cut the piece a tad smaller than the door’s exact size to ensure that it does not interfere with hing-es or where the door seats into place.) Once cut, affix the insulation board using polyurethane glue. Also, remember to wet one surface prior to gluing and clamp the project by weighting it down with some heavy items. The polyurethane glue expands into the surface of the insulation and creates a tight bond ensuring the insulation will stay in place for the life of the home.

All of these winterizing projects are easy, quick, and can be complet-ed within a weekend. Armed with a few supplies from the local hard-ware store, energy and heat savings are just a few moments away.

Get your house ready for cooler weather

An Advertising Supplement to The Times� Sunday, September 25, 2011

By Mary MacVeanLos Angeles Times

To anyone reading the real estate ads in recent years, it could seem that granite was the only material worth using for a kitchen counter, as important as updated electrical or a reliable roof.

Granite isn’t going anywhere. But many designers and home-owners are turning to glass, man-ufactured stone, metal and other materials to create counters that work for people who actually cook as well for those who see the kitchen as a decorative acces-sory.

“What consumers now have seen is there is kind of this granite fatigue. Everyone has granite,” said Ed Rogers, the director of busi-ness development at CaesarStone US, based in Van Nuys, Calif.

CaesarStone and other brands, including Silestone, sell engi-neered quartz, a durable product made from more than 90 per-cent crushed quartz mixed with a resin.

Manufacturers are producing dozens of colors of engineered quartz, some of them trying to replicate the look of other stones or concrete, at prices comparable to those of midlevel granites. Both a virtue and a drawback is its con-sistency — no fossils or natural quirks, though that could change too as companies work to mimic the natural variations of marble or add a leathery surface texture.

Glass counters too are shining. Lighted from below, they can add an appealing glow to a kitchen. Buyers also like the hygienic qual-ities of glass in these days of the hand sanitizer.

Granite had been “reserved for

the ultra high end,” but now it’s available in big box home stores, Rogers said. “It was the home cen-ter and the production builder that moved this market.”

Some homeowners are moving to other choices that are new and appealing to green consumers, such as engineered quartz, as well as some that have been around for centuries, like soapstone or marble.

“I have not done a single gran-ite countertop in 10 years,” said Dan Campbell, a Los Angeles con-tractor who specializes in kitch-en design and remodels. “Maybe

because it’s so overused. It all blends together.”

Troy Adams also hasn’t used much granite in the high-end kitchens he designs, though he acknowledged there are many beautiful granite slabs available. Improvements to other materials, such as stainless steel with fine patterns that resist fingerprints, have made alternatives more pop-ular, Adams said.

One of the materials he likes to use is lava stone, which is quar-ried from a volcano in France, enameled and then fired at high temperatures. It’s stain-, heat- and

scratch-resistant, and it has a sort of crackly surface that can be made in intense colors. It’s also three to four times as costly as many granites, Adams said.

Whether the kitchen counter is just a spot to toss the keys and mail, the place for breakfast around an island, the lab for a chili cook-off entry or the respite for sitting alone with a glass of pinot grigio, the kitchen coun-ter is inevitably a focal point of what’s become the center of many homes.

Adams said he builds his palette

Granite sharing spotlight with glass and engineered stone

Please see Countertops page 5

Colorful alternatives to granite can give countertops a bold and bright look

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 �

around the aspect of the kitchen with the most surface area, so a large, dramatic island might be the place to start.

In sophisticated, high-end kitch-ens, an island might be topped with one material, the sink and cooking area in another. In his own kitchen, Adams combined lava stone, stainless steel and glass.

That doesn’t mean the old stand-bys, including solid surfaces such as Corian, are gone from the mar-ket — particularly in budget-mind-ed kitchen plans. Wood — often used for cutting blocks or other inserts to countertops — also can work for counters, whether in a farmhouse kitchen in the city or a sleek contemporary space.

Many companies also are work-ing to make their products — nat-ural and manufactured — as eco-friendly as possible. Consumers who care might check a product for its percentage of recycled materials, which varies consid-erably, or the conditions of its mining.

Cosentino reports that its Eco line is made of 75 percent post-consumer or post-industri-al materials, including mirrors, glass, stone scraps and porcelain. Other counters are being made from recycled glass or recycled paper sealed with wax.

“Granite is going to stay as long as they keep on digging,” said Oren Osovski, an L.A. contractor and interior designer, noting that the range in appearance can pro-vide a look that feels unique. “If you want something beautiful that only you have, you have to have granite or marble.”

CountertopsContinued from page 4 Choosing a material that works for

youThe toughest part of the kitchen

counter decision may be figuring out what you care about most. Durability? A unique look? Color? Price? Here’s a look at some of the most common options, with an assessment of their quality from designers, manufacturers and the website www.kitchen.com.

Concrete Pros: Modern, industrial look. Can

be made in any shape and in a variety of colors.

Cons: Can stain and crack, though that also may be an appeal. Relatively expensive. May need a sealer and wax applied periodically to protect against staining.

Granite Pros: Huge range of colors and

prices. Durable. Stain- and heat-resis-tant, though some sealers commonly used to combat its porous qualities can be damaged by excessive heat.

Cons: Some designers say it has become overused.

Tile Pros: Budget-friendly. Unlimited

color and pattern choices. Durable, heat- and stain-resistant.

Cons: Grout can stain and be tough to clean. Not a smooth surface for some cooking tasks.

Glass Pros: Looks new and modern. Can

be made in many colors, patterns and shapes. Translucent qualities enable natural light to pass through. Nonporous, heat-resistant, easy to clean. Can be made from recycled

glass. Cons: Shows fingerprints. Can crack or break.

Marble Pros: Classic looks. Sometimes has

translucent quality. Great for making and rolling pastry dough because it’s cool to the touch.

Cons: Can stain.

Laminates Pros: Huge range of colors, pat-

terns and finishes. Budget-friendly. Easy to maintain.

Cons: Chips can be difficult to repair.

Engineered quartz Pros: Extremely tough. Dozens

of colors and patterns. Easy to clean. Consistent color and detail. Many manufacturers, including CaesarStone, Silestone, Cambria. Considered more sustainable, as remnants often can be recycled.

Cons: Lacks unique colorations and details found in marble or gran-ite.

Stainless steel Pros: Durable. Stain-resistant. Looks

like a professional kitchen. Other met-als, such as zinc and copper, lend an unusual appearance that will change over time.

Cons: Can show fingerprints and scratch.

Wood Pros: Can be used as a chop-

ping board. Cons: Shows knife marks. Suscep-

tible to water damage. Requires peri-odic reoiling.

MISSION: KITCHEN

A stainless steel countertop is durable and stain resistant.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times� Sunday, September 25, 2011

By Clint Waltz Cooperative Extension Service

This summer’s drought and high temperatures hit tall fescue lawns in Georgia hard. As a result, September and October could be months for greater interseed-ing, a practice of adding tall fes-cue into an existing stand. To successfully establish a new tall fescue lawn or interseed an exist-ing lawn, consider the following techniques and practices.

Grass seeded earlier than September or October is sub-ject to heat stress and diseases. Planting later leaves the plant vul-nerable to cold weather. Seeding in December and early spring is generally not recommended because the plant does not have adequate time to develop a deep root system needed to survive Georgia’s hot summers. Knockout the weeds first

Preemergence herbicides are needed to minimize weed pres-sure. These herbicides pose the least amount of risk to tall fes-cue that was seeded the previ-ous September and October. Tall fescue seeded in November and treated with preemergence herbi-cides the following February has lower turfgrass quality ratings and reduced stand density compared to tall fescue seeded in October.

Proper soil preparation is criti-cal for effective seed establish-ment. Ridding the lawn of debris, tilling, incorporating lime and fer-tilizer and smoothing the surface are all necessary prior to seed-ing.

Add amendments, like organic matter or topsoil, for soil improve-ment and till thoroughly into the

existing soil. After initial prepara-tion is completed and the area is properly leveled, collect a soil sample to obtain soil fertilizer recommendations. Submit soil samples to the local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office (www.extension.uga.edu). If starter fertilizer and lime are recommended, incorporate 3 to 4 inches into the soil. Tilling deeper is always better.Buy high quality seed

To ensure you plant high-qual-ity pure seed, search for the blue certified seed tag on the bag. In the retail market most tall fescue seed is available as a blend of several tall fescue cultivars. Single cultivars are also available but often at a higher price.

The ideal seeding rate for tall fescue is 5 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. To minimize skips and gaps, divide the seed into two equal portions and broad-cast half in one direction and the remainder at a right angle to the first direction.

The seed can be lightly raked into the upper quarter-inch of soil or pressed into the seedbed with a roller. Apply a straw mulch to retain moisture for improved germination and prevent erosion.Keep the seedlings moist

After seeding, keep the upper 1 to 2 inches of soil moist, not wet, for uniform germination. This usually means daily watering of about one-tenth to one-quarter inch for the first three weeks. As the seedlings develop, irrigate less frequently but wet the soil profile deeper. Under good condi-tions tall fescue seed will germi-nate in 5 to 10 days and be ready for its first mowing between 2

and 3 weeks.Begin mowing at a height of 2

inches. As the seedlings mature, raise the cutting height to the 2.5- to 3-inch range. Once mature, the lawn can be maintained between 2 to 2.5 inches, but a height of 3 inches is suggested during the summer months. Use a mower with a sharp blade and mow often enough so no more than a third of the leaf height is removed in a single mowing. Do not mow a grass, especially young seedlings, when it’s wet.Do the math

If the lawn needs reseeding, esti-mate the percentage of tall fescue loss and multiply that number by the establishment seeding rate of 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. For example, if 50 percent (0.5) of the stand is lost, reseed with 0.5 x 6 = 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Spring reseed-ing is less successful because of the shorter establishment time before summer heat and moisture

stress.Seed-to-soil contact is necessary

to assure successful reseeding. First, mow the lawn at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches. Disturb the soil by coring or vertical mowing before and/or after seed distri-bution. (Equipment for this task is available at rental or garden centers.) Reseed thin areas at 2 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Getting the seed below the existing turfgrass canopy and to the soil surface improves germi-nation. Apply a starter fertilizer at 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Lastly, keep the soil moist as discussed for new lawn establishment.

Successful seeding depends on proper soil preparation, good soil-to-seed contact and proper water management.

(Clint Waltz is a Cooperative Extension turf specialist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Now is time for seeding tall fescue lawns

Sharon DowdyFall is the perfect time to plant or interseed tall fescue lawns in Georgia. Researchers on the

UGA campus in Griffin work to breed new turfgrass varieties especially for Georgia’s varied growing conditions.

Call the family and grab the tool-box. Do-it-yourself projects can become a family affair this fall.

According to a recent survey by economists at the University of California, there is a trend of parents looking for ways to spend even more time with their children. A DIY project offers the perfect activity mix for spending happy, productive, cost-effective time together to accomplish a common family goal.

DIY projects can be as reward-ing as the results: a brighter bath-room, an updated living room or a dramatic touch to any room in the house. The possibilities of easy home improvement projects are seemingly endless.

“Improving and updating your home doesn’t have to be a chore,”

says Erinn Valencich, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and blog-ger for HGTV’s Design Happens. “You don’t have to renovate to create a big impact; just a few small changes will do the trick and you can get the whole family involved.”

One of the easiest ways to update a room is by refreshing the floor, says Valencich. “Floors set the tone of the room,” she says. “A floor adds so much to the look and feel of the room.”

Hard surfaces, including laminate, are once again dominating home flooring options. Laminate flooring is a popular option and the fastest growing flooring material around, according to HGTV, because of its practical benefits including dura-bility, beauty and lasting wear.

While the thought of installing your own floors can be daunt-ing, Valencich assures homeown-ers that the installation of lami-nate floors is fairly simple. In fact, according to flooring indus-try experts, new floors can be installed in a weekend.

Following these easy tips from Flooring Trends.com will make your room look like a million bucks.

• To help reduce moisture, mold, mildew and a hollow sound when walked on, put down a quality underlayment first.

• Order 7 to10 percent more product than you think you’ll need to allow for cuts and custom fits.

• Order matching or coordinat-ing molding and trim. “This finish-ing touch will set you apart,” says Valencich.

• Acclimate your laminate floor products before installation. Put unopened cartons in the room they will be installed in for 72 to 96 hours. This is important if you live in a very dry or humid climate.

• Make sure the concrete or wood subfloor is level before you start your installation.

In addition to installing a new floor, there are other simple DIY projects that will add to the beauty

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 �

Fast, simple and amazing DIY projects

Please see DIY page 9

An Advertising Supplement to The Times� Sunday, September 25, 2011

‘Green up’ your home, office or dorm with houseplantsLooking for a fresh new look

for your home or office or want to add some color and cool for your college digs? Houseplants are always in style.

For an easy transformation for any space, houseplants add high impact and eco flair that rival expensive makeovers. Whether you choose orchids or Bonsai, houseplants fit any lifestyle, mood and taste.

Whether you’re a long time plant collector or novice, these tips from top garden experts show just how easily houseplants will “green up” your life.

The air in there. Did you know that houseplants do double duty? They not only add beauty to indoor spaces but also clean our indoor air and remove nasty tox-ins from carpets, paint, household cleaners, printers and even furni-ture.

“Besides what they give back in aesthetics, one of the great-est things houseplants do is pro-vide much needed humidity in the winter months and freshen the air year round,” says Justin Hancock, editor of Better Homes and Gardens online (BHG.com).

Plant hunter and expert, Mike Rimland, says that houseplants help clean indoor toxins com-monly found in homes, apart-ments and offices. “What house-plants you choose and where they’re placed are important con-siderations to maximize air filter-ing benefits.”

Rimland suggests houseplants like peace lilies for bathrooms and Sanseveria and Golden Pothos for your entryway and living spaces. “They’re easy to grow and can help remove volatile organic com-pounds found in cleaners, carpets

and furniture like benzene, form-aldehyde, acetone and xylene.”

Set the mood. From added drama to a touch of whimsy, houseplants instantly liven up any room or office with natural beauty and add a funky touch of greenery to boxy dorm rooms.

For happy plants, Rimland rec-ommends you assess your rooms for optimal lighting conditions and care requirements, follow the plant care guidelines on the tags and choose plants that fit your lifestyle.

Want to create a quick and easy upscale look or a serene retreat? Nothing beats orchids, arranged in simple or elaborate containers, for high impact drama and Zen-

like simplicity. “As a great ‘everyman’ plant,

orchids can’t be beat,” says Hancock. “Mini orchids are easy to grow and perfect for a center-piece or a thing of beauty and tranquility alone on a window-sill.”

Green-up your space with living walls. If you have limited space or want a visually dramatic, high impact design for a room, living walls are the ticket.

Not only can they improve air quality, but they are quite a con-versation piece, adding instant “wow factor” to any room.

Rimland says that living green walls are a great way to maxi-mize the benefits of houseplants

to purify and beautify spaces. “Whether you buy one of the new kits available or have a pro-fessional install your living wall, your rooms will spring to life with living art you create.”

Go green and groovy. Looking for fun and easy houseplants that are practically a no-brainer? Water-retaining, light-loving, easy-care succulents and cacti are vir-tually indestructible and come in many colors, shapes and varieties. So mix them up in containers for a visual feast that draws the eye and soothes the soul.

“Succulents are great-looking, low maintenance plants that make it easy for everyone to bring the outdoors inside,” adds Hancock.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 �

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and comfort of your home.

• Add attic insulation. If the insu-lation in your attic is not up to par, the house can lose almost 30 percent of its warm air. Properly insulating an attic can save any-where from 10 to 30 percent off your monthly heating bill, U.S. News & World Report’s My Money blog says. Batt insulation — rolled fiberglass insulation — can often be added for 70 cents to $1 per square foot.

• Lighten up your bathroom. The bathroom is a great place for a do-it-yourself project. Try adding can or recessed lighting. “Recessed lighting becomes part of the archi-tecture,” says Valencich.

• Replace that kitchen faucet. Update your kitchen faucet to refresh your sink area, and younger children can help with the removal and replacement of the old faucet. Installing a new faucet can be an economical decision, too. “A new faucet can help lower your water and energy costs,” says Valencich.

• Go green. You don’t need to install solar panels or a wind farm to go green and save money. There are several small things you can do to help save the planet and your wallet, from sealing drafts and air ducts to installing a programmable thermostat. Caulk and spray foam are inexpensive and can be used to seal drafts, saving up to 20 percent on a monthly heating bill. Use a programmable thermostat to turn down the heat while you’re at work and to turn it back up right before you come home.

DIYContinued from page 7

Laminate is a popular way to give flooring a new look.

By Timothy Daly University of Georgia

As the weather grows cooler most landscape plants begin to go dormant. Fall is an excellent time to install new plant material.

Many home gardeners like to install plants in the spring when their leaves are unfurling and many go into bloom. Spring plant-ing is acceptable, but fall planting is preferable. The summer months are not good for planting due to the intense heat and prolonged dry spells.

Newly installed plant material, even if properly watered, is highly stressed and can die. In the fall months, the air temperatures have cooled and the plants are not under as much stress. The stems and leaves will begin going dor-mant, but the roots will continue to grow in the soil.

Cold weather gives the plant more time to become established and develop a strong, healthy root system. By the following spring and summer, the plants will be more resistant to heat and drought conditions. Spring-planted trees and shrubs have a much shorter period of time to become estab-lished. This makes them more vul-nerable to the stresses of summer.

For trees and shrubs, dig the width of the hole at least one and one-half to two times the size of the root ball. Plant it at the same depth as it was in the con-tainer. Do not install the plant’s crown below soil level. Planting too deeply can lead to rot and other problems leading to damage and possible death of the plant

material. Research has shown adding

organic matter, like compost or top soil, to the hole is not neces-sary. The plant’s roots might be so happy in the rich soil that it pre-vents roots from growing out into the native soil.

However, when planting a bed of multiple trees and shrubs, add organic matter and till it in throughout the entire planting bed. Do not fill the individual holes with organic matter.

When purchasing plants, select plants that appear healthy and free of insects and diseases. Pull the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. Healthy roots should be white or light brown and spread throughout the root ball.

Avoid plants with black mushy roots, or those with poorly devel-oped root systems. If plants roots are matted around the edge of the root ball, use a knife and make a few cuts to break up the mat and allow the roots to spread.

Do not apply fertilizer to the individual planting holes. Wait until the plants become estab-lished before fertilizing.

Thoroughly water the plants once or twice a week. Apply two to three inches of mulch, such as pine straw, pine bark or cypress mulch, around the plants. Do not mass mulch around the stems of the trees and shrubs. This can lead to disease and insect infestation of the stem.

Fall is the best time of the year to establish trees, shrubs, and many types of perennials. Install these plants now to enjoy them in the spring and into the future.

Fall perfect time for adding new plants to the landscape

An Advertising Supplement to The Times10 Sunday, September 25, 2011

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An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 11

Painting is a job that requires preparation and the right equip-ment. Oftentimes homeowners are unsure about whether they need to use primer before paint-ing or if just paint will do the trick.

Although there are no firm rules, there are certain cases where one or the other will be adequate.

Consider a room where the walls have been heavily stained, either by moisture infiltration, rust or another factor. Deep-set stains may bleed through regular paint, therefore a primer should be applied to help block and lock-in the stain.

When a room had previously been painted in a very dark color, like red or purple, a primer can help cover the color quickly with-

out the need for multiple applica-tions of regular paint. There also are specialized primers that can be used in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms that often contain a lot of moisture. These primers inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces.

Primers also may be used on materials, such as metal or plas-tic, to help the colored paint stick to the surface of the item. If a room is only to be painted white or tinted slightly with color, then a primer alone can be used. Certain primers seal porous wall surfaces so they do not absorb paint, requiring more coats for coverage.

Rooms that are being painted that are already white and free of stains or other surface abnormali-

ties may be painted sufficiently with just a coat of regular paint. If skipping primer, look for a high-quality, thick paint that boasts good coverage in one or two coats.

There are new products today that offer primer and paint all

in one combination. The jury is still out on the efficacy of these new items, but homeowners can experiment with these paints to see if they work for them. Keep in mind that the cost of a combina-tion product may be more than traditional paint and primer.

Learn when you need to use primer

An Advertising Supplement to The Times1� Sunday, September 25, 2011

Longing to update your home, but short on time and money? You’re not alone. Remodeling experts report that whole-house remodels have declined in recent years — but don’t throw in the towel just yet. Instead of focus-ing on every room - focus on smaller areas where you spend a lot of time, like the bathroom.

“Bathroom renovations are one of the most popular projects with homeowners, but not everyone has the same needs or budget,” says renowned home improve-ment expert Danny Lipford. “Luckily, cosmetic updates can be quick, inexpensive and easy enough for anyone to do.”

With a few days and minimal budget, you can give your bath-room an instant facelift that will be fashionable and functional.

• Start your bathroom update with a good cleaning. Removing any mildew, dust and soap scum is the first step to a brighter bath.

• Color can affect our mood — so add a splash of paint. For only the cost of a brush, roller, tape and a gallon of paint (less than $40), both your bathroom walls and your mood will feel refreshed.

• Did you know that within a year, the average person washes their hands 8,776 times? And that doesn’t account for the time spent brushing your teeth or washing your face. With these many interactions with water, be sure that your bath-room remodel includes a stylish

Fast, functional and fabulous bathroom fixes for less than $500

Please see Bathroom page 13 A curved curtain rod can give you more shower space as well as a trendy look.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 1�

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new faucet.

• 4. Not sure if your cur-rent cabinets or vanity are fash-ionable enough for your new faucet? Before you replace it, consider adding new cabinet hardware for an instant update. There are a wide variety of choices — and manufacturers even offer knobs (starting at $8) and pulls (starting at $16) that perfectly match your faucet in both design and finish.

• The average person takes 365 showers per year. If your shower space is feeling a bit small, add 7 ½ inches in an instant with a curved shower rod.

• According to the National Association of Home Builders, fewer people are living alone. In fact, the number of homes with five or more residents has increased in the last two years — which means you likely share your bath with others. Bathroom accessories are a simple and inexpensive (less than $150 for a set) way to add organization and a design update to your bath. Plus, they are available in a variety of finishes to perfectly coordinate with the rest of your new bath hardware.

• The final step of your simple and sensational bath upgrade is the soft touches. Add plush and colorful towels to your new accessories, a decorative shower curtain to your new shower rod and a soft throw rug in front of the vanity.

BathroomContinued from page 12

Changing accessories is a quick and cheap way to achieve a new look.

Only on TV would a redecorat-ing budget of a couple thousand dollars be considered “shoe-string.” In the real world, most of us have a lot less than that to spend on redoing a room.

Fortunately, it’s possible to completely change the look of any room in the house for as little as $100. All you need to do is focus on the design elements that will deliver the most impact for the least cost. Here’s a room-by-room guide for redos that cost $100 — or even less.

Every roomA fresh coat of paint is an

essential foundation for virtually any room makeover. One gallon will cover most rooms, meaning you can get a good start on your redesign for around $25 — even less if you luck out and find a deal.

Decluttering is also another way to give a room a fresh look. Whether it’s your living room, kitchen or a child’s room, remov-ing excess items like papers and toys can make the room feel open and orderly.

Dining roomYour table and chairs are the

centerpiece of your dining room. While a new set might not be in the budget, you can easily dress up your old one. Replacing old fabric on dining chair seat cush-ions can give the set a whole new look. Depending on the fab-ric color and style you choose, you can create looks that range from modern to traditional. Top off the table with a decorative runner in a complimentary pat-

tern and you’ve redone your din-ing room for less than $100.

Living roomAccessories are the way to

achieve a big impact for not much money in the living room. Replace old throw pillows with new, brightly patterned ones. Switch out wall decor with new pieces. Cover up worn wooden floors or shabby carpeting with an elegant area rug. It’s pos-sible to change several accesso-ries and still bring your costs in under the $100 mark.

Kids’ roomIf your youngster is ready for a

new look in his room, rip down that teddy bear border, let him pick a paint color and consider dressing up one wall of the room with a mural. You can find plenty of kids murals for less than $100 online. Whether he likes a solar system theme or she wants a princess canopy, a wall mural can make redoing a children’s room fast and easy.

BathroomGet rid of that old, moldy show-

er curtain. To create a designer look for not much dough, hang a simple, functional vinyl curtain on existing shower rod, then place a pressure rod just outside

it. Add attractive, floor-length curtains from the local discount store; they’ll cost a lot less than comparable versions made for bathroom use.

Ditch worn, ratty old towels with a matching set of new ones in an appealing pattern or color. Finish up by adding a decorative frame around the existing vanity mirror.

KitchenIt’s easy to spend a bundle

on a kitchen rehab, but it’s just as easy to make small changes that have a big impact. Rather

Even cheap changes can make a differenceAn Advertising Supplement to The Times1� Sunday, September 25, 2011

Please see Redo page 15

Please see Redo page 15

A mural can have a dramatic impact on the look of a child’s room.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times Sunday, September 25, 2011 1�

RedoContinued from page 14than sinking a lot of money into changing countertops or cabi-nets, consider simple upgrades like new cabinet hardware, a new kitchen faucet and a new light fixture.

You can also use a wall mural in the kitchen to dress it up. Whether you’re looking for a rustic theme that would fit with Italian murals or a nature scape that turns a blank wall into a view on another world, you can find a wall mural to fit virtually every decorating theme for as little as $60.

You don’t need the budget of a TV home improvement show to make high-impact, appealing changes to your home. You just need $100 and some ingenuity. Simply changing fabric on dining room chairs can make a difference.

An Advertising Supplement to The Times1� Sunday, September 25, 2011