Tag Archives: Inc.

Looking Back: 10 Notable Developments in Home & Garden In the Last Decade

“At the turn of the millennium, ‘carbon footprint’ wasn’t a household term, ‘paper or plastic’ hadn’t become a moral dilemma, and reduce, reuse and recycle didn’t yet come to mind as the three R’s,” writes San Francisco Chronicle Home & Garden Editor Deb Wandell.

Agreed. When it comes to the home and garden, we’ve come along way in the last 10 years, thanks in part to a mass move toward sustainable living and giving serious thought to our personal footprints on the environment.

Ten years ago, weather-resistant products and outdoor living rooms were just starting to make a name for themselves. Image via sfgate.com

Ten years ago, weather-resistant products and outdoor living rooms were just starting to make a name for themselves. Image via sfgate.com

Read more here. And don’t forget to check out the slideshow here.

Spare-the-Air, Burn Bans Debated

Have you heard about the burn bans that cities from San Francisco and Olympia, Washington, to Keene, New Hampshire, have begun instating for its residents? Citing air quality–specifically, the fine-particle pollution smoke can create–state governments are seeking to clear the air, by restricting the burning of wood or manufactured logs in fireplaces and stoves, most recently (and notably) on the days of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

An article in a recent New York Times explores the exchange programs some cities are offering similar to the Cash for Clunkers or proposed Cash for Caulkers program: in return for discarding older wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, residents are awarded $1,000 towards the purchase of a newer, energy-efficient model–one with presumably less particle pollution and lower emissions. The residents’ mixed reactions are interesting; read more in “Where There’s Smoke…There’s a Trade-in” here.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

An energy-efficient wood-burning stove. Image via NYT.

An energy-efficient wood-burning stove. Image via NYT.

Weatherizing for the Winter-Wise

Maintenance and cleaning can go a long way in extending the life of your outdoor living spaces. From gardens to grills, here’s how to winterize your backyard bastion and shield your spaces from the elements this season.

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• Keep your plants frost-free. Whether it’s as aesthetically pleasing as a glass cloche, or as simple as a sawed-off milk jug or plastic bucket from the garage, take extra care to protect your cool-season crops from frost. For larger areas, try draping sheets or fabrics over the plants, making sure they hit the ground to trap heat around the plants’ base. For more ideas on extending the harvest season, see garden.com
• Perform the required maintenance on your grill and outdoor islands, so your first spring fling (or clean!) won’t involve the heartache of replacing favorite items. Scrub and rinse your grill and island to release built-up grease and grime. Reseal the grout on tiles exposed to the elements.
• Protect your furniture. Use durable, weather-proof vinyl covers for lounges, tables and chairs. Wrap or tie covers around legs to keep in place. Check cushions for mold; store all cushions indoors; wrap in a light cotton sheet to keep critters away.

A quick clean now will pay off later—hopefully on that first beautiful spring day!

The Great Outdoors: Products Worthy of Winter Dreaming

Sometimes inspiration can strike at the oddest times. Case in point: We’ve been known to spend the entire winter dreaming up over-the-top plans for our own outdoor living spaces. Sound familiar? If you’re searching for inspiration for your own home, we suggest taking a look at some new products hand-picked by Kansas City Homes & Gardens magazine.  From outdoor kitchens that rival the main ones inside to beverage centers and professional-grade pizza ovens, we suggest taking a look at some examples here, as highlighted in a recent issue.

Gas-Fired Pizza Oven

Gas-Fired Pizza Oven

‘Cash for Caulkers’: Small-Business Stimulus

Stimulate the economy and the environment? Sounds like a win-win to us. Thanks to the success of the government’s much-hyped Cash for Clunkers program, a program proposed earlier this month—dubbed, you guessed it, Cash for Caulkers—promises to benefit contractors, construction workers and homeowners alike in an effort to encourage job creation and energy efficiency as part of President Obama’s larger stimulus initiatives.

Via Treehugger.com, Britannica

Via Treehugger.com, Britannica

From performing an energy audit to using an online Energy Saver calculator, we recommend reading this article in the USA Today, which outlines nearly 20 different measures you can take to weatherize your home, and the potential incentives that will get contractors back to work, and homeowners on the path to save.

And for extra credit, check out this diagram outlining some potential weatherization projects on Treehugger.com.

Diagram via Treehugger.com

Diagram via Treehugger.com

Avoiding Holiday Fire Hazards

Between scented candles and Christmas trees and electric lights and fireplaces, it’s no wonder the risk for fire increases exponentially during the holiday season. According to www.firesaftey.gov, fires in this short time frame injure 1,650 Americans, causing more than $990 million in damages.

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Below, we (literally) spell out some prevention measures to make sure this holiday season is a safe and merry one for you and your family.

Space heaters. Place them at least three feet away from anything flammable. Make sure an adult is in the room when heaters are on. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep. The same goes for burning candles.
Alarms. Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor level of the home, including basements. Test the alarms monthly, and be sure to change batteries at least once a year.
Fires. Never burn unconventional items such as wrapping paper or boxes in the fireplace, as this could cause a chimney fire. Fireplaces are for wood only. The same applies to stoves and ovens—use these strictly for cooking, and not for heating.
Escape. Plan a home escape with two ways out of each room. Practice your exit plan with every member of the family to make sure it works. Invest in fire extinguishers, and know how to use them.
Trees. For artificial trees, only choose flame-retardant ones with a UL label. Cut trees should be watered daily to be kept fresh. Never use real candles on trees. Keep trees at a safe distance from fireplaces, other sources of heat, and doorways. Dispose of trees at an authorized recycling center.
Your lights. Inspect lights for wear and tear, such as frayed wires or gaps in insulation. Periodically check wires—they should not be warm to touch. Connect strings to an extension cord before plugging in.

For more information, visit firesafety.gov to keep your home fire-free this holiday season.

Spotlight on Decks: A Patio Primer

In Kansas City, harsh winters and extreme temperatures mean our porches and decks can take quite a beating. This means putting forth extra time and efforts towards making sure the materials used are extra tough—without sacrificing aesthetics.shellyafter

We’ve designed hundreds of decks and outdoor living spaces in the Kansas City area, so let us help you maximize the potential of your backyard, whether it’s a screened-in porch, room extension, multi-level deck or a hot tub and spa enclosure.

As you begin to settle in for a long winter’s rest, here’s a little primer from our friends at Kansas City Homes & Gardens on some of the most popular (and sustainable!) decking options out there—from mahogany and redwood to cedar or pressure-treated wood.

By Samantha Wells

Amazing Before And Afters

Be sure to see our Gallery for just a few of the transformations we’ve created. If you need even more ideas of the types of things we can do for your home, don’t forget to check our Awards page, too.
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Wintertime Outdoor Living

Looking to extend your outdoor entertaining and BBQ season into the cooler months? Here’s how to create warm, cozy outdoor living rooms this winter:

Outdoor Decorating

  • Think fireside chats. When temperatures dip, is there anything more festive than a crackling outdoor fire? Whether it’s a double-sided fireplace, freestanding firepit or charming chimenea, create a romantic focal point where family and friends can retreat and unwind on a cold winter’s day.
  • Add distinction with decorative elements. Outfit your outdoor living room as you would inside: Place decorative vases on the fireplace mantel. Choose comfortable seating with weather-resistant cushions for lounging. Stock plenty of candles for glass hurricanes, and keep cozy blankets on hand for extra ambiance.
  • Adjust your space for year-round living. Add a spit to the gas grill and use it to roast a Thanksgiving turkey. Heavy-weight curtains employed to block the summer sun can alternatively serve to discourage drafts in winter. Illuminate the space–without making it too glaring–with combination lighting such as lanterns, brick lighting or spread lighting.

What are some of the elements you would install in your ultimate outdoor entertaining spot to add warmth and beauty to your home this winter?

By Samantha Wells