TheState.com: Home and Garden

Columbia housing market gets new spark

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:03 EST

The suddenly surging Columbia housing market just might have gotten more juice.

The tax credit that helped fuel the Midlands' first year-over-year homes sales gain in more than two years got extended and expanded by Congress on Thursday.

Now most anyone who wants to buy a home can get a bonus from Uncle Sam if they put a contract on a house before May.

Area real estate experts say the help already on the books from Washington - an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers -spurred a 21 percent jump in October home sales, compared to a year earlier.

This was after a 2.4 percent sales increase in September, according to industry data. Now the Midlands has had back-to-back home sales increases after 25 consecutive months of decline.

Mysterious, sophisticated black plants

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:12 EST

Welcome to the dark side.

This is where the other plants grow, the ones that defy the cheery kaleidoscope of nature. They're black plants, some with names that underscore their eerie appearance - names like Dracula orchid and bat flower, voodoo lily and mourning widow.

They're odd and striking and, as Paul Bonine puts it, "They're really weird."

Bonine, a nursery owner with a penchant for these horticultural curiosities, celebrates them in the new book "Black Plants: 75 Striking Choices for the Garden" (Timber Press, $14.95).

Black plants lend an aura of mystery to a garden, but they also provide a dash of sophistication, Bonine said.

Who you gonna call? The mouse hunters

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:42 EST

Small and nimble, with bright eyes and big ears, the suspect made a dramatic early-morning appearance in the kitchen sink.

In the ensuing chaos, he jumped into the air, attempting to hurdle the slippery stainless steel walls that surrounded him. The woman of the house gasped and called for help. Her husband made a citizen's arrest, covering the intruder with a small box and then depositing him in an insulated Whole Foods shopping bag with a zippered top.

The husband's theory was that "Mickey," aka Ben, aka 911, a rather small specimen, even for a house mouse, would stay put due to the strength of the bag and the enticement of a few snacks considerately placed within.

No such luck.

By 1:30 p.m., Mickey was on the run once again, and the woman, who declined to be named for this story, was more than a bit frazzled.

Bam-boo!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:32 EST

Sean Bigley knows bamboo can be scary, the stuff of backyard nightmares.

Like something out of a horror movie, the world's fastest-growing plant can creep along underground and pop up uninvited, again and again and again. One little root can sprout a forest. Bamboo can swallow up space and make the rest of the backyard simply ... disappear.

"Bamboo has this reputation," Bigley says. "It can go crazy and get out of control. I'm working to change that concept of bamboo as an instant nightmare."

In bamboo, the Rocklin, Calif., resident has found instead a gardener's dream of easy-care beauty. Bigley fell in love with bamboo's versatility and variety, from tiny pygmy miniatures nested in pots to majestic giants more than 100 feet tall. Most are drought-tolerant, too.

Bamboo is gaining fans throughout California for its fast growth and good looks. It has become a favorite for privacy screens and thick hedges, and for quickly covering ugly walls, even with little sun or water. Bamboo thrives where other plants never take root.

Dusty ducts

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Q: How dirty do heating ducts get in a year? Is it necessary to clean them yearly as my wife insists?

A: They don't get very dirty year to year in most homes. Regular duct cleaning isn't necessary. However, don't confuse duct cleaning with furnace check and tune up. That should be done regularly, preferably every year.

Most of the time, yearly duct maintenance is a do-it-yourself job. Vacuum clean the registers and grilles. Remove them and clean inside as far as you can reach.

But do consider having the ducts cleaned if you have:

-A newly constructed home.

Tame the holiday chaos with organizing tips

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

The holidays typically send most families into high-stress mode. But before you start panicking, "The No. 1 thing is put the pressure on paper," says Deniece Schofield, a home management expert and author of several books on organization, including "Confessions of a Happily Organized Family." "Make sure everything is written down, because if it's in your head, it's stressful," she said.

To keep stress to a minimum and stay on task, Schofield recommends starting a notebook and making lists to keep yourself organized and save time. The real key is to get your planning under way ASAP.

Here are more of her helpful holiday tips:

KEEP A SCHEDULE List the many things you have to work around: check office and school calendars (will your kids need holiday costumes for school performances?); note when you have to get things in the mail so they're received on time, when you're going to decorate the tree, events going on in the community, and service projects for the family, such as adopting a family or volunteering at the food bank.

GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW Also list who you want to give gifts to; who your kids want to give gifts to and what they want to give; things you want to make vs. things you want to buy; and your Christmas card recipients. (Most experts also agree that this is time to evaluate your budget. Be realistic. You'll want to be able to stick to it!)

Illusion Emerald Lace is stunning sweet potato

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Ornamental sweet potatoes rule! I just returned from speaking to a group, called Pascagoula Pride, that takes city beautification seriously. As I drove through town, I could not help but admire their effective use of the lime green ornamental sweet potatoes.

Much of the country has already experienced killing frost, but along the Gulf Coast, winter is still held at bay. Regardless of where you live, everyone should consider using the ornamental sweet potato in next spring's plantings.

We have grown accustomed to seeing the ornamental sweet potatoes Marguerite and the dark purple selection called Blackie. Countless other selections are available, some with heart-shaped leaves. Then the Sweet Caroline series made its debut and was an instant hit. These became known as the "behaved" sweet potatoes. They are vigorous, but they are a little less aggressive, and their spread can be kept in check.

Next year will bring a new selection sure to become an instant hit. It is called Illusion Emerald Lace, and like the name suggests, it has a lacy look by sweet potato standards. It is deeply toothed and much more compact in habit, but it still packs plenty of vigor.

Illusion Emerald Lace is lime green to chartreuse, and it will be the perfect spiller plant in mixed containers. It responds very well to cutting back or pinching and will make a basket as pretty as a Boston fern. It also can be grown in typical fashion as a showy groundcover.

Cheat Sheet: Which snow thrower best meets your needs?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:45 EST

Continuing our efforts to get homes ready for winter, this week's tips will focus on rearranging the tons of snow that some weather forecasters predict this year.

I say rearranging, because it will all melt, even if the process takes a couple of weeks, and the goal of any homeowner should be to get as much snow as possible out of harm's way.

In 1996, we had a 36-inch snowfall on Jan. 7 and 8. I bought a snow thrower in December 1996 in preparation for another horrific snowstorm.

That came on Dec. 31, 2000, four years later, but I was ready.

I still have the snow thrower, but prefer the shovel, even with a driveway five car-lengths long - acquired five years after the snow thrower.

Staging tips that can help sell a home

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Staging a home for sale can set it apart from the competition and make it inviting to the greatest number of buyers. Kiplinger's Personal Finance has these suggestions for staging your home for less than $1,000:

-Stage it virtually. This option is aimed at empty homes, because photos of bare walls and floors can make online shoppers lose interest. You just snap photos of the empty rooms and send them to a virtual stager, who uses computer imagery to "furnish" them. The photos can be posted online or used in marketing materials.

Kiplinger's says prices range from around $200 for three rooms to $325 for five rooms, although rates vary by city. Type "virtual staging" into an online search engine to find companies.

-Pay for a plan, but provide the muscle. Many stagers will work as consultants, touring your house and offering suggestions on presenting it. Barb Schwarz, founder of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, says the average fee for a consultation is $350.

Then it's up to you to do the cleaning, decluttering and rearranging. Kiplinger's suggests renting a portable storage unit if you have a lot of stuff to store. One company, PODS, will deliver the unit to your driveway for $75, transport it to a secure storage facility for another $75 and charge you a monthly storage fee of around $150, depending on where you live, the time of year and other factors.

Preventive maintenance will keep your appliances humming along

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Taking the time to do a little preventative maintenance on household items is far less costly than having to replace a soiled carpet, broken vacuum cleaner or scratched TV.

The October 2009 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has tricks to make 23 household products last.

APPLIANCES

Clothes washer - Don't overload it! That wears down the machine.

Dishwashers - Periodically remove any debris from the filter and the bottom of the machine.

Do-it-yourselfer Q&A

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Q. There are a number of narrow cracks in my popcorn ceiling. Is there something I can inject into these cracks to repair them and restore the appearance of the ceiling? - D. Cornwell

A. A number of products are available to repair defects in popcorn (textured) ceilings, but it isn't normally as easy as just injecting some sealer into a crack. Cracks repaired that way - by squirting a bead of acrylic caulk into them, for example - are likely to reopen and need more extensive repairs. Typically, to properly fix a crack, the crack is widened and the old popcorn scraped off down to the drywall. A special popcorn-repair material, such as is included in the Homax Acoustic Ceiling Repair Kit, is then spread into the bare area with a small, pump-like tool. The tool can be adjusted to give various common popcorn-ceiling textures such as orange peel, stipple, and knock-down (a random pattern that alternates smooth and rough areas). You should be able to find some special popcorn-ceiling repair materials at a home center near you or you can buy repair kits on the Internet.

Some products are applied with aerosol spray containers. When the new popcorn is dry, it should be given a coat of oil-based primer. Repairs usually mean that the entire ceiling must be repainted to restore its appearance. Painting can be tricky, since latex paint will often soften old popcorn and cause it to fall off. Readers have told me that they successfully painted popcorn with latex paint after first giving it a sealer coat of oil-based primer.

Before attempting any repairs to a popcorn ceiling, however, you should determine whether it contains asbestos. Tampering with asbestos, of course, is a serious health hazard. Ceilings more than about 25 years old can contain asbestos and should be tested before any work is done on them. For more information on dealing with asbestos, visit www.epa.gov and enter Asbestos in Your Home in the search space.

Q. We have a brick walkway that is shaded by trees and over the years has developed a black coating that makes it very slippery, especially when it is wet. How can we correct this without damaging the lawn at the sides of the walkway? -B. Peterson

Home energy Q&A

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

A GUIDE TO HOME ENERGY SAVING STRATEGIES (Part 1 of 3)

It occurred to me a couple of weeks ago that after 24 years of writing this weekly column for hundreds of newspapers around the country, it might be time to do something else with my spare time, so this is the last chance you're going to get to hear from me in this newspaper. I'm taking my laptop and riding off into the sunset (in my hybrid Prius, of course).

But before I go, I'd like to leave you with some general thoughts on a number of key steps to saving energy and keeping your house more comfortable - sort of like my "greatest hits." I've been going through the stack of file boxes with all my column information in my office, and two things have jumped out at me. First, I estimate that I've received nearly 20,000 emails and letters from readers over the years, so if I never answered a letter or message you sent me, maybe now you'll understand why. Second, before stopping this column, I'd like to emphasize one more time that making your home energy-efficient does a lot more than just lower your utility bills. Your home will be more comfortable, durable, and even a healthier place in which to live.

You'll hear less outdoor noise, have better control over moisture and temperature, and probably need less home maintenance.

The following recommendations deal with those topics that readers have asked about the most. Maybe they'll give you some ideas for things you can do in your own home or apartment to lower energy bills and maximize indoor comfort, even in the coldest days of winter or the hottest ones in summer.

Home and garden news and notes

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

WHAT'S NEW: TABLETS CLEAN DISHWASHERS

Whirlpool Corp., which makes Affresh cleaning tablets for clothes washers, has a new product for dishwashers and garbage disposals.

Affresh Dishwasher and Disposal Cleaner targets food residue that causes odors. It's safe for septic tanks and plumbing as well as dishwashers and disposals, the company says.

To clean a dishwasher, you run the empty machine through a cycle with one Affresh tablet in the main dishwasher detergent tray and another in either the prewash tray or the bottom of the dishwasher. To clean a disposal, you place a tablet in the unit, run hot water over it and then let it sit for 30 minutes.

A package of six tablets has a suggested retail price of $5.99. The product is available at major home appliance dealers and http://www.affresh.com.

Rooftop veg plots taking root in Japanese cities

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

During his lunch breaks, Hayato Kashiwagi slips out of his office in Tokyo and heads for a nearby building where, on the rooftop three stories up, he tends a garden teeming with vegetables.

As he waters the vegetables, Kashiwagi surveyed the bountiful crop. "This is an oasis that allows me to forget all about work," the 25-year-old said.

An increasing number of young Japanese workers are now finding fulfillment in growing vegetables in urban plots during their break times or on their way home.

Most urban plots are located on rooftops - providing office workers seeking a way to reduce the stress of everyday life with easy access to a patch of green space filled with vegetables such as eggplant, carrot, lettuce and tomato.

Kashiwagi's office is located in the Kanda-Surugadai district of Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Kashiwagi, an employee of an incorporated association, said he visits the nearby rooftop garden once or twice a week.

10 questions with glass man Simon Pearce

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Simon Pearce is a household name in handcrafted glassware and pottery.

Growing up in Ireland, Pearce followed in the footsteps of his father and older brother, Stephen, by studying pottery. When Pearce was in his late teens, antique glass caught his attention. He began glassblowing, apprenticing with renowned glassmakers at the Leerdam glass factory in the Netherlands, Venini in Italy and Orrefors and Boda in Sweden.

Seeking independence from European business constraints and high energy costs, in 1981 Pearce moved his studio from Ireland to Quechee, Vt. Visitors can see a restored mill, interact with glassblowers and watch potters. Pearce opened a restaurant in Quechee that serves food and drink on Simon Pearce products, and later launched another one in West Chester, Pa. Simon Pearce, the company, is now headquartered in Windsor, Vt. Visitors can tour the site and a third manufacturing location in Maryland.

Simon Pearce tableware and other home accents can be purchased at various locations. For more information, go to www.simonpearce.com.

We caught up with Pearce by telephone.

Homemade liqueurs: Gifts to sip and savor

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:10 EST

Homemade gifts from the kitchen are culinary treasures. They have a personal touch and in these challenging economic times, a present from hearth and heart seems especially meaningful. So when I spied A.J. Rathbun's new book, "Luscious Liqueurs" (Harvard Common Press, $12.95) I knew I'd found the blueprint for my '08 holiday gifts.

I have fond memories of making coffee liqueur decades ago, and bottling it in small mismatched bottles and jars. It was delicious served on its own. But it was over-the-moon delectable served on the rocks along with some vodka and chilled cream, or used to spike steaming cups of coffee. And, perhaps best of all, the liqueur was downright uncomplicated to prepare.

"Yes, they're pretty darn easy to make," says author A.J. Rathbun, seasoned party host and master mixologist. "The waiting is the hardest part. You need to allow time for all the components to get acquainted. In most recipes, the base spirit takes a couple of weeks."

Once the initial mixture sits for two weeks, it's often augmented with a sweetened mixture (such as simple syrup) and allowed to sit another couple of weeks. But for the gift-giver in a hurry, he suggests the Irish Cream Liqueur, a scrumptious treat that can be prepared and served the same day, or refrigerated up to two weeks.

Rathbun says that liqueurs are a little piece of gourmet heaven. His liqueur lust started on an Italian vacation when he tasted ice-cold limoncello for the first time. The bright yellow, lemony cordial was the perfect blend of sweet and citrusy-tart flavors.

It's a storage unit and it's home

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:08 EST

Maria Maior's son is a football-playing, skateboard-riding, Xbox-loving kid whose home reveals all the trappings of domesticity: a cushy sofa, big-screen TV, a framed poster of Brian Urlacher, one of the 12-year-old's favorite football players. On most evenings, two big dogs curl up on the carpeting.

The scene could be lifted from any suburban subdivision - except that it's located not in a den, but in a storage unit.

The boy moved into the 10-by-25-foot bunker about two months ago with his mom and her fiance, after a long run of bad luck and the loss of both their jobs.

"As long as I have my parents, I'm fine with this," Maior's son says of the accommodations. "It's really not that bad."

School district officials say the boy is one of a record number of area students living in motels, campgrounds, shelters, cars and, yes, storage facilities.

How to select the right vacuum cleaner

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:14 EST

No one desires to plunk down hundreds for a vacuum cleaner. It's a boring purchase. But when the old clunker just doesn't suck anymore, it's time for a new model - and fast. Having bought four vacuums in the past seven years I have a decent idea of which dirt demolishing sidekicks make the best appliances and which ones don't make the grade.

1. Decide between upright and canister.

Upright vacuums are more common and definitely better for carpeted surfaces. Canisters, on the other hand, are more stable on stairs and clean hard wood and tile well. Most canister vacuums are more expensive than traditional uprights.

2. Pick a model that weighs 20 lbs. or less.

Especially if you have to haul it up a flight of stairs. Anything really heavy is a burden and will kill your back. Always test out models that strap on to the shoulder or back before purchasing.

People make room in their homes to accommodate their growing passion: Wine

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:26 EST

Wine is climbing like a vine to a top role in the American home.

Home-decor catalogs are filled with items related to corks, labels, bottles and barrels. New homes are constructed with wine bars and even cellars. Neighborhood block parties are turning into wine tastings. What gives?

"There is something sexy about it," said Ryan Sciara, managing partner of Cellar Rat Wine Merchants in Kansas City, Mo. "Even my sister, who doesn't drink wine, decorates with it."

The 37-year-old Sciara, who will be a contestant on Season 2 of the public television reality series "The Winemakers," sees the correlation of wine's rise in popularity with its pricing. As drinkable wines from Spain and Australia became available for $10 or less, more people invested because it was a way to travel the world without buying a plane ticket.

"Wine has become more democratic," said Samantha Nestor, author of the new book, "Living With Wine" (Clarkson Potter, $75). "It's no longer a club for sommeliers and rich businessmen. A single working woman is just as likely to become a collector as anyone else."

Take your time with a home fix-up strategy

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:21 EDT

You're thinking of selling - but not just yet. Let's say you've got a five-year plan to prepare an older, lived-in house for sale.

Maybe you're faced with tattered carpets, battered appliances and dingy paint. Or maybe we're talking about truly scary problems, such as asbestos, underground oil tanks or leaking roofs.

What should you take care of first? What can wait? What can be ignored altogether? And how do you keep costs under control?

"Basically what we're talking about is good, solid preventive maintenance on your home," said Barbara Weissmann of Friedberg Properties in River Vale, N.J. She recommends that homeowners looking at a sale down the road hire a home inspector to check out the house. "You're looking to discover defects that you can fix over time," she said.

She and other experts say it's possible to get a house ready for market without spending a fortune, especially if you have time on your side. And if you're going to fix up the property anyway, Weissmann said, "why not do it several years in advance so you can enjoy it?"