A Lake House With Definite Flair

Transcription

A Lake House With Definite Flair
GREATER KALAMAZOO HOME IDEA GUIDE & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
COMPLIMENTARY
SPRING 2016
A Lake House With Definite Flair
GET AWAY SPACE: BRING SERENITY HOME
2016 HOME & GARDEN EXPO
ROOM WITH A VIEW
2 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
©
Feature Home
( ON THE COVER )
21
CONTENTS
Lake living is a family tradition for Tim and
Ava Green, one they are carrying on in
their newly remodeled home on Austin
Lake. Large graphics on a sign painted
by Ava remind visitors to take advantage
of their proximity to the water's edge.
13
Creating a Get-Away Space
7
15
Zazios Spring Mussels
What the Best-Dressed Houses are Wearing
17
31
9
Gardening: At the Expo and at Home
Windows provide a Room with a View
4 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Home & Garden Expo
March 10-13, 2016
Great Things Local
©
VOL. 23, NO. 1
Spring 2016
PUBLISHER
O’Keefe Publishing, Inc.
EDITOR
John O’Keefe
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Donna O’Keefe
ADVERTISING
John O’Keefe
johno@jbprinting.com
269-547-0333
349-9601 (JB Printing)
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Zinta Aistars
Kaye Bennett
Zolton Cohen
Linda Hoard
PRODUCTION
O’Keefe Publishing, Inc.
PRINTING & MAILING
by JB PRINTING CO.*
Terri Bennett, Jerry Elkins,
John Fahl, Mike Fahl,
Randy Fischer, Brian Fulbright,
Carl Gillespie, Ray Healey,
Dianne Lane, Shannon Long,
Mike Majors, Bert Meinema,
Dawn Taggart, Austin Whipple
* JB Printing is an O’Keefe Publishing company,
and is the first printing company to be designated as
a Clean Corporate Citizen by the Michigan DEQ
Welcome Home Magazine© is published quarterly
Welcome Home Magazine
3111 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048
Phone 269-547-0333 / 269-349-9601
okeefepublishing@sbcglobal.net
www.welcomehomekzoo.com
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited
manuscripts or photos, and they will not be returned to
sender unless accompanied by return postage.
Copyright©. All Rights Reserved - No part of this
publication may be reproduced without written
permission from the publisher.
Errors: The Publisher will not be responsible beyond
the charges for the advertisement itself, for errors,
misprints or omissions.
Welcome Home Magazine reserves the right to edit
or reject advertising which may be objectionable by law
or considered undesirable by the Publisher.
Information in this magazine on products and
projects is from sources believed by the publisher
to be authoritative. The publisher, however, cannot
assume responsibility for damages, losses or injuries
resulting from the use of any of these products
or involvement in any of these projects. Before undertaking any project, you should be certain that it is
suitable to your skills. Consult with professionals, if
necessary, and observe safety precautions. Before
using any product, you should study and understand
the manufacturer’s instructions.
Welcome Home Magazine is owned and published
by O’Keefe Publishing.
It’s all about you,
Kalamazoo
A New Addition to the Welcome Mat in Kalamazoo
Keith Crowell
Since arriving in Kalamazoo in the late ‘80s I’ve come to understand that for all the
wonderful attractions growing and welcoming visitors to our region, there’s no stronger
magnet in our community than its magnificent reputation for hospitality and compassion.
The Home Builders Association loves being a part of this.
Since 1946, the members of the HBA of Western Michigan have considered it their
rewarding responsibility to find ways to contribute their skills and energy for the good of
community and neighbors.
Often times projects are accomplished quietly by individual members who hear about
a need and step forward on their own; other projects are planned and completed as a
coordinated effort of the HBA and our nearly 400 members.
In recent years projects have included ramps for the disabled, houses for Habitat for
Humanity families, home repairs for seniors, and the complete Tree of Life School that
stands as a striking beacon in the Edison neighborhood. (And now after just four years,
plans are being made to double its size with an assist from a volunteer HBA project
manager and his many friends in their “free” time!)
And now we look forward to one of the HBA’s most compassionate and ambitious
undertakings yet.
The HBA of Western Michigan and Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan are
pleased to announce a brand new partnership to build a seven bedroom residential home
for the families of loved ones requiring medical care in Kalamazoo. Located on Henson
Avenue on land donated by Borgess Medical Center, this compassionate haven will
welcome visitors from throughout the region who would otherwise bear the expense of
staying in a hotel, live out of their car, or sleep in hospital waiting rooms.
Hospital Hospitality House is operated on donations and it is 100% free to guests; your
donations are welcomed to help meet construction needs. Groundbreaking is anticipated
for later this spring with completion in early 2017. Following that, HHH is committed to
building a second house near Bronson and we expect to be partners for that one as well.
As we look ahead to the HBA’s annual Home and Garden Expo, March 10-13 at the
fairgrounds, plan on coming by and meeting many of the men and women who will be
donating their time and products to make these homes real. Last year more than 10,000
people visited Expo and space for the 2016
Expo sold out long ago.
There’s definitely an air of excitement in the
region’s homebuilding community and we
believe the Hospital Hospitality House will
be another great addition to Kalamazoo’s
enormous welcome mat.
Keith Crowell,
CEO of the Home Builders Association
of Western Michigan
It’s all about you, Kalamazoo©
is a feature of Welcome Home Magazine.
Great Things Local
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 5
After 12 years of cooking up Italian cuisine, Zazios has switched things up. The Kalamazoo restaurant recently went
through a renovation and rebrand, which includes a new menu, a new space and new VIP experiences for diners. While
there are still Italian staples like fettucine and rigatoni, Zazios’ new menu places emphasis on flavors from all over the
world, while still utilizing local food sources. The Zazios team refers to the new menu theme “where global meets local.”
The menu isn’t the only major change that has happened at Zazios. The restaurant’s interior went through a complete
revamp, including new interior design, an expanded private dining room, and state of the art audio visual capabilities.
Zazios has also rolled out Beyond the Plate, where members get behind-the-scenes access. The program is free to join and
includes VIP experiences such as first tastes, recipes, kitchen tours and more. To get more information about the new
Zazios, visit zazios.com
16
2
2
2
4
2
2
2
4
each
oz.
oz.
oz.
oz.
slices
Prince Edward Island Mussels
Blanched asparagus
Sweated leeks
Diced link chorizo
Light beer of choice (I prefer IPA’s)
Grilled bread of your choice
(I enjoy baguette)
Tbl.
Butter
Tbl.
Olive oil
Leaves Chopped Basil
Kosher Salt to taste
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat
Add in the mussels and season with kosher salt
Saute for a few minutes tossing the mussels in the hot oil
Add in the diced chorizo, asparagus, and leek and warm
through
Add in your favorite light beer and allow to reduce by
about half
Mount the sauce with the butter to thicken and toss in the
chopped basil
Season to taste and add the grilled bread on the side
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 7
Photo courtesy of Abode Building Center & Kolbe
Room with a View
By Zinta Aistars
A room without windows is, well, a box. Windows invite
natural light and fresh air into a room. Windows can be a
room’s best decorative feature. How to choose the right ones?
The many options in choosing windows for your home
can be overwhelming. Prices can vary from a few hundred to
thousands of dollars. When looking for new or replacement
windows for your home, consider styles, materials, maintenance, installation, and energy efficiency.
“The first step is to make an appointment and stop in at
your local window store,” says Steve Stanley at Pella Windows
& Doors by Horne, 6150 Lovers Lane, Portage. “Set up an
appointment. That way you get dedicated time with a
professional who can answer all your questions. Visit the
showroom so you can see and touch the windows in person
and have a chance to operate them. It will take about an hour
of your time, but it’s well worth it.”
The first consideration for most window shoppers will
be style.
“Anything you can imagine, if we don’t carry it, we can
make it, standard or custom,” says Jeff Everts at Hannapel
Home Center, 8800 Shaver Road, Portage.
“Trends today tend toward contemporary, narrow with
straight lines, lots of glass,” Stanley adds. “We can also add
custom grills, another popular trend. It’s an inexpensive way
to add character.”
Whatever style you choose—single or double-hung,
sliding, hopper or awning—it can affect the degree of
insulation the window provides. Style can make a difference in
air circulation and infiltration. You may want to install
windows for optimum air flow in some areas of your home
while adding air-tight windows in other areas.
Single-pane windows are operable (slide up and down or
tilt in) only on the bottom sash with the top sash fixed in place.
Double-hung windows are operable on both top and bottom
sashes and tilt in for easy cleaning. Sliding windows move from
side to side on a track. Casement windows hinge on the side
and open with a crank. Awning windows also open with a
crank but are hinged at the top, while hopper windows open
from the top and swing inward.
“Style is also about the type of glass you choose,” adds Bob
Kemp at Abode Building Center, 8308 Shaver Road, Portage.
“It depends on how much you want to spend, but remember
that you get what you pay for when it comes to quality.”
Different types of glass and the glazing on the glass can
make a difference in the quality of light passing through the
window, insulation, and resistance to condensation.
Another important factor in choosing windows is their
energy efficiency.
Everts explains: “All windows have an NFRC rating on
them. That stands for National Fenestration Rating Council. It
rates how well the window keeps hot and cold air out, light and
condensation. But there’s also the Energy Star rating by the
EPA. Since January of this year, ratings have become even more
stringent for the SHGC—that’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient—
and it can be different depending on what region you live in. It
rates how much sun is allowed to transfer into your home.”
“You also want to look for the U-value,” says Kemp.
“People know about the R-value for insulation in a wall, but
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 9
10 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
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the U-value is that rating for windows,
how little heat they allow to escape. You
want to look for a rating of .30 or lower.”
“We suggest you weigh the upfront
cost of higher efficiency glass,” Everts
advises. “If you’re getting payback
within two to five years, that’s good, but
if it’s going to take 25 years to get your
investment back, that’s paying too
much.”
Most retailers offer installation
on small, simple jobs, but hire subcontractors for larger installations or
new construction. Proper installation
prevents water leakage, insures a good
seal, and prevents condensation. Leave
the measurements to the experts—it will
save you headaches later. After that, it’s
up to the homeowner to maintain the
windows.
“Windows are a big investment,”
Stanley says. “Specific windows need
different types of care, but any window
should be opened and shut now and
then to keep it operable.”
Window experts agree that a little
bit of maintenance can go a long way to
keep your windows looking good
and operating as they should. Aside
from wiping them down regularly
to remove any dirt and debris, and
lubricating hardware, check caulking
and weather-stripping to see if it needs
to be replaced.
Now and then, however, a window
needs to be replaced—or you may
simply choose to update your “eye on
the world.”
Photo courtesy of Hannapel Home Center & Andersen
“Replacement windows are the
biggest portion of the window market,”
says Stanley. “There are two types:
pocket replacement windows that fit into
an existing frame, and full replacement.”
Replacement
windows
mean
choosing
standard
windows
or
custom-made. Most window retailers
offer both, including replacement
windows that adhere to historical
replications for older homes. While standard replacements can be cost-effective
Great Things Local
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and simple to install, a full replacement
gives the homeowner the opportunity to
update the surrounding insulation and
can be a better long-term solution.
Learn more at efficientwindows.org
(look for the “window selection guide”)
or check energy.gov to learn about
energy ratings. Then visit the professionals at window retailers in your
neighborhood.
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 11
12 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
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Photo courtesy of HGTV
Creating a Get-Away Space: Bringing Serenity Home
By Kaye Bennett
A man-cave it is not. Whatever you call it, a get-away room
or a meditation center or a serenity space, this area in your
home is a far cry from the raucous, sports-bar-like, snack-and
beer-filled hub that has become popular in many homes today.
Instead, some homeowners are opting to dedicate a corner
or even a room of the house--or more--to the quiet side of their
lives: meditation, prayer, yoga or whatever peace-inducing
practices appeal to them.
Yolanda Mitts has practiced yoga for 40 years and
teaches it at both the Kalamazoo and Portage branches of
the YMCA. When her youngest son left for college in 1999,
Mitts appropriated his bedroom for the yoga center she’d
long desired. Her room incorporates a TV and CD player, to
accommodate the programs that lead her through the practice,
plus books and an open space for movement. She’s also
included an inspirational item from her mother, who had an
interest in Hinduism: a saying from the Rig Veda: “Truth is one;
sages call it by various names.”
Mitts says that, ideally, a home for the yoga practitioner
would include two rooms: An open space for the physical poses
and stretches of Hatha yoga, with storage space for the blocks,
cushions, mats, straps and blankets required. A wall-mounted
TV in this area, says Mitts would be ideal, as it would free up
floor space. The second room would be for meditation, and
would have a much more calming atmosphere. Mitts describes
the ideal contemplative space: “It should be simple, not
cluttered. A low shelf could offer a focal point for a candle or
inspirational statue.”
Mitts says that her home yoga time is usually uninterrupted, since her husband understands that she’s seeking
quiet and aloneness during those hours. “The only one who
interrupts me,” she says, “is the cat. When that happens, it
becomes cat yoga.”
Maureen Dobbie, a nurse practitioner who lives in
Vicksburg, also realized her dream of creating a separate,
dedicated prayer and meditation space after her sons left home.
Dobbie’s room is a former walk-in closet that has been
decorated using cream and gold fabric on the walls and other
surfaces to help create a peaceful sanctuary.
A practicing Sikh, Dobbie says it is important to members
of her religious community to dedicate a place of honor, on a
raised table, to display the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, their holy
text. “We create a place intentionally that we can come to focus,
meditate and pray,” she says. She also keeps the instruments
she uses in her contemplations, a harmonium and drums, as
well as other prayer books, photos and incense, that help foster
what she refers to as “one-pointedness of mind, body and
spirit.” She adds, “It’s important to me to begin and end every
day with prayer and meditation.”
In addition to her meditation room, Dobbie says she has a
touchstone in various rooms throughout her house. “It can be
a shell, a stone, a candle or a piece of art,” she says, “but it’s
a reminder for me to exhale and be grateful for being. It’s
important in my life to find and maintain balance within mind,
body and spirit. As I am better able to maintain this balance,
I feel I am better able to maintain peaceful and healthy
relationships with all I encounter.”
Designer Marla Bruemmer is the owner of Design
Evolutions, in Kalamazoo and South Haven. She has designed
prayer rooms and altars for homes and about 10 years ago,
she designed an entire Kalamazoo house according to the
principles of Vastu shastra, which Bruemmer describes as the
Indian equivalent of feng shui. A handbook described every
detail of the house her design needed to adhere to; the book,
to make it more challenging, was written in a language
Bruemmer did not understand, so it had to be translated word
Great Things Local
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 13
Photo courtesy of Pinterest
by word to give her the directions.
Once her sketches for the home were
complete, they needed to be sent to India
for a blessing. The entire process was
incredibly complicated and fascinating,
she says.
Since designing their home,
Bruemmer says she’s become great
friends with the family members who
were her clients. “There’s no way you
can go through a project like that and not
develop a relationship.” Whether it’s an
entire house or an altar or a room,
Bruemmer says that designs that reflect a
person’s spiritual beliefs and practices
require the designer to learn a lot about
the homeowners’ life style and what is
important to them.
Susan Jensen Smith of Fine
Gardening Magazine says that your
meditation space should include what
makes you happy and comfortable,
whether that’s a piece of art, inspiring
quotes, water, lighting or candles. She
suggests that space could be carved out
from a closet, the end of a hallway, a
corner of a room, the basement or the
garden or yard. Annie Schwemmer and
Ann Robinson of the Deseret News
advocate a get-away room as a place to
escape from the noise of modern homes,
filled as they are with electronics, televisions, computers, appliances and people.
“Today’s lifestyle favors open and
accessible design to support our more
informal and spontaneous gatherings,”
they write. “Yet we all crave some peace
and quiet. . . so we must be intentional
in our home designs about providing
opportunities to get away from it all.”
Whatever you call it, whatever you
use it for and however you design it, just
remember that your get-away room is
just that: the chance to dial down the
volume and the distractions of daily life
and attain the peace that is so often
lacking in modern life.
14 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
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Photo courtesy of James Hardie Co.
What the Best-Dressed Houses are Wearing
By Kaye Bennett
When a household chore only needs to be done once every
30 or 40 or 50 years, it’s easy to forget how to do it. Not to
mention the fact that there may just have been a few product
developments in the last half century or so. That’s certainly the
case with home exteriors. Time-honored products, such as brick
and stone and vinyl siding, are still available and are still
favored by many homeowners. But, experts say, there are some
new choices that you might want to consider if you’re tackling
the once- or twice-in-a-lifetime job of re-siding your home.
When is it that time? Brett Riggins, who works in sales,
estimating and design at Pennings & Sons, in Kalamazoo, says
that, when old vinyl siding displays color fading, it may be a
symptom of a larger problem. The real trouble occurs if siding
turns brittle over time, which can cause a hole or holes to
develop (as when the lawn mower kicks up stones). Holes in
siding (or flashing problems) can introduce water, which can
eventually find its way to the inside of your house.
Vinyl siding is tough, says Riggins, and it takes a very long
time to see such damage, but the wise homeowner will keep an
eye on the exterior, just to make sure all is well. When it comes
to fixing problem areas, Riggins warns the DIY-er to know
where water leaks originate: “If you caulk the wrong spot,” he
says, “you can actually direct or trap water under the siding.”
So, if for those reasons or others, you’ve decided that the
time has come, what to choose? Riggins says the two most
popular siding products his company sells are vinyl and fiber
cement.
Vinyl remains a very popular choice because of its relative
price and low maintenance, he says. Washing with vinegar and
water or a general cleaning compound (check vinylsiding.org
for a list of cleaners for specific types of dirt) and a garden hose
(nearly everyone warns against power washers, due to the
chance that they can introduce water under the siding) can be
done every one to five years to keep vinyl intact and looking
great. Vinyl products generally have a life span of 25 to 30 years.
Fiber cement is newer and even tougher, says Riggins. One
of the most popular brands is from James Hardie Co., and
is available in custom colors, for homeowners who have very
specific ideas about the color they want. These products are
more expensive than vinyl, but, if a mower or weed-eater kicks
stones on them, the siding may dent, but is less likely than vinyl
to crack and let water find a way in. Fiber cement products
carry a 30-year warrantee, but may last for 50 years or so, says
Riggins.
Woodwork Specialties Co., on Ravine Road in Kalamazoo,
also lists James Hardie fiber cement and vinyl as its top
products for home siding. Scott Meyer is in sales at the
company. Fiber cement is one of Meyer’s best sellers, he says,
because it is resistant to insect, bird, rot and decay damage; it
comes primed and pre-finished; and it can be used to achieve
different “looks,” such as stucco or board and batten. Newer
vinyl products, Meyer says, also offer different looks,
including a product that looks like cedar shakes.
Jack Lengacher is president of J&N Stone, a family
company in Wakarusa, Indiana, started by his parents in 1973.
Since 1980, J&N has been manufacturing man-made stone, a
concrete-based product made from lightweight aggregate, with
color from iron oxide dyes. Southwest Michigan is included in
the territory the company serves.
Lengacher says this manufactured stone requires no sealer
and no upkeep and “should be there for the lifetime of the
structure.” Cost wise, he says, the J&N product compares to the
cost of brick and is about half the cost of natural stone, and
sun and weather extremes don’t affect man-made stone. If
homeowners want shutters, J&N installs a shutter block around
windows, since the siding itself, like real stone, is irregular and
special blocking is required.
You can’t talk about home exteriors without mentioning
brick. Rhonda Belden is marketing manager of Belden Brick
and Supply; the Beldens have been in the brick business since
1885, and now have offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and
Saginaw.
A brick home, says Belden, may have higher upfront
costs than houses sided with other materials, but the real
value shows up in the long term, with benefits like lack of
maintenance; high resale value (brick adds, on average, five to
10 percent to a home’s value); energy cost savings; withstanding wind, fire and pests; longevity; and timeless style.
Great Things Local
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 15
Photo courtesy of Belden Brick & Supply
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Belden points out that brick is not truly a form of siding, but
is “the structure of your home...you see brick homes still standing after enduring a hurricane, tornado or fire.”
Belden says that some people have the idea that bricks come
in just one size and they’re all red. In reality, she points out, “You
can find a brick in about any earth tone, fitting almost all design
needs.” She says, that, for example, “you can go modern with a
smooth texture, gray in color, or even black, and long and thin.”
There is one complaint that the Beldens have been hearing
about brick homes: People say that there aren’t enough of them
16 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
around here. “With West Michigan being a thriving area and
many people newly transferring from other areas, they prefer to
purchase a brick home and there are very few to be found. We
are definitely seeing a surge in new home construction being
built with brick.”
Some older exterior choices have fallen out of favor in recent years. Natural cedar siding, like aluminum, says Riggins, is
usually called for these days only if he is asked to match a
house’s older or original siding. For total house redo’s and new
builds, owners are far more likely to choose one of the newer
options.
Siding is to your house what skin is to your body: It keeps
the outside out and the inside in. Take good care of both and
they can protect what’s inside for a lifetime.
Great Things Local
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Welcome to the
Home & Garden
Expo
Dear Friends,
March 10-13, 2016
Welcome to the
2016 Home an
d Garden Expo
of Western Mich
. As the current
igan, and as a lon
president of the
g time exhibito
great pride in thi
HBA
r in this extraor
s year’s showca
dinary event, I
se.
take
For me, Expo
is an opportunit
y to soak in the
of what’s next
latest in home
for consumers,
trends, get a pr
and maybe best
more than 10,00
eview
of all, catch up
0 people at las
with old friends
t year’s Expo tha
. With
t was a lot of old
fri
en
When you visit
ds!
Expo be sure an
d stop by to se
to check out the
e me in booth
latest in my pr
20
1,
ofession, home
either to say hi
entertainment
or
and automation
.
Thur 3pm-8pm | Fri 12-9pm
Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 11am-4pm
About the
Home & Garden Expo
The Home Expo, Southwest Michigan’s premier
home and garden show, is an official event of the
Home Builders Association of Western Michigan. It
will be held at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center
on March 10-13, 2016.
Each year the Home Expo showcases new
building trends, products, ideas, and inspiration!
Whether you are a homeowner, looking to buy, or
plan to build a new home, this is a great familyfriendly event. The Home Expo also features a
selection of educational sessions, special show
discounts, and activities for the kids.
Come visit our exhibitors from landscapers,
to painters and so much more all under one
roof - everything you could need for your home.
Don’t miss this year’s Home & Garden Expo.
Special thanks to our 2016 Presenting Sponsor,
Consumers Energy.
Ticket Information
Get your tickets in advance at Kalamazoo Area:
Lake Michigan Credit Unions - $8
• 3326 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI
• 435 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI
• 4084 W. Centre St., Portage, MI
• 106 Grand St., Schoolcraft, MI
• 487 South Drake Rd., Kalamazoo, MI
• 6170 West Main, Kalamazoo, MI
Harding’s locations - $8
• 8900 Gull Rd., Richland, MI
• 6330 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI
• 3750 W. Centre St., Portage, MI
• 6430 W. Stadium Dr., Oshtemo, MI
• 5161 West Main, Kalamazoo, MI
• 2626 E Main St., Kalamazoo, MI
• 54 W. Michigan, Galesburg, MI
• 618 N. Riverview, Parchment, MI
• 114 S. Farmer St., Otsego, MI
Sincerely,
Troy Cuvelier,
President
HBA of Wester
n Michigan
Regular Adult
Tickets are $10
at the door.
Children 12 &
under are
FREE
Seminars & Schedules
Friday, March 11
3:00 p.m. West Michigan Glass Block – Egress Windows – Do I need one?
4:00 p.m. Wolgast Restoration – The Stress-Free Way to Handle a Property Insurance Claim
5:00 p.m. Migala Carpet One – Choosing the Perfect Floor
Saturday, March 12
12:00 p.m. (noon) Carter Lumber - Design and Build Your Dream Kitchen
1:00 p.m. Consumers Energy – Smart Energy Challenge: Learn More About Your Energy Use
2:00 p.m. Great Lakes Landscaping – Your Landscape Problems Solved Beautifully
3:00 p.m. Kent Home Services – Mastering Concrete Design & Repair
4:00 p.m. EPS Security - Feel Safe in Your Home With EPS Security
5:00 p.m. Wausau Homes – Kalamazoo East - Building With Components
6:00 p.m. Two Men And A Truck – Moving Made Easy with Two Men And A Truck
7:00 p.m. Wolgast Restoration – The Stress-Free Way to Handle a Property Insurance Claim
Sunday, March 13
1:00 p.m. Locey Swim and Spa - Pool and Spa 101
2:00 p.m. Consumers Energy – Smart Energy Challenge: Learn More About Your Energy Use
3:00 p.m. Wausau Homes – Kalamazoo East – Basement Options
Home and Garden Expo 2016
March 10-13, 2016
Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Kalamazoo, MI
Presenting Sponsor
Corporate Sponsor
Exhibitors
1-800 Hansons
A1 Painting Management
Advantage Roofing & Exteriors
Advia Credit Union
All Green Lawn Corporation
All Season Window, Inc. *
All Weather Seal
All-Star Remodeling & Design
American Metal Roofs
Aqua Weed Control, Inc.
Aspen Contracting
Automation Design + Entertainment
Avalon Building Concepts
Ayers Basement Systems
Bartholomew Heating & Cooling, Inc.
and Energy Saving Services
Bath Fitter
424
162
427;
432
404
281
263;
283;
130
259
177; 1
245
119
189;
209;
128; 1
NEW THIS
YEAR
Be sure to visit Room A
to see local businesses,
home accents and
furnishings and other
surprises!
Welcome Home
Sonos Multi-Room Audio System
Ticket Sponsor
######
Giveaway
Sponsor
Enter
to win a...
Information
Provided By:
w w w. istm i.co m
* Delivery in Kalamazoo County included. Installation available for an additional fee. Winner responsible for any
taxes. Winner’s name and photo may be used for marketing purposes.
######
Drawing Entry IPAD Kiosk Locations
Need not be present to win
Presented by
Do not detach
Corporate Sponsor
Media Sponsors
Present this ticket at the door to receive admission for one adult (kids 12 and under are free) into the Home Expo .
One entry per person. Ticket redeemable for one day only.
Giveaway Sponsor
Garden Sponsor
Media Sponsors
Ticket Sponsor
Sem
428
264
284
178
190; 191; 192
210; 211
139
Before and After Homes
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Blackberry Systems, Inc.
Blue Line Remodeling, LLC
Bontrager Engine Service LLC *
Bullard Brothers, Inc.
Carter Lumber Company
CD Lawn Maintenance and Supply, LLC
Certapro Painters of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek
Chemical Bank *
Clark Brothers Construction, Inc.
Consumers Energy
Cooks Home Improvement
Culligan Water Solutions of Kalamazoo *
Custom Steel Designs, LLC *
D. L. Miller Woodworking *
Dan Wood Plumbing-Heating-Water
DeHaan Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
DeLoof Builders, LLC *
DeVisser Landscape Services
Dog Watch by k9 Keeper Fencing
Doors & Drawers
E. M. Sergeant Company
ECCU *
Eco Foam Insulating
Eco-Friendly Contracting, LLC
EPS Security
Everdry Waterproofing
Farrell Audio & Video
Fawley Overhead Door, Inc.
Gordon Water Systems
Granite Transformations
Grapids Irrigation
Great Lakes Landscapes
Great Lakes Waterproofing Company
Hettinger’s Backyard & Power Store
Hickory Builders
Honor Credit Union
Hoogstraten Builders, Inc.
Howe Patio & Windows
Integrated Smart Technologies
Invisible Fence of SW Michigan
Jacks Wholesale Windows & Design
Jaqua Realtor, Inc.
Johnson Group Builders
Kent Home Services
Kerkstra Precast Inc. *
Kitchen Craft
Klean Gutter Of Michigan
Knight Watch, Inc.
Kodiak Construction
L & N Carpet Cleaning
Lake Michigan Credit Union
CQ
minar Sponsor
277
241
234; 235; 248; 249
196
434; 435
422
202; 203
Garden G
420
101
423
204
131
111; 112
165; 166
197; 198; 199
132; 133; 134; 135
407; 408
218; 225; 219
Garden H
179; 180
216
256; 257
220
247
105; 106
137; 138
260
431
261; 270
286; 287; 288
136
118
Garden A
227
184; 185
107; 108
155
172
214; 215; 228; 229
201
147; 148
244
267
278
206
208
161; 174
411
403
115; 116
412
212; 213
Lawn Doctor of Kalamazoo-Portage
Leaf Filter North of Michigan
LeafGuard / Rain Drain
Liberty Square Furniture
Locey Swim & Spa
Loedemans Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Lumber Liquidators
Lyster Exteriors
Mattawan Mechanical Services, LLC
Mercantile Bank of Michigan *
Metzger’s, Inc. *
Midwest Gutter Systems, LLC
Migala Carpet One *
Millennium Home Design
Mobility Plus
Mosquito Shield of West Michigan
Mulder Glass/Four Seasons Sunrooms
Mulder’s Landscape Supplies, Inc.
Nature’s Breeze Mattress
Norris Heating and Cooling, LLC
Northpointe Bank *
Old National Bank
Overhead Door Company of Kalamazoo
Pella Windows & Doors by Horne
Pierson-Gibbs Homes, Inc.
PMV Custom Finishes
Polynesian Pool & Spa
Prime Lending
Pro Water Treatment *
Pumpkin Patch Market, Inc. *
Quality Touch Painting
R & A Water Features and Landscaping
Raber Patio Enclosures & Furniture, LLC
Re-Bath of SW Michigan/Darrell Burke Construction
RE/MAX Advantage
Renewal by Andersen
Republic Waste Services, Inc.
Rogers Refrigeration, Inc.
Roodbergen Pools & Spa
Sanderson - DeHaan Sprinkling
Sanderson’s Insulation
Sandstone Creation
Sherriff Goslin Roofing Company
Signature Wiring, LLC
Sir Home Improvement
Sleep Doctor, LLC
Smoker Builders, Inc.
Solar Winds Power System
Southern Michigan Pool Pros, LLC
Southwest Michigan Granite/West Michigan Quartz
Spartan Insulation & Coatings Company
Stanley Steemer
StayDry Basement Waterproofing
Steensma Lawn & Power Equipment
Stoney Acres Woodworking, LLC *
Sun & Shade Awning
SunSpace of West Michigan
The Furnace Guy
The Home Depot
The Kitchen Shop
Two Men and a Truck
Tyler Home Improvements
Van Tuinen Painting *
Vlietstra Bros., Inc. Pools & Spas
Wausau Homes Kalamazoo East
Weathergard Window
Wenke Flooring & Design *
West Michigan Chiropractic
West Michigan Glass Block
West Michigan Roofing, Inc
Wolgast Restoration
Garden B
146
187; 188
255; 275; 276
126; 127; 140; 141
207
117
239; 240; 242; 243
113; 114
205
436; 437
285; 433a
252
183
160
149
167; 168
Garden F
413; 414; 429; 430
401; 402
258
272
279; 280
232; 233; 250; 251
254
238
440; 441; 442
433b
405
153; 154; 181; 182
262; 269
Garden D; Garden E
417; 418; 419
169; 170; 171
195
163; 164
186
193; 194
221; 223; Garden C
217; 226
268
421
273; 274
173
282
122; 123; 124; 143; 144; 145
222
406
159
439
125
104
120; 121
150; 151
415; 416
175; 176
129
409
109; 110
102; 103
246
152
236; 237
265; 266
271
224
425; 426
142
156; 157; 158
230; 231
438
* These Exhibits Will NOT be Manned on Sunday, March 13
Information Booth Sponsor
VIP Night Sponsor
Publication Sponsor
TWO HOUSES ONE HEART
Hospital Hospitality House
OUR COMMITMENT, OUR HOPE FOR YOU
The Home Builders Association of Western Michigan has pledged
to take the lead in providing support to build at least one, and likely two,
Hospital Hospitality Houses for the families of hospital patients in southwest
Michigan—first on property donated by Borgess on Henson Avenue and once
completed, another near Bronson. Please join us in this project.
We are inviting the people, businesses and organizations in greater
Kalamazoo to help us care for families in need visiting our community. To date,
Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan has received commitments
of nearly $3.4 million towards a total campaign goal of $4.8 million. Your gift
would be a wonderful help towards achieving this goal.
WE CAN’T IMAGINE A MORE SUITABLE PROJECT
As part of our commitment, the Home Builders Association is providing
two volunteer project managers, administrative support, and materials and
labor contributed by our nearly 400 members living in our seven-county region.
Reinvent
your home. Life.
A new view changes everything.
Let us put our 36 years of
remodeling expertise to work
for you. Confidence and trust...
are just a couple of the things
we build as well.
KITCHENS
•
BATHS
•
ROOM ADDITIONS
•
LOWER LEVELS
(269) 343-3757
DeHaanRemodeling.com
As a bit of history, since 1985 families have been welcomed into the
current 150 year-old Hospital Hospitality House located on South Street
near downtown Kalamazoo, away from either hospital campus. For families
with patients requiring care in Kalamazoo, the current home has been a
compassionate haven and it’s truly remarkable how well the families are served
in this 1866 Italian Villa beauty.
Staff accommodates in heroic ways, however many families are turned
away due to space and access issues. Once the two new homes are built, the
existing home will likely return to its intended use as a single family residence.
About 2,000 people per year will use the new seven-bedroom residence,
providing tremendous comfort for families in immediate need. Each room will
be self-contained with its own bathroom and shower, and a communal living
area with dual kitchens will enable families to interact and prepare meals.
To learn more and to make a contribution, go to HHHKZ.org.
We’d love to have you come along on our journey.
A Lake House With Definite Flair
By Zolton Cohen
Photography by Zolton Cohen
Exterior and before photos by homeowner
Lake living is a family tradition with
Tim and Ava Green, one they are carrying
on in their newly remodeled home on
Austin Lake.
“When Ava and I got married,” Tim
says, “her family had a cottage on Lake
Templene near Centreville, and growing
up, my family had a weekend place in
Fennville on Lake Michigan, so we always
had access to a lake. But I never realized
at that point how important it was to me.
Once you get a feel for the lake though,
it kind of gets in your blood. You look
forward to it, especially when it's nice
and you can take advantage of it with
something like a pontoon boat ride. And
it's fun to take the kids and grandkids
down to a sandy area to swim.”
The couple, owners of Flair Interiors,
an interior decorating service and store,
had lived for years in a 5,000 square foot
dwelling they had created above their
business on West Cork Street. They also
had a cottage on West Lake in Portage.
When they sold the cottage to friends and
started to think about downsizing from
their main home, they found the cottage
on Austin Lake.
Tim says, “Ava had grown up on
Austin Lake and she kind of wanted to get
back here. We initially bought it thinking
"We live out here during the summer," Tim Green says of the three-season
sun porch. On cold winter nights, doors can isolate the room from the rest of
the house.
Great Things Local
©
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 21
ABOVE: Tim Green built the upholstered banquette at the request of
his wife and grandchildren, who like
the looks of the restaurant-style
booth. Meanwhile, a snapping fire
provides a warm welcome on a
chilly winter day.
BELOW: The before photo shows
the major renovation to this room.
ABOVE & BELOW: The before and
after exterior photos show the
amazing transformation to the
Green’s lake home.
22 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
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©
ABOVE: Painted maple upper and oven cabinets contrast with stained alder wood bases. The counters are topped
off with granite.
BELOW LEFT: A pub-style bar, wood ceiling and wood-grain tile floors tie together the lower level gathering area.
BELOW RIGHT: Does anybody really know what time it is? You have your choice descending the stairs into the lower
level of the Green's home.
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©
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 23
it would be our cottage, but the more we
got into it we decided to make it where we
wanted to live full time.”
MAKING THE NEW PLACE THEIR
OWN
24 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
There were issues with the cottage
though. For starters, it was a bi-level
design that had stairs immediately off the
main entry door that took the occupants
either up to the main floor or down to the
lower level. Tim had had two knee
replacements in 2013, and the thought of
negotiating long sets of stairs on a daily
basis while carrying groceries or dry
cleaning did not seem workable.
Their solution was to add a 9x18 foot
foyer onto the front of the house and to
ramp up the concrete to the entrance. That
reduced from nine to four the number of
stair steps they would have to climb in
order to get to the main floor. “The idea
with the foyer was to break that down to
make it an easier transition,” Tim says.
With Mark Pulver, from Pulver
Construction Company, doing the
framing, roofing and other heavy work,
Tim and Ava added a 16x16 foot kitchen
addition that also gave them another
bedroom on the lower level. Then they
tacked on a 16x16 sun porch facing the
lake.
While they subcontracted tasks like
the drywall and insulation, they did much
of the trim work themselves and with
employees and vendors they work with in
their business, like Angie Farrell, from
Woodwork Specialties, who put together
the kitchen. Teaching carpentry skills to
his employees, Tim says, is a joy – and also
an extension of the mentoring they have
always tried to do in their business. “I love
trim work and building, and it has been
fun to pass that on to my sons and
daughters over the years,” he says. “Now,
we have young college-age guys who
work for us in the delivery department at
the store who are always looking to pick
up a few hours on the weekend, so we
had them help with the demolition and
trim work. It's fun to watch them learn
and get interested in using power tools,
installing kitchen cabinets and doing trim
work.” He laughs, “We'll hear later that
their moms are finding out that they know
how to do this stuff, so their moms get
them doing work for them.”
While the additions were being
added they tore the interior of the rest of
the house down to the studs. Originally,
the house had a center hallway with a
bath and two bedrooms on the main floor
and one bedroom downstairs. Now there
is a master suite on the first floor with the
bedroom, master bathroom, closet and
laundry, and the living area, sunroom and
kitchen. Downstairs has a pub-type bar
and TV room area with a walkout to the
©
With a view of the family photo wall, it isn't difficult to see what is the most important thing in the lives of Tim and
Ava Green.
Great Things Local
©
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 25
26 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
©
lake. There are two guest rooms downstairs, with a common area in between.
One prominent feature of the
home – now more ‘house’ than ‘cottage,’
though Tim and Ava still often refer to it
as the latter – is an upholstered built-in
dining banquette that Tim built that helps
separate the kitchen from the main living
space. Tim says, “We were going to do a
big living room with very casual dining;
eating at the bar and maybe a game table.
But we had a banquette like this in our
house on Cork Street and the grandkids
called it ‘going to a restaurant’ because it
reminded them of a restaurant booth. So
Ava said, ‘why are we fighting that? We
had one at the other place; let's build one
here.’ ”
“Part of my problem,” Tim laughs, “is
that my wife knows I know how to do this
stuff. So when she comes up with an idea
I have to do it!” Along with the banquette,
Tim’s design and building skills were put
to the test when they found a rare old
Chris-Craft outboard motor that was
manufactured in the 1950's. Tim says,
“That started us down this whole path
where Ava said, I want you to build a day
bed in the shape of a boat with the motor
mounted on the back of it.” The resulting
bright yellow-painted boat-bed is displayed in a special place in the lower level,
and the grandkids love sleeping in it.
One common theme in the house
is the hand-scraped wide-plank solid
walnut floors. Walnut is a lumber with
many whorls, burls and knots that create
vibrant patterns in the wood. Tim jokes,
“We filled a few of the knots that were so
big that you could lose a grandkid in
there. But with it being a lake house,
where you get sand tracked in all the time
and with the kids running their cars and
toys and stuff around, we're just not that
worried about it being perfect.”
A PEACEABLE OUTCOME IN THE
DECORATING DEPARTMENT
So, what is it like when two highly
skilled interior decorators work and live
together, and start off with a blank slate in
a new home of their own? Do sparks fly?
Do arguments and mayhem ensue? Not
hardly. Tim does say, however, “We can
design for everyone else, but it is a bit
more difficult when we're doing it for
ourselves. We each have different tastes.”
So the compromise that works the
best for them is to simply let each decorate
different rooms in the house. On one
thing, however, they always agree: “Just
like we do with our clients,” Tim says,
“we're always after a timeless look that
doesn’t go out of style; something that's
not going to be here today and gone
tomorrow. We still decorate around a
theme, just as everyone has a theme where
they live. Once we have it set, we don't
Great Things Local
©
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 27
change the look that often. And we
wanted this house to be a little bit vintage;
more of a lake or coastal house.”
In that, they have succeeded. While
avoiding kitschy nautical items, their color
palate reflects the blues of the nearby
water and picks up greens from foliage
and vegetation. Tim says, “My wife really
has a feel for color. There's no one around
who can put that together better than Ava.
My forte is scale and room layout, and
hers is coming up with the right kind and
color of paints and fabrics.” That trait
seems to have been passed down in the
family. Tim adds proudly, “Our daughter
who works with us is like that too.”
In some respects, and as was the case
with their home on Cork Street over their
business, Tim and Ava’s lake house acts as
an extension of their showroom. “We'll
bring clients here to show them certain
pieces,” Tim says. “Our biggest concern is
if they fall in love with something here
that has been discontinued. Sometimes if
that happens we'll just say, 'well, we've
been looking for something else, so we'll
sell that piece to you.' Our daughter has
taken up the mantle on that and has taken
clients through her house as well. We have
many clients that we socialize with outside of their homes, so we often have them
over for cocktails or something to eat.”
FAMILY MATTERS
28 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
To a large extent, Tim and Ava have
set up their home to accommodate visits
from their children and grandchildren.
“There's not a special weekend or week
when everyone comes to stay at the lake,”
Tim says. “It's whatever fits into their
schedule.” He adds, “We have a son in
California who works in the TV industry,
and we've talked about going there to see
him. But he prefers to come home. It gives
him an opportunity to see his brothers and
sisters and some of his friends. As much
as we would like to see him where he
lives, he enjoys coming back here. It's been
like that with some of the other kids too.”
“I'm not a big traveler, and that's why
I like the lake,” Tim says. “Every day is
like the weekend. It's more casual, which
is something we appreciate because we're
in business every day and seeing people
and on the go and in people's homes. On
the weekends we just want to relax. We
have a lot of friends who call us and want
to go somewhere, but the last thing we
want to do is get in a car and drive
somewhere after we've done that all week
long. So they often end up on the lake
with us. My father-in-law, when he lived
on the lake, always called your bathing
suit the ‘uniform of the day.’ A couple of
our kids even say it to their kids now:
‘Let's put on the uniform of the day and
get out there on the lake.’ And that’s what
we like to do here."
©
Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Landscapes
Gardening: At the Expo and at Home
By Kaye Bennett
If you’ve been inspired by the garden displays at this year’s
Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo, you can thank Sherry
Kuzma. And if your inspiration leads you to want to improve
your own yard, you can look to local experts like Ken Murray
and Jim Garrison for help.
Sherry Kuzma, owner and designer of Great Lakes
Landscapes, has been chairman of the Expo’s garden
committee and co-chair of the Expo for a dozen years. Each year
it is her responsibility to design the show’s main garden,
coordinate its set-up (a process, she says, that involves between
20 and 40 people and a lot of trucks), and to coordinate displays
with other landscaping companies whose booths dot the
perimeter of the Kalamazoo County Expo Center floor.
The biggest challenge is, of course, creating spring in
southwest Michigan months before Mother Nature is ready for
it. This involves forcing plants, including hundreds of flats of
flowers, as well as shrubs and some surprisingly large trees, to
flower in March, then transporting them from greenhouses to
the Expo Center and relocating them onto the show floor,
occasionally in sub-zero temperatures. At the greenhouses,
Kuzma says, trucks are often pulled inside to load the plants,
but the dash from the sidewalk to the building at the Expo
Center can be a chilly--sometimes fatal--one for delicate blooms.
Kuzma’s work also consists of bringing in a semi truck load
of bricks to build walkways and patios, all of which will be torn
down in less than a day after the Expo ends. Trees are brought
in, and retaining walls built to camouflage their root balls, some
of which may be two or three feet in diameter.
When the Expo ends, final day visitors are invited to take
the annuals, to enjoy them for as long as they last, since, she
points out, it’s far too early to plant them. Shrubs and trees are
often returned to greenhouses, where their long-term viability
is usually determined by the temperatures.
Since moving to the Expo Center several years ago,
Kuzma’s time frame for setting up and dismantling the Expo
gardens has been shortened. The Center is a popular venue, so
Home Expo workers have just a day and a half to set up, then
a half-day to tear down before the next event is scheduled.
This year’s Expo garden theme, says Kuzma, has been to
create a backyard retreat, so she designed a patio and outdoor
entertainment area, all with the goal of making it as realistic as
possible. She also tries to stimulate all the senses, including
Great Things Local
recorded bird songs, lots of color, and--what is often the first
thing visitors notice when they walk through the door--the
pungent scent of spring flowers such as hyacinths. “We like to
provide a breath of spring for people with cabin fever,” says
Kuzma.
Kuzma is proud of a joint project between the Home
Builders Association and Kalamazoo Regional Educational
Services Agency (RESA), in which students build benches
that are incorporated into Expo gardens, then raffled off to
attendees, with proceeds funding student scholarships.
OK, so you’re inspired. Now how do you translate that
Expo-inspiration to your own property? A good place to start,
says Jim Garrison, owner of Sandstone Creation, is the internet.
Browse pictures of landscaping and gardens and see what
appeals to you. Then call a landscaping firm.
The pros will get a feel for your personality, your interests
and your yard, keeping in mind such things as:
• The climate, sun, wind and soil in your area
• How your family wants to use the space (do you like to
garden? to entertain large groups? to play baseball in your
yard?)
• Pets
• Neighbors (some people want easy access to the people
next door; others prefer privacy)
Photo courtesy of Sandstone Creation
©
Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 31
Murray Landscaping guarantees the highest quality landscaping
ser vices in West Michigan.
Our Services Include:
• Commercial & Residential Landscaping
• Tree & Shrub Planting
• Outdoor Lighting
• Ponds & Water Features
• Boulder, Decorative Block & Timber Retaining Walls
• Brick Patios & Walkways
• Landscape Design
Murray Landscaping, LLC is family owned and operated,
with over 30 years of experience in the landscaping
industry. We emphasize quality workmanship at a fair
and reasonable price, with an experienced, friendly
staff. We have over 4,000 shade and ornamental
trees growing in our nursery!
Please Visit or Contact Us for a Free Estimate.
Ken Murray - Owner
5132 S. 29th Street,
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 381-1936
www.murraylandscapingllc.com
2dogsnursery
Murray Landscaping in Kalamazoo, Michigan offers commercial & residential landscaping, nursery, trees, flowering
trees, hardscaping, brickwork, retaining walls, sod, outdoor lighting to Kalamazoo, Portage, Colon, Sturgis, Allegan,
Plainwell, Battle Creek, Oshtemo, Texas Corners, Gull Lake, Three Rivers, and Southwest Michigan.
30 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
©
• Zoning issues (e.g., if you live on a lake, the type of
fencing you use may be regulated)
• Your budget (if you’re landscaping with an eye toward
selling soon, you’ll want to invest less than if you plan to stay
and enjoy the home forever)
Whether you’re inventing a landscape for a brand new
house or updating or starting over again for an older house
(depending on how well it’s been kept up, landscaping may
need to be updated or completely refreshed after 15 years or so),
here are some things to consider:
• Are you a do-it-yourselfer, or should you hire a pro?
According to Ken Murray, owner of Murray Landscaping, fewer
homeowners are choosing the DIY landscaping route these days.
“People have less time and less desire to do it,” he says. “They
work long hours, then cart the kids to soccer matches when they
get home. Plus, they don’t have the equipment they need.”
Garrison agrees that equipment can be a problem for
homeowners. “You can rent just about anything,” he says. “The
question is: Can you drive it?” Garrison also advises: “Consider
the tons. All the soil, gravel, stone and bricks required to
landscape a yard gets heavy very quickly.” Finally, the
speed with which your yard is finished should be considered.
Professionals can usually finish a job in a week or so, says
Garrison, depending on the job itself and the weather, but
homeowners, working around their own work and family
schedules, may need to take much, much longer to see the final
results.
• Garrison and Murray both stress the need for yearly
maintenance, to extend the life span of any landscape. “You can’t
let it go for many years and then get it back overnight,” says
Murray. Some of the must-dos each spring, he says, are general
clean up, trimming, remulching, fertilizing and crabgrass
prevention.
32 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Photo courtesy of Murray Landscaping
• When designing your landscape take note of what you
personally like or don’t like, even if it seems quirky. “Some
people want flowers,” says Murray, “while others may not want
anything yellow, or they may want to avoid plants that attract
bees.” But sometimes environment trumps taste: “You’re never
going to get a lush lawn in dense woods,” he says, “so plant
accordingly.”
Sandstone Creation and Murray Landscaping are anticipating that 2016 will be a booming year for the landscape business,
so both Garrison and Murray recommend that home owners call
and get on their schedules as early as possible, so they can get
the most enjoyment from their yards in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Sherry Kuzma is already starting to think about
bringing spring to 2017 Home & Garden Expo guests next
winter.
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Welcome Home • Spring 2016 • 33
INDEX OF
ADVERTISERS
Abode Building Center
6
Advia Credit Union
28
BrioLife Photography
14
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo 10
Cork Lane Decorating Center
11
Custom Steel Designs
22
David Roberts Builders
26
DeHaan Remodeling Specialists
20
Design Evolutions
12
DJ Parker Builders
10
Douglas & Son
33
Expressions by Jan
10
Flair Interiors
The Furnace Guy
26
Glas Associates
36
Halls Closets & More
12
Hannapel Home Center
34 • Welcome Home • Spring 2016
Great Things Local
©
25, 27
8
Hoogstraten Builders
33
Infusion by Etna
35
JB Printing
27
J&J Paint and Glass
24
Kalamazoo Custom Kitchens
22
Kirshman & Associates
10
Metzger’s Heating & Cooling
34
Migala Carpet One
29
Murray Landscaping
30
Nieboer Heating & Cooling
20
Overhead Door
34
Pennings & Sons
16
Powell Custom Homes
2
Roberts Built Homes
3
Sandstone Creation
32
Van Tuinen Painting
28
Vlietstra Bros. Pools & Spas
33
WMU University Theatre
14
Woodwork Specialties Co.
16
Great Things Local
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