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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
HOME&GARDEN 115 Ways to Love Your Home
By Mary Jo Harrod
5 Things I Love in My Yard
1. Space Our new home is surrounded by 10 acres of woods,
pasture, and landscaped areas. I find comfort in the open space
and feeling of seclusion it offers.
2. Water I can’t imagine a complete landscape without moving
water. The sound drowns out background noise and with the
addition of a pond, fish and bird-watching offer a relaxing end to
the day.
3. Garden structures and art These elements really allow our personality to show
through in our landscape and make the space fun and out-of-the-ordinary. My favorite
construction material for the structures is rustic red cedar. The bark wears away slowly
from weather, contributing to countless birds’ nests, and the wood turns a natural silvery-
gray over time.
4. Vegetable/Herb garden In addition to the unsurpassed flavor of our straight-from-the-
garden herbs and vegetables, I enjoy the feeling of us being a little less dependent upon
the local grocer. It’s also a fun place to introduce my 4-year-old daughter to the joys of
gardening.
5. Pathways leading to defined spaces Whether the paths are made of natural stone or
just mulch, each serves to visually break-up the space in the garden and leads to a
different “room” with its own unique feel.
— Lee Gibson, Co-owner of Rejuvenations
5 Things I Love on My Patio
1. Jacuzzi spa My husband and I have date a night once a week, and we use our spa the
year round.
2. Winston patio furniture This furniture is 10 years old and still looks brand new.
3. Two umbrellas on our uncovered deck These umbrellas are great for blocking the
sunlight and heat.
4. Pool fountain Watching the fountain is very relaxing.
5. In-ground pool The pool has beautiful fiber-optic lights that revolve and change colors
at night.
— Paula Hardin, office manager of Walnut Ridge Pool and Patio
5 Great Appliances in My Home
1. Bosch dishwasher.
2. Miele washer and dryer.
3. Jenn Air side-by-side refrigerator.
4. General Electric Advantium Speed Cook Oven.
5. Décor Cooktop.
— Joe Dumstorf, president of Trend Companies of Kentucky
When he remodeled, he put in one appliance of each brand his store carries.
5 Things I Would Add to a House
1. High-end kitchen Whether you enjoy cooking or not, which I definitely do, sleek
appliances, lots of lighting, top-end cabinet hardware and up-to-date cabinet door finish
and countertop to create a great space for entertaining, or just hanging out, all go a long
way in the resale of your home. I like mixing high-tech with retro for an eclectic look: my
kitchen is outfitted with stainless steel appliances, but also incorporates a large vintage
ceramic sink and 1960s Coca-Cola machine now employed as the beer cooler.
2. Spa master bathroom My bathroom is outfitted in soothing gray marble with an
abstract, stained-glass window and includes amenities such as a 6-foot whirlpool tub with
heater, steam shower, heated towel rack and hard-wired hair dryer, and make-up mirror.
3. Conservatory or sunroom Although I am a bona-fide orchid fanatic and must have this
type of room to feed my habit, I highly recommend a sunroom to the extent budget and
space will allow. This is the single best way I have found to beat the winter blahs, aside
from a second home in Florida, of course!
5. Kitchen garden This is what makes a house a home. The garden can be as simple as
some interesting glazed pots filled with herbs by the backdoor or as extensive as a
garden plot.
— Jenny Gibson, Co-owner of Rejuvenations
5 Ideas to Store Your Collections
1. Like Artwork Place a collection of plates over a mantle or a bed or beds, instead of
typical artwork. This will add color, texture, and depth to the flat walls.
2. Tie into Decor Using spring-tension plateholders is the best way to display a collection
of plates. Hang them horizontally over a large window or vertically next to a window.
Placed here they can reinforce the colors in the window treatments and walls.
3. Animal Prints Since animal prints are so popular today, it is easy to find various
animals to use in a collection. Use them in a bookcase or over kitchen cabinets using
silks and greenery to fill in empty spaces and add texture and color. Roosters are best in
the kitchen area.
4. Dishes/China The best place to showcase this collection is a curio cabinet, cupboard,
or hutch. When showcasing dishes, it provides function — the dinnerware is easily
accessible when you need to use it and it offers a bright focal point when you don’t.
5. Hats Try hanging them on a wall over a bed, on a coat rack, horizontally down a
hallway wall, or up or down a staircase. Mix or match colors and textures to give the
collection more contrast.
— Sherry “O” Oexman, managing partner, Remarkable Interiors
5 Most Beautiful Places in My House
1. Kitchen We added new maple cabinets, granite countertops, and marble floor tiles that
we ground down so that you cannot feel any joints.
2. We have a wall of Brazilian art that I have collected. Some of the art is brightly colored
oils, sculptures, and reliefs.
3. Kids’ playroom My wife designed this to have an area to create art, a reading area, a
play table, colorful bins, and fun things, such as giant, stuffed fish hanging from the
ceiling.
4. Garage I like my granite workbench where I have my tools and everything organized.
5. Children’s bathroom This project was low-budget, but it is painted a bright yellow. At
the top of the walls, my wife painted all sorts of words like sing, dance, love, play, and
button flowers on the walls.
— Christian Condit, owner of Global Granite and Marble
5 Reasons to Live Downtown
1. Accessibility I like the bike trail and the area is great for walking. Waterfront Park has a
playground that is perfect for my 1-year-old grandson.
2. Vibrancy I can plug into any cultural activities. Something is always going on, such as
concerts, festivals, or soccer games.
3. Convenience My husband takes the trolley or walks to work. The farmers market and
Creation Gardens are nearby, and I have a scooter that I can ride where I want to go.
4. Connectivity We are connected to Waterfront Park and near 4th Street Live! We find
ourselves doing more things.
5. Less work We love the independence. Instead of dealing with a weekly Honey-do list
that we had when we lived in a house, we can have fun.
— Downtown Dweller Kathy Scherer (Preston Point Condo)
5 Greatest Antique Finds
1. Parquetry inlaid fruitwood commode with burled walnut panels and ebonized accents,
circa 1820 from Austria It is not often that you see inlay, and this piece is gorgeous and
special. Purchased at Century Shop.
2. Federal-style American mirror from the mid 1800s This mirror is not dainty, but very
substantial. It sits over the fruitwood commode in the entry hall. Purchased at Dover
House Antiques and Mercantile.
3. Full-size, early 1800s French bed It is simple and classic but has a custom-made
mattress since beds were not made to a uniform size at that time. Purchased at Steve
Tipton Antiques.
4. Prints of etchings (of famous Roman architecture) These penciled sketches are from
the early 1800s and are elegant and classic due to the way they are framed. Purchased
at the Louisville Antique Show from Howard Price.
5. Italian desk This is a beautiful reproduction that was made by hand in the late 19th
century. Purchased from Steve Tipton Antiques. — Antique Shopper Holly Gregor,
Interior Designer, Holly R. Gregor Designs
5 Ways I Incorporate Flowers
1. Centerpiece When company is coming, I always have an arrangement of fresh flowers
on the table.
2. Guest Bathroom If we expect guests, I put a bud vase of roses in the bathroom for a
nice touch.
3. Kitchen I like to watch things grow, so I have an amaryllis or tulips that I can enjoy
while I cook.
4. Silk flowers I always have a seasonal wreath on the outside door of our home. Every
room of our house has a silk arrangement created to accent that room’s décor.
5. Just because Sometimes my husband surprises me and brings home two dozen
orange roses for any reason or no reason. They may be arranged with calla lilies and are
very fancy. I always appreciate his thoughtfulness.
— Lana Aebersold, co-owner of Aebersold Florists
5 Things to Consider in a High-Rise Condo
1. Parking Will your car be in an underground parking garage, which is covered and
secure or is surface lot parking the only option?
2. Location/views Will the view from your condo home be pleasing?
3. Amenities Does the purchase of a condo include membership in an onsite fitness
center, a marina slip, access to a clubroom, or conference facility?
4. Accessibility Is the condo near the venues that you want, such as entertainment,
cultural, shopping, and work locations?
5. Maintenance Fees Ask what the monthly fees are and what they cover.
— Shannon Haste, director of sales, Poe Companies
5 Furniture Pieces I Love
1. My grandfather’s antique cabinet Philco radio, dating to the 1930s I love the old
cracking sound of the AM channels because it makes me remember going to sleep at my
grandparents’ home and overhearing him listen to baseball games on the radio at night.
2. Library step chair This is a chair that transforms into steps by turning it over. It was the
very first piece of furniture I purchased at an auction and then found out my father-in-law
made it. He was the head furniture maker for the Strassel Co., and the piece is a
reproduction of a piece that was brought back from an antique-buying trip to Europe.
3. Victorian dressing screen Just a great find I got in Elizabethtown. I use it in my master
bath as a privacy screen by my claw-foot tub.
4. My grandmother’s tea table I use it in my bedroom to display old family photos and to
hold my husband’s grandmother’s old stained glass lamp.
5. Oak Victorian grandfather clock Our most recent purchase, it’s 8-feet tall, has a great
sound, and fits perfectly in our small foyer.
— Kelli L. Milligan, Owner/Designer, Renaissance, Inc. Interior Design
5 Kid-Friendly Features I Like
1. A huge great room with plenty of room for the kids to play and run about Since there is
no formal dining room in this floorplan, the kids don’t have to “stay out.”
2. A computer/homework area was designed off the kitchen and open hallway with some
privacy for the kids to concentrate, but I can still watch over them.
3. There is no deck, only a patio off the back of the house shaded by trees and nature. In
this way, there are no stairs to fall down or splinters to tweeze out of the kids’ feet.
4. Upstairs, each of the kids’ bedrooms was designed not to share an adjoining wall with
another. This way if one gets up really early in the morning, they won’t all get up. More
sleep for them means happier days for our family.
5. The staircases The one going to the second floor with the kids’ rooms has two
landings and turns. Since the stairs will be hardwood, if the kids slip, they won’t fall far.
Also, the stairs going to the lower walkout level are open so we can always hear the kids.
— Tracee Dore Brown, Designer and Builder, Tracee Dore Interior Design, Inc.
5 Things I Love in My Kitchen
1. Easy accessibility of the layout I took a small area and made it useful, attractive, and
seem larger.
2. Two-tiered island This is where we serve and eat. There is no kitchen table and the
base of the island is cabinets.
3. Large pantry with roll-out trays for easy access.
4. Built-in trash cans One can is for trash and the other is for recycling, and they are
hidden in the cabinet and out of the way.
5. Deep drawers for pot and pan storage under the cooktop. There is no stooping over to
reach into the back and bottom of the cabinet.
— Dan Petak, Owner/Designer, D-Zines Kitchen and Bath
5 Things I Am Glad I Included
1. Hearth Room Located adjacent to the kitchen with a fireplace and stone surround.
This room becomes the family gathering area.
2. Kitchen island area with a raised bar This creates extra seating and more countertop
workspace.
3. Surround sound in the main living areas (kitchen, great room, master bath, dining room
and outside patio/deck). With the system located in one area, usually the basement or
great room bookcases, a keypad controls all of the speakers in each room.
4. Screened porch This is great for relaxation. When my sons were younger, I put a
sandbox in the porch area so that I could leave the door open and they could play on the
screened porch and be within my sight while I was in the kitchen.
5. Built-in bookcases in the great room The built-in bookcases add to the value of the
home, look great, and provide much-needed storage and display areas. Entertainment
units you can almost always see behind (TV wires, etc.) because it does not touch the
wall.
— Jennifer Anderson, Owner & Associate Builder, TriStar Properties, LLC
5 Window Treatments That I Love
1. My library has one large, beautiful bay window that I wouldn’t dream of covering up with
too much fabric. Instead, I have four one-width patterned panels and my hardware is a
combination of handsome antiqued brass end-caps and cone-shaped finials on dark
wooden rods. Today’s simply elegant curtain is not only about the fabric, but also about
curtain rods, rings, and finials.
2. Our master bath has a Jacuzzi underneath the window. Plantation shutters provide
privacy and are more practical around the water than fabric.
3. My dining room windows are framed in simple, but elegant panels of a toile fabric with a
golden background and colors of red, green, and blue. They are hand-sewn with a
French pleat heading, lined, and interlined. A red plaid trim borders the inside of each
panel complementing the red plaid dining room chairs’ seats. I like the surprise of the
casual red plaid against the more sophisticated golden toile.
4. Our master bedroom curtains are panels of duck egg blue cotton blend. Wood blinds
provide privacy and darkness for sleeping.
5. In my living room, I’m about to replace what I call my “heavy eyebrow” treatment
curtains. I want to add luxury and glamour to the room with an embroidered silk with a
ruched or ballgown heading. I may puddle them or if I find that’s not to my liking, I can
always have them hemmed.
— Amanda (Mandy) Tyler, Owner, The Curtain Exchange
5 Ways to Get Rid of Stuff
1. Keep it moving. If you bring one thing into the house, get rid of at least one item. Give
magazines to a friend, nursing home, etc.
2. While watching TV, go through a drawer and pick out the things you actually use.
Place the things you don’t need in two bags, one for trash and the other to donate.
3. Whenever an organization asks if you have any clothing or household items to donate,
always, always say yes.
4. If you haven’t used an item in at least a year, let it go. Don’t just take things to the
basement. That includes appliances, (coffeemakers, breadmakers, crockpots).
5. From one season to another, ask yourself if you wore certain clothing. Keep only the
clothes you wear, and not just items that are “still good.” Put a bag in the bottom of your
closet and add to it things you no longer need.
— Barbara H. Morris, President, Smooth Transitions
5 Favorite Custom Projects
1. I took a walkout basement and finished it into an office for the husband, a workout
room for the wife, a media center with a 60-inch television, a full bathroom, a bedroom,
and a working kitchen with granite countertops. The whole project took about three
months.
2. An ugly basement was made beautiful by adding hardwood floors, columns, sliced
antique brick to the walls, and faux arched doors with mirrors.
3. In another project, a client wanted a garage turned into a gourmet kitchen for caterers
and was adjacent to an awesome Tuscany-style patio, with a fountain and fireplace where
the client entertained guests.
4. A sad-looking sunporch was transformed into an office for the husband after removing
the ceiling and floor. Then 100-year-old antique flooring and a fireplace were added. An
antique cornice was reproduced in mold plaster and lines the ceiling. The walls are a
deep red with a black glaze. The room is so comfortable that the entire family likes to
spend time in the office.
5. For the past 12 or 13 years, I have been contracted by a family to renovate a house,
room by room. I totally removed the old kitchen and added a larger one, complete with
top-of-the-line appliances, including a wine cooler and two dishwashers. Marble,
soapstone, and granite were used in the room, but one of the most striking features is the
coffered ceiling.
— Dave Hardin, Owner, D.M. Hardin & Co., Inc. (TrimGods)
5 Ways To Make Yardwork Easier
1. Hardwood mulch breaks down more than cedar and reduces weeds, holds moisture,
adds tilt (texture) to the soil, and keeps an even soil temperature.
2. Mini tiller, similar to a Mantis, can make new beds easily. It is only 12 inches wide and
you drag it backwards.
3. A skuffle hoe is a weeding tool that is long-handled and has a flat blade which is held
to the ground side so its edges cut weeds.
4. A backpack sprayer holds four gallons of spray and has a hand pump sprayer that is
easier to carry on your back rather than in your hands.
5. Drip irrigation on a timer is great for garden or foundation plants. It has a 3 /4-inch line
with spaghetti lines that can target where the water is going, reduce evaporation, and
greatly reduce the amount of runoff.
— Carl Suk, Horticulturist, Grant Line Nursery
5 Ways I Am Showing Artwork
1. Furniture My home has been called an overload of eye candy, but I consider some of
my furniture to be art. Some of it is also functional, such as end tables and bar stools.
2. Some of my home’s light fixtures are artsy pendent fixtures.
3. Ceramic bowls, pitchers, and teapots are functional art, and some of the bowls hold my
rock collections.
4. The oil and pastel portraits that I have done hang on the walls of my home.
5. On a door, I have a grapevine wreath where I hang little hearts that I have collected
from my travels.
— Rhonda Goodall, Owner/Artist, Goodall Gallery
5 Things I Love in My Entry
1. The area rug has an Inca-style geometric design, with deep reds, greens, golds,
brown, and black that can also be found in other rooms.
2. There is a table to place keys and mail that is a period drum-style, with three curved
legs with claw feet. It is an example of the eclectic furnishings in the rest of the home.
3. The coat rack has rungs under the beveled-edge glass mirror, nickel-plated handles,
and the rack is painted a black lacquer.
4. Potted shade plants help the house feel fresh and homey, while improving the air
quality.
5. Two wingback chairs, where you can sit and remove muddy shoes or have an informal
chat.
— Butch Sager, Instructor, Louisville Design Institute
5 Things I Love About My Home
1. Location I have two children and our home is within walking distance of schools.
2. A Large Yard The yard is large, with mature trees, and backs up to a school
playground.
3. My Home’s Style It is an old Cape Cod, which has a great quality of craftsmanship and
traditional styling.
4. Remodeled Kitchen I remodeled our kitchen and created a large great room.
5. Large woodburning fireplace I grew up in Wisconsin where we had a fire burning every
night. I enjoy the sight and smell of a woodburning fireplace.
— Patrick Stoehr, Co-owner, Four Seasons Sunrooms
5 of My Favorite Lamps
1. I like table lamps that are a piece of art, with sculptures or an abstract image of a
person holding the shade.
2. Pharmacy-type lamps, with a metal shade and crooked neck, are good to tuck beside a
chair and use for reading.
3. Since I live in an 80-year-old home with little overhead lighting, I like a torchiere lamp to
provide soft, indirect light.
4. Some of my lamps have a black shade with a foil lining to give off a warm glow.
5. In my foyer and other areas, I have Tiffany-style lamps to provide adequate lighting for
anyone coming into the house. I used to leave these on for my kids when they were
teens. They also bring light to a human level.
— Susan Humphress, Louisville Showroom Manager, Brecher Lighting Co.
By Mary Jo Harrod
5 Things I Love in My Yard
1. Space Our new home is surrounded by 10 acres of woods,
pasture, and landscaped areas. I find comfort in the open space
and feeling of seclusion it offers.
2. Water I can’t imagine a complete landscape without moving
water. The sound drowns out background noise and with the
addition of a pond, fish and bird-watching offer a relaxing end to
the day.
3. Garden structures and art These elements really allow our personality to show
through in our landscape and make the space fun and out-of-the-ordinary. My favorite
construction material for the structures is rustic red cedar. The bark wears away slowly
from weather, contributing to countless birds’ nests, and the wood turns a natural silvery-
gray over time.
4. Vegetable/Herb garden In addition to the unsurpassed flavor of our straight-from-the-
garden herbs and vegetables, I enjoy the feeling of us being a little less dependent upon
the local grocer. It’s also a fun place to introduce my 4-year-old daughter to the joys of
gardening.
5. Pathways leading to defined spaces Whether the paths are made of natural stone or
just mulch, each serves to visually break-up the space in the garden and leads to a
different “room” with its own unique feel.
— Lee Gibson, Co-owner of Rejuvenations
5 Things I Love on My Patio
1. Jacuzzi spa My husband and I have date a night once a week, and we use our spa the
year round.
2. Winston patio furniture This furniture is 10 years old and still looks brand new.
3. Two umbrellas on our uncovered deck These umbrellas are great for blocking the
sunlight and heat.
4. Pool fountain Watching the fountain is very relaxing.
5. In-ground pool The pool has beautiful fiber-optic lights that revolve and change colors
at night.
— Paula Hardin, office manager of Walnut Ridge Pool and Patio
5 Great Appliances in My Home
1. Bosch dishwasher.
2. Miele washer and dryer.
3. Jenn Air side-by-side refrigerator.
4. General Electric Advantium Speed Cook Oven.
5. Décor Cooktop.
— Joe Dumstorf, president of Trend Companies of Kentucky
When he remodeled, he put in one appliance of each brand his store carries.
5 Things I Would Add to a House
1. High-end kitchen Whether you enjoy cooking or not, which I definitely do, sleek
appliances, lots of lighting, top-end cabinet hardware and up-to-date cabinet door finish
and countertop to create a great space for entertaining, or just hanging out, all go a long
way in the resale of your home. I like mixing high-tech with retro for an eclectic look: my
kitchen is outfitted with stainless steel appliances, but also incorporates a large vintage
ceramic sink and 1960s Coca-Cola machine now employed as the beer cooler.
2. Spa master bathroom My bathroom is outfitted in soothing gray marble with an
abstract, stained-glass window and includes amenities such as a 6-foot whirlpool tub with
heater, steam shower, heated towel rack and hard-wired hair dryer, and make-up mirror.
3. Conservatory or sunroom Although I am a bona-fide orchid fanatic and must have this
type of room to feed my habit, I highly recommend a sunroom to the extent budget and
space will allow. This is the single best way I have found to beat the winter blahs, aside
from a second home in Florida, of course!
5. Kitchen garden This is what makes a house a home. The garden can be as simple as
some interesting glazed pots filled with herbs by the backdoor or as extensive as a
garden plot.
— Jenny Gibson, Co-owner of Rejuvenations
5 Ideas to Store Your Collections
1. Like Artwork Place a collection of plates over a mantle or a bed or beds, instead of
typical artwork. This will add color, texture, and depth to the flat walls.
2. Tie into Decor Using spring-tension plateholders is the best way to display a collection
of plates. Hang them horizontally over a large window or vertically next to a window.
Placed here they can reinforce the colors in the window treatments and walls.
3. Animal Prints Since animal prints are so popular today, it is easy to find various
animals to use in a collection. Use them in a bookcase or over kitchen cabinets using
silks and greenery to fill in empty spaces and add texture and color. Roosters are best in
the kitchen area.
4. Dishes/China The best place to showcase this collection is a curio cabinet, cupboard,
or hutch. When showcasing dishes, it provides function — the dinnerware is easily
accessible when you need to use it and it offers a bright focal point when you don’t.
5. Hats Try hanging them on a wall over a bed, on a coat rack, horizontally down a
hallway wall, or up or down a staircase. Mix or match colors and textures to give the
collection more contrast.
— Sherry “O” Oexman, managing partner, Remarkable Interiors
5 Most Beautiful Places in My House
1. Kitchen We added new maple cabinets, granite countertops, and marble floor tiles that
we ground down so that you cannot feel any joints.
2. We have a wall of Brazilian art that I have collected. Some of the art is brightly colored
oils, sculptures, and reliefs.
3. Kids’ playroom My wife designed this to have an area to create art, a reading area, a
play table, colorful bins, and fun things, such as giant, stuffed fish hanging from the
ceiling.
4. Garage I like my granite workbench where I have my tools and everything organized.
5. Children’s bathroom This project was low-budget, but it is painted a bright yellow. At
the top of the walls, my wife painted all sorts of words like sing, dance, love, play, and
button flowers on the walls.
— Christian Condit, owner of Global Granite and Marble
5 Reasons to Live Downtown
1. Accessibility I like the bike trail and the area is great for walking. Waterfront Park has a
playground that is perfect for my 1-year-old grandson.
2. Vibrancy I can plug into any cultural activities. Something is always going on, such as
concerts, festivals, or soccer games.
3. Convenience My husband takes the trolley or walks to work. The farmers market and
Creation Gardens are nearby, and I have a scooter that I can ride where I want to go.
4. Connectivity We are connected to Waterfront Park and near 4th Street Live! We find
ourselves doing more things.
5. Less work We love the independence. Instead of dealing with a weekly Honey-do list
that we had when we lived in a house, we can have fun.
— Downtown Dweller Kathy Scherer (Preston Point Condo)
5 Greatest Antique Finds
1. Parquetry inlaid fruitwood commode with burled walnut panels and ebonized accents,
circa 1820 from Austria It is not often that you see inlay, and this piece is gorgeous and
special. Purchased at Century Shop.
2. Federal-style American mirror from the mid 1800s This mirror is not dainty, but very
substantial. It sits over the fruitwood commode in the entry hall. Purchased at Dover
House Antiques and Mercantile.
3. Full-size, early 1800s French bed It is simple and classic but has a custom-made
mattress since beds were not made to a uniform size at that time. Purchased at Steve
Tipton Antiques.
4. Prints of etchings (of famous Roman architecture) These penciled sketches are from
the early 1800s and are elegant and classic due to the way they are framed. Purchased
at the Louisville Antique Show from Howard Price.
5. Italian desk This is a beautiful reproduction that was made by hand in the late 19th
century. Purchased from Steve Tipton Antiques. — Antique Shopper Holly Gregor,
Interior Designer, Holly R. Gregor Designs
5 Ways I Incorporate Flowers
1. Centerpiece When company is coming, I always have an arrangement of fresh flowers
on the table.
2. Guest Bathroom If we expect guests, I put a bud vase of roses in the bathroom for a
nice touch.
3. Kitchen I like to watch things grow, so I have an amaryllis or tulips that I can enjoy
while I cook.
4. Silk flowers I always have a seasonal wreath on the outside door of our home. Every
room of our house has a silk arrangement created to accent that room’s décor.
5. Just because Sometimes my husband surprises me and brings home two dozen
orange roses for any reason or no reason. They may be arranged with calla lilies and are
very fancy. I always appreciate his thoughtfulness.
— Lana Aebersold, co-owner of Aebersold Florists
5 Things to Consider in a High-Rise Condo
1. Parking Will your car be in an underground parking garage, which is covered and
secure or is surface lot parking the only option?
2. Location/views Will the view from your condo home be pleasing?
3. Amenities Does the purchase of a condo include membership in an onsite fitness
center, a marina slip, access to a clubroom, or conference facility?
4. Accessibility Is the condo near the venues that you want, such as entertainment,
cultural, shopping, and work locations?
5. Maintenance Fees Ask what the monthly fees are and what they cover.
— Shannon Haste, director of sales, Poe Companies
5 Furniture Pieces I Love
1. My grandfather’s antique cabinet Philco radio, dating to the 1930s I love the old
cracking sound of the AM channels because it makes me remember going to sleep at my
grandparents’ home and overhearing him listen to baseball games on the radio at night.
2. Library step chair This is a chair that transforms into steps by turning it over. It was the
very first piece of furniture I purchased at an auction and then found out my father-in-law
made it. He was the head furniture maker for the Strassel Co., and the piece is a
reproduction of a piece that was brought back from an antique-buying trip to Europe.
3. Victorian dressing screen Just a great find I got in Elizabethtown. I use it in my master
bath as a privacy screen by my claw-foot tub.
4. My grandmother’s tea table I use it in my bedroom to display old family photos and to
hold my husband’s grandmother’s old stained glass lamp.
5. Oak Victorian grandfather clock Our most recent purchase, it’s 8-feet tall, has a great
sound, and fits perfectly in our small foyer.
— Kelli L. Milligan, Owner/Designer, Renaissance, Inc. Interior Design
5 Kid-Friendly Features I Like
1. A huge great room with plenty of room for the kids to play and run about Since there is
no formal dining room in this floorplan, the kids don’t have to “stay out.”
2. A computer/homework area was designed off the kitchen and open hallway with some
privacy for the kids to concentrate, but I can still watch over them.
3. There is no deck, only a patio off the back of the house shaded by trees and nature. In
this way, there are no stairs to fall down or splinters to tweeze out of the kids’ feet.
4. Upstairs, each of the kids’ bedrooms was designed not to share an adjoining wall with
another. This way if one gets up really early in the morning, they won’t all get up. More
sleep for them means happier days for our family.
5. The staircases The one going to the second floor with the kids’ rooms has two
landings and turns. Since the stairs will be hardwood, if the kids slip, they won’t fall far.
Also, the stairs going to the lower walkout level are open so we can always hear the kids.
— Tracee Dore Brown, Designer and Builder, Tracee Dore Interior Design, Inc.
5 Things I Love in My Kitchen
1. Easy accessibility of the layout I took a small area and made it useful, attractive, and
seem larger.
2. Two-tiered island This is where we serve and eat. There is no kitchen table and the
base of the island is cabinets.
3. Large pantry with roll-out trays for easy access.
4. Built-in trash cans One can is for trash and the other is for recycling, and they are
hidden in the cabinet and out of the way.
5. Deep drawers for pot and pan storage under the cooktop. There is no stooping over to
reach into the back and bottom of the cabinet.
— Dan Petak, Owner/Designer, D-Zines Kitchen and Bath
5 Things I Am Glad I Included
1. Hearth Room Located adjacent to the kitchen with a fireplace and stone surround.
This room becomes the family gathering area.
2. Kitchen island area with a raised bar This creates extra seating and more countertop
workspace.
3. Surround sound in the main living areas (kitchen, great room, master bath, dining room
and outside patio/deck). With the system located in one area, usually the basement or
great room bookcases, a keypad controls all of the speakers in each room.
4. Screened porch This is great for relaxation. When my sons were younger, I put a
sandbox in the porch area so that I could leave the door open and they could play on the
screened porch and be within my sight while I was in the kitchen.
5. Built-in bookcases in the great room The built-in bookcases add to the value of the
home, look great, and provide much-needed storage and display areas. Entertainment
units you can almost always see behind (TV wires, etc.) because it does not touch the
wall.
— Jennifer Anderson, Owner & Associate Builder, TriStar Properties, LLC
5 Window Treatments That I Love
1. My library has one large, beautiful bay window that I wouldn’t dream of covering up with
too much fabric. Instead, I have four one-width patterned panels and my hardware is a
combination of handsome antiqued brass end-caps and cone-shaped finials on dark
wooden rods. Today’s simply elegant curtain is not only about the fabric, but also about
curtain rods, rings, and finials.
2. Our master bath has a Jacuzzi underneath the window. Plantation shutters provide
privacy and are more practical around the water than fabric.
3. My dining room windows are framed in simple, but elegant panels of a toile fabric with a
golden background and colors of red, green, and blue. They are hand-sewn with a
French pleat heading, lined, and interlined. A red plaid trim borders the inside of each
panel complementing the red plaid dining room chairs’ seats. I like the surprise of the
casual red plaid against the more sophisticated golden toile.
4. Our master bedroom curtains are panels of duck egg blue cotton blend. Wood blinds
provide privacy and darkness for sleeping.
5. In my living room, I’m about to replace what I call my “heavy eyebrow” treatment
curtains. I want to add luxury and glamour to the room with an embroidered silk with a
ruched or ballgown heading. I may puddle them or if I find that’s not to my liking, I can
always have them hemmed.
— Amanda (Mandy) Tyler, Owner, The Curtain Exchange
5 Ways to Get Rid of Stuff
1. Keep it moving. If you bring one thing into the house, get rid of at least one item. Give
magazines to a friend, nursing home, etc.
2. While watching TV, go through a drawer and pick out the things you actually use.
Place the things you don’t need in two bags, one for trash and the other to donate.
3. Whenever an organization asks if you have any clothing or household items to donate,
always, always say yes.
4. If you haven’t used an item in at least a year, let it go. Don’t just take things to the
basement. That includes appliances, (coffeemakers, breadmakers, crockpots).
5. From one season to another, ask yourself if you wore certain clothing. Keep only the
clothes you wear, and not just items that are “still good.” Put a bag in the bottom of your
closet and add to it things you no longer need.
— Barbara H. Morris, President, Smooth Transitions
5 Favorite Custom Projects
1. I took a walkout basement and finished it into an office for the husband, a workout
room for the wife, a media center with a 60-inch television, a full bathroom, a bedroom,
and a working kitchen with granite countertops. The whole project took about three
months.
2. An ugly basement was made beautiful by adding hardwood floors, columns, sliced
antique brick to the walls, and faux arched doors with mirrors.
3. In another project, a client wanted a garage turned into a gourmet kitchen for caterers
and was adjacent to an awesome Tuscany-style patio, with a fountain and fireplace where
the client entertained guests.
4. A sad-looking sunporch was transformed into an office for the husband after removing
the ceiling and floor. Then 100-year-old antique flooring and a fireplace were added. An
antique cornice was reproduced in mold plaster and lines the ceiling. The walls are a
deep red with a black glaze. The room is so comfortable that the entire family likes to
spend time in the office.
5. For the past 12 or 13 years, I have been contracted by a family to renovate a house,
room by room. I totally removed the old kitchen and added a larger one, complete with
top-of-the-line appliances, including a wine cooler and two dishwashers. Marble,
soapstone, and granite were used in the room, but one of the most striking features is the
coffered ceiling.
— Dave Hardin, Owner, D.M. Hardin & Co., Inc. (TrimGods)
5 Ways To Make Yardwork Easier
1. Hardwood mulch breaks down more than cedar and reduces weeds, holds moisture,
adds tilt (texture) to the soil, and keeps an even soil temperature.
2. Mini tiller, similar to a Mantis, can make new beds easily. It is only 12 inches wide and
you drag it backwards.
3. A skuffle hoe is a weeding tool that is long-handled and has a flat blade which is held
to the ground side so its edges cut weeds.
4. A backpack sprayer holds four gallons of spray and has a hand pump sprayer that is
easier to carry on your back rather than in your hands.
5. Drip irrigation on a timer is great for garden or foundation plants. It has a 3 /4-inch line
with spaghetti lines that can target where the water is going, reduce evaporation, and
greatly reduce the amount of runoff.
— Carl Suk, Horticulturist, Grant Line Nursery
5 Ways I Am Showing Artwork
1. Furniture My home has been called an overload of eye candy, but I consider some of
my furniture to be art. Some of it is also functional, such as end tables and bar stools.
2. Some of my home’s light fixtures are artsy pendent fixtures.
3. Ceramic bowls, pitchers, and teapots are functional art, and some of the bowls hold my
rock collections.
4. The oil and pastel portraits that I have done hang on the walls of my home.
5. On a door, I have a grapevine wreath where I hang little hearts that I have collected
from my travels.
— Rhonda Goodall, Owner/Artist, Goodall Gallery
5 Things I Love in My Entry
1. The area rug has an Inca-style geometric design, with deep reds, greens, golds,
brown, and black that can also be found in other rooms.
2. There is a table to place keys and mail that is a period drum-style, with three curved
legs with claw feet. It is an example of the eclectic furnishings in the rest of the home.
3. The coat rack has rungs under the beveled-edge glass mirror, nickel-plated handles,
and the rack is painted a black lacquer.
4. Potted shade plants help the house feel fresh and homey, while improving the air
quality.
5. Two wingback chairs, where you can sit and remove muddy shoes or have an informal
chat.
— Butch Sager, Instructor, Louisville Design Institute
5 Things I Love About My Home
1. Location I have two children and our home is within walking distance of schools.
2. A Large Yard The yard is large, with mature trees, and backs up to a school
playground.
3. My Home’s Style It is an old Cape Cod, which has a great quality of craftsmanship and
traditional styling.
4. Remodeled Kitchen I remodeled our kitchen and created a large great room.
5. Large woodburning fireplace I grew up in Wisconsin where we had a fire burning every
night. I enjoy the sight and smell of a woodburning fireplace.
— Patrick Stoehr, Co-owner, Four Seasons Sunrooms
5 of My Favorite Lamps
1. I like table lamps that are a piece of art, with sculptures or an abstract image of a
person holding the shade.
2. Pharmacy-type lamps, with a metal shade and crooked neck, are good to tuck beside a
chair and use for reading.
3. Since I live in an 80-year-old home with little overhead lighting, I like a torchiere lamp to
provide soft, indirect light.
4. Some of my lamps have a black shade with a foil lining to give off a warm glow.
5. In my foyer and other areas, I have Tiffany-style lamps to provide adequate lighting for
anyone coming into the house. I used to leave these on for my kids when they were
teens. They also bring light to a human level.
— Susan Humphress, Louisville Showroom Manager, Brecher Lighting Co.