Museum Exhibit A Whopper Its A House Featuring The Latest In Just About Everything

Take the best in efficient, affordable home construction, figure in the latest in home automation and add in a cache of green-friendly brainstorms and you’ll get an idea of what the Museum of Science and Industry’s new “Smart Home: Green + Wired” exhibit is all about.

The exhibit, which opened this week and celebrates the museum’s 75th anniversary, is a freestanding, fully functioning home — called the mkSolaire — with 2,500 square feet of living space, running water, electricity and heating and cooling systems. To call it a house of the future might be an overstatement, since nearly all of the technologies displayed in this contemporary three-story home are available to consumers right now.

As expected, there are some interesting gadgets on display: a home automation system that tunes into the weather and learns the behavior of the occupant; a security system that lets you view who’s ringing your doorbell while you’re away (you can even let someone in); a plant-watering system that sends a text message from the plant saying “I’m thirsty”; a smart umbrella with a color ring that changes to blue if it’s going to rain and a kitchen countertop compost machine.

Some of the other cool features are: long strips of linoleum-like photovoltaic film (they cost about one-third less than traditional glass solar panels) that are applied to the roof with Velcro; shower tile made of recycled Chardonnay bottles; master bath vanity tops made of old toilets; a dual-flush toilet that regulates the amount of water used by measuring solid and liquid waste; and a rooftop garden. And, as expected, all the walls are painted with low VOC paint.

The home also puts the spotlight on how stormwater runoff can be collected to water the garden and landscaping; how toilets can be equipped to use waste water from the shower and bath; how spray-in foam insulation can completely seal a building and provide better air quality, sound reduction and reduced energy costs; and how strategically placed windows can reduce electricity and heating bills. A survey by Kouba-Cavallo Associates concluded that the Smart Home costs $837 per year to heat and $125 for cooling. (In comparison, it costs roughly $2,021 per year to heat a Chicago bungalow.)

The contemporary, loft-style home showcases the ways people can make eco-friendly living a part of their lives, said Anne Rasford, director of temporary exhibits for the museum.

“The exhibit is about choices and options [for consumers]. We were very deliberate in the choices that we made and wanted to be sure there were interesting stories for each of the products in the exhibit,” she said. “People will be able to see the new innovations in renewable resources, smart energy consumption, and clean, healthy-living environments in a functioning home.”

With the help of experts from Wired magazine, the home became “smart” with technologies that include a full-home automation system that allows homeowners to control heat, window coverings, lighting, security sensors and cameras. A touch screen tracks electricity and water consumption in the home on a real-time basis.

“We’ll have a guide available that goes floor by floor through all the room choices made for the home,” said Rasford. “It’ll also be available online.”

The interior architecture is designed to demonstrate the use of natural light with open spaces and energy-efficient building components. All of the materials in the home, from the windows and lighting fixtures to the counters and floors — tell a story of sustainable engineering and eco-friendly design, Rasford said.

Also, all of the furniture in the home is renewable or reused.

“Some of the furniture is from the Salvation Army. The dining room table is a slice of a fallen ash tree from Michigan,” Rasford said. “The two lighting fixtures above the table are called the Thomas Edison Twins. They’re made by a local artisan, Ted Harris, and are 16-inch wide globes filled with used light bulbs in all colors and sizes. We also have hemp bean bag chairs and are using FLOR carpet tiles in some areas instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. These tiles can be easily removed and washed.”

A team from the University of Illinois Extension Horticulture, Environmental and Green Educators and a landscape architect created the landscaping that surrounds the house. Some of the highlights include a sustainable vegetable garden and rain gardens.

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Monday, May 12th, 2008

Landscaping Services No Comments

Almost Feel Like You Step Back In Time

Their home: A three-bedroom, three-bath condo with a balcony on the third floor. It has about 2,800 square feet, sleeps eight people and has lake views from the living room, loft and bedrooms.

The style: The condo is decorated in what Linda Miller calls a contemporary transitional style with colors such as greens, turquoises, browns and golds. The furniture was selected to take advantage of the waterfront setting, such as a glass dining room table. A favorite item is a hand-knotted Duleek rug decorated with deer and birds.

How they found it: They started looking seriously at the Lake Oconee area in January 2005. “We vacationed over there at some of the lake cottages at Cuscowilla, and we really fell in love with Cuscowilla and the lake during that time,” Linda said. When they asked if there were any condos there, they were told about plans for Sojourn. They were the first people to reserve a unit. “It just kind of happened at the right time for us,” she said. “The idea of the condo appealed to us because we could go over there and visit and leave it.”

What they love about it: The 180-degree views of the lake and overall community. “Each time we enter the gates at Cuscowilla, we’re both amazed at the relaxed feeling we have. The entire development has so much character and charm, you almost feel like you step back in time when you enter it,” Linda said. Robert added, “By the time you’re at Cuscowilla, your blood pressure is [down] about 40 points.”

How far from home: About 90 minutes from their home in Johns Creek.

How often they’re there: At least twice a month, and more often in the summer. “You’re out of Atlanta traffic and without being too far away, you can just zip over there,” Linda said. They’ve also already had family there for holidays such as Thanksgiving.

What they do when they’re there: Enjoy the beauty of the lake and Cuscowilla, the couple said. They go for walks on the trails, and also enjoy the two pools and other amenities, like the golf course and restaurants.

SOJOURN IN CUSCOWILLA

Located in the Cuscowilla golf course community, Sojourn has two- and three-bedroom waterfront condos from $489,900 to $709,900. Twelve of the 37 units remain, said Jimmy Branan, broker with Cuscowilla Real Estate. Inside, the units have master suites and private secondary baths. Outside, there’s a dock with day slips, a covered pavilion with a grill and walking trails. The Cuscowilla clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, Waterside Restaurant and Golf House Grill are nearby.

Sojourn property owners’ association fees range from $3,000 to $4,000 per year (depending on the location of and unit size), which includes insurance, landscaping and building maintenance. The condo purchase includes a Cuscowilla residential golf membership, and the developer is paying the purchaser’s first year of monthly golf membership dues.

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Monday, May 12th, 2008

Equipment Landscaping No Comments

The Cat and the Crystal Figurine

Anyone who is a cat owner can appreciate the old adage %26ldquo;Curiosity Killed the Cat.%26rdquo; and the cat behavior known as %26ldquo;Cat and Mouse Games.%26rdquo; Our cat, Doc, was a ten month old male that displayed a very high degree of curiosity, sniffing and examining anything new that came into the house,

Doc loved playing with a stuffed cat toy. He would swat it across the floor and pounce on it, catch the toy in a claw and throw it into the air and bat it down. This is a cat behavior that became good practice for the real event %26ndash; cat and mouse games. We saw him repeat this with a field mouse he caught in the side yard. Doc had a good time playing with the mouse, but I don%26rsquo;t think the mouse enjoyed the game.

One Saturday morning I saw a disaster about to take place. I was on a stepladder cleaning the outside dining room windows. When I looked in the window I saw Doc sitting on the dining room table, something we don%26rsquo;t allow. Since cleaning windows is not my favorite job, I decided not to climb down the ladder to go chase him off the table until I had finished the windows.

When I leaned to the side and glanced back into the room, Doc was pouncing all over the table, jumped to the sideboard and was swatting the wall. The behavior amused me for a few moments until I realized what was happening. My wife had left a crystal figurine on the table. When I leaned to the side I had moved from blocking the rays of the sun. Doc was trying to catch the reflections from the figurine.

I laughed at the spectacle until Doc jumped back to the table and gave the figurine a good swat.. My heart sank when Doc swatted the figurine again and it rolled off the table closely followed by Doc. I jumped off the ladder and raced into the house thinking I have to clean up the shards of glass before Doc cuts himself. My next thought was how angry my wife is going to be that Doc had broken her favorite figurine.

As I entered the dining room I saw clothes on the floor from a turned over laundry basket. Doc was swatting and pouncing his way into the living room. I caught up to him and rescued the figurine. Much to my surprise, the figurine was not broken, chipped or damaged in any way. It was one of those moments of great relief. Apparently the figurine fell into the laundry basket and then onto the rugged floor when Doc jumped down into the basket.

You can say that there is a moral to this story %26ndash; whether out of curiosity or cat games, cats and crystal figurines don%26rsquo;t mix. If you have cats, even older cats, your crystal figurines should be placed in a cabinet for safety. Apparently, the sparkle in crystal that we enjoy and appreciate is also an attraction for cats.

The irony in the case of the cat and the crystal figurine is the figurine was my wife%26rsquo;s favorite crystal cat figurine. Of course that didn%26rsquo;t matter to Doc. He just saw the object as fun waiting to happen. Incidentally, the mouse eluded Doc and got away.

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Friday, March 21st, 2008

Landscaping Idea No Comments

20 years of the write stuff

At a recent meeting of aspiring authors in San Luis Obispo, Barbara Wolcott sat at her dining room table reading the newest chapters from her book in progress, %26#8220;Los Osos Perfect Storm,%26#8221; a true account of the bedroom communitys roiled tensions over plans to build a controversial sewer project.

One of many SLO NightWriters small critique groups that meet across the county, the gathering of four combed over the manuscript while the listeners jotted down key words and questions. Afterward, the group praised her for the strong flow of her writing and suggested improvements.

%26#8220;I think youre bringing more balance into the story,%26#8221; encouraged Sue McGinty of Los Osos, a retired technical writer who earlier in the meeting read the first proof of her completed mystery novel, %26#8220;Murder in Los Lobos,%26#8221; set for release in September by Daniel%26Daniel Publishers Inc. of McKinleyville, Calif.

Wolcott, a former stay-at-home mom who later earned a communications degree from Cal State Fullerton, has had two nonfiction books published while holding NightWriters meetings in her home over the past 10 years. She said the group sparks her enthusiasm and creativity for writing.

%26#8220;Their feedback has just been fantastic,%26#8221; she said. %26#8220;They will question when Ive made a statement they dont understand and ask for the back story. That makes me dig deeper.%26#8221;

A sounding board

Meeting in groups of about eight in homes or bookstores for a few hours every two weeks, NightWriters members act as the editors and cheerleaders for one anothers writing projects. With workshop groups geared toward nearly every writing genre %26#8212; novels, poetry, short stories and personal essays, among others%26#8212;NightWriters, which formed in 1988, has more than 100 members ranging from retirees and li-

brarians to professors and psychologists.

For the many members who work unimaginative day jobs, the critique groups offer a much-needed creative outlet, said Susan Tuttle, the organizations president.

%26#8220;I think people think they have a book somewhere in them,%26#8221; said Tuttle, a bookkeeper for The Brushworks in San Luis Obispo, who self-published a mystery novel, %26#8220;Tangled Webs,%26#8221; in 2005. %26#8220;Were hoping NightWriters will give the support and structure for them to sit down and really do it.%26#8221;

Tuttle relied on two NightWriters critique groups%26#8212;the %26#8220;South County Writers%26#8221; and an online group called %26#8220;Red Ink%26#8221;%26#8212; to help her complete the final chapters of her latest suspense novel, %26#8220;Piece by Piece,%26#8221; a story of a woman recovering from amnesia who discovers that she played a role in a murder.

A motivating force

Although Tuttle was struggling over how to end the story, knowing she had a NightWriters meeting coming up gave her an impetus, she said.

%26#8220;I knew I needed to finish it so they could work their magic on it,%26#8221; said Tuttle of Los Osos, who writes 15 to 20 hours per week.

Retired Cal Poly political science professor Carroll McKibbin, part of Wolcotts %26#8220;Novel Idea%26#8221; critique group, admits hes stayed up late the night before a meeting so he would have something to present the next day.

The San Luis Obispo resident is an author of two novels, including %26#8220;Lillians Legacy,%26#8221;%26#8212; a true-crime book about the 1965 murder of a woman in his hometown of Guthrie Center, Iowa %26#8212; which he self-published in 2003. He said his groups moral support helps combat the loneliness and discouragement often associated with writing.

%26#8220;I really like these people,%26#8221; said McKibbin, who also writes book reviews for the Des Moines Register in Iowa. %26#8220;Theres a kind of cohesiveness that were in this together through the frustrations, the rejections and the success.%26#8221;

A good track record

About 80 percent of NightWriters members have had their writing published, be it in books or magazine and newspaper articles, according to Tuttle. Nearly 30 percent of members have published a book, mostly through self-publication or small to medium press companies.

Seven-year NightWriters member Claire Gordon was published by Macmillan in 1970 for her collaboration with Rex Stevens, a longtime clarinetist for Duke Ellington, with %26#8220;Jazz Masters of the %26#8216;30s,%26#8221; a collection of articles about jazz musicians of the era. In 1991, Gordon co-authored Stevens autobiography, published by University of Michigan Press. In 2004, she self-published %26#8220;My Unforgettable Jazz Friends,%26#8221; a book about her friendships with jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Nat King Cole.

A member of the %26#8220;South County Writers,%26#8221; Gordon is on chapter 19 of her as-yet untitled fiction novel, a story about the search for the separated twins of a deceased jazz pianist. She said the small group reminds her to add more descriptive material and character development in her work.

%26#8220;Its really pretty hard to see the flaws that others may spot,%26#8221; said Gordon, who is hoping to get her newest novel published. %26#8220;Even the very good writers, which I am not, make boo-boos, so this group is very helpful.%26#8221;

Not all NightWriters are looking to publish, however. Twelve-year member Anne Peterson, who has four unpublished fiction novels stashed away in her closet, said she just likes writing for fun.

%26#8220;Its always surprising to see what I come up with,%26#8221; said Peterson, a retired schoolteacher currently writing a personal essay on global warming.

%26#8220;I go, %26#8216;Oh my gosh, did I write that? Thats not too bad, %26#8221; she says.

Reach Josh Krane at 781-7864.

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Monday, March 10th, 2008

Landscaping Stone No Comments

Dont let age spots blemish antique linens

Dear Martha: What causes age spots to develop on antique linen sheets and tablecloths? Can the spots be removed or the fabric repurposed?

Answer: Linen is made from flax, which is one of the strongest and most lustrous of all fibers. Its use in fabric dates at least as far back as ancient Egypt. Because linen is so durable, it can survive for generations if cared for correctly (hence the abundance of heirlooms). The material can yellow over time, however. To prevent this from happening, wrap your linens in acid-free paper and store them in acid- and lignin-free boxes; never keep the fabrics in cedar chests, as the fumes emitted by this wood are harmful to cellulose fibers.

Once they set, age spots can be stubborn. As a general rule, you should never wash or bleach old, delicate linens. Instead, take them to a professional textile cleaner or restorer. For newer, less precious linen, you can soak the fabric for 30 minutes in a solution of lukewarm water and a mild, neutral detergent. Always rinse thoroughly, as detergent residue is another cause of yellowing. For light-colored linen, dyeing is an option, and it’s relatively easy to do if you use one of the products that can be added to the wash cycle of your washing machine. Dark colors are best at masking age spots; avoid blue dyes, however, which can actually highlight age spots.
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If cleaning or dyeing the linen isn’t a good option, consider turning unaffected sections into household accessories. Flat sheets and tablecloths yield plenty of yardage for napkins, coasters and tea towels, or even a table runner. Simply cut the fabric to the desired size, allowing enough excess material for a hem. If the linen has a monogram or colored trim, try incorporating it into the accessory to preserve and showcase the fabric’s history and character.

Dear Martha: What grain do you recommend for making rice pudding?

Answer: This classic, creamy dessert is all about consistency. It is typically made by cooking rice in milk and then adding some combination of cream, eggs, sugar and spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. You can use long-grain white rice when making the pudding, but it won’t deliver the same consistency as a shorter, plumper grain. For the best texture and taste, Arborio, a medium-grain white rice, is recommended.

When Arborio is prepared properly, its center remains firm and chewy while the outer coating softens, adding creaminess to rice pudding %26#151; or risotto, for which Arborio also is the choice grain. The fact that the rice can absorb up to five times its weight in liquid, as well as its ability to take on a variety of flavors, also makes it ideal for a pudding. Lastly, puddings made with Arborio rice should require less cream or fewer egg yolks than those made with other grains, so you can reduce calories without compromising the consistency and flavor.

Traditionally grown in Italy, Arborio rice is now harvested in California and Texas. It is available in many supermarkets and Italian specialty shops, at prices comparable with other grains’.

Dear Martha: Are there any helpful guidelines for determining how large an area rug should be for a room?

Answer: When sizing up a rug, it’s more important to think about the role it will play than the dimensions of the room. As the name implies, area rugs are meant to demarcate specific areas within a larger space. For example, they’re often used to anchor dining room tables, in which case they should be 3 feet to 4 feet wider and longer than the table to provide ample coverage for the chairs. Living rooms are a little less straightforward because they often contain multiple seating areas, which can be served by one or more area rugs.

The goal is to strike a balance between the rug, the furniture and the exposed hardwood floors. Arrange your furnishings (or plot them out on a sheet of graph paper if you’re redecorating), and then size the rug or rugs accordingly.

That said, try not to get too hung up on dimensions. As long as you choose a rug you love, you will be happy with the decision.

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Thursday, January 31st, 2008

Backyard Landscaping No Comments

How to decorate your home in one hour or less for the holidays

Look, we’re all busy.

Just getting presents purchased and Christmas cards mailed takes days. Weeks, even.

Who has time left for decorating?

Everyone wants to decorate their home for the holidays — because when it’s done, it looks so pretty and festive. But to get it done in a reasonable amount of time, you’re going to need to cut corners.

Below are some quick and easy ideas to help you decorate your home for the holidays quickly.

As for putting it all away … you can worry about that after New Year’s.

Time-saving tip No. 1: Outsource

You can hire companies to hang your outdoor lights, decorate your living room, and even clean up after your holiday party.

If you think services like these are only used by rich people, think again. Just as maid and landscaping services were once only hired by the well-heeled, today thousands of suburbanites outsource their decorating tasks for the holidays. It’ll cost you, but it’s the fastest and easiest way to scratch things off your to-do list.

“If we can do it, then we’ll do it,” says Rebecca Snider, owner of RSVP Services, a concierge company in Sugar Grove.

Likewise, The Care of Trees offers an increasingly popular “Christmas D%26#233;cor” service. With a quick phone call and on-site consultation, the company will string lights on your house, bushes and trees. Prices start at $750, which includes putting up, taking down and storing the lights until next year.

“People love how it looks but don’t like putting them up, or even worse, taking them down in January when it’s sub-zero,” said Scott Jamieson, CEO of The Care of Trees. “It can be a pretty labor-intensive thing.”

Interior decorators are also getting more requests from people who want guidance or assistance in decorating their family rooms.

“It’s a big business nowadays,” says Linda Navara, an interior designer from Arlington Heights.

Estimated time: 15 minutes (a phone call and a possible in-home consultation).

Cost: $$$$. Depending on the service, prices start at $30 an hour and often end up in the hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Time-saving tip No. 2: Poinsettias

Buy them, bring them home, put them on the table … done. They automatically say “Christmas” and you don’t have to do anything.

Estimated time: 30 minutes. A trip to the grocery store/florist and back.

Cost: $. At Jewel, a poinsettia is $4.

Time-saving tip No. 3: Dimmed lights, candles and music

You have them, now light them. Scented candles preferred.

Margy Bedyk, owner of Maggie Magoos in Schaumburg, recommends putting holiday candle rings around your existing candles to give them instant holiday flair. Even if the candles are strange colors like blue or orange, you can use silver sparkled rings. Her store sells a wide variety of styles, ranging from $10 to $30 each.

To add even more ambience, dim the lights, light your fireplace, and play your holiday music CDs.

Estimated time: 10 minutes

Cost: $ 0-$30

Time-saving tip No. 4: Minimalism

You’ve hauled out your boxes of holiday stuff. Now, pick out only a few of your favorite things and put out only those.

Gail Kueker, an interior decorator with Finishing Touches Studio in Barrington, says you don’t need to put up a lot of decorations to give a room a Christmas feel.

“It’s about making high impact in small areas,” she said. “It’s all about the art of placement.”

Simple decorating ideas include putting shiny matching ornaments or pine cones in a glass bowl, and laying a holiday runner on the dining room table.

If your crunched for time, Kueker recommends decorating just three places: the tree, the mantle and the coffee table.

Navara agrees with this “less is more” decorating philosophy, and suggests switching out everyday throw pillows with holiday-themed ones, putting a holiday rug by the kitchen sink, and adding scented soaps and pretty towels to the guest bathroom.

“Use what you have,” Navara says, “but don’t use everything that you have.”

Estimated time: One hour

Cost: Free

Time-saving tip No. 5: Use a pre-lit Christmas tree, wreath and/or garland

Why waste time untangling lights and running cords around the room when pre-lit Christmas trees start at $50 and can be used year after year?

While there are plenty of cheap pre-lit greenery out there, usually costing around $50, the top-quality pre-lit greens from Niles-based Hammacher Schlemmer range from $150 for a 4%26#189;-foot tree to $1,800 for a 16-foot tree.

“These trees are our top sellers during the holiday season,” Hammacher Schlemmer spokeswoman Carly Krug said. “You unfold it, fluff it out a little bit and it’s ready to go. They’re so easy … and the less maintenance you have to do, the better.”

Estimated time: 30 minutes Cost: $$$

Time-saving tip No. 6: Make one trip to the store

If you’re too lazy to get your stuff out of storage, do a one-stop shopping spree at your neighborhood grocery or discount store.

The experts advise getting two boxes of matching shiny ornaments (one for the tree, one for a glass bowl), fresh flowers and/or greens, a small fake tree, poinsettias (see above), a wreath, candles and bows.

The downside, obviously, is that you’ll now have twice as much holiday stuff for your storage space.

Estimated time: one hour Cost: $$$

Time-saving tip No. 6 Don’t decorate at all

Sure, it’s Scrooge-like. But just think of all the hassles you’ll avoid.

You can decorate next year.

Estimated time: Not even a second

Cost: Not even a penny.

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Thursday, December 27th, 2007

Landscaping Services No Comments

Palm Beach Gardens Landscaping Stone

Experience spectacular and expansive views of the largest lake in Mirasol and the 14th hole from this European-inspired dramatic estate designed by famed builder Landscaping Stone, Paul Courchene. Situated on the premier and longest lake location in Mirasol, this five bedroom home boasts extraordinary features, such as incredible and unusual mixes of marble, stone, wood, stained glass and faux finishes. (more…)

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Sunday, October 28th, 2007

Landscaping Stone No Comments


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