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AUGUST 2018 HOME 3 K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! 261208007 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment SHOWROOM CLOSEOUT SALE GOING ON NOW! WE SPECIALIZE IN NORCRAFT'S MID CONTINENT CABINETRY (StatePoint) — Inspiration is everywhere. From a field of yellow sunflowers to unique geometric patterns in the tile of a train station, the littlest things can spark the innova- tion behind some of the world's most iconic products and designs. Over half of Americans (51 percent) say the inspiration for creating a product is important to them when purchas- ing an item for their home, according to a recent survey from Moen conducted online by Harris Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults. When updating your own home's décor, you can garner inspiration by discovering the creative influences of pro- fessional designers. Go inside the minds of the pros Designers find inspiration just about everywhere. Peb- bles in a stream sparkling in the sunlight have inspired smartphone interfaces, while talking computers on "Star Trek" have contributed to the creation of voice-controlled speakers. Sometimes designers are inspired by consumers them- selves. For example, at Moen, a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath fixtures, innovation is driven by what homeowners say they want and how they interact with products. When determining the sensor placement for new MotionSense Wave touchless faucets, their design team was inspired by the way hands move around the kitchen sink. The fixtures feature a single-sensor hands-free acti- vation on the base's left side, allowing users to turn the faucet on and off with the wave of a hand. "We also draw creativity from furniture, tools, architecture, music and museums," says Steven Ward, Moen's director of global design. Seek your source of ideas Next time you're updating your bath or restyling your kitchen, act like a professional by venturing outside the box to get your creative juices flowing, whether it's turn- ing to a favorite song or a piece of artwork. For example, 16 percent of Americans who have done a home design project look to the outdoors for inspiration when plan- ning home design projects, while 15 percent look to archi- tecture. Maybe you're struck by the colors of the sunset in your family's summer beach vacation photos or the amazing brick pattern you saw wandering through a his- toric neighborhood. Consider what colors and patterns grab you and evoke the feeling you want to have within your space. And once you find them, snap a photo and ref- erence it as you're designing. Curate inspiration Been a while since you took a vacation? Don't live in an architecturally awe-inspiring locale? Social media is a great proxy. In fact, of Americans who have done a home design project, 33 percent look to social media for inspi- ration. Just like the pros, create a design plan for your space, but make it easy by using a site like Pinterest. Cre- ate boards for color combinations, materials and textures that attract your eye, so you can define your ideal look. Many Pins are shoppable, making it simple to purchase your perfect home décor products with just a click. While making design decisions, don't worry about being "on-trend." If you stay focused on what styles speak to you personally — as well as the functionality your room needs to support — you'll create a space that feels uniquely yours. Think like a designer to update your home StatePoint Your source for inspiration can come from colors that strike your fancy or materials and textures that draw your eye. If it speaks to you and meets a function, you won't have to worry about the latest trend. Few home-maintenance projects are as important as exterior painting because paint and caulking form the first line of defense against rain, snow and ice. A nice paint job will also enhance the curb appeal and resale value of your home. When to paint You should repair and repaint as soon as you notice paint starting to crack, blister and peel. Ignoring these problems will lead to a much more extensive and expensive job. Paint prices Most paint manufacturers offer a wide variety of paints ranging from good to bet- ter to best. As a general rule, budget how much you want to spend on the project and then buy the best paint you can reasonably afford because cost is an excellent indica- tion of quality. Expensive paints contain more pigments than bargain paints so they produce a thicker, longer-lasting, more pro- tective coating. Read the label There's a wealth of information printed right on the can that can help you produce a beautiful paint job. Pay particular attention to the instructions about prepping the sur- face and outdoor air temperature. Prepare the surface For the new paint to adhere to the surface, clean the house's exterior of all dirt, grime, mildew and chalky residue. A power sprayer provides the easiest method, but hand scrubbing with a stiff-bristle brush is just as effective. Start in the shade Whether using a paint sprayer, roller or brush, begin painting on the shady side of the house. Then, wait for the sun to move and do the other side, or just wait for an overcast day. Sun will often cause paint to dry too quickly. Work your way down Start painting near the top of the house and work your way down. Avoid lap marks by always brushing from one wet surface to another. Since you'll be working high up, remember ladder safety and don't over- reach too far to the side or you might topple over. When adding a fresh coat of paint, your house will look amazingly new and stand the test of time. Make your house look nice with a fresh coat of paint

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