Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Christopher Bennett Special to The Freeman Volumes are available regarding preparing your home for the onset of a Wisconsin winter. There are self-help books, radio and televi- sion shows, insurance companies, advice from your dad and that neighbor you rarely see, and more. Kevin Anundson is the vice pres- ident of Renovations Group in Elm Grove. He's remodeled homes for 15 years, and is the national president of NARI — the National Associa- tion of the Remodeling Industry. Renovations Group specializes in larger remodeling projects, such as kitchens, bathrooms, recreation rooms, additions and more. Anund- son knows what it takes to keep a house in peak condition. Regarding getting ready for win- ter, Anundson said to start with the furnace. "Make sure it is in good operat- ing condition," Anundson said. "We've had experiences where the heat exchange cracked and carbon monoxide got in the home." Anundson said modern homes are mostly air-tight and rely heavi- ly on the furnace. Call a certified technician to perform any work. Addressing water issues is also important. Check gutters, outside drains and faucets and the sump pump. Clean the gutters and ensure they are free of debris and that water can move freely. "Make sure those hose bibbs are properly shut off and drained," Anundson said. "Some people have frost-free valves, but a lot of people don't know if they do." As for the sump pump, ensure the discharge hose is not blocked and is in position where it will not freeze shut. You will also want to check the caulk around the windows and doors outside your home. "A lot of time you'll find a spot or two where the caulk has pulled away or been degraded by the sun," Anundson said. "Check on windows and doors." Check your insulation, especially in your attic. "It's worth going up there and looking around and making sure you've got adequate venting in your attic," Anundson said. Venting in an attic is critical. Anundson said you want your attic to be the same temperature as the exterior. Do not seal your attic to keep it warm. "That's how ice dams form," Anundson said. Ice dams form when snow melts and freezes repeatedly and forms a wall at or under the roof line. Regarding moisture, consider the drapes in your home. "Some people think it is wise to put big, heavy drapes over the window to keep cold out," Anundson said. "Trouble is, it lowers the sur- face temperature of the glass." The air circulating in that room is unable to heat the window or remove moisture, which can lead to condensation or even frost. In extreme instances the wood in the window can mold. Another key consideration to preparing a home for winter is energy consumption. We Energies can help. We Energies recommends using drapes, shades and blinds to aid heating and cooling. Keep them open to gain heat from the sun in winter. The thermostat is another item that can help or hurt you in winter. According to We Energies, consumers can save as much as 10 percent each year on heating and cooling by turning the ther- mostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours per day. We Energies recommends setting the thermostat to 78 in the summer and 68 in winter. On the topics of thermostats, switch to a pro- grammable thermostat. They can be set to adjust automatically, and are a proven method of controlling energy costs. More energy-saving and winterizing advice is available at http://www.we-energies.com/. By Christopher Bennett Special to The Freeman BROOKFIELD — Green and red throughout the house for Christmas? That's so yesteryear. According to recent trends, you should consid- er bubble gum pink and purple, or Kelly green and baby blue, as new hallmark colors of the hol- iday season. Certain colors are accepted standards of the holiday palette. Trees are green. Candy canes are red and white. Silver and gold are common accent colors. The palette is changing, and it should come as no shock. Christmas decorations are as trendy as ripped jeans and leg warmers. There was that time when seemingly everyone bought a silver tree, or the year when icicle lights hung from the front of all of our homes. And we all know someone who owned (or still owns) one of those lawn blow-ups. Trends this season focus on color and shape. Color is an open concept, according to a recent article on HGTV.com. Shape, according to Real Simple, is limited only by your imagination. If you prefer tradition, it is hard to go astray with white. It is a hallmark color of the season, and evokes thoughts of snow and the Virgin Birth. This season, it is popular to pair white with any number of individual colors or combi- nations of colors. White pairs well with parchment-colored bows, baubles and ornaments. Think of a white tree with burlap trim and beige ornaments. Adding a metallic color such as gold offers another layer of color. For a touch of class, add a matte turquoise to the mix. The soft tone offers a subtle feeling. Remove the parchment and turquoise and stick with white and metallics. Add to that violet, and the presentation becomes much bolder. Pairing white with brown is another popular trend that offers a timeless, understated look. White with baby blue and Kelly green is also an intriguing combination. Kelly green is a staple of holiday colors, and the baby blue offers just enough warmth to soften any edges. Get edgy If you really want to take color to the edge, con- sider mixing white with hot pink, lime green and red, or add white to bubble gum pink and purple. Either combination makes it clear you didn't traipse over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house for the holidays. If you prefer a more timeless look, one with roots in the past but with a contemporary flair, try white with red and robin's egg blue. Robin's egg blue gained popularity as a holiday color in the 1950s, and red and white help bring it into the modern era. Modern decorating for the holidays also advocates employing shapes and objects in creative applications. Candy can be used a centerpiece. Ribbon candy, candy canes and peppermints in fes- tive bowls in the center of a dinner table are eye-catching. Baubles and snowflakes are for more than just trees. Either can be hung from over- head lighting, in doorways or on arches for more holiday accents. Another idea for which shape decorating is useful is to adorn seemingly non-holiday themed objects. A mirror over a mantle takes on a new twist when bedecked with garland, or with reindeer figurines in front. Glass balls of varying holiday colors in a jar also add flair. Real Simple defined hot pink and lime green as the holiday's season "preppy power couple," and advocated for combina- tion in a wreath for either indoor or outdoor use. Hot pink and lime green are also excellent accent colors for a Christmas tree. Picture a hot pink tree topper, or a lime green bows with hot pink ornaments, or hot pink beads with lime green lights. Another outlet for greenery, such as a wreath or pine boughs, is in a table display. Pair the green with accents of varying shades of blue and silver for a classic look. Silver-frosted pine cones are an accent that works seemingly anywhere and everywhere. Hide them in your hot pink and lime green tree, or place handfuls in bowls for a table decoration. Cranberries can be used in similar fashion. The holiday season is steeped in tradition and charm, and modern trends make it clear that it is OK to play with color and shapes and forge tradi- tions of your own while honoring the past. Do not be afraid to put your grandmother's Lit- tle Drummer Boy ornament in a hot pink and lime green Christmas tree. Page 2A • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove 262-542-2500 Hours: M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 801 N. 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Call 542-2501 PAGE REPRINTS Go to www.gmtoday.com/freemanreprints The Freeman is printed on recycled newsprint. Freeman subscription rates • By in-county mail 13 weeks..............$36 26 weeks..............$66 52 weeks............$120 • Out-of-county mail 13 weeks.............$51 26 weeks............$99 52 weeks..........$192 Easy buy .....$10 a month with credit card Electronic edition ......$10 a month with credit card Circulation Dept. To reach the Circulation Department call 542-2501 or go to www.gmtoday.com/wfhelp. NOVEMBER 2014 Just a Little Bit Country N4 W22496 Bluemound Rd. Waukesha 262-542-8050 262-542-8050 Shop Monday thru Saturday 10am till 5pm Christmas Open House Christmas Open House J J u u s s t t a a Li Li t t t t l l e e B B i i t t C C o o u u n n t t ry ry We specialize in early 1800's colonial antiques and fine reproduction furniture . . . • Windsor Chairs • Camelback Sofas and Settees • Wing Chairs • Wrought Iron Goods • Historic Lighting . . . and other needful things to create the historic home of your dreams. Come Celebrate the Joys of Christmas at November 7 th , 8 th , 9 th 240460116 Wonderland From Page 1A Do not overlook safety. Use a good ladder. Do not work alone if you are working with a ladder, and be sure the lad- der is sitting on steady ground. If you need to reach or strain, it is time to move the ladder. As always, the top step is not actually a step. At this point, Ruedt advises drawing a simple map or lay- out of what you want to do. Take measurements. "When I say measure- ments, there are very easy calculators on the Internet to calculate how much you need in lights for a tree or a shrub," Ruedt said. Measurements also means considering how much cord you need and how many timers you might need, and where your electric outlets are positioned. Regarding electricity, check what else feeds into the cir- cuit breaker on which you intend to plug in your lights. Do not overload the circuit. If you go gung-ho with holiday lighting you might even con- sider a separate circuit break- er. Make sure your lights are compatible — that you are not trying to use LEDs with non- LED lighting, for example. Once your idea is refined, be sure you own what it is you want to put on your home. Buy devoted extension cords and timers for your outside lights. Be sure they are rated for outdoor use and the amount of power you intend to use. Consider pruning trees and shrubs before wrapping them with lights. Trees and shrubs might suffer damage when lights are removed if not pre- viously pruned. Test your lights. Plug them in on the ground. Make sure they work. Being aloft on a ladder is not the time to learn of a bad string. Get a head start Don't be afraid to mount your decorations before the snow flies and the winds turn cold. You can wait and plug in your display when the time is right. Ruedt and his crews will start installing decora- tions in November. After all this preparation, you can start hanging lights. Again, safety first. Special clips can be pur- chased at the hardware store that attach the lights to the gutter or shingles and will not cause damage. Ruedt said zip ties and twist ties also work well, and a permanent con- nection might also be consid- ered. Pay attention to the clip's weight rating. Clip the lights on the string on the ground before getting on your ladder. Ruedt advises against tap- ing connections together. "There's a lot of talk about taping ends of connections and taping two connections together," Ruedt said. "It causes circuits to pop more than anything else because it retains moisture." Point your connections down, away from the sky, and protect them as best you can. Once mounted, this is the point at which you enjoy your holiday lights. Removal is the reverse of installation. Again, safety first. This cannot be stressed enough. Ruedt said more peo- ple die than you might expect each year in ladder-related accidents. You can leave lights up indefinitely if the weather is not to your liking. Ruedt's crews start disassembling their handiwork in early Jan- uary. "When you go to take the display down, make sure it's labeled for next year's instal- lation," Ruedt said. "Put a tag on the lights or use tape with a marker." Putting labels on lights ensures you know where to start next year. Clean and inspect everything during disassembly. After-Christmas sales are an excellent time to replenish damaged stock. Also, keep everything together. Store the cords and timers and lights together and use the equipment only for the holidays. Prep homes inside, outside for winter Proper preparations can save on energy costs Timeless holiday doesn't mean same old decorations

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