cedar valley home & garden - winter 2009

� cedarvalleyhome&garden•winter�009

www.cv-hg.com �

5 Elements

8 Dowdy is doneWallcoverings return

10 Decoration with style

17 Custom creationsFabric, design are passions for custom drapery maker

19 Open concept livingTransitional home offers lesson in scale, space

22 New & next

24 Blind dateChoosing blinds and shutters

27 Lakefront retreatA home for holidays

30 The color report: red

31 Oriental rugsDon’t get tied in knots

33 Ultimate pairingsA new twist on classics

36 CuttingsNew products, garden advice

Regular features39 Prost40 Pet column42 Development guide45 Home plan46 Puzzle

winter

2009Volume 3 • Issue 4

Cover image by Brandon PollockIndex image by Rick Chase

Designer Phil Elliott had this tree constructed years ago from long aluminum rods. It’s wrapped with garland studded with silver balls and pine cones.

lifeBring

YOUR

kitchentolife

319-266-66541930 Main St, Cedar Falls

Kitchens • Entertainment CentersBathrooms • Accessories

Timbergate Interior Doors • Countertops

www.cabinetsgalore.com • [email protected]

� cedarvalleyhome&garden•winter2009

Publisher David A. Braton

Cedar Valley Home & Garden EditorMelody Parker

(319) [email protected]

Project Director and Advertising Sales ManagerSheila Kerns


Graphic Designer and Ad Designer Courtney Towlerton


Ad DesignerAshley Stoppel(319) 291-1551

[email protected]

Contributing WriterAmie Steffen


Contributing PhotographersRick Chase

Brandon PollockMatthew Putney

Rick Tibbott

A publication of The Courier, Waterloo-Cedar Falls

On the Web: www.cv-hg.com

Winter 2009 Vol. 3 issue 4

Cedar Valley Home & Garden is published quarterly by Courier Communications.

Cedar Valley Home & Garden may be contacted at:501 Commercial St.

P.O. Box 540Waterloo, IA 50704

Copyright, Cedar Valley Home & Garden, 2009All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without permission is prohibited.

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Choosing the “fairest mirror of them all” is a matter of taste and purpose.

A well-placed mirror, particularly one that reflects an open doorway or window, can open up a small space. It doubles the feeling of space and, in feng shui, serves an even greater function: It’s believed that when a mirror reflects something good — such as a family portrait, pleas-ing scenery or symbolic object — its positive effects are doubled.

And mirrors don’t have to be wall mounted. Prop one on a dresser or console with a few favorite objects placed in front of it; you’ll enjoy your things from two vantage points.

Mirrored finishes also are turning up on dressers, shelving, backsplash-es, candlesticks, even fireplaces as a relatively inexpensive way to add glamour and lightplay to a space. u

mirror, mirror| elements

Is it a lamp or a mirror? It’s both. This vintage-looking mirror also holds a shaded lamp, perfect for bedside reading, Uttermost, $250, Basket of Daisies.

Seura, a Green Bay, Wis., firm, has adapted new technology to create a sleek mirror/television com-bination. Turned off, you have an attractively framed mirror, but press a button and the mirror morphs into an LCD TV screen. Various models and sizes available, www.seura.com

Horchow offers a hand-painted, wood-framed mirror designed by

Janice Minor that looks like its bris-tling with porcupine quills, $539.

Artful swirling motifs give this large rectangular mirror a contemporary feel from Howard Elliott, Simpson Furniture, Cedar Falls.


| elements

Mirrored accessories make a statement in elegant groupings, such as this pair

of obelisks from Uttermost. The largest is $162 and the medium sized is $135,

Home Interiors, Cedar Falls.

Splash the Raindrop mirror by Ut-termost onto a wall for a stunning, artistic effect. The mirror fits into many decorating styles, from Julie Meyers, Interiors by Decorating Den in Waverly.

WIN THISFor a traditional touch, hang this scalloped-frame oval wall display with mirror back and glass shelves. It has a light oak finish with a beveled glass front and measures 32- by 22.5 inches by 6 inches deep. From The Oak Tree in Plainfield, valued at $350.

Win this!Log onto

www.cv-hg.com/winthis to find

out how.

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Win This winners from our previous issue: Mary Strattn, Cedar Falls, interior design consultation with Flack Interior Design Associates, a division of Simpson Furniture; Jeanne Alexander, Waterloo, custom metal art design from Rowan Metal Art Designs and Rowan Equipment & Fabrication; Randy Kelleher, Denver, $50 gift certificate from Diamond Vogel; and Louise Sandvold, dessert and coffee for six from Imagine This & Special Tea Room.

A large round mirror is especially dramatic in a foyer, living or dining room. The “Elita”

is from Sake and has an espresso finish, $187, Home Interiors, Cedar Falls.

A cluster of mirrors can be used as artwork on a wall or even as a decorative headboard, Ut-termost, Simpson Furniture, Cedar Falls.

Pottery Barn’s Cherry Bark mirror introduces a natural texture that will work in most settings, from formal to casual.


Wallcoverings return in surprising colors, past-inspired motifs, scale

DoWDy DoneisText and Images | Associated Press

Wallpaper is on a roll.After years on the dec-

orative outs, wallcover-ings are back in style. They’ve shed their dowdy association with teddy bears and tiny country prints and re-emerged in fresh, attention-getting forms.

Wallpaper’s return has followed a decline in the popularity of faux fin-ishes, noted Stacy Senior Allan, mar-keting director for wallpaper maker Thibaut Inc.

But like faux finishes, wallpaper adds a dimension that a plain coat of paint can’t, Allan noted. Especially in rooms without a lot of soft surfaces — dining rooms and bathrooms, for example — wallpaper adds softness and a layering effect, she said.

Here’s what’s hot.

Tradition — with a twist ‘’Everything has gone large-scale,’’

said Paula Berberian, creative services manager for Brewster Wallcovering Co. Familiar designs such as damask and Jacobean prints are being blown up into bold proportions and ren-dered in unexpected hues or metal-lics.

The result is a less stuffy look that can work even in modern settings. It can be busy, though, so Lilly Sosic of the Brunschwig & Fils showroom in Beachwood’s Ohio Design Centre said wallpapers with oversized graph-ics might be best for areas where peo-

ple don’t spend a lot of time — a pow-der room, for instance, or a foyer.

Or cover just one wall, suggested Gina Shaw, vice president of product development for York Wallcoverings. Not only is creating a feature wall a returning trend among designers, but it’s also a less costly way to bring inter-est to a room.

Sophisticated finishes Thibaut’s Allan said improvements

in manufacturing technology allow wallpaper to have raised textures and embellishments that weren’t possible earlier.

Sand and tiny bead accents are pop-ular as are bits of bling such as crystals and pearls. Metallics are big, too, but don’t be scared away by bad memo-ries of disco-era Mylar. Metallics now are more subtle, often used just for ac-cents.

You can find papers that resemble crinkled silk or pleats, and Brewster even has an embroidered paper com-ing out this year, Berberian said.

Eco chic Grass and leaf designs are popular,

as is grass cloth, a classic look that’s making a comeback. It’s made of

A vintage lace motif on this wallcovering from MYB Textiles recalls classic designs, but updated for modern sensibilities.

www.cv-hg.com 9

reeds, bamboo and other natu-ral grasses, Berberian said, so it fits right in with people’s desire to decorate with renewable materi-als.

From a color standpoint, Shaw said spa blues and greens are strong, as are other Earth-inspired shades. Brown remains popular, often paired with brighter colors.

‘60s flashback The bold geometrics, pop art

and bright colors that exemplified that groovy decade are in big de-mand among younger consum-ers, and that’s translating to wall-paper design. “It’s a new look to them,’’ Berberian noted.

Because many of the fans of ‘60s design are young enough to be decorating dorm rooms or first apartments — or even their tween or teen bedrooms — the look is strong in lower-priced, reposi-tionable decals such as Brewster’s Wall Pops and York’s RoomMates. The peel-and-stick decals use an adhesive like the one used in Post-it notes, so they leave no residue when they’re removed. u

“Fruits of Design” wallcovering from Flavor Paper.

10 cedarvalleyhome&garden•Winter2009

When the last of the Thanksgiv-ing turkey and cranberry rel-ish disappears

from the table, we get busy deck-ing the halls for the holidays.

Wreaths hang from doors, gar-lands wrap pillars and staircases and lighted, decorated trees glow in front windows, bringing the warm feeling of home and wel-come to family and friends who

come to call and celebrate the season.

Embracing tradition doesn’t have to mean getting stuck in place. Bring out the tried-and-true, reminisce over children’s handmade ornaments collected over the years, but mix it up a bit. Keep things interesting with a new color theme or style, en-joy what you have and use what you’ve got in a different, excit-ing way. Make use of the china,

crystal and silver pieces tucked into china cupboards in the din-ing room. Cluster a collection or two, gather heirloom ornaments in a pretty bowl instead of hang-ing them on the tree, bring in clippings from trees and shrubs in your own yard for use in cen-terpieces or wreaths, get creative with your fireplace mantel. Turn the pages for more wonderful ideas that will make your home festive!

Decorating with Style

WWW.cv-hg.com 11

Cedar Valley farmhouse holiday decorations By Phil EllioTT, Phil Elliott Designs, Jesup

Rick Chase | Photos

12 cedarvalleyhome&garden•winter2009

| decorating with style

For an elegant holiday dinner or festive new year’s eve, go for glamorous formality. a tall centerpiece filled with fresh ingredients is intermingled with silk Casa Blanca lilies and faux fern fronds in glitter-ing silver, flanked by pair of tall silver stands hold-ing shiny gazing balls. glass trees, nestled in fake snow, are arranged along the length of the table.

“FireplaCe mantels Can Be triCky. many people are afraid to put lots of stuff on their mantels, but you can create very sophisticat-ed, classic arrangements if you remember balance and scale.“ — ken-non springer

the Contrast oF BlaCk and white is both classically elegant and understated, particularly when dressed up with the season’s most festive trimmings. silver and crystal add sparkle and show an apprecia-tion for vintage and antique collections.

when Choosing a Color sCheme, complement the room’s decor. This living room’s faux-finished walls, Chinese red rug and but-ter-cream bronze curved sofa, lends itself to decorations in rich jewel tones, radiant gold and botanical decorations for this 12-foot-tree. touches of chartreuse visually pop.

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“The holidays are the one time of the year when it’s perfectly ok to go overboard, so pull out all the stops.” — phil elliott

think outside the proverBial Box. Fill a punch bowl with ice and it can be used to chill champagne. use a soup tureen for gravy and serve with a punch ladle.


“Surround yourself with the things you love. Carry your holiday theme into rooms throughout the house to prolong the joy of the season.” — Kennon Springer

www.cv-hg.com 15

Springville home interior design and holiday decorations by Kennon Springer interior perfections, Hiawatha,

brandon pollock | photos


| decorating with style

EntErtain with EasE and gracious-ness. Make sure your place settings sparkle. Use real fabric napkins in classic white, tucked into napkin rings with sprigs of holly. Pre-pare familiar dishes that everyone will love and make (or buy) a show-stopping dessert. when serving buffet style, label dishes and make sure all dishes have serving pieces.

a triP throUgh thE backyard can yield wonderful materials — evergreen boughs, branches, berries and vines — that can be gathered and displayed in vases or cylinders. add more drama by letting the branches reach to the ceiling.

Mix MattE, shiny, clEar and glittEring ornaments and add a little whimsy with feathery bird ornaments. don’t forget smaller “fill” orna-ments to add bulk to your collection. rule of thumb: about 15 to 20 filler ornaments for every two feet of tree.

“think aboUt how to disPlay yoUr collEctions. you can group by theme, by color, by the objects themselves, such as glass candle-sticks. when gathered, the elements need to reflect the size of the room.” — kennon springer

www.cv-hg.com 17

Text | Melody ParkerImages | Rick Tibbot and Photography by Pamela

yards of garnet red silk dupi-oni spill across the broad ta-ble in sheri guillot’s work-

shop. she smooths the fabric and con-

tinues pinning insets into panels, working methodically toward com-pletion of an order for custom-de-signed draperies that eventually will feature a celtic-inspired appli-que at the hem.

guillot has been making custom-designed draperies, window cover-ings, bedspreads, decorative pillows and more for nearly six years in her dysart store, custom creations. it’s painstaking and detailed labor — and she thoroughly enjoys it.

“i love fabric — the textures, the color, the drape of fabrics. choos-ing a favorite fabric is hard because i love them all — silks, faux silks, velvets. There are so many that it’s impossible for me to choose. i love designing and creating draperies. i’ve sewn my whole life and i’m an engineer by trade, so this kind of work appeals to me because it is ex-acting,” said guillot.

she began making draperies and other decor projects for friends

when she and her husband were living in switzerland, and they were so impressed that they suggested she start a business. guillot was in-trigued by the idea and decided to pursue it when they returned to the United states.

custom-designed drapery mak-ers aren’t exactly a dime a dozen and are more commonly found in larger metropolitan areas. guillot, however, found an apprenticeship in her own backyard with Patty

worden in dysart. she eventually took over the business when wor-den retired. “Patty taught me all the ins-and-outs of making draperies, the business and became my friend. at first, it was scary on my own. My first customer was a neighbor who wanted bedroom draperies. i was so thrilled to have a customer, and i’ve never been without business since then.”

a long laundry list of projects are scrawled on a dry-erase board

Fabric, design, color are passions for custom drapery maker Sheri Guillot

custom creations

In her Dysart workroom, Sheri Guillot pins panels to create part of the design for cus-tom draperies that will feature Celtic-inspired appliques.


above her cutting table, and bolts of special-order fabrics await her atten-tion. On the opposite wall is an in-dustrial sewing machine, serger, con-ventional sewing machine and other equipment. Current orders will take up to 14 weeks to complete, although the average wait is four to six weeks. She’s also hired an assistant to keep up with demand.

She belongs to the Iowa Window Coverings Association and frequent-ly attends seminars and classes to keep abreast of new techniques and changes in the industry.

Clients turn to Guillot to solve de-sign challenges with window cover-ings, and she enjoys the consultation process. “I want to see what their tastes are, the styles they like, what their surroundings are like, the ar-chitecture of their home, what their needs are, their budget. Window coverings aren’t just decorative, they can have specific functions, whether it’s privacy or to block a view or to

control light, heat and cooling in a room. I keep my prices affordable because I think everyone should be able to decorate their home to suit their taste and lifestyle.”

Fabrics are chosen from Guillot’s numerous fabric sample books, and if one fabric is too expensive, she will find similar, less expensive fabrics. The client pays a down payment be-fore fabric is ordered.

Custom Creations also sells other home improvement products such as flooring, and Guillot’s second store, Custom Creations Too, sells home decor and provides decorating con-sultations and installations. u

| custom creations

Great room: Designer and fabricator Sheri Guillot, Custom Creations by Sheri; fabric from Catania Silks and drapery hard-ware from House Parts.

www.cv-hg.com 19

Text | Melody Parker, CVH&G Editor Images | Rick Chase

Downsizing doesn’t have to translate into living small.

Most homeowners vi-sualize themselves jettisoning be-longings to shoe-horn themselves into a smaller footprint. But Heri-tage Hills Estates in Cedar Falls of-fers a lesson in scale, thanks to an open-concept design.

There’s space to spare in the tran-sitional home, designed and built by Denny Lenth Construction. From the outside, it resembles a condo — but without common walls.

“You still have your privacy. It’s a stand-alone home that allows peo-ple to live the same way they did in their previous single-family home,

Transitional home offers lesson in scale, space

Downsizing into a smaller home doesn’t mean you have to live in cramped quarters. Above, the fireplace is the focal point in this open-concept living area.

Open concept living


A play on the galley-style kitchen features solid-surface countertops and plenty of cabinetry for storage, while keeping amenities close at hand. Opposite page, a sunroom accesses the home’s deck.

The tropical flavor found in the master bedroom reflects decorating throughout the home.

without having to do the or snow removal,” Lenth explained.

The main floor offers nearly 1,800 square feet of living space beneath 9-foot-tall ceilings. A formal din-ing space, sunroom, deck and fin-ished lower level add to the spa-ciousness.

“We liked the idea of being in an association that takes care of some things, but we don’t have to share a wall with neighbors. The open floor plan is very pleasing, and there’s plenty of room when the grandchildren come to visit,” said the homeowner.

The ranch-style home features three bedrooms, including a mas-ter suite with large walk-in closet, and three baths. A jetted tub in the master bath offers a place to un-wind.

In the kitchen, the design cen-

| open concept living

www.cv-hg.com 21

The tropical flavor found in the master bedroom reflects decorating throughout the home.

Register to win online TODAY!www.cv-hg.com/winthis

Look for the “Win This” tag and you could win beautiful home furnishings and accessories! Cedar Valley Home & Garden magazine offers

an exciting new promotion, giving our readers the chance to win select items from area retailers. In the Winter 2009 issue of CVHG, find the “Win This”

tags. Then go online to www.cv-hg.com and register to win!

Deadline to Enter:Thursday, December 17

No purchase necessary to play. Must be 18 years or older to participate. One entry per person. All rules are listed at cv-hg.com/winthis.

Winners will be selected on December 18 and contacted by phone. Winners will be announced to the public in the CVHG magazine and online on February 9, 2010.

DESIGNER HANDBAG created by Mary Frances, L.A. based designer to the stars, value of $365.Interior Perfection Design Group1450 Boyson Rd. Building A, Hiawatha

OAK WALL DISPLAY CABINET with mirror back and glass shelves (32”h x 22.5”w x 6”d),

value of $350.The Oak Tree, Inc.

708 Main St., Plainfield

HOLIDAY-THEMED DOOR DECORATION from Seasonal Screenings by Peri Woltjer,value of $60.Vintage Iron Company104 Main St., Cedar Falls

CONTEMPORARY 90 DEGREE chrome kitchen faucet from Moen,

value of $315.

Win this!Look for this logo

throughout Cedar Valley Home & Garden

magazine.

ters around easy function, practi-cal use and plenty of storage space. Upscale touches include solid-sur-face countertops and Omega maple cabinetry. The two-level bar and barstools provide plenty of room for casual meals, and the stair-step effect keeps kitchen messes hidden from view of the living room. For ambience and architectural inter-est, there is a central fireplace in the living room and a second fireplace in the lower level.

The homeowners, who returned to the Cedar Valley from warmer climes, brought with them a tropi-cal motif in their decorating. It looks perfectly at home in the set-ting.

“I was especially happy to have room for my big dining room ta-ble,” she said.

Soft sand-colored walls and com-fortable oatmeal carpeting under-foot visually expand the space. u

SubcontractorsAmerican PlumbingAll Eastern Iowa Seamless GutterBentons Building CenterBenton’s ConcreteBenton’s Sand & GravelCeilley InsulationChristie Door Co.Collette Ellison, ASID, interior designerDierks Tree TransplantDon’s TVGlen Weber

Fager Construction Inc.Turf & LandscapeCustom DrywallMallon ConstructionMartinson ConstructionMyers ElectricRose PaintingSmitty’s ApplianceSpahn & RoseStandard GlassWelch & Brown Masonry


NEXTnewand

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Win This!With its ultra-contemporary styling, the 90 Degree from Moen brings a clean, minimalist aesthetic to the home. The chrome one-handle high-arc kitchen faucet has a one-handle lever for ease of use, an aerated stream and is ADA compliant. It is designed for a single hole mount. Valued at $315.

Sustainable sofaThe Jasmine Sofa from Broyhill, about $899, offers a stylish approach to sustainable living. The casual, tight-back sofa is covered in a natural taupe, repurposed cotton cloth. The frame is constructed from domestic timber obtained from certified sustainable sources. No-sag springs are made from 100 percent recycled steel; seat cushions contain soy-based foam; pillows and back cushions are made from recycled plastics; and wood legs are made from certified wood stained with water-based finishes.

Stress reliefAt the end of a tiring day, stretch out and snore in Ekornes’ Stressless chair or recliner, endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. Stressless chairs are designed to fit the family, no matter the size or age. Space-age foam is molded over the frame and additional padding adds comfort and support. The durable steel frame, top-grain leather and unique Stressless glide system provide support, comfort and quality. The seating is made in Norway by Ekornes, the largest furniture manufacturer in Scandinavia, and is now available at Home Interiors in Cedar Falls.

Small sounds beautifulBowers & Wilkins’ iconic Zeppelin redefined what could be expected from a one-piece iPod speaker system, enhanc-ing both the Apple iPod or iPhone docked to it. Now the original design has been shrunk down to the Zeppelin Mini. It is new this month, $399, available at Apple retail stores, online Apple Store, Amazon.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, saks.com, Frontgate catalog and other U.S. retailers.

www.cv-hg.com 23

3310 University Ave. | Waterloo, IA

234-6854Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-5

Visit YourKOHLER® Registered Showroom

Brighter fire Napoleon’s new fireplace combines fire and ice. The

LHD50 Limited Edition Fireplace incorporates Swarovski crystals in the ember bed, bringing a little bling to the blaze. The crystals are lighted from below by high-ef-

ficiency bulbs, which can be turned on even when the fire isn’t burning behind them. The direct-vent gas fireplace

has a linear, contemporary design and is available in single- and double-sided styles. It sells for $11,000 to $15,000. Napoleon dealers can be found on the company’s Web site, www.napoleonfireplaces.com.

Stash your MacColcaSac MacBook sleeves are a new protective sleeve for the MacBook Pro. All sleeves are made by hand with all-natural environmentally friendly fabrics, including hemp, and heavy padding protects the laptop from drops, dents and scratches. It’s also a theft deterrent because it doesn’t resemble anything that holds electronics and comes in a range of colors and designs. The ColcaSac ($33) and other ColcaSac products are currently available at www.colcasac.com.

24 cedarvalleyhome&garden•WInTer2009

Fix up your windows with the perfect matchWood blinds can bring the look of any room to a whole new level.

blind date

Text | CVH&G staffImages | Levelor

Forget mini blinds and old metal blinds.

Today’s custom window treatments such as blinds, shades and draperies can add a whole new feel to a room while controlling light and adding privacy. They are an easy way to change the look of a room. Howev-er with the vast choices available it can be tricky choosing just the right cover-ings for your window and room.

The options are endless and there’s a window covering for every person-ality. Styles can range from formal to funky and can coordinate or illumi-nate a room’s good looks.

What’s your type?

Choosing your perfect window “match” is about more than colors and textures, so while one of the key considerations is that the treatment fits your style, also make sure to con-sider the functional benefits that these products can add to your home. A few important questions to consider; Do you need to filter light, or let more light in? Will flowing fabrics or solid lines best complement your look? Is safety a consideration for your small children or pets? If so, you may pre-fer a cordless style that operates with a spring system rather than strings.

Get your matchmaking started by understanding the “personality traits” of these popular options:

Cellular (or honeycomb) shades get

their name from unique air-trapping “cells” that expand and contract like an accordion when open and closed. When open, the accordion-like cells create an air barrier between the shade and the window, providing a cushion of insulation. “Cellular shades can significantly reduce energy loss,” said Bryan Nicklas, director of custom marketing for Levolor, “providing a fashionable way to save on energy bills and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures in any season.”

Several cellular shade fabric options are available, in many colors and with varying degrees of privacy.

— Sheer fabrics softly filter light and allow vision from inside and outside.

— Woven fabric cellular shades pro-

WWW.cv-hg.com 25

vide more privacy than sheers. Slight details and shapes are visible through these fabrics.

— To really control light, such as in a bedroom, look for a blockout shade.

Wood and faux wood blinds are known for the warmth, beauty and stylish looks they bring to both the inside and outside of a home. Wood blinds allow precision light control through tilt and lift ability, and with a wide range of finishes available, it is easy to coordinate with existing wood finishes such as furniture, cabinets and flooring.

Roman shades blend fabric for the timeless silhouette of drapery with the performance qualities of a traditional shade, adding rich texture, depth and a dramatic presentation to any win-dow.

Natural shades come in a variety of fabrics blended with natural elements and soft materials such as jute, bam-boo, reeds, grasses and other textiles. The rich, casual elegance of natural shades can be adapted to any room with liners that provide sheer, light-fil-tering or room-darkening effects.

Roller shades bring contemporary

Cellular shades provide a fashionable way to stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Look for energy efficiencyText | Amie Steffen

Sure, you could opt for the tried-and-true method of keeping the cold air out of your home this winter — a large piece of plastic on the inside of your window, or several sheets of plastic cling taped up side by side.

Or you could try a more dignified look, and get a way to keep your home even more energy efficient in the process.

Even without plastic, heavy curtains used to insulate fairly well. But there also was the dreary side effect of having no light coming in.

“People still do insulated draper-ies, but we don’t see a lot of that anymore,” said Rosie Rekers of Rosie Rekers Blinds and Designs in Cedar Falls. “People don’t want all that fabric in their windows. They want [something] more clear.”

In today’s green economy, op-tions for energy-efficient window treatments are becoming ever more popular.

“People ask about that all the time,” said Rekers. “Most people are much more aware than they used to be. They’re paying attention to heat losses and cooling losses as far as their heat bills and gas bills.”

Rekers said one option she likes are the Architella blinds made by Hunter Douglas. The blinds are what’s known as a “honeycomb shade,” or a pleated shade with pockets of air on the inside, insulating the windows.

“Your windows are basically energy holes,” said Rekers. “With the Architella shade, what they’re saying is (the blinds) can reduce that loss up to 50 percent. That is a highly efficient product.”

Another efficiency is a product called plantation shutters, which are wooden interior blinds.

“You see that a lot on the West Coast and down in Florida because of the cooling issues,” she said. “We’ve actually had a really good year with plantation shutters — they’re gaining in popularity and a lot more costly.”

And cost, Rekers said, is definitely a factor.” It’s really important you are cognizant of your energy savings, especially now.”


| blind date

yet classic styles in a variety of fabrics and screens, with opacities ranging from sheer to complete light block out. They add simple lines and sophis-ticated style for any number of living spaces.

Panel track window coverings pro-vide a versatile, modern and sleek op-tion for larger windows, sliding doors or open spaces with a series of sliding fabric panels.

Soft vertical shades offer the func-tionality of a vertical blind with the soft character and appearance of styl-ish draperies, ideal for oversized win-dows and doors.

Custom draperies and valances, un-like ready made draperies, allow the ultimate flexibility and ensure a per-fect match with contours, textures, col-ors and style that align precisely with your specifications.

Looking for a way to create a clean, streamlined appearance? Choose the cordless option. It’s a great way to avoid dangling cords that clutter your view and also offer a safer option for homes with children and pets. The cordless option is offered on a variety of products, so make sure to check for availability before committing.

Control light There are various levels of light con-

trol on blinds and shades, letting you determine the amount of light in your room.

For the ultimate in privacy and light control, the top down/bottom up op-tion gives the shade the ability to be lowered from the top and raised from the bottom. The day/night option, available in Levolor custom cellular and natural shades, combines two fab-rics in one shade. Use the light-filter-ing fabric during the day and blockout fabric for privacy at night. The block-out fabric also can be used during the day for maximum room darkening. LightMaster is a no-rout hole design that blocks light for enhanced room darkening and increased privacy in wood and faux wood blinds. u

www.cv-hg.com 27

| blind date

Text | Melody Parker, CVH&G editorImages | Courtesy

Everyone is working for the weekend, vacations and holi-days, and when the opportu-

nity comes finally to make a break for it, it’s nice to have someplace to go.

For one Cedar Valley couple, their newly remodeled lakefront home, located several hours from Des Moines, is just the place to hang out. Throughout the year, and most especially in summer months and for holidays, family and friends converge on this 4,000-square-foot home where no one frowns at feet on the coffee table or a little sand on the floor.

“We went to Lake Okoboji when I was growing up and I loved it. We wanted our grandchildren to have a place like that to go and spend summer and holidays. We have family that comes from all over the country. It’s a place to make good memories, have fun and spend time together,” said the homeowner. “It’s straight out to the water from the house, which we enjoy.”

Outdoor activities, such as boat-ing, fishing and nature walks keeps everyone busy and engaged, she said.

The weekend retreat is also the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Built in 2005, the contemporary home was all white — inside and out — when they purchased it three years ago. They hired interior de-signer Kathy Flack to create a tra-ditional, warm retreat with multiple

dining and work areas for family “chefs” and grandchildren’s myriad projects.

“It was quite large, like an airplane hanger, and our goal was to make it warmer and visually ground it to

lakefront retreatVacation home gets a facelift to become a warm and relaxing getaway for family

The two-sided stone fireplace divides the large living area into cozier seating areas, and helped the homeowners realize their goal of creating a comfortable getaway.


human scale. That meant getting rid of the white and warming up the color scheme,” said Flack, an award-winning member of the American Society of Interior Designers, of Flack Interior Design Associates, a division of Simpson Furniture and Floor Coverings.

Flack brought in hand-scraped oak, burnished maple and 16-by-16-inch travertine stone tiles. A large, two-sided fireplace was built to di-vide space in the huge living room into two sitting/areas, and plenty of storage was installed. The original L-shaped kitchen has been trans-formed into a functional, roomy gathering place.

“We designed multiple islands with a variety of counter heights and staggered cabinets to add archi-tectural interest and opened up sev-eral traffic patterns. We modified the lowered ceiling to create a dome

Multiple islands, staggered cabinetry and a mix of painted and stained finishes create architectural interest in the lakefront retreat’s homey kitchen.

| lakefront retreat

www.cv-hg.com 29

Beautiful Homes Start from Within.

Residential/Commercial Framing

effect and to accommodate our lighting plan. We recessed fix-tures using Par Halogen and low-voltage lighting above the islands, combined with the general chan-delier lighting. Under cabinet and dome Xenon strip lighting was also incorporated,” she ex-plained.

The new tray ceiling was paint-ed in metallic copper to warm the space, a color echoed in resin tile motifs set into the backsplash. The color is set off by the peach-taupe wall color, said Flack.

The floor plan creatively used space for storage, trash and re-cycling and a concealed, coun-ter-height desk area. Amenities include twin dishwashers in the main island and a wine refrig-erator and icemaker at the bar island.

“I love the two dishwashers and the workspace — it’s just a big, homey kitchen that is a pleasure to work in,” said the homeown-er. “I like warm colors, that’s my thing, and I wanted people to walk in the door and immediate-ly feel comfy and welcome.” u

SubcontractorsAll products and design by

Flack Interior Design Associ-ates, a division of Simpson Furniture

General Contractor, Allen Northway and Son Homes, Indianola

Wyman Borts Custom Cabinets, Indianola

Rowat Cut Stone and Marblem Des Moines

Surface Solutions, WaterlooPainter Jeff Cole, Des MoinesMealey Electric, IndianolaValley Plumbing, WaukeeTile Installer Troy Vogel, Des

MoinesAmerican Appliance


the color report: RED

Color Q&AReds can have blue hues, such as rose

and claret, and orange, too, such as tomato and cranberry.

Leatrice Eiseman (“Colors for Your Every Mood”) suggests places where red is a wonderful welcome:

Front door: Cheery red is believed to invite prosperity to the owners of the house, according to feng shui principles.

Foyers, hallways and powder rooms: A small space with Pompeian red, amaryllis or Rococco red walls can be spectacular.

Den: Long considered a masculine

retreat, here’s where tartan plaids look at home. Try cardinal, crimson, deep claret, barberry and maroon.

Bedroom: Why not? It can be sexy in the right shade. Not brave enough for Chanticleer from Sherwin-Williams? Try shades like garnet, burgundy or the color of an American Beauty rose.

Kitchen: Strawberries, tomatoes, rasp-berries, cranberries, radishes, pomegran-ites ... you get the picture.

Children’s rooms: Playful, fun and whimsical in small quantities; too much red can overstimulate children.

Win this!Log onto


out how.

This holiday season, sport this garnet red suede bag with jewels and faux zebra fur embellishments by Mary Frances, Los Ange-les-based designer for the stars, valued at $365, from Interior Perfection Design Group, Hiawatha.

The unexpected use of red in the bathroom is complemented by

animal prints and white cabinetry and trim. From Sherwin Williams.

In a contemporary space, red makes a statement above the chair rail, grounded by the ivory walls below and ceiling. From Sherwin Williams.

Red is commanding, passionate, patriotic and majestic. Red paired with green shouts “Merry Christmas.” When Cleopatra welcomed Marc An-thony to dinner, she had the floor covered with bright red roses 18 inches

deep. Red is the first color a baby sees, experts believe, and it’s the beginning of the color spectrum.

Celebrate it, embrace it and paint the town red — or better yet, the dining room, kitchen, family room, bathroom or foyer.

Writer Dorothy Parker loved red so much she had nine shades of the hue in her living room, including scarlet, vermilion, crimson, maroon and shades of pink. Fashion doyenne and former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland said, “Red is the great clarifier — bright, cleansing and revealing. It makes all other colors look beauti-ful. I can’t imagine getting bored with red ... it would be like getting bored with the person you love.” u

www.cv-hg.com 31

Patusan Fine Rugs representative Larry Tran says dark colors will ground a room and make it smaller, and light colors make a room feel larger. Busy patterns hide footprints and light soil.

Choosing an Oriental rug doesn’t have to leave you tied in knotsText | Melody Parker, CVH&G editorImages | Matthew Putney

Larry Tran peeled back a rug to show the next one in the stack.

A subtle pattern of leaves and flowers surrounded a central me-dallion. “This one is silk — the tex-ture is fine and incredibly soft, and the color is rich,” said Tran, repre-senting Patusan Fine Rugs, an Ori-

ental rug importer and wholesale based in Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of rugs were stacked in piles throughout the room for Home Interiors’ semi-annual Ori-ental rug sale in Cedar Falls. Tran personally delivers and sets up trunk shows across the country, and sells the rugs.

“An authentic Oriental rug is an investment. It becomes an heir-loom and is something often hand-

ed down through families because a real Oriental rug will last a very long time, if properly cared for. The classic designs will last,” he ex-plained.

Selecting an Oriental rug doesn’t have to leave you tied in knots.

Patusan’s specializes in high-end, hand-knotted rugs from India, Chi-na, Pakistan and Nepal. Wool and silk rugs average about $6,000 retail in a 9-by 12-foot size. Cost is based


on quality, country of origin and demand. Rugs woven from natural materials, such as wool, cotton and silk are long-lasting. Kilims and Dhurries have a flat-woven texture, while Tabriz rugs have full pile and soumaks have embroidery. There is a difference between Persian and Oriental rugs, influenced by geog-raphy, craft and culture.

The quality of materials, the tight-ness and uniformity of the weave, and the quality of the dye are im-portant elements for judging a rug, Tran said.

Other tips:— Begin the quest armed with the

size rug desired and color scheme of the room where it will be placed. — If the rug is to be a focal point in the room, choose one with a central medallion or motif. If there is an-other focal point, choose a rug with an overall pattern. — Leave a bor-der of your floor around the Orien-

tal rug for the greatest impact. — In the dining room, make sure

the table and all the chairs sit on the rug.

— Check out the KPSI. Knots per square inch is a clue to the qual-ity and cost of an Oriental rug; the higher the number, the finer the

quality. — Expect subtle variations be-

cause rugs are made by hand. — Authentic Oriental rugs come

with a certificate of authenticity with details such as size, origin, ma-terials and KPSI. Keep this docu-ment for insurance purposes. u

| oriental rugs

www.cv-hg.com 33

Text | CVH&G StaffImages | McCormick

Think ginger and molasses only means gingerbread cookies during the holidays? Red vel-

vet is only for cakes? And rum and nutmeg only belong in a beverage?

Think again.These holiday favorites have been

reinvented by spice experts at Mc-Cormick to reflect the latest baking trends. Their playful variations on classic desserts will dazzle guests at holiday open houses and family gath-erings.

“We’re putting a spin on holiday sweets this year,” said Kevan Vetter, executive chef at McCormick. “By looking at timeless holiday flavors and the latest trends, such as nostal-

gic desserts, regional influences and restaurant-inspired small-bite indul-gences, we have transformed celebra-tory favorites into contemporary sea-sonal treats.”

Though the flavors may be famil-iar, updated recipes give the holidays some flair. Spicy and tangy Ginger-bread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème are a fun take on timeless gingerbread that children and adults alike will love. Packing all the warm flavors of the definitive holiday bev-erage into bite-sized treats, the es-sentials of eggnog converge as Egg-nog Truffles. And the alluring flavor of vanilla and the joyous color of red transform the show-stopping quali-ties of red velvet cake into an updated indulgence. u

Make season bright and flavorful with festive pairings

ultimate pairingsEggnog TrufflesPrep Time: 25 minutesRefrigerate: 5 hours1 pound white baking chocolate,

divided4 ounces (1/2 package) cream

cheese, softened1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon imitation rum

extractGround nutmeg (for sprinkling)

Melt 8 ounces of the choco-late as directed on package. Beat cream cheese, confection-ers’ sugar, nutmeg and extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended and smooth. Add melted chocolate; beat until well mixed. Cover. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

Shape into 24 (about 3/4-inch) balls. Place on wax paper-lined tray. Refrigerate until ready to dip.

Coat only 12 truffles at a time. Melt 4 ounces of the remaining chocolate in small mi-crowavable bowl on medium, 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 min-ute. Using a fork, dip 1 truffle at a time into the chocolate. Place on wax paper-lined tray. Sprinkle truffles with nutmeg. Repeat with remaining 4 ounces choco-late and remaining truffles.

Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate is set. Store truffles in refrigerator up to 1 week. Makes 2 dozen.

Test kitchen tip: When dipping the truffles, do so in 2 batches (as directed above in Step 3) as the coldness of the truffles may cause the melted chocolate to harden.

Eggnog Truffles

34 cedarvalleyhome&garden•WInTer2009

3 8 4 2 W e s t A i r l i n e H i g h w a y W a t e r l o o , I A 5 0 7 0 3

phone 319-232-4000fax 319-232-5020

c o n s t r u c t i o nMARTINSON

We’ve been building your homes for a long time.

| ultimate pairings

Prep Time: 30 minutesRefrigerate: 4 hoursCook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch3 cups flour2 teaspoons ground ginger1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon baking soda1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened, divided3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar1/2 cup molasses1 egg1/4 cup granulated sugar1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese,

softened1 teaspoon pure lemon extract1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Beat 3/4 cup of the butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer

on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradu-ally beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refriger-ate 4 hours or overnight.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Mix marshmallow cream, remaining 1/4 cup butter, cream cheese and extract in medium bowl until well blended. Place about 1 tablespoon filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Re-peat with remaining cookies. Roll edge of cookies in crushed candy. Store whoopie pies between layers of wax paper in airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème

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Red Velvet CheesecakePrep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 40 minutesRefrigerate: 3 hours2 packages (8 ounces each) cream

cheese, softened1/2 cup sugar1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 eggs2 ounces semi-sweet baking choco-

late, melted1 tablespoon red food color1 prepared chocolate crumb crust (6

ounces)Beat cream cheese, sugar and va-

nilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed, just until blended.

Measure 1 cup batter into me-dium bowl. Stir in melted chocolate and food color. Pour into crust. Top with remaining (plain) cheesecake batter.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack. Refrig-erate 3 hours or overnight. Makes 8 servings.

Red Velvet Cheesecake


cuttingsnew products, expert advice & what’s hot now.

Grow exotic amaryllisIt may sound unbelievable, but it’s possible to bring amaryllis back into bloom year after year, even decades.Here’s how to do it: After flowering, trim stalks to 2 inches above the bulb, leaving the leaves. Water the plant regularly and feed with house-plant food once a month. In September, stop watering, trim off foliage and give the bulb a rest for eight to 10 weeks. No water, no light. In mid-November move the pot back into the light and begin watering to begin the bloom cycle. Amaryllis need to be turned regularly to keep the stems upright. If not, they will lean toward the nearest light source, and eventually topple over. Or plant three to five amaryllis bulbs shoulder to shoulder in one broad (not deeper) decorative container. This will give you a blossom bonanza and make bulbs less tippy.

Pumpkin tea pot The Primula Pumpkin Green Tea Pot is hand-blown and comes with 12 Pumpkin Green Tea Flowers ($29.99). The flower comes in an individually sealed foil bag with a picture of the pumpkin flower in the open shape. The flower is an orange carnation and the green tea has a soft pumpkin aroma. Allow 5-7 minutes of steeping to bring out the full pumpkin flavor.

Home safety solutionAttach it to a standard outlet and the ingenious lock keeps your appliances (like blenders, electric knives, saws) from automatically restarting.Cost for a single home pack is $18.99; for the work place, $23.99 or double pro pack for home and workplace, $39.99. Available at www.safetygatestore.com.

A pet Croc?The Sasquatch Pet Bed is as

much a conversation piece for the home as a comfy place for your dog to sleep. The pet bed

is shaped like an oversized Croc and lined with fluffy faux fleece.

It’s available in six bold colors, including hot pink and electric

blue for $99.95. Available at www.sasquatchpetbeds.com

and at select stores.

www.cv-hg.com 37

Container recipe cards P. Allen Smith’s new “Container Gardens Deck: 50 Recipes for Year-Round Gardening (Cards)” are easy-to-follow container gar-den recipes. Each card includes a list of plants, step-by-step plan-ning instructions, and a diagram showing you how to design your garden. Cost is $14.99.

Power shovel The Toro Power Shovel eliminates the need for

manual shoveling and makes snow removal tasks simple. This powerful, eco-friendly ma-chine is a big time saver that can also save

wear and tear on your back. The lightweight, electric shovel tackles snow up to 6-inches deep on any hard surface. Weighing a mere 13-pounds, the Power Shovel is maneu-verable and very easy to use. Suggested retail

price is $109.

Zone 4 tree roseNow Zone 4 gardeners can grow a tree rose that’s more than an annual in the garden. Bailey Nurseries in St. Paul, Minn., has introduced First Editions “Polar Joy,” developed specifically for Northern gardeners. Pat Bailey, vice president of sales and marketing of Bailey Nurseries said, “Polar Joy is truly hardy to zone 4. We’ve tested these roses through three Minne-sota winters and they perform beauti-fully year after year. They’re as easy to grow as any other tree or shrub.”Polar Joy offers soft pink blossoms all summer long atop a 3 to 6-feet stem with medium green foliage. For more de-tails, visit www.firsteditionsplants.com.


| cuttingsWin ThisChristmas is coming! Win this cheerful, weather-proof holiday-themed door decoration for Seasonal Screenings by Peri Woltjer of Des Moines. Valued at $60, from Vintage Iron in Cedar Falls.

Win this!Log onto


out how.

Fragrant candles Root Candles offers Glad Tidings in four unique selections inspired by favorite Christ-mas carols and holiday stories. Each hand-blown Venetian glass soy blend candle is nested inside a gift box trimmed with silver foil and a sparkling silver bow, starting at $30 each.Fragrances: “T’was The Night Before,” amber musk, oakmoss with cedarwood, guai-acwood, birch and vanilla; “I’ll Be Home,” the spicy sweetness of vanilla mixed with a hint of crushed cinnamon and ground cardamom; “We Three Kings,” ginger softened by frankincense and myrrh complemented by cardamom, luminous musks and Eastern woods; and “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” creamy mint blend transitions to notes of sugar cane, cocoa and vanilla, ending in the warmth of velvet musk.

www.cv-hg.com 39

| prost

There are many advantages to having a beer lover in your life.

Just ask my wife. She can recount endless and diverting conversations comparing the relative merits of American vs. English-style barley-wines or the thrill of watching me stand motionless for 45 minutes, par-alyzed by the choices at John’s Gro-cery. Or spending quality time in the car as I visit every beer store in south-ern Minnesota in search of Surly Cof-fee Bender, not to mention unloading and reloading an eclectic selection of beer from around the world just to retrieve a cup of sour cream from the refrigerator.

The fun goes on and on but the big-gest advantage has to be the ease of Christmas shopping. Nobody is easi-er to shop for than a beer lover and I hold myself as an example, in case any family or friends are reading this.

Topping the list is, of course, beer. Even if you’re not into beer, a quick peek at what’s taking up all that fridge space is all it takes to come up with

some satisfactory choices. Reputable beer stores have knowledgeable staff happy to make recommendations. There are great online sources for beer such as John’s Grocery and Liq-uid Solutions that will ship rare brews to your door, although some states restrict shipping of alcohol.

Clothing? Some extra-careful re-search may be in order to accurately portray your beer lover’s level of so-phistication. Many have strong loyal-ty to specific breweries, even specific beers. If you have one in mind, check their Web site. I’ve seen everything from hats to jackets to biking jerseys.

Collectibles can be a particularly rewarding choice if you enjoy garage sales, estate sales, etc. Signs, glass-ware, bottles, cans and all manner of branded trinkets make excellent gifts, especially if you find something from a favorite brewery. I don’t get to many sales but, fortunately, I have my uncle Phil, the Indiana Jones of garage sales. His unerring eye for the unusual lends an air of keen anticipation whenever he sends a package my way. (Not that

I’m hinting, Phil. Really!)Beer is rivaled in its variety only by

the glassware made to hold each style. Hourglass-shaped weizen glasses, Im-perial pints, tulips, flutes, thistles and steins look nearly as nice on display as when in use.

Homebrew supplies are perfect for the hands-on beer lover. Choose a starter kit with everything needed for the beginner or shop a la carte for the experienced brewer. Beware — home brewing can become an obsession. In fact, such obsession gave rise to to-day’s burgeoning craft brewing scene. From this humble gift could spring the next rock-star micro brewery. u

Beer-y merry holidays!

Gifts galore to slake thirst of dedicated beer lovers

| prost

Brandon Pollock is a Courier award-winning photographer and beer aficiodado. Contact him at 291-1476 or [email protected]


How to choose the perfect pooch Text | McClatchy NewspapersImages | Shutterstock

In the market for a dog? It pays to sniff around.

The holiday season isn’t the best time to add a new pet to the house. Wait until the household settles back into its normal rhythm after the holidays.

The process takes planning and work. The worst

mistake that p e o p l e

m a k e , s a y s Karen Oku-r a , m a n -

ager of b e h a v -

ior and training at The Anti-

Cruelty Soci-ety (anticruelty.org), is im-pulse adoption.

Don’t pick an animal be-cause it reminds you of your old dog, she says, or because you pity the

animal, or because you lost your job and

need to feel loved, or because the kids want one, or to save a mar-riage or rela-

tionship.“The No.

1 objec-tive is

t o

save a life. People don’t realize the number of amazing dogs being eu-thanized,” says Rochelle Michalek, executive director of PAWS Chica-go (pawschicago.org). “Dogs make great companions.”

Once you have a good reason to adopt, use your head.

“People should look at practical things,” Okura says. “Does some-one in the home have allergies? How prepared are you to do a min-imal amount of grooming?”

Also ask yourself: Do you have the time to feed, train and exercise a new dog? Okura figures a puppy needs two years of intensive train-ing; older dogs, a year. Can you af-ford the financial investment? Even routine medical care isn’t cheap. Does the entire family approve, not just one or two members? Ev-eryone will need to pitch in. Will a new dog get along with other pets in the home?

If you’re looking at a puppy, know how big it’s going to get. If it’s from a shelter or one of those “free-to-good-home” ads, take your best guess and be prepared for an adult dog that’s 10 to 30 pounds plus or minus that estimate.

Figure out what you want: big, small, male, female, energetic, laid-back, etc. Every factor should be considered.

Is there a purebred that appeals to you? Study up and learn more about that breed’s dogs, from how big they get, to their temperament, to how much they shed. Talk to a rescue group that deals in that particular breed. It can tell you a breed’s quirks — and it might even have an animal that would be a

good fit.

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www.cv-hg.com 41

If you have no particular breed in mind, consider a mutt. There are a lot more mixed-breed animals need-ing homes.

They also tend to be less prone to breed-specific health problems, and there’s a school of thought that they’re smarter than pure-breds. They’re also going to cost a lot less, in most cas-es.

“And their personalities might tend to be a little more diverse,” Michalek says.

Reputable professional breeders can be worth the expense and effort, but it’s important to check them out beforehand.

Shelters are becoming prime sources for quality purebred dogs — well-kept, socialized, trained and fam-ily-ready — because of the economy. As well as those impulse adopters who had to have a purebred Dal-matian or Chihuahua or Lab and just as impulsively changed their minds and gave up the dog.

“Those dogs end up in our shelter,” Michalek says.

A shelter dog can cost from $75 to $300, and they very often are spayed or neutered and up-to-date on shots. A purebred dog from a breeder — sometimes the exact same type of dog — can cost two or three times as much.

Still totally unsure?Volunteer at a shelter.

You’ll get an up-close-and-personal look at all kinds of dogs, not a bad way to edu-cate yourself — and do some good in the bargain. u


Cedar Valley deVelopments

A guide to housing developments in the Cedar Valley and surrounding communities

www.cv-hg.com 43


Nottingham AdditionLocation: West Fourth Street near Prairie Grove Park, WaterlooContact: Kevan Cortright, Lockard Realty, (319) 240-3202 cell, [email protected] site: lockardonline.com

Klingaman Park 3rd AdditionLocation: Winghaven Drive, WaterlooContact: Young Development Co., L.C., 750 South Hackett Rd.; Gary Rankin, (319) 235-5346 or Rick Young,(319) 234-4411Web site: www.youngdevelopmentco.com

Audubon Heights 4th AdditionLocation: North of West Shaulis Road and East of Falcon Ridge Contact: Steve Harbaugh, (319) 234-4402 (office) or (319) 235-6649 (home)Web site: www.harbaugh-winninger.com

Ekho Ridge Townhomes Location: 4550 West Fourth Street, WaterlooContact: Ekho Ridge Development,Kris Klingaman, (319) 231-2541Web site: www.ekhoridge.com

Acorn ParkLocation: Located North of University Avenue on the corner of Progress and Acorn StreetContact: Joe Minard Construction,Joe or Mark Minard, (319) 232-6981

Pine MeadowsLocation: NW Waterloo between Progress Avenue and South Hackett Road off of Farrington Road, WaterlooContact: David LeCompte,833-5428 ext. 111

Huntington RidgeLocation: Huntington Ridge is located on the East edge of Cedar Falls, touching the western border of Waterloo.Contact: Inspired Realty,(319) 277-1077 (office),Chris Noland, (319) 231-1919 orJake Huff, (319) 415-6226Web site: www.regencyhomes.com

Legend Trail DevelopmentLocation: Intersection of Highways 14 and 57, ParkersburgContacts: Gloria Mueller, (319) 230-2777,Denny Lenth, (319) 231-3609,Oakridge Realtors, (319) 231-3609 or REMAX Home Group, (319) 266-7100Web site: www.legendtraildevelopment.com

Graceland TerraceLocation: Ansborough Avenue andWest Fourth Street, WaterlooContact: Don Blake, (319) 233-9140or Adam Blake, (319) 233-9140

South Fork 1st AdditionLocation: Near South Hills Golf Course, WaterlooNumber of Lots: 27 lots developed,2 lots availableLot Price: $40,000Lot Size: 80’ x 163’Contact: Joe Minard Construction,Joe or Mark Minard, (319) 232-6981

Kalsem’s 3rd AdditionLocation: Off Texas Street and Thistledown Drive, WaterlooContact: Roger Kalsem, (319) 296-2236

Green Creek 2nd AdditionLocation: Green Creek Road,Cedar FallsContact: Young Development Co., L.C.,750 South Hackett Road, Waterloo,Gary Rankin, (319) 235-5346 orRick Young, (319) 234-4411Web site: www.youngdevelopmentco.com

Briarwood HillsLocation: Near Greenhill Road,Knoll Ridge Drive and Valley High Drive, Cedar FallsContact: Jim Benda, Lockard Realty4510 Prairie Pkwy., Cedar FallsOffice: (319) 277-8000,Cell: (319) 239-2600Web site: www.jimbenda.com

Greenhill VillageLocation: Near the Hudson Road and Greenhill Road intersection, Cedar FallsContact: Inspired Realty,(319) 277-1077 (office),Chris Noland, (319) 231-1919or Jake Huff, (319) 415-6226Web site: www.regencyhomes.com

Lexington Heights Phase 4Location: 12th Street NW, Cedar FallsContact: Brian Happel, B.N.K.D. Real Estate Development, (319) 352-0055Web site: www.bnkd.org

Autumn RidgeLocation: 500 block of Union RoadContact: Brian Happel, B.N.K.D. Real Estate Development, (319) 352-0055Web site: www.bnkd.org

Fieldstone Addition Phase 3Location: On Union Road just north of Pheasant Ridge Golf Course, Cedar FallsContact: Sam Runyan, Sam Runyan Homes, Inc., (319) 404-8333 or George Lansink, Lansink Homes, Inc., (319) 269-1457Web sites: www.forsalebyrunyan.com or www.lansinkhomes.com

Pheasant Hollow Phase 3Location: Northwestern Cedar Falls at the west end of Fourth Street and Apollo, Cedar FallsContact: Young Development Co., L.C.,750 South Hackett Road, Waterloo,Gary Rankin, (319) 235-5346 orRick Young, (319) 234-4411Web site: www.youngdevelopmentco.com

Winding Ridge EstatesLocation: Off of West First Street west of Thunder Ridge MallNumber of Lots: 14 lots available for developmentContact: Bob Smith Sr., Four Seasons Realtors, (319) 269-5712; Steve Knapp, Lockard Realty (319) 236-2000Web site: www.windingridgeestates.com

The RidgesLocation: Off of West First Street north of Thunder Ridge MallContact: Steve Burrell, RE/MAX Cedar Valley, (319) 239-2485Web site: www.theridges.com

Boulevard HeightsLocation: South State St., DenverContact: Marvin Schmacher, SEC Development, (319) 240-3360 Web site: www.boulevard-heights.com

Schons AdditionLocation: Near Meyers Lake, South of Gilbert Drive, EvansdaleContact: Dean Anfinson,(319) 291-6292

Ames Addition IILocation: North Central Evansdale, North Heather Ave., EvansdaleContact: Kelsey Ames, (319) 232-3554

Prairie AdditionLocation: SE Evansdale, near I-380, exit, EvansdaleContact: Deb Porter, (319) 493-4692

Hillside at Highland Location: Madison and Monroe Streets at Arizona Street, WaterlooContact: David Deeds, Cedar Valley Restoration and Development,(319) 433-0210 or Carole Deeds,Deeds Real Estate, (319) 231-8640Web site: www.cvrd.info

Elk Run 2nd AdditionLocation: Between Lafeyette Road and Dubuque Road on Gray Street, Elk Run HeightsContact: Jim Sands, (319) 277-6500

Park Meadows CondominiumsLocation: West side of Waverly off of 24th Street NW, WaverlyContact: Scott Ramker, Ramker Construction & Supply, Inc.,(319) 352-4286Web site: www.ramker.com

Parkview EstatesLocation: West side of Waverly off of 24th Street NW, WaverlyContact: Scott Ramker, Ramker Construction & Supply, Inc.,(319) 352-4286Web site: www.ramker.com

Willow Lawn 4th AdditionLocation: West Bremer Avenue and 24th Street, WaverlyContact: Scott Ramker, Ramker Construction & Supply, Inc.,(319) 352-4286 Web site: www.ramker.com

Impala AdditionLocation: NE Waverly just off Cedar LaneContact: J.D. Francis, (319) 352-3329

Rolling Meadows AdditionLocation: SW WaverlyContact: Larry Oltrogge,(319) 239-9009Web site: www.prudentialone.com

Stone Haven AdditionLocation: SW Waverly, Near Hwy 218 CorridorContact: Brian Happel, B.N.K.D. Real Estate Development, (319) 352-0055Web site: www.bnkd.org

Centennial Oaks EstatesLocation: In south Waverly near golf course and city limitsContact: John McKee, John McKee Development, Inc., (319) 352-4146 Web site: www.centennialoaks.com

Prairie Park AdditionLocation: North Waverly, Near Horton Road and Cedar LaneContact: Dennis Happel or Brian Happel, B.N.K.D. Real Estate Development,(319) 352-0055 Web site: www.bnkd.org

Copper RidgeLocation: Ninth Street NE, WaverlyContact: Brian Happel, B.N.K.D. Real Estate Development, (319) 352-0055 Web site: www.bnkd.org

Highpoint AdditionLocation: Hwy. 3 east to 12th Street, NE WaverlyContact: Dawn Tobin, (319) 352-3202

Rolling Hills AdditionLocation: South off Hwy. 3, east between 30th Street SE and 39th Street SE, WaverlyContact: Bob Klapperich, Town and Country Homes, (319) 352-5313

Winchester AdditionsLocation: NE HudsonContact: Bob Claassen, (319) 236-1900

Prairie Ridge 1st AdditionLocation: NE HudsonContact: Bill Claassen, (319) 233-5438

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40Fox Ridge AdditionLocation: On Fox Ridge Golf Course, DikeContact: Gene Drachenberg, Lockard Realty-Dike, (319) 989-2354

Gilbertville North TownhomesLocation: Minutes from Waterloo. Just south of Hwy 20 and 1 block east of 1st Street in Gilbertville, IAContact: Timberwolf Development, 5936 Westminister Drive, Cedar Falls; (319) 268-1669 or (319) 266-5827; Wendy Jorgensen, (319) 404-3944Web site: www.jorgensenconstruction.com

Royal Ridge SubdivisionLocation: North of RaymondContact: Rick D. Schoulte,(319) 610-2003 or (319) 236-2225

Heritage Hills EstatesLocation: One block East of Main Street and North of Greenhill Road, Cedar FallsContact: Developer/Realtor,Craig Fairbanks, Fairbanks Builders,(319) 404-0412Web site: www.heritagehillsestates.com

Water Streets Flats and RowhousesLocation: On the Cedar River and Riverwalk loop between East Seventh and Eighth Streets, WaterlooContact: David Deeds, Cedar Valley Restoration and Development, (319) 433-

0210; Carole Deeds, Deeds Real Estate, (319) 231-8640Web site: www.cvrd.info

Riverfront VillageLocation: Adjacent to Water Streets Flats and Rowhouses on East Eighth and Lafayette Streets, Downtown WaterlooContact: David Deeds, Cedar Valley Restoration and Development, (319) 433-0210; Carole Deeds, Deeds Real Estate, (319) 231-8640Web site: www.cvrd.info

Nordic RidgeLocation: Off South Main Street,1/4 mile south of Greenhill RoadContact: Kyle Helland, (319) 231-9430 Web site: www.nordicridge.net

Quail Ridge AdditionLocation: Quail Ridge is located along the south side of West 12th Street near Birdsall ParkContact: Kevin Fittro, Skogman Homes Web site: www.Skogmanhomes.com

University MeadowsLocation: University Meadows is located along the east side of Hudson Road and north of Laverne LaneContact: HiBake L.L.C.

Viking Hills 3rd AdditionLocation: This development is located at the east end of Erik Road and Danish DriveContact: Michael Geisler

Hanna Park AdditionLocation: North of Green Hill on Valley High Drive, Cedar FallsContact: Joe, Mark or Matt Minard, (319) 232-6981

Legacy CoveLocation: Orchard Drive and Cedar Heights, just east of Mallard Point, Cedar FallsContact: Joe, Mark or Matt Minard, (319) 232-6981

Upper Ridge Estates Location: West Schrock Road and Pirate Street in Hudson, IAContact: Walt or Dianna Weber(319) 988-3587Web site: www.upperridgeestates.com

Sunset Knolls Location: Pleasant and Conn Streets in ParkersburgContact: Bob Claassen, (319) 230-1931

Audubon Park 6th Addition Location: Red Tail Drive, at north end of Harbin Drive, WaterlooContact: Bob Claassen, (319) 230-1931

Whispering Pines Addition Location: Southeast corner of Greenhill

Road and Oster Parkway, South Cedar FallsContact: Gene Drachenberg, Lockard Realty, (319) 610-5050Web site: www.moellerandwalter.com orwww.lockardonline.com

Sweet 1st Addition Location: La Porte City, South edge of town along Highway 218Contact: City Hall (319) 342-3396 or e-mail at [email protected] site: www.laportcityia.com

Shadow Creek CrossingCondominiums Location: Near Crossroads, behind Olive GardenContact: Pat Meinders, (319) 239-4770 and Karen Kayser, (319) 493-2402 of ReMax Home Group

Wild Horse RidgeLocation: 12th & Union, Cedar FallsContact: Steve Burrell-RE/MAX Cedar Valley, ( 319) 239-2485Web site: www.wildhorseridge.com

Williams Second EditionLocation: West of Waverly on Hwy 3 to Shell Rock on the Northeast side at the edge of the city limits. Behind the Care Center, The Meadows.Contact: Penny Wosepka, (319) 404-2478; Mark Wosepka, (319) 404-1078, Crown Pointe Investments, LLC

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www.cv-hg.com 45

| home plan

Text and Images | Associated Press

although modest, this home, plan sRD-271 by home plans LLC, offers many amenities, wrapped

in a tasteful and beautiful exterior. The floor plan covers 1,755 square feet of liv-ing space.

sidelights brighten the foyer, which flows directly into the versatile great room. a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace add ambience. two sets of French doors open to the backyard.

The efficient kitchen features an angled snack bar and a handy pantry. a bay win-dow is the highlight of the dining room.

The master suite has a private bath with a corner whirlpool tub, a separate show-er, two sinks and a walk-in closet. u

Modest home loaded with amenities

SRD-271 details:Bedrooms: 3Baths: 2Main floor: 1,755 sq. ft.Total Living Area: 1,755 sq. ft.Garage: 815 sq. ft.Exterior Wall Framing: 2x4Foundation Options:Daylight basement

A downloadable study plan of this house, including general in-formation on building costs and financing, is available at www.houseoftheweek.com To order: Call (866) 722-1013, or mail to House of the Week, P.O. Box 75488, St. Paul, MN 55175-0488

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cedar valley home & garden - winter 2009

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