Style and function: key elements of today's kitchen

(BPT)-When your family comes home

The kitchen is also where you prepare meals, entertain guests, help your children with homework and even stay up late to pay bills. Because the kitchen is the hub of the home, homeowners are always looking for ways to do more in this vital space, all while keeping it stylish.



One of today's most popular trends in new and remodeled kitchens is the use of multiple kitchen faucets, which add extra functionality to the room.



"Pot fillers, island faucets and even bar or convenience faucets all help to maximize the room," says Kevin McJoynt of Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing faucets and fixtures. "But convenience and functionality aren't the only two items homeowners are looking at while upgrading their kitchens. Ambiance, decor and style are also top priorities."



If you're reconsidering your kitchen's function and style, consider adding these options into your remodeling plan:



Pot fillers

These faucets are located near your stove to provide you with a convenient way to fill a pot without having to carry it to the nearest sink. This saves plenty of back-breaking work and minimizes the likelihood of spills. Pot fillers are commonly found in the restaurant industry and have quickly made their way into private kitchens across the country. They are available as a wall mount or deck mount. Find a style that matches your appliances and other faucets in the room.



Island faucets

Usually acting as second sinks, island faucets help avoid congestion at the main sink and are a great way to increase a kitchen's workflow. Because island sinks are frequently used for preparation, they are sometimes referred to as prep sinks. Homeowners commonly use this workspace for cutting vegetables, chilling wine or washing hands prior to a meal. Choose a faucet style and finish that complements the room's decor and adds an eye-catching decorative piece to an otherwise "ho-hum" island. Danze has several pull-down or pull-out faucets with three functions - spray, stream and pause - giving your island workspace additional functionality.



Bar faucets

Also referred to as a convenience sink or a beverage center, this area is typically used for entertaining purposes and is often located on a secondary counter space in the kitchen or adjacent room. Danze offers a variety of bar faucets, including high-arc options, small-scale faucets and several others. Choose a style that will make this space "entertaining." Visit Danze.com for more kitchen solutions.



Make your "'heart of the home" work for you as you plan your kitchen design. But remember, you don't need to sacrifice style in the process.

It's up to everyone to take action to help protect the nation's waterways

The Colorado River brings this global issue home. Stretching across seven states, it serves more than 30 million people-- or nearly 10 percent of Americans - for their freshwater needs. But it no longer reaches the sea, with the last 90 miles nearly all dried up. In fact, it was named the "Most Endangered River in America," by conservation group American Rivers.



Many businesses and organizations are setting up water conservation projects and asking for your help for the Colorado River, among other water efforts. Silk(R), the brand known for its best-selling soymilk, almondmilk and coconutmilk, has joined forces with National Geographic Society, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Participant Media on Change the Course, a group project to conserve fresh water and preserve the ecological health of the heavily-dammed, diverted and overused Colorado River.



To help raise awareness of the Change the Course movement, Silk is challenging people to pledge to reduce water consumption at ReuniteTheRiver.com. Each pledge made will restore 1,000 gallons of water to the Colorado River, working to make the river healthy again.



To encourage pledges, Silk enlisted 3-D pavement artist Kurt Wenner to make a visual representation of the depleted Colorado River. The expansive art installation, totaling 32 feet by 64 feet of space, offers a visual understanding of the depleted Colorado River to help raise awareness for water conservation efforts. Unveiled in downtown Chicago in June, the installation drew hordes of people and led to nearly 1,000 new pledges.



In addition to efforts by businesses such as Silk, homeowners can also help contribute to water conservation efforts by making simple lifestyle changes such as:



* Appliance use - The toilet, washing machine and dishwasher are among the highest water-consuming appliances in a household. Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when full to make the most use of the water being consumed.



Manufacturers of these appliances have made great strides in developing new technologies that consume less water. For example, there are toilets that use less than two gallons of water per flush.



* Gardening and lawn care - Most landscaping plants only need an inch of water each week. If there is a sprinkler system installed, add a sensor to it that turns the sprinkler on only when rain hasn't fallen for a set amount of time.



Installing a rain gauge in the yard or edge of the flower bed can help accurately measure how much water has fallen in a week.



Every household can help join the water conservation movement, bringing life back to rivers and waterways across the country and preserving freshwater resources. Take action now. For more information, visit ReuniteTheRiver.com.

Three helpful tips for renting out your home

(NewsUSA) - Home ownership has always been a part of the American dream, but that may be changing.



According to an online survey commissioned by the National Apartment Association, 76 percent of consumers think that renting is preferable to owning a home in today's market.



Likewise, some homeowners believe it's better to rent out their home than to sell it for less than its worth, if they can sell it all. Those considering renting out their property shouldn't make a hasty decision. Neglecting to weigh the costs and potential risks could put first-time landlords in a poor situation. Moco, Inc., a company that provides screening services to property owners, managers and employers throughout the United States, offers the following tips:



* Look at the numbers. Renting might not be the best option. If you're going to lose money each month, it might make more sense to sell, even if you won't get your asking price. Consider all potential costs, including property taxes, income taxes on your tenants' rent, maintenance, and the normal wear and tear your property will experience. Remember that you won't be able to pocket all of the rent money; you will have to put a portion of it back into the property.



* Find quality tenants. Nightmare tenants can be, well, a nightmare. Prepare for a careful screening process. Many private landlords can't access the quality screening products available to larger businesses without going through a lengthy certification process. However, you can avoid time and expense by asking your applicants to visit MyScreeningReport.com. The report includes a consumer credit report, SSN verification, comprehensive criminal search, eviction search, national sex offender registry search and an OFAC (federal terrorism database) search - everything you need to determine whether a potential tenant meets your standards.



* Use an all-encompassing lease. Whether you use a template or hire an attorney to write your lease, make sure that the lease clearly states your expectations. The lease should state who is responsible for what, when you expect rent to be paid and what penalties you will impose if it is late.



For more information, visit www.MyScreeningReport.com.

Cool weather crops are hot this fall

The growing season isn't over with the arrival of cool weather. Until the first hard frost hits, you have plenty of time to plant, pick and plate cool-weather crops. You'll save yourself some money in the grocery's produce aisle too.



Fall is a great time for gardening thanks to cooler, milder temperatures, a decrease in garden pests, and moister, well-draining soil. These conditions make it ideal for crops that prefer cooler weather. Some vegetables taste even better when nipped by light frost.

July through August is the optimum time for planting cool crops, so don't delay. Planting in summer ensures crops will have time to mature before the first freeze in fall. Choose varieties that mature quickly; you can find the days to maturity on plant tags. Starting with transplants, rather than seed, will help make the growing process much easier.

If you've been diligent in your garden all summer, you won't have much work to do preparing it for cool crops. If your garden got a little ahead of your efforts, don't worry. It won't take long to get it into tip-top shape for a second season of planting. Just follow these simple steps:

Tidy up

Remove spent plants, like early planted beans, cucumbers or lettuce, since they're pretty much done for the season and can harbor pests. Clear away holes left from pulling plants, and get rid of weeds before they go to seed. Throw away anything distressed and compost the rest.

Discard any fallen fruits, rotting produce can attract pests. Take note of where everything was planted so you can be sure to rotate crops.

Set up the soil

Freshen garden soil by removing the existing layer of mulch and replace it. Straw makes an excellent cover because it's easily scattered, it's also a favorite home for spiders that will help control insect pests in your garden. You can also use a layer of shredded leaves for mulch.

Loosen compacted soil and fluff it up with a garden fork. Major tilling isn't necessary; just move soil enough to allow new plant roots to settle in and let water get through. Test soil (you can buy a testing kit at most garden retailers) to see if it needs help. Add amendments, if needed. At the very least, work some compost in where your plants will be growing.

If you'll be using a cold frame or hoop, set it up early so that it'll be ready to go when you need it and you won't risk damaging plants and roots once they begin to grow.

Pick your plants

Starting with transplants will buy you lots of time. Since plants are six weeks or older when you put them in the ground, you'll harvest sooner than if you start from seed. Look for transplants from an established grower, like Bonnie Plants. Sold in biodegradable, environmentally friendly pots, you'll find fall varieties selected for your geographic region at most local garden retailers.

Here are some top crops for fall planting:

* Top bunch collards - This hybrid is heavy yielding, early maturing, and more uniform than traditional varieties. They grow best in full sun, tolerate partial shade, are rich in vitamins and sweetened by frost. Space transplants 36 inches apart.

* Spinach - A cool-weather vegetable related to beets and Swiss chard, Bonnie's Spinach is a fast-growing plant, yielding many leaves in a short time in fall. Although spinach prefers full sun, it's one of the few vegetables that produce a respectable harvest in partial shade.

* Winterbor kale - This nutritious leafy green is a vigorous producer that endures winter easily. Cut the outer leaves so that the center can continue growing. Space transplants 12 inches apart.

* Early dividend broccoli - Popular, productive and easy to grow, this broccoli is high in fiber and calcium. Space transplants 18 inches apart.

* Mustard greens - Offering spicy hot leaves, this is a very fast-growing, nutritious vegetable, and always tastes sweeter when nipped by frost. Space plants 12 inches apart.

* Bonnie hybrid cabbage - Grows large, round, blue-green heads. Cabbage is especially high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, K and fiber.

Get started now to ensure your fall harvest is healthy, hefty and fulfilling. With preparation, the right plants and some diligence, you can bet on fresh, low-cost produce well into fall.

NEW LISTING IN WESTERVILLE!

JUST LISTED!

~3427 Drinel Dr.~

BEAUTIFUL TWO-STORY HOME... 

...in a quiet neighborhood! Gorgeous Kitchen opens up to spacious Family Room! New appliances. Very open floor plan. Great for entertaining. Nice deck overlooks large back yard. Privacy fence opens to park and walking trails. Great and convenient location! MUST SEE! 3 BR’s and 2.5 Baths. Nearly 1,250 SF! Westerville Schools. Only $139,900! Call DeLena today!