Gibson Wood Renewal - May 2022

Gibson Wood Renewal - May 2022

In life, we can become used to a great-looking kitchen, but as trends and styles evolve, there are always ways to freshen your kitchen look and make it feel just as cozy as it did the first day you fell in love with it. To do that, these homeowners made the awesome choice of replacing their orange-esque oak with a fresh new look. Our Timeless All-White Kitchens Will Dazzle for Decades

May 2022

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Design a Backyard You Will Actually Use!

the styles and design choices you make outside. For instance, cold weather climates can limit how much you use the backyard — unless you incorporate a covering of some sort and add heaters to your space. This will allow you to use the area no matter what time of the year it is! Experts recommend saving a portion of your budget for these things. Sturdy furniture, curtains to block out heavy sun or rain, and overhangs that provide necessary shade during summer are a must when creating a backyard space you will actually want to use 365 days out of the year. Consider Trends Popular trends should not be the top priority on your list when designing your backyard. However, if you are planning to sell your home in the next decade, trends should be something you consider. A few trends are growing and others are on their way out. For instance, large outdoor kitchens are being phased out because homeowners are discovering they rarely use these spaces. Instead, they want places that foster visiting and chatting with friends. Chairs easily moved from poolside to tableside are popular with homeowners for this reason! Another trend is the acceptance of natural elements. More homeowners are choosing to fill their indoor and outdoor spaces with plants, which can pose a challenge for some. If you’re lacking space, try planting tall flora that will brighten and elongate your space. To fill in a large backyard, opt for in-ground gardens, a greenhouse, or beautiful, big potted plants that make your space feel cozier and more inviting. There’s no single right way to design a backyard space. Instead, it’s up to you to create a yard that suits your family’s needs and will do so for a long time. Expert help or additional professional guidance is just a phone call away!

I don’t know about you, but I love spring. The weather is still mild yet finally warm enough that going outside is like a little treat. The sunshine and fresh air make me want to spend more time outdoors, and that’s easier to do with the perfect backyard space! I can’t wait for the summertime barbecues, family gatherings, and late nights spent in my yard. You could have the same this summer! Regardless of your budget and dimensions, you can create an inviting, exciting, and relaxing backyard space — all in one. All it takes is a little planning. Prioritize Your Goals Envision the perfect party at your home. Who’s invited? Do you spend an evening with friends, or is it more of a brunch with your closest family members? Are there kids, or is it an adult gathering? Is food the main focus, or is it a “booze and snacks” kind of party? How often do you plan to host such events? Will it be a one-time thing, or if you could throw the perfect party, would you keep doing so over and over? These questions are designed to get you thinking about your space. Depending on how you answered them, the decisions you make for your outdoor design matter. For instance, maybe you have always wanted an outdoor kitchen, but no one in your family or friend group is a cook! A fancy outdoor kitchen would just go to waste. You could get by with a standard grill and save space for something you will use, like a large patio for dancing, comfy and sturdy furniture, or a firepit for year-round fires. Consider the ways in which your family will change, too. Your spouse and your teens may enjoy an in-ground pool now, but if you are planning for grandchildren in the future, you may need to add safety precautions within the next decade. Budget Appropriately While the interior of your home is pretty much a blank canvas, you have to be more selective of

BEFORE

To make their big kitchen feel brand-new and even larger, a clean all-white finish became the natural choice. Instead of buying new cabinets, they chose our rectangular-profile, shaker-style cabinet door replacements. This made their kitchen appear much more modern and drew attention to its spaciousness. The kitchen doesn’t just look new — it feels like it was completely remodeled. Give us a call, and we’ll make your kitchen look just as dazzling!

-Tom Gibson

AFTER

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Switch to an Electric Stove

A BETTER WAY TO COOK

Over the last 20 years, we have seen rapid advances in technology. While the most recognizable innovations came in the form of cellphones and the internet, many of our household appliances have also evolved in the last couple of decades. One of the biggest changes involves a discussion about the ubiquitous kitchen stove: Which type is better — electric or gas? We’d like to suggest an answer. Much like our cellphones, stoves and ranges have seen huge advancements, and electric stoves are better than ever before. They are easier to clean, cost less than gas stoves, and heat food more efficiently. Additionally, there are some impressive environmental and health benefits that come from transitioning to using an electric range stove. Improved Indoor Air Quality When you cook on a gas stove, you’re producing nitrogen dioxide and sometimes even carbon monoxide. Brief exposures to nitrogen dioxide can lead to coughing and wheezing for people who have respiratory issues. According to a report by the Rocky Mountain Institute, homes with gas stoves can contain approximately 50%–400% higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide than those with electric stoves. Making the switch will lead to cleaner air in the home and healthier respiratory systems. Lower Air Conditioning Costs Interestingly enough, using an electric stove can actually lead to lower electricity bills because you may use your air conditioning less. Gas stoves pump out considerable amounts of heat and can quickly raise the temperature in the home. That means you won’t have to run to the air conditioner as often when you’re using an electric stove. Safer Cooking Method With an electric range, there’s no flame or burner to cook your food on. This means there’s a much lower chance of getting a burn injury while using an electric stove. Additionally, the National Fire Prevention Association estimates that an average of 4,200 home fires start annually with the ignition of natural gas — cooking equipment was involved in 54% of those fires. With an electric stove, you needn’t worry about gas explosions, and you will considerably reduce the risk of having a fire in your home.

Since the 16th century, wreaths have been a staple holiday decor item that people once made from the fallen branches of a Christmas tree. In more recent history, folks travel to the local hardware/home decor store to pick up a wreath for their door during the holiday season. However, it seems as though wreaths are gaining popularity beyond just the winter holidays. Whether it’s to celebrate your favorite sports organization or the changing of the seasons, you can make a wreath to recognize the occasion. From Facebook Marketplace to specialty boutique shops, there are plenty of places to purchase a customizable wreath, but what if you want to make your own? With a certain level of flair and creativity, anyone can create their own wreath. You just need to figure out which material works best as your base. Wire If you’re looking to make a wreath that’s long-lasting and durable enough to handle any type of weather, look no further than a wire-base wreath. Wire bases are available in various sizes and levels of thickness, so you can make almost any design. If you want your wreath to look dainty, you should use a single-wire frame, but if you want your wreath to look full and bountiful, use a double-wire instead. Grapevine Grapevine bases are the best if you want your wreath to look traditional or natural. They’re usually made of entwined bundles of grapevines or twigs to look like they came straight from the earth. Grapevine bases are cost-efficient and are the perfect option for anyone looking to create a classic-looking wreath. Styrofoam A Styrofoam wreath may not have the elegance of a wire one or the traditional style of the grapevine wreath, but it is the perfect option for bold designs. You can get a Styrofoam base at any home decor store and spray- paint it in the color scheme of your final creation. You can then place yarn and other decorations to bring your wreath to life. Since Styrofoam is lightweight, the items you place on the wreath will also need to be lightweight or the wreath will fall apart. Make a Wreath for Any Occasion WITH THESE 3 MATERIALS

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Pets Need Space, Too CREATE A PET-FRIENDLY AREA IN YOUR HOME

When Theaters Provided Their Own Movie Soundtracks THANKS TO THE PIANISTS Once you’ve found the perfect bed, invest in a few other items to take the space to the next level. Any additional beds, rugs, and blankets you buy should be easily washable so you can keep the area clean and hygienic. Animals have accidents so try not to invest in an expensive rug for the area. Also, make sure to include toys, and if you’re designing for a cat, don’t forget a climbing tower. Once you’ve decided on where you want your pet-friendly space to be, make sure you have the right items. Possibly the most important thing is a bed for them to rest on. If you’re designing a room for a dog, try to pick a bed you know they’ll like and feel safe and secure with. Add extra blankets for comfort. If you’re picking a bed for a cat, choose something comfortable that offers a level of protection. Make sure the bed does not clash with the other design elements of the room. In your home, you probably have bedrooms for each family member as well as a family or living room for the entire clan to congregate on a daily basis. But where do your pets normally hang out? Do they go where the family is, or do they have their own space? Just like us, our pets need a place where they feel safe, protected, and relaxed. If you’re looking to add a furry family member to your abode or simply change up the flow of your house, try adding a space for your pet. Before you even enter the design phase, though, keep in mind how social your pet is before making a decision. If your pet loves being around people, consider making their space part of the family room instead of in a separate room.

Pets play a huge role in our lives and are incredibly important to our families. Giving them a clean and comfortable space in the house will enhance their well-being. If you create the space based on your pet’s needs and wants, they will truly be your bestest friend.

Early feature films were in black and white, only available in theaters, and perhaps most significantly, silent. So, movie theaters enlisted piano players to accompany the films. But silent films usually didn’t arrive with sheet music. It was up to the pianist to create their own soundtrack. In small towns, only the church organist might be available — and they might choose to play assorted hymns over the entire movie, making for a less than enjoyable

Inspired by EatingWell.com MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH RAINBOW FRITTATA

INGREDIENTS

• Basil, thyme, salt, and pepper, to taste • 1/2 avocado, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced • Cherry tomatoes, halved • Sriracha hot sauce (optional)

• Nonstick cooking spray • 1/4 cup sweet potato, diced • 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced • 1/4 cup broccoli, chopped • 8 eggs

experience. More accomplished pianists worked differently. They would improvise, trying to predict where the film’s action was headed and adjusting their playing accordingly. When a film was popular, most players developed a standard score. Eventually, some production companies shipped “mood cues” with their movies. Some theaters show the occasional silent movie, and they turn to one of the 50 or fewer silent film accompanists for help. Since the films are often rare, the pianist does not always have the time or opportunity to plan their music. So, like their predecessors, they play it by ear.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a cast-iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. In the skillet over medium heat, cook sweet potatoes, yellow pepper, and broccoli until soft. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. 4. Pour egg mixture into skillet with vegetables. Don’t stir but instead use a spatula to lift the edges of the egg mixture until it is evenly distributed. 5. Transfer mixture to oven. Bake for 5 minutes or until the dish sets. 6. Top with avocado and tomatoes. Drizzle Sriracha on top (if desired).

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Cabinet Refinishing and Hardwood Floor Refinishing

PO Box 282, Winfield, WV 25213 | (304) 760-9500 | www.NHance.com/charlestonwv

INSIDE

Enjoy the Outdoors in Your Backyard 1.

2.

Celebrate Any Event With a Homemade Wreath Why You Should Transition to an Electric Stove

3.

How to Create a Space for Your Pet How Pianists Brought Silent Movies to Life Mother’s Day Brunch Rainbow Frittata

3 Great Home Bar Ideas 4.

SKIP THE BAR HOP People have had liquor cabinets for decades, but now, they’re a thing of the past! Pandemic lockdowns prompted many folks stuck at home to start their own DIY projects, and one of the most popular projects is a full-scale bar. But you don’t need to renovate an entire room just for beverages. With the right decorations and aesthetics, you can turn any area of your house into a home bar.

WITH YOUR OWN HOME BAR

Wet Bar If you have a sink with cabinets around it and plenty of counter space, you have the perfect area for a wet bar. Fill the cabinets with your preferred drinks and glasses, and your bar will be up and running before you know it. Stand-alone Bar If you don’t have the available space for a wet bar, you can create a stand-alone bar in

your home much easier. All you need is a cart, some shelves, and your drink and glass options. Coffee Bar You don’t have to drink alcohol to add a bar to your abode! Keep the counter space or cart open and simply swap the liquor for coffee beans and shot glasses for mugs.

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(304) 760-9500