H40 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 A fter you get your favorite version of food on a stick and get settled in a seat that’s going to give you a nice view of the night’s musical act, be sure to put some focus on the real stars of RodeoHouston: the athletes. These cowboys and cowgirls are the reason we’re here, watching some of the sport’s premier Yi-Chin ATHLETES REAL STARS O x x STETSON WRIGHT This cowboy’s favorite book is reportedly “King of the Cowboys,” by rodeo legend Ty Murra future looks like his recent past, he might be making the claim for himself. The Utah cowbo the PRCA’s All-Around champion — meaning he competed in two or more events. It was th year he ended it with that honor. But it wasn’t just the title that defined his dominance. At Rodeo, essentially the Super Bowl of rodeo, he won the bull riding world title while also set the most money won in a given year. Few people are sure bets in rodeo. Wright just might b By Rober STAFF W CHAM
HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM competitors in a setting that’s grander than anything else in rodeo. Watch how they handle themselves on beasts trying to pummel them into the ground, or how they work in unison with their animal partners. It’s a sight unlike anything else in sport, and these are the stars. Here are a few that should catch your interest: Lee/Staff photographer S ARE THE OF THE RODEO x x y. Well, if Wright’s oy finished 2022 as he fourth straight the National Finals tting the record for be. JESSE POPE Pope is riding high, fresh off his first world title in the bareback category. It’s easy to think the Kansas cowboy will continue the winning in Houston, with a muscular riding style that’s well suited to the grueling event. He works hard to make it look easy, a cowboy who uses CrossFit and weightlifting to prepare for the rides. He also says he likes working in feedlots. If that’s not the mark of a true cowboy, it’s hard to say what is. rt Morast WR ITER Champions continues on H41 Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer PIONS
CHAM HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM From page H40 JOSH FROST There’s a lot of legacy in pro rodeo. Frost’s is a little heavier. He’s the nephew of former world champion Lane Frost, the cowboy who tragically lost his life in a rodeo arena, inspiring the film “8 Seconds.” But Frost isn’t just a familiar name, he’s the real deal in the rodeo arena. You need proof of that? He’s the reigning Linderman Award winner, given to the cowboy who’s won the most money in three different events. It sounds easier than it is. Watch him ride a bull, and you’ll find out. SHAD MAYFIELD Mayfield’s a part of pro rodeo history, being just the third African American cowboy to win a world title. But the New Mexico native, who runs a ranch in Texas near Lipan, isn’t resting on history. The tie-down roper finished second in the world last year. You know he’s aiming for first this year. It could start with a strong showing in Houston. HAILEY KINSEL There’s an old saying about barrel racers: A rider is only as good as her horse. There’s truth to that, of course. But let’s not discount the skill of riders working with the horses. Kinsel’s as good as it gets, having just won her fourth straight world title in the event. She gets it honestly, as the daughter of a former Miss Rodeo Texas. But the Cotulla native has made a name for herself, of course. And, for the record, her horse’s name is Sissy. And Sissy’s pretty good, too. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer
PIONS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 H41 SHORTY GARRETT Hard-core rodeo fans know the name. The Garrett family, from South Dakota, has produced a number of bareback stars — notably pro rodeo Hall of Famer Mark Garrett. Shorty’s the latest in the family to win some pro rodeo buckles. And while he’s still waiting to find the success of some his family members, his future is looking bright. CLAY O’BRIEN SMITH It’s hard to say what’s more impressive. That Smith has been called “the best roper in rodeo” or living up to the weight of a name taken from a rodeo Hall of Famer. Either way, Smith is swinging to win, just like his famous namesake Clay O’Brien Cooper. The team roper will be paired with Jake Long in Houston. You think it’s a coincidence that Long’s rodeo hero is Cooper? HUNTER CURE He doesn’t just have one of the best names in rodeo, he’s a threat to win steer wrestling whenever he rides into an arena. Cure, a former member of the Texas Tech rodeo team (where he met his wife), finished fourth in the world last year and has two world titles on his résumé. Could a good showing in Houston propel him toward a third? Yeah, it could. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Instagram
H42 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023
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ON THE MARKET Hot area listings to discover…..5 PORCH THEFTS Protect your items ordered…..6 KITCHENS Check out the new design trends…..5 SPACES houstonchronicle.com | Sunday, February 19, 2023 | Houston Chronicle Custom Publishing Group The ARTAVIA® masterplanned community has over 30 homes available for immediate move-in in the Montgomery County/Conroe, TX area. Builders wanting to move inventory are currently offering enticing discounts and special financing to attract home buyers looking to make a quick move in 2023. Buyers can shop for a home daily and select a homesite sized from 40-foot-wide to 70-foot-wide throughout this growing community. Homes in ARTAVIA are offered by Coventry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, J. Patrick Homes, Lennar, Perry Homes, Ravenna Homes and Westin Homes. Home buyers who choose to personalize their homes with their own selections can opt to build from the ground up starting from the $290,000s to the high $600,000s. “Buyers shopping new construction homes will find completed homes in a variety of architectural styles and sizes ready to view and purchase throughout ARTAVIA. With the passing of many supply chain issues, builders have been able to complete more homes, offering greater selection and buying power to the consumer today,” said Lisa Connell, Marketing Director for AIRIA Development® Company, developer of ARTAVIA. Recognized by the National Association of Home Builders MASTER PLANNED Buyers continues on R2 Courtesy of ARTAVIA ARTAVIA has homes available for immediate move-in. ARTAVIA has homes available for quick move-in ‘Buyers shopping new construction homes will find completed homes in a variety of architectural styles and sizes ready to view and purchase throughout ARTAVIA.’ Lisa Connell, Marketing Director for AIRIA Development® Company, developer of ARTAVIA 214 Heritage Oaks Lane On an expansive 30,618 sq. ft. lot (per HCAD) in Piney Point Village. Inviting façade, covered entry open to a home designed for entertaining. Kitchen has central gathering island, breakfast bar. Generator. $3,200,000 Sharon Ballas | 713-822-3895 [email protected] | Greenwood King Properties MLS# 14293069 | www.greenwoodking.com MEMORIAL VILLAGES The last thing you want during a real estate transaction is a replay of the famous Abbott and Costello comedy sketch, Who’s on First? Not only is it helpful to understand all the players’ roles during the process, but this knowledge can help you determine what information to share with which parties. Here are the basics. Customer or client? If you are working with a real estate agent to buy property, you are that agent’s client, right? Not necessarily. You might be a client or you could be a customer. While these terms sound similar, don’t think they are interchangeable. They connote different responsibilities on behalf of the agent. You are a client only when you hire an agent to represent you. Buyers often sign a written agreement when hiring a buyer’s agent. Your buyer’s agent can help you search for properties, give you information about financing, assist you in preparing offers and other related matters. However, an agent can also help you with these matters even if you don’t hire that person to represent you. In this case, you are a customer rather than a client. For example, you might work with the selling agent (also called a listing agent) of a home. Typically, the listing agent will provide you information and assist you without offering opinions and advice. Keep in mind there’s a big difference between giving information and giving advice. The listing agent owes his or her primary loyalty to the seller. As such, you don’t want to share any information that you wouldn’t want the seller to know. For example, if you make an offer of $250,000 but are willing to go as high as $300,000, you should not tell the listing agent. The listing agent would be obligated to pass this information on to his or her client. You also might work with what’s called a sub-agent. A sub-agent also represents the property owner in cooperation with the listing agent. You also are considered a customer when working with a sub-agent, so don’t lose sight that the sub-agent represents the seller. On the other hand, if you hire a buyer’s agent, that person must put your interests above all others. So, if your buyer’s agent finds out that the seller is moving to another state this month and has received no offers thus far, you can expect your agent to share that information with you. Regardless of whether you are a client or a customer, all agents must treat you honestly. How can you be sure who’s who? Real estate law in Texas requires a broker to provide you with a form, Information About Brokerage Services, at the first substantive meeting between the two of you. This form spells out the differences between listing agents, subagents, and buyer’s agents. The form also outlines their duties to you. If you have any doubt about what your relationship is with an agent, be sure to clarify this before proceeding. An intermediary It is possible for one broker to serve as an intermediary between the buyer and seller on the same transaction, as long as that broker complies with certain legal provisions. An intermediary acts in a manner that does not favor one side over the other. The parties must give written consent to such an agreement. The intermediary may not disclose certain information to the other party, such as confidential details or anything one of the parties tells the broker not to disclose. The broker also must not disclose whether the seller will accept less than his asking price or whether the buyer is willing to pay more than the amount written in his offer unless this obligation is waived by the seller or buyer in writing. Regardless of the choice you make about agency representation, I recommend you work with agents and brokers who are Realtors. Realtors go beyond the legal requirements by adhering to a code of professional conduct. Remember, real estate transactions are complex with many forms and legalese to negotiate. When you hire Realtor to manage this process, you receive the greatest benefit. To find a Realtor and to check out real estate listings all across Texas, visit HAR.com. Cathy Treviño, with Side, Inc., is 2023 chair of the Houston Association of Realtors/HAR.com. REALTOR VIEW Who’s on first? You are CATHY TREVIÑO PRIME PROPERTY To really declutter, all you have to do is recognize little chunks of free time in the day. This is the best idea. I’ve taken a reader’s tip — figure out the things you can get done in the time it takes to brew morning coffee (Bunn) — and developed it into ways of organization that have changed my life. Instead of fiddling with my phone during the three minutes it takes coffee to brew, I pour myself into a nearby task. I can empty and put away the clean contents of the dishwasher before the last gurgle. It’s close, but I load the dishwasher, including detergent, and press “start” in a cool 180 seconds. I can vacuum the entire kitchen floor, removing all crumbs and debris. Once I realized what I could accomplish in three minutes, I expanded my mind and efforts to fill 10-minute chunks of time. It’s incredible how much I can accomplish in 10 minutes, mainly focusing on a tiny area. A drawer, a side table or a bathroom. Instead of wasting what can add up to hours every day, start using that time to become more organized in just 10 minutes. Create a spot for incoming mail. Make sure you have the tools in place to manage your mail when you walk in the door with it. What’s on your coffee table that needs to be put away? Find a storage place for it. To maximize 10-minute chunks of time has changed my life at EverydayCheapskate.com/10minutes. Visit EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Questions and comments: https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/ , “Ask Mary.” Declutter and organize the home in 10 minutes By Mary Hunt | CREATORS SYND ICATE
R2 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM as the Silver Award winner for Landscape Design, the community features unique ARTscapes, designed to enhance the naturally wooded environment, spark curiosity and provide residents an experience that brings neighbors closer to nature — and each other. Dapple Park® is at the heart of ARTAVIA and is a 13-acre community park, which includes a five-acre lake with paddleboats, kayak launch area, boardwalk, splash pad and playground. The contemporary-style amenity center features a 24-hour FitCenter, Palate Cafe, and an Event Lawn with both indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. ARTAVIA is located north of the Grand Parkway, midway between I-45 north and U.S. 59 north, and east of FM 1314 on SH 242. The development will bring approximately 5,200 homes to the area, and plans currently include over 120 acres of mixeduse, commercial, and retail properties. Students living in ARTAVIA attend Conroe ISD. Interested buyers can visit any of the 14 model homes, open daily, to learn more about move-in ready homes and special pricing and builder incentives currently being offered. For additional information about what ARTAVIA in Conroe offers, go online to ARTAVIATX.com. Buyers can visit 14 model homes, open daily Buyers from page R1 Photos courtesy of ARTAVIA 17787 Misty Brook Lane is available for move-in immediately. Interested buyers can visit any of the 14 model homes, open daily, to learn more about move-in ready homes and special pricing and builder incentives currently being offered. 15317 Garnet Groves Lane is one of the homes in ARTAVIA available for move-in. complies with all local codes and regulations. You will need a structural engineer to make sure your garage foundation is able to support the renovation. Soil testing will need to be conducted to make sure the ground is stable enough. Of course, as with any remodeling, there will be There are many ways to get more usable space in your home. One way is an interior reconfiguration, to make it more open with improved flow and function. A home addition or second story addition will add more usable square footage. Another option to consider is a garage conversion, which can add additional usable space and/or square footage for a home office, in-law suite, family room, fitness room or whatever you desire. These spaces can be above the garage (partial conversion) or on ground level. If you are planning a full garage conversion to include the ground level, you may want to build a carport for covered parking. A garage can be more than just a place to protect your cars from inclement weather and theft. A well-designed garage conversion is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to add space to your home. The value of your garage conversion will depend on the type of space you create and whether the loss of parking space presents challenges in your neighborhood. When planning a garage conversion/remodel, consult a professional remodeler to ensure that your new space plumbing and electrical considerations, which will be a good chunk of the budget if your garage is detached. Other considerations are lighting, ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation. If your renovation will include the ground floor of the garage, the floor may need to be raised above the concrete slab to insulate. Unlock the potential of the underutilized space in your home with a garage conversion. It is a relatively simple and affordable way to add living space to your home without the need for lengthy construction, new additions, or finding a new home. This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To reach the author directly, email ta[email protected]. For more information on this article, contact Lorraine Hart at [email protected]. To join the council or to find a remodeler, visit www.ghba.org. By Wayne J. Ball LONE STAR BU ILD ING AND CONSTRUCT ION SERV ICE S Courtesy of Lone Star Building and Construction Services Homeowners can add more living space with a garage conversion. THE GARAGE It’s more than just a place to park your car or truck
HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 R3 Either way, they do tend to fade out over time as they get fewer leaves and some of the branches die. The cyclamen is a tuber that needs a dry rest period after blooming. Keep the soil damp until May, then let it dry out. The flowers and leaves will dry up and fall off. In September, repot and water the tuber and keep it moist until May again. This is one of the tougher bulbs to get to re-bloom. It may not even make it to the first May as it tends to rot if it is over-watered. The calceolaria is called the pocketbook plant because of its many-colored, pouch-like flowers. The cineraria has flowers that look like chrysanthemums, but they come in many unusual colors including many pastel shades. Both of these plants are treated as annuals and are often disposed of after flowering. Both can be grown easily from seed by saving some from the flowers and planting them in the spring. Start them in small pots at first and as they become root bound, move them up to bigger pots. If you get bulb plants such as daffodils and hyacinths, keep the soil moist. They should be as cool as possible; even in the 50s is OK. After blooming, keep them in bright light and cool temperatures until they can be planted outdoors. If the leaves turn yellow and die, don’t throw away the bulb. Let it sit in a dry spot until fall or plant it in the garden in the spring, but either way it may not come back the next spring. If you get an amaryllis bulb, give it bright light and keep the soil damp until spring. Grow it outdoors all summer. In the fall, let the soil dry out and the leaves fall off for a couple of months and then re-pot it in new soil and start watering it again. The kalanchoe may have flowers that are pink, purple, orange, red, white or yellow. The flowers can start blooming before late December and last until spring. This is a succulent plant that can tolerate dry soil, but if it is blooming, dry soil may cause the flowers to wilt and die early. It is the easiest of all the Valentine’s Day flowering plants to get to bloom again. As each flower cluster dies, cut it off. When they are all gone, the plant is a nice-looking houseplant. Next fall, keep it in a location where it doesn’t get much light at night, or move it into a closet or room that has no light. The plant will bloom again if given six weeks of 14-hour-long nights. If the plant grows too large, the ends of the branches can be cut off and they will easily root in potting soil or sand. Email questions to Jeff Rugg at [email protected]. Here’s how to maintain your Valentine’s Day plants A GREENER VIEW By Jeff Rugg CREATORS SYND ICATE You surely know that Valentine’s Day was on Tuesday. If you got flowers, it may have been an entire plant this year, not just cut blooms. Yout may want to know how to keep it alive. Several potted flowering plants are commonly given as gifts from Valentine’s Day through Easter until Mother’s Day. Azalea, calceolaria, cineraria, cyclamen, hydrangea and kalanchoes all are nice blooming gift plants. One of the reasons they are all available at this time of year is that they grow in the same conditions. They all prefer to have bright light from an east window or a bright artificial light. A daytime temperature in the 60- to 70-degree range is best and a little cooler at night is fine. Aazaleas and hydrangeas are both shrubs that can be set outdoors in the summer, but usually will not survive the winter if planted outside in cold climates. They can be brought in during the winter where they might re-bloom. I have had gift azaleas last several years when taken out in the summer and brought indoors in the fall to protect them from cool temperatures. They tend to bloom in the fall and sometimes again in midwinter. If they are not repotted, they need some fertilizer. Svitlana Hulko/Shutterstock The azalea and hydrangea are both shrubs that can be set outdoors in the summer but usually will not survive the winter if planted outside in cold climates.
R4 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM vinegar in home improvement stores and online. Add about 1 tablespoon Blue Dawn per gallon of vinegar (you can eyeball it) and shake to mix. Pour undiluted vinegar into a large spray bottle or garden sprayer. Apply when the weather report says you’ll be getting a few continuous days of sunshine. Rain will wash the vinegar off the weeds too soon. Most of the damage happens when the sun hits the weeds’ leaves. Spray directly onto the weeds, being careful to keep the solution away from other plants. • Ultra Blue Dawn Dawn dish soap weed killer is a popular choice for many Weeds are everywhere — lawns, parks, roadsides, driveways, my garden, even busting their way through asphalt and cracks in sidewalks. If you don’t want weeds to take over your garden, yard or neighborhood, you need a reliable and inexpensive way to take them out. The problem with chemical weed killers is they aren’t always effective, and they can be expensive and cause health problems. Sure, digging is always an option, but now we’re talking heavy tools and a lot of sweat. There are nonchemical, cheap and relatively easy ways to kill weeds that work. • Vinegar U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers confirmed that acetic acid in vinegar is effective at killing some common weed species, including Canada thistle, lamb’s quarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf and smooth pigweed. To be the most effective, the acetic acid concentration in the vinegar should be above 11% to burn and kill the plant. The dishwashing liquid acts as a surfactant to help the vinegar cling to the weed’s surface longer. Distilled white vinegar found in supermarkets is weak at 5% acidity, and while it will work to kill weeds, it takes longer and may require retreating. “Cleaning vinegar” is typically 30% acidity, depending on the brand, and assures your weed-killing labor is not in vain. You can find cleaning gardeners because it is effective and safe. It works by breaking down the plant’s cell walls, causing the plant to dehydrate and die. It is especially effective as a moss killer. For a general weed killer, mix 1 cup of Ultra Blue Dawn dish soap with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on weeds, being careful to avoid overspraying onto plants you want to live. Be sure to spray on a sunny day so that the weeds will dry out quickly. Reapply as necessary. To kill moss, especially those ugly patches in the lawn, mix 4 ounces of Ultra Dawn dish soap with 1 gallon of water in a sprayer and apply directly to the moss; it will turn brown and die within a week or so. Moss can be tricky to eliminate, and the conditions causing its presence need to be altered, but with an old recipe like dish soap and water, moss can be dealt with safely and cheaply. • Rubbing alcohol Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol works to kill weeds as it removes moisture from the weed’s foliage, causing it to die. Use 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol for every 1 quart of water. Mix the solution in a spray bottle for ease of use. As with vinegar, apply on a sunny day and spray directly onto the weeds, being careful to avoid vegetation, plants and flowers that you want to live. • Boiling water The cheapest of all nontoxic, effective weed killers, it’s easy to prepare and use — no mixing required, and it works on a sunny day as well as in the middle of the night — even in the pouring rain. Carefully pour enough boiling water on the leaves so it seeps deep into the roots. It’s helpful to use a kettle with a spout to target the unwanted weed. I use my electric kettle plugged into a heavy-duty extension cord. I set this right near the area I’ll be killing weeds, which means I don’t have to carry it from the kitchen. For this to be effective, the water needs to be boiling hot. • Propane torch While not a home brew recipe, hitting weeds with a torch is certainly effective and similar to boiling water for killing weeds — roots and all. If you have large areas of weeds, this is much more efficient than heating up multiple kettles of water, making a big job more doable in a short period of time. The long handle means you can kill weeds without stooping. A word to the wise: Use extreme caution when using this tool on windy days, in dry conditions or in brushy areas. Visit Mary at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” YARD FRIENDLY 5 nontoxic methods for killing weeds that really work By Mary Hunt CREATORS SYND ICATE Shutterstock EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE But what choice do you have now that you’ve hauled it out into the open? There’s no way you could get all of this back into the closet, so buck up and get this job done. First, get three big boxes, plastic bins, garbage bags or other containers that will allow you to separate everything. Keep: The only items you put into this bin should be ones you have worn or used at least twice in the past year. Be brutally harsh. If it doesn’t fit today, it’s not likely to fit any time soon. Get rid of it. Sell or donate: Clothes and other items that are not right for you but still have a useful life for someone else should go into this bin.What you consider ugly may be perfect for someone else. What no longer fits you will fit someone else. Take those items to a consignment store, or schedule a yard sale. Consider donating your good used items to the Salvation Army or another thrift store. Put all of these items in the garage or the back of the car, or get them out of the house in some other way. Throw away: Clothes and shoes that are worn out, stained, broken or in some other state go into this bin.Work quickly to ease the pain. Empty this bin often to keep the process moving. ORGANIZE Divide the Keep bin by season, type and use. If possible, store out-ofseason items in another place in your home. Next, separate your work or professional clothes from your casual attire. Now divide each pile into common wear and infrequent wear, arranging them so items you wear most often are handiest. EQUIPMENT At the minimum, you need a sturdy shoe rack, good hangers and shelves, in addition to your standard hanging rod. Shoe rack: You have lots of choices, but it all depends on the space you have to store shoes. If your closet just can’t handle shoes and clothes, you might want to consider storing your shoes in another area. Hangers: I can tell you from experience that when you have matching hangers throughout your closet, you’ll be more prone to hanging up your clothes and keeping things organized. Again, you have lots of choices. Shelves: A good shelving system that optimizes the space in your closet will make all the difference when it comes to keeping your closet organized. Investing in a few good organizational pieces will make organizing your closet — and keeping it organized — a snap. Everyday Cheapskate: Mary invites questions, comments and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “Ask Mary a Question.” This column will answer questions of general in-terest, but letters cannot be answered individually. ORGANIZATION 5 simple steps will help you rework your closet disaster By Mary Hunt CREATORS.COM What is behind your closet door? Orderly rows of shoes, stacks of folded T-shirts, and hanging clothes arranged by color and season? Or do you have a situation that could be declared a national disaster? If it’s the latter, it’s time to get organized. Here are simple steps to find calm in all that chaos. And what’s more, the same principles for organizing a clothes closet apply to linen or utility closets. EVERYTHINGOUT That’s right, you must remove everything from the closet — all of it. Every last hanger, belt, fashionstatement purse and shoe. This lets you see exactly the space you have to work with. DEEPCLEAN Now that you can see the light of day, give that closet a good cleaning from top to bottom and if, after thorough cleaning, the space still looks a little grungy, apply a fresh coat of paint. SEPARATE Most people hate this step because it means getting rid of everything you do not use or wear. Shutterstock Clothes and other items that are not right for you but still have a useful life for someone else should go into the sell or donate bin.
HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 R5 cabinet, hinged door and sliding shelves, or a Butler’s Pantry. A butler’s pantry is a small kitchen near the kitchen with room for storage, a countertop and sink for minor food prep and workspace for small appliances. Kitchen islands Kitchen islands will continue to serve multiple purEach year the National Association of Kitchens and Baths (NKBA) publishes its Design Trends Report. Based on a survey of its members, including designers, showrooms, dealers, specialists, manufacturers, kitchen and bath remodelers, contractors and architects, there are trends emerging in 2023 that are expected to be top design trends for the next three years. Open-concept kitchens This trend has been around for many years. The pandemic caused some homeowners to move away from this concept. It appears that was temporary because according the NKBA 2023 Design Trends Report, opening up kitchens by removing walls is still a most popular trend. In addition, remodelers are getting requests to transition the kitchen into the outdoors. rather than to adjoining rooms like the dining or living room. Pantries Another top kitchen trend is the need to hide clutter by creating a pantry. Choices are, a walk-in pantry which is a separate space for food storage, a built-in pantry, a full height poses in the kitchen. Prominent island features include technology charging, as well as food prep and adequate eating space. Requests are for larger kitchen islands that function as dining tables with more seating and more room for dining. Technology Homeowners have become increasingly interested in smart controls via mobile devices or voice control, touchless faucets, integrated lighting technology and smart appliances. Smart appliances are increasingly popular such as refrigerators with touch screens to add items to your shopping list or to keep track of expiration dates. Also gaining in popularity are smart ovens that include steam cooking and air frying features. Both appliances can be controlled by an app on your phone. There is a greater need for space for mobile devices, laptop charging and viewing in the kitchen. Sustainability in the kitchen Designers are more often recommending sustainability practices, including 100% LED lighting, separate storage for recycling, increased natural light with low-E windows and doors, EPA Energy-Star certified appliances, VOC free paints and stains and countertops made from recycled materials. A “must have” trend for someone may be a “no more” trend for another. Your professional remodeler and designer will advise you and help you make the choices for your kitchen remodel. This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To contact the author directly email [email protected] . For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at [email protected] . To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org . LATEST TRENDS Check out these emerging kitchen design ideas By Kevin Vick V ICK CONSTRUCT ION & REMODEL ING Courtesy of Vick Construction & Remodeling This kitchen features cabinetry with an in-drawer charging station for electronic devices and a custom pantry with pull-out storage. GHBA REMODELERS COUNCIL “Secondhand shopping” used to mean scouring your local antique or thrift stores in person, but online options have made finding antique furniture and vintage goods easier than ever. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers the following tips to protect yourself from antique or vintage shopping scams: Avoid impulse buying, especially on social media. Keep in mind that scammers know how to target consumers based on their buying history. Even if an item seems perfect, try not to make an emotional decision to purchase. Scammers will try to make you feel like the item you are considering, especially vintage items, will get snapped up by someone else. Always take the time to research the item and the seller before you click “buy.” Scrutinize the website before you purchase. Check BBBHouston.org and find the company’s BBB rating and BBB Accreditation status. Carefully review consumer reviews outside of the company’s website. Check BBB Scam Tracker for any mentions of a possible scam. Do an internet search of the company along with the word “scam.” If others have had a poor experience or been scammed by the company, don’t do business with them. Check for valid contact information. If a business doesn’t have a phone number, consider it a red flag. Keep in mind that scammers may use Google Voice numbers or use a Gmail or Yahoo business email address to appear legitimate. Trustworthy businesses should have a working phone number and preferably, a physical address that checks out, too. Pay with your credit card. Credit cards may offer more protection for buyers than other payment methods. Keep good records. Write down where you ordered the items and take a screenshot of the website and the item listing in case it disappears later. This will make disputing the charges easier, if it becomes necessary. — Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau. Visit bbbhouston.org. Follow tips when buying vintage decor items online
R6 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM The rise of online marketplaces and expedited delivery services is a convenient service for many consumers across the nation. Unfortunately, purchasing and having the item delivered to the proper address does not guarantee you will receive it. Home package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” often take advantage of an opportunity and may frequent a neighborhood or community multiple times before moving on to another. They will often target houses that provide a quick in-and-out route, especially if the porch or area is within 25 feet of the street and is easily visible. As a crime of opportunity, preventing or discouraging package theft can be accomplished in several ways, depending on the home’s location, type, and community. For instance, preventing package theft at an apartment complex in the middle of the city differs from a suburban residential community. However, consumers can use strategies to discourage the act no matter where they live. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas provides these tips to prevent package thieves from affecting your holiday plans — and the rest of the year: • Check with neighbors. Sometimes, your package may not be stolen at all, just simply at the wrong address. Before filing a report or contacting the sender, check with your neighbors and see if the delivery service may have dropped off your package at the wrong address. Some delivery companies will take pictures of your package in the designated location. Ask if a photo was taken and verify it is at the right spot. • Don’t leave unattended packages. When possible, do not leave delivered packages unattended for long periods. If you are expecting a package, attempt to schedule its delivery when you know you will be home. Ask your neighbors or local friends and family if they could pick up and hold on to packages delivered if you plan to be gone for an extended time during the holidays. • Ship to the store. If purchasing an item from a retailer that has a physical location near your home, consider shipping it there instead. Retailers will require proof of purchase or identification before releasing packages they have received, and this is a sure way to avoid porch pirates. • Use a security camera. Installing a home security system with cameras or simply a camera-enabled doorbell is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible. Consider including a sign that specifically states that the residence is under surveillance. Even if a package is stolen from your porch, the video evidence will help law enforcement track down the thieves. • Require a signature. Many delivery companies include the option to require a signature before leaving a package, letting you take physical possession of the item as soon as it is delivered. While this option works well for those who are often at home, especially for expensive items, it may create difficulties in receiving packages if your schedule and the delivery service are different. Be sure to check with the delivery company on their policy for packages that are not signed for; they may return it to the sender after a certain number of attempts. • Consider a package-receiving service. Some major retailers offer secure package receiving locations away from your home that you can access with a key or code. Some independent businesses also specialize in this service, allowing you to designate a different delivery location for your packages and the ability to pick them up on your way home. If you fear that your package has been stolen, file a report with your local police department and the delivery company. Depending on which delivery service you use, they may offer insurance or other policies to reimburse you for your losses. If using a delivery service, check with BBBHouston.org to learn more about the business. For information, visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is BBB VP of operations. Send questions to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail [email protected] with address and phone number. Protect yourself from packages being stolen off the porch BBB ON HOMES LEAH NAPOLIELLO Shutterstock Q: I recently installed new weatherstripping on my old wood windows. On windy days, the curtains still move. How can I find and stop the other air leakage? — Rita T. A: Now that you have already installed the new weatherstripping, try to remember if you saw any discolored spots when you pulled off the old weatherstripping. Discoloration usually means some water was getting in past it. That results in warped or swollen wood that may not seal well against the strips. Just tug on some of the new weatherstripping where there might have been discoloration. If it is bad under it, you will notice it feels different. Once all that is fixed, if you still feel air leaks, the only other possible leaky areas are where caulk has deteriorated. People often get the terms caulking and weatherstripping confused. Caulk is used to seal areas that are fixed in place and weatherstripping is used to seal areas that move relative to each other. The most likely deteriorated caulk is where the window frames is sealed into the opening in the wall. For an effective caulking job, it is important to remove as much of the old caulk as possible. Ideally, you should remove it all so the new caulking adheres to the wall opening lumber and the window frame. You should never just try to spread some new caulk over a crack in the old caulk. I can guarantee it will be leaking again in less than a year. Start out by using a stiff putty knife to scrape away any of the old caulk that is loose. Carefully scrape deeper, trying not to damage the wood any more than necessary. A few small gouges will be filled with the new caulk. Heating the old caulk with a hair blow-dryer or an electric heat gun makes it softer and easier to remove. There are many different types of caulk to use as you will find when you visit the caulk aisle at your home center store. Since you will probably want to paint the frame and caulk, a siliconized acrylic latex caulk is a good choice. Most have a stated life of 25 years or more. Once the old caulk is cleaned out, inspect the wood for any signs of deterioration. Remove any bad wood. This may leave some fairly large gaps to fill with caulk. If any spots are wider than about one-quarter inch, stuff some foam backer rope into the gap first before applying the new caulk. Now you are ready to select a caulking gun. Don’t just buy the least expensive one even though they all look somewhat similar. A better caulking gun will have a smoother operating trigger to provide better control over the flow of the caulk. It is sometimes difficult to determine this before using the gun, so just buy a more expensive one. Cut the tube on a 45-degree angle. Cut up far enough to create a hole about the same width as the gap you are trying to fill. Always start at one end because a small blob is usually created where you start. Do an entire side of the frame without stopping or there will be a blob where you stop. Smooth the caulk bead with a wet finger or a plastic smoothing tool. Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. Seal hidden window air leaks with caulk By James Dulley CREATORS SYND ICATE HERE’S HOW Caulk is used to seal areas that are fixed in place and weatherstripping is used to seal areas that move relative to each other. The most likely deteriorated caulk is where the window frames is sealed into the opening in the wall.
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