Salem News: Homes Spring 2013

HOMES
This oceanfront Gloucester home is presented by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Please see Page 12for details and additional photos.
SPRING 2013
Decorating Renovating Real Estate

The Salem News
THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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S3 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Enjoy the stately charm of a Victorian manor with a nod to a literary classic
BY NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
AT A GLANCE
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A striking Woodbury Hill setting provides the perfect canvas for Pitch Pines Hill a stately 15-room Victorian home near Beverly Farms Village. Situated on 19 private acres, this grand old house was designed and first owned by noted American couple Clover and Henry Adams. Famous socialite and early photographer Clover Adams is often cited as the inspiration for Henry James Daisy Miller, and her husband, Henry, was a distinguished writer and historian. The house and the property are exceptional in so many ways, says listing agent Peter Dorsey of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. In fact, even before the house was constructed, it was a special place because the site is where the original owner, Henry Adams, proposed to his wife, Clover. B u i l t a s t h e Ad a m s summer home in 1876 and enlarged in 1900, this home offers 5,202 square feet of living space. All the best loved and most-oftenreproduced elements of Victorian design are evident throughout the home, but here they are the original, one-of-a-kind offerings of master craftsmen. Custom moldings and trim accent the high ceilings. Much of the original woodwork includes faux painted graining a technique in which the artist would enhance the natural grain look of the woodwork by using a feather to paint it by hand. Stately and simple, this jewel with fireplaces in the living room, dining room, library, den and three out of the five bedrooms
bedrooms 3.5 baths 5,202 square feet of living space 12 Peter Dorsey fireplaces Two-car garage On 19 acres of private land $750,000
LISTED BY
Peter Dorsey Coldwell Banker Residential
This incredible Victorian, with an interesting history attached, is sited close to Beverly Farms Village on 19 bucolic acres.
Brokerage pkdorsey@gmail.com 978-340-0661 www.26juniper.com
In this stunning room, complete with coffered ceiling, decorative columns and generous windows, find one of this homes 12 fireplaces.
exemplifies the best of the 19th-century aesthetic. The 12 fireplaces are themselves works of art with beautiful mantelpieces of both artisanshaped woodwork and European tiles that helped define the Victorian age. The home has this wonderful European feel to it, Dorsey adds. Every room is custom-designed and has delightful and unique elements from the impressive wood-paneled library to the rounded bay window, where there is a special tin-lined area for plants. Theres a wonderful old pantry in the kitchen and beautiful interior stained-glass windows in the dining room. Its truly an enchanted place, and when you step inside, you feel like youre stepping into a European country. The grounds surrounding the home are equally
The spacious dining room features classic 19th-century detailing, including stained-glass windows.
impressive in their embrace of the Victorian era, including the stone steps built into the hillside for those wanting to take the air. Theres an adorable bricklined frog pond and a larger pond area that was perhaps used as a koi pond during the homes grand past, but which the current owners remember using as a skating rink when they were growing up. With its hilltop location, the residence offers glimpses of the ocean and Misery Island from some of the upper rooms and the beach is within comfortable walking or quick driving distance. The homeowner is entitled to a coveted beach parking sticker for beautiful West Beach. The approach to the house is a long, long driveway, which really makes
you feel as though youre at an estate way far out in the country, Dorsey adds, but then you realize youre really just about a mile from Beverly Farms Village and a short commuter rail ride into Boston. Its a very special house. There are upgrades such as a modern septic system and generator, but the fact that the house has not been classically modernized is another reason why its such an exceptional property, Dorsey says. In a sense, one of the special things about the place is that the old parts of it havent been spoiled, and it retains its 19th-century charm. Its just a really comfortable, happy place. This property lists for $750,000. For more information, contact Peter Dorsey, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, at pkdorsey@ gmail.com or 978-340-0661. Enjoy an online tour of this special property by visiting www.26juniper.com.
HOMES
SPRING 2013
30 SPRING FORECAST: The market is booming, depending on where youre shopping 3 BEVERLY: Enjoy the stately charm of a Victorian manor with a nod to a literary classic 5 BEVERLY: Custom Colonial offers an oasis in the middle of everything 8 BEVERLY: Historic estate home offers stylish living for your modern family 10 BEVERLY: Choate Farm Colonial offers elegance in a natural setting 12 GLOUCESTER: Spectacular opportunity for oceanfront living 13 GLOUCESTER: Inspiring river views add to the beauty of this sunny home 15 GLOUCESTER: The Villages at West Gloucester: Only 6 homes left
Decorating Renovating Real Estate
Beverly custom Colonial offers an oasis in the middle of everything

By Nancy Mades
CORRESPONDENT
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NORTH SHORE REAL ESTATE

23 LYNNFIELD: Exciting opportunity for elegant 55-plus living 28 MIDDLETON: This premier 55-plus community continues to shine 29 PEABODY: Starting building equity now with this rare West Peabody two-family 36 SALEM: Classic Victorian offers flexibility and affordability 38 TOPSFIELD: Enjoy extended family living at its finest in this stunner
AT A GLANCE
8 rooms 3,280
FEATURES 6 WONDERFUL FOR 24 TOP-SHELF IDEAS Large cabinets can work in almost any THE WEAR room Vintage might be trendy, but its old hat to authors, designers 24 FAUCET FASHION Make it match when you finish off your 9 HOME ERGONOMICS bathroom sink Ergonomically designed homes can help people work, live comfortably 27 STAYING NEUTRAL An unexpected way to liven up your 11 THE GILDED LIFE space Todays casual decor meets Downton Abbey style 30 ITS GOT PERSONALITY Let your life inspire your home decor 14 DIRTY WORK Tips for making your dishwasher, drain 32 TOUCH TONES work better
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17 KIDS N CHORES
Rich textures make rooms feel organic, interactive
Housewares that can make chores more Nowadays, luxury means comfortable living fun for all
34 FORM AND FUNCTION
19 DRESS UP YOUR TABLE 22 WINDOW ART

Making your own stained glass carefully
37 TIPS FROM YIP 39 DECKED OUT
Fruit and floral centerpieces can be quick and easy
HGTV host Vern Yip says everyone deserves great design Make this important outdoor space functional and beautiful Page 11
22 BATHROOM BITS
Quick tips for organizing bathrooms
From the minute you enter through the impressive double doors into the sparkling granite foyer where the sweeping curve of the staircase leads your eye up, up to the cathedral ceiling, the custom features never stop in this dramatic Beverly Colonial. Lovely mature trees line the cul-de-sac to evoke a country feeling at a property that is minutes from schools, shops and public transportation, as well as the wonderful community amenities that make Beverly a top North Shore location. The desirable neighborhood is close to commuter routes and less than two miles from the local beach. What makes this house so unique is that its literally in the middle of everything. Its an equal distance from shopping and restaurants in Beverly and from the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, says listing agent Fay Salt of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Yet, its the most private home on the cul-de-sac, with acres and acres of woods behind it that make it a wonderful oasis. The sleek design of the open-concept main floor is ideal for both family game night and larger gatherings with its fireplaced family room, formal living room and dining room. Planned with the chef in mind, the state-of-the-art kitchen includes top-quality stainless-steel appliances, expansive granite countertops and tons of helpful cabinet space. The granite-topped breakfast nook easily doubles as homework center by day, cocktail party headquarters by night. Th e m a i n l eve l a l s o
square feet of living space 4 bedrooms 2 full, 1 half bath Fay Salt Private wooded lot In-ground gunite pool $599,000
LISTED BY
Fay A. Salt Coldwell Banker Residential
Brokerage fay.salt@NEMoves.com 978-882-4482
This beautiful Beverly Colonial has it all, with soaring ceilings, a thoughtful open floor plan and a location that cant be beat.
Just in time for summer, this property has an unrivaled yard complete with stunning landscaping, a versatile deck and an includes a separate laundry closet. Striking hardwood in-ground gunite pool.
room and half-bath. Upstairs, enjoy four sizable bedrooms, a full bath with stone/ceramic tile and the impressive master suite with private bath and storage-friendly walk-in floors are featured throughout the home. This is truly a custom home, Salt adds. Its unusual for a home in this price range to have hardwood floors throughout even in the bedrooms. The house just feels sunny and bright and open. Its nicely decorated in warm, neutral tones. They just did a really nice job on
The kitchen is gorgeous, with top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops and generous cabinetry.
it. With more than 3,200 square feet of living space, the residence is heated by natural gas and cooled by central air conditioning. The basement
has a finished entertainment room with custom granite bar, and the attached garage affords parking for two cars, while the enormous paved driveway adds parking for at least four additional vehicles. The driveway is so big the current owners once considered actually painting the lines for a basketball court onto it, Salt observes. Everyone is going to want to go outside and play once they see the fenced yard with its stunning lawn maintained to perfection with a sprinkler system and professional landscaping. Theres a separate area for gardening that gets the perfect combination of sun and shade for the private wooded lot. But, the centerpiece of the grounds is the ready-for-entertaining deck overlooking the sparkling inground gunite pool. This property lists for $599,000. For more information, contact listing agent Fay Salt, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, at fay.salt@NEMoves.com or 978-882-4482.
FOR THE WEAR

By CATHY CASSATA
CTW FEATURES
WONDERFUL
A threadbare chair and a floppy decorative cushion, right, are worn down and well-loved.
Need a little vintage in your life?

If you want your space to scream vintage, but youre not sure where to start, consider these tips: Less is more. Get rid of things that you think you need, but dont. That doesnt mean if you have a box of your moms old love letters, those have to go. Im talking about stuff thats for the sake of stuff, like 10 lamps in a room, says Rachel Ashwell, of Shabby Chic fame. Let one or two stand things age over time is my true inspiration, she says. Thats what drives everything that makes its way into her couture collection. Everything that I create has heirloom qualities that enable you to pass on history through things, which is kind of an authentic green way to live, because youre recycling beautiful products from one generation to the next, Ashwell says. Lack of perfection is perfect for the Giannettis. Vintage style allows us to live beautifully. When you have beautiful things, you dont need a load of them. Paint walls white. While bright colors do indeed wow, Ashwell says mellow colors have much more longevity. A clean palette is a good place to start, but that doesnt mean that over time one wall cant take on wallpaper or a different color, like a pastel or muted smoky palette. suggests sticking to natural materials, such as white oak and pine woods; brass, iron, zinc and bronze metals; and limestone and marble. They age beautifully. Our interaction with these materials only softens them and makes them look better as they reflect the history of our family life, she says. For soft furnishings, Ashwell says velvets and linens are authentically vintage, but people should stay open to anything that catches their eye.
Add drama. Signature pieces, such as a chandelier, instantly create a feeling of grandeur even in a small space, Ashwell says. Finding that dramatic piece can get the ideas rolling for the rest of the space. Bring the outdoors in. Keep in mind garden elements such as cement pots, urns and fountains. They always have a great patina that they acquire naturally through
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their time outside, author and designer Brooke Giannetti says. A pair of aged cement urns in a dining room brings a bit of the garden inside. Architecture, architecture. Old architectural elements, such as French shutters and vintage columns, add an interesting large-scale element to any room, says architect Steve Giannetti. Cathy Cassata rotten, Ashwell might take the top of the table off the legs and put it onto a different set of vintage legs or cut the legs down and create a coffee table. I really look at the process of what can be saved in the same way I look at my friendships, she says. Say a friendship no longer has all of its original elements, think about whats still of value and what can be saved and enjoy that piece of it. Dont discard things just because theyve lost their original use.
Vintage might be trendy, but its old hat to authors and designers Rachel Ashwell and Brooke and Steve Giannetti
Its no surprise to any observer of style that vintage is in. A return to well-worn, well-loved furnishings is the subject of two books, Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces (CICO Books, 2011) by Rachel Ashwell and Patina Style (Gibbs Smith, 2011) by Brooke and Steve Giannetti. All three authors have found ways to bring their signature styles through different businesses and media, from bed linens to blogs. We caught up with these champions of the vintage aesthetic to learn whats so refreshing about aged decor. History lesson Appreciating the history of objects comes natural to Ashwell, the face of the shabby chic movement that first became popular in the 90s. My parents were in the flea market business, so they instilled in me an appreciation of collection and quality of details, she says. They also taught me how to navigate through a flea market at a very young age. This passion for beautiful things led Ashwell to styling for photography shoots and commercials. I learned the process of making beautiful moments in time and was able to then translate that to my stores, she says.
beautifully without making our family crazy by embracing the imperfections in our home, Brooke Giannetti says. We tend to look for items with classical proportions and slim features that always mix well with each other and can move from room to room. Steve adds that simple shapes and natural materials keep a space from feeling overly decorated. Materials matter When it comes to hard furnishings, Brooke Giannetti
Dont shy away from fabrics that have holes in them, whether its a rug that has a stain on it or a curtain that is faded from the sun, she says. You can always dye fabric or add patches. Broken beauty Theres vintage, then theres just plain broken. But if a beautiful old object is not functioning as it used to, perhaps it can still serve a purpose. Brooke Giannetti says most of her favorite pieces arent used for their intended purpose.
If I find a piece inspiring and it just needs a little repairing or I can find a unique use for a broken item, then Ill still buy it, she says. We have a large clock face in our stairway that was once the town clock for the city of Nancy in France, and its made the perfect addition to our home. Ashwell agrees. When it comes to wood furnishings such as tables, chairs and cabinets, she says, think outside the box. For instance, if the legs of a table become
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A chalky, pastel palette ties antiques and flea-market finds together with a bookshelf, far left.
bed-and-breakfast, called the Prairie by Rachel Ashwell. She has also lent her name to a line of bedding that is available at retail stores. For Brooke Giannetti, designing by instinct is her forte, while her husband, Steve Giannetti, is a regisPhotos courtesy of CICO Books, 2011 tered architect. Brooke runs the popular design blog VelShabby shack: Ashwell featured this remodeled hunters cabin in her latest book. The tiny vet and Linen, and the duo oasis was decorated top to bottom on a shoestring budget with vintage books, linens and a own a full-service architec$15 chandelier. ture, interior and landscape Founder of the iconic brand hosted a television show, and owns four Shabby design firm, as well as a Shabby Chic, Ashwell has published a series of books, Chic Couture stores and a home furnishings store.
Photo courtesy of Steve Giannetti
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We appreciate objects for the memories they hold, as well as the purposes they serve in our lives, Steve Giannetti says. Why vintage? Simply put, vintage refers to things made in the past. But just being old doesnt cut it, Ashwell says. Whether it is the finish of wood or wearing of something how it gets distressed over time or how linen becomes fluffy or how fabric becomes faded in the sun the process of how
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Historic Beverly estate home offers stylish living for your modern family
By NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
RE/MAX Advantage
S8 Return to a time when extended families all lived together in a big, beautiful house, only now youll being cooking in an expansive kitchen with commercial quality appliances instead of the cooking pot over the fire. This enchanting Beverly antique estate home was originally built in 1692, by a shipbuilder, but has been updated to provide every modern convenience that you expect in the 21st century. The 14-room home boasts six bedrooms and 41/2 baths. The luxurious fireplaced master suite offers a true retreat with a private bath and old-fashioned, clawfoot soaking tub, plus an enormous dressing room. Laundry is on the second floor for easy access. The spacious, sunny kitchen realizes a perfect balance of old and new in the gas-powered commercial grade Viking stove, recessed lighting coexisting with the pantry and bright atrium. In addition to 4,500 square feet of living space in the homes main residence, there is 500-square-foot au pair suite ideal for the returning college graduate or aging family member. Situated above the three-car garage, the suite offers the privacy of its own entrance and the coziness of a fireplaced bedroom, full bath, kitchen and living area. It allows for independent living thats still within reach should assistance be needed. P e r i o d d e t a i l s h av e been lovingly maintained throughout the residence. Entertaining in the family room with its extensive bookcases, 6-foot-wide fireplace with beehive oven and kettle hanger, brick floor, and extraordinary pine-paneled
South-facing windows offer breathtaking views of the 1.5 acres of sprawling lawn.
AT A GLANCE
4,500 square feet of living
space Additional 500-square-foot au pair suite 6 bedrooms 8 fireplaces Commercial grade appliance kitchen Historic flooring and paneling perfectly maintained $639,000
LISTED BY
Jack Hyland RE/MAX Advantage 978-886-1717 jack@jackhyland.com
The dining room features original raised paneled walls and a fireplace, plus a three-bay window and elegant arched alcove.
original raised paneled walls and fireplaces, plus a threebay window and graceful arched alcove. Theres room for play, gardening and relaxing, as the extensive grounds include 1.5 acres of sprawling lawn and well-established plantings. THERE IS AN
The open and bright gourmet kitchen includes a butlers pantry and sunny atrium area.
ADJOINING SEPARATE LOT THAT CAN BE BOUGHT WITH OR WITHOUT BUILDER TIE-IN. Visit the home during an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, at 47 Grover St., Beverly. This property lists for $ 6 3 9 , 0 0 0 . Co n t a c t Ja c k Hyland, RE/MAX Advantage, at 978-886-1717 or jack@jackhyland.com.
walls is a nod to the homes historic past. The room is rumored to have once been a tavern. The dining room and living room retain the
Home ergonomics
No, its not a junior high class for cooking and sewing. Ergonomically designed homes can help people work and live comfortably
By DAN RAFTER CTW Features Ergonomics is a hot trend in the workplace, with companies designing their office furniture and arranging employee workspaces to increase the comfort levels of workers. This may take the form of chairs with better back support, proper lighting and the height of desks. After all, many people spend eight hours or more at work, often sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen. Comfort is key to productivity. But what about at home? In fact, ergonomics the science of designing and arranging things that people use to be efficient and safe is just as important at home as in the office. When ergonomic principles are applied to design living spaces, people will be left with fewer bad backs, aching necks and other maladies. The disconnect between home and work often occurs because we dont realize just how much physical work we actually complete at home, says Carla Jaspers, an occupational therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Workplace tasks are often somewhat repetitive over a span of eight hours, while tasks completed at home tend to be much more varied and dynamic and sometimes more physically taxing. The exertion required for activities of daily living and home maintenance can be intense. Because of this, therapists and designers have plenty of suggestions for small ergonomic steps that people can take to make their residences more comfortable. table chairs that are far more comfortable. Again, this will reduce the strain on the back over time. Time to relax Its possible for people to tweak their back muscles when they stretch to turn off table lamps while lying in bed, too. As a solution, Lowell recommends dimmers that can be set on bedside tables well within reach. These practices are good for both the aging population who want to stay in their homes longer, as well as the younger population, to prevent unnecessary injury, Cleveland says. These injuries can happen even when people think theyre in a relaxing position. While its tempting to come home from a long day of work and collapse into an easy chair or sofa, if these pieces of furniture arent designed properly, they can strain muscles. For instance, Jaspers says that too many love seats and sofas sit too close to the floor. This makes it difficult for people to lift themselves from these seats. A better choice is furniture that is higher off the ground. In general, the angle of a persons knees when in a sitting position should not be less than 90 degrees. Otherwise, people are sitting on a surface that is too low for their height. The extremes of the population are already very aware of the benefit of ergonomics, Jaspers says. For example, tall people over 6 feet have difficulty functioning in a kitchen with low counters. Jaspers says that she expects more people to pay attention to ergonomics in living spaces in the future.
Homeowners who improperly store heavy pots and pans in their kitchens can develop back or neck problems.
Kitchen comfort With more families spending quality time in the kitchen, its a good place to start amping up the comfort factor. Well-known interior designer and television personality Christopher Lowell points to kitchen counters as a prime example. Most counters today are too low, he says, causing homeowners to bend over too far when chopping vegetables or even while sitting at stools and eating their breakfast. Lowell says that by raising countertops just 2 inches higher than is conventional, contractors can leave residents with a kitchen that requires far less
Watch your back: Many kitchen counters are too low for bending. This, in turn, places comfortable chopping and food preparation.
less strain on their shoulders and backs. For renters or homeowners whose counters are already built, Lowell recommends that they somehow elevate their cutting boards by 2 inches, even if it means balancing it on a cookbook. Youll be surprised at the difference it can make, Lowell says. Kelly Cleveland, owner of Kelly Cleveland Interiors in Chicago, says that homeowners who improperly store heavy pots and pans in their kitchens can develop back or neck problems, too. Thats why she recommends storing heavy kitchen items everything from large bowls and plates to cumbersome appliances in cabinets that have pullout drawers or pullout shelving. This way, items can be easily lifted out of storage spaces without straining back, leg or arm muscles. Take it to task Lowell recommends placing gel mats in kitchens or in master bathrooms in front of the sinks. These mats are basically an area rug runner filled with gel. Theyre aesthetically pleasing, but even
PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCKPHOTO
more importantly, they cushion the feet and relieve back strain in areas where people stand in one place for a long period of time. Non-office chairs Dining or kitchen table chairs can also be an ergonomic nightmare. Quite simply, theyre often too hard. Lowell suggests that homeowners first purchase a dining room or kitchen table without also buying the set of chairs that goes with them. Instead, homeowners can purchase fully upholstered high-back dining or kitchen
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Choate Farm Colonial offers elegance in a natural setting

By Nancy Mades
CORRESPONDENT
Todays casual decor meets Downton Abbey style

AMY LORENTZEN Associated Press Intrigued by the drama and inspired by the sophistication of British aristocrats in Downton Abbey, some fans are plotting to bring the series style into their own homes, from gilded finishes to opulent upholstery to portrait paintings. Weve gone so casual in the last decade in terms of home decor. I think there is a desire to be a little more formal, or a little more glamorous, says Kristie Barnett, an interior design blogger in Nashville, Tenn. That doesnt mean it cant be family-friendly. Downton Abbey, in production for its fourth season, features the noble Crawley family upstairs and its servants downstairs in a sprawling country estate. The characters are struggling to bring the estate and their traditional sensibilities into the 1920s, a time of social and political ferment. Ornate drawing rooms, flowing boudoirs, vibrant gardens and crisp, clean servants quarters make the gorgeous backdrop for the PBS Masterpiece melodrama. So how do you bring some of that aristocratic look into a comfortable modern home? Gilded for glamour One of the simplest ways to achieve the upstairs look of Downton Abbey is to apply gold metallic paint for a gilded finish on wood furniture, picture frames, mirror edges and other decorative items, including bookends and lamp stands. In her living room, Barnett, who blogs at TheDecorologist.com, used gold paint to make a barley-twist coffee table appear worthy of nobility. Golden candlesticks and a crystal doorknob atop piles of books finish the look. Lure of the library While many elements of Downton Abbey style have a feminine appeal, theres no mistaking the bold, masculine feel of Lord Granthams library. Add jewel-toned leather furniture or leather throw pillows to your reading areas for a twist to the muted espresso brown that has been popular in recent years. Consider turning a littleused dining room into a study, using the table as a hearty desk fit for the lords and ladies of your home. People are wanting to do something different in their dining rooms, so a lot of dining rooms are being filled with bookcases, Barnett says. She advises painting bookcases the same shade as walls, but in a gloss or lacquer finish. Simple sensibility Contrasting with the rich decor of the shows upstairs rooms is the subdued, neutral palette and texture of the downstairs staffs living and working quarters. Think natural materials like linen, cotton, raw wood, and a simplistic farmhousetype aesthetic that is influencing DIY projects, says Becki Speakman, trend and design director for Michaels Stores. One way to fashion the look is to use washed and softened painters dropcloths for inexpensive curtains and slipcovers. Lawlor recommends a palette of grounded grays and varnished ivory. Creating flourishes of Downton Abbey style throughout a home can add interest and refinement. But give just a nod to the era dont try to replicate it. The idea is to incorporate some of the glamour of that time in our modern-day setting, Barnett says, without creating a museum in our homes.
AT A GLANCE
10 rooms 4
Regal is not too strong a word to use when describing this magnificent contemporary Colonial home located on one of the best streets in one of the most desirable, community-oriented neighborhoods in Danvers. Situated in the deepest pocket of a cul-de-sac, the home is part of the historic Choate Farm area. Originally known as Robin Hill Farm, what is known today as Choate Farm was established in the early 20th century by gentleman farmer and scion of a prominent local family Robert B. Choate. The enormous picture windows of the 10-room homes generous Florida room afford stunning views of the conservation woodlands purchased and preserved by the town of Danvers in 2001. The setting creates a sense of country living just minutes from commuter routes 1, 114 and 95. There are 3,664 square feet of living space in this executive home, and yet it still retains the sunny, warm ambiance that make for graceful living. The house really has the Wow! factor, observes listing agent Pamela Spiros of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. From the minute you walk in, its all bright, sunny spaces and expansive rooms. Even before entering into the elegant two-story foyer, the home radiates sophistication with the graceful arches and peaks of its architecture. The grounds were professionally designed and are meticulously tended. Once inside, one gracious room spills into the next of this well-appointed home. The homes open floor plan gourmet kitchen is made for the home chef and features
bedrooms 3.5 baths 3,664 square feet Gas fireplace Two-car garage $750,000
Pam Spiros
LISTED BY
Pamela Spiros Coldwell Banker Residential
Brokerage Pamela.Spiros@NEMoves.com 978-882-4375
t o p - q u a l i ty ap p l i a n c e s , abundant storage, granite counters and a terrific island that easily serves as a homework help center by day and entertaining headquarters by night. The desk in the kitchen is ideal for keeping track of field trip permission slips or work space for planning out your next gourmet dinner party. Or, if you need more space to work at or from home, move the bustle into the sizable firstfloor home office charmed by French doors. The kitchen opens into a sun-drenched dining area bringing you into the spacious family room, where the gas fireplace is surrounded by dramatic granite. A home built for entertaining or for quiet introspection, the residences well-lighted library and family room invites you to plan and perfectly execute any size or style social gathering. Theres an oversized two-car garage and enough room for four additional vehicles in the paved driveway, so feel free to invite everyone to the Fourth of July barbecue
Sited majestically on one of Danvers finest streets, this contemporary Colonial possesses all of the bells and whistles one might expect from a home of this caliber.
Kristie Barnett, a design blogger for The Decorologist, used gold paint to make a barley-twist coffee table in her home appear worthy of Downton Abbey nobility.
Gilt was all the rage during the British Edwardian Age, says Barnett. And its all the rage in my house. Furniture with flourish Richly upholstered settees, footstools, chaise lounges and Bergere chairs can add a touch of bygone beauty, but you should allow plenty of space for more livable pieces such as a traditional sofa. If you cant afford new furniture, consider adding silk or damask throw pillows. Tapestries and oriental rugs can be affordable and add the feel of affluence. Check out Etsy.com for Downton Abbey-style fabrics and textiles. Lovely lighting Another easy way to achieve the upstairs style, while keeping things practical and comfortable, is to hang an ornate light fixture or chandelier. Affordable plaster or stencil medallions placed around light fixtures can be another eye-catching element.
Associated Press
The two-story foyer leads the way to a fluid floor plan, perfect The chefs kitchen is fabulous, with generous cabinets, topof-the-line appliances, a center island, recessed lighting and a for entertaining. built-in work station.
this year. The first floor is completed by the laundry room and stylish half-bath. Quality was the order of the day in the construction of this residence, and hardwood floors, stone, granite, wainscoting and crown molding, and top-line carpeting assure the highest degree of style. The home is heated by oil heat and cooled by central air conditioning. The careful planning and top-quality construction one expects from a Pulte built home such as this continues upstairs with four generous bedrooms, three full baths one including a Jack and Jill bathroom and a luxurious master suite with its own private, double-vanity bath. The additional upstairs sitting room would make the ideal man cave, mom cave or guest room. The walk-out basement is ready to be repurposed into an au pair or extended living suite, something Spiros notes is high on so many buyers lists today. So many people in the market right now are looking for a space that they can make a home for their parents, she says. The homes basement has tremendous potential for creating a perfect place for an aging parent or a returning college graduate. This property lists for $750,000. Listed by Pamela Spiros, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Pamela. Spiros@NEMoves.com, 978-882-4375.
Painted portraits and landscapes picked up from rummage sales or consignment shops can be grouped together on a wall to inject a little more formality into your home decor.
Or use candlelight, which will bounce off mirrors, glass and crystal, creating the sort of warm glow that makes the Crawleys multicourse dinners look so enticing. Wonderful windows and walls The return to detail and decoration includes opulent upholstery, drapes and wall coverings, says Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, founder of ApartmentTherapy.com. People seem to be ready for more and more luxe materials and dramatic finishes, he says. Even wallpaper, which was trending modern, is back to classic floral patterns and English traditionalism, but often with a bit of a twist.
Painted walls are darker, with a gloss finish, experts say. You can create the uppercrust feel with bold jewel tones, including emerald and sapphire. Also in the traditional Downton Abbey palette, says Mary Lawlor, manager of color marketing for KellyMoore Paints, are refreshing pastels and creams. One of the mansions expansive drawing rooms, for example, features a pale green wallpaper further softened with richly upholstered furniture in a mix of rose and classic ivory. The British nobility takes its heritage seriously, and there are painted portraits and landscapes throughout the shows castle. If youre at a rummage sale or consignment shop, pick up similar art and create a small grouping on one wall. You dont have to be descended from these somber-looking subjects to bring their sophistication home.
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Spectacular opportunity for oceanfront living in Gloucester

By NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
Inspiring river views add to the beauty of this sunny home

By NANCY MADES Correspondent Sleek and bright, this eightroom duplex condominium home delivers on its promise of open, sunny spaces and inspiring riverfront vistas in the historic Wheeler Point section of Gloucesters Riverdale neighborhood. Established in 1642 as Gloucesters first permanent settlement, Wheeler Point retains the unspoiled nature of earlier centuries but offers an ideal location thats minutes from nearby shopping or Route 128. The area is like a nature sanctuary with its marshes and wildlife all surrounded by the Annisquam River, o b s e r ve s l i st i n g ag e n t Deanna Pierpan of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. The home is situated between the Annisquam River and the marshes leading to Wingaersheek Beach, creating a delightful, unspoiled natural setting. Whats so cool about the location of this home is that the natural surroundings give you the impression that youre way out in a nature reserve or living at a retreat, but at the same time, you can get to the highway or the Gloucester Crossing Shopping Center in a matter of minutes. Its 2,685 square feet of wellplanned living space enlist a palette of soft, muted tones and two gas fireplaces that add to the spalike feeling the home inspires. The openconcept design adds both elegance and a relaxed atmosphere to the home, which would be ideal as either a summer getaway or a yearround residence. The fabulous cooks kitchen contrasts handsome granite countertops with beadboard cabinets to strike
AT A GLANCE
Nine rooms Four bedrooms Three baths Oceanfront 2,376 square feet of living
AT A GLANCE
8 rooms 3 bedrooms 3.5 baths 3,553 square feet, including
Give in to the call of the sea with this fabulous nine-room oceanfront home in the desirable Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester. Since the early 19th century, as they do today, painters, sculptors and writers have found inspiration in Gloucesters scenic beauty. Such American masters as painter Winslow Homer and important sculptor George Manship have sought out Gloucester as a picture-perfect place to create. Established as deeply important to Gloucesters rich history as an artists paradise, Lanesville was itself named for revered nativeborn painter Fitz Henry Lane whose home remains part of the landscape. Sculptor Aristides Demetrios was born in nearby Folly Cove. Lanesville is such a lovely area, says listing agent John Farrell of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. It reminds me of what Vermonts Northeast Kingdom (one of the countrys most scenic natural locations) would be if it were on the ocean. Except in Lanesville, youre less than an hour away from Boston. Find your own inspiration in the panoramic views offered by this Cape Codstyle home where you can see all the way from the Crane Estate to Maines Mount Agamenticus. The location of this property is what makes an already lovely home something very, very special, Farrell says. Walk out onto the deck from the living room or the dining room, and youre overlooking almost 110 feet of timeless New England rustic shoreline. Theres also a cove right in
space Fireplace Central and window-unit air conditioning Parking for four or more cars $1,195,000
finished basement 2 gas fireplaces Two-car garage $620,000
LISTED BY
Deanna
LISTED BY
Pierpan Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Deanna. Pierpan@ nemoves.com Deanna 978-882Pierpan 4588 office and three generous bedrooms, including a master bedroom suite. The master bedroom suites private bath continues the spa theme with a sleek granite double vanity, shower and separate soaking tub. Relax by the fire in the sitting room/ den just off the master bedroom, where the second gas fireplace creates a calming retreat. The finished basement offers guests a sanctuary with another full bath, media room and bedroom. The homes outdoor deck invites summer and warm weather entertaining and overlooks the gorgeous professional landscaped yard. The deck and yard offer expansive views of the Annisquam River, and the owner is entitled to river access. This property lists for $620,000. For more information, contact Deanna Pierpan of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at Deanna. Pierpan@nemoves.com or 978-882-4588.
John and Cindy Farrell

John and Cindy Farrell Coldwell Banker Residential
This nine-room Cape Cod-style offering affords incomparable views, overlooking more than 100 feet of shoreline.
Complete with river views, this eight-room condominium boasts generous living space and a fabulous setting.
Brokerage 978-468-9576 Farrell@BostonNorthRealEstate.com front of the property thats a great place for launching kayaks or canoes or even scuba diving, Farrell adds. Its not unusual to see lobstermen pulling up their traps nearby. Solidly built in 1958 as a ranch home, the house expanded into a cape with the addition of three upstairs bedrooms during the 1970s. Now with 2,376 square feet of living space, the main level showcases the clean lines of open-concept design, while the cooks kitchen includes a double oven, recessed lighting and a large center island. Enjoy a quiet evening at home with family or entertain a crowd in the sizable living room with its imposing granite wood-burning
In the dining room, find gleaming hardwood flooring, a skylight and glass sliders leading to the most spectacular backdrop In addition to the stunning vistas, this kitchen boasts imaginable. recessed lighting, bright white cabinetry and a generous fireplace. The granite used bedrooms. The impres- center island.
to construct the fireplace was harvested from a local Gloucester quarry. In addition to the first-floor bedroom and bathroom, there is also a lovely sunroom. Comprising the second floor are an additional bathroom and three good-sized sive 21-by-22 master suite is its own sanctuary with a private bathroom, dressing room, recessed lighting and private deck. All of the homes bathrooms have their own closets for linens and high-quality stone/ ceramic tiling. Convenient to nearby schools, shopping and public transportation, the residence is ideal as a vacation getaway, year-round home or even as a summer rental property. Your Gloucester residents sticker entitles you to enjoy charming Plum Cove
The kitchen is both well-equipped andaestheticallypleasing with granite counters and beadboard cabinetry.
a perfect balance of cool and country living. All appliances are high-quality stainlesssteel and ready for whipping up breakfast on a Monday or the holiday dinner. The kitchen opens into the substantial living area, ideal for an intimate evening or a party for the whole gang. Quality was emphasized in the design and building of this impressive home, which features hardwood floors throughout and lovely crown molding throughout the firstfloor living space. Because the rooms are so big, the house really feels like a single-family home
The master bedroom suite is complete with a spalike bath and adjoining sitting room with gas fireplace.
more than it does a duplex, Pierpan says. Its because this house spreads out its 2,685 square feet between two floors of really goodsized rooms as opposed to other condominiums or townhouses that may have the same square footage, but are stacked up into smaller spaces on three or even four floors. The home is heated by natural gas and cooled by central air conditioning. There is also a two-car garage, paved driveway and housewide water filtration system. The second-level living space comprises a large
and Folly Cove beaches, both of which are within an easy walk or quick drive. This property lists for $1,195,000. Listed by John and Cindy Farrell, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 978-468-9576, Farrell@ BostonNorthRealEstate.com.
Tips for making a dishwasher, drain work better

AMY LORENTZEN Associated Press Your dishwasher, sink drain and garbage disposal do the major dirty work in your kitchen, and you can keep them smelling fresh and running efficiently with a few easy steps. If there are spots or stuckon grime on the dishes when they come out of the washer, or if the sink has an unpleasant odor even after you clean it and run the disposal, it means these hard-working appliances may need extra attention. Dishwashers and drains battle kitchen waste and activity daily, which can take a toll on the appearance and performance if not cleaned correctly, said Chris Salatino with Kenmore Major Appliances. Dishwashers E l e c t r i c d i s hwa s h e r s have a filtration system that requires regular cleaning, especially if you dont scrape or pre-rinse dishes. The maintenance on a dishwasher depends on how you treat it, says John DeSilvia, host of DIY Networks Rescue My Renovation. If youre not a pre-rinser, he recommends cleaning the filter once a month. Just look at the bottom of your dishwasher, find and remove your filter, then scrub away debris with a soft brush. Rinse and reinstall. Dont be scared, its really easy, says DeSilvia. If in doubt, check your owners manual on how to find and remove the filter. Cant find the instructions? Log on to your manufacturers website. Or online tutorials at sites such as DIYNetwork. com and YouTube.com can help you through the process. The interior of your dishwasher may also appear then wipe away any remaining grime. If mold builds up again quickly, replace the plug. Home improvement stores should offer styles that fit your sink, and some even stock scented versions. If unpleasant odors continue, consider whether you might have a backed-up disposal or clogged plumbing. The grind The crunching and gnashing of your disposal may make you leery of touching it, but there are ways you can keep it running well without calling a professional. DeSilvia says to always run cold water before, during and after using the disposal. Never use hot water with your garbage disposal, he says. It breaks down food, causing it to liquify and accumulate around your pipes. Its best to scrape large pieces of food into the trash can, then let the disposal take care of smaller scraps. Dont put potato peels, shellfish, coffee grounds or other fibrous foods into the disposal. Theyre clog-makers. DeSilvia reminds homeowners never to put their hand in the disposal. If it wont grind, use the reset button, usually a black or red button on the bottom of the unit. Make sure the outlet the disposal is plugged into is working. If the disposal seems jammed, use the Allan wrench or similar handcrank tool that comes with the unit to give it a push start. If you cant find yours, many hardware stores carry them. Most service calls can be avoided by simply resetting your disposal, DeSilvia says. Press the button and you are good to go. Just saved yourself $300 bucks for a service call.
S14
The Village at West Gloucester: Only 6 homes left do not miss out!
Th e Vi l l ag e at We st Gloucester is experiencing another banner year! Built on more than 24 private acres near Route 128 and Wingaersheek Beach, The Village is a pristine setting that has set aside nearly 15 acres as open space with walking, jogging and bicycle paths. Homes are built in shingle-style design with cultured stone chimneys and copper caps. This community shows off plenty of curbside appeal with its arbors and picket fences to hold back the beach roses here in the heart of Cape Ann. All this and more for $604,900! These Energy Star-certified homes are built with exceptional-quality construction, from the 9-foot ceilings on the first floor to the detailed, embellished interior trim throughout, said Realtor Eileen Scanlon, sales director for Coldwell Banker Premier Communities. Vice President of Construction Jack Tucker noted that, Energy Star-certified homes achieve operating costs that are at least 20 to 30 percent less than the average home. A 92 percent-plus efficiency furnace combined with blown-in/batt insulation ensures that heating and cooling bills will reflect a significant savings. Exhaust fan timers, upgraded filters and humidifiers not only contribute to the Energy Star rating, but also create a healthy environment that will enhance your life and the life of your home. Coldwell Banker Premier Communities joined the development team in late spring of 2011, and things have been happening ever since, Scanlon said. The developer, builder, and sales and marketing teams are very dynamic with terrific synergy. I am pleased to say we have had robust sales
Coldwell Banker Premier Communities
AT A GLANCE
3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths 2,640 to 3,900 square feet Custom shingle-style contem-
porary homes in clusters of two Prices start at $604,900
LISTED BY
Realtor
Eileen Scanlon Coldwell Banker Premier Communities 978-515-7435 Eileen. Eileen Scanlon@ NEMoves.com Scanlon www.thevillageatwestgloucester.com
Classic and charming in design and detail, these homes are stunning, inside and out.
Loading your dishwasher properly can help keep it clean and running smoothly.
filmy at times. To get rid of that buildup, Salatino advises waiting until the washer has finished a cycle and cooled. Then make a paste with powdered detergent or use liquid detergent on a damp sponge to wipe away mineral deposits. Follow up by running a normal cycle. If youre in a hard water area and wiping with detergent doesnt remove all the film, run a normal cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in an upright glass on the lower rack. Salatino advises turning off the heated dry option during the cycle. There also are commercial cleaners marketed especially for mineral buildup in dishwashers. Consumer Reports recommends replacing worn or rusted dish racks, and using care when loading dishes and silverware so you dont damage spray arms. Inspect the arms to make sure they arent clogged with debris, which could affect water pressure. Use pipe cleaners to dislodge blockages. For cleaning the outside of your dishwasher, Salatino says all you need is a soft, damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent. If youve got a stainless steel cover, youll need a special cleanser. Super suds Phosphates, which help control water hardness, were eliminated from dishwater detergents a few years ago over pollution concerns. Since then, some consumers have complained that dishes dont seem as clean. Lucinda Ottusch, with Whirlpools Institute of Kitchen Science, says one mistake people make is buying cheap detergent. She says the all-in-one packets by name-brand companies really do help your dishwasher perform best. She also recommends a rinse aid, which promotes drying by allowing the water to sheet off dishes. Loading your dishwasher properly also can aid cleaning. Find tips at http:// www.instituteofkitchenscience.com/kitchen-101/ dishwashers And, you dont have to wait until the dishwasher is full to run a cycle. Ottusch says many newer models sense the size of a load and how dirty the dishes are, and work accordingly. Running the dishwasher takes very little water and energy, and waiting until it is packed full of dishes can compromise cleaning performance, she says. Dirty draining If youve got a smelly drain,
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theres probably bacteria growing in it. To eliminate the problem, start by mixing a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain, let it sit for 15 minutes or more, then run the disposal and rinse with hot water. To clean disposal blades, freeze white vinegar in ice cube trays and let the disposal grind away at them. The ice will help dislodge stuck-on debris, and the vinegar freshens the unit. If theres still an odor, try pouring in half a cup of bleach, but not if you have a septic system. You may need to go buy a live enzyme product that eats away bacteria, or a corrosive cleaner meant to unclog drains. If your sinks drain plug has moldy buildup, soak it in a vinegar or bleach solution,
With exquisite architectural detailing, a location that cant All of the homes here are Energy Star-certified, feature 9-foot be beat and an incredible price tag, The Village at West ceilings on the main level and boast beautiful trims. Gloucester is a very attractive 55-plus opportunity.
activity at The Village with 11 sales since last fall alone! Phase I is sold out; the construction and sales of Phase II is well underway with only one home remaining. People are taking advantage of this remarkable offering. Currently, we are accepting reservations for the remaining homes in our final phase; the window of opportunity for a new construction home here at The Village is very limited! The Village at West Gloucester was a property that languished until new ownership stepped in, Scanlon said. One of the top concerns a homebuyer has about a condominium community in todays marketplace is financial strength. Restoration Capital, the new developer since September 2010, specializes in finding high-quality residential communities in need of additional financing and transforms them into vibrant properties. The company bought this property for cash, so it cant go bankrupt, she continued. Restoration Capitals tremendous financial strength and its investment in this property means stable ownership. It also translates into the sales of very high-quality residential homes at a fraction of the prices set when real estate was peaking, presenting a very appealing purchase opportunity. Homes that were priced up to $900,000 in 2007 to 2009 are now listed starting at $604,900 to adjust to the real estate markets dramatic change, she added. Each home boasts 2,638 square feet of living space, three bedrooms and 2.5 baths,
a two-car garage, a walkout lower level, a deck off the master suite, and a farmers porch off the living room, both with French doors. The lower level can be finished for an additional 1,200 square feet of living area. In 2011, a revised landscape design incorporated a new amenity, the Village Ocean Vista, a raised Village Green outfitted with a number of Adirondack chairs where all the residents can relax while looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, Scanlon said. Nobody can touch this value on the North Shore. There is not another community like this on Cape Ann end of story. Th e Vi l l ag e at We st Gloucester hosts an open house at its model at 2B Plover Way, Friday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Visit www.thevillageatwestgloucester.com or call 978-515-7435 for more information or to schedule a private viewing. Mapping address is 36 Atlantic St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
A taste of CHEVRON
More than just a run-of-the-mill zigzag, stripe is a popular modern decor trend with vintage roots
By Lindsey Romain
CTW FEATURES
S16
Whats a way to add a little zig to your home-decor zag? Try a chevron pattern, a repeating V-shaped stripe that has been cropping up in all forms of design, from cushions to runway dresses to wallpaper. A chevron stripe is a spin on the basic zigzag pattern, taking the classic chevron shape (think of the blue and red double-V Chevron Corp. logo) and elongating it into a multipurpose design tool. Singular chevrons have been seen on badges and insignias, but the repetition makes it a pattern. Its similar to the square and rectangle discussion: A square is always a rectangle, but a rectangle is not always a square, says Lisa Lagenhop, marketing manager for Greendale Home Fashions, a cushion company that features chevron stripes on their products. In the same vein, chevron is always a zigzag, but a zigzag is not always a chevron. The versatility of the chevron stripe, and the distinction from traditional zigzag patterns, is most likely responsible for its recent popularity. Theres an element of tradition, but its still bold, geometric and simplistic, Lagenhop says. Chevron brings rhythm and color into your home space without being overwhelming. Its cool and friendly but fairly tame. Lagenhop advises incorporating it into a room in small pops instead of big doses. Using it in a throw pillow or a tray is a perfect bit of visual interest in almost any style of decor, she says. In turn, designers like the chevron for the opportunity
Chevron pillows and poufs can add pizzazz to any room.

it creates to experiment with the traditional zigzag element. Its a classic plain stripe, but just a notch higher on the fun scale, says Carolyn Tillman, a designer whose shop, tilly|maison, specializes in hand-painted trays and other household items in chevron. Tillman started her store in the summer of 2010 after searching high and low for a Lucite tray with a chevron stripe. She couldnt find one, so she created her own and launched a business based on the pattern, which features trays both large and petite in size, and in black or taupe striped with white. Now, chevron is everywhere, she says. Lagenhop traces the popularity to roughly five years ago, when it started appearing in high fashion along with tribal patterns. Because chevron has some of the deliciously bold flavors of tribal but none of the wildness, it quickly transitioned into decor for the masses, she says. Nowadays, chevron is found at all levels of retail, but traces of it can be found
Courtesy of Greendale Home Fashions
in vintage products, too, like antique rugs and retro lamp shades. The popularity of vintage design is a venue for the stripe, although it isnt categorized by one particular era. There are definitely color palettes that will create a retro feel, but for the most part, using these stripes feels very now, Tillman says. Although the beauty of the stripe is that it can also work within vintage style beautifully. The pattern has been around for centuries, according to Lagenhop, but its
A chevron pattern gives a distinct retro feel to this Lucite tray from tilly | maison.
boldness and alternative take on a classic zigzag makes it a perfect fit for todays sentiments. Just be aware. Its possible to love the uniqueness of chevron stripes a little too
Courtesy of tilly | maison
much. I have to limit myself, Tillman admits. Im so drawn to the pattern that if Im not careful, my apartment would end up covered in stripes.
Kids n chores
Brightly colored housewares can make chores more fun for the kids and you
By PATRICIA RIVERA CTW Features Parents know its a daily battle to get kids to do their chores. After all, with social media, streaming video, smartphone games and dont forget hanging out with friends, its a tough sell to say that scrubbing down the house will be tons of fun. Still, a touch of whimsy and a splash of color can help take the bore out of chores, for everything from washing dishes to recycling to helping cook nutritious meals. Kids want to participate, but we just have to make it easier for them, says Martin Amado, Miami-based designer and host of the national home makeover show Decorando Contigo, on the Spanish-language network Galavision. Amado, for instance, created kid-friendly recycling bins during a childrens room makeover. He took inexpensive and colorful waste bins and hung them on the wall using drawer knobs (large cup hooks also work). Each
Color-coded: Playful recycle bins, above, and sponges, left, aim to make chores more fun for kids.
bin, a different color, carried decorative labels for what should go inside paper, plastic or trash. Kids can have fun tossing items into bins like shooting hoops. They also feel good about themselves because they know they are recycling and taking care of the Earth, he says. Sometimes getting kids involved in cleaning means
Photo courtesy of Martin Amado
Around the world: Cooking international foods can teach kids about different cultures and help put a healthy meal on the table.
Photo courtesy of Handstand Kids
finding products that look cool and are easy to use. Casabella, a home cleaning products manufacturer in Rockland, N.Y., makes sleek and colorful cleaning tools that also are kid-friendly. Casabella spokeswoman Susan Jardina says that some microfiber products (dusting cloths, dusters, mops) can be used with just water, no cleaning chemicals required. They encourage kids to take
on some of the chores at home. For kids, a dustpan and brush set is easier to manage than tall brooms, she adds. Cooking with kids can be a way to get work done, have fun and teach some lessons. Handstand Kids Cookbook Co. creates international cookbook kits that introduce children to the culture, language and cuisine of a new country. Kids can cook nutritious food and learn about a different culture.
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Mantel makeovers for spring

MARY CAROL GARRITY pulled from our ample stock Scripps Howard News of interesting white pottery Service some pieces to build around. All the pottery we used is Want to freshen up your white, but each piece is difdecor for spring? Do a quick ferent from the others makeover on your mantel. some contemporary, some Whether you want to com- traditional, some tall, some pletely redo your mantel tiny. display for the new season When we design mantels, or just add a seasonal tweak we create them to flow visuhere and there, it takes just ally from a high point to a minutes to remake this little low point. Sometimes the stage. But the payoffs are high spot is at the center of huge. Every time you walk the mantel, and the elements by your mantel, youll get a in the display descend from bounce in your step win- this central spot. This time, ter is over, and spring is here! we built the display on just Here are different mantel one corner, making our high looks to inspire you. spot the outer boundary of Great mantels start with the mantel, carrying the line great artwork as a backdrop. down to the center of the A peaceful oil painting might mantel. do the trick. Bring on the greens! Good Every good mantel dis- greens are a great addition play needs structure. So we to a mantel display no matter in a little surprise or two ... Sometimes you need a full, fat bouquet of flowers to knock it out of the park. Other times, just a single bud or two is the most powerful because of its simplicity. Consider using an awesome pot that features the popular chevron stripe. Fill it with floral picks but it would also look great holding a maidenhair fern or ivy topiary. Then bring in an assortment of funky pots, vases and boxes in all kinds of colors, shapes and textures. Since the pottery is so inexpensive, you can go out of your comfort zone a little and get colors and finishes you wouldnt normally choose. Its a great way to add a pop of new color and explore new decorating styles. Ive approached my mantel displays all different ways through the years, sometimes clearing the deck and creating completely new looks, sometimes just adding a slight modification with each new season. Right now I have a few items on my mantel that I dearly love, and I want to keep them out year-round. So, as each new season comes, I move these keepers around a bit and add in a few seasonal splashes. I really like to use live and faux houseplants in spring decorating, so all I did was place three different plants into three different white pots. Done!

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Whether you want to completely redo your mantel display for the new season or just add a seasonal tweak here and there, it takes just minutes to remake this little stage.
the season, whether they are picks, garlands or potted plants. Ive long been a fan of bare, wild honeysuckle vine, and its a go-to tool for my fall and winter decorating. But it
SHNS photo courtesy Nell Hills
Quick and easy fruit and floral centerpieces

for this project because she thought the limes and lemons would look pretty against the white. Once the fruit was in place, she trimmed down some of the greenery she had selected so she could slip it behind and underneath the lemons and limes. Shari used five fronds since we know that odd numbers look best in arrangements. She cut the flowers down using the wire cutter. She did leave some of the leaves with the flower stem, but cut the rest of the leaves off the stem to use as filler once the flowers were placed. Shari also removed a few pieces of fruit to get the flowers and any additional leaves into position. Then, she just added the fruit back on the top. Remember to turn the fruit around to their best side when you are ready to display your arrangement. The finished arrangement is fresh and bright. It would be lovely on a small table in the center. If youre working with a large rectangular or
also looks sensational in a spring display. If you want, you could stop here for a multilayered look that will take you up to summer, or even until fall. Or you could tuck
This column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garritys blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
By SHARI HILLER and MATT FOX mattandshari.com Do you need a spring centerpiece in less than an hour? Well, fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together as long as you have the materials on hand. Even if you have to make a quick stop at the store, you only need a few items. Materials: Container Lemons, limes and/or clementines Silk flowers and greens Wire cutter Start by looking around your home for a variety of containers. For one project, Shari found a long plate that was sent to her at Christmastime that was piled high with cookies and candies. She always saves any unusual containers from floral arrangements, catered events or sent gifts. You never know when theyll come in handy! Select a container and get started. Shari chose a white porcelain pedestal container
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Fruit and floral centerpieces are a snap to put together as long as you have the materials on hand.
oval table, try using two with an arrangement of candles between them. If yellow and orange is the color scheme for you, give this warm color combination of lemons and clementines a try. A variety of silk flowers will fit here, too. For this display, Shari pulled out the long tray. She cut the floral stem down
and perhaps a bit of greenery as a background if you have some available. Add the fruit, turning the best sides up. Make sure to add a few more green leaves from the stems to fill in the spaces. This lovely, almost tropical arrangement will brighten up any table setting this spring. Of course, the silk flowers will outlive the fruit, which will need to be replaced once a week if you plan on keeping the arrangement fresh for a longer time. The nicest thing about these arrangements is that the materials can be used if they arent left out too long. Citrus is wonderful in fruit salads and fish and chicken dishes, as garnishes or even in drinks. And anytime is a SHNS photo courtesy mattandshari.com good time for lemonade.

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to fit at one end of the tray and bent the flowers so they would stand better and fill up half of the tray. Add another floral stem to the opposite side of the tray
Shari Hiller and Matt Fox are best known for HGTVs Room by Room. They now host the PBS television series Around the House with Matt and Shari. Visit them on their website, www.mattandshari.com.
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Built by National Award Winning Builder C.P. Berry Homes
At the Gateway to Topsfield
If you lived here, you could
...host a luncheon or bridge game with your neighbors and friends in the Clubhouse or work-out in the Fitness Room;
....enjoy a swim in the heated pool with your grandchildren;
.... practice putting instead of cutting the lawn;
New homes by renowned North Shore builder/developer, C.P. Berry Homes. Designed for 55+, including first floor master suites, gourmet kitchens, attached garages, Energy-Star certified construction, 50-acres of Open Space; Only 49 homes to be built; already over 55% sold Dont delay.
.... dine with family and friends in your luxurious new home; and relax and enjoy life knowing that you no longer have to worry about the upkeep of a single-family home.
Model Homes open daily 11am to 6pm, and after-hours by appointment.
Visit today or preview at www.CPBerryHomes.com
Sales Center 978.887.3888
Located off Boston St. (Route 1) at the Topsfield/Danvers town line.
Making your own stained glass carefully

Shari Hiller and Matt Fox mattandshari.com Stained glass is an art form that has been enjoyed by artisan and onlooker alike for centuries. Its quite a process, but if you are a crafter with patience and tough skin on your fingers, you, too, can survive a stained-glass project. We have a good friend who taught us to respect the art of stained glass as he demonstrated the process, step by step. Stained glass is a project that probably isnt a one-time thing. Either youll be hooked, and create the most gorgeous home-decor items and gifts, or youll give it up and go back to Basket Weaving 101. But for those interested, you can get further information by looking into hobby shops in your area that carry stainedglass supplies. They may even offer classes. These are also great places to buy the tools you need as well as videos, patterns and how-to books. Good luck and be careful. And dont forget to wear safety glasses. Materials Safety glasses Stained glass Fine-point permanent marker Oil-fed carbide glass-cutter Surface for cutting glass (thin cork over plywood works well) Glass running pliers Water-cooled glass grinder Adhesive-backed copper foil First, start with a plan or a design you would like to replicate. It should be drawn out in full scale. And, as you will be working directly on the plan, makes copies or blueprints of your design. Next is the placement of textured and colored glass. Just place a piece of glass over the copy of your design, and mark the outline of the edges. When cutting the glass, remember that you are not really cutting at all you are simply scoring a fault line in the surface where, when pressure is applied, the glass should break. This is the part of the project that takes the most practice press too lightly and you will not get a good score (and the glass wont break correctly). If you press too hard, the glass could chip. Make sure to score the glass just outside of the outline that you drew. It is important to remember when cutting glass to think of full through cuts. Carefully snap the glass apart along the score line using the running pliers. With all the pieces available to fill in your design, its time to further perfect the fit of each piece. This is where you use the water-cooled glass grinder. Grind each piece down to its final size, taking off the little extra that you left
Burnishing tool 40-100-watt soldering iron Solder flux 60/40 solder Q-tips
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the foiling on all pieces of glass, its time to solder. Make sure before you begin soldering that the pieces are in place and squared up. Start by using a Q-tip or similar item, and brush a light coat of flux on the copper-foil seams. With a hot soldering iron, press the tip to a seam and add solder. Be careful hot solder is molten lead and it burns. You will want to work quickly as overheating a joint can cause the glass to crack. If you notice that the solder is bubbling excessively, or the solder line is pitted, you are using too much flux. If so, quickly reheat to smooth the seam. A properly soldered seam has a raised bead of solder along the length of the seam, and it is this bead that gives the project its strength. After soldering one side, carefully turn the project over and solder the other side, too. Various patina solutions can then be added to change the silver seams to a dull gray or other color, but these then must be neutralSNHS photo courtesy mattandshari.com ized to prevent corrosion. If you are a crafter with patience and tough fingers, you, too, can survive a stained-glass Continue in this fashion project. until you have your entire design soldered together. as you snapped the pieces to sealed with a copper foil. To Next, use a burnishing tool size. Then dry the pieces and apply the copper foil, place to rub the foil firmly onto the Shari Hiller and Matt Fox check them for fit on the pat- an edge of the glass against edges of the glass, then care- are best known for HGTVs tern. If there are any imper- the center of the adhesive fully press the remaining foil Room by Room. They now fections after youve checked side of the foil and continue onto the front and back face host the PBS television series the fit, regrind the piece if to place the foil around the of the glass and burnish into Around the House with Matt necessary. perimeter of the glass until place. Continue this process and Shari. Visit them on Now, all the edges of the you overlap the starting point for each piece of your design. their website, www.mattandglass pieces need to be by approximately 1/8 inch. When youve finally finished shari.com.
Exciting opportunity for elegant 55-plus living in Lynnfield

By NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
AT A GLANCE
55-plus community 43 townhomes 2 master bedrooms 2,100-3,600 square feet Starting at mid-$700,000s MARKETED BY Coldwell Banker Residential
Quick tips for organizing bathrooms

Home & Garden Television Use these tips for bathroom organization to make the most of your bathroom, regardless of its size.
ORGANIZE
Make your medicine cabinet a repository of things you need and use regularly, which means chucking any outdated medicines and ADD CREATIVE TOWEL relocating excess to another STORAGE location. Keep like items in If your towel rack isnt big their own labeled storage enough to hang the familys bins underneath the sink towels, add hooks to the or in the linen closet. When bathroom. you need to use something,
CABINET
YOUR MEDICINE slide the whole container

out for easy access.
DIVIDE
around to find what youre looking for.

CONTROL
AND CONQUER YOUR MAKEUP
An expandable cosmeticdrawer organizer fits in a shallow drawer and takes the place of bulky cosmetic bags. Various compartments will organize lipstick, blush and eye shadow so you never have to root
CLUTTER
HAIR-PRODUCT
whole tub can be taken out look great in clear glass and put away without creat- containers. ing a mess.
CLAIM
Gels, sprays, curlers, combs and hair dryers take up a lot of space in the bathroom. For quick organization, buy a plastic tub for under the sink and load it up with your supplies. When you fix your hair, the
THE SPACE OVER ADD STYLE AND FUNCTION YOUR TOILET WITH APOTHECARY JARS Over-the-toilet bath furniIf you have a lot of counter space, and dont mind leaving things out in the open, invest in some stylish apothecary jars to hold necessities. Cotton swabs, soap and bath salts
ture is a great place to put extra toilet paper, toiletries and even towels. Consider a unit with cabinets or closed shelving. Courtesy Caren Baginski on hgtv.com
Enjoy the best years of your life in the graceful elegance of Windsor Estates, a 55-plus community in upscale Lynnfield. Now in its second phase of construction, the community of 43 elegant townhomes offers todays discriminating buyer an opportunity to purchase a new dream home with maintenance-free living. The exclusivity and security of a gated community combines with superior planning and top-line construction to make Windsor Estates one of the most-sought-after addresses in Greater Boston. Everything about our homes is about quality, says Jane Lane of Coldwell Banker Premier Communities, which is brokering sales for the community. There is exquisite crown molding and red oak hardwood floors throughout the homes with plastered walls; there is no laminate to be found in these homes. Those special touches that make the community at Windsor Estates something special brick-paved driveways, walkways, patios and granite steps to each front door. The grounds were designed by a brilliant husband-and-wife team of designers who have created a very special space, Lane says. Whats also really important to know is that these homes are about the best quality from the beginning, so no upgrades are necessary to achieve the same look as the model. When you see the magnificent crown molding, cathedral ceiling, solid wood doors and all of the other amenities in our model, they come standard and are not upgrades. At the same time, I want to emphasize that weve
Brokerage
CONTACT
Jane Lane 617-921-
1342 Jane. Lane@ nemoves. com www. windsorestatescondos. com
Jane Lane
This 55-plus community in Lynnfield offers superior construction, stunning interior finishes and a virtual maintenance-free lifestyle.
In each of the 43 townhomes, find red oak hardwood floors, crown moldings and cathedral ceilings.
created the community without a pool or clubhouse, so your monthly maintenance fees will be delightfully low, Lane adds. Thoughtfully designed and brilliantly realized, the duplex and triplex homes range in size from 2,100 to 3,600 square feet of living space, with prices starting in the mid-$700,000s. Elegance is the order of the day in these residences, which include stunning 20-foot-high ceilings, charming loft spaces and kitchens equipped with top-of-the-line GE appliances. Your pre-construction
The master suite on the second level is complete with marble tiled baths featuring Jacuzzi tubs and granite vanities.
purchase affords you the opportunity to customize your kitchen with cherry, maple or white cabinets from noted cabinetmakers Dynasty. The homes are designed for maximum energy efficiency and are heated by natural gas and cooled by central air conditioning. Enjoy intimate gatherings of the nearest and dearest or host a party for the whole gang in the generous living room charmed by a striking gas fireplace. Some models offer an optional elevator; all provide ample parking in a two-car garage. The open-floor design concepts assures rooms filled with light and airy spaces,
Lane says. The forwardthinking designers created these homes with two master bedrooms one on each floor. The main-level master bedroom has a private bath with shower. The upstairs master suite radiates luxury with marble tiles, a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, and a double vanity of sparking granite. Both bedrooms have ample walk-in closets. The community is set back against a backdrop of beautiful conservation land with lovely views that give you a sense that youre living close to nature, but at the same time, in minutes, youre on Route 1 or 128 on your way to anywhere you need to be, Lane says. Plus, Lynnfield itself is a very strong draw because of its golf course, shopping, and now the new Lynnfield Market Place shops will be less than a mile from the Windsor Estates. To learn more about these special homes, please contact Jane Lane at 617-921-1342 or Jane.lane@nemoves.com.
Large cabinets a top-shelf design idea

MARY CAROL GARRITY dining room. Trade up for a large cabinet that can hold Scripps Howard News Service all your dishes and serving pieces, and make a huge style I have a color-outside- statement while doing so. t h e - l i n e s p e r s o n a l i t y. While I love traditional china Maybe thats why I really hutches in dining rooms, one enjoy being a decorating of my favorite options is to myth-buster. instead use a large bookcase, Heres a misconception I then fill it full of dishes and want to shatter: Big cabinets other lovelies. dont work in small spaces. If your big, beefy cabinet Wrong! Big cabinets work doesnt reach the ceiling, in every size of room, from a take advantage of that empty cavernous gallery down to a space and fill it with a montiny little nook. tage of framed artwork. And they elevate the look Study of every room lucky enough Many of us have studies to have one. Big cabinets that are cozy and warm. more than carry their weight Accenting a study with a wall when it comes to decorating of beautiful bookcases will payoffs. They give a room knock this room out of the instant depth and visual ballpark. A friend converted interest. Depending on your an upstairs bedroom into a goals, big cabinets can serve work hideaway. Its a small as an exciting backdrop to room, but a bank of booka furniture grouping or star cases actually makes it look as a rooms focal point. They larger, debunking that myth provide a perfect place to that bookcases dont work in store or display just about small rooms. At first blush, anything you want, from a you would never guess this big-screen TV to favorite many bookcases could squish accents to pretty storage into this space. But heres the baskets. amazing thing about big cabHere are some spots where inets: They may be tall and you might want to place a wide enough to cover the big, beefy cabinet to elevate entire wall, but they are usuthe look of your decor if ally thin, just 14 to 18 inches you havent done so already: deep, so they dont hog preDining room cious floor space. Forget that tiny curio cabiLots of folks have TVs in net in the corner of your their studies or dens. Large
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Big cabinets can serve as an exciting backdrop to a furniture grouping or star as a rooms focal point.
the living room, the sky is the limit. You could showcase an antique armoire with mirrored doors. Cover an entire wall with bookcases. Use a tall secretary to break a larger room into two conversation areas. Put matching cases on either side of your fireplace mantel. Or stick a taller, thinner cabinet in a smaller space between doorways. Large cabinets will help anchor the room and provide bonus storage. Bedroom Many newer homes feature huge closets with lots of built-in storage for clothes, so people arent putting dressers in their bedrooms as often. Unfortunately, these rooms are now missing the visual weight that dressers provided. A great solution is to feature a large cabinet in the bedroom. Try a bookcase, then fill it with photos of your family. Or a hutch, using the bottom portion to hold out-of-season clothing or extra bed linens and the top to hold books and decorative accents. Bathroom If the bathroom is large enough, consider finishing it off with a large cabinet. I just helped a customer design her large master bath. The space was big and open and needed something to ground it and provide some bulk. So we placed a large cabinet against an open wall, filling it with folded up towels and glass containers. She has declared her bathroom one of her favorite spots in her home. Kitchen A trend Im loving in kitchen design is to add large, free-standing cabinets to the floor plan. While your built-in cabinets will hold the lions share of everyday kitchen items, its really fun to bring in a contrasting cabinet to use for more eye-catching kitchen items, like pretty soup tureens, platters and pitchers. This column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garritys blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
Big cabinets work in every sized room, from a cavernous gallery with a ceiling that reaches up to the heavens down to a tiny little nook thats as cozy as a Hobbit hole.
cabinets with multiple shelves and openings provide a perfect home for todays big flat-screens. Put the TV in one, then fill the others with a variety of accents, like books and pottery. That way, the TV feels more like one of several decorative elements in the cabinet, not the sole focal point. Living room When youre picking out a large cabinet to add to
Make it match when you choose bathroom faucet

ED DEL GRANDE Scripps Howard News Service Q: Im replacing my bathroom sink, so that means I get to choose a new faucet from scratch. Can you please let me know about the bathroom-faucet choices Ill have to choose from, and tell me a little bit about each type? A: Faucet choices can be complicated. But if you keep in mind that there are four basic faucet groups and that your faucet should match your sink that will make things easier. I usually recommend picking out a sink first, and that narrows your faucet choices. Depending on the type of sink that will fit your project, here are the four basic bathroom faucet groups: 1. Four-inch center-set faucets. These are one-piece compact faucets for sinks with three holes, and measure 4 inches from one outside hole to the other. 2. Eight-inch widespread faucets. The faucet spout and handles are separate components that are mounted on the countertop, or three-hole lavatory sink, where the outside faucet holes measure from 8 to 16 inches apart. 3. Single-handle, single-hole faucets. As the name says, one handle controls both hot and cold settings, and these faucets require only one hole. Use on single-hole lavatory sinks or countertop installations. These faucets are very popular with vessel sinks. 4. Wall-mount faucets. These are any type of bathroom faucet that mounts on the wall behind the sink, and works well with undermount-style sinks. Final tip: Each faucet group will have many choices, so just go with the flow and take your time.

Master plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book Ed Del Grandes House Call, the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelSHNS photo courtesy Kohler grande.com or write eadelg@ Keep in mind theres four basic faucet groups and your faucet cs.com. Always consult local should match your sink. contractors and codes.
10 Year Fixed
2 2
.625%
interest rate*
bring in this ad & receive a $250 closing costs credit!**
Mortgage
.793% aPr*
For over 100 years, St. Jeans Credit Union has been serving your neighbors throughout the North Shore and assisting them in reaching their home ownership dreams. Offering a wide array of home financing options, from first time home buyer programs and refinancing programs to home equity lines of credit, we are here to make the financing process simple and stress free. Our Mortgage Department will stand by you every step of the way, offering guidance and expertise you can trust. Contact Scott Ramsey, our Vice President of Real Estate Lending to get started on your path to home ownership today! Scott can be reached at 978.219.1000 extension 133 or by e-mail at sramsey@stjeanscu.com.
Salem Lynn Newburyport Revere
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Federally Insured by NCUA
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*Annual Percentage Rate (APR) as of 3/28/13 and based on $100,000 loan with 80% LTV ratio. Maximum LTV 80%. Loan amounts $50,000 to $417,000. Monthly payment for $100,000 loan is 120 payments at $948.39. Unit cost per $1,000 borrowed is $9.48. Offer subject to credit approval. Property insurance required. Monthly payment example does not include taxes and/or property insurance premiums and your actual payment may be greater. Rate is subject to change without notice. Must be single family, owner occupied. Other terms and conditions may apply. Membership is required and is open to anyone who lives or works in Essex, Middlesex or Suffolk Counties, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and employees and family members of H.P. Hood LLC. **This offer is only good toward first mortgage loans (not including no point/no closing cost loans). Mortgages must be financed through St. Jeans Credit Union.The funds will be credited toward the borrowers outstanding closing costs associated with this specific offer only. All borrowers eligible for the credit must meet the first mortgage approval guidelines of St. Jeans Credit Union.This offer is subject to change and may be cancelled at any time.
Form and Function

A GROHE kitchen faucet brings style, ergonomics and long-term reliability to your kitchen. Its the hardest working piece of equipment in your cooking space, so make sure its a tool that works for you.
to liven up your space

MARY CAROL GARRITY Scripps Howard News Service When you hear the term neutral decor, do you envision a tan-on-tan-on-tan room? If so, you are in for a fun surprise. A space done in neutrals can be much more creative and exciting than just layers of solids so staid theyre almost asleep. The secret is to use a few colors and patterns that play well in the sandbox with everyone else, yet are full of the kind of personality you need to give decor distinctive character. To me, a neutral is any solid color or pattern thats tone-on-tone or two-colored that looks good with just about everything. I recommend starting with a palette of neutrals you wont grow tired of and can easily update. Here are four of my favorite out-of-the-box neutrals. Animal instincts It may sound crazy, but I think of prints that replicate the coat patterns of wild animals, with all their power and energy, as neutrals, especially when they are re-created in subtle ways, like black and white or cream and tan. I am a huge fan of zebra prints done in soft, subtle colors like tan and cream. Ive used them in my own home and recommend them over and over to customers because the pattern is visually intriguing but also soft and soothing. One of my favorite ways to use subtle animal prints is on coffeetable ottomans. The pattern is neutral enough that
NEUTRALS
Unexpected
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A space done in neutrals can be much more creative and exciting than just layers of solids so staid theyre almost asleep.
you can pair it with lots of choices from the color wheel and it adds striking texture. Stripes Whether they are subtle or strong, stripes are another unexpected neutral. I am also fond of ticking and use it over and over again in my home. There is something so perfect about this petite stripe. From a distance it looks like a solid, but the closer you get the more it comes alive. It never steals attention from the main attraction you pair it with, yet its definitely not a snoozer wallflower. Chevron stripes are electric yet they, too, are a neutral in my book. Surprised? When I redecorated my guest bedroom, I had a pillow made of a dark blue and light blue chevron stripe. When tossed in with the bedding ensemble, it feels like a solid, blending in perfectly with the mix of colors and patterns in a backup role. Checks and plaids Plaid and check fabrics deliver the best of both worlds: They are neutrals that give you a wonderful blank canvass to work with, yet they are intriguing enough to infuse the furniture with singular character. Windowpane plaids are sensational because the field is mostly solid but is broken up with a few threads in interesting colors you can bring out in accent pillows. Like ticking, small houndstooth checks look solid from a distance, yet are full of intrigue when you see them close up. Ratchet up the scale of the check, and the room gets more and more fun. Strong solids None of us has any trouble thinking of solids as neutrals. But what about when the solids are super-bright or bold? Do those qualify? If they look great with lots of other colors and patterns, you bet they do! Navy is one of my favorite solid neutrals. I cant seem to get enough of this color, and through the years Ive paired it with white, apple green, orange and coral. Now, Im loving it with red. Teal is another solid that is stealing my heart because it seems to bring out the best in every color and
pattern I toss at it, plus its just so darn fun all by itself. Look out your window and you will see one of Mother Natures favorite neutrals: green. That crazy girl mixes every shade of green together willy-nilly to create a palette that is vibrant and refreshing. When Pantone picked emerald as the color of the year, I let out a cheer.

This column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garritys blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
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Middletons premier 55-plus community continues to shine

By Robin Ellington
CORRESPONDENT
Northrup Associates, Lynnfield
Start building equity now with this rare West Peabody two-family
By Nancy Mades
CORRESPONDENT
Tache Real Estate
Middletons wildly successful 55-plus community offers the full range of possibilities for your living convenience: incomparable construction and thoughtfully landscaped grounds for a carefree lifestyle. Riverview Park is a community that is tailored to the desires of active adults over 55 years of age. It provides minimal maintenance, graceful home design, sophisticated living spaces, flawless detailing and excellent craftsmanship, said exclusive listing agent Maria N. Miara of Northrup Associates in Lynnfield. The town of Middleton has successfully developed an appealing and unique personality with lots of protected open space keeping the towns rural character intact. Middleton is conveniently situated near many major highways and routes, making it desirable to commuters and residents alike. This successfully launched, sophisticated adult community is brought to you by the developer of Cobblestone Park, also in Middleton, she said. They are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of todays 55-plus audience, definitely due to the combination of the construction and location. Residents are enjoying local shopping, restaurants, local attractions and the proximity of the finest medical facilities on the North Shore. When complete, the 21-acre property will consist of eight four-unit buildings, four three-unit buildings and two two-unit buildings, each featuring a first-floor master suite and a spacious guest bedroom on the second floor. Home highlights include
AT A GLANCE
Riverview Park, River Street,
Middleton 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths 2,171 to 2,520 square feet Starting at $479,000
LISTED EXCLUSIVELY BY
Realtor
Maria N. Miara, CBR Northrup Associates, Lynnfield Direct: 978-317-4362 maria. Maria N. Miara miara@ northruprealtors.com northrupassociates.com an open floor plan with cathedral ceiling, a granite gourmet kitchen and a marble-highlighted gas fireplace. This is one of only a few developers to offer an allinclusive price that includes oak hardwood floors, a choice of different tiles, cabinetry, appliances, choice of wall color, granite and carpeting a wonderful array of high-end selections, Miara said. Anyone considering 55-plus living must see these town homes for themselves. Amenities include central air conditioning, central vacuum and heat with built-in humidifier, alarm systems, full basements, composite decking with vinyl PVC railings, and patios. Middle units start at $479,000; end units start at $529,000. We currently have one building framed and are breaking ground on a Tri-Plex building soon after, Miara said. The TriPlex will consist of expanded floor plans for each unit, with a two-car garage. And,
The 55-plus development boasts top-notch construction, stellar designs and the finest amenities throughout.
Each home has cathedral ceilings, hardwood floors and firstfloor masters.
as always, the developer will customize a unit if it hasnt been started. Currently, there are 43 units that are under construction or completed. Twenty-nine units are sold and occupied, and 10 units are reserved for future construction. Riverview Park is truly unparalleled in design and comfort for the active 55-plus adult, Miara said. We have a welcoming atmosphere here, with our residents getting to know one another.
All of the kitchens are complete with granite and generous cabinetry.
People who live here commend the builder for being so accommodating, and they are happy they call Riverview Park home. Currently, there is a new, stunning, fully furnished and decorated model unit for consumers to preview. You can visit this model unit, No. 47, on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. For a private showing, call exclusive listing agent Maria N. Miara, CBR, at Northrup Associates, directly at 978317-4362. Visit www.riverviewparkatmiddleton.com for floor plans, more photos and a virtual tour.
One of just nine two-family homes in desirable West Peabody has come on the market, offering up a rare chance to move in now and start building equity immediately. Impressive without being imposing, the homes first- and second-story front porches are a nod to Southern charm, ideal for relaxing with a book as the warmer weather approaches. The homes proximity to major commuter routes 1, 114 and 95 make it an ideal location for getting to work and getting home fast. West Peabody itself is a lovely area of established neighborhoods, quality shops and storied community recreational offerings. Its really a once-in-alifetime opportunity, says listing agent Eric Towne of Tache Real Estate. You just dont find two-families in West Peabody. The opportunity is akin to having the single-family lifestyle that makes West Peabody one of the best neighborhoods around, but with rental income to help you pay the mortgage, Towne adds. The first-floor owners unit has an additional rear private deck that overlooks the expansive half-acre grounds, tree-lined on two sides, creating a secluded, countrified setting. The homes maintenance-free white vinyl siding, newer roof and tons of parking make for easy living. The six-room owners unit offers three good-sized bedrooms, a bath, a roomy kitchen with natural wood cabinets, and a living room sized just right for your intimate gatherings or large parties of family and friends, open to the dining room in
A rare Peabody offering, this two-family affords a great income opportunity in a convenient and desirable location.
AT A GLANCE
11 Johnson St., West Peabody 2,333 total square feet of liv-
ing space Two-family with expansion potential First-floor unit has six rooms, three bedrooms Upper unit has five rooms, two bedrooms New roof, vinyl siding Large, half-acre private yard Plentiful parking $349,000
The owners unit and rental unit have separate utilities and private entrances.
traditional style. The newer laminate flooring adds sparkle to this sunny unit. Heating is accomplished via forced hot air by natural gas, so upgrading to central air conditioning would both figuratively and literally be a breeze. Each unit affords both residents private entrances to add to your lifestyle. Utilities for each unit are separate, and each has a newer hot water tank powered by natural gas. The high ceilings and ample windows make for a bright and airy ambiance.
Complete with a walk-up attic, this home has definite expansion potential.
The second floor comprises five rooms and additionally has access to the walk-up attic. This feature would make remodeling the upper unit into a spacious townhome with a lavish master suite a simple matter of imagination and planning. This property lists for $349,000. Listed by Eric Towne, Tache Real Estate, 978-745-2004. For free prerecorded info by phone or fax, call 800-224-2153, ext. 2061, or visit Tache.com.
LISTED BY
Eric
Towne Tache Real Estate 978-7452004 Tache.com
Eric Towne
Let your life inspire your home decor

MARY CAROL GARRITY can do the same whether you were inspired by a chaScripps Howard News Service teau you toured in France, a mountain vista you enjoyed If your life were a movie, during a hike in Colorado or what would it be? No mat- even a hotel you stayed at ter what your life story is, during a business trip. The how you decorate your home key is replicating the look should reflect your personal- and feel. ity and experiences. Here are For example, if you live for three ways to tell your own ocean vistas, fill your palette story through your home with the colors of the sand, decor: water, birds and flowers that made your heart swell 1. A favorite vacation spot with joy. Pull in natural eleUnless you squeeze your ments that come from the eyes shut every time you sea, like coral, driftwood or travel, you cant help but shells. Pick materials that be inspired by the places mimic the style found in your you visit and the things you favorite beach dwelling, like experience. wicker or distressed painted When Dan and I visited wood. Charleston, S.C., years ago, You can also add a piece we were both blown away of furniture or two replicatby the beauty and intimacy ing the style from your vacaof the walled gardens that tion destination. Maybe its adjoined the historic homes. a weathered wooden hutch, Since the homes were built an Asian-influenced chest, a close together and have French settee or a Moroccan small yards, the homeown- table. Im partial to interiors ers erected garden walls to that mix pieces from differgive themselves a private, ent influences. I think the outdoor paradise. By turn- contrast in styles makes the ing my small unkempt weed room intriguing. patch of a yard into a walled courtyard, Ive created a lit- 2. Sets from favorite movies tle piece of Charleston I can I am a sucker for old movenjoy every day. ies. One thing that makes Key West, Fla., is another me such an easy mark for place where Dan and I like Hollywood classics is the to escape to. I cant bring sheer elegance of the homes the Atlantic back with me to depicted in the sets. Kansas, but I can celebrate Is there a pattern to the my favorite feelings of beach type of movie sets that draws life in my decor by weaving you in? If so, include these in bits of colors, patterns and classic images in your decor. textures of the place. You For example, if Hollywood glam makes your heart beat faster, invest in a few key pieces of elegant furniture, like a secretary holding a display of picture frames, or a butlers cart outfitted with an opulent bar. All you need is a piece or two of furniture or some accessories to establish the theme you love in your Hollywood set. 3. Your current life stage Your furnishings and accessories evolve with your life. When our daughter Kelly was a teenager, the only decorating essential needed for her bedroom was a stout door I could close so I didnt have to see the mounds of clothes, stacks of books and God-only-knowswhat-else piled up in there. Now that shes grown and gone, I have had fun turning her old bedroom into a guest room. Same room, radically different look, all determined by our life stage. What stage of life are you in? Your decor should celebrate today. My informal market research has shown me that many women always love pink. As we grow older, we can work it into more s o p h i st i c at e d s e tt i n g s , such as pairing pale pink with colors like soft gray or charcoal. But when it comes to little girls, bubblegum pink it is! Dont fight it. Instead, enjoy the vibrancy of girlapproved brights like apple green, orange, marigold and
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How you decorate your home should reflect your unique personality and experiences.
purple. Choose bedding that And fill in with accents that weaves together a rainbow celebrate her royal highness. of colors, brought to life in a mix of intriguing designs. The column has been
adapted from Mary Carol Garritys blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
TOUCH TONES
RICH, INVITING TEXTURES MAKE ROOMS FEEL ORGANIC AND INTERACTIVE
By CHERYL V. JACKSON CTW Features Reach out and touch. Elements of design throughout homes are calling for it. Experts say texture (actual and implied) is big, with pillows, throws and wall tiles ramping up the feel. The trend has moved beyond living and sleeping spaces, where soft textures were once most prevalent. It was among those that made an impression at a recent National Kitchen & Bath Association design contest. One bathroom entry highlighted by NKBA achieved a textured touch using an oversized glass mosaic tiled rug set into a limestone floor to give the effect of a patterned area rug. In that case, the quilted effect of the shower wall mirrored the trend of quilted materials in fashion. The popularity of environmentally conscious dcor is helping drive the trend, says Victor Shafor of Aviva Stanoff Design Inc., a New York household dcor shop. Were seeing an interest in things that are recycled or repurposed. It has a more organic look, Shafor says. People are looking for those kinds of things that are high design and look good, but still friendly to the environment. Customers have taken an interest in imprinted textures, Shafor adds. Theres a strong response to our signature collections, which imprints real objects into velvet, he says. That provides an interesting texture, with each being unique. Texture schemes can even go wall-to-wall, thanks
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Wall wear: Leather or carved wall tiles can define a space and soften hard lines in a rooms architecture.
Courtesy photo
Were seeing a lot of very shiny wall coverings and Were seeing an interest in things textiles for the wall, Ranvik says. Especially shiny, sparthat are recycled or repurposed. It kly leather walls. Im seeing has a more organic look. that in a lot of rec rooms and a lot of basement remodels. Victor Shafor of Aviva Stanoff Design Inc. Animal hairs, such as spotted cow, are increasingly popular in furniture, usuto products like leather produces leather tiles. ally used as accent pieces in or carved wall tiles, says Designers use the tiles to areas like hallways; green, Christina Ranvik, territory soften hard lines or to define environmentally friendly manager for Innovations a transition or space, she natural fibers, such as in Wallcoverings, which says. grass cloth, are lining more
Go green: Natural fibers like wool, cow hide and grass cloth fit environmentally conscious lifestyles and add interest to furnishings.
bathroom walls, Ranvik says. Walls also are being covered with aged leather and faux leather with oil-rubbed finishes, she adds. These textures are more often used on small walls or small pieces of accent furniture, such as in an entryway, Ranvik says.
Courtesy photo
Still, folks are opting for leather runners and rugs made to match wall coverings and bring the room together. People seem to be getting more opulent, she says. Theyre picking an accent wall or accent piece to do something really opulent in texture or color.
The market is booming depending on where youre shopping

By NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
MerryFox Realty
While it used to be easy to take the temperature of the regions real estate market, todays more mercurial economy requires almost a town-by-town assessment of whats selling, according to Betsy Merry and Dan Fox of Salem-based MerryFox Realty. However, the overall outlook is positive, with home sales up nearly 10 percent. In the past years, you could talk about the market as a whole, but now you have to really look at each point of the market. Overall, its strong, but there are still areas that need to keep improving, Fox observes. Of course, quality always sells, Merry notes. What we are seeing is that quality is selling, and homes that are overpriced and are not top-quality are not selling no matter where they are located. So, what are the hottest trends in North Shore real estate this spring? Downtown Salem a condo, a loft or a single-family house is what empty-nesters, younger buyers and everyone in between seem to be looking for, Merry says. The culture, shops, restaurants and nightlife that downtown Salem offers is very appealing, and its pushing sales and prices. Also known for its trendy shops and restaurants, as well as its oceanfront setting, Marblehead is also experiencing a bit of a sales boom, Merry says, and especially homes in the $500K-700K range, which she says are flying off the shelf. New construction remains ever popular, as well, Merry says. People will sacrifice location for a new house because its new. At the same
38 Washington Square SOLD
98 Washington Square SOLD
281 Essex St. SOLD
Betsy Merry and Dan Fox
AT A GLANCE
224 Derby St., Salem 978-740-0008 Betsy Merry direct,
508-641-6241 Dan Fox direct, 978-808-8064 either exiting extended living space or the potential for it. I just did an open house, and many of the buyers were looking at the house to see if it had space enough for their aging parent or parents to live there, Merry says. The reasons behind this trend vary from buyer to buyer, of course, continues Merry, but purchasing a home with room enough for mom or dad or both can make the home more affordable and at the same time keep someone who may need assistance close. MerryFox Realty is located at 224 Derby St., Salem. For help with real estate-related questions, you can reach Betsy Merry at 508-641-6241, Dan Fox at 978-808-8064 or their office at 978-740-0008.
26 Hardy St. SOLD

time, they want a home with character, so theyre looking for the molding and hardwood floors that give a home timeless New English character, but where everything is new roof, windows, heating system. Its very appealing. People also want new construction, Merry says, because theyre busy and dont have the time to deal with the hassles of refurbishing a home. T h e y a r e wo r k i n g . Theyre busy. They dont know contractors and dont want to have to deal with all that, Merry says. Homes in the $300K-$500K price range are seeing the highest volume of sales, Fox says. Certain price ranges are really strong, while others are not seeing as strong a demand, Merry agrees. Dividing the market into three categories based on price $300K-500K, $500K-700K, and $700K and up Merry observes that, Homes in that $300,000-$500,000 range are selling all day long. There is also a high demand for homes selling in the $500K-700K range, countered by a lack of supply in that range, Merry says. Supply is low because we are seeing a lot of people in that range who have negative equity in their home, and so they either have to come to the table with money or wait it out as the economy continues to improve. Owners who bought at the top of the market in 2006 are a lot of the people were seeing with negative equity, and its just going to take some time for that to improve, but it is slowly improving. The result is a lack of supply in that price range that is pushing prices up, continues Fox. Its hard to find houses in that $500K-700K range, so what is there is going very quickly. The final popular trend in real estate right now is buyers looking for homes with
The most luxurious homes arent just packed with high-end materials and designer pieces. Nowadays, luxury means safer, more comfortable and enjoyable living
By COURTENAY EDELHART
CTW FEATURES
LUXURY
FUNCTIONAL
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There are many who believe that luxurious homes are lovely but inherently impractical. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no reason why a home with style and sophistication cant also be useful and livable. Theres no point having a beautiful room you cant use, says interior designer Francine Gardner, owner of the New York home store Interieurs. Every room should be alive, and every object should be selected with care and love. Often, combining function and form is best. What I also like to do is add a simple luxury when needed, Gardner says. High-tech class Technology presents a particular challenge to designing a beautiful home: Everybody likes the idea of the latest cutting-edge electronics, but nobody wants his or her living room to look like the inside of a retail showroom. Thats where clever disguises can be useful. Some electronics companies like Samsung, for instance, offer LED mirror televisions that look like a normal mirror (available in a wide range of custom frames) when not in use. With a touch of a remote button, the mirror becomes a flat-screen television. Sizes range from
In plain sight: With a click of a button, the mirror above the fireplace shows its true colors as an LCD television, adding both form and function to the room.
22 inches to 65 inches, including the latest 3-D models. The larger ones allow users to also access apps like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix and Pandora. If you dont want your TV on the wall, Samsung also makes one you can hide in a chrome table with a built-in mirror tabletop. Again, hit your remote and the mirror converts to a 55-inch LED television. And of course, there are a host of audio manufacturers who masquerade weatherproof stereo speakers as everything from landscape rocks to planters. That way, you can enjoy music the next time youre grilling or going for a swim without sacrificing the feel of an outdoor environment. The great indoors Bringing the outdoors in, and vice versa, has been a hot trend in home design for many years now. Luxury home builder Mike McDonald of San Franciscobased Ryan Associates has
Photo courtesy of Hidden Television
built several houses that incorporate removable glass walls. He uses NanaWalls, which can open like French doors, slide out of the way on a track or fold over in sections. When the weather is nice, the interior and exterior are seamless. On cold or rainy days, simply put the wall back and enjoy the view.
I use them in almost every project, especially out here in California where we have good weather pretty much year-round, McDonald says. Our clients often want a certain-size home, but we can convince them to go with a slightly smaller great room or living room so they can have this wonderful indoor/ outdoor living opportunity. If youre trying to go green, though, this might not be the right choice. A house (with glass walls) is more expensive to maintain and heat and cool, he says. On the other hand, heated floors are eco-friendly. If you arent fortunate enough to live in an area with a mild climate, radiant heating in the floors is a feature that not only will make you more comfortable but can help reduce heating bills, too, says Mishell Kneeland, a Realtor with Moxie Realty Group in Austin, Texas. Radiant heat neednt be limited to the indoors, by the way. In regions with snowfall, some builders put it in driveways, patios and sidewalks. Imagine not having to shovel snow or ice, Kneeland says. Kid-friendly style For a house with kids, function and safety are a must. The problem is, kid-proof furnishings arent always the classiest. To solve the problem of childproofing homes with rambunctious youngsters,
Interieurs Gardner suggests sturdy industrial furniture, which is usually made of metal, stain-resistant fabric and other durable materials, but still runs the gamut from rustic antiques to sleek and modern. Consider rounder, softer pieces, Gardner says. We enjoy Casalis poufs as seating arrangements for informal seating that both kids and adults can enjoy. Another consideration is keeping kids noise to a minimum. Gardner says, A great rug like DOTS from Limited Edition can be used to soundproof walls or as a color accent, and serves as a focal point of any room by adding a certain whimsy that both children and their parents need. Macro-manage The latest in home technology isnt a fancy tech gadget its the house itself. Home management systems are becoming more and more inclusive. They allow you to lock and unlock doors, turn lights on and off, monitor video cameras, and adjust
Secure location: Programmable smart locks are part of some home management packages.
your thermostat remotely from a computer or mobile phone. A programmable lock can be especially useful for setting individual pass codes that work at given times. You can even receive a text message indicating that a child has returned home from school, says Angela Miller, a spokeswoman for lock company Schlage, which
Photo courtesy of Schlage
offers a system that supports up to 232 devices for a monthly subscription fee. No more doubling back if youre not sure you remembered to lock a door or set an alarm, she says. And if youve been gone on vacation, you can change the temperature from the airport to be certain you return to a warm or cool house. None of these kinds of
In or out: People pay high premiums for a home with a view, and foldaway glass walls ensure they make the most of this investment.
functional luxuries are cheap, of course. Do your homework before spending money on them if youre hoping to get your investment back, Kneeland says. One thing thats important for people to remember is while (these luxuries) absolutely add value to the home, you may not get back what you put into them at resale, she says. That doesnt mean you shouldnt do it, but just
Photo courtesy of NanaWall
be realistic. A house with a pool is worth more than one without. Even if you dont recoup the entire investment, you dont put in a pool for the resale. You add one to have a place to swim.
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Classic Salem Victorian offers flexibility and affordability

BY LILLIAN SHAPIRO
DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING
Tache Real Estate
Yip Yip hooray!

Everyone deserves great design, says Vern Yip, host of HGTVs Deserving Design. Liven up any living space to make a home worthy of jumping for joy
By Jetta Bates
CTW FEATURES
AT A GLANCE
7 rooms 3 bedrooms 1.5 baths 1,629 square feet $279,900
Be your own designer

As a consolation prize for those who arent lucky enough to win their very own Yip-designed urban oasis, the always-smiling TV host offers four tips on how to be your own interior designer: 1. Yip believes todays home is about expressing your personality. It should manifest who you really are in your home, like a calling card of sorts. Pick items that really speak to you, and have fun with it. 2. When you buy, choose quality brands and items, even if you are just starting off it will pay off in the long run. Yip designed the bedding for his collection to be durable because he believes it should remain beautiful after washing. 3. Consider the size of your room when you buy furniture. For example, a studio dweller should consider using smaller pieces (like a sofette) versus a large couch. Yip sees a lot of issues with scale, which is why he designed furniture options that could work with different-sized rooms. Furniture should grow with you, Yip says. 4. To make your new home sparkle during the holidays, Yip suggests spreading the holiday cheer throughout the house. I am not one to limit the holiday dcor to the one tree. I love multiple trees, and I have candlelight through the house during this time of year. Try battery-operated options, Yip advises. Just really look at spreading the holiday to every surface, but not overdoing it. I have lots of silver and white, and it goes everywhere, just little special touches.
This Salem gem may appear characteristic in its Victorian design, yet it is sufficiently versatile for todays contemporary lifestyle. Boasting a flexible floor plan, this home has spacious, sunny rooms with thoughtful updates and a location that cant be beat. This is a great house that is close to town, museums, the waterfront and the commuter rail, says listing agent Terryanne St. Pierre of Tache Real Estate. The main living spaces are nice and large, making it a great place to entertain family and friends. On the exterior, traditional Arts and Crafts workmanship such as long, sloping roof lines; simple forms; and a wide, sheltering overhang remind us of the homes turn-of-the-century roots. Inside, find gleaming wood floors and oversized windows throughout. The comfortable living room, with large bay window and wood-burning fireplace, flows easily through an arched doorway into a formal dining room. Spacious enough for even the more formidable gatherings, this room is intricately classic with detailed moldings, wainscoting and a glass-front, custom china cabinet. The recently updated kitchen features ample wood cabinetry with stainless pulls, newer white appliances, recessed lighting and a tiled floor. A breakfast bar overlooks a seasonal deck and Beacon Hill-style yard. Also on this level, St. Pierre adds, is a great, multipurpose spot that offers the potential for a
LISTED BY
Terryanne
St. Pierre Tache Real Estate 978-5809396 Terryanne www.tache. St. Pierre com playroom, in-home office or den, depending on your need. This is really a bonus. Additionally, find a convenient half-bath with washer/dryer hookup. Ascend the ornate staircase to the second floor, where a generous open foyer doubles as a cozy sitting area. Sharing this space are a shared full bath and three bedrooms, including the master, which is complete with plush carpeting and a walk-in closet. Sensibly priced at $279,900, this seven-room home offers more than 1,600 square feet of living space. St. Pierre believes that while the house itself has a lot to offer, its location is just as notable. This home is perfect for folks looking to have a gracious residence with every necessary amenity, while still having easy access and a short distance to an active, pleasurable downtown. With this house, you can have just that AND have it at an affordable price. For more information on this property or to schedule a private showing, call Realtor Terryanne St. Pierre at 978-580-9396.
This Arts and Crafts-style Victorian features a number of period details, yet provides an ideal layout for a modern-day lifestyle.
The living room and dining room are separated by a unique, arched doorway.
The kitchen boasts a number of updates such as recessed lighting, newer appliances and a ceramic floor.
When interior designer and architect Vern Yip begins to talk about home dcor, his voice elevates, and his words come a bit quicker: His excitement is evident. It is clear he wants everyone to have a home they love, which includes those who cant afford to hire a design pro like himself. In previous years, Yip served as a design expert on TLCs Trading Spaces. More recently, he has been a judge for HGTVs Design Star and host of Deserving Design, a feel-good show that provides room makeovers for inspirational people or families so it fits that Yip is passionate about empowering people to make their homes special. Yips desire to make peoples homes their ultimate destination for relaxation and peace prompted him to partner with the Home Shopping Network to create an affordable, high-quality home dcor line. The products have delightful ornate details that he is known to prefer, and they give people the tools to make each room remarkable. I wanted people to have the ability to have choices, Yip says. Thats why the line includes traditional, contemporary and eclectic styles to make sure theres something for everyone. We must have detail for people who are crazy about detail like nail-head detailing for the beds. You can get neutrals or items with a big pop of color if that is what you feel. The line features pieces such as bedding, furniture, window treatments, rugs, lighting and decorations that can work in all types of
Touch luxe: The tufted material used in this comforter set bring texture and a luxurious feeling to the bedroom.
Courtesy photos
Design expert Vern Yip haspartnered with the Home Shopping Network to create an affordable, high-quality home dcor line.
homes. My goal? I would love for you to walk through your door and have a smile from ear to ear because your environment makes you feel joyful, Yip says. Yip inserted his trademark design flourishes into
Vern Yips home decor line through the Home Shopping Network features bedding, furniture, window treatments, rugs, lighting and decorations that can work in all types of homes.
everything he does. He draws from his personal style, in addition to his Chinese roots. My parents gave up everything and left communist China to come to America so that my sister and I could have great education and health care, he explains. So much of my personal history is woven into this collection. As a respectful nod to his past, Yip includes a lotus flower on his shams and coverlets. The flower refers to the name of his parents first business and also represents renewal and rebirth in traditional Chinese culture. His Deserving Design persona flows into his personal life as well in addition to his busy professional life, Yip serves as a worldwide ambassador for UNICEF.
1.Pull out the paintbrush. Paint the room a different color, or just change the color of one wall to create an eyecatching accent. 2.Change those towels. Buying new towels or a beautiful shower curtain will give your bathroom a fresh look. Dont be afraid to add a little drama with luxurious textures and colors. 3.Hang a picture or two. Images speak louder than words and will go a long way to pull the look of a room together. Black and white photos are striking in bold frames; lively color graphics work well when shown in simple, sedate frames. 4.Breathe life into a room with color. Nothing perks up a neutral room (think beige carpet with off-white furniture) like an injection of color. Buy vibrantly colored couch pillows or a floor vase, or position brightly colored candles on the mantle. 5. Sweat the small stuff. Special little touches that reflect your personality and style spread throughout the house makes it a home. Everything does not have to be a major purchase; switch out the light covers or change a lampshade. Jetta Bates
More Yip tips for a quick design boost
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Enjoy extended family living at its finest in this Topsfield stunner

By NANCY MADES
CORRESPONDENT
Ready ... Set ... Deck!

Metro Creative Services Few things are better than having a functional and beautiful outdoor space to entertain guests. Having a great outdoor space enables a person to host parties or intimate gatherings all year long. Establishing an entertaining space and maintaining that space are essential when planning another year of fun in the sun. There are many things homeowners can do to ensure their entertaining space is safe and functional. As the season approaches, include some landscaping and decorating components to your preparatory plans to make the space as comfortable and aesthetically appealing as possible. Here are a few key tips for readying your yard for entertaining possibilities. Expand on these basics to customize an area for your unique needs. Check the area for any needed repairs. Prior to your first entertaining session, look over the deck or patio to take note of any flaws that may present safety hazards. Are there any loose railings? Are all screws and nails flush so they do not cause tripping? Are there any cracks in concrete or loose patio blocks? Be sure to remedy all of the repairs needed to ensure guests will be safe. If you are unsure of any structural deficits, consult with a contractor. Hire a reputable contractor. If you are just laying the groundwork for a new patio or deck, it is important to get the necessary permits and then hire a person who has been properly vetted. Check qualifications and licensing before hiring a contractor and ask to view a portfolio of his or her previous work. Word-of-mouth recommendations from trusted friends and family members are
AT A GLANCE
10 rooms 2,700 square feet of living
Located in the midst of a lovely cul-de-sac, this stunning multilevel ranch is a study in how to remodel the right way. The 2,700-squarefoot home offers 10 rooms of gracious living in one of Topsfields most established and desirable neighborhoods. The home is located in one of the best places to live in a town thats already a wonderful place to live, says listing agent Michael McNiff of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. It affords the quiet of a cul-de-sac and is still just minutes from Topsfield center or the highways. Contemporary updates to this solidly built home include sleek stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen, marble floors in the bathrooms and recessed lighting throughout. A designer paint job adds to the modern feel of the house, while lovingly maintained hardwood floors allow the home to keep its warm, welcoming ambiance. However, the beautification isnt just skin-deep. The home also boasts newer windows and a state-of-the-art natural gas heating system. Flooring is a combination of hardwood, carpet, marble and tile. The main-floor living spaces comprises four good-sized bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The spectacular open concept floor plan makes for a kitchen, living and dining area that beam with light and airiness. A granite woodburning stove adds character and warmth to the entertaining-oriented living room. The main living level provides even more space for family life and entertaining in the impressive family room and three-season porch. The homes 800 feet of dry storage space in the
space 4 bedrooms,3.5 bathrooms on main level Full in-law with separate entrance on lower level Expansive, flat fenced yard $529,900
LISTED BY
John
McNiff Coldwell Banker Residential Michael McNiff Brokerage 978-882-4219 Michael.McNiff@nemoves.com walk-up attic assure that youll never have to worry about where to store those boxes of off-season clothes or holiday decorations ever again. Welcome the in-laws or returning grown-up kids home in the residences lower level that includes a separate entrance, as well as its own living room, bedroom, kitchen and bath. The lower-level workshop is perfectly designed for the home hobbyist. In addition to the two-car garage, the deep, wide driveway affords plentiful parking for cars, boats and storage. One of the most attractive aspects of the residence is the yard, McNiff adds. Its an amazing flat, open, expansive fenced-in yard where you could really have it all play area, garden, outdoor entertaining space. Even though the home is just minutes from Topsfield Center and the highways, its within quick walking distance of Bradley Palmer State
This Topsfield ranch has been tastefully and thoughtfully remodeled, making this both an attractive and efficient offering.
When refurbishing outdoor entertaining areas, emphasize comfort, safety and functionality.
good, and you can also double-check qualifications by contacting the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged or use a service such as Angies List to read reviews of his or her work. Think about closing in a portion of a deck or patio. The use of a canopy, netting or even greenery to protect an entertaining space can help minimize weatherrelated damage to outdoor furniture. Netting will keep a good number of biting insects at bay when the weather is warm and humid. Having a bit of concealment also means you can create a private space that isnt
Consider a fireplace or fire pit. For centuries man (and woman) has gathered around fire for socialization and a means to warming up. Having a backyard fireplace, pit or chiminea is a conversation-starter, a decorative focal point, and a functional tool to extend the number of seasons in which outdoor entertaining can take place. Place the fire wisely and with concern for safety. It should be out of the way of foot traffic, but central enough so that it can be a gathering point. Invest in quality outdoor furniture. Todays yards are extensions of a homes interior. Guests no longer want to
As the season approaches, include some landscaping and decorating components to your preparatory plans to make the space as comfortable and aesthetically appealing as possible.
easily viewed by neighbors or passersby. Plan well-defined areas. Just as rooms serve different purposes inside of the home, outdoor areas can be separated according to usage. Establish a sitting nook where guests can gather and talk. Have a bar or serving area where refreshments are made and served. Make sure there is a shaded area for when the sun is too uncomfortable to make sitting outside enjoyable. Similarly, have a sunny area where people can soak up a few rays or dry off after a dip in the spa or pool. Dont forget to establish a spot for the kids to converge with scaled-down amenities.
In the open living room, find a granite wood-burning stove and The kitchen features stainless-steel appliances and ceramic gleaming hardwood floors. flooring.
Park, one of the most beautiful jewels in the state park system. The 721-acre park comprises the former estate of noted early 20th-century attorney Bradley Palmer and invites visitors to enjoy walking its paths. Its also known as one of the best places in the area for picnicking, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, canoeing on the Ipswich River, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. This property lists for $529,900. Listed by John McNiff, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 978882-4219, Michael.McNiff@ nemoves.com.
sit on uncomfortable metal or plastic furniture. There are many different outdoor sofas and chairs that are as stylish as they are comfortable. These pieces can be matched to the decor inside your home for a cohesive look. Accessorize. Consider the creature comforts of indoors and mimic that outdoors. Dont shy away from hanging artwork on an exterior wall or using urns or pottery to decorate the space. Weatherresistant materials ensure everything from clocks to televisions can be used outdoors. Think about having an entire set of serving dishes and other entertaining items for the outdoors.
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* MLS DOLLAR VOLUME DATA 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Data includes all single family, condominium, multi-family and land sales in Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport & Wenham, MA. This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by our MLS Partners. These entities neither guarantee nor are responsible for data accuracy. Data maintained by MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. 2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.. An Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned & operated by NRT LLC.

Salem News: Homes Spring 2013

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Salem News: Homes Spring 2013

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HOMES

Decorating Renovating Real Estate

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The Spring Home Buyer Season is Here!

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

S3 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Community Credit Union

Brokerage pkdorsey@gmail.com 978-340-0661 www.26juniper.com

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Decorating Renovating Real Estate

Beverly custom Colonial offers an oasis in the middle of everything

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

S5 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

NORTH SHORE REAL ESTATE

Rich textures make rooms feel organic, interactive

34 FORM AND FUNCTION

19 DRESS UP YOUR TABLE 22 WINDOW ART

37 TIPS FROM YIP 39 DECKED OUT

Fruit and floral centerpieces can be quick and easy

Quick tips for organizing bathrooms

Brokerage fay.salt@NEMoves.com 978-882-4482

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

FOR THE WEAR

Need a little vintage in your life?

S7 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

We Service What We Sell... Ask Your Neighbor. 978-922-3509 www.maestranzi.com

Photo courtesy of Steve Giannetti

Fast, Clean, Friendly, Experienced

For equipment sold by us

FREE PICK UP & DELIVERY ALWAYS

IDEAL FOR GRASS AND LEAF PICK-UP

Optional Grass and Leaf Bag

Outstanding Product Knowledge & Selection Our Trademark

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

S9 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCKPHOTO

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Choate Farm Colonial offers elegance in a natural setting

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Todays casual decor meets Downton Abbey style

S11 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Brokerage Pamela.Spiros@NEMoves.com 978-882-4375

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Spectacular opportunity for oceanfront living in Gloucester

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Inspiring river views add to the beauty of this sunny home

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

S13 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

finished basement 2 gas fireplaces Two-car garage $620,000

John and Cindy Farrell

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Tips for making a dishwasher, drain work better

Coldwell Banker Premier Communities

S15 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

porary homes in clusters of two Prices start at $604,900

THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Chevron pillows and poufs can add pizzazz to any room.

Courtesy of Greendale Home Fashions

Courtesy of tilly | maison

S17 THE SALEM NEWS HOMES Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Photo courtesy of Martin Amado

Photo courtesy of Handstand Kids

The Mower You Know and The Power You Trust.

The Ultimate Mulching Mower