4 Home Maintenance Tips to Keep the Outdoors Outside
(StatePoint) Even avid nature lovers will agree that not all aspects of the outdoors belong inside one’s home. While bugs, mud and allergens will sneak their way into interior spaces, the steps you take to manage these elements can keep your home more comfortable.
Contain Allergens
Your home should provide a respite from outdoor allergens. Unfortunately, pollen has a tendency to stick to skin, hair, shoes and clothes. Contain allergens by removing outerwear when you get home. If you spent the day in a grassy or forested area, you may also want to change your clothes or even take a shower before sitting on furniture. As far as cleaning is concerned, regularly shake out your welcome mat outside and away from the front door. Also, make a habit of regularly
laundering items that touch your eyes, ears and nose most frequently, such as bedding and towels.
Combat Insect Invaders
According to the Smithsonian Institution, there are over 200 million insects for each human on the planet! That’s a lot of critters, and despite your best efforts, some of them are going to enter your home, especially during peak bug season. With the National Pest Management Association’s bug barometer calling for high pest pressure from ants, roaches, mosquitoes and more this season, having a smart way to deal with insect invaders is a good idea.
The majority of people are concerned with the ingredients found in conventional bug killer sprays. If that describes you, look for effective solutions made without harsh chemicals. For example,
Zevo Insect Killer Sprays with BioSelective Technology work on a broad range of household insects, including ants, roaches, flies, fruit flies, gnats and spiders. The active essential oils in Zevo target nerve receptors vital to insects, not people or pets. Easy to use, just spray on pests, then wipe up the dead bugs, as well as any excess product. Leaving only a light scent of essential oils, Zevo lets you get on with your day after use, and is available online or instore at Target and Home Depots nationwide. To learn more, visit zevoinsect.com.
Make Floors Mud-Free
Setting up a mudroom near the entrance of your home can help you combat footprints once and for all. If you don’t like being barefoot or want extra sole sup-
Maintenance, Page 4
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Banish Excess Moisture
port, keep a pair of shoes nearby that you can swap into indoors. Just be sure that this pair never leaves the house. Have a dog? Wipe paws clean when you get home from walks, or better yet, try dog boots, which have the added bonus of protecting paws from sharp objects, hot pavement and other road hazards.
Too much moisture indoors is bad news. Damp spaces can promote growth and spread of viruses, bacteria and bugs, according to the American Lung Association. To keep your home’s interiors dry, fix up any leaks and keep
Growing A Piece Of Ancient History
Late last month and this, the soaring floral spikes of Acanthus mollis emerged above their clumps of large dark green, deeply lobed leaves, easily stretching up 5 feet or more. They are a spectacle that has come to herald our true, but characteristically tardy, Pacific Northwest summer. Blossom filled scepters, they can rule over the garden well into September when the petals drop and seeds form.
Yet, stunning as they are, it’s not the flower stalks that make this plant an indelible part of Western civilization. The big glossy leaves are what have captured the imaginations and artistic eyes of history.
Fast backward. You are living in Greece, circa 430 BC. The sculptor Callimachus decides that the classic Doric and Ionic columns need a capital update.
So, he embellishes the tops of these supporting pillars with the beautiful shapes of leaves he sees growing wild on the south facing slopes to the Mediterranean. The Corinthian column was born. From that point on, the acanthus leaf became a staple in the decorative arts, an embellishment to architecture, jewelry, ceramics and even the cast iron ornaments of 19th century America. The Roman poet Virgil wrote of Helen of Troy wearing a dress embellished with acanthus leaves. The foliage has adorned neo-classic columns and swooped up candle sticks and furniture legs in grand European rooms from the Medicis to Louis XIV and Victoria. You’ve no doubt seen these leaves on pricy silk scarves and assorted fabrics in dress shops and haberdasheries. As one artist friend put it, “The shape just soothes. It comforts the soul, as it has for millennia.”
Visit a nursery in search of Acanthus mollis and it’s likely you won’t find what you see in the photograph or what the ancient Greeks and Romans found so compelling. You’ll likely be offered a different plant. Most commonly sold is A. spinosus. This plant is smaller, by about a third to a half, than A. mollis. Its leaves are deeply and sharply cut, resembling giant thistle foliage. The flower stalks are not as tall.
Why the nursery industry seems to prefer this over the more primitive acanthus is a mystery to me. To my eye it lacks the stature and nobility of its cousin. You might also find a variegated-leafed acanthus. The foliage is cream and green, quite beautiful actually, albeit the bloom crop, from what I have observed, is less than robust, if not nonexistent. No, I want the acanthus of Socrates and Virgil, spreading out its big leaves, luxuriating in the dim light of my shady summer garden, a visual complement to the softly plopping fountain.
Dispense with frustration. Never mind the paucity of availability of Acanthus mollis. This plant is easy to propagate from root divisions. Scout out a clump belonging to a friend (or if you must, ring the door bell of a stranger). Come late autumn, using a sharp shovel or spade, slice down into the side of a clump, about 6 inches in. With hardly a wiggle of the shovel, you’ll pry up a slice of fleshy branched roots, each segment about as big around as a thumb. Put this in the ground. Mark it with a stake. Late spring, next year, you‘ll see the first leaves curling out of the soil. Before summer’s end you’ll have a bouquet of leaves and, from that point on, you’ll never be without acanthus. In short order you’ll have a clump large enough to share with friends. I have it spotted all over my garden. I’ve even seen it grown in large containers, a wonderful focal point for an entry or at the end of a walkway.
humidity levels at 50 percent or less by adjusting controls on your air conditioner and/or by running a dehumidifier. The Institute of Medicine cites good ventilation and moisture control as ways to help limit both mold and bug problems.
With a few simple measures, you can manage all those peskier aspects of nature you’d rather not have indoors.
Elevated in a pot, the clumps of leaves are all the more dramatic. Happy in shade or sunlight, acanthus thrives in dry or moist earth. If exposed to baking sun and thirst, its leaves flop to the ground and turn brown. Pull off the distressed leaves, water the plant well and new growth will appear before summer is over. In the wilds of the Mediterranean, this is its natural cycle, up in the spring, shriveled in the heat of late summer, only its flower stalks standing. Then fall rains begin, and up comes the foliage to stay on through winter into the next dry season. As the blossoms on the flower stalks fade, you can cut them. They make great material for dried arrangements. Leave them on the plant for seeds to develop, and you can collect the seed. It germinates easily and the plant comes true from seed.
Acanthus is what I call a “filler plant.” Wherever I need to cover ground, most often in a darkly shady spot, in goes the acanthus. It’s a wonderful partner for our native sword ferns. Do remember that the more sunlight, the larger the crop of flowers.
I love this plant, and should you be passing my garden on some August or September evening and you hear the melodic plunking of a lyre, smile knowingly but do keep going. No doubt I’m stretched out in a chaise lounge, likely popping grapes and sipping good red wine, as I rest in my toga, admiring my Acanthus mollis and dreaming of antiquity.
Steve Lorton Tree Talk
Photo courtesy Mary Henry
The Acer palmatum “Ukigumo” Japanese maple adds a sparkling focal point to a garden.
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Revisiting the Park:
Summer In The ’Hood
By Carl Richard Lehman
Summer in Seattle is the best part of living here, but it’s short compared to other parts of the country. June gloom curtails it even more, and on top of that, COVID-19 insists on keeping some of us indoors more than usual. When can it be party time? When can I go out and play, Mom?
Staying indoors and having to listen to the news makes for a rather un-party-like mood, and if you do decide to walk to the Avenue, the mask hides any enthusiasm you might drum up. After watching a movie called “Greyhound” with Tom Hanks as a submarine commander in World War II, the wife and I realized how great it was to have someone in truly charge in times of crisis. Grim as it all is, it’s pretty nice to walk to the Avenue and talk to neighbors and residents. Funny how the “house-atosis” thing is so prevalent. It’s hard to walk away from any conversation as pentup thoughts rush to the mouth. Trying to stay away from politics, one never knows who one might offend (said he who learned the hard way).
Back in the day, we met at Tully’s Coffee, where there were two tables, one for the Republicans, one for the Democrats, but it never really mattered as conversation wasn’t always about politics, and after two or three cups
of coffee, all worldly things were dissected.
In the ‘30s and ‘40s, residents north of Madison were mostly blue collar and Democrat, and south of Madison was Republican in general. We waist-high tykes from J.J. McGilvras wore our candidate buttons proudly.
In the early ‘50s when I was stationed in Fort Ord. I sometimes spent time in Haight Ashbury with friends. There, the political views were near a boiling point. Some areas were off limits to military personnel, which in itself was an education. One friend I was stationed with chose to go AWOL due to the influence of others in the area. With the help of one of our Army buddies, we spent a good part of an evening trying to talk sense into him, as in court martial or jail time, bad resume and the rest. Fortunately, we ran out of Falstaff funds just before he said, “Hell with it, let’s go back to base!” Like the rest of us in 1957, there were no wars big enough to send us overseas, so we did our service time and learned a trade to take with us into the world. Mine was communications, photography, art and cartooning.
the day. It would seem a small neighborhood like ours would tend to think the same way, but no. Surprise, surprise! Quite the opposite. I had a double-date dinner (blind date for me) at the Underground in the new Pioneer Square, which had great jazz and an excellent menu. The conver-
local neighborhood party, a Madison Parker interrupted a political conversation and said, “Yah! He’s an a**hole!” Those standing by laughed as they knew him and his brand of humor. Then he said, “And I’m not the only one feeling that way. Just ask Lehman!” More laughter, but embarrassment on my part.
sation drifted into politics. My friends across from us ascertained by my expression and silence that my date’s views were the complete opposite of mine. Little was said the rest of the evening.
After the Army, I came back to Madison Park to find the taverns abuzz with the politics of
Caucus groups formed in Madison Park. My friend would often get tickets for events where the “Young Republicans” gathered, which always promised to be social highlights. One night at a
At most of these social affairs, there were rooms set aside for smoking both cigarettes and those tailor-made types with twisted ends. This was quite the thing to be a part of: One event was held at the Sorrento Hotel, where a variety of politically minded people enjoyed discounted drinks. Not always partaking of lengthy political conversations, after enough cocktails, our group had a great time. I received a mailed invitation (including guest) to a gathering in Magnolia hosting an orchestra from Europe. I called an acquaintance to see if she’d like to join me for a fun Friday night, but she declined. So, Plan B, I called another gal at her work and described the invite to a sort of political event. She was doing a runway thing at Nordstrom’s and would wear the outfit to the event: knee-high boots, miniskirt and blouse. Being shorter by an inch, I wore my high-heeled boots, which were in fashion at
the time. Also, my bell bottoms and leather vest polished off the look. A couple of gin and tonics later, we set sail to the event. Wow! Valet parking! We walked through the garden leading to the estate, which hung over a cliff overlooking the Sound. Ever have the feeling someone is staring at you? Was my fly open? Nope! I’ve got it; it was Linda. They don’t even know Linda’s political views, and they already like her? Me? Well, I made way to procure gin tonics and, on my way back, saw Linda had made lots of friends. One even knew me, so that was good.
As the evening darkened, we moved to the main house downstairs to the ballroom. Live music and seeing other friends proved to be a great evening. Then, who shows up but the first phone call “Reject Date.” She looked shocked to see me with a date, let alone a gorgeous one. I introduced her and noticed her mouth contort.
The coffee group we’d enjoyed at Tully’s disappeared but metamorphosed into either Starbucks or Madison Kitchen small groupings. Of course, COVID put a damper on that. We’ve resorted to a hygienic lifestyle at home watching the news in increments. Kudos to Washington State and Madison Park for adhering to mask wearing. We shall get through this!
Property Views: A summer like no other in Seattle
By Spafford Robbins
This has certainly been a summer like no other. Our thoughts are with the entire community as we all work together to see each other through this terrible pandemic. We continue to cheer and support our everyday heroes at the frontline of the pandemic, our teachers preparing for a school year with so many unknowns, the grocery store workers, first responders, healthcare professionals, mail carriers and all who keep us going from day to day. We are a city of great civic pride, and it is heartwarming to see the innumerable acts of caring and self-
lessness taking place day to day.
Home has in many cases been redefined and become one of the most important things in our lives. Merging home and office certainly has provided its rewards and challenges. The need to buy, sell and lease real estate has a different meaning, reason, purpose and level of need for everyone. Because of this, the real estate market has certainly also been a spring and summer like no other. Preparing a home to present to market has never been more important. Our home prep gurus, styling team and photographers have never been busier. The Seattle market overall has been absolutely moving along, brokers citywide have reported tremendous activity with multiple offers in many markets, especially the single-family market with homes in the $700,000 to $1.5 million range.
With new guidelines from
Gov. Jay Inslee’s office, the showing process is now exclusively by appointment, something clients and agents have come to appreciate. This approach has allowed clients to have time alone in a home for an allotted period — something that will likely continue from the positive feedback we have received.
By the numbers (June 1 through July 20)
Denny Blaine, Broadmoor, Washington/Madison Park (Single-family homes):
June 1 through July 20
11 sold homes
Average sales price: $2,533,000
Average days on market: 41
Average price per square foot:
$809
Lowest sales price: $1,225,000
Highest sales price: $7,825,000
There are currently 14 ac-
tive properties for sale, ranging from $1,160,000 to $7.5 million, with average offering price of $3,300,143.
There are currently nine pending properties, with an average offering price of 1,978,333.
Denny Blaine, Broadmoor, Washington/Madison Park (condominiums):
June 1 through July 20
7 sold homes
Average sales price: $823,143
Average days on market: 66
Average price per square foot:
$656
Lowest sales price: $540,000
Highest sales price: $1,125,000
There are currently nine active properties for sale, ranging from $459,000 to $2,650,000, with an average offering price of $1,020,000.
As of deadline, there are currently no pending properties.
At the time of this writing, we also have news of interest rates falling even further, which will likely bring new buyers to the market and make for an even more interesting July and August market.
I am honored and happy to help with anything I can in maneuvering this ever-changing and dynamic Seattle real estate market. My team and I at GBK/ Compass are here to assist with the presentation of your home in preparation of bringing to market, as well as thoughtful home searches with the utmost attention to detail and care. I am here to answer any questions, please reach out at any time.
