A-10 TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020 OLEAN TIMES HERALD

(BPT) - The appeal of all things al fresco has never been higher with homeowners across the country investing more time and money than ever before into their outdoor spaces. Based on insights from decking contractors, retailers and home design experts, industry leader Trex Company has com-piled its annual outdoor living forecast, predicting the top design trends for 2020 and beyond.

“It’s always fascinating to compare the trends reported by our custom-ers with those projected by the industry at large,” said Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing for Trex. “This year, we also engaged celebrity design-er Alison Victoria to take our forecast to a whole new level.”

According to the latest report, the following five top trends will influence outdoor living in the new decade:

1. Mixed materials2020 is the year to mix

it up. Add visual interest to an outdoor space by

juxtaposing materials such as concrete and compos-ite, wicker and alumi-num, copper and stone. Integrate nature-inspired materials that maintain cohesion with the natural surroundings, and infuse color and pattern with pillows, cushions, fur-nishings and decorative accents.

2. Sizzling kitchensAs the foodie phenom-

enon continues to thrive, outdoor kitchens will continue to evolve. Picture fully appointed culinary centers complete with specialty appliances such as smokers, pizza ovens and integrated refrigerat-ed storage - all housed in stylish all-weather cabin-etry. Capturing this trend is the new Trex Outdoor Kitchens collection, featur-ing stainless steel cabine-try solutions in color and style options that allow homeowners to create functional spaces that rival interior spaces.

“A good kitchen is es-sential - whether indoors or out,” emphasized Victoria, host of HGTV’s

“Windy City Rehab” and DIY’s “Kitchen Crashers.” “A well-designed and well-appointed kitchen becomes the heart of any space. It’s where people gather. It’s where memo-ries are made. So, make it memorable!”

3. Industrial inspiration

There is a growing shift toward sleek, contempo-rary designs and materials for interior and exterior spaces as homeowners are increasingly finding inspiration in commercial settings like hotels and restaurants. Outdoors, this trend is manifesting in more industrial aluminum railing styles with sleek profiles and contemporary rod, mesh or glass inserts designed to optimize sightlines and deliver a modern flair.

4. Fire and water“Fire and water are

all the rage right now for outdoor spaces,” Victoria noted. “These elements not only take a space to the next level; they connect it to the natural

surroundings. Even in an urban setting, these elements add a sense of tranquility that can make you feel like you’re a million miles away.”

Fire pots, such as those in the new Trex Outdoor Fire & Water collection, can be positioned almost anywhere to create a cozy gathering spot - or com-bined in a series to pro-vide an ambient boundary for larger outdoor areas. For even greater visual im-pact, a fire table can serve

as a focal point and ele-vate the luxury and com-fort of an outdoor space. Likewise, the soothing sound of trickling water from integrated spillways, bowls or other features can instantly conjure calm and set a relaxed tone and atmosphere.

5. Bonus spaceIf you have a raised

deck, there is undoubtedly some open space under-neath. While, historically, this space has been used

for storage, the design trend for 2020 is to turn it into bonus living space by installing a deck drainage system. Designed to divert water away from a deck, systems like RainEscape create a dry space that can be outfitted with everything from furniture and accessories to lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and entertainment compo-nents.

For more outdoor liv-ing ideas and inspiration, visit Trex.com.

What’s next in outdoor living? Top trends for 2020

Crafting is enjoyed by children and adults. Even the most ardent arts and crafts enthusiasts might be surprised to learn that their favorite hobby can offer a number of benefits related to their health and well-being.

Research shows that regularly engaging in crafts can have tangible health benefits. The rhyth-mic and repetitive move-ments of certain crafts, as well as the need to focus one’s attention, can produce a calm that helps anyone, including those who may experience anx-iety, according to health and self-care resource Berkeley Wellness. In an online study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy that

surveyed more than 3,500 knitters, researchers found knitting was “soothing” and “restful” and had meditative or zen-like qualities.

The sense of accom-plishment after complet-ing a project is another great reason to engage in arts and crafts, which also may boost cognitive health by protecting cer-tain neurological path-ways in the brain.

There are many ways to engage with arts and crafts. Woodcrafting, painting, mosaic work, and metal arts are some popular activities.

One time-honed craft activity that is good for beginners or advanced crafters alike is candle-making. Today’s craft

stores sell many differ-ent types of waxes and products that can produce beautiful scented candles.

Teacup CandlesCandles can be housed

in various vessels, but a clever turn is to use tea-cups or mugs to mimic the look of popular beverages. There’s also the reassur-ance that such beverage holders can withstand hot wax.

Start by visiting a craft store and choosing a type of wax. Gel waxes are ver-satile and can boil, pour and set up easily. They’ll also be mostly translucent, which is great for repli-cating the look of various drinks. Follow the instruc-tions on the packages for usage and invest in coor-

dinating wicks, colorants, and appropriate scents.

It’s also necessary to choose a style of candle. In a teacup, a tea-col-ored hued wax paired with a lemon scent can be reminiscent of a hot cup of lemon tea. Use

other glasses or mugs to replicate the looks and scents of hot chocolate, mimosas, cappuccino, and much more.

As you become more comfortable, experiment with incorporating molded wax embellishments, such

as lemon slices, ice cubes, berries, or even cinnamon sticks. This will help drive home the realism and whimsy.

Treasure these candles for use around the house, or gift them to others on special occasions.

Old homes can be charming and contain architectural elements not often seen in many modern housing devel-opments. But what older homes may have in design appeal, they may lack in updated features.

While cosmetic chang-es are not necessarily dif-ficult, one area of concern in historic homes — and sometimes even in houses built 40 or 50 years ago — is archaic wiring. Wiring provides power to

every room of the home. In today’s electronics-driv-en society, electricity that works is an essential component of daily life. Over time, wiring can be compromised through simple aging, pest infil-tration, weather, or other conditions. Deteriorated wiring can present a shock hazard and also a serious fire hazard, warn the home renovation experts at The Spruce. Further-more, the home improve-ment site This Old House

advises that the amperage of old wiring may not be able to meet the needs of the devices used in homes — overpowering the circuits. This can cause breaker blowouts and other problems, such as overheated wires that may spark and cause fires from within the wall.

Wiring often falls into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. Homeowners may make allowances for inadequate electrical systems, such as running extension cords or using multiplug con-nectors to increase their wiring capacity. However, they may not be dili-gently keeping on top of upgrades needed to stay safe. Confirming that a home’s electrical system is safe is a necessary part of home maintenance.

For those who haven’t already done so, sched-ule an inspection with a licensed electrician to go over the home’s wiring.

He or she can determine if any areas pose a safety risk and/or do not con-form to local code require-ments and the National Electrical Code. Failure to meet code can lead to difficulty obtaining per-mits to make other home renovations, or difficulty selling a home later on.

The electrician can also

go over improvements that can improve safety and function. Additional outlets, including GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, may be part of the plan, as well as re-wiring a fuse box or circuit panel to allow for better flow of power around the house. Frayed wiring or underinsulated wiring also

may need to be replaced. Owners of old homes

should recognize possible electrical system dangers that require attention. Plus, considering electri-cal codes change quite frequently, it is always in a homeowner’s best interest to work with a qualified electrician to keep wiring inspected and up to date.

Candle crafts tap creativity

Time to replace old wiring?

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