Spring Home and Garden 2023

Spring Home & Garden

A work in progress

Lorna Libert, Jimmy Lindquist continue adding structure to their home/art studio

By Bill Helm Editor

That Lorna Libert has been making art in her home studio for more than 20 years is rather impressive.

That Libert is the home’s designer – and builder – is remarkable.

“Building my own house with my own two hands was something I’d never dreamt I would do,” Libert said recently. “It was quite an experience and I’m grateful that I got to do it.”

It was back in 1999 when Libert and her then-husband finished the home.

“I’ve since married a wonderful man who continues to transform the house and studio into an extra special home,” Libert said of Jimmy Lindquist.

Not only does Lindquist enjoy his wife’s art, but the pair also makes art together – the art of music.

“In addition to knowing how to fix pretty much everything, Jimmy is an outstanding musician,” Libert said. “On Sunday evenings a transformation takes place. Our home is filled with the sounds of the Glen Miller Band and Duke Ellington as my art studio becomes an incredible rehearsal space.”

Dr. Jimmy and the Swingtime Serenaders is a 17-piece group that plays big band music. A year ago, the band played Lynden’s annual Razz Festival. Every other week, that’s bi-monthly in some circles, the band rehearses in the couple’s home. Lindquist plays the trumpet, Libert plays the saxophone.

The art studio has “been our one and only rehearsal space since the band’s inception,” Lindquist said.

“Having Lorna’s studio available for big band is ab-

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Wednesdays, Lorna Libert opens her home/ art studio to several of her artist friends for painting and general socializing (top photo).

At right, Libert holds one of her pieces as her husband Jimmy Lindquist, background, looks at his wife's art. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)

solutely fantastic,” Lindquist said. “Rehearsing in an art gallery, amazing paintings on every wall. Our rehearsals are really fun. We have a great group of dedicated musicians.”

The lineup consists of five saxophonists, four trumpet players, and a musician each on guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums. Lindquist explained that the band also has singers who “perform with us, so we have, at the most, three female singers and one male singer when we play Andrews Sisters’ tunes.”

Libert paints big paintings in her big home

Although music fills the home, Libert built the studio because she is a painter, and she paints some really big pieces.

Such as Long Tall Sally, a 20-foot tall by 4-foot wide painting of a giraffe that fits cozily on the second story of the home. She also has a 8-foot by 4-foot painting of an elephant in her kitchen, a 15-foot by 80-inch triptych, and a 7-foot by 6-foot painting of a boat in her staircase.

“Some of my underwater paintings are 6- and 7-foot tall, as well as the large flying pelican in the studio,” Libert said of her oil paintings, mostly done on canvas, occasionally on wood panel. “Of course I also have pieces as small as 6-inch by 6-inch and everywhere in between.”

To accommodate for her larger works, Libert decided to build a home studio – for the high ceilings.

“I recall one particular day when an inspector came by. She looked around the large unfinished structure and asked if it was going to be a four bedroom house,” Libert recalled. “I replied, ‘Nope. Just one bedroom. The house is for my paintings and I paint big ones.’ She smiled.”

Jimmy Lindquist and Lorna Libert stand on the second floor of their home/ art studio. The home's builder and designer, Libert says their home space is a work in progress. (Bill Helm/ Lynden Tribune)

In October 2004, Libert opened her home/studio for the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour. Who should end up being one of Libert’s visitors? That same inspector.

“With her cheerful smile and now a paintbrush in her hand, she keeps coming back almost every week to paint with my Wednesday painting group,” Libert said.

Libert’s home is one bedroom, three bathrooms, approximately 3,400 square feet. Although the art studio/basement looks massive, it’s actually only 1,500 square feet. Approximately.

“Because the walls are one-foot thick, the square footage might actually be a little less,” Libert explained. “I believe the outside of the building measures 30-foot by 50-foot, if I remember correctly.”

Libert built the home studio now 24 years ago because her art had outgrown her downtown Bellingham studio.

However, Libert still has the downtown studio.

“I like having a small downtown studio in addition to my studio at home,” Libert said. “There are 15 artists in the downtown building. I love working at home because I can work from the minute I wake up until the wee hours of the night. However, there

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It's just not possible to find a room in Lorna Libert's Bellingham home studio that doesn't have art. Libert built the home studio now 24 years ago because her art had outgrown her downtown Bellingham studio. However, Libert still has the downtown studio. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)

Dr. Jimmy and the Swingtime Serenaders is a 17-piece group that plays big band music. A year ago, the jazz band played Lynden’s annual Razz Festival. Every other week, that’s bi-monthly in some circles, the band rehearses in the couple’s home/art studio. Jimmy Lindquist plays the trumpet, Lorna Libert plays the saxophone.

(Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)

are those times that I need to get away from the distractions of weeds, laundry, dishes, and the downtown space is good for that. It’s also nice to have a little interaction with other artists.”

Inspirations

In the late-1990s on the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour, Libert visited home/studios of local sculptors Don Anderson and Susanne Averre. That experience inspired her to “create a big space of my own where I could live, paint, show my work and participate in the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour.”

The design of her home, Libert said, came from inspiration from two other artist friends. One “had great light, high ceilings and work everywhere you looked.” The other lived and worked in an old barn on Fir Island.

“I wanted to buy a big old barn and turn it into a studio,” Libert said. “But building a home made more sense

Gardener s Picks

as far as having proper heat, insulation and windows exactly where I wanted them.”

So Libert designed her home with the idea of a big open rectangular barn in mind. Wall space, high ceilings, heat and good light “were crucial,” she said.

“Figuring out how to have enough windows and enough wall space was my biggest challenge,” Libert said. “I wanted lots of windows for the natural light, but required lots of walls as well as high ceilings for my large canvases.”

Materials

Although Libert has lived in her home since 1999, she said it is still a work in progress.

Thanks to the 2002 BIAWC Home and Garden Show at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Libert learned a few things that helped her continue the work on her home. Libert discovered Logix blocks.

“They are insulated concrete forms, these big Styrofoam blocks get stacked and staggered,” Libert said. “Steel rods are strategically placed throughout the forms, there are zip ties, tape and supports involved and then the concrete truck comes and pours concrete in their hollow centers. There’s three inches of Styrofoam, six inches of concrete and then another three inches of Styrofoam. The walls are 12 inches thick. They have a high R value which refers to the insulation, and can withstand some pretty major weather events.”

After the lengthy explanation, Libert said the blocks are like giant Legos.

“I knew how to use all sorts of power tools from building stretcher bars and frames for my paintings,” Libert said. “How hard could it be to stack big Legos, cut some steel rods, attach zip ties and build frames around windows? We figured the two of us could actually build a house.”

Thanks to instructional how-to books, Libert learned to install radiant heat, bamboo floors, build stairs, she also learned to lay tile and run electrical wires.

“We did most of the work ourselves with the help of family and friends,” Libert said. “We hired drywallers, roofers and builders to put up the post and beam. The house was up and full of art before we even had a piece of furniture.”

With furniture across the living space, a piano and a bevy of easels and paints in the studio, Libert opens her studio to a group of friends each Wednesday.

“It’s a funny story as to why I started teaching workshops in my home. I was actually inspired by my dining room table. I grew up with an old table that grows to seat 14 people when the leaves are in place. I loved that table and wanted to put it to use,” Libert said. “So I decided I’d teach an all-day Saturday painting workshop. We’d paint in my art studio on the first floor and midway through, I’d invite everyone upstairs, where the living space is, to sit around the dining room table with all its leaves in place and share a home-cooked lunch. Due to COVID-19, my Saturday workshops had to be put on hold. But I do have my lovely group of women who come and paint with me on Wednesdays.”

Learn more about Libert, as well as the Whatcom Artists Studio Tour, visit studiotour.net/lorna-libert.

-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune.com.

Black and white with love all over

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

Famed photographer

Ansel Adams was noted for his black and white photo-

graphs. In recent years, the black-and-white farmhouse has seen an upsurge in popularity and maintaining the high ceilings and spaciousness of the Great Room concept, often embracing minimalism with clean and distinct lines.

Built in 2022, the home of Mandy Van Dalen Knutson and Charles “Mike” Hinson is a large home, with a 3,487 square-foot first floor, another 982 square feet upstairs, a 616 squarefoot attached garage, and a

detached shop measuring 2,728 square feet.

There are plenty of places to park on the property.

Mandy and Mike recently talked about the construction of their home, as well as the formation of their lives together. The two met years ago, then dated as they each raised their own children. Once the children grew up, Mandy and Mike married and built their new home.

The home is a COVID-19

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Mandy Knutson, Mike Hinson, enjoy the home they had hands in designing

Mandy Van Dalen Knutson and Charles “Mike” Hinson, photo at left, stand in front of their Ferndale home, above. Built in 2022, their home has a 3,487 square-foot first floor, as well as 982 square feet upstairs, a 616 square-foot attached garage, and a detached shop measuring 2,728 square feet. Below, the couple in their kitchen. (Michael Lewis/Lynden Tribune)

Each room in the family's home allows space for the couple's combined three adult children and extended family, whether it be the living room (above), the dining room, around the kitchen’s island (at right), the covered back patio or the upstairs TV gaming room.

construction from 2021-2022 on property they had purchased and subdivided from Mandy’s family.

You can see Mandy’s former home through a back window within walking distance near her parents’ distinctive fairy-tale home off the next private road.

The contractor was Mandy’s brother John Van Dalen’s company, JVD Construction.

While Mandy and Mike used a home designer to complete the plan, much of the plan was in Mike’s mind.

Through the process, Mike kept an open phone line — and an open mind — as Mandy would call frequently with her ideas.

Extended family, extended space

Each room allows space for their combined three adult children — and extended family — whether it be the living room, the dining room, around the kitchen’s island, the covered back patio or the upstairs TV gaming room.

Mandy said her stepfather often comes from down the street for dinner.

From the front entrance, Mandy said she purposely picked black to encompass the woodwork. It wasn’t that

(Michael Lewis/Lynden Tribune) Continued on page 15

she didn’t appreciate the beauty in the wood, but Mandy said she had a vision for the home utilizing the black scheme.

Upon entry, the large living room is open to the kitchen with the dining room to the left of the entrance in an almost separate but visible room.

Mandy and Mike chose three large elegant, yet cheerful portraits of their dogs for the formal dining room with an oversized table surrounded by formal chairs from Wiser’s Furniture.

The dogs, black Labs named Dezi, Doc and Boomer, have well established beds in almost every room in the house.

Six oversized eight-foot gray barn doors slide between rooms to give privacy and unity. Mandy’s brother John took her considerations seriously with making sure the dimensions worked and even down to making the nails with a rustic finish.

Expertly stepped it off

In every building project, some wants are sacrificed for others. One of those was the proposed fire place for the living room. It has plenty of storage for displays and a wall-mount screen instead. They also decided against using rock along the outside of the home in favor of shiny black wood, Mandy said.

The master bedroom suite is as large as some small homes. Mike could not recall the dimensions and expertly stepped it off at close to 15-feet by 60-feet.

The Ashley sleigh king-sized bed has an oversized headboard and frame on one side, which allows for space to exercise, the

master bath with a soaking tub and walk-in shower with double shower heads and large walk-in closet.

A chandelier that Mike and Mandy put together in several hours hangs over the tub.

Across from the tub, the double sink has twin mirrors framed in silver and lit by barn light fixtures. A separate space allows for the toilet to be hidden away.

In the corner of the bedroom is a chair that doesn’t necessarily match the décor of the room or the home, but it is quite special to Mandy, she said. It is her praying chair, with a Bible on it.

So many options

Walk into the kitchen, then look into the unseen realm of where things are stored. So many options now exist for hiding things to maintain a clean look, but also having these same things readily accessible. High Craft Cabinets have drawer after drawer situated for different sized items, such as spice racks, pots and pans. The 10-foot by 4-foot center island is topped by a quartz countertop with the quartz pulled up the wall as a backsplash as well.

A black farmhouse sink is part of the Kohler brand selections for fixtures.

Several guest rooms, and one used by Mandy’s son Mason Knutson, have full hotellike bathrooms on the rest of the first floor in addition to one of the nicest looking mud/laundry rooms seen in Whatcom County located between the garage, the

At an estimated 15-by60 feet, the couple's master bedroom suite is as large as some small homes. The Ashley sleigh king-sized bed has an oversized headboard and frame on one side, which allows for space to exercise, the master bath with a soaking tub and walk-in shower with double shower heads and large walkin closet. (Michael Lewis/ Lynden

Tribune)

kitchen, the back bedrooms and the stairs to the second floor.

A couch is included in the tableau with a farmer’s sink. The gray washer-and-dryer are LG from DeWaard and Bode and can service larger loads, as well as smaller loads.

Work and play

Upstairs, there’s an immediate desk that serves as the office space for Mandy’s business, JMT Sunless. Adjacent to her desk is the family’s gaming room separated by double barn doors.

The family not only found a way to extend the couch by adding more sections to it, but they also have a poker set up at the far end of the room. The gaming room extends over the garage and lab. Rather than having a window at the end, they cut 10 feet into the room space to create in effect a covered outdoor patio. This strategy also saved on some of the building concerns.

Back downstairs and through the twocar garage, of which a portion is used for Mandy’s business shipping needs.

The lab is accessed through the garage and through a locked door into a separate family business for spray tanning, now known as Bronzed Hide and Beauty. It has a waiting area, bathroom, two tanning rooms and space for boutique items.

Mandy’s son’s girlfriend Rainy Kiel runs this business. The lab is compact, as space was given to the salon, but has a fantastic array of small labeled drawers within beautiful cabinetry. Mandy’s cousins and her sister, Sara Sprecklemeyer, join her to manufacture and ship product.

If the house bears the hallmarks of things Mandy may enjoy, the oversized shop is both a workshop and a man cave for Mike. It has its own bath and office and three bays for parking.

The Tennessee native, who is an engineer, Mike has adequate space for working on and storing boats and cars. It is not just for show but is put to use.

Upstairs is office space, top left, for Mandy’s business, JMT Sunless. Mandy’s son’s girlfriend Rainy Kiel, above, runs the business. Adjacent to Mandy's desk is the family’s gaming room, top right, separated by double barn doors. At right, the garage. (Michael Lewis/Lynden Tribune)

Trading in the Southwest for the PNW

Charlotte Pollard lives in her specially designed home just outside of Bellingham

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

Charlotte Pollard’s house is back amongst the trees, yet it is about 10 minutes from Bellingham. At 1,600 square feet, Pollard’s home is surprisingly more spacious than the exterior would indicate. Possibly because many floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living space and her own take on

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Born and raised in Kentucky, Charlotte Pollard moved to New York City, then to New Mexico before moving to Whatcom County. (Photos of home are courtesy photos. Photo of Charlotte Pollard by Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)

the great room concept applied to modern design.

With lots of windows and stark radiantheated flooring, the home also has comfortable rugs, unusual light fixtures that don’t only bring in light but also add to the art.

Born and raised in an old farmstead in Kentucky, Pollard moved to New York City for school and career. She eventually relocated to the blue skies and desert of New Mexico where she completed her professional career, then more recently to the woods outside of Bellingham.

Pollard, now 73, said she does not miss the sunshine of the southwest. “It should be the last move,” she said.

Welcome to the PNW

Now retired, Pollard talks of the process

of designing a home that both contains what she wants and includes aspects for aging in place.

Possibly the hardest part of the process, Pollard said, was locating the property. First she searched Oregon, then Washington.

“Bellingham was the last place I looked,” she said.

Pollard said she knew she wanted the site to contain forest, be outside a nontouristy city. She drove around for a while before engaging the services of Grady Smith of Coldwell Banker Bain, in Bellingham.

First, they spoke on the phone before driving to sites Smith had selected. Once Smith got a better feel for her needs, he found additional sites including this one. It had what she wanted as well as privacy.

“Grady and I went bushwhacking through nine properties in one day,” Pollard said. “He promised to keep looking for a buildable lot, and I went home to New Mexico thinking I would never hear from him. Two weeks later he sent me three photos. I flew back to Washington and left having made a bid on one of the lots which was accepted.”

Once she had the property, Pollard researched and interviewed potential home designers and architects and decided upon Haven Design Workshop, formerly in Fairhaven and now in Ferndale. Haven Design’s portfolio contained modern residential designs, and the firm was willing to work on a project with a smaller scope but still full of style.

Knowing what you want

What was a key part of the designer/client process?

Pollard said that Sean Hegstad of Haven Design listened.

“Sean gave me a clever pictorial view of the design process he uses and then reviewed my crude floor plan sketch and list of must haves that fit my design sense and aging in place needs,” Pollard said. “He produced two conceptual designs. I liked elements of both, he drew up the new plan and then we moved to construction drawings. Three meetings total, and he provided good support during the construction process as well.”

Hegstad, an architect, LEED AP, said many firms are so focused on creating their own reputation and impressive portfolio that they forget to hear the needs of the client. That is important to him.

Hegstad came up with two plans. Pollard took half from each to make the final plan. The process also meant being aware of her budget and when to keep something she loved – and when to let go of it. One thing she let go of was extra cabinets in the

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(Courtesy photos)

mud room area to go with a simpler organizational structure. They also looked at the ceiling height and it was lowered but still kept the feeling she sought.

Bellingham’s Kota Construction is a general contractor. Pollard said that working with Kota Construction was as comfortable as working with Haven.

“Jesse Turgeon at Kota is also easy to talk to,” Pollard said. “Jesse was the 12th of 13 (general contractor) who I interviewed. He was excited by the design, offered creative suggestions and turned in a budget quickly. He also had an excellent crew and everyone was fun to work with along the way. I think I am the only custom homeowner I know that can say “my contractor came in on time and slightly under budget.”

Varied tastes

Pollard likes, irises, horizons, clouds, mountains, indigenous people and archaeology.

Construction started in January 2020. Kota would not only build the framework of the home but the cabinets, trim and counters.

Pollard, an accomplished professional, knows what she wants. In New York City, Pollard had two brownstone units combined into one larger unit. But this was the first time she had built a home.

In her working years she developed and utilized a skill set of being an organizational development consultant to help work teams get along long enough to make needed decisions.

At the time she started into that career, there weren’t specific degrees geared specifically for that.

Since Charlotte Pollard enjoys entertaining, the kitchen peninsula opens space to allow visiting while completing meal preparation on the DeWaard & Bode appliances.

The kitchen also has an opaque frosted sliding glass door that creates a separation between meal prep and serving space. (Courtesy photo)

She went through uncharted territory, made a few self-admitted mistakes along the way, and refined the process.

Her wasband, meaning her former husband, is an architect. Pollard said she learned a thing or two from being around him. She interviewed several potential firms for both the role of architect/designer and contractor. Pollard also got his opinion on occasion.

Creative use of space

Pollard has art, maps and indigenous artifacts from her travels to 38 countries to display in her home. However, she did downsize a bit, as she gave away an estimated 500 books.

Having lived in NYC, Pollard referred to some of her collectables as tchotchkes since they tend to be more decorative than strictly functional.

The house is big enough for a single woman, but the spaces can be redefined, such as an office to becoming a bedroom for a future occupant with the addition of a closet.

Since Pollard enjoys entertaining, the kitchen peninsula both opens the kitchen space to allow visiting while

completing meal preparation on the DeWaard & Bode appliances.

This kitchen also has a unique feature which is more common in NYC. It is an opaque frosted sliding glass door that creates a separation between the often messy meal prep and the desired uncluttered serving space. Once the guests have said their good-byes and departed, Pollard can reopen the door to clean up.

A nook in the far end of the living space has the book and display cases, with objects from her travels abroad. The adjacent wall serves as art gallery. Beyond the wall, a hallway leads directly into the master bedroom. Around the corner is Pollard’s office, also the master bath and the storage and utility areas near the garage. More sliding glass doors also beautifully hide things away.

A separate space has been created with arched entrances and exits between the living room and the bedroom to serve as a smaller den/TV room. It’s a bit cozier to read, watch a show, or do cross stitch. A simple bar against the wall can be pulled out to

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At 1,600 square feet, Charlotte Pollard’s home is surprisingly more spacious than the exterior would indicate, with many large windows in the main living space and her own take on the great room concept applied to modern design. Pictured, Pollard's bathroom and tub. (Courtesy photo)

utilize the space for exercise as well.

Although Pollard’s bedroom has darker walls, the walls have several smaller windows higher up. This design not only lets light into the room but it also provides privacy. This is different than her office and bath areas, which have more windows to give the impression of the inside and outside spaces as one and the same.

Pollard’s sofa has gone with her through her moves but with updated recovering each time. While she took some favorite furnishings with her, such as her bed, sofa, and a desk/console, Pollard did acquire a custom table with curved wood components under glass. The table was created by an artist she had met at an art fair. Since she likes asymmetry, the artist made the table with three legs, rather than four.

Around the exterior, the landscaping is young and designed to blend into the framework of the wooded setting. Pollard has added some whimsy for her enjoyment: small items of art in groupings and statuary from My Garden Nursery.

In Port Townsend, Pollard found a series of rocks with slits, which now sit along her walkway. Her shiny Airstream trailer is parked nearby and was where she lived during part of the construction.

Charlotte Pollard's house is big enough for a single woman, but the spaces can be redefined, such as an office becoming a bedroom for a future occupant with the addition of a closet.

(Courtesy photo)

Create a new lawn, with professional help

scaper or a homeowner.

Sod is a quite sensitive product, and DeBruin recommends that the 2-by-4-foot rolls be placed down within 24 hours of being cut.

By Cal Bratt For the Tribune

You have decided to put in a new lawn. What are your options? What do you need to consider?

In northwest Washington in March, all gardeners are eager for the sun to start shining steadily and the soil to warm up enough for plant roots to come to life. The same is true for grass growing.

Although he has put in sod through the winter, Joel Wiersma of Wiersma Enterprises acknowledges that the lawn installation business is one driven by the seasons. In early spring he can now be prepping yards with an eye to seeding them in April and May.

His question to a landowner might be, “Do you want to wait and take advantage of the temperature getting better in the next few weeks?” Wiersma said. “It’s drying out in a hurry.”

Once we get to good weather, the options in general for creating a lawn are dry seeding, hydro-seeding, and sodding with already-started turf -- with the costs of each rising approximately in that order.

Some companies specialize in just one or another method. Wiersma does it all. He himself provides the overall coordination and supervision of a job, and he will hire a crew for a big day or two of intense work.

Prepping a site, putting in an irrigation system and supplying topsoil are all possible parts of the process.

BAI Environmental Services grew out of industrial restoration work. Its focus is hydro-seeding.

The advantage of hydro-seeding is that grass seed is applied imbedded in a layer of wood, straw or paper mulch of up to a half-inch thick, which helps to retain moisture and provide a fertilizer base for the grass to start growing, said Ivan DeVries of BAI.

The application can be two-dimensional for best coverage of an area. Hydro-seeding also helps counter soil erosion.

DeVries said he buys BAI’s seed mixes -- and Wiersma as well for his business -- at the wholesale agronomy department of CHS Northwest. Those mixes are not exactly available to the retail customer, although close equivalents are among the variety of Major League blends in the CHS retail stores.

Seed mixes are something that Vander Giessen Nursery of Lynden gained experience on in its many years of installing lawns, led by owner Alvin Vos -- although he does so no longer.

In the cool and wet weather of the Northwest, fescue does best long-term and must be a strong part of a mix, Vos said. Therefore, the formula Vander Giessen

settled on, and still sells as grass seed, is 50% fescue, 40% ryegrass and 10% Kentucky bluegrass.

(The seed mixes in stores tend largely toward ryegrass as dominant. The Shade mix of Major League gets to almost 60% fescue and its Water Warden mix is entirely fescue.)

Vander Giessen sells the starter fertilizer to go with a lawn replant as well.

April is an ideal time to start a new lawn, as can also be September, Vos said. You must keep a newly seeded plot lightly moist to get the grass to sprout strong, and of course it needs to be protected against romping dogs and kids.

As a total believer in seeded lawns, Vos says he thinks they end up smoother underfoot and for mowing than a sodded one.

But Professional Turf Growers of Sumas has certainly been on an upward growth path since founding 27 years ago. Now run by Tim DeBruin, the operation has expanded from 40 acres to more than 140 in sod along Jones Road and the Canada border.

It is the only such sod source in Whatcom County and is supplying Lowe’s and Home Depot

stores in the Puget Sound region.

There is also production of the seed used, available in 10-pound bags in either a fescue or ryegrass emphasis, at the Sumas offices. In fact, Turf Growers has added a hydro-seeder to enhance its reach that way too, DeBruin said.

Sales are usually to a land-

Sod rolls in sunlight must be kept watered. He also urges landowners to consider that a sod spot must receive at least five hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally well more than seven, to be successful.

The Professional Turf Growers website, under Grow Like A Pro, has extensive guidance on how to install and care for sod for best results. For instance, application of a 16-4-8 fertilizer should be at half to one pound per 1,000 square feet of yard.

Wiersma likewise emphasizes the ongoing care that must follow the seeding or sodding of a lawn, and that may include some overseeding in bare and struggling spots over time.

“You have to feed it. You have to water it. You have to get sunshine on it,” he said.

But these professionals will get a lawn started for you.

Various local firms have the expertise and share their advice

At Professional Turf Growers east of Sumas, top photo, a large roller flattens out the sod from the effects of winter. Some sod has already been harvested. Above, watering is always of first importance from the very beginning of creating sod. (Cal Bratt for the Tribune)

Couple purchases family business during pandemic, creates thriving new generation

Business thriving three years after signing papers during pandemic

By Sarah McCauley Staff Reporter

When most people start a new business, they look forward to grand opening celebrations and lots of customers streaming in and out the door.

For Mitch and Sabrina Valich who took over Mitch’s parent’s business, Walls & Windows, at the start of the COVID-19  pandemic, this was not the case.

After signing papers, they watched as their business sat empty for weeks.

“It was like, here are the keys to your new business. By the way, you’re closed,” Sabrina said, laughing.

The downtime would turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as it offered the couple a chance to reinvent the space and make it their own. Since then, they have come out on top with a thriving business.

How it all started

The business was established in 1982, but it was in 1992 that Mitch’s parents purchased the business from his aunt and uncle who owned it at the time. His parents, Karen and Mike Valich, steadily grew the business.

They moved it from the original tiny office space and into the large welcoming warehouse customers find today along Hannegan Road.

Leading up to the decision to take over the establishment, Mitch was working at Les Schwab but started helping out at Walls & Windows.

Over time, Mitch explained, he became more comfortable helping out at the business. He eventually joined the team, working full-time to help with installations while learning the behind the scenes of running the family business.

His parents were approaching retirement age and, as most people do when they reach this period of life, they started showing signs they were ready to move on.

Mitch laughed remembering how his

Mitch and Sabrina Valich bought Mitch’s parent’s business, Walls & Windows, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The downtime would turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as it offered the couple a chance to reinvent the space and make it their own. Leading up to the decision to take over the establishment, Mitch was working at Les Schwab but started helping out at Walls & Windows. (Sarah McCauley/Lynden Tribune)

dad would come in a little later each day, and his mom would say she just wanted to take the day off to go play.

New beginnings

It was over a family dinner one night that his parents said it was time to retire. The Valich family began entertaining the idea of Mitch and his wife taking over Walls & Windows.

“So we had talked about, OK, what does that look like?” Mitch said. “We agreed upon a price. We agreed upon a time.”

This all took place in 2019 when the thought of living through a global pandemic was something most of us thought we had to watch a sci-fi movie to experience. Mitch remembers hearing mumblings of some virus going around and shrugging it off as nothing major to be concerned with. A thought process a lot of the population was going through at the time.

Flash forward to April 2020: the world is at a standstill, but the agreement is still in the air. Mitch’s parents would still love to retire, but of course they knew the situation had become more complex. Karen and Mike wondered if Mitch and Sabrina really wanted to see the deal through.

“They did give us that option. They were like, ‘Are you sure?’” Sabrina said. “‘We can postpone the sale.’ And we were just like, ‘No, we’re good. We agreed to it. We can do it.”

Another generation

Three years after signing papers to take over Walls & Windows, the Valich family is successfully carrying the family business into a new generation. The isolation they experienced at the beginning while the business was quiet didn’t thwart their plans. In fact, it was almost a gift.

All that extra time gave them the ability to renovate the space and make it their own. Reimagining the business for this new era of ownership.

“We repainted and moved everything around,” Mitch said. “When everybody came back, it was like, here’s your new store.”

Business always, but family first

Part of this rebranding involved changing the logo, which ended up being based off of a drawing Mitch’s mother had made when she was young. A nod to his parent’s previous ownership. And even beyond this touch, a sense of family can be felt throughout the store.

Many workplaces claim to promote a culture where the crew feels like family, but at Walls & Windows, they really take this to heart. Whereas other workplaces might have teams that simply say hello in the morning, the employees at Walls & Windows share their lives together. Whether it be the news that a relative was lost and grieving together, or celebrating the fun moment of a child losing a tooth and showing the photos.

Each morning, the tight knit crew of 11 gathers around a calendar with Jeopardy questions on it that they usually have a good laugh over as everyone attempts to answer the daily question. Then, they go their separate ways making sales calls or completing installations.

Unique service

No day looks exactly like the last at Walls & Windows. From blind and shade repairs, to window covering installations, the business provides a wide range of services. Even services that are hard to find elsewhere like ultrasonic cleaning. These unique offerings bring in calls that have them driving as far away as Seattle or Friday Harbor.

“Nobody around here really focuses on the repair side of things like we do. There’s

nobody that does ultrasonic cleaning like we do,” Mitch said.

Through their blind recycling program, they have built up a library of blind repair parts that fills the backroom of their warehouse. Making it easy and affordable to quickly find the proper part to fix whatever blind-related issue a customer walks in with. While saving money and materials at the same time.

Looking forward

After keeping their business afloat through the pandemic, it’s hard to think of anything that could hold the duo back. At the end of the day, the Valich family said they just want to provide great service and a fun environment for their team.

“I think as soon as people come in here, and see how all the employees are and the services that we do and how we work and how we treat everybody,” Mitch said. “I think that everybody just gets it and they know.”

Walls & Windows is at 4131 Hannegan Road, Suite 104, Bellingham. Call (360) 676-5223, or visit their website at wallsandwindowsinc.com.

-- Contact Sarah McCauley at sarah@lyndentribune.com

Don’t make break-ins easier for burglars

By Brian Carlson

For the Tribune

During this time of heightened criminal conduct involving home invasions and business break-ins, we are constantly looking for ways to feel safe for our families and employees.

Don’t make it easier for burglars, make it harder with some easy tips.

Install motion sensor lighting. Keep trees and gardens groomed so that there aren’t any hiding places.

Lock up unsecured sheds, windows,

doors, garages, and gates.

Consider door accessories such as peep holes, chain locks, dead bolts and digital locks. Answer the door without removing the security of your door.

Add an intercom or a doorbell camera and mic. Install cameras and alarms that can be monitored by your smart phone.

Placing alarm signage or beware of dog signs even if you don’t have them. Fake cameras can be a deterrent, but cameras are cheaper now more than ever before. Keep your valuables hidden.

Use a safe that is bolted to the floor. Close your blinds. Don’t leave cash,

phones, watches or other valuables where they can be seen from outside.

Neighborhood watch: nnw.org.

Set timers for lights to come on when you aren’t at home, preferably at odd times to prevent someone from thinking it is a timer.

Putting your travel plans or recent purchases on social media is dangerous. Anything that you put on social media is shareable.

Don’t put a spare key under the mat or where someone can look or see you get it.

If you need a spare key, then find an obscure location, or better yet, give it to a

trusted family member or friend.

Dogs can hear very well and are easily alerted to an intruder.

Security Barrier: placing a secured screen to prevent break-ins.

CrimSafe screens can be put on your windows and doors that will prevent a burglar from breaking your glass or door to gain entry.

These are but a few of the many things you can consider doing to keep your personal or professional spaces safe.

Homeowners and business owners are constantly looking for ways to feel safe for their families and employees. Consider door accessories such as peep holes, chain locks, dead bolts and digital locks. (Photo courtesy Mario Heller)

CABINETS COUNTERS

Everson Garden Club

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

On Monday, March 13, around 25 women walked into the council chambers at Everson City Hall for a meeting of the Everson Garden Club.

The main discussion was the upcoming plant sale, the first since 2019. There is a lot of work to be done and this club is handson. The next meeting is from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday,  April 10.

Members, and interested parties, meet at a club greenhouse near the Everson Elementary School, to separate and pot plants that they have brought from their own gardens or to help with plants others have donated.

In exchange for four hours of work, and helping to set up for the big sale on the last Saturday of April, the members get first pick

at the sale items.

At the club meetings, during the school year, which are the second Monday of the month, the topic also usually includes gardening expertise when not planning for the sale.

The club also visits each other’s gardens, goes on outings with plant sale proceeds, and has donated funds for purchasing library books and helping with other community projects such as the greenhouse at Nooksack Valley High School, the pergola at the Riverside Park, and the landscaping at the Everson Library.

The Everson Garden Club maintains a Facebook page. Work sessions are on Wednesday and Saturdays during March and into early April. Anyone new to potting and labeling will work alongside more experienced members.

For more information, call 360-592-0977.

VAN’S

PLUMBING AND ELECTRIC, INC.

Approximately 25 members attend the Everson Garden Club’s meetings, held the second Monday of the month during the school year. The club is both a working group and a social group. (Elisa Claassen for the Tribune)

GARDEN

Everson Garden Club to hold first plant sale since 2019

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

The Everson Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, on the Everson Elementary School lawn, 216 Everson-Goshen Road.

Having started in 1990 by a group of garden lovers in Nooksack Valley, the annual sale is a primary fundraiser for the club’s activities, outings, and community donations. It is returning for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

This sale offers lots of colorful perennials – unusual as well as old stand-byes – native plants, shrubs and small trees at significantly less than retail prices.

All plants sold can thrive in Whatcom County, according to the club. Additional vendors will offer veggie starts, specialty plants and crafts. Cash or checks only for payment.

Going east on State Route 544, the school is on the left upon entering Everson. For more details, see the club’s Facebook page.

The Everson Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, on the Everson Elementary School lawn, 216 Everson-Goshen Road. The plant sale is returning for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. (Elisa Claassen for the Tribune)

Garden group also does community projects

Lynden Gardeners and Social Group creates herb garden for Lynden Fire Station

By Elisa Claassen

For the Tribune

The Lynden Gardeners and Social Group (LGSG) is fairly new and already quite busy, not only getting to know each other but also doing community projects.

Relatively new to Lynden, Mary Lou Childs came from Anacortes, and wanted a way to meet people when she started the group, she said.

“I also wanted to provide a service to my new community that I love so much,” she said.

In Anacortes, Childs had been president of the Skyline Garden Club for two years and secretary for two years before that. In 2020, she completed the WSU training to become a Master Gardener and put in 60 hours of volunteer work even though the requirement was dropped due to COVID-19.

“I no longer volunteer with the Master Gardeners. But in February 2022 I started this gardening group in my barn on Benson Road. It took five heaters to warm up the end of the barn where we met but we have a jolly group and they dress in layers and bring their own lawn chairs and maybe a blanket,” Childs said.

About half of the members are new to the area and this has been a terrific way to meet others who also love gardening, Childs said.

There are no membership dues or fees to attend a meeting.

Meetings have been moved from the barn to the downstairs at Rustler’s Front Street Grill at 405 Front Street in Lynden. Meetings are on the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. until noon. People can come early, preferably by 8:45 a.m., to order breakfast served downstairs or stay after the meeting to eat lunch and socialize.

During the three summer months the group will take a break from meetings but do social events including garden hops to each other’s homes, field trips, and a group picnic.

Childs said about 40 people have been

coming to meetings. In addition to a variety of topics, and guest speakers, the members enjoy show-and-tell times to pass along garden expertise.

On March 21, the group taught a short class of growing flowers and vegetables in pots at the Lynden Community Center.

“We feel it is important that our group is also community service minded,” Childs said. “Last June, we adopted the big Lynden planter at 7th and Front streets next to the new mural. Since then we have donated a big beautiful rock, put in a dry creek bed planted with pansies, also several trees and perennials, and lots of free labor. Later in the spring

we will be planting lots of colorful flowers. The petunia trees this summer will be purple.”

LGSG has added an additional project: an herb garden for the Lynden Fire Station.

“Some of us recently took a tour of the remodeled building and started talking about cooking when we saw the new kitchen,” Childs said. “The personnel there loved the idea of being able to grow their own herbs so one of our members, along with some of their people, got behind the idea and are making it happen.”

E-mail Childs at marylouchilds@comcast.net for more information.

Pruning class at old Bovenkamp farm with Lynden Gardeners and Social Group members getting hands-on training. (Photo courtesy Mary Lou Childs)

Haven Design helps people realize their dreams

Sean Hegstad says hiring the right architect is key

By Bill Helm Editor

Hiring the right architect is the single most important decision for a successful project. That’s what Ferndale’s Haven Design Workshop tells its prospective clients.

Started in 2008 by Sean Hegstad, Haven Design Workshop believes that what really matters is how you feel when you open that door for the first time and step into your home.

“Here at Haven, we enjoy designing beautiful homes,” their website states. “But more than that, we love the looks on our family’s faces when they’ve realized their dream.”

Hegstad said that in the 15 years since he opened Haven Design Workshop, people have developed “a better understanding of how good design will greatly impact their lives.”

“In addition, we’re designing smaller homes that are more intentional about space and allow for a variety of uses,” he said.

Recently, Hegstad talked about home architecture, as well as meeting his clients’ needs.

Lynden Tribune: What are some of the current trends in home architecture?

Sean Hegstad: Bringing the outside in is very important in design today. Even with a moderate climate, the use of roof coverings, heating, etc. more people desire

to spend more time outside. Another current trend is making one’s home more energy efficient and durable through the use of higher quality heating/cooling, windows, insulation, etc. and with materials that will last longer. This will reduce future energy costs and the home will take less effort to maintain over the life of the building.

Tribune: Do tiny homes also tend to bring the outside in?

Hegstad: This is a good strategy in order for the home to feel larger, but the size and position of windows and doors makes a big difference.

Tribune: Are there common misconceptions prospective clients have when they ask you to design their home?

Hegstad: Some homeowners think that it’s very expensive to hire an architect. What they sometimes don’t understand is that by hiring an experienced architect, they will save cost on wasted space. In addition, they will have a home design that will be more valuable both in the short and long term.

Tribune: Not all homes are for everyone. How do you get your client to say ‘yes’ when what they want won’t necessarily work?

Hegstad: It’s very important in home design to be an active listener and engage in conversation that discusses the pros and cons for a variety of decisions. It the end, it’s about the trust we develop with the client that lets them know we are looking out for their best interest while still ca-

tering to their needs.

Tribune: When you talk about smaller homes and how they are more intentional about space, could you explain what that means?

Hegstad: Through a thoughtful exploration of how they will use the space(s) we can be more deliberate about how much space is needed and thus, we can reduce the overall size.

Tribune: Can a person pay significantly less for a smaller home?

Hegstad: On a cost-per-square-foot basis, the smaller the home gets the more it will cost per square foot. But, with less square footage, you can potentially save more on your overall project cost.

We then asked Hegstad which questions a prospective client should ask. Haven’s project planning packet explains in detail how finding the right architect depends on several factors, such as personality, design, experience, motivation, construction knowledge, collaborative approach and budget.

The following are questions Haven recommends their clients ask:

• What unique value do you have for our specific type of project?

• How can you add value to our home so that we maximize the return on investment when/if we sell?

• Do you offer a feasibility analysis service to help move us safely and efficiently towards the design phase?

• What are the specific challenges for our type of project and how have you over-

come these in the past?

• If my budget, timeline and scope of project are unrealistic, will you let me know?

• What is the difference between an architect and a designer?

• What’s the benefit of hiring an architecture team versus an individual?

• Do you have a process that outlines how we will all successfully work together?

• Will you run the contractor selection process to find and select the best construction team?

• What educational material do you provide so we can understand the requirements of our specific type of project?

Haven Design Workshop is at 5828 Second Ave., Suite 101, Ferndale. Call 360527-2840 or email hello@haven-dw.com for more information. Or visit haven-dw. com.

-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune. com.

Sean Hegstad

Backyarding

Get ready, but keep safety in mind

By OPEI

Backyarding is the art of taking indoor activities to the outdoors. It’s also a trend that has caught on. As winter begins to wind down, thoughts of playing in and working in our yards often kick into high gear.

Perhaps you are already dreaming of family gatherings, grilling and eating in your backyard. Or maybe you wish to add a yoga zone, design an outdoor movie theater, or build an agility course for your pet this year.

Or perhaps this is the year you wish to add a pollinator garden or plant a vegetable or flower garden. Or are you hoping to get that outdoor office setup with extended WiFi?

Knowing the purpose of your yard and how it will meet the needs of your family and pets is a great start to getting backyardready for these warmer weather activities. Also, knowing your climate zone and the mix of trees, shrubs, grass and flowering plants that will grow sustainably is key to designing a dream yard. After all, our yards are not only an oasis for family but also for wildlife and important pollinators such as birds, bees and butterflies.

Now is the time to start planning. Visit your nursery, plant centers, outdoor power equipment service dealers, and/or contact a landscaper, according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

“Think about how your yard can work best for you, your family, pets and community, but do it now,” says Kris Kiser, CEO and president of OPEI. “While you’re getting it in top shape for warm weather, remember to keep safety top of mind especially with your equipment and tools.”

Here are some tips from OPEI to get your backyard ready, safely and efficiently:

• Take stock of your outdoor power equipment to help you maintain your yard and make big jobs easier. A lawn mower will trim the grass, but perhaps you might need a cultivator for a garden, a chain saw to take down dead tree limbs, or a leaf blower to clear debris. Having the right equipment on hand can help you save time and effort if you don’t want to hire a professional.

• Follow equipment manufacturer’s guidance for safety and usage of all out-

door power equipment. Look over the manual for your equipment for a refresher on how to safely use it, and read the safety information on equipment manufacturer’s web sites. Review how to shut on and off equipment and make sure safety features are working and have not been disabled. Never disengage or disable manufacturerinstalled safety equipment.

• Remember to keep children and pets away from outdoor power equipment. No children on mowers.

• Do not mow in reverse, and avoid starting, stopping or turning a mower on a slope. Follow manufacturer guidance to the letter on mowing on slopes.

• Service equipment as needed and according to manufacturer’s directions. Wellmaintained equipment will last longer and run more efficiently.

• Buy fresh fuel for gasoline-powered equipment and be sure you have matched the correct battery with the right charger. Only use batteries that are authorized for

your equipment and do not use counterfeits.

• Before working in the yard, clear the area of dead limbs, sticks and debris. Inspect trees for damage and clear the work area.

By keeping this information in mind, you can get your yard in its best shape safely.

For more information, visit OPEI.org.

Building a new home with financing

Learn how construction loans finance new home builds for borrowers

Reports of a cooling housing market might seem premature in our region, given the limited housing inventory. In response, you might consider building your own home. Typically more costly than a home purchase, new construction is certainly not out of reach for those who need financing.

Home construction loans are designed for those who want to finance such a project. Whitney Tjoelker, a Peoples Bank mortgage loan officer, discusses how these loans work. A Lynden native, she brings a decade of experience working with prospective homeowners.

Why consider building a home?

A lack of inventory created a seller’s market with escalating prices. Prospective buyers could spend their budget purchasing a home, or they might build something with that amount. Especially if they’re unable to find something suitable, building allows customization from start to finish.

How does a home construction loan work?

A home construction loan is designed to finance the cost of building a new home. A one-step (or single-closing) loan is the most popular type. This loan finances a project through its building phase and automatically converts into a fully amortized 30-year or 15-year fixed mortgage once built. No refinancing is required.

A two-step loan is designed for when a one-step loan doesn’t apply. High-end custom construction, for example, might fall above conforming loan limits or take longer to build. For this type of loan, the building phase is financed by an adjustable-rate mortgage. Upon completion, the construction loan can be restructured into a permanent financing option that works best for the borrower.

What are the qualifications for a home construction loan?

Qualifying for a home construction loan is similar to other home loans. The bank will examine your credit history and income to determine your ability to repay.

It will then analyze the value of the project to ensure the loan meets the loan-to-value criteria. Borrowers with a one-step loan can finance up to 90% of the project’s value, meaning they’d need a 10% down payment.

It’s a common misconception that a cash down payment is necessary. If you own the land you’re building on, the equity in your land can serve as a down payment. It’s best to talk with a lender about your specific project to determine possible options.

Are there special considerations when building a home?

Unlike traditional home purchases, construction can come with extra costs. Changes often occur during the building phase, and you’re responsible for any overages. The time from start to finish is also longer. It typically takes 30 days to close on a purchase. A home build can take two or more years.

If you’re not prepared for unexpected costs or a lengthier timeline, you may want to consider purchasing an existing home. An excellent option for first-time buyers, use that home to build equity and utilize the equity to find that perfect property on which to build later. Another good option is pre-sale homes. These are homes under construction where you have the opportunity to customize some of the finishes.

What should borrowers look for in a lender?

Find a lender who understands how home construction loans work, is upfront about the costs, and with whom you communicate well. Once in the build phase, you want to be able to easily connect with all parties and avoid surprises.

A lender with the right support will help you navigate the entire process. Peoples Bank has a dedicated group of specialists knowledgeable about home construction loans in our region. Customers can call us anytime and have their questions answered.

The team at Peoples Bank knows local Washington builders and has ample resources to guide borrowers. We want to make sure you’re going to be successful and happy in the house even after the loan is closed. It’s truly rewarding to see how excited people are to get into their new homes and know that we’ve been able to help them.

-- Whitney Tjoelker is a mortgage loan officer at the Peoples Bank Lynden Financial Center. She has a deep understanding of the loan process and documentation requirements required to secure a home loan. Whitney graduated from Lynden High School and attended Western Washington University and the University of Washington.