Tips & trends
Granville designer Amy Butler has introduced the Morning Blossom collection of bedding this summer.
Courtesy Amy Butler
Amy Butler introduces bedding, rugs and more
Comfort meets style with Amy Butler’s new vintage-inspired textiles released this season. The Granville-based designer recently introduced two new patterns in her 100-percent organic bedding collection—Lacework and Morning Blossom.
Made from low impact dyes and organic cotton, both designs reflect Butler’s passion for nature, as well as her company’s commitment to sustainability.
The Lacework collection is a contemporary style with a combination of colors in warm gray, pear green and soft blue, while the Morning Blossom collection takes on a more romantic vibe with its deep blue, ivory and lavender palette.
The two new bedding collections, as well as her Sari Blooms collection, can be found at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores or ordered online. Prices range from $99 to $149 for duvets, depending on size.
The Amy Butler brand produces additional products for the home including towels, hand-crafted rugs, wallpaper and wall art.
—Jill Span
Affordable gifts fromTiffany’s
With a small selection of glassware, ranging from stemware to candlesticks and vases, Tiffany & Co. at Easton Town Center has an elegant mix of surprisingly affordable options, perfect for wedding, birthday and anniversary gifts.
The stemware includes handblown red and white wine glasses, champagne flutes and crystal martini glasses (each $20), or for the casual drinker, a hand-blown beer glass ($20) or crystal plaid beer mug ($40) for a taste of style.
If you’re looking for a unique wedding gift, consider the square candlesticks in crystal ($60) or pairing the woven square platter ($135) and cylinder vase ($75) in crystal for a look that adds sophistication and shimmer to any table. All of these pieces are in stock at the Easton location.
For a splash of color, check out Tiffany & Co. online for the Tiffany Vines Square Vase ($55) and mug ($35) in porcelain blue and white.
—Jill Span
Real estate update
Speculation has swirled around ESPN sportscaster Kirk Herbstreit’s home since he moved his family to Nashville this spring, citing intense criticism from Ohio State fans over his commentary about the school’s football team.
The never-ending rumor is that Urban Meyer, who won two national titles at the University of Florida and has Ohio ties, would buy the Upper Arlington house and eventually become the OSU football coach. In fact, an employee at the Franklin County Auditor’s Office says that she has fielded many incoming calls from people attempting to confirm that story.
Yet, ownership of the much ballyhooed home at 2321 Onandaga Dr. in Upper Arlington is still murky, at best. Going back a few years, documents filed with the auditor’s office in 2008 showed that the Herbstreits conveyed the property to JTZC Trust, with Columbus attorney Brian E. Chorpenning as trustee.
More recently, though, ownership of the house was transferred to the 2321 Onandaga Drive LLC on April 5, according to the auditor’s office. Both transfers in recent years involved no money. After the Herbstreits moved to Nashville this spring, the house was listed at $3,749,000 with Street Sotheby’s International Realty. The house is no longer on the market, however. Taxes amounting to $37,387.02 have been paid in full for 2011.
With seven-and-a-half bathrooms and seven bedrooms, this house is among the biggest in Arlington—and the subject of many recent rumors. We suspect there is more to the story, so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, just across the street from the former Herbstreit property, a home featured in the “Million Dollar Deals” article in the April edition of Columbus Monthly Homes sold this spring for $921,385. New owners are Columbus area dentist Michael W. Kincaid and his wife, Stephanie. The couple is doing extensive updates throughout the home, according to Michael.
Speaking of the “Million Dollar Deals” article, the sale of a second house featured has also closed. Ron and Christy Mercer sold their four-bedroom home at 4683 Yantis Dr. in New Albany for $891,500 to Dr. Peter Minneci and Dr. Katherine J. Deans.
—Sherry Beck Paprocki
Don’t miss this
Kitchen Kapers Tour
Collect decorating inspiration and enjoy local food samples while benefiting cancer care programs for Riverside Methodist Hospital during the 24th annual Kitchen Kapers tour, noon to 5 pm Sept. 11 in the Upper Arlington area.
The tour, sponsored by Riverside’s Women’s Service Board VII, will feature six gourmet kitchens renovated within the last year.
This year’s proceeds will directly benefit the Artist in Residence Program, a hands-on art therapy program that uses music, poetry and visual arts to enhance the experience of cancer patients and their families treated at Riverside.
All homes on the tour are within minutes of each other and offer on-street parking for guests as they pass through. Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and can be purchased at Huffman’s Market in Tremont Center or online at kitchenkapers.org. On the day of the tour, tickets are $25.
The six homes on the tour include: 1593 Essex Rd., 2065 Fontenay Pl., 4120 Greensview Dr., 2730 Crafton Park, 1955 Upper Chelsea Rd. and 2000 Upper Chelsea Rd.
Short North Tour
See a vast array of houses during the Short North Tour of Homes and Gardens in the Victorian and Italian villages Sept. 17 and 18.
Tickets for Saturday’s popular preview party and hosted dinners sold out more than a month in advance, but Sunday’s walking tour tickets are still available for $25 each.
The general walking tour will be 10 am to 6 pm. All stops on the tour will highlight homes with unique architectural details, interior designs and landscapes. There also will be an old-fashioned trolley available. Ticket information and addresses of homes and gardens to be toured can be found at shortnorthcivic.org.
—Jill Span
Basement tips for rainy weather
Avoid running into rainy season damages in your home by following a few simple tricks offered by Ron Greenbaum, also known as The Basement Doctor, who has specialized in fixing basements for the last 25 years.
- Maintain clean and clear gutters. Correcting drainage issues caused by leaves and other debris will ensure that all roof water disperses properly from the home.
- Remedy cracks and other openings. Seal window wells and wall cracks to prevent water intrusion.
- Use materials resistant to mold. If you smell a moisture-related odor in your basement, it’s due to mold. Avoid using products such as bleach to clean. Start by removing moisture from the affected area.
- Regularly check the sump pump. The sump pump should have the correct pumping capacity for your home and should be checked at least once a year to make sure that it’s still working. Installing a battery back-up will ensure its dependability.
- Greenbaum suggests that if there is more than 10 square feet of water damage in your home or any sewage involved, it is best to call a professional for help.
- If you are at risk for water damage, Greenbaum recommends digital back-ups for all documents and photos that are in the area.
—Jill Span
