Q: I love the reclaimed lumber look and would love to add some of that texture to my home. Do you have any suggestions on where and how I can feature it for maximum impact?

A: While it may seem like a daunting task, adding reclaimed lumber can be quite easy. Even a small piece can dramatically add to a space’s character and charm—and the best part is that it’s functional. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Create a Bold New Mantel

This is a fun way to introduce reclaimed lumber into your home. Along with a fireplace, the mantel is typically the focal point of a living room. By updating it with reclaimed lumber, you’ll add a striking natural element that will transform the entire space.

The great thing about reclaimed lumber is that when it’s paired with different surrounds—the non-combustible material around the fireplace—it can radically alter the vibe. For example, adding a beam mantel to a stone surround will generate a rustic atmosphere, whereas pairing it with smooth concrete or tile surround will give you a minimal, modern feel.

A mantel should extend six to eight inches past the fireplace opening on both sides. Thickness varies depending on the type of material and the look you’re going for, but a large timber mantel should be around three to four inches thick and 10–12 inches deep, providing visual heaviness. This also means physical heaviness, so be sure to secure the lumber firmly to the wall or have a contractor do it for you.

When picking the lumber there are a few things to keep in mind: the depth of the wood (how big are the items you’re putting on your mantel?), where it sits on the wall in relation to the fireplace and the ceiling, how you’ll mount it, and the overall look you’re going for. Live-edge lumber can add real flare, but its curviness means its depth will vary across the board (it may be 10 inches deep at one spot but only 4 inches deep at another). This is the kind of thing you’ll need to consider before you begin.

Upgrade Your Wall Paneling

The fun thing about wall paneling is that it can be done in horizontal or vertical patterns. A vertical application can visually “raise” your ceilings, while a horizontal application can give you a rustic barn look and allow you to utilize longer boards from a salvage shop. Either way, your lumber-savvy guests will note the tightness of the old-growth grain—not to mention the nail stains that demonstrate that it’s real reclaimed lumber and not a knockoff.

A reclaimed lumber accent wall creates a warm, natural feeling that offsets walls painted in solid colors. You can use the same wood type to create visual interest while staying very neutral, or mix it up with a variety of cuts, stains, and paint-laden scraps of wood for a funky look. By using scrap pieces to create wall paneling, you can use the bits of leftover wood you have laying around and even use painted, one-off, or textured pieces to create a one-of-a-kind piece of functional art.

Install a Stylish Counter or Bar

With butcher block counters all the rage, this is a perfect time to upcycle reclaimed materials. I highly suggest using maple gym flooring and bowling alley lane wood as they’re strong and durable. This upcycled wood often bears the markings of its past life—basketball key lines and bowling pin arrows—and will delight your guests. You can also find such pieces without these marks for a more understated piece with the same high quality.

Add Striking Shelves

First, you’ll need to decide whether you want traditional L-shaped brackets or attempt a floating shelf. Brackets give you another design element, but require more space below your shelf. They’re easier to install but must line up with the studs in your walls. Floating shelves offer a sleeker quality but are more challenging to install. Another fun reuse option is using old rope to suspend the shelves from above.

Consider a Little Carpentry

If you have some woodworking skill, you can create furniture or a decorative accent piece for your home. Depending on where you’d like to add a little rustic charm, you can make anything from a coffee table to a kitchen bench or even a kitchen island. You can also save some work by repurposing an older table base or set of legs, simply securing them beneath a beautiful, reclaimed board or live-edge slab. There’s really no end of options when reclaiming beautiful wood to upgrade your space!

Lacy Kabrich works for Earthwise Architectural Salvage, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Laura Hoffman, Mutual Materials

Q: Given the recent switch in seasons, what areas of our home should we be focusing on to best take advantage of this time of year?

A: Here's a question for you: What kind of shape is your yard in?

Do you smile with pride each time you drive up to your home—or do you cringe? If you aren't too thrilled with your yard's current condition, don't feel bad. The weather hasn't exactly been the best for working in the yard. And I am sure that if you look around, a few of your neighbors' yards could also use some TLC.

The good news is that with a little bit of sweat equity, some fresh flowers, and nice hardscaping, you can easily transform your yard into one that you are proud of.

1. Landscaping has many health benefits.

   A beautiful yard motivates you to get outside. And time spent outdoors has many health benefits for both mind and body. When you are actively working in the garden or playing catch with your kids, you increase your physical activity, improve your mood, and relieve stress—unless, of course, your yard is a mess. In that case, it might actually cause stress.

2. It encourages family time outdoors.

   If your yard is pleasant to be in, your family will want to spend more time outdoors. And there are so many ways you can landscape your yard for family fun. You can build an outdoor fire pit so you and your children can tell ghost stories and roast marshmallows. Or bring in fresh sod for a nice place for children to run around playing tag or soccer. No matter how you choose to landscape the backyard, it is worth it. Kids grow up all too fast. Make precious memories while you can.

3. A landscaped yard is good for entertaining.

   Do you enjoy entertaining outdoors? With the right balance of furniture, hardscape surfaces, and greenery, you can create a backyard oasis. And the possibilities are endless. If you enjoy cooking, include a beautiful outdoor kitchen in your design. If you prefer ordering pizza and watching your favorite sports on the big screen with friends, then create a comfortable outdoor living room with a strategically-placed television. Whatever way you prefer to entertain, spending time outside with the people you enjoy is a great reason to get your yard back into shape.

4. You are helping the environment.

   Here in the Northwest, we care about the environment we live in. Did you know that a well-maintained yard actually helps protect it? Retaining walls can prevent erosion and reduce the amount of soil that ends up in waterways. Proper grading and drainage can reduce stormwater runoff and help prevent flooding. And planting native trees, flowers, and plants not only provides a sustainable environment for local birds and wildlife, it also helps combat climate change. Yet another great reason to landscape your yard.

5. Nice landscaping is an investment in your home.

   Yes, landscaping your yard provides many immediate perks, but it also has long-term benefits. When you install permanent hardscapes such as patios and outdoor kitchens, you are building beauty that lasts. Plus, if at some point you decide to sell your home, these structures will increase its value. It is safe to say that you will get out of it what you have put into it, and perhaps even more. So, whether you stay in your home for many years to come or eventually sell it, you can be confident that your investment in your yard has long-term benefits.

Laura Hoffman works for Mutual Materials and is a member of Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: With fall winding down and winter right around the corner, I was wondering: what I should do to prepare for the cold, wet months?

A: Winter is fast approaching and it’s time to start giving serious thought to preparing for the rain and chill of winter. Over the last 31 years, I’ve assembled this fall maintenance checklist based on my own professional and personal experience. If you do everything I’ve listed here, you will save time and money on your home. Not only that, you will stay warm, dry, and thrifty through to spring.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

• Inspect your home’s exterior siding; look for weather-related damage, cracks, or loose mortar. Check wood trim and siding for paint deterioration, peeling, blistering, or looseness. Check windowsills and fascia boards that may be cracked, split, or decayed, as well as cracks in masonry or foundations.
• Inspect for damage to holes in eave areas where animals and/or birds may have entered.
• Check and replace caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration. Look for missing or loose glaze in windows and replace as is needed.
• Pressure wash walkways, steps, deck, porch treads and, every three years, your siding. Remember to treat for mildew and mold. Rake up leaves and debris.
• Check for damage to your roof and clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This is especially important during the fall season to keep leaves from building up in gutters. Check for signs of mold and mildew.
• Treat moss on roofs with a two-to-one water and bleach mixture or Moss Out products. Hire a professional to pressure wash or rinse your roof, making sure to test on a small area first.
• Check for any rotten wood in trees, mushrooms at the base of trees, or cracks or splits in trunks. Inspect trees that have been heavily pruned, looking for any hazards (check with a professional for repairs).
• Make sure all flammable materials, including all lawn and power equipment, is stored away from water heaters and wiring.
• Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually (by a professional).
• Check your space heaters and wood-burning stoves for safety and other hazards.
• Have your chimney cleaned (by a professional) and inspect for any creosote buildup or damage to chimney chase.
• Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters, and cold-air returns.
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove lint, dust, and scraps of material. Use a washing machine cleaner solution for front-loading machines twice a year.
• Check your home’s insulation in attic and crawl spaces.
• Wrap your pipes with heating tape every winter and insulate unfinished rooms and garages if they contain exposed pipes. Check pipes for cracks or leaks. Have any damage repaired by a professional immediately. Try to keep you home temperature set to at least 65 degrees. Learn the location of the water valve and how to shut it off. This goes for gas too.
• Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilet bases, as well as leaks and any water damage to floors or woodwork. Make repairs as needed.
• Repair any stairs or bannisters to prevent falls and injury.

Darylene Dennon is president and CEO of Solid Energy Inc., a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.