Linda Roth Conte wanted to expand her home to create a dream kitchen, but she didn't have the money. But she was desperate to do something.

"I jury-rigged the place," Conte says, recounting how she had used thick tape to bridge the sizable gaps between her countertops and the appliances.

But sometimes when she cooked, the tape melted and only glue remained. And she got bruises from pots and pans sticking out at odd angles.

Last year, without adding an inch of space or new appliances, she transformed her kitchen with a better floor plan, taller cabinets, sleek lighting and countertops that synched up to her existing appliances.

"I have the same exact space but so much more room to work," says Conte, a Washington, D.C., resident who works in public relations and spent about $25,000 on the remodel.

As the economy improves, many homeowners are showing a renewed interest in renovating their kitchens without breaking the bank.

"This space is once again the real heartbeat of a home, with open design and integration with other living space," Kermit Baker, chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, said in releasing AIA's most recent survey on kitchen and bath trends. He said kitchens fell as a design priority during the nadir of the housing downturn but have since taken on new functions "with dedicated computer areas and recharging stations."

The AIA survey, which covered the fourth quarter of 2011, also found customers want -- in descending order -- renewable flooring materials, a recycling center, universal design, larger pantry space, renewable countertop materials, drinking water filtration systems and natural wood cabinets.

"They all want the kitchen to be the focal point," says Richard Loosle of Washington, D.C.-based Kube Architecture -- even clients who don't cook. He says they no longer ask for a formal dining room, preferring instead to entertain friends in a kitchen that offers comfortable seating and opens to a living area, as well as the outdoors.

Tight budgets are driving decisions, says Debra Toney of Three Week Kitchens/Baths In A Week, a remodeling firm with offices in Denver and North Richland Hills, Texas. She says customers eschew bells and whistles for simpler appliances and cabinets without moldings.

The rest is here:
It's Surprisingly Affordable To Revamp Your Kitchen Right Now

The historic farmhouse provided much over the years.

Its well cooled Union soldiers marching to Gettysburg. Its kitchen was raided by Confederates, the tables and chairs burned as firewood.

Decades later, the lawn was used by crews filming the movie "Gettysburg." Thousands have tramped the grounds for battle re-enactments.

But the famous farmhouse kept secrets, too.

A collection of historic artifacts remained hidden beneath the attic floorboards for decades.

Only recently did construction workers discover letters from the 1880s. In one letter, the writer complains in elegant script of a $3 bill for a doctor's visit and the $1 expense for medicine.

A rusty straight-razor was pulled from beneath the floorboards. A tin of witch hazel, used to treat sores and blisters during the Civil War, also was found during the remodeling work.

Construction workers discovered more - a red canister of "mild mustard plasters," which promised to cure everything from earaches to asthma. They found half-a-dozen glass bottles, once containing salves and ointments, and with the tell-tale brown glass and wide opening of 19th Century medicines.

The most curious find, perhaps, was the negative of a glass-plate photograph.

It shows a fat pig, clearly the prize of the farm. A lab analysis dated the image to the 1880s.

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Gettysburg farmhouse yields relics

POSTED: 9:43 pm MDT June 10, 2012 UPDATED: 11:28 pm MDT June 10, 2012 WOODLAN PARK, Colo. -- A Southern Colorado couple wants to warn others after their nightmare experience with a Divide roofing company.Kevin and Lynn Albert hired Aspen Roofing and Chimney to replace their roof after a hail storm in 2010. They ended up with hundreds of nails protruding from the roof and shingles that were sticking up and falling off. The roof failed an inspection by the Teller County Building Department. The Alberts contacted the owner of Aspen Roofing, Andre Kilik, a man they said they'd known since he was a child."I really panicked and worried about it," said Lynn Albert. "I thought he would follow through since we've known him all his life."Kilik offered to repair the roof, but an engineer as well as several roofing contractors said the roof had to be replaced. The Alberts ended up suing Aspen Roofing and being awarded a judgment of more than $15,000. They may never see a dime though, after Aspen Roofing filed for bankruptcy last week."We followed the rules, we got a judgment and now when it comes time to collect, it's very difficult when someone just bails out on you," said Kevin Albert.The Alberts learned too late that while Aspen Roofing was licensed and insured, it wasn't bonded.Bonding insurance, often called "bonding," makes an insurance company liable if a job is done incorrectly or there is fraud or dishonesty. It was something the Alberts didn't know to look for. Especially with the recent hail storms, they're encouraging Southern Coloradans to do their homework before handing over their money."I know people are in a hurry to get their roofs repaired, but they need to take the time to compare contractors and make sure they're going to get somebody that's going to do them a quality job," said Kevin.They Alberts called KRDO Newschannel 13 with concerns that Andre Kilik and his wife Vanessa were taking new jobs, despite their bankruptcy.On Saturday, the website for Aspen roofing was still online and the couple's voice mail message stated the company name. But Andre Kilik told KRDO Newschannel 13 on Sunday that he was dissolving his business and forfeiting his license. Kilik took down the website down just a few hours after talking to KRDO Newschannel 13."In 20 years, I've never even had the threat of somebody suing me," said Kilik. "We're good people; we don't take advantage of people."Besides making sure your contractor is licensed, insured and bonded, check out the company's rating on the Better Business Bureau website and ask to see some recent work. Ask your family, friends and colleagues for recommendations.For more tips from the BBB, click here . View the discussion thread.blog comments powered by

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Roofing Nightmare For Woodland Park Couple

By LINDA REILLY Times Correspondent, llreilly1@gmail.com

EAST LANSDOWNE After five years of planning, the East Lansdowne Fire Co.s new administration building is under construction next to the fire station.

In 2008 the fire company received a $95,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to erect an administration building next to the firehouse, completed in 2002.

Fire Chief Thomas Johnson credited Delaware County Councilman Mario Civera with assisting in obtaining the grant to develop the property next to the firehouse at 164 Lexington Ave.

In 2009, about one-third of the money was used to fund the demolition of the house on the property, Johnson said. It was in very poor condition and came with the land.

According to Johnson, an anticipated grant was not received because of the onset of the recession.

Officials received an extension to use the balance of the grant to construct a 2,440-square-foot, L-shaped building by Conestoga Buildings Inc., a subsidiary of Doubletree Structures.

This builder will be providing a custom post/frame structure, Johnson said. This is just the shell of the administration building (with) a roof, walls, floor, windows and door.

The (balance of the) grant was not large enough to support the completion of the interior. Pending future funding, planning is already under way with another contractor to find a solution to the interior layout.

It will provide living quarters and office space away from the vehicle building to support the professional business facet of the organization.

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Construction begins for East Lansdowne Fire Co. administration building

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The new Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church has four walls and roof, but nothing more.

"We got plumbing that we must finish and basically the entire inside that needs to be completed," said Pastor James Hayes.

But the church needs $12,000 to finish construction. Therefore Saturday, members held a barbecue fundraiser.

"So we can move back home and we can start worshipping back in that building," said Hayes.

Since a storm destroyed the old church in April 2011, members have been worshipping at another location.

"But we all are ready to go back home. So we need the support to get that done," said Hayes.

Even though members volunteered time Saturday, the fundraiser was actually planned by a non-member. Pat credit says a personal conviction is the reason why she gives her time.

"I called everyone I knew to give us a donation and I got this training for my momma," said Credit.

More here:
Church holds fundraiser to rebuild storm-damaged building

A dispute over the set of 15 plastic spindles removed last year from the facade of the Lancaster Presbyterian Church is moving to the Village Board.

Preservationists say the church must replace the 1-foot-tall spindles because they are part of the buildings historic character.

Church officials say the spindles arent original to the building, and they would rather spend the replacement costan estimated $4,000 or moreon something more directly related to the churchs mission.

The Village Board on Monday will decide this test of Lancasters historic preservation laws.

We want to make every effort to strike a balance between good relations with our neighbors and prudent stewardship of Kingdom resources, said the Rev. Kelly Negus, the church pastor.

A contractor removed the spindles from the church after the 40-year-old decorative objects broke during a repainting project.

The church opted not to replace the cylindrical spindles, but the villages Historic Preservation Commission ruled that they are required to do so under the code that governs Lancasters historic preservation district.

We based it on the standards, which were obligated to uphold, said Michael Meyer, the commissions chairman.

Lancaster Presbyterian Church, at 5461 Broadway, was formed in 1818, and the church sanctuary was built in 1831 after members took a trip through New England to get design ideas, according to a church history. It is the oldest church in Lancaster.

Church leaders last summer hired a contractor to repaint three sides of the sanctuary, caulk holes to make the structure weatherproof and replace two of the steeples roofs.

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Lancaster Church’s Plastic Spindles At Heart Of Preservation Debate

Items in this feature are gathered from company news releases, court documents and regular news-gathering processes. Southern Exposure Information ( 256-658-9297) compiles building permits and court documents for The Times. If you have company news to be published, mail the release to The Huntsville Times, c/o Business News, P.O. Box 1487, West Station, Huntsville, AL 35807, fax 256-532-4420 or email pacesetters@htimes.com. Items are printed as space is available. The deadline is noon Wednesday.

Huntsville

The largest building permit issued the week of May 25-June 1 in the city of Huntsville went to Edward Rose Millennial Development, $324,000, a multiple-family residence, 24803 Alabama 20.

Michigan-based Edward Rose & Sons is buildingthe first 36-unit apartment building and 20 garages that arepart of the planned 528-unit Limestone Creek Apartments near the Interstate 565-Mooresville Road interchange.

Other permits valued at $20,000 and more were:

Edward Rose Millennial Development, $324,000, a multiple-family residence, 24803 Alabama 20.

Medtech USA Southeast, $233,000, alterations to a building for Wes Kendall, 2124 Cecil Ashburn Drive, Suite 170.

Castelli EDB, $134,000, an addition to a single-family residence for Richard Harrison, 113 Wingate Ave.

Waynes Acoustical, $123,618, alterations to a building for West Wind Technologies, 2840 Wall Triana Highway.

Com Alabama Contractors, $116,855, alterations to a building for Huntsville Commons, 2250 Sparkman Drive.

Read more here:
Building permits for Huntsville, Madison and Madison County listed

Workers continue construction at the 278-unit Integra Hills apartment complex in Collegedale, Tenn., on Friday morning. The complex is slated for completion by the end of 2012.

Name: Integra Hills Luxury Apartments

Location: 9198 Integra Hills Lane in Collegedale, off Little Debbie Parkway and north of County Highway 378.

Status: The clubhouse is being painted, and workers have hung the dry drywall in the interior, according to Jason Cromer, project manager for LandSouth construction. Rough-in work is complete on the first apartment building, and drywall work soon will start on the first 24 units. Most concrete foundations are poured, and vertical construction will start this week. The first units will open in August. The community will be complete in February 2013.

Price: $19 million for 278 apartment units in this gated community. Five floor plans range from 852 to 1,427 square feet. Rent is expected to be about a dollar per square foot, per month, Cromer said.

Features: Crown molding in living and dining rooms, wood plank floors, 9-foot ceilings, custom cabinetry, built-in computer niche, French doors. Fiber cement siding, similar in construction to Hardie board with wood-grain look.

Amenities: Residents will have access to a resort-style pool, a billiards and entertainment room, Internet cafe, fitness room, tanning studio, summer kitchen and playground. The entryway will be beautifully landscaped with 100 varieties of trees. Rooms are pre-wired for data, Internet and phone.

General contractor: LandSouth Construction

Developer: Integra Land Co.

-- Compiled by staff writer Ellis Smith, esmith@times freepress.com or 423-757-6315

Excerpt from:
Under Construction: Luxury apartment complex begins in Collegedale

Terrace Associates / Blockshopper

A large eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and a center island has stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinetry and large skylights.

475 Upland Road, Redwood City - $1.55 million

The basics: A mix of old and new, this 1934 bungalow in Cordilleras Heights was rebuilt 11 years ago. Its features include double-pane windows, crown moldings and hardwood, and stone and tile floors.

A brick walkway leads to a columned entrance with double wooden and glass doors. Its center hall has stained wainscoting.

The living room boasts a stone fireplace, a beamed wooden ceiling and French doors that lead outside.

French doors can also be found in the master suite, which features a sunken tub, double sinks set in marble counters, marble flooring and a glass-enclosed shower.

A large eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and a center island has stainless steel appliances, glass-front cabinetry and large skylights. A kitchen nook with a hutch has sliding-glass doors to a patio and fenced backyard.

The detached two-car garage includes a 12-by-17-foot bonus room that could provide an office, art studio or extra storage.

It includes a half-bath. The driveway can accommodate RV and boat parking.

See the article here:
Updated but maintaining original features, Upland Road bungalow lists for $1.55 million

The battleship Iowa docked at its new permanent home on the San Pedro waterfront Saturday, and it got a warm welcome.

"This is my first time aboard since 1946," said Bob Dedic, who served from 1944 to 1946 and sported a cap he had bought at the ship's store more than six decades ago. He recalled wild storms, including one typhoon in which he feared the vessel would capsize. He also remembered calmer days, when sailors would jump into the ocean for a swim, while back on deck other sailors would shoot at sharks to keep them away from those frolicking in the water.

Every day that he was on board, Dedic recalled, "I wrote my sweetheart." He married her, too, and Eleanor Dedic, his wife of 66 years, was with him Saturday, along with their two daughters and a granddaughter.

The biggest U.S. battleship ever built, the 45,000-ton Iowa is known as the "battleship of presidents."

In November 1943, the Iowa carried President Franklin Roosevelt to a crucial meeting with Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Chiang Kai-shek in Tehran. The bathtub with rails that was installed for FDR's use will be on display when the museum is opened.

Others on board Saturday had their own memories of the ship.

Joseph Aguilar, 85, of East Los Angeles showed off a still-crooked finger the result, he said, of an accident on board in 1946. He also remembered how he spent his first night on the Iowa: "In the stern, feeding the fish. I was so sick. This thing pitches and rolls."

ALSO:

Marine from Camp Pendleton dies in Afghanistan

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Battleship Iowa gets warm welcome at new home on L.A. waterfront