Best-in-Class Bath Remodeling Services

When it comes to your bathroom, only the best will do. Thats where we come in.

We possess a proven track record as the best bathroom remodeler in the local area. Our crew boasts a wealth of industry experience, as well as high standards for their work. Their passion for the job drives them to be the best at what they do, combining a keen eye for detail with a meticulous level of precision. Quality is what we promiseexcellence is what we deliver.

As a client of ours, you can expect:

For best-in-class remodeling, look no further than our team at Installer Direct Flooring.

Were renowned for crafting masterful bathrooms that elevate the form and function of a space. Total transformations are our specialty. That said, we know that no two clients want the exact same bathroom. When you get a remodel, you want it to be a singular, one-of-a-kind creation that reflects your aesthetic.

Thats why we tailor our services according to each clients precise needs. We take the time to get to know you so that we can provide a more personalized experience, and so we can ensure our design meets your specifications. We wont get started until youve given us the go-ahead, and well make sure every detail of our remodel is what you want. Whether you want an ultramodern design or something more old-fashioned, you can bet well realize it for you.

As a contractor, we like to help our clients make informed purchasing decisions and educate them on the remodeling process. With that mission in mind, were offering you a no-obligation assessment for your bathroom remodel. This is your chance to ask us as many questions youd like about our services, prices, work history, and how you stand to benefit by choosing us.

Well then examine the proposed work site so that we can assess your remodel options, narrow them down, and help you make the right choice for you. Along the way, well aim high to prove our worth and show you why were the contractor to choose.

Take advantage of this unique opportunitycontact us to book your assessment today.

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Bathroom Remodeling | Installer Direct Flooring

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JACKSON, MI - A new energy efficient apartment building and an old building being given a second chance are award winners in Jackson.

The 200, built by Jackson Downtown Partners, and Christoff & Sons Floor Covering Inc., which renovated the former Toy House & Baby Too, are winners of the 2020 Brick Award from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The award goes to businesses who substantially upgrade a building or create a new building from the ground up.

Chamber of Commerce honors Jackson businesses in annual community awards

Jackson Downtown Partners spent around $12 million to build The 200, a building with four floors and 86 units 200 N. Jackson St.

Thanks go to Consumer Energy, and Consumer Energys green energy initiative, said Kevin Thomson, resident agent. It has been very influential in the development that has come together.

Energy efficient apartment building in Jackson eyes December opening date

The 200 is part of Consumers Energys Jackson Smart Energy District, an area of downtown with entities featuring green technology. The 200 features a 130-kilowatt solar array on its roof, with 362 panels estimated to produce 150,000 kilowatts per hour in a year.

The 200 opened Dec. 1, and is a mixture of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include a fitness center, community lounge space, granite countertops, in-unit washer and dryers, sound reduction methods between apartments and allowances for pets.

Ted and Tom Christoff were given the award for transforming the iconic Toy House and Baby Too, 400 N. Mechanic St., into their new business location in December 2019

The Toy House and Baby Too, 400 N. Mechanic St. in Jackson, announced on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016 that they will be closing. The tentative close date is slated for late December. (J. Scott Park | Mlive.com) MLive Media GroupMLive Media Group

The Christoffs bought the building for $400,000, per city records, and invested well over $1 million in the project.

Historic Toy House building reopens with different kind of retail experience

They preserved the history of the much-loved former toy store while creating a new and store for their flooring business, Ted Christoff said during the virtual award ceremony. The new store provides more space as the Christoffs continue to expand their business from their previous location of 6,000 square feet to a 30,000-square-foot location.

The exterior of Christoff and Sons Floor Covering Inc. at 400 N. Mechanic Street on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Christoff and Sons Floor Covering Inc. opened in the former Toy House and Baby Too toy store. Mary Lewandowski| MLive.com

Christoff & Sons opened in 1979 and offers flooring and remodeling services, such as ceramic tile, carpets, vinyl, hardwood and upholstery. The business has had clients as big as factories, banks and hospitals, and as small as bathroom renovations or cleaning a couch in someones house.

Christoff & Sons celebrates 40 years in Jackson, moves to new location

Almost 100 percent of the work on both of these projects was done by locally based companies, officials said.

Using local contractors is not only good for the economy and your business, it is good for the community, Christoff said. It brings a sense of pride to the community.

The award presentation can be watched here.

Read more from The Jackson Citizen Patriot:

He pushed through COVID-19 to keep his Jackson business running, now hes earned a chamber award

Jackson County focusing COVID vaccination efforts on seniors, essential workers

Jackson officials tight-lipped on department heads departure

Appointed officials receive high marks on first formal evaluations in Jackson

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Energy efficient apartments, new flooring store in a familiar location earn Jackson chambers Brick Award - MLive.com

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When remodeling her basement, Rachael Boyer, president and CEO of The Home Authority, custom-designed the space to meet her entertaining dreams. With a theater, game table, full bar, exercise room, home office and guest bedroom, Boyers remodel fully realized her basements unutilized potential.

From the floorplan to the fixtures and finishes, Boyer offered her professional insight into the process behind the basement remodel.

Theres nothing normal about anything The Home Authority does and so it gives us the opportunity to problem solve and do unique things where other companies probably wouldnt have that ability, Boyer said.

A guiding concept of this basement remodel was to maximize the function of the homes entertainment space. The resulting solution is a fully outfitted basement entertainment area complete with its own private entry.

Home TheaterThe basements home theater boasts an 85-inch TV underlined by a narrow, linear fireplace. The resulting effect is sleek and modern, requiring creative problem solving to be executed so seamlessly. The house is designed with a bump-out. Boyer utilized that extra space to do a reverse design of the TV and fireplace to make them flush and put all the components behind.

Most basements that are being remodeled are older homes or theyre homes that havent been finished before, Boyer said. You just have to plan appropriately when youre picking out your fireplace. Some people want the traditional square fireplace and you just cant do it and get the big TV at the same time.

The home theater also includes a sound system that runs throughout the entire home. Everything is automated off of an iPad system and the sound system can be controlled from any room of the house.

Game TableThe focal point of the gaming area is a beautiful live-edge gaming table with a stream of clear epoxy running down the center resembling a shallow riverbed.

This is a piece thats really meaningful to us for many reasons, Boyer said. Within the epoxy are stones from Boyers grandparents house. Boyers grandmother even put some of the stones into the table herself, adding sentimental value to the table.

The Home Authority creates custom tables using locally sourced lumber. They can custom build a table to best serve the form and function of your space. In the case of Boyers table, it is built with memories from the past and is used as a gathering space to create future memories.

The wood slab of the table was also used to make end tables that can double as additional seating.

BarThis basement also features a full bar designed to be the hub of the space. Boyer designed the bar so that if someone is standing behind it, they have complete sightlines to all other areas in the basement.

A lot of the time, people disconnect in the basement. They have these little areas and not everyone can fit in those spaces, Boyer said. The general concept I think a lot of people miss out on is that everyone wants to see everyone and be with everyone. So we created that space.

Even with the spaces openness, it still feels cozy and personable. Boyer credits this to their decision to do 8-foot ceilings rather than 10-foot ceilings.

Boyer considered the practicality and aesthetic value in all of the design choices.We leave everything wide open because you have no question about where your coffee is, no question where the dishes are and no question where the drinks are, Boyer elaborated on the decision to use primarily floating shelves. It makes it easy for people to feel at home.

An iridescent metallic backsplash paired with thick wooden floating shelves adds an industrial feature to the bar without sacrificing any of the spaces warmth. The prominent use of wood throughout the basement brings a natural element to the modern palette. One can even see the relationship between the natural and the industrial in the bars quartzite countertop, as the slabs markings resemble the roots of a tree.

Exercise RoomJust off the bar is an exercise room complete with mirrored walls, rubber floors and metal barn doors custom-designed by Boyer. When closed, the doors act as a sound barrier, giving the room a spa-like feel. When open, whoever is behind the bar has a direct view of the TV.

Bed and BathThe basement also includes a guest bedroom and two bathrooms. In the bathroom near the entry, Boyer wanted to show how you can maximize your space. I wanted to show what a standard size bathroom is in normal homes, and how you can take out a tub and make a beautiful tile shower and still have a good-sized vanity, Boyer said. People dont realize that because theyre used to their little enclosed area.

The second bathroom is located just off the guest bedroom, which contains one of the most memorable features of the remodel, a petrified wood sink. Past the bathroom is a bright and airy home office with white cabinetry, live-edge floating shelves and a metallic floor that sparkles when caught in the light just right.

Boyers remodel expertly balances both industrial and natural design elements while emphasizing the flow and function of the space.

The Home AuthorityHomeauthorityinc.com 701-936-5610

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Flow and Functionality - Design and Living Magazine - Design & Living Magazine

When Paul and Leslie Kaplan decided to put their water view Northport home of 17 years on the market this winter, their agent, Doris Kason, told them todays buyer is looking for a house that is move-in ready with neutral features.

So, they updated their kitchen, replacing linoleum countertops with beige granite, refacing their cabinets to white with new hardware, and adding a neutral subway tile backsplash. In a first-floor bathroom, they removed wallpaper, painted and upgraded the vanity. They also traded a red carpet in their den for beige.

Two weeks and $15,000 later, Leslie Kaplan said, "I wish wed made these changes sooner so we could enjoy them longer." Their house goes on the market for $899,999 in early March.

Why make that kind of financial investment when you plan to sell?

Buyers in this market are willing to pay more for a renovated home because they dont have the time, know-how, money or desire to do it themselves, said Kason, a real estate associate with Douglas Elliman based in Plainview. "By cleaning up and doing some minor renovations and manageable projects to your home before selling, you may be able to net a significant return on your investment and stand out from your local competition."

That doesnt mean the value of your home will increase by the exact amount you put in, according to Linda Bell, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. A recent report by the personal finance company indicates homeowners will make back 66.5% of their original investment for remodeling projects completed in 2020. But the upside is youll most likely sell your home quicker and could even have a bidding war, driving the price well beyond asking, said Maddy Camay, broker associate for Compass USA in Syosset.

Just freshening up a few rooms with paint appears to have paid off for a house on Lone Oak Court in Centerport, according to the broker Kim Schultze with Coldwell Banker Realty. She said that there were 16 offers and all but one were well over the asking price. The house went to contract on Feb. 12, 12 days after the offer was accepted.

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If youre not sure about the condition of your home, Priscilla Holloway, a licensed real estate salesperson with Douglas Elliman in Westhampton Beach, recommends getting an inspection or at least doing an evaluation yourself and then prioritizing what needs repairs. While it may be tempting to skip structural issues like a new roof, Camay said that would work against you when its picked up by the buyers engineer and you have to renegotiate with the buyer for less money.

With cosmetic changes like those the Kaplans undertook, Andrew Smith, vice president of project sales at Power Home Remodeling in Melville, suggested prioritizing the trouble areas and determining an overall timeline and budget. Whats on the outside also counts.

Curb appeal the initial reaction from potential buyers when they see your home from the street has a real impact; brokers believe it takes less than a half-minute for them to make up their mind about going forward.

Here are seven projects inside and out that local experts said are important to buyers and can yield you returns during resale.

Painting your homes interior and exterior gives the immediate perception its being well-maintained, said John Paulik, owner of CertaPro Painters of Huntington, and its one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get a fresh look. Thats particularly true of surface problems like peeling tape seams and poor spackling.

"Sometimes people do their own patchwork fixes over the years, but those stand out and should be addressed either by doing it yourself or hiring a professional," Paulik said. "Caulking also makes a difference, as well as trim and windows. It all gives a clean look."

For colors, he recommends neutrals like bone white, alabaster and light grays.

"Exterior painting can also make a house pop and should always be addressed when there are issues like rotting shingles, fascia boards and soffits, which need to be replaced or will draw an inspectors eye," Paulik said.

Cost: Average $300 a room and $3,000 for the exterior up to $10,000 for the entire interior or exterior

Time: 2 days to a week

Even if its not their dream kitchen, buyers prefer that minor updates are done, said Golie Oheb, associate real estate broker at Daniel Gale Sothebys International Realty in Greenvale. She recommends repainting or refinishing the cabinet doors in white and getting modern hardware, like brushed nickel. Also, replace any outdated countertop materials with granite.

Cost: Hardware, $5 to $10 per pull; refinishing or repainting cabinets, $6,000-plus; granite countertop, $40 to $60 per square foot

Time: About two weeks

This is another area that buyers would rather not have to renovate, Oheb said. That can be as simple as replacing the vanity. "If your bathroom has outdated tile colors, rather than replacing them, get them professionally glazed. So many houses have those 1950s tiles in pinks and blues, but they can easily be made white, bone or almond as can the tub."

Cost: Reglazing, $300 to $1,000; a new vanity, $200-plus

Time: 1-2 days for reglazing; a few hours for the vanity

Old carpeting should be the first to go, said Camay. "If the floor underneath is in bad condition, replace it with an inexpensive, neutral carpet."

Its best if you refinish hardwood floors, said Holloway. "If you have an older, weathered floor it never shows well. Refinishing the floors can change the look of a room immediately."

Cost: Carpeting, $300-plus per room; refinishing hardwood floors, $7/square foot

Time: Carpeting, one day; refinishing floors, 3-5 days

Smith recommends a front-door makeover. You can just apply a fresh coat of paint and modernize the hardware. If youre interested in replacing the door entirely, materials vary from wood, steel and fiberglass, as well as design options.

Cost: Entry door replacements, $300 to $1,000-plus; hardware, about $50 per handle; paint, under $200.

Time: A few hours to a day

Oheb said that landscaping doesnt have to mean extensive and expensive plans. Instead, focus on trimming overgrown trees and shrubs especially those that block windows and removing dead plants and trees.

Cost: Free with appropriate tools or hire a service

Time: Hours to days

The pandemic has made outdoor living spaces a valuable draw for homebuyers who want to expand their entertaining and work areas, said Adam Gipe, the local regional sales manager for New Jersey-based Belgard/Sakrete, which manufactures and distributes paving stones. "That has led to outdoor renovations and repairs of retaining walls, patio spaces and even the addition of firepits," he said.

First clean and seal any existing patio area pavers, Gipe said. Repair any cracks in the retaining walls. If youre going to build a patio area, look for earth tones. Upgrade your backyard look with a fire pit. Adding a woodburning firepit can be as easy as getting a portable kit for about $150 or having one built. If the latter, Gipe said to check with your town codes. Gas firepits require hiring a plumber.

Cost: Cleaning and sealing pavers, about $2/square foot; wood-burning firepit, around $700; gas, about $2,000; paver patios, about $400 to $500 per square foot with a contractor

Time: Projects can be DIY; for contractors theres at least a two-month lead time for three to four days of work.

Real estate agents recommend the No. 1 and least costly step is to declutter. According to Golie Oheb of Daniel Gale Sothebys International Realty, that means packing away anything that will be a distraction to buyers.

Even if you have to get a storage unit, its worth it to present an open feel, she said.

By Liza N. Burby Special to Newsday

More:
7 home renovations that can pay off at sale - Newsday

A newly renovated bathroom is one of the top items on a homebuyer's wish list. But a full bathroom remodel isn't the only way to capture the hearts of would-be buyers. A shower remodel is one way to update the look of a bathroom's aesthetic as well as its function.

It makes sense that homebuyers want the place they bathe to look and feel clean. While a full remodel would be ideal, other updates to a bathroom would also be welcomed. This could mean anything from a new vanity to updated fixtures to a tankless toilet.

But a beautiful new shower -- bonus points for multiple shower heads or a frameless shower door -- could sweeten the deal for potential buyers. And depending on which type of shower you choose, you could change the look of the entire space.

According to HomeAdvisor (NASDAQ: ANGI), the average cost to install a new shower is $4,991, with a range between $1,951 and $8,044. For example, a 32-inch square acrylic stall can range from $750 to $3,000, while a custom-tiled walk-in shower of the same size can run you anywhere from $4,200 to $8,500. Keep in mind that these figures are just for the shower itself, not plumbing, which will cost extra.

Fixing existing plumbing is one thing, but adding plumbing is another. If you plan to upgrade a half bath to a three-quarter, you can expect to pay more to install pipes and drains. Adding a shower to a half bath can cost anywhere between $900 and $12,500, according to HomeAdvisor. A bathroom should be at least 5' x 7' to hold a sink, toilet, and shower. If walls need to be built or removed to make room for these fixtures, your costs will be on the higher side of the range.

As with all home improvement projects, it all depends on size, design, and materials. Suffice it to say, if you want your new shower to resemble something in a hotel spa, you'll be at the higher end of these price ranges.

According to Remodeling's Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange bathroom remodel has a 64% ROI. Even if you don't spring for an entire redo of the bath, it makes sense to update the shower to woo buyers.

While a soaking tub used to be the wow factor for a bathroom, now it's a walk-in shower. Spacious and spa-like, they are as beautiful to bathe in as they are accessible. This is particularly important for buyers with limited mobility, as well as homeowners who wish to age in place and will appreciate the accessibility a walk-in shower offers.

A bathroom renovation is not only a pricey proposition, but it can be a time-consuming one, too. Potential buyers will appreciate having it already done for them -- in fact, some will expect it. That's why a shower remodel, whether on its own or part of a larger bathroom makeover, could be the key to getting more and better offers for your property.

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Shower Remodel: Worth the Investment? - Motley Fool

Self-care is a relatively new buzzword, but the concept is nothing unfamiliar. To practice self-care is to take time to check in with yourself emotionally, spiritually or in whichever way or place you can unwind best.

Its many meanings span from mental and emotional upkeep, to physical upgrades that can benefit a persons overall well-being for a more balanced, healthy life. If you can think of self-care as not just a headspace, but a real space, design experts will tell you it often materializes in the home as a fully renovated bathroom.

With a new focus on health and wellness, bathrooms as sanctuary spaces have become very important, said Caroline Harmon, trend strategy manager for Lowes Home Improvement. Its where most of the time is spent preparing for the day and unwinding at night, so there's an opportunity to elevate the aesthetic, and turn (the bathroom) into an oasis from the hectic everyday.

For as peaceful and relaxing as a bathroom should be, homeowners investing in one must ensure the new design meets other practical needs, like overall flow and function, increasing the homes value and preventing mistakes or surprises in the handiwork.

Sandra Fox, founder and president of Sensory Six Interior Design Firm in Saratoga Springs, said those are just a few of the reasons why she and her team is involved in so many bathroom redesigns. Kevin Gutman, co-founder of Bennett Contracting in Albany, agrees. Bathrooms are among the top two renovation projects Bennett takes on at a rate of around 100 bathrooms per year in the Capital Region.

While the do-it-yourself attitude is one of the quickest ways to complete a project, both experts say bringing a professional into a bathroom remodel from the start makes for a cohesive, creative experience thats more likely to go according to plan.

Bathroom design and construction is complex, and DIY projects can result in costly errors, Fox said. We begin our process by understanding how our clients anticipate functioning in the space.

If Foxs client shares a bathroom with a significant other, its a cue to incorporate double sinks into the design. And when theres a lust (and a budget) for luxury, she can please a person sensitive to the cold with an upgrade to heated floors, or a news hound with a small flat screen television to watch their favorite morning show.

Engaging a professional gives you access to some of the latest materials and technologies on the market, Fox said. We can find the newest and best of whats out there.

Trending today is a bathroom that wholly embodies the meaning of clean, from the simple, timeless aesthetic to its ease of use.

People want cleanliness without sacrificing style, Fox said. And high-traffic areas like bathrooms are top of mind when it comes to hygiene.

Balancing smart design with functional elements is key, such as incorporating antimicrobial fixtures with large-format tiles to reduce the number of grout lines where dirt can pile up. There are modern design elements that do double duty, like a floating vanity, which adds the look of luxury and makes it easier to clean the floors underneath.

Theres no feature more practical in a modern bathroom than the shower, though freestanding soaking tubs are often eyed by homeowners seeking the ultimate self care inspired space.

Large walk-in showers remain a priority, said Sarah McDonald, designer at Bennett Contracting. Were seeing our clients save up to go all out on fixtures and tile features in their showers, from full scale accent tile walls instead of small tile strips from the past, to adding multiple shower heads for an upgraded experience.

At Jessica Mullens mid-century modern home in Clifton Park, a walk-in shower was a must after she and her husband reorganized renovation priorities. The couple scrapped plans to build a new pool to focus on what they believed would be a better long-term investment, remodeling the main bathroom and giving their home gym a face-lift.

I wanted a concrete-looking walk-in shower, but had no idea how to accomplish it, Mullen said.

After doing some research, she found a contractor with experience creating the look she was going for. Much of his work was on display at the rustic and chic June Farms in West Sand Lake, so she felt familiar with and inspired by the style.

We live in an old, funky home, and my vibe is very bohemian and modern, Mullen said. I wanted to take the bathroom from something you mightve seen in Tony Sopranos house to something fresh and clean.

Mullens renovation is still a work-in-progress, but it already incorporates many of the design elements the experts say are hottest right now.

We went with a floating teak vanity, mixed metal fixtures with champagne brass and matte black, and a bold hexagonal tile of varying sizes for the floor and the shower, Mullen said.

Mullen enjoyed using her own background in design to work alongside a professional team that could make sure the complete gut renovation went smoothly, though that doesnt always mean quickly. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has added weeks, sometimes months to renovation schedules due to limited supply, shipping delays and an overall increase in demand.

With the current level of demand, be patient when it comes to a large project like a bathroom remodel, Gutman said. The planning stage can take a month or two before anything is ordered, and then comes the manufacturing and delivery process.

FUNCTION?-? Antimicrobial fixtures?-? Floating vanities?-? Light therapy shower heads?-? White toilets, sinks and showers for a timeless (vs. trendy) investment

STYLE?-? Bold wallpaper and tile choices?-? Back-lit mirrors?-? Classic, natural materials like marble or stone?-? Mixed metals and matte black fixtures?-? Frameless shower door

LUXURY?-? Freestanding soaking tubs?-? Heated floors?-? Heated towel racks?-? European style "wet room"

Gutman said a homeowner should give themselves a four- to six-month head start from when they want the project to be done.

But once a bathroom transformation is complete, theres no time limit to how many hours you can spend in there perfecting your self-care routine whether its picking up a warm towel off a heated rack, applying a face mask in front of a back-lit mirror, or breathing a bit easier knowing your cleaning routine is simpler thanks to the upgrades youve made.

The plaster, concrete-looking finish on our shower goes on in five- to six-layer increments, and each layer takes a day and a half to set, Mullensaid. We spent a lot of time literally just watching paint dry, but my contractor loves his craft and you can tell by the quality of the work. Id do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Taylor Rao is a frequent contributor to the Times Union. Reach her at taylorrao@gmail.com or @whodatgirl_2bd

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Reshape the bathroom into a functional sanctuary - Times Union

House remodeling has become an important task for people to give their house a new look. In the US, people call general contractors and subcontractors to remodel their existing homes on a large scale. It helps them remodel their external structures and internal environment to make their residential properties comfortable to live in.

Out of many home remodeling contractors, Smart Remodeling LLC company enjoys a big demand among the Houston people in the US. It would not be wrong to call it the best remodeling contractor in Houston due to its exceptional services.

The remodeling company is one of the top Houston remodeling contractors that have expanded to a massive form from a local family-owned business. It is basically because of its splendid service to its clients. Smart Remodeling LLC just focuses on the utmost expertise and quality for the clients it serves.

Smart Remodeling LLC is actively serving its clients in Houston for over the last 10 years. It has always focused on providing comprehensive home remodeling services to its clients. Experts at this remodeling company specializing in home renovations and remodeling of all types.

The set of services provided by it includes home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, outdoor kitchen, closet, patio cover, and additional rooms. Since more people in the US are opting for home remodeling, the concerned services including Smart Remodeling LLC enjoy more demand in the country.

According to Statista, the total US home improvement expenditure stood around 407 billion US dollars in 2019. And the projected total home improvement sales in the US are expected to reach 510 bn in 2024.

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Smart Remodeling LLC Serves Houston Homeowners with its Exceptional Home Remodeling Services - The American Reporter

When asked about his favorite book, 28-year-old Brian Marin immediately rattles off The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. But ask for more of his top titles, he has a hard time choosing. Marin goes deep into thought, thinking about the numerous books he has read in his lifetime.

Theyre all great for their own reasons, he said. I was interested in books before I knew how to read. I would even draw pictures and have my mom write stories that I dictated to her before preschool.

Its safe to say Marin loves books.

So, it only makes sense that Marin is the owner of Westside Stories, an established bookstore in Old Colorado City formerly known as The Bookman. Books are what initially landed Marin a job at The Bookman, which has been in operation since 1991.

I initially volunteered to help them move because I lived a block away from the new location, he said. Then they asked me for a resume, and I became a manager. Eventually, I made them an offer to buy the business.

The previous owner, who had been living in New York for several years, officially sold the store to Marin in January. With the new owner came a new name for the store, something Marin hopes highlights the changes hes making.

From new floors to new books, the store has undergone significant transformations in the last several months. The store may look the same from West Colorado Avenue with the same marquis BOOKS sign. Still, as you walk inside, youll notice new floors and new products throughout the building.

With the help of people like Betty Varland, who calls herself Brians assistant manager, Marin renovated the store and changed the look.

We have literally been down in the dirt with that store just remodeling, Varland said. Brian put in a new floor in the back. I wallpapered the walls of the bathroom with book pages. We changed around the layout of the store almost completely.

In addition, Marin wanted to transition the store from selling only used books to introducing new products. He donated about one-fourth of their old inventory.

It was 100% used books, and now about 20% of my inventory is new, he said. Ive introduced a lot of product lines, from stickers and patches to journals and puzzles ... everything I thought was cool.

Brian completely changed everything about The Bookman and turned it into Westside Stories, Varland said. Its just really been incredible to watch him transition from a guy with a dream to the owner of a really beautiful little store.

Even though Marin acquired Westside Stories at the start of what would be perhaps one of the most challenging times to local businesses, he saw the pandemic as an opportunity.

The shutdown was rough, he said. But thats what gave me the inspiration to start an online portion of the business, scan all these books, and to really assess the business model.

Over the last several months, Marin has been entering all the stores products into an online system. If they cant make it out to the store, customers can shop online. Its a part of the business Marin said is really taking off.

I had 21 orders before I opened my door this morning, he said on a Thursday. Thats the power of social media. Im trying to figure out how to do international shipping.

Whether someone wants to buy in-store or online, Marin said he hopes people can find a sense of community and a haven for reading and friendship at Westside Stories.

I dont think we stick to one type of trying to sell to one type of people, he said. We embrace all different types of communities here.

The relationships and friendships Marin has found through Westside Stories are what makes him so passionate about the business. He hopes others can experience that same passion for books and community.

I want to be a household name where you can enjoy shopping with your family, your friends, he said. Theres just something intrinsically joyful about someplace thats filled with books and knowledge and different perspectives.

Varland voiced that same passion.

Westside Stories is more than just a little store for us, she said. Its not a cold and corporate store where people are just working away their hours. It is something that is made and built with heart and dirt and grit. ...

Supporting small businesses is what keeps us human because it keeps us in a community with each other.

Visit westsidestoriesco.com to shop online or learn more. Follow the store on Facebook (@WestsideStoriesBook) and Instagram (@WestsideStoriesBookstore) for updates.

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After living through quite possibly the worst year ever, or as columnist Sally Jenkins quipped recently, this damn zombie movie, we look back on a year in which we wrestled with a global pandemic, illness, economic distress and social upheaval.

Which makes the Pantone Color Institute, which chose Classic Blue as the Color of the Year for 2020, pretty prescient.

Its a color that anticipates whats going to happen next, Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, said last year in predicting a blue trend.

Pantone Color of the Year 2021: Illuminating

(Pantone)

On Dec. 9, Pantone announced that its 2021 Colors of the Year are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, shades chosen for their warmth and dependability.

The Pantone news release announcing the colors described Illuminating as a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. Ultimate Gray, like pebbles, is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation.

The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that its not about one color or one person, its about more than one. The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a news release. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.

Pantones ability to forecast color trends is a marketing force that helps furniture, textile, fashion, accessory and technology designers choose designs from season to season. Beginning today, retailers, designers and fashion brands will flood our inboxes with gray and yellow toothbrushes and swimsuits; nail polish and exterior paint options.

Pantone Color of the Year 2021, Ultimate Gray

(Pantone)

After a tough year of sheltering in place, will homeowners who are spending money on home upgrades in place of movies, trips and dining out adopt the optimistic color palette?

Designers think so.

Yellow makes you happy and gray is the perfect neutral, said designer Cortney Novogratz of The Novogratz. We have always used yellow in our designs and products which are quite popular.

L.A. actress and designer Arden Myrin, said she painted the door of her Silver Lake bungalow a similar shade of yellow. It makes me so happy every time I see it, she said. I am a firm believer that life can be hard enough, your home should be hopeful and joyful. What a wonderful decision to pick two colors. The gray, which has been many moments in 2020, bursting through with the bold optimism of the yellow makes it feel like there is hope ahead. I have always loved a pop or yellow, and now I think we all need a pop of yellow, tempered with a nice neutral color although my neutral of choice with this color yellow is a deep navy.

Although Orlando Soria, host of HGTVs Build Me Up is a fan of pretty, ethereal, pale grays, he is not enthusiastic about Pantones shade of gray for Color of the Year. Ultimate Gray falls into a category of grays I hate: mid-tone grays, he said. I find when these are used in spaces they look dead and dull.

Still, he is on board with Illuminating. Bright, saturated colors like this make me think of Wallpaper Magazine in the early 2000s when minimal, Scandinavian design with hints of lime green and neon pink were popular, Soria said. I think the early 2000s are definitely having a comeback, especially in fashion and music (think Billie Eilishs neon-green hair and Gucci costuming). I dont know that a bunch of interior designers are gonna run out and paint rooms this bright yellow color, but I can see it on clothes when people emerge back into the world and want to make a statement.

Houzz senior editor Mitchell Parker said the home remodeling and design platform has long embraced the color pairing. Because a bright yellow color can sometimes be overwhelming in large doses, we typically see homeowners use just a small splash of it with larger swaths of gray to make a strong visual statement, he said. An example might be a gray exterior paint color paired with a pop of yellow at the front door. Or yellow furniture pieces or decor that offer a bit of flair to gray cabinets in a bathroom or kitchen. This palette also plays nicely with most wood tones. Were excited to see it garner more attention with Pantones annual designation.

UCLA economists share Pantones optimistic outlook for 2021, predicting on Wednesday that the U.S. economy will experience a gloomy COVID winter and an exuberant vaccine spring, followed by years of growth.

If the Pantone Color of the Year is designed to highlight the relationship between color trends and what is happening in the world, we can only hope that this years forecast of hope and stability is more than just an educated guess.

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The Pantone Colors of the Year for 2021 are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating - The San Diego Union-Tribune