Don't worry if you can't afford it, just paint it instead...

10:42am Tuesday 10th December 2013 in News By Tara Russell, Feature Writer

Chris Smart

AT first glance its the home that has it all.

Theres a dream motor parked in the garage, a rolling English country garden and woodland birds in a rainbow of colours perched in his baby girls nursery.

But take a closer look and youll find its all actually a clever illusion.

Meet Chris Smart, the man who has created an ideal world for his family using nothing more than a paintbrush.

When Chris pictures his perfect surroundings, he doesnt let the fact he cant afford his wish list get in the way.

The 34-year-old does what any artist would do spends hundreds of hours creating it instead.

I see nice things that inspire me, anything that takes my eye, and I know I can try and create my own version.

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'I have painted a dream world for my family'

Creative Abundance
Creative Abundance Design Build Contractor is a Residential Design-Build General Contractor in Charlotte, North Carolina specialized in Home Remodeling, Room...

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As a full-service Massachusetts home renovation company, Innovation Construction can design, build, or remodel almost any type of home improvement project. We'll take you from the design phase through the finishing touches of your home addition or remodeling project. We are committed to delivering the highest quality construction and service. Our goal is that you'll love your home even more once your new addition or home renovation has been completed!

Sharing our experience and expertise, we'll review your home remodeling design together, making certain you understand every step of your home improvement construction project. Time spent before the first nail is placed is the most important time spent on every job we do. A good planning phase and a defined timeframe is crucial to a smooth and successful home remodeling process.

We also understand you and your family must live in your home during the new construction or remodeling. We promise to do our best every day to keep disruption to a minimum. By stressing communication, we make sure you know the plan and timing for each phase of your home renovation project.

Adding new quality living space for your family enhances your home's functionality, appearance, and value. Whether it's a small remodeling job or a large-scale home renovation, Innovation Construction has the experience and know-how to handle your project. We are qualified, registered, licensed, and fully insured. We know our success is based on your satisfaction. When you decide to work with us, we promise your new home construction or remodeling will be done in a professional and timely manner from start to finish.

Our challenge and problem here was that the kitchen and the 3/4 bath wing pictured here had a roof system that was sagging dangerously from years of snow load and inadequately sized rafters. We brought our clients to our architect who then designed blueprints that both corrected the sagging roof dilemma and added a brand new covered porch area to enter the house.

Inside this rear entry door we were able to shift walls to allow a stacked space saver laundry to be brought from the basement to the first floor and gain a can pantry and hanging closet area.

With renovations in full swing and all tradesmen working on site, we determined that, by incorporating some recently acquired space from underneath the new overhang, the new 3/4 bath could be enlarged into a standard, full sized tub and shower. The results were superb.

Next, we addressed minor window changes as well as updates in electrical service and lighting needs, and then added insulation for warmth and efficiency. Finally, the installation of siding for additional warmth and beauty has made this area the focal point of everyday living for our clients.

Innovation Construction located in Wareham MA and servicing the surrounding communities of Plymouth MA, Marion MA, Duxbury MA and Sandwich MA, renovates this sixty year old existing wood frame garage into a brand new and fully finished library addition. The library addition included new energy star rated windows, high efficient and energy star rated spray foam insulation, wood custom cabinetry in a unique book case and shelving design. Custom built in place under window seating with a pleasant surprise below the window seats; additional dry storage provided by these two window seats. The peninsula cabinetry is covered in a new technology and completely maintenance free man made simulated stone product, this top is from *Cambria.

*Cambria combines natural elegance with practical durability. Not only is Cambria stronger than granite, it's also nonporous, making it one of the safest surfaces for food preparation. With Cambria, you have the elegance of natural quartz, combined with the high-end performance of stone. It will provide our homeowner with decades of beauty and durability.

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General Contracting and Remodeling Tyler Texas | Tyler General Contractor | Home remodeling Tyler TX
Mikasa General Contracting and Remodeling is located in Tyler TX and has been serving the East Texas area for almost 30 years. We specialize in all types of ...

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Parking your car on the street or your drive may seem like an easy, inexpensive option until youre de-icing at 5am or looking at a bill for damage to your car At Ottawa General Contractors weve found that garage additions get a bad rap theyre not as elegant as a kitchen remodel or as luxurious as a new bathroom. And yet building a garage can make a real difference to your family particularly when it snows.

The construction of a garage will keep your car safe, warm and dry particularly during the winter months. Rather than getting up every morning to de-ice your windshield and brush the snow off your roof, you can wake up to a car which is already warm and clear and hasnt been scratched or damaged by careless drivers overnight.

In bad weather being able to pull straight into the garage without even getting out to open the door makes a big difference. Its particularly helpful for families with small children or those worried about a trip or fall on icy paths. Imagine being able to bring in the groceries while the kids finish napping without worrying about frostbite.

Garages arent just for cars theyre also incredibly useful spaces, both for storage and hobbies. When youre thinking about your garage addition, include space for long-term storage such as Christmas decorations, bikes or boats.Many hobbies come with large or bulky items which need storage or just need a safe, dry space to work in every now and then. From skiing to sewing, fishing to flower arranging, keeping the things you cherish safe shouldnt be hard and getting larger items out of the house can make your home feel much more spacious.

Learn more about our home addition construction service. Learn more about our easy 3 step process.

The cost of building a garage depends on several factors size, existing structures, foundations and finishing. At Ottawa General Contractors weve built dozens of garages for homes around Ontario so we can give you a clear, accurate quote as soon as you tell us what you need. Our personal project plans include timelines as well as a detailed breakdown of the cost to build a garage so you wont have any surprises along the way. Our focus is on affordable, reliable home additions projects talk to one of our staff now and well send you a free quote for your new garage.

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home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Building & Remodeling Home Additions Garage Addition Ideas

Daniel Westlake

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Daniel Westlake has written under pen names for a myriad of publications all over the nation, ranging from national magazines to local papers. He now lives in Los Angeles, Calif. but regularly travels around the country and abroad, exploring and experiencing everything he can.

Garages don't have to follow all the rules of a home that you're supposed to live in. Garages can be cold and slightly dirty, can have stuff on the floor and tacky things on the wall, can be work spaces and places to relax. Oh, and they can also be places to stores your car and the stuff you rarely use but might need someday--but really, what fun is that?

Watch the film "American Beauty" for reference (but not the end). A garage is the ideal spot for a man cave. Clear out a corner and lay down a cheap, probably awesomely hideous rug. Perhaps add a weight bench and a couple of ratty couches and chairs you have kept since your first college apartment. Add an old TV (that gets satellite, of course) and a hand-me-down sound system and you're set. A fooseball table, ping pong table or even a pool table might be in the cards here. Think about installing a fridge too, just to completely separate yourself from the nosy comforts of the neighboring house you live in. The perfect home away from home for any guy.

As garages equate to slightly grimy messy spaces and art studios to beautiful messy spaces, the two match together well. Tarps can be laid on the floor to lay canvases on top of, so that you can paint Pollack-style. Easels can be set up against the walls and paintings can be strewn about and stored easily. A utility sink, which is rather easy to install, if there's no plumbing already, should probably be added to wash all the paintbrushes and other tools regularly. Yet this addition to the garage could become the perfect space to concentrate and create.

Remember when you were going to be in a rock band and tour the country and be on the covers of magazines? And while you know it's probably never going to happen, a good jam session with some of your old buddies is as fun as anything and great way to release stress or tension or just relax for a few hours. So in that garage addition, make space for a drum set and some amps. Staple-gun foam, cardboard and egg cartons to the walls, and throw down some old or cheap carpets to insulate the sound and not rock the neighbors.

The garage is the ideal place to start when you consider additions to your home. The space is already there and that...

Garage additions turn a boring, cramped garage into a spacious storage area with increased functionality. ... Garage Designs; How to Design Garage...

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If you want to get the most investment value from a garage addition, build in quality details, but dont go overboard on creating a showcase car barn. The Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine has found that home owners who sell stand to recover a higher percentage of their costs if they build a relatively basic garage, rather than one tricked out with finished walls, a decorative floor coating, and designer storage solutions.

The national average cost to build a midrange, 26-by-26-foot freestanding garage addition is $48,806, of which you can expect to recoup about 64% at resale. With upscale finishes, the cost jumps to $80,511 and the payback drops to 54.7%. But with a little planning, you can maximize the use and benefit youll get from a basic garage addition without adding too much to the price tag. Here are the top features to incorporate.

Layout and design

Roof: Most garage roofs are held up by standard trusses. Theyre economical about $88 each in a length that spans a two-car garage but their design blocks the storage space youd otherwise have in the attic. For just $25 more per truss, a total upgrade of about $350, you can switch to storage trusses, which are open in the middle. Or, for an upgrade of about $1,000, you can get attic trusses, which allow for a boxed-in upstairs thats easy to outfit with shelves or even use as a bonus room.

Doors: Some garage plans provide for only the main car door and, in attached garages, a door into the house. Youll be happier if you put in a standard door to your yard as well, so you can retrieve a rake without opening the overhead door. A basic pre-hung steel door costs around $140; add $40 for one with a window.

Windows: Try to include windows, which make the exterior more appealing and bring in natural light. Thats something youll appreciate, especially if youre planning to use part of the garage as a workshop. Generously sized vinyl windows with insulated glass start at around $120.

Floor space: If you have room, build the garage wide enough to allow 4 or 5 feet of space between the car and the walls, which gives you clearance to open the doors plus plenty of easily accessed storage. Adding 2 feet to the width significantly increases usable space but may not add dramatically to the cost.

Storage solutions

The main feature that turns a midrange garage into a upscale version is the addition of a modular storage system, with upper and lower cabinets and a work surface. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, while such systems add substantially to the bottom line, they dont necessarily boost return.

If you want to keep costs more in line with value, you can achieve the practical advantages of the upscale garage at a lower cost by providing simple storage solutions, such as shelves that rest on brackets screwed to studs. Or, if you build your garage with walls 12 or 13 feet high, you can use a few two-by-fours and sheets of 3/4-inch plywood to build a platform about 6 feet high over part of your parking area to store sports gear, holiday decorations, and other bulky things.

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We build high quality home addition structures extra bed rooms, sun rooms, offices, garage extensions, garage apartments, workshops, second floors, attic build-outs, and more for homes throughout the greater Houston Metro area.

Contact us onlineor call 281-786-5199 for a free estimate or to ask questions.

We build any room addition as well as free-standing buildings such as garages, guest houses, servant quarters, fitness rooms, RV storage, hangars, and barns.

Adding a room or extending the garage is a very cost effective way to increase your livable square footage. Many of our clients who were considering moving find that real estate prices having gotten out of hand in some areas or that the total cost and hassle of moving is much more than they want to deal with. Besides, they often like their homes and just need more space to accommodate life.

Additions are usually built to provide new capacity for a change in lifestyle parents moving in, giving kids their own room, space for cars or a boat, an office. Well designed and built home additions immediately increase the value of your home because of the additional square footage which is an excellent point at selling time.

There are many types of home additions, and not all of them involve building new exterior walls. Installing an addition into your house is about increasing your floor space and adding new areas for enjoyment or functionality. Its about adding usable space.

Increasing the usable area of your home can be as simple as converting an unused space underneath a staircase into a half bathroom, building out an attic, or turning an empty area behind a wall into a storage closet.

If you are looking for a more extensive addition, raising the roof of your home and adding another story is a sure way to gain massive amounts of additional space and increase the value of your home. If you do not want to go to such extremes as adding a story or room, and dont have enough unused space in your home to convert, there are still options. Space conversionturning a large room into smaller rooms (such as a bedroom with a new attached bathroom) is an excellent way to improve your home. Simply tell us what you have in mind.

Reliant Construction is proud to call ourselves a design-builder. If you have an idea for a project, we will work with you to make it a reality from the ground up. We are able to assist with the design of your project, then build it to your exact specifications.

Contact us onlineor call 281-786-5199 for a free estimate or to ask questions.

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home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Building & Remodeling Home Additions How to Design Garage Additions

Shelley Frost

Shelley Frost started writing professionally in 2007. She specializes in parenting and education topics. Frost gained her experience in various positions in the education field, including classroom teaching and tutoring. She holds a BA in elementary education with a reading endorsement.

Garage additions turn a boring, cramped garage into a spacious storage area with increased functionality. Planning a garage addition takes attention to detail and an understanding of design and construction. The structural integrity of the garage addition is one of the most important considerations. If you aren't comfortable with the responsibility, consider consulting an architect on the garage addition project.

Contact the local zoning office for home building projects. Determine the restrictions, building permit requirements and other important details that might affect the garage addition.

Assess the current garage space available. Determine which areas of the garage function well and which areas need improvement.

Identify the uses for the garage. Determine the vehicles you wish to park in the garage, including any boats or RVs. Consider storage, workshop space and other uses needed for the garage. Decide if you want to add a second level to the garage for a loft space or apartment.

Measure the length and width of the current garage. Determine how much additional space you need to accommodate your wish list for the garage. Consider the size of the home, making sure the dimensions of the garage are proportionate to the house.

Draw a sketch of the current garage and the proposed garage expansion. Pencil in the different functional areas of the garage.

Plan the electrical needs for the garage. Expanding the garage may require additional electrical sources. Consider if you will add plumbing, heating or cooling to the area.

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Building a garage addition is certainly a great way to spruce up your home. A garage addition offers great benefits and may considerably improve the value of your home. Before breaking ground you need to develop a plan.

A garage addition plan starts off with drawing up initial sketches of the garage addition plan and examine how it will match the existing home design. Although most homeowners favor a large garage, it's important at this point to think about the approach taken to seamlessly integrate the garage with the home. To make it look appealing from the road the garage addition size shouldn't go beyond two-thirds the length of your home. You don't want to let the garage addition overwhelm the home structure. The dimensions of the garage addition is less important from an aesthetic point of view.

When the initial sketches have been done the next step is create the building plan. It should include scaled drawings with measurements, and cross-sectional construction views with constructional materials described. The cross-sectional views ought to include everything from the concrete footings to the peak of the roof. Each transition from the footings upward must be properly drawn. Examples include: the foundation/sill plate transition, the footing/foundation transition, and the wall/roof rafter transition. The plans also need to incorporate a thorough bill of materials for the project. Additionally, all property lines and proper setbacks must be clearly displayed in the drawings.

Estimating the garage addition costs

Estimating the garage addition costs will depend on who's building the addition. If the homeowner decides to perform some of the work (for example, the framing) then costs should be assessed beginning with the bill of materials created through the planning phase. With a detailed bill of materials a homeowner may give a portion of the list to any home design store where they can submit the pricing for the items tasked for the project. For specialty items, for example, garage doors, garage door openers, and perhaps lighting and plumbing fixtures (if needed for the garage addition) the homeowner should contact specialty retailers for costs. Subcontractors can also provide some unit pricing (e.g. garage doors).

Should the homeowner manage the project he or she will need subcontractors. They should be brought into the project at and early stage of the schedule. Each subcontractor ought to provide a firm set estimate for the particular job using the plans and bill of materials. Also their quote needs to include start/complete dates for each particular job.

With garage addition plans and expense estimates in hand the homeowner is able to move forward with pulling permits and developing a reasonably accurate building timetable.

Scheduling

After permits have been approved, constructing the garage addition can start. You should note that even with the most effective plans in place the unexpected can happen and schedules may slip. To offset schedule slips a homeowner managing the project should add some buffer to the schedule and try to look ahead several weeks over the course of the project. They should check with suppliers regularly to be sure building material will arrive when needed and, on occasion, check with subcontractors so that that their schedules accommodate your garage addition project.

With your planning, budgeting and scheduling issues attended to before the beginning of the project, building a garage addition can certainly be a positive experience both before and after the construction phase.

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