Many businesses have faced financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The home improvement industry, much of which is considered essential business, is faring far better.

Michael DeMarco, owner of On The Spot Home Improvements in Saddle Brook,said his sales have increased about 25% since the pandemic hit. On The Spot does emergency home repairs, as well as roofing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, deck installation, power washing and gutter installation, repair and cleaning.

"Theres a lot of people staying home," said DeMarco. "People have called us saying their home is going to be their office for the foreseeable future, and they want to make it nice."

According to DeMarco, many of his clients rerouted the money from their canceled vacations to finance repairs andadditions to their homes.

Real estate: NJ could see increase in people moving from the cities to the suburbs after coronavirus

Social distancing rules have made homethe safest place to be. With parks packed, backyards and front porches have becomethe ideal place to get some sun and let the kids burn off some energy which means On The Spot Home Improvements and other landscaping, contracting and home improvement businesses are experiencing a rise in sales.

Swing Set & Toy Warehouse, which has locations in Upper Saddle River, Freehold, Fleming and East Hanover, has seen a 50% increase in business, said Sue Williams, a sales representative for the company for the past 30 years.

"Ive never seen anything like it," said Williams. Trampolines, basketball hoops and swing sets, specifically, are being ordered nonstop.

"Usually families decide to buy swing sets when their children are age-appropriate. But now, Im seeing even people with very young kids buying this year," she added. Why? Because being outside eases stress, said Williams, especially in a time when entire families are cooped up at home.

The phones at Jacobsen Landscape Design in Midland Park, which designs landscaping for pools and patios andinstalls irrigation systems and outdoor landscape lighting, have been ringing off the hook, as customers yearn for more put-together homes.

Of course, things in the home improvement industry have changed since the pandemic. DeMarco says his staff members wear masks and get their temperatures taken at the door. They keep 6 feet apart from each other and clients. The office building and trucks are constantly being sanitized.

DeMarco predicts the home improvement boomwill continue for the next year, even as businesses and entertainment venues open up. As expensive vacations will likely have to be canceled for the rest of the year, he thinks that money will instead go to building a new cabana in the backyard, installing a pool, or finally building that dream deck.

5 easy home improvement ideas

Cleanhard-to-reach places, such as vents and the tops of fans. This is the perfect time to take care ofspots that usually get neglected. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum or a microfiber cloth to wipe away grime. Add a fresh coat of paint to a room. Yes, this task may seem a bit daunting, but repainting even one accent wall can completely transform a room. We've never had more time to tape, tarp and paint. When's the last time you power washed your house? The weather is getting warm, which means the time is right to impress your neighbors by giving the exterior of your home a scrub. Create a gallery wall with your favorite photos. Gallery wallsare very trendy right now, and printing out and framing pictures of friends and family can make the days in quarantine seem less lonely, while also adding a striking element to your home. Outdoor furniture can get grubby over the years. Perhaps set aside some time to give them a scrub -- Lysol wipes and soapy water work great.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up forour North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: kingr@northjersey.com Twitter: @rebeccakingnj Instagram: @northjerseyeats

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rebuilding America: Home improvement companies thrive as pandemic keeps North Jersey shut in

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Rebuilding America: Home improvement companies thrive as pandemic keeps North Jersey shut in - New Jersey Herald

For Sale/Rent

Live large in these 800 square feet, nestled along Worcester Square.

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

18 Worcester Square #3, BostonPrice: $709,000Size: 788 square feetBedrooms: 1Baths: 1

This one-bedroom condo is all about scale: Tall windows, 12-foot ceilings, and even the heavy double door you walk through to enter the unit. Which is to say nothing of the homes crown jewel, a massive chandelier dripping down into the center of the large living area. Situated on the second floor of a brick bow-front building bordering Worcester Square park, the homes age is another part of its grand appeal. The light pine floors, dotted with dark nail heads, date back to 1900 and the baroque crown molding is thought to be original, too.

Off the main hall, there are three smaller rooms: A narrow kitchen with stainless appliances, a bath with painted tile floors, and an incredibly stylish bedroom. Push through a pair of pocket doors with frosted glass panes to kick up your feet in the latter, which showcases somehow even more embellished molding than the rest of the unit. A starburst-style light fixture and cool gray walls modernize the 20th century glamor, and on the other side of a glass door is a truly timeless featurea roomy balcony where your plants can get some sun, and you can lounge in the shade.

For information, contact Jennifer Gelfand, Keller Williams Realty, jennifergelfand.com.

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

Photo by Dan St. John, Lightshed Photography Studio

The Boston Home team has curated a list of the best home design and home remodeling professionals in Boston, including architects, builders, kitchen and bath experts, lighting designers, and more. Get the help you need with FindIt/Boston's guide to home renovation pros.

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On the Market: A Swanky One-Bedroom Condo in the South End - Boston magazine

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When youre on the hunt for startup office space, the number of factors surrounding the search for a suitable working environment can make the process daunting.

You need to satisfy your startup business current needs while also looking to the future, making sure that wherever you choose is cost-effective and good for team morale, as well as accurately reflecting your brand image.

A good location helps build trust with your clients and enhances your brand image.

Choose a spot that stands out for positive reasons like attractive surroundings, accessibility and commute time.

You want to leave a good impression on visitors and offer a good daily experience for employees. Consider the state of roads and traffic flows, security and access to other facilities like restaurants and fitness centers and the availability of adequate parking.

Unfortunately, a lot of times some of the older properties which might be very nice physically, they can be under parked,'' said Mark Bentley, managing director and principal broker for Colliers International Arkansas. So thats an issue. Youve always got to have ample parking to provide for your employees.

Location can be dictated by the needs of your company. For example, you may also be setting up a distribution center or some other off-site facility and will want your main office close.

Maybe a business owner wants the location to be near him, since hes making all the decisions, or maybe he wants it near where the majority of his employees live for their convenience.

Theres a laundry list of things to be considered there, but location is one of those decisions you really want to make thinking long term, said John Martin, principal and vice president of brokerage for real estate firm Newmark Moses Tucker Partners.

Naturally, youll need to provide employees with access to basic welfare facilities but there are other factors.

Sufficient parking, including wheelchair accessible spots, or an adequate number of power outlets, can play a major role in employee happiness.

If your company has a lot of meetings make sure you have conference space to spare. If you intend to use your office to meet with clients, you will want a comfortable waiting or reception area.

Do a head count and consider how many bathrooms would be adequate. Think about a comfortable kitchen setup and breakroom and space that can be used for company functions that enhance unity.

Make a list of must-have items versus a list of those youd like to have.

Consider not just if the space is adequate now but if it is flexible enough to accommodate growth. Maybe 1,500 SF is enough now, but a successful young business might find it needs 3,000 SF in just a couple years, Bentley said.

I often look for opportunities for them to grow with the building were moving them into, Bentley said.

Of course the price has to be right. You dont want to bankrupt your business before you start with a weighty lease. Make sure that terms dont slow your businesss growth in other areas.

Think about costs like parking, internet access, utilities, furniture, potential maintenance and other bills hidden in the operation.

Avoiding calculating cost per person and focus on how much youre willing to spend overall on a monthly basis.

Remember price, availability and variety of available spaces vary depending on your location needs. Plan at least three to four months before making a move. Being deliberate can keep you from jumping into a space that looks good up front only to learn its inadequate later.

Its your companys home, so make sure your office suits your companys culture.

Your office should have the space to accommodate breaks and group activities while also making a positive impression on visiting clients. Appearances do matter.

What is the nature of your business? Does your office need to accommodate any heavy equipment? Is there room to stock essential supplies and provisions?

You dont want to end up with cramped spaces, inadequate lighting or substandard break space and facilities that can harm productivity. Find space that motivates your staff and embrace the image and reputation you want to build when choosing your office.

Dont rush to sign a lease even after inspecting the space and confirming it is a good fit for your business. As much as you desire the place, dont sign before reading all the terms and clarifying any cost implications of each clause and beware of hidden charges hidden in the fine print.

Finding representation and expert help for this process is a smart move, if feasible, Martin said.

Having an accountant, having an attorney, having a realtor, people who have been through it, done it, understand it, so when those types of things are presented to you youre not sitting there wondering what all this means, Martin said.

Consider the lease period. Moving your business from one place to another can negatively affect profits over time, Bentley said.

Calculate the total costs of moving your business to the new space and factor in the cost of renovations and installations. If at all possible, work a tenant remodel allowance into the deal, Bentley said.

What they find is not going to be perfect and theyre going to need to do some remodeling, he said. Each tenant really needs to produce a nice remodel allowance from the building landlords, otherwise you cant get done what you need done to the space.

As the traditional, cubicle-and-desk setups give way to more organic, versatile and free flowing spaces, communication, collaboration and harmony become just as important as schedules and resources.

When considering your dream office, consider the primary factors your employees feel are most important. One size office space does not fit all.

Its fluid, Martin said. The environments always changing. So now were kind of more in the environment of open office spaces, particularly on the corporate side.

Think about the value of open space to collaboration, flexible space to accommodate teleworking, hoteling allocating certain office space to certain employees during certain times of the week and activity-based design that allows space to be set aside for specific uses via private enclaves, shared desk spaces, open tables, conference spaces and cafes.

Originally posted here:
Setting Up Shop: What to Consider When Choosing Your Office - Arkansas Business Online

By: Kitchen Tune-Up | 0Shares 21Reads

April 28, 2020 // Franchising.com // ABERDEEN, S.D. - Kitchen Tune-Up announced today that it has been named to the FRAN-TASTIC 500 list by FranServe Inc., the worlds largest franchise consulting and expansion organization.

Its an honor to be recognized as one of the leading franchise opportunities by FranServe, said Heidi Morrissey, President of Kitchen Tune-Up. Our ranking is reflective of the model weve built and the commitment we make to our franchise family and their team members. We have an outstanding group of franchisees who are dedicated to serving their communities with the highest of customer service standards, and we look forward to continue growing with likeminded franchise partners in the months to come.

The key factors that go into FranServe's nomination and selection include strong brand identity, turnkey model, operational support, superb training, scalability, quick to launch and clear marketing messaging.

Alesia Visconti, CEO of Franserve Inc. says, Franchising is a doorway for many people looking to be their own boss. A brand that makes our annual FRAN-TASTIC 500 list demonstrated that it goes above and beyond the norm in helping people fulfill their dreams of business ownership through franchising! Its a brand that sets itself apart!

Kitchen Tune-Up prides itself not only on hard work and the ability to finish a project in 1-5 days, but on its Trustpoints system, premier customer service, and family-like mentality business model. Known for its five options to update kitchens and cabinetry, services include signature one-day Tune-Ups, cabinet painting, cabinet refacing, cabinet redooring, and new cabinets.

As Kitchen Tune-Up continues to evolve, the brand has introduced DIY Plus services ranging from cabinet redooring to garage cabinets and cabinet organization. Through virtual connectivity, a representative can provide clients with necessary guidance on products, tools, and directions to accomplish tasks on their own. Despite coronavirus restrictions, Kitchen Tune-Up has continued to innovate and prioritize their franchise owners and clients.

With more than 204 franchised territories nationwide, Kitchen Tune-Up is widely recognized as the frontrunner among kitchen and bath remodeling companies and a position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

Founded in 1988, Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in five ways to update kitchens and cabinetry. Services include its signature 1 Day Tune-Up, cabinet painting, cabinet refacing, cabinet redooring, and new cabinets. With more than 204 franchised territories nationwide, Kitchen Tune-Up has been named to Entrepreneurs Franchise 500 list in 2020. Kitchen Tune-Up offers personalized service and incredible results that are structured around customer service Trustpoints to ensure a hassle-free experience from start to finish.

SOURCE Kitchen Tune-Up

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Kitchen Tune-Up is Recognized as a FRAN-TASTIC 500 Brand For 2020 - Franchising.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. 300,000 servers and chefs in Missouri's restaurants are waiting to see if they can indeed open Monday. Two Springfield restaurant owners gearing up for customers to return, whenever that may be.

From building new tables to remodeling their kitchen, owners are prepping their restaurants. The downtime has been a silver lining.

"We wouldn't have been able to do it," siad Gene Lofar, Co-Owner of The Roost. "I mean, the remodeling has taken us almost two and half, three weeks to do."

Lofaro said whatever the guidelines are, they'll be ready to go.

"We'll be able to put those plans in place," said Lofaro. "And, you know, rest assured that we're here for the community and make sure that, you know, the people are safe when they come in to our business."

Tony Garcia, owner of Avanzare Italian Dining, said he wants to wait a bit longer to reopen his doors.

"I don't think I'll be ready to open for the first week," said Garcia. "I think I'm gonna let it ride for the second week and be ready for Mother's Day weekend."

For both owners, they're just ready to move forward with their business, however and whenever that is.

"I miss it, I miss cooking, I miss my customers, my employees, I miss everybody," said Garcia. "But I think the safety for me to wait an extra week and be more ready, more prepared.

"I think the biggest thing about this is the opportunity for the employees to get back into this," said Lofaro. "And for the community to come together as one."

Read the rest here:
Restaurant owners prepare for reopening in the Ozarks - KY3

Before Minnesotas stay-at-home order was issued, Lori Schmidt and her husband had made up their minds to remodel their home in Blaine.

The couple recently signed a contract and put down a deposit with New Spaces, a Burnsville-based design build remodeling contractor.

COVID-19 safety was one factor in their choice of contractor, according to Schmidt.

They [New Spaces] are taking COVID seriously, she said, including an all-virtual-design process. I talked to other remodelers and they were fine wanting to come in our home, measuring, some even wanting to shake hands. No!

When the job requires workers to be in her home, theyll be wearing face masks, as will Schmidt and her husband. It will work well until everything is lifted, she said.

With construction designated an essential industry, home remodeling projects can and are going forward. But some Minnesota builders are dramatically changing the way they operate, staging Zoom meetings instead of in-person consultations, having homeowners take their own photos and ramping up job-site safety protocols, from sanitizing doorknobs to limiting the number of subcontractors allowed inside the home at one time.

Never in my 20-plus years in the industry did I imagine that we would be meeting with people virtually, said Bjorn Freudenthal, homeowner adviser and vice president of business development for New Spaces.

Homeowners have a wide array of new concerns about remodeling.

Theres fear and confusion, he said. Some want to move forward and view this [the coronavirus] as a speed bump. Some are saying, Lets pause. Life has been thrown upside down. Were trying to meet people where theyre at.

After the spring Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase were canceled due to the pandemic, New Spaces developed a virtual consultation process, including worksheets to help clients identify their needs, wants and wishes.

Its more collaborative, Freudenthal said of working with homeowners without entering their homes. Homeowners need to send pictures, walk around with their phone. We have to rely on technology.

JKath Design Build + Reinvent, St. Paul, also has dramatically changed the way it works with clients.

In-person client meetings have been replaced by Zoom meetings, and samples are delivered directly to homes, without personal interaction, said Katie Kath, co-owner and designer.

Theres increased communication about what clients need to feel safe, Kath said.

It feels like a lot more work, said Kath. I have a little bit of Zoom fatigue right now.

For New Spaces, job-site protocols have changed dramatically, including more temporary barrier walls to create separation, stringent tool cleaning and allowing only one trade in a home at a time.

Weve tried to create an environment of client safety and vendor safety, said Freudenthal. People ask, Is it even possible? The reality is, yes, if its planned properly.

Safety isnt a new challenge for builders, Kath noted.

Weve always been in the business of protecting ourselves and our clients from lead, from asbestos, she said. Thats not on the level of the coronavirus, but we always protect the job site.

Virtual home tours

Connecting with prospective clients also is more of a challenge in the coronavirus era.

Two years ago, when JKath had a home on the Remodelers Showcase tour, it led to 50 inquiries that resulted in 30 in-home consultations, said Kath.

After this years Remodelers Showcase was canceled, JKath had to look for another way to showcase the project it had planned to feature on the tour, a whole-house makeover in Edina.

It was going to be one of the Dream Homes, said Kath. Instead, the home was staged for a photo shoot.

New Spaces created virtual tours of the two homes it had planned to have open during the Remodelers Showcase, and invited people to take part in a Zoom happy hour during which they could ask questions. It plans to continue the series with other featured projects, a kitchen makeover on April 23, a lower-level makeover on April 30, and a kitchen/main level and master suite on May 7, all from 4 to 5 p.m. (Contact New Spaces, newspaces.com, to participate.)

For those who missed touring homes during the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase, several contractors produced virtual tours of their featured homes that can be viewed on the Builders Association of the Twin Cities website, paradeofhomes.org (select Has Virtual Tour).

Amy Haugen, Minnetonka, took part in one of New Spaces virtual tours before deciding to proceed with a remodeling of her main level and creating a master suite, a project shes been thinking about for 17 years.

While shes concerned about the coronavirus, she was reassured by the safety protocols that have been put in place. Everything is so uncertain, she said. But it took me so many years to decide, I need to just do it.

Here is the original post:
Home remodeling projects continue during the pandemic, with a few key differences - Minneapolis Star Tribune

During quarantine, Disney fans have been finding all sorts of creative ways to pass the time, from reimagining Disney World and Disneyland attractions at home to cooking up recipes inspired by their favorite Disney films.

Home renovations and decor updates are also on the rise. What better way to show your Disney side than with home decorations featuring your favorite animated Disney characters?

Wayfair is currently offering four different Elite Tile Disney glass mosaic tile options that are perfect for your next DIY project! Whether you want to update your bathroom with Disney style or install a new kitchen backsplash, you cant go wrong with these easy-to-install tiles.

The first two Disney tile options feature various Disney Princesses.

This Disney Princesses glitter tile costs $8.49 per square foot. These feature alternating mosaic tiles that either have pink and silver glitter squares or individually images of Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, and Aurora.

The second Disney Princess tile option is priced at $9.49 per square foot and features six of the Princesses in Disneys line-up. Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, and Rapunzel have individual portraits, while Aurora and Belle share a tile.

The alternating tile in this set features jeweled aqua squares amid iridescent white tiles. This Disney tile set would be stunning in a bathroom with lots of natural light that would reflect off of the iridescent tones!

The third Disney tile style is priced at $8.99 per square foot and features the precocious Marie from The Aristocats! There are five glass mosaic tiles featuring Marie, wearing her famous pink bows, in different poses. The alternating tile has small pink and white squares.

The final Disney glass tile version is priced at $7.99 per square foot and features characters from the Cars franchise! Featuring Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Lightnings famous number 95, this bathroom tile set is perfect for little boys bathrooms!

The alternating tiles resemble a racing checkered flag with black and white squares.

Will you be using Disney bathroom tile to create mosaic art for your next home remodeling job? Tell us about your Disney decor dreams in the comments!

Even if you cant live at Disneys Golden Oak private community, you can absolutely add some Disney magic to your house. This Disney office decor is sure to bring a smile to your face when you sit down at your desk, especially if youre unexpectedly working from home!

You can also bring the magic home to your kitchen. Check out this Disney Princess dinnerware set or these Minnie Mouse dinner plates!

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Add Disney Style to Your Next DIY Project With Glass Mosaic Tiles! - Inside the Magic

With more than 1,900 businesses in Fauquier County, there are likely 1,900 stories of how owners are attempting to survive the current coronavirus landscape. Entrepreneurs have built their companies by considering educated risks. Some small business owners say they are using those critical skills to carve out their futures.

Salon Lou is an upscale Warrenton hair salon owned and operated by Lori Nicholson.

Salon Lou

Salon Lou is an upscale Warrenton hair salon owned and operated by Lori Nicholson. It opened in 2015 and had been a success from her first cut, she said.

Today the shop is shuttered and all 15 employees have been laid off. Nicholson said, Its almost surreal for my team and me. We were all in shock for the first two weeks. In the third week, we said, 'OK, what are we going to do with ourselves?

Nicholson believes that maintaining esprit de corps is foremost, so conducting virtual cooking classes with her employees helped soften the blow of not being able to man scissors, dye and hair dryers. "It's been a lot of fun," Nicholson said.

The downtime has also been devoted to virtual online training classes to maintain and enhance hair treatment skills and support professional education. A major industry show was canceled, so a lot of my stylists are taking classes online, Nicholson said.

Her furloughed employees have applied for unemployment. The process is frustrating and time consuming because millions of unemployed are tackling the same problem. "I've had to help some of my employees get it, Nicholson said.

She has had a lot of clients call and ask if she could come and do their hair. Unfortunately, state licensing laws and insurance companies will not permit most hair styling to be performed off-premises.

More importantly, she does not want to take the chance of infecting the community or her employees by going off-site. When the economy does open up, she said, We will be bombarded. Clients want professional hair jobs. They do not want to cut and color at home.

Once the doors open again, she said, its also going to change how her employees will interact with customers. We cant do our job 6 feet away. Well probably end up wearing gloves and face masks. Everybody will be scared of going back into the work force.

Currently, I can sustain my business for two to three months. After that, it's going to be questionable, Nicholson said.

Tony Tedeschi, of Piedmont Press & Graphics.

Piedmont Press & Graphics

Tony and Holly Tedeschi own Piedmont Press & Graphics. The couple has more than 50 years of print and design experience backed by historical perspective on how to survive cyclical business swings.

Tony Tedeschi said, My company is still open because we were declared an essential service, because we produce mailings and signage, both important to the economy. But weve lost work on promotional materials for concerts, festivals and equine events.

Losing business like the Gold Cup was hard because its one of our bigger jobs of the year. I would estimate our business is down 60 percent. The drop in revenues occurred almost overnight, he said.

Even before COVID-19, Tedeschi was preparing for a recession, which he thought was overdue. He learned a lot by surviving the 2008 recession, so he was better prepared; he had been saving money, both corporate and personal. The Tedeschis first move as owners was to stop taking paychecks.

He also asked his employees to shift to a 32-hour work week, essentially taking a 20 percent reduction in pay. We have enough money to go a couple of months, keeping our 15 employees working. He has an unused line of credit and has applied for thePaycheck Protection Program, which is a loan for small businesses. Its a forgivable loan, as long as 75 percent of it goes to employee paychecks and health care benefits.

If he is approved for the loan, it will give him an additional 75 days of relief. With all his planning in place, he thinks he is a long way from bankruptcy. He also is in the process of creating some new products and is poised to spend money on marketing.

Where you make your money is when you come out of a downturn. We want to be ready when that day comes. Im not panicked about the situation. Its going to be bad and painful, but people are doing their best to pull together and survive.

Regetis Photography

Amy Regeti manages her familys Warrenton business that has, Pretty much been set on pause. We are solely devoted to photographing weddings, and all our clients are postponing their plans. That will have a domino effect going into the 2021 season.

Amy Regeti of Regeti's Photography

Postponing weddings to the following year means that valuable dates that would have otherwise gone to new business are being snagged by weddings that canceled this year. Regeti said, It limits what we can take on. We service about 25 weddings a year, all of that that has pretty much jumped to later in the year. That business will likely jump again, dependent on the timing of the economic recovery. I would be surprised if we shoot even one wedding this year.

A lot of our clients are shifting dates because they do not want to hold a wedding and a reception with everyone wearing masks. Its not how they want to remember their special occasion.

The family business is a full-time job, but her husband does some work for the federal government. He has been able to retain his security clearance and continues to work, providing much-needed family income.

Home Sweet Home Improvements

Tom and Dawn Wottons Bealeton company is a design, build and remodeling firm with four full-time employees. One of the first actions Tom Wotton took after social distancing was implemented was to reach out to past elderly clients and see how they were faring. Often that resulted in face masks being delivered to the individuals for their protection.

His business is still operating and has about a three-month backlog of work; only a few of his current clients projects slowed down. Nonetheless, fresh leads have stopped.

When on-site, his crew quarantines off a section of the home that is being remodeled and works with hand sanitizers, gloves, safety glasses and face masks. CDC guidance for home construction crews are included in the companys regular safety talks.

Some of his suppliers and subcontractors initially wanted to stop residential work, but Wotton told them his clients were OK with proceeding and gained the cooperation of the vendors.

Wotton said, Yes, we are feeling an impact of whats going on. There are two fronts in play here. First, there are health and safety issues, and we are managing that part of it. Secondly, there is the financial front. If we can produce, we need to continue to produce. Its that simple.

Claire Lamborne owns Claires at the Depot restaurant in Warrenton.

Claires at the Depot

Claire Lamborne owns her restaurant like Tiger Woods owns his swing. The eatery is part of her very core, and she will fight to make certain it endures. To that end, she will reopen for curbside service soon.

Claires service was offered for a short time when the economy was first placed in lockdown. But a crowded staff in a tight kitchen wasnt manageable, she said.

Now shes back. I think we solved some issues with the carryout and will offer it again.

Lamborne thinks she has found a way to work around the tight kitchen issues while keeping her staff safe. While she has 36 employees, only kitchen staff will be brought back at first. She said she believes curbside service will last longer than some people think.

Lamborne said, Before we were trying to do food hot and that became very difficult. This time well be doing curbside meals that are cooked and ready for reheating at home.The new approach allows for pre-planning menu selections and calming the previously busy kitchen scene.

While answers to many questions about the recovery process are yet to be answered, Lamborne said she will not wait until they are to revive an income stream. My accountant doesnt have answers to my questions, and I need to find a tax attorney, said Lamborne.

Will Lambornes new world mean a delay in her retirement plans? Oh, my gosh, yes! The value of my business has dropped, so now I plan to work till Im 80 years old. Im healthy, so hopefully, Ill be able to do that.

Lamborne believes that when she does reopen, she wont be able to accommodate as many diners as before. I think there will still be social distancing. Well need to get those patio chairs and tables painted," she said, laughing.

John Hochheimer is chairman of the board of the Great Meadow Foundation.

Great Meadow Foundation

John Hochheimer is chairman of the board of the Great Meadow Foundation. He said they have had to cancel or postpone several of their planned events. The largest one to date is Gold Cup. It has been rescheduled for June 20, assuming conditions permit.

Twilight Polo was supposed to start May 23, but the potential new start date is now June 13. Honestly, all of our plans depend on what the governor recommends and what the requirements will be once the stay-at-home policy is lifted, said Hochheimer. Our revenue is down some 20 to 25 percent.

He underscores that the foundation is hurting because the delayed events are the core of its revenue. Nonetheless, the staff of seven is still working, and the gates are open.

People are welcome to come out to Great Meadow and walk the grounds and exercise their dogs individually and in small groups. Its largely a wait and see situation. Fortunately, much of what was unfolding at the spacious outdoor venue was just ramping up. Rescheduling the more significant events later in the year will save many of the seasons activities.

Several smaller events, like the National Rocket Contest, will be rolled over to next years schedule. Hochheimer said that groups need to plan events weeks or months in advance, and the uncertainty about when people will be allowed to gather leads to the cancellations.

Well continue to update our website when things are rescheduled. And we do welcome visitors to come out and enjoy the grounds. But I ask that people clean up after themselves and their pets, said Hochheimer.

On the links at Fauquier Springs Country Club

Fauquier Springs Country Club

Shawn Rogers is the general manager of the venerable club that was established in 1957. It has about 325 members. The facility has a restaurant, pool, tennis courts and a golf course. While the restaurant is closed to diners, it is offering carryout service.

He explained, One of the major complications we have seen throughout this situation are the protocols weve had to put into place to keep our club going. The Virginia Department of Health has been fantastic as to what we needed to implement.

The governor has allowed us to keep the golf course open, and our number of rounds are up. Every cart is sterilized before it goes out, and only one golfer per cart is allowed. Weve removed the sand-divot containers from the carts and anything else a player might touch. Players are not allowed to touch or remove the flag pin during play, Rogers said.

The clubs most substantial revenue producers are its banquet and event operations. We have been severely hurt in those areas.A lot of weddings and special events have been rescheduled. In March and April, we lost $150,000 in revenue. Every day this goes on, we are at risk of losing even more.

Rogers thinks the country club will survive without difficulty for two to three months. After that, it will become more problematic. Right now, were OK. But not as OK as we should be.

Fauquier Chamber of Commerce

For more than a decade, Joe Martin has served as the president of the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce. He has successfully guided the organizations 530 members through robust economic growth. Today, hes a whirling dervish, working to keep his family safe from harm.

We have a weekly conference call with numerous regional leadership organizations strategizing on how to address the critical issues facing us. Im also on Zoom calls daily with local, state and federal agencies for the same purpose.

The communication outreach across these dozens of organizations has been phenomenal. One minor but important aspect of all of this is well be using these communication technologies from here on out, said Martin.

To focus on real-world concerns and seek advice from chamber members and their guests, a monthly virtual luncheon is hosted by Martin, where attendees go around the screen and share successes, struggles and challenges. Its an opportunity for one story to answer dozens of questions.

Martin finds it reassuring in such stressed times that most of the groups and individuals hes interacting with generally have a positive feeling about the future. But the pain experienced by small businesses is of particular concern to him. The downturn will end, and Martin, in concert with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, is working on a recovery plan to help make it happen.

Martin muses, The recovery is not going to spring back overnight. It will be a slow and methodical process of likely a year or more. Yes, there will be pent-up demand, but it will not be an explosive recovery. But it will happen. Staying focused and positive is key.

See the article here:
Fauquier County businesses tack into the wind | News - Fauquier Times

As co-founder and senior vice president of design for the luxury fittings brand Waterworks, Barbara Sallick is responsible for some of the most beautiful faucets in the business. For her latest book, The Perfect Kitchen, she studied hundreds of photos from top designers to pinpoint that quality that makes a kitchen design resonate. She found that the best cookspaces arent the ones with an enviable range or a massive pantry; theyre the ones that feel the most personal. Here, Sallick talks about how to bring more character to this hardworking room.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What should you keep in mind when planning your dream kitchen?

A: A good design needs to hit the mark visually, emotionally and functionally. Unless you take the time to put it all together and make it truly personal, its never going to live up to your expectations.

Q: If you know exactly what you want, should you work with a general contractor, or do you need to hire a kitchen designer?

A: Its tough to achieve the results youre dreaming of unless you hire a pro. Contractors have a lot of practical experience, but an interior designer will make you think about what you want in a way that a contractor might not. Its a designers job to ask questions about your lifestyle, family and preferences. The benefit to a kitchen designer is that they know how to draw plans to within an eighth of an inch of their life. The most important thing is to have a conversation with someone who truly understands interiors.

Q: How has kitchen design changed over the years?

A: After looking at about 700 kitchens for this book project, I realized I barely saw any that didnt have an island. I think the work triangle has evolved into the racetrack oval because you are no longer in a direct line from the sink to the refrigerator to the oven and back again. The popularity of the island has truly changed the way traffic patterns work in the kitchen.

Q: Lets talk money: High-end appliances or custom cabinets can be budget-busters. If you have one splurge in the kitchen, where should it be?

A: Hardware can be transformative. There are so many options for knobs and pulls; having beautiful hardware is like putting on your favorite piece of jewelry. You can change the feel of your kitchen from something that is rather ordinary to something very special.

Q: But most people probably choose hardware at the end of the process, almost as an afterthought.

A: Exactly, and thats the problem. I think the second you choose your door style, you need to think about the hardware. It can be a significant investment, but it offers the biggest bang for your buck.

Q: You must have a lot of opinions about faucets. What should people look for?

A: Clearly, you want to love how it looks and how it feels in your hand. Turning on the faucet is a humanistic, tactile thing. If the parts arent great, it can feel like it jerks in place when you turn the lever. You want a kitchen faucet that works so intuitively that you never have to think about which way the handle turns. Then ask if the scale is right for the size of the sink. Make sure the faucet or fitting that you choose is big enough to swing from one sink to another. If its a gooseneck, it should be tall enough that it wont hit your pots every time you clean them.

Q: You could spend $60 or $6,000 on a faucet. Why is there such a wide range of pricing, besides the obvious variations in finishes and design quality?

A: Its hard to know whats happening inside a faucet unless you slice it in half, so it helps to have questions ready when you go shopping. Ask where the valve is made and how you can get replacement parts. Above all, you want to make sure that your faucet is made of high-quality brass. You dont want plastic parts inside your faucet. My advice is to always buy the best-quality kitchen faucet you can afford. Its used hundreds of times a week by various members of your family, and it needs to last a long time.

Q: What should homeowners look for when choosing a kitchen sink?

A: Consider the size and depth. Think of your biggest pot: Is it a lobster stockpot? Then youll need a fairly deep sink. If youre going with stainless steel, look at the quality. Twenty-gauge stainless steel makes a lot of noise because its very thin. Sixteen-gauge stainless steel is quieter because it has a backing that muffles the noise from the water. Its also stronger and doesnt dent as easily over time.

Q: Is there a particular finish thats better at hiding fingerprints?

A: I have a matte nickel finish, and its really easy to care for. Generally, any finish thats shiny, such as chrome, needs to be wiped down regularly. All water has some minerals; once the minerals get on the faucet, they interact with the finish, and you get spots. If you have a nickel finish, you can apply a coat of carnauba car wax, which puts a light coating over the finish and maintains it for a longer period of time. Doing so every six months, or even once a year, helps.

Q: What factors should homeowners consider when choosing a cabinet style?

A: Your cabinet style should have some relationship to the period of your house. If you are someone who has a traditional-style home, youre going to want some kind of paneled door that nods to that, but the same kind of door might look silly in a more modern house. Thinking about the era of your home, even the style of your furniture, ensures that the cabinetry doesnt become this jarring element that looks like it landed in your kitchen out of nowhere.

Q: How do you feel about the darker trend for cabinet colors?

A: All-white kitchens have had their moment and then some, so I love the idea that kitchens can be moody and dramatic. Also, its hard to distinguish one white kitchen from another. Once you introduce a color, it begins to feel much more personal.

Q: Any guidelines for coordinating the countertop with the cabinets?

A: Cabinets always have tops and bottoms, and the counter is the connector. The process of layering both the countertop and backsplash, which can be two completely different materials (and I often prefer them to be), is all about the way they talk to each other. It doesnt matter if the countertop is an active marble or the backsplash is a tile with a crackle glaze. They should have a connection and a conversation with each other.

Q: Colorful encaustic-style tiles have been popular for a while. Is there a downside to going so bold with pattern?

A: If you love pattern and you want to bring multiple colors into your kitchen design, have at it. Personally, I love pattern, but I like it on someone else or in their kitchen. Your kitchen is a long-term investment, and there are ways of injecting pattern that are far less permanent. For instance, you can wallpaper a small corner of a breakfast nook.

Q: How do you hope this book will help people?

A: There are enough kitchen styles, materials and ideas represented that if you are thinking about remodeling, the images in the book might help to cement your vision. Theres even a bright red kitchen from Bunny Williams. If youve ever entertained the idea of having a red kitchen, I hope this book gives you the confidence to go for it.

Original post:
The recipe for a perfect kitchen (hint: It doesn't have to be all white) - Seattle Times

You may be wondering, How much is it going to cost me to remodel my house? First, it's important to understand that nowadays, most people use the terms remodel and renovate interchangeably. Here are clear definitions of what each term means:

As you can see, there is a difference between these two terms. Basically, remodeling refers to creating something new while renovating refers to restoring something to its previous state.

Now that you have a pretty good understanding of the difference between the two terms, here are four things to take into consideration when figuring out how much it is going to cost to remodel your home.

It's important to understand why you are wanting to do work on your home. For some people, a house they're thinking of buying may be ideally located but, unfortunately, outdated. In this instance, it may be better to get the home for cheap and remodel the home to your liking once you own the home.

Some people already own the home and are at a place where they need to fix certain safety issues so that they may continue to live there comfortably. Unfortunate events such as foundation issues, roof leaks, or a pipe bursting in the kitchen can speed up the timeline on tackling certain projects around the home.

Others are at a point where they need to sell their home. Your Realtor may have told you it would be best to do certain updates to maximize the value you would be able to sell your house at, so now you are on the hunt to find which upgraded areas of your home would give you the best return on investment.

Now that you have an understanding of the reason you are wanting to do a remodel, now it's time to outline what you want to accomplish.

You should first prioritize any major items that need to be fixed. You don't want to put a bandage on work that should be resolved by fixing the root of the problem. An example would be if you notice there is mold on the ceiling. The bandage would be to replace the wallboard where the mold is and call it a day. What you really should do is identify and repair the source of the mold (e.g., a leaky pipe or poor bathroom ventilation) so the issue won't arise again.

Make sure you have a list of everything you want to tackle during this remodel. This will help you separate everything you think needs to be done from what really has to be done. This method will also help when it comes to budgeting the cost of the total project.

The most common areas of a home that people are looking to improve are the:

Broken down even further, the most common types of improvements are:

There are a few ways you might choose to tackle your remodel. Ask yourself these questions to determine which way you should go:

No matter how you're planning on going about it, it might be a good idea to have people come in and present quotes for how much certain types of projects would cost.

When vetting a subcontractor, look at past remodeling products, make sure they are licensed and insured, understand what all is included in their quote, and last but not least, find out how long it will take them to complete the job.

As always, the answer is "It depends." It depends on the square footage of the home and whether you're adding more square footage, the type of quality the remodel will be, and the type of permitting required by the city, especially if you own a home that is considered historic, and whether you will be doing a complete renovation of the entire building or just redoing the kitchen.

Regardless of the plan, you are going to want to have prepared a budget. Be sure to add contingency on top of that, because things never go as planned.

You can break down your remodel project by room to get an average cost range. Here is a helpful starting point from HomeAdvisor (NASDAQ: ANGI):

Follow this link:
How to Determine the Cost to Remodel a House - Motley Fool