The Kitchen Cousins will speak three times on Saturday, Jan. 25 about their remodeling adventures at the he NARI Home Improvement Show, which continues through Sunday, Jan. 26 at the I-X Center.

The HGTV stars will take questions from audience members on the Main Stage at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.

NARI offers homeowners a chance to hear advice from experts like the Kitchen Cousins, and see exhibits such as the Ultimate Outdoor Escape exhibit.

The Ultimate Outdoor Escape exhibit, sponsored by Land Creations Landscaping Co. in Columbia Station, highlights the trend of bringing the indoors to the outdoors, said designer Teal Rickards. It shows homeowners whats possible when creating a spacious and comfortable outdoor living space.

The exhibit is divided into seating, culinary and relaxation zones, Rickards said. Granite countertops, a built-in refrigerator and grill would make it a snap to cook and serve a meal to guests in the nearby conversation grouping.

A pergola created a privacy screen around the hot tub, big-screen television and nearby rain showerhead and drain. You could rinse off before hopping in the hot tub, or on a hot day, you can cool off, Rickards said. On cool nights, a portable fire pit that looked like an old-fashioned wood stove could provide a bit of warmth.

This kind of private-yet-open pergola could be added off a master bedroom, he said.

There are lots of other exhibits to see at the NARI show. Dont miss the display of seven deluxe doghouses designed and built by students at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School. NARI contractors donated all the materials, said NARI spokesman Ed Flash Ferenc.

Theres a lighthouse doghouse, a Mail Pooch Barn, a salt-box doghouse, a pentagon-shaped one and one that resembles a school house. NARI attendees can bid on the doghouses via eBay, and money raised will benefit the Animal Protective League, Ferenc said.

Its an educational experience for students and it benefits the APL, he said.

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Kitchen Cousins and remodeling tips are part of Saturday's NARI Home Improvement Show at I-X Center

A new steel door may not sound like the sexiest addition to your house, but it's one of the financially savviest. According to Remodeling Magazines 2014 Cost V. Value report, homeowners who install a steel door can expect to recoup nearly 97 percent of the cost when the home sells.

Exterior work on a property, from new siding to replacing windows, dominate the list of projects that offer the biggest bang for your buck. They offer the largest return because a potential home sale can be made or broken on the exterior alone, real estate agents say.

Its all about first impression, no question about that, said John Kmiecik, regional vice president for the National Association of Realtors and a Chicago-area real estate agent. When Im sitting with my buyers in my car and we pull up to a home, if it doesn't look halfway decent, my buyers in many cases say, 'John let's take a pass on this, because I just don't like the outside.

Buyers typically assume that if the exterior of the house hasnt been maintained, then the interior hasnt either, Kmiecik said.

So does a steel door really make that big of an impression? Not necessarily, but it improves security and offers energy savings through better insulation. Thats the other reason exterior projects also push up the value of a home -- they tend to be practical. Unlike adding luxurious finishes to a kitchen that a new owner may not adore, new siding or new windows generally appeal to any buyer.

Although home exterior projects may deliver a greater return on investment than interior remodeling, all of the 35 home improvement projects listed in the survey returned value this year, thanks to rising home prices that exceeded increasing construction costs.

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Top 10 remodeling projects for adding value to your home

This kitchen is a relatively closed kitchen with a doorway on one end leading to a more formal dining room and a doorway on the other end leading to the family room.

Brent Murray, Renovation Design Group

When seeing a new house or newer apartment, it will most likely include an open concept kitchen in the design. Many people love the idea of an open kitchen that isn't separated from the rest of the living space and may be part of a great room. They are very desirable for families and people who love to entertain. Builders have caught on and are now including this type of kitchen in almost every new plan.

However, while the majority may prefer it, the open kitchen doesnt work for everyone. While there are many requests to open the kitchen to the surrounding rooms, there are some people who prefer a more private, closed kitchen.

There is no "architectural" right answer, the decision must be based on the homeowners personality and preferences. The introverted type of person, who values privacy, usually prefers a closed kitchen that is separated from the main living space, while the extrovert may feel isolated and suffocated in such a set-up and would prefer the open concept.

If a person is trying to decide which kitchen is right for he or she, here are some pros and cons to consider.

The case for the closed kitchen

The cook who prefers a closed kitchen usually is a more formal, traditional person. They prefer to eat in another room and keep the dishes and remains of meal preparation out of sight.

For centuries the kitchen was closed, and it was improper for anyone to be in the kitchen but the cook(s). The kitchen of yesteryear was secluded and private, and some cooks still prefer it that way. They prefer to focus on the task of cooking and dont want to be disturbed by people passing through their work triangle.

Closed kitchens tend to have better task lighting than open kitchens. Because there are multiple functions happening in an open kitchen, it tends to lose the focus on the proper lighting for the work that goes on there. (This is a common design flaw in new houses, but when you are remodeling you can make sure this doesnt happen.)

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Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens

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Chapel Hill, NC (PRWEB) January 22, 2014

Today the Kitchen and Bath Channel released the statistical analysis of its 2013 online growth. The figures confirm the establishment of the Kitchen & Bath Channel as a resource for homeowners searching for remodeling professionals, design inspiration, knowledge and tips related to home improvement, with emphasis on kitchens and bathrooms.

During 2013, the cumulative statistics for the App (iPhone, Android and BlackBerry platforms) showed strong growth with the user base increasing by 61% and use of the app increasing by 47%. The app's most popular feature is to search for a nearby professional using geo-location technology, with 75% of users taking advantage of this feature, while custom searches were performed by 50% of users.

The websites popularity experienced explosive growth in 2013, as compared to the record-breaking previous year, highlighted by:

According to co-founder and partner Philip D. Zaleon, The numbers actually surprised us. We knew that the kitchen & bath industry accepted us as a viable research and educational tool for their clients, but these numbers verify that we are becoming more universally accepted and that will help us grow and put us in the position to increase our offerings to homeowners.

Max Isley, CMKBD, co-founder and partner, additionally noted, "Our focus in 2013 was to deliver 'eyeballs, clicks, and leads' to our subscribers in the ever-evolving confusion we call the Internet. Our analysis supports our projections and our leadership position in the industry. We are working diligently to assure a repeat performance for 2014 and beyond."

About the Kitchen & Bath Channel: The Kitchen & Bath Channel is an online, mobile and social media community linking homeowners with kitchen & bath design and remodeling professionals.

It is the homeowners destination for research, education and shopping the place to find your next kitchen and bath or remodeling professional, whether you are online or on the go.

From The Kitchen & Bath Channel, you have access to blog postings about design, Tweets and Facebook updates, videos, project photos and an array of other ways to find the perfect professional for your next project including step-by-step directions to our partners showrooms!

Link:
The Kitchen and Bath Channel Experiences Explosive Growth in 2013, Thanks in Part to Social Media

HACKENSACK, N.J. David Shanks longed for a bigger house. A roomy kitchen was on the list he loved to cook and had a hard time whipping up specialties for his wife and two daughters in their old narrow one.

But his No. 1 priority was a shower stall in the bathroom large enough for him to maneuver without jamming his elbows against the tiles.

Weve always had a small house, including one small bathroom that I shared with three women, said Shanks, a retired publishing executive. I really wanted a shower where I could stretch my arms and not knock my elbows every time I moved.

After the girls moved out after college graduation, Shanks and his wife, Elizabeth, were done with tuition bills and their mortgage was paid off.

Its a time when many empty nesters downsize, or find their dream home, or both.

But the Shankses are one of the many couples who decide to keep the houses where they raised their children, remodeling them into their dream home. Many have features in their current houses that they dont want to give up, and they finally have the time and money to spend on such indulgences as walk-in closets, roomy master baths and cozy breakfast nooks.

Like many, the Shankses wanted to remain in their hometown Tenafly because, among other things, it provided an easy commute for David Shanks to his job in New York City.

Our ties are really in Tenafly and we were very content to stay where we were, Elizabeth Shanks said. Our friends thought we were crazy to do this at this time of our lives but we renovated and put everything into the house that we wanted.

The Shankses daughters didnt want any changes to their childhood home they didnt want their parents moving out of it, nor did they want any renovations.

They moved into their own places and we were left with this tiny kitchen and a shower that gave me bruises, Shanks said. They wanted a shrine to their childhood.

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Renovate, don’t relocate

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