Albany's Landmarks Advisory Commission will offer two free events on Saturday, May 20, for residents and visitors who want ideas and tips for remodeling or restoring their historic kitchen and for those who want to learn more about Albanys historic homes.

The first event is a Historic Kitchen Talk & Tour from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Participants will gather at the Albany Regional Museum, 136 Lyon St., for a brief presentation about historic kitchen design.

After the presentation, participants will drive or bike to four historic homes with kitchens dating from the 1900s to the 1950s.

The second event is a Historic Kitchen Contractor Fair from 2 to 5 p.m. at Calapooia Brewery, 140 Hill St. NE. Contractors and vendors with historic building and kitchen expertise will be available to share their knowledge and answer questions about restoring and renovating historic houses and kitchens.

Preregistration is required for the Historic Kitchen Talk & Tour. To register, call 541-791-0176 or email shawna.adams@cityofalbany.net by 5 p.m., Friday, May 19. Preregistration is not required for the Contractor Fair at Calapooia Brewery. Participants can take part in one or both events.

The events are partially supported with funds from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.

Read more here:
Historic Kitchen Talk and Tour planned - Albany Democrat Herald

Home improvement, home renovation, or remodeling is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home. Home improvement can be projects that upgrade an existing home interior (such as electrical and plumbing), exterior (masonry, concrete, siding, roofing), or other improvements to the property (i.e. garden work or garage maintenance/additions).

While "home improvement" often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, it can also include improvements to lawns, gardens, and outdoor structures, such as gazebos and garages. It also encompasses maintenance, repair and general servicing tasks. Home improvement projects generally have one or more of the following goals:[1]

Maintenance projects can include:

Additional living space may be added by:

Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:

Emergency preparedness safety measures such as:

Home or residential renovation is an almost $300 billion industry in the United States,[4] and a $48 billion industry in Canada.[5][full citation needed] The average cost per project is $3,000 in the United States and $11,00015,000 in Canada.

Professional home improvement is ancient and goes back to the beginning of recorded civilization. One example is Sergius Orata, who in the 1st century B.C. is said by the writer Vitruvius (in his famous book De architectura) to have invented the hypocaust. The hypocaust is an underfloor heating system that was used throughout the Roman empire in villas of the wealthy. He is said to have become wealthy himself by buying villas at a low price, adding spas and his newly invented hypocaust, and reselling them at higher prices.

Perhaps the most important or visible professionals in the renovation industry are renovation contractors or skilled trades. These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities.

While there is a fairly large grey market of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association and/or are accredited by a professional organization. Homeowners are recommended to perform checks such as verifying license and insurance and checking business references prior to hiring a contractor to work on their house.

Home improvement was popularized on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS. American cable channel HGTV features many do-it-yourself shows, as does sister channel DIY Network.[6]Danny Lipford hosts and produces the nationally syndicated Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford. Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete co-host the nationally syndicated The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show.

Movies that poked fun at the difficulties involved include: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy; George Washington Slept Here (1942), featuring Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan; and The Money Pit (1986), with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long. The sitcom Home Improvement used the home improvement theme for comedic purposes.

Excerpt from:
Home improvement - Wikipedia

Since quartz is manufactured, you can choose the exact pattern, color, and texture you want. Many people like being able to choose the exact appearance of their counters, while others like the varied, unique look of granite.

Were proud to work with the helpful team at Pacific Shore Stones.

Many people think replacing kitchen cabinets is much more expensive than refacing them. However, we find that we can usually replace your kitchen cabinets with Waypoint for about the same price as refinishing your cabinets. Replacing your cabinets gives you the benefit of new boxes and drawers with full-extension, soft-close drawer boxes. These add value to your home.

If you already love your kitchen counters, refacing is a perfect alternative. You can choose from many door styles and finishes, and we handle refacing quickly and with minimal disruption.

We provide services to Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, Lompoc, Nipomo, Santa Ynez, Orcutt and other cities and towns in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

Here is the original post:
Kitchen Remodeling Contractor | New Life Bath & Kitchen

Home Reality VR by MR Direct

Toledo, Ohio (PRWEB) May 10, 2017

Designed as a tool to envision multiple options before remodeling the kitchen or bath; the new Home Reality VR app from MR Direct has truly fulfilled its purpose. This technology provides potential customers with an out-of-this-world experience as they plan their renovations.

Home Reality AR was the first app designed by MR Direct. It utilized augmented reality and allowed any combination of sinks and countertops to be previewed in a users actual home environment. This augmented reality app was designed for use with iPads or Android tablets and has been met with great enthusiasm for several years.

With the recent advent of virtual reality headset systems, like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the MR Direct tech team set out to use this revolutionary science to their customers advantage. The new Home Reality VR app is a virtual reality program which will allow the user to walk throughout a pseudo kitchen or bath with the sensation of actually being there. While strolling through this virtual room, one can create a palette of infinite colors and use it to change the shade of the walls and floor. Also, any countertop, from an extensive library of the most popular styles, can be switched in and out at will. And most importantly, any model from the entire collection of MR Direct sinks can be inserted into or on these countertops. The combinations are truly endless as the user can mix and match all the elements and then walk around the room to view their choices from any angle.

Home Reality VR will soon be available in app stores free of charge.

A more complete story of both Home Reality apps, and the full collection of MR Direct sinks and faucets, can be reviewed by visiting http://www.MRDirectint.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Read more here:
New Home Reality VR App Offers Speculative Remodeling in a Virtual Kitchen or Bath - PR Web (press release)

Remodeling Construction Contractors offers highly respected service throughout the Fontana, California area. The Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling team has been awarded the Best of 2015 recognition for Fontana.

Fontana CA: Remodeling Construction Contractors is the recipient of the Best of Fontana 2015 award. The Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling professionals offer free consultations during the first visit with the team. The First Responder Discount amounts to five percent off. Saving money with the contractors team is part of the quality expectations delivered by the professional team. The company offers room addition, solar panel installation, bath and kitchen remodels and concrete. The professional team serves the greater Fontana area including Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and all the way down to Chino Hills, California.

A spokesperson for the team explains, We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity, and treats your home improvement as if it were our own. You will find us to be competitively priced, with close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships, and guarantee your satisfaction. In fact, our excellence was recognized by Best Businesses in Fontana.

He continues, Whether you have a house to renovate, you are looking for a room addition, or just need a block wall and a concrete patio, you can feel secure, knowing you will get prompt service and the best contractor construction prices in Fontana California. You have come to the best remodel company in the Inland Empire.

RCC is a leading construction contractor in Fontana CA, with more than twenty years of experience. The team has completed thousands of remodel and construction projects. The professional team is known for its ability to exceed expectations in residential construction. As a top-rated firm, the experts should be the renovation choice for Fontana residents.

The contractor in Fontana specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations, solar panel installation, roofs, windows and door installation, realistic synthetic turf installation (save water), concrete and paver installers, flooring-tile or stone, room additions, patio covers, and more. The professionals put the final touch on all the projects.

More information is available at http://www.RemodelingConstructionContractors.com.

###

Contact Remodeling Construction Contractors:

Karl (909) 726-7100 MyRemodelingContractor@gmail.com 15129 Foothill Blvd #E, Fontana CA 92335

Continued here:
Fontana Bath and Kitchen Remodeling Receives Best of 2015 Award In Fontana - Digital Journal

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - by Mike Croxall, president, Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga

People remodel their homes for many different reasons, with an eye toward their own enjoyment and the eventual resale value. Some want to give new life to a house with an out-of-date floor plan. Baby boomers who want to stay in their homes as they age as well as younger home owners who are looking ahead want to enhance accessibility. And, many home owners want to add sustainable home features that also save money on utility bills.

As the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, one this is clear home owners are taking their wish lists to professional remodelers to make them happen.

Open up to new spaciousness Open floor plans remain as popular as ever, and more and more home owners are choosing to take out an interior wall or two to make the space feel larger and more connected.

Remove a wall between the kitchen and a formal dining room and the newly opened space can breathe new life into the entire floor. Natural light enters from more directions and family members working in the kitchen or eating at the counter can interact with others watching television or doing homework. Entertaining takes on a new ease, as friends can gather and move about more freely in the space.

Design for aging in place Enhancing your home to better accommodate aging in place can also be an upgrade in style, ease of use, and comfort for everyone.

A bathroom upgrade where luxury meets universal design might include a large walk-in shower with zero-threshold, a built-in teak bench or tile corner seat, and multiple shower heads, including a waist-high sprayer.

A new kitchen island may add an eye-catching look and adaptive conveniences with multi-level countertops of an easy to maintain, durable and attractive material such as engineered quartz, a deep drawer for dishes and another for the microwave, and a sink with hands-free faucet.

Going green Remodeling your home can not only fulfill your familys dream of a more comfortable and stylish home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also realize savings on utility costs, improve air quality for better health and strengthen the long-term value of your home.

Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with ENERGY STAR-rated models, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and installing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled.

To learn more about remodeling or to find a remodeler in your area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at HBAGC.net.

See the original post here:
Mike Croxall: Much To Celebrate About Home Remodeling - The Chattanoogan

Dive Brief:

Kitchen renovations were the most popular type of remodeling project in 2016, according to the National Association of Home Builders, narrowly beating bathrooms. As part of the Remodeling Market Index survey, 81% of remodelers surveyed said kitchens were their most common project last year, while 80% said bathrooms were the most common.

Just over half (53%) of respondents said whole-house remodeling projects were common, the biggest share since the NAHB began the survey in 2001. Room additions (46%) and window or door replacement (36%) followed.

Kitchen and bath projects have led the list since its inception. Bath projects reached an all-time high last year, with 81% of remodelers naming them a common project, and kitchens repeated the feat this year.

Remodeling is on an upward trajectory, estimated to grow 2% per year through 2025, per the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Most of that spending will be among millennials and baby boomers, as first-time buyers renovate older starter homes and the 55+ group upgrades its existing homes for aging-in-place.

Indeed, aging-in-place remodeling is experiencing an upswing: A recent NAHB survey found that 80% of remodeling firms did some form of work in that sector in Q4 2016, up 68% from 2013. HomeAdvisor reported that six in 10 owners currently over the age of 55 planned to stay put.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association turned out similar results in its 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Report. It found that the most popular amenities were in the safety and health category, such as comfort-height toilets, shower seats and no-threshold showers.

The study also revealed that contemporary and transitional styles are now more popular than traditional; whites and grays continue to reign (including an uptick in white fixtures); ceramic tile remains a go-to material for flooring, with some movement by high-quality vinyl; and water-conserving fixtures are now quite common.

For the kitchen, Houzzs 2017 trend report spotlights colorful cabinetry (though white dominates), particularly as a way to personalize the space; jewel tones like ruby reds and emeralds as accents; flat-panel doors; smart appliances; and windows as a prominent feature.

For more housing news, sign up for our daily residential construction newsletter.

Read the rest here:
Kitchen, bathroom remodels lead as aging-in-place picks up ... - Construction Dive

That's what's left of our kitchen.

It takes a long time to constructa kitchen and only a few hours to tear her apart.

Within four days of our kitchen renovation, the followinghas transpired:

Demolition.

Demolition hauled away.

Appliances donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Initial electrical work completed.

Gas line installed.

Drywall delivered.

Two new windows installed.

Floors checked for repairs and refinishing.

I know this sounds like a fairytale or some ridiculous episode of the "Property Brothers," (by the way, I am so sick of Drew and Jonathan).

But it's true. Come by and see for yourself if you don't believe me.

We have all heard kitchen remodeling nightmares. Workers that never show up. Waiting weeksfor the electrician to do his work firstso we can begin installing drywall. Delays. Delays. Delays.

The plumber's dog had a tooth pulled. The carpenter's truck broke down.

Agaze ofraccoonshas been living in the wallbehind your dishwasher. Call animal control, stat.

Did you know your entire home is swarming with asbestos?

Standing water has ruined your subflooring and all must be removed.

Delays, frustrations and extramonths of washing dishes in the bathtub.

Swearing escalates and tempers flare.

Not in our case.

We hit a Kyle Schwarbergrand slamwith our contractor, Steve Gaulke, theowner of Taurus Construction.

Steve's a local guy. I know his lovely wife,Julie,and taught their three exceptional children when I worked as a substitute teacher at Maplewood Elementary School.

Their reputation is solid gold. Itseems likeeveryother home within atwenty mile radius has used him for a home improvement project.We signed the contract without any hesitation and we trust themcompletelyto do a superior job.

Afteronly afew days, I realized just how extraordinarySteve and his crew really are. When I see their trucks in our driveway, I get downright giddy.

We are blownaway by their talent, professionalism, attention todetail, scheduling prowess and showing up on time.

Let's repeat that shall we?

Showing up on time.

I'lljust take showing up, period.

When they are done for the day, they clean up and put their tools away.Seriously.Perhaps this is a fairytale after all,or I'vebeen sleepingtoo longandthis wholekitchen renovationthingwasonly awishfuldream. Or maybe mixing the antibiotic for my eye infection with Allegra and wine wasn't such a good idea and I'm hallucinating.Wake up, Very Terry. Snap out of it.

No, it's definitelyreal.

Ryan and Brian.

Normally I tire easily of workers being in our home. You lose your privacy and are sharing space with strangers for days on end.No more shufflingaround in your pajamas watching "The Today Show" all morning like a lazy slob.

Get up. Get dressed. Get going. Put a bra on for God's sake.

But I don't mindsharing our home with these gentlemenand have agreat respect for their abilities to install windows, trim cabinets, read design plans and tilethe backsplash.Plus, they have a great sense of humor and arejust, well, reallykind people. Stevementioned thatBrian is every client's most adored crew member and he became mine withineleven seconds of meeting him. He adds a gentle, calming presence to this room full of destruction and reconstruction. Even our cat Tino is unfazed. She hasn't taken a bite out of her tail since they swung that first hammer.

The empty room in all of her glory.

Here is the blank canvas waiting for these artists to paint their magic into a masterpiece.

Taurus Construction will whip her into shape with modern conveniences, clean lines and a much needed facelift.

I know the prize awaiting us down the road will be worth the dust,mess and preparing meals ontop of the washing machinein the basement, two feet fromthe litter box.

Not nave, I know glitches are a possibility and could pop up without warning.

But we are off to a fantastic start, no raccoons were hidingand I could kick myself we didn't do this ten years sooner.

Thank you Steve and your crew of talented tradesmen.

Let's have a box ofdonuts with our coffee next time.

On me, of course.

Did you like this post? Please become a subscriber by clicking here.

Like Very Terry on Facebook.

Link:
There's no turning back now. Our kitchen is in a million pieces. - ChicagoNow (blog)

Design Depot professionals are highly experienced, creative, friendly, and insured.

Drop us a line or stop by our beautiful showroom and speak with a designer today.

If youre not satisfied with something, well do everything we can until you are happy.

UPGRADE YOUR KITCHEN

When it comes to renovations, the kitchen is king

BOOST YOUR BATHROOM

Where small improvements make a splash

REINVENT YOUR TILE

Make a statement with every little detail

SOFTEN YOUR HOME

Comfort your surroundings with a new wood floor.

Live your Dream.

DONT JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

As a designer I've worked with many showrooms before, the customer service from you guys was hands down the best I've ever experienced.

I highly recommend Design Depot! Staff was friendly and professional. Ethan was extremely helpful and easy to work with!

They have a huge selection of tile and other products and are a great pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!!

They gave us a great price on some good quality flooring and underlayment.

WE PLANT 1 TREE FOR EVERY $10 YOU SPEND

NOW THATS DESIGNING FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Design Depot is a family owned and operated business. The showroom is located in Englewood, New Jersey and offers a wide variety of products and services. You can find everything you need for your home design or construction projects such as kitchen cabinets, countertops, endless bathroom fixtures, wood flooring, marble, granite, and porcelain tiles and so much more.

Design Depot also has a team of top designers on staff that are here to help you get through your project from concept to completion. We invite you to take a tour of our site to learn more about the products and services that we have to offer.

We love suggestions, feel free to contact us!

More:
Englewood - Design Depot | Kitchen Remodeling | New Jersey

Remodeling or completely renovating a kitchen can be a big task, but it also has the best return on investment of any home improvement.

But these improvements don't come cheap. A 2013 U.S. Census Bureau report noted the cost of an average kitchen remodel was $5,000, with the price tag for complete renovation at $27,353.

Given these costs, remodeling experts say there are ways to save in order to have money to splurge on key items.

Begin with a detailed floor plan, said Ariel Darmoni, managing partner at 123 Remodeling, a general contractor firm which was featured in Houzz and on HGTV.

"It's going to be so much more if you don't have a floor plan that works for you because making changes later costs more. You can also save money if you don't have to move plumbing and electric, even if you're taking down walls," he said.

Don't skimp on important life-safety improvements like mold remediation and ventilation, said Beverley Kruskol, owner of M.Y. Pacific Building, a general contractor who has worked with high-end renovations, including for Mario Batali's restaurants in Los Angeles.

Tile, flooring and lighting can be both economical and beautiful, Kruskol said.

"Tile is a great place to save money. There are thousands of styles, and they're so amazing," she said.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles can be used on both floor and in kitchen backsplashes, said Suzanne Falk of Suzanne Falk Interior Design, a ghost designer on HGTV's "Kitchen Crashers."

Tile is cheaper than hardwood flooring, and Darmoni prefers tile floors in kitchens because wood floors can be easily damaged by water leaks from dishwashers.

Big-box retailers sell attractive tiles for a fraction of the cost versus what's sold at designer showrooms, Falk said. For people who have their heart set on high-end tile, she recommended highlighting it in a specific area, like in a backsplash around the range, and then framing it with subway tiles, which Falk said are her "go-to" tiles.

Distinctive, affordable lighting options are available at retail stores versus paying up at a showroom, they said.

"Compared to what was available four or five years ago, you can get beautiful lamps at a fraction of the cost," Kruskol said.

Choose a nicer faucet over a sink, Darmoni said, but look at the faucet construction. Better-made faucets have durable metal cartridges inside, which are the valves that turn on the water and mix temperatures.

High-end appliances might be a worthy splurge; however, Kruskol said homeowners should think about how they use them and how long they'll be in the home.

"If you're in a condo, I don't think you need to spend the money to get a Wolf range, but it depends on your lifestyle," she said.

Homeowners who aren't doing a gut rehab and really are scrimping can get new doors and hardware for their existing cabinets, Kruskol said, which can quickly update the look. Even refinishing existing doors can refresh a tired kitchen.

The two areas worth a splurge are cabinets and countertops, they said. Consider stepping up to semi-custom cabinets from a local cabinet supplier and avoiding the big-box retailer.

Working with a local cabinet supplier to design creative storage can help eliminate a lot of the wasted space in kitchens, Kruskol said. Upgrades like pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans are useful, but Falk warned about getting carried away with other costly upgrades like appliance garages and built-in spice drawers. These can look nice but may not be practical, she added.

Another benefit to using semi-custom cabinets is they can be designed to fit a home's inevitable imperfections in a way prefabricated cabinets can't, said Darmoni and Falk.

All three said consider upgrading to natural stone countertops versus manufactured styles. Not only do they look beautiful, but they will last for years. Granite has always been popular, but high-end materials like quartz and quartzite are becoming affordable.

The one stone they don't recommend for kitchens is marble.

"It's porous and stains easily. For instance, if you put a coffee cup on it, it gets a ring that doesn't go away," Kruskol said.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read the original post:
Where to save, where to splurge in kitchen remodel - Sioux City Journal