New research and survey data from Thumbtack and Zillow finds a typical for-sale home could need close to $30,000 of work, which could come as a surprise to a majority (65%) of active home shoppers who are not seeking a fixer-upper. More and more are taking advantage of record-low rates to land in the home of their dreams, as just last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) sliding down to 2.90%.

To help first-time homebuyers prepare for their journey, Zillow compiled a list of the most common projects its teams tackle after purchasing homes through Zillow Offers. Using that list of common repairs, Thumbtack calculated the national average costs to complete each project.

According to the new survey of 1,000 homebuyers, the average millennial expects to pay between $10,000 and $15,000 to make a home move-in ready, when in reality, the study found that homeowners should actually expect to spend approximately $26,900 on these projects. In terms of price breakdown, evaluating, repairing, or replacing HVAC systems is the most expensive move-in project, costing $3,615 on average nationwide.

This research suggests first-time homebuyers typically underestimate the costs of the unsexy projects they may have to tackle before they even move in, said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow Home Trends Expert. That sticker shock may be increasingly common in a competitive market where buyers are dropping inspection contingencies as a strategy to win a bidding war.

Homebuyers said they were most excited about improvement projects that allow them to express their personal style and make a home feel like their own: interior painting ($385/room), followed closely by wallpaper installation ($530/room), and kitchen updates like remodels and renovations ($7,445).

We know homebuyers are most concerned about the hassle of home maintenance and repairs. It feels overwhelming to know where to begin, but also, who to entrust with your most valuable possession, said David Steckel, Thumbtacks Home Expert.

Homebuyers are least excited about making roofing repairs, which cost an average of $800 to evaluate and complete. This is followed by general plumbing repairs ($335), painting the entire home exterior ($2,415), and repairing damaged floors ($315-$1,245, depending on the type of floor). These projects tend to be more time consuming or require a deeper level of expertise to complete, which can make homeowners feel out of their comfort zone.

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New Homeowners Surprised by Unexpected Costs - theMReport.com - The MReport

This week in design, Gen Z is using TikTok to turn their rug-making hobbies into full-fledged businesses, while a new hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, brings unsavory comparisons for the citys disgruntled residents. Whatever comes next, stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches and events, recommended reading, and more.

Business News

Hearst Magazines has announced a newly formed vertical called The Hearst Design Collection, comprising three of its shelter magazine titles: Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Veranda. The rebrand follows a major shakeup on the companys sales and marketing teams earlier this spring, which saw Hearst offer buyouts to some 600 staffers, while titles were reorganized under the new headings of Lifestyle, Luxury, Youth & Fitness and Design. The three shelter books were combined to create the Hearst Design Group in 2013, then grouped with Town & Country in 2019 under the banner Luxury Design Collective with publisher and chief revenue officer Jennifer Levene Bruno in charge. Now, T&C will be paired with Hearsts stable of fashion books, while Bruno continues to oversee the shelter category. All three brands' editorial teams, meanwhile, remain unaffected by the restructuring.

When severe winter weather struck the Gulf Coast region earlier this year, it halted production for chemical foam manufacturersyet even as summer has thawed frozen facilities, the industry is still at a loss for foam. Like many other supply chain shortages, Home News Now reports, the issue is one of unrelenting consumer demand, which has been consistently running above capacity for chemical suppliers since the pandemic began. Further complicating things for the mattress and bedding segment are the ongoing anti-dumping petitions introduced in November, which have largely prohibited mattress imports into the U.S. Analyst Jerry Epperson told HNN that industry insiders arent expecting demand to return to stable levels until June 2022.

The Small Business Administration is rolling back requirements for loan forgiveness by eliminating the necessary review step for borrowers of $2 million or more, Inc reports. The amendment is likely designed to save the time and money involved in processing and approving additional financial information; after more than a year of PPP, the agency distributed $780 billion in funding to more than eight million small businesses. Despite the update, experts recommend keeping financial documents on hand for the possibility of a future program audit.

Block Renovation has announced the completion of a $40 million funding round, with participation from Giant Ventures, NEA and Kelly Wearstler. Through the companys platform, homeowners receive a comprehensive renovation plan led by a project consultant and executed by designers, contractors and vendorsall of whom are vetted by Block. The business was founded in 2017 by a Casper co-founder and former Rent the Runway executive, and has since focused on completing kitchen and bath remodels in the greater New York area. With the new injection of capital, Block is extending its services to the Los Angeles area, with its sights set on building out its platform and construction tools.

The Ever Given has finally set sail again, Reuters reports, after halting global trade when it blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week back in March. The container ship had remained docked in Egypt until last week, when its owners reached a multimillion-dollar compensation deal for its release. To honor the occasion, the Suez Canal Authority held a ceremony marking the ships departure, attended by foreign diplomats and broadcast live on television in Egypt.

Visa is partnering with cryptocurrency companies to allow consumers to spend and convert digital currencies through its card program, Insider reports. The payments will be converted from crypto assets to government-issued currency on the backend, just like any other Visa transaction, which means merchants wont need to update their point of sales terminals (or even understand what a blockchain is) to process the digital tender. According to the company, the new features are a response to the more than $1 billion already spent in the first half of 2021 via crypto-linked Visa cards.

Billionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is now living in a 375-square-foot prefab rental house in Boca Chica, Texas, TheRealDeal reports. The 20-by-20-foot accessory dwelling unit, made by the Boxabl company, is a studio space, with one large room divided into necessary bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room areas. The move follows a May 2020 tweet from Musk in which he wrote I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house. (That wish likely wont be fulfilled until he offloads his 16,000-square-foot Bay Area mansion, currently on the market for $37.5 million.)

ArtSugar offers art prints and home goods aimed at millenials and Gen ZCourtesy of ArtSugar

E-commerce art curation retailer ArtSugar has announced the completion of a $500,000 seed round led by Curate Capital. The company caters to millennials and Gen Z, offering affordable art prints, sculptures and home goods created both in-house and by artists popular on social media. Following an 80 percent increase in year-over-year revenue since March 2020, ArtSugar plans to expand its product line and stable of artists, create in-person immersive experiences and improve customer experience online.

Launches and Collaborations

Angi has launched a new membership program to connect users with home maintenance, improvement and emergency repair services. As part of the Angi Key membership, subscribers will receive discounts on household projects along with the ability to browse various home services in exchange for an annual fee.

Architect Peter Marino has opened his eponymous art foundation in Southampton, New York, the Wall Street Journal reportsa collection of antiques, decorative objects and fine art collected over the last 40 years and housed in a historic structure transformed by Marino himself. Built in 1895, the 8,000-square-foot, two-story exhibition space was once home to a public library, a home decor showroom and an art museum, and has been restored in the last three years to prepare the space for its next wave of visitors.

Swatchbox, the building products sample provider, has teamed up with Behr Paint Company for the creation of Swatchbox Proan online platform where architects and designers can research and request samples. The new service allows users to browse samples and organize them into custom palettes and collections for free next-day and second-day delivery.

Ashley HomeStore has added a new Baby & Kids category, expanding its furniture assortment with cribs, gliders, toddler mattresses and changing tables from brands like Delta Children, Million Dollar Baby Classic, Donco and Little Seeds, Furniture Today reports. The new offerings will also include teen and tween styles, with floor beds, loft-style bunk beds and youth decor.

In a collaboration with Universal Studios, Hygge & West created wallpaper designs depicting classic films like E.T. the Extra TerrestrialCourtesy of Hygge & West

A wallpaper design inspired by Back to the FutureCourtesy of Hygge & West

Left: In a collaboration with Universal Studios, Hygge & West created wallpaper designs depicting classic films like E.T. the Extra Terrestrial Courtesy of Hygge & West | Right: A wallpaper design inspired by Back to the Future Courtesy of Hygge & West

Together with Universal Studios, Hygge and West has debuted a wallpaper collection inspired by classic movies. Patterns include vignettes from films like Jaws, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial and Back to the Future, with imagery such as the sun setting over frothy waves, a UFO landing in the forest and a DeLorean cruising down a mid-century main street.

Showroom Representation

Kravet Inc. has announced it will begin distributing MissoniHome fabrics and wallcoverings through its luxury division in the fall of 2021. The brand will start by launching more than 150 products in showrooms, offering classics and new introductions from 2020 and 2021, including prints, wovens, jacquards, indoor and outdoor products and contract grade fabrics.

Recommended Reading

Greenhouses are a growing trend among homeowners in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reports, after providing much-needed relief during the pandemics darker months. Once a fixture primarily in high-society households and commercial farms, the glass outbuildings have since become more popular among the everyday gardenerone greenhouse supplier saw website traffic increase by 177 percent over the past year.

Gen Z may be reviving some early aughts trendslow-rise jeans and pop-punk among thembut theyre leaving antiquated email communication in the past. According to the New York Times, a 2020 study discovered a generational gap in work tools, with email prevailing among those 30 and above, while their younger counterparts preferred platforms that promote collaboration, like Google Docs, iMessage and Zoom. Its actually crazy how outdated it is, 24-year-old Adam Simmons said of email to the NYT.

Cue the Applause

The 2021 Emmy Nominations have been announced, and the team from Queer EyeBobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Powowski and Jonathan Van Nesshave secured a spot on the list in the Reality Host category. For the full list of nominations, click here.

The winners of the annual Vision Design + Workroom Competition Awards have been announced, honoring more than two dozen interior designers and workrooms from 10 different states for their achievements in drapery design, motorized window treatment installations, combination and top treatments and more. Brandi and Samantha Day of Day Design LLC in Fort Worth, Texas were awarded with the top honors in the design category, while in the workroom segment, Leslie Excell with Excell In Design Group in Margate, Florida took home the top prize. For the complete list of winners, click here.

Call for Entries

The Black Artists and Designers Guild has announced the new Creative Futures Grant, in which four Black undergraduate and graduate students in architecture, design and fine art will receive $5,000, plus mentorship through BADG and the opportunity to present their project proposal during a members meeting. To apply, click here.

Window Fashion Vision is now accepting nominations for its second 20 Under 40 Awards, open to professionals in any segment of the window treatment industry, including interior designers, workrooms, installers, manufacturers, retailers and entrepreneurs. To submit a nomination before the August 1 deadline, click here.

Southern Living has announced its annual list of Tastemakersa group of 10 women who exemplify modern southern style across the categories of fashion, home, art and beauty. Among the cohort are Stephanie Summerson Hall, founder of Estelle Colored Glass; interior designer Jean Liu; Keith Smythe Meacham of Reed Smythe & Company; and artist and textile designer Riley Sheehey. For the full list of tastemakers, click here.

Homepage image: Kravet Inc. will begin distributing MissoniHome fabrics. | Courtesy of Kravet

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PPP loan forgiveness requirements are rolled back, the foam shortage is here to stay, and more - Business of Home

Made in America: PHCP-PVF Products Manufactured in the USA | 2021-07-08 | Supply House Times This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. This Website Uses CookiesBy closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn MoreThis website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.

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Made in America: PHCP-PVF Products Manufactured in the USA - Supply House Times

If youre contemplating a new and exciting home renovation project think a loft conversion, total remodel or creating an open plan space and want to take your ideas to the next level, you're going to appreciate all the advice and expertise you can get.

When it comes to any DIY project, from fitting your own kitchen to installing a new toilet, the lines are somewhat blurred when it comes to the parts of a project that you should confidently take on yourself, and when you should be contacting a professional for deeper insight whether you're an experienced homebuilder or not.

Hiring a structural engineer could make the difference between a house renovation that runs smoothly and successfully, and one that is stressful not to mention more costly.

From both a visual and a safety perspective, it's worth searching the Institution of Structural Engineer's database. This free service will put you in touch with structural engineering practices, with professionally qualified staff, so that you can get the advice you need.

(Image credit: stock.adobe.com)

Additional costs are one of the main turn offs with home improvement and building projects. Which is why the fact that it's free for homebuilders and renovators to search the database and find a local structural engineer, is an extra perk.

With no compromise on efficiency or ease of use, only structural engineering practices with professionally qualified IStructE members are able to become a part of the scheme. Meaning that you will only be put in touch with industry experts that are at the forefront of the profession and sure to give your project the mark of technical excellence that it deserves.

New practices are joining all the time so you should find the help you need.

(Image credit: Stock.adobe.com)

As with any sizeable home improvement project, you'll want to ensure that your building is structurally sound and that working conditions are safety assured to industry standards. Part of the service that a structural engineering practice provides is structural surveys. These identify any structural faults and issues (or lack thereof) with a building.

Your structural engineer will work with your architect and contractor to bring your project to life in a safe manner, identifying and managing the risks associated with your project.

Different surveys can be done, depending on the age of the building/property and on your requirements. Structural engineers will then work with your architect to draw up the best plans to achieve your expected outcome.

(Image credit: stock.adobe.com)

Introducing a structural engineer in the early stages of your project can make for an even more successful result. Going open-plan isn't just about joining two types of space together for example. Getting a professional's perspective and expertise from the start could widen your options and elevate your project to a whole new level.

It doesn't stop there. Basement and loft conversions are increasingly popular home improvement projects. Turning unused dead space into a liveable and beautiful area for the whole household to enjoy is one of the most exciting projects around. But these can be complex projects. It's this type of home reno that will benefit immensely from the input of a structural engineer that is able to carry out a full structural survey.

This involves a full inspection of a property to understand the structural behaviour of the building and whether any work could negatively impact the home or surrounding properties and to make recommendations to help you get the most out of your space. The survey will look for any movement or potential subsidence and other eventualities to ensure you peace of mind that work can be carried out successfully and whether the building is behaving as it should.

As with any reno, it's essential to consider all of the eventualities. Unfortunately, if you haven't planned for any spanners in the works a missed alcove or structural issue and if these become a problem mid-project, it can drive costs (and stress-levels) up.

A visual inspection can help produce technical designs and drawings for home remodels. This is fairly brief and designed to understand the general configuration of the main structural elements which in turn, will help finalise plans to help everyone working on your project deliver in an effective and efficient way.

The purpose of a measured survey on the other hand is to measure up the property, to help create accurate technical plans and to draw up any structural calculations needed, usually this can be done from detailed Architects' drawings. A visual inspection shouldn't be needed additionally to this but your structural engineer will let you know if they need to visit, and if they will need access to your property.

From more defined designs to better planning, searching the IStructe database and having a professional's input from the onset is a brilliant way to pull your home renovation project of dreams together successfully, and smoothly.

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Why it really pays off to bring a structural engineer on board - Real Homes

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A conservatory is more thana crime scene locationin the classic board game, "Clue."

For one thing, the concept has thousands of years of history behind it. According to Merriam-Webster, the first known use of the word to describe a glasshouse for growing plantswas in the mid-17th century. That parallels with a Wikipedia entry, which states that they originated around this time when wealthy English landowners sought to cultivate citrus fruitsbrought by traders from warmer regions of theMediterranean.

In "The Conservatory: Gardens Under Glass," authors Alan Stein and Nancy Virts make thecase that these structures first appeared even earlier, in Ancient Romeduring the reign of Tiberius.

Stein and Virtsare the founders of Tanglewood Conservatories, a Maryland company that specializes in the design and construction of customconservatories and other glass structures.Filled with evocative archival and contemporary photographs and drawings of landmark structures, the book'sgraceful, accessible text celebrates those who advanced the technology and the architectural majesty of these light-filled structures.

Divided into six chapters, the book begins with Humble Origins, covering the ancient beginningsof the glasshouse, moves into Orangeries for Aristocrats, describing their development by the landed gentry (including that at Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington).

Subsequent chapters are The Glass Palaces of Great Britain, such as the ill-fated Crystal Palace in London and Conservatories on the Continent, which explores structures in Europe, from the Czech Republic and Germany to Paris and Madrid.

The book ends with New World Conservatories, including Longwood Gardens (roughly an hour outside Philadelphia), followed by Modern Glasshouse Marvels, a look at unique 20th- and 21st-century structures, like the undulating Flower Dome Conservatory in Singapore.

At ArchDaily, an international architecture news site, it was noted that "'The Conservatory' makes a persuasive argument for the role of conservatories in our contemporary world." Published in October 2020, Stein and Virts' book has also been cited on a number of holiday gift lists and spring reading roundups.

Last December, The Detroit News included it in a giftlist of home and garden books with Michigan ties, thanks to its inclusion of the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, which opened in 1904 in Belle Isle, Mich. In addition, "The Conservatory"showed up on a similar list of art and design books recommended for spring reading byBoston Magazine.

There, editors encouraged readers to "Trace the origins of these glassy masterpieces and swoon over the leafy wonders they house."

"The Conservatory" has earned an average rating of 4.7 out of five stars at Amazon, where the hardcover currently sells for $42.49; check it out athttps://amzn.to/2UMi2vH.

Lumber price swings force delayedhome renovations

When Allison Glass bought a 30-year-old home in Winfield, W.Va., last June, she knew shed have to update the kitchen. She thought the project would cost less than $10,000. But surging lumber prices during the pandemic forced her to raise her estimate to $15,000.

The price of lumber, which shot up to $1,600 per thousand board feet in May from $400 early last year, is making renovations more expensive especially projects that involvekitchencabinets, hardwood floorsand additions that requireframing. Labor shortages and supply-chain snags exacerbated by the pandemic are driving up those prices and giving Americans who are planning home remodels pause.

Even as prices for lumber futures ease following their peak in May, customers worry about committing to new projects, says Chuck Fowke, a builder of custom-designed homes in Tampaand chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

From USA Today, June 23; read the full story at https://bit.ly/2Tfuh3x.

Days on Market Until Sale* for May 2021 as reported by the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.

May 2019:66

May 2020: 63(-4.5%)

May 2021: 35(-44.4%)

*The category tracks and compares the average number of days between when a property is listed and when an offer is accepted in a given month. A complete market report is available at NEFAR.com.

Compiled by Homes editor Anne Hammock. Know of a tool, book or news tip youd like to share withShopTalkreaders? Send details to ahammock@jacksonville.com or call (904) 359-4628.

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SHOP TALK: Great books, stats and other helpful news for homeowners - The Florida Times-Union

Redeveloped in 2018, as was the single-family home at 335 Diamond Street next door, the two-unit building at 333 Diamond returned to the market in 2019, listed as a 5,190-square-foot single-family home, with a legal unit/guest quarters, equipped with its own kitchen [and] private entry for friends and family on the homes ground floor, and priced at $6.95 million or roughly $1,698 per square foot.

Featuring an open floor plan, contemporary finishes and multiple outdoor spaces, including a rather spectacular new roof deck with thrilling views of the Downtown skyline, Bay, Twin Peaks, and Corona Heights Park, the list price for the Eureka Valley home was reduced to $6.689 million in the first quarter of last year.

And having been relisted anew for $6.5 million this past March, with an official 1 day on the market, the list price for 333 Diamond has since been further reduced to $5.995 million or $1,155 per square foot, a sale at which would be considered to be at asking according to all industry stats and aggregate reports.

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In the Heights of Eureka Valley - SocketSite

In the first half of 2019, Long John Silvers charted a course for recovery, beginning with stabilization.

At the time, the business faced three main obstacles. The chain had a master lease situation hanging over its head, which presented a lot of dead rent assets. Long John Silvers was also shedding about 60 restaurants per year and was burdened with the task of buying back troubled franchises.

The strategy was to simplify the business. Long John Silvers went from 75 workers at its Restaurant Support Center to roughly 45 and renegotiated its master lease. As the process unfolded, the brand started thinking less as a national brand and more about how it can take its marketing spend and make it more local for franchisees.

The restaurant began to see wins throughout the middle of 2019, it said. Long John Silvers stared down a tough reality in the final part of the year, however, as the brand tightened its advertising budget to prepare for 2020. As a result, transactions declined.

So we had our level set starting into 2020, says Blain Shortreed, who was recently hired as CEO. And we thought that most of the assets that were part of the LoJohn [leases] that were going to be removed from our base were gone. We felt that most of the bleeding from our ad budget was done, and we were ready to reset ourselves. We got into 2020, and I think our story was starting to pan out.

Long John Silvers went from 1,000 stores in 2015 to around 740 in 2019, including 540 franchises and 200 company-run stores. In January, the chain saw positive same-store sales stacked on top of growth from the previous year. Then COVID arrived a couple of months later, and the 52-year-old brand was forced to adapt.

Two decisions from 2019 worked in its favor. First, the chain started third-party delivery. Additionally, Long John Silvers local approach to marketing prevented it from overspending. So when COVID hit, the company essentially stockpiled money.

We didn't have to spend on advertising, Shortreed says. We didn't have too many forward buys. We could actually put our advertising on hold.

Transactions declined 30 to 40 percent during peak Lenten season, which usually brings the highest sales volumes of the year. In addition, Long John Silvers switched from a 50 percent dine-in business to 95 percent drive-thru and 5 percent delivery. Business shifted overnight, but Shortreed says managers had the innate ability to adjust within days. Operators found ways to cut back on cash flows, saving Long John Silvers in the neighborhood of $200,000. They also learned ways to move from 15-day inventory to about eight days, which saved another $500,000 of working capital.

Because no capital was being spent and no one could visit restaurants, Long John Silvers considered furloughing seven to 10 employees. Instead, the brand told those workers to refocus on being productive during COVID. For example, John Haley, the brand director for development, had no funds to build out restaurants. So he switched to building shields to protect customers and employees inside stores.

Another 60 or so units shuttered in 2020, meaning roughly 300 stores have closed in the past five years. Long John Silvers currently has670 stores346 standalone, 139 co-branded with A&W, and 185 co-branded with KFC and Taco Bell.It also breaks down to 200 corporate stores and 470 franchises.

I know in this business when you have restaurants that have a problem, throwing complexity at them, being that they have to go through a drive-thru and they weren't good at drive-thru, it's not going to fix their business enough so that they can recover like the rest of the restaurants, Shortreed says. So good operators survived through that, and I think some of the ones that were already not some of our better operators, we had to take some action just to make sure that we were making headway on our overall vision to simplify our business and make sure that we're delivering on the customer experience.

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Long John Silver's Steadies the Ship Amid Choppy Waters - QSR magazine

Every homeowner has something in their home that they wish they could change. Maybe it is a wall in the kitchen that blocks their view of the living space, making it difficult to entertain. The bathroom with a bathtub they never use because it is small and awkwardly laid out. For most people these minor annoyances are something to just live with, at least until they save up enough money to invest in a remodel.

Where to Start?

The top two most popular rooms in a home to remodel are kitchens, which accounted for 79% of all remodels in 2015, and bathrooms, which were remodeled 88% of the time. Kitchen and bath remodels impact functionality and look of those spaces and the resale value of a home positively. Once the decision to move forward on a remodel has been made, homeowners will want to look at contractors,https://www.granitetransformations.com/location/granite-transformations-of-sacramento/, who specialize in kitchen and bath remodels. Businesses that specialize in kitchen and bath remodel can help homeowners with each phase of the process from design to construction.

Choosing Countertops

When it comes time to remodel, one of the most troublesome parts of the process is often choosing the materials. In a kitchen or bathroom remodel one of the most important choices to make will be the countertops. When countertops for kitchen and bath remodels, it is hard to beat the functionality and beauty of quartz and granite. Both are high end materials and it's difficult to distinguish one from the other. Granite is a natural stone, cut from quarries and then cut and polished. Because it is all natural, there will be variations in color and pattern from one piece to another, even if cut from the same quarry. Quartz is an engineered stone. It comprises mostly natural quartz with a small percentage of other minerals mixed in before it is formed into slabs. When considering Granite Transformations, people should keep in mind that granite comes with more maintenance than quartz. Granite is porous and requires sealing during install and will need to be resealed periodically. Quartz does not need to be sealed, and because it is less porous, it has a slight advantage over granite when it comes to upkeep.

When choosing countertops in a kitchen or bath, people may wonder if there are health benefits to choosing one surface over the other. Cleaning quartz has a slight advantage over granite. Homeowners with a tighter budget do not need to resign themselves to laminate or tile. There are several, man made options that offer the beauty of granite and quartz without the sticker shock. Engineered stone options,https://www.granitetransformations.com/about-us/, that are made using recycled pieces of natural stone, quartz, and glass to produce environmentally friendly stone slabs. There are stone products on the market that infuse the stone with antimicrobial technology, which help to limit the growth of bacteria on the stone surface for the life of the product.

Remodeling a home can be a daunting task. Choosing to remodel a kitchen or bath will provide solid returns on the investment. The choice of countertop will affect more than just the renovation budget. Choosing to go with stone counters, whether engineered or natural, will provide a high impact visual along with functionality that lasts a lifetime, or until your next remodel.

Granite Transformations is a franchise company with locations in the Sacramento, Ca. area. They specialize in kitchen and bath remodels. Visit their website for more information.

Media ContactCompany Name: Granite TransformationsContact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailPhone: 707-200-4813Address:3485 Airway Dr., Suite A City: Santa RosaState: CaliforniaCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.granitetransformations.com/

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Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Is Available in Sacramento, CA - Press Release - Digital Journal

Williamson County continues to move forward with its COVID-19 vaccine plan, setting vaccine locations and operating help services, officials said Feb. 8. (Courtesy Baylor College of Medicine)

Read the latest business and community news from Central Texas.

Williamson County

Williamson County sets COVID-19 vaccine locations for next two weeks, continues to roll out plan

Williamson County continues to move forward with its COVID-19 vaccine plan, setting vaccine locations and operating help services, officials said Feb. 8.

Round Rock

Texas State University now offering free COVID-19 testing in Round Rock

The Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas State University Round Rock are now hosting free COVID-19 testing in the city through the end of April, according to a Feb. 4 city news release.

Georgetown

Specialty Remodelers opens in Georgetown plus more business news

Specialty Remodelers opened in Georgetown in December. The business offers room additions, kitchen and bath remodels, cabinets, flooring and specialty wall finishes.

Leander-Cedar Park

5 restaurants now open or coming soon in Cedar Park, Leander

These five Cedar Park-Leander restaurants have recently opened or are planning to open soon.

Southwest Austin

New mini golf and entertainment center opens in Dripping Springs

Dreamland, a new mini golf, pickleball, arts and entertainment center located at 2770 W. Hwy. 290, Dripping Springs, opened Feb. 5.

Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner returning virtually; local cafe launching new menu and more South...

The annual Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner, a local event that raises money for Dripping Springs and Hays County-based charities, will take place virtually this year Feb. 20. Individuals interested in participating in the 31st annual event can place an online order of food as well as raffle tickets through the fundraiser's website or make individual donations.

New Braunfels

Infernos Wood Fired Oven & Spirits in New Braunfels bites back with its signature scorpion pepper

The bite. That is what Cary Hamer, owner of Infernos Wood Fired Oven & Spirits, said most aptly defines the proprietary flavor at his restaurant. In this case, the bite is brought to patrons by the signature Trinidad scorpion pepper, which is several times hotter than a habaero pepper and positioned at the forefront of the restaurants marketing.

Starbucks coming to New Braunfels this fall will include a drive-thru

A new Starbucks location is slated to open in New Braunfels in the fall, according to a Starbucks spokesperson, and it will be the citys first drive-thru location of the franchise.

Expansion of H-E-B on Walnut Ave. in New Braunfels underway, set for late 2021 completion

The roughly 76,000-square-foot grocery store will be enlarged to 110,000 square feet, according to H-E-B representative Julie Bedingfield.

Central Austin

The Long Play Lounge to pick up where Stay Gold left off and more business updates from East Austin

North Austin craft beer and cocktail spot The Long Play Lounge plans to open a second location on the premises of recently closed East Austin dive bar Stay Gold. According to a representative for The Long Play Lounge, the new 1910 E. Cesar Chavez St. location is tentatively set to open Feb. 15 and will remain under the same management as Stay Gold.

Brian Rash, Ali Linan, Kelsey Thompson, Nicholas Cicale, Lauren Canterberry, Olivia Aldridge and Taylor Girtman contributed to this report.

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Williamson County sets vaccine locations; 5 eateries open, coming soon in Leander, Cedar Park and more area news - Community Impact Newspaper

Below is a list of the top and leading Architects in Austin. To help you find the best Architects located near you in Austin, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.

The top rated Architects in Austin are:

Jay Corder Architect takes the view in motivated design to build spaces that look great, suit your needs, adjust to your lifestyle, stand the ravages of time, and make you happy to come home. Either its a personalized design home or a mid-sized commercial venture, Jay Corder Architect brings a modernist technique, aesthetic sensibility, and personal commitment to every project. Jay and his team captivate clients searching modern home design for new construction, remodels, and additions.

They believe a modernistic approach means of this century and decade and it acknowledging that they live in their homes differently than they did 15 years ago. There is a beautiful and useful manipulation between the interior and exterior space, with a clear connection to the outdoors, flow and natural light are important to their personal enjoyment and well-being. The teams objective is to get to know you well enough to understand and interpret your very particular needs, then design a beautiful home that meets every single one of them.

Products/Services:

Kitchen, Bathroom, Outdoor Living & Pool, Living Spaces

LOCATION:

Address: 2700 W Anderson Ln UNIT 309, Austin, TX 78757Phone:(512) 243-8507Website: http://www.jaycorder.com

REVIEWS:

Weve had two excellent opportunities to work with Jay Corder and his team one for building our home from the ground up, and another doing an addition. His team is incredibly creative, with out-of-the-box ideas. They are professional, reliable, and fun to work with. Jay has high standards for contractors and their work, and hell make sure that the final product is exactly as you like it. Debbie C.

Barley-Pfeiffer Architectures main strength is designing high-performance homes and buildings that are attractive and timeless. Acknowledged for their attractive design, integrity, and ability to stand up to the elements, they are less expensive to own, operate, and maintain, are healthier to occupy, and are more comfortable to live and to work in. They know that each site, building, and client is unique.

By incorporating environmentally sound design strategies, their firm offers comfortable and healthy, yet reasonably priced living and working accommodations. Their homes and buildings are recognized for their intelligence, energy efficiency, and innovative utilization of space. Their method will appeal particularly to those who intend to own their home or building for many years, to be passed on to the next generation, and possibly the one after that.

Products/Services:

Residential, Renovation, Commercial

LOCATION:

Address: 1800 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703Phone:(512) 476-8580Website: http://www.barleypfeiffer.com

REVIEWS:

Engaging Barley|Pfeiffer to design our retirement home was one of the smartest things weve ever done. The build of our house is far superior to typical construction in our area. More important, though, this house fits us like a glove. Their comprehensive design process incorporated not just our taste, but how we live, from the room flow to the allocation of HVAC components, etc. Living and building four hours from their Austin office was a bit of a challenge, but we coordinated well and they were on site at all critical junctures. The level of detail in the plans and specifications far exceeded what one typically gets, even in a full custom build. This was critical to ensuring the energy efficiency of our home. Weve been in the home for two years and continue to be impressed with how little we spend to heat and cool it. We highly recommend the team at Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture. Wolfe D.

Matt Fajkus Architecture is an elite and licensed architecture and interior design business that compliment residential and commercial projects, both small and large. Their design piece is derived from the belief that each project is extraordinary, as it should be driven by the client, the site, and functional requirements, rather than a singular, preconceived aesthetic. The firm goal for clear and simple solutions to complex problems by blending expertise as well as experimentation.

As a young and energetic collaborative, the firm is simultaneously an academic think tank, directly connected to theoretical and technological research at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, while also practicing with a deep concentration on realizing outstanding buildings. MF Architecture encourages a transparent design process including a direct collaboration with client and builder. Furthermore, the firm promotes honesty and usefulness in the design itself, with a belief in balancing restraint and expression in broad design moves as well as material choices and composition.

Products/Services:

Architecture & Interior Design, Residential & Commercial Projects

LOCATION:

Address: 900 E 6th St #100, Austin, TX 78702Phone:(512) 432-5137Website: http://www.mfarchitecture.com

REVIEWS:

Fantastic modern designs. Great utilization of space. Matt and his team are an absolute delight to work with. Ron B.

Furman + Keil Architects is a communal design business committed to making enhance surroundings that improve the lives of people and their society. Their work is founded on the premise that communication and teamwork are fundamental to unlocking the hidden potential of every project. They value the ideas and opinions of their clients, colleagues, consultants, and co-workers, and stress the importance of making sure everyones viewpoint is heard and respected.

They guide clients through a process of discovery, allowing the design to unfold as a reflection of a projects unique vision, desires, and place in the landscape. Their work seeks a fresh balance between local precedents and innovative design. They toil to create everlasting, sustainable buildings with materials and forms that are grounded in a strong sense of place and built to be enjoyed by their clients for generations.

Products/Services:

Residential & Commercial Projects

LOCATION:

Address: 1211 E 11th St STE 200, Austin, TX 78702Phone:(512) 479-4100Website: http://www.fkarchitects.net

REVIEWS:

We loved working with the team at F+K on our ranch project. Their attention to detail and quality in every aspect of the process made such a difference in our experience and the final product! Alane S.

McKinney York Architects dispenses an opinion in the transformational power of people united in a common purpose. Their goal is to create places that draw people together, serve, and inspire. This belief manifests itself in collaboration. That means ongoing communication in the studio and with their design team, a lack of ego from the top down, and a collection of highly capable, enthusiastic design professionals. Their staff are all exceptional designers and, rare within the profession, the majority are registered architects.

Collaboration extends beyond the studio to embrace their clients. With each council, they vigorously undertake their clients and listen attentively to uncover the unique qualities of their project and site. The aim of this effort is to reveal not only the clients top-of-mind goals but also latent functional and aspirational goals, as these often determine the real success of a project.

Products/Services:

Commercial, Residential, Academic, Civic, Religious, Museum & Exhibit, Interiors

LOCATION:

Address: 1301 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702Phone:(512) 476-0201Website: http://www.mckinneyyork.com

REVIEWS:

One of the top firms in the state. Professional, high design, on time and on budget would use them on any project. Thanks MYA! William B.

Shera Elliott graduated from the New Mexico State University with a major in biology and a minor in Biological Basis of Behavior & Health Care Management. Shera grew up in Los Angeles, but moved to Las Cruces for college. Shera has written for several major publications including the Albuquerque Journal and NPR. Shera is a community reporter and also covers stories important important to all Americans.

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5 Best Architects in Austin - Kev's Best