Home remodeling project revitalizes historic Portland dance hall through collaboration by Pencil Work Studio and Portland and Seattle remodeler Hammer & Hand.

Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) January 30, 2013

It was an interesting challenge to convert this 8,000 square-foot commercial space into a livable urban loft, said Hammer & Hand project manager Kevin Guinn. We remodeled the upstairs as a residential loft and created a music and rehearsal space down below.

Throughout the course of its life, the early 20th century building has seen a myriad of different uses, serving as a nickelodeon, school, place of worship, and dance hall. Although the building has a history as rich as the neighborhood that surrounds it, before the home remodeling project began it stood dank, dark and abandoned.

We started with a cold 100 year-old masonry commercial building that had several different incarnations in its lifetime, said Kevin. But once we removed the patchwork of interior walls, the building became wide open.

As the remodeling project progressed, the design introduced clean and modern lines to the building yet honored the aesthetics of the original 1900s construction with the preservation of the openings and sightlines that the structure had to offer.

Deconstruction rather than demolition of the original structure allowed the Portland remodeling team to salvage and upcycle framing lumber, doors, and interior windows, paying homage to the dance halls historic heritage.

Even though its open and large and really a generous space, we were able to make the building warm and livable, said Kevin. Not just industrial.

Learn more about the commercial-to-residential remodel in this video walkthrough and interview. More about Portland home remodeling services by Hammer & Hand is available at http://www.hammerandhand.com/residential-remodel.

About Hammer & Hand

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Home Remodeling Contractor Hammer & Hand Transforms Historic Dance Hall Into Modern Urban Loft

WASHINGTON -- The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reached 55 in the fourth quarter of 2012, increasing five points from the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This is the highest reading since the first quarter 2004.

An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

"Remodelers are optimistic about the outlook for slow and steady market growth in the new year," said 2013 NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, a remodeler from Houston. "Professional remodelers reported more work from large and small projects as well as overall home repair."

Future market indicators increased from 49 in the previous quarter to 56. Current market conditions also showed improvement, rising from 52 in the previous quarter to 54. Remodelers indicated that activity was particularly strong in owner-occupied properties, rating all categories of remodeling in owner-occupied homes 56 or better.

"With existing home sales up, the increase in the RMI partially reflects the remodeling work new home owners undertake when they move in," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Consumers are gaining confidence in the economy and feeling more comfortable pulling the trigger on large and small renovations."

The RMI was above 50 in all four regions of the country. The RMI in the Northeast surged 24 points, primarily due to the start of remodeling work related to Superstorm Sandy damage.

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Remodeling Market Remains Strong in the Fourth Quarter

Brooks Powell of Powell Custom Homes Renovations Discusses Three Home Remodeling Trends in Seattle
http://www.powellrenovations.com Brooks Powell of Powell Custom Homes and Renovations goes over three home remodeling trends going on in Seattle right now. He highlights Kitchens, Bathrooms and whole home renovations.

By: Brashenomics

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Brooks Powell of Powell Custom Homes

The Remodeling Crashers - Winfield, IL Master Bath
Part 2 of our Master Bath project in Winfield, IL. Demo has begun and the next major steps are under way. Don #39;t miss out on part 3 as we begin to put the bathroom back together! Visit our Facebook page at http://www.synergyremodel.com/synergybuilders and hit Like! http://www.synergyremodel.com

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The Remodeling Crashers - Winfield, IL Master Bath - Video

Clark #39;s Painting Remodeling Company
To Primrose Schools Owners and Directors,Painting, All types of Repairs from Flooring to Walls Trim , Doors Windows Kits for doors ,No Job to Small ,For the last six years ,I been working in over twenty School throughout DFW and Austin Tx,I take pride in my Work ,A man of Integrity .

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Home Remodeling Project Video Training Series II
DreamMaker Bath Kitchen of Schaumburg (dreammakerremodelil.com) presents our Video Training Series. You Absolutely MUST Get Our FREE Video Series Now! Things you must know before you start a remodeling project - Know how to make sure you are working with someone who has many years of experience and not some fly by night home remodeler who just got started - Learn how to insure you don #39;t get burned by a fast talking handyman who will leave your home remodeling project unfinished or takes forever to complete what was promised months ago - Know why a showroom and home visit by the home remodeling contractor you hire is critcally important to the success of your home remodeling project? - Understand how guarantees and professional tools deliver the home remodeling project you expect, rather than a nightmare? The information we share will save you time, money, and frustration when remodeling your home - preventing a home remodeling nightmare. The strategies you #39;ll discover will easily take you from being a "remodeling amateur" to being an "informed home remodeling superstar" in your neighborhood in a matter of DAYS... literally. Signup and start receiving this powerful information today. Visit us at: home-remodeling-project.dreammakerremodelil.com Your DreamMaker, Mark

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Home Remodeling Project Video Training Series II - Video

#1 Remodeling Contractor Welders call Shafran 310-295-1960
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#1 Remodeling Contractor Welders call Shafran 310-295-1960 - Video

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- All signs point to a strong rebound for home improvement activity in 2013, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released this month by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Robust spending in the second half of 2012 suggests the remodeling recovery is already underway, and the LIRA projects annual homeowner improvement spending will see accelerating double-digit growth through the third quarter of 2013.

"It's encouraging to see the residential sector finally contribute to growth in our economy," says Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center. "Through the first three quarters of 2012, investment in the residential sector was responsible for one out of every six dollars added to our GDP. Moving forward, home improvement spending is expected to make an even larger contribution to GDP growth."

"There are many external economic and political risks that could derail this remodeling recovery," says Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center. "However, the solid momentum behind home building activity, existing home sales, low financing costs, and remodeling contractor sentiment all point to a solid start to the new year for home improvement spending."

The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) is designed to estimate national homeowner spending on improvements for the current quarter and subsequent three quarters. The indicator, measured as an annual rate-of-change of its components, provides a short-term outlook of homeowner remodeling activity and is intended to help identify future turning points in the business cycle of the home improvement industry. The development of the LIRA is detailed in "Developing a Leading Indicator for the Remodeling Industry" (JCHS Research Note N07-1). In July 2008, the LIRA was re-benchmarked due to changes in the underlying reference series. These changes are explained in "Addendum to Research Note N07-1: Re-Benchmarking the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity" (JCHS Research Note N08-1). The LIRA is released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University in the third week after each quarter's closing. The next LIRA release date is April 18, 2013.

The Remodeling Futures Program, initiated by the Joint Center for Housing Studies in 1995, is a comprehensive study of the factors influencing the growth and changing characteristics of housing renovation and repair activity in the United States. The Program seeks to produce a better understanding of the home improvement industry and its relationship to the broader residential construction industry.

To view a representative graph, click HERE.

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Remodeling Recovery Underway and Picking Up Steam, According to Harvard Index

Denman Weis pages through a book

Denman Weis pages through a book Tuesday in Moorhead, published in 1807 about George Washington. His wife, Kathryn, found it years ago in another home remodel in Fargo. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

Denman Weis found this Civil War bayonet, seen Tuesday, in this basement wall while remodeling his south Moorhead home. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

MOORHEAD Denman Weis was doing remodeling work in his south Moorhead home last week when he stumbled upon a piece of American history.

A very pointy piece.

After removing paneling from the walls of a basement closet, he discovered a bayonet with a long, triangular-shaped blade resting within the studs.

Im ex-military, so I knew right away what it was, Weis said.

I wasnt sure if it was Civil War, or World War I. Then I looked it up online and it definitely was Civil War, he said. From his research, it seems few soldiers in the Civil War used their bayonet as a weapon, instead employing them for things like stirring soup.

It isnt known when the bayonet was walled up in the Moorhead home, or who put it there, said Weis, who along with his wife, Kathryn, bought the house last year from one of their sons, David Larson.

Larson owned the house for about a dozen years but never knew the bayonet was there, his father said.

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History in the walls: Civil War bayonet pokes through Moorhead remodeling project

HAHB's Home Remodeling Market Index (RMI) released news of reaching the highest levels since quarter one of 2004, bolstered by increasing home remodeling project levels due to heightened consumer demand. Destiny Homes, a Minneapolis luxury home builder comments on the RMI and the top home design trends for 2013.

Minneapolis, Minnesota (PRWEB) January 28, 2013

This is the highest Remodeling Market Index reading since the Q1 in 2004. An RMI above 50 indicates that more home remodelers report market activity is higher over home remodelers that report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of the current U.S. remodeling industry with indicators of future remodeling levels. The good news is sparking homeowner interest to implement home design trends for 2013 and increase spending on home remodeling.

Destiny Homes owner Butch Sprenger says,"Minneapolis home remodelers doing quality work are the home builders in high demand. Twin Cities homeowner wealth in high-dollar ZIP codes is being invested in the owners home value with luxury remodeling using quality materials, including new construction on highly sought after lots."

Future housing market indicators increased from 49 in the previous quarter to well over 50, coming in at 56. Current housing market conditions also showed improvement, rising from 52 in the previous quarter to 54. Home remodelers indicated that activity was particularly strong in residential construction of owner-occupied properties, rating all categories of remodeling in owner-occupied homes 56 or better.

Destiny Homes find Minneapolis homeowner requests for remodeling projects include:

1) Stylish Luxury Kitchens - Kitchen remodels remain at the top of the cost versus value list for home remodel projects. A "middle ground" design between traditional and contemporary has become more popular.

2) Media and Theater Rooms - Home designs trends are centering around daily functions and use over the more formal feel media rooms of the past.

3) Themed Designs - After years of standard function design, themed decorating is more personal and fun. Homeowners increasingly are design decisions are based on personal lifestyles and less on media predictions and purely trend hype

4) Simpler Designs With A Lighter Style - As many baby boomers settle comfortably into smaller homes, living spaces call for scaled-back pieces and better illumination that makes rooms look larger.

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Home Remodeling Index Points To Top Home Design Trends For 2013