AFTER: Removing a wall that separated the more formal living room from the less formal family room provided more natural light in both spaces and a more usable space for entertaining.

Trina Knudsen

Last week, we talked about the move-versus-remodel debate. That is the first decision you have to make when you accept your house isn't working for you and you need a change. If you decide to stay put and that remodeling is the way to go, the next phase of the design process is programming.

Programming is determining what you will need to make your house function so it can support your life and family goals.

Every room in your house should be used at least once a day for something useful. Having square feet in your home that sit idle day after day is wasteful. Why heat, cool, clean and pay taxes on space that isnt contributing to you or your family?

Many clients feel they need more space, so the first thing they think of is an addition when, many times, they are not using the space they already have to its full potential. Therefore, remodeling by repurposing existing space can accomplish the same functional goal as an addition but with less cost and disruption.

Another option, less drastic than a full-blown addition, is a small bump-out in a strategic place. For instance, your kitchen may not have enough width to add that island you want, or your master bath shower may be the size of a postage stamp, so a few feet could make all the difference. Pushing the exterior wall out two feet can open up a range of possibilities that could solve all kinds of issues.

How do you decide if you need a significant addition, an interior remodel or something in between? Talk to an architect! Analyzing your house and how you use it is key to the conversation you will have when you sit down with an architect in the beginning phase of your project.

Besides discussing how you currently use your house and what problems you are encountering, you should consider hopes and dreams. Do you wish you could entertain but dont feel comfortable having people over to your house? Do you want to be able to have Grandma and Grandpa come stay during the holidays, but don't have a guest room available for them? How would your lifestyle be different if your house were different? What kinds of things would you like to do if your house werent holding you back? A well-designed remodel can actually help you live better on a daily basis.

A good design should focus on the end user. At our office, we call it life-centered design. How are you actually going to live in this space? How will you use it every day? The plan should be designed with your lifestyle in mind.

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Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind

Sparkling new kitchens and spa-like master bathrooms still sell homes, but homeowners looking for the best return on investment should more often consider minor updates that wont break the bank, real estate experts say.

Remodeling projects can be daunting, but homeowners who set a budget, define their goals and come up with projects that stretch their dollar the farthest will come out on top.

Realtors say they encourage homeowners to undertake major remodeling projects only for personal enjoyment because often the biggest and best improvements dont have a dollar-for-dollar return, especially in the short-term.

The rule I always tell my clients and my sellers is never put a nickel in unless you will get a dime back, said Gary Dominguez, a Lincoln, Neb., real estate agent with HOME Real Estate who spent 25 years in the remodeling business.

John Bredemeyer, president and founder of Realcorp Inc., an appraisal firm in Omaha, Neb., said the best remodeling projects before selling a home are high-impact but with a relatively low cost. A new kitchen could cost $25,000 or more, but new countertops could be installed for $5,000 or less. New carpet and paint are also good projects to consider, he said.

The simple things, go ahead and do, Bredemeyer said. (With) the bigger remodels, the thing you need to think about is how long you are going to be in the house.

Completed remodeling projects dont always translate into a higher resale price, because home appraisals also take into account the value of other homes in the neighborhood, he said.

Bredemeyers daughter, Abby Andress, followed her dads advice before she and her husband put their three-bedroom, 1978 split-entry southwest Omaha home on the market last year.

They painted their kitchen cabinets off-white, added a cement finish to the bathroom countertops, cleaned the carpets and rebuilt the deck.

It made it look newer, said Andress, 30.

Read this article:
Sellers should consider 'bang for the buck' in remodeling plans

Manhattan Beach, CA (PRWEB) June 11, 2014

Three innovative ideas are what led to Bill Simone, President of Custom Design & Construction, being named the 2014 Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year. The award is one of the remodeling industrys highest honor.

A panel of judges from Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., Hanley-Wood and Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies chose Simone as this year's winner. The judging was based on four principal criteria: business acumen, financial strength, community and industry involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The judges were impressed with Custom Design & Constructions three innovative areas: its offering of design and construction under one company, genuine in-house financing, and a 2,500 sq. ft. Design Center where homeowners can get inspired, explore possibilities and make selections.

"Bill represents not only entrepreneurial thinking, but also entrepreneurial action, which is more important today than ever," remarked Case President Bruce Case. "His forward thinking in offering design and construction all under one roof has allowed him to differentiate himself from others in his market. Offering a one-source solution for residential remodeling in the Los Angeles area is rare," adds Case.

Fred Case, Chairman, CEO and founder of Case, is also very impressed with Simones professionalism, drive and passion. "His creativity, coupled with his ability to adapt to the marketplace, are what makes him such an admirable member of the remodeling community," Fred Case says.

Im honored and humbled by this award," says Bill Simone. We never set out to win the Entrepreneur of the Year award, we simply listened to the Southern California market and created a residential remodeling company that serves it better than others," adds Simone.

About the Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award The Fred Case Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year Award is modeled after the professional achievements of Fred Case, founder and CEO of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. Fred is credited with pioneering the design/build concept in remodeling in the 1970s and was also instrumental in developing the first certification system for remodelers while chairing the National Education Committee of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Among many other honors, Fred won the first NARI "Contractor of the Year Award" in 1976, and was recognized in 1984 with NARI's Harold Hammerman "Spirit of Education" Award for excellence in education and training. In 1999, he became the first-ever recipient of Remodeling magazine's Foundation Award for Lifetime Achievement, and was inducted into NAHB's Remodeler's National Hall of Fame in 2002. Most recently, Fred was named the first Master Certified Remodeler by NARI.

About Custom Design & Construction Founded in 1986, Custom Design & Construction is a full service residential design build firm serving Manhattan Beach, Playa Del Rey, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Hawthorne, Palos Verdes, El Segundo, and the entire South Bay. The company specializes in whole house remodels, kitchens, bathrooms, room additions and new construction. They have a 2,500 sq. ft. Design Center located at 2001 E. Mariposa Ave. in El Segundo. Their projects have been featured in Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Womens Day, Smart Money, and many industry publications. Several have won national awards including the prestigious Chrysalis Project of the Year, Kitchen of the Year, Bathroom of the Year, as well as numerous others. They have been named Chrysalis Remodeler of the Year, and are a three-time winner of California Remodeler of the Year, nine-time Qualified Remodeler Top 500 recipient, and Remodeling magazine Big 50 member.

Excerpt from:
Local Manhattan Beach Resident Bill Simone Named Remodeling Entrepreneur of the Year

Higher home prices and new residential construction in Santa Maria are having mixed results on how many homeowners are able to perform remodels.

James Halsell, co-founder of Halsell Builders, said his company has experienced a recent surge in home remodeling projects during the last year.

Were probably up over 500 percent, Halsell said. We get at least two calls a week for remodels.

He said the spike is due largely to rising housing prices in the area between 2011 and 2013, the average sale price of homes and condominiums in the Santa Maria and Orcutt area rose from $227,000 to $290,000, according to data from the Central Coast Regional Multiple Listing Service.

As a result, homeowners have more equity that they can leverage into secondary lines of credit. Government-backed programs such as emPower Santa Barbara County loans can also help subsidize the cost of larger remodeling projects by providing customers with an extra $25,000 to make energy-saving improvements. Such loans arent tied to equity, he said.

Halsell said the average master bathroom remodel might cost about $35,000, while a kitchen project could be more like $65,000. However, Halsell Builders has seen more people coming forward lately looking to do projects integrating a master bathroom, kitchen and great room. Those ventures can run as high as $150,000 to 200,000, representing a significant percentage of the price of the home itself.

The reason more people are willing to make such large investments is that they are more confident in the real estate market, he said.

When equity is rising, people are more confident that itll keep rising, so people are more confident to put some money into their house knowing that their property value will keep rising.

Not everybody in Santa Maria is having the same experience, however. Greg Organ, branch manager of the local Ferguson Plumbing Supplies store, said his companys remodeling work has decreased recently.

(Our) remodel business has probably gone down between now and probably a year and a half (or) two years ago due to the new homes being built and the interest rates being down, Organ said. Kind of what weve seen is people selling their houses and buying newer houses.

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Some rise, others fall in home remodeling business

You can use free online room design applications to quickly design your dream room or plan a room remodel. You start by creating your room's dimensions and then you move on to adding paint, flooring, furniture and accessories by simply dragging and dropping them into your online room.

Before you know it you'll have created a wonderful room using these free online room design applications!

Are you looking for decorating inspiration? Request some free home decor catalogs and free furniture catalogs to get inspiration for your next room design.

If you're feeling more ambitious you might want to check out these free home plans.

Floorplanner makes the top of my list for free online room design.

It's easy and fun to use and has so many options for flooring, wall coverings, furniture and objects that you'll be able to design houses and rooms either for realistic use or to create your dream home.

3Dream is one of the best free online room design applications available. You'll have fun building a room here with their huge collection of furniture, flooring, wall coverings and accessories.

The tutorials at 3Dream will get you started and in no time you'll have a stunning room finished that you can view in interactive 3D.

Arrange-a-Room, by Better Homes and Gardens, is a simple but effective free online room design application.

You'll be able to quickly recreate a room in your house and plan your new design with their simple to use tools and clear instructions.

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6 Free Online Room Design Tools - About.com Freebies

Photo by Adam Testa

In this May 7, 2014 photo, a collection of military patches and medals is displayed in Carbondale, Ill., in Tom Engram's study, a room his daughter established to showcase his historic memorabilia and for him to work on art projects. Her father, retired Lt. Col. Thomas B. Engram, trained in B-25s and was a pilot and member of B-24 units that drew 36 missions, dropping explosives in Japanese harbors during the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II. (AP Photo/The Southern, Adam Testa)

CARBONDALE, Ill. Cheryl Francis has taken a cluttered, outdated room in her fathers house and transformed it into a showcase where he can relive his World War II service aboard bombers.

I thought about this for a long time. I wanted to transform the space so he would have things around him his accomplishments and awards, his paintings, computer space and book cases, Francis said about the 10-by-12 room.

Her father, retired Lt. Col. Thomas B. Engram, trained in B-25s and was a pilot and member of B-24 units that drew 36 missions, dropping explosives in Japanese harbors during the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II.

She had the entire space gutted and did the remodeling by phases with some of the work done by private contractors.

New carpet was installed. Walls got sanded and repainted. Francis wanted to highlight a new room layout around a special feature a window.

This is very serene. The window looks out on the backyard, she said.

In addition to getting the floor plan organized and the various items in place, such as her fathers history books in new cases, Francis applied her creative touch as an educated interior designer.

She had track lighting and new file cabinets installed. Family furniture got refinished.

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Daughter remodels room into showcase for aviator dad

Grimsby Lincoln News

Remodeling your home is no small task. It requires a significant financial investment, and takes a lot of planning to achieve results that are to your taste and liking.

As well as the look and feel of a new bathroom, kitchen or laundry room, there are many other details to consider when remodeling or renovating the most important being plumbing.

After all, revamping a room to be aesthetically appealing is half the job. If the space doesnt function properly plumbing-wise, your efforts and money are wasted. So when it comes to a complex project, like a renovation, its advisable to not go down the do-it-yourself route. Instead, hire the best in the business to do the dirty work for you.

Located in Beamsville, Ont., Aquaflow Plumbing and Heating Service specializes in plumbing for home and commercial renovations and remodels, and offers a range of other plumbing repair services.

Their experienced and licensed plumbers can help complete your vision by rerouting and replacing pipes and upgrading fixtures and faucets.

Their plumbing and remodeling technicians can advise you of quality toilets, tubs and sinks that achieve the look you want and best suit your needs. Were here to answer any questions about the function and efficiency of products, so that you can fully enjoy your new space.

Aquaflows plumbing specialists can also suggest high-efficiency toilets that have a limited impact on the environment and your wallet. From classic, freestanding tubs to sleek and modern whirlpool tubs, we can also install the bathtub of your dreams. Or how about a rain shower that is both luxurious and efficient?

Their remodeling technicians are happy to come into your home or business to assess your needs, recommend water-saving models and provide you with an estimate.

Contact them today for a quote and receive $25 off of your estimate.

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Remodeling? Hire a plumber to do the dirty work for you

(BPT) - Remodeling a bathroom can increase the value of your home but short-sighted planning can wash projects down the drain.

Some do-it-yourself experts recommend a fresh coat of paint, new tile, a shiny new sink and great cabinets to transform an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary spa but thats just what the eye can see. Yes, your refinished bathroom will look different but will it hold its value? Not unless you think first of whats behind the paint and tile and consider how to protect it from the greatest threat in a bathroom: moisture, mold and mildew.

Upgrading your walls, ceilings and subfloors before you paint, install tile or hang a fancy new mirror can ensure your new bathroom will stand up to everyday splashes, showers and relaxing tub soaks, as well as dreaded mold and mildew that can come from these steamy, wet environments.

Anitra Mecadon, host of DIY Networks "Mega Dens" and spokesperson for National Gypsum, is on a mission to prevent major mold and mildew problems by recommending homeowners start at the studs. Heres her advice when it comes to the No. 1 room people remodel in their homes bathrooms:

Look for ideas

Popular upgrades include decorative tile or stone in the tub and shower areas. You can also consider multiple showerheads or steam enclosures to give your bathroom spa appeal without the worry.

Budget and plan

* The average cost of a bathroom remodel is around $16,000, so create a budget so you know how much you can comfortably spend.

* If you plan to have someone do it for you, get an estimate from a contractor before you start.

* Shop on your own, with a contractor or interior designer to select building materials, fixtures and appliances.

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Bathroom remodeling should start at the studs

The Sidney Sanders McMath Library in Little Rock will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday after having been closed since March for remodeling.

The Central Arkansas Library System branch, at 2100 John Barrow Road, will feature a new childrens programming room and an expansion of the existing childrens area, the library system said in a statement.

In addition to the childrens area, computers, parking space, new carpet, furniture and paint were added to the library.

An open house will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. June 21, and patrons visiting the library starting Monday will have the opportunity to register for prizes to be given away at the event.

After the library closed March 17 for the renovation, building materials for the librarys remodeling were vandalized, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported. On March 18, two wooden pallets of bricks were set on fire, damaging 8,500 bricks to the tune of $20,000, the construction companys insurance company said.

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McMath Library to reopen Monday

An arched, covered porch with a decorative transom and built-in benches serves as a portal to the past and the present -- from Talleyrand to Tallman -- and into a dream home at 105 Meeting House Lane in the heart of the Greenfield Hill area.

The updated Antique Georgian house sits on a street lined with pink and white dogwood trees directly across from Timothy Dwight Park and diagonally across from Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, giving its residents a front row seat for the annual Dogwood Festival each spring.

The house is on a level corner lot of 2.49 acres that also encompasses a new in-ground heated saltwater swimming pool and spa, professional landscaping including specimen plantings and manicured shrubbery, and a large renovated antique barn, circa 1900, with an apartment and eight vehicle bays that are ideal for the car collector. The rear bluestone terraced patio has an outdoor fireplace and numerous sitting areas.

A white picket fence lines the front of the acreage on Meeting House Lane and a stone wall borders the portion of the property along Hillside Road. A stone structure, attached to the main house by a breezeway, houses the family room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, cathedral ceiling and hand-hewn beams.

Built by Zalmon Bradley in 1750 in the saltbox tradition, the 9,700-square-foot house was transformed in a recent renovation and remodeling project by Paul Tallman Builders and Baker Batchelder Architects to achieve the present Georgian design. During the renovation, the house was raised to build a new foundation and finished lower level. All of the floors, systems, windows, and walls were replaced to bring it up to today's high standards.

The early history of the house includes its ownership by the Baldwin family until 1870 and visits to the house by notable people referred to in an article published in 1929 as "a cluster of geniuses" who were often in Greenfield Hill, among them Timothy Dwight, Joel Barlow and Barlow's brother-in-law Abraham Baldwin, whose brother owned the house.

A native of Guilford, Abraham Baldwin was a founding father and contributing draft writer of the U.S. Constitution. A graduate of Yale University, Baldwin was the founder and first president of the University of Georgia, the first state-chartered public institution of higher education in the country.

Influential European diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, the minister of affairs under Napoleon, is said to have dined in the Meeting House Lane residence, according to Elizabeth Rose, the Fairfield Museum and History Center's library director.

The house exterior features white clapboard with a bit of a twist. It gives the appearance of batten board, and it has dark green paneled shutters. The house has a center hall foyer and wide-planked wood floors. The formal living room has a grass wall-covering and a fireplace with a red brick firebox in a herringbone pattern, honed granite surround and wood mantle with flush, fluted columns.

In the formal dining room there is a similar fireplace and the walls are a bright aqua blue, a color that's in vogue today but also harkens back to the 18th century, Rose said. "In colonial times they used bright colors. It was a way of brightening up rooms. People tend to think they were more drab than they were," Rose said.

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On the market: Antique Georgian is home to history and modern amenities