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My high school friends would never believe that I was invited to serve on an advisory board for remodeling futures at Harvard University in Boston, Mass. Well believe it or not, I just returned from the experience and was thrilled to be included with many of the brightest minds representing remodeling. Harvard has been conducting research and reporting data about the state of the remodeling industry for the past fifteen years. Twice a year leaders are invited to Harvard and review the latest research providing real time feedback on critical metrics painting a picture of what’s happening in the marketplace.
The group is informed about the latest data collected and looks ahead to predictions of what the next 6-12 months should bring. The group consists of building product manufactures, supply chain, remodelers, trade association leaders and trade magazine editors.
Some of the outcomes that impact homeowners may be of interest to our customers, friends and colleagues following our blogs. There has been much talk and speculation about how the aging baby-boomers will affect the housing industry over the next 10 to 20 years. We know that this group represents the largest percentage of spending on remodeling and typically spends more on luxury products and higher end projects. We expect as this group ages, they will want to remain in their homes and will likely remodel to accommodate universal design features that make their homes more accessible.
Several of our clients have been faced with the challenges of caring for their elderly parents when they reach a point of inability to live on their own and care for themselves. Assisted care and nursing homes are typically over-crowed and the care provided is marginal in many cases.
Remodeling your home or adding a guest house to accommodate this growing need is a very good choice when considering the high cost of living in assisted facilities and the level of care that is provided. A large number of baby boomers are also expected to downsize into townhomes or rental properties to reduce living expenses and allow them the freedom to travel without the burden of home maintenance & repairs.
With correction in home prices the past few years, investing in real estate is still expected to be a good investment and a much safer place to grow your nest egg. Energy efficient or “green improvements” are expected to continue growing in popularity as homeowners desire to be good stewards of our limited natural resources and want to conserving energy. Expect to see more federal tax incentives and programs to entice homeowners to invest in these green upgrades.
The best news we received is that the housing market appears to have bottomed out and slow, steady growth is expected over the next five years. Home values are expected to follow this growth which is great news for homeowners. The Dallas market was fortunate that home values were not overvalued before the crash, so we didn’t have far to fall.
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For many families, the kitchen is the single most important part of their house. It forms the nerve center of the home around which all the activities of the house revolve. A lot of people have definite ideas of how their kitchen should look as well as the various functions and additions that go with it. This is one reason why people who move into homes, often decide to seek advice on kitchen remodeling as the kitchen they have at the present time does not quite match up to the idea of their dream kitchen. Around the world, there are millions of people who decide that kitchen remodeling is a requirement for their home.
When it comes to kitchen remodeling, it is quite advisable to seek out professional advice and help. While this could cost a bit more, in the long run, this would be the best decision as the experts are the ones who know it the best. At the same time, if finances are an issue, you could reconsider the very idea of remodeling your kitchen as such remodeling projects invariably cost quite a bit. The remodeling of the kitchen has to take into account all aspects like the size of the family, shape and contours of the room and most importantly the functionality. For instance, a large family may decide to include a dining space within the kitchen itself to facilitate common meal times.
Remodeling of your kitchen also means that you can choose various kinds of materials to be used in the kitchen. The expenses involved in this could vary based on the quality and cost of the materials that are proposed to be used. For instance, granite or marble could become a relatively costly material. There are a large number of custom home builders and remodeling companies who can help you in remodeling your kitchen.
Remodeling the kitchen can definitely be an interesting and exciting prospect if you can afford it.
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Have you ever dreamed of your own home theater? Are you on the verge of deciding to build a home theater or not to build? Then this is the right place to be. There are certain things that need to be considered in home theater room design. There are basic components that include the room design, acoustics, lighting and the equipment. The first one to come is the location where you would love to have your home theater built. A spare always helps out on such occasions. Having considered the room for the home theater system, you need to consider the design that you will use. You will have to choose the space where the screen is the center piece of the room. When this is done, all the chairs or the sofa sets can be arranged on the other side of the room. You may even want to put in a refrigerator or a microwave so you can get your food while you watch a movie. Chairs are an important element in designing a home theater. They can be a sofa set or a recliner chair. You can also have the theater seats built in the room. This all depends on how you think and your comfortable levels. Once the comfort need is finished, it’s time to fix the acoustics of the room.
Sound is a very important aspect in a home theater room design. You may decide on a surround sound system for the realistic sound effects. Within the room, you may place wood works in order to keep the sound from bouncing back. This preserves the sound within the room. Wood is a great absorber of sound and the effects last more than an ordinary sound system. Lights are also another area which you can look into. Especially in the movie theaters, the lights are dimmed and are switched off as soon as the movie starts. This helps to enhance the colors on the screen. For this, the room has to be designed in such a way that there would be no windows so as to prevent light entering the room. You can always build a small ventilator for fresh air to flow in.
Lastly, when choosing a home theater system, the screen and the speakers play a vital role. They must be selected so that they fit into your room with ease. Also ensure that the wiring has been properly done and hidden to prevent any accidents or unplugging them while in the middle of a movie.
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Modern developments have brought about a great deal of advancements in the arena of home décor. When it comes to a home that provides a quality set up, there are so many revolutionary ideas that have come forward that would leave home owners quite amazed. For instance, sun rooms or a solarium has become a popular addition to custom built houses all over nowadays. There are millions of people who are opting for these special rooms that are specifically designed to provide a view of the natural landscape outside of your home. There are various types of sun rooms that you can install and the kind of the sun room would definitely depend on the specific purpose for which the sun room will been designed.
Some sun rooms could be in the patio of the house, where family members can enjoy natural light or the sight of the sunrise or sunset as the case may be. In other cases, sun rooms may also be a kind of romantic recess in the bedroom of a couple who wants the sun room to enhance the mood of the room. Just imagine sitting in a sun room early in the morning before work, curled up with a good book and a cup of coffee a the sun rises…sounds perfect doesn’t it? You can opt for various materials for creating the sun room, and while traditionally these are made of brick and mortar, a lot of people are now opting for aluminum sun rooms that are not only light weight but also quite durable.
If you want to add a sun room to your house, it would be best to seek out professional advice and perhaps help to assess the cost and other requirements you may need. These sun rooms are made of special durable and tough glass and can be incredibly expensive if you do not do some research and decide what will fit the needs of your home and family. Make sure to work out a budget and then make a decision as to whether it makes sense for you. Adding a sun room is not rocket science. If you take the time to plan everything out to get the job done, you will not face any problems in adding a sun room to your house.
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A home remodel should be a project that provides benefits for many years to come. One way to get the most out of your investment long-term is by incorporating elements of universal design. Universal design is an approach to the design of products and environments that makes them easy and comfortable for everyone, regardless of age, ability or situation.
As the boomer generation ages, and lifestyle needs change, more professional remodelers are helping homeowners modify their existing homes to accommodate universal design standards. Even if you're not sure you need some of these features right now, it's often easier and less costly to plan ahead for future needs than to remodel later on.
Long time clients of Capital Improvements were grasping at straws in efforts to find workable living arrangements for their aging parents that were in need of around-the -clock care. They hired live-in caregivers to stay with them at their home for a period of time, but the lack of accessibility and the constant urgent phone calls from their parents caused them to explore other options.
“Having done major improvements for this client in the past, we were called in to discuss the possibility of building a guesthouse adjacent to their own home with tasteful Universal Design incorporated into the plans. We designed the guesthouse to match the same architectural features and exterior materials to ensure the guest house did not look like an afterthought. The interior spaces included a master suite with wide doorways and even floor surfaces to ensure accessibility with wheelchairs or walkers. The bathroom was spacious enough to allow maneuverability and the shower was built with a wide curbless entry, fold-down Teak seat, safety bars and a handheld shower sprayer.
The kitchen area was designed with a microwave oven and dishwasher drawers for ease of use from a chair. The sink cabinet was built with space below to roll underneath and the faucet handles were levers. The guesthouse also incorporated a separate bedroom and bath for the live-in caregiver while our clients were away on travel. The main entry was ramped from the driveway and the doorway was a low-profile threshold for easy entry to the house. Important safety features included monitored smoke & security alarms and direct communication to main house.”
There are many features homeowners can install into their existing homes to make them more user friendly. For example, in the kitchen, make sure there’s plenty of clearance between counters and pantries. Clever storage solutions, such as a lazy susan or rollout drawers, can make pots and pans accessible to anyone. Bathrooms planned with universal design in mind have walk-in showers with no steps, a bench in the shower and hand-held showerheads. Installing plumbing fixtures closer to the outside of the fixture also aids accessibility. Removing lower vanity cabinets creates much-needed knee space for people in wheelchairs.
Overall, there are seven basic principles to universal design that homeowners should keep in mind:
- Equitable Use: The design accommodates any type of user.
- Flexibility in Use: The design may be used by people with a wide range of abilities.
- Simple and Intuitive Use: Design is easy to understand and “figure out”.
- Perceptible Information: The design itself communicates efficiently to the user.
- Tolerance for Error: The design is safe and minimizes consequences of accidents.
- Low Physical Effort: The design can be used without strenuous exertion.
- Appropriate Size and Space for Approach and Use
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We introduced and engaged our architect and began developing the design concepts. During the design process the homeowners expanded the scope of work to include an exercise room with mirrored walls and a ballet bar, a computer work space that could be closed behind doors, additional storage closets, and another garage space, covered parking and expanded outdoor living. The architect also produced a sketch that completely reconfigured the existing master bath and closets utilizing newly created space in the addition.
The completed architectural designs incorporated all of Scott and Lee Ann’s original needs for a pool-house with a complete kitchen, covered porches, pool bath, game room and separate laundry room. Additionally, we were able to incorporate many other spaces that will meet this family’s needs for years to come.
The Master Bath remodel includes several unique design features and finish materials that make this space a one of a kind luxury retreat. Dark Emperador marble countertops provide a great contrast to the custom metallic glazed vanity cabinet finish. White Onyx marble installed in a brick pattern was used as an accent at the tub wall and skirt. The floor tile is Ann Sacks Cappadocia with White Onyx marble inlays between tiles. Beautiful decorative lighting fixtures add an elegant touch to the space. A special touch to the Master Bath is the Juliette Balcony that looks out over the pool courtyard. Lutron Shades add privacy with the touch of a button. All recessed and decorative lighting throughout the house is controlled with Lutron as well.
The main living area of the Pool Cabana addition features Tumbled Travertine floor tile installed in a Mini Versailles pattern. The Pool Cabana Kitchen has plenty of pop with the custom distressed denim blue cabinets, bright and beautiful hand painted Mexican tile backsplash and Roman Stone counters from Okite all complimented with new stainless appliances. The window in the kitchen opens to the Pool Cabana patio allowing for easy service to your guests.
Upstairs along with the added Guest Bedroom with ample closet space is a beautiful Guest Bathroom. A Furniture style vanity with Bianco Antico marble counter, custom vanity with crystal cabinet hardware and custom vanity mirror compliment the soft blue paint selection made by the homeowners and the designer.
The exercise room addition floors are solid vinyl from Willow Grove specifically designed to absorb impacts from weights/equipment and reduce joint stress. The walls were mirrored floor to ceiling and a ballet bar installed to serve as their daughters own dance studio. The refreshment center includes an under counter beverage center with a glass front door by U-Line. Marble countertop is fabricated from Amber Fantasy stone.
Green Building Products incorporated into this project include high-performance Jeld-Wen wood windows & doors, cellulose foam insulation in walls & attics, Tyvek House Wrap, 17-SEER, Infinity HVAC systems by Carrier, low-flow plumbing fixtures, lighting control and window shades, engineered lumber to name a few.
Two major obstacles we overcame were getting the project financed with the tightening of credit and dropping home values and getting the two individual lots replatted into one lot and approved with the city planning & zoning. Relationships we have developed with lenders, appraisers, surveyors and city building officials proved to be vital in making this project happen.
Scott and Lee Ann are thrilled with their new Estate Home as is the entire family and they have enjoyed it many times over with friends. They have recently contact Capital Improvements to discuss plans for a Theater Room. Repeat business, what a wonderful compliment to us and their experience working with us.
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Now that is traffic ripe for big accidents and short fuses, so Polk directed like a state trooper on a four-lane highway. And 14 specialty finishes, $150,000 in changes, and one seven-foot fish tank later, the clock struck 87 days and the homeowners moved in – early. Read PDF.
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The proposed design solutions included adding a 2,500 sq. ft. addition incorporating a state of the art home theater, complete guest suite, pool bath, serving bar, powder bath, utility room complete with a pet washing station. The addition also includes covered porches supported by architectural columns overlooking the pool area, a complete outdoor living area that includes a kitchen, attached pavilion with a full-masonry wood- burning fireplace, flat screen HD TV and sound system. Windows and patio doors were changed from the builder standard aluminum to high-efficiency wood casements that bring the outside views into the house.
The entire downstairs of the existing house was gutted, re-configured and renovated to accommodate the new design concepts. The existing Kitchen was oriented on a 45 degree angle that created some awkward spaces that were not conducive to a well designed work space. Our architect developed a plan that would allow all of the desired changes to their house and offer creative solutions they may not have thought possible.
The Kitchen and breakfast nook were completely gutted and the back wall of the house was removed to expand the Kitchen five feet. The layout of the Kitchen was reconfigured to accommodate the professional grade appliances, large island with eating counter and a breakfast table large enough to seat six comfortably.
This design solution provided a major structural challenge due to the exterior wall being removed completely that supported the second level above. Our structural engineer designed a steel I-beam supported by steel pipe columns to insure the loads were properly supported at the removed wall. The foundation was trenched in order to move the plumbing and electrical to accommodate the island sink and appliances in the new plan.
The wide plank wood floors create an inviting and casual atmosphere for family meals and entertaining. The large island provides a great workspace, storage as well as a table height breakfast counter. Giallo Beach Granite countertops and custom finished Maple cabinets with a Cherry stain and Ebony glaze effect highlight the millwork detailing. Blanco Silgranite undermount sink with a pull-out faucet and pot-filler were among the plumbing fixtures used. Minka decorative lighting fixtures complement the décor. Professional grade appliances included a 48” Dual Fuel 6-burner Griddle Wolf range, 30” Thermador Freedom Refrigerator and 24” Thermador Freedom Freezer with custom cabinet panels, 24” Sharp Microwave Drawer and a 15” Sonic Ice Machine complete the package. The backsplash is tumbled Ivory Fontaine tiles with a copper accent. Hand-painted tile feature behind the range depicts a Mediterranean landscape overlooking the sea.
The Master Suite was completely renovated to include a luxury bath and closets fit for royalty. The bathroom created a design challenge for our architect due to limited space to incorporate all the features our client desired for this project. We did a bump-out addition to get the bathtub out of the needed floor space. This design solution provided the needed wall space to allow generous his & her vanities. The homeowners wanted to ensure ample natural lighting even when the shade was closed over the tub area. Our architect designed a Velux roof windows located on each side of the roof ridge flooding the space with natural light. The foundation was trenched in order to move the plumbing to accommodate the new plan. The shower was designed for multiple body sprays, rain and hand shower with diverter valves. This required a new larger size water supply to handle the volume of water needed to operate all the shower functions. Adequate supply of hot water was also needed so the tank-type heater was replaced with an on-demand tankless heater. The barrel-vault ceiling was a framing challenge to incorporate into the design without compromising the structural integrity of the existing roof. Our structural engineer was involved in insuring this was accomplished properly.
The bath floor is heated with thermostatically controlled radiant heat beneath the Ivory Travertine tiles. A barrel vaulted ceiling was created to run the entire length of the room and the shower ceiling followed suite with mosaic tiles creating a unique environment for showering complete with multiple body sprays, rain and hand shower. Indirect lighting coves run the length of each side of the large barrel vaulted ceiling of the bath with a luxury whirlpool tub as a focal point of the space. Separate his & her furniture style vanities feature honed Noce Travertine countertops and custom finished Maple cabinets with a Mocha glaze effect to highlight the millwork detailing. Bain Ultra Hydro-System tub, Toto toilet & sinks and Newport Brass faucets were among the plumbing fixtures used. Minka decorative lighting fixtures complement the décor. A towel warmer is mounted within reach upon exiting the shower to enhance the spa appointed bathroom.
Joe and Barb chose to reside upstairs for the duration of the six-month renovation project. A temporary wall with a locking door separated the upstairs living space from the remodeling taking place downstairs. “Although there were days when we questioned our decision to live in the house during the renovation, we would do it all again if given the choice. We spent most every evening walking through the house together looking at what had been done and envisioning the completed spaces.”
Referrals are one of the greatest compliments we can get and Joe and Barb have referred several friends to Capital Improvements. It speaks volumes to their experience working with us.
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