July 2008

The Archives

• 07.26.08
  Bring Dead Space to Life: Remodels Add Value to Homes
  Basement Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Decks and Porches, Garage Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Sunrooms/Solariums (1)

  Mary Amoroso The Record (Hackensack, NJ) They had a hot tub installed on the deck of their Upper Saddle River, N.J., home about three years ago. But when the weather turned cold, they found themselves dreading the thought of making the dash from the hot tub to the house. "We were thinking that in the winter time, it's too cold to get out there," said Mary Lou Tenazas. So they decided to turn part of the deck into more usable space by installing a three-season sunroom, at a cost of about $25,000. Now they're able to use the hot tub through more of the ...
  
  
• 07.23.08
  Perfect Patio Doors Provide a Fresh Approach to Imspired Outdoor Living
  Decks and Porches (0)

  For years, it squeaked and squealed and stuck. Finally, after updating the landscaping and creating a beautiful new outdoor living space, the Adairs had had enough. They switched out their old original sliding patio door with a show-stopping new folding door system. "It literally changed our view of the space and how it works with the rest of the house, providing much greater access and openness," says homeowner Brent Adair. "Frankly, we enjoyed our outdoor area all that much more because of it. And it was absolutely a key feature that attracted a buyer when we put our home up ...
  
  
• 07.11.08
  Eight Ways to Keep Kitchen Remodeling Costs in Check
  Uncategorized (0)

  MINI-MAKEOVERS A five-figure makeover might be beyond your means, but the kitchen of your dreams doesn't have to be. Here are seven ways to resuscitate a tired, old kitchen for $5,000 or much less along with product-specific advice on ways to save. REVAMP THE CABINETS Provided the cabinets are structurally sound you can spruce them up with a fresh coat of paint or reface them with peel-and-stick veneers. Improve capacity with inexpensive cabinet organizers. And applying crown molding to the top of cabinets gives them a finished look. ADD OR UPDATE AN ISLAND Whether it's a permanent unit with furniture-style looks or a small portable ...
  
  
• 07.08.08
  Updating a Bathroom on a Budget
  Bathroom Remodeling (1)

  CHARLOTTE, N.C./PRNewswire/ -- For homeowners looking to make their home stand out from the pack, a bathroom rehab is always tops on the list. But, according to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a mid-scale bathroom remodel is $15,789. So, how can homeowners who are on a budget get that updated look for less? "Knowing what's in and what's out in bathroom design is important for homeowners deciding just where to spend their makeover dollars," explains Celebrity Interior Designer Will Smith. "I suggest they look at four key areas: the mirror, paint, hardware and lighting. Each can be easily and inexpensively ...
  
  
• 07.07.08
  A Fresh Start Begins with Two Quick Bathroom Remodels
  Bathroom Remodeling (0)

  Kathy Price-Robinson Los Angeles Times The impetus to remodel is not always about trendy bathroom tile or increased property values. For Los Angeles homeowner Meg Moreta, a 43-year-old dietitian, it was her long battle with stage 3 ovarian cancer. "I had to start anew," Moreta said, who recently passed the five-year mark of being cancer-free. Among her first projects were painting some rooms and clearing away years of clutter. She also wanted to gut and redo the master bathroom, which held memories of hard times. "The bathroom was just that gross place where I was sick," she said. But Moreta's desire to remodel the master bathroom, and ...
  
  
• 07.01.08
  What’s Hot in Today’s Kitchens
  Kitchen Countertops, Kitchen Remodeling, kitchen cabinets (1)

  by Deborah L. O'Mara HGTV When it comes to kitchen remodeling, every family has a long list of 'want' items. Of course, how much they can spend always clarifies the difference between want and need, but there are many hot items that continue to come up in kitchen design. As an interior designer and a designer on staff at DDK Kitchen Design in Glenview, Ill., Nancy Henry is serves a variety of clients. Many of the company's designs are for the newer homes in the area, and many of the kitchens are custom or semicustom. Her customers usually have the flexibility to ...
  
  
• 07.01.08
  Granite, Laminate Reign, But Have Rivals
  Kitchen Countertops, Kitchen Remodeling (0)

  Judy Stark St. Peterbsurg Times Laminate and granite are still the king and queen of the countertop world, but there are more variations and more alternatives than ever. Last year, 32 percent of all kitchen countertops were laminate, up from 27 percent the year before. Granite remained in second place with 29 percent. But even the reigning royalty need to stay competitive. "People are getting tired of granite. They're starting to look for something new," says Nancy Braamse of Olde World Cabinetry in Largo, Fla. Maybe that "something new" is a honed finish on granite instead of the highly polished surface everyone's ...
  
  

recent posts

• Want More Space in Your Home? Look Below
• Modern Kitchens and Bathrooms: Tips on Accenting with Light
• Combat Winter’s Gray With Colorful Interiors
• ‘Green Building’ Gives Reusable Materials New Life
• Fine Living: Pros and Cons of Custom vs. Pre-Fab Cabinets
• Basement Remodel: Pay Attention to Details to Avoid Problems Once the Project Is Completed
• Home Libraries: Paneling, Bookshelves Can Turn Den Into Refuge