Design a dream kitchen without breaking your budget

(ARA) – Looking to build your ideal kitchen, but not sure if you can afford it? It may seem like a difficult task, but it is possible to design a space that will fulfill your needs, while leaving room (and funds) for your dreams. Here’s how you can combine sacrificing and spending to find the perfect new product mix.

Spend Here
Find your passion. When deciding on which areas of your kitchen to spend your dollars, first think about your personal passions. Iron Chefs may sink money into professional-grade appliances, bakers may prefer granite countertops to roll out delicate dough, while entertainers may focus on wine coolers or island seating. Making your kitchen work for you is always worth the investment.

Focus on the future. While style is an important consideration, function is essential in the kitchen. For workhorse items, like faucets or appliances, invest in a quality brand.  Manufacturers, such as Moen, offer lifetime guarantees on their products, ensuring you won’t need to replace your faucet a few years down the line. And, with stylish, “green” products, like the new Anabelle and Dorsey Eco-Performance kitchen faucets available at Lowe’s, your kitchen faucet will look great and save up to 32 percent on water, while standing the test of time.

Set the stage with storage. Did you know that nearly half the world’s kitchens have a junk drawer? With the insurmountable number of household items and cooking utensils accumulating in the kitchen, adding quality cabinets to store it all away is always a safe bet. To maximize your investment, choose a finish that will meet your style needs today and in the future. According to the “Real Deal” Survey, conducted by Decora Cabinets and Kitchen and Bath Design News, white/cream or natural oak, maple and cherry are the most widely accepted cabinet finishes. Additionally, the survey revealed that pull-out garbage bins, pot and pan drawers and tray organizers are the most popular ways to keep your cabinets organized.

Save There
Get the look for less. When it comes to flooring and countertops, laminates offer the look of high-end options, but without the expense and required maintenance. For countertops, manufacturers, such as VT Fine Laminate Countertops, offer a variety of options that emulate the look of natural granite or quartz. Similarly, today’s laminate flooring is available in patterns and textures to achieve the look of wood, ceramic tile or stone – but all at a fraction of the price.

Do it yourself. When it comes to remodeling, labor can often be a majority of the cost. If you are handy – or have some handy friends or family – doing it yourself can save quite a bit of cash. Not so comfortable with a tool belt? Don’t fret. Hire a professional to do the major renovation, but ask for a discount if you assist with demolition, clean-up or the finish work and painting.

Reuse or recycle. Designing your ideal kitchen doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Assess your current kitchen and determine what works. If your cabinets meet your storage needs, but not your aesthetic wants – try refinishing or painting them. Additionally, use online sites, such as craigslist.com, or organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore to sell or donate kitchen items you don’t want (like appliances, furniture, lighting and cabinets) – or to purchase new ones. It’ll save your wallet and help the environment by keeping them out of landfills.

With just a bit of planning upfront on where to save and where to spend, you can easily achieve the kitchen of your dreams. For more information about Moen faucets, visit moen.com, or call (800) BUY-MOEN.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan?

(ARA) – These days bailouts are common, but not many Americans have considered it for their home design. Does lifeless and cluttered design leave your home in need of a makeover?

Lifestyle and design expert Susie Coelho is out to change all of that with a sweeping Home Design Stimulus Plan that offers immediate and effective relief for homeowners to boost their surroundings, both inside and out, without busting their budgets.  

“Homeowners have been clamoring for widespread reform both inside and outside of the home,” says Coelho, who has provided guidance and support to homeowners for years with her best-selling books and HGTV makeover shows Surprise Gardener and Outer Spaces. “This plan will refresh any home design.”

The five key components to Coelho’s Home Design Stimulus Plan are as follows:

1. Provide immediate relief to family and living rooms with the removal of excess furniture.  

Provide relief to living and family rooms that have been over-taxed by excess furniture and accessories. Space is the basis for contemporary design and this look can be achieved by trimming down. Stimulate and breathe new life into rooms by cutting back on anything that has become a liability instead of an asset. Remove that extra wing back chair, the torn ottoman, those pillows that swallow up the sofa, and maybe even that old carpet so that you can actually see some floor.  

2. Cutback on spending with the addition of only inexpensive or handmade decorative pieces.      

Fool guests by creating pieces of art for little or no money. Look for branches that can be put in a vase, a painting from a garage sale or flea market, a beautiful fabric piece, or even a great piece of wallpaper that can be framed. Find large pieces that make big statements. Light the art from the bottom with a small spotlight that can be tucked behind the piece. Let the art be the star of the room.  

3. Infuse natural light into the home for an immediate morale (and energy efficient) boost.      

Bring natural light into the home simply and affordably, and watch spirits increase as the energy bills decrease. Windows are a piece of art and can be used to showcase an outdoor tree or plant and create that seamless look between the indoors and the outdoors – but they must be clean. According to a recent survey, almost half of homeowners (48 percent) would rather clean the toilet or shower than their outdoor windows. For many that may be because of the time and effort that goes into the chore, but it can be simple and the results can be dramatic. I recommend using a new quick, easy and affordable solution for a streak-free shine in half the time – the Windex Outdoor All-in-One Glass Cleaning Tool.

4. Give outdoor areas some incentives by taking the best of interior design outside.

Bring change to your home by styling the outdoor spaces using simple indoor techniques. Add an outdoor rug to soften the patio floor; bring in a side table as a focal point or even an outdoor leather ottoman. Elevate the planter to the status it merits by placing it on a table instead of the ground. Add some decorative pillows to make the outdoor furniture more inviting. If in the market for furniture, choose those pieces that have the flexibility to be used either indoors or out.

5. Bailout your backyard!

No backyard challenge is insurmountable with these helpful hints for bringing quick relief to the outdoor areas. No place to plant? Go vertical in your garden with trellises, walls, arbors and planters. Use ivy, ficas, bougainvillea, night blooming jasmine, gardenias, and other fragrant species to stimulate the senses. Small spaces? Give the illusion of space by using a mirror to reflect and open up areas, adding an entirely new dimension.

With these easy tips, the indoor and outdoor spaces will look fabulous in no time. Next on the to-do list: find an excuse for a party to show off the beautifully refreshed home.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Beat the Winter Blahs with Home Decorating Projects

(ARA) – For many of us, the return of winter means six months of snow, sleet and colder temperatures that force us to take cover indoors. Being stuck inside month after month can leave anyone a little bored. That’s what makes winter an ideal time to tackle easy, do-it-yourself indoor home improvements.

Staying busy with interior projects will not only help break up the monotony of the winter months, but will also increase your home’s value and aesthetic appeal. Plus, you’ll have more time to spend doing the things you enjoy when the warmer months of spring and summer arrive.

So, get ready to pick up that paint brush and hammer and battle the winter blahs with the following projects:

Paint
Long gone are the days when you had to wait until you could open the windows to paint inside. Today’s no-VOC paints don’t contain harmful volatile organic compounds that can evaporate into your home’s air, which means you can paint year around with the windows closed. There are many low- or no-VOC painting products on the market, but Dutch Boy’s new Refresh paint is the only no-VOC paint that’s been independently GreenGuard Certified and offers exclusive Arm & Hammer odor-eliminating technology. Ideal for kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, family rooms and bathrooms, the technology actually captures and removes common odors from the air, leaving your house odor-free.

Add Crown Molding
It’s often said that good design is in the details. Crown molding is an ideal way to add architectural detail and sophistication to your home. As the popularity of crown molding has grown, so have the options. There are several companies that offer pre-packaged crown molding made from materials that can actually be cut to size with household scissors. There’s even Styrofoam crown molding made from high-density polyurethane foam that you can install with caulk. Or, you can stick with the more traditional crown molding made from a variety of softwoods such as poplar, pine, spruce and oak.

Install Flooring  
Much of today’s new laminate flooring is a DIYer’s dream. It doesn’t require many tools, can be installed quickly and easily because it’s not nailed, screwed or glued down like traditional flooring and is inexpensive — especially when compared to “real” hardwood replacement floors — thanks to tongue-and-groove pieces that simply click or snap together. And for great looks, the new North American Collection from Tarkett Residential offers patterns that include dark wood grains to warm and light tones in a wide assortment of grains and textures. Plus, its new laminate collection provides high durability to better resist scratches and indentations.

Change out Curtains
Curtains serve as the framework for our view to the outside world. Most of us hang curtains when we move into a home or undergo a major redecorating project, and then we tend to forget about them. We don’t realize that changing out curtains can be a cost-effective and relatively “anytime project” that can dramatically transform the appearance of a room. By changing your curtains you can update your style, add visual interest or even create a new focal point in a room. In addition to new curtains, you can create a fun, personalized look by using everyday items as curtain rods. To establish a high-end customized look, spray paint plumber’s PVC pipe and use it as a curtain rod. Or, if you want to bring a bit of the outdoors inside and create a rustic, yet contemporary look, you can use a tree branch as a curtain rod.

Organize Closets
Short on closet space? Most of us are. Winter is a great time to go through your closets, weed out what you don’t wear anymore and get things organized. To keep it clean and clutter-free well into the spring and summer, consider installing a closet organizer system. Today’s closet organizers are versatile and offer adjustable shelves, cabinets, drawers, shoe racks and sliding baskets. With a few tools and a free Sunday afternoon, you can install a closet organizer for all of your clothes, shoes and accessories.

This winter, don’t be lulled into hibernation. Take the time you have indoors and put it to good use. Tackling interior projects will not only keep you busy, but once you’re done it will leave your home looking beautiful for years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

More American cities are passing green mandates – laws requiring builders to adhere to environmental standards.

(NewsUSA) – When Washington, D.C. passed its Green Building Act of 2006, a mandate stating that all new private real estate developments need to follow the LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) standards set by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), it broke new ground. Building green became the new industry norm.

When builders “go green,” they erect efficient buildings that use fewer resources, improve indoor air health and minimize environmental impact. Cities have embraced green building to save energy, water and waste-management costs. From 2003 to 2007, the American cities with green building mandates grew from 22 to 92, a 418 percent increase.

How do buildings go green? The LEED system certifies buildings as silver, gold or platinum. Platinum buildings most closely follow the USGBC’s environmental standards, which look at location, water conservation, energy consumption, atmosphere, materials, indoor health quality, innovation and design.

A truly green building relies on a marriage between eco-friendly consumer products, like low-flow faucets, and renewable energy sources. Architects know to begin with sustainable building blocks -; choosing strong, energy-efficient building material can help ventilation and heating and cooling systems use less energy while improving indoor air quality.

For example, one company, Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc. (ACTech), has developed insulated structural panels made from 75 percent recycled materials. In tests, the ACTech panel system proves up to 65 percent more energy-efficient than traditional building materials. Buildings constructed using the system will waste less energy, so renewable energies, like wind and solar power, can be incorporated to optimize their intended economies and efficiencies.

The panels improve indoor air quality and acoustics. They are also firesafe and able to withstand hurricane-force winds, making them a safe building material in natural disaster-prone areas.

As American cities look to improve their carbon footprint, they must combine green materials with eco-friendly energy sources. Fourteen percent of U.S. cities with populations over 50,000 already have green building mandates, while another 36 cities plan to enact them.

For more information about the ACTech Panel System, visit www.actechpanel.com or call 1-800-859-8813. ACTech trades on the OTC Bulletin under ACCY.

Contact: Maggie O’Neill; Ed Johnson
919. 772.4688
Wood from Old Home Site will be Salvaged for New Garner Nature Center
On Friday, July 18, wood from a farmhouse in Garner’s White Deer Park will be salvaged for reuse in the new Nature Center to be built there. Slated for demolition when the park is built, the dilapidated 1930’s farmhouse will contribute first as part of the new building, and also as part of the interpretive program for the park. Staff from Garner’s Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments and volunteers from the park design team will carefully remove the boards with hand tools. The 3/4” tongue and groove heart pine boards will be used as flooring in the new Nature Center.
The Nature Center will be the Town of Garner’s first LEED Accredited building. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a measurement tool used internationally to evaluate performance in site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Removing the boards is just one of the many environmentally sustainable initiatives the project is undertaking to achieve a LEED rating from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
“The Nature Center will have many environmentally friendly systems and features,” said Tom Maynard, Director of Garner Parks and Recreation Department. “It will include exhibits about protecting the environment. We believe the building itself will be a tool for use in teaching about how to care for and sustain the environment. The reclaimed wood is one example of how we can show people what they can do at home.”
“Reclaiming the wood is also a nice way to remember the people who once lived in the area and the history of Garner as a farming community,” said architect Louis Cherry of Cherry Huffman Architects.
The Town will store the boards until they are refinished and installed in the new Nature Center. The wood that cannot be salvaged will be recycled. The building begins construction in Fall of 2008 with expected completion in June 2009.
About the Project
White Deer Park is a 96 acre nature park located on Buffaloe and Aversboro Roads in Garner that is slated for construction this Fall. In addition to the nature center, the Park will feature 2.5 miles of paved walking trails, five picnic shelters, two new playgrounds, wildflower meadows and an arboretum. The Nature Center will also permanently house the white deer that the park is named for. The 2500 square foot Nature Center will achieve a LEED Silver Rating from the US Green Building Council for its many environmentally sustainable features.
The design team for the park includes Garner Parks and Recreation Department, obs Landscape Architects, Cherry Huffman Architects, Design Dimension, Stewart Engineering and ConsiderDesign.
###
TOWN OF GARNER
(919) 772?4688
www.garnernc.gov
moneill@garnernc.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY
July 17, 2008
Town of Garner to Salvage The Homestead
The best photo opportunities related to this project will be Friday, July 18 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.
The address of the facility is 2400 Aversboro Road. It is located approximately .5 miles from the Aversboro Road and Timber Drive intersection. Please contact CB McDonald at 919?772?4688 if you plan to visit the site so we can arrange an escort to get you from the parking lot to the site.

Town Of Garner NC website

Garner NC City Guide

City5NC.blog

Aspiring real estate “flippers” should plan their selling strategy before they start renovations.

(NewsUSA) – Buy a run-down building in a nice area. Gut the rooms and rebuild state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms. Then sell the home for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit.

The idea of “flipping” homes appeals to Americans. But for many aspiring flippers, reality does not live up to the expectations created by reality television and get-rich books.

Flippers buy distressed properties in nice neighborhoods. They often run into trouble with contractors to stay on budget for the home repairs or improvements. People attempt to make lavish improvements and don’t realize how much time and money the ambitious renovations will really cost. By the time they sell their real estate project, many flippers barely break even. In some cases, flippers lose money. Sometimes people create a dream property, put it on the market, then watch the home sit for months without exciting buyers’ interests. In the meantime, mortgage costs eat into flippers’ profits.

When it comes to flipping homes, profits depend on quick sales. Before buying properties, people should learn how to sell them. Californian real-estate professionals have created a step-by-step system for homeowners looking to quickly sell properties.

The “Fast Action Homes Sales System” teaches homeowners how to create bidding wars with or without a real estate agent. Homeowners using the guide learn how to attract buyers’ interest with signs, printed ads and custom-built Web sites. The advertisements lead to a frenzied weekend bidding war, giving sellers the advantage.

The whole process, from first step to exit, takes two or three weeks. Before potential real estate moguls invest in a property, they should start planning its final sale -; selling a newly renovated home quickly is key to making a profit-earning flip.

To access a quick-start guide to the Fast Action Home Sales System, either visit www.RealEstateKit.com or call 1-800-669-1038.

Repairing concrete surfaces can help properties make better first impressions.

(NewsUSA) – In today’s highly competitive housing market, every advantage counts when attracting potential buyers to your home.

Traditional home upgrades, like bathroom and kitchen remodels, return less than 70 percent of their cost, so homeowners are looking elsewhere for project ideas.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 50 percent of the time a home is sold before a buyer even gets out of their car. Improving a home’s exterior, or curb appeal, can give buyers better first impressions.

For exteriors, the Quikrete Companies offer a line of inexpensive, easy-to-use products whose impact can mean the difference between another week on the market or making a deal:

Spruce Up Driveways

If a potential buyer pulls into your driveway and sees small cracks and mystery stains, they’re probably walking away with a bad first impression.

Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer offers an economical alternative to replacing old concrete. Following a thorough pressure washing, homeowners just mix, pour and squeegee. The resurfacer results in a durable, wear-resistant surface that can be driven on after 24 hours.

Quick Patching

Patching unsightly cracked or pitted concrete surfaces such as steps, driveways and sidewalks can be an easy improvement using the Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher. The versatile, vinyl-infused compound bonds to the concrete surface for a smooth repair. The patcher has a high resistance to ultraviolet light and heat, and it is self-curing, so no additives are needed.

Fix Small Cracks

For minor concrete repairs, like cracks less than half an inch in width, Quikrete Gray Concrete Crack Seal offers a easy solution -; simply shake the ready-to-use product and pour it directly from its bottle. Once applied, the material blends with the natural color of concrete for a uniform finish, becomes dry to the touch in 30 minutes and maintains adhesion throughout freeze-thaw temperature cycles.

For more information, visit www.quikrete.com .

How A Forest Products Company is Making a Real Environmental Impact

(ARA) – Is what used to be your office now the baby’s room? Have your desk and computer taken up residence in the formal living room? Are you running out of space to store your growing collection of stuff?

Now that summer is here, it’s a great time to reassess how the space in your home is being used. And if you’re looking for more creative ways to utilize the space you already have, look no further than the backyard deck – specifically underneath it.

“Expanding a home’s outdoor living space is a big trend, and so many newer homes have second or third level decks with space underneath that is basically lost. Utilizing this normally wasted space in the home is easier to do than you may think,” says Don Garrison of LockDry Decking.

While typical wood decks have gaps between the boards, providing no shelter from the elements for the area below, those that utilize a watertight aluminum decking system like the one offered by LockDry (www.lockdry.com), can create a beautifully finished and gapless deck that keeps the area under the deck dry, no matter what the weather.

Whether you need extra space for storage, a game room for the kids, a workshop or an entertainment room, the lower level is instantly transformed into usable space when you seal the deck above; and keeping the area dry isn’t the only benefit aluminum decking offers over wood and composites.

“Aluminum is the perfect material for decking,” explains Garrison. “It is able to withstand the most extreme outdoor elements. It does not rust, rot, warp, or splinter. It will not freeze and crack. It does not contain any chemicals that will leach. It also weights less than half of wood decking and is much stronger.”

Installation is simple, and since the decking surface is watertight, no water penetrates to the deck framing, protecting the wooden structure, and your house, from moisture. Kits, which are available directly from LockDry, include trim for a professional, finished looking deck.

Aluminum railing systems are also available to complete your deck. The various styles will complement just about any architectural style, from contemporary to traditional. Choose from cable, glass, picket and decorative styles. They are shipped in pre-assembled sections for easy installation.

In addition, the decking is maintenance free, so you’ll never have to replace a rotted, cracked or warped board again. You also won’t have to spend a perfect summer day waterproofing, staining or painting the deck. All it takes is periodic cleaning to keep the deck looking great. The aluminum decking stays cool to the touch, has a textured, non-skid powder coat finish, and is available in four beautiful colors, so there’s sure to be an option that complements the color scheme of your house.

Once your deck is finished, there’s no end to the ways you can decorate it. Add potted or hanging plants – the water runoff won’t harm your aluminum deck like it would wood. Add a table with an umbrella and comfortable chairs, and you’re set to enjoy the nice weather. The deck is also the perfect place for your grill, as most decks are built off the kitchen. Add some benches for extra seating, and you’re ready to entertain.

Each LockDry decking system comes with a limited lifetime warranty. For more information, visit www.lockdry.com or call (800) 711-1785 to request a brochure and decking samples.

(ARA) – Whether you’re selling your home or planning to live there for years to come, you can add interest and value using architectural elements. Customizing your kitchen, bath or master bedroom is a simple way to set your home apart and increase the “wow factor” of those particular rooms, which real estate agents say sell houses.

Architectural elements are the unique details that form the architectural style of houses and buildings. These include anything from stairways and fireplace mantels to columns and ornaments. Examples of architectural details are found in every design style from intricate Victorian gables to modern clean-lined ceiling domes.

Here are a few easy design tips that use architectural elements to bring your kitchen, bath or master bedroom from ordinary to extraordinary.

Kitchen — From Lackluster to Luxury
* Stock cabinets can be plain and boring. Add decorative corbels (an architectural support bracket), panel and crown mouldings to create a high-end, customized appearance.

* Add a ceiling medallion above the breakfast bar or table. Whether simple or elegantly embellished, a medallion will enhance any light fixture and create a focal point.

* Build an “oven nook.” Using a shelf or fireplace mantel and some decorative corbels, you can create the look of a custom built-in cooking station found in model homes.

Bathroom — From So-so to Spa
* Switch out the simple wood trim around doors for elegant casings and add a chair rail at mid-wall height. For a look featured in four-star hotels, paint the wall below the chair rail a muted, relaxing color and use a slightly lighter shade of the same color above the chair rail.

* Add a decorative shelf or mantel for display of art, plants or your favorite fragrance bottles.

* Add to the height of the bathroom by installing a round or elliptical dome. A dome will allow for a larger, more dramatic light fixture while adding depth like a tray ceiling.

Master Bedroom — From Routine to Relaxing
* Trimming the bedroom with crown moulding shows attention to detail and complements rooms of any style.

* Add a niche to your wall for dramatic display space. Highlight special photos, keepsakes or a piece of art.

* Create a custom headboard using architectural plaques, ornate corbels and decorative swags. A custom headboard allows you to show your style and offers an elegant space to frame the room’s largest piece of furniture.

Adding architectural elements to customize the spaces in your home doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Lightweight, decorative mouldings and other elements are available through companies like Focal Point Architectural Products, which specializes in closed-cell polyurethane products that won’t rot or mildew. The pieces look like plaster and wood, but offer a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional materials.

For more information or design inspiration, visit www.FocalPointProducts.com or call (800) 662-5550 to find a dealer near you.