FUGINA CONSTRUCTION

The Architecture of John Lautner

2012-01-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, January 22, 2012, join Movies on a Big Screen, AIA Central Valley, SacMod, and Sactown Magazine for a screening of INFINITE SPACE: The Architecture of John Lautner at the Guild Theater at 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Please arrive in time to allow yourself a moment to learn more about the organizations and get comfortable before the film begins.

RSVP for this event and get your tickets online via Brown Paper Tickets

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Home. It's The Law!

2011-11-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

New law requires carbon monoxide detectors in all California homes

By Victoria Guida - McClatchy Newspapers

FRESNO, Calif. — When Jason Sanders unwittingly bought a carbon monoxide detector instead of a smoke detector, he didn't know it would one day save his family's lives.

A year and a half later, Sanders and his wife brought their newborn child home from the hospital to their Turlock, Calif., home and turned on the heat. Days earlier, they had gotten the air ducts fixed, but the repairmen had forgotten to reattach the intake on the heater.

The house filled with carbon monoxide — an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas — which was soon detected by the device Sanders had accidentally bought.

"We would've been dead within minutes if it wasn't for the carbon monoxide detector," Sanders said. "It saved our lives."

A new California state law inspired by such incidents goes into effect. All single-family homes with a gas, oil or coal-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage are required to have a carbon monoxide detector. Multifamily homes have until Jan. 1, 2013.

Failure to comply with the law could mean a fine of up to $200, but owners will have 30 days to correct the problem first. Craig Tolmie, division chief for CalFire and Fresno County Fire, said at a news conference Wednesday that the fire department will not be "knocking on doors," but he hopes people will comply voluntarily.

The price for not installing a carbon monoxide detector could be much bigger than the fine. In January, four members of an Oakhurst, Calif., family died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator in the basement. Among the dead were two girls, ages 8 and 10. The house did not have a detector.

Fire officials say detectors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, as well as on each level of a home.

A detector should be certified by a recognized third-party testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, and must be approved by the state fire marshal.

Detectors are available at improvement retailers such as Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware or Walmart. They generally cost between $15 and $45, depending on the features.

While detectors installed in newly constructed homes must be hard-wired in to the house, devices for existing homes can be battery-operated or plug in with a battery backup. Devices that operate as both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are also available.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuels such as gas, oil, wood or coal. Upon inhalation, the gas enters the bloodstream and decreases the ability of blood to carry oxygen to vital organs.

Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches.

Because people cannot smell or see it, it is often referred to as "the silent killer," meaning people may not know they are being poisoned.

Land Park Neighborhood Special:

Fugina Construction will professionally and properly install a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your home for $39.99.

Email fuginaconstruction@sbcglobal.net or call 916/215-9293 today for an appointment.

Preparing for Winter

2011-10-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

10 tips to help you prepare your home for winter:

1) Furnace Inspection
•Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.
•Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.

2) Get the Fireplace Ready

•Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.
•If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.

3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows

•Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.
•Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.
•Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.
•If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.

4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

•If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.
•Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.
•Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.
•Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.

5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment

•Drain gas from lawnmowers.
•Service or tune-up snow blowers.
•Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.
•Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.

6) Check Foundations

•Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.
•Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.
•Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.
•Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.
•Secure crawlspace entrances.

7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

•Some cities require a smoke detector in every room.
•Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.
•Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.
•Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.
•Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes

•Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.
•Drain all garden hoses.
•Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.
•Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
•If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.

9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces

•Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.
•Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.
•Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.
•Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.
•Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.

10) Prepare an Emergency Kit

•Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.
•Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.
•Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.
•Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.
•Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.

The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House

2011-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Sierra Retreat. The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House takes its design cues from the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it.

Rugged yet sophisticated
Bringing nature into our homes is one of the best things about living in the West. The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House―located in a scenic, meadow-oriented setting in Truckee, California―is full of earthy materials and textures, colors inspired by the ever-changing landscape, natural light from every possible angle, and walls and windows that blend with the outdoors.

Overhead, woven strips of reclaimed redwood define the dining area and visually connect to the kitchen.

Vaulted ceilings of reclaimed fir decking and beams add spaciousness while still feeling intimate; the board-formed concrete walls are surrounded by warm wood on the floor, ceiling, and window trim.

Open-air shower
Bathing outdoors is the height of mountain living, especially when done in a rugged style. With its rough natural textures in concrete and stone, this two-person outdoor shower, tucked under the overhang off the master bedroom, provides a thoroughly invigorating alpine experience.

Rustic materials
Board-formed concrete and a stone floor accentuate the rugged outdoor theme.

To learn more about the Sunset Idea Homes log on to: http://www.sunset.com/home/idea-houses/

Fugina Construction designs and remodels a 1930's Art Moderne Home in Land Park

2011-06-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

See our advertisements in Inside The City and Inside East Sac.

Check out the June issue of Home Matters "Streamlined Style" A 1930's Art Moderne house gets a very modern update. Designed and remodeled by Fugina Construction

NET-ZERO ENERGY HOME BUILT BY KB HOME AND CREATED WITH MARTHA STEWART OPENS

2011-04-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

2011 Builder Magazine Concept Home is a paragon of efficiency and full of “good things”

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 11, 2011) - Representatives from KB Home (NYSE: KBH), Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (NYSE: MSO) and Builder magazine today unveiled the KB Home GreenHouse™: An Idea Home Created with Martha Stewart. The innovative and expertly-designed net-zero energy home is the 13th in Builder Magazine’s Concept Home series tradition that annually showcases an impactful and interesting new concept in homebuilding during the industry’s premier trade conference, the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS).

With the IBS set to begin tomorrow, the project partners hosted members of the media during a special event at the home. Members of the media were among the first to tour the KB Home Greenhouse and participated in a question and answer session with Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer of KB Home; and Boyce Thompson, editorial director for Builder magazine.

“We’re excited to open this year’s home for tours,” said Boyce Thompson. “The KB Home GreenHouse embodies the Concept Home philosophy of bringing together some of the best minds in the business to create a project that has broad appeal, incorporates innovative new products and ideas and will serve to educate other homebuilders.”

Attendees were impressed with the elegantly traditional exterior, free flowing and inviting interior as well as the home design’s ability to bring the outdoors in via a telescoping patio door that spans the length of the kitchen and leads to a spacious lanai.

“We were happy to be a part of this project with KB Home,” said Martha Stewart. “It allowed us to build on our already successful partnership by creating the ultimate ‘green’ home that is not only environmentally friendly, but also beautiful, functional and affordable.”

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the KB Home Greenhouse achieves a new dimension of environmentally friendly building for KB Home; it is the company’s first net-zero energy home, meaning it is intended to produce more energy than it consumes over the span of a year. As such, it has been labeled as a “Maximized Energy-Efficient Home” by the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, the home has been recognized with a variety of other green building achievements, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense® qualifications, U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) for Homes Platinum rating and Environments for Living® green certification.

“In creating the KB Home GreenHouse, we were able to combine our industry-leading position in environmentally friendly building with our reputation for innovation," said Jeffrey Mezger. “With an established track record of building all ENERGY STAR homes in our new communities, we took this opportunity to go above and beyond and built a net-zero energy home that incorporates new ideas and technologies, including a real-time energy monitoring system and a solar thermal water heater, that we believe will one day be standard in all new homes.”

KB Home was recently recognized as the #1 Green Homebuilder for the second consecutive time by Calvert Investments. Participation in experimental projects like the Builder Magazine Concept Home was one of many criteria used by the firm in its evaluation of sustainable practices in the homebuilding industry.

New Homes in 2015 Will Be Smaller, With a Touch of Green

2011-04-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

By: Stephani L. Miller

Architects and builders think new homes will continue to shrink under the driving forces of demographic shifts and other influences.

According to a recently released survey by the NAHB, residential architects and designers, home builders, and others involved in the new home construction sector believe that the home shrinkage phenomenon of the recession years won't be reversing as the economy regains steam, but is actually here to stay. The sentiment among the majority of respondents to the NAHB's "The New Home in 2015" survey is that the average new home will continue to shrink by as much as an additional 10 percent—to about 2,152 square feet—by mid-decade.

Smaller footprints and greener features ranked at the top of the trend list among survey respondents, with 74 percent saying homes will get smaller and 68 percent saying homes will get greener in 2015—far surpassing the other trends the survey evaluated: more technology (29 percent), greater accessibility (20 percent), and more outdoor living features (10 percent).

It's interesting to note, however, that the green features cited as most likely to be included in new homes in 2015 are largely the most cost-effective methods for achieving energy and resource efficiency. Survey respondents indicated that low-E windows, engineered wood components (joists, beams, and trusses), water-efficient fixtures, and Energy Star Home ratings are likely features.

"According to our experts, consumers are really looking to reduce their energy costs. When they say 'green' that's what they mean: reducing the cost of heating, cooling, and running their house," says Rose Quint, assistant vice president for survey research, NAHB Economics and Housing Policy. Because other, potentially higher-performing energy-saving features cost more up front and have longer payback periods, and because mortgage financing is still so tight, many of the other features that would increase the green quotient of a new home fall further down on consumer wish lists, according to respondents.

It's not just economics and energy costs driving the size reduction in new homes, the survey found. Consumer expectations and preferences also are shifting. Homes no longer hold the equity they once did, and homeowners no longer view their residence as an investment that will fund their retirement or help them upgrade to a larger home, according to Quint. Also a driving force toward smaller houses is the population of aging baby boomers seeking to downsize.

As earlier housing trend reports have indicated, the NAHB survey found that single-purpose or special-function rooms (media and hobby rooms, mudrooms, dining rooms) are far less likely to be included in the new homes of 2015. The great room is again on the rise, combining a house's main living and entertaining space, workspace, and cooking/eating space. It was ranked the most likely room to be included in the average new home in 2015. The only area deemed likely to grow in the next five years, according to the survey, is the family room. Fifty-two percent of survey respondents said the living room will merge with other spaces, while 30 percent said it will vanish altogether.

"People have become more realistic about their needs, and they're going to base their purchases on needs rather than wants and lifestyle preferences," Quint says. "A house becomes less expensive when you take away walls and combine multiple living spaces into one room. It also allows for a sense of greater volume within a shrunken footprint."

Interestingly, while more universal design features were deemed only somewhat likely to be included, survey respondents' comments indicated that accessibility will be planned for in more subtle ways than creating a house that's fully accessible at time of sale. Rather, the infrastructure to ease future accessibility retrofits and renovations will be provided in new homes of 2015—which incidentally will play an increasingly important role in the remodeling industry.

Read more findings from "The New Home in 2015" report on HousingEconomics.com.

Green Depot Acquires Ecohaus

2011-03-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

Deal adds three West Coast stores to NYC-based green building materials dealer.
By: Craig L. Webb

Green Depot, which dubs itself the nation's biggest building material dealer specializing in environmentally sustainable building products, grew even larger Monday when the New York-based company announced it has acquired Ecohaus, a similar operation with locations in Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland, Ore.

The deal creates "the first one-stop supplier for green building materials with a nationwide footprint for distribution and delivery," Green Depot said in a news release. The move comes 15 months after Green Depot established a Chicago beachhead with the acquisition of Greenmaker Supply. (Related story)

Green Depot currently has 10 showrooms in the New York boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn; Boston; Manchester, N.H.; Albany, N.Y.; Long Island, N.Y.; Newark, N.J.; Philadelphia; Newark, Del.; and Chicago. It also serves customers through its website and claims 33 warehouse distribution centers as a result of its relationship with the Marjam supply house. (Related story)

Established in 1992, Ecohaus "has been a pivotal player in the industry, introducing eco-friendly products to consumers and working with innovators in the field to bring high-quality, sustainable products to market," the announcement stated.

"Our core values and passion align completely," said Green Depot founder Sarah Beatty. "By joining forces with Ecohaus, Green Depot is strongly positioned for continued growth throughout America. We’re delighted to combine resources and work together to achieve our shared vision for a diverse, sophisticated Green supply chain--and a sustainably thriving America."

Ecohaus CEO David Silverglide said the deal builds on the West Coast's well-known appreciation for green products and "opens up promising new avenues to feed the demand for affordable, healthy, and sustainable product solutions across the country."

While the earlier deal with Greenmaker Supply called for that company to keep its name, the Chicago store eventually was renamed Green Depot. In contrast, Ecohaus' website already points to Green Depot's and it appears clear that the West Coast stores will take the Green Depot name.

Buyer Survey Says: Smaller Homes With More Open Spaces

2011-01-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

Consumer preferences are examined in the latest studies conducted by the NAHB and Better Homes & Gardens.
By: John Caulfield

The trend among buyers favoring smaller homes with open and multifunctional rooms continued in 2010. But subtle changes in tastes, combined with ongoing shifts in household occupancy, could give alert builders and their product suppliers new opportunities over the next few years, as the housing market recovers and home buyers get back in the game in larger numbers.

Fresh surveys of consumer preferences, presented during a seminar on that topic at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday morning, provided an in-depth look at what consumers are shopping for now and what they might be looking for in the future. While there were no eureka moments in the survey’s findings, they reaffirmed demographic factors that are influencing what is getting built these days and made clearer what features home buyers are seeking.

At the very least, consumers are approaching the home buying experience with a different attitude. “The sense of entitlement that people used to feel about having everything they wanted in their homes is being replaced by a sense of gratitude for things they already have,” says Jill Waage, editorial director of Better Homes & Gardens' Home Content Core.

Rose Quint, NAHB’s assistant vice president for survey research, laid the groundwork for this seminar by sharing projections about household formation and new-home construction. Projections of population growth—which is expected to rise to 322.4 million people in 2015, 336.8 million in 2020, and 422.6 million in 2050—suggest that demand for housing should remain vital. Over that time span, America’s Hispanic population will increase to 30% of the total, from 16% today; and people over 55 years old will account for 31% of the total, from 25%.

Houeseholds are getting smaller, too. One- and two-person households represented more than 63% of all households in 2010. And for the first time, married couples accounted for less than 50% of households, while unrelated adults living together increased to 6.2%.

In light of these statistics, the average size of a home completed declined last year to 2,377 square feet, from 2,438 square feet the previous year and 2,570 square feet in 2007. But Quint pointed out that the average size of a home started last year actually inched up a bit to nearly 2,400 square feet, although most of the bigger homes were started in the South and Midwest. “So this is by no means an phenomenon,” she said.

Quint shared new research in which the NAHB asked builders what they would be building in 2011. More than half, 52%, will build smaller homes, and nearly three fifths will build houses with less expensive price tags. Looking ahead to 2015, three quarters of the builders polled thought that single-family homes would continue to shrink (to around 2,152 square feet, on average); 68% thought they would be more energy efficient; but only 29% expect houses of the future to include more technology.

These builders expect that more one-story homes will be built, and more than half expect houses to combine living rooms with other rooms, with family rooms getting larger. (Thirty percent thought living rooms, per se, could vanish altogether). Among the features builders think more homes will include in the coming years are great rooms, low-E windows, double kitchen sinks, and programmable thermostats; indeed, a sizable percentage of builders expect more homes to be Energy Star rated.

However, 61% of builders polled expect the number of features offered as standard to decrease (compared to 32% who were asked the same question in 2007).

Waage followed Quint with a presentation that focused more specifically on the kinds of rooms and features buyers prefer, based on a survey, conducted last December, of 2,000 of her magazine’s readers who identified themselves as either planning to buy or remodel a home.

The survey found that buyers may have downsized as much as they’re going to, as 40% said their next home would be larger than what they live in today. Buyers are still looking for an affordable and energy efficient home with lots of storage space, but those criteria are slightly less important than they were for survey respondents in 2009.

Waage showed data that indicates buyers are taking a lot longer researching purchases and projects than they did only a few years ago. They are also prioritizing features, with efficient HVAC systems and appliances topping the list, followed by decks and patios, low-maintenance exteriors, and private backyards. They’re doing the same prioritizing for living spaces, with separate laundry, office, and storage rooms being most coveted.

However, don’t expect home buyers to overextend themselves: Better Homes’ survey found that 58.4% of readers polled are “extremely reluctant” to spend money they don’t have.

John Caulfield is senior editor for BUILDER magazine.

2011 Builders' Show Preview

2011-01-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

12 green products from the residential construction industry’s largest event

The International Builders’ Show returns to Orlando, Fla., next week. As always, hundreds of manufacturers will be on hand showcasing new wares for the residential contractor, including an array of options for sustainably minded builders. Here’s a look at 12 green products that will be on display.

Click here for slideshow.

Baby Boomers, Gen Y, and the Recession Shift Long-Held Housing Tastes and Trends

2010-12-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

The economy and jobs are reshaping the household picture, a ULI panel says, as Gen Yers delay buying and boomers age in place. Among all groups, walkability and transit dominate the wish list.
By:Katy Tomasulo

As the housing industry continues to claw its way out of the downturn, the recession and unemployment picture are dramatically influencing the way consumers view homeownership, according to the “Housing in America” panel during ULI’s fall conference in Washington, D.C. As the country’s two largest demographic groups—baby boomers and Generation Y—reassess priorities, household formation is down; tastes and demands are shifting toward walkable, transit-oriented communities; and the overall buyer profile within age groups is simply not as cut-and-dried as it once was.

Even as housing recovers, we’re not going to return to the same trends and tastes, says John McIlwain, senior resident fellow at ULI. “What people will want … will be substantially different.”

Among all age groups, the economy continues to be the chief driver. The jobs outlook is not only impacting sales and inventory, but also household formation, which has dropped to 25% of the norm, McIlwain reports, stemming from a decrease in immigration and the recession forcing young adults to live with their parents (or even vice versa). This trend, he says, won’t reverse until unemployment begins to drop.
Though the recession hit everyone hard, its impact on Gen Y will likely have the most long-lasting influence on housing trends. With 83 to 85 million people born from 1981 to 1999, it’s the largest demographic group the country has ever had, and therefore has massive buying potential. Problem is, they’re also the most economically constrained, McIlwain says, with a 30% unemployment rate and an average $23,000 post-college debt. They’re not saving for a down payment, and their parents, struggling to recover their own retirement savings, can’t help.

As a result, this age group’s view of the American Dream of homeownership is vastly different. “People in the youngest generation have seen the struggles family and friends are going through, and the assumption of the house as a wealth generator is very different,” says Marty Jones, president of Corcoran Jennison Cos.

Richard Koss, director of economics at Fannie Mae, found similar changes in consumer surveys conducted during the past year. In January, 70% of consumers surveyed viewed homeownership as a safe investment; by July, that percentage had dropped to 67%; in 2003, confidence was as high as 83%.

The combination of these factors, McIlwain says, will likely lead to unprecedented rental rates during the next 10 years.

GEN Y OPTIONS
To meet the challenge, developers and builders must find a way to provide products that Gen Yers can afford in locations they desire. Among their wants and needs:

Urban settings or, if suburban, walkable town centers and mixed-use communities. They desire smart growth and density, and are willing to accept a less ideal home if they can walk to work and retail.

A focus on work-life balance and connectivity.

WINKs: Woman with income, no kids. This group, typically 26 to 29 years old, is highly educated. They’re renters, but are likely to buy before marriage. Like others, they desire walkable neighborhoods near transit.

More young adults are delaying marriage; 85% of household growth will be households without kids, says Charles Hewlett, managing director of real estate advisor Robert Charles Lesser & Co.

BABY BOOMER TRENDS
Baby Boomers begin turning 65 next year. Here is how this group will continue to impact housing trends:

They’re retiring earlier than previous generations; however, many still work, either part-time, in a lower-level position, or as a consultant.

Many will age in place; however, in 10 years, we will see increased demand for seniors housing as the first wave reaches the mid and late 70s.

The earlier prediction that baby boomers will move to downtown urban areas has not happened, Hewlett says. But they are looking for what he calls “safe urbanism”—walkable, denser areas with transit.

They want locations with an affordable cost of living and quality healthcare. Both of these factors trump climate, Hewlett notes.

They look for communities with opportunities for continuing education, culture, and an active lifestyle.

They still count Florida and Arizona among the top five retirement locations, but the Carolinas, with slightly cooler temperatures and lower threat of hurricanes, are becoming their new Florida, Hewlett says.

ADDITIONAL INFLUENCERS
Among the challenges and trends across markets:

Golf course communities are out; conservation communities with passive open space and trails are in.

Walkable, transit-oriented communities or those with town squares are “going to be a key part of creating projects that attract interest,” says Jones.

Immigration will continue to be a huge housing influencer; however, where previous generations settled in urban areas, many new immigrants are heading straight for suburbs, says Hewlett.

In the rental market, green is still being driven more by investors than consumers, Jones reports.

The U.S. will grow by another 100 million people by 2040, and 60% of that will come from just 20 metro areas, primarily in the coastal areas and the south.

Finally, there’s the question of what will happen to the McMansion. In new construction, too-large houses have fallen out of favor—but what about existing homes? The vast gap in numbers from baby boom to Generation X, along with continued economic woes and shifting tastes, left one panelist to wonder who will buy baby boomers’ larger houses and what further impact those properties will have on buying trends over the next few years. Stay tuned.

Katy Tomasulo is Deputy Editor for EcoHome.

Favorite Home Shows of 2010

2010-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Those of you needing a shot of home decorating inspiration this year needed to look no further than your TV remotes. From home renovations to painting advice and cheap fixes, there were plenty of shows to inspire. The Nate Berkus Show debuted in September, and the preview of Secrets of a Stylist has everyone excited for its premiere in 2011! HGTV is the go-to channel for the majority of home decor shows, but there are several other shows that are not to be missed, including Planet Green's The Fabulous Beekman Boys.

Focus on Fire Safety: Holiday Fire Safety

2010-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees
What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights
Maintain Your Holiday Lights
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Don't Block Exits
Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace
Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care
Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.

As in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan!

After the holidays, don’t throw your natural tree away! Here are some tips on what to do with your tree after the holidays. In general, you have these options:

Curbside pick-up for recycling - Most areas will collect trees during their regular pickup schedules on the 2 weeks following Christmas. There are often requirements for size, removing ornaments, flocking, etc; see below for details.
Call for an appointment to have a non-profit in your area pickup your tree. Some boy scout troops are offering a pickup service for a small donation (often $5).
Take your tree to a drop off recycling center. Most counties have free drop-off locations throughout the county. Usually, you may take up to two trees to any of the following drop-off locations at no charge.
Cut the tree to fit loosely into your yard waste container.

What’s Cooking in Appliances

2010-10-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

What’s Cooking in Appliances
Remodeling clients look to appliances to make life easier with a wider range of options and efficiency
By Jon Minnick from Qualified Remodeler Magazine

Remodeling clients are spending less on projects these days and, when it comes to appliances, they’re spending more time researching their options. They want appliances that will perform flawlessly, look great, make cooking and cleaning easier, be efficient — and not cost a lot of money.

“One of the key trends that you see across the board is consumers looking for energy and water efficiency,” says Carlos Johnson, senior brand manager for Amana. “Consumers want to feel like they’re being greener and are effectively managing their appliances. There is more demand for Energy Star and green certified appliances, and going forward it will get even stronger.”

GE Appliances has addressed this trend as well. “To give you an idea of how efficient our products have become,” says Steve Anderson, contract marketing and specialty manager of GE Appliances, “one of our 16-cu.-ft. refrigerators will use fewer kilowatts than an 80-watt light bulb. That’s how far we’ve come.” About 18 months ago, GE began testing demand response appliances that reduce electrical consumption during periods of peak energy consumption.

Technology and Features

Technology goes beyond efficiency, however. “Appliances are all about technology to make tentative cooks better cooks,” says Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, Ellen Cheever and Associates, Wilmington, Del. “I think that 10 years ago you had consumers who thought a commercial high-BTU gas range would make them a better cook. Today, I think they are saying, ‘How can you make it easy for me to be a good cook?’

“Jenn-Air’s oven, for example, is specifically designed to help a tentative cook select the right pan and the right temperature. The concept is to make the controlling mechanism easy to operate and fail safe,” she says.

Remodeling clients are asking for real innovations that make cooking and cleaning easier. In the professional-grade appliance category, it’s not just about making a statement or having the most powerful range in the kitchen. What’s important to consumers are real cooking innovations such as Thermador’s Sensor Dome, ExtraLow Simmer and patented Star Burner, a star-shaped design that allows for greater heat coverage and a smaller cold spot than a conventional round burner.

“The result is 18,000 Btu on every burner, more even heat across any sized pan and faster time to boil,” says Zach Elkin, director of the luxury division, Thermador Home Appliances for BSH Home Appliances, Corp. “Also, the new Star Burner design coupled with the porcelain Quick Clean Base allows for easy access and cleanup.”

“There are a lot of gimmicks on appliances, but consumers are not interested in features with no real payoff. They want features they can use,” says Scott Davies, marketing manager for Fisher & Paykel Appliances.

“Ergonomics and efficiency are features that have a real payoff ,” adds Davies “Cycles on a clothes washer, like an allergy cycle, or a tall dish drawer which fits large 13-in. platters, aren’t just novelties; they provide a real and usable benefit,” he says.

GE Appliances has also introduced innovative features. On some of the higher-end refrigeration models, a bottom drawer can be temperature adjusted to cool down wine or beer quickly. The same drawer can be used to defrost meat over the course of a day while maintaining it at a safe temperature.

There is also GE’s Advantium Speedcook oven, available in above-the-range and wall units. The 240-volt version can cook up to eight times faster than conventional oven and still maintain oven-quality results.

In the washing area, GE’s SmartDispense dishwasher only has to be filled with detergent once every three moths. The dishwasher will determine the amount of detergent needed based on the soil level in the water and the hardness of the water. There is a similar product in GE’s laundry line where a six-month supply of detergent and softener can be stored in the washing machine to be dispensed during the wash cycle.

Appearance and Style

Another trend that is hitting appliances is color. The sea of white appliances is starting to fade. Black and stainless steel appliances are growing in popularity, particularly on the high-end side.

Whirlpool has gone beyond this and is bringing color into the kitchen and laundry area.

“In the laundry room color is taking over,” agrees Carlos Johnson of Amana. “There are now a lot of greens, reds and other interesting colors that consumers are asking for.

“In the kitchen, Amana also has been experimenting with colors in top-mount refrigerators. Right now we offer red, silver and midnight blue with a bit of a speckle, and this spring we’re launching a green tea color that has an almost metallic finish with a leafy pattern on it. We’re finding more consumers want to express their personality with non-traditional colors,” Johnson says.

Although stainless steel remains the top alternative pick to traditional white appliances, more and more manufacturers are offering different design options in finishes, especially on higher-end products. For example, Dacor offers floating glass options in Anthracite Gray, Sterling Gray, Titanium Silver, Blue Water, Slate Green and black. Similarly, Jenn-Air offers two different stainless steel lines — Euro Stainless and Pro-Style — in addition to an oiled bronze finish and black and white floating glass options.

Flexibility and Placement

Both GE and Jenn-Air spokespersons indicate that there is growing interest in products that offer flexibility of placement. This includes beverage centers, warming drawers, dishwasher drawers and drawers for refrigeration and freezing. This creates greater design element ideas and offers multiple placement options to better suit usage patterns.

“Consumers are feeling less tied to traditional notions of kitchen design,” says Juliet Johnson, Jenn-Air manager of brand experience. “For example, those who entertain frequently are increasingly opting for two dishwashers or two cooktops or placing beverage centers and drawer dishwashers in entertainment areas outside the kitchen.”

Looking Forward

Demanding remodeling clients will continue to expect more from their appliances — more performance, more innovation, more style and greater value. At the same time, manufacturers will continue to design appliances for those that are passionate about cooking and entertaining at home.

Use the E-Inquiry Form for more information on the following appliance suppliers:

Amana Type #11 in E-Inquiry Form

Dacor Type #12 in E-Inquiry Form

Fisher & Paykel Type #13 in E-Inquiry Form

GE Appliances Type #14 in E-Inquiry Form

Jenn-Air Type #15 in E-Inquiry Form

Thermador Type #16 in E-Inquiry Form

Whirlpool Type #17 in E-Inquiry Form

Helping Customers Choose

The first thing to ask a homeowner when thinking about a new appliance purchase is how they use the product. How do they use the appliances they have today? Do they do lots of cooking and like to cook large dishes? If so, they might want to look at an appliance with a convection oven or dual elements. Do they cook small meals, trying to get it done as quickly as possible and it’s not about the experience? Then a different appliance might be better for them. Next they should think about how important styling is to them. Do they want to make a bold statement or do they want something more subtle that fades into the kitchen or laundry room? Then, based on those two things they should begin looking around in the marketplace, do research on what is available, and find what meets their needs.

“I think one of the first things to do to qualify the consumer is to ask whether they are interested in a free-standing product or a built-in product,” explains GE’s Anderson. “Then, you want to find out how big their family is and their interests in cooking. Whether they cook occasionally, or they do a lot of cooking. How much entertaining do they do? Then, we have to find out what they’re CTQs are, which stands for Critical to Quality interests. Whether it’s efficiency, design, a specific feature, how many children they have in the family — all those things would determine what sort of feature pack or brand we would work with them on.”

As a remodeler, the biggest thing to consider is cutout size of the appliance. Some companies try to maintain the same or similar cutout size to their appliances in order to make replacing them someday as easy as dropping in the new appliance. As innovation continues, though, it’s safe to say that there could be some variation on a product’s depth, width or height, especially if changing brands, and this should be looked at closely before a product is purchased.

2010 EchoHome Design Awards

2010-08-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

Grand Award - Hillside House
- From EchoHome Magazine

Nestled on an ultra-steep infill lot near downtown Mill Valley, Calif., the Hillside House was designed to work in concert with the parcel’s topography, as vertically connected spaces interplay with an abundance of covered porches, decks, and balconies to form a dwelling that is as in tune with nature as it is tied into it.
Telescoping doors provide seamless transitions from indoors to outdoors, which the judges praised for making the house seem larger than its 2,116 square feet suggests. Even the master bathroom makes use of the surrounding trees and view: A glass wall separates the indoor shower from an outdoor bathtub, transforming an “intimately scaled bedroom and bathroom into a majestic space,” says project designer SB Architects.

With nearly 20% below grade, the LEED-Platinum home reaps the ground’s natural insulative benefits, while the integration with the exterior allows for abundant daylight and natural ventilation; the layout also provides optimal positioning for the roof- and trellis-mounted 3.75-kW solar arrays. Spray-foam insulation, energy-efficient appliances, water-conserving fixtures, FSC-certified lumber, and zero-VOC paints are just a few of the home’s numerous resource-conserving features.
Wood siding and beams combine with metal accents and purposeful symmetry to lend a rustic yet sophisticated feel to this “modern cabin,” as it is described by architect and homeowner Scott Lee, AIA, while locally crafted and sourced elements, including recycled-content ceramic tiles and custom benches made from fallen tree trunks, support Lee’s desire to highlight sustainability as well as the town’s artistic roots. Interior designer Erin Martin repurposed chalked-up, discarded scaffolding boards into one-of-a-kind stairwell walls and transformed buoys from Washington’s Puget Sound into vibrant pendant lights.
“It’s comfortable and familiar because of the palette of materials,” says Lee, “but it appeals to our sense as designers because [of its] modern elements.”

Project Details
Hillside House, Mill Valley, Calif. | Size: 2,116 square feet | Cost: Withheld | Completed: January 2010 | Certification: LEED-Platinum | Architect: SB Architects, San Francisco | Builder: MCD Construction & Development, Oakland, Calif. | Verifier: Davis Energy Group, Davis, Calif.

Green Highlights
Energy: Bay Systems spray-foam insulation / solar hot water / radiant floor heating / Colorado VNet home automation system / Lutron automatic shading system / Luminas LED Lighting / Whirlpool and Jenn-Air Energy Star appliances / Solar City 3.75-kW PV system | Resources: 63% construction waste diversion / 30% fly ash foundation / FSC-certified New World Millworks cabinetry / Restoration Timber recycled timber / Heath recycled-content ceramic tile / Concreteworks recycled concrete-and-glass countertops | IAQ: Zero-VOC Mythic paint / Fantech and HVACQuick ventilation systems | Water: drip irrigation / drought-tolerant landscaping / Kohler WaterSense faucets

New Addition to Fugina Construction

2010-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome Karly Lamoure Fugina!
July 13th, 2010
12:08 PM
6lbs. 7oz. 20 1/4 in.

Remodeling Tips

2010-06-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

Remodeling Tips
No one likes to cut a budget, especially when it's his or her own. But when it comes to planning a remodeling project, homeowners must establish a realistic budget . . . and actively manage it.

Preparing for a remodeling project is a lot like preparing to buy a car. You may know the room and style you want, but the options you choose may drive the price higher than you can reasonably afford. But there are ways to stretch the remodeling budget and end up with stylish results within budget.

Getting Started
The most important step is finding a professional remodeling contractor for your job.

Hire a professional contractor who is familiar with the building codes in your area. Updating work that does not meet code can be extremely expensive.
A well–written contract can prevent costly mistakes or additions to the scope of your project. It is a critical step in maintaining your budget.
Save money by planning ahead. Go through the design process first and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), from appliances to light fixtures, etc. This will define your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in the project. Be sure to include all your product and material selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary change orders. Include the model, size, color, and other specifications. It is also wise to save 10–20 percent of your budget to allow for items added to the scope of work.

The number one way to decrease the cost of your remodeling project is product choices. Look around to determine whether you can achieve a similar look with a less expensive product.

In addition, pay attention to how labor intensive some design features may be, for example laying ceramic tile on kitchen countertops and the backsplash.
Compare products and their prices carefully before you make final decisions. And keep an open mind when you discuss product and design ideas with your contractor.
Make decisions based on value and quality, not just price.
Think about staging the work being done to minimize the initial financial impact. It is often easier to create a more manageable budget by starting small and adding to the project at a later date. This will break the work into several jobs instead of one large project. The down side of staging a remodel is that you may end up paying more in the long run.

General Remodeling Tips
Be creative. There are often multiple solutions to accomplish a design objective, some more expensive than others. Discuss various options with your contractor.
If all the room really needs is a facelift, make the most of changes with paint, as opposed to structural changes. Changing the color of a room can revitalize it. This is the easiest way to bring life to a room on a budget.

Attempt to keep windows in their existing places during a remodeling project. Moving windows is not a cost–saving endeavor.

Creating more space can be a big budget buster. Once you add square footage to a home, the price increases significantly. One alternative is to borrow space from a neighboring room (called space reconfiguration). A great place to steal space for a bathroom expansion is from the linen closet. You can make up some of the lost storage by finding small spaces in between wall studs for small niches or built–in shelves.

You can also try borrowing space with optical illusions. There are many ways to make a small room appear larger. To transform a small bath, install a bow window or a skylight. Vaulted ceilings can be a nice touch, too.

If you are going to expand outside the existing home, consider a small bump out of two to four feet. This may allow you to cantilever the floor joists and eliminate the need for excavation and foundation. If possible, be careful not to extend beyond the roofline, which might require a new roofline to your job.

Whenever you are adding on new space to a home, have a heating/cooling contractor determine whether your existing heating/air conditioning system can accommodate and heat/cool the extra space. If the heating/cooling system is damaged, you will be forced to replace the existing units.

In the Kitchen
If at all possible, reuse existing appliances, and build your new cabinets around them. This could save you anywhere from $1,500–5,000 easily. However, be aware that appliances, like anything electrical, are sensitive to change and may develop problems if they are moved. Should you decide to avoid potential appliance "burn–out" and purchase new appliances, choose energy conscious models for a reduction in your utility bills.
Maintain present location of major fixtures, appliances and utilities relative to the plumbing, gas and electrical outlets. This could even apply to the location of the telephone. Moving plumbing, wiring and jacks can be extremely expensive.
The faucet can be a costly item. The least expensive selection is chrome. Even a high-end chrome faucet is considerably less than a mid-range brass or porcelain version. A standard two-handle faucet generally costs less than single handle. Faucets and handles are sold separately, so you may want to choose a chrome faucet with brass or porcelain handles for a different look. Faucet caution: The price variances in faucets reflect the various internal and external features. Always choose a faucet with replaceable internal parts. You won't want to have to replace the entire faucet if it breaks – it's simply not cost-effective.
Choose neutral colors in fixtures, appliances and laminates. They are less expensive initially and wont look dated when the color trends change. White and almond sinks are much cheaper than color varieties. And neutral laminate colors for countertops are less than custom colors or textures.
Good floor covering is important. It ties one room to another and provides visual consistency. Familiarize yourself with the prices of the various flooring materials to make the best decision for your home. To get you started, vinyl or laminate flooring is less expensive than wood, tile or slate.
Use the existing floor covering if it is still in good condition. If the kitchen has old vinyl flooring, there may be a hardwood floor underneath that could be sanded and refinished, avoiding the need for a new floor entirely.
If you currently have a vinyl floor covering and wish to update with a newer version, you can install synthetic floor leveler material over the existing vinyl floor and lay the new vinyl flooring on top, rather than tearing the old flooring off to install the new.
Consider your cabinet options carefully. Those choices will drive the overall price. You can add some options at a later date to defray some of the initial cost. Some that are easy to add include tilt front doors, spice racks and slide out wire baskets. However, if you decide to wait, make certain that the option you want will be available and can be added after installation. Note of caution: Waiting will cost you more in the long run. Adding new cabinets often requires installing a new floor. Refacing existing cabinets not only eliminates the need for new flooring, countertops and appliances altogether, it is a major savings in any kitchen remodel.
Go with a simple design in the kitchen employing single height wall cabinets, blind corner cabinets rather than those with Lazy Susans, and other standard options. Watch your upgrades.
Use standard cabinetry instead of custom cabinets, or use a combination of the two if they are compatible.
Choose cabinets that can be operated without the addition of hardware (those that are finger–pulled).
Install cabinets without soffits to decrease the labor cost. Also consider cabinets without trim moldings or with simple trim.
If you are going to put in new wood trim (in your crown molding, trims, and door casings) to match the new cabinets, order pre–finished trim instead of having the painting or staining done on–site. This will decrease labor cost. Ordering finger–jointed vs. clear vertical grain also will save you money.
Consider stenciling on the backsplash instead of using tile.
Laminate countertops are the least expensive choice among solid surfacing, tile and granite. You can dress it up with wood or tile trim for a more innovative look.
Connect fluorescent light fixtures to the existing ceiling fixture box instead of installing new recessed lighting, which may require a new ceiling because of the recessed features.

In the Bathroom
Consider reglazing a tub instead of replacing it, especially if it is still in relatively good condition. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement and minimize the dust at the same time.
Cultured marble sheets are a good choice for tub surrounds, instead of ceramic tile. You will save considerably on labor costs and the marble sheets are much easier to clean.
Fiberglass surrounds are also less costly than tile.
Examine how you are utilizing space. You may be able to steal some space from a neighboring room or closet. If your overall space is limited, purchase a jetted tub and shower combination or install a pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet with a sink. Understand that while pedestal lavatories do eliminate the need for vanities and save space, some models may cost more than a separate vanity cabinet and sink.
Cultured marble lavatories can be a great budget choice since it is an integrated sink bowl and countertop sold in one easily installed unit.
Define what is truly needed in the bathroom. Sometimes an extra bath is planned when installing a double sink in an existing bath would meet the need.
If you are going to add a large jetted tub to your project, consider adding a water heater dedicated to that tub. A large jetted tub can hold up to an average of 75 gallons or more, which can easily overextend your existing water heater and cause problems in the future.
When revamping yesterday's bathroom to fit with today's homeowners' expectations for luxury, homeowners can familiarize themselves with the latest options in home spa advancements. One such indulgence is an electric warming system beneath your new stone or tile floor.

Spring Home Tune Up Checklist

2010-05-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

Inspect siding and stucco: Check for any chipping that can leave it open to moisture and seal as required.

Replace old or rotted siding or trim.

Clean gutters and downspouts and make sure they are directing water away from the house.

Inspect the roof for any issues that could lead to leaks.

Inspect the chimney: A qualified home inspector can also do this for you.

Check the attic: Look for vent blockages, damaged soffits, wet spots in the insulation or leaks. Also check for proper ventilation.

Check the heating or air exchanger unit: Change filters and clean the air purifier.

Change the batteries on all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Prune trees and shrubs and check for proper drainage.

Inspect the concrete: Spring is the best time to seal cracks in the driveway or any other concrete.

Inspect the deck for rotting wood and insecure railings.

Make windows and doors weatherproof.

Sprucing up your home in the spring doesn't take a lot of time, but it can save a lot of time and money in the end. Since many large home repairs start out as small, minor issues, inspecting the house after a long winter can make the difference between a small problem and a major home emergency.

Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour

2010-05-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

The EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

2010-05-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

In an effort to reduce lead paint exposure, the EPA has issued a rule for work that disturbs potentially contaminated painted surfaces. Is your business affected by the EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule?

As of April 22, 2010, all professionals working in pre-1978 homes will need to comply with EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule. Your business is affected by this rule if your company performs work that falls under one or more of the items below:
Your company works in residences built before 1978
Your company works in buildings occupied by pregnant women or children under the age of six built before 1978
Your company renovates, repairs, or paints in areas more than six sq.ft. in an interior room or twenty sq.ft. on an exterior wall
Your company replaces doors and/or windows
If your company is performing this type of work and is not compliant, your company is subject to penalties up to $37,500 per day, per violation.

Know your facts, keep your home lead-safe
The EPA requires remodelers to become certified to work in pre-1978 homes
Des Plaines, Illinois, March 15, 2010—The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is making homeowners aware of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) regulations that will take effect April 22, 2010, requiring remodelers working in homes built before 1978 to follow practices designed to minimize the exposure of residents to lead hazards.
“Long-term lead exposure to children under the age of six can cause developmental brain problems,” says Rich Cowgill, CR, GCP, of Cowgill Builders, Inc. dba Vision Design and Build, Inc. Cowgill is not only a Certified Renovator but also an EPA/National Center for Health Housing, Accredited Lead Trainer for Public Health and Safety, Inc. in Chicago. According to Cowgill, it doesn’t take a lot of lead to be hazardous to one’s health. Long-term exposure leading to 10 micrograms (µg) of lead per deciliter in an individuals’ blood lead level (BLL) is enough to permanently harm a child’s development.

According to a report by the President’s Task force on Environmental Health and Safety Risks to Children, approximately 24 million pre-1978 U.S. dwellings were at risk for lead-based paint hazards. In light of these prominent health risks, contractors must go through an 8-hour training to certify at least one person to supervise the renovation of target housing (pre-1978) homes, and the contracting firm must be a Certified Firm with the EPA if they intend to work in pre-1978 homes.
“Lead training through an accredited program consists of six hours educational learning on the dangers of lead and required lead-safe practices as identified by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),” Cowgill says. The remainder of the day includes two hours of hands-on training—the procedure of setting up the containment area, improved cleaning methods, the cleaning verification test and the disposal of hazardous materials. Finally, certification is provided pending a written exam.

Contractor firms who intend to work in pre-1978 homes are required to register with the EPA. Both the Certified Firm registration and the Certified Renovator supervision are required under the RRP rule. Homeowners must be cognizant that these certifications reflect the state that work is being conducted and are accessible from the work site at all times. Note that states are able to require more stringent criteria in addition to the EPA’s criteria, and homeowners should be aware of the law’s in their state by contacting their State Departments of Public Health’s Lead Division. Find your state’s health department and services here http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-health.cfm.

“Certified Renovators are legally allowed to provide others (employees) with a less formal onsite lead training as long as they supervise the lead-safe renovations,” Cowgill says. “The law requires the Certified Renovator to be physically present during the posting of the signs notifying the public of the work site, during the work area containment and during the final clean-up portion of the project and the Certified Renovator must be available by phone throughout the duration of the project.”
Contractors are required to document the lead-safe work practices used during the project and keep those documents on file for a minimum of three years after completion. The EPA’s “Renovate Right” brochure must be signed by the homeowner to signal their awareness of lead safety and practices in their homes before work begins. Homeowners can insist on having the Certified Renovator test for the presence of lead in their homes, and then the Certified Firm must give homeowners a copy of the test results within 30 days of the completion of the RRP work.
Cowgill adds that pre-renovation testing is not required by the homeowners, as everyone must adhere to the lead-safe practices whether or not lead testing proved that lead exists in the home. The current test only proves the absence of lead, not the presence of lead-based paint. It is best to presume the possibility of lead.
The following is a checklist for homeowners living in pre-1978 homes:
Verify that your contractor’s firm is registered with the EPA.

Verify at least one person is a Certified Renovator and has documented the training of the work crew and is supervising the work being completed in the home.
Know that these certifications are accessible at the work site at all times.
Firms must post signs before renovation begins, clearly defining the work area and warning occupants and other persons not involved in renovation activities to remain outside of the work area.

Make sure you understand and sign the EPA’s “Renovate Right” brochure.
Remove all belongings from the immediate area of the renovation. Notice if your contractor is using plastic sheeting that is taped 6 feet beyond the perimeter of surfaces undergoing renovation; reusable cloth coverings are not acceptable.

Renovators should be cleaning up and mopping daily to minimize dust contamination.
Contractors must use HEPA vacuums and/or wet mopping to remove lead particles.
Depending on the scope of project, renovators may be wearing disposable suits, to minimize their exposure to lead. All contaminated materials should be placed in heavy duty plastic bags before your contractor disposes of them.

As a homeowner, if your renovator is skipping any steps of the checklist, you may want to contact the EPA to file an official complaint. Contractors who fail to comply with the RRP rule, are eligible for a fine of $37,500 per day.

The EPA also recommends that homeowners have the remodelers specify what the final lead inspection entails. Currently, the RRP rule requires contractors to conduct a cleaning verification test that consists of wiping an area with a damp cloth and comparing the results with a cleaning verification card to ensure the sample matches or is lighter than the required sample. If the surface within the work area is greater than 40 square feet, the surface within the work area must be divided into roughly equal sections that are each less than 40 square feet and wiped separately.
If a homeowner has any doubts about the quality of lead safe practices being conducted in their homes, they can call (800) 424-LEAD. To read the full RRP rule, visit www.EPA.gov/lead.

JPL Wins 'Green Building Award'

2010-03-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2010
JPL's environmentally friendly Flight Projects Center received a "Green Building Award" at the fourth annual Green California Leadership Awards, held during this week's Green California Summit.

The awards, presented in eight categories, recognize environmental achievements by government organizations. A reception was held March 16 at the Sacramento Convention Center.

The green Flight Projects Center at JPL houses space exploration missions in the early design and development phases. It is NASA's first Gold-certified building under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, set up by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council. The building's green assets include: a "living roof" of desert plants, low-flow faucets and toilets, a "smart" heating and cooling system, showers and bike racks for bike commuters, outdoor lights that reduce light pollution and many more.

More information about the building is online at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/features.cfm?feature=2198.

More information on the California Green Summit is at: http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/.

Remodeling Your Home in a Not So Big Way

2010-01-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

There are three options for remodeling your home in a Not So Big Way.

1. Work within the existing footprint. When people think about remodeling, they often begin in the wrong place. They immediately assume they have to add on and that it will cost more than they can afford. But there are literally thousands of small alterations you can make to your house as it is, without having to change the original footprint. Removing or opening up a wall, adding storage, or rearranging the way you move through a room can solve all sorts of spatial problems without resorting to added square footage.

2. Bump-out. If you’ve considered every possible change within the existing structure and can’t accommodate your needs, consider a bump-out or two. Any time you alter your home’s exterior envelope, you’re likely looking at a bigger investment of remodeling dollars. This is because the exterior surface is the weather barrier—the home’s raincoat—and it consists of an intricate combination of components that usually make it significantly more challenging to remodel than an interior space. But extending a space just a couple of feet can make a big difference to a room’s utility and aesthetics, so it is important to understand where a minimal modification to the existing footprint is worthwhile.

3. Add on just a little. This is the last step in a Not So Big remodel, and yet it, too, is often overlooked as an option by people planning to modify their houses to fit them better. It is a solution that inevitably costs more money because it involves increasing square footage. But when it is accomplished in a Not So Big way, a small addition can be a cost-effective strategy when compared with the alternatives—a substantial addition, moving or building new.
The concept of proportion—the harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole—is one we’ve all but forgotten in much of what we build, eat and otherwise consume these days. When it comes to houses, start with the proportions of your own body. If you are 6 feet tall or more, you’ll likely want different dimensions for the spaces you inhabit than will someone who is 5 feet tall. That is as it should be. Houses that feel comfortable to a shorter person may feel cramped to a taller individual, and vice versa. The point is that your house should first and foremost fit you and the other members of your household.

House feels too big?
A few simple strategies can help cure your home of a case of Too Bigness.

1. Create a hierarchy of ceiling heights. A ceiling height hierarchy simply means that different areas of your home have lower or higher ceilings based on their functions. On the interior of a Too Big House, the first step should be to identify areas that would benefit from a lower ceiling. Although it is often difficult for homeowners to believe that less volume will mean more comfort, a ceiling height hierarchy can completely transform the home’s interior if done well.

Here’s a list of things I’ll typically do to improve the ceiling height hierarchy:
■ Create a distinction in ceiling height between the main gathering places and hallways and alcoves; the larger spaces should have the taller ceilings, and the subordinate spaces should have lower ceilings.
■ Consider establishing a third, in-between ceiling height for spaces such as kitchens, informal eating areas and small alcoves. Alternatively, use the same ceiling height in these spaces as you would use in the hallways.
■ Consider running a dropped soffit around the perimeter of the main gathering places. I will often make this continuous soffit the same height as either the middle ceiling height described above or the height of the hallways.

2. Include some more intimate spaces. If your house is too big in its horizontal dimensions, look for places that would benefit from some downsizing. With space to spare, you can actually increase the thickness of some existing walls in order to sculpt new rooms and alcoves within the existing space.
We usually build our interior walls out of 2-by-4s, so the finished wall is around 4 inches deep. It is economical to do this because we typically want to maximize space. But if space is not an issue, your walls can be any thickness you want, and they can define a differently shaped space on one side than they do on the other. You can give each new place its own unique form and character, making some cozy and intimate.

3. Make the exterior less monumental. Many large houses have little or no grace to their exterior composition. Their various surfaces are a random assemblage of windows, doorways, vinyl, and brick or stone veneer, sometimes with a couple of Palladian windows and some extra-tall columns thrown in on the front façade.

Step into sustainability with these great home-improvement products....
If this is your challenge, you’d be well advised to hire a professional to help you. The remedy will take someone with a practiced eye for composition to help manifest your home’s true potential. The art of it usually requires some paring away of the unnecessary, some reorganization of the surface components and some newly introduced design elements to help break up the massive surfaces into more bite-sized pieces.

Green is beautiful
When you do a remodel of any size, you have the opportunity to make your house more healthy, affordable and earth-friendly by increasing its energy efficiency and choosing sustainable materials. You should also focus on creating a beautiful, inviting space. “green” refers not only to sustainable construction materials and the energy efficiency, indoor air quality and durability of the structure, but also to the appropriateness of its size and its innate beauty. Not So Big should be the first step in sustainability because, when a house is the right size for its inhabitants, beautifully designed and crafted for everyday inspiration, it’s efficiently performing its current function and is also likely to be cared for by future residents. Beautiful things tend to be well cared for by all owners over time. But somehow this simple and rather obvious truth has been overlooked in much of modern construction.

Earth Hour 2010

2010-01-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30 pm, we are taking part in Earth Hour—an event sponsored by World Wildlife Fund in which millions of people around the world will turn out their lights for one hour to make a bold statement of concern about our planet and climate change.

Earth Hour started three years ago in Sydney, Australia and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents participated last year and, with your help, Earth Hour 2010 can be even bigger.

During Earth Hour, international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids have gone dark alongside the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv and more.

But Earth Hour isn’t just for big cities—anyone can participate. I hope you will join us for this amazing event and help send a message that the time for action on climate change is now. To sign up and start spreading the word, visit www. EarthHour.org.

The Importance of Resilience

2010-01-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

By Chris Stanton
The Remodeler's Advisor Newsletter

The Importance of Resilience We live in a time of accelerating change full of hope and great opportunity. But it's also obvious that we also face significant challenges - personal, social and global. This newsletter primarily focuses on the business of building and remodeling but none of us check our souls at the office door. We have families, we listen to the news, we get flipped off on the way to work. Some of us have even surrendered to the 24/7 electronic dashboard that keeps us running adrenaline way beyond formerly sane levels.

Stress is one of the primary byproducts of a lifestyle inundated with change and stimuli. And while stress in and of itself is not necessarily bad, there is a plethora of evidence that too much stress and/or poorly managed stress are leading causes of illness, accelerated aging, irritation, distractedness and excess wear and tear. No earth-shattering news here. But how we respond to stress and the constant roar of change is critical.

One key to adapting more quickly when too much stress is occurring is learning how to increase and maintain your resilience - the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. Resilience gives you the power to prepare yourself in advance of a potentially stressful event. It also gives you the power to reset your system and to recoup or bounce back faster when experiencing unexpected challenges. Resilient individuals have the sustained capacity to create an energetic cushion that helps reduce the stressful effects of overload, time demands and resistances more effectively. Building a reservoir of resilience is also essential if we want to effectively serve others and make valuable contributions towards creating a new and better world. A portion of my coaching always focuses on building this capacity. But the solutions are also simple (with a caveat) and readily available. Love and care and appreciation and kindness and compassion and laughter and meditation and breathing and exercise and resting and being in nature all work great. Simply stopping for a moment to catch oneself in an internal rant and gently shifting your energy to a more positive (heart) space does too. The world is not going to slow down. In fact, I suspect it's actually speeding up right now. People won't need you less. In fact, most evidence points to accelerating stress across the planet.

So why not start increasing your effectiveness and health by taking better CARE of yourself? Here's the caveat: because it's so damn hard to remember to stop long enough to remember to stop-for a minute or so, a few times a day-and escape the "tyranny of the immediate", all those "have-to's" and never-ending "to-do lists". Learn this one habit and change your life-radically!!!

Banned From Your Can

2010-01-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

Did You Know?
Did you know that batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs(CFLs)and fluorescent light tubes are banned from being thrown in your garbage can?
Banned From Your Can
City Implements Door-to-Door Collection of Batteries and Light Bulbs
Many of us don't even think about throwing our old batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs in the garbage cans. But since 2006, these items, along with fluorescent light tubes have been banned from garbage cans by the state of California.

Realizing that residents often don't have any quick and easy options for disposal of these items, the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities is implementing a new residential door-to-door collection of these items by appointment.

Participating is easy! First, collect batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs and fluorescent light tubes. Then call the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities at 808-5454 to schedule an appointment. On your appointment day, place the items out for collection. Please put batteries in a closeable freezer bag, put light bulbs in a container and wrap the light tubes to prevent breaking. Place the items on your driveway, away from the street and curb and City crews will collect it.

For more information about proper disposal of household hazardous waste, recycling, green waste or solid waste services, please visit www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities or call 808-5454.

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/Library/Outreach/SacRecycle/RecyclngGuid.pdf

Neighborhood Watch Thrives in Land Park

2009-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

Neighborhood Watch Thrives in Land Park
By Dave O’Toole from the LPCA Fall Newsletter

If you’re wondering why you’re seeing more bright orange
street signs and window stickers warning “We’re Watching
You” around the neighborhood, the reason is that many
neighbors have decided to assert control of their block’s
safety by setting up neighborhood watch groups. A rash
of bogus door-to-door solicitations, brazen home burglaries,
and other crimes have prompted many neighbors to
organize their block by posting signs, setting up phone and
e-mail trees, and meeting occasionally to discuss and respond
to recent crime events.

One neighborhood watch pioneer is Marty Way resident
and founder of Uptown Liz, Ramona Russell, who got her
neighborhood watch started when her block experienced
an unusual uptick in crime including an incident in which she
was approached in her own driveway by individuals who
appeared to be under the influence. Russell recalls, “feeling
like a ‘sitting duck’ in my own neighborhood — where I lived,
worked and ran every day.” Russell also set up a phone and
e-mail contact list and sent out e-mails whenever a crime or
suspicious activity occurred. “This constant communication
has kept the group active and involved,” she said.

Newly empowered neighbors began actively reporting suspicious
activity through the police non-emergency line [(916)
264-5471] which led to a rapid, overwhelming response
when two young men were spotted attempting to break
into a house. When police were asked about the force of
their response, Russell reports, “they said there were notations
on our neighborhood of the past problems we have
experienced.”

Russell is just one of several neighbors who’ve started or restarted
a neighborhood watch program this year. To get one
going on your block, contact Dave O’Toole at davotoole@
yahoo.com or call 346-9045. He’ll provide all of the informationand materials needed, like signs, stickers, and a Vic’s Ice
Cream certificate (for meeting refreshments). A few hours of
your time will have a lasting impact on your block.

In addition to starting neighborhood watch, here are a number
of additional ways neighbors can get engaged in making
Land Park a safer community:
• Learn about recent crime events, suggest solutions,
and discuss issues with public safety professionals(e.g., Sacramento Police Department, Paladin Security)
by attending a Public Safety Committee meeting.
The committee meets on the second Tuesday of every
month at 7 p.m. at the Eskaton Monroe facility (3225
Freeport Boulevard).
• Join the LPCA Public Safety Listserv to share crime
and safety tips and learn what’s happening crime-wise
in the neighborhood. Email safety-on@landpark.org to
join.
• And of course, always report crimes in progress (911
or 732-0100 from your cell phone), report crimes after
they’ve occurred (264-5471 or www.sacpd.org/reports/
fileonline) and immediately alert the police to ANY
suspicious activity (264-5471). If you see something,
say something.

Residents are encouraged to attend the LPCA Board Meetings 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. the 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Eskaton Monroe Lodge located at 3225 Freeport Boulevard. In addition, the LPCA hosts quarterly Membership Meetings to address important neighborhood issues.

The Land Park Safety Listserv is an email “conversation area” where you can share information about crime and safety-related issues with neighbors who want to talk about the same. Email safety-on@landpark.org to request to be added to the list. You must be a LPCA member to join.
The guidelines for the LPCA Public Safety Listserv can be found here

2009-12-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

Remodeling? Where Should You Start?

2009-12-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

Remodeling your home can be a great way to spruce up your house and your attitude! A remodeling project can be as simple as changing your color scheme or as complex and a complete home makeover. The choice is yours.

Whether you want to update, modernize or go retro, whether your project is small or large, whether you hire a contractor or do it yourself, remodeling can be a fun and exciting way to add a little excitement.

Remodeling is not without its complexities and risks. You will do well to think through every project on a step-by-step basis and analyze the costs before you begin. Then think about what could possibly go wrong and how you can plan to avoid these problems. Remodeling can be either a joy or a nightmare. But if you think it through, plan it carefully, and hire the right people, your remodeling project can be sheer joy!

Land Park Before
Land Park After

Where to start

There are several places to begin to think about and plan a remodeling project. The first way to begin is to think about what you would like to change or what you need to change about your house. Make a list of the things you need to do. Then make a list of the things you want to do. This will help you prioritize the projects. A second way to begin is to consider what renovations or remodeling would increase the value of your house. You can get ideas by viewing new homes, recent remodels, or talking with builders, architects and home decorators. A third way to start is to bring in a home remodeling professional to make recommendations and give advice and cost estimates. A fourth way to begin to think about remodeling is to be aware of the sources of frustration with your house.

The top five reasons given by people who remodel their homes are:
1. Add space or reallocate space
2. Upgrade or modernize
3. Improve energy efficiency
4. Make the home more functional for aging persons, growing families, or for persons with disabilities.
5. Increase the resale value of the home

Remodeling to add or to reallocate space can mean knocking out a wall, building a wall, adding a room, extending a room, or adding a second floor. Trends change in the way space is allocated. Homes built in the 1950s have very large "living rooms" whereas today new homes frequently have very small living rooms, large family rooms and kitchens, or only a great room. If your family is growing, you may need additional bedrooms or a play room or another bathroom. If you find your temper flaring while you wait for a turn in the bathroom, this might be the place to start.

There can be several complexities with additions or expansions, such as the ability of the foundation or the wall supports to bear the additional weight, whether local building and zoning codes allow the kind of change you want to make. Sometimes what appears to be a simple change actually ends up involving more extensive work. There are also risks that your investment will not pay off, or that you won't like the changes, or that your life circumstances will change in ways that require further remodeling, or that you will encounter problems with the contractor or with liability or financing.

Remodeling to upgrade or modernize can take a variety of directions. First, you might want to lighten or brighten the house by adding windows, glass doors or skylights. New houses tend to have more windows and higher ceilings. These are good upgrades to make. The will generally increase the value of your house if done well. You may want to replace appliances with new colors or features. Upgrading kitchens and bathrooms usually brings a good return on the investment. A general clean-up and de-clutter renovation is an excellent investment. While you consider "modernizing" don't forget that everything old is new again.

Renovations that improve energy efficiency tend to pay off both in the short run and in the long run. Some of these improvements are relatively affordable, such as changing windows, adding insulation, or adding heat reflecting linings to the roof. For the most part, these upgrades are not very risky, unless you hire a bad contractor.

Renovations aimed at increasing the value of your home can also make life more comfortable immediately. The best advice in this case is to focus on things that clearly make the house more desirable. Lightening and brightening should pay off, as should de-cluttering and attending to landscaping. It is always possible that you will make changes or improvements now that will come to be considered liabilities later, so be sure you want to live with the changes you make. Unless you plan to sell your house immediately, you might want to concentrate on the kind of remodeling that will make you happier or more comfortable.

Renovations are messy in the short run, but making the changes you want in a home or the changes your lifestyle demands, can be fun and energizing. If you have the itch to renovate, think it through, prioritize your needs and wants, calculate the cost, find a reliable contractor or remodeling expert, and make it happen. Remodeling can make an old home look and feel refreshed.

Home Remodeler's Stimulus Package 2009

2009-08-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

Trends in Home Remodeling

2009-08-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

For many homeowners, remodeling offers a chance to improve their lifestyle. From bigger bathrooms and kitchens to greener living spaces, take a look at some of the latest trends in home remodeling and design.

Lavishly expanded bathrooms: Master bathrooms are becoming a personal oasis where homeowners can unwind and relax. Standard showeheads are being replaced with oversized rain shower heads, and some are equipping showers with body sprays, steam showers, solid surface shower walls, and heated tile floors. Concrete flooring is again on the rise due to its reasonable cost. Stained concrete maximizes in-floor radiant heat and is a durable, easy-to-clean flooring solution that can refresh and update an entire look.

Larger, more functional kitchens: The kitchen is no longer just a place to prepare meals. Now more than ever, it is a place for gathering, doing homework, crafts, bill paying stations, and more. Kitchen remodels are including the addition of computer desks, comfortable seating areas, fireplaces, and large workable islands. More and more homeowners are opting for commercial-grade stainless steel appliances, Viking stoves and Sub-Zero refrigerators. Cabinetry - maple and hickory are neck and neck with cherry wood in popularity, and the simple, sleek lines of Mission, Asian, and Shaker design can be found in many kitchens. Darker finishes are also a frequent choice for cabinets, with black and deep red/brown showing to be very popular.

Going green: Solar panels are now sleek integrated solar power systems that are capable of handling all the power needs of a house. More homeowners are looking to solar technology as a viable option. Sustainable living is proving to more than pay for itself.

Neutral, down-to-earth colors: Homeowners are looking to their homes as a place of refuge, natural and muted earth shades are being used in the home. The days of highly polished granite or porcelain tile are over, and flooring and countertop choices are also muted. In their place, soapstone and honed granite, as well as quartz countertops with matte finishes, are quickly becoming a popular choice of homeowners.

State-of-the-Art laundry rooms: Isolated laundry rooms in the basement or garage are long gone! Colorful and housing the best appliances, laundry rooms are becoming something of a status symbol. This room is also a place for completing messy chores, crafts, and gardening projects.

Current remodeling projects show heightened emphasis on creating specialty areas to fit individual family members needs. Attractive, high quality materials are the method of choice and high on the priority list for today's consumers.

It is not unusual to find remodeling projects that result in the creation of very specific areas for each member of the household. The home library, media room, craft room, spa area and wine cellar are a few "stand-out" spaces that are growing in popularity. It seems the ultimate luxury consists of more space and homeowners are not willing to sacrifice quality for quantity.

Before you begin any project in which you are unsure of where to start, don’t hesitate to call a professional to give you design tips and construction management services.

Chicago's great architectural bookshop facing the end of its own long story

2009-08-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

For the sheer wealth of its collection, few architecture bookstores in the world can match the Prairie Avenue Bookshop. Architects and architecture lovers can browse thousands of titles at the store, which set up shop on Chicago's Prairie Avenue in 1974 and has been at 418 S. Wabash Ave. since 1995. Unfortunately for the proprietors, Wilbert and Marilyn Hasbrouck, not all of the browsers have been buyers.

“People would come to the bookshop with their notepad, make notes of what they wanted and then go buy it somewhere else," Wilbert Hasbrouck said last week. He blamed the 10.25 percent sales tax for driving buyers to online booksellers like Amazon.com.

Forty-eight years after Marilyn Hasbrouck started the business from the couple's suburban Park Forest home, the Hasbroucks say they will likely close the bookshop, an institution in Chicago's architecture community, on Sept. 1--unless, that is, a buyer can be found. "We're losing a national resource," said Chicago architect John Eifler. "It's very sad."

The bookshop is more like a library than a Barnes & Noble. On the forest-green walls of its 9,000-square-foot, three-level space are gold letters spelling out the names of more than 300 architects, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Helmut Jahn. It's a meeting place, of sorts, for Chicago's notoriously competitive architectural community. "You would run into other architects there--or hide from other architects," Eifler said.

Wilbert Hasbrouck, 77, and Marilyn, 76, decided about a year ago that they would try to sell the bookshop. But finding a buyer has not been easy. The store does not operate in the black and the Hasbroucks have subsidized it ever since the move to Wabash Avenue, Wilbert Hasbrouck said. A buyer would have to assume responsibility for two lines of credit that total at least $650,000.

The Hasbroucks have discussed a sale with book dealers and even the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the non-profit group that runs architectural tours and has a gift shop at its 224 S. Michigan Ave. headquarters. But nothing has jelled. Which raises a broader question: Can architectural book stores succeed in this digital age?
"You just have to realize that it's a different climate and provide something that people can't get elsewhere," said Matt Stromberg of William Stout Architectural Books in San Francisco. "Fifty years ago, you couldn't find normal architectural books anywhere. Now you can find them everywhere--for a discount. ... Why would you buy that $200 book from us when you could get it almost 40 percent off, free shipping and no tax?"

Other architectural bookshops have survived by transforming themselves into museum shops. An example: the former Ginkgo Tree Bookshop next to Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio in Oak Park, which was renamed the Home and Studio Museum Shop about two years ago, according to Joan Mercuri, president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.

In its previous incarnation, she said, the 800-square-foot shop was book-heavy, carrying a multitude of titles on Wright and other Prairie Style architects. It still offers lots of Wright books, but you can also buy everything from puzzles to home decorations to clothing there. "It's just that people are looking for different things now," Mercuri said. "With the economic slowdown, people are looking for things that are less expensive as well."

Wilbert Hasbrouck would love to find a 35-year-old who has the vision and the energy to expand the Prairie Avenue Bookshop's Web presence. If that could happen, he said, "I'm convinced that it would not just be profitable, but would be what it is by reputation--the best architectural bookshop in the world." But without a last-minute miracle, this icon of Chicago's architectural community will continue to sell down its present stock at a deep discount (at a recent sale, customers got 50 percent off if they bought $100 or more worth of books). The jobs of three full-time staff members are at stake, too.

"Most of the changes that happen with technology I'm fine with," Eifler said. "But this loss of publishing is really hard to take. I don't know if some Kindle look-alike will ever replace having a nice book in front of you with photographs."

Remodel a home? Why?

2009-06-24T22:19:00.000-07:00

Why do a remodel? Is it to change or improve the function? Is it the necessity for more space? Perhaps it is simply for investment purposes. It could be a combination of all three needs and maybe more. Identifying your core purpose(s) for a remodel will assist you in establishing your goals and boundaries.

Increasing functional living space is probably the number one reason behind a remodel; whether it be a new addition to the family, maybe the parents don't have the energy any longer to care for their own home, maybe you need dedicated office space, maybe there's a new hobby, or you simply need more storage. Either way, more space is a necessity....whether it be a reconditioning of non-functional or unused space, or simply "adding-on". Dependant the floor plan, the age of the house, the lot size, building restrictions and codes, all will potentially influence and impact your decisions for the intended function and size of the new living space.

Another popular reason for remodeling is to improve or modernize existing living space; not add space but simply upgrade it; your kitchen with new lighting, plumbing, cabinets, counter tops, windows, or even change your flooring; maybe you are focusing on enhancing your master bedroom and bath with marble or granite, adding a jetted tub, creating a more elegant and spacious shower; upgrading your family room with French Doors, sky lights, built-in entertainment centers. The opportunities are endless. You don't necessarily have to change the amount of space you have but re-interpreting it could very well increase its functionality.

Remodeling can also be an investment. Some people buy "fixer uppers", remodel them, and sell them in their community, making a very good living doing so, especially now when there are so many homes being forced on the market through Short Sales or Foreclosures. The key to this is to know the market value spread of the neighborhoods of the the subject properties and which improvements to make providing you the best possible return on your investment. Know what sells best in your focus neighborhood, what your financial objectives are, have a strong team (contractor, interior designer, real estate agent, etc.) in place, and how to find the diamond in the rough. Remodeling your existing residence can also be a superb investment. The average buyer is over-whelmed by the home purchasing process. They don't want to have to think about "fixing up". They want something they can move in to immediately....they can visualize a happy, comfortable lifestyle. A remodel will certainly spruce up your home, increase it's first impression appeal, and give buyers less to knit pick in an attempt to negotiate the sales price down. Often times, it does make sense to do a remodel before looking to sell.

Bottom line - remodeling can be fun, very rewarding, and profitable. Often times a remodel will incorporate a reinterpretation of space, an enhancement of space, and adding on to your existing space; all three combined but not all proportionate. Make sure you know and thoroughly understand your motivations, know your goals, know your budget, and get opinions, especially from professionals who are active in your neighborhood; these are the experts who understand the nuances of building and remodeling homes similar to yours, preserving the architectual flavor and community symmetry.

Always Something Cool in LA!

2009-06-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Thinking about getting out of town? Well, here's a great reason for a trip to LA!
Dwell On Design '09

The West Coast's Largest Modern Design Event. Friday June 26, Saturday June 27, Sunday June 28. Los Angeles Convention Center.

ON STAGE Design conference, continuing education classes for design pros, round-the-clock seminars for design seeking consumers.

EXHIBITION Prefab Homes, Outdoor, Food + Wine, Kitchen + Bath, Furniture + Accessories, Energy + Solar, Design Materials, Modern Family, Modern Lifestyle, Design Technology.

HOME TOURS Tour some of LA’s most modern and livable homes.

SPECIAL EVENTS Restaurant Design Awards, Film screenings.

June 26th
10:00am - 8:00pm
Dwell on Design Exhibition - open to Trade only

9:45am - 6:00pm
Dwell on Design Conference - General Admission

6:00pm - 6:30pm
Restaurant Design Awards produced by AIA Los Angeles Chapter

Saturday 27 June

10:00am - 6:00pm
Dwell on Design Exhibition

11:00am - 4:00pm
Sustainability Forum

11:00am - 4:00pm
Design Innovation Forum

Dwell on Design 2009 will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center SOUTH HALL.
1201 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015(213) 741-1151

Ten Students Build Arizona’s First NZEH

2009-06-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

Hands on. This 1,200-sq.-ft. net-zero-energy home was built in Chino Valley, Arizona, by students in the Yavapai College Residential Building Technology program, in collaboration with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Prescott. Construction began October 25, 2008. The home’s net-zero-energy performance is also a first for the project’s principal collaborator, Habitat for Humanity

One of the surest ways to generate interest in net-zero-energy homes – and the construction techniques and materials used to build them – is to put one in the ground for a high-profile client and then invite the public for a look. That’s what 10 students in the Yavapai College Residential Building Technology program did a couple weeks ago in Chino Valley, Arizona, where the 1,200-sq.-ft. NZEH they built for the Prescott affiliate of Habitat for Humanity went on public display.
In addition to its energy efficiency and relatively low cost (one estimate put its value at

$125,000), the house has the distinction of being first in a number of categories: it not only is the first NZEH constructed by students in Yavapai’s RBT program, but also the first such home built for Habitat's Prescott affiliate, and the first in the state of Arizona, according to a story published by Prescott’s Daily Courier.

The house features a Styrofoam-insulated slab, 2 in. rigid insulation in the walls, high-performance windows, a heat pump, balanced fresh-air ventilation, a solar-powered hot water heater, a PV system, and Energy Star appliances and lighting.

Robert Bolding, owner of a Prescott-based home inspection company who works as a volunteer building Habitat homes, told the Courier he came to examine the home’s construction because he may have to inspect more like it in the future. Bolding, who also works as a general contractor, added that he wants to understand more about the cost effectiveness of green construction.
"I think this technology is moving from the East Coast to the West Coast," he told the paper. "Arizona residents may not be using as much solar energy as they could be because electricity is a lot cheaper here."

May 29 by Richard Defendorf

Where I shop - New Home Building Supply

2009-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

New Home Building Supply is a family owned and operated business that began in 1949. New Home prides themselves on employing helpful and knowledgeable people. Their crew consists of over 25 employees, most of whom have been there for over 10 years! And today they staff three generations of the Steving family. The year 2009 brings is their anniversary of 60 years in the lumber & hardware business.

What drives New Home Building Supply? They are proud to offer an abundant inventory of building materials for any size project. They have all of the products builders, remodelers, and the do-it-yourselfer could need. They are competitive but don't compromise on quality goods.

New Home Building Supply has always enjoyed the long time support of the neighboring communities. This was overwhelmingly evident when the brown, homey hardware store burned to the ground in April 2002. New Home's loyal customers and south Sacramento neighbors rallied around us and encouraged the owners Wayne & Ken Steving to rebuild. In the summer of 2003, New Home celebrated it's grand re-opening with a brand-new store but still the homey feel and awesome staff.

Remodeling VS. Moving

2009-05-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

If you want to change your home, your other option besides remodeling is to find a new one. But more and more American families are deciding to stay put and improve their existing home. Here are some of the reasons:

Remodeling allows you to customize your home to meet your needs and desires. The only similar, but much more costly alternative, is to have a brand new custom home designed and built.
Remodeling means that you don't have to give up a familiar neighborhood and schools.
Remodeling is a more efficient use of your financial resources. According to the American Homeowner Foundation, selling your home and moving typically costs about 8-10 percent of the value of your current home. And much of this goes into moving expenses, closing costs, and broker commissions - items that have no direct impact on your home's quality.
Remodeling can be stressful, but few experiences are more stressful than moving.

While there are many reasons that people choose to remodel, the bottom line is that remodeling makes your home a more enjoyable place to live. The intangible value of this pleasure needs to be considered, along with any resale value you hope to gain.

But there is no doubt that, as far as improving the sale of your home, all remodeling projects are not created equal. The general rule of thumb is that any remodeling project that brings your home up to the level of your neighbors' is a worthy investment. But it doesn't pay to be the most expensive house on the block - real estate experts recommend that a remodeling investment should not raise the value of your house to more than 10 to 15 percent above the median sales price in your neighborhood.

Remember that potential buyers will be comparing your home to ones newly built. Therefore, you'll want to look at the design trends and amenities being built into new homes. Great rooms (open kitchen/family room arrangements), master bed and bath suites, and higher ceilings are a few of the features sought by today's home buyers.

Each year, Remodeling magazine conducts its "Cost vs. Value" report to assess which remodeling projects create the greatest return on investment. Not surprisingly, kitchens and baths regularly come out on top. These are two of the most used rooms in the home, and they receive the most scrutiny from potential buyers."

From the National Association of Home Builders web site.

PCBC

2009-04-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

PCBC® IS MUCH MORE THAN A BUILDERS SHOW

PCBC is a community of builders and manufacturers, building scientists and architects, environmental engineers and landscape companies, working together to advance the art and science of community building. Started 50 years ago as the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, PCBC brings together people creating better communities, imagining and building the places where we love to live.
PCBC The Show is held each summer in San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Featuring hundreds of exhibiting companies displaying the latest product and service innovations and three days of executive conferences, forums, workshops, and speakers, PCBC The Show is the idea marketplace for leading residential builders, developers, architects, investors, product manufacturers, and advisers in the industry.
PCBC Presents a family of conferences and events at the Moscone Center show and throughout the year, connecting the best in home and community development with a business network and community of practice.

PCBC® is quite simply the best possible forum for inventing and reinventing the future of home and community. It takes creators, leaders, visionaries and vanguards to lead the way. Since its inception, the conference has been host to a distinguished group of diverse and inspiring guest speakers. They challenge us. They make us think. And these extraordinary times demand nothing less.

The Sacramento Green Home Expo

2009-03-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Green Home Expo will take place on Friday, April 3, 2009 from 10am to 5pm at theSacramento Convention Center.

The expo is a trade show and education event showcasing the latest environmentally friendly products and services used in the homebuilding and home improvement industries. This is your opportunity to promote your products and services to both builders and consumers. Sponsorship and limited trade show vendor opportunities are available. It’s also a chance to learn about the newest innovations and trends through top speakers and exhibits.

Remodeling Hints For A Tough Real Estate Market

2009-01-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (ARA) -

If you're selling your home, you're not just competing against the house down the street anymore. You're mixing it up with banks willing to sell foreclosed homes at a loss, and buyers who know that sellers are at a disadvantage. You definitely need an edge.

Remodeling remains one of the best ways to set your home ahead of the competition. Upgrades to outdoor areas that expand the living space and add curb appeal can help sell your home faster and for a better price. Homeowners seeking to improve their living spaces are not making the traditionally popular - yet costly - upgrades to kitchens and baths. Instead, they are adding to the curb appeal with outdoor structures or landscaping if they are planning to sell. But did you know that using high-quality materials throughout your home can also improve value and saleability? Homeowners need to make the whole package appealing, which means it has to be long-lasting, low-maintenance and visually attractive. "Cheaper materials may save money at the outset of a renovation project, but in the long run they reduce the potential value of a home," says Richard White, an architect who specializes in custom homes. In fact, in homes that increased in value by at least 100 percent, owners spent 2.5 times more on improvements than in homes where the value increased by less than 50 percent, according to a study by Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies.White offers the following insight into using high-quality materials to enhance the value of your home:Choose timeless, not trendy. Often, trendy building materials can't compete with traditionally popular ones for staying power and durability. Choosing traditionally popular materials for your renovation can help ensure your house is appealing to a wide range of buyers through years of evolving fads."People trust building materials they know," White says.

One trend worth tapping, however, is the movement towards more eco-friendly homes. Many buyers are looking for homes that incorporate recycled materials or new ones drawn from renewable sources, energy-efficient design and a minimal carbon footprint. When choosing products for your remodeling project, consider the steps the product took to reach your home. Even if you have no immediate plans to sell, and are remodeling to improve your enjoyment of your home, remember that someday you may want - or need - to compete for buyers in a tight market. The right remodeling enhancements, done with the right high-quality materials, can help any home become more attractive to buyers and sustain its value through conditions such as the current market.

-Courtesy of ARA content

Thinking About Remodeling?

2009-01-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

Just as seasons change, so do the economic and real estate climates. Not long ago it seemed that selling your home for a larger, better version was the best way to improve your lifestyle. Instead, modernizing your home, giving it the utility, warmth, and personality to meet the needs of your family and lifestyle today, without sacrificing it's architectural charm, is certainly more rewarding and often times much less taxing on your pocket book than the alternative.

A remodel design, predicated on functionality and neutrality, is one that will give you the best combination of comfort and spaciousness and exponentially increase the value of your home.
Let Fugina Construction, a design/build and remodel expert of over 20 years, help you transform your existing living space into one of liberating elegance and style. Make wise choices with your most prized investment.

Make your dream a reality, and let's start prioritizing today!