From Homescape

While most people like to believe they are opened-minded, most of us have been guilty at some point in our lives of making judgments based on appearance. When it comes to home buying and selling, the appearance of a property is everything. But to get a true sense of the quality of the home, people should never strictly judge a home by its exterior appearance. A great deal of work may have been invested into making the home look nice, but an inspection can sometimes turn up major internal problems, which could have been easily taken care of beforehand. Whether you’re currently in the process of selling a home are just waiting out the real estate downturn, keeping up with basic maintenance repairs will only help increase your home’s value.

Recently, I was on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Web site when I came across a press release from the trade group on the state of the remodeling industry. I was surprised to learn that remodeling projects have been declining since 2005, and that growth within the industry is expected to remain flat for the coming year. Considering that my wife’s “honey to-do list” is ever increasing in scope, I thought that other homeowners would be focusing on revamping their own homes as the real estate market slowly recovers. I guess that I should stop using my wife as a barometer for consumer sentiment.

Affordable repairs
After one weekend of writing several inspection reports, I began to notice that I was making note of the same problems for each house. During the next week, I reviewed some reports produced by other inspectors and found that they had listed some of the same issues. I was taken aback by one report where the inspector noted that the cost to caulk a door would be $75. He gave the same price for a window. I was thinking it would cost me $4 for a tube of caulk, and I could pull out my caulking gun to have the job completed around the house in less than an hour.

With energy and food costs at record highs, people aren’t spending the money they once were for basic remodeling and repair projects around the house. To help homeowners cut down cost for basic home projects, I’ve compiled a repair list detailing some common findings by inspectors, which are all simple tasks that most homeowners can tackle on their own.

Maintenance is a way to prevent major problems with the home in the future. For more helpful repair tips, checkout Ron Haynes’s Wisdom Journal blog. Haynes is a veteran in the lumber and building supply industry, his thorough list of common repairs will defiantly help you in your home maintenance. A little different from my own list, but I think they’re simple enough to be executed by any determined homeowner.

Take care of your home and it will take care of you. I keep by my calendar a list of items around the house that can use some maintenance, and each week I complete most of those tasks. I find doing a little each week really helps. Don’t let repairs pile up. It will only cost you more money and unneeded headaches in the long run.

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck, Professional Real Estate Inspector

This past weekend I flew out to Newport Beach, CA, to meet up with some old friends from high school. One of my friends is now an energy consultant and runs his own company, Azlan Energy Solutions, which provides existing businesses and homes with energy-efficient technology to cut down utility costs and reduce carbon use. As we sat out on the deck of our beach house overlooking the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, RJ and I got into a discussion about the environment. The conversation eventually got us talking about home buyers “going green,” and the struggles that come with changing the mindset of past generations.

Don’t believe the hype
From the newest HGTV programs to the mushrooming number of green-certified builders sprouting up across the country, “going green” seems to be the hottest trend since fat-free snacks. But what may be a groundswell of media and marketing hype, may not always be true in practice. While there is much discussion about building more environmentally sustainable homes and remodeling existing homes to meet green standards, few homeowners and contractors really understand the process.

Green building or remodeling can be as basic as putting up formaldehyde-free insulation to installing a high-efficiency air conditioning unit. A new kitchen might use energy-efficient refrigerators and dishwashers and fluorescent compact lighting; a bathroom, water-efficient toilets. The exterior of the house might use bricks from the existing house or a metal roof, which helps with home cooling and offers cleaner rainwater runoff. Landscaping might rely on low-water planting techniques or take advantage of rainwater barrels that capture water from the roof to be used in landscaping irrigation.

For most home owners and builders, the cost of going green is a major deterrent, but through some self- education, the process will pay off in the long run. A green-certified designer I met at a home show once told me, “There’s a lot of green-washing going on out there, and consumers need to be aware of the wanna-be-greens and the real deal.” Similar to the popular demand of organic foods in mainstream grocery stores, understanding the labels and requirements for the special certifications will help you decipher between the “real deal” and the fakes. Being green educated will prevent you from getting scammed out of paying more on something that will have little impact on your long term savings.

Green certification
LEED certification is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to help promote green building practices and sustainable development across the country. It rates construction projects of all types by awarding points for green building practices in four separate areas: sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and innovation and design process. When the points are added up, a structure or project is assigned a LEED rating of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, with a LEED Platinum project being about as green as a construction project can get.

The one downside of working towards achieving high LEED ratings can be too much green, as in money. Homes that are LEED Certified generally cost more initially due to the types of materials used and the sometimes unconventional building and design needs of these projects. Consequently, always figure out a budget ahead of time with any building project where LEED certification is a goal. With any major remodel or new home, keeping a tight budget is of utmost importance. Where LEED certification is concerned, it’s even more critical. But always keep in mind that while a LEED Certified home will cost more initially, it also will make up the cost difference in energy savings and tax credits over time.

The revolution will be televised
Regardless of your political or environmental views, it’s hard to deny the fact that developing countries around the world will continue to grow, and their demand for natural resources will only increase with it. It is essential that we find new ways to conserve our energy and reduce our carbon footprint. As my friend RJ said to me during our tree-hugging conversation this weekend, “We can’t expect everyone to convert over to green technology overnight.…This is a shift towards a new paradigm, and it’s going to take some getting use to, but it’s a movement that isn’t going to go away.”

To find out more about green builders, contractors, architects and interior designers check out these helpful Web sites:

USGBC LEED Certification
National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines
Green Home Guide
Green Home Building Blog
Directory of Green Professionals
TreeHugger.com
TheDailyGreen.com

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.

From Portland, OR, to Ridgewood, N.J., the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) traveled cross country to find this year’s top professional bathroom designs. The 2008 winners were announced at NKBA’s annual show and conference held in Chicago April 11-13. The winners of this year’s competition are:

Powder rooms
An impressive powder room has become a fundamental element in modern homes. More designers today are creating spaces that are reflecting their client’s personality, but continue to remain practical. Materials and finishes play a significant role in designing the ideal contemporary powder rooms.

• First place:
Lori W. Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates, Tucson, AZ

• Second place:
Lori W. Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates, Tucson, AZ

• Third place:
Lori W. Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates, Tucson, AZ

• Honorable mention:
Elina Katsioula-Beall, CKD, Dewitt Designer Kitchens, Studio City, CA

Small bathrooms
The tranquil effects of Japanese elements had inspired Michael Ranson’s clients for many years, so they asked that he use these elements in creating their new bath. The couple specifically asked that a modern version of a furo, or Japanese soaking tub, be incorporated into the design.

• First place:
Michael Ranson, H O M E + atelier Michael Ranson, San Diego, CA

• Second place:
Leslie Ann Cohen, CKD, Leslie Cohen Design, Cardiff, CA

• Third place:
Tanya L. Woods, X-Tiles, Royal Oak, MI

• Honorable mention:
Mark S. Morris, Mark Morris Design Group, Brisbane, CA

Large bathrooms
This rustic-inspired bathroom features a large double vanity with a counter that has real leaf imprints in the concrete backsplash. But one of the most unique features in this room is the waterfall, which runs down the sandstone-tiled wall into a bed of pebbles.

• First place:
Siri Evju, CKD, CBD, Siri Designs, Portland, OR

• Second place:
Donna L.A. Riddell, CKD, CBD, Artistry Design Group, Ltd., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

• Third place:
Blue Arnold, CKD, CBD, Kitchens By Request, Inc., Jarrettsville, MD

• Honorable mention:
Tracey Scalzo, CKD, CBD, Eurotech Cabinetry, Inc., Sarasota, FL

Master suite/bathrooms
The challenge of this master bathroom suite was to create a relaxing spa-like feel that included his and hers lavatories, walk-in closets, a make-up table, tub, large shower, linen storage and a separate water closet.

• First place:
Holly Rickert, Ulrich, Inc., Ridgewood, NJ

• Second place:
Nicholas J. Geragi, CKD, CBD, Klaff’s, Inc., South Norwalk, CT

• Third place:
Scott and Sandra Gjesdahl, Bristol Design & Construction, Kirkland, WA

• Honorable mention:
Wendy R. Mayes, CKD, Jan Parker’s Kitchens By Design, LLC, Wichita, KS

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.

Are you planning on remodeling your kitchen this year, but still scratching your head for ideas? This year’s top design winners of the National Kitchen & Bath Association competition created imaginative designs and aesthetically pleasing solutions that will inspire the decorator in you.

Small kitchen

Designer Areti Tanya Rentzos of Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, took first place in the small kitchens category for her “Modern Efficiency” design.

The home was built in the 1920s and was in need of a complete remodel. The homeowners were graphic artists, who were looking for a contemporary edge on design. A wall between the kitchen and living space needed to be removed in order to extend the kitchen cabinets by approximately 3 feet. By doing so, Rentzos created enough room to incorporate the additional appliances. She also increased counter space by moving the sink to the corner.

Rentzos preserved the home’s 1920s coziness by choosing a dark cherry wood that exudes a feeling of warmth, but opted for contemporary styling with a flat slab door of brushed and polished stainless steel. A second counter level was installed to incorporate seating for two and create a division between the two rooms. She also added suspended shelves to open up the space in the upper cabinets and provide easier accessibility.

Rentzos’s other upgrades were:

Cabinets: Maple wood with me
rlot stain and wood dovetail drawer systems
Microwave: KitchenAid
Range: KitchenAid
Dishwasher: KitchenAid
Refrigerator: KitchenAid
Ventilation: KitchenAid
Countertops: Silestone
Fixtures and fittings: Richelieu shelf support and Hansgrohe faucet
Sinks: Blanco

Large kitchen

Anchorage, Alaska-based designer Terri Hosken of Beyond The Box: Kitchen Design won the large kitchen category with her “Modern & Marvelous” design.

The homeowners, both independent restaurant owners, appreciated the fundamental components of a working kitchen. But they wanted the creative functionality of a multipurpose space designed to accommodate a soccer-team meal or an art project with their children.

Hosken’s design focused on a layout that provides versatility and innovative storage behind a tranquil facade. A variety of components — including microwave, steam and conventional ovens, and a coffee/espresso maker — are integrated in the cabinet and drawer enclosures and are concealed by a stainless steel door. This frees up the kitchen’s layout for more customizable space.

The island counter (featuring stylish bar stools) allows freedom of movement around the kitchen. It has a mobile service cart that rotates freely to reveal small appliances below the counter. The cart can be removed to free up more knee space and be used elsewhere. A hidden pantry is seamlessly integrated with the cabinetry.

Hosken’s other upgrades were:

Cabinets: Custom Cabinetry by Howka Cabinet Co.
Cooktop: Thermador
Oven: Thermador
Dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel
Refrigerator: Thermador
Ventilation: Zephyr
Countertops: Absolute black granite slab and maple top
Flooring: Absolute black granite tiles, Kahrs maple flooring
Fixtures: Hafele
Sink: Elkay
Walls and soffits: Gyp Board, primed and painted
Lighting: Techline cable rail and monorail, recessed incandescent

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.

Over the weekend I stopped by the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show & Conference held here in Chicago. While I saw my fair share of sleek new bathroom faucets and granite kitchen countertops, nothing topped the list of cool new gizmos like Kohler’s VibrAcoustic bathtub.

I could hear the oohs and ahhs as I approached the crowd of spectators converged around this state-of-the-art tub. Like something straight out of “The Jetsons,” the long, white multisensory bath integrates light, choreographed music and soothing vibrations to create the ultimate relaxation experience.

The science of bathing                                                                                                                                      

Kohler's VibrAcoustic bath intergates light, music and soothing vibrations to create a relaxing experience.

Barry Glasford, a project analyst with Kohler and one of the brains behind the creation of the tub, told me the VibrAcoustic bath successfully marries the science of water and sound with the art of ergonomic design. Vibroacoustics is a technology-based sound therapy defined as hearing and feeling sound vibrations through the body. Glasford says it’s proven to promote relaxation and is an ideal feature to add to a bathtub that is designed and engineered to instinctively ease tension and stress.

Who needs whirlpool jets when you have a selection of four uniquely composed music numbers creating a soothing synchronized vibration. Transducers producing the vibrations are strategically placed on the backside of the bath allowing the bather to not only hear but also feel the music streaming in from one of the four preset fountainheads. The sound waves travel through the water and gently resound in the body.

“During our test runs, I would see people fall into a deep, relaxed breathing, as they lay there in the bathtub,” Glasford says. “The vibration and lighting encourages the bather’s breathing rate to align with the beats or chord structures. The experience is truly three-dimensional.”

Creating euphoria
The four VibrAcoustic original compositions were created in collaboration with a renowned sound therapist and are choreographed uniquely for this bath to optimize the vibroacoustic effect. Two massaging beat experiences add even more physical vibration that can be adjusted to the desired level of intensity for a personalized bath experience.

But if you’re more of a Guns N’ Roses fan like myself, the DTV bath interface allows you to download your own songs from a MP3 player or radio station from a home computer. Glasford, however, says he wouldn’t recommend up-tempo tunes if you’re looking for a euphoric experience.

The synchronized lighting is truly the psychedelic eye-catcher on this suped-up tub. The four lights in the bath can create eight different colors and a myriad of color combinations and patterns. A color dial even allows bathers to choose a particular hue of each color. The lights are synchronized with the four preset fountainhead experiences and will also align themselves with the rhythm of outside music.

Bath design
The bathtub is made of acrylic and available in two sizes: 88-by-48-by-24 inches and 72-by-42-by- 26 inches, which allow bathers of different heights to be submerged completely. The 88-inch tub will cost you around $13,000 while the 72-inch bath retails for $10,500. For some people, the price will be worth the experience.

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@homescape.com.