Tis the season for family time! With many of us looking forward to spending time with our family, relatives and friends it’s also time to remember the effort and work that is assumed by the host.
Check out the Houzz story, “10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Hosting” for some really useful tips that will make your family time memorable and enjoyable.
Click here for the house clean-up guide: “Holiday Organizing Checklist.”
After meeting two very rambunctious brothers (ages 3 and 6) this weekend in their Seattle home, I began to wonder how parents provide space for high-energy children when living in a rainy place where outdoor playtime opportunities are infrequent. Their solution was creating a basement playroom. What are some other ways to make your home rainy day activity-ready?
Turn Your Basement into a Kids Playroom on Houzz.
Even in this economy, homeowners are prioritizing quality of life at home before profit when it comes to remodeling and decorating. Among homeowners planning to build, remodel or decorate in the next two years:
• 86 percent cited “improving the look and feel of the space” as an important driver for remodeling projects, while only 47 percent cited ”increasing home value.”
• “Making the space more functional” was also cited as an important driver by 63 percent.
• These results were consistent across all income and demographic groups.
While the economy is having an impact on their home projects, they are more likely to cut back in other areas, such as vacations and other big-ticket purchases, than to delay or decrease the budget for their home improvement plans.
Other Key Findings:
• In the next two years, 72 percent of homeowners surveyed plan to decorate or redecorate, 40 percent plan to remodel or construct an addition, while 10 percent are planning to build a custom home.
• 57 percent of homeowners planning to complete a project in the next two years will hire a general contractor, 35 percent a kitchen or bath professional, 32 percent a carpet or flooring professional. 30 percent are planning to hire an architect, 26 percent an interior designer, and 24 percent a landscape architect or designer.
Source:Houzz
Below are some of the pictures of the latest project we completed this year. Work included complete redesign of the kitchen, master bathroom and garage as the new reck room.
For all of you who visited us at the ‘Heart of the Home Tour’ in Piedmont last weekend , thanks for stopping by our table to say “hello”. We were happy to sponsor this fun two-day event. See you again next year.
If you want to get the most investment value from a garage addition, build in quality details.
We has found that home owners who sell stand to recover a higher percentage of their costs if they build a garage that is tricked out with finished walls, a decorative floor coating, and designer storage solutions. The national average cost to build a midrange, 26-by-26-foot freestanding garage addition is $57,824, of which you can expect to recoup about 52% at resale. With upscale finishes, the cost jumps to $86,347 and the payback of about 57%. With a little planning, you can maximize the use and benefit you’ll get from a basic garage addition.
Here are the top features to incorporate:
Layout and design-roof,doors,windows,floor space
Storage solutions
Workspace
Power and Lighting
Walls and Floors
Below is a picture of a garage addition done by Canyon Design Build. Added a elevator to the garage from the main house, two levels down.
Garage addition by Canyon Design Build
Garage addition by Canyon Design Build
Garage addition by Canyon Design Build
-Canyon Design Build
One company, One team – Concept to Completion
The decision to build an in-ground pool isn’t one to take lightly. Apart from the substantial installation costs, you have to factor in ongoing maintenance expenses as well as insurance and tax implications. But if you want the ultimate backyard entertainment amenity and social gathering spot, nothing fills the bill like a swimming pool.
Pool project by Canyon Design Build
Thinking about taking the plunge? Here’s whats to consider,
-Ballpark your instillation costs
-Decide on a filtration and heating system
-Account for ongoing maintenance expense
-Factor in insurance and tax implications
Pool project by Canyon Design Build
Pool project by Canyon Design Build
-Canyon Design Build
One company, One team – Concept to Completion
Smart Upgrades for Decks
A few cost-effective add-ons can give a modest deck an edge and deliver a handsome payback should you sell your house. A deck is one of the most cost-effective of all home improvement projects. In fact, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2011-2012, a wood deck project returns an average of about 70% of the investment cost — one of the highest values in the survey.
You can ensure you’re getting the most from this smart investment with low-cost add-ons and special features that increase your deck’s appeal and that will make your deck one of your home’s most enjoyable living spaces. Some of the upgrades include,
-Hidden fasteners for decking
-Adding style with planters
-Cable railings
-Taming the sun with shade sails
Deck by Canyon Design Build
Deck by Canyon Design Build
Deck by Canyon Design Build
-Canyon Design Build
One company, One team – Concept to Completion
Country Home by Canyon Desigh Build
Design trend.6: kitchen entertaining with a view. Kitchens continue to be without a doubt the center of the house. But with square footage being trimmed, designers have to develop innovative solutions for storage and functional needs. There’s also an increasing use of large windows to keep the kitchen light, bright and airy so it can live large. The loss of wall space for cabinetry is made up with walk-in pantries, where it’s not uncommon to find the (messy) kitchen desk hidden from view.
-Canyon Design Build
One company, One team – Concept to Completion
source: NAHB
