August 17th, 2010
By Sharon A. Shaw
The Tuscan region of Italy is renowned for fine food, family gatherings, beautiful weather and gracious outdoor living. These are qualities that most homeowners would love to incorporate into their own backyards. Although we cannot always rely on sun-drenched days, the spirit and beauty of Tuscany can be brought into any backyard landscape.
Because of the warm, dry weather, the residents of Tuscany tend to spend much of their time outdoors. The architecture reflects this lifestyle in the ..read more
Tags: architectural elements, italian landscaping, natural stone, stucco, tuscany
Posted in Landscaping | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010
by Beth Puliti
Is your cooling system costing you money? If you’re like countless other homeowners, the answer is yes. And dirty coils, refrigerant and airflow problems are the likely offenders. Put a stop to air conditioning problems by properly maintaining your system.
The US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency recommend having a contractor perform an annual pre-season check-up to help prolong the life of cooling equipment. Their cooling-specific maintenance checklist consists of three key steps:
1. Clean the ..read more
Tags: Air Conditioning
Posted in HVAC | No Comments »
June 1st, 2010
By Lindsey Getz
Though it’s the first thing that people see when they look at a home, and not maintaining it can significantly bring down the value, many homeowners wind up ignoring the exterior of their home until it’s too late.
The focus tends to be on a home’s interior while ignoring things like the roof, siding or even something as simple as gutters. By not giving regular attention to these elements of a home’s exterior, it could cost more time ..read more
Tags: gutters, Home Maintenance, house painting, metal roofing, rain gutters, roofing materials, stucco, vinyl siding, windows
Posted in Home Maintenance | No Comments »
May 22nd, 2010
by Beth Puliti
Often overlooked and underestimated, architectural concrete offers more than just strength. Colors, patterns and textures add beauty to decorative projects large and small.
Concrete has traditionally been used in exterior applications. As a result of unique design options, however, one of the most recent industry trends is to bring it inside. Concrete can be made to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, wood, etc., through stamping, staining, sandblasting and other processes.
Architectural Concrete Design bills itself as a leader in ..read more
Tags: concrete, Construction, decorative concrete, pavers
Posted in concrete | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2010
If you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime renovation for the kitchen of your dreams, you’ll surely want a company that has your best interest in mind. “We’re unique in the fact that we still do things the old-fashioned way,” says Al Carlson, designer and salesperson, Blue Moon, Inc., a company specializing in kitchens and vanities. “Customers are never rushed and we take the time to meet their needs and see that the job is done right. We are dedicated to maintaining ..read more
Tags: Cabinets, Granite Countertops, Kitchen Remodel, Remodeling
Posted in Home Remodel, Kitchen Remodel | No Comments »
April 23rd, 2010
The current state of the housing market has left many to think seriously about their next step. For those who know they need additional space, the question is whether to build an addition or to move. It appears that most are staying put. “Many families like their neighborhood and their location, and perhaps don’t want the hassle of starting over in a new house, so they add-on instead,” reports John Gemmi, owner, Gemmi Construction, Inc., and ..read more
Tags: Addition, Construction, Home Remodel, Home Renovation
Posted in Home Remodel | No Comments »
