Decorative Staircases

Personalizing your space takes it from a house to a home.

Add drama to a staircase with distinctive railings or embellishments.

Architectural-salvage and reuse centers (like Fort Lauderdale's Habitat ReStore) are hot spots for ideas and materials.

For some additional inspiration, see these fantastic finds:

Decorate Your Home Office

Everyone wants a home office that is a productive sanctuary, not a den of clutter and confusion. When decorating a home office, there are several things to consider besides a simple desk and chair. Both function and style have to work equally hard to create a room that's as productive as it is beautiful.

BEFORE YOU START DECORATING …
Before you do anything else, answer these questions to help you determine exactly how much space you'll need for work, storage and leisure in your new office:

What purpose will the office serve?
Who will use it?
What will my technology needs be?
How much storage will I need?

WHEN YOU START DECORATING …
A stunningly functional room still has to be pretty. Here are some tips on how to make your work space a downright pleasant place to be.

Color
Paint your walls with colors that reflect the mood of your business. If you want something more traditional, use subtle and neutral colors like off-white or light blue. If you crave something more creative or artsy, go with bolder colors like oranges and darker shades of green and blue.

Displays
An empty wall is an invitation to display more than your advanced degrees and professional awards. Warm up the mood of your office with tastefully framed artwork, photography, etc.

Shelving
Both attractive and efficient, extra wall shelving can enhance the professional look of your office while offering much needed storage space and clutter control

Plants
Indoor plants are not only attractive, but can make any room feel instantly more lively and cozy – an easy way to guard against your work space becoming too sterile or boring.

Storage Ottomans
If you have space to spare, consider purchasing a couple storage ottomans. They make for chic-looking stacking areas and provide extra seating for meetings or guests.

Lighting
One desk lamp in a windowless room does not make for an inviting workspace. If your space has natural light, use it! You need the upcoming long hours spent working to be as pleasant as possible.

Maintenance
Try to keep your flooring/carpeting and furniture easy to clean so you can focus on your work instead of housekeeping.

Source: American Signature

Asphalt Driveway

Asphalt is a paving material made with stone aggregates, water and bitumen, a very sticky form of petroleum. It used to be a popular choice for residential driveways because of its high durability and low cost. While asphalt is still one of the most durable driveway materials the cost of blacktop driveways has risen with the cost of oil. Combined with the increased usage of concrete, the popularity of asphalt driveways has dropped in recent years. Additionally, many people hold the common misconception that there are few options when it comes to asphalt and that all you'll get is a boring black surface. A little research proves that there are actually more decorative asphalt options than most homeowners realize.

Recycled Asphalt Driveways

One driveway option that has become popular is recycled asphalt (RAP). For this type of driveway an existing blacktop surface is ground up into pieces the size of gravel, which can then be re-laid as driveway paving. Since many of the oils are still present the ground up pavement will bind together over time and become more cohesive than regular gravel. A recycled asphalt driveway should cost less than a new one.

Tar & Chip Driveways

Another option is a tar and chip driveway, which resembles the look of gravel with the solidarity of asphalt. Tar and chip is basically an asphalt drive that has stone aggregate seeded into the surface. This type of driveway can be made to look much lighter and more natural than plain asphalt. Tar and chip driveways provide excellent traction, but can make snow removal difficult. Additionally, they are also considerably cheaper than asphalt and don't require sealing. However, some people have reported problems with stones wearing away or coming loose do to vehicle traffic and weeds growing up through the surface.

Colored & Stamped Asphalt Driveways

Finally, you can choose a decorative asphalt which utilizes techniques that allow for the creation of colored and stamped asphalt driveways. Despite asphalt's dark nature, it can be colored many shades - ranging from soft, creamy colors, to warm, bold colors. StreetPrint®, the pioneering stamped and colored asphalt product is available in twenty-four colors. An asphalt driveway can also be stamped with a steel template to mimic stone, brick or pavers. StreetPrint® offers patterns such as offset brick, herringbone, ashlar slate, European fan and many more.



Source: Landscaping Network

Bathroom Accent Tile

Remodeling your bathroom allows you to choose a whole new feeling for the room, but it can be costly. One way to get the look and feel you desire without breaking the bank is to utilize accent tile in purposeful ways.

Accent tile is more expensive than standard tile, and come in about every color, pattern, and material you can think of. The most cost-effective way to use accent tile is to use a cheaper, plain tile all over the bathroom, and use the accent just in bits. The less you use, the less it will cost.

Make a visual waterfall with a thick swath of accent tile or make the room look wider with a horizontal stripe as a chair rail.

For more ideas, read this article at Houzz.

And the Kitchen Sink

Have you started thinking about replacing your kitchen sink? Replacing this one item can change the look of your kitchen, sprucing up your existing space. You have choices in material, with stainless steel being the most popular.

Under Mount Sink

Under Mount Sink
You may want to replace your counter top or leave it be. If you keep the existing counter top, you will want to use the same type of sink you currently have now: under mount, or top mount. With an under mount sink, you can see the finished inner edge of the counter top as it connects to the sink, which is literally mounted (or attached) underneath the counter top.

Top Mount Sink
If your counter top does not have an under mount sink currently, that edge is not finished as a standard, and you will need to use a top mount, or surface mount, sink. This means that the sink is sitting on top of the existing counter top and attaches from above.

Bar Sink

Top Mount Sink
with 2 holes

A bar sink is a shallow sink, usually 6 inches deep, as opposed to the more standard 8 inches of a kitchen sink, and is meant for rinsing and washing glassware, as in a bar or restaurant. You will want to avoid a bar sink for your home kitchen if it is your only sink. Larger kitchens may want to have both.


Price
The price difference between an under mount and top mount sink is minimal, but you can save a little money with a top mount sink as the counter top does not have to have that finished edge, or holes for your faucet, which carry an additional charge for labor.

Holes

When shopping for a top mount kitchen sink, the last factor you want to consider is the number of holes in the sink. You may want to look for a faucet you like (or examine the faucet you are putting back in) and see how many holes it requires for installation. Sinks come with 0-4 holes, which are used for the faucet, hot/cold knobs, and soap dispenser. The faucet you choose will specify how many holes it requires. Often, but not always, a plate can be installed to cover the extra holes. These are all factors to consider in your sink shopping comparisons.

Resolutions

This year, set a resolution you can accomplish: Resolve to finish your to-do list. Don't leave anything to roll over through December, like last year. Whenever you have little bits of money, put it toward a small project and kick it out; like adding those shrubs or repotting the flowers. Whenever you have a free afternoon, tighten those bolts and put a coat of paint where it needs to be.

Also, know your limits. If you have a bad back, a busy schedule, or just are not that good with a hammer, it is easy to ask your friendly local contractor for a helping hand.

If you feel you picked a project that you could do yourself, but you realize that you're in too deep, call me and I'll finish it up for you, no guilt, no questions asked.

Office Makeover

One thing that sets Benchmark Contracting apart from other general contractors is our ability to creatively envision with you for the best possible outcome. We work with your existing space, your budgetary constraints, and your ideas to design the perfect layout for your business.

Businesses have different needs in terms of privacy, soundproofing, seating, office spaces, lobby size, and front or back office billing areas. We will ask you all the important questions that you may not have considered to get you from "Oh, that looks better." to "This is my office? Wow!"

We even want to know how long your patients usually wait. Is it a short time and you merely need somewhere to store magazines so they don't look a mess and a friendly layout that works for both patients and staff? Or is there generally a fairly long wait with several doctors coming and going for their patients that requires a wider hallway and spaces for television and a fish tank in the lobby? Have you considered upgrading your electrical system to include more outlets for charging iPads and cell phones that clients frequently use while waiting? Leave it to us to consider all these factors and more!

Designing for a Galley Kitchen

Galley Kitchen
A Basic, Inexpensive Kitchen Design that Really Works for You
By Lee Wallender, About.com Guide

Think the galley kitchen is working against you? Think again. The galley kitchen is a classic, and it works beautifully with your remodeling--and with your eventual cooking needs.

FAQs About the Galley Kitchen

Yes, the name “galley kitchen” really needs to be changed, as it evokes images of tiny propane stoves on sailboats (it is often called a corridor-style kitchen, too).

Q: What is a Galley Kitchen? 

A: A galley kitchen is defined as a long, narrow kitchen that has counters on either side of a central walkway. The counters can be interspersed with appliances, sink, cabinetry and other functional items.

Q: What Benefits Do Galley Kitchens Have? 

A: Galley kitchens are, by nature, small. So, you have the cost-saving benefits of size. Also, galley kitchens are ergonomically superior to other kitchen design layouts.

• You save space in your house for other rooms. 
• Because countertops are one of the most expensive elements in the kitchen, this cost is drastically minimized. 
• The major kitchen services (water, electrical, etc.) are kept together. 
• An excellent use of the kitchen triangle design. 
• You save money because you can use stock kitchen cabinets. 

Q: Can I Remodel My Galley Kitchen Myself? 

A: Yes. A typical galley kitchen might range from 100-150 square feet, a very manageable size for a DIY remodeling job.

Steps to Galley Kitchen Remodeling

The galley kitchen can be remodeled much like any other kitchen, but there are a few exceptions. Take note of the following:

1. Use Kitchen Designs Appropriate for the Galley Kitchen. Kitchen islands, breakfast bars, and other similar things only suck away room from the galley kitchen. You’ll need to keep the galley kitchen to the basics: upper and lower cabinets, counters, refrigerator, sink, stove/oven, and possibly a dishwasher. 
2. Watch the Sink. Huge farmhouse sinks or sinks angled at 45 degrees are great ways to waste space. Instead, look for scaled-down sinks and keep sinks parallel to the counters. 
3. Find Creative Space-Saving Ideas. Pushing kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling maximizes storage space, though this does tend to create an imposing presence. If storage isn’t all that important to you, then pull the cabinets down six inches to give you more breathing room. Use lazy-susans and roll-out shelves to better utilize that often-wasted space at the back of cabinets. 
4. Consider Blocking Off a Window. This is one of the more painful decisions to make. Does the window give you ample light and air? If not—and if you really need cabinets—you can install a drywall “plug” over the window, and then run the cabinets right across. 
5. Use Light and Neutral Shades. Lighter tones will make your galley kitchen feel much larger. You can use brighter shades for nearly everything in your galley kitchen: counters, cabinets, flooring, wall paint, and even appliances. 

Source: Home Renovations

Paver Driveway

A paver driveway will lend a sophisticated appearance to any style of home. Interlocking pavers come in a wide array of colors and shapes and can be laid in many different patterns. You can choose from concrete pavers or clay brick pavers, both are very durable. One of the main benefits of a paver driveway is that it will not crack because of the flexibility the joints between each paver provide. Additionally, repairs are simple because specific areas can be targeted without having to redo the entire drive.

 Better Brick   The part of a driveway where visitors park is among the most important parts of an entry landscape. It's also the largest expanse of paving, which becomes costly when poured in place. Traditional brick is not always strong enough to become a driving surface unless it is laid on a concrete slab, which is very expensive since this involves literally paving the area twice. Precast concrete pavers made to look like brick provide the perfect alternative. Here reddish coloring is blended with dark steel gray accents that undulate through the paving. This is an excellent relief for an otherwise too-red surface, but more importantly is a strategy for concealing discoloration from oil spots and tire tread marks, both unique to driveways.

Turf Lattice   This innovative driveway utilizes lattice pattern turf pavers to create a highly permeable driving surface. What would have disappeared beneath a lawn is fully visible in this application, but its subgrade installation detail is much the same. Gaps that would otherwise be filled with soil and planted are packed with tiny gravel to create a highly permeable surface for coastal conditions where regulations strictly deny runoff. This unique application demonstrates how precast concrete pavers can be the stuff of truly innovative green modern design.

Exact Match   This beautiful new home with its sandy color palette features real stack stone veneer. To apply stone to the driveway to pick up the same tones as the stone would not be worth the high expense. The huge color range of precast pavers allows this driveway to become a perfect match to the overall palette without custom manufacturing. The variations give this driveway the same values of light and dark that real stone would have provided at a fraction of the cost. Add this to the potential for permeability and the solution proves to be the perfect contemporary use of the product.

Source: Landscaping Network

Renovation ROI

Beyond curb appeal, certain projects will provide higher returns than others. U.S. News asked real estate agents and home contractors for their recommendations:

Attic bedrooms. 

According to Remodeling, you'll recoup 73 percent of your investment when turning the attic into a bedroom. However, this also ranks as one of the most expensive projects, averaging $50,148 nationally. But if you have the money, an attic bedroom is a desirable feature among homebuyers. "Any time you add additional square footage like that can have a very positive effect on the selling price," says Paul Wyman, a real estate agent with Wyman Group in Kokomo, Ind.

Kitchens. 

Although a kitchen remodel returns only 66 percent, on average, Chris Dossman, a real estate agent with Century 21 Scheetz in Indianapolis, says kitchens are one of the first things homebuyers look at. "If you have a house that doesn't have an updated kitchen but you have a remodeled attic, that's not what people are looking for," she says.

The cost of a major kitchen remodel varies widely depending on the region. Nonetheless, it's important not to go overboard, as you don't want to price your home out of the local market. For example, if you're in a neighborhood where the average home value is $200,000 and you put in a $50,000 kitchen, you're out-pricing your house.

A major kitchen redesign may not be a good decision if the space only requires a facelift. "You don't have to completely gut your kitchen if it's in good working shape," says Adam Taffel, a real estate broker with Centre Realty Group in Newton, Mass. In many cases, less-drastic updates like refinishing surfaces, upgrading appliances, and installing new light fixtures will cut it.

But making the mistake of opting for a facelift when the space does, in fact, need a full-scale remodel will cost you. "You need to ask yourself questions like, 'Are the cabinets structurally sound enough that if I spend a significant amount of money refacing them, are they going to just fall apart anyway?'" says Darius Baker, a contractor with D&J Kitchen & Baths, Inc. in Sacramento, Calif.

Baths. 

Investing in a bathroom remodel yields a 62 percent return, on average, but you've got to do it right. Many homebuyers are looking for a master bathroom with two sinks, custom showers, and great lighting. You'll turn off buyers if you only put in the minimal amount of work. "A lot of folks, when they buy a home, don't want to have put a lot of work into it," says agent Wyman. "An outdated bathroom requires a lot of work." Since bathrooms are especially prone to looking dated, pick neutral colors and finishings.

Also consider bumping out the size of a bathroom. Many buyers looking for a three-bedroom home want two full baths rather than one full and one half bath, says bath contractor Baker.

And sometimes less is more. "Giving it new paint, a new toilet, a new shower faucet, and a new [shower]head is probably the best bang for your buck. But that's assuming the flooring is nice and the walls around the tub and shower are in good standing condition," says contractor Dennis Gehman of Gehman Design Remodeling in Harleysville, Penn.

As you aim for the best ROI, don't squander money with these renovations:

Home offices. 

A number of people work from home, but most don't need a full-blown office. If you do convert a spare room to an office, opt for removable furniture rather than built-in cabinets. Built-in furniture gives the buyer fewer options with what they can do with the room, says Gehman. A home-office remodel recoups only 43 percent, on average.

Sunroom additions. 

You may recoup a fair amount if you live in a region where the sunroom can be used all four seasons, but in most cases, adding a sunroom will get you nowhere near a dollar-for-dollar return. Sunroom additions were among the lowest on Remodeling's list in terms of recouping costs—a paltry 46 percent. "We always try to get [buyers] their top three 'must haves' and a sunroom is rarely one of them," says agent Dossman.

"I see almost no sunrooms going in right now," says Daniel Steinkoler, president of Superior Home Services, Inc. in Washington, D.C. "More people these days are working within their existing footprint to improve their home."

Concrete Driveway

Concrete, the most popular option for residential driveways, is incredibly versatile and can be used to achieve a variety of looks. Stamping and coloring make it possible to use concrete to recreate the look of natural stone, brick or pavers for a fraction of the cost. Custom designs can also be created on a concrete driveway to give your home a unique entrance.

Cost:

The cost of your concrete driveway will vary depending on its size and the decorative options you choose. The more specialized the design, the more expensive the price will be. If you want a decorative look but are on a tight budget consider stamping or coloring only the borders of your driveway. 

• Elaborate designs start at $18/sq ft
• Custom designs are $12-18/sq ft
• Simple designs are about $8-12/sq ft

Pros:

• Used in massive building projects for its strength, concrete is durable and known to keep its form even through natural disasters like earthquakes.
• Concrete is a versatile material that can be stamped and transformed to many different patterns such as: European fan, random interlocking, natural stone, cobblestone and many more.
• Concrete can also be transformed using color. No longer limited to the standard gray color, you can use a variety of chemical stains and concrete dyes to achieve nearly any color you desire.
• Being one consistent slab makes concrete easy to maintain throughout the whole year.
• With the ability to stamp and color concrete you can achieve the same look as natural stone and pavers, while saving a significant amount of money. Concrete is one of the most cost effective paving materials out there.

Cons:

• Although concrete is a very strong durable material, it may crack over time. Cracking can be caused from many different reasons such as; lack of control joints, improper strength poured, rapid drying and excess water. Although your concrete may crack, there are things you can do to prevent and keep your slab from cracking in the future.
• Concrete is an ideal material to use for driveways because of the strength, however, cars can leave oil stains or tire marks. There are many products and methods available to assist you in returning you driveway to its natural state.
• Concrete is more affordable than most paving materials but not the least expensive. Gravel and asphalt cost less than pouring a concrete driveway.
• Pouring a concrete driveway can be challenging, it requires a skilled installer to avoid the problems listed above and get the job done right.

Source: Landscaping Network

Driveway Beautiful

The material you select for your driveway must be attractive and durable. Your driveway will be driven on nearly every day and needs to hold up to tire marks, oil drips and other hazards. Popular driveway paving materials include concrete, pavers, gravel and asphalt.

Pro Tip: Avoid porous materials, such as sandstone, that may soak up leaking fluids resulting in a stain.

A big consideration when paving a driveway is the size. If you have a very long driveway you will need a lot more material to pave it. The cost of a driveway this size can be quite high if selecting expensive materials. This is why you often see large driveways paved with gravel, the most affordable paving material.

Pro Tip: Since driveways are a lot of square footage, it is often not possible to pave them entirely in expensive pavers or cobblestones. Instead, opt for decorative bands, borders or an apron.

You'll also want to think about the surface of the material you select. Do you want something that will allow rain water to filter through and back into the soil? Do you have extreme weather conditions that could affect the safety of driving on your driveway? Do you want a decorative design or a grid of grass? The look you are going for will dictate what materials you should use.

Pro Tip: If you live in a snowy climate, think about what material will be easiest to plow or shovel.

The next 4 weeks will feature blogs on they types of driveway materials that are most popular for a beautiful driveway that is the centerpiece of your home's exterior

Source: Landscaping Network

Home Office Remodel

Describe how you'd like to feel in your home office in a word or two. 

• Productive
• Serene
• Competitive
• Relaxed
• Determined

Add to that with thoughts about your style in relation to that feeling. 

• Homey
• Woodsy
• Preppy
• Outdoor
• Stark
• Country
• Sleek

Allow us to rearrange your furniture, suggest pieces to work with those frameworks, repaint, add shelves or built-ins, and suggest accessories like a throw rug to reach your perfect feeling in your home office.

This is a relatively inexpensive project to make your office your favorite room in your home. After all, you are in there a lot! Here are some design ideas from Houzz:

Buying a Foreclosure

With the housing market down, a lot of homes are going into foreclosure. A lot of homeowner, angry with the banks, or for other reasons, are trashing the homes before they leave. As a buyer, these foreclosure homes are a great deal, but require a lot of work. More so than the "handyman special" homes of a decade ago, these homes may require new pipes, lots of wall replacement, all new fixtures, and electrical work.

If you are considering buying a home from foreclosure, here are some tips:

1. Have the house inspected by a General Contractor before making a bid. This will ensure that all aspects of the home are verified and you will know what you are getting into before you put forth any money.
2. Keep my number in your cell phone. Being a general contractor who is familiar with both new and existing construction, renovation and remodeling, I can assist you with making a budget, planning projects, prioritizing, and completing each task to your satisfaction.

Boys' Rooms

Want the coolest room for your son? Check these out, then let us help you make your dreams a reality!

Ideal Shower

Today's inspiration: The shower.

Let's face it, you're in the shower every day. The hot water feels good on tired muscles - but wouldn't it be great if the shower did more than just clean you? What if it massaged you, lit up, changed colors, fell like a waterfall, fell like rain, was adjustable, was customize-able, or hit you in all the right places? Oh, that'd be really nice! Theses are all possibilities with the modern options available for your ideal shower.


Custom colors add ambiance

Custom jets hit you in all the right places

Rain heads provide the perfect level of pressure

5 Things You Need to Know

5 Things Your Contractor Wishes You to Know

1. The remodel starts with you. Be decisive. Have a clear vision of the finished product. Establish good lines of communication for your expectations. This will allow the process to be smooth, quick, enjoyable, and successful.

2. Research is encouraged. Do your homework to keep the process on track and under budget by researching your project and contractor. Visit job sites, talk to client references, or price construction materials to find the right fit for your remodel. Contractors are happy to help with these things, but may not have the time to look into 20 different materials that kind of interest you.

3. It's a budget balancing act. The planning process must include how much you're willing to spend. Finding a balance between spending too much and spending too little will help you come up with a strategy you and your budget can tolerate.

4. Be realistic about timing. Things that look simple on paper can be time-consuming and costly. From surprising mold underneath a floor to removing a wall, be flexible with your time frame. Schedule the project realistically.

5. Micromanaging slows down the work. Be a part of the process, but trust us to get the job done on time. If the homeowner is hovering, the contractor will cater to the homeowner and have less time to work and to manage. Touch base every couple of days to maintain open communication.

Source; USA Weekend 1/27/12

Backsplash Makeover

Are you looking for a big impact in your kitchen without spending a lot of money? Focusing your attention on a small, but often-seen area like the backsplash (that area above the counter and below the cabinets) can change the entire look of the room without breaking the bank!

Go as traditional, fun, quirky, eccentric, or ostentatious as your personality dictates!