Kids Room Updates

Does it seem like you just went shopping for a nursery crib and now your teenager is growing out of their bed! Time flies, especially when you have children, and the ability to have furniture last longer than their clothes is often a challenge. Kid’s room decor should be versatile to adapt to their growing age, but also fun for them, as they have to live in the space. If you’re struggling to try and find furniture that doesn't have to be replaced every year, here are a few tips to grow up with your child.

Versatility goes far: One of the easiest ways to have your room grow with your child is to make their bedroom versatile. Use bunk and loft beds when kids are younger, as they grow, convert the floor area to desk and chair area. Even for college students, this is a great solution that allows you to buy one piece that is versatile for years to come. Convertible beds that convert from nursery cribs into toddler beds and then full size beds are other options to be versatile and cost effective.

Change colors with your child: One of the easiest ways to update your child’s room is with wall color. With a paint can and a paint brush, youthful children’s rooms can be updated with hip, teenage-friendly colors. If your son’s sky blue room is too youthful for him and his teenage friends, consider a modern taupe, or green palette to modernize the room and his spirits! The beauty of wall color is your child and you can quickly change the mood of the room, and decor as you both desire. Coordinate bedding, window treatments, and area rugs to bring the entire room together visually.

Create versatile activity areas: What once was the toy bin and activity table are now replaced with laptops and iPod docking stations! Other simple ways to update your kid’s room is to create activity areas that will accommodate their changing interests and hobbies. In younger children’s rooms use hanging wire systems to hang school art work. As children grow turn to playful bulletin boards, and creative organization wall systems from your favorite organization store. Find creative ways to store their school and art supplies, and adapt their look and color to coordinate with the decor as it changes.

Utilize modular furniture: Instead of buying a entire bedroom suite of nursery furniture that will have to be sold, or donated a few years later, consider using modular furniture. Modular furniture will enable you to keep a few key pieces, and swap out others as the child’s needs change. For example, a desk area can remain the same for many years, while a bed is ever changing with their size. Modular furniture also gives you the ability to mix and match colors and styles to give the room an updated look, without the pricey revamp of redoing the entire room.

Updating your kid’s rooms with their age just became easier. Look through kid’s organization catalogs from popular home furniture manufacturers to get ideas and inspiration for your home. Depending on your lifestyle and how many children share a room, and their ages will help dictate what pieces of decor can be changed the easiest. To save money, re-purpose furniture from other rooms of the home, and paint existing furniture to change with your child’s age. Life is too short to be stuck with the same decor, and your child will be an adult before you know it!

Source: Fresh Home

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.

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

Small Kitchen Makeover

Do you have a tiny kitchen, but your current setup is not working with the space you have? Here are some tips and tricks for redesigning a small kitchen for functionality and appearance:

Choose smaller appliances. European appliances tend to be thinner than US appliances, so their smaller spaces are better designed. Look for a European brand when shopping for a smartly designed dishwasher to keep all the modern conveniences with the same cleaning capacity.

Move the faucet. In addition to having a smaller basin, get rid of the faucet built into the sink and mount it to the wall.

Switch out the oven. A convection/electrical oven will allow you to double burner size with a turn of the knob instead of having burners that you never use. Opt for a narrow model, about 24", which is still wide enough for a turkey, and often has the ability to rotisserie a chicken by moving the drawers.

Chill out. Your refrigerator is the bulkiest appliance in the kitchen. Search for under-counter fridge or freezer drawers for tight spaces, or replace your existing fridge with a narrow model that may be taller.

Lay it out well. The most important space in a kitchen is the area between the cooking surface and the sink. As long as this space is at least 36” you won’t feel cramped during meal preparation. Even if the cook top has to be within 6-9” of a tiled wall, it’s good to maintain these measurements for ease of cooking

Open up. Avoid wall cabinets which can make the space feel boxed in. Instead, use floating shelves for storing and displaying dishes.

Declutter. Keep only the gadgets and items that you truly need and use on a regular basis. After all, a professional chef can whip up a gourmet meal with just basic kitchen items. You can, too.

Source: Cultivate

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:

Kitchen and Dining Room

When considering your remodeling project, think about usable space and the nature of your family's lifestyle.

For instance, do you love to cook, but there are only 2 of you in the home? It may be smarter to open your kitchen up as shown in the photo above, giving you lots of counter space, but encroaching in what was your dining room. Get rid of the dining room table formality if you don't use it or don't need it, and utilize the space in a smarter way by putting in a bar and comfortable stools for every day use.

Remodeling Over Renovating

In this economy, remodeling is booming over renovating. Read what one contractor thinks of the challenges of this process:

Remodeling a home — a practice one building-industry official likened to a tailor altering a suit while someone is wearing it — poses some unique challenges. In an environment where new is combined with existing, care has to be taken to make sure the changes fit, physically and esthetically. Workers have to be supervised more carefully. Another consideration are the owners. If they remain in the house while it is under remodeling, work must be done around them, tailored to fit their schedule. Electricians, for example, like to work early, often beginning their day at 7 a.m. Few homeowners are equipped to have workers moving through their house as they have their morning coffee or get ready for work, he said.

There is also the question of cleanup. Everything has to be put away and cleaned up at the end of each day, a task that can add hours to a job. “Remodeling is much more work, it takes more time and pays less,” Edwards said.

Bill Huffstetler, operations manager for Master Builders and Remodelers, holds a different opinion. He said his company’s main focus is remodeling, with an emphasis on repairing storm-damaged homes. “It’s what’s kept us going in this economy,” he said. But Edwards’ situation is not unique. While home construction saw some rebound earlier in the year, June and July housing starts began to show a decline. A joint release by the Census Bureau and the

Department of Housing and Urban Development calculated July housing starts at 668,000, a decline of 1.1 percent. Completions for the month were 448,000, a decline of 5.9 percent from June. August housing figures will be released Wednesday.

Source: Loan Safe

Decorate like a Kitchen Designer

Kitchens aren't what they used to be. The space formerly known as the scullery is becoming the most popular part of the house. "The hierarchy of the home has changed to become more kitchen-centric," says interior designer Mick de Giulio. "Think of the kitchen not just as the kitchen, but a room to really live in." Follow these tips from House Beautiful Kitchens contributors de Giulio and Mark Leslie to turn your kitchen into your family's favorite hangout:

Make it comfy. For a homey feel, display personal photos as art work. "It can be framed family photos," Leslie says, "It doesn't have to be an oil painting by the Masters." Bring in elements from te living room, such as comfortable upholstered chairs and tabletop lamps for a cozier space.

Make it kid-safe. Even the most beautiful kitchen can withstand kids' messes if materials have durability, Leslie says. For upholstered seating, stay away from linen. He recommends leather and Naugahyde for a polished but low-maintenance look. Quartz and marble counter tops are easy to clean, and laminate cabinetry is the most durable, de Giulio says.

Make it light. To brighten a dark space or open up a small one, think about natural light. Try hanging a large mirror over your sink for a reflective focal point. Leslie recommends scoping out your local flea market for inexpensive, quirky finds.

Source: USA Weekend

Wood Flooring

Flooring is one of the first things the eye sees upon entering a space. People touring a new house will notice furniture, but tastes vary. They will notice wall color, but that only has to go with the style of the room. Flooring is fixed and draws the eye. Here are some great reasons to install hard wood flooring in your home or property.

Resale Value

Not only are wood floors beautiful, but they increase the value of a property and are considered one of the top remodeling projects when preparing a home for sale. Even if a potential buyer dislikes your taste in carpeting, they are likely to enjoy hardwood floors. Use of hard wood flooring throughout a home can raise property value an average of 15-35%. That's a smart investment!

Ease of Maintenance

Routine maintenance is a little more than simple sweeping and vacuuming, always making sure your hardwood floors are protected from moisture and heavy wear which creates scratches. Preventive maintenance includes area rugs and floor protectors on your furniture's feet.

Ecology

Unlike most floor coverings, wood floors come from a natural resource that is sustainable. According to U.S. Forest Service statistics, almost twice as much hardwood timber Is added every year through new growth as is harvested. Additionally, there is more standing hardwood timber today than there was 50 years ago.

Health 

The Environmental Protection Agency has said that indoor air quality is one of our top health threats. Installed in the home or elsewhere, wood floors help contribute to a healthy living environment as hard surface flooring does not trap or harbor dust mites or molds, which creates better air quality, especially for the estimated 35 million Americans who suffer from allergies.

Selection and Variety

Hardwood floors come in many sizes, styles, colors, finishes and species. These many choices can compliment any home or office with style and a beautiful product that last a lifetime.

Benchmark Contracting can help you select a type of wood to fit your budget and install it for you, giving your home an updated look and raising the value of your home as well.

Source: Wood Floors Online

Universal Design

Remodeling you home for retirement may not be your concern in your 30s or 40s or even your 50s, but the new trend in home design and remodeling is focused on just that - designing your home for your current use with a focus on your future needs. This concept is called universal design.

Kiplinger suggests these simple changes to add 5% to the value of your home:

Substitute door handles for doorknobs. The handle material and design, which can match the décor of your home, will make it easier to open doors with arthritic hands.

Older folks need more light and are more sensitive to glare. Lights with extra illumination and lighting controls can be incorporated into a kitchen remodel.

European-style showers are sophisticated and don't have a lip, allowing wheelchair access as well as a way to wash plants and even the dog. You don't need to put a grab bar in the shower now -- but why not install the plates during a bathroom remodel so that a grab bar can be quickly attached later? 

Many of today's remodeling projects will be undertaken by middle-aged homeowners who are happy to stay in their home and make everyday living more comfortable. If you're one of them, remember that remodeling your home is as integral to your retirement plan as your asset allocation in your 401(k).

Dining Room Remodel

Small changes in your home can make a big impact in how the room feels and functions. If you have an open space with seating for 3 people or 10 people, these ideas may strike a chord with you:

Change the furniture to be ultra modern and create a chic space.

Add a chair rail for a contemporary feel that is still homey. More subdued colors can work with country charm or a shabby chic feel.

Utilize a partial wall for pizzazz.

Paint or wallpaper an accent wall for a striking feature that ties in metallic colors or a favorite piece of art without overburdening the room.

Utilize a wide open space for a breathable room with room to grow.

Make use of a small space with tall chairs for graceful elegance.
 

See more ideas like these at: Interholic

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.

Girls' Rooms

Continuing from our last post about cool rooms for your kids, this week's entry shows you amazing ways to showcase your daughter's room, whether she is a toddler or a teenager. Storage is key, as well as usable space to play, to learn, and to express her individual style. Built-in shelving and wardrobes set these rooms apart and could be easily done for you on a budget.

Insurance Discounts and Coverage

When it comes time for a home renovation project, think beyond installing granite countertops or knocking down walls. Think about renovating your home insurance to protect your investment.

The insurance industry suggests reviewing your coverage with your agent annually, a recommendation roundly ignored by many homeowners. Keeping your agent informed especially makes sense if you're planning a makeover, simply because there's no magic formula to determine how much a project might affect your premium.

Ed Charlebois, vice president of personal insurance for Travelers Insurance, recommends talking to your agent if you're adding to the value of your home by 5 percent or more. Explain what work you're planning and get an estimate of how it will affect your premium.

Increase your insurance coverage before the work begins in case there is loss or damage. While you're at it, make sure the contractor and subcontractors are insured for liability and workers compensation.

The most popular renovation projects are redoing the kitchen or bath. Though these jobs can run into the thousands of dollars, they often offer high rates of returns on the investment.

Installing a fire alarm system can save on an insurance premium through discounts, said Charlebois.

Another safety-related project that could save money is replacing an old knob-and-tube electrical system.

"If you completely updated your wiring — modern wiring, circuit breakers — you're probably eligible for an upgraded program (that could result in a lower premium)," Charlebois said.

Smaller projects — replacing carpet with new hardwood floors or installing granite countertops, for example — aren't cheap, but the cost isn't enough to justify a call to your agent. Those things can be taken care of in your annual review.

When you first apply for insurance, prepare to answer questions about square footage, the style of the home, number of bathrooms, the quality of your kitchen and bath (basic builders grade or is it more?). The answers help the agent calculate the replacement cost or cost to rebuild. When you do an annual review, you and the agent can catch those little improvements that add up to a significant increase in cost to rebuild.

Charlebois also recommends taking a complete inventory of what's in your home. Anyone who has experienced theft, damage or loss knows how important this record is to expedite the claims process. (The Insurance Information Institute offers tips on taking a home inventory at knowyourstuff.org/iii/login.html.)

"Keep an inventory, and keep it off sight in case you suffer a total loss," he said. "That makes life much easier going forward."

To learn more about the costs of rebuilding your home, visit travelers.com and search for "home insurance cost to rebuild."

Source: Chicago Tribune

Redo the Pool

Enjoy your yard this summer by remodeling your pool!

Add an area just for the kids with a wading section for the little ones and a fun slide.












Add an area just for the adults with a hot tub and romantic fire pit.















Make a family-friendly space with waterfalls or a sunning island.

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!

Remodeling Counter Tops

Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is a big job, but changing the look of the whole room can be done without redoing the entire place just by changing out the counter top.

Here are some things to consider, as described by Kitchen Countertops:

• Granite Countertops - Granite is the most popular choice for kitchen counter tops, especially when the size your budget isn’t a consideration. A solid quality countertop can define a kitchen. The inclusion of a granite counter top will add class to the most modest of kitchens. They are available in a number of colors and are extremely durable (although periodic sealing is usually a must). Although there is some maintenance involved, granite kitchen counter tops are elegant and timeless.
• Engineered Stone Countertops - Engineered stone is not as popular as granite but is often confused for a granite finish. Engineered stone has all the pros of granite but is probably easier to maintain (it differs from brand to brand the quality of the stone). Engineered stone counter tops are composed of quartz particles and they are available in a larger range of colors than granite – an additional benefit is a nonporous surface that is scratch resistant. Some popular brands on the market are DuPont, and Silestone. Engineered Stone is often more expensive than a granite finish.
• Marble Kitchen Countertops - Let’s get this out of the way – marble has an extremely high price tag and is not often used for countertops or indeed anywhere in kitchens. While marble is luxurious and instantly recognizable, it requires maintenance and it easily stains. Sealers are required to retard staining and scratches. Please be sure to read all of our great articles before choosing to buy.
• Solid Surface Kitchen Countertops - Solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid. Most scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone. Visit our directory for links to these suppliers. The biggest advantage with solid surface counters is the range of colors and patterns… you just have to make sure you are careful with hot pans and everyday mishaps which can leave marks and/or stains.
• Ceramic Tile Countertops - Ceramic tile is extremely durable and usually easy to clean. It’s also relatively inexpensive – a great choice for average kitchen renovators. Ceramic counters are usually installed one section at a time and most people can easily work with the materials. Ceramic finishes are excellent because they take hot pans, are easy to clean and are available in a number of different textures. The only downside is that the grout in between the tiles can be difficult to clean (if poorly designed) and the surface can end up uneven. Both of these pitfalls can be avoided with a professional installation.
• Laminate Countertops - Laminate counter tops are popular and affordable – popular trademarks Formica, Nevamar are house hold names. Laminate counters are made out of plastic coated synthetics with a smooth surface that is usually easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and then installed and finished on the ends. The biggest advantage of laminate finishing is obviously its affordability and range of patterns and colors. It’s relatively durable and easy to replace if stained or damaged.
• Stainless Steel Countertops - A contemporary and industrial can be achieved with a stainless steel counter. Stainless steel is extremely heat resistant and durable. This choice of countertop is usually constructed precisely to your specifications so you can expect a seamless finish. While they are easy to clean, they can also appear clinical, they are noisy, very expensive it’s difficult to modify the fabrication yourself.
• Soapstone Countertops - Soapstone offers a beautiful finish - it is generally dark in color and has a smooth and welcoming feel. Popular among historic homes (particularly among renovators) it is a great finish for both countertops and can be used as sink material. The biggest pitfall is the regular maintenance soapstone requires: applications of mineral oil will help prevent cracking over time.
• Wood or Butcher Block Countertops - Increasingly popular wood countertops offer a rustic look and are available in a wide range of finishes and timbers. Hardwoods such as oak and maple are often used as kitchen countertops. One of our favorites, wooden counters can be sanded and resealed and the look fantastic, although they require a small amount of care. They can be damaged by water and stains overtime and need to be oiled or sealed – instructions and maintenance will vary from hardwood to hardwood and among manufacturers.
• Concrete Kitchen Countertops - If your kitchen is an unusual shape and you require a very specific shape then a concrete counter might be a great choice (although the elevated price tag may be beyond most budgets). There are lots of advantages: it can be color tinted, it can look fantastic in the right setting (industrial) and new finishes mean that a concrete counter will almost never crack. On the downside, cracking is possible and the finish can be quiet porous (although it can be sealed).

Of course, you also have to consider what kind of feel the room should have: modern, classic, country, comfortable, chic? And your personal style.

Latest Project - JothiVita Ayurvedic Spa & Wellbeing Center

We love our customers and wanted to show you a few pictures of our latest finished project that we were hard at work on for the JothiVita Spa in Hollywood.

For the rest of the album, click Here.