Month: October 2012

A Great Range for the Kitchen and How to Easily Fix a Common Pesky Light Fixture Problem

When one of our clients wants more features in a range than the average one offers, I always recommend the GE Cafe Free Standing Stainless Steel Dual Fuel Range. Along with a great look, it features a Convection Bake 5.4 Cu Ft Oven Capacity, Baking Drawer, Self-Clean Oven, Non-Stick Griddle, a 20,000 BTU Tri-Ring Burner and seven rack holding positions. All these features enable you to cook in most any fashion in large volume, or just a simple meal. I think the price is a great value. Most upper end ranges that offer the same features can easily run twice as much as this one, which can typically be purchased and installed for less than $3,000.00. Read more

The Artful Science of Color Selection

One of the most frustrating parts of a remodeling project can be the color selection process. When remodeling a kitchen or bathroom—where walls, cabinets, flooring, wall tile, hardware, countertops, sinks, toilets, and bathtubs all play into the final look—selecting the colors and textures can become a daunting task.

It’s not daunting to our Design Coordinator, Stephanie, who says there is a science to the selection process. And it is a process, because every decision about the color and texture of one of the surfaces affects the other surfaces, which in turn affects the overall appearance of the project. Getting all the surfaces to work together to achieve a desired appearance and feeling from the room is an art as well as a science. Read more

Master Bathroom Remodel and Tips on Bathroom Design

Here are some tips if you are planning on remodeling a bathroom:

  • Figure out a way to do a total remodel rather than a partial one. If you do a little here and a little there, you will always have a bathroom that needs remodeled, and it will cost a lot more if and when it ever gets completely finished.
  • Don’t be afraid to move walls and fixtures. If you look at an overview of your bathroom floor plan, you will see it’s just a box with the various bathroom components set in the space. Most of the time the layout is just fine, but sometimes, moving things around makes sense in order to rid the space of any annoyances.
  • Have fun with the design process. Collect pictures you run across of bathroom features that you like. This collection of pictures will reveal the overall look you want, and will help the designer and contractor make sure you get the bathroom you are dreaming of.
  • Hire a professional designer. Even if you have a good sense of color and just know what you want, an experienced bathroom designer will be able to tie it all together and have the answers the contractor is looking for to ensure a smooth and successful project.
    • Read more

    New Windows and Video Surveillance Systems


    Check out the windows we are installing on a current project. Along with the benefit of energy and noise reduction, they give a great fresh and open look! Simply changing the configuration and style really makes a difference.

    Thinking about new windows?

    • Talk to Charles at Nix Window and Door www.nixdoor.com.
      They have a great showroom. He can show you all the options, and help you pick the right windows for your home.
    • EPA baseline energy efficiency is fine in most cases. Anything else generally won’t make a big enough difference to warrant the cost.
    • Be wary of “window salesmen with a great deal for you!” Great deals with window installations usually mean shortcuts and hidden charges. Stay with brand-name windows made by companies who have been in business for an extended period of time.
    • Have us come out to provide design ideas and to give you the cost of your project.

    Video Surveillance Systems

    The recent advancements in technology have made video surveillance systems user-friendly and much more affordable than you would think. For most homes, a four-camera system can view all the entry points to your home and be installed for a surprisingly affordable cost. One of the neat features is to integrate it with your TV. If the doorbell rings or you hear a noise outside, one or two pushes of a button on your remote and you can see what’s going on outside your home. Another great feature is that you can view your home video surveillance from your smart phone, no matter where you are. Read more

    Fairmount Community Garden and Big Snakes in the City


    This week we are building a shelter for the Fairmount Community Garden. This garden was nationally recognized recently when Fairmount was named a “Neighborhood of the Year” by Neighborhoods USA. http://www.nusa.org/PDF/2012NUSA%20Broch_Ltr.pdf

    The gardens’ success stems from a host of hard-working volunteers, the City of Fort Worth, and donations from companies and individuals. If you haven’t been to the Fairmount neighborhood in a while, you should visit. The charm of the neighborhood is really coming back—many of the homes have been remodeled and rebuilt under the watchful eye of the Fort Worth Historical Society—and Magnolia Avenue is filling up with some great restaurants and shops. Be sure to visit Old Home Supply for a historical home supply treasure hunt. http://www.oldhomesupplyhouse.com/ Read more