On May 16, 2012, the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan (BIA) announced the launch of Made In America, Built In Michigan – The Red, White and Blueprint for Economic Recovery. The program is a grass roots effort to generate local jobs by working with BIA member companies to build new homes using as many ...
Pinterest is a new but very exciting platform that can lead you to great ideas and even help you find great services for your current or next home. The picture shown here caught my eye today. First, the way the light plays off the arbor and the stucco walls — combined with the shadows — ...
In the past few years, battery-operated lights, particularly candles, have become an even better decorating alternative with the introduction of LED technology. The flexibility offered by battery operated LED candles even far surpasses that of first generation of battery candles with their screw-in “Christmas light” bulbs. Probably the best feature is one of safety. LED ...
(Guest Post written by our friend Gladys Fuentes) My son’s best friend from high school just got a professional baseball contract to play out in Texas. My son went to visit him last week with some of their other high school friends as sort of a reunion. Of course my son thought that his friend ...
As gas prices continue to rise, many folks I talk to are considering home improvement projects focused on their backyard. In fact, this trend is growing nationwide and is referred to in some circles as “outdoor living.” I was recently at a Spring Home & Garden Show that highlighted a large number of landscapes and ...
(Family Features) From June to Sept., roses add a special flourish to yards, gardens and public parks throughout the U.S. But for many gardeners, tending roses may seem intimidating. With 23 years of experience, Jamie Shiffer, head gardener at Hershey Gardens in Hershey, Pa., knows a thing or two about cultivating a beautiful rose, in ...
(Guest Post by Todd Hallett, AIA, President of TK Design & Architecture) Everybody loves a little extra Garage space. Custom home clients are requesting anywhere from three to six car Garages on a fairly regular basis. Having this many spaces can create challenges however; the extra spaces must look great, function properly and fit on ...
(Family Features) A beautiful landscape doesn’t happen on its own. You can help your lawn, trees and shrubs get off to a healthy growing season. “Trees and shrubs add tremendous appeal to our urban home environments, but to thrive, particularly out of their natural world, they require regular care with added nutrients and protection against ...
This weekend, I was searching for top kitchen trends and a perennial favorite came up … stainless steel kitchens. While that wasn’t too surprising, the following design feature offered some intriguing possibilities: stainless steel mosaic tiles. Based in Ontario, Canada, MetalStainlessSteelTiles.com exclusively offers literally any style of metal mosaic tiles designed to bring a unique ...
(Thanks to Olga Quinn) Mom and I have been looking into ADT South Franklin for her house because I worry about her being out there all alone. I really wish I didn’t have to but since dad died I worry about her being lonely and really jus not safe out there – I keep trying ...
While it’s March and still cold in the Midwest, thoughts of summertime are easy to come by, wishing for warm, sunny days. Sometimes I think of childhood memories … neighborhood friends getting together to spend a hot July afternoon and a seemingly endless day swimming, diving, jumping and playing Marco Polo until dinnertime. Fast forward ...
(Family Features) Ever wonder how designers make the rooms you see in magazines or on decorating shows look so good? It doesn’t always depend on paint colors or fabric choices. From fresh and airy, to intimate and cozy – and everything in between – lighting sets the tone of a room and should be an ...
Taking care care of your pool is not nearly as difficult as it may seem from first blush. With that said, starting out without any experience can make taking care of a pool a bit overwhelming. When we bought a house with an in-ground pool, it was our first time as pool owners. During our ...
Looking for a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to increase your home’s curb appeal? Consider adding a house address plaque to your exterior. Whether it is attached to your house or placed as part of your yard decor, address plaques can provide a unique visual element that sets you apart. I got the idea ...
Today, I spent time researching carpet cleaning chemicals, specifically looking for “green” alternatives that are not harmful to the environment and safe for children and pets. My search results included The Steam Team in Austin, Texas (http://www.thesteamteam.com/). Interestingly, right under their “Carpet Cleaning” menu item was a menu item labeled “Green Services.” Clicking through to ...
(This is a guest post from Doris Dillon.) My whole life changed when my son was born. Before he was born I always told myself I wouldn’t be one of those overprotective dads, but as soon as I saw his precious face I knew that would be impossible. I knew my single friends would probably make fun ...
An educated shopper is a smart shopper. This especially hold true in the world of hiring and working with contractors to make improvements to your home. As you interview potential contractors, being able to understand the terminology they use can help you avoid miscommunication and ensure a smoother remodeling experience so you and your family ...
Homeowners can help their families and guests get in the holiday spirit right at the front door. Since many people view their entryway as a sign of the quality of their home, the holidays are the ideal time to show it off. A festive holiday entry can be the home’s focal point and serve as ...
The new 30-page FRESH Home Exterior Colors guide is now available online to help homeowners, remodelers and builders select the perfect colors for the exterior of the home. Written by national color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, the free downloadable tool is designed to make it easy for people to choose color palates that ...
If you’re a person with a penchant for seasonal decorating, why not fashion the interior of your home with change in mind? By planning ahead, you can make it easy to modify your surroundings to be seasonally-or even holiday-appropriate. To accommodate changing décor, you should paint your walls a light neutral color, such as ...
Protect Your Deck Now (Family Features) Colder temperatures, snow, and ice can do some damage on the exterior of your home, especially to wooden decks. Harsh winter weather can deteriorate the wood, ruin the look, and depreciate the value of your deck. Take extra care of it now so that your deck is in tip-top ...
There’s been alot of matrimony talk lately. From the saccharin sweet royal wedding to the much publicized split between J’Lo and Marc Anthony – some marriages are meant to last while others fade away. The marriage that excites Todd Hallett, AIA, CAPS of TK Design & Architecture (save for his own of course) is the ...
Making your “Man Cave” is as much about decorating the hideout, as it is about installing the finishing touches that make life easier. “Traditional cabinet storage doesn’t usually provide easy access to items stored in the back of bar cabinets and entertainment centers,” says Al Williams of ShelfGenie in Southfield, Michigan. “It used to be ...
Get Temporarily Trendy…There are certain nursery items that you will be able to change out easily as trends evolve and as your child grows and expresses him or herself. Trying to keep up with the latest color trends? Add a pillow and throw to your glider or buy some homemade or purchased wall art as ...
According to the National Association of Home Builders, as America struggles with complex economic challenges in the wake of the Great Recession, longheld principles have come under intense scrutiny. Some policymakers even suggest that homeownership and housing choice should no longer be national priorities. This is in direct opposition to the beliefs of most ...
Who Are Today’s Homeless? According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), between 700,000 and 800,000 people are homeless on any night in the US, with between 2.5 and 3.5 million people experiencing homelessness during the course of a year. More than one million of them are children. Research indicates that – of the ...
(Marketwire – 05/30/11) – (Family Features) As America’s economy strengthens, remodeling and home renovations are on a rise. “Homeowners are looking for ways to refurbish their stream homes, rather than shopping a new property,” pronounced Sarah Reep, executive of engineer family and preparation during KraftMaid Cabinetry. “From simply adding a new faucet to totally gutting ...
This blog post is the first in a series which will outline the 10 key principles of Lean Design. Before we begin, you may be asking yourself: “What is Lean Design?” “The concept of lean architectural design is often misunderstood,” according to Todd Hallett, AIA, CAPS and President of TK Design & Architecture, Inc. “Elimination ...
The Building Industry Association (BIA) of Southeastern Michigan’s 2011 Parade of Homes is a FREE, scattered site exhibition of new construction model homes open for you to visit. We invite you to tour these outstanding homes built by the Professional Master Builders of the BIA.Whatever your plans for your existing or future home, research from ...
The Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK) is proud to present its 21st Annual Parade of Homes, June 3rd through the 11th. This is a great event for anyone looking to gain ideas for their current home, or wanting to buy or build a new home. This year’s Parade features 32 new homes, seven ...
Home ownership is an important part of the American way of life, and there may never be a better time to buy than today.According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), today’s market provides: Outstanding Opportunities: With the country still emerging from the recent recession, many people are wondering if this is a good ...
Removing soffits can make a HUGE difference in your kitchen by providing storage that once was lost. This according to Kristen Shellenbarger, designer for Midwest Cabinet & Counter, Inc. “Typically in a remodel, my motto as a designer is: if something can live in a soffit, it can live just as easily inside a taller ...
The Spring 2011 Detroit Home Magazine Special Design Awards issue hit newsstands in April. Our friends at Lombardo Homes, longtime members of the BIA of Southeastern Michigan, received both second and third place awards in the “New Model Home” category. The second place award winner is a model at Partridge Creek Village in Clinton Township. ...
As Spring arrives, the National Safety Council (NSC) and the Window Safety Task Force encourage adults to recognize the importance of practicing window safety year-round. This is the perfect time to remind all households that open windows can be dangerous for young children who are not properly supervised. While the number of falls from windows is ...
Skillful interior decorating is largely an artistic endeavor, but there’s some science involved also, and none more important than the psychology of color. “Color psychology can help you choose paint colors that create the right mood in a room, affecting not just your own feelings, but those of everyone who enters it,” according to Debbie ...
Is it really possible to gain 40% more space from an existing closet or storage area? “Yes it is possible, and maybe more,” according to Jo Golda of Jo’s Cleaning & Organizing. “Depending on the closet or storage area, the proper designed layout and the products used to reorganize that closet, doubling the amount of ...
According to Fibrenew, these are the top five party stains to leather furniture and hints on how to (or not to) clean them: 1) FOOD OR WINE STAIN DON’T use window/mirror cleaner because it contains alcohol which will dissolve and destroy the surface coating on your leather. DO use a damp towel to wipe up ...
Open floor plans, energy-efficient features, and lots of closet space are among the elements that today’s home buyers are seeking in newly-constructed homes, according to industry experts at the 2011 International Builders’ Show sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders. The research and trends presented at the show offered valuable insights and information to ...
The Novi Home Improvement Show, held January 28-30, featured a special “man cave” exhibit, designed to show men how to create their ultimate sanctuary. The exhibit, presented by Newmyer Remodeling and Spire Integrated, included the latest design, theater and home automation trends. The design of a “man cave” usually varies based on the interests of ...
The concept of “aging-in-place” is simply allowing people to continue to live in the home of their choice safely and independently as they get older. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), modifications for aging-in-place is the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry. According to an AARP “Fixing to Stay” survey, ...
Adding trim moulding to your home is a cost effective way to make it look more luxurious, according to Helen Velas of Eleni Interiors. There are lots of types of trim, like crown mouldings and ceiling beams, to name just a couple. If you are handy enough to do the work yourself, you will find ...
According to the National Association of Home Builders, Americans overwhelmingly oppose any action by Congress to tamper with the mortgage interest deduction, but it could be eliminated or scaled back as Congress and the Administration are looking at tax increases in light of deficit concerns. The consequences would be devastating for home owners, the housing ...
If you are still trying to decide whether you want to move from being a renter to a home owner, what are you waiting for? According to the National Association of Home Buyers, housing affordability is at an all-time high and interest rates are at 50-year lows – the perfect combination for today’s home buyers. ...
According to the American Society of Interior Designers, even if you’re not ready for a major remodel, make safety a part of your next home spruce up. Here are some tips from Lisa Bonneville, FASID, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., the author of an ASID book on designing a safe home. 1. When replacing bedding, select natural ...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency enacted a new rule for professional contractors in April 2010 to help keep small children safer from the dangers of lead dust exposure. If you live in a home built before 1978 and you’re contemplating any work that will disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square ...
Energy efficiency is all the buzz right now — it is not only earth-friendly, but it can also be friendly to your wallet. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), by combining two strategies – curtailing energy use and investing in efficiency improvements – you may create more long-term benefits both environmentally and ...
Here are some more ways to add value to your home: Replace Old Windows. Thirty percent of a home’s energy is lost through its windows. Replacing old windows with energy-efficient ones signals to home buyers that you really care about the house and it reflects on the quality of the house as a whole. Plus, ...
If you’re like most of us, the “Great Recession” has probably had a major impact on both your spending habits and your lifestyle. However, when it comes to home remodeling, there’s at least one project that’s still affordable for nearly everyone: interior painting. If you plan to do it yourself, the Paint Quality Institute’s 10 ...
Does your home, patio, deck or yard need a new look? Maybe you’re hoping to improve your home’s efficiency and cutting back on energy costs by adding “green” materials. If this or anything else related to your home is what you’re looking for then the 2010 FALL REMODELING & DESIGN EXPO is the perfect place ...
To make sure your home stays safe and healthy for you and your family, you should regularly check, clean and/or test a wide variety of interior and exterior systems and structures. According to the National Association of Home Builders the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a Home Maintenance Checklist that you can ...
There’s a lot of talk about now being a good time to buy a new home. From the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), here are the Top Five Reasons to buy a new home now: 1. Great Selection. With so many homes on the market, you can get the features you want! 2. Energy ...
