NORTH EAST The owners behind the popular Chefs Kitchen restaurant are planning to open a second restaurant at the site of the former Paradise Grill in North East.

The restaurant, which will be called Snatchers Creekside Grill, will serve food similar to that of Chefs Kitchen, though an exact menu has not yet been decided. Snatchers will be managed by Lynn Bollinger, a 15-year veteran of the restaurant industry who currently serves as the front of house manager at Chefs Kitchen and is a part-owner of the business.

Bollinger told the Whig that Chefs Kitchen decided to open up a second restaurant after the owners of the property at 510 W. Main St. approached them. Eric Polansky, who owns the property as part of EJP LLC and also operates B&H Auto Parts, is a frequent Chefs Kitchen customer, she said.

Chefs Kitchen, which was opened in 2015 by Michael Fuggitti, serves classic American fare at its location at 2240 W. Pulaski Hwy. Bollinger has worked at Chefs Kitchen for two and a half years and she said the Snatchers kitchen will be run by someone from Chefs Kitchen.

But before Snatchers can open, the restaurant needs a liquor license and Bollinger took a step toward that when she appeared before the North East Board of Appeals Thursday night seeking a special exception for the purpose of obtaining a beer, wine and liquor license. The board approved the request, which Bollinger called wonderful news.

Weve been waiting for it, she said.

While Bollinger doesnt intend to do any remodeling before Snatchers opens, she said an opening date has not yet been determined pending approval of a liquor license from the county.

Though Bollingers request was unanimously granted by the North East Board of Appeals, it came with five conditions, which had largely already been hashed out during a two-hour session with the towns planning commission earlier this month.

The need for the conditions seemed to stem both from the restaurants location near a residential area and from the past history of complaints received when the Paradise Grill was located there, rather than from any concerns about the Snatchers management.

Its a new owner. I think the planning commission has done due diligence on this and I think at this point we need to give the new folks the benefit of the doubt, said Gabrielle Oldham, chair of the board of appeals during the meeting.

The first of the five conditions granted the restaurant extended hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday with the stipulation that the closing hours represent the end of entry for new patrons but not the end of service. Bollinger told the board that she doesnt initially intend to serve breakfast at Snatchers because Chefs Kitchen does very well in that area but wanted to leave that option open for the future.

Secondly, music from Snatchers cannot be audible from any adjoining property past 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and past 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Third, the restaurant cannot use the words bar, pub, tavern or sports bar in its either its name or sign. While the restaurant was initially called Snatchers Creekside Bar and Grill, Bollinger dropped the bar part after learning bars are not allowed in town.

Fourth, if the planning office and the North East Police Department receive three valid complaints about the restaurant, Snatchers is required to reappear before the planning commission and board of appeals to reevaluate its permission for extended hours. Finally, Snatchers must appear before the commission and board annually to continue to review the operation of extended hours.

No one spoke against the special exception for Snatchers and quite a few people spoke in favor of having a new restaurant at the location, since Paradise Grill, which first opened in 2007, has now been closed for months.

Eric Polansky told the board he interviewed many applicants in order to find a tenant for the property and believes Bollinger will bring a lot of people to the neighborhood, noting hes eaten at Chefs Kitchen since it opened and always had a good experience. Acknowledging that Paradise Grill started to go down toward the end of its tenure, Polansky said he believes Snatchers will turn things around.

Being empty isnt going to help the community in any way, he told the board. As the rent comes in, Ill fix the place up and do anything I can.

Doreen Casimir, who lives in Victoria Park, a retirement community near the restaurant, said shes heard from many people in the community that are looking forward to having a restaurant re-open at that spot. And while she appreciates the boards conditions on the music from the restaurant, she actually wishes it could be a little louder.

I used to sit in my apartment and try to listen, she said to the laughs from the board.

Read more:
Chef's Kitchen owners to open second restaurant - Cecil Whig

Prepping your house for sale is necessary to get top dollar, but dont sink too much into a property thatll soon not be yours.

Aside from general house cleaning, organizing and staging, here are some of the top midrange home improvement projects that yield the best return on your investment, according to Remodeling Magazines 2017 Cost vs. Value Report:

Fiberglass Attic Insulation: A home thats warm in the winter and cool in the summer is often taken for granted, but not every house is insulated properly. If you suspect yours has issues, have an insulation pro inspect the attic floor to make sure its sealed to prevent air leakage.

Then cover it with fiberglass loose-fill insulation until the proper R factor for your climate zone is achieved.

The R-value measures the insulations ability to resist heat traveling through it the higher the value, the better the performance. A minimum value of R-30 is recommended. Cost recouped: 108 percent

Steel Entry Door Replacement

If your entry door is faded or damaged, swap it out for a new version. Consider taking it up a notch by adding glass panels alongside or in the door. For a consistent look, try matching the new door with the garage door and/or the shutters. Complete the look with new hardware in a modern finish. Cost recouped: 91 percent

Manufactured Stone Veneer: The classic look of stone is a top trend in todays market, and if youre able to incorporate the look in your homes exterior, itll be worth it. There are a couple ways to get the look of a stone house, including replacing the existing vinyl siding from the lower portion of your homes street-facing facade. You can also use the stone veneer to highlight an archway or porch columns. Cost recouped: 90 percent

Minor Kitchen Remodel: If your kitchen is dated, certain updates can help attract buyers. Just keep it neutral.

Potential buyers want to picture themselves cooking and enjoying the space; they dont want to be distracted by your ceramic rooster collection or wine-bottle wallpaper.

Replace or reface the cabinet surfaces and hardware, and make sure the appliances are energy-efficient and match. Replace laminate countertops with a neutral-colored stone (granite or quartz are popular) and update the flooring if necessary. Cost recouped: 80 percent

Garage Door Replacement

The garage door can have quite an effect on a homes overall appearance. If youre stuck with a builder-grade garage door, upgrading to a more stylish model is worth consideration.

You can choose from steel, glass, wood, faux wood or aluminum doors that come in modern, contemporary or classic looks. Cost recouped: 77 percent

Original post:
Tips to Get Top Price When Selling a Home - Valley News

After 20 years of column-writing, I needed a fresh source of humor, so I decided to have the kitchen remodeled.

Doing it myself would have been the richest source of material, but actuarial tables predict I will live only another 18 years, which wouldnt have been nearly enough time to get it done.

So I turned over the remodeling to a professional, confident that merely disassembling the existing kitchen would be plenty inspirational. It was.

Do you know what an appliance garage is? Its a countertop enclosure meant to hide toasters and blenders.

I found that if I lay on my back on the countertop, with my feet supported by a ladder and my head and shoulders inside the appliance garage, I could gain access to the screws that stubbornly prevented me from removing it.

And because those screws were, oh, Id say2 feet long, I had plenty of time, while twisting, to ponder why we need to hide appliances behind a door anyway. Were talking about toasters here, not a countertop toilet.

Having removed the garage, I turned, with my sons help, to moving the refrigerator. I thought sliding it across the floor would be the hard part, but no. The hard part was disconnecting the water line for the ice-maker.

As we headed to the basement to turn off the water to that line, my wife said, Dont break the valve.So we gently twisted it. Then we roughly twisted it. Then we took a wrench to it. And then we broke it.

We arrived breathless at a hardware store just minutes later. Yes, said a clerk, we have what you need to cap that flowing water line. "Good," I replied. "Because this means I wont have to get divorced."

Not until I had demolished the kitchen did I fully realize how central it was to life. It wasnt just a food storehouse. It also held utility bills, pizza coupons, Lipitor, pliers, wind chimes, school photos, wedding invitations and the Worthington trash pickup schedule.

I still find myself instinctively heading for the familiar locale, then circling aimlessly like a migratory bird searching for recognizable geography in a barren wasteland. Occasionally, I forlornly cheep something like, Where is the cheese grater?

Of course, the wasteland will soon be replaced by a new kitchen, which will shift the challenge to forming a new mental map, a slow process for me.

I can pretty much guarantee that I will put yogurt in the oven for at least a few years before the refrigerators new location is firmly imprinted on my brain.

In fact, for humor purposes, I'm counting on it.

Joe Blundo is a Dispatch columnist.

jblundo@dispatch.com

@joeblundo

Go here to read the rest:
Joe Blundo: Kitchen remodeling job is already cooking up some ... - Columbus Alive

Mader Designs

Bright Green

Interiors experts predict that a cheery shade of green will be present in home dcor, fashion and interior design this year. Named the 2017 Pantone Color of the Year, Greenery is meant to embody refreshment and revitalization.

Jewel Tones

Not to be outdone, Benjamin Moore named a rich, deep amethyst called Shadow their color of the year. Jewel tones such as ruby and emerald are included on the 22-color palette they recommend pairing with this hue.

A New Navy

Whether you want to paint an accent wall in a living room or add a dramatic new color to kitchen cabinets, navy blue is the new black. Pairing well with both traditional and modern dcor, navy complements almost any color scheme.

The Perfect Non-Color

Chalky white and bone white are the counterpoints of choice, with an organic, natural look that is anything but flat.

Subways and Sofas

Subway tile, which has dominated trendy kitchen and bathroom remodels for several years, is still going strong. Classic, durable and affordable, its also a versatile design medium that can be accented with different colors of grout, or applied in elaborate graphic patterns. Regarding sofas, overstuffed furniture is out; right-sized pieces that dont dominate an entire room are preferred.

Accent Butterflies

Believe it or not, butterfly patterns are appearing more and more as a home design motif. Symbolizing grace and optimism, the butterfly is a whimsical addition to rooms via wallpaper, prints and art pieces.

Craftsmanship Returns

In the era of Pinterest and an explosion of instructional videos, TV shows and magazines, trend makers are moving back towards artisan-crafted items in home dcor rather than rough hewn, do-it-yourself projects. Think more refined, less rustic.

Fashionably Faux

Homeowners and designers increasingly use faux materials to replace wood, marble, leathereven foliage. Not only are these alternatives more budget-friendly, they are often more durable, and its getting harder to tell the difference between a fabulous faux and the real thing.

Dane County Designer Experts

If youd like to work with a local interior design professional, there are some talented experts in the area who specialize in making spaces both functional and beautiful.

Located in Middleton, Mader Designs creates complementary environments for clients while enhancing the charm and usability of their spaces. Owner Stephanie Mader says, We handle all aspects of commercial and residential design projects from start to finish, including installation. Our relationships with manufacturers give Mader Designs the buying power to be a purchasing agent, which is a big benefit for our clients. And whether theyre interested in historical or contemporary styles, or something in between, we can craft a look that will appeal to any client.

Mader says she is seeing a lot of brass and gold finishes, and a mix of metals paired with marble, in current designs for the home. She echoes the current enthusiasm for green. Green is definitely an it color right now, she says. It works well with neutral and wood tones, while adding zest. Bright, vibrant greens also help bring a touch of nature inside. For wall coverings and accessories, she recommends continuing with the green theme by adding a tropical print to the room.

Her business also includes flooring. Herringbone or chevron patterns are on trend, in wood, tile or luxury vinyl, she says. Other popular products include wood-look ceramic tiles, reclaimed wood floors, concrete floors, and large-format tile. To really make a space sing, Mader is all about embellishments. I love lacquer, fur, velvet, iridescent metallics, silk, lace, mirrors and embroidery, she says. These elements bring shine and texture to any space. And lighting is my favorite part of the room. I like to say its the jewelry of the home.

Heading into 2018, Mader predicts that jewel tones will continue to gain popularity. These tones include dark teal, midnight blue, black, peacock and emerald. Along with pops of color, were going to see a lot of neutralswhites, grays, camel, blush pink and copper, she says.

When Mader works with a new client, she typically begins the design conversation with a phone call to get an overview of the project. Then I meet with them in the space and its really about asking lots of questions, she says. I learn about the clients style and needs, and really try to understand how they think. I listen and observe and get a clear understanding of the scope of the project, along with the timeline and budget.

A currentif unexpectedremodeling trend can be found in the part of a home that has typically been ignored. Remodeling is just hot right now in general, but jazzing up laundry rooms and adding high style to them is so popular, Mader says. People are carrying the same high-end finishes from the rest of their home into the laundry area. Im seeing granite, marble, glass tile, and custom built-ins to add functionality. Clients are even adding chandeliers!

Office spaces, by necessity, demand a different aesthetic, and Mader Designs is experienced in making those spaces both functional and beautiful. With our commercial background, we are able to provide project management skills, reliable subcontractors, and competitive product pricing, Mader says. I also like to push the envelope with each space I work on, to create a unique look using products from vendors around the world.

In office design, Mader predicts that millennials will continue to influence design direction, with emphasis on brand colors and faceted architectural features, combined with a bold planning concept for vibrant spaces, she says. Raw loft-like spaces with open ceilings, low-wall cubicles and standing desks continue to be very popular, along with upscale break rooms. Employers are realizing that offering staff a place to relax and socialize in the workplace actually enhances productivity and job satisfaction, she says. I am seeing phone booths, game rooms, meditation rooms, coffee and snack bars, beer coolers and wine fridges, casual rooms for congregating and watching sports, and even napping rooms in workplaces, she says. Building owners are also adding fitness rooms as perks for their tenants. Environmentally speaking, Mader says LEED and the WELL Building Standard certifications are also a priority for companies.

Mader worked in the fashion industry for more than a decade before opening her own business, Mader Designs. When her family relocated to Madison from Milwaukee, she decided it was time for a change. I was already using my design background to help my husband with commercial real estate projects, she says, and I had flipped several homes over the years. So we took a two-week vacation and I called all my contacts from the beach and announced my new venture.

Mader says the variety and creative challenges inherent in her work are the best parts of the job. Every morning is something new. I get to experiment, grow, take risks, break rules, and have fun, she says. Sometimes I make mistakes, but in the end I am waging war against ugliness, one space at a time!

Jerry Schmidt describes his familys business, DreamHouse DreamKitchens, as a complete design, selection and remodeling firm headquartered in Madison. Schmidt, a sales representative with the company, notes that DreamHouse DreamKitchens offers an enormous selection of cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets, and many other finishes. Experts work with clients to build the kitchens, bathrooms, lower levels, entertainment rooms, and master suites of their dreams. Were a one-stop shop, Schmidt says, from full 3-D colored renderings to our staff carpenters on site, we have all the products youll needplus all the experience and expertise in-house to get the work done right.

Currently, the design team at DreamHouse Dream Kitchens is busy with updates to kitchens, bathrooms, and the lower levels. We are also working on building-out several condos in the Madison area, Schmidt adds.

In terms of ongoing trends, Schmidt sees many of his clients choosing wood flooring, both sand-in-place and pre-finished. Using wood flooring through several areas of the home consistently makes the spaces feel bigger, rather than breaking it up from room to room, he says. People are also tiling entire walls of their bathrooms, which makes the room feel bigger and more like a spa. Textured tile is also fun to work with. People like the feel of something a little different and the products give the space depth. Schmidt also notes that polished brass is on the way out in fixtures, while brushed brass is in.

From an interior design perspective, Schmidt says concrete countertops are making a comeback in kitchens, but quartz is also gaining popularity, since there are so many new color options available. Theres also strength and consistency of pattern in quartz, since it is an engineered material. The color gray is still very big in cabinetry, for both painted and stained wood, although white remains timeless. In addition, large islands are still in high demand since they allow for in-kitchen seating that lets everyone hang out while dinner is being prepared. In other parts of the home, barn doors remain popular, although Schmidts team often advises clients to get the barn-door look, while using more timeless materials like a stained wood or glass panels.

When potential clients come to DreamHouse DreamKitchens, they are encouraged to think big. We really focus on complete projects, says Schmidt. We want to form a relationship with the customer and create something special. We have a comprehensive dream team that can take your project from start to finish. When people want something special, we want them to think of Dream.

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SPECIAL PROMOTION: Home Decorating Trends - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3

A kitchen makeover in a three-level town house has won a Washington area Contractor of the Year (COTY) award for Michael Nash Kitchens and Homes.

The design solution in which the primary living area of a 17-year-old townhome has been reconfigured and upgraded was executed in the residence of Christina Gee and Ryan Watkins. The home is located in Merrifield's Mosaic District.

The project has been named a best-in-category Grand winner for Kitchen Remodeling in the $30,000 to $60,000 range by the metro DC chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

In accepting the prize, Michael Nash president and founder Sonny Nazemian praised his company's innovative design culture which contended with difficult space planning and interior design challenges while staying entirely within the envelope of the home's 800-square-foot second floor.

Increasing usable living space in a town home is always a tricky, especially when there are structural issues, Nazemian observed. To meet the owners requirements, we had to remove a bearing wall on the second floor of a three-level townhouse. Other contractors declined to even bid on this assignment, so we're pleased with the highly functional new space plan and the exceptional interior design.

For the owners Gee and Watkins (who are both professors at George Washington University), the search for improvements began almost three years ago with a simple assessment of goals and priorities.

The house is appropriately-size for our family, and the easy commute to work via the metro made our decision to remodel an attractive consideration. Watkins says. Our main goal was to make better use of existing space. We wanted functional improvements, but also a comfortable in-kitchen dining area and a warm, distinctive interior design.

Early on, the couple began researching ideas online always keeping an eye out for the building professional who got their vision.

Ironically, the Michael Nash showroom was only a few miles away, Christina Gee says. I had been researching on Houzz (online) for quite a while, but Michael Nash offers a significant display of finish-work ideas. The staff designers gave us relevant insights whenever we asked. Also, we were attracted to the fixed price policy.

Price became a particular advantage as other remodelers competing for the bid learned that the couple's plan would entail structural changes.

Two other contractors wouldn't commit to a fixed price arrangement because of the structural change we wanted, Ryan recalls. A friend had told me that the lack of a fixed price contract on his kitchen upgrade several years ago ended up coming in at 20 percent higher than the original quote... so we were pleased with the cost transparency we were offered.

Sonny Nazemian adds:

Effectively managing the budget on our client's behalf has always been a critical part of our process. We offer a portfolio of finish-work options at-cost, but we also only use our own workers, and our design team stays ahead of trends.

One of the project's earliest phases focused on what remodelers call discovery i.e., assessing existing systems and how well they function, or don't.

We looked closely at how the primary activity zones on the second level were built-out. Nazemian recalls. Not surprisingly, we found a lot of misallocated space, and the consequences of that.

For instance:

A comparatively small part of the kitchen allocated as a family room contradicted the larger call for an open, kitchen-centric floor plan where everyone could get involved in cooking;

The wall separating the kitchen from the dining room/living room completely blocked the flow of natural light from the east-facing rear of the house to the living room in the front, making both rooms feel smaller;

Despite the need for more storage, ceiling-flush bulk heading in the kitchen wasn't necessary and severely restricted cabinet height;

Because the second floor lacked front-to-back visual continuum, it didn't work well when entertaining a distinct problem when one invites 20 to 30 students and colleagues over to socialize.

To create an open plan in the middle of a three-level townhouse, designers deleted a bearing wall between the kitchen and a formal dining area, insinuating an I-beam supported by concealed vertical shafts to bear the weight of the floors above.

The opening made way for a counter surface and three-seat dining counter that faces in towards the kitchen. The counter is especially well-situated for clean-up and service but is also a convenient dining and gathering spot.

Better yet, the change invites more natural light and visual continuum from front to back.

To gain kitchen floor space, the team removed a pantry and oven stack, and relocated the refrigerator to the newly surfaced south wall.

Owing to strict building codes, the possibilities for an open plan in a townhouse are still being discovered, Nazemian adds, yet the change can significantly improve quality of life without changing the basic footprint.

On a similar note, deleting unnecessary bulk heading allowed for taller cabinets and custom cubbies. Roll-out shelving proved to be a handy space-saver.

There are custom cubbies for favorite pots, dishes and glassware, a special drawer for fruits and vegetables, and a drawer for exotic teas. At the stove, an under-cabinet pull-down shelf with light is a perfect place to mount a cookbook while preparing a meal.

The built-in efficiencies make the room feel larger. Because of the two counter-height surfaces, the whole family can participate in kitchen duties at the same time.

Notably, Gee and Watkins were especially conscientious in pursuing finish-work choices. The couple visited four or five granite shops recommended by designer Oliver Nazemian, eventually choosing river rock granite they specified for two surfaces in the kitchen and a new fireplace surround. To keep the shine down, the river rock has been leathered. Overall, the couple explored a range of offsetting colors and textures that would make the room lively, yet balanced.

We had always appreciated the natural beauty of the rocks we had seen in Hawaii when we were first married, Watkins recalls. The dark granite reminded us of this, and the warm wood tones are a perfect complement. Also, the curved wood of the Kichler Grandbank chandelier provides an effective mid-room element.

The new space has worked particularly well when entertaining.

Six can dine on the deck; another eight to 10 at the counter-height kitchen table, Christina says, The front-to-back sightlines make it easy to stay connected to anyone in the room. It's a really pleasant place to spend time with others. We're very happy with it.

For information, call (703) 641-9800 or go to MichaelNashKitchens.com

John Byrd has been writing about home improvement for 30 years. He can be reached at (703)715-8006, http://www.HomeFrontsNews.com or byrdmatx@gmail.com

Continued here:
Townhouse kitchen renovation wins grand 'Contractor of the Year' honors - Fairfaxtimes.com

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Winning recipe: Murrysville kitchen a pretty place to eat, cook, entertain Pittsburgh Post-Gazette So they bought it in 2010, knowing they'd eventually get around to remodeling the kitchen. The results of the couple's two-month renovation project last summer made them winners of the PG's Renovation Inspiration Contest, younger residential category ...

Continue reading here:
Winning recipe: Murrysville kitchen a pretty place to eat, cook, entertain - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After 20 years of column-writing, I needed a fresh source of humor, so I decided to have the kitchen remodeled.

Doing it myself would have been the richest source of material, but actuarial tables predict I will live only another 18 years, which wouldnt have been nearly enough time to get it done.

So I turned over the remodeling to a professional, confident that merely disassembling the existing kitchen would be plenty inspirational. It was.

Do you know what an appliance garage is? Its a countertop enclosure meant to hide toasters and blenders.

I found that if I lay on my back on the countertop, with my feet supported by a ladder and my head and shoulders inside the appliance garage, I could gain access to the screws that stubbornly prevented me from removing it.

And because those screws were, oh, Id say2 feet long, I had plenty of time, while twisting, to ponder why we need to hide appliances behind a door anyway. Were talking about toasters here, not a countertop toilet.

Having removed the garage, I turned, with my sons help, to moving the refrigerator. I thought sliding it across the floor would be the hard part, but no. The hard part was disconnecting the water line for the ice-maker.

As we headed to the basement to turn off the water to that line, my wife said, Dont break the valve.So we gently twisted it. Then we roughly twisted it. Then we took a wrench to it. And then we broke it.

We arrived breathless at a hardware store just minutes later. Yes, said a clerk, we have what you need to cap that flowing water line. "Good," I replied. "Because this means I wont have to get divorced."

Not until I had demolished the kitchen did I fully realize how central it was to life. It wasnt just a food storehouse. It also held utility bills, pizza coupons, Lipitor, pliers, wind chimes, school photos, wedding invitations and the Worthington trash pickup schedule.

I still find myself instinctively heading for the familiar locale, then circling aimlessly like a migratory bird searching for recognizable geography in a barren wasteland. Occasionally, I forlornly cheep something like, Where is the cheese grater?

Of course, the wasteland will soon be replaced by a new kitchen, which will shift the challenge to forming a new mental map, a slow process for me.

I can pretty much guarantee that I will put yogurt in the oven for at least a few years before the refrigerators new location is firmly imprinted on my brain.

In fact, for humor purposes, I'm counting on it.

Joe Blundo is a Dispatch columnist.

jblundo@dispatch.com

@joeblundo

Continue reading here:
Joe Blundo: Kitchen remodeling job is already cooking up some humor - The Columbus Dispatch

By Kara Hallissey | Jun 22, 2017

(June 23, 2017) From heating and air conditioning to plumbing, kitchen and bath remodeling, O.C. Home Services in Ocean Pines provides a multitude of essentials for homeowners.

We try to cover everything from the roof to the crawl space, said Fred Showacre, who owns the business with Chris Pugaczewski. We utilize our own labor that way customers are dealing with one contractor for all their needs.

One of the reasons we moved to Ocean Pines [from Salisbury in April] is the part-timers and summer rentals, he continued. They can call one contractor and know we will go out and look at the problem or fix the leak and clean up the water rather than calling multiple companies.

O.C. Home Services also offers interior and exterior home or condominium renovations including decks, porches, cabinets, windows, floors, doors, bathrooms, additions, drywall and paint.

Sewer main replacement and cleanup, draining services, professional drying, mold remediation, restoration and disaster cleanup are additional services available through the home improvement company.

Our employees are trained in their technology fields and in customer service, Showacre said. We want to make the situation right and are constantly dealing with problems. We are committed to 100 percent customer satisfaction.

O.C. Home Services employees spend a couple hours each week on technical and customer interaction training.

It is important for us to spend the time and money for training and certifications, Showacre said. Communication is important. Letting customers know what is going on and how much it is going to cost so they can make their own educated decision. I think they appreciate our professionalism and the respect we bring to each interaction.

All 32 employees are licensed, insured and must pass a drug screening and background check before being hired.

They offer 24-hour emergency services, complimentary estimates, no overtime fees, longer warranties and upfront pricing.

The home improvement company serves customers in Worcester and Wicomico counties in addition to Sussex County, Delaware.

O.C. Home Services in Ocean Pines is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although 24-hour emergency services are available.

O.C. Home Services is offering $50 off any drain cleaning service, $250 off a sewer main replacement, $75 off Wi-Fi thermostats, $100 off well-pump replacements and $500 off a complete kitchen remodel until June 30.

For more information, check out http://www.ocservice247.com. Call 410-860-6888 or 302-330-8300 to schedule a service or free estimate.

Continued here:
OC Home Services moves from Salis. to Ocean Pines - Ocean City Today

Submitted by Don Doman

When we planned our kitchen remodeling twenty years ago we considered going with tile floors, but a friend said, Why? Every time you drop a glass or dish it will break. We went with vinyl and every time we dropped a plate or glass and it broke I kicked myself of listening to my friend. The next time we remodeled, our son installed tile floors. We still love our tile floors. We use oriental carpets to add additional color, contrast, and warmth.

Memories easily become part of a mosaic.

Man has been using tile in decorating floors, wall, and counters for thousands of year. If youve ever visited cities along the Mediteranean youve probably stood in awe at ancient Greek or Roman mosaics on walls and floors. The beauty is as impressive today as it was centuries ago.

Adding tile invigorates ?nt?r??r and ?xt?r??r spaces, creating beautiful accents that impress visiting friends and h?l? you l??rn to love your home again. We have all seen ?v?r? kind ?f wall art brought to l?f? ?n b?thr??m?. T?d??, we bring ideas for improving your home design ?nd d???r?t?ng with tile in other areas of your house. H?m??wn?r? n?w?d??? are no longer content with ordinary looking tiles. In fact, the use of tiles has blurred the transition between m?d?rn and traditional with a new interpretation ?f tr?nd ?nd ?t?l? with versatile design possibilities. By joining t?g?th?r the tiles of different styles, patterns and ??z??, ?n? ??n create a number of interior decorating designs.

Two thousand year old mosaics still look beautiful today.

Decorating with tile gives ??u ?n almost unlimited range of patterns, ??l?r? and materials. The most difficult task may b? t? decide what kind of beautiful tile best suits ??ur l?f??t?l? and decor. Tile is one of the oldest and most traditional ?f bu?ld?ng materials, but it can also look totally modern, d???nd?ng on the type of tile you select, the surfaces ??u use ?t for, and the way its ?n?t?ll?d. You can even add Southwestern, A???n or African accents w?th a carefully selected tile.

Long gone are the days when the only ?h???? f?r tile in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room w?? wh?t? t?l? with white walls. Using multiple tiles in a room ?ll?w? you to be creative with the d???gn. B? u??ng multiple tiles you can come up with your own ??r??n?l design. The sky is the limit in what you ?r??t?; ju?t be sure that what you have designed ?r th? tiles you have put together are exactly what ??u want b?f?r? having them professionally ?n?t?ll?d. There are multitudes of sources offering inspiration. There are hundreds of ?t?l??h ?????b?l?t??? when it comes to wall tiles. From modern brick-shaped M?tr? T?l?? and captivating Moroccan designs, through to lavish natural ?t?n?? l?k? tr?v?rt?n? and slate. A winning wall favorite is the staggered, mult? -levelled slate splitface t?l?; ??rf??t f?r breathing new life into an old wall space.

Tile has also become so v?r??t?l? that you can literally use tile that ?? m?d? to look like brick in showers, kitchens and even in w?n? cellars. U??ng brick tile/ stone tile as a backdrop saves money without ???r?f???ng th? h?gh end look you might be trying to achieve.

Modern tile and counters blend in with your past and your future.

Local tile expert Darren Helbling of Tile First, explains When people come to us, we listen to their needs and wants . . . and budgets of course. We offer them logical, feasible options. Tile lasts for ages and we wish the same for our clients. First-time customers continually become our long term customers time and time again. We may not be related, but we want them to feel like were family. Just as our tiles and counters, we also become part of their home.

Think tile is just for ?nd??r?? Th?nk again! Using tiles to cover an ugly ?utd??r deck ????l? ?nd instantly changes the look from drab t? fabulous. An?th?r quick and easy project for older homes with raw edge m?rr?r? ?? u??ng tiles to frame the outside of the mirror. In an instant you can change th? l??k fr?m outdated to up to date.

Compared to many other hard ?urf????, most tile is reasonably ?r???d, l?ng- lasting, durable and easy to clean without periodic ??l??h?ng ?r ???l?ng. T?l? is also flexible because it comes in so many shapes and ??z??, fr?m tiny one-inch squares to giant 12-inch b? 24-inch r??t?ngl??. T?l? surfaces can add beauty, style and durability to your h?m?. Th?? ?r? ?? versatile and come in so many choices that ??u ??n create almost any look and mood. We took this to heart when we hired an artist to add color and interest to our deck . . . and it wasnt even close to being ugly.

Fashion Designer Istvan Francer says, I appreciate history, but you have to bring your own experience into your rooms. I agree. Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love, adds Nate Berkus, Interior Designer. We hired an artist to create a window-sized mosaic on an exterior wall that gave not only a northwest-Puget Sound flavor, but incorporated pieces of my wife, Peggys favorite pitcher that had shattered years before. It reminded her of her childhood. She kept the blue and white pieces in a drawer. Her memories and those broken pieces are part of our home.

Continue reading here:
Memories of Home and Decorating With Tile - The Suburban Times

A Brightwaters veteran and his family have just receiveda partial home makeover through a behind-the-scenes organization calledMake It Count.

The [members of Make It Count] have every reason to spend their time living lavishinstead they spend their downtime doing what they did for us and giving away their moneyand time to see veterans live out the American Dream we risked our lives for overseas, said recipient of the makeover, LorenzoBono, a U.S. Marine who served from 2012-16.

The mission of theorganization is to provide housing, education, and healthcare to those who have served in the military, says Mark Sagliocca of Make it Count.

The organization is run by six board members in total, all of whom have different backgrounds.

My expertise is as a land developer and general contractor, said Sagliocca. While our founder, Jon Reese, is more of aWall Street financeguy.

Together the grouppools its skills and backgrounds together to give back to those who fought.

The remodeling work at 450 Peters Boulevard all started with a plate of dinner at Primi Italian Steakhouse in West Islip.

Sagliocca was eating dinner with fellow Make It Count members when he overheard the owner of Primis, Frank Bono, talking about his veteran twin brother and his brothers new home.

Thatbrother wasLorenzo.

Right when I heard he was from Brightwaters my eyes lit up because the Lions Club wanted to donate to someone in the Bay Shore area, said Sagliocca.

Thats when Make It Count sent over an e-mail to Lorenzo that had him scratching his eyes in disbelief.

When I got thee-mail from Mark talking about renovations, I just couldnt believe it, Lorenzo explained. I yelled out [to his wife], Babe, come here! Am I reading this right?'

Sagliocca explained his organizations work is made possibleby donations from places like the Lions Club, as well as individual donors.

125% of our donations go towards renovations, said Sagliocca. The reason we can do that is because we have virtually no overhead.

According to Make It Count,most of the workers, from demolitionist to plumbers, who work inthe house donate their time and expertise.

Sagliocca and his team completely flipped the Bono familys bathroomand kitchen on the main floor, installing all new appliances, cabinetry, flooring, and much more.

They bought this beautiful home and it just needed a shot in the arm, said Sagliocca.

Lorenzo told GreaterBayShore there were times when he caught himself welling up withtears as the renovations took place.

It felt like itwasnt even real, said Lorenzos wife, Samantha.

To see my wife in the kitchen like this withmy [two] kids it made me as a man, father, and asa husband feelbeyond amazing, said Lorenzo.

They never asked for help, but Make it Count soughtthem out.

We pushed ourselves on Lorenzo and Samantha because its our duty as citizens to give back, said Sagliocca.

Scroll down for before and after photos.

Nick Esposito is a Long Island native who studied journalism at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue. He's a huge fan of sports and storytelling. If you have story ideas please e-mail him at nick@greaterpatchogue.com.

Originally posted here:
'Make It Count' group helps remodel vet's new Brightwaters home - greaterlongisland.com (blog)