From a back road near Havre de Grace in Harford County, an enclave of five residences and a few outbuildings sits off to itself in an open field.

This is the Hicks family compound, where 37-year-old Billy Hicks lives, surrounded by the homes of his parents, his sister and her family, his cousin and her daughter, and his uncle.

Hicks' house is an unimposing framed Colonial with a center bay gable built of stone at the end of the long, tree-lined family driveway. Small and compact, it was originally a garage, renovated over the years for several members of the Hicks family at various stages of their lives.

In the summer of 2010, Hicks' uncle, machinist Bill Ellis, gutted the entire two-story structure and rebuilt it to his nephew's specifications. What resulted was a contemporary bachelor pad Hicks is proud to call home. He took possession of his new digs last May.

The total renovation cost approximately $200,000, and because he wanted a completely fresh and modern look, he spent an additional $12,000 on furniture and accessories. Employing Adrianne Kotula, lead interior designer at WPS Paint & Decorating Center, the two decided on a masculine, modern decor.

"Billy was a fun client for me to work with because I had a design aesthetic that I was going for since day one, and he was totally on board," Kotula said. "I came up with a design and color scheme that he liked, and we had fun along the way, adding great accent pieces."

Within 2,600 square feet on two levels to work with, she mixed cool gray colors with more neutral shades of taupe and tan while adding pops of color such as navy and chartreuse. Interior finishes include stark granite countertops and flooring of cement gray tiles and dark hickory.

In an interesting architectural twist, the typical layout of the first and second levels are switched. Two bedrooms, each with a full bath, are located just off of the first-floor center foyer.

A central staircase of hickory with metal cables ascends to an open living area approximately 40 feet deep and 60 feet wide. A 20-foot vaulted ceiling adds to the spacious look. The kitchen, living room, powder room and a bump-out sunroom are on this second level, which is larger and brighter than the bedrooms below.

"My favorite room is the kitchen," said Hicks, proprietor of the Outback Steakhouse in Bel Air. "It is open [with] hand-made cabinets made of cherry wood, by a company called Custom Cabinetry [Unlimited] in Leola, Pa."

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Surrounded by family, a place to call his own

Bathroom Remodeling Company San Jose Ca Bay Area (925)-448-9335
Bathroom Remodeling San Jose Ca Bay Area (925)-448-9335 San Francisco at http://www.ExpressionsPro.com Expressions Pro focuses on quality home improvements all through the San Francisco ...

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Bathroom Remodeling Company San Jose Ca Bay Area (925)-448-9335 - Video

402.896.9670 | Kitchen Remodeling | Omaha Kitchen Design | DIY
What are my Kitchen Design options? Is DIY Kitchen Design easy? Should I reface my Kitchen Countertop or replace Kitchen Cabinets? Kitchen Remodeling or Kitchen Re-Design, What is it going...

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402.896.9670 | Kitchen Remodeling | Omaha Kitchen Design | DIY - Video

Hinsdale, IL 60521 | Kitchen Bath Remodeling Contractors
The Kitchen Master is proud to offer Hinsdale homeowners complete kitchen remodeling and interior home design services. http://www.thekitchenmaster.com/areas-we-serve/hinsdale/ For unique,...

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Hinsdale, IL 60521 | Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Contractors - Video

Kitchen remodeling can be an expensive and taxing process. As a homeowner, you cant be entirely sure that youll get your moneys worth if you decide to spend thousands of dollars completely renovating your kitchen. Rather than gutting the room and starting over, why not do smaller projects? You can change up the look and feel of your kitchen for less than the cost of a remodel -- and youll still get a new room for a fraction of the cost. Here are some small-scale kitchen renovation projects that will pay you back in spades: (To read about varying approaches to home renovation, see article: 4 Types Of Home Renovation: Which Ones Boost Value?)

1. Add a fresh coat of paint.

Rather than knocking out the walls and starting fresh, take a few steps back. Look at the condition of your walls. Depending on their current state, you may spend considerably less to add new patterns and designs to the existing walls. You might also refresh them with a few coats of paint. Paint gives you the ability to personalize or update your kitchen, depending on how old it is and how much wear and tear it has endured over the years. The cost to paint a kitchen will vary, but expect to pay between $350 and $600 on average.

2. Find creative storage solutions.

Unless your kitchen is completely cramped, theres a good chance you have unused existing space where storage could go. Consider installing open shelving in tight areas where appliances may not fit. You could also move bigger appliances such as the refrigerator a few inches to the left or right to open up space for cabinets or shelving.

If your pantry is looking particularly crowded, reorganize it and see about installing lazy susans or spinning spice racks to open up more space. These are inexpensive options that open up space and make the kitchen easier to work in.

3. Add decorative accessories.

To enhance your kitchens design without removing its existing pieces, consider investing in decorative accessories. Some pieces you might add include:

There are a variety of accents you can add to your kitchen, depending on its design and your budget. You can always speak with an interior decorator about what best suits your space. Decorators usually have access to sources homeowners dont, so you never know -- they might find that perfect piece for your kitchen!

4. Update the light fixtures.

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Tips For Maximizing The Value Of A Kitchen Touchup

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Before you up and remodel, you might want to know a few of the remodeling trends happening. The key to remodeling is to make sure your changes fit the market trends and buyers desires so you can recoup your investment when you sell your home.

According to the Remodeling 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, if you remodel your bathroom you can expect to make back about 70 percent of the cost when you sell. A mid-range remodel costing $16,724 would only add $11,707 to the resale value of a home in the current market, found the survey.

Moving to the kitchen, a major overhaul could get you about 67.8 percent of the cost. A midrange kitchen remodel totaling $56,768 could add a whopping $38,485 to the resale value of the home, reports US News & World Report.

The cost to value recouped on both remodeling jobs went down this year, with the bathroom job dropping 2.5 percent and the kitchen remodel decreasing 6.4 percent.

Before changing anything, check out your home with a buyers eye. Advises, Dawn McKenna, real estate broker at Hinsdale, Does it have high ceilings? Does it have good bones? Is it in a good location? If the floor plans are worthy, you should update your kitchen and bath because you will reap the rewards at resale time. If your house is priced and marketed properly and it looks like a 10, it will sell significantly faster.

And when you do remodel, use only quality products and styles that are timeless. Think not only about your needs but what current buyers are seeking.

For example, for kitchen, consider opening up the space and let it encompass a family room. Consider adding an island with a breakfast bar. Also think about adding a technology station with lots of outlets in your kitchen where everyone canrecharge their electronic gadgets and cell phones.

Everybody wants an open kitchen-family room. They will do without a living room, and some people will even forego a dining room, McKenna says.

In the bathroom, buyers now want larger shower spaces with such perks as aromatherapy steam showers and large rainwater shower heads, among other things.

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Consider Buyer Trends Before You Do An Extreme Home Makeover

Gap, PA (PRWEB) March 30, 2015

Gateway Building Concepts is experienced with all forms of interior and exterior renovations. The services the company specialize in include, decks, additions, kitchen remodeling, interior renovations, exterior renovations, bathroom remodeling, basements, pool houses and much more.

The redesigned logo is a fresh modern look designed by the owner of the company. It includes two geometrical lines that represent the engineering aspect in construction. The design was thought out to be used with many things associated with the company. The new logo was simplified but is also eye catching and the simplicity will make it easily recognizable. It was designed based on a compass; a symbol of Gateways commitment to guiding its customers to their perfect remodeling.

Dan Stoltzfus, the owner of Gateway Building Concepts, has been in the construction industry since 1986. He began with framing houses for 13 years and started his own business in 1999. Gateway Building Concepts expanded to work on all forms of interior and exterior renovations. The companys mission is to provide customers with the highest value of services that meet or exceed their expectations. Gateway Building Concepts is a member of Keystone Business Network (KBN) and pledges to the Code of Ethics.

To learn more about Gateway Building Concepts and its services, visit: http://www.gatewaybuild.com

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Gateway Building Concepts, Experts in Interior and Exterior Renovations, Introduce a New Logo Design

Chantilly, VA (PRWEB) March 30, 2015

Moss Building and Design, a home remodeling company in Chantilly, VA, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Ladson as an addition to the MOSS Sales team.

Lisa comes to MOSS with over 25 years experience in commercial, institutional, and residential design and holds a Master of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining the MOSS team, she worked as a consultant on MOSS projects for four years.

At MOSS, Lisa will work as a Sales Consultant focusing on kitchen and bathroom design. On each project, she will customize designs to fit the needs and personalities of each client. Through her designs, Lisa believes in a strong design process and timeless appeal to achieve a harmony that is both beautiful and functional.

It is both Lisas personal qualities such as attention to detail to her strong business background that Vice President of Sales, Dave Greksouk sees as a great MOSS asset: Her addition to the team greatly strengthens our kitchen and bathroom offering and further positions MOSS for steady, predictable growth. Lisas customer-centric attitude, result-oriented mindset, and personable demeanor make her a natural fit for our organization.

Through its growth, MOSS continues to meet the remodeling demand in Northern Virginia from additions to handyman services with a staff dedicated to putting the customer first no matter the size of the project.

Homeowners wishing to learn more about MOSS remodeling services in Northern Virginia, including additions, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and home services, or who would like a free consultation, are encouraged to contact MOSS or visit the company website at http://www.mossbuildinganddesign.com.

About Moss Building & Design and Moss Home Services:

For home improvement in Northern Virginia, you can count on Moss Building & Design. Moss Building & Design and Moss Home Services are an award-winning residential remodeling and home services company located in Chantilly, Virginia.

Since 2001, MOSS has established a reputation for excellence in remodeling additions, kitchens, bathrooms, basements and home services throughout Northern Virginia. Their customers see them as a trusted partner, and MOSS is very proud of their exceptional 70% repeat customer and referral rates.

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Northern VA Remodeling Company Appoints New Sales Consultant

Safehouse Contracting Inc Kansas City MO 64157
http://www.localedge.com/b31187838/Safehouse+Contracting+Inc?type= Do you dream about transforming your basement into a man cave? Could the hotel you own use some minor renovations?

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Mitsu Yasukawa/Staff Photographer

Kristina Phillips in the remodeled kitchen of her Ridgewood home. The kitchen features Shaker-style cabinets that have flat, clean lines. The microwave? It's below the counter. "I just didn't want to see it," she says.

Clean lines. Sleek design. Cool colors.

Features on a new model car?

Peter Rymwid

A kitchen in Englewood completed last summer by Peter Salerno Inc. contains many of the elements trending this year: island seating, Caesarstone quartz countertop, white cabinets with Shaker doors, a ceiling fixture featuring Mason jars, and a backsplash of glass and porcelain tile.

Creative Kitchen & Bath

A Wyckoff kitchen done in 2014 by Creative Kitchen & Bath showcases the trends breaking this year: quartz countertops and a marble backsplash.

No some of the hot design trends for kitchens in 2015.

Softer colors such as gray hues and white and Shaker-style cabinets have been bubbling up for the past couple of years and are among the top wants in new kitchen designs. Backsplashes are playing a big role, as are more informal seating and charging stations in the kitchen. And try looking up: Ceilings are increasingly standing out in the design mix.

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Hot design trends for kitchens