We have gone a little over a year without any additional projects in the kitchen. After staying in a vacation home that had a high-end built-in coffee maker, we decided to add one more.

We really liked the Miele coffee & espressp maker, but at $2400 or more, it's pretty much a budget-buster...

After doing some searching online, the cheapest built-in unit we could find was $1800. Free-standing units with the same features run $700 to $1500, so we decided to go with that option, hoping to spend less than $1000. My DW doesn't want it to sit on the kitchen counter, so we will build an in-wall coffee center. This will hold the machine, canisters for beans and cups, and it will pull out for easy access.

The only place available in the kitchen is on the wall outside the pantry as shown below. It can sit between the pantry door and the fridge, and push back into the pantry shelves.

Here is the concept picture...

I will need to move the display shelf up 4 to 6 inches and frame out a box. At present, I think the cabinet will be 18" high, sitting 36" off the ground. This will take up about one and a half of the pantry shelves on that wall, which really isn't that much. I hope to build and install this over the Christmas to New Years holiday. If any of you readers have had a good or bad experience with automatic coffee & espresso makers, I would appreciate you leaving a comment. I am currently considering one made by Bosch...

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10k Kitchen Remodel

A shelter for homeless women and children in Rapid City has six months to prove its residents won't be a bother to their soon-to-be new neighbors.

An exact date isn't set, but the Cornerstone Rescue Mission will be moving its women and children's home from the current Columbus Street location just southwest of downtown Rapid City to a larger building at 301 Fox Run Drive along Fifth Street on the south side of town.

The home serves as transitional housing for homeless mothers some of whom are court-ordered to live there and offers safe but temporary shelter as they work, find jobs or study new career paths and ultimately establish permanent homes elsewhere.

"These are folks who are just trying to move on with their life," Cornerstone Rescue Foundation President Jim Castleberry said.

Relocating the home, however, has not gone unnoticed by its new neighbors, with 133 residents living near the new location having signed a petition against the facility's operating in the midst of their neighborhood. The Rapid City Council recently approved the move with a unanimous vote.

Given the protest, however, the council's vote also imposed a six-month trial period for the new location among other stipulations meant to make the facility less intrusive on the surrounding community.

After six months, the city's Planning Commission on May 7, 2015, is expected to review the home's operations and whether neighborhood concerns have persisted.

Since a move-in date hasn't been established, a second trial period may also be granted to give the home a full six months of operations, according to the city's Community Planning and Development Services Department.

Meanwhile, Cornerstone Rescue Mission will wait for Regional Health, the current tenant at 301 Fox Run Drive, to relocate its medical-supply facility, Castleberry said.

Once the building is vacant, he said, the organization will begin remodeling it to fit its needs. "So, it will be a while yet," Castleberry said.

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Women, children's home has six months at new location

EPS Foam Insulation | Madrona Passive House
http://www.hammerandhand.com Lead carpenter Eli Semke details the installation EPS foam insulation at the Madrona Passive House in Seattle, WA. --------------- Hammer Hand is a Portland...

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EPS Foam Insulation | Madrona Passive House - Video

LEHIGH ACRES, FL -

The Salazar family of Lehigh Acres is home for the holidays, but they're coming home to a house much different than the one they left a week ago. An organization called Builders Care, along with Lennar Homes, chose the family for a remodel after hearing their story.

Jack Turner, Director of Construction at Lennar said: Last Tuesday afternoon, we were tearing out flooring and carpet and this afternoon we were cleaning and presenting the home.

Hugo and Maite Salazar were expecting a few changes here and there, but when they walked through their front door they barely recognized their own home.

The couple moved into the house nine years ago as newlyweds. They had two children Daniel and Daniella, but soon Daniella's health took a turn for the worse. The five-year-old is blind and uses a wheelchair. She also suffers from severe seizures and brain damage.

Just to wake up in the morning or to go to the store, everything is a challenge, explained Maite Salazar.

Their home had limited accessibility for Daniella, but now it has brand new wood floors and ramps. Builders Care also remodeled the home's kitchen, added landscaping, new furniture, fixed up the pool in the backyard, and even created a Batman themed room for Daniel.

It took more than 150 people a week to make it all happen. In the process, they changed the Salazar family's lives for the better and made this Christmas one they'll never forget.

Hugo Salazar said, Complete strangers come in and just bless your lives with their talents. It is an amazing, amazing feeling.

This Builders Care project marks $3 million spent in construction services since 2005.

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Builder's Care project remodels Lehigh family's home

Schwarzbier and sauerkraut fans will soon have a spot to raise their steins and bellow "prost!" in downtown Boise. Prost German Pubs, which owns four German-themed concepts in Seattle and two in Portland, Ore., plans to open a seventh location, Prost Boise, on Eighth Street adjacent to Red Feather Lounge. Part-owners Missy and T.J. Sayles recently relocated to the Treasure Valley to run the German pub, which has a projected opening date of March 1, 2015.

"I worked for the owner of Prost for six years in Seattle before I moved to California with my husband," said Missy. "My husband has done several of the remodels, as well as one of the original build-outs in Portland. We just had a baby and we were wanting to move to a new place where there were more recreational opportunities."

Prost Boise will only serve imported German beers, including iconic brands like Bitburger, Hofbrau and Paulaner, along with rotating rare and seasonal selections.

"We'll have some wheat beers, lagers, ales, pilsnersall classic styles," said Missy. "Obviously we don't do any IPAs or anything like that; they'll all be German handles."

Prost plans to serve its German beers in the traditional glassware.

"We have the proper glassware for the actual drink, so for instance, if you order a Kostritzer lagerwhich is like a Schwarzbier, one of the dark onesit will come in the proper Kostritzer glass. But you can get either a 0.3-liter, a 0.5-liter (which will be somewhat comparable to an American pint) or you can get 1 liter."

In addition to 11 or 12 tap handles pouring imported German beer, Prost Boise will offer an array of German bar food. Since the space has a small kitchen with no hood, Missy and T.J. also plan to utilize the pub's Eighth Street-facing patio to grill up sausages.

"We'll have bratwurst, bratwurst sandwiches, liverwurst pate, a Brotzeittellerwhich is an assortment of meats and cheeses with rye breadwe'll have beet salads, potato salad," said Missy. "It's pretty standard German fare. ... We're wanting to step it up a little bit, too, with making some specials once a week with local produce that has a German flair."

T.J. will be doing the build-out on the space, which will include wooden flourishes and shared community tables.

"It's dark wood, warm and cozy and just feels like an awesome neighborhood bar," said Missy.

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Prost Boise Brings German Fare to Eighth Street

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage is eyeing a new location in Boulder.

Developer Equity Ventures Commercial Development and the Lakewood-based grocer submitted a site plan to build a 16,600-square-foot store in place of the former Olive Garden restaurant at 2685 Pearl St., according to documents filed with Boulder's Planning Department.

The proposed organic grocery would be almost twice as big as Natural Grocers' existing location at 2355 30th St., where the grocer has operated for 16 years. The site plan documents do not indicate whether the proposed store would be a relocation for the 30th Street site, a homey market that sits a couple hundred feet from Whole Foods' comparably gigantic 79,000-square-foot store.

The proposed store is about 0.4 miles west of Natural Grocers' existing location, which is owned by Realty Income Corp., according to Boulder County property records.

Officials for Natural Grocers declined to comment Tuesday, and officials for Equity Ventures Commercial Development and Realty Income Corp. could not be reached.

As she loaded bags of groceries in front of Natural Grocers' sole Boulder store on Tuesday, Boulder resident and loyal customer Heather Baines said she would welcome a larger location.

"This store is cozy," she said. "If we get to spread out a little bit more, then I'm all for that."

Baines, 40, said her family moved to Boulder three years ago from Evergreen, where Natural Grocers operated a newer location.

"This one is due for an update," she said.

As part of the proposal submitted to the city, the existing 9,300-square-foot former Olive Garden would be razed and replaced by a 16,600-square-foot building that would sit closer to Pearl Street. The new building would have a first floor totaling 15,500 square feet and a 1,100-square-foot mezzanine for office space.

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Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage plans new Boulder store at Olive Garden site

Blue Marlin Realty Group is proud to feature the newest townhome community, Destin Oaks, coming to Destin, Fla., in 2015. The premier townhome project is the brainchild of Blue Marlins Broker Associate and Destination Builders Inc., President John Cunningham.

Having both built and sold real estate in and around Destin, Cunningham has lived through the cyclical nature of the market.

We have seen it all. From watching the market slow to an all-time low, to now having a strong demand in real estate and new construction in our area. Its very encouraging to me not only as a Realtor, but also as a builder, Cunningham explained.

As a company, Destination Builders Inc. saw a serious need for a community like Destin Oaks in the area. There is a lack of new construction at this price point and Cunningham and his team are excited to be a part of developing such.

There is nothing new available in Destin, under $300,000 right now. We think the demand is there for buyers at this price point to be able to get into the city of Destin, he said.

Although Destination Builders had looked at purchasing the land in the past, Cunningham is no stranger to the 5-plus acre property located on Airport Road. Formerly home to the Destin Racquet Club, Cunninghams mother managed the Racquet Club for a little more than 10 years while he was growing up in the local area.

The project will have 60 premium townhomes available with three different, three bedroom plans with the options of an office, garage, or game room, ranging in size from 2,000 to 2,300 square feet. Each townhome includes an open main living level with large kitchen, spacious bedrooms, and access to the communitys amenities including clubhouse, pool and common areas. The community is also conveniently located near area shopping, golf and attractions. The townhomes base price will begin in the high $200ks.

Destination Builders recently broke ground and began the communitys initial infrastructure. After receiving appropriate permitting from the city, Destin Oaks is anticipated to have units available to move in, Spring of 2015. Those interested in learning more or setting up a viewing during construction can contact John Cunningham directly at 850-246-5646.

We are proud to have John as a part of the Blue Marlin Realty Group team. He is a great builder, a fantastic realtor and most importantly an incredible person and will be very successful because of that. says Blue Marlin Realty Group Co-Broker, Johnathan Hughes.

Destination Builders Inc. specializes in a number of services including residential and commercial new construction, customs homes, remodels, renovations, expansions, and build-outs. Whether it's a dream house or corporate real estate, Destination Builders Inc. has the skill, expertise and talent to exceed your expectations. By working with award-winning teams of architects, land developers, designers,and supporting staff, you can rest assured that your project is in good hands with Destination Builders.

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Destination Builders Inc., Blue Marlin Realty Group partner on Destin Oaks project

Raleigh, N.C. (PRWEB) November 30, 2014

Residents in the Historic Oakwood neighborhood in Raleigh have been decking their halls for four decades, inviting Triangle families to tour of some of the areas grandest homes. The public is invited to celebrate the holidays at the 43rd annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14.

Advance tickets are on sale now through Dec. 11 at http://www.historicoakwood.org.

The Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour is a cherished part of many families annual holiday traditions, said Ellen Nightingale, event chair. The tour includes homes of all sizes and styles from different eras all brimming with holiday cheer and decorations.

The 43rd edition of this tour offers a glimpse inside 12 area historic homes decked out for the holidays. Homes on this years tour range in style from Queen Anne cottages to Neoclassical Revival and Italianate residences. Tour homes feature unique design elements that include elaborate woodwork, original fireplaces and vintage lighting as well as contemporary floor plans, kitchen remodels and even a home with an elevator.

Ticket holders tour the community at their own pace in any order. Each home is staffed with docents who offer information about the rich history of the property and community.

Visitors to the Tucker House, 418 N. Person St., will be treated to musical offerings from The Oakwood Waits, Raleighs Dickens-era-costumed vocal ensemble. During tour hours, attendees can also relax with complimentary cookies and cider at The Tucker House, the site of the tours gift shop.

Each year, the tour is held in honor of a local organization. For 2014, the neighborhood is partnering with the City of Raleigh Fire Department. Over the years, numerous residences have been saved from fire damage and neglect thanks to fire department response efforts and the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood. Candlelight Tour proceeds benefit area nonprofits.

Group ticket rates are available. Day-of tickets will be available at The Oakwood Inn, 411 N. Bloodworth St., and at The Tucker House, 418 N. Person St.

About the Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour The 43rd annual Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour offers a chance for Triangle residents to walk through some of Raleighs oldest and most ornate homes. The self-guided tour features different homes each year, and visitors can tour them at their own pace. Get a glimpse of past tours on the Oakwood Facebook page. Parking and other information can be found online.

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Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour A Holiday Tradition For 43 Years

Burger bar sets Marchopening

Owner Josh Hissong says his new downtown Spokane burger place is expected to open in March 2015, in the Michael Building at the corner of Lincoln Street and Sprague Avenue. Thats the site of former restaurants Travos andAgav.

The Burger Lab was his first choice when he earlier announced plans for the spot. A name change took place after he tested Burger Lab and found it didnt grab potential customers, hesaid.

Its now called Knife Burger Bar (knifeburger.com). It may be a little cheesy, but every burger will

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Owner Josh Hissong says his new downtown Spokane burger place is expected to open in March 2015, in the Michael Building at the corner of Lincoln Street and Sprague Avenue. Thats the site of former restaurants Travos andAgav.

The Burger Lab was his first choice when he earlier announced plans for the spot. A name change took place after he tested Burger Lab and found it didnt grab potential customers, hesaid.

Its now called Knife Burger Bar (knifeburger.com). It may be a little cheesy, but every burger will be served with a knife stuck in it, to hold it together, Hissongsaid.

The restaurant and kitchen area will cover about 2,100 squarefeet.

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The Dirt - Sun, 30 Nov 2014 PST

Beautiful Kitchen Remodels
Beautiful Kitchen Remodels.

By: Home Decor 2015

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Beautiful Kitchen Remodels - Video