When "Jerry and Charlotte" went house hunting almost a decade ago, they initially envisioned a classic place filled with Old World charm. Instead, they chose a modest ranch-style home in Sunnyvale, built in 1957.

"It wasn't the look we were initially hoping for," says Jerry (the couple requested that their real names not be published), "but tastes change, and the clean lines definitely grew on us."

Eventually, though, the pair wearied of "quirks" such as condensation on the single-pane windows whenever the weather turned cold or rainy, and a perpetually chilly corner in the three-bedroom, two-bath house where mold was discovered. Moreover, the noninsulated walls and a poorly designed fireplace leaked warmth. The heating system was in constant use, drying the air and stirring up dust.

The large triple-pane windows in the living/dining area (which cost roughly 20 percent more than double-pane glazing) have dramatically reduced noise from the outdoors and helped stabilize indoor temperatures year-round. (Tour Factory/One Sky Homes)

Other factors fueled the couple's desire to make some changes. Charlotte, an excellent cook, yearned for an updated kitchen with more storage space. The master bath needed a makeover, too.

Clearly, changes were needed.

At about the time this realization set in some two years ago, Jerry had been exploring information about "passive houses," which incorporate an extremely energy-efficient construction concept and building standard, in which living comfort, air quality and durability are paramount.

'Conscious building'

The first passive houses were built in Germany in 1990. About 25,000 certified structures are now found in Europe, but only relatively few exist in the United States. According to Passive House California (http://passivehousecal.org), an organization formed to educate the public about passive homes, roughly 40 such residences (both certified and uncertified) have been built in the greater Bay Area.

"The principles on airtightness, super insulation, how it all fits together as a system -- the idea really clicked with me," says Jerry, who pored over websites such as http://www.passivehousecal.org to learn all he could. "You'd think in the Bay Area there would be a good concentration of this kind of forward-thinking, conscious building, but the number is still very small."

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A home transformed for 'high performance'

$615,000 of in-kind labor and materials donated to build and renovate area homeless shelters

The past year was a record-setting one for the Portland area Home Builders Foundation as it completed seven construction projects in 2013 to help provide shelter and transitional housing for the homeless.

The seven projects were valued at $1.76 million, with approximately $615,000 of this value donated in the form of in-kind or heavily discounted labor and materials from members of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland and others in the local home building industry.

We set out to double the number of projects we completed the previous year, says Ken Cowdery, Home Builders Foundation executive director. Im pleased to say that we went well beyond that goal.

Projects included:

A major renovation of the Goose Hollow Family Shelter operated by Portland Homeless Family Solutions.

The creation of a transitional housing facility in Beaverton for homeless youth a facility that was developed in partnership with the city of Beaverton and is operated by Boys and Girls Aid.

A major expansion of The Harbor, an addiction recovery center for homeless men operated by the Portland Rescue Mission.

Additional projects included shelter kitchen remodels, interior and exterior painting and projects designed to enhance the appearance and comfort of shelters.

Since 2005, the foundation has built and renovated more than 40,000 square feet of shelter space valued at nearly $4 million. These projects accommodate more than 500 homeless men, women, youth, families with children and domestic violence survivors each year.

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Home Builders Foundation completes record seven projects in 2013

DreamMaker Amarillo, TX Kitchen and Bath Remodels
Kitchen and bath makeovers by DreamMaker of Amarillo, TX including before and after pictures.

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DreamMaker Amarillo, TX Kitchen and Bath Remodels - Video

What might have been the ruination of Anthony Carrino and John Colaneris construction careers turned out to lead to their biggest break.

Not so long ago, Carrino and Colaneri were worrying about how they would pay back the loan on a big renovation project. Today theyre TV stars, familiar to HGTV junkies as the Kitchen Cousins.

Life has become a blur for the two in the last few years. I caught up with the cousins by phone one day last week, while Anthony was in their office in Jersey City, N.J., and John was driving to work.

They told me it all started in 2009, when the cousins construction company was sitting on a 22-unit condominium complex it had created from an old chemical company warehouse. The project had won restoration awards and earned notice from media including the New York Times, but this was the depths of the housing slump. The company was having trouble selling the units.

It was a scary time, Colaneri concedes.

A friend of his who works in public relations came up with the idea of holding a benefit in the building for earthquake victims in LAquila, Italy. Not only would it raise money for a cause close to the cousins hearts and heritage, but it would also get people through the door and create a buzz about the building, she reasoned.

It worked, both for the charity and the projects fortunes.

And it also sparked the idea of television.

Carrino and Colaneri were so charismatic onstage that the friend suggested they try to get a TV show. Theyd never considered anything like that, Colaneri says. They were just a couple of guys trying to make a go of urban redevelopment through Brunelleschi Construction, the company Carrino started with his father, Alfonso, in 2004.

She hounded me for a couple of weeks, Colaneri says, until he and Carrino agreed to let her follow them around to a couple of jobs and shoot some video with a pocket-size camera. She pitched her idea to a production company, which sent out a crew to make a more professional video it could shop to home-improvement networks.

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HGTV show keeps cousins working

Milwaukee and Burlington WI Interior Exterior Remodeling Free Estimates 262 716 6663
We are a complete interior and exterior home improvement company located in Burlington, WI and Milwaukee, WI. We offer a variety of services from Bathroom Re...

By: James Hembrook

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Milwaukee and Burlington WI Interior Exterior Remodeling Free Estimates 262 716 6663 - Video

Rye, NH Beach House Renovation and Restoration
Chinburg Properties has extensive experience in renovation and expansion of existing homes. Portfolio projects range from extensive kitchen remodels to addit...

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Rye, NH Beach House Renovation and Restoration - Video

For those eager to get a head start on any home and garden expansion no matter the size, make plans to visit more than 250 exhibits featured at the Eighth Annual Katy Home and Garden Show to be held this weekend at the Merrell Center and Robinson Pavilion in Katy. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Consumer interest and spending in home remodeling and DIY projects continue to rise for many reasons, said Robyn Cade, President of RJC Productions and organizer of the Katy Home and Garden Show. Baby boomers may now find themselves as empty nesters with disposal incomes to refurbish, redecorate and reinvest in their homes, creating beautiful living spaces which reflect their individual personalities and an emphasis on entertaining at home.

Additionally, low interest rates make remodeling affordable. Some of the other reasons to consider remodeling a home include modernizing it.

Research shows that investing in your home pays for itself

in the long haul, particularly with kitchen and bathroom remodels, said Cade.

In fact, an American Housing Survey found that adding a half-bath can increase home value 10.5 percent and a full bath contributes 20 percent to home value. Lower heating and cooling bills by replacing outdated windows and doors with energy efficient ones.

Were especially excited about the range of exhibitors, demonstrations and experts wholl be part of this years show, said Cade.

Fall in love with your home all over again. Get inspired to kick start or finalize renovation plans with the help of design and renovation experts and two buildings of one-stop shopping including: decorating, gardening, remodeling, window treatments, home theater, landscaping, kitchens & baths, do-it-yourself, flooring, windows & doors, siding, heating/cooling, pools, outdoor entertainment and a myriad of other home related products and services. Whether planning a major renovation or smaller home updates, youll be right at home at the Katy Home & Garden Show with the ability to comparison shop in one convenient area. Find out how to make green improvements which can reduce electrical and heating bills or creative ideas to improve your homes curb appeal.

For those interested in a new garden, landscaping tips or other home improvement how-tos the Katy Home and Garden Show is brimming with ideas; experts and workshops. Foodies can get in on the fun with more than 20 food sampling booths.

On Saturday, attendees will meet celebrity DIY TV Host, Jason Cameron, who helps bring life to dreary landscapes and or specialized man caves.

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Katy Home and Garden Show set for this weekend

Corvus Construction Is Seattle #39;s Go To Company For Kitchen Remodels
Visit http://corvus-construction.com to meet the kitchen and bathroom remodeling experts at Corvus Construction. Founded in 2006 by Denis Vladyko, Corvus Con...

By: Kapil Aggarwal

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Corvus Construction Is Seattle's Go To Company For Kitchen Remodels - Video

Think a renovation is out of your reach? It's not! We lay out some kitchen remodel ideas for every budget, from $50 to $10,000.

Corbis

Use this road map to create the kitchen of your dreams -- no matter the reality of your budget.

BUDGET: $50 OR LESS Paint is the easiest, least expensive way to transform a tired looking kitchen. Choose a semigloss latex paint, which will allow you to easily sponge off the inevitable food splashes and spatters. Also, opt for a semigloss finish on the trim, such as the baseboard and around windows and doors. For best results, don't skimp out on prep work. Kitchen surfaces accumulate grime, so be sure to wash all walls and the ceiling with a TSP (trisodium phosphate) or a TSP substitute before painting. This will help clean and prepare the surface so that the paint adheres to it properly.

Schulte

Pot racks, lid holders, shelving, drawer organizers, pullout trays, and utensil crocks are affordable ways to keep clutter at bay and let the charm of your kitchen shine greatly. Open shelving takes advantage of empty walls and gives the kitchen an airy feeling. Stretch your makeover dollars by DIYing your storage organizers.

MCT

Replace those dim CFL floods with halogen floods. You'll still save energy over traditional incandescent bulbs, and the light will be a substantial improvement. Install a dimmer switch so that the halogens last a longer and save even more energy. As for those still-good CFLs, don't toss them. Save them for use in utilitarian spaces, such as the garage, basement, attic, or closets. Add under-cabinet lighting to existing kitchen cabinets and bring countertop work areas out of the shadows. Use decorative lights over kitchen tables to change the mood when it's time to dine.

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Cabinets are often the most expensive items in any kitchen makeover. If yours look worn and have become soft and gummy around the pulls, consider refinishing or repainting the doors and frames instead of replacing the entire units. This will make a big impact in your kitchen at the fraction of the cost of brand-new cabinets.

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Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Every Budget - DIY Life

JOHNSTOWN Rick Jefferson was sound asleep when fate awakened him Dec. 13.

At 7 a.m., the contractor and remodeler was awakened by a stranger knocking on his rear door.

Upon answering the door, he found a young woman asking for help.

I think I am going into labor, Jefferson quoted the mother-to-be as saying.

The woman did not have a telephone or a car so she started walking down the alley until she found someone with a vehicle to take her to the hospital, Jefferson said.

I asked her how far along she was, and she said eight months, Jefferson said.

Thinking that the woman was probably in false labor, he ran upstairs to change out of his night clothes before driving her to the hospital.

So Im upstairs changing clothes and I heard her scream.

I ran downstairs and she was lying on my kitchen floor.

She screamed again and said that her water just broke, he said.

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Hornerstown man an unexpected hero