The first thing you notice about Kiera and Michael Kushlan's one-bedroom co-op is how they've pulled it together to be both modern and classic. The second is how spacious it seems.

The Kushlans, both 29, believe that what you leave out of a room is just as important as what you put in. On a limited budget, they invested their own time and DIY skills to renovate the run-down 1920s flat. In the process, they uncovered its hidden charms and discovered a lot about themselves.

"I would much rather have a small space filled with all the things that I love than just buying furniture to fill space," says Kiera, an interior designer who enjoys editing just as much as shopping. The Kushlans' renovation of their 750-square-foot home in Washington unified the three rooms with white walls and new espresso wood floors. They carefully layered in a few bold patterns and colors, framed maps of places they loved and pulled in furniture they've reclaimed and repurposed. They used space creatively: an entrance foyer became a place to dine or work; two Ikea cabinets were transformed into a floating bar. In the bedroom, Michael built a small desktop into a window niche with a piece of plywood and iron brackets from the Brass Knob.

Their stylish co-op has become a calling card for Kiera's design business, Residents Understood, and has created a bit of an online sensation in the blogosphere. In April, Design Sponge featured photos of the Kushlans' apartment. In June, their place got the most votes in the Apartment Therapy Small Cool Home Contest in the "Little" division (homes under 1,000 square feet).

"We discovered we had the same kind of vision," Michael says. "We like to have some traditional pieces but add our own twists of modern. We find things that reflect who we are and where we travel together. We both love order."

The result is a warm retreat that's organized. "I don't like to have a lot of things. It makes me anxious," Kiera says. "My philosophy is, if I don't love it, I don't keep it."

Kiera and Michael met at Ohio University. Michael got an MBA there and he is now a management consultant. Kiera went on to get a master's degree at the University of Florida. In 2009, they moved to Washington and got married. Kiera worked briefly for a designer before starting her own firm in 2010 with Florida classmate Jessica Centella.

"We had a targeted demographic of ages 25 to 40," Kiera says. Most clients live in small spaces. "The name of our firm came from how we approach our projects. It's based around the client's wants, needs, personal aesthetic and style," she says.

The Kushlans started looking for a place to buy in March 2012. It was the building's European flavor and the neighborhood that sold them.

"It felt like I was in Paris with its small elevator and wonderful details," Kiera says. The flat needed work: electrical upgrades, lighting and a new kitchen. They came up with a plan and spent two months remodeling before they moved in, doing a good chunk of the work themselves. They tore out the dated, worn-out galley kitchen. Part of the wall between the kitchen and living room also came down. They chose the Ikea Adel line of white cabinets that they warmed up with Ikea butcher block counters and a farm-style porcelain sink.

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Spare change for small space

The Greater Houston Builders Association's Custom Builders Council and HomeAid Houston were partners in a recent remodel project for Santa Maria Hostel, an agency that provides a supportive program for women rebuilding their lives.

Brandon Lynch with Keechi Creek Builders led members of the CBC and other volunteers in a complete remodel of Santa Maria's multi-purpose room where residents hold meetings and education classes, and where they gather with family members to celebrate holidays and other special occasions.

The entire project was a collaboration of donated labor, material and time by dozens of individuals and companies.

The dedication of the room was held Sept. 16 when appreciation awards were presented to the members of the project's team, volunteers and to the donors who were instrumental in completing the renovations.

The ceremony was opened by Ted Cummins, CBC board president. Meagan, a client from Santa Maria, was a guest speaker who shared her story of her recent recovery and rehabilitation efforts through the Santa Maria program.

Lynch expressed appreciation for the hard work and commitment by the volunteers. Lynch presented awards to the six underwriters: Bison, A Stock Building Supply Co., The Club at Falcon Point, Dal-Tile Corp., Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, Masco Cabinetry and Trendmaker Homes. Appreciation awards were presented to the project's 14 vendors and nearly 30 volunteers.

Nadine Scamp, CEO of Santa Maria Hostel; Jennifer Taylor, president of HomeAid Houston; and Toy Wood, CEO of the GHBA were on-hand to thank all who participated.

Work involved demolition of components of the multi-media room including two existing bathrooms that had the original fixtures from 1965. The bathrooms received new tile floors, sinks, cabinets, and tubs and toilets. The multi-media room was remodeled with new floor tiles and installation of new cabinets, countertops, new paint, new doors and energy-efficient windows.

"The CBC team," said Bette Moser, executive director of HomeAid Houston, "led by Brandon Lynch with Keechi Creek Builders, tackled this project with true gusto and commitment to provide a warm, uplifting place for the Santa Maria clients to enjoy as they work toward a better future. HomeAid and the Santa Maria staff and residents cannot thank the CBC team enough for their generosity."

For more information about HomeAid Houston, visit http://www.homeaidhouston.org or call 281-970-8970.

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HomeAid Houston, CBC room remodel benefits women's shelter ...

Elizabeth Miller, Houzz Contributor

Some bathrooms seem to never go out of style, with their classic colors, clean lines and timeless fixtures. Then theres the other kind: the relics of bygone eras that challenge the eyes with their mint, pink, aqua or raspberry tiles and matching fixtures. If you have an older bathroom you consider out-of-date, dont give up on it yet!

There are several ways to spruce it up without renovating sometimes the details can make a difference in the livability of a vintage bathroom. Here are a few helpful tricks.

12 unique ways to make a small bathroom look better

1. Update the fixtures. Usually a pedestal sink will still be in good shape after decades of use, but a leaky faucet and out-of-date sconces will need to be replaced. The style of these two items can transform your bathroom and dont involve changing the tile at all. If youre dealing with a colored tub, consider having it resurfaced.

You can paint the walls and medicine cabinet white and let the tile color whatever it may be speak for itself. With a cleaner background, your colored tile could be a new favorite. Keep in mind that even if you do end up ripping out the tile, you can reuse the fixtures in the next phase of your bathroom renovation.

2. Be purposeful about the artwork. Here is one more example of how updating fixtures can revive the bathroom without the need to redo the tile. Another element that helps mitigate the tile color is artwork. Use what you hang on the walls to your advantage. Usually theres space for only one or two pieces in a smaller bathroom, so focus on pulling in the tile color as a minor color. This means the rest of the art can be something you love and can feature more of your favorite colors, but with just that touch of teal, pink, peach or whatevers in your vintage bathroom, the art will still connect with the space.

Use a metallic or wood frame, so theres one less color to factor into your design.

Browse a wide selection of artwork for your bathroom

3. Paint the tiles. It wont last as long as replacing the tile, but if you really cant stand the color of your existing tiles, you can paint them. Youll need a very good primer typically oil based, not water based, according to Dana Waldecker, a professional painter in the Boston area. Even if you end up doing some of the work yourself, you should consult a professional painter to review the materials youre planning to use and your specific wall conditions. Every project is different, and theres no eraser when it comes to painting tile.

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8 Ways To Spruce Up An Older Bathroom (Without Remodeling)

In our ideal world, bathroom renovations would all look like the best of HGTV, with perfectly centered tiles and gracious step in tubs. The reality though, feels more like wading through the worst of Sharknado in the hopes of a somewhat decent end result. Before you start your own bathroom reno, take time to consider these ten tips from Jean-Jacques LHnaff, Vice President of Design at American Standard:

And when it comes down to it The only expert who really matters is you- you have to live with it.

(Keep an eye out for my gut renovation before and after slide show coming next month!)

Rachel Weingarten is a noted and quoted style expert, personal brand consultant, and former celebrity makeup artist. Shes a co-founder of becausestyle.com and the author of three nonfiction books including Ancient Prayer, out 9/14. Tweet with her @rachelcw or like her page on Facebook. Need help style-stalking your favorite celebrity look? Write to Rachel at psstrachel@gmail.com.

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10 things to consider before remodeling your bathroom

The 42nd annual Dunwoody Home Tour, scheduled for Oct. 1,will showcasefive lovely homes reflecting various phasesin homeowners life cycles. The phase represented by Serenity, a hilltop estate home, is the culmination ofacross-country relocation and two years of renovations.

The home was built in the 1970s and a master bedroom added in the 1990s. Its large rooms are furnished with pieces brought from a previous home in California as well as new pieces of local provenance, a successful blend of bi-coastal acquisitions.Some of the homesoriginal features have been retained, including hand-painted muralsin thedining room and interior and exterior crown molding said to have taken a master carpenter a full year to complete.Delightful surprises abound in every room, the result of years of discriminating design choices flawlesslyintegrated into theirnew setting.

The owner turned a formerly dark family room into anew, light-filledspace through the magic of multiple coats of Shagreen paint by Sherwin-Williams and extensive remodeling of ceiling, floor, fireplace and cabinetry. Thenewly airylook carries through to the kitchen where glass-paned cabinets echo a Palladian window over the sink.Similarwindows in a nearby breakfast roomimpart the feeling of an English conservatory, enhanced bythe view across acovered patio toward a pristine pool surrounded by manicured gardens, classic statuary and a whimsical gazebo.

Tryst, a fashion and gift boutique, will be located at this home onthe day of the tour.

Flowers will be provided by Botany Bay Florist.

Tickets to the Dunwoody Home Tour are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the tour. They are available at Blooms of Dunwoody, Consigning Women, Curves of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, Nancys Boutique, Nancys Hallmark, Southern Comforts Consignments, from any member of Dunwoody Womans Club or at the clubs website, dunwoodywomansclub.org.

All ticket proceeds are returned to the community through the clubs programs in the arts, conservation, education, home life, international outreach and public issues.Through its affiliation with the Georgia Federation of Womens Clubs, theclub also owns and operates Tallulah Falls School in North Georgia.

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Murals, crown moldings highlight hilltop estate

Schaumburg, IL (PRWEB) September 18, 2014

The new BuildClean Dust Control System is proving itself a boon to contractors and homeowners alike as it eliminates the top remodeling complaint: construction dust that overtakes the home, causes potential health issues, and makes it unlivable during the project. Now available nationwide, the BuildClean system allows contractors to virtually eliminate airborne dust that results from demolition, sanding and other standard remodeling tasks.

BuildClean removes up to 90 percent of the airborne dust generated in the remodeling process, which minimizes the migration of dust and preserves home livability even in the most challenging remodeling projects. The system is a first-to-market construction dust control system for the residential remodeling industry. It was developed after years of on-site market research and testing and is built around the unique needs of the remodeling contractor and homeowner.

The BuildClean System allows contractors to address the No. 1 issue that both the client and contractor share during home remodeling projects construction dust, said Brian Paich, Business Development Manager for ITW BuildClean. For many firms, managing homeowner expectations is the remodelers primary method of managing dust. Thats a problem because approximately 90 percent of homeowners stay in the home during a renovation.

Failure to control the dust can cause health issues, damage belongings, harm repeat business or referrals, and damage a companys reputation. Construction dust is an emotional issue for the homeowner. With BuildClean, contractors can reassure their client that they are doing all that they can to minimize the dust.

About 82 percent of remodeling contractors surveyed by BuildClean said, Leaving less dust behind would likely improve overall satisfaction of customers. Of the homeowners surveyed, 85 percent confirmed this belief and 68 percent noted that they dread remodeling dust.

Remodeling and demolition dust can trigger asthma attacks, allergic reactions and problems for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Jobsite dust can also have an adverse effect on the health of pets that are in the home during construction. In addition, particles from sawing, scraping and sanding can contain hazardous materials such as arsenic or lead.

The BuildClean unit keeps airborne dust in the job work area and out of the rest of the home and then eliminates it. The system, which can exchange the air in a 6,000-cubic-foot room six times in one hour, draws air in through two particle-trapping filters, and returns clean air into the space. BuildCleans 360-degree design and two-stage filtration system helps maximize coarse and fine particle collection on the jobsite.

We use BuildClean because it ensures customer satisfaction, said Eric Thorson, founder and owner of Thorson Restoration and Construction, LLC, a new construction and remodeling company serving the Boston area. Our clients really appreciate that were bringing in something that will make their house more livable during remodeling.

In addition, this little supervision needed system acts as a contractors best friend. Just plug it in, turn it on and go. Dynamic fan speed control increases the motor speed as filters load ensuring that performance is consistent and the desired CFM air flow is maintained. Auto Mode monitors the air and lets the unit work without supervision; the machine runs at high when dust is detected in the air. Filter cleanliness status is provided via stoplight-style LED lights that tell you when to clean or replace filters.

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New BuildClean System Brings Livability Back to Home Remodeling

Provided by Networx.com

If your home no longer fits your needs, it may be time to think about remodeling. Even with a limited renovation budget, there are a number of very practical ways that you can improve your house's appearance and functionality. Find out how.

Prioritize

Start by brainstorming all the changes you'd like to make in your home. When you look at the ideas that you've come up with, you'll find that most of them (the practical ones, anyway) can be organized into one of three categories. These could be described as:

1) What drives you crazy. It may be a hideously old-fashioned master bathroom or a kitchen with the traffic flow pattern from Hell. Whatever it is, you want it fixed yesterday!

2) What you need. Two bedrooms and a single minuscule bathroom were fine when you bought the house as newlyweds. But at this point, a decade and four kids later, you're feeling awfully strapped for space.

3) What will add curb appeal. Whether your home is actively listed with a real estate broker or you are just starting to toy with the idea of selling, you know that certain upgrades -- garage door replacement or revamping your shabby front porch, for instance -- are important if you want to attract buyers.

Now review your wish list and decide which are absolute priorities. You may well realize that you are focused on one or two things that desperately need improvement but are happy with the rest of the house as is. In that case, changes like simply finding space for an additional powder room might turn out to be within your budget. Get remodeling quotes and see whether the work is affordable. On the other hand, if you are irritated and unhappy with your home in general, it could be time to start a "sanity saving" fund to pay for larger scale remodeling costs (or a move) further down the line.

DIY -- to Do or Not to Do?

Doing part of the home remodeling yourself will help save you money. Consider the free time you have available, your physical capabilities, and your DIY skills to determine whether your share of the project will include kitchen remodeling and climbing ladders to put up sheetrock or will be limited to tasks such as hunting down bargain tile and fixtures, for example. Bear in mind that the trickiest remodeling jobs, such as major electrical or plumbing work or structural repairs, should always be left to the pros.

Continued here:
Yes, you can remodel on a tiny budget

There are many topics more exciting than homeowners insurance, I'll grant you that. But since your house is likely to be your biggest asset, it's wise to periodically examine coverage, to ensure that you're adequately covered against damage and liability.

This is especially important if you're planning a major project, such as remodeling, rebuilding or building new.

Anytime you hire a contractor to work on your home or property, take time to verify that they and any subcontractors are appropriately insured, as well as licensed and bonded. While it's a gooAd idea to ask for a contractor's certificates of insurance, an even better practice -- because certificates can be faked or altered -- is to contact the insurers to confirm coverage. Some experts recommend that contractors carry at least $1 million in coverage for each insurance type.

Meanwhile, highly rated insurance providers tell us that you should consider an extra step: Get yourself named as an "additional insured" on the contractor's general liability policy. This ensures you're fully covered against liability for damage that can occur during your project, such as workers breaking a water line that causes a neighbor's property to flood. Getting yourself added to the policy may cost you little or nothing. Also, it means the insurer will alert you if the contractor's policy lapses.

It's important to realize that some home improvements can affect your homeowners insurance premium or coverage. For example, a major kitchen remodel could mean that your home would cost more to replace in case of disaster. Many policies include a replacement cost endorsement that guarantees sufficient coverage to rebuild your home. It's a good idea to periodically review your homeowners coverage, to be sure you have replacement coverage and that the amount is in line with current costs.

Another renovation-related insurance consideration arises if you transform an unused room into a home office. Standard policies rarely extend coverage for accidents, theft or other hazards that can happen on property used for business. If this is a concern, talk to your insurance company about extending coverage or buying a separate policy.

It's important to inform your agent or insurer when you make significant changes to your home. Building a pool, for example, is likely to raise your insurance rates because it probably will increase your liability risk as well as your home's replacement cost. However, some upgrades might reduce premiums. This can happen if you improve an older home's wiring, roofing or plumbing.

The typical homeowners insurance policy is not sufficient to cover risks associated with building or rebuilding a home. Top-rated insurance experts recommend that you take out a builder's risk policy to insure your property and on-site building materials during construction.

For instance, if half of your house was destroyed, a typical homeowner policy will cover the intact half and a builder's risk policy would cover what's being rebuilt. Agents will base the builder's risk policy cost on building plans and estimated construction costs.

If you're in the market for home-related insurance, be sure to get quotes from several companies that have good ratings from both consumers and from independent rating organizations.

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Are you properly insured for remodeling?

Eagleville, PA (PRWEB) September 15, 2014

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has named Total Home Solution the 2014 Northeast Regional CotY winner for Bathroom Remodeling in its annual awards competition. Total Home Solution specializes in Design and Build, managing and supervising every project all the way from helping with new ideas and overseeing the design to completion. They bring that approach to every project, no matter where it is in each home. This approach was especially helpful on the award-winning project: remodeling a small, outdated bathroom just two days after a young couple moved into their new home. The project included knocking down walls, adding closets and designing a new bathroom to fit within a much larger space.

Contractors from seven different regions around the country vie for CotY awards, which celebrate the work of outstanding remodeling professionals. Regional CotY Awards are judged by an independent panel of experts in the remodeling field. Regional winners are eligible for national recognition at NARIs Evening of ExcellenceSM reception held each spring. To be considered for a CotY Award, projects must involve a significant level of difficulty in meeting the needs of the clients. In this case, Total Home Solution had to implement a firm timeline due to the imminent birth of the couples first baby. The cost allotted to the project also needed to be firm; there was no additional money for adjustments.

In order to meet the creativity component of the CotY Award, applicants must show unique use of certain design elements, such as type of tile, pattern, and texture. Tom Hawks, owner of Total Home Solution, selected a natural stone mosaic tile border in the shower as well as the backsplash behind the sinks, which promoted smooth flow and continuity throughout the room. In addition, the use of river rock stone and the addition of a pebble shower floor added a unique mix of texture and sensual experience to the room.

One potential obstacle to the flow of the room was that a separate commode room needed to fit into the existing space. This area was carved out of a limited area to provide the necessary privacy but was so creatively done that it blends into the rest of the bathroom.

A major requirement for the CotY Award is the inclusion of unique approaches to the project. In this case, all tile work was hand-done on the project site, using large sheets of stone mosaic tiles cut in strips to create the tile border in the shower and at the sink.

The remodeling projects in this years NARI CotY competition totalled more than $72 million.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics and represent an elite group among the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. who identify themselves as remodelers.

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Total Home Solution Named Regional Contractor of the Year

An athlete places comfort above anything else while choosing an athlete apparel brand. Worldwide there is a rise in the demand of comfortable fashionable sports apparel. Foot Locker (FL) is a leading global athletic footwear and apparel retailer. Its stores offer the latest in athletic-inspired performance products, manufactured primarily by the leading athletic brands. Foot Locker offers products for a wide variety of activities including basketball, running, and training. Its 1,911 stores are located in 21 countries.

A Look at the Recent Results

(Second Quarter Earnings Report)

Net income for the Companys second quarter ended August 2, 2014 was $92 million, or $0.63 per share, compared with net income of $66 million, or $0.44 per share, last year, an increase in earnings per share of 43 percent. Second quarter comparable-store sales increased 7.0 percent.

Total second quarter sales increased 12.9 percent, to $1,641 million this year, compared with sales of $1,454 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter increased 11.7 percent. The Companys gross margin rate increased to 32.0 percent of sales from 31.2 percent in the second quarter of 2013, while the selling, general, and administrative expense rate improved to 20.9 percent of sales from 21.6 percent last year.

The team at Foot Locker once again achieved record levels of sales and profits in the second quarter, and I am extremely proud of their efforts, said Ken C. Hicks, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. We delivered excellent financial and operational results through the outstanding execution of our strategic priorities. This continues to be a winning formula for us, and we remain committed to taking full advantage of the many opportunities we have identified --- over the near, intermediate, and longer terms --- to continue producing a consistent, strong performance.

(Store Status)

During the second quarter, the Company opened 14 new stores, remodeled/relocated 112 stores and closed 18 stores. As of August 2, 2014, the Company operated 3,460 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 47 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea. (Source: Companys Website)

Soaring Expectations

FL is currently concentrating on innovating new products. A company prospers by continuous innovation and FL is not an exception to this. Across the globe, many sports apparel companies are targeting female customers, since there is a sharp rise in the female sportswear segment. FL is presently pursuing strategies to woo the women consumers. Further expansion can be expected in Europe. The company is also planning to expand its childrens business by opening new stores for them. The company is focusing on robust expansion strategies. With more focus on store remodeling, e- commerce and technological advancements, the company is all set to grow.

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Foot Locker: More Room for Growth