Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Dal LaMagna, photographed at IceStone's Brooklyn factory

(Fortune)

I grew up in Queens, N.Y., in a family of five kids and went to Catholic schools. My father was a fireman and longshoreman, working two or three jobs to support us. Every year the elementary school would raffle off a donated Cadillac to raise funds. The prize for most chances sold was a Schwinn Racer. My parents couldn't afford to buy me a bicycle, so in third grade, I sold 48 books [of raffle tickets] to get the bike, and won it. That was the start of my career.

I didn't ever want to be a guy who'd go to work and get paid by the hour. I wanted to make a difference in the world, and I thought being a millionaire would allow me to do that. So I applied to the business schools at Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford universities and got accepted by Harvard and Columbia. My background was more in the direction of the Willy Loman school of business than an Ivy League citadel, so going to Harvard really expanded my view of things.

During my undergrad and MBA years I started more than a dozen businesses, each of which imploded. I converted drive-in movie theaters to drive-in discotheques, but it rained 11 times in a row, and the business failed. I opened a waterbed store in Harvard Square, but the landlady evicted us because she was afraid the beds would leak. When I graduated from Harvard in 1971, I wanted to be a movie producer to influence opinions in society. So I spent 10 years trying to put together a film project and ended up in Venice Beach, Calif.

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It was 1979, and I was running an ice cream parlor there. One day I was sunbathing au naturel with two women who were sisters on the rooftop of their apartment building next door when one sister's boyfriend showed up. Next thing I know, he was with her, and I ended up with the other sister on the redwood deck. When I went home, I had splinters all over my butt. Redwood doesn't dissolve; it infects. So I went to a drugstore and asked for needle-pointed tweezers, but couldn't find any. That gave me the idea to sell splinter tweezers.

At that point I had bounced from one business to another, and by age 32, I was $150,000 in debt and had failed at everything I'd tried. So I moved back to New York and got a minimum-wage job working for an electronics company. I saw people on the assembly line picking up diodes with needlepoint tweezers. There was my product idea! So I decided to market electronic industrial tweezers as splinter tweezers to hardware stores and lumberyards.

I started with $500, and my father, who had retired as a longshoreman, decided to invest in the idea. Over the next few years my dad lent me $180,000, and I paid him 12% interest on it. My dad also played the lottery, hoping to make $1 million one day. At some point I converted half of the $180,000 he'd lent me to stock. When I sold the company, his stock was worth $1 million, which made me really happy.

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The rise of the Tweezerman

Lorton, VA (PRWEB) December 20, 2013

WISA Solutions was awarded a basement remodel in Fairfax Station, Virginia. This was an entire basement remodel that included a new bathroom, flooring, bar and gym.

The first phase of this project was the demolition. All of the flooring was taken up along with a complete demolition of the bathroom and bedroom.

The first part of the remodel WISA started was the bathroom. The bathroom remodel included a new tub, tile, vanity, hardware, toilet, lighting and fixtures. The homeowner picked out all of these products from WISA's showroom with the assistance of a WISA designer.

Once the bathroom remodel was complete, WISA began painting the rest of the basement. Along with painting, WISA did trim work and crown molding throughout the entertaining room of the basement.

The next phase after the painting and trim work was the flooring. The homeowner picked out laminate flooring from WISA's showroom for the entertaining room. The laminate flooring was installed using a floating method which means no adhesive or nails were used in the installation. The existing bedroom was converted into a home gym which had thick rubber flooring installed that was glued onto the concrete sub floor.

After the flooring, WISA began building the bar in the entertaining area. The cabinetry was also from WISA's showroom. Granite was used as the countertop for this bar. WISA provided a free bar design for the homeowner so they could see the finished product on paper before proceeding with the work.

Once the bar was built and finished, the WISA project manager contacted the homeowner for a final walk through. During this phase, WISA addressed all questions or concerns by the homeowner.

WISA Solutions business hours are from 8AM-5PM weekdays and 10AM-2PM on Saturdays and by appointment with any time outside of that.

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WISA Solutions Remodels Basement

Fox Body Mustang Replacement Carpet Installation (ACC Black)
Pick Up Your Fox Body Mustang Replacement Carpet Here: http://latemodelres.to/1bD0EZT Got worn stinky carpet in your Stang? You don #39;t have to live with that eye-sore! Watch this video as Jmac...

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Fox Body Mustang Replacement Carpet Installation (ACC Black) - Video

Carpet Installation Timelapse
The Banfield family has decided to get new carpet installed in their home. Here is a time lapse showing the process, also what the animals do when we #39;re not ...

By: Michael Banfield

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Carpet Installation Timelapse - Video

With the flourish of a FedEx stylus, my Christmas is complete.

As I sat here in The Free Press, slightly nauseous on glue fumes from the installation of our new carpet and struggling over a column that was not coming together, my package arrived. I was a little confused when the FedEx man came directly to me. Was there no one else available amidst the chaos of the office to sign for a package?

Oh! Its for me! I said, looking at it. Its never for me!

Pam, my second mom, had sent me my annual Christmas pajamas.

Its a tradition in her family that everyone gets pajamas for Christmas morning. The theory is, thats the present they open on Christmas Eve. Then everyone puts them on so when pictures are taken Christmas morning, no ones caught in last years ratty nightwear.

Even though I was never there for the Christmas morning unwrap extravaganza, Pam always included me in the tradition so that when I showed up for breakfast Id be in new pajamas like everyone else.

Its the closest thing to a Christmas tradition Ive had in years, and when Pam started asking about whether she should send a package to the office or to my house, I had a feeling thats what it would be. Its nice to still be considered part of the family. The note on the card even said from Mom and all the rest.

When youre single and your closest family is a 20-pound dog, Christmas morning can be difficult. And Im not one to overdo on Christmas for Millies sake. She came from the animal shelter where I was in Georgia and hasnt wanted for a thing since I plucked her out of that cage. Every day is a holiday for her.

Personally, Ive spent a number of Christmases with a number of families and at a number of events over the years. One of the first Christmases I was in Georgia, I went to a Christmas morning service that included a live nativity. Indoors.

Wisely, they had lined the aisles with trash bags before the animals made their debut. It may have been the three wise men who had the biggest impact on baby Jesus more than 2000 years ago, but the camel was the star of this show. He spit once he got up to the altar, causing a trio of pre-teen girls to scream in the middle of the service. And lining the aisles with plastic did turn out to be a good idea as his leavings needed to be cleaned up once the service was older.

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Shrader: My annual gift has arrived

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 20, 2013

Customer inspired innovation led to the release of a unique pre-cut light-emitting diode (LED) tape light system. Homeowners now have a way to install their own under cabinet lighting without the hassles of splicing electrical wire, soldering connections, or drilling holes into their cabinetry. Or to be more realistic of the typical homeowner experience going on Angies list, calling friends, reading reviews on Yelp.com, to find an affordable and reliable electrician to install their task lighting.

Often times, contractors will use halogen puck lights for their under cabinet lighting systems. Installation is a relatively messy process as the electrician needs to drill holes into the underside of the cabinetry to strategically mount the puck lights above the center of the countertop. Wires need to be measured and spliced to run along the bottom of the cabinet, then connected to the transformer to plug into the wall. Having been a general contractor for over twenty-five years, Tom Piana owner of Affordable Quality Lighting, had intimate knowledge of the back-breaking installation process.

Even when tape light came out it still didnt help homeowners avoid the splicing or soldering part of the installation process, Tom Piana said during a recent interview. With LED tape lighting systems coming in rolls of five to six feet, a homeowner would still have to measure the necessary length and cut the tape light to fit their needs. This increased the risk of damaging the individual diodes, or splicing at the improper section, causing an entire strand of diodes to burn out instantly. I wanted homeowners to be able to truly install their own lighting my goal was to eliminate the hassle and risk under cabinet lighting installation created. Looking at the pre-cut system in lengths of 8, 12, and 16 strips of easy connect tape light, coupled with the plug and play connectors, Tom Piana is well on his way to achieving his original goal.

Unlike the traditional halogen puck light system, which created hot spots of light, AQLs unique LED tape light system creates an even glow across the countertop without generating excess heat. The tape light doesnt require any drilling or mounting brackets; it literally sticks to the underside of the cabinet with 3m adhesive. Tom took the design of his LED tape light one step further by covering the diodes with a weather-proofing epoxy coat. While it isnt necessary to have the epoxy coating for indoor systems, Tom felt it was important to allow homeowners to wipe their cabinets clean with a damp cloth or windex their countertops without fear of damaging the tiny bulbs in their tape light system. The coating also allowed AQL's plug and play system to be rated for outdoor use, so the easy installation isnt confined solely to indoor lighting.

Its clear that Tom's LED tape light kit was built with the homeowner in mind. The strip of 5050 diodes provide brighter light for more task oriented uses, as well as connects to a dimmer to subdue the lighting when desired. The jumper connections were designed to plug from the tape light to the transformer without any soldering or wire splicing. Just line up the arrows and snap the connection together. It's about as easy as putting two Lego blocks together. The ingenuity on AQLs part to create a homeowner friendly task lighting product is certainly bringing the lighting industry one step further down the path of innovation.

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Under Cabinet Lighting Reinvented

The Story of the Swiss Mobile House - Interview with the Architects
The Swiss Mobile House, is a creative and lasting showcase to promote Switzerland abroad. It will help to showcase and promote the best of Switzerland in its...

By: House of Switzerland

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The Story of the Swiss Mobile House - Interview with the Architects - Video

How to Succeed in Architecture: Project Architects #39; Best Practices
How to Succeed in Architecture: Project Architects #39; Best Practices.

By: Novedge

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How to Succeed in Architecture: Project Architects' Best Practices - Video

MONTPELIER -- The American Institute of Architects, Vermont Chapter (AIAVT) has announced the winners of its 2013 Annual Design Awards Program, awarding its Citation Award to Benningtons Centerline Architects & Planners.

Six projects -- including three "farmhouses" and a farm stand -- were recognized for design excellence by a jury of architects from the Boston Society of Architects that viewed 39 entries submitted by AIAVT member architects.

Centerline Architects & Planners, P.C., of Bennington received a Citation Award for "Down on the Farm," a collection of Salem, N.Y. structures dating back to 1840-1880 that now include a renovated farmhouse, dairy barn, and stable. Wherever possible, materials were salvaged and reused or repurposed -- including doors, floor planks, slate roof tiles, and marble. Jurors said, "There was a high level of creative thought about the existing buildings. Smart decisions were made, right down to the paint color. Structures were preserved and enhanced to remain sensitive to the farms history."

Middlebury-based McLeod Kredell Architects received two awards, including the Honor Award for a 1700-square-foot residence built for $283,000 on the recently subdivided Foote Farm, outside Middlebury. The jury, especially impressed with the outcome given the relatively modest budget, which included site work, said, "The building is quite beautiful and the relationship between inside and outside is very strong. It is beautifully sited and the materials have been combined to create a distinct sense of place. While there is a feel of traditional architecture, the work does not copy."

McLeod Kredell Architects also received a special category Collaborative Student Project Award for "Island Farm Stand," designed and built completely in the span of just one week with Marvel Architects, New York, N.Y., and eight architecture students from three colleges, including Middlebury College. The jury was impressed with the fact that participants came together on remote Bear Island in Penobscot Bay, ME, to construct a 160-square-foot structure on a materials budget of under $2,000. The farm stand will be used by a local school whose students will sell produce harvested from the school farm.

A Guilford "Sound Studio and Residence" project that included the restoration of an 1800s farmhouse was recognized with a Merit Award. The two-structure project was designed by Ryall Porter Sheridan Architects of New York, NY. "These two buildings walk the line of being simple, but beautifully done," said jurors. "There is a lot more work here than initially meets the eye. This is a simple yet elegant solution; even though it was fussed over, it doesnt feel that way." Brattleboro builder David Ross led construction of the Sound Studio and Guilford builder Shaun Murphy managed the restoration of the residence.

The Shelburne Museums Pizzigalli Center for Art and Education earned the Boston-based firm of Ann Beha Architects a Merit Award. About the project, by PC Construction of Williston, jurors said, "The center is modern and sensitive with a wonderful palette of materials that are harmonious with the site. The building responds well to Route 7 on one side and the other museum buildings on the other side. The building captures the spirit of Vermont without being too reverential."

The Welcome and Admissions Center at Roger H. Perry Hall at Champlain College garnered a Merit Award for Goody Clancy & Associates of Boston and contractor Engelberth Construction of Colchester. Champlain College Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration David Provost said, "In college admissions, first impressions are everything."

The college wanted a building that would immediately represent to a prospective student the progressive kind of educational opportunities the College provides, he explained. "Goody Clancy was up to challenge."

The jurors said, "The Welcome Center deals well with sustainability. The project respects the historic nature of the existing building and neighborhood and is very well integrated into the landscape.The project is also well refined and controlled while still taking some risks."

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Bennington firm among Vermont Architecture Awards winners

A team of architects from the firm ACI Boland gave the Jefferson City Public Schools a C letter grade, in an appraisal they recently did for the districts Long Range Facilities Planning Committee which met Thursday night.

The districts elementary schools performed marginally better than its secondary schools, but both sets were rated satisfactory overall by the architects who used a rating system suggested by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International.

Michael Kautz, principal architect, said he and a colleague toured all the districts facilities, meeting mainly with principals, to gather their concerns. He said the appraisal tool essentially a scorecard is subjective, but used all over the country to evaluate school buildings.

Were comparing these facilities to new buildings that are being designed today, he noted.

Among the districts 11 elementary schools, only one Pioneer Trail was deemed excellent and eight were deemed satisfactory.

But West Elementary School and East Elementary School are teetering on the border between being acceptable and unacceptable, earning scores of 60.7 and 57.4 respectively.

(Interestingly, within Jefferson City, the two schools perform at opposite ends of the states accountability standards spectrum, with West Elementary earning 97 percent of the points the state awards for academic achievement and attendance and East Elementary earning 52.9 percent.)

The Southwest Early Childhood Center is considered a special building. It earned a 77 rating and was deemed satisfactory.

Among the citys six secondary institutions, the architects consider three of those buildings satisfactory and three of them borderline.

The older the buildings were, the worse they performed. The three borderline schools were Simonsen 9th Grade Center, the Jefferson City Academic Center (JCAC) Building and Jefferson City High School.

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JC school facilities graded as 'C' or satisfactory