Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

One week after announcing a major cabinet shuffle, Premier Alison Redfords government will swear in a new cabinet in Edmonton on Friday.

The shuffle, the first major rearrangement of Redfords cabinet since immediately after the 2012 election, will see 10 ministers getting new jobs.

The swearing-in ceremony was delayed after the premier travelled to South Africa this week to attend the memorial for Nelson Mandela.

It will now take place at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Government House.

The cabinet shuffle will see the total number of full ministers increasing by one to 19, while the ranks of associate ministers increases to 11 from nine meaning more than half of the Tory caucus members are now ministers.

Among the biggest changes is Dave Hancock taking over Thomas Lukaszuks roles as deputy premier and minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, while Lukaszuk shifts into the new ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour.

Calgary-Greenway MLA Manmeet Bhullar takes over as Minister for Human Services, while Doug Griffiths will replace Bhullar in the Service Alberta post.

In turn, Energy Minister Ken Hughes replaces Griffiths in the ministry of Municipal Affairs and will be in charge of cabinets flood reconstruction efforts.

Diana McQueen moves from Environment to take over Energy from Hughes, while Robin Campbell will become Albertas Environment Minister.

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Redford to swear in shuffled cabinet on Friday, with 10 ministers getting new jobs

Premier Alison Redford shook up her Tory cabinet Friday in what appeared to be an attempt to heal fractious relationships with the provinces municipalities and post-secondary institutions, and make a fresh start on the contentious social services file.

The shuffle, announced late Friday afternoon, saw 10 ministers getting new jobs in the first major cabinet shuffle since immediately following the 2012 general election.

But opposition parties said the government missed the mark and Redford failed by grossly expanding cabinet, with the number of full ministers increasing by one to 19 and the cadre of associate ministers increasing from 9 to 11 meaning more than half of Tory caucus members are now ministers.

Among the biggest changes is veteran Tory Dave Hancock taking over Thomas Lukaszuks roles as deputy premier and minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

Its an important time in the mandate as we come through the first two years and (have) dealt with some of the really tough things that needed to happen, said Hancock, who also loses his position as house leader after 15 years.

With the shift, the government is now able to get out and set the direction . . . to expand on that vision that has been set out by the premier, he said.

The outspoken Lukaszuk, who had taken heat for major budget cuts in the post-secondary sector, was named to a new ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour.

Calgary-Greenway MLA Manmeet Bhullar one of the governments youngest MLAs receives a major promotion as he moves from the Service Alberta portfolio to assume Hancocks role as Minister for Human Services, the super-ministry that deals with child and youth issues, social programs and homelessness.

Hancock has been facing the fallout of a Calgary Herald-Edmonton Journal investigation that showed a greater number of children in government care had died between 1999 and 2013 than the province had reported.

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Redford puts new face on Tory government with cabinet shuffle

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: On the last day of his eight-year tenure on Wednesday, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up the Balochistan missing persons case and handed down an order. The proceedings of the case saw a verbal clash between a counsel and the bench.

Heading a three-judge Supreme Court bench which had issued a contempt notice to Inspector General of Frontier Corps Balochistan Maj Gen Ijaz Shahid, the chief justice ordered that the next-in-command in the force be immediately appointed in place of the FC chief who was indisposed and admitted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology.

When Brigadier Khalid Saleem, who is at present heading the force, tried to explain that none of the missing persons was in the FC custody, the court said that without a proper notification by the interior ministry about his charge he could not be considered to be legally holding the command.

After the notification, the order said, the acting FC chief would ensure that the FC personnel allegedly involved in enforced disappearances appeared before DIG of Balochistan Crime Investigation Department Imtiaz Ahmed Shah in compliance with the earlier order.

It said the new FC chief, along with the provincial police and other law-enforcement agencies, would also ensure recovery of the missing persons, including Advocate Mir Ahmed Marwani who had been picked up from Khuzdar in Balochistan.

The new FC chief, the Balochistan chief secretary and the inspector general of police are required to appear before the Supreme Court on Dec 17 along with reports on progress in recovery of the missing persons.

The court said that since former FC chief Obaidullah Khattak had earlier given an undertaking in the court, all those who had affixed their signatures on the commitment to recover the missing persons would also appear before it to explain whether they had met the commitment.

The court regretted that despite protests by relatives of the missing persons, no-one took practical steps to redress their grievances. This is evident from the attitude of law-enforcement agencies as well as elected representatives who had promised to enforce fundamental rights in their election campaigns.

Similar is the position of the federal government, the prime minister and his cabinet as well as the elected representatives, particularly from Balochistan, despite the fact that they are aware of the miseries of the Baloch people, the court said.

It observed that it was a responsibility of the executive authorities discharging functions under the constitution to enforce fundamental rights. The court regretted that there had been a hue and cry for many years and relatives of the missing persons were continuously holding camps in Quetta and even marched to Karachi on foot with their children, women and the elderly demanding their recovery.

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Amid verbal duel, CJ orders replacement of FC head - DAWN.COM

The New South Wales Opposition leader John Robertson says he is strengthening his frontbench in the lead up to the 2015 election.

Carmel Tebbutt's decision not to contest the next state poll has given Mr Robertson an opportunity to reshuffle his shadow Cabinet.

Ryan Park, a former high school teacher, has been promoted to replace Ms Tebbutt as the Education spokesman.

His replacement in Roads will be Walt Secord which will pit him against Duncan Gay in the Upper House.

Mr Robertson say he is also welcoming three extra MPs into the fold.

Peter Primrose has been named Special Minister for State, newly-re-elected Miranda MP Barry Collier gets Water, while Hunter MP Sonia Hornery will become the spokeswoman for Science and Medical Research.

Nathan Rees, who is on extended leave, will remain the spokesman for police.

Earlier this week the Premier Barry O'Farrell was forced into a minor reshuffle of his frontbench after the resignation from cabinet of Chris Hartcher.

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NSW Opposition reshuffles frontbench in lead up to 2015 election

The home office, it seems, is going the way of the fax machine. With the spread of wireless Internet and portable devices such as tablets, it's increasingly common to send and receive emails and spreadsheets from any room in the house.

So, according to interior designers, families are finding more inventive uses for the spaces described by real estate agents as "bonus rooms."

Among major home renovation projects, updating a home office provides the puniest return on the investment when a home is resold, according to Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value Report 2013.

So it's no surprise that families turning what was once an office into a game room, dressing room or homework hub for the kids.

"I get this question a lot," says Elizabeth cb Marsh, an associate interior designer at Baltimore-based Jenkins Baer Associates. When a client wants to make over an office, she usually recommends trying to preserve any built-in features, such as shelving or cabinetry.

If the space is large enough, she says, some clients add a pool table to create a billiards room. If the space has a wood counter, it can be covered with waterproof material such as stone to create a wet bar.

A smaller office can have a second life as a dressing room, by installing a wall of shelving for shoes and clothes. Marsh suggests using a neutral wall color and adding a pair of sconces and a tufted ottoman at the center of the room, as well as a floor mirror and vanity.

Families with children might want to turn the space into place for doing homework, says Pam Ginocchio, co-founder of the children's design blog Project Nursery. She recommends giving each child a space at a small metal desk in a fun color, a clip-on lamp and a comfy chair. You can also add some beanbag chairs and mount floating shelves to display books that entice young readers.

Make one wall suitable for scribbling ideas or displaying schoolwork by applying magnet paint and then chalkboard paint.

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How to repurpose an unused home office

The home office, it seems, is going the way of the fax machine.

Interior designers say families are finding more inventive uses for their homes extra little rooms optimistically called bonus rooms by real estate agents.

With the spread of wireless Internet and portables devices such as tablets, its common now to send spreadsheets and emails from any room in the house, not to mention the nearest coffee shop. In fact, among major home-renovation projects, home-office improvements provide the puniest return on the investment when a home is resold, according to Remodeling magazines 2013 Cost vs. Value report.

So instead of that dust-collecting desk, many families are seeking creative ways to customize these alcoves as game rooms, dressing rooms, small theaters and more.

I get this question a lot, said Elizabeth Cb Marsh, an associate interior designer at Jenkins Baer Associates in Baltimore. Especially in large, new-construction homes, there are these bonus rooms that are just there.

When her clients make over a pre-existing office, she usually recommends trying to preserve any built-in features, such as shelving or cabinetry. If the space is large enough, she said, one option is to create a billiards room. Find a small (7-foot) pool table to place in the center of the room. If theres a wood counter, retrofit the top with a waterproof material such as stone for an elegant wet bar, and if you have the budget, install plumbing for a small sink. Add barstools, a high-top cocktail table and a pendant lamp over the pool table.

A smaller office can have a second life as a luxe dressing room, according to Marsh. Whether you draw inspiration from Downton Abbey or certain Beverly Hills housewives, the first step is to install a wall of shelving for shoes and clothes. Keep the decor minimalist, she advises, with a neutral paint color, a pair of sconces, and a tufted ottoman in the center of the room. Add a floor mirror and a vanity, and accessorize with vintage hatboxes, a dress form or an antique trunk. If the room has windows, be sure to hang light-filtering curtains to protect your clothing.

Families with children have even more options for converting an office space. These days, it is common to transform a dull study into a kids homework hub, said Pam Ginocchio, co-founder of the childrens design blog Project Nursery.

To begin, she recommends giving each kid a workspace: a small metal desk in a fun color with a clip-on lamp and a comfy swivel chair. Create a comfortable reading nook on the floor with beanbags. Then mount floating shelves from floor to ceiling and display books with the covers facing out to entice young readers. Appoint one wall as a place for scribbling ideas or displaying schoolwork by applying a layer of magnet paint and then chalkboard paint from floor to ceiling.

Consider allowing a computer for older kids homework, but try to banish video games and other distractions, said Project Nursery co-founder Melissa Fluhr, who stresses the value of a quiet, contemplative space.

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Transform unused home office into space for fun, creativity

California homeowners saving up to overhaul that 1980s-era kitchen or build a porch off the family room face an additional cost in the new year: replacing plumbing fixtures throughout the house.

Starting Jan. 1, any improvement or alteration to a single-family home more than 20 years old will trigger a 2009 state law mandating the installation of water-saving toilets, shower heads and faucets.

Local government building officials, contractors and would-be home remodelers only recently started becoming aware of the rule. The exact impact is uncertain, with jurisdictions likely to interpret the replacement requirement differently. Some officials predict a run on building permits before years end.

We go down to the Capitol and ask them not to legislate our building code. And this is exactly why we do it, said Gene Paolini, Rosevilles chief building official. The way it reads is not real clear.

Water agencies were the main supporters of the 2009 law. Officials said the upcoming rule will, at relatively low cost, make a huge dent in the states urban water consumption and help the state meet a goal to reduce water use by 20 percent by 2020.

This is part of a larger effort to double-down on water conservation, said Dave Bolland of the Association of California Water Agencies. People will save money in the long run as water becomes more expensive in California, he said.

Contractors and building inspectors, though, warn that the requirement poses a major headache. Homeowners could rebel against the rule, either because they object to the look of low-flow fixtures or because of the requirements potential cost, and do the work without going through the permitting and inspection process.

Darius Baker, CEO of D&J Kitchens and Baths in Sacramento, said the rule could set back a remodeling industry still recovering from the recession.

From a remodeling perspective, its huge. People dont want to do something theyre told they have to do, particularly when it costs a lot of money, Baker said, adding that hes mentioned the upcoming rule on sales calls. Im just the messenger. And Im going to get shot like a hundred times.

The upcoming rule is the the latest government attempt to improve water conservation. Since the 1990s, new homes have had to include various water-saving features. Over subsequent years, the Legislature has approved laws setting low-flow standards for toilets, faucets and other products.

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Home improvements will trigger new rule on replacing plumbing fixtures in 2014

Prince William News

Gainesville Times

The challenge: Adding a bathroom over concrete flooring or in a tight spot where traditional plumbing doesn't work well.

The simple solution: Up-flush plumbing. Bathroom renovations or additions offer a high return on investment - as much as 56 percent of the initial investment when you resell, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. But conventional plumbing can be costly and time-consuming, even in the best circumstances. If you want to add a bathroom in a basement where the floor is concrete or in a smaller space with no room for traditional piping, an up-flush, or macerating, toilet is a simple, cost-effective solution. Systems like Saniflo's macerating toilet and plumbing technology eliminate the need to cut through a floor to install new drainage. And the systems fit easily into areas as small as a closet or dead space beneath a stairway. A macerating pump reduces waste and paper from the toilet and sends it under high pressure through piping directly into the septic or sewer system. No waste is stored, and the systems are comparatively low-cost compared to traditional plumbing. Visit http://www.saniflo.com to learn more.

The challenge: Introducing natural light in a room with no space for windows.

The simple solution: Skylights. The benefits of natural light are well-documented, from improving mood to reducing dependence on artificial lights. Yet some spaces, such as interior powder rooms or walk-in closets, don't lend themselves to windows. When you want natural light in a room where a lack of wall space precludes a window, or in which privacy is an issue, a skylight can be a great solution. Tubular skylights even allow you to bring natural light into ground floor rooms. The cost of installing a skylight is comparable to adding quality windows in a room. Choose energy-efficient skylights and you may also reduce home cooling costs in spring and summer, and lighting costs in winter, too.

The challenge: Privacy in a doorway where a swinging door doesn't make sense.

The simple solution: Pocket doors. A swinging door may not be right for a space for many reasons. Perhaps you need to close a door in a spot so infrequently that a swinging door isn't needed. Or, maybe the space around the doorway is too tight to accommodate a swinging door, such as in a laundry space tucked into a hallway. Or, perhaps a traditional door will ruin the aesthetic of a space. In all those situations, a pocket door is a great way to achieve privacy without compromise. Because pocket doors tuck away inside the wall, you don't need to worry about having enough space to open or close a traditional door. Plus, when left open, pocket doors are hidden inside the wall so their visual impact on decor is minimal. While these solutions may be beyond the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers, reputable contractors can accomplish them easily - and help you decide if one of these options is right for your renovation project.

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Three simple solutions for big renovation challenges

BEND, Ore. -

Sounds of drills and hammers fill the air outside the Deschutes County Jail.

Construction has begun on the jail's $11 million expansion and remodeling project, which will add 144 beds to it's current 228, which are almost always full.

"We have some jail beds rented in Jefferson County, so that's helping us alleviate our population issue," sheriff's Capt. Shane Nelson said Wednesday,

It's an issue that will ease once the work is done.

The extra space will also make room for more inmate programs, like drug and alcohol treatment and parenting classes.

"We don't just want to house inmates in the facility," Nelson said. "We want to give them options, so that they can improve their lives, in the hopes that they won't come back to the facility."

On top of the expansion, the jail will remodel a portion of its current facility starting in January.

It will become a monitored area for those dealing with a medical condition or mental health issues.

"About 30 percent of our population does have some sort of a mental health challenge," said sheriff's Lt. Michael Gill.

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Deschutes Jail expansion, remodeling underway

Mediation on siding lawsuit fails to bear fruit, attorney says

Burlingame homeowners are preparing to take a construction defect lawsuit to trial, after the parties failed to come to terms through a mediation process.

Thats according to Front Range attorney Chris Rhody, who is representing the Burlingame Ranch Phase I Condominium Association, which filed the lawsuit in Pitkin County District Court in April 2012.

The suit alleges that siding and trim on the exterior of the multi-family buildings was improperly manufactured and installed when the 84-unit affordable housing project was built seven years ago. Homeowners fear that faulty materials and installation of the siding could result in long-term problems to their condos.

The suit names as defendants Shaw Construction, the general contractor; Certainteed Corp., the siding manufacturer; the city of Aspen, which backed the project financially and oversaw its completion; and the Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority, which manages the sale of the units.

After a mediation session held in Denver in May, it was agreed that the homeowners should come up with an estimate for what the repairs would cost, Rhody said. They spent the following months getting input from forensic engineers on the extent of the problem, and then took that information to contractors, who provided bids on the repair work, he said. The homeowners selected a bid and presented Shaw with a settlement demand in early November, including legal costs and fees for experts who worked on the project. The company responded with a counteroffer the homeowners deemed too low, Rhody said.

I can tell you it was a big difference, Rhody said, of the disparity between the HOAs settlement demand and Shaws counteroffer. He would not discuss the specific numbers being debated.

Shaw had made a similar offer right around the time the lawsuit was filed, Rhody said.

An attorney representing Shaw, as well as a project manager for the company, declined comment.

Rhody said the homeowners are now going through the legal process to move toward a trial. The first priority is to have a trial date set, and then begin the discovery phase. He wouldnt speculate when a trial date might be set.

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Burlingame lawsuit likely headed to trial