Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

(ARA) Remodeling a kitchen is still one of the best value-enhancing investments you can make in your home. Remodeling Magazines 2011-2012 Cost vs. Value Report says that even minor kitchen remodels return more than 72 percent of your investment at the time of resale. Yet the cost of even a minor remodel doesnt look that minor $19,588 on average, according to the report.

What if you dont have that kind of budget? The good news is its possible to completely change the look and feel of your kitchen for less than $2,000 by choosing meaningful upgrades that have the biggest cosmetic impact for the least cost. When deciding what changes will have the most value for your project, think about changes that will be most visible in the space.

Gutting a kitchen and replacing every element can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Not many of us have that kind of renovation budget. Your money can be better spent and saved by replacing a few key elements that have the biggest visual impact.

The sink and faucets are not only essential functioning parts of the kitchen, they can be a design focal point, too. Fortunately, replacing a sink can be one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make in a kitchen. Opting for a visually distinctive design, like an apron-front sink, can help transform the look of the kitchen. Models like Kohlers self-trimming apron-front kitchen sinks make it easy for do-it-yourselfers to achieve this distinctive look.

The stainless steel single-basin Vault models, and the double-basin Whitehaven enameled cast iron model, require no custom cabinetry only the removal of the false drawer front you find beneath most traditional sinks. This makes these top-mount sinks ideal for homeowners looking to install a new sink that works with existing cabinetry and countertops for less than $1,000. Plus, the Whitehaven is available in 16 different colors, making it easy to turn your sink into a design focal point.

Cabinets and countertops are major design elements, and can be costly to replace completely. Its often easier for a DIYer and less costly to refresh cabinets with a coat of paint or new varnish. Swapping out old, dated hardware for newer more modern styles is also a simple, low-cost way to give cabinets a facelift.

Laminate countertops that are scuffed, cracked or scratched may need a new sheet of laminate, but new technologies make replacing this type of countertop easier than ever. If you have granite that has lost its luster due to staining, look into specialized cleaners that can restore its beauty. You can even find products that will lift oil stains from granite.

The walls are another major design element thats easy to give a new look. A fresh coat of paint will brighten the room, even if youre just repainting the same color. You can find excellent interior wall paints for as little as $25 a gallon at your local home improvement store, and unless you have an enormous kitchen a gallon or two is usually enough to do the job. While youre painting, dont forget to do the ceiling and wood trim - youll be amazed at how much brighter your kitchen will look with fresh paint throughout.

Adding something new to the kitchen - some element that didnt exist before - can also enhance the cosmetic changes. Installing a backsplash is a simple way to introduce a new design element without spending a bundle. Having a professional install glass tile, ceramic or even tin can run up costs, so look into doing the job yourself. Youll find plenty of guidance and advice, including demonstration videos, online. Or, contact your local home improvement store to see if they offer free (or nearly free) classes on how to install different types of tile.

If youre unsure how a new faucet or sink will affect the look of your kitchen design, you can find online kitchen planners to help you visualize the new look.

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Upgrades to refresh your kitchen for less than $2,000

(PRWEB) September 26, 2012

Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling is offering a free upgrade to granite kitchen countertops for potential building customers for both new homes and kitchen remodeling.

Granite is one of our more commonly requested upgrades so why not put it in every homes base price? says Mike Bauman, Sales Manager for Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling. Many home builders attract home shoppers with artificially low base pricing. They expect clients to add thousands of dollars to their base price in order to complete the home.

Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling features a variety of new home designs from 1,500 to over 3,300 square feet. Styles run the gamut from traditional two-stories to inviting ranches with architectural details, exterior character and elegant amenities included in the homes base price.

Weve taken a different home building and home remodeling pricing position at Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling, says Bauman. Our base pricing is complete with all those commonly overlooked items required for the construction of a home such as building permits, survey and erosion control, backfill and grading, drive and garage stone, water & sewer laterals, excavation, all interior and exterior painting and staining, light fixtures, all flooring, site cleanup and final cleaning and plan modifications.

Bauman added, At Joseph Douglas Homes, we take our pricing philosophy one step further. Weve also included the most common upgrades as standard features in our All Inclusive Pricing. While the items listed above are required to make your house complete, the following items make your house a home: low-e windows, Kohler plumbing fixtures, 200 amp service, ceiling fixtures in all Rooms, Armstrong A/C and high efficiency furnace, Heatilator fireplace with surround, six panel pine doors, structured home wiring system for todays (and tomorrows) technology, GE dishwasher and microwave. Every Joseph Douglas Home is built to the standards of both Energy Star and Green Built.

For more information on Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling, please contact (262) 783-4700. Or visit the website at http://www.josephdouglashomes.com.

About Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling Founded in 1998 by Deron Butler, Joseph Douglas Homes is a single-family home builder based in Menomonee Falls that has over 500 happy customers throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. As principle architect, Deron Butler works directly with each customer tailoring an existing model or creating a one-of-a-kind custom home. Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling is an active member of both the Metropolitan Builders Association and National Association of Remodeling Industry. The company proudly boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and an A rating for Angies list. The companys unparalleled dedication to its customers as well as the communities it serves has not gone unnoticed. In fact, Joseph Douglas Homes has been honored with numerous awards including national recognition in homeowner satisfaction by Professional Builder Magazine and NRS Corp., Top Ten Small Business of the Year by Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce, Future 50 Award by MMAC, Beyond the Paycheck by The Business Journal and Top 50 Builders to Work For by Professional Builder Magazine.

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Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling offers free upgrade to potential customers

OXFORD, Miss., Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tall pitchers of iced tea, front porches as long as Paula Deen's drawl and bustling town squares are a just a few of the iconic images often associated with the South. A new student housing development Highland Square taps into this rich heritage by providing Ole Miss students with an unparalleled living experience that preserves the sense of community for which the South and Mississippi is known.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110322/DA69574LOGO)

Student housing industry leaders and community officials broke ground for this new $40 million student housing project at ceremonies on Tuesday (Sept. 25). The occasion also marked the official unveiling of the development's name. Officials said the idea for the name came from Oxford's own town square, which has been a popular gathering place since the town's founding in 1837.

"Oxford and the University of Mississippi pride themselves on their rich heritage and the vibrancy of their community," said Andy Feinour, senior vice president of Carter. "We wanted to reflect that in not only the name we chose for the property but also in the way we designed it to instill a town square type of feel to the community's common areas."

Carter and Chance Partners are developing the property. Campus Advantage, a leading student housing company that manages 48 student housing communities spread across 20 states, will oversee the property.

Located less than two miles from the University of Mississippi, the 753-bed Highland Square is a master-planned student housing community in which cottages, flats and townhomes will make up the more than 100 buildings spread across 60 acres of Mississippi landscape and add to the 39 existing homes on site that already house students. Its centerpiece will be the Town Center where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee at Common Ground, exercise at the Iron Clad fitness center or simply hang out with friends. The Town Center will provide a sense of community rarely seen at student housing properties and is patterned after Oxford's popular Historic Downtown Square.

"When it comes to amenities and floor plans, University of Mississippi students have never had as many options as they will at Highland Square," said Mike Peter, CEO of Campus Advantage. "Today's college students demand more from where they live, and Highland Square delivers. Residents will benefit from our highly rated Students First residence life programs that will help them succeed in school as well as help them prepare for life after graduation."

The list of Highland Square's amenities is long and includes three pools, fitness trails, media center, individual cottage courtyards, community fireplaces, basketball and volleyball courts, a lawn with a stage and games, dog park, car wash/dog wash and media center.

With construction expected to be complete by July, Highland Square is already accepting leases for fall 2013. More information on the community may be found at http://www.livehighlandsquare.com

About Campus AdvantageCampus Advantage is an Austin-based real estate firm that offers student housing management, development, acquisition and consulting services. The company works to create winning partnerships between colleges, universities, investors, developers and owners in an effort to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. For additional information, please visit http://www.campusadv.com.

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New Oxford Community to Pair Small-Town Feel with Premium Amenities for Ole Miss Students

KPMB Architects Design Innovative Research Facility at University of Waterloo described as 'architectural genius' by Stephen Hawking

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Opening ceremonies were held last week in Waterloo for Canada's new 'mind space', the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre (QNC). The massive 26,010-square-metre Centre at the University of Waterloo, designed by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg (KPMB) is a showcase for Canadian innovation and industry in the fields of quantum computing and nanotechnology - the first of its kind in the world to bring together the two disciplines under one roof.

"Breakthrough science is advancing at dizzying speed today, with quantum physics at atomic and sub-atomic scale", said Mike Lazaridis, founder of the Centre, "Simultaneously, rapid movement is happening in nanotechnology, where fabrication of materials, devices and systems 100 nanometres or smaller is being explored. This critical nexus of quantum computing and nanotechnology brings the world closer to the cusp of previously unimagined solutions and insights."

The state-of-the-art new QNC located on the University of Waterloo's main campus in the Math/Computer/Science district is a five-storey building that houses the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and the university's undergraduate program in nanotechnology engineering - a total of 400 academics are accommodated.

Stephen Hawking, world-renowned physicist, who participated in the official opening, commented that the new Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre "is a work of architectural genius". Since 1999, Professor Hawking has partnered with the University of Waterloo.

The Quantum Nano Centre was conceptually inspired by the famed Newton Institute in Cambridge, U.K. IQC and Nanotechnology Engineering each occupy their own building and are joined by a six-storey central atrium which acts as an indoor pedestrian route and an informal gathering space. The design organizes 'mind spaces' - lounges, offices and meeting rooms - around the edge of the atrium where interdisciplinary interaction can flourish.

As Marianne McKenna, KPMB Architects founding partner and partner-in-charge of the Quantum Nano Centre project said, "Waterloo, Ontario has evolved into Canada's Technology Centre, the equivalent of Silicon Valley in California. KPMB is proud to have played a role in the physical renaissance of the Kitchener-Waterloo region. With the opening of the Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre, Waterloo has gained immense intellectual capital that will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the region and of Canada."

KPMB took an Integrated Design Team Approach to the project. As Mitchell Hall, KPMB Design Architect and Principal-in-Charge led the design team said. "We first engaged researchers, both theorists and experimentalists, in deep discussions to understand the ways and patterns of their work. This advance research later provided the groundwork for the development of the interior and exterior of the complex."

Designed to meet stringent scientific standards - with controls for vibration, temperature fluctuation and electromagnetic radiation - the facility is of the highest international caliber. One of the signature features of the facility is a 929-square-metre cleanroom with fabrication facilities for quantum and nanodevices, as well as an advanced metrology suite, extensive teaching and research laboratories.

The exterior is distinguished by a hexagonal honeycomb lattice of structural steel, a pattern inspired by the stable hexagonal carbon structure of the nanotube. The podium of the building is clad with burnished concrete block to relate to the primarily masonry fabric of the University of Waterloo.

Excerpt from:
Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre Creates 21st Century 'Mind Space'

Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The night-time temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight. With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and violas are the standbys of fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a porch container of pansies in team colors.

o Use a bright orange or blue container.

o Fill it with team-colored pansies

o On Bronco Sundays, poke in the team banner attached to a stick or dowel and show your support.

Other great fall bloomers are aster and mum. Find your favorite colors ranging from lavender and purple to soft and brilliant yellow to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget foliage for fall combos

Foliage adds drama when included with flowers because of the deep shades and texture that make these primarily foliage plants distinctive. Incorporate ornamental kale, sedum, coral bells and ornamental grasses into containers and beds alike. The deep hues and texture of the foliage will backstop flowering plants and make their color pop.

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Vail Landscape Logic column: Pitch the petunias and plant some pansies

Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The nighttime temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight. With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and violas are the standbys of fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a porch container of pansies in team colors.

> Use a bright orange or blue container.

> Fill it with team-colored pansies

> On Bronco Sundays, poke in the team banner attached to a stick or dowel and show your support.

Other great fall bloomers are aster and mum. Find your favorite colors ranging from lavender and purple to soft and brilliant yellow to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget foliage

for fall combos

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Garber: Pitch the petunias and plant some pansies

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A Mobile entrepreneur is hoping his "e-cig" shop will help smokers cope with the city's smoking ban, set to take effect in October.

On Oct. 1, a smoking ordinance passed by the Mobile City Council takes affect. The ordinance bans smoking in most businesses and public outdoor areas. Ernest Jackson plans to open a shop which, by selling electronic cigarettes, could allow smokers to continue their nicotine habit while circumventing the ban.

E-Cigarette is nowhere in the ban, so where you would normally be able to smoke, now, come October 1 you won't be able to, said Jackson, who plans to call his shop Smokers Dream. You should still be able to use these without a problem.

Jackson's store opens October 1, the same day the smoking ban takes effect. The electronic cigarettes that will be sold there are inhalers that vaporize a nicotine solution into an aerosol mist.

Authors of a 2010 study by Boston University's School of Public Health said evidence shows the e-Cig's to be safer than tobacco cigarettes and comparable in toxicity to nicotine replacement products.

Jackson touted the benefits for those who dont smoke as well.

It's just water vapor, so there's no second-hand smoke, said Jackson.

The e-Cig device originated in China and made its U.S. appearance three years ago. Jackson said the devices are made of nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, distilled water and flavoring.

I was at my doctor's office and we were actually in the doctor's room and he allowed me to smoke it, said Michael Williams of Semmes.

Jackson said customers often ask him the same question: Can it help me quit smoking?

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Entrepreneur wants to sell safer smoke

Press Release September 21, 2012

Legarda Cites Role of Engineers, Architects in Building Disaster-Resilient Communities

Senator Loren Legarda today called on Filipino engineers and architects to help strengthen the country's resilience to disasters by ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, made the statement at the Greentech Summit 2012 Opening Ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, which was attended by about 1,000 professional architects and engineers all over the country.

"As key stakeholders in nation building, we hope that our architects and engineers will fully utilize their talent, skills, and expertise to build infrastructure that will shield our people from natural hazards," she stressed. The Senator explained that since the Philippines is located both on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and the typhoon belt, infrastructure development is a vital component in building a disaster-resilient nation.

"Our engineers and architects should lead efforts towards promoting disaster-resilient development by ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure, especially to reduce the impact of strong tremors," she said.

Legarda added that engineers and architects, especially those involved in government projects, need to look into widening waterways as a measure to prevent flooding, in addition to seawalls, water pumps, and infrastructure designed to combat flood control problems.

"Our engineers and architects are key players in advancing the country's development initiatives, which we must strengthen by ensuring that the buildings and infrastructure we build will be resilient to natural hazards," Legarda concluded.

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Legarda Cites Role of Engineers, Architects in Building Disaster-Resilient communities

KUSA - Fall is in the air and we're ready to see the colors of the new season on our porches and around the patio. It's time to pitch the petunias and plant some fall color.

The last week of September and first week of October are generally the best weeks to freshen the containers and beds with brilliant fall color. The nighttime temperatures are much cooler and there are fewer hours of daylight.

With the hot days of summer behind, plants can now settle in without heat stress and their roots can take off to get set for winter.

Pansies and their smaller cousins - violas - are standbys for fall flowers and for good reason. They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter. Best yet, they'll be back early next season with bright spring color.

New pansies this year are Lavender Plum and Mammoth Red. Combine these two for striking color - or mix them with contrasting shades.

If you're a Bronco fan, make a container full of pansies in team colors. On Broncos Sunday, drop in the team banner that's attached to a stick or dowel to show your support.

Other fall bloomers are asters and mums. They come in a variety of colors ranging from lavenders and purples to soft or brilliant yellows to rust and bronze. Most asters and mums are perennials that you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Don't forget to add foliage in fall combinations. Foliage adds drama when included with flowers because of the deep shades and texture that make these plants distinctive. Incorporate ornamental kale, sedum, coral bells and ornamental grasses into containers and beds alike. Their deep hues and texture will backstop flowering plants and make their color pop. Information courtesy Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado - sponsors of the 9NEWS Kitchen Garden and the 9NEWS Water Wise Garden. For help with your landscape needs, go to http://www.alcc.com and click on Find a Pro.

(KUSA-TV 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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Gardening: Planting fall colors

WESTMINSTER, CO--(Marketwire - Sep 21, 2012) - The 3C Network (www.3C.com), a technology and business services company out to revolutionize the image and operational procedures of the roofing industry, has chosen Piers Dormeyer to serve as business development liaison with key manufacturers and suppliers.

As Chief Business Development Officer, Dormeyer will connect with leading roofing and siding materials and service suppliers to create strategic marketing alignments that will benefit both the suppliers and 3C's member contractors.

3C Network, short for Consumers, Contractors and Carrier Network, is a full-service technology and business solutions provider supporting roofing contractors across North America. 3C Network was formed in 2010 to be a catalyst for reputable roofing contractors to better serve consumers while improving productivity and profitability.

More than 900 of the country's leading independent retail re-roof and storm damage contractors already have joined 3C to access the Network's cutting-edge cloud-based technology, which includes roofing-specific business management software integrated with aerial CAD measurement, inspection, estimating and training tools to help them be more competitive while keeping pace with increasingly complex federal, state and local codes and regulations.

"With a multitude of product offerings out there, and thousands of related manufacturers and suppliers in the industry, Piers will ensure that our members are able to take full advantage of product trends, purchasing economies and maximum allocations," said Ken Cook, 3C's Chief Operating Officer.

"My mission is to organize, structure and execute agreements and alignments that drive maximum value through the supply chain to benefit consumers, contractors and carriers while creating a pathway for key suppliers and manufacturers to further build and develop relationships with their customers," added Dormeyer. "My single focus is to build synergies.'"

Dormeyer previously served as 3C's Vice President of Sales.A respected industry veteran, with experience in both the residential and commercial exterior building products channels, he served as Regional Sales Manager for Polyglass USA in New York, where he was responsible for all direct and independent sales representatives over the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the United States as well as Canada, and the Caribbean markets.He also worked in sales positions with GAF and Elk Premium Building Products. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, Gainesville.

For more information about 3C Network, visit http://www.3C.com or call 855-3C-MEMBER or 855-326-3623.

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3C Network Enhances Roofing Contractors' Connections to Manufacturers and Suppliers