Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

COURTESY CHENG CONCRETE

The concrete countertops in Eleanor Zuckerman's San Francisco kitchen are handcrafted works of art.

Custom-designed by Fu-Tun Cheng of Berkeley, Calif.-based Cheng Concrete, they feature colors like brick, flowing lines and pictures of nautilus shells.

"With concrete there is a lot of room for creativity, to say nothing of color," says Zuckerman, a retired psychologist. "It gives you flexibility."

Homeowners looking to spice up their kitchens can install a variety of countertops that go beyond the traditional laminate and tile. Today's options include concrete and butcher-block-style wood, and a range of custom-designed colors and shapes. IceStone countertops use recycled glass from broken bottles.

"So many different materials are used in countertops these days," says Tony Izzo, Curtis Lumber's corporate kitchen and bath manager in Albany, N.Y.

Until about 25 years ago, he says, roughly 90 percent of countertops in U.S. homes were laminate, and the rest tile. Then DuPont's Corian hit the market, followed by granite and quartz, which are current favorites, he says. Today just half of countertops are laminate, Izzo says.

The burgeoning interest in alternative countertops is the natural extension of that trend. And they are becoming more affordable.

"Slowly, over the years, the market has really grown," says Mike Heidebrink, president of Cheng Concrete. When the company opened in 2002, it catered mostly to well-heeled dot-commers willing to spend more to bring an artisan's touch to their kitchens.

Today, Heidebrink says, Cheng Concrete also serves a growing number of skilled do-it-yourselfers who want to shape, mold and install countertops themselves. They can choose the color and lines of their countertops, he says. Once installed and sealed, he says, concrete countertops are as durable as limestone and marble.

Read the original here:
Concrete emerges as popular countertop

Secaucus, NJ (PRWEB) June 02, 2014

Many factors can lead to the need for attic insulation removal. Wet, moldy, dusty, feces- and chemical-laden insulation can be hazardous to the health of the family. Cellulose insulation in particular needs to be removed by a professional because cellulose absorbs moisture when the humidity is high; it gains weight, settles, and loses its R value. When hot, dry conditions prevail, cellulose bakes in the attic, dries out and sheds its toxic chemical dust. This cycle repeats over and over again. AttiCare, NJ insulation installers company, have announced today they now offer safer better insulation removal.

Sometimes remodeling or other home improvement projects warrant the removal and replacement of the attic insulation. Weather, a moisture problem, or even an unwanted animal infestation can cause severe damage. Not only is damaged insulation no longer as effective as it once was, but insulation contaminated by animal or insect infestation, smoke, water, dust, mold, or mildew can be a health hazard.

The teams of experts at AttiCare will have an initial visit to determine where the insulation needs to be removed in a safe manner. The contractors in New Jersey use the proper machinery and equipment to make sure that no damaged material is left behind during insulation removal. Professional techniques are applied to ensure the home remains safe.

About AttiCare NJ: The New Jersey contractors at AttiCare have been offering attic cleaning services based out of Secaucus, NJ, to the surrounding area for over fifteen years. Crawl space cleaning services, rodent proofing, rodent control, and rodent removal are offered along with attic cleaning services including, new attic insulation and the removal of old and damaged insulation. Air duct repair and replacement services are also offered.

Attic insulation is a must for households; crawl spaces, attics, and other areas of the house need to be insulated to the proper R-value to lower heating bills and keep the house warmed evenly. Air ducts need to be cleaned and maintained to protect against contaminated air filtering into the house. Rodent proofing keeps out unwanted pests that can cause damage to homes.

AttiCare strives to provide the best services with the highest customer satisfaction. They know how to provide the safest insulation removal and installation techniques to provide homes with insulation at the proper R-value to insure maximum efficiency and comfort. To contact both San Francisco Bay Area and the Northern New Jersey areas Atticare services, please call their toll free phone number 888.743.7243 or visit the contact page of their official website http://www.bayareaattic.com/contact-us/ .

More here:
Safer Insulation Removal Now Being Offered by Contractors New in Jersey

Carpet in stock and available for next day installation. We have more than 30 different styles and colors. (See associate for details)

Amazing Selection Need Carpet Installation in New Jersey Carpet comes in many variations. Our staff is prepared to assist you in finding the right carpet for any room in your home. As a Mohawk Floorscapes Dealer, Carpets & More is able to draw on the 125 year history of Mohawk Industries. As you will learn, Mohawk has been synonymous with high quality, skilled craftsman, and cutting edge features for many years. Our affiliation with Mohawk also allows us to offer you My Mohawk RoomMate. This program can assist you in visualizing your room with several different carpeting options. Beyond Mohawk carpeting, we also offer products from Shaw Industries and many other mills. At Carpets & More, we guarantee you will find a carpet that both you and your home will fall in love with!

Tips for Choosing YOUR Perfect Carpet:

1.What room will the carpet will be going into? Will it be a Bedroom, Family Room, Childrens room, or basement? 2.Do you have children or pets? If yes, what type of pets and how large are they? 3.What is your style preference? Traditional, Contemporary, Transitional, Victorian? After you answer the first few questions, you can begin looking at the styles of carpet that interest you. There are six types to choose from. Within each type, there are many colors and patterns that are available. From sophisticated patterned carpet, to luxurious plush twists,Carpets&Morehas something for you. Be sure to check out our Types of Carpet page to find out more. Remember wenot only have just carpets, but More.

Carpets & More is the right place to buy carpet.We will come to your home for free.

Read more:
Carpet Installation NJ - Carpet Rugs - Carpet Stores NJ ...

It's almost painful to shell out hard-earned money for some home projects. Unlike adding a new deck or remodeling the kitchen, replacing a sump pump is hardly cause for a party.

But that's precisely the kind of job you need to invest in occasionally, if you want to keep your home in good shape.

Bowing to that reality, and hoping to inspire homeowners to plan any necessary maintenance they've been putting off, my team compiled a list of dull but important home improvement projects:

10. Gutter cleaning. This involves ladders and getting your hands (and everything else) dirty with leaves and other gunk. It's unpleasant, especially if you do it yourself, but you'll have a bigger and more costly problem to deal with if clogged gutters and downspouts cause water damage outside and inside your home. Of course, you can always decide to hire a reputable gutter cleaner or handyman for the job.

9. Window installation. Replacement windows can set you back thousands of dollars and even though they make your home more comfortable, reduce energy usage and are easier to clean than old-style windows, it's likely the neighbors will look right through your efforts.

8. Foundation repair. Who wouldn't rather spend money on new furniture instead of on a fix for fissures or cracks in basement walls? But ignoring wall cracks, separations and crumbling concrete won't sit well if you want your home's basement, crawl space or slab to properly support your house.

7. Removing mold. Mold can cause serious respiratory problems. Make sure to hire a reputable company to inspect for mold and to remove it. Don't just paint over mold.

6. Toilet repair. Resist the temptation to close the lid on those icky issues. If a plunger won't take care of a clog, or you're unable to take care of a perpetually running toilet yourself, contact a reputable plumber.

5. Insulation. It's easy for the insides of your attic and walls to be out of sight, out of mind. But it's important to invest in insulation if you want to be comfortable at home and wise about your energy spending.

4. Sump pump. Failing to maintain your sump pump and backup battery could lead to many more dollars eventually draining from your bank account.

See more here:
Living Smart: Unglamorous home projects

Floating City Ship Hotel Habitat By Space Line Design Architects
Floating City Ship Hotel Habitat By Space Line Design Architects -Floating City Ship Hotel Habitat By Space Line Design Architects This is a very much sought after in Floating City Ship Hotel...

By: beautiful hotel in the world

Read the original here:
Floating City Ship Hotel Habitat By Space Line Design Architects - Video

The Architects of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum | The New School for Public Engagement
Join the lead design architects of the 9/11 Memorial Museum and scholars for a discussion at The New School (http://www.newschool.edu/) for Public Engagement (http://www.newschool.edu/nspe)...

By: The New School

Visit link:
The Architects of the National 9/11 Memorial Museum | The New School for Public Engagement - Video

Principal, Michael Green Architects - Michael Green
Principal of Michael Green Archtiects, Michael Green, talks about his design concept for the new Ronald McDonald House at the site of Children #39;s Hospital in Vancouver.

By: The Rush on Shaw TV

Originally posted here:
Principal, Michael Green Architects - Michael Green - Video

Architects (Sam Carter) Interview with Rock Forever Magazine
Rock Forever Magazine interview with Sam Carter from Architects (UK). We talked about their latest album "Lost Forever // Lost Together," the message behind ...

By: rockforevermagazine

Read the original:
Architects (Sam Carter) Interview with Rock Forever Magazine - Video

Ivan Torrent - Architects of Life | Feat.by Celica Soldream | #EpicSongWeek 1/06/2014
Ivan Torrent - Architects of Life | Feat.by Celica Soldream | #EpicSongWeek 1/06/2014 Noticia completa en SonoraGamers:http://www.sonoragamers.com/ivan-torrent-architects-of-life-feat-by-celica-s...

By: SonoraGamers

Read more from the original source:
Ivan Torrent - Architects of Life | Feat.by Celica Soldream | #EpicSongWeek 1/06/2014 - Video

(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Saraya Bandar Jissah, the company developing Oman's newest Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), recently announced that DSA Architects International - Middle East, an internationally recognised architectural practice focused on high quality design and construction documentation delivery, has been awarded the site construction supervision consultancy services contract for its first two 5-star beach-front hotels in Bandar Jissah.

DSA Architects International will be responsible for construction supervision consultancy services for the two 5-star hotels, totalling 318 rooms, and will be supported by Atkins - Oman for engineering. The two projects are located in Bandar Jissah, 11km southeast of Muscat and 40km from the Muscat International Airport.

Saraya Bandar Jissah awarded DSA Architects International the contract after a detailed evaluation and selection process, which covered a number of major international competitors in the consultancy field. According to Saraya Bandar Jissah, DSA Architects International was ultimately selected because of its reputation for high-quality work and timely delivery, a release said Sunday.

In announcing the agreement, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan al Hosni, CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah noted, ''Awarding this prestigious and unique project to DSA Architects International was done after careful consideration and evaluation of the project's need for a consultant committed to the successful and timely delivery of the contract.''

''Considering the significance of the two hotels and the scale of work required, we found DSA Architects International to be an ideal partner. We strongly believe it has the experience and capability to undertake the project, from start to finish, and deliver quality results within the allocated time frame,'' Hosni added.

The two 5-star beach-front hotels, each offering its own unique identity, will be operated by the Jumeirah Group, the internationally-renowned luxury hotels and resorts operator. The first hotel is set to be a boutique 5-star hotel, occupying 61,000 sq m and comprising 112 rooms. Once completed, it will offer an array of world-class facilities and services that include an executive lounge, gym, business centre, lobby lounge, a specialty restaurant, prayer rooms, as well as offices and other facilities.

The second hotel, the larger of the two, will occupy a plot area of 74,000 sq m and will comprise a total of 206 rooms, of which 185 will be housed in the main hotel complex, while the remaining 21 will be individual villas. The project will also include a beach-front ballroom for weddings and events, international cuisine restaurants and sports activities, including a dive centre.

On being awarded the contract, Steve Kelshaw, managing director of DSA Architects International said, ''We are delighted to be associated with Saraya Bandar Jissah, the newest luxury address in Oman, along with world renowned hotel operator Jumeirah. we are proud to have been selected as a major stakeholder in the delivery of this world-class develop

View original post here:
DSA Architects bags Saraya Bandar hotel consultancy services contract