Thinking of Summer helps with Winter. But don’t overlook SPRING

It’s cold, it won’t stop snowing and everyone is just a tad irritable.  If you weren’t able to make a snow-bird trip to some place warm and relaxing this winter, spring can’t come soon enough.  Even if you were fortunate to get away somewhere warm and sunny, you’re back in the cold and probably can’t wait for spring to come either. 

Some people will sit behind their desk and daydream about that perfect BBQ party in 80 degree and sunny weather realizing that there is work that needs be done before that dream comes true.  Then your boss walks into your office, daydream over! 

Spring is a great time to prioritize some of your home’s remodeling needs and get it ready for the summer months. Don’t wait until summer to realize you waited too long. 

Creative Contracting Inc. looks forward to the opportunity in helping you complete these projects.

Reasons to remodel in the Spring:

1. OPEN THE WINDOWS (for two reasons): The first, dust is inevitable.  Setting fans up in the open windows gives a place for the dust to go.  The second, it can give you a place to go.  Living through a renovation can be tough.  Having the ability to go outside and escape can be a treat.

2. ENJOY THE SUMMER MONTHS:  Too often people wait too long to start their projects and they are not done by the time they had hoped.  It’s opposite of the ‘Better Late Than Never’ mentality.  Get the project done before summer is here so you can show it off and enjoy the finished product.

3. TAX RETURNS:  This topic probably doesn’t need an explanation, but it is a legitimate reason for a large number of spring remodeling projects. 

Popular projects completed in the Spring:

1. Kitchens: Hosting those summer parties means prepping and having friends and families over.   You deserve a new and beautiful kitchen that you can be proud of to get everything ready for the party and show off.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/5372491/A-Pristine-Paradise-tropical-kitchen-hawaii

2. Porches and Sunrooms: Enjoying the outside and not fighting the bugs or rain. Seems like a win, win to me.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/3586822/Renovation---Senoia-Farmhouse-farmhouse-porch-atlanta

http://www.houzz.com/photos/2363093/Porch-Bed-Swing-contemporary-porch-other-metro

Where to Begin?

When beginning a remodeling process the decisions about how to approach your personal style may be overwhelming. I use many tools to help my clients find the palette and design which merges what they like with how it will meet their remodeling needs.

If you are at the initial stages of planning your remodel it is incredibly helpful to the designer to have some samples of things you like. Sometimes these are pictures of rooms that appeal to you; sometimes they  can even be a more inspirational piece. I had one client who used a handmade pottery vase as an inspiration for her kitchen design. The color and subtle texture, the curves and softness of its shape, where all features we used to choose cabinet style, fixtures, hardware, countertops and tile. One of my favorite tools is the website Houzz. There the clients and I can create idea books and share pictures of specific things we like. It is wonderful to use for initial inspiration through the final design details.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10854056/thumbs/Asian-Inspired-Bathrooms

Attached are some samples of ideas from Houzz for an Asian style bathroom for a couple who live in Doylestown. We used these pictures as inspiration for their design. After meticulous planning we worked together to design a bathroom that was an award winner for Creative Contracting at the Bucks-Mont NARI 2014 Contractor of the Year awards ceremony. Look for pictures and a description of their project in our next newsletter.

Please visit us at the Philadelphia Home Show this weekend at the Oaks Convention Center. We would love to see you! If you need tickets -give us a call.

Indoor Gardening.

Winter is a good time to focus a little time and energy on indoor gardening. As someone, who lacks the ability to keep houseplants flourishing – I look for low maintenance ideas. Terrariums have become my new winter garden of choice. I can decorate them, they need little maintenance and they’re a great table top accessory. The choice of containers for small plantings is endless and garden stores carry a wide variety of tiny artful ways to enhance and personalize garden scapes. For the best results, create a base for your terrarium with small stones layered with a thin layer of charcoal to help keep the soil fresh.  Add some good quality potting soil and then start planting! Many garden stores are carrying miniature plants perfect for terrariums. Plants can grow quickly and overpower the container – so I tend to replant seasonally or use slow growing plants and moss. I replace flowering plants when they are finished flowering. 

This is a picture of my fall terrarium.

Terrariums come in a wide variety of styles – express your creativity and add a little greenery to this dreary time of year! I know I’m looking forward to updating my terrarium with some early springtime bulbs.

Re-think your Re-model with RE-FACING

Have you been looking at your kitchen, telling yourself it's time for a change? Before you start considering a complete remodel, ask yourself these three questions and see if there is an alternative option:

1. Let me preface this question with this statement "Everyone could always use more storage space". That being said, is your kitchen functional in terms of layout and space?
2. Are your appliances fairly new and in working order?
3. Is budget one of the major reasons holding you back from solving this problem?

If you answered 'Yes' to the three questions above, you will probably be interested in reading the rest of this blog. If Creative Contracting could give your kitchen a brand new look, save you about half the cost of a complete kitchen remodel and have it done in more than half the time, would you consider calling us to see what can be done to your dated and tired kitchen?

Cabinet Re-facing is a great option to giving your kitchen a new look and saving your bank account from going into cardiac arrest. We would not have to disconnect or relocate your appliances, which means you still have a functional kitchen throughout the process. 

Take a look below at a few great examples of what Re-facing can do for a dated kitchen. If you would be interested in exploring this option, give us a call today. 

http://homedezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/0V_-1JPG12.jpg

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/refacing-kitchen-cabinets/

http://www.dupageremodeling.com/CabinetRefacing.html

Is This $omething I can Afford?

Remodeling can be something you think about doing for years.  You know there is a space in your home that is dated, unusable, or just plain embarrassing.  Some people think, the worse it looks, the more expensive it will be to transform into something you are proud of.   If the dollar signs are the factor that is holding you back, take a look the three “types” of remodeling we can do for you.  Sometimes the level of remodeling doesn’t have to be as invasive or expensive as you think.

-A ‘COSMETIC’ remodel can be quick, easy and cost effective if the space and fixtures are useable but not up to date.

- A ‘PULL AND REPLACE’ remodel is typically used when fixtures or pieces of a room are not functional and in desperate need of a facelift. 

-A ‘CUSTOM’ remodel is necessary when the layout is also redesigned, as well as the overall look and fixtures. 

Take your pick, and stop being afraid that they will all burn a hole in your wallet.  When done right, all three options can be cost effective and the dramatic change that your home needs. 

COSMETIC:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-15

http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/before-and-after-bathrooms/#page=22

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-basement-remodels-and-renovations-by-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

PULL AND REPLACE:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-34

http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/before-and-after-bathrooms/#page=2

CUSTOM

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-28

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-basement-remodels-and-renovations-by-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, AND WE’RE ALL TUCKERED OUT

Traditional Exterior

WITH NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS JUST AROUND THE CORNER I EXCLAIM; WHAT DO I DO NOW!

Do I do that new Kitchen?

Do I update that bathroom?

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco General Contractors citidev, inc

Traditional Bathroom by New York Design-Build Firms DELUXE Design & Construction

Reorganize?

Traditional Kitchen by New Rochelle Closet & Home Storage Designers transFORM | The Art of Custom Storage

Beach Style Bathroom by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Elizabeth Swartz Interiors

New counters & tile?

Traditional Kitchen by Chicago Photographers Marcel Page Photography

Traditional Bathroom by Durham Interior Designers & Decorators Heather Garrett Design

A new shower or tub:

Midcentury Bathroom by Mercer Island Interior Designers & Decorators ID by Gwen

Contemporary Bathroom by Orange Interior Designers & Decorators Wendy Ann Miller

If you have been struggling with what to do next, give us a call for ideas and planning. We have been designing and remodeling residential homes for more than 25 years. We offer professional planning, 3-D designs and process proven project management and construction from our staff of Certified Professionals. Serving the remodeling needs of Bucks County, Montgomery County and surrounding Philadelphia area.

No Excuses

It’s the holiday season! That means eating too much, relaxing on the couch next to a fire, eating too much, spending time with the family and making a new year resolution to GO TO THE GYM to take care of eating too much. The majority of people stick to their plan for a month, maybe even two months and then back to your hectic lives that doesn’t leave time to go to the gym. What if you didn’t have to leave your home to stick to your resolution? The days of dark, dingy workout rooms are gone. Take a look at these ideas below that could transform your unused space in your home into an inviting and useful work-out room. Make this New Year resolution a life time resolution!

Contemporary Home Gym by New York Architects & Designers Eisner Design LLC

Traditional Home Gym by Thornhill Interior Designers & Decorators Sisters in Sync Design

Contemporary Home Gym by Edmonton Architects & Designers Habitat Studio

Finding Space

As winters chill settles in, many of us start to go a little stir crazy, stepping over one another, clutter everywhere, kids gaming while mom and dad wanting to just curl up in front of the fireplace to relax and watch a movie, no place for friends to just hang out. If this sounds familiar a fun and easy solution might be that unused space below ground! It can be the perfect space where the whole family can enjoy classic games and compete head to head in action-packed video games, the kids have a retreat and you know where they are.

Take a look at some ideas below and transform your area into the perfect spot for a family game night! On a budget this is a really simple way to finish off some extra space (paint the ceiling black, paint the floor and walls, some area rugs):

Modern Basement by Cincinnati Architects & Designers Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

Modern Basement by Cincinnati Architects & Designers Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

A little more sophisticated for the adults in your home, incorporating the existing beams into the design and adding lots of "molding detail" to define and refine:

Transitional Basement by Annapolis Interior Designers & Decorators Dream House Studios

Open stair is much more inviting, duct work hidden with soffits, warm, inviting, bright and cheerful:

Traditional Basement by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Molly Quinn Design

Natural light always adds charm while providing piece of mind if there should be an emergency:

Traditional Basement by Arlington Design-Build Firms Cook Bros Design Build Remodeling

Could you use a little more space? Follow Creative Contracting on Facebook, linked in, Houzz and Youtube

The story of an inspirational journey.

This Holiday Season …
We are thankful for our wonderful clients.

A recent contest prompted us to do something we’ve been thinking about for a while now and we are so pleased with the results! Please read the story of Gretchen Stoffel, a truly inspiring client, and the remodel which changed her life. If you think this story is award-winning, please vote for us! Also, if you are interested in being featured in a video testimonial – let us know. We’d be happy to feature your story on our website.

Ideas from Creative Contracting

THIS HAS BEEN ONE HOT SUMMER
Help your home Survive with these Creative (Contracting) Tips

Timely Tips –
1. The hot sun and heavy rain can really take a toll on your exterior trim. Make sure it's weather tight with a good coat of paint to prevent rot from occurring.

2. Keep the cool air in and save on energy costs by making sure your windows and doors are properly maintained and in good working order.

3. Check your air filters! A dirty filter slows down air flow making the system work harder to cool your house. Change them every 1-3 months to properly maintain your HVAC system.

4. Check your attic! Make sure all roof ventilation is clear, working, and has the proper R-value of insulation. If it's "knock-you-down" hot, call us to start saving money!

Guest Room Design Tips
All of us would hope that the guest room is more than just a place to torture our friends and families who love us enough to suffer through a visit with us. We hope this article gives some practical guidance to increasing the comfort of your guests. This blog post is inspired by recently reading some of Sarah Susanka's design books.

As our family’s grow, change, move, return whatever the current or anticipated situation is, your home may need to change as well. For the occasional visit (long, short or really long term) let us offer these suggestions:

1. Many guests are very uncomfortable having to walk through public spaces to get to the bathroom. Is it possible to add a small guest bathroom or private access to the hall bath? If not, supplying an oversized robe that can be thrown on quickly as a convenient option.

2. Stay in your guest room every once in awhile. Is it comfortable in both summer and winter? Is it quiet at night?

3. The top of the bed doesn't have to be the place you put the suitcase. The floor is an awkward place to access a suitcase. A desk area could be a perfect place to open up luggage, or a bench or chest at the foot of the bed. After all, if you're only spending 2 nights, who wants to unload all your clothes into the 2 dressers (unnecessary) in most guest rooms?

4. Bedding – I prefer my home very cool, but not everyone does. Have layers on the bed or available in the room for your guest to make themselves comfortable. Don't forget a fan or alternative heat source if it's not a normally comfortable room.

5. Think like a hotel - what is your favorite hotel to stay in? Copy some of their practices. Supply a bedside water carafe and glass. Make sure there is an alarm clock that is set properly. Fresh flowers and a few treats of candy or fruit lets guest know that you really value their visit.

6. Offer different thickness of pillows in the room and don't have hand-me-down pillows. Throw out the pillows from the 90s and buy new ones.

7. Two twin beds is roughly the same as a king sized bed so if you have to displace the kiddos for guests consider pushing together twins to make guests comfy.

We love having guests in our home. These tips will help demonstrate our love more fully to those we invite into our homes.

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Send us your Design Challenges!

New Opportunity - September is design challenge month with the Creative Contracting Design Team! Send us your most unique design challenges - big or small - at this link or call us at 215-661-8581!

2 Winners will receive 4 hours of design time with our award-winning Design/Build experts, Bob & Kim DuBree!!

What’s your inspiration modern or traditional?

The Modern Kitchen

While visiting Village Handcrafted Cabinetry we found the perfect door front that reflects the shape and colors of our inspiration vase. The cabinet door is a Birds-Eye Maple with a sleek plain front style with a pillow top edge. It is a perfect fit for the light and warm contemporary look we are aiming for. The soft edges and subtle shading reflect the qualities that Dayle was drawn to in her inspiration piece.

Next we worked on choosing a counter top. At Prestige marble and tile we began our search by looking at the small (12x12) samples inside the showroom. We made a note of our favorites and then headed out to the yard to look at the slabs. Dayle and Carl like warm golden orange tones with a lot of movement. They took home a few samples to help them with their backsplash tile selection.

Granite selection is often difficult because it is a big ticket item and it’s really important to love it. Sometimes that happens immediately; sometimes it is a more agonizing process. For Carl and Dayle their original selections were not meshing with what they liked for their wall tile. After looking at several different distributors they decided to go with a full tantrum glass back splash in the burnt amber color.


The tile is cut into “slivers” – pencil sized shapes and is made using crushed glass, giving it a very unique artisan look. This tile is very dramatic and a true focal point for the kitchen. It was important that the granite did not compete with the backsplash so we went back to the drawing board. While visiting Prestige with another client, I picked up a sample of the Silestone quartz product in Sonora Gold. The quartz products have all of the qualities of granite as far as durability and strength and they do not need to be sealed. The Sonora Gold is a soft consistent color resembling a limestone look in a deep bronze color with some softer light shading the same color as the cabinetry. The color worked great with the maple and the tantrum glass. After another visit to Prestige to look things over one more time, Dayle and Carl finalized their decision to go with the Silestone Quartz.

Everything is falling into place and now we just have to wait for it all to come together!

What’s your inspiration modern or traditional?

The Contemporary Kitchen

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This kitchen in Bala Cynwyd has been so much fun for me to work on, mostly because of the great relationship I have with Carl and Dayle, the homeowners. Carl is great at playing devil’s advocate, while Dayle calmly forges her way through the selection process with a complete understanding of the look and feel she wants for her new kitchen. As the kitchen design progressed, Carl questioned whether there was a way to access his side yard to reach his grill. Otherwise, from the kitchen he would have to walk down a few steps into his family room and out the back door. This question resulted in a design change which scaled back cabinetry in order to place French glass doors which will open out to a small enclosed patio and grill. Not only will this allow Carl easier access to his grill , but it will greatly open up the feel of the small living room and dining room by creating another outdoor living area allowing the couple to open the entire space when entertaining. A wall will be removed between the existing kitchen and dining area to create a great room in every sense of the term.

It is so important to spend the time to discuss the use of space and develop a variety of plans to brain storm solutions to the function of the design. Once all of that is completed the fun of the selections really begins.

The Wine Cellar

Wine Tasting Event

Neill and Andrea’s wine cellar in North Wales, PA

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It seems in the last several years we have met more and more people who are interested in wine and wine tastings. Wine cellars and more commonly wine refrigerators, enter into the equation of our design process. We thought it would be fun to coordinate a tasting with clients who have an interest in this type of event. If you think an evening of light fare, an assortment of wines, and fascinating people would be an evening well spent – then let us know! If we have enough interest we will get our plans in place and send out more information with all of the details.

>> Go here if you are interested

EPA to Contractors; “Get the Lead Out”

As of April 22nd, 2010, contractors are required to comply with new EPA regulations related to disturbance of lead-based paint. The regulations apply to homes and child occupied facilities built before 1978 (when lead-base paint sales were phased out). Contractors who work in these settings need to be trained in, and follow, best practices to minimize exposure to lead hazards. The practices are designed to protect both the worker in the field, and the homeowner. Furthermore, contractors are required to provide homeowners with pre-renovation educational materials as well as post renovation reports detailing the work and the protective measures.

We at Creative Contracting as always are, commitment to our clients’ comfort and safety is nothing new. Dust shields, drop cloths and conscientious cleaning have long been standards for our remodeling work. To ensure a seamless transition to the new guidelines, all of our field staff as well as Kim and Bob has been or will be trained and certified.

If you are concerned about lead safety on your upcoming renovation, give us a call. More information can be found at epa.gov/lead.

Fire and Ice

Last week I had an opportunity to visit the Wolf/SubZero manufacturing facility in Madison, Wisconsin. A group of eight designers from the Philadelphia area were hosted by the company as well as designers from the Southeast and Southwest.

On the first day of the conference we learned about the SubZero brand, toured the factory and had a wonderful lunch, cooking demonstration and cocktail reception at the Bakke Center. Sub-zero is a third generation, family-owned business that prides itself on manufacturing the best food preservation systems. It is unique in that every unit has duel refrigeration for the unit. This is important to maintain humidity in the refrigerator which prolongs food life and also to prevent flavors from food circulating through the freezer, which ruins the purity of the ice. All other manufacturers have single refrigeration which circulates air through both the refrigerator and freezer. Another unique quality in the manufacturing process is the stringent testing that the units each go through before they are released to the public. Each individual unit is tested for a number of hours to make sure that it is functioning properly, before it ever leaves the warehouse. The manufacturing facility is state of the art, with incredible robotics and laser technology. It seemed as though we were stepping into a Star Wars scene. Of course the benefit of technology is that there is less chance of human error. As a designer, my favorite model is the 700 series, which is their totally integrated line. SubZero is the only manufacturer which creates refrigeration units which blend seamlessly with cabinetry.

The second day of the conference we learned about the Wolf products. Wolf is a very high end, originally commercial line, which merged with SubZero. The most unique feature of Wolf gas ranges is the dual fuel on their burners. There are essentially two rings of flame, one which is high and one which is low. The lowest setting – melt- can actually have melted chocolate sitting on the burner for hours without burning, eliminating the need for a double boiler. There are many accessories for the “home chef” including a French top, a steamer, a fryer, and a char broiler. We have the griddle and it is wonderful for grilled cheese or pancakes for a crowd.

One of my favorite times during the conference was when we were able to look at design trends and see pictures of award winning kitchens. It is always interesting to see what other designers in other areas of the country are experiencing and to take notes. As with our own company, it was the general consensus that many clients are moving away from the overly ornamental look that has been popular for the last several years. We see less ornate corbels, and less applied moldings and friezes. Lighting and unique fixtures are playing an increasingly important role. Some areas are beginning to see a move away from granite toward quartz and marble. Overall, the designers are very happy with the direction design is heading at this time; it is a nice combination of traditional with classic or modern elements personalizing a timeless design.

We also were shown pictures of kitchens from the European design show. One of the European trends included replacing the very popular island with a kitchen table making the table itself the focal point of the room with minimalist cabinetry blending into the background. Another recurring feature was the use of pewter for sinks, countertops, hardware and decorative accents. We also saw ovens placed at odd heights on the wall and weren’t sure if people would actually cook with them in that position (very unsafe) or if they were just raised for effect during the show. Most of the designers were not impressed with European trends and didn’t think they would influence our market anytime soon.