A Custom Alexis for the Marecki’s
“We built this home from a remote location so we had to put a lot of faith in Frank the Superintendent, Sean of Living Stone, and Laura the designer, to make sure they were building this home to our specifications and to meet our needs. Frankly I have to admit I was extremely impressed. I don’t think they missed anything and they exceeded our expectations.” – Mitch Marecki
Read MoreNational Remodeling Month 2014
Families remodel their homes for many different reasons. It may be to save money on utility bills, to redesign the space to better suit the family’s current lifestyle, or to be better stewards of our natural resources. But as the home building and remodeling industry celebrates National Home Remodeling Month in May, one thing is for sure—whether we call it energy efficient or green, remodeling that includes sustainable features is growing in popularity like never before. Home owners will find more options when they search for a professional remodeler with experience in green remodeling. Over the next five years the percentage of remodelers who expect to be doing more than 60% of their projects green will double. “Many remodelers are seeing increased interest in sustainable home features from home owners,” said president of the Asheville HBA. “Remodeling your home can not only fulfill your family’s dream of a more comfortable and stylish home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can realize savings on utility costs, improve air quality for better health and strengthen the long-term value of your home.” Green remodeling incorporates sustainable, durable and healthier design into the renovation of existing homes. The increased interest in sustainable remodeling is due largely to the availability of more affordable products of higher quality as well as the integration of green features into standard construction practice. Some of the top upgrades that can make a home more energy efficient include putting in high-efficiency windows and low-flow water fixtures, replacing appliances and water heaters with ENERGY STAR®-rated models, increasing or upgrading the quality of insulation, and installing a high-efficiency HVAC system that is appropriately sized for the area that is to be heated or cooled.Design trends for 2014 and Beyond
The National Association of Home Builders recently announced the winners of the Best in American Living Awards – a prestigious award program that spotlights design excellence for the entire residential building industry. Award recipients represent the forefront of innovative design in America, and are lauded as the most creative and inventive builders, remodelers, architects, developers, land planners and interior designers in the nation. Based on submissions from this year’s crop of winners, some of the newest trends in design that home buyers will see over the next several years include: White on White – Cabinets, flooring, backsplashes, counters, fixtures and appliances are beginning to lighten up. Layering white on top of white is a new approach in many kitchens and bathrooms that is giving way to a fresh and light feeling. To achieve clean lines and a modern feel, designers and builders are selecting European cabinetry, adding shiny surfaces via appliance, backsplash and countertop choices, and incorporating glass walls. Bold Exterior Colors – Bold colors are making their way to the exterior of homes. Whether it’s through paint, a mix of cladding materials, doors, windows, porches, shutters or trim, an extra layer of drama is being adding to the design of elevations, further enhancing curb appeal. Interior Courtyards – Interior courtyards are popular in all housing types right now. The primary difference is scale. Within single-family homes, courtyards provide private and safe outdoor living areas and are being shifted to side yards. Specialty Lighting– Specialty fixtures are “lighting it up” this year. Regardless of whether it involves a custom or a stock fixture, designers are finding ways to showcase them as pieces of art rather than just a functional element. Lighting is being paired with wood ceiling details to further enhance the room’s design and create a feeling of warmth. Historic Style with Modern Flair – New or remodeled homes, whether they are Craftsman, Prairie, Mid-Century Modern or another historic architectural style, are adding modern flair to their traditional designs through color, finish, fixture and lighting selection, while continuing to be influenced by the past through the use of reclaimed building materials and classic proportions and detailing. Blurring the Lines Between Inside and Out – Lines continue to be blurred between the inside and outside of homes. No longer limited to areas with warmer climates, this is being seen all across the country. More homes now feature moveable glass walls, gourmet outdoor kitchens and interior courtyard pools, adding more everyday living space.Sullivan meets with Congressman Meadows
Asheville HBA Meets Congressman Mark Meadows To Discuss National Building Issues
This past Tuesday, at the Asheville HBA office, Sean Sullivan (President of Living Stone Construction and President-Elect for the NCHBA), Steven Webb (lobbyist for NCHBA), Caroline Sutton (Executive Officer of Asheville HBA), and 7 others met with Congressman Mark Meadows to examine current and future problems the country faces in the building industry.
