09/03/2009 The Forever HomeBy: Iris HarrellAll families go through cycles in their lives in terms of needs, usage patterns and lifestyle. Many of us think we need to move to a different home to achieve these changing criteria even if we are very attached to the current neighborhood with friends and schools close by.
I would like to break the short-sighted thought pattern that we must relocate to a different home each time our family cycle changes. Surely sometimes moving is the correct decision, but often the home you are currently in can be made to “sing” and “perform” for you and your family over many decades of change if long-range foresight is given to the changes that should be incorporated into your home.
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04/07/2009 Harrell Remodeling Wins Prestigious CotY AwardBy: Bella Babot, Director of Marketing, CGBP, GPHRIris Harrell and Ann Benson spent over 15 years dreaming of and planning for their perfect home, and in 2008 their vision became a reality! Their home remodel is a testament to Universal Design – “a user friendly home” incorporating all shades of green design, product finishes and remodeling. Harrell and Benson are not the only ones who think this project is something special – The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) awarded Harrell Remodeling with three local awards – Judges Choice for Best Green Remodel, Best Overall Remodel, and Platinum Award for Residential Universal Design. The kudos didn’t stop there! On the national level, NARI also awarded Harrell Remodeling with the 2009 Contractor of the Year (CotY) Winner of its annual awards competition for Residential Universal Design.
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04/02/2009 Ending the Domestic Cold WarBy: Sara Jorgensen, Designer, CID, CGBPApril in California can be tricky when it comes to heating your home. If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly cold and tempted to crank up the furnace and make the whole house toasty-warm. It never fails though – every time I touch the thermostat on a partially sunny day, my conscience creeps in and nags me. The voice of my mid-western bred friend (who joyfully skips to the beach when the temperature gauge reads 50 degrees) scolds, “Are you serious?! It’s barely jacket weather!” What’s a naturally cold California girl to do?
“Zoned Heating” is a term that is used frequently in green building, and in most cases can provide intelligent solutions to what I call ‘The Domestic Cold War.’
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09/10/2008 Green CountertopsBy: Jamieson SimpsonCountertops are one of the most used surfaces in your home, so it is important to thoroughly examine all of the choices available to you when remodeling your kitchen, bath, laundry, or office.
Click here to read the full article.08/21/2007 Expand your outdoor living spaceBy: Trace Hodgins Kannel, AIA, CGBPWhether you own acres of land or a small urban stamp of land, making use of your outdoor space can be easy to accomplish. Many homeowners are expanding their living space by merging the indoors with the outside, essentially adding on another room. Click here to read more.
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08/21/2007 Tips on Deck MaintenanceBy: Iris HarrellIt doesn’t take a lot for a natural wood deck to wear out, get unsightly and possibly malfunction. But, it also doesn’t take too much work to maintain your deck so it lasts a lifetime, letting you enjoy it longer.
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03/19/2007 Grow into your homeBy: Iris HarrellAs the Baby Boomer generation starts to enter the retirement zone, many are opting to stay in their homes. And as they age, they need more barrier-free design for getting around at home. Aging in Place design enables homeowners to stay in their homes longer. Click here for more information.
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