Build news spring14

Spring 2014 Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring Tip For inventive spring cleaning products visit quirky.com's online store. Each item is submitted by a regular joe, voted on by members and then produced

by Quirky's team of designers and engineers. We just discovered the broom groomer, a dustpan which aids in the removal of broom bunny cling-ons in one swoop. A simple idea long past its due!

We Love Your House

Farmhouse Addition in St. Marys

We, at Build, spend an inordinate amount of time observing houses.

The transformation of styles from generations past is our living reference library. These details allow us to develop thoughtful solutions to your old house concerns and to also create a nostalgic look and feel to your new build house.

Why does Build care so much about getting these details correct? Because we love your house as much as you do.

Maintaining its unique authenticity, restoring or retaining its character, the same details that drew you to it the day you first saw it, is what we love to do.

We often see lovely houses, obviously owned by people who care as much as we do. We celebrate these houses on our blog each week (www.build4u.ca/ourblog). These houses aren't the biggest on the block, and are not shrines to the garage, but they have unique character and stand true to their history.

The addition takes on a modern farmhouse appeal with gothic windows and side porch.

RoRy

Ensuite gothic window.

A significant challenge when designing an addition is to be sympathetic to the existing structure while not overshadowing it.

We used a traditional second wing approach seen in many farmhouses, contrasting the charcoal grey siding to the original brick allowing the existing

house to shine. Our intention with the client from the first drawing was to allow the new addition to look intentionally added-on rather than completely integrated.

The addition has created a great amount of living space for this young family. The large living room has a slab stone fireplace and hearth as its focal point, completed by a mudroom with custom cabinets and a powder room. A master bedroom, highlighted by gothic windows, subway tile wainscoting in en suite, walk-in closets and laundry, expand the upper level.

Stone farmhouse: inpiration from the past.

Arts & Crafts bungalow's copper gutters and cedar roof.

Addition proportions influenced by front view.

Before: one story addition needed updating.

We Stand Behind Our Work Build takes pride in the high level of workmanship involved in every project, large or small.

Our reputation as quality craftsmen is important to us, and so it is equally important that we stand behind our work and have contented clients.

A kitchen renovation project, in which we installed a porcelain tile floor, had issues with the tile lifting due to faulty thinset, within a year of application. The manufacturer refused to stand behind their product, so we removed the tile and corrected the problem at our own cost. The client's concerns were eased and we felt confident in a job well done.

The floor tile needed to be lifted, removed and reinstalled to the customer's satisfaction.

Build Travel: Andalusian Spain

The vast majority of our work comes thru client referrals and word of mouth, so maintaining positive relationships with our clients is a priority.

Build Design

Carved ceiling of the Alhambra's hall of Kings.

We are in the process of designing a new traditional home in St. Marys with a craftsman's twist, ready to break ground in June. Also, an entry restoration on a beautiful turn of the century farmhouse; and "tis the season" for retaining and maintaining exterior porches and details on Stratford's heritage homes.

El Mexuar Wall tile dadoes and carved stucco.

So inspired was Build's Designer, Catherine, by the Arabesque tile decoration throughout Andalusia, that she has begun classes at the London Pottery Guild to hone her skills in this ancient craft. We will keep you updated on what she "throws" together.

Build Trailer If you see our black and red trailer around town, it means we are working in a neighbourhood near to you. We have quite a few large jobs on the go this summer and the efficiency of a larger trailer helps us to move a little quicker. We also think its great to have our own traveling billboard.

www.build4u.ca

We traveled to southern Spain and France, "le Midi" this year to take in the traditional beauty of some of the world's most important structures. The Alhambra is Granada's exquisite "pearl set in emeralds", palace to generations of kings, and a UNESCO World Heritage sight. Political change from the 9th through to the 19th century influenced the architecture from Moorish to Renaissance to Italianate but with the continuing theme of "paradise on earth" to tie the epochs together.

We also visited Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The cathedral has been under construction for the past 130 years and remains partly covered in scaffolding, the architecture random and unfinished still with hopes of completion by 2026. Viewing it, we couldn't decide if it is a genius of architecture or a kitsch structure completely disconnected from its creator. Watch the documentary, Sagrada – The Mystery of Creation, and let us know your thoughts.

ThE BuiLd ProCESS Phase Four - Happy Home Owner This series will assist in educating you about what to expect at each phase. Phase Four:

Clean Up: Renovated area is cleaned up for the client to move in.

Final Touches: Final walk-through to make sure that you are satisfied with your new living area.

Build, for all of your home design and renovation needs.

Rory McDonnell 519 275 3250 rory@build4u.ca

We are confident that the finished floor will give our client many years of happiness.

The finished kitchen, cleaned up and moved in.

At Build, we encourage our clients to become involved in every phase of the building process.

Warranty: Our client relationship is of the utmost importance. We stand by our work, and when the work is done, any new concerns will be addressed by our dedicated staff.

Visit www.build4u.ca for The Build Process.