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Remodeler’s Resource Guide Included
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www.VentanaMan.com 512-388-9400 1609 Chisholm Trail #100, Round Rock
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Presidents’ Message
Board of Directors
If you have picked up this issue of Symmetry Central Texas, you are already on the right path to a great remodeling project. You most likely found this magazine at an Austin or San Antonio Home Show, or your favorite vendor’s showroom, or it was handed to you by a contractor or subcontractor. And that also means that you just met a member of NARI — either from the Austin chapter or the San Antonio chapter. NARI stands for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and it is the only national organization dedicated to the professional remodeling industry.
2013 Board of Directors Austin NARI
The articles in this magazine feature members from both of our Central Texas chapters. The ideas, pictures and quotes in the articles are sourced directly from members. The back section of Symmetry Central Texas also features a full membership guide for both chapters, complete with icons that represent the specialties of each member. NARI members from Central Texas are the best of the best. Our members have pledged to observe the highest standards of honesty, integrity and responsibility in the conduct of business. Each chapter holds multiple events throughout the year that focus on the latest trends, educational topics and pertinent information to ensure that we remain the authority on remodeling practices and techniques. NARI members are composed of architects, designers, general contractors, vendors and subcontractors. By combining all the strengths and knowledge bases of these various fields, a NARI member is well positioned to deliver a fantastic product. NARI is unique in that members are encouraged to work together on projects and to be sounding boards for each other when a difficult situation is encountered. Every October, both Austin and San Antonio chapters hold a Tour of Remodeled Homes. These tours function on an open house format where you can meet the general contractor and their vendors, see their work in person and garner ideas for your own home. Symmetry Central Texas will feature many of these homes and contractors prior to the tour, so please stay tuned and visit the chapter websites for tour updates. On behalf of the Austin and San Antonio NARI chapters and the publishers of Symmetry Central Texas and Austin-San Antonio Urban Home magazines, we hope that you enjoy these articles and find them helpful as you enter into your remodeling project.
President | John Martin, Straight and Level Construction Company, Inc. President Elect | Savana Beckman, SchroederCarpet & Drapery Vice President | Chris Risher, RisherMartin Renovations Treasurer | Catherine Wilkes, David Wilkes Builders Secretary | Kayvon Leath, Anchor Ventana Directors At Large | Jeff Bullard, Avenue B Development, LLC Mike Cottrell, Moore Supply Company Dolores Davis, CG&S Design-Build Randy Meek, Eastside Lumber & Decking Sandy Weatherford, Urban Home Magazine Past President | David Davison, Realty Restoration, LLC
Austin NARI P.O. Box 9964, Austin, Texas 78766 Office: 512-997-6274, Fax: 512-852-4611 Executive Director | Linda Olivier, cell 512-300-5254 linda@austinnari.org Executive Assistant | Rick Rudolphi rick@austinnari.org
2013 Board of Directors NARI San Antonio President | Justin Bravo, BRAVI President Elect | Rodney Hill, Hill Bros. Custom Homes & Renovations Treasurer | Daniel Sexton, Buffalo Contracting Secretary | Kelly Rigsby, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Directors At Large | Louis Doucette, Urban Home Magazine Terry McFadden, Keystone Granite John Meyer, J. Angelo Design-Build Keith Moehle, KM Builders, Inc. Don Peters, Lone Star State Construction, LLC Eric Poyer, ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings
NARI San Antonio
John Martin
Justin Bravo
Straight and Level Construction Company, Inc. President | Austin NARI www.austinnari.org
BRAVI
President | NARI San Antonio www.remodelsanantonio.org
361-C Laura Lane, Bastrop, Texas 78602 Office: 210-348-6274, Fax 210-693-1554 Executive Director | Linda Olivier, cell 512-300-5254 linda@remodelsanantonio.org Executive Assistant | Rick Rudolphi rick@remodelsanantonio.org
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Publisher Symmetry Central Texas is published by Louis Doucette Big City Media Group, LLC. Advertising rates available upon request. All rights Editors reserved by copyright. No part of this Trisha Doucette and Leslie Woods publication may be reproduced in whole Editorial Advisory Board or in part without the express written Rose Bartush – Bartush Design, LLC consent of publisher. Every effort is made Justin Bravo – BRAVI to assure accuracy of the information John Martin – Straight and Level contained herein. However, the publisher Construction Company, Inc. cannot guarantee such accuracy. Advertising is subject to errors, omissions Keith Moehle – KM Builders, Inc. and/or other changes without notice. Strategic Media Placement Mention of any product or service does not Diane Purcell constitute endorsement from Symmetry Central Texas. The information obtained Contributing Writers in this publication is deemed reliable from Sharla Bell third party sources, but not guaranteed. Jackie Benton Symmetry Central Texas does not act Mauri Elbel as an agent for any of the advertisers in Sue-Ella Mueller this publication. It is recommended that Dana W. Todd you choose a qualified remodeling, home Advertising Sales furnishings, or home improvement firm based on your own selection criteria. Sandy Weatherford – Austin Symmetry Central Texas does not act as Gerry Lair – San Antonio an agent for any of the realtors or builders Design and Production in this publication. It is recommended that Jennifer Nelson – Full Nelson Productions you choose a qualified realtor to assist you in your new home purchase. Printing and Direct Mail
SmithPrint Symmetry Central Texas will not knowingly accept advertising for real Phone estate that is a violation of the Fair Austin: 512.385.4663 Housing Act. All real estate advertising San Antonio: 210.410.0014 in Symmetry Central Texas is subject to Fax the Fair Housing Act that states, “We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U. 830.981.8887 S. Policy for the achievement of equal Business Office housing opportunity throughout the 4714 Cambridge / Sugar Land, Texas 77479 nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing Sales Office program in which there are no barriers to 10036 Saxet Drive / Boerne, Texas 78006 obtaining housing because of race, color, Email religion, sex, handicap, familial status or louisd@bigcitymagazines.com national origin.” © Copyright 2013 by Symmetry Central Texas. All Rights Reserved.
www.UrbanHomeMagazine.com 210.410.0014 - San Antonio 512.385.4663 - Austin
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Symmetry Central Texas / Spring & Summer, 2013 f e at u r e
Once Upon a Time
perspectives
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Kitchens Baths
The Best Seat in the House Outdoor
Too Much of a Good Thing
Design Done Right
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“Damage it Yourself”:
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products
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(Setting) Great Expectations
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trends
Sink Savvy
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The Hidden Dangers of DIY
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Green Beneath our Feet remodeler’s resource guide
Austin & San Antonio NARI Members
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(Setting) Great Expectations By Jackie Benton
Thinking about embarking on a major home remodeling project? Share that idea with friends, and get ready to hear every remodeling horror story they know. Whether it’s simple mishaps and misunderstandings, or disrupted routines and major privations, there’s no doubt that living in your home while a major remodeling project is in the works is one of the most stressful times a homeowner can endure. But there’s no need to go through the heartbreak of missed deadlines, incomplete work or contractors that overstay their welcome. Get with your design and construction teams, and establish realistic rules and goals everyone can live with. Reality home improvement shows don’t always show the reality of a remodel project. An extensive kitchen remodel done in only two days? Remodeling jobs can take weeks, even months, to bring to completion. “This makes some people laugh when I say it,” confides Certified Remodeler David Davison of Realty Restoration, “What sets professionals in the building trades up for failure more than anything is HGTV. It promotes unrealistic expectations. People watch these shows and think they can do an extensive bathroom remodel for $12,000. What they don’t tell you is that advertisers donate some of the materials. So, when you go to the market to purchase the same materials, your project could cost $30,000 or more. It’s these unfounded expectations that are in the clients’ minds by watching these shows that cause the disconnect with reality.” Davison says that creating these clear expectations are what makes or breaks a good relationship with clients. “I grew up in the construction business and take pride in communicating with the client through every stage of the project. We try to identify the key points that will be the worst, such as painting. Low VOC paints help, but if we identify things that will be obtrusive and try to work those particular things around the homeowner’s schedule, then it’s so much easier for everyone. We identify the areas that are off-limits to our
personnel. We determine where the points of access are for the homeowners and where our points of access are. We effectively set expectations and limits for all of us involved.” Setting expectations is just one part of creating a successful relationship between remodeler and client, agrees Dave Peters, President of Lone Star State Construction Company, LLC. Lone Star State Construction designates a supervisor as the single point person to keep the homeowners informed about the project. The company also uses a project management system called Base Camp, which is accessible to his clients and provides them with an itinerary of the day’s goals as well as updates. “Our clients not only can follow and track their job via their computer, the Base Camp program will let them know exactly what we are doing for prepping the area and preserving their valuables,” explains Peters. “It makes them feel better when they know how we care for their personal belongings, such as covering all the floors, carefully moving furniture out of the way, and cordoning off different areas so that dust from other areas being worked on doesn’t get in.” But a home’s most valuable possessions aren’t those that can be easily moved out of the way or cordoned off. “We have to take into account our clients and their lifestyles,” says Mark Audino of Audino Construction., Inc. “They may have animals or young kids. Most people have never gone through a remodel before, and all the challenges of living in a home during a remodel is a learning curve for them. We have a preconstruction meeting before we begin a project where we try to learn about our clients and their routines. They have to have peace of mind that not only are we taking care of the house and everyone in it, but that we will be respectful of their home and privacy. “I think it’s a rare thing these days to find a household that doesn’t have a pet animal, and for a good-sized project we make arrangements and do whatever it takes to keep all family members as comfortable as possible during an uncomfortable process,” Audino continues. “The last thing I want to do is call someone and say
your animal got out of the house and was hurt. We’re really adamant about being respectful of people’s homes and kids, and we put together a plan to establish how we enter the home, how we exit and how to stage materials while the job is in progress.” Sometimes the solution to ensuring the safety of a beloved pet means creating a temporary area in which to keep them out of the work area. “A lot of times we bring in temporary fencing and erect an animal containment area. If we have to be in and out of the house at all times of the day, the animals may still need access to the house so we’ll put in a temporary dog door,” says Audino. “We try not to disrupt the animals’ routines. We have a couple of employees that are crazy about animals, so we’ll even feed them and water them. We provide a full service concierge approach to our clients.” But despite having a plan in place, sometimes the best made plans can go awry. One memorable job involved a client’s 140-plus pound Great Dane. “It was like having a cow in the house,” Audino remembers. “He had a very laid-back demeanor, and was just a gentle giant. We had him quarantined on the second floor, away from the job which was on the first floor. We had a child’s gate at the top of the stairs and that had been working, but one day he got through when the crew was at lunch. As luck would have it, it was on the day we had been painting, and this was a dog that loved to lean against things. When the guys came back, he had paint all over one side of him. We took some pictures of him to send to his owner, who got a big kick out of the ordeal. Then cleaned him up, and put him back safe and sound.” n
RESOURCES Audino Construction, Inc.
512.258.6728 www.audinoconstruction.com
Lone Star State Construction, LLC
210.745.0364 www.lonestarstateconstruction.com
Realty Restoration, LLC
512.454.1661 www.realtyrestoration.com
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Once Upon A Time A dilapidated, historic home is painstakingly restored to recapture a forgotten era in Austin. By Sue-Ella Mueller / Photography by Casey Fry
For 20 years, the once charming bungalow home known as the Brady House sat empty. The oversized wraparound porch devoid of any comings or goings. The wavy glass windows shut tight against early morning breezes. The foyer’s baby grand piano, once having resounded with melodic notes, echoed only the silence. No laughter, no love, no life; just a shell of a home that once was.
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That was how Katie and Jeff Bullard, principals of Avenue B Development, were first introduced to the Brady House. However, with a passion for renovating historic homes, the pair could see past the rundown conditions and outdated interior. Instead, they envisioned the home as it once was almost 100 years ago when another couple, Judge John Brady and his wife Nellie, had the home constructed. “Austin has a limited historic inventory where houses are concerned,” says Katie Bullard. “We loved the 10 foot ceilings, the 1,400-square-foot wraparound porch and the fact that the original exterior had been preserved. It was one of the most spectacular houses we’ve seen. We put an offer on it the day it was listed because we knew what it could become.” Bullard and her husband, the driving forces behind Avenue B Development, have been working together for more than 10 years. While Jeff’s background is in construction and remodeling, Bullard holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia School of Architecture, as well
as a professional certification in historic preservation. Together, the duo has recreated livable masterpieces throughout Austin. The Brady House, a 3,000-square-foot, 1910s Arts and Crafts style home was yet another opportunity for the Avenue B team to tackle the challenges of paying homage to the past while employing the luxuries of today. “There was no sheet rock on the walls and most of the trim had been removed (although saved in the basement), but the character had been maintained. Most of the original features including the majority of the windows with their wavy glass, which is spectacular, were still intact,” she says. “It’s in a great neighborhood and fortunately, the neighbors looked out for it.” Located in the historic Judge’s Hill neighborhood known as Austin’s “original neighborhood,” not only is the home of historic relevance, but the original owners were also shrouded in an unusual past; one that included a political career gone bad, adultery and a murdered mistress. Judge Brady, once a prominent attorney for Governor “Ma” Ferguson and later
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appointed as a justice of the court, went into a downward spiral after losing the election for a second term as judge. At 60, he became involved with another woman, but when he found her “in the company of other men” he stabbed her to death outside of her boarding house. His plea of insanity garnered him only three years in prison of which he only served two. Nellie remained by his side throughout the entire ordeal. Upon his release, the two continued to live in the home they built together until their deaths in the late 1940s.
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Though the walls of the home can’t speak of the Brady’s turmoil, the foyer walls did offer Bullard a great deal of inspiration that played throughout the remainder of the downstairs. “Whenever we start a restoration, I look for inspiration. There was still some fabric wallpaper on the wall. It was pretty
traditional; it was a gray, silver and pink floral pattern. I didn’t want to put that exact wallpaper in the house, but I loved the color combination,” she says. “We don’t use a lot of wallpaper in our homes, but I thought it would be interesting here. I found a fretwork style that had a timeless, Moroccan pattern that’s been around for thousands of years. I
wanted to bring that [timeless] feel into the foyer. It’s just a small area but it’s large enough to capture that era and that feel.” Bullard’s husband added a traditional nook for a minimudroom. “I used reindeer hooks on the coat niche just to add a little fun,” she says. Just beyond the foyer sits an antique baby grand piano that came with the house.
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Long time neighbors say it was once played by the singer songwriter Carole King (think You’ve Got a Friend) who rented the house sometime in the late 70s. Having sat in the house for years with no air conditioning or heat, the piano was in pretty bad shape. “We had it restored in Austin. It’s beautiful now. I sort of designed parts of the room around the piano actually. I wanted to bring the wood tones into the room. It’s the jewel of the house,” Bullard says.
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The Avenue B team opted to keep the downstairs floor plan the same with the exception of opening up the dining room and kitchen. New sheet rock and paint were added to the living and dining rooms as well as having the original hardwood oak floors sanded and refinished. “We wanted to add drama to the dining room so we chose a deep raspberry for the walls and put in a great “bling” chandelier,” says Bullard. The dramatic also comes into play in the downstairs bathroom with its turquoise, glass beaded wallpaper that she says, “makes you feel like you are inside a Tiffany’s box.” But perhaps where the team focused most of their efforts was on the kitchen, the one room that had lost much of its original character due to renovations by previous owners. “It was relatively small and didn’t
maximize the space. It also didn’t have the original hardwood floors or original windows,” says Bullard. With so much to work on in the kitchen, her historical knowledge and creativity kicked in to high gear. “I wanted a modern take on a turn of the century kitchen,” Bullard explains. “We demolished the countertops and cabinets, then
moved the peninsula to the opposite side and reoriented the cabinets. By moving it, we gained 50% more in cabinet and counter space.” Reclaimed oak that had to be re-milled down to one and a quarter inches was brought in for the flooring and wood window frames were also installed to replicate the original windows. Custom-made, birch wood,
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shaker-style cabinets by RiverCity Cabinetry were mounted with open-faced, glass doors on the upper cabinets. Picking back up with the colors in the foyer, Bullard says, “We painted the cabinets a light gray and kept the uppers glass which created, I think, a great dynamic. Traditionally, there wouldn’t have been a decorative backsplash, maybe a white backsplash at most. However, we chose a
great white beveled arabesque tile by Mosaic Tile & Stone and used a gray grout so that the pattern would standout,” says Bullard. “The countertops are honed Carrara marble that would’ve been traditional during that time period.” The Bertazzoni 36” gas range was also chosen with much thought. “The stove is a reproduction of a vintage style stove. The lines and feet are similar to what the Brady’s
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might have had, but this one still has all the modern amenities of today,” she says. With a hint of an industrial feel, stainless steel appliances, including a Frigidaire Pro® series refrigerator, were also employed in the kitchen and beyond to the breakfast room where a galvanized steel light fixture hangs. A deep, single basin, farmhouse sink with a white apron front creates a balance between the industrial and arts and crafts style.
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But perhaps the most interesting piece in the kitchen is the custom-built vent hood. “It turned out great. It does serve a purpose, but I also think of it as a piece of art more than anything else.” Unusual to the Austin area, the Brady House has a great, full height basement with windows. “I contemplated on where to put the laundry room. I didn’t want to sacrifice a bathroom upstairs, so in the end, we opted for the basement,” says Bullard. Knowing the climb up and down three flights of stairs would likely get tedious, the Avenue B team cut the trips in half by adding laundry chutes on both of the top floors. In addition to the laundry room, the basement also houses a den and small gym area.
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Taking either one of the home’s two stairways leads to two master suites with private baths and a third bedroom and bathroom on the top floor. “Originally, there was only one bathroom upstairs as well as a laundry room. We refurbished the bathtub in the hall bathroom and created new master
baths for the master suites,” she says. “With the new construction, again I wanted to combine traditional with modern.” One of the masters has Carrara marble flooring, a pedestal tub and gray and white marble countertops. The shower tile is stacked laid instead of brick laid, creating a
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more modern pattern. In the second master bath, the Avenue B team used a reproduction hexagonal tile. “The black and white daisy pattern feels traditional even though the room was added.” In addition to the bathing suites, because of the way the team reconfigured the space, both rooms also have walk-in closets.
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“I am proud of what we were able to do with this house. I think we were able to respect the original character of the house, but made modern improvements that are necessary to live today,” concludes Bullard.“I hope Judge Brady and his wife would’ve loved it. To me, it feels timeless.” n
RESOURCES Avenue B Development, LLC 512.638.1514 www.avenuebdev.com
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Photography by Jennifer Siu-Rivera. Courtesy of Bradshaw Designs.
Design Done Right By Mauri Elbel
Interior designers are more than mere decorators. They are experienced professionals equipped with a trained set of eyes and skills that help their clients visualize the big picture. Whether it’s a one-time consultation to reassure you that you’re on the right design track or a carefully guided process complete with three-dimensional sketches and perspective renderings capable of bringing concepts to life, hiring a professional can translate your ideas and tastes into an artfully executed design — the first time around. Three of the area’s top interior designers, Julie Bradshaw, owner of Bradshaw Designs; Jill Gruner, owner of Nine Design Group, LLC; and Dawn Hearn, owner of Dawn Hearn Interior Design, chime in on the benefits of hiring a professional.
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Why is hiring an interior designer a wise choice? DH: An interior designer can help you create an overall vision for your project and produce beautiful, cohesive spaces. Building a new home, or renovating an existing home, is very time consuming. An experienced interior designer can work through all the details, coordinate all the material selections, facilitate completion of the project and help keep your project running on time and on budget. JB: An experienced professional designer will provide detailed plans and specifications for your remodel before construction begins so you’ll have a design that you love and an accurate bid from the contractor. In addition, a professional interior designer can save you time and money just by recommending the right contractor. It costs just as much to build it wrong as it does to build it right.
What value can hiring a professional bring to the table? JB: Thoughtful planning by an experienced design team can produce a valuable functional space without compromising beauty and charm. A professional designer creates cohesive spaces that flow harmoniously from the old into the new. It looks like it’s always been there — only better. Your remodeled or updated home is now an asset, both to you and future buyers. Good designers are able to provide a vision of the overall big picture. It’s artful editing — there are lots of beautiful things in the world, but they don’t all belong in one room. JG: Professional designers can often offer clients access to materials and furniture lines at lower-than-retail costs not generally available to the public. Everyone loves certain looks they see in magazines, but what they don’t realize is that some of those looks can be very pricey. Designers can help you achieve that same look, with your own unique touches, and modify it to fit within budget. DH: Interior designers are a valuable part of any project team. We can make sure that every decision you make supports the end look and desired result you want. We help communicate these details to your architect, builder, remodeler, subcontractors and vendors. A good interior designer has her finger on the pulse of what is happening in the home industry — including what is popular now, what trends are on the horizon and what is important to keep in mind for resale.
DH: I think the basic elements and What design elements often get overlooked principles of interior design are often not by the non-professional? JG: Professionals have a good eye for the overall scale of a room; for example, choosing furniture that can fit the space of the room. Non-professionals tend to also forget to finish out a space by accessorizing. Once you have chosen your furniture, you then need an eye for making the room homey with personalization like pillows and throws. People can buy the cake, but it’s not as good without the frosting.
considered by non-professionals. Important things like line, space, proportion, texture, shape and emphasis are at the core of good design. I also have a lot of clients that pick items on an individual basis because they like that one piece but don’t keep the overall design scheme for their room in mind. Then they just end up with a lot of cool, but random, pieces that don’t provide the finished, pulledtogether look that everyone is after.
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What is the one piece of advice you would give a homeowner trying to decide whether to hire a professional? JB: First, ask yourself a few questions: What are my goals for the space? How much do I want to spend? Do I feel comfortable planning the space myself? How much time do I have available to make the hundreds of decisions required for my project? Then, if you choose to work with a professional interior designer, it’s a good idea to talk to several to see who is a good fit. A good designer will listen to your goals and priorities, discuss your budget, focus on your ideas and vision, and explore design opportunities beyond what you imagined. And you will end up with exactly what you want. JG: Decide what works for you. You can use a professional as much or as little as you want and need — whether you need them as a sounding board to bounce your ideas off of, or you want someone to lead and guide you throughout the entire process. It all depends on a client’s comfort level, but no matter which category you fit under, it is a win-win situation. A designer can help you achieve a look you are after while integrating your own style and flair into the design, and they can provide access to resources you wouldn’t have normally been exposed to which usually more than offsets their cost. n
RESOURCES Photo by Fine Focus Photography. Courtesy of Dawn Hearn Interior Design.
Bradshaw Designs
210.824.1535 www.bradshawdesignsusa.com
Dawn Hearn Interior Design 512.930.0250 www.dawnhearn.com
Nine Design Group, LLC
630.715.8875 www.ninedesigngroup.com
Photo by T-Axis Graphics. Courtesy of Nine Design Group.
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Photo by Thomas McConnell. Courtesy of David Wilkes Builders.
Sink Savvy By Mauri Elbel
Whether you’ve pondered it or not, the kitchen sink is probably the most used fixture within your kitchen –– if not your entire house. Most of us spend a substantial amount of time at our kitchen’s main post, either prepping for what soon will become a memorable meal or cleaning up from our most recent satiating experience at the table. So when it comes to planning your kitchen, the sink should be at the forefront of design decisions. “As with most design decisions, I always ask my clients to really evaluate how they live,” says Rose Bartush of Bartush Design. “It’s so important to not let aesthetics be the driving force in decision making. It’s like finding those perfect pumps but they are a size too small and the wrong shade. You might buy them anyway, but chances are they
will sit in your closet for two years before making their way to Goodwill®.” For architects, builders and designers who deal with the subject on a daily basis, it’s all about striking a balance between form and function. From considerations such as single versus double or triple bowls and decisions about depths and under-mounts, to sifting through the multitude of available materials and thinking through the functional side of the equation, Bartush advises her clients not to be hasty when it comes to a fixture that’s fairly permanent — and costly — to replace. After all, it’s not as easy to drop off your inefficient kitchen sink at Goodwill®. “The two, form and function, are not mutually exclusive,” says Bartush. “A homeowner’s biggest mistake would be to choose a fashionable or trendy sink that did not perform as needed. There are plenty of options out there where personal style and function could both be satisfied.” Of course, farmhouse sinks lean toward the country look, blending well with the more traditional styles; cast iron sinks can provide a retro or vintage vibe; stainless steel can help you achieve that clean, modern look; and composite sinks tend to work well in the traditional home of today. “But in saying that, one can have a very traditionally designed or transitional kitchen
and use a more sleek stainless sink,” says Bartush. “There really are no set rules when considering aesthetic other than it needs to work, and quite honestly that is largely subjective.” If you find yourself overwhelmed in the vast sea of sink options, Joni Valouche of KIVA offers some sound advice when it comes to choosing your kitchen sink: think about how the size of the sink relates to the size of your kitchen, how your sink is used to determine the bowl configuration, and what kind of material will stand up to your environment. But it also boils down to the simple details, which often get overlooked by homeowners, says Christy M. Bowen, Certified Kitchen Designer and proprietor of Twelve Stones Designs, who considers everything from the user’s height and dimension of the sink base cabinet to the specific chores that will be taking place at the sink and the overall depth of the counter at the sink area. Anthropometrics and functionality are key elements Bowen uses when helping her clients decide on the proper sink bowl depth, configuration and material for their sinks. “Extra deep sink bowls are great for getting oversize pots in to be cleaned but if you are of a tall stature and wash most of your dishes by hand, you could end up straining
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Photo by Christopher Davison, AIA. Courtesy of Twelve Stones Designs.
your back and neck leaning over to get small items out of a deep sink. In this case, multidepth sinks or shallower sinks matched with a taller, gooseneck faucet might be a better option,” she says, adding the best depth for most users is 8- to 9-inches. “I also look at how they treat their existing space. Are they fastidious or laissez-faire in their cleaning habits? Are they aging or disabled? Will they be able to see, reach, clean properly and so on.” Bowen most commonly specifies stainless steel, fire clay and granite composite sinks for her clients. “The great thing about fire clay sinks is that they have the same durable qualities and shock resistance as cast iron but are half the weight,” she says. “And because of the glazing process fire clay must go through, it also makes the colors much more brilliant than their cast iron counterparts.” Granite composite sinks are a great option for busy families because they are scratch-, chemical- and stain-resistant, and require little maintenance to keep them looking great; however, they only come in matte finishes and there is a limited color selection. “Metal sinks such as copper, brass or zinc are beautiful and have a certain warmth some desire in rustic or eclectic kitchens, but unless you’re prepared to deal with the constant and careful upkeep to maintain that newly installed look, then I’d shy away,” says Bowen. Stainless steel is unarguably the most popular sink style, says David Wilkes, owner of David Wilkes Builders. For one, it’s affordable – some models start at around
$150. Additionally, stainless steel sinks are durable, available in both under-mount and drop-in styles and they are the most versatile of all sinks when it comes to style, blending well within the most traditional or contemporary kitchens. “Stainless steel kitchen sinks have broad appeal for their neutral, clean looks and durability,” says Valouche. “But it’s important to pay attention to the thickness. Better sinks are made from thicker steel, measured by gauge thickness. Higher gauge numbers equate to thinner steels — in other words, 20 gauge steel is thinner than 16 gauge steel.” Cast iron sinks can add a vintage appeal to the kitchen and have a wide variety of colors, says Wilkes. And the builder is noticing that composite sinks are becoming increasingly popular because of their durability and wide variety of finishes. Under-mount sinks have become the norm, offering a much cleaner look — and they are easier to clean too. Second sinks are a must in any kitchen that is 250 square feet or larger, says Bowen. “Larger kitchens are typically considered multiple cook kitchens,” she says. “Therefore, it’s important to have at least two sinks to keep multiple cooks out of each others’ way while cooking or cleaning up. This keeps work space efficient and prevents bottlenecks.” But those with smaller kitchens shouldn’t overlook the custom accessories and inserts that can make the tightest of cooking quarters extremely efficient. “Specialized chopping surfaces that completely or partially cover the sink provide additional real estate for prepping
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or chopping,” says Bowen. “And plastic or stainless steel baskets are useful for washing and peeling fresh vegetables while taking the place of a colander.” Other hot sink trends weaving their way into the kitchen? Bowen says trough sinks are becoming more popular in entertaining and prep zones due to their multipurpose designs and ability to be filled with ice to chill beverages and foods. Bartush is a fan of custom concrete sinks because the forms are unlimited, meaning you can get exactly what you need in terms of basin number and size. Despite all the choices out there, selecting the right kitchen sink really boils down to one thing: the user. “Ultimately, there is no rule or trend,” says Bowen. “Even the bowl distribution the client chooses should be based on how the individual or family uses the kitchen sink.” n
RESOURCES: Bartush Design
512.415.3787 www.bartushdesign.com
KIVA Kitchen & Bath 210.826.9652 www.kivahome.com
Twelve Stones Designs
512.705.2121 www.twelvestonesdesigns.com
David Wilkes Builders
512.328.9888 www.davidwilkesbuilders.com
Photo by Fine Focus Photography. Courtesy of Dawn Hearn Interior Design.
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“Damage It Yourself”
The Hidden Dangers of DIY
By Jackie Benton You’re a smart, capable person. You’ve gone to the Home and Garden Shows, watched a lot of HGTV, thumbed through the howto magazines at the local home improvement store, and even helped your friends put together their IKEA® furniture. So when it’s time to tackle that latest big remodeling project you’ve been itching to get underway, what’s to stop you from skipping the process and expense of finding a remodeling professional, and save some money by doing it yourself? You’ve seen the TV shows where those DIY weekend warriors get those jobs knocked out in just two days! What could possibly go wrong? “Plenty!” say a virtual Greek chorus of design and building professionals. Those in the design and building industry have more than their share of stories about coming in to clean up the results of clients’ DIY projects gone horribly, terribly wrong — projects that are not only an aesthetic disaster, but also real safety hazards. “A friend and his son poured his own concrete patio foundation on his new $275,000 home and it turned out very uneven and out of level,” remembers Keith Moehle, owner of KM Builders. “They were about to put a large roof structure as a patio cover even though the concrete was uneven and too weak to support it. I offered him direction as well as skilled craftsmen to ensure that it was reinforced where the support posts would rest. The patio cover not only looks beautiful and matches the design of the home perfectly, it will last indefinitely. He can replace the concrete at a later time.” DIY projects can also take more time and skill than even the most enthusiastic DIY’er possesses. “Some clients hired me to “dry-in” their home: I would get their house to the point where the roof and siding were installed and the water couldn’t get in, and they would do the interior, such as the tile work and the trim work,” says John Martin of Straight and Level Construction Company. “I finished my part of the project about a year ago, and they are still not finished with
their part. They called recently and confessed that they just couldn’t do it. Had I finished the job, it was a month-and-a-half of being completed. But now it’s a year later and they are still living in a shell of a house. Those are the dangers of biting off more than you can chew.” And then there’s the issue of saving pennies and spending dimes. Interior Designer Dana Ivers of Next Level Austin says that professionals not only know excellent sources for quality building materials at reasonable costs, but also have the knowledge and experience to make sure that everything works together within the scope of the home’s decor and design. “We had a client that was going to save a bundle of money buying granite that was auctioned off at a granite flat yard, but she did not know how to measure for countertops. So she bought her granite for a song, but she didn’t have enough of it, which caused problems with creating a kitchen island,” says Ivers. “Plus, it didn’t match her
Keith Moehle’s Checklist for “Should You DIY?” 1. Do you really have the knowledge to choose the best materials? 2. Do you really have the experience to ensure professional results? 3. How long will this take? Be realistic, and then double your estimate. 4. Are you prepared to buy sufficient extra materials to allow for your mistakes? 5. Are you at risk of injury? Construction is dangerous! 6. Do you have the proper tools? Professional tools give professional results when used by a professional. 7. Are you willing to put in the effort and expense only to have it redone correctly? 8. Are you okay hearing your spouse say, “I told you we should have hired a professional!”
painted cabinets, so those had to be painted again, and then she had to purchase a new sink because the granite did not work with the old one. After that, she had to redo the backsplash to go with the granite and the newly painted cabinets. The bargain granite she found at auction cost her more time and trouble than if she had just had someone take care of it for her.” But don’t be too hard on diehard DIYers — it’s easy for them to be swayed by DIY home improvement shows, little realizing that those shows aren’t truly reality TV. “More people are definitely emboldened to try remodeling after seeing how easy it appears on DIY shows,” says Moehle. “Particularly younger, energetic people on a tighter budget will be tempted to tackle more. Of course the shows can be very misleading in that they don’t show the difficult aspects of the job, and the technical skills and experience needed to get satisfactory results.” So, is there anything a DIYer can do to cut project costs without calling in the pros? The answer is that it depends on the job. Even jobs that don’t seem to require any skill, like tearing down walls, can be fraught with danger if done improperly. But Interior Decorator Janice Hanks says simply working with a trade professional and mapping out a plan to work together keeps everyone happy and safe. “Sometimes just doing the not-soglamorous stuff can really accelerate a job’s timeline and save money,” she says, “like scraping off a popcorned ceiling, tearing out old carpeting or removing wallpaper. These projects are costly to do because they are time-consuming, but don’t require any special skills.” n
RESOURCES KM Builders, Inc.
210.680.5626 www.kmbuilders1.com
Next Level Austin
512.680.7965 www.nextlevelaustin.com
Straight and Level Construction Company, Inc. 512.577.9297 www.straight-level.biz
Spring 2013
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The Best Seat in the House By Sue-Ella Mueller
The NUMI™ by Kohler®
It’s right-out-of-the-box brand new and just installed. Sure, it’s a real beauty, but it’s just not something you gather your friends around to show off and definitely not something you bring up at a dinner party. In fact, the less said about it the better. However, that’s all about to change as you just may find the toilet is now the best seat in the house! In an age where, technologically speaking, everything is advancing beyond what we ever imagined, why shouldn’t things like toilets also progress? After all, this vital household device has been fairly stagnant in advancement for some 50 years. Well, now the biggest names in household plumbing are moving the toilet into the 21st century. “Today’s newest toilets will not only change the aesthetics of your bathroom, but can also help you save on your water bill,” says Mike Cottrell, outside sales account manager for Moore Supply Company’s The Bathroom and Kitchen Showplace located in Austin. Trending in toilets today is a number of things that are of significance to homeowners. “It’s all about what’s important to the consumer. What we’ve found people care about is the flushability, cleanliness and design of their toilets,” relates Kelly Rigsby,
builder sales for Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery located in San Antonio and Austin. “They are looking for something with clean lines that will transition into their décor. The skirted toilets are more contemporary and are a favorite of moms everywhere since they are much easier to clean.” Along with the skirted toilets, showrooms are pushing the wall mounted toilets as easier to clean. With these types of toilets, the flushing mechanism is located inside the wall. “The wall mounted toilets like those made by Geberit and Duravit have been popular in Europe for years, but they are just now slowly making their way to the US,” says Cottrell. “Because it is just one piece and it is actually up off the ground, these are easier to clean than even the skirted toilets.” With cleanliness as well as conservation in mind, plumbing manufacturers have set the minds of their engineers towards producing toilets that use the least amount of water but still generate great power behind the flush. “Companies spend a lot of money on the engineering of the toilet,” says Rigsby. And she is correct. Most of today’s toilets voluntarily undergo what is known as a MaP test (Maximum Performance) that measures the functionality of the flush. But perhaps no one has progressed as far as Kohler® in this area. “Kohler® has always been ahead of the game. Most toilets use flappers that go up slowly and water flows in on one side,” says Cottrell. “But Kohler® has developed the AquaPiston which works off of a canister flush valve so that you get a 360 degree flow of water in the bowl. It creates a stronger flush with less water and Kohler® is the only one that has it.” The flush is all well and good, but what about the bells and whistles? What? You didn’t know that some toilets come with bells and whistles? There are those with slow,
self-closing lids that will lift with a gentle tap against the base of the toilet, several with dual functionality acting as both a toilet and a bidet, and even more with seat warmers, lighted bowls and automatic flush control. But, there is one currently on the market that goes a step beyond anything you have ever seen before. Says Rigsby, “The Numi™ by Kohler® is the granddaddy of all toilets.” The Numi™ may indeed be the greatest toilet there ever was, but, at $6,390, it also comes with the granddaddy of all price tags. Here’s why: The ultra-contemporary design looks more like a porcelain trunk than a toilet. Its automatic lid slowly opens to turn into a seat back. The seat is, of course, heated and a charcoal filter along with aromatic spray valves ensures an always pleasant aroma. An illuminated back acts as a nightlight so there is no missing the target. A retractable wand features a bidet spray with controllable pressure and temperature as well as a dryer. Heated air is also filtered from the bottom of the Numi™ to keep feet toasty even on a winter tile floor. Another sensor on the Numi™ measures the amount of time the toilet is in use so that it can automatically choose which type of flush to employ. Finally, speakers contained in the body of the potty allow for music either preset or via hookup with your music player to filter through the lavatory. All of these features are controlled through a touch screen remote control device. This indeed is the best seat in the house. n
RESOURCES Ferguson Enterprises
512.445.5140 Austin 210.344.3013 San Antonio www.ferguson.com
Moore Supply Company 512.454.4619 www.bkshowplace.com
Spring-Summer 2013
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The Green Beneath our Feet By Dana W. Todd
Natural Cork Flooring. Courtesy of US Floors®.
While Natural Cork is considered a relatively new green flooring option, there are examples of use over 100 years ago such as in The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
In magazine articles and on reality TV home design shows, we read and hear about using “green” flooring when we build or remodel. How can we know if a flooring product is green? How important is it to choose these types of products? Are there only a few choices, and how expensive are they?
Although mostly used today to achieve a specific post-modern look, linoleum and Marmoleum® flooring is an ecologically sound choice made from linseed oil and other natural materials. For those looking for carpeting options, Beckman says wool is a green choice because it easily lasts 20 years and can be recycled. Since it is naturally stain resistant due to lanolin, it doesn’t require chemicals to achieve the stainTaking the long view, it is important to repelling properties so attractive to consumers, understand the different pathways to choosing especially those with messy kids. Also look an eco-friendly floor. The first consideration, for Greenguard certification and carpets according to industry expert Savana Beckman manufactured using recycled plastics and plantof Schroeder Carpet & Drapery, is quality and based materials, says Poyer. Natural fibers such longevity. as sisal, jute and seagrass are eco-friendly, too. “Buy what you really like in a high quality,” Per Green America, 1.8 million tons of rugs says Beckman. “It will be green because you and carpets are sent to landfills each year. will keep it. The greenest product is one not Reusing and recycling these materials to keep replaced in seven years.” them out of landfills is always a green option. Consumers flock to cork and bamboo Each year, eco-conscious options increase, flooring. At ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings and the slightly higher cost is minor, says Poyer. of San Antonio, Eric Poyer says bamboo is his “Peace of mind is first and foremost for number one seller. many,” he says. “Many people view choosing “Bamboo’s popularity has been driven ‘green’ not as an investment, but as a smart by many of the home renovation shows on ecological decision. Can you put a price tag on television, along with its inherent durability and that peace of mind?” n flexibility in style and design,” says Poyer. “It is a fast-growing grass, harvested after only five to RESOURCES six years of maturity.” Even with an ecologically sound product ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings like bamboo, the measure of whether it’s 210.829.8290 www.prosourcefloors.com the greenest option available must take into account the total carbon footprint. Schroeder Carpet & Drapery Most of today’s bamboo is harvested in 512.462.1551 China; cork is mostly harvested in Portugal. www.schroedercarpet.com Shipping to get the products into the U.S. add carbon costs, somewhat mitigating the green factor. Also keep in mind a sustainable product that is manufactured using formaldehyde to bond strips together negates its green effect. “Cork flooring is one of the few flooring surfaces that is truly sustainable,” Poyer says. “The bark is harvested every nine years, and the tree is left unharmed. Besides having sounddeadening qualities and a cushioned step, cork floors are naturally resistant to bacterial and mold growth.” Following Grandma’s lead is another pathway to going green underfoot. Many older products have been re-imagined for today’s marketplace. Oil rubbed floors, for instance, last a long time. Beckman says the wooden floors can be oiled back to life, removing scratches and dings. Bamboo flooring. Courtesy of Schroeder Carpet & Drapery. Reuse is the epitome of eco-friendly.
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Photography by Stephen Knetig. Courtesy of Pearson Landscape Services.
Too Much of a Good Thing By Sharla Bell It’s a case of too much of a good thing. In Texas, we typically think of water as a blessing, and this farmer’s daughter was certainly taught to pray for rain, but when rain comes in droves, especially after a time of drought as there so often will be in our neck of the woods, a poorly designed landscape — and the house on that land — will suffer the consequences.
Spring 2013
Such was the case with a lovely home in Austin: near the bottom of its neighborhood on a corner lot, with a dry creek running along its rear property line, sat a house several feet below the front street. When storm drainage from the neighborhood came racing down said street, trying desperately to find its way to the creek bed below, the water got over-zealous and jumped the curb, heading downhill, and finding the fastest way to the creek was through the house. The end result was 14” of water in places that no homeowner wants to find water. And the outcome of the ordeal? A massive remodel, both inside and outside, aimed at correcting the debacle so that the family would never have to worry about flooding again. To this end, the owners asked CG&S Design-Build to help them transform their landscape into a beautiful, user-friendly and
worry-free yard. CG&S was charged with doing whatever it took for the homeowners to rest easy in a rainstorm, but as long as they were transforming their property, they had a wish list: “they wanted play areas for kids and pets, an outdoor kitchen, a spa and covered outdoor living. After construction started, they added a swimming pool to the mix. They wanted plantings that were attractive but low maintenance and that would give a fresh look from the street,” says architect Gregory Thomas, who revamped the landscape design of the site after the pool was added. With quite a project on their hands, CG&S first called on civil engineer Terry Ortiz of LOC Consultants to help address the drainage solutions. The homeowners collaborated with Landscape Architect Stephen Domigan on the initial design,
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which included the dry arroyo (a dry, flat creek bed with steep sides — in this case, man-made) near the house and berms near the street. The berms, which are simply mounds of earth, “were designed to address the eventuality of water jumping the curb; they redirected water away from the house in two directions — along the south side of the house and also keeping it parallel to the street until it was downhill from the house. Between the berms, a walkway with steps was located to connect to the front door. The steps needed to act like the berms and divert water away. The arroyo was designed as the next line of defense. In the event that the water was high enough to cross the berms and steps, we knew this water would head straight downhill and across the lawn toward the house. A deep, stone-lined arroyo was designed to accept this water and
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Photo by Patrick Wong. Courtesy of CG&S Design-Build.
again redirect it around the house. At the low end of the arroyo there is an area drain connected to two oversized drainage pipes; they run under the driveway and exit at a stone bulkhead that then allows the water to flow across a lawn area and finally to the dry creek,” explains Thomas. When the homeowners decided to add a pool, Thomas needed to rethink the original plan for the backyard to assure proper drainage would occur. “The topography was such that the new pool was at risk of taking on surface drainage from the water that had been redirected by the berms around the south end of the house. To assure that the pool did not take on such drainage (and the attendant debris), new ideas were conceived to allow localized drainage of the backyard to occur separately from the storm drainage brought on by the front yard berms. The berm along the south side of the house was extended well into the backyard; storm drainage was kept along its backside, while localized backyard drainage was contained on the house side. Grading was accomplished on the house side — grade was lowered away from the house to a lower edge along the berm. The house side of the berm was designed as a flat, stone-lined arroyo. Its end merges into the backyard lawn, but the water heads to the dry creek through the back fence.” In the case of this home, a perfect storm of factors colluded to cause the flooding: the natural water flow and runoff patterns were blocked by a large structure, namely excessive drainage caused by too much slope from the higher elevated lots up the street created a massive flow headed straight for the house. Finally, the house was built below street level and too close to the grade — the existing ground — leaving an open invitation for the water to enter the home. According to Rodney Hill with Hill Bros. Custom Homes and Renovations, these are three of the most
common causes of drainage problems. Hill explains that “proper planning is essential when considering drainage issues involved with your project. The good news is that most drainage projects start with common sense issues such as elevation, slope, and paying attention to where the water is coming from and where it needs to go.” He also suggests a wide variety of solutions to drainage problems. In addition to the berms and arroyos that were the primary defense for this home, Hill says that “terracing your yard, adding retaining walls, rain collection barrels at your gutter downspouts, and maybe even a “rain garden,” a slightly lower section of yard planted with water-loving plants, could help with potential flooding and drainage issues.” Thomas agrees, “Storm drains and trench drains can be installed as a back-up, but are best as just that and not as a primary strategy since they can be clogged with debris, with flooding as the result. It’s typically best to first deal with water above the ground — redirecting it in full view.” Once ideas for dealing with the drainage
issues were conceived in this Austin home, Thomas recruited Mark Beichler of Pearson Landscape Services to take on the planting design, and plant selections were made that provide color, movement and seasonal interest with minimal maintenance. Pearson Landscape Services also did the full installation: berms, arroyos, stone planters, irrigation and plantings. In the end this family got an attractive, usable and entirely flood-free landscape. And we would do well to learn from their experience: while water is usually our great friend here in Texas, it is also a formidable force, not to be underestimated, but rather to be prepared for. n
RESOURCES CG&S Design-Build 512.444.1580 www.cgsdb.com
Hill Bros. Custom Homes & Renovations 210.621.7990 www.hillbrosconstruction.com
Spring-Summer 2013
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Products This full-sized, cordless lamp by Fort Worth-based Modern Lantern is solely powered by a high performance, rechargeable, Li-Ion battery which is paired with an eco-friendly LED bulb. Charge up the battery, and light up your home anywhere you desire.
Dawn Hearn Interior Design 512.930.0250 www.dawnhearn.com
Design and innovation meet function. For more than 20 years, The Art of Storage has been creating and selling useful cycling storage products with quality at the core of their mission. The sleek design is perfect for any urban residence.
TreeHouse, Inc.
512.861.0712 www.treehouseonline.com
American-made “Old Glory” flooring by EarthWerks® gives any home a classic look that never goes out of style. Available in Hickory, Oak and Pecan, with both smooth and hand-scraped finishes.
Bellus Flooring
512.582.8010 www.bellusflooring.com
This breathtaking line of hand-crafted, gothic architectureinspired, decorative wood screens takes an ancient circular symbol and gives it a refreshingly modern twist. Available in both interior and exterior options, the “Quatrefoil Collection” of Redi-Screens from Crestview Doors can be used as headboards, room dividers, sliding doors and more. Whether you choose the elegant “Glastonbury” (seen here) or regal “Notre Dame,” all of the patterns are created with an equal dose of functional and classic.
Crestview Doors, Inc.
866.454.6302 www.crestviewdoors.com
Marvin® Windows and Doors offers exquisite wood windows and aluminum-clad wood windows and doors with superior energy-efficient Low-E glazing. Its custom capabilities expand from beautiful shapes to custom color finishes that match any exterior décor and exceed all industry specifications. Marvin is proud to offer a 20-year warranty on its insulated glass; a 20-year warranty on its exterior color finishes and a 10-year warranty on its craftsmanship.
BMC - Marvin Windows and Doors Distributor 512.977.7440 - Austin 210.494.8889 - San Antonio www.buildwithbmc.com
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Remodeler’s Resource Guide
Frost National Bank (A)
KEY
Frost National Bank (SA) www.frostbank.com 210.220.6152
Austin (A) San Antonio (SA)
University Federal Credit Union (A) www.ufcu.org 512.467.8080
Additions
Design
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (A) www.wfhm.com/krista-corkill 512.636.6824
Building Materials
Whole House
Kitchens
www.frostbank.com 512.473.4806
BMC – Building Materials and Construction Services (A)
Outdoor Spaces
www.buildwithbmc.com 512.977.7401 – Millwork 512.378.9411 – Lumber
BMC – Building Materials and Construction Services (SA) www.buildwithbmc.com 210.695.3667
Windows/Siding Baths
Eastside Lumber & Decking (A)
Roofing
www.eastsidelumberaustin.com 512.426.1182
Fine Lumber & Plywood, Inc.(A)
Architect/Architectural Design Bartush Design, LLC (A) www.bartushdesign.com 512.415.3787
C. Reese Design, Inc. (A) www.c-reesedesign.com 512.291.5717
Martinhouse Designs (A) www.martinhousedesigns.com 512.657.8238
Milestone Distributors (A) www.milestoneppliance.com 214.217.2801
Parrish and Company (A)
www.parrishandcompany.com 512.835.0937
Audio Visual & Security A&B TV (A)
www.abtvaustin.com 512.454.4534
Austin Home Theater (A)
www.austinhometheater.com 512.659.8105
DJB Systems, Inc. (A)
Appliances
www.djbsystems.com 512.288.5811
Factory Builder Stores (A)
Service TECH, LLC (A)
www.factorybuilderstores.com 512.834.1442
KIVA Kitchen & Bath/ McNairs Appliance Gallery (A)
www.kivahome.com 512.454.4526
KIVA Kitchen & Bath (SA) www.kivahome.com 210.826.9652
www.servicetechav.com 512.456.2800
Banking & Finance Colonial National Mortgage (A) www.cnmcs.com/leaholubec 512.329.1958
www.finelumber.com 512.836.8990
Home Depot #6550 (SA) www.homedepot.com 210.483.6984
Huber Engineered Woods (SA) www.huberwood.com 210.347.8688
James Hardie Building Materials (A)
www.jameshardie.com 512.527.4326
James Hardie Building Materials (SA) www.jameshardie.com 210.279.8300
J.P. Hart Lumber (SA) www.hartlumber.com 210.337.6464
McCoy's Building Supply #62 (A & SA) www.mccoys.com 512.395.6644
Norandex Building Materials Distribution (A) www.norandex.com 512.912.9021
Stock Building Supply (A) www.stocksupply.com 512.444.3172
Spring-Summer 2013 TreeHouse, Inc. (A)
www.treehouseonline.com 512.861.0712
Cabinets QSI Custom Cabinets, LP (A) www.qsicustomcabinets.com 512.443.3303
Cooling & Heating Tex-Perts Cooling & Heating (SA) www.texpertsac.com 210.599.1200
Custom Home Consulting By Design Custom Home Consulting (A) www.customaustinhomes.com 512.917.2653
Electrical Supply & Service Bowne Electric, Inc. (A) www.bowneelectric.com 512.454.5325
ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings (A) www.prosourcefloors.com 512.836.7888
www.prosourcefloors.com 210.829.8290
www.dawnhearn.com 512.930.0250
Schroeder Carpet & Drapery (A)
Heather Toolin Designs/ Sonno Domestic Living (A)
www.schroedercarpet.com 512.462.1551
www.sonnodomesticliving.com 512.452.4005
Next Level Austin (A)
Foundation Repair & Service
www.nextlevelaustin.com 512.680.7965
Centex House Leveling-Austin, LLC (A)
Nine Design Group
Douglas Foundation Repair (A)
Twelve Stones Designs (A)
www.welevelit.com 512.444.5438
www.levelmyfoundation.com 512.699.1049
www.ninedesigngroup.com 630.715.8875
www.twelvestonesdesigns.com 512.705.2121
Glass & Masonry Anchor Ventana Glass (A)
MLAW Consultants & Engineers (A)
Martinez Drywall (A)
Clean Environments, Inc. (SA)
www.bradshawdesignsusa.com 210.824.1535
Dawn Hearn Interior Design (A & SA)
Engineers
Environmental Consultants
Bradshaw Designs (SA)
ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings (SA)
www.ventanaman.com 512.388.9400
www.mlaw-eng.com 512.835.7000
Interior Design
512.844.0644
Masonry & Glass Systems, Inc. (A & SA) www.masonryglass.com 210.599.6260
Job Site Services Bin There Dump That (SA)
www.hillcountrydumpsterrental.com 210.865.3180
Texas Disposal Systems (SA) www.texasdisposal.com 210.854.3143
Vaquero Waste & Recycling (A) www.vaquerotx.com 512.771.6656
www.cleanenvironments.com 210.349.7242
Insulation
Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
Austin Energy Green Building (A)
DeRuiter Insulation, Inc. (A)
Economy Supply Co. (A)
www.greenbuilding.austinenergy.com 512.482.5358
www.deruiterinsulationinc.com 512.834.0551
Flooring
Insurance
Bellus Flooring (A)
Bapodra Insurance Agency, Inc. (SA)
www.bellusflooring.com 512.582.8010
Big D’s Hardwood Floors (A) www.bigdsfloors.com 512.848.1107
High-Tech Carpets, Inc. (A) www.high-techcarpets.com 512.563.0009
www.allstateagencies.com/tarla 210.696.1133
Capitol City Insurance (A)
www.economysupplytexas.com 512.244.3326
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. (A) www.ferguson.com 512.445.5140
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. (SA)
www.ccinsurance.com 512.343.0280
www.ferguson.com 210.344.3013
Funk Family Agency (A)
Harway Supply, Inc. (A)
www.funkfamilyagency.com 512.288.1102
www.harwaykitchenanddesign.com 512.491.7600
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KitchenCraft速 Cabinetry (A) www.kitchencraftaustin.com 512.302.3700
Moore Supply Company (A) www.bkshowplace.com 512.454.4619
Moore Supply Company (SA) www.mooresupply.com 210.270.3100
Morrison Supply (A) www.morsco.com 512.928.1110
Morrison Supply (SA) www.morsco.com 210.344.4436
Legal Law Office of Tom Murphy (A) www.tommurphyslaw.com 512.477.5680
Lighting Legend Lighting, Inc. (A)
Paint Supplies & Service Alan Heine Painting, Inc. (A) www.alanheinepaint.com 512.263.4334
www.austinimpressions.com 512.215.2120
Kelly-Moore Paint Co., Inc. (A)
Austin Kitchen Company (A)
www.kellymoore.com 512.331.1255
www.austinkitchencompany.com 512.200.4118
The Paint Drop by Valspar (SA)
Avenue B Development, LLC (A)
www.thepaintdrop.com 210.468.1782
Sherwin-Williams (A)
www.avenuebdev.com 512.638.1514
www.sherwinwilliams.com 512.462.1991
B. Moore Construction, Inc. (A)
Sherwin-Williams (SA)
www.b-mooreconstruction.com 512.671.3473
www.sherwinwilliams.com 210.366.1320
Plumbing Supplies & Service Steve's Plumbing Repair, Inc. (A) www.stevesplumbingrepair.com 512.276.7476
Pools & Spas Prestige Custom Pools (SA)
www.prestigecustompools.com 210.479.7665
www.legendaustin.com 512.251.0000
Publications
Lighting, Inc. (A)
Urban Home Magazine (A & SA)
www.lightinginc.com 512.491.6444
Austin Impressions, Inc. (A)
www.urbanhomemagazine.com 210.410.0014
Bobo Custom Builders (SA) www.bobocustombuilders.com 210.349.6160
Buffalo Contracting Services, LLC (SA) www.buffalocontractingservices.com 210.685.8848
BRAVI (SA) www.bravidesign.com 210.690.4663
BWB Construction (SA) www.bwbconstruction.com 210.733.3929
Capital Construction Services (A)
Lighting, Inc. (SA)
www.lightinginc.com 210.541.8500
Remodelers
www.capitalbuild.com 512.291.5007
Lights Fantastic (A)
A.C.T. Services (SA)
Casa Remodeling (A)
Affordable Remodeling Services (SA)
www.casadesignremodeling.com 512.300.2273
www.lightsfantastic.com 512.452.9511
Maintenance Services ABC Home and Commercial Services (A) www.abchomeandcommercial.com 512.673.9156
Marketing & Branding ROJO 32 (SA)
www.rojo32.com 210.289.0179
www.actsoftx.com 210.902.5785
www.affordableremodelingsa.com 210.825.3464
Almost Perfect Construction (A)
CG&S Design-Build (A)
www.apcaustin.com 512.445.4470
www.cgsdb.com 512.444.1580
American Home Remodeling, LLC (SA)
Christopher Contracting, LLC (SA)
210.316.3836
210.710.7838
Audino Construction, Inc. (A)
Cross Construction Company (SA)
www.audinoconstruction.com 512.258.6728
www.crossconstructionsa.com 210.826.7200
Austin Creative Builders, Inc. (A) 512.280.2353
Spring-Summer 2013 Crystal Sunrooms and Remodeling (A)
J&H Contracting (A)
PJB Contracting, LLC (A)
www.crystalsunrooms.com 512.832.4786
J. Angelo Design-Build (SA)
www.pjbcontracting.com 512.719.4688
Dallas Grant Construction, LLC (A)
www.jangelodesignbuild.com 210.882.6263
www.dallasgrantconstruction.com 512.563.9967
JNA Construction, LLC (A)
David Wilkes Builders (A) www.davidwilkesbuilders.com 512.328.9888
Don Boozer Construction, Inc. (A) www.boozerconstruction.com 512.251.2237
Dylan Martin Homes and Remodeling (A) www.dylanmartinhomes.com 512.692.9212
Envision Commercial & Residential Remodeling (SA) www.envisionsa.com 210.421.1236
Eric Harrison Builders, LLC (A) www.ericharrisonbuilders.com 512.480.8160
Gamez & Gamez Facility Solutions, LLC (SA) www.ggcontractingco.com 210.601.0761
512.244.3235
www.jnaconstruction.com 512.266.2046
Kettler-Austin, Inc. (A) www.kettleraustin.com 512.474.2300
Kitchens by Bell. LLC (A)
www.kitchensbybell.com 512.905.4111
KM Builders, Inc. (SA) www.kmbuilders1.com 210.680.5626
Lavezzari Construction, Inc. (SA)
www.sanantoniotexascustomhomes.com 210.641.8191
Lenz Contractors, Inc. (SA) www.lenzcontractorsinc.com 210.340.4412
LMG Construction (A) www.lmgconstruct.com 512.707.0707
Gradek Contracting and Design, LLC (A)
Lone Star State Construction, LLC (SA)
www.gradekcontracting.com 512.538.2000
www.lonestarstateconstruction.com 210.347.9402
Graf Developments (A)
Mackenzie Design Build, Inc. (A)
Greenwood Custom Homes (SA)
www.mackenziedesignbuild.com 512.220.8891
www.grafdevelopments.com 972.571.6076
Masterpiece Building of Austin (A)
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Premier Partners Homes (A) www.premierpartnershomes.com 512.215.4797
Prestige Remodeling (SA) www.prestigetx.com 210.390.1296
Pride Home Improvements, Inc. (SA) www.pridehomeimprovement.com 210.655.4263
Pro-Service Painting & Remodeling (A) www.proremodelingaustin.com 512.301.5775
Realty Restoration, LLC (A) www.realtyrestoration.com 512.454.1661
Rebath of Travis County (A) www.rebathoftraviscounty.com 512.836.7200
ReBath of San Antonio (SA) www.rebathsa.com 210.490.0082
RisherMartin Renovations (A) www.rishermartin.com 512.495.9090
Robert Coe Builder (A) www.coebuilders.com 512.447.3481
RRS Construction Services (A)
www.rrsconstructionservices.com 512.745.2768
Sky West Builders, LLC (A) www.skywestbuilders.com 512.801.1536
www.masterpieceaustin.com 512.338.4220
Soledad Builders, LLC (A)
Handyman Connection (A)
Michael Howard Renovations, LLC (SA)
www.soledadbuilders.com 512.306.8310
Hill Bros. Custom Homes & Renovations (SA)
Mr. Handyman NW Austin (A)
www.hillbrosconstruction.com 210.621.7990
www.mrhandymantx.com 512.944.4504
Straight and Level Construction Company, Inc. (A)
Hinckley Construction, Inc. (A)
On-Call Management (A)
www.straight-level.biz 512.577.9297
www.hinckleyconstruction.com 512.228.8306
www.oncallremodeling.com 512.288.1564
www.greenwoodcustomhomes.com 210.723.7233 www.austin.handymanconnection.com 512.418.0800
www.sadreambuilders.com 210.416.6853
Speciality Builders (A)
www.specialtybuilders.com 512.288.5167
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Symmetr y
TAS Construction (A)
www.tasconstruction.com 512.825.3773
Texas Construction Company (A)
Solar Tex (A)
www.solartexonline.com 512.371.0399
www.txconstruct.com 512.451.8050
Stone & Tile
Tier1 Group, LLC (A)
Alamo Stone Art (SA)
www.t1remodel.com 512.986.8306
www.alamostoneart.com 210.599.3311
Top Notch Renovations (A)
Alamo Tile & Stone (SA)
www.topnotchrenovations.com 512.538.1962
www.alamotileandstone.com 210.734.8350
Transformations Building and Remodeling (A)
Alpha Granite Austin (A & SA)
www.transformationsbuilding.com 512.415.7734
Turtle Creek Renovations, Inc. (SA)
www.alphagraniteaustin.com 512.834.8746 ext.114
www.turtlecreekrenovations.com 210.823.2967
Architectural Granite and Marble, Ltd. (A)
VenCo Construction, Ltd. (A)
www.agmgranite.com 512.263.7625
www.venco-construction.com 512.990.5331
Vorspan Design Build, LLC (A) www.vorspandesignbuild.com 512.371.0337
Watermark & Co. (A) www.watermarkandco.com 512.426.8503
Wood Stock Wood Works (A)
www.woodstockwoodworks.com 512.680.9036
Roofing Austin Gutter King (A)
www.austingutterking.com 512.233.1038
Capco Roofing & Sheetmetal (A) www.capco-texas.com 512.251.9516
J-Conn Roofing & Repair Service, Inc. (A) www.j-connroofing.com 512.479.0510
Southwest Metal Roofing System (SA) www.swmetalroofing.com 210.822.6868
Austin Granite Direct (A)
www.austingranitedirect.com 512.825.5625
Boyd Tile and Stone (A) www.boydtile.com 512.821.2204
Emser Tile (A)
www.emser.com 512.835.2888
Fox Granite, LLC (A)
www.foxgraniteaustin.com 512.653.5571
Keystone Granite (A & SA) www.keystonegranite.com 210.651.1787
New Stone Concepts (A) www.newstoneconcepts.com 512.804.1878
Schluter Systems (A)
www.schluter.com 800.472.4588
Toluca Granite (A)
www.tolucagranite.com 512.317.6722
Travis Tile Sales, Inc. (A)
Solar
www.travistile.com 512.478.8705
Circular Energy (A)
Triton Stone Group (SA)
www.circularenergy.com 866.274.5578
www.tritonstone.com 210.546.0980
Water & Air Treatment Sweetwater Home Services (A)
www.sweetwaterhomeservices.com 512.837.2488
Windows & Doors BMC - Marvin Windows and Doors Distributor (A) www.marvin.com 512.977.7440
BMC - Marvin Windows and Doors Distributor (SA) www.marvin.com 210.494.8889
Clear Choice - USA of Austin (A)
www.clearchoice-austin.com 512.973.0400
Cowart Door Systems (A) www.cowartdoor.com 512.459.3467
Crestview Doors, Inc. (A) www.crestviewdoors.com 866.454.6302
Exclusive Windows & Doors of Austin, LLC (A) www.exclusivewindowsanddoors.com 512.341.9282
Pella Products of South Texas (A) www.pella.com 512.339.6601
Pella Products of South Texas (SA) www.pella.com 210.735.2030
Ringer Windows (A)
www.ringerwindows.com 512.989.7000
Window Coverings & Awnings CR Window Coverings, Inc. (A)
www.craustinwindowcoverings.com 512.329.5741
Southern Shutters & Blinds (A)
www.southernshuttersusa.com 512.931.0400
Austin NARI and NARI San Antonio For homeowners looking to remodel, NARI members are the trusted, professional choice. NARI promotes: ethics, education, leadership and innovation so that both industry and community can benefit.
Spring-Summer 2013
39
In-Store Kitchen Design Studio
Non-Toxic Paint
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Collier Project: Barton Hills, Austin, Texas Featuring glass backsplash, eco-friendly cabinets & countertops, and energy-star windows Cabinets Countertops Non-Toxic Paint Flooring & Tile Windows & Doors LED Lighting And More...
treehouseonline.com 512.861.0712 4477 S. Lamar Blvd. Suite 600 Austin, TX 78745
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