Fall 1997 Remodeling Tips   Select an Issue Spring 2002 Winter 2002 Fall 2001 Summer 2001 Spring 2001 Winter 2001 Fall 2000 Summer 2000 Spring 2000 Winter 2000 Fall 1999 Summer 1999 Spring 1999 Winter 1999 Fall 1998 Summer 1998 Spring 1998 Winter 1998 Fall 1997 Summer 1997 Spring 1997 Winter 1997 Remember, Remodeling Work Goes On All Winter! Our Customers Write... Today's Owners' Suite The Bathroom: Sharing a Private Space Color Directions for 1998 Remember, Remodeling Work Goes On All Winter! Many people have the misconception that remodeling and construction work stops during the winter months. Nothing could be further from the truth! Just because Old Man Winter arrives does not mean that outside construction work cannot continue. If you are contemplating a remodeling project that may involve outside work, such as an addition, don’t let the colder weather keep you from consulting with us about your project. Of course, some work must be performed on days when the temperature is above freezing, but surprisingly enough, here in Howard County the climate is actually reasonably mild, and most days are above freezing, even in winter. Generally, weather is not a significant factor in planning a remodeling job in our area. Even on an exterior project such as an addition, most of the work is protected from the elements. Coastal Builders’ knowledgeable and considerate employees will carefully and efficiently produce your job, in spite of the weather. Common sense, cooperation, and a competent contractor, as always, will ensure a pleasant experience in any season of the year. Naturally, indoor remodeling can still take place anytime! Another reason to consider remodeling at this time of the year is that most major projects will take some time to plan and to get into our production schedule. Even though it is fall now, spring is only a few short weeks away. Now is the time for design and planning, if your project is sizable and you want to build in the spring. Remember to check out our Internet World Wide Web site frequently, as it updated frequently. Just set your browser to coastal.html John M. Watts   To Top Our Customers Write... “Dear Mr. Watts, What a pleasure it was working with you and your employees during the past several months. We contracted Coastal Builders to erect a new two car garage, family room, laundry room and carport on our 28 year old home. This addition looks like this has been part of our house since 1968! The 3 months of building went so smoothly. All schedules were met in a timely manner. This happened because of the professionalism and cooperation of your Lead Carpenter , Bruce Nelson . He was pleasant and polite each day he was at our home. Bruce was very patient in handling the many minor changes we made as the project grew and in working with the various subcontractors. No task was too difficult for him to handle. Each evening, Bruce made sure the construction site was secure and cleaned up. One day he even swept the driveway! Please express our appreciation to Bruce for a JOB WELL DONE. Through his knowledge and dependability we have a home that we are very proud to own. It is fantastic living in our dream home with lots of space and conveniences! We will highly recommend your company to others for future building needs. Again, thank you for a wonderful job.” Sincerely, John & Carolyn Klein Ellicott City “Dear Richard Campbell , First of all, we are thrilled with the construction. Bruce Nelson is a tremendous craftsman, and his work is truly outstanding. We very much appreciated his hard work, his attention to details, and his guidance in overseeing the work performed by subcontractors to ensure our satisfaction. His pride in his work was obvious. We also appreciate John's efforts to locate the right siding and to coordinate the arrival of all the building materials. We have received nothing but the highest compliments from friends and family who have seen the sun room. It has certainly met or exceeded all of our expectations. Once again, we could not be happier with the job. Feel free to list us as very satisfied customers.” Sincerely, Ann & Patrick Meany Mount Hebron   To Top Today's Owners' Suite In the 1960’s futurists were predicting that automation and the communication revolution would usher in a 30-hour work week, giving us carefree lives with more time for leisure and relaxation. But as we approach the year 2000, we are working longer and the stress level of our lives has not noticeably diminished. Many of us are realizing that even though we can’t make our lives easier, we can create little spaces where we shut the hectic out and relax a bit. That’s why owners’ suites are climbing up the charts as one of the hot features in a home. Elaine Petrowski of Today's Homeowner describes this part of the house as “one of the few truly private retreats left in our busy households.” The nature of today’s owners’ suites is guided by the individual needs of the people involved. Judy and Roger Wells while renovating a 19th Century farmhouse in Kentucky were nostalgic. Judy says, “I wanted lots of light and windows in the bedroom. The older section of the house is so dark and enclosed.” So their owners’ suite turned out reminiscent of a sleeping porch. In Los Altos, California, Tracy Koan could not get out of her mind the years she had lived in Italy with peaceful country views and the subtle hues of the Mediterranean. Her owners’ suite ended up with an Old World ambiance. “When the sun shines in through the new casement windows and onto the limestone floor, I can almost believe that I’m back in Italy,” says Tracy. As retreats, owners’ suites are best located away from core areas of the house, like the kitchen and family room. Frequently the suite is oriented toward the out-of-doors. The owners’ suite pictured on page 1 has a glass door leading to a rear terrace and its soothing waterfall. Many other owners’ suites lead to a deck or a hot tub. A New York couple’s French doors open on a small back yard garden. The effect is duplicated by another set of French doors leading to the bathroom area which is filled with cascading plants and topiaries. Owner Christine McCabe says, “I wanted the same feel as the garden outside. It’s so peaceful.” The out-of-doors isn’t the only option for a focal point in the room. Architect Duo Dickenson of Madison, Connecticut, points to the orientation of the bed as indicating the focal point of the room. He suggest that, “Generally a bed faces one of three things: a view, a fireplace, or a TV.” Along with the peace of the outdoors, a fireplace can set a relaxing mood. And who knows how many people relax in front of the TV before nodding off! So, even though our lives are lived in the fast lane, we need at times to stop and smell the flowers. One of the best places to do it is in the refreshing comfort of a well-planned owners’ suite.   To Top The Bathroom: Sharing a Private Space The importance of the bathroom is often under-rated. Family therapist William Lutz of Montclair, New Jersey, says that “what happens first thing in the morning in the bathroom can set the tone for the entire day.” Frequent crises occur when both members of a couple have to get ready for work at the same time. The primary and simplest solution is to provide for his and hers areas (or even entirely separate bathrooms) which take into account the individual personalities of both parties. The double sinks and double vanities, along with, maybe, a private room for a toilet, become welcome peace-keepers. In addition to his and hers areas, people are looking for more luxury and more space overall in the bathroom. Bath tubs are being replaced with whirlpools or extra-large deep soaking tubs; and shower stalls are being expanded into walk-in showers for two, often with fold-down seats and multiple shower heads. In addition to ample elbow-room, a truly indulgent bathroom may include such amenities as a dressing area containing a juice bar or a mini-kitchen, an exercise room, and a TV. Designing a bathroom can be quite a balancing act, given the modern desire for both privacy and shared space. For example, when owners open their suites up to the outdoors, their bathroom also reflects that openness. The tub may be placed on a pedestal with a great view of the room and the beautiful woods outside. But when this is done, particular attention must be given to window coverings--because windows are usually transparent in both directions. One solution to help achieve open spaces, natural light, and privacy is glass blocks, which are finding their way into many bathrooms. A well-designed bathroom will make a difference in the way the day begins. If you start out with lots of light, relaxed and enjoying nature, with enough room to take care of your personal grooming, but also sharing comfortable space with someone who’s important to you you’ll be starting the day with your best foot forward.   To Top Color Directions for 1998 It is no accident that in the ’50s we bought brown refrigerators, and in the ’60s we traded them in for avocado. The hunter green cars which appeared in the ’90s were the result of marketing decisions based on the work of two groups: The Color Association of the U.S. (CAUS) and the Color Marketing Group (CMG). Both groups help industry determine the colors to use in their products. The second association, the CMG, comprises 1500 “color designers” and “color marketers” who gather annually, and through a complex set of committees forecast which colors will be used in the coming years. This November the CMG meets in San Francisco to forecast colors into the year 2000. Where is color heading in 1998? CMG members have identified three major directions. The first direction is reminiscent of the ’70s colors, but with ’90s updates, such as new combinations of colors or new materials. The second direction focuses on a new interest in whiter and brighter hues softened for a more livable personality. “The hues may be softened by using texture, by washing down a color or by using a color to accent. These hues will be most apparent in 1998 in home furnishing products,” says Michelle Lamb of CMG. The third direction reflects an interest in brighter, more saturated colors that may sometimes find themselves veiled, as though looking at the color through a diffused filter. New Colors Forecasted for 1998 Apache, a fusion of reds and oranges; Raging’ Cajun, an earthy red with the influence of both orange and brown; Salmon Mousse, softened, lightened and veiled, a new sheer direction for orange; Creole Spice, a mineral copper reflecting an additional influence of orange; Antique Bear, a truly golden brown; Limone, citron in a livable version inspired by Europe’s strong move into the acid greens; Green Bayou, a color highlighting the influence of blue on green; Mint Circle, a green cycling back to a lighter, bluer personality; Ice Berg Blue, a cool, light blue which will be seen in matte and metallic finish; Fortune Teller, used as a neutral, this deepened metallic hue looks into the future of gray and silver; da Blues, a blue with only a hint purple and a touch of gray; Macabre, plum overtones carry this black into the neutrals. © 2003 Coastal Builders, Inc.