Winter 2002 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 Thank You The Huntley Project Planning Your Home Office Bathing Luxuries Countertops: Butcher Block Thank You Year after year we help people take their dreams and ideas and build them into reality. As most of you know, it starts with your imagination for how you might improve upon your house. Through many hours of design work and meetings, we end up with a plan. Next comes the construction. We pride ourselves on providing the best quality workmanship in the industry. We also go to great lengths to ensure our clients receive unmatched service throughout the entire project. There are many people involved in the production of a home addition or a kitchen renovation. Every one of them feels the satisfaction of a beautiful project newly completed. But the greatest pleasures we receive are the glowing compliments of a happy customer. Quite often we will receive a letter thanking us for a job well done. If you care to drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you. If writing is not your thing, you can more than thank us by recommending us to your friends and relatives. The lifeblood of our company is the continued support from our many loyal customers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your help in our company’s success. We’d also like to thank you in advance for your future support.   To Top The Huntley Project We just wanted to drop you a note to express our sincere appreciation for your efforts in making our home’s addition a reality. As you know, we needed to add a room onto the first floor, including a handicapped bath, for my father. This effort grew a bit to include a second garage bay, a covered country porch, new siding and a new roof. Then we requested the plan designed in such a way that the room could easily be opened up and used as a great room sometime in the future. During the entire process, from the initial designing to completion, the Coastal team, including your subcontractors were great. They were always courteous and professional. They understood that their hob site was our home, and acted accordingly. The job site was never left dirty or untidy. Even the little things such as making a temporary gate to accommodate our family dog were all provided at our first asking. Our many questions were answered promptly. We have received numerous compliments from neighbors. One that stands out is “I really appreciate a home addition that does not look like an addition when it is through.” Another commented on the obvious high quality of workmanship that was put into the job. Please feel free to use us as a reference to anyone else that is looking for a great job on an addition.   To Top Planning Your Home Office Home offices are becoming a must have in today's homes. Space for computer and printer is already a standard necessity for many students. It is a rare family that does not desire a computer work station to pay bills, send and receive e-mail, and shop over the internet. Then there are the small business owners who work out of their homes. They often require entire rooms to be designed specifically for their business needs. Regardless of your home office needs, that perfect solution does exist! However, it takes careful planning up front to make sure the final design ends up functioning well for you. As you are thinking about your home office, consider the following: 1) For what purpose will you primarily be using this space: filing, bills, computer work, large projects, writing? 2) What are your energy needs: electricity, lighting, temperature, ventilation, telecommunications? 3) Will you need privacy: sound, visual, security? 4) Should you include an area for: meetings, conferences, presentations? 5) In addition to your computer, do you need space for: telephone, answering machine, scanner, postage meter, task lighting, radio, CD player, under-counter refrigerator? 6) Should you plan space for computer tools: monitor, keyboard, mouse, wrist/arm rests, copy easel, printer? 7) What are your filing/storage needs: bookkeeping, records, directories, books, computer software, CDs and DVDs, printer paper, stationery and other office supplies? 8) Have you thought about space for desk tools: pencils, pens, stapler, paper clips, tape, wastebasket? 9) Do you want to personalize your office with: plants, pictures, art, collectibles? 10) Where is the best place to establish your home office: near the kitchen, in a bedroom, in an upstairs bonus room, in a downstairs room with separate entrance? After you have considered these questions, it is time to consult with your builder/designer about the design and layout of your home office. There are many options to choose from in terms of cabinetry, work surfaces, and their configuration. Whether you prefer a contemporary or traditional look is a matter of personal taste. However, it is best to coordinate the design and color choices for your home office with the interior design of the rest of your home, especially if the office is in an open area, visible from another room. You will need to decide if you prefer an uncluttered look, where everything hides neatly behind closed doors, or open shelving where you can more easily see and immediately grasp what you need. Wood cabinets lend a warm feeling to the space, but laminates or solid surface are more functional for the work surfaces. Do not forget to consider the comfort and ergonomics of the space. Having your work surfaces at an uncomfortable height, or selecting a desk chair that does not offer good back support can create backaches and other irritations. By carefully combining your home office needs with an attractive, functional design, the final result is an enjoyable as well as convenient work space.   To Top Bathing Luxuries Bathing used to be thought of as a necessary chore. With today's active lifestyle, however, people welcome the idea of slipping away to a serenely beautiful bathroom where they can relax and indulge themselves in luxurious surroundings. Innovative products, designed to enhance the luxury bathing experience, are continually introduced. Multiple-head, super showers, may include such amenities as adjustable overhead showerheads, ultra-low-flow body sprays, vertical jets for body massages, and personal hand-held showerheads. Super showers can be equipped for steam as well, and may even provide an aromatherapy attachment. Elaborate whirlpool baths have become the norm, some even offering a built-in television/VCR monitor. The whirlpool action, as well as underwater lighting and temperature, can be easily operated through digital control panels. Certain whirlpools are designed to provide the sensory pleasure of a rolling river with a cascading waterfall flowing over the shoulders as one reclines the head against a built-in bath pillow. Thermo-massage air jet bathtubs are another hot product. These systems use a multitude of air jets (34-70) located all around the tub wall to create a therapeutic turbulence in the water. Since no water is being circulated through a pump, these systems allow bathers to use products, such as essential oils, to optimize relaxation. The bathing experience does not stop with the bath, however. Bathers can step out of the bath and have immediately at hand a cozy, pre-warmed towel with which to dry off. Available in a variety of finishes and designs, towel warmers add style as well as comfort to a bathroom.   To Top Countertops: Butcher Block Natural wood butcher block has been a mainstay in kitchens for years. It is preferred by chefs for slicing, dicing and chopping purposes. Bakers choose it for preparing and rolling dough. No other surface offers the same functional advantages of butcher block. Recently it has been gaining in popularity as a kitchen countertop surface, fueled by the current trend of using a wide variety of natural materials in the kitchen. Butcher block is seen juxtaposed on countertops with granite, solid surface, concrete or stainless steel in an exciting blend of texture and pattern. The warm beauty of wood complements the cool elegance of the contrasting surfaces. Northern Hard Rock Maple, which is most often used for kitchen countertops, is one of the hardest woods known and provides a durable work surface. If the butcher block will be used as a cutting surface, it is usually given a penetrating oil finish, which can be quickly wiped clean with a damp cloth. If scars or stains do appear, they can be easily removed by sanding the damaged area. An application of mineral oil brings the area back to a like-new condition. It is always important to clean the surface with a mild detergent and hot water after you have been using it for preparing meat, poultry, or fish. Immediately dry it thoroughly with an absorbent towel. This process is effective in removing bacteria that might otherwise form on the surface. Eating counters and kitchen island bars normally are give a beautiful semi-gloss finish that is virtually maintenance free. If the finish is accidentally cut, it should be resealed immediately. © 2003 Coastal Builders, Inc.