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MPROVEMENT M S M A R T
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I M P R O V E M E N T
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FEBRUARY 2014
aatlanta at t home ho WWW.ATLANTAHOMEIMPROVEMENT.COM
Retreat Time to
Create your personal oasis with a pool and spa to suit your space and budget
▲▲ ▲
HOME AUTOMATION: Smart ways to manage how your home functions p. 34 TILE: Create beautiful styles in your home with this versatile material p. 38 MAINTENANCE: Use this checklist to get your home in great shape p. 54
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contents Photos courtesy of (left to right) Hilltops Pools and Spas Inc., Boyce Design and Contracting and Sunbelt Pools Atlanta GA
Special Section: Pools and Spas Time to Retreat
20
Start planning now to create an oasis for your space and budget
34
features 34
A Smart Touch
Photos courtesy of (top top bottom) Lewis Miller and Mineral Tiles
Home automation puts your home’s functions at your fingertips
6
38
Add touches of this versatile material throughout your home
54
38
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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Styling with Tile
2014 Home Maintenance Checklist Start off the year with your home in great shape by tackling these tasks
ON THE COVER: P.O.P.S. Landscaping turned this previously empty space into a resort-style oasis with areas for entertaining, lounging and cooking. See pg. 22 for more details. P.O.P.S. Landscaping, (770) 928-5658, www.popslandscaping.com.
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1/10/14 2:49 PM
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contents
Photos courtesy of Doug Sturgess Photography
Intown Renovation
Beautiful bungalow remodel in West End Atlanta p. 44
in every issue 10 Publisher’s Letter 13 Home Front
Expert tips, news and events from Atlanta’s home improvement community
19 Editor’s Picks
New and notable home improvement products
46 Garden Planner
February’s outdoor to-do list
19
48 Finance & Remodel
How to fund your 2014 renovation projects
50 Notes from Bob & RodMan
Take precautions to prevent winter damage to your home
53 CAHP Talk
Prepare your house for the real estate market
57 Resource Finder
Information at your fingertips
62 Editorial Resources
Photo courtesy of The Cube
Contacts for more details
Smart home improvement starts here. 0214_006-009_TOC.indd 8
➚
Visit our Web site at www.atlantahomeimprovement.com 1/10/14 1:19 PM
MANUFACTURING QUALITY OVERHEAD DOORS FOR OVER 50 YEARS CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL Aluminum overhead doors • Steel overhead doors • Hollow metal walk-in doors Wood walk-indoors • Hardware • Tracks • Frames
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publisher’sletter Smart home upgrades to relax, simplify and wow When the weather outside is cold and dreary, it’s hard to think about relaxing by a pool. But, if you
Frameless Shower Doors Antique Mirrors Cabinet Door Glass Glass Shelves and Tops Color Glass and Backsplashes
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frame of mind, turn to page 20 to be inspired by the variety of pool designs. Today, the sky is the limit and you just need to ask yourself, “What is the function of my pool?” Do you want a place for your children to play, a relaxing retreat, an oasis to entertain or even just a place to swim laps? Pools today come in all shapes and sizes to fit your space and lifestyle. When I grew up the most exciting aspect was a diving board. Your design can now include water slides, tanning ledges, spas, waterfalls, your own light and water show and your personalized sound system. The limits are only your imagination (and your budget). If you once thought the remote control for the TV made life easier, see what you can now do with your smart phone or tablet. With a click on the keyboard, control your home temperature, lights, sound system door locks and more. Take a tour through our featured smart home on page 34, and also learn new apps available to help control your home. For a personalized touch, turn to tile. Atlanta has some stunning tile showrooms to show how the product can now add unique touches to walls, the fireplace and more in addition to floors. See for yourself on page 43 and visit one of
Photo courtesy of Home ReBuilders
Ask about SHOWERGUARD Glass with LIFETIME WARRANTY against Corrosion from Soap Scum and Hard Water
our showrooms to see the options of tile that looks like wood, exotics and mosaics now being used throughout the home. Lastly, we have introduced a new department this year – INTOWN RENOVATION. Due to historical regulations and the old neighborhood charm of homes inside the perimeter, the renovation being done teaches us unique design. Many home owners in these areas need to update, but they strive to keep the charm and history of the home intact as they do.
Five star reviews on kudzu.com 10
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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Jennifer Prins Publisher www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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Kitchens • Baths • Basements • Whole House Room Additions
Call Today for Your Free Initial Consultation
770.565.8999 • AtlantaDesignBuild.com Helping You Live, Work and Play At Home
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1295 Field Parkway • Marietta,GA • 770.422.1700 www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
1/9/14 7:39 AM
homefront Expert Tips, News and Happenings from Atlanta’s Home Improvement Community COMPILED BY INDIA POWELL
Expert Q&A
Q: A:
17th Annual North Atlanta Home Show Comes to Gwinnett Center This Month
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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This thermostat programs itself by memorizing recent comfort settings over the course of several days. It also can be controlled remotely from your smart phone, tablet or computer. It is vintage in shape but sleek in appearance.
Photo courtesy of Keiffer Phillips-Patricia Brown Builders c.
Friday, Feb. 21, is Trade Day, sponsored by Window World of Atlanta, during which anyone who works in the home industry will receive free admission by showing his or her business card at the show’s main entrance. The North Atlanta Home Show will be open from noon-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. General admission tickets are $7, free for children 12 and under, $6 for seniors 65+ with ID and $5 for military personnel with ID. Attendees are invited to print out a $1 off coupon from the show’s website, www.atlantahomeshow.com. Gwinnett Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Onsite parking is free. Visit www.gwinnettcenter.com for more venue details.
What do I think about the what? That was my reaction the first time I heard this question from a homeowner. Over the course of the year, it has become one of the most repeated requests we get. The Nest is a thermostat designed by Tony Fadell, who was instrumental in the design of the Apple iPod. Also known as the Apple thermostat, it is sold through Apple stores, The Home Depot and other outlets. While neither made by nor branded by Apple, it appears and functions like Apple devices.
Photo courtesy of North Atlanta Home Show
More than 150 home remodeling experts will gather together at Gwinnett Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-23, for the 17th Annual North Atlanta Home Show. Featuring the latest products and services for home remodeling, interior decorating, landscaping and outdoor living, the North Atlanta Home Show offers the opportunity to comparison shop and talk to the experts. “The North Atlanta Home Show is very popular with exhibitors and attendees,” says Michael Schoppenhorst, president of SEMCO Productions, which coordinates the show. “All of our exhibit space is full, and we have a waiting list of potential exhibitors who are interested in participating. We’ve expanded the offerings on the Reliable Heating & Air Home Show Stage, and will feature popular speakers including Georgia Gardener Walter Reeves and HGTV’s Joe Washington and Tonya M. Williams. Joe will present a new program on adaptive gardening, which means finding solutions for gardeners who might be limited due to age or disability. There will also be presentations on beekeeping, gardening in small spaces, preparing a home for sale, financing home improvement projects, installing a fountain in the landscape and much more.”
What do you think about the Nest?
The Nest comes with a very good set of installation instructions and an instructional DVD for the do-it-yourselfer. Energy savings will vary based on many factors, but with a price tag of $249.95, it is estimated to have a very quick payback. For more information, visit www.nest. com/thermostat/life-withnest-thermostat. —Keiffer Phillips, Partner, Keiffer Phillips-Patricia Brown Builders Inc., www.keifferphillips.com
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homefront Westside Modern Opens New Showroom Location
Sherwin-Williams Announces 2014 Color of the Year Sherwin-Williams has announced that its Color of the Year for 2014 is Exclusive Plum (SW 6263). The hue, a balance of cool blue and feisty red with a splash of gray, pairs well with a variety of styles to create color schemes suitable for any room. Exclusive Plum is a versatile color that can be used in a variety of spaces. For a cozy, masculine den, Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing Jackie Jordan
Photo courtesy of Westside Modern
The Westside design district has a new showroom, Westside Modern, specializing in the best of Danish design from the ’60s and ’70s. This is the largest collection of Danish modern furniture in the Atlanta market. Visitors will discover other interesting finds in the newly renovated space at 876 Huff Road in Atlanta, from antique Khotan rugs from East Asia and Turkey to vintage American icons like Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall. For more information, visit www.westsidemodernatlanta.com.
Castle Painting and Remodeling Has New Location, New Blog
Photo courtesy of Castle Painting and Remodeling, Photography by Gregg Willett
Castle Painting and Remodeling has moved to a new location at 4627 Roswell Road NE in Atlanta, just down the road from its previous location. The open, modern floor plan with dark wood floors, a spacious kitchen and meeting area and a lounge space for guests has already made a world of difference for Castle Painting and Remodeling’s clients and team.
recommends pairing the color with accents of copper and well-worn leather. Exclusive Plum can also be layered with gold, gray and white for an elegant, dreamy bedroom, or highlighted against white subway tile and chrome fixtures for a statement master bathroom. Pops of magenta and chartreuse can liven up Exclusive Plum for a more energetic space and when paired with creamy whites or other neutrals, the mellow yet purposeful purple can turn any space into a refreshing retreat. “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential. It has an amazing quality and can be adapted for nearly any space, whether used as an accent or for an entire room,” Jordan says.
The team took several measures to ensure a healthy and eco-friendly structure, including lead paint removal; beautiful shades of gray Sherwin-Williams zeroVOC paint; and energy-efficient appliances, HVAC, insulation and more.
Each year, Jordan, along with other
Castle Painting and Remodeling also has launched a new blog at www.castlega. com/blog covering the gamut of painting and remodeling topics with everything from easy DIY home upgrades to paint color trends and kitchen and bath remodels. For more information, visit www.castlega.com.
around the world to determine the
14
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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Sherwin-Williams color experts, researches color influences from annual color forecast and the Color of the Year. For more information, visit www.sherwin-williams.com. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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homefront LUXE Linear Drains Recognized at Interior Design Best of Year Awards LUXE Linear Drains was recognized as a top finalist in the Bath Hardware category at the annual Best of Year gala awards ceremony hosted in December by Interior Design to recognize the top new products and projects of the year at Frank Gehry’s electric new IAC Building in New York City.
LUXE Linear Drains president Joe Phillips takes a moment along with the staff of Interior Design to enjoy his latest piece of hardware as a top finalist in the Bath Hardware category at the annual Best of Year gala awards.
Interior Design president Mark Strauss and editor in chief Cindy Allen revealed the winners in 90 categories, including several new market segments in one of the closest and most surprising events in recent memory. Interior Design gathered close to 1,000 members of the architecture and interior design community together this year.
LUXE Linear Drains are prized by Photo courtesy of LUXE architects, interior designers, custom home builders and bath pros for all residential or commercial projects. LUXE Linear Drains are manufactured using architectural-grade, 100 percent stainless steel in decorative patterned grate options, linear tile insert trays and decorative square replacement drains and insert trays for modern, stylish custom showers. LUXE Linear Drains also provides interior designers in large-scale healthcare, senior living, hospitality or casino resort-type projects a stylish option for creating barrier-free, curbless, ADA-compliant custom showers. For more information, visit www.lineardrains.com. Editorial Resources begin on page 62.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 6-9 Scott Antique Market Atlanta Expo Center 3650 Jonesboro Road, SE Atlanta, GA 30354 (404) 361-2000 www.scottantiquemarket.com Saturday, Feb. 8 Decatur Old House Fair 2014 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Marriott Courtyard Decatur Hotel and Conference Center 130 Claremont Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 371-8386 www.decaturoldhousefair.com
February 21– 23 North Atlanta Home Show The Gwinnett Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway Duluth, Georgia 30097 www.atlantahomeshow.com Feb 8 - April 13 Orchid Daze: Lasting Impressions Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 876-5859 www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Saturday, Feb. 22 ArTLab: Improve your art skills 10 a.m.-4 p.m. High Museum of Art 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309 www.high.org Sunday, Feb. 23 Atlanta Chef’s Expo 2014 1:30-4:30 p.m. Georgia Freight Depot 65 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30303 www.atlantachefsexpo.com
Saturday, Feb. 15 Closet and Storage Organization Workshop 10-11:30 a.m. The Home Depot locations workshops.homedepot.com
Have a home improvement question or news tip? Send to editor@homeimprovementmag.com. 16
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Before
After
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
1/9/14 2:04 PM
editor’s
picks
New and notable home improvement products
3 2 5
1
4
1. Wine Not?
2. Fire It Up
3. Pillow Talk
Turn wasted space into the perfect place to store your wine collection. The Wine Door features a patented custom-built wine rack incorporated into a functioning hardwood door. It fits well into existing spaces like pantry or closet openings. Available in Aged Oak, Classic Cherry, Traditional Maple, Heritage Pine and more. Call for a quote; (404) 858-8051. www. mywinedoor.com.
The Cube from Spark Modern Fires is a contemporary outdoor fire element. When in use, the Cube creates its own light and warmth; when not in use, it makes a unique decorative statement. The 34.5” by 28.5” Cube features one of four decorative fire objects: black glass, clear glass, small basalt stones or lava rock. Available in stainless ($6,700) or powder coated red ($5,900). www.sparkfires.com.
Temper-Pedic’s most huggable pillow yet, the TEMPUR-Breeze Pillow features a squeezable design that won’t flatten over time. Breathable fibers reduce heat retention, and the state-of-theart TEMPUR-Breeze Cooling material on one side allows back, side and stomach sleepers to get a truly comfortable and cool night’s sleep. Standard: $149, Queen: $179. www.tempurpedic. com.
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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6 4. A Beautiful Reflection
4. Light the Way
Featuring abstracts in blue, black and silver, this Art Nouveau mirror will provide some sparkle in any space. Handmade by Indonesian artists, the mirror’s wooden frame—sustainable composite wood that has much greater density than ordinary particleboard—has been painted with graphics. Proceeds support artisans nationwide. $99. www. tenthousandvillages. com.
Add a bit of bling to any room with Krystal Touch NY’s Krystal Touch Door Knob Collection. Featuring engineered brass base hardware and an array of interchangeable, detachable crystal knobs, the collection allows you to personalize your décor. A battery-powered smart sensory feature containing LED lights illuminates when the doorknob is turned. $124 to $195. www. krystaltouchny.com.
6. Contain Your Clutter Colorful canisters can brighten and organize a space. Zak’s MeeMe Canisters come in a range of colors and sizes, making them ideal for all kinds of items. Designed to stack neatly on top of each other, they won’t take up much space. Airtight lids make them ideal for storing food and other items. Available in clear, kiwi, red and grape. $13.98 (1.6-qt.), $17.99 (2.25qt.), $23.98 (set of two). www.zak.com.
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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Escape to your own island Backyard retreats have never been more beautiful or unique. This one-of-a –kind design features an infinity-edge spillover and gives a reflective nature to the pool. The natural looking island features natural rock finish with “rills” for the water to run from the spa into the pool, giving the appearance that the stones are floating on the water. A planter with vegetation growing into the spaces between the rock add to the natural appearance. In addition, there are three very large flat rocks as stepping stones from the edge of the pool to the island. This pool incorporates the best of natural design with an ultra modern look.
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SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
Retreat Time to
Start planning now to create your personal oasis with a pool to suit your space and budget By Karon Warren
W
ith winter still holding strong outside, dreams of spending a warm summer’s day out by the
pool come pretty easy. Those dreams could quickly turn into reality if you begin laying the foundation before the weather heats up! As the ground thaws out and pool contractors gear up for a busy spring, there’s no better time than the present to get moving on a pool or spa of your own to suit your specific needs and vision.
Goodbye, boring! Gone are the plain, one-size-fits-all pools of yesterday. Today’s water retreats come with top-notch options such as salt water infiltration systems, automation through mobile devices to control pool functions, and unique tanning ledges built into the pool, says Alex Tidwell, designer and project manager with Boyce Design & Contracting in Atlanta.
Photo courtesy of Sunbelt Pools Atlanta GA
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Shall We Dine? This resort-style oasis is great for entertaining, lounging and cooking. The pool has a builtin lounging shelf for sunbathing, adding to the natural relaxed feel the homeowners had in mind. The waterfalls in this 26-foot-by-18foot black gunite pool create a grotto effect over artistic rock, and rico stone coping gives the illusion of a lagoon. An Old World look was achieved using recycled barn wood, compost columns covered in stucco and acid stained cut concrete flooring. A prefabricated fireplace was installed and customized using cultured stone to fit in with the homeowner’s budget. By adding small trees and ornamental grasses, P.O.P.S. created a natural backdrop for the wet creek that spills into the pool. Multiple conversation areas complete the space, allowing the entire landscape to be enjoyed from all viewpoints.
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Photo courtesy of P.O.P.S. Landscaping
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SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
No Limitations Photo courtesy of Desjoyaux Pools
Create your vision Of course, a backyard oasis complete with your ideal pool won’t just happen. To make sure you get what you want, it’s necessary to do your research and prepare your budget. To get started, Rick Kaldrovics, president for Outside Landscape Group in Alpharetta, recommends answering the following questions: • What do you intend to use the space for? • How often or will you use the space? • Do you know your budget? • Would you enjoy added features such as a firepit or fireplaces? • Have you thought of energy costs of electrical and heating of the pool and surrounding areas?
A successful 2014 is all about creating a vision and taking steps to see it manifested. If a backyard oasis with a pool is one of the things that will help enhance your life, then take the time to answer the questions on the left. We are committed to helping you make smart, informed decisions.
• Do you have a lighting plan for the pool? • Are you going to maintain it or hire a company? • Do you have a survey of your property to delineate the allotted space? Tidwell also suggests looking at a style of pool that matches the look of the home. “It is important for the pool to be composed of materials that match the house and blend into the existing landscape,” he says.
Landscape accommodations Some homeowners assume they cannot have a pool of their own because their yards are too small or the landscape is not flat. Thankfully, there are ways to work through these concerns. “It is possible to install a smaller size pool and still have space to lounge,” Kaldrovics says. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
1/9/14 2:38 PM
SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
It All Seems So Natural!
Photo courtesy of Outside Landscape Group
“We can design organic pools that flow well with the landscape. Alternatively, think about installing a small patio with a spa and backdrop of screening plants or even an oversized swimmable pond.” Incorporating a pool into a hill also is not an impossible task. “Oftentimes, a slope or hill can create challenges, but the slope can also provide dimension to the pool, making the overall design much more interesting,” Tidwell says. “Depending on the topography of the hill, it may take an engineer to design the walls. If the pool needs to be cut into the slope, there are many ways to have a decorative raised beam to retain the slope. Features such as waterfalls, lighting, planting beds and slides can be built into these raised beams to create a one-of-a-kind space.” However, don’t forget to include additional landscaping costs into your budget.
Energy efficiency
Selecting the best pool design to complement your outdoor space, adding waterfalls, planters, fireplaces, etc. can help create an oasis that feels as if it were designed by Mother Nature herself. Finding expert help is a must to ensure your pool not only looks naturally beautiful but performs seemlessly as well.
Higher energy efficiency also has become standard in the swimming pool industry. “Variablespeed pumps can move more water with less energy than their traditional single-speed counterparts. They can be turned down when less flow is required to consume even fewer watts,” says Brad Renken, Associate AIA, Certified Building Professional APSP, owner and founder of Hearthstone Environments LLC in Cumming. “We now use LED lights exclusively because they use less electricity, are smaller and easier to install, and even allow color-changing options.”
A firm foundation Just as with pool planning, careful preparation is necessary when installing a spa. For example, Jason Spain, owner/president of Spain & Sons Construction LLC in Bethlehem, recommends www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
The First Resort
Photo courtesy of Shane LeBlanc, Selective Designs
choosing a tub that will accommodate your family as well as have the interior shell layout that is the most conducive to your needs. Installing your spa in the right location also is key. “You want to make sure the spa is placed on a level surface, as spa jets do not work well when the water is not level in the tub,” Spain says. Frank Pologruto, president of Decks & More in Smyrna, cautions homeowners to make sure your spa is located in a spa that can accommodate the total weight of the spa unit, the water and the persons using the tub. This is especially important if you plan to place the spa on a deck. “Don’t
Make your home the go-to place for refreshing and relaxation. Turn your outdoor living space into your exclusive resort. Then step outside and imagine you just landed on the island of your choice.
put it on a deck unless it’s a reinforced deck,” he says. Otherwise, it could collapse.
Space to relax One important consideration is pool decking. “Pools should have an adequate amount of pool decking or lounge space,” Kaldrovics says. “Knowing the size and amount of the pool furniture that will be accompanying the pool will help as well. Think also of the creative design elements that can be implemented, such as waterfalls and boulder accent rocks.”
Resort style Many homeowners are turning their backyards into staycation hotspots. According to Kaldrovics, “Creating a vacation spot at home becomes more and more appealing to homeowners. They want to invest money in an elaborate outdoor oasis instead of spending it on travel. Why travel when luxury waits in your backyard?” www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
The Family That Plays
Photo courtesy of Boyce Design and Contracting
Family fun For most homeowners, a pool will serve as more than just a serene water feature. Therefore, it’s essential to consider what function the pool will serve. “For family fun, organic-shaped pools are best to install,” Kaldrovics says. “They offer a more playful look and feel versus a more modern rectangle shape. Having a few ideas ready before you talk to your designer is always a great idea.” In fact, making a pool kid-friendly is easier than ever. “There are many components that can be added to a pool such as water slides, swim-up bars, tanning ledges, waterfalls, spas, etc,” Tidwell says. “Safety, however, is the most important feature to consider.”
Imagine it! You could have a family getaway in your own backyard. If you have kids or grandkids, why not create a space where you can have fun together? Consider adding waterslides, waterfalls, spas and tanning ledges to your pool design and create the perfect space for the young and the young at heart.
Fitness focused If you want a pool geared for fitness endeavors, Tidwell recommends a more formal or rectangular pool. “A more regular shape gives the swimmer room to swim laps without the curves of a free-form pool,” he says. “There are also fitness pools that have jets that create a current that the swimmer can swim against for resistance.” Lap pools, though, could pose a problem with some homeowners. “Homeowners need to consider space for a lap pool due to the size,” Kaldrovics says. “Oftentimes, we find that the property we are working on has a building setback and we must accommodate. When designing with setbacks, we take in to consideration the size and location of the pool. If the pool is an organic shape, it may be easier to incorporate into the landscape.” www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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SPECIAL SECTION: POOLS & SPAS
When Size Matters Photo courtesy of Hearthstone Environments LLC
Small space option Another option is a “spool.” “The newest trend for small spaces is a spool, which is a mix between a pool and spa,” Tidwell says. “The spool is usually about half the size or smaller than a typical residential pool, but still has room for a small shallow end and a deep end of the pool. Normally a spool is built with a heating system, jets and bench seating much like a spa.”
Heating up Just as with swimming pools, today’s spas are far beyond the tried-and-true spas of the past. “Many of our spas are designed to overlap with our swimming pools,” Tidwell says. “We have had clients requesting different styles of spillovers on the spa, Photo courtesy of Jason Spain, Spain & Sons Construction LLC
such as a boulder waterfall cascading from the spa into the pool, or an infinity-edge spillover that spans half or two-thirds of the spa’s edge to dramatic view.”
Nowt ’s tha art! sm
Have you been told that your outdoor space is too small to create the backyard escape of your dreams? No worries. Check out our resources on pgs. 57 & 62 to find a pool expert to discuss your options. You might discover that a spool is perfect for you. This new trend—a mix between a pool and spa—is a really smart design option for small spaces.
High-tech options Technology also has taken spas to a new level. “The science behind the construction of the spas has come a long way as well, with new tubs including nifty new features like LED color lighting, which can even have a therapeutic and calming effect, and yet others with great built-in, surround-sound systems with ports for plugging in iPods, iPhones and the like,” Spain says. “Many of the new spa designs now also include strategic placement of the tub jets to target specific areas of the body’s pressure points that need attention.” Although it’s still cold outside, it won’t be long before warm days are here again. When that time comes, you could find yourself lounging by your new swimming pool—custom designed for you, your family and your home. Editorial Resources begin on page 62. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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AtlantaHomeShow.com for a complete list of exhibitors and all show info
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COOLSCREENS COSTCO WHOLESALE (DULUTH) CREATIVE CONCRETE RESURFACING CSI KITCHEN & BATH STUDIO CUTCO CUTLERY & COOKWARE (Olean) DECORATING DEN INTERIORS DIRECT BUILD HOME IMPROVEMENT DIRECT BUY EMC SECURITY ENTRYPOINT DOORS OF ATLANTA EVERDRY WATERPROOFING EXOVATIONS EZ HANG CHAIRS FERN VALLEY LANDSCAPE & INTERIORS FIVE STAR PAINTING FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL FLOORMAX FLOORING ATLANTA GEORGIA AQUARIUM GEORGIA AWNINGS GEORGIA IN-HOME SERVICES INC. GEORGIA SPA COMPANY GEORGIA SPCA GEORGIA SUNROOM GRANITE GARAGE FLOORS GRANITE TRANSFORMATIONS GWINNETT COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION GWINNETT DAILY POST HECKER RIDGE TILES HOLTKAMP HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING INC. HOME & GARDEN DESIGN INC. HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS HORIZONSLTD.COM HOUSLEY ENTERPRISES OF GA INC. INVISIBLE FENCE BY PEACHTREE IRRIGATION REPAIR GUY J & J PAINTING OF GEORGIA J&K ENTERPRISES JACKSON EMC
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1/7/14 6:08 PM
a Smart Home automation puts all your home’s functions at your fingertips By Mike Sampogna
emember the days before remote controls when you had to get up to change the channel on the TV? Those days are clearly long past, and now, thanks to advances in technology, you don’t even have to get up (or be at home!) to change the thermostat settings, turn off the lights, open the windows and much more. “You’re only limited by your imagination,” says Charles Schuster, president of Encompass Interactive. “If we are able to put an actuator onto something, you are going to be able to automate it.” The technology itself can require various software and hardware installations, such as computer routers that allow the different devices to be operated remotely over a wireless Internet connection. But once these installations are in place, the sky really is the limit to what can be accomplished.
High-tech fun Schuster says home automation is one area where the United States is lagging behind Europe, and some of the trends that are popular across the pond are just stating to take hold here. “People are adding things like golf simulators that allow them to play a round of golf in their own homes,” he says.
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Home automation in action One client of Steve Berrey, managing director of iHomes Atlanta, has gone to the extreme when it comes to automating his home on Lake Lanier. Lewis Miller, senior vice president with Atlanta-based CBRE, a commercial real estate services company, built a home that has won two OBIE Awards from the Atlanta Home Builders Association, as well as Best Green and Best EarthCraft Home from the Georgia Home Builders Association for 2013. Miller built the home from the ground up to be energy efficient and automated. He can control the thermostats, the lighting, the windows and other areas of his home from his iPad. The home is self-powered by 36 photovoltaic panels, and he can monitor the home’s energy usage, including how much hot water is produced, through a single device. The automation system was developed in part by iHomes Atlanta.
Nowt ’s tha art! sm
“If I’m at my office in Buckhead and somebody rings my doorbell, it sends an alert to my iPad and iPhone,” Miller says. “Then I can call up one of the security cameras at my home and see what’s going on there. If I am on my way home and want to light my house, I can do it from the road. If I have guests coming who will be there before me, I can unlock the doors for them, let them in and see them from the remote cameras on my phone or tablet.” With the advent of smartphones and tablets, the ability to take advantage of automation technology has gotten much easier. Companies like Encompass and iHomes Atlanta can provide custom automation packages, and there are a number of different apps available for smartphones and tablets that work in conjunction with different software packages to make automating your home a breeze.
Adjust the thermostat from your iPad/ iPhone
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Know if someone rings the door bell and see who’s at the door even when you are not at home
Solar gain for windows controlled by a motorized sun shade/awning
Photos courtesy of Lewis Miller
Control lighting remotely as well as set to come on automatically at sunset
Know the energy consumption of your top 10 appliances
Solar Domestic Hot Water system (SDHW)
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33 Photovoltaic Panels for electricity and 2 Thermal Panels for Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW)
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Prep-time perks Schuster says that he has seen interest in an innovation that will appeal to women getting ready in the morning. “There are these mirrors that can be installed,” he says. “They look like normal, one-way mirrors, but can include screens. You click a button and the screen can show you your itinerary for the day or you can catch up on the news and weather.” The kicker comes in the form of cameras that can be installed in the wall opposite the mirror. “They allow you to use the camera to look at the back of your head in the mirror in front of you so you can do your hair and get ready more easily. You’re talking about a $7,000 item, but people really seem to like it.”
The sound of your voice Steve Berrey, managing director of iHomes Atlanta, says he has seen homeowners trending towards using voice-activated technology. “It allows customers to turn on and off lights, appliances and other devices using their voice,” he says. “It is very cool.”
Location, location, location Another area that is emerging is locationbased automation, he says. “Your house tracks your location through your phone, and lights and music come on just when you get close to house. The thermostat kicks on when you get 5 miles away. The doors unlock with phone in hand.”
What’s the cost? What can you expect to pay to get these technological advances in your home? Berrey says that a good rule of thumb is to budget about $2,500 per room if there is going to be a significant amount of automation involved. If all you are doing is a lesser project, such as lighting, you can expect it to come in around $500 per room. Editorial Resources begin on page 62.
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There’s an App for That? Yep! Here’s a sampling of some of the incredibly cool and useful cutting-edge homeautomation apps out there right now. HomeZada (www.homezada.com) – This is an app for smartphones you can use to snap and store photos of appliances, furniture, electronics and other gear in your home, as well as upload digital versions of manuals and user guides to create a usable home inventory. The app helps you manage and predict costs and reminds you to perform maintenance tasks such as changing the furnace filter, replacing washer hoses, etc. while providing you with details like what size filter and hoses to buy, right from your phone. Kohler PowerSync Automatic Paralleling Module (www.kohlergenerators.com) – This enables the paralleling of two Kohler single-phase generator sets to reduce fuel consumption, provide redundant operation, and extend the life of the generator sets. Once installed it can be controlled via a smartphone or tablet device remotely. Skylink HomeControl (www.homecontrols.com/SkylinkHomeControl-App-for-iPhone-iPad-Android) – This app effectively turns your smartphone, tablet or computer into a remote control to operate just about anything in your home with a virtual keypad. It uses control modules that can be wired out of sight and wireless receivers plugged into wall outlets, lamp sockets, or light switches. HSTouch by Homeseer (www.homeseer.com) – This iPhone app is designed to control several home appliances and systems including lighting, thermostats, security systems and web cams. It works in conjunction with the HomeSeer home automation system. The iPhone interface is customizable so you can create your own graphics and buttons and save them within the app. Lightswitch (www.melloware.com/lightswitch/) – This is the app for you if you constantly forget to turn off the lights when you leave the house. It works with servers certified for the Lightswitch application and remotely controls lighting from a smartphone or tablet. Control4 My House (www.control4.com) – This provides a user-friendly interface to adjust the settings of various home appliances and systems. As with other homeautomation apps, this requires a home automation system to work. Once set up, the iPhone can be used to control the lights, HVAC system, and audio and video devices. Haiku (www.haikuautomation. com) – This works with HAI’s Ethernet-enabled homeautomation controllers. Each
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area of the house is displayed on the app. The Climate tab displays the temperature and humidity levels, while the Control tab displays the lighting status in each room. The Status tab gives an overview of the alarms, thermostat, additional sensors and messages.
Inspiration Originates In Your Heart
BeoLink (https://itunes.apple.com/us/ app/beolink/id359002041?mt=8) – This iPhone home-automation app supports a Bang & Olufsen home automation system remotely. It is accessible through the local wi-fi network. The BeoLink app transforms the iPhone into a central hub for the home, controlling the lighting, audio, video, temperature, security and curtains. INSTEON Hub (www.insteon.com/2242222-insteon-hub.html) – Control INSTEON light bulbs, wall switches, outlets and thermostats from your smartphone or tablet. Receive instant email or text alerts from motion and water leak sensors. Nest (www.nest.com) – This is an advanced thermostat system that integrates with your current heating and air conditioning and has a mobile app that can be used to connect to the thermostat from anywhere to turn it down or up based on your preferences.
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Philips Hue (www.meethue.com/enUS) – This app allows users to control the Philips Hue lighting system from an iPad, iPhone or Android device. The app allows users to turn the bulbs to any color of the rainbow, and you can even create light settings based on your favorite photos. The accompanying app comes with several different lighting schemes for different moods, and the bulbs can even be used to help you wake up in the morning.
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Styling with Tile
By Kathy Kantorski
Go beyond the kitchen and bath with touches of tile throughout your home t’s time to step outside the box. Tile is well known as durable, easy-toclean surface material ideal for messy and moisture-prone rooms in the home, such as the kitchen or bath. But if you look beyond the functional beauty of tile, you’ll find it to be a design element that can add a colorful, shiny, textured, or sparkly touch to any room of the home. “Tiles of today have evolved into art,” says Kass Wilson, decorative artist, creative director and owner of WallsTreat Studio. “With a little creativity, they can be featured like a piece of jewelry.”
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
◗ PORCELAIN TILES can be placed indoors or out, offering durability, low maintenance and a long lifetime. ◗ Featuring HANDCRAFTED MOTAWI TILES (available through Renaissance Tile & Bath), this fireplace facade exemplifies how tile can turn a boring hearth into a unique focal point. ◗ New Ravenna Mosaics’ Solid Ovals, a NATURAL HAND-CUT STONE TILE WITH WATERJET MOSAIC (shown here in Calacatta Tia and Nero Marquina) offers a bold pattern in neutral hues. Photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Specialty Tile Products; Motawi Tileworks/Maconochie Photography; and New Ravenna
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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Create a feature wall Want to make a big impression? A wall decorated with tiles will leave your guests in awe. Though feature walls are most often seen in entryways, they can add interest to any room you’d like. Taylor Jarson, showroom designer for Traditions in Tile and Stone, points to the rising trend of dimensional wall tiles. “It’s definitely not for everybody,” he says, “but with the proper lighting, the extra dimension goes a long way in creating depth you can’t get in normal tile.” He adds that the look “has its place in older homes with a retro feel, or in really sleek and modern new-construction homes.” Another tile appropriate for feature walls or insets is referred to as a decorative listel. “Listel tiles come in any variety of colors and patterns,” explains Susan Poindexter and David Patrick of the Myers Carpet Atlanta sales team. “They are long and skinny, and, when placed together, can create a wonderfully unique aesthetic. Patterned or optical listel tiles can create the illusion of a wallpaper.”
Fancy your floors If you’d rather keep your walls neutral and let your floors do the talking, decorative tiled floors can be a stunning design element, or simply a durable stone groundcover. Nawal Motawi, founder and artistic director of Motawi Tileworks (sold locally at Renaissance Tile & Bath), speaks of the texture of her tile flooring, “The slight dome on the tiles and the soft edge makes them feel wonderful on bare feet!” Advances in the look and feel of tile products have made them a more viable option for flooring in living areas—especially the newest wood-look porcelain tiles. “American homeowners have loved hardwood floors since the colonial times,” notes Jonathan Embrose, creative director of Specialty Tile Products. “Now that wood-look tiles are nearly indistinguishable from the natural product, it’s a no-brainer to go with porcelain; you won’t see any dings, scratches or stains on a porcelain floor.” Porcelain tiles are also made to resemble other floor coverings besides wood, such as stone or concrete. And it doesn’t stop there: “The new trend we are seeing is the blending of textures and visual elements across materials to create a brand new surface,” Embrose says. “The weathered texture of wood is fused with smooth, chalky concrete to create a visually stunning, unique surface.”
Make your hearth look hot Another great opportunity for a decorative-tile design element is in your fireplace facade. “Great tile designs can be added to mantels,” Wilson says. Motawi agrees, noting that her handcrafted tiles’ “soft
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This living room was updated from “predictable traditional to upscale elegant contemporary,” as decorative artist Kass Wilson from WallsTreat Studio describes. The new mantel was built with a simple, clean-lined design, and Wilson handpainted it using a burl wood-graining technique. For the insert, VENETIAN GLASS MOSAIC TILE from Ceramic Technics Ltd. was installed as the stunning surround.
◗
Maybe you don’t want to cover an entire wall with tile, but you’d like to use it in a smaller accent. Sue Rittenburg, pro sales manager at Floor & Decor in Atlanta, suggests tiling an art niche, stair risers or columns to add a pop of color, shine or textural interest.
◗ DIMENSIONAL WALL TILES are rising in popularity for feature-wall applications. “With proper lighting, the extra dimension goes a long way in creating the depth you can’t get in normal tile,” says Taylor Jarson with Traditions in Tile and Stone.
Photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Traditions in Tile; MODA Floors & Interiors and daltile; Porcelanosa; MODA Floors & Interiors and daltile and Kass Willson, WallsTreat Studio
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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NOCE WOODLANDS 13” x 13” PORCELAIN TILE
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MAX GREY NATURE POTC 12”X24”
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C A R P E T
styles to fit your style 404.352.8141 | www.myerscarpetatlanta.com | 1500 northside drive, atlanta, ga 30318
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sm
◗
8
Nowt ’s tha art! REUSE TILE … REALLY!
“I’m really excited about reusable and replaceable tile. New installation technology makes it possible to completely undo an installation without destroying the tile. Tile can be removed with a strong suction cup, then rearrange or replaced with new tile in no time.” —Jonathan Embrose, creative director, Specialty Tile Products Photos courtesy of (left) Traditions in Tile and (right, top and bottom) Specialty Tile Products
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TILE TREND?
“I enjoy using dimensional tile in wall applications whenever the occasion calls for it. It’s definitely not for everybody, but it can really add an extra level of ‘pop.’” —Taylor Jarson, showroom designer, Traditions in Tile and Stone
edges, natural glazes, rich colors and pillowed surface promote the feeling of warmth and comfort—and a bit of luxury,” she adds. With an effect similar to that of a feature wall, but on a smaller scale (a smaller budget, too!), tiled fireplace surrounds can match any design style— traditional, retro, modern or other—and provide a “stunning, striking artistic focal point,” as Motawi describes.
Take it outside This may come as a surprise, but tile is also an option for your outdoor spaces, from the patio to the pool—even in the garage! “Tile your garage and you’ll never have to worry about motor oil, transmission fluid or other staining liquids messing up your pristine parking or work area,” Embrose says. He also recommends porcelain tile pavers for patios, garden areas or pool surrounds. “Porcelain tile won’t fade over time, doesn’t need to be sealed and withstands extreme temperatures and outdoor weather conditions without visible wear and tear,” he explains. Pools are also a great space to add decorative-tile touches, either on the floor surrounding the pool, or along the edge of the pool itself. Worried about matching your pool liner? “Most companies have ways to special order small mosaic tiles to fit any color needs,” Jarson says. “Anything from color gradients in glass tile to picture mosaics in ceramic can be achieved at a relatively low cost.”
“My favorite type of tile caters to American homeowners’ love for hardwoods: Wood-look porcelain tile has the aesthetic appeal of natural hardwood while retaining the enhanced durability and easy cleanup of porcelain products.” —Jonathan Embrose, creative director, Specialty Tile Products
Listen to the experts In addition to aesthetic considerations, you should ensure that the tile you’re choosing will fit your application. “Listen to the salesperson regarding the appropriateness of a particular material for the use you have in mind,” Motawi advises. “Not all tile and stone can be used in every situation, and the salespeople should know the materials quite well.” While you should make sure your tile project is appropriate for the space, don’t forget to be bold! “Don’t be afraid to test the limits and boundaries of what you think is ‘allowed’ or ‘not allowed’ in tile use,” Jarson says. “There’s really no right or wrong when it comes to design. As long as you like the application and what it’s for, then you can’t go wrong!” Editorial Resources begin on page 62. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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“The standard tumbled-marble backsplash is quickly becoming passe. I see the most innovative designers gravitating toward interesting mosaics and glass tiles.” —Kass Wilson, owner and creative director, WallsTreat Studio ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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intownrenovation
Bungalow Design Makeover in West End Atlanta Barbara English, To the Trade Only, 541 10th St., Suite 418, Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 536-0664, www.tothetradeonly.com Dana Terrell, Dana T Designs in Atlanta, 501 Hiawassee Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 (678) 596-8590, www.dana-t-designs.com Photography by Doug Sturgess, photos courtesy of To the Trade Only
This early 20th-century bungalow owned by West End real estate agent Steven Barlow underwent a complete renovation and design overhaul by Dana Terrell of Dana T Designs in Atlanta. Four adjacent rooms, each with a fireplace, were knocked out in the front of the house to create one large great room-livingdining-kitchen combination featuring an original four-sided fireplace in the center. The floors were stripped and stained black with a glossy finish, new windows and insulation was added and the screened in porch on the front was opened up, echoing the home’s original design.
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gardenplanner
1
Celebrate spring early by bringing branches of flowering trees and shrubs indoors! Cut stems of redbud, flowering pear, serviceberry, magnolia, flowering quince or any of your favorite spring bloomers. Place in a vase with floral preservative and enjoy!
2
February is a good time to broadcast weed preventer granules over your lawn. Weed preventers work by killing the seeds of these weeds before or as they attempt to germinate. You also can apply a pre-emergent weed killer to perennial beds, planting islands and other non-lawn areas to cut down on weed growth, too. *Caution:Â If you are planning to overseed your fescue lawn this month, do not apply pre-emergent weed preventer to the lawn at this time.Â
3
Feed established fescue lawns in February with a highnitrogen lawn fertilizer. To determine how much fertilizer to apply measure your lawn area(s) for total square footage by multiplying the length by width of area(s) to be covered.
Fertilize camellias and azaleas and refresh the mulch layer around azaleas to protect their shallow root systems from drying out.
TOP
10 tips
for creating and maintaining a beautiful garden in
February
Questions about your landscape or hiring a professional landscaper? Send e-mails to info@urbanagcouncil.com.
Mary Kay Woodworth is executive director of the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council (UAC). She previously ran Practically Gardening, a landscape consulting firm, and was Master Gardener coordinator for the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Service. Mary Kay is a frequent speaker at area schools, garden clubs, civic organizations and trade shows.
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ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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5
Plant roses, trees and veggies (onions, potatoes, lettuce, spinach) mid-February. Make sure to mulch and water adequately.
4
6
Major pruning of trees and shrubs can be done now. Take care when it comes to flowering trees and shrubs; spring-flowerers such as forsythia, spiraea, azalea and viburnum should not be pruned until after they bloom. Summer bloomers can be pruned now while they are dormant. The UGA Extension site has an excellent publication about pruning (trees, shrubs, fruit and nut trees, etc.) at www.ces.uga.edu .
7
Late Atlanta snowstorm? Brush the white stuff off of branches of plants that have brittle branches that might snap if the snow were to become wet and heavy. Otherwise, leave snow on the plants as it can serve as an insulator if the temperatures were to plummet below 20 degrees.
If your houseplants are actively growing give them a shot of liquid plant food. Also check your houseplants for insects; and if you have a backyard greenhouse, check those plants too.
9
8
Take your mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers and other power tools in for a tune up now. If you wait until these tools are needed in early spring, the outdoor power equipment shops will have a waiting list and it might take weeks to get your tools back.
Bluebirds arrive in metro-Atlanta by mid-February, so make sure bluebird houses are ready for springtime nesting!
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www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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WWW.GREGGWILLETT.COM GREGG@WILLETTPHOTO.COM www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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finance&remodel Finance Your Vision How to pay for that remodel you’re planning for 2014 et s take a look at the cash out refinance and equity line options together, because they work very similarly. When you apply for one of these loans, your bank will order an appraisal to determine your home’s current value. The bank will then lend you as much as 85 percent of that value for the cash out refinance and typically percent for the equity line. From that amount, you subtract your current mortgage balance to determine the amount you net for your project. Again, these options work well if you have a lot of equity in your home. But what if your current loan balance is at or above
percent of your
current value? What if you need more than to
for your project? his is where the
renovation loan saunters in to save the day. The renovation loan was designed with you and your project in mind. It has two huge advantages that make it an extremely useful financing tool. The first is that the bank bases the amount they will lend you on the after improved value of the home, so you get credit for the upgrades and additions. The second advantage is that if you meet credit requirements, the bank will lend you as much as
percent of the after improved value
if needed. By the way, this product can also be
OK, so this is the year you treat yourself to that home remodel you have been dreaming about. You’ve done all the fun stuff like
improvements into the same loan.
picking out stunning South American hardwoods, cavernous
work for you. Assume that you have a project in mind that
cabinets, and gorgeous granite countertops. You’ve seen all
will increase your home s value from
the shows about adding awesome outdoor living spaces,
and your current mortgage balance is
but now you’re faced with that troubling question. How am
renovation loans use the after improved value that means
I going to pay for all of these goodies? Fear not! There are
you could borrow as much as
actually more solutions available to you than you may think.
by
If paying cash is not an option for you, you will need to look
your project after you pay off your current mortgage. Using
for ways to finance your project. There are essentially three
these same figures you would only net
ways to finance a remodeling project:
refinance and extra
• an e uity line or • a renovation loan The first two options can work well if you have a lot of equity in your home today. Renovation loans work well in all situations because the amount you can borrow is based on how much your home will be worth after you make the improvements. ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT
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Let’s look at an example to see how these advantages can to ecause multiplied
percent which would net you roughly
for on a cash out
using an e uity line ou ve priced out
ra ilian cherry and top of the line refrigerators would that
• a cash out refinance
48
used to purchase a fixer upper and finance the
A
to
come in handy for your project? Todd Sheppard is Senior Mortgage Banker for Fidelity Bank Mortgage, 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 360, in Alpharetta. He has more than 17 years of mortgage lending experience and focuses on renovation financing. To learn more about renovation financing, contact him at toddsheppardloans@gmail.com. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
1/7/14 6:18 PM
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4875 South Atlanta Rd, Smyrna, GA 30080 BEFORE
AFTER ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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bob&rodman Winter Protection Take precautions to avoid damage to your home
The measure of a great remodeler. Visit www.nariatlanta.org or call (770) 516-2091 for a trustworthy contractor in your area.
You can get a glimpse of springtime in February but, typically, our snowiest, iciest and bitterest days are still ahead. February and March are the months for downed trees and power outages. A few precautions can reduce damage and discomfort.
©2014 NARI
In reality, “downed limbs” is a better term than “downed trees”. Accumulated ice or snow on densely needled pine limbs stress the joint and substantial branches can selfprune under the added weight. Healthy trees are just as liable to pose a threat as those seen as obviously diseased. Any pines overhanging the home, driveway, outbuildings
Kitchens • Baths • Basements
or power lines should be removed. Even those relatively close – closer in feet than their height in feet – should be considered for removal. Frequently pines are topped by ice-snow accumulation and winter storm winds. A 12- or 15-foot mini-tree, falling from 70 or 80 feet, builds up very destructive velocity and energy. It might sound like we’re picking on the noble Georgia pine, but when the winter dawn is punctuated by the gunshot sound of breaking branches it is most likely that pines are the culprits.
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It’s not that hardwoods are exempt. Deciduous trees just lack the foliage to trap the huge ice or snow loads that break down the pines. But even hardwoods are subject to winter failure. An arborist can evaluate any trees that are close to vulnerable structures or power lines and recommend trimming or removal. Sometimes existing damage or disease is obvious, but more often it is hidden from the layperson’s eye or requires inspection from a climber. As with the pines, the trouble is more often caused by falling limbs than
Georgia General Contractor #RBCO 003596
50
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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by falling trees, but any large hardwood that has had its root radius severely impacted or has been imbalanced by www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
1/9/14 10:39 AM
thoughtless single-purpose trimming is a candidate for collapse. Whacking away at one side of a tree to “clear” power lines can lead to potential instability, especially if the radius of the anchoring roots is diminished by road widening, sidewalks, driveways or other construction. The area that should be protected is the diameter of the branches—the “drip-line” of those branches marks of the ground owned by that particular tree. Finding a contractor to do your evaluation and, if necessary, tree trimming or removal should be governed by the same considerations for any home-improvement project. Insurance, both liability and workman’s compensation is an
before after C
O
dealing with a trained arborist, not simply a tree cutter. Saving trees is
E
S
T
Deadline for all entries February 15, 2014
Winning entries will be featured in our magazine and on our website Plus Winners will be invited to our
“Best of ” party
to get confirmation of insurance from the contractor. Be sure you are
T
Last Chance to Enter!
indispensable requirement. You want from the insurance carrier not just
N
where they will receive their “Best of” award.
just as important as removing those that might be dangerous. And, please, request and check references. Take these few precautions and you can peruse the snowy vistas in peace; you can enjoy your trees at a distance, rather than dodging them as they
Categories include kitchens, baths, basements, outdoor living spaces and more
come through the roof; and you can bask in front of the fireplace because you want to, not because it’s the only heat in the house.
Tune in to The Bob and RodMan Home Show every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on 920 AMWGKA to learn how to improve your house or apartment. RodMan is a certified home inspector, knows residential property appraisal and is a hands-on home renovator. Bob owned a roofing company, has reclaimed distressed properties for years and has master licenses as a plumber, electrician and HVAC mechanic. www.bobandrodman.com
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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It is easy to enter! To submit your best project(s) go to:
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com click the “Contests” submenu for rules and instructions on how to upload your project(s). You may contact editor@homeimprovementmag.com if you need more details
atlanta home
®
MPROVEMENT
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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1/10/14 12:16 PM
SAVE THE DATE! 36th annual spring atlanta
HOME SHOW march 21-23, 2014 cobb galleria centre
atlanta
Cobb Galleria March 21-23, 2014 A SEMCO Show Make your home new again. Everything for your home, inside & out is at the Spring Atlanta Home Show, Cobb Galleria Centre, March 21-23, 2014.
What Georgia’s largest Home Show Where The Cobb Galleria Centre When Fri March 21 – 10 to 6 Sat March 22 – 10 to 7 Sun March 23 – Noon to 6 Why Meet with more than 350 companies, comparison shop and get inspired to make your home new again!
AtlantaHomeShow.com for all show highlights and special offers 24-hour info line 770-798-1997
$2
OFF ADMISSION
Producers of quality shows in Atlanta since 1959.
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Limit one per adult ticket. Not good with any other offer. AH IM
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cahptalk
Home Staging Secrets Preparing your house for the real estate market
Spring is just around the corner, and that means it will soon be selling season in the real estate industry. As we continue to pull out of the market slump, it is important to know how best to showcase your home in order to make it the home that buyers will choose. First and foremost, start outside. Take a good look at your home’s curb appeal. Look through the eyes of a buyer. Does the flowerbed need weeding? Do the hedges need trimming? Do you have rotten wood? Is the paint peeling? All of these are items that must be addressed. If buyers don’t like what they see outside, they will never make it inside. Keep in mind there is nothing that will give your home a bigger bang for the buck than a fresh coat of paint. At the very least, have your home pressure washed to remove mold and mildew, then access the paint condition and colors. Here are tips for preparing your home inside: Clean ’til your fingers fall off. In addition to ridding your home of the obvious odors and carpet stains, wash baseboards, vacuum behind furniture and under the bed, scour ceiling fans and polish doorknobs. A clean home suggests a well-cared-for home. Clobber the clutter. Clean countertops and clear the floors. Go room by room removing personal items – trophies, wedding photos, college banners, etc. and, while you are at it, rent a storage space for your Elvis collectibles. Also, beware of shoving and jamming things into cabinets and closets. Declutter every nook and cranny. Buyers will take a peek!
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Good advice is the best tool.
Camouflage with paint. Fresh paint not only helps a house look better, but also helps with odors. Stick with neutral colors, but add colorful accents with accessories for interest. Even though you love the violet hue of your master bedroom, chances are the potential buyers will remember your home as “the one with the awful purple master.” Why push your luck? While good curb appeal is crucial, it is not actually the buyers’ first impression of your home. Guess what is? Pictures on the Internet! Buyers these days are shopping online first to see what homes they are interested in for preview. If you don’t have sharp pictures on your listing to reel them in, buyers will never even drive by for a first hand peek. Make sure your online photos are stellar. Patsy Overton is a certified color consultant, decorator, home stager and redesigner for SuperiorPro Painting. She offers help with painting projects, both inside and outside, and assists in preparing homes for the real estate market. For more information, visit www.superiorpro.com. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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Call 1-866-LOCATE ACE to find your nearest store or visit us at www.acehardware.com © 2004. Ace Hardware Corporation.
Pay attention to details. Patch any holes in the walls, fix leaky faucets, replace burned out light bulbs, buy fresh towels and put all the toilet lids down, alphabetize your spice jars and line up all the shoes in your closet. Really? Yes! Organization sells!
Client: AD #: Title: Media: Pubs:
Ace ACEHDW 74 ATLANTA "Pegboard" 4/C pg Various
Size:
live: 7 1/8” x 9 3/4” trim: 7 3/4” x 10 1/2” bleed: 8 1/2” x 11 1/8”
Prod. Manager: Renata Robinson Digital Artist: Peg Oberste
HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014 Art Director: Kris Wixom Copywriter: Engraver:
Alisa Sengel XYZ Graphics
53
Prepared by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. 2003. All rights reserved. 415-392-0669
1/9/14 7:58 AM
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1/9/14 8:59 AM
2014 Home Maintenance Checklist
Start off 2014 with your home in great shape by tackling these tasks By Mike Sampogna It’s the beginning of a new year—the perfect time to take a step back and look at some of the maintenance items that need to be taken care of around the home—inside and out—to keep it looking good and running well in 2014. We asked two of Atlanta’s top home maintenance experts what homeowners should be focusing on first as the year starts off. Here’s what they recommend:
❍ Check the gutters and fascia boards under the roof. Bill Bartlett, founder and manager of DogGoneHandy in Atlanta, says that is one area of importance. “You want to make sure they are intact, and have no holes,” he says. “You never know if there will be any critters trying to get through and into the house.” You also want to clean out the gutters so that in the event that there is precipitation in the form of rain, and even snow, that the runoff can flow smoothly through the gutters.
❍ Look closely at all the windows. Bartlett says you want to make sure that they all still close and lock and that no air is getting through the windows into the house. If there are leaks that you can seal without replacing the windows by all means take care of it. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint if needed. Replace damaged hardware. It can have an impact on the heating costs of your home during the colder months of the year.
❍ Take a look at the exterior doors as well. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers. Check the insulation around the doors and also check for leaks that may be allowing air or the elements to get inside the home.
❍ At this point in the year, you are probably not doing any kind of watering of the lawn or plants, so put the hoses away and store them properly. Exposure to cold weather can be damaging to the hoses themselves. Turn off the valves to the exterior faucets as well and drain them. You don’t want to have a frozen pipe to deal with which could turn into an even bigger issue.
❍ This year has been extraordinarily rainy, and that raises some potential hazards according to Lou Alvarado, owner of the Handy Husband in Atlanta. “Since it was so wet, you need to be very aware of mold and mildew buildup,” he says. “While you still have the chance you want to pressure wash your house or your driveway to get rid of the green that has built up.” He says since this is an unusual year when it comes to rain it should be a higher priority. When the weather changes and the relative humidity drops below 50 percent, it is a good time to take care of this task. www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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❍ You are going to want to take a look at your home’s mechanical system as well. “You want to make sure that the furnace is still working well and that
NOTES
the air conditioning and heating units are functioning too,” Bartlett says. “If you do that and make sure everything is up to speed now, it will help you leading up to the colder months rather than doing it after the fact.” Taking a look at the water heater is a good plan as well.
❍ If you get the opportunity to touch up any painting on the exterior of the house, you should consider doing so, Alvarado says. Especially in the winter, weather can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home. Water can have a detrimental effect on wood and metal, so protecting the exterior of your home to prevent rust and rot is important.
❍ “Close all the vents in the attic,” Bartlett added. “It will help out with the heating costs as well as keep any critters out that may be trying to work their way into your home.” If you have a crawlspace, you will want to close any vents that may be accessible through that area as well, he added.
❍ Check the attic insulation and check up there for leaks as well. “If you suspect that you may have a leak up there, one good way of figuring out if you do is by laying down newspaper in the areas where you suspect the leaks,” he says. “If there is moisture dripping it will definitely show up on the newspaper and you will have an answer to that question.”
❍ Inspect all appliances and make sure that any kind of filters are cleaned or changed and that the items are performing up to snuff. If you have a water filtration system, this is as good a time as any to replace it. It will give you a benchmark time where you can perform the maintenance regularly. Clean kitchen appliances inside and out, including the refrigerator coils.
❍ Take a look inside your closets as well. “Here’s a good idea,” Alvarado says. “If you have wire shelving in your closets, make sure that they are sturdy,” he says. “One thing that we deal with all the time are shelves that collapse because they are not anchored securely.” This is especially important to do before you overload the shelves with heavy clothes. Alvarado says that one common problem in this area is improper anchoring of the shelves. Installers anchor the shelves to the drywall and not the studs in the wall, providing more stability and security. If installing the shelves, make sure they are anchored in the studs. If already installed, determine whether or not they are anchored properly and adjust them if need be.
❍ Check and clean any air vents inside the home to make sure they are not obstructed.
❍ Go around the house and look at all light bulbs and see if they need to be changed. “There has been a trend towards compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy efficiency,” Bartlett says. “This is a good time of year to switch to those bulbs.”
❍ Look at the thermostat. Clean the heat sensor, contact points, and contacts, check its accuracy and replace thermostat if it is not functioning properly.
❍ Finally, you may want to check the direction in which your ceiling fan rotates. If you set the reverse switch set for an upward airflow, by running the fan on low speed, you will force the heat accumulated at the ceiling down along the walls where it must rise again. This circulation of air provides a more evenly heated room, shortening the time it takes the heater to work. Editorial Resources begin on page 62. 56
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ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
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IMPACTFUL IMAGERY TO INSPIRE
Join us at the G eorgia Freight Depot on Sunday February 23, 2014 for the 3rd annual Atlanta Chefs Expo. Enjoy menu tastings from some of the city's most beloved establishments such as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Melia Hotel, Ratio Bakeshop and Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails.
Guests will receiv using discount code: acehome
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Tickets are on sale now at www.AtlantaChefsExpo.com PROMOTE YOUR PASSION AND INSPIRE YOUR CLIENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY.
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For examples of what we require, take a look at the 2013 Best Before & After Contest winners in our digital issue at http://issuu.com/atlantahomeimprovement/docs/atlanta-home-improvement-0713 starting on pg. 19 Submit your favorite project(s), professionally taken, high resolution photos only, along with a brief description—state the challenges and solutions; smart, unique features; products and companies involved. Submission deadline is February 15, 2014 Go to our website for rules and instructions on how to upload files. You may also send files via dropbox, yousendit or other file sharing software www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
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editorialresources homefront Expert Tips, News and Happenings from Atlanta’s Home Improvement Community
Expert Q&A
COMPILED BY INDIA POWELL
Q: A:
17th Annual North Atlanta Home Show Comes to Gwinnett Center This Month
www.atlantahomeimprovement.com
This thermostat programs itself by memorizing recent comfort settings over the course of several days. It also can be controlled remotely from your smart phone, tablet or computer. It is vintage in shape but sleek in appearance.
Photo courtesy of Keiffer Phillips-Patricia Brown Builders c.
Friday, Feb. 21, is Trade Day, sponsored by Window World of Atlanta, during which anyone who works in the home industry will receive free admission by showing his or her business card at the show’s main entrance. The North Atlanta Home Show will be open from noon-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. General admission tickets are $7, free for children 12 and under, $6 for seniors 65+ with ID and $5 for military personnel with ID. Attendees are invited to print out a $1 off coupon from the show’s website, www.atlantahomeshow.com. Gwinnett Center is located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Onsite parking is free. Visit www. gwinnettcenter.com for more venue details.
What do I think about the what? That was my reaction the first time I heard this question from a homeowner. Over the course of the year, it has become one of the most repeated requests we get. The Nest is a thermostat. Designed by Tony Fadell, who was instrumental in the design of the Apple iPod, the Nest thermostat (also known as the Apple thermostat) is sold thru Apple stores, The Home Depot and other outlets. While neither made by nor branded by Apple, it appears and functions like Apple devices.
Photo courtesy of North Atlanta Home Show
More than 150 home remodeling experts will gather together at Gwinnett Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-23, for the 17th Annual North Atlanta Home Show. Featuring the latest products and services for home remodeling, interior decorating, landscaping and outdoor living, the North Atlanta Home Show offers the opportunity to comparison shop and talk to the experts. “The North Atlanta Home Show is very popular with exhibitors and attendees,” says Michael Schoppenhorst, president of SEMCO Productions, which coordinates the show. “All of our exhibit space is full, and we have a waiting list of potential exhibitors who are interested in participating. We’ve expanded the offerings on the Reliable Heating & Air Home Show Stage, and will feature popular speakers including Georgia Gardener Walter Reeves and HGTV’s Joe Washington and Tonya M. Williams. Joe will present a new program on adaptive gardening, which means finding solutions for gardeners who might be limited due to age or disability. There will also be presentations on beekeeping, gardening in small spaces, preparing a home for sale, financing home improvement projects, installing a fountain in the landscape and much more.”
What do you think about the Nest?
The Nest comes with a very good set of installation instructions and an instructional DVD for the do-it-yourselfer. Energy savings will vary based on many factors, but with a price tag of $249.95, it is estimated to have a very quick payback. For more information, visit www.nest. com/thermostat/life-withnest-thermostat. —Keiffer Phillips, Partner, Keiffer Phillips-Patricia Brown Builders Inc., www.keifferphillips.com 13
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
TIME TO RETREAT, P. 20-31 Boyce Design & Contracting, 2 Ravinia Drive, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30346, (770) 237-0284, www.boycedesign.com. Decks & More, 1060 Medlin St., Smyrna, GA 30080, (770) 235-6929, www.decksandmore.biz. Desjoyaux Pools, 11007 Alpharetta Hwy., Roswell, GA 30076, (770) 225-0825, www.desjayauxpools.com. Hearthstone Environments LLC, 2868 Cross Creek Drive, Cumming, GA 30040, (678) 648-2662, www.hsenviro.com. Hilltop Pools & Spas Inc., 9133 South Main Street, Jonesboro, GA 30236, (770) 471-3889, www.hilltoppools.com. Outside Landscape Group, 11435 N. Fulton Industrial Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009, (770) 754-1188, www.outsidelandscapegroup.com. Selective Designs LLC, 105 Depot Court, Peachtree City, GA 30169, (770) 631-1550, www.selectivedesigns.com. Spain & Sons Construction LLC, 2803 Jubilee Terrace, Bethlehem, GA 30620, (678) 977-2284, www.spainandsons.com, Sunbelt Pools, 3596 Oakcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30340, (770) 455-7770, www.sunbeltpoolsofgeorgia.com.
By Karon Warren
Retreat Time to
Start planning now to create your personal oasis with a pool to suit your space and budget
W
ith winter still holding strong outside, dreams of spending a warm summer’s day out by the
pool come pretty easy. Those dreams could quickly turn into reality if you begin laying the foundation before the weather heats up! As the ground thaws out and pool contractors gear up for a busy spring, there’s no better time than the present to get moving on a pool or spa of your own to suit your specific needs and vision.
Goodbye, boring! Gone are the plain, one-size-fits-all pools of yesterday. Today’s water retreats come with top-notch options such as salt water infiltration systems, automation through mobile devices to control pool functions, and unique tanning ledges built into
Escape to your own island
the pool, says Alex Tidwell, designer and project manager with Boyce
Backyard retreats have never been more beautiful or unique. This one-of-a –kind design features an infinity-edge spillover and gives a reflective nature to the pool. The natural looking island features natural rock finish with “rills” for the water to run from the spa into the pool, giving the appearance that the stones are floating on the water. A planter with vegetation growing into the spaces between the rock add to the natural appearance. In addition, there are three very large flat rocks as stepping stones from the edge of the pool to the island. This pool incorporates the best of natural design with an ultra modern look.
Design & Contracting in Atlanta.
Photo courtesy of Sunbelt Pools
Home automation puts all your home’s functions at your fingertips By Mike Sampogna
emember the days before remote controls when you had to get up to change the channel on the TV? Those days are clearly long past, and now, thanks to advances in technology, you don’t even have to get up (or be at home!) to change the thermostat settings, turn off the lights, open the windows and much more. “You’re only limited by your imagination,” says Charles Schuster, president of Encompass Interactive. “If we are able to put an actuator onto something, you are going to be able to automate it.” The technology itself can require various software and hardware installations, such as computer routers that allow the different devices to be operated remotely over a wireless Internet connection. But once these installations are in place, the sky really is the limit to what can be accomplished.
High-tech fun
One client of Steve Berrey, managing director of iHomes Atlanta, has gone to the extreme when it comes to automating his home on Lake Lanier. Lewis Miller, senior vice president with Atlanta-based CBRE, a commercial real estate services company, built a home that has won two OBIE Awards from the Atlanta Home Builders Association, as well as Best Green and Best EarthCraft Home from the Georgia Home Builders Association for 2013. Miller built the home from the ground up to be energy efficient and automated. He can control the thermostats, the lighting, the windows and other areas of his home from his iPad. The home is self-powered by 36 photovoltaic panels, and he can monitor the home’s energy usage, including how much hot water is produced, through a single device. The automation system was developed in part by iHomes Atlanta.
Know if someone rings the door bell and see who’s at the door even when you are not at home
Now’s that t! sm
ar
“People are adding things like golf simulators that allow them to play a round of golf in their own homes,” he says.
Solar gain for windows controlled by a motorized sun shade/awning
Photos courtesy of Lewis Miller
Control lighting remotely as well as set it to automatically come on at sunset
Know the energy consumption of your top ten appliances
“If I’m at my office in Buckhead and somebody rings my doorbell, it sends an alert to my iPad and iPhone,” Miller says. “Then I can call up one of the security cameras at my home and see what’s going on there. If I am on my way home and want to light my house, I can do it from the road. If I have guests coming who will be there before me, I can unlock the doors for them, let them in and see them from the remote cameras on my phone or tablet.” Adjust the With the advent of smartphones and thermostat from your tablets, the ability to take advantage iPad/ of automation technology has iPhone gotten much easier. Companies like Encompass and iHomes Atlanta can provide custom automation packages, and there are a number of different apps available for smartphones and tablets that work in conjunction with different software packages to make automating your home a breeze.
Schuster says home automation is one area where the United States is lagging behind Europe, and some of the trends that are popular across the pond are just stating to take hold here.
34
A SMART TOUCH, P. 34-36 Encompass Interactive, P.O. Box 8851, Atlanta, GA 31106, (678) 576-5611, www.encompassinteract.com. iHomes Atlanta, 3268 Fairview Drive NE, Marietta, GA 30066, (678) 324.5377, www.ihomesatlanta.com.
Home automation in action
a Smart
Solar Domestic Hot Water system
Running late? Pull out your smart device and unlock the door and let in family members or guests
Whole house water filtration system
33 Photovoltaic Panels for electricity and 2 Thermal Panels for Solar Domestic Hot Water
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
Styling
STYLING WITH TILE, P. 38-43 daltile, 1441 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 355-0258, www.daltile.com. Floor & Décor, 1706 NE Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329, (404) 964-0567, www.flooranddecor. com. Mineral Tiles, www.mineraltiles.com. MODA Floors & Interiors, 1417 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 477-3744, www. modafloorsandinteriors.com. Motawi Tileworks, www.motawi.com. Myers Carpet, 1500 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 352-8141, www.myerscarpetatlanta.com. New Ravenna Mosaics, www.newravenna.com. Porcelanosa, 349 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE, Suite B2, Atlanta, GA 30305, (404) 9730640, www.porcelanosa-usa.com. Specialty Tile Products, 721 Miami Circle, Suite 107, (404) 264-0727, www.specialtytile.com. Traditions in Tile and Stone, 3210 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, (404) 239-9186, www.traditionsintile. com. WallsTreat Studio, (770) 777-7020, www.kasswilson.com.
By Kathy Kantorski
with Tile
Go beyond the kitchen and bath with touches of tile throughout your home t’s time to step outside the box. Tile is well known as durable, easy-toand moisture-prone rooms in the home, such as the kitchen or bath. But if you look beyond the functional beauty of tile, you’ll find it to be a design element that can add a colorful, shiny, textured, or sparkly touch to any room of the home. “Tiles of today have evolved into art,” says Kass Wilson, decorative artist, creative director and owner of WallsTreat Studio. “With a little creativity, they can be featured like a piece of jewelry.”
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
◗ PORCELAIN TILES can be placed indoors or out, offering durability, low maintenance and a long lifetime. ◗ Featuring HANDCRAFTED MOTAWI TILES (available through Renaissance Tile & Bath), this fireplace facade exemplifies how tile can turn a boring hearth into a unique focal point.
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clean surface material ideal for messy
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HOME FRONT, P. 13-16 Castle Painting and Remodeling, 4627 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30342, (404) 236-8948, www.castlega.com. Keiffer PhillipsPatricia Brown Builders Inc., 2451 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 3409, Atlanta, GA 30339, (404) 949-8115, www.keifferphillips.com. LUXE Linear Drains, P.O. Box 8064, Atlanta, GA 31106, (877) 398-8110, www.lineardrains.com. SEMCO Productions, 295 W. Crossville Road, Building 200, Roswell, GA 30075, (770) 998-9800, www.semcoproductions.com.. Sherwin-Williams, www.sherwin-williams.com. Westside Modern, 876 Huff Road, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 352-6007, www.westsidemodernatlanta.com.
◗ New Ravenna Mosaics’ Solid Ovals, a NATURAL HAND-CUT STONE TILE WITH WATERJET MOSAIC (shown here in Calacatta Tia and Nero Marquina) offers a bold pattern in neutral hues. Photos courtesy of (clockwise from top left) Specialty Tile Products; Maconochie Photography, courtesy of Motawi Tileworks and New Ravenna
ATLANTA HOME IMPROVEMENT FEBRUARY 2014
2014 Home Maintenance Checklist
HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST, P. 54-56 DogGone Handy, 1123 Zonolite Road, Suite 18 Atlanta, GA 30306, (404) 876-7000. www.doggonehandy.com. The Handy Husband, 3471 Chamblee-Dunwoody Way, Atlanta, GA 30341, (770) 234-0424. www.handyhusband.com.
Start off 2014 with your home in great shape by tackling these tasks By Mike Sampogna It’s the beginning of a new year—the perfect time to take a step back and look at some of the maintenance items that need to be taken care of around the home—inside and out—to keep it looking good and running well in 2014. We asked two of Atlanta’s top home maintenance experts what homeowners should be focusing on first as the year starts off. Here’s what they recommend:
❍ Check the gutters and fascia boards under the roof. Bill Bartlett, founder and manager of DogGoneHandy in Atlanta, says that is one area of importance. “You want to make sure they are intact, and have no holes,” he says. “You never know if there will be any critters trying to get through and into the house.” You also want to clean out the gutters so that in the event that there is precipitation in the form of rain, and even snow, that the runoff can flow smoothly through the gutters.
❍ Look closely at all the windows. Bartlett says you want to make sure that they all still close and lock and that no air is getting through the windows into the house. If there are leaks that you can seal without replacing the windows by all means take care of it. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint if needed. Replace damaged hardware. It can have an impact on the heating costs of your home during the colder months of the year.
❍ Take a look at the exterior doors as well. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers. Check the insulation around the doors and also check for leaks that may be allowing air or the elements to get inside the home.
❍ At this point in the year, you are probably not doing any kind of watering of the lawn or plants, so put the hoses away and store them properly. Exposure to cold weather can be damaging to the hoses themselves. Turn off the valves to the exterior faucets as well and drain them. You don’t want to have a frozen pipe to deal with which could turn into an even bigger issue.
❍ This year has been extraordinarily rainy, and that raises some potential hazards according to Lou Alvarado, owner of the Handy Husband in Atlanta. “Since it was so wet, you need to be very aware of mold and mildew buildup,” he says. “While you still have the chance you want to pressure wash your house or your driveway to get rid of the green that has built up.” He says since this is an unusual year when it comes to rain it should be a higher priority. When the weather changes and the relative humidity drops below 50 percent, it is a good time to take care of this task. 54
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CSI is Your Whole House Remodeling Studio!
Kitchens Baths Wine Cellars Sunrooms
Closets Basements Decks Home Offices Licensed and Insured
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