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TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN
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features from the publisher . . . . . . . . .4 going green . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ask the expert . . . . . . . . . . .11 Jack McGrath CGR, CAPS, CGP Jonathan McGrath Construction
curb appeal basic . . . . . . . .14 new trends . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Rick Caccavello Central Kitchen & Bath
aging in place . . . . . . . . . . .17 William A. Ockenden CGR, CAPS WAO Builders, Inc
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PUBLISHER OZZIE CABRERA CREATIVE DIRECTOR VICKI CORTINA MARKETING EXECUTIVES DONNA JOHME KAREN MANDEL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS SHARON MILLIGAN COLUMNIST JONATHAN MCGRATH ~ Jonathan Construction RICK CACCAVELLO ~ Central Kitchen & Bath WILLIAM A. OCKENDEN ~ WAO Builders, Inc. EDITORIAL INQUIRIES We invite letters, photos, renovation questions, article ideas and other contributions from readers. Please write to: HOME RENOVATION MAGAZINE 3975 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida 32839 telephone: 1-877-331-7172 • fax: 1-866-644-9441 e-mail: ocabrera@homerenovationmag.com www.HomeRenovationMag.com
from the publisher To our Clients and Readers, Summer is here –it’s time to plan some new home renovations. The topics that seem to always appear on everyone’s “to-do” list is curb appeal and backyard retreats. Home Renovation Magazine is here to inspire your every renovation project and connect you with quality professionals who can make those plans come true. With little effort and not much time and money your home can be even more beautiful by doing simple facelifts in order to achieve that all important “curb appeal”. Look through the following pages of our magazine for ideas to create a lush front yard with nicely trimmed trees, freshly shaped hedges, new flowers and plants in the garden to transform your home and make it more inviting and interesting without breaking the bank. You can even add-on a comfortable veranda or lattice porch. Now that your front yard is lush and beautiful, it’s time to create your outdoor escape in the backyard. Create a serene outdoor spa oasis by adding a luxurious spa and pool, classic decking and some tropical plants. Make your backyard seem as though it’s your very own tropical getaway. Scan through the pages of Home Renovation Magazine to find quality professionals that can make your dream a reality.
Ozzie Cabrera Publisher
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going green YES, IT’S TRUE. HAVING A SUSTAINABLE HOME DOESN’T JUST MEAN doing all the right things on the inside... it also means you have to look outside. Your landscaping choices need to be as environmentally conscience as the choices you make on the interior of your home. So as you start to enjoy (or attempt to bear) the warmer weather in your outdoor space, here are a few things to consider. First things first: Green landscaping is a practice that emphasizes the conscious selection of appropriate plants, water conservation, and the use of fewer resources to blend the landscape into the natural world. The following tips will help you get there. 1. Always recycle. A big mistake homeowners sometimes make in taking on yard projects is forgetting to recycle. Landscaping jobs can produce a lot more waste than one might think. Instead of just tossing out those clippings, branches and old plants; turn it all into mulch by renting a shredder and putting it back into the yard. It can actually make excellent fertilizer. If you’re not in favor of this idea, you can also look for recycled mulch at your local home improvement store. 2. Plant the right things in the right places. An offi cially classifi ed “green home” is graded not only on what’s inside, but also what’s outside and where it is placed. A strategically planned landscape design can lower your home’s energy and water usage. Large trees, for instance, can provide shade in places where you don’t want the sun heating up your home, and vise versa. You should also try to group plants with similar water needs together to increase effi ciency. Finally, the experts say most lawns usually only need one inch of water per week. 3. Use sustainable materials. Experts use the term hardscape to defi ne the stonework portion of a landscaping project, typically including paths, patios, and retaining walls. Well, with lumber costs increasing and forest land in short supply, recycled materials provide both environmentally friendly and economically favorable options for hardscapes. For instance, recycled plastic bender board never rots, it’s less costly than redwood, and it’s faster to install for decks and landscape edging. Broken concrete or recycled bricks are another alternative for paths or walls. These are widely available and are sometimes even free. 4. Don’t overlook exterior lighting. Your landscape and outdoor space can be greatly impacted by your choice of lighting. You should always imagine what the space will look like during the day and at night. Solar lights are the perfect environmentally friendly option for outdoor lighting. They are easy to install (no wires or electricity), the sun heats and “charges” them all day, and at night they give off a nice soft glow. Solar lights now also come in a variety of styles, colors, materials and sizes.
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ask the expert Could Your Home Use An Exterior Facelift? Recently a client contacted us remarking how much they love their beautiful established neighborhood but wanting a fresh new look for the 1960’s exterior of their home. They went house shopping but continued to come home disappointed. They decided moving was not an option and reached out to us for creative design ideas. The solution, an exterior facelift bringing the outside a new modern appeal. The new exterior design included a large inviting porch, elegant columns, stylish arches and a beautiful tongue and groove cedar ceiling. Most importantly it blended in beautifully with the charm of their established neighborhood and they couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Another client had a dated 1970’s cedar exterior and wanted a transformation to a french country style. A front porch was designed without moving or changing the size of the existing door and windows. Faux shutters were utilized to balance where there were no windows and dormers were added over all the windows. Since this was a lakefront home, as a special touch, a cupola was added. The result was so amazing neighbors thought they built a new home. Need some ideas and inspiration for your own home? There are unlimited ways to bring new life and a new look to your tired old exterior but of course budget becomes a factor in what can be accomplished. How about a fresh coat of paint with bold new colors, or maybe a new architectural shingled roof? Ever consider redesigning the front entry or a beautiful new front door? Are you tired of the maintenance of your wood siding? How about a clean modern stucco finish? The magic of remodeling can transform your home into your dream without leaving the comfort and beauty of your
neighborhood. So let your imagination soar! What have you imagined for your home? Jonathan (Jack) McGrath CGR, CAPS, CGP Jonathan McGrath Construction A Design-Build Remodeling Firm
407-260-8077 www.JonathanMcGrathConstruction.com
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curb appeal basics Curb appeal is exactly what meets the eye, from the yard up the driveway and to the front door. Enhancing your curb appeal ultimately enhances the value of your home. Whether you are planning a renovation or you have just have finished one, chances are you haven’t spent as much time thinking about your home’s exterior. Now is as good a time as any to start!
LANDSCAPING Being hands-on with your foliage can be quite rewarding and relaxing to the patient soul! When thinking about your landscape, think layers! The best landscape designs are completed in layers – a few plants deep, all varying in height and more importantly, all with similar water and sunlight requirements. Another consideration to make when planning your landscaping project is the use of hardscapes.This includes pavers, retaining walls, edging materials, etc. Most landscaping design companies can provide you with a plan that details shapes of beds, types of plants and placement of features for a reasonable fee. They can also manage and install the entire project for you! If you plan to tackle this project yourself, get in the know first and take it one step at a time.
DRIVEWAYS Pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, thicknesses and textures to add the right amount of zest to your curb appeal! Cracked, stained, uneven (or all of the above) might describe your driveway, but the question is “What are you going to do about it?” Thankfully, options do exist to remedy this type of dilemma. Perhaps the most cost-effective method of curing an unsightly driveway is to go with a concrete coating. This method allows for existing cracks and stains to be blended away with attractive designs and colorant and can be designed to complement the style of your home. Another option is to replace your traditional concrete driveway and install pavers. This “greener” option allows water to be reabsorbed by the ground as it percolates between the pavers.
DOORS & WINDOWS With a variety of colors, materials, styles and greener options, dramatically improving curb appeal and energy efficiency begins here! Designers and renovation experts agree that improving your home’s curb appeal usually starts with swapping out old windows and installing new doors. The front door, especially, gives guests and potential buyers a first impression of the entire house. Material options include wood and clad, vinyl, as well as aluminum collections for windows, patio doors, exterior doors, interior doors, not to mention garage doors. Insulated steel and fiberglass doors are the more recent additions, many of which meet Energy Star requirements.
EXTERIOR PAINT Take advantage of color sample kits available from most paint suppliers to get an idea of how the lighting and landscape work with (or against) your choices! If windows are the “eyes to your home”, then the exterior paint is most certainly its face! Dirty, faded, peeling or poorly combined colors can significantly age a home and create a sense of doom and gloom to all who approach it. When planning your exterior color scheme there are several things to consider – the style of the home, the general color schemes in the neighborhood, the color of your roofing material (especially if that does not need replacing for several more years), not to mention your general likes and dislikes when it comes to color play.
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new trends What are the latest trends in kitchen & bath design?... What are the latest and most innovative appliances available?... What are the newest finishes and styles in cabinetry?... What are the hottest plumbing fixtures out there?... If you are considering a kitchen or bath remodel or building a new home and you don’t know the answers to these important questions and many, many more…STOP!!! What you do to these two rooms will have the greatest impact on the value of your home, period. It is imperative that you get it right the first time…it is essential for you to consult an expert, the kitchen and bath designer. A true professional designer is one that has the unique combination of superior technical skills, the creativity and vision of an artist and the ability to listen to and absorb the specific needs of the client. With these skills at work for you, the kitchen and bath designer can take the stress out of the planning process and allow you the peace of mind to actually enjoy the experience. A great designer will listen to your wants and needs, learn about your lifestyle and give you creative options that will allow you to make more informed decisions. These factors will help you avoid the “After Completion Blues,” or finding something you really would have preferred after it’s too late. The kitchen and bath designer practices his or her specialty day in and day out. He or she knows what to expect and how to handle it properly. A professional designer truly understands the importance of such things as precise measurements, appliance placement, countertop requirements, plumbing and electrical placement and the list goes on and on. Coordination with the remodeling contractor or builder on issues such as these is essential to avoiding mistakes and saving precious time and money. Ensure that your project has the perfect mixture of function and beauty by utilizing the skills of the kitchen and bath specialists at Central Kitchen and Bath. After all, you wouldn’t seek the advice of a heart specialist for a knee problem, would you? Rick Caccavello President Central Kitchen & Bath 1096 W. Fairbanks Ave Winter Park, FL 32789 www.central kitchen.com 407-629-9366
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pondtastic water gardens
By Sharon Milligan
Most of us have played with the idea of incorporating a water feature into our landscaping design but the question of “how to” seems to provide the easiest “out” to this final touch in our sanctuaries. Let’s see if we can cover the basics and bring you one step closer to adding water to your world! WHO ARE WE? Pontastic Water Gardens is the leading water feature design and installation company in the Central Florida area. Not only can we handle your project from start to finish, our expansive showroom and superstore allow you to DIY if that is your preference! WHAT DO WE OFFER? Pontastic offers a range of products related to water features. Whether you are looking for an outdoor pond, decorative fountain, waterfall or a rain harvesting system, we have you covered! Our ecosystem ponds are designed to mimic nature – translated, this means less maintenance required by you (about five minutes per week). The right balance of water, flora, fish and essential bacteria create a self-maintaining system when correctly designed and installed. If you are shy on space or simply need an attractive “greeting” to your home, container water gardens could be the way to go! Pontastic’s Decorative Fountainscapes are only limited by a container’s ability to hold water, so the possibilities are practically endless in creating a custom container water garden! Adding plants, lighting and fish can turn your container water garden into a miniature pond that can be enjoyed by all visitors to your home.
creates a unique twist to landscaping water features through the illusion of no water source! Perhaps you have already incorporated ponds, fountains or other water features into your landscaping and are now simply considering economical ways to maintain your current landscape. Harvesting rain water has never been easier than with the RainXchange™ System! Unlike traditional rainwater harvesting system, RainXchange™ filters stored water to prevent stagnation, adds value to your home, and can be used for a multitude of tasks like watering your plants, washing the car, or micro-irrigation of your lawn. Did you know that one inch of rainfall on a 2,000 square foot roof generates roughly 1,250 gallons of water?
WHY PONTASTIC WATER GARDENS? At Pondtastic Water Gardens we pride ourselves in creating water features that not only appear to have always been “one with their environment”, but in our ability to take you from the design phase all the way through completion with the attention and professionalism you deserve. Your vision and wish list are an extremely important part of the finished product and the entire Pondtastic team works to apply their knowledge and talents into bringing your water feature to life… literally! Getting started is as easy as one click of the mouse on our website or a single phone call to our showroom – owner and master pond builder, Jim Price, will provide an on-site consultation to explore the endless possibilities with you. Pondtastic Water Gardens
Standalone fountains are also available for those maxed out on flora and fauna already. Requiring little more than water and electricity, the fountain that stands alone still holds great impact through the calming sound of running water. Nestled in the right spot in your garden, entryway or driveway, standalone fountains are offered in a wide range of materials, styles and colors to complement your landscape. Prefer something more “discrete” when it comes to water features? Imagine a subterranean reservoir of water feeding into a column, rock or urn that “bubbles” it back out to be reabsorbed by the reservoir. This pondless waterfall fountain
11937 S. Orange Blossom Trail • Orlando, FL 32837 407.601.POND (7663) www.PondtasticWaterGardens.com
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aging in place and caps certification William A. Ockenden CGP, CAPS ~WAO Builders, Inc. Aging in place is remaining in one’s home safely, independently and comfortably regardless of age, income or ability level. The Remodeler's Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in collaboration with the NAHB Research Center, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program to help consumers stay in their existing homes as they age, even if their needs and abilities change. The CAPS designation is a reliable way to identify professionals to modify your home. It has been developed and administered by the National Association of Home Builders and is endorsed by AARP. A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in the following: • • • • •
The unique needs of the older adult population Aging-in-place home modifications Correct installation of assistive devices Solutions to common barriers Common remodeling projects
It is important to consult someone trained on the aging in place fundamentals. A CAPS certified contractor has been specifically trained to conduct a home assessment which will allow them to assist you in determining your specific home modification needs. A CAPS professional is trained to identify comprehensive and practical solutions to your aging in place needs. The ultimate goal is to create safe, barrier free homes both in remodeling and new construction. When a CAPS contractor is selected to assist in remodeling a home for the current and future possible needs of the residence they would usually start with a meeting to discuss the current and anticipated needs of their client so they can offer a plan for the renovation. With the baby boomers ranging in age from 55 to their mid 60s many are having their parents move in with them and are also starting to plan for the time when their mobility may change. Aging in place home modifications can include indoor and outdoor modifications. Common modifications include entrances, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility/storage areas. Examples include, eliminating the step at exterior to interior entryways, eliminating the curb or step entering a shower, widening halls and doors throughout the home so that all doors meant to pass through are at least 30 inches wide, door knobs and faucet handles need to be selected for easy operation, cabinetry with roll out shelves to afford access to the items on the bottom and in the back, shower mixing valves, shower heads, light switches, outlets and thermostats heights within reach for persons in a wheelchair, sinks and counter work areas open underneath for wheelchair access, microwaves below the countertops rather than above a stove or range, washers and dryers raised up for easier access, flooring planned to avoid trip hazards, lighting adequate for the reduced vision natural with aging, stairways with hand rails both sides, chair lifts can be installed and can be removed if not needed later. Grab bars have traditionally had an industrial appearance, however, several companies now offer great looking designer grab bars. Please feel free to contact me with any general remodeling or aging in place questions. Bill Ockenden, CAPS, CGP President, WAO Builders Inc. bill@waobuilders.com www.waobuilders.com 407-221-8050 VISIT WWW.HOMERENOVATIONMAG.COM RESOURCE DIRECTORY TO CONNECT ONLINE
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