South Bay July 2011 by Today' Home

SO UT H BAY/ SILICO N VAL LEY

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Kitchen & Bath Design

Advice from the Proâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Updating for Comfort JULY/AUGUST 2011

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Tips From a Pro Get amazing results with an affoardable kitchen mini-makeover. By Deborah Burstyn

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The Right Appliance What you need to know when shopping for appliances. By Jan Masters

Shower Fashion Updating your bathroom provides comfort with affordable. By Patricia Hayse Haller

The Miracle of Resurfacing Refinish your tub, tile or countertop for a faster, greener and more affordable remodel. By Patricia Hayse Haller

Keeping It Cool (and Warm) New window coatings offer solutions year-round. By Tammy Hansen

Garage Remodels Innovative organizing solutions for every garage. By Lisa Winer

Your First Impression Using â&#x20AC;&#x153;Curb Appealâ&#x20AC;? to add tremendous value to your home. By Gabrielle Saveri

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ideas and resources for your home

Volume 13, Issue 4 • July/August 2011

BayArea.com Innovative Design Your backyard paradise begins with the right patio cover.

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The contemporary patio has come a long way from the days when it consisted mainly of a wooden patio table, a bar-b-q, and a couple of...

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Keeping It Cool

(and Warm) BY

TAMMY HANSEN

T’S GOING TO BE A SCORCHER OF A SUMMER. Did you remember the sunscreen…for your couch? The same ultraviolet solar rays that wreak havoc on your skin can decimate your most beloved interior décor and surfaces. Intense infrared heat from the sun also cranks up your cooling costs. It might be time to show your windows the same summer love you show your skin before the damage is done. “Wood starts to crack and get brittle; floors start to discolor; furniture starts to fade,” says Rocky Burcham, owner of Solar Control Glass Tinting Co. Nearly half the damaging light that enters through windows is ultra violet, or UV light. It’s the main culprit in fading furniture. Another 25 percent is infrared heat, a major factor in increased temperature. (The final 25 percent is visible light.) Films for residential windows have long been touted as a solution to keeping summer heat out, says Rocky, who has been helping homeowners cool down their interior spaces for 36 years. Now, however, window tints offer energy savings in winter as well. The new EnerLogic line from Vista Window Film features a double shot of protection with a film that not only keeps harmful UV rays out during hot months, but also retains heat during the colder winter months. Think of it as adding another insulating pane to your windows. A single pane window has

July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

New window coatings offer solutions year-round. the energy efficiency of a double pane. Double panes are now the equivalent of triple pane. Back in the 80’s, tinted windows kept out harmful rays by reflecting them, creating a mirror-like exterior finish. New technologies give a more transparent look to tinted windows and do more than simply reflect sunlight. EnerLogic represents Vista’s most recent advance in aesthetic and economical value. The new film adds as much a 92 percent insulating power to windows yearround with little reduction of ambient light. The new technology comes in at about the middle range of window tint pricing, says Rocky. The year-round energy savings also make for a quicker return on investment. Federal tax credits area available through the end of this year for 10 percent of film cost up to $500 at www.windowfilmtaxcredit.com. For more information, contact Solar Control Glass Tinting Co, your Diamond Certified, Energy Star Partner and LEED member at (800) 999-3828, or visit solarcontrolcompany.com to protect your home all year long. THM

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TIPS FROM BY

DEBORAH BURSTYN

O YOUR LONG TERM PLANS FOR A MAJOR KITCHEN remodel keep slipping further into the future? Yet living with your dreary dated kitchen is getting you down? Take heart. You can transform your kitchen into an updated dazzling space for a lot less than you think. Simply let a qualified professional help you figure out how to get the most value for your money by doing mini-makeover. That’s exactly what a savvy Peninsula homeowner did. A single woman with a small house and even smaller budget, she let the pros at a local design build firm put their tricks of the trade into play to get her the look she wanted for a lot less money. Thanks to their expertise and skill, it’s hard to tell that it’s not a complete kitchen makeover. The homeowner chose to keep her current appliances and cabinets, opting instead for high end granite countertops, a hardwood floor and removing a wall that had made the small kitchen even more cramped. With new earthy-rich paint that plays well with the dramatic veining of the granite counters and the wood grain of the floor, the space immediately draws the eye from the living room giving the 800-square foot main level of the house a more expansive feeling. The existing wood cabinets were reconfigured and modified to fit into a fresh, new arrangement then embellished with brushed metal hardware granting them that made to match, updated décor. A demi-lune island is of the same elegant granite which creates an inviting breakfast spot where there was none before. “This kitchen was all vinyl and Formica from the 70s,” said Petalyn Swart-Albert, photographer and head of internet marketing for the award-winning San Mateo firm S.E.A. Construction. A one-stop design build company, S.E.A. staff designed and implemented this highly successful remodel. Petalyn grew up with design/build and through her work retains an outlook which straddles the wishes of discerning homeowners and the pragmatism of the building industry. “This homeowner is a business woman and easily grasped that she needed to choose what to change and what to leave alone, and I think she chose well,” added Albert. “She never once gave up value or quality in order to get something she could not afford. Of course at some point, she will purchase new appliances and new cabinets. That is part of her long range plan. But to keep to her budget, she felt that these items will work for as long as she needs them to. In the meantime, she has a beautiful new kitchen.” One significant factor in keeping this kitchen re-design within the range of her smaller budget was the specialized skill of S.E.A.’s professional designer and certainly the value engineering system that Steven Albert utilizes on every project. Steve’s twenty three years in the business and his long standing appreciation for quality and design, is what motivated him to launch his own design and build firm in 1988.

July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

A PRO

Get amazing results with an affoardable kitchen mini-makeover.

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Petalyn reminds us that, “People who are trained in the business are hired for a very good reason. There is a skill involved in seeing the big picture— and knowing how to work the details. It isn’t something you can pick up with an e-book or by mind melding with Google search,” said

Do’s & Don’ts to Get the Most from a Mini-Makeover Professional advice from Petalyn Albert of S.E.A. Construction. • DO let yourself splurge on something. “Every remodel deserves one or two things that make you excited when you come home at the end of the day and make you feel, “Wow, I can’t believe I really did that.” It makes it exciting. • DO work with licensed professionals so all work is properly installed and covered by a warranty. A one-year warranty should be the minimum; S.E.A. provides a three-year warranty. • DO use a professional designer who can deftly blend the old with the new for a seamless transformation. • DO try to keep plumbing lines in the same places. This cuts down on time and labor for the construction phase and may even eliminate the need for permits depending on your local government’s requirements. • DON’T be afraid of mixing and matching. “It’s like wearing diamonds with blue jeans. And it’s a way of creating your own unique style and staying within your budget.”

• DON’T be afraid to pair new items with existing ones. • DON’T hesitate to tell your designer what your budget really is and that you need to stick to it. Ask for their expertise in designing a high end look within your means. • DON’T be afraid of color. It’s only paint. “That’s another good reason to work with a designer. Most of us can’t figure out the right color hue, the right tone. That’s what designers do. Paint is inexpensive and the right paint can really make a room pop instead of making it look ordinary. • DON’T develop remodel lust. “Even perfectly sane people succumb to it and suddenly want more than they really need just because the options are out there. But you really have to pull back and stick to your plan. We’re really good at guiding people and keeping them on track. TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

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Ms. Albert. “With a small space it is perhaps even more vital to get the details just right, because in design as well as craftsmanship it’s the details that make it or break it, without exception. And in a smaller space there are naturally fewer of details with which to make it” Albert also noted that people today are retaining in their homes for longer, which is ideal for allowing a phased remodel-plan like the one featured here. “It’s important to prioritize; to be realistic. You can always add more later on when you can better afford it.” Albert said. “There are ways to improve the look of your home right now, to make it feel really wonderful, so that when you come home from working all day you really do experience that sense of reward and comfort. It makes such a big difference in the quality of life. And best part is you can remain within a budget so you don’t have to live with the stress of having made unrealistic choices in the first place. Life is complicated enough”. For more information, call S.E.A. Construction (650) 287-4202 or visit their showroom in San Mateo at 1941 O’Farrell Street, Suite 101. Visit the company’s Web site at www.seaconstruction.com. THM

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The Right Appliance The Heintz Family.

What you need to know when shopping for appliances. BY JAN

MASTERS

electing home appliances can be daunting. Homeowners can feel tested by the array of brands and models. Whether replacing an appliance, remodeling or building a dream home, making a bad choice can be costly now and for many years. Doing a little homework makes sense. As with most consumer goods, for every function there are many brands and models. Asking the right questions is the first step in making a sound choice. Determine the features that are needed in this purchase. For everyone, conserving energy and resources is important. Ask about the warranty and expected life of the product. Reliability counts. Economics and eco-nomics are both important. Home appliances demonstrate great advances in eco-smart design and production. 12 July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

Buyers can evaluate both energy and resource efficiency. New products require less energy to use. Many companies also use less energy and less material in fabrication. Buyers can become conscientious consumers. Stoves and cook tops have seen great advances in technology. For instance, Bertazzoniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burners consume less gas and emit less carbon monoxide than most brands while 99% of the material in their products is recyclable. New induction method cook tops on the market are 90 to 95 percent efficient in heat transfer. Ovens by Gaggenau, GE Monogram, KitchenAid and others combine convection heat with traditional radiant heat for faster cooking at lower temperatures to reduce energy consumed. Insulation has also been significantly enhanced to reduce room warming, which reduces demand on the HVAC system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Speed Cookâ&#x20AC;? ovens combine such technologies as radiant heat, halogen, steam, and microwaves for significant energy savings by eliminating pre-heat time and reducing cooking time. Refrigeration products also show remarkable improvements. French-door style models with bottom freezer drawers provide more flexible food storage and are more energy efficient. The splitdoor also takes less space in the room when it is open. Some brands, such as Liebherr, rely on patented technologies to keep food fresh longer. Reducing spoilage saves money. New insulation means thinner cavity walls in most refrigerators so usable interior space is increased. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)s have also been reduced in manufacturing, reducing industrial pollution. When evaluating dishwashers, check out the heating elements and water jets. Many new dishwashers clean better due to relocated heating elements while using less water and soap.

more articles on kitchens

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Dimensional water jets also improve the cleaning power. Less soap reduces contamination of the waste water. Dishwasher drawers by Fisher-Paykel and others provide excellent performance and allow small or specialized loads to run as needed, thus saving both water and energy. In the laundry, front-load washers by Asko, Bosch, Miele and Whirlpool and others use less water than top-loaders. High-speed spin cycles remove more moisture from the wet laundry, thus reducing drying effort. These features save energy and water. Some washers heat available water to optimal temperatures for whites and linens. The reduced need for chlorine bleach reduces chemical contaminates in the waste water. A new top-loading dryer from Fisher-Paykel removes lint continuously from the heat path to reduce drying time and save energy. Eco-friendly manufacture is also typical of new laundry appliances. For some brands, such as Asko, all of the machines’ parts can be recycled. There are two very ways to buy appliances: from big-box retailers and premier dealers. Big-box retailers offer limited product choices and very little decision-making assistance from the sales associates. Premier appliance retailers offer more products, brands and models. Dedicated sales people have extensive knowledge of appliances to clarify features and benefits. Doing a little homework and dealing with experts can remove the guess work from appliance selection. University Electric Home Appliance Center in Santa Clara is an ideal resource for homeowners wanting to make informed choices and optimal acquisitions. Since 1919, this family-owned and operated business has been focused on quality merchandise and customer service. “Our showroom is the most complete in the bay area. Buyers can become familiar with a wide variety of appliances in vignette settings,” says Jim Heintz, Marketing Manager. “Hands-on access makes it easy to do a thorough product evaluation and our sales people are prepared to answer even the most complex questions.” Delivery is available throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. Professional installation service is also available.

FULL SERVICE REMODELING SPECIALIZING IN KITCHENS AND BATHS Visit our showroom 1175 East Homestead Road, Sunnyvale

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University Electric Home Appliance Center is located at 1500 Martin Avenue in Santa Clara. Store hours are Tuesday/Thursday 8:30 AM to 8 PM, Wednesday/Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday 9 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, visit www.universityelectric.com or call (408) 496-0500. THM

home answering decorating questions and providing room-by-room specific design ideas/products with below retail shopping sources. The fee includes a color portfolio of all information. www.crackerjackcreations.com 408.241.4044 BROCHURE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

Tell us about YOUR Home Improvement Project! If you just completed a local home improvement project that you feel our readers would find interesting and informative, let us know. Send us an e-mail at editorial@THmag.com South Bay/Silicon Valley THM July/August 2011

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Shower Fashion Updating your bathroom provides comfort with affordable. BY

PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER

HEN IT COMES TO RENOVATING YOUR BATHROOM, it might be time to change your frame of reference. In fact, it may be time to go frameless. Recession worries have some homeowners hesitating about whether now is the time to redo their outdated bathroom, and toying with the temptation to opt for the cheapest solution instead of getting what they yearn for—beauty, design, and quality. “Even with the economy seemingly improving, people are cautiously optimistic and keeping a close watch on their spending,” says Terri Downs of CB Showers in San Carlos, an award-winning specialist in custom frameless shower enclosures since 1986. “Whether homeowners are updating a tired bathroom or remodeling a small bathroom into a larger space, it is important to look for the best value, which isn’t always the lowest price.” Fortunately, there are times when what’s best for your pocketbook and what’s best for your soul agree. A bathroom renovation is a prime example, especially one that includes a frameless shower more articles on bathrooms enclosure.

July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report for 20102011, (www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/division/pacific/city/ san-francisco—ca.aspx) a bathroom remodel is still one of the best investments Bay Area homeowners can make in their home, offering on average a 79.6% return on investment if they were to sell their home within one year. And one of the biggest bangs-for-the-buck in modern bathroom renovations is the frameless shower enclosure. Made of tempered safety glass, frameless shower doors last three to four times longer than a framed shower door, are easier to clean, and look equally at home in both traditional and modern décors. “A basic frameless door costs just a few hundred dollars more than an old-fashioned framed door,” says Terri. “But it gives you a much nicer, more updated look. Beautifully tiled or marbled walls are enhanced, and, like a mirror, clear glass opens up the space making the room look larger.” All that makes a bathroom—and the whole home—more desirable in today’s buyers’ market. ideas and resources for your home But value isn’t just about what you BayArea.com can get out of your home or bathroom TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

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carries colored glass for backsplashes and shower walls; framed and sliding enclosures for smaller spaces; mirrors for vanities and walls; even bar glass shelves. “There are more choices now than there have ever been,” says Terri. “Frameless shower enclosures are our main focus and have been from the beginning. Other glass companies have added frameless to their product line in the last decade or so, and there are a few who claim they can do what we do cheaper, but they may be using inferior materials. It is important to check the credentials of any company you are considering doing business with.” In contrast, CB Showers, which is fully insured and licensed, introduced the frameless shower enclosure concept to the Bay Area 25 years ago, uses only the finest quality materials, and stands behind all their installations 100%.

in the future. It’s how you feel living in it every day. “We use our bathroom as our oasis,” says Terri. “We all need a place where we can go chill. In these tight economic times, spa visits are often an unaffordable luxury. Renovating your bathroom is a real mood lifter. It makes you feel so good about where you live, because your house is a reflection of who you are.” That need to personalize your space is why CB Showers—which has been Diamond Certified since 2003—goes the extra mile to help each homeowner create an enclosure that uniquely fits their personal style. “Our enclosures are custom ordered, and we carry a huge range of products, with glass and hardware options in all different colors, textures and designs,” says Terri. In the San Carlos showroom, shoppers will find matching door hardware and bathroom fixtures ranging from oil-rubbed bronze and antique brass to sparkling chrome and polished brass. The company also

For more information on the value of going frameless, visit CB Showers, Inc. at 1160 Industrial Road, #10 in San Carlos or www.cbshowers.com, or (650) 593-6997. THM

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The Miracle of Resurfacing Refinish your tub, tile or countertop for a faster, greener and more affordable remodel. BY

PINK BATHUB. AVOCADO GREEN TILE. UGLY stains on an uglier formica countertop. Your first instinct may be to reach for a crowbar. But a fullscale renovation is expensive, messy, and sure to disrupt your life for weeks or even months. Fortunately, there is another option. “Almost any bathroom or kitchen that is old and dated, but is in good condition structurally, can be resurfaced,” says Janie Burch of Miracle Method of Santa Clara, which has been helping Bay Area homeowners restore damaged and dated bathroom fixtures, tile and countertops for 32 years. “We coat over an existing surface, so we save you from taking out the old tub or counter or tile and putting in something new,” say Janie. “That’s a big advantage in terms of both time and money.” On average, resurfacing costs about 70 percent less than a tear-out-and-replace remodel. And unlike full remodels that can take weeks, Miracle Method only needs two or three days to transform a bathroom or kitchen. Almost any material can be resurfaced, including tile, porcelain, fiberglass, formica and cultured marble. The secret is Miracle Method’s proprietary bonding agent, which makes the original

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July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER material adhere to the new coating and cure to a finish that is easy to clean, beautiful, and made to last. “The new surface has a 5 year warranty, but with good care, it can last much longer,” says Janie. “I’ve seen coatings that are 25 years old and still look great.” Miracle Method can match any color, but most customers choose a glossy white surface for tubs and showers. The result is a traditional porcelain shine that makes fixtures look brand new—even when they are really old. A good example is the vintage bathtubs that have become increasingly popular for their curvaceous profiles and ornately styled feet. Years of use have left many of these antiques dull, stained and worn, but resurfacing brings them back to life. “In our showroom, we have a 107-year-old clawfoot tub that we’ve resurfaced,” says Janie. “People are amazed to see how beautifully this actual antique has been restored.” For kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities, Miracle Method uses a ‘Natural Accents’ material, which offers the multi-color look and texture of natural stone. The seamless, non-porous material is heat and scratch resistant, and comes in a wide array of colors and patterns—almost as many as real granite, but at a fraction of the cost. Saving money is great. But resurfacing is also a greener alternative than rip-out and replacement. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) estimates that a traditional home remodeling project generates 70 to 115 lbs. of waste per square foot. Resurfacing keeps everything —bathroom fixtures, wall surfaces and countertops—in place and out of the landfill. Miracle Method of Santa Clara County prides itself on offering both the personal service of a small family business and the resources of a respected national company. Today, TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

owners Dale and Janie Burch’s three daughters—Reanna, Rachel and Ashley—work with them in the office and showroom. In addition, they have four highly skilled technicians, whom they consider part of the family, too. “Our customers get the best of both worlds,” says Janie. “They get to know us and receive personal service. But they also get the backing of a national franchise, which keeps us up to date on the latest technology, methods and materials.”

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The Burch family encourages you to visit their showroom at 45 South First Street in Campbell, where you can see and feel the results of the Miracle Method resurfacing process. Open weekdays 9 AM to 5 PM For more info, visit www.miraclemethod.com or call (408) 866-4898. THM

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The amount borrowed cannot exceed 80% loan-to-value, including your outstanding mortgage balance. Free appraisal is for online valuation only. If the online valuation is insufficient you may request a full appraisal at your expense. 3 The interest paid on the portion of the credit exceeding the property value is not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Please consult a tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. 2

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Garage Remodels Innovative organizing solutions for every garage. BY

LISA WINER

ERE YOU AWARE THAT YOU MAY HAVE ANOTHER ROOM in your house just waiting to be discovered? With a fairly simple renovation from Premier Garage, the garage is not just a garage anymore—it can be a place for play, work, exercise, hobbies, and entertainment, among other uses. Turning a garage into an extension of the home is “money well spent,” says Nick Granato, of Premier Garage. Once everything is put away neatly with Premier Garage’s innovative organizing solutions, the garage becomes a functional, attractive area of the home. The garage is often one of the largest, if not the largest, room in the house, says Nick. Outfitting the room with cabinets, floor coating, and ceiling and wall organizers typically costs much less than a kitchen or even a bathroom remodel. Also, for most homeowners, the garage “is the entrance into their home,” says Nick. “They might be embarrassed to have garage door

open. But once they remodel, they are proud to show off their garage and keep the garage door open.”

LISTENING TO THE CUSTOMER The staff at Premier Garage takes care to design the garage remodel with the customer’s specifications. During the free on-site consultation, the staff asks many questions about what the customer will be storing and doing in the garage. Will he or she need a work bench, counter area, drawers? Next, a thorough review is done of the floor, walls, and ceiling. All the information gathered is entered in to a computer design program made especially for Premier Garage. The design is created on site for the customer’s review. “We try to get the customer involved in the design process,” says Nick. Any changes the customer specifies are made on site during that visit. “Our goal is that at the end of each visit, the customer is provided with a complete, printed copy of the design, a rendering of the improved garage, and a proposal with all the costs for doing the garage makeover,” says Nick. The visit typically takes an hour and a half. Cabinets generally take one day to install. Premier Garage’s specially designed hybrid polymer composite floor coating takes three days to install, including cure time. All of Premier Garage’s installers are full-time employees; the company uses no subcontractors for the products and services it offers.

LIFESTYLE IMPROVEMENT Once well organized, the improved garage becomes a place to store garden tools, holiday decorations, camping gear, sports equipment, bicycles. Cabinets can be outfitted specifically to house winter and sports clothing with an extra spot to store shoes. A pantry space can store bulk paper towels and toilet paper.

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July/August 2011 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

ideas and resources for your home

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The garage can become a mud area, where kids can leave their shoes and jackets, and enter the home without tracking in any dirt. The garage can also serve as a place to keep kids and teenagers close to home with ping pong or pool tables and videogames—an area of their own to play and be active. Due to their experience, Premier Garage can “pretty much help anybody come up with an affordable solution for designing their garage,” says Nick. Auto enthusiast, gardening hobbyist, party giver— what are you waiting for? A new home for your activities is only a phone call away.

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Your First Impression Using “Curb Appeal” to add tremendous value to your home. BY

GABRIELLE SAVERI

house, sidewalks or roof, cleaning windows, and replacing old gutters that look neglected with newer snap-fit vinyl systems are also basic steps that you can do to give your home that spruced up look. After that, you may also want to consider replacing broken concrete or brick walkways and driveways with new paving stones. Paving stones are not only more attractive but are also economical and affordable at $8-12 per foot, and combined with some new plants and flowers; give you the biggest “bang for your buck” in terms of cost in improving your curb appeal. By killing weeds, replacing sod and adding mulch to the garden, along with new flowers and bushes, you can add brighter color and a fresher look to your front yard. According to Better Homes and Gardens, window boxes and garden pots with colorful plants and flowers can also add charm to your exterior and help increase garden and curb appeal. You can also add new planting beds directly in front of the house, in far corners, or near walkways and driveways to frame the house and make it stand out more. You might also want to add a custom door, replace old, out-of date fixtures to reflect the interior of your home. Yard art—birdbaths, fountains, ponds, wind chimes, and sculptures—in a natural palette that complements your home can also enhance the look of your garden. For many, the noise of fountains or wind chimes can be very soothing, and on hot days, the cool water from ponds or fountains can provide some relief from the heat. Adding new lampposts in front of your house, or new low-voltage lighting along walkways and driveway, are also good ways to give your home an exterior facelift. Also consider adding new stones to enhance exterior features such as foundations, columns and masonry footings. If you have a straight concrete footpath leading to your house, you might want to replace it with a specially-designed walkway made of new paving stones to create a stylish look for your front yard or garden. Paving stones come in a variety of sizes, textures and colors and can create a number of charming visual results to suit your needs and enhance your overall curb appeal. If you need some help in figuring out ideas and resources for your home how to boost the curb appeal of your BayArea.com home, you might want to contact Los

F YOU’RE A HOMEOWNER IN THIS DOWN HOUSING MARKET, you need to pay closer attention to “curb appeal,” or the appearance your house makes from the street. Curb appeal is important in today’s economy because if your house makes a good impression from the outside, then others—even potential homebuyers—will want to take a closer look, both inside and out. Whether you’re looking to do a small or large makeover on your home, increasing the exterior appearance can translate into significant profits for the long-term. According to Consumer Reports, relandscaping the front of your home can increase its value by as much as 20 percent and a recovery value of up to 100-200% according to Money Magazine. There are a number of things you can do to increase the curb appeal of your home. The least expensive and most obvious way to make your house’s exterior look better is to stow away unnecessary items that don’t enhance your yard. Killing mold or mildew on the