tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34785118239775641312024-02-02T01:38:44.697-08:00FUGINA CONSTRUCTIONB u i l d i n g D e s i g n O r i e n t e d P r o j e c t sFugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-42523856205083146572014-11-12T09:58:00.004-08:002014-11-12T09:58:43.041-08:00LED Holiday Lights<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/green-products-home/energy-efficient-light/led-holiday-lights.html?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LEDHoliday_11-12-14&utm_source=Emailbrain&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NewsletterLink&utm_campaign=%28SS%29+LED+Holiday&utm_content="><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kUaZlktTy1k98P-ItHksAg0NaIc3rSYhCfMszVnMMzb3TQAWFB3wvoquinHIDUEnk8p7Gz2dsuJ2xcqDheU55oBRx82gcwV0t4LmfpAPh8m-a14vyC4NalWv6UHPhVE9uGvC9e1m-xA/s320/led1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/green-products-home/energy-efficient-light/led-holiday-lights.html?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LEDHoliday_11-12-14&utm_source=Emailbrain&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NewsletterLink&utm_campaign=%28SS%29+LED+Holiday&utm_content="><br /></a></td></tr>
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Planning to decorate your home or business for the upcoming holidays? Holiday LED lights are a great way to add brightness as well as a festive flair to your home or office. </div>
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Here's an FYI - LED lights use 90% less energy than conventional holiday lighting, making it a much more economical choice. LED lights are also safer because they don’t get hot like other lights do. LED lights are brighter than other lights as well. </div>
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Check out <a href="http://www.greenhome.com/green-products-home/energy-efficient-light/led-holiday-lights.html?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LEDHoliday_11-12-14&utm_source=Emailbrain&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NewsletterLink&utm_campaign=%28SS%29+LED+Holiday&utm_content=">greenhome.com </a>for LED holiday lights</div>
Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-41413436021617661702014-10-21T16:11:00.002-07:002014-10-21T16:11:23.750-07:00Bathroom Trends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Ic7JUk3pKq9qe3GqJzv0_JYTvSHKuP3VXMJzV0eNpSCtyjLrddaFl-LQfHWaz3l26wGH9vwrIlToLil2Ay3ShD6EhTSJ1zKEEQhBFhIu7hTJZctL7VxjPtrAp5sIXjT-i6JTjgDRbI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Ic7JUk3pKq9qe3GqJzv0_JYTvSHKuP3VXMJzV0eNpSCtyjLrddaFl-LQfHWaz3l26wGH9vwrIlToLil2Ay3ShD6EhTSJ1zKEEQhBFhIu7hTJZctL7VxjPtrAp5sIXjT-i6JTjgDRbI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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Glass Tile:<br />
Recycled glass can give the look of your bath being under water<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6VZJmys4EyztimnsTXMmFLL83-bgW7W7mmHdLk3uY95Ny8bhfFuEjQLvxWFkiGqcgcAqQZjcbVHrmyD5uYMw9cSKCaiLAPO2BEDha_28ryPr3Vj-vvmSwKfaO8fnOpSwiKWUGg40WPA/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6VZJmys4EyztimnsTXMmFLL83-bgW7W7mmHdLk3uY95Ny8bhfFuEjQLvxWFkiGqcgcAqQZjcbVHrmyD5uYMw9cSKCaiLAPO2BEDha_28ryPr3Vj-vvmSwKfaO8fnOpSwiKWUGg40WPA/s1600/download.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
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Subway Tile: Subway tile is still very trendy. This classic tile works well with many vintage style homes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4rGrRTObB6edncbbnlUJ6_C_cxV8sGamdHMaU767o4Zxg1KlYLrY4E3fPhy1CjKyK2wJZkhExmyABY9oTktt6yYHRNQLQlmvSankdm-ZR92PZsyBaZahZuCvUUn6LVNHb0tDh0KQDn0/s1600/images+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4rGrRTObB6edncbbnlUJ6_C_cxV8sGamdHMaU767o4Zxg1KlYLrY4E3fPhy1CjKyK2wJZkhExmyABY9oTktt6yYHRNQLQlmvSankdm-ZR92PZsyBaZahZuCvUUn6LVNHb0tDh0KQDn0/s1600/images+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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Bold Colors: Colors like this adds drama and can make a small space unique<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz9DNA8wLrITykL8tjcQ8k1PQEKyqtJBLqYI22E64W6ZVX8imHD8Md6Aezg58BH6EqZFTqHCooyxoapGeAUNY3HUCyugVmRfy1QqwNfFOQ0A0eYUdYhNRdGmnrKizMLVk4XaRkiHUKnY/s1600/images+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz9DNA8wLrITykL8tjcQ8k1PQEKyqtJBLqYI22E64W6ZVX8imHD8Md6Aezg58BH6EqZFTqHCooyxoapGeAUNY3HUCyugVmRfy1QqwNfFOQ0A0eYUdYhNRdGmnrKizMLVk4XaRkiHUKnY/s1600/images+(3).jpg" /></a></div>
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Multi-Head Showers: Hard to believe that in our drought situation...these are still in demand. Luxuroius yes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3Puqt_JmvoWeFDuxUkZcYh5vPyO2foWuRzU_DZSBPj98CAfyCssfZJaZUvN9m86FoS9agDIZiIF9ji7Q8d5bcpCApoGGC4OV4rY8o9794VVSKzkTlLykhPKLdN36zQexJUSy0cRgtZo/s1600/images+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3Puqt_JmvoWeFDuxUkZcYh5vPyO2foWuRzU_DZSBPj98CAfyCssfZJaZUvN9m86FoS9agDIZiIF9ji7Q8d5bcpCApoGGC4OV4rY8o9794VVSKzkTlLykhPKLdN36zQexJUSy0cRgtZo/s1600/images+(4).jpg" /></a></div>
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Radiant Heat: In floor heating is a wonderful addition. It can be more cost effective than most heating methods and certainly feels great on a cold Winter morning!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50PecOfuT9Q6zwBpAQ54HLm3psLjfRDlkgTLGm2WhSJP0DgLSPqTJx8xYh87tE8uso5ACLE0z_xR3-RaJbiVoFHhDxFwpDFaySbm2OrFWYbYO1IUsjSuyTdYGzOcatL-inmB5stfi_Z8/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50PecOfuT9Q6zwBpAQ54HLm3psLjfRDlkgTLGm2WhSJP0DgLSPqTJx8xYh87tE8uso5ACLE0z_xR3-RaJbiVoFHhDxFwpDFaySbm2OrFWYbYO1IUsjSuyTdYGzOcatL-inmB5stfi_Z8/s1600/download+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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Framed Mirrors: A great look for little money and effort!<br />
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Steam Showers: Good for you and turns your bath in to a spa<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhc0QSPKCT7QVbXRyYKdfxHtTgOYKVzJRSfY2P1AILB6ScOlgM1cnwpOHywuIpYWUr9u9WmMDw6gKiHTBb4dOoYfGlS6XnZmTug0l-jTniG9B77s3sCPNMrTazyTYT2qkp0eO4wOlLU4/s1600/images+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhc0QSPKCT7QVbXRyYKdfxHtTgOYKVzJRSfY2P1AILB6ScOlgM1cnwpOHywuIpYWUr9u9WmMDw6gKiHTBb4dOoYfGlS6XnZmTug0l-jTniG9B77s3sCPNMrTazyTYT2qkp0eO4wOlLU4/s1600/images+(6).jpg" /></a></div>
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Decorative Lighting: bringing glamorous, unexpected lighting in to your bathroom can change the entire feel of a bathroom<br />
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Remote Controled TV, Music, Windows: My favorite! Remote controlled music and TV add ease and make the bath just a little more fun!<br />
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Wall FireplaceFugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-91840652763886182532014-07-09T14:00:00.000-07:002014-07-09T14:00:19.764-07:00Home Energy Hogs<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; padding: 5px 0px;">
Cutting down on energy use is a huge part of going green, but sometimes even our best efforts to be eco-friendly at home can come up short. So if you’ve updated your house but still can’t seem to bring down those sky-high utility bills, try looking out for these sneaky energy hogs that may be driving up your home energy needs.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Energy vampires</span></div>
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Shutting down your TV or computer may seem like a guaranteed way to decrease your energy bill, but did you know that many appliances continue to use energy even after you’ve turned them off? Sometimes called “energy vampires,” these appliances, including printers, DVD players, and computers, will continue to suck up energy even when you’re not using them in order to power features like LED displays, cooling equipment, or wireless sensors. Battery packs and cell phone chargers are especially bad and will continue to pull power even when your devices are disconnected - this type of stand-by power accounts for 5% of all residential energy!</div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to fix it:</strong></em></div>
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The easiest way to make sure your appliances aren’t using up energy is simply to unplug them. If you want to go a little more high-tech, though, look for a power strip that will sense when your electronics are not in use and cut off any remaining power supply. If you’re not sure which appliances in your home are energy vampires, you can use a kilowatt hour meter to measure how much energy your appliances are using when turned off.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Inefficient appliances</span></div>
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Old or poorly maintained appliances can be a huge power drain – for example, older refrigerators can use upwards of 1,400 kWh a year, while newer, Energy Star certified models will use only a third of that. And those wasted energy numbers can climb even higher when you have problems like poor insulation and dirty coils or if you’re using your appliances inefficiently. Running half-empty dishwashers, setting your thermostat too high or low, and doing laundry in hot water can make even the most modern appliances guzzle up electricity.</div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to fix it:</strong></em></div>
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Think about replacing old, worn out appliances with new, more efficient models (often the savings on your utility bill can often make up for the cost of a new air conditioner or washer), and do regular maintenance to make sure all your appliances are running as well as they should be. Also work on adjusting your own habits to maximize efficiency: small changes like being conservative with thermostat, water heater, and fridge temperature controls, washing your clothes in cold water, and keeping that freezer door closed will make a big difference.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aquariums</span></div>
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Whether you want to teach kids about pet ownership or just love to watch the gentle back and forth of your favorite goldfish, fish can make great, low-maintenance pets. But what is that bubbling aquarium actually costing you to run? A lot of us focus on large appliances like air conditioners and washing machines when we want to tighten up our utility bills, but small appliances like aquariums can also be an energy drain. A typical 120 liter tank with lighting, heating, and aeration can cost up to $50 a year, and if you have several tanks or an inefficient system those costs can shoot up quickly – in fact, two 120 liter saltwater tanks can use as much energy as your refrigerator!</div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to fix it:</strong></em></div>
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The most important way to keep your aquarium energy use down is to make sure your system is running as efficiently as possible. Keep your tank in a warm area of the house, insulate the bottom and back of the tank to cut down on the need for heating, and select the smallest wattage heater and pump you need for the size of your tank. Also make sure you’re using a high-efficiency fluorescent bulb.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cable boxes and DVRs</span></div>
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Although they don’t draw as much power as larger appliances, the energy cost of cable boxes and DVRs can add up quickly because they are usually on 24 hours a day. In a 2010 study, the National Resources Defense Council found that the combination of a cable box and DVR actually used as much energy as a high-efficiency refrigerator in many homes, and up to 2/3 of that energy is used when the TV isn’t even on!</div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to fix it:</strong></em></div>
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It can be a hassle to turn these devices on and off, but you can save energy by shutting off your DVR when you’re not recording or watching TV. Also ask your cable company about replacing your cable box with newer, more efficient models that include low-power sleep states and the option for smaller, multi-room units.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /> <br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bad habits</span></div>
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No matter how green you make your home, if you keep up your bad habits you won’t see those utility bills go down. Even the most efficient appliances will continue to suck up energy if used incorrectly, which means changing your daily routine is a necessary part of cutting down your energy use.</div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to fix it:</strong></em></div>
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The little things you do at home every day can dramatically reduce your energy bill. Start by dialing back your thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator—turning down the furnace by just 1° can save you 1-3% on your heating bill. Simple changes like turning off the lights when you leave the room and keeping the fridge door closed will also help. Lastly, make sure you’re using your appliances as efficiently as possible; for example, try to only run washers when they’re full and skip the extra dry cycles.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">This post was posted in </span><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/blog/category/blog-and-green-library" style="background-color: white; color: #419639; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Blog and Green Library</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">, </span><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/blog/category/save-energy" style="background-color: white; color: #419639; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Save Energy</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;"> and was tagged with </span><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/blog/tag/eco-home-improvement/" style="background-color: white; color: #419639; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Eco Home Improvement</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #909090; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px;">, </span><a href="http://www.greenhome.com/blog/tag/energy-efficient/" style="background-color: white; color: #ef5b27; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">ENERGY EFFICIENT</a></div>
Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-6618741657387287172014-02-18T17:00:00.001-08:002014-02-18T17:00:57.557-08:0010 Tax Write-Offs You Aren't Using To your Advantage<header class="article-header" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.5px;"><div class="article-info" style="margin: 28px 28.5px 28px auto; max-width: 625px; position: relative; width: auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="byline basic" style="color: #636466; display: inline; font-family: ProximaNovaBold; text-transform: uppercase;">BY NELLIE AKALP </span><time datetime="Fri, 24 Jan 2014 11:08:02 +0000" style="color: #97999c; display: inline; font-family: ProximaNovaRegular;">Jan 24, 2014</time></span></div>
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You already know that you’re legally obligated to pay your taxes, but that doesn’t mean you should pay more than you owe.</div>
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Each year, American taxpayers leave money on the table by missing some key deductions. Run through these commonly overlooked write-offs to see if there are any you should be taking. It might just mean more money in your pocket this year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. Education</span></h2>
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When it comes to education, you may be able to <a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch06.html" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">deduct up to $4,000</a> for tuition-related expenses for you, your spouse or a dependent. You also may be able to deduct up to $2,500 in interest paid on a student loan in 2013.</div>
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In addition to these deductions (which lower your overall taxable income), there are also two relevant credits that could save you thousands: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit. <a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Pub 970</a> covers all the details.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. The Job Hunt</span></h2>
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If you were looking for a job in 2013, you may be able to deduct your job-search expenses — and that’s true whether or not you actually found a new job. Expenses can include employment agency fees, costs for printing and mailing resumes, advertising, and travel expenses for interviews.</div>
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But the caveats include:</div>
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Your job search must be for a position in the same line of work</div>
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You can’t deduct expenses if it’s your first job</div>
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These expenses are part of your “miscellaneous deductions,” which need to exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income to qualify</div>
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Refer to <a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-529,-Miscellaneous-Deductions" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Pub 529</a> for more details on all of this.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. Home Ownership</span></h2>
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If you bought or owned a home in 2013, you’re probably already aware that you can include your mortgage interest in your itemized deductions. But there are other tax deductions related to home ownership that can add up as well.</div>
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You can deduct what you pay in property taxes, interest paid on a home equity loan, any points you paid when you bought your home, premiums paid for Private Mortgage Insurance, and potentially any home improvements made for medical care.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. Health Costs</span></h2>
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Did you have a lot of medical and dental expenses last year? If your medical expenses exceeded 10% of your adjusted gross income for 2013, you can claim a deduction with your itemized deductions. Potential deductible expenses include preventative care, surgeries, doctor’s visits, fertility treatments, psychologist and psychiatrist visits, prescription medication, glasses, contact lenses and even the cost of travel for medical care.</div>
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Generally speaking, you cannot deduct non-prescription drugs, your health club dues or anything that was reimbursed by insurance. You also cannot include your health insurance premiums (although self-employed people can deduct their health insurance costs separately). <a href="http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Publication 502</a> gives the details on itemizing medical expenses.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">5. Charitable Donations</span></h2>
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If you’re itemizing your deductions on Schedule A, any charitable donations can help lower your tax bill. This includes any cash donations you made throughout 2013 — don’t forget any text message donations (note: Your cell phone bill is a sufficient record as long as it shows who you sent money to, when and for how much).</div>
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If you cleaned out your closet and donated items (clothes, furniture, etc.) to Goodwill or another charity, you can deduct the value of these items. Get a receipt in case you’re audited. In addition, if you volunteer for a qualified organization, you can’t deduct the value of your time, but you can deduct travel expenses for getting there (14 cents per mile). Refer to <a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_2013_publink1000229649" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Pub 526</a> for more details on what can and can’t be deducted.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">6. Moving for Your Job</span></h2>
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If you landed a new job and moved in 2013, congratulations — your moving expenses may be deductible. And the good news is that you can take this write-off even if you don’t itemize your deductions. Check out <a href="http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Pub 521</a> to see if you qualify.</div>
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In general, your new job location must be at least 50 miles away from your home (or 50 miles farther from your old home than your previous job was from your old home).</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">7. Energy Efficiency Upgrades</span></h2>
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If you made your home more energy efficient last year, you may qualify for a tax credit. For example, you may be able to claim a credit of 10% of the cost for qualified energy efficient insulation, windows, doors and roof for your home, as well as 30% of the cost for installing alternative energy equipment in your home (such as solar hot water heaters or wind turbines).</div>
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These credits are both claimed on <a href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">IRS Form 5695</a>. In addition, for 2013, the purchase of plug-in hybrid-electric and electric vehicles may qualify for a tax credit.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">8. Self-Employment Expenses</span></h2>
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If you’re self-employed (whether it’s your full-time job or a <a data-crackerjax="#post-slider" href="http://mashable.com/2013/04/26/side-business-taxes/" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">part-time gig</a>), you’ve got a grab bag of deductions to pull from. You can <a data-crackerjax="#post-slider" href="http://mashable.com/2013/03/21/taxes-startup-sole-proprietor/" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;">deduct expenses</a> from your home office (including pro-rated rent/mortgage, energy bill and insurance for that part of the house).</div>
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Don’t forget whichever conferences you attended in 2013, or the books, subscriptions, technology and office supplies you purchased to keep your business going. In addition, you can deduct your health insurance, as well as 50% of your self-employment tax. Visit the IRS’ <a href="http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-%26-Self-Employed/Self-Employed-Individuals-Tax-Center#home" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">self-employed tax center</a> to learn more.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">9. Children</span></h2>
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<span style="line-height: 22.5px;">If you welcomed a new baby in 2013, you are eligible for new tax deductions -– including another exemption (which represents a $3,900 deduction for 2013). Parents that meet certain income requirements can qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit as well as the Child Tax Credit. You may also be able to claim the </span><a href="http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-503,-Child-and-Dependent-Care-Expenses-1" style="color: #00aeef; line-height: 22.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Child Care Tax Credit</a><span style="line-height: 22.5px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 22.5px;">for qualified child care costs for any care provided so you could work or look for work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">10. Parents as Dependents</span></h2>
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Most people know to claim children as dependents, but fewer are aware that if they cared for an elderly parent, that parent may qualify as a dependent. The same applies to other relatives such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, nieces, nephews, etc. (note that certain relatives do not have to live with you to be considered a dependent).</div>
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To claim a dependent on your tax return, you have to meet certain criteria, including that the dependent’s income can’t exceed $3,900 for 2013 and you need to have provided at least half the support for that person. <a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/ar02.html#en_US_2013_publink1000220939" style="color: #00aeef; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Check out IRS Pub 501</a> for more details.</div>
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Keep in mind that this is all general information to put these valuable deductions on your radar. You’ll still need to research the relevant IRS documents or check with your tax advisor to make sure you qualify for a particular credit or deduction.</div>
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<span style="color: #848688; font-family: MuseoSlabLight; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">Nellie Akalp is the CEO of</span><span style="color: #848688; font-family: MuseoSlabLight; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"> </span><a href="http://www.corpnet.com/" style="color: #0076a3; font-family: MuseoSlabLight; font-size: small; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px;">CorpNet.com</a><span style="color: #848688; font-family: MuseoSlabLight; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">, an online legal document filing service</span></div>
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</section>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-56982908010397378592014-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:002014-02-10T13:28:13.848-08:00Door Colors Gone Wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ-2iAwuUmQ7iu2ttRWji2DEHiy28s5FtTyl0dvPhNgdAxUPC2_JMgEghedrEucX5-idYh0rcAXR4MqFMJ09jqmLuKSHI6uZ1xXKTRVrLKOL6Yb_bSPmjeI4fbQII3UdX2TGQ8C4JeT8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-29+at+10.08.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ-2iAwuUmQ7iu2ttRWji2DEHiy28s5FtTyl0dvPhNgdAxUPC2_JMgEghedrEucX5-idYh0rcAXR4MqFMJ09jqmLuKSHI6uZ1xXKTRVrLKOL6Yb_bSPmjeI4fbQII3UdX2TGQ8C4JeT8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-29+at+10.08.45+AM.png" /></a></div>
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Raucous Orange, Quixotic Plum, and Relic Bronze are some of the bold colors that color-trend forecaster Kate Smith predicts will be most popular on residential door exteriors in 2014.</div>
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Smith, president of <a href="http://www.sensationalcolor.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #3da03d; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sensational Color</a>, sees two trends influencing these colors. “People [are] painting their doors with exuberant hues as a way of telling the world they’re tired of spinning their wheels in place,” she says. “These people are ready to move forward, embrace challenges and show their energy through vibrant colors like Capri blue and Dynamo raspberry.”</div>
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Second, some people are looking for colors that are vibrant yet at the same time connect them to a sense of community and culture. “These simpler colors, like Classic French Grey and Polished Mahogany, give us comfort, warmth and reliability.”</div>
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Among the top 10 door colors Smith has identified for 2014, the top five that match up with the “exuberant homeowner” trend include:</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Capri</strong><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</em> a tropical blue that wakes up natural woods and neutral surroundings.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Raucous Orange</strong>, which demands attention with its energetic orange tone and makes the perfect punctuation point for the front of the home with a modern look.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dynamo</strong>, a flirty violet hue that instantly updates a traditional color scheme.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Relic Bronze</strong>, a deep, almost brown mustard color that reflects a home’s aged beauty.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Quixotic Plum</strong>, a sophisticated deep purple that is both timeless and trendy.</div>
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The remaining five door colors follow the “community and culture” trend:</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Georgian Bay</strong>, a step-above reserved blue that’s brighter and more moving than dark navy.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Show Stopper</strong>, a slight spin on traditional red that adds a touch of mystery.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Polished Mahogany</strong>, a deep, rich shade of brown with a staying power that traverses trends and captures a solid feeling.</div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Classic French Grey</strong>, a cool, neutral gray that Smith says will continue to rule the palette in 2014. </div>
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· <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gulfstream</strong><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</em> a bright, modern blue with an of-the-moment appeal that at the same time feels rooted in something familiar and nostalgic.</div>
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Click<a href="http://www.thermatru.com/pdfs/EBOOK.pdf" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #3da03d;">here</span> </a>to download a free copy of Smith’s e-book offering color guidance for Ranch, Colonial, Bungalow, Victorian, Spanish Mission, European and New American-style homes. </div>
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<span style="color: #8c908f;">Susan Bady -Senior Contributing Editor. Professional Builder</span></div>
Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-68426602789481849252014-02-03T13:55:00.000-08:002014-02-03T13:55:49.036-08:00Design Bloggers Predict What Trends Will Be Hot in 2014<h1 class="fbTitle" style="color: #82a53c; font-family: Arial; font-size: 26px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
Design Bloggers Predict What Trends Will Be Hot in 2014</h1>
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Top design bloggers share their picks for the New Year.</h2>
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By <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sarah Bray</span></h3>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Interchangeable Accents</span></b></span></span><br />
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"I think we'll see a trend towards chameleon decor. Instead of settling on one fixed look, people will opt for a versatile neutral base and use big-impact accents to easily change their decor." — Arianna Vargas, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.ariannabelle.com/blog/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ariannabelle.com</a></em></div>
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<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="https://www.ariannabelle.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=59" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Arianna Belle pillows</a>; <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/Richard-Nixon-Throw/?cat=1071&initial=5442" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jonathan Adler throw</a>; <a data-ls-seen="1" href="https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/kunda-rug" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lulu & George rug</a>.</em></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ushering in Glamour</span></b><br />
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"Move over white walls, in 2014 we'll be seeing rooms with a lot more drama and glamour. Dark, moody walls in black will be the perfect backdrop to the metallic accessories that we're all loving right now." — Jeanine Hays, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.aphrochic.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">aphrochic.com</a></em></div>
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<b>Vintage Wonders</b><br />
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"Thanks to social media, the lifespan of a trend has been cut in half. We're all a little overexposed. I think vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces will be highly sought after. It's the curiosities that make a house a home and keep your guests asking: "Where did you get that?" — Lindsay Souza, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://thepursuitofstyle.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">thepursuitofstyle.com</em></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Say Bye to Beige</span></h3>
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"Of course I hopefully predict that color will be the trend story every year in hopes of banishing the boring beige box, but this year it really could happen!" — Christian May, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://maison21.blogspot.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">maison21.com</a></em></div>
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<b>Blossoming Prints</b><br />
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"Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look." — Stacey Bewkes, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://quintessenceblog.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">quintessenceblog.com</a></em></div>
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<b>Metal Mash-Up</b><br />
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"Mixing and matching metallics, such as silver and gold." — Devon Dyer, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.devonrachel.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">devonrachel.com</em></a></div>
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<b>A Need for Navy</b><br />
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"Navy blue will be a big trend for 2014. I'm seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in editorials, in chic interiors... I actually think everyone will get it in 2014." — Mark D. Sikes, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://markdsikes.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">markdsikes.com</em></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Timeless Design</span></h3>
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"A return to tradition. After the long-standing trend of modern and eclectic decor, more people will want to feel comfortable and at ease by returning to traditional styles." — Erin Gates, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">elementsofstyleblog.com</em></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Innovative Combinations</span></h3>
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"Lots and lots of layering: both materials and textures. We love the look of mixing different metals, woods, and fabrics!" — Jennifer Beek and Georgie Hambright, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://www.jandgdesign.com/thecuratorial/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">jandgdesign.com</a></em></div>
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<b>A Bevy of Blues</b><br />
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"From rich, saturated colors like navy and indigo to bright, vibrant shades like peacock blue and cobalt, blue will continue to reign supreme in the coming year." — Paloma Contreras,<a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://paloma81.blogspot.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> ladolcevitablog.com</em></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A Softer Black and White</span></h3>
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"Black and white is a classic home decor palette, but for 2014 I see it softening and feeling more cozy. In the cooler months think Scandinavian chic, while in the summer months think French striped shirts." — Joanna Hawley, <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://jojotastic.com/" style="color: #4e8bf6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">jojotastic.com</em></a></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-12665567625905100402014-01-28T13:41:00.002-08:002014-01-28T13:41:52.776-08:00100 Under $100 for Your Home<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?lookid=40061924&utm_source=living_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=living_newsletter_v2_01282014&em_recid=298463&utm_content=placement_1_title" target="_blank">100 Under $100 for Your Home from SHOPSTYLE by Pop Sugar</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;"><br /></span>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-16962216540537888492014-01-28T13:19:00.000-08:002014-01-28T13:19:20.110-08:008 Kitchen Counter Options That Will Make You Forget Granite<span class="meta_title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #777777; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 5px 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">AUTHOR:</span><a href="http://www.zillow.com/blog/author/maryboone/" rel="author" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">MARY BOONE</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: uppercase;"> for Zillow Blog</span><br />
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Granite is great. No one is denying that.</div>
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Its use in residential applications has skyrocketed in recent years. A 2012 survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of <a href="http://www.marble-institute.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.4s ease-out; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3366bb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.4s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">The Marble Institute</a>, found that 75 percent of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years indicated they want granite countertops.</div>
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Granite’s durability, longevity and good looks make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors. Still, it’s expensive (typically $60 to $100 per square foot installed), it’s extraordinarily heavy (requiring reinforcement of base cabinets) and requires considerable upkeep.</div>
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Beyond granite, there are a multitude of countertop options available and their number just increases over time. If you’re in the market for a kitchen makeover, you may find one of these great, non-granite surfaces is just what you need:</div>
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Carrara marble</h3>
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Marble is softer than granite, which means it stains and scratches. “But it creates its own patina when it does that,” says Alan Zielinski, immediate past president of the <a href="http://www.nkba.org/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.4s ease-out; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3366bb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.4s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)</a> and president and CEO of <a href="http://www.betterkitchens.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.4s ease-out; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3366bb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.4s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Better Kitchens Inc.</a> in north-suburban Chicago. “That aging process gives the marble a nice, warm look. That warmth appeals to some people – if you’re not one of them, you probably should avoid marble.”</div>
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Wood</h3>
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Wood countertops are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, largely due to their durability and style. Adding a wood top to an island, while using a contrasting material for perimeter counters is a great way to add interest to the kitchen.</div>
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Butcher block is the most common type of wood countertop, but slabs can be crafted from a variety of woods, ranging from cherry and bamboo to zebra wood and iroko. Wear will give wood counters a charming patina, but you’ll need to periodically oil them to prevent drying.</div>
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Soapstone</h3>
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Soapstone is a smooth, matte natural stone that comes in a hues ranging from soft grey to charcoal. It is one of the only natural surfaces that is not affected by acids, so spilled coffee or orange juice won’t leave a stain. Soapstone is also heat resistant.</div>
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No special cleaners are needed to keep soapstone clean but mineral oils can be used to enhance the stone’s natural beauty.</div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 3px;">Engineered quartz</span></div>
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Although some quartz countertops are actually made of quarried slabs of stone, the new engineered material is created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins. The result is a super-hard, low-maintenance, natural looking countertop that’s available in a wide range of colors.</div>
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“Because quartz is a <a href="http://compositebuild.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.4s ease-out; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3366bb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.4s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">composite</a> material, it brings with it both the practicality of natural stone and the consistency of a manufactured product,” says Zielinski. “It’s resistant to scratching, but it can be scratched and it’s resistant to heat, but you don’t want to set a hot frying pan on it.”</div>
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Concrete</h3>
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New colorizing and stain techniques have made concrete counters more popular than ever. Skilled craftsmen can create beautiful concrete countertops in any color, shape and size. Embedded stones, tile or even silicone chips can be added to the mix to create a piece of art. The result is a beautiful counter that’s durable as well as scratch- and heat resistant.</div>
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The counters, which can be extremely heavy, are susceptible to damage from acidic liquids and must be sealed and regularly maintained to resist stains.</div>
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Glass</h3>
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Glass countertops can endure high heat without cracking or scorching, they won’t stain and they’re non-porous, which makes them very hygienic. “I really like glass because it’s so versatile,” says Zielinkski. “You can laminate three pieces together and use a crackled surface or other art layer between the top and bottom. They can be painted on the back, or lit. They’re very high-end and very versatile.”</div>
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Glass counter tops are typically three-quarters to one-and-a-quarter inches thick. Glass is tempered; polished square edge finishing or edge banding is generally recommended. Under-mount sinks are not recommended due to the transparent nature of glass.</div>
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Stainless steel</h3>
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<a href="http://www.ssina.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.4s ease-out; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3366bb; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.4s ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;">Stainless steel</a> countertops can be found in any style of kitchen, from contemporary to traditional, because they complement many of today’s appliances. Stainless steel is stain- and heat-resistant but it can be scratched or dented. Of course, steel isn’t the only metal countertop material on the market. You might also consider copper, pewter or zinc.</div>
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Solid surfaces</h3>
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Solid-surface countertops can look like natural stone but they’re generally less expensive and require less maintenance.</div>
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“Another big advantage,” says Zielinski, “is that solid surface counters can be created with virtually no seams. That can be a plus not only in terms of appearance, but it also makes cleaning much easier.” These counters are heat- and moisture-resistant and easy to clean. They can, however, be scorched and scratched.</div>
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Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-77848223987769949442014-01-07T14:15:00.000-08:002014-01-07T14:15:54.999-08:00Remodeling Home Design Trends for 2014<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 13.5pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are like my wife, a new year means a fresh perspective...change...renew! Like her, you may be feeling the desire of renovating, redecorating, or revising your space for 2014. We sometimes tend to follow the fashion world when color, texture, and design are involved as it seems to dictate (according to my pocket stylist wife) the trends for home design as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">In November my wife had the Women's Wear Daily article out stating the Pantone color of the year - <a href="http://firstteamrealestate.realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/26869-20131214-incorporating-radiant-orchid-the-pantone-color-of-the-year-into-your-decor">Radiant orchid </a>.</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"> But color trends for 2014 are also feeling blue. Blues across the color wheel are predicted to be hot hues for 2014 too.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;">You'll see a lot of Navy in upcoming design spreads as well as fashion. "Navy blue will be a big trend for 2014. I'm seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in editorials, in chic interiors... I actually think everyone will get it in 2014," said designer Mark D. Sikes in House Beautiful's </span><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/blogger-interior-design-trends-2014#slide-7" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="line-height: 119%;">Top Decorating Trends for 2014</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">The Glam Factor</span><span lang="en-US"></span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; line-height: 119%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">The Great Gatsby has influenced a "glam" feel and is another hot trend for 2014. You"ll see it in wallpaper, textiles, furniture, and accessories. I know this because my wife is inserting these ideas into our current remodel. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c1a3b; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Kitchen</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWbgcLpaQyaQIaay8dxrUTwXmGxF3z021MlXVJ0UtH5_kQ8I9jFDiAZ-9unofYeWE-KdnH4_lMfOebhL9wVO5Aoc-C1PTATiO5rkmnXGwhZ9x4_y8Brz06VOqRE80dZkizHkItkTXveE/s1600/kitchen012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWbgcLpaQyaQIaay8dxrUTwXmGxF3z021MlXVJ0UtH5_kQ8I9jFDiAZ-9unofYeWE-KdnH4_lMfOebhL9wVO5Aoc-C1PTATiO5rkmnXGwhZ9x4_y8Brz06VOqRE80dZkizHkItkTXveE/s1600/kitchen012.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">Kitchen remodels are going glam too. With most of my clients, the kitchen is</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;"> the pulse point of their home, and now designers are dressing it up," said </span><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span lang="en-US" style="line-height: 119%;">Elle Décor</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;">, " cabinetry painted in rich gemstone colors, unique lighting fixtures, and elegant fixtures. I was impressed to read that "Floating shelves are also a hot 2014 design trend according to remodeling firm the </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;"><a href="http://www.neilkelly.com/about-us/news-and-reviews/press-releases/top-ten-home-remodeling-trends-2014/">Neil Kelly Company</a> since we have these in our kitchen as well as my Daughters room</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 119%;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFprf4WwehIqWBq3fc_IhzSm792mDmNyi6XyPP8fDeTODlcjJkbX-gZaXbWKUF7lVY80v_KHepnMtlZiaWbCVSHhGyNojncLlhFbPfLn-iMG35wQCHRwolweomZzEVwbB9-BpXUAkqids/s1600/Love-Bath.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFprf4WwehIqWBq3fc_IhzSm792mDmNyi6XyPP8fDeTODlcjJkbX-gZaXbWKUF7lVY80v_KHepnMtlZiaWbCVSHhGyNojncLlhFbPfLn-iMG35wQCHRwolweomZzEVwbB9-BpXUAkqids/s1600/Love-Bath.gif" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0c1a3b; line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Continuing is the spa-like environment in bathrooms. Clean lines, unique fixtures, and softer colors. </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">To add depth incorporate textures with mosaic tiles, trends like a waterfall shower, modern touch faucets, and heated floors add eye candy and coziness Oversized walk-in showers and elegant </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">standalone tubs are strong bathroom trends for 2014. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c1a3b; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.5pt;">The No. 1 trend for 2014 that brings some much-needed tech help to the home. U-Socket is a wall plug that "has two built-in USB ports to power devices including iPhones, gaming devices, digital cameras, Kindles and iPads... and features a smart sensor that allows it to shut off when the device is fully charged."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;">Downsizing continues to be a long-term trend. 2014 will see people interested in living in smaller spaces that are closer to urban downtowns rather than larger houses in the suburbs. </span></div>
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Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-82960606139409616142014-01-07T13:22:00.000-08:002014-01-07T13:22:40.618-08:00In California, New Law Means Home Remodeling May Force Plumbing Upgrade<h1 itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In California, New Law Means Home Remodeling May Force Plumbing Upgrade</h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ7y-9sG49kqyFCq__2d7ikvtu3q8LEtvUi-Eina3PCUbtKd1o2aivyC-p65I01ArfIhFHHfpADAtg1tdphGH6GI9W5aA8lYZuCqFlFNfIuhBrVlwB1cv64Qi-SnyffaLdw4-4EkU0Xc/s1600/Construction_interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ7y-9sG49kqyFCq__2d7ikvtu3q8LEtvUi-Eina3PCUbtKd1o2aivyC-p65I01ArfIhFHHfpADAtg1tdphGH6GI9W5aA8lYZuCqFlFNfIuhBrVlwB1cv64Qi-SnyffaLdw4-4EkU0Xc/s1600/Construction_interior.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="submitted-label" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: capitalize; vertical-align: baseline;">By</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; text-transform: uppercase;"> AMY QUINTON - CAPITAL PUBLIC RADIO</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
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Californians who want to alter or remodel a home built before 1994 may have to agree to install water-efficient plumbing in order to obtain a building permit. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, the 2009 law that takes effect in January is creating some confusion in the building industry.</div>
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The law requires anyone seeking to alter or improve an older home to install water-saving toilets, faucets and showerheads. In some cases it would apply even if a homeowner is remodeling an area that has no plumbing, such as a bedroom or garage. It wouldn’t necessarily apply to an improvement such as a new roof.</div>
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Steve Gorman is with the City of Sacramento’s building department. He says the law’s vagueness will likely result in cities interpreting it differently.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gorman: “The interpretation that comes into play is a result of it being a law and not a building code. So when it comes out in a building code format, there has been thought given to how it’s going to be enforced and it’s given a little more specificity.”</em></div>
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Water agencies sponsored the bill to help meet the state’s goal of reducing water use 20-percent by 2025. </div>
Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-17404103389000028822013-05-06T15:47:00.000-07:002013-05-06T15:47:21.209-07:006 Design Details to Avoid in a Small Kitchen - by Stephanie Gibson from Cultivate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROF7-h8ctW7hYEKe65YsJ-fGxOCuAkJbbgR2porYRNFT_6vw7T-x8m3CBw79tdGhpWT-J5fxgoZOS75nOuXXThLnVfgpWMMhUMzftbEmBzhMO7Jxk7qfFCFRSmHsmJvDH0j4sHFdt2mY/s1600/c2_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROF7-h8ctW7hYEKe65YsJ-fGxOCuAkJbbgR2porYRNFT_6vw7T-x8m3CBw79tdGhpWT-J5fxgoZOS75nOuXXThLnVfgpWMMhUMzftbEmBzhMO7Jxk7qfFCFRSmHsmJvDH0j4sHFdt2mY/s200/c2_logo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="field-content">I love this site and wanted to start sharing a few articles. <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/" target="_blank">Cultivate</a> is a great source for designing and planning a kitchen remodel.</span><br />
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Here is the first of a few I will be sharing: </span><span class="field-content"></span><br />
<span class="field-content"><a class="active" href="http://www.cultivate.com/articles/6-design-details-avoid-small-kitchen"><span style="font-size: large;">6 Design Details to Avoid in a Small Kitchen</span></a></span> <br />
<span class="field-content">by Stephanie Gibson</span> <br />
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There's no denying that spacious kitchens are fabulous. But if your reality is a kitchen where the refrigerator and oven doors can't be open at the same time and you frequently have to use the breakfast table for prep space, then you know just how cramped a <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/articles/9-ways-make-your-kitchen-feel-bigger" target="_blank">small kitchen</a> can feel. The good news? By avoiding a few common design foibles, you can make your tiny kitchen feel just as generous as the wide-open kitchen you're currently coveting.<br />
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1. A Built-In Island </h2>
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Just about every kitchen can benefit from the extra prep and storage space of an island. But a big built-in island will overpower a small kitchen, taking up precious floor space and preventing movement in an already tight area. Do what the designer for this kitchen did and opt for a moveable, <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/blog/5-fab-freestanding-kitchen-islands" target="_blank">freestanding island</a> instead. Williams-Sonoma's version (link below) includes a shelf below to hold bowls or other prep tools, and the cart folds up neatly so it can easily be stored when not in use.<br />
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2. Solid-Front Cabinets </h2>
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Small kitchens need all the storage space they can get, but we guarantee you won't love the extra storage when it feels like your tiny kitchen is closing in on you. To keep things unobstructed, choose <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/articles/9-eye-catching-ideas-kitchen-shelves" target="_blank">open shelving</a> for at least one wall, and group necessities like plates, mixing bowls and glassware by color for a cohesive look. Not ready to put your kitchenware completely on display? Try cabinets with glass doors instead, and fill them with neatly stacked dishes and mugs. The glass fronts will lend an airy feel and increase the depth of the space.<br />
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3. One Big Light Fixture </h2>
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Relying solely on a large central light fixture means you'll illuminate the workspace directly below it, but won't brighten the surrounding areas and corners. Installing several recessed can lights with dimmer switches is a better solution. Bright, well-lit roooms give the illusion of spaciousness, and soft white bulbs will eliminate any harshness. Install strips of under-cabinet lighting for additional task illumination, and don't block your kitchen's natural light, either: Leave <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/articles/5-cool-ideas-kitchen-windows" target="_blank">windows</a> bare, or hang simple bamboo shades that can be raised all the way up during the day.<br />
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4. A Matte Backsplash </h2>
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Brick or thick ceramic tiles might be gorgeous in larger kitchens, but heavy materials like these will immediately weigh down a small space. Instead, choose a <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/blog/5-metallic-kitchen-looks-we-love" target="_blank">reflective</a> material that will create a seamless line between the countertops and cabinetry. We love the look of glass tiles, which are also a snap to wipe clean. Light-colored countertops paired with white tile and cabinetry creates an especially airy feel in a diminutive kitchen.<br />
<strong>Try this: </strong><a href="http://www.walkerzanger.com/catalog/series.php?mat=Glass&coll=Skyline" target="_blank">2x2 sheet-mounted staggered </a><br />
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5. Mixing Countertop Materials </h2>
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Once again, <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/articles/should-you-mix-kitchen-countertop-materials" target="_blank">this concept</a> might make sense in kitchens were there's more space to go around, but in a smaller kitchen, you're better off with a smooth surface that provides a continuous element, which will trick the eye into elongating a space. Choose a large, seamless slab of light-colored granite, soapstone or engineered stone. Pair it with an undermount farmhouse sink that won't break up the line. Instead of cluttering countertops with gadgets and storage containers, hang magnetic strips, hooks and racks on the wall to corral spices and utensils.<br />
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6. Tile Floors </h2>
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Practical as they might be in a kitchen, the geometric blocks and grout lines of a tile floor will break up a space, making it feel choppy and small. Instead, go for finished concrete or wide-plank wood laid in a horizontal pattern. The stripes will widen a tiny kitchen, visually stretching the boundaries. Add more interest by throwing down a striped <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/blog/5-hard-working-kitchen-rugs" target="_blank">rug</a>.</div>
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Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-86641199495650233322013-02-21T10:16:00.000-08:002013-02-21T10:16:28.583-08:005 bathroom design trends for 2013<h1>
5 bathroom design trends for 2013</h1>
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NKBA members say these bathroom concepts will be big this year<br />
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By HZ Staff</div>
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<span class="date-display-single">February 14, 2013</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQzhCvbyiAKVK_WewqqX0Litujj9wtbscTTwK2w8ky6jaFoh2AxGH_nhCJCBjxFd_zXkpeF9V-7lkoWsL6gKMxPjKIg1o_UksQQEWBemR_yi0holRDMROa9ueKCIuU7ChHItKxobKN8c/s1600/Screen%252520Shot%2525202013-02-14%252520at%2525203_45_52%252520PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQzhCvbyiAKVK_WewqqX0Litujj9wtbscTTwK2w8ky6jaFoh2AxGH_nhCJCBjxFd_zXkpeF9V-7lkoWsL6gKMxPjKIg1o_UksQQEWBemR_yi0holRDMROa9ueKCIuU7ChHItKxobKN8c/s320/Screen%252520Shot%2525202013-02-14%252520at%2525203_45_52%252520PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) surveys its members to identify the latest design and specification trends in kitchen and bath design. This year, more than 300 NKBA member-designers participated in the <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey</a>, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. While broad trends won’t be evident in every local market, the following are the top overall trends that emerged for bathrooms across the United States and Canada. Note the first three can apply to kitchens as well.</div>
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<strong>Shades of gray</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B312-FsgSHXExJnKGkFpCyETBezOiJ92WVJ0vQu6PiqpTD1FpyqLh62dlNv3Bc9FaCHHWNUJF_Ix2d28aMVyDy8YTXpQSxf6zola2yV3KyG0dVki5W5gwvbvdoEtWmdEUaadPRHb6rc/s1600/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_59_01%2520AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B312-FsgSHXExJnKGkFpCyETBezOiJ92WVJ0vQu6PiqpTD1FpyqLh62dlNv3Bc9FaCHHWNUJF_Ix2d28aMVyDy8YTXpQSxf6zola2yV3KyG0dVki5W5gwvbvdoEtWmdEUaadPRHb6rc/s200/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_59_01%2520AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Shades of gray in bathroom remodels have risen from 12 percent to 56 percent since 2010, <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">according to NKBA</a>. Whites and off-whites remain the top color schemes of bathrooms, used in 71 percent, respectively, an increase of 6 percentage points over the past year. Beiges and bones remain the second most popular color scheme, followed by grays and then browns. Browns are slightly in decline, falling from 39 percent in 2012 to 35 percent this year, but sepia tones rose from 11 percent to 18 percent.<br />
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<strong>Quartz</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlAyNNio1-TWW5FFOkmDppPfMKmz6oYIcwNMYmWXqxCy3Jzv-DOKxLyVwiQtCnl14gFiEVxr7yyPwm7F2xAL5pfPR26wEDgemFgPvsODPxH7UOl8zNdeRjPWKu5HAAlpBC8CkWQpJClQ/s1600/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_59_50%2520AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlAyNNio1-TWW5FFOkmDppPfMKmz6oYIcwNMYmWXqxCy3Jzv-DOKxLyVwiQtCnl14gFiEVxr7yyPwm7F2xAL5pfPR26wEDgemFgPvsODPxH7UOl8zNdeRjPWKu5HAAlpBC8CkWQpJClQ/s200/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_59_50%2520AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Quartz was the second most popular counter-surface material used in baths last year. This year, it has significantly narrowed the gap with granite, increasing from 53 percent to 65 percent, <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">according to NKBA</a>. Meanwhile, granite held steady in 2013, with 71 percent usage. Marble still remains a popular bathroom vanity-top material, only moderately dipping in popularity from 46 percent in 2010 to 39 percent this year.<br />
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<strong>Transitional styles</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF_SfEibuQomQB_vzJQJ2S3bkpKoYQtuVtAytCliJ6BzC5ylPTJR_hbfxrtpht_XkaaYos-QgLwYvuZWWMmWHYJtD3BpPcK_pO6SOx-bym-LdRPzIaI8dBHRMV8MEs6i20NHWsGbMQxU/s1600/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_53_29%2520AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF_SfEibuQomQB_vzJQJ2S3bkpKoYQtuVtAytCliJ6BzC5ylPTJR_hbfxrtpht_XkaaYos-QgLwYvuZWWMmWHYJtD3BpPcK_pO6SOx-bym-LdRPzIaI8dBHRMV8MEs6i20NHWsGbMQxU/s200/Screen%2520Shot%25202013-02-15%2520at%252010_53_29%2520AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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In 2012, the popularity of transitional style — a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary — exceeded that of its traditional counterpart, which had been the clear topper in 2010 and 2011. In the latest survey, transitional styles in the bathroom are still positioned No. 1, currently used by 61 percent of NKBA-member designers, <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">according to NKBA</a>.<br />
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<strong>Ceramic/porcelain tiles</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovybQm1Mdbi2autZeH0sb-BrYFvh5Gf9ub4l-Pbfp3lW_koWC94NrUrelusm9R0d-Z7LurcKRABxjluvNklZi1WXsnaYrLknKzHL9LavMySAHfydon5pmth-wkAAQ7IFH24XtPJ_HkCM/s1600/Bathroom-Ceramic-Tile1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovybQm1Mdbi2autZeH0sb-BrYFvh5Gf9ub4l-Pbfp3lW_koWC94NrUrelusm9R0d-Z7LurcKRABxjluvNklZi1WXsnaYrLknKzHL9LavMySAHfydon5pmth-wkAAQ7IFH24XtPJ_HkCM/s200/Bathroom-Ceramic-Tile1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Ceramic or porcelain tile flooring has been in slight decline over the past two years; but it remains the most popular of all materials, specified by 83 percent of the survey participants this year — down from 93 percent in 2011, <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">according to NKBA</a>. Natural stone tiles have also declined since 2011, dropping from 77 percent to 59 percent in 2012, and to 57 percent this year. However, they have been the second most popular type of flooring used since 2011.<br />
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<strong>Undermount sink</strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzJn-MrDbCX5CQ4T6WZJx6aOp8nUv3F4DmHSpHaQstNZFvCigisgkNswBvx82fWPKo97Hka0eK8Uarp6Xm9WPVPdSoDDgp6mSQjkld26tGEi8msH7hbPbVlgjpN-2a2YZLwy5q6N4NmI/s1600/undermount-sink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzJn-MrDbCX5CQ4T6WZJx6aOp8nUv3F4DmHSpHaQstNZFvCigisgkNswBvx82fWPKo97Hka0eK8Uarp6Xm9WPVPdSoDDgp6mSQjkld26tGEi8msH7hbPbVlgjpN-2a2YZLwy5q6N4NmI/s200/undermount-sink.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Undermounts are in slight decline this year, dropping from 94 percent in 2012 to 87 percent, <a href="http://www.nkba.org/Press/Releases/2013/NKBA_Reveals_Top_10_Industry_Trends_for_2013.aspx">according to NKBA</a>. But here again, they remain the most specified type of lavoratory sink — not just in the latest poll, but over the past three years. Integrated sink/tops have seen modest growth, increasing from 35 percent in 2012 to 41 percent currently.Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-74784540566505273182013-01-17T14:01:00.000-08:002013-01-17T14:01:23.273-08:00The New American Dream: Walkable Urban Neighborhoods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJulTTWLAzCNXvsPZmVZ9apdDyyZjJj9uIq8OyHwamrprqgGoVa4kaaHebYQt0Z7lGezhCZTtLRLIIeHefCE9x7dnOEPbok24UwrNwUfwMmyVR_3vyg13ZRrIIgYobb8rFIrSmQJeeFM/s1600/3103158329_02f73c2e62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="213" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJulTTWLAzCNXvsPZmVZ9apdDyyZjJj9uIq8OyHwamrprqgGoVa4kaaHebYQt0Z7lGezhCZTtLRLIIeHefCE9x7dnOEPbok24UwrNwUfwMmyVR_3vyg13ZRrIIgYobb8rFIrSmQJeeFM/s320/3103158329_02f73c2e62.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="sourceBrand">
From: <a href="http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/">ECOHOME</a> <a href="http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/table-of-contents/ECOHOME/2012/V2020_1022.aspx">V2020_1022</a> <a href="http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/table-of-contents/ECOHOME/2012.aspx">2012</a></div>
<br />
<div class="eyebrow">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The New American Dream: Walkable Urban Neighborhoods</strong></span></div>
<h3>
By <a href="http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/find-articles.aspx?byline=Fernando%20Pages%20Ruiz">Fernando Pages Ruiz</a></h3>
<br />
By 2020 you’ll be living in a more sustainable community, even if you don’t know it. Market forces more powerful than eco-ethics or energy policies will drive the makeover of our towns and cities into pockets of walkable neighborhoods with varied retail and residential uses in close proximity, transforming both urban and suburban landscapes.<br />
<br />
In short, suburban dormitory neighborhoods have become less desirable and downtown neighborhoods are the new American dream.<br />
<br />
To compete with resurgent inner cities, the suburbs are developing their own versions of downtown where park-and-shop malls once stood. By 2020 this urban retrofit will be under construction throughout the U.S., even rural towns in regions as unlikely as the Bible Belt have started moving in this direction. By 2030, most of us will live in places that look a lot like Europe, with discernible local character and a defined center of commerce that serves as the nexus for community life.<br />
Sure, the notion of walkable communities has become a political issue pitting rural conservatives against urban progressives. But by and large, the argument has been won through the economic success of walkable urban centers, which has motivated cash-strapped cities everywhere to support the creation of new, so-called lifestyle centers that recreate the urban experience.<br />
<br />
The first towns to turn toward urban retrofit for tax revenue include neighborhoods in what <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/chris_leinberger_on_the_transf.html" target="_blank">Christopher Leinberger</a>, Vision 2020 research chair for Sustainable Communities, would describe as the primary concentric ring of suburban development. Areas immediately adjacent to a competing metropolis, such as Wheat Ridge, just outside of Denver, which has recently undertaken the transformation of a major traffic artery lined with vacant storefronts and narrow sidewalks into a revived Main Street that draws commuters to--rather than through--the heart of town.<br />
<br />
They began with a vision, “In the year 2030, people of all ages and abilities live, work, learn, shop, and play along 38th Avenue,” asserted the city’s planning document for the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan, adopted in October 2011. Then, using a low-cost approach, the City put the corridor on a “road diet” in the summer of 2012 by reducing the number of thru-traffic lanes from four to two. The diet created several benefits to the corridor, including a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly environment, reduced traffic speeds, increased safety, and the sought-for economic benefits, including the attraction of new businesses. The project has become the catalyst for a wider revitalization strategy strongly focused on creating multiple, community-focused hubs--or mini downtowns within what was once a sprawling Denver suburb.<br />
<br />
Along the same lines, a recent <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/16/small-towns-think-big/1637047" target="_blank">USA Today</a> article profiled several small cities that are becoming more cosmopolitan through similar redevelopment efforts. The article’s flagship was Carmel, a Midwestern suburb 20 miles north of Indianapolis. The town’s self-described European-style redevelopment effort has paid off handsomely: This year Money magazine ranked Carmel the No. 1 best place to live, with low unemployment, excellent schools, arts and culture, nature trails, and a huge community recreation complex. Other urban redevelopment efforts highlighted in the front-page feature included towns in Texas, Utah, and Colorado.<br />
<br />
I have personally seen the transformation in the most unlikely place, rural Nebraska, where I lived and worked for nearly 20 years. The town of Ashland, between Lincoln and Omaha, revived its main street with cobblestone crosswalks and lured New York artists with promises of cheap studio space to create an attractive art district that now lures tourists off Interstate 80, and attracts a growing population of retired farmers wanting an urban, but not-so-big city experience. Meanwhile, following the lead of Omaha, which has become a national example of successful redevelopment, Lincoln recently doubled its efforts with a 2020 Vision of its own, in short order creating a vital downtown with ample residential, restaurant, retail, and office development. The result is palpable in the new vitality of downtown Lincoln, and the fact more college graduates now remain as permanent residents after graduation, in fact, Lincoln made the list at the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2010/05/24/best-cities-for-college-grads.html#slide1" target="_blank">Daily Beast</a> among Richard Florida’s 25 best towns for college graduates, ranked above places like San Diego and Seattle.<br />
<br />
The potency of this national shift toward walkable, non- automobile-centered life is both dramatic and historic. Car and single-family home sales have plummeted among people in the 21-to-34 year age group, a demographic that predicts trends likely to survive the next two decades. Auto makers have had to adjust sales to accommodate fleets of car-sharing services, instead of new car dealerships, and single-family home builders are becoming multifamily developers because this cohort of would-be first-time home buyers seems to prefer a small apartment in the high-rent district to a discounted mortgage in the suburbs, according to a recent Federal Reserve study.<br />
<br />
I confess to a quiet skepticism about the power of the sustainable community movement at the outset of EcoHome’s Vision 2020 venture. But witnessing the quick conversion of places as far from urban fads as rural Nebraska in the light of all we have discussed during this first year of Vision 2020 has convinced me that Leinberger’s theory of demand-side transformation is indeed the most powerful force working to reduce our nation’s dependence on carbon-based energy. It is perhaps the only force potent enough to make a difference because it is based on human preferences, on what we want to do, vs. what we ought to do. The market, or demand-side strategy works despite political swings and has the self-determining economic muscle that makes things happen. There’s no need to set milestones and struggle to achieve them when social trends take over, as proven dramatically in the state of Florida, where Republican Governor Rick Scott turned down $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funding for a high-speed-rail line, only for private investors to step up and build the line themselves. Why? Because the market demands it.<br />
<br />
I would not be surprised to see a similar result in Nebraska, with high-speed rail connecting Lincoln to Ashland and Omaha by 2030. Communities throughout the U.S. will become sustainable precisely because the elements that make them so coincide with the key ingredients of desirable living: a close-knit community, ready access to social engagement, and public amenities that provide recreational opportunities for all. The reduction in carbon will be a by-product of Americans pursuing their American dream.Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-15217126715807931102013-01-14T15:43:00.000-08:002013-01-14T15:43:28.671-08:00Take precations in this cold Sacramento weather<h3>
With the nightly low temperatures dropping below freezing, take precautions. <div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Protect your home</h3>
• Insulate exposed pipes and those in your home's crawl space and attic. <br />
• Allow faucets to drip during cold weather to avoid freezing.<br />
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).<br />
• If your pipes freeze, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If pipes are frozen and burst, turn water off at the main shut-off valve; leave water faucets turned on.<br />
• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your <a class=" lingo_link" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/water+pipes/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">water pipes</a> have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and leave faucets turned on.<br />
• Get pets out of the elements. <h3>
Protect your yard</h3>
• Water plants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.<br />
• If overnight frost is expected, move potted plants to protected areas indoors or onto a covered patio.<br />
• Cover sensitive plants such as succulents, tropical natives and citrus. Cloth sheets work better than clear plastic and can increase the temperature 5 degrees. Allow a little room for <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/air+circulation/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">air circulation</a> under the cover; that helps keep in the warmth. Remember to remove the covers by midmorning or risk suffocating the plant.• Create mini-greenhouses for tender vegetable transplants such as lettuce. Cut the bottom out of milk cartons or plastic jugs (discard the caps). Slip these shelters over the plants. (If using paper cartons, remove them during the day. The plastic jugs can stay in place until warmer weather.) <br />
• Plants in <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/raised+beds/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">raised beds</a> or on mounds stay warmer than plants in sunken areas.<br />
• String Christmas lights (the ones that get hot, not LEDs) on the trunks and limbs of citrus, avocado and other frost-prone trees and bushes. Big lights give out more heat than mini-lights.<br />
• If plants show frost burn, don't cut off the damaged foliage. It will help protect the plant from further harm. Remove the burned leaves in spring after all danger of frost has passed -- usually after March 23 in Sacramento. <div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Rea• Create mini-greenhouses for tender vegetable transplants such as lettuce. Cut the bottom out of milk cartons or plastic jugs (discard the caps). Slip these shelters over the plants. (If using paper cartons, remove them during the day. The plastic jugs can stay in place until warmer weather.) You also can make shelters out of waxed paper. Roll a 12-inch piece of waxed paper into a cone shape, secure with tape, then place it like a teepee over the transplant.<br />
• Plants in <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/raised+beds/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">raised beds</a> or on mounds stay warmer than plants in sunken areas.<br />
• String Christmas lights (the ones that get hot, not LEDs) on the trunks and limbs of citrus, avocado and other frost-prone trees and bushes. Big lights give out more heat than mini-lights.<br />
• If plants show frost burn, don't cut off the damaged foliage. It will help protect the plant from further harm. Remove the burned leaves in spring after all danger of frost has passed -- usually after March 23 in Sacramento. d more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy<h3>
Protect your yard</h3>
<br />
• Water plants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.<br />
• If overnight frost is expected, move potted plants to protected areas indoors or onto a covered patio.<br />
• Cover sensitive plants such as succulents, tropical natives and citrus. Cloth sheets or blankets work better than clear plastic and can increase the temperature 5 degrees. Allow a little room for <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/air+circulation/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">air circulation</a> under the cover; that helps keep in the warmth. Remember to remove the covers by midmorning or risk suffocating the plant.<br />
• Create mini-greenhouses for tender vegetable transplants such as lettuce. Cut the bottom out of milk cartons or plastic jugs (discard the caps). Slip these shelters over the plants. (If using paper cartons, remove them during the day. The plastic jugs can stay in place until warmer weather.) You also can make shelters out of waxed paper. Roll a 12-inch piece of waxed paper into a cone shape, secure with tape, then place it like a teepee over the transplant.<br />
• Plants in <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/raised+beds/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">raised beds</a> or on mounds stay warmer than plants in sunken areas.<br />
• String Christmas lights (the ones that get hot, not LEDs) on the trunks and limbs of citrus, avocado and other frost-prone trees and bushes. Big lights give out more heat than mini-lights.<br />
• If plants show frost burn, don't cut off the damaged foliage. It will help protect the plant from further harm. Remove the burned leaves in spring after all danger of frost has passed -- usually after March 23 in Sacram<h3>
Protect your yard</h3>
<br />
• Water plants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.<br />
• If overnight frost is expected, move potted plants to protected areas indoors or onto a covered patio.<br />
• Cover sensitive plants such as succulents, tropical natives and citrus. Cloth sheets or blankets work better than clear plastic and can increase the temperature 5 degrees. Allow a little room for <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/air+circulation/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">air circulation</a> under the cover; that helps keep in the warmth. Remember to remove the covers by midmorning or risk suffocating the plant.<br />
• Create mini-greenhouses for tender vegetable transplants such as lettuce. Cut the bottom out of milk cartons or plastic jugs (discard the caps). Slip these shelters over the plants. (If using paper cartons, remove them during the day. The plastic jugs can stay in place until warmer weather.) You also can make shelters out of waxed paper. Roll a 12-inch piece of waxed paper into a cone shape, secure with tape, then place it like a teepee over the transplant.<br />
• Plants in <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/raised+beds/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">raised beds</a> or on mounds stay warmer than plants in sunken areas.<br />
• String Christmas lights (the ones that get hot, not LEDs) on the trunks and limbs of citrus, avocado and other frost-prone trees and bushes. Big lights give out more heat than mini-lights.<br />
• If plants show frost burn, don't cut off the damaged foliage. It will help protect the plant from further harm. Remove the burned leaves in spring after all danger of frost has passed -- usually after March 23 in Sacr<h3>
Protect your yard</h3>
<br />
• Water plants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.amen• Water plants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.<br />
• If overnight frost is expected, move potted plants to protected areas indoors or onto a covered patio.<br />
• Cover sensitive plants such as succulents, tropical natives and citrus. Cloth sheets or blankets work better than clear plastic and can increase the temperature 5 degrees. Allow a little room for <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/air+circulation/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">air circulation</a> under the cover; that helps keep in the warmth. Remember to remove the covers by midmorning or risk suffoc• Create mini-greenhouses for tender vegetable transplants such as lettuce. Cut the bottom out of milk cartons or plastic jugs (discard the caps). Slip these shelters over the plants. (If using paper cartons, remove them during the day. The plastic jugs can stay in place until warmer weather.) You also can make shelters out of waxed paper. Roll a 12-inch piece of waxed paper into a cone shape, secure with tape, then place it like a teepee over the transplant.<br />
• Plants in <a class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/raised+beds/" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;">raised beds</a> or on mounds stay warmer than plants in sunken areas.<br />
• String Christmas lights (the ones that get hot, not LEDs) on the trunks and limbs of citrus, avocado and other frost-prone trees and bushes. Big lights give out more heat than mini-lights.<br />
• If plants show frost burn, don't cut off the damaged foliage. It will help protect the plant from further harm. Remove the burned leaves in spring after all danger of frost has passed -- usually after March 23 in Sacramento. <div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
ating the plant.<div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
to<h3>
Protect your yard</h3>
<br />
• WateProtect your yardrplants lightly in late afternoon or early evening before the frost hits. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil. This also raises the humidity level. Well-hydrated plants can cope better with frost "burn, " which results from moisture being pulled out of the foliage to protect the main trunk and roots.<div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
. <div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
ento. <div style="color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-transform: none; width: 1px;">
<br />Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/16/4191741/protect-your-home-garden-against.html#storylink=cpy</div>
</div>
Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-39720594025632640922013-01-07T16:23:00.001-08:002013-01-07T16:23:33.285-08:00Grass - real vs. synthetic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDSEnA8O4zEagbNE8sYqNSds-n8gxovGb06_4VEM8SZZIFbUzPEoD3aC0IRF3GaY243_qTul8Z3I8YmaWEuLkxWdMWRo7moI_HNpxvavHCrI6QQiVSUjubV0CsDodK1RpnNQ6hkWAt4/s1600/article-new_ehow_images_a07_em_lm_artificial-grass-vs-real-grass-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireDSEnA8O4zEagbNE8sYqNSds-n8gxovGb06_4VEM8SZZIFbUzPEoD3aC0IRF3GaY243_qTul8Z3I8YmaWEuLkxWdMWRo7moI_HNpxvavHCrI6QQiVSUjubV0CsDodK1RpnNQ6hkWAt4/s320/article-new_ehow_images_a07_em_lm_artificial-grass-vs-real-grass-800x800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h1>
Grass – real vs. synthetic lawns and the environment</h1>
<br />
<div class="date">
I’d be the first to admit that a well manicured lawn is a pleasing sight, but I hate to think how many hours of my life I used to spend mowing grass and other related activities. Often maintaining the average lawn is not only time intensive, it can also have a considerable environmental impact.<br />
<br />
So is synthetic grass the way to go? Surely it couldn’t be, after all synthetic grass is made from plastic?<br />
<br />
It really depends on who you ask and there are all sorts of compelling arguments for both. So let’s take a look at some of those:<br />
</div>
<div class="date">
<br />
<b>Advantages of natural grass</b></div>
<ul>
<li> Supports an ecosystem of organisms that break down pathogens</li>
<li>Acts as a food source for some insect and animals</li>
<li>Acts as a carbon sink and produces oxygen</li>
<li>Has “air conditioning” properties, helping to cool an area</li>
<li>Grass can act as a filter, preventing contaminants reaching the water table</li>
</ul>
<b>Disadvantages of natural lawn</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Maintenance is water intensive</li>
<li>Pesticides, fungicide and herbicides may be required</li>
<li>Greenhouse gas emissions associated with mowing and other maintenance equipment.</li>
<li>May require additional inputs such as fertilizer; which could be <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/85/1/Fuel-and-food.html"> fossil fuel based</a>.</li>
<li>Often lawns are not made up of grass species native to an area. The grasses can then take hold in the wider local environment, crowding out native species.</li>
</ul>
<b>Advantages of synthetic lawn</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Can be made from recycled (more accurately, <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/371/1/Downcycling-and-upcycling.html">upcycled or downcycled</a>) and <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/187/1/Recycling-by-the-numbers.html"> recyclable</a> (?) materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene</li>
<li>No watering required</li>
<li>No fertilizer, pesticides, fungicides or herbicides need to be used</li>
<li>Few greenhouse gas emissions in maintenance (no mowing, edging etc.)</li>
</ul>
<b>Disadvantages of synthetic grass</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Fossil fuel and other synthetic chemicals are used in its production</li>
<li>Pathogens may not be broken down. Some artificial lawns are treated with anti-bacterial chemicals to perform this action, and those can have their own negative environmental implications.</li>
<li>Other contaminants may pass through to the water table</li>
<li>Can contribute to the urban heat island effect</li>
</ul>
The above points are just in relation to the environment – when you start getting into costs, aesthetics, time and other issues, it becomes even more complex.<br />
<br />
Note that with natural lawns though that some of the disadvantages listed can be negated or minimized through various techniques, such as <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/242/1/Saving-water-in-the-garden.html"> water saving practices</a>, <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/395/1/Manual-reel-lawn-mowers.html"> manual push mowers</a>, the usage of <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/158/1/Natural-fertilizer.html"> natural fertilizers</a> and <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/204/1/Composting-tips.html"> composts</a> etc. However, often these more <a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/70/1/Greener-lawns.html"> eco-friendly strategies</a> can also mean more manual labor.<br />
<br />
Given synthetic grass also has some powerful benefits, the decision of real vs. fake can still be very confusing; but here’s an important point:<br />
Remember that having a lawn isn’t compulsory – native trees, flowers and shrubberies in the midst of mulch beds in place of a lawn are also an option and can help get around most of the issues associated with both synthetic and natural grass options; while offering the benefits of each. They also look great and also provide a habitat for other creatures. <br />
<br />
Michael Bloch<br />
Green Living Tips.com<br />
<a href="http://www.greenlivingtips.com/pages/Article-reproduction-guidelines.html">Article reproduction guidelines</a>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-89322591867041602792012-07-18T15:33:00.001-07:002012-07-18T15:33:08.322-07:00Why Remodel Your Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why remodel?</strong>
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Remodeling your home
can modernize the style, make it more comfortable, improve
energy-efficiency and home functionality, increase the value of your
home, and help with upkeep and maintenance. Home remodeling is a sure
investment in your home to ensure longevity, usefulness, and home value.</div>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="when" name="when" title="when"></a>When is it time to remodel?</strong></div>
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Perhaps
it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest
gold are no longer the "in" colors for today's trendy kitchens. Or maybe
you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own
bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought has crossed your mind: Maybe
it's time to remodel . . .</div>
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<br /><br />If you decide to follow through on
that thought, you'll join millions of others who decide to remodel their
homes each year. The reasons for home remodeling are as varied as the
projects we undertake. Some of these include:</div>
<ul>
<li>Adding more space.</li>
<li>Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures. </li>
<li>Creating a floor plan that's customized for your lifestyle. </li>
<li>Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors, insulation, and climate control systems. </li>
<li>Increasing the resale value of your home. </li>
</ul>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="what" name="what" title="what"></a>What are some home remodeling ideas?</strong></div>
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Before you head too far down the remodeling path, it's a good idea to think through your wants and needs:</div>
<ul>
<li>Decide what changes you want to make.</li>
<li>Ask yourself and other family members what you like and dislike about the house, then create a prioritized list.</li>
<li>Look at magazines and collect pictures of what you like.</li>
<li>Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting,
and how you want to use the remodeled space now and in the future.</li>
</ul>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="how" name="how" title="how"></a>How do I plan a home remodel?</strong></div>
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The first step is to
develop an idea of what you want to do. Write a prioritized list of your
needs and wants. Look at magazines and websites and collect pictures of
what you like. The more clearly you can envision the project and
describe it on paper, the better prepared you'll be in making your
decision.</div>
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Think about traffic
patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and how you
expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel involves
creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may want
to consider contacting a <a href="http://www.nahb.org/caps" target="_self">Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist</a>. </div>
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Figure out how much money you have to spend on the remodeling job, furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur.</div>
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If you’ve decided you want to hire a remodeler, learn <a href="http://www.nahb.org/category.aspx?sectionID=716" target="_self">how to choose a professional</a>, avoid contractor fraud, and make your dream home reality.</div>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="pay" name="pay" title="pay"></a>How do I pay for a home remodel?</strong></div>
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One
of the most important considerations for your home improvement project
is financing. After all, the project will go nowhere if you can't pay
for it.</div>
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Fortunately, there are several options that can provide the dollars you need. Four of the most common are a <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=321#loanloan">home improvement loan</a>, a <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=321#equityequity">home equity line of credit</a>, a home equity loan (<a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=321#secondsecond">second mortgage</a>), and a <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=321#cashoutcashout">cash-out refinancing</a> of your current mortgage. However, the simplest method of financing is <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=715&genericContentID=321#cashcash">cash</a>.</div>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="find" name="find" title="find"></a>How do I find a professional home remodeler?</strong></div>
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When you hire a
remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality
of service the home remodeler provides will determine the quality of the
finished product and your satisfaction with the result. To ensure your
satisfaction, make sure you hire a qualified, professional remodeler.</div>
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<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a class="bookmark" href="" id="expect" name="expect" title="expect"></a>What should I expect during the remodel?</strong></div>
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While remodeling can
be an exciting process, it can also present unexpected challenges. Many
problems can be avoided by planning ahead.</div>
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Owners of homes built
before 1978 who are contemplating any work that will disturb more
than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square
feet on the exterior of the home - for example, replacing a window,
installing cabinets, or adding on to the home - the contractor you hire
is required by law to be trained and certified by the EPA. <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=1829&genericContentID=121061">Learn more</a> about EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovators and lead paint.</div>
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<br /></div>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-85515332659354660082012-07-07T13:22:00.000-07:002012-07-07T13:22:30.830-07:00School Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xBKpzSraBguR2ndv4hyt-MsRw83iMas7blXZvyWv8v_s9WpFGpPVwWda95uEVnED60Bqbi_JRKPm-CHgT9PpZa3wwsfXG-DG4y3ZKw0TPLmHRbtlN2OXm1CJY9muopt7wfv89T-ZkZA/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" sca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xBKpzSraBguR2ndv4hyt-MsRw83iMas7blXZvyWv8v_s9WpFGpPVwWda95uEVnED60Bqbi_JRKPm-CHgT9PpZa3wwsfXG-DG4y3ZKw0TPLmHRbtlN2OXm1CJY9muopt7wfv89T-ZkZA/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-6400522408899280862012-06-27T13:45:00.000-07:002012-06-27T13:45:27.847-07:00The 2012 Sunset Breezehouse<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS495sY3Xi9Z7ahSAN1SRgAyU2bpsDkpzkOHTjV-2z7y35S2PEdLuyDFTpB73fvaMn_4w5tdA6b3ZTbzQgTGWEiB3BnHgwBTZ6cdaTh7SnWnLZse3PV8s1DbWcNbw-uyOgPdPdoYZq5zY/s1600/breezehouserendering-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS495sY3Xi9Z7ahSAN1SRgAyU2bpsDkpzkOHTjV-2z7y35S2PEdLuyDFTpB73fvaMn_4w5tdA6b3ZTbzQgTGWEiB3BnHgwBTZ6cdaTh7SnWnLZse3PV8s1DbWcNbw-uyOgPdPdoYZq5zY/s1600/breezehouserendering-m.jpg" vca="true" /></a>Sunset 2012 Breezehouse </div>
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The 2012 Idea House is a pre-fab home that's currently being built in a Vallejo, Calif., factory that will be unfolded on its scenic wine country site this summer. </div>
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The 2012 Idea House, located in Healdsburg, Calif., about 70 miles north of San Francisco. It will be open for tours every weekend from August 3, 2012, through September 9, 2012. </div>
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Dates: Tours will be available every weekend from August 3, 2012 through September 9, 2012. </div>
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Time: Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. <br />
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Admission: $17per person; $15 on Fridays for seniors </div>
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Directions from San Francisco: <br />
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Take US-101 N for about 70 miles. Take Exit 505 for Dry Creek Rd., and turn right on Dry Creek Rd. Take your second left onto Healdsburg Ave. and drive .8 miles. Turn right onto Parkland Farms Blvd. and drive .4 miles. Take the third right onto Canyon Run, then the first right onto Long Acres Pl. </div>
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<br />Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-92086766425268342072012-05-02T12:58:00.000-07:002012-05-02T12:58:42.601-07:00Remodel Forcast Increase<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The National Association of Home Builders is forecasting a 9% increase in remodeling</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><img alt="OB-RA905_RENOVA_E_20111219155915.jpg" height="227" id="yiv2039665275_x0000_i1027" src="http://us.mg201.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f20468%5fAFjJjkQAAT%2bRT58I2AdYLi40rvQ&pid=2.2&fid=Inbox&inline=1&appid=YahooMailRC" width="318" /></div>
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<b>Top Projects:</b></div>
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Windows/Doors, Insulation, HVAC for Energy Efficiency</div>
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Bathroom makeovers, Painting, and Landscaping for Comfort/Enjoyment</div>
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<i>Source: American Express study and Wall Street Journal article</i></div>
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</div>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-89312291435679086872012-03-10T08:31:00.000-08:002012-03-10T08:31:00.434-08:00Spring Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbYLwJTFRfL5ThXZBjHLMxJHKQR7plXrFWTtjYWJ5cjiYMjT-XiaVQNdp5GtbykjAIKghygfcx4t4vwY-DBu6utYMTtmLLNTM7VXywagpUcyAPZuJjK7SdNeEkLmi_NqmEMtk2hAfLp4/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbYLwJTFRfL5ThXZBjHLMxJHKQR7plXrFWTtjYWJ5cjiYMjT-XiaVQNdp5GtbykjAIKghygfcx4t4vwY-DBu6utYMTtmLLNTM7VXywagpUcyAPZuJjK7SdNeEkLmi_NqmEMtk2hAfLp4/s200/house.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spring officially begins on March 20th, and it's time to Spring Forward. Daylight saving time begins at 2AM on Sunday March 11th. <b>Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night. </b> Daylight saving time lasts until November 4th when we will need to set our clocks back one hour. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let this time change be a reminder to do a few "Spring" changes. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><ul style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">Change filters in your home's heating and air conditioning system. This saves energy and improves your indoor air quality. Most systems state to change filters monthly, some require a change every six months. Tip: write the date on the filter when you change it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. Make sure you test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors as well. </span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Did you know? </b></u> </span></div><ul><li style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two thirds of households are not in compliance with the national recommendation for the number of smoke alarms set by the National Fire Protection Association. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">About 90percent of American homes do not comply with the recommended number of carbon monoxide alarms per home. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">About 40 percent of those surveyed have no working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"> California requires carbon monoxide detectors in ALL single family homes with at least one detector per level. If your home does not have one, install one now. For smoke alarms, homes should have one installed at the top of each staircase and one in every bedroom or sleeping area, according to the NFPA.</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdD6NGdgiealo_CUBB9oP6ltQqkXaWa6o1Yep6YZMv2KEeQwVOkfvyNv5ymvI_Jg-onZZeCKw2jKTtbMLTjK95plf0wzvjCnWv6M03lEhHI8jrCVhCOTSfjgUpjgoDVylGldQsBlVUs4/s1600/LP+Shoppers+Guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdD6NGdgiealo_CUBB9oP6ltQqkXaWa6o1Yep6YZMv2KEeQwVOkfvyNv5ymvI_Jg-onZZeCKw2jKTtbMLTjK95plf0wzvjCnWv6M03lEhHI8jrCVhCOTSfjgUpjgoDVylGldQsBlVUs4/s640/LP+Shoppers+Guide.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-21217627289219874192012-01-12T14:42:00.000-08:002012-01-12T14:42:49.053-08:00The Architecture of John Lautner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F5Jlg0BW0l-e6o1Pp8EQ11H-TvQLRq5QnfuxWByvp-6ej7jIpfZqNVJXlKIQ4HHv2EL_oZJx0mnO6gv_0JKVXjys6ssA2uc90p2XxU9Vaq_QDflPWebovV1Tcza2nbm5OfaJ2IxQ0aY/s1600/427x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1F5Jlg0BW0l-e6o1Pp8EQ11H-TvQLRq5QnfuxWByvp-6ej7jIpfZqNVJXlKIQ4HHv2EL_oZJx0mnO6gv_0JKVXjys6ssA2uc90p2XxU9Vaq_QDflPWebovV1Tcza2nbm5OfaJ2IxQ0aY/s400/427x640.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>On Sunday, January 22, 2012, join Movies on a Big Screen, AIA Central Valley, SacMod, and Sactown Magazine for a screening of INFINITE SPACE: The Architecture of John Lautner at the Guild Theater at 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Please arrive in time to allow yourself a moment to learn more about the organizations and get comfortable before the film begins.<br />
<br />
RSVP for this event and <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/212743" sb_id="ms__id9559" target="_blank"><span style="color: #5588aa;">get your tickets online via Brown Paper Tickets</span></a>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-7742620538495881622011-11-11T15:31:00.000-08:002011-11-11T15:31:31.540-08:00Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Home. It's The Law!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHZZxGcp64Sj6WdhYiVRqT45oZJN46wsoEA4h1lBO6tmcETjDOmtHZkKLFkA2J1zGEOFje-oYBgzYNnrjurGOxch38NSMdM5C88CSjdlkS11_nJ8xfr0sUT1nw2PvjJyKxkkhWE1VQYk/s1600/carbon-monoxide-detector-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHZZxGcp64Sj6WdhYiVRqT45oZJN46wsoEA4h1lBO6tmcETjDOmtHZkKLFkA2J1zGEOFje-oYBgzYNnrjurGOxch38NSMdM5C88CSjdlkS11_nJ8xfr0sUT1nw2PvjJyKxkkhWE1VQYk/s1600/carbon-monoxide-detector-150x150.jpg" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">New law requires carbon monoxide detectors in all California homes</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">By Victoria Guida - </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">McClatchy Newspapers</span> <br />
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FRESNO, Calif. — When Jason Sanders unwittingly bought a carbon monoxide detector instead of a smoke detector, he didn't know it would one day save his family's lives.<br />
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A year and a half later, Sanders and his wife brought their newborn child home from the hospital to their Turlock, Calif., home and turned on the heat. Days earlier, they had gotten the air ducts fixed, but the repairmen had forgotten to reattach the intake on the heater.<br />
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The house filled with carbon monoxide — an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas — which was soon detected by the device Sanders had accidentally bought.<br />
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"We would've been dead within minutes if it wasn't for the carbon monoxide detector," Sanders said. "It saved our lives."<br />
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A new California state law inspired by such incidents goes into effect. All single-family homes with a gas, oil or coal-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage are required to have a carbon monoxide detector. Multifamily homes have until Jan. 1, 2013.<br />
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Failure to comply with the law could mean a fine of up to $200, but owners will have 30 days to correct the problem first. Craig Tolmie, division chief for CalFire and Fresno County Fire, said at a news conference Wednesday that the fire department will not be "knocking on doors," but he hopes people will comply voluntarily.<br />
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The price for not installing a carbon monoxide detector could be much bigger than the fine. In January, four members of an Oakhurst, Calif., family died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator in the basement. Among the dead were two girls, ages 8 and 10. The house did not have a detector.<br />
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Fire officials say detectors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, as well as on each level of a home.<br />
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A detector should be certified by a recognized third-party testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, and must be approved by the state fire marshal.<br />
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Detectors are available at improvement retailers such as Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware or Walmart. They generally cost between $15 and $45, depending on the features.<br />
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While detectors installed in newly constructed homes must be hard-wired in to the house, devices for existing homes can be battery-operated or plug in with a battery backup. Devices that operate as both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are also available.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What is carbon monoxide poisoning?</span></strong><br />
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Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuels such as gas, oil, wood or coal. Upon inhalation, the gas enters the bloodstream and decreases the ability of blood to carry oxygen to vital organs.<br />
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Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches.<br />
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Because people cannot smell or see it, it is often referred to as "the silent killer," meaning people may not know they are being poisoned.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Land Park Neighborhood Special:</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fugina Construction will professionally and properly install a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your home for $39.99.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Email </span></strong><a href="mailto:fuginaconstruction@sbcglobal.net"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">fuginaconstruction@sbcglobal.net</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> or call 916/215-9293 today for an appointment.</span></strong></div>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-65498965441517553472011-10-05T11:42:00.000-07:002011-10-05T11:42:00.243-07:00Preparing for Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7a2WA4TOHOIo9B9tX2LcYJqxNJEINiIT0qB9EsOL8J79Fc40Ua2YWwcZMRZUvVCWRY_bsUnqTvgZc2U4GQzmPcMXr-IBduXlcLGKROeKFzKPHN6xcLJxshhq1gXneBGtpLz8JmU7ndg/s1600/10411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7a2WA4TOHOIo9B9tX2LcYJqxNJEINiIT0qB9EsOL8J79Fc40Ua2YWwcZMRZUvVCWRY_bsUnqTvgZc2U4GQzmPcMXr-IBduXlcLGKROeKFzKPHN6xcLJxshhq1gXneBGtpLz8JmU7ndg/s200/10411.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>10 tips to help you prepare your home for winter:<br />
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<br />
1) Furnace Inspection<br />
•Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.<br />
•Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly.<br />
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2) Get the Fireplace Ready<br />
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•Cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.<br />
•If the chimney hasn't been cleaned for a while, call a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.<br />
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3) Check the Exterior, Doors and Windows <br />
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•Inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.<br />
•Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering the home and caulk windows.<br />
•Replace cracked glass in windows and, if you end up replacing the entire window, prime and paint exposed wood.<br />
•If your home has a basement, consider protecting its window wells by covering them with plastic shields.<br />
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4) Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts <br />
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•If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, adding extra insulation to the attic will prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams.<br />
•Check flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home.<br />
•Replace worn roof shingles or tiles.<br />
•Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.<br />
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<br />
5) Service Weather-Specific Equipment <br />
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•Drain gas from lawnmowers.<br />
•Service or tune-up snow blowers.<br />
•Replace worn rakes and snow shovels.<br />
•Clean, dry and store summer gardening equipment.<br />
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6) Check Foundations <br />
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•Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation.<br />
•Seal up entry points to keep small animals from crawling under the house.<br />
•Tuckpoint or seal foundation cracks. Mice can slip through space as thin as a dime.<br />
•Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation.<br />
•Secure crawlspace entrances.<br />
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7) Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors <br />
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•Some cities require a smoke detector in every room.<br />
•Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends.<br />
•Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and / or water heater.<br />
•Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work.<br />
•Buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.<br />
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8) Prevent Plumbing Freezes<br />
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•Locate your water main in the event you need to shut it off in an emergency.<br />
•Drain all garden hoses.<br />
•Insulate exposed plumbing pipes.<br />
•Drain air conditioner pipes and, if your AC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.<br />
•If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees.<br />
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9) Prepare Landscaping & Outdoor Surfaces <br />
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•Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or electrical wires.<br />
•Ask a gardener when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury.<br />
•Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs that cannot winter over such as dahlias in areas where the ground freezes.<br />
•Seal driveways, brick patios and wood decks.<br />
•Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area.<br />
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10) Prepare an Emergency Kit <br />
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•Buy indoor candles and matches / lighter for use during a power shortage.<br />
•Find the phone numbers for your utility companies and tape them near your phone or inside the phone book.<br />
•Buy a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment.<br />
•Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food supplies (including pet food, if you have a pet), blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and easy-to-access location.<br />
•Prepare an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency.Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-89760587291855882122011-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:002011-07-26T14:15:55.642-07:00The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRMjW79wKkH_pLNRBaVZlNrLN03t_tc2Rmt6FfemnNDbWoUFsd_2jdA0J-4DU9QO4LRCmBWCXQE6BpKAu6fOLbpoYKAm4FW6WV3aM8F_fQVJMKsStMtcenfRGiMRiLMSOu6m2tXt-6ug/s1600/tahoe-house-exterior-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRMjW79wKkH_pLNRBaVZlNrLN03t_tc2Rmt6FfemnNDbWoUFsd_2jdA0J-4DU9QO4LRCmBWCXQE6BpKAu6fOLbpoYKAm4FW6WV3aM8F_fQVJMKsStMtcenfRGiMRiLMSOu6m2tXt-6ug/s320/tahoe-house-exterior-l.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>The Ultimate Sierra Retreat. The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House takes its design cues from the breathtaking scenery that surrounds it.<br />
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<strong>Rugged yet sophisticated</strong><br />
Bringing nature into our homes is one of the best things about living in the West. The Sunset Lake Tahoe Idea House―located in a scenic, meadow-oriented setting in Truckee, California―is full of earthy materials and textures, colors inspired by the ever-changing landscape, natural light from every possible angle, and walls and windows that blend with the outdoors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_tQ3czy4tcxRLKLK-ui4WaafvS09At8p4Q9Dk1DxoQk-X8mbTbo5xP9VI7PGZ8YK_7bH5EJeZfTBLUAbDPIzAOh_zw1FCSUTI1QvR9ErYs7tkdVo8rWqr8tjCOnPIXMxAnPUHzVxZRw/s1600/tahoe-house-dining-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_tQ3czy4tcxRLKLK-ui4WaafvS09At8p4Q9Dk1DxoQk-X8mbTbo5xP9VI7PGZ8YK_7bH5EJeZfTBLUAbDPIzAOh_zw1FCSUTI1QvR9ErYs7tkdVo8rWqr8tjCOnPIXMxAnPUHzVxZRw/s320/tahoe-house-dining-l.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Overhead, woven strips of reclaimed redwood define the dining area and visually connect to the kitchen.<br />
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Vaulted ceilings of reclaimed fir decking and beams add spaciousness while still feeling intimate; the board-formed concrete walls are surrounded by warm wood on the floor, ceiling, and window trim.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bzDgP6yD7gqgby10R0RcXAvP9QB1mxpjJ6UBQnS30OBL-ic3OAq4D7WP4oMpQdmBDLIFTMMiouEqxZaM5zIhJ-7rrnlGTM9nqR0ovk90wzAjG-leqMXTiiVUEMpsH_g4_Ylb98JXMVY/s1600/tahoe-house-outdoor-shower-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bzDgP6yD7gqgby10R0RcXAvP9QB1mxpjJ6UBQnS30OBL-ic3OAq4D7WP4oMpQdmBDLIFTMMiouEqxZaM5zIhJ-7rrnlGTM9nqR0ovk90wzAjG-leqMXTiiVUEMpsH_g4_Ylb98JXMVY/s320/tahoe-house-outdoor-shower-l.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><strong>Open-air shower</strong><br />
Bathing outdoors is the height of mountain living, especially when done in a rugged style. With its rough natural textures in concrete and stone, this two-person outdoor shower, tucked under the overhang off the master bedroom, provides a thoroughly invigorating alpine experience.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rustic materials</strong><br />
Board-formed concrete and a stone floor accentuate the rugged outdoor theme.<br />
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To learn more about the Sunset Idea Homes log on to: <a href="http://www.sunset.com/home/idea-houses/">http://www.sunset.com/home/idea-houses/</a>Fugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3478511823977564131.post-44444374152537465742011-06-14T15:41:00.000-07:002011-06-14T15:45:46.819-07:00Fugina Construction designs and remodels a 1930's Art Moderne Home in Land Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8vYJZ6_hJ_P0p7MfPjZDG3VxmeVejLVaG0YgF6WZ9J9kB7KO_uq8kMtxzMsbMVupjiUN3BMmsUCYq1nGy6Zwe-Gt5obpqTW0boyjlIMgCZQdSEumpJwKP2lbi5Wm7sdFpLS5dgWD6to/s1600/Cover_City_June2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8vYJZ6_hJ_P0p7MfPjZDG3VxmeVejLVaG0YgF6WZ9J9kB7KO_uq8kMtxzMsbMVupjiUN3BMmsUCYq1nGy6Zwe-Gt5obpqTW0boyjlIMgCZQdSEumpJwKP2lbi5Wm7sdFpLS5dgWD6to/s320/Cover_City_June2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618209287086147474" /></a><br /><br />See our advertisements in Inside The City and Inside East Sac. <br /><br />Check out the June issue of <strong>Home Matters </strong>"<strong>Streamlined Style" A 1930's Art Moderne house gets a very modern update.</strong> Designed and remodeled by Fugina ConstructionFugina Constructionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12044866375787782266noreply@blogger.com0