Bamboo and Cork with more dynamic textures and unusual color options. It’s no secret that bamboo flooring has become a popular eco-friendly flooring solution because it comes from a plant (actually a grass) that regenerates in a very short time. It also furnishes a very hard and nearly indestructible surface.

Thinner hardwood flooring. By using a thinner cut of hardwood one can use far less lumber, plus save as much as 20% of the cost of the commonly used thickness of the material.

Dark stained flooring. The trend toward darker color floors is increasing, and even bamboo can now be stained to reflect that choice. Dark floors offer the look of a more traditional room, and tend to add warmth to the atmosphere.

Wide-plank and hand-scraped flooring. Again, this is a return to a more traditional, handcrafted look. Four to five inch planks have become very popular.

The introduction of more, and better, laminates.

Versatile engineered flooring.

While waiting for the movie to start, I spoke to several architects in the lobby, as well as overhearing several other conversations. All I can say is, if I thought I was alone in the draught that is architecture these days I found out that I am not. The lack of work is pretty much all that was talked about.

During the course of my conversation with this owner I realized that they were looking for an inexpensive fix for a fairly complex problem. There are certain things about a house that a coat of paint or a new front walk just won’t correct. In this case, a small and out-of-proportion entry had been slapped on the front of the house at some point in the past, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. To make matters worse, a bay window had then been appended to the front of this addition. Since the original house is a rather long and low brick ranch, the whole entry structure was too small and too unsubstantial, and the bay window didn’t relate to anything about the house.

I suggested that the bay window be removed, and that the small appendage be enlarged so that it would be more in proportion with the house. In so doing, they would gain a small front porch that would provide protection for the front door, and add character and scale to the front. I was willing to design several schemes for them to look at, and to work with them to keep the costs down.

I soon realized that these folks were not interested in making enough of an investment in the house to achieve any meaningful result. I completely respect their desire to keep the cost minimal, and I hope that I educated them about what it would take to achieve their goals. I have the feeling that they probably will not proceed with the design process now that they are aware of the probable cost. But I am glad to have helped them understand what it takes to make even a small change. Since I don’t charge a fee for an initial consultation they are ahead of the game because they now know what to expect if they decide to go ahead with the work in the future.

I receive calls all the time from builders who are desperate for work (of pretty much any kind) wanting to know if I am working on anything that they can bid on. This tells me that prices have got to be very reasonable and availability is, too.

If you have always dreamed of a better layout for your home, a new kitchen, that first floor master bedroom, or a new screened porch, go to my website www.gellerdesignservices.com to see my work, and let me know if I can help you realize that dream.

And don’t forget, if your addition includes energy saving features there are government approved tax cuts to be had.

I recently read an article in Residential Architect magazine confirming this newest trend. Click on the link and you can read it yourself:

http://www.residentialarchitect.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=279&articleID=1006682

This is a system that combines the insulating properties of expanded polystyrene foam with the solidity of poured concrete. In this case, we used a wall system that is a total of 11″ thick, comprised of two layers of 2.5″ thick foam surrounding a poured 6″ concrete filling. The foam is held together by plastic ties that also support any metal rods needed for additional structural strength.

The system is comprised of individual building blocks stacked together to form a single form for the concrete to be poured into. We lovingly refer to them as Lego’s…haha.

I’m including a few pictures to illustrate what the sytem looks like during construction. I hope they tell the story. If you are interested in seeing the whole series of pictures from that day go here: http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=772286017/a=7062867_7062867/

It was with these same concerns that I was approached to design a first floor addition for clients who already own a large home in North Raleigh, but who are envisioning in the next few years wanting to live all on one floor. With this in mind, I was commissioned to design a large addition that consisted of a bedroom, bathroom with curbless shower, office/den, and a very large solarium with an eating area adjacent to the kitchen. In effect, we were adding a one bedroom house to the existing. It was also adjacent to a new carport, and eliminated steps from the auto area to the entrance to the kitchen, in spite of a hilly site. The result will be a spectacular master retreat when it is finished, taking full advantage of views of the heavily wooded yard, yet fitting in seamlessly with the existing home.

Typical curbless shower installation with frameless glass enclosure

This may be an extreme example of aging in place, but those of us who are approaching a certain age do need to think about the special needs we will be facing. I have designed numerous first floor master bedroom additions for this reason, and I anticipate that the need will only increase in the next 10 years. In doing so, I have become familiar with the physical requirements to accommodate wheelchairs, many of them spelled out in codes and government publications.

For those of you wondering what the next stage of your life will bring, remember that with a little planning and forethought, you can remain in your home for many years to come.

Don’t forget to check out http://alphainventions.comfor more great blogs!

Which means that those of you who have some cash, and a good credit history, are ideally positioned to get a good deal on a foreclosed property. Some of these homes might be newer and in good shape, but a pretty large percentage will be in not-so-good condition. Years of deferred maintenance have taken their toll, sometimes structural, sometimes merely cosmetic. Most will need work.

So you’ve taken the plunge. You landed a good deal on a house. But you’ll need to do some work. Where do you start? What are the improvements that will give you the most value? Where do you find good, competent and skilled workers to do the work?

Since I am a residential designer (full disclosure) I am obviously biased. As someone who spends day in and day out (and lots of evenings) working with homeowners who wish to improve their residences, who better than a professional like me would be qualified to guide you in your mission? Designers and architects are in the loop as far as what people are looking for, how much things cost, state of the art technology, and builders who can accomplish it all.

Others you may want to consult might be realtors, appraisers and contractors. They can give you an idea of how much upgrading to do without pricing yourself out of the market.

The key here is to let the professionals guide you. It would be a shame to take your well-deserved good real estate deal and turn it into a property that is not competitive in the market, whether you’re going to flip it or live in it for a number of years. Starting off on the right path and relying on those who have the proper knowledge will pay off in the long run.

Other North Carolina cities that made the cut were Wilmington (#14) and Charlotte (#13). In case you are interested, the top 3 were all in Texas. Fort Worth was 3, Austin was 2, and Houston was #1.

To read the article yourself go to: http://www.builderonline.com/local-markets/the-healthiest-housing-markets-for-2009.aspx