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Walking the line between architect and showoff
By Rob Heselbarth - Friday November 9, 2012
I expect to see architecture on the cover of architecture magazines. Sometimes, however, I see photos that perpetuate a stereotype that many architects I’ve met in the past nine years tell me they wish didn’t exist. This stereotype is one of design professionals who are more interested in selling their vision rather than an ability to make their clients’ vision come to life. As one might expect of articles that follow such cover photos – photos in which only people are shown with no architecture – the editorial focus is on the person, his or her vision, awards, education, portfolio and interests. These interests might include architectural styles he or she is “into” these days. Rarely is a client’s dream listed as... -
The Digital Divide
By Kenneth W. Betz - Monday November 5, 2012
At some point early on at the Remodeling Show in Baltimore (Oct. 10-12) I was struck by the fact I was surrounded by technology, most of it working only part of the time, if at all. Wi-Fi was not to be had on the show floor, at least not reliably. Now, to be honest, I wasn’t all that concerned because I have neither a smartphone nor a laptop. Then there were the booth personnel, relentlessly thumbing their smartphones. I used to think these were really important people with a lot of urgent messages – until one of them offered to find his company's PR contact for me and engaged in that very same interminable thumbing behavior. It was then I finally realized most of those people intently staring at their smartphones were just looking... -
Free marketing we all can do
By Bonnie Pickartz - Thursday November 1, 2012
One of the most effective ways to increase your visibility in your local market is to get involved with community groups, and to step up when they need volunteers. Most of us do that in our private lives, but don't bring the business name into the mix. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to brand your company locally as a company that cares, a company that steps in when there is a need, a company that helps the community. So, how do you do this? There are probably more directions you can take than I can count, and many of them are specific to your community, but these three steps will give you a start. 1) Attend community meetings. You can read what happened at the aldermen's meeting and get the short story, but... -
The Evolution of Modern Moulding
- Monday October 29, 2012
Editor's Note: This is the third in a five-part series about mouldings, taken from a whitepaper by Fair Lawn, N.J.-based Kuiken Brothers Co. Inc. titled "Using Moulding to Enhance the Beauty and Elegance of a Space and Create New Revenue Streams." Almost all mouldings are replicated from unique/original and custom designs from products craftsmen created more than 200+ years ago. Many of these original craftsmen studied and understood proper scale and proportion and the ancient orders of Greek and Roman architecture. Throughout time, the designs were subtly distorted. An easy way to reproduce these elegant design elements was to take a moulding off of a wall, trace it on a piece of paper, fax it to a mill, and ask the mill to... -
Growing Mature Consumer Base Favors Comfort & Style
By Janice Costa - Wednesday October 24, 2012“Mature” buyers used to be viewed by much of the industry as something of an afterthought. These consumers weren’t seen as investing in major kitchen and bath remodels in great numbers – certainly not the way the baby boomers did, with their growing families, growing incomes and desire to keep up with (or surpass) the Jones. Nor were they viewed as offering the same opportunity as young consumers, who, despite limited disposable income, tended toward more creative designs and lots of technology, with the added bonus of potentially being customers for many decades to come. But with the aging of America, that’s all changing. Older consumers are remodeling in higher numbers than in years past – surpassing other age demographics... -
Why the 25E Residential Performance Tax Credit Matters
By Jeff Kaliner - Monday October 22, 2012
By Jeff Kaliner Federal tax credits for residential energy efficiency projects aren’t new to the home remodeling industry. The recent credits for windows and doors that were valid in 2010 and 2011 gave our industry a boost when the stinging memory of 2008 made consumers nervous to invest in their homes. Green home projects helped homeowners ease back into investing in their property because of the return on investment, lower utility bills, and increased resale value they promised. Now that we’re seeing more stability in the market in 2012, another exciting tax credit is on the horizon – the 25E Residential Performance Tax Credit. 25E is exciting because it provides consumers the opportunity to see the drastic impact of energy... -
Why 13 is lucky in home design
By Todd Mather - Friday October 19, 2012
I love numbers. Not math necessarily, although that does intrigue me. I find an unusual pleasure in hosting parties on dates such as August 8 in 2008, and this past week on 10/11/12. My car features the plate 6022AV0 . For those with a chemistry background, I challenge you to point out its origin. One of my favorite books is The Nothingness That Is: The Natural History of Zero . Fascinating! I even go so far as to use a prime number whenever I can. Why not? I like the larger numbers like 113, 311 or 3001. Call me strange but I have a web site bookmarked on my phone for those opportunities in which I might use one (http://www.calculus.info/tables/prime/prime.html). No one really knows…or probably cares, but it humors me... -
Remodeling Show Recap
Rob Heselbarth, Editorial Director Based on the unscientific method of guess-making, attendance at this year’s Remodeling Show and DeckExpo appeared better than when it was in Baltimore two years ago, but roughly the same as it was in Chicago last year. Regardless, manufacturers were pleased at attendance and the quality of the remodelers visiting their booths and inquiring about new products. Thankfully the event is co-located with the DeckExpo, which buzzed a little louder than the Remodeling Show side of the show floor. The DeckExpo included more attendees and more new products than the Remodeling Show event, and there’s no obvious explanation for this observation. One possible reason is the popular belief that homeowners are... -
Choosing Remodelers
By Mark Gandy - Monday October 8, 2012
Choosing the right kitchen or bath remodeler can be a very stressful experience for your clients. If planned properly it can also be one of the most exciting times of their lives. They are entrusting a stranger with the safety of their money, home and family. Making the right decision can be the difference between a seamless and satisfying experience and a remodeling nightmare. Take the time to educate your clients to help them choose a remodeler who understands their needs, speaks their language and respects their lifestyle. The following are summarized points from the NAHB pamphlet “How to Choose a Remodeler” that can help your clients go through the process of choosing a remodeler: Before you meet with a remodeler develop an idea... -
My 9 predictions for housing in the year 2100
By Rob Heselbarth - Thursday October 4, 2012
Every now and then an airline magazine publishes an article that interests me, far more than what some celebrity enjoys about his or her favorite city. A recent issue of American Way magazine published an article based on an interview with string-theorist and part-time futurist Michio Kaku, which interested me more than usual. Kaku, who has published many books including his most recent book about science and technology’s influence on life in 2100, shared his predictions for life during what remains of this century, including… …People will surf the web via eye glasses or contact lenses. …The walls of one’s home will be intelligent, and capable of simulating a shopping experience in three dimensions, or visiting...