Custom Home articles from January 2003

Custom Home archives from January 2003

Pick and choose. .(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... When the good times are rolling merrily along, your job as salesperson and chief promoter is relatively easy. That's certainly been the case during the past five years. Many custom builders could simply sit back and let the work roll in. ...

Beyond the baby boom: emerging markets for custom homes. .
January 1, 2003... The baby boomers have made custom builders' lives easy. By entering the world in such great numbers and then prospering beyond their wildest dreams, they've grown into a ready-made market for luxury housing. Their desire for an upscale...

Set the standard: provide warranty repair guidelines.
January 1, 2003... With the best of intentions, builders often advise company personnel and trade contractors to provide "good" warranty service to homeowners. Unfortunately, unless "good" is defined, the message can be lost in the translation. Assuming that a...

Employee attitudes: look to yourself to set the tone. .
January 1, 2003... Scenario: Barry has noticed that Pinnacle Custom Homes isn't the cheerful, pleasant place it used to be. Back when he was braiding six homes a year, everyone appeared to be dedicated to meeting deadlines, controlling costs, and keeping...

Ten priorities: top moves to a better bottom line. (Strictly Business).
January 1, 2003... Like David Letterman, I've got my own Top 10 list. Unlike Dave's list, though, mine won't get a laugh. However, I can almost guarantee that if you implement my top 10 suggestions, this time next year when you review your bottom line, you'll...

Lighten up: having fun can be a serious sales technique. (The Top Line).
January 1, 2003... A custom builder on the East Coast recently called me to complain that his closing ratio was way down compared with last year. Prospective customers, he said, seemed really tense about the economy and life in general. By the tone in his voice I...

Stair crazy. (Custom Touches).
January 1, 2003... Form, function, comfort, and style aren't the only considerations that go into staircase design. Stringent building codes add another layer of complexity to this essential home element. For a designer, stairs offer an opportunity to flaunt that...

Retro lighting: wireless control for existing custom homes. (The Wired House).
January 1, 2003... Lutron blazed new ground five years ago when it introduced a "lite" lighting system for the retrofit market. The Radio RA system, which could handle 32 lighting points, was the first system from a high-end lighting control company to offer...

Point of view. (The Wired House).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Home theater designer Theo Kalomirakis unraveled a knotty problem in this Jupiter, Fla., home. His solution was elegant enough to take the Best Home Theater Architecture award in the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association's...

Language lesson. (What's New).(Book Review)
January 1, 2003... More than 25 years ago, Christopher Alexander and a group of young architects published A Pattern Language, which was based on their work identifying patterns for designing and building environments that comfort and delight users. This...

Endless options. (What's New).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Until recently, users of Andersen windows had to go elsewhere when they wanted to spec windows and patio doors in custom shapes, sizes, and materials. But with its purchase of Canadian window maker KML Windows, Andersen now can produce...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events. (Events).
January 1, 2003... Jan. 21-24, International Builders' Show. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas. For information, call 800.368.5242, ext. 8111, or visit www.buildersshow.com. * Jan. 28-31, Surfaces Expo. Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas. For...

Elevated perspective: a Georgia retreat takes the broad view. (On Site).
January 1, 2003... Young architect designs first house for parent. It is a story as old as the profession. But in designing a weekend home for his father, architect Eric Robinson experienced some twists on this time-honored rite of passage. The site, on a barrier...

Get to know acrylic: easy cleaning and durability make homeowners happy and increase referrals, making more and more contractors want to ... (Advertisement).
January 1, 2003... How do contractors please today's customers and increase referrals? When it comes to the bathroom, more and more, the answer is acrylic. Recent research identifies two key items that can make homeowners most happy: First, bathroom surfaces...

Intelligence gathering: a world-beating company runs on the power of ideas. (Custom Builder of the Year).
January 1, 2003... That this year's Custom Builders of the Year are Andrew Goldstein and Charles Barry will come as no surprise to those involved in high-end custom building in the Boston area. In fact, some might ask why it took so long. For more than a...

Solar challenge: competition to save energy. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored a Solar Decathlon, an event that pitted 14 teams of architecture and engineering students against each other to see which could design, build, and operate the most energy-efficient and...

Southwall Technologies. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... Heat Mirror Solar Control 75 insulating glass suspends a clear, coated film between two panes of glass to reduce heat gain by more than 50 percent and to block 99.5 percent of ultraviolet radiation and reduce interior fading. Heat Mirror...

Phenix biocomposites. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... Using renewable, sustainable, and recycled resources, the company's building materials can be used to create cabinetry or furniture. The Dakota Burl composite material is created from sunflower seed hulls and provides the appearance of natural...

EastPenn manufacturing. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... Deka Solar/PV series batteries offer backup power for renewable energy applications such as solar power, with minimum maintenance required, according to the maker. Batteries are available in flooded, gel valve-regulated, and absorbed...

AFM. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... Using only non-exploited raw materials and 0-VOC colorants, and eliminating formaldehyde and formaldehyde precursors, Safecoat paints are low-VOC and nontoxic. Available in an unlimited range of colors for interior or exterior applications,...

AstroPower. (State of the Art).
January 1, 2003... The company's SunChoice line offers two scalable solar electric home power systems designed to operate automatically. SunLine and SunUPS systems feature AstroPower solar panel modules, "plug-and-play" wiring, a power management system, and a...

Ray Tonjes: Ray Tonjes Builder Inc., Austin, Texas. (Product Report from the Field).
January 1, 2003... With termites a growing problem in Texas, Ray Tonjes has had to find creative solutions to termite prevention. Using pesticides is inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, he says, plus, "chemicals don't hold up very well." To protect his...

Mike Caponetti: GF Rhode Construction, Boston. (Product Report from the Field).
January 1, 2003... On a recent project in suburban Boston, GF Rhode Construction contracted with OpenAire, designer and manufacturer of retract able roof enclosures and operable skylights, to build a custom enclosure for the residence's swimming pool. The company...

Written in stone. (Fine Finishes).
January 1, 2003... Mosaic artist, stone mason, builder, designer, and ceramist Eric Rattan of Santa Fe Design Studio in Madison, Wis., says he loves working in stone because of the inherent beauty of the material and because of its permanence. The recipient of...

European contemporary. (Fine Finishes).
January 1, 2003... Stew Langer, artist in kiln-formed glass, begins a custom project by analyzing the venue, his client's needs and concerns, the budget, and his own personal feelings about the space. From floor-to-ceiling motorized glass, laminate, and metal...

Craftsman column. (Molding & Millwork).
January 1, 2003... The new tapered Bungalow Column is custom-made for each application. The polyvinyl chloride columns resist moisture and insects. Chadsworth's 1.800.COLUMNS. 800.265.8667. www.columns.com. Circle 150 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Classic columns. (Molding & Millwork).
January 1, 2003... Classic architectural wood columns are available in round, square, or pilaster configurations. All elements of the columns are milled from woods such as clear heart redwood, cherry, oak, mahogany, and others. Melton Classics. 800.963.3060....

Detailed decor. (Molding & Millwork).
January 1, 2003... Hardwood species are hand-carved in a deep-sculpting process. Shown here in cherry. Corinthian capitals combine with egg-and-dart trim on paneled library walls. Architectural Paneling. 212.371.9632. www.apaneling.com Circle 151 ...

Reclaimed past. (Molding & Millwork).
January 1, 2003... A wide variety of salvaged wood species are recycled into baseboards, paneling, crown molding, wainscoting, and more. Stock and custom profiles are available. Pioneer Millworks. 800.951.9663. www.pioneermillworks.com. Circle 152 ...

New old world. (Moulding & Millwork).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Specializing in historical reproductions, new profiles, and custom designs, the company can mill molding to match an existing profile sample, an artist's rendering, architect's drawing, or photo. Old World Mouldings. 631.563.8660. www.old...

Crystal revival. (Door Hardware).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The fluted crystal and brushed nickel knob of the Wentworth Colonial Revival door set measures 6 5/8 inches long-and 2 1/4 inches wide. The door set also is available with a smooth Deco knob and in lacquered polished brass. Rejuvenation....

Modern curve. (Door Hardware).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Designed by architect Ron Arad, this door lever comes in satin chrome (shown), brass, brass/satin brass, and chrome/satin chrome and is constructed of brass. The Ron Arad collection also includes door pulls. Valli&Valli. 877.326.2565....

Asian art. (Door Hardware).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Handmade of enamel inlaid in a brushed satin pewter base. Cloisonne knobs and pulls are available in three patterns and a variety of colors betsyfieldsdesign, 800.542.3789. www.libertyhardware.com Circle 157 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mountain bronze. (Door Hardware).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Solid bronze escutcheons and levers make up the new contemporary line of sandcast door hardware. The patinaed colors and textures oxidize naturally to a deep bronze luster, Rocky Mountain Hardware. 888.788.2013. www.rockymountainhardware.com....

Wired up. (Door Hardware).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Artifact lever, available in polished stainless steel and polished bronze finishes, features a wire-wrapped handle and asymmetrical mounting face. Two styles, with a return and without a return, meet ADA guidelines. Forms + Surfaces....

Top drawer. (Last Detail).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Oakland, Calif.-based architect Lindy Small sought to give her clients multiple uses for every space in their 3,000-square-foot Orinda, Calif., remodel. Since coat closets seldom fill up in this temperate climate, Small designed the seasonal...