Custom Home articles from May 2004

Custom Home archives from May 2004

Skin deep.(Editor's Page)
May 1, 2004... What gets people excited about building a new home? I'm pretty sure that it's the surface stuff--the glossy finishes, glitzy details, and enviable luxuries--and not the basics that gets their hearts beating faster. We all want--no,...

Natural affinity.(Feedback: readers have their say.)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I just finished a fast tour through the March 2004 issue of CUSTOM HOME. Nice job on a nice magazine! Reading some of the pieces reminded me of the natural affinity between the so-called custom home builder and the so-called remodeling...

Second homes.(Feedback: readers have their say.)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... After reading about second homes in the March issue ("The Good Life," page 76), here are my thoughts about this market. After the stock market became soft a few years ago we started to see some clients become more conservative about the...

Hitting the wall: when was the last time you had to reinvent your business?(On Your Mind)
May 1, 2004... It can happen in any number of ways. Your volume grows to the point where it begins to overload your systems. Assumptions on which you based your current business plan fail to pan out. Your market changes, forcing you to rethink where you fit...

Service check: how do you measure up?(Customer Service)
May 1, 2004... With the recent attention to customer satisfaction the J.D. Power and Associates survey has spawned, many companies are running in circles trying to arrive at a method for servicing customers that works. The big "winners" in the survey realm...

Vanishing profits: are you working harder for less?(Case Study)
May 1, 2004... Scenario: Times were good for Barry Builder Homes. Sales were at an all-time high, with four houses under construction, three more houses under contract, and strong leads for three more. At his current level of production, Barry wouldn't be...

Cash flow: keep track of costs, revenue, and profit.(Strictly Business)
May 1, 2004... Accounting normally involves matching revenue from the sale of an object with all the costs of producing and delivering that object within a specific time period. For industries other than construction, this matching process is relatively...

Prepare for success: get ready to make the sale.(The Top Line)
May 1, 2004... Among the best salespeople, closing a deal with a killer presentation may look effortless but it's no accident. The best custom builders prepare themselves in many ways in order to deliver a dynamic sales presentation. Here are eight key...

Small victories.(K+B Studio)
May 1, 2004... Working with a mere 1,250 square feet of total living space, architect Belmont Freeman managed to make this 12-by-8-foot Manhattan kitchen seem airy. Never mind that the multi-tasking alcove also serves as laundry room, coat closet, and pantry....

Steam clean.(K+B Studio)
May 1, 2004... A disciplined design attitude coupled with a self-imposed edict to preserve sweeping spaces allowed architect Belmont Freeman to transform 7 feet by 12 feet of this Manhattan renovation into a luxurious master bath. With only two exterior walls...

Pretty packages.(K+B Studio/Products)
May 1, 2004... With a choice of two vanity cabinet styles, three sizes, two finishes, three granite tops, two faucet sets in two finishes, and four undermount sink options, the Bathroom in a Box from Cole & Co. provides a turnkey package for creating a...

Kitchen cafe.(K+B Studio/Products)
May 1, 2004... The Profi-Coffee Center, a built-in, fully plumbed coffee-making appliance, is sophisticated enough to satisfy both the coffee gourmet and the basic cuppa-joe coffee drinker The stainless steel coffee machine from Kuppersbusch is completely...

Consumer education: OnQ home emphasizes the importance of structured wiring.(The Wired House)
May 1, 2004... When it comes to choosing amenities for their dream home, homeowners are far more likely to perceive the value of a granite countertop or a whirlpool tub than the advantages of structured wiring. The wiring industry hasn't done much to...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events.(Trend Lines/Events)(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... June 2-4, Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities. Hilton Hotel, Portland, Oregon. For information call 416.686.5887 or visit www.greenroofs.ca. * June 10-12, American Institute of Architects National Convention. McCormick Place, Chicago....

Western addition: a San Francisco survivor dresses up and down at the same time.(On Site)
May 1, 2004... Among America's great cities, perhaps none so prides itself on being different as San Francisco. And in that department, San Francisco has plenty to be proud of: its topography, nearly as vertical as it is horizontal; its weather, which can...

Perfect pleats.(New Products for Custom Homes)
May 1, 2004... Featuring pleated porcelain bisque shades. Limoges lighting is available in several configurations, including sconces, a wall bracket, pendants, and a ceiling fixture. Each shade (most with soft fluted shapes) is sculpted into pleats, Brushed...

Round the curve.(New Products for Custom Homes)
May 1, 2004... The low-voltage halogen-lamped Flex-Line track lighting system flexes for either curved or linear installations. The two-circuit system allows for twice the amount of illumination and for fixtures to be switched on one circuit or the other....

Swirling colors.(New Products for Custom Homes)
May 1, 2004... Inlaid with copper, gold, or silver, this line of carved and kiln-formed glass sinks is first carved by hand and colored with the swirling shades of a desert palette. Each sink is then backed with one of the three precious metals. Coyote Glass...

Load up.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... The SmartLoad top-loading clothes dryer's drum tumbles forward and back in a reverse-tumble drying action to reduce creasing and tangling and improve the evenness of drying. The full-size dryer has five cycles, including wrinkle guard, timed...

Acoustic coffers.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Constructed of oak, cherry, or poplar, the QuietZone Acoustyle coffered wood ceiling system offers the style of a coffered ceiling with the performance of integrated sound absorption. The prefinished panels and trims are incorporated into a...

Nouveau transitional.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to span styles from Craftsman through contemporary, the Novus series features chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, and bath brackets based on the shape of an inverted pyramid with softly curved edges. Heavy cast marbled glass and metal...

Brick by brick.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Crafted of a lightweight cast limestone, the antique glazed Brickline collection features a series of integrated glazed bricks in 10 different colors set into fireplace surrounds and stove hoods. The color glazings highlight the varied textures...

Attractive humidification.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... The In-wall Humidifall contains a fully functional humidifier capable of humidifying a 2,700-square-foot space while providing the aesthetic appeal of an indoor waterfall. A UV light sterilizer, hard water filter, and built-in auto flush...

Roughed up.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Each species in the engineered Hardwood Essence collection features a top layer that is hand-sculpted to create a rough-hewn texture and aged patina. Santiago hickory, El Dorado maple, and Augustine walnut come in eight finishes in...

Quiet and clean.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Featuring the Whisper Quiet Plus sound package, the Ensemble front-loading washer and dryer are offered in a Meteorite matte metallic finish. The washer's 3.7-cubic-foot capacity has 12 programs. The machines may be stacked, placed...

Fresh faced.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... The Doverra hearth collection features monolithic mantel surrounds and shelves cast from a fiberglass-reinforced cement material that weighs less than typical stone facing, materials. The mantels come in two patterns--filled and...

Fire damper.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... The PEX residential fire protection system integrates sprinklers with cold water plumbing and meets National Fire Protection Association requirements for multipurpose sprinkler systems. The system routinely supplies a home's cold water plumbing...

Dazzling stairs.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... With treads made from clear or patterned glass with minimal support elements, Custom Glass Stairs refract light and appear to float in mid-air. A unique structural system allows the maker to adapt the components to each client's specs without...

Curving candelabras.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Constructed of wrought iron, the Messina collection's model 9031 chandelier features 12 uncovered candelabra base lamps and measures 27 1/2 inches high and 41 1/2 inches wide. The chandelier has a natural iron finish. Designers Fountain....

Artful glass.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Custom Wood Doors' IWP collection of interior sculpted-glass doors are available in six designs in frames constructed from a variety of wood species, including knotty alder, mahogany, and fir. Jeld-Wen. 800.468.3667. www.jeldwen.com. Circle 456...

Hot handles.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Crafted from molten glass, Art Glass door knobs fit on Baldwin's Estate hardware. Shown is model 131102, featuring millefiori glass beads. Out of the Blue Design Studio. 727.864.3902. www.outofthebluedesignstudio.com. Circle 457 ...

Simple versatility.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... With natural variations, multi-colored blends, and highly textured surfaces, the Slate collection for walls and floors is available in square field tiles and in mosaic sheets in several sizes, as well as harlequins and trims. The Slate...

Warm stones.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Thermostat-controlled, wall-mounted heating stones and tiles produce radiant warmth. The Natural Stone system comes in granite, marble, limestone, or terra-cotta as well as stone mosaics. M&M Trade International. 770.869.2616....

Architectural embellishments.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Carved from lindenwood, a new line of architectural molding accents includes four new corbel designs--three in three sizes, one in two sizes--two stars, and two rosettes with stars. White River Hardwoods. 800.558.0119. www.mouldings.com. Circle...

Color tile.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Made from 93 percent natural quartz, the Retro series of engineered stone tiles comes in 58 colors and is ideal for residential flooring and interior veneers. Matching tiles, slabs, and trims are available. Tiles come in 12-, 16-. and 24-inch...

Kentucky home.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Available in ash, American cherry, white oak, pecan/hickory, and American walnut, the Old Kentucky collection of hardwood flooring has an uneven texture crafted to resemble planks reclaimed for old buildings. The planks feature purely...

Burn and breathe.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... An air-management system on the FreshAir fireplace eliminates the need for a glass front. Instead. an integrated heat recovery ventilator provides a balanced combustion system that constantly ventilates the home at a rate of eight whole-house...

Dry and comfy.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to manage moisture ill basements and other below-grade rooms, the DRIcore engineered wood subflooring system combines a 2-foot-square engineered wood panel with a rigid, moisture-resistant polyethylene sheet with raised dimples. The...

Gentle care.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Combining the functionality of a traditional clothes dryer with an attached upper drying cabinet, the Neptune drying center dries special-care clothing as it hangs from the swaying WrinkleRelease rod or is laid flat on removable wire mesh...

Crafty concoction.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Mixing arctic-glazed Brentwood maple upper cabinets in a shale finish with Littleton red birch lower cabinets in an autumn finish, the Craft Center provides ample storage and organization for arts and crafts materials and projects. The center...

Ultimate accessibility.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed and customized for each client's storage needs, the Ultimate Wardrobe system features glass-front, full-extension drawers; pull-out shelves; staggered corner carousels: and angled, pull-out, and rotating shoe shelves, Swing rods for...

Pole position.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Constructed of stainless steel and glass, the DuPole Elite storage system can be configured for multiple applications, such as closets or workspaces, with a variety of baskets, tabletops, and shelves in glass, wire, and wood. DuPole Systems....

Grainy texture.(Interior Products)
May 1, 2004... Part of the Natural Inspirations Longstrip collection. German Smoked Oak hardwood flooring features eased edges and is wire-brushed to enhance its grain, then finished with a low-luster oil. The flooringring installs with a horizontal glueless...

Super storage.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Featuring one wooden knife block and three utensil wells, as well as a 5-inch-tall backsplash with an integral wedge-shaped drawer, work-top sink model 0450 offers ample storage. The stainless steel sink measures 24 inches wide by 16 inches...

Modern loft.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Loft kitchen faucet features a spout that swivels 180 degrees to cover an entire sink. The Loft can accommodate any sink configuration because of its optional center-to-center positions; 8 inches is standard, but 6 1/2-inch and 9 1/2-inch...

Tap a vein.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Okite marble collection of quartz surfacing features a textured surface that resembles the veining of marble. Available in a range of colors, Okite is made of 93 percent natural quartz and resists stains, scratches, and heat. Seiffe....

Chilling quietly.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to match the maker's Professional series appliances, a new line of built-in refrigerators features quiet operation. stainless steel fronts. tempered glass interior shelves, and brushed aluminum interior mils. Eighteen models come in...

Modern art.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Harrison hickory cabinet line reflect the Arts and Crafts style, but adds a modern edge. The recessed panel doors feature full-overlay construction that reduces the appearance of the front frame. Door frames and drawer fronts are solid...

Slick splashes.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Stainless steel wallsplashes are constructed of 24-gauge stainless steel. Standard sizes am available, but the maker specializes in custom wall-splashes with finished edges and electrical cut-outs. The wallsplashes are available in a variety...

Fuss-free.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The company's new traditional kitchen concept offers understated details. Here, the Cashmere glaze is shown on the Vintage door style. Each cabinet is built in either framed mortise-and-tenon construction or in frameless dowel construction,...

Classic contours.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Classic canopy hood features at radiused profile achieved through a fusion weld that climates joints. Contour bands accent the curve of the hood, but are attached invisibly. Round head solid rivets of brass, copper, or steel can be added,...

Simple lines.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Featuring panel-over-panel construction, the Bridgeton cabinet is constructed of tiger maple with a nutmeg stain. A hand-applied bead around the inside opening provides an increased dimensional look. Crown Point Cabinetry. 800.999.4994....

Pure and clean.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Icon stainless steel dishwasher uses 100 percent filtered water and features a condensation system that decreased cool-down time. The SmartSoil sensor constantly monitors that amount of food particles in the water and adjust the cycle...

Deep fried.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Featuring a large 1-gallon capacity tub, the Integrated Electric Fryer Cooktop can handle a whole chicken or large portions of small items. The 15-inch-wide fryer is constructed of stainless steel and also has illuminated touch controls, an...

Petite details.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Small Stafford kitchen island with carved top features an ornately detailed, hand-finished, hardwood base decorated with carved moldings and corbels. The curved ends of the wooden top provide additional workspace. The island is distressed...

Retro chic.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Northstar retro range features a large oven cavity, an analog clock With a vanishing digital display, and an optional warmer. The Northstar reflects classic 1950S style and iS available ill eight colors, Elmira stove Works, 800.295.8498;...

Copper cast.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The heavy-gauge all-copper sink features a double basin and an extra-thick casting that absorbs noise and deflects scratches and dings, the maker says. Each basin is 9 1/2 inches deep; the full unit measures 35 inches wide and 23 1/2 inches...

Sleek venting.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Sirius collection of range hoods in both wall mount and island configurations feature a variable-speed exhaust system. Heat-overload sensors and delay-off timers aid operation. The hoods come to stainless steel and stainless steel with...

Exotic beauty.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Wood countertops crafted of exotic Australian hardwoods such as fiver redgum, brushbox, jarrah, Tasmanian blackwood, and rosewood are available in lengths up to 18 feet, widths up to 36 inches, and in 1 1/2- and 1 3/8-inch thicknesses. Each...

Polished pulls.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... Constructed of solid stainless steel and designed to complement stainless steel appliances. Knull cabinet hardware combines the appearance and operation of both a pull and a knob. Available in polished and brushed finishes, the No. 4. inline...

Heat wave.(Kitchen Products)
May 1, 2004... The Preference 36-inch all-gas cooktop features two SimmerSear burners ranging in BTUs from 500 to 18,000 and 400 to 12,500. Three mid-range burners provide cooking flexibility. The cooktop accommodates oversized pots and pans, as well as five...

Hidden depths.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Available in a variety of wood species, the Sterling double-hung window features a design that conceals all vinyl components of the window, including the jamb liner, block and tackle balances, and the grooves they are installed in. The...

Unique print.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The Siedle-Fingerprint entry system stores homeowners' fingerprints and compares read-in fingerprints to the stored prints of authorized users to determine admittance. Prints that match unlock the door. The fingerprint-recognition module...

Safe alternative.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Nature Wood Southern yellow pine pressure-treated shakes and shingles now offer an alternative chemical treatment to CCA-treated shakes and shingles: alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). Nature Wood shakes and shingles are treated to prevent rot...

Expertly handled.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The new Athinai, Toronto, Rodos, and New Orleans swing door handles are forged of solid brass and are available in several new Resista finishes that will not tarnish, peel, or crack. The new finishes include satin nickel, antique nickel,...

Color coatings.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Providing the look and texture of stucco with the durability of brick, the PastelCote brick finishing system is available in nine new colors, including pastel buff, shown here. The product has also been reformulated to improve application and...

Coppery highlights.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The Commorata decorative window dormer is designed with old-fashioned architectural details and is available in copper as well as in lead-coated copper, tin-coated copper, Kynar 500 aluminum and steel, and several other metals. A pre-patina...

Deep freeze.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The ETI LCR-1 Snow Switch snow control system operates its de-icing heaters only at temperatures below 38 degrees F. The sensors mount directly to the roof and start the de-icing process before snow and ice accumulate. Environmental Technology....

Panel appeal.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The raised-panel wood-hinged patio door features a single or double panel on both the interior and exterior. In pine, oak, maple, cherry, or mahogany, the panel's exterior is either aluminum-clad or primed. The doors come in in-swing or...

Up-draft.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Providing a finishing touch to a chimney while also catching prevailing winds to increase the chimney's updraft, antique and European-manufactured chimney pots are available in a wide array of styles in heights from 14 inches to 7 feet. Made of...

Perfect integration.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to generate electricity while seamlessly aligning with concrete tile roof shingle systems, Gecko rooftop-integrated solar power modules feature an interlocking design that allows the modules to replace some of the roof tiles. The...

Stately architecture.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The Biltmore Estate For Your Home garage door collection features six designs. Each model features a Western red cedar overlay and a variety of wood options for the base. Decorative metalwork hardware and seeded or straw glass are available....

Dim the lights.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Infinitint electrically dimmable windows, skylights, and doors utilize a tinted film that controls the amount of light, glare, and heat transmitted through the glazing. The glazing blocks more than 99 percent of UV radiation and meets all U.S....

Colorful openings.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The maker has expanded its clad color options for its extruded aluminum-clad wood windows and doors. New colors are cobalt blue, cascade blue, cadet grey, cumulus grey, Sherwood green, Hampton sage, cashmere beige, coconut cream, and Sierra...

Vital villas.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Designed to replicate the look of the stone used in structures throughout Europe. Italian Villa Stone fieldstones and ledgestones are available in an array of standard and custom colors. The manufactured stones come in a variety of sizes....

Copper coating.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Available in three profiles--tile, shingle, and standing seam--the copper-plated, stainless steel roof system combines the corrosion-resistance of steel with the aesthetic appeal of copper. The natural copper finish ages to a patina, but the...

Wonderful woods.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Custom built solid butcher-block wood entry doors feature rail-and-stile construction with floating panels that allow expansion and contraction of the door unit without damaging the stiles and rails. Doors in rustic and contemporary designs are...

Backup charged.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The LiftMaster EverCharge battery backup system is designed to maintain garage door functions during power outages. The backup system features a trickle charge that plugs directly into the garage door opener system. Continuous service to the...

Easy roller.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Utilizing a patented European-designed roller, the LiftSlide door system features large glass panels that roll easily on their track. The track projects only 3/16-inch above finished floor surfaces. The system is available in configurations...

Rustic durability.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Reflecting the architecture of Tuscany and the American Southwest in a durable, rot- and crack-resistant material. Classic-Craft Rustic fiberglass entry doors feature smooth-grained panels with a natural stained-wood appearance and...

Blocked out.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... The Solar Reflective glass block features a metal oxide coating on its inside face to control the passage of sunlight, improve energy efficiency, and reduce solar heat gain. A partial vacuum provides insulating value. The blocks come in a clear...

Stand strong.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Tested to withstand 140-mph winds and impact capacity, the solid wood Hurricane Frame garage door features a full-length, clear Douglas fir frame with exterior plywood on both sides for rigidity. They come in a variety of wood species. Designer...

Creative crests.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Capital Crestings roof crestings and matching finials, snow guards, and window box balconettes come in 23 Victorian designs. Fabricated of ASTM A36 steel. they are available in three thicknesses. The crestings can be made in custom sizes and...

Shingle style.(Exterior Products)
May 1, 2004... Handcrafted from clay. Pilgrim shingle-style roof tiles vary in surface texture from nearly smooth to a deeply scored surface that can be ordered "extra crispy"--warped and twisted. Available in red, brown, and black. Pilgrim roof tiles come in...