Custom Home articles from September 2004

Custom Home archives from September 2004

Five lessons.(Editor's Page)
September 1, 2004... The houses honored in the 2004 Custom Home Design Awards program come from the very top tier of the housing market. That doesn't necessarily mean that they come from the most expensive tier. What makes these houses among the finest in the...

Words from the wise: what is the best piece of business advice you have ever received?(On Your Mind)
September 1, 2004... It is the rare custom builder who comes to the job with a formal business education. Most earn their management skills through apprenticeship and trial-and-error experience, picking up essential bits of knowledge where they find it along the...

Property rights: intellectual property, that is.(From the Trenches)
September 1, 2004... Any custom builder who has spent years earning a solid reputation for building houses that have become his company's "brand" understands how valuable those plans are to his livelihood. They're a marketable commodity that sometimes needs to be...

Train, train, train: and then train some more.(Customer Service)
September 1, 2004... Employees can only serve a customer to the extent that they know what to do and how to do it. In a world where change is continual--sometimes exciting, often unwelcome, and frequently disruptive--training can stabilize, encourage, and challenge...

How low should you go? Know when it's time to bid business goodbye.(Case Study)
September 1, 2004... Scenario: When the Byers called Barry Builder to tell him the plans for their new home were ready, he asked them to bring the plans by. Barry had talked with the Byers several times about the possibility of building their home. He liked...

Test your assumptions: how does your operating budget rate?(Strictly Business)
September 1, 2004... The key to a successful financial reporting system is to have a budget to which you can compare your actual operating results. An operating budget is one of the key elements in the planning process. It provides the custom builder with a basis...

Now hear this: listen your way into a sale.(The Top Line)
September 1, 2004... Listening is an excellent strategy to increase your sales and decrease customer service problems. Why? Because, if you have listened effectively, you know exactly what your customer expects from you, and you can deliver. Here is a seven-point...

Kids' spaces.(Custom Touches)
September 1, 2004... Spaces designed for children can be as complicated as the young personalities who inhabit them. Homeowners and parents want rooms that foster imagination and playfulness but also peaceful slumber. They look for spaces that are cozy for one or...

Ahead of the curve: behind the glitz, a Las Vegas penthouse is hard-wired for the future.(The Wired House)
September 1, 2004... If Brent Esry had it his way, every custom electronics project would have to meet the electrical requirements of a commercial installation. In this high-rise condo just off the Las Vegas Strip, having to stick to code on electrical wiring meant...

Out of sight.(The Wired House)
September 1, 2004... The owners of this central New Jersey home were already planning a basement home theater, so their new sunroom didn't need a soup-to-nuts entertainment system. They did, however, want a plasma TV. The problem was, the sunroom's design was so...

Electronic chatter: appliances get smart.(The Wired House)
September 1, 2004... Out in Irvine, Calif., the folks at Smarthome see the networked home in two ways: gadgets that deliver entertainment on one side and appliances that can be controlled on the other. The first group--the networks for sharing Internet access, the...

Simple solutions: Sony makes it easy to offer pre-wired A/V.(The Wired House)
September 1, 2004... Eager to boost the adoption rate of home theater and multi-room audio in high-end homes, Sony has launched a solutions program for installed electronics that's designed to simplify the sales and installation of audio/video packages for builders...

Cable-free: home networking goes wireless.(The Wired House)
September 1, 2004... It took awhile to get used to the idea, but home builders have started to embrace structured wiring as more than just a passing fad. Roughly half of new homes built today boast structured wiring, bundles of high-bandwidth video and data cable...

Lean cuisine.(K+B Studio)
September 1, 2004... Bright, tidy, and well-stocked: that was the clients' vision for the 1,100-square-foot renovation of their Aspen vacation home. "No problem," said architect Scott Lindenau. Well, the existing concrete block construction, low ceilings, and lack...

Pipe dream.(K+B Studio)
September 1, 2004... For clients who wanted "something fresh and modern, but also liked the Arts and Crafts feel," architect Heather McKinney distilled traditional aesthetics into a sleeker look in this Dallas master bath. The material palette of white tile,...

Mod enhancing.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Italian-designed Alea cabinetry by Varenna/Poliform USA offers customized modular solutions for large and small kitchen spaces. Offering a variety of cabinet door finishes, countertop materials, and hardware options, the Alea's modular...

So retro.(Products)
September 1, 2004... Reminiscent of the fixtures found in an elegant 1930s Park Avenue apartment, Kallista's For Town collection by designer Michael S Smith mixes traditional and modern materials for a versatile effect. The For Town Console Table bathroom...

Radiant reflection.(What's New)
September 1, 2004... E-Barrier, a new radiant barrier coating from Sherwin-Williams, offers an alternative to foil-backed radiant barrier substrates. Containing microscopic reflective metal particles, E-Barrier is spray-applied to the underside of uncoated attic...

Power producer.(What's New)
September 1, 2004... Xantrex Technology and Atlantis Energy Systems have partnered to offer an inverter/solar panel combination package that provides custom builders with the means to turn a house into a power-generating station that funnels surplus energy into the...

Mark your calendar: important upcoming events.(Events)(Calendar)
September 1, 2004... Oct. 6-9, Remodeling Show 2004. McCormick Place, Chicago. For information visit www.remodelersshow.com. * Oct. 20-23, Sunbelt Builders Show 2004. Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas. For information visit...

New points of view: the Andersen inHOME at Sundance Film Festival puts windows front and center (and almost everywhere else) to inspire new thinking about their place and function in home design.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... The wood-trimmed windows that make up an entire corner of the Great Room in the Andersen inHOME capture dramatic views of the Wasatch Mountains that overlook Park City, Utah, but they are just one of several inspiring points of view in this...

2004 Custom Home Design Awards.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... The houses presented in this 29-page section are some of the most beautiful you are likely to find anywhere. They are the winners of the 2004 Custom Home Design Awards, CUSTOM HOME'S annual competition to honor excellence in custom home design...

Kevin Kalman.(Great Finds)
September 1, 2004... Kalman Construction, Charleston, S.C. Framing arches with lumber on the jobsite is time-consuming, costly, and frequently yields inconsistent results. Because he builds houses that sometimes boast up to six different ceiling treatments...

George Shaffer.(Great Finds)
September 1, 2004... Frey & Son Homes, Bonita Springs, Fla. For the past two years, Frey & Son Homes has been using a special waterproofing, uncoupling, and vapor pressure equalization membrane beneath its tiled balconies and second-story deck areas. Schluter...

Clear connection.(Fine Finishes)
September 1, 2004... Finding the right glass artist for a project--whether simple or complicated, large or small--can be a difficult task for the busy architect. designer, or custom builder. Evaluating hundreds of glass artists and their work, checking their...

Golden glow.(Fine Finishes)
September 1, 2004... Specializing in several types of gilding finishes, the Gilders' Studio has completed interior and exterior gilding projects on government, institutional, and residential projects around the world. Using gold leaf ranging from 12k to 24k, a...

Historical inspiration.(Lighting)
September 1, 2004... Designed to complement styles such as Mission. Early American. Colonial, and Arts & Crafts, the Historical Lighting collection features vintage copper, antique, Craftsman brown, natural, and verdigris finishes. Art glass shades come in a range...

Flex ability.(Lighting)
September 1, 2004... Designed to install in nearly any shape, the Flex System II track lighting system also can be removed and reshaped in a different design. Available with a wide assortment of fixtures, the system comes packaged with five MR-16 halogen bulbs, 10...

Full circle.(Lighting)
September 1, 2004... Ledra lighting fixtures are designed to swivel 360 degrees to precisely aim the light. They come in four models for display, track, and ceiling applications. Three-watt LED lights provide high-brightness beams in narrow, medium, and elliptical...

Sweet simplicity.(Lighting)
September 1, 2004... Offered in both double and single configurations, the Motiv London Terrace sconce light is constructed of solid brass and is hand finished in polished chrome, polished nickel, polished brass, or satin nickel. The Victorian-style sconce features...

Downward glow.(Lighting)
September 1, 2004... Ideal for a variety of applications, Contractor series recessed downlights offer a range of styles and finishes. They come in 4-, 5-, and 6-inch aperture diameters and are designed to work in both line-and low-voltage systems. Several metal...

Metal magic.(Roofing)
September 1, 2004... Vail Majestic Copper flat-seam metal roofing panels are constructed of solid 16-ounce copper and feature an interlocking panel system with a concealed fastener design. The panel design is rated to resist high winds, gusts, and wind-driven rain....

Tile tails.(Roofing)
September 1, 2004... Made from a formulation of recycled rubber and plastics, Majestic Slate Beaver Tail roofing tiles provide Class A fire resistance and Class 4 hail resistance. The tiles' rounded edge, slate-like clefting and subtle color variations offer...

Weathered wood.(Roofing)
September 1, 2004... Available in four colors that replicate the weathered shades of cedar roofing shakes, Madera concrete files feature a simulated wood texture. Colors include brown with a silvered cast and a pale green that emulates the look of a mossy wood...

Ceramic strength.(Roofing)
September 1, 2004... Designed with the look and texture of quarry-mined slate, Imperial Slate ceramic roof tiles are manufactured in an extra-thick profile and provide a lightweight, less-brittle alternative to slate. The tiles interlock on the side, providing...

Fine vintage.(Roofing)
September 1, 2004... Olde World Vintage roofing tiles feature a random spackling of color to simulate the appearance of antique clay tile. Available in standard weight and Ultralite weight, the tiles meet ASTM requirements for high-cycle freeze/thaw. Bartile....

Deep protection.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... AuraLast wood, now available for all Pozzi Custom windows, protects against decay, water absorption, and termites, the maker says. The solid Western pine windows are pressure-treated to ensure nail and screw holes do not admit moisture and...

Shining colors.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... Six new anodized finishes are available on the manufacturer's complete line of aluminum-clad windows and doors, providing increased rigidity and resistance to peeling, chalking, and corrosion, the maker says. The finishes come in black, light...

Flexible features.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... Customizable 700 series wood windows include double-hung, casement, awning, fixed, and specialty styles in special and custom sizes with pine, oak, cherry, maple, or mahogany interiors. Options include three hardware finishes, three grille...

Gentle push.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... The Push Out casement window eliminates crank handles. Heavy-duty stainless steel friction hinges allow the window sash to be locked in position when open. The window, constructed of Douglas fir with extruded aluminum exterior cladding, comes...

Insulating power.(Windows)
September 1, 2004... LifeGuard Insulated Glass windows meet ASTM E 1996 and ASTM E 1886 Missile Level D rating. The windows feature one pane of impact-resistant laminated glass on the interior and a pane of non-laminated annealed Low-E2 glass on the exterior, with...

Roofing and siding.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... WHEN ROOFING AND SIDING IS DONE WELL, IT MAKES AN INDELIBLE IMPRESSION ON ALL WHO PASS BY. IT MAY BE SUBTLE--SOMETHING YOU CAN'T QUITE PUT YOUR FINGER ON--BUT THE EFFECT IS A COHESIVE EXTERNAL BEAUTY THAT MAKES A HOME STAND APART FROM THE REST....

Sleep efficiency.(Last Detail)
September 1, 2004... This 1,100-square-foot vacation home in Aspen, Colo., may be short on space, but it's big on ideas that make a place for everything, even the owners' two kids. When it's time for bed, they can be tucked snugly into their bedroom's custom...

More than a Castle.(Editor's Notes)
September 1, 2004... People are beginning to wise up about their home sites. They seem to have figured out that all of that expensive dirt surrounding their houses can function as more than just a buffer from the neighbors: it can actually add pleasure to their...

Water world.
September 1, 2004... Water elicits a variety of responses from people and, except in cases like Noah's, most of them are enthusiastic. For homeowners, water features are soothing, serene, cooling, and refreshing additions to outdoor spaces. These projects highlight...

Surface treatment: the basics of ceramic tile.(In Depth)
September 1, 2004... Although it is well known that kitchens and baths sell a house, exterior roomscapes and the lifestyle they suggest are emerging as the new must-haves. For many home buyers, the perfect dream property now includes terraced seating areas, private...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2004... In "Private Paradise," page 38, Summer 2004, a photographer's name was omitted from the project credits. Gerardo Banuelos also contributed photography to the story. CUSTOM HOME OUTDOORS regrets the error.

Under cover: three ways to seamlessly blend an automatic cover with--the pool and deck.(Problem Solved)
September 1, 2004... There's no doubt that an automatic pool cover is worth the up-front investment, Because it's a cover, it enhances safety and saves energy. Because it's automatic, it's as convenient as you can get. But the cover greatly affects the...

Open house: this outgoing house looks inward.
September 1, 2004... When the sliding doors are fully open, it's time for a party in this Orlando, Fla., home. The living room, kitchen, terrace, and pool combine to become one big, happy, indoor/outdoor space. "It's a simple plan," says designer Dan DeLong, but...

Weather or not: a pool house shapes and protects outdoors spaces.
September 1, 2004... "The weather on the Cape is unpredictable, so we set up these spaces to be used all year," says Steven Foote, FAIA, of his latest alterations to this Cape Cod summer and weekend home. Foote recently added a 2,800-square-foot pool house with the...

Unique experience.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... Each Talos outdoor cooking suite from Dynasty by Jade is a custom configuration of outdoor grilling and cooking appliances integrated into an island work area. The stainless steel unit's features include storage cabinets and drawers, side...

Tight spot.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... The compact and adjustable Jayliter landscape spotlighting fixture is small enough to install in confined spaces where larger fixtures won't fit. Constructed of copper and brass, the 12 1/2-inch-tall unit features an adjustable stem and knuckle...

Garden whimsy.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... Custom-designed and carved garden gates are crafted in a variety of styles, from stately to whimsical and come in cedar, walnut, Honduran mahogany, and redwood. Other materials can be used to accent the designs. Oak Leaves Studio. 888.621.2506....

Open and shut.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... Installed flat or pitched, the Eclipse opening roof features aluminum louvers that rotate at the push of a button, letting in light or increasing shade, and providing ventilation. The 12-volt battery is powered by electrical supply or a solar...

Falling water.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... The Nova Fall sheet thaw waterfall features pre installed fiber-optic lighting that illuminates the are of the falling water. The waterfall is available in 18-inch and 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-foot configurations and requires a fiber-optic...

Happy hour.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... The stainless steel outdoor Bartending Center has an all-weather refrigerated base, a built-in sink, a removable cutting board, two chilling drawers, an ice center, and a condiment tray. The unit comes built-in or freestanding, and also...

Safety first.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... The SAVE-T Cover II automatic pool cover system uses a motorized mechanism and keyed or touch-pad controls. Able to fit nearly any shape pool, the pool cover glides on parallel tracks at the turn of a key to form a tight seal, providing a...

Star power.(Outdoor Products)
September 1, 2004... Featuring a retractable 42-inch plasma-screen television, six speakers, and a CD and DVD player system, the Galaxy spa creates an outdoor living room for six adults, A three-pump system drives 49 jets along with a massage-therapy seat with 14...

Architectural cast stone products.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... A&M Victorian Decorations, Inc. 2411 Chico Avenue So. El Monte, CA 91733 800.671.0693 am-vic@pacbell.net www.aandmvictorian.com * Circle no. 101 * Gazebos * Columns * Balustrades * Wall Caps *...

Anima Ceramic Design.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Anima Ceramics 220 N. Zapata Hwy. Ste #11 Laredo, TX 78043 www.animatile.com Circle no 103 * Anima Ceramics is a custom art tile manufacturer of high fire ceramics and ceramic glass mosaic murals. * We have been...

Create customized entertainment centers.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Bull Outdoor Products, Inc. 541 E. Main St. Ontario, CA 91761 800.521.BULL www.bullbq.com * Circle no. 110 * With the BULL BRAMA series outdoor barbecues, you can create a customized entertainment center equipped...

Enhance your railing and your view!.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Feeney Wire Rope & Rigging 800.888.2418 www.cablerail.com * Circle no. 138 * CableRail[TM] stainless steel cable assemblies are the perfect solution for decks with a view. * Slender and unobtrusive, yet strong, durable...

Your pool slide specialist.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Natural Structures PO Box 270 Baker City, OR 97814 1.800.252.8475 * Fax 541.523.0231 info@naturalstructures.com www.naturalstructures.com * Circle no. 125 * Fiberglass Water Slides * Polyethylene Pool &...

Super Vision's Galaxy Light.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Super Vision 407.857.9900 www.svision.com * Circle no. 131 * Super Vision's Galaxy Light is a color changing LED replacement lamp mat screws Into most existing pool or spa housings. * An on-board chip controls the 10...

Epicure 36" built in grill with built in warming ovens.(Backyard Living)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... Dacor 1440 Bridge Gate Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 800.793.0093 www.dacor.com * Circle no. 137 * Brilliant features abound like the industry's first built-in halogen lighting system, illuminating the cooking surface...