Mindy Drayer from NBC4 had a chance to chat with Design on a Dime star and BIA Parade of Homes guest Frank Fontana about what made him interested in design and ways in which people can easily and cheaply impact their own homes.
Archive for the ‘Home Features’ Category
Countdown to the Parade with Zeppernick Custom Homes
In his idea video, Kevin Zeppernick talks about his favorite idea in his home: a master bathroom with a private balcony AND a fireplace.
Zeppernick Homes at the 2010 BIA Parade of Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
It’s Alive!
There were a lot of installations going on at the Parade site today, one of them was the live roof at the house being built by Kevin Knight. Last year Knight did a similar roof and it was such a hit that he decided to do it again. This photo is of the “leftovers” that will be repurposed on a different project.
What’s the big deal about granite, anyway?
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms for Parade attendees because there are so many ideas to be found. This year’s Parade kitchens will highlight the latest and greatest in appliances, cabinetry, lighting, storage and plumbing fixtures. But sitting atop all of that, and the thing that probably gets noticed first in the kitchen, is the countertop.
On a recent trip to the Parade site, we posed a question to a representative from Marble and Granite Works of Plain City who we found calling on one of the five builders who are using their products: What’s the big whoop about granite? Is it hard to maintain? And how expensive is it, really? The short discussion led to an invitation to come out to their Plain City showroom for a field trip and to learn a little more about the different surfaces they have to offer.
The showroom at Marble and Granite Works is really just the tip of the iceberg, it’s where you can see all of the different options laid out in front of you. They have stone from all over the world, and some pretty cool pictures on the walls showing the process by which the stone is quarried. In addition to granite, the company also stocks several other natural and man-made surfaces as well.
From the showroom we went back to the vast storage warehouse where hundreds of different slabs of varying materials are lined up. A customer places their order by deciding on the material and color they want to use. Once they finalize how the room is to be laid out, the granite is ordered. When the granite arrives in the warehouse, a template of the surface is cut from a clear mylar overlay. The idea is that the customer can choose which part of the stone to highlight. Because any stone surface has natural variances, which only add to the beauty, the layout process is a chance for the customer to choose which of those variances they want to have live on their counter forever.
From the layout area, the stone is taken to the cutting area where it is cut, polished and finished. There’s only one chance to cut the stone right, so there are many checks and balances, not to mention very detail-oriented employees manning the process.
Marble and Granite Works has a unique finish that they put on all of their granite called SenGuard. This colorless treatment gives a 15-year stain warranty to the consumer and helps seal against cleaners, stains, and other potential damage.
So back to the original question: What’s the big whoop about granite anyway? Granite is an amazing natural stone that comes in hundreds of colors and patterns. By choosing granite, a customer is assured a unique surface. Because there are so many different types of granite, there’s sure to be something that works with any decor. And with the special finish used by the folks at Marble and Granite Works, the surface is very low maintenance and durable.
Granite can be pricey, but as I learned there’s also a large variety in the pricing depending on the granite selected. There are also other natural stone products that are available and possibly more budget-friendly. If you’re considering natural stone, it’s worth a trip out to Marble and Granite works to see if they have something that will accommodate your budget.
Sneak Peek: The ultimate in shoe storage
A recent tour of the Parade home being built by Weaver Custom Homes revealed an ingenious solution to every girl’s shoe fetish. Are you tired of shoes on your closet floor? How about a shoe carousel to keep things tidy? Watch this quick clip for a sneak peek:
Shoe Carousel at Weaver Custom Homes from Parade of Homes on Vimeo.
This product comes from a company called Storage Motion, and can be installed for shoes or even in your kitchen or pantry to organize other items.
First comes the trim, then the paint, then…
There’s a definite order to building a Parade house (or any house, for that matter.) This week’s visit to the Parade site found most of the builders in the middle of trim work. After oodles of wood is delivered to the home, the trim carpenters swoop in with their saws, caulking and nail guns to get down to business.
Trim carpenters are highly-detailed craftsmen and their work, which sometimes plays a subtle role and other times is the headliner, takes skill and experience. Some of the more basic work is trimming out the baseboards and doorways. Where you’ll really see their expertise is in the crown molding, around the fireplaces, in the detailed paneling of the formal dining rooms and studies, and in the built-in features.
When you visit the Parade later this summer, take special note of the trim work. And consider the hours of manpower and skill that went into the final product. For now, here’s a sneak peek!
The List.
Here are the trade partners, subs and suppliers to the 2009 BIA Parade of Homes builders. These pages have been pulled from the official Plan Book; just toggle the full screen (upper right corner) to have the names / pages appear a bit larger. We want to officially thank each and every one of them for their amazing partnership in making the 2009 Parade a reality and success. It doesn’t happen without them! (They are categorized by the homebuilder that used them.)
Builder Countdown with The Stafford Group
The two story kitchen, open floor plan and gracious outdoor living space at the home being built by The Stafford Group is perfect for hosting large parties or cooking up intimate gourmet meals. See what company owner Marty Stafford has to say about the design in this video:
WBNS – 10TV: Outdoor Spaces
On July 4th WBNS-10TV aired Tracy Townsend’s fourth feature on the 2009 Parade on outdoor living spaces. While the interiors are exquisite, these homes also hold dozens of unique exterior features that deserve recognition. From outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens to inground pools and fire places, the ideas are endless. Watch here to learn more and refer to WBNS-10TV’s site for more videos and stories on this year’s parade.
They make it look easy. And we know it’s not.
Every year, decorative paint takes center stage at the Parade, and this year is no different. Here are just a few elements we found (and one in progress – you’ll be ‘blown away’ by what she’s creating) as the final stages of interior design take place.
