HGTV Features TrendMark Remodel

A TrendMark kitchen renovation for a Cary couple was recently featured on HGTV’s Bang For Your Buck, a reality-based program comparing recent home renovations within a designated market. Each episode features one room from three different households in the same city at the same remodel price point. An HGTV Design Expert and a local Real Estate Expert evaluate them to determine each homeowner’s return on investment.

TrendMark was delighted to be contacted by the show’s producer in October, saying that they would like to include one of their kitchen remodel projects on the show. Catherine Baker chose the home of Cammy and Fito Agraz, and a flurry of paperwork and photos were put together to set up the photo shoot.

“We were very excited to be selected,” stated Cammy Agraz. “The application process was long but the people from High Noon Entertainment (who produce the show for HGTV) were really nice to deal with and very friendly.”

The shoot was scheduled for two days in December. At 6:55 am the doorbell rang and there stood Vern Yip, renowned interior designer, host of HGTV’s inspirational makeover series Deserving Design, a judge on HGTV Design Star, and frequent guest designer on HGTV Showdown, Bang For Your Buck and First Time Designer. Accompanied by local realtor Renee Hillman of Concept Realty & Associates, Yip toured the Agraz kitchen, commenting on the quality and choices of the elements in the kitchen remodel as well as the overall appeal of the renovation.

“They were very complimentary,” stated Agraz. “We got a kick out of being photographed, and it was a lot of fun. Overall, it was a great experience, and we loved every minute of it.”

What advice would she give to homeowners who are faced with remodel projects like this? “Plan, plan, plan,” stated Agraz. “I have worked on this project for years, collecting pictures from magazines, going to home shows, getting ideas from show homes. TrendMark did a great job of taking all my ideas and creating this dream kitchen.”

The Raleigh episode of Bang For Your Buck will debut on Friday, February 19. Two other Raleigh area homes were also featured. For information about the show, check out the website at www.hgtv.com/bang.

Remodeling on a Tight Budget

Have you been itching to redo that hallway bathroom, your kitchen nook, or any other part of your house, but the thought of how much money it might cost — as well as the time it will take — to get it done just makes you file the thought away for “some other time”?   

Don’t be afraid!  First of all, remember that many remodeling projects (especially bathrooms) add value and appeal to your home. Also, if you break the process down into chewable pieces, it’s not as intimidating as you might think!   

Step 1: Start by making a list of what you want to change.  

Step 2: Establish a realistic budget. Once you’ve worked that out, decide on your priorities from the list. If you want high-end materials or expensive fixtures, budget them first and add less expensive items to stay within your own guidelines.  

Step 3: Remember that the little things really do count! Regardless of your remodeling budget, you can significantly update your bath with fairly simple changes, such as new accessories, artwork, floor coverings, and window treatments. Use baskets or decorative containers to contain the clutter on the countertops. Plants or flower arrangements will add to the décor as well!  

Remember that it is important to coordinate the elements within the room as well as with adjoining areas so that the overall look flows. Good choices and visualization are as important as the cost of the project!   

Step 3: Be a smart shopper. Do comparison shopping for the elements you want to change. Hardware, faucets, sinks, tile, mirrors, medicine cabinets, fixtures, and wall treatments come at all price levels. Closeout sales, discontinued items, paint “mistakes,” opened boxes, and off-season sales often provide big cost-saving opportunities for you.    

In the end, the greatest reward is the pride you have in the results — as well as an increased comfort level you have gained for future, more expansive remodeling.­­­­­­ So, go ahead — grab a pencil and just get started!   

For more suggestions and ideas on inexpensive bathroom remodeling, go to the Website www.ehow.com, where you can find many specific aspects of the remodel you can do yourself!   

 

 

 

   

  

TrendMark Recognized with Remodeling Awards

As the proud recipient of eight STAR awards, TrendMark becomes one of the Triangle’s top award winners in residential remodeling for 2009. The Showcasing Triangle Achievements in Remodeling (STAR) Awards are given each year by the Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County to honor remodeling professionals. The STAR Awards recognize exceptional skill and professionalism in the remodeling industry and are based on overall customer satisfaction, workmanship, quality of materials, design, and special touches. TrendMark’s award winning remodeling projects include Best Kitchen, Best Insurance Restoration,  Best Deck/Gazebo/Porch (2 categories), and Best Whole House Renovation (2 categories).  The winning projects are featured in this video.

 

 

Remodeling With Your Pet In Mind

Give Fido his own space. Consider creating a little nook or separate room somewhere — probably near a back entrance — as his indoor pet home. Easy access to the backyard is a plus! A sunnynook in front of a window is an ideal spot to build a bench with a pet-friendly cushion on top. From this perch, he can look out the window and monitor what’s going on outside (and keep you apprised of neighborhood happenings).

Add a heated mat in the winter and you’ll have him drooling with joy! If a cushioned bench isn’t good enough for your baby, there are platform beds for pets disguised as furniture that can easily be incorporated into your decorating layout. Fido can also keep all his toys and his leashes in the same bench, so he’ll know right where to go (as will you) when he’s ready for that walk. Add a cabinet or specially modified closet for bulk pet supplies to keep the room clutter-free!

Fido can enjoy his bubble bath in style in a dog bath, which can be built in your laundry room. If that doesn’t work for you, consider changing out the faucets on your Jacuzzi/ soaker tub to include a spray.

There are some customizations for Fluffy, too! If a cat is part of your household, think about adding a climbing tree or ramp that leads to a high platform for her observation. There are also cleverly disguised litter boxes in the shapes of potted plants and bathroom cabinets that replace the unsightly open litter containers.

Include some adaptations to minimize your stress — as well as your pet. When you have pets, stain-resistant fabrics on the furniture and stain-resistant, non-toxic carpeting are a must and definitely worth any extra expense. Also, consider the color of the animal’s fur when selecting fabrics and carpeting.

Many pet owners will go to extremes to pamper their furry friends. Some relatively minor customizations to your home will add to your pet’s (or pets’) comfort while also affording you less stress from potential pet damage or clutter.

Organizing Your Remodeling Ideas

Your home is an extremely important part of your life. It’s a peaceful haven in your stress-filled life, a place where you spend time with family and friends, a place where you surround yourself with things you love.

 No matter what stage of life you are in, it is never too soon to start creating your dream home–pulling together ideas, collecting samples, zeroing in on modifications that will mean the most to you. Whether you will need small changes or a complete redo, these steps will help you envision your dream home.  

Create a Wish List

This is your chance to DREAM.  This is not a time to think about money, so for now, put that aside.  Look around and analyze what you like and what you would like to change.  List the changes you would like to make in your home, no matter how large or small.  Think about your daily routine and how your house could function better for your lifestyle.  Ask yourself questions such as:

• Are green products a must for you?
• How do you want the space to feel—open, cozy, or formal? 
• What activities will take place in the space?
• What kind of lighting do you like—natural, soft, or bright?
• What colors do you like– vibrant, pastel or calming?

Decide on your Priorities

Determine the importance of the items on your list.  If your primary reason for remodeling is storage, you know this is a must have.  If you are updating, the changes may be as small as repainting or as large as removing walls.  When you start to create a budget this will help you determine where to start and how to schedule your projects.

Collect Photos

Gather magazine, catalog or website photos, paint chips, and fabrics and sort them by room in your Dream Book.  Styles such as traditional, contemporary, country, or transitional may stand out.  Make notes on the photos of features you like (i.e., light fixtures, paint colors, or cabinetry).  Envision how the room would function.  Does the floor plan work?  How would you arrange the furniture?  Is there enough storage?

Formulate a Budget

This can be the most difficult part of your planning.  Several factors should be included in the process such as cost vs. value, available funding, and priorities.  Working with a remodeling professional will help you realize the actual cost of project completion.

By carefully thinking through and organizing your remodeling ideas, you are sure to create your dream home.  Remember, it is never too early to start planning!

Save on Your Heating Bill

As winter approaches, here are some easy things you can do to make your home more efficient:

• Let the sunlight in to warm your home.   Raise your blinds and open curtains during the day to let the sun heat your home.  Remember to close them at night to help keep heat in.
• Lower your thermostat setting by one degree.  This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your power bill and can save you 3% on your heating bill in just 24 hours.
• Install a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the setting while you are away from home during the day and through the night.  Lowering your thermostat to 55 degrees at night can save you as much as 13%.
• Look outside for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes and seal them.
• Use weather stripping around doors to help block cold air from outside, and caulk windows.
• Replace cracked glass in windows; prime/paint exposed wood for any full windows you replace.
• If you have a basement, protect window wells by covering them with plastic shields.
• Switch summer screens with glass replacements or storm windows if you have them.
• Run ceiling fans in reverse on low speed to pull warm air from the ceiling down to the living space.

Using these tips can help you stay warm this winter without a high heating bill.