How To Choose An Electrical Contractor

Here's another "How to..." article from RenovatingNYC. The first was Why You Should Hire A Licensed Contractor on the importance of hiring a licensed professional. 

It’s tempting to let cost dictate your decision making but you might find that a contractor with a low estimate relative to other bidders may be unlicensed or uninsured. 

What are the first steps when choosing an electrical contractor? It’s important to determine your needs, verify potential bidders, and choose someone you can trust and feel will do the job well. It can feel a little overwhelming, but performing thorough due diligence is critical in all project hiring.

Mike Blogs on FabNest: 15 Ways to Decorate Your Home for the Holidays

Today is the week before Christmas, which means if you haven’t decorated your home for the holidays, you are running out of time. We are here to help with some simple, last minute ways to make your home friendly to Santa Claus.

Continue reading on FabNest...

The 5 Hottest Home Design Trends For 2015

Business Insider's Elena Holodny tells us to expect these to be The 5 Hottest Home Design Trends For 2015:

1. Gold Fixtures - "In 2015, homeowners will no longer be limited to silver or stainless steel fixtures, and will feel free to mix and max finish colors, or go bold with all gold," according to the Zillow Digs report.
2. Cowhide - Without a doubt, there is nothing more "sophisticated" than the cowhide rug.
3. Wallpaper - "Wallpaper is coming back in a big way," says Zillow Digs designer Jamie Beckwith of Beckwith Interiors.
4. Blue Accent Colors - Blue will be the most popular accent color for interior decorating, and — believe it or not — it also happens to be the perfect complement to Marsala, the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year, according to the Zillow Digs designers.
5. Modern/Mid-century Modern elements. - Last but not least, a throwback to modern design elements of the 1950s through the 1970s. So that couch you saw on that 1970s family-style sitcom is officially trendy today. 

100% Cowhide Rugs

Home Accents Today reveals that Zuo Modern will introduce 100% cowhide rugs in seven dramatic, geometric patterns. The rugs, from the Pure Collection, will be on display in Zuo’s Atlanta and Las Vegas showrooms.

From the line, the Nevada rug showcases a square patchwork pattern in contrasting colors ranging from dark coffee to a bunt caramel into creamy beige with a warm white center. The Alaska rug has slim, rectangular mosaic tile designs with variations from dark espresso to soft black to a burnt sienna and warm gray center. The Utah rug incorporates a classic parquet pattern with white, vanilla and peach colors mixed with espresso, chocolate and bronze.

All rugs are available in the standard 5x8 size.

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2015: PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala

Pantone, an X-Rite company and the global color authority, today announced PANTONE® 18-1438 Marsala, a naturally robust and earthy wine red, as the Color of the Year for 2015.

"While PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

"Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors."

Marsala for Fashion

Marsala was a hit on the Spring 2015 runways with fashion designers featured in thePANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2015; Daniel Silverstain, Hervé Léger by Max Azria and Dennis Basso incorporated the hue into their collections. The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant statement color when the color is used on its own or as a compelling accent when paired with many other colors.

With the ever-growing popularity of floral prints and striping, variations of this hue will undoubtedly carry into men’s and women’s clothing throughout next year. Marsala is also a popular choice for jewelry and fashion accessories, including handbags, hats, footwear and the burgeoning market of wearable technology.
This highly varietal shade combines dramatically with neutrals, including warmer taupes and grays. Because of its burnished undertones, sultry Marsala is highly compatible with amber, umber and golden yellows, greens in both turquoise and teal, and blues in the more vibrant range.

Marsala for Beauty

An incredibly versatile color for beauty, Marsala is an appealing and sophisticated shade that’s flattering against many skin tones.

Marsala pairs exquisitely with monochromatic mixes of peachy pinks, and sparkles against antiqued gold metallics, offering an assortment of lipstick and blush options. Marsala illuminates a range of smoky-neutral color combinations, making it a captivating eye shadow color that can be worn from morning until night. Add an overlay of bronze for a dramatic look that suits any eye color, or use Marsala as a go-to finishing touch on nails.

Marsala for Interiors

Complex and full-bodied without overpowering, Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home. The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.

Marsala for Graphic Design

A rich contrasting color, Marsala is ideal for use in graphic design and packaging. Eye-catching, but not overwhelming or bright, consumers are immediately drawn to the hue, making it an alluring shade at point-of-purchase. As packaging becomes increasingly more artistic, Marsala will be a natural fit for both high- and low-tech materials, including on-shelf periodicals as well as printed assets, like calendars and stationery.

Why PANTONE Marsala is the Color of 2015

Enjoy a chat with Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director,Pantone Color Institute and David Shah, Editorial Director PANTONEVIEW.com as they discuss Marsala, the PANTONE Color of the Year 2015 and how this rich and enriching shade can be applied throughout all areas of design.

Watch the video 

RMLS Has Our Listing

Our house is up now for sale on RMLS: #14025421

REMARKS: Charming Alameda cottage with formal living and dining rooms. The gas fireplace is centered between original built-in book shelves. Hardwood floors on main floor. Upstairs is being used as office, but could be master suite by adding bath. Kitchen has been updated. Private back yard with decks and privacy. The neighborhood is wonderful and the homes and the street are beautiful. This is a treasure waiting for your buyer. This is exciting!

Residential Architecture 101: Wood Veneer

Architect Bob Borson explains veneer terms:

Don’t know what a flitch is? Then this post is definitely for you. When talking wood veneer (a thin slice of wood), a flitch is a stack of sheets of veneer all cut in sequence. If you lay them up side by side with the same side up on all of them, this is a flitch match. If you flip every other sheet of a flitch, it is book matching … got it? Pretty clear isn’t it? No, it isn’t, and I think I just made it worse.

Let’s back up a bit and start with the different cuts of wood – how you cut the wood has everything to do with how the pattern of the wood appears in the finished product. In my world, there are three main cuts –

• Plain Sawn,
• Quarter Sawn, and
• Rift Sawn

Read the rest at Life of an Architect

5 Great Interior Design Solutions for Small Spaces

RJ Diaz at RenovatingNYC excerpts this article that originally appeared on www.architecturendesign.net on August 29, 2014

No space? No problem! Keeping a smaller home looking spick and span while also maximising its functionality doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following a few key rules for how to best utilise the space available to you, it is easy to get your home feeling cosy and comfortable. Whether you’re a cash-strapped student or a family of four hoping to transform the tiny extra room, these clever tricks for getting the most out of small space interiors will get you on your way.

Do People Buy Houses This Close to Christmas?

Do people buy houses this close to Christmas? We are about to find out. We have been told, "Yes they do!" Some people love to shop in December for a major purchase. That’s why you see TV car ads showing big red Christmas bows on expensive autos bought by romantic husbands hoping to surprise their wives with the best Christmas present ever. There’s no need to wait until after New Years or even spring if you are not in need to sell quickly.

Here are some things you can do to make your home more appealing during December and get that house sold by Christmas. These are some of the things we are doing:

1.    Be agile! You want to be ready at the drop of a hat to show your home to potential buyers. That means any holiday parties may be out so you don’t have to worry about post-party cleanup. Just say to friends and family that you are trying to sell your house. “Why not celebrate at your house?”

2.    Put up your decorations, if you want, but stay on the conservative side. You don’t want so many lights that the house can be seen from space. Potential buyers will experience a warm feeling with some decorations. You want them to get excited about spending holidays in their house. A huge Christmas tree could be wrong if it makes your house to appear small.

3.    Get the price right, maybe just a little under the market. The last thing you want is the house to sit on the market which could lead to a price reduction.

4.    Make sure to hire a knowledgeable agent who knows the area your house is in. Buyers like to know what the schools are like and how close; how close is shopping, parks and access to the freeway, etc.

5.    If you are looking to sell your home quickly and are not sure you have the time to look for an agent and prepare your home to be ready to show buyers you may want to consider an all cash offer. A reputable cash home buyer will offer you an all cash offer for your home as is. You can have your home sold before Christmas and close shortly after in some cases you may even be able to close before Christmas.

Our house goes on the market Monday for $449,000. Patsy McKelligon of (W)here Inc. is our realtor. Next stop Mexico!

Mike Discusses 8 Paver Ideas for the Patio on FabNest

Here are 8 paver ideas for your patio. What are pavers? Pavers are interlocking concrete stones that can be uniquely customized to fit your, walkway, patio, and pool deck design.

Read more at FabNest