Author Archives: P&D Builders

7 Quick Tips to Improve Your Kitchen’s Look

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Large Kitchen Interior with Island, Sink, White Cabinets, Pendant Lights, and Hardwood Floors in New Luxury Home

Your kitchen is used every single day; it is the heart of your home and also a major selling point. Completely remodeling your kitchen is a great way to keep it up to date but also expensive. If you do not have the budget right now, here are a few cheap changes that can transform the look of your kitchen.

  1. Remove, recycle and refresh. If the doors on your cabinets are old and ugly, take them off and create an open shelving option for your kitchen. This is a great opportunity to update the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. What is worn down in the kitchen can usually be painted or refinished to give it a modern look.
  2. Add more storage. Either declutter your space or add more storage. These options include adding hanging racks, open shelves and cabinet organizers to store the essentials.
  3. Change out lighting. Depending on the age of your kitchen, you will most likely have pendant lighting or fluorescent overhead fixtures. To bring your kitchen into the modern age, consider replacing some of those fixtures with recessed alternatives or LED lighting. Even just replacing the bulbs is cheaper, easy to install and saves energy.
  4. Upgrade your faucet. Do you have an old-fashioned faucet? Is it time for a change? Instead of replacing the entire sink, just changing the faucet can give the kitchen a whole new look. Think about energy-efficient alternatives like low-flow faucets to save you money on your water bill, or adjustable, restaurant-style varieties for the chef in the family.
  5. Hide your counters. Old countertops can suffer through the years. If you have worn countertops but don’t have the budget to replace them. Find creature ways to hide their blemishes. Add decorative cutting boards, hide them under appliances or apply a fresh coat of paint.
  6. Paint your cabinets. Painting or refinishing your cabinets is another inexpensive way to change the look of your space. It is less expensive than buying new ones and at the same time it refreshes the appearance of your entire kitchen. Don’t paint them any weird colors though, and avoid bright hues.
  7. Add a backsplash. Backsplashes can be customized based on the color scheme of your kitchen. It is as easy as buying tiles at a local home improvement store and using caulk and grout to install them in the design or style you want.

All of these are simple, inexpensive changes you can make to your space to give it a much needed makeover.

Must-Have Home Organization Tips

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clothes on a hanger

Organization is the key to success for most homes. It is important to make changes that you will actually use to make your home more accessible and productive. If you are going to invest in these items, whether they are big or small you have to think about using them. Here are some of Dorothy the Organizer’s favorite items.

Matching Hangers

This seems simple enough, but picture your own closet at home right now. Do you even have ten of the same hanger? It may seem like an unnecessary and expensive change but matching hangers will provide you instant gratification. They can turn even the messiest of closets into a visibly appealing, organized hanging system. Ditch the wire hangers, assortment of colors and different brands. Pick a central brand and color to be used throughout the entire closet. You will notice a difference right away, trust us.

Decorative drop zone

We all walk in after a hard day at the office or busy day with the kids and immediately drop everything in our hands. This is an opportunity to organize and decorate your space at the same time. Dorothy suggests selecting a decorative bowl or plate. Pick a small or medium-sized one so it does not overwhelm your entryway. The point is to see something when you walk in the door that is beautiful and can double time as an organizing tool. Say goodbye to clutter by the doorway, your family members and guests will both appreciate this one.

Hooks that attach to hinges

These clever hinges take advantage of unused space behind the door. While this secret storage idea doesn’t require investing much time or money, it is a great little space-saving tool that most doors can accommodate. Installation is easy. Just pop the door hinge pin and drop the hook in. these hooks swivel for easy access in the bathroom (for towels), in the bedroom (for robes or belts), or in the office (for earphones with cords). You can find the product here:

Slide-out cookware storage

If you tired of navigating through a cupboard of pots and pans while cooking, this may be the solution for you that will also be easy on the eyes. Consider installing a pull-out cabinet cookware organizer, designed to fit any standard-depth base cabinet. The organizer is fully adjustable, has removable hooks, and accommodates different shapes and sizes of cookware. By extending the organizer outward you will avoid having the bend, stretch or struggle to access cookware.

Under the stairs storage

Do you have storage area under the stairs that is going unused? If you answered, yes, you are one of the many do not worry. Two of the main problems with this type of storage is that it is dark and hard to navigate around. Here is a solution for both problems. Slide-out drawers and cabinets bring our stuff directly to us in the well-lit, easy-to-stand in hallway – plus it’s effortless to see all at once what you’ve got stored.

These are just a couple suggests to help your home be more organized. If you want more tips, DorothyTheOrganizer’s full website can be found here:

Easy Tips To Make Your Home More Eco-friendly

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Hands protecting green energy house concept

 

Incorporating green practices into your home can be easier and cheaper than you think! We aren’t talking higher priced changes such as solar panels or buying a new ecofriendly car. We want to help people start out with the small, easier changes first then tackle the other ones when they feel they are ready!

You can have an eco-conscious home without building one from the group up. From switching the LED light bulbs to installing a toilet that uses less water, there are a number of ways to make your home a little greener.

First things first, changing the light bulbs you buy is such an easy solution that will save you money in the long run. LED light bulbs have a longer life and use less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so they are perfect for any space.

Repurposed materials is another way to make your space not only more ecofriendly but can also be a great addition to your interior design. Countertops, tables, headboards, flooring can all be repurposed and give your space a sense of originality. Some examples of materials that could replace your countertops would be recycled steel or reclaimed wood. Environmentally friendly flooring options are not so hard to find. Flooring made from cork, linoleum and bamboo are not only renewable materials but also assist in home insulation efforts. Linoleum, in particular, is known for a long lifespan, which is always great to hear!

Water conversation is something every household could get better at. Even if you don’t want to make any large purchases right now, changing your habits of long showers and leaving the water running when you brush your teeth are two ways to not use as much water that you can do for FREE. It can even save you money on your water bill! But if you want to take water conservation to the next step, Stealth System toilets (www.niagaracorp.com/stealth) uses less than one gallon of water per flush. An average toilet uses three gallons per flush.  Another great fix would be purchasing tankless water heaters which skip the inefficient and wasteful process of reheating hot water in a tank. They heat on demand so no energy is wasted keeping water hot. You will see savings in energy costs and you will save on water usage because you will no longer be running water while waiting for it to heat up.

These are a couple simple changes you can make starting as early as today to make your home more ecofriendly and energy efficient. Help the environment, one change at a time!

Top Updates for Traditional Homes

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The historical feel of traditional homes has been capturing the hearts of many residents for years. There is something spectacular about being in a space that has the original fixtures and flooring from earlier centuries. While the sophistication of a traditional home is hard to pass up, it can present obstacles, such as updating it to fit your modern lifestyle. If you are thinking about modernizing your traditional home, we have some ideas for you.

Use a clean, natural palette

One of the things often not found in a traditional home is a light, airy, atmosphere. Historically, classically designed homes featured dark flooring, banisters and heavy fixtures or appliances. One simple way to brighten up a room while maintaining the traditional feel is a fresh coat of paint, white paint to be exact. A nice bright color palette allows the room to feel more light and bright. This is welcoming for both residents of the home and guests alike. It can brighten the overall feel of the house and even your mood as the warm weather months approach.

Opt for natural light

Whatever natural light options you have in your home, it’s time to utilize them. Pull the blinds back and let the light shine into your different rooms in the home. if you have has small windows or lacks natural light, consider adding more or larger windows or installing skylights. If you have the space and budget, you can add a sunroom where natural light pours in from all sides. The natural light will improve your mood and save you money on your energy bills. You will have less need for electric lights, which is particularly important if your home is ill-equipped for installing new fixtures.

Add contrast

Unexpected contrasts are a great way to modernized traditional spaces. Try mixing metals in the kitchen and bathrooms. Choose a polished nickel faucet and pair it with chrome drawer pulls for a contemporary vibe. In the kitchen, opt for a copper faucet and sink, but go with iron or dark metal for cabinet and drawer hardware. You can also add contrast by mixing matte and glossy materials. Black and white is always a solid contrast color choice as well. Contrasting materials, metals and colors will help bring a contemporary style without altering its classic construction.

Brighten Up Your Space Today!

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House in Baddeck, Nova Scotia

The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and the temperatures are rising. Springtime brings a sense of renewal, a desire to clean, organize and start fresh. Get your creative gears turning; whip your home into shape for spring. You will be surprised how a few simple changes can give you a whole new outlook. Here are a few tips on how add some ‘spring’ to your space:

  1. Embrace natural light. Daylight savings creates more sunlight that means it is time to open the blinds and pull back the curtains to bring some natural light into your space. The simple act of opening your windows will instantly lift the moods of the people in the space. It can also help you reduce your electric bill. If you don’t have many windows, that’s okay! Use large mirrors to reflect light and brighten up your room. Mirrors also give the illusion of a bigger space, making your home feel brighter and larger.
  2. Give your furniture a clean slate. Spring is a perfect time to break out all your lighter and cooler clothes, this same goes for your furniture. A white, beige or light gray couch can really brighten up a space. These colors set the tone, reflect light and keep the furniture from getting too warm. If desired, you can keep these pieces out year-round to invoke springtime memories and stave off wintertime blues when skies are gray. If you don’t want to commit to new furniture, invest in slipcovers that you can use seasonally and remove once colder temperatures return.
  3. Let nature be your guide. Nature comes back to life in the spring, so should your home. Wicker, woven baskets, light wood grain and cotton curtains are some natural materials you should think about including in your space this spring. Switch out heavy winter blankets for summery picnic throws, and pack away heavy, dark décor items in favor of woven baskets paired with colorful or nature-inspired accessories. By adding earthy materials to your home, you invoke nature inside and out for a fresh renewed feel.
  4. Add some color. Spring is the perfect time to ditch all the black and grays of winter, and trade them in for something a bit more visually appealing. Orange, pink, yellow, purple, blue, green are all spring colors that would look great in any space. You will be surprised how much your mood lifts when you are surrounded by these vibrant colors.
  5. Go green. Just like with the many green trends going on in our world today, spring home décor is no exception. Adding plants, fresh flowers or an herb garden to your home is a great way to bring the outdoors in. Not only do they provide focal points and improve your mood, they also give off little hits of oxygen.

Whether you are looking to freshen up a couple rooms in your house or change your entire space, there are easy steps you can take to get your home spring-ready. Give yourself a new outlook and a fresh perspective by taking the time to rejuvenate your space and mind. Happy Spring everyone!

Preparing your home for the Spring Market

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Are you looking to sell your home this spring? If so, it is time to start preparing. To maximize your sale price, stand out from the competition and sell quickly, your home needs to go on the market in tip-top condition. Here are some tips to help you get your home ready.

Inspect

It may seem counterintuitive to spend money on a property inspection, but you need to know about your home’s condition. If there are issues – big or small – you need to address, it is better to be proactive and fix the problems as soon as possible before your home goes on the market. Whether you fix them or ask for a lower asking price as a result of them, it will help you sell your home faster in the long run.

Stash

Start thinking of your home from the buyer’s prospective rather than the sellers. Put away big furniture and personal items. Store items that you won’t be using until you move into your new home. In the kitchen, make space in the cabinets for items you will need to use daily, but will want to put away for showings. This will help save you time when it comes time to move into the new home because you will have a jump start on packing.

Improve

It is common for sellers to make cosmetic improvements before they list. Some suggestions would be having the grout cleaned in the kitchen, fresh paint to anywhere that needs it, getting the carpets cleaned or refinishing hardwood floors. These are in expensive changes that will make a difference for those looking at your home.

Research

Today’s buyers have been researching the markets for months. In our world today, most information can be found with a simple internet search. If there are outstanding issues with your property, a buyer will find it. Verify that property records reflect your home accurately and prepare to fix any discrepancy. Make sure your title report is clean because banks won’t lend if there are any outstanding issues. Doing this will keep you one step ahead of the buyer.

The sale of your home is likely one of your biggest financial transactions. Now is the time to start checking items off your to do list, spring is quickly approaching. This is an important but exciting time!

8 Kitchen Trends to Watch for this Year

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Beautiful Kitchen in Luxury Home

Kitchens are always changing and evolving, so if you are looking to redo yours or just like being informed about the latest trends, here’s what to watch out for this year:

  1. Soft, muted color palettes. Kitchen colors are changing according to interior designer Jane Lockhart. Though white motifs will still dominate, everything from cabinets to backsplashes will be done in less saturated tones. “Charcoal, grays and even neutral pastels like pale blue, pale green gray and tinted whites are the new alternative to the standard white,” she says. She also foresees kitchens sporting lighter wood tones, including walnuts, whitewashed woods and white oak in rift grain. Bold primary colors, on the other hand, will be placed on the back burner.
  2. Smart spaces. Like most other things in the world, kitchens are getting a technology makeover. More kitchens are going to have designed spots for smart devices and their charging consoles. The 2016 kitchen is going to focus on convenience for families on the go via accessible smart appliances.
  3. An ‘80s reboot. Mirrored backsplashes, brass accessories and high-gloss surfaces aren’t dead by a long shot, but they’re more elegant and refined this time. More natural materials will be incorporated to remove the ‘plastic’ look of the ‘80s appliances.
  4. Metal Range Hoods. One of last year’s biggest trends was metallic finishes, like copper, brass or bronze. However, homeowners went with small helpings of metal, primarily using faucets, pendant lights and cabinet pulls to incorporate this raw texture. Metals will assume a more dominant role in the kitchen and begin to trump wood as the range hood of choice.
  5. Integrated kitchen-living spaces. This is going to become a huge thing for this year, creating a more interactive kitchen space with the other rooms in the home. Whether it is a dining room or living room, the kitchen is going to become less disconnected from the rest of your home. Designers will merge kitchens and living rooms by including more hidden and integrated appliances.
  6. A New Kind of Tradition. Present day kitchens are embracing simple design. Since kitchens are focused on cleanliness, traditional kitchens may experience a slightly cleaner feel with bold lines and less fussy details. Traditional designs will always remain popular, but there will be more emphasis on key elements like hoods, islands and cabinet crowns.
  7. Texture-on-texture contrast. Designers are going to be using textures in a new way. It will not be about mixing and matching textures, instead designers are going to reposition the same texture in different patterns throughout the kitchen. The difference will be subtle but at the same time it will make a statement.
  8. Well-lit Cabinetry. Homeowners won’t settle for just ceiling lights and table lamps to illuminate their kitchens. With new designs brings new technology, so extensive cabinet lighting is the trend to watch. This will create overall lighting in the kitchen and improve create better mood-setting capabilities.

6 Steps to Creating a New Home

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Concept of construction. 3d render of house in building process

Building new or renovating an existing structure is an exciting time for everyone. It is all about finding what you want, how you want to live and where you want to be. As you go through the process, it takes time and research to figure out exactly what you want. Let’s take a look at the six initial steps you will want to take when creating a new home.

  1. Set Goals: Creating a new home is all about setting goals and taking the steps to achieve those goals. You’ll want to have answers to questions like: what do you want to achieve, where do you want cost to be, what will this cost, can it really be achieved, does plan A make sense and what’s plan B?
  2. Establish a budget: While you have to keep your budget in mind when setting goals, the budget is such a huge aspect of building or renovating a home that it is its own task. When making your budget, of course you’ll begin with what you can afford and how the cost of your house fits in with the overall plan for your future. Details will include everything that will go into the project: the cost of land, local fees and taxes, design and engineering fees, construction of the home and the furnishing and decorations that go inside. A spreadsheet program such as Excel is a good tool to use, so you can continue to update and modify it as you go.
  3. Finding where you want to build: There is a laundry list of questions that go into this, anywhere from where you want to be, how you want to live, how close it to work is, school districts, weather; everything plays a factor in determining this location.
  4. Assemble a team: An architect and a builder (if not one and the same) are going to be your most important team members. These people will act as your guide, therapist, advocate and counselor throughout the journey and creating the perfect home for you and your loved ones. P&D Builders are a great resource to help you from start to finish of building your dream home.
  5. Plan, plan, plan: When taking on such a large project it is crucial to plan. Things will go differently than you might have imagined but that is okay. You will be faced with a million decisions during this time, so be careful not to sweat the small stuff and all of your hard work will pay off in the end.
  6. Enjoy your new home: You have put in the time and spent your hard earned money to create your new home, so enjoy it as much as possible. It is time to make memories with your loved ones in your new space.

P&D would love to be there every step of the way to help you build the home of your dreams. Contact us today to get started!

Home Building and Renovation Trends for 2016

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Is building or remodeling a home on your to do list for 2016? Here is a look into the home construction and renovation trends for 2016:

Natural selection: People are stepping away from the super-dark, hand scraped floors. Consider engineered woods with a lighter, more natural finish. Experts believe that white, gray and washed-wood finishes are making a comeback. Think about bleached, limed or fumed woods with matte finishes or sealed-only floors. Engineered products aren’t necessarily cheaper, but you can achieve a more exotic look this way. Stone floors are also showing up in more unexpected places, like master bedrooms.

Clean lines, more open spaces: Experts believe that new construction is going more contemporary. Even those who choose to stick with more traditional exteriors are going with modern, open concepts on the inside. That means fewer hallways and tiny rooms that aren’t being used. Open floor plans mean more usable space; these usually include kitchens that open to the den and possibly dining areas. Homeowners are better understanding that 100% of the space in their home should be completely usable.

Formal reformed: There has been a lot of talk about how the formal living room and dining rooms have been eradicated from the new home, but that is simply not true. These rooms still exist, they just function differently. Many people are choosing to make these rooms multi-functional, they are using them are libraries, offices or even places to entertain. The designated dining room still exists; it is just more open and casual therefore making it more livable.

Go Green: Just like every other trend for the New Year, the home building industry is going green. Energy saving appliances can help you save money and use less energy in your home. P&D Builders can even take it a step further by offering an energy efficient home which makes your home more comfortable and reduces your utility bills.

2016 is going to be a great year, if you are interested in speaking with P&D Builders about building your dream home contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you.

P&D Pushes for more ‘Pantry Power’

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P&D is leading the way in a new trend for larger and more useful pantry space. In a recent article by the Columbus Dispatch P&D was recognized for their progressive use of traditional pantry space in one of their Sunbury homes featured in this year’s Parade of Homes. Dubbed a ‘super pantry’ these spaces are still attached to the kitchen for easy access, but unlike traditional pantries they have more space for storage and include areas for additional food preparation. These spacious offshoots are perfect for adjustable shelving to store items like bottled water, bulk food, snacks, paper towels and other sundries. Some spaces are being fitted with sinks for extra prep room, or lightweight appliances like blenders, toasters and microwaves. This keeps the devices available for quick use, but prevents them from cluttering up the main kitchen space. P&D’s latest design includes a unique quarter size door which connects the pantry to the garage for easy grocery delivery.

Many older homes don’t have the flexible floor plan to allow for the expansion/addition of a new pantry area, but new homes don’t have that limitation. All of the P&D homes have excellent options for large pantries, or have the potential to add them to existing floor plans. Please contact Ed Snodgrass or call (740) 201-8079 for more information about new home construction and integrating a ‘super pantry’ into your dream home designs.

Click Here to read the full article in the Columbus Dispatch by Melissa Kossler Dutton.