| How’s it Hangin’? Tips for Art Placement | August 6th, 2008 |
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Here are tips on how to hang multiple pieces of art on a single wall– 1. Consider painting the wall a contrasting color to give your pieces a good ‘pop.’ 2. Map out how you want to place your pictures on the floor in front of the wall. The Sunset House designers spent two hours on this part. 3. Strive for a mix of small, medium and large pieces. If you go all small it will look tacky. Go all big and it becomes overwhelming. 4. Choose about three anchor pieces. This follows good design sense. Whether working with flowers, pictures or furniture, get the big pieces in place first, then add the smaller ones. 5. Start by aligning the outer edges and work your way in toward the center. Spacing can become irregular in the middle if all the outside edges of your mosaice are in lign with each other. |
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Another good article in today’s Chronicle shows how designers of this year’s Sunset House in Menlo Park chose to cover an entire wall with art in the dining room. The mosaic effect lends itself to San Francisco homes which can often be challenged by wall space.| Green Eye Candy - Fun Websites for Eco-Friendly Home Design | August 6th, 2008 |
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PaperStone - PaperStone’s eponymous product is a durable architectural finishings for everything from countertops to furniture to bathroom partitions. It is made from recycled cardboard and office paper. They mix the stuff up with resin to make it tough enough for outdoor kitchen cabinetry and commercial grade needs. Windfall Lumber in Olympia, Washington has been committed to sustainable forest products since day one– and tries to deliver affordable products as well. Toto Plumbing Products - Toto’s website makes toilets and sinks look sexy with mood music and lighting. |
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| The Buzz Takes a Stab at Eco-Remodeling | July 28th, 2008 |
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Kitchen countertops are a sexy topic when it comes to talking about green finishings. My choices include aggregates that mix in glass, or counters made of recycled paper(!). Wood countertop options include end grain bamboo or reclaimed/renewable wood products counters. My favorite material so far is Ceasarstone, which is mostly made of recycled quartz dust (don’t ask me how). Ceasarstone counters have a soft creamy texture that reminds me a bit of Corian, but sturdier and more stain resistant. Deck material—After much debate (and battle) my husband and I settled on Trex deck boards for the deck we are rebuilding behind our house. I read somewhere that the Trex Company is the world’s largest consumer of used plastic grocery bags. Trex used to mix wood in with the plastic, but lately has revised their formula so the decks are now 100% plastic. We like Trex because the material will last forever, never splinter, and never need staining. And (I swear) the stuff looks just like real wood, at least to me. If the idea of a plastic deck freaks you out, you can also consider Ipe, a renewable hardwood from Central and South America. Ipe forestry is a hot industry in Bolivia and Brazil and has a positive affect on economic growth so its harvesting and use is a win-win for everyone (until you get into the carbon footprint involved in transporting the stuff, but we won’t go there—it starts to make my head ache). Toilets are another hot topic - Conventional toilets have used 6 gallons of water per flush, but new toilet technology like the dual flush toilet, uses .8 gallons to flush #1 and about 1.2 to flush #2. Manufacturers of the dual flush include Caroma and Toto (the Toto site is a kick—who knew you could make toilets look so sexy!). If the guy at Home Depot has thinks Toto is a dog and Caroma is a sports car, just ask him about the Kohler Sterling Dual Flush, which claims to save the average family up to 6,000 gallons of water a year. |
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Since embarking on some remodeling projects with my husband, I have become obsessed with using green materials for the finishings. So far I’ve spent hours researching stuff online. This is what I’ve come up with so far:| Long-term Planning for Home Maintenance | February 22nd, 2008 |
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Hundreds of phone calls to manufacturers, trade associations and researchers who spend most of their time thinking about how long housing components last went into making the report. Many of them emphasized that life expectancy is affected by how well we maintain our homes. We also love remodeling– and often replace stuff long before we need to (I could digress here about how home remodeling incorporates tons of anti-green practices, but won’t). So here’s how long some of our stuff is supposed to last– Appliances: Gas ranges have the longest life expectancy at 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators give out after about 13 years. The shortest lifespans belong to the compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years). No mention was made of toaster ovens– probably because those suckers last f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Cabinetry and Storage: Kitchen cabinets are expected to last 50 years– that’s long enough for them to look cool, then ugly, then cool again. Medicine cabinets can hang in there for 20 years. Countertops: Natural stone can last a lifetime. Cultured marble countertops (think bathroom, not kitchen) can go about 20 years. I looked up Cesarstone– my new favorite counter material. The warranty only lasts 10 years. I also dug around for info on how long green alternatives last, but all I learned is that PaperStone and glass composite countertops have lifespans ‘comparable to standard countertop material.’ Decks– Lifespan differs depending on region, but under ideal conditions they last about 20 years. I dread a deck inspection when I sell a house because it’s alwys a hotspot for its exposure to wet leads to inevitable dry rot. Again, think green and check out Trex Decks. Doors– Your exterior wood door will last as long as your house. Vinyl doors are only good for 20 years, which I think is kind of weird because vinyl is supposed to be more weather and water resistant. Maybe the framing cracks? Sinks and Faucets– Kitchen sinks made of modified acrylic (like Swanstone) will last 50 years. Kitchen faucets can go about 15 years. Showerheads last a lifetime and whirlpool tubs can go 20-50 years, depending on use. Heat– Furnaces last 15-20 years. Standard water heaters give out after about 10 years. Tankless water heaters go more than 20. I love tankless water heaters, but am told that it can be difficult to retrofit our older homes for them. Roofing– If you want your roof to last more than 50 years, go for slate, copper or clay/concrete. Asphalt shingles last about 20 years. Fiber cement shingles can go 25 and wood shake can hang in there for about 30 years. I have a copy of the complete report in pdf. Email me if you want one. |
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One of our managers recently passed out a report by the National Association of Home Builders and BofA entitled Study of the Life Expectancy of Home Components. That sounded like a big yawn to me at first, but once I dug into it, I found some surprises and interesting tid-bits. | Air your Contractor Conflict | February 22nd, 2008 |
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My sister who is totally wired into gobs of networking groups (she should be a Realtor!) – got a call today from a casting producer in New York for a new reality show which focuses on remodeling projects gone bad. They are looking for situations homeowners who are stuck mid-project because of failure to perform by their contractor or because of cost over-runs which they cannot afford to finish. In a 6-day period the show’s crew will sort out the dispute and finish the project for the homeowner either with or without their contractor. If you’re willing to air your property’s ‘dirty laundry,’ it sounds like a nifty idea. The company is Superfine Films and they are well established. If you or someone you know has candidate projects, call me and I’ll hook you up with more information. |
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| Blue is the New Black | January 18th, 2008 |
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Here’s what they think you want to paint your house this year and why: The ‘greening of America’ is washing you out– The Color Marketing Group has named natural and unbleached looks the No. 1 color trend. This follows our age-old tradition of using safe neutral tones that sell well year-in, year-out like Antique White, Navajo and Bone. You’re headed for the blues in every way– Experts offer touchy-feely explantion for their tendency towards green-blues, yellow-blues, purples and Iris blues this year. One Major-Domo for Pantone believes their color Blue Iris is ”emotionally anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic.” Other reasons tie into blue’s connection to the natural elements of sky and water and its steadying influence in these uncertain times. You need yellow to brighten your outlook– The color industry thinks you need more yellow because communicates “optimism, respect, radiance and well-being” — and who doesn’t want more of that in their life? The favored tones for this color also tend towards green, with names like Mayapple, Oatland Daisy and the easy-to-picture Woodlawn Music Room. You’re going techno, but in a kinder, gentler way– Advances in technology drove us towards hot, shimmery surfaces (remember the days of stainless steel countertops and backsplashes?), but in 2008, metallics will go warmer. Look for coppery, bronzish tones to prevail. You’re continuing to Go Global– Ethnic influences from China, India and Latin Americal incline you towards Moroccan reds and glowing oranges, rosy pinks, sunny golden yellows and lots of turquoise. You will use these accent colors to punch up your rooms and will enjoy pairing them them with rich browns as neutrals. Other “fast-facts” about trends in paint and design: You now like to change at least some of your interior colors every three years instead of every five– because you move alot, like feature walls, and enjoy watching HGTV. Last year you bought a lot of red– Hot sellers for walls last year were Chili Pepper and Ravishing Red. In San Francisco the top-selling red hue was called “Dinner Party” (I wonder what you served. . .) Your palette since the Millenium, in addition to the colors mentioned so far has run towards (and possibly away from) Chrome, Eggplant and Lime Green. ************************************** If you’re ready to sell your home and need advice on color, design and furniture placement decisions, a good Realtor (like me) can help. Don’t hesitate to use me as a friendly resource who can offer ideas on how to make your space look fabulous and recommend the best stagers and designers in the City. |
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You don’t know it, but each year an entire army of color experts is scientifically trying to figure out what colors turn you on this year. Acting as fortune tellers for the paint industry they make annual color forecasts by studying everything from fashion and movies to economic, social and political factors.| San Francisco Home Show at Cow Palace January 18-19 | January 9th, 2008 |
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The displays can be very inspiring and could get your creative juices flowing about how to work with a challenging space or exterior remodeling. My husband and I attended the annual Home Show a couple of years ago to get some landscaping ideas. We got some good ones and learned a lot about which plants would be best suited to our sun/shade combination. Exhibitors are promoting just about everything you can think of, from dining room table pads to fencing to mortgages. I suspect this year there will be a number of companies offering green products and services. Cost to attend is $10.00, but you can get a $2.00 discount if you click here. |
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| San Francisco “Cost vs Value” Report | January 3rd, 2008 |
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I did a recap on a Cost vs Value reports in 2005, right after I started writing The Buzz. In many ways, the same kinds of projects are yielding the same kinds of returns. Here’s how you can get the most ‘bang-for-your-buck’ on San Francisco home remodeling costs (please keep in mind that the magazine has fairly exact specs for each project): Add a Deck: a $13,500 investment in a big wooden deck (16X20 feet) with railings and a built-in planter and bench will yield a 130% return. Skip the TREK or composite materials if you have an eye towards resale. It becomes more expensive ($17,000) and only yields a 116% return. Attic bedroom remodel: This is an expensive investment ($61,500), but can yield a 121% return. It’s also pretty involved, with a bedroom, a bathroom, and four new dormered windows. The magazine assumes that your house comes with a stairway to your attic (as opposed to that funny ladder in your laundry room or trap door in the hall) . They also assume that your neighbors won’t pitch a fit when you want to alter your roof line with the dormers. Bathroom remodel: You get a 117% return on your $20,000 investment in a new porcelain tub with tile surround, new standard white toilet, new vanity top with integral sink, new recessed medicine cabinet with light and a retiled floor and vinyl wallpaper (italics mine– I actually love wallpaper but rarely see it in San Francisco). New base cabinetry is not mentioned, but I bet it’s included in the cost. Easier projects that yield nice returns are: Wood window replacement: replace 10 double hung 3X5-foot windows for $14K and you’ll get 112% percent on your investment. Cosmetic kitchen remodel: I actually love this one because it can have such a huge impact for so little effort. Reface your cabinetry with raised wood panel doors, add new hardware, new appliances, new sink and faucet, new flooring and new paint or wallpaper and you’ll grab a 113.6% on your $24,000 investment. If you would like me to send you a complete copy of the San Francisco report in PDF form, please email me and I’ll send one out to you. |
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Remodeling Magazine is once again answering the age-old question about which kinds of remodeling yield the highest returns. In its exhaustive “2007 Cost vs Value annual report released at the end of last year, they offered city-by-city research on what 29 different home projects will pay back at resale. | Attention all Interior Designer Wannabees | April 27th, 2007 |
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Are you addicted to Dwell Magazine? Does the idea of arranging furniture excite you? Do you have that special knack for creating clean modern spaces? If you answered “yes” to all three questions, then you need to check out the interior design contest sponsored by Dwell and The Infinity— The Infinity is a luxury high-rise condo building rising up near the foot of Folsom Street. They are seeking interior design proposals for three of their two-bedroom condos. The winners will get to execute their vision with the help of the Infinity’s Design Center staff. Dwell calls The Infinity a ‘bold new architectural statement rising in SOMA.” The building’s hallmarks are curved exterior walls made of floor-to-ceiling glass. Dwell’s aim is to find a design that will reflect the unique experience of bringing the outdoors in. The fine print of the contest rules gives you a $75,000 budget and three different floor plans to work with. Wall coverings are included in the budget. Flooring is paid for but you are limited to choices offered by the Infinity’s Design Center. You aren’t allowed to meddle with the standard cabinetry, countertops and appliances, and you don’t get to move around walls and reconfigure the space. All materials, furnishings and accessories need to be available for purchase by November 1. Basically, this sounds like a chance to do a lot of wild furniture and home accessory shopping on somebody else’s dime. It could be fun if you have the time. For details, logon to: Dwell’s Infinity Contest Page |
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Hello My Favorite People! This posting is for interior designer wannabes. . .| Design Resources and Listings Not Yet On The Market | December 28th, 2006 |
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This Buzz covers online home design resources.We’re also offering up a few cool homes that will be hitting the market in early 2007. If you’d rather just know about the homes hitting the market after the New Year, skip to the bottom of this posting:******************************** Since this is a big week for sales and shopping, here are some thought provoking websites that can get you thinking about how, and where to shop for home furniture and accessories. www.apartmenttherapy.com This site is an offshoot of a blog that began in Manhattan.Apartment Therapy is committed to “changing the world, one apartment at a time.” The New York Times calls Apartment Therapy “quietly addicting.”The SF version offers online tours of local homes, a search engine that allows you to find postings by category (like small appliances, outdoor furniture and flooring), and neat “Top Ten” lists of the best in everything, from bath mats to feng shui tips for kids’ rooms. http://decor8.blogspot.comThis is another website/blog to get lost in.Blogger Holly Becker is linked into a world of design addicts who all share her passion for good design. Most of the blog postings at Décor8 are about specific products,but there is also a list of ‘favorite websites’ to link to in the left hand column that will take you off into directions you never dreamed of. www.greenfusiondesigncenter.com The mission of the Green Fusion Design Center is . . .(take a deep breath and repeat after me) “to promote the understanding and use of green building practices by connecting homeowners, design professionals, builders and the general public with natural, eco-friendly, healthy products and services.”
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Hello My Favorite People:
