I was very humbled and appreciative of receiving the award for “Outstanding Service – Builder Services” last night at the Dallas Builders Association ARC Awards. To be recognized by ones clients like this is very special. Thanks to everyone, members and staff of the DBA. And a special thanks to Jeff Dworkin of JLD Custom Homes and incoming President for nominating me.

We received a call last year from young lady who, with her husband, had purchased 3 homes in a row in the Janius Heights Historic neighborhood of Dallas.  She had already fixed up her house and was ready to tackle the bigger project next door.  Over the years the house deteriorated, had illegal additions built, and had poor remodeling.  We redesigned the home using other existing homes in the neighborhood as reference to what this home had once looked like. The design was approved by the historic commission and construction began.  Once done and put on the market they had two contracts in under 48 hours!

I applaud the husband and wife team for their investment of time, care and money to restore these historic homes.  Creative Architects is proud to have been the Architect for this home.  We are getting ready to start on the third home which is in even sadder condition.  Enjoy the pictures.

Studies have shown that nation wide 25% of the cost of a new home is due to government regulations during lot development and the actual building of the house.
(see the full article)
http://www.dallasbuilders.com/government/regulation-is-one-market-force-we-can-control/

We just added 5 more designs to our gallery of plans:

Longhorn – 3,094 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Meadowfield – 3,874 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths

Meadow – 2,660 Square Feet, 3 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths

Montreal – 2,453 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths

York – 3,299 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 1/2 Baths

We just added 9 designs to our gallery of plans:

Addison – 3,231 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

Alderwood – 3,465 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Bowman – 3,319 Square Feet, 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

Coral – 3,189 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Denham – 2,569 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Dowland – 2,569 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Dreams Dust – 3,261 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Heatherbrook – 2,767 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Longford – 3,351 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

We just added 5 plans to our gallery of plans:

Woodvale – 2,498 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Rushcreek – 2,876 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths

Palomino – 2,279 Square Feet, 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Moore – 3,009 Square Feet, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Whitehall – 2,517 Square Feet, 3 Bedrooms, 2 1/2 Baths

I had to share this wonderful information about color from the Sherwin-Williams web site. Their paint has been on and in my house for over 15 years.

Color is a language. Color is one of the most fulfilling elements in our lives. Color can attract your attention or change your mood. It speaks to who you are, how you feel and where you’re going. At Sherwin-Williams, we can help you put together the perfect colors for your life.

Color is one of the first things you notice when you walk into a room. Is it any wonder that color, and how you use it, is one of the most important decorating decisions you’ll make in your home? Inside your home, the latest colors and the way they’re applied give voice to your personality and décor.

Color sets a mood. From floor to ceiling, paint color reflects your style and makes a personal statement of what home means to you.

• Color unites one-of-a-kind accent pieces with manufactured items throughout your home.
• Electrifying hues, inspired by technology, bring a touch of whimsy to spaces that also feature natural carved wood, woven textiles and wrought iron.
• Bright colors are further enhanced when paired with large areas of negative space.

See Also

Why Color Matters

Learn why color matters in personalizing your spaces

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Home Renovation Checklist

Author: todaysrenovation

Home renovations can be a complicated endeavor that is usually riddled with scores of various choices and carefully thought out decisions. Any mistakes mean money down the drain and spell problems that will surely affect the quality and theme of the outcome. So careful planning is a definite must in approaching your own home renovation. Renovating a home is always more satisfying when decisions are sure or final and the theme is approached with a level of certainty. This adds a personal touch that a home owner can be proud of and derive pleasure from.

This is why it is important to have a “home renovation checklist” that lays out the design goals and the expected outcome. First and foremost, a home owner must make sure the target or end result is achievable. Hence the checklist must touch on two sets of home renovation needs:

1. Pre-Planning and Goals
   1. Set a budget so you know what can be done and what can’t be done
   2. Choose a theme that fits within the budget
   3. Set your plan of attack by either choosing a do-it-yourself approach or hiring a contractor
   4. Know or estimate the timeframe of the renovation job so you can allocate the proper manpower and funds (as well as planning when to start for minimal disruption to daily routine)
2. Renovation and its Elements
   1. Have a renovation plan to follow so you can see and test the probable functionality of the finished project
   2. Know what material you want or which one is best to use
   3. Choose a color scheme to base the overall mood of the renovated area
   4. Estimate the quantity and quality of needed materials and tools
   5. Set a room for adjustment just in case any unforeseen incidents affect your design, supplies or target date
   6. Prioritize the materials currently needed. Do not buy all theme elements all at once. Most designs are a work in progress and materials plus fixtures should be bought as needed or as appropriate. This minimizes breakages and wasted purchases
   7. Before making finishing touches to the renovated area, make sure all elements are according to standard.

Home Renovations are much easier when you create a checklist for materials and goals so you can see what can be done, what must be done and how it should be done all in an organized fashion.

For great ideas and even greater results, check out “Today’s RENOVATION.” Today’s Renovation is a brand new magazine resource for homeowners who are searching for landscaping tips, design kitchens, renovations and kitchen articles. Today’s Renovation gives you design ideas for your renovation needs; interior design, full renovations, room-specific renovations, popular renovations and even environmentally conscious designs for those who prefer to “go green.”

Subscribe to Today’s RENOVATION now and start the home renovation dream! You may also visit their website at www.todaysrenovation.com to find out more!

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Upcoming Articles on Today’s Renovation: Home Renovation Designs

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/home-renovation-checklist-5108626.html

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Today’s Renovation – Your Resource for Home Improvement

When this came before the Garland Plan Commission my first thought was “Oh No” not a noisy, dirty cash for cans recycling machine.  After hearing Coke and Krogers’ presentation we decided that this was going to be a class act. And we were right.  Glad we voted for this one!  Garland is only the second city in the country to get one.  It has a window to the side so kids, young and old, can watch the inner workings.  The mural on the side depicts the recycling process and how it ultimately benefits the environment.

From Forbes Magazine…

“Unlike other recycling centers where you have to feed items into a machine one by one, self-contained ReImagine units accept bottles and cans in bulk. And like a Coinstar for spent bottles and cans, Reimagine tallies up and rewards you for each item recycled, thanks to a conveyor belt and optical scanner system that also sorts and crushes items. With points racked up through Reimagine, recyclers can donate funds to local schools through the My Coke Rewards Program or enter to win a sweepstakes.”

Scott Roberts, owner of Creative Architects and chairman of the Garland Plan Commission is second from the right at this dedication ceremony.