Thursday

Guide to Setting Up Your Own Home Office

Guide to Home Office Furniture

Setting up your own home office can be a daunting task. Simple as it may sound, there are many things to consider before one can truly find a set up that’s highly functional, space saving and comfortable. The selection of home office furniture should be well thought out. Here is a great guide in how well selected furniture can make an ideal home office.

SPACE

The first thing that should be considered is the space allotted for the home office. If one has the space for it, a whole room can be dedicated for this purpose. It is ideal that one gets the specifications of the room before purchasing new furniture. The nature of transactions that will take place should also be considered. One has to consider the home owner’s taste and specifications. Moreover, if clients are going to be entertained in the same room, then it is important that a good impression be made.

For those with limited space, a corner in the house or an unused space can be converted into a home office. Regardless of whether the space is small or big, there are office essentials that one needs to have. This home office furniture may include the work desk, computer desk, computer chair, office chair, bookshelves, and filing cabinets. Office accessories like waste receptacle, clocks, display boards, bulletins, literature organizer and desk accessories need to be in place.

COMPUTER

The computer work station essentials for the computer set up includes a printer, scanner and perhaps, a large monitor. The office wouldn’t be complete without a fax machine, an answering machine and a telephone which can be shared for both business and personal use.

FURNITURE

Mobile and modular furniture is one popular choice among furniture buyers. This type of furniture can be easily mixed and matched. Besides, they are also easy to rearrange. If at anytime due to budget constraints or lack of need, additional furniture pieces can be purchased to complement the set-up. Ready to assemble furniture being reasonably priced and easy to install are popular choices among furniture buyers. There are different furniture styles that one can choose from. They run from the traditional to the contemporary. A multicolored scheme or a natural color scheme ranging from grey, black, white or tan furniture can be chosen. The furniture finish can also range from dark oak, natural, or antique look

For additional storage capacity, shelves can be conveniently placed in the walls. Hanging wall organizers can be installed to save space. Mobile filing cabinets can be moved around at anytime and may also be positioned under desks. These hasten the work and are essential to avoid clutter.

DESIGN

The workspace design can be U shaped or L-shaped. To complete the work desk, a great comfortable office chair is essential considering that one sits in this chair most of the time. Select chairs that can be easily adjusted for height with an adjustable arm and back rests.

LIGHTING

Lighting is a vital consideration in any work area. Lighting from an unnatural source like a lamp is one furniture piece that one can’t do without. Lamps come in different shapes, sizes and colors. It can be a very decorative and a functional piece. Lamps may be placed on tables or on the floor. A natural light that comes from big windows is a great boon to any working area. Overhead light may not be enough to brighten up the work area. However, illumination from lamps may fall directly on the work surface such that it greatly aids the user.

Whatever style is chosen in the selection of home office furniture, what is important is that every item has its own storage space. The office should be clutter free and should suit the needs of the user. Great and well selected furniture makes a home office look organized and professional.

Wednesday

Green Kitchen Design in Orange County


Mary Jo Peterson takes a deep look into the modern drive behind the green movement in kithcen and bath design. Will bamboo floors ever take root in the O.C.? Highly unlikely but then again there was a time when popcorn ceilings were all the rage!

To begin, let’s look at the meaning of “green.” While there’s no single definition, environmentally considerate or green design is outlined by some people in terms of the three R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. To those, I might add a fourth R – Rethink.

In the kitchen, this asks us to reduce use and waste of space and resources, as well as unhealthy pollutants; to reuse the space and the elements of it, and to recycle products and materials. What can we do to accomplish this? Although it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition, there are many things we can do, each one a step toward a healthier environment, and resulting in the lowest negative impact. Full Story

Monday

Great Tips for Avoiding Kitchen Remodel Mistakes

How many "top 10 tips" or "great ideas" articles have we read on the internet telling us the most basic of common sense tips for doing your remodeling work? Selena Maranjian of the Fool.com gives a contrarian point of view of things you should not do when remodeling your kitchen. Great pearls of wisdom:

Here's some more detailed advice:

  • When shopping for cabinets, don't neglect less-expensive options, such as IKEA, which has an extensive line of kitchen furnishings.
  • For counters, granite is great, but consider some newfangled possibilities, too, such as colored concrete. For floors, understand that wood floors can get damaged by water, and tile floors can be hard on feet and damaged by falling Le Creuset pots. A host of other options exist, such as cork. (Tile or hardwood can still be considered, of course.)
  • Make sure you have lots of light. You don't have to turn on every light all the time, but if the kitchen is dark in spots at times, you may wish you'd added more lights during the job.
Read full story

Friday

Neil Kelly Cabinets Meets 2009 California Air Quality Regulations Now With 'No-Added Formaldehyde' Panels, Binders, Glues

PORTLAND, Ore., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- California designers, cabinet makers and builders are facing a new challenge, following unanimous ruling by California's Air Resources Board (CARB) to significantly reduce formaldehyde levels in panelized building products.

Neil Kelly Cabinets, a long-time Oregon manufacturer of environmentally- friendly cabinets meets the new CARB regulations today, due to its no-added formaldehyde cabinet components.

On April 26, CARB approved the world's most sweeping restriction on emissions of formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical found in kitchen cabinets, shelving, countertops and ready-to-assemble furniture. The regulation would phase in over three years, beginning in 2009.

The regulations would cut by nearly 60 percent the amount of formaldehyde emissions that seep into the air from the resin or glue most commonly used to bond plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard. The new standard applies to all products sold, used or manufactured for sale in California, both domestic and imported.

Neil Kelly Cabinets has been manufacturing cabinets in Portland, Oregon since 1966 and in 1998 introduced their Naturals Collection, featuring no added formaldehyde agri-board panels, binders and glues, FSC certified wood veneers, and low VOC finishes, according to Rick Fields, company president.

"Our cabinet collection is now fully compliant with these new regulations," Fields noted. "Our California dealers are ahead of the curve by offering healthy, high quality cabinets in a range of styles, that meet these CARB regulations right now."

Neil Kelly cabinets have found their way into hundreds of high end remodeling and new building projects in the past ten years, primarily in the western states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Montana.

The company's cabinets possess positive environmental qualities through the use of formaldehyde-free PureBond(TM) panel products, manufactured by Portland-based Columbia Forest Products. The proprietary soy flour-based binders in both panels ... and in Neil Kelly cabinets ... resulted from research by Oregon State University, where scientists, through biomimicry, developed natural binders based on their experience with shellfish.

"The real winners are California homeowners and trade partners who now have a healthier alternative in fine cabinetry that offers higher indoor air quality and lower health risks by immediately meeting these new CARB regulations." Neil Kelly Cabinets

CONTACT: Rick Fields, President of Neil Kelly Cabinets,
rick@neilkelly.com, +1-503-335-9275 or +1-503-740-0749

Web site: http://neilkellycabinets.com/

Thursday

Website Review: Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo Center

Website Review: Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo

Panda Kitchen & Bath Expo: located at http://www.pandagranite.com/.

The first thing that hits you when you visit this website is the apparent connection to an Asian/Chinese theme. I assume the owners import their cabinets and granite from China as the site reads and/or the design styles there are very much in tune with the very popular Contemporary Asian design styles.

As for the actual design and layout of the site, it is executed very well. Lots of pictures, simple navigation and lots and lots of RED!

What I don't get are some of the glaring grammatical errors of the site. On the bottom left of the homepage one caption reads, "If you contentment some kind of our product, please booking online." Also the phrase "Create Yourself" as one of the navigation selections. It's important to note that a website is a direct reflection on the business it represents. As a customer the first thing I check is a company's website, you should do the same. See Image Below, Click to View Full Size:

I also find a 305 area code for the phone number, which is clearly not in Orange County. All and all the website is a fine one, it just needs some tweaking to ensure that the company can deliver what their website says it can. Until the grammatical errors are corrected, I will reserve giving a passing grade.

Tuesday

Home Renovations that give the best return

Of course all home owners should know that the bathroom and kitchen are the crown jewels of any home remodel, but how to do them the right way can make all the difference. If you had to choose between new cabinets and tile countertops or refaced cabinets and granite what would you select? This Old House featured a great piece on the best return for your remodeling dollars:

It's the fundamental question facing anyone who has ever embarked on a home renovation: How likely am I to get the money back when I sell my house?

There's no easy answer, because what a buyer might be willing to pay depends on many factors everything from the choice of project to the materials you use to the value of other homes in your neighborhood. But it's important to have some idea of what your improvements might be worth.

If you want to invest more than you can hope to recoup because you love your house and plan to live in it for a long while, that's fine. But consider the following guidelines and you'll avoid unpleasant surprises when it comes time to put up that For Sale sign on the lawn.

Read Full Article

Monday

Margie Vinson's Express Cabinet

America in general has made great strides towards making the home more accessible for people of "non-normal" needs. Normal meaning the average person in height, weight and abilities based on statistical data. However America's diversity not only culturally but also physically has spawned many new improvements in home design. One such design is the Cabinet Express , designed by Margie Vinson.

Inside Bay Area News does a good inside of of this technology:

This is what universal design is all about," says Barbara Pisching, a residential remodel consultant who owns Home Remodel Resource in Concord. "You want a cabinet that is accessible to everyone. Elements such as these make a home work for all ages, everyone across the board — children, working adults, the elderly."

Once known as "handicap accessible" or"aging in place," universal design has become the more applicable term. It addresses an array of accessibility and limitation issues, from cabinets, drawers, counters, appliances and adequate lighting to doorway openings, flooring, ramps and grab bars. Read the Full Story.




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Saturday

Kitchen and Bath Show Update Las Vegas

The Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas has come and gone with much fanfare.

Nextpert post a great new video covering the 2007 Kitchen and Bath Show recently held in Las Vegas. This video discusses new energy efficient appliances. Other tidbits include the hate it or love it trend of replacing maple with bamboo.



Other highlights included:

Supported by over 150 international brands was positively awash with the region's kitchen and bathroom industry experts, from suppliers, customers and distributors, to property developers, architects and designers.

The exhibition, has doubled in size in recent years, is the only design-led event of its kind in the region concentrating on quality, durability and brand.

American households spent more than $35 billion on home improvement last year, most notably in their kitchens and bathrooms.

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Wednesday

Website Review: Avalon Kitchen Design

Avalon Kitchen Design: located at http://www.avalonkitchendesign.com.

A good entry level site that gives potential clients just enough information to begin the initial lead generation process. The site has a photo gallery that is full of images but has very little organization. Very few content updates or company news seems to be available for visitors but overall the site is decent.

We would recommend more personal touches such as a blog, possible videos or even images of the ownership, management and or construction team so that we could know what the company stands for beyond selling cabinets. The company does maintain a seperate site at www.avaloncabinets.com that gives some information, but it is a part of their custom cabinetry section. Overall the site shows well, but leaves much to be considered.

see the photo gallery:

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10 Ways To Make Sure You Get Great Contractor

The State of California offers great advice for hiring a great general contractor. These rules generally apply to cabinet installers as well. The biggest risk one takes when dealing with an unlicensed contractor is whether or not that person will be reliable and accountable. On the other side a license does not guarantee competence. And sometimes having experience is much better than having a professional designation. Would you rather a new college graduate deliver your child or a midwife with 100 successful deliveries.

1 Hire only licensed contractors.
2Check the contractor's license number by calling 1-800-321-CSLB or doing a License Check.
3Get three references, and review past work.
4Get at least three bids.
5Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
6Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.
7Don't let payments get ahead of work. Keep records of payments.
8Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the job.
9Don't pay cash.
10Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.

Tuesday

How to hire a General Contractor

Hiring a General Contractor

The contractor will negotiate a remodeling contract for the complete project. It will be their responsibility to complete the specialized work or sub contract the work out. These areas sub contracted could be architecture, plumbing, electrical and cabinetry.

You should always get at least three bids from general contractors. Some questions you should ask and have written into the contract are:

  • References from remodeling projects similar to yours
  • Insurance and licenses
  • How many hours daily will they supervise
  • How many projects will they be involved with while working on yours
  • Do their own men/women do all the work
  • Length of job from beginning to end

The contract for your kitchen and/or bathroom remodel should be precise and thorough. Have full names, addresses and phone numbers of parties, start and ending dates, payment options, guarantees on materials, work and a complete and detailed job description.

Also check local resources like the Better Business Bureau, AngiesList, and the State California Licensing Agency.

How to Hire a Remodeling Team or Company

Hiring a Remodeling Team

People in California spend in excess of $35 billion dollars annually on residential construction. Instead of purchasing new homes, many homeowners choose to update or improve their existing one by remodeling their kitchens, bathrooms and other areas inside and out. With home renovations being expensive, homeowners should spend a lot of time and care making smart decisions especially in regards to choosing a licensed contractor and designer. To get started locating a remodeling team click on www.angieslist.com .

Hiring a Designer

A fantastic kitchen will not turn you into a top chef and a gorgeous bathroom will still need to be cleaned but when you remodel your kitchen and/or bathroom, it certainly will make your time spent at home more enjoyable. Designing and planning your own remodeling for these rooms is overwhelming and usually disappointing in the end. By hiring an experienced and talented licensed designer, that understands what you want, not only will they be functional and beautiful but exactly as you had dreamed.

A certified kitchen and bathroom designer must have:

  • Seven years of practical experience
  • Coursework
  • Tested by the National Kitchen and Bath Association
  • Continued education to keep up with current styles

Kitchens and bathrooms are extremely complex rooms to remodel or design. A remodeled, well-designed kitchen adds value to your home and improves the chance of it selling if you are putting it on the market. By hiring a designer your dream kitchen will be functional, within your budget and visually perfect.

Remodeling a new kitchen is very complex and technical. A designer understands the workings of a kitchen, can examine your family’s lifestyle and requirements, budget and appliance integration. A designer will advise you on:

  • Layout
  • Function
  • Choice of materials
  • Appliances
  • Countertops
  • Cabinetry
  • Flooring
  • Tile
  • Space usage
  • Lighting
  • Coordinate colors and materials
  • Electrical and plumbing