If you get the need to build your own log cabin, you will have to find some floor plans somewhere. Where are you able to find Log home floor plans? One of the better ideas is to take a look on the internet. These days you can find almost anything on the web. Even if you don’t decide to buy your log cabin plans on the web, you can get some excellent ideas for exactly what you might like to build.

Perhaps it would be a great thing if you could get the floor plans and put your own team together to construct the log cabin yourself? Consider both you and your sons and maybe even your daughters trying to construct a dream log home. You may want the aid of some other friends, based on what sort of experiences you’ve had.

The first consideration for log cabin kits is the cost involved in buying the kit. It’s very important that you look at different types of kits and different types of finished products so that you can see a range of different prices. Price should play an essential role in your criteria for buying this kind of cabin kit, since kits are supposed to be priced better in comparison to buying all the materials from scratch.

Along with people who wish to design their particular home without trying to create the entire plan themselves, you may find that log construction still offers smart benefits. Through these situations, the savings come primarily through the fact that small, log construction homes are less costly to build up than larger, traditional homes.

The actual authentic log cabin will not have any modern conveniences like indoor plumbing, electricity, air conditioner or heating along with other little things you might want in the log cabin that you build for yourself. When you are getting your Log cabin floor plans, you might want to add a few things like that, particularly if you intend to reside in it year round.

Also, since log homes are often tailor made, they might be meant to meet energy star requirements too, causing them to be more cost effective. On top of all of this, log homes are like every other home, for the reason that they may be developed to run using alternative energy for example solar or wind energy.

In addition to the main benefits that log cabins offer, there are many other individual reasons people choose log construction. From your wish to reside in your dream house that reminds you of nature, to the warmth and strength that wood enhances a property, you can find as many advantages of choosing log construction as there are log homes.

It’s truly essential for you to look at how many different choices there are for kits for log cabins before you buy, and make sure that the kit you buy is going to suit your needs, not only in the short-run but in the future as well. You’ll really need to make an effort to prevent disappointment relating to this kind of project, of course, for you to really appreciate its value.

There are many different types of log cabins and log home packages out there obtainable for those looking to get a custom log home. There are many folks who don’t know what to do or where to begin. There are custom log home package and log cabin house plans out there for these types of people. For more information, check out SouthlandLogHomes.com.

Tagged with:
 

Log Home Packages Can Be Customized To Meet Your Needs And Wants

Have you ever wanted a vacation cabin to take the family to for a vacation? It is always good to have a wonderful spot to relax in and go sport fishing and hunting next to the river and out in the woods. You might take your sons and daughters fishing and go boating.

That is among the many logic behind why so many people choose log construction when considering their custom home. But there are a selection of some other reasons too, with all the main ones being money savings and efficiency. Therefore, if you have ever considered a log construction home, let us take a closer look at those two things, to help you to assess if a log home might be best for you sooner or later.

Now you might have your log cabin built in town if you like, making it seem like you’re on vacation when it’s only your weekend. Or you might live in the cabin in town and feel so comfortable when you get home from work. You might have a cabin away from town, although not really in the woods. There might be a great deal you could build the cabin around the outskirts of town.

Of course, building that cabin in the middle of the woods is the better way to really move away from it all. It’s a way to forget about work and get away from the busy streets and individuals coming and going like chickens with their heads cut off. There is nothing like living life in a simple way, relaxed and free of worries. You may not be able to live like this, however when you go to your cabin, this is when you can experience a simple life.

Now the question is, would you like to have modern conveniences such as central heat and air, electrical outlets, running water and an indoor bathroom? Would you like a wood-burning fireplace or a gas fireplace? How much would you like to “rough it” when you visit your vacation cabin? Do you want to feel like you’re in a past period of time before electrical conveniences came to be? How brave are you with regards to really surviving in nature itself?

You can get log home packages that have only the bare necessities. This may be the easiest way to get your cabin built. Without any running water and electricity, the cabin would be fast to put up. However, you have to be capable of hiking the way the survivors do.

Okay, now lets think big. If you could find a building supervisor and develop a camping resort, full of log cabins, you could create your own resort. Do you know some friends that have special talents, such as a carpenter, an electrical contractor, a construction worker, talents that would be a lot of help in getting this resort built. Each log cabin could be custom made for each family that subscribes for either ownership or perhaps a resort lease. You get your lease or owners before you even build the cabins, therefore obtaining the money to construct the cabins.

These are merely a few suggestions for what you could do whenever you build your cabins or yourself or for others. Have fun while getting your perfect log cabin plans developed and built.

There are various types of log cabins and log home packages out there available for people seeking to get a custom log home. There are a lot of people who don’t know what to do or where to begin. There are custom log home kits and log cabin plans out there for these individuals.

Tagged with:
 

Real Estate Tips For The General Public

When thinking of investing money, people have always thought first of real estate. Owning one’s home was the goal of every young couple soon after marriage, and they would lay aside money each month for that purpose. Home ownership is a far better way to go than renting and putting money into others’ pockets.

Renting a small apartment or condo is often the only thing young people think is available to them. However there are ways to get around this. Even a very little money can sometimes be enough for the down payment on a small property. If more money can be obtained the monthly payments will shrink accordingly.

An agent or broker should be consulted when thinking of purchasing a home. This way the buyer will be freed of all the annoyances of trying to do it alone. A professional will know all the ins and outs of purchasing, such as home inspections, legal matters and mortgage availability.

Don’t be in a hurry when you are looking for a house. The process can take a long time, and the house has to be the right one for you before committing to anything. Sage advice is to go slowly and carefully, as this is the biggest purchase you will ever make.

In 2011 it was reported that the number of first-time home buyers had declined, while people buying homes for an investment increased. A duplex or small apartment house are good bets for investments. Having a monthly rent payment coming in helps greatly in the cost of necessary repairs, as well as chipping away at the mortgage. This is a sound investment for those with the available cash.

For home sellers, try to sell when the market is moving well. Your agent will help you in all aspects of selling your home. These days staging is the word du jour. This means, painting, cleaning, and getting rid of clutter. Also try to modernize as much as possible.

Most buyers want granite counter tops in the kitchen and wood floors throughout.

When purchasing a home, a home inspection is suggested. And on moving day or before, you have the option of a walk- through to check that all is in order. This is done to be certain that the buyer has kept his end of the contract.

Also when buying, do not overlook the available foreclosures. The asking price will be much below the value and the monthly payments will also be below average. Having a professional real estate agent doing the work for you will be invaluable in the end.

The dedicated team of professional real estate agents Toronto have extensive expertise in buying and selling commercial condos. Their experience extends to luxury homes Toronto, houses for sale, and other real estate properties. Slavens & Associates Real Estate Inc. 435 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M5N 1A4 (416) 483-4337

Why choose to build timber frame houses?

Buildings have been made from timber frames for many hundreds of years now and so this is a construction material and method you can certainly put your trust in. When created using modern day technological advancements, you will find they make for a truly cost-effective solution.

You will also find that UK construction companies now have more environmental regulations to be concerned about and so these timber frame buildings can reach the high standards set. When it comes to price, you will find them good value for money, which only adds to their already growing popularity.

So if you do ever decide to opt for these timber frame houses as part of your construction project then you need to go to a specialist offering a top quality manufacturing service. As a company in the building industry you will know how important it is to go to a supplier you can trust.

At every stage of the process, you can expect it all to be worked out for you. From the start to the finish the plan will work out. By going with an experienced specialist the work will be carried out as per the agreement with the building design as decided upon.

The manufacturing company has the capacity to produce and store many units at any given time, so there is no need to worry about them having the resources to deliver. You can also choose to build larger properties as well as the standard housing which is available.

Whether you’d prefer to have homes built for you or your requirements include the need for care homes, social housing, flats or churches, it is up to you. So the first step is to send in your architectural plans to the specialist, so they can provide a quote for the project you have in mind.

Are you interested in Timber Frame Houses? Find what you want at the Southern Timber Frame website.

For brand spanking new residence buyer’s, the borrowed funds method can be very overwhelming. When you are purchasing a house the first time, you will probably be deluged with suggestions from family, co-workers, as well as pals, high of which can be sometimes wrong or not relevant in your distinct wants. Acquiring first-hand understanding of your financial loans accessible to a first time home buyer is the foremost plan to look at. This indicates arranging a gathering with a bank loan or even mortgage officer.

Many first-time house buyers utilize National Real estate Authority (Federal housing administration) lending product. FHA has guidelines that must definitely be fulfilled so that you can entitled to the bank loan. These suggestions vary according to which usually state you happen to be purchasing a property inside. Here’s a fast introduction to what you should expect:

mortgage loan restriction about the amount the customer can borrow

the downpayment has to be 100% through the borrower’s money

revenue boundaries

the borrower’s debt to income (DTI) percentage must be in a selected stage

In addition, there should be a good value determination carried out on the residence the actual customer desires to obtain. The appraiser should be Federal housing administration certified and may complete a record along with Federal housing administration mortgages distinct goods into it.

Qualities purchased using a Federal housing administration loan ought to satisfy minimal house standards. Structural and mechanical techniques should be functional such as roof, heat, water system, as well as electrical for an Mortgage loans bank loan being accepted for the acquiring a property. Any kind of deficiencies are generally observed while on an Federal housing administration mortgages appraisal and must be adjusted prior to concluding.

New home buyers might also make use of conventional mortgage loan goods, normally demanding more of a down payment compared to the Mortgage loans mortgage loan. Quite often, these conventional financial products aren’t sensible the first time consumer simply because they have not possessed a property just before and thus weren’t capable to increase value to apply because deposit when buying another house.

Unique mortgage loan goods may also be intended for very first time home buyers who match one of several following conditions: lecturers, cops, firemen, or even army. Again, credit policeman could have expertise in virtually any special sort of financial loans, a few of which are located at the community degree and also provided by cities, non-public businesses, or another banks.

As one example of one of these brilliant special bank loan goods, a best selling very first time customer mortgage loan in case you assist or perhaps get offered within the military could be the Veteran’s Management (VA) bank loan. A certificate associated with qualification has to be purchased from your Virginia as well as presented to the credit officer in order to commence the process. Like the actual Mortgage loans mortgage loan, there are particular conditions that really must be met as well as guidelines to follow along with.

The ultimate way to work out which first time home buyer loans are available as well as which is the better someone to use would be to talk to credit policeman. He or she gets the ability regarding these refinancing options and also many other financial products that could be suited. There is sufficient of stress and panic in which will go in addition to buying a house. Relieve some of that by sitting down with a professional mortgage official to discover what exactly programs for brand spanking new house buyers is available to you.

Hello, I’m Jack Walker, I live in manufactured homing and choosing manufactured homing construction.

Tagged with:
 

Some individuals find the winter season of year specifically harsh and we don’t like it either, so here are a few helpful ideas to keep warm and toasty this wintertime. We all have to keep comfortable and maintain a perfect and comfortable temperature within our households, particularly when it’s chucking it down with rainfall or snowing out of doors! The common perfect heat for properties is about 20 degrees. What steps could be taken to keep the house comfortable?

SHORT TERM

There are many cheap and simple things that the average joe is able to do in the house to make winter months more acceptable, to minimize any huge household heating costs and to preserve great well being and well being while the cool climate is with us.

1. Wear extra garments! (which includes at bedtime)

2. Take hot water bottles to bed.

3. Use an electric powered quilt in the bed.

Make sure almost all draughts and wind flow entering the house is discovered: Doors could be draught proofed with a strip of do-it-yourself adhesive foam, available from hardware and Do-it-yourself suppliers

Ensure all house windows are closed properly and when you have window shutters or window shades, get them to CLOSED.

Quick bouts of training in the home can also increase circulation thus making you really feel warmer. In times of severe cold, these tips ought to be put to work without fail.

Shut down just about any areas of the property, like a spare bedroom or even a cellar, which are not important to be utilized at these times of the season, which means that the disposable heat will warm a lesser area and will also be more efficient (and cheaper).

Put up thick, lined curtains over doorways and glass windows, if you can, and obstruct spaces under doorways using anything to hand, a bath towel, an older quilt and so on.

Be sure you eat correctly and have hot drinks, especially relevant to young children and also the seniors.

LONG TERM

Ultimately, you must not merely ensure the methods above have been honored and then any work you carried out, like weatherproofing or insulation is still efficient, nevertheless there are many actions you can take to make sure your home is as cozy as doable.

Abide by techniques mentioned above, and………….

Acquire more effective and efficient heating whenever possible.

Ensure that your attic or crawlspace is well insulated (Presently there are financial grants and low interest rate loans available to the older people and the ones on a lower earnings to help you purchase this)

Insulation intended for outside surfaces

Insulating material can be put on to the inside or external walls of the property, on the other hand for finest weatherproof and insulation, and if your home does not have a cavity wall structure, we would suggest the outside walls being protected.

When the insulation wall covering is put on to the outside walls of your home by experts, the team apply a weather resistant wall coating, possibly by render or by way of a spray placed method, such as the British NEVER PAINT AGAIN wall coating system.

What is external Wall insulation?

Outside wall insulation is really a coating of materials, at times panels or at times insulated render, applied to the external walls of the home. This could certainly also take the form of cladding, or brick slips, insulated planks that, whenever fitted to the place, can make it look like the home has a brand spanking new brick wall. This is generally applied to properties with solid walls without any cavity.

Once factor could be the width of the exterior insulation and the physical appearance of the home. Profiles vary from 300mm to 600mm and they will of course stick out outwards somewhat so it’s vital that you select an exterior insulation program that’s desirable to the house, whilst nevertheless doing the task of insulating the walls and not letting heat escape.

The width of the exterior wall padding often is dependent upon the amount of insulation required.

Specifically cold properties might call for the thickest kind of outside insulation fixed, to maximise the performance of the insulation and to substantially minimize the quantity of heat lost through the wall.

A great way of decreasing costs is to combine with this other insulation, including loft space insulation that is easily installed, very cheap, and brings great advantages immediately.

If the residence has cavity walls then you can certainly have a organization put in cavity wall insulating material, via injecting very small insulated beads which can behave as a energy obstacle against cold.

Replace single glazed windows with brand new UPVC double glazed home window units, provided by us here at NPA.

Have interior wall insulating material foil or foam backed plasterboard installed on no cavity “solid” wall space.

Consider getting the inside dry lined, setting up a simple cavity and screen against the cold coming from outside.

If residing in an exposed spot, specially on a large hill or next to the seashore, why don’t you place shrubbery or trees round the most uncovered areas of the property or garden, to minimise the impact of cool, biting winds.

Make sure that all damp external home walls are treated with a weather resistant external wall covering, available from a number of expert companies like NEVER PAINT AGAIN UK. Exterior wallcoatings not only look really good, they stop damp as well as the detrimental results of being in a damp property and they are maintenance free.

For more info regarding solid wall insulation, or perhaps concerning exterior wall coatings on the residence in place of standard paints, make contact with NEVER PAINT AGAIN UK immediately on (0800) 970 4928 or drop by their website.

A Garden Journey

“When we bought our home, we bought it for the land and not the house,” Cindy Barnhill says. Yet the couple nevertheless drew inspiration from the English Tudor home. “We do a lot of French- and English-inspired gardens,” Barnhill continues. “I believe that your garden should be an extension of your home.”

That belief was the genesis of the less formal, meandering mix of boxwood, herbs, perennials and container gardens-arranged in pots from Gene Switzer Antiques-that graces the front of the Barnhills’ home.

And the approach continues in the backyard, where the most immediately striking element is a gorgeous pool and patio. Neither of those existed 25 years ago; in fact, the Barnhills exchanged wedding vows in the very spot where the deep end of their pool now lies.

Back then the nearly empty land included a horse barn and a tack shed, which the couple inherited from the property’s previous owners. They eventually remodeled those structures, transforming the former into a greenhouse and the latter into a playhouse for their two boys.

But first, they tackled the land and planted the orchard that now is home to approximately 120 mature and 20 younger trees with 85 varieties of fruit and nuts. Then they put in a vegetable garden of epic proportions: Last summer it contained 300 tomato cages along with squash, peppers, turnips, kale, purple carrots and more. “We’ve always been crazy gardeners,” Barnhill says. “We try to do unusual things you don’t see all the time.”

Well-placed antiques and iron archways help achieve that goal while adding architectural interest to the green expanse. Guests sitting in the poolside chaise lounges, for example, have a perfect view of an antique mirror from Christopher Filley Antiques: Attached to the back side of the house, it plays host to a revolving variety of flowering vines from year to year.

The Barnhills’ myriad perennial gardens, berm beds and pathways serve as conduits, drawing visitors further into the landscape. This is particularly evident in an aerial shot of the French-inspired parterre garden just across from the pathway that runs along the house. “You just don’t know what’s behind the next bed,” Barnhill says. “It does give you that feel of ‘The Secret Garden.’”

While the Barnhills certainly enjoy getting their hands dirty, taking care of the expanse that has grown up under their tenure on the land is more than a two-person job. Over the past 25 years, they have worked with Brian Wormley of Bergamot & Ivy, who set up the original berm bed outlines, Reed Dillon & Associates in Lawrence and, most recently, Brett Daniel of Red Square Landscaping Design-all were family friends.

But it’s much easier to maintain the property these days, Barnhill says. “People think we must be out there from morning to night,” Barnhill says. “We’ve gotten to a point after this many years now though where there’s not that much maintenance if we keep things under control.”

In fact, a lot of the work happens in the off-season, when Barnhill and Daniels spend their days in the greenhouse, planning, pouring over seed catalogs and working on the container gardens.

“It’s fun to go away [for a season] and come back and see what’s come up,” Barnhill says. “You’re still gardening all year long and taking people along on the journey you see out your window.”

Looking to find the best information about design design

Tagged with:
 

Beyond the Indoors of a Home

This is the time we start thinking of transforming our backyards into tranquil oases. The key to doing so lies in seamlessly blending the great outdoors with interior rooms. To keep the two spaces flowing and free of harsh distinctions, a designer must consider all aspects of a home, from its architectural lines and furniture to its amenities, plantings and smallest personal  details.

“If you have a terrace coming off of a living room graced with wood floors, formal furniture and fine fabrics, then the terrace materials ought to complement those,” says Kristopher Dabner, owner of The Greensman, a Kansas City garden design and installation business.

“I have used some great Sunbrella fabrics from the biggest design houses for terrace drapery,” Dabner says. But why stop there? Outdoor-friendly fabrics can also be used to upholster traditionally indoor furniture-a Louis XV settee, for example, or a favorite leather armchair.

Maintaining a smooth transition from interior to exterior also is dependent on the selected vegetation. Ultimately, a client’s personality and intentions for a space are essential in planning, says The Muddy Gardener’s Kevin Yates. “I’ve learned to be fluid [in order] to create environments that the clients like,” he says.

Urban terraces, support drought-tolerant plants that don’t require much water. Perennials, which do not need to be replanted, and durable containers that rarely need to be replaced are other popular and low-maintenance options.

In more suburban areas, garden designers like Bergamot & Ivy in Westport or Lawrence-based Reed Dillon & Associates select well-trimmed plants that draw inspiration from a home’s surrounding architecture and overall aesthetic, further blurring lines and making the space appear larger.

After all, a truly chic terrace looks beyond plant life, taking into consideration the lives of those who spend time there. “When I think of my ideal use for an outdoor space, it involves friends, food and drink, and a feeling of comfort,” says Lauren Moore, a landscape designer with Miller’s Landscaping. “When I picture myself in that type of setting, the inspiration comes naturally.”

Moore says that unique accents-an old metal tub to hold drinks or ice, colorfully patterned cushions or high-quality flooring like cut limestone or flagstone-add personal flair and reflect her clients’ style.

Outdoor Environments Inc. and Portfolio Kitchen & Home focus on similarly “user-centered” design philosophies. Beyond accents and plants, most of these companies’ projects are structural additions to existing homes-from Outdoor Environments’ multi-tiered decks to Portfolio’s outdoor kitchens-so it is important to maintain that “seamless blend” with the architecture already in place.

Outdoor Environments has constructed more than 1,000 decks, arbors, porches and patios throughout the Kansas City metro. Its largest project was a cantilevered deck built over a lake. “The challenge was to place footing piers within the lake surface that would stand the test of time and support a five-level, 3,500-square-foot deck above,” Devuyst says. “We drained the lake by five feet and dug the footings to solid rock. We then raised the piers to three feet above the lake’s high-water line, built a sea wall … and constructed a paver patio area behind the sea wall. [We] built the deck from that point up.”

But even those who don’t own lakefront property can have a water feature: Whether a simple fountain from the sculpture yard at Van Liew’s or a koi pond stocked with plants from Water’s Edge in Lawrence, 50 percent of Dabner’s clients usually end up with some sort of water feature, the designer says.

And there are plenty of options for those who dream even bigger and want to cast a pool in a starring role of their outdoor fantasy.

When it comes to pool design- infinity, or vanishing, edge, which is constructed so that water flows over one side into a catch basin and then recirculated back into the pool; it’s particularly popular in yards situated on hillsides with a beautiful view.

But the infinity edge is starting to give way to a new innovation-the perimeter overflow. With this type of construction, which lends an ultra-luxe atmosphere, the water level in the pool is flush with the edge of the decking. Wet decks and shallow lounging areas are also popular trends. A wet deck gradually slopes from the pool deck into the water, much like a beach, while a shallow lounging area is actually a shelf submerged in 4 to 8 inches of water that is quickly heated by the sun. Perfect for lounging chairs, these areas let less aquatic adults cool off in the pool while supervising their more deeply submerged offspring.

Materials and construction are other keys consideration in pool design. Many local dealers-including Esther Williams Pool & Spa in Olathe and Above & Beyond Pools in the Northland carry pre-fabricated, in-ground pools with vinyl and fiberglass liners. According to the experts at Esther Williams, however, gunite offers a much more elaborate, customized pool design. Reinforced with concrete and plaster, gunite pools are enhanced with tiles, native stone or a pebble-like, decorative concrete aggregate. Glass tiles arranged in elaborate mosaics are especially popular right now; local companies like International Materials of Design can source them in any color, with any kind of detailing or construction-including recycled glass. Even more exciting, recent innovations in aggregates mean that glow-in-the-dark and iridescent pool materials are coming soon.

The final trend in pool construction is an especially appropriate option in the current climate. Shallow lap pools-about 10 meters long by 2.5 meters wide-are winning fans among homeowners who have renounced gym memberships and taken their fitness into their own hands. More economical and easier to maintain due to their smaller size, they can also double as beautiful reflecting pools-especially when due attention is paid to their aesthetics.

And after all, isn’t quiet reflection what having an outdoor terrace, patio or pool is all about? Fortunately, the resources for making that dream of tranquility a reality abound here in Kansas City.

Looking to find more information about KC Magazine KC Magazine

Tagged with:
 

Small Spaces With Perfect Harmony

A few decades can make anything look tired, even a gorgeous pair of French bergeres that were distinctly snazzy several years ago. Who would have imagined that a call to design team Jan Kyle and Doug Wells for help selecting new upholstery fabric would lead to the redecoration of an entire house?

And who would have guessed that the eagle-eyed designers would spot a great rug stored under the grand piano? The rug, a swirl of soft peach, curry, sage green and cream, inspired the silk shantung on the bergeres. Kyle and Wells had the border cut off, making the estate sale find the perfect size for the living room. Its soft palette provides a restful background for a space filled with art.

Whoops! It would be impossible for the existing sofa and the refurbished rug to exist in the same room. The replacement, a decadently comfortable velvet presence with brushed nickel nail heads and a masculine attitude, moved in. A new coffee table, sofa table, lampshades and wall color joined it.

The coffee table, a piece that Kyle and Wells found in Palm Beach, is retro cool. “Brass is back,” Kyle notes, referring to its brass wire frame, which adds a sense of lightness to the room. The sofa table is local vintage, while the lampshades are of-the-moment. The wall color, a soft cream, gives breathing space to the homeowners’ art collection.

A number of Loncasty and Bruffy’s favorite pieces surround the fireplace. Canvases by Agneses Udinotti and Bryan Haynes hang next to works by local artists Kim Casebeer and Alan Chow. Encaustics by Brigitta McReynolds balance the grouping. From the mantle, Bruffy’s collection of miniature figures and a piece by Barbara Doll keep watch on the goings-on below.

All these pieces join together in a happy symphony, overseen by a Steinway piano. Bruffy, artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale, displays the ensemble group’s 2008 Grammy on the piano’s satiny surface.

Looking for a splash of pure color? Look up. Benjamin Moore’s Venetian Gold paint covers the ceiling, washing the room and everyone in it in a flattering peach hue.

But the changes in the living room were only the beginning. The dining room, kitchen and great room followed.

DINING ROOM

The indisputable star of the dining room is a contemporary painting by local artist Brady Legler; its colors informed the choice of paint on the ceiling. Luscious peach velvet covers the black Art Deco chairs purchased from an estate, which, along with a custom-made carpet, cozy up to the homeowners’ existing table. With the judicious addition of black accents, the beloved table holds its own. “A good designer finds solutions,” says Loncasty, the executive director of the Kansas City Chorale. “We were attached to this table, so Jan and Doug found a way to make it work.”

That’s not to say that the homeowners took every suggestion. The bombe chest that greets guests at the door kept its original finish, for example. The still life by Tony LaSalle that hangs above it means there are always flowers in the entryway.

“Jan and Doug respected deal breakers and our budget,” Loncasty says. “They made it simple to work with them.”

To the left of the entry, the leather and chrome on a pair of Wassily chairs anchor more art, including pieces by local artists Gregory Eltringham, Marci Aylward, Tom Corbin and Alan Chow. Added to the mix are canvases by Karl Dahl and Hunt Slonem. A cog lamp, updated with a new shade, casts a golden glow on it all.

“Don and Charles are collectors and had a number of wonderful pieces,” Wells notes. “It’s important to honor the pieces people love and use. We moved things around, refinished an item or two and freshened things up to emphasize their art.”

GREAT ROOM/BREAKFAST NOOK

The great room the design team added an elk hide to the back of a well-loved leather sofa. The two textures complement each other. The great room is also home to a coffee table that once resided in the living room and, of course, more art. The painting above the couch, a piece by Wendy Schwartz, echoes the earthy, warm colors already at play in the room.

Newly installed wallpaper in the breakfast nook reflects those same warm tones, as does the light fixture that hangs above the table. The chandelier, one of Loncasty’s finds at Mission Road Antique Mall, led a pale white existence until Kyle and Wells arranged for a gilded update. Purchased at the Plaza Art Fair, canvases by Cathy Rose and John Whipple add further visual interest to the area.

Loncasty and Bruffy are known for their parties, and their designers made it easier to entertain by cutting shelves into the great room walls. The new storage space holds liquor and glassware.

MASTER BEDROOM

After the party, the master bedroom-a room that Loncasty and Bruffy decorated together over the years-is a serene retreat. The buff-colored, stamped-leather fronts of the antique bombe chests on either side of the simple bed frame add lightness to what can sometimes look like heavy furniture. The painting above the bed is one of the first pieces local artist Joe Gregory ever sold. The carpet, purchased at TK, adds a zing of texture, pattern and visual interest.

Of the project that began with a small request for upholstery, Wells says, “We helped [Charles and Don] mix different metals, textures and decades for a layered look.”

Indeed, layers might just be the theme of the home: something old, something new, something brass, something brushed nickel, local artists, regional artists, and a give and take between homeowners and designers. It’s a collaboration that hits all the right notes.

Looking to find more information about KC design KC Design

Tagged with:
 

Should You Consider The Zoning Of a Home?

When looking for a new home, don’t forget to consider the zoning of a property and what your future plans are for that property. Are you planning to start a new home business? Will your in-laws be moving in? Don’t make the major mistake of buying a home only to find out later a home business is prohibited, or the garage can’t be permitted for an in-law guest unit. Local zoning rules or city codes dictate what you can do with your home. It also wouldn’t hurt to check out what your neighbors are allowed to do with their property.

One of your first priorities should be to contact the local municipal planning and building department to learn what the zoning allowances are for the home you’re interested in. In most residential areas, the main classification is single-family residential, but in some communities, the zoning may allow transitional, multi-family, or mixed use which permits both residential and commercial.

It’s important to consider which classification is right for you. If you’re planning to set up a home business, a mixed commercial and residential area may be to your advantage. However you need to be aware your neighbor may also take advantage of the zoning classification and build a business or apartment building next door if the zoning permits it.

At first glance, it may appear zoning ordinances only regulate how your home can be used. But they can also regulate the minimum square footage of the property, its maximum square footage, number of levels, and how it needs to be oriented on the land. You’ll even discover there are guidelines spelling out how your property needs to be set back from the road as well as how much distance their needs to be between your home and your neighbor’s. This fact could drastically affect any future plans you may have for a sun deck or extra room.

Hire a competent Realtor or attorney to help you research local zoning and municipal rules if any of the following situations occur:

1) You Need To Operate A Business From Home – If you have an existing home business or plan to start one in the future, make sure you check the zoning restrictions to be certain one is allowed-especially if you’re looking in zones designated as residential. The city has its own set of regulations regarding the operation of a home business. If possible, try locating residents who operate businesses from their home and see how cooperative the city is.

2) You Plan On Remodeling – If up you have dreams of renovating or adding new structures to a property, the local zoning regulations may have stringent regulations on the type of renovations you can do. For example, some local codes may prohibit the addition of a second floor.

3) Storing a RV or boat in your front driveway.

4) You Want To Buy Property In A Historical District – Local zoning regulations for these type of homes are very strict and designed to maintain a home’s original style and color scheme.

5) You have plans to eliminate a large tree

6) You have unusual or special plans.

7) You plan to raise farm animals such as sheep or hens.

Looking to find the best San Mateo homes for sale? Come and see what San Mateo Realtors can do to help you find your dream home.

Tagged with:
 
Luxury Home Plans call 888.533.3254