Noam Bouzaglou is a custom home builder and renovator who has a mission to create beauty and value through modern designs and features for discriminating Los Angeles County homeowners who appreciate fine work.
While many contractors do acceptable interior renovations, builder Noam Bouzaglou has over 19 years of remodeling experience excellence.
This magnificent 2 in 1 custom designed luxury property has two completely separate homes. Situated in the middle of “Old Palos.” Each home has its own attached and yet separate basements and garages.
Everything is top-of-the-line paying close attention to all the details. Beautiful hardwood floors, “alder” wood doors, granite counters, nine foot and two-story ceilings, heated basement floors, 5,200-plus square feet of luxurious custom finishes. View this exceptional luxury… Read more at Luxury Portfolio Blog
Luxurious custom finishes and attention to detail in every area of this luxury home. It has gorgeous hardwood floors, elegant granite counters, high ceilings, basement with heated flooring and more. This luxury property is shown only to high end clients who are specifically looking for a 2 in 1 home arrangement.
The ultimate related living arrangement…two distinct and luxurious homes in one structure, with the only common areas being the laundry room, and it has separate washers and dryers, and the beautiful backyard stone patio! This magnificent property was custom designed to have two completely separate dwelling units… Read more at Luxury Portfolio Blog
Perhaps your kids have just moved out and you finally have the bathroom all to yourself. Or maybe your morning routine has always felt uncomfortable and rushed and you feel ready for a change. Either way, if you want to upgrade to a more relaxing bathroom, we recommend calling a local contractor to follow through with a remodel. Here’s how to optimize the space for relaxation!
Prioritize Comfort
With most bathroom remodels, there are limitations as to what upgrades you can actually make. You may need to make sacrifices, which is why you should prioritize comfort if relaxation is your number one reason for a remodel.
If you decide that new spa, luxury shower with a built-in bench, or rainfall showerhead is what you need to feel calm in the mornings and at night, then follow through with that plan and make sacrifices elsewhere instead. Maybe you don’t need a doublewide sink or a shelving unit if those things are not your number one priority.
Declutter
Something that often gets in the way of your ability to feel relaxed? Clutter. A bathroom that feels too crowded with belongings and décor can clutter the mind as well. Focus on one or two items for décor, and save the rest for elsewhere in the house.
Remember that bathroom-related items, especially those that do not get everyday use, do not need to be in the bathroom at all times. Medicines and other products may easily be stored outside of the bathroom.
Keep It Simple
For some people, the bathroom is no exception to a loud, fun, whole-house style. But if you really want to feel relaxed as you bathe or get ready for the evening, you might need to tone it down a bit—which does not mean you sacrifice style.
Calming, soothing bathroom colors include subtle greys, navy blue, and cream colors. Lighter colors brighten a room and make it appear more open. Keep your décor simple and let the rainfall showerhead or spa-like tub relax you.
If you’ve followed this blog during the holidays in years past, you are probably well aware that my family makes a tradition out of Black Friday. Often, I use Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday to get the things I’ve been otherwise saving for the rest of the year, like a new TV or washer and dryer. This year, I don’t have a lot of big ticket items on my need-to-have list, so I thought it might be better this time around to give you guys a head’s up on the stuff worth scooping up (either for yourself or as a gift… to yourself).
Oh, and affiliate links are included here — all that means is that I make a few pennies/dollars when purchases are made from my recommendations (but like every post I did before I started using affiliates, I’d recommend these things regardless if that were true). My disclosure page goes into more boring detail about this, but let’s get to shopping!
I’ve been planning on doing several gift idea roundups this year, one of which includes gifts for runners. I’m not a strong runner, but I do run with lots of people who do marathons and I’ve learned quite a lot from them in addition to my own preferences. These Powerbeats Wireless In-Ear Headphones were/are going to be on that list, but they are a steal right now, so I’m jumping ahead of that later-planned list and telling you to scoop them up while the gettin’s good. I use these when I’m working on outdoor projects in the heat as well (they handle sweat like a champ). They have a long charge, a Bluetooth connection that automatically syncs with my phone when I turn them on (I love that I don’t have to go into Settings to connect), and they stay put, even if I’m getting jostled around on a backhoe. They come in several colors, but I have the bright yellow-green ones, which are really easy to find when I’m looking for them.
So, I don’t actually own either of these products, but I’ve been reading reviews like mad, and I think I’m going to buy one or both of these this weekend. A bunch of stores are selling these items for the same price, so you can either try to rush out and get one from the store or order online (though I recommend the one that comes to you).
I don’t have this one in my house, but I have helped install a Nest thermostat before, and they are really easy! I love that they sync to your phone and other devices (including Alexa, which is what the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot connect to above as well, so that makes for a pretty smart home system). The Nest indoor security camera is on sale as well, which I’ve also seen before but I’m not really recommending for the sole reason that they have an outdoor one and that seems like a better option to me (the Nest Cam Outdoor IS on sale, but it’s a new release, so it probably won’t have a similar Black Friday discount until there’s a second generation or next year).
I got this as a regift for my birthday (a used regift, actually), and even though that person is forever deserving of a good punch to the crotch for their misdeed, this thing is awesome and a top-recommended product for how many times it’s saved my butt. What it does is work as a key/phone/anything finder that you download as an app on your phone and then attach Bluetooth-enabled trackers to your most-used stuff, like your remote, your keys, and your purse. They now have a slim one that you can stick in your wallet and mini versions as well, which make great stocking stuffers because it’s a universal truth that everyone misplaces their stuff. The best deals are if you get them in combo packs (which, bonus for you, means you can keep one or two for yourself).
I’m going to add these items to one collective group of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals, along with whatever else I find throughout the weekend/week (like tools, clothes, etc.), but I’ve got to get out and go grab a few things myself, so I’ll leave it at that for now!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Top Picks
Also, just for savings in general…
More Savings Tips
I have several things I use on my computer and phone that help me to save on discounts and rebates during the year. Just for the sake of making sure you’re aware of those too, I’ve included some referral links to the stuff I like most (usually by signing up via the referral code, it gives us both an incentive, like a free $5 or whatever).
Honey – this installs in most major browsers and can save you a LOT of time in searching for discount codes. On Amazon, it also has a little button that confirms if this is definitely the cheapest price it can find or will suggest a different seller. Basically, it searches the internet for all of those promo codes and coupons and lets you search and apply them with one click. If it can get you a better deal at checkout, it most definitely will. It also occasionally gives cash back. I’ve saved additionally (5-10%) on big-ticket items and even food orders just by using this thing.
Wikibuy – this is another browser install that scans other websites to see if they are offering a better deal. I haven’t used this quite as much as I have Honey, but it flat-out tells you the difference in savings, and sometimes it’s significant enough to click and see what’s up. The way it often works is they act as a middleman and don’t necessarily tell you the actual website offering the cheapest price (they basically try to work their own exclusive discounts), but they also guarantee the item you’re purchasing so you can buy without worrying if the website offering said “deal” is sketch. Right now after looking at just a handful of items, I am seeing offers that are even slightly less than Black Friday purchases (so perhaps they have a special discount on top).
Paribus – in this case, this browser tool tracks your purchases and gives you refunds if the prices drop during a certain time period (minus a small % for giving you the refund). Don’t you hate it when you buy something and it goes on sale for cheaper the next day? With this app, the concept is that you can eliminate that game for good. This is the app I have just recently started trying out, but I was amazed at how well-integrated it was with my recent purchases and look forward to trying it out more.
If you’ve followed this blog during the holidays in years past, you are probably well aware that my family makes a tradition out of Black Friday. Often, I use Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday to get the things I’ve been otherwise saving for the rest of the year, like a new TV or washer and dryer. This year, I don’t have a lot of big ticket items on my need-to-have list, so I thought it might be better this time around to give you guys a head’s up on the stuff worth scooping up (either for yourself or as a gift… to yourself).
Oh, and affiliate links are included here — all that means is that I make a few pennies/dollars when purchases are made from my recommendations (but like every post I did before I started using affiliates, I’d recommend these things regardless if that were true). My disclosure page goes into more boring detail about this, but let’s get to shopping!
I’ve been planning on doing several gift idea roundups this year, one of which includes gifts for runners. I’m not a strong runner, but I do run with lots of people who do marathons and I’ve learned quite a lot from them in addition to my own preferences. These Powerbeats Wireless In-Ear Headphones were/are going to be on that list, but they are a steal right now, so I’m jumping ahead of that later-planned list and telling you to scoop them up while the gettin’s good. I use these when I’m working on outdoor projects in the heat as well (they handle sweat like a champ). They have a long charge, a Bluetooth connection that automatically syncs with my phone when I turn them on (I love that I don’t have to go into Settings to connect), and they stay put, even if I’m getting jostled around on a backhoe. They come in several colors, but I have the bright yellow-green ones, which are really easy to find when I’m looking for them.
So, I don’t actually own either of these products, but I’ve been reading reviews like mad, and I think I’m going to buy one or both of these this weekend. A bunch of stores are selling these items for the same price, so you can either try to rush out and get one from the store or order online (though I recommend the one that comes to you).
I don’t have this one in my house, but I have helped install a Nest thermostat before, and they are really easy! I love that they sync to your phone and other devices (including Alexa, which is what the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot connect to above as well, so that makes for a pretty smart home system). The Nest indoor security camera is on sale as well, which I’ve also seen before but I’m not really recommending for the sole reason that they have an outdoor one and that seems like a better option to me (the Nest Cam Outdoor IS on sale, but it’s a new release, so it probably won’t have a similar Black Friday discount until there’s a second generation or next year).
I got this as a regift for my birthday (a used regift, actually), and even though that person is forever deserving of a good punch to the crotch for their misdeed, this thing is awesome and a top-recommended product for how many times it’s saved my butt. What it does is work as a key/phone/anything finder that you download as an app on your phone and then attach Bluetooth-enabled trackers to your most-used stuff, like your remote, your keys, and your purse. They now have a slim one that you can stick in your wallet and mini versions as well, which make great stocking stuffers because it’s a universal truth that everyone misplaces their stuff. The best deals are if you get them in combo packs (which, bonus for you, means you can keep one or two for yourself).
I’m going to add these items to one collective group of Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals, along with whatever else I find throughout the weekend/week (like tools, clothes, etc.), but I’ve got to get out and go grab a few things myself, so I’ll leave it at that for now!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Top Picks
Also, just for savings in general…
More Savings Tips
I have several things I use on my computer and phone that help me to save on discounts and rebates during the year. Just for the sake of making sure you’re aware of those too, I’ve included some referral links to the stuff I like most (usually by signing up via the referral code, it gives us both an incentive, like a free $5 or whatever).
Honey – this installs in most major browsers and can save you a LOT of time in searching for discount codes. On Amazon, it also has a little button that confirms if this is definitely the cheapest price it can find or will suggest a different seller. Basically, it searches the internet for all of those promo codes and coupons and lets you search and apply them with one click. If it can get you a better deal at checkout, it most definitely will. It also occasionally gives cash back. I’ve saved additionally (5-10%) on big-ticket items and even food orders just by using this thing.
Wikibuy – this is another browser install that scans other websites to see if they are offering a better deal. I haven’t used this quite as much as I have Honey, but it flat-out tells you the difference in savings, and sometimes it’s significant enough to click and see what’s up. The way it often works is they act as a middleman and don’t necessarily tell you the actual website offering the cheapest price (they basically try to work their own exclusive discounts), but they also guarantee the item you’re purchasing so you can buy without worrying if the website offering said “deal” is sketch. Right now after looking at just a handful of items, I am seeing offers that are even slightly less than Black Friday purchases (so perhaps they have a special discount on top).
Paribus – in this case, this browser tool tracks your purchases and gives you refunds if the prices drop during a certain time period (minus a small % for giving you the refund). Don’t you hate it when you buy something and it goes on sale for cheaper the next day? With this app, the concept is that you can eliminate that game for good. This is the app I have just recently started trying out, but I was amazed at how well-integrated it was with my recent purchases and look forward to trying it out more.
Happy Thanksgiving, folks! My family and I celebrated early so more family members could join over the weekend, but as usual, we’re still planning on our Black Friday tradition. I’m enjoying some family time, eating leftover pie for breakfast, and left my laptop at home, so I’m making my first-ever attempt at writing this entire post from my phone (albeit on a bit of a cinnamon sugar high).
And as for Charlie, she too has her own tradition whenever she visits my parents’ house. For one, she guts one of the stuffed toys she found in the toy basket (because they belong to Buddy, so she spitefully destroys)…
She also begs for food but refuses to go into the kitchen (she has a thing about not going in that room, which is weird and quirky and that’s why I love her).
And finally, this:
All. Day. Long.
So, I hope you have a happy turkey day. Thank you for following along, thank you for your comments, and I’m very grateful for all of you! <3
Happy Thanksgiving, folks! My family and I celebrated early so more family members could join over the weekend, but as usual, we’re still planning on our Black Friday tradition. I’m enjoying some family time, eating leftover pie for breakfast, and left my laptop at home, so I’m making my first-ever attempt at writing this entire post from my phone (albeit on a bit of a cinnamon sugar high).
And as for Charlie, she too has her own tradition whenever she visits my parents’ house. For one, she guts one of the stuffed toys she found in the toy basket (because they belong to Buddy, so she spitefully destroys)…
She also begs for food but refuses to go into the kitchen (she has a thing about not going in that room, which is weird and quirky and that’s why I love her).
And finally, this:
All. Day. Long.
So, I hope you have a happy turkey day. Thank you for following along, thank you for your comments, and I’m very grateful for all of you! <3
Los Angeles, the entertainment center of the world and a city loaded with lively culture, interminable fine restaurants and a lot of chances to claim a bit of Hollywood history.
Currently listed, are The Edie Goetz Estate and The Manor sitting in the middle of undoubtedly the most sought after neighborhood in Holmby Hills in Los Angeles.
The Manor is amongst the most exceptional properties in the United States, with its elegance and grandeur it embodies a category of luxury all on its own. Situated on almost five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, this ultra-private residence will make you… Read more at Luxury Portfolio Blog
Check out this nice sunny SoCal day tour through one of the best neighborhoods in the city of Los Angeles called “Little Holmby”.
The price of homes here ranges from about $1 million to about $8 million.
It has Avenue Elementary which is the best public elementary school in L.A. Bordered by Sunset Boulevard to the north, Wilshire Boulevard to the South, Beverly Glen on the East, and UCLA to the West.
As you stroll through Villa Kampffmeyer and over its picturesque grounds, it is obvious that history proliferates.
The richly embellished house consolidates great neoclassicist and baroque design components and is a listed building. Following quite a while of disregard, the proprietor put in the most recent three years reestablishing it to its previous radiance, utilizing old blueprints and remaking endless unique components with incredible care.
It was 1923 and the construction of the Villa Kampffmeyer was underway, when successful German entrepreneur and well-known mill owner, Kurt Kampffmeyer sought a location of unmatched prestige within the suburbs of Berlin and found the waterfront of… Read more at Luxury Portfolio Blog
Top of the line property holders are coming back to the manors of southwest Berlin, an image of extravagance until World War II. High-end home buyers head to the southwest, where generations of prewar Germans developed the nation’s most selective local locations making massive houses in untainted lakeside settings.
The Berlin villa—a hallmark of the good life in Central Europe until World War II—is back, as buyers boost prices for restored mansions, or start from scratch by… Read more at The Wall Street Journal
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, you might be most excited to upgrade that older range and stove that made cooking a little less enjoyable. The final stove and range you pick out will, of course, depend on a lot of different factors, such as the amount of space you have available. But we want to help you make sure you have the right cooking appliance for your home by providing this list of a few things to consider when upgrading your kitchen.
Switching from an electric range to a gas range
This is the number one priority for many homeowners. And rightfully so—electric ranges typically cost more to use and they don’t really heat as evenly, according to most chefs. Make sure you work with qualified contractors who will send certified gas piping specialists to extend the gas lines in your home so that you can use a gas range.
Multiple ovens
These days, you don’t have to have just one oven. Holiday meals are a whole lot easier with a double oven (two ovens side-by-side) or stacked ovens where a pantry or taller cabinets might normally belong. Keep these at a higher level so that you can easily check on meals and monitor cooking times.
Saving counter space
Today, you don’t have to keep your oven and range together. The oven can stack up in line with your cabinetry, while the stovetop is located somewhere convenient for cooking. Saving counter space is a major reason homeowners decide to remodel their kitchens, but there are skinnier ranges for kitchens of all sizes, or you can fit yours in on the kitchen island. Talk to your contractor to find the right oven and range configuration for your home!
Call Advanced Builders & Contractors for licensed and bonded contractors available for your kitchen remodel in West Los Angeles and throughout the LA area.
By Drew Knight With the holidays in full fledge, you may be worried about prepping your new home for the family — because we all know they want to see the new place. Before you panic about having the whole … Continue reading →
The popular Cornwall visitor attraction plans 109-room hotel designed to blend into the landscape and make use of local materials
It’s already Cornwall’s most visited attraction – thanks to its pair of striking biomes, housing an indoor rainforest as well as 1,000 varieties of Mediterranean plant – but the Eden Project has now announced plans to add an £8.5m hotel to its site near St Austell.
The idea is for the 109-room hotel to use a two-block design in order to reduce its visible impact on the landscape, while a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability will involve the use of timber and stone from the local area. If new plans are approved, construction will start in late 2017, with an opening date in April 2018.
By Drew Knight It’s about that time of year again … the time all the major paint companies start releasing their “Colors of the Year” and outlining trends to expect in the seasons to come. Well, if you’ve ever walked … Continue reading →
Remodeling a bathroom can raise the ROI (return on investment) you can expect if you sell your home. But perhaps more importantly, a remodeled bathroom makes your home a much more welcoming and comfortable place to be.
With a new shower, tub, sink, cabinetry, faucet, and more, you feel more relaxed, and it might make your morning and nightly routines a whole lot easier. But how much time will it take from beginning to end?
The answer is one many people don’t want to hear: it depends.
An Average Timespan
We cannot give you a clear idea of how long your bathroom will take to renovate your bathroom to your specificities without meeting with you first. However, unless you’re simply replacing a toilet, installing a showerhead, or removing an old sink, it is certainly going to take more than a day.
In most cases, after the planning stages are complete, when you factor in demolition, appliance installation, tilework, and everything involved in the process, it could take about 4-5 weeks.
However, there are many circumstances where even small delays can throw the project off course in a major way.
How the Job May Be Delayed
There are, however, a number of things that may delay the remodel.
Finding there’s a lot to be done. The contractor may go into the job without realizing how much work was truly involved. Old, corroding pipes and outdated electrical work, for example, can add on a lot of time.
Scheduling an inspection. Depending on the regulations in your city and inspector availability, this can delay the process by a week or more. This timeline is extended further if the bathroom does not pass inspection.
Changing your mind. We call this a change order, and it can set the job back quite a bit, especially if it’s going to take a while to order the new products you’d like. Try to have your mind made up as much as possible before the job begins, to avoid high prices too.
If you’re in the Brentwood, CA area, call the licensed and bonded contractors at Advanced Builders & Contractors for exceptional customer service.
NLand, the first artificial surf park in North America, opened in landlocked Austin last month, inspiring a new generation of surfers who live miles from the ocean
I wasn’t surprised when I wiped out on my first wave. I hadn’t surfed in over a decade, but my body remembered the physical sensation before I slipped off my board and barrel-rolled under the tide. The familiar aftershock of stinging eyes and accidental gulps of salt water, however, were strangely absent. That’s because I was hundreds of miles from the ocean, surfing in a freshwater lagoon surrounded by Texas cattle ranches.
NLand Surf Park, the first artificial surf park of its kind in North America – and the largest in the world – opened last month in Austin, Texas. (Unfortunately NLand closed again for repairs soon after my visit when damage was discovered under the lagoon, though it should reopen by the end of the year.)
Hey guys! I’ve been spending a few days in Chicago, but I just wanted to pop online and say hello. I also wanted to just post something kind of silly for today because let’s face it: here in the U.S., people are feeling rather worn out. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really looking forward to Wednesday when things (hopefully) go back to people posting too many photos of their kids on Facebook and arguing over the color of a dress.
Question: When it comes to houses, organizing, and design flaws, is there one that bothers you the most? I’m talking those little, usually completely absurd things that irk you for some inexplicable reason. I had this thought come to me the other day as I was making coffee at my parents’ house. Do you see it?
It’s totally nitpicky, but kitchen layouts seem to be one of those things that I have strong opinions on and an irrational desire to “fix”. In Mom’s case, it was that she didn’t have the coffee mugs in the cabinet directly over her coffee maker — silly of course, but I couldn’t help but notice it. There were filters, coffee grounds, and all sorts of coffee-related supplies, but the mugs? Two cabinets over on the other side of the stove.
Of course, Mom can (and should!) make any decision she wants in how she organizes her kitchen, but this is one of those things I had to confess and call myself out on. I have similar feelings about things like silverware drawers not being near the stove or drinking glasses not being near the fridge. At this point, she may even keep it like this on purpose because of my disproportional irritation at being minorly inconvenienced (and I’m laughing at myself here, too — fully aware of how this bothers me and me alone). So, just curious: is there anything like this that drives you bananas? I can’t be the only one!
Hey guys! I’ve been spending a few days in Chicago, but I just wanted to pop online and say hello. I also wanted to just post something kind of silly for today because let’s face it: here in the U.S., people are feeling rather worn out. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really looking forward to Wednesday when things (hopefully) go back to people posting too many photos of their kids on Facebook and arguing over the color of a dress.
Question: When it comes to houses, organizing, and design flaws, is there one that bothers you the most? I’m talking those little, usually completely absurd things that irk you for some inexplicable reason. I had this thought come to me the other day as I was making coffee at my parents’ house. Do you see it?
It’s totally nitpicky, but kitchen layouts seem to be one of those things that I have strong opinions on and an irrational desire to “fix”. In Mom’s case, it was that she didn’t have the coffee mugs in the cabinet directly over her coffee maker — silly of course, but I couldn’t help but notice it. There were filters, coffee grounds, and all sorts of coffee-related supplies, but the mugs? Two cabinets over on the other side of the stove.
Of course, Mom can (and should!) make any decision she wants in how she organizes her kitchen, but this is one of those things I had to confess and call myself out on. I have similar feelings about things like silverware drawers not being near the stove or drinking glasses not being near the fridge. At this point, she may even keep it like this on purpose because of my disproportional irritation at being minorly inconvenienced (and I’m laughing at myself here, too — fully aware of how this bothers me and me alone). So, just curious: is there anything like this that drives you bananas? I can’t be the only one!
What are important factors to consider when selecting siding and roofing for a waterfront residence?
When selecting materials for a waterfront residence, durability is the foremost concern. Since waterfront exposures do not typically have the advantage of trees or other homes blocking them from the water side, they face more extreme wind and moisture. Luckily, the material market has responded with many good options. There are lots of composite siding products available today that will last longer and hold paint finishes better because they do not absorb moisture. Many of today’s roofing products carry lifetime warranties from the manufacturer. My suggestion is to evaluate these products based on their total life-cycle cost versus just their initial cost. Although some products are more expensive, they may last longer or require significantly less maintenance.—David Carlisle, Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland
When renovating an older home, how do you make an addition look as though it’s always been there?
For an addition to feel integral to the original house, materials and massing need to be compatible. The pitch of the roof and the types of dormers, overhangs, trim and detailing need to complement the original structure.
Typically, an addition is subservient to, or smaller than, the primary building. The connection between new and old needs to be well considered; it should be respectful of the old without being a replica or simple extension. One aspect that is frequently overlooked is the creation of outdoor spaces between the addition and the original house. These “outdoor rooms” are opportunities to enhance the original building with fresh, new views and connections to the landscape. —Kirk Allbright, Allbright Bullock Architects, Severna Park, Maryland
When homeowners decide to tackle a kitchen remodel—big or small—a common priority is the kitchen sink. Many people are dissatisfied with their current sinks, either because they’re too shallow, because the faucet is inconvenient to use, or because of the look of the sink.
No matter what your reasons for seeking out a new sink and faucet, we’ve got a little bit of advice that may help steer you in the right direction. But perhaps our best advice is to seek out a qualified contractor to help you through the process!
There’s a Faucet Design for Everyone
You just have to know what you like. As always, our advice is that you take a look at what’s out there. Check magazines and try searching for “kitchen remodel” online to see what other people have. Your style is up to you. But we do have some advice to guide you along:
We often recommend one lever over two handles. While you may find a sink that looks good with two handles, ease-of-use can be somewhat compromised.
High-arc faucets are an excellent choice, as cleaning is much easier with more space available in the sink for washing pots and pans.
We always recommend a built-in sprayer, whether your regular faucet is able to convert or you have a side sprayer in a separate hole in your sink.
Don’t Forget the Kitchen Sink
In remodeling, we never use the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink.” This is one of the most important parts, and it’s something you’ll want to put a lot of thought into. Talk to your contractor, and think about a few of these key points.
Consider a single-bowl sink for a small kitchen. A large double-bowl sink may take up too much room, leaving you with little counter space.
For larger kitchens, bowls of two different depths are available. They may cost more, but it makes it a lot easier to wash vegetables in one and fill up a large pot in another.
On the other hand, you can go for a smaller bar sink elsewhere in the kitchen, especially if two people often work in the kitchen at once.
Make sure you know how many holes you’ll want in the sink deck before you make the purchase.
Licensed and bonded contractors can help you with every part of your kitchen remodel in Beverly Hills, CA. Call Advanced Builders & Contractors today!
How should homeowners infuse color throughout their interiors without going overboard?
For most homeowners, incorporating color to tie rooms together is a delicate balance, especially in open-concept homes. Ideally, spaces should flow effortlessly, while not feeling contrived or “matchy-matchy.” A few well-placed accessories or fabrics in an accent color can enhance the overall palette and furnishings. Throw pillows, accessories, books and art help to pull color through, yet can be easily replaced seasonally for a quick and less costly refresh. Colored accent furniture and mirrors make for great statement pieces and can always be custom-painted to achieve a specific hue, if necessary. I always like to have a variety of items to work with when accessorizing, to make sure there is balance from room to room. This way, color can be added or removed as spaces evolve. The key is to use color intentionally and strategically throughout your home to enhance your style—not overshadow it.—Julie Sweeney, Associate ASID, Coastal Haven Design, LLC, Easton and Annapolis, Maryland
What are your preferred methods for integrating a waterfront setting into a home’s interiors?
The rivers, bays and creeks of the Eastern Shore form the backdrop for our daily lives, providing endless inspiration to our design team. We make every effort to integrate nature’s colors, shapes and shifting light into what we call our “Tidewater Traditions” designs.
One of our cardinal rules is to work with the view. We frame it by arranging seating areas so that they face the water. To enhance it, we maintain a light touch with window treatments, preferring billowing, light-colored fabrics to dark, heavy ones. Our coastal environment inspires a palette of blues from the water and sky and greens from the landscape. These colors offer a quiet continuity that visually expands interior spaces and integrates them with nature.
Art matters in our designs. We’re great fans of Nancy Hammond’s vibrant coastal scenes and Marcy Dunn Ramsey’s quiet, marshy vignettes. Well-placed sculptures can also be a focal point that draws the eye to the view. —Jamie Merida, Bountiful Interiors, Easton, Maryland
Space crunch is always a problem in kitchen area, especially when you have new utensils and have added some new food processors. Well, it is interesting to know how you can change the entire look of your kitchen with some remodeling services, and without even spending so much of money on it. Well, for that, you need experts, and we at Mega Builders can prove to be that expert of yours. We are here to offer some of the finest methods relating toKitchen remodeling Los Angeles, and offering some of the best responses of all.
We have so many types ofkitchen design Los Angelesin mind, and have implemented so many already. If you want to know more about the designer options we have, you better get hold of the gallery sector we have, for you. In this section, we are going to talk about the designs for your kitchen, along with the new cabinets and other such additions, which are sure to change the entire panel of service you have been working on.
Believe to be one of the bestconstruction companies los angeles, we can even create some customized houses for you, if ever you want to. This might cost you some hefty amount, but it’s worth every single penny you spent. At the end, the result will be just outstanding, and just what you have been looking for, so long. So, avoid wasting any time, and get hold of us, right away! We are always available to receive your call.
You are in love with your place, as you have many memories, entangled with it. It was previously the two of you, who were residing in this apartment. Now, you have thought of expanding your family, ad space crunch seems to be the most crucial point, so far. But, you don’t want to change your place, mainly of two reasons; one, you are in love with it, and two, buying a new place means spending lot of money, which you don’t have right now. To save you from these tortures, we, at Mega Builders, are ready to help you withLos Angeles room additionswithin your budget.
Those days are long gone when you have to relocate to a new address, just for letting your big family adjust. If you have free space, surrounding your present house, call for ourconstruction company los angelesimmediately. We will take up the available space and construct some additions, for matching the requirements of our clients. The additions are as strong as the main building, and will feel like a part of it though.
It is always mandatory to take help of only bestgeneral contractor Los Angeles, who is said to offer you with the best help. If you want to know more about the services, avoid wasting time further, and contact us as soon as possible. Our general contractors have been working on various projects. So, working on yours will not be a difficult task anymore. For some other detail, feel free to contact us.
There are some moments like this, when you have to change the overall look of your place. Your apartment is quite old-fashioned, and you need to check it for some contemporary styles. You have friends whom you want to invite to your place for a party. But the old decorations and designs are so turn down, for you. Buying a new place is not in your list, right now. So, you need to stay satisfied withhome improvement Los Angelesservices. And with us, at Mega Builders, you will receive the best services, without fail.
We have been associated with the construction company for many years now. So, working in your favor will not be a daunting task for us. Just be sure to call our well-experienced and reputedgeneral contractorLosAngelesfirst, and leave the rset on expert. They will first sketch out the requirements you have, and will start on the constructional work, accordingly. You have some amazing quality contracting needs, which must be fulfilled by experts. And with someone like us, you will receive the best help only.
So, avoid wasting any of your precious time, and join hand with us, your reliable and one of the besthome builders inLosAngeles, of all time. We have a gallery full of some of our previous projects. So, if you are not satisfied with our words, please go and check out the portfolios, we have in store for you. You might even give us a call, to have direct conversation with our experts.
Viewsof Easton’s scenic Peach Blossom Creek first attracted a couple looking to build a bay-area vacation home. Working with architect Scott L. Rand on the traditional abode, they specified a first-floor master suite with easy outdoor access and “maximum water views,” says Rand. French doors spill out onto a stone patio; transoms above the windows and doors ensure plenty of natural light.
The bedroom’s sitting area boasts a direct-vent gas fireplace between walls of windows. Designer Chris Gefucia kept the furniture and fabrics simple, so as not to compete with the vista. “The room faces due south,” says Rand. “So it gets beautiful afternoon sun.”
Architecture: Scott L. Rand, AIA, Scott Rand Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Interior Design: Chris Gefucia, Toronto, Canada. Contractor: West & Callahan, Inc., Easton, Maryland. Photography: Scott L. Rand.
Called upon to design a modern Annapolis home with views of the South River, Katalin Farnady sought to create a seamless dialog between the interiors and architecture and the landscape and water beyond. “Designing a house with large glass surfaces embracing a boundless water view allows lots of natural light and reflection to reach the interior,” she says. While her clients requested a “light, modern” look, she offset the almost all-white furnishings with the warm wood of the floors and the SieMatic cabinetry. Black accents add contrast and drama and a black-and-white rug evoking a ripple effect in water ties it all together.
“I grew up on the Eastern Shore,” says architect David Jameson. “One of the amazing things there is the way the horizon plays an important role in every space.”
Jameson had this fact in mind when he was designing a 22,000-square-foot vacation residence on Hooper’s Island near Maryland’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The design—a series of cabins—includes “the lodge,” a separate structure from which the owners can enjoy views of the Honga River. “The room celebrates elemental architecture as it connects to the water and horizon,” Jameson says.Natural building materials include poured-concrete floors and vertical-grain Douglas fir walls. Lead-coated copper clads the structures beyond the windows, which help frame the view.
In a tech-savvy world where GPS has made paper maps obsolete, Joseph Tarella has found a way to keep cartography alive. The New York-based artist renders East Coast geography by hand, using ink and watercolor to create elegantly detailed pieces. Also an architect, Tarella began drawing maps more than 20 years ago for an urban design firm, returning to the craft as a hobby. “I’m fascinated by the ever-changing aspect of where the water meets the land,” he explains. Though he researches and often visits each location, Tarella points out, “my work is not about way-finding.”
The artist’s latest creation spotlights the Chesapeake Bay. “I’ve illuminated how the bay changes over its length, including major seaports, great rivers and an elaborate network of roads and rails,” Tarella says. His limited-edition maps, available in sizes up to 40 by 60 inches, range from $30 to $700. coastalartmaps.com
Window walls—sliding glass systems that completely open a room to the outdoors—add a sense of drama to any home on the water. Not only do they provide uninterrupted views, but they also seamlessly expand living spaces onto decks, terraces and more.
As architect Leo Wilson of Annapolis-based Hammond Wilson says, “Being able to open up a wall and literally bring the outdoors in adds a new level of flexibility to otherwise conventional spaces.” He advises consumers selecting a window wall to “look for products that have a solid feel and operate smoothly.” He also recommends visiting a project where a system has been installed to get a sense of how it performs. Following are a few of the latest options:
KITCHEN TRANSITION This new product designed for kitchens is available as a folding or single-track sliding system. It combines windows that can be installed above countertops (pictured) and door panels; the windows and doors can be opened and operated independently or together. nanawall.com
ULTIMATE MULTI-SLIDE DOOR An automated control system is now available on Marvin Windows and Doors’ four Ultimate Multi-Slide Door configurations—both pocket and stacked—and in sizes up to 47 feet wide. Users can open and close the panels via a wall switch or remote. marvin.com
SLIDE & STACK GLASS WALLS When installed in an exterior application, this handle-operated system includes a thermally enhanced frame with a barrier preventing temperature transfer year-round. The walls incorporate a wide range of glass types, including energy-efficient LowE glazing. solarinnovations.com
TILE TIME Koi Fish is a delicate, hand-cut addition to Sara Baldwin’s Delft Collection of mosaics for New Ravenna. Shown in Lapis Lazuli, Iolite and Covelite, with an Absolute White glass background. Price on request. newravenna.com
SUR LA TABLE A vibrant fish motif distinguishes the Sardina collection of earthenware dishes from Anthropologie, which are dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Prices start at $12 for a small plate. anthropologie.com
TIP THE SCALES Jonathan Adler’s playful Fish Scales Shower Curtain is printed on cotton-duck canvas with grosgrain borders on top and bottom. Coordinating bath towels are available. $68. jonathanadler.com
WINSOME WALLPAPER The Acquario pattern in Cole & Son’s Fornasetti II wallpaper series combines a soft, washed background with whimsical fish in neutral, charcoal and shades of deep-sea blue (pictured). $296 per roll. cole-and-son.com
