Three Generations Share a Home

Could this be the future of your family?

The revival of multi-generation living has been on the rise since 2009 and continues to be a lifestyle trend for 2012.  “What we’re seeing is the demise of the notion of the nuclear family in favor of the extended family,” said John L. Graham, co-author of Together Again: A Creative Guide to Successful Multigenerational Living.

Motivations range from necessity to convenience to culture.  While some situations may be temporary, others aren’t so short-lived.  Many factors influence a family’s decision to live together:

• Aging baby boomers are moving in with children
• Young adults are living with parents for longer lengths of time or are being forced to relocate home due to the stagnant economy
• The expected growth in home ownership among Hispanics and Asians, for whom multi-generational living is more common

With life expectancies increasing, baby boomers retiring, pension funds failing and minority household growth, multi-generational living will likely be a trend that is with us for a while, if not a new way of American life.

Multi-generational living may sound unnerving yet living together can offer many benefits:

• Help with household expenses
• Child care or elder care
• Allow the older generation to remain independent longer, none of them wanting to admit they’ll ever need formal assisted living
• Emotional intimacy that comes with frequent contact among family members and the opportunity to make a strong connection with your grandchildren and pass on your knowledge and experience
• Reconnect with your adult children at a different stage in both your lives
• Luxury to travel with piece of mind that your house and pets are taken care of; perfect for the snowbirds

In order to make this new way of life enjoyable and comfortable some changes will need to be made.  It is essential to map out your ideal space and to run the numbers on re-do versus buying new, Crimson Design and Construction can help you with this.

If you set up the right space living together under one roof won’t break the bank or drive you crazy. Integrating design that encourages social interaction yet also provides privacy away from the communal living space is the most effective strategy.  Separate entrances and kitchens are critical to success.  Members of the household share many activities and frequently eat together, and the grandparents often take an active role in the care of their grandchildren.  But, at the end of the day, each generation bids adieu and retires to separate quarters.

How do you feel about multi-generation living? And do you think it is something that may be in your future?

Kitchen Focused

Even though houses are scaling down, the kitchen has not been spared. Kitchens are more of a focal point in the home than ever, acting as a central area for all social activities. It’s no wonder they continue to grow in size and remain centralized in the home.

As the everyday populous places more importance on socializing and family togetherness, kitchens are being designed to stimulate social interaction. Today’s kitchens incite family togetherness and socializing by offering spaces for not only cooking, but doing homework, working on your computer, watching a movie, or just chatting.

Walls are coming down, islands are expanding, and more seating is added to encourage lingering in the kitchen and increased connection to those in other rooms of the house. These features not only meet the needs for everyday life, but also accommodate entertaining. For example; a large island used for cooking family meals or doing homework can be turned into buffet space for parties.

This open floor plan design also speaks to our multitasking lifestyle. People cooking in the kitchen do not want their backs to the action; they want to see what is happening. With the kitchen in the center of the home, you can create your gourmet meal without missing the winning touchdown of the game in the next room.

Should You Work With A Designer To Get The Best Custom Kitchen Designs?

Many people embarking on a kitchen remodeling project often question their need for someone to help with design.  Professional design has a mystique of elitism and snobbery.  This is often not the case and engaging someone to help with the design process on your kitchen project could be some of the best money you’ve ever spent!

First, let’s consider where design wouldn’t be necessary.  Some homeowners are naturally good with colors, layout and design.  Finding a few pictures in a magazine is all they need to develop a great idea for their new space.  They’re usually quick to make decisions and seldom second guess the choices they have made.  The partners in the process agree on most every aspect of the project, making the decisions easy.  The kitchen is already well organized and doesn’t require any spatial redesign.  This could be because it’s more than large enough or the changes to the space are purely cosmetic.  It may only require some new cabinets, counters, flooring and appliances to bring it up to current standards.  Any one, or more, of these situations may be a sign that having someone design the space is more service than you need.

Then there’s everyone else.  The other side of this is a kitchen or space so far gone that major work is needed or the homeowner feels completely out of their comfort zone.  Many homes built before the 1970’s and even some of those built in the 80’s or 90’s have layouts or features that the builder thought made sense at the time.  One classic example is the cabinets over a peninsula counter.  The builders of the past thought it was a great way to get additional storage space in a kitchen but unfortunately it is the number one reason the kitchen feels isolated or cut off from the rest of the main level.  Another feature was the half wall between the dinette and the family room.  It was seen as a great way to divide the spaces and separate the floor materials.  Unfortunately, that’s exactly what it did while at the same time making the dinette space extremely cramped!  These conditions point to the need for a professional designer or architect in your new kitchen.

Your kitchen can go from this.....

To this!

Not all of these things are easily addressed and could require some real design experience.  Other homeowners that surely need help are the ones that can’t agree on anything or second guess every decision they make.  There’s concern over making the wrong decision with the paint colors or needing to make the perfect decision.  This can stalemate the process and make it so the project will never get off the ground.  A professional designer/remodeler will also help you with those decisions that are critical to the re-sale of your home down the road.  Those odd layout problems and bad color choices will make the home that much more difficult to sell when the time comes.  Do all the colors go together?  Is the layout efficient, simple and make the kitchen fun to cook in?  Is it so trendy that in 4 years the colors will be too much?  These questions will all be critical to you or potential buyers when the time comes.

The key to your project is creating a kitchen that makes it fun to cook, entertain and live in.  It’s the heart of the home and it needs to be current and well designed – something you can be proud of.

Cool Cabinet Tricks for Your Kitchen Remodel – Video

Somebody turned Neil loose with a video camera!  Here is a short video showing off some cabinet ideas you can incorporate into your kitchen renovation.  From spice racks and roll-out shelves to garbage bins and cutting boards.  Neil takes you on a short tour of the Crimson showroom at 5th Avenue Station in Naperville.

You will see:

• Apron-front sink
• Garbage and recycling bins
• Apothecary drawers
• Roll-out shelves
• Pantry cabinet
• Spice rack
• Cutting board

Seven Reasons To Update Your Kitchen

There are many reasons to update your kitchen.  These are the top seven reasons we hear from homeowners we work with.

• My kitchen is isolated from the rest of the house – when I cook I’m not part of the family conversation

• My kitchen hasn’t been updated since the house was built – I’m embarrassed to entertain in our home

• My kitchen is not efficient – it takes too long to make a meal

• My kitchen doesn’t have enough storage space – I have small appliance and cookware stored in other parts of the house

• My kitchen only has one work area – I want my kids/spouse to have room to help with the cooking

• My kitchen is dark – it’s hard to see what I’m doing and it’s depressing

• I don’t have the space and/or appliances necessary to bake – I’d love to be able to make more cookies/cakes

Do any of these sound familiar?  Have you said any of these things or have you heard a friend share one of these comments?  Please share your thoughts.

Is Commoditized A Word? (I Used It In A Sentence)

Our society has a commodity mindset.  We have for years attempted to take every product and/or service to its lowest common denominator – price.  Just think, at one time there were different brands of 2×4 lumber, different brands of electricity, different brands of silicone computer chips. At some time each of those brands meant something.  They all offered something unique and different to their customers.  But over time something happened.  Each industry developed a standard to define each product in order to be more efficient.  These standards meant that each company began to produce to that lowest level of quality, thereby stripping the innovation and service from the industry. Everything became equal.

When you go shopping and you are looking for the lowest price you are effectively saying that the item is a commodity.  In other words you place no value on the company or the service behind the product.  Can a service be defined as a commodity?  I guess it could be.  If a minimum level could be defined, then sure.  But as human beings we all have a different way of interacting.  We all have different values, ethics, experiences that make us unique.  So with that in mind, can your service experience every really be commoditized (there it is)?

Who do you want to have coffee with in the morning?

Where am I going with all this?  It is a general assumption to many people that remodeling is a product – not a service.  Therefore, it is often viewed as a commodity in many minds.  But I must disagree.  Remodeling is a service that just happens to create a product.  Our first and foremost job is to service our clients.  Yes, our end goal is to build a beautiful product but we must bring service to the client each day along the way.

During a remodeling project, you must interact with someone on a very daily and intimate level.  They will be in your home for weeks.  They will be responsible for the health and safety of your family, your pets.  They will be responsible for the security of your belongings.  They will have control over your home and its completion.  They will have control over the financial outcome of the project.  Suddenly remodeling is looking less and less like a commodity.

What’s So Hard About Picking A Brick?

I recently had a conversation with someone that was getting ready to remodel their home.  They knew exactly what they wanted to do but at the same time, they didn’t.  They knew the general concept of what they wanted to accomplish – remove the Dryvit stucco from the exterior of their house and replace it with brick.  What they lacked were specific details of what that would look like.  That’s why they called on us.

There is an almost infinite supply of exterior stone and brick to use on a house.  There are also a multitude of siding materials to choose from.  Now put all those combinations together and you have some serious information overload!

You can see how a project as simple as replacing your stucco with stone can quickly become complicated.  That’s when the services of an architect/designer are valuable.  We have been busy gathering feedback and information from the client to help select materials that fit their needs/lifestyle.  We are considering colors, value, sustainability, maintenance, style of the home, neighborhood style, size, and pattern.  All of these decisions will affect the finished look and life of the home.  I am amazed that often times these decisions are made with the brick mason or salesman.  So many pieces of the puzzle are never even considered!

But even more important, might be the need to visualize these changes.  Seeing the samples is one thing, but seeing it on your house is something different.  Using software that will allow you to see your house in three dimensions with different materials and colors is a great way to see your completed project before you commit to any particular selection.  Below are some photos of an existing house and a computer-generated design that will allow the client to envision the finished product in the early stages.

Exterior Front Elevation Before

Front Elevation 3D Design

What a great way to make decisions for your project!  Don’t make a purchase this large without seeing what you are buying.  If you want to ‘see’ your project before you start – please give us a call.

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Would You Remodel If It Was Free?

We all know remodeling is expensive, right?  It represents a large financial investment in your home and your future.  But most people accept this because they see the value of the enhancement in their day-to-day lives and the increased value of their homes.  But what if your remodeling project didn’t cost you a single dollar?  Would you still do it?

We’ve all heard that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, or a free remodel for that matter.  What many people don’t take the time to consider are the other ‘costs’ associated with remodeling.  I call these the emotional costs of remodeling.

Emotional costs cover all the things you must endure to reach a remodeled state.  These range from the inconvenient to the downright stressful depending on your personality and more importantly the company you hire to complete your project.   Obviously these are dependent on the size and scope of your project, but here are a few things that might be included in emotional costs:

• Losing your kitchen for weeks (yes you will eventually HATE eating out)
• Losing your washer/dryer for a time
• Having your water/power shut off for a day
• Not being able to park in your garage/driveway/street
• Having strangers at your house everyday (they might eventually become friends)
• Dealing with anxious pets who don’t like the noise
• Dealing with inevitable bumps along the way
• Your neighbor’s curiosity
• Cleaning out twenty years of stuff before the project can begin
• Having the city/village dictate aspects of your design
• Keeping your kids out of the construction area
• Just seeing your house torn up and not livable can be very stressful

As a remodeler, I will be the last person to tell you not to remodel.  However, I will tell you to go into any project with eyes wide open.  Understand that you can never eliminate the emotional aspect of a remodeling project — but you can minimize it.

The most important thing you can do to minimize the emotional costs of remodeling is to hire a remodeling company that understands that you are paying more than just money and can help to shield you from the stresses. One of your remodeler’s primary goals should be to communicate with you on a regular basis.  Nothing adds to stress like the unknown.  A schedule outlining key steps in your project and weekly meetings (whether formal or informal) are a must.

Make sure that you have 100% accounted for all money you will need for the project. This is not just the cost of the construction itself, but all the other expenses you will incur along the way; eating out, new furniture, new window treatments.   Also plan a contingency above and beyond the quoted price of your project for unforeseen extras and the inevitable extras you will want to add along the way.  Your remodeler should be able to tell you what their historical average is for changes (both unforeseen and client driven).

Have a plan for alternate living conditions for the duration of your project. Where will the kids do their homework?  Where will you cook meals?  How will four people get ready in the morning with one bathroom?  Some remodeling companies (us included) will help you set up a temporary kitchen in another location in your house.  Try to segregate the construction area from your living area with temporary walls to contain kids, pets, noise and dust.

Plan a vacation during the loudest, dirtiest part of your project. Many times I have scheduled a project around a client’s vacation.  Demolition, drywalling or hardwood floor refinishing are all great things to miss out on firsthand.  If you want to be a part of it, have your remodeler email you photos or video of your project in progress while you are on the beach!

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free remodel. But with these tips, maybe you can enjoy an emotional cost free project!

Give us some feedback.  What emotional costs do you want to avoid in your remodeling project?

Yahoo Weighs In On The Value Of Your Project Investment

Most of us love our homes, but I think everyone dreams about making at least one or two changes if not more.  And as it gets colder and darker earlier we think about spending more cozy time indoors with family and friends, and those changes become more important in our thoughts.  The kitchen is the heart of the home where everyone tends to congregate and by making that the most functional and beautiful place you not only increase your own family’s contentment, but you make a smart financial decision for the future if you move on some day.  Yahoo has published as one of it’s top news stories today, November 11, 2009, a concise article on increasing the value of your home through remodeling, but I would like to add that the value is not only monetary, but should also be measured by your quality of life and enjoyment in your home.

National Child Safety Month and Your Home

In recognition of National Child Safety Month we would like to share some safety tips as well as some free offers to take advantage of in October to make your home a safer place for your children and pets.

According to the US Comsumer Product Safety Commission, since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidental strangulation by window cords.

FREE OFFERS
1. If you plan on keeping your older window treatments, a FREE retrofit kit can be obtained to bring these blinds or shades up to today’s safety standards. Contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) toll-free at 1-800-506-4636 or visit the website at www.windowcoverings.org.
2. Several window covering companies are offering FREE CORDLESS on selected blinds and shades. Contact Stephanie at Crimson to find out if one may work for you.

SAFETY TIPS
1. Replace window treatments manufactured before 2001 with todays safer products.
2. Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
3. Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children and pets.
4. Make sure tasseled pull cords are short and continous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall.
5. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit the movement of innner lift cords.
6. Lock cords into position whenever blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a window sill.
7. Install cordless window treatments wherever young children play or sleep to eliminate the hazards of dangling cords and maximize safety.

You can also visit www.graberblinds.com to see what they are doing to promote safety.

Crimson offers window treatments as a finishing touch on all of our projects.

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