PR April 2004

Here's an example where vaulted ceilings and 'light shelves' help illuminate an interior where a client was seeking more light.

Sometimes older houses need more than just remodeling. They need a new vision for dark interiors, awkward spaces and outdated features. This home, owned by broadcaster Edward R. Murrow from 1946 to 1964, had become the "ugly dog of the neighborhood," homeowner Skip Sroka says. While association with Murrow gave the house importance, the structure lacked architectural significance.

Microsoft Project scheduling software helps Paragon General Contractors hold homeowners, designers, and subcontractors to deadlines.

"A deck is the transition between the inside world of the home and the outside environment," says remodel carpenter Erich von Tagen. "A deck should accentuate the details of the home." In this case, while the view of a large valley and three major Cascade Range peaks from the deck couldn't be beat, the deck was an eyesore.

If your clients want a kitchen that's functional as well as flashy, refer them to the revised edition of Donald E. Silvers' Kitchen Design With Cooking in Mind (NMI Publishers, softcover, 87 pages).

Nothing transforms more than the power of light. The interior of this late 1960s-style split-level was dark and dated with 8-foot ceilings and a cramped kitchen. It presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Here's how this remodeling firm handled the challenge.

Pictures from the Community Builders Assocation of New Jersey, NARI's Evening of Excellence event and the NAHB Remodelors Council Chairman's Dinner at the 2004 International Builders' Show.

The value of a computer-aided design (CAD) program depends entirely on what kind of jobs you do, how much design work they regularly involve and the expectations of your client base.

Need to cool off an old house? Consider a mini-duct system.

Low-maintenance decking, quick-install replacement windows, sound-absorbent ceilings, indoor/outdoor masonry veneer, moisture-resistant sill pans — manufacturers keep seeking ways to make your jobs and your clients' lives easier.