Preparing For Your Home Bar

Last week we discussed how to prepare for a home wine cellar.  Not wanting to leave our beer and spirits drinkers in the lurch, we are dedicating this week’s post to the home wet bar.  As with the wine cellar, when preparing for your home wet bar there are several factors to keep in mind, including:

Materials: One of the first decisions that you will need to make and one of the choices that can most heavily impact your budget is that of materials.  While mahogany is considered the most classic of bar building options, it is also one of the most expensive.  Other popular material contenders include marble, granite, slate, oak, cherry, maple or walnut.  Or, for a more modern look, consider a glass or tile bar top.

 
Size Matters: When considering locations for your bar, think about the bar’s final dimensions.  The average finished height of a bar is 42 inches. The front overhang for the patron side of the bar should be 12 inches for bars designed to accommodate bar stools or 6 to 9 inches for bars that will be sans stools.  Width wise, plan on 2 feet of space for each stool that you would you like your bar to accommodate.  Finally, walkways into the bar and between the front and back of the bar should be at least 3 feet in
width.

Electrical And Plumbing: To make your wet bar functional, you will need both electrical access and plumbing.  A professional electrician can help you determine if you have the circuit capacity needed to accommodate your bar plans and ensure that your electrical circuits have ground faults for protection in the case of an electrical short.   You might need to add a new circuit or install additional electrical outlets.  Don’t forget to plan for small appliances – like that margarita blender – as well!  Meanwhile, an experienced plumber can help you find an existing water line to tap into.

Also like wine cellars, while wet bars are exciting home additions, they can be a major undertaking.  Are you ready to build the bar where everybody knows your name?  Contact Homecare Inc. today to customize your bar experience!

Preparing for a Home Wine Cellar

Whether you are a wine enthusiast, an amateur sommelier, or a spirited home entertainer, a wine cellar makes an excellent addition to any home. However, this fun project is a significant undertaking and not one to be taken lightly. When preparing for your home wine cellar there are several factors to keep in mind, including:

Finding The Sweet Spot: The most important element of a wine cellar is the room’s climate. The ideal wine cellar should be between 55 – 58° F and between 55 – 75% humidity. With this in mind, your room will need a cooling system for temperature control. A water source within your cellar will help to increase the room’s humidity.

Location, Location, Location: Basements naturally lend themselves to the necessary humidity and temperature conditions mentioned above. Within the basement, small rooms, unused closets, storage areas or guest rooms can make ideal wine cellars when creatively converted. Regardless of the locale of the room that you choose, you will want to pick a room free of direct sunlight, excessive heat, or frequent vibrations.

Cellar Door: In order to maintain the separation of environments between the wine cellar and the rest of your house, special care should be taken when choosing your wine cellar door. To provide the proper containment, the door should be exterior grade and provide both insulation and weather stripping. Ideally your wine cellar’s door will swing into the wine cellar to ensure that the positive pressure in the room will push against the door and create a superior seal.

Wine Storage And Display: Today’s wine comes in a variety of bottle shapes and styles. Each of these elements, as well as bottle size must be taken into consideration when building and installing wine racks. Wine should be stored on its side in order to keep the cork moist and enough room should be allowed around each bottle to allow the air to circulate. When choosing a rack material, wood is the most popular option. However, be sure to select a type that is resistant to rot in a damp environment such as redwood or mahogany.

All in all, a wine cellar can be an exciting but large undertaking. Contact Homecare Inc. today to bring your wine tasting experience into your home! And stay tuned week when we will discuss the ultimate beverage storage option for beer drinkers – the in-home bar!

What Is The BBB?

Last week we discussed the importance of the National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) and why we feel a NARI certification should be one of the minimum qualifications that homeowners require when searching for a remodeling professional.  This week, we would like to discuss another important organization that we think every reputable business should be part of – the BBB.  The BBB or Better Business Bureau exists to further their mission of, “Promoting and fostering the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence.” It is because of this commitment to business excellence that we here at Homecare have been proud members for the past 35 years!


While the BBB provides business reviews for both accreditedand non-accredited business es, there are several advantages to working only with BBB accredited organizations.  Those professionals that have been granted BBB-certification have made a commitment to uphold the BBB standards for trust which include, among other things, a promise to advertise honestly, operate transparently, safeguard customer privacy, and communicate efficiently.  In addition, the BBB offers complimentary mediation and arbitration services (for qualifying cases) to accredited businesses and their consumers.  With this in mind, we recommend that homeowners add a BBB certification (along with the NARI certification discussed last week) to their list of minimum requirements for all remodeling and home improvement professionals that they choose to work with.


In addition to business certification, the BBB also offers a variety of online resources on their website. Consumer tools include an online dispute resolution center, a searchable online database of BBB-certified businesses, alerts regarding any area or online business or charity scams, and more.


To learn more about the Better Business Bureau visit, www.minnesota.bbb.org.

What Is NARI?

Today we want to talk about an organization that is very near and dear to our heart, as well as a vital resource to any homeowner considering a remodel. NARI, or the National Association of The Remodeling Industry, exists to advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism. NARI was established in 1983, as the result of a merger between two existing organizations – the National Remodelers Association and the National Home Improvement Council – and we are proud to say that Steve was one of NARI’s eleven original charter members! Today NARI includes 58 chapters nationwide.

One of NARI’s primary roles it to certify remodeling professionals. To be certified, contractors must not only meet stringent experience criterion, they must also pledge to uphold high standards of practice and NARI’s Code of Ethics. As such, a NARI certification should be one of the minimum standards that homeowners require when hiring a contractor.

In addition, NARI also provides a multitude of homeowner resources on their website, including a searchable database of NARI certified remodelers, tips for finding a contractor or initiating a home improvement project and more!

To learn more about NARI visit the National Website at  www.nari.org or the Minnesota Chapter at www.narimn.org.

Media Room Makeover

The media room serves as the perfect multipurpose family wide relaxation vacation.  Unlike the home theater, which is typically outfitted to replicate a cinema experience, the media room is a more relaxed and versatile space.  The perfect use for an unfinished basement, an empty attic, or a spare bedroom, a media room may be just what your family needs to get their game on!  What are today’s media rooms made of?

Flexible Seating & Space: Because a media room is designed to have many uses, the ideal seating is flexible and portable. Typical media room seating includes conversational arrangements that can be adapted to fit whatever form of entertainment is on the menu for any given evening.  In addition, media rooms can be flexible in aesthetic as well.  To avoid the look of the stereotypical “tech center,” keep technology hardware and media gear tucked into cabinets or other pieces that can be closed and hidden when not in use.

Thoughtful Room Layout: The layout of your space is one of the most important components to reflect on when preparing your media room. While the television is not the only element to be considered, it is still an important one.  For optimum
viewing, the center of your television screen should be no more than fifteen degrees above eye level.  In addition, seating should be placed at a distance equal to one and a half times the diagonal measure of the television screen.


Sound Absorption: Whether your room will be used for board games with the family or watching the big game with your friends, media rooms are typically noisy spaces.  Help to mitigate sound distractions by filling your room with sound absorbing pieces such as fluffy sofas, thick drapery and deep carpets.

Are you ready to design you media room?  Contact Homecare Inc. to get started today!

National Association of the Remodeling Industry Videos

Check out these great videos created by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry!

Overview of NARI

NARI Code of Ethics

Selecting a Remodeler

About NARI Certification

Testimonials

Fireplace Mantels

A well decorated mantel can serve as a stunning focal point in any room.  Check out these inspiring mantel decorating ideas!

• Make Color Pop: Your fireplace mantel is a great place to feature your favorite color.  Use a collection of colored vases or a monochromatic piece of artwork to showcase the shade you love.  Colors pop particularly well off of otherwise neutral walls and backdrops.  Or, try for contrast instead of cohesion, and paint your mantel and the wall above it in a solid color that contrasts with the rest of the room.

• Decal Decor: For a modern and budget-friendly update, consider using a decal above your mantel to add visual interest.  Available in masterpiece-worthy designs, quotes or custom art, decals are simple to apply and easy to trade-out if your design aesthetic changes.

• One Piece Wonder: Allow your mantel to showcase a single statement piece.  Do you have a great piece of art or a favorite family portrait?  Feature it by centering it above your mantel, without additional focal points to detract from it.  However, be conscious of the size of your statement piece to ensure it fits over your mantel.  Does one piece of art seem a bit too bare?  Dress up your space a bit more with a pair of simple candlesticks, sconces, or modern vases.

Fireplace Surrounds

If the cold weather finds you spending more time curled up in front of your fireplace, perhaps it is time to consider a design renovation.  Revamping your fireplace surround, or the decorative area around where the fire actually burns, can give your fireplace a much needed facelift.  Consider one of these materials to update your surround and create your own fireside retreat!

Stone: Go natural with materials such as slate or stone.  Natural stone comes in a variety of colors ranging from grays to tans.  Stone can also be used in tiling techniques when broken into free-form shards.  This material lends itself particularly well to fireplaces located in rooms with an existing all-natural aesthetic or in spaces painted in neutral colors.

Stainless Steel: While less conventional, a stainless steel surround will instantly transform your room into a contemporary space.  Stainless steel also presents a variety of decorative options.  For example, leave the metal smooth for a clean look or add visual interest with a sanded-in pattern.  Emphasize steel seams with decorative embellishments or minimize them with mantle décor.

Wood: Wood offers a traditional surround material option.  Modernize it by using contrasting wood types to create an eye-appealing pattern.  Wood also serves as a comparatively low-cost building material and, as such, can be a great option
for the homeowner on a budget.

Brick: Another traditional material, and a great alternative to wood, can be found in brick.  Large brick provides a classic look, perfect for the historic home.  Smaller or square-shaped bricks can be used to create a modern design.

Tile: For a truly customized look, consider a tiled surround.  Available in a variety of colors and materials, tile can be construed into virtually any pattern or design.  Create a subtle complement to your living space with neutral colors and simple designs, or craft your room’s focal point with a mix of bold colors and contrasting tile materials.

Check back next week when we will discuss mantle decorating options!

Homecare – 52 Years In The Making!

Happy New Year! This year we were particularly excited to ring in the new year as 2012 marks our fifty-second year of operation.  In honor of our birthday, we decided to take a look down memory lane at what was happening in the year of our founding – 1960.

In 1960…

• Elvis returned home from Germany after being away on duty for the previous two years.

• The 1960 Summer Olympic Games began in Rome, Italy.  The US Men’s national basketball team would go on to capture their fifth straight Olympic Gold medal.

• The average cost of a new home was $12,700.00, the average annual income was $5,315.00 and the average cost of a gallon of gas was 25 cents.

• The Grammy award for album of the year went to Frank Sinatra for Come Dance With Me

• Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho was released. After terrifying audiences across the country, the film went on to be nominated for four Oscars and to win a Golden Globe award.

• The first televised presidential election debate was held between Senator John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon.

• Pittsburgh won the World Series over the New York Yankees in a 4-3 series.

• The eighteenth United States Census, determined the US population to be 179,323,175, an increase of 18.5 percent over the 1950 census count.

• Harper Lee authored the Pulitzer prize-winning novel, To Kill A Mockingbird.  The book would later be recognized as a classic example of modern literature and would be made into an Oscar-winning film in 1962.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you for the past 52 years – we look forward to many more years of providing remodeling and renovation solutions!

New Year’s Resolution: Eliminate Home Clutter!

This New Year’s resolve to eliminate home clutter!  Check out these storage solutions to reduce clutter in each room of your home:

In The Office:

To help keep your office organized and all of your family’s important documents within arms reach, consider installing one wall of open shelving.  Not only will open shelves (as opposed to cupboards or file cabinets) encourage you to keep your files tidy, materials will also be easily visible and accessible.  Does the thought of leaving your office supplies out in the open make you cringe?  Organize with containers or consider adding fabric panels to your shelves to help conceal clutter.

Do you lack an office altogether?  For homes short on office workspaces, think about commandeering a closet for a work area all your own.  Remove shelves to make room for your files, supplies, and computer equipment.  Use a rolling stool that can easily be
utilized for seating when the closet is open and tucked away when not in use.  Keep you storage space hidden behind closed doors when your work is done!

In The Kitchen:

Keep your counter clear of clutter by storing items off of the counter whenever possible.  For example, replace a countertop knife block with a magnetic strip mounted to a backsplash to hold knives and other regularly used utensils.

If you need additional storage to help clear your counters, make use of the toe-kick – the space between your cabinets and the floor.  A shallow drawer installed in this unused space can maximize your kitchen’s storage capacity!

In The Bathroom:

Are you sick of picking up damp towels off of the bathroom floor?  Place a slender coat rack in the
bathroom corner to hang and dry towels and other items.  This space-saving solution will take up minimal room and eliminate floor clutter.  Or to truly maximize storage space, install a second medicine cabinet by recessing the additional unit into the bathroom wall between the studs.