ABD is now live with a new blog! We are pleased to begin sharing a blog each month with a topic of interest, breaking news, best new products, emerging trends in the industry, and photos of projects. We hope you enjoy our new addition to our website, and find it helpful. Please do not hesitate to email or call us with any questions you may have. We appreciate your business and hope to be of service to you in 2010!
“Learning and Sharing”
Bob & Rita Peterson recently attended the IBS (International Builder’s Show) in Las Vegas. Thousands of vendors, suppliers, new products and seminars were offered. While in attendance, Bob was installed as Vice Chair for the National Home Builders Remodelers (NAHBR) Council, taking Chairmanship in 2011, sits on the NAHB Board of Directors, and Rita serves on the Executive Committee for the NAHB 20 Club Program.
Bob was honored to participate in a press conference on a four person panel also consisting of Sarah Susanka, author of her most recent book “Remodeling Not So Big”, Kermit Baker of Harvard School of Economics, and Donna Shirey, NAHBR Chair. Bob presented his view of the economic climate in the Remodeling industry nationally, locally, and at ABD.
Win The Book! Be one of the first three to either email info@abd-ltd.com or call Tabitha at 970.225.2323 to say you saw our new Blog, and you will win Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big Remodeling"!
"Beauty on the Inside”
Forget the backhoe. Architect Sarah Susanka, author of “Not So Big Remodeling”, discusses how less invasive, thoughtful home improvements can have a huge impact.
Excerpts taken from Wendy Cole, Realtor Magazine
How has the housing downturn affected people's interest in remodeling? People are staying put in their homes, so they want to make their current house into a place that fits their needs. They don't automatically see it as a stepping stone to their next purchase. There's no longer the predominant notion of onward and upward and that a bigger house is necessarily better.
But what stops people from pursuing remodeling? Many people think they'll need a huge addition or have to practically rebuild their whole house, when in fact the house of their dreams is right under their feet. The point is to determine where there is existing space they may not have recognized. Where there are obstacles, they're probably not insurmountable. Ideally you want to stay within the·footprint of the house.·
We're published new data about the financial value of improving a home. It shows the entryway is where you get the biggest bang for the buck. Do you agree? Definitely. If you walk into a house that doesn't welcome you, that's unfortunate. I'm talking about having a gracious entry, ideally with natural light. You don't need a three-story, gargantuan palatial thing.
How else do people mistakenly limit their options when they think about remodeling? People see doors and walls as permanent things. They don't realize that walls can be moved or openings can be made.
How do you balance the desire for high-quality design with people's need to save money? I believe in using products and materials that are well designed, but that doesn't mean they're expensive. You can use plastic laminatefor countertops instead of granite. As long as it's installed so that you don't see the edge, you can't tell that it's not a solid piece. And if you'd like a wood ceiling but don't have the money, you can paint it a wood color and it will have a similar effect.
Thank you for allowing us to share our Blog. Good Luck and watch for information and exciting happenings at ABD. We love hearing from you!