Blog > Blog > Archive by category 'Idea Corner'

September 3, 2009 at 4:35 pm

It’s funny, no matter how many properties you visit, it seems like you always find something new. Take this window for instance: I have never seen anything like it. The frame of the window is wood, but the glass looks like you stacked up a pile of soda bottles end-wise. Read more

August 17, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Trying for something a little different on your rehab, but limited on your budget? Here is a idea I recently used in rehabbing my office for my door handles. Read more

March 17, 2008 at 11:48 pm

colored kitchen cabinetsThe most versatile, and probably most important, room in any property is the kitchen. A good kitchen can really make a lasting impression. So can a bad one. Thats why I constantly find myself disappointed by all the uninspired kitchen layouts and styles I see in buildings around town. Read more

March 5, 2008 at 4:51 pm

Forced-air heat systems are really becoming the norm of our current era in this country. While they are not as efficient as some other forms of heat, the fact that a building can be cooled through the same ductwork system is very appealing. However, there are times when a forced-air furnace is not an option. In those cases, your best bet is usually to stick with radiator heating. Bulky, ugly radiators.

Thankfully you do have options. While radiators have been going the way of the dodo in the U.S, they have remained a popular choice in many places in Europe. With this demand, industrious European companies have created a plethora of unique radiator options. I was shocked at the variety of styles and sizes available. You can literally find something for any situation.

Unfortunately, locating these radiators in the U.S. can be a little more challenging. So far, I haven’t found any local dealers that carry the product. Of course, I haven’t done a ton of research on this yet either. I have come across a couple of interesting web dealers though:

Bisque Exports (United Kingdom)
Runtal Radiators (United States)

Personally, I am rather partial to the designs and variety offered by Bisque. Even though they are a British company, their website says they will ship internationally. Orders would probably be easier through Runtal though. They designs are a little less inspired, but they easily beat standard style radiators in the aesthetics department.

There are probably tons of other similar companies out there as well. If these radiators look like a good option for you, a little research would probably turn something up. If you do find any other dealers, please share in the comments section.

February 27, 2008 at 10:24 pm

We all know granite and laminate and Formica and Corian, but I bet you never think of concrete when it comes to countertops. There was a time when granite was considered top-of-the-line and trendy. Nowadays its everywhere. Its not a waste of money to install in your kitchens, but it doesn’t make them stand out anymore.

With concrete, on the other hand, you’ve got something pretty unique. It is a relatively uncommon material for countertops and prospective buyers and tenants take notice of its standout style. Its also resilient and versatile. Its hard to knick and if properly sealed doesn’t stain. If dyes or acid stains are used, a limitless supply of colors and looks are available as well. Its an affordable way to make your project your own.

If you hire someone else for the job, prices can run anywhere from $65 to $135 a square foot for 1.5″ thick concrete countertops. A few weeks ago, I went to the studio of CK Designs, a local firm that specializes in the craft, to see some of the finished product. They had some great designs and seemed pretty affordable. Somewhere around the cost of granite with a turnaround of about two weeks after you order.

You can also try to tackle the job yourself. I have seen a few programs on tv and have looked up details on a few webpages, but I still haven’t tried this myself. But if you’re going for something basic, and enjoy experimenting, its probably worth a try. You don’t stand to lose much if you fail. The materials are pretty cheap.

There are tons of books and webpages out there discussing how to tackle this task. One website I found that is particularly informative is the Concrete Network. Probably worth a look. As for books, Amazon is loaded with them. You probably can’t go wrong with most any of them, but here is a book that is particularly well reviewed. If you do your research and prepare yourself for a few failed attempts, you’ll probably get the hang of it.

Just as with the barnyard-style sliding door I spotlighted last week, this product isn’t a fit for every project. But if you’re looking to add some personalized style to your project to make it stand out, this one might be worth a look. If you give a try, let me know how it turns out.

February 21, 2008 at 6:45 pm

There are many affordable ways to make your rehab project, rental units or even your personal residence stand out. As you, no doubt, have already realized, I’m a big advocate of incorporating unique features in your projects. These features add character which is worth well more than the money and time put into their incorporation. This post will be the first in a series intended to help you find something unique, which you can utilize in one of your future projects.

For the first post in this series, I’d like to point out a creative door design I found in the February 2008 issue of Dwell magazine. This concept was utilized by a California couple on a budget. Here’s what Dwell had to say about the door:

“Since the couple wanted a modicum of privacy for their sleeping space, yet didn’t want to close off the area with a small traditional door, they decided to use a barnyard type partition for the room. A cheap plywood sheet like those found at any lumberyard became the door, which was mounted onto a sliding metal track attached to the top of the wall. The result is essentially a wall that cleverly slides open to reveal the room inside.”

Such a door wouldn’t fit in every property or with ever motif, but its a clever and affordable way of satisfying this couple’s needs. By opting for such an unusual option in an apartment or rehab project, the property would be able to offer something different to the consumer. People get tired of the same old same old. And did I mention that the materials for this door only cost about $200?

The hardware can be purchased from McMaster-Carr on page 2844 of their online catalog. They also have an impressive variety of other hardware if you wanted to get really creative. In the challenging market conditions of today, consumers are demanding more for their money. Its time to start thinking outside the box. Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea.