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.

From what I can tell, the glass appears to be an original feature. The building this window is located in is about 120 years old and is in Fox Park. Stained glass is one thing, but this is one interesting window. Is this a “one of a kind” thing or are there other buildings around with interesting glasswork like this?

[Show as slideshow]

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. I was trying to mix the existing historic features of the space, while going for a contemporary look at the same time. I made the custom doors myself, but when it came time to find a handle that actually matched what I was looking for I was hit with a case of “sticker shock.” At over $100 a piece for the contemporary door pulls I wanted, I was looking at over $600 to use them on all my doors.

Sometimes thinking outside the box can save a lot of money. I had heard about people using handicap bars for door pulls so I went to the hardware store to check them out. Not only were they only $25 a piece, they looked very similar to the overpriced hardware I was finding online. I ended up buying all six handles for only $150. I have had them in place for a couple of months now and I couldn’t be happier.

There’s not anything wrong with these setups, its just that they have been overdone. Even a clean well put together version feels rather “been there done that.” If you find yourself tired of this repetition and are looking to do something different, there might be another option. So many of the homes and apartments we rehab have existing cabinets that are structurally fine, but cosmetically have taken a beating. If you find yourself in such a situation I have one word for you: paint.

I’ve seen the results of repainting both wood and metal cabinets, and I must say that I have seen some impressive results. I’m not talking about throwing a sloppy coat of white paint on old cabinets; I’m talking about doing a quality job using a color with some style. I’ve seen green, I’ve seen red, I’ve seen blue. And I loved each and every one of them.

Take a look at the picture in this post. These aren’t actually repainted old cabinets, but they will help you to visualize what I am talking about. These red cabinets really catch the eye. I saw something similar in a building a couple of months ago, and the effect of the red cabinets contrasting with the gray wall was really impressive. I used a “green cabinet-blue wall” color scheme in an apartment last summer and was really happy with the results too. The blue cabinets with chrome trim I saw at a trade show last summer have also stuck out in my mind. These things really have some style.

Just like the concrete counter tops I posted about a few weeks ago, this setup wouldn’t work for every property. But if your trying to go for something trendy this might be worth a look. You can not only paint old cabinets, but most vendors sell lines of new colored cabinets as well. Pair a set of these cabinets along with a concrete countertop and you’ve got yourself a winner.

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.

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.

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.