East Bay January 2010

EAST BAY

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2010 Colors & TexturesCountertop Options

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

InspiredKitchens

ideas and resources for your home

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4 January/February 2010 THM East Bay

10

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 O 1 O

[ C O N T E N T S ]

14

16I N S P I R E DK I T C H E N S10 Kitchen Resolution

Take your kitchen from lukewarmto hot in the New Year.By Heidi Doerfert

14 Remodeling Made EasyGet the look you want with professional help all along the way.By Patricia Hayse Haller

16 Countertop Options for Any LifestyleFrom composite to recycled glass toconcrete, there’s a new countertop that’s perfect for you.By Tammy Hansen

22

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM January/February 2010 5

Find more great ideas and resources for your home onTodaysHomeBayArea.com

ideas and resources for your home

BayArea.com

Search the Bay

Area’s ultimate

resource guide

for more articles

of interest, links

to more resources,

Web sites, and

professionals

who can help

you with all your

home projects.So Much More Than GreenEndless choices when it comes to eco-friendly paint.

www.todayshomebayarea.com/professionalpaintcenter

A Backyard Oasis Renovate your swimming pool.

www.todayshomebayarea.com/californiasguniteGrass to Envy

A new kind of eco-friendlysynthetic turf saves the money and time

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Post your Web page on TodaysHomeBayArea.com!Contact Information • Multiple Links to Your Web Site • Photo Gallery • Press

Call 925.659.6200 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Eco-FabulousMaking your home Green is easier than you think.

www.todayshomebayarea.com/feature

ON THE COVER

Photo: John Umberger/Rutt HandCraftedCabinetry (www.ruttcabinetry.biz).

8 Painting SpellsA custom paint job can do magic for your home’s appearance.By Melinda Peacock

BUILD IT GREEN7 Considering Home Energy

Upgrades?Build It Green is here to help. By Annette Hartsfield

CCIDC18 Kitchen Remodeling Made Easy

Suggestions for saving dollars and your sanity.By David Wagner, CID

NKBA20 Your Dream Kitchen

The rewards are worth all of the effort.By Jennifer Ho CKD,CBD

CLCA22 Recommendations to Maximize the

Efficiency of Your Smart Controller

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com6 January/February 2010 THM East Bay

Volume 10, Issue 1 • January/February 2010

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WWW.TodaysHomeBayArea.com© 2010. All editorial (headline, subhead, story, captions) published in Today’s Homeis copyrighted and remains the sole property of Today’s Home. All rights reserved.

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HOW GREEN RETROFITS COULD SAVE THE WORLD.” This headlinerecently caught my attention. Working for Build It Green, a Bay Areabased non-profit that promotes Green building practices, I know that

home energy retrofits are a hot topic. I’m sure you’ve heard it too. The WhiteHouse recently issued a “Recovery Through Retrofit” report, and a lot of theStimulus dollars that are being funneled through local governments are ear-marked for home energy retrofit programs.

So can remodeling your home Green really save the world? Probably notentirely, but the energy and water conservation elements of a Green remodelare certainly a good place to start. Many existing homes have excessive airinfiltration, no wall insulation, and inefficient heating, cooling and watersystems. In California, for example, over 70% of the housing stock predatesTitle 24, California’s comprehensive energy standards, and many of thosehomes have never been upgraded. And even though homes built before 1960 tend to be a lot smaller than the homes built today, they have a muchhigher energy usage rate. Typical improvements in these homes can result in 30% energy savings and 50% water savings, which translate into savings on your utility bills as well. They also often qualify for tax credits. The U.S.Department of Energy has outlined a number of home energy efficiencyimprovement tax credits that are redeemable through the end of 2010(www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm).

So where do you start? Sierra Club Green Home can help get you going.An online resource for homeowners, it introduces Green home upgrades and provides helpful hints you can do on your own. Build It Green’s HomeRemodeling Green Building Guidelines help you delve a little deeper.

Basic steps suggested in the Guidelines include:Make sure your attic and walls are well insulated.Air seal and weatherize your home.Upgrade or replace windows.Install water efficient fixtures.Install high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.Construct water efficient landscaping.

For some of these steps you’ll want to enlist professional help. Luckily, a lot of building professionals are seeing the value in learning how to conductGreen retrofits, and are seeking the necessary training. There are currentlyseveral high quality training programs in the Bay Area. One of the mostrespected in the state is run by Build It Green.

Build It Green has trained nearly 5000 individuals to build healthier, moreresource efficient homes. Our curriculum was recently named as a standardfor Workforce Investment Boards to meet new green jobs training goals. OurAdvanced Training specifically focuses on retrofitting existing homes, guidingtrainees through the deeper details of a comprehensive green home analysis.Further, Build It Green requires builders to keep their certification current byaccumulating 16 continuing education units every two years. Don’t be afraidto ask for green building credentials when you’re hiring someone. Since greenretrofits are such a hot topic, you may find a lot of people claiming they knowhow to do them.

We post a directory of current Certified Green Building Professionals onthe Build It Green website. This is a great place to find professionals in yourarea who are dedicated to getting your house to perform at its best.

You may not be able to save the whole world, but you can do a little, andyou can save a bit of money while you’re at it. And thanks to organizations like the Sierra Club and Build It Green, you can find help along the way.

Annette Hartsfield is a Build It Green Program Associate and Grant Writer. For moreinformation on Build It Green’s programs and to find a Certified Green Building Professional in your area, visit www.BuildItGreen.org. THM

[ B U I L D I T G R E E N ]

Build It Green is here to help.

Considering HomeEnergy Upgrades?

BY ANNETTE HARTSFIELD


ANEW PAINT JOB IS ONE OF THE LESS EXPENSIVE WAYS TO UPDATE

or completely change the look of your home, both inside and out. “It’s a great way to freshen up or go with a

whole new look,” explains Mario Duenas, president of MGDPainting in Oakley.

MGD Painting has been in business for over a decade, and isknown for customizing each project. “Each job is different andneeds special focus in key areas,” says Mario. One of their recentjobs was at the Diablo Country Club area in Danville. For thisjob, a color named Swiss Coffee was used throughout the mainlounge, including columns, beams, and the paneled ceiling.“With either recessed lighting or good natural light, every littleflaw in a paint job will show up as a shadow,” Mario explains.“You should want an experienced, professional painter, someonewho is a perfectionist and will catch and eliminate any flaws.”

Another specialized look that MGD Painting does a lot of islacquering and glazing cabinets. Lacquer provides a clear finishthat can be shiny, matte or satin. The look can be extra glossy or very subtle. Glazing is the building up of multiple thin,transparent layers of paint that creates a deeper, richer colorthrough the layering technique.

MGD Painting finishes new cabinets, refinishes old cabinets,and is very good at making a new cabinet match up to anexisting set of cabinets in a home. One of Mario’s favorite jobswas glazing kitchen cabinets in a home in Blackhawk. “We used

A custom paint job can do magic for yourhome’s appearance

Painting SpellsBY MELINDA PEACOCK

an ivory paint color and finished it with black walnut glaze,”describes Mario. “The glaze gives the cabinets depth and anantiqued Old World look. All of the details show up beautifully.”

Some projects are large and involve a mix of paints, stains,glazes and clear coats. Add in multiple colors, and a job can getquite complicated. One home in Orinda involved stains in someareas as well as five different paint colors for various rooms. “Youneed a lot of skill to know when and how to transition paintcolors from one to another when two rooms open up to eachother,” explains Mario. “When the paint transition isn’t doneright it can really look bad. A good paint company knows howand when to switch paint colors and types.”

Each job is a custom job for MGD Painting. They can usetheir expertise with paint, lacquer or glaze to turn your houseinto your own magical castle.

Get professional painting and lacquering from MGD Painting bycalling (925) 679-2802 or e-mail [email protected]. THM


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[ I N S P I R E D K I T C H E N S ]

�itchen KITCHENS. ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO BE UTILITARIAN,

they have become the hub and command center of any home.And, hopefully, a warm and inviting space for guests to gather.

Since the beginning of the year 2000, homeowners have had a loveaffair with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, cherrycabinets, and tile floors. This look is classic and should stand thetest of time, but as we enter 2010, bold trends are emerging—and they start with color, color, color.

IN LIVING COLOR We all remember the colors of the 60s and 70s kitchen—margarineyellow, crossing guard orange, and avocado green. Those hues forced us into a gleaming white period only to be replaced by thosebridesmaid-dress colors of mauve and peach of the 80s. From there,we entered the neutral phase where most of us have lived happilyAvigon kitchen.

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BY HEIDI DOERFERT

Take yourkitchen fromlukewarm to hot in the New Year.

�esolutionever since. As we hit the 10-year mark of the Millennium, color ismaking a comeback.

According to BHG.com, color is turning up in backsplashes(think turquoise mosaic tiles) and in countertops, like DupontCorian’s new Illumination series. The material allows much morelight to pass through shades like Arctic Mint and Lime Ice, creatingan effect that’s positively glowing. Famous cook Rachael Ray hasmade Brady Bunch orange popular again and you can find it inSilestone’s Life Series line featuring colors like Orange Cool andMagenta Energy. If you’re not quite ready for that, you can go Zenwith warm brown and berry tones or stick to shades of gray with the Platinum line.

Nina Som of Cardinal Construction, Inc. in Pleasanton says whileher clients still love traditional and Old World decor for their kitchens,she is seeing trends of color and clean lines inching their way in.

Homeowners in Livermore went with a decidedly more modern feel with light, frameless cabinetry and a countertop that combinesrecycled glass and cement. It’s available in hues ranging fromneutrals to blues, greens and ambers. Gray is the new brown, saysHGTV.com, but you can put both colors together for a cutting edgelook. Other sizzling combos are red and white and silver and green.

COLOR INFUSIONIf a complete remodel isn’t in the budget in 2010, you can still kick up your kitchen by enhancing your existing cabinetry. N-HanceWood Renewal in San Ramon can actually change the color of yourcupboards. You can choose a color shift which warms up the colorby a shade or two or injects new color into the existing cabinet tone.Or, you can opt for a complete color change. Turn lifeless oak tobrilliant cherry, warm walnut, airy maple, or even off-white with >>

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an antique glaze. Greg Overfield of N-Hance says their service allows customers to stretch their makeover budget by saving on the cost of cabinet replacement. You can save those dollars for new appliances, lighting and flooring. N-Hance promises no mess,no dust, and no odor and most jobs are completed in a day! Nomatter what color you choose, you’ll be “green” since N-Hance uses low VOC, water-based finishes and they save good wood frombeing sent to the landfill.

Another way to spice up your kitchen without calling for thedemolition truck is to consider colored appliances.

No, not the split pea green oven your mom had when you weregrowing up. Companies like Viking offer ranges and refrigeratorsavailable in 24 drop-dead colors like Mint Julep, Plum, andLemonade. These shades are not for the faint-of-heart but forsomeone who wants their kitchen to make a dramatic statement.

MIX IT UPA new way of thinking in the New Year is to not be so “matchy-matchy” when designing kitchenspaces. A client of Nina’s in San Jose went withnatural maple on the upper cabinets, a couple of shades darker on bottom cabinets, and a richespresso tone on the center island. Another dreamyoption is off-white cabinetry mixed with sage greenor black. Mixing colors creates a furniture-like feel and can turn your kitchen from functional to fabulous!

Just like we’ve been taught to match ourjewelry pieces, we tend to match our faucets andhardware. Nina says it’s absolutely okay to mix, as long as they have a complimentary tone. Forexample, you can pair a brushed nickel faucet with black cabinet hardware because silver andblack look good together. Glass knobs can be anice juxtaposition to stainless, marrying vintagewith sleek. Knobs and pulls on upper cabinetry can be different than those on islands, as well.

Ring in the New Year by turning up the volume in yourkitchen. To find out how Cardinal Construction, Inc. can help you transform your space, call (925) 426-8854 or visit their Website at www.cardinal-construction.com. Tolearn more about enhancing your existing cabinetry with N-HanceWood Renewal, call (925) 820-1019 or visit theirWebsite at www.trivalleywoodrenewal.com. THM



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White, high-gloss lacquered walls with panels and elements of the Bulthaup b3 system.


MOST FAMILIES START A MAJOR REMODELING project filledwith excitement. But that rush of optimism often turns tobewilderment and confusion as they try to sort through their

options, settle on a design, choose colors, pick out fixtures andappliances, and find the right people to do the work.

Fran and Earl Mack of San Ramon, who wanted to expand andmodernize their kitchen, say the process would have been overwhelming if it weren’t for their contractors, Mosche and Michelle Mor of SunshineConstruction, Inc.

“We had never done anything like this before,” said Fran. “We knewwe wanted a different, bigger and more modern design, but we didn’tknow how to go about doing that. They were able to help us figure itout. It was like one of those home improvement shows where thedesigners come in, give you ideas and then take you step by step tohelp you get there.”

The first step was for Mosche to help the Macks figure out a designthat would accomplish their goals. Drawing on his 28 years experienceas a general contractor, Mosche explained design principals and

standard measurements, pointingout that there wasn’t enough spacefor a kitchen island. He suggestedbringing in more natural light byputting matching windows on eitherside of the cooktop, and addingworkspace with a built-in desk andoverhead cubbies. And he clarifiedbuilding regulations, showing themwhat they needed to do to bring the electrical and plumbing up tocode and equip the kitchen formodern technology.

Once they had a plan, MichelleMor met with the Macks to helpcreate a sketch of the new kitchenthat was rough, but drawn to scale,and she took it to their cabinetcompany. There, the Macks wereable to see a computer-generatedpicture of their new kitchen andstart picking out cabinets and then do work on the next step of the countertops.

“They wanted something light to make the kitchen look more open,” said Michelle. “Sothey went with maple cabinets with Baltic Brown granite for the countertops.”

BY PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER

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That decision—and many, many others—were easier becauseMichelle went with the Macks every step of the way. “She was verypatient in helping us get ideas and taking us around to differentplaces,” says Fran. It’s a personal touch that sets SunshineConstruction, Inc. apart and has earned them a reputation forquality service throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

“I will assist the homeowners in picking out colors, granite,appliances, and fixtures,” says Michelle. “They are guided throughthe entire process, not just sent out on their own to get everythingdone. And for appliances and fixtures, we pass our contractorsdiscount on to our clients.”

She helped the Macks pick out tile for the floors and backsplashthat matched the soft beige background colors in the granite anddesigned a motif of Baltic Brown granite diamonds and frame under the stainless steel and glass hood over the contemporary gascooktop. Matching Baltic Brown granite diamonds are placed among the floor tiles as well.

The result, says Fran, is a simple but elegant look that is exactlywhat she wanted, but would have had trouble getting without Moscheand Michelle. “It was so great to work with them. They kept thingson track and got us to the right people. And all their subcontractorswho worked here were very good.” In fact, she says, she was sopleased that she’s working with Sunshine Construction again, thistime to renovate their living room.

To find out how Sunshine Construction, Inc. can help you with a renovation, an addition, or new construction, call (800) 953-0053 or (925) 932-4072 for an appointment and a free in home consultation. THM


COUNTERTOPS THAT WERE ONCE ‘always the bridesmaid’in recent years have taken on a new prominence in kitchendesign. While granite represents the most popular of

surfaces, composite surfaces with new colors and textures marryseveral ‘must haves’ with fun new options. Composite, recycledglass, and concrete countertops offer fashion, functionality and an environmental sensibility. From spunky and modern to warmand traditional, they are enough to entice more and morehomeowners to say, “I do.”

VETRAZZOWhen first introduced, glass based countertops represented acolorful, daring option in solid surfaces. In the past decade, the pallet has expanded to include more subtle tones. Soft, new

Martini Flint and rich combinations like the popular Alehouse Amberwith Patina from leading manufacturer Vetrazzo offer pizzazz in thebrowns that are found in nature. There are still plenty of playfuloptions like Charisma Blue for the fun seeking homeowner (and the president, who has it on his desktop, according to Vetrazzo).

An impressive 85 percent of the glass in the Northern Californiacompany’s countertops is recycled. Chips in the glass-cement-pigment recipe come mostly from curbside recycling. However,everything from laboratory beakers to traffic light lenses make eachsurface a story in recycling. Vetrazzo, a U.S. company, tracks the glassin each countertop and provides a Certificate of Transformation tothe homeowner. Comparable to granite in hardness and maintenance,Vetrazzo’s glass countertops can also be used as fireplace surrounds,making them an option for the great room.

CAESARSTONEThe pioneer in manufactured solid surfacescombines natural quartz and a tough polymer to create the best of both worlds for the kitchencounter. Often called “composite” countertops,these surfaces are highly prized for ease ofcare. CaesarStone, founded in 1987, maintainsa leadership position in composite counterswith an eye toward environmentalism, styleand functionality. A lifetime warranty and

several Green certifications make it an Earth and home friendlychoice. The company (based in an Israeli kibbutz) doesn’t stop there though. Fashion is as important as function for the firm.

BY TAMMY HANSEN

CABINETRY & COUNTERTOPSCABINETRY & COUNTERTOPS

Kitchens Classics2304 Monument Boulevard, Pleasant Hill

925.674.8966www.KitchenClassics.net


From composite torecycled glass to

concrete, there’s anew countertop that’s

perfect for you.

Countertop Optionsfor Any Lifestyle

Kitchens Unlimited1459 Newall Avenue, Walnut Creek

925.934.4700www.kitchenswc.com

Your local Caesarstone dealer:

Your local Vetrazzo dealer:


CaesarStone in Novemberbegan offering Motivo, an embossedproduct for everything frombacksplashes to custom furniture.The first two patterns are Lace andCrocodile. The current collectionalso features recycled countertops,hammered matte finishes and a unique black metallic accentsurface. Colors such as Marroneand Carbone (both recycled) offerbold statements while Absolute Noir and Jerusalem Sand are a softbackground for the kitchen. Playfulhomeowners can try bright AppleMartini or Ruby Reflections.

CONCRETEMention concrete countertops and the imagination tends towardstark, modernistic forms. While certainly possible, the minimalist gray surface is only one option for this fairly new countertop choice.Custom coloring for this mix of sand, stone and cement meanscounters can be just about any hue. Concrete is unique in that colorscan be applied much like a painting, so countertop art is possible.Detail work expands the genre with ornate edge details from Tuscan to contemporary. Embedding anything from coins to shells to personal

mementos adds to thecustom look. Integralsinks, drain boardsand trivets offerfunctional accents.

Care of concretecountertops is similarto granite. Hot itemsshould not be placedon the surface, norshould it be used as a cutting board.Non-abrasive soapsare recommended.Manufacturersrecommend waxingoccasionally tomaintain luster.

Still not ready to take the plunge? Look for a local dealer thatspecializes in these unique countertops. Peruse the photos and visitshowrooms for a chance to experience the real thing. Often the bestway to overcome remodeling jitters is a date with someone who cangive specific advice geared toward your needs. It could just be amarriage made in heaven. THM

APPLIANCES

Direct Appliance 925-560-0500www.directappliancedublin.com

CARPET AND FLOORING

Carpet One of Livermore925-455-9210www.carpetoneoflivermore.com

CLEANING SERVICE

Spring Fresh Cleaning800-750-7175www.springfreahcleaninginc.com

CONCRETE

Lara’s Concrete925-458-6304

CUSTOM FRAMING

Acanthus925-866-1144www.acanthusonline.com

DRAPERIES

Exclusive Fabrics & Furnishings866-413-7273www.thedrapeboutique.com

GARAGE STORAGE

Premier Garage866-497-2880www.premiergarage.com

GARDEN ORNAMENTS

Giannini Garden Ornaments Inc.650-873-4493www.gianninigarden.com

HEATING & AIR

Roeber’s510-537-0556www.roebers.com

KITCHEN & BATH REMODELING

Valley Oak Designs925-705-4611

KITCHEN CABINETS

Kitchens Unlimited925-934-4700www.KitchensUnlimitedWalnutCreek.com

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

Kitchen Classics925-674-8966www.KitchenClassics.net

KITCHEN DESIGN CENTER

Ric’s Kitchen & Bath510-733-5543www.Rics-kitchen-bath.com

LANDSCAPING/PAVERS

Tice Valley Landscape925.362.0178www.ticevalley.com

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Landscape Care Company925-372-7973www.landscapecare.net

LANDSCAPE SERVICES

No Nonsense Horticultural Services925-820-1843www.NoNonsenseHort.com

PAINT CENTER

Professional Paint Cener925-933-3315

PAINTING CONTRACTOR

MGD Painting and Decorating 925-679-2802

PAVING STONES

Black Diamond Landscape & Designs800-942-1955www.blackdiamondlandscape.com

POOL RESURFACING

California’s Gunite925-960-9500www.californiasgunite.com

REDWOOD FENCING

Borg Redwood Fences925-426-9620www.borgfence.com

REMODELING CONSTRUCTION

Sunshine Construction, Inc.925-472-8760www.sunshine-construction-inc.com

SHOWER DOORS & ENCLOSURES

California Shower Door Corp.800-675-6225www.calshowerdoor.com

SWIMMING POOLS

Hacienda Pools209-839-1995www.haciendapools.com

TILE AND STONE

Western Tile Design Center925-671-0145www.westerntiledesign.com

WALLBEDS

Wallbeds ”n” More925-570-5663www.wallbedsnmore.com

WATER HEATERS

Phillips Water Heater Service925-584-9846

WINDOW TINTING

Solar Control Glass Tinting Co.800-999-3828www.solarcontrolcompany.com

RESOURCE GUIDE

List your business, call 925-659-6200

www.concretenetwork.com


Suggestions for saving dollars and your sanity.

Kitchen Remodeling Made Easy

BY DAVID WAGNER, CID

Detailed lighting locations, fixture sizing and Title 24 calculations to meet California energy requirements. Without these calculations and specifications your project will be put on hold by your local building department!

Detailed location and sizing of all electrical outlets, appliancerequirements such as electrical, gas, water and all plumbing, fixturesand ventilation including makeup air if required.

Detailed drawings of all structural and nonstructural work that maybe needed. Portions of the work that are load bearing or seismic willneed to have a licensed engineer or architect sign off on the appropriatesection of these plans. Your Certified Interior Designer has access to these professionals thus saving you and your contractor any additional expenses.

There are obviously more time and money saving suggestions thatyour designer will provide you. The more information your designerfurnishes to your contractor the more realistic their construction pricingwill be. There is no greater feeling for a designer than to know they have exceeded your expectations and protected your investment!

By David Michael Wagner, CID#0744, Wagner Kitchen Design, Long Beach, California.You can find information on Mr. Wagner and other Certified Interior Designers in yourarea online at www.ccidc.org/cidpages. THM

YOU HAVE DECIDED THAT YOUR KITCHEN is in dire need ofupdating and remodeling. The task can be daunting. Having spent almost forty years creating designer kitchens, I have a

few suggestions that will make the remodeling process easier on yourpocketbook and state of mind.

The most important decision you should make is to obtain the servicesof a “Certified Interior Designer” specializing in kitchen design andremodeling. The reasons you want this specialized designer are twofold.

They will provide you with a beautiful and functional kitchen withinyour investment parameters.

They will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars inconstruction costs.

One of the biggest reasons for kitchen remodels going over budget is clients believing that a “big box store” can design their new kitchenwith their computer programs. Nothing could be further from the truth.Professional designers call this moving boxes around, not design! As ahomeowner, you provide these drawings to contractors for the purpose ofobtaining pricing for your kitchen remodeling construction costs. Thereis no way a responsible contractor can give you a realistic price withthese drawings. All the drawings indicate to the contractor are cabinetwall elevations and floor plan. A Certified Interior Designer will furnishyou and your contractor the following plans, details and specifications:

[ C C I D C ]


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iron and chain-link fences.

BORG REDWOOD FENCES 925.426.9620 www.borgfence.com

BLACK DIAMOND LANDSCAPE &

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SPRING FRESH CLEANING 800.750.7175www.springfreshcleaninginc.com

REMODELING YOUR KITCHEN can be a daunting task. Yet whendone correctly, it’s the most rewarding remodel in terms of returnon investment, increased functionality, elevated aesthetics and

more. “Where do I start?” is a common question. With so much to chosefrom and a wide variety of information in it can be confusing to navigateyour way. So let this guide lead you through the door of kitchen remodeling.

Make a Wish ListTake time to think about what you would like in your dream kitchen. Look through ideas and pictures and start making a scrapbook of theones you like. In round one, don’t eliminate any ideas because you thinkit’s not possible. Remember, this is a wish list and wishes do come true!The idea is to identify what you like and dislike.

Soon enough you will see a trend of ideas that appeal to you. It’stime to pare down your choices in round two. As you go through yourcollection of prioritize what is most important to you. Place the mostimportant ideas towards the front of your scrapbook and the lessimportant towards the back. Now that you have a vision of your dream kitchen it’s time to make it a reality.

Find a ProfessionalEnsuring that every need is met in the kitchen in terms offunctionality, practicality andaesthetics is a job best left to aprofessional. Hiring a kitchen designprofessional can be one of the bestchoices you can make—wise choices basedon their experience and mistakes averted can be major time and money savers.

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

[ N K B A ]


Ric’s Kitchen & Bath3664 Castro Valley BoulevardCastro Valley

510.733.5543

www.Rics-Kitchen-Bath.com

Kitchens of Diablo9680 San Ramon ValleyBoulevard, Danville

925.831.9500

www.KitchensofDiablo.com

BY JENNIFER HO CKD,CBD

Interview at least 2-4 professionals. Get a feel for their projects. Make sure you feel comfortable working with them—trust and communication is essential to a welldesigned project. Your design professional is your personalguide and translator in the world of kitchen remodeling. Heor she will guide you through your choices, help you makethe best choice for your situation and put it all down on anexecutable plan for you.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association certifiesdesign professionals specializing in Kitchen and BathroomDesign based on extensive industry experience and in-depthtesting. An Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD)have a minimum of two years of experience. A CertifiedKitchen (or Bathroom) Designer (CKD, CBD) have a minimumof seven years experience. And a Certified Master Kitchenand Bath Designer (CMKBD) have a minimum of ten yearsexperience. Please visit www.NKBA.org for more information.

Jennifer Ho, CKD, CBD is a designer at De Anza Interior(www.DeAnzaInterior.com) and is the Vice President of GovernmentRelations for NKBA Northern California as well as a member of theInternational Ad Hoc Committee for NKBA National. From choosing a designer to picking out colors, the NKBA is your source for designideas, expert remodeling tips, and advice. To find a design professional near you please visit www.nkba.org. THM

YOUR DREAM KITCHEN

The Rewards

are worth all

of the effort.

National Kitchen & Bath Association


�

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SMART CONTROLLERS, also known as weather basedcontrollers, are one of the many valuable water savingtechnologies available to help make landscape water

usage more efficient. These devices are irrigation clocks thatadjust the amount of water applied to a landscape inresponse to environmental changes. Using sensors and/orweather information, these controllers adjust your irrigationsystem automatically in response to rain, wind or temperaturechanges. Smart controllers can help reduce landscape waterusage and in some cases can offer dramatic savings. Theycan also help you maintain a more healthy landscape.

Smart controllers are becoming very popular in states likeCalifornia which are experiencing severe water shortages.However, if used incorrectly this device may not give thedesired water saving results. The California LandscapeContractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer somerecommendations to help youmaximize the efficiency of thiswater saving device and to helpkeep your landscape beautiful.

PROGRAM IT CORRECTLY.

In order to maximize and maintainwater efficiency, the smartcontroller needs to be programmedcorrectly. These mini computersneed in depth information aboutsoil, plants, exposure, type ofirrigation etc. because they


[ C L C A ]

are customized for yourproperty. Like any computer, if it receives inaccurateinformation, it will not achievethe desired results, possiblyresulting in over or underirrigated areas and damagedplants or hardscapes.

MONITOR YOUR SITE. Siteconditions must be monitored,especially the first few weeksafter installing your controllerto fine tune and adjust yourcontroller settings. Look forrun off, poor plant heath,

color changes and/or any other signs thatsettings might need to be modified. Severaladjustments may be needed.

WATER MANDATES AND

RESTRICTIONS. If you are limited to dayof the week watering restrictions, your smartcontroller may not be allowed to functioncorrectly. CLCA recommends to either use the smart controller or follow the allocated

watering days, not both. If only allowed to water one or two days a week, it defeats the purpose of watering based onsensors and weatherinformation.

Smart controllers andgood water management are often more effective at reducing landscape water usage than assignedwatering days because most people soak theirlawns during their allocatedtime, actually using morewater than the site actually

No NonsenseHorticultural Services925.838.8873

www.NoNonsenseHort.com

Landscape CareCompany925.372.7973

www.landscapecare.net

Recommendations to Maximize the Efficiency of Your Smart Controller

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FORT MASON CENTER, FESTVAL PAVILION, SAN FRANCISCO

For tickets & information please visitwww.o r ch i d s an f r anc i s c o . o r g

or call 415-665-2468A California Non-profit Tax Exempt 501(C)3 Corporation

needs. Some cities and water districts are now allowing those with smartcontrollers to be exempt from restrictions. Be sure to check with your localwater district regarding restriction exceptions.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

It is important to regularly inspect your irrigation system and repair leaksand/or other problems. Since these controllers consistently adjust yourwatering, if there is a leak or other problem with the irrigation system, even if programmed correctly, your landscape may not receive the correct amountof water that it needs. Learning to read your water meter will help youdetermine if you have a leak.

INSTALLING NEW LANDSCAPE. If new landscape is being installed,group plants into similar areas based on water needs. These areas, calledhydrozones will help your plants receive the proper amount of water to meettheir needs and help to maximize the efficiency of your controller because all the plants have the same water usage requirements. When selecting anirrigation system for your new landscape, take time to learn about the mostefficient irrigation devices and about the water requirements of the plants beinginstalled. Also consider including drought tolerant plants in your landscapedesign. A well-planned landscape incorporating advanced irrigation technology,drought resistant plants and a smart controller will see the most water savings.

Smart controllers are an excellent tool to help reduce landscape water usage.When used and programmed properly, a smart controller can help you achievesubstantial water savings.

For more water saving info, go to: www.clca.org/clca/about/consumer/drought/index.php. THM

�

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East Bay January 2010

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Transcript of East Bay January 2010