Coverings Tile and Stone Trade Show Coming To Atlanta April 29-May 2

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Coverings, the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone, is coming to Atlanta for the first time in its more than two-decade history this month. Exhibitors from more than 50 countries and thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, builders, architectural and design professionals and more will gather at the Georgia World Congress Center April 29-May 2, 2013.

Highlights of the show include new product releases, continuing education opportunities, installation and design awards and live installation demonstrations. Registration is free for exhibitors and members of the trade, and as a special offer for readers of Atlanta Home Improvement, consumers/homeowners also may attend for free and have full access to the trade show and seminars by entering code AHI13 during registration. Online registration is available at www.coverings.com.

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Why an Interior Home Inspection Is Important

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Guest

by Bob and RodMan, of The Bob and RodMan Home Show on 920 AM-WGKA

The exterior inspection, properly done, can give a good indication of the structural integrity, condition and maintenance concerns for the home under consideration. Interior inspection, however, can go even further in establishing the safety and livability of the home. My home inspection report contained right at 100 line items for the interior inspection.

Some are structural. Determining if the structure is plumb, square and level is step one in confirming the durability of the home. Corner cracks and binding doors can be indications of a flaw that could require thousands to correct. Uneven or tilting floors often point to hidden damage to major support members. Ceiling discoloration can disclose persistent roof leaks not obvious in the exterior inspection. Deterioration of interior surfaces might reflect through-the-wall moisture invasion or the hungry work of pernicious critters like termites. Continue reading →

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Editor’s Picks–March 2013, Part 2

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Here are more editor’s product picks for March 2013:

HZ-435 EnergySmart Surround Ceramic Heater by Honeywell

Honeywell’s new HZ-435 EnergySmart Surround Ceramic Heater redefines conventional space heating, offering 360 degrees of heat to quickly take the chill off. A built-in programmable thermostat and energy-usage indicator helps control the temperature and energy savings. $64.99; Kaz USA Inc.  Continue reading →

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Editor’s Picks–March 2013, Part 1

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Here are our editor’s product picks for March 2013:

Sherwin Williams Emerald Paint

Minimize odors and protect your health with new zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) Emerald paints by Sherwin Williams in all 1,500+ colors. Enjoy top-of-the-line coverage, washability and mildew and moisture resistance too. $60.99 per gallon of interior flat paint and up; Sherwin Williams.

Continue reading →

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DIY Network Star To Headline 35th Annual Spring Atlanta Home Show

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Jeff Devlin, licensed contractor and host of DIY Network’s “I Hate My Bath” and “Good, Better… Best”, will headline the 35th Annual Spring Atlanta Home Show to be held March 22-24, 2013, at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Devlin will speak on the Reliable Heating & Air Home Show Stage at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Devlin will focus on kitchen and bath renovations and will meet with and answer questions from fans afterward.

The Spring Atlanta Home Show includes three days of speakers, live radio broadcasts, product demonstrations and giveaways. Over 350 local home improvement companies will present the latest products and services, showcasing innovations for home interiors and exteriors. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the show and online at www.atlantahomeshow.com. Ages 12 and under and ages 65 and older (with I.D.) are admitted free. For more information, download the official show guide in the March 2013 issue of Atlanta Home Improvement.

 

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Eclectic Atlanta Great Room Makeover

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Kali Mallard

For this Atlanta area great room makeover, the homeowner called on Tracy Pulsipher and Keely Woodford of Decorating Den Interiors of Woodstock, requesting an eclectic look and seating arranged for easy conversation while entertaining friends. Touches of animal print and a mix of finishes also were important requests.

The room had been empty for so many years that it had become a catchall space for craft activities. With a wall of windows and a fireplace wall, furniture layout had challenged the homeowner.

Before

AfterUsing the fireplace as the focal point, lead designer Tracy Pulsipher floated the furniture in the room. A console table behind one sofa separates it from the entryway and creates a traffic pattern that can flow on either side of the room.

Two sofas facing each other provide ease of conversation when entertaining. The shag rug is a fun way to anchor the grouping, and the zebra upholstered chair offset to one side keeps it from being too formal. Simple drapery panels complement the windows without taking away from the view. A mix of finishes—silver, light and dark woods, glass and metal and painted pieces—along with the neutral upholstery help to give the space an eclectic transitional feel. Accessories reflect the homeowner’s travels and love of the outdoors, horses and their family roots.

See more Atlanta area makeovers.

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March 2013 Editor’s Letter

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Got a spring in your step? March is the beginning of Spring Fever in Atlanta with weather that’sperfect for tackling your home improvement to-do list. High on that to-do list is probably your landscape and outdoor living space, which many Atlantans enjoy almost year-round thanks to our temperate climate. Winter has likely taken a toll not only on your lawn, trees and other plants, but also on your deck and other hardscapes. Bring everything back to life with this issue’s 2013 Landscape Planner.

Our Landscape Planner includes a series of questions and fill-in-the-blank statements designed to identify your needs and wants for your outdoor living space and to offer tips and ideas you may not have thought about. Also included are photos and details about Atlanta area landscaping projects as well as tips and ideas from local landscape professionals, who can help you save time and money not to mention more than a few headaches when it comes to sprucing up your yard.

Continue reading →

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Make Your Home More Energy Efficient with a Green Mortgage

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Guest

by Brentt Taylor, MortgageLoan.com

Homeowners are responsible for 41% of the United State’s annual energy consumption. That percentage is down from a decade ago, but it is still nearly half of all energy consumption in the United States, a striking number considering the necessary energy output for all U.S. businesses. Homes need to become more energy efficient still.

Government Support for Energy Efficiency

Regardless of your political party affiliation, you certainly have the support of your government to bring more efficient energy solutions to your home. Since 2008, major legislations have passed allowing subsidization for purchases of appliances that consume less energy and work more efficiently. The government offers tax credits for such purchases as double-paned windows, low-water-usage appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, low-energy systems like efficient dryers and tankless water heaters and insulation. You can even take out a Green Mortgage to help you find specific home improvements fit to make your house more energy efficient. Those who believe they can’t afford new insulation are eligible, in some cases, to ball such improvement into their Green Mortgage and thereby pay a single monthly payment that’s affordable on a tight budget. The government has gone to great lengths to reduce energy expenditures in the residential district.

How A Green Mortgage Works

You’ve already pulled a first mortgage on your home, and so you think that a Green Mortgage (also known as an Energy Efficient Mortgage or EEM) would act as a second mortgage. This is not the case. The EEM is created separately from your mortgage but rolled into the original mortgage so you make only one monthly payment. If you qualified for a primary mortgage, you’ll already have qualified for an EEM. They’re insured by the Federal Housing Authority and the Veterans Association (VA). To get one, all you need to do is talk to your bank, loan association or other qualified mortgage lenders. You make the upgrades and begin saving money. Continue reading →

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Federal Tax Credit on Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Extended Through 2013

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Kali Mallard

Atlanta area homeowners may be able to claim up to $500 in tax credits on their 2012 and 2013 returns for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements. The tax credit was retroactively renewed as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and is effective for purchases made between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2013. Examples of qualifying items include energy-efficient water heaters, furnaces, central air-conditioners, building insulation, windows and roofs. Use IRS Form 5695 to calculate the amount of tax credits you can claim.

Atlanta’s Attention to Detail Home Remodeling made mention of the tax credit in its most recent e-newsletter, noting that homeowners can use a free app from Energy Grid IQ that will connect you with more tax incentives and rebates in your area. Homeowners also can get more information on state and local tax credits on energy efficient home improvements from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

Get more Atlanta area home improvement news.

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Color Advice for Atlanta Home Exteriors

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Guest

by Rebecca Ewing, interior designer, Rebecca Ewing Color & Design

When Jane (Doe) asked for my help on her new house at the beach, she already had bright white windows and lattice and tan siding—all vinyl, for longevity and low maintenance in a harsh climate—and topped with a black roof.

White is better with clear, Caribbean colors, while the organic hues are congruous with a brownish-bark roof and off-white or light-tan trim to blend with the sandy terrain.

No matter what color they paint the front door or the porch, the materials on their house will always compete. How I wish she had asked a month earlier.

Continue reading →

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