Don't skimp on the doors

Craig@CraigFairbanksHomes.com
319-553-1457

A decision  you will never regret   When building a new home, interior door widths are one instance where wider is better.  Building codes address door width, but codes are typically adopted on a local basis and may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Recently we were moving a "pack 'n play" (portable crib) from one room to another.  It measures 31-inches wide, fully assembled.  Never have I been so glad to have 32-in wide doors!    Wider doors require more attention in the design phase.  But for ease of moving furniture, access with a walker/wheelchair, or just not having to turn sideways when entering the bathroom, don't settle for less!

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Pocket Office Design Awesome

The pocket office  Do you find yourself frequently bringing work home to finish because there's just not time enough at the office? Then do you wish that space could be shut off from other household activities? But does a dedicated, full-size home office just not make sense? You may be a perfect candidate for what we call a "pocket office." Dubbed a "pocket office" because it is often accessed via a pocket door, these modest spaces are ideally set up with a built-in work surface and storage for your office essentials, your printer/fax/scanner and when possible, a window for natural light and fresh air. Often less than half the size of a traditional office or den, pocket offices often double as a household planning center-ideal for keeping up with social media sites, downloading recipes and managing the family activities calendar. RESOURCE Pocket office home plans  Feel free to use and share HER Home Thought of the Day via facebook, Twitter and other social media venues! Her Home's Thought of the Day is derived from audience feedback as well as real-life experiences of the Her Home staff. In furthering our vision to help buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes, if you have a suggestion, topic, or story to share e-mail us! CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OTHER DESIGN BASICS EMAILS

INSIDE or OUTSIDE MASTER CLOSET

Black or white It is somewhat surprising how strong people's opinions are on access to the owner's suite closet. Whether there's a door to the closet directly from the bedroom, or the closet is entered from the master bathroom, most people will say one design is right and the other wrong. Click to enlarge   Individuals who prefer a separate entrance to the closet from the bedroom often cite concerns over excess humidity from the bathroom damaging clothes. Fans of transitioning to the closet from the bathroom point out they can get ready for the day without waking their mate from the inevitable treks-across-the-bedroom between the bathroom and separate closet. Solutions? If you opt for the direct bath-closet layout, you may want to leave the bathroom vent fan running a little longer to exhaust any excess moisture in the air. And if you've chosen the closet entered directly from the bedroom, learn to tiptoe!

Feel free to use and share HER Home Thought of the Day via facebook, Twitter and other social media venues! Her Home's Thought of the Day is derived from audience feedback as well as real-life experiences of the Her Home staff. In furthering our vision to help buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes, if you have a suggestion, topic, or story to share e-mail us! CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OTHER DESIGN BASICS EMAILS                            Craig@CraigFairbanksHomes.com319-553-1457

Alarming new lock

Craig@CraigFairbanksHomes.com

www.CraigFairbanksHomes.com

319-553-1457

 

Caught ya!   Schlage recently introduced an entry door lock incorporating a built-in alarm with three different alarm signals. Two short beeps let you monitor when the door has been opened or closed. From pre-schoolers prone to wander to teenagers prone to missing curfew, you can know when someone is coming in or going out that door. For your peace of mind, one long alarm sounds when the door knob or lever has been disturbed, making it ideal for monitoring a secondary entry door such as a back door or door from the garage. Finally, a shrill, steady siren triggers at first impact of a forced entry, deterring intruders.        Best of all, you have full customization of the alarm settings! You can choose the alert mode (type of alarm) and sensitivity (level of touch/activity that sets off the alarm) to fit your specific security needs. And if your needs change (or you just change your mind) it's easy to adjust both the alert setting and sensitivity-right on the lock.   RESOURCE   Schlage "Built-in Alarm"

Proper Cabinet Utilization

Store trays, baking pans or cutting boards in this easy-access Base Cabinet. Divided we stand?   Chances are you have a base cabinet where you keep cookiesheets, the pizza stone, cutting board, pie plates and other relatively thin, vertical accessories. That's a "win" for storage, but organization is often overlooked.    Tray dividers typically attach (screw in) to the cabinet base and separate the cabinet space into more usable sections. In particular, tray dividers can help keep items from leaning over and being in the way when you're trying to store or retrieve other items in that cabinet. Still another idea is to install a roll-out with tray dividers in that base cabinet to bring the needed item to you! RESOURCES  Kraftmaid Storage Solutions

New Design Idea with a get away feature

Today's Thought of the Day  Make a quiet getaway!    Spouses with different sleep schedules sometimes have to resort to sleeping in separate bedrooms to get sufficient rest. If that's not the best option for you, investigate the possibility of adding a door directly out of your bedroom closet, assuming that closet adjoins a hallway.   Example home plan 42223 Then, after getting ready you can exit directly from the closet, eliminating the noise and disruption of walking back through your bedroom!

Feel free to use and share HER Home Thought of the Day via facebook, Twitter and other social media venues! Her Home's Thought of the Day is derived from audience feedback as well as real-life experiences of the Her Home staff. In furthering our vision to help buyers make wise, informed decisions regarding their homes and the products that go into those homes, if you have a suggestion, topic, or story to share e-mailus!

Now is the Time to start building your new home

Statistics back up the strong new home market we have been seeing here  in the new construction housing market.  Starts nationwide are at highs not seen since 2008.  The sales of lots continue to deplete an already short supply of new home building sites.  See video link below


http://www.kwwl.com/story/19849180/construction-of-new-homes-surges-to-4-year-high