February 2014 Newsletter - Small Updates with Big Impact

Small Updates with Big Impact

Sooner or later, homes start to show their age. Just as there comes a time when it makes sense to replace the roof, it can also make sense to update fixtures and finishes that are no longer stylish, lack today's features, or that have simply not held up well over the years. Think of it as the solution between simply repainting rooms and doing an all-out remodel.

Right now, many of the homes built in our area in the 1980s and 1990s are in need of a freshening up. Even homes that were showcases a decade ago have started to look a little old-fashioned (and not in a good, charming way). Plus, many homes were constructed using builder-grade materials that have worn out over time.

What Makes Today's Interiors Look Old?

Materials that haven't aged well can give even the nicest home a shabby appearance. Examples we frequently see include brass-plated light fixtures that have begun to pit, cabinet doors that have warped or sagged, faucets that have begun to corrode, and door knobs where the brass plating has rubbed off exposing the dark metal underneath.

The style of fixtures and finishes can also make a once-elegant home look dowdy. Here are some examples:

• Ornate lighting fixtures look outdated compared to today's sleeker, sturdier fixtures in wrought iron or antique brushed finishes like copper or nickel.
• In bathrooms, the all-white tile that looked so fresh a decade ago now looks bland and "low end" compared to today's preference for colors, natural stone, or glass.
• Light oak kitchen cabinets and floors also date a house. Deeper finishes in colors like Espresso and Chocolate Brown are popular for floors and cabinets, with bold, bright colors used for accents.
• Wall-to-wall carpet gives a house a very dated appearance these days. Even in bedrooms, hardwood floors are more desirable for their clean, rich look. Besides bringing down the style and appeal of a home, carpet can also harbor dirt and pollen particulates causing problems for allergy sufferers or children.

The Big Impact of a “Fixture And Finish Update”

We can do something that's small-scale but high-impact by doing what we call a "Fixture and Finish Update." Instead of renovating by knocking down walls, we can go through the home replacing elements that are worn and lack the freshness of new materials and finishes and the functionality of new products.

To give you an idea of the relatively small scope of an update, our work might include things like replacing the home's lighting fixtures and giving those all-white tiled bathrooms a spa-like feel with natural stone elements. We install good-quality wood cabinets. We replace corroded faucets and worn brass-plated door knobs with handsome new levers in brushed nickel. For more contemporary-looking floors and stair rails, we refinish the oak, stain the floors and handrail a deep walnut, and paint the balusters and stair risers white.

Many homeowners have the intention of being in their homes for many more years and just want it to feel fresh and current again. Room by room, we can update a home so it does indeed look – and live – like it's brand new.

With a Fixture and Finish Update, you get much of the impact of a whole-house renovation, but with a fraction of the budget. If you'd like to explore possibilities for your own update remodel, just give us a call!

Maintenance Tip: Look for MORE Ways to Conserve Water

Even with our recent rainy weather, California is still experiencing extreme drought conditions. Since our state contains well established urban areas as well as large agricultural industry, our efforts to conserve water at home are now more important than ever. Try to reduce your water use by 20% right away with these tips:

• Fix leaks now! Repair or replace any leaking or water-wasting fixtures and appliances. (Our handyman service would be glad to help you with this!)
• Take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth or lathering up your hands.
• Instead of running your faucet until the water is hot, install a "re-circulating pump". This unit ties your piping system together and dumps cold water from the hot side back into the cold side. Once the water is hot the connection is closed.
• Instead of flushing food scraps down the sink disposal, put them in the garbage can or compost pile.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables in a filled sink or a water-filled pan instead of washing them under a running faucet.
• Sweep driveways or sidewalks with a broom instead of hosing them down.
• Run the washing machine and dishwasher only with full loads.

For more tips and information, visit the website of Save Our Water, a statewide, water conservation program created by the California Department of Water Resources and the California Association of Water Agencies.

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP