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12 Milwaukee/NARI Remodelā€¢Renovateā€¢Restore April 2014 Love Your Neighborhood But Not Your House? We Can Remodel Your house Into A Home You'll Love. DG Remodeling, an award winning division of David & Goliath Builders, Inc., is a full service remodeling company specializing in designing and building custom living spaces that reflect your lifestyle and your budget. David & Goliath Builders, Inc., has been in business since 1985 and employs its own craftsmen and building professionals. Visit our Website to view our award winning projects...and call us today to get your project started. BEFORE AFTER AFTER BEFORE 262.691.8841 | www.dg-family.com DG Remodeling is a division of 237844002 There are several ways to add warmth to the atmosphere of your home according to mem- bers of Milwaukee/NARI. Members say that style changes and physical upgrades can change the way you feel about a room and even impact your mood. "Lighting makes up half the design in a remodel, especially when increased warmth and atmosphere are the focus of the project," said Nathan Gabor, Gabor Design Build, LLC in Mequon. "Adding dimmers or changing light- ing fixtures can have a big impact on the room's ambiance." It is also important to consider the type of lighting, in terms of the impact it has on the room and all the other design elements. "Classic incandescent lighting gives off a warm light, and as you dim them the atmosphere becomes more warm," said Gabor. "LED lights are much brighter and give off a different kind of light that can change the feeling of a space and even change the way the colors in the room look." "Paint color choices and wall paper are other popular elements that have an impact on human emotions," said Gabor. "With wall and ceiling color and texture, you can add energy or a calming effect, whatever mood you are trying to achieve. Shades of red will create a warm atmosphere, along with variations of pink and purple." "The woodwork in a room also has an impact on the atmosphere of a room and clients have a variety of styles to choose from," said Gabor. "You can select anything from classical to mod- ern, painted or stained wood. Restoration hardware is a classy design trending with clients, offering the concept of repurposing and making old new again. Gray is a common color in the restoration hardware look, but it is a cold color that you may tire of, so it needs to be used cor- rectly to achieve the right feel." You can literally add warmth to the home with a fireplace, but for many homeowners, the style choices and materials used go a long way in setting the right mood. "If you purchase an older home with a fireplace, remodeling is always an option if you want a fresher look," said Kurt Soens of Smoke Stacks, Inc. in Brookfield. "Many older fireplaces in homes from the 50s, 60s, and 70s tend to be outdated and require an upgrade. You can choose either brick or stone for your remodel, no matter what you have on your current fireplace. If you do rebuild the facade, it is imperative that the new fireplace opening is the same size or smaller than the original. If not, the draft could be affected." "If you are thinking about adding a mantel- piece or a flat screen TV above the fireplace, it is better to consider using something like Indiana limestone, because it will help deflect the heat," said Soens. "Another option is cul- tured stone, which looks like real stone, but is made of a less expensive composite material." Fireplaces are not just a focal point for a room inside your home. They can be a centerpiece for outdoor entertaining as well, but the proper groundwork needs to be laid before beginning construction. "To construct an outdoor fire- place with full masonry, you need to dig into the ground four feet deep to install a concrete pad as a base for the fireplace," said Soens. "As long as it's not too cold to dig, you can build an outdoor fireplace in winter months. Once con- structed, people can enjoy the warmth and atmosphere fireplaces provide during the spring all the way into the fall." Another way to add warmth and enjoyment outside your home is by adding a spa. "People usually buy a spa for fun, relaxation, romance, or therapeutic reasons," said Rob Wallace of Penguin Spa & Sauna, LLC in Okauchee. "Spas come in sizes for two people and up and are best located outside. Many people choose to locate the spa on a concrete patio or wooden deck, but all that is required is a firm, flat, and level ground." "The best advice I have for selecting the right spa for your needs is to visit the showroom and try them out, but you should also do some research online to narrow down your choices," said Wallace. "People may not realize it, but in addition to state-of-the-art technology to heat and circulate the water, today's spas come with LED lighting and music speakers built in that can play music from smart phones or tablets via Wi-Fi. So there are many features to consider, beyond just the size and number of jets." "Another key accessory that is especially needed in a cold climate like Wisconsin is a good quality spa cover," said Wallace. "A cover properly sealed retains the heat that rises off the water. Overall the spas are relatively energy effi- cient and cost on average $30 a month for the electricity needed to maintain the heat in winter months. " Remodeling Ideas to Add Warmth after - Bartelt

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