Our seminars are free, in a lively and engaging atmosphere … don’t miss out on an inspiring way to learn about the remodeling process from start to finish! The next free remodeling and design seminar is on Saturday, February 19, from 10am to 1pm. Learn more and register here.

Our design team has been using architectural resin in whole home remodels for panels, chandeliers, lighting and more. In addition to the material’s green credentials, we love its adaptability, interesting color options and character.

See some beautiful examples of how architectural resin could be used in your whole home remodel, kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel here:

Lumicor
3form

If you’re ready for a remodel and looking for inspiration, here are a few tips to help you create your perfect space:

1) Design to entertain: With value more important than ever, the goal here is to provide a relaxing and fun environment for your guests. Turn your kitchen remodel into the hottest new restaurant in town, create comfortable and functional living spaces, install some of the latest home automation/high-tech gadgets (think built-in iPod docking station, wine fridge, built-in espresso maker). The goal is to create a space that makes you want to stay home for dinner. On the downside, your guests may never want to leave.

2) Get in touch with your inner green: If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, opt for energy-efficient windows, lighting fixtures and tankless water heaters that are not only friendly to Mother Nature, but will offer big savings down the road. If you want to go the extra mile consider recycled countertops, radiant heat or water catch basins. Incorporating energy-efficient products and features will not only make your home look better, but will also make you feel better about giving back to the environment.

3) Bring the extended family together in a functional way. Long gone are the days of form over function. With more families expanding their homes to meet the needs of aging parents, homeowners want to seamlessly integrate these spaces to match the look and feel of the rest of the home. Universal Design is perhaps the newest and hottest trend in remodeling today. It allows you to design a space that is functional for all individuals in the home, including those who may be in wheelchairs or need special access, but marries these functional aspects with the overall design plan to create a simply beautiful result. Put simply, home is where the heart is, and creating a comfortable living space is a trend that will never go out of style.

Now on to the fun stuff. Want to show off your home design skills to the rest of the neighborhood? Here’s an insider look into what’s hot and what’s not for 2011:

Overall Design Style

What’s in:  Transitional/ contemporary (clean lines, minimalistic design accessories, big accents) and a style that is simplified, cozy and functional. Spanish style and Santa Barbara style remain popular choices.

What’s out:  Tuscan-style design

Colors

What’s in: Grey and white are strong color choices, along with accents of chocolates and dark brown; or any splash of color that expresses your own personality.

What’s out:  Beige/taupe.

Countertops

What’s in: Glass, wood, polished stone, quartz, granite, green materials (vertrazzo and recycled paper countertops), including a mixture of honed and polished finishes. Leather finish on natural stone also creates a nice touch.

What’s out:  Tile

Backsplashes for the Kitchen or Bath

What’s in:  Mosaic and glass tiles, porcelain, natural stone mosaic, 3form acrylic

What’s out: Full granite backsplashes, monochromatic, single size tile

Window Treatments

What’s in: Motorized shades as part of smart system to create ambience

What’s out: Vertical blinds

Technology

What’s in: iPod docking stations built in, smart systems, media, home automation, remote control steam showers with aromatherapy and music.

What’s out: Wires

International Flair

What’s in:  Wrought Iron, European, Spanish, distressed furniture and nail heads.

What’s out: Over-the-top accessories or themes.

Here are some easy ways to have a more green home:

1. Invest in New Energy-efficient Appliances. Appliances are usually about 18% of a typical home’s total energy bill. Older refrigerators are the biggest energy drainers, but if any of your appliances is more than 10 years old, the EPA suggests replacing them with Energy Star energy-efficient models. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. Investing in new appliances is the most expensive suggestion on this list, but one of the fastest and most effective ways to lessen energy consumption at home.

2. Use CFLs. Talk about easy! Switching from standard light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is a simple change you can make in less than an hour. By replacing just five of your most frequently used light bulbs, you’ll save $100 per year. CFLs use 50-80% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. According to Energy Star (a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy), if every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a qualified CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 800,000 cars.

3. Get Your HVAC Serviced. Get a professional tune-up every two years on your HVAC and you can save 5% to 10% on your heating and cooling bills. Clean or replace your filter every month, too. Dirty filters block airflow and significantly reduce energy-efficiency.

4. Make Your Bathroom Low-Flow. Lots of opportunities for water savings can be found in the bathroom. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators are easy fixes that save resources without sacrificing water pressure. An efficient shower head will save a family of four up to $285 per year. Shower heads often cost less than $15, can be found at your local hardware or home and garden store, and all you have to do is screw them on to start saving water immediately.

5. Plant a Tree. During your next lazy weekend afternoon, take a look around your yard and consider the potential for energy savings. Shade trees not only add beauty to your landscape, they can also lower your cooling costs by up to 25%. You have to be a little patient with this solution, as it will take at least a few years for the trees to grow enough to lend you any significant savings, but the payoff is rewarding. In five years, your trees may provide enough shade to let you run your air conditioner less frequently, saving you up to 40% in cooling costs. And, don’t forget the hammock potential, too!

Here are some places to learn more about green homes and green building:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/
http://www.greenhomeguide.org/
http://www.builditgreen.org/