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Make “Home Sweet Home” Even Sweeter with the Gift of a Home Renovation This Valentine’s Day

A visit to any card shop, flower shop, or grocery store alerts you to the impending arrival of St. Valentine’s Day just around the corner on February 14. To honor the one you love, you could go with the tried-and-true heart-shaped box of chocolates, the traditional dozen long-stemmed red roses, a singing telegram pronouncing your undying love, or a pair of boxer shorts adorned with the image of Cupid and his ever-ready bow and arrow. At Highlight Homes, we feel we might just have a gift idea that will top all Valentine’s Days past. This notion of ours is not only the key to making your “home sweet home” a little sweeter, it’s a gift that keeps giving long after the box of chocolates has been eaten, the roses have all died, and the boxers have turned pink after their first wash.

Love comes in many forms, and so do home renovations. A quick phone call to Highlight Homes can be the first step to pulling together the home improvement project your loved one has been dreaming of. We will not only design a renovation to fit your budget and needs, but also your family’s unique personality.  Here are a few ideas to help spark your imagination:

1. Master Retreat: Convert your bedroom into a “love nest” you can’t wait to retire to each evening… something that evokes luxury, comfort and warmth. From trey ceilings for added height and hardwoods to add  a timeless opulence, to crown molding to add rich details and a shift in the floorplan to open things up – Highlight Homes’ experience in structural engineering and architecture can help you see your bedroom in a way you never even imagined.
2. Master Bath: Bring new meaning to the phrase “rest room” with spa-inspired additions such as a waterfall tub, hands-free faucets, Italian-tile lined steam shower, surround sound stereo, and elegant lighting. Warning – you may never want to leave.
3. Gourmet Kitchen: They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! A renovation of the heart of the home that takes an outdated kitchen that’s so-so to a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen that’s so WHOA could be the inspiration for many a fabulous meal to come.
4. Craft Studio: If your sweetie is a closet artist or crafter at heart, what better way to say “I love you” than to create a space that is uniquely their own. Be it a sunroom that’s filled with light and paint-and-hot-glue-friendly flooring or a corner room in the basement surrounded with workspaces and storage cabinets, creation of this space is sure to get you a big hug.
5. Man Cave: If you know a boy who likes to escape to his own corner of the home from time to time, why not make that corner fit his individual tastes and interests. From a movie theater-inspired media center for endless runs of sci-fi favorites to a bar-and-big-screen space that’s all his own, Highlight Homes can help you draw up blueprints for a Man Cave of his dreams.
6. Outdoor Oasis: With Spring just a matter of months away, backyard barbeques and pool parties are just around the corner. Whether you seek a quiet garden retreat, a high-energy sports and pool complex, an outdoor kitchen, or an al fresco extension of the interior of your home, Highlight Homes can help.

This list goes on and on!  To get started on your Valentine’s Day shopping with a home renovation from Highlight Homes, contact our design-build team by phone at 678.873.9234, by e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or via our our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, we welcome you to visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com where you can meet the members of our team, discover our ever-increasing list of services, and view our portfolio online. To stay up-to-date on the latest Highlight Homes news, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald.

Image Credit: © Iperl | Dreamstime.com

Glimmer of Hope for the Remodeling Industry in the Southeast

According to the latest Remodeling Market Index and recent news releases from the National Association of Home Builders, the economy continues to take a toll on both the housing and remodeling industries across the nation. While the numbers from third quarter 2011 were somewhat bleak throughout the U.S., indicating that remodeling activity remains slow under current economic conditions – there was a bit of silver lining for the remodeling industry in the South. As the housing market in Georgia struggles to find its footing once again and builders continue to remain hopeful with reported new home sales up 12,9% in the South in November 2011 (even in the face of a drop in the number of building permits, which were down 11% year over year in the third quarter) – it’s apparent that more and more homeowners are either making the choice to remain in their current home or feeling as though they cannot move at this time due to lackluster house values on resales. That may have a hand in the increases in current market conditions and future market indicators for the remodeling industry in the South.

Current market conditions coincide with three major components, including major additions, minor additions, and maintenance & repair. Regionally, current market conditions were up in the South and the Midwest – but down in the rest of the nation. Future Market Indicators – which are comprised of calls for bids, amount work committed for the next three months, backlog of remodeling jobs, and  appointments for appraisals – were down everywhere else in the country, but showed marked improvements in the South. What does this mean for Southern homeowners? It could mean that the momentum is building, and there is safety in numbers. As more and more homeowners apply for loans and begin investing in their homes again, the wheels of progress will begin rolling forward once more. The proud people of the South can set the tone for the rest of the nation.

Award-winning, Georgia-based Highlight Homes welcomes the opportunity to help you with the design and implementation of a stunning renovation of your home. Together, we can not only create something wonderful – we can help the local economy and set the tone for the rest of the nation at the same time! To schedule a no-obligation consultation today, contact Highlight Homes’ talented design-build team by phone at 678-873-9234, via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or through our convenient online contact form. Sign a contract with us before January 30, 2012, and your name will be entered into a random drawing for an Apple® iPad2! For inspiration, we invite you to take a peek inside our online portfolio. To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Credits: “New Home Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month in November” NAHB (December 23, 2011)  http://www.nahb.com/news_details.aspx?newsID=14444

A Well-Designed Room Addition Could Increase Your Family’s Enjoyment of Your Home

Less is not always more. Sometimes, less is… well, less. As the holidays approach and the rooms of your home are filled to overflowing with house guests, you may begin to notice that your house is a little more cramped than you realized. Once the Christmas tree has been taken to the chipper, the decorations have all gone back into storage, and the holiday visitors have all waved goodbye – take a good look around to determine if your home is the right size and shape for your family. If the answer is no, a well-designed, beautifully constructed room addition might be in order in 2012.

Highlight Homes offers a unique advantage to its room addition clients. Thanks to our solid understanding of architecture and structural engineering, we can imagine possibilities that many homeowners may not have considered. Based upon your family’s individual needs, we can shift your existing layout to maximize the flow of your home to accommodate a new living space. While we can take your vision to new heights with our design expertise and quality construction, every project begins with your inspiration. Rather than approaching the project from the perspective of solely meeting a “need” – basically, to increase the size of the interior of your home – instead change the way you view this project to the equally important angle of meeting a “want”.  In other words, what do you want this room addition to BE?

Room Addition Ideas:

• Mudroom – if you have a particular fondness for gardening, the addition of a sprawling mudroom – complete with lots of windows for light, built-in planter’s bench, wet sink, plenty of cabinets for storage, and mud friendly floors – might be the perfect addition to your home.
• Sunroom – if you desire a four-season space that allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, no matter the temperature outside – a sunroom could add a great deal of enjoyment to your home and makes a great space for relaxing with a good book or entertaining guests.
• Playroom – if you have young children in the home, a playroom is an absolute necessity. Move the kids from the guest room and into a colorful space of their very own. Playrooms can be designed with lots of storage and kid-friendly flooring for easy clean-up, as well as a one-of-a-kind play fort in the corner. The kids in the neighborhood will consider your home the coolest hangout in town.
• Pool cabana – if you have a pool in the backyard, a room addition that incorporates a pool cabana theme could be a fun and functional spin on the traditional sunroom. Flooring that won’t become warped by wet feet, decorative windows overlooking the pool, and a small dressing chamber for slipping out of swimsuits makes the transition to and from the outdoors relatively seamless – protecting the remaining interior of your home.
• Home Theater – carefully laid out and with a minimum of windows to let in light, a home theatre designed to accommodate movie lovers or sports enthusiasts has become an increasingly popular addition to homes in recent years.
• Enclosed Terrace or Screened Porch – if your family enjoys spending time outdoors, an open-air addition surrounded by columns and roof overhead or completely enclosed by screens will extend your enjoyment to include peaceful, rainy days. Imagine the wonderful al fresco dinner parties you could host here, especially if you choose to incorporate a outdoor hearth!
• Keeping Room – Speaking of hearths, a keeping room is typically added as an extension off of the kitchen area where the fireplace is the centerpiece. It’s a wonderful gathering space to catch up on the day’s events, play games, or relax in front of a roaring fire. Add a flat-screen over the hearth surrounded by cozy couches and it may well become your favorite room of the house.

These are just a handful of ideas to help you get started. And we haven’t even covered craft studio, in-law suite, or man cave – not to mention any incredible concepts you may dream up on your own. We can’t WAIT to hear what you plan to do with your room addition, and most importantly, we can’t WAIT to make your vision a reality. With more and more families making the choice to stay in their homes longer, a room addition is a wise and viable option to packing up and moving into a larger home. Getting started is as easy as contacting the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes TODAY. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Give Your Family (And Yourself) the Gift of a Home Renovation From Highlight Homes This Holiday Season

Whether your family celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas – when gift-giving and special time spent with family are top of mind – Highlight Homes has the ideal gift solution. A well-planned and executed home renovation is the gift that keeps giving – long after the holiday decorations have gone into storage until next year and the Christmas tree has been put through the chipper.

At Highlight Homes, we understand that a kitchen can be the nerve center of the home – a place where so much more than a sack lunch is prepared and an evening meal is shared. A den may be the family game room, a bathroom may be the resident star’s dressing room, and spaces like a basement or expansive backyard hold endless possibilities. That’s why we don’t just build custom homes and renovate rooms – we create unique living spaces where you and your family can make memories together for years to come.

Imagine the look on his face when he unrolls the blueprints for the Man Cave of his dreams, or the smile on her face when she sees the rendering of that room addition and deck she’s always wanted for hosting an endless array of gatherings with friends during the spring and summer. You can do it, and Highlight Homes can help! If you feel a home renovation – large or small – might be the perfect gift to slip into your family’s stocking this year, contact Highlight Homes’ team of designers and builders to pull together a project for your home that will make your family’s 2012 one of the most exciting and fulfilling years to date. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form.

HURRY!!!  Time is Running Out for Highlight Homes’ special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an Apple iPad 2!

From the Highlight Homes’ Family to Yours – We Wish You a Very Happy Holiday Season!

Newest Highlight Homes’ Video Features Award-Winning Kitchen Remodel  

Highlight Homes is pleased to release its latest video showcasing the kitchen remodel that brought home the Gold OBIE Award during this year’s Greater Atlanta Home Builder Association ceremony. The short film features all of the elements that went into the overall renovation of what is perhaps one of our favorite renovations to date involving a 1970’s Colonial home in the highly esteemed Newnan Pines Country Club in Newnan, Georgia.  The original vision consisted of an update to the small, outdated galley kitchen and a deck extension so the homeowners could enjoy clearer views of the golf course. The family who owns the home hoped to create both interior and exterior living spaces where they could easily entertain family and friends.  The design-build team at Highlight Homes worked tirelessly to ensure that the homeowners’ vision was met and paid particular attention to the fact that old blended in with the new so the changes appeared seamless.  Structural engineering played a major role as square feet were added to the home and the layout was reconfigured for flow. All told, the renovation involved a complete kitchen remodel, room addition, and deck addition PLUS transformations of the living room, dining room, half bath and laundry. The crown jewel of the kitchen remodel – something that really sets it apart and makes it one-of-a-kind (ultimately catching the eyes of the OBIE judges) – is the tile mosaic over the stovetop. It is hand-painted and manufactured by the oldest tile company in Jerusalem.  Highlight Homes not only ordered and installed it, but offered it to the family as a thank you for their business.  In the end, the full remodel only took seven weeks to complete, and the clients were so elated that they have recommended Highlight Homes to a number of their friends and neighbors.

To view this transformation in its entirety – from a sneak peek at the original interior and exterior to the beautiful final product – click HERE!

If you wish to create a similar transformation at your own home, contact the talented team of professionals at Highlight Homes TODAY for your no obligation consultation by calling 678-873-9234 or e-mailing a request to info@highlighthomesga.com. To stay up-to-date on all of the latest Highlight Homes news including special offers and upcoming projects, join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages, or sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, Highlight Homes Herald.  On the go? Check out Highlight Homes’ textsite on your smartphone or mobile device by texting “Builder” to 99699.

HURRY!!!  Highlight Homes is running a special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an iPad 2!

Atlanta-based Custom Construction Company Showcases a Recent Kitchen Remodel

In our continuing efforts to reach our core audience and clearly demonstrate what the professional designers and builders at Highlight Homes is capable of, we have produced our very first video for launch in the digital arena. We turn the spotlight on a renovation project we completed in 2009 that consisted of a kitchen renovation, as well as key changes to the dining and living room spaces. The video outlines the existing space, and then slowly walks the viewer through all of the subsequent steps including demolition, electrical work, drywall, ceiling and trim work, paint, cabinets, granite countertops, and decorative touches.

The Guerissi’s Renovation Project

The story behind the renovation is one we are very proud of, and was featured in an issue of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine. Joe and Renee Guerrisi began the journey to renovate their 1950’s bungalow in late 2008.  The couple had tried working with another builder prior to discovering Highlight Homes, but was never able to see eye-to-eye on a project to fit their budget or a design to fit their vision.  They wished to open up the space while bringing the overall look of the interior of the home up-to-date.  The Guerrisi’s called upon Highlight Homes to redesign the project – the blueprints exceeded their every expectation.  Our original design called for the addition of two wings to the home and the conversion of their current carport to a three-car garage.

Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles to overcome along the way.  The Guerrisi’s were on another journey – their careers took them out of the country to live abroad in Singapore the majority of the year – only to return to the States for a few days every other month. This made it necessary for many design/materials approvals and communications to be made via internet.  In addition, due to the timing of the project in relation to the volatility of the banking and housing industries – the couple hit a roadblock with regard to securing a loan for an addition to their existing home.  This led us back to the drawing board to find innovative ways to maximize the space they already had.

From the moment the new design was approved, time was of the essence. The couple was moving back to the United States permanently, and wished to have their home complete in time for their arrival – that left less than two months to gut, rewire, install new plumbing, reconfigure HVAC, and completely alter certain structural components of the home.  Highlight Homes’ experienced team worked swiftly to transform the Guerrisi’s home by knocking out two walls, removing two windows, eliminating a door and creatively resealing the space by matching the old brick on the exterior of home. We then added trays to the dining and living rooms, and installed new insulation and drywall. With the kitchen at the heart of the home, special care was given to the selection and installation of cabinetry, countertops, and finally appliances. The project was completed on time and within budget, and the Guerrisi’s had their “Home Sweet Home” ready in time for their return in early September 2009.  They couldn’t have been happier with the results and later contracted with Highlight Homes again the following year to convert their carport to a garage!

Be on the lookout for new videos of some of Highlight Homes’ most exciting renovations to date.  YOUR home could be the next star of the show! Call us TODAY at 678-873-9234 for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your next home improvement project with one of our team members. Know someone else who’s considering a home renovation? Be sure to tell them about us. At Highlight Homes, we don’t just construct houses and renovate rooms. We create unique living spaces where you and your family will make memories together for years to come!

HURRY!!!  Highlight Homes is running a special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an iPad 2!

As we prepare for a holiday devoted to giving thanks for our blessings, Highlight Homes wants you to know that we are thankful for you. From the vendors and clients we have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years, to the future friends and customers we have yet to meet – it is you who makes what we do so rewarding. This year has been filled with many exciting changes. We completed our first commercial renovation to rave reviews at Red Oak Animal Hospital in College Park. We formed strong alliances with Brand Mortgage, General Steel Corporation, and Keller Williams Group in Peachtree City – all of which spell great promise for the future of Highlight Homes. Our fearless leader – Tony Pourhassan – was nominated to the Board of Directors of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s Green Building Council, and our renovations division brought home the Gold OBIE Award for Best Kitchen Renovation Under $75,000. Our parent company, TyCam Development broke ground on an exciting master-planned mixed-use “live, work, play, pray” community in Birmingham, Alabama called Daniel Payne Legacy Village. It has truly been a year filled with blessings.

At the same time, we are reminded of those who witnessed great tragedy during the year. We answered the call to help those in need in Georgia and Alabama following the line of tornadoes that struck in late April. Our hearts go out to those in Joplin, Missouri and Minot, North Dakota who lost their homes and – even worse – loved ones as a result of natural disasters. We have made great strides in the formation of a non-profit organization called the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation in hopes of being able to answer even more calls for need in the near future. We give thanks that we are afforded the time, talent and resources to those who so desperately need our aid.

One of the best ways you can give thanks in return is to help spread the word about Highlight Homes and to take part in observing “Small Business Saturday” on November 26. Highlight Homes is a family-owned-and-operated small business based in Tyrone, Georgia that serves the entire metro Atlanta area and surrounding suburbs. Our design-build firm specializes in custom home construction, as well as commercial and residential renovations.  Our renovation services include:

• Whole Home Restorations
• Sunrooms & Additions
• Basement Finishing
• Luxury Kitchen Renovations
• Lavish Bathroom Remodels
• Flooring – Hardwood/Tile/Carpet
• Window & Door Installation
• Outdoor Living Spaces
• Decks & Carport Conversions
• Roofing & General Home Maintenance
• And so much more….

The best part is… by contracting with Highlight Homes before December 31, 2011 – you could be giving thanks for a NEW iPad 2 in the New Year! Simply sign a contract for your upcoming project with Highlight Homes LLC before the deadline, and your name will by entered into our drawing for an Apple IPad 2 to be given away on 1/6/2012. Call us TODAY for your no-obligation consultation at 678.873.9234, and visit us online at www.HighlightHomesGA.com to learn more about our company and our wide range of services.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE HIGHLIGHT HOMES FAMILY TO YOURS!

Atlanta-based Custom Construction and Remodeling Firm Awarded the Gold OBIE by the Greater Atlanta Home Builder’s Association for Best Kitchen Remodeling Under $75,000

Highlight Homes was honored to be among the boldest and brightest of the Atlanta residential development, construction, and remodeling industries at the 31^st Annual OBIE Award Ceremony on Saturday, November 12. The beautifully adorned ballroom at Cobb Galleria Centre was filled with some of the South’s most gifted craftsmen, designers, and visionaries all there to celebrate one another and their individual crafts. Company Principal Tony Pourhassan and Construction Superintendent Chris Gilliam were all smiles when it was announced that Highlight Homes had won the Gold in the Kitchen Remodeling under $75,000 category.

“It’s extremely rewarding and humbling to have your work recognized and heralded in this way by a panel of your peers,” says Tony. “When the housing market fell into a freefall a few years ago, we made the decision to diversify and launch a renovation division based on all of the same principles of our custom home construction business – commitment to quality, dedication to our clients, and devotion to Earth-friendly practices. This award is a tangible signal to us that we are definitely doing something right. We’re extremely thankful to the Greater Atlanta Home Builder Association for this recognition.”

The project that was submitted for consideration was the kitchen of a 1970’s Colonial home in the highly esteemed Newnan Pines Country Club in Newnan, Georgia. The original vision involved an update of the small, outdated galley kitchen in hopes of creating an inviting interior living space where the homeowners could easily entertain family and friends.  Tony and the rest of the design-build team worked tirelessly to ensure that the homeowners’ vision was met and paid particular attention to the fact that old blended in with the new so the changes appeared seamless.  Structural engineering played a major role as square feet were added to the home and the layout was reconfigured for flow. All told, the renovation involved a complete kitchen remodel, room addition, and deck addition PLUS transformations of the living room, dining room, half bath and laundry. The crown jewel of the kitchen remodel – something that really sets it apart and makes it one-of-a-kind – is the tile mosaic over the stovetop. It is hand painted and manufactured by the oldest tile company in Jerusalem.  Highlight Homes not only ordered and installed it, but offered it to the family as a thank you for their business.  In the end, the full remodel only took seven weeks to complete, and the clients were so elated that they have recommended Highlight Homes to a number of their friends and neighbors.

“This was perhaps one of our favorite renovations to date,” explains Tony. “We share this award with the family who welcomed us into their home and trusted us so completely with their renovation. As wonderful as this OBIE Award is, the true reward comes from knowing that you have transformed someone’s home beyond their wildest dreams. Nothing beats tears of joy and a show of true gratitude from a homeowner who is seeing the completed work for the first time.”

Highlight Homes was also the recipient of the 2008 OBIE Award for Best Interior for their Cottages at Stillwood development, and our sister development company, Vesmont, Inc. won Best Community Logo for its Terrasol community. The OBIE Awards first made their debut in 1980 and have grown since to now feature more than 100 building, remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories. The OBIE Awards, named after the obelisk shape of the actual award given, are the premier awards of Atlanta’s residential building industry. Highlight Homes is looking forward to another big win next year. Just think!  YOUR kitchen, bath, or whole home could be our winning entry!

Considering a home renovation?  Why not hire an award-winning company? Highlight Homes welcomes the chance to work with you in making your “home sweet home” a little sweeter. Call us TODAY at 678-873-9234 to schedule your FREE consultation. Sign a contract with Highlight Homes before December 31, 2011 and your name will be automatically entered into our drawing for a chance to win an Apple iPad 2*!

*Winner will be announced in January 2012.

Join the conversation… “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!

Atlanta-Based Custom Construction and Renovation Company Places Emphasis on Continuing Education

When considering the solid reputation Highlight Homes has built with regard to our high-end quality craftsmanship, special attention to luxury details, and unsurpassed levels of customer service, I suppose you could say that we’ve got “class.” However, we didn’t get to the premier level we’ve ascended to merely by luck and certainly not by accident. We achieved this standing through my insistence on placing a major emphasis on continuing education.

I regularly schedule classes for myself and my team to learn the latest technology, information, and skills so we can maintain a competitive edge in our industry and pass what we’ve learned along to our clients through the most up-to-date practices out there. We continually strive for new certifications, take time to learn about new products from our vendor partners, and work hard to achieve new skills so we can offer the very best goods and services to each and every one of our clients.

Our most recent class involved door installations with our local vendor, Boise Cascade in Auburn, Georgia. Door replacements are a terrific way to enhance the interior and exterior of your home, while properly installed doors could help you save on energy costs.  The very same can be said of window replacements.  Aside from window and door installations, Highlight Homes also offers custom home construction, kitchen and bath remodels, basement finishing, room additions, decks & patios, whole home renovations, and so much more. For your no-obligation phone consultation, feel free to call me today at 678-873-9234.  I’ll be happy to discuss your needs and schedule an on-site walk-through with you.  If I don’t pick up, it’s probably because I’m in another class – so please leave a message or e-mail me at info@highlighthomesga.com.