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Check Out These Hot New Trends (& Old Favorites) in Kitchen Countertops

While Granite continues to lead the market as the number one choice for kitchen countertops with its natural beauty and high-polished elegance, it is expensive and can prove cost-prohibitive to some kitchen remodel budgets. If you have been considering a kitchen remodel – the second leading renovation project that consistently receives the most return-on-investment (psst… deck additions are # 1) – there are less expensive materials that can be used for your kitchen surfaces to create a dramatic look without breaking the bank.  Here are just a few options to consider:

1)      “Man-Made” Polymer Materials – Also known as solid surface countertops, the most popular manufacturer is perhaps DuPont for their Corian line. Corian offers a wide variety of colors, styles, and edges to choose from – anything from classic and understated, to quiet sophistication and beauty, to thoroughly modern and in your face bold. Their new Terra Collection offers the look of stone in an array of earthy neutrals. A word of caution, no matter which color you choose – always have trivets and cutting boards on hand, as Corian is not scratch-or-scorch resistant.

2)      Silestone Quartz – Containing 100% natural quartz – Silestone provides that natural stone look you crave, but in a wide variety of daring colors so you can really find the look that will fit with your taste and decor. Best of all, Silestone is scratch-stain-and- scorch resistant AND it is considered earth-friendly (certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute). Wait, it gets better… Silestone has developed a product that offers antimicrobial protection. Even DuPont has recently gotten in on the act with its Zodiaq line of quartz surfaces. Quartz is definitely the “one to watch” as its popularity grows.

3)      Granite Tile – A far less expensive alternative to slab granite, homeowners may choose to use modular granite or granite tile to achieve a similar feel without killing their budget. The cost savings come from the relative ease of manufacturing and shipping tile as opposed to finding a piece of granite large enough and flawless enough to be custom cut and shipped to your home. While you may have to contend with the fact that you won’t have a smooth, seamless surface – you can still achieve a very beautiful and natural look to your new kitchen countertops.

4)      Ceramic Tile – You can create a pretty, natural look in your kitchen and pay virtually pennies on the dollar to what you would pay for a granite slab with ceramic tile.  Also offered in a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles – a touch of painted tiles in your backsplash can help incorporate a little bit of your own personality into the room. Just remember, ceramic can crack so be careful when putting dishes away in high cabinets.

5)      Laminates – Perhaps the least expensive alternative in countertop materials, laminates made by manufacturers like Wilsonart and Formica have come a LOOOOOOOOONG way, baby. Constantly reinventing themselves, laminate manufacturers offer homeowners the LOOK of granite at a fraction of the cost. They also offer solid colors, patterns, even wood grains. Unfortunately, some laminates continue to be plagued by issues such as scratches, scorching, peeling/warping and fading over time. If you choose to go with a laminate, keep in mind that it may not last forever.

6)      Polished Concrete – More of a hot new trend than a less expensive alternative, concrete that has been poured, tinted and polished to fit your kitchen is a really cool look in modern kitchens that bears mentioning. It is heat and scratch resistant, but will need to be sealed regularly in order to resist staining.

7)      Marble – An oldie but goodie, marble has been used in kitchens practically since the dawn of man. Adding an air of traditional sophistication, there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind. While it is less expensive in comparison, marble is also less durable than granite. It is a softer, more porous stone – making it susceptible to stains, scratches and even cracks.

The choices don’t end there! You also have stainless steel, wood and other natural stones such as limestone and slate to choose from. Do your homework to learn the benefits and drawbacks to each before deciding which route is best for your family. Once you do, contact the talented team of designers and builders at Highlight Home Restoration to help you install your new countertops.  We can even help you redesign your entire kitchen to suit the needs of your growing family, if need be.  If you need help in deciding which countertops are best for you, Highlight Home Restoration can do that, too!  We understand that this is no small decision – there’s a reason they call the kitchen the “heart of the home!” While we truly love working with granite and most other natural materials, our customers come first and we will do our level best to design a beautiful kitchen that meets both your needs and budget, while exceeding your expectations.  Call Highlight Home Restoration TODAY at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our helpful online contact form.  We look forward to helping you make your kitchen one of the many “highlights” of your home!

(And Highlight Homes Can Help Get You Through the Front Door)

In light of a less-than-stellar economy and a roller coaster ride of a housing market during the past few years, treasure abounds throughout much of Atlanta in the form of bank-owned land and home sites many builders wish to have off their books. By going on a treasure hunt and purchasing a lot at bargain basement prices, you may find yourself with more to spend on the construction of a one-of-a-kind luxury custom home. By selecting a firm that offers both design and construction services – not only is the process far simpler than hiring a separate architect and builder, but you may find also yourself with more control over all of the elements that will make up your future dream home.

Highlight Homes of Georgia is a premier design/build firm that understands how important a house can be to a family. Far more than just a shelter, a house is a place where memories are made and happiness grows. Each room is so much more than four walls and a door – a living room may represent the family game night battlefield, a window seat on the stairs could really be the storybook nook, a kitchen might be more of the burgeoning chef’s workspace, and a bathroom may serve as the future pop star’s practice chamber. Life happens in every room of the house, and – since every family is unique – we feel your home should be, too. Highlight Homes’ talented team of designers and builders will work closely with you throughout every step of your custom home project to make sure your visions are being met. We are extremely proud of our solid reputation for providing excellent customer service and exceeding expectations, while staying on target with regard to timing and budget. We pride ourselves in being a Green Builder, and have certifications from the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Program, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design for Homes, Energy Star, Earth Craft Home, and the U.S. Green Building Council.

If you wish to purchase land on which to build a custom home, here are a few factors to consider:

• Location, location, location – Try not to get too wrapped up in the incredible DEAL you could get on a plot of land and think practically. Keep in mind important factors such as area schools, commute to work, medical facilities, water and sanitation, property taxes, flood plains, etc…
• Do Your Homework – In the event that you find an awesome bargain on a builder’s home site within a nice neighborhood, make sure that your concept of a custom home fits with the Home Owners Association’s Bylaws and Guidelines.
• Can You Dig It? – If you envision a home with a basement, make certain the lot is basement-friendly. Does it drain well, or will you have to contend with a flooded basement every time it rains? Is the building site sloped so you can have windows in your basement?

Seem a bit daunting?  Don’t worry! Highlight Homes can even help you find the ideal lot on which to begin building your home. We can meet with you to discuss your wants and needs, as well as budgetary restrictions. While we begin our quest for your new home site, you can begin putting together a special scrapbook of many of the elements you wish your dream home to contain. Pour through home décor magazines, search the internet, draw your own renderings, snap photos of other homes around town, etc… Once we’ve found the perfect lot, a Highlight Homes’ architect will sit down with you to look through your scrapbook , learn about your family, and develop a strong sense of what you are hoping for from your new home. He will then take this knowledge back to his drafting table to develop truly distinctive house plans custom made to fit your family. When you approve of the plans, an estimate of construction costs will be developed and – once approved – construction can begin. Highlight Homes will take care of the acquisition of the necessary permits and the execution of inspections so that the construction phase goes smoothly from start to finish. Depending on the size and scope of your custom home, once the permits are obtained you could begin moving in within 6 to 12 months and start making memories right away.

Highlight Homes welcomes the opportunity to become your family’s custom homebuilder. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting our website at www.highlighthomesga.com. When you’re ready to schedule a meeting, our team 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!

With a new season of college football gearing up to start in just a matter of days, you may feel inspired to find innovative ways to show your school spirit at home. Short of painting the exterior of your home in your favorite team colors like Tennessee Orange and White or Florida State Garnet and Gold, there are several more tasteful ways to show your love for your college of choice. Highlight Home Restoration has come up with a handful that we believe are #1!

1. Show Your Team Spirit Sunroom – A fan as devoted as you deserves a special room for football worship!  A sunroom near the deck AND the kitchen provides plenty of opportunities for quick snack and grill runs. Load your sunroom up with comfy sofas, a big screen TV on the wall and pretend it’s your very own skybox every Saturday during football season.  Add splashes of school color through your accessories – such as throw pillows, rugs and bric-a-brac. Incorporate a pool table or foosball table, and this room can convert easily into a game room for the rest of the family to enjoy the remainder of the year.
2. Tailgate Terrace – Overlooking your very own “field of play”, you could have a deck to die for. Envision a vaulted ceiling with outdoor fan cooling you down when the game really gets heated, plus an outdoor fireplace with a big screen TV hung overhead for enjoying night games and s’mores on those cool Fall evenings.  A built-in grill allows you to combine your football watching and tailgating all in one. Hang school pennants from the rafters, and keep an open galvanized tub fully stocked with your favorite icy beverages nearby. Spend halftime partaking in a friendly game of flag football in the yard.
3. Head Coach Home Office – For the other 6 days of the week, you can still show your school spirit as you look forward to next Saturday’s game.  Integrate chair railing and crown molding along all four walls, then paint the base and trim to match your team colors – e.g. University of Georgia fans might consider pale grey walls with black trim and red accents.  Consider framing sports memorabilia stylishly in black frames, matted in school colors in order to keep your great love of college ball understated and sophisticated.
4. Backfield Basement –  Because your basement is not a centrally located room of the house, you can have a little bit more fun with your décor down here. Stores like Sports Moments & Memories and Stadium Stuff plus school bookstores and online resources offer a treasure trove of really cool sports memorabilia to line your walls, shelves… even floors. Transform your basement into THE ultimate sports bar/media room by adding a custom bar with granite countertops and cozy stools on one side of the room, and an enormous big screen TV with sound system and overstuffed leather sectional on the other. Be prepared to play host on most Saturdays, as word spreads that your basement is THE place to be on game day.

No matter what way you choose to show your team spirit at home, the talented design-build team at Highlight Home Restoration can help.  Whether you elect to construct an entirely new sunroom,  add a custom designed deck, convert a pre-existing room into a home office or (FINALLY) finish your basement – Highlight Home Restoration can not only design the project to fit your family’s needs– we can also secure the necessary building permits and build the space for you.  To schedule a meeting to discuss your profound love for your college team and the best ways to show that devotion at home, call the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restoration at 678-873-9234. We also invite you to e-mail your request for information to info@highlighthomesga.com or fill out a convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration are pleased to announce that we have recently received the “stamp of approval” from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This means that Highlight Homes has undergone review from this nationally recognized and well-respected “watchdog” agency and has met the very high standards they set for their code of business practices. BBB accreditation is based upon Eight Standards of Trust:

1. Build Trust – Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration have been doing this for our clients all over Georgia for years – but it’s nice to be recognized for it!
2. Advertise Honestly – Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration ads have been seen in such upscale publications as Points North, Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine and Remodel Atlanta Magazine.  We’re not about smoke and mirrors, just good old fashioned quality craftsmanship.
3. Tell the Truth – Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration always approach every project we undertake with a straightforward approach, utilizing only the finest materials and subcontractors we can find. If anything, we are known to “under-promise and over-deliver”.
4. Be Transparent – Openly identify the nature, location and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees, and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy. We let our work speak for itself at Highlight Homes – there’s no need for the “hard sell”.
5. Honor Promises – Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration has grown quite a reputation for exceeding expectations. Where other remodeling companies or builders may draw projects out weeks or months beyond the original target date, with dozens of change orders representing added expense for the client, Highlight Homes strives to complete each project ON time and ON budget.
6. Be Responsive – Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith. Fortunately, “marketplace disputes” are something we’ve never had to deal with.  Armed with the desire to please each and every one of our clients, we make adjustments when necessary – long before any inkling of a dispute were to arise.
7. Safeguard Privacy – Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of customers regarding use of their information. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration is honored to have met and served our clients – we will never sell or share your information with a third party.
8. Embody Integrity – Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions, and commitments with integrity. After more than 20 years in the construction, renovation, architecture and land development industries – Highlight Homes’ Principal Tony Pourhassan handpicks each member of his team based on vision, skill set, talent, dedication and integrity.

We’d like to express our gratitude to the Better Business Bureau for honoring us with this distinction. While we are privileged to become a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, Highlight Homes is perhaps most grateful for the accolades we receive from our clients. We invite you to read just a few of their wonderful testimonials. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration welcome you to consider us to complete your next home renovation project or design and build your new custom home. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com or text “highlighthomes” to 99699 for our mobile textsite. If you’d like to schedule a meeting to discuss your upcoming project, please call us at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our helpful online contact form.  We look forward to hearing from YOU soon!

From the dawn of Man, we have always been drawn to water. For centuries, Native American Indians would often plan their settlements near rivers and streams where water and fish were abundant. Early settlers to the United States set up encampments and built towns near harbors, ports, or busy river systems to aid in the easy transport of goods and people. Even today, millions of people continue to flock to ocean shorelines each year to walk along the surf and ponder the horizon. Whether gazing out over the glasslike surface of a lake, listening to the babble of a rushing brook, delighting in the wonder of a cascading waterfall or creating ripples in a pond with a perfectly skipped stone, there is something powerful, yet so serene about the element of water. You, too, can harness this power and create a peaceful oasis right in your own backyard by incorporating a water feature.  Here are just a handful of reasons why you should add a pond or stream to your outdoor landscape:

1)      Enhance the Beauty of Your Backyard: Envision a stunning retreat just outside of your back door – a place where you can escape with a great book and a glass of wine, and let the cares and woes of the day drift away on a breeze.  Adding a water element to the exterior of your home is a great way to augment the beauty of your landscape, and could very well make your backyard the envy of the neighborhood. Picturesque landscaping also increases the curb appeal and possibly even the resale value of your home, so any opportunity you have to beautify the interior or exterior of your home – go for it! Highlight Home Restoration can help!

2)      Invite Tranquility to Your Backyard: According to the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, water can help create balance, harmony and prosperity in your environment. Introducing a water feature to your outdoor oasis is also a terrific way to reduce stress. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing – drawing the eye with a great focal point for daydreaming, but they also provide soothing sounds to help block out the noise of world beyond your garden gate. To create perfect balance, consider incorporating a fire pit nearby.

3)      Focus on Fauna: Attention nature lovers, a water element will likely attract more birds, butterflies, and other small wildlife like frogs and turtles to your backyard. Incorporate attractive bird feeders, bird baths and butterfly bushes in different parts of your landscaping, and you could be creating your very own nature preserve paradise.

4)      Find New Flora: A water garden is truly a thing of beauty, and presents the ideal opportunity to introduce entirely new species of flowers and plants to your backyard landscape. Stunning flora such as water lilies, lotus, canna, and cattails will set your outdoor oasis from the rest of your neighbors.

5)      More Fish = Fewer Annoying Bugs: If you decide to make your water element a koi pond, consider the big benefit of the fact that koi love to eat mosquito larvae, snails and grubs. While snails and grubs can lay waste to your garden, mosquitoes can quickly take all of the fun out of your al fresco dinner party.  Be careful about investing a great deal of money on your pond plants, though – koi will eat those, too!

To ensure a seamless transition from ordinary to extraordinary in YOUR backyard, you may want to enlist the help of a professional landscaper.  A professional contractor will know the best placement of your pond, which plants will perform well in your landscape, and whether or not fish will work for you in addition to designing and building your new outdoor oasis for you. Creating unique outdoor living spaces is only one of the many specialties the design-build team at Highlight Home Restoration has to offer Atlanta home owners.  If you are considering taking your backyard to an entirely new level with the incorporation of a deck, patio, fire pit, water feature or all of the above, we invite you to contact us by calling 678-873-9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our helpful online contact form TODAY. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your vision further, and appreciate the opportunity to make your home a “highlight” of your life.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com or text “HighlightHomes” to 99699 from your mobile device.

Fast and Frugal Tips for Changing the Look of the Heart of Your Home

So much more than a food preparation chamber, the kitchen truly is the heart of many an American home. It’s a social nerve center for many a neighborhood gathering, the place where revelations are made and shared between family members. It’s a homework zone, a bonding space, and – yes – the room where many a fabulous meal is prepared. With so much time spent in such a central area, this one room should reflect the family’s personality and – in doing so – help set a mood for each new day. Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration have compiled the following list of fast and frugal tips for giving your kitchen the “face lift” it deserves:

1)      One, Two, Switcheroo: If you enjoy the current layout of your kitchen, but are tired of the look of your cabinets and/or countertops – you have the option of simply re-facing your cabinetry and installing more updated counters.  Re-facing your cabinets is a cost-effective way to alter the surface appearance in your kitchen, and – in its most basic form – entails the introduction of new cabinet doors in place of your old ones. This is most effective when the cabinetry can be painted or stained to match OR already complements the look of the new doors and drawers. If you love your china pattern, you might elect to use glass doors for some of your new cabinets and install special lighting to showcase it. If your counters are outdated or showing excessive wear and tear, it might be a good idea to switch these out at the same time. Granite continues to hold the lead in most desirable material for kitchen counters today, but less expensive alternatives such as solid surface “man-made” polymer materials, granite, or ceramic tile, and laminates come in a wide variety of styles and colors and can dramatically change the look of your kitchen.

2)      Paint and Polish: It is possible that a fresh coat of paint over your current cabinets might do the trick, followed by the introduction of new door and drawer pulls.  Consider going after your walls with a fresh new paint color that complements your new cabinets, as well, to really make your houseguests say “WOW!”  According to the experts at Pantone – the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries – you can create a mood in a room with your paint color selection. Red is daring and energetic, while blue is peaceful and refreshing. Orange is inspiring, inventive and gregarious while purple is aristocratic and enchanting.  Green is clean and earnest, while brown is earthy and familiar.  Grey is powerful and timeless, while yellow is uplifting and playful.  Touches of black throughout the room add an air of sophistication.  Don’t forget to pull it all together through your choice of linens for the table and windows, as well as a great throw rug and brand new dish towels.

3)      De-Clutter and De-Stress: With all this talk of setting a mood, let’s not forget that clutter can correlate to your stress level. Clean, uncluttered countertops will not only help lower stress – but they will give the impression of a spotless kitchen.  Stow your appliances away in cabinets or the pantry, and become an advocate for “less is more” with regard to knick-knacks in your kitchen.  This might be a great time to invest in some organizational shelving for your cabinets and pantry to maximize your use of space.

4)      Spotlight, please: You could accomplish a great deal by incorporating beautiful new light fixtures over your kitchen table and island.  When well-chosen, these fixtures could serve as a focal point. If your kitchen area is small, you might want to also consider adding track or pot lighting to brighten your space (and stay away from dark cabinets and wall colors as they will only serve to diminish the size further). A growing trend is the introduction of task lighting under cabinets that can lighten up your work space while chopping, blending and mixing – or showcase gorgeous new countertops (just be sure to keep them shiny and clean!)

In the event that you are looking for a complete kitchen overhaul – one that will exceed your wildest dreams – Tip #5 should be to call the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restoration.  We will listen carefully to your wants and needs, examine the space, and design something spectacular to fit both your vision AND your budget. Because we are well-versed in structural engineering, architecture and construction – we are your one-stop shop to taking your kitchen remodel from concept to completion. We can completely revamp the layout of your kitchen space, while adhering to the look and style of your home so it flows beautifully and seamlessly into your home’s design. We can also help with smaller jobs, like those outlined above – from re-facing cabinets, to replacing countertops, from installing organizational shelving to helping you incorporate new lighting fixtures to your kitchen space. Needless to say, our expertise can be of use all over your home – basement finishing, bathroom remodels, sunroom additions, decks and patios, and so much more.

Keep in mind that a major kitchen remodel often equates to an over 70% return on investment when a house is resold.  To get started on the exciting renovation of your family’s kitchen, call Highlight Home Restoration at 678-873-9234, e-mail us at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration, visit us on the web at www.highlighthomesga.com or from your mobile device by texting HighlightHomes to 99699. We look forward to hearing from you soon, and to making your kitchen one of the many “highlights” of your family’s life!

Hire a Builder TODAY

With the country still reeling from a beleaguered economy and new construction on single-family housing at one of its lowest levels since the start of this current financial crisis, this summer the inventory of houses on the market dipped down to numbers not seen in over 40 years (Reuters). What’s more is, colorful charts displaying the rollercoaster ride that new and existing home sales have taken in recent months do not indicate any clear pattern. No one can say for sure when the housing market will recover. However, one thing is clear – with inventories of homes at historically low levels, once the market DOES rebound – we could face a housing crisis.

That doesn’t have to be the case, and you could be an agent for change! This is the ideal occasion to make renovations to your existing home, affording you ample time to enjoy them, and helping to increase your house value should you make the decision to sell in the near future. If you are considering buying a new home, this is also a terrific time to invest – with interest rates and house prices combining for unprecedented cost savings. Keep in mind that in the event that you purchase a foreclosure or new home that has been on the market for some time, you may require a few simple renovations to bring that home back to its former glory. Each time a person buys a new home from a builder, chances are they are freeing the builder up to build more new homes by increasing his or her capital. Ever consider building the house of your dreams from the ground up? There are a treasure trove of talented architects, builders, construction professionals, and suppliers vying for the opportunity to help you achieve your dreams. By signing on the dotted line, you are helping to employ a staff, stimulate the economy, and – in turn – grease the wheels of progress. We simply can’t wait any longer for the folks in Washington to fix the situation – we all have to do our part to help turn this economy around.

Like many of our colleagues, Highlight Homes has faced our own set of challenges the last couple of years. While countless builders and supply companies have been forced to close their doors, we have weathered the storm. We feel that speaks volumes about the value and quality we provide to our loyal customer base. We welcome the opportunity to have you join our growing list of clients and can assist you with everything from basic home maintenance, to kitchen and bath remodels, to complete home renovations, to basement finishing, to decks and patios, to new home construction and more! To help turn the economy around, do your part to aid in the housing market recovery, and support a local builder – contact Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration by calling 678-873-9234, e-mailing us at info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our helpful online contact form.  To learn more about us, we invite you to visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com or text Builder or HighlightHomes to 99699 from your mobile device.  We look forward to meeting you, and learning how best we can serve you and your family!

Five GREAT Reasons to Finish Your Basement

Just imagine it! The basement doesn’t have to serve solely as a disorganized storage shed, a final resting place for old toys, or hiding place for dozens of scary spiders (and perhaps, even the Boogey Man). It’s a pre-constructed space that can be finished and transformed to virtually anything you want it to be!  Sit down with your family and work out the best use of this space to fit your needs, as well as your budget.  Once you’re ready to roll forward, the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restoration can help you design and build the basement of your dreams. Doesn’t that sound so much better than a dank, dark hole that smells funny and exists somewhere in your nightmares?  If you need a little more inspiration, here are five more GREAT reasons to finish your basement:

1)      The “Envy of Your Friends” Man Cave – Since the dawn of man, males have sought refuge from the stresses of daily life in spaces they can call their own.  From a young age, they will use whatever materials necessary to build their fortress of solitude – from a super cool fort made out of sheets draped over a table and chairs, to a tree house constructed of scrap wood and emblazoned with the warning “Keep Out” in bold red paint.  A basement offers the ideal space for a man to get away from it all – whether his man cave is designed for entertaining at a full-size bar with beer taps and flat panel TVs hung overhead, or as a supreme “sky box” with an enormous big screen TV at center stage and huge overstuffed sofas on which to watch sporting events to his heart’s content.

2)      The “Rowdy Recreation” Room – Just as men may need a space to get away from it all, moms may need a space to send the kids to play and… well… be kids. Whether you have young children who would benefit from an enormous playroom with built in shelving, storage and craft spaces, or teenagers who would enjoy a safe hangout with their friends – complete with video games, pool table, foosball table, air hockey and refrigerator filled with snacks.

3)      The “Happy Home” Office – As more and more adults are enjoying the benefits of working from home, the need for practical home office space is growing. Gone are the days of setting up a laptop on the dining room table – you need a dedicated space to work and create, separate from your home life so you can leave your work “at the office” by shutting the door at the end of the day. If your particular county or city ordinances allow, you may even be able to run a small business from your home. If you have a handful of employees on staff, this space can be converted to easily accommodate them – complete with cubicles, bathroom facilities and water cooler. You may even be able to write off a portion of this space on your taxes!

4)      The “Majestic Theater” Media Room – For the family who loves movies AND entertaining, the ideal answer for the use of their basement space is to design a unique home theater.  With the addition of risers, curtains, a projection screen, top-of-the-line sound system and popcorn maker – you may never go to the movies outside your home again.  Roll out the red carpet and invite the neighbors down for movie premiers, or plan a sleepover your kids’ friends will NEVER forget!

5)      “Love Your In-Law” Suite – With more and more elderly parents moving home to stay with the kids, some families are finding it a useful addition to transform their basement into an apartment complete with kitchen, bedroom, full bathroom and separate entrance. Your parents can enjoy a feeling of independence while living close enough for you to keep a regular eye on their health and well-being.

When you finish your basement, you are adding useful livable space to your home. The plusses to this are that your family will have more room to spread out, a special space that fulfills your family’s needs, AND you will effectively increase the salability of your home in the future. A couple of changes to consider are the added costs to heat and cool this space, and increased taxes for adding livable square footage. However, a recent survey by Remodeling Magazine indicates that homeowners can expect a return on investment of 75 cents on the dollar for basement finishing – so the good will typically far outweigh the bad. To begin the exciting design phase of your new finished basement, contact Highlight Home Restoration TODAY by calling 678-828-9234. You can also reach our talented team of designers and builders by e-mailing us at info@highlighthomesga.com or by filling out our helpful online contact form.

Adding Special Luxury Elements to Your Home Renovation

Just as you would add a beautiful bow to finish off the wrapping of a special gift, or a cherry to the top of an ice cream sundae – there are ways to take your home renovation from ordinary to extraordinary with the introduction of certain luxury elements and design accents.  Highlight Home Restoration – the design/build renovations division of Highlight Homes, LLC – has compiled the following list of upscale additions that will add a “touch of class” to virtually any home improvement project:

1. The Sky’s the Limit – Adding a trey ceiling not only gives the impression of more headroom and a “loftier space”, but it also adds an opulent feel to any room.  If your ceilings are already at heights above 9 and 10 feet, you may want to add coffers to give the ceiling more character and dimension.
2. A Room With All the Trimmings – A category that can spans the spectrum from inexpensive to costly is decorative trim.  From chair rails to baseboards to crown molding, the introduction of any of these elements to a sheet rocked room instantly transforms it from a basic box to a future study, library, dining room, any room you like. You can also experiment with different color combinations between your wall color and trim color based on your decorative style.
3. Your Windows to the World – If adding an addition or closing off a space, windows and doors will play a vital role to the overall charm of the room.  French doors, transoms and stained glass have always served to up the ante from basic builder-grade window and doors.  This is an area where you can have some fun with shapes, too – making that new casement bay window with box seat the centerpiece of your room.
4. Bottoms UP! – When finishing your basement, you are effectively adding a floor to your home. Instead of being a dank, dark space where moving boxes, old toys, broken appliances and spiders converge – you can transform this space to fit your family’s needs.  If entertainment is what you have in mind, consider adding a wetbar as well as a media room for watching movies or the BIG GAME. Transform those ugly, but absolutely necessary support posts into graceful columns.
5. Pay Close Attention to the Selection of Materials – When planning a home renovation, there are certain high-end materials that convey a sense of luxury and refinement.  Items such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, glazed maple cabinetry, ceramic and marble tiles, natural stone, polished nickel door knobs and drawer pulls, trendy to classic paint colors and ornate lighting fixtures can all serve to enhance the room you are renovating.  In some instances, they may even MAKE the room. A very well-connected architect or building contractor may be able to find these elements at significant discounts.
6. Make Sure You Cross That Finish Line – In order to finish off your room in a manner that befits the luxury elements you’ve assembled therein, you’ll want to do your homework by thumbing through interior design books and magazines, watching lots of interior design shows or hiring a gifted interior designer.  With more than 20 years in the Southeast’s design and build industry, the friendly folks at Highlight Home Restorations are happy to point you in the right direction.  A really good interior designer can help you pull all of the final pieces of the puzzle together – furniture, rugs, accessories, lamps, throw pillows, artwork and more.

Did you know that many aristocratic early settlers to the New World tried to convey a feeling of luxury in their homes, as well?  Short on high-end materials like marble, they would commission an artist to paint their wood mantles to LOOK like marble. Today, an imaginative and talented designer-builder can help you create a space that exudes elegance without breaking your budget.  Highlight Home Restoration is proud to be among those that make up the “imaginative and talented” category!  Infusing special luxury touches into our designs is just one of our many hallmarks. To begin your home renovation with a “touch of class” contact Highlight Home Restoration TODAY by calling 678-828-9234. You can also reach our talented team of designers and builders by e-mailing us at info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our online contact form.

Take Advantage of Tax Credits Before It’s Too Late!

Did you know that the tax credits for eco-friendly home improvements and products end December 31, 2010? If you have been considering “going green” at your home or are in need of some basic home maintenance, you may want to take advantage of these tax credits right away – before it’s too late.  These tax credits were first enacted in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but were extended and expanded upon in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Items covered by the current tax credits include:

• Biomass Stoves – These stoves burn biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water.  Biomass fuel includes plants, grasses, wood, wood waste, and more.  Requires thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.
• Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) – This category includes items such as advanced main air circulating fan; air-source heat pumps (good for moderate climates); central air conditioning; gas, propane, or oil hot water boiler; natural gas or propane furnace; and oil furnace. Visit http://www.energystar.gov to learn the requirements for each individual item.
• Insulation – Adding adequate insulation to your home is one of the most energy-efficient upgrades you can do. Insulation like batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place can qualify, as can products that reduce air leaks like weather stripping, spray foam, air sealing caulk and house wrap.  Make sure they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement.
• Roofing – Metal roofs with appropriate pigmented coatings and asphalt roofs with suitable cooling granules that meet ENERGY STAR requirements are eligible for these tax credits. If you need a new roof, these qualified products reflect more of the sun’s rays, which can lower roof surface temperature by up to 100F.  This will help decrease the amount of heat transferred into your home, and save you money on cooling your home.
• Non-solar Water Heaters – Gas, Oil or Propane Water Heaters OR Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters are covered under these tax credits. Conventional water heating can equate to 14-25% of the energy consumed in your home.
• Energy Efficient Windows, Skylights and Doors – When properly installed, these can help reduce energy bills.  Installing storm windows and doors offers a less expensive alternative and can also improve energy efficiency as they combine with you current windows and doors to create a barrier between the interior of your home and the weather outside.

Consumers who purchase these items for their CURRENT primary residence are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of their cost, with a cap of $1,500.  Second homes, rental properties and new construction homes are not eligible for these credits.  Often, installation costs are covered as part of the total cost of the product.

If you’re REALLY serious about energy efficiency, these tax credits are extended through December 31, 2016 for the following eco-friendly home improvements:

• Wind Energy Systems – A residential wind turbine collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with your home’s electrical system. To qualify, your turbine must have a nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kilowatts.
• GeoThermal Heat Pumps – These use the earth’s natural heat to provide heating, air conditioning, and – in some cases – hot water go your home.  They are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies available today.
• Solar Energy Systems – These include Solar Panels that capture light energy from the sun and convert it directly into electricity and Solar Water Heaters that use the sun’s thermal energy to heat water for the home. To qualify, at least half of the home’s energy generation must come from the sun.
• Fuel Cells – Thought to be the future of energy, fuel cells offer a cleaner, more-efficient alternative to the combustion of gasoline and other fossil fuels.  To qualify, your residential fuel cells must offer an efficiency of at least 30% and have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW.

Items that fall under those four categories are eligible for 30% of the total cost in tax credits with no upper limit, except for fuel cells which have a cap of $500 per .5 kW of power capacity. Rentals and second homes are NOT eligible for these credits, but existing primary residences and new construction homes are.

To learn how to apply for these energy efficient tax credits, CLICK HERE.

Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restoration is committed to green building and quality construction – whether building a custom home from the ground up or renovating an existing home. It’s never lost on us that the materials we use, including the very framework with which we base our homes or home additions, are among some of our most precious natural resources. With our combined love of building fine homes and doing our part to protect the environment, Highlight Homes is most proud of our distinction for being a Green Builder.  Aside from the great care we devote to developing  special communities featuring an abundance of beautiful green space, Highlight Homes and Highlight Home Restorations also places a major emphasis on designing homes and home additions that reduce energy consumption and material waste. The benefit to the homeowner is found not only in their utility bills, but also in the comfort, durability and air quality of their home – effectively enhancing their quality of life.

Our dedication to developing our own Earth-friendly initiatives and carefully following green building guidelines are an important piece of what sets us apart from other Atlanta builders.  In   order to become a certified Green Builder, certain criteria must be met and recognized by third-party certification programs such as Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program, Energy Star and Earth Craft House.  Highlight Homes has certifications from all four of these nationally and regionally recognized programs. When you’re ready to go green, Highlight Home Restoration can help! It’s as simple as picking up the phone – call us TODAY at 678-873-9234. You can also reach our talented team of designers and builders by e-mailing us at info@highlighthomesga.com or filling out our online contact form.

Act now before it’s too late!  So many new and repeat homebuyers missed out on the homebuyer tax credits of $6,500 to $8,000 by not entering into a binding contract by April 30, 2010.  While many have received an extension through September 30, 2010 to complete the purchase of their new home – if they didn’t have a signed contract by the end of April, they no longer qualify. REMEMBER – in order to meet the criteria for the energy efficient home improvement tax credits, you must have your products purchased and installed by the December 31^st deadline to make a claim on your 2010 taxes.