Getting the Right Design for Your Home

The right design is among the prime ingredients to achieving home improvement project success. A crucial product of the planning stage, failing to realize its importance would surely bring great frustrations and a waste of resources by the time the project takes shape.

Inject Your Personality into the Design

No matter the yearly trends when it comes to remodeling project designs, one thing has strongly influenced the trends throughout the recent decades and this is tending towards personalization of space. More and more homeowners are finding comfort in going home to a place that they can truly call theirs. The ambiance, the mood and the design in general can tell so much about the personality of the homeowner.

Complement

The right design makes your remodeling project complement the overall look and boost the appeal of your home. Though every room should have an interesting personality on its own that emanates with a sense of creativity and its true purpose, the homeowner still should be able to maintain that thread of harmony to make the home improvement finish feel like a part of the home.

Match Lifestyle

The right design will result to a home remodeling project finish that is ideal for the homeowner as well as the rest of the household. Childproofing measures should be implemented if there are small children in the house. Make the rooms and your entire home handicap-friendly for easy navigation if one of the family members has a disability. Finish the basement into a recreational area or home theatre for your young teens to enjoy with you and their group of friends.

Getting the Highest ROI on Your Remodeling Porject

Many a homeowner spends thousands of dollars on a home remodel only to find out that in reality it has not changed the value to their house. Unless the remodeling project is designed to fix a structural problem or flaw it is often unlikely that the homeowner will make a profit aside from the pleasure in having the house enhanced to fit their liking.

1. Location
A common mistake among homeowners is to improve their house more than that of the neighborhood it is located in. While the more improved house might possibly receive more interest than others in the area marketed it is unlikely to command a premium well above the average selling price of homes in the neighborhood. A little known fact is that market price is held in check by the lowest-priced homes in your neighborhood and not the other way around.

2. Time
While you may not be planning on moving houses immediately after a home remodel, time does impact the ability of a remodel to increase a houses value. Structural or design improvements such as an addition or completed basement will add value for a longer period of time than updates to a kitchen or bathroom or even technological improvements such as a new furnace or air conditioning system.

3. Consider the cost - and the return of your investment
Did you know that there are several sources that can give you insight into the expected payback for home improvement projects? Realtor magazine publishes an annual "Cost vs. Value" report that compares the cost of common remodeling projects and shows the payback that homeowners can expect.

Surviving Your Home Remodel

The good news is that you're finally getting the house of your dreams. The bad news is that you need to live through months of remodeling to get there. Living in a house that's being remodeled is stressful, but if you're prepared, you can make it easier on the whole family.

Plan Ahead: Find out how long the home remodeling project will take. Consider how the work will disrupt your life and make contingencies for it. Also make plans in case something goes wrong. A power outage or plumbing emergency might necessitate decamping for a couple of days.

Establish Ground Rules: Talk to the contractor about what hours and which days of the week the crew will work. That will make it easier to plan your life around the renovation. Consider getting a portable toilet for the workers so yours will still be available. Tell them where they can park their trucks and establish how they will clean up the work site.

Set up a Living Area: Cover the entrances to the work area with plastic to avoid getting dust in the rest of the house; this will also establish a living area. If you're having a kitchen remodeling job, set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave and hot plate, and designate a sink for washing dishes. Stock up on bottled water and paper plates and cups. You'll need them if you lose the use of your plumbing at some point.

Store Your Belongings: Put away anything breakable and delicate. Even if your china cupboard isn't in the work area, the vibrations from the machinery can cause things to crack or fall. If you can't move some pieces of furniture, cover them with drop clothes so they won't get coated in dust.

Remodeling a Ranch Style Home

The Ranch's exterior style is typically asymmetrical with a one-story rectangular or L-shape. The Ranch is long, narrow and low to the ground with a strong horizontal emphasis. It has strip or ribbon windows, a low but visible chimney, a very visible garage, a recessed entry door with flanking sidelight, and a low roof with projecting eaves. Hearkening back to its California indoor/outdoor roots, the Ranch often has partially enclosed courtyards and patios.

Inside you'll find an open, free-flowing floor plan. The Rambler interior typically includes wood paneling, a stone fireplace and hearth, built-in storage, and floor-to-ceiling views of the back yard for more of that indoor/outdoor living. Throughout the typical Rambler home you'll find connections of major living spaces to the outdoors. The beauty of the ranch lies in the simple details which are not ornamental but essential. When the Ranch was en vogue, applied decoration - like you would see on a Tudor, for instance - was considered old-fashioned. Rather, the details are only those required to finish the house, such as door trim, baseboards, crown molding, and cabinets.

If you have one of these American originals in need of home remodeling, we recommend capitalizing on its simple features and clean design. While the essential details are not ornamental, they do not need to be boring either. Today we have a variety of materials to choose from, like metals or woods, to add flare - not decoration - to your Rambler. We also recommend embracing the indoor/outdoor elements unique to this design. We live in an area famed for its amazing outdoors, and this home style allows you to connect to them every day.

Say "No" to The 3 Bid Theory

If you needed heart surgery would you ever consider asking 3 surgeons to submit bids and then select the lowest one? The rhetorical answer is of course not. However many home owners think nothing of shelling out thousands of dollars and opening up their home to a remodeler they selected solely on his price.

Granted a remodeling project is not a life threatening operation, but it could have a definite effect on the families well being and financial health for years to come. Many factors other than price need to be considered before you can find the best contractor for a specific project.

A common tactic is to solicit three remodelers for bids. The homeowner will throw out the high and low bids and select the middle bid, confident he has minimized the risk by dropping the 2 extremes. Price drives the selection.

No job interview begins by negotiating salary and a home remodeling project should not be any different. Before you get to compensation you should make sure you have a qualified applicant. One of the first things you do is to check references. It is important that you talk to people who have hired this remodeler to do jobs similar to yours. A beautifully remodeled kitchen or bath sheds little light on his ability to build a second floor addition to your home. You'll want to ask the references if they had any problems with quality, payment schedule, employees or completion time.

The most telltale question you can ask is "Would you hire this remodeler again?" Some people will be hesitant to make negative comments, but the enthusiasm in which they answer this question is bound to tell you all you need to know about this remodeler.

After you have talked with the references, take a look at their work. Check out the quality of the craftsmanship and materials, overall aesthetics, creativity and how the project blends in with the rest of the house.

Also verify the remodelers licensing if required in your city/state and insurance. If you hire a remodeler who does not carry workers compensation insurance and one of his employees gets injured on the job, you could be liable for medical bills and lost wages.

Has Your Home Lost Its Way

When you have been living in a house for a long time you may find that you become a little bit tired of your surroundings. This could be just because you have been there a long time or it may be that you have been through a lot in your life and the walls just remind you of bad times you want to forget or good times that are in your past that you need to move on from. Whatever the reason, and if you have the money, why not just remodel your home?

Decorate

The simplest way of doing this is probably to decorate. You could start by repainting all the walls different colours and getting all your woodwork to match. Maybe you could replace some or all of your furniture with more modern alternatives or maybe swapping some rooms around might work. By this I mean turning a living room into a bedroom or vice versa or maybe putting your kitchen in your dining room to give yourself a lot more space.

Revamp

You could take the decorating to whole other level by knocking walls through to make two or maybe three small rooms into one massive room. This works well with kitchens as they are traditionally quite small in the and often attached to dining rooms that seldom get used.

Extend

A more dramatic way of making over your house is to build house extensions. This could come in the shape of a sun room or you might want to stretch the whole side of your house, top and bottom floors, all the way out to the end of your property line. This is a more expensive option but it will give you house a whole new feel that will make it seem like a new house. Sun Rooms are particularly good for this as they let in a great deal of light that can make any home feel bigger and brighter.

Home Remodeling Trends for 2011

Being all cooped up in the winter weather makes this the best time all year to begin a home remodeling project. Before you dive in, what are some of the top remodeling trends being seen for 2011? Here are some of the hottest home improvement and remodeling trends for 2011. Take a look and see if any of these projects would be a great idea for sprucing up your home in the new year.

If you're considering a change in the kitchen try varying cabinet and counter heights or adding cabinetry with furniture-like details. With vintage style being popular in 2011, distressed finishes on cabinets will be stylish and maintain durability because they already have a worn look. Paint colors in earth tones will also making a comeback in kitchen spaces creating a cozy and warm interior. If you aren't interested in beginning a huge project, then this may be the perfect chore. Outfit your current kitchen cabinets, shelves and drawers with inserts for cutlery, add dividers for spices and find great organizing products to maximize all kitchen space to the best of it ability.

Nothing is quite as cold as stepping out of a warm shower onto freezing cold bathroom tile. Make this the last winter you do such a thing by working heated bathroom flooring into your home floor plan. Not only is radiant flooring energy efficient, but also you will feel like you're living in complete luxury when your bathroom remains cozy even on the coldest of days. If you swap out your bathroom flooring for something that's radiant heated, then at the same time, select a new updated tile for your bathroom floor. Large sized tiles are replacing the smaller square tiles of the past while making it easier to keep clean since they will use much less grout. Bathrooms have become a popular home remodeling choice because they are also much cheaper to remodel than the kitchen.

Don't Become an "If Only"

You can usually tell that a home remodeling project - especially a larger one - went well if the homeowner does not include an "if only" in their conversations about the end result. Unfortunately, too many homeowners do end up uttering those words. It's not that anything went really wrong with their project, it just didn't turn out quite as they envisaged.

A lot of the time in this situation the problem was not with the work that was done but what the homeowner failed to speak up about. Here are a few examples that you should keep in mind as you plan your home remodeling project and maybe learn from the mistakes of those that have gone before you.

If Only I Had Asked For More Outlets

This seems like a rather insignificant detail at first - which is probably why so many homeowners forget all about it - but having the right number of electrical outlets in the right places can make a huge difference to the function of any space.

For example, the homeowner steps into their beautifully remodeled kitchen only to realize that they can't put their appliances where they wanted to because the outlets are too far away. Or they cannot use their hairdryer in front of that great new mirror because they forgot to ask the electrician to add a socket there. Your contractors are not mind readers and will only do the work you ask them too. Make sure that you discuss even the smallest of details - like an extra outlet - with your contractors before the work begins.

If Only I Had Been More Specific

The clearer you can be with your contractors during a remodel the better. He knows that you want tiling done in the bathroom, but what about the color of the grout? Do you want the handles and drawer pulls that come standard with your kitchen cabinets or do you want to pick out something different? Again, think about these little details before the project begins to avoid disappointment and/or additional expense.

If Only I'd Been Around More

Work may suffer if the "boss" is not around and without good, ongoing communication between contractor and client little problems that could have been solved with one phone call can snowball into serious issues. It should not have to be your contractor's responsibly to try to catch up with you for two days to answer a simple question that is holding up the whole project. Make a habit of checking in with your remodeling construction crew at least once a day, just to make sure that everyone is still on the same page.

Maintenance Requirements and Long-Term Care for a Home Remodel

Maintenance, such as painting, cleaning, manufacturer required maintenance, routine repairs, and even future replacement can become burdensome - particularly with poor product choices.  The associated costs can exceed the original installed cost of the products, sometimes maintenance requirements (and costs) will vary based on products, the manufacturing processes and even the installations. For example, wood windows will require regular painting, typically every three to five years. Steel windows also may require regular painting, typically every five to seven years. As temperatures fluctuate vinyl window frames expand and contract very differently than glass panes which can result in stresses that can affect long term performance. Painting costs can be eliminated by the use of fiberglass, vinyl and some clad wood windows. However, the performance of fiberglass window frames over a wide range of temperature fluctuations is far superior to other materials. And lastly, the installation of the products: with almost any of the materials you choose installation in accordance with the manufacturers specifications is an important consideration - not only for long term performance but peace of mind warranty validation.

Further on the windows example, they may require some preventive and corrective maintenance to keep them in good operating condition and weather-tight. Each manufacturer has suggested or required maintenance that needs to be performed to maintain warranty validation. This should not be ignored as it can significantly add to the life cycle cost of the products you select.

Wood entry doors can warp in time and will also require regular painting (three to five year intervals). Maintenance requirements of fiberglass doors are considerably lower and have the same performance features of fiberglass windows.

Fiber-cement siding is known for long lasting beauty and minimal maintenance requirements. It is resistant to mold and, because of inherent stability, paint adheres very well over time. Its' fire resistance is legendary. Vinyl siding on the other hand requires regular power washing particularly if mold persists and it has practically no fire resistance (toxic fumes when heated).

This kind of home remodeling analysis should be performed (in greater detail) on every major component of your home remodeling project.

Having a Healthy Relationship With Your Contractor

This is a different relationship than most people have with a contractor. The home design contractor is a trusted member of the team. He gives his input during the design process and based on his knowledge of construction and what really happens on construction sites he contributes valuable information to tweak the design in order to maintain the budget. It is a powerful collaborative effort.

During this process you will become more educated about the impact of each decision you make and how they affect the overall cost of the project. You will be pushed to think through details and make decisions early in the process. This is one of the best ways to control the dreaded "budget creep"!

Additionally the home remodeling contractor will be able to let you know what alternatives are available and how they can affect both cost and design. As an example, suppose you are adding a deck outside your kitchen and also want French doors that will open onto the deck. The initial design idea shows a door which will have to be custom made, with transom windows above. The contractor's preliminary estimate on the deck and door work is more than your budget. However, by collaborating with the contractor it is determined that a simpler stock French door unit will significantly lower costs. As you can see, the contractor is working with you to create a project that call be built within your budget but still satisfy your desires.


Another significant point to consider is that you and the contractor will have developed a good working relationship. All too often in a competitive bid environment the potential exists for a design professional to be aligned with the owner against the contractor in an adversarial relationship. When all parties involved work together on the project from the start this is much less likely to happen.

Choosing the Right Paint Colors for Your Remodel

When you're planning a home remodeling project, you should have a color scheme in mind for every room, but choosing the actual paint shade usually comes at the end of the home renovation process.  Because looking at all the choices in the paint store can be overwhelming, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

1. Hold off on choosing a precise shade until you have rugs and furniture selected. That way you can be sure to create a unified look. Take samples of your carpet, upholstery, and tile to the paint store with you.

2. Glossier finishes reflect light and are easy to clean, making them a good choice for trim or kitchen and bathroom walls that need to be cleaned more frequently. A matte finish is better at hiding flaws in the walls and creates a softer look by absorbing more light.

3. What kind of mood do you want to create with your room? If you want a cozy feeling, darker colors might be the way to go since they can make the room feel smaller. If you want the room to feel larger and more expansive, lighter colors on the walls will help.

4. A very bright color on walls can feel overwhelming and frenetic. Sometimes it's best to pick the most neutral version of your desired color and use the brighter shades for accents.

5. Most people prefer white or off-white for trim around windows and doors to draw attention to them, but you don't have to follow suit. A lighter shade of your wall color can be lovely while still drawing the eye. Dark trim and light walls can be striking but sometimes hard to pull off well.

6. Don't choose a paint color right away; take those samples home with you and think about them. Although paint is relatively easy to change, repainting a room can be an annoyance. Be sure you're happy with the paint before you begin.

Which Part of Your Home Should You Remodel?

As time passes, every homeowner begins to get tired of some aspect of their house. "The kitchen's too small" or "The bathroom is not a place for a relaxing bath" are some of the most common complaints. Every home could always be better; more attractive and functional. How does one achieve the results they desire? Which room or rooms should be given priority for remodeling?  Most real estate agents and builders will recommend that remodeling a kitchen and bathroom will maximize any increase in the home's value, especially if selling the home is a potential reality within the next five years or so. Even if the homeowner is not planning to sell, it still makes perfect sense to improve the home just for their own enjoyment.

With all the new and exciting kitchen and bathroom upgrades available on the market such as whirlpool tubs, imported tile, efficient green light fixtures, and so on, it's not surprising that people are itching to spruce up their own abodes. Currently the trend for upgrading and remodeling a home has been with a strong focus on efficiency and the use of "green" materials.  As more builders recognize individual's concerns regarding the environment and future generations, options for remodeling any part of the home are opening up. What once was viewed as impractical or expensive is now acceptable due to individual lifestyle changes being made by homeowners in order to be more efficient and cost effective.

Many of the more common place "green" items available for bathroom remodels are dual flush toilets, LED lighting, and recycled tiles. Pedestal sinks have been making a comeback as well, as more homeowners are trying to achieve a more classic feel. Many such fixtures can be reclaimed from older home sites that have been demolished or remodeled themselves.

Marrokal Design & Remodeling has a "Make-It-Right" Gurantee

In tough economic times, warranties are often compromised. Some companies won’t offer guarantees of their work. That should be a red flag to a homeowner.

“If I put a new roof on your house and five or 10 years from now it leaks, my company will take care of it; shouldn’t we? You want a company that if you have any problems, you know they’ll be taken care of,” says Gary Marrokal, owner of Marrokal Design and Remodeling.

He says homeowners should try to find out how problems were handled by a company that they are considering hiring.

“Today’s society and world are not perfect but how I handle those imperfections— whether it’s during the job or three years later—is what creates memorable moments for clients.”

The make-it-right guarantee is what continues to grow Marrokal Design and Remodeling.  Just ask his clients who will tell you that trust, longevity, people with experience, and a full-service company that starts from beginning of concept design to the completion of a project are what made them loyal clients for life.

Having a Full-Service Design and Remodel Under One Roof Solves Problems Before They Start!

While this may seem like the more expensive route, it can actually be the most predictable and cost-effective. “A lot of designers don’t know how to listen to homeowners,” says Gary Marrokal, owner of Marrokal Design and Remodeling. A full-service design remodeling company helps homeowners understand exactly what they are getting—from start to finish—which avoids common industry problems that often occur when an architect drafts the design plans and then a builder is brought in later.

Frequently, when homeowners turn to architects, the plans are over-built and too costly to be developed. When you use a full-service design-and-remodel company, the budget for the design and construction are taken into consideration.

“It’s like if you and I go to the store and we don’t know the budget and I load up a bag with expensive steaks, chips, soda, and a lot of other items without realizing the real cost of the food. Then when we get to the counter, we’re way over budget. The bag gets blown out because we can’t afford it,” says Marrokal.

“In a full-service company, you will understand your design and how it’s going to be when it’s complete,” he says.

Marrokal is the Company That Has Experience and a Healthy Reputation as Well as Trust

A company that you can trust with your home

Nothing can beat a quality reputation. If the work doesn’t measure up and problems with the remodel mount, the company will eventually find itself buried in lawsuits. Homeowners should always check with a remodeler’s past projects. Ask for clients to speak with and then take the time to view the projects that are similar to the work you will be having done. The extra hours of research could save you future endless headaches and thousands of dollars.

“You really want to talk to a client that the company is doing work for currently. Everyone has a happy client that had work done six months or a year ago, but homeowners should seek to talk to someone who is getting work done right now or whose home was just completed,” says Gary Marrokal, owner of Marrokal Design and Remodeling. He says it gives an accurate picture of what you can expect.

A company that has experience and a healthy reputation

The biggest complaint in the industry is that many home remodeling companies hire surly, fast-talking sales associates to close deals on remodeling projects. This creates a disaster. Homeowners feel pressured and end up with unsatisfactory remodels.

Marrokal says his company has studied customer service training, and the staff knows that the company’s biggest asset is its clients. That’s why their complete satisfaction is a must. And it begins with educating clients. Marrokal Design and Remodeling carefully guides clients, but ultimately lets them choose which level of quality they want for their home.

“You want a company that will give good value but you want a company that will educate you about the different levels and costs for products so that you can choose how much to spend ,” says Marrokal. He adds, 

“All cabinets will hold your plates but you want hinges and wood that will work ten years from now. You want a finish that will look good 10 years later.”

Smart Small-Home Remodels Offer Simple and Comfortable Living

Supersize, no more! The new home theme boasts a less-is-more attitude and homeowners love it. The smaller-home remodel trend is delivering big results for homeowners who want to bring back simple living that leaves nothing to waste in these strained economic times.

“Smaller homes are becoming more pertinent under the current market conditions,” says John Mills Davies, Director of Design at Marrokal Design and Remodeling. The negative effects of urban sprawl—such as the long commutes which impact the quality of a person’s life are causing more people to search for neighborhoods that offer a better living environment. According to the National Association of Home Builders, many baby boomers want to be closer to families and are looking for smaller homes. “There’s a lot of thought in this country about neo-traditionalist principles and how the old neighborhoods really worked well. They were oriented toward how people interact and inter-relate,” explains Davies.

“People are buying into neighborhoods that have character, are really a pleasant place to live, and where they are able to interact with people in a reasonable fashion without having to spend three hours on the freeway commuting,” says Davies.

Smaller homes are also more appealing because of the green-trend movement to conserve. A reluctance to pay for any unnecessary space is fueled by energy and construction costs and the overall desire to leave a smaller carbon footprint.  A less-is-more attitude prevails and satisfaction is found in simpler living.

Residential Historical Renovation and Restoration by Marrokal Wins another Contractor of the Year Award (CotY)!

This home remodel is a compelling family generational story encapsulated within a charming and historically significant Point Loma Community of San Diego. When the owner was a child, her parents, with the design help of her grandparents, built a modestly sized but very well constructed, traditional home overlooking a park. She was raised in this home and her parents lived there until their deaths a decade ago. Upon inheriting the home, a lengthy and meticulous renovation/restoration of this little coastal gem was undertaken.

The square footage of the house was not increased and very little was removed from the original structure except for the kitchen and main bathroom. Hardwood floors, painted moldings, wrought iron features and basket pattern brick floors and patios were painstakingly restored. The charming features original to the house have been retained and finishes made new, such as the arched telephone niche which perforates the wall between the hallway and the kitchen. This was originally designed so that her parents could easily answer their one telephone from both the kitchen and the master bedroom.

All of the new cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom are custom designed following the same design aesthetic as the original case work in the home providing a seamless transition from old to new. Highly detailed, period correct tile work in the kitchen as well as the enlarged, accessible master bath, have enhanced the charm of the original house. Planned in the late 1930’s and finished in 1940, the black and white, high-gloss tile and wainscot of the bathroom appear absolutely original to the home. Reclaiming space from an adjacent closet allowed for the bathroom expansion and the creation of a curb less and door-less, walk/roll-in shower with a seat and a multitude of plumbing features including a ceiling-mounted rain head. Matching period correct porcelain pedestal sinks, a deep soaking tub and toilet were all selected to appear original. Storage was achieved through custom medicine cabinets with mirrored doors and electrical outlets inside as well as a custom linen cabinet behind the bathroom door that matches casework in the kitchen. Original lighting fixtures were reinstalled with period correct replicas reflecting the design spirit of the original fixtures being added where appropriate. Cabinet pulls and towel bars were also selected from restoration sources for their period correct design. The top-of-the-line kitchen appliances in stainless steel mesh wonderfully with the couple’s collection of historic objects arranged behind glass cabinet doors, while providing state of the art utility and function.

The exterior of the home, including landscaping, was treated with the same care and exhaustive research. Plant varieties were selected from memory of the original installations 70 years ago and enhanced with selections which were popular from that time period. Additions were made to extensive brick work existed to increase the outdoor living areas including a new front porch. The color scheme for the exterior involved a selection process based in popular color trends from 1940, which enhance the façade and increase interest, although not the original color palette.

The owners claim that passers-by now stop and repeatedly ask about the house whereas prior to the renovation/restoration the home was generally unnoticed. The owners are once again in love with this revitalized childhood home.

The Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are given each year by NARI Headquarters to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.  NARI Contractor Members are invited each year to compete for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award.  CotY Award Winners report that winning this award is a major factor in enhancing their image within the industry and with prospective clients, and is a major morale-booster for their employees.

An Entire House Transformation by Marrokal Wins a Contractor of the Year Award (CotY) from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry!

This 1971 home underwent a total design transformation, inside and out, to become the well designed comfortable home that these clients wanted. With a penchant for old world ambiance, the owners wished their home to reflect warmth and style with European appeal.

An elevated arched tower now provides a dramatic entrance into the home from the newly designed front courtyard. Custom designed wrought iron gates at the courtyard’s entrance reflect the same arc as the towers arch. Hand chiseled Ann Sach’s tile was laid in a Versailles pattern throughout the courtyard and El Dorado Stone was applied to the front exterior. Reclaimed European pavers were set into the driveway to recreate a particular Italian street pattern favored by the owners and carriage style garage doors were installed to replace the original aluminum roll-up.

In order to effectively utilize all of the space within the home’s original footprint, the center of the residence was opened to create one large cohesive space that accommodates the kitchen, dining, library and living areas. Separate “his” and “her” offices were designed adjacent to the entry vestibule, with French doors opening to the front courtyard from “hers”. The coffered ceiling in “his” features inserts of recycled grass cloth.

The raised outdoor pavilion, carved from the formerly unused hillside, adds a final dramatic element. Carved from the hillside, this outdoor room was created to provide an al fresco retreat complete with all amenities. The conversation area, featuring fireplace and fountain, has all the current multimedia options and is only steps away from the separate outdoor dining area. The home’s Tuscan theme is displayed in unique finishes and designer details used throughout.

Hand-painted and intricately patterned tile was applied to the face of the built in seating areas. Custom scroll work railings accent the staircases, each designed with a quarter-turn radius. The cast stone fireplace creates a distinctive focal point while custom blended, hand chiseled Ann Sacks limestone tiles provide an inimitable flooring surface. The layered stone fountain, set in a fragrance garden provides a final tranquil element. These homeowners are delighted with their home’s total transformation into a tranquil retreat, both inside and out, reminiscent of a European vacation.

The Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are given each year by NARI Headquarters to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.  NARI Contractor Members are invited each year to compete for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award.  CotY Award Winners report that winning this award is a major factor in enhancing their image within the industry and with prospective clients, and is a major morale-booster for their employees.

Marrokal's Custom Fire Fountain Wins the Contractor of the Year Award (CotY) from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry!

This design feature is the central focus in an entry sequence for an urban modernist bungalow sited on an extremely restrictive lot. The distance from the side walk to the front door is scarcely 16 feet. There is a custom steel and reeded poly carbon panel fence and gate one enters through, crossing several poured-in-place concrete slab steps to reach this fire-fountain feature. This feature acts to redirect the user 90 degrees to climb the seven stone steps of the front porch. In crossing the fountain you continue to walk on pored-in-place concrete steps of the same dimension that now “float” in the shallow pool. Water circulates around the concrete pads creating a modern moat.

The fire-fountain itself is formed, poured-in-place high compression, steel reinforced concrete that was subsequently acid washed to achieve the desired finish. In modernist form, no decorative tiles or stones were added to the simple, straight-forward composition. A central stainless steel cascade shelf directs the water fall to the pool below as one singular sheet of water. On either side of the water cascade are dual fire features which sit slightly below the level of the water fall and when lit create dancing flames which reach over a foot tall. Flames rise up through teal and coke-bottle green glass, a color selected to mimic the color the water casts in sunlight. When lit, the natural gas flames create an effect of light dancing about behind the poly carbon fence panels from the exterior of the property. The pool is lit by four stainless steel LED bullets below the water line which are not only decorative but serve to illuminate the “floating” steps a pedestrian would cross to enter the house.

Black lava rock and drought resistant succulents surround the concrete fire fountain. The design of the concrete pool, with the steps floating in the pool, ties in with the home having some mid-century design elements. This style of landscape pool was utilized in many mid-century modern designs, in both residential and public structures.

The Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are given each year by NARI Headquarters to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.  NARI Contractor Members are invited each year to compete for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award.  CotY Award Winners report that winning this award is a major factor in enhancing their image within the industry and with prospective clients, and is a major morale-booster for their employees.