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Tag: specialty hardwoods

Defining Sustainable Design

Although “Green” is definitely one of the biggest buzz words of 2010 and most likely the rest of the decade, there’s a good deal of confusion among consumers in regards to which products and materials are truly sustainable, and not just a marketing ploy. Below, we give over the...

Remodeling Redux

The number of homeowners who say they will remodel in the next 12 months has increased by 13 percent, according to a Spring 2010 U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report. This increase continues an upward swing–there was a 5 percent increase in the 2009 report–signaling that remodeling activity will continue to...

Greening the Building Shell

“Way beyond VOCs, recycled content and driving hybrids, by far the greenest thing you can do is design a high-integrity thermal envelope so your structure consumes as little fuel as possible for heating and cooling,” according to an article in Residential Design & Build magazine. Beyond using non-toxic, sustainably...

Sustainable Design Stacks Up

Can houses be built out of straw? Before you scoff, a pair of Parkville homeowners did just that–and explain how a straw-bale home can be both an economical and environmentally friendly decision–as featured in a recent article in Kansas City Homes & Gardens. According to the article, straw bales...

Bamboo and the Modern Home

One of the main reasons we appreciate Bamboo is because it’s a rapidly renewable resource, meaning it replenishes itself quickly and naturally, ensuring that deforestation is minimized. Bamboo also provides a good-looking, tough and durable option for your home, whether it’s flooring, cabinetry or other surfaces. And although bamboo...

Getting Serious with Sycamore

We are seriously entranced the skills of one of the bloggers behind Lumberjocks, who built a great-looking saw box out of some English Sycamore he picked up at Schutte Lumber. To quote the blogger, “Schutte was like a walk through a woodcrafter’s nirvana. I have never worked with Sycamore...

The Anatomy of Fine Outdoor Living

We may still be in the thick of winter, but that doesn’t keep us from dreaming about entertaining outdoors in a few short weeks. And we won’t have to look too far for inspiration. Last summer, we partnered with Kansas City Homes & Gardens and the Arts & Recreation...

Industry News: 2010 International Builders Show

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right? Well, not so fast. Below, we wanted to share a few insights from the International Builders Show (IBS), taking place in Sin City this week, courtesy of two industry reporters. Green is still king, as sustainability stays on the forefront of...

Improving Fireplace Efficiency

How effective is your fireplace as a heater in your home? If your fireplace is 15 years older or more, it may “actually waste more energy than it creates throughout the season,” according to “How to Make Your Fireplace More Efficient” by Mother Earth News. Of course, replacing your...