How to Maintain Your Home's Hardwood Floors
Your hardwood floors bear the brunt of daily life - kids, cleats, boots, heels, spills, dogs, and more in your home. Whether you’ve installed new floors or are refinishing inherited floors, they can last for a lifetime with the proper care. Here’s the Gordon James guide for cleaning and caring for your wood floors for years of character, beauty, and warmth in your home. To start building your dream home, contact the builders at Gordon James.
Sweep & Vacuum Frequently
While sweeping daily may seem excessive, it’s an essential part of upkeep. If you have kids or pets, this is crucial as they’re tracking hair and dirt throughout the house. Even with a no-shoes policy in your home dust forms everywhere and settles between the grain on your floor. Vacuuming weekly will help you hit any of the spots you missed during sweeping daily. Consider investing in a Roomba so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with vacuuming.
Clean Spills
Wood is highly sensitive to moisture, so avoid wet or steam mops as they can cause damage over time. It’s crucial to keep humidity levels under control in your home as wood shrinks and swells depending on the moisture in the air. The best way to protect your floor from moisture is to keep your house between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, clean spills immediately using a dry or slightly damp cloth with a hardwood floor cleaner, and ban wet shoes in the house.
Furniture Pads
Scratches are perhaps the biggest issue homeowners have when it comes to their hardwood floors. While some scratches are inevitable, there are some that are preventable. One of the best ways is to add furniture pads to the legs of all your chairs, sofas, and tables. It’s especially important to add furniture pads to the kitchen chairs as they are moved across the floor the most.
Re-finish Every 3-5 Years
Your hardwood floors might start looking dull over time, but they can be renewed through recoating: applying a new coat of wood floor finish. Every family’s lifestyle and home is different, so it’s best to consult a professional, like those at Gordon James, to decide when they should be re-finished.
Happy Hardwood Floors
With its natural and clean beauty, hardwood floors can be the difference between the average interior and a fabulous interior. Whether you already have gorgeous hardwood floors or you’re considering installing some, you should think about the maintenance. For more tips on cleaning and maintaining your hardwood floors, read Tips Bulletin's article on "How to Clean Laminate Floors."
The professionals at Gordon James can partner with you to find the right floors for you, or help your existing floors stay beautiful. Our dream homes are architecturally exciting and structurally robust, with elegant interiors and refined exteriors. They are designed by architects to mirror each client’s personality and lifestyle needs. The Gordon James team orchestrates the intricate process through which a confluence of people, events, talents, and dreams will produce perfect results – your dream home!
Partner with the professionals at Gordon James in Minnesota to start designing and planning your dream home, contact us at info@gordon-james.com or call us at 763-479-3117 today.
The Open Flow of a Single-Story Rambler
Although a single-story rambler, also known as “ranch homes,” were superseded in popularity by more grandiose homes after the 1990s, this style is increasing in demand today. A single-story rambler offers homeowners a number of advantages compared to larger houses. Despite their one-story feature, ramblers offer accessibility and seamlessness that bigger homes cannot. In addition, the structure of the rambler creates a unique aesthetic that brings beauty to even a small and humble abode. Lastly, the single floor plan of ramblers is perfect for future upgrades, remodels, and additions.
Smooth Navigation
Though not immediately obvious, a one-floor home can provide several important benefits. These ranch homes offer ease of navigation and accessibility. This can be especially helpful for those with impaired mobility or people with small children or pets. Additionally, ramblers are optimal for outdoor patios, pools, and large backyards. The transition from interior to exterior is seamless with a one-floor house and results in a more unified home.
Spacious and Bright
The rambler layout incentivizes large windows in its open spaces. As a result, single-story ramblers often facilitate substantial natural light, giving the home an airy and organic atmosphere. Similarly, rambler ceilings are usually high and vaulted, creating a sense of space and openness. Therefore, although single-story ramblers have a reputation for being smaller and more compact than multi-floor homes, in reality, they offer lots of access to sunlight and space, establishing an energetic and freeing home environment.
Flexible Design
Ramblers offer yet another benefit despite their size. The foundation of a typical rambler is simple yet stable; the one-floor plan offers significant room for growth. Remodeling, restructuring, and renovating are all relatively easy procedures for a rambler homeowner. The setup of a rambler allows for effortless additions and upgrades.
Increase Complexity with Simplicity
Ramblers are relatively straightforward with similar structures across the board. However, there is significant room for improvements and increased design details. These homes allow for easy accessibility to various home features and create a desirable flow inside and out. In addition, space and light are key features of ramblers because of their unique structures. Finally, ramblers allow for extensive homeowner creativity. With a simple foundation, these homes are extremely malleable regarding size, structure, and atmosphere. If you would like to learn more about ramblers, contact us at info@gordon-james.com or call (763) 479-3117.
Building Your Custom Home Design Around Family
When building your home, you are creating a place that will fulfill basic necessities. You are also establishing the foundation of your family’s lifestyle for several years. Keep your family in mind when planning your custom home design to make sure they can thrive there. A home built with intent and passion for the process will communicate what your home means to you. There are a few ways custom home design can help tell your family’s story.
Understand Your Intentions
Before laying out a plan for construction and modeling, think about the custom home design you and your family are seeking. What kind of presence do you want your home to have in the community? How can the details of your home create the best space for living for your family? If you desire to have a home that offers warmth, comfort, and simplicity to your family, understand what that means for all interior rooms and exterior spaces. Using a consistent style throughout the house can communicate your family's values and what's important to you.
Plan Wisely
Keeping your goals in mind when designing your dream home can help you communicate what your desires are more clearly. By organizing the design process according to how you want your home to look, you can be more specific. Additionally, the more detail you include, the closer home designers can get to the image in your head. The importance of planning cannot be underscored enough, as this procedure allows you to effectively communicate your needs and wants. As a result, you will construct a home that accurately exhibits your family’s lifestyle and priorities.
Passion Through Custom Home Design
Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart -- even when building your dream home. The process of constructing a home, interior, and exterior, can be long, arduous, and unforgiving. However, if you bring passion to the construction process with a clear image of your dream home, the result will be much more rewarding. In addition, if you continually seek a high-quality custom home design that delivers on your desires, you will be able to create the distinct home that you had dreamed of in the beginning. Maintain a positive mindset and stay engaged in the building process; consequently, you will be able to build a home that best tells your family story!
Conclusion
Custom home design not only creates spaces where your family can feel comfort and unity, but they also help communicate your values to the world. Style, structure, decor, ambiance -- all of these play a role in shaping unique family experiences. If you acknowledge the needs of each family member and understand why you have certain demands, you will be able to plan intentionally. In addition, by bringing positive energy and enthusiasm to the building process, you will stay energized about the process. Do your best to create a home that continually inspires you and draws your family together in both the good and the bad times. Contact us at info@gordon-james.com or call (763) 479-3117 today for help with custom home design.
Mudroom Must-haves
When it comes to the most important rooms in your house, mudrooms may be an unusual pick. But think about it: what other room serves as an ample storage area, an introduction to your home, a transition from dirty to clean spaces, a place to get ready for the day, and a representation of your personality -- all at the same time? With all this responsibility it’s crucial to have a mudroom that works for you and your family. Continue reading to learn about mudroom must-haves and tips for a crucial room in your house.
Functionality & Open Storage Solutions
Mudrooms shine because of their ability to store a plethora of clothes, shoes, sports gear, school supplies, etc., without becoming a full-time closet. And if you’re living in Minnesota, chances are you could fill an entire garage with just your family’s winter stuff. Mudroom storage is part of the solution. Open-air cubbies and lockers can stow snow pants, backpacks, or winter hats and gloves. Similarly, utilizing sleek, sturdy wall hooks for each family member is a great way to increase storage space. You can also incorporate a long, comfortable storage bench that can hold lots of family gear.
Mudroom Aesthetics
Your mudroom should be designed to complement your family’s lifestyle. For example, consider using neutral-colored tile floors if you have small children or multiple pets. Tile is durable against knicks and scratches, it’s easy to clean, and neutral color helps conceal excess mud and dirt. The same can be said for choosing your wall paint. Tie the room together by adding a large area rug and overhead light fixture that grabs your guests’ attention.
Personalize Your Space
There are countless ways to customize a mudroom to match your family’s unique values and personality. If you need closed-off storage space, consider installing modern lockers or storage cabinets against one of the walls. A stacked washer and dryer can further increase your mudroom's efficiency. Benches around the mudroom can offer seating for guests to rest while adding a personal touch. You can even attach chalk or cork boards to the walls for your family reminders, grocery checklists, or encouraging messages.
Conclusion
The number of ways you can customize a mudroom is only limited by your imagination. So if you can think it, chances are someone can help you create it. Mudrooms are training grounds. Teach children to hang up their coats as soon as they come in. Designate a place for snowy boots and wet mittens to dry. Celebrate every time you find something on the first try and every time you get out the door on schedule. If your mudroom gets muddy, celebrate that, too -- after all, that just means the rest of your house stays clean. Contact Gordon James today to find out how they can help create the mudroom your family always wanted.
Functional, Fashionable Basement Designs
Not too long ago, basements were a closed-off part of the home. They consisted of concrete floors, unfinished walls, and laundry machines. Today, basements are an integral part of the in-home experience. They offer a unique addition to the primary activity areas. There are a variety of ways to create functional and fashionable basement designs. And, all of these design ideas can add significant value to your home as a whole.
Productivity and Inspiration
An increasingly popular use of the basement space is for physical and mental exercise. Basements represent an optimal opportunity to transform space into a fitness center or an in-home workspace. In this manner, you can maintain a comforting and relaxing atmosphere of the home on the first and second floors, while assigning the basement as a space with alternative yet admirable functions. You can create a “work hard” environment in the basement while maintaining a “play hard” atmosphere in the rest of the house.
Entertainment and Activity
Another option for the basement is to transform it into an area of high activity and interaction between individuals. Homeowners are increasingly incorporating “party” elements into homes, meaning items such as pool tables, ping pong tables, large televisions, minibars, and small musical stages. These elements can contrast significantly from the rest of the home yet not detract from comfort and warmth your home provides. An entertainment center can offer a sense of versatility, fun, and freedom of expression to a space, as well as act as an invitation to others to spend more time in their neighbor’s home.
Basements: Extension of Upstairs Living
On the other hand, the basement can simply serve as an area that seamlessly flows from the upper-level floors. Basements can provide guest bedrooms, homey kitchens and lounging areas, and a walkout to a patio or a pool. You can opt to establish a basement that feels like an extension of an upstairs area to create a continuous theme throughout. This can make the house seem larger, more unified, and more comfortable.
Conclusion
Working with Gordon James, you will be able to create a space that serves as functional, fashionable, or both. The decision depends on what is important to you and your family. With an open basement, the sky is the limit. Understand the needs and wants of your family, and go make use of the space! For more information, contact us at info@gordon-james.com or call (763) 479-3117 today.
Finding Property For Your Custom Home
Building a dream home can be one of the most exciting events in your lifetime. Nothing compares to walking into every room in your home, knowing that it's your creation, exactly as you imagined. But this process all begins with finding the right property to build on. Additionally, there's more to locating that ideal lot and picturing your home there. Too many future homeowners have learned the hard way that simple oversights can lead to unwelcome surprises down the road. Here are some of the most important factors to consider while scouting for property for your custom home.
Zoning and Utilities
The first thing you should determine before purchasing a property is its zoning designation. Zoning regulations determine how properties can be used, and what you can build on them. If a plot is not zoned as "residential," you won't be able to use it for your dream home. Because this is such a show-stopper, it should be the very first thing you look into. After zoning designation, utilities are going to be a big concern. Urban areas have more immediate access to utilities such as electric lines and sewer systems, but this is not the case for undeveloped land. Consider the costs and challenges associated with gaining access to these utilities. While the developed property is more expensive, the cost of having to get these utilities in place could leave you with a higher bill.
The topography of the Property
When considering a lot, it is very important to consider where your home will be in relation to a floodplain, as homes tend not to do well underwater. Additionally, you will want to get a soil test performed to ensure the ground is suitable for a home's foundation. A home's foundation shifting can spell disaster for the home in years to come. Lastly, getting a survey to determine the risk for sinkhole formation is a very good idea. Sinkholes are a very real threat that can consume a home. Being proactive and making sure your home is safe from natural disasters should be among your top priorities.
Surroundings
The view you have from your home is an important consideration. When looking at a property, take the time to walk around and look at it from every angle. Many people immediately find a spot that they like on their property and start building there. A lot of these homeowners discover better viewing spots on their property years after building, and regret not having taken the time to look around in the beginning. Also, consider the surrounding properties. Does your view contain a large quantity of vacant land that is pleasant to look at? What happens when someone purchases that property and starts building? Use a bit of foresight and determine if your view is likely to change, and how much of an impact it will have on your home experience.
Making the Dream Home a Reality
From zoning issues to natural disasters, simple oversights in choosing the right property, in the beginning, can turn your world upside down. Having an idea of what to watch out for is going to allow you to focus on what matters most: customizing your dream home to be the best it can be. Gordon James Construction offers premier home construction and remodeling services. Every client has a vision, and we are committed to seeing their ideas become reality. For more information, contact us at info@gordon-james.com or call (763) 479-3117 today.
Diving Into Building Your Custom Pool
Congratulations! You’ve decided to take the plunge and build a custom pool on your home. For many homeowners, this is a dream come true. But, pool installation can be a nightmare if you aren't prepared. To help, at Gordon James suggest that you keep the following tips in mind before jumping off the deep end:
Know What You’re Looking For
First, establish a plan. What is your budget, what size pool are you looking for, and what style? Decide what will be the main function of your custom pool: is it for a cooling afternoon dip? Swimming laps to begin your day? Or, enjoying time with your family and friends on the weekends? Understanding your pool’s chief functionality will help direct your designs moving forward in your partnership with your contractor.
Understand The Mechanics
It is essential to understand how your custom pool works, even though it's not the most fun part of owning one. You could create the most beautiful pool ever designed, but if it isn’t functional or has constant maintenance issues, you’ll never want to look at it. Knowing how to keep your pool clean, sanitary, and functioning is the foundation of custom pool ownership. This goes for knowing your contractor, too: don’t decide on who is going to be facilitating a major plumbing and landscaping undertaking investment on your property before meeting them and understanding how they operate.
Make Your Custom Pool Safe
The difference between a functioning and a functional pool area is the consideration of one fundamental element: that people are going to be using it. Equipping your pool with the proper steps and ladders, safety equipment and slip- and erosion-resistant landscaping makes your custom pool functional and safe.
Prioritize Quality
One of the easiest mistakes to make on a construction project is to confuse a cheap quote for good value. Most mechanical, safety and aesthetic mistakes around custom pools can be traced to cutting corners. If you are going to install a custom pool, pay for quality that will last. It is an investment in your home.
Make It Yours
Don’t forget that this new amenity is replacing a large part of your yard is part of your home. Incorporating the design of your home into your pool area elevates the level of luxury and satisfaction that the pool provides. Consider tying in your home’s color scheme with a stone footpath, or tiling your pool’s interior. These aesthetic touches pay infinite dividends in your custom pool investment.
Let Us Be Of Service
You dream. We deliver. Our experienced team is ready to assist in making your poolside concept a reality. Contact us with any questions you may have: don’t be shy, the water’s fine!
IDC Garage Doors
No exterior of a home would be complete without a durable and stylish garage door. We turn to IDC Automatic Doors for many of our home builds. They offer designs that match any home's style - modern, elegant, rustic, you name it. They truly are "the garage door place".
Now that it's spring, it's time to tackle your to-do list, starting with cleaning out the garage. With IDC doors, it doesn't have to be such a chore. Having an easy-to-use automatic door is great when you want to get a breeze going through the space. No more manually lifting the door or using a dated, rusty keypad outside. Here are some of our favorite projects with IDC doors.
Which style is your favorite?
Classic Raised Panel Insulated
This is the classic garage that many of us grew up with. The squares go with every house and blend well with whatever style your house has been built in. This is s a very sturdy construction and keeps your garage warm in the winter.
Coachman Series
The coachman series is reminiscent of old stable-style garage doors. This type of door is especially popular in Cottage or Victorian-inspired homes. Reclaimed wood and bold trim pair well with this style of door. A wonderful addition to any home.
Canyon Ridge Ultra Grain Series
These garage doors create a rich background to your light accents or a wonderful accompaniment to darker wood exteriors. Windows on the upper portion of the doors allow brighter light for garages that double as workspaces or just for more natural light.
Conclusion
No matter what style your home is, adding the extra detail of a finely made garage door to make your life easier will make all the difference. In addition to the styles above, IDC Automatic Doors have customizable options to allow you to have full control over every aspect of your home's look. Contact Gordon James today to learn more about why we use IDC Automatic Doors or any questions you have about custom home building.
How Do I Install My Chandelier?
Whether delicate and ornate or sleek and modern, the chandelier retains the same associations today as it has for centuries: those of a statement piece in interior decor, a focal point of strong lighting and a room’s aesthetic. Many of our recent projects have featured chandeliers in a variety of styles and settings. If you plan to include a chandelier in your interior renovation, read on to learn the basics of installation. While the instructions below apply most directly to a do-it-yourself approach, the information provided remains useful even to those leaving the installation to the professionals.
Chandelier Installation Basics
before doing anything, remember to turn off the electricity to the room you're working on at the main electrical panel. Never attempt to work on live wires. Test the light switch in the room to confirm that the power is off.
To start, unscrew and lower the existing fixture's canopy (the disk against the ceiling) to access the electrical box. Then carefully remove the twist-on connectors from the wiring, double-checking there is no current, and remove the fixture. Replace the old electrical box with a new one, and install a fan brace to secure the array if needed.
Next, the chandelier’s wiring. Before installing the fixture in the ceiling, make sure it will hang at the right hight. Thread the nipple first into the chandelier’s chain holder, then into the fixture-mounting bar. Feed the chandelier wires through the nipple. Lift the fixture and screw the mounting bar to the electrical box. You then connect the chandelier's copper grounding wire. Next, strip ½ inch of insulation off the chandelier's wiring. Connect the corresponding cable and chandelier wires before stowing them in the electrical box. Slide the chandelier's canopy up the chain and press it tight against the ceiling, making sure the wires are tucked. Push the retaining collar up the chain, thread it onto the chain holder, and hand-tighten the collar to hold the canopy tight against the ceiling. Finally, install the lightbulbs and shades, then restore the power to the room. You’re finished!
Design Characteristics and Tips
There are several varieties of fixtures that fall under the category of “chandelier.” Classic chandeliers most typically refract light via the use of crystal prisms. contemporary chandeliers feature a more minimalist design, often of metal. Modern chandeliers combine these elements to varying degrees. As a general guideline for sizing purposes, add up the length and width of the room in feet and use the same number in inches for your fixture’s diameter. In the case of a dining-room chandelier, use a fixture one-half to three-quarters the width of the table. Hang the light 36 to 48 inches above the table. Choose the lower number for more intimacy, the higher one if you want to stand when toasting.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve got a more solid background on the design and installation process of chandeliers, you’ll be able to select a beautiful and functional fixture for your home. Though the considerations listed above may seem complex, rest assured that Gordon James will handle all facets of installation with skill and technical acumen. Contact us today, and we’ll light the way to a lovely new home interior!
All About Archways
Add perceived space to your home by creating a larger opening between rooms. Or, simply hoping to add design flair, converting a typical entryway into a curved arch accomplishes both of these goals.
The innovative builders at Gordon James will not only construct such archways, but do so efficiently, precisely, and beautifully. Before viewing our featured gallery, “Orono Artisan,” for design inspirations, consult the following article to learn more about the basics of constructing interior archways.
Archways
Generally speaking, you’ll need to frame a curved arch, bend and fasten a strip of drywall to the curved framing, and then install a flexible corner bead. First, cut away the drywall along the inside edge of the opening, in order to expose the framing. Don’t worry if you break it back a few inches on the walls. Determine the style and size of the arch (half circle, partial circle or ellipse), and make a pattern out of cardboard - it’s always better to visualize the project before fully committing to alteration of the architecture! Tape the template over the entryway, making sure that the design is pleasing and leaves enough remaining headroom.
Next, use your cardboard template to mark out and cut two plywood arches, each ½ inch thick. Cut a 6-foot two-by-four down to 2½ inches wide (or 2 inches narrower than the total wall thickness). Cut one top block and two side blocks and nail them to the door framing, centering them so that the plywood arches will sit flush with the existing framing. Now nail the arched plywood into place on both sides.
Cut short arch blocks and screw them between the plywood arches, at approximately 6-inch intervals. Then, cut strips of ⅛ inch hardboard (such as Masonite) and nail them to the arch blocks, making sure to follow the curve of the plywood. The hardboard will provide a smooth, solid backer for the drywall and eliminates creases. Run it all the way down the sides to the floor. It’s best at this stage to use short drywall or underlayment nails.
Next, fasten the drywall over the face of the arch. Let it overhang into the archway and then cut out the curve of the arch with a drywall or keyhole saw. Now, cut a strip of drywall the same width as the total thickness of the wall. Because the drywall will be applied to a curved surface, it will need to be bent, and therefore wetted. If you’re using regular ½ inch drywall, wet the backside of the strip, and lay it between two objects of identical height (for example, sawhorses), so that it can sag as the water soaks in. You may need to wet it several times and let it slowly bend for an hour or two. Alternatively, ¼ inch drywall designed to bend is also available.
While the drywall is still flexible, affix it to the hardboard; start 6 inches below the curve of the arch, pushing the drywall firmly against the hardboard, then drive a pair of nails every 6 inches into your blocking around the curve. Use straight strips to finish the sides, and apply flexible plastic corner bead to both edges, running the bead all the way to the floor. Start at one end and fasten the bead with a staple gun, driving 9/16 inch-long staples every 3 inches. Keep the bead centered on the corner and tight to the drywall. This step gives the arch its final shape, so take your time.
Finally, mix up some setting-type joint compound and cover the corner bead. Apply second and third coats of joint compound, letting it dry between coats. Sand the entryway down - at this point, the new entryway will be ready to paint!
Conclusion
As this article shows, the do-it-yourself approach to creating interior archways can be laborious! Rest assured, the experienced home builders at Gordon James will handle all facets of construction with skill and technical acumen. Contact us today, and see how a professionally created archways can open up your home.
Note: This article uses information adapted from an original article found on FamilyHandyMan.com. A link to this article may be accessed below.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/drywall/how-to-build-a-drywall-arch/view-all/