From the Builder
Greetings!
I love these long Indian Summers here in the Treasure Valley. The cool mornings and warm afternoons make it perfect weather to complete any projects you may have started earlier this year. And, if you are not thinking about projects, hopefully you are out and about enjoying these last few days of summer.
The kids are back in school and during the hub-bub of getting your home ready for the school year you may have noticed that your closets are stuffed, your drawers are packed, and your cabinets are bulging. If you discovered this dilemma in your home, you may have decided that it's time to improve your home storage.
Effective storage can help you get organized and stay organized, eliminating clutter and making it far easier to find things when you need them. If this sounds like your home, garage or shop, check out this month’s articles on simple storage solutions and remodeling projects to help you find that hidden storage space and achieve order in your home.
As always, I hope that this newsletter is helpful to you and your family. Recently Hibbard Construction created a Facebook page. We would love to hear from you and invite your comments, feedback and discussions. Our page can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caldwell-ID/Hibbard-Construction/225330157216?ref=ts
We have photos posted of some of our on-going projects and update them weekly. Follow along and see how each project changes week by week.
Sincerely,
Jeff Hibbard
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Hidden Storage Solutions - Remodeling Ideas to Un-clutter Your Home
Finding more storage space in your home doesn’t necessarily require a major remodel. Instead, it is more about small changes and creatively using the space you already have but aren’t aware of. If you constantly feel like you are losing the clutter wars and need more storage options, consider these easy ideas to make your home feel more spacious and organized:
Looking Up for Space Solutions:
If you have high ceilings in your kitchen, consider installing taller cabinets. The highest shelves are perfect for storing the dishes you only pull out for entertaining or on special holidays. Even homeowners with older, lower-ceiling kitchens frequently discover their kitchen soffits do not contain ductwork and can easily be removed to install more spacious cabinetry.
Maybe what your kitchen needs in a pantry? Is there dead space in your kitchen that could support a pantry? Perhaps a built-in for your refrigerator with a pantry designed on one side is a solution for this problem.
Opening the Door to Closet Efficiency:
Most closets will have much greater capacity if they are properly outfitted for efficient storage. From adding a second shelf and dual clothing rods, to custom and semi-custom closet systems, you have the space and we can help you find it.
If your closet entry was equipped with sliding or bi-fold doors, maybe converting the entry to a single door will allow for more wall space in which an armoire or bookshelf can reside or the added wall space may permit for a different bedroom furniture arrangement allowing for more room space altogether.
Click here to read entire article.
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Simple Storage Solutions for Your Home
Storage space is at a premium for nearly everyone these days and finding additional storage has become a hot topic. The good news is that every home, no matter its size, has potential storage space that goes unnoticed. These simple but creative solutions can help you gain extra storage in unexpected places.
Double-Duty Furniture
· Look for furniture that serves more than one purpose, such as a coffee table with built-in drawers, a side table that also functions as a display case for collectibles, or chests and tables with enclosed cabinets.
· Buy benches and ottomans with hinged tops for out-of-sight and easily accessible storage.
· Find an armoire or entertainment center designed to fit smaller rooms and create enough extra space to store everything from old photo albums to linens or electronic equipment. Or look for one that fits into a corner. Multiple drawers and shelves maximize their holding capacity.
Control Your Closet
· To fit more into your closet, plan storage that reaches all the way to the ceiling. Stow suitcases, out-of-season clothes, and rarely used items on harder-to-reach upper shelves.
· Save space in your closet by adding hooks to the door for belts, ties, or purchase a shoe organizer.
· Put an inexpensive cardboard or plastic drawer unit in your closet to increase storage space.
· Install tiered double-hanging rods to accommodate shirts and pants. This way, they can hang above and below each other, taking up less space than hanging side by side.
Click here to read entire article.
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Continue with Courage
For many of us – 2009 proved to be a very trying year. I know personally for Hibbard Construction it was a year I will never forget. Through perseverance, faith and encouragement, 2010 has been filled with promise and many, many new opportunities. We have added two new members to the Hibbard team and we are excited to finish out this year well above our initial expectations.
A good friend of mine, Joan Endicott, shared with me the story below. I felt it was a great story and I wanted to share it with you, especially this time of year when football fever and Bronco Nation is thriving in the Treasure Valley. May each and every one of you “Continue with Courage”.
~Jeff
Ever felt like giving up? If we’re being completely transparent, we’ve all had times when we felt disconnected, distraught, disillusioned or discouraged to the point of giving up. Some are feeling that way right now for a variety of reasons; possibly due to their current business, financial or family circumstances.
I hope this story will serve to offer courage and hope to others as it did for me when I heard it. (The specific facts of this event are on Wikipedia.com. This version by Haddon W. Robinson- sermonillustrations.com)
On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played University of California in the Rose Bowl. In that game a man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for California. Somehow, he became confused and started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. One of his teammates, Benny Lom, outdistanced him and downed him just before he scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety, which was the ultimate margin of victory.
That strange play came in the first half, and everyone who was watching the game was asking the same question: "What will Coach Nibbs Price do with Roy Riegels in the second half?" The men filed off the field and went into the dressing room. They sat down on the benches and on the floor, all but Riegels. He put his blanket around his shoulders, sat down in a corner, put his face in his hands, and cried like a baby.
If you have played football, you know that a coach usually has a great deal to say to his team during half time. That day Coach Price was quiet. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Riegels. Then the timekeeper came in and announced that there were three minutes before playing time. Coach Price looked at the team and said simply, "Men the same team that played the first half will start the second."
The players got up and started out, all but Riegels. He did not budge. The coach looked back and called to him again; still he didn't move. Coach Price went over to where Riegels sat and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team that played the first half will start the second." Then Roy Riegels looked up and his cheeks were wet with a strong man's tears. "Coach," he said, "I can't do it to save my life. I've ruined you, I've ruined the University of California, I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium to save my life." Then Coach Price reached out and put his hand on Riegel's shoulder and said to him: "Roy, get up and go on back; the game is only half over." And Roy Riegels went back, and those Tech men will tell you that they have never seen a man play football as Roy Riegels played that second half.
How will you play the second half? Two choices: give up or get up. Giving up and giving in to feelings of doubt and fear will defeat us every single time. Instead, as both Roy Riegels and Coach Price did, if we get up and continue with courage, it means we take what we’ve learned through the tough times and become more determined (and focused) than ever. So, let’s put on the helmet, get back out there and play the best second half of our lives!
Joan Endicott is a professional speaker, facilitator, author and life coach who helps individuals and organizations grow their teams, increase morale and productivity. For more information, visit: JoanEndicott.com, call (208) 453-8056 or email:Joan@JoanEndicott.com
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Better Building with Hibbard Construction
Traditional craftsmanship combined with today's latest building technologies and materials are the principle practices Hibbard Construction incorporates into each and every home that we build or remodel. View the photo's below and discover why these practices are important in home construction.
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In order to ensure durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance of any home, the most recent building practices need to be used in the construction process. Hibbard Construction makes it a point to stay current on the best building practices in our industry.
The newest trend in residential construction is "green" building and "zero" energy homes. While these technologies are fairly new, and as with most new technologies, the cost can be rather expensive (upwards of $167.00 per square ft.) and that’s your basic model without any upgrades such as granite or crown moldings.
Tyvek House Wrap over Hardie Board Siding
7/16" Sheeting (made of fibrous concrete)
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With green building and zero energy homes, the goal is still the same - building the most energy efficient home, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the structure and reducing energy costs throughout the life of the home.
Hibbard Construction has implemented many of these building practices and technologies to ensure the energy efficiency of the "Hibbard" home while keeping the cost per square foot comparable to standard building practices.
How are we able to do this? Simple, our construction methods and materials we use are those that guarantee a higher R factor insulation rating and seal the home from outside elements. When your home is properly insulated and sealed from the environment, the cost to maintain the indoor temperature is drastically reduced. And, when your home is properly sealed from the outdoor elements, the chance for wood rot and other structural failures is greatly reduced and the longevity of your home and investment is preserved.
To see a detailed image of the "Unseen Difference" click here.
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