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The Donatelli Builders, Inc. E-Newsletter: Outdoor Living Our E-Newsletter: Vol. 5 | April 2009
Spring is finally kicking in! Now that the weather is warming up, many of us are thinking about outdoor living. Whether you are planning on throwing a few summer parties, entertaining outdoor for friends and family or planning a casual “staycation”, I want to offer some ideas to you that will hopefully allow you to enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest. After you’ve read about the hot trend of outdoor living, please take a minute to visit our newly designed Web site for more information about our firm: http://www.donatellibuilders.com/ You can also visit us on Facebook and post any comments / messages under my personal page (Chris Donatelli).
Hinsdale, Ill. Addition Currently, Donatelli Builders, Inc. is working together with Hinsdale, Ill.-based Caprio Prisby Architectural Design, P.C. on a double-porch addition for a lovely two-story home.The highly respected, award-winning architectural firm created the plans, which include such materials as the natural bluestone and low-maintenance MiraTEC, man-made trim materials (http://www.miratectrim.com). The larger porch of the two is designed for future flexibility in mind. It can be turned into a three-season room down the road if the family decides they need it. This home addition in Hinsdale will be completed by the first week of May, when the family is scheduled to host guests for a major event. We’ll be sure to send you a photo when the project is final. Look for it in the next installment of our newsletter. When considering upgrades to your outdoor space, Jim Prisby, partner with Caprio Prisby, recommends thinking big, then scaling back. “You’ll get a much better, cohesive finished product if you start this way. You can look for ways to cut costs if you need to, but it’s always better to begin with grand plans. Take advantage of any views you already have anywhere on the property. Give yourself something to look at.” Prisby suggests that homeowners start from the inside out. Ask yourself questions such as: Can we design something that the circulation of the house presents to us? Is there a breakfast area? What is our initial step outside? The initial area should almost feel like an indoor/outdoor space, according to Prisby. Most families choose to have another dining table and chair set and some type of cover to it. An outdoor kitchen can create a sense of privacy, too. You can incorporate a nice stone or brick countertop with a grill and have it project away from the house or perhaps build a fire place / fire pit for privacy purposes. “Once you leave this area, the options are limitless,” said Prisby. “As you head further into the yard, your architect can create plans for different areas for you with materials such as wood chips, crushed granite, brick paver or some type of natural stone that will become feature pieces, such as a bird bath, coy pond, waterfall staircase, hot tub or trellised area, for example.” Additional quick tips Prisby recommends:
Wheaton, Ill. Addition Donatelli Builders, Inc. recently partnered with American Gardens, Inc. on a stunning whole-house renovation of a 90-year-old home in west-suburban Wheaton. The Elmhurst, Ill.-based landscape architecture and construction firm designed this outdoor space to complement the home’s architecture. Incorporated in the master plan are formal terraces, a series of columns, fencing, a peristyle and a Southern-inspired custom water fountain that’s both beautiful and functional.
“We always want to know how a client is going to use the space before we begin to create plans,” said Dan Wanzung, partner, American Gardens, Inc. “Our goal is to fit the vision and needs of our clients’ families.” Other quick tips Wanzung recommends:
More than 30 percent of Midwest homeowners report having an outdoor room. Today’s families are bringing their indoors out, beginning with the most important room of the home: the kitchen. The price ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 on the mid-market side to $20,000+ with all of the bells and whistles. A few quick benefits to outdoor kitchens:
Key issues:
For additional tips about outdoor kitchen design, please visit:
Fountain pools can turn an unassuming yard into an attractive and tranquil surrounding. Some fountains feature beautiful, detailed aesthetic designs such as animal heads or floral arrangements. They can be multi-tiered or single-tiered and come in all sizes. Whatever design fits your home’s architectural elements, the sound of running water cascading through a fountain is a stress-reliever as it helps people relax, and the decorative effects can be striking, especially offering a welcoming feeling to your guests.
Build or remodel and save! As a general contractor, we have seen pricing for commodity and service items escalate during the busy times. In the last two quarters, however, we have seen many items and services go down due to typical supply-and-demand economics. The current market offers some great advantages for homeowners who are ready to build or remodel now. Pricing is a big advantage, but there are others as well, including the ability to get the finest craftsmen and quicker turnaround time. If you are considering any type of project on your home, please call us and we will be happy to review your specific needs and certainly let you know if there are any substantial benefits that are available for a limited time. As always, our collaborative approach to building will ensure that you receive the best value. Please take a minute to read about the Collaborative Building System we practice: http://www.donatellibuilders.com/collaborative-building-system.html To find out more about Donatelli Builders, Inc., please visit our newly designed Web site anytime at www.DonatelliBuilders.com. Feel free to ask us questions, too: info@DonatelliBuilders.com or call us at and we will reply within 24 hours. For additional information on outdoor living or another topic that piques your interest, please send me an e-mail chris@DonatelliBuilders.com. Best wishes for a green spring! Chris Donatelli, President Donatelli Builders, Inc. |
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