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The Donatelli Builders, Inc. E-Newsletter: Look around – and up! Our E-Newsletter: Vol. 8 | April 2010 In this Issue:
Local Housing Market Scene More than 6,000 homes were sold in Illinois in February 2010 – up 15.7 percent from February 2009 – according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR). “We are encouraged by more signs of improvement in the Illinois housing market spurred by the tremendous buyer market conditions with sales increases for six months in a row statewide and eight months running in the Chicagoland nine-county region,” said REALTOR® Mike Onorato, GRI, president of IAR broker-owner of Onorato Real Estate in Coal City. “This particular spring market really is the time for anyone thinking of buying a home in Illinois to make their move given the combination of low mortgage interest rates, affordable prices and the federal tax credit for first-time buyers and long-time homeowners, which ends April 30.” According to the IAR report, total home sales (single-family and condominiums) comparing February 2010 to the same month in 2009 were up in 41 of 98 Illinois counties reporting, including: Cook, up 37.5 percent; DuPage, up 33.0 percent; Grundy, up 19.0 percent; Kane, up 43.6 percent; Lake, up 43.4 percent; McHenry, up 14.8 percent; Peoria, up 35.9 percent; Saint Clair, up 16.3 percent; Sangamon, up 3.6 percent; and Will, up 2.0 percent. Visit http://www.illinoisrealtor.org/ for more information.
While most homeowners get excited about selecting paint colors, accents and moldings for their walls, they often forget about their ceilings and go with something standard. Visitors tend to look upward when entering a home; it’s a natural reaction … the first thing that they will notice are your ceilings! Take a look at your ceilings and ask yourself if you want to try something different during your next renovation or new home construction. Let’s start with a brief overview of some of the most common types of ceiling design:
Your budget and home’s style will dictate the most appropriate ceiling design. The Donatelli Builders, Inc. in-house carpentry team has the experience to enhance any ceiling project. Our experience allows us to make suggestions and provide attractive solutions at a range of price points. Being familiar with installation techniques is a great asset when planning and pricing such details. Once you have a ceiling’s architectural style selected, consider the aesthetics, such as:
According to Joan Kaufman, ASID, of Naperville, Ill.-based Interior Planning & Design, Inc., architectural changes in ceilings provide the greatest impact: tray ceilings, beams, raised areas with soffits, lighted coves and up-lighting for millwork and cabinets can be stunning features. “Textured-finished and details on ceiling planes are best featured with accent lighting,” said Kaufman. “One of the best features homeowners can consider is adding a raised portion to the ceiling. Most often, this is able to be done on the second floor by following the roof lines. It is more difficult, yet possible, on first-floor areas and requires checking the structure and clearances available. If raising a ceiling is not possible, paint designs, wall coverings and applied moldings are all great ways to add impact. We often vary the sheen on different sections of the ceiling for drama.” Sources: Wikipedia, Don Vandervort, Gene Rodriguez, Joan Kaufman, ASID, Donatelli Builders, Inc.
The existing exercise room provided most of the room required for this new space. Together, the design team borrowed a little space from an adjacent wine room to build out this 13’ x 18’ theater. Due to an available 12’ ceiling height limited to the center of this new space, the team decided to install a tray detail using a grouping of carefully selected stained cherry moldings, hidden lighting and wall covering materials to complement the warm cherry cabinetry providing a truly-one-of-a-kind space. When completed, all lighting will automatically adjust with a push of one button to create the perfect home movie experience.
We have endless reasons to thank Mother Nature! One of them is the fact that she gave us beautiful natural stone with which to create accents in and around our homes. Donatelli Builders, Inc. is a big fan of using carved stone — such as granite, marble and limestone — and we think fireplace surrounds are a perfect fit. Take a look at some of these unique fireplace surrounds that caught our eye:
For more inspiration and ideas, visit: Materials Marketing: http://www.mstoneandtile.com/
To find out more about Donatelli Builders, Inc., please visit our Web site anytime at www.DonatelliBuilders.com. Feel free to ask us questions, too: info@DonatelliBuilders.com or call us at 630-289-9981 and we will reply within 24 hours. Stay in touch and best wishes. Chris Chris Donatelli, President |
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