50 Shades of Green

Color trends come and go in interior design just as in fashion.  And it makes sense - color is an easy way to change the mood and personality of a space.

We are seeing splashes of color making their way into our client's homes, including variations of blues and greens, teal, yellows, poppy reds, orange, and violet.  Happy little punches of color add interest and energy.

Pantone has designated emerald green to be the 2013 color of the year.  Emerald green is bold and beautiful, and works well in small doses.  We have seen a big range of greens used for years, from light and soft to rich and deep—green is the color of nature, and is uniquely neutral and colorful at the same time.

Whether you prefer sage, kelly, moss, olive, emerald—or all the blue/green to gray/green variations in between—green is likely here to stay well past the designated year of 2013.

Why we love to do what we do...

It is always exciting to meet new clients and learn what they would like in their new home.  Every client is different, so every project is different.  It begins with words that express what would make a new home exciting, beautiful, and user friendly for those that will live there.  Those early notes launch the project into designs, specifications, plans — and eventually the special place that becomes a happy home.

We built a home for a wonderful family and recently received a thank you note.  Actually, this was the second thank you note — the first one came fifteen years ago when we built the home.  This second note was to let us know the time had come for them to downsize, and they were moving into a town home.  As they were reflecting on the memories they had made in their home, they graciously took the time to write to us again.  Their note underscored for us the reason we love to do what we do.

February 17, 2013

Dear Larry,

It's been 15 years since we moved into the home you built for us.  Doesn't seem possible.  And we've decided it's time to make some changes (downsizing, less space, simpler maintenance, etc.) so we're moving to a town home.

But in the process of getting ready to move, we've been going through some things—including documents relating to the building of this home.  We were struck by how perfectly this house fit the dreams and ideas we expressed to you from the start.  We've always loved it and love it still—but it's time to move on.

You built the perfect home for us and you did it in the most gentlemanly, easy-to-work with way we could imagine.

We hope the next owner will love it as much as we have.  We've added a little paint here and there, but the home is otherwise as solid and sound as the day you finished.  (A realtor touring the house the other day remarked, coming down the stairs, "Wow—not a creak anywhere in the house!")

Hope things are going well for you.  Thanks again for creating this very important part of our life.

All the best,

J and S

Beyond Cooking - Why We Love the Kitchen

When we sit down with our clients to discuss their new home design, we hear about their family, their lifestyle, and the way they want their home to feel and function.  A focus that emerges in most every case is the importance of the kitchen. When my family designed and built our home approximately five years ago, the kitchen was at the top of our list as well.

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home -- and clearly our heart is in the kitchen.  Why do we all respond so emotionally to this space?

Kitchen time is happy time.  This is where we cook our meals, bake our treats, savor delightful smells, hear about each other’s days and lives.  Food brings nourishment, good food brings pleasure, and time together transforms our gatherings into memories.

As I made Sunday brunch this morning for my teenage daughter and her two friends, the simple essence of our kitchen was realized.  Bacon sizzled on the cooktop and released an enticing smell of good things to come.  Crepes were cooking, eggs were being scrambled, and my daughter and her friends rehashed the 9^th grade party we had hosted the night before.

Brunch prepared and served – the three of them instantly found their places at the center island.  Teenage hunger is a powerful force, so they happily gobbled up the cheesy eggs, bacon, and peanut butter crepes topped with chocolate chips and a dusting of powdered sugar.  They enjoyed the late Sunday morning indulgence and I felt satisfied that my food preparation made them full and happy.

Just one morning -- one slice of life that took place in the heart of our home.  As I cleaned up the pots and pans, I realized clearly once again why our kitchens produce daily smiles, frame our happy times, and hold our hearts.

Entering the Social Networking World

L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers have entered the world of social networking!
Follow or "Like" these following pages for more information on custom building or remodeling:

For our Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/L-Cramer-Builders-Remodelers/137275402967814
For our Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LCramerCo
For our Blog: http://lcramer.blogspot.com

And for any questions or contact information, you may always contact us at (952) - 935 - 8482.