http://www.studiodec.com Creative Residential home design without attitude: new homes, additions, remodels, small commercial jobs Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:47:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This high end Italian lighting company has a slew of cool contemporary/modern light fixtures, usually a bit pricey for most of us.  But on August 5th and 6th (Thurs-Fri) their Seattle showroom located on Occidental Square will be having a sample sale, with fixtures priced up to 80% off. Check them ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=66 When my clients undertake a remodel or addition to their house, one big plus is the upgrade in energy efficiency to their home via better wall and roof insulation, double glazed windows and doors,  and higher efficiency lighting and heating appliances.  There ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=65 Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology /Eni-MIT Solar Frontiers Center (the Center is a joint effort of MIT and Italian oil company ENI) unveiled one of their latest breakthroughs in solar technology, a solar cell printed on coated paper.  Though only 1-2%  efficient and years away from commercial viablility, ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=64 From the "Do we really need that" category comes the lastest in door knobs... from Seattle's own ModKnobs comes the hockey puck doorknob. Maybe you know a Canadian homeowner that wants to bask in that Winter Olympics glory every time they open that bathroom door?  Well, this knob is for ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=63 Seattle's DPD is putting out a call to homeowners to legalize their existing, unauthorized backyard cottages without penalty before June 30, 2010.  Owners can apply for a building permit up until June 30, and have until December 31, 2010 to obtain the final inspection of the unit.  There will be ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=57 If you are thinking of remodeling or adding onto your home this year, and taking advantage of idle contractors,  the Seattle Remodeling Expo is a good place to compare windows, doors, cabinets, appliances, flooring etc.  It’s all under one roof and you can come back a 2nd day on one ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=55 After a several year test period in southeast Seattle (south of I-90 and East of _I5), the City Council on Nov. 2nd unanimously approved an ordinance to allow backyard cottages to be built in all of Seattle. Backyard cottages, formerly known by the not-so-friendly-sounding term DADU (detached accessory ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=53 Here's a story from the Seattle Times about houses vs. trees - specifically, cutting and moving some street trees in order to move two old houses slated for demolition.  In the photo from the paper is Jeff McChord of Nickel Brothers house movers.  I've had the pleasure to work with ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=50 Last Fall the Seattle City Council approved some changes to the Single Family Land Use Code (aka Zoning) that affect what many of my clients are able to do with their addition and remodel projects.  It was signed into effect by the Mayor in October and can be found here.  ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=46 If you are thinking of remodeling or adding onto your home this year, and taking advantage of idle contractors,  the Seattle Home Show is a good place to compare windows, doors, cabinets, appliances, flooring etc.  It’s all under one roof and you can come back a 2nd day on one ... http://www.studiodec.com/?p=44