I must say that going to the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show can be well, overwhelming, if you are a “newbie” like I was.  The convention was held in Chicago, Illinois which has to be one of my favorite cities. When Matty asked if I wanted to go how could I say no! We had one day to conquer the “floor” and Matty had a very wise plan to tackle the massive task, take in row by row!

Where to begin?

Cambria is one product that we all cannot stop talking about. Cambria is a family based company that manufactures quartz countertops in northern Minnesota. Quartz countertops are made of engineered stones that are uniform in appearance. The mineral quartz is mixed with resins and binders. Color is added to achieve the desired look. A sample that you see in a showroom should be similar to what is installed.  Cambria has taken quartz countertops to a new level with their unsurpassed color innovation.  They are producing new slabs that do not compare to what other companies produce.
Ladies watch out! The glitter and sparkle will make you think that there are diamonds in the slab. Some of our favorite colors were: New Quay, Praa Sands and Waterford. For more information about Cambria and there selection of awesome selection check out their website www.cambriausa.com.

Lustrolite is another product that we are supper stoked about! Lustrolite is a unique blend of polymer manufactured to deliver a high gloss decorative panel for bathrooms and showers. It can be used as a floor, tub surround, shower walls just about anywhere you can use tile. This company offers unique color options that can jazz up any bathroom from the walls to the floors. It is easy to clean and will not scratch or lose its color over time. It can also be installed onsite with typical wood cutting tools. Colors can vary from neutral beige to a vibrant red and a glacier teal. This unique product is something that we are excited to use in the right space! For more information and pictures check out their website at www.lustrolite.com.

In the plumbing this year we noticed a trend in Matte Black finishes. Kohler, Brizo, Moen, Delta and American Standard all provide the Matte Black finish in just about every style. From modern to traditional, if you want a Matte Black plumbing fixture there is one out there for you!

Laminate has always been a more affordable option for countertops and surfaces. One problem manufactures have had in the past is in the edging where the laminate crates a seam. Well this year we noticed more than one manufacture showed a new style of edging to help reduce this seam. Formica is calling it the Ideal Edging, offering two styles an ogee and bluenose edge.

There was a lot to see at KBIS this year. From plumbing to solid surfaces and I cannot wait to see what the industry comes up with next.

Hawkseye community in Lewes has been a hotbed of activity in the last several years despite the economic environment in other communities. That being said, there are still quite a few lots that have not been built on or sold yet. Hawkseye’s offers quick access to the local schools, Cape Henlopen State Park and the town of Lewes which makes it a very desirable location for young families.

Echelon will be introducing a Hawkseye series of homes plans that will be available to public in the summer of 2012. This  series will offer 5 home plans that range in size from 2,500 – 4,500 square feet. These homes have been custom designed specifically for Hawkseye lots based on our extensive knowledge of the community and upon our discussions with many of the current Hawkseye homeowners as well as prospective buyers.

These homes will feature:

• Welborne Cabinets with granite countertops
• Appliances from the GE Profile line
• Kohler plumbing fixtures
• Tankless water heaters
• Fiber Cement siding
• An extensive choice of structural options and upgrade

Renderings, floorplans and detailed information on Hawkseye New Home Series coming next. Stay tuned!

Coming very soon, Echelon Custom Homes will be unveiling our new “Hawkseye Series” of home plans. We will be presenting 5 new home plans designed especially to be built in the local community of Hawkseye, Lewes. These homes will be affordable but still maintain the hi-end Echelon standard we are known for. All homes will have multiple custom options to choose from, including screen porches, bonus rooms, gourmet kitchens, luxury owner’s suites and many more.

In the months to follow, we will also be introducing a new home series designed to fit lots in Rehoboth and Lewes.

Stay tuned for more information!

Where: DOS LOCOS

208 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

When: Friday, March 30th

Time: 5PM – 7PM

I have just returned from the 2012 Atlanta accessory and furniture market with the newest home fashion trends. I was excited to see all the amazing new furniture and accessories collections! Here are some of the highlights of my journey.

One of the hottest new design trends shown can be summed up one word – reclaimed. Almost any piece of wood that has been salvaged, painted, worn, washed, scraped or distressed has been made into furniture. Exciting new collections for bedrooms, dining rooms and occasional table pieces lined the showrooms floors. Oak has returned and made a big showing with light driftwood and charcoal finishes framed with metal accents. Recycled glass and metal were also thrown in the mix of accenting wood pieces. Natural fibers of cotton and linen in neutral colors adorned with large nailhead trim blanketed upholstery pieces. The Parisian French flea market look is still showing strong with the addition of color accents by layering large throw pillows in navy, turquoise and coral.

The most exciting trend was the return of the coastal inspired collections. This look has always played a large part in the design scheme for our local area, but has now landed on the national scene. Shades of navy and tranquil blue-green colors mixed among sand colored linen fabrics complemented distressed furniture pieces. A few star highlights that grabbed my attention were nautical rope tables, stacked abundantly with coastal accessories. Aqua colored sea glass, driftwood, coral and tortoise shells are some of the sea inspired accessories that were beaming like jewels lying on the beach.
The coastal design trend has always been a staple look for clients here – these natural ocean gems are in our lives every day. The coast is happy, relaxing and comforting! No wonder the rest of the world wants to decorate their homes like this as well.

We’re lucky to live at the beach!

So you’ve just moved into your brand new home… You did a great deal of research to determine just the right builder and what design worked best for your needs.  You went to the ground breaking, the house was built, you attended the settlement and signed a pile of documents, you moved in, the boxes are unpacked, and everything is in its proper place.  Now what?

One of the most important things to remember with owning a home is that you are responsible for certain routine maintenance items to keep your house functioning properly. These tasks tend to be relatively simple. For instance, many types of heating and air conditioning systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. A home owner should change these filters when necessary.  It is also a good idea to sign a maintenance contract with your HVAC contractor to perform the annual tune up on the equipment.  This will add to the longevity and efficiency of the system.

Cleanliness is a factor that will make your home last longer and work better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes.

On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior products.

When you settled on your new home, you received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.

As Summer progresses into Fall, mark your calendar to make sure your plumber is scheduled to blow out your irrigation and also winterize an outdoor shower if you have one.  Attached is a simple checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing to help remind you of maintenance items on your home.  Follow these guidelines and you will have a lasting healthy home.

Download HEATLHY HOMES MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

You may have seen the sign at the Echelon Design Center, or the job site signs in downtown Rehoboth, or maybe one of the Renew trucks driving down route 1 in a safe and courteous manner, and wondered what the company is all about. Well it is your lucky day, our marketing coordinator has pestered me relentlessly to write a blog about Renew so I am taking this opportunity to introduce the company.

A little over a year ago the team at Echelon decided it was time to take action on an idea they had been working on for many months. The idea was to create a company using the Echelon model of service, quality, and customer satisfaction ECSTATIC CUSTOMERS and have it focus on renovations, remodeling, and energy retrofits. With Renew you get the same great team of designers (Tim, Matty, Rebecca, Ivana, and Joni) and an experienced renovation team in John Coyle, Dion Lamb, and Chris Tull.

What’s interesting is that the Echelon approach to building a house – putting our customer’s happiness first, making all design decisions and selection upfront, and building a friendship with our clients as opposed to just a business relationship is even more important in the world of renovations. When your home is being torn apart and put back together you need people you trust to take care of you and your home, while moving with as much speed as possible. That is why our team is completely dedicated to renovations/additions/remodeling, because it is a very different animal than building a house from scratch. It requires expertise, experience, and major attention to detail.  This isn’t side work for us, this is our profession and we love what we do.

So if you have a basement that needs finishing, a neighbor who is looking to build an addition, or a friend who is finally ready to completely redo their beach house, you want Renew on your team. We would love to share our passion and experience to make the magic that is before and after pictures.

You can see our work, meet our team, and find out more about our process at www.RENEWvation.com, or you can give me, Dion Lamb, a call directly at 302-841-5660.

The 2nd Annual Walt Wagamon Golf Classic to benefit The Wellness Community – Delaware will be held on Monday, May 24, 2010 at the exclusive Rehoboth Beach Country Club. Golfers will enjoy a challenging course, a wonderful cocktail celebration and have the opportunity to bid on fabulous prizes. Golfers may register to play for $125.00 per person ($135.00 after May 6), including green’s fees and cart. Registration will begin at noon, with a shot gun start at 1 PM. There will be guaranteed prizes awarded for the longest drive, closest to pin and low score. Tournament closes with first 120 paid registrants.

Walt, a true Sussex Countian, grew up on the shores of Wagamon’s Pond in Milton He enjoyed 30 years in the real estate business in Rehoboth Beach and he achieved many acknowledgments for his outstanding performance in the profession. Well known in Sussex County, he was involved in numerous professional, community and civic associations. Walt lost his valiant battle with cancer in June, 2007. Although Walt was devoted to serving his community, many would say that Walt’s passion for life was complete with his family, friends and a good round of golf!

This downstate golf tournament will honor a wonderful citizen and it will also help to raise public awareness about cancer. The event will offer various sponsorship opportunities to help provide the monetary support needed to enable The Wellness Community- Delaware in Sussex County to offer emotional support and educational programs free of charge to people affected by cancer and their loved ones. Anyone wishing to learn more about the Wellness Community, the golf tournament or to see how they can become involved in the event should contact Marcia Esposito at 302-645-9150 or mesposito@wellnessdelaware.org.

The Wellness Community-Delaware, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, is the only organization in Delaware dedicated exclusively to helping people cope with the emotional aspect of cancer. It is part of a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of disease. At The Wellness Community-Delaware, all programs are free of charge. More information about The Wellness Community is available on their website at www.wellnessdelaware.org.

Come see what's new!

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