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When you first purchased your home, was everything just as you wanted it – the kitchen, bathrooms, the layout? Probably not, but you don’t always have to take the house to the studs and start over. Often, a few simple changes can make a huge difference- and with a minimum impact on your bank account.

We recently completed a small kitchen renovation near Emory Village. The home already had great cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures and appliances; however, the backsplash was too dark, and a huge empty space stood in the middle of the room – a missed opportunity for storage. Renewal added a light-colored, simple white subway tile backsplash, designed a beautiful wood central table, and added a gorgeous light fixture. This kitchen is now fresh, functional, and suited to the homeowners’ tastes.

Interested in learning about current kitchen trends? Come by Renewal’s office on Tuesday, September 14^th at 7pm. We’ll give you all the latest information and sit down with you in a free consultation with one our talented designers.  Read more about our seminars, and reserve your spot by calling 404.378.6962, or email info@renewaldesignbuild.com.

Join us for the 3rd annual Park Renewal Day on Saturday, November 6th at Decatur’s Dearborn Park. Get some friends together, and help save our parks. You could win big money!

Who can participate? In past years, scout troops, church groups, neighborhood associations, and school organizations have competed for prize money by clearing English Ivy and Chinese Privet from the park. Any group of people willing to help the park and raise money is eligible to participate.

Teams will compete for the grand prize of $1,000, while second and third place teams will take home $300 and $200, respectively. Each team’s assigned plot will be scored by County Park experts and local celebrities. Food, music and the awarding of prizes follow the competition.

Park Renewal Day is a joint effort of Renewal Design-Build, the DeKalb County Parks Department and the City of Decatur’s Active Living Division.

2009 First Prize Team, Ivy League

Register your team today! Only a limited number of teams can participate. Download registration forms.

Watch the video from the inaugural event here, and be a Park Renewal Day fan.

Next month, Renewal will host two free seminars focused on homeowners who are thinking of renovating in light of the current economy. Remodeling in Today’s Economy and Kitchen and Bath Design Trends will be held at our office in Decatur, and our award-winning design team will be available after each seminar for free consultations.

Seating is limited, so reserve your space today!

Thursday, September 9, 7:00pm: Remodeling in Today’s Economy

Thinking of starting a renovation project, but not sure it’s worth the investment? Afraid to pull the trigger? This seminar will discuss remodeling in today’s marketplace, as well as what projects are good – and bad – investments. Free design consultations follow.

Tuesday, September 14, 7:00pm: Kitchen and Bath Design Trends

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, this is your chance to learn about kitchen and bath design basics, product selections, all the latest trends, and return on investment. Free design consultations follow.

*To reserve your space at the seminars, call 404.378.6962, or email info@RenewalDesignBuild.com.*

We all know how important it is to get an annual check-up. They provide an opportunity for preventive care, and in some cases, can detect the onset or early stages of disease. Just as these check-ups become more important as we get older, the same can be said for the homes we live in.

Just as a doctor can help us identify ways to stay healthy, a qualified home assessment contractor can diagnose and recommend areas of our home that need attention. Improvements such as: duct sealing, caulking, window replacement, and improved insulation are all part of the “preventive care” that can increase the comfort of our home, decrease utility bills, and provide a healthier home environment.

That’s where SHINE (Sustainable Home Initiative for a New Economy) comes in. Through 2010, the City of Atlanta has partnered with ENERGY STAR to offer single family homeowners up to $5,400 in rebates for weatherization and energy efficient retrofits through the pilot program.

Are you an Atlanta resident and interested in being a part of the SHINE pilot program? Email Joe Thomas, home performance consultant, at Joe@RenewalSystemSolutions.com or call 404.378.6962.

Did you know that you can actually recycle water from the plumbing fixtures in your house?  You can do this by having a greywater system.

There are two classifications for the water that goes down your drain. Black water comes from toilets or food grinders. It must be sent out of the house and treated to be recycled.  Grey water comes from any other drain in the house, including tubs, showers, the laundry or the kitchen sink (non-garbage disposal) and can be treated by an in-house system to be reused.  The recycled water can be used for things like flushing toilets or irrigation.  A rain water collection barrel is a great example of greywater recycling.

Learn more about greywater and plan your own system.

A basic system is pretty simple, and a handy person can probably install their own.  I’d suggest buying a kit from a reputable supplier.

Boy, is it hot! Temps have stayed in the mid to high 90s and will likely stay that way in the coming weeks. I”m sure you’re feeling it in other ways too – maybe you’re struggling to keep cool, or if you’re like me, you just opened your power bill – more reminders why it’s so important to have an energy efficient home.

Last year, we saw the launch of tax incentives and rebates at all government levels for energy efficient improvements. Whether it’s replacing HVAC units, sealing ductwork, adding insulation, or replacing windows, there are numerous ways to improve the comfort level of your home and lower your energy bills.

Many credits and incentives are scheduled to expire at the end of 2010, and little has been said about extending them. If you haven’t already scheduled a home energy assessment, now is the time to discover your home’s inefficiencies and fix them!

Check out this interactive home to see the potential problem areas in a typical home.