The Original Crafters

15 Old House Features We Were Wrong to Abandon

Interested in bringing some of these "old fashioned" elements into your home in an updated way?
Give us a call!
http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-old-house-features-we-were-wrong-to-abandon-46066 #.VrOQ8PkrLIW

bobvila.com We were probably right to leave behind many hallmarks of yesterday's home, but it's time to reconsider these 15 once-popular details, not for their novelty, but for their practicality.

Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Doors

Frame or Frameless... you decide, and we will build it for you
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/pros-and-cons-frameless-shower-doors.htm?CID=SocialShower_Frameless_011816&cid=FbPd-Join-Non-Pro-Feed-boostedpost

angieslist.com

10 ways a retaining wall can rescue your yard

With the rains we are having, a good retaining wall is essential. Remember, they don't have to be ugly to be functional. Check these out, and give us a call
http://www.sunset.com/garden/landscaping-design/retaining-wall?xid=soc_socialflow_facebook_sunset

sunset.com It can tame slopes, add dimension, or even double as planting beds or seats. A good retaining wall is basically the superhero of your garden

A Project to be Proud of -Accessory Building in Napa

An overview of one of our projects. This accessory building was built to house a Water Purification System in Napa.
http://www.original-crafters.com/crafters/a-project-to-be-proud-of-accessory-building-in-napa/

original-crafters.com This Accessory Building in Napa houses a water purification system. The building is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Six Remodels that Will Increase the Value of Your Home

Add Value to your home with a Remodel...

original-crafters.com Whether you want to stay in your home, or you plan to sell it, these six remodels will increase your home's livability and value.

Eco Friendly Materials for a Kitchen Remodel - Oakland Contractor

You can remodel your Kitchen to be more "green"
http://www.original-crafters.com/crafters/eco-friendly-kitchen-remodel/

original-crafters.com For a home chef, when it’s time to remodel the kitchen, there is a lot to consider. If you love …Continue reading »

Happy Halloween !! From the Original Crafters

Happy Friday...

New Studies Point to Homebuyers Thinking Green

When planning a remodel, think "Green". Not only for yourself, but it will bump the resale value of the home!

nationalmortgageprofessional.com A pair of new studies have found potential homebuyers are placing a higher degree of priority on residential properties that are energy efficient.

Let us help you...

Pet Friendly Remodel Ideas - Original Crafters

Planning a remodel? Don't forget the 4 Legged members of the family...
http://www.original-crafters.com/crafters/pet-friendly-remodel-ideas/

original-crafters.com Remodeling Ideas for Pet Owners to make homes friendly for the whole family, even the 4 legged members.

Truitt & White | The Original Crafters

We were pleased be be project of the Month for Truitt & White recently.
http://www.truittandwhite.com/project-of-the-month/original-crafters

truittandwhite.com Since 1946, Truitt & White has been the Bay Area's leading source of high quality windows, doors, building materials, and outstanding customer service.

EVERY HOUSE SHOULD HAVE A SET OF STAIRS THAT LEAD TO THIS

Ohhhh.. Wouldn't you like us to build you one of these?

kosip.net You’ll never run out of storage space for your wine collection with one of these spiral cellars installed into your home! These incredible cellars provide a space-saving storage system that only takes 3-9 days to complete. They can pretty much be installed in any room of the house that’s situated on…

Pet Friendly Remodel Ideas - Original Crafters

Is your pet a part of the family? Here are some Pet Friendly Remodel ideas to consider for your next remodel.
http://www.original-crafters.com/crafters/pet-friendly-remodel-ideas/

original-crafters.com Remodeling Ideas for Pet Owners to make homes friendly for the whole family, even the 4 legged members.

6 Traditional Homes with Modern Additions

Traditional homes don't need to have a traditional addition... you can update to a more modern look, while still retaining classic design.

dwell.com Hardly tacked on, these contemporary additions complement their historic hosts.

Double Bathroom Sinks for Busy Mornings

Go beyond the boring when remodeling your bathroom. These double sinks are both practical, and they make your home look like a showplace!
http://karmastream.com/double-bathroom-sinks-for-busy-mornings/

karmastream.com For today, I have an amazing collection of double bathroom sinks for busy mornings. You have two options when designing your bathroom: you can go with a single

Bay Area High Schools Make Top 500 List

Feel like you are outgrowing your Piedmont home as your kids get older? Don't move, remodel! Piedmont High School ranked 25th in the nation! A great reason to stay.
Let the Original Crafters work with you to make your home fit your needs.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bay-Area-High-Schools-Make-Newsweeks-Top-500-List-322314282.html

nbcbayarea.com Newsweek has ranked the top 500 high schools in the United States and more than 50 California high schools made the list.

6 Homes with Glass Flooring

Glass flooring? Why not? It opens up the space, and maybe even shows off that wine cellar... http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/6-homes-glass-flooring

dwell.com These homes maximize natural light and transparency with glass floors.

Kitchen of the Week: A Modular Setup from Sweden: Remodelista

What do you think about this new "Rough Ranch" Kitchen? Would it work in your home?

remodelista.com A new "rough ranch" modular system from Sweden, borrows from the Shakers.

Timeline Photos

Architects Dream Up Truly Inviting Housing Options for Aging Population

What a great idea... a remodel to "future proof" your home to make it a forever home. Wider doorways, non-slip floors, easy to reach shelving, and even a room for a live-in caretaker...
http://www.dwell.com/modern-world/article/architects-dream-truly-inviting-housing-options-aging-population

dwell.com New advancements in aging-in-place strategies provide a positive outlook for the long term.

More h**p for the bio room!

Using H**p as a Green Building material? Check this out. Beate Kirmse and her husband built an addition using h**p to build the walls. The result... clean, fresh, and with a small repair, quite sturdy!http://beatekirmse.com/more-h**p-for-bio-room/

beatekirmse.com September 2014 - Before we started to build more h**pwalls inside the bio room, we had to fix a problem with the first h**p wall we built back in August. One spot in that h**pcrete wall had a "soft spot", an area that was not compacted enough or maybe not at all. While the rest of

11 Design Details to Steal from High-End Bespoke Kitchens: Remodelista

There are some fantastic ideas here for a kitchen remodel. I love the inset compost bin... and the bread box is genius.
http://www.remodelista.com/posts/11-design-details-to-steal-from-high-end-bespoke-kitchens

remodelista.com Have you ever wandered around a Henrybuilt showroom (or Boffi or Bulthaup or any number of high-end outfitters) and experienced kitchen envy? Or admired an architect-designed kitchen detail? I have. Here are 11 ideas to steal from the kitchen masters (carpenter required, in most cases).

Early Planning Ideas For Outdoor Living Areas

In California we are blessed with good weather for much of the year. Outdoor living spaces will add serious square footage to your home. But before you jump into the project, think about how you would like to use the space. Give us a call at the Original Crafters, and let us help you work out the perfect solution.
http://blog.builddirect.com/early-planning-ideas-for-outdoor-living-areas/

blog.builddirect.com Outdoor living spaces are a vital part of your home. Here are some thoughts on how to plan and build an inviting outdoor living area before weather gets warmer.

25 Pathways For Your Garden

A path should entice you to walk down it, so a grey cement slab just won't do! Check out these beautiful walkways, then give us a call...
http://www.goodshomedesign.com/25-pathways-garden/

goodshomedesign.com Having a house with a spacious garden is great, but the hard part is keeping that garden neat and tidy. If you have a garden then you most probably have also some garden pathways there which help you get around in your green space. But pathways can be used in many different ways, all you have to do…

Don't let this happen to you! When it's time for a remodel, call the Original Crafters!

Five Simple Ways to Live Green

Some easy green living ideas...
http://www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/the-environment/five-simple-ways-live-green

coastalliving.com Check out these eco-friendly tips and ideas.

Happy Friday!

6 Home Renovation Mistakes That Could Cost You - US News

Don't hire just any contractor... Hire the Original Crafters... we will help you avoid any other mistakes
http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/09/16/6-home-renovation-mistakes-that-could-cost-you

money.usnews.com Considering home improvements this fall? Here are six missteps to avoid.

Save Energy in Your House (And Drink More Coffee) - Energy Efficiency...

Just a reminder... even if you aren't using the appliance, it's still using energy.

energyefficiencymarkets.com Always-on energy costs a household the equivalent of brewing 234 cups of coffee per day per year. Here are some ways to save energy by managing...

Artificial Grass Growing as a Drought-Era Option in Bay Area | Bay Area Real Estate Market Blog...

Considering the water restrictions brought on by the drought, does artificial turf appeal to you?
http://blog.pacificunion.com/artificial-grass-growing-as-a-drought-era-option-in-bay-area/

blog.pacificunion.com With lawn care accounting for more than one-third of urban water use, it may be time for some Bay Area residents to consider replacing their thirsty lawns with

15 Interesting and Unusual Houses to Live In -

I can't imagine living in a suspended mud house.... but the house in the trees in Portland works for me!

topdreamer.com Everyone likes something different. The more things look non-conventional the more we like them, because they are unique. We bring you 15 unusual houses

So... you want a Star Wars Themed Home Theater? We can build that! Give us a call....
May the Fourth be With You!

I promise we won't use Legos.... unless you ask us to!

We've Got You Cornered with These Cabinet Storage Solutions

Time to remodel? Don't forget to plan for storage!
Here are some great ideas to increase storage in your kitchen...

remodeling.hw.net Buh-bye, blind corners! Here are six ways to make better use of awkward corners in cabinetry runs.