In the Heart of Midtown

As builders, each project comes to us with its unique challenges. The house on Monroe was no exception. We found it in a horrific state - a tree had fallen and split it directly down the middle! Talk about an opportunity to problem solve!

Level Craft worked with the owner to design and build an incredibly stylish 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath Tudor style home with an open floor plan. High end finishes and detailed architectural elements give it a refreshing uniqueness.

This home has a convenient two-car garage leading inside to a wonderful custom designed mudroom and desk area. The home is flooded with natural light and creative storage solutions.

The back of the home has 2 levels of decks and porches that overlook the Atlanta sky line! And it’s only a short stroll to Piedmont park.

We’re incredibly pleased with the the simple beauty and functionality of this home.

Call us. We love what we do and are looking forward to discussing your dream home.

Best,

Debbie + Virginia

ADORABLE DOORS

The DIY Network calls entry doors the “portal to the soul of your house.” We couldn’t agree more. Steel entry doors are hot right now offering a sturdy heft that’s very appealing to homeowners. Copper and bronze are popular right now too. Like steel doors copper and bronze doors are super sturdy. An added feature of interest is their dynamic finish. Due to oxidation, copper and bronze doors are constantly changing in color. Fiberglass doors are becoming increasingly sought-after. Though fiberglass doors mimic the look and feel of real wood—they won’t warp in extreme conditions.

We still prefer good old wooden doors simply because they evoke woodsy warmth and character. We’ve been toying with door colors—most recently marigold, turquoise, and Kelly green. Like the orange door featured above by Cambridge-based Pinney Designs—a pithy and adorable door color can add an interesting twist to the home’s personality.   Since wooden doors can crack and fracture in extreme conditions we do advise touching up the finish every couple of years.

Wooden doors are available in wood sustainably grown and harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). So the more ecologically-conscious can breathe easy.

Make an entrance!

RAMMED EARTH REVIVAL

Rammed earth is another natural material making a giant comeback. From tiny hut-like dwellings in the dry regions of Africa to the wet northern European region—this ancient technique has been used around the globe since 5,000 B.C. Using natural materials such as earth, chalk, lime and gravel—the rammed earth technique can be labor-intensive to construct. Wall construction begins with a temporary wooden frame that acts as a mould for the desired shape and dimensions of each section. The earthen materials are then dampened, poured into the sturdy mould, and compressed into batches that are gradually built to desired size. The result is a solid, durable, sustainable wall of earth.

One wonderful characteristic of a rammed earth structure is its ability to regulate temperature—absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. Another huge bonus is that rammed earth structures last indefinitely. That’s right—forever. Finally, it’s estimated that rammed-earth structures can be built for around two-thirds the cost of a standard frame home (after all, dirt is dirt cheap).

Today, it estimated that around one third of the world’s population live in mostly low-rise earthen dwellings in less developed countries. However, in more urbanized areas with sustainably-oriented architects at the helm, rammed earth is experiencing quite a revival. Regardless of vicinity—rammed earth is a wonderful earth-centric way to leave a lighter footprint.

Pictured here is a wonderfully modern interpretation of this very ancient technique by Kendle Design. This glorious Quartz Mountain home captures the stark beauty of the Arizona Dessert.   For more visit kendledesign.com.

FIVE THINGS WE DO REALLY WELL

The topsy-turvy economy of recent years has forced many businesses to reconcile with their true nature. We feel that capitalizing on the inherent strengths and talents that naturally exist in your business is the best way to set your services apart. Whether you own a quaint café or a king-sized franchise—knowing your strengths (and weaknesses) is the lifeblood to any business success. Below are five things we KNOW we we're good at:

BEING RELIABLE

If we say we’ll meet you somewhere at a certain time you can count on it. We always live up to our promises and obligations. A home renovation can be a costly endeavor and we don’t take it lightly. We earn our clients trust by never making promises we can’t keep.

STAYING NIMBLE

The advantages of running a small company are many. We think one of the most important advantages is our ability to execute swift changes. It costs big companies big time and big money to make changes that we can do with a phone call. We’d rather spend time being productive on our job sites than burn time at endless strategy meetings where consensus is rarely reached.

DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS

Fortunately we have solid relationships with everyone we work with. Over time, we’ve cultivated our “go to” real estate agents, bankers, sub-contractors, and architects and have them all on speed dial. Building strong business relationships takes time and follow-through. But strong business relationships in any business are pure gold.

HAVING A DISTINCTIVE BRAND

From face-to-face contact to social media—we work hard to ensure that our unique brand message is delivered consistently. We recently added this blog in order to let everyone know a little bit more about Level Craft. Who we are—Debbie and Virginia. What our aesthetic is—simple, clean, functional, warm, modern, and natural. And what we represent—quality, detail, and craftsmanship.

MAKING NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS

At Level Craft we know the importance of adjusting our strategies and pricing when a course correction is required. We keep a finger on the pulse of our finicky and temperamental market so we can adjust our pricing accordingly. Being willing to change helps us remain competitive within our sometimes temperamental marketplace.

COMING SOON WINNONA PARK MODERN FARMHOUSE

We have a beautiful 4 bedroom 3 ½ bath modern farmhouse underway in the Winnona Park area of Decatur. This house is turning into a real showpiece. A stone’s throw away from Agnes Scott, it epitomizes the phrase “modern farmhouse.” With red weathered brick porch piers and highly sustainable standing seam metal roof—the exterior of the home is a sleeker interpretation of the classic farmhouse. Metal roofs like this are preferred by the US Environmental Protection Agency because they help to prevent solar heat gain thus making them “cooler.” They also provide a very unique aesthetic effect to the home’s exterior.

Inside are hardwood floors throughout, a spacious and open living space and 9’ ceilings. Shaker-style cabinets built from reclaimed wood rescued from another local historical home are a unique kitchen feature. Stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and an eat-in peninsula make the kitchen both functional and fashionable. The masterbath boasts an über-cool reclaimed clawfoot tub. Other desirable elements are a functional fireplace, oversized laundry room, generous closet spaces, mudroom, and a full basement for storage.

The home sits on a very large lot with a screened in back porch and fully fenced landscaped back yard. It’s truly an urban oasis—accessible to shopping and commercial areas yet set back generously from S. Candler Street thus preventing extraneous street noise. We are in the process of deciding between grey owl, harbor grey, campfire smoke or very light chromium for the exterior color. The choice could be yours if you’re interested in this very special property and want to arrange a pre-market preview by contacting Lewis & Redwine Realty at 404-897-1595.

HEY, ZEN IS IN!

Taking down the Christmas wreath or packing away the Hanukah Menorah always accompanies a dash of sadness. On the flip, we love all the “Best of” and “Trends to Watch Out For” lists that come out in January. Scrolling through predicted trends and styles on the Internet quickly erases any nostalgic pangs brought on by the year’s end. This January, we took our annual perusal a step further and compiled our own list. Below are just a few of the common design and home renovation trends we found while surfing the web and pillaging the magazine racks at Barnes and Noble. One thing is for sure—Zen is in. Look for anything earthy, earth-friendly, soul-easing or mantra-inspiring. From recycled glass tiles for the shower to re-purposed just-about-everything. In 2014 tranquility is the new kid on the block.

In the Bathroom- This year, homeowners want to bring nirvana right into their bathrooms by turning their bathroom experience into a spa-experience. They no longer view their daily prep time shaving and showering as a chore but as an opportunity to tap into some much needed serenity before heading out for another hectic day. Expect to see open, airy bathrooms with heated floors, floating sinks, custom storage, large curb-less showers and free-standing tubs to help create a routine of daily tranquility.  

In the Bedroom- Homeowners yearn to create a Zen-like sanctuary in their bedrooms this year. To do this, the multifaceted gray and many shades of blue will be called upon to usher in subtlety and calm. Natural materials and warm woods will also bring harmony and ease. Quiet niche areas with tufted armchairs and accent pillows will provide a cloistered place to exhale at the day’s end. Functionality, however, is also important. Expect to see compartmentalized storage, shoe walls and open vanity areas.

In the Kitchen-Non-toxic earth-friendly cabinetry is in as well as floating shelves. Simple countertops and minimalists designs are widely predicted as are energy-efficient appliances that blend naturally into the kitchen landscape or are hidden away from plain view entirely. Remodels will also utilize more renewable materials like bamboo. Additional design features will work hard to incorporate the local climate (e.g. considering daily sun paths to take full advantage of natural lighting).

COLOR CONSCIOUSNESS - Part One

COLOR CONSCIOUSNESS

The effects of color are often underestimated. We respond to color in both a conscious and an unconscious way. Color holds power. When there’s a house or architectural product that calls to us but we can’t put a finger on why—it’s likely the color. In fact, psychologists say over 50 percent of our initial reactions involve color. Now we even know which colors evoke which mood. Here’s a short primer for you to explore colors and the moods that they inspire:

Yellow

Yellow produces two opposing moods—happiness and anxiety. Initially, yellow produces joy and hope but if you’re surrounded by yellow for too long it may increase irritability. Because of this yellow may not be the color choice you room in which you spend enormous amount of time. Anxious yellow can be hushed by harmonizing it with other colors.

Purple

Like yellow, purple evokes bipolar moods of relaxation and stimulation. Purple is favored by creative-types because it stimulates the imagination and creativity. Purple works well in many space types. Day-dreamy purple is an excellent choice for an artist’s studio. Lavender has been a longstanding favorite color for little girls’ rooms and Tweeners. Elegant, regal purple is also a perfect choice for adult spaces. Purple hues like lilac and deep eggplant are becoming more and more popular city apartments and country homes with sophisticated interiors.

Red

Most of us know that the color red raises strong emotions. Though red is associated with feelings of love, comfort, and sometimes anger (“seeing red”)—overall it creates feelings of strong excitement and intensity. Red is the most dynamic color on the spectrum.   Red’s intensity can be overwhelming at times so it may be best reserved as an accent color.

Blue

“Cool blue” has a reputation as a chill-out color for good reason. Above all colors, scientists have found that blue actually produces a calming physiological effect in humans. So, if you have a room reserved for lounging and relaxation consider a soft sky or Cloisonne Blue. Blue also works really well in small spaces, bedrooms, and hallways. Though it seems to be a psychological contrast, studies show that not only are people more relaxed in blue rooms they are also more productive. So blue may also be an ideal color choice for an office space.

More on colors and the feelings they evoke next week…

WHERE CUSTOM COLLABORATION MEETS ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Last week a potential client asked “Other than the fact that you’re both women, what makes you different than the all the other building and renovation companies out there?”   At first, the question caught me off guard. But the truth is there are two things that set us apart from the rest. First, we look at each home renovation project not as a custom collaboration. It’s very important that we’re on the same page as our client. To do this we work together. We meet over coffee, we discuss, we envision, we scribble on napkins (sometimes literally) and compare notes to make sure everyone’s ideas, expectations and aesthetics are in synch. Ultimately, our clients need to be happy with our work. By approaching each home renovation project not just as a contract job but as a mutual custom collaboration—our clients always end up with a smile of satisfaction.

Secondly, I’d have to say that attention to detail is also our calling card. If your favorite piece of furniture is a turn-of-the-century farm table made from rescued barn wood then we’ll use that idea as a jumping off point and treasure hunt an architectural accent piece from the same period—maybe we’ll hang a repurposed light fixture built from an old pickle barrel above that farm table—or we’ll add a salvaged plank wood window bench to our design plans. Our end product always rings true because we pay attention to the details—and the small details always make a huge difference.

 Thanks for reading! Virginia Van Lear. Level Craft.