State of Mind

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.

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).