JEB Design/Build will be featured on KSLA News 12’s Your HomeTown Show on Wednesday, February 10th at 9:40 a.m. Tune in to see one of our completed projects! The program will feature a beautiful bathroom/closet remodel designed and built by JEB Design/Build!

JEB Design/Build client, Claudia Lohrey and the host of Your HomeTown Show, Amanda Joubert.

Host of Your HomeTown Show, Amanda Joubert and JEB Design/Build Designer, Angie Jackson.

This new home wrap by Tyvek allows water to drain away from your home. This helps to prevent moisture build-up and is environmentally friendly. By preventing moisture build-up, the Tyvek drain wrap allows your home or addition to be a more durable structure.

Are you considering remodeling? We would be glad to assist you. Many people ask, “What is the first step toward remodeling?” Before you invest time and money on your next home improvement project, make plans to attend JEB Design/Build, LLC seminar on kitchen and bath design. This seminar will cover the processes, pitfalls and pressures of designing your new kitchen or bathroom. This seminar is free but registration is required.

Where: LSUS, Bronson Hall Room 223
When: Thursday, February 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional Information: The seminar will be free of charge but registration is required. Please contact Liz Hamilton at (318) 865-4914 or marketing@jeb.net to register.

Do you wonder how you will stay in your two story home when you have limited mobility? This chair lift can help homeowners enjoy their houses longer. Even if your stairs twist and turn, this stair lift provides a great solution when you want to stay in your home.

Jeb testing a chair lift at the homebuilders’ convention in Las Vegas.

Chair lift featured at the homebuilders’ convention in Las Vegas.

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Millions of baby boomers are preparing for the retirement, and their homes are in need of a remodeling. They will need redesigning that incorporates features and technologies to make them more comfortable places to live, today and into retirement. JEB Design/Build, LLC designers have the knowledge and experience to transform your home into a more “permanent” home for you and your family.

“Aging in place” is a concept for living that permits homeowners to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the same place they have lived throughout their lives. More than any generation before them, Baby boomers can expect to live healthier and more active lives than their parents. Most people prefer to remain in their homes decades after retirement. By incorporating the principles of aging in place JEB Design/Build, LLC can ensure comfort and livability now and years into the future while enhancing the aesthetics of their environments. These features also add value in the growing housing market for active retirees.
The designers at JEB Design/Build, LLC can help with designing your kitchen, bathroom or any space in your home or outside. Here are some kitchen ideas.

TIPS FOR A UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED KITCHEN

1. Flooring. Some very hard surfaces, like brick, look great but may not be a good long-term solution. Add a commercial rubber mat with a smooth transition for an anti-fatigue, non-skid surface.

2. Cabinetry. There are many choices in different price ranges. Up dating and modifying existing cabinets or replacing entirely will make food preparation fun and comfortable.
3. Cabinetry hardware. Exchanging knobs for pulls—preferably D-shaped—makes for easier handling for clients with arthritis.

4. Countertops. High gloss surfaces may look great, butf those with a matte finish do decrease glare and are easier to work on.

5. Sink. Installing a double-offset basin sink with one smaller bowl that measures 6 1/2 in. in depth or less allows seated users increased ease of use.

6. Faucet. A single-lever faucet mounted to the side of the sink provides improved access for a seated user without lowering the countertop height.

7. Lighting. Increase countertop illumination by adding under cabinet T8 light strips, which evenly distribute light and reduce glare.

8. Appliances. Upgrade old appliances for those with Universal Design features. Some great examples include drawer refrigerators, dishwashers and microwaves, which decrease stooping and bending.

9. Doors. Swap doorknobs for lever pulls, which can easily be operated with one hand.

10. Bulbs. Update overhead bulbs to reduce glare and increase uniformity of light distribution.

KITCHEN ACCESS

The kitchen is the heart of any home, and its importance in daily life makes it ideal for a design update. Widening kitchen aisles to 3 ft. and walkways to 3 1/2 ft. will make them accessible to walkers and wheelchairs. And replacing doorknobs on entry doors to the kitchen and throughout the home with lever pulls ensures one-handed operation for easier handling.

Of course, appliances featuring Universal Design should be installed, including drawer refrigerators, dishwashers and microwave ovens. They should be positioned within easy reach and have controls that are audible and clearly labeled. Induction cooktops increase safety because heat is supplied only when a pot or pan is placed on the surface, and double ovens provide flexibility. The top oven eliminates bending and stooping, while the lower is accessible to individuals who use a wheelchair. Similarly, a microwave oven mounted to the base of a cabinet is ideal for shorter individuals, as well as those who suffer from arthritis or use a wheelchair.

As to countertops, opt for those that are low-maintenance and have rounded corners to minimize injury to children and adults who may fall against them. Glossy surfaces should be replaced with a matte finish to reduce glare, and maximum color contrast between cabinets and countertops makes each easily distinguishable while providing a dramatic aesthetic effect. Installation of a double-offset basin sink featuring a smaller, shallow—preferably 6 1/2 in. or less in depth—bowl and a single-lever faucet mounted to the side will provide seated individuals with comfortable access without the need to lower countertops.

A low-mounted desk with a 3-ft.-wide knee drawer is great for household management and can double as an accessible countertop. Ample and evenly distributed lighting is a must. The replacement of old-style overhead bulbs with modern fixtures and the addition of T8 light strips under wall cabinets will illuminate countertops evenly and reduce glare. Finally, a commercial rubber mat with a smooth-transition surface provides a non-skid surface and prevents fatigue for both seated and standing individuals.

Many modern cabinet designs incorporate features to maximize organization, and existing cabinets can be fitted with user-friendly after-market products to improve ease of use and access to stored goods. A sturdy drawer with a pullout chopping block installed 30 in. above the floor provides a lowered counter that’s great for those in wheelchairs and also doubles as a place to knead dough.

Wall cabinets with transparent doors reduce search time and make items more readily available. They should be mounted 15 in. above the countertop to make them accessible to all users. Base storage with drawers or roll-out trays provide better access to stored items; and for corner spaces, a lazy susan or swing-out shelving improves organization and brings items closer. Finally, cabinets appointed with D-shaped finger pulls increase ease of use for those with arthritis, not to mention everyone else in the household.

Freedom and independence are essential to a quality lifestyle and our homes should facilitate enjoyment of those qualities throughout our lives. Age-appropriate design incorporating the concept of aging in place will ensure that your clients’ homes remain comfortable and safe throughout their retirement years. As Oprah Winfrey said, “Quality of life is about how you live it, the joy and fulfillment you receive when living it.”

Who: JEB Design/Build

What: Kitchen & Bath Design Seminar

Where: 910 Pierremont Rd. Ste. 342

When: Monday, January 18th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Contact: Angie Jackson or Liz Hamilton

Call (318) 865-4914 to register.

The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage dropped to a record low of 4.71% in early December, pushed down by an aggressive government campaign to reduce borrowing costs. The rate was the lowest since Freddie Mac, one of the nation’s biggest buyers of home mortgages, began tracking the data in 1971. The previous record of 4.78% was set during the week ending April 30. Thanks to low interest rates and the recently expanded homebuyer tax credit program, many families may be able to start the new year in a new home!

Informational materials on tax credits available online
With the enactment of the extended and expanded tax credit on Nov. 6, the National Home Builders Association has created a full set of resources to help HBA members and consumers understand and get the word out about the new tax credits. The resources are available online at www.nahb.org/taxcreditmaterials and include a fact sheet, talking points, consumer handout, print advertisements, a YouTube video featuring Chief Economist David Crowe, and more.

JEB Design/Build

What: Kitchen & Bath Design Seminar

Where: Broadmoor Branch Library, 1212 Captain Shreve Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105

When: Thursday, December 10th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Contact: Jeb Breithaupt or Liz Hamilton

Call (318) 865-4914 to register.

Houses today, with all of their modern conveniences, sometimes conquer nature too much. It is good to taste a fresh breeze at dusk and be outside with the birds chirping. Instead of turning to the nature channel, remodel!

A patio addition adjacent to the kitchen is one of the best ideas since the rocking chair. No more eating every meal in the same place or sitting on a blanket in the backyard. A patio is a great place for a shaded table and chair set surrounded by potted plants and flowerbeds.

This remodeling addition is one of the easiest modifications for a house. Flooring is laid, a door from the house put in, and a covering is optional. A popular example had an expense-saving cement floor that looks just like stone. It is shaded by an ivy-covered trellis, and supported by smooth, white columns. The result is classically stunning.

Another option is installing a bar area under the window sill outside the kitchen. The cook of the family only has to open a window to the patio and serve food in a buffet style or grab the empty plates for cleanup. A romantic dinner made simple and easy.

Decks and porches also work with this idea. Through remodeling you can create a southern porch out of a bayou dream. In our air-conditioned society there is finally a compromise to satisfy our need for beauty and comfort.

The dream bathroom you fell in love with at that expensive hotel or stared at in a magazine is now a possibility with remodeling. It doesn’t have to be expensive and every square foot is designed for what you need.

The first priority in making a good bathroom is assessing what your needs are. If you are married two sinks are very convenient, and counter space is often an issue for women. Close outlets in safe locations are essential for hair driers, electric razors, curlers, and fancy toothbrushes. Cabinets and shelves under the counter and beside your mirror help keep the bathroom looking clean and uncluttered, as well. Counters are also available raised, sometimes to 36 inches, in order to avoid hunching over.
Sit down vanities are excellent for women and their make-up. It prevents leaning over the sink and reaching for the mirror or knocking over your wet toothbrush.

For the simpler lifestyles or couples who are very organized, elegant pedestal sinks can be stunning. From modern glass bowls to ancient, restored facets, there is a sink you will love on the Kohler website. Cabinets are still an option in other parts of the bathroom like next to the pedestal. In-wall or mirrored medicine cabinets above vanity are helpful so you have the right amount of room for medicine and band-aids.

New master bathrooms are often larger today, but a two-person bathroom still needs to create privacy for the toilet. This can be simple by making a closet style room to the side, putting decorative cabinets as a divider, or installing a half wall.

Bathtubs and showers come in huge varieties. Whirlpool tubs are a relaxing option that can calm nerves after a long day or just an extra large tub can be perfect for soaking. Showers are becoming more popular in three by four foot sizes with benches or seats installed. Choose the right spot to put your shampoo shelf or soap dish, too.

Light is always needed in the bathroom for not only grooming, but creating a pleasant feel to the room, as well. Transom windows and glass blocks are a great way to do this, and Hollywood light bulbs can help the girls put on make-up faster. Recessed lights are popular today as opposed to old style florescent lighting.

Remodeling should not just be for making a house prettier from the outside or improving the living room. It should be for yourself and what is needed in daily life. A fabulous bathroom helps get the day started off with ease and creates an environment that welcomes you home.