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2010 Anaheim Beautiful Award for Historic Preservation

Congratulations to our clients who recently won the 2010 Anaheim Beautiful Award for Historic Preservation. When they purchased their classic 1920's California bungalow a few years back, the original siding had been stuccoed over, all the pillars had been removed and replaced with 1970's brick columns, and a 1980's-era wood door with a fan-shaped window served as the front door.


Photo Taken Circa 1970s


Since then, we have helped their preservation goals by reconstructing the exterior with wood pillars, concrete bases and caps, replaced missing cedar shingle siding to match what was original there (hiding under the stucco), constructed wood screens for the doors and windows, and reconstructed the front door window to have a period-appropriate look.






Luckily these efforts have not gone unnoticed. Neighbors and community members had voted for their house to win this year's prestigious award.


To see more pictures of the exterior work we have done on this house, click HERE to go to the previous post.


Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240 333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780 714-743-5053 info@goodhomeconstruction.com www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Help This 1940's Kitchen Win Rejuvenation's 2nd Annual "Make Your Home" Contest!

Remember this kitchen we renovated last year (see picture below)? Edie, the homeowner of this lovely kitchen, has entered Rejuvenation's 2nd Annual Make Your Home Contest, and has asked us and anybody else we know to vote for it.

So, we thought it would be great exposure for her to post the voting page here. Please take a moment to go to this page and vote for Edie's kitchen: http://www.rejuvenation.com/advice_ideas/contest/entrant.html?rid=169&pic=1


GOOD LUCK EDIE and may your kitchen win!!

For more pictures of Edie's kitchen, see this previous post.


Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240 333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780 714-743-5053 info@goodhomeconstruction.com www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Help Support Our Local Tustin Preservation Conservancy

The Tustin Preservation Conservancy is a local support organization dedicated to educating, advocating and facilitating historic preservation in the Old Town Tustin community.

To help support their efforts, local restaurant The Beach Pit BBQ is donating 15% of total proceeds to the TPC from all lunch and dinner sales this month (using the attached flier).  The Beach Pit BBQ, located just down the street from our soon-to-open studio and showroom, serves up some serious BBQ and home-styled fare.

If you love historic preservation and BBQ, then why not stop by for a show of support!

Flea Market Fundraiser this Saturday, May 15th - Shop for a Good Cause

This coming Saturday, May 15th, the Founders Veterinary Clinic is hosting its 2nd Annual Flea Market for Fleabags and Dog Wash.  There will be many treasures to hunt for, including books, furniture and all kinds of household goodies AND you can bring your dog along for a dog wash while you shop!



All proceeds go to the Pet Pal Sponsorship Program, which provides food, care and shelter for many homeless pets.


What a perfect way to spend a Saturday, shopping while supporting a great cause!

Location: Founders Veterinary Clinic, 330 N. Brea Blvd., Brea, CA
Date: Saturday, May 15th
Time: 9AM until 3 PM

Want to be on This Old House TV?

We just received the following release:



THIS OLD HOUSE® PLANS FIRST-EVER RENOVATION  IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY


Home Improvement Series Seeks Project Submissions

CONCORD, Mass., (May, 3, 2010) - For the first-time ever, the Emmy® Award-winning television series This Old House is looking for a historic home to renovate in Los Angeles County.  The TV crew is hoping to find a dynamic family with a classic old house in need of help, with plenty of things to save and update.  However, the project's scope must be "just right" - not a whole house, but more than just a kitchen.  The renovation must be able to be completed in about five or six months, with construction potentially beginning as early as August 2010 and finishing by January 2011.  The ideal project should already be underway with architectural plans and/or have the ability to be "fast-tracked" to the building phase.

The selected project will be featured on multiple This Old House episodes airing on PBS in early 2011. The deadline for submissions is June 14, 2010.

Please note that the renovations are completely funded by the homeowners and not by This Old House, though the show coordinates product discounts and donations where possible.  All donated items are considered gifts, on which the homeowners pay taxes.

This Old House is reviewing proposals now.  To be considered, submit the following:

·    Brief description of the renovation project - be sure to also include house style, location and year built
·    Low-res digital pictures of the home's interior and exterior
·    Brief description of the current owners
·    Low-res digital pictures of the homeowners
·    How much you plan to spend
·    When you need to start and conclude the project

Please e-mail proposals to pickmyhouse@thisoldhouse.com or submit them via regular mail to: This Old House Project Proposals, P.O. Box 130, Concord, Massachusetts 01742.

Select homeowners will be contacted by show producers for further interviews.  Due to the volume of proposals received, This Old House will not be able to respond personally to everyone or return submitted materials.

GOOD LUCK!!!


Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240 333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780 714-743-5053 info@goodhomeconstruction.com www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Coming Soon! New Showroom Underway in Old Town Tustin - El Camino Real and Main St.


In the last several months, we've been working hard to open up a retail showroom/design studio division for Good Home Construction, to complement our construction and renovation services.

This new design showroom, aptly named Good Home Studio, is located in a 1920's Spanish-Revival building in the heart of Old Town Tustin, and will offer local residents an opportunity to purchase from a highly-curated collection of vintage-inspired home improvement products.  Each product line has been selected for it's quality, craftsmanship, and affordability.  This studio will be a one-stop shop for those looking to get "hard-to-find" or unique specialty items appropriate for a pre-1980's home in the Orange County area.


Check back soon for more details about the showroom/studio and hours. 


Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

This Weekend - Old Town Tustin 2010 Home and Garden Tour

If you missed last weekend's home tour in Floral Park, Santa Ana, here's another home and garden tour coming up this weekend in Old Town Tustin.



This event is on Saturday, May 1 from 9 AM to 4 PM.  In addition to the home tour, there will be:


Tree Walk
Architecture Walk
Quilt Show
Arts & Crafts Booths

For more information, go to the Tustin Area Historical Society's Events page.

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240 333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780 714-743-5053 info@goodhomeconstruction.com www.goodhomeconstruction.com

1930's Wedgewood Stove

As some of our readers may recall, we recently did a kitchen renovation that included a mint-condition vintage 1930's cream-colored Wedgewood stove as the piece de resistance.  Click HERE to see previous post. 

Yesterday, we came across this posting for the exact same stove on Craigslist in Los Angeles, CA for $175.  If there's anybody out there inspired by this stove and could use it for an upcoming renovation, please hurry up and contact the seller before it's gone! 


Note: Good Home Construction is not affiliated with this seller or posting on CL.  This item may or may not be available at the time of our posting.  Please take all your own proper precautions when dealing with these types of transactions.

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Room Addition for a 1940's Bungalow


Here are some Before and After pictures of a room addition at the back of a 1940's bungalow we recently completed (see previous post).  This room addition included a cathedral shiplap ceiling, warm natural slate floors, built-in coat closet, laundry center, and water heater closet, and skylights to allow more natural sunlight to filter in.




BEFORE and DURING Pictures of the Room Addition

This is what the bungalow looked like before, without the addition in the back.




Here's one of our crew members breaking up the existing concrete pad.



Here's the new concrete foundation being poured.






Here's the framing going up.








Almost at the finish line - drywall and painting almost complete.




AFTER Pictures of the Room Addition












To see more work we've done, click here to go to Good Home Construction's blog site.

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

1920's Kitchen with Glass Backsplash Tile and Calacutta Gold Marble Countertop

Here's a sneak peek at a kitchen we just finished in a classic 1920's bungalow.  This kitchen has all new Shaker-style wood cabinetry in white with a mix of traditional and modern touches.

Updates include glass mosaic backsplash tile, calacutta marble stone slab for the countertops, bright chrome hardware and push button switches, and a 2-drawer dishwasher to blend in with the new cabinetry.

Check back later to see pro pictures of this kitchen!




























To see more kitchens we've done, click here to go to Kitchens under the Project Photos section.

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Which Kitchen Sink Type is Right for You?

There are so many choices out there that it's often difficult to narrow down what type of kitchen sink might be right for you and your renovation project.

Common sink types include: Cast Iron, Composite, Copper, Enameled Steel, Fireclay, Natural Stone, and Stainless Steel, with the 4 most popular choices being Cast Iron, Composite, Fireclay, and Stainless Steel.

Here are some thoughts on each type of sink and hopefully, this will help you in deciding which one is right for you.

Cast Iron Sink


Pros:
Has a non-porous surface, is acid and stain resistant, stable and durable, and offers many color options.

Cons: The porcelain enamel can scratch and chip, and rust.  Cast iron is very heavy, making installation tougher.  It also does not hold heat so water tends to cool down quickly.

Maintenance: Easy.  Use non-abrasive cleaners with soft nylon scrubbers.


Composite (Granite, Quartz or Acrylic Composite) Sink


Pros: Composite sinks have a uniform look and color throughout (generally), retains water temperature, and is non-porous.  It is also lightweight making it easier to install.

Cons: They can be difficult to keep clean, colors can be limited, and it is a softer material so is more prone to chipping

Maintenance:  Easy.  Use mild dishwashing soap for regular cleaning and a soft nylon brush for more aggressive cleaning.


Copper Sink

Pro: Copper sinks have more customizable options, has a special old world look, and creates a natural patina over time to create that antiqued look.

Cons: Copper requires more maintenance, is soft and likely to dent, is heat sensitive, not readily stocked and available.  The color change will also occur randomly.

Maintenance: Hard.  Do not use any abrasives.

Tips: Look for 100% pure copper, which is the best quality.  Also look for a manufacturer that welds instead of solders the sink.  Solder turns black with age and isn't as strong as welded seams.


Enameled Steel Sink



Pros: Enameled steel sinks are inexpensive and widely available.

Cons: Enameled steel sinks are soft, not as durable and will likely dent or chip, and rust

Maintenance:  Easy.  Same as for cast iron sinks.


Fireclay Sink


Pros: Scratch and dent resistant, easy to clean, acid and alkaline resistant, will last for generations, available in a variety of styles, and recyclable.

Cons: Limited color range, possible breakage in transport if not packed properly.

Maintenance: Easy - no special needs


Natural Stone (Granite, Limestone, Marble, Slate, Soapstone) Sink



Pros: Can coordinate with countertops to appear integrated, and is durable and scratch resistant.

Cons: Can be porous depending on stone.  Generally stains easily and needs routine topical treatment to maintain luster.  Also can be expensive and is very heavy making installations tough.

Maintenance: Medium to Hard.  Use non-abrasives, may require frequent sealing.


Stainless Steel Sink


Pros: Hygienic and nonporous.  Stainless steel sinks offer multiple mounting options, is corrosion resistant, may be customized, and has many price points.

Cons: Can lose its luster, is likely to dent or scratch.

Maintenance: Medium - avoid abrasives and steel wool, chlorine or chlorine bleach.  Use mild soap and soft cloth to clean.



Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Showing Off Your Vintage China in Your Kitchen

Last year, we had the opportunity to work on a kitchen renovation for a cute 1940's cottage bungalow.  Our client had inherited the home from her mother, who was the 2nd owner and the longest resident of the home.  The wonderful thing about this renovation is our client incorporated as much of her family's vintage dinnerware, Fiestaware, and cups and glasses, some of which went back almost 100 years, into this project which made the whole process that much more memorable.

The collection was prominently displayed on all the open upper shelves, and on the countertop.





We got so hooked on this idea that we've been on the hunt for vintage Fiestaware and other family heirloom pieces ever since, so that some day, we can include these as showpieces in a future kitchen renovation.

Photo Credit: You Go Girl Blog


If you have some special ceramics or pottery, china - vintage or not, think about showing these off in your kitchen. You may want to consider having a few glass-door cabinets or even putting up open shelves. 

Here are some ideas:



Photo Credit: Country Living

Photo Credit: So Much For My Plans Blog




Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Save the Date - Upcoming Floral Park Home Tour in April 2010

It's that time of year again...the Floral Park Neighborhood Association is hosting its 18th Annual Home & Garden Tour on April 24th and 25th, 2010. This home tour represents the finest examples of traditional pre-1960 craftsmanship in Orange County

We will be advertising/supporting the home tour for the 4th year in a row.  We'll also have a booth set up in the Antiques & Collectible Row again this year to display some examples of our projects and answer questions you may have about old house renovations and authentic vintage-styled products.

Save that weekend and we hope to see you there!


For more information about this event, go to http://www.floral-park.com/index_files/page0004.htm.  

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com

Rustic Eco Chic - New Buzz Label?

As builders/contractors, we've heard just about every type of phrase or combination of words describing certain decorating/design schemes desired for a project (i.e. Shabby Chic, Hollywood Regency, French Country, Contemporary Romance, etc., etc...).  Lately, we've been hearing this label - Rustic Eco Chic.  Is this becoming a new buzz phrase?

So, we started researching what "Rustic Eco Chic" represents.  This is what we're finding:  Incorporating environmentally savvy components into a project whenever possible.  This can be as simple as recycling an old bureau into a vanity or salvaging parts and pieces from cast-offs (basically repurposing them and made new), and mixing them in with new eco-savvy products.

Photo Credit: House and Home



Photo Credit: Casa Sugar



 Photo Credit: Top Design News


 Photo Credit: Delight By Design


Based on that description, this is the way to go...with the way the economy is and people becoming more conscientious in saving money and being green, Rustic Eco Chic is bringing forth the creativity in reuse in your projects.

Have a project in mind that might fit the Rustic Eco Chic ideals?  Give us a call and see how we can assist you.

Good Home Construction, CA Lic. #852240
333 El Camino Real, #101, Tustin, CA 92780
714-743-5053
info@goodhomeconstruction.com
www.goodhomeconstruction.com