I'll be back...

“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.”

Robert Orben

I'm headed to Mexico, and I won't be bringing my laptop! I hope a little honeymoon vacation will recharge my creative batteries so I can give you some great posts when I get back. This is officially my last post as a "single" woman! Do married women blog differently? You'll see in a few weeks! Thanks to everyone who follows my blog. I will be thinking about you all while sitting on a beautiful beach with a surgical mask on (thank you swine flu!!). Adios!!

What remodeling trends are on the horizon?

Industry experts say that they're seeing the first signs that the 1970s may be returning.

For example:
Wood paneling is coming back, even in high-end homes. Hatz, the salesperson for Cambridge Homes in Michigan, recently sold an 11,000-square-foot home with 20-foot ceilings in the foyer. "They were all paneled," he says. "Everything was done in a walnut color." Hatz says that the homeowners opted for paneling in the library as well.

Remodelers are reporting an increasing demand for shag carpet. "We're seeing more people liking a dense shag, with a lot of texture—not quite like the shag of the ’70s," says Lona Maloney, a design consultant at Guy's Floor Service in Denver. "We're selling mostly neutrals and earth tones, like greens and beiges."

Linoleum has returned, but under a new name. "Linoleum is coming back huge," says LeVally of Keller Williams Arizona Realtors. "There are environmentally friendlier linoleums now, and a lot of different cool vinyl products available for flooring. Armstrong is marketing linoleum sheet flooring under two brand names—Marmorette and Linoplan—and the color and pattern choices are fabulous.”

Via:http://www.realtor.org

Rub a dub dub...

Okay...Now were talking my language. I truly believe the most important room in the house is the bathroom, and the most important thing in the bathroom, the tub. I was going through some pictures of jobs our remodel team has done, and found this fabulous bathtub remodel Travis did. Tub+Fireplace= HEAVEN! Another amazing project by these guys.

I found this great article about bathroom renovations on the NAWIC (national association for women in construction) website. I have a feeling I will be pulling a lot of ideas from that sight. Enjoy!

10 Bath Remodeling Trends

1. Shapely tubs: From the claw foot and pedestal to the graceful boat-shaped bateau, curvaceous tubs are reconfiguring the look of the bathroom.

2.Nickel fixtures: This sleek metal suits many types of fixtures, from faucets to sconces.

3. Wall-mounted faucets: This trend is the ultimate in streamlined style.

4. Shimmering effects: Designers are taking a shine to the array of decorative glass tiles and mosaics on the market and are using them either as an accent or to cover an entire wall.

5. Mirrored surfaces: The glamour of the Art Deco era is seeing a revival with a flood of mirrored cabinets, furnishing, accessories and even tub surrounds.

6. Pharmacy cabinets: These freestanding cabinets are the perfect bathroom accompaniment.

7. Frameless glass showers: The new seamless glass showers with minimal framing compliment any bathroom decor.

8. Classic subway tiles: These vintage-style tiles, shaped like bricks and set in a staggered "running bond" fashion, are making a big comeback in kitchens and baths.

9. Old-world embellishments: After years of Zen-spa minimalism, elements of the old-world style look fresh again.

10. High-tech bathing: Convert your shower experience from so-so to sybaritic with a steam generator and rain dome. Add even more luxury with an all-purpose shower stack that has multiple heads, body sprays and adjustable settings. Bathing also borders on the decadent with whirlpool jets, deep soaking overflow tubs and chroma-therapy color washes. Towel warmers and electric radiant-heat flooring will help smooth the transition from hot to cold.

IT'S EARTH DAY

I have given myself a new title....Marketing/Recycling Coordinator. If you think about it they can go hand and hand, as we will be marketing our company as one that does its part to help the environment. Earth Day is like Valentine's day, except MY love is going to be given to my beautiful surroundings. The opportunities to show love to our earth are endless. In the office, at home, on construction sites, there are always ways to help. Knowledge is power when learning to save the earth, so here are some of the things all of us can do...

The Running Faucet - Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth for 2 minutes? Then nearly ten gallons of water just slid down the drain. Remember, you PAY for that! Now, think about saving water when you shave, wash dishes, do laundry, water the lawn, wash the car, hose off the sidewalks.... avoid sending water and $$$ down the drain.

Idle Time - Ever wonder if you should leave the car running while you wait for the kids to be dismissed from school? Leave it on if you'll be there less than a minute, otherwise it's more efficient to turn it off and restart it when you're ready to go.

Turn Down the Heat - Not just the furnace, but the water heater too -- set it at 130 to 140 degrees. Turn the setting to low or off when you leave for the weekend or for a long vacation, then put a note on your bathroom mirror so you'll remember to turn it up when you return.

Keeping It Clean - Washers can use more than 50 gallons of water per load, so avoid washing a lot of small loads whenever possible. Also, be sure to choose the lowest level of water needed for each load, use warm water instead of hot, and set the rinse cycle to use cold water.
Cold Food - Refrigerator temperatures should be set at about 40 degrees, give or take a degree or two. Freezer temps between 0 and 5 degrees are just right. Colder settings waste energy and won't help food.

Get a Charge out of It - Never throw spent batteries in the trash. They contain mercury, a hazardous substance that will leak into groundwater or be burned and released into the air. Don't go there. Either switch to rechargeable batteries or collect used batteries in a shoebox out in the garage, clearly marked. Then take them to a recycling facility once or twice a year.

Recycle - Enough said. :)

Don't stop here! There is so much more to be done. Check out Metro's website for more ways to help: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/

The word stimulus is on the tips of everyone's tongues these days. Whether it is the state package offered to bond $175 million in public works projects or the proposed $820 federal package, politicians are pulling out all the stops to create jobs. Republicans in the Oregon House also got into the mix when they offered a stimulus package focused on private construction.
While there has been considerable debate about the various proposals, it is encouraging to see our state and national leaders engaged. Each stimulus proposal holds good news for construction contractors and workers. They also signal that politicians are paying attention to our economy and are motivated to find solutions that create or protect local jobs.
Because construction - commercial construction, in particular - is often the first industry hit during a recession and one of the last to recover, it is encouraging to see a departure from the typical plan of letting construction struggle until other industries improve.
The proposal enacted by the Oregon Legislature and signed by the governor last week is projected to create or protect 3,000 Oregon jobs. It includes projects throughout the state and will lead to work right away. While people may complain about the frivolity of some projects, the package will create work for contractors and the workers they employ.
That means more tax revenue for our state, fewer people requiring public assistance, and more cash in our economy trickling to other business sectors. The federal stimulus package also holds opportunities. According to a news release from Congressman Earl Blumenauer, the House-passed stimulus package will create or retain 52,890 Oregon jobs by the end of 2010.
The proposal by Republicans in the Oregon House of Representatives would provide tax credits to Oregon homeowners and businesses making improvements to their properties - much in the same way that government-spending bills generate improvements to government-owned facilities. Their proposal is sure to create jobs as well.
It's now time for contractors to prepare for these projects. This might require some brushing up on current bonding requirements and bidding processes. Those who have never worked for public agencies should consider taking classes on certified payroll reporting and other administrative requirements they might not encounter when performing private work.
As always, professional organizations are great resources. Many different groups offer basic and refresher courses on these topics. Preparing today will pay off in the future.John Killin is president of the Associated Builders and Contractors Pacific Northwest Chapter and executive director of the Independent Electrical Contractors of Oregon.
Credit: John Killin/Via:http://www.allbusiness.com/

My glass is half full!

With Oregon's unemployment rate at an astonishing 12.1%, the worst since officials began tracking numbers in 1947, it's kind of hard to keep thinking positive. Is there any good news? Yeah...The state of Oregon is receiving $2.4 Billion Piece of the Federal Stimulus Pie. I will be posting some of the benefits that will be available to homeowners via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

One of the hardest hit industries has been construction, and with tax credits and energy incentives there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You all know I am passionate about pink...but coming in at a close second is my love for Eco-Friendly practices, and the environment. Stay tuned!

Everything is better when it's sunny outside...

How beautiful was yesterday? I had a blast touring our job sites and snapping a few pictures! My favorite... Quail Hollow. This is such a cute community, and Aspen is adding to that with new siding, windows and decks. Andy's crew is doing an amazing job. I love the colors of the town homes and the cherry blossom lined streets.

Happy Friday!

I'm headed out...

I will be spending a good part of my morning taking pictures out at our job sites. 1st stop: Quail Hollow town homes in Tigard. Then off to the airport to check out our Residents Inn and Hyatt jobs. Stay tuned for pictures of these projects. Good thing I brought my pink hard hat!

How cute is this?

Have you ever looked for stylish work wear for women in the construction industry? It's like trying to find an honest lawyer (Sorry Kevin). However...this might very well be my next purchase. I think Crystal and I could rock this!

I would like to introduce....

Many of the projects we will be blogging about will be jobs done by our remodel division team. They are an amazingly talented group of guys! Travis Henry is the division manager, and came to Aspen with over 13 years of experience in the remodel industry. Travis and his guys are PASSIONATE about their work, and it shows. I will be posting several pictures of their work throughout the stages of the projects. If you want to see pretty pictures...keep following this blog, if you want to remodel your bathroom...Call Travis :) 503-547-3504.

Check out their website: http://www.aspenridgeco.com/

You have got to see this!

I don't necessarily spend time on YouTube, but I have to say there is some CRAZY stuff on there. The other day I googled- (women in construction) just to see what would come up, and I found this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuWSxFWv3Fo&NR=1

Enjoy!

RECYCLED PAINT???

One of the best and cheapest ways to improve your home is a fresh coat of paint. Metro paint is 100% recycled paint, at a fraction of the cost. You have 15 options to choose from: greys, reds, yellows, even greens. The cost runs from $6 to $10 dollars a gallon, and $24 to $44 dollars for a 5 gallon bucket. That's a huge saving, and you are doing your part to help out the environment. You can check out their web site at www.metro-region.org/paint for colors, prices, and locations. Metro offers drop off donation spots for extra paint you might have and want to get rid of. Metro Paints can be used on your interior and exterior projects, they are certified green, and environmentally friendly. Metro Paint is not tested on animals so you can feel good about using it.

Via:Aspenridgeco.blogspot.com

It's all about customer service

The most important service we can provide our clients is good communication. This means regular, live conversations (not just e-mail) that explain what you are working on, what your strategy is for moving forward, and that involves active listening to our clients. I had the opportunity to do part of Crystal's job this week while she was at a training class. I have to say, I don't give her enough credit for her ability to do her work and answer the flood of phone calls that come into the office. I found it to be a great opportunity to get to know our customers and connect to them personally. With jobs requiring us to be in the office most of the time, Crystal and I don't get the opportunity to meet customers face to face. It's great to talk to them and hear their feedback and feelings on how their projects are going. Fortunately most of them were extremely happy! The bottom line is...if you take a few minutes to listen, tell them what you CAN do for them, and follow up they are generally happy campers!

It's Crystal...

I would like you to meet my partner in crime: Crystal has been with Aspen Siding and Windows since 2007. She has been such an amazing source of information. I like to think Crystal and I add a little femininity and style to our Carhartt and tool bag filled surroundings. Crystal and I will join forces to bring you the latest and greatest in the construction industry from a female perspective. Don't expect installation techniques for cedar siding, or how to fix reverse lap, but we will bring you great tips for energy efficiency and tax credits, resources for recycling construction waste, cool websites, amazing pictures of Aspen's work, and much much more!

Remodel 101 show

One of the funnest parts of my job is doing trade shows and expos. I get to meet amazing people in the industry, and talk construction and remodeling all day long! The last show I did was for our remodel division- Aspen Ridge Construction. Travis (our remodel division manager) and I had a table at the HBA's Remodel 101 show last weekend. We got several leads and met so many wonderful industry professionals. Plus we got to sit in on the free classes!

Welcome Ladies!

So...I'm just a girl who found herself in a marketing position for an exterior renovation/remodel company. I have to be honest, the first few weeks were tough. I wondered what the hell I was doing in this industry. So I decided to dive in head first. I immersed myself in product literature and visited job after job, sat in the middle of 15 guys discussing Hardiplank??? I even received a certification for fortifiber house wrap for sitting through a 3 hour class! Well, to my surprise...I have developed a passion for construction. It's still early, and I have so much to learn. I will use this blog to discuss what I am learning. Stay tuned for posts on the fabulous side of the construction/remodel industry and how I will fit in as a woman in this company full of men, dirt, trucks, ladders and hardi! :)