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Smart Design With Suzette: Small House – Remodeling A Living Room – Budget And Floor Plan

May 20, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Before and after living room remodel. Courtesy photo

By SUZETTE FOX

Los Alamos

Here we are in the second part of remodeling a living room. Last week we discussed getting started with researching, considering your lifestyle, consulting the pros, determining your needs and identifying your style. Now we move on to budgets, floor plans and layout.

Budget

So, just how much is that living room renovation going to cost? The answer to that question ranges from a few thousand dollars for a paint job and new flooring to a few hundred thousand dollars for major construction and magazine-worthy interior Read More

Defined Dimensions, LLC Opens In Los Alamos

April 27, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Owner Chase Gibson of Defined Dimensions, LLC. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

If you have ever thought of expanding or renovating your Los Alamos home, a new business in town is ready to help you. Defined Dimensions, LLC, addresses a unique yet essential “niche” in the northern New Mexico building/remodeling community. Owner Chase Gibson provides timely and effective support for building and remodeling projects. His experience includes nine years of hands on framing and building experience, five years of managing a wide

Smart Design With Suzette: The Garagenous Zone

April 24, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Garages have a way of going from (relatively) organized to complete chaos in no time at all. It then becomes a glorified shed. But, let’s face it, garage organization can be daunting and overwhelming. However, if you have a game plan, it can be a piece of cake. In this column, I will help you get started, give options for storage, safety, going green and other tips that you might not have heard before.

The Best Reason to Tackle This Project

If you’re like most of us, your car is a five-figure investment that you can’t do without. Why leave it outdoors, where it can suffer damage Read More

Los Alamos Home And Condo Sales Grow

April 12, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

LAAOR News:

Los Alamos Association of REALTORS® (LAAOR) reports that the single family home sales rose from 46 in the first quarter of 2016 to 52 this quarter. The median price of single family home sales saw a strong jump when compared to the first quarter of 2016 or $262,500 to $301,000 in this quarter. Single family home sales volumes also rose sharply from $12.9 million in 2016 to $16.2 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Condo and townhome sales increased in the first quarter of 2017 to 16 units sold compared to 13 units sold in the same quarter of 2016. During this same period, the median price Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Small House – Big Design

March 24, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Create the feeling of more space selecting a warm ‘French vanilla’ color scheme. Courtesy photo

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

There are big benefits to living in a small home. It means thoughtful consideration of what goes in it. For some however, it seems limiting – more of a curse than a blessing. Regardless, if your home or apartment feels small to you, maximizing space is essential.

My first home was a 900 square foot bungalow in Florida. I quickly learned how to make the best use of a small space. Squeezing in as much usable space as possible makes rooms livable by helping it function properly, keeping Read More

Smart Design With Suzette Fox: Easy Spring Decorating

March 10, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Daylight Savings is a great opportunity to spruce up your house and bring nature inside your home. Courtesy/Suzette Fox

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

This weekend Daylight Savings Time begins. Yay! My favorite time of year! When spring’s breezes (or gusty winds – depending where you live) inspire you to embrace the new season, use these decorating ideas to freshen up your home.

Spring Cleaning

There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual cleaning. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. It may never become effortless, but you can make the project Read More

Rep. Candie Sweetser’s Tiny House Bill Passes 66-0

March 7, 2017 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Rep. Candie Sweetser

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Rep. Candie Sweetser (D-Deming) recognized the emergence of the tiny house industry, with her bill to define and allow assessors to review tiny homes. Monday night, her HB 512 passed unanimously by a vote of 66-0.

Tiny homes arrived on the scene in recent years as a creative way for people to live sustainably and own a home without the burden of unmanageable mortgage payments.

“I think this is the beginning of giving tiny homes an avenue to move forward in New Mexico,” Rep. Sweetser said. “This bill facilitates options for New Mexicans who are looking Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Coffee Bar 101

March 3, 2017 by Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin)

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

If you can’t function without your morning cup of joe, you aren’t alone. Americans consume more than 400 million cups of coffee per day, so it should come as no surprise that coffee stations are becoming a must-have design element in the modern home.

Before you start knocking down walls; however, there are a few things to consider about designing your own coffee bar. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind as you’re looking for coffee station ideas.

Location
How much room do you have for your coffee station? Can you make use of corners, kitchen nooks or unused Read More

Smart Design With Suzette: Style Your Bookshelves Like a Pro

February 19, 2017 by Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin)

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

If you are like me, I absolutely love bookcases in a home. I dream of having a custom bookcase built around a fireplace or a library dedicated to relaxed reading. But what I do have are small bookcases that hold literary treasures, art and accessories that represent who I am.

Style-Defining Bookcases

Most people struggle with decorating and filling bookcases, and as time progresses, they end up asking me for advice. Your beautiful home deserves bookcases that showcase your personal style with organized arrangements of books, collectibles and

Smart Design With Suzette: Home Remodeling Projects That Pay Off

February 12, 2017 by Submitted by Kirsten Laskey (ladp admin)

Roughly 10 percent of all projects nationwide had a return of more than 100 percent and every one of the projects had a payback of more than 100 percent in at least one market nationwide. Courtesy image

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Depending on the project, the average return on investment (ROI) nationwide for remodeling projects ranges from as high as 107.7 percent to as low as 53.9 percent. That’s the word from REMODELING Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report that compared costs for 29 of the most popular professional mid-range and upscale remodeling projects in U.S.