OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
Futuro House
Mark Gisi of Tabula Creative tabulacreative.com/ sent me this video link about the Futuro House, after we saw one in person in Greenwhich NJ on one of our recent exploration trips. video Needless to say that was a surprising sight in the middle of the flat farming country, 1600's colonial houses and bay views of South Jersey! That's Mark peeking inside the Futuro through the missing hatch. We saw these other fiberglass pod like structures on the same lot at Hancock's Marina. If anyone knows what these are called please let us know!
Check out our new Buyer’s Guide.
We've created a Buyer's Guide, and encourage visitors to check it out. You can find it under the ABOUT US drop-down menu just beneath the banner on any page, or click here.
Fireplace Season Begins — Are You Prepared?
Chilly evenings call for cozy fires. It's just that simple. Is your fireplace in good working order? Do you have a supply of seasoned firewood in place? This is a good time to consider installing a gas or wood-burning insert, as they can help to keep your home toasty and save on other heating costs, as well. Call us for help!
The Simple Side of Complex Design
Renowned graphic designer Paul Rand once said, “Design is so simple; that's why it is so complicated.” That quote was sent to me this morning by Mark Gisi, principal of Tabula Creative, who handles all of our marketing. We, at Myers Constructs, agree with Rand’s statement. We believe that good design is clean, organic, seamless ... and it is always a result of hard practice and discipline. A good designer not only has to “look,” but also to “see” what the proper solutions should be. This reminds me of a thought-provoking article I read recently about Steve Jobs and how Buddhism influenced his products and business approach at Apple. Jobs was very serious about Buddhism. He would go to monasteries for weeks at a time to meditate, which would essentially “reboot” his brain, in order to keep it clear. The author connected how this practice of clearing and uncluttering the[...]
Programmable Thermostats = Cool Savings
People who work with our fake rolex company know we understand the value of great design. That's why our marketing pro, Mark Gisi, shared this article with me today. He knew I would appreciate both the design and utility of the Nest Programmable Thermostat. The real clincher to the story was this: “… he discovered that 10 million thermostats are sold every year. Meanwhile, only 6% of programmable thermostats are actually programmed, even though a programmed thermostat can save 30-40% in heating and cooling costs. That’s was clearly a serious design problem.” These savings are why we insist on programmable thermostats when we install new HVAC systems in the homes we renovate. Everyone at our company knows I am the least technically proficient person on the team. I can’t program my TV remote, but I ALWAYS program my own home's thermostats. Of course, a product this sleek and user-friendly would[...]
What’s Your Top Renovation Question
Got a top renovation question? Post it in the comments section below, and we'll do our best to answer it.
RIP, Steve Jobs
Rest in peace. Steve Jobs, 1955-2011.
And the Prize Goes to …
Congratulations to Jen W., the winner of our giveaway! Jen will receive a $25 gift certificate to Reconsidered Home and a copy of The Vintage/Modern Home by Katherine Sorrell.
My Beef With Bad Home Design
I regularly drive past a 1950s split-level rancher that is being renovated near my home. At this point, I can see that the addition being built is closed in with plywood and the roof is on. But I cringe every time I see this home. It's not that it's structurally or technically unsound. It's just bad overall design. As you may already know, split-level homes have characteristic low roof lines, a big garage feature, and wide windows that refer back to the low, wide stance of the home. Typically, the private areas of the house are upstairs, and the public family room areas are downstairs. They were invented when people began buying cars and moving from the cities where they worked to the 'burbs. That's the culture they refer to, and it's why they look the way they do. The remodelers who are putting the addition on the house up[...]
In the News, Part V
Please check out the fifth and final installment in the Examiner.com series featuring Myers Constructs. The topic? Making The Most Of Small Spaces.
