LED Lighting
LED's are being used in many commercial applications, as the energy savings are more quickly realized in such large scale applications, resulting in more immediate savings. As this market continues to grow however, the prices are starting to drop due to the larger demand and manufacturing streamlining, which means that they will continue to become a more affordable option for home owners. While still costly right now at $50 - $100 a bulb, the long-term savings are very promising.
Did you know that the applications for LED lighting have grown to include undercabinet, curio, recessed lighting, and several types of bulbs, including regular lamps, chandeliers and even replacements for office/ closet type fluorescents? These lights are much better than CFL’s in a few important ways. First and foremost, there is no toxic mercury in these. Second, you can choose from a variety of different colors (temperatures) to suit your tastes and/ or tasks; from warm to cool and even full spectrum light (think grow lights or light therapy). The color rendering of LED's has become so good that you can use it for both ambient and task lighting, and with as much as a 60,000 hour lifespan, it will outlast even CFL's by many years. Thirdly, you can dim them! If you use our favorite dimmer, Lutron, check here to make sure the brand of LED you choose works with their dimmers.
The new LED's are well positioned to replace all our lighting needs, even the Halogen and Xenon lighting that we're all accustomed to using for undercabinet, curio and rail lighting. As well as the obvious energy savings, another major benefit of replacing these fixtures with LED's is that they do not get hot like the Halogens and Xenons do, (think chocolate on the bottom shelf of a cabinet with traditional undercabinet lighting). Halogen and Xenon lighting have been the best choice of light for task lighting in the kitchen for many years, however LED light technology has caught up and as manufacturing increases, the initial cost will continue to come down, eventually replacing these with this green, super energy efficient, long lasting, non-toxic alternative.
Because the investment upfront is still quite costly, one thought to consider is converting your bulbs in stages or a few at a time rather than all at once. Also, remember that with the investment and life span of these bulbs, you’ll want to add them to your “packing” list if, and or when, you are planning a move.
The average lifespan for the three types of bulbs:
Incandescent 1500 hours
CFL's 10,000 hours
LED's 60,000 hours
2010 Tour of Remodeled Homes
It's time for the Tour of Remodeled Homes!
March 6th and 7th
This year we are featuring a kitchen remodel that was done within the existing footprint. The project was all about function, accessibility and style along with adding a few professional grade appliances and beautiful cherry cabinets.
Come visit us this weekend in West Linn, house #6 on the Tour. You can buy tickets online or you can buy tickets at our tour home.
Delta's new Faucet with "Touch ₂0 Technology"
To learn more about this new faucet, visit Delta's website here.
New Carbon Fibre Articulating Faucet By Kohler
Kohler has created a kitchen faucet that possesses the functionality and performance of a pull-down faucet, while also allowing the user to position and leave the sprayhead right where it’s needed, thereby freeing up both hands for kitchen prep and clean-up tasks.
The use of a textured carbon fiber composite adds further appeal to a unique visual aesthetic that reinforces the contemporary nature of the design.
Unlike other kitchen faucets, the Karbon faucet will maintain the exact position where a user places it within its allotted reach in or outside the sink, keeping the spray head and water flow exactly where it’s desired. Additionally, the faucet offers both spray and aerated water flow options, eliminating the need for a sidespray. An elaborate design detail is featured in the remote joystick valve that consists of two disks of identical size installed flush with the countertop to provide an unusually sleek look and offer easy cleaning.
The actual construction of the faucet is a combination of traditional brass and innovative carbon fiber composite tubing. The logic behind the use of carbon fiber lies in its superior strength and light weight, allowing for tight movement tolerance and the exceptional functional performance of this faucet. The joints connecting the four sections of the faucet employ a novel patented technology that provides exceptional resistance to support the spout while allowing for smooth and effortless handling.
This faucet is awesome! Innovative design, combined with superb function. It's everything you could ask for in a kitchen faucet! Kohler introduced Karbon last year, however it was so popular, it was hard to get ahold of. I haven't checked it's availability since October, but I'm hoping it's readily available now. They introduced a new wall mounted version at the 2009 International Builders Show.
The promotional video from a National Trade Show
I just love this video for its artistry! Who ever thought that a video about a faucet could be so moving! 
Kohler's well scripted and informative video of the how's and what's of the Karbon Faucet. 
Thanks to all who came out to see our Tour home!
We found out (after the fact), that the directions given out from tour houses near us to our home were incorrect and some of you had quite a hard time finding us!
We enjoyed so very much being able to show you our work and answer the many great questions you had.
We look forward to getting together with many of you in your homes in the coming months.
First Day of The Tour of Remodeled Homes
While we always hope for good weather for the Tour of Remodeled Homes Event, we also realize that this is Oregon and we need to have a backup plan for RAIN. Our backup today was the garage of our Tour Home and it's a good thing we had it! Set up in the garage of our Tour home was the KEX Mr. Fix It Show. We were honored to have Dave Ewing, the original Mr. Fix It, here this morning doing a live broadcast of the show. Mitch was able to sit in on the show this morning and answer questions from callers and talk about the Tour and our featured project. Mitch also was able to explain to listeners how a Design-Build Company such as ours works with clients from the design phase through to the building process creating a seamless process that ultimately results in a more controlled result in every aspect.
Mitch really enjoyed his time with Dave as he is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humor!
Joining us today was Angela Todd of Angela Todd Designs. Angela is part of our design team who is able to disseminate and capture the desires and tastes of our clients enabling her to create unique and personalized spaces that fit the clients tastes and home perfectly.
Recognize this truck?
Do you have your tickets for the Tour yet?
Tags:economy, Kitchens & Baths, LED, CFL, Lutron, Incandescent, remodeling, green, mercury, dimmers, energy, halogen, xenon, light bulbs, lighting, undercabinet lights, task lighting, ambient lighting