Memos from MOSAIC

How to Repair an Urn Fountain

2012-05-23T11:12:00.000-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Eric King, ASLA, King Landscaping

Water features can be an excellent addition to your landscape. Here are a few video tips on how to clean and repair an in-ground urn fountain.

May is Deck Safety Month

2012-05-07T14:56:00.002-04:00

Spring is a great time to relax outside on your deck. It's also a good time to ensure your deck is secure.

To help you do that, download this checklist from the National Deck and Railing Association. It covers such items as wood, railings, flashing, lighting and electricity.

Don't have a deck currently? Check out the MOSAIC Group online portfolio for some ideas and give us a call.

Bathroom Tile Design

2012-04-20T13:38:00.001-04:00

Elegant bathroom tile designs may include splashes of color and smaller grout joints. In this About.com video, Rick Goldstein of MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] offers some tips for choosing a stylish bathroom tile.

View the Video.

Save Space in a Small Bathroom

2012-04-20T13:17:00.001-04:00

Space-saving toilets and sinks can maximize the size of the smallest bathrooms. Rick Goldstein of MOSAIC Group shares tips on selecting the best fixtures for those rooms.

http://video.about.com/homerenovations/Space-Saving-Toilets-and-Sinks-for-a-Small-Bathroom.htm

How to Change the Layout of Your Bathroom

2012-04-13T09:33:00.001-04:00

The layout of your bathroom is crucial to the design and overall feeling of the space. In this how-to video from About.com, Rick Goldstein of MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] offers tips on how to change the layout of your bathroom into something new and improved.

http://video.about.com/homerenovations/How-to-Change-the-Layout-of-Your-Bathroom.htm

2012-04-06T14:07:00.002-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Eric King, ASLA, King Landscaping

Walkways can be used a number of different ways in landscapes. This About.com video offers some tips on how to design the different types of walkways that you're likely to need.

http://video.about.com/landscaping/How-to-Design-a-Walkway.htm

How to Choose Patio Furniture

2012-03-30T09:23:00.001-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Eric King, ASLA, King Landscaping

Good patio furniture can enhance your landscape and the character of your home. During this About.com video, I provide some advice on choosing the best patio furniture for you.

http://video.about.com/landscaping/How-to-Choose-Patio-Furniture.htm

Use Patios and Walls to Complement Landscape

2012-03-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Eric King, ASLA, King Landscaping

This brief landscaping video, via About.com, explains how stone walls and patios can be used to complement your landscape.

http://video.about.com/landscaping/Using-Patios-and-Stone-Walls-to-Complement-Landscapes.htm

Brick Patios are Great Outdoor Option

2012-03-05T09:35:00.000-05:00

Brick patios are the most flexible and durable of all the patio types. This About.com landscaping video with Eric King, ASLA, gives a broad overview of brick patios in comparison to other types.

http://video.about.com/landscaping/Brick-Patio-Vs--Other-Types.htm

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Family Room

2012-02-17T16:47:00.000-05:00

MODA Guest Blogger: Claire Bowen, Shaw Flooring, http://www.shawfloors.com/

The family room. Chief gathering spot. Relaxation Central.

Since it’s the space where lots of your family’s life happens, it should be comfortable, cozy, and inviting. And all the furnishings should be durable and family-friendly—especially the sofa, the chairs … and the floor.

If it’s time for new family-room flooring, you’ll want to consider not only style preferences but foot-traffic and use. Here are some helpful tips:

Carpet. Like to stretch out on the floor and play board games with the kids? You may want carpet—it’s soft, warm, and sound-absorbing. You can go with lighter colors, thanks to modern stain-resistance technology. But darker colors, luxurious textures, and today’s cool patterns are also forgiving of daily life.

Hardwood and laminate. You may prefer the elegance of a hard surface floor. Wood and wood looks are extremely versatile—they can be rustic and outdoorsy or sleek, rich, and sophisticated. Plus, high-tech finishes make them more durable than ever.

Tile and stone. Tile and stone can withstand loads of wear and tear. Just use a big, lush area rug if children are running around. It’s great flooring for a room with a pool entry, but be sure to get something with texture to reduce slipperiness. Tile can be installed with decorative accents or in unusual patterns to add interest.

Area rugs. Placing a rug over tile, hardwood, laminate—or even carpet—works beautifully from the standpoint of both fashion and function. It adds softness, extra luxury, and an exciting touch of personal style.

A Wine Cellar is a State of Mind

2012-02-02T13:42:00.000-05:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Maggie Meroney, CSW, FWS

Wine Consultant and Director of Education, pH Wine Merchant

Do you think a wine cellar is only for the 1 percent? And do you picture it downstairs? Rid your mind of both those misconceptions. The place you relax at the end of a long day is your “Cellar” when there is wine storage nearby.

There are good and bad ways to store wine. A rack above your refrigerator is a bad way. An interior closet is a good way. Even better is when your liquid treasures have optimum conditions; low light, good humidity, consistent temperature and stillness.

Exposure to light will change the flavor of a wine. The French call this Goût de Lumière, the taste of light. And it is not meant as a compliment. The double whammy of insufficient humidity and fluctuating temperatures will cause corks to expand and contract, allowing air into your bottles. Too much oxygen in wine causes musty, baked flavors. And finally, vibration injects energy into your wine. Imagine being shaken constantly. You would be exhausted too! Vibration prematurely ages wine.

Why save wine? Here are a few reasons:

· Variety is the Spice of Life.

· You got a great deal on case purchases.

· You bought every bottle you could find from your kid’s birth year.

· It’s more social than stamp collecting.

· It’s your built-in gift shop.

· Liquid Assets (pun intended)

So what are you waiting for? And once you have your space ready, come see us.

Develop a Home Fire Escape Plan

2012-01-10T10:54:00.001-05:00

When a fire strikes, there's no time for mistakes because it can take less than two minutes for smoke fumes to overcome a child or an adult. Create an escape plan for your family and know what should be avoided. Hold a fire drill twice a year.

Safety Tips

If possible, plan two ways out of every room.
If one of your escape routes is through a second- or third-story window, invest in a safety ladder.
If you sleep with your bedroom doors closed at night, have a smoke detector in each room.

Exit Procedures

· When you hear the alarm, roll out of bed onto the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, crawl to your door and touch it with your hand.

· If the door feels cool, brace it with your body and open it just a crack to check for smoke. If there is none, leave by your planned escape route. Remember to keep low. Don’t stop for clothes, papers or valuables. Keep your head down to avoid the smoke. Crawl under low smoke.

· Meet at a prearranged place for a head count.

· Never go back into a burning building.

· It's important to go over your fire escape plan with your family in advance. Make sure everyone knows the local emergency phone number. Guests as well as your family should know the sound of your smoke detector's alarm and be familiar with your plan of escape.

· Make sure babysitters practice fire and burn safety tips, especially the use of safety ladders, escape routes, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and emergency phone numbers.

Get Outdoors and Reap the Rewards

2011-12-27T17:34:00.000-05:00

You need willpower, smart food choices and regular exercise to lose weight. Before you start training for the next major road race, think about this: working in your yard is hard work. What better time is there than the beginning of a new year to start developing healthy habits?

Men and women of all ages can benefit from a moderate amount of daily physical activity. The good news is that the activity doesn't have to be strenuous to achieve results. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

You've heard the advice before to go outside and play in the dirt. It's estimated that a 135-pound female can expend more than 160 calories when she gardens for 30 minutes. If you're a 175-pound male, you'll expend close to 210 calories. If you replace that riding lawn mower with a hand mower, you'll burn 193 or 251 calories respectively.

Remember, it's never too late to start exercising regularly! By exercising outdoors, you'll feel better, boost your energy level, and get a healthy dose of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, in the process. Plus, if you do it right, you'll have the best-looking yard in the neighborhood.

Tips on Selecting a Christmas Tree

2011-12-09T10:14:00.000-05:00

Your home reflects your style, and your style says a lot about who you are. So what should you do this holiday season about "the tree?"

If you decide a pre-cut or a choose-and-cut tree is best for your family, the Georgia Forestry Commission has some tips to help you find a fresh tree. Visit www.gatrees.org and click on "Christmas Tree Directory" for a county-by-county list of places to buy choose-and-cut trees or living trees that come in burlap bags or containers.

Buying a locally grown tree supports local growers and is good for the economy. Many attractive species are produced in Georgia, including: Fraser fir, Douglas fir, Virginia pine and Leyland Cypress.

For optimal stability, choose a symmetrical tree with a straight main stem. Make sure the tree's needles are still firmly attached to the tree. All trees will drop their needles when they dry out, but if your tree is shedding before you get it home, you'll be sweeping or vacuuming your holiday away.

If you've chosen a pre-cut tree from a local lot, trim an inch or two off the butt end and place the tree in water right away. Choose-and-cut trees must also be quickly put in water. The vessels at the end of a tree are usually blocked with dirt and/or sap after harvest and transportation. A fresh cut allows the tree to take up water from the tree stand.

For balled-in-burlap or potted trees, always be sure to keep the root ball moist, but not saturated. Indoors is a stressful environment for a living plant, so limit the tree's time in the house and transplant it as soon as possible. Potted trees can be set outside after the holidays; keep them watered and plant by March. Balled-in-burlap trees should be planted as soon as possible after Christmas so the roots don't dry out.

To close the season, get tree-planting tips from www.gatrees.org. Then, have the family help dig a hole where you can plant your tree and grow nice memories of Christmas 2011!

Source: Georgia Forestry Commission, http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/

Light Up the Holidays: Lighting Tips From GE Lighting

2011-11-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

This weekend homes across the country will be a little brighter when millions of Americans kick off the holiday season by trimming their trees, and their yards, with holiday lights.

Here are some seasonal lighting tips suggested by GE Lighting veteran Mary Beth Gotti, director of the GE Lighting & Electrical Institute.

Know Your Lights. When purchasing lights, begin by making sure that all of the light strings are compatible. When choosing the amount of lights to purchase, plan on using an average of 100-150 lights per vertical foot of the tree.

Go Green. The national tree isn’t the only one that will sparkle with LED technology this year. The use of LED holiday lighting, which consumes up to 80 percent less energy than incandescent holiday lights, may fill as much as 45 percent of store shelves this season. Because LEDs are cool-operating, they can be left on for extended periods, making them an ideal fit for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Because long-lasting LEDs emit less heat, they're also much more durable, so if one bulb goes out, the rest continue to work.

Add Movement. Want that snowflake display to sparkle or your eight tiny reindeer to trot? Give the illusion of movement with color changing lights. Many options are available, including twinkling, chasing and fade-in, fade-out styles. New this year from GE are cascading icicles with a circuit that gives off a melting effect.

Mix Lighting Styles. To make holiday lighting stand out, pair strings of different sized lights together to add depth to décor. On the tree, set a base of white lights at the bottom and continue upward, adding strands of large bulbs and novelty lights for color and variety.

Every year, thousands of tree lighting ceremonies take place all over the country. Draw ideas from these magical designs. One of the most renowned tree lightings is the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park, a tradition that began in 1923.

Source: GE Lighting

Get Ready for the Holidays With Paint

2011-11-08T10:51:00.001-05:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Tim Small, retired paint and coatings salesman

If you want to change the look of your home quickly and inexpensively, consider paint. Painting a room is an excellent way to set the stage for the upcoming holidays.

Prevent surprises by doing a little homework ahead of time. If you have questions, talk with a paint professional at your local paint or home improvement store. They are a fountain of information and are pleased to share their knowledge with you.

Color selection is extremely important. A dark color will make a space seem smaller, and a light color will have the opposite effect. Also remember that a dark color will not cover as much area as a light color. Dark colors lack titanium dioxide (or white pigment), which gives paint its hiding power.

If you rub up against a dark flat surface, you will "burnish" it and it will appear shiny. You will then need to re-paint it.

According to the Paint Quality Institute, the 2012 paint palette will draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape, including blues, greens and violet.

If a neighbor has a color you've fallen in love with and they don’t have the can, all is not lost. Take a sample, which is at least the size of a quarter, to your favorite paint store and ask them to match it for you. They will use a machine, which is called a spectrophotometer, to get the formula for your color.

The spectrophotometer shines a beam of light on your color sample and takes a reading of each wavelength of light reflected off the object. The best samples are flat with no texture.

Your next step is to prepare the surface to be painted. If there are nail holes or cracks, patch them with spackling paste before sanding and priming them with a good quality latex primer.

If there is new drywall or trim, you need to prime them as well. Proper preparation and primer will make your finished job look better and last longer. Without proper preparation, you also risk voiding the paint warranty.

The latex, or acrylic, paints that are available today do a great job for just about all surfaces. If you're painting cabinets, look for a modified latex enamel, which will give you the durability of oil without all its restrictions.

Consider using satin or semi-gloss paint in high traffic areas because most of them are washable.

If doing it yourself isn’t for you, how do you hire a professional painter? Get quotes from several contractors. The quotes should be close. Cheaper isn't always better. Check references from previous clients. Talk to the people in your local paint store. Ask them who they would use to paint their house. They interact with these painters on a daily basis and know what kind of work they do.

When all is said and done, painting can dramatically change the appearance of your home for reasonable costs.

Learn How to Prune Ornamental Grasses

2011-10-12T15:51:00.000-04:00

Keep your yard in shape. Eric King shows you how to prune ornamental grasses during this three-minute video.

Learn More About the "Not So Big House" Movement

2011-09-27T13:42:00.000-04:00

Join MOSAIC Group's William Fadul Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. as he talks about the guiding principles of the "Not So Big House." The free educational program will be held in the MOSAIC showroom, located at 2358 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 300.

Here are some of the things you'll learn.

What is the philosophy behind the Not So Big House and other similar and related trends in building and remodeling? It's not just about size, nor is it just about "green."
William will discuss some of the design concepts Susanka extols in her books: ceiling height changes, multipurpose spaces, openess and light. These are not "new" ideas but are in many cases classic, yet forgotten.
He will discuss how the Not So Big House concepts can be integrated into remodeling, rather than being limited to new home design.
How can smaller actually feel bigger?
How would one go about applying Not So Big House ideas to hiring a designer, architect and remodeler?

The program is open to the public. Please R.S.V.P. to sylvia@mosaicgroupatlanta.com.

Not So Big House Principles Apply to Remodeling Projects of all Sizes

2011-09-20T13:51:00.001-04:00

William Fadul

The concept or movement of “Not So Big House” has entered the mainstream, but what is it and who started it? Well, what it is not about is tiny houses for everyone, or a creed of bad design in favor of tiny energy bills.

The No So Big House philosophy, in fact, embraces architectural style across the spectrum, and is a concept dedicated to homes of all … well, most sizes. It can be described as an anti-McMansion sort of trend, but it is much more positive than that.

This is a direction in home design and construction championed by Sarah Susanka, an architect by trade, that emphasizes the concept of home as haven, in scale and proportion to need, a welcoming, comfortable, usable place where space is used according to purpose, rooms flow together with subtle delineations -- well-built, light-filled and energy-efficient. In her words, when writing about designing her own home with her architect-husband, “We wanted our house to express the way we actually live.”

This beacon directs us as much in remodeling as it does in new construction. William Fadul, co-owner of MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers], will speak about the principles at the bedrock of Not So Big House and how they apply to remodeling projects large and small.

Open to the public at no charge, the educational program will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. at MOSAIC's office, located at 2358 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 300, Atlanta 30341. RSVP to mailto:sylvia@mosaicgroupatlanta.com or 770.670.6022.

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Wood Flooring Waste Materials Provide Heating Source

2011-09-12T10:32:00.000-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Anita Howard, communications director, National Wood Flooring Association, http://www.nwfa.org/

It has been a long-standing environmental trend that wood flooring producers use nearly all of their waste materials as an energy source for their plants. Over the years, they have used the saw dust, wood chips and other wood scraps and pulp as an energy source for boilers and other heating sources within their plants. Now, they have found a way to make these materials a useful, economical, and environmentally friendly heating source for consumers as well.

Called wood bricks, these energy efficient fuel sources are made using wood waste that is highly compressed using no glue or other additives to bind the material together. The bricks are lightweight, store easily, and do not attract bugs or other pests. In addition, they burn hotter, cleaner, and longer than traditional fire wood, making them a super-efficient, environmentally friendly heating source.

Wood bricks also are more dense than traditional fire wood. A 4-foot by 4-foot by 3-foot stack of wood bricks has the same heating capacity as a 4-foot by 4-foot by 8-foot cord of firewood, saving space, time and money. Best of all wood bricks are made using 100 percent waste materials; no trees are cut down to make them as is necessary with traditional fire wood. It is just one more way wood flooring is recycled to benefit the environment.

To learn more about the many benefits of wood flooring, visit http://www.woodfloors.org/.

The National Wood Flooring Association is a non-profit trade organization, with more than 3,200 members world-wide, dedicated to educating consumers, architects, designers, specifiers and builders in the uses and benefits of wood flooring.

Protect Your Hardwood Floors

2011-08-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Gerald Thompson, Bona's "Wood Chemist," www.MyBonaHome.com

Gerald Thompson

Hardwood floors are one of the largest investments in your home. Protect them by routinely cleaning to avoid dirt and in turn scratches and a dull finish. Using products that are safe for your floors, family and the environment will ensure beautiful hardwood floors that will last a lifetime.

Avoid using water and vinegar, soap-based cleaners, wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floors. Vinegar and water will actually dull the floor’s finish over time, while soap or wax will leave a residue. Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor, which can lead to cupping and long-term damage.
Use the proper tools to clean your floor – a mop paired with machine washable, microfiber pads for dusting and cleaning.
Frequently dry dust your hardwood floors with a microfiber dusting pad. The electrostatic action will attract dirt, which is the main cause of scratches, microparticles and common household allergens.
Wipe up all spills immediately to avoid permanent stains.
Keep pet nails trimmed.
Keep your home at normal living conditions for your area – no extremes of humidity or temperature.
Use natural rubber rug underlayments with a waffle pattern in the entry ways or high traffic areas, use felt floor protectors on furniture, and avoid high heels.
Depending on the amount of traffic in the home, we recommend polishing the floors every two to three months with our Bona Hardwood Floor Polish and sanding and refinishing approximately every three to five years.

Georgia Power's Green Energy Program

2011-08-16T10:00:00.001-04:00

MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] is deeply committed to expanding its green remodeling initiatives by promoting environmentally sustainable homes and using materials that preserve the health of our client homeowners.

Below you'll find a guest post by Georgia Power that deals with the company's Green Energy Program. If you would like to learn more about MOSAIC's commitment to green building, please give us a call at 770.670.6022.

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Mike Walters, Green Energy Support, Georgia Power, www.georgiapower.com

Green energy is electricity produced in an environmentally friendly manner from renewable resources like the sun, wind and biomass. Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished and produce zero emissions. Georgia Power customers who wish to support and foster the growth of renewable energy have two primary options to do so.

First, you can purchase and install your own renewable energy generation. For example, one could install solar panels on the roof of his or her home or business. The energy generated from the solar panels could then be used to either offset the energy that particular home or business uses, or it could be sold back (either as excess generation or in its entirety) to the utility and placed on the electric grid.

Second, you can purchase green energy from your utility provider. For example, Georgia Power offers a voluntary Green Energy Program where customers can elect to purchase green energy in 100 kWh blocks for a 12-month period. This option allows individuals to support green energy while avoiding the high capital costs associated with owning your own renewable energy generation system.

To learn more about Georgia Power’s Green Energy Program and how you can purchase green energy or sell green energy back to the company, please visit http://www.georgiapower.com/earthcents/green/home.asp.

"Cellar Secrets With MOSAIC Atlanta and pH Wine Academy"

2011-07-29T16:21:00.001-04:00

You’ve started collecting wine and are ready to make the leap to proper storage. But what does that mean? Join us Wednesday, Aug. 24, for a relaxing hour, sip some wine, and find out all you need to know to protect your investment.

Maggie Meroney, CSW, FWS, from pH Wine Merchant and Academy, will bring her expertise to the MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers] showroom with this complimentary workshop from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on wine and cellaring.

MOSAIC Group is located at 2358 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 300, Atlanta 30341. R.S.V.P. to sylvia@mosaicgroupatlanta.com.

Easy Ways to go Green

2011-07-18T11:46:00.001-04:00

MOSAIC Group Guest Blogger: Morgan Zenner, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers easy ways to conserve energy and do your part to protect the world’s non-renewable resources.

Here are some easy ways to reduce energy consumption:

Program your thermostat to reduce heating/cooling when you’re not home.
Cover windows with plastic sheeting during the colder months.
Unplug unused items like coffee pots, clocks, computers or TVs.
Install compact fluorescent bulbs or LED lighting that use four times less lighting and last eight times longer than regular bulbs.
Add occupancy sensors or timers to rooms to shut down lighting when no one is around.
Replace your furnace filters at least once a month.
Use low-flow faucets and insulate electric water heaters and pipes.
Wash clothes with cold water.

Going green doesn’t end there! Other ways to go green include adding insulation, replacing windows and doors, installing new HVAC systems and updating your home with energy-efficient appliances. Green remodeling reduces heating and cooling costs, improves durability and efficiency, extends the life of your home and preserves the environment.

NARI is a proud supporter of green remodeling practices and encourages remodel-ready homeowners to choose sustainable options. To learn more about green remodeling, visit http://www.greenremodeling.org/.

Selecting Window Treatments for Your Home

2011-07-05T16:27:00.000-04:00

Janice Howell, vice president of MODA Floors & Interiors, offers advice on things to consider before purchasing window treatments for your home.