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The new year is the great time to think about starting that project you’ve been mulling over, or maybe are in the early planning stages on your way to actualizing. Whether you are a contractor or a client hiring a team for your project, you will want to invest in the latest construction tools of the trade: computer technology and cutting-edge apps.

Technology is rapidly changing the construction industry, from design to application and management. The role of apps on a construction project range from managing a worksite to collecting bids to surveying the site with a drone.

But if you are looking to hire a contractor, what does all this fancy tech mean for you as the client?

We at Murfey Company are 100% Cloud based so that anyone on our team as well as our clients have access to the entire project at any time. This keeps you on the same page as the entire team, and Cloud based technology lets you watch the entire process of your build.

When contractors and builders work from the Cloud, communication is dramatically improved, there is a fluid and productive cross-collaboration between members of the team and the clients, and streamlining the process means time is being saved, getting you into your home sooner, or your units available for rent or sale sooner. And the longer projects get drawn out, the more that can go wrong (think weather delays or scheduling conflicts). Your time is valuable, and getting your project completed as quickly (while still as safely) as possible means that your investment can start working for you as soon as possible.

Beside the Cloud, other integral apps are ones used for project and field management, which often feature dashboards showing the real-time progress on the site. This software is ideal for managing multiple projects at a time. Some apps even claim to reduce projection costs by 4%. The best part? Many of these work even without access to Wi-Fi. Similarly, there are Cloud-based task management apps that assign work, handle reporting, and assist in note-taking and then sharing the notes with the team. Task management solution software helps crews assign work, report problems, and organizes the information in an easy-to-read form on a smart phone or tablet. If you can’t get to your project site or you have to be away on business or vacation, you don’t have to miss a thing.

Another exciting development is the use of drones to map the sites to help with 3-E modeling. A drone, coupled with its app, can give you quick and accurate data to measure distance, area, and volume. All the information is loaded to the app, which—because you also have the Cloud—will be instantaneously shared with you and the rest of the team.

At Murfey Company, our goal is to help you realize your dream of designing and building a new home or investment property. We want to make it easier for local investors in San Diego to have a say in the development of their community. Using the latest in cutting edge technology streamlines the construction process, giving you real-time answers on cost projections and logistics and keeping you involved in your own project—from the ground to the Cloud. For more information on our technology or to discuss a project, visit us at www.collinsbuild.wpengine.com.

This article was originally posted on The La Jolla Light

Hudson Americas LP sold two mixed-use office and retail buildings in La Jolla, CA for $9.15 million, or about $365 per square foot, to Murfey Company.

The four-story, beach-front property located at 6902 La Jolla Blvd. was delivered in 1964, while the adjacent two-story building at 6980 La Jolla Blvd. was delivered in 1970. Together the assets total 25,088 square feet and are located one block from Windansea Beach.

Derek Hulse of Cushman & Wakefield and Victor Krebs of Colliers International represented the seller.

Please see CoStar COMPS #4052331 for more information on this transaction.

 

This article originally appeared on costar.com

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light

You hear a lot about technological updates either coming to construction or already in use, though maybe not yet widely in use. We at Murfey Company have pushed to become 100% cloud-based, which we believe is going to be the way of the future for construction companies. What does this all mean for you? Here’s a quick rundown on what we at Murfey Company are already utilizing for your building project as well as some exciting new developments in the pipes.

Construction Management Software

Most of the data on your project is digital. Gone are the days of files and files of physical papers, which can easily be lost or at least in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now, contractors and clients have access to a complete digital management platform to both analyze and run the entire project, which means the client, contractor, and building team can monitor the project simultaneously from home, the office, and the worksite, being immediately made aware of any updates. There are many apps that help contractors communicate more fully with the clients, including everything from design to materials to bidding and billing, human resource management, inventory, and equipment.

One of these tools we already have in place at the Murfey Company is BidRancher, our own proprietary software application resource we developed in-house, which gathers and compares bids for subcontractors. As a tool, BidRancher saves time by auto-emailing follow ups to subcontractors, adds in bids they submit so you don’t have to, and creates tabs that automatically organize bids into tabs so you can easily understand and follow all the data you’re receiving.

Murfey Company is uniquely positioned in our total incorporation of cloud-based technology. We use a suite of cloud-based applications, Software as a Service (SaaS) apps, and we have built our own server in the MS Azure cloud to house the one application that isn’t SaaS.

BIM: Building Information Modeling

This is the most exciting for us. BIM is 3D computer-aided drafting, which has been used for design of cars and furniture for a while. BIM renders digital blueprints and designs, increasing efficiency, and offers a 3D view of the structure, including structural engineering, the steel work, the duct work, and the electrical and plumbing.

This is especially useful in urban infill projects but can be used for standard, single-home builds and remodels. One of the goals with urban infill projects is to take a space that no one else wanted or could do anything with or that sat vacant for years and turn it into something usable. BIM can be combined with geographic information systems (GIS) to compare the design plans of the structure with the site logistics, and any pre-existing geographical and infrastructural constraints. Some construction software apps even calculate energy usage to determine the cost of heating the structure, as well as how much natural light each part of the structure will get throughout the day.

Drones

Yes, drones are becoming a regular feature on construction sites, especially for larger projects, in order to track the progress of a job (and help better project the timeline for completion), as well as to check on site safety. Drones can also do a better job of aerially mapping the site and monitoring the build in progress. The overall purpose is to offer a way to save time and money without compromising crew safety.

At Murfey Company, we understand that to best serve the needs of our clients and the community, we need the latest in technology to improve the overall process of a building project. Our goal is to be one of the foremost-thinking construction companies and developers when it comes to technology. For more information, visit us at www.collinsbuild.wpengine.com.

This article originally appeared in The La Jolla Light

Your home is your castle, and for some people, that’s a more literal than figurative statement. People are back to reinvesting in property, and for those who want to build their life around their home, they want a castle that will stand the test of time.

Which means it’s important to get it right the first time.

First, let’s go back to discuss the buy versus build question. When planning to own a luxury home (generally considered to be a home above the 1 million price range), you want to be certain of your investment. When buying a luxury home, you can either buy a pre-owned home or something from the many posh community development projects popping up in increasing numbers throughout Southern California.

Sometimes, however, developers get what they want, but homeowners don’t necessarily get what they want. Usually developers have a good sense of what buyers want in a luxury home, yet it’s not a perfect system; personal taste varies so widely that it would be impossible to satisfy every household, even when offering 3-5 models within a development.

Homeowners have a right to be particular about their house, especially when investing a high amount. But making changes to an existing house here and there, cosmetic or structural, add up to a significant increase beyond the purchase price.

When buying a luxury home as part of a development, it’s smart investing to do your research. Make sure the developer has a clean record, and make sure you get a thorough assessment of the property by a trusted home inspector who is certified, with plenty of experience, and who has a reputation for attention to detail. You want to avoid any surprises on your final walk through or—worse—a year into ownership of your new home that should have been caught during the inspection.

The perks of custom building a luxury home

The most obvious: you get what you want when you design it yourself. You can have your floor plan custom to your tastes and needs, and all of the materials are what you want and can afford. Some older luxury homes may not have been that luxurious to begin with, but property values and location—even size—may have increased its value over the years. When this happens, there’s a good chance that the work and the style are both dated. Or, homes may have been built with quality materials but that catered to a specific trend that has already aged-out. Even shag carpet was once considered luxurious.

Here is a brief checklist to consider when building your luxury home:

  1. As with any real estate but especially with a luxury home, choose the best location, whether it’s tucked up in rolling hills or in the middle of an urban center. What is in the area? In one example from Los Angeles, there was a home going for 1.2 million that was located two doors down from a soup kitchen. If a mixed-income urban idea is what you’re going for, that’s fine, but if you have concerns about resale value and heavy foot traffic, you may want to rethink that choice. The soup kitchen isn’t going anywhere. Are there plans to update? Is the neighborhood a little rough around the edges but heading for major redevelopment, either with new housing or industry? These factors can skyrocket property values. But decide whether you prefer a busy, modern urban environment or something more secluded and quiet.
  2. Choose a builder who has experience building luxury homes. Don’t cut costs by choosing a builder with less experience, or who is used to doing small projects. Also make sure the builder is open to working with your ideas, since the whole point of the project is to get your dream home.
  3. Calculate the cost of each detail, and make sure you match the other luxury homes in that area. It’s easy to have an eye for the best materials, or relish in the perks of creating your own living space from scratch. But along the way, it is essential to keep track of all the add-ons. If you have a budget of 2 million, for instance, but you decide during the process to add heated floors, an extra bathroom with a disco, or a casita—anything not in the original plans—you can find yourself swelling the budget by hundreds of thousands or even millions dollars. If budget is no object, this is fine. One word of caution on this front, however: if you build a 20 million dollar home in a 1 million dollar neighborhood, you will have a very rough time ever reselling. If you want your 20 million dollar home, select a neighborhood that has at least a few homes with equivalent appraisal values.
  4. Functionality is the new black. Luxury homes are more attainable—there isn’t that museum-like quality that you used to see in exclusive neighborhoods twenty, thirty years ago, or in Versailles. People actually want to live in their luxury homes, to live in their living rooms. Where do you want to spend most of your time? How do you want to spend your time there? Think about what best suits you, whether it’s a kitchen island with plenty of workspace but also a bar with enough seating for the whole family or guests, or a long living room with access to the kitchen or backyard to fit a large number of people. And if you don’t want a museum but also don’t want toys of any kind lying around, consider a game room. Like watching movies? Many companies specialize in home theater design and installation, and many can even make custom fantasy theaters designed to look like the Millennium Falcon or a 1930s speakeasy. Create a design for your family and for the type of entertaining you plan to do. Also, plan for top-of-the-line appliances in your kitchen and laundry area, as those are luxury home must-haves, essential for any resale.
  5. Finally, don’t forget the security system. Luxury homeowners, especially not in gated areas, should have the peace of mind of reliable security. There are many perks to having a smart home, but the biggest conveniences are the security options that come with a smart home, such as monitoring the system from your smart device when you’re away, or setting up light timers that don’t require a lamp to be plugged into a rotary dial. As a bonus, with these smart home systems, you can also control your thermostat from anywhere, so you can check on whether you shut off your AC when running out the door to the airport, or you can turn on your AC when leaving work so you can come home to your already-cooled-off house.

If you’re ready to plan your luxury home or have questions about any part of the luxury home design and building process, contact us for expertise at www.murfeyconstruction.com.

This article originally appeared in The La Jolla Village News

Whether barbecuing, dining out, participating in or attending parades or fireworks this Fourth of July, La Jolla is the place for you. The Jewel, as the beach community is known, has all kinds of diversions to entertain on Independence Day.

Parade & festival

The iconic Bird Rock Fourth of July Parade will march down Beaumont Street in the heart of the community for the 37th consecutive year.

San Diego-based Murfey Construction, with brothers Scott and Russ Murfey, are sponsoring and coordinating this year’s homespun parade bringing the event full circle with needed volunteers and donations.

This year’s Beaumont Parade theme, “1980’s Rad BMX, Surf & Skate” will kick-off with registration at 9:15 a.m. on the holiday with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

For decades, hundreds of bikes and small floats have anchored this quintessential “small town” celebration spanning generations of La Jollans.

“The Fourth of July parade is one of the things that defines this neighborhood,” said Russ Murfey. “For us, there is the obvious personal connection to the parade, but more importantly is what it means to the community as a whole.”

Started in 1980 by Barbara and Buddy Murfey, Scott and Russ’ parents, alongside other Bird Rock parents, the parade initially consisted of just a few Bird Rock families and grew exponentially year after year, now attracting nearly 5,000 participants.

This year, in addition to the parade, there will be plenty of food and activities including carnival games and photo booths at the end of the parade route in the Methodist Church parking lot.

Despite moving full steam ahead, volunteers and donations are still needed. People interested in supporting the Bird Rock Fourth of July Parade can go to www.gofundme.com/2016birdrockparade to make an online donation.

For questions or more information, contact Russ Murfey at russ@murfeyconstruction.com.

Cove fireworks

In another annual La Jolla Fourth of July tradition, a dazzling fireworks display can be viewed free from Ellen Browning Scripps Park for the 31st consecutive year. The approximately 25-minute Cove fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.

The annual extravaganza, begun originally by La Jolla restaurateur George Hauer, is now coordinated by the La Jolla Village Merchants Association Business Improvement District. Deborah Marengo, who organized the display for a few years after Hauer stepped away, continues in that capacity.

Marengo credited LJVMA’s executive director Sheila Fortune, and civic activist and former La Jolla Town Council president Darcy Ashley, for their role in “collecting donation money that can be written off in taxes.

“They’ve been helpful getting word out (about fireworks) and keeping donors for at least five years,” said Marengo, noting all donations are important, no matter how big or small.

“We’ve had people donating $1, $10 – whatever they could afford,” Marengo said adding, “It’s really inspiring that so many people continue to donate because they’re concerned about our community and our heritage here.”

Supporting sponsors for the La Jolla Cove fireworks display are Hughes Marino, George’s at the Cove, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, Duke’s La Jolla, La Jolla Cove Suites, La Valencia Hotel, Willis Allen, Leo Loves Fireworks, J. Todd Figi, John Barbey and Steven Black.

Cautioning that La Jolla’s steadfast core group of fireworks donors “won’t be around forever,” Marengo added it’s important to continually be looking to expand the list of event supporters.

And staging fireworks, with permitting, security and other costs, only gets more expensive each year.

“When I started seven years ago the cost was about $40,000,” Marengo said. “Now it’s in the range of $50,000 to $55,000 with more security and fencing required.”

Marengo reminded fireworks attendees that Coast Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 5 p.m. on July 4.

 Independence Day dining

Just a few suggestions, out of many possible throughout the Village, for dining/fireworks viewing on July 4:

  • Brockton Villa Restaurant, 1235 Coast Blvd.: One of La Jolla’s best parties on the Fourth is at this restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. overlooking the Cove. For $75 for adults, $25 for kids 12 and under, the Independence Day special includes a full dinner buffet, appetizers, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. The holiday observance includes yard games, hourly raffle prizes, a photo station, great service and loads of fun. Attendance includes epic firework viewing all the way up the coast. For more information, call 858-454-7393.
  • The Marine Room, 2000 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla Shores: A true classic, bring your appetite to this oceanfront eatery that features, besides exquisite cuisine, a “High Tide Dinner” as the tide, quite literally, brings waves right up to the restaurant’s picture windows.
  • George’s at the Cove, 1250 Prospect St. in the Villlage: There’s almost no better place to watch fireworks than from this three-story restaurant with an outdoor patio offering unparalleled views of La Jolla Cove and holiday pyrotechnics. Call 858-454-4244.
  • Duke’s La Jolla, 1216 Prospect St. in the Village: Join this two-story, Hawaiian-inspired restaurant with outdoor dining and ocean views for the Fourth. Call 858-454-5888.
  • Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, 1270 Prospect St. in the Village: You can’t go wrong at this elegant, fine dining restaurant with a seafood and steak menu, cocktail lounge and incomparable ocean views that frequently features live jazz.
  • Nine-Ten Restaurant & Bar, 910 Prospect St. in the Village: This restaurant with chic, contemporary décor in the Grande Colonial Hotel offer inventive takes on seasonal cuisine. Call 858-964-5400.

This article originally appeared in San Diego Home/Garden

A family-friendly makeover encourages laid-back living in a casual, comfortable atmosphere

By Eva Ditler

Photography by Martin Mann

Family photographs that fill walls with happy smiles tell the tale of a La Jolla home’s interior remodel — a makeover energized by the joy of kith and kin, with an emphasis on fun and relaxation.

“Very little needed to be done on the home’s exterior,” architect Trip Bennett says. “We refined the stucco color, refinished exposed overhangs and added chimney caps to bring in a little more Spanish Colonial Revival style.”

The interiors mimicked the exterior’s formality, which was not the easy-living, dressed-for-comfort impression the homeowners desired. Closed-off, dark rooms cast a forbidding gloom. Early ’80s finishes exuded a dated, weary look. And multiple additions weren’t cohesive.

“The first discussion in the initial plan was about the chopped-up interior public spaces,” Trip says. “By reconfiguring the center section of the house, we ended up with a large family room, kitchen and dining room that connect with each other.”

Interior designer Alison Dorvillier specified the new finishes, custom cabinetry and flooring. And, Trip says, she “pulled the palette together.”

The contractor also played an integral part in actualizing a remodel that contained numerous grading difficulties. “One of the most interesting things was the challenge of working in a tight space,” Jesse Lyons of Murfey Construction says. “The house is on a corner lot on a hillside. Being able to do all this work, with the way the house sits, was one of the greatest accomplishments and achievements of this project.”

Another intriguing agenda challenge was attaining an “I’m-on-vacation” feel — which makes itself evident as soon as the rustic front doors open to reveal a sun-filled living space that looks out expansive glass doors to the backyard pool’s emerald waters. Adding fountain features and classically patterned tiles enlivened what had been a typical pool. These inclusions, along with the switch from a series of French doors to 20-foot-wide, lift-and-slide glass doors vastly improved the view.

To the living room’s east, a removed wall opens the area to a transformed kitchen/dining space. Raised ceilings add a sense of volume to what was a cramped, separate room that hadn’t inspired cooking. By stealing space from an office (now situated on the other side, between the kitchen and garage), a casual dining area sits prettily partnered with the kitchen. Both face pool views, while the window over the kitchen sink looks out toward the Pacific.

A curved staircase just beyond the dining area leads up to the master bedroom, where an ocean panorama beckons from the moment one wakes. Taking out an unneeded fireplace enlarged the master suite and added space for a his-and-her closet. A small deck just outside the bedroom was expanded, resulting in enough room to include a day bed. A retractable awning provides shade when needed.

More bedrooms, including two guestrooms and a children’s suite with twin bunk beds and a sky-blue-hued bathroom, can be found downstairs. Overnight visitors have easy access to the pool, living room and kitchen without fuss or bother should the homeowners still be upstairs enjoying their own cozy, sea-view retreat.

Also downstairs, on the other side of the hallway from the living area, two indoor play spaces stand side by side in the spot where a den and the original living room had been located.

“The homeowners repurposed what had been the living room into a formal dining room because it was the only big room they had where they could all sit together,” Trip says.

Family fun time includes lots of games and sports. In one playroom, billiards take precedence; in the other, board games win the day (but at night, when the room might be closed off, a Murphy bed can come out of hiding to accommodate an extra guest or two). Outside, a pingpong table awaits challengers.

“In the rear corner of the back yard was a two-level patio with an ocean view,” Trip says. “We raised it to the higher level to make one larger, single space, and then added a trellis with a retractable canvas system and a pingpong table for legendary family tournaments.”

Dubbed “The Eagle’s Nest,” the area, which includes a wet bar, small fridge, custom awnings and made-to-order lighting, became one of the homeowners’ favorite spots.

On the front side, a second split-level patio, also converted to a single level and also with a vista to the sea, link the game rooms to the front guest bedroom.

Visual connections between rooms and views are among the makeover’s primary assets but they travel hand-in-hand with a new, easy-going style that reminds one of the familiar and cherished.

 

This article originally appeared in the La Jolla Light.

Many residents of San Diego are now aware of Downtown’s new Pacific Gate project at Broadway and Pacific Highway, Bosa Development’s 41-story, 215-condo structure. This is a marquee project designed to crown the Pacific Gateway waterfront project, which will also include a Ritz Carlton hotel. Downtown’s planning agency, Civic San Diego, has reported there are another 63 projects in various stages of review, approval, or construction currently underway and valued at over $6.4 billion.

Residents

It is an exciting time in San Diego, but also one that asks many questions about the future identity of the city. Development has been booming along the California coast, starting with the tech boom in San Francisco, and now in Downtown Los Angeles. But that has also led to some residents being priced out of their community, or other businesses being forced to other locations, as the new million-dollar starting price for the Bosa condos will likely do.

But if you can’t afford one of the new million-dollar condos, it’s not all bad news. Now may be a good time to invest in Downtown-adjacent neighborhoods, where urban sprawl will likely attract the young, hip and diverse crowd who want to be in the proximity of a vibrant and revitalized city.

Keep in mind that the redevelopment is slated for incremental growth over the next decade, so don’t feel that you have to pack your bags just yet.

Businesses

If you’re interested in starting or moving your business, now is the best time to get into a Downtown space, before the major boom hits. As San Diego becomes more densely urbanized, the population growth will create a demand for jobs—and workspace. Most of the younger generation who either can’t afford to live in the suburbs (or don’t wish to) want to be able to walk or ride their bikes (and eventually take public transportation) to work. Tech companies are already moving into the area, as they did with San Francisco and Los Angeles. This will bring in more residents who want to live near work, and it will increase demand for restaurants and shopping that are also equally walkable. There are even planned developments slated for mixed-use spaces, similar to the in-progress renovation of the old May Company Building as the new Broadway Trade Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

Urban Infill

One of the best ways to maximize city space is to rely on urban infill projects. These projects take vacant lots or decrepit buildings and build new structures in the available space, or are projects like the Broadway Trade Center that update existing structures and maximize the space available. Urban infill projects help the city to evolve organically, showcasing the new buildings alongside the old, making the city feel more alive. We at Murfey Construction specialize in these urban infill projects and are in the process of constructing several, such as the Crest Urban Apartments.

Cities and regions are constantly shifting, and change always brings with it shares of positive and negative effects. Cities have been on the rise since the economic recession decimated suburban living across the nation, bringing more people into urban environments, and revitalizing downtown areas that had been neglected provides benefits to the entire community. The upside is that a burgeoning tax base brings in more money for public works and infrastructure, including public transportation.

If you’re thinking of building or remodeling a business, or you want to plan a multi-unit dwelling, contact us at 858.459.6865 or visit our website https://starnorthapartments.com to see samples of our urban construction.

This article originally appeared on La Jolla Light

Building and design trends can be fun to follow, and many people want to experiment with non-traditional styles in their homes. If you know what you want, then go with the trends, especially if they fit your lifestyle and you plan to stay in your home for a long time. But if you are uncertain if a trend is right for you, if it will be outdated, or if you plan to sell your house in the next few years, commit more to the tried-and-true staples over passing trends.

Some trends can be cosmetic (paint, new hardware, new window coverings), but others will require low-to-moderate construction, so be sure to consider all your options before committing to any remodel.

OUTDOOR SPACES

One of the most reliable trends is the outdoor living space. Since we live in Southern California, our climate is reliably temperate, and even our monsoons and El Niños are few and far between. Therefore, investing in outdoor construction is a long-term win. An outdoor kitchen, with built-in stove or barbecue, refrigerator, even a wine fridge, and plenty of counter space can be utilized year-round and adds instant appeal. A nice element to this is that you don’t need a huge property to have a great outdoor space, and if you have a small kitchen and aren’t ready for an indoor remodel, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect solution.

Maybe you already have a showstopper kitchen and would rather utilize the outdoors in a different way. You can create an outdoor living room with an elevated deck, or by adding a built-in fire pit. To further develop your outdoor space, consider a covering such as an arbor or a solid roof or even go as far as a semi-enclosed veranda.

If you have a large outdoor space, current trends mimic the popular resorts, including large swimming pools with multiple features such as waterfalls and fountains to in-pool seating and creative water slides.

A trend that is hot at the moment is the courtyard, both front entry and interior. This can be basic, including an enclosed space with room for a small café table and a fountain, or something larger and more elaborate, with outdoor furniture and fireplaces. A courtyard is especially recommended if you do not have space for a pool or if you plan to remove your lawn to be water-conscious and want to make a better use of the space. An entry courtyard can be beneficial too if you live on a busy street and want to cut down on noise levels, or to create a greater separation between the city and your home.

INDOOR SPACES

Game rooms and home theaters have seen the biggest surge in popularity and are relatively easy to convert to a different use in a resale. Trends range from the easily transferred billiard tables and mini refrigerators or children’s play area to fully-installed wet bars and elaborate home theaters with stadium-style seating and state-of-the-art equipment.

Like the move in backyards to mimic the resort spa, so goes the trend with bathrooms. Some homeowners may still opt for a whirlpool bath, but those wishing to be more water-wise may choose to focus on a larger shower with a seat, shelves for bath products, and even a waterfall showerhead.

A trend that once held a lot of traction in kitchen design was the built-in desk, but now most homeowners find that they value the counter space or additional storage, utilizing a room for a home office or relying on smart phones or other portable devices to take their “desk” anywhere.

Trends can be fun, but it’s important to know what best suits your lifestyle. Whether you’re considering an update to your outdoor space or a full remodel to your home, to discuss your project with experienced professionals, please visit us at https://starnorthapartments.com.

This article originally appeared on La Jolla Light

Currently designing your remodel or add-on? Looking for a way to make a dramatic change on a small scale? Sometimes the simplest solution can be to focus on your home’s lighting. More than any other architectural solution, lighting has the greatest effect on our health and well-being, whether it’s sunlight coming through the windows or the natural glow from well-placed home lighting systems. Natural light in the home can kill bacteria that collect in dark corners, especially in beach communities. Additionally, bringing natural light into your home has the added benefit of mood elevation, which also helps us increase our productivity.

Under construction?

Whether you are in the planning stages or midway through your build or remodel, you should consider how to use your home’s layout to best capture natural sunlight.

• Plan your design around large, floor-to-ceiling, or adjacent windows to make a space seem not only brighter, but larger and more open.

• The skylight is back! Many realtors note the influence of natural light from a skylight on potential buyers.

• Decide where you want to prioritize the natural light coming into your home. Do you rise with the sun? You will want east-facing bedrooms with large windows. Do you have an at-home office? Consider the placement of your desk to avoid glare on a computer screen while allowing in the maximum amount of light for your productivity.

• Do you like to read on a long couch? Over-the-shoulder lighting in the afternoon may be ideal for you; consider a wall of windows in a west-facing room.

• To bring the ambient glow into your home at night, consider a recessed ledge with LED rope lighting.

Locked into your layout?

If you can’t change the structure of your home, there are plenty of simpler options to brighten your space.

• Update heavy or dark window treatments. You may be stuck with a small room and dark furniture, but you can add instant light with different window treatments. Choose lighter prints or less-heavy fabrics, or consider shades or shutters for an update. The brighter the room, the larger it seems.

• Maximize the artificial light in your home. The first fix is to add lighting sources, such as lamps, track lighting, or recessed downlights to eliminate a room’s dark spots. The simple addition of a new light can give the allusion of adding square footage to your room, especially at night.

• Revisit your fixtures. Do you need a chandelier with more bulbs? Or a sconce with a translucent shade?

• Are your bulbs too harsh? There are many new CFLs on the market that do a better job of mimicking the soft, warm glow of traditional filament bulbs.

• If your wall space is taken up by cabinets or bookshelves, consider adding under-mount lighting, such as LED rope lighting or other task lighting, for a natural glow that can add depth to your space.

• Revolutionary in-floor light strips bring light into your space from a single source, filling an entire room with a comforting glow. They can also be used to show off architectural details to great effect.

For information on renovations that maximize your natural light and other home updates, please contact us at https://starnorthapartments.com.

This article originally appeared on La Jolla Light

It may have seemed like ages ago that our phones and cars became “smart”, and now it is time for our homes to do the same. The benefits are just too many to ignore. Nowadays, smart homes are being built from scratch, often with automation being a key design goal, but that’s not the only way to achieve a fully automated house. Smart homes are also constructed in existing homes during renovations. And not to worry if you don’t think of yourself as tech-savvy. The features are simple enough for any homeowner to use and enjoy. Here are several of the main benefits of turning your home into a smart home:

Save Money

One of the greatest benefits to having an automated home is the money you’ll save. With smart bulbs you can regulate light usage, so gone are the days of accidentally leaving lights on in unused rooms. Also, with smart thermostats, your home’s temperature can be regulated to maximize efficiency when cooling and heating. Lastly, smart homes can ensure that appliances and entertainment devices are only on when being used. A smart home more than pays for itself in what you’ll save each month in lower bills.

Added Security

Smart homes do a much better job at preventing home intrusions than the manual security systems of the past. The technology is also able to warn residents before they return home if there is a potential threat on or in the property. Cameras are able to be monitored even when you are on vacation and are also linked to the local police and fire departments. Smart smoke detectors can be made to turn on lights, unlock doors and alert the fire department all in an instant. Additionally, systems can be linked to the city’s warning system to receive advanced warnings of any natural disasters. Finally, home security can even be upgraded by the little things: traditional lock and key doorknobs can be replaced with key cards or fingerprint identification for additional safety.

Environmentally Conscious

It certainly isn’t news to anyone here in California just how precious our natural resources are. And one of the biggest things you can do to help is automate your house to maximize resource efficiency. Just as you are saving money with features previously mentioned like smart bulbs, smart thermostats, and smart appliances, you are also protecting the environment at the same time you are saving money. This benefit extends to your yards as well. Smart irrigation systems can monitor water usage to ensure water is not being wasted.

Additional Benefits

Money, energy and security are not the only benefits of a smart home:

Automated homes are also extremely beneficial for elderly care and extending independent living for many. Smart features can monitor medication, track caloric intake, call 911, and also be sure lights and appliances are not accidentally left on.

Entertainment is also taking big advantage of the technology. With home entertainment systems becoming fully automated, TV, music, and the internet can now be accessed from anywhere in the house with just a push of a button.

Making your home a smart home is also increasing its resale value. All of the automated features mentioned above are great selling points for potential buyers and will give you the edge over out-dated, conventionally-run homes.

Convenience. The simple convenience of controlling and monitoring all of your home’s systems from your phone or tablet will make your busy life that much easier. And for many features (thermostat, lighting, appliances) once you properly program them, they simply take care of themselves with no additional thought or work from you required.

To further discuss the benefits of smart home technology or to get started on your smart renovations today, please contact us at https://starnorthapartments.com.