How to Bring Out Your Home’s Character With Trim

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How to Bring Out Your Home’s Character With Trim

New project for a new year: Add moldings and baseboards to enhance architectural style and create visual interest

Houzz Contributor. Steven Corley Randel has practiced architecture in California… More 
When it comes to architecture, details count. They also define. The places where floors, doors, ceilings and windows meet the walls are usually accompanied by trim. The way that trim is executed has refined and defined our houses throughout history. Trim adds character and flavor to a home, the way pearl buttons finish off a shirt or cinnamon completes a coffee cake. And it helps distinguish one style of architecture from another.
Project: New interior trim.

Why: Whether you want to embellish or change the character of your space, trim will give your rooms more personality and a stronger identity.

If you have a room that lacks adornment, then you have greater leeway to define the style you wish to have. Let us examine a few architectural flavors and the elements that distinguish each.

Victorian

This Boston Victorian delights with beautiful stained wood trim. The profile of each molding leaves a specific impression — notice it at the meeting of the ceiling and the wall, for example.

The diagrams that follow illustrate how different trims are used to achieve the effects that can define different styles. Variations are as numerous as the number of carpenters and architects who interpret these trims, although certain molding profiles will always be associated with certain styles.

Notice that the Victorian crown molding consists of three separate trims that, combined, create a prominent detail. Picture rails, as seen in the previous photo, are popular in this type of home as well as in Craftsman houses. The casing (the trim around the doors and windows) is also built up with two separate trims.

Shown here is a highly detailed casing with a beaded edge surrounded by a back band. The generous profile of the baseboard also has a shoe mold, which helps to cover the gap between the base and the wood floor. The plinth block acts as a termination point for the baseboard and the door casing.

Here is a detail from the preceding Victorian house. A wainscot occupies the lower part of the wall; it was created by trim and paneling.
Colonial

You may want to consider high contrast for your trim, like in this traditional-style room. It will highlight the woodwork and help to emphasize the proportions of the room.

Colonials can have a built-up crown molding similar to that in Victorians. However, notice how very different the effect is where the detail is expressed in a classical cornice with a cymatium, corona and bed mold (in descending order).

The casing also has a back band over a simpler beaded trim. The baseboard has a bead detail at the top and is finished off with a base shoe.

This photo demonstrates the effect of built-up crown molding in a ColonialGeorgian-style home. The crown molding is similar to what is shown in the previous illustration.
Craftsman

Craftsman houses are popular for their wonderful trim details. Ironically, the concept behind them originally was to modernize and simplify the traditional architectural features that preceded them.

There are broad variations in this style, but this diagram shows a combination that’s very common in Craftsman houses. Notice that the crown has the cyma found in classical architecture but is quite a bit simpler than the crown moldings of Victorian and Colonial times. Trim around doors and windows is normally very simple and flat, with eased edges, although header caps are frequently used, as shown here. The tiny trim at the base of the header and at the top of the door frame is called a stop.

Some designs have plinth blocks, as shown below, or the door trim extends straight and flush to the floor. Although there is a base shoe here, notice that the baseboard has no detail — just an eased edge.

Contemporary 

This splendid transitional contemporary house pays homage to the history of moldings. Monochromatic walls host a simple baseboard and reach to a generous cove detail. Simple ceiling tracery dignifies this room as formal.

The ceiling moldings in this room leave an indelible impression. The heaviness of the trim reminds one of Gothic architecture, which subtracted shapes from a form to achieve its effect.

When to use trim: When your rooms do not already have trim, or if the existing trim does not coordinate with the true architecture of your house.

Find your home’s style

Who to hire: Lots of people are very handy with saws and woodworking, so you may be one of the lucky ones who can do this work yourself. There are scads of how-tos on the Internet, so finding help can be rather easy.

This is also a great job for your favorite handyperson, and the labor is likely affordable. For jobs with lots of detail, paneling and casework, you’ll want to find a carpenter or contractor who has lots of experience with this type of work. Understanding classical architecture and properly executing the installation is an art form unto itself.

Cost: This is a matter of linear footage. Synthetic trims or moldings can cost less than a dollar per linear foot. Or you might prefer milled hardwoods that can be stained, which can cost several hundred dollars for lengths of several feet.

If you were to trim a small bedroom with crown molding and a more substantial baseboard, you could probably do the project for less than $500. Large rooms with custom casework will creep into the thousands of dollars, depending on the wood species and detail.

Typical project length: The complexity of the project should be taken into consideration, of course. For small rooms, trim could probably be installed in a weekend. A handyperson might take a week to do a large room that has simpler details. If you have wainscoting or paneling and have a very detailed space, the project could take a contractor a few weeks to complete.

Permit: It’s unlikely that you’ll need permits for this type of project. It’s similar to painting, in that it is finish work. If you are making electrical or plumbing changes, then you may need a permit.

Best time to do this project: Any time of year, but it would be wise to avoid construction during holidays or any other time you might have guests or need the house neat and clean. Expect minor disruptions and dust.

First step: Study the architecture of your house and what types of trim are appropriate for its style. The wrong trim is not unlike white pants after Labor Day: It might look silly.

Discover trim options on Houzz and on the Windsor One and Mouldings One websites.

DC Metro Home Prices were UP 9.6% in 2013!

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DC Metro home prices were up 9.6 percent in 2013
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POSTED ON JANUARY 10, 2014 BY COREY HART

Buyer activity in December recovers from November slump; Cumulative 2013 sales up 9.3 from 2012 total

OVERVIEW

As 2013 comes to a close, the housing market in the Washington DC Metro Region has improved relative to last year. For the 2013 calendar year, the total number of sales in the region increased 9.3 percent from the 2012 level and the median sale price increased by 9.6 percent. All jurisdictions in the region had a higher median sales price in 2013 than in 2012. In December, the region recovered from the slowdown that occurred in November due largely to the shutdown of the Federal Government. Closed sales increased 9.7 percent from last December and 18.8 percent from last month. The increase in closed sales from November does not follow typical seasonal patterns as the ten-year average month-over-month change is 5.7 percent. The increases in closed sales as compared to both last year and last month indicate that the low level of sales in November was anomalous and not part of a larger trend.

Click here to view the PDF version of this report

For the third consecutive month, active listings increased from last year, with gains in all property segments except single-family detached homes. Even with this increase, supply remains tight and is only 26.8 percent of its 2008 peak level. New listings increased 4.1 percent from last year which is the ninth consecutive month of increases for this indicator. The median sale price increased 9.0 percent as compared to December 2012, the 23rd consecutive month of year-over-year gains. In the upcoming year, it’s possible that rising interest rates and inventory may flatten some of the price growth.

CLOSED SALES

Most December sales in seven years. The number of closed sales in the Washington DC Metro Area increased 9.7 percent from last December for a total of 3,664. This is the highest December-total for sales since 2006. As compared to last month, the number of sales increased 18.8 percent, which is three times the 10-year average November-to-December change of 5.7 percent. The number of closed sales increased in all property segments as compared to this time last year. Condo properties had the sharpest increase, rising 12.9 percent from December 2012. Townhomes sales and single-family detached home sales increased 10.4 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively.

PRICES

Twenty-third consecutive month of year-over-year gains. At $391,362, the median sale price in the region is 9.0 percent, or $32,362, higher than this time last year. This is the highest December-level in six years. Condos led all property segments in median sales price growth, increasing 11.3 percent from December 2012 for a gain of $30,000. The median sales price for townhomes in the region increased 10.7, or by $37,000. The median sales price of single-family detached homes rose 7.4 percent, a gain of $33,000 from December.

The median sales price in Arlington County had the highest growth rate of the jurisdictions, increasing 14.7 percent from December 2012. Prince George’s County increased by nearly as much, rising 13.9 percent. Fairfax City was the only jurisdiction to have a year-over-year sales price decline. For the region as a whole, the median sales price in the 2013 calendar year increased to $399,900 from $365,000 for a 9.6 percent gain from 2012. All jurisdictions in the region had a higher median sales price in 2013 as compared to 2012. Among the jurisdictions, Prince George’s County had the highest growth in annual median sales price, increasing 15.9 percent from 2012.

NEW CONTRACTS

Decrease in new contracts for all property segments. There were 2,881 new contracts signed in December, 7.0 percent, or 216 contracts, fewer than this time last year. New contracts decreased 25.2 percent from last month, a steeper decline than the ten-year average November to December change of -15.6 percent. New contracts for single-family detached homes decreased the least, falling 5.0 percent from last December. New contracts for condo properties decreased 5.9 percent while new contracts for townhomes decreased 11.6 percent.

INVENTORY

Increase in active listings driven by townhome and condo properties; continued increases in new inventory.

Active listings in the DC Metro Area increased 7.4 percent from this time last year to 6,944 listings at the end of December. This is a gain of 478 listings and the third month of increases for this indicator. Despite this increase, active listings are 73.2 percent lower than their September 2007 peak. Single-family detached homes were the only property segment to have fewer listings compared to this time last year, declining 1.5 percent and bringing them to their lowest December-level in nine years. Active listings for condo properties increased 23.6 percent, or by 343 listings, from this time last year. There were 1,267 townhome listings, 18.0 percent, or 193 listings, more than last year. This is the fourth consecutive year-over year increase for both townhomes and condos.

Gains in new listings have contributed to the increase in active listings. There were 2,565 new listings in December, which is an increase of 4.1 percent from last year. This is the ninth consecutive month of growth for this indicator, evidence that sellers are becoming more confident in the market. Condo properties led all property segments in new listing growth, increasing 15.5 percent from last December. New listings of single-family detached homes increased 2.7 percent. New listings for townhomes decreased 5.4 percent from this time last year and were the only property segment to have fewer new listings than last year.

DAYS ON MARKET

Listings moved quickly. The median-days-on-market (DOM) for the month remained historically low, at 25 days, and is the lowest December-level since 2005. This marked the 23rd consecutive month with a lower median DOM than the previous year.

Half the homes sold in 2013 were on the market for 15 days or less, representing a nearly two-week improvement over the median DOM of 27 days in 2012. Five jurisdictions had a median DOM lower than the regional level for the year – Falls Church (10 days), Fairfax (11 days), Fairfax City (11 days), Arlington (12 days) and Washington, DC (13 days).

ASKING vs. SALES PRICES

Advantage: Seller. Given the competitive nature of the DC Metro market in 2013, it is not surprising that sellers received a higher percentage of asking prices at contract than in previous years. The average sales-to-original-list-price ratio was up 2.2 points, from 95.8% in 2012 to 98.0% in 2013. This was the highest annual level since 2005 for this indicator.

The District led the region with a 98.8% mark, which was 2.4 points higher than its 2012 level. Prince George’s County saw the largest increase, rising from 93.1% in 2012 to 97.6% in 2013. Every Virginia jurisdiction except for Alexandria City exceeded the regional average, while the Maryland counties were all below the regional average. Every jurisdiction in the region exceeded its 2012 level, a clear indication of a growing seller’s market.

About the RBI Metro Housing Market Update

The DC Metro Area Housing Market Update provides unique insights into the state of the current housing market by measuring the number of new pending sales, trends by home characteristics, and key indicators through the most recent month compiled directly from Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data in RBI’s proprietary database. The bulk of this report’s content is readily available, down to the ZIP code level of granularity, via interactive charts and reports offered via rbiEXPERT, a premium subscription service offered to real estate professionals interested in growing their business with the help of industry-leading and user-friendly analytics. The DC Metro Area housing market includes: Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, and Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City in Virginia.

About the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University

The Center for Regional Analysis conducts research and analytical studies on economic, fiscal, demographic, housing, and social and policy issues related to the current and future growth of the Virginia, Maryland, and DC areas. Through its range of research and programs — major economic impact studies, economic forecasts, fiscal analyses, conferences and seminars, publications, information services, and data products — the Center’s activities strengthen decision-making by businesses, governments, and institutions throughout the Greater Washington region. Visit http://cra.gmu.edu to learn more.

Lowest January inventory level for Washington DC area

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January RBI Pending Home Sales Index: Lowest January Inventory Level for Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Inventory levels continue to shrink in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area compared to years past, with only 10,095 active listings representing the lowest January level since 2005. Against this backdrop of reduced inventory, the number of contracts signed in January still managed to outpace the five-year January average by a sizable 22.0%. Foreclosed inventory is down sharply year-over-year with 67.2% fewer foreclosed properties for sale at month’s end compared to January 2011. The average sold price per square foot for foreclosed properties in January was less than half the $289 price per square foot level for traditional sales.

Contract Activity and Sales
There were 2,343 homes sold in the D.C. Metro Area in January, down 2.9% from January 2011, but 3.1% higher than the five-year January average. The townhouse market actually saw a year-over-year increase of 1.4% over January 2011, with 642 closed sales. The 1,090 detached properties sold represented a decline of 6.1% from the January 2011 level.
The 333 foreclosed property sales represented a decrease of 38.3% compared to 540 sales in January 2011 and a decline of 55.1% compared to 742 sales in January 2010. The 370 closed short sales were up 3.4% year-over-year, but accounted for only 15.8% of the sold market share. 7 out of 10 sales (70%) were traditional, not involving foreclosed or short sale properties, down slightly from a 72.8% share last month, but an improvement over January 2011 (62.8% traditional) and significantly higher than January 2010 (only 57.2% traditional).
Contract activity continues to show positive signs, with 3,802 new contracts signed in January representing a 4.6% year-over-year increase, boding well for the year’s beginning and showing evidence of increasing consumer confidence.
Inventory level remains low, though some areas see increase in new listing activity vs. January 2011.
After closing 2011 with the lowest inventory level since August 2005, listing activity resumed normal seasonal patterns with 54.1% more new listings entering the market in January compared to new listings in December (the 10-year average December to January change is +51.3%). But the 4,178 new listings still represent a 4.7% year-over-year decline and the low inventory level remains the key story of the DC Metro Area market. With 10,095 active listings representing a mere 3 months of supply against an annualized rate of 3,328 sales per month, the shortage in supply should continue to put upward pressure on pricing. The inventory level represents a 25.3% decrease compared to the 13,510 active listings at the end of January 2011.
While new listing activity was down 4.7% region-wide, 5 of the 8 jurisdictions actually saw a year-over-year increase in new listings in January: Falls Church (+100%), Fairfax City (+32%), Arlington (+11.5%), Fairfax County (+6.8%), and Washington, D.C. (1.0%). Prince George’s County saw the largest year-over-year decrease with 938 new listings representing 24.4% fewer new sellers than the 1,240 that entered the market in January 2011.
The foreclosed market share of active inventory continued to fall, with only 4.9% of active listings under foreclosure representing less than half the 11.1% share in January 2011. Although the 2,278 short sales on the active market are down 27.7% year-over-year, the 22.6% share of the market is only nominally lower than the 23.3% share in January 2011.

Pricing Remains Stable
Home prices saw a nominal 1% year-over-year decline, with a median sold price of $310,000 in January compared to $313,000 in January 2011. The average sold price, which can be more influenced by outliers at the high-end of the market, actually increased 1.4% year-over-year to 396,823. Half of the jurisdictions in the region saw a year-over-year increase in median sales price: Arlington (17.2%), Falls Church (16.6%), Alexandria (2.1%) and Fairfax County (2.1%).
The median price for detached homes in the region increased 2.9% from January 2011 to $385,898 while the median price for attached townhouse properties was down 3.2 percent to $300,000 and condo/coop prices were down 3.9% to $230,000. Foreclosed listings had a median sold price of $175,000, or 46% of the $375,000 median for traditional property sales. But the traditional median sale price was down 5.1% from January 2011 while the foreclosed median sale price represents a 6.1% increase year-over-year. The $200,000 median sale price for short sales represents a 15.3% year-over-year decrease from the $236,000 level in January 2011.
The average sold price per square foot for foreclosed properties was $142 while short sales sold for an average of $152 per square foot in January. Comparing these levels with the $289 sold price per square foot average for traditional sales underscores the importance of tracking the bank-mediated composition of the market in the year ahead.

The RBI Pending Home Sales Index™ is a two-year moving window on the housing market using new pending sales (signed contracts) and median sales price (closed sales). It provides unique insight into the state of the current housing market by measuring the number of new pending sales for each month through the most recent month. The results include new pending sales through and including November 2011. The market area includes: Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, and Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City in Virginia.

5 Glass Houses That Could Change Your Point of View

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5 Glass Houses That Could Change Your Point of View

DATE:JANUARY 16, 2014 | CATEGORY:UNIQUE HOMES | AUTHOR:

No need to hang wallpaper or a landscape painting — walls of windows let nature do the decorating in these homes. To see why homeowners are ditching drywall for glass, check out these stunning modern gems currently on the market.

Aspen, CO

300 Eagle Pines Dr, Aspen, CO
For sale: $15.75 million

Aspen, CO

This luxury mountain home in Aspen ski country truly embraces its surroundings with a magnificent great room framed by 25-foot-high walls of windows. “It is a dramatic space that is ideal for an intimate family gathering or an event of several hundred,” the listing description says. A scenic mountain view can be seen on either side of a striking stone fireplace.

Surfside, FL

1236 Biscaya Dr, Surfside, FL
For sale: $6.75 million

Surfside, FL

This Florida home takes advantage of its prime oceanfront location with walls of windows and glass doors facing the water. The home also has a private glass-edge pool, indoor and outdoor bars, a water moat and dock.

East Hampton, NY

(undisclosed address), East Hampton, NY
For sale: $6.4 million

East Hampton, NY

A minimalist design by the award-winning Bates Masi Architects, this 5-bedroom home overlooks a private bay stretching 125 feet. The home’s exterior was constructed in 2009 out of two rectangular structures integrating slate, wood and walls of glass.

Bloomfield Hills, MI

4600 Charing Cross Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI
For sale: $5.795 million

Bloomfield Hills, MI

The glory of this home can’t been seen from the driveway, but in the backyard a glowing pool is reflected off 2-story walls of windows. The cutting-edge design combines wood, steel, glass and stained concrete, “creating a symphony of warmth and interest,” according to the listing description.

Bainbridge Island, WA

12600 Madison Ave NE, Bainbridge Island, WA
For sale: $748,000

Bainbridge Island, WA

Bringing in natural light and a pristine wooded landscape, walls of glass are a standout feature of this Bainbridge Island home. Inside, an open floor plan maximizes the modern living space, creating an airy, spacious feel.

Related:

Catherine Sherman, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers real estate news, industry trends and home design. Read more of her work here.

 

Home Trends to Get Bolder in 2014

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What will be “hot” in home interiors in the New Year? Plenty of designers are offering up their predictions, and here’s one outlook from Neil Kelly Co., a remodeling firm based in Portland, Ore.

Neil Kelly Co. offers up some of the following interior design trends for 2014:

 

Embellished showers: Showers are becoming more popular than tubs, and one feature growing in popularity is the curb-less shower.

 

U-sockets: These wall plugs have two built-in USB ports to power up devices, such as iPhones, digital cameras, tablets, and more. U-sockets also have a smart sensor that allows it to automatically shut off when the device is fully charged.

 

Stand-alone bath tubs: For those home owners who still desire a bathtub, the free-standing tub is growing in demand. It takes up less space and also serves as a structural element to dress up a room.

 

Seeing blue: Bright colors are “in,” particularly cobalt blue. Expect to see it more in the new year, even in the kitchen.

 

More modest decor: The industrial modern decor look was big in 2013, but Neil Kelly Co. designers expect that style to be more “relaxed, classic, and modest” in 2014. Stone, metal, and wood will continue to be popular, but the designers expect that rounded designs with earth shades and raw metal finishes to become more prevalent in interiors in 2014.

 

More multigenerational features: More multigenerational features will be incorporated homes to help better accommodate more people living under one roof, such as aging parents and boomerang kids. For example, features like wall mounted sinks for wheelchairs, walk-in bathtubs, and motion sensing faucets are expected to grow in demand.

 

Eco-friendly cabinets: Earth-friendly cabinets that are chemical-free and do not have added formaldehyde and non-toxic glues, binders, and finishes will likely increase in popularity.

Real Estate Market Statistics for Prince William County, VA | RBI

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Real Estate Market Statistics for Prince William County, VA | RBI.

Open the attached link to see December’s stats for Prince William County.

Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS® (NVAR)

December 2013 Summary

Statistic Values YoY MoM
Total Sold Dollar Volume $800,940,601 +14.25% +23.02%
Closed Sales 1,444 +6.88% +14.79%
Median Sold Price $465,000 +8.14% +3.68%
Avg Sold Price $554,668 +6.89% +7.17%
Avg Days on Market 49 days -14.04% +22.5%
Avg Sold to Orig List Ratio 96.8% +0.18% -0.41%

Lake side

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Lake Jackson, what is to become of you? The days of the lake are many, but in recent years – its move to just a creek. Will we see the lake again, as it was in the past, or are we doom to just watch as it falls into weed beds for lake front log cabins?

Missing the days of boating on the lake, jumping from the rope swing, and the warmth of summer…

How to drink wine and pair it with the right cheese

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How to drink wine and pair it with the right cheese

I love this idea that you need to have cheese with your wine. Who decided this is a must – pairing wine with cheese? Why can’t you pair wine with say, crackers or cheetos or chips? There lots of different chips out there and a multitude of cracker favors.

As an example, with “chips,” you have salted or unsalted, BBQ, smoky bacon, lemon favor, Doritos – cool ranch, thai sweet chili, Pringles and a bunch of seasonal chips – summer chips, thin chips, fat thick chips, why can’t we pair, chips with Wine, why does the wine always need to be first? Questions to ponder….