Aging tends to happen to us gradually, a gentle changing of perspective and priorities, but there are key moments that make it apparent we’ve aged: that one day it became difficult to read the ingredients on the soup can label, and realizing those treks up and down the stairs while doing laundry are a bit trying.

Changing eye sight can be corrected by a good optometrist, while the laundry problem is solved by a professional remodeler certified in accessible design, because the key to the laundry room is not the chore itself, but where it’s located.

In the older homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area, laundry areas are historically in the basement, which means walking the stairs multiple times to attend to the loads, and as we age that becomes a load on our knees.

Every time we go up and down the stairs with a basket of laundry it compromises our safety and our joints. It also becomes harder to hear the buzzers sound, so often our clothes sit too long in the washer or dryer. You can eliminate all these hassles by relocating the laundry room from the basement to the ground level.

This logical solution is what accessible design is all about: eliminating potential obstacles in your home by focusing on functionality and comfort.  Before you decide which location on the first floor would make the most sense for the new laundry room, contact a Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS) to assist in determining the best area for plumbing, efficiency and durability.

The goal of accessible design is to change standard features to make them more convenient for you to use. For instance, in the laundry room, the ultimate convenience is a front-loading washer and dryer mounted on a raised platform, which saves you from bending over.  If space is limited, the dryer can be mounted atop the washer, and this vertical treatment frees up more floor space.

Cabinets with a countertop at hip height makes folding clothes so much easier, and a laundry sink and ironing station can also work much better at a taller height.  All work stations in the room should be tailored to your present needs and future considerations.

A combination mud and laundry room (above) is a popular and convenient feature. By installing a ceramic tile floor to withstand moisture, and by increasing storage for jackets, shoes and personal affects, this area can quickly become the most used and highly functional place in your home.

The Mosby Building Arts accessible design project shown above brought the laundry room up from the basement into a new addition built on to the rear of the garage. One end is for laundry while the other end of the room serves as a mini-kitchen with a refrigerator, pantry, cabinets and countertop. The homeowner added a dining table, and it is now the place where she spends the most time because it connects to the garage and kitchen, has views to the backyard patio and gardens, and all the natural light makes it a pleasant place to take care of paperwork or read a book while doing her laundry.

Mosby’s Home Life Planning services will bring accessible living into the home you already love and keep it your home for a lifetime. And the Certified Aging In-Place Specialists at Mosby Building Arts elevate accessibility to the next level by emphasizing seamless style and design so that your home looks as great as it functions. To explore 50-Plus living options, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

This is a unique era in the American housing market. After the price inflation bubble burst, houses now sell for record low prices. Combined with historically low interest rates, it is tempting to take advantage of this current situation and buy a new home.

And the economic factors that created this unique housing market have left behind many foreclosed homes that now sit vacant, and the prices on those are even more tempting. If you are contemplating buying a vacant home, you need an evaluation that goes much deeper than the regular home inspection.

Beyond the Home Inspection

Did you know that home inspections for houses are not required by state law? The St. Louis Association of Realtors’ “Residential Sales Contract” simply states that a seller must allow a buyer to conduct a home inspection.  So, a home inspection typically concentrates on the issues that might affect financing and repairs, but will not look forward into the future to anticipate if this home is a good match or investment for you.

Many home purchases come with the promise of some form of repairs and remodeling to make it a home you will thrive in. There are so many financial, physical, and emotional considerations to buying a house that guidance and answers from expert home consultants are a wise investment before you sign on the dotted line.

If you’re contemplating buying an occupied home, click to learn more about “Should I Buy This House?”

Buying a Vacant Home

The home buying process gets trickier when it’s a house that has sat vacant or ignored.  Some issues are apparent, like an overgrown lawn or a musty smell from being closed up with no air circulation. But there are several major issues that need to be addressed with an evaluation.

Mold – no circulation plus unattended roof and window leaks allow moisture to penetrate the interior, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew behind the walls of the structure.

Plumbing – unused seals dry out, sewer gases back up, and if the house sat vacant through a winter, there could be cracked or burst pipes if the water was not shut off.

HVAC – the longer this sits unused the more mechanical problems pile up. Also check for vandalism from copper thieves.

Pest Infestation – From the attic to the basement, a vacant house with an overgrown yard is the perfect home for insects and varmints to live in places not immediately noticeable to the naked eye.

The rock-bottom price on a foreclosed house is only the entrance fee to further expenses. There are immediate and future repairs to make, as well as remodeling and enhancements to the interior and exterior. An ASHI home inspection is a must, as it will provide a knowledgeable overview of needed repairs.

But, would you like answers to all your repair and remodeling questions about the home?  The Mosby Building Arts Home Evaluation is a unique service that considers all the crucial aspects of buying a home.

Mosby has over 60 years of experience with the repair, maintenance and remodeling of Greater St. Louis homes. Their trained eyes analyze all facets of the house and provide you the honest answers you need to assess the immediate and future costs of turning a foreclosed house into your home.

The Mosby Home Evaluation is a valuable service because paying a small fee upfront for the answers you need can save you from making a costly mistake. To evaluate a house you’re interested in buying, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Pictured L-R: Dennis Melton, SBA; Scott & Judy Mosby, Mosby Building Arts; Jennifer Williams, Saint Louis Closet Co. & Saint Louis Cellars Food & Wine; Nicole Reynolds, End of the Rainbow Child Development Center; Joy Ann Venverloh, Lexx Funding; Louise Widermann, Project Technology Consulting; Jerry Jost, Jost Chemical Co.; Don Barnes, PeaceFrog.

On May 13^th, Scott and Judy Mosby, owners of the St. Louis architecture and remodeling firm Mosby Building Arts, accepted the Small Business Administration (SBA) award for Family-Owned Business of 2010.

Mosby is the Region VII winner of the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business award because three generations of Mosby’s have propelled the company into a multi-million dollar enterprise while cultivating productive relationships with employees, clients, and the community. As a nationally recognized Top 10 remodeler, Mosby strives to contribute to the knowledge and integrity of their industry and also give back to the community through organizations like ReBuilding Together St. Louis, which helps lower income homeowners stay in their homes.

“Our company is about helping our neighbors stay in their homes, whether career-based or volunteer-based,” says Scott Mosby. “We serve the same mission because we believe it in our bones. Our activity is congruent with our belief, consistent with our values and mission, which is ‘Make a positive difference in people’s lives everyday.’”

A video created and produced by the SBA nicely sums up the passion and commitment of Scott and Judy Mosby that results in receiving such an honor from the federal government:

At the SBA award ceremony, Scott and Judy received the official trophy (shown below) as well as a proclamation from Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan, wherein he writes:

“I believe that the prosperity of our community thrives on the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of our dedicated local business owners. Mosby Building Arts, Ltd. remains one of the area’s top full service residential remodeling companies. With a visions statement of ‘Make a positive difference in people’s lives every day’ it is no wonder your company has continued to prosper; providing the highest quality products and outstanding customer service.”

Upon receiving the award, Scott Mosby embodied the collaborative spirit of his company when he said from the podium:

“On behalf of the people that I work with and represent, you have our deep gratitude. It’s an honor to represent the richness of so many relationships that have brought us here. And to the people I’ve met through the Small Business Week, this has been an affirming, exciting and touching experience, and we thank you.”

Since the beginning of time, bodies of water soothe the soul and restore the body, which is why we continually harness the power of water for personal improvement and healing. We long for swimming and lap pools for exercise and relaxation. Hot tubs and Jacuzzis provide relaxation and therapy for sore and tired muscles. Waterfalls, gazing ponds and fish ponds encourage quiet contemplation.

From ancient Rome to modern day, we have the desire to bring pools and water features indoors so they can be used and enjoyed year-round in complete privacy and security. And with the increased understanding of the therapeutic advantages of aquatic exercise and rehabilitation, bringing pools indoors can increase the length and quality of life at your convenience.

The St. Louis metropolitan region enjoys a good 4-5 months of warm weather, which makes outdoor pools a tempting and viable option. If splashing under the summer sun is what you desire, click to learn all about outdoor swimming pools.

If you want the powerful benefits of water features all year long, indoors is the way to go. As you contemplate adding an indoor pool or spa to your home, there are several guidelines to follow to ensure that this is a successful and healthy endeavor.

An indoor spa room addition project by Mosby Building Arts.

Humidity

Having a large body of water in an enclosed space rapidly escalates the humidity levels in your home. Improperly managed humidity leads to mold, mildew, rot  and health issues, which is why proper climate control is crucial. Dehumidifiers must be installed to keep the air dry, clean and odorless. To reduce evaporation and condensation, cover the pool or tub when it’s not in use.

Vapor Barriers & Insulation

The moisture from indoor pools and water features continually seeks a way to drier air outside, and the paths of least resistance are the structure of the framing enclosure and anything attached to it. A properly installed, continuous vapor barrier around the container will keep the water where it should be.  Most indoor pools and tubs require some form of heating and cooling, so proper insulation will ensure uniform heating and keep energy costs down.

Heating & Cooling

The room with the water feature needs to be heated and cooled just as the rest of the home is, and regulating water temperature works in concert with maintaining a consistent room temperature. Keeping the room temperature 2 degrees above the water temperature will control excessive evaporation and humidity.  Indoor pools and whirlpools have little chance to gain solar heat, so must be heated year round. The energy required to run this heater – as well as the dehumidifier – should be factored into the long-term cost.

Construction by Mosby Building Arts on the underside of a whirpool.

Construction

Whether you have an existing room in mind or will build an addition for a lap pool or Jacuzzi, insure that the area can withstand the additional weight. A full hot tub can weigh thousands of pounds, and the number and weight of occupants and bystanders who will be in the area also factor in to how much support is needed. Ventilation and climate control will be a part of the room surrounding the water feature, and electrical fixtures and conduit should be rated to perform properly and safely in moist areas.

An indoor pool house project repaired by Mosby Building Arts.

Interior Finishes

A moist, warm room requires special attention to wall and floor finishes. Avoid wallpaper, as the humidity and moisture will too soon loosen the paper from the wall. Semi-gloss paint or ceramic and stone tiles work best on the walls. As to floors, ceramic or stone beautifully withstand direct contact with water while carpeting breeds mold and mildew when it gets wet. Indoor plants thrive on moisture, so consider adding them to the room to improve indoor air quality.

With proper construction, ventilation and water management, an indoor water feature can add measurable value to your home and quality of life. Because there is so much to consider with an indoor pool or water feature remodeling project, it is wise to team with Mosby Building Arts water managers, designers and carpenters to assure you have a safe, healthy and long-lasting indoor pool.

For an example of the care and experience Mosby brings to designing and building indoor water features, browse this St. Louis County spa addition. And if you would like to explore your options for an indoor pool or hot tub, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

When you want to expand your outdoor cooking beyond wheeling out the Weber, an outdoor kitchen awaits you. This remodeling project can be as simple as a grill and dining table on a concrete patio, or you can create an outdoor room with a full kitchen and a full suite of furnishings for lounging and dining. Outdoor living options are endless, so let’s consider the following areas that help determine what type of outdoor kitchen would satisfy your vision.

Creating An Outdoor Kitchen

Do you need a simple cooking area or a full kitchen? A grill and counter space are the essentials of outdoor cooking, while a refrigerator and sink make it a regulation kitchen. Adding these fixtures requires adding water and electrical hookups, and it can boost your home’s value because you’ve created a second kitchen. So, consider how long you will be in your home, and let then let your cooking and entertaining desires frame the scope of your outdoor kitchen.

Cooking Preparing meals for family and friends is the basis of an outdoor kitchen, and choices include gas or charcoal grill, or would you like a wood-burning pizza oven with a separate stove top? Should the cooking fixtures be portable or permanent? If you want an outdoor kitchen that can be rearranged or taken with you to a new home, choose a grill on wheels. If you desire is to enjoy the kitchen for years to come, then go with built-in appliances just as you would for an indoor kitchen.

Prep Area Preparing food and storing cooking utensils informs outdoor kitchen design. A simple countertop with drawers and shelves underneath may be all that’s required. For the gourmand, the plan may have the same items as the indoor kitchen: refrigerator, wine chiller, warming drawer, double sinks and plenty of countertop for multiple cooks working together. How you wish to cook and entertain is how simple or extensive the kitchen could be.

Weather-Friendly Materials Everything needs to be waterproof and low maintenance, so the materials that fill this requirement are stainless steel, enamel, red woods and teak, stone veneers, concrete and brick. For flooring, avoid slick materials like glazed ceramic tile or marble to reduce slipping, and  choose countertop materials that are durable and easy to clean, like concrete, which can be cleaned with the garden hose.

Construction An outdoor kitchen is, essentially, an outdoor room, so professional remodelers consider this project a room addition. Typically, building an outdoor room won’t disrupt household routines, which can make it a pleasurable project to undertake. This is a significant home improvement, so it is important to build to local zoning codes, follow proper building methods and obtain proper building permits. Use licensed plumbers and electricians so the space is up to code.

The kitchen can be built on an existing patio if it is in good condition and take the extra weight and use. Existing decks can also be used, but may require additional support because of the extra weight being added. Whether expanding what exists or starting from scratch, ensure that areas directly underneath grills and stoves can withstand high heat and sparks from embers that fall.

Another consideration is how many months out of the year you want to use the space. The outdoor cooking season extends into deep fall with the inclusion of gas patio heaters or a fireplace, and a gazebo or other shelter can buffer the elements.

Placement An important decision is where to place the kitchen. Placing it on level ground near existing utilities is ideal. Placing it off to the side of the yard is better than smack dab in the center, as it provides more privacy and can improve a spot in the yard that needed attention, anyway. What views you want to capture is an aesthetic consideration, as well.

An attached kitchen let’s your home’s exterior wall act as a weather buffer, and makes it easy to tap into the kitchen’s existing utilities. Ventilation for an attached kitchen is very important, as smoke-producing appliances must either be out from under roof eaves or have an exhaust system to avoid trapped smoke.

Freestanding kitchens give you more leeway with layout, space and style. For instance, most outdoor entertaining takes place in the late afternoon and early evening, so locating the area in a northern area will provide natural shade that keeps everyone cooler. Erecting a pergola, gazebo or pavilion nicely defines space and provides ample shade and protection. Wind and the elements are another key consideration; landscaping can be employed as a windbreak on the perimeter of the space.

Layout The floorplan of an outdoor kitchen follows the same principals as the indoor version. Consider the configuration and spacing of work zones for how many cooks will be attending, and allow for enough foot traffic around the cooking areas to avoid accidents.

People can gather at a counter with bar height seating to watch you cook and keep you a part of the party, or you can create separate areas for entertainment, lounging and dining. These decisions form the basis of what furniture and fixtures are needed to complete your vision. And remember to place seating so that smoke blows away from guests!

From the simple to the elaborate, an outdoor kitchen requires much coordinating and thought. The Mosby Building Arts planners and designers make it easy for you and excel at working with you to create the ultimate outdoor living experience, and the Mosby carpenters will bring these visions to life. Browse examples of Mosby outdoor living projects that have improved the homeowners’ lifestyle, and when you’re ready for your own backyard oasis, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.