We are excited to announce a contest at the Fall 2008 Home & Remodeling Show at the downtown St. Louis convention center.

The Mosby Solution Center returns to the show as your one-stop for all the answers and services needed to improve your home. You will get expert care and advice from the trusted Trade Partners that Mosby Building Arts uses for its remodeling and repair jobs.

Along with all this home care knowledge in one convenient spot, we introduce a chance for you to win $1,500 worth of services from one of the following companies:

Classic Carpet & Flooring

Helitech Waterproofing & Foundation Repair

Holpers Pest & Animal Solutions

Leafguard of St. Louis

Mosby Building Arts

Overhead Door of St. Louis

P & A Drywall Supply

Premier Skylights

The Sound Room

Stan-Key Plumbing Services

Streib Electric Co.

West County Heating & Cooling

Register to win at the Mosby Solution Center help desk (booth # 829) and on Sunday afternoon, October 5^th, one card will be picked at random. The winner gets a $1,500 gift certificate to redeem with one of the 12 Mosby Solution Center companies.

This is a sterling opportunity to get top-notch solutions from one of our trusted Trade Partners, and all you have to do is register to win during the Fall Home Show, October 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, 2008. See ya then!

Every year, Qualified Remodeler magazine lists the Top 500 firms in the nation. Their list for 2008 has just released, and we’re on the list at # 164.

See the entire list here.

We’re one of 6 firms from the Greater St. Louis area who made the list, which highlights that even when the economy is shaky, St. Louis homeowners are still confident about the value of improving their homes.

Our thanks to QR and all our clients who helped put us on the list!

Still life of a Mosby design planner's desk.

Scott Mosby met with a couple at their historic Central West End home in the city of St. Louis. Their home was ready for a remodeling makeover, so many topics were covered during the Consultation, including the Mosby Design-Build Process.

Educating a client on how to get exactly what they want from a remodel is one of our top priorities, and all “teachers” love a good “student.” After the meeting, the homeowner sent an e-mail to Scott asking for more details about our process.

They asked some really great questions that inspired Scott to synthesize how our design-build process benefits a homeowner who wants the most value for their remodeling dollars.

For example, the client asked about the advantage of Mosby’s process vs. getting multiple bids from general contractors. Part of Scott’s reply was:

“The lack of planning and preparation before construction begins results in many surprises, change orders, crises in the middle of the job, missed completion times, and an increasing budget due to lack of clarity. Without planning, understanding, and selections, there really is no budget or possibility of meeting a completion date. Planning enables positive performance. Lack of planning assures lack of satisfactory achievement.”

It was an honest and inspiring exchange between a homeowner and a remodeler, highlighting that it’s about building relationships and trust before building a project. You can read the homeowner’s questions and Scott Mosby’s answers by clicking here.

A rear addition brings new life to a 150-year old Illinois farmhouse.

After 140 years and 5 generations, a 2-story family farmhouse in St. Clair County, Illinois was feeling its age. While other farmers’ took over cultivating the corn fields that surround it, the great-grandson’s family used it as a rustic weekend get-away. In the spirit of adapting a 19th-century family heirloom to a 21st-century lifestyle, they came to us for an update and rear addition. A normal request turned into a compelling historical adventure for the owners and us.

Click here to see the entire project portfolio.

Two views of the new outdoor room of the farmhouse.

The basic plan was: all new systems, new windows, siding and roofing, more bathrooms (it had only one), more bedrooms (it had only 2 large ones upstairs), a fabulous kitchen and a large rear deck to thoroughly enjoy rural beauty and solitude. As we explored the owners’ desires and a thorough evaluation of the house, it became clear that this was more than a remodel - it was a total re-working of the home from the bones on out. But how does one gut renovate a cherished family home and keep its memories intact? It requires a deep knowledge of all eras of home building, respect for the home’s heritage, and the ability to “listen” to the stories revealed.

A pleasant nook in the new master bedroom in the 2nd-story addition.

Mosby project planner/designer Adrienne Morgan reconfigured floor plans in the existing space, creating a spacious 2-story rear addition that gave the house an upstairs master suite and 2 full bathrooms, and a downstairs dining room walking out to a wrap-around deck. Another goal was to salvage as much original material as possible and re-use it. With these plans, project manager Rick Henson and his crew began carefully peeling away the layers of the building down to the original wood frame. This is where the home revealed long-hidden secrets that changed the best laid plans.

One wall of the hearth room perfectly conveys the old and new of the farmhouse. The new brick fireplace is surrounded by the original brick nogging found in the walls during the remodel.

Here’s the story of our carpenters finding brick nogging in the walls. This required a quick education on what it was, why it was there and what to do about it. Because the interior and exterior were being re-built, the brick should go in order to properly insulate, but it was such a great historical find - how can we just chuck these antiques? As you can see from the photos above, an ingenious design solution was born. Plans for the hearth room wall were changed so that the old brick nogging hugs the new brick fireplace. The starting point of the home - long buried under plaster and paneling - is now fully exposed, serving as an architectural scrapbook of how it began and how it remains.

The 4th generation of the farmhouse as a toddler.

As the house was stripped down to the original wooden skeleton, our carpenters found more chapters of the story. Here’s a report on some of the things they found, and our knowledge of early building practices confirmed that the home was easily 10 years older than thought. The farmhouse is at least 150 years old, placing it squarely in the American Civil War era. Each new find was a lesson in construction history - what works eternally and what didn’t - and at times it felt as if the carpenter forefathers were working right along side them.

Mosby made an exact replica of the original front entry door.

An awe-inspiring discovery was the original framing itself. Hand-sawn from original growth Southern pine, the framing was solid, pristine and - most amazing of all - still plumb! There was virtually no shifting or settling in the bones, so we had a perfect spine to support the new body. Rick - who has extensive new home construction experience - took great pleasure in working with it because it’s so rare and infused with so much personality in comparison to the lumber used today. The original carpenters had “overbuilt” this house to last forever, so the 1860s balloon frame met every modern building technique with a strong and hearty handshake.

The handrail, scrollwork brackets and stair treads are refurbished originals. The balisters needed to be taller for modern height so are new replicas.

With each new discovery, the renovation became a personal journey for us and the family, with all of us organically altering plans to fit the emerging personality of the home. In the dining room, for instance, pre-construction drawings showed 2 large windows overlooking the rear cornfield. As new framing on the addition began, a row of 3 old trees - about as old as the house itself - was the constant backdrop and a great place to eat lunch on scorching summer days. An idea popped up: what if the dining room had 3 windows that framed each of the trees? The idea resonated deeply with everyone, new drawings were made, and now the view from the dining room is spectacular.

A 2nd floor before and after shot shows how the new addition relates to the original floor plan.

The stairwell came to epitomize the spirit of the project: harmoniously bringing the old into the fold with the new. Great-grandfather himself had built the railing and newel post, so must remain, but people are taller today, and we couldn’t compromise safety and convenience. We refurbished the handrail and newel post (adding an extension to the bottom), and made new - and taller - replicas of the spindles.

A majority of the original wood flooring was kept and supplemented with new planks of the same species only as needed. We made sure to sand lightly on the original boards to preserve a century-and-a-half of character etched into the grooves. The original bead board paneling on the kitchen ceiling was removed, refinished, and moved to its new location as wainscoting in the new 1st floor bathroom. See the bathrooms here.

The basement is cleaned up, insulated and paved for its new role as command central for the electronic and communication systems of a 21st century farmhouse.

Everyone involved did an amazing job of creating a modern home deeply connected to its rural roots; wherever one is in the home, there’s no mistaking it for a new suburban home plopped into farm country. It has every top-of the line technological innovation running quietly under the surface, and that network command central is tucked into the basement. It was quite the adventure excavating, cleaning and updating the ancient cellar, but now it is the clean and precise brain of the home, a perfect example of how this sturdy building was able and willing to embrace another new century.

See the high-tech rural kitchen here.

A backup power generator is installed to keep the home humming if the power goes out.

And the 21st century requires electricity at all times. The farmhouse is monitored remotely from the owners’ primary residence and sits in a storm plain, so a backup power generator is a necessity.

The 1st floor bathroom and bedroom entrances update the transom glass that was originally above many doors in the house. Operable transom windows were the ingenious method of getting more air and light into rooms with 12 foot ceilings.

We loved working closely with the family on this unique project, as all of us were personally invested in creating the new proto-type for a modern historical farmhouse. Experiencing all the changing seasons on quiet, unspoiled land gave us a true understanding of rural heritage, and allowed us to profoundly contribute to the story of the generations of family who came before and will come in the future. This is why we are so proud to share this story with you.

Mosby clients are safe with their choice of granite countertops.

A flurry of questions and concerns has sprung up due to a recent New York Times article on radon levels in granite countertops.

We at Mosby are committed to knowledge-guided performance, so we immediately looked for answers in anticipation of clients’ concerns.

Our first thought was: The marble industry will be all over this, as it’s in their best interest to explain or disprove this information. Sure enough, the Marble Institute of America has issued this press statement, sharing their thoughts on the issue:

“On July 24, The New York Times Home Section published an article headlined, “What’s Lurking in Your Countertop.”

Typical of stories that seek to excite, rather than inform, the article repeatedly talks about “radiation levels” without explaining what they mean. The article plays to the emotions, rather than basing its focus on scientific fact. In short, it follows the playbook used by two of the largest synthetic stone manufacturers who seek to increase their own sales by raising fears about natural stone.

For example, the piece fails to point out that repeated studies have found that granite most commonly used in home countertops is safe. Instead, it vaguely mentions one or two stones that someone deemed to be problematic, then goes on to suggest that the only solution is to remove granite from the home.

We all know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s solution for radon infiltration is venting. But that fact is also absent from the article.

We are disappointed that the New York Times has compromised the ultimate goal of sharing truth with its readers. But it is precisely because individuals and companies seek to prey on consumer fears and confusion that the Marble Institute of America is working with the independent scientific community to set standards to test granite for radon.”

For a full account of scientific and functional facts on the safety of granite countertops, click here.

Mosby Building Arts, 645 Leffingwell Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122

We have moved into our new building at 645 Leffingwell Avenue, and we love it!

For almost 15 years, our offices in downtown Kirkwood (which is now for lease) served well, accommodating our ever-expanding team of remodeling experts. But a building can only comfortably hold just so many people, and it was clear we needed a lot more room.

BEFORE: It was a combination office and storage room.

Scott and Judy Mosby found us the perfect new building less than a mile away. We’re still in Kirkwood, we have 4 times more square footage than previous, and all of us are under one roof in a clean and handsome new space.

AFTER: Now it's our showroom and selections center.

We’re ultra excited about having a showroom and selections center for our clients, a spacious new room (with an adjacent kitchen) filled with Woodharbor door and cabinetry samples. It’s a comfortable spot where our designers can spread out with homeowners and select all their decor choices, and see how each piece fits into the big picture of their remodeling project.

Chris Fischer (left) and Judy Mosby (right) during construction.

To best serve a client, it’s best to know exactly what it’s like to go through a remodel. We tackled the new office remodeling project by following the same design-build process we use to guide clients to their ultimate home, and it worked just as beautifully for us as it does for you! A round of applause goes to our very own Judy Mosby, Chris Fischer and Steve Vastine for overseeing all the on-site construction and coordination details that got us into our new home by the original deadline.

DURING: Painting done, carpet in and concrete floor sealer is drying.

The new Mosby World Headquarters required extensive space planning. The existing building was mainly warehouse space, while we needed more office space to accommodate 5 departments. Mosby planners and architects mapped out our needs on paper to make sure we had exactly the right plan before a single hammer swung.

AFTER: The same space with our Consultants in it.

We knocked down some walls, built new ones and transformed a massive space into a precisely functioning office that takes care of us now and gives us plenty of room to grow.

BEFORE: Open warehouse space.

DURING: Framing in a wall that divides warehouse from offices.

AFTER: Offices for Marketing, IT and Planning & Design.

Our new place is divided into a huge warehouse for storage and offices for the employees. The office space is both organized (individual office cubicles) and fluid. This fluidity is a great feature, as it allows us to easily change the function of a space. We have two areas that quickly convert to meeting spaces with room for projecting agendas and educational materials, thus letting us meet our goal of being a virtually paperless office.

A Mosby architect at work in his new cubicle.

Those of us in cubicles have far more storage and counter space than ever before, and easy access to each other.

DURING: Framing out the Production department.

And access is the key benefit of our new home. We can easily see and hear each other, increasing the effectiveness and pleasure of communication. It is exhilarating to see how each of us is an important link in the chain of a successful home remodel, and this openness has made us a closer-knit family.

AFTER: The Production department with dyed concrete floors.

How each department uses space was taken into consideration. For example, the production department got a dyed concrete floor so that tracking in dirt from a job site is no big deal. Or consider our Consultants, who need to constantly monitor the pulse of a project. They are out in an open area in the middle of the action, easily available to answer questions and pass on important details of a homeowners needs.

Left, the conference room. Right, the selections library in-progress.

We now have a spacious and professional conference room (with its own bathroom!), and a long hall that will become our library of books, materials and samples that our designers and architects use to give the homeowners exactly what they want.

We also finally have room to do all the things we always longed for. We now have multiple recycling stations, plenty of bathrooms and two kitchens, uniform furniture and accessories and a huge “backyard” for company BBQs.

We now have display cases for our trophies.

There’s also proper display cases for all our awards and honors. We weren’t aware of just how much we’ve accomplished in that area until it was all finally in one place.

Same as when you move from one home to another, we still have items to unpack and artwork to be hung, and enjoy discovering new facets of the building every day. And as with any remodel, we have a punch list of items to attend to, the last little details that polish off the project. We truly love our new place; it’s an inviting and professional space that meets all current and future needs, raises our spirits and productivity, and feels like a home away from home. These are the hallmarks of a successful remodel.

Congratulations to our Project Manager Dennis Shasteen who has just earned Certainteed’s 5-Star Vinyl Siding and Trim Contractor certificate.

Dennis earned their highest siding credential because he’s passed the CertainTeed and Wolverine Vinyl Siding Master Craftsman test and the Restoration Millwork Master Craftsman test in addition to the Vinyl Siding Institute’s Certified Installer course. He has the highest level of training on Certainteed exterior housing products, and as their website explains, “Only the best and brightest contractors receive this 5-Star Contractor recognition.”

Most every Friday morning, our construction team has educational seminars on the newest building technologies and how to properly use and install them. As they got deeper into learning about all the Certainteed roofing and siding products, many of our carpenters earned specialty certificates for millwork and fibercement siding.

After putting the products to the ultimate test – our clients’ homes – the final analysis is that Mosby Building Arts prefers to use Certainteed because of its quality and durability, large range of choices for the homeowner and the strong warranties that are the mark of a manufacturer confident about its product.

We require products and systems that we can rely on consistently. Surprises can be frustrating and costly for us at the time of construction and, later, for the homeowner, so we need to know all the variables, benefits and long-term dependability.

We have a number of products and lines we use consistently because we know it delivers the value we promise to you. On his KMOX Home Improvement Show, when you hear Scott Mosby recommend or refer to a product by name, you can be sure it’s met our exacting standards. Or as Scott is often heard to say: “If I wouldn’t use it for my house, it’s not going in yours!”

So, Certainteed is the newest member of the Mosby Approved Solutions, and we’ve got the certified experts, like Dennis, to insure the best results for your remodeling dollars.

This is the traditional time of year we take a vacation and leave behind an empty house. What temperature to leave the thermostat on is an important question.

Set the temperature too high and you risk mold and mildew growth along with wood furniture damage. Too low of a setting and you’re needlessly cooling an empty. What’s the best solution?

Humidity damage usually occurs above 90 degrees. If you have a traditional thermostat, leave it set between 80 – 85 degrees. This keeps a check on the utility bill while avoiding damage.

The very best solution is switching to a programmable thermostat, which automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.

With a programmable thermostat, the best pattern to follow for a vacant house is 85 degrees during daylight hours and 71 degrees from 3 a.m. – 5 a.m. The cooler temperature in the early morning removes moisture and cuts down on how often it will need to run during the heat of the day. Relative humidity will drop or remain stable as the temperature goes up.

We at Mosby Building Arts have learned from our energy auditing experiences that programmable thermostats are your best solution for these reasons:
● More convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
● Contain no mercury
● Save energy and save money on utility bills — when used properly, about $150 a year
● Better for the environment, since using less energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production

All the advantages of a programmable thermostat also make it a logical “green choice” for your home. Plus, you program it once and need never get caught forgetting to change a setting.

Whether at home or away, we also recommend some old fashioned tips to help out with your AC bills:
● Ceiling fans rotating clockwise
● Shades or blinds drawn down against direct sunlight
● Awnings or deep roof eaves atop windows facing south and west
● Trees and tall shrubs to provide shade on south and west sides
● Roof vents remove accumulated heat from the attic

To cut down on the confusion of so many systems, remote control home automation systems can help you control ceiling fans, blinds and thermostat settings. You have so many great options for controlling heat without raising your cooling bills, and our Energy Star-Certified experts can find the best energy solutions for you.  Let us help you save money while staying comfortable.

We just got our 5^th Chrysalis award, and like Tom Hanks racking up Oscars, it never gets old because it feels wonderful!

The Chrysalis is a national design award that honors the talent, creativity and professionalism in the remodeling industry. There were over 500 entries this year which were distilled down to 105 winners in 17 project categories.

We won in the Sunroom/Conservatory category. Click to see more about the project.

It’s especially sweet to be recognized for this project because the clients – Mary Lee and Charles - were exceptionally great to work with, and have an interesting angle. They are regular listeners of The KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby, and were particularly interested by one episode wherein Scott discussed the perfect remodeling timeline.

Experienced remodelers recognize the patterns that create projects that flow smoothly for both the company and the homeowner. Scott shared his hard-learned wisdom on the ideal remodeling scenario, and Mary Lee & Charles decided to take him up on it.

They began with us in the fall, hashing out design concepts, making materials and finish selections and approving final construction documents so building could begin in early winter. By planning during the fall and building during the winter, the sun room and patio was ready – as predicted – in time for the first spring BBQ.

Click here to read the clients’ thoughts on their Mosby project. They were also excited to let us know that when a neighbor’s house went up for sale, the realtor let them know that they raised the asking price because their sunroom was one of the views outside the kitchen windows of the house for sale. Meaning, their project truly did add immediate value to the neighborhood!

Our thanks to the Chrysalis judges for the award, and a hearty round of applause to Mary Lee, Charles and Mosby Project Manager Steve Wickers and his crew for a project perfectly realized.

Professional Remodeler magazine has just released their 2008 Market Leaders list, and for the 2^nd year in a row Mosby Building Arts is one of the top remodeling firms in St. Louis (see the article and list here).

This list identifies the top firms in the Top 20 American remodeling markets. The list is compiled through a combination of the magazine’s research and information provided by the ranking companies.

Of the Top 5 companies in the St. Louis market, we are the only one that concentrates purely on residential remodeling, and that has its own architectural and design department. We fill a unique niche: the go-to experts for all of a homeowner’s needs.

We’re excited about remaining a remodeling Market Leader, and will continue to concentrate on our vision and mission that inspires these kinds of results. Thank you.