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.
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 13th, 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.”
No matter how much you scrub and disinfectant, that creeping ring of grime at the base of your bathroom faucet just keeps growing. You look around your bathroom and realize, “Yes, it could all use a makeover!” Mosby Building Arts is excited to bring you The Right Bath, a bathroom remodeling process that gives you affordable design for peace of mind.
When introduced to The Right Bath, a common response is, “Well, aren’t they all the right bath?” To which Mosby responds, “You would think they are, but mostly they cover up real problems for short-term benefits. We do a bathroom remodel the right way at the right price with quality that lasts a lifetime.”
“My Bath Is Too Big a Project”
We live with our bathrooms every day, so we’re well aware of the annoyances of unsightly grime, decay, mold, rust and outdated fixtures and accessories. When we’re embarrassed for guests to see the hall bathroom or powder room, it’s time for an update.
But the very thought of a bath remodel can cause anxieties including fears of it being too expensive, too lengthy, and too inconvenient. These valid concerns are what bring some homeowners to bath-in-a-box companies who advertise fast and cheap bathroom cover-ups. Those seemingly easy solutions leave many dissatisfied clients, who become dismayed at the actual costs, the cheapness of the materials, and shoddy workmanship that soon reveals major problems that were not corrected.
Bath Remodeling Done the Right Way
The Right Bath by Mosby answers the need for an affordable, hassle-free bath remodel with long-lasting quality and beauty. Mosby’s 63 years of experience in designing and building bathrooms to be proud of is distilled into a convenient process that addresses these concerns:
Quality A bathroom is a high traffic area so fixtures must be durable as well as beautiful. Mosby provides classic Kohler fixtures and accessories at a reasonable price. These are installed by seasoned carpenters and specialists who build sustainable and healthy bathrooms. Mosby does not cut corners by covering up problems, they solve the problems once and for all.
Convenience Do you really have the time to comparison shop for contractors, fixtures and accessories? Mosby relieves the stress of decisions by being your one-stop resource. Shop at home, choosing options from design packages created by Mosby designers. Gain confidence with upfront work scopes and budgets that eliminate surprises. Get peace of mind from Mosby carpenters that obtain permits, build to code, and work in an efficient and respectful manner.
Collaboration Mosby works with you as a consultative team member, providing answers and education that guide you through the process. When completed, you will be proud of what was accomplished together as team and have a beautiful, clean bathroom from a reliable partner you can trust.
Affordability The value of doing it right the first time is far greater than the cost of a cheap, fast bath. There is no comparison between the value of The Right Bath by Mosby and a “bath-in-a-box” cover up. Consider the long-term sustainable solutions, quality and expert workmanship that Mosby brings to this comprehensive remodel, and know that you can have the bathroom you deserve at the right price.
Based on square footage, a bathroom is the most expensive room in the home to remodel. You can retain and improve the value of your home by improving it the right way. A beauty treatment is only skin deep while a solution goes to the core. You can trust Mosby Building Arts for long-term, sustainable bath solutions which are affordable, safe, healthy and beautiful.
Mosby understands Metro St. Louis homeowners’ apprehensions about investing in a bathroom remodeling project, and so removes the stress and anxiety to bring you a bathroom you can be proud of and that will bring peace of mind for years to come.
To have The Right Bath at the right price, call Mosby Building Arts at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.
Lots of stuff requires a place to put it. This is why storage is a top-of-mind need in just about every household of every size.
With a little creative direction, there are many ways to increase storage space. Adding shelving systems, installing more cabinets and buying armoires or antique chifferobes are typical options. Along with these common solutions, let’s consider what other options might maximize storage potential.
Storage Under the Stairs
Put all that square footage under a set of stairs to use as a closet. Just as important as the space to store belonging is ease of access. In the example above, Mosby designers created a unique set of folding doors that expose the entire contents under the basement stairs.
Wall of Bookcases
Floor-to-ceiling bookcases across an entire wall is the dream of many book lovers, as well as a smart way to get maximum storage while using up minimal living space. In the example shown above, the desire for more book space was answered by Mosby designers with built-in bookcases lining three walls of a home office, customized shelving heights and cabinet doors to match the homeowners needs.
Customized Closet
A Christmas tree collection brings about very special storage needs for such large objects. As part of a basement remodel, Mosby Building Arts planners configured space within an exercise room purposely designed to house trees. Behind a pair of sliding doors is a spacious Tree Closet! See more of the home with these 3 clever storage ideas.
Add Space in the Walls
Take advantage of the space between wall studs by adding recessed cabinets or niches. For the master bathroom shown above, Mosby inserted a lighted niche with glass shelves into the marble wall, creating a stylish and useful space that keeps the clean lines intact. See more photos of this master bathroom project.
Built-In Bench Seating
Built-in seating provides a place to sit without taking up valuable floor space, and it doubles as a wonderful place to store things out of sight. With the family room addition shown above, there’s bench seating with storage on both sides of the fireplace. To the right are pull-out drawers, and to the left is a clever way to disguise a pop-up TV screen (as seen in the photo inset). See more photos of this family room addition.
There are so many clever and useful ways to create more storage in every home, and we invite you to work with the space planning designers at Mosby Building Arts to explore the best organization solutions. Call the office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.
The level of detail in the painted cardboard is awe-inspiring. You can almost ehar the sound of a glass ball ornament rolling across the floor, which awakens…
…Cindy Lou Who, who is no more than 2!
Gingerbread Cube
The level of detail on this cube is overwhelming. The two ladies responsible for this candy land cut out every single piece by hand and pasted it together and up onto the house. The icing is via caulk gun.
Quite the arts & crafts accomplishment!
Old Mosby Logo Cube
Our old company logo featured a house, and one of our carpenters recreated that logo as only a builder can.
The Christmas trees are decorated with our old business cards.
And even his fish Elmo gets a hat (on the tank) and a stocking, which holds his fish food!
NASCAR Christmas
These 2 ladies sit in an extra-wide cubicle which they refer to as “the double-wide trailer.” Thus was born NASCAR Christmas. They have an actual NASCAR tire that was donated by one of our fellow employees.
Their level of cultural detail was accurate and loving. We’ve all fallen in love with Killer, the stuffed pit bull!
When it comes to the best way to heat your home, there is one option that towers above the others: split geothermal systems.
It is a superior choice because it uses no fossil fuels, is 300 – 400% more efficient than the highest-rated gas furnace, and costs less to operate over time which creates substantial savings on energy bills all year round.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency calls geothermal systems “the most energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space conditioning systems available today.” To back up that endorsement, the government is offering a federal tax credit of 30% of the installation costs for homeowners who install a geothermal system in 2009 or 2010.
How Does It Work?
Geothermal essentially means the heat from inside the earth. Unlike traditional heating systems that burn a fuel to create heat, a geothermal system collects and distributes heat that already exists naturally, with 2/3 of it being free energy from the earth right beneath your feet.
The earth absorbs and stores nearly half of the sun’s energy that hits the earth. A geothermal system taps into that free, renewable energy at a constant temperature and puts it to work in the home. The earth’s natural heat is collected in the winter by a series of pipes called a loop system. The loop carries heat to the home where it’s compressed and released to raise the inside temperature (this process is reversed in the summer).
The loop system is what powers geothermal energy, and there are 4 loop configurations available to match the needs of any new or exiting home. For instance, to retrofit an older home in an exiting neighborhood, the vertical loop is often used because it fits in where land area is limited. Certified and experienced installers can find a way to make geothermal work in most every residential situation.
How Much Do Geothermal Heating Systems Cost?
Geothermal heating systems are more expensive than traditional heating systems, but it is a one-time cost to purchase and install it with no monthly bills to the utility company to heat and cool your home. Compare that to traditional systems that require you to continually pay for fuel and maintenance after the initial purchase and install, and the long-term cost savings of geothermal becomes apparent.
With the rising price of oil, gas, and electricity, a properly installed geothermal heat pump system can literally pay for itself in only few years. Plus, the environmental benefits are tremendous: installing geothermal in a home is equivalent to removing two cars from the road or equal to planting a full acre of new trees.
When building a new home, geothermal is absolutely the way to go. When it’s time to upgrade the system of an existing home, explore all the options available for geothermal retrofit. It is important to work only with proven geothermal professionals to get the system and installation that makes it such a worthwhile investment in comfort and efficiency.
We invite you to call the Mosby office for a recommendation of the company we trust to deliver the knowledge and service needed for geothermal heating and cooling. Call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.
This time of year is so festive because we decorate our homes with twinkling lights. Inside and out, this warm glow lifts spirits and makes everything look special. Have you noticed how empty a room feels once the holiday lights come down in January? That’s because the extra lighting has disappeared, which highlights how important the proper lighting is for our spirits.
Every room needs multiple sources of light for the proper balance of productivity and mood. A single, overhead light in a room is only the starting point for the layers of light needed to boost our productivity and mood. An effective lighting master plan often includes the following types of lighting:
• Task Lighting Task lighting illuminates a specific task or work space for function and safety. Applying makeup in the bathroom, cutting vegetables in the kitchen and woodworking in the garage require proper amounts of light aimed exactly where you need it most. Recessed, lamp and pendant lighting are examples of efficient task lighting.
• Accent Lighting Illumination can be used to draw attention and set something apart from its surroundings is the intent of accent lighting. It brightens perimeters, fills in backgrounds, and highlights special objects (such as art work or architectural details). Other benefits of accent lighting is that it contributes to the overall illumination of a space, sets a mood or feel with the light, and can increase home security both indoors and outdoors.
• Convenience Lighting Safety and function are enhanced by convenience lighting when entering spaces, so we need to see clearly and immediately as we enter a space by flipping a switch. Convenience lighting may be a ceiling-mounted light fixture, or lamps connected to a wall switch, even the light that automatically comes on when opening a garage or closet door.
• Energy Efficiency Lighting costs account for about 30% of our energy use and is a smart place to increase energy savings. Dimmer switches and whole-house lighting control systems allow for more precise usage, energy conservation, extended lamp life and a welcoming feel. Low-voltage bulbs such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide high quality, warm light and last many times longer than incandescent bulbs for a fraction of conventional energy costs.
• Security Lighting Properly seeing our surroundings creates a sense of safety and security. Outdoors at night we need sidewalks and entrances to be properly lit at all times for our safety. Motion detectors can greet us and welcomes us home while also deterring vandals and burglars. Indoors, lights on timers can create the illusion of someone being home at all times. Adequate lighting throughout the home improves safety by illuminating hazards and prevents tripping and falling.
Good & Bad Lighting Design
All the effort we put into creating perfect spaces with carefully chosen paint colors, furniture and flooring can be instantly undermined by bad lighting, and brought alive with good lighting. A room with harsh lighting or that’s too bright may be just as disconcerting as a room that’s too dark. A personalized and thorough lighting plan significantly contributes to a safe, comfortable, familiar and inviting space, and is a key component of a successful remodel.
Lighting design can become overwhelming for even a do-it-yourself veteran because of all the layers of light that need to be considered. We recommend working with the design professionals at Mosby Building Arts, who are experienced in the science and intuition of well-placed lighting. Together, we will map out a master plan that addresses all the exterior and interior lighting needs of your home, and assure that it reflects your taste and style.
To explore the possibilities of lighting design, call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.
We joined with ReBuilding Together St. Louis, hundreds of local volunteers and HGTV to remodel the home of Hence Forland, and now we all come together once more to see the final results of our collaboration. Hence is a Desert Storm veteran who opens his home to homeless veterans, so it is appropriate that on Veteran’s Day we honor his dedication with the ultimate gift of transformation.
The Moolah Theatre doors open for this free event at 6 pm. The special will be broadcast on the big movie screen promptly at 7 pm. Celebrate with us and all the volunteers, veterans, and recipients involved in the restoration of the Windsor Transitional Home. This effort was a year in the making, and you can experience the first viewing of “the reveal” on HGTV with all of us. Click here for more viewing party details.
This was one of the most inspiring projects we’ve been involved with, and the sense of community pride it created remains with us always. Come share the energy and celebration at the Moolah Theatre on November 11th.
Since 1947, Mosby Building Arts has been improving the lives of Metropolitan St. Louis families. From architecture & remodeling to maintenance and repairs, all the knowledge and performance you need is under the MBA roof.
