Spaces for Life: How to choose a countertop
By Lance McCarthy Despite all the news reports and attention surrounding the presidential elections, it looks like the zombie apocalypse isn’t happening yet (give it time). And without zombies, people will still be wanting to make their homes nicer. Here are a few options to consider when replacing your countertops. (I don’t know any zombies
Spaces for Life: Kitchen Sink 101
By Lance McCarthy Do you find your house mysterious and perplexing? I have decided to bravely serve as tour guide to the home. Each month I dedicate one of my columns to illuminating some part of the house that most people might not know much about. I thought we’ve covered everything but the kitchen sink,
Spaces for Life: Door Hardware 101
By Lance McCarthy I have decided to bravely serve as tour guide to the home. Each month I dedicate one of my columns to illuminating some part of the house that most people might not know much about. This week’s topic is door hardware. I know–exciting! But this is the time of year that a
Spaces for Life: What to know before choosing a designer
By Lance McCarthy When you are getting ready for a project, the most important decision you will make is in picking the team. The contractor, architect and interior designer will be crucial to getting you the space you want. I’ve talked a lot about how to pick the contractor, but I wanted to share some
Spaces for Life: How hidden agendas can hijack remodeling projects
By Lance McCarthy I heard a story recently about a young woman who was making dinner for her friends. They asked her why she cut both ends off the ham as she was preparing it. She said, “I don’t know, that’s the way my mom always prepared it.” The next day she called her mom
Spaces for Life: Communication tips to help you survive a remodeling project
By Lance McCarthy I just finished a really good marriage book by John Gottman called The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Excellent read, and I learned a lot that I hope will make me a better husband. (You’ll have to ask my wife if it is actually working). As I was reading, it occurred
Spaces for Life: Ways to work with a contractor
By Lance McCarthy There are many ways to work with a contractor that are swirling around out there in Constructionland. I thought it might be helpful to give a brief overview of those different methods. As with chess pieces or Marvel Superheroes, there are strengths and weaknesses to each type. In case you were wondering,
Spaces for Life: The Secret to a successful construction project
By Lance McCarthy My 6-year-old has been honing his comedy skills, and discovered the impatient cow joke. You know this one? ***Spoiler alert*** I’m telling the joke now… “Knock Knock” “Who’s there?” “Impatient Cow” “Impatient C–” (before the other person can say “who”) “MOO!” I consider myself a humor connisseur, and this is still
Spaces for Life: Organizing Ideas Continued…
By Lance McCarthy Last week I asked my friend Mary Ellen Vincent to write about some of the ways she uses IKEA products in her home organizing. She started her business OrganizeME around the time I was starting ReTouch, and we have enjoyed a cooperative relationship over the years. She has helped my clients prepare
Spaces for Life: Universal Design Frequently Asked Questions
By Lance McCarthy I have asked one of the other members of the ReTouch community (we have a number of companies in the construction and real estate industry that office together and work collaboratively) to write for this week, and I think you might find it interesting. Bryon Sunday owns Accessibility Remodeling, and they specialize