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Archive for the ‘Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches’ Category
Friday, August 31st, 2012
Happy Labor Day Weekend from all of us at Titus Built! Wherever you are this weekend, I hope you enjoy the unofficially marked last weekend of summer. When I was younger our family and cousins used to spend the last week-weekend on Long Beach Island, NJ soaking up the final carefree days of the season before going back to school and everyone’s busy schedule. Evenings were a bit cooler, so a bonfire on the beach with a s’mores roast was always a great way to end the night.
One way to extend this season and enjoy company outside is to expand your living area to the outdoors. A home’s living space can be extended to the backyard with swimming pools, decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces and fire pits. Below are a few styles of fire pits:
Titus Built Fire Pits
Fire pit fuels vary, but generally they are either wood or propane. Propane cannot match the beauty of the crackling of a natural wood fire, but a propane fire pit is much easier, safer and a cleaner fire. Many of our clients are opting for propane instead of wood. Below are a couple of fire pits that Titus built. Note that both of these fire pits are propane, but the fieldstone structure can be made as a wood burning pit.
Outdoor raised circular gas fire pit with fieldstone veneer on bluestone patio.
View left corner of photo – covered fire pit.
Close up of open fire pit on Ipe wood deck.
Council Rings
Jens Jensen, a Dutch-born landscape architect who immigrated to the United States in 1881, often placed a “council ring” in his designs. The council ring was embedded in the heritage of both the Vikings and the Native Americans. Jensen felt that when seating everyone at an equal height in a circle everyone could look each other in the eye and no one became the head of the table. Many parks and estates in various cities throughout the United States were the result of Jens Jensen’s genius. One of Jensen’s designs is the marvelous grounds of a Maine property called Skylands; a landscape originally designed for Edsel and Eleanor Ford and currently owned by Martha Stewart. Although the Ford’s decided not to install a council ring into the design, Martha Stewart found the original plans and had it installed:
Skylands’ landscape with fire pit on Martha Stewart’s home Mount Desert Island
Dry Stone Fire Pit
Stone is the oldest construction material known to mankind. There are ancient remaining dry stone structures scattered throughout the world from the Egyptian pyramids and the Peruvian temples to prehistoric dwellings. Below are two examples of dry stone fire pits:
Photo: Dry Stone Conservancy ~ vertical stacked blue stone www.drystone.org
Photo: Dry Stone Fire Pit
Decks, Pergolas, Patios & Screened in Porches:
Outdoor spaces continue to be a trend at Titus Built. Below are a few photos of some of our current project:
For more outdoor spaces, check out last year’s blog: Outdoor Spaces: Decks, Pergolas, Patios & Screened-in Porches.
Happy Labor Day from all of us at Titus Built!
Tags: Connecticut, Deck, Fairfield County, Fire pit, Outdoor Living, Patio, Pergolas
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Wednesday, August 1st, 2012
“When selecting a company to design and build your custom home or remodeling project, you’re hiring a partner to enhance your lifestyle and increase the value of your home. To ensure a smooth and positive experience, it is critical that you understand your partner’s vision, philosophy and values to make sure they align with your goals.” - Jeffrey A. Titus
As professional remodeling contractors in Fairfield County, Connecticut, it is important to us that we provide continuous improvement through all of our services, from Home Renovations and Remodeling projects to Architectural Design work.
- We hire and train the best individuals, subcontractors and vendors that reflect our Core Values.
- We actively solicit feedback from our clients and continually improve our processes.
- We continue to create efficient systems and use innovative products.
- We continue to improve our business methods and provide the highest level of service to our clients.
- Motto ~ “Building clients for life … one home at a time”
At Titus Built, we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by delivering excellent service and value with integrity, accountability and a positive “can do” attitude.
Last month our blog discussed a New Canaan, Connecticut family that is a prime example of our motto. We recently completed their master bathroom renovation as well as their daughter’s bathroom remodel and currently are in the progress of finishing a pergola addition for them.
Daughter’s Bathroom:
3cm Bianco Nuevo Polished (White Glass) vanity countertop with undermount sink and 4"
backsplashes.
Fixtures: aquabrass Single-hole Lavatory Faucet #77314 &
Wallmount Tub Spout # 32032 ~ www.aquabrass.com
Outdoor Addition ~ Patio, Pergola, Fireplace & Chimney, and, Built-in Masonry Outdoor Grill & Cooler Station:
Structural:
- 10” round fiberglass columns on sitting wall and on patio.
- Structural beams on top of columns.
- 2 x 8 red cedar pergola rafters (paint grade) on top of structural beams.
- 2 x 2 red cedar purlins (paint grade) on top of rafters.
Pergola Beam Detail Drawing
Exterior Trim:
- PVC trim board on sides and bottom of structural beams.
- MDO cap on top of beams.
- PVC crown molding and panel molding on both sides of beams
- Copper flashing on top of beams and columns’
Elevation Plans
Masonry:
- 18” high stone fieldstone veneer sitting walls with 2” bluestone cap (rock faced edge).
- Fireplace, including gas log set, & chimney at pergola
- Fieldstone veneer exterior
- 3” Bluestone hearth stone & mantel (rock faced)
- 2” Bluestone chimney cap (rock faced)
- Masonry grill & cooler station with fieldstone veneer to match walls & chimney.
- 2” rock-faced top with openings for gas grill and drop-in cooler.
To view the Master Bathroom Renovation, check out the blog here: Building Clients for Life … One Home at a Time
We hope you are enjoying “news that’s on the straight and level” from Titus Built. Our online community continues to grow and is a fun and immediate way to stay in touch with the latest trends and local news in home design and remodeling. Titus Built is on Twitter and Facebook and, of course, our blog.
Tags: Addition, Built-in Masonry Outdoor Grill & Cooler Station, Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Design-Build, Fairfield County, Fireplace & Chimney, New Canaan, Outdoor Living, Patio, Pergolas
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Monday, July 2nd, 2012
Existing Home before Pergola Addition
Happy July, all!
We have had several new contracts signed the last couple of weeks in June. Our Artisan Cabinetry and Millwork Shop continues to create the custom designed details that make homes one-of-a-kind. Thought I’d give you a run down on some of our new jobs:
Kitchen, Mudroom & Bath Remodel
Complete renovation of rooms including custom cabinetry and millwork. Note the stone veneer surrounding cook-top, range hood and at the end of island facing table in the kitchen.
Basement Remodel with Pub and Lounge
The basement remodel incudes windows, doors, sound proofing, lighting and electrical, HVAC as well as audio and video. Our custom millwork shop will also design, fabricate, finish and install custom cabinetry as per plan including:
- TV/Media Cabinet
- Back Bar Cabinets
- Island Cabinets
- Reading Nook
Family Room Remodel
The family room renovation includes demolition, insulation & water control, heating & cooling, electrical as well as fabrication of custom painted cabinetry and millwork as per plan including the following:
- Entertainment Center
- Window Seat w/ Built-ins on each side
- Fireplace mantel
Drawing of Fireplace and Pergola
Pergola with Fireplace and Built-in Masonry Grill & Cooler Station
Thank you to Craig & Jana, Brendan & Kristy, and Marc & Wendy of Wilton; Mike & Julie of New Canaan; as well as Joe & Dorothy of Redding, Connecticut. We look forward to making wonderful improvements to your homes.
Tags: Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Fairfield County, New Canaan, Redding, Remodel, Remodeling, Renovations, Wilton
Posted in Architectural Design & Home Renovations, Basement Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches, Thank You! | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011
It’s always a pleasure for us when a client requests us to update the exterior of their home. The renovation gives us the opportunity to bring the existing home up to date with 21st Century style, comfort and greater energy efficiency.
One of our clients in New Canaan, CT wanted us to give their home an exterior facelift as well as expand their kitchen and other smaller projects to meet their current family needs. The home renovation took us approximately eight months to complete, but both the clients and the Titus Built Team are very pleased with the outcome and would like to share some of these photos with you.
New Canaan Exterior Renovation Front Before Remodel
New Canaan, CT Exterior Renovation of Front After Remodel
New Canaan, CT Home After Exterior Renovation – Rear of House
New Canaan, CT Home Before Exterior Renovation - Side View of House
Before and After of Exterior Renovation - Rear of House
French Doors Before Wood-Shingled Overhang
French Doors After Wood-Shingled Overhang
Hope you’ve enjoyed previewing the photos as much as we have remodeling the home. To see previous blogs on this home renovation, please view: Transformation of a New England Style Home with 21st Century Embellishments: http://bit.ly/lqooXE
Stay tuned for update of the interior renovation of this New Canaan, Connecticut Residence!
Tags: Addition, Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Design-Build, Fairfield County, Improving Functionality, New Canaan
Posted in Architectural Design & Home Renovations, Exterior Remodeling, Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches | No Comments »
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Expand your home to embrace outdoor living
Labor Day is around the corner and a new season is about to begin. Many of us have just returned from our summer family vacations and the children are back in school. As we look forward to autumn we want to cherish memories of time shared with our family and friends during the summer and find ways to extend those good feelings throughout the year. Expanding your living area to the outdoors this fall is the ideal way to carry the simple pleasures of entertaining at home into new spaces and seasons.
Today, there’s no reason for a backyard to be just a vast expanse of lawn. The potential for your outdoor space is more exciting than ever. Swimming pools, decks, patios and outdoor kitchens turn the average backyard barbecue into a setting for sumptuous gourmet feasts and festivities. Rustic fireplaces and hi-tech patio heaters play an important role in lengthening the comfort of the outdoors to cooler months, allowing you to share wonderful evenings roasting marshmallows and making s’mores in the fall.
Michael Kodis, author of "Ultimate Backyard", writes "If you want to raise the value of your home, start thinking about ways to add structural interest and comfort to your backyard, patio, deck, side yard – you name it." A home’s living space can be doubled by the extension of the backyard. Outdoor spaces can be places to gather together or to escape to and relax in solitude.
Successful backyard design is much more than just adding appliances and accessories. It is best approached as an overall home-design process – an extension of your home, unifying the inside with the outside.
As you begin your new adventure in backyard entertainment you will find that your friends – and your children’s friends – will all want to come and enjoy your new abode. In well-designed outdoor spaces, you can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Tags: Connecticut, Fairfield County
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Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
Proposed Drawings
Outdoor spaces continue to be a trend at Titus Built. Thank you to Greg and Gina of Wilton, Connecticut. We look forward to making wonderful improvements to your home!
Exterior of home prior to renovation
Outdoor Spaces Project: Wilton, Connecticut
- Redesign deck plus add patio, pergola, outdoor fireplace and planting beds
What better way to spend time entertaining and dining, from spring through fall, than outside with family and friends. Patios, screened-in porches and pergolas with fireplaces provide extra living space for three-season entertaining outdoors.
To read more on outdoor spaces visit: 2011 Trend at Titus Built: Patios, Pergolas and Screened-in Porches http://bit.ly/eguz1R.
Stay tuned for updates on project!
Tags: Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Darien, Decks, Design-Build, Fairfield County, Greenwich, Improving Functionality, New Canaan, Patios, Pergolas, Remodeling, Ridgefield, Update Exterior, Weston, Westport, Wilton
Posted in Exterior Remodeling, Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches, Thank You! | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
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Elevation Plans
Titus Built is busy working on several Design Concept Agreements and we thought you would like to see a few of our current projects.
How Does the Design Concept Process Work?
Clients are referred to Titus Built through many different avenues. When a potential client calls Titus Built someone is there to speak with them, ask the right questions, and then forward the information on to Jeff Titus, General Manager/Owner. Jeff believes that it is imperative a potential client meets with him to establish a good contractor/client relationship. And, therefore, Jeff personally returns the potential client’s call and meets with them at their home to discuss the project.
Once the client has met with Jeff, and they are still interested in engaging in a project with Titus Built, LLC, we provide the client with a Design Concept Agreement which includes information such as the scope of work, estimated hours and cost for the concepts. Design Concept Agreements vary from project to project depending on the scope of work.
For your assistance, we thought we would provide you with a brief overview of a Design Concept Agreement. The following are 3 examples of our typical concept design process:
The first Design Concept Agreement Project contacted us through a very much appreciated client referral:
Scope of Work:
Whole house waterfront remodel.
Rear View (Waterfront View) of Exterior before Renovation
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Rear View (Waterfront View) of Elevations
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Front View of Elevations
The next Design Concept Agreement Project is work performed for a repeat client. Thank you to our repeat clients as they are the backbone of our business!
Scope of Work:
Perform Design Concept drawings for remodeling and additions to:
Conceptual sketches will include:
- 1-2 concepts of family room
- 1-2 revision plus minor modifications
- Floor plans of each concept
- Exterior elevations
- Rough electrical plan
- Interior elevations as required
Existing Home before Renovation
Rear Elevation Options
First Floor Elevation Option
Family Room & Mudroom Built-In Elevations
Second Floor Elevation Option
Pool Patio Plan
The final Design Concept Agreement Project came to us through a Google Search for “Wilton Contractors”/Titus Built, LLC Website:
Scope of Work
Perform Design Concept drawings for remodeling and additions to:
- Enlarge existing family room by combining 2 rooms
- Investigate structural considerations
- Design & locate entertainment center, cabinets, window seats in family room including new wet bar area
- Perform furniture placement plan
- Identify finish details & moldings, coffered ceiling, mantel, etc.
- Perform electrical and lighting plan
Conceptual sketches will include:
- CAD drafted plan of existing family, living room, related basement and adjacent areas as needed
- Up to three floor plan concepts (furniture & cabinet layout)
- One revised floor plan and four interior elevations
- Molding details/sections
- Initial electrical & lighting plan
Family Room before Renovation
First Floor Elevations
Proposed Wet Bar and Family Room Mantel
Proposed Family Room Wall Elevations
For further information, please feel free to call our office at 203-834-0275 or visit the following website pages:
Our Architectural Design – Build Process http://www.titusbuilt.com/architectural-design-build.htm
Frequently Asked Questions http://www.titusbuilt.com/faqanswers.htm#faq2
Tags: Addition, Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Darien, Design Concepts, Design-Build, Energy Efficient Homes, Fairfield County, Family Room Renovation, Greenwich, Home Renovations, Improving Functionality, New Canaan, Remodel, Remodeling, Renovations, Screened Porch Renovation, Waterfront Property, Weston, Westport, Wilton
Posted in Architectural Design & Home Renovations, Exterior Remodeling, Interior Remodeling, Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches | No Comments »
Friday, April 8th, 2011
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In recent months we have seen a substantial increased interest in patios, pergolas and screened-in porches. What better way to spend time entertaining and dining, from spring through fall, than outside with family and friends. Patios, screened-in porches and pergolas with fireplaces provide extra living space for three-season entertaining outdoors.
Last fall, Titus Built was commissioned to build a Patio and Pergola for one of their clients. The catch was the majority of the project had to be complete within three weeks for an exciting large gathering for Halloween. Talk about an extreme home makeover!
Below are some construction photos showing the progress of the project:
Patio & Pergola Layout Sketch
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Patio Before Pergola Addition
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Construction of Patio & Pergola Addition
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Photos of Completed Project
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Project was completed on time and within budget. The party was a great success and many guests commented on the lovely backyard. Jeff Titus and his family were invited to attend this festive evening and had an awesome time!
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Titus Built’s proven design and building process transforms your home to meet your family’s needs today. You’ll love the home you’re in. Call us 203-834-0275 to see how we can help.
Tags: Addition, Connecticut, Custom Millwork, Darien, Design-Build, Fairfield County, Greenwich, Improving Functionality, New Canaan, Remodeling, Ridgefield, Update Exterior, Weston, Westport, Wilton
Posted in Architectural Design & Home Renovations, Exterior Remodeling, Outdoor Spaces: Patios, Pergolas & Screened-in Porches | No Comments »
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