Day Two! We Are Rolling…

There was an exciting vibe here today, with the economy growing the crowd is ready to take on some new projects and the atmosphere at the home expo was bustling with information for its attendees.

Demonstrations and giveaways are on hand at several vendors the attendees are here to Renew, Refresh and Restore your Home! As an interior designer I know the importance of having a good plan to follow, let our vendors help guide your project with budget as well as and idea of a time line for your project. Need help? Visit me, Designs by Michele at booth #323 I’m here to help! Come in sign up for a free Consultation!

At the Times Union Home Expo everything that you need to turn your home and garden dreams into a reality can be found under one roof. Explore hundred of vendors and exhibits, and engage with more than a 1000 experts! Remember to visit CRBRA at booth 103A and get your free ticket to the Parade of Homes!

 

 

Come on down you only have one More Day to visit the Home Expo ! If you are building or renovating you don’t want to miss our last day at the Albany Capital Center!  I look forward to meeting you!

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

Designs by Michele

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design landscape design

Building An Empire

How exciting is it to have Arena Football back in Albany! We’re looking forward to a great season with The Albany Empire football team. Starting Spring of 2018 at the Times Union Center.

Get out of the house and away from the TV, the live experience is a game changer! The AFL smacks you in the face with high-octane entertainment! Ticket prices are affordable for family fun, with 50 yard fields the touchdowns are plentiful and action is full force. The Albany Empire will have crippling hits and Hail Mary passes, you wont be disappointed!

The AFL is in the business of high scoring football, here are some of the rules:

  • Field: 85 feet wide, 50 yards long, for a faster, higher-scoring affair.
  • Goal posts: Nine feet wide with a 15-foot high crossbar.
  • Rebound nets: Kickoffs and passing plays that bounce off the nets are still in play.
  • Passing: Just like in NCAA, receivers only need one foot inbounds.
  • Punting: Not allowed. You gotta man-up and go for it on fourth down.

The team is owned and operated by a local group of business men including George Hearst 111, Dan Nolan and Ed Swyer. The local group has partnered with the ownership group of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, led by Ron Jaworski, Dick Vermeil, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans and other Philadelphia area businessmen.

Find out more about The Albany Empire at the Home Expo in Booth#238, they will be doing a promotion for attendees to win tickets to the opening night game! Stop in, bring your home expo ticket to their booth and get details to win!

 

See you Friday! Stay tuned for the start of this exciting Adventure in Styleland…

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

Designs by Michele

 

Posted by TU-Michele Uncategorized

On The Home Front – Mark Your Calendar

I’m excited to announce the Times Union Home Expo is only 3 days away! If you are a gardener, DIY’er, project lover or flea market shopper, shop at the 38th Annual Home Expo for creative ideas and connections to make those dreams a reality. Meet A-list local contractors. See the largest collection of luxury and premium kitchen, bath and building products. Find everything to build, remodel or update your home including state-of-the-art appliances, cabinets, tile & stone, windows, doors, solar and other energy saving systems.  The Times Union Home Expo will put you in touch with vendors offering a wide variety of fresh high quality, products and services.

Start your next project here, with builders and contractors that provide will the highest level of customer service you want and expect! Whatever renovation project you are starting or if you are thinking of building your next new home, you don’t want to miss this informative home show.

Be sure to ask our vendors questions and learn the ABC’s of your project! Doors open Friday February 8th at 3:00. Show attendees can find inspirations, products and get expert advice from our many vendors! Please visit Designs by Michele, I’ll be on hand at booth #323 for a free design consultation.  Maybe you need help choosing colors for a small facelift on your home, ask me questions about your impending home update. I’m here to help with design, color, furniture, lighting, window treatments and more!

Providing professional services at any stage of your remodel, an eye for every detail no matter how big or small. I’ll help you achieve the best possible outcome for your next project.

Stay tuned for more exciting Adventures in Styleland, at the Times Union Home Expo! See you Friday!

 

XOXO

 

Michele Conti

Designs By Michele

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design landscape design

The Fiery Side to Cupids Arrow

This Valentine’s Day as the temperatures drop outside, stay warm inside with some cozy fireplace inspiration. From traditional to modern, gas to wood-burning, a fireplace can add a serious cozy factor to your room and your holiday. Just imagine snuggling up to a warm fire on these frigid nights.

A fireplace is often considered an element of class and elegance. An architectural detail that makes a home feel warm and comfortable. It inevitably draws attention and serves as a focal point in the any room.

There are several designs and types of fireplaces, the classification is usually based on material as well as on design. Matchless Stove and Chimney located in booth #102 at the Times Union Home Expo will be providing information for all types of fireplaces, so you can make the right choice for your home.


If you have an existing fireplace, there are many ways you can update and change the design. Below the before and after pictures give you inspiration and ideas on how you can achieve that updated look. They completely altered the appearance by going from a traditional square firebox to a linear firebox. In this room they used rustic accents on the surround, refacing it with white ship lap and adding a thick hardwood mantel. The white wood sharply contrasting the reclaimed lumber wall and instantly making the fireplace stand out. Mounting the television above the fireplace makes this wall a true focal point.


This modern fireplace adds warmth you can enjoy from every angle in any room. A 360* view of this fireplace lets you wrap your home in warmth. You won’t have to worry about tripping on this hearth, it also provides additional seating to this room.  This design is clean, sleek and modern fitting with most transitional homes. Visit Matchless Stove and Chimney, they can help you start a fire in your home for Valentine’s Day!

Grab a good book, settle in and stay warm…

Stay tuned for more wintry days and Adventures in Styleland..
XOXO

Michele Conti
Designs by Michele

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design

Post and Beam Homes Exposed…

There’s just something to be said about the strong rustic styling that a post and beam home possess. Whether it’s because of their “old world” charm or stupendous architecture, the allure of a post and beam home cannot be escaped. Often, people dream of having a retreat home in the mountains or some other wilderness setting. With Habitat Post and Beam, you don’t have to dream about it any longer, instead, you can live it. Their timber homes are designed to be affordable so that anyone can enjoy the rustic beauty of their great architectural designs. What makes a post and beam home so affordable is the way in which they are built.

Our specialty here at Habitat is post & beam construction. The reason why they choose this method over timber framing is largely because of the affordability and turnaround time. Post & beam uses simpler connections or steel plates to connect the components. These connectors can either be exposed or hidden depending on your preference.

If exposed, they offer a great visual aspect to your post and beam home that cannot be found in timber framing. The use of prefabricated materials helps cut down on labor costs and expedites the erection of your new home. These are stark advantages over the more traditional timber frame construction. Essentially, you can have the beauty of a timber frame home in less time and for less cost. In fact, a well-built post and beam home is nearly indistinguishable from a timber framed home.

 

For more information about Post and Beam homes or about the advantages of post & beam construction, Visit Habitat Post and Beam at Booth #266. We look forward to seeing you at the 38th Annual Times Union Home Expo!

 

As Always stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

Designs By Michele

 

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design

Out With The Old

It’s a new year, and maybe this will be the year that the entryway stays tidy, the toys don’t devolve into chaos, and your clothes are always neatly folded and put away. If you’ve started with a big organizing goal, it helps to break it down into smaller steps. Lowe’s is at the Times Union Home Expo to help!  Located in booth 307, Lowe’s has several items to help get your home in shape for the new year.

Here are a few resolutions to help you organize your home in 2018.

Everything in its place:

An object can’t be organized if it’s doesn’t have a home. Designate a spot for everything, commit to keeping it there, and get your honey and kids on board too! When your organizing storage for items you use daily, pay attention to where things tend to land. If shoes and coats are always piled by the front door, embrace this trend and get a coat rack, and/or bench to corral the clutter. If magazines, catalogs and papers end up on the kitchen counter, add a pretty wicker basket so they stay in one place. It may not be your first-choice spot, but in this case, the path of least resistance will most likely lead to success.

Bring something in, Take something out

Trade new for old, but get rid of the old! Use this rule for clothes, toys, kitchen gadgets, magazines ect.  If something comes into your home, it should be replacing something else, not adding to the clutter. Resist the urge to hold onto your old jeans, shoes or coats “just in case” there’s a day when you need to wear  beat-up cloths or shoes for some reason. Encourage your children to donate toys they’ve outgrown when an influx of new stuff comes in on their birthdays or Christmas. You can only use so much stuff.

Three Month Rule

Decluttering has rules that you can follow. If you haven’t used something in 90 days, and don’t see yourself using it in the next 90 days, get rid of it. You can adjust your time limit—maybe three months is too short, so it needs to be six, or a full year, but creating a rule for yourself and sticking to it can take the guesswork out of deciding what to keep. Anytime you can make a plan to follow, your life gets easier, too.

 

End the day with a clean sweep:

Even if it means going to bed 10 minutes later, make a point to tidy every night before you go to bed, so you can wake up to an uncluttered house. That means finishing up the dishes, clear your counters, hang jackets and pick up the shoes. It doesn’t take long, especially if you do most chores ahead of your bed time. This gives you the chance to start fresh in the morning instead of waking to clutter and just adding to it the next day.

Keep Items of Beauty and Worth

Donate, this is the one thing we don’t do enough of. If you don’t truly need it in the next 30 days, pass it on! If you don’t use it or don’t like it get rid of it! Be intentional about what you keep, next time you see a book on a shelf or something in your closet that makes you feel “eh,” just put it in the donate box.

As always, stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

Designs by Michele

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design

No Secrets With This Agency

2001 Central Insurance Agency knows that remodeling your home is a big undertaking and making your dream home a reality is hard work. The CIA team are available to help support your project and make sure your confident that the project will happen safely and you’re covered in case of “mayhem”.

But before you hit the hardware store, here are some tips that can help you think through how to make your renovation plans and home insurance work together to protect your family better.

Start a file:

Save quotes, estimates, invoices and receipts to update your homeowner’s policy as well as your home inventory. Take Pictures “before” and “after” pictures will help your insurance agent update your policy. As a designer I always like to see the transformation, and show your friends and family.

Questions for your contractor:

If you’re hiring a contractor for your project, ask them for a copy of their general liability insurance certificate, as well as their property and workers compensation insurance. Just as reviews and recommendations help you feel confident that you’ve got the right team for the job, checking that they’re covered helps you relax throughout the remodeling process.


Keep Track:

As you update your home inventory keep track of additional items you’ve purchased to fill your newly remodeled space. Like appliances, antiques, art, tv’s maybe your honey has purchased a new piece of jewelry for you…

Security System

Discounts available:

Ask your 2001 agent about eligibility for discounts on your homeowner’s insurance rate due to your remodeling project. You may qualify for a discount for installing home security system or fire alarm systems.

Consider extra coverage:

Whether renovating or remodeling add extra coverage in case the unexpected occurs. Coverage for water damage, if you are removing your roof and a sudden storm occurs, or if you’ve taken up a temporary residence while your home is being renovated you can add coverage for theft or vandalism of personal property.

 

Inspired to start a new remodeling project? Need advice on how home owners insurance can help or even save you money. Be sure to check with your agent to make sure that your homeowners coverage is doing all it can to protect your hard-earned dream.

Get more valuable advice for your home when you visit 2001 Central Insurance Agency in Booth # 276 at the Time Union Home Expo!

 

Stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

XOXO

Michele Conti

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design

Renovation Financing You Can Bank On…

Well, it’s been a few days since I’ve posted here on the blog, and what better way to say hello again than to share some before and after photos.

The secret to getting a renovation just right is to do your homework!  Research is the key to getting what you want. Study magazines and books to get an idea of the look you want. Visit friends, family members and colleagues who have renovated recently. Consider your lifestyle and the needs of your family, both in the short and long term. Discuss your project with a designer or decorator for contractor recommendations.

Living Room Before
Living Room After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have a firm idea of the kind of renovation you would like to undertake, it is time to decide how you are going to pay for it. Trustco Bank is at The Home Expo to help with questions about how to finance your next project. If you are thinking of using outside funds, discuss your borrowing needs and options with Trustco Bank. You will probably find that there are many financing possibilities to consider, from personal loans and lines of credit to home equity loans and homeowner’s mortgages.

Are you planning a renovation? Times Union Home Expo is offering smart solutions for your home project! Whether you are building your dream home or simply sprucing up your present home, Home Expo 2018 has the consumer in mind!

There will be hundreds of exciting exhibits, that will display the best in home products, technology and services of every description. Visit one-on-one with builders, mortgage lenders, realtors, decorators, landscapers and more. From hardwood flooring to home theater systems, you can find the latest in product technology and design.

We look forward to seeing you at our new location, the 2018 Times Union Home Expo will be hosted exclusively at the new Albany Capital Center 55 Eagle St Albany NY 12207.

DATES & HOURS

Friday, February 9, 2018 | 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 10, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 11, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

See you Soon! Stay tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

Designs by Michele

 

Posted by TU-Michele Furniture and Design Home Design OUTDOOR

Zoom Room – Tiny Home solutions…

As the tiny house movement rages on and rising rents in New York force people into tighter living situations, one piece of furniture is seeing a resurgence, the Murphy bed. The bed originated in the early 1900’s by William Lawrence Murphy. As legend goes, he wanted to court an opera singer and lived in a one room apartment in the city, the moral code at the time frowned on a woman to entering a mans bedroom. So Mr. Murphy invented a fold up bed that let him convert his bedroom into a parlor!

But as Murphy Beds continue to gain in popularity, especially with the imaginative ways they can be incorporated into a person’s home décor, a company light years ahead in the design, called Zoom Room has arrived at the Home Expo this year. Zoom-Room was founded in 2005 to bring the remarkable German-made electronic, remote controlled, retractable Murphy Bed to North America.  With innovative products like the zoom bed, they are committed to bringing great design, smarter space saving solutions and the highest level of service and satisfaction to their customers.

Located on the first level of the Albany Capital Center, in booth 134 you can witness for your self as the Zoom-Bed floats into the room with the push of a button.  Housed in an elegant cabinet, the Zoom-Bed allows you to utilize the space in front for a flat screen TV, bookshelves, art boxes, a painting or whatever you can imagine. . If you are short on space but are looking for big design, stop at Zoom-Room and see the flexibility that a murphy bed can bring to your space.

 

See you soon! Stay tuned for more Adventures In Styleland…

 

XOXO

 

Michele Conti

Posted by TU-Michele Home Design Uncategorized

Benefits Everyone Can Agree On – Solar Energy

This is an incredibly exciting time for the solar industry as we continue to surpass major milestones. Last year, was the strongest year ever for the industry and they’ve celebrated over one million installations. With incentives, lower monthly energy bills and excellent financing options, powering your home with solar energy has never made more sense.  Hudson Solar is a New York–based, family-owned business serving upstate New York. They design and install systems for residential, commercial, agricultural and municipal/non-profit organizations.

With more reasons than ever to go solar here are a few that I thought were worth mentioning:

1, Solar is now the cheapest and most abundant energy resource in the world.

The average monthly price of solar PV modules decreased from 79¢ per peak watt in January 2017 to 52¢ per peak watt in June 2017.Lower solar panel costs contribute to a lower total cost and quicker return on investment (ROI) for solar power plants. In many states across America, and around the globe, solar power has become the cheapest source of new energy, giving electric utility companies and governments a huge reason to ditch coal and gas for a cleaner, renewable source (sunshine).

2.  Over a million solar systems have been installed in the U.S. alone.

In early 2016, the millionth solar system was installed in the U.S., notching a milestone that took 40 years for the photovoltaic industry to reach. However, the more notable story that came with this achievement is the forecasted timeline for the next million installations, which is expected to happen in the next two years. This comparison is a meaningful illustration of solar’s rapid pace as the fastest growing energy resource in the world.

3. Homeowners in the U.S, have achieved the breakeven point with solar in as short as three years.

The cost of solar has plummeted while the cost of grid electricity has continued to rise and the concept of the solar “break even point” has become more and more attractive. In 2017 most homeowners are seeing payback periods between five and eight ears and 20-year savings estimates upwards of $20,000. Some homeowners are seeing breakeven points as low as three and four years in states where utility prices are high like our home state of New York.

4. Airplanes can fly around the world while running entirely on solar energy.

Though many may be aware that solar energy can power trains, cars and even space stations, the skeptics were out when Bernard Piccard decided to fly a solar powered plane around the world with no additional power source than the sun. In early 2016 the Swiss pilot and professional explorer departed from Dhabi in an aircraft known as the Solar Impulse II making his much awaited worldwide return in July. The global flight offered numerous photo opportunities and made a statement around the world about the boundless potential of solar energy.

 

Overall these fun facts offer multiple angles on solar’s growth in the recent decade and the way it has become a legitimate competitor of fossil fuel resources in 2017. If your considering a solar system in the near future be sure to talk with Hudson Solar. They will be at the Times Union Home Expo this year located in the Albany Capital Center at 55 Eagle St. Albany NY, February 9-11, 2018. Their booth is located on the first floor booth 117. Look for the bright colors and smiling faces.

 

Stay Tuned for more Adventures in Styleland…

 

XOXO

Michele Conti

 

Posted by TU-Michele Home Design Uncategorized