Custom cabinetry… anything is possible!

Renovating your dream kitchen and using custom cabinetry opens a world of possibility. Custom cabinets are designed just for you (based on your needs), and are built to make use of every last in of space. You might not want a built-in dog bed in your island, but this really shows you anything is possible.

We work with several local custom cabinet cabinet shops and have excellent ideas for any space. Let us know how you live and cook in your space and we can create something lasting and perfect for your family.

Anything is possible when you use custom cabinetry!

Congratulations to the DUO GUESS & WIN CONTEST Winner!

Congratulations to Sandy Taylor and her family from London, Ontario for winning the Duo Guess & Win Contest at the 2012 Lifestyle Home Show! After submitting a near-perfect guess of how many job sites were marked on the map in the Duo Building booth,  Sandy has won $1,500 of professional carpentry services from Duo.  A big thanks to everyone who participated in the contest!

DUO GUESS & WIN CONTEST at the 2012 Lifestyle Home Show

Between Friday, January 27^th and Sunday, January 29^th,  enter to win $1,500* of professional carpentry services** from Duo Building Ltd. Kick start that home improvement project or finish off that lingering job with the help of a qualified expert!

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit the Duo Building booth (#169) at the Lifestyle Home Show between January 27^th and 29^th.
2. Complete a contest ballot with  your name, address, email and phone number.
3. Enter your guess for the number of Duo Building job sites on the London area map in Booth #169. The participant with the closest guess wins.

We hope to see you there and good luck!

2012 Lifestyle Home Show Details:
Location: Western Fair District, Duo Building Booth: #169
Hours:
Friday, January 27:   12pm – 9pm
Saturday, January 28:   10am – 8pm
Sunday, January 29:    11am – 5pm  

TERMS & CONDITIONS:
*The $1,500 carpentry services prize from Duo Building Ltd. is based on a $50/hour skilled labour rate; the winner will receive 30 hours of carpentry services** by a fully licensed and insured Carpenter. Cost of materials required are not included. Prize cannot be redeemed for cash or exchanged.

**Carpentry services include time spent on site performing carpentry duties, time required for travel, and any other time required off-site to facilitate the carpentry work.

Contest is open to London, Ontario residents only. One entry per person. Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. In case of multiple winners, the prize will be split accordingly. The winner will be contacted by January 31, 2012.

Join us for the Renovation Planning 101

On Sunday, January 29th, co-owner of Duo Building, Patrick Malloy, will be leading an informative Renovation Planning 101 presentation at the 2012 Lifestyle Home Show. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn time and cost-savings tips to help you confidently navigate the home renovation process. From setting your budget and project timelines to understanding your renovation contract, Patrick will be available to answer all of your reno questions.

The Renovation Planning 101 presentation will be take place on the Main Stage located in the West Annex Building on Sunday, January 29^th at 1pm.  The Duo Building team will also be available to answer any of our questions in booth #169 during the full length of the show.

Renovation Planning 101 Presentation Details:
Time: Sunday, January 29^th at 1pm
Speaker: Patrick Malloy, Co-Owner of Duo Building
Location: Lifestyle Home Show, Western Fair District, Main Stage located in the West Annex Building

The Pantry – your Kitchen’s unsung hero

In every kitchen design magazine today, we see clean open designs with a low number of upper cabinets. It seems like a magic trick that all of the kitchen tools, countertop appliances, and bulk food fit into the lower drawers leaving no visual clutter. From our experience, to actually live in a magazine kitchen most families need an organized area for the large and small. Enter the pantry…

In the latest Kitchens and Baths annual issue of Fine Homebuilding, there is a great feature on all different type’s of pantries. From walk-in to pantry closets, they cover the best storage solutions and new organizational products from kitchen hardware companies. YouPick up the current issue or read more here at their website…

As always, we have completed many kitchen & main floor renovations including pantries and can help you out with design ideas. Call or email our office to learn more at 519-434-0960.

Green Coutertops

From left to right: IceStone, Eco by Costentino, PaperStone, Bio-Glass, Ceasarstone Recycled, Squak Mountain Stone, and Teragren Bamboo (front).

Countertop materials used to be limited when looking for a green product. Just 5 years ago, it seemed that recycled-glass was the only option available (…and the colours were limited). Now, our renovation clients have a ton of options that rival the look and durability of granite or marble. In the latest issue of Dwell, a modern home magazine published in the US, they take a good look and compare the top 7 green countertop materials on the market today.

Take a look at the full review here…   dwell “counter arguments”

Like all countertop materials, green countertop materials all have their pros and cons. So how do you pick the right one? Like any renovation project you have to make a list of what you will use the space/material for. Think of this as what you need the space/material to do, and what you want the space/material to do. This may sound simple, but it requires more analysis than you think.

Are you a messy cook or have little kids that spill condiments and sauces? Selecting a material that has been pre-sealed could be of great benefit to you. Are you hard on surfaces and occasionally use knives without a cutting board? Certainly soft materials like Marble and Squak Mountain Stone are out for you. Essentially, the worst thing you can do is pick a material purely based on its aesthetics without looking at durability based on your usage.

As always, we are here to answer any questions you have about countertop materials or anything else regarding your next renovation project. Put our 30+ years experience into action and find out what materials will work the best for you, and continue to deliver well into the future.

Parade of Renovations 2011

It’s that time of year again! This Sunday, October 2nd commences the 21st annual LHBA Parade of Renovations. You might have seen our cover feature in this past Sunday’s Home Section of the London Free Press. As noted, we have participated in the Parade every year since its inception. Money raised by the Parade will be given to London’s Cancer Survivor Garden, located at the intersection of Riverside Dr. and Wonderland Rd. in McKillop Park.

Look for our two projects this year, one in Old South at 95 Baseline Rd. E, and the other in Downtown London known as Raleigh House at 639 Talbot Street (accessed at Barton Street just west of Talbot).

Project 1: 95 Baseline Road E.
Who needs a cottage when your backyard is a luxury oasis! A separated addition containing a workout room with a golf simulator is connected to the existing house by a colonnade with a coffered ceiling. This covered area bridging the main house and the addition achieves spectacular indoor-outdoor living the client was looking for.

BEFORE

AFTER: The architectural colonnade connects the new exercise room with the main house.

AFTER: The outside kitchen area with dining space for guests sits under a beatiful coffered celing.

Project 2: Raleigh House, 639 Talbot Street
The Raleigh House has just completed a breathtaking transformation from a sorority home to a private estate housing three luxury condominiums. With the renovation and grounds restoration completed, this is downtown London’s hidden jem. The project’s three condominiums are currently for sale to private owners so inquires are welcome.

BEFORE

AFTER: The rear facade of Raleigh House as it faces the Thames River below.