Today was the start of a new demolition. These homeowners would like a Feng shui home which is the Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. So the 24th is the Feng shui day to begin demolition. Saying goodbye to an outdated one story concrete block home on the water allows one the opportunity to welcome a new contemporary home with all the conveniences of today in the design. We will keep you updated on the progress!
Start of a New Home
It is a bittersweet moment when an older home has outlived its time. It has been lived in and appreciated by all for many years. The current owners have lived in this vintage home for many years. Now they have decided to expand. We will always remember this old Florida A-framed house on Anna Maria. We are so excited to start building this new home with such amazing owners. They had the Australian Pines located on the property milled and the old tongue and groove ceiling carefully removed to be used as interior decor in the new house. We love that they want to keep the vintage charm and memories to bring into their new home.
The owners made sure to be here for the demo to say their goodbyes and mark a new beginning on the home they have been waiting to build.
The pilings have been set and the structure is ready to take way. Here is a video on the piling settings. We will keep everyone posted on the progress of our this new project on Anna Maria!
Sustainable Flooring
When trying to make your house more Eco-Friendly there are many different approaches you can take. One alternative that doesn't break the bank is with your flooring. Some examples are Bamboo, Cork, FSC- Certified Wood, and Natural Fiber Carpet. All ranging from $3 to $8 per square foot.
Bamboo flooring is best for bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. They are available in different colors. Main Con for this sustainable product is that it isn't a local material.
Cork is best used for Family rooms and living rooms. Not ideal for basements or bathrooms. Standing water can damage these floors.
FSC- Certified Wood best for dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens. FSC means that the wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Lastly on our list is Natural-fiber carpet which is best for bedrooms, stairs, and living rooms.
Encorporate Native Plants in your landscape
When given the choice, go native. In an article written by the Audubon Society "Why Native Plants Matter", they provided a great list of Benefits for going native. Check out some of the many great reasoning's behind native planting!
Benefits of Native Plants:
Low maintenance:
Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance.
Beauty:
Many native plants offer beautiful showy flowers, produce abundant colorful fruits and seeds, and brilliant seasonal changes in colors from the pale, thin greens of early spring, to the vibrant yellows and reds of autumn.
Healthy Places for People:
Lawns and the ubiquitous bark-mulched landscapes are notorious for requiring profuse amounts of artificial fertilizers and synthetic chemical pesticides and herbicides. The traditional suburban lawn, on average, has 10x more chemical pesticides per acre than farmland. By choosing native plants for your landscaping, you are not only helping wildlife, but you are creating a healthier place for yourself, your family, and your community.
Helping the Climate:
Landscaping with native plants can combat climate change. In addition to the reduced noise and carbon pollution from lawn mower exhaust, many native plants, especially long-living trees like oaks and maples, are effective at storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
Conserving Water:
Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water.
Wildlife
In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well. The colorful array of butterflies and moths, including the iconic monarch, the swallowtails, tortoiseshells, and beautiful blues, are all dependent on very specific native plant species. Native plants provide nectar for pollinators including hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, moths, and bats. They provide protective shelter for many mammals. The native nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these plants offer essential foods for all forms of wildlife.
http://www.audubon.org/content/why-native-plants-matter
Here are some plants native to our area of Anna Maria Island
Driveways for a more pervious lot
In Anna Maria Island and other costal communities we are having some major issues with flooding. Building codes are trying to stay up to date to help this issue. Current Building Code in Anna Maria states
"Maximum impervious surface including building coverage: 40 percent of the lot or parcel."
One issue leading to impervious yards is due to the driveway. New products and engineering has come up with multiple ways to help make your driveway more pervious without having to sacrifice appealing designs. Below are some ideas of different ways to make your driveway more permeable!
