luxury home Archives - Blackrock Construction

Retro is in … really it never went out. Some us just crave a CUTE kitchen. But retro can go belly up if you don’t know how to shop for quality vintage pieces. The line between shabby chic and just shabby is very thin.

Here, we gathered some information from the pros on how to sort the gold from the gross, and make it work in your kitchen.

Function First!

“A kitchen is like a lab for food prep.” Eddie Ross, Chef & Designer

First to “work” in your kitchen, vintage material must actually WORK. Simple right? Often we fall for the gorgeous piece that is a little off, the drawers don’t pull out easily or the shelves are rickety. Do not shy away from small issues but be honest with yourself about the quality of the piece you are dying to purchase.

In addition to functioning well, vintage kitchen items have to be durable. The kitchen see’s a lot of action. No matter how many years an antique has already survived, it has to be durable enough to survive your kitchen. The truth is many vintage materials have lasted because of fact that they were made so well. Learn how to recognize durability. For wooden pieces, check that the joints are still holding up, and the wood is still solid throughout. Pick it up, or try to, good quality tends to be heavier than bad.

“If you’re going down the vintage route, you want to celebrate wear and tear on an item,” says Kevin O’Shea, Interior Designer. “ BUT, how flawed is too flawed? If an item has a little chipping paint, fine but if you see rot or cracks that means structural damage. Move on.

You do need to consider safety when shopping vintage. Think about lead paint. Ancient wiring. Any painted item pre dating 1978 most likely contains lead-based paint. You can purchase a test kit for a song, this will be a great aide when vintage shopping.

Before vintage kitchen shopping, take detailed measurements of the area you aim to fill. Always keep a tape measure on you. Hit the shops with an open mind, be thorough, dig around, look in the back corners of the store, you never know what gems have been waiting for you.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Cleaning … everyone’s favorite topic. And those hard to reach spots, WHY? When it comes to cleaning the complicated spots in your home, do you find yourself giving up before you have even started? Here are a few tricks to mark even the most complicated and hard to reach spots ‘no biggie’ on your to do list!

The blinds. Time to channel grandma and slip on a pair of white cotton gloves. Dip the fingertips of one hand into a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar and run your fingers through each slat, re-dip as needed. Use a dryer sheet to dry and voila! As an added bonus the residue on the dryer sheet will help repel dust in the future.

The ceiling fan. First make sure it is OFF and everyone in the house knows to keep it that way. Cover the floor below the fan with an old sheet or drop cloth. Fill a spray bottle with water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and spritz generously into an old pillowcase. Use a ladder to reach the blades and place the case over each one rubbing them clean, the dirt and dust will get caught inside. Cool trick right!

The mattress. Working directly over the mattress, pour baking soda into a sieve. Sprinkle the soda evenly over the mattress which will draw out dirt and odors. Leave the baking soda in place and re-make the bed with clean sheets. Leave in place for one full wear and simply vacuum up next time you change the sheets.

The radiator. This clean only needs to be performed as needed or twice a year. First, make sure everything is dry. Then, dust between the radiator fins with a bottle brush and make sure to vacuum up all debris so it doesn’t going back into the air. So simple and can save you from allergens in the air as well the additional cost accrued by slow working equipment.

The garbage disposal. Here’s how to clean this hard to reach breeding ground for bacteria. Pour 3 tablespoons of Borax inside, let it sit for one hour, and then flush with hot water. If you have lingering odors that won’t go away and want to make sure you keep blades sharp, freeze ½ cup of white vinegar mixed with water in an ice-cube tray, toss in a few cubes, and turn on the disposal. To break up grease deposits, feed the disposal a small fruit pit or a chicken bone every now and then. Does this sound a bit bizarre? Try it, it really works!

You are now five steps closer to a cleaner home.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Having the proper tools is key to being able to do simple home repairs and odd jobs yourself. The long and the short of it is there are simply some essential tools that every home just must have. Here is our list of the essentials …

Drain Snake … this tool is IMPERATIVE. You can easily avoid a much larger plumbing bill if you simple DIY a clogged drain with this handy tool. 9 times out of 10 a backed up drain is a simple clog.
A ladder. No you may not need an extension ladder for your simple home project needs but a simple step ladder is a must.
A portable jump starter. This is an especially useful item to have at home if you life in the country. How many times have we all left the lights on and woken to a dead battery. Help yourself and keep one of these handy to easily get yourself on the road again.
A snow shovel. Two words … Vermont winter.
A X-ACTO knife kit. You will use this more than you would have imagined. Super Sharp and lightweight the X-ACTO is great for jobs from scraping tape or paint off a glass surface to getting the perfect cut from a roll of christmas wrap.
Wire Cutters. Yup, you will use these! Great for their namesake cutting wire and other too tough for scissors items in the home.
Duct Tape. This is literally the #1 most useful item to have at home.
A portable compressor. Save your breath! This handy item will inflate all your inflatables from tires to air mattresses.
A collection of bungee cords in various sizes and strengths.
A hand truck. While this may not be an item you use every day it sure will make a whale of a difference when you need it.

And now for the basic, no surprise here list!

A 50ft extension cord.
A measuring tape.
An adjustable wrench.
Pliers.
A hammer.
A box cutter.
A shop vac or vacuum capable of taking care of wet spills.
A plunger.
Needle nose pliers.
A tarp.
A high powered flashlight.
Glue. Super glue is nice … but try Bish’s Original tear Mender or Sticky Ass Glue instead.
A glue gun.
WD40
TWO screwdrivers … a flathead and phillips head are essential. And you must own both.

While not all of these tool items are what we would think of as conventional. They are all item you will find yourself saying “I wish I had …” on more than one occasion.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

BlackRock Construction Wins Four Categories at 39^th Annual Better Homes Awards

The 39^th Better Homes Award ceremony, were hosted this year on November 15^th at the UVM Davis Center in Burlington. The event was extremely well organized and thoughtful. The décor was tasteful, service was great and the food was delicious; I understand the cheesecake dessert was a crowd pleaser. Many small details were taken into consideration including a large screen behind the podium to project the winning project as the attendee accepting the award spoke. The awards themselves, handsome plaques were customized with an image from the winning project. Very classy.

BlackRock Construction proudly won four award for the best construction projects in the following categories: ‘New Kitchen 150 sq. ft. and Under’, ‘New Kitchen 151 sq. ft. and Over’, ‘New Single Family Home $174/sq. ft. and Under ‘and ‘New Single Family Home $175/sq. ft. – $275/sq. ft.’. All of the BlackRock Construction project entries are custom-built, custom-designed family homes. Each project was entered with careful consideration to be a solid representation of the quality of work that BlackRock offers to all its clients.

Tom Hergenrother, co-owner and residential construction manager of BlackRock Construction accepted the awards on behalf of the company. Hergenrother said, “This is a huge moment for BlackRock. There were so many quality builders represented at the Better Homes Awards, and we are thrilled to come out on top and have our team recognized for their hard work, dedication and passion for housing design.”

Hergenrother and the BlackRock leadership team acknowledge all of the subcontractors and suppliers who helped build the recognized homes, along with the photographers Nicolas Gentile and Joey Jones for capturing these projects so beautifully.

The Better Homes Awards is a longstanding tradition of The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont. The Awards celebrate, recognize, and highlight fine Craftsmanship, excellence in housing design, architecture, interior design, landscaping, and remodeling.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Every house has a style. Some have two or more; due to renovations and new, eclectic mixes, fitting a home into one specific category can be tricky. “Throughout history, buildings have been pushed, pulled, poured and stretched into all sorts styles.” Architecture is truly a tangible reminder of evolving tastes and interests. Here are just a few of the many styles to choose from.

Townhouse – Mostly found in urban areas, the row house, more commonly known as the townhouse, became popular in the early 19th century due to limited space and the financial benefits for the architect and builder. Homes built in this style can be built quickly and on a smaller area of land. Row-house design is dictated by practicality; typically, they are two stories or more with a traditional layout, and a smaller outside space.

Craftsman – Craftsman style homes came out of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The emphasis is on natural materials such as wood, stone and brick. Expansive front porches and low-pitched roofs are commonly found with this style of home. Within the home an open floor plan often features built-in furniture, large fireplaces and exposed beams.

Contemporary – Contemporary refers to the building styles of today, this can vary in design and appearance. This style tends to connect indoors and outdoors. Contemporary homes emphasize energy efficiency, sustainable materials, lots of natural light and the use of recycled non-toxic materials.

Colonial – Colonial architecture originated in the 1600’s, due to the mix of American settlers the styles varied greatly. Colonial architecture is known for symmetry and characterized by evenly spaced shuttered windows. Evenly proportioned dormers, columns and chimneys also complement this formal style.

Mid-Century Modern – Born in the early 1940’s mid-century modern architecture flourished through to the 1980’s. This style is based on new ideas, mindsets and a forward-thinking style, and characterized by flat planes, large windows and wide open space. Simplistic style and integrating nature are very strong traits of this home design style. World War II brought new materials such as steel and plywood to architecture and design. Post war there was also a focus on building neighborhoods and this style was a very popular one during this evolution.

While these are just a few of the many home design styles you will find throughout the world they are some that we see often in Vermont and find comforting, familiar and beautiful.

To learn more about Architectural Styles visit: https://www.architecture.com/Explore/ArchitecturalStyles/Architecturalstyles.aspx

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com.

Adam Hergenrother, founder and co-owner of BlackRock Construction was recently featured in Business People Vermont. The article is aptly titled “Designated Driver’ as a reference to Adams forward focus and progressive vision. In this article Adam shares insights into his philosophy of life and business. He discusses his many projects, including how BlackRock Construction came to be.

Adam and Tom Hergenrother started BlackRock Construction in 2012. The brothers had been raised with contracting in their blood, their father is also in the business. With Adam’s already established and very successful real estate agency, Keller Williams and Tom’s expertise as a contractor this partnership was the perfect next step. Headquartered in Colchester, BlackRock Construction is an assemblage of award-winning construction and development professionals. With over 40 years of combined experience, the management team at BlackRock is hardworking and hard hitting.

Adam is often quoted to say “Find the right people and give them the keys”. This is a practice that he has applied to all of his business, putting strong capable leaders in the drivers seat and through a shared vision enjoying the ride.

“Human capital is the important thing, so you always create a culture of growth.” – Adam Hergenrother

Currently the BlackRock team has multiple residential homes and properties in the works as well as commercial builds such as a new headquarters for Hergenrother Enterprises in South Burlington. Planned for completion in January, the new, 20,000-square-foot headquarters sits on 3.5 acres, which features a pond, a walking path, and room for another 12,000-square-foot building. This is a team that thinks big and dreams beautifully.

Read the full article here: “Designated Driver”

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you call 802.861.1120 or visit us at blackrockus.com.

Join us for wine and cheese as you chat and tour a beautiful BlackRock Construction built property!

Date: 10.27.16

Time: 5pm – 7 pm

Location: 451 Golf Course Road, South Burlington

RSVP: info@blackrockus.com

Building Ignite is a meet and greet with the BlackRock Construction team and open house at BlackRock CEO’s listed home. This home is listed for sale and we will have folks from the building team on site to answer any questions you may have about this home or building a custom home for you. Navigating the world of home buying and new construction can often be daunting – buying land, choosing your home design, colors, custom finishes, selling your current home, financing, etc. Building Ignite is designed to educate the community about the building and design process, financing new construction, getting the most return on home renovations, and more!

451 Golf Course Road home to BlackRock founder and co-owner Tom Hergenrother and boasts many luxury features. This custom designed home features an array of exotic products including, Vermont barn wood, handmade Vermont red maple floors, polished aggregate concrete and custom imported tile that creates a spa like experience in the master bath. The large lot perches above the 16th hole at the prestigious Vermont National Golf Club with exceptional westerly views of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. Three decks and a patio provide plenty of outdoor entertaining and enjoyment. Additional features include 9 ft. ceilings, a full basement with 9 ft ceilings, a large mudroom with built-ins, 1st floor office, walk-in pantry, custom back splash, bead board, alarm, and is wired with a smart home technology interface. And along with the 4,046 square feet of finished space above grade, there is also an additional unfinished 1000 sq. ft. bonus room over the garage for easy future finishing! Quality construction, HERS rated, Energy Star Certified Home. Owner is a licensed Realtor.

For more information on this open house contact: info@blackrockus.com

To view this property listing click here: 451 Golf Course Road, South Burlington

The kitchen is the heart of the home and can be dressed in many different cloaks. So what is IN … and what is OUT in kitchen design?

BlackRock Construction co-owner and seasoned real estate agent Adam Hergenrother recently shared his thoughts with News Talk 602 WVMT on this what is trending in the market for kitchen decor.

Granite is OUT. Granite has been a long time staple for counters and kitchen islands particularly when you have easy access to a source, as we do in Vermont. There are quarries all around the state and just north of the border as well. Cabinets painted in bold colors are OUT. Gone is the trend to be bold and colorful with your color palate when it comes to cabinet design. So leave your Mondrian inspiration at the front door and think Oscar Tuazon for your color palate. Dark wood cabinets are also OUT. Kitchen design is leaning toward the contemporary and more traditional looks such as dark wood stain or dark brown paint is taking a backseat to a lighter more ethereal vision in today’s trendy kitchens. Our intention is not to say that if you have these design elements in your home you are out of style it is simply what is trending currently in the market.

Cambria, quartz and marble counters are IN. These mediums are quickly replacing the historically popular granite for detailing your home kitchen. Color contrast cabinets or ‘tuxedo’ cabinets are IN. The style conscious home decorator is all about a mix and match look in both cabinets and kitchen hardware. White kitchens are IN. Kitchens gleaming white cabinets to wall color is a very popular look these days, the simplicity of white allows for a lot of creativity with accent detail, creates a strong sense of cleanliness or sterility and allows natural light to be the star of the show. Barn doors, hidden appliances and dark floors are also IN.

It is hard to say when or where a trend gains traction but every season we are seeing new and interesting changes in the design market. From where we sit it is quite a show!

Listen to Adam’s interview with Charlie, Ernie and Lisa from WVMT here:

For more information on how BlackRock Construction can make your kitchen inspiration come to life contact us at: 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com

“If you love something, it will work. That’s really the only rule.” – Bunny Williams Interior Designer

As part our process at BlackRock Construction we try and get professional photographs of every finished residential project after the homeowner has moved in and spend some time with the home. There is so much value in waiting a few weeks, sometimes months after a closing. The homeowner has had the time to put a personal touch to the home, express their style and most importantly create the vision they had throughout the building process.

Personal style is everything for a home! New home owners pour over design catalogs and follow home trends closely but truly at the end of the day a home is a collection of ideas, trends and accents that suit the occupant’s personal style. Thank you Houzz, Pinterest and Instagram for the easy access to design inspiration. Pulling ideas from a variety of sources to arrive at your personal style is now so accessible and can be a really fun journey.

Equally important is the building process. The homeowner’s personal style and preferences are expressed through the building process from patio to rooftop. We see a huge variety of preferences in the details of each home build and the options are vast. Fireplaces are a favorite of ours, some may say a signature ‘must have’ in a BlackRock home. Fireplaces vary from the very sleek and modern to the very traditional. This central meeting spot and feature enjoyed by all is a great reflection of personal style.

“Success is the sum of details” – Harvey S. Firestone. In home design this holds very true. For BlackRock detailing starts from the moment the foundation is poured and follows us through the building process until the last shingle is hammered. Details such as built in bench seating in a well-lit breakfast nook, coffered ceilings in a master bedroom or a handsome real wood front door set the stage for homeowner to create their space.

Sometimes the simplest details make the most impact. A bouquet of flowers, a candelabra or a well-placed stack of books can become central design details that create your personal style. Tying a home together with simple details creates an environment that speaks of its designers and tells a visual story of the home owner.

Whatever your personal style follow your inspiration!

The style of this room leans more toward the traditional with a large elegant marble and wood fireplace as a central piece in the room design. Natural design elements are prominent, creating a very calming space with the use of sky blue and white hues, natural wood, glass and a simple flower bouquet.

This sleek, modern fireplace is a central design detail for this home. The home owner has incorporated a traditional rug and color accents throughout the room mimicking the hues in the rug.

Tag: luxury home

Pro Tips To a Perfect Vintage Kitchen!

5 Tricks For Home Cleaning

You are now five steps closer to a cleaner home.

Home Toolkit Must Haves

Having the proper tools is key to being able to do simple home repairs and odd jobs yourself. The long and the short of it is there are simply some essential tools that every home just must have. Here is our list of the essentials …

And now for the basic, no surprise here list!

While not all of these tool items are what we would think of as conventional. They are all item you will find yourself saying “I wish I had …” on more than one occasion.

39th Annual Better Homes Awards!

Home Architecture | Styles We Love

BlackRock Construction | Business People Vermont

Building Ignite | Twilight Open House

Kitchen Design | What is Trending?

Your Home | Your Style

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