tom hergenrother Archives - Blackrock Construction

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 recently completed a large commercial project dubbed The ALZ. Spring Village at Essex, owned and operated by Woodbine Senior Living is a 50 plus bed closed facility for seniors living with Alzheimer’s. This was an exciting project to be a part of, the entire BlackRock team is proud to see such a high level of care brought to Essex, Vermont. As we look toward the future, we look forward to more builds like this one. Here are some trends to look for in assisted living.

Senior living options will become increasingly popular. While CCRC’s or continuing care retirement communities have been attractive to many aging adults in the past, we are seeing this interest growing. CCRC’s offer continuing care starting with completely independent living and include assisted living, and even nursing home-level care. Residents have access to the care that they need at each life stage without having to move facilities.

Memory care gets nostalgic. Memory care facilities are using sight, sound, and even smell to help dementia residents retrieve long-term memories. Grounds and living areas designed in styles from the eras they recognize like the 1950s and 1960s bring residents back to the familiar world of their youth. Often items associated with major milestones are placed throughout the facility, such as wedding apparel and baby dolls. Research shows that this type of memory care reduces agitation and anxiety. It can even improve memory in some cases.

Look for a trend in senior co-housing. Co-housing is an option that has some appeal for a growing number of older adults, it offers the privacy of a single-family home with a sense of community. The advantages of co-housing for seniors include, access to a communal group of caregivers and shared responsibilities easing the burden of some daily activities such as meal prep, yard work and other household chores.

Senior living will be environmentally conscious. Going green! Cost concerns continue to affect the assisted living industry and the economic advantages of going green are undeniable. A growing number of assisted living communities will embrace eco-friendly measures. This shift is also client driven as facilities that embrace the green movement will likely see an increase in resident populations as more eco-conscious people reach retirement age.

Personal living spaces will see improvements. Many assisted living communities will be adding amenities to attract more seniors to them. Additions like walk-in closets, spacious bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchenettes will living spaces feel more like home. Improvements will also move outside, landscaped gardens and beautiful architecture will be a focus to appeal to the eye and heart of residents.

BlackRock, in association with Hergenrother Industries, currently has opportunities for leasing, purchase and investment in these and other projects, ranging from individual unit purchases to investment fund opportunities.

http://www.essexreporter.com/caring-for-memory/

http://www.springvillageessex.com/

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

The most important things to consider when designing a commercial interior is efficiency, being cost-effective and creating a unique and thoughtful space.

Follow these simple trends to achieve the most of your commercial project.

Furniture Selection – Cost no longer drives this design element but rather functionality. Today’s trends reflect more and more ergonomic design, like adjustable arms on chairs and standing desks. Much like home design organic elements are making their way into furniture design and we are seeing lots of durable materials like woods, metals, and glass. Likely your clients will be looking for quality so why not offer it to them.
Geometric Patterns – Large (or super-scale) design patterns using geometric patterns are showing on trend. This vision expresses personality and makes a memorable impression.
Funky Combos – Designers are getting a little quirky with patterns and textures. Think mismatched tile or paint combinations and roll with this atheistic. This is a fun way to separate your space from the norm and stand out in the crowd.
Deep Colors – Referencing back to organic and natural elements being the flavor of the year the trend in commercial interior color is deep, cooling, natural tones. Charcoal, gray, ivory, stone, and taupe are a few colors that come to mind. Often a simple deep color palette is accented by a splash of the unexpected, bright orange or vivid blue to make a statement.
Open Floor Plans – The days of small isolated cubicles are behind us, today’s work space is light and friendly. Separate desks with low or transparent panels, or none at all. Keeping work space open promotes communication and the sharing of knowledge.

To learn more about BlackRock Construction, our team and what we can build for you contact 802.861.1120 or info@blackrockus.com. To learn more about Hergenrother Realty Commercial division contact Jay Mitiguy at 802.324.8500 or jay@herggroup.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.

A key element to decorating a home is a mix of pattern, texture and color. For those of us that do not buy all our furniture at once but rather gather our furniture and décor as we go along. Furniture can be inherited, found and purchased in variety of styles and with a variety of wood finishes. Keep things interesting, allow your décor to steer away from the rather flat vision of matching wood floors and furniture finishes. Here are 5 great tips to making it work …

Consider the grain: Do your wood pieces have a grain? Pair pieces with similar grain pattern or size to create a pleasing visual in your room. Larger wood grains are more casual while smaller wood grains more elegant. Choose whoever suits you but stick with it.

Be aware of highlights and low-lights! Look carefully at the wood pieces you select for your home. Compare the undertones of movable furniture to your more stationary wood pieces, like the floor, and make sure they match regardless of the finish. Pair a dark wood table with a lighter wood floor, just be sure they share the same undertones. Wood finishes don’t need to match, but they should complement each other.

Embrace white: White paint and room features are a bit of magic when fitting multiple finishes into the same room. White and wood go together like peanut butter and jelly. A perfect pairing! Use white throughout the room to separate the finishes and create balance.

Be reasonable: Do not go crazy with a huge variety of wood finishes in your space, chose two or three types of finish and repeat these throughout the space. You want to live and entertain in a creative but not chaotic space.

Separate your woods: Use a rug or carpet to separate a wood table from a wood floor. This simple separation helps distract the eye from the differences in the wood and creates a great vignette.

There are no concrete rules for decorating, you should go with your gut … or your grain and create a living space that is appealing to you. Love the home you live in.

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.

Trends, are by definition “a general direction in which something is developing or changing.” Like the people who inhabit them homes are a developing, ever-changing canvas. We like to think of trends as guidelines or suggestions. Some suit you and some do not, some are timeless and some certainly go out of style. We are always excited about trends because they tell us a lot about the world and people. If you are building a new home or renovating your current home, look out for the following trends to include for 2017.

Terracotta! The world of tiles is filled with a fascinating array of colors, patterns, styles, finishes, and of course, textures. The tile that you select can often determine more of your home design. A timeless classic that is reminiscent of gorgeous Spanish Revival interiors is the terracotta tile. Terracotta creates a special feeling of warmth and hominess that other mediums do not.

Cork! This is a naturally decorative and modern alternative to traditional coverings. Cork is available in a variety of styles, patterns and shades to compliment a variety of décor or furniture styles. We are seeing cork used for remarkably fun wall or ceiling covering, creating a unique ascetic in any room. Cork comes in tile or roll form and can be utilized in a large format or for smaller accents.

Jewel Tones! 2017 is all about embracing your royal side with deep jewel tones like teal, turquois, deep blue, rich purple and emerald green. The more traditional light and neutral colors are certainly pleasing and calming but a palate of rich jewel tones can make any room feel like it belongs in a palace. These luscious hues can be used for full wall color or just a pop to take your home to the next level.

Fancy Headboards! Think luxury hotel … The headboard is a charming design detail in any bedroom. It is not imperative to have one but can be a beautiful central focal point. Fabric upholstered headboards are a relatively affordable way to add serious impact to the bedroom. They create a soft and inviting look and are open to many style interpretations. If drama isn’t your thing, keep it simple, crisp, clean and modern. However, do not be afraid to go BOLD in 2017, a large, luxurious fabric headboard is right on trend.

Nooks! Tucking away for a little privacy is becoming increasingly important in this fast-paced world. Nooks are the perfect way utilize and odd corner and these cozy places can be adapted with different shapes and styles depending on the architecture of the home. Depending on the location of your nook you will need to select the perfect piece of furniture to compliment this cozy space. Think comfy … make this nook a true space of escape.

These are just a few interior design details you can incorporate into your home. If we can determine anything from these forecasted trends it is be BOLD and embrace luxury in 2017!

Tag: tom hergenrother

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.

Trends in Assisted Living

Interior Design Trends for Commercial Builds

39th Annual Better Homes Awards!

Mixing Wood Finishes | Tips to Know!

Home Architecture | Styles We Love

Interior Design | Trends To Love In 2017

Building Ignite | Twilight Open House

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