We recently introduced our readers to Southern Living magazine’s 2012 Idea House project, a great annual project that documents the renovation of aging homes as some of the best in the business breathe new life into them. Marvin Windows and Doors is a sponsor of the project, and we’re doing some of our own documentary work, as well.

Our video series will follow the project from beginning to end. This most recent video (episode 3, embedded just below) shows the house resting on its new foundation, after it was moved to a new position on the lot, and some other updates taking place — like window replacement.

Learn more about the project from Southern Living, and be sure to follow the story on Marvin.com.

A recent article from Builder Magazine tells the tale of an all too common struggle architects face when a client’s desires seem to clash with the instinct to preserve the traditional character of an old home:

This 1915 house had good proportions, a protective roofline, and a view over the water. So architect Rob Whitten winced when the owners asked him to winterize it and add on. “Many such cottages have been brought to their knees by people wanting to turn them into four-season residences,” he says.

The renovated cottage includes Marvin double-hung windows that blend well with the other rustic but sophisticated materials in the home: wood-paneled walls, pine flooring, a farmhouse sink and cherry cabinets. Learn more about Marvin double-hung windows at marvin.com, and read the full article at Builder Online.

It’s no secret families are spending more and more time in the kitchen, a room that’s increasingly blending with or even occasionally replacing more traditional gathering spaces. With that in mind:

The owners of this kitchen in a classic house asked designer Mary Jane Pappas and her team to transform their existing work area to make it lighter, longer, and out of the way of foot traffic between the back door and the dining room. The design also had to provide pedestrian access to the garden, bring in more natural light, and combine modern efficiency with a refined, transitional appeal, says Pappas.

“To achieve this, we pushed out the rear of the kitchen, adding a breakfast area for four in the extra space. Beyond this, I added French doors that open directly to the back garden. Previously there were only windows at this end of the room.”

Those French doors are Marvin Ultimate Inswing French Doors. They provide a beautiful anchor for this reworked, wide-open kitchen layout. Read more about this great remodel project at TrendsIdeas.com.

[photo via TrendsIdeas.com]

A while ago, we asked you if you could only change one thing in your kitchen, what would it be? Let’s expand that to asking what one thing in your entire house would you change? Here are some ideas:

• Have you always wanted a fireplace for cozy winter evenings?
• Maybe your “vintage” kitchen doesn’t have a dishwasher
• Are your white walls bothering you?
• Would new windows make your house sparkle? (Hey, we know who can do that!)
• Do you want to rip out your old carpets and install gleaming hardwood floors?
• Does the thought of an additional bedroom or bathroom make your mouth water?
• Or maybe a walk-in closet or finished basement would be the way to go

Tell us in the comments what one thing you’d change in your house if could. And maybe search around this site for some ideas and tips, like in our remodeling category.

The American Brewery is a magnificent building, renovated and revitalized after having been abandoned 30 years ago. Over twenty unique, sometimes intricate window designs were needed to replicate the originals, and Marvin accepted the challenge. We initially wrote about the project about a year ago.

Today, we have a brief video case study to share, which really brings to life the significance of this revitalization project. The area around the brewery was deteriorating as much as the brewery building itself, and the renovated building — now office space — is having a positive effect on the community.

Marvin teamed up with Southern Living for the 14th annual Idea House project. This year’s challenge includes a complete renovation and restoration of a 19th-century farmhouse in the quiet, charming town of Senoia, Georgia, about an hour south of Atlanta. Join us as we follow the architects, builders and interior designers working in conjunction with Marvin for the brilliant transformation of this historic gem.

More videos are on their way, but here are the first two brief episodes in the series. Stay tuned to the myMarvin section on Marvin.com for more.

Episode 1:

Episode 2:

Create a list of improvements to boost your home’s curb appeal. Where does garage door replacement rank?

It should be somewhere near the top, because according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report, garage door replacement averages a 71.6 percent return on investment.

According to Charles and Hudson, garage door replacement nets a large return because:

• It’s relatively inexpensive
• It positively influences the opinion of potential home buyers
• It can dramatically improve energy efficiency

Garage doors make up a sizable portion of any home’s exterior. Factor the hundreds of options, including colors and materials, and new garage doors can really add a signature touch to your home.

Would you believe the two homes shown above are actually the exact same home?

Well, sort of. Dwell.com has the story of a young Portland, Ore. family that took advantage of the FHA 203K loan program to nearly double their home’s square footage en route to a more modern and livable residence:

With its slim profile and sleek gray exterior, Lola Oyibo and Eric Boardman’s home in Portland, Oregon bears little resemblance to the house it used to be. Unable to afford the 40% down required to build a new house, the couple instead opted for a FHA 203K renovation loan that let them put just 3% down—and hired architect Ben Waechter of local firm Atelier Waechterto give the place a massive facelift. Formerly a nondescript 1947 Cape Cod-style structure, the house “had a horrible kitchen and had no built-ins or historic elements worth keeping,” says Waechter. Plus, it was only 625 square feet, which was overly crowded for the homeowners and their two year-old daughter, Mena. Keeping the footprint, foundation, and framing intact, the architect stripped the structure down to its bones, opening up the interior and adding a second story to give the family 1250 square feet —and a sweet modern space—in which to live.

My favorite feature – the rooftop patio. That’s not something you see from most Cape Cod remodels.

Think your dream remodeling project is too ambitious? This restoration proves nearly anything is possible if you have the vision.

[Photos from Dwell]

Any realtor will tell you it’s wise to purchase the worst home on the best block, but who wants to live in the neighborhood eyesore?

For those who prefer their home be the envy of the neighborhood — that’s most of us, right? — Margaret at the Calfinder Remodeling Blog whipped together a list of eight focus areas sure to make the neighbors jealous.

This isn’t just about vanity. There’s a practical element to owning the home everyone wants. As you’ll see, focusing on the right areas around the house will not only boost your home’s profile in the short-term, but it can provide a major advantage if and when you decide to sell.

Here’s a few focal points included on Margaret’s list:

Attractive Siding
Fresh, tasteful siding make can make a huge impression. While a home may be beautiful on the inside, worn, dingy siding on the outside suggests the home has fallen out of repair.

Energy-Efficient Heating and Air
Nothing can date a home quite like an old furnace or air conditioner. Central heating and cooling isn’t enough, either. If you live in an older home, installation of energy-efficient heating and air will cut decades of your home’s age. Outdated systems are one of the biggest drawbacks to owning an older home.

Great Flooring
Ditch the matted carpet and laminate flooring. Think tile, cork or concrete. Quality flooring will assist in sound reduction and improve heat retention. If you want to take things a step further and you live in a colder climate, consider heated floors in bathrooms or the basement.

To see the rest of Margaret’s list, check out Calfinder.

[Photo from Houzz]