New pictures of Kitchen / Porch renovation demo progress

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Work is underway in Allston for an updated Kitchen and 4-season Porch. The new opening from the Dining Room to Kitchen is already bringing  dramatically more light to the interior of the home and improving  connection and circulation. The soffit over the “stove bay” will be  removed now that it has been determined that there is no load-bearing  structure hidden within. The demo team was able to remove the low brick  wall between the Kitchen and Porch allowing for seating at a counter  which will extend through the brick opening. Extensive plumbing work  includes replacing the existing brass piping from floor to floor  anywhere that walls are opened.

Existing conditions photos.

Demolition progress photos.

Terrene of New England is providing general contracting as well as supplying cabinetry, PaperStone counters, bamboo flooring, recycled glass tile backsplash, and custom millwork

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Save energy and money with this new LED bulb

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A great leap in green technology has been made by LSG and Dixon in developing an affordable 60 watt equivalent LED bulb. Anticipated retail in the US is $15.This bulb was developed in India which is experiencing an explosion in electricity and lighting demand and has set a goal of phasing out incandescent bulbs by 2012. Phase-outs and bans on incadescent bulbs are being pursued by several countries as an effort to reduce energy demand. The countries that are leading the way on this change are a mix of developed and devloping countries united by concerns over growing energy demand, limited resources, and environmental impact. The United States Congress passed legislation in 2007 which will phase out incandescents starting with 100 watt bulbs in 2012.

 

The primary bulb alternatives for the US consumer market are compact fluorescents bulbs (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). The major complaints about CFLs are unappealing light quality and mercury content which is an issue for bulb disposal or in the case of breakage during use. LEDs offer appealing variety and control of light quality and no mercury content but have long been more expensive than CFLs. The good news is that CFLs provided a transitional solution and drastic improvement over the flickering fluorescent bulbs that were the standard for commercial and industrial space and horror movie ambience. The better news is that governmental, environmental, and economic pressure have resulted in the development of even better alternatives.

 

Those of us who live outside India will have to wait until 2012 to buy these bulbs but can take hope in the growing list of affordable and environmentally sensitive technologies.

Night Shift Brewing fit-out for commercial space

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Starting fit-out work for brewing space for another local craft brewer, Night Shift Brewing.

Thanks to Chris and Grace Tkach of Idle Hands Craft Ales for the referral to their new neighbor.

We envision a future where you can sample some of the best and most innovative Massachusetts brews fresh from the tap in the neighborhoods where we live, work, and play. Just a few days ago the future of craft brewing in Massachusetts was less promising due to a ruling by the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The ruling would have required brewers operating under farmer-brewer licenses to grow or domestically source 50% of the grains or hops used in their product. Even more onerous was the realization that the alternative licensing path does not allow brewers to sell directly to retailers or operate tasting rooms. Fortunately our legislators and regulators self-corrected under the leadership of state Treasurer Steven Grossman with guidance from the Massachusetts Brewers Guild and numerous established and emerging local brewers. Officials are reviewing the rules and licensing options with a better understanding of the positive impact that small brewers have throughout the state.