Principal Designer honored with National Association of Professional Women membership. http://www.napw.com/

Principal Designer, Michelle Drenckhahn, has been honored with exclusive membership to the National Association of Professional Women.

About the NAPW (www.napw.com)

The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is an exclusive network for professional women to connect, learn and inspire. NAPW members enjoy a wealth of resources and services dedicated to the enhancement, empowerment and promotion of their careers.

NAPW provides seminars, podcasts, webinars, keynote speeches, educational tools, and fosters career development skills that enable our members to achieve personal and career success.

The NAPW provides a global platform for women to voice their opinions and share their thoughts on family, economic and political issues that affect us. The NAPW supports and endorses a diverse syndicate of charities and nonprofit organizations focused on women’s issues and child wellness.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide the most exclusive and advanced forum for members to find like-minded women to create innovative social, professional, and business relationships. We provide our members knowledge and information about varied industries and professions and generate the opportunity for our constituency to interact, exchange ideas, educate, network, and empower.

Chemical Reaction

Chemical Reaction

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Top Green Consumer Trends for 2009

Top Green Consumer Trends for 2009

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LED Lighting - A "Standard" Upgrade

What is Solid-State Lighting?
LEDs are part of a family of lighting technologies called Solid-State lighting. LEDs have the potential to revolutionize the efficiency, appearance, and quality of lighting as we know it.
Light Emitting Diodes are among the most energy-efficient light sources available on the market. LED lamps are already today more than five times more efficient than incandescent lamps and future technical achievements offer additional potential for the coming years.
At present, artificial lighting accounts for around 19% of global electricity consumption – that corresponds to 2.4% of worldwide primary energy consumption. 70% of the energy used for artificial lighting is consumed by lamps for which there are more energy-efficient alternatives. Simply replacing conventional light sources with LEDs would theoretically halve global electricity consumption for lighting. The potential savings are therefore enormous. From www.osram-os.com.
What should I know before buying an LED lighting product?
1. Look for the Energy Star logo to ensure a quality product with a minimum three year warranty
2. Make sure you have a compatible dimmer switch. Manufacturers can provide a list of approved dimmers.
3. Make sure you have the correct color of light, there are several options.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the quick adoption of LED lighting can:
1. Deliver savings of about $256 billion in 20 years.
2. Avoid building 40 new power plants.
3. Reduce electricity demand by 33% in 2027.

Source: www.bellacor.com

Going Global II

Going Global II

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Most Homeowners Will Not Pay More for Green Features

Most Homeowners Will Not Pay More for Green Features

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A Luxury Bathroom for Less

A Luxury Bathroom for Less

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Ethiopia Inspires Next Years Color Trends

Color Vision 2010

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SISTER BLOG

In response to several requests.  We now have a "sister" blog which will focus on useful and interesting information in the world of sustainable design and building.  This blog will be reserved for featuring current projects.

www.ecologicluxury.blogspot.com

Check it out!

Updated Featured Project

We are almost there!  Our featured project in Edina is officially "functioning"!  On Friday, the plumbers, electricians and painters were all there.  They all completed as well, with a few minor items remaining.

Only a few items remaining to finish and let the homeowners enjoy their new space for the summer!  Here are the updated photos.  ENJOY

  

  

Featured Project "The Family Room Takes Shape"

We are in the home stretch as they say!  The wood floors are in and finished with the perfect stain.  Although it was a bit of challenge to find the right "flavor", after several samples, we found it and they look amazing.  Today we also finalized the choices for the trim work, the paint for the entire 1st floor as well as the wood stair color, the railing finish and the front door. Let the painting begin! Ok, we have to wait until Wednesday.

Our family room design is also coming to life.  The built in entertainment area with a 

reclaimed douglas fir timber custom mantel from northern Minnesota is nearly complete. We will be distressing the mantel to soften the look and stain it in a very dark brown stain to coordinate with the trim work and to bring more weight to the piece.  The slate mosaic also goes up next week as well.  Those two elements will bring a warmth to the room that it didn't have before.  I can't wait to see it all together.  

The rest will wait until after the Holiday.  

Edina Project in Progress - Cabinets Start Going In

Lessons Learned...

The project final had the cabinet delivered.  The short story is that during demolition, plumbing was discovered in the soffit, the cabinet order was put on hold to redesign to accommodate...but was not taken off hold!  Yes, opps!  3 weeks later, when they were suppose to be delivered and were not, we discovered this.

Now, the cabinets are here and have started to be installed, the countertops have been measured, the plumbing fixtures picked up, new doors, windows and trim have been installed and the reclaimed mantel for the family room is on its way.  Now, the backsplash is not going to work because the painted wall cabinets are more "buttery" than the sample...MUC

H more!  It is off to the tile showroom to make adjustments.

The good news, we are in the home stretch, have approved the countertop drawing, have successfully found new tile, scheduled the wood floors for next week and have an idea on paint colors for each area. 

This project has been a bit more of a challenge from a design perspective then most in my career.  So, we review things often and make decisions as we go.  Lesson learned, again...it never goes as planned.  Lessons Learned.

Edina Project in Progress

As you all know, Remodeling is an Experience! You can prep and go over all of the "things" to do before the demo.  However, it is never enough.  Even those clients who have build and/or remodeled before, find it hard to be without a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.  

The disruption to your routine and the MESS!  Yes, remodeling is "painful" but what a reward when it is complete!

This project in Edina is no exception.  The entire 1st floor is currently under construction.  We removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen, eliminating the eat-in dinette.  The idea is to use the space more wisely and to make this dated home feel more open, bright and stylish.

The current family room is narrow and has the entrance from the garage directly into it, not to mention the access to the deck.  As a designer, it was a challenging space to work with but I think we came up with a great solution. The drywall is in and ready for paint.  The fireplace is framed, some tile laid and ready for the finishing touches. 

Next time, we will have cabinets....

Showcase House Master Bathroom - Green it UP!

Our project with Knight Construction Design Inc which was featured in this years Spring Twin Cities Remodelers Showcase was a very fun project to work on.  The clients were outstanding! Not only were they open to design ideas, they also were excited about ways to "green" their space and save energy.

Their master bathroom is a great example of how "average" homeowners can do simple things to be more energy efficient and still be beautiful!  The large shower was equiped with a separate hand-held shower head on it's own valve.  This allows for the homeowners to use this for washing the dog, simple personal maintenance and cleaning.  The vent fan is the Panasonic WhisperGreen which runs on a motion detector allowing for quiet use and energy efficiency.  Of coarse, the new windows are dual-pane and Low-E.  Brookhaven cabinets were used to build the vanity and the mirror/storage unit.  Cambria tops with GreenGuard was also used for the top, bench and shower ledge. 

                   

Along with the "standard" items, this bathroom also includes a few luxury features...cross-cut stone on the floor and walls as well as a stone mosaic provide a unique, beachy feel. A steam unit in the shower with a bench to enjoy and in-floor heat for those cold winter mornings!

Thank you to the family for allowing us to work on such a great project

A Plymouth Project

Before From Kitchen Before From Dining Room

I had the pleasure of working with Tom and Michele on their first floor remodel last fall.  They hired Knight Construction Design Inc. of Chanhassen, MN to remodel their kitchen and family room as well as add a small addition to the laundry/mudroom.  During the process of the project we also updated the powder room, painted all of the walls and trim and added new oak floors throughout.

The family has a young son getting ready to start school next fall and wanted to make the space more open and more usable for their lifestyle.  We were able to remove the wall the had separated the formal dining room with the kitchen (although the project was delayed by the discovery of unexpected plumbing in the walls).  The removal of this wall allowed for us to design a unique island as well as move the door to the mudroom.

After From Kitchen After From Dining Room

More on this project later!

2009 Spring Remodelers Showcase Twin Cities a Successss

Thank you to all of you who came through our featured home.  In case you missed it, here is some information for you.

“Thank you Knight Construction for doing a wonderful job on our house.  We felt you met and often exceeded our expectations.  Gary really took the time to listen to what we wanted from the project.  The crew that worked here was very professional, and courteous.  Jeff Harrison, our project manager, was at the house almost everyday and days he was not here was always accessible by phone.  Michelle Drenckhahn, our Interior Designer, was a terrific help in the design aspect of the project.  She also really listened to our ideas and helped us make some excellent design choices.  Everyone was respectful of our lives, home, and concerns.  We are extremely happy with the finished project and would recommend the team to everyone!”  - Homeowners of 2009 Remodelers Showcase House

  Before 

Family Area Features

• Brookhaven Cabinetry ***
• Natural Stone Countertops
• Custom Backsplash
• Reclaimed Timber Mantels ***
• Gas Fireplace ***
• Salvaged/Matched Oak Floors ***
• Non-Toxic Paints ***
• Energy Efficient Appliances ***
• Custom Vent Hood/Mantel
• Low E/Dual Pane Windows ***

Master Suite

• Brookhaven Cabinetry ***
• Cambria Countertops ***
• Custom Built Mirror/Storage
• Heated Tile Floor
• Hand-Held Shower Head ***
• Steam Shower
• Panasonic WhisperGreen Fan ***
• Non-Toxic Paints ***  

Featured Designer/Principal

MICHELLE DRENCKHAHN 

Project Interior Designer

Award-winning Interior Designer & Midwest Native, Michelle Drenckhahn, holds a BFA in Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin – Stout & has over 11 years of professional experience as a Kitchen/Bathroom & Interiors Specialist. Michelle’s education, experience & extensive construction knowledge has proven to be an asset for contractors and homeowners alike. 

     "My goal is to explore, develop and produce designs of inviting and timeless interiors.   

       My vision fulfills client's needs by creating environments that are planned with 

       sensitivity to site and budget and are mindful of conservation and environmental 

       sustainability.   My design process reflects the clients' vision, project specifications 

      and values.  Every product I create is rooted in the functional and aesthetic needs of 

      the clients and their specific project." – Michelle Drenckhahn, Spacial Adaptation

After over three years in California, entrenched in the upcoming "Green Movement", Michelle relocated back to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to start a family.  It is here where her passion for a clean environment & sustainability blossomed into one which she now implements into each project she undertakes.