FEP Sponsors Building Future Inc. 4th Annual James Nowak 5k for Kenya Race

Our team gathered together on Saturday, May 12, 2012 in support of the Building Futures Inc. 4th Annual James Nowak 5k for Kenya Race.  We committed to being the SchoolHouse sponsor for the race this year after hearing about the event from valued customers Adam and Andrea Jablonski. Adam serves as the chief operator of the organization Building Futures Inc. which works to aid in the education of impoverished Kenyans. This is accomplished through building or rebuilding of schools, providing existing classrooms with electricity via solar power, and caring for the health and welfare of the students. Close to a hundred runners and volunteers lined up with anticipation at the race on Saturday, eager to help raise money through the entry fees associated with the race.

The race honors the late James Nowak who passed away in 2011 in an automobile accident during a mission in Kenya. Nowak, a Fairport native, served as the president of Joining Hearts and Hands, an organization working to support the educational needs of African Children. Adam Jablonski met Nowak on a joint operation in Kenya and was so touched by his dedication to helping the natives that after his passing he carried out Nowak’s vission which is now known as the organization: Building Futures Inc. With the start of the organization came the creation of the annual race for fundraising which now honors Nowak and his many efforts during his lifetime to make a difference in the lives of others.

We are honored to be a part of such a great cause and looks forward to working with Building Futures Inc. in years to come.

Decorating Tip of the Week

Tip: Lighting is everything.  It creates atmosphere, drama, and intrigue in a room.  The easiest way to accomplish this is with a dimmer switch.  Always use dimmers, even in the powder room!!

Decorating Tip

The typical distance between the sofa and the coffee table is a minimum of 15 inches.  The average is 18 inches.

 

The Changing of the Doors

A charming new front door makes for a great first impression, while a new interior door adds interest from one room to the next.

Due to the economy and energy costs, we are finding that our customers are interested in replacing their original exterior doors with more energy efficient doors.  Did you know that doors account for 11% of the overall heat loss in a typical home?  Also, if the door is in poor condition or just very old, this can contribute to even more energy loss!

Energy efficient doors do not have to be the solid “no window” doors of the past.  They now come in an array of designs and colors. The homes of the sixties and seventies often had dark front entrances due to the small amount of light that filtered through the limited amount of glass used at that time.  Today, doors can be replaced with sidelights or total glass fronts which allows for an abundance of light into the foyer; all of this being energy efficient, and a beautiful design.

In addition to exterior doors, common among our customers over the past two years, has been the replacement of interior flat slab doors with raised panel doors. Raised panel doors come in various panel sizes.  The common raised six panel door gives a more traditional look, while the raised two panel door offers a look for a sleeker, more contemporary/transitional home.  The nice part about replacement is that the original door jamb remains, so it is cost effective.

The look that a raised panel door can have in a home is remarkable.  It provides a more finished and polished feel to any room. Treat yourself today!

Decorating Tip

Decorative Pillows on a bed?  The rule of thumb is to use 5 or 6 decorative pillows on the bed.  You can use two extra long pillows along with three decorative square pillows and a small oblong pillow!

Decorating Tip

Tip: Making a room seem much bigger than it is can be done easily with open bottomed furniture. For example: Can you see the floor underneath your sofa and chairs.  Furniture up on legs, off the floor gives the room a larger feel.  Glass topped end tables and coffee tables offer the same idea.

 

 

 

Our Home of the Month

Our Home of the Month belongs to Paula and Greg!

Before…

and after…

The job was completed late last fall, but we thought it was perfect timing to show it off now since we are using the month of April to feature AZEK Decks.

Their original decking material was made of pressure treated wood which included deck boards, lattice, and railing system. Often considered the choice of materials for a deck, pressure treated boards are far from maintenance free. In our state, with the variations in weather, it is almost impossible to keep any wooden horizontal surface in good condition. Mold, separation of wood grains due to moisture, fading, and the constant pooling of water on the surface requires work to be done to restore the surface about every two years.

Paula and Greg were looking for a product that was almost maintenance free, able to withstand the natural elements and the activity of a large family. Over the years, FEP has been happy to install an almost maintenance free product called AZEK. We spoke about this product in our previous e-mail blast. This was the product of choice for Paula and Greg.

After the demolition of the original decking system, the new floor decking was installed in the same pattern as the existing and matching fascia boards were installed on all exposed deck framing at the perimeter and at the stair risers. New pressure treated 4×4′s were installed for a railing and AZEK sleeves were fitted over the 4×4′s and capped for a finished look. The floor boards of the deck were screwed to the framing instead of nailed, to offer a more secure system and then AZEK plugs were inserted into each screw hole. The plugs, because they have a faux wood grain look to them, become almost invisible once installed and the result is a deck board with a clean look to it.

Below the large deck was an area that Paula and Greg used for storage. We dug out the hillside beneath the deck and installed a retaining wall and a walkway made of pavers. This opened up the area to allow for better organization and efficiency of the space. Finally, AZEK lattice was installed to surround the storage area, and a new door was created for the entrance.

What will these customers gain from this? Enjoyment for years to come!

NO WORRIES ABOUT:

• Peeling stain or paint
• Rotting wood
• Fading
• Mold growth

Happy Easter!

This weekend we will celebrate the true meaning of Easter, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  His love is unstoppable and His forgiveness incomparable.  Happy Resurrection Day to all!

Decorating Tip of the Week

Seating for the Holidays

Tip:  A 36 inch wide rectangular table is perfect for conversation a round table with a 48 inch diameter seats six, a 60 inch round will handle eight standard dining chairs.

Easter Holiday Recipe

Remodeled French Toast

Frank mentioned to me the other day to keep the topics that we discuss on the blog relating to painting, decorating and remodeling.  Of course!  Well, today I am posting this absolutely delicious recipe for an Easter brunch and entitling it Remodeled French toast!  There, just needed to stay within the guidelines   This French Toast recipe is certainly changed from the usual French Toast recipe so I can get away with saying it’s remodeled.  It is from Marcia Adams’ Heirloom Recipes.

This is the ultimate brunch dish and you make it the night before!  How easy.

Baked French Toast Casserole       serves 6-8

1 loaf of bread- you can use the plastic bagged Wegman’s Italian (no seeds) 1lb 4 oz loaf

8 large eggs

2 cups of half-and- half

1 cup milk

2 Tab granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Speck of salt

Praline Topping

1 cup (2 sticks)butter,  at room temperature

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

2 Tab light corn syrup

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

Arrange the slices in a generously buttered 9×13 inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk egg mixture, spooning some of the mixture in between the slices too. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the praline topping ingredients in a medium bowl and spread it evenly over the bread with a small spatula. Bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup or honey.

Do not cover when baking.
ENJOY!