Factory Builder Stores

New FULL-SURFACE Induction Cooktop by Thermador

2012-01-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

Luxury kitchen appliance pioneer shows the next evolution in flexible home cooking with full-surface induction and natural-mapping user interface.

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 6, 2012) — Thermador (http://www.thermador.com/), the luxury appliance brand that pioneered the world’s first wall ovens and gas cooktops for the American kitchen, introduces its latest kitchen advancement that will again enable the culinary enthusiast to cook beyond convention — the Thermador Freedom^®Induction Cooktop. The new Freedom cooktop is the first full-surface induction appliance with the flexibility of a natural-mapping user interface that intelligently recognizes cookware size, shape and position to deliver heat without boundaries.

The Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop will be demonstrated for the first time at the CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES held on Sunday, Jan. 8 at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

“Induction is perhaps the most revolutionary cooking technology. Thermador takes induction cooking to the next level by answering two questions with the new Freedom Induction Cooktop: what if you could place cookware anywhere on the cooktop? And, what if you can use cookware of any size and shape on the cooktop?” said Zach Elkin, Thermador director of brand marketing. “Thermador’s industrial designers and engineers imagined what was possible and they’ve delivered the world’s first induction appliance to eliminate conventional burners and instead offer one limitless cooking surface with an intuitive touchscreen interface.”

The Freedom Induction Cooktop offers all of the benefits of traditional induction technology: instantaneous and precise temperature control, making it as responsive as gas; safer cooking, as the surface stays cool to the touch; and easier cleaning with its smooth and flush surface. At the same time, Thermador’s new cooktop enables home cooks to place their cookware anywhere on the cooking surface, including specially shaped cookware such as griddles and oval-shaped pans.

The natural-mapping user interface of the Thermador cooktop empowers home cooks to move their cookware around during the cooking process, which is especially helpful as they add and remove different dishes during meal preparation — such as sauces, boiling water, and sautéing — so there are no limits on where to place the cookware.

With more than 30 international patents, the Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop is built with 48 individual 3-inch induction heating elements below the surface of the appliance. This translates to a 63-percent more effective cooking area on the surface by eliminating the conventional standard of predefined elements. Additional product highlights include:

A 6.5-inch, full-color touchscreen display that recognizes pot shape, size, and controls power setting and cooking time
Surface area to accommodate a 21-inch x 13-inch pan with the largest cooking surface in the industry
A range of 4,600-watt maximum power output with Boost feature and 15-watt minimum power output

The Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop surface is made from transparent ceramic glass, which allows for the integration of the color touchscreen. In additional to the touchscreen interface showing the position of all cookware on the cooking surface, the touchscreen also performs live updates as cookware is moved to a different position, giving the home cook an intuitive cooking experience.

Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop will be available July 2012 with a MSRP of $4,949.

FBS Donates to Bastrop Fire Relief Grant

2012-01-24T11:36:00.000-08:00

Factory Builder Stores is proud to announce we are donating 1% of Bastrop builder sales to the Bastrop County Fire Relief Grant.

Donations will be distributed to fire vicitims by the Bastrop Christian Ministrerial Alliance.

Resources will be used to assist uninsured or under-insured residential properties with the replacement of residence or household items which were damaged or destroyed by the Labor Day 2011 fires.

Learn more about the BCMA grant and distribution

Bastrop County Complex Fire

On the afternoon of Sunday, September 4, 2011, the wildfire storm known as the Bastrop County Complex Fire engulfed the County of Bastrop, Texas and by September 30 had destroyed 1,645 homes, burned 34,068 acres, and killed two people. This fire is now considered the most catastrophic wildfire in Texas history.

FBS Scratch & Dent Kitchen Appliance Sale

2011-12-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

Don't Miss the Best Kitchen Appliance Sale of the Year

Thursday Dec. 29 & Friday Dec. 30

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Now is your chance to give your kitchen the face-lift it deserves. For 2 days only, we're offering unbelievable deals on overstocked, discontinued, uncrated, display and minor blemished appliances. We have great deals on tubs and cabinets too.

This Thursday & Friday, you’ll receive 30-70% off name brand appliances including Bosch, GE, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Thermador, Viking, Wolf and more! And best of all, no membership or card program required. You don’t want to miss out on these huge savings.

Sound too good to be true? Check out some of our appliance sale preview items at participating showrooms:

	AUSTIN Amana Laundry Pair - Energy Star Washer & Electric Dryer (NFW7300WW/NED7300WW) ONLY $899 for the pair. View more items
	BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION GE Monogram 30” Vent Hood (ZV30SSFSS) ONLY $399! View more items

	DALLAS Bosch 24” Bar Handle, 500 Series, Stainless Steel Dishwasher (SHX55R55UC) ONLY $749! View more items
	HOUSTON Jenn-Air 45” Designer Line Modular Electric Downdraft Cooktop, White (JED8345ADW) ONLY $99! View more items
	SAN ANTONIO KitchenAid 27” Architect Series II Built-In Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel (KBMS1454SSS) ONLY $540! View more items

New ENERGY STAR "Most Efficient" Label Recognizes Advanced Products with Highest Energy Efficiency.

2011-08-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

More and more appliances are carrying the ENERGY STAR label these days and it's become harder to recognize which products truly are more energy efficient than the rest.

That's about to be fixed with the "Most Efficient" label, a pilot program operated jointly by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. This new category will have tighter performance standard requirements representing approximately the top 5% of models on the market in the following categories: laundry, heating and cooling systems, TVs and refrigerator-freezers.

The program aims to encourage new, more energy efficient products to enter the market, increasing the consumer options for high performance, high efficient products to save them money as well as energy.

"This new designation will help Americans save money and cut pollution by quickly pointing them to the best Energy Star products have to offer. Highlighting Energy Star's Most Efficient products is a great way to encourage the strides in innovation that bring even more energy and money saving choices to our stores," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

In order to qualify, products "must demonstrate efficiency performance that is truly exceptional, inspirational or leading-edge".

Consumers can find Most Efficient products on the Energy Star website and in stores by looking for the Most Efficient sticker. In addition to meeting accepted performance qualifications, products must also be Energy Star qualified and certified by an EPA-recognized certification body.

For more information on the ENERGY STAR program visit: http://www.energystar.gov/

Maytag Washer & Dryer Gets Smart

2011-08-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Doing laundry just got easier with Maytag’s new Maxima High-Efficiency Washer and Dryer.

The new Maytag Maxima Front Load Washer & Dryer delivers a premium laundry experience. The high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR qualified laundry combo allows you to customize your laundry with the touch of a button.

Smart technology on display.

Maxima washers and dryers feature interactive, full-color widescreen LCD displays which enable you to track the progress of your load including an Estimated Time Remaining clock. The LCD screen also includes stain removal solutions to help you determine which treatment is best for various stains. Not sure how much detergent to add to your load? The Optimal Dose Dispenser and Sensor-Controlled Suds Detection features will ensure each load is treated with the perfect amount of soap.

Keep your family breathing easy.

Bust allergies with the Allergen Removal Washer Cycle which removes 95% of common allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander, from fabrics. Keep your clean laundry smelling fresh with the 16 hour Fresh Hold with Dynamic Venting Technology. Circulating air in the washer prevents mildew and wrinkles setting in for up to 16 hours after the wash cycle ends. Use it to dry a small load in the washer overnight or dry out the washer between loads.

Sick of residue building up in your machine? Use the Maxima’s Clean Washer Cycle once a month with a cleaner like Affresh washer cleaner to remove or reduce odor-causing soap residue that can build up as a result of regular everyday washing.

Blast stains without damaging your clothes.

Maxima’s Steam for Stains option uses a combination of water temperature and steam to provide the optimal environment for detergent enzymes to work on removing organic stains. The PowerWash Cycle offers extra cleaning action and a thorough rinse to power out tough stains like coffee and soda as well as ground-in dirt.

Need to bleach your whites? Maxima’s White Cycle uses hot temperatures, fast tumbling, longer wash times and an extra-high spin speed for optimal cleaning. An additional rinse helps remove any remaining chlorine residue.

The Maxima is engineered with two ball bearing balance rings, six point suspension and advanced software combine to give advanced vibration performance.

For more information, visit factorybuilderstores.com/MaytagLaundry. Fill out a quote request form and your Factory Builder Stores representative will help you find the Maxima Laundry system that's right for you.

Convenient Design With Kitchen Power Grommets

2011-04-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Power outlets are a necessity in the kitchen but, determining where to place them can be difficult. Ideally, the should be inconspicuous, yet convenient. Now you can have both without distracting from your kitchen design.

Pop up power grommets are an excellent way to provide power to any spot in your kitchen without creating an eyesore in your beautiful cabinets or countertops. These neat little units are installed under the counter and pull up for instant access to a power source. When finished, unlock the unit at the bottom and press down. A clear rim around the top creates a tight seal which prevents water or other liquids from getting in.

Power grommets come with two or three standard outlets. Data and power configurations are also available.

Why Doesn't My Dishwasher Work?

2011-02-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed in the past few months that your dishes just aren't getting that clean anymore. They often come out of a fresh cycle covered in a white reside or little black flecks. And it's happened enough for you to think there's something wrong with your dishwasher, maybe you've even considered replacing it. Well here's the good news- unless you're sporting an ancient dishwasher, there's nothing wrong with it. So what's causing this mess? Your dishsoap.

Most dishwashing detergents contain phosphates, an element which significantly aids in the cleaning of grime and grit off your dishes. However, recent environmental studies show that such phosphates have proven harmful to our natural habitats. Phosphates promote the grown of algae and various aquatic weeds in bodies of water. Too much algea residence can significantly reduce the oxygen levels required for a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Given this finding, sixteen U.S. states put out a mandate in mid 2010 which required ditergent manufactureres to reduce phosphate contents to 0.5% or less. Since most of these manufacturers distribute their products nation wide, it's cheaper for them to adjust their formula across the board. This means that even though Texas has yet to mandate this new phosphate law, many of the detergents we buy have already complied.

The absense of these phosphates are what's causing the left over residue from your dishwasher cycle to stick on your dishes. So what can you do?

Some detergent manufacturers are adapting to this problem by utilizing enzymes in their new formulas. While this has inccured some costs and increased the price of dishwasher soap, it does reduce the amount of grime left on your dishes. We recommend using Finish Quantum Tabs, which perfected their enzyme based formula early on.

Using a citiric acid based cleaner can also help fix the residue problem. Try Finish Jet Dry, which breaks down mineral build-up and remove it from your dishwasher.

If there's another dishwasher soap you've found helpful, we'd love to hear about it!

Recycle Your Old Appliances

2010-12-29T10:13:00.000-08:00

If you're getting ready to remodel or upgrade your kitchen, have you thought about how you'll dispose of your old appliances? Consider recycling- you'll reduce your carbon foot print and may even get some cash! Whether your appliance is out of commission or you just want the latest model, there are easy options for recycling your old appliance.

Dead Appliances
If your appliance is no longer working, there are recycling centers that will gladly accept them. These recycling agents know how to safely and properly dispose of your old appliance to help keep scrap metal and other potentially hazardous materials out of land fills, which contaminate of our precious natural resources.

Not interested in lugging around your old appliance? Many centers have curbside and in-home pick up services. Simply schedule an appointment, and it's off your hands in no time.

Find an appliance recycling center near you

Reusable Appliances
If your appliance still in working condition, you have even more choices!
A great place to start is finding a local community organization that may be in need. Some ogranizations, like Habitat for Humanity, may be able to give you a tax deduction slip.

In need of a little extra cash to cover the new appliance? Post your item on Craigs List or eBay. You may find a local willing to pay a decent penny to take it off your hands. If you don't have the time or capacity to move it yourself, reduce the price a bit and ask for the buyer to pick it up.

If you've already purchased your new appliance, and it happens to be an ENERGY STAR complaint machine, then you can take advantage of the current Texas Cash for Appliances rebate. Not only will you receive money back for your new, energy efficient appliance- you can sntach an additional $75 by proving you properly recycled your old appliance.
Texas appliance rebate recycling details

Have another appliance recycling idea? We'd love to hear it!

NEW Tuscan Style Kitchen-Factory Builder Stores Dallas

2010-10-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

Factory Builder Stores-Dallas is proud to unveil their new StarMark Cabinetry and Viking Appliance demo kitchen vignette in their showroom.

Hidden pull out spice racks

The new kitchen showcases the StarMark Cabinetry line with bold colors in mixture of woods and finishes, heights and depths, showing its versatility. With a subtle Tuscan feel the kitchen is brought to life with the colors of Maple painted in Amaretto and Daiquiri and Cherry stained in Brittany Chocolate. “One of my favorite things about this kitchen is the combination of the colors, finishes, and lighting”, says Kamey Berringer, kitchen specialist at Factory Builder Stores who worked for over 6 weeks to see the project to completion.

In addition to versatility, the StarMark cabinets show their functionality with hidden pull out spice racks in the columns on either side of the hood and lower hidden spice racks behind the decorative legs left and right of the 48” Pro Viking Range. An equally innovative touch is an integrated “Message Center” in the pantry end which includes a custom chalk board panel on the outside of the pantry door with corkboard panels on the inside.

Integrated “Message Center” in Pantry End

The hood and the island are undoubtedly the focal points of the kitchen. “The split level island allows a separation of cooking and entertaining space. The variance in height is inviting and draws you into the space, making it the perfect place for all of our sales people to work with our customers”, explains Kamey.

MORE PICTURES

The Importance of Timing in the Kitchen

2010-10-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

Cooking Simplified with Chef Garth

From a weeknight meal for the family to a cocktail party for 30, timing the preparation will ensure a delicious dinner, a clean kitchen, and a happy host.

Menu Planning Choose only one menu item that needs to be done last minute such as the attached recipe for Texas Fried Rice.

Create a timeline Write a simple timeline. This way even a few glasses of wine won’t get in the way of a well executed menu! For example:

Thursday
Cook rice; make sauce base; blanch, shock & wrap broccolini.

Friday

6:00 Heat Wolf grill on high or Wolf griddle to 450 degrees and Wolf oven to 350 degrees Convection (NOT Convection Bake).
6:30 Sear beef; heat reduction and add butter.
6:45 Beef in oven, broccolini in oven, and fry rice.
7:00 Place rice on plate with broccolini at diagonal on top, drizzle sauce around rice, and place beef on top of rice and broccolini.

Source: Chef Garth's Cooking Tips Newsletter : October 2010

2010 Kaleidoscope of Homes- Ft. Worth

2010-09-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

October 9th -31st
Shady Oaks in Southlake, Texas

Factory Builder Stores is proud to have Thermador appliances represented in 2 of the 4 Kaleidoscope Homes.

This luxury home show highlights the latest in design trends, technology and architecture. These estate homes range from 7,000 to more than 9,500 square feet and are valued at two to three million dollars. This year's event is hosted by the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association and Terra/ Hat Creek Development. They are proud to announce that part of the proceeds will be given to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Ticket Info

Villa Siena – Harrell Custom Homes

1017 Whittington, Southlake

Offered at $2,250,000

Architectural Style: Tuscan

Architect: Jon Bolton, J. Bolton & Associates

Interior Design: Candy Whitman, Whitman Interiors

Villa Siena – Harrell Custom Homes

Floor Plan Detail: 7,189 square feet, two stories, five bedrooms, 6 baths, four living areas plus a theater room, two utility rooms, four-car garage

Room Details: Exceptional wall finishes, wood and tumbled marble floors, luxurious owner's suite with Tuscan mural, first floor theater and game room, Milsap stone accents, outdoor patio with an automatic Phantom Screen system to keep out wind, collapsible window walls that pull back for entertaining, an exercise room, luxurious study, wine grotto.

Energy Saving Features: A encapsulated attic that guarantees a $250/mo. energy bill, wood windows with double paned insulated glass, high energy efficient HVAC system and high efficiency appliances, materials and construction methods.

Unusual Design Elements:

Pool: Designed and built by Claffey Pools, the pool features a firepot providing a dramatic focal point of flames in the center of the pool.

Brighton Manor – Harrell Custom Homes

1009 Whittington Place, Southlake

Offered at $2,199,900

Architectural Style: English Tudor

Architect: Jon Bolton, J. Bolton & Associates

Interior Design: Candy Whitman, Whitman Interiors

Brighton Manor – Harrell Custom Homes

Floor Plan Detail: 7,307 square feet, two stories, five bedrooms, 6 baths, four living areas plus a theater room, two utility rooms, four-car garage

Room Details: Stunning English Tudor with 5 bedrooms, 6.3 baths, 4 car garage. Both exercise and game room located upstairs. Coffee bar connects luxurious master bath to owner’s suite. Spacious gourmet kitchen with two islands opens to dining room, living room and outdoor pavilion. Abundant storage in butler’s pantry and wine cellar. Theater room is downstairs making this the ideal house for the family that loves to entertain

Source: http://www.thekaleidoscopeofhomes.com/index.html

2010 Kaleidoscope of Homes-Ft. Worth

2010 HBA Parade of Homes-Austin

2010-09-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

Masters Touch Custom Homes

October 16 - 31, 2010

Gates Open Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays)

11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Factory Builder Stores is proud to be have Appliances &/or Cabinets represented by 4 of the 7 Parade of Homes Builders.

Rostrata Builders, Inc

Masters Touch Custom Homes

Rostrata Builders, Inc

Stonewood Homes, Ltd.

Triton Custom Homes

Stonewood Homes, Ltd.

The original Parade of Homes TM, where "Dream Homes Become Reality," is an annual tour of homes presented by the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin. The HBA has presented the Parade of HomesTM in the greater Austin area for the last 57 years. Tours allow visitors to check out the latest in architecture design, interior decorating, pool design and landscape design.

2010 NARI Tour of Remodeled Homes-Austin

2010-09-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

October 16th & 17th 12pm-6pm

Factory Builder Stores is proud to be have Appliances &/or Cabinets represented in 4 of the 8 tour homes.

3300 Glen Rose     Soledad Builders

3926 Balcones Dr.     CG&S Design-Build

7111 Spurlock Dr.     JNA Construction

3310 River Rd.     Realty Restoration

This year’s tour features eight fabulous remodeled homes throughout the Great Austin Area showcasing some of AUSTIN NARI’s most talented remodelers. The tour allows visitors to check out the latest possibilities of remodeling.

Projects include Austin Energy five-star rated renovation and unique second story addition in the historic Bryker Woods neighborhood including an extended outdoor living area, a 4,344 square foot, 1958 whole house renovation and expansion, a 1967 ranch style house completely remodeled into a 21st Century Post –Modern Austin masterpiece, a 1940’s bungalow upgraded and doubled in size, kitchen remodels, total reconfigurations of living spaces, extraordinary finishes and new energy saving products used to create spectacular renovations ranging from $60,000 to over $800,000.

Source: NARI Austin Charpter

NEW StarMark Cabinetry Vignette is in the Building

2010-08-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

The StarMark cabinetry truck has just backed into the dock at FBS Houston with the brand new vignette and it should be installed in the weeks to come.

If you are a designer, architect or are planning a kitchen remodel the Factory Builder Stores Showrooms are a must-see, just walking through will spur new ideas for your kitchen project and giving you valuable insight into exactly how cabinets & appliances are installed.
Plus, our kitchen specialists are the most experienced, professional and down right nicest you'll find anywhere. Meet the team now!

Check our promotions page for more information On our FREE TV/DVD Giveaway event!

http://www.factorybuilderstores.com/

Congratulations Johnson Family :: Factory Builder Stores-Proud Sponsor of Extreme Makeover Home Edition-Houston

2010-08-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Factory Builder Stores is a proud sponsor of Extreme Makeover Home Edition-Houston.

The work kicked off in Houston 7/26 for ABC’s top show “Extreme Make Over Home Edition” as HHN Homes began the daunting task of completing a 4,400 Square foot home in only 7 days.

The Houston family picked to receive the new home was chosen for their selfless acts of kindness.

The Johnson family, Eric and Elaine Johnson and their five daughters, lived in their 1 bedroom home in southeast Houston. The 720-squarefoot house was severely damaged by Hurricane Ike and suffered from rotting floors and the structural damage throughout the house.

Even though their own home was literally falling apart the family was a support system to their community giving away food and money to help their neighbors.

"They do a lot of things, you know. They'll bring kids in off the street and feed them, they'll take families away on days out," said designer Ed Sanders with 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.' "They'll take street kids that are just running the streets, they'll pick them all up and take 18 of them out to a water park for fun. They'll pay for it. And these guys don't earn a lot of money. That's what I think is amazing about finding families like this."he new home was constructed by Houston-based HHN Builders and designed with this family's specific needs in mind. Factory Builder Stores donated an entire kitchen suite of Jenn-Air Pro Series appliances giving the family a top-notch kitchen to prepare their meals for family and community.

John son Family in front of thier new home

Factory Builder Stores Kitchen Specialist, Heather Coble who worked on installing the homes kitchen cabinets says, “By the end of the day we were all exhausted but it was great to see everyone work together to finish the house. The best part was getting to yell ‘Move that Bus’ and see the families face as they saw their new for the first time”

Congratulation Johnson Family from Factory Builder Stores!

Source: KTRK-TV ABC 13

Arthritis Pain Relief :: Jacuzzi Hot Water Therapy

2010-08-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Via Jacuzzi Hot Tub Blog
Added by: Pam Messick, Jacuzzi Hot Tubs Lead Blogger on 08.09.10

Arthritis Sufferers Use Hot Tub Therapy for Pain Relief

Recently, I have been reading chatter on various social media networks regarding arthritis pain relief. So, I put out the following question to our Twitter and Facebook followers:

Have you used massage and/or hot water therapy for arthritis pain relief? Tell us your experience.
We received several replies from people suffering from arthritis of various forms and severity. Responses praised hot water therapy as a highly effective way to relieve joint pain, stiffness, swelling and inflammation from this chronic condition. Jacuzzi® Office Manager and IT Administrator, Nancy Powers, has suffered from osteoarthritis for several years, so I asked her to talk about it.
“Out of all the methods I have used including deep tissue massage, a heating pad around various parts of my body, etc., hot tub therapy works best, hands down. Chronic pain is exhausting. Warm water jets are reviving; they provide fast and relaxing arthritis pain relief. Being in massaging hot water is like heaven for my joints. My arthritis is not only in one part of my body, it’s all over, so being able to submerge my entire body in invigorating hot water is an extremely desirable method of arthritis pain relief for me.”

Read More

NEW from Viking :: Sealed Burner Dual Fuel Electronic Control Range

2010-08-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

48" Custom Sealed Burner Dual Fuel Electronic Control Range - VDSCCustom Series

Custom designed electronic controller and digital display combine professional cooking features with the sleek styling and design. This custom designed controller combines the traditional feel of a knob with the additional features of an electronic control display, including temperature probe, timer, timed bake functions, and a mirrored digital display.

Additional features and functions associated with new custom designed electronic controls -

• Digital Clock - digital clock can be displayed when range is not in use or can be set to disappear when not in use
• AutoRoast - automatically sears the outside of meats and then returns to the pre-set temperature in the standard Convection Roast mode, perfectly cooking meats to lock in juices and flavor.
• Meat probe - monitors baking/roasting of fine meats so you never have to worry about undercooking.
• Timed bake - set the oven to begin cooking up to 24 hours later and then drop into a 150ºF HOLD mode when cooking time is complete
• Timer - independent timer function can be used for timing items independent of the range oven
• Oven Lock - This child safety function prevents the oven controls from being activated when the oven is not in use

More Information

Source: Milestone Distributors

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Coming to Houston July 25-31

2010-07-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" -- the popular ABC television show -- is coming to Houston and they need YOUR help! This is the first time in the show's 8-year history that they will provide a deserving family with a new home inside the city limits of Houston.

Factory Builder Stores is proud to be part of this incredible event by donating the appliances for the family's new home.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Citywide Pep Rally
Mon, Jul 19 @ 7 pm – Houston's First Baptist Church

Build Week
Jul 25-31 – Location To Be Announced

Volunteer Today!
HHN Homes is managing volunteer registration and assignments throughout the week. They will notify volunteers of everything they need to know about what to wear, where to park and other important information needed for a safe and successful week. To be a part of the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" experience, sign up on the HHN Homes website.

THE BUILDER

HHN Homes has joined Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to build a new home for a deserving family in Houston, Texas. HHN is excited to take on the challenge to complete a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping – all to help change the lives of the family and of all hundreds of volunteers involved.

HHN Homes:

HHN is best known in Houston's Inner Loop as a new townhome builder bringing the highest standards of custom home construction and design to the townhome and patio home market. An extensive portfolio includes new townhomes and custom homes for sale in Houston's finest communities inside the loop – Montrose, Memorial Park, River Oaks, Near Heights, Downtown, Midtown, the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District.

Get Inspired by the 4th of July :: Kitchen Appliances

2010-06-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

Get Inspired by the 4th of July

1. Thermador Freedom Refrigeration Columns :: Thermador Freedom Collection Fresh Food Columns are designed to keep food fresher longer while offering a myriad of convenience features for superior functionality. And their modular column design makes them easy to place virtually anywhere and create customized refrigeration centers of almost any size and configuration.

2. Amana Red Quick Tap Refrigerator :: The Quick Tap™ entertainment refrigerator is perfect for wherever you want to be able to grab a quick cold one. An exterior dispenser that can be filled with a variety of beverages and features like wine and can racks make it the perfect addition to any party.

3. KitchenAid White 36" Electric Cooktop :: Architect Series II 36" Smoothtop Electric Cooktop with 5 Heating Elements, Premium Surface with Subtle Watermark & Hot-Surface Indicators

4. Electrolux Blue Front Load Washer & Dryer :: 4.7 cu. ft. Front Load Washer & 8.0 cu. ft. Gas Front Load Dryer with Wave-Touch Controls Featuring Perfect Steam

5. DCS Liberty Grills :: THE LIBERTY COLLECTION is a suite of outdoor cooking components that adjoin with themselves or to existing DCS by Fisher & Paykel grills in any combination you desire. They give you the freedom to devise your ideal outdoor kitchen island and have it up and running in time for tonights barbecue.

Grill Cleaning Tips : Interior & Exterior

2010-06-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

With summer in full swing and your grill getting a healthy workout each weekend here are some tips on how to keep your grill clean and in good working order from Sub -Zero / Wolf .

With briquettes and grates in place, turn all burners (including sear) on HI. Do not turn on the rotisserie. Let the grill heat for 10 to 12 minutes on HI with the hood closed. Turn burners OFF and allow the grill to cool completely.

INTERIOR
• After the grill has cooled, remove debris from grates with the grill brush. Remove grates and clean withsoapy water.
• Remove briquettes, shake or blow off any ash. Spray with water if desired.
• Cover burner tubes and infrared sear burner with plastic wrap. Spray inside the grill with oven cleaner and let stand according to directions.
• Wipe out the inside of the grill with a sponge, SOS pads and water. If necessary, a small putty knife can be used to scrap off thicker debris.

STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR
• Never clean the stainless steel when it is hot. After the initial grilling, certain areas of the outdoor product may discolor. This is a normal discoloration caused by the intense heat given off by the burners.

• After the grill has cooled, use a mild abrasive pad such as Scotch Brite with a mild stainless steel cleaner to

scrub the stainless steel parts of your grill. Always scrub in the direction of the grain.
• Specks of grease can gather on the surface of the stainless steel and get baked-on. These can be removed by using a mild abrasive pad with a stainless steel cleaner. Do not use steel wool to clean stainless steel.

Source : Wolf Grills Usage Guide

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 Semi-finalists

2010-06-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

From Electrolux Design Labs http://www.electroluxdesignlab.com/

Electrolux, most well known for their home kitchen appliances, established Electrolux Design Lab in 2003 as an annual global design competition.

The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate industrial design students who are invited to present innovative ideas for household appliances of the future.
The 2010 Electrolux Design Lab theme is “The 2nd Space Age”, an exploration of the role domestic product design has in maximizing living space.

Their challenge is to create a product the shapes how people prepare and store food, wash clothes, and do dishes by 2050 when 74% of the global population are predicted to live in an urban environment.

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 Semi-finalists

Check out some of the semi-finalists:

Qumi, Ilia Vostrov, Russia – Flexible Cooking Unit

Qumi is a fold out universal kitchen set. It can be used to heat, fry and steam a wide variety of food types (including liquids such as soup or sauces). When in storage the Qumi takes up little space (no more than a dinner plate) and is designed to be hung on an induction charging hook, making it wireless and portable. The concept features no display or control panel, rather all instructions are processed via mobile devices in the network ready home of the future.

Bio Robot Refrigerator, Yuriy Dmitriev, Russia – Cool, Green, Food Preservation

Four times smaller than a conventional refrigerator, the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. Rather than shelves, the non sticky, odourless gel morphs around products to create a separate pod that suspends items for easy access. Without doors, draws and a motor 90% of the appliance is solely given over to its intended purpose. At the same time, all food, drink and cooled products are readily available, odours are contained, and items are kept individually at their optimal temperature by bio robots. The fridge is adaptable – it can be hung vertically, horizontally, and even on the ceiling. Different sizes and dimensions allow it to perfectly fit the accordant dwelling.

Bio Tank, Robotic ‘FishWasher’, Akifusa Nakazawa, Japan

The Bio Tank is a dishwasher, composter and pet in one. Plates are placed in to the ‘dish tank’ so that robotic fish can clean plates and dirty objects – effectively they ‘eat’ the plate clean before turning what they eat in to bio fuel. The robotic fish also use filters to clean the water, meaning it doesn’t need to be replaced. The Bio Tank provides a quirky, green way of cleaning dishes whilst ensuring company for those in the growing number of single househoulds.

More Semi-finalists

Source : Electrolux Design Lab http://www.electroluxdesignlab.com/2010/06/electrolux-design-lab-2010-semi-finalists/#more-1844

Annual Scratch & Dent Sale :: Factory Builder Stores

2010-06-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Unbelievable Deals on

Overstock, Uncrated and Damaged Appliances

Thursday 6/24 & Friday 6/25
Saturday 6/26

Austin College Station Dallas Houston San Antonio

Brands like : Amana Bosch DCS Fisher & Paykel Frigidaire Jenn-Air Jacuzzi KitchenAid Maytag Sub-Zero Thermador Viking Whirlpool Wolf and much more!

http://www.factorybuilderstores.com/

FNPS2KKSDZXX

Factory Builder Stores nominated for ‘Best of the Brazos Valley 2010’

2010-06-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

Factory Builder Stores College Station location has been nominated for the ‘Best of the Brazos Valley 2010’ in the ‘Best Appliance Store’ category.

Family owned and operated in Texas since 1988, Factory Builder Stores first opened its doors in College Station in 1992. Since that time the home building business in the Brazos Valley has grown and so has Factory Builder Stores opening a new location in College Station in 2005 off of Old Wellborn Road.

Built on integrity, service and hard work, Factory Builder Stores is always there to support builder communities need for a stable, reliable supplier of appliances, tubs and cabinets in the Brazos Valley.

Vote for Factory Builder Stores for

“The Best of the Brazos Valley 2010”

http://bit.ly/bestofthebrazos

Wine : Storage & Serving Temperatures

2010-06-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Why make such a fuss over storing wine at a specific temperature?

There is a fairly simple answer. Wine, like any food or drink, is perishable. Storing it in an environment that is too hot OR to cold will cause it to lose its flavor…and the flavor is what we make all the fuss s about!

The goal in wine storage is a stable, ideal temperature.

There are many wine storage options available. Look for features designed stabilize including dual storage zones which allows storage at two or more temperatures within one unit, digital controls that maintain temperature and humidity, and UV protection.

When you are ready to serve the wine, you are looking for a temperature that showcases its characteristics. Just like eating a frozen waffle while it is still frozen, if you serve wine too cold the flavor is lost. Serving wine too hot can cause the taste to be overwhelmed by alcohol.

A large portion of the wine drinking experience comes not only from the taste of the wine but also the smell. When the temperature of the wine rises, vapors are created giving the drinker a matching aroma to the taste.

Room Temperature is rarely 'wine drinking temperature'…think Texas in July. Nobody wants a 100° Chardonnay! Keeping your wine at a stable temperature lets you allow for time to either, chill your wine if the ideal serving temperature is lower than storage, or let your wine warm from storage temperature to it’s ideal serving temperature using your rooms temperature as a gauge.

Source : http://www.wineintro.com/basics/temperatures.html

It's Not Just About the Cold, It's The Humidity. Bosch VitaFresh Refrigeration Technology

2010-06-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Proper refrigeration is not just about keeping things cold. It's about keeping the right balance between temperature, humidity and your food. Bosch introduces VitaFresh™ Technology, only available in the Bosch French Door refrigerator.

With precise humidity creating the ideal environment for storing and extending the shelf life of produce, VitaFresh also serves to extend your food budget.
By slowing down the natural aging process VitaFresh is able to help produce keep its original flavor, texture and appearance.

Grapes-Last up to 25 Days
Peaches-Last up to 20 Days
Strawberries-Last up to 5 Days

Broccoli-Last up to 10 Days
Cauliflower-Last up to 20 Days
Lettuce-Last up to 14 Days

The Technology Inside:

Directional Airflow System
This unique system not only preserves food but chills it to the optimal temperature.

Special ventilation channels
Air passes over and around the produce bins
Temperature is kept at an ideal temperature for the produce within

Automatic Humidity Control
This unique lining maintains ideal humidity for all types of produce by regulating how much or how little moisture is require for produce stored in the drawers.

Maintain optimal humidity levels

(1) VitaFresh results are based on an independent study against Bosch conventional refrigeration without VitaFresh.
(2) Maximum storage time for fruits and vegetables in Bosch VitaFresh drawers based on temperatures ranging from 27° - 37°F.
(3) These figures illustrate an average rate of decay of produce stored properly with VitaFresh and with conventional refrigeration. All times are approximate and depend on produce quality and assume appropriate storage and an uninterrupted refrigeration cycle from harvest until storage in VitaFresh appliance. Individual cases may vary.

More information http://bosch-home.com/us/bosch/vitafresh.html

"Made in America"-Viking Range Corp. on MSNBC

2010-05-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

MSNBC.com visited Viking a few weeks ago to gather footage and information for their monthly online series “Made In America”. This ongoing series focuses on U.S. companies and how they are weathering the economic storm.

If you want to know what it takes to manufacture a product in the United States these days, just ask Fred Carl.
The founder, president and CEO of Viking Range, Carl virtually invented the market for half-ton, restaurant-sized stoves in the home, launching his company in the late 1980s, just as a cooking craze swept American kitchens.
Moving production offshore might boost profits, Carl said. But he’s as committed to staying in Greenwood as he was to his eight-year odyssey bringing 18,000 Btu burners to American kitchens.
“Allegiance is a big part of that, and by golly we are going to build in America no matter what,” he said. “We are going to work our brains out to make sure that we are able to do that and stay competitive. It's just extremely important to us. This is our product. It’s made by us right here in the Mississippi Delta and we plan on keeping it that way. That's just how we feel about that.” READ MORE

Viking battles to keep manufacturing in U.S. By John W. Schoen, Senior Producer

Cleaning Your Whirlpool Bath : Dishwasher Detergent & Car Wax

2010-05-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

Our whirlpool baths clean and relax us so give a little bit back. It can be tricky to figure out how exactly to clean your whirlpool without harming the acrylic.
Here are some tips from our the experts at Jetta Baths about how to keep your whirlpool bright, shiny and , lets be frank, smelling good!

It is recommended that your whirlpool, air or combination system be flushed twice per month. More frequent
service may be required depending on your usage.

FLUSHING PROCEDURE...

1. Fill your bath with hot water
2. Add 2 tablespoons of low-foaming automatic dishwasher detergent (i.e. Cascade, Sunlight, etc.)
3. Add 1/2 cup of household bleach to the water
4. Run the whirlpool for a minimum of fifteen minutes
5. Drain Bath
6. Refill with cold water and operate the whirlpool for fifteen minutes
7. Drain Bath

Cleaning should be done with a damp cloth and a window cleaner (i.e. Glass Plus, Windex, etc.). NEVER

WITH ANY SOLVENTS. Do not use an abrasive or chemical based cleanser of any kind. The fittings should be wiped off with a damp cloth only. Bubble Bath or bath oils are not recommended for whirlpool, air or combination baths.

To add additional lustre on your bath surface, you may use a good automotive wax recommended for plastic surfaces. Do not wax the floor, for this may cause a slip hazard. Light scratches and abrasions may be removed and the original gloss restored by using a light buffing compound. Use a damp cloth, rub in small circles until scratches or abrasions are gone, then wipe with a dry cloth until the original gloss is restored.

Repairs of any kind, if necessary, should be done by qualified acrylic experts!

Jenn-Air Web Reality Series: In the Kitchen with Tori Ritchie

2010-04-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

"In The Kitchen" with Tori Richie is a reality cooking competition series in which nine contestants compete to win a gorgeous, next generation Jenn-Air kitchen.

Each contestant has a personal reason for cooking a special people they'll be cooking for. They have just 2 hours to prepare an exceptional meal and entertaining experience.

VOTE AND YOU ARE ENTERED TO WIN A JENN-AIR BEVERAGE CENTER

Help choose the winner of "In the Kitchen" by voting online before June 14th

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

You can also print and share recipes from each contestants special meal!

Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations

Close to Home

2010-04-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

Going through the design process can be extremely exciting and at times daunting. Cammy Oney, Cabinet Designer at Factory Builder Stores-Austin, guides homeowners through the process everyday making their kitchen dreams a reality.

Recently Cammy worked on a project with co-worker and friend Michael Walker, Appliance Sales at Factory Builder Stores-Austin, on cabinet designs for his own Austin home.

“The homeowners and the builder were fun to work with! I think they felt comfortable in hearing my opinions and being able to voice their own. They were aware of “the process” which can be difficult to understand as you take a blank room and make a new shape out of it. They were appreciative of the final outcome and willing and eager to share their home with others interested in seeing the final product. I am thankful for their generosity and trust in me as their designer”, says Oney.

In Michael’s home Cammy designed cabinets for the Kitchen, Bar Area, Guest Bath, Kids Bath and Master Bath, using the Ultra Craft Cabinetry line, she explains, “We wanted the look to be very current yet cutting edge. These Ultra Craft finishes are unlike any others on the market. The colors are so unique and eye-catching. They blend amazingly with other finishes currently on the market.”

With a design aesthetic described as a comfortable blend of industrial and earthy, Cammy Says, “The lines are quite sleek yet the colors and finishes are grounded and authentically genuine to an organic form. We allowed the appliances to interact as if they “grew in together” as demonstrated with the hood piercing the open shelf above it. This was reiterated at the island as the two layers there also pierce one another.”

When asked what her favorite part of the project was, she said, “I just can’t get over the before and after thing! To walk into a dusty, dirty concrete space then to see the cabinets installed complete with the counter tops and splash is oh so fun! This was so rewarding for me as well since I was able to design with my favorite finishes Ultra Craft offers. I loved how the homeowners trusted me with that.”

And as for the difficulty of designing for someone you know personally, she explains “Really we all are respectful of each other’s opinions, and we feed well off of the other’s vision, energy and passion for the project.”

New rebate program for appliances starts in April-News 8 Austin

2010-04-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

By: News 8 Austin

In less than one week, Texans can reserve a rebate for energy-efficient appliances through the Texas Trade Up Appliance Rebate Program.

http://news8austin.com/content/top_stories/269927/new-rebate-program-for-appliances-starts-in-april?ap=1

Rebate amounts range from $45 to $1,600, depending on the appliance. Participants can get an extra $75 for recycling an old appliance.

Reservations start on April 7 at 7 a.m. Participants have to wait until April 16 to purchase the appliance.

Certain energy-efficient models of refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washers, dishwashers and hot water heaters apply.
Steven Holt with Factory Builder Stores said he's already been getting calls about the program

"A lot of the appliances on the market right now are not E-Star rated. For example, a standard top-load washing machine uses about 50 gallons of water per cycle, where if you do the E-Star rated, on this program you're looking at about 10 gallons per cycle," Holt said.

On April 7 you can reserve a rebate by calling (877) 780-3039 or

online.

People can apply for up to two rebates per address.

The appliance purchases can still qualify for other rebates, such as through Austin Energy.

Susan Castor Collection Beach House

2010-03-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Mustang Island, TX 03/29/2010 —Factory Builder Stores is a proud sponsor of the appliance suite for the Susan Castor Collection Beach House, Mustang Island, Texas.

Home Tours beginning Mid-June
Wednesday through Sunday
11am to 5pm

Sitterle Homes- 20 Years of Partnership

2010-03-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

San Antonio, TX 03/15/2010 —Sitterle Homes has been a premier partner of Factory Builder Stores since the doors opened in San Antonio in 1990. The Sitterle Homes family has built over 4,000 homes in the greater San Antonio area and has enjoyed a fine reputation and repeat homebuyers. Factory Builder Stores is proud to celebrate 20 years of doing business with the best in the business!

Currently Sitterle Homes is working with Factory Builder Stores for all of their appliance packages in each of their communities. Two new and exciting projects, Campanas at Cibolo Canyons and Rogers Ranch (Pointe Bluff), will be the first of several projects to offer Viking Appliances in their Pro Gourmet and Gourmet kitchens.

Viking’s Executive Chef, Scotty Campbell recently paid a visit to Sitterle Homes’ Tuscan-inspired garden homes in Campanas at Cibolo Canyons to prepare DINNER for the Sitterle Staff. The Viking Kitchens are an exciting addition to the luxurious lifestyle environment created at Campanas.

http://sitterlehomes.com/homes/index.cfm?n=5

In their newest developments, Sitterle will be beginning to build in the Austin area with The Ranch at Brushy Creek, Westside Preserve, Kinloch Court at Belterra and Behrens Ranch all of which will be supported by Factory Builder Stores Austin location.

A Kitchen Design with True Texas Roots

2010-03-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

Designer: Stacie Fox
Project Name: Meaux Kitchen & Hood

The styling for this home is best described as a traditional Texas ranch style home. In the small town of Winnie, Texas along the winding country roads the one story home stands set back on cattle land. The home has been in the family through 3 generations just recently being passed on to its current owners.

Having just inherited the home the homeowners began an update of the kitchen removing the 70’s styling and replacing it with a more livable design. Capturing the spirit of many family memories and traditions was extremely important so care was taken to retain some of the original layout of the space.

(Pictured: The Meaux Family, homewoners)
The homeowner has an affinity for design and had begun her search online leading her to the Crystal cabinet line. Having already solidified some of her ideas we had a great starting point for her kitchen design. The main requirements of the project included:

• Clean, light color with a distinct contrast element

• A detailed focal point

• Ample storage

• Designated baking area

The kitchen, opening to the great room, is lit by large bay windows opening to the cattle fields allowing a large amount of ambient light into the kitchen. To capitalize on the bright feeling of the area we chose the Van Dyke brushing on frosty white. To minimize the visual noise of multiple stainless appliances we used panels applied on (1) 36” Sub Zero Fridge, (2) “27 Sub Zero freezers, (1) dishwasher, (1) double drawer dishwasher and warming drawer. The homeowner was also in love with the idea of a contrasting color element which took shape in Knotty Alder Blackstone stain.

As the detailed focal point in the kitchen, the hood is the main use of the contrast color making it stand out from the surround cabinets. The hood is centered over a “60 Wolf range, the only stainless appliance in the kitchen. Starting and ending with detailing including torus assembly to the panels the 10 foot span of the hood dominates the interest of the kitchen achieving the detailed focal point.

A small bar was located in the far right of the kitchen outside of the work triangle. To pull it back into the kitchen we again used the contrast color, Knotty Alder Blackstone stain and wrapped the support beam with solid stock materials. Adding decorative baseboard and crown we highlighted the bar as an accent area.

Because the homeowner has 3 young boys she needs to keep a fully stock kitchen which requires more storage than previously existed. To achieve this we reserved an entire wall for pantries including rollouts with one featuring can rack shelves for easy access.

For this family cooking is a major activity, more specifically baking. We decide to create a designated baking area which included a drop down in the island to 28 1/2” which allows the homeowner to roll cookies and breads with the help of her younger sons. For storage and access we incorporated a pop up mixer shelf and tray dividers for cookie sheets on both sides of the preparation area. We also placed both the warming drawer and the microwave drawer within reach under counter along the island.

In the end the homeowner is extremely happy with the work flow and open feel of her kitchen. As everyone congregates around the island bar we know the design elements and solutions all came together.

BEFORE & AFTER

Barbeque University

2010-02-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

Join Jennifer Garner & Frigidaire in Supporting Save the Children

2010-02-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

Plus enter to win a

Frigidaire Affinity Washer & Dryer

Click Here to Play Frigidaire's Spin & Win
with Jennifer Garner.

Each spin is a $1 donation to Save the Children.

The Kitchen Island, the Water Cooler of the Home

2010-01-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

Homeowners are using their kitchens as a true living space, not only cooking in them but also working, entertaining, and spending family time in them. This is why the Island is taking center stage as the gathering place of modern homes both functionally and in design.

Increased need for ample seating as well as space to work on projects has called for larger countertop space as well as an increase in traffic flow surrounding the kitchen island.

Cabinet manufacturers now offer elaborate finishes and wood work making the island standout such as scroll work, decorative legs and furniture finishes.

(Left: Crystal Cabinets, avalible at Factory Builder Stores)

A custom color scheme of cream and green with Van Dyke Brown Highlight creates a beautiful tranquil setting for a pair of distinct custom islands. The island feature special turn-post legs, Enkeboll corbels and wainscot panels.

A House, Then a Home

2010-01-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

Factory Builder Stores is proud to contribute to community projects including The SANDE Youth Project in Austin TX, motivating young people toward productive futures in the culinary arts.

Recently Factory Builder Stores-Austin lent expertise in kitchen design to the program creating design renderings for the new kitchen at Limerick-Frazier House, a home built in 1876 which is soon to be home to The SANDE Youth Project.

"If you ask famous chefs what inspired them toward culinary careers, they will tell you that their love of food and passion for cooking developed at a young age, usually in Mother's kitchen. As a rite of passage project, SANDE students join a culinary family when they learn to cook with culinary role models at the Limerick-Frazier House." (TONI TIPTON-MARTIN, The Austin Chronicle 1/15/10)

In the recent MLK Day celebration ServeaDream Dream Pie Social the plans for the renovations where unveiled.

A letter from Toni Tipton-Martin, Founder, The SANDE Youth Project to Factory Builder Stores

On behalf of the future students of The SANDE Youth Project, I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the time and effort you devoted to our first annual Dream Pie Social fundraiser, Pie4All.

Because of your generosity and the beautiful architectural rendering you provided of our kitchens, we were able to achieve our goal of helping to build Dr. King’s “beloved community” while raising awareness about the value of food traditions and culinary careers.]

[We truly appreciate that you shared your resources with those who are less fortunate. To further express our gratitude, this organization will do all it can to promote Factory Builder Stores every chance we get.

Thank you again, Toni Tipton-Martin Founder, The SANDE Youth Project

Source: The Austin Chronicle "Peace Through Pie Bringing the community together around the table" http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A938205

KVUE "Austin group seeks to link pie socials and MLK holiday" http://www.kvue.com/news/Austin-group-seeks-to-link-pie-socials-and-MLK-holiday-81993102.html

Architecture for Humanity

2010-01-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

SUPPORT FOR HAITI

Architecture for Humanity is a grassroots network of architects, designers and building professionals that lend their talents and expertise in communities where there services are most needed and can least be afforded.

On Jan. 12th, a 7.0 earthquake that hit the improverished nation of Haiti caused widespread major damage and a loss of life estimated to be between 45,000 to 50,000 (source: Red Cross).

Architecture for Humanity is launching an an appeal to focus on the long term reconstruction effort.

Click Here to find out more or DONATE

Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (AKA: Cash for Clunkers II)

2010-01-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

Houston, TX 1/12/10 ¬―Launching April 16-25th,2010, the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program supplies Texas with over 23 million dollars in stimulus funding for consumer rebates on energy efficient appliances.

The rebates will be available to consumers who purchase eligible energy star rated appliances that will replace old functional appliances. The rebate will only apply to appliances purchased during the rebate timeframe, April 16th-25th, 2010.

In addition, there will be a recycling rebate available to those consumers that have the old appliance recycled.

Rebate Amounts:

* Depending on appliance type and energy efficiency of model purchased

Source: TX SECO http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/arra/rebate/

Rooted in Austin

2009-12-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

Austin, TX 12/28/09

Factory Builder Stores Austin finishes installing appliances for the new Barton Place Development just in time for the New Year.

The project consists of 6 buildings with 260 units nestled in a Pecan grove between Zilker Park and the hike and bike trail along Lady Bird Lake in Austin.
Barton Place is a development that takes its Austin roots seriously. The developer, the design team and the building materials all have deep roots in Austin. The development epitomize the active and casual Austin atmosphere while honoring its heritage and providing a luxurious environment for its residents. Visit Barton Place Online