Posted By Tony on February 6, 2012

Green Building Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builder's Association hosts White House Energy, Environment, and Conservation Roundtable - and Highlight Homes was there!

Highlight Homes’ Founder Tony Pourhassan Recently Took Part in the White House Energy, Environment and Conservation Roundtable Hosted by the Green Building Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builder’s Association

Regardless of your politics and whether you live in a red or blue state, the U.S. government has expressed an increasing concern centered around green construction, energy efficiency, and conservation – three subjects that just happen to be near and dear to the heart of Highlight Homes’ founder, Tony Pourhassan. Therefore, it goes without saying that Tony was more than a little flattered and honored to be invited to take place in last week’s White House Energy, Environment, and Conservation Roundtable hosted by the Green Building Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builder’s Association.

Tony – a proud member of the Green Building Council since 2011 – took his seat beside other prominent Atlanta builders, representatives from the General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, Atlanta Housing Authority, and local government officials to talk about the future of sustainability, clean energy, conservation, and green jobs in our country. Topics discussed during the January 31 meeting  included incentives, tax credits, code enforcement, and programs designed to encourage sustainability, clean energy, conservation, and all that goes into building an “America that will last.” The insights gleaned from this meeting will be shared with the White House.

“I was encouraged that we were able to put politics aside and discuss the future of our country from an eco-conscious standpoint,” said Tony. “I feel a real responsibility as a home builder to persuade other builders and home buyers to seek out earth-friendly, energy efficient for the good of their families and – ultimately – the good of our planet. That’s why I was honored to be invited to become a member of GAHB’s Green Building Council and to take part in this Roundtable. As a small businessman, I am extremely passionate about creating new jobs, particularly those in the green sector. It’s definitely heartening to think that the government is listening to what my colleagues and I have to say.”

While the meeting may have come to a close, Tony and his fellow council members were assured that this is just the beginning of the conversation. In the future, the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will be contacting participants of the Roundtable to take part in conference calls and dialogues covering a wide range of topics pertaining to energy, the environment and conservation.

To stay up-to-date on the latest Highlight Homes’ news, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blog, and/or sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, the Highlight Homes Herald. If you wish to discuss green construction of a Highlight Homes custom home or room addition, contact Tony and his team by phone at 678.873.9234, via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or through our convenient online contact form. To learn more about Tony and Highlight Homes, visit the Atlanta-based company website at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Image Credit: AMERICAN FLAG © Robert Pernell | Dreamstime.com

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Tags: Atlanta Design/Build Firm, Atlanta Home Remodeling, Georgia Builder, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Green Builder, Green Building Council, GSA, Highlight Homes, HUD, Room Additions Atlanta, Tony Pourhassan, White House Energy Environment and Conservation Roundtable

Posted By Tony on January 24, 2012

Make “Home Sweet Home” Even Sweeter with the Gift of a Home Renovation This Valentine’s Day

A visit to any card shop, flower shop, or grocery store alerts you to the impending arrival of St. Valentine’s Day just around the corner on February 14. To honor the one you love, you could go with the tried-and-true heart-shaped box of chocolates, the traditional dozen long-stemmed red roses, a singing telegram pronouncing your undying love, or a pair of boxer shorts adorned with the image of Cupid and his ever-ready bow and arrow. At Highlight Homes, we feel we might just have a gift idea that will top all Valentine’s Days past. This notion of ours is not only the key to making your “home sweet home” a little sweeter, it’s a gift that keeps giving long after the box of chocolates has been eaten, the roses have all died, and the boxers have turned pink after their first wash.

Love comes in many forms, and so do home renovations. A quick phone call to Highlight Homes can be the first step to pulling together the home improvement project your loved one has been dreaming of. We will not only design a renovation to fit your budget and needs, but also your family’s unique personality.  Here are a few ideas to help spark your imagination:

1. Master Retreat: Convert your bedroom into a “love nest” you can’t wait to retire to each evening… something that evokes luxury, comfort and warmth. From trey ceilings for added height and hardwoods to add  a timeless opulence, to crown molding to add rich details and a shift in the floorplan to open things up – Highlight Homes’ experience in structural engineering and architecture can help you see your bedroom in a way you never even imagined.
2. Master Bath: Bring new meaning to the phrase “rest room” with spa-inspired additions such as a waterfall tub, hands-free faucets, Italian-tile lined steam shower, surround sound stereo, and elegant lighting. Warning – you may never want to leave.
3. Gourmet Kitchen: They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! A renovation of the heart of the home that takes an outdated kitchen that’s so-so to a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen that’s so WHOA could be the inspiration for many a fabulous meal to come.
4. Craft Studio: If your sweetie is a closet artist or crafter at heart, what better way to say “I love you” than to create a space that is uniquely their own. Be it a sunroom that’s filled with light and paint-and-hot-glue-friendly flooring or a corner room in the basement surrounded with workspaces and storage cabinets, creation of this space is sure to get you a big hug.
5. Man Cave: If you know a boy who likes to escape to his own corner of the home from time to time, why not make that corner fit his individual tastes and interests. From a movie theater-inspired media center for endless runs of sci-fi favorites to a bar-and-big-screen space that’s all his own, Highlight Homes can help you draw up blueprints for a Man Cave of his dreams.
6. Outdoor Oasis: With Spring just a matter of months away, backyard barbeques and pool parties are just around the corner. Whether you seek a quiet garden retreat, a high-energy sports and pool complex, an outdoor kitchen, or an al fresco extension of the interior of your home, Highlight Homes can help.

This list goes on and on!  To get started on your Valentine’s Day shopping with a home renovation from Highlight Homes, contact our design-build team by phone at 678.873.9234, by e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or via our our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, we welcome you to visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com where you can meet the members of our team, discover our ever-increasing list of services, and view our portfolio online. To stay up-to-date on the latest Highlight Homes news, “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and/or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald.

Image Credit: © Iperl | Dreamstime.com

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Tags: Atlanta Design/Build Firm, Atlanta Home Remodeling, bathroom remodel, decks and patios, Highlight Homes, kitchen remodel, outdoor living spaces, Room Additions Atlanta, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Posted By Tony on January 13, 2012

Image Credit: OLD OAK TREE © Colleen Coombe - Dreamstime.com

Glimmer of Hope for the Remodeling Industry in the Southeast

According to the latest Remodeling Market Index and recent news releases from the National Association of Home Builders, the economy continues to take a toll on both the housing and remodeling industries across the nation. While the numbers from third quarter 2011 were somewhat bleak throughout the U.S., indicating that remodeling activity remains slow under current economic conditions – there was a bit of silver lining for the remodeling industry in the South. As the housing market in Georgia struggles to find its footing once again and builders continue to remain hopeful with reported new home sales up 12,9% in the South in November 2011 (even in the face of a drop in the number of building permits, which were down 11% year over year in the third quarter) – it’s apparent that more and more homeowners are either making the choice to remain in their current home or feeling as though they cannot move at this time due to lackluster house values on resales. That may have a hand in the increases in current market conditions and future market indicators for the remodeling industry in the South.

Current market conditions coincide with three major components, including major additions, minor additions, and maintenance & repair. Regionally, current market conditions were up in the South and the Midwest – but down in the rest of the nation. Future Market Indicators – which are comprised of calls for bids, amount work committed for the next three months, backlog of remodeling jobs, and  appointments for appraisals – were down everywhere else in the country, but showed marked improvements in the South. What does this mean for Southern homeowners? It could mean that the momentum is building, and there is safety in numbers. As more and more homeowners apply for loans and begin investing in their homes again, the wheels of progress will begin rolling forward once more. The proud people of the South can set the tone for the rest of the nation.

Award-winning, Georgia-based Highlight Homes welcomes the opportunity to help you with the design and implementation of a stunning renovation of your home. Together, we can not only create something wonderful – we can help the local economy and set the tone for the rest of the nation at the same time! To schedule a no-obligation consultation today, contact Highlight Homes’ talented design-build team by phone at 678-873-9234, via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com, or through our convenient online contact form. Sign a contract with us before January 30, 2012, and your name will be entered into a random drawing for an Apple® iPad2! For inspiration, we invite you to take a peek inside our online portfolio. To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit our website at www.highlighthomesga.com.

Credits: “New Home Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month in November” NAHB (December 23, 2011)  http://www.nahb.com/news_details.aspx?newsID=14444

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Tags: Atlanta Home Remodeling, Highlight Homes, Highlight Homes Georgia, Home Remodel Atlanta, National Association of Home Builders, Remodeling Industry, Remodeling Market Index, Room Additions Atlanta

Posted By Tony on January 9, 2012

Image Credit: arztsamui – freedigitalphotos.net

How Empty Nesters Can Reclaim Their Homes Once their Little Birdies Have all Flown the Coop

So many of us make concessions in our homes to fit the needs of our children – between rowdy play dates in the playroom to practice sessions of the resident garage band. It may be possible that you chose your flooring with the kids in mind (“we need something durable for the kids”), that you selected easy-to-clean wall paint colors that didn’t show fingerprints (“crayons and greasy fingers are common in our house”), and that you have bedrooms that serve as shrines to your children’s childhoods – reflecting the little people that they once were, not necessarily the people that they are today.

Once the kids have graduated and/or married and/or simply flown from the nest, it’s time to reclaim that space to fit YOUR needs as a couple. Chances are, if you haven’t renovated or updated your home since the children were babies or toddlers – your home could be in dire need of an update. Use this opportunity to create a fresh new personality for your home to reflect your new desires and identity as a couple – after all, you’re empty nesters now! Maybe you’ve always wanted a gourmet kitchen that exudes luxury, or a craft studio where you can paint or create to your heart’s content. It’s possible that you dream of a master bedroom, walk-in closet and master bath that emanate serenity.  An empty guest bedroom may serve as the new media room or home gym, and the basement that was once filled with drum sets and empty potato chip wrappers may serve as an in-law suite complete with kitchen, full bath, living area and bedroom to accommodate aging parents you’d like to keep close or a bar and entertainment area for epic gatherings with your friends.

Keep in mind that your nest is not confined to the interior of your home. Outdoor living spaces are all the rage and serve as a terrific extension of your home. Take a long look at your backyard. Don’t you think it’s time to dismantle the playground and transform this space into a terrific outdoor escape. If you’ve always loved gardening – imagine a quaint potting shed surrounded by your unique version of an English Garden with pathways lined with benches for reading and reflecting. If you love to entertain – envision a heated swimming pool paired with a Tiki Bar and outdoor kitchen. If you long to relax – visualize a tranquil koi pond just outside your backdoor, a sprawling covered deck with an outdoor hearth and cozy deep seating set, and an oversized hammock strategically placed in the shade. The possibilities are endless!

To reclaim YOUR home now that your little birdies have all flown the coop, we invite empty nesters from all over the Atlanta area – including Peachtree City, Newnan, Buckhead, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and beyond – to contact the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes today! Our award-winning crew of designers and builders look forward to helping you make your visions of a new nest a reality and can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or filling out our helpful online contact form. To stay on top of the latest Highlight Homes news and specials, we welcome you to “like us” on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, visit our mobile text site when on the road by texting Highlight Homes to 99699, or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Highlight Homes Herald! For a little inspiration, please visit our online portfolio to help you get started.

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Tags: Atlanta Home Remodeling, basements, bathroom remodel, decks and patios, Empty Nesters, Highlight Homes, kitchen remodel, Room Additions Atlanta

Posted By Tony on December 29, 2011

The launch and designation of the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation as a 501(c)3 Public Charity are among Highlight Homes' proudest moments of 2011.

Highlight Homes Celebrates Another Great Year Filled with Wonderful Clients and Terrific News

As 2011 comes to a close, we reflect on all of the exciting changes that took place this year and the number of new friends we’ve made through our work at Highlight Homes. In February, we unveiled our virtual project portfolio and broke ground on Daniel Payne Legacy Village, an exciting Live-Work-Play-Pray mixed-use community in Birmingham, Alabama. By the Spring, we received the top honor of becoming National Kitchen and Bath Association-Certified and tackled our company’s first commercial renovation. By the Fall, we became a Brand Mortgage-sanctioned Remodeling and Repair Partner,  and our founder and company principal – Tony Pourhassan – was elected to the Green Building Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Before the year was over, we produced our first renovation video, Highlight Homes had won a Gold OBIE Award for the Best Kitchen Remodeling Under $75,000, and we received the very best news of all – the charitable affiliate for Highlight Homes, The Georgia Redevelopment Foundation, was designated a 501(c)3 Public Charity.

With all of the positive things that happened for our family-owned-and-operated small business, we are keenly aware of all of the bad that happened that affected the lives of families throughout the South. Through our efforts with the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation, we were able to rush to those in need following the devastating tornadoes that struck Georgia and Alabama in April 2011 and logged hundreds of man hours in an attempt to help them rebuild their homes and their lives. Our hearts and prays continue to go out to the families of those who lost their lives during those terrible storms. We are also saddened by the fact that we were unable to do more following the tragic historic flooding in Minot, North Dakota. But with every cloud, there is a silver lining. With our new 501(c)3 designation, we can now apply for grants and accept tax-deductible donation so that in the event another disaster strikes – we will be ready to help! Through our efforts with the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation, we also hope to assist senior citizens and house-bound homeowners who cannot afford home repairs with basic home maintenance at no cost to the homeowner.

Before the sun sets on 2011, we want you to know that we are so grateful to all of our wonderful clients, friends and supporters. All of the things we’ve been able to do and accomplish over the past year wouldn’t have been possible without your encouragement and belief in our abilities. From the Highlight Homes family to yours, we wish you a very Happy and Safe New Year. May 2012 hold much promise and many pleasant surprises for us all!

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation, please contact Tony Pourhassan by phone at 678-873-9234 or via e-mail at info@highlighthomesga.com. If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation to help offset costs of future events, we welcome your calls or e-mails to the number/address listed above. The Georgia Redevelopment is also seeking strategic partnerships with individual investors, construction vendors, and corporations who wish to form an alliance and help Southern homeowners rebuild their lives, one brick at a time. Thank you in advance for your support of this worthy cause!

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Tags: 501(c)3 Public Charity, Brand Mortgage, Daniel Payne Legacy Village, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Green Building Council, National Kitchen and Bath Association, OBIE Awards, The Georgia Redevelopment Foundation, Tony Pourhassan

Posted By Tony on December 22, 2011

Image credit - © Darknightsky - Dreamstime.com

A Well-Designed Room Addition Could Increase Your Family’s Enjoyment of Your Home

Less is not always more. Sometimes, less is… well, less. As the holidays approach and the rooms of your home are filled to overflowing with house guests, you may begin to notice that your house is a little more cramped than you realized. Once the Christmas tree has been taken to the chipper, the decorations have all gone back into storage, and the holiday visitors have all waved goodbye – take a good look around to determine if your home is the right size and shape for your family. If the answer is no, a well-designed, beautifully constructed room addition might be in order in 2012.

Highlight Homes offers a unique advantage to its room addition clients. Thanks to our solid understanding of architecture and structural engineering, we can imagine possibilities that many homeowners may not have considered. Based upon your family’s individual needs, we can shift your existing layout to maximize the flow of your home to accommodate a new living space. While we can take your vision to new heights with our design expertise and quality construction, every project begins with your inspiration. Rather than approaching the project from the perspective of solely meeting a “need” – basically, to increase the size of the interior of your home – instead change the way you view this project to the equally important angle of meeting a “want”.  In other words, what do you want this room addition to BE?

Room Addition Ideas:

• Mudroom – if you have a particular fondness for gardening, the addition of a sprawling mudroom – complete with lots of windows for light, built-in planter’s bench, wet sink, plenty of cabinets for storage, and mud friendly floors – might be the perfect addition to your home.
• Sunroom – if you desire a four-season space that allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, no matter the temperature outside – a sunroom could add a great deal of enjoyment to your home and makes a great space for relaxing with a good book or entertaining guests.
• Playroom – if you have young children in the home, a playroom is an absolute necessity. Move the kids from the guest room and into a colorful space of their very own. Playrooms can be designed with lots of storage and kid-friendly flooring for easy clean-up, as well as a one-of-a-kind play fort in the corner. The kids in the neighborhood will consider your home the coolest hangout in town.
• Pool cabana – if you have a pool in the backyard, a room addition that incorporates a pool cabana theme could be a fun and functional spin on the traditional sunroom. Flooring that won’t become warped by wet feet, decorative windows overlooking the pool, and a small dressing chamber for slipping out of swimsuits makes the transition to and from the outdoors relatively seamless – protecting the remaining interior of your home.
• Home Theater – carefully laid out and with a minimum of windows to let in light, a home theatre designed to accommodate movie lovers or sports enthusiasts has become an increasingly popular addition to homes in recent years.
• Enclosed Terrace or Screened Porch – if your family enjoys spending time outdoors, an open-air addition surrounded by columns and roof overhead or completely enclosed by screens will extend your enjoyment to include peaceful, rainy days. Imagine the wonderful al fresco dinner parties you could host here, especially if you choose to incorporate a outdoor hearth!
• Keeping Room – Speaking of hearths, a keeping room is typically added as an extension off of the kitchen area where the fireplace is the centerpiece. It’s a wonderful gathering space to catch up on the day’s events, play games, or relax in front of a roaring fire. Add a flat-screen over the hearth surrounded by cozy couches and it may well become your favorite room of the house.

These are just a handful of ideas to help you get started. And we haven’t even covered craft studio, in-law suite, or man cave – not to mention any incredible concepts you may dream up on your own. We can’t WAIT to hear what you plan to do with your room addition, and most importantly, we can’t WAIT to make your vision a reality. With more and more families making the choice to stay in their homes longer, a room addition is a wise and viable option to packing up and moving into a larger home. Getting started is as easy as contacting the talented design-build team at Highlight Homes TODAY. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Tags: Highlight Homes, Highlight Homes Georgia, home renovation georgia, Room Additions Atlanta, sunrooms atlanta

Posted By Tony on December 16, 2011

Photo credit: © Hurricanehank - Dreamstime.com

Give Your Family (And Yourself) the Gift of a Home Renovation From Highlight Homes This Holiday Season

Whether your family celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas – when gift-giving and special time spent with family are top of mind – Highlight Homes has the ideal gift solution. A well-planned and executed home renovation is the gift that keeps giving – long after the holiday decorations have gone into storage until next year and the Christmas tree has been put through the chipper.

At Highlight Homes, we understand that a kitchen can be the nerve center of the home – a place where so much more than a sack lunch is prepared and an evening meal is shared. A den may be the family game room, a bathroom may be the resident star’s dressing room, and spaces like a basement or expansive backyard hold endless possibilities. That’s why we don’t just build custom homes and renovate rooms – we create unique living spaces where you and your family can make memories together for years to come.

Imagine the look on his face when he unrolls the blueprints for the Man Cave of his dreams, or the smile on her face when she sees the rendering of that room addition and deck she’s always wanted for hosting an endless array of gatherings with friends during the spring and summer. You can do it, and Highlight Homes can help! If you feel a home renovation – large or small – might be the perfect gift to slip into your family’s stocking this year, contact Highlight Homes’ team of designers and builders to pull together a project for your home that will make your family’s 2012 one of the most exciting and fulfilling years to date. We can be reached by calling 678-873-9234, by e-mailing info@highlighthomesga.com, or by filling out our convenient online contact form.

HURRY!!!  Time is Running Out for Highlight Homes’ special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an Apple iPad 2!

From the Highlight Homes’ Family to Yours – We Wish You a Very Happy Holiday Season!

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Tags: Atlanta Design/Build Firm, Atlanta Home Remodeling, basements, bathroom remodel, Christmas, Highlight Homes, kitchen remodel, man cave, Room Additions Atlanta

Posted By Tony on December 12, 2011

Newest Highlight Homes’ Video Features Award-Winning Kitchen Remodel  

Highlight Homes is pleased to release its latest video showcasing the kitchen remodel that brought home the Gold OBIE Award during this year’s Greater Atlanta Home Builder Association ceremony. The short film features all of the elements that went into the overall renovation of what is perhaps one of our favorite renovations to date involving a 1970’s Colonial home in the highly esteemed Newnan Pines Country Club in Newnan, Georgia.  The original vision consisted of an update to the small, outdated galley kitchen and a deck extension so the homeowners could enjoy clearer views of the golf course. The family who owns the home hoped to create both interior and exterior living spaces where they could easily entertain family and friends.  The design-build team at Highlight Homes worked tirelessly to ensure that the homeowners’ vision was met and paid particular attention to the fact that old blended in with the new so the changes appeared seamless.  Structural engineering played a major role as square feet were added to the home and the layout was reconfigured for flow. All told, the renovation involved a complete kitchen remodel, room addition, and deck addition PLUS transformations of the living room, dining room, half bath and laundry. The crown jewel of the kitchen remodel – something that really sets it apart and makes it one-of-a-kind (ultimately catching the eyes of the OBIE judges) – is the tile mosaic over the stovetop. It is hand-painted and manufactured by the oldest tile company in Jerusalem.  Highlight Homes not only ordered and installed it, but offered it to the family as a thank you for their business.  In the end, the full remodel only took seven weeks to complete, and the clients were so elated that they have recommended Highlight Homes to a number of their friends and neighbors.

To view this transformation in its entirety – from a sneak peek at the original interior and exterior to the beautiful final product – click HERE!

If you wish to create a similar transformation at your own home, contact the talented team of professionals at Highlight Homes TODAY for your no obligation consultation by calling 678-873-9234 or e-mailing a request to info@highlighthomesga.com. To stay up-to-date on all of the latest Highlight Homes news including special offers and upcoming projects, join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages, or sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, Highlight Homes Herald.  On the go? Check out Highlight Homes’ textsite on your smartphone or mobile device by texting “Builder” to 99699.

HURRY!!!  Highlight Homes is running a special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an iPad 2!

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Tags: Atlanta Home Remodeling, Decks Atlanta, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, kitchen remodel Atlanta, Newnan Pines Country Club, OBIE Awards, Room Additions Atlanta, YouTube

Posted By Tony on November 29, 2011

The Guerrisi Renovation is the first of many videos to come from the design/build team at Highlight Homes.

Atlanta-based Custom Construction Company Showcases a Recent Kitchen Remodel

In our continuing efforts to reach our core audience and clearly demonstrate what the professional designers and builders at Highlight Homes is capable of, we have produced our very first video for launch in the digital arena. We turn the spotlight on a renovation project we completed in 2009 that consisted of a kitchen renovation, as well as key changes to the dining and living room spaces. The video outlines the existing space, and then slowly walks the viewer through all of the subsequent steps including demolition, electrical work, drywall, ceiling and trim work, paint, cabinets, granite countertops, and decorative touches.

The Guerissi\’s Renovation Project

The story behind the renovation is one we are very proud of, and was featured in an issue of Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine. Joe and Renee Guerrisi began the journey to renovate their 1950’s bungalow in late 2008.  The couple had tried working with another builder prior to discovering Highlight Homes, but was never able to see eye-to-eye on a project to fit their budget or a design to fit their vision.  They wished to open up the space while bringing the overall look of the interior of the home up-to-date.  The Guerrisi’s called upon Highlight Homes to redesign the project – the blueprints exceeded their every expectation.  Our original design called for the addition of two wings to the home and the conversion of their current carport to a three-car garage.

Unfortunately, there were a few obstacles to overcome along the way.  The Guerrisi’s were on another journey – their careers took them out of the country to live abroad in Singapore the majority of the year – only to return to the States for a few days every other month. This made it necessary for many design/materials approvals and communications to be made via internet.  In addition, due to the timing of the project in relation to the volatility of the banking and housing industries – the couple hit a roadblock with regard to securing a loan for an addition to their existing home.  This led us back to the drawing board to find innovative ways to maximize the space they already had.

From the moment the new design was approved, time was of the essence. The couple was moving back to the United States permanently, and wished to have their home complete in time for their arrival – that left less than two months to gut, rewire, install new plumbing, reconfigure HVAC, and completely alter certain structural components of the home.  Highlight Homes’ experienced team worked swiftly to transform the Guerrisi’s home by knocking out two walls, removing two windows, eliminating a door and creatively resealing the space by matching the old brick on the exterior of home. We then added trays to the dining and living rooms, and installed new insulation and drywall. With the kitchen at the heart of the home, special care was given to the selection and installation of cabinetry, countertops, and finally appliances. The project was completed on time and within budget, and the Guerrisi’s had their “Home Sweet Home” ready in time for their return in early September 2009.  They couldn’t have been happier with the results and later contracted with Highlight Homes again the following year to convert their carport to a garage!

Be on the lookout for new videos of some of Highlight Homes’ most exciting renovations to date.  YOUR home could be the next star of the show! Call us TODAY at 678-873-9234 for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your next home improvement project with one of our team members. Know someone else who’s considering a home renovation? Be sure to tell them about us. At Highlight Homes, we don’t just construct houses and renovate rooms. We create unique living spaces where you and your family will make memories together for years to come!

HURRY!!!  Highlight Homes is running a special promotion for the month of December! Sign a contract with us before December 31, 2011, and your name will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an iPad 2!

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Tags: Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine, Atlanta Home Remodeling, Atlanta Kitchen Renovations, Highlight Homes, Promotional video, YouTube

Posted By Tony on November 21, 2011

Image credit: Ken Cole/Dreamstime

As we prepare for a holiday devoted to giving thanks for our blessings, Highlight Homes wants you to know that we are thankful for you. From the vendors and clients we have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years, to the future friends and customers we have yet to meet – it is you who makes what we do so rewarding. This year has been filled with many exciting changes. We completed our first commercial renovation to rave reviews at Red Oak Animal Hospital in College Park. We formed strong alliances with Brand Mortgage, General Steel Corporation, and Keller Williams Group in Peachtree City – all of which spell great promise for the future of Highlight Homes. Our fearless leader – Tony Pourhassan – was nominated to the Board of Directors of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s Green Building Council, and our renovations division brought home the Gold OBIE Award for Best Kitchen Renovation Under $75,000. Our parent company, TyCam Development broke ground on an exciting master-planned mixed-use “live, work, play, pray” community in Birmingham, Alabama called Daniel Payne Legacy Village. It has truly been a year filled with blessings.

At the same time, we are reminded of those who witnessed great tragedy during the year. We answered the call to help those in need in Georgia and Alabama following the line of tornadoes that struck in late April. Our hearts go out to those in Joplin, Missouri and Minot, North Dakota who lost their homes and – even worse – loved ones as a result of natural disasters. We have made great strides in the formation of a non-profit organization called the Georgia Redevelopment Foundation in hopes of being able to answer even more calls for need in the near future. We give thanks that we are afforded the time, talent and resources to those who so desperately need our aid.

One of the best ways you can give thanks in return is to help spread the word about Highlight Homes and to take part in observing “Small Business Saturday” on November 26. Highlight Homes is a family-owned-and-operated small business based in Tyrone, Georgia that serves the entire metro Atlanta area and surrounding suburbs. Our design-build firm specializes in custom home construction, as well as commercial and residential renovations.  Our renovation services include:

• Whole Home Restorations
• Sunrooms & Additions
• Basement Finishing
• Luxury Kitchen Renovations
• Lavish Bathroom Remodels
• Flooring – Hardwood/Tile/Carpet
• Window & Door Installation
• Outdoor Living Spaces
• Decks & Carport Conversions
• Roofing & General Home Maintenance
• And so much more….

The best part is… by contracting with Highlight Homes before December 31, 2011 – you could be giving thanks for a NEW iPad 2 in the New Year! Simply sign a contract for your upcoming project with Highlight Homes LLC before the deadline, and your name will by entered into our drawing for an Apple IPad 2 to be given away on 1/6/2012. Call us TODAY for your no-obligation consultation at 678.873.9234, and visit us online at www.HighlightHomesGA.com to learn more about our company and our wide range of services.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE HIGHLIGHT HOMES FAMILY TO YOURS!

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Tags: Atlanta Design/Build Firm, Atlanta Home Remodeling, basements, bathroom remodel, Highlight Homes, kitchen remodel, Room Additions Atlanta, Tony Pourhassan