In a sea of roofers in the Atlanta area, it’s easy for homeowners to become overwhelmed given so many choices.  The one thing for sure that area homeowners shopping for a new roof do know is that: a) it’s time for a new roof,  and b) spring is here in Atlanta and that means thunderstorms and hail pelting on that already damaged roof!

Time to start looking for an Atlanta roofer, but where do you start?  Lee Marcum and Burt Robertson at LB roofing have given us their top 6 targets to look for in searching for a quality contractor to build your roof.  They should know because they have been running a quality roofing business in the Atlanta area since 2008 and have excellent ratings with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Kudzu, Citysearch and other review sources. Here are their recommendations:

Material Delivery: Ensure that the roofing material drop off is scheduled close to your start date so that your property doesn’t look like a war zone for days on end.  LB Roofing recognizes that the job site is foremost your home, and you don’t want a lot of building supplies cluttering up your yard. It is their practice to have materials delivered to your home no sooner than the night before they begin your project.  LB Roofing completes most roofing jobs in a day, clean up the mess, haul off the debris and get out of your way as quickly and quietly as possible.

Payment Terms: Watch for roofers asking for full payment up front.  You’re never at risk of losing money when you do business with LB Roofing. They will never pressure you for payment up front or even after the delivery of materials to your home.  LB Roofing requires payment once the job is done and you, the homeowner, are completely satisfied.

References: Always ask for at least three references from roofing companies you are comparing.  LB Roofing is a company with high professional standards, superb workmanship and superior integrity. They are proud of the reputation they have earned and invite you to check their references. They will gladly provide you with the names and contact information for three recent local clients andencourage you to call them and ask about their experience with them. Warranties: Look for companies that offer the standard warranty in the industry for workmanship of two years.  LB Roofing offers a five year warranty on our work that includes the repair of any damage that resulted from inferior workmanship on their part. The high-quality materials they use have individual warranties which generally exceed industry standards as well.

Licensing: Make sure the company you are reviewing is a roofing contractor in Georgia.   They are required to have a current business license. LB Roofing does, and they are happy to provide you with the business license number so that you can check for yourself.

High Quality Materials: All roofing materials are not created equally although to most homeowners they may look a lot alike. Be sure to check on the types of materials the roofer uses…just because he’s come in with the lowest price, his company may not be the best choice due to the materials that he works with.  LB Roofing uses only the finest materials on the market.  They recommend OwensCorning or GAF/ELK complete roofing systems.

Remember, your roof protects your home and your home protects you and your family.   Taking shortcuts and not doing enough homework when searching for the right contractor could result in outcomes that you would rather not endure.  Do the right thing, take the time to talk with companies that are reputable and have a sincere focus on quality like Lee and Bert do at LB Roofing and you will be safe and dry in your home for many years to come. To contact LB Roofing, visit their website at http://lbroof.com/ or call them at (404) 875-6222.

1.  Utilize systems and products that fit you and your lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to organizing.

2.  Don’t run off to The Container Store (yes, my personal favorite) until you take some time to really think about your organizing goals. Visualize the “after” picture of the space you are reorganizing, formulate a plan and begin sorting and purging the clutter first.

3.  Break all projects down into small steps. Start with one corner of the room, one cabinet, even one shelf. The next day, do one more, etc. Yes, it takes time, but it is much more manageable to execute your organizing plan in 15 – 30 minute increments.

4.  Make a date in your calendar to dig in, honor it as if you were going to the doctor, and have all supplies ready.

5.  Decide to decide. You will inevitably be faced with some difficult decisions. Be in the right frame of mind, be well-nourished, and add Kleenex to your list of supplies if needed.

6.  Know when you need help. Whether it’s your spouse, your children, your secretary, or a friend, sometimes you need extra hands, unbiased opinions and cheerleaders. Consider calling a professional organizer. They bring a large amount of experience, proven techniques and methods, confidentiality, guidance and motivation.

7.  Get your kids involved and make it fun! We teach our children many life skills from walking and talking to riding a bike and doing math. Do yourself and your children a huge favor and teach them to be  organized.

8.  Weed constantly. This is one of the top secrets of well-organized people. Go through your mail daily, straighten up constantly, donate unworn clothing seasonally and clean out your reference file system annually. When done on a routine basis, the job is not nearly as daunting.

9.  Embrace organization and its benefits. The words neat and organized are not always synonymous. They can be and often are, but not always. It is all about efficiency and what works for you. Being organized is not stifling; its liberating.

by Michelle Cooper

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Michelle Cooper is a Professional Organizer, Member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), Member of NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) and President of Put It There Professional Organizing Services. She can be reached at 404.784.2100 or michelle@put-it-there.com

And then there’s one our family has established the past five years. By no means are we alone, as thousands of other families in north Atlanta share the same tradition, and even more join in each December. It’s a trip to the Kinsey Family Farm, a place where you’ll find the centerpiece of any home’s holiday decorations— the Christmas tree—and a memory-filled experience you’ll cherish with the passing of each season.

One of the first things asked by my kids as we start unpacking boxes marked “Xmas” is, “When can we go to the Kinsey Farm?” (Which is funny, because we were just there in October to pick out pumpkins.) But they love it that much—a seasonal event that’s a close second to unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning.

It’s a magical place, where the Christmas spirit decorates every detail of the 53-acre farm—from the sounds of Christmas carols dancing through the two tree-housing barns, to free tractor-drawn wagon rides around the property; from hot cocoa, cider and coffee, to enjoying succulent creamcheese filled pretzels or roasting marshmallows over a warm fire. Then there’s the warmth of the Kinsey family themselves, Jim and Liz and their sons Kelly and Andy, and daughters-in-law Kelley and Jennifer, who graciouslyengage everyone they encounter.

Of course, the trees play a big part too. And they come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the ten-cent Charlie Brown special that actually sold last year (which was priced as a joke, but the customer insisted on paying) to enormous 15-footers, as well as trees cut fresh from North Carolina, grown right on the farm, or imported ball-and-burlaps  that can be planted after the decorations are removed.

“We’re very particular about our trees, and make sure they last long enough to create as many memories as possible,” Andy Kinsey explains. “All our cut ones come from North Carolina to ensure they’re from the same regional climate as Atlanta and shipped within 48 hours of being cut. We then immediately place them in water until sold, which helps prolong the tree’s life—I had one guy say he kept his up till February to see how long it would last!”

More than 1,700 trees were sold last year, a testimony to the popularity of this place. You’ll even find a few Kinsey trees at the Governor’s mansion, giving them an official stamp of approval.

While specializing in Fraser Firs, the home-grown Leyland Cypress, and seven other tree varieties, their real expertise is in creating long-lasting Christmas memories of picking out or cutting down your own tree. “Kids these days just don’t get the farm experience very often,” Kinsey—who has two young children of his own and another on the way—says.“It’s so great to see families enjoying themselves here, knowing it’s something special their kids will never forget.”

Aside from the tree, cherished memories, and photos that will be taken, a custommade keepsake ornament is given with each tree purchase to remind you of the occasion. Our family is looking forward to hanging the fifth this December—but it won’t be soon enough for my kids.

by Matt Wilson

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Kinsey Family Farm is located in Northern Forsyth County. For more information,

visit www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com.

Matt Wilson is local freelance writer who can be reached at matt@inkforhire.com

Like a number of siding products, asbestos insulation, lead paint and polybutylene plumbing in preceding decades, some Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) have raised a red flag to realtors and potential homebuyers. Because it has the appearance of traditional stucco or concrete, EIFS is commonly referred to as synthetic stucco. This multi-layered exterior is generally formed by applying a fiberglass reinforced mesh embedded in cementitious adhesive to a foam sheet, then top-coated with a textured paint-like material in a number of colors. First popularized in European reconstruction after World War II, contractors deemed it to be good repair material to retrofit war damaged masonry buildings. U.S. builders began using EIFS in the 1960s, first in commercial buildings, and then within two decades, EIFS had become a popular energy efficient wall system on residential construction.

So what went wrong? EIFS layers bond to form a covering that does not breathe and your house needs to breathe, inhale and exhale. In the absence of moisture EIFS presents no problem, but when moisture seeps behind the EIFS product it becomes trapped and continues to do what water does in dark, warm places—rot wood, grow molds and mildew, corrode metals, and feed insects. Stagnant moisture in the structural heart of your home is hazardous. Used on masonry walls EIFS is a perfect application, but applied to wood-laden structures, it yields an undesirable result. As in the past, the industry learned from this performance failure and responded with more viable solutions to today’s obstacles.

The HardiePlank® Solution
HardiePlank® is a brand name for a cement-fiber exterior siding material that has become a popular alternative to wood, composite, and vinyl sidings. Originally formulated to withstand the extreme climates of Australia, HardiePlank products are impermeable to the most common forms of water, wind, temperature, and rot which makes it a popular replacement material for the problematic EIFS. Unlike EIFS, however, HardiePlank permits air circulation and does not inhibit drainage. Available in a multitude of sizes and shapes, from lap boards with a wood grain texture to smooth sheets, panels with scalloped edges and cedar shake, the James Hardie line of cement-fiber products are fire, hail, hurricane and termite resistant, and lead the cladding industry in being “green and sustainable.”

Meet Charlie Dallavalle
In an era of service industry lethargy and complacency where consumers frequently experience the frustration of mass-produced goods (often cheaper to replace than to repair) and shoddy, indifferent workmanship, it is refreshing to encounter a company that still appreciates the value of customer satisfaction. Charlie Dallavalle, Jr., owner of Painting Plus Inc., learned the importance of delivering quality service while a young man growing up in his uncle’s construction business in Ocean County, NJ. By the age of 17, Dallavalle was an accomplished estimator and project supervisor, fully grasping the essentials of small business success. Upon graduating from the University of Georgia with a dual degree in Business Management and Marketing, Dallavalle applied the lessons learned as a young man to his formal education and opened his own business. A local Marietta resident, Dallavalle is an expert at replacing defective siding/ EIFS with HardiePlank and the full line of James Hardie products.

Painting Plus
A Georgia licensed general contractor, in the metro Atlanta area since 1998; Painting Plus specializes in EIFS replacement and HardiePlank installation, full roof replacement systems, and seamless gutters as well as interior and exterior painting. With their business in its 10th year, they take great pride in the fact that they have established and maintained an excellent standing with both the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Georgia. “We understand that to remain financially sound we must grow and generate profitable business by exceeding our customer’s expectations 100 percent of the time,” Dallavalle explains.

A critical component in accomplishing such a challenging goal is the constant pursuit of the emerging industry echnological and product advances. “Reinvesting in our company has always been, and will continue to be, our top priority with respect to future growth,” insists Dallavalle. But the emphasis most important to business growth and customer expectations is placed on recognition of current trends, techniques and alternative materials. “We are proud of the fact we are authorized installers for HardiePlank, Owens Corning, and GAF/Elk roofing manufacturers,” exudes Dallavalle.

“At Painting Plus we pride ourselves on simple basic core beliefs including respect for the individual—our customers, workmen and material suppliers. Because referral and repeat business is our core growth we strive to provide value, honesty and commitment to our customers by marketing our product knowledge, excellent service, and business vision.”

What differentiates Painting Plus from their competition in addition to their selection of cutting-edge products, according to Dallavalle, is their competency is a one-source contractor positioned to accommodate customer needs from project concept to completion. “Our customers deal with only one company,” explains Dallavalle. “Our team of estimators, Kent Pochmara, Charles Dallavalle, Sr., Anthony Dallavalle, and Eric Covington, are also project managers through project completion. We understand the importance of when our customer signs our contract; they want to deal with the person who sold them their project. We believe communication throughout all aspects of our customer’s projects is our biggest asset.”

If you are interested in having a free in-home consultation for any of your home improvement needs, call 770.971.1577 or visit www.paintingplus.com.

Dusky Turner of Turner Design Group, Chicago, Ill., has defined a passion of his own. The passion started when Dusky owned his own flower shop. Creatively using nature’s flora became an art form to Dusky as he created floral arrangements for his clients. From the flower shop, Dusky’s passion took on another dimension. He became a director of merchandising and product development in the floral industry. This experience enabled him to travel throughout the United States delivering floral design and educational programs. And the passion grows…Dusky was hired to take his floral and design experience overseas. China, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines became Dusky’s new design studio. Silk and permanent flowers were the new ingredients. The floral components were designed by Dusky to be manufactured and shared with the rest of the world.

As Dusky’s passion for floral design evolved throughout the last 30 years, he found that his passion and his strengths had broadened more than he knew. Dusky integrates tablescape and centerpiece design with the base of his  floral experience. His knowledge of color lends itself to the perfectly appointed table for a party or occasion. Add some fun napkin folding, and the table has yet another dimension. Cooking is as natural to Dusky as creating a floral arrangement. Have you seen his place-card holders? He might surprise you with small chocolate turkeys, pinecones or pumpkins depending upon the table needs.

When you have a floral background, can set a decorative table and cook, what comes next? The holidays! And the passion grows. Dusky puts up eight trees in his Chicago home each year as well as decorating his parent’s tree and some close friends’ trees. The trees are absolutely art when completed. Complimentary wreaths, swags, mantle décor and centerpieces generally follow for each tree. Dusky can even turn a 7.5- foot tree into a 9-foot tree with a little trick he likes to share. Place the 7.5-foot tree on an upside-down galvanized tub. Bingo, you have a 9-foot tree!

Do you want to wow your holiday guests? Try this recipe below. You, too, can make homemade chips with a simple cookie cutter. This is just one of Dusky’s party tricks.

Brie Cheese with Cranberry Relish and Holly Chips

• 6 packages Garden Spinach and Vegetable tortilla

• 2 small wheels baby brie cheese

• 1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce

• 1 small can chopped pineapple

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use a large holly cookie cutter and cut holly leaves out of the tortillas. Lay leaf shapes flat on cookie sheets and bake 5 to 7 minutes until crisp. (Be sure not to get them too brown.)

To make the relish, mix the cranberry sauce, pineapple and nuts together, mix well and refrigerate.

To serve, bake the brie cheese for about 5 to 7 minutes at 400 degrees until cheese is soft. Spread the relish over the top and surround the cheese with the holly chips. This makes about 200 chips. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Have a Happy Holly Day!

How do we know so much about Dusky Turner? Dusky Turner comes to the Chandlery in Roswell four times a year to share his gift of floral and design passion with The Chandlery’s customers and friends. In the spring, Dusky turns tables into tablescapes, napkins into the shape of a Bird of Paradise flower, citrus fruit into candles and pineapples into vases. During the holiday seminars, napkins become elf shoes, tree ornaments are turned into place-card holders, and mantels and doors into design focal points. In the course of an evening at the Chandlery, a pre-lit boxed Christmas tree becomes the envy of the neighborhood.

Join Dusky at The Chandlery for one of his upcoming holiday design seminars. Reservations are requested by emailing info@ chandlerygifts.com or calling The Chandlery at 770.993.5962. Be the recipient of Dusky’s floral and design passion, and leave with inspiration for your holiday entertaining and decorating. Custom wreath, swag, and mantle design from Dusky are also available while he is in town. For more information, visit www.duskyturner.com

The sink is just too far from the stove, the trash can is out-of-reach, the vent doesn’t really vent, stuff gets lost for months in the pantry, the white templar cabinets are deteriorating, the wall board between the upper and lower cabinets needs fresh paint frequently, the white sink isn’t large enough, the side-by-side refrigerator won’t hold platters, the white laminate countertops need constant cleaning, drawer space is a premium and you can only entertain eight to ten of your friends at a time.

Sound familiar? Perhaps it’s time for a kitchen makeover. A quality, professional contractor can help you create an attractive custom kitchen that functions more efficiently and is a source of joy rather than frustration. Your kitchen can become a stream-lined beautiful room where you enjoy preparing quiet meals for family or gathering your friends for a lively soirée.

After several years of tolerating the problems referenced above, homeowner Sharon Werr decided to hire a contractor to create her dream kitchen. The results: “It’s beautiful. I have furniture-finish wood European cabinets, gorgeous granite counter tops  and matching backsplash that continue the rich Euro look.” And beyond the aesthetic changes, lie some functional upgrades that Werr says make cooking a pleasure:

The professional gas cook top can brown anything beautifully and never lose heat when adding additional ingredients to sauté.

The exterior roof vent draws out the heat as well as the greasy fumes and steam, keeping the kitchen area cleaner and fresher.

The warming drawer allows you to prepare everything ahead of time and plate on warm plates. “This should be a standard in all kitchens,” Werr adds. “You can serve everything at the perfect temperature without the kitchen being hot.”

The new refrigerator has the fridge on top and the freezer drawer below. Everything is more visible and convenient and the shelves are wide and deep enough to hold serving trays. Additionally, a bell rings when you leave the door ajar.

Two stainless sinks, one a convenient, small, round prep sink and the other a large deep sink, make it easier to accommodate an additional cook in the kitchen. Both are equipped with quiet garbage disposals, drop-down spraying faucets and soap dispensers. “The large sink has a ledge about halfway down that holds a stainless metal rack in place. Fantastic!”

Dual ovens, one large with convection and radiant heat modes and a microwave that can bake, broil or roast, can make cooking small or large meals more efficient.

The pantry walls and doors were removed and the space is now equipped with full-extension, pull-out drawers. “Nothing can hide in there—everything is in full view and is easily accessed,” Werr adds. The custom cabinetry is one of her favorite features. She even has drawers under her sink and cook top. “You know that lost space under the cook top that usually has a blank flat panel? I have a drawer that was tailored to fit—a wide shallow drawer—that is perfect for pot holders and cooking utensils.”

Werr says that one of the most difficult aspects of the remodeling project was getting started—finding a quality professional contractor that she could trust and work with. “That took a lot of time and effort. It’s good to know that there is a program out there now—Remodeling Done Right—that prescreens contractors for you so that you know you are working with a high-quality professional.”

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Photography is by Jack Tuszynski.