As you may have heard, local Austin business Crestview Doors is moving to a Wholesale model, meaning you will soon be able to purchase their products through local retailers instead of buying direct as before.  I’m excited for the Erwins, this change should expose many new customers to their designs. 

Another immediate benefit is that they are selling their remaining inventory of custom doors at bargain basement prices.   There are only a few left, check them out here: Crestview Doors Last Chance Clearance.

Here are some recently updated listings on my Austin Modern Home list:

5500 Spanish Oaks Club – $3.75M

3108 Rivercrest – $2.5M

4709 Via Media – $1.299M

1600 Lipan – $469k

3815 Red River – $456k

1181 Hargrave – $339k

You can also view the full Austin Modern Home list, or search for Austin Modern homes.

This warm weather lately makes me feel like spring is just around the corner.  Here’s another sign – a new schedule for the Architecture at the Umlauf Lecture Series.  It looks like another amazing lineup – great job Carla!  See the full list below along with a sample from their respective portfolios.  Click on through to their websites for more.

2009 Architecture at the Umlauf Speaker Schedule

March 5 – Michael Antenora, AIA – antenoraarchitects.com 

April 2 – Burton Baldridge – baldridge-architects.com

May 7 – Camille Urban Jobe, AIA – urbanjobe.com

September 3 – Rick Black – rickblack.net

October 8- JC Schmeil, AIA – merzbau.com

November 5 – Tom Hurt, AIA – hurtpartners.com

I’ll post more details and photos as the events near. 

Congratulations to Kimber Modern! – While they received great coverage in Austin upon opening this fall:

Statesman – New B&B is a modern refuge in South Austin

Apartment Therapy – Inspiration – Modern Guest Rooms at Kimber Modern

Yesterday they were featured in the New York Times Real Estate Section:

Checking In – A Modernist Inn, Built from Scratch

If you haven’t done so already be sure to check out the Kimber Modern website – great photos of an impressive project.  It’s clear that the owners have carefully planned every aspect of the design and decor.  Out of town clients take note – a great option for your next visit to Austin:

Kimber Modern – Austin, TX

This is the fifth post about my modern remodel in Austin, Texas. Click here for all ‘My Remodel’ posts.

Note – I’m way behind on ‘My Remodel’ posting.  Bear with me as I catch up.  If you have a specific question or interest feel free to send me a note – ryan at inspiredaustin.com.

Also – I’m going to gloss over the financing and permitting aspects of the process.  While these are critical and can take a lot of time, I don’t think it makes for exciting reading.  My general advice in this area – work with architects/lenders who are very familiar with the process.

Phase 1: Free/Paid Demolition via Craigslist

Prior to construction, we lived in our house for over a year.  While it wasn’t it great shape, we knew there were many items that could be reused.  Craigslist to the rescue.  We quickly sold our appliances and several light fixtures along with some of our furniture.  Great!  But we still had several items that could be reused and would be expensive to demo – like concrete pavers, wire fence panels, and our old garage:

The answer – list them on Craigslist for free.  But be warned – this will result in an onslaught of calls and emails.  We got rid of the pavers and fence within a few hours of the posting.  People were happy to dig them out and take them away.  Several people came by to look at the garage but found that the trees on our lot would prevent extraction.  In any case – materials removed free of charge that won’t end up in a landfill.

Phase 2: Selective Demolition and Extraction

Next we started true, messy demolition.  While we considered going with Habitat for Humanity’s DeConstruction service, our builder had a strong relationship with another contractor who’s price couldn’t be beat.  He also sorted and recycled materials so it was an easy choice.  The crew first went through the house and removed all materials that could be re-used.  These ended up at habitat for humanity mostly – some I think the men may have detoured to a local flea market.  In any case – not a landfill:

If anyone is interested in the mustard-swirl colored cultured marble countertop with inset shell sink it may still be available at the Re-Store.

We were also able to sell our 50 yr old wood windows on Craigslist to a man restoring a similar home in East Austin – he was pretty excited so I probably didn’t charge enough for them.  I was just glad to find them a new home:

Phase 3: Structural Demolition

And then the walls came down.  It was neat to see them sort the lumber they had removed – some of it we reused on site (50 yr old lumber is stronger and straighter than today’s 2×4, or so I’m told), and smaller pieces are taken to be re-used as concrete form stakes.

The rest of the materials were taken away in dumpsters – which you can sort for recycling as well.  They can even recycle busted up concrete.  Finally we were left with the shell of our home, ready for a new addition.  Here are some photos:

Stay tuned for another exciting post on ‘My Remodel’ – A New Foundation.