A couple facts on the history of Christmas lights from www.oldchristmaslights.com

• In 1882, Edward Johnson, a business associate of Thomas Edison. electrically lit a Christmas tree for the first time.
• Christmas Lights meant for the outdoors weren’t sold across the United States until 1927, and they were nearly as dangerous as the candles they were advertised to replace.
• Many of the earliest bulbs were shaped like fruits and animals, and also doubled as Christmas tree ornaments.

Outdoor Christmas lighting has defintely come a long way since its inception.  Some ambitious homeowners are even lighting their homes to the beat of music.  Enjoy this video clip from the home of a Christmas enthusiast in Texas, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e7T2ELXE_M and Happy Holidays from the Masonry Institute of St. Louis!

In this article from Masonry Design Magazine, Shahnaz Jaffari lays out the facts on why masonry buildings rank superior in sustainability.  To read it, click on the link below.

www.masonrydesignmagazine.com/content/view/284/34/

Concrete is more popular than fiberglass in due to greater flexibility in design. Fiberglass models come in set shapes may not always fit unusual backyards or the sloped ground typical of some St. Louis suburbs.

Concrete is suited to sloping sites, as it can be structurally designed to support itself. More people want a custom-designed pool, rather than an off-the-shelf design, so concrete seems to be coming out on top.

The current trend in pool interiors is toward lighter colors that simulate sand and sky, to create an ‘open’ feel. Lighter colors make the area look bigger; so many smaller pools tend to be a light color to increase the sense of space.

The biggest change in pool design trends is the shift towards automated systems. As technology advances, so does the ease of cleaning and heating the pool. Entertainment systems can be integrated with lighting to create high tech, exciting pool areas.

This month’s issue of Masonry Magazine features an article on the growth  of Masonry Fireplaces.  Here are some of the highlights:

• * Suppliers and contractors  on the West Coast are seeing much larger than the standard three foot width, sometimes as wide as 10 feet. 
• * More efficient fireplaces are also on the rise as quick and easy to install chimney caps and heat circulators are becoming more requested. 
• * Outdoor fireplaces are more common, but still in high demand. Even less expensive homes can have a patio turned into an outdoor living space.
• * Meticulously detailed mantles are increasingly requested, especially in "jewel box" homes.

For the full story, click here:  Hot Trends in Fireplaces

 

Brick and stone can get heavy and cumbersome to lug around. And finding roofing and shutters that match your masonry is usually a tedious process that is confined to the sales center showroom.

As a builder or remodeler, wouldn’t it be great if a potential homebuyer was able to walk away from your sales center with everything they need to make an informed decision about their exterior selections?

The Masonry Institute of St. Louis is educating masonry suppliers, homebuilders, remodelers and sales representatives on how to successfully sell exterior selections. With the help of Kirchner Block and Brick and their cutting edge portable masonry sample materials, design trend updates from Barry Glantz of Glantz and Associates, and a New Homes Market Update from Joe Zanola of Zanola Company, the Masonry Institute of St. Louis educated a roomful of fifty sales professionals on how to easily and effectively promote exterior selections with materials the buyer can take home.

If you missed this presentation or you just want to learn more about what you can do to sell more masonry, call the Masonry Institute of St. Louis to schedule a custom educational presentation!

We want to use the first entry of our brand new blog to give you a bit of insider information on homedesignstl.com.
This website is sponsored by The Masonry Institute of St. Louis and highlights interior and exterior, innovative and breathtaking masonry design from local union mason contractors.
The extraordinary examples of brick, block and glass design work on homedesignstl.com are suited for every lifestyle, price range and home size.
We offer homebuilders, professional remodelers, architects and designers a FREE opportunity to present their home design ideas, show off their past work and market themselves proudly as a masonry expert.
Homedesignstl.com is an electronic catalogue of ideas for lovers of design, homebuyers, homeowners and everyone in between!
If you want to be part of this unprecedented opportunity, please email info@homedesignstl.com.

We will be talking with you through this blog weekly, so if you have any questions, ideas or just want us to know you are reading, drop us a line at info@homedesignstl.com.