While many of you may not be "in" the building trade, having a basic knowledge of what code requirements are for your city and zone will help you when contempleting any remodel, re-design or new build project.  Also, these tips can help you out if you are thinking about selling your home-bringing your home up to "code" can not only help you set your current home apart from comparible properties, but also help to alleviate any issues that could come up during the home inspection.

The EPA has made massive changes in construction & building codes with the Obama administration.  From new rules regarding lead paint to the percentage of energy efficient appliances & lighting you need to have in/on your property, knowing what's ahead in new legislation will help you stay ahead of the curve when looking to implement projects in 2012.

The EPA is implementing the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) into its new requirements.  Everything from window installation, insulation, heating/cooling equipment & air-flow/ventilation through your home is addressed.

Here's what to look out for in 2012:

• Basement and crawl space insulation for climate zone 5 increases from R-10 to R-15.
• The requirement for window Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (reflective value) in climate zones 1-4 is more stringent. This also decreases the amount of daylight that passes through the window.
• The window U-factor (insulation value) in zones 2 through 8 is also more stringent.
• The percentage of high-efficiency light fixtures increases from 50% to 75%.

Good Luck!

Hello Again!
Things here in WI are getting cooler...LOVE it!!...& heating up here in the Bante Design offices...LOVE it!

The Design Yourself Healthy program is set & ready to begin on November 1st...are you signed up yet?  Here's Alicia (my associate) blog posting about the program which sums it up nicely.  More video to come as well...And don't forget to LIKE the Design Yourself Healthy group page on Facebook.  This way you can get updated asap when it's posted.

Libby, 1 of my 2 doxie terrors, continues to be on the mend.  2 weeks ago she had suffered a huge set-back & I had to start pondering the worst...She thankfully has made a full recovery & is even better than she was after her lasted episode of paralysis (injury from an accident we had 2 yrs ago).  Dr Lisa (Silver Spring Animal Wellness Center & a true angel) has her, & Ossie by default, on new supplements & fish oil...It's remarkable the difference this has made...Well that & their massage & chiro adjustment from Dr Lisa!  However, when I was getting them ready for their morning walk...Ossie was already out the door, Libby just laid on her cushion...quite content.  The lesson for me?  There are times when you just want to sit in the sun & be.  So...when life gets in your face with all your "I shoulds"...sometimes you just need to rest & take a break...especially when you're recovering from an illness/injury or have been working hard.  For me, that was a day of watching trash TV (yes, I watched the Kim Kardashian Fairytale Wedding), ordered some pizza & made chocolate chip cookies.  And I feel that much better for it...loss of brain cells not withstanding of course!  (She was beautiful walking down the aisle though wasn't she?)...

The quest for an intern continues...never had this much issues before...Maybe it's a sign of my impending move to NC & I won't be able to work 1-on-1 w/them...(one can hope...cross your fingers!!).  Whatever the cause, rest assured that we are keeping up, although the launch of the new, re-vamped Dee-Zine has been pushed back a bit.  :(

Upcoming weeks bring the start of holiday parties (yes, I'll take lots of pictures), new product releases for 2012 & finishing up & de-cluttering as we start to change out decor for the weather changes, out-of-town guests & holiday accessories.  Remember: when cycling out seasonal items to ask yourself, do you LOVE it?  USE it?  Or NEED it?  If not, take it right to the donation center of your choice!

And finally, I'm including the video/audio of the Design Yourself Healthy program...Hope to "see" you on the calls!

Hi All-
Well...the "super secret" project is being brought to fruition early...the Design Yourself Healthy program will be released early as a TELE-SERIES starting this November!!!  The twitter (www.twitter.com/dzine4health) is up & running so you can get our "tweets" & a FAN page is also done.  So make sure you "LIKE" us & read more.  Modules, bios of myself & Alicia Cramer & the calendar for calls will all be listed.  This page will also be 1 of the places where we'll have the sign-up page.  This tele-series will cost $197 for 6 calls (plus downloadable mp3 recordings), a bonus hypnotherapy audio from Alicia for weight loss & a Vision Board project to get you started before the calls start.  There will be 5 modules & a LIVE Q&A call w/me & Alicia!!  So, if you are struggling to reach or maintain your ideal weight or keep motivated to get to the gym or do your yoga, this program is for you!!  I'll cover the design aspect (kitchen & home gym room/area) & Alicia will cover the mind-set/EFT/energy so you can support ANY program you are currently on (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, personal trainer...) to achieve your health goals.

I will also be scheduling a FREE call for Design After a Loss-Divorce in the coming weeks as well...This call will focus on the bedroom & tips on clutter-busting, some Feng Shui, color & accessory choice to help you through this transition...whether you are looking for another relationship or not, this call will benefit you.  Make sure you sign up for our D-Zine and/or LIKE the Bante Design LLC page on Facebook to stay up-to-date & sign up info.

We are also changing our D-Zine format & will be writing/sending out regularly in the coming weeks...So now is the perfect time to sign-up for the newsletter.

And lastly, here's the link to my newest column where I interview the CEO of Gat Creek furniture manufacturer, Gat Caperton.  Great furniture at a great price & socially responsible.  Check it out here.

Have a fabulous week!!

Hi All-
Well...the "super secret" project is being brought to fruition early...the Design Yourself Healthy program will be released early as a TELE-SERIES starting this November!!!  The twitter (www.twitter.com/dzine4health) is up & running so you can get our "tweets" & a FAN page is also done.  So make sure you "LIKE" us & read more.  Modules, bios of myself & Alicia Cramer & the calendar for calls will all be listed.  This page will also be 1 of the places where we'll have the sign-up page.  This tele-series will cost $197 for 6 calls (plus downloadable mp3 recordings), a bonus hypnotherapy audio from Alicia for weight loss & a Vision Board project to get you started before the calls start.  There will be 5 modules & a LIVE Q&A call w/me & Alicia!!  So, if you are struggling to reach or maintain your ideal weight or keep motivated to get to the gym or do your yoga, this program is for you!!  I'll cover the design aspect (kitchen & home gym room/area) & Alicia will cover the mind-set/EFT/energy so you can support ANY program you are currently on (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, personal trainer...) to achieve your health goals.

I will also be scheduling a FREE call for Design After a Loss-Divorce in the coming weeks as well...This call will focus on the bedroom & tips on clutter-busting, some Feng Shui, color & accessory choice to help you through this transition...whether you are looking for another relationship or not, this call will benefit you.  Make sure you sign up for our D-Zine and/or LIKE the Bante Design LLC page on Facebook to stay up-to-date & sign up info.

We are also changing our D-Zine format & will be writing/sending out regularly in the coming weeks...So now is the perfect time to sign-up for the newsletter.

And lastly, here's the link to my newest column where I interview the CEO of Gat Creek furniture manufacturer, Gat Caperton.  Great furniture at a great price & socially responsible.  Check it out here.

Have a fabulous week!!