Construction Concepts Corporation

Woman’s Day® Specials: Home Remodeling & Makeovers, February 2005 Excerpt From: “Before & After: Island Style”

“The kitchen of this 1968 Dutch Colonial home in Wilton, Connecticut lacked both the personality and the functionality that homeowners, Eileen and Michael Schneidman, wanted.

The couple turned to design consultant Cathy Glass, Allied ASID, of Cathy Glass Interiors, a division of Construction Concepts Corp., a design/build firm in Stamford, Connecticut.

Eileen & Michael Schneidman...wanted more than just a new kitchen, they wanted an open, light-filled family/dining area with enough counter space for five. After working with Glass, the Schneidman’s now have the kitchen of their dreams. ‘The final result exceeded our expectations,’ says Eileen.

Glass added personal touches, transforming the space into a warm, homey environment. She completely remade the Schnediman’s old kitchen, expanding it and turning it into a bright, contemporary kitchen/family room that matches the lifestyle of a modern couple that likes to entertain informally.

From the welcoming mudroom to the standout sitting room, Glass sums up the house’s design as creating ‘one big heart-of-the-home area.’ Eileen Schneidman says, ‘Family and friends’ positive comments are great, but to live in the space is to truly love it’.”

What Was Done

Relocated the powder room to the other side of the kitchen
Added crown molding as an added architectural detail and to create a sense of height in the rooms
Moved an existing window and patio doors to create an extra 9 linear feet of cabinets
Installed a 10-foot-long center island with additional storage for books and kitchen accessories
Replaced old patio doors with a pair of space-saving pocket French doors
Used natural red oak flooring in the new space to visually connect the area to the rest of the house
Closed off a terrace and turned it into a mudroom
Built a storage seat with a drawer for gloves and scarves in the new mudroom
Installed a slate-tile backsplash
Enclosed the laundry room area off the kitchen

Installed new task and overhead lighting throughout the room.

More about this project

Professional Remodeler Magazine, January 2005 Excerpt from: “Selling the Interior Design Difference”

“In each new episode of HGTV’s Designers’ Challenge, three designers picked by the producers present their concepts for the same remodeling project to the homeowners. Though the scenario resembles the three-bid sales process that many remodelers prefer to avoid, Construction Concepts Corp., a full-service remodeling firm in Stamford, Conn., took the plunge and won the challenge, a $100,000 design/build project, and a marketing bonanza.

‘They called us because we have an interior designer on staff,’ says company president Cathy Glass, Allied ASID. ‘We then did the remodeling design, the interior design and the execution of all of the above. We would not have had that opportunity if we were purely a construction firm without affiliation with an interior designer. They liked the fact that we could actually do and control everything.’

Homeowner Eileen Schneidman said she not only appreciated knowing that she had a contractor as well as a designer, she also liked the amount of time Glass spent studying how the family lived. Glass credits her 20 years of fashion design experience with helping her understand how to ‘outfit’ a room.

Construction Concepts is promoting the project on their Web site as well as through mailing to targeted homeowners. ‘The more that consumers see your logo, the more that they will eventually respond to you because you are familiar to them,’ says Glass. ‘The comfort factor comes in. They become comfortable with the name’.”

More about this project

HOME & GARDEN TV'S "DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE" FINDS A WINNER IN WILTON
by Lawrence Dequintal
from November 19, 2004, The Hour

"On New Year's Day 2005, when you're flipping through cable channels dodging football, you're likely to see glimpses of one of Wilton's finest home design / remodeling jobs. You'll find it on HGTV's "Designers' Challenge" program, when this story will air nationwide for the first time."

"Not only will the program appear on the show's highest rated day of the year, but the project itself was a double award winner at this year's annual HOBI Awards. "

> read entire original article

HGTV'S DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE: THE RESULT
Cathy Glass Chosen for First Northeast Renovation
by G. Lisa Sullivan
from October 2004, The Home Monthly

"Anyone who grew up during the late 1960s can probably remember the interior fashion statements of the time: mustard countertops, chocolate brown appliances, linoleum flooring, dark pine cabinetry and matching paneling. Apparently, homeowners Eileen and Michael Schneidman can identify all too well, as they had been living with this exact scenario until they sent an e-mail to the producers of HGTV’s Designers’ Challenge, which resulted in a transformation of their outdated kitchen."

"'Dear Designers’ Challenge,' the couple’s e-mail began, 'We know you typically don’t film outside the Los Angeles area, but we hope you will consider us for an episode of Designers’ Challenge.' "

> read entire original article

Excerpt From: WILTON HOME TO BE FEATURED ON CABLE TV SHOW
by Susan Nova
from September 24 2004, The Advocate

"The Home & Garden network's 'Designers' Challenge' program is heading east this fall from California and will feature a home in Wilton, whose interior renovation was the work of Construction Concepts Corp. of Stamford, a design and build firm."

"On the Construction Concepts' project team were interior designer Cathy Glass, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design, company president Jeffrey Glass, chief executive officer and one of only three certified Graduate Master Builders in the state, and Todd Forcelina, vice president and architectural designer."

DRESSED TO IMPRESS
Designers' Challenge Contender Cathy Glass Outfits a Room
by G. Lisa Sullivan
from May 2004, The Home Monthly

"Sometimes, when an interior designer begins a project, she asks to see the client’s closet. This may sound a little odd, but in fact it can provide the designer with a clue as to the client’s preferences for color and design, as well as her lifestyle. What makes a client feel most comfortable? Is her wardrobe filled with brilliant pattern or basic black? Blue jeans or ball gowns? Is she conservative, or a risk taker? While the client’s wardrobe might not translate specifically into home fashion, it may well give the designer a point from which to start, a foundation upon which to build."

"It should come as no surprise, then, that interior designer Cathy Glass spent the first part of her career in the women’s clothing industry."

"As vice president of merchandising for Russ, a sportswear division of Liz Claiborne, she used her creative skills to design clothes, from suits to casual wear, for mainstream American women. In 1990, however, she decided to make the leap from fashion apparel to interior fashion, and, with her husband Jeffrey, founded Construction Concepts Corp., an award-winning Stamford-based home building, remodeling and interior design company."

> read entire original article

	HGTV Designers' Challenge Overview, Testimonials, Feature Articles, Our Executive Team

	Woman’s Day® Specials: Home Remodeling & Makeovers, February 2005 Excerpt From: “Before & After: Island Style” “The kitchen of this 1968 Dutch Colonial home in Wilton, Connecticut lacked both the personality and the functionality that homeowners, Eileen and Michael Schneidman, wanted. The couple turned to design consultant Cathy Glass, Allied ASID, of Cathy Glass Interiors, a division of Construction Concepts Corp., a design/build firm in Stamford, Connecticut. Eileen & Michael Schneidman...wanted more than just a new kitchen, they wanted an open, light-filled family/dining area with enough counter space for five. After working with Glass, the Schneidman’s now have the kitchen of their dreams. ‘The final result exceeded our expectations,’ says Eileen. Glass added personal touches, transforming the space into a warm, homey environment. She completely remade the Schnediman’s old kitchen, expanding it and turning it into a bright, contemporary kitchen/family room that matches the lifestyle of a modern couple that likes to entertain informally. From the welcoming mudroom to the standout sitting room, Glass sums up the house’s design as creating ‘one big heart-of-the-home area.’ Eileen Schneidman says, ‘Family and friends’ positive comments are great, but to live in the space is to truly love it’.” What Was Done Relocated the powder room to the other side of the kitchen Added crown molding as an added architectural detail and to create a sense of height in the rooms Moved an existing window and patio doors to create an extra 9 linear feet of cabinets Installed a 10-foot-long center island with additional storage for books and kitchen accessories Replaced old patio doors with a pair of space-saving pocket French doors Used natural red oak flooring in the new space to visually connect the area to the rest of the house Closed off a terrace and turned it into a mudroom Built a storage seat with a drawer for gloves and scarves in the new mudroom Installed a slate-tile backsplash Enclosed the laundry room area off the kitchen Installed new task and overhead lighting throughout the room. More about this project Professional Remodeler Magazine, January 2005 Excerpt from: “Selling the Interior Design Difference” “In each new episode of HGTV’s Designers’ Challenge, three designers picked by the producers present their concepts for the same remodeling project to the homeowners. Though the scenario resembles the three-bid sales process that many remodelers prefer to avoid, Construction Concepts Corp., a full-service remodeling firm in Stamford, Conn., took the plunge and won the challenge, a $100,000 design/build project, and a marketing bonanza. ‘They called us because we have an interior designer on staff,’ says company president Cathy Glass, Allied ASID. ‘We then did the remodeling design, the interior design and the execution of all of the above. We would not have had that opportunity if we were purely a construction firm without affiliation with an interior designer. They liked the fact that we could actually do and control everything.’ Homeowner Eileen Schneidman said she not only appreciated knowing that she had a contractor as well as a designer, she also liked the amount of time Glass spent studying how the family lived. Glass credits her 20 years of fashion design experience with helping her understand how to ‘outfit’ a room. Construction Concepts is promoting the project on their Web site as well as through mailing to targeted homeowners. ‘The more that consumers see your logo, the more that they will eventually respond to you because you are familiar to them,’ says Glass. ‘The comfort factor comes in. They become comfortable with the name’.” More about this project HOME & GARDEN TV'S "DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE" FINDS A WINNER IN WILTON by Lawrence Dequintal from November 19, 2004, The Hour "On New Year's Day 2005, when you're flipping through cable channels dodging football, you're likely to see glimpses of one of Wilton's finest home design / remodeling jobs. You'll find it on HGTV's "Designers' Challenge" program, when this story will air nationwide for the first time." "Not only will the program appear on the show's highest rated day of the year, but the project itself was a double award winner at this year's annual HOBI Awards. " > read entire original article HGTV'S DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE: THE RESULT Cathy Glass Chosen for First Northeast Renovation by G. Lisa Sullivan from October 2004, The Home Monthly "Anyone who grew up during the late 1960s can probably remember the interior fashion statements of the time: mustard countertops, chocolate brown appliances, linoleum flooring, dark pine cabinetry and matching paneling. Apparently, homeowners Eileen and Michael Schneidman can identify all too well, as they had been living with this exact scenario until they sent an e-mail to the producers of HGTV’s Designers’ Challenge, which resulted in a transformation of their outdated kitchen." "'Dear Designers’ Challenge,' the couple’s e-mail began, 'We know you typically don’t film outside the Los Angeles area, but we hope you will consider us for an episode of Designers’ Challenge.' " > read entire original article Excerpt From: WILTON HOME TO BE FEATURED ON CABLE TV SHOW by Susan Nova from September 24 2004, The Advocate "The Home & Garden network's 'Designers' Challenge' program is heading east this fall from California and will feature a home in Wilton, whose interior renovation was the work of Construction Concepts Corp. of Stamford, a design and build firm." "On the Construction Concepts' project team were interior designer Cathy Glass, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Design, company president Jeffrey Glass, chief executive officer and one of only three certified Graduate Master Builders in the state, and Todd Forcelina, vice president and architectural designer." DRESSED TO IMPRESS Designers' Challenge Contender Cathy Glass Outfits a Room by G. Lisa Sullivan from May 2004, The Home Monthly "Sometimes, when an interior designer begins a project, she asks to see the client’s closet. This may sound a little odd, but in fact it can provide the designer with a clue as to the client’s preferences for color and design, as well as her lifestyle. What makes a client feel most comfortable? Is her wardrobe filled with brilliant pattern or basic black? Blue jeans or ball gowns? Is she conservative, or a risk taker? While the client’s wardrobe might not translate specifically into home fashion, it may well give the designer a point from which to start, a foundation upon which to build." "It should come as no surprise, then, that interior designer Cathy Glass spent the first part of her career in the women’s clothing industry." "As vice president of merchandising for Russ, a sportswear division of Liz Claiborne, she used her creative skills to design clothes, from suits to casual wear, for mainstream American women. In 1990, however, she decided to make the leap from fashion apparel to interior fashion, and, with her husband Jeffrey, founded Construction Concepts Corp., an award-winning Stamford-based home building, remodeling and interior design company." > read entire original article