Thornberry Custom Builders Inc. Newsletter
April 2015
 

 

 

I hope your Spring has been great and you're looking forward to a Summer vacation? I know I am! 
 
We have been very busy building homes and many of our projects are maturing (as per the photos on right). "Finish" stages are often very detailed with many components coming together very quickly. This, and a still very active construction market, makes for a very busy year...and a very welcomed atmosphere. 
 
As always, I am here to help with any of your (or your clients & friends) construction related needs.   
  
Sincerely,  


 

TJ Thornberry 

 

TJ Thornberry
Thornberry Custom Builders Inc   
   


 

   


 

Homeowner Tips

This Old House Videos
for useful DIY Fixes

There is a series of 15 DIY tips on the
 "This Old House" site.
 
 Here are some of their tips and a link to the video: 
  

How to Stain and Finish Wood Furniture

 


In this video, wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson shares tips for refinishing new and old furniture.

Steps:
1. On bare wood, lightly sand the surface with 150-grit sandpaper to remove nicks, scratches, and to open up the pores of the wood grain.
2. Wipe off the sanding dust with a tack cloth.
3. Brush on wood conditioner prior to staining. Allow the conditioner to dry for 15 minutes.
4. Put on rubber gloves and open a can of oil-based penetrating stain. Stir the stain well, then use a clean cloth to rub the stain into the wood in a circular motion.
5. Wipe off the excess stain using a clean cloth. Allow the stain to dry 6 to 8 hours.
6. Brush a coat of polyurethane varnish onto the surface, then finish up with long, light brush strokes to remove bubbles and lap marks.
7. On an old furniture piece, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with commercial wood cleaner.
8. To remove an old finish, use a steel wool pad to scrub antique refinisher into the surface.
9. Wipe off the old, dissolved finish with a clean, soft cloth.
10. Protect the stripped surface with a coat of stain polyurethane. 

 

 


HAPPENINGS

 

 

Thornberry Custom Homes was proud to sponsor (see link) the second annual

"Paint Your Heart Out, Punta Gorda" event. Initiated by the Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity and Team Punta Gorda, volunteers spruced up seven homes in the Punta Gorda area.

 

*****
Took a Little Time Off

Rays vs Yankees Game
Reminder:

Our NEW Email Address is: 
 
[email protected]

Please make the change in your contact list.

Thanks!

 

 

 
Face Book
Like Us
                  
  Newsletter Archives

 


  

 

TJ Thornberry

 

&

 

Thornberry Custom Builders, Inc.

 Gold Star Award  

 Proud Recipient of:

 

 CDBIA Builder of the Year Award

 

  Big Brother of the Year Award

 

  Gulf Shore Business Magazine

  "Top Forty Under Forty"    

 

   *******   

Future Builder's of America

2015 Advisory Chair

 

 Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce  

2013-2014 President

 

Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association 

2009 President   

 

Affiliations:
CDBIA Logo
Past President 
Building Industry Oversight Committee 
 Past Chair 
Industry Issues Committee - Past Chair
Charlotte Harbor Challenge Fishing Tournament 
  
Charlotte Co. Chamber Logo
2013-2014 President
Charlotte County Chamber
 
 FHBA - Fl Home Builders Asso  
Membership Committee Chair
National Asso of Home Builders
National Asso of Home Builders
Board Member
 
*********
 
Leadership Charlotte, Class of 2010
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW FL 
 Board Member
Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County 
Board Member
Habitat for Humanity - Builder's Blitz 
Hire a Licensed Contractor


Thornberry Logo


TJ Thomas Thornberry 
Thornberry Custom Builders Inc.
20020 Veteran's Blvd Unit 2
Port Charlotte, FL 33954
  
Call: 941.815.0782
  
LIC#CBS1253881


For more Information about us
visit our website:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Newsletter published by Design Solutions of Charlotte County, Inc
In This Issue

 

Our Specialty:
Modern Homes with Historic Detail!
Over the next few months we will be describing the features and influences that create specific styles that are popular here in SW Florida.

Landscaping
 for
Historic Homes 

 

Lush.....Tropical....think Downtown Punta Gorda! A Sunday drive through the Historic District in Downtown Punta Gorda can be a wonderful way to gather ideas for planting your own historic style landscape.

 

Tips for creating a lush tropical yard:

 

Go big with green - green plants have a calming effect; use different shades of green, different textures, shapes and sizes of leaves so that there is variation and flow.

 

Go All Green - Tall trees with tropical foliage plants beneath
Go All Green - Tall trees with tropical foliage plants beneath

 

Plant lush layers - mix tall shade trees with midsize shrubs and groundcover plants to create layers and depth. This structure gives the feel of being far away from the world, even when your neighbors are really right next door.

 

Landscape layered Look with a variety of textures and colors
Landscape layered Look with a variety of textures and colors

 

 

Decorate with vines - Vines can add just the right touch of privacy and can also add splashes of color to your green garden for a decorative flair.

 

Bougainvillea Vine trained upward on a porch column
Bougainvillea Vine trained upward on a porch column

 

 

Varigated Coleus
Variegated Coleus

Mix in colored foliage - plants with colored leaves instead of flowering bloom, can provide continuous color to your yard in between the blooming cycles of other plants.

Wildflowers
Wildflowers

Wildflowers - choosing native Florida wildflower plants is a benefit to your yard as well as the wildlife that lives in it. There are numerous choices that will bring a variety of eye pleasing colors to your landscape, and butterflies and hummingbirds won't take long to find your yard and make it their new oasis.

Container plantings offer a variety of heights and sizes
Container plantings offer a variety of heights and sizes

Containers - give your containers variety too; mix up textures and styles, trees in containers will thrive as well as plants do with the proper care.

 

 

 

Keep this list in mind when shopping for 

landscape friendly choices for the South:

Heat and humidity resistant roses

Drought tolerant perennials

Florida native plants

Fruit trees

     

 

Next Month...
Specific landscape choices for historic homes.

 

 

 
 Projects in Process: 

 
New Homes On The Rise!
  
402 W Ann St, Punta Gorda
 
Roof is on, windows installed and framing has started!
 
125 Berry St, downtown Punta Gorda
125 Berry St, PG framing
Roof is on and we're framing the interior

 

821 Kings Court, Punta Gorda

821 Kings Ct, PG almost finished
Almost finished! Getting ready for landscaping

 

716 Palm Ave, downtown Punta Gorda 

716 Palm Ave, PG interior finishes
Siding and roof shingles are on. Windows are installed and now we're working on the interior finishes
*****
More to come next month!

 

Order Your Copy Now! 

 

Revised & Updated...
Includes a Great New Money Saving Offer!
 
"Seven Biggest Mistakes People Make When Remodeling or Building a Home...and How To Avoid Them!" 

  

Remodeling or Building 
a Home or Office?
 
It can be an exciting, fun, intelligent and value added experience. Or, it can
  be fraught with stress, anxiety, and emotionally and financially draining.

After many years of experiencing what makes customers happy as well as hearing horror stories from people I meet, I've put together this FREE SPECIAL REPORT
to illustrate the top seven mistakes to avoid when approaching any construction project, whether remodeling or building new, these concepts apply.

 

FREE REPORT

To receive a copy of this educational report, please visit my web site
thornberrycustombuilders.com


 

In the "How may we help you?" box

on the "Contact Us" page

type in

"Free Special Report".

 

Or call me at 941-815-0782 and I'll be happy to send it to you!