Articles
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Renovation Solutions: How to protect your hillside home against landslides
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to protect your hillside home against landslidesAt the beginning of this month, a landslide in North Salt Lake destroyed one home and caused 27 others to be evacuated. People are rightly concerned about protecting their homes from disasters such as this. When things like this happen, we are all reminded that Utah is not immune to natural disasters. While we would…
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Renovation Solutions: Top remodeling challenges decoded
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Top remodeling challenges decodedWe recently saw an interesting survey of homeowners posted on Houzz.com titled “Transforming the American Home: Findings from the 2014 Houzz and Home Survey.” Houzz is a website that posts literally millions of pictures of homes and everything to do with them, including the kitchen sink. It is a great resource for gathering and communicating…
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Renovation Solutions: Understanding the master bedroom madness
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Understanding the master bedroom madnessHome design is where art meets science, function meets beauty and a house becomes home. While the average homeowner can recognize a room that looks and feels good in real life, they can rarely feel what the architect has designed on paper. However, there is a method to the madness. Part of the method of…
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Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodelBEFORE: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Dan Barton, Renovation Design Group) AFTER: This is a good example of how an outdated kitchen can be transformed with an updated style with a remodel. (Trina Knudsen) When is it a good…
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Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractor
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractorRecently, we had a conversation with a construction manager for large commercial projects about home remodeling and construction. Shaun Johnson is starting a consulting firm to help homeowners act as the general contractor on their home remodeling projects. The primary motivation for this approach is to save money. The mark-up for a general contractor is…
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Renovation Solutions: How design-build remodeling works
Read More: Renovation Solutions: How design-build remodeling worksThe design-build remodeling process helps you to create great, well-thought-out spaces inside and out. Trina Knudsen, © 2013 Trina Knudsen, Photographer The process behind major remodling projects has changed in the past five to 10 years. If you tackled a project before that time, you probably remember the process as creating a design and some…
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Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mindLast week, we talked about the move-versus-remodel debate. That is the first decision you have to make when you accept your house isn’t working for you and you need a change. If you decide to stay put and that remodeling is the way to go, the next phase of the design process is programming. …
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Renovation Solutions: Selecting a garage door for a higher return
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Selecting a garage door for a higher returnFor the past few weeks we have been discussing the top individual remodeling projects that yield the highest return on investment as rated by Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2013-2014. We’ve talked about front doors, wooden decks and attic bedroom additions. This week we will be discussing garage door selection. This garage door…
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Renovation Solutions: Adding an attic bedroom
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Adding an attic bedroomWhen it comes to making the most out of your home-remodeling investment, reconfiguring or repurposing existing space to add more bedrooms is a surefire way to get some bang for your buck. In our series of high return on investment remodeling projects, No. 3 on the Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value national report for 2013-2014…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips for a wooden deck addition
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips for a wooden deck additionA wood deck addition is the second project with the highest return on investment in Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2013-14. The wooden deck is a common remodeling project, especially at this time of year. As the weather improves, our thoughts turn to barbecues, outdoor parties and soaking up the sun. With our…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front door
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front doorAs part of our recent market analysis, we mentioned Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2013-2014. The top five national remodeling projects with the highest return on investment for this year are a new front door, a wood deck addition, adding an attic bedroom, garage door replacement and a minor kitchen remodel. BEFORE: In…
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Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodelingWith housing prices remaining steady, interest rates low and contractors back in full swing, this is a prime time for home remodeling. The remodeling market is confident, and the economy is holding. The experts in the market analysis world say 2014 is a good year for the remodeling industry. The fireplace becomes a nice focal…
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Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home value
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home valueIn addition to making your life better every day, home remodeling projects will ideally impact your home’s value for the better. However, your home’s value is at the mercy of the market and, in fact, some home improvements will positively impact your appraisal more than others. Adding a bathroom is one remodeling project that will…
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Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level homeLast week we discussed the common issues of remodeling a split-level or split-entry house. The Smiths found that common thread of a love/hate feeling toward their house and their situation. They loved the neighborhood, the lot and the view. Their split-level had appeal, and with a little tweaking of the floor plan, they knew they…
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Renovation Solutions: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level homeOwners of split-level homes often have a love/hate relationship with their house. They love the amount of living space provided and the privacy the house design offers. They appreciate that teens can be alone in their bedrooms on the top level of the house or in their lower-level family room, while Mom and Dad can…
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Renovation Solutions: The power of color choice
Read More: Renovation Solutions: The power of color choiceColor is a powerful element in both interior and exterior design. A room with nondescript walls can be transformed by a simple coat of paint. You can create different feelings and moods in a room just by what colors you choose for the walls, furniture and accent pieces. Because color is powerful, you may feel…
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Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equityRemodeling is a big decision. The process will impact several areas of your life and be influenced by many factors, one of which is your project budget and how you will fund your project. In years past, the financial option of choice was a home equity line or loan. During the past several years —…
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How to create a romantic master suite
Read More: How to create a romantic master suiteIn honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s consider the most romantic remodeling project: the master suite. This area is intended to be a luxurious getaway in your own home. A master suite is more than just a master bedroom as it typically consists of three functions — a bedroom large enough to fit a king-size bed…
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Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it up
Read More: Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it upIt is not uncommon to think about remodeling your home for years before taking any action. Once you have decided to actually do something, however, it is human nature to want it now. The fact of the matter is there are specific phases in this process. They are sequential, and none should be skipped! …
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Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchensBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When seeing a new house or newer apartment, it will most likely include an open concept kitchen in the design. Many people love the idea of an open kitchen that isn’t separated from the rest of the living space and may be part of a great room. They…
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Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its place
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its placeBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer When organizing children’s rooms, make it easy with one step to put away items. Hooks are easier than hangers, racks are easier than bookshelves, and bins on shelves are a great way to teach organizing and help children stay tidy. (David Price, Renovation Design Group) No matter how…
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Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable steps
Read More: Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable stepsThe University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology did a survey to discover the most common New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight was No. 1, and No. 2 was getting organized. While we can’t really help you with the first one unless you want to come to the gym with us after work, we thought we…
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Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your homeOne of the joys of the holiday season is getting together with family and friends. Determining where to hold the holiday party usually consists of evaluating the potential hosts’ gathering space. What makes a good gathering space? Architecturally speaking, the best gathering spaces have flow, order and connectivity. Gathering space is important in any home.…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling the split-level house
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling the split-level houseSplit-level homes have made a comeback in recent years. Drive around some of the new “starter-home” neighborhoods around the Wasatch Front and you’ll find many variations on the split-level theme. You’ll also find split-level homes in many older, established neighborhoods. They first appeared in the 1930s but really came into their own during the building…
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Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additions
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additionsWhen we say addition, what do you think of? Do you think of an additional structure off the back of the house, a full room? Do you think of the “big box” addition? Well, we are here to say home additions come in all shapes and sizes — and bigger isn’t always better. Large, “big…
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Renovation Solutions: Converting your garage to living space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Converting your garage to living spaceFinding existing space in your home to repurpose, convert into living space or reconfigure may take some creativity. We started our series on creatively remodeling existing space by discussing attic conversions. This week we are going to consider converting the garage into living space. By moving the garage into the basement, this family was able…
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Renovation Solutions: Basements can be remodeled, no matter how scary
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Basements can be remodeled, no matter how scaryFor the past few weeks, we have been discussing how to creatively use or repurpose existing space in your home. Whether it be the attic or your garage, there may be space within your home just waiting to be used. One common space that may be waiting for its turn is the basement. Basements are…
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Renovation Solutions: Find more space in the attic to enhance your house
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Find more space in the attic to enhance your houseSpace is like the wind: You can’t see it, but you can feel it. People tend to look at the space in a home in terms of quantity — either there is too much space or, more likely, not enough. Architects, on the other hand, see space as a way of creating an experience in…
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Exterior remodels continued: Gutters
Read More: Exterior remodels continued: GuttersAh, autumn. ’Tis the season for pumpkin shakes, cozy sweaters, the first fire of the season, and — oh, yeah — raking leaves and cleaning out your gutters. No one likes climbing on the roof to clean out the leaves and debris from the gutters, but a neglected gutter system can cause considerable damage with…
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Remodeling for curb appeal
Read More: Remodeling for curb appealA lot of our clients come to us with requests for more curb appeal. Even if the remodel is staying within the home’s original footprint, many clients want to see what they can do to enhance their home’s exterior. Exterior remodels naturally happen in combination with other remodeling projects; however, there are also the projects…
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Remodel to better multitask your space
Read More: Remodel to better multitask your spaceRemodeling doesn’t have to mean expensive additions; it can be more about creatively using the space you have. Multitasking rooms is a great way to use your existing space to its full potential. How do you multitask rooms? Well, you are already doing it. You just need to recognize it and make sure each room…
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Renovation Solutions: Roofing material choice impacts a remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Roofing material choice impacts a remodelEveryone has seen a bad remodel. You’ve seen the house where the new addition looks like a big shed bumped up against the house, or the second story that looks as if it could have fallen from space and just happened to land on that particular house. The key to achieving a seamless blend of…
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Renovation Solutions: Laundry made easier with redesign
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Laundry made easier with redesignBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Does it seem like your laundry piles are more like mountains than molehills? Is getting family members to pitch in and do laundry harder than getting out grape juice stains? If so, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you or your family members are lazy. It might simply mean…
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Renovation Solutions: As school nears, it may be time to remodel kids’ bedrooms
Read More: Renovation Solutions: As school nears, it may be time to remodel kids’ bedroomsBy Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer For a child’s bedroom remodel, consider the lighting, shelving and bed choices carefully. Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Solutions Summer is winding down, and it is almost time to send those little darlings back to school. With just weeks or days remaining before the first day of school, you might…
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Renovation Solutions: Quick makeover for your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Quick makeover for your homeEven small changes to your house (a quick off-the-street makeover) can make your home more beautiful. Often when you work to create or uncover extra space and functionality in your home, you will find more beauty, too. What makes someone beautiful? How much of that beauty is attributed to good genes and how much is…
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Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with color
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Liven up your home with colorThe sea of ivory-colored homes with white walls and beige carpet is evidence that people are generally afraid of color. But really they shouldn’t be — at least not for architecture’s sake. The soothing and relaxing tones in this room tie in the furniture and art with slight variances in wall, ceiling and trim colors.…
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Carefully consider design for bathroom remodel
Read More: Carefully consider design for bathroom remodelClearly, if you survive the stress and strain of a home remodeling project, the results should enhance your life. Your home should be easier to live in. A bathroom addition or remodel is a project that will have a definite daily impact on your personal or family lifestyle: If you have teenagers or young children…
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Renovation Solutions: Well-detailed remodeling project will pay off
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Well-detailed remodeling project will pay offArchitect Mies van der Rohe said, “God is in the details.” Others have said, “The devil is in the details.” We suppose it’s all in the perspective. Certainly when it comes to a home renovation, you can feel very inspired or very tormented by all the details to which you must attend. If you are…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilities
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling opens up possibilitiesWith the Fourth of July, we’ve got freedom on our minds. A very different kind of freedom is found in the process of remodeling when clients become aware that there are many options available to address their particular issues. For instance, needing more space in a family room does not have to mean an addition.…
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The question: Remodel or move?
Read More: The question: Remodel or move?By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News If there is something about your location like a great view that would be hard to duplicate, then remodeling may be the right solution for you. Deciding to remodel does not happen overnight. The decision usually takes a lot of deliberation. We discussed last…