Articles - Renovation Design Group

Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodel

A full kitchen replacement consists of demolishing and removing everything in the room, including the sheetrock, so that the walls are open and the plumbing piping and the electrical wiring are exposed. When the work crews cut into the

Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planning

Last week, we began a discussion of how to tackle a major kitchen overhaul in several stages to try to defray some of the cost of such a major undertaking. As we noted, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2011 Cost vs.

Adding central vacuum system to the home

While we often think about the aesthetics of our dream houses, we may not spend enough time researching some of the more technical/mechanical elements that could contribute to making our daily lives easier. No matter how beautiful a home is,

Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodel

Last week we discussed what is involved in removing structural walls. But there are more aspects of construction that you need to deal with in a more major remodel. Believe it or not, the technical aspects of the remodel impact

Removing a structural wall is tricky but not impossible

One of the most common requests we hear these days is to create an open floor concept to create a kitchen/great room. This request requires removing walls. How simple this process is depends on whether or not the wall is

Renovation Solutions: Repurposing a home’s underused space

Your house has a finite number of square feet, and it is incumbent upon each of us to make sure we are using that space to our greatest advantage. A spare bedroom was an underused space that has been

Finding a design style is a revealing process

A person’s design style is as unique as his or her own personality. It may not be what is advertised on the billboards or what you grew up with, but rest assured that you have a style — you just

Renovation Solutions: Expert advice on creatively maximizing your space

Multitasking: the performance of multiple tasks at one time, describes a lot of our lives. From the dubious practice of talking on our cellphones while driving to the mom trying to feed the baby while getting the other children out

Spring is the perfect time to give your ugly patio a face-lift

By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer Published: Saturday, March 17 2012 4:00 p.m. MDT Today we are going to talk about patios. We are sure your spring project priority list is filling up fast. No doubt many of your

Tips to designing seamless outdoor spaces

Is it spring yet? Well, the technical answer is no, but psychologically some of us need to push the issue a bit. One way to endure the winter doldrums is to focus on spring gardening. We’ll bet some of you

Ways do-it-yourselfers can save even more

The cost of labor is the largest portion of a remodeling budget. If you are a do-it-yourselfer with the time, energy, resources and know-how to do the construction yourself, then you can save thousands on labor costs. In preparation for

Tips to cut remodeling costs without cutting any corners

Busting the budget is everyone’s biggest fear when it comes to home renovation, and with good reason. If funds are tight, consider hiring a contractor to build just the exterior “shell” of your addition and then you can complete the

Heated floors are making a comeback

Heated floors are becoming one of the top must-have features in modern homes — both in new home construction and in retrofits. With a growing range of designs to choose from, homeowners are discovering what people around the world have

Renovation Solutions: Specify products for remodeling project

The decision to take the plunge into home remodeling may be difficult, but it will be just the first of many decisions you will have to make. Even after the majority of all the design decisions have been made, the

Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012

Last week we discussed design trends for the whole house. This week we will focus on the 2012 trends for the kitchen. Before and after photos of a recent kitchen remodel. Major kitchen remodels have a 68.7 percent return on

Renovation Solutions: Top home-improvement trends of 2012

At this time of year the design community starts the trend talk, discussing home-remodeling trends they foresee for the coming year. Most trends are dictated by consumer priorities, lifestyles and the economy — in other words: demand. Other trends are

Renovation Solutions: Removing chimney opens up myriad design possibilities

Last week we discussed adding fireplaces and fireplace remodels. Well, sometimes a fireplace needs to be relocated or removed all together in order to accomplish your design goals. Removing a masonry chimney can be done by a homeowner, but it

You, too, can enjoy the ambiance of a well-designed fireplace

Even though this winter has been unseasonably warm and the snow limited, it is still “sit by the fireplace” season. We may not ever light the fire but at least we can enjoy the ambiance of a well designed fireplace

Renovation Solutions: Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance to homes

There is nothing that makes a home feel cozier in the winter than a fireplace. All year round a fireplace adds beauty, dimension and a focal point to the room. Most people, especially this time of year, understand the value

Updating your old furnace will pay you back in savings

If your furnace looks like this, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Annie V. Schwemmer Heating and cooling account for about 56 percent of the energy used in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense

Renovation Solutions: Sealing drafts can save a bundle on energy costs

With all the joys of a Utah winter, there is a lot to be happy about. A through-the-roof heating bill is not one of them. When contemplating any project, begin by analyzing your home in terms of what is not

Renovation Solutions: Changing ceiling gives feeling of more space in your home

When designing a room, don’t forget to look up. The tray ceiling in this master bedroom makes the room feel more spacious while adding drama to the room. (David T. Price) The ceiling represents a substantial portion of the finished

Renovation Solutions: Be prepared for remodeling ‘unknowns’

One of the common challenges in remodeling is to control the mentality of adding projects in the “while we are at it” category. These additions can quickly add up and scuttle a project budget. On the other hand, there is

Renovation Solutions: Survival tips for living while remodeling

Last week we introduced you to the Smiths, a family of eight that just survived a fairly extensive renovation while living in their split-level home throughout the construction process. Their remodel included an addition of 400 square feet to both

Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering space

When the Smith’s bought their home in 1995, they had three children and one on the way. They loved the neighborhood and liked the house. It was in fairly good condition, though it had not been updated since it was

Insulation will lower heating bills

By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The weather is getting colder, but saving on the heating bill this winter shouldn’t mean you have to cuddle under four blankets to stay warm. If your heating bill is through the roof, then

Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodels

Happy Halloween! Multiple additions can create a disjointed feeling and negatively impact curb appeal. Picasa, Annie V. Schwemmer In honor of this ghoulish holiday, we want to tell a scary story: “The Story of the Frankenhouses.” Frankenhouses are homes that

Renovation Solutions: Time for fall cleaning, home maintenance

The term “Spring Cleaning” has become somewhat of a deep cleaning cliché. And it is rightfully named since most deep cleaning is tackled in the spring. However, there is an important Fall counterpart to cleaning that is often overlooked. Fall

Renovation Solutions: Tips for saving money when remodeling

Ah, a budget. Most of us are all too familiar with living on a budget, especially these days. While this client did not have the budget for a large master suite addition, an architect was able to help them gain

Renovation Solutions: Remember to address air-quality issues inside your home

EnergyStar has become a household term. Everyone knows that EnergyStar translates as energy efficient products or homes. Well, the EPA has taken the EnergyStar labeling program for homes a step further into the green. The EPA has developed a sister

Renovation Solutions: Remodeling? Here are some survival tips

“Renovating is an intense personal experience shared with large numbers of total strangers — not much different than surviving a plane crash.” — An anonymous homeowner. Contractors Jason Runolfson, left, and Jeremy Jackson of Jackson & LeRoy Remodeling spend

Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condo

Being a condo owner often feels like living in real estate purgatory. On one hand, you’re an owner. The property is in your name, you are responsible for it, pay taxes on it, and have a say on what goes

Renovation Solutions: Adding an interior design pro to your team has its benefits

A home is a very complex concept, both psychologically and physically. Psychologically, “home” represents such ideas as shelter, gathering and safety. Physically, the whole is the sum of many diverse elements constituting both the interior and exterior of the structure.