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Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Truth about updating kitchen without a full-scale remodelA 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 wall for a new pantry door, above, in this small-scale kitchen remodel, they found pipes,…
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Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planning
Read More: Doing a kitchen remodel in phases takes planningLast 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. Value Report, a major, 200-square-foot kitchen remodel costs about $58,000, with a 65 percent return…
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Adding central vacuum system to the home
Read More: Adding central vacuum system to the homeWhile 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, it still needs to be cleaned. A built-in central vacuum system will make the not-so-glamorous…
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Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodel
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Navigating technical aspects of a remodelLast 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 the final look, flow, function and design of your project. These aspects fall into three…
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Removing a structural wall is tricky but not impossible
Read More: Removing a structural wall is tricky but not impossibleOne 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 “structural,” which means it is part of the structural design of the home and is…
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Renovation Solutions: Repurposing a home’s underused space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Repurposing a home’s underused spaceYour 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 transformed into a music room. (Annie V. Schwemmer) Many people come to us thinking they…
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Finding a design style is a revealing process
Read More: Finding a design style is a revealing processA 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 have to find it. The trick is to shut out the loud trends and prevalent…
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Renovation Solutions: Expert advice on creatively maximizing your space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Expert advice on creatively maximizing your spaceMultitasking: 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 the door to school, we are trying to accomplish more in one day than the…
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Spring is the perfect time to give your ugly patio a face-lift
Read More: Spring is the perfect time to give your ugly patio a face-liftBy 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 lists include some overhaul to or addition of an outdoor space. ‘Tis the season for…
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Tips to designing seamless outdoor spaces
Read More: Tips to designing seamless outdoor spacesIs 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 are spending time with your Burpee catalog or wandering around your favorite garden center, watching…
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Ways do-it-yourselfers can save even more
Read More: Ways do-it-yourselfers can save even moreThe 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 a remodel, this homeowner sold almost everything shown in this photo — from the hardwood…
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Tips to cut remodeling costs without cutting any corners
Read More: Tips to cut remodeling costs without cutting any cornersBusting 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 interior finishes as funds become available. (Brent Murray) Even if you follow the essential advice…
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Heated floors are making a comeback
Read More: Heated floors are making a comebackHeated 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 known for thousands of years — radiant floor heating is clean, quiet and comfortable. The…
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Renovation Solutions: Specify products for remodeling project
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Specify products for remodeling projectThe 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 average home remodel requires hundreds of additional decisions, ranging from small ones (selecting cabinet hardware)…
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Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012
Read More: Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012Last 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 investment. (Annie V. Schwemmer) Kitchen updates rank among the most popular home improvements. The reason:…
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Renovation Solutions: Top home-improvement trends of 2012
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Top home-improvement trends of 2012At 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 more about the aesthetics of a home. These trends are usually more short-lived and somewhat…
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Renovation Solutions: Removing chimney opens up myriad design possibilities
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Removing chimney opens up myriad design possibilitiesLast 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 can be an exhausting – as well as dirty – job. (Annie V. Schwemmer) If…
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You, too, can enjoy the ambiance of a well-designed fireplace
Read More: You, too, can enjoy the ambiance of a well-designed fireplaceEven 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 and mantel. If you don’t have a fireplace or your existing fireplace is less than…
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Renovation Solutions: Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance to homes
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance to homesThere 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 of having a fireplace. However, many are not so lucky as to have one in…
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Updating your old furnace will pay you back in savings
Read More: Updating your old furnace will pay you back in savingsIf 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 for most households. A wide variety of technology is available for heating and cooling your…
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Renovation Solutions: Sealing drafts can save a bundle on energy costs
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Sealing drafts can save a bundle on energy costsWith 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 working. Next, do your homework and determine ways to solve or minimize the problems. In…
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Renovation Solutions: Changing ceiling gives feeling of more space in your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Changing ceiling gives feeling of more space in your homeWhen 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 area of a room and offers a lot of opportunity to add design and definition…
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Renovation Solutions: Be prepared for remodeling ‘unknowns’
Read More: 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 a logical sequence to many construction scenarios which can save money. The two main rooms…
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Renovation Solutions: Survival tips for living while remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Survival tips for living while remodelingLast 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 the main and lower levels, adding a great room (family room, dining area and kitchen)…
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Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering space
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Split-level home updated for a more gathering spaceWhen 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 built in 1973. The home before the remodel. (Daniel Barton) They fell in love with…
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Insulation will lower heating bills
Read More: Insulation will lower heating billsBy 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 that may be exactly where your heat is escaping — through your roof and walls.…
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Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodels
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Frankenhouses: horrifying home remodelsHappy 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 have been “renovated” and yet feature things such as pipes running through living rooms, rooms…
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Renovation Solutions: Time for fall cleaning, home maintenance
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Time for fall cleaning, home maintenanceThe 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 cleaning involves more than just tidying up around the house. There are important home maintenance…
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Renovation Solutions: Tips for saving money when remodeling
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Tips for saving money when remodelingAh, 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 access to an updated bathroom from a reconfigured master bedroom. (David T. Price) Successfully living…
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Renovation Solutions: Remember to address air-quality issues inside your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remember to address air-quality issues inside your homeEnergyStar 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 program called Indoor AirPLUS. As our homes become more energy efficient there is less air…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling? Here are some survival tips
Read More: 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 hours planning and working with clients on home remodeling projects. -Annie V. Schwemmer Even with…
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Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condo
Read More: Renovation Solutions: What to do before remodeling a condoBeing 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 on there. On the other hand, your property is within the confines of a condo…
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Renovation Solutions: Adding an interior design pro to your team has its benefits
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Adding an interior design pro to your team has its benefitsA 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. When you want to remodel your home, you don’t have to become an expert in…
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Renovation Solutions: Creating appealing interior views essential to home design
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Creating appealing interior views essential to home designThis client used art and furniture placement to create a pleasant interior view at the end of a hallway. -Annie Schwemmer Last week we discussed the importance of what views you see looking out from the inside of your house. We discussed how to capitalize on, avoid or even create better views from your windows.…
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Renovation Solutions: Capitalize on views by updating windows
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Capitalize on views by updating windowsEveryone knows that curb appeal, or what you experience as you look at a house from the outside, is an important aspect of a home’s architecture. (See the past few columns for ideas about enhancing exterior curb appeal.) These windows were added to this room to create a focal point. The remodel also added a…
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Renovation Solutions: Adding curb appeal with exterior upgrades
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Adding curb appeal with exterior upgradesOne of the common requests we get these days is for exterior updates. Sometimes the interior space is working but the exterior lacks curb appeal. Ultimately, we have found clients who want an exterior update are just trying to love the homes they are in a little more. The economy has locked more people into…
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Renovation Solutions: Remodeling on the rise
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Remodeling on the riseWith the housing market still technically in the doldrums, it is nice to hear some positive housing news. It has been recently reported by BuildFax.com that home remodeling hit its highest level since May 2004, the year the tracking service started monitoring this portion of the construction market. Specifically, home remodeling was up 22 percent…
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Renovation Solutions: Bungalow turned loft: Homeowner wouldn’t change a thing
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Bungalow turned loft: Homeowner wouldn’t change a thingFor this week’s column, we wanted to revisit one of our most unique remodeling projects: the bungalow/loft. While we know that such a contemporary style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this project shows how bold and creative you can be with a home remodel and still have your home blend into the neighborhood.…
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Renovation Solutions: Make sure a remodel adds value to your home
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Make sure a remodel adds value to your homeMany homeowners wonder if a home remodeling project could possibly have a negative effect on the resale value of their home or if they will recoup their investment when it comes time to sell. This family’s kitchen was opened to the dining room and an adjacent bedroom (now a family room) to create a great…
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Renovation Solutions: Deciding to remodel or move
Read More: Renovation Solutions: Deciding to remodel or moveIt happens suddenly, over a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper, or perhaps as you make your way across the obstacle course of clutter that was once your living room. Your house doesn’t fit your needs, and you can’t deny it anymore. It’s time to make a hard decision, one that will undoubtedly involve…