By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer BEFORE: In the remodel, the dining room and kitchen swapped places and a wall was removed to open them both to the living room. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) All types of design
Renovation Solutions: Planning the spring projects
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer The official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter this year. Here along the Wasatch Front, however, we are wondering what winter? Well, whether or not Phil’s prediction will prove to
Renovation Solutions: Tips for remodeling a bathroom
By Ann Robinson & Annie V. Schwemmer Home remodeling takes money. How much depends on the level of remodeling you intend to do. Obviously, the more involved the project the more expensive it will be. This week we want to
Renovation Solutions: Designing your home with storage in mind
As we start another year, it is time to get your life and your home in order. Of course, decluttering and purging is a big part of the organization process. However, once you know what you want to keep, you
Renovation Solutions: Design for everyday homeowners
Our message in a nutshell: No, the first step to a remodel is not to call a contractor. Design comes before construction and each professional has their expertise. (Photo by Renovation Solutions) Many of our friends and acquaintances are kind
Renovation Solutions: 4 levels of options for remodeling master suites
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and their blog at renovationdesigngroup.com. As we enter the entertaining season, starting with Thanksgiving next week and moving into the party season of Christmas, New Year’s and the Super
Renovation Solutions: Four examples of how to remodel for gathering spaces
Editor’s note: Portions of this column were previously published on deseretnews.com and their blog at renovationdesigngroup.com. As we enter the entertaining season, starting with Thanksgiving next week and moving into the party season of Christmas, New Year’s and the Super
Renovation Solutions: Holiday season inspires remodels
Editor’s note: This column was previously published on deseretnews.com and on their website renovationdesigngroup.com. The holiday season is often the busiest time of year for gatherings, so it is also the time when your home’s capacity and functionality are tested.
Heating up the house: Tips for energy efficient homes in winter
It is that time of year again: time to start heating the house. Many of us hold out as long as possible, but the old “put on a sweater” or “grab a blanket” routine will only last a few more
Renovation Solutions: What reality TV doesn’t tell you about home remodeling
Everyone knows reality TV isn’t actually reality, right? We know an hour in real life is never that entertaining. There is a lot of editing, slicing and dicing behind the scenes to put those shows together. However, the pop culture
Renovation Solutions: Bigger isn’t always better in home remodeling
When it comes to home remodeling, we stand by the saying: “Bigger isn’t always better.” We have said it before and we will say it again: Good home remodeling is about function and design, not about size. We have seen
Renovation Solutions: Architects’ three tips for a great design
Editor’s note: Portions of this column have previously run on the writers’ website at renovationdesigngroup.com and in a previous Renovation Design column at deseretnews.com. These French doors and windows, visible from the home’s entry, provide lots of natural light to
Renovation Solutions: Housing market impacts home remodeling
The housing market is becoming a seller’s market again. Home values are on the rise and optimism abounds. Actually, according to reuters.com, the housing market saw an eight-month high in July, evidencing that the economic recovery is officially back on
Renovation Solutions: Guarding your house against floods
In past weeks, we have discussed our valley’s potential for earthquakes and landslides and options to remediate our homes in preparation for a disaster. This week we will consider another issue, namely flooding. Even though we live in a desert,
Renovation Solutions: Tips for earthquake-resistant home upgrades
Did you know that in Utah there are little earthquakes all the time? Actually, according to earthquaketrack.com, Utah experienced 16 earthquakes last month and 495 last year. These are obviously small tremors, usually below magnitude 3.0. However, the probability of
Renovation Solutions: How to protect your hillside home against landslides
At 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,
Renovation Solutions: Top remodeling challenges decoded
We 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
Renovation Solutions: Understanding the master bedroom madness
Home 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
Renovation Solutions: 5 signs it is time to remodel
BEFORE: 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
Renovation Solutions: How to pull off being your own general contractor
Recently, 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
Renovation Solutions: How design-build remodeling works
The 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
Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind
Last 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
Renovation Solutions: Selecting a garage door for a higher return
For 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
Renovation Solutions: Adding an attic bedroom
When 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
Renovation Solutions: Tips for a wooden deck addition
A 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
Renovation Solutions: Tips to selecting a new front door
As 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
Renovation Solutions: 2014 expected to be a good year for remodeling
With 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
Renovation Solutions: Three types of home improvements that increase home value
In 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
Renovation Solutions: One family’s experience with remodeling a split-level home
Last 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
Renovation Solutions: 3 common problems and tips to remodeling the split-level home
Owners 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
Renovation Solutions: The power of color choice
Color 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
Renovation Solutions: Ways to fund a remodel without equity
Remodeling 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
How to create a romantic master suite
In 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
Remodeling? How long the process should take, tips to speed it up
It 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
Renovation Solutions: Closed kitchens versus open kitchens
By 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
Renovation Solutions: Organizing, Part 2: A place for everything, everything in its place
By 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
Renovation Solutions: New Year’s series: Breaking down organizing in manageable steps
The 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
Renovation Solutions: Considering gathering spaces in your home
One 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
Renovation Solutions: Remodeling the split-level house
Split-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.
Renovation Solutions: Consider small, creative additions
When 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