The empty property in the Avenues was dripping with potential and history. Adam Collings and his wife first saw the distressed 1880s home in 2011. The outside of the house resembled the Addam’s Family house before it was remodeled. Trina
Renovation Solutions: The difference between design, decorating
Our company motto is “Making the world a better place, one home at a time.” We enjoy having a positive impact on our community and in our clients’ lives. We get an occasional “hot mess” to fix up, but more
Renovation Solutions: What a remodeling contractor says about architects
(before) This beautiful deck and pergola remodel was the result of a great collaborative effort between the architect, general contractor, and steel fabricator. (Kevin Bunnell, Renovation Design Group) Most people who don’t use an architect for a home remodeling
How HGTV, Pinterest are changing home design
Between all the design shows on HGTV and the hundreds of thousands of images on Houzz.com and Pinterest.com, we are fortunate to have design tools at our fingertips. Whether we are watching on a 70-inch TV or squinting at our
3 more home design areas to address for holiday entertaining
Like we said last week, you never should design a remodel for a once-a-year event such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. However, having the ultimate entertaining house that functions just as well on special occasions as it does every day will
Creating a plan leads to saving money on remodeling
At the homeowners request, this toilet room in the master bedroom, shown after renovation was designed to accommodate a future walk in tub. The required plumbing was installed behind the walls and floors to make future installation easy, while in
Renovation Solutions: Home remodeling with pets in mind
When we ask potential clients about the makeup of their family, it is always useful if they include their pets on the list. While goldfish and a parakeet don’t require much special design attention, dogs and cats do. Houzz.com recently
Finding more space without an addition
Most people who want to remodel crave more space from their house. They want more storage space, more living space, more garage space, more office space, or more gathering space. In general, people want more space. While most people initially
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
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
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: Laundry made easier with redesign
By 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
Carefully consider design for bathroom remodel
Clearly, 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
Tips for surviving home remodeling
By Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson For the Deseret News “Renovating is an intense personal experience shared with large numbers of total strangers — not much different than surviving a plane crash.” — an anonymous homeowner Even with the grim
Busy families choose mudrooms for entrances
Busy families with school-age children have most likely spent the last few weeks buying school clothes and supplies to prepare for the new school year. As we say goodbye to summer, it is time for us to gear up for
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
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
Plan for future, efficiency with your bathroom design
By Ann Robinson and Annie Schwemmer American consumers are choosing a little bit of luxury mixed with practicality and efficiency when it comes to bathroom remodels. That is according to The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Trends Survey, compiled
Remodel pulls laundry out of the dungeon
By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer How do you do laundry? Do you do a load a day keeping the piles small? Or do you wait until heaping piles take over the hampers? No matter what kind of laundry
Bathtubs can be refinished with ease
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week, we discussed replacing your bathtub — a rather daunting process. In our effort to consider ways to update your bathroom without a complete remodel, today we will discuss refinishing an existing tub.
Bathroom may need partial redo
By Ann Robinson and Annie V. Schwemmer We’re sure you are as sick as we are about hearing of rising gas prices every time you turn around. Unfortunately, that is just the most obvious symptom of our current economic troubles.
Tubs help bathrooms become relaxing retreats
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Bathrooms today serve more than a practical function. They are often created as a refuge from the stress and commotion of everyday life. While the combination tub-shower is a practical solution when space is
Sinks can add beauty to baths
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon As the number and type of bathrooms in the average home increase, so has the selection of bathroom sinks, which now range from tiny wall-hung versions for the smallest of powder rooms to elaborate
Lots of options in bath remodel
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Adding a bathroom to your home remodel could change your life. Just think of how different your mornings would be if the vanity in your teenagers’ bathroom was separate from the shower. Or if
Go for luxury in shower
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon The day of the shower has arrived. What used to be the most purely functional space in a home is now the center of attention in modern bathroom design. Shower designs are more elaborate
Mudrooms make sense
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon It is more than just the calendar that marks the beginning of fall. The trail of coats, books, backpacks and dirty footprints across the floor gives it away. The kids have barely been back
Countertop options are almost endless
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we started a two-part column about countertop options. Countertops can be a relatively simple way to spruce up your decor if you plan to keep everything else (like cabinets and the layout)
New countertops can add pizazz
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Here’s a quick and easy way to upgrade your home: install new countertops. In the right situation, new countertops in a kitchen, bath or elsewhere can make a big splash without causing a big
Freestanding bathtubs are a relaxing retreat
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Now that you are an expert on bathroom sinks (see Deseret Morning News column of Sept. 15: Sink can greatly add to beauty of the bathroom), it is time to brush up on bathtubs.
Sink can greatly add to beauty of the bathroom
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Last week we reported some encouraging news about adding a bathroom to your home. The National Association of Home Builders has estimated that adding a bath can increase your home’s value by up to
Adding bathroom adds value
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon Studies show adding a bathroom is one of the best ways to add value to a home. The cost of a new bath varies depending on the size and the materials. (See This Master
Bathrooms can make big splash
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon A well-designed family bath goes a long way toward helping your home function better for your family. Nice finishes and fixtures can add an extra splash to a very practical room. Many feature two
Mudroom design helps keep the house organized
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon If you have children living in your home, you can probably attest that you don’t have to hear kids come in to know they’re home from school — the telltale trail of coats, backpacks,
Good laundry room design can ease laundry task
By Ann Robinson and Annie Vernon This remodeled laundry room design includes plenty of floor and counter space, a built-in ironing board, bins for each family member’s laundry, and a clothes steamer closet. Does it seem like your laundry piles