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Home Remodeling’s Best Investment - The Kitchen

The kitchen is the natural gathering place in the house and is often called the heart of the home.   It not only serves as a central meeting place but is also the most functional area of a house and because of this it is no surprise that when people are looking at real estate, the first thing they do is scrutinize the kitchen.  A well done kitchen renovation will not only update a key part of your house but also give the greatest return on your investment as well as potentially lower the time it sits on market when it comes time to sell.   When deciding to only renovate one room in the house, the kitchen is often the best choice.

The best kitchen renovations are able to dramatically redefine a space by making it more functional and aesthetically pleasing.  To achieve this, a kitchen renovation begins with a complete gut of the existing room down to the studs.  This is necessary to provide the necessary plumbing changes to accommodate the new layout as well as update the electrical as required by the building code.   New recessed overhead lighting to accommodate the design can be done at this time and many clients also choose to add undercabinet lighting by using pucks or ultra-modern LED strips. 

After new insulation and drywall have been added, new flooring can be installed as necessary.   While many clients opt to simply have the existing hardwood flooring refinished, others add hardwood to compliment the existing house or choose porcelain or stone tile based on personal preferences.

The largest decision in a kitchen renovation is the style and design of the cabinets.  Cabinets today come in a variety of styles and price ranges and with our extensive list of manufacturers, we are sure to be able to find something that fits within any client’s budget.  Composed of solid, construction grade wood, modern cabinets come with numerous desired features not offered in the past; for example, soft close drawers and doors.  Removing soffits in the ceilings also make it possible to bring the cabinets up to the modern standard height of 42”. 

After cabinets are in place, countertops and appliances are installed.  There are too many variations of countertops to describe; however, we recommend granite or quartz due to their durability and quality of finish.   Finished off with an undermount or farm style sink and appliances up to modern standards, a finished remodeled kitchen has the ability to revolutionize the way you use this space.

When performed correctly, a kitchen remodeling project will make better use of the existing space and be able to store more whether you are simply updating the cabinets or doing something as large as knocking down an entire wall to create an open layout.  Imagine enjoying all of the latest conveniences in a stunning new kitchen designed to your tastes and uses in daily life.  Let our kitchen designers provide a new, detailed layout for your kitchen complete with 3-D renderings and floor plans.  Our experience gives us the ability to perform the job quickly and cost effectively while producing little disturbance to the rest of the house with our commitment to implementing the highest quality protective measures possible.  It is the one improvement your family will benefit from and enjoy for years to come.  Please contact us for a free quote to see how easy your dream kitchen can be a reality.

Updating Your Bathroom

A bathroom remodeling renovation can update a tired and drab space devoid of the modern luxuries commonly associated with bathrooms today by replacing it with an aesthetically pleasing and functional area in line with the newer trends.   When successfully executed, an updated bathroom will compliment the existing style in the house, whether that be traditional or modern, and more importantly take advantage of the new features and fixtures available to customers today.

Such features include airjet tubs, custom steam showers with rain showerheads and body sprays as well as heated floors and ultra quiet exhaust fans.   In order to accommodate for the additional electrical, plumbing, and HVAC requirements needed for modern bathroom fixtures and equipment, the old bathroom is gutted down to the studs to replace the plumbing and update electrical.  This assures that in addition to looking stunning, the new bathroom will function flawlessly without the costly future headaches caused by leaks and malfunctions.  New insulation and Durock around all shower and bathtub surfaces as well as greenboard on all other walls, and ceilings protect interior components from moisture and prevent the formation of mold.

Selecting finishes for a bathroom requires coordinating multiple finishes and types of material that must all compliment each other.  The selection of a vanity or custom cabinetry with a stone countertop normally serve as a focal point upon which other decisions can be made.   Tiles for the floor and surrounds will vary in size, color and design.   In addition to selecting finishes, multiple options exist which that can enhance the functionality and overall enjoyment of the bathroom.  Many clients add a shampoo niche in the shower or bath tub, and Robern medicine cabinets are the perfect for the modern bathroom seeking clean lines and extra storage to keep items out of sight.  For others, we have opened the ceiling and added a skylight or sun tube to add natural light in an otherwise dark space.  The possibilities are limited only by imagination as there are so many products in the market that no two bathrooms ever need to be the same.

The ideal bathroom remodeling project is a perfect combination of function and design. From the small powder room to the master bathroom, each and every bathroom in the house can have a point of interest.  Some of the most impressive have included enlarging the master bathroom and placing a large freestanding tub in the middle as a focal point; a very popular design element these days.  It can also produce a handsome return on your investment by turning an unsightly area into an up to date and relaxing space.  If you are interested in obtaining a free estimate for a bathroom renovation, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We would be happy to provide samples of materials as well as design ideas for your customized space.