Countertops wear out, as they are heavily used, and don’t get me started on what teen-agers with kitchen knives and block of cheese will do to the countertop. Cutting boards? Who needs those? So you could probably use a new countertop. Price varies tremendously, depending on the material chosen. Countertop materials are chosen not only…

Do you love to soak in the bathtub? Many people are so busy they are all about the shower; even a spa-like steam shower probably does not take us as much time a relaxing soak in the tub, ergo, many are opting for the shower. However, maybe there are really only two kinds of people…

A beautiful tiled shower tends to be a centerpiece of a bathroom. While a tub is often still included, an eye-catching shower will become the focal point and often sets the tone of your design. The right shower can turn your bathroom into a home spa, a sleek modern design statement, or a classic traditional…

Everyone can use more space. Just look at garages with doors open, as you drive down a residential street this summer. It’s not just the concept of better storage; a house can feel too small, just because most of your possessions are out in the middle of the room, on countertops, or shoved up against…

This is one of the goals for most of us when considering our ideal kitchen. Who wants to spend half their time in the kitchen cleaning? So, let us consider what would make a kitchen easy to maintain. Flooring: Vinyl (also called resilient flooring) feels more comfortable if you must spend a lot of time…

Think about your bathroom and how you use it? Don’t get weird now, the questions are: Do you mostly take quick showers and run off to work? Or do you like to have long soaks in your oversize tub with candles and maybe a glass of wine? If the bathroom is a place where you…

Topping the annual ROI list in 2014 has been, surprisingly, a new steel front door; up to as much as 96.6 percent return on investment when the home is sold. A less expensive option if your front door doesn’t need replacing, is a quick paint job, which will make the entryway – the first thing…

Universal Design (UD) is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. You might think of it as Better Living Design. It does not mean every home should have a wheelchair ramp. It does mean that a home…

When people say that the devil is in the details, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are sometimes overlooked can cause serious problems later on. There is no place where this is more evident than in home remodeling; after all, it is impossible to see what is behind a cabinet or…

Whatcom County residents are gearing up for the traditional 4th of July BBQ and the opening of the summer BBQ season. With the great weather that comes this time of year, decks are the way to go for summer parties. Dress up your deck by adding potted plants, or flowers planted along the edges, pillows,…

So what can you do with that dark, junk-filled basement? You hate to waste the square footage using it as a place to toss stuff you don’t use very often, because you could really use a place to toss the kids when they are getting rambunctious –  just kidding. No, really, the basement would make…

Why remodel your bathroom? Over the last 30 years or so, bathrooms have become an increasingly focal point of design in the home. As a consequence, more careful design and planning goes into bathroom remodels and additions. Bathrooms are much larger in new homes as compared to the functional but tiny, bathrooms of many years…

A lot of Whatcom county residents tend to be into natural foods, outdoor exercise, and generally healthy eating. Of course we have plenty of gourmets, but healthy foods can be prepared and served as elegant fare as well. So what types of kitchens does this result in? When clients come to us for remodels, what…

You need a plan to guide you as you evaluate your needs, set goals, find inspiration and select products. Do you want a retreat, or an efficient bathroom to just get things done? Maybe one of each type would be ideal! The master bath should indulge your style, whether that’s spa-like and restful or contemporary…

So you have been in your home for many years and the kitchen seems worn and bathrooms are dated. What should you do? The popular website  Houzz.com did a survey that found that the majority of homeowners taking on remodeling projects are doing so because they want to stay in their homes, not because they…

Where can you go to find qualified remodelers for barrier free kitchens and baths? Recommendations from friends are great, but if that is not an option for you, NAHB, the National Association of Home Builders, has contractors listed by location and skills. If you find yourself in need of an experienced contractor who is trained…

The following information is from BIAWC, the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, the professional association for ethical and skilled contractors. Their organization provides advice for homeowners looking for remodeling as well as new construction contractors. Tips for hiring a contractor: 1. Determine what you want done, and think about how to explain your project…

What do you need to know to have a kitchen remodel that you’ll be happy with? Well, no doubt this list will vary somewhat depending on your circumstance, but for a general list that covers a lot of homeowners, here goes: Kitchen islands have become very popular, for additional storage and prep area, as well…

Kitchen design in the Pacific Northwest is probably driven by the fact that those who are drawn to our rainy, green and mild climate are tend to love natural materials and lots of windows. Better to view the mountains and forests, as well as adding light! Tucked between Puget Sound and the mountains, we are…

Rising awareness of water conservation and new laws that limit water consumption mean that some people are moving away from multiple-body sprays in showers and jetted tubs. Steam and sauna are excellent alternatives that use very small amounts of water. A 30 minute steam bath consumes less than two gallons and the only water required…

If you need to upgrade a small bath that‘s long past it’s prime, and you want it to be both practical and visually pleasing, here are a few small bath remodeling ideas to create a bath that may be short on space but big on style. While working within the limits of a small area…

  In most counties, decks need a permit for construction if they are off the ground. In Whatcom county this height starts at 30 inches. A skilled contractor can handle the permit, the structural engineer (if needed) and of course, the construction. Adding a deck raises the value of any home and increases the living…

Bathrooms are the most hazardous room in the house! Small spaces, wet floors and hard surfaces can make it dangerous for those with balance problems, low vision and just inaccessible to wheelchairs. Whatcom County attracts lots of retired persons due to our mild climate and wonderful scenery. Aging in place details make sense for many…

For many families, remodeling a kitchen can be stressful. There are so many details to consider, while simultaneously fitting everything in the budget, while holding one’s breath that no unexpected problems will be found when the flooring is taken up only adds to the stress. How many times in your life will you have a…

For many reasons it has become popular to replace tubs with large showers. Taking a tub bath usually uses more water than a shower, and takes more time. After all, if in a hurry you can jump in, take a shower and jump out in less time than it takes to fill a tub. There…