The answer is not the most expensive countertops or a gourmet stove – the only answer can be a kitchen that is arranged specifically for you. It must be designed and built for the way you cook and the way your family uses the kitchen. Good quality appliances and materials are important, but if the…
Why should you care? What is it? It’s not what homeowners looking to upgrade their homes usually think about – until they need it, that is. Other names for barrier-free are Universal Design, and Aging-in-Place. It means designing a home and remodeled portions of it, to be accessible to anyone. Imagine your elderly mom coming…
Sometimes it is just some relatively small things that are annoying – small areas of your home that keep nagging at your mind, because you know they need fixing or upgrading, but you just keep putting it off. A small guest bath can be such a problem space. It can be embarrassing when you know…
Why? You might well ask. Both rooms are high-usage, and both have to deal with water. The kitchen also receives wear from food spills, the occasional accidental knife cut to the countertop and dropped items, some of them capable of chipping and cracking floors and countertops. So, bathrooms. This room is notorious for falling prey…
A house truly becomes your own after you customize it to your unique lifestyle. You know you want to upgrade the house, but worry that you might not be happy with it a few years out. What to do? To start, browse remodeling ideas on Pinterest, Houzz and Google, to get some ideas floating around…
Refurbish the basement; most basements are plain, dark, unused spaces, not very pleasant to spend time in. Make that square footage work for you; create an entertainment area for your guests. Add a beautiful bar area, seating, and just the right light fixtures and you will add character to your home. If you don’t already…
There are many things that you can do to make you love that house. I’ll get to those, but first, here are some of the reasons people gave for not liking their home: Needs redecorating (some of us know what we don’t like, but have a hard time defining what we DO like, so help…
Remodel the kitchen; who doesn’t want to do it? Updating your kitchen is worthwhile for many reasons; it increases the home value, makes spending time in your home more enjoyable, and inviting friends is over way more fun! The primary elements of a kitchen are the cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances. Evaluate your kitchen and…
A complete home makeover? Well, that’s a bit drastic, but it can be done! Usually there are lesser, but still annoying issues, such as the house laid out so that guests have to walk through the kitchen to get to the living room. Another issue we see sometimes is caused by homes usually being built…
I bet you already know the answer. Kitchens and bathrooms are universally understood to be the most popular remodels. Reasons include the need to refurbish these spaces more frequently than the rest of the house due to being heavily used; moisture issues; in the case of the kitchen, grease and steam from cooking create wear…
All the studies tell us that the upgrade with the number one return on investment, is the kitchen. Since we all spend so much time in the kitchen, this totally makes sense. It also is oftentimes one of the largest rooms in the home, next to the living and dining rooms. So much space will…
Bellingham is a popular city due to its proximity to the ocean, the mountains, and Western Washington University. Even those who like a “big city” fix now and then, can scoot up to Vancouver in Canada, or down to Seattle, so they are not deprived of their shopping and entertainment events. But the word is…
Ah, now that will depend on what you expect from your home, how many family members are living there, and their ages. And a lot of other things. Do you have enough bathrooms for the number of people living in the home? If not, you can have a half-bath added or a full bath if…
Here’s a good quote for that: “Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body.” The Happiness Initiative has a new handbook with simple things you can do to increase your happiness and the happiness of others. The handbook is modeled on the Gross…
Open up the home; you don’t have to expand the footprint of your home to give it more of that “open” feel. Many are choosing to have a wall removed and having a more functional layout designed, to create a larger common gathering place and living area, usually focusing on the kitchen. More and more…
The eternal question. Any home already built was designed to meet someone else’s needs, not yours, and over time may have developed some additional quirks and issues. But it’s yours now, and in contemplating what improvements to make, you have some decisions to make. What is critical? Electrical systems need to be up to code,…
Unless you bought your home brand new, and had it designed specifically for you, then you probably wouldn’t mind making a few improvements to make that home work better for you. Perhaps it is a bit too small – a nice little addition over the garage would allow everyone to breathe easy! And a…
We just want to thank all of our wonderful customers for a great year! Have a safe and happy holiday season. ~from the gang at Rose Construction, Inc.
If needed remodeling has been neglected in that older home you bought, there may be an array of things that need upgrading. It might be wise to start with any safety issues, such as upgrading electrical wiring and circuit boxes. When the necessary practical items have been taken care of, you can breathe easier and…
It’s exciting to contemplate a completely renovated kitchen or bath; but to get there, you want a smooth design and construction process that stays in budget! Here are some steps you can do to help make that happen. Make a list of the changes you want to your bathroom and/or kitchen. Research to define the…
If you know your home needs a makeover, but hesitate to get started because it would just be too much, think about just bringing a room at a time up to current standards. Kitchen sinks and countertops do not age well, so this is one area that can be upgraded; if you don’t like your…
Now that it’s winter, we naturally spend more time indoors; after all, it gets dark here in Bellingham by 4:30! So, how is that going for you? Do you find yourself staring at the walls, wondering what is wrong with your life? Maybe you have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or maybe your house could use…
Selecting a contractor for the renovation of any part of your home is an important decision and requires you to ask the right questions. Some self-education is required! Research as much as you can; what qualities and qualifications do you want in a contractor? Here are some things to consider when searching for the right contractor…
A common reason given is that they are tired of the old look and want a new style. Another reason often given is a life-changing event, anything from an increase in the family to a need to increase accessibility. What if you are ready to remodel but can’t decide if you can come up with…
Homeowners over the age of 55 make a large percentage of those having remodel work done on their homes. Many older homeowners wish to remain in their home rather than move out as they age. This creates a need for remodeling with accessibility in mind. Whether you are of “that age” or not, it is always…