If you plan on staying your home as long as possible, then the probability is, you are remodeling to please yourself – which is a good thing! Many websites recommend considering how possible buyers would react to modifications you may make to your home. While you probably want to update your home in a way…
Most people can find at least one thing in their homes they’d like to change. Here is a list of 8 things most homeowners wish their homes had: More energy efficiency Repairs of some kind, such as painting, new flooring. Remodeled kitchen Remodeled bath, or a second bath (or third!) Accessibility – modifications to…
When the nights start to get longer, we tend to turn inward into our homes, as we spend more time indoors. Number one is probably light! In Bellingham, it gets dark as early as 4:30 pm during the longest nights. So what your home needs is the ability to provide all the light you want,…
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…
We all want that perfect home that resides in an image in our mind; but no matter how long we look, we never find it. What is the solution? Make your home into that ideal place your see in your mind. Room by room, you can turn your home into that dream house. Kitchens and…
Bellingham is a popular city for active retirees, with our close proximity to sea and mountains. But what happens when physical challenges make it hard to get around the house? One popular solution is to remodel the space to make it more user-friendly for everyone. When it is time for a remodel, it is smart…
There are two kinds of rewards you can expect from upgrading your home; the one most of think of first is an increased value of our home; the next is a greatly increased enjoyment and satisfaction in our home. Your personality type may decide which of these is more important to you, but both will…
You may not have found your dream home, but purchased a nice house with lots of potential. Now it is time to start the journey to turn it into your dream home. First, establish a budget and know how you will finance your project. Will you be hiring an interior designer? If so, this should…
Home owners want a home that is sustainable, energy efficient and user-friendly for people of all ages and abilities, so they can have a home that will last a lifetime. When upgrading the outside, adding a deck increases value to the home, and increases the existing space by opening up new places to entertain and…
Do you know that the word “remodel” has many different meanings? Probably the vagueness of this term is responsible for the surprise some feel when they pay their contractor for their remodel job. Here are more specific definitions or types of remodels. Minor renovation. Cosmetic or energy saving upgrades; window replacement, painting the exterior of…
Homeowners seeking to upgrade their homes request the following features most often: Kitchen remodels: New appliances, with stainless steel topping the list of preferred finishes. Kitchen islands are popular, as they provide additional room to put out food for the family and allow the kitchen to be more organized. Homeowners often request granite countertops…
Kitchen and bath projects don’t have to mean a full scale remodel to be worthwhile. Replacing an old plumbing fixture, such as a toilet that is still flushing away 3.5 gallons each time the handle is pulled, will not only improve the bathrooms appearance, but make a favorable impact on your water bill. Small improvements…
Like Carnac the Magnificent of Old, we here present you with knowledge of the future you could not know on your own. Home Remodeling trends expected for 2015, taken from many sources in the Remodeling industry: Kitchens: Custom built, sleek, modern style cabinets are popular. Granite is still the favorite for countertops, but Caesarstone, a…
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…
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…
So what is a perfect home? The basics are that every system is functioning just as it should, with minimal maintenance and everything up to code. There should be electrical outlets where you need them; plumbing working properly and heating (and cooling if desired) should keep the house at just the right temperature. The roof…
In our kitchen and bath remodels, we have found that when clients come to us for remodeling, they are often looking for just the amenities listed below – either to add them, or to update what they have. Sometimes adding onto the house is required to make room for the desired options, or even moving walls!…
The kitchen and bathroom, of course! Naylor’s Kitchen and Bath points out that “Kitchens continue to maintain their long-standing status as one of the two most frequently remodeled rooms in the house; the other is . . . the bathroom. They are known as “the rooms that sell the house”. tch The National Association of…
I know when I am thinking about how to remodel my master bath, I search out all the design bathroom sites I can find. It’s not that I don’t know what I want, but there are many choices to make and I want the best costs, the best materials, and the best contractors. I’m sure…
Yes, I borrowed the title of this posting from www.kitchenremodelideas.com. They have lots of photos and suggestions for the hard-to-design kitchen or bath. If adding or moving windows and walls are not in your budget, then re-designs can be problematic. You need creativity and flexibility to make the perfect kitchen or bath. This photo is borrowed…
Cree’s award wining LED bulb We often get asked what is the best type of lighting. Everyone knows incandescents are on their way out – but what is the best replacement? It depends somewhat on what you want from a light fixture – do you need it to turn on immediately? A great new bulb…
The NAHB has a comprehensive article outlining aging-in-place issues. It is titled “Aging-in-place checklists for home remodeling”. The sections are: Exterior Overall floor plan Hallways Entry Thresholds Interior doors Windows Garage or Carport Faucets Kitchen and Laundry: Counters Appliances Miscellaneous Bathroom Stairways, lifts and elevators Ramps Storage Electrical, lighting, safety and security Flooring Heating ventilation and…
Housing zone.com has a great article that lists what is important in today’s tight economy when it comes to remodeling your kitchen or bath: 1. Color 2. Tactile appeal through textures – “Lines, colors, and patterns can act as either a point of interest in a given space or a mellow background to a more prominent…
No, not what “stuff” do you want to fill your house with; what do you want in kitchen cabinets, counter tops, flooring, wall coverings, sinks, faucets, and lighting fixtures. That sort of thing! Is your homes interior designed the way you want it now? If not, you need a house makeover; start with either the kitchen…
Most of us are aware of how much difference adding the right tile to a bath remodel can make. But when it comes to kitchens, tile seems to take a back seat to the cabinets and appliances. White kitchen tile with distinctive colorful strip The use of warm colors and diamond shaped tiles add a nice touch to…