An Open Floorplan Design Is Not For Everyone
This older home has incorporated an open floorplan but is it making the best use of valuable space?
In all the popular places – TV, video and magazines – the concept of an open floorplan is a hot topic. Before you plan to knock down a wall in your Madison WI home, consider how – and if – it will really work in your daily routine.
Home buyers, especially first-time buyers, put the “open concept” high on their must have list. At the same time, owners of older homes consider opening up the floorplan a way to modernize. With the wide variety of architectural styles available throughout the Madison area there are plenty of options. Continue reading
Estimates vs Bids – Quotes From A Remodeling Contractor
Adding a sunroom to your home is an ideal renovation for Madison WI. It’s another example of how detailed project planning creates exceptional results.
How much does a remodeling project cost? That’s the first big question homeowners have for a remodeling contractor. It’s a question with as many different answers as Madison WI has home styles. When homeowners meet with a contractor they want three things: ideas, a plan and a quote. In today’s remodeling market the old saying, “you get what you pay for” applies more than ever.
The building industry is constantly evolving thanks to advances in technology and materials. These changes, plus the cost of skilled labor keeps remodeling professionals on their toes. It also puts a strain on their resources. In today’s environment they cannot provide free services that were once common. Free estimates or free quotes on potential jobs are now fee for service options. Continue reading
Using Texture Adds Visual Interest, Personality To Any Room
Different shades of brick on the walls, a massive wall clock, whicker tables and area rugs over wood-look tile all project different textures in this contemporary space.
There are dozens of ways to make a home renovation unique and personal. Using texture as a design element is increasingly popular. Textures add to the liveliness of any space and make you Madison WI home remodel stand out.
There are times when even the most complete renovation plan just doesn’t “pop.” All the creative components are there – color scheme, décor items, furnishings, cabinetry, lighting. Yet the combination feels “flat.” What can add the sizzle? Applying texture to the walls, ceiling of floor. Continue reading
Undercabinet Lighting Boosts Kitchen Efficiency
Hardwired LED fixtures illuminate backsplash and countertops.
When light in the kitchen is at a premium, undercabinet lighting makes a huge difference. Seldom does a Madison WI homeowner say “I have too much light on my kitchen counters.” More likely it’s “I hate working in the shadows. Overhead cabinets, shelves and kitchen helpers all cast shadows on the work space. Traditional light fixtures don’t cover all the nooks.
Kitchen lights come in three basic categories: task lighting, accent lights and decorative fixtures. Continue reading
Designing For Wellness – Your Home Impacts Your Health
Multiple level shower heads, a comfortable seat and no lip to stumble on make this an excellent example of designing for wellness.
Your home has a huge influence on your well-being and designing for wellness makes sense. Everything from the materials you choose in your Madison WI home remodel to the layout of rooms, lighting and colors plays a role in family health and happiness.
Scientific study shows that spaces where we spend a lot of time – like our homes – have a big influence on our lives. Homeowners and remodelers are realizing how they change structures and space can either enhance or hinder healthy lifestyles.
There are two spaces in every home that deserve top priority – and get the most requests for renovations: the kitchen and the master bathroom. These rooms are centers of attention every day. Family activities focus on them and so should you. Continue reading
How Long For A Home Renovation – An Honest Appraisal
The more detailed and complex the project, the more time it takes … but this kitchen proves it’s worth it!
How long does a home renovation take? The immediate, honest answers are:
- “That depends…” Installing hardwood floors and painting walls takes far less time than creating an open concept within a period home.
- “Longer than you think…” TV shows and how-to videos make even elaborate projects look easier and quicker than they are. From planning to finishing takes time to insure a great result. Dozens of factors come into play from how soon your municipality issues permits to how long it takes to get custom-ordered materials.
Range Hood Styles Combines Form and Function
This farmhouse-style kitchen features a range hood that blends perfectly with cabinetry and décor.
No matter what the goal for your new kitchen, there’s a modern range hood style to compliment it. Range hoods that blend into the background so you hardly know they’re there, or exhaust hoods that are a focal point in your kitchen renovation. There’s a wide array of sizes, shapes and materials to fit for your Madison WI remodel.
If you’re restoring one of the area’s classic older homes, the original kitchen probably didn’t come with a range hood. Adding, or upgrading is an important step. When you cook, especially if you fry food, smoke, odors and particles are released into the air. They hang around long after food preparation is complete. An efficient range hood literally clears the air. Depending upon the range hood style you choose, this vital appliance also: Continue reading
Industrial-look Kitchen Adds Contemporary Professional Appeal
If your home doesn’t have brick walls you can recreate the feel with custom tile work.
Bold styling, natural materials and textures give an industrial-look kitchen a strong presence and plenty of character. Whether your home renovation includes a food preparation area fit for a professional or a room making the most of an older building’s style and character you have popular options.
The concept of a kitchen with an industrial look doesn’t mean recreating an institutional space. It relies more on rugged, robust materials and can be adapted to most any space. An industrial kitchen mixes wood, metal and glass while introducing textures and colors to create a more unpolished, hard-working look. Continue reading
Kitchen Island Anchors Kitchen Makeover Plans
Long and narrow, square or round, a kitchen island is a workable space when it fits the needs and expectations of its owner – the “right” design is what works for you.
It’s rare in the days of open concept design to find a kitchen without a versatile kitchen island. And the kitchen island is the anchor of nearly every kitchen makeover from simply making room for the island to a total kitchen remodel. No matter the style, age or design of your Madison WI area home, there’s a unique island that will improve your workspace.
The only element of a kitchen makeover coming close to the importance of an island is the idea of completely new cabinets. Since “more space” is the most often cited reason for wanting a new kitchen, the additional of an island makes perfect sense – unlike cabinets, it adds storage where none existed before. A custom-built island incorporates storage in many configurations while contributing to work space, preparation and cleanup room as well as making a nice transition from kitchen to living space. ‘ Continue reading
Small Renovations for New Look and Major Impact
Among top popular remodeling projects, under cabinet lighting, custom backsplashes and new cabinets represent small renovations with huge impact.
If the thought of a major remodeling effort is overwhelming, consider the lineup of small renovations that have major impacts on your lifestyle and home’s value. Simple remodeling projects deliver huge results and can rejuvenate your Madison WI home.
Consider the “big 5” when it comes to simple updates:
- New Paint – A fresh coat of paint, including new colors, adds flair and interest to any room. Bright colors add depth. Light colors make small spaces appear larger. New paint opens avenues to bringing in new decorating styles and accessories, too.
- Up-dated Lighting – New light fixtures can increase the overall comfort of a room by reducing shadows on workspaces, providing even brightness and even an inviting feeling of warmth. Using dimmer switches in a simple way to change the impact of lighting. So can adding lights to ceiling fans.
