Helpful Remodeling Tips and More
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New Blog Posts
Benjamin Moore agrees that joy is one of the color themes of 2023. Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush is a joyful, zippy, tart, pinkish red. I don’t think of the color ‘raspberry’; instead, I think of it as a coral. It’s a hip and industrious shade, not lavish; rather, it is richly pigmented, high-quality, and modern.
Pantone’s Color of the Year homepage looks otherworldly. One of the images featured on the company’s page to introduce Viva Magenta looks like a riverbank of crystalline space flowers blooming into fanciful, ripe iridescence. Another featured image shows a graceful figure stretching as if in a dance, made of a combination of organic, fabric-like sinews and neon tubes of light lacing throughout. What kind of picture is Pantone painting for us with their 2023 COTY?
Welcome to Part 2 in our Remodeling FAQs series, where John and I discuss answers to all my most challenging remodeling industry consumer questions. This installment is all about budgeting and pricing, undoubtedly one of the most crucial and sensitive aspects of a remodeling project.
In this information age, it is easy to search the internet and find answers, but are they accurate? Are they from a reputable expert? As a consumer, it is unfortunately easy to be led astray, and if it is in the context of a time- and cost-intensive initiative like a home remodeling project, there is a lot on the line. In this interview Part 1, I sit down with John Clark to discuss common questions about planning your home remodeling project.
In 2019, a Chicago-based upscale interior designer - Allyson Muller - contacted me via Yelp (a popular business review website). Allyson was interested in restoring her recently acquired condo in New Seabury's Maushop Village.
Interior designers may sometimes be difficult to work with, so I was originally apprehensive to accept her as a client. Despite my reservations, Allyson persuaded me to collaborate with her on her project after several back and forth chats.
A spacious home: we all want it, but it does come at a cost. When faced with a small space problem, the solution often requires creativity. Thankfully, we can draw upon the expertise of many talented designers who have had great success putting their tips and tricks to the test in homes, apartments, and small residences. Creating optical illusions and making thoughtful, logistical choices will need to become tools in your tool belt.
What is a wetroom, you ask? The fact that we even need to ask is a telltale sign that this home design trend is not a traditional American one. To paint a picture of a European-style wetroom: imagine a steamy, spa-like room that functions as a giant shower. This room likely has a gently sloping floor with a central drain in the middle. The shower sits flush with the floor to allow the water to flow into the drain.
The Craftsman-style home is about so much more than hand-crafted stone, woodwork, and natural materials. This style represents a shift in the collective cultural attitude about industrialization and its place in the world in the late 1890s through the 1920s in America. As is often the case, architecture tells us a story of the culture of the period in which it was built.
Let’s talk about a few new trends that we’ve seen this year. We’ll start by exploring some creative lighting fixtures and will then move on to some interesting bathroom sinks. Adding on-trend lighting or a statement sink to your remodeling projects will make your space feel modern and polished.
Multifunctionality is the number one feature underscoring discussions surrounding the workstation sink. Demand for the workstation sink has continued to increase over recent years, and with the way things are shaping up, this item will soon become one of the most desirable, sought-after kitchen remodel items.
Whimsical and nostalgic are the perfect adjectives to describe the new interior design, fashion, and lifestyle trend known as ‘cottagecore.’ Cottagecore emerged as a fashion trend but has since translated into an entire interior design trend akin to modern farmhouse or Scandinavian.
This is a great time to get down to business planning for your big (or small) remodeling project if you have not already started. The time to start planning for the rest of the year is now! Take advantage of this ‘downtime’ between the ‘21 holiday season and your upcoming summer social calendar. Don’t procrastinate and get to work now.
Sherwin-Williams had new beginnings on their mind when they created Evergreen Fog SW 9130. Evergreen Fog is about renewal. If you take a nature-inspiration experience, boil it down to an essence, and create a paint color, you will discover Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog.
Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is a fresh periwinkle bluish-purple tone called Very Peri. Very Peri is not merely a pretty color. Many sources have said purple is the next Millenial Pink, and Very Peri is part of this movement. The existence of generational colors offers insightful commentary on society; we can learn a lot if we pay attention.
February has arrived. We are excited to feature Lisa Davidson, Owner and Designer of Interior Design Service Online, to kick off our color month. We found Interior Design Service Online’s Etsy store via Pinterest and reached out to learn about Lisa’s innovative e-consulting services. Over the past year, she has built up her Etsy store to focus on the paint colors consultations.
Have you ever heard of a mother-in-law suite or a granny flat? The official term for this living situation is an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). An ADU is considered a self-contained, full residential unit. Read on to learn more about this alternative-style residence.
Most of us look through windows every day; they are the physical lenses through which we see the world. In addition to being functional, windows are one of the main ways to express your personality and home style. Let’s take some time this week to learn about the different types of window options that exist; consider this research for your next home remodel or upgrade.
We are now in holiday prime time! You (and others) will likely be spending much more time in your kitchen than during the rest of the year, so it will be paramount to organize your space. This update will ensure smooth and enjoyable meal prep, cookie baking, and more.
Happy Holidays to all! It is that time of year again. Many of us entertain during the November and December months, and some modest home updates can create a fresh and cheerful atmosphere. If you are in the mood for a few revamp ideas, or if there are minor cosmetic issues that are bothering you, read on. Pick one or two suggested projects depending on your time budget. We’ll be discussing small home projects and some decorating update ideas.
October Mist 1495 is pensive. Much like October, the color is conducive to introspection. It is a sophisticated and quiet shade. It is cool and dry but evokes nature, which Benjamin Moore says is a perfect backdrop for creativity. It is a clarifying color, something that relaxes, purifies, and inspires.
The bidet is a polarizing topic and today we will investigate why that is the case. If most other regions of the world appreciate and use bidets, why doesn’t the U.S.? What are we missing out on?
Welcome to Part 2 of our Eco-Friendly Remodeling series! In this post, we will cover some ground about energy-efficient appliances and solar power as key elements to consider for your home remodel.
Floating shelving is having a major moment over these last few years. The trend seems to be going strong, but as with all trends, we must ask: is this going to be a stylish look a few years from now? Or will it look dated and unattractive?
In this era of climate change, we must all do our part to contribute to healing our planet. We are all global citizens, so we have a responsibility to act as such. This article is intended to help educate about sustainable options for remodeling. We have a lot of ground to cover! In Part 1 of this series, we will focus on LED lighting and sustainable sourcing.
There are three main aspects of a spa-like bathroom that you can incorporate when crafting your design: elements of luxury, zen, and nature influences.
“Working from home” (WFH) has become much more of a norm across society and shifting away from “The Office” necessitates a new space. What better time than now to reimagine your workspace?
Kitchen remodeling in Summer 2021 provides an opportunity for statements. Interesting textures, colors, and custom designs can combine with health-conscious attitudes and sleek tech to create an enticing space where you will want to spend your time.
At a time when fewer and fewer humans make anything of physical value, carpenters engage in a profoundly creative process.
Designing your dream home (as well as your current living space) should be a fun, creative experience, but often the hardest part is knowing where to start. Luckily, many great resources exist to help you narrow down your options and let the journey begin.
Past Blog Posts
How much time do you spend in your bathroom each day? Is this space still one that you enter and leave as quickly as possible, or have you finally managed to turn it into an area that you want to stay in while you relax away the stress from your day? It doesn’t matter which answer you gave, because almost every bathroom can use a little touch-up here and there.
There are not too many days left before the busiest part of the holiday season will be upon us, but there is still plenty of time to spruce up your house for company. You may be running out of time for a complete overhaul, but there are multiple smaller things that you can do before you start putting up those decorations.
Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms in our homes, which is why they are normally at the top of the remodeling list for most homeowners like yourself. While many bathroom remodels go off without a hitch, there are certain things that you need to be aware of before you start.
How many people are in and out of your kitchen every single day? Does it seem like a minute doesn’t even go by before someone else is in there looking for food or something to drink? That is how almost every kitchen is, which is why you need to make sure that you pick the best flooring material to fit your needs when you remodel that space in your home.
When you take the time to remodel your bathroom or kitchen, you might think that following the current trends is the way to go.
There are so many things to know when it comes to bathroom remodels, but we have found that there are a few that everyone seems to forget about or ignore.
The renovation process of a whole home remodeling project can be worse than the planning stages, because this is when things start to become real. However, we do not want you to worry about these steps, because they are easier than they seem.
Whole home remodeling is time consuming and stressful, but at the end of it all, you practically have a new home and you will love every inch of it! Whether you need more space, or you want an open concept, a whole home remodel might be your best option.
Bathroom remodeling projects can be a little overwhelming in the beginning, because that is when you need to decide how you want this space to look.
Your laundry room can be much more than a dark place to throw dirty clothes into the washer and dryer before dashing back out of the room again.
When you take the time to custom design any room in your home, your goal is to have a room that you love at the end.
When you look around your kitchen, what do you see? Do you see a version of what you love, or does it seem to be lacking in some way or another?
Do you love spending time at the beach? If you answered yes, then you are going to love the ideas that we have come up with for a beach-themed bathroom.
Bathroom remodeling projects can be a little overwhelming in the beginning, because that is when you need to decide how you want this space to look.
When you take the time to custom design any room in your home, your goal is to have a room that you love at the end. The creative design process can be tricky, because you need to make sure that all your design elements match.
6 design ideas that will help you create an amazing custom kitchen.
With many major home remodeling jobs, the floor plan is affected in some way. In many instances, the floor plan will be the first thing to be evaluated.
You don’t have to struggle to come up with ideas for your kitchen and bathroom if you take a look at the latest trends. A good way to start to is to visit local trade shows where suppliers put their latest products on display.
There is no doubt that you can think of plenty of reasons to remodel your home, but there may be a few reasons why you can put it off for another few months. A major home remodel is a major investment which can help to enhance your way of life and the enjoyment of your home.
Every home remodeling project should be taken seriously. The potential for mistakes always exists, and these can sometimes drive up the budget.
These days, more people are working from home, and setting up an office helps in staying organized and being productive. To achieve this however, you have to put some thought into the kind of space you want to create.
If you have done a kitchen remodeling project before, the second one should be less of a challenge. However, there can be a few challenges for first timers, and even second timers.
Tile has been used to create visual appeal and focal points in homes for years, and while there are so many options available, many homeowners seem to choose white subway tiles. Well, now, the newest trend seems to be black subway tiles and we love how homeowners like yourself are choosing to place them in almost every room of the house!
Remodeling a kitchen is a massive undertaking, which is why you need to plan carefully to ensure that the quality and functionality exists at the end.
Every homeowner wants to increase the value of their home, but while they are making improvements, they also want to make sure that they are getting a good return on their investment. Some remodeling projects offer better return of investments than others, which is why you need to be careful of what you choose to do in your home, especially in a room like a bathroom.
Have you been dreaming of shiny new materials that are clean and elegant looking in your bathroom? Have you been wondering if it is worth the effort to do some minor renovations or if you should just live with what you have?
There are so many different components to a kitchen remodel, which is why we always urge our clients to create a plan well before they begin.
Your kitchen most likely just got through the busiest time of the year with all the entertaining, cooking, and baking that you did!
The backsplash in your kitchen can add quite the visual appeal to the space, which is why you need to be careful as you are designing it. One wrong material or wrong placement can mean the difference between an amazing piece of art and a disaster.
Choosing materials for a bathroom remodel can be a major pain, especially if you have no idea how you want the space to look afterwards! There are so many options to choose from and one wrong decision can leave you hating your new bathroom for years!
Don’t you just love walking into your bathroom and having it look like a tornado swept through, tossing everything into one massive heap? Or was that your family?
f you have spent months or years complaining about how little room you have in your house or how outdated it is, 2019 might be the time that you finally start on that whole home remodeling project!
Are you aware that the cost of the materials that you choose for your kitchen remodel is what is going to take up the most of your budget?
2018 Blog Posts
Having a home improvement checklist does not mean that you will get around to these tasks before the end of the year. As the holidays draw near, you might realize that you still have a few things to get done. Here are some good ideas you can use to get your home ready for the festive season.
A tub and shower combo can give away the age of some bathrooms. Recent bathroom trends have seen less demand for standard bathtubs. Elegant showers with modern features are not only more attractive, they are also safer to use in many instances.
Most people make plans to get a few home renovations done early, but when the holidays roll around, they realize that they are out of time. Fortunately, there are many great ideas at your disposal if you want to quickly get your home ready for guests.
If you didn’t get around to the grand remodeling plans you dreamed about early in the year, you can still get a lot done before the holidays start. Many quick remodeling projects can give your home a new look that will impress your guests.
One part of the home that gets busier during the holidays is the kitchen. This spot is command central for most holiday themed activities. This means you can expect to spend more time cooking, there will be more people in this space than you are used to having.
These days, most homeowners are not content with basic bathroom functionality. In many cases, nothing less than a mini-spa or fixtures the latest features will do. Trends that will be in demand in 2019 have already begun to emerge.
The importance of the kitchen means that the design will always be a top priority. This is not just for functionality, but for comfort as well. Designing your kitchen does not need to be difficult, but you can feel overwhelmed by the extensive choices.
As the range of kitchen products has continued to expand, some homeowners have lost sight of the enjoyment of remodeling this space. It is easy to feel overburdened with the different choices and the fact that you have to make these different elements work together.
The next time you think about remodeling your bathroom, consider including some easy to clean features. So, what are some the things you can do to help make cleaning day a breeze?
Homeowners often remodel parts of their home to keep up with changing trends. A little research will show that many trends reemerge at some point. There are even some concepts that have stood the test of time, and are still used in many kitchens today.
One reason why people sometimes put off kitchen remodeling is that they struggle to come up with the right ideas. It is not as difficult as you might think, although it should not be taken lightly either
The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home, and this even more evident when you entertain guests. Even a small gathering can prove challenging without an organized kitchen.
Let’s say that you’re getting ready to remodel your kitchen, but your cabinets are still in great shape. Or maybe your backsplash is less than a year old, so you really don’t want to lose it.
A kitchen designer can help take some of the stress out of planning your new kitchen. Problems most often occur when lines of communication are strained in some way or missing entirely.
The decision to remodel your kitchen isn’t one that comes easy to most homeowners. No one really likes the idea of having their home turned into a construction project. But the kitchen does need remodeling roughly every 7 to 10 years.
Out of the many people why people take a while to get around to bathroom remodeling, one that stands out is that many are afraid to take a chance.
Understanding your personal style is one of the toughest parts of remodeling the kitchen. Many of our clients end up collecting dozens, or hundreds, of images, but they’re not quite sure where to go from there.
A quarter of homeowners have indicated that they will remodel their bathroom within the next two years. Several of those homeowners will take on certain aspects of their project as DIY home improvement projects.
When you purchase a home especially your first one you may hold some common misconceptions and old wives tales that need to be cleared up.
How many things do you think that you need to think about when you are planning your bathroom remodel? Fifty? One hundred? A few hundred? We don’t know the exact number, but there are a lot, and you may overlook a few of them, especially those that involve your budget.
There are so many things to consider when you decide to remodel your kitchen. Mistakes are easily made. Here are some ways you can avoid making some of the mistakes and have the kitchen you always dreamed of.
There are many more trends you will see for the upcoming years. Many ideas are more modern, while some of the older, retro styles are coming back. You will need to decide what type of style you wish to have when remodeling your home.
Painting a room yourself can save you upwards of $100. Painting is not as difficult as it may seem. It is a skill you can teach the whole family to do and will likely save you a good chunk of change.
The kitchen holds a special place in many homes. Each homeowner has different tastes, so knowing the various trends in kitchen design is helpful. Some cool luxury kitchen design items are discussed here.
Going to a spa can get really expensive, but the benefits can be really rewarding in terms of less stress, relaxation, and staying healthy. Those benefits keep people like yourself shelling out the big bucks for a little time of pampering.
How many types of sinks do you think exist in stores at the moment? One? Three? A dozen? Multiply those numbers by at least ten and you may be getting closer to the actual number of options you have when choosing a new kitchen sink!
It may be easy to decide to add to your home, but coming up with the right ideas can be a challenge. While you will no doubt want to make it more beautiful, functionality and value are also important.
If you struggle to come up with the right ideas for remodeling your kitchen, you are not alone. The multitude of materials and design choices make this a challenging process. Luckily there is no shortage of ideas to help you find your footing.
We don’t always recommend following the latest trends when you are remodeling your kitchen or any other part of your home for that matter. However, there are a few trends that are popular this year that we think will be sticking around for a long time.
used as a family room or media room. This little-used room can perform a variety of functions that some homeowners don't consider. Convertible furniture and built-in furniture offer a lot more functionality than most people realize.
Planning a kitchen remodeling project requires a lot of time and consideration for a variety of factors. You need to deal with the budget, materials, and many other things. But today we’re going to focus on seven factors that will help you create the ideal kitchen.
See my list of steps to follow for remodeling your kitchen. I hope they help make the decision, and the process, as painless as possible.
Designing the layout of your remodeled kitchen is not going to be easy, especially if you cannot get the current layout out of your mind. Here are the best layouts for you to choose from for your remodeled kitchen:
Popular trends are great, but like all fads, they tend to fall to the wayside over time. Many builders believe that some trends are here to stay. Take a look at enduring home remodeling trends.
There is a lot of work that goes into a whole home remodeling project and the only way that you are going to survive is if you plan and then plan some more. Once all that planning is completed, and you are ready for the work to begin, we recommend deep breaths and calming mantras until everything is finished.
Yelp Review: “I wholeheartedly recommend John Clark and @designREMODEL. My experience with John and his team was nothing short of perfection…”
The kitchen is one area of the home with which we like to make a statement. Making your kitchen look amazing does not need to cost an arm and a leg.
Smart homes and high tech kitchens are no longer the things from which dreams are made; they are a reality. Best of all, if you want to take your kitchen into the high tech world it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Here are some cool ways to make your kitchen smart.
There may not be too much that you can do with the size of the space that you have, but you can use that space to it’s fullest potential and make your laundry chores much easier.
Tile has been a mainstay in homes for many years now, but the designs, size, and styles are continuously changing. With so many options available to you, you need to know the basics about tile and your options. Read to learn a basic understanding of the shapes, sizes, and designs of tile available today.
2017 Blog Posts
A client on a recent project wanted to step up her organization of her kitchen drawers beyond what most cabinet companies offer…
We're doing lots of kitchen remodeling here on Cape Cod. Especially on houses built in the 80's and 90's. When it comes to kitchen remodels and makeovers, there are lots of details to consider and so in this post,
Just wrapped this fabulous kitchen remodel in North Falmouth. Stove hood is wrapped in 100+ year old wood salvaged by Cataumet Sawmills. Everything you see in this kitchen is brand new, yet fits perfectly in this 1930's house. More details soon.
2016 Blog Posts
Now is the perfect time to create the master bathroom of your dreams, so that you can enjoy using it during these cooler winter months.
We’ve all heard the nightmarish stories of bad remodeling experiences. Some homeowners have really had a difficult time with something that should be a routine remodeling project.
If you are starting a home remodel or renovation project, then you will want to be prepared for many things.
Planning a whole home remodeling project and can be a daunting task depending on the work being done. However, there are many things that you can do in order to prevent it from being a disaster a few months or even years from now.
A stylish bathroom really says a lot about a home. Most of us enjoy taking a few extra little steps to make sure that our bathroom is trendy and stylish. If your bathroom isn’t as stylish or up to date as you would like, it might be time to do a few upgrades.
Every kitchen can be absolutely fabulous with just a little work. The kitchen has to be as functional as it is stylish. If your kitchen isn’t functioning the way that you need it to or it is looking outdated, then you need to call the best kitchen remodeling company in the Cape Cod area.
You might think that you already have an upscale kitchen, but there are many other things that you can do to make your kitchen even more upscale than it is.
Sometimes a person thinks that they know what type of flooring they need or want until they find out that it will not work with their family and lifestyle. Here are 6 tips for choosing the perfect flooring:
You don’t have to worry about your bathroom not being stylish and trendy if you want to update it to make it more functional and comfortable. Functional definitely does not mean boring and dull anymore. There are so many options available to you, no matter what your style and decor choices are.
Sometimes creating a healthier lifestyle means making some pretty simple changes to your life and to your habits. Here are 6 ways to design your kitchen so you can achieve a healthier lifestyle:
If your current home isn’t meeting all of your family’s needs, it may be time to consider a whole house remodel. By remodeling your home, you will not have to worry about searching for a new house, packing, moving, and losing those fabulous neighbors that you absolutely love. 7 reasons why you should remodel your home so that it matches your family’s changing needs:
So you have made the decision to take your old nonfunctional or outdated bathroom and turn it into the oasis of your dreams however you have no idea what you want your new bathroom to look like.
With the wide range of fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen on the market, it can be quite a challenge knowing what to select for your home. Quality is one of the most important points to bear in mind when selecting faucets, whether for your bathroom or kitchen.
Bathrooms are moving away from being purely utilitarian spaces. This has opened them up to designers who want to create areas that are not only functional but also attractive.
If your kitchen is tired and in need of a facelift, you will be happy to know there are lots of ways to transform a blah kitchen into an amazing one.
Even before you start working on your whole house renovation; it is a good idea to know what kinds of problems can occur. To avoid mistakes, you need to be aware of the following…
Sometimes the perfect house doesn’t have the perfect layout. You may love the neighborhood, the architectural style of the home, the landscaping, the price, and everything… except the layout.
You’ve seen it on television and DIY videos – contractors talking about insulation and the importance of the R-value. Maybe it makes sense, maybe it doesn’t. So that’s going to be our primary focus for today’s blog.
The bathroom is the second-most remodeled room in the home for a variety of reasons. It's small, relatively easy to remodel, a little effort goes a long way, and finding trendy items is usually pretty easy. What most people don't talk about are the serious problems that can be discovered along the way and the mistakes often made during the bathroom design process.
Many people find it increasingly difficult to endure the constant pressure placed upon them by a chaotic environment such as stress at work or an overwhelmingly busy home life.
The kitchen is the hardest-working room in the home. It comes as no surprise to most people that the kitchen is also the most-frequently-remodeled room in the home. This is because every homeowner is different, and we all want a kitchen that fits our individual needs.
Most trends come and go, but some make such a lasting impression that they stick around for decades. Stainless steel, for example, became widely popular in the late 1930s when homeowners started making the kitchen more of a focal point in the home.
Thank you for visiting Part Two of our 15 amazing ideas and tips for transforming your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling in Cape Cod is one of our favorite things to do, especially during the colder months.
Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams is of the earth. Upon looking at a swatch of this paint, I saw sand. Sherwin-Williams, no doubt, also saw sand and was inspired to create a chic neutral that tells the story of an outside adventure brought indoors into the places we cherish. This shade is warm and comforting, yet fresh and new, perfectly pairing with any inside plant life to reimagine the essence of the outdoors.