From Podunk to Polished

The DeAngelos have a beautiful Timber-framed home whose kitchen was apparently the by-product of a builder that was running out of money at the finishing stages of the project. It featured what appeared to be cabinets purchased at an outlet that were cobbled together in a very rough fashion. The ensemble was completed with formica tops and vinyl-tile flooring to create a very unimpressive look and low-budget feel.
So Chris and I put our heads together to come up with a better layout that took advantage of the generous size of the kitchen area while providing better flow and more storage. We chose Maple cabinets with a mocha glaze whose simple lines and warm tones were a good marriage with the existing wood posts, beams and ceiling. Granite counter tops with a porcelain tile back splash added richness and beauty. The 18" x 18" heated, tile floors were installed throughout the public areas of the house and were a wonderful compliment to the aforementioned wood features.
Lighting a room of this size that doesn't feature any voids to run wiring was a challenge that we resolved by using a handsome monorail track system. This allowed us to hang both pendant and spot lights where ever we needed them. Under and over cabinet lighting brought plenty of brightness to any otherwise dark corner of the kitchen, washing the wood ceiling with light.
After viewing the video I'm sure you'll agree that the renovation resulted in an updated and gorgeous space that is much more befitting of the majestic home's architecture.

Small Master Bath Remodel

We were challenged with limited space in this bathroom, so we used a few basic design tricks to maximize what we had. First, we used a clear glass door on the shower to take advantage of the depth it added to the room. Second, we used a free-standing vanity that was open on the bottom for the depth it would provide. Finally, we kept the lines clean and finished the room off with a warm neutral paint color on the walls.

Thomas Vanity, Mantel and Bookcases

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Kristen and Bob had done their best to make the "interestingly designed" fireplace in their family room blend in with its surroundings, but finally decided that it was no longer welcome in their home. So we put our heads together and designed something that was a better fit with their penchant for a more classic and traditional look. With a new gas fireplace and adjustable bookshelves they now have built-ins that fit their tastes and will give them years of enjoyment.
A new vanity was designed for an adjacent guest bath and the owners picked out a beautiful granite remnant and some hand-made ceramic tile to top it all off. I failed to get a picture of the old vanity , but picture particle board that was swelling in the corners from moisture penetration and a white tile top.
The big pay-off for me was when the Thomas' declared that they "love everything"!

DeVries Entertainment Center

Terry and Sue had an addition built a few years back and during the process came up with the idea to incorporate a platform for a future entertainment center. As you can see, I was able to help them follow through on their vision with this custom cherry unit with espresso finish. They liked the color so well they painted the adjoining wall to match!

Smith Family Room Addition

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The Smiths are a young family that were expecting a forth new member and felt that they needed to make some accommodations for their growing family. Their existing living room was pretty small and their dining area consisted of a small space off the end of the kitchen. They sacrificed a small, single-car garage that was acting as a storage space and we added an 8' x 20' bump-out off the side of it to form a generous 450 sq. ft. family room. This allowed the dining area to be moved to the previous living room and freed up the end of the kitchen for additional cabinets. With a stylish new wood stove, recessed lighting and a 50" flat screen, they are very excited about their new space and the improved layout of the whole living area of the house, which they say "feels like they have a brand new home"!

Faires Awning and Deck Railing

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Tom and Terry wanted an updated and airy outdoor entertainment area where there was once a “functional” eighties, deck and rail. They also wanted an expanded awning area for guests to gather under in case some unexpected rain drops began to fall.
The railing was updated using pre-finished cedar and copper/ wood post caps. The awning area was expanded using timber-frame construction, and a wood-burning fireplace was installed to take the chill off and add a little ambiance. The ceiling was treated with tongue and groove cedar, as well as recessed lighting. A novelty, lodge-style, ceiling fan was the piѐce de rѐsistance of their new outdoor entertainment area!

Kahl Front Porch

The Kahl's, who had the awning additions done previously (see below), had another little problem that needed some attention. The cedar deck boards that the original builder had installed on their front porch, were decaying and had areas of dry rot. In addition, the original cedar wraps on the posts were graying and lacked architectural interest. So I replaced the decking and fabricated columns that would tie the front porch architecture to that of the rear awnings. For the deck material I used the latest and greatest in composite decking that includes a finish that is more resistant to algae and mildew than previous generations. The manufacturers have also improved the coloring, going to a modeled affect that does a better job of imitating real wood. Another nice feature is the hidden fastening system that contributes to a very sleek overall appearance.

The changes really set off the front of the house and the new deck should provide them with years of splinter-free, low maintenance enjoyment.