We’ve chosen 5 fun laundry room design trends that will make even doing the laundry seem like more of an escape than a chore.
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FUN AND FUNCTIONAL FLOORING

Are you considering attempting a “do it yourself” project for your home? Professionals are in high demand for these types of projects because often time’s homeowners get in over their head, or forget important steps before or during DIY remodeling projects. Looking to update your bathroom or kitchen, or maybe knock walls down to create more space but don’t know where to start? We asked experts from New York to California to name the most common mistakes homeowners make when attempting DIY projects, and how to avoid them.
Jason Lambert, NARI: Pay attention to building codes and best practices even if you’re not pulling a permit or having the project inspected. When it comes time to sell your house, you don’t want a home inspector to raise questions about your work that could derail your sale, or worse, require after-the-fact permits/demolition. It should go without saying that if you need a permit for the work, pull one, even if you’re doing the work yourself.
HDR Remodeling: Underestimating the time it takes to complete a project, which often results in headaches, rushed work that produces less than optimal outcomes, dealing with unforeseen issues, and costly last-minute appeals to a professional to make it right. When estimating a DIY project, get a time reference from an experienced professional and allow yourself twice the allotted time. For example, if it takes an expert two days to tile a kitchen backsplash, allocate four days to complete the project yourself; your stress level and your budget will feel the difference.
Jim Kabel, Next Stage Design: Avoid biting off more than you can chew. There’s a reason why maintenance experts like design/build firms, plumbers, HVAC specialists, and electricians are in such high demand — what they do requires an incredibly specialized skillset that likely taken years of education and training to attain. Attempting these as a homeowner (without the proper training) may seem like a way to save money in the short run, but in the big picture, it could cost you even more money and most importantly, your personal safety. If you have any doubts about whether you can handle something, it’s best to give your local home remodeling company or maintenance specialist a call.
Patch of Land: Understand the permits involved. Often local city ordinances require a building permit before work can be started. The best way to know whether you need a building permit is to contact your local building department to determine whether or not you need a permit. The process of obtaining a building permit can be annoying and expensive, but remember that building codes are enforced to safeguard life, health, and public welfare. Rehabbing with a building permit helps protect your investment, future families, and your community. Not to mention it’s the law!
Top Contractors: Hiring unlicensed contractors (friends) who can “save you a lot of money.” Hiring unlicensed contractors to save money, usually ends up costing the homeowners more overall. This commonly happens because the projects are either not fully completed, or homeowners are unhappy with the final results. Resulting in the homeowners having to hire a licensed contractor to come and fix or replace the work previously completed.
Palm Beach Premier Remodeling: Having the mindset of “anyone can do it” but there is a way a professional tradesman can do it so that it will last a lifetime. And at the end of the day, what makes a project complete is ALL in the details!
Renewal Construction: Where there is a bathroom there is water and if that water makes its way below tile flooring and showers, it can cause a lot of damage (and cost a lot of extra money)! Consider hiring a professional tile installer to be sure that the subsurface, tile, and grout are correctly installed in order to protect your bathroom from water damage down the road. If hiring a professional is out of the question, take the time to research subsurfaces and grout (we recommend epoxy-based grout for shower pans and silicone-based grout for the walls) to be sure that you are able to install a quality tile surface that will last.
LetsBuild: Going cheap on the materials. Trying to keep your budget under control during a DIY project is understandable. However, you don’t want to be stingy when it comes to the materials you are planning to use. Make sure that you prioritize quality otherwise you will end up paying twice as much for maintenance in the long run.
Drafting Cafe Architects: To avoid hefty change orders during construction, homeowners should select their finish materials before requesting bids from contractors. Cabinet, flooring, and tile costs can vary greatly and many architects don’t specify those materials in their drawings. If a contractor is left to make assumptions, they could underbid (or overbid) and make it hard for the homeowner to compare bids or prepare themselves financially.
Kevin Knobles, KMK Contracting: “Jack of all, master of none.” Very few homeowners have the necessary skills to handle all of the different components of a remodel correctly so that the finished product is one your family and friends will be jealous of. However, some homeowners have some very useful skills that can and should be put to work. Know your boundaries and stick to them and get the help of professionals where you lack the skills or experience. That way you can still be part of the project but not end up with something that you regret in the long run.
Leo Lantz, Leo Lantz Construction: The project’s timelines to complete is grossly underestimated. My Dad always said, “Son, you can’t beat a man at his trade.” Well, if you don’t do it all the time, you can’t be as fast as he is…
Novel Remodeling: Not measuring properly. Let’s assume you are replacing a few windows in your home. As a licensed general contractor, we measure the windows from opening to opening. Often times homeowners that are DIY and just want windows because they believe they can replace them themselves. Many times they measure incorrectly and then have huge delays when windows arrive and do not fit in the opening.
Building Advisor: Poor space planning. This can be clashing doors, uneven floor transitions, or inadequate clearances in kitchens and baths. Take the time to plan your project with accurate scale drawings, models, or full-size mock-ups. Problems are easy to fix now, but nearly impossible after the fact.
Tim Anderson Architect: Remodeling becomes remuddling when the original character and integrity of a house are lost in the renovation process. This happens when changes are inappropriate for the period and style. Misguided improvements confuse and diminish character, as will additions that overwhelm the original scale and features of the house.
Pathway Design and Construction: Planning ahead and making sure all materials and products have been selected, purchased, and double-checked for size, style, or content before the project begins. Time, frustration, and waste are minimized when you can get all of your supplies in (and make sure they are correct) before you start. You may run the risk of not getting enough of a product and it no longer being available when you’re only halfway through and discover you’re short.
Blue Diamond Remodeling: Thinking how easy the project is due to seeing it on TV, they don’t show the difficulties on TV with the jobs, they show it to be smooth and easy. When homeowners have failed with the DYI project they end up calling professionals for help.
Originally Published on Redfin
With so many different types of materials available for your surfaces, how do you choose? With everything from marble, quartz, or granite to more unique materials such as concrete and butcherblock, there is something for every style and budget on the market.
Today we want to talk about a high-end material that is making a big splash in the design world… Precious Stone Slabs. These slabs are custom designed with precious stones such as quartz, amethyst, and agate. These materials that used to appear mostly in jewelry can now be used on counters, backsplashes, showers, accent walls and more!
There is a lot that goes into the making of a precious stone slab. The stones have to be individually cut, hand assembled and glued together with a special kind of resin. This ensures that each slab is not only unique but is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Oh, did we mention that many varieties of precious stone slabs can be backlit? That’s right, backlit! So not only do you have a beautiful work of art on your counter or backsplash, but it is also perfectly lit to display every facet of each beautiful stone in the slab.
Here’s the best part… it’s super durable and easy to clean! Unlike many surface materials, it doesn’t require any sealants or waxes to maintain. These surfaces are truly artistic in nature, low maintenance and long-lasting. But here’s the catch, they aren’t cheap. They are a high-end surface with a high-end price tag. But with their unique beauty, original design, and practical use, it is well worth putting a bit more of your budget towards!
We are currently working on a project with one of the beautiful slabs and we are so excited to share it with you when it is all finished. But for now, here is a photo of the slab itself! Isn’t it beautiful?
We always do our best throughout the remodeling process to keep the mess and noise to a minimum, but we aren’t going to tell you that remodels are not messy, noisy work. We will create dust and it will migrate to areas it shouldn’t. We do our best to control it but it seems to go where it wants. Even after our team finishes their deep cleaning, it may be found hiding here and there.
We like to compare the remodeling process to the process of having a baby. From start to finish, there are different “trimesters” if you will before your beautiful home is reborn.
When you choose us and your remodeling plan is finalized, you experience excitement and expectation similar to finding out you have a new baby on the way!
Then comes the morning sickness. This is the mess and noise that come with the reality of all the changes happening in your home. We liken this to the first trimester of pregnancy because many uncomfortable changes happen in this time and we know that no two women experience this process in the same way. This is true for remodeling as well. The experience is unique in each home and for each family.
Once demo is done, the dust begins to settle and rooms start to open up as walls are replaced with beams and you start to see your remodel coming together. This is what we refer to as your “second trimester”. The discomfort of the first trimester fades and a new wave of excitement starts as you experience the signs of life beginning to show!
Then comes the 3rd trimester, You have now reached the final stretch of the process and are probably very excited and anxious for the completion of your home remodel, just as you would be anxious for the birth of your baby. The waiting at this point might become more difficult as you are so close to seeing your dreams become reality. But it’s important to allow the process to come to full term even when you are anxious for us to put on the finishing touches and get out of your home.
Then, it happens as if a baby is being born. The months of waiting for this day is finally here! Your remodel is done and you’re living in it without any interruption. It’s beautiful and it’s all yours! And just like the process of having a baby, the wait and discomfort were completely worth it!
We know that home is a special place. That is why we feel so honored when our homeowners invite us into theirs. Our goal is to always value that trust by providing unparalleled service and integrity.
It’s not the house that makes a home. It is the people who live in the house that make a home. It’s the little details that make the house unique from any other. Those little details tell the story of the family within. Reflecting the values and passions of those who call it home. We are so honored to be invited to work with homeowners every day to help them turn their house into a home that reflects who they are. A home they can be proud of.
When Paul and his wife Becky reached out to us about remodeling their home we were thrilled with the vision they had to create a space that was classic, homey and one of a kind. They had purchased their home in 2001 and decided that after 17 years, it was time for an update to the home’s interior.
Paul works in the home construction industry and has a passion for quality work. He had heard about Renewal through George’s nephew Greg, a talented architect whom he had worked with on a recent project. He was thrilled to find that George’s passion for quality and service matched his own.
Paul and Becky chose a bright white color pallet but wanted to create a comfortable warm space within that. They did this by pulling in earth-toned and organic elements throughout the house. They decided that wooden beams would bring interest and the warm quality they were looking for.
This sent them on a journey to find the perfect beams. For Paul, this meant an opportunity to find unique and storied pieces that only reclaimed wood can provide. Although He knew that new wood can be processed and weathered to create a reclaimed look, he felt drawn to the opportunity to keep quality wood out of the landfill and to breath new life into some one-of-a-kind beams.
Paul worked with Rhine Reclaimed Wood to find beams that were full of character. The beams he chose were from a warehouse in Seattle that had been torn down. He looked for things that added character like the way the grain had weathered over time, any paint that was left, staples and nails. He also looked for colors in the wood that would bring out other elements in the home. He and Becky wanted to see a story when they looked at these beams and have a built-in conversation starter.
The process is not a simple one, but it is well worth it if you are on the hunt for the unique and reclaimed. Paul spent 3 hours picking beams out of the stacks of reclaimed wood that Rhine provides. Then the beams were power washed and sent to the home. Paul and Becky had originally planned to stain the beams, but once they got them into their home, they fell in love with the color and the raw, organic quality of the wood and decided to leave them unstained to preserve the weathered and storied feel.
From there we stepped in to plan and execute the arrangement and installation of the beams into the home. We are so happy with the way the beams flow through the home to create a consistently homey and welcoming feeling throughout. It was a special project throughout, and we have to say that we wholeheartedly agree with Paul and Becky, the beams bring warmth into the home and provide interest and story all while keeping some beautiful wood out of the landfill.
Ready to update your home? Let’s get started today!
Like the kitchen, the dining room is an essential gathering place for any home. When family and friends join together to share food and make memories, the dining table stands at the center of it all. Make sure your space is as inviting, comfortable, and functional as possible so you can relax and enjoy a great meal. Take a peek at our designs below and get inspired for your own space.
Not only is this space light and airy, but also clean and sophisticated. Pairing sleek furniture with a neutral palette gives the space a ‘less is more’ vibe and the subtle addition of green and statement pendant lights makes this the perfect minimalists setting.
Contemporary Minimalist Dining | Renewal Remodels & Additions
Create a dining space that is inviting and full of charm by pairing natural finishes with neutral tones and textures. Exposed beams add a raw, yet elegant structural aesthetic while dark floors and tables add a dash of wooden warmth.
Rustic Warmth Dining | Renewal Remodels & Additions
Mod Visionary style is all about keeping to clean lines and mixing in mid-century forms. Once you establish a clean foundation, add tapered legs, geometric prints, and organic shapes. This combo creates a room that feels balanced and modern, but does not sacrifice comfort.
Mod Visionary Dining | Renewal Remodels & Additions
Just because you don’t have a lot of space doesn’t mean you can’t have a gorgeous dining area. A round table is the perfect option for a home designed without a designated dining room as it allows for an intimate dining space without disrupting the flow of an open floor plan.
Open Concept Contemporary | Renewal Remodels & Additions
A welcoming palette of taupe and grey steers this dining space in a relaxed direction. Refined pieces with vintage touches serve up a warm and timeless look with a touch of rustic elegance. Rectangle tables are the go-to shape as they fit easily in a room and look great!
Refined Rustic Dining Space | Renewal Remodels & Additions
Are you ready to start your dining room design? Schedule an appointment with our team for your free in-home consultation? We would love to help you transform your space into the dining area you’ve always wanted!
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