Let’s Go Down Under!

We’ve long thought that if you own the land above the ground level of your home, why not use the ground below? So if possible, when we build a new custom home, we will encourage homeowners to put a basement in the design. Even if it’s just used for storage … who couldn’t use more storage? We just finished this basement for a client who felt the same way about the valuable square footage found below ground level. So let’s go down under and look at how finishing a basement not only adds space to your home but adds to the overall value in terms of finances, aesthetics, and versatility.

These clients had a basement that was chopped up by existing walls. Not only did they want an open and light-filled space, but they also wanted to divide the space to suit their needs better. So we removed the wall in the living area where the header exists today and also built a finished bedroom and an office. They chose luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring throughout, which is long-lasting, durable, and easy to maintain. We dressed the necessary support columns with cabinet-like millwork. We added electric outlets to some of those columns, which allows for multiple uses in the room and aids in furniture placement in the wide-open space. We replaced double windows with the double doors that walk out to a patio area. The large bedroom has an enormous closet, and the sliding barn doors cleverly hide the electric panel. The client chose Feather Down by Benjamin Moore paint for the living area and bedroom. Do you have a space needing rework to serve your family better?

We removed a set of double windows and replaced them with double doors that walk out to a patio. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) was used throughout the entire basement. The clients chose Feather Down paint color from Benjamin Moore.
Daylight basement bedroom
Sliding Barn doors hiding electric panel
Large well-lit walk-in bedroom closet
These columns have electric outlets/switches, which aid in multiple uses for the room and help in furniture placement in the wide-open space
Behind the three doors are the HVAC room, the new office, and the bedroom
We dressed the necessary support columns in cabinet-grade millwork

It’s what’s on the Outside that Counts!

Sometimes we think of the inside of our homes first, i.e., new kitchens, updated bathrooms, or a finished basement. However, the outside of your house is the side that MOST people see! The mailman drives by every day, kids on the bus see it every morning, and your neighbors, on their way home from work, look at the facade of your abode, so why not make a statement with a facelift? These clients knew their home was blah, just like all the others on the street. They wanted to stand out, to be different by being BOLD and modern. Look at these pictures and consider how you can change the “important” side of your home!

We re-routed the walkway from the driveway up to the new porch. We added the porch where there was none using cedar ceilings, cedar posts, and cedar trim. The shutters are handmade with cedar drawing the look together. The clients carefully chose the upgraded craftsman front door, setting the entry’s tone. The LED recessed lights shine in the evening while providing much-needed security. And, of course, that COLOR … what a bold choice, and we love it!

No Chills Here!

Some people just like to be warm and cozy, and what better place to seek that haven than in your main bathroom? We recently completed a master bath where the clients wanted toasty feet and toasty towels! We use master craftsmen who know how to install heated tile floors correctly so that your tile gets just the perfect level of warmth with the flip of a switch. We also suggested that these clients look at heated towel stations. They are an easily wired appliance that looks professional and keeps bath towels at a comfy level of warmth. The bathroom was a complete tear-out since no changes had been made to the room since the house was built. The room was not large and was long and thin, proving that size does not matter when it comes to luxury. Take in the details in the photos below: custom cabinets, marble countertops, shiplap stand-alone tub surround, and sparkling frameless glass shower enclosure. And the LAST hidden WARMING detail not seen in the photos is a ceiling heater built into the LED light bath fan. Really, there’s no need not to warm in a room where the least clothes are worn!

Paint color: Sherwin Williams Contented
Marble countertop: Fantasy Brown
Wouldn’t a heated towel bar be so warming on a cold winter morning AFTER stepping on your heated tile floors?
These clients chose a cabinet tower which increased the amount of storage that their original layout offered. Who doesn’t need more storage in a master bath?? The sliding barn door is just seen in the mirror reflection hides a much-needed linen closet while adding that custom touch to the room.
The shower has cultured marble walls, which makes this shower long-lasting and free of all that grout maintenance…nobody has time for that! And for that added CUSTOM bling, our clients chose a glass tile accent at the shower wall and the tub surround. These are the details that clients bring to us to bring to life!
These custom full glass doors expand the sight lines in this space to make the bath appear larger than it is. Not seen in this photo, but worth mentioning is the LED can lighting throughout the space and the exhaust fan and HEATER combo…in the winter, you’d never worry about being chilly in this room!
The updated soaker tub replaced an outdated jetted deck-mounted tub. The shiplap and glass tile surround give this bathroom the updated style that our clients love!

Inspiration Station!

We like to say, “Your Inspiration is our Specialty.” When we initially meet with clients on a new project, we always ask what their vision is for the space. First, we want to know how they will use the room and how it can best fit their needs. Then we move on to the yummy questions; what will soothe their soul when they walk into the space every day? How will this space energize them? And finally, what inspired the changes they want to make? The answers to these questions guide us while we are in the project’s design phase.

A hotel bathroom inspired these clients in New Orleans. They loved the tile in that Big Easy luxurious shower, so they brought us those ideas, and we designed a bathroom that would feel like a vacation every day! Using the existing floor plan, we removed the old tile, tub, and vanity and replaced them with all new … well, everything: tile, rain shower head, vanity with the double tower cabinet, quartz countertops, and LED lighting. We replaced an old jetted tub with a new soaker tub and painted the room with Sherwin Williams Silver Strand. What I N S P I R E S you?

Aging in Place!

“Aging in Place” … what does that mean? Well, technically, it means “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). But what does it mean to YOU and your relationship with your home? Can you age along with your house … can you be mobile in your home? Are your doors and showers wide enough to roll a walker or wheelchair? We have clients who love their current homes and want to stay in them forever, so they come to us to help them navigate their needs. We have extensive experience in ADA (American Disability Act) code and compliance. We know what it takes to modify existing spaces so that aging in place is not only functional and safe but also beautiful!

We are thrilled when we collaborate with clients who give thought to every single design element. These clients wanted to take their outdated bathroom and bring it into this decade and beyond. (See the before photos!) They considered aging-in-place elements and ADA requirements so that this is a one-and-done remodel. Take in ALL the details in the images, from the spa-like color on the walls, the custom-built cabinets, and the zero-entry shower design.

BEFORE
AFTER –This beautiful teak bench can be brought into the shower if needed. Another aging-in-place feature!
BEFORE

AFTER — This is a custom-built and custom-painted vanity.
BEFORE
AFTER — The window brings in natural light to the zero entry shower. The handheld shower is another aging-in-place feature. Thinking ahead on these types of fixtures ensures that this is a one-and-done remodel.
AFTER — That beautiful pebbled rock “tile” adds to the natural spa-like feel of the space!
AFTER — This zero-entry shower is a must-have when planning for aging in place. Walkers and wheelchairs can roll right in.
AFTER

A Heavenly Space!

We’ve talked in the past about the fact that we are not only experienced Residential Contractors but that we have over 20+ years in Commercial Construction. Now, let’s be clear, we do not build banks, hotels, strip malls, etc.; we leave that to the “big” guys. But we are very adept in building for the small business owner, municipalities, boutiques, coffee shops, or professional offices. One of the largest categories in our commercial division is working with churches. Many church planning committees and pastors come to us when they need updates and upgrades to their public or worship spaces. We are proud to serve our ecumenical clients!

It was time to spoil the ladies at this CHURCH by updating the Ladies Room. What an update this was! We look at a Church as a second “home,” so why not add those touches that make it feel like home while adding those necessary ADA-compliant upgrades vital to public spaces. Choose a contractor that knows ADA laws inside and out!

Check out the BEFORE and AFTER floorplans and photos! Study the EXISTING Floor Plan and then the other AFTER plans. We gave these clients several options from which to choose. Our design/build model saves clients time and money. With a design/build model, there is no need to employ an outside service to envision the space, provide ideas, and produce drawings. We do it all!

BEFORE–These lackluster plywood stalls provide little privacy and certainly aren’t special.
BEFORE–The old double vanity had seen better days. We were able to take the existing footprint and reconfigure the space to work for this Church.
BEFORE–This is the old shower was not ADA compliant. One of the goals of this client was to bring this space up to ADA code to better aid ALL congregants.
AFTER — These CUSTOM-made stall doors help make this feel more like a HOME.
AFTER — Check out the reflection of those beautiful custom-crafted stall doors!
AFTER — The addition of the full-length mirrors will help the ladies check out their outfits right before walking out.
AFTER — This is ONE of TWO vanities in the room. The Church chose these arched mirrors and bright LED lights…again, all CUSTOM touches!
AFTER — The gracious floor space allows for possible wheelchairs and for several patrons to be in the same space without feeling cramped.
AFTER — This ADA compliant ROLL UP Vanity and baby changing station round out this ladies’ room.


AFTER — It’s so great that this Church can offer a ROLL IN shower to any patron that would need it. It is complete with ADA grab bars and a handheld shower. A shower seat is tucked in behind the shower curtain.
AFTER — The separate Shower Room has its own private ADA compliant toilet. WE know all the ADA codes. Call us when you need to make upgrades to your PUBLIC spaces!

Masters of their Bathroom!

We’ve been BUSY making dreams come true for our clients in 2022! When these clients brought us their ideas to add a master bath to their home, it was in the Fall of 2021. We knew that this design/build concept would take significant planning, so we were thankful to have our clients’ trust. They knew they wanted a modern, clean-lined esthetic with all the luxury details. And since this was a totally new addition to their primary bedroom, we took great care in the construction phase to keep the disturbances to a minimum. Take a leisurely tour of these photos and “soak” in all the modern, up-scale features: zero-entry DOUBLE shower with no glass doors to clean, black wall tiles that look like rusted metal, stainless steel black metal storage shelves, recessed LED lighting, and a super modern floating vanity with LED mirror lighting.

Screen time!

We are running headlong into #screenporch season! Screen porches add $$$ to the value of your home, especially in the South. They also add to the overall homeowner’s quality of living. With our design/build model, we approach each project as a custom one and are in constant consultation with the client. The following project is a perfect example of how each individual porch reflects the wants and requirements of each owner.

This was a Deck to Screen Porch undertaking in which the homeowners wanted to keep their original decorative railings … and we don’t blame them, they are showstoppers! We used their existing deck flooring as it was in excellent condition saving money for them. We installed a clear pine tongue and groove vaulted ceiling, LED can lights, a metal roof, and used the ScreenEze system. And we always install real storm doors on all our screen porches because they last longer than a typical wood screen door. After looking at these pics, we’re sure you’ll agree that these folks now have an outdoor space for family entertaining nearly year-round! Give us a call if you have a dream outdoor space you’d like us to start!

BEFORE The owners wanted to preserve those gorgeous railings.
BEFORE The deck floor was in good condition so that saved the clients $$$.




The deck railings were carefully removed as the roof framing was completed.
Here the railing panels were re-installed as progress on the screen room is completed
The vaulted roof will allow for clear sightlines to that beautiful, private backyard.
We use the ScreenEZE system on all our screen porches.
The finished “living room.”
Check out these clear pine tongue and groove ceilings!
The “dining room” with the privacy of the tree tops.
This full view storm door with that screen transom window…wow! It’s all in the DETAILS … that’s custom!

Let’s Get Attic!

We get much satisfaction out of being Residential contractors that homeowners come back to time and again when new ideas pop into their heads. We’ve worked with these clients before on a basement AND three-season porch. This time they wanted a place that is special for their children all while using every inch of their home.

Raise your hand if you need 350 more square feet of additional FUN space in your home!! These clients had a large walk-in attic and chose to convert that location into a much-needed play zone for their children. If you want to use every inch of your home for your family, call us, and let’s get started.

BEFORE — Because most attics are not climate-controlled, they don’t always make the best space to store things, so why not make them into usable living space?
AFTER — Now, this space is climate controlled and ready for play!
BEFORE — We can hide all that necessary HVAC equipment behind closed doors.
AFTER — Not only is the HVAC hidden behind these full height doors, it is easily accessible.
AFTER — The Mini-Split heating/air conditioner mounted on the wall along with additional insulation will keep this attic at the perfect year-round temperature.
AFTER — We placed small access doors throughout the space so that parts of the old attic can still be used for storage.
AFTER — Nicely carpeted stairs lead from the main part of the home making a nice transition to the new attic.

All Steamed Up!

Being in the business of making dreams come true is not a bad gig! Clients come to us with their hearts in their hands and drawings scribbled on a scrap of paper and say, “We always wanted this; can you do this”? With all of our years of varied construction experience, we have never said “no”. That is something we have NEVER taken for granted. We are very grateful for people that have trusted us with their dreams!

These clients came to us and wanted to add to their outdoor pool experience by bringing that luxury indoors to their unfinished basement. They wanted to open up their basement space to their outdoor pool. So we selected water-friendly floors and built them a custom steam shower, Who doesn’t love going from the outdoors on a Fall evening straight into hot steam?! We also designed a kitchenette with extra storage cabinets that will take this family from ordinary entertaining to an extraordinary experience for family and friends alike! When you want to hand your dreams to a general contractor be sure they can carry them with confidence!

BEFORE — We hide all the ductwork, so you have a streamlined look.
AFTER — This CUSTOM-DESIGNED Steam shower will be soothing and warm after climbing out of the pool on a cool day or evening.
No need to wonder where you are going to stash all your stuff in this small, but mighty kitchenette!
BEFORE — We also hide any plumbing in the walls in addition to hiding the ductwork.
Quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and bright white lighting make this bathroom the perfect guest space!
A simple counterline with a sink and dishwasher is all you need to entertain!
BEFORE — The steam shower is taking shape.
AFTER — You don’t need a lot of space to define function.
Just add a large sectional sofa and you’ll be the most popular house on the block during sports season. LVP, luxury vinyl plank, is the most indestructible, water-proof flooring on the market.
These clients were able to add a mini gym to the basement. That LVP looks just like hardwood.