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The owners of this Grand Rapids home came to us in search of a way to improve the functionality of their small kitchen. The existing layout was not only tight, but also included four doorways into other rooms. It was functioning more like a hallway with a few appliances added in for good measure.

Bronze finishes are making a comeback! For a long time now, nickel and chrome finishes have been all the rage, but we are starting to see bronze fixtures, lighting, and other details gain popularity. Bronze gives a rich feeling to a space and works very well in traditional, rustic and Mediterranean style spaces. When you are looking to add warmth, consider bronze finishes. Blending finishes is also becoming a trend; everything doesn’t have to match. The shine of stainless or chrome can be complemented nicely by a matte bronze finish.

Don't be afraid to add some color to your remodeling project! White, gray and beige are certainly the most popular choices for material selections and they create a great canvas to decorate against that's for sure. But when you introduce color, you add visual interest and personality into a space. The idea of incorporating color, especially one you can live with for many years, may sound a bit intimidating. What if you choose the wrong color? Here's the thing, I suggest using colors you naturally gravitate to especially for more expensive materials. Then experience with bolder colors for less expensive, easy to change items.

If you are considering a major remodel to your home there are so many important reasons why you should hire a design build professional. Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom or whole house renovation, this blog will help you examine the risks of doing-it-yourself or going with the lowest price firm.

I love reading about the latest gadgets and gear for the home and recently I stumbled onto a few interesting articles on innovative kitchen technology. Electronics and appliances have come a long way. Who would have thought that we would be able to cook a meal using a cell phone back in the 80’s? Now you can brew coffee and turn on your crock pot with your smart phone. Or, if you are really busy and don’t have time to cook, you can print out a snack on your 3D food printer. What? Sounds crazy, but it’s true. Here’s a rundown on some of the coolest kitchen technology that is now available.

Without a doubt, tile is one of the best ways to put your individual stamp on your remodeling project. With endless possibilities to choose from, you can find the exact color, texture, design, shape and finish to suit your personality.

We love writing blogs about some of the popular selections our clients have been making for their remodeling projects. Usually we call title those blogs “Trends our clients love”, but in this case we can hardly call this selection a trend since it’s been around for over 100 years. Here’s a super quick history lesson - when the first underground train station opened in New York City in 1904 the walls and ceilings were graced with white 3"x6” tiles. These white tiles became known as subway tile and quickly made their way into bathrooms and kitchens all over the country.

When planning any type of remodel it’s important to consider not only the visual aspects of the project, but also how you can improve the energy efficiency of your home to reduce waste and lower your bills. Plus, energy efficient products are good for the environment, improve indoor air quality, and increase the resale value of your home. Don’t just make it beautiful; make it efficient!

The Chrysalis Awards named Thompson Remodeling of Grand Rapids, Regional winners in the Kitchen Remodel $75,000-$100,000 and Basement Remodel categories of their annual awards competition. Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 92 remodeling companies from across the United States were named winners at the 2015 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.

The Thompson Remodeling team is proud to announce our big win at the National CotY Awards! Our remodeling project was selected as the national winner in the Basement Under $50,000 category. NARI hosted an Evening of Excellence at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on April 17th where they announced the national winners live while simultaneously broadcasting the awards via webcast. Our team watched online and anxiously awaited to hear if we would be taking home one of the big trophies.

Tonight is the night we have been anxiously awaiting! At 5:30 this evening, the winners of the National Level Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards will be announced and Thompson Remodeling is up for two! Our team will be watching the webcast to see the results and you can too by visiting this link. If you miss the show tonight, it will available for viewing online for the next 30 days. This year we won Regional CotY's in the Residential Bath $50,001-$75,000 and Basement Under $50,000 categories. Regional winners in each category go on to compete for the coveted National title.

White cabinetry is white hot right now! Back in February we blogged about the top trends in kitchen and bath designs announced in the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) member survey and white cabinets were tops in both categories. The Thompson Remodeling design team would definitely agree that this is a trend we are going to continue to see for some time.