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The owners of this beautiful historic farmhouse had been painstakingly restoring it bit by bit. One of the last items on their list was to create a wrap-around front porch to create a more distinct and obvious entrance to the front of their home.

Have you seen a no-threshold shower? It’s a shower that has no curb or surrounding edge to it, making it flush with the bathroom floor. You may have also heard the terms barrier-free, curbless walk-in-shower or zero threshold, but they are all the same thing. I know what you may be thinking. Where is all the water going to go? Won’t I have a flood on my hands after every shower? No! The secret to containing the water is in the drainage system. This type of shower will have either a trench drain, which is a long and narrow drain placed where the shower door would be placed, or a center drain with the floor just slightly pitched towards it.

This desperately dark kitchen was suffering from a lack of light, storage and a poor layout. The main source of light was provided by a decades old ceiling fan, the refrigerator blocked the main traffic path to and from the living room, and a sliding door was taking up prime real estate that could be used for storage.

Coverings is an annual trade show that showcases the latest tile and stone products. Earlier in April, the show was held in Orlando and featured 9 miles worth of trends and exhibits. Wow, that’s a lot of floor and wall coverings! Although we didn't attend, we've done our research to keep up with the latest innovations and how designers and trendsetters are using tile. Since the majority of our remodeling projects include flooring and sometimes wall coverings, tile is a material we talk about every day. And if you are planning a remodeling project, it’s probably in your future as well. So, take a look and check out the trends that were spotted at this year’s Coverings show below.

Composite decking materials have been around since the 1990s, but let’s face it; many of them don’t look like real wood. The biggest benefit of using a composite material has always been the easy care and low maintenance, but improvement in finish, tone and texture have made it much more aesthetically appealing. Homeowners who have shied away from composite decking because of its appearance should give it a second look.

The selections you make for your remodeling project have a direct impact on your overall budget for the project. Two bathroom remodels of the same exact size and layout can vary in cost by the thousands or tens of thousands based on the selections and finishes that are used. This is why making selections within your budget is so important, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or luxury. There are some great budget-friendly alternatives out there today that mimic the look of more expensive finishes. If you are looking for ways to keep your budget in-line consider some of these options when making your remodeling selections.

The use of reclaimed and recycled materials has become extremely popular in remodeling. Although it may have started as a trend, it has now become more mainstream to look for ways to incorporate salvaged materials into remodeling designs. It’s really a win-win decision. Not only can homeowners and remodelers feel good about using environmentally friendly materials, but they can also enjoy the unique character that reclaimed items bring to a remodeled space. If you love the concept but don’t know where to start, here are some ideas on how you can reuse, recycle or upcycle in a kitchen remodel.

After months of planning and construction your remodel is finally complete. The production crew and all their tools are gone, the house is quiet again…you finally get to enjoy your improved spaces. This is cause for celebration! We encourage you to invite your friends and family over to show them your newly improved home, after all they will be anxious to see how things turned out. After you’ve hosted your party, or even before, here are few things we suggest that you do after your remodel is complete.

Would you be surprised to know that you can get a countertop made of natural volcanic rock? Lava stone is exactly that, pieces of volcanic rock that have been quarried from ancient eruption sites in France and Italy. It’s a great option for homeowners who want a natural stone material, but prefer it in a vibrant color that granite or marble cannot offer.

The results are in! Every year the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) surveys its members to learn the current and emerging trends they see in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. The questions aim to find out what the professionals are specifying in terms of design style, colors, materials, and products. Last year, they heard from 562 professionals who work directly with homeowners throughout North America. Here’s a look at what they reported for trends in kitchen remodeling.

Are you curious to hear about what’s trending in bathroom remodeling? We are! Recently, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released the results of their annual Kitchen & Bath Design Trend Report, which is based on a survey of its members throughout North American. The survey asks for input on the design style, colors, materials, and products they are commonly specifying for their kitchen and bath remodeling clients. Here’s a look at what they reported for this year’s trends in bathroom remodeling, as well as what we can expect to see in the near future.

I’m excited to share the news that Thompson Remodeling has won a Best of Design award from Houzz! This marks our second year in a row for this particular honor, which makes this award even more significant. Our design build firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

This year, Pantone’s color of the year selection really makes sense to me. Greenery is a bright, yellow-green that reminds me of springtime, especially a beautifully manicured lawn and new growth on trees and shrubs. It’s a color that signifies rebirth and renewal. Perhaps more than any recent year in memory, this color is very reflective of what we all hope a new year has in store for us.

Project Story: This master bathroom was out-of-date and the homeowners couldn't wait to see their retro vanity and flooring disappear. The existing white tiled countertop made you feel like you had time traveled back to the 70’s. The homeowner told us the bathroom felt “gross” and the counters was really hard to clean. They wanted to update the space to be more cohesive with the rest of their home. She had a very specific design aesthetic: light, clean, and airy. Updating all the finishes and improving the shower footprint were critical to a successful design.

Turkey Day is coming and we are super excited! I'm sure all of you have your plans underway for visiting family or hosting a Thanksgiving feast at your own home. The gathering of multiple family generations and friends is great fun, but can also be a bit stressful for the hosts who have to plan and orchestrate the big event. We have a few great ideas to help make your Thanksgiving all fun and no stress!