front entry | 12.11.17

Front Porch Remodel Spotlight: A New Entry with Nostalgic Roots

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.

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Bathrooms | 12.11.17

5 Benefits of a No-Threshold Shower

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.

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Kitchens | 12.11.17

Kitchen Remodel Spotlight: Mission Accomplished!

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.

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Care & Maintenance | 08.21.23

Thompson's Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

As summer is starting to wind down, now is a good time to start thinking about the change of the seasons and getting your home ready for fall. Who else is ready to bid the summer goodbye and welcome in the cooler temperatures? The first few weekends of the fall season when the weather is still a bit warm is the perfect time to tackle your fall home maintenance list. Prepping your home for cooler weather not only helps you lower your utility bills, but can also prevent an unexpected disaster or costly repair. We’ve put together a list of fall maintenance tasks that you can get started on this weekend.

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Thompson Tips | 03.17.23

Thompson Remodeling's Spring Home Maintenance Tips

After turning the clocks back last weekend, we've got Spring on our minds! Even though we are still experiencing colder temperatures, it's a good idea to start thinking about getting your home ready for the Spring season. During the winter our homes take a beating. The freezing temperatures, ice and snow can cause damage so it’s important to perform seasonal maintenance to keep your home in tip-top shape. To help you prepare, we’ve put together this list of spring home maintenance tips.

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Love Where You Live | 12.29.22

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

Now is the perfect time to be thinking about how to make your home a happier and healthier place to live. New year’s resolutions are typically goals for improving your quality of life and if there’s one place where you can really make a difference, it’s at home. By focusing your attention and completing small projects and home improvements, you will be amazed at how much joy and comfort it will bring you. And since it’s the start of a new year, you can plan to cross these resolutions off one by one, throughout the year.

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Thompson Tips | 11.16.22

Five Ideas for a Fun & Stress-Free Thanksgiving

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!

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Bathrooms | 04.19.22

Five Common Bathroom Design Mistakes

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Make sure your design doesn’t include any of these common bathroom design mistakes. Over the years we worked on many bathroom designs for all types of baths – master, guest and powder rooms. Although it might seem simple, there’s a lot to think about when creating a well-functioning bath. You have to consider the placement of all the necessary plumbing and fixtures, the lighting, storage, flooring, and window and door configuration. And then of course there are details like tile layouts for backsplashes and showers.

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Kitchens | 08.1.21

FAQ: What is the purpose of a bulkhead?

A bulkhead is a section of ceiling that has been dropped and boxed-in or enclosed. It’s not uncommon to have bulkheads in your kitchen, bathroom or basement. Clients frequently ask us about bulkheads and want to understand their purpose and here’s our answer.

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Love Where You Live | 12.1.19

Fun Family Holiday Activities In Grand Rapids

The holidays are upon us! This is one of my favorite times of year. I love seeing the Christmas lights and checking out some of the holiday festivities around town with friends and family. If you are looking for something fun to do with the family, there’s a lot of great options in Grand Rapids. Here are some ideas to consider that will be fun for adults and kids of all ages.

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Featured | 06.26.19

Designing the Functional Family Bathroom

Families with children know how messy bathrooms can get. Towels on the floor, water everywhere, toothpaste on the walls. Hey, let’s be honest, this can happen with just adults in the household too, but there are ways to tame the mess by making smart design decisions. And we know a thing or two about designing functional family bathrooms.

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Featured | 05.1.19

Four Benefits of a Phased Remodel

Last week in our blog, we talked about how to set and stick to a remodeling budget. One of the tips was to consider phasing your remodel when you are considering large, multi-faceted projects such as a whole house remodel. Today, we are going to discuss four of the benefits of a phased remodel and situations where it is a good choice.

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Featured | 03.12.19

When a Kitchen Island Isn’t an Option, Consider a Peninsula

One of the top requests we hear when designing a kitchen remodel is to include an island. They’ve become a coveted element of design due to the functionality they can add to your kitchen. If you are looking for more storage, another prep area, or a place to sit for casual meals, a kitchen island can offer you all that and more. In some cases, however, they aren’t feasible due to the size or shape of a room’s layout. But don’t fret; if your kitchen can’t accommodate one, we have another solution, a peninsula!

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Featured | 02.18.19

Looking for a creative way to add a window? Consider a transom window.

Let’s start with the basics. What is a transom window? The term transom refers to the horizontal beam or wood positioned above a window or door. A transom window sits right above that beam and is typically a narrow rectangular or half moon shape. You will most commonly see these above the main entry door or the front windows of a home. They can be operable to not only let light in, but also fresh air, or they can be used purely for light and architectural interest.

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Thompson Tips | 01.31.19

Bundle Up Grand Rapids & Stay Safe & Warm with Our Winter Weather Tips.

Grand Rapids has been experiencing bitter cold temperatures. In fact, yesterday it was the coldest day on record since 1994! With the continued treacherous weather conditions, school, and business closings, we hope that your family and pets are safe and warm inside your homes. If you've got a case of cabin fever, grab a mug of hot cocoa and read through our cold weather tips!

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