| thompsonremodeling.com (2)

With the first day of school just around the corner, we thought a blog about getting your kitchen back-to-school ready was timely. So much goes into preparing for the new school year from buying school supplies, new clothing or uniforms, and shoes to saying “goodbye” to another great summer. One thing that can make this transition so much easier for both you and the kids is to have your kitchen set up and ready to handle the daily comings and goings during the week. We’ve put together a list of simple tips that will have your kitchen back-to-school ready in no time.

Abracadabra – your remodel is finished! It would be amazing if we could simply snap our fingers and present a gorgeous kitchen remodel like a magic trick, but unfortunately, we aren’t magicians. The truth is, every remodeling project is a custom construction project completed by human hands and fine craftsmanship takes time, but trust us, it’s worth the wait.

One of the top design elements of a kitchen remodel is an eat-in space. Nearly every family would like to include a spot to have informal meals or to entertain guests. In the past few years, several of our remodels have incorporated a banquette into the kitchen design. We think it’s a great feature and there are a few specific situations where it is the perfect solution to a family’s needs.

Your countertop selection is a key design component for a kitchen or bathroom remodel. Granite is a great option for homeowners who want to use a natural material with unique patterns and features. Once you find that perfect piece of granite, the next thing you have to determine is the finish you would like. There are three types of granite finishes: polished, honed, and rough. One may lend itself better than another based on the design aesthetic you wish to create.

Multi-generational living has become very common in the last decade. This type of living arrangement can include older parents that don’t want to live alone, disabled relatives who need assistance, and even children who have left the nest that have come back after college. With that in mind, a household may have family members that range in age from under a year to the eighties and nineties. But if you think about it for a moment, do you think your kitchen could handle the needs of everyone in that family?

Older homes have a unique charm about them. Many homebuyers find themselves drawn to a particular home because of its history and details that make it stand out, such as a special molding, exposed brick, vintage hardware or fixtures, or an architectural feature. Over time, these beautiful historic homes will need some updating either to improve safety or functionality. There are some common issues that may arise when renovating an older home and knowing what might come up will lessen the surprise. A professional remodeler will be prepared for these and will be able to provide solutions to solve the problem so they can complete the updates you would like to make.

Stainless appliances have been THE popular choice for kitchen appliances for more than a decade. We love them for their sleek look and versatility to work in any type of design aesthetic from traditional to modern. But if you are thinking about renovating your kitchen and you want to go with something different, there are options that are just as good looking as stainless. In this blog we are going to talk about when using white, black or paneled front appliances are good alternatives.

May is officially National Home Improvement Month! When the weather warms up, homeowners start getting the itch to make updates to their home. Taking care of your biggest investment is definitely worth your time and is very rewarding once the project is complete. Perhaps you want to improve your outdoor areas or maybe one of your bathrooms needs some updating. Whatever the case may be, there are some important building code violations that are commonly made, unknowingly by DIY remodelers. We’d like to bring these to your attention, so you can avoid making them yourselves.

Laundry rooms are a critical space in every home, yet they rarely get the design attention they deserve. Households of all sizes need a spot for the washer and dryer, but let’s face it, when they are shoved into small closet spaces in the hallway or tucked into the kitchen, those areas end up being a catch-all space for laundry bins and hampers and cause a traffic jam. The most functional laundry rooms incorporate enough space for your appliances, folding, a sink, and storage for detergents.

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.

Durability, functionality and safety are important considerations of a remodeling plan especially when your household includes children. Knowing that your flooring can handle the daily activities without scratching or that you actually have a place for all the kids to store their book bags and sports equipment can really provide some peace of mind. If your home could use some improvements to better suit your family’s lifestyle, here are several suggestions on projects you might want to consider.

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.