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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.

Every year when Remodeling Magazine releases its newest Cost Vs. Value Report we study it to see which projects have the top recoup value in the Grand Rapids area. This annual report compares how popular remodeling projects are retaining their value at re-sale throughout the country. The studies are broken down by geographic area and are based on professional remodelers completing the renovation.

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!

Several decades ago, it was commonplace to install hanging kitchen cabinets that could be accessed from two sides. Typically they would be hung beneath a bulkhead and would partially block the view in and out of the kitchen. In the case of this Grand Rapids remodeling story, the kitchen included this design element as well as bulkheads above all of the cabinets and doorways. Our clients requested a design that would make their kitchen feel more connected to the rest of their home.

Every year I’m fascinated to learn about new electronic gadgets for the home. But more than anything, I especially love to hear about high tech gear for kitchens. This year’s innovations are impressive and range from large appliances to small kitchen gadgets that tech savvy homeowners will love. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to share with you in this blog.

Here's a remodeling story that's close to my heart. In fact, it's actually about my own home! Have you noticed how popular mudrooms remodels have become over the past several years? Well, when you have a family of five, including three youngsters and a dog, it really becomes a necessity. Unfortunately, our home didn't have one and we were in desperate need to create a space to manage our comings and goings that would connect to the rest of our home. Kristin came up with a fantastic design that not only allowed us to do just that, but it also included space for our guests and a family command center.

Back in the eighties every new or remodeled home had brass chandeliers, doorknobs, and fixtures. Fast forward ten to twenty years and all that brass had been replaced with nickel and chrome. Brass was out; but just like trends in fashion, many styles come back around. What’s different this time is the finish, it doesn’t have to be polished or shiny, you can select burnished or matte brass.