Limited free time and too long a list? We can help! 1. Buy a case of furnace filters (12) and replace it each month. 2. Deep clean the the inside of the house to reduce allergies. Hire a pro if needed. 3. Be sure gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other debris.
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We often think about our dream house and what it might look like. Is it a brand new home, an old home with character, or perhaps your existing home with some major remodeling? Do I buy a new home or remodel? That’s exactly the question our clients were considering when they returned back home from living overseas. They initially thought a custom home might be the way to go, but the idea of waiting through all the planning and construction seemed like a waste of valuable time they could be spending together as a family. So instead, the family decided to buy an existing home and remodel it to perfectly suit their own needs.
Does your kitchen look dated? Could it use some updates to make it more functional? Just like any other room in our house, as time passes it may need a bit of sprucing up. With as much time as we spend in the kitchen, you want it to be visually pleasing and user-friendly. To help, we’ve put together a list of updates that you can implement with a relatively small investment.
Trends
| 08.23.15
Five Hot Lighting Trends in Remodeling
Let's talk about lighting trends! The lighting plan is an essential part of the remodeling design for any space. As designers, one of our top goals is to ensure that a room has adequate lighting to perform daily tasks comfortably. Once we understand the functions the lighting must perform, then we can move on to the style.
The joining of two families is a joyous occasion! And when you have an existing home in a lovely neighborhood with space to spare, a thoughtful whole house remodel can make the space work for all eight (and one dog). Thompson Remodeling was happy to help improve the family spaces of this 4-bedroom, 3-level home and create new bedrooms and bath spaces to accommodate everyone. This whole house remodel included renovations to every level of the home, most notably on the main floor and the basement. Take a virtual tour below complete with existing and after floor plans and before and after photos of this familytastic remodel.
Our clients purchased an old house in East Grand Rapids that needed several updates to make it family friendly. The existing floor plan had an expansive formal dining room that the owners had no plans to use. It also had a small and dark kitchen with a drafty breakfast nook area. Another problem with the layout was the closed staircase, which blocked both sight and sound of the children coming and going.
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Many older Grand Rapids homes were designed with small utilitarian bathrooms. Today, homeowners want more than just a place to brush their teeth and take a quick shower; they want a relaxing, well-lit space with modern luxuries. Many times, our clients want to recreate a bathroom space from a luxury hotel or vacation home they visited. And why shouldn’t we want to have that kind of space to enjoy everyday at home? After all, it’s the first place you’ll visit in the morning and the last place before bed. So make it luxurious, rustic, modern, or whatever suits your taste.
When dreaming about the perfect master suite remodel, there are two important ingredients that are always in the mix– the closet space and the master bath. Too often, existing homes will have small closets and baths in the master suite leaving homeowners frustrated and ultimately unsatisfied. At Thompson Remodeling, we have seen our share of strange configurations, but that’s part of the fun. We enjoy the challenge of reconfiguring space to make it work better for our clients.
Love Where You Live
| 07.12.15
Inventive Design – Kitchen Remodel with Hidden Basement Entrance Through the Pantry!
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.
Trends
| 07.3.15
Are Bronze Finishes Gaining on Silver?
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.
Love Where You Live
| 06.27.15
Remodel with Color - Five Ways to Add Color to Your Remodeling Project
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.
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.
