Mid-sized cottage master carpeted and beige floor bedroom photo in Boston with white walls

Builder: Carl M. Hansen Companies - Photo: Spacecrafting Photography
Elegant wooden u-shaped staircase photo in Minneapolis with painted risers

Inspiration for a timeless light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with white cabinets and an island

Elegant freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor home office library photo in Orange County with white walls

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Cincinnati with gray walls

Construction by Plath + Co. Photography by Eric Rorer. Interior Design by Jan Wasson.
Inspiration for a small timeless powder room remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, white cabinets, solid surface countertops and blue walls

Sean Klingelhoefer
Mid-century modern detached shed photo in Los Angeles

Patio, dining area, and fireplace.
Example of a tuscan patio design in Santa Barbara with a pergola

As part of this Replacement Dwelling Development, this area between the two large Oak Framed Buildings has been created to form a focal feature in between both buildings. A once totally over grown shaded area due to 20 Leylandi trees being in this part of the Developments Curtilage, this now lovely sunny area has been carefully landscaped with a wonderful dry stone curved wall, with Oak cleft gates and Oak raised beds with Box Ball 'Cloud' Planting. Recalimed York Stone Flags and Setts have also been used and allowing the Oak of the buildings and raised beds to naturally 'silver' will go onto compliment the beautiful 200 year old stone. The Dry Stone wall is soon to be capped off with bull nosed stone coping stones. Pretty Pink structural Tulips have been planted for Spring Colour and pretty feathery Cosmos has been planted for Summer Planting. The Box Balls remain a constant structural planting element all year round and look stunning when frost covered. John Cullen low level Lighting in the raised beds and walk way allow these raised beds to look stunning in the evening.

Patio - contemporary concrete patio idea in Grand Rapids with a roof extension

Jim Brady Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a country galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with medium tone wood cabinets, a farmhouse sink and shaker cabinets

Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized victorian master white tile and subway tile gray floor and marble floor bathroom remodel in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, quartz countertops and gray countertops

4 Steps to Achieving a Rewarding Cost Effective Home Renovation 1 Home Renovation an Introduction A home renovation due to changes in family needs and space requirements can be a challenging, but also a rewarding experience. As a homeowner, gathering and coordinating resources and possibly help from professional consultants are required. Once the construction phase has started, patience, endurance and commitment to follow through are necessary. Despite the challenges, the rewards of a well-planned and successfully completed project are meaningful, adding aesthetic and economic value, also providing the opportunity to personalize a home, encompassing the function, comfort and aesthetics to accommodate individual taste and lifestyle. A renovation of an existing home is a viable alternative to moving or building a new home, assuming that a home is structurally sound, the expenditure to enlarge or improve can be a cost effective alternative. A home possessing charm, style, historical significance, established landscaping or an exceptional location could be a significant motivation to consider purchasing another home with the intent to renovate. The complexity of a project could be relatively simple, changing the use of a room, consolidating two rooms into one, or opening up a room to the outdoors. It could also be a more involved task requiring planning, design and construction documents to build a second floor addition, the addition of a new wing or completely gutting the interior. Some projects could be completed in a weekend’s work or more complex projects, using a “Master Plan”, a plan which provides overall guidance; a renovation can be accomplished all at once or divided into manageable projects over a period of time. With the home evolving gradually allowing the renovation to be planned, timed and tailored to meet individual needs and circumstances. The due diligence phase should precede the decision to renovate whether it’s an existing home or a home that is purchased with the intent to renovate. The due diligence phase will reveal the factors affecting the nature and scope of the project or if a renovation makes sense. Every renovation project is unique relative to personal requirements, architectural style & construction type. This guide will be helpful in developing an understanding of the preliminary groundwork required to realize a successful project. If properly planned, a home renovation project can be a positive and rewarding experience resulting in a comfortable, practical and an attractive living environment. The first step of the planning process is documenting the goals and long-range plans referred to as the “Project Program”. This will dictate the nature, scope and feasibility of the project. Providing a guide to achieving defined goals, the timing or phasing of the project and budget required to achieve the desired end result. 2 Documenting Existing Conditions Once the “Project Program”, has been established, the next step is to determine what there is to work with. This requires documenting the home’s floor plan and site elements which includes drawing an “as built” floor & site plan consisting of the existing exterior walls, interior rooms, doors, windows, etc. and surrounding site elements, landscape and other significant exterior features. Additionally understanding and noting on the “as built” plan, the structural, mechanical and electrical systems as necessary. Gathering the “existing condition” information defines what there is to work with, creating the framework from which to facilitate and organize the decision making process and develop effective “project program” solutions. 3 Evaluating Existing Conditions The goals and long-range plans have been established, and the existing floor plan and site elements have been documented. Before developing design solutions, the next step is to evaluate existing conditions. The evaluation includes: a detailed analysis of the structural, mechanical and electrical systems, determining the condition of the house, noting functional and aesthetic deficiencies. At the same time recognizing the home’s strengths, assets and evaluating its relationship to its site. The remaining parameters will be defined by the local jurisdiction’s zoning regulations, these regulations will define the “envelope”, within which the proposed project will be required to fit: •required front, side & rear yard setbacks •maximum allowable lot coverage & height The previous three steps have provided the necessary foundation to start the design phase. The goals and long range plans have been established, existing conditions have been documented and the evaluation of what there is to work with are now in place. This will provide the framework from which to facilitate and organize design solutions. The consolidation of this information is manifested in the development of the “Master Plan” which will become the road map by which sound decision-making can be made as a home renovation evolves. Keeping the project, on a linear path, avoiding redundancies and back tracking, on time, within budget, concluding with a well crafted finished product. After all the “up front” research and documentation has been completed, the design phase of the project can now precede, with the creation of diagrammatic design drawings. Organizing interior spaces, taking into account the external elements, prevailing breezes, solar orientation, view, existing outdoor features, etc. Through the development of schematic sketches themes will emerge followed by design development drawings. Wise planning and renovation decisions can save money and time at the same time provide a well crafted finished project. The “Master Plan” provides a strategic path in the planning and decision making process leading to a successful and rewarding home renovation, which will add value and considerable enjoyment, for many years, living in a newly renovated home. By virtue of having gone through these steps, frustrations sometimes encountered during a home renovation will be minimized, allowing the renovation to be a gratifying and rewarding experience. Being aware of the process allows one to become an “Educated Client,” which is worth quite a bit more than one might realize. The uneducated client may not realize the benefit of going through the planning, evaluation and documentation groundwork. He will only realize its benefits after having completed a prior renovation project. This rational approach keeps the design process on a direct path to achieving prescribed goals. 4 Exploring Design Solutions & Developing a Master Plan The previous three steps have provided the necessary foundation to start the design phase. The goals and long range plans have been established, existing conditions have been documented and the evaluation of what there is to work with are now in place. This will provide the framework from which to facilitate and organize design solutions. The consolidation of this information is manifested in the development of the “Master Plan” which will become the road map by which sound decision-making can be made as a home renovation evolves. Keeping the project, on a linear path, avoiding redundancies and back tracking, on time, within budget, concluding with a well crafted finished product. By virtue of having gone through these steps, frustrations sometimes encountered during a home renovation will be minimized, allowing the renovation to be a gratifying and rewarding experience. Being aware of the process allows one to become an “Educated Client,” which is worth quite a bit more than one might realize. The uneducated client may not realize the benefit of going through the planning, evaluation and documentation groundwork. He will only realize its benefits after having completed a prior renovation project. This rational approach keeps the design process on a direct path to achieving prescribed goals. After all the “up front” research and documentation has been completed, the design phase of the project can now precede, with the creation of diagrammatic design drawings. Organizing interior spaces, taking into account the external elements, prevailing breezes, solar orientation, view, existing outdoor features, etc. Through the development of schematic sketches themes will emerge followed by design development drawings. Wise planning and renovation decisions can save money and time at the same time provide a well crafted finished project. The “Master Plan” provides a strategic path in the planning and decision making process leading to a successful and rewarding home renovation, which will add value and considerable enjoyment, for many years, living in a newly renovated home.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

A custom-designed paneled zinc barn door is a piece of art, as well as functioning to close off the living space when desired. Photo by Lincoln Barber

Example of a transitional beige floor home yoga studio design in Calgary

Sian Richards
Inspiration for a large coastal dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, paneled appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, subway tile backsplash and no island

Mid Century inspired Alexander Estates II Palm Springs, CA
Living room - mid-century modern open concept living room idea in Other