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Archive for the ‘Lower Levels’ Category

Basement Bathrooms: Luxury On Any Budget

by admin, 11:15 AM on April 26th, 2012, Comments Off

Many owners of older homes would love to create a luxurious spa oasis, but don’t have the space in their main and upper floors – or the budget to expand the home’s footprint.  The answer may be right under your feet – literally.  A bathroom in the basement can be added without adding square footage to the exterior footprint of the home.

Physical Considerations

Basements can be a wonderful place to create the spa you’ve been dreaming of, but there are some structural elements that need to be accommodated.  Existing plumbing is an important one.  Often, placing a basement bathroom below an existing bathroom can help reduce the cost of new plumbing.  Wiring and electrical infrastructure should be considered as well.  The new bathroom must meet new building codes, even if the rest of the house does not.  Ventilation is another critical aspect of the new room.  Without proper venting, a basement bathroom can be very damp.

Spa Features

A basement bathroom can be more spacious than an upper floor bathroom – allowing homeowners to add creativity and luxury to the new room.  Whirlpool tubs, showers with multiple jets, saunas and heated floors are common amenities in new basement bathrooms.  Other unique accessories can include furniture-style cabinetry, vanities and accent pieces.  Older homeowners often enjoy a shower seat.  They make great storage areas but also offer a relaxing shower experience.

Our design team has helped homeowners add relaxing, luxurious spa bathrooms to many basements.  Call us today to find out how we can create an oasis in your home.

Dealing With Water In Basement Remodeling

by admin, 2:47 PM on March 22nd, 2012, Comments Off

Basement remodeling adds significant space to a house.  Homeowners need to keep certain basement-specific requirements in mind, however.  Water is a big challenge in many homes.  Humidity and leaks are two common sources of water damage in basements.

Humidity

Humidity can be difficult to notice, but can cause long-term damage from mold and stagnant wetness in walls and flooring materials.  Before we begin a basement remodeling project, we check for humidity.   You can check for condensation by hanging a mirror in the basement–if the mirror fogs up after a few hours, condensation is present in the basement.  Fans and humidifiers can help to reduce the impact of humidity.

Leak Prevention

Controlling surface water and waterproofing basements are important parts of any basement remodel. The yard around the foundation should slope downhill away from the house.  This will prevent many of the conditions that lead to leaky basements and water damage to the foundation.  It’s also possible to coat the interior of the foundation walls with a mix of concrete paint that blends with the masonry of the foundation walls.

Floors

Remodeled basements often see heavy foot traffic.  If your basement is prone to water leaks, we can use materials that can withstand heavy use as well as excessive water.  Tile can be one durable, water-resistant flooring material option.

Talk to our design team today.  We can help you determine what water challenges your basement might face and the kinds of things we can do to prevent and minimize the impact of water on your new basement.

Adding A Home Office

by admin, 3:57 PM on March 14th, 2012, Comments Off

More than 33 million workers in the U.S. — including employees, contractors, and small business owners – work at home at least a portion of the time.  That number has risen more than 17 percent since 2006.

Designing a home office is a big undertaking.  Prior to designing a home office, we will assess how you will use it and what requirements it must fulfill. Will this be your primary workspace, or a secondary space?   You may spend eight or more hours a day in the space we create, and the decisions we make today can enhance the success of your work.  Here are some key considerations for a home office design.

Location

This is one of the most important considerations of home office planning. Your basement may offer a quiet, isolated space, but natural light may be limited.  Do you have young children?  An office off the foyer may not work. Do you meet with clients or receive frequent deliveries? An upstairs bedroom might not be best.

Organization

A functional home office needs to include space for computer(s), file storage, printer, phone and possibly a project area for non-computer activities.  Having computers and peripherals within easy reach makes for a more functional workspace.  One element that often gets overlooked is wiring – power and computer connections.  A good home office includes plenty of electrical outlets and allows for convenient, yet tucked-away access to cords and cables.

Light

Window placement in home offices can dramatically affect your work.  South-facing windows give direct light all year long, but can create glare in fall and spring.  North-facing windows reduce overall natural light and demand more artificial light in the room.  East and west-facing windows can brighten a room early and late in the day.  We’ll consider your light sources when we design your home office to maximize natural light and minimize glare.  Task lighting is also important.  Consistent natural light may not always be available, so bright under-cabinet or recessed ceiling lights can improve home office lighting.

Health

If you are working from home for someone else, they are required to ensure that you’re working in a safe and comfortable environment, meeting all the federal and state requirements.  If you are working on your own, it’s up to you make your workspace as comfortable as possible.  We’ll make sure your new space is as ergonomically designed as it can be.

A home office can add to your productivity.  Contact our design team today to start designing your new workspace.

Spring Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase

by admin, 2:16 PM on March 7th, 2012, Comments Off

We are featuring two beautiful homes in the Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase this month!  Be sure to stop by these two locations and experience the results our creative design team delivered for the happy homeowners.

5132 W. 29th Street
St. Louis Park

Type of Project:
Multi-room, Room Addition, Deck/Patio/Porch, Lower Level, Bathroom, Kitchen, Exterior, Garage, Mud Room/Laundry

Scope:
Some well-needed space here! We took a mid 1950’s home and practically doubled the square footage while maintaining its architectural charm along with some much needed exterior tweaks. Come visit and see a beautifully open floor plan complete with large expansive kitchen and dining room design, along with a welcoming front room. This remodel also includes a mud room, powder bath, and two-car garage addition with finished square footage below. Some great solutions for any home of this era.

Get directions to this showcase home.

 

220 Oak Grove Place
St. Paul

Type of Project:
Multi-room, Room Addition, Main Level, Kitchen

Scope:
We designed and built an addition with a mud room/kitchen/hearth room. We used the existing space to create a large mud room with custom lockers. We then designed, built, finished and installed a custom kitchen to flow from the remaining space and into the new space. We completed the design with a humble sitting room with fireplace along with access to the deck. All millworks and moldings are from our own shops and are from the period the original home is from. Adding the flair of modern amenities, we challenge you to find the seams in this build!

Get directions to this showcase home.

 

Create A Castle For Your Kids

by admin, 2:39 PM on February 3rd, 2012, Comments Off

Many basements become playrooms by default.  Why not design a unique, creative play space for the kids that brings their imaginations to life?  Kids love to have their own spaces.  A playroom in the lower level gives them the perfect place for projects, playtime or just “hanging out”.

Kid Size It

Adult rooms can be overwhelming, especially for young children.  High shelves, tall furniture and big storage containers make kids feel like they’re living in the land of giants.  A kids’ playroom really shines when built-in bookcases and shelving units are built at kid height.  Kid-sized tables and other furniture make it easy for kids to sit, stand or lay around comfortably.

Keep It Comfy

Plush furniture and cozy flooring keep kids comfy and safe.  Carpeting or cork flooring are warm under bare feet and make the floor an inviting place to lie down with a good book.  Overstuffed chairs and a stuffed animal will keep kids company for hours.  These design elements also help keep young kids from skinning knees and bumping elbows on hard surfaces.

Make A Secret Space

Every kid has made a “fort” with blankets pillows and furniture.  A corner of a fun playroom can be transformed into a built-in castle, playhouse or just a simple cubbyhole with a curtain where kids can dream up big adventures, play hide and seek or just curl up for a nap.

 

Every kid dreams of their secret hideaway.  A lower level playroom can make that dream a reality.  Call our design department today to start designing your kids’ castle.

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