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4 Great Ideas for a Basement Renovation

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Do you have a basement that is basically wasted space? Why not renovate it and have something you can use on a regular basis? The process is not as difficult as many people think. In fact, with the help of the team from , that basement could be providing the family with a lot of use in no time. Here are four suggestions on how to make it into a space everyone will enjoy.

Could you use a little extra money each month? One way the renovated basement could help the family is converting the space into an efficiency apartment. Include a small kitchenette and a private bath. Remember that the tenant will also need a private entrance. You can obtain a for basement renovation that covers all these details and more. After the work is completed and you have a reliable tenant in place, that money can be set aside for everything from college educations to family holidays.

How about space where everyone can go to play their favorite games? The team at Penguin Basements in Ajax can come up with a design that includes space for pool tables, gaming machines, and even places for people to sit down and enjoy card or board games. Consider adding cabinets and a refrigerator to store snacks and beverages. Doing so means people won’t have to run upstairs if they want something to eat or drink.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a theater-like space set aside to watch movies or other media that you stream from a secure connection? The right renovation contractor can help you choose all the elements, including the seating and a screen that’s the perfect scale. A free estimate for basement renovation that covers wiring, finishing the walls, sealing the floors, and even securing the seats into position will demonstrate this conversion will be more affordable than many people think. Don’t forget to invest in a popcorn machine before you and your family settle in for the first viewing.

When weekend company comes, does it require people to give up their bedrooms? You can change that by converting the basement into a guest suite. Include a full bath in the planning and ensure there are plenty of outlets for phones, lighting, and other devices. Overhead lighting to go with the lamp light is also a good idea. Everyone will sleep better, no one has to give up their privacy, and your guests will be comfortable.

Why allow that basement to remain unused for another moment? Contact the team at Penguin Basements in Ajax and arrange for a contractor to inspect the space. Discuss ideas for how to convert it into the type of space you want and ask for a free estimate for each basement renovation idea you are considering. In a matter of weeks, the space will be ready for whatever you have in mind.

*We teamed up with  Penguin Basements Renovations (Basement Contractors) for this post. They can be found here: 

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Porch adds augmented reality tech to home improvement marketplace with Streem partnership – GeekWire

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Porch is using augmented reality technology to help homeowners connect with service professionals.

The Seattle-based startup is partnering with Portland-based Streem, which has developed an app that lets home service professionals quickly diagnose and quote a customer’s inquiry using augmented reality on a smartphone.

Streem lets a customer stream HD video of a given issue to a professional, who can then use a digital toolbox to take measurements and other notes. Computer vision technology can automatically detect the brand and model number of a part or appliance. Professionals can guide the conversation with a laser pointer and use arrows anchored to a 3D map of the space. The photos, videos, notes, and data stay saved on the app, which utilizes Apple’s ARKit.

Now the Streem app, previously available on an invite-only basis, will feature a Porch concierge that can collect information using Streem and then connect a homeowner with a professional in the Porch network.

Streem previously partnered with HomeAdvisor in October to help find service professionals. The company, which has raised $3.7 million, makes money by charging a monthly fee per professional that starts at $19. The service is free for consumers.

“Our goal is for the Porch assistant and pro to have as much insight as if they were in the room with the homeowner, but without all the scheduling and transit hassles,” Streem CEO Ryan Fink said in a statement. “Porch will use these insights to match customers with the right pro and ensure they have the correct crew, replacement parts and materials to do the work as efficiently as possible.”

Founded in 2013, Porch went through major layoffs in 2015 and 2016. But the company has bounced back and is growing faster than ever. It has helped facilitate more than two million projects in the last year.

Source

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/porch-adds-augmented-reality-tech-home-improvement-marketplace-streem-partnership/

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Home Improvement Projects That Will Last Long Periods Of Time

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Thinking of remodeling your home? Before you splurge on a finished basement or a new kitchen, make sure you choose a home improvement project that will add to your home’s lifetime value. Check out Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for projects with the highest ROI. Three home improvement projects we like:

Although adding a new roof isn’t as exciting as a major kitchen remodel or a new deck, this improvement can significantly improve the appearance of your home — and, it boasts a national average ROI of 71 percent, according to the Remodeling Magazine report. Champion Home Exteriors offers lifetime shingles with advanced protection technology. The special shingles are specially constructed with materials that cause less harm to the environment than traditional types, and the lifetime shingles offer superior protection to your home as well. Plus, Champion Home Exteriors offers shingles in a variety of colors, from modern gray shades to light tan tones, to perfectly complement your home’s style and its color.

Change Out Your Front Door

The door is the focal point of your home. It’s the first thing that guests and visitors see when they come to your house. Adding a new door to your home can significantly boost its curb appeal, too; in fact, if you’re planning to eventually sell your home, the Remodeling Magazine report found that a steel front door can recoup 101 percent of the project’s total cost when it comes time to sell.

However, if you plan to spend a little more time in your home and you’re not looking to sell, you can enjoy the perks of having a steel door. One example: Steel doors make your home more energy-efficient, Energy.gov reports. Most steel doors have a magnetic weatherstripping that seals up nicely when the door is closed, which can help to keep your energy use down. A steel door is also easily customizable, so if you decide to repaint your home a new color in the future, you can simply paint the door to complement the new exterior color.

Wood flooring can last up to a century. It’s classic and can fit a wide range of different styles and designs, from modern to historic homes. Keeping wood floors like new doesn’t take much work, either. A little elbow grease and the right cleaning solutions is all that it takes. By taking extra precaution you can preserve the floor’s integrity, too. Decorate with runners and rugs to and consider using soft felt covers on the legs of your furniture to keep them from scratching the wood floor. This addition can also increase the overall value of your property. If you’re looking to sell your home, buyers are attracted to this improvement. If not, 50 years from now, you can still be enjoying your wood floors.

Source

https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice/item/1017669-20180601-home-improvement-projects-that-will-last-long-periods-of-time?rtmpage=

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The Biggest Mistake I Made in My Kitchen Renovation

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About five years ago my husband and I bought an old, decrepit house, and renovated it top to bottom. (My whole renovation story is here, if you want to see!) Part of that renovation included adding on an open kitchen that we outfitted with a semi-custom IKEA kitchen.

I loved designing my kitchen from scratch, and we saved a ton of money by doing most of the design and work ourselves. But let me tell you — when you go the DIY route, you do run the risk of missing details that can make a big difference. Here’s the biggest (yet surprising) mistake we made.

The centerpiece of my kitchen is a huge island with an equally huge sink in the center. As a recipe developer and cookbook author, dishes are just a central fact of life; and in such an open kitchen with no place to hide, I wanted a large sink for the mess. I could drop plates out of view and sweep pots and pans out of the way.

So I bought an enormous single-bowl sink that’s nearly three feet by two (it’s a Silgranit sink from Blanco). It’s deep, wide, and surprisingly quiet. No clinking or clashing of dishes and pans against ceramic or stainless steel. And it cleans up beautifully.

The sink, in case you are wondering, was not the biggest mistake; I adore it! The surprising problem and giant mistake we made came next: the faucet.

I chose a sleek yet budget-friendly faucet that was modern and unobtrusive. But I got it all wrong: You guys, I bought a bar faucet, not a sink faucet with enough depth for my giant sink.

See, I bought a faucet I liked the look of, but I didn’t consider the size. I have a deep sink, and the faucet’s neck was fairly shallow, about 5 inches from front to back. This means that we had to lean quite far into the sink to get our hands under the water.

My sleek (and way too skinny) faucet.

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

Okay, boo-hoo, you may be thinking — what a nit-picky problem. Come on. Small potatoes! But this is where you’d be wrong. We spend hours every week doing dishes and as my husband and I are both short, we had to lean in too much. I would find my back aching almost immediately and after a half-hour of doing dishes the bad juju (ergonomically speaking) was pronounced.

It was also something that I just didn’t realize was even an option (a bar faucet? Oops?!) and wouldn’t have thought to look at the neck depth of a faucet. Matching a sink to a faucet is just one of those small yet significant details that mount up in a kitchen renovation — but it’s one that had surprisingly dramatic effects.

When to Consult a Kitchen Designer

I talked to Susan Serra, a kitchen designer whose work I have long admired for its aesthetics and livability, about this issue of teeny details in kitchen renovations. I was having some regret about not having my renovation looked over by someone with more knowledge and experience. “Here’s the thing,” Susan told me, “you do a kitchen once, maybe twice in your life. It has to be right.” True!

She explained something I didn’t realize when I was doing my own renovation, which is that a kitchen designer doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Many designers are offering more personalized services, customized to budget. “Kitchen design pros today offer a wide range of services, from hourly consultations to e-design to traditional full service kitchen design. Even if you’re spending $10,000 or less on your renovation, soup to nuts, why not hire a top kitchen specialist for an hour or two?”

Susan herself offers a very budget-friendly e-design consulting fee to look over plans and answer questions. I certainly wish I would have taken advantage of something like that to get the tiniest details right. As Susan said to me, “Spending a couple of hundred dollars, even just for a consultation, may equal 2% of your budget but the return can truly be life-enhancing.”

A much better faucet. Mistake fixed!

(Image credit: Faith Durand)

A Happy Ending for My Kitchen Mistake

I lived with my kitchen mistake for far too long. Between my slow realization that it was even problematic and then feeling uncertain what kind of faucet to fix the problem (and having two kids somewhere there in between!) we lived with this bad faucet for five years!

But finally this spring, we invested in a new faucet with a spray feature and the proper depth of neck: this one is almost double the depth of the bar faucet at 9 inches front to back. (Here’s the one we got — a sleek Grohe faucet at a very decent price.) It’s so much better and I can stand at my sink and do dishes without getting a sore back.

So, I hope you learn from my lessons: Giant sinks are the best; DIY design is lovely, but get some advice from a pro if you can; and always, always, do a little research on your beautiful modern faucets before installing them.

Source

https://www.thekitchn.com/the-biggest-mistake-i-made-in-my-kitchen-renovation-251798

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8 Things to Consider During Your Bathroom Renovation

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There’s no beating around the bush on this one: Bathroom renovations are tough—both mentally and financially. But there are ways to make the process as painless as possible! Lifestyle blogger Carrie Waller, of Dream Green DIY, spent several months working with her local Home Depot kitchen and bath center to refresh the dated bathroom in her mid-century home, and today she’s sharing eight of the main things she learned throughout the process.

8 Things to Consider During Your Bathroom Renovation

Since moving into our retro brick ranch three years ago, my husband and I have repainted walls, replaced light fixtures, rearranged rooms countless times, and just generally poured as much DIY love into the home as we knew how. When it came to our downstairs bathroom, though, we hit a wall—literally. Breaking into drywall and ripping out tile is something neither one of us has experience with, but that’s exactly the type of treatment our dated bathroom needed.

The Bathroom Before Updating

First, a refresher. If you’re just tuning in to our renovation story, here’s a quick tour of the space as it looked when we moved in, and (embarrassingly enough) two years later. Judging by the dated fixtures and finishes, we assume that this bathroom was added on to our 1960s home sometime in the ’80s or ’90s, and hadn’t seen an update since then.

As you may remember, we spent one weekend swapping out a few key accents—things like the towel bars, drawer hardware, and sink faucet—but we left the shower as is because a full renovation hadn’t been in the budget. Fast forward six months, though, and we were ready to get serious about making over our bathroom to last for the next few decades. Scroll on for a list of the eight things we kept in mind (and learned!) throughout the process of our retro reno project.

1: Build on the Original Footprint

If, like us, you just don’t have the time or budget to completely gut your dated bathroom and start from scratch, the best thing to do is build on the original footprint. Instead of making our shower bigger, for example, we limited the renovation to the existing measurements of the old stall. This meant that we could avoid disturbing the wood flooring around the shower, and we saved on demo costs, too.

We also decided to keep the sink vanity as is since the wood surround and drawers were still in great shape. A brand new granite countertop with an updated curved shape helped give the vanity a new look without having to tear into the walls and floor.

2: Start with a Neutral Base

Let’s face it: home design trends change and evolve constantly, so do your best to think beyond the here and now when working on a bathroom renovation. In order to achieve a look that would stand the test of time, we chose neutral colors and finishes for all of the built-in surfaces so that they would feel fresh for decades to come.

I removed the dated wallpaper in the bathroom, and then repainted the walls and ceiling a matching soft white. The stone countertop around the sink was also chosen specifically for its neutral white and gray pattern.

3: Add Pops of Color

With that neutral light and bright foundation set, I made sure to add in a few fun pops of color with the accents. Things like bold abstract framed art and a vintage Turkish rug help give the mostly-white room a bit of extra texture and personality. For your own space, consider small, removable ways to bring in those hits of pattern and color so that you can easily swap them out as your taste evolves—no power tools required!

4: Replace Drywall with Glass

The original shower stall in our bathroom was largely surrounded by drywall, with a frosted plastic door on one side. This made the shower experience nearly pitch-black since the drywall blocked the only overhead light in the room. It just wasn’t working. So, when it came time to renovate, we opted for a glass surround to let as much light in as possible. The new glassed-in shower now feels twice as big even though it’s the same size as the original stall.

5: Choose High Contrast Tile

With so much of our renovation centered on neutral colors, I needed to make sure that I got a little playful with my tile combinations to avoid a flat look in the end. So, I chose two super high contrast options for our shower in order to give the room a bit of drama. Black penny tile on the floor grounds the look, while white satin finish square tiles on the walls and ceiling give the illusion of height. A funky black accent tile in the shower niche (that I already had from an old project) is a fun focal point for the room, and really pops against the light wall tile.

6: Mix Metals for Fun

Resist the urge to think that all of your metals have to match in a bathroom renovation. For the most part, we used a classic brushed nickel finish throughout, but a funky black metal mirror helps draw the eye and also makes the black tile in the shower make sense with the rest of the room. The gold vanity light fixture is another cool metallic focal point that might have been lost had we simply matched it to the brushed nickel fixtures everywhere else.

7: Stick with ‘Sleek’ in a Small Space

You might think that you need to play homage to your love for traditional or ornate design on every surface when you renovate, but elaborate isn’t always best—especially in a small space.

Instead, consider sleek, streamlined fixtures and finishes (think: faucet, towel bars, drawer hardware, the shower door handle, tub fixtures, etc.) so that they don’t end up looking busy all together in a tight space. Later on you can indulge your love for traditional design in things like the art you hang and the vanity accessories you put out.

8: Reduce and Reuse

Finally, don’t forget to put a little thought into things like your soap pumps and shampoo and conditioner bottles. It might seem a little fussy to search around for the perfect reusable bottles, but these items can easily steal the show in a small, open bathroom like this one.

Using a fun DIY tutorial as my inspiration, I purchased plastic amber bottles from a local supply store, and added white vinyl letters to the bottles so that we could differentiate between shampoo and conditioner. I also used a neutral white and wood-tone soap dispenser on the vanity, which can be refilled as needed. Since you can see all three bottles right when you walk into the room, I feel like it was well worth the extra time to make sure they fit within the design of the room itself.

Source

http://blog.homedepot.com/8-things-consider-bathroom-renovation/

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http://ivedi.preceptiv.co/estimate-cost-of-kitchen-renovation/