If you’re planning to hang pendant lights on a vaulted or sloped ceiling, you have come to the right place. We absolutely love tall ceilings, and vaulted or sloped ceilings can make a space look bright and open while also allowing some great opportunities for drama in a home. While the tall ceilings make a great statement, they can also bring more complications when…

When it comes to construction projects, having the right floor protection for surfaces is incredibly important. Covering flooring can help to reduce anxiety of having a variety of people through your space and the mess that often comes with any home remodel project. There are numerous times during construction when flooring protection is essential but…

While shopping for hardware for my own home I realized that mixed metal cabinet knobs and pulls aren’t the easiest to come by! As someone who gets a specific design idea in my mind and then wants to make it happen, I was on a search for two tone cabinet hardware that would be the perfect fit for my vision. See, I had always had a dream of having green cabinetry in my home and it just so happened that I found the perfect place to use that beautiful color. Of course green pairs so beautifully with the warm tones of brass and gold…

I think DIY closet systems are one of the best gifts we have received from the organization gods! We have tried out many DIY closet systems over the years when working on home remodels, new builds, and creating new spaces for clients. After designing and installing different closet layouts with different client’s needs in mind, we have a few favorites that we found to be functional, practical, attractive and cost-effective. Whether you’re designing a small closet, a walk-in closet, or a closet that takes up a whole room - if you’re anything like me, you like to have control over your the design for your space. You want to plan…

On the hunt for completely unique bar sinks to complete the design of your wet bar? We made an impulse decision to add a wet bar to our second level family room while in the process of building our home. It was the right time to do it, but because it was made as a last minute add-on, the decision for the layout had to be made quickly and I rushed to throw together a basic design. After that moment I had time to then start dreaming up the specifics of the bar, and instantly began the search for a unique wet bar sink to…

In the past some may have turned up their nose to the idea of bathroom fans with lights when planning a remodel. Today, with the amount of options available it is easy to find quiet and attractive fan and light combinations for any bathroom. Especially when it comes to remodeling smaller bathrooms, having a bath fan/light combination is a popular choice among our clients. It is a budget-friendly and functional choice that can brighten up their space without adding…

When shopping for your new bathroom, have you considered choosing a bathroom vanity with an integrated outlet? Choosing this style of vanity has been a trend we have seen over the last few years. Having the ability to plug items into an built-in electrical outlet within the vanity itself is a practical way for people to save space in tight or older bathrooms. It has been especially popular for women with multiple hair tools because…

Creating a beautiful and functional kitchen can be effortlessly achieved with the addition of the right bridge kitchen faucet with a sprayer. Often thought of for their charming classic design, bridge faucets continue to surprise as they become available in more diverse designs ranging from traditional and country, to more modern and contemporary styles. Bridge kitchen faucets get their name from their appearance - the a metal pipe connecting the hot and cold handles to the central spout…

A 48” long (or smaller) soaking tub could be the perfect solution to get the most out of your small bathroom. Believe me, we know all about working to make small spaces more functional! We recently were faced with a predicament that involved not only tight space but also a tight budget. The client currently had a bathtub and shower combo that was standard size, and that meant that the space for the toilet was so small it…

Welcome to my list of the best retrofit farmhouse sinks for your kitchen refresh or remodel project. This post has been a work in progress for quite some time now. Ever since I learned about the benefits of retrofit sinks I have been collecting this list my favorites to share with my clients. I love that retrofit farmhouse sinks can help you achieve a completely new look in your kitchen without having to…

It’s a fact - utility sinks can be the perfect functional addition to any laundry room! Growing up, I was a bit of a tomboy mixed with an aspiring artist. I loved to get dirty and create things with my hands - making a mess never really concerned me. Lucky for me, cleaning up my artistic experiments was a lot easier because I was able to take advantage of the large utility sink in our laundry room. Like so many things we…

I am here to tell you - you can absolutely find inexpensive farmhouse kitchen sinks that are high quality and extremely beautiful - no cheap quality sinks here! Over the last few years farmhouse kitchen sinks have gone to the top of our client’s “must-have” list and although it is a priority, that doesn’t mean they want to prioritize a huge chunk of the budget to just that one item. Just five years ago, finding a less expensive option of a decent farmhouse sink seemed…

It may feel like you have to search through endless options of shower stall kits to find the best one for your bathroom refresh or remodel. Believe me - I know the feeling! Each bathroom has a unique layout, size and configuration and finding the right shower stall kits to fit is really…

If you want to turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa retreat then you need to know about alcove soaking tubs! Adding a soaking tub to your bathroom is a great way to create a relaxing and functional space you will be excited to use. Alcove style bathtubs are the most common style of tubs that we see in homes in our area. If you have one in your home…

In our experience the Delta In2ition Shower Head is a combo that is right up there with many other excellent combinations of things. Peanut butter and jelly, a cold drink on a hot day... I think you get the idea! The truth is, as builders and remodelers we…

Our list of the best ducted and ductless under cabinet range hoods to add style and function to your kitchen.

Finding the best linear shower drain for your bathroom can seem like a tricky task. We know this all to well, as we have seen a big increase in the use of linear drains for both residential and commercial projects over the past few years. The practical streamlined style and the increased function…

We love recommending Kraus farmhouse kitchen sinks to our clients. In fact, we have installed Kraus sinks in over 80% of all the remodels we have completed. Our obsession with Kraus sinks started years ago when we were first purchasing homes to remodel and…

If you’re looking for the best workstation sinks out there, you have come to the right place! We have always been fans of workstation sinks for the added function they bring to a kitchen. Every inch of space makes a difference in a kitchen and these…

Is an in-shower foot rest on your wish list for your perfect shower? If your answer is yes, you’re definitely not alone! Recently we have noticed more clients requesting to add foot rests into their shower designs which inspired us to look more the options available for them to consider. An In-shower foot rest is one small thing that can make a huge difference in the comfort and enjoyment of using a shower because…

If you’re currently remodeling and thinking about soffits, you’re probably wondering whether the soffits be painted the ceiling color or the wall color. We hear our clients ask this question all the time and that’s exactly why we knew we needed to bring the discussion here. Soffits are part of so many homes. They can be used as a decorative feature in certain places, but their practical purpose is typically to hide mechanicals, beams, and other necessary items that impact the function of your home. When clients ask us what color their soffits should be, our answer…

Got a basement stairway with limited lighting, low ceilings and tight spaces? We have some ideas that might help cure your basement lighting woes. Over the years we have seen it all when it comes to basements. Especially when it comes to older homes, most basements were never planned to actually be finished spaces. They were thought of as a place for storage and maybe laundry - not a spot to invest much time or money. For that reason they can often feel like an afterthought or a disregarded part of the home, which makes for an unpleasant experience when trying to use it for everyday purposes or even finish it into extra living space. Low headroom and tight staircases…

If you’re ready to find ways to get rid of your popcorn ceilings, you’re not alone. When working with clients, one thing we almost always hear is that they want to say goodbye to this bumpy ceiling texture for good. With so much dislike for popcorn ceilings, we have a few go-to options we can offer to revamp the ceilings while updating the look…

Sometimes it is the small details in a remodel - like choosing your cap molding for a tile wainscoting in your bathroom - that can feel the hardest! I can personally attest to this very fact as I was planning my own bathroom design. Choosing the floor and wall tile was a breeze because I have a love for herringbone and always knew I would do that on the floors. The natural choice for the bathroom’s tile wainscoting was a subway tile, in this case a large format subway tile…

When planning home improvements, knowing your potential for return on the investment can often inform your decision. This is especially true if you plan to sell within the next 5-10 years, as certain improvements can show to pay off in a big way. As a savvy homeowner, you want numbers, as those educate your final decision about which projects to spend on and where you can save. In order to…

If you’re looking for creative design inspiration to give you bathtub tile ideas, you have come to the right place! Planning a bathroom remodel has so many moving parts, and choosing tile can be one of the most fun to do! Tiling a bathtub surround can really set the tone for the look of a bathroom. Tile around the tub has the ability to create a bold statement, a clean contemporary feel, or really anything that you can dream up for your bathroom design! With so many possibilities for tile designs, it might be…

If you’re someone who likes to have options, then a dual mount kitchen sink should be added to your “must-have” list for your kitchen remodel. When remodeling, there are so many different options that you have available to you. Many of our clients start out with a big vision for their projects, and as we get down to the…

Are you thinking about remodeling your 5’ x 8’ bathroom and in need of layout ideas? We are here to help! Planning a bathroom remodel means searching for the best layouts and designs to create your dream space. One of my favorite parts of every project is the design. It is when you can dream up all the possibilities for your space. Even in small bathrooms with limited…

Would you believe it if I told you that adding glass shower doors to your tub could completely transform the look of your bathroom? Swapping out an old shower rod and curtain for glass doors on your tub really can make a world of difference in the overall …

If you’re looking to find a the right size and design for the most functional corner kitchen sink for your home, we can relate. We have noticed when remodeling homes, many from the 1960’s and 1970’s specifically, that corner kitchen sinks often seemed to be a popular choice. Although it might not be the first place we would choose to put a sink now, for remodeling client’s not looking to move the location of their sink, either because…

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, you probably already know that kitchen faucets with a pull-down sprayer are a kitchen’s new best friend! It isn’t surprising when you consider how practical it is to have a sprayer connected to the faucet. Gone are the days where you have a separate sprayer hose on…

Choosing the right french door handles be a tricky task. The configuration of french doors adds some complexity to installing door handles, especially when you need them to lock. When trying to choose the right french door handle set configuration…

Reducing dust and debris in the air can make a big difference in your overall experience during a remodel. Especially when you’re still living in the space, it can be difficult to come home and find every surface covered in a layer of dust. Demolition of a…

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, you might be overwhelmed with all the details. We get it! That is exactly why we have pulled together all of the best information and resources in one place to help you plan your dream kitchen…

If remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, basement, or even your whole home has been on your mind, what has been holding you back? For many people the sticking point is the cost. Believe it or not, there is a way to save thousands on your home remodel, and it doesn’t have anything to do using cheaper materials or compromising on what you want…

If you’re looking for the best ways to estimate the cost of your home remodel online, you have come to the right place! Without picking up the phone or meeting with a contractor, you can easily find average costs for home projects to begin estimating your remodel…

I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying: “You don’t know what you don’t know”. That statement couldn’t ring more true to me than when I consider the purchase of my first home. It was 12 years ago, I was moving back to Minnesota from California and I wanted to find somewhere in one weekend. I had been renting and …

Here in Minnesota, like so many areas in the country, we have really felt the impact of the housing shortage. People hoping to find their first home are struggling to find options within their budget, and many looking for their second homes were seeing a lack of affordable options…

Repeat after me: Preparation is key! If you have ever remodeled your home before, you will agree that remodeling is definitely a learning experience. We say this with humility as we have had our fair share of difficult learning experiences along the way with our own projects! If you’re considering a home remodel, your excitement to pick tile or flooring may sometimes have you missing important…

If you are considering taking on a home remodel, there are most likely a thousand questions rolling around in your mind. We know these thoughts all too well! We see anxiety and feelings of overwhelm all the time when we first meet with clients. And you know what? It isn’t surprising! Taking on a large time and financial commitment is something that should be…

Have you heard about the importance of a temporary kitchen? If you’re planning a kitchen remodel and wondering how you will feed yourself and your family during those hectic (and messy) months, then you have come to the right place. Kitchens are one of the favorite places to gather in a home. We entertain, catch up after a long day, and…

It’s no secret that we love enameled woodwork in the homes we built and remodel. I like to think of myself as a realist. I know we all want to keep our homes perfectly clean and plan to be careful in how we navigate our space. I also know that realistically we all have dirty hands at times, forget to remove our shoes, or accidentally bump into walls. With white woodwork being so popular, it can be easier to see the imperfections…

If you’re currently in the process of planning a bathroom remodel, I’m guessing adding a freestanding tub and faucet is one of the first things on your mind. That isn’t surprising, as we have seen a rising trend over the last few years of clients having a freestanding tub at the top of their “must-have” list. Actually, right now I am lucky enough to be in the process…

Linear drains have been at the forefront of our minds a lot recently. Although linear drains have often been used in commercial settings, their application was previously more limited in typical home remodels. Recently we have noticed a…

With a little preparation and good communication you can help ensure you get an accurate estimate from contractors for your home remodel. One thing all people have in common when requesting an estimate for a project is knowing they want something to be different. The difference between people is that some know more clearly than others what exactly that will look like. Doing a little preparation…

What is the best material for your kitchen sink? Below we discuss the basics of what you need to know about the pros and cons of the most common materials we see our client's choose for their kitchen sinks.

Single Basin or Double Basin sink? We discuss the pros and cons of each kitchen sink option to help you choose the best one for your kitchen.

You need a new sink, I get it. The old one just isn't working out anymore. There's not enough room, its scratched or stained, it just doesn't match the "look" of the kitchen you dream about and it's time to say goodbye. Now you have started down a path where the options feel endless and you need a little guidance. You are ….

If you’re planning to add a deck to your backyard entertaining space, you’re probably wondering which material choice will offer the most budget-friendly and durable long-term result. As the weather begins to warm up it is natural to start dreaming of summer days spent outside and barbecues with friends and family. In Minnesota, we take advantage of every minute of the nice weather when we have it! We all want to extend our living space outside……