Dwelling Renovations, LLC.

Awards

2009 WRA Wisconsin Remodelers Silver Award

Click here to view before and after photos.

After completion a of their recent kitchen remodel, the homeowner wanted to match the aesthetics of the simple and clean interventions and modern minimalistic architecture of their kitchen. The question was which of 2 bathrooms would they remodel first, this question was easily answered by the news that the birth of their first child was in the near future.

The main concern of the homeowner was solving the dark, tight and compartmentalized feel the existing bathroom had, along with the fact that this bathroom was outdated and in need of a facelift. The bathroom was is need of a complete gut down to existing framing. Soffits and the existing linen closet framing were also removed. All walls and ceilings were plumbed and leveled to perfection to create a seamless drywall and tile installation The floor was floated with concrete mudset to create a perfectly level and straight plane for tile installation .A new window was installed and replaced the frosted glass window which was a poor source of natural light. All rough electrical and plumbing was updated and brought up to code.

The homeowners vision started with the focal point of the bathroom, which for them was the counter top, because of the golden bamboo color of the granite counter top. After finding this granite slab remnant which was left over from a recent restaurant remodel in the Milwaukee area, this amazing piece of stone gave the homeowners their inspiration to make their final selections, being floor and wall tile and the natural maple vanity.

A natural stained custom vanity was constructed, which was built to float off the floor 10 inches to help give the impression of more floor area and also to create their vision of modern and minimalistic aesthetics. An undermount Kohler sink was chosen over a vessel sink to complete the vision of the countertop being the bathrooms focal point. Biscuit colored subway tile was installed in the tub surround creating a minimalistic feel , while creating nostalgic aesthetics and never ending charm.

Charcoal colored recycled porcelain floor tile was chosen to contrast with the vanity, countertop and subway tiled tub surround . A Schluter brand chrome metal edge was installed on top of the porcelain base tile, this gesture resulted in a very modern touch to this earth friendly floor, while solving the problem of an unfinished edge created when the floor tile was fabricated to create the base tile.

Custom made maple shelves were installed in the open shelf niche area, which replaced a closet. To be consistent the shelves, were stained in a natural finish to match the vanity.

Because of the natural light created by the new window, lighting was limited to a can light in the tub area and a 48 inch fluorescent wall sconce mounted directly over the custom frameless mirror, resulting in a very bright and cheerful bathroom.

"Conclusion" With the minimalistic design of the bathroom, expression of materials and millwork detailing was extremely important to meet the needs and concerns of the client. This process led way to a bright, modern and well functioning bathroom, while matching the aesthetics of the simple and clean interventions and modern minimalistic architecture of their home and newly remodeled kitchen.

2009 WRA Wisconsin Remodelers Silver Award

Click here to view before and after photos.

With a client who was a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, earth friendly products, reading and creating crafts resulted in the need to convert an unfinished attic into a 2nd floor loft area for these hobbies. The homeowner also had resale in mind, the space had to meet a codes to be considered a bedroom.

The existing attic was an unfinished and unheated space with 2 old inefficient windows at each end. The existing floor joist were 2x8's and were structural sound for a floor load, but the was an 9'-0" section that was sitting on a non bearing wall below. The problem was solved by adding a LVL structural beam flush in the floor. The entire floor area was covered with 3/4" plywood sub-flooring. Icynene Insulation was added to the existing 2x6 rafters to ensure R-38 insulations values without the need of reducing the already low to begin with ceiling and rafter heights and eliminating the need for roof venting. 2 new Marvin windows were added at each end in the existing window locations, this still created a natural light code issue. 2 skylights that fit between the existing rafter cavities were added in lieu of changing the window sizes or reframing the roof, per homeowners request. Ceiling joists were added at 7'-2" to create a flat spot for lighting and to help create a collar tie to strengthen the roof for future snow loads. All rafters had to be furred down to create a straight plane for drywall, because of bowed existing framing. All non bearing knee walls, closet and bookcase niche were framed. The area was then wired to code and per homeowners lighting locations. HVAC supply and return lines were added to this space through the chimney chase and ran into the back of the knee walls.. An exhaust fan was added in the ceiling to help with minimal natural ventilation . The entire space was drywalled and sprayed.

Finish carpentry is where the homeowner brought her ideas to create her dream loft area. With the homeowner being a fan of earth friendly products, bamboo flooring manufactured in Sweden was supplied and installed , the unique part of the flooring is free of VOC emitting formaldehyde glue. Custom moldings were made to match the profile of the 1st floor level and stained to match by owner. Bi-fold doors and shelves were installed in the closet. A cabinet and bookcase were installed in the 2 niches.

The homeowners love of Frank Lloyd Wright inspired her design of the balcony railing system and small bench niche adjacent to the staircase, this bench also created a great space to put one of the heat supply runs. The newel posts are wrapped with maple 1x stock and capped off with copper caps custom made by the owners brother.
Along with the great natural lighting, 5 well placed wall sconces, can lights and ceiling fan help to light this artsy space. The homeowner adds her final touches to this amazing loft area by putting a organic wallpaper to the walls of the room to complete her dream space.

"Conclusion" With lower ceilings due to the existing footprint and other existing conditions expression of materials and millwork detailing was extremely important to meet the concerns of both the client and the building codes. The process lead way to a bright and earth friendly loft space that the owner can relax with a book or work on arts and crafts, while having the peace of mind that her concerns were considered and met without compromising her vision of a 3rd bedroom for resale and her own personal needs.

2008 WRA Wisconsin Remodelers

Gold Award

Click here to view before and after photos.

The main concern of our clients was to change their cold and stark white bathroom into a modern yet era friendly bathroom. The other concern of the client was a short time frame for the work to be completed. This was the only shower in the house and with family arriving in four weeks the project had to be well planned out.

The home was built in the early 1900’s Thus we focused on staying in the design frame but allowing for modern touches that wouldn’t necessary take away from the décor. With the era of the house the designer recommended a stark white subway tile. However to incorporate their modern flair the homeowners determined a Carrara marble subway tile would fulfill both needs. The floor consisted of the same Carrara marble but in a basket weave pattern. To warm up the space the carpet that covered the cold tile was removed along with the old mud set floor. This gave way to installing a in floor electric heat system. The old tile wainscot was removed as well as the fiberglass shower insert.

An old line closet gave room for a new oversized shampoo niche in the shower with enough space left over for a small cabinet and open shelving in the bathroom area. The basket weave floor flows seamlessly into the shower ensuring that all grout lines matched. A frameless glass shower door allows the new tile wall work to wrap into the shower making the shower and extension of the main bathroom area.

With the project finished right on schedule ready for family, the homeowners were ecstatic. We were able to keep the architectural style consistent with the house yet still allow for modern upgrades. Overall with thorough planning, high quality upgrades, and a new remarkable shower we were able to exceed the homeowner’s expectations. The bathroom has added new life to the home with its refreshing appearance, impressive features, and notable craftsmanship.

2008 WRA Wisconsin Remodelers

Bronze Award

Click here to view before and after photos.

The main concern of our client was the tightness and compartmentalization of their kitchen. They wanted to open up the space and create a new lightened, focal point of their home. Now to incorporate these key factors into our design we explored ideas that would allow for more natural lighting, create a clean and “light” aura, and generate a more open and inviting space.

The original house was built in the 1950’s, so it was important to compliment the home’s aesthetic through simple and clean interventions. With the original kitchen located on the north perimeter wall, opening up the edges of the kitchen through larger windows and passage ways provided a great opportunity to gain views both out to the street and through the great room to the backyard. This was helpful in creating more natural lighting as well as opening up the area. A laundry room and its adjacent walls were removed and replaced with base cabinets in the galley kitchen layout. Which, in turn, provided a strong gesture to help make the kitchen feel large and open, as well as help emphasize the novelty of picture windows at the work surface.

The upper cabinetswere eliminated from the kitchen to keep the space from feeling heavy and cluttered. Yet full height pantry cabinets with white glass doors balance out on the opposite side of the kitchen while also providing enough storage for the entire kitchen and more, since a dining room closet was removed. To further emphasize the idea of “clean and simple” push latches were installed on cabinet doors, creating a wall of glass without the redundancy of door pulls , and because of weight concerns stainless steel pulls were substituted for the push latches on the soft close drawers.

The Glacier white Corian countertop was designed to turn down and become the end panels of the island/bar presenting a clean surface that is visible upon entry.

With the minimal design of the kitchen, expression of materials and millwork detailing was extremely important. The sink cabinet cantilevers above the floor, providing for natural light from the full height window to filter through to the stone floor below. To allow this gesture to be clean and simple, the mocha colored base cabinets with Glacier white Corian counter tops are pulled away from the wall and an aluminum backsplash flush with the backside of the cabinet creates a clean edge while providing the spill protection necessary for a kitchen. This did create a code issue but was solved by creating an outlet niche in the front sink apron. Also an air admittance valve was installed to resolve the issue of venting the kitchen sink. Overall with a newly large open space, sleek cabinetry lines, increased natural lighting, and unique innovative designs we were able to capture the homeowner’s vision and make it reality.

The kitchen is truly the new focal point of the home with its high quality craftsmanship, minimalist looking design, and open, inviting warmth.

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