Author: w00dWisE12

Home remodeling has never been an easy line of work. Making homes better involves demolition, dust, and disruption – often while families are living in the home. For the past two years, all aspects of remodeling have been further challenged, with supply chain issues, materials shortages, and long delays on windows and cabinets.

Prior to the pandemic, cabinet deliveries arrived like clockwork four weeks after the order was placed. Delivery times are currently 16 to 18 weeks out. Delays during construction are painful for homeowners living in a work zone, and difficult for professional remodeling contractors eager to “get ‘er done.” 

Ironically, after the year of staying home in 2020, more homeowners than ever are emailing and calling to make home improvements. It is still a huge lifestyle upgrade to get to live in the remodeled version of your home.

Wood Wise is working hard to accommodate the increase in demand while giving each client the careful attention our homeowners deserve. Patience and flexibility are essential to work through the design of a project to the construction completion. Enjoying life at home is the goal, and is worth it still, despite new hurdles and delayed completion times.

October 2-3 are the dates for this year’s Remodelers Home Tour. There will be five beautiful homes open for in-person visits and even more homes to be toured virtually. Either way you do it, plan on taking the tour! Remodeling is hotter than ever and there’s lots to see in the area’s most recently improved homes by the top remodeling companies.

Wood Wise is celebrating because we have two gorgeous homes that will be on tour. And we are double celebrating because one of our project photos made the cover of the tour magazine!

Here’s a peek:

Although this house appears to be set in the mountains, it is actually in the heart of Raleigh. It now has a screened porch perfectly suited to the woodland setting. The gable portion of the roof allows for the vaulted ceiling over the sitting area. The shed roof gives a gentle slope over the dining area. The tongue-in-groove clear pine ceiling adds to the rustic warmth. From quiet nights watching TV to dining and entertaining guests, this outdoor living space has the feel of a vacation getaway.

The North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance provides compassion, support, and resources for individuals with DS and their families. Wood Wise’s good friend, client, and marketing specialist, Jeff Lineberry of Lineberry Marketing Consultants, is currently serving on the NCDSA board so this cause is near to our hearts. Wood Wise is happy to help sponsor the 2021 Buddy Walk to bring awareness to the great work that is being done and still needs to be done for our DS friends and their families.

Click here to see how you can help:

https://www.ds-stride.org/trianglebuddywalk

A new family room addition made room for a kitchen expansion. Now a large island is the center of action. Finished on one end with bookshelves, there is also room on the island for a sink and seating for the family. The KraftMaid Shaker-style cabinets are white on the perimeter and gray on the island. Plenty of recessed lights keep the interior kitchen bright. Freshly finished hardwood floors provide the perfect contrast to the painted finishes.

A well-designed fireplace can take a porch to the next level. Location, material, and design determine the impact on the room. Stone is the favorite material choice for Wood Wise homeowners. Hearths are optional: the look is usually more contemporary without one. The TV is often placed above the firebox, taking advantage of the central location.

The fireplace is the focal point that gives warmth during the colder months while providing beauty year round.

Special thought was given to guests in this hall bathroom makeover. During a first-floor renovation, this homeowner wanted to change the look of this bathroom from traditional to more contemporary. The tub surround now has large vertical tile with Asian-themed decorative tile as the central feature. The new KraftMaid vanity with the simple Shaker-style doors is topped with granite with lots of movement and a rectangle sink. The contemporary style transformation continues with the frameless glass shower doors and lack of molding around the transom window, giving it a cleaner look. The result is a spa-like experience for any guest who is fortunate to use this dressed-up room.

Making the most of existing space has always been a goal in the Wood Wise design process. These homeowners had ample square footage in their home but it was chopped up into small rooms with poor traffic flow. The new design opens up the dining room at the front of the house to the kitchen in the back, making the most of their golf course views. The new traffic pattern from the family room to the garage goes through the kitchen but bypasses the busy kitchen workspace. Floor to ceiling pantry cabinets double the amount of storage from the old pantry and are more convenient. The large island provides seating for meals and homework as well as being the center for entertaining.

A popular kitchen cabinet configuration in the ’70s was to hang cabinets over a peninsula, interrupting the sight-line. This, along with other bothersome issues, was addressed during a much-needed Raleigh kitchen remodel.  WW designer Kathy Walker redesigned the layout to give a long sight-line from one side of the house to the other. The new design makes the kitchen feel and look larger. KraftMaid cabinets provide increased storage. Castors make the island “mobile.”

Homeowners planning to remodel their home value a friend’s or co-worker’s referral to a good company.  Knowing someone who has had a successful experience working with an experienced remodeler instills confidence that the next project will also be done well. Our past clients have been quick to recommend us to their friends, family, and co-workers along with writing great reviews. Wood Wise is pleased that many of our new clients come to us this way.

Don’t know any of our past clients? On our free first visit to your home, we provide a six page list of over 35 past clients’ contact information with descriptions of their projects. We encourage homeowners inquiring about us to call them and find out firsthand what it is like to work with Wood Wise. Here are some of our past clients’ most recent comments:

“From start to finish, the process was transparent and trustworthy.”

“Excellent company to work with.”