Author: w00dWisE12

Creating a unified kitchen and living area ranks high on most homeowners’ remodeling project lists. Widening existing doors or completely removing walls are popular for bringing in more light and allow for better traffic flow.

Prior to a full renovation, the existing kitchen of this home was isolated from the living area. Wood Wise removed two walls and created a new layout. KraftMaid cabinets, granite countertops, and improved lighting now improve not only the kitchen but the opened up dining and living areas.

With the beautiful spring like we have been enjoying this year, most of us want better ways to enjoy being outside at home. These homeowners had a beautiful backyard but had not made the most of it. So they contacted Wood Wise to design and build a combination of outdoor spaces. The multi-level deck is now accessible from different rooms in the house. Better steps that are more easily navigated lead to a small patio and on to a larger one. Gently curved stone walls define the patio and also provide plenty of seating for larger groups. The pond rounds out the experience with the soothing sound of water.

The old patio did not add enjoyment to this family. It was either too hot, too cold, or wet, and was a catchall for leaves and debris. With the design-build help of Wood Wise, the new screened porch creates a space that can now be enjoyed year round. With lots of natural and recessed lighting, the space is bright and inviting. The fireplace and floor are natural stone. The grilling patio is located conveniently off the porch and features the same stone floor. An arbor adds character and provides a visual connector to the garage.

New is not always better. But in this case, it definitely is. New shower, new floor, new lighting, new vanity, new plumbing fixtures – and the list goes on. Removing the rarely used tub makes way for a window seat with storage under the window. Space is gained for an enlarged shower that features a half wall and easy to clean frameless shower glass. This much used room is now an inspiring place for the beginning and end of each day.

Islands top the list of most-wanted improvements in a Wood Wise kitchen renovation. Careful planning is essential to make this centerpiece both look good and serve well. Will it include the sink or cooktop? Will there be cabinet doors or drawers for convenient storage and organization? How about the color: match the perimeter cabinet color or a contrasting stain or paint? Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker has carefully designed hundreds of islands to fit each homeowner’s specific need.

This large 2-tiered island features seating for seven. The lower level sink keeps the view tidy from the living room. The back side of the island is custom fitted with a raised dishwasher for easy-on-the-back loading and unloading.A mix of KraftMaid cabinet doors and drawers provide efficient access to most used utensils, with the microwave conveniently placed at the other end.

Opening up a room can have a great visual impact as well as improve functionality. This dining room was closed off to the living room which blocked the view of the golf course. Opening up with the partial wall expands the feel of the dining room while preserving its distinctive purpose.  The divider wall is topped with slate.  The decorative support column adds to the clean look.  Best of all, the beautiful views of the golf course can now be enjoyed while dining.

Relocating an opening or door can sometimes lead to the perfect kitchen arrangement. In this full kitchen remodel, the placement of the door and pass-through opening was changed to allow for a better traffic flow and more cabinets. KraftMaid shaker-style cabinets in cherry are a warm backdrop to the handcrafted porcelain tile backsplash and granite countertops. The farm-style sink is the perfect choice for this inviting kitchen.

During the design phase of a remodeling project, we provide drawings of possible layout ideas. In the case of an addition or outdoor living area, we also include 3-D drawings in SketchUp. The SketchUp drawings allow the homeowners to see what the addition will look like from the exterior. Being able to view the roofline and how the addition ties into the house from the side or rear is helpful for careful planning.

These homeowners wanted a new screened porch. Here is the Sketch-Up of the proposed addition. Stay tuned to see the “after” photos. Coming soon!

Hank and Kathy are the designers for Wood Wise. They make a great team, each bringing a different perspective and experienced set of eyes to every design project. Homeowners always get the best of their ideas that are gleaned from their many years of remodeling area homes. Although they look pretty serious in this photo, they have a congenial and enthusiastic working relationship which shows in the quality of their award-winning designs.

When our homeowners are planning their new master suites, a large closet (or two!) is usually near the top of the wish list. Whether reconfiguring an existing space or building an addition, great emphasis is given to planning well-organized closets. Wood Wise carpenters build custom rods for hanging clothes, durable wood shelving for cubbies, shoe storage and display, as well as providing any other storage needs the clients may have. The results are always a delight to use.

Here are some sample closets from our projects, built for real people needing organization and convenience.