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A well-designed kitchen is like a musical composition. Just as a well-crafted song needs the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and form to be pleasing, a well-crafted kitchen needs important elements that determine the function and beauty of the finished space. Adequate spacing between island and perimeter cabinets, thoughtful placement of appliances for efficiency in cooking and traffic patterns, handy access to frequently used utensils, ample convenient storage, and more all contribute to a kitchen’s successful joy of use.

Here is an example of a thoughtfully designed Wood Wise kitchen that brings these elements together:

These homeowners had a nice porch with a popular vinyl enclosure system. The problem? It was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter to be the place where they wanted to hang out.

Wood Wise transformed the porch into a beautiful, conditioned sunroom with insulation, large Pella windows, and a mini-split heating and cooling system. A better grilling deck was also added along with updated steps down to the backyard. Now the homeowners spend time enjoying the room and the clearer view to their backyard more, whether reading, entertaining, or watching TV.

Gatherings with family and friends during the holidays seem to always center around food. Having a kitchen that is efficient and conveniently arranged can make all the difference.

These homeowners wanted an improved space to accommodate more people comfortably than just the cook. By removing the wall to the dining room, the kitchen is now larger and more inviting. An improved traffic pattern and a large island help create an inviting place. Ample storage space is provided by Waypoint Cabinets and a large walk-in pantry.

When pollen time arrives, the yellow coating makes it a challenge to enjoy our outdoor spaces. The solution for these homeowners was to change their rarely used screened porch into a sunroom. They can now enjoy their backyard through large windows that keep out the pollen. Large format floor tile and a decorative vaulted ceiling contribute to the fresh look and feel of the room. A Mitsubishi mini-split keeps the temperature just right year round.

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Giving back to the community has always been important to Hank Wall, Wood Wise’s founder and president. Yesterday’s Career Day at Martin Middle School was the perfect way to invest in the next generation. Eighth grade students asked questions about design and construction careers, as well as learning about owning and running a business. With construction being one of the largest industries in our country, we hope some of these bright students will choose the exciting world of building.

A couple of warm days and we are ready for spring! And spring makes us think of ways to be outside. What better way to enjoy outdoor living than to relax in these great spaces that Wood Wise and the homeowners have created: an open deck off the master bedroom, a screened porch off the living room with 16’ sliders, and another open deck with room for grilling. A crushed stone patio adds another way for these homeowners to experience the beauty of the season. Inviting walkways connect all these spaces from the backyard, as well as providing a closer look at the flowers and plants.

As you look around your home, what improvements have you been wanting to do? The new year is a great time to get those projects started. It might be finally getting the kitchen renovation you have been dreaming about, adding a first-floor bedroom, or creating a better layout for your first floor. Whatever it is, Wood Wise can help you bring it into reality.

Wood Wise creates several design options that provide solutions to the problem areas. You then have our best ideas and can combine them with how you live to land on the winning final floor. Our construction team brings the best carpenters and the finest subcontractors in the area to get the job done of highest quality.

Get started today by giving us a call at 919 783 9330 or emailing [email protected] to find out how we can help you enjoy your home more.

Making all the selections for a remodeling project can be overwhelming – unless you choose Wood Wise for your project. Our lead designer Kathy walks with you through the selections process step-by-step, turning what could be a stressful experience into an easy one. Just like she did for our homeowners Mark and Diane Byrd shown here, Kathy makes appointments in the area showrooms for countertops, plumbing fixtures, tile, and more, accompanying and helping you make these decisions. She gets to know your tastes and preferences to guide you towards the best choices. You can feel confident making these important decisions with a professional designer who brings extensive knowledge and experience to the process.

Remodeling and adding on have given this traditional two story  home a whole new personality. Transforming the existing small closed-off rooms into open inviting spaces brings the home into today’s style of living. Widening the opening between the breakfast nook and the kitchen is a relatively small change with big paybacks. The homeowners are now enjoying a nicer sightline, better traffic flow, and more light.

With unique shapes, more colors, and interesting textures, today’s tile choices are wider than ever for remodeling your home. These tiles give you new opportunities to individualize your home’s style statement.

When helping our Wood Wise homeowners make selections, I accompany them to area showrooms to help guide them in their design. Here are some of the latest tile trends:

• Moroccan handcrafted-look tiles offer subtle color variations tile-to-tile for unique backsplashes, floors, and walls.
• Thick (¾”) exterior pavers are perfect to create beautiful patios and outdoor living areas plus they are made to stand up in harsh weather and heavy traffic.
• Large format tiles (24”x 48”) are especially dramatic on bathtub walls, or in a large shower -anywhere the beauty of the pattern can be appreciated.
• Checkerboard patterns with marble using dark gray or black with white, often with large squares from 12”, 18”, to 24”, are both contemporary and classic.