Blog

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…

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.

Here’s a kitchen makeover that will make you stop and take notice. The existing kitchen, dark and dreary, appeared to be stuck. WW designer Kathy Walker offered several design options for the homeowners to consider. They chose a final layout that includes moving the door to the garage and relocating the half bathroom, creating room for more cabinets and appliance location options. A large curved island provides plenty of space for food prep plus seating for four. Think your kitchen has limited potential for a new layout? Call Wood Wise today to see the creative design solutions we can create…

We are just winding up a full kitchen renovation inside the Raleigh beltline. The previous homeowner added a laundry in the family room which was unsightly and noisy. Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker found a less conspicuous laundry location and turned the vacated space into a wet bar. Now this beautiful area not only keeps beverages handy but the glassed Waypoint cabinets and tile backsplash add great style.  

“Your profile includes some of the most glowing reviews on Houzz in 2020”  We are celebrating the award of “Best of Houzz Service 2021!” This recognition, given by the Houzz community, is based on sterling customer service marked by our 5-star reviews. A big thank you to our homeowners for choosing us to improve their homes and sharing their good experiences. It’s a privilege to work with them. Being recognized for good work is gratifying. We look forward to providing our homeowners with superior remodeling services.

All it takes is a call to Wood Wise to get started on transforming your kitchen from tired to gorgeous. That’s what these North Ridge homeowners did. One phone call to our office led to a first visit which led to a design agreement with beautiful design options and the final fixed-price contract for the construction. It’s that easy. Give us a call at (919) 783-9330 to get started.