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1980’s two-story homes abound in Raleigh. This popular design generally features 4 main rooms on the first floor (living room, dining room, family room, and kitchen) and 4 bedrooms upstairs. However, the individual first floor rooms are often closed off and have narrow doorways that create traffic jams. Today’s families are looking for more relaxed living with the kitchen and living areas open to accommodate an active lifestyle and casual entertaining. These North Ridge homeowners of a “four over four” two-story came to Wood Wise desiring to open up their downstairs. WW designer Kathy Walker created several options for them…

How does Wood Wise’s design phase work? WW designer Kathy Walker has refined this essential part a good remodeling project and taken it to a new level of ease for the homeowner. Regardless of whether the clients are wanting a new kitchen, master suite, or outdoor living area, the same steps are taken to develop the winning design. After the free first meeting, homeowners move to the next step which is the design phase. A careful measure of the home along with photos are taken back to the office to create an “as built” plan. From the “as built,” three…

What are you missing most during this time of sheltering in place? Going to a restaurant? Leisurely shopping? Even things that seemed challenging like the morning rush out the door sound appealing right now. When the busy times return of getting lunches ready, breakfast for children, gathering books and belongings, and jumping in the car, an organized “drop zone” will make everyone’s schedule go smoother and easier. Don’t have one? Wood Wise will be happy to carve out that place in your home while updating your kitchen or other living areas. Check out these great mudroom entries that have organized…

In the Wake county and state of North Carolina shelter-in-place directive, both commercial and residential construction are exempt. Wood Wise Design & Remodeling continues to work designing new projects and renovating clients’ homes. Precautions are taken for the safety of our homeowners and our employees. Our design clients are enjoying the advantages of staying at home but being able to see exciting design options through the power of virtual meetings. Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker is using this tool effectively so that homeowners can hone in on the final layout while they have time to think and talk. Once a…

Six months ago, no one could have imagined we would all be social distancing and staying at home. Normal life with jobs and school has never looked so good. We will eventually get back to regular life with family and friends gathering to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and relationships. Wood Wise understands the importance of home and how its condition, layout, and aesthetics can affect your enjoyment of life. Over and over our homeowners tell us how remodeling their kitchen, adding that porch, or building that addition has changed their lives for the better. Their only regret was not doing it…

The laundry room, one of the most used areas in the home, is usually neglected and poorly planned. When homeowners come to Wood Wise for kitchen renovations, the laundry is often included in the design-build remodel. Eliminating small laundry “closets” and creating new laundry rooms are popular for their efficiency and appeal. This beautiful “after” laundry room is a contrast to the “before” laundry closet that was crowded and unattractive. The new space has sturdy porcelain tile, increased cabinet storage, and a large countertop for folding clothes. This most used area of the home is now fresh and ready to…

Today’s style of living calls for rooms to be open and connected. Older kitchens often suffer from narrow doorways and are isolated from family and guests. This was true for these North Raleigh homeowners who called Wood Wise to help make their home more open and inviting. WW designer Kathy Walker developed several options for them to consider. The winning layout involved widening the doorway from the foyer/dining room and removing the partial wall to the family room. The new large island has the cooktop and seating for the family. Freshly updated and open, this home is ready for today’s…

Rethinking the layout of a home is a specialty of Wood Wise. Many factors are considered to develop the design options we present to our homeowners. In this home renovation, relocating the laundry room made the most sense to create a better flow from the kitchen to the family room. Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker creatively took part of the large garage and turned it into a highly functional space. This side entry room now provides space for crafts, laundry, cubbies, and lots of storage.  

  It may not feel like spring outside. But this weekend inside the Raleigh Convention Center , spring will be everywhere. The Downtown Raleigh Home Show is putting on its best with remodelers, home improvement companies, landscapers, and other home service companies all ready to help you with your home projects. Fresh ideas will abound for upping your most used rooms and spaces. Wood Wise will be there to show “before” and “after” makeovers of area homes along with answering questions about our easy remodeling process. Stop by and let us help you take the first step towards that dream…

Older homes we see are often tight on space. But this’70s built home had large rooms. So, what was the problem? The rooms were separated and isolated as is typical of homes built during that time. The new owners with young children desired an open floorplan that is more family-friendly. Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker developed three design options for the homeowners to consider. The winning design moved the laundry room and powder to allow for a better flow from kitchen to family room. The large island has seating for the whole family as well as lots of food prep…