Blog

One of the great joys for us is to see one of our remodeling projects finished and being enjoyed by the homeowners. Yesterday we saw this freshly renovated Cary kitchen that went from crowded to convenient. The new island is fabulous, featuring a farm table on one side for dining and excellent storage on the other. The homeowners are now enjoying daily life more – preparing meals and cleaning up is so much easier – and having friends over often.

Does September get you thinking about autumn, the holidays, and cooler temps? Wise homeowners take care of their homes as seasons change. The items you address now can make your life more comfortable later. Here are some ways to get your home ready for winter: • Check gutters & downspouts: Standing water in debris-filled gutters can affect roofs and siding, causing rot and leaks. Clean them yourself if you can do so safely or call Triangle Exterior Solutions (252 885 2575) for help. • Replace furnace filters: Clean filters can help your heating system run more efficiently and make the…

Small houses, even tiny houses, are gaining support. This older home had too many walls and a terrible floor plan so it was small but desperate for a fresh look and a smarter layout. Wood Wise was called in by the homeowners to do the design and remodel. Long sight lines and new doors now allow the home to feel larger than it is. These homeowners are enjoying an award-winning home that has been recognized by the Remodeling Council as the Best Whole House Renovation $100,000-$200,000.                            …

What a great night at the 2017 STAR Awards last night! Similar to the Academy Awards, the STAR awards presents winning local professionals with Gold in various categories. The competition is tough. Wood Wise walked away with three gold winners: Best Porch, Best Room Renovation, and Best Whole House Renovation. We’re excited! Thanks to all our great homeowners for trusting Wood Wise with their home renovations.                        

Like many Raleigh homes this home had a rarely used front office/living room which became part of the enlarged living room. Walls to the oversized foyer were taken down so the entire lower level left side is new and open. Custom cabinetry accommodates the big TV and this room offers ample seating for a family with three boys.                                         

A bad kitchen makes life difficult. The traffic patterns were awkward and kid’s backpacks and shoes were strewn along the long hallway with no convenient storage place. The small island was inadequate for cooking and storage. This project added 8 feet across the rear, both to increase the kitchen’s size and also to bring in natural light with a skylight. Now the kitchen has a generous pantry, large island, nice lighting, smart floor plan and great storage. Shoes and backpacks are out of sight and all together. Improved lighting with dimmers plus a new skylight make cooking, dining and all…

Well thought-out details make the difference on this recently finished Wood Wise porch. The homeowners collected ideas for years before turning to Wood Wise to bring it all together in a winning design. The paneled stained ceiling, stone wall, and new stationary and working French doors are just some of the elements that give this screened porch a feeling of royalty.

Storage is always near the top of the wish list for our homeowners. Having a nice closet with designated places for specific items makes organizing easy. This closet features drawers, cabinets, and shelves that keep clothing, shoes, and jewelry neat and orderly, which makes coordinating outfits for the day a breeze.

  When updating your kitchen, the question of what flooring to use comes up. Most people want hardwoods in the rest of the house but the kitchen poses a dilemma. Hardwood or tile? Here are some characteristics of both materials to consider: Tile: Hardwood: Pros: • Durable • Easy to clean • Light color options Cons: • Hard on legs/feet • Cold in winter • Subject to cracking Laminate:: • Not recommended despite the lower cost Pros: • Elegant and authentic • Warm in sock feet • Comfortable for standing • Polyurethane finish is water-resistant Cons: • Water leaks can…

We love working with our homeowners to improve their homes. Three beautiful kitchens and a spa-worthy bathroom are among our latest projects. Check them out in these photos taken by Stuart Jones Photography. (Click on photos to enlarge)