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“More light!” is a request we continue to hear from homeowners remodeling their kitchens. Hank and Kathy have several tools they use in their designs to provide better lighting: Recessed lights are the #1 tool used to increase the lighting and are spaced out to cover the whole area. Under-cabinet Xenon puck or strip lights are fully dimmable and give warm lighting to work areas. Island lighting can include pendants, chandeliers, or other kinds of decorative lights. Solar-tubes and skylights bring in natural light. Enlarging windows or adding transoms over existing windows can dramatically improve the lighting. Removing the wall…

Remodeling, especially kitchen remodeling, is a lot of work. That reality became real for me this spring. Setting up a temporary kitchen required moving the refrigerator and microwave along with setting up shelving, prep table and kitchen essentials away from dust and work areas. Plus, cleaning out every drawer and cabinet kept me up late and moving furniture was physically tiring. My role at Wood Wise, helping all our clients with showroom selections, took away the uncertainty about how to do it, but the “big decision” mental drama in making so many key selections felt stressful. Now that my kitchen…

Remodeling contractors have it better now than new home builders since interior remodeling requires less of scarce, expensive lumber. However, shortages of essential materials and busy subcontractors have reduced our schedulling efficiency. For years, we had it easy and took it all for granted. Isn’t that how it is? Despite the new challenges and cost increases, Triangle area property values are likely to continue increasing with FUJIFILM and APPLE bringing more high-paying jobs. Your house is worth more than it was two years ago. Remodeling your home is a great investment, likely to make your life better right away. My…

Sometimes you just know it when you find your “forever” home. This family of five knew they had found theirs: a nice house that has the wonderful combination of a desirable location and a big child-friendly yard. The house was well-built but needed modifications to work better with their lifestyle. Wood Wise helped the homeowners with changes that improve all areas of their lives. At the heart of this first floor renovation, the kitchen has been enlarged and given a new more convenient layout. New KraftMaid cabinets, tile backsplash, and granite countertops are beautiful and easy upkeep. The dining room…

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…

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…

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.