by Craftsman Design | May 20, 2013
Summertime is coming, and the weather is warming up. Living in the Pacific NW, this means that the showers are shorter, the sun is out longer, and everyone wants to be able to enjoy their yards. Here are some ideas on how to enjoy your yard, while avoiding the spring and summer showers:
Convert your tool shed
Many houses have a little tool shed in the back. Instead of hiding it from guests, make it a welcoming place from which to entertain and enjoy your yard.
Install a pavillion
Creating a yard which fits you and your personality is a part of having the home of your dreams. Enjoying this space from an enclosed – yet outdoor space can be exactly what you need. A backyard pavillion is an open, roofed space where you can gather with friends and family to enjoy the kids playing on the lawn – or sit back and watch the rain fall.
Cover or enclose your patio/porch
A front porch or back patio are great places to sit back and enjoy being outside. Getting this space covered or enclosed allows you to enjoy them in all seasons. You can have great backyard barbecues any time of year, or you can sit hot tea and read a good book in your front porch.
Add a gathering place
Making your yard more accessible to your friends and family adds to your ability to enjoy the space. Adding a gazebo, arbor, trellis, firepit, outdoor fireplace or other gathering spot to your yard will create a place for you to enjoy being outside, without leaving home.
No matter how much you do to create the perfect indoor space – there will be times when you want to get outside and enjoy the beauty of a rainfall or barbecue in the sunshine. A backyard retreat might end up being your favorite place to gather your friends and family.
Take a look at one of our favorite backyard retreat projects here: www.craftsman.com
by Craftsman Design | May 5, 2013
The “Do it Yourself” movement has become extremely popular. This is likely due to the amount of information available all over the internet. So, when is it right to “Do it yourself” – or call a professional? Here are some questions you should ask yourself to discover this:
First of all, how extensive is your remodel?
If you plan on adding on to your home or tearing out/replacing walls, you should take a look at your skill set and see if it would be better to hire a professional. Trying to change the structure of your home yourself could be hazardous and could end up giving your home a look you didn’t want.
However, if you are doing something small, like painting a room, changing the furniture, or even installing storage spaces, a DIY project might just do the trick.
Do you understand the layout that would work best?
Your home’s current layout may not work for your needs. But do you know what layout you want? Does the new layout you are considering cover all of your needs? When it comes to something like this, it could be best to consult with a professional.
Does your home need historic restoration?
When it comes to older homes, certain pieces may need restoration to capture the time period in which it was built. Additionally, if the home is a landmark of any kind, or registered as a historic home, there are restrictions on what you can do with it. Hiring a company that understands these restrictions or a company that can tie in the old with the new seamlessly may be your best bet in creating the space you are looking for.
What does your skill set include?
If you are a licensed contractor, with the experience and understanding necessary for a major remodel, approaching it from a DIY point of view might work out well. However, if this would be a weekend job for you, and you are looking to add a room, change where the walls are in your home, or do any kind of really major construction, you should consider hiring a professional.
DIY can be great fun when it comes to small projects, but do not reach too far out of your skill set. Adding an entire room, or knocking down a wall to open your kitchen up should be done by professionals who understand how much structural use that wall may be within your home.
For more information on remodeling, ideas on remodeling and data about our past projects, go to www.craftsman.com. We are happy to help you with any project you cannot tackle on your own.
