by Craftsman Design | Jun 24, 2013
Here in the Pacific NW, we are all about going green. From the addition of a compost bin to the trash route in NE Portland to the Farmers Markets throughout Portland, most of us want to be as green and shop as locally as possible. We cherish the earth and would like it to be lush and beautiful for our children, our children’s children, their children and so on down the line.
With this in mind, we thought we’d provide some green remodeling tips for those DIY remodelers out there and for those hiring professional remodelers who are concerned about green practices.
Reuse old wainscoting, molding, trim, door knobs, etc. Even if you have completely changed a room around, you can reuse old materials from the original space. This does the double duty of being green and preserving the flavor and consistency of the home.
Recycle by using recycled timber, going to estate sales for decorations, visit second-hand stores or use family heirlooms for art, furniture, and more. There is so much to find. Once you’ve bought or found pieces you love, you can update them or feature them in your home. For example: reupholster that old love seat, feature your grandmother’s rocking chair by the fireplace, or hang that amazing chandelier as the final touch to your dining room.
Go local and utilize local antique shops, Saturday Market, and more for decorations, vintage pieces and more. You can also visit locally-owned hardware stores to get materials for your project – and use local nurseries to buy plants for your yard or home.
Use nontoxic paint and materials during your remodel or even when you’re just sprucing things up for the new season.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at our past projects at www.craftsman.com or contact us today. We are a locally owned company here in Portland and our team can help you with of your remodeling needs – from design to build!
by Craftsman Design | Jun 5, 2013
Summer is the time when kids come home from college, out-of-town friends visit, and family stays the night. Having a fresh space for your guests to rest can keep them feeling welcome and happy, and allow you to still use the rest of your home for entertaining or relaxation. Here are some ideas that you can use to make your guest room open and inviting for all who come to visit.
Paint it a summery color
A brightly colored room or accent wall can make the space welcoming and restful for your guests. You can tie the room in with the rest of the house by with bold throw rugs or placing freshly-cut summer flowers around your home that match the new color of your guest room.
Change the beds
Your guest room should feel comfortable and spacious. Too often we see a room taken up by one giant bed. Get creative and install built-in bunk beds or change out the queen bed for two twin-sized beds. Another fun idea is to have a daybed or install a hide-away bed that pulls out of the wall. These all give the guest room more space – and allows you to use the room for other purposes when you have no guests visiting.
Make sure there is storage space
No one wants to live out of a suitcase. Be sure to give your guests the option to unpack with built-in storage spaces, closet space, and your own unique furniture. Don’t forget to give your guests a place to hang up their towel or bathrobe, and a drawer of extra blankets in case the Portland night gets chilly.
Accent the space with something unique
Just because your friends and family are staying with you doesn’t mean your guest room should be as impersonal as a hotel room. They want to be a part of your life and your family. So, be sure to decorate your guest room with unique finds, a bright blanket, family photos, and other pieces that tie the room in with the rest of your home.
Use art and your neighborhood for inspiration
Walk the neighborhood, go to first or last Thursday, consider your favorite accents in your home and use them to brighten your guest room. For example, you can pull in the molding used throughout your house, will painting the walls the color of Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom at Arles”.
These are just some idea for greeting your guests with a welcoming room that fits your and their needs. If you don’t have the space for a guest room, consider giving us a call. We can take you from design through the build of any remodeling project you are considering. Go to www.craftsmandesign.com for more information or to contact us.
by Craftsman Design | Jun 4, 2013
Summer is rapidly approaching! This is often the time of year for impromptu gatherings at home with friends and family, and for enjoying the warm outdoors. How do you make your home feel inviting yet pulled together for those last minute guests? Here are some ideas:
Brighten up your dining room
Summertime dining can get very hot when done in the confining walls of your home. Instead of a stuffy space with a ceiling fan going or the AC blasting, consider redoing your dining room to include French windows, a bright skylight, or additional window space.
Another idea is to open up your kitchen for those informal meals. Removing a half wall from your kitchen and adding a table insert and some stools can give you a breakfast bar for a buffet, pot luck, or a family bake off.
Expand your Kitchen
Speaking of kitchens, older homes often have cramped, small kitchens. These space can cut the cook off of all the fun happening within the rest of the house or even outdoors. Ensuring your kitchen has a bright, open feeling is important for the cook to feel included in the family or group activities.
Expanding your kitchen space by including a larger window, replacing a wall with an island, or even making an adjacent area into a common room can help those in the kitchen feel included – and include others in their otherwise lonely tasks.
Think of Yourself
Many people think only of common spaces when it comes to a remodel. But what about your own private space? You spend at least a third of your life in your bedroom – why not splurge on this room and make it relaxing? What about your bathroom? Why not add his and her sinks, a jacuzzi tub, or any other amenity you have dreamed about? Be sure to keep your private spaces in mind when considering a remodel.
Focus on your Entry
There are those that say your first impression is the most important. What is the first impression your home makes when a person walks in the front door? Is there a landing space for keys and coats, or is it cluttered? Does it feel enclosed and cramped, or is it open and bright? Finally, and most importantly, how does the person proceed from this space? Are they barging through the kitchen – or does it take them to a common room? Your front entry can help set your, your family’s, and your guest’s moods when they first enter your home.
For more information on remodeling, ideas on remodeling and information about our past projects, go to www.craftsman.com. Our design/build team can help you with all of these considerations and more.
