A Round and Around Home Renovation / HAMS and, Studio

Many homeowners focus on major renovations like kitchen and bathroom remodels, or adding new spaces, when looking to enhance their homes. However, there are numerous smaller, often overlooked improvements that can significantly boost a home's value and aesthetic appeal. These renovations are beneficial whether the goal is to prepare a home for sale or simply to upgrade a living space for personal enjoyment. One such renovation involves prioritizing open-concept design. While some might question its relevance, Kristin Hintlian, co-owner of Bonsai Builders, a high-end residential contractor, affirms its enduring value. Instead of wholesale demolition, the focus should be on selectively opening up spaces that are functionally and aesthetically suitable, particularly kitchen, living, and dining areas. Removing a wall between living and dining spaces, for example, can enhance natural light flow and create a more inviting, spacious atmosphere. This approach is not universal; older homes might benefit from preserving defined spaces to maintain their original character. Nevertheless, considering this for homes on the market can be a strategic move. Landscaping is another frequently underestimated renovation. Excellent landscaping can increase a home’s value by as much as 10%. Beyond financial returns, a well-landscaped property improves curb appeal and creates an inviting outdoor living area, effectively extending the interior space. While professional landscaping can be highly valuable, homeowners can also undertake DIY projects for personal enjoyment, provided the work is executed well to maximize monetary value. Replacing countertops offers an effective way to refresh a kitchen without the expense of a full remodel. Hintlian recommends granite due to its heat resistance and durability against scratches and stains, making it a wise investment for both long-term use and resale value. Although the initial cost may be higher than alternatives like laminate, granite elevates the kitchen's functionality and aesthetics, ultimately proving to be a worthwhile upgrade. Staircases, despite being central visual features, are often neglected during renovations. There are various ways to upgrade them, such as updating stair treads, replacing railings, repainting, decorating risers with wallpaper or tile, adding a stair runner, or incorporating artwork. Hintlian notes that these upgrades can significantly modernize a home's interior without requiring major structural changes. Finally, swapping out light fixtures is a simple yet impactful upgrade. Replacing outdated or builder-grade fixtures can drastically improve a home's value and ambiance. Additionally, installing new light fixtures in areas with insufficient lighting, particularly in older homes, can make spaces feel brighter and more expansive. Adding overhead lights, pot lights, sconces, or table lamps can transform a dark room. This renovation is relatively quick and easy, especially with professional help, offering fast and effective results. #HomeRenovations #HomeImprovement #HomeValue #OpenConceptDesign #Landscaping #KitchenUpgrades #CountertopReplacement #StaircaseRenovation #LightingUpgrades #InteriorDesign #ContractorTips

The article details a home renovation project on the Main Line, specifically in Penn Valley, undertaken by boutique design firm Remy Creative, founded by Randi Edelman. The homeowners, a couple with three school-aged children, sought to remake their space after living in the house for several years. The project involved a significant addition designed by Jack Burns Architecture, which introduced a new kitchen, family room, and butler’s pantry. Concurrently, the existing layout was reconfigured to provide separate bedrooms for the two daughters. Randi Edelman was tasked with integrating these new and reimagined spaces, bringing a cohesive design vision to the entire home. Edelman describes the homeowners' aesthetic as a blend of streamlined design with boho and edgy elements. This is reflected in the use of natural accents and materials to introduce softness, contrasted with intentional pops of color and pattern, such as modern art and bold wallpapers in specific areas like bathrooms. The overall design approach aimed for a calm ambiance, while allowing for more adventurous choices in select spaces. Edelman highlights that the addition significantly improved the home's functionality and provided individual spaces for each family member, while existing elements were refreshed to align with the new design. Edelman's design philosophy, characterized as "chill-meets-cheeky," is a distinctive feature of her work. She transitioned into interior design during the pandemic after a career in events, hospitality, and fashion, and has since completed nearly 70 projects, largely through word-of-mouth referrals. Her growing reputation in the area is evident, with her wallpaper hanger jokingly referring to a particular street as “Randi Street” due to her numerous projects there. The article provides specific examples of how this design approach was applied in various rooms. In the family room, two full walls of windows, new oak floors, built-ins, and a black granite fireplace create a central gathering space. A Samsung Frame TV, which functions as art when not in use, serves as a focal point. The kitchen design benefited from the new built-in bar and butler’s pantry, which offered ample storage, reducing the need for extensive cabinetry in the main kitchen area. This allowed the quartz backsplash and countertops, sourced from Cambria in King of Prussia, to be the dominant feature, minimizing visual clutter. The renovation also extended to the children's bedrooms. Although redecorating the son's room was not initially planned, Edelman incorporated his interests by designing a space around his love for sports, particularly basketball, and his preferred colors. This included art found on Etsy and locker-themed side tables from Novogratz. For one of the daughters' bedrooms, existing wallpaper was retained, and the space was updated with a macramé chandelier and rattan lamps, creating a sweet yet mature aesthetic. The project, titled “Habitat: Big Little Moments,” was featured in the April 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #MainLineLiving #RemyCreative #RandiEdelman #FamilyHome #ModernBoho #JackBurnsArchitecture #DesignTrends

This article highlights various home renovation projects where designers successfully transformed problematic spaces into functional and aesthetically pleasing areas. Each case study presents a unique challenge and a tailored solution, offering insights into effective interior design strategies. The first project addresses a cramped kitchen in a 1969 raised ranch/split level. The homeowners, who both enjoy cooking and entertaining, found their original kitchen lacked space, functionality, and adequate lighting. The solution involved a complete gut renovation, maintaining the kitchen's original width but extending its depth by 16 feet and adding a 9-foot covered porch. The layout was reconfigured with an island replacing a peninsula, creating distinct functional zones and ample space for multiple cooks. The design incorporated classic yet unique elements, showcasing the homeowners' art collection and drawing color inspiration from the outdoors, resulting in a functional, artistic, and timeless space. The second renovation tackles a dated 1980s bathroom. Characterized by green-and-white tile, gold fixtures, a traditional cherry vanity with a green marble top, and a large, unused corner Whirlpool tub, the bathroom also suffered from insufficient storage and excessive grout lines that detracted from the overall aesthetic. The objective was to modernize the space without clashing with the home's traditional style. The designers removed the soffits to enhance ceiling height and replaced the Whirlpool tub with a soaking tub positioned to face a private backyard. Large 24-by-24 glossy tiles were installed horizontally on the walls to balance the room and reduce grout, while a dark, raised-panel vanity provided storage and a contemporary contrast. A third project focuses on a contemporary Pittsford home where the kitchen was isolated and the living spaces were awkwardly configured, despite ample square footage. The main issue was a lack of connectivity and inefficient use of space. The designer undertook a radical approach, gutting the entire main living area and raising the ceiling from 8 to 9 feet. The kitchen's location was shifted to create a well-proportioned living room, and a previously sunken family room was raised to the same level, forming a mudroom. This rearrangement, without adding any new square footage, resulted in an open-concept floor plan that better suited the homeowner's lifestyle. The fourth set of challenges involves a historic 1835 farmhouse. The first problem was a small, 88-square-foot bathroom shared by a family of four, featuring a large Whirlpool tub that consumed valuable space and made traffic flow difficult. The renovation aimed for a farmhouse-appropriate aesthetic while maximizing space. The solution involved removing a small window, eliminating the tub, and building a large shower where the window once was. Light colors, such as off-white ship lap and bead board, along with tile planks resembling bleached wood, were used to create a spacious feel. Custom mahogany vanities provided much-needed storage. The second problem with the farmhouse was its architecturally unbalanced exterior and a confusing, indirect main entry. A two-story, 400-square-foot addition was designed to balance the house and create a clear, welcoming entry from the driveway, complete with a copper roof and period fixtures. The interior entry was designed with a double-height ceiling and materials like distressed ship lap and hexagonal tiles to maintain the rustic aesthetic, while also incorporating ample storage. Finally, a 1978 contemporary home in Webster had an isolated kitchen tucked behind a wall, disconnected from the main living areas. Additionally, the homeowners faced a unique challenge with low doorways, particularly problematic for one homeowner who is 6 feet, 10 inches tall. The solution involved gutting the kitchen and back hallway, reconfiguring the mudroom, laundry room, and kitchen. The popcorn ceiling was replaced, and windows were relocated to optimize the appliance layout. An L-shaped kitchen design allowed for multiple work areas. Crucially, without adding square footage, the remodel connected the kitchen to a usable family room, transforming the home's flow and family life, and raising the doorways to accommodate the tall homeowner. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #KitchenRemodel #BathroomRenovation #SpaceOptimization #OpenConcept #FarmhouseDesign #ContemporaryHome