As the heart of the home, the kitchen is arguably the most-loved and used room in the house. When it looks outdated or the traffic flow becomes inefficient, most homeowners choose to remodel. Traditionally, the process includes pricing cabinetry, choosing the flooring and picking out the perfect appliances.

More and more homeowners, however, are looking at ways to update the kitchen and remodel in a green way. It makes sense: Not only can you choose green kitchen materials, but you also have the chance to up your home’s energy efficiency with new appliances. Cathy at Olio United chose to make green remodeling a priority in her kitchen re-do.

Here’s how it looked before and after:

Beautiful! One of the best parts is that Cathy chose to support local business. Her tile is from Portland-based Stardust Glass and she used Ecohaus and Canopy Home, also local businesses, to find sustainable materials.

If you are considering remodeling your kitchen, and want to go green, check out Green Home Guide’s Tips for Efficient Kitchen Space. There are some things you can do to make your kitchen remodel efficient, energy and otherwise:

• Think about what you really need, not what advertising tells you that you need.
• Not only do lighter-colored cabinets and counter tops make the kitchen feel spacious, they also lessen the need for more lighting, saving electricity.
• Don’t forget the windows! Daylight is a free light source, and it also helps to make the kitchen feel larger.

Happy remodeling!

Photos courtesy of Olio United.

This classic San Francisco row house was transformed from an old, drab house into a light-filled modern home by Jonathan Feldman of Feldman Architecture in San Francisco. The goal was to transform the confined feeling of the house into an airy, spacious place to live.

In order to do this, Feldman had to make some changes, including moving the living spaces to the top floor, where the light is best. Almost all walls that could be removed were, to create a more open floor plan. Windows were added along the length of the house to let daylight flood in.

The owners of the house wanted to take advantage of the renovation to make the house as green as possible. A solar-powered radiant heat system, a large photo-volatic roof array and recycled materials for insulation, flooring, cabinets and countertops were added. Marvin’s double-paned clad casements and Ultimate Double Hungs with Low E II coatings also help Pierce House be energy-efficient. To add even more “green-ness” Feldman used a portion of the upper floor for a roof top garden.

Pierce House is now a true San Francisco treat! For more information, visit the myMarvin Architect’s Challenge page.

Major renovations can strain domestic relations; here are four steps to keep the union happy

My friends Mike and Judy are, to me, the ideal couple for tackling home renovation. They’re ambitious, able to focus on the goal rather than griping about the gathering heap of rubble around them, and eager to pitch in together to do some of the work themselves. As a result, their house looks great, but what is most remarkable is that they actually seem to thrive on the projects they undertake.

Not everyone is so well suited to living through construction projects, of course. Mention “home renovation” to the average divorce lawyer, for instance, and a knowing smile will reveal everything they know about the havoc that these projects can create — not just to the home but to the family that lives there.

Too often we focus on the pretty pictures in the magazine that we want for ourselves and forget that the process of achieving it can be a long slog through the construction wilderness. There are delays as well as cost overruns. And that mess! Even with the neatest contractors working in your home, you’ll find yourself sweeping plaster dust and sawdust night after night, and wondering if things wouldn’t have been better off left unrenovated.

Despite the difficulties, I believe there are four essential steps that can help minimize the impact of any construction project. They have served me (and my wife, Mary Beth) well through more 50 renovation projects of our own.

Know what you’re getting into. Let’s say you want a new kitchen. Sounds simple, right? Most people flip through some magazines to choose cabinets and backsplashes, and consider their work done. But take a close look at what the kitchen renovation will involve: weeks and perhaps even months of a ripped up room in the center of your home. How will you cook and get everyone ready in the morning? Where will you store food, or feed the dog, or leave refrigerator messages? If you answer these questions in advance, and make a plan to handle them, you’ll be better prepared to weather the renovation storm. In this case, building a temporary kitchen in another part of the house to sustain you through the renovation may be the best solution.

Plan your finances in advance. Mess and inconvenience are bad enough, but when an extra digit suddenly appears in the running total, that’s when things become even worse. Finances rank as one of the top causes of family discord, as everyone knows first-hand, but these can become even more extreme when combined with renovations. The result can be a project that either grows or consumes the entire family budget or a project that is left in a perpetual state of non-completion because there’s no money to pay for it. The way to avoid this is to create a real budget for the project, based on numbers a contractor tells you and not numbers that you dream up yourself. Then, add 15 to 20 percent as a buffer against any cost overruns.

Choose the right contractor. This is probably the single most important component to a successful renovation, as well as domestic harmony. Too often, the choice is based on cost alone. And while everyone likes a bargain — especially me — the problem is that a poor contractor will most likely cause additional problems, such as delays, shoddy workmanship, and cost overruns. Instead, ask friends and family for recommendations, visit a few places the contractor has worked on, and be prepared to pay — and to wait — for the right workers.

Create a safe haven. This is a place where nothing is being touched. An oasis from the storm, a place where you can enter free of dust and debris and with a door to close. During one renovation of a home, our master bedroom was completed and the rest of the house was torn apart. Many a morning would come when my wife did not want to go through that door. Trust me; it works to keep everyone’s sanity in check.

A renovation can be a great experience, and by following these steps you can help guarantee that when it’s over your house-as well as your family life-will be a thing of beauty.

Photo courtesy of jaygoldman via Flickr

The Home Know-It-All, a site that covers all things home improvement, recently published a piece full of advice for anyone looking to save some money on a remodel or renovation project by acting as your own general contractor.

Highlights from the post:

Do your homework.
Study up and be prepared. Know what lies ahead…

Expect the unexpected.
…but understand that you’ll never be able to prepare for every potential hurdle. How will you deal with obstacles?

Find experienced subcontractors.
Just because you’re overseeing the project doesn’t mean you’re doing every bit of the work.

Get help.
General contractors cost money, but they bring experience to the table. If you’re new to the game, don’t shy away from helpful resources that can make your life a lot easier.

Of course, that’s just an overview of the advice. Be sure to check out the original post, and follow the links there for even more tips and advice.

Photo courtesy of jreed on Flickr

Two of our friends over at do-it-yourself home-improvement community Curbly.com — the DIY Maven and Mod Home Ec Teacher (who’s also a columnist for the Indianapolis Star) — shared some great information recently on bathroom remodels.

First, we have a collection of beautiful photos from a series of nice refinished bathrooms, which should serve as some quality inspiration for folks considering bathroom overhauls of their own. You can find more in the original post at interior design blog Cocozy.

Next, let’s take a peek at some before and after photos of a bathroom remodel. This isn’t a big, expensive project. This was done by the two homeowners, who even designed and built the pieces within the bathroom.

Think you’re not skilled or creative enough to design and build your own pieces? Well, you don’t need to be a design guru to try it yourself:

We based our design [for the vanity and mirror] on one we found in a local big box store. Their version was constructed rather poorly and not out of real wood either! We did like the marble vanity top and bowl sink, however, which were paired up with the store-bought version.

As the blogger known as the Remodeling Guy recently wrote, there’s great reward in taking the time to develop even some basic do-it-yourself skills.

Photo courtesy of DIY Maven at Curbly.com

This kitchen remodel story focuses on a 1947 2,500-square-foot midcentury modern home in Burbank, Calif. The story ran a while ago (originally in Dec. 2008), but we think others can learn from it, especially folks who like to cook and want to create more usable space while not having to take serious steps to make it happen.

One of the main goals of the remodel was to remake the dated kitchen, which was remodeled in the 1980s, into an “elegant and functional cook’s space,” as the LA Times writer, Kathy Price-Robinson wrote. Rather than totally redo the kitchen and knock down walls, the owner felt she could open up work space to feel comfortable while she cooked by making some less drastic changes.

Here are a few of the features of the remodel:

• Countertops: Given that this remodel was approached from a chef’s point of view, the lack of counter space was the first issue addressed. The owner’s first act was adding a portable granite-covered worktable that allows future owners the option of an eat-in kitchen while still giving her space to cook. Being a big baker, the owner had countertop space in mind throughout the remodel.
• Refrigerator: To create even more counter space, the owner moved the refrigerator and replaced it with custom-made base cabinets to match others in the kitchen and the upper cabinets salvaged from the refrigerator’s new location.
• Floor: The owner chose an espresso-stained, hand-hewn oak laminate, which matched new floors in the rest of the house and was coated with aluminum oxide, which makes it very durable, important considering the amount of time the owner spends in the room.
• Appliances: The owner’s prize appliance was her new $1,600 KitchenAid double oven that gives her four ways to cook: conventional, convection, steam and microwave. Why let a microwave take up extra space?

Please feel free to read about the other changes in the remodel in the LA Times piece. What was amazing was that the owner only spent around $18,000 and the finished room was a budget-minded kitchen that looks great, but most important for the owner, was functional for a chef. What are some other remodels that you’re aware of that have been remodeled with a specific person’s role or profession in mind?

Photo courtesy of the LA Times.

People depicted as living in towers usually aren’t there for very happy reasons. From Rapunzel, imprisoned in her tower by a witch, to Anne Boleyn, imprisoned in the Tower of London by Henry VIII, towers are often seen as places of incarceration and gloom.

Not so, however, with the renovation of the Christ Church Tower in London by Boyarsky Murphy Architects. The beautiful tower, designed by Christopher Wren after London’s Great Fire in 1666, was in bad condition when a financier decided to buy it. Boyarsky Murphy took on the challenging project and designed a beautiful, unusual and livable residence.

There were some limitations, however. Architectural Record featured the Christ Church Tower in their April 2007 issue and noted that Boyarsky Murphy was not allowed to remove a spiral staircase original to the home, nor were they allowed to add new windows. Thus, careful planning and innovative strategies were the name of the game.

Every level (and there are quite a few!) includes one roughly living space. There is a small elevator to move people around quickly. From bottom to top, Boyarsky Murphy designed rooms to accommodate every need: foyer/dining, kitchen, living room, laundry room, bedroom, study, master bath, master bath, library, mezzanine and at the top, a viewing terrace that looks over the City of London.

The interior of the tower is clean and modern—an interesting juxtaposition with the tower’s historical exterior. White walls, metal railings, blonde wood and a curvy glass staircase help the tower feel light and airy. There’s also some urban grit in the form of some graffiti from previous reconstructions.

Boyarsky Murphy’s creative work and elegant solutions transformed a forlorn tower into a historical modern home. Far from being confining, the Christ Church Tower is lovely, light-filled and livable.

Photos courtesy of Boyarsky Murphy Architects. More photos here.

Today’s post in our Built Around You series comes courtesy of Kara, who writes about design and renovation ideas at made 2 cREate. She shared some before-and-after photos of her stunning bathroom remodel project, which took the room from plain and even a little drab to bright, bold and stylish.

She says:

My husband and I gutted everything and came up with a new layout. I chose a sophisticated color palette of black, white, chrome, and slate blue. I used Brazilian black slate and white subway tiles to create a classy look. 2 shower heads and 2 sinks are sure to keep harmony between my husband and I while the stylish and functional floating shelves add to the spa like feel. Lastly the glass shower screen allows this somewhat small bathroom to appear much bigger!

Kara submitted the photos of her remodeling project to the folks at One Project Closer for their 2009 Before and After Contest – and she won (in the second of 14 weeks; grand prize to be awarded later). The contest is pretty simple: Folks send in before and after pictures and a story of a project they completed at home, with one rule — the project must be more than 75 percent do-it-yourself. You can’t win with contractors’ work!

The best part: The winners get prizes and donations made to Habitat for Humanity in their names. The One Project Closer contest is raising money and awareness for a great cause and sharing some inspiring remodeling stories. What more could you ask for? The contest runs from now until Sept. 20, so you still have time to submit your own entry.

Photo courtesy of Kara at made 2 cREate. And thanks to Ethan at One Project Closer for sharing this story.

In my last two postings, we talked about the architect and the builder and how important it is to get that combination right when starting your remodel. But I suppose the biggest issue is, how are you going to pay for it?

Creating a budget and planning for contingencies is part of any business proposition, and remember: This is business at this point. Now, if you are flush with cash, then return to other parts of the Marvin site to see all they have to offer. But for most of us, planning the funding part of the project is critical.

Even once you have a final price from your builder or contractor, there will be surprises. There will be opportunities to go a little further to do it right, and that costs money. Make sure any changes are spelled out and the cost increases are agreed to in advance.

Interestingly enough, during these economic times, you are going to get a pretty good deal no matter what you are planning to remodel or build. Lumber prices are down, manufacturers and sharpening their pencils, and contractors are willing to work on thinner margins. If your credit is good, there is truly an abundance of money available at low rates. But don’t feel like you have to do it all in one shot. If you want to improve your home you may want to do it in phases.

Let’s take windows for instance. The average home has between 20-25 windows. If you were going to replace those in their entirety, you could spend between $17,000-$30,000, depending on the windows that you chose. To hold onto more of your cash, consider only doing half of the project this year and then the other half a year or two down the road. The fact is, in five years you will have a home that has all new windows, and the ones you put in first are worth no less.

The same is true about bathrooms, kitchens or a room addition. While there is a lot of fun in gutting and remodeling an entire home, the fact is the cost can be high. Now, there is an emotional side to phasing the work. If the thought of putting up with a mess for the next five years sounds unbearable then go big or go home. It’s really up to you.

Photo courtesy of Tall Chris on Flickr

Choosing new windows for your home can be a confusing process. There are multiple factors to consider — enough to leave plenty of homeowners second guessing themselves after their new windows are installed.

This post is here to address a few of the most common mistakes people make during the building, remodeling or replacement process. Hopefully it will provide some guidance for those who may be purchasing new windows soon.

Putting quantity before quality

Windows can be expensive, and it’s easy to make the mistake of prioritizing quantity over quality. After your budget is set, consider spending the bulk of that budget on windows that are in the front of your home — ones that you will see every day as you return home. Then spend less on those windows that are in the back of the home. This may be a better option than spending the same amount on windows that you are only settling for but don’t love. HGTV offers more insight on the issue — and 24 other renovating mistakes — in this post.

Forgetting the view

You need to do more than just choose nice windows. You have to think about what’s going to come through those windows, too: the view and the light. It might seem obvious to some, but you can’t forget to think beyond your windows when you’re choosing where and how to place them. In this video, P. Allen Smith talks about using windows to frame attractive “pictures.”

Home Tips points out that where your windows are placed and what type they are have a significant effect on the amount of light and ventilation they provide. For example, a south-facing window lets in the most light. A north-facing window, on the other hand, provides softer, diffused light. East- and west-facing windows can be too intense because of the low angle of the sun in the morning and late afternoon.

Mixing styles

As much as you might like a particular window, it might just not go well with your home’s style. The first consideration with style is the age of your home. ArtSpace2000 writes that older houses tend to have very old types of windows that are made of wooden sashes and hardware that is no longer made. If you wish to keep the antique style intact, you’ll probably want to find wood replacement windows even though vinyl replacements are easier to maintain and more common today. Remember to think about your home first; choosing contemporary styles might not be best for your home.

Now, budget, placement and style are only three broad areas where mistakes can be made. There still are many other factors that could be touched on more in depth such as energy efficiency, maintenance, security, durability, making measurements, window accessories, etc. We’d like to bring you, the reader into the discussion: Did you make a mistake when you have chosen windows for your home? If so, please share so that others can learn from them.