What do you do when your family outgrows your house, or when the quirks of the place you once found charming aren’t so charming anymore?

Is it smarter to move or improve? The answer is, it depends. And this is a question only you will be able to answer. Here are a few things to think about when considering your options.

• How well are homes selling in your area?
• Is it a buyers or seller’s market?
• What improvements will you need to do to sell your home and what will the costs associated with this be?
• Are the homes you would be interested in moving to within your price range? Is there ample inventory available?
• As a general rule, improving costs less than trading up. But it depends on what kind of improvements you’re doing.
• Consider the resale value of your remodeling projects for when you do go to sell whether now or in the future. Of course, don’t discount the enjoyment you will get from your remodel.
• Beyond financial considerations think about the neighborhood and where you want to be. Consider the school district, the amount of traffic on your street, the size and layout of your yard, your commute time, and access to businesses you frequent. All of these play a huge factor in your quality of life.

If you love where you are, improving makes sense. But if a different location would be an improvement in its own right, then trading up could be the way to go.

Looking for inspiration for your next remodel?

Here are some of the top trends we’re anticipating this year.

Bold Accent Walls
Move over paint and wallpaper. The new way to pop an accent wall in any room is with tile or stone. Partial horizontal backsplashes will continue to be replaced by full walls of tile in the kitchen and bath. Full wall fireplace surrounds – in stone, masonry or tile – will run floor to ceiling.

Colors of the Year
Pantone announced its two-color winner for 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity, a pale pink and periwinkle blue combo that are stirring much debate. To get a sense of these colors, think of the pink and blue plastic pegs you add to your car in the classic board game Life.

Open Layouts
Homeowners will continue to embrace open floor plans in 2016, and the kitchen will remain the primary anchor of these spaces. This can mean building an addition or expanding the existing footprint of your house, or this can be done by making use of existing square footage by opening up walls and designing more functional layouts to create a larger common gathering place and living area.

Space for Aging Parents
More and more homeowners want to care for elderly parents at home rather than send them to costly care-giving facilities. The projects range from wheelchair accessibility and safety upgrades, to building private mother-in-law suites.

BEFORE

Extensive renovations including adding new space were made to the home. The scope of work on the first floor included: relocating the kitchen, remodeling the bathroom, adding a laundry room which was previously in the basement, adding a side entry mudroom, building a covered entry, and in the new space adding a living room and screened in porch.

FLOOR and ELEVATION PLANS

Second floor renovations included: a new master suite, converting an existing hall bath into a jack and jill bath for the kids, and adding a new HVAC unit.

AFTER

The biggest challenge of the project was figuring out the kitchen space. The homeowners wanted a larger kitchen but doing that in its original space would have created a very narrow room. The idea to move it to the other side of the house allowed for the perfect space for an expanded kitchen with an ideal layout.

The homeowner could not have been more thrilled with the end result. The renovations turned out exactly as they wanted them. They loved working with their designer because he listened to what they wanted, and didn’t just try to pressure them into taking only his ideas. The front cedar porch is warm and inviting and has amazing curb appeal. The family love that they now have seating at the bar in the kitchen for quick meals and couldn’t be happier with all of their new bathrooms. The additional space allowed for all of the changes they wanted to make their home work perfectly for them now and down the road.

View Project

Unusual Challenges
The biggest challenge on this job was the fact that we had one month to complete the project and being on the 18th floor of the condominium building presented challenges in terms of ease of getting in and out of the building. Working in condos regularly; our team knew the ins and outs of being as efficient as possible when dealing with parking, elevator and other building issues. Working with limited design options, we had to choose materials that we knew would look great and be available to fit our timeframe for completion. Knowing which products are easier to get than others, we were able to select materials that would meet our time constraints while at the same time look great. And knowing that we had limited design options being a condo bathroom, we were able to come up with a plan that suited the space perfectly while accommodating the clients’ needs.

Before

Before and After Floor Plans

The Result

The result of this project was a re-designed condominium bathroom that looked beautiful and provided the functionality that the homeowner desired. An accessible shower, a toilet and sink along with grab bars transformed the room perfectly. The homeowner’s didn’t see the project until it was complete and were truly shocked by the transformation. They didn’t realize an accessible bathroom could look so beautiful at the same time. They couldn’t wait to show off the new space to their friends. View Project

“We could not have been more pleased! I can’t even describe the look on Curtis’ (my husband’s) face–the smile was enormous and so wonderfully genuine. You guys did an amazing job.” – C. B.

The new kitchen features a brand new flat ceiling to replace the dated tray ceiling that once existed. The maple cabinets, in a saddle brown stain add warmth to the space and complement the décor of the surrounding rooms. New countertops and a ceramic tile backsplash add a touch of elegance to the room. And a new island complete with bar stools allows for the additional eating area the homeowners sought to add.

Lighting was very important in the newly remodeled room. Recessed lighting was added throughout in addition to under cabinet and task lighting perfect for the family to cook up some of the family’s favorite recipes.

This kitchen remodel includes all of the homeowner’s wish list items. A warmly lit, updated beautiful kitchen with gorgeous cabinets and countertops and an island perfect for enjoying a quick meal, make this the ideal kitchen for this busy family on the go.

Size: Size is pretty important when designing a screened-in porch. Homeowners don’t generally wish that their porch was smaller, but will regret if they go too small in their design. Your designer can help you determine the best size for your space and needs.

Dining Area: When planning a porch, make sure to include room for a dining area. Meals just taste better out on the porch. Think about the table size you will be using. Maybe you want seating for six or eight. Just imagine all the breakfasts, cookouts and dinner parties you can have with friends and family out on the porch.

Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans are a must when it comes to a screened-in porch. Not only do they provide you with cool breezes, they add much ambiance to the porch. They are even great on cooler days as their slow movement gently circles overhead. One fan is good, two are even better if it’s a good size porch. Be sure to buy exterior grade fans as they will withstand the elements much better than an interior grade fan.

Lighting: Lighting is so important in any space, be it indoors or out. Think about how you will use the space to determine the best lighting options for you. Including lots of outlets allows for flexibility down the road.

Music: When relaxing in your screened-in porch, there’s nothing better than listening to your favorite tunes. Pre-wiring for outdoor speakers is a great addition to any outdoor area.

Ceiling Height: Think about raising the ceiling if possible. Raising the ceiling will make a smaller porch feel much bigger, and can really help the porch feel even cooler letting the cool night breezes in.

Jacuzzis and TV’s: If entertainment is what you are looking for in your screened-in space, think about fun additions like a TV or Jacuzzi tub for more summertime fun.

Whatever options you choose for your screened-in porch, you can’t go wrong in adding a relaxing outdoor retreat to your backyard that you and your family can enjoy all summer long.

SVA Construction Corp Design Build ~ June 2014 Homes for Life Newsletter

The homeowners, perennial city dwellers, decided that they were in a place in their lives that they wanted more space in their home and thus opted to move out to the suburbs. They found a great house on a quiet street with lots of great trees and nice yards. But the interior of the home needed some remodeling in order to meet their needs. The homeowners love to entertain and enjoy cooking new and interesting things. Because of this they had some very specific requirements of the new space. In order to accomplish these goals a complete demolition and redesign of the space was needed.

The scope of work included: demolition of an existing kitchen and dining room to create one large kitchen space which would provide both food prep, cooking, baking and entertaining space, removing a load bearing wall between the two spaces, and updating the dated kitchen that had last been remodeled in the 70’s into a unique, contemporary look. The components of the kitchen were very important to the homeowners. Because their wish list was so immense, the kitchen was designed into two key areas. The main area of the kitchen included a high end gas range and gas fire wok perfect for cooking and grilling and a large sink and dishwasher. Open shelves were also incorporated to house cooking supplies and serving dishes and to create an open, airy look. The other side of the kitchen contains the bar area with room for gathering and entertaining. The bar also includes a small prep sink, ovens for baking and microwave. Granite countertops and porcelain tile floors throughout tied the whole room together.

Overall, the homeowner’s goals were met with a beautifully updated contemporary kitchen with all of the bells and whistles the homeowners desired. Not only do they have the ideal layout to cook and bake a wide variety of items, they now have the gathering space they desired to host parties for family and friends. And the clean, sleek lines of the space, contemporary appliances and cabinetry, and open shelving create the contemporary look the homeowners were seeking.

~ SVA Construction Corp Design Build, Kitchen Remodel 2014

Make it Soothing with Water. There’s something about water that’s serene and peaceful. Be sure to add it to your patio. Enhance those relaxing moments with a patio-size water garden.

Leverage Shade. Have a large shade tree? Why not consider building your patio under its canopy? You’ll enjoy the cool, shady retreat in the heat of summer when you need a quick break from your afternoon gardening chores. You can also plant your favorite shade plants around your patio for summer-long color and interest.

Add Cover with a Pergola. More substantial than an arbor but less confining than a gazebo, a pergola may be as simple as an overhead structure attached to the back of your house to cover a deck. Or it might be a grand, freestanding structure that’s the main focal point of a yard. Pergolas are especially effective over paved areas, such as paths, courtyards, and patios.

Throw down a Rug. There are more and more high-quality, weather-resistant rugs for use outdoors. They come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find one to suit your tastes.

Using Light on the Patio. Give your patio personality at night. Whether to illuminate a dark space or add ambiance to your favorite seating area, outdoor lighting can be just the touch of nighttime pizzazz your patio needs.

Build a Fire Pit. Gather around the fire with the kids late at night. Perfect for toasting marshmallows in summer or warming your outdoor space in spring or fall, fire pits are a gathering place on the patio. Fire pits can be made from anything from flagstone slabs to small boulders.

Create a Patio with Curving Edges
Don’t be square! Create a patio with curving edges to add character and a sense of informality to your outdoor living area. Curves can be more relaxing and visually appealing than straight lines.

Homes for Life – May 2014 SVA Construction Corp Design Build Newsletter

The first task was to lower the floor to the loft of the garage about two feet. This move left a comfortable eight feet of vertical space in the garage, but yielded more than enough headroom for a new 270 square-foot master bathroom above.

Next, the SVA Construction Corp team knocked out the wall separating an unused bedroom and a small study. A step-down entrance now created a master bedroom/bathroom suite exceeding 614 square-feet.
Stepping down into the bath from a beveled glass door, the room reveals a mosaic of French Beaumanire soapstone and marble trim tiles, cherry wood vanities, antique verde marble countertops, and a custom glass-and-gold shower for two. Finally, recessed and brass lighting echo the room’s brass fixtures, completing the look.

By incorporating a little creativity, the SVA Construction Corp team fulfilled the homeowners desires of creating their dream master suite, utilizing existing unused space in their home, saving both time and money.

~ SVA Construction Corp Design Build Newsletter, May 2014 Homes for Life

Radiant electric heat: Do you dread stepping out of the shower onto that cold tile? There are a variety of ways to incorporate heat under your tiles when they are set. It doesn’t have to be too costly and can greatly enhance your comfort.

Good tiles: Popping up in popularity today over traditional glazed tile is porcelain or stone tile. It has a warm feel to it that you don’t get with other tile options. Lame linoleum and glazed tiles are so yesteryear. Glass tile is also gaining in popularity.

Grab bars: As baby boomers are aging grab bars are gaining in popularity. And even younger people are migrating toward them as well. They can actually add to the decorative look of the room and of course have the benefit of added safety when maneuvering around the space.

Dueling vanities: Homeowners are increasingly asking for his-and-hers sinks and vanities, even in small bathrooms. Two vanities allow for each person to have his or her own space and storage, and for each area to have a different feel.

A focus on storage: Small drawers with dividers work very well in the bathroom. Vertical storage is gaining in popularity, because it works well, while saving space.

Large, airy showers: Showers continue to reign in the bathroom. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass to create a spa-like feel.

Let the sunlight in: Bright, airy bathrooms are in high demand. Adding windows and skylights are key in creating that sunny retreat.

~ SVA Construction Corp Design Build April 2014 Newsletter