By Kristina Arthur and Kimberly Taylor
Whether you want the winds of change to gust or to blow gently through your home, remodeling can be a great opportunity. The right professional team can help you to realize a cherished vision, to discover your home’s hidden personality, or, better yet, to infuse it’s beloved but drab visage with an entirely fresh persona.After all, the web will let you and your contractor browse not only the mills and factories of America but also the marble mines in Italy, stone quarries in Spain, timber forests in Brazil. Whether you need a kitchen worthy of Wolfgang Puck, a master bedroom and bath provoking the envy of Paris, a miniature Hollywood theater, or a deck to die for, the resources and craftsmanship exist to help you execute your ideas.
In conjunction with some of the region’s top builders and remodelers, ChesapeakeHome brings you the outcome of creative collaborations between contractors, designers, and homeowners. Following are highlights of award-winning projects from The Home Builders Association of Maryland (HBAM) Remodelor’s Council and the Maryland Improvement Contractors Association (MICA).
SNYDER HOMES SERVICES (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Kitchen Under $50,000
Photograpy by Justin Englund
Two prominent doctors in Mount Washington were ready to update the kitchen in their historic late 19th century home and presented Snyder Home Services with a steep challenge: to brighten up a dark kitchen while still incorporating their preference of dark cherry cabinetry. To solve the problem, Snyder installed two windows—a large picture window and a smaller garden window. These welcomed natural light into the kitchen as well as a lovely view. To save on costs and to retain the historic value of the house, Snyder refaced many of the existing cabinets. They installed new appliances, ceramic tiles, and granite countertops to freshen and complete the kitchen’s overall look.
LAZZELL DESIGN WORKS (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Interior Over $50,000
Photography by Lawrence Fitton
To transform an old basement Lazzell Design Works utilized every inch of the original open floor plan and developed a top-of-the-line home entertainment space that includes a home theater, billiards room, a full bath, and an elegant wet bar. The posh new theater accommodates eight reclining chairs and its own “ticket booth.” In addition, the 92-inch theater screen is complemented by concealed speakers, navigation lighting, and double insulation for noise reduction. What’s more, all theater components and other home utilities are cleverly concealed in access closets or behind panels of wainscoting. The new spaces offer something fun for every member of the family.
RIVER CREST DESING BUILD (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Bath Under $40,000
Photography by Marcus Chacona
The residents of this 1985 home needed not only a larger, updated bathroom but also a laundry room that was easily accessible and not tucked away in a basement. An addition was designed to adjoin the master bedroom. Including a magnificent laundry room and a state-of-the-art bathroom, the addition is replete with granite countertops, heated tile floors, and a large bathtub complemented by a plasma screen.
AMERICAN CONTRACTING SERVICES (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Exterior Over $50,000
Photography by Bill McAllen
This historic farmstead in White Hall was no longer functional for a growing family so American Contracting Services (ACS) was called upon to expand the home. The client’s wish list included a new master bedroom suite, two bathroom upgrades, a new laundry room, and a new fireplace, all in keeping with the historic character of the home. Fifteen hundred square feet later, the family’s new addition also included a large family room and playroom. Outside, ACS incorporated custom siding inspired by an old lifesaving station and matched the existing stone on the house with pre-cast stone, seamlessly blending old and new.
AMERICAN CONTRACTING SERVICES (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Entire House
Photography by Bill McAllen
After years dreaming of remodeling while raising two daughters and nurturing a growing business, these homeowners were finally ready to make their dreams reality. They wanted not only to update the girls’ bedrooms and bathrooms but also add a master bedroom suite, a new family room, and a new garage. American Contracting Services and the homeowners agreed that the addition should capitalize on the wooded views surrounding the home. With this in mind, the plan incorporated a window seat in one of the girls’ bedrooms offering both a serene view and added storage. The completed project includes the clients’ dream master suite as well as 2,000 additional square feet to accommodate their growing family.
ARDO CONTRACTING, INC. (MICA) ROYAL AWARD
Residential Entire House
Photography by Alain Jaramillo
One thousand square feet has never gone such a long way. ARDO Contracting took one look at this small, outdated kitchen and sunroom and, after talking with the residents, knew exactly what to do: they transformed the space into a large, modern kitchen that seats twelve, and a bright airy sunroom that connects to a screened porch/ patio area. The residents had clear-cut specifications and a grand vision for their new kitchen: the hub of the home, the kitchen needed to have enough room to cook and serve in and space to entertain loads of family and friends. Artistically designed for maximum light, the new rooms are bright and embracing, featuring uninterrupted views of the back yard.
ITI CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Kitchens Under $50,000
Photography by Curtis Martin
ITI combined an existing dining room and kitchen to create this new, larger kitchen. The original kitchen, a long, narrow space, did not offer the homeowners an area conducive to entertaining. To solve this dilemma, ITI added a circulation area to encourage flow between the existing areas of the home and the new kitchen. The see through glass door cabinets and open counter space allow the chef to be part of the action in the family room.
OWINGS HOME SERVICES (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Kitchens $50,000 to $100,000
Photography by Curtis Martin
The rest of the house had already been remodeled when the homeowners decided it was time to bring the kitchen up to date. To create a more spacious kitchen in keeping with the existing home, Owings Home Services combined the small original kitchen with a long dark hallway and another small room. Windows and doors were enlarged to offer more light and outdoor views and to encourage a flow between the outdoor living spaces and the kitchen. A distinct center island and modern appliances finish this kitchen, providing an updated, unique look.
BAYWOOD DESIGN BUILD GROUP, INC. (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Outdoor Living $100,000 to $200,000
Photography by Rob Ginsberg
When the homeowners decided to remodel their outdoor living space, Baywood Design Build was a natural choice. After all, they already worked with Baywood eight previous times. A renovation to a deck built by the craftsmen at Baywood almost 22 years ago, the project entailed adding a pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, updated patio components, and architectural artwork. The artistic elements elegantly enhance the substantial new construction, creating an exceptional outdoor entertainment space that is a focal point in any season.
JAMES CONTRACTING, INC. (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Garage Addition $175,000 to $225,000
Photography by Larry Canner
In need of more space for their growing family, these homeowners contacted James Contracting to build not only a three car garage but also a generous suite of rooms for everything from entertaining to laundry. The addition consisted of a theater room with built-ins, a fireplace, a bar, and a laundry room with personal storage for each member of the family. The entire addition blends seamlessly into the existing home without compromising the original look of the brick and siding.
PLUMB CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Additions and Alterations $140,000 to $200,000
Photography by John Zito
Like many people, these homeowners wanted more space for entertaining. They hoped for an addition that would include a light, airy family room, and requested an eye-catching design with top-notch amenities. Plumb Construction provided an impressive plan that was spacious, yet cozy and intimate. The room was designed so that it would feel comfortable not only when the homeowners were entertaining family and friends but also when the gang just wanted to relax and watch TV. The openness of the room is due, in large part, to the windows. These allow the room to blend with the outdoors and make the landscape part of the design.
McCLOSKEY GROUP, LLC (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Additions and Alterations $225,000 to $300,000
Photography by Regina Lansinger
An outdated bungalow neglected since the 1950’s posed a challenge to the McCloskey Group. Their dilemma was figuring out how to modernize an old house while still preserving the culture of the existing home. Because the only salvageable portion of the home was the shell, the builder was able to begin with a clean slate inside. Their goal was to maintain the integrity of the bungalow yet add as much extra space as possible. McCloskey expanded the home to the rear and then renovated the existing portion. Modern amenities were added, yet the aesthetic appeal of the home and the neighborhood were kept intact.
VAN DEUSEN CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Commercial Remodeling $500,000 & Under
Photography by Larry Canner
This commercial project forced Van Deusen Construction to be creative in their approach to the remodel. They had to double in size the existing, badly maintained structure and modify it so it complied with current local zoning and ADA codes. In addition, Van Deusen had to ensure the renovation had ample parking, and a system that would allow each tenant to pay for their own heating, cooling, and electrical expenses. The biggest obstacle of all, however, would be completing the entire remodel without uprooting the building’s current tenants. Van Deusen was able to mastermind and carry out the massive build-out, creating a commercial building fulfilling all of the guidelines.
OWINGS BROTHERS CONTRACTING, INC. (HBAM) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Residential Remodeling $750,000 to $1,000,000
Photography by Curtis Martin
When the homeowners realized that their current house was unable to accommodate their family, they considered packing up and moving, but soon realized their existing home had the qualities they wanted; it was just too small. Instead of purchasing a new home, they turned to Owings Brothers for a new three-car garage with a bonus room above, an expanded and renovated kitchen and family room, and new master suite addition. Owings skillfully integrated architectural elements and similar materials so that the addition blends flawlessly with the existing home.
Kristina Arthur is an intern for ChesapeakeHome.
