Growing families, changing needs, and evolving styles are just a few of the reasons more people are looking to remodel their existing homes. Whether homeowners need extra kitchen space to accommodate new family members or a sports-themed “man cave” to get away from it all, skillful homebuilders and remodelers specialize in making dream homes a reality.
Every year, the Homebuilders Association of Maryland Remodeler’s Council (HBAM) and the Maryland Improvement Contractor’s Association honor the best in the business. For complete galleries of winners, click 2010 HBAM Winners and 2010 MICA Winners.
HomeBuilders Association of Maryland Remodeler’s Council Winners
An Annapolis addition by Langkuhn, LLC garnered a Home Builder Association of Maryland Award of Excellence. Photo by Alfonso Fernando Wright.
PURPLE CHERRY ARCHITECTS
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Whole House $85,000 to $1 Million
This Annapolis residence was remodeled to create an open first floor living area in addition to a somewhat formal dining room centered on the front entry. Almost all of the first floor walls were removed to create a stunning visual connection across the entire space. Additionally, the homeowners wanted to maintain the master bedroom suite on the first floor, but remove its direct connection from the family room. An interior linking wall was added to achieve the desired effect. A smaller upper level addition gives the homeowners extra space as well. photography by purple cherry Architects
RIVER CREST DESIGN BUILD
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Bathroom’s Remodel $46,000 to $80,000
One homeowner’s visionary dream came true in this sleek and stylish bathroom. The home’s use of octagonal living space and contemporary floor plans resulted in many dramatic angles and challenging room shapes. A talented team of artists, designers, and tradesmen created a work of art in a truly creative environment. photography by richard chomitz
DELBERT ADAMS CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Whole House $1 Million to $1.5 Million
Remodelers gave this 1920s brick estate a technological upgrade to the 21st century with a state-of-the-art audiovisual set-up and Lutron whole house lighting system, which also made the home more energy efficient. During the reconstruction and renovation of the home, spaces were opened up and windows were added to accomplish the owner’s desire to have a “light, bright” house. Walls were removed and ceiling beams were inserted to maintain structural integrity. The beams are now a prominent architectural feature in the home and a portion of the new space was used to create a beautiful master bath, a dressing room, powder room, and walk-in closet. photography by vince lupo
STARCOM DESIGN BUILD
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Kitchen Remodel $50,000 to $100,000
In order to achieve a large, open kitchen and great room in this client’s home, two walls were knocked out to open the area between the existing rooms. The granite counter was extended from the kitchen into the great room to blend the two rooms together, while a dry bar, and ceiling-height cabinets were also installed. The designer added a desk area, cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases to effectively utilize all of the kitchen space. photography by betty weickgenannt
LANGKUHN, LLC
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Kitchen Addition $175,000 to $225,000
The goal of this remodel was to give warmth, comfort, and individual identity to a relatively new Annapolis production-built home. The clients, who are tri-athletes, longed for an addition to fit their home and their needs. New appliances and cabinetry with ample countertop space, combined with some custom built-ins, provide the fit and finish desired along with the functionality of a much higher-end kitchen. The addition’s full basement was utilized to house a new workout room and abundant windows provided a visual connection from all the interior spaces to the newly created deck, hardscape, landscape, and pool. photography by alfonso fernando wright
WALL TO WALL CONSTRUCTION
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Interior Remodel-Basement $50,000 to $100,000
The challenge for renovating this original unfinished basement in an older home was to transform it into a space that expanded the family entertaining area with an ambiance that was both warm and inviting. The floor plan yielded a spacious family room with game areas, a wet bar, and a powder room. The client opted to install radiant heating over the existing slab and to float the floor with Gypcrete, leveling out the antiquated floor. The homeowner’s decision to refurbish and embrace the ceiling joists above aided in the effect of heightening the ceiling. photography by Mark wieland
BLUEHOUSE ARCHITECTURE
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Outdoor Living Up to $60,000
The owners of this Phoenix, Maryland house had lovely views of the woods from their backyard but due to the lack of deck and a rolling backyard, no way to enjoy them. The design of the new two-tiered deck, covered patio, and rear porch accommodates all of their wishes and makes the most of the backyard. The new deck is accessed from the kitchen, which allows for grilling and outside table space to be adjacent to the other cooking and dining spaces within the house. Under the deck, a covered patio was created. The new deck structure, coupled with a waterproofing gutter system, keeps the patio dry below. Pavers and vinyl wrapped columns with new lighting help create a rustic indoor-outdoor feel within the patio. photography by melissa clark
OWINGS BROTHERS CONTRACTING
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Other-Detached Over $700,000
As with any 100-year-old structure, the challenge of adding new construction to this barn was in accommodating the original building, and in this case, building codes required maintaining the existing footprint. To create an original appearance with a more polished look, the architect and contractor decided the exterior would be a board on batten pattern with a suspended copper entry roof. Small shed dormers were added to complement both the style and pitch of the roofs. The interior contains a golf simulator area, cozy gathering area in front of a stone masonry fireplace, pool table, an English pub bar on the second floor, and a partial basketball shooting area located in the rear. The interior walls were hand fitted and crafted of vintage reclaimed barn siding to maintain the rustic, yet refined feel. photography by curtis martin
ROBERT KUTNER ASSOCIATES
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Outdoor Living $75,000 to $100,000
An outdoor playing area was needed for this growing family of athletes. The site needed to allow for a full court basketball area as well as an upper level patio for large groups to gather and enjoy an outdoor kitchen and watch the athletes in action. A retaining wall system also needed to be designed to allow for the change in grades and manage the water runoff from the site. The curved stone bench and retaining wall along with the fire pit were carefully laid out and constructed to achieve the desired outcome. The retaining wall system is the same product and color as the retaining wall under the deck and the large stone steppers are a wonderful transition between the upper elevation and the entertainment area. photography by robert kutner
CATONSVILLE CONTRACTORS
HBAM AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Whole House $150,000 to $200,000
Remodelers overcame a multitude of obstacles and challenges to renovate this Catonsville, Maryland home. During excavation, remodelers found a tall concrete drain abandoned by the city that ran completely through the proposed addition and once under construction discovered the rear of the house was not level. The plans called for an open floor plan in the kitchen with a 15-foot-wide steel box beam in the ceiling to carry the load of the newly renovated bathroom on the second floor. Catonsville Contractors had to ensure the walls did not move while they temporarily supported the entire rear of the house and installed and welded 14 pockets into the steel box beam to carry the floor joists of the new bathroom. Now after completion there is no evidence of floors or ceiling being out of level. photography by Gary Henry
Maryland Improvement Contractor’s Association Winners
Kitchen Saver, Royal MICA Award-Residential Kitchen. Photo by Louis Rosenstock
ARDO CONTRACTING, INC.
MICA ROYAL AWARD
Residential Specialty
As part of a larger exterior remodeling project that included the stabilization and reclamation of the homeowners’ rear hillside, the clients needed to restore the tram and walking paths that allowed them to access the dock and waterfront from the home atop the hill. The owners wanted the access to be unique and attractive as opposed to straight conventional stairs and paths. The solution was a crow’s nest stair landing similar to that on the mast of a ship. Constructed from raw steel framing, the finished result is polished and sleek. In addition, the stainless steel cable rails were selected for all walks, balconies, and stairs so that the maximum transparency was maintained and no view was compromised. photography by Alain jaramillo
WELSH CONSTRUCTION REMODELING CO.
MICA ROYAL AWARD
Residential Bath
Faced with the prospect of one of the homeowners being confined to a wheelchair, the clients desired an accessible, yet attractive bathroom. The remodelers created a spacious, barrier-free shower featuring beautifully detailed tile work. The shower includes a handheld spray faucet and a ceiling-mounted rain-style showerhead for maximum versatility. The entry to the bath was replaced with a pocket door to create more space. Whereas the old bath featured a step up from the vanity area to the shower and toilet part of the room, the remodelers modified the access to create a ramp should it become necessary. The new room responds to the homeowners’concerns about future accessibility without sacrificing style. photography by Alain jaramillo
D&D SCARBOROUGH, INC.
MICA ROYAL AWARD
Outdoor Living
The owners of this 1890 home in Baltimore’s historic Bolton Hill district wanted to replace the aluminum siding on the home’s rear elevation and gain access to their rear yard from the first floor renovation. Meanwhile, all of the work had to be consistent with historic preservation guidelines. The aluminum siding was replaced with a solid brick wall and a sunken patio area was created with steps leading up to the ground elevation and a decorative wrought iron balcony. In addition to these renovations, extensive landscaping was added to enhance the entire rear yard. photography by stephen turner
KITCHEN SAVER
MICA ROYAL AWARD
Residential Kitchen
A champion duck carver, the owner of this 19th century log cabin wanted to tie in the rustic charm of the cabin with a previous addition and improve the accessibility and efficiency of the kitchen cabinets. To replace the existing white cabinets, the homeowner selected a Conestoga Rustic Cherry cabinet with a honey stain and finished with a brown glaze to complement the existing log wall. A “Super Susan” was installed in the corner base to make better use of space and additional cabinets were built into the island for more storage. The remodeled kitchen visually links the old to the new with the knotty nature of the rustic cherry cabinets and the golden granite countertops. It also provides a more functional and efficient workplace with the addition of cabinet accessories and the golden granite countertops. photography by louis rosenstock
L’Oreal Thompson is the Assistant Editor of Chesapeake Home + Living.
