Making Space for Better Living…

One of the best things about a renovation is that it allows us to update the homes we love to work better for our families. The way we live our lives changes over time, and whether we need more space for our growing families, a different layout for entertaining, or better storage and organization solutions, a renovation can simply make life easier.

In this case, our clients wanted an open concept floor plan for their kitchen and dining areas, and more functionality for their everyday lifestyle as well as entertaining. We removed a wall between the existing dining room and kitchen to accomplish that goal. We focused on maximizing storage space and work space, most notably in the twelve foot kitchen island. We also included plenty of wall storage, which is a great solution for finding more organizational space in your home.

The design choices in color and materials selections gave the project the perfect aesthetic look–clean, crisp, and totally magazine-worthy.

Our clients were wonderful to work with, open to suggestions and collaborative. They are thrilled with their new open kitchen and dining area, and look forward to enjoying it for many years to come with their young family.

A Beautiful New Deck Adds Outdoor Living Space

We like to make the most of our temperate seasons here in upstate New York, and time spent relaxing or entertaining on decks and porches are some of the best ways to enjoy spring, summer, and fall. While we find ourselves in the thick of winter, let’s go behind the scenes of this deck renovation and daydream of sunnier days to come.

For this project, we removed a weathered, treated deck at the back of the home, and built a new deck with composite decking, aluminum railing, and a new pergola.

We added quite a bit of square footage, additional access points, and removed a second floor balcony while updating the look of the entire back of the home.

The back of this house includes a walk-out basement, and the area beneath the existing deck included a concrete slab that we needed to work around. The size and scope of this deck project was considerable, which required expert planning.

The black aluminum rail work really pops against the composite decking, and the project created so much usable space for the clients to entertain their friends and family.

Our clients thoroughly enjoyed their first season with their new, expansive outdoor living space, and we know they’ll continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

 

An Extensive Renovation That Feels Like a Brand New Home

Some home improvement projects simply feel like an upgrade. And some feel like a transformation so dramatic, its hard to believe the “Before” and “After” reflect the same home.

In this Project Spotlight, we’ll go behind the scenes of an extensive, multi-room renovation that is fresh, updated, and modern.

This project included the remodel of our clients’ kitchen, first floor bathroom, laundry room, family room, and the primary bedroom on the second floor. The homeowners were ready to update the décor and also create more kitchen space for better functionality during family gatherings.

We partnered with an architect to consult on the structural changes involved in the project, particularly for the removal of the bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room.

Our design team did a wonderful job of pulling all of the materials and colors together, which created a cohesion between all of the many renovated spaces.

The transformation is nothing short of spectacular, and our clients are absolutely thrilled with the end result.

This Project Spotlight beautifully highlights the many possibilities renovation allows for clients who love their home and their location, but want to revamp their living spaces to better fit their lifestyle and design preferences.

It’s all doable, and we’d love to show you how! Reach out to us today if you’re ready for a new reality in your existing home.

A Gorgeous New Kitchen for Longtime Clients

We are honored when our clients turn to Schrader and Company for repeat projects, sometimes over the course of multiple homes. That was the case in this Project Spotlight, in which we undertook a kitchen renovation for clients we have loved working with over the years, on many different home projects.

For this kitchen renovation, our clients didn’t need an expanded footprint so much as some spacing changes that would improve the room’s functionality for their lifestyle.

In addition to moving appliances to create a new flow, we installed new custom cabinets with quartz counters and full-height quartz backsplashes. We put in a new window unit, new appliances, and new luxury vinyl tile flooring. We built the new cabinets to the existing soffit at the ceiling perimeter, which the clients wanted to preserve. Custom moulding at the higher center portion of the ceiling adds visual interest.

The existing kitchen island remained, and interestingly, is a custom Schrader and Company creation that we built for the previous homeowners.

The mixture of painted and white oak cabinets is a beautiful design touch, and the thoughtful placement of the appliances gives the room a great flow for both cooking and entertaining.

It’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate with these longtime clients, and we are thrilled that they trusted us to bring their vision for their home to life once again.

A Luxury Bathroom Transformation

Few rooms in the home are subjected to as much use as our bathrooms. They serve an essential function, but when done right, they can be luxurious retreats that help us relax and unwind. We want them to be beautiful, well-maintained, and fit to meet the specific needs of our lifestyles.

In this Project Spotlight, we’ll look at a bathroom renovation that achieved all of those goals for the homeowners. It was an extensive project, and the stunning result was well worth the effort.

The clients wanted an updated unique and luxurious bathroom. This necessitated a full redesign of the existing space. To accomplish the redesign, the room was gutted to the studs, interior walls were removed, and the door opening relocated.

Reimagining a space and relocating mechanicals (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc.) is always a challenge and requires careful coordination. 

To accomplish the desired luxurious and updated aesthetic, our designer worked with our client to select Kohler’s Purist wall mounted fixtures in Kohler’s Vibrant Brushed Bronze projecting out of the tall, quartz backsplash. By placing the generously sized shower behind the soaking tub, the design allows both features to stand out. In addition, the large niche in the shower was inlaid with hand-made tiles designed to capture light and enhance the beauty of the project. The vanity and tub front were made from a naturally finished walnut, adding a natural touch to the style of the space. Every knob, handle, and clip were specified with the same brushed brass finish of the Kohler fixtures. Gorgeous custom cabinetry adds valuable storage and a show-stopping centerpiece to the room.

Our clients were given the bathroom of their dreams, and couldn’t be happier with the end result.

If you’re ready to turn your bathroom into your favorite room in your house, give us a call to explore the possibilities.

 

A New Kitchen for Repeat Clients

There’s no better feeling than being invited back into a client’s home for additional renovation projects after our first experience together. It means we’ve earned your business, and you know you can count on us to deliver the results you deserve.

That mutual feeling of respect and trust was a hallmark of this Project Spotlight, in which we undertook a kitchen renovation for repeat clients.

The goal of the project was to deliver a beautiful aesthetic with improved functionality for the homeowners, largely using the existing layout of the space.

Improvements to kitchen storage and functionality were achieved by removing a soffit and creating more storage space in the new cabinetry. We worked within the parameters of the kitchen’s existing size and layout to achieve a more workable result for our clients. Cooking and entertaining will be easier and more enjoyable for them in their improved space.

The kitchen is as visually appealing as it is functional. The 24 inch farm sink is stunning, as is the hearthstone grey finish with a coffee glaze on the cabinetry.

Our clients were thrilled with the end result. And nothing pleases us more than making that happen.

 

         

Making the Most of the Seasons with a Gorgeous Outdoor Living Space

Here in the northeast, we know how to make the most of our seasons. Sometimes that means keeping the environment out so we can enjoy the great outdoors without pesky insects, or fear of inclement weather.

In this Project Spotlight, we take a look at a deck and porch renovation specifically designed to be used in as many weather conditions as the changeable seasons might throw at us, while still looking beautiful.

Like so many of us, our client wanted to be able to enjoy her time outside without being bothered by bugs, or rain.

We removed decking and railings from the existing deck, but the previous deck framing remained. We supplemented the deck framing, added helical piers for support, extended the existing deck, and framed a roof to create the screened porch.

For the screens, we used the ScreenEZE screening system, which works well, and offers unobtrusive clean lines that don’t detract from design elements.

The finished product is very low maintenance, and as you can see in these photos, bright, spacious, and functional.

Adding outdoor living space to your home adds square footage and ample opportunities to enjoy warm summer days, cool autumn nights, and everything in between.

If you’re interested in a screened porch, deck, or patio, call us to talk about the possibilities for your home!

 

A Dramatic Renovation That Feels Like a New Home

A well-planned and well-executed renovation can sometimes be so dramatic, the end results feel like a completely different home!

In this Project Spotlight, we take a look behind the scenes of an extensive remodeling project, covering two floors and multiple rooms.

The goal of the renovation was to create spaces that better worked for the family and their lifestyle. The clients had outgrown the existing space, and they wanted to update the aesthetic in the kitchen especially.

We renovated a large portion of the first and second floors of the home. On the first floor, we renovated the kitchen, mudroom, dining area, and parlor. On the second floor we removed the master bedroom and master bathroom. This space was rearranged to create two bedrooms and a main bathroom. We then removed the roof from the existing garage and created a new master bedroom suite.

The kitchen/mudroom space was opened up to create a better flow. The transition of each area as well as the finishes that were chosen are spectacular.

The difference between the original and finished spaces is nothing short of amazing. It almost feels like a different house altogether.

Our clients are so happy with their renovated home, and we are beyond gratified to know the project came together in such a satisfying way for everyone involved.

 

A Beautiful Bathroom Renovation, with Future Safety In Mind

One of the best things about renovation is that it allows us to reimagine our living spaces in ways that work better for how we actually live, without leaving the homes we love.

In this Project Spotlight, we’ll go behind the scenes of a gorgeous bathroom renovation that took away unneeded elements, improved and modernized the space, set the clients up for aging-in-place, and reflects a more updated aesthetic.

The overall intent of this renovation was to update the existing bathroom. The existing bathroom’s design and materials were dated. The bathroom included a big garden tub surround that was hardly ever used, fiberglass shower unit with a bulky glass door unit, and linoleum floors. We removed the tub and reallocated that space with a custom window bench flanked by custom linen towers. The shower was a fiberglass unit that was hidden, so we re-oriented the shower location to be more of a focal piece with open glass design, tile floor, tiled walls, shower seat, all new Kohler Margaux® shower controls and rain heads in Vibrant® brushed nickel, with frameless glass walls and door. The toilet was updated to a comfort height Kohler Kelston® toilet. The color scheme went from earth tones of beige and brown to vibrant whites and blues.

With mostly white tile in the shower, we chose to upgrade the shower door and wall glass to “low iron” glass. The low iron glass does not have the greenish tint that standard shower glass normally has, and allows the selected white tile to appear bright white as selected, not green. The eight inch shower head features Kohler’s innovative Katalyst® air-induction technology, which efficiently mixes air and water to produce large water droplets and deliver a powerful, thoroughly drenching overhead shower experience.

The clients had a desire to update while considering some aging in-place options, such as a comfort height toilet, a low shower threshold with shaving shelf, grab bars, an easily accessible shampoo niche, and blocking for future needs. The window seat was designed to have a place to sit outside the shower. All door hardware and sink and shower controls are lever type for ease of use.

Replacing the big inset tub with the built-in window seat and linen towers provides more usable and functional space for the client.  

The overall look of the finished project is classic, elegant, and updated. Our clients are very happy with their beautiful new bathroom, and can enjoy it safely for many years to come.

Aging In Place Expertise

We tend to fall in love with our homes. 

They become the places where our most important memories are made– the setting for both the everyday, as well as generations of holidays and celebrations. So it makes sense that we want to stay in our own homes as long as is safely possible.

That’s why Schrader and Company has prioritized gaining education and expertise on “Aging in Place” projects for our clients.

Home improvements that allow clients to age in place represent a huge range of projects–from simple modifications like grab bars, to entire first floor bedroom additions. 

We have four Certified Aging in Place Specialists on our staff, who earned their certification through a three day training program, which not only covers the latest and greatest in products and ideas, but emphasizes viewing an entire space through the viewpoint of a person experiencing limited mobility. 

When we begin planning a project with an eye to aging in place, we focus on client comfort, today and tomorrow. Aging in place is all about ease of use, and planning for the future. It might mean installing blocking behind a wall for grab bars that aren’t needed yet, or mounting sinks and counters with an eye to wheelchair height.

In bathrooms, we think about installing showers without thresholds. For kitchens, things like lever knobs as opposed to drawer pulls better accommodate arthritic concerns.

As with every renovation we do, aging in place projects are tailored exactly to each client’s specific needs and desires. There’s no “one size fits all” approach to customizing a home for longevity and safety.

None of these aging in place modifications mean conceding on style. There are so many options for making the best safety measures blend seamlessly into any client’s preferred aesthetic.

The CRBRA has recognized our Aging in Place projects in their “Best of Building” Awards. But the best reward of all is knowing that we are helping our clients to stay comfortably and safely in the homes that they love, throughout their lifetime.

You can read more about our perspective and experience on aging in place in this recent article in “55 + Magazine”. If you’re ready to fit your home for your future needs, please give us a call!