Project Spotlight: A More Efficient and Beautiful Space for a Busy Local Medical Practice

Medical Office Renovations -waiting room

This Project Spotlight takes us into a different kind of renovation; one that calls for innovation, close attention to detail, and specialized construction. Today we’ll look behind the scenes of the remodel of a busy local medical practice, and how Schrader and Company was able to transform the space into a brighter, more appealing, and more efficient office for both doctors and patients.

The fundamental considerations when undertaking this project were two-fold. This busy office needed to be able to function at normal patient volume and maintain a professional and pleasant environment during the construction. And strict attention must be paid to keeping all areas clean and sanitary. These challenges were addressed with careful phasing, exceptional dust protection and noise control, good communication with office staff, and some overnight work on behalf of the Schrader field crew.

This unique renovation allowed for Schrader’s famous custom cabinetry to shine. President Ben Cangeleri explains, “Most of the innovation came through the ability to provide truly custom cabinetry.  A feature as simple as creating a hold in a door and installing an attractive ring allows for the physicians to access the garbage can without touching a door handle, which helps maintain the safety and sanitation standards that our client was looking for. Additional openings in the cabinets were created for easy access to this practice’s most commonly used instruments.  And of course all of the materials that were used meet the chemical requirements for a lab and exam room.”

The waiting room was also given an updated look, specifically designed to be more aesthetically appealing.  A carefully constructed space with thoughtful design communicates so much to anyone who enters it, and this is especially important when it comes to places of essential, and sometimes nervous-making, business. The new clean and inviting waiting and examination rooms instill a sense of calm and comfort in patients.

The clients were thrilled with the beautiful renovation, and the redesign resulted in increased office efficiency and a better patient experience.

The Divine is in the Details: A Massive Renovation Preserves Historic Charm

Historic Renovation After - Kitchen

In this Project Spotlight feature, we take a look behind the scenes of one of the largest home renovations in Schrader and Company’s history, both in size and in scope. And the results, which reflect both the preservation and modernization of a beautiful historic home, are simply breathtaking…

Schrader and Company partnered with the homeowners of this lovely 1835 house in Saratoga to thoroughly renovate many of their living spaces. The goal was to update the space for the resident’s needs while preserving the character, style and feel of the home. Such an undertaking called for an architecture firm that would best fit with the client and the Schrader and Company planning team. The excellent designs brought to the project by Saratoga based Balzer-Tuck Architecture through our Design/Build process helped to marry modern function with historic charm.

The vast renovation of the home included a new kitchen, the creation of a butler’s pantry, a mudroom, a renovated dining room, a great room, a guest suite (with both bedroom and bathroom), a second floor master bedroom suite with bathroom and walkout deck, a walk-in closet, and a second floor laundry.

Project Planner Brian Taber reflects on the some of the more innovative techniques and tools that helped make this such a stand-out project.

Historic Renovation After - Kitchen

As large as the scope of the project was, it was crucial to get the smallest details right. For example, in order to achieve a cohesive look between the new renovations and the rest of the home, all of the new interior trim was custom milled to match the original profiles. The custom Schrader and Company cabinetry is so sharp looking in that gorgeous light-filled kitchen. And the rooftop deck off of the new second floor master bedroom suite was a great project within a project. We paired with a great decking company called Bison and learned a lot about their innovative techniques. I think that’s going to become a coveted home trend.

The before and after photo gallery speaks for itself as a magazine-worthy example of modern living in a historic home. For every contemporary convenience and state of the art appliance or fixture, there is an homage to the home’s original details, as in the dining room where the existing fireplace was left in place as the jewel in the crown.

Project Manager Val DeCesare enjoys reflecting on a project that in hindsight he calls “flawless”.

“I revisited the home recently and as you walk through the space, it’s just so clear that every aspect of the renovation was so well thought-out. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“The fabulous execution of all our Schrader craftsmen and the trade contractors came together with such beautiful results”, says Brian. “But the most important and most satisfying aspect of the work is how happy the homeowners are with the outcome.”

Historic Renovation After - Living Room

Renovation Photo Gallery

Best in Building Awards 2016: Best Bathroom Over $40,000

img_9508We are thrilled to share that Schrader and Company Construction Services took home a big award at last week’s Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association (CRBRA) Best in Building 2016 Awards.

We won in the “Best Bathroom Over $40,000” category for a two bathroom luxury remodel in a historic home.

You can go behind the scenes of this renovation in a recent Project Spotlight feature here.

It’s wonderful to have our work recognized, and we look forward to continuing to deliver the best in construction, renovation and design to our clients across the capital region.

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Two Modern Luxury Bathrooms for a Historic Home

Bathroom before and after

A wise person once said,

“The key to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms.”

Add every conceivable luxury and convenience to the equation, and you’ve got the makings of a very joyful union.

Historic homes are undoubtedly appealing. They offer abundant charm, and tell their own special stories with every squeaky floorboard and slanted door. But even the most devoted lover of historic preservation can agree that there are certain rooms in our homes where we most appreciate all the advances that modern technology has brought to our lives. Namely, the bathroom.

For this project, the homeowners wanted to update two bathrooms in their early 1800s colonial home with the very latest in modern conveniences and technologies. The stunning result did not come about without careful consideration to the unique challenges of renovating an older home.

Project Planner Brian Taber knew that to attain the modern look desired by his clients for each of their respective “His” and Hers” bathrooms, much work would need to be done “behind the scenes”. The beautiful large format tiles in the “His” bathroom required perfectly straight walls, which few older homes have. The skilled crew of Schrader craftsmen carefully shimmed the walls to achieve the required correct angles. The same needed to be done in the “Her” bathroom to allow for the new tub and tile. Underneath the layers of horsehair plaster, wood lath, and brick behind the walls, everything needed to be replumbed and reframed.

Bathroom before
Bathroom before
Bathroom After

From that new squared straight foundation, the coolest of modern conveniences could be added. Hot water radiant heat was installed under the tile flooring of both bathrooms, and a round dome Sun Tunnel skylight was added, which allows for natural light while taking up less space than a typical skylight. The “His” bathroom features a hinged tempered glass panel that can alter the size of the shower or toilet space as needed. The curbless shower floor has a linear drain. And both bathrooms feature safety and convenience features like benches and grab bars, which will help the homeowners age in place.

Looking back on the project, Brian says he’s most pleased with the way Schrader and Company was able to meet the client’s’ vision for their space. “We worked closely with the owners to tailor both bathrooms to their specific needs and wants. The collaborative result is clean, modern, sophisticated, and luxurious.”

The bathroom is a room for comfort, even in the quaintest of older homes. This renovation shows what’s possible when history and technology come together in one cohesive design.

Bathroom After - shower

Project Spotlight: A Budget Friendly, Open and Airy Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen Renovation before & after

Glossy magazines and countless home design websites are filled with galleries of incredible kitchen remodeling project, all aimed to inspire and excite, to remind us that when it comes to remodeling the rooms in which we live our lives, the possibilities are endless.

But behind every transformation lies a great deal of thoughtful planning and hard work. Over the past four decades, Schrader and Company Construction Services has helped homeowners turn their varied home renovation dreams into livable realities.

In this blog series, we’ll take an in-depth look at some standout home remodeling projects, all of which are notable not just for the remarkable improvements made to a space, but for the way inherent obstacles were overcome, innovative techniques and materials were used, and the skills of the Schrader and Company team of professionals brought the desired result to fruition.

Before
Before

Every renovation comes with its own particular set of challenges, and often one of those challenges is budget. But with the right team and tools, a stunning transformation can also be cost-effective.

For this kitchen renovation, the goal was to open the space, create more storage, and keep costs down.

The homeowner and Project Planner John Hudson identified the existing island as being problematic, both agreed it was an obstruction to working in the space. Its removal opened up the flow of the room, and at no detriment to storage, which was created by the addition of more cabinetry.

The custom cabinet choice also afforded an opportunity for style and function to merge perfectly. “The simple elegance of the white Shaker cabinetry is not only timeless, but fits in perfectly with the original Craftsman styling of the home,” said Hudson.

madson-after
After

The windows and doors, much of the interior trim work, a large portion of the wall coverings, and plumbing locations were all able to remain, keeping costs at an acceptable level. Other budget friendly improvements to the space included resilient vinyl flooring, LED light bars as under cabinet lighting, and bead board panels as a backsplash in lieu of tile.

The light, bright, and airy final results speak for themselves. What was once a tight space with limited functionality is now a Pinterest-worthy “after”, achieved through thoughtful design & planning, consideration for the client’s budgetary needs and seamless execution.

Living Room Before & After

We appreciate when our customers provide us with positive feedback. These
photos represent a local living room renovation with a custom built-in
mantel. The customer not only took time to let us know how we did, but
provided us with a before and after photograph to show us just how much the
room was transformed during this renovation project. Take a look for
yourself…

Before
After

“Hi Robert,
I don’t think I ever got to tell you how happy I am with my mantel and
built-in units in the living room. I came home and as my mother put it “it
was like somebody waved a magic wand”. What an amazing transformation! I
thought you’d appreciate the attached photos. The first one is what the
living room looked like when I bought the house 10 years ago.
Thanks again,
Kathleen”