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!

Schrader and Co. Wins Three 2021 CRBRA “Best in Building” Awards

We are thrilled to share that Schrader and Company has won accolades in three different categories at this year’s Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association “Best in Building” Awards. 

We took home top honors for Best Kitchen Remodel Under $75,000, Best Kitchen Remodel Over $75,000, and Best Aging-In-Place Remodel.  

It is tremendously gratifying to have our work recognized by the CRBRA and leaders in our industry. All entries are judged by impartial industry experts from other markets with no identifying information.  

While we hold these awards in high esteem, our greatest satisfaction always comes from the joy of our clients as they enjoy their new and improved homes.

Thank you to the CRBRA for their recognition of our entire team’s efforts and these beautiful projects.

 

 

A Silver Lining Renovation

As happy as we always are to be welcomed into a client’s home to begin the exciting process of renovation and transformation, we recognize that sometimes our services are called upon due to less than desirable circumstance. Such was the case in this Project Spotlight, where we came in to do an extensive remodel for a client whose home had suffered significant water damage. But this project is the perfect example of making lemonade out of lemons, and the end result is one that we are proud to share with you, and most importantly, made our client very happy.

We came into the project following remediation of the impacted areas of the home, which meant we were starting at square one–a largely gutted house. We worked with one of the trusted architecture firms in our network, Tim Gallagher of Architex , on a Design/Build interior renovation, which encompassed a new master bedroom on the first floor, a new master bathroom with aging in place features, a new kitchen, new windows, doors, and flooring throughout, new spray foam insulation, new electrical, and renovations to upper floor bedrooms and a bathroom.

Our goal was to create a beautiful new interior for our client, and to take the opportunity presented by this disaster to make updates that would allow for aging in place. Wherever possible, safety features were added like wider doorways and hallways, step in showers, stackable laundry facilities, and a first floor master bedroom.

It was also important to preserve some of the original features of the home, like the brick fireplace.

We were sensitive to the fact that our client had been displaced by the water damage, and we wanted to get her back in her fully-functioning home as soon as possible. Project Planner Brian Taber and Project Manager Kevin Connor had all of these goals in mind from start to finish.

This project was a true collaboration and involved working closely with the client and her family to ensure that the result would be a better, safer and more beautiful living space. The size and scope of the work meant that we were basically rebuilding this home from inside out, and only through lots of conversation and careful planning could we ensure that no detail was overlooked. All of the new improvements, from custom Schrader cabinetry, new appliances in the kitchen, and a special lower height baking counter to bathroom safety features and energy-efficient windows were “whole team” conversations.

The hard work paid off and our client ended up with a renovated home with maximized storage, aging in place safety features, and eclectic and charming design details.

We were thrilled to be the engineers of the silver lining following a serious storm for this homeowner, and she was thrilled to be back in the home she loves, enjoying all of the fresh new improvements. We know she will continue to enjoy her home for many years to come.

Aging In Place and Style

Many homeowners come to us with hopes of renovating their current house with an eye to the future. We all want to be able to reside safely in our homes as we age, and there are fantastic design innovations that are making that dream more possible than ever before.

When we approach a remodel with the goal of making it a client’s “forever home”, one of the most important rooms to focus on is the bathroom. This is where we can employ thoughtful design elements and techniques to make it safe and sustainable for an occupant of any age and ability, without compromising on beauty and aesthetic.

This project is a great example of the marriage of sleek, attractive details and smart aging in place strategies. This particular homeowner tasked us with providing a spa-like bathroom that came closer to his desired, more modern aesthetic, while tastefully including a few very important safety features.

To begin the project, the contents of the bathroom were removed down to the framing. A small unused closet was also removed to increase the bathroom space, making movement in the room easier.

We added a curbless shower which includes a linear drain and a hinged open glass shower panel. This curbless design eliminates any kind of step up or down from the shower, greatly reducing tripping hazards under wet conditions. The stunning stainless steel bathroom accessories are multifunctional as both towel bars today and grab bars in the future.

Beyond the safety measures, the finished project presents as a sleek, luxury bathroom with great use of color and line. The grey floor and wall tile are complemented by the white wall-hung sink and Teak towel shelf.  We also created the beautiful custom cabinetry linen shelf which provides ample storage and an attractive design feature.

The client is thrilled with this transformation, and can rest assured that this bathroom will allow him to safely age in place in the home that he loves.

We were thrilled to make his goal a reality, and are ready with the expertise and tools to make that happen for you as well. Give us a call if you’d like to strategize about ways to make your home safe and sustainable for your family for many, many years to come.

 

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

Aging in Place Part Three

So far in this series we have focused on fall prevention, and how it can factor into your remodeling and renovation plans. Today we’re moving away from fall prevention to address another big concern when planning to age in place – accessibility. Making your home accessible to a range of different mobilities will ensure that you can spend more time in your home safely and independently as you get older. This is just the first post of many in our aging in place series that will focus on mobility. Today we have a short post focusing on hallways and doors.

wide_hallways
There may come a time when you or a loved one has to make use of a walker or wheelchair, however many older homes do not have hallways and doorways that can accommodate the width of a wheelchair. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recommends that hallways be at least 36 inches wide, and goes on to say that wider than that would be preferred.

 

 

levered_handle
The NAHB also recommends that interior doors have levered handles installed rather than the traditional round door knob. The reason for this is that levered door handles are far easier to use for those with limited dexterity.

Keep checking back for more of our aging in place series, next time we will be covering accessibility in the kitchen. If you have any questions about remodeling or renovating your home with aging in place in mind please feel free to contact us.

Aging in Place

More and more people have begun planning their remodeling and renovations with the idea of “aging in place”. According to the Centers for Disease control “aging in place” can be defined as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” One survey had 90 percent of adults over the age of 65 respond that they would like to stay in their current home as they get older. No matter what your age, it is never a bad idea to begin anticipating what needs will have to be addressed in your future. We’ll be talking about fall prevention today, why it’s important, and what are some easier changes that can be made to assist you or your loved one as they plan to age in place.

safety_toilet
grab bar by toilet

One of the biggest issues with aging in place is falling, in fact the CDC named falls at the leading cause of injurious death among older adults. With this in mind fall prevention is crucial to consider when remodeling, renovating, even decorating (throw rugs can be dangerous).

Many of the modifications that can be made to one’s home to prevent falls are quite simple. The addition of grab bars and extra railings are a great start when beginning to accommodate aging in place. It is vital that grab bars and railings are installed properly and securely so that they function as intended.

When renovating to age in place flooring is important to consider. Hardwood floors and ceramic tiles may look nice but they can also be hazardous, especially when wet. Non-slip vinyl, cork, and low pile carpet with a firm pad are great options if you are looking for a high traction surface.

staircase-lighting
staircase lighting

Lighting is another important factor to look at for fall prevention. After the age of 60 changes in the eye and visual system begin to accelerate, resulting in less light reaching the eye, because of this more light is needed to see details. Light switches should be easily accessible, and don’t forget to add lighting to areas of your house such as staircases and hallways. Motion sensing light fixtures are great if you are prone to getting up in the middle of the night.

This only begins to scratch the surface of what changes can be made to help aid you or a loved one’s goal of aging in place. Next time we’ll talk about more extensive changes you can make to your home to help with fall prevention and aging in place.