A Beautiful Kitchen Renovation

We’re thrilled to be rolling out a new batch of “Project Spotlight” articles for you! Everyone loves a good “before and after”. These renovations inspire us and show us what is possible with the right planning and the right team in place.

This “Project Spotlight” is a great example of how to achieve dramatic changes and big improvements without changing the footprint of a room. We were able to create a better functioning kitchen for our clients without changing the layout or making the space bigger.

The renovation was low-impact in terms of structural work—the floors and windows stayed in place, and the plumbing fixtures did not have to be re-configured, with one notable exception.

This particular client is an avid baker, and while we all like the idea of a kitchen island with a prep sink, sometimes that’s not the best use of space. Our client would benefit more from added work-space and a bigger counter top, so we removed the less useful prep sink to tailor it to the client’s needs and preferences. In deference to our client’s culinary skills and needs, we also added a second oven, which will make cooking and entertaining that much easier.

Cabinet designer and production manager Robert Page and interior designer Brooke Stollery worked closely with project planner Brian Taber to marry the aesthetic upgrades that the client was looking for with functional improvements to make the best use of the space. A built-in sub-zero refrigerator took the place of a freestanding one, and a stainless steel oven hood was removed for a recessed option, which lets the beautiful custom cabinetry and impeccable decorative choices shine. 

Brian notes that the lovely finished project is due to everyone’s collaborative efforts, including the clients. 

“These clients had wonderful taste, and were decisive in their selections. They were able to communicate with us exactly what they were looking for, and how we could make their living space better suit their lifestyle. The end result made everyone involved very proud.”

The “after” photos speak for themselves. Take a look at this remarkable renovation and give us a call if you’re ready to make your home work better for you!

 

Making a Historic Home Work for a Modern Family

Everyone loves the irresistible charm of an older home. There is much to recommend them–charming mouldings and wide-plank wood floors, abundant nooks and crannies, and a sense of history that can both transport and ground us. But it can also be challenging for modern families to live in spaces designed for a different time and a different way of life.

When issues like this arise, renovation is often the answer. Such was the case in this Project Spotlight, in which we transformed a late 19th century home to better suit the needs and wants of contemporary living.

This large-scale remodel involved the renovation and redesigning of several rooms. A first floor bathroom was completely renovated. A laundry room was moved from a closet-like space in the kitchen to its own second floor location, with much more storage and usable space. A former changing room/walk-in closet off of the master bedroom was re-divided to allow for several upgrades, namely a true walk-in closet, a dedicated master bathroom, and an additional bathroom for the client’s daughter.

These renovations solved the client’s chief problems of needing more bathrooms for their family, and much more storage. As always with a historical renovation, there were inherent challenges that called for innovative solutions.

Project Manager Jeremiah Mills led a field team of talented craftsman in meeting those challenges. There were issues of structural flooring and framing. Lots of hands had touched this more than 100 year-old home, and a solid and straight foundation was needed before any further work could commence. Because this remodel called for lots of work on bathrooms, and we did not want our clients to be overly inconvenienced while the work was taking place, we planned and installed a temporary fiberglass shower unit in the first floor bathroom for their use during the renovations. We removed it when the work was complete.

When it came time to focus on the design elements, it was important to make choices that would reflect the traditional style of the home, while incorporating modern aesthetics. Interior designer Brooke Stollery was on hand to help marry the historic with the contemporary.

“The clients wanted to create a simple ‘boutique’ feel while still suiting the character of the historic home,” says Brooke. “I think the new clawfoot tub, mosaic marble flooring, and traditional, antique style of the selected fixtures pulled that together really nicely.”

We also milled trim to replicate what was already existing in the home to create a cohesive look to all of the rooms. Custom Schrader cabinets in the new laundry room, double pocket doors, and refinished wood flooring and stairs also elevated and improved the look of the whole house.

“Our clients were wonderful to work with and we take tremendous pride in knowing that we were able to take the home they loved and make it work so much better for their family,” says Project Planner Brian Taber.

The end result is a charming example of how respectful updates to a historic home can make all the difference for the families that inhabit them, keeping them livable and well-loved for many generations to come.

 

A Guide to Good Design: How We Help Our Clients Create Their Dream Space

At Schrader and Company, we are always striving to deliver the very best in home renovation and construction along with impeccable customer service to our clients. Part of our job is to understand our customer’s experience of the home remodeling and building process, and do everything in our power to make it a seamless, stress-less, and fun experience. From the first time you meet with us to discuss your ideas, to the day we pack up the last of our tools and leave, we want you to feel comfortable and involved in the process of turning your house into your dream home.

One way that we can guarantee our clients a better renovation or construction experience is by offering the impeccable design services of Brooke Stollery, our in-house interior designer. Brooke is here to guide our clients through any and all design and selection decisions, offering ideas, a helping hand, and expert insight.

Once a client has committed to working with us on a project, Brooke’s services become instantly available. And there are many different ways she can assist, depending on the client’s individual needs and preferences.

“When meeting with clients, I will typically talk with them a bit about their project expectations, what they have in mind for finishes, how they make decisions, and then tell them about our process. Our selections process is great because it can really be altered to fit our customer’s individual needs”, says Brooke.

The first and most common way for Brooke to work with clients on selections is for her to organize, schedule, and attend all meetings with our trusted Schrader and Company vendors, so the clients don’t have to worry about who to contact or at what point in the process to make those appointments. For material selections–things like backsplash, flooring, countertops–Brooke will usually make some suggestions based on a thorough consultation about the client’s preferred style. This format gives Brooke the opportunity to discuss the project and scope of work with our contacts at each vendor beforehand, ensuring productive meetings for our busy clients.

Another option is to have Brooke source and bring material options right to the clients. This path works well for our busier clients or those that are overwhelmed by too many options. This takes a bit more up-front design conversation and a better understanding of the client’s personal design style. Brooke will then use her understanding of the client’s preferred style based on information gathered during initial meetings to choose proposed selection options.

“To give an example, if I am working on designing a new bathroom for clients, we would need to choose (in addition to many other things) floor tile. After some design meetings, possibly some shared inspiration pictures, I would make a trip to our tile vendor, sign out three or four solid options, and bring them to my client to ultimately make a final tile selection. Keep in mind that I would not only be signing out floor samples, but for a bathroom, I would most likely be bringing them floor tile, shower wall tile, shower floors and countertop samples all in one trip,” explains Brooke.

The third type of path to design selections is a little more hands off. Brooke will meet with the clients, get an understanding of what they need, and create a selection sheet. The selection sheet is specific to their project, so if they’re renovating their kitchen, Brooke will include a section for appliances, cabinetry, flooring, backsplash, countertops–all the ingredients necessary for their kitchen–so they’ll know what to shop for. We also provide a vendor contact list, sharing our trusted associates at each vendor and how to contact them. This option is best for independent clients who are quick decision makers and know what they want.

“My job is really to be a resource to our clients, to help design them the kitchen, or bathroom, or mudroom of their dreams, while seamlessly blending it with the rest of their home,” says Brooke.

Whether our client needs a full service designer who can help guide all of the selection decisions, or simply a knowledgeable resource who can frame out the specific needs of the project, Brooke is here to help.

We are proud to offer this service to our Schrader and Company clients, and know that Brooke’s wealth of design expertise has been of huge value to our customers.

If you’re excited to make some changes to your home, give us a call and let Brooke, along with our talented team of planners and craftsmen, transform your space into the magazine-worthy house of your dreams.

 

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.

Chef Mark Hannon Dazzles at Inaugural Private Dinner

gourmet soup

On Friday, November 18th we were so pleased to host the first in a series of private chef dinners won by lucky bidders as part of our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow” initiative.

At Saratoga Bridge’s “White Gala” in July, we donated a prize package for the live auction that granted the recipient a private dinner and wine pairing for ten in our beautiful showroom prepared by The Lake Placid Lodge’s Executive Chef Mark Hannon, and complimentary concierge service to coordinate guest details and transportation.

Chef Hannon, who has trained and cooked all over the globe from Dubai to Bangkok and worked with such culinary greats as Michelle Bernstein and Michael Demaria, is one of the premiere chefs in upstate New York. He now delights diners with his elegantly prepared, locally-focused cuisine at the most exclusive resort in the Adirondacks.

On the evening of the private celebration, the guests of honor were the Mangino family–owners of successful local businesses Mangino Buick GMC and Mangino Chevrolet. They arrived with their guests to a lovely autumnal table, as prepared by Christine Wheat Special Events. We were thrilled to welcome them into our showroom and offer a true front row seat to such a rare culinary experience.

From there, Chef Hannon took over, captivating the crowd with his thoughtful and decadent menu and wine pairings to complement the carefully chosen notes and flavors of each course.

The event was a rousing success, the company warm and congenial, and the cuisine spectacular.

We look forward to celebrating with the other winners of the private chef dinner packages auctioned over the course of the summer and fall. Chef Hannon and the wonderful Mangino party of guests have certainly set the bar high.

You can learn more about Chef Hannon and The Lake Placid Lodge here. For information on Mangino Buick GMC and Mangino Chevrolet, visit their website here.

And watch this space for more updates on our “Rebuilding a Better Tomorrow Initiative”.

  • chef plating food
  • dessert
  • gourmet soup
  • appetizer
  • Gourmet Private Dinner
  • Gourmet Private Dinner
  • Gourmet private dinner- table set up
  • Gourmet private dinner- set up