Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

When it comes to remodeling older homes (those older the 75 years), there's often more to the process than simple swapping out old for new. Since our home construction methods have changed, both for safety reasons and because we've generally improved materials and techniques, starting a renovation on an older home has the potential of opening a can of worms. Even if everyone is prepared for the chance that the remodel will reveal major issues, the challenges of remodeling an older home continue in the design phase.

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Even if your home came with a finished lower level, the chances are good that it wasn't much to celebrate. The basement is typically a last thought on the builder's mind, so the finishes, layout, and function all tend to be just lackluster enough to have any personality. Which makes remodeling the lower level a great project for customizing and upgrading your home for the needs of your family. Here are 5 lower level transformations from Neal's.

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Updated for 2017

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, finding the right fit of appliances is of key importance. The space of your kitchen will be the overriding factor. A typical kitchen is about 200-square-feet. In some kitchen remodels, physical barriers such as existing walls may dictate the size of appliances that can be accommodated. In other remodels where barriers aren’t an issue, you may have complete freedom in selecting appliances and adapt your kitchen design to the models you select.

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Color trend predicting is a fairly important part of the design world. For interiors, having an idea of what is considered a "current" color helps to ensure that new designs in our homes feel well-suited to the present. Color trends look for shades that offer versatility, but also capture the mood or style that seems to be most popular in today's society. Last year's colors were fairly light. Whites and pastels dominated, reflecting the trend toward more unisex design (fewer overtly masculine or feminine spaces), and the continued embracing of a more minimalist lifestyle. This years colors, however, take a decidedly bolder turn. As we enter 2017, sophisticated, dramatic colors feel on-point.

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