Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

Despite the unique and comfortable free-standing tub, which replaced an old whirlpool tub in this master bath, the real star of this remodel was a reworked floor plan. Removing a commode room and swapping that space with a walk-in shower allowed the shower to increase in size and utility. The overall feeling of the small space goes from claustrophobic to airy with attention to space details. White features allow the natural-tone tile to act as a style statement, rather than a background, and the chrome fixtures helped create a contemporary vibe. This project was a 2013 NARI Contractor of the Year Local Residential Bath winner.

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Unless you were born with the ability to remember every single detail about the schedules, commitments and needs of each member of your family, the chances are high that you rely on shared calendars, and any number of other organizational tools to keep it all straight. These days, mobile apps go a long way to assisting us with the task of keeping up with the family, but there are plenty of bits and pieces in the physical world that should be tracked, displayed, or exchanged. This is the usefulness of a Family Communication Center in your home. The communication center or kitchen desk is a single dropping-point for all the various things your family needs to know and remember as you each go about your daily lives.

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The age and character of an old piece of wood is like it's own piece of art. Adding reclaimed wood to your home is a style statement, and has become a trend in recent years. A browse through Houzz for reclaimed wood photos provides hundreds of clever and beautiful installations. Reclaimed wood is a huge category, from raw beams and boards to old architectural pieces, so there are plenty of options for just about every project you have in mind. Before jumping on this design trend, however, there are some considerations surrounding the choice to include used wood in your home.

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Time and again we see that the kitchen is the heart of the home. So as we near the holiday party season, you may be looking at your kitchen and wondering how it can work better when you're the host. Entertaining comes with its own set of challenges and needs, and if you have guests over often, it may be worth while to adjust the form and function of your kitchen to account for a crowd rather than simply for your immediate family. The seven ideas below are some great things to consider. Read More