This time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a busy one. The stores are filled. UPS and Fed Ex drivers are working over time. The lines at the post office can wrap around the building. Our credit cards are getting a little extra work as well.

But did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is a busy one in our world as well? Most of the plumbers we know don’t have time to partake in Black Friday shopping marathons. Because to them, the day has been renamed “Brown Friday.”

It’s not just your ovens and waistbands that are getting an extra workout. Turns out, your plumbing system is, too.

We know, we know. The idea of Brown Friday may make you cringe because an emergency of the plumbing kind is not a favorite for anyone. And while a backed up toilet is truly an issue, the one that more plumbers are seeing on Brown Friday is from kitchen sinks and garbage disposals.

If you think about your own Thanksgiving gathering, it makes sense. You likely were in a large gathering, consuming mass amounts of food, and giving your garbage disposal and dishwasher a real run for their money. If you finished your Thanksgiving dinner with a warm slice of pie and a hot cup of tea instead of making that emergency call to the plumber, consider yourself lucky. We’re sharing with you our top tips to keep the pipes running freely during your next holiday gathering.

1. Watch what goes down the drain. Grease and potato peels are enemies of the free flowing sink. But this isn’t just something to think about as you prepare a holiday meal, but should be a consideration every day of the year. Items like these can accumulate and can cause big problems when you least expect them. Our best tip is to wait for grease to solidify and then wipe it into a container that will go into the garbage. Things like potato and carrot peelings are best sent to the compost pile. Bones should never go down the disposal either.

2. Feed that disposal. Keep the water running as food scraps go into the disposal, taking care not to jam large masses down the disposal at once.

3. Keep it clean. During holiday food prep, sneak a few citrus peels into your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh. When you’re ready for more of a deep clean, pour about half a cup of baking soda down the disposal and let it sit for about 30 minutes or so to help deodorize. Next, pour in one cup of vinegar for a science experiment right in your sink. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes before rinsing with hot water. To keep the blades sharp and free from debris, add a cup or two of ice to your disposal and top it off with a cup of salt. Prepare for a noice as you let your disposal run into the salt and ice have been ground up and your disposal blades have been scrubbed clean.

4. What about the pre-rinse? We know that we’re told not to pre-rinse dishes going into the dishwasher, BUT we do recommend wiping pots, pans, and plates clean from grease before putting them into the dishwasher or the sink for a hand washing. Your pipes will thank you later for minimizing the amount of grease that goes down your dream.

5. Those dish pan hands. If your garbage disposal starts acting up during holiday meal prep, don’t use your dishwasher. Instead, put. your in-laws to work. One can wash and one can dry. Or take on the task yourself to avoid that post-dinner chit chat.

But it’s not just about the kitchen sink. If your home is filled with guests, there are some precautions in the bathroom, too, to help turn your home into the next emergency service call.

1. Watch what you flush. Keep a waste can in your bathroom for waste that is unflushable, like feminine products, q-tips, paper towels—even flushable wipes. We know people who, when entertaining a big crowd, keep a sign above the commode to remind guests what gets flushed down.

2. Protect the drains. Consider getting a mesh strainer for your shower to keep hair from washing down the drain, where it can accumulate over time. We think this is a good tip for every day use, too.

3. Take your time. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes between showers and the dishwasher, especially if you have slow drains to begin with. This will also allows your hot water heater to replenish its supply.

4. Clean the drain. A slow drain might be helped by the baking soda and vinegar remedy we outlined above. Watch it bubble and then wait for about an hour for the drain to start running again. Use hot water to rinse the drain.

Your home might be quiet and empty today, but before it fills with guests again, consider addressing any plumbing problems that have been a nuisance to your family. More guests using your sinks, toilets, and showers could take a small problem and make it a lot worse. Give your hot water heater some attention, too. They last about a decade. Could it be time for a new one? There are lots of great plumbing services here in Cincinnati. As much as we’re happy to know they are close by, you probably don’t want them showing up at your holiday dinner. ‘Tis the season for merriment and fun. We hope these tips help keep the fun flowing.

Cooler temps will soon be here. And while cold, wind, and snow may move you indoors for the blustery winter months, the time to start planning your outdoor project is right now! Depending on the size and scope of your project, there are a few essential team members, including your contractor, landscape designer, and maybe even an architect. We’ll walk you through some of the critical details, so you can get started.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

If you’re looking to kick back on your back patio in the fall of 2022, it’s time to get started. There’s a lot that goes into an outdoor project. Depending on the size and scope, imagine that it could be the same effort as a full kitchen remodel or even a home addition. After all, your yard is likely your largest “room” in the house.

Photo: Ross van Pelt

BROKEN RECORD.

We’re sorry to be saying it. We’re even sorrier to be experiencing it. Like everything else, the building industry is a victim of supply chain delays, with everything from appliances to construction supplies. That doesn’t just mean more careful planning for a project, but it can mean higher prices, too. Manufacturers of all kinds are in short supply and shipping is taking much longer, plus supply and demand means that materials prices have expanded beyond the annual 5% increase. We recommend careful planning, then ordering, and then starting the project. It makes the process a bit longer, but makes it all go so much easier when the materials are on site before we start digging and drilling.

PLAN YOUR WORK. WORK YOUR PLAN,

Although we are going to talk about the actual project planning, there’s work to be done before you even get to that point.

Check Neighborhood Guidelines.

Do you live in a newer neighborhood or do you belong to a Homeowners’ Association (HOA)? Many newer neighborhoods and most HOAs have guidelines or even restrictions on how your property can be improved or developed. These can include paint colors, fence height, and other details. It can also dictate the percentage of your lot that you can use. While intended to keep the development aesthetically within certain standards, they can be really restrictive, so check and double check. And if you live in a historic district, triple check, since often in these types of areas, there are guidelines on improvements to keep homes within the historic character of the neighborhood.

Check Property Lines.

It can be a good idea to have your property surveyed before starting a project in your yard. A disagreement about property lines once a fence or other outdoor element has been added can be a costly one to remedy.

Call Before You Dig.

Here’s an important one. Call 811 to have utility lines marked before anyone starts digging. Your contractor may take care of this for you, but it’s a detail that should not go overlooked.

BALANCING ACT.

Before you start an outdoor project, you may need to do a little juggling. It’s the only way to manage your wish list against your budget. We recommend starting with a budget range in mind, always with a little extra in reserve for unforeseen circumstances. Budget should always be on your mind with a construction project. It’s another reason why planning in advance is—and sticking to that plan—is so important. We see project costs increase because of a large amount of change orders and the dreaded scope creep. Scope creep is when the size of your project slowly grows. When the project grows, your cost goes up, as simple as that. We love how a project can evolve on site, but careful and consistent communication can keep you on the same page and prepared for budget increases.

Once you’ve established a budget, start thinking about your outdoor space. Are there any challenges, like a large slope in your back yard or lack of privacy? Add these to the list of issues you want to address with this project. Think about how you’ll use the space. It is a space to contain and entertain kids and pets? Will you entertain large crowds? Are you looking for some respite from the hustle and bustle? Or all of the above? On this wish list, prioritize any “must have” features: a fireplace, water feature, outdoor kitchen—the list is endless! Here’s where the balance comes in. Your budget, outdoor space, and neighborhood restrictions will have to be balanced. We want you to have it all are careful planning will make sure the project turns out in the best way possible.

CALL IN THE EXPERTS.

Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to assemble your team. It’s essential to find the right people for the job, who can help you not only plan and budget, but bring your project dream to life. Now is the time to get started so by this time next year, you could be relaxing in your new outdoor room.

Looking for project inspiration to get you started? Check out these projects here:

Photo: Paige Pederzani

• Covered Front Porch

• Exterior Transformation

• Screened In Porch

• Front Porch & Outdoor Living

• Front Porch Addition

• IPE Deck

There are people who describe themselves as outdoorsy. And those who consider themselves to be more indoorsy. But what if you like them both? We know some homeowners who came up with the perfect solution: a screened in porch with some amazing features that beautifully bring the outdoors in and the indoors out.

These homeowners were smart about how they went about this renovation. They lived in the space for a bit before planning their home improvement project. This strategy gave them the opportunity to see where they like to spend time in their home and what renovation project would give them the most bang for their remodeling buck. The former screened in porch was a much used, much loved part of the home. It was small, dark, and a bit dated, but the homeowners found themselves spending a lot of time there with family and friends. Making it bigger and better seemed like a no brainer.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

First, the enclosed porch was extended and given a vaulted ceiling. A new masonry fireplace gave a place to gather on those cool, fall evenings. The extended space gave room for multiple seating areas, as well.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

This porch combines the best of the indoors and outdoors, with matching wooden floors and ceiling with exposed beams. Recessed lights, ceiling fans, and built in heaters, as well as the fireplace, make this covered porch a useable space for all four seasons. The house was given new sliding doors. The former door to the house was repurposed as the new door leading to the now attached garage/rec room space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

New steps lead from the covered porch to the paver patio, providing a wider entry to the porch and some extra outdoor seating.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The existing patio got a major upgrade in the process. The fireplace isn’t just for those sitting on the covered porch. Instead, a two-sided fireplace was installed, so it can be enjoyed from the inside or the outside. Double the cozy seating areas, which can be enjoyed no matter if you’re outdoorsy or indoorsy.

As the sun sets earlier and the nights grow cooler this time of year, it’s the perfect timing to post this project. You can imagine sunset happy hours at this home. With a little planning, we can create an indoor/outdoor oasis just as lovely in your home. The first step? Give us a call.

Major home improvement projects are always an adventure. The pandemic, however, has made careful planning for a home remodeling or renovation project more important than ever before. Lead times are longer, materials costs are high, and crews are busier than ever before. That doesn’t mean you should shy away from a remodeling or renovation project. Planning, though, is everything. If you’re beginning your process towards a home addition, we’ve asked one of our architect partners, Rob Busch at drawing dept architecture and design for his top tips on first steps to make the process of major home remodel, like an addition, go as smoothly as possible.

1. Collaboration is key.

   Build a strong team of advocates who have your best interest at heart. A team of close collaborators will allow the project to be viewed through various lenses; design, jurisdictional parameters, budget, schedule, etc. An architect and general contractor are your key allies and they can flesh out the rest of the team.

2. Manage risk.

A good team will never sacrifice vision, vision, and aspirations easily. But those goals should be informed by budget and schedule. Multiple pricing exercises can help manage risk. Consider a very rough estimate from your architect and/or general contractor from the outset. Next, consider preliminary pricing estimate after the design development phase, but before construction documents.

3. Transparency is the best policy.

Be transparent with your collaborators about your aspirations and construction budget. Prioritize your goals and understand what is a must and what is a want. Your team will want to accomplish all of your goals, but if the aspirations and budget are misaligned, there needs to be a plan forward.

Our team is ready to help bring your home improvement plans to life. We’re happy to jump in and work with you or your architect, or we can make help make recommendations as you begin to build your team and plan your project.

Hey there, Joanna Gaines.

We see your style.

Farmhouse meets industrial. Modern with a vintage feel. Functional. Livable. And full of personality.

If Joanna were to visit us in Cincinnati, she’d have to meet this homeowner who was able to channel her best Magnolia-style in the major renovation of the owner’s suite bathroom.

And boy, did we all have our work cut out for us. Sometimes, we look at a bathroom, pre-demolition, and admire craftsmanship and design from days of yore. (Like this bathroom from the 1930s-era that we talked about earlier.) But sometimes, as we’re planning out a project, we look at the space and think, yeah, this has got to go.

We think you’ll agree, the later was the case.

It was dated and dark. The layout was awkward. And the bathtub was stacked onto a platform, making the idea of bath time more about acrobatics then about relaxing tub time. There was no where to go but up. And we think Joanna would agree: mission accomplished.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

This transformation is TV-worthy, for sure. There are so many details to talk about that we hardly know where to start.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Let’s start with the vanity. Designed and custom made by The English Contractor team, this gorgeous maple vanity was stained to a warm, honeyed brown. It was inspired by the homeowner’s passion for all thing equestrian, which drove the barn-like styling for the space. .

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

One must have for the vanity was a trough-sink, to continue the horse-inspired theme. This white, fireclay trough sink is from ALFI, paired with clean lines of the Brizio Odin faucets in matte black. We love the look of the longer sink with two faucets. The countertop here is a black, leathered granite, for a textured, vintage feel that adds tons of interest to this space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The farmhouse feel continues with the custom-made medicine cabinet. Reminiscent of barn doors, the medicine cabinet is behind sliding mirrors on a metal track. New lighting illuminates this space with the Calhoun collection from Savoy House. Towel rings, on either side of the vanity, are from the Brizio Odin collection.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We love the geometric touch of the flooring that adds pattern and more interest to the space, yet also accentuates this modern farmhouse feel. These handmade cement tiles can be configured in several different patterns. (They are on sale right now, if you’re planning an upcoming renovation!)

Gone is the awkward soaking tub and shower stall. They were replaced by a shower with a much larger footprint, hidden by a wall covered in shiplap, naturally. The robe hooks make this wall extra functional, and they are also from the Brizio Odin line. We love how this wall has a barn feel with a modern flair.

The black and white theme continues in the shower. The shower fixtures, from the Brizio Siderna collection, are in matte black. The wall tile, a 3” x 6” white ice subway tile from Hamilton Parker, was installed with dark grout for a more modern look. The corner seat was made with the same leathered granite as on the vanity. This shower is luxurious, too, with a handheld, wall-mounted, and ceiling-mounted shower heads. The floor tile is a foil to the wall tile: a black hex, also from Hamilton Parker, with a light grout.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We have to give you a peek at the commode. Sleek and modern, this wall-mounted toilet is tucked away for some extra privacy. the toilet paper holder is from Nameek’s in matte black

We love that designers like Joanna Gaines are so generous in sharing their ideas and designs. We get so much inspiration. We love working with a homeowner who is able to turn their passion and interest into a functional design. If Joanna were to take a look at this finished product, it may just inspire her!

Are you ready to transform an out dated bathroom? We should talk!

So many of you have a love of historic homes—and we’re with you there. We were lucky enough to be called into renovate a Tutor-style home in Avondale. Several areas of the home had already been tastefully updated, adding modern detail while preserving original elements, like rich woodwork and unique window hardware. Charm, however, only goes so far when you have to live in a home every day, and kitchens and bathrooms are two important areas of the home that just work better when they’ve been renovated. The English Contractor team worked with these homeowners, who happen to have a great eye for style and design, to modernize the home’s bathrooms.

We’ll take you through the owner’s suite bathroom, a space that had not been touched since likely the 1930s or 1940s. A home like this though, is a part of history, even through styles have changed and products wear out. You’ll be happy to hear that many of the pieces of this bathroom were salvaged and resold to collectors, so they will happily live on in another bathroom somewhere.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The original bathroom had black tile with gold glazing that had worn away over time. One wall was covered in rose gold mirrors, with a convenient slot to dispose of safety razors (which we discovered during our renovation). A mint green Art Deco sink with chrome detail was centered on the wall.

The bathroom was carefully brought down to the studs. The basic layout of the space is the same, but is now brighter and seems bigger, with lots of extra storage. The black floor tiles were replaced with the Daltile Marble Attache in Calcutta Satin. The solo sink was replaced with a long vanity that can now hold two sinks, with a stone top to coordinate with the marble floor and shower tile.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The commode previously sat behind a full wall, with frosted window. A new half wall gives some privacy and lets more light from the adjacent window into the space. We love the addition of a countertop to this half wall as well.

Yes, that mint green sink had a matching mint green toilet. It was replaced with a new Kohler, with an angular tank that still gives this bathroom a vintage-y feel. The mirror was deleted and the window extended, with a gorgeous, chunky sill.

Both versions of this bathroom had a built-in vanity. We preserved this idea in the new space. The new bathroom has a narrow cabinet, topped with stone, and a light up mirror behind it. The light up mirror keeps the space looking clean and modern, without the need for an additional sconce or light fixture. We love the addition of recessed shelves between the shower and the vanity—what a perfect place to keep towels and extra toiletries at the ready.

This was one of this projects where we loved seeing the “before” as much as the “afters.” It was a fun walk through history was we worked in this home. We’ve included lots of before and afters here, so you can fully appreciate the impact of this renovation.

The Details

Designer: Bluebird Cabinetry and Design

Paint: Benjamin Moore Crushed Ice Satin (Walls); Sherwin Williams White Flat (Ceiling); Sherwin Williams White Semi Gloss (Doors/Trim)

Tile: Daltile Marble Attache in Calcutta Satin

Countertops: Stone Statements

Toilet: Kohler

Sinks & Faucet: Kohler Caxton Undermount and Single Hole Bathroom Sink Faucet

Shower Fixtures: Kohler

Medicine Cabinet: Kohler Swing Door Medicine Cabinet

If you’re ready to transform a dated bathroom, we have just the team to help. We’d love to work with you.

The team at The English Contractor frequently hear our founder, Craig Russell, explain that the home is likely a family’s biggest investment. Any time our crew gets involved, we’re helping a household grow their investment, with a feature that adds equity in use, or with an update that will help the house capture top dollar when it’s time to sell. We’ve tapped into a local expert, fellow member of The Scout Guide Cincinnati, Erin Satterwhite with Comey & Shepherd for some insight on the best updates to make to your home to maximize your investment.

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Unless you’ve been living in a hole, you are aware how crazy the housing market is in Cincinnati and nationwide right now! Houses are flying off the market at a record pace at a record price. You’ve heard stories how friends had multiple offers on their homes where buyers waived inspections, appraisals, and even offered their firstborns as collateral to win a home (ok, maybe the third is an exaggeration.). So you might be wondering, is it even worthwhile updating my home when the market is this hot and buyers are this desperate?

Yes. If you want to receive top dollar for your home, even in a seller’s market as strong as this one, there are a few simple renovations you can make that will appeal to as many buyers as possible and bring in an unthinkable selling price for your home.

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Kitchen

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

White on white on white. You’ve seen it on all the home shows, in the home magazines, and in your friends’ homes that you admire. Gone is the natural woodwork or dark countertops. We want it as light and bright as possible! Does this mean you need to drop 50-75k on a full kitchen makeover? No! Have those cabinets painted white, swap out the hardware for an updated look, and consider replacing your countertops with something lighter. Voila! You’ll have millennials drooling over your home.

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Bathrooms

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Bye bye, Grandma. Hollywood lighting, colored tile, and little soaps in the shape of seashells on the counter are out. While they may make you nostalgic, it’s time to update those bathrooms. Tile work can take more time but is so worthwhile to a buyer. Swap out that glued on mirror or old medicine cabinet for an updated framed mirror, update the lighting from 80’s glam to something more modern, and consider a new sink- you don’t have to spend a million dollars to update a bathroom and it will give you so much bang for your buck!

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Flooring

Carpet- RIP. IT. UP. Carpet is OUT. And if you have it in a bathroom or even a kitchen (yes, if you can believe it- we’ve seen it!) rip it up immediately and set it aflame. Also, consider having your entire main living space be updated to hardwood or a even a faux wood option to bring those buyers in. If you do have carpet, save it for a bedroom! And if it’s been there for a few years and has any smell or stains, it’s time to lay down new carpet. Get a neutral gray or beige and call it a day.

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Paint

Pretend this is a black and white movie. Buyers want the walls to be as neutral and light and bright as possible. You may be thinking that gray is all the rage, because it was a few years ago. But now it’s greige. Yep- a combo between gray and beige. Bold colors make buyers nervous even though it’s a simple remedy with a few strokes of a brushstroke! But, don’t turn off potential buyers with loud wallpaper and colors.

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Home Office

After a year of people working from home, it’s important to feature the flexibility of your home to reflect the same. How often do you REALLY use your formal dining room>. I’m guessing it’s just where projects get piled up and it’s dusted off 1-2 times a year. Turn it into an office! Or, do you have an extra guest room? Have you REALLY had any guests in there? Put a desk in there and show the versatility of the space. Having a home office is one of the most requested items by buyers, even as the world reopens!

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These simple updates will help you get the most attention on your listing and drive up that sales price! None of these projects require a ton of time, a big budget, or a big mess! And once you do them, just be prepared for a multitude of showings and your home will be the hottest home on the block!

The pandemic changed the daily routines for a lot of us. Those changes are being reflected in remodeling projects across the country and right in our own backyards in Cincinnati, Ohio. The English Contractor team has been seeing an uptick in requests for estimates and new projects in the past year and we’re seeing some trends, for sure. If you’re thinking of sprucing up your abode, you are not alone.

Home Offices

As the world started to work from home, so many of us just made do, squeezing in laptops and office essentials onto the dining room table or kitchen island. It seems, though, even as the world continues to open up, that the WFH phenomenon isn’t going away any time soon. We’re getting more requests to create new home offices, not necessarily by adding additional square footage to the home, but by creating under-utilized areas of the home and repurposing them. This room was once an attached garage. New drywall, hardwood flooring and custom built-ins are transforming it into an office, for the ultimate work from home space.

Multipurpose Rooms

We’re asking every room to work a bit harder these days. Although we’re seeing more home offices and exercise rooms, we’re also seeing family rooms, basements, and kitchens that are equipped to handle a multitude of tasks. This newly remodeled kitchen opens to a family room. The island is a favorite “work from home” spot in addition to being a gathering place for family meals. The countertop is equipped with hidden outlets—great for a blender for morning smoothies or a laptop.

Outdoor Rooms

It seems unfair to call these spaces decks or patios. They do so much more. COVID had us all thinking more creatively about spending time out of doors. Outside spaces have been a great place for safe gathering during the pandemic. The English Contractor team has been busy dressing up back yards to the nines, with built in heaters, plenty of seating, full kitchens and more. We’ve completed a few of these projects, but we have more on our schedule to come this year.

Longer Lead Times

We are still feeling the impact of the pandemic in the custom building industry. Contractors and builders all across the country are busier than ever. Even the big box hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes are especially busy, as DIY-ers are working on home improvement projects in record numbers. However, we’re all experiencing longer lead times, not just because of the customer queue of projects, but also because many of our supplies and materials are limited and there is a longer lead time from ordering to their arrival time. For us, we anticipate all project materials before beginning the project, so once we start, we can move full steam ahead. Still, we caution our customers that our project timelines might be slightly longer as we work with manufacturers for efficient product sourcing.

Ready to Build?

It’s time to get started! Even if you’re in the beginning stages of planning your project, it’s a great time to get a builder, architect and designer involved so we can get your project organized and can prepare to order materials. We’d love to work with you to plan your new home office, a family room of your dreams, or the outdoor space that will be the envy of your neighborhood. Call us and let’s get started.

A few weeks ago, we shared with you Craig Russell’s check list for spring maintenance for the interior of your home. Although his list is not exhaustive, it is a thought starter and meant as a tool to help keep you on track for those home maintenance projects that will just get away from you over time. Now that you’ve had the time to tackle your list of interior maintenance, it’s time to head to the great outdoors. Don’t let the size of this list intimidate you. Instead, your first step is to merely take a nice, leisurely walk around the outside of your home, looking at the ground around your home, the structure itself, and then important elements like driveway, decks/patios and roof. Once you get into the habit of using this checklist, you’ll be come that much more familiar with your house. This way, when something is wrong, you’ll see it right away and can either take care of it or call in the appropriate professionals.

House

Start by looking directly at your house. A great first step is getting those gutters cleaned. You might want to consider gutter guards at some point, which will add another layer of protection in keeping water away from your house. Give your home a visual inspection, paying specific attention to your roof and foundation. You’re looking for loose shingles and gutters and unusual cracks. Finding these issues early can save you a big headache later. Windows and doors need to be assessed too, since theses are potential entry points for wind and water.

Yard

Next, look for branches or any type of plant/tree growth that is too close to your house too. As we get ready for mosquito season, look for any area of standing water as well. Pooling of water any where near your house can also suggest an issue with grading. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to turn on your outside water and inspect your outdoor faucets. If they weren’t winterized correctly, leaks could emerge now.

Structures & Driveways

Finally, take a look at any outdoor structures and your driveway. Check your deck, porch, and railings for water stains, warping and loose or rusty nails. Keeping up with these small repairs can save you a big project later. After repairs have been made, consider resealing any woodwork. Walk around your driveway and patio, looking for cracks that may have emerged over the winter.

Good habits when it comes to home maintenance will pay dividends in the end. These projects are much easier to keep up with when they are a part of your regular routine and often can stop small problems from developing into large ones.

Craig Russell, founder and CEO of The English Contractor, is a custom builder and bespoke remodeler. But he’s known to dole out one piece of financial advice from time to time. He’s no E.F. Hutton, but when Craig speaks, but sure to listen. Beyond the charming accent, he has some good advice to share. Namely, your home is likely your biggest financial investment. Not only because of that mortgage payment, but also because of the continued investment you might be making in your home with remodels, renovations, and repairs. Keeping up with home maintenance helps protect both your investment and the people who live inside it.

To make it easier for our followers, Craig’s compiled a checklist of seasonal maintenance items. This week, we’ll take you through spring time maintenance tips on the inside of your home.

“You don’t need to have an official day set aside for a home inspection,” Craig says. “This list can be a good reminder, though, as you walk around your house, of items that need your attention,” he explains.

Basement

It helps to think of your home in segments so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Starting in the basement, you’ll want to:

• Schedule maintenance for your HVAC systems before you make the switch over to air conditioning. Now is a good time to replace or clean your filters.

• Check on your sump pump and consider adding a battery back up.

• Check for insects, mice and other pests. Schedule an exterminator if necessary.

• Look for problem areas, particularly moisture or water.

Bedrooms/Living Areas

Next, it is time to tackle the bedrooms and main living areas of your home. If you didn’t manage a good purge and deep clean during quarantine, spring is the perfect time to get that done. In addition to a more meticulous clean, now is a great time to also:

• Dust and reverse your ceiling fans.

• Schedule a deep cleaning of your carpeting and/or area rugs.

• Check under your sinks for cracks or leaks. Check your washing machine tubings, too.

• Clean out your dryer vents.

Whole Home

Other items to check on during your spring interior walk through include:

• Windows and doors. Are you noticing drafts or moisture? It’s time to add caulk or weatherstripping. Or it may be time to replace them.

• Safety precautions. Are your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in good working order? If they are not hardwired, it is time to replace batteries. Don’t forget to have a fire extinguisher on hand as well.

• The attic. Check for ventilation and, like the basement, for pests.

The idea of an island getaway sounds pretty good about right now. White sand. Blue water. Swaying palm trees. Umbrella drinks.

But that kind of island getaway is so 2019.

To The English Contractor team, when we talk about an island getaway, we mean the one right in the center of your kitchen. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the island is its lifeblood. But the pandemic has changed how we use our homes. Not everyone has the luxury of extra space to dedicate to a home office or classroom, so rooms need to have a multipurpose. Even the kitchen. According to Bill Daley, CEO of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, ““The kitchen has long been the heart of the home. But especially during the pandemic, it has emerged as the most prominent, multitasking room as well. We see this continuing with more open-space concepts, an extension into multi-season outdoor living spaces, larger kitchen island hubs and increased functionality and storage to allow homeowners to cook, eat, work, home-school and play, all in the same vicinity.”

While we wish we could send you pictures of our latest island vacation, instead we’ll share photos of our second favorite kind of island, that of the kitchen variety. Some are from The English Contractor projects, but others are islands that are inspiring us as we continue to renovate kitchens around Cincinnati. Take a look and see what you like. You might not be able to plan your getaway right now, but we’d love to help you plan your new kitchen island.

The English Contractor Islands

Ross Van Pelt

This wood-toned kitchen island seamlessly fits into the style of this home. It’s proximity to the family room makes it a true multipurpose space, a spot to eat, prep food, or watch TV. The home’s formal dining room is nearby, making it a natural buffet for large family dinners.

Ross Van Pelt

This large kitchen island serves many purposes. It’s home to a 6-burner Wolf cooktop and drawer microwave, as well as two cabinets for spices and other cooking essentials. The quartz countertop is another trend we’re seeing in kitchen design—it has the look of marble, but is so easy to care for and clean. One side of the island is for cooking, but the other is for gathering and is this family’s main spot for casual dinners—both home cooked and the door dashed variety.

Ross Van Pelt

This kitchen island is the very definition of swing space. It plays a more traditional kitchen role for dining and food prep at meal times, but pop up outlets and great lighting make it a home office space from nine to five. Quartz makes another appearance here, a beautiful foil to the dark leathered granite in the rest of the kitchen.

Ross Van Pelt

An island doesn’t have to be large to be useful. The scale is just perfect for this kitchen, with kitchen essentials on one side and dining on the other, and allows for the kitchen to feel open to the home’s living space, while providing a dedicated and light filled space for cooking.

Paige Pederzani

This traditional kitchen island has a the look and feel of a piece of furniture, but was designed with storage in mind. A true kitchen hub, it holds so many kitchen essentials at the ready, but drawers and custom panels keep everything neatly hidden.

Island Inspo

We don’t just spend our time building custom islands—we dream about them too. Here are some that have caught our eye. While we’re still seeing our share of white kitchens, color is back in a big way. Customers are looking for easy-to-clean stone tops and waterfall countertops give a beautifully modern look. Some islands have space for seating and are elongated to allow for more table-like seating. Homes with larger spaces are even doing double islands—for the opportunity to island hop in your own kitchen. We love the organic elements that are giving many of these kitchens a clean, natural look.

JEAN ALLSOPP

COURTESY STUDIO DEARBORN

SARGENT ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

ANUGS FERGUSSON

LESLEY UNRUH

COLIN WAY

If all this island talk has you thinking about a new kitchen, then we should talk. We’re happy to collaborate with your architect or interior design team—and we’re happy to make recommendations of professionals that can help bring your new kitchen to life. One day, we’ll be back on an island beach soaking up the warm sun. But for now, if you’re looking for heat—get in the kitchen.

The team at The English Contractor is proud to announce this special achievement. We have been named 2021 Contractor of the Year by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in Greater Cincinnati.

Residential Bath Under $25,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We worked on this project in collaboration with the team at Evolo Design, which included taking an awkward layout and making it amazing, with a corner shower tucked in between two separate vanities. Wrap around mirrors maximized the effect of pendant lighting. Quartz countertops and backslashes highlight the wall mounted faucets. The grey vanities offer plenty of storage, but really bring out the wow factor in the chevron-patterned marble floor.

Residential Bath $75,001-$100,000

Inspired by the homeowner’s love of horses, this owner’s suite bathroom takes farmhouse chic to an entirely new level. Our in-house carpenters crafted this custom vanity complete with a long trough sink and dual faucets. The custom-designed barn door mirrors slide on tracks to give additional storage. The floor adds incredible detail with black and white pattern, but is heated to provide additional comfort.

Residential Interior Under $100,000

This room might be small, but it packs a big punch, serving as a a backdoor entryway, mudroom, laundry room and dog wash. Our carpentry team designed custom cabinetry, which included plenty of storage and easily accessible cubbies. A new dog shower adds a special element for the four-legged inhabitants of this home.

Residential Interior $100,000-$250,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We loved bring the plans made by drawing dept and Jamie McMillan Design to life in this Hyde Park home. The challenge was to modify the layout and add a modern kitchen that would pay homage to this home’s historic heritage. This project included opening up the back of the home, while maintaining special detail, like original wood trim and detailed windows.

Residential Kitchen $100,001-$150,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We partnered again with Evolo Design to renovate this Terrace Park kitchen, which included new Subzero Wolf appliances, upgraded cabinetry, quartz countertops, and beautiful brass and glass open shelves.

Residential Exterior $50,000 - $100,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

This project located in a 100+ year old home in Madeira connected the indoors to the fabulous back yard, thanks to exquisite planning from the drawing dept. We added on a large covered porch with a two-sided fire place, and extended the existing patio, giving these homeowners lots of entertaining options. We also converted an existing garage into a fun bonus room, complete with a full bathroom.

Residential Kitchen $60,001-$100,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We were thrilled to be call in to work with drawing dept to bring new life to this kitchen. One of our favorite details are the chartreuse cabinets, which highlight a coffee nook adjacent to the breakfast area.

Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Under $100,000

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Our final win for the Greater Cincinnati NARI awards was another great collaboration with drawing dept. We constructed an expansive deck, which gave these Hyde Park homeowners lots of outdoor entertaining options, including a gas-fueled fire pit.

The goal of each and every project is to totally delight our customers and show off the talent of our architect, design, and supplier partners. Awards like these are just icing on the cake. Is your home worthy of an award-winning project? We want to hear all about it. We can put together the team to make it happen.

The back yard patio is the new living room.

Let’s discuss.

If you’ve tried to purchase an outdoor, propane heater, new grill, or even outdoor seating in the past six months, this is not news to you. We’re all doing our best to manage through the pandemic while still enjoying social connections and time with family and friends. The solution that so many of us have adopted is to spend more time outside. There’s a Norwegian saying that says, “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s a mantra worth adopting these days. We have a lot of customers who are ready to bundle up and enjoy their back yards as much as they enjoy their living rooms. But these lucky homeowners have had that opportunity for the past six months. Reading any further may make you pretty jealous, but we hope that it inspires you for a future project in your own back yard.

This stately Hyde Park, Cincinnati home was already a real beauty and the homeowners instantly saw its potential. The scope of our project included new paint, a new driveway, an expanded front porch with new front doors and then, the creme de la creme of a backyard, giving this home garage space, privacy, extra parking and outdoor living space—all elements that it had previously been lacking.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The home received an instant update with a new coat of paint and a new front door. A new, enlarged porch was added that expands the entire front of the house, allowing for two seating areas. New lighting and ceiling fans make it a wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

Of course, the front of the home looks beautiful from a distance, plus, the closer you get, the more stunning it becomes. The stained headboard ceiling adds a gorgeous custom detail. The composite flooring give the space low maintenance durability.

A new poured concrete driveway now extends from the street to the backyard, not only offering additional parking, but also giving an impressive gated access to the backyard. As the gates swing open, you can see an expansive paver patio—beautiful enough for entertaining and durable enough for even more parking, when necessarily. The addition of a two-plus car garage, gives a place to park cars and is large enough to accommodate additional storage.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The backyard provided a blank slate and the perfect spot for a new two-car garage, a rarity in a community of older homes. In addition to adding more storage and lighting, the new structure gives more privacy from neighbors for the new entertaining and outdoor living space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

If you were to look up “outdoor oasis” in the dictionary, this picture would surely be right there. What used to be an empty back yard is now a multi-level living area, with easy access to the street, house and garage. But why would you ever leave this cozy little nook. The paver patio includes a grill and refrigerator, plus a gas fire pit. Custom built planters add an extra bit of privacy and some seasonal color.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The composite deck extends this entertaining space and is maintenance free, to boot. Instead of railings, it includes beautiful built in planters and a built in bench. Take note of the outdoor television. We’re sure this family doesn’t miss going out because they have it all right here.

And you can too. Give us a call to get on our schedule to upgrade your own backyard.

It’s all about the kitchen. They aren’t just for meal prep and storage, either. They’re for families. For gathering. For entertaining. For time spent together. These homeowners were lucky enough to spend their quarantine in a kitchen constructed for that very purpose. Once tucked away into the back corner of the 100-plus year old home, the kitchen is the new centerpiece of the home, opened up to a cozy living area filled with original woodwork and details.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The cook now gets to be part of the action and the family gets to gather around an island so large that it seems unfair to call it an island. An island, by definition, is a piece of land surrounded by water, and is often thought to be isolated, separated from the mainland action, where space is at a premium. That’s why this structure is called The Continent.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

Once you see the details of this kitchen, you’ll want to swap out your kitchen island for a continent too. The Continent is the focal point not only of the kitchen, but of the living space of the home. It’s a place to dine. A place to sit and work (especially now). A place to gather. And it offers plenty of storage, too. The countertop has enough overhang to accommodate comfortable seating and underneath is a ton of hidden storage. Can your kitchen table do that?

With a palette of black and white, this kitchen is clean and bright. Upper cabinetry was eliminated to keep everything feeling open and airy. Plus, all that wall space gives the chance for this backsplash tile to make a statement. The geometric pattern of the tile is reminiscent of a modern Art Deco stye. The metallic black and brass light fixture only adds to that motif.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

We’d be remiss not to mention this open shelving, custom made for the space and mounted directly over the new black-framed window. This corner nook is the perfect place for some shelves and we love how the homeowner accessorized them with rose colored glasses. What a beautiful display of a collection that only adds to the Art Deco feel.

The countertops in this space are another element that add interest, while continuing with the neutral palette. White cabinetry is topped with a beautiful, black leathered granite. The Continent, on the other hand, has a base of grey cabinetry and is topped with a sparkly white quartz.

The Continent, however, has utility beyond seating and storage. It’s equipped with hidden outlets that appear at the touch of a button, convenient for cooking tools and charing a smart phone, but it also makes this surface turn—presto, change-o, into a conference table.

The sink, too, is worth mentioning. The elegantly-shaped brass faucet so beautifully coordinates with the lighting and cabinet hardware. The elongated, stainless steel sink is fitted with a removable cutting board, providing additional work space, and, in a pinch, to hide a stack of dirty dishes.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

A kitchen that was once an after thought, hidden in the back of this older home, is now the crown jewel, adding modern style with an Art Deco aesthetic. And following the pandemic trends in home design, this room serves many purposes: meal prep, family gathering, entertaining, and work. At a time where so many of us are spending more time in our own homes, a room like this is quite the antidote for quarantine living.

Has the extra time spent in your home revealed the need for a renovation? We’re just the people to call. Projects in the works now need some extra lead time for materials to be sourced and delivered, so now’s the time to get started for mid-year projects.

Temps are quickly falling. Winter weather is here in Cincinnati for sure. Is your home winter ready? If you’ve typically spent your days outside of the home, at your workplace or office and now are in work from home mode, cold drafts, drips of water, and low hanging branches around your house might be more noticeable now. The English Contractor team has complied some tips to help our homeowner friends get their houses in the best shape to keep you cozy and warm—especially if your house is now also doubling as your office or classroom!

Craig Russell, founder of The English Contractor, is also ready to share his expertise with you and has some of his best tips for preparing your home for cold temps, freezing water, and howling winds.

You can bring warmth, comfort and joy to your home with our favorite home builder tips. Once you’ve protected your home from the hazards of winter wind, water and wasted energy sources, you can take a look at your interior. You might start dreaming of a new kitchen or a bathroom remodel as you spend more time indoors. We think this is a great time to start talking to an architect and making a plan for a home renovation or remodel in 2021. Even if a big home improvement project is on your list for the upcoming year, you can still use the winter months to make your home extra cozy. Craig Russell was included in this great list which included over thirty interior design tips on making your home ready for hibernation, hygge, and family time in front of the fireplace.

Do you have a home improvement question that Craig Russell and The English Contractor team might be able to answer? Let us know! We would love to feature your home improvement quandary in an upcoming blog post!

Although we could probably endlessly publish blog posts filled with details and anecdotes about this Cincinnati bungalow, but this is our last piece about this whole home remodel. The English Contractor team was called in initially to remodel the bathroom, which we expanded into an adjacent closet and then transformed the entire space with gorgeous marble detail. As quarantine hit, this homeowner got to work and was lucky enough to be able to source materials so we could then focus efforts on the kitchen and living areas, where we did a little reconfiguring and a lot of painting, creating the most stylish abode. While details abound, there’s no mistaking that space is at a premium in this home, so our team was next tasked to turn the basement into a space for living and laundry. As you might imagine, this basement renovation does not skimp on beautiful details or style.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

We hinted to this spectacular basement when we were telling you about the renovated kitchen, where we painted existing cabinetry with a Farrow and Ball-inspired blue, added in a few new cabinets here and there, and topped it all with a marble counter and brass hardware. A door separating the kitchen from steps down into the basement was removed and a glass-front door, chandelier and refinished hardwood created a grand entrance to the home’s subterranean space.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The basement space is awash in light, the result of new recessed lighting and the newly drywalled walls, ceiling and trim painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore, flat for the ceiling, egg shell for the walls and semi-gloss for the trim. Hardwood stair tread and floors add continuity to the space upstairs, making this seem more like another room of the home versus a basement.

The back wall of the basement was turned into a designer-inspired storage system, where stock cabinetry was given a custom-look with decorative trim and hardware from Ballard Designs. The piece is stylish and practical, with open shelves for display that make the glass block window look like a decor item as well.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

New drywall, paint, flooring and lighting made a dark basement a great living area. Some clever planning made great use of this space, though. This living space is open to a laundry area, which is a vision to behold. Beautiful finishes in the laundry space, and by using a wide, open doorway between the living area and laundry room keep both rooms from feeling too closed in. When laundry is hidden into a dark corner of the basement, it makes tackling what can be a dreaded chore even more of a drag. But here, laundry is beautifully integrated into this living space, truly making it seem like less of a chore.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

In the laundry room, the Samsung front loading washer and dryer, both sourced from Costco, are accompanied by Hamilton Bay Cabinets, sourced from Home Depot. The Benjamin Moore White Dove paint color continues into this room. The white of the cabinetry and walls is brightened by light from the glass block window and additional recessed lighting. An apron front, farmhouse sink in white adds an elegant touch with a gooseneck faucet. The countertop over the washer and dryer, and backsplash behind the sink, is a remnant piece of marble, coordinating with the kitchen upstairs. The flooring is a white marble hex tile, which takes it all to the next level. You see the hint of the door, which hides the unfinished storage area. But even this door, an original door to the home that, like the other interior doors to the home, had been beautifully stained and refinished.

Now you’ve seen this home from top to bottom, a small but mighty whole home renovation that is packed with details and style. Does your home need help reaching its real potential? We’re just the team to help you get it done.

We’re back again for another chapter in an amazing whole home renovation. Like so many, this creative and talented homeowner got busy during quarantine, making fantastic plans for her home and then bringing them to life. A few weeks ago, we gave you a tour of the kitchen and living area of this house. The transformation was incredible, taking the space from dull to dazzling. But that’s not where our worked stopped. There’s much more to see. Join us today for a tour of a beautiful bathroom renovation.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The serene, calming colors from the living area continue into the center hallway. It’s a short walk, but one where you’ll want to keep your eyes open because the details are incredible. Herringbone wall covering from Schumacher adds texture and interest. The trim and ceiling were repainted in a semi-gloss Alabaster from Benjamin Moore. Remember all those brass details in the kitchen hardware and dining area? They repeat in the hallway, connecting the front and the back of the home, with this brass sconce and cream colored shade from McGee and Co. (Side note: We’re big fans of the Studio McGee team! Remember when we had a sighting at KBIS in Las Vegas? ) From this hallway view, you get a sneak peek of the bathroom, which even from this perspective, you can tell is just filled with incredible details.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course. And we know a gorgeous bathroom when we see one. Its the transformation that makes this one so impressive. The former space was cramped, but made good use of space with a small-scale, wood-toned vanity and a tiled bath/shower combination. There just wasn’t much room. The bathroom was expanded into an adjacent closet to enlarge the home’s only bathroom. But making the bathroom larger in this renovation was just the tip of the iceberg. This basic and small bathroom was definitely taken to the next level when it was expanded, and then finished with beautiful finishes and special details. As with any project, it’s all in the details.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Sometimes, you just need to take a minute to take it all in. The dark wood and neutral tile are gone and the new space is a vision in white. A larger vanity from Restoration Hardware in white with brass hardware has a single bowl sink, but plenty of counter space with the Carrara marble top, a vast improvement from this bathroom’s previous life. The vanity was tweaked with the Lugarno pulls and knobs in brass, also from Restoration Hardware.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The fretwork detail on the mirror is another wow-factor. This 30 by 40-inch mirror was sourced from Williams Sonoma, adding function and decor. The mirror was flanked by two Visual Comfort sconces, also from McGee and Co.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The Carrera marble vanity top is beautifully accessorized. We love the touches of polished nickel and glass, white and blue—gorgeous compliments to the brass accents that repeat throughout this home. These accessories beautifully coordinate with the vanity faucet, the Delta Cassidy widespread bathroom faucet in polished nickel, sourced from Ferguson.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The marble repeats on the bathroom floor, but adds pattern and dimension to the space with a hexagon shape. The Firenze Carrara honed hexagon is from The Tile Shop and was finished with a grout in whisper gray.

If you’re like us, you’re already entranced by this space. But wait until you see the new shower. The vinyl bathtub was removed and replaced with a shower worthy of this beautiful room.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

Classic and elegant, this shower floor uses the same tile as the rest of the bathroom, which makes the entire space look larger. The wall is in a larger, rectangular marble tile, the honed Firenze Carrara, both The Tile Shop. The polished nickel shower system, beautifully displayed in niches in the shower tile, coordinates with the vanity faucet, the Delta Cassidy. In fact, the twelfths bars, hooks and toilet paper holder, were also from the Delta Cassidy line. New recessed lighting illuminate the entire space.

The English Contractor team was initially called in to remodel this bathroom project, but a great working relationship, some luck in sourcing materials, and a bit of extra time thanks to quarantine meant that this project just kept on going. And we’ll keep going, too, to show you the rest of this project. Keep following along and we’ll post more about this project soon.

If this project got you thinking about a renovation in your home, now is the time to start planning. Let’s hear from you and get started.

Quarantine caused a lot of us to change our plans. Working from home, stockpiling supplies, with frequent hand washing and face masks as the new norm, life looked a bit different. Without a commute to the office and free time spent at home, it was also a time for people to take up new hobbies. Some learned a new language. Some started baking bread. Some purged every closet and drawer.

And some people’s productivity put us all to shame. Like this homeowner, who designed and renovated an entire home. We were proud partners in the process and are still in awe of her style and design sense.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The English Contractor team was originally tasked with a simple kitchen remodel and we were well into that project as the world slowed down. With proper precautions in place, we just kept going, until this house was entirely transformed. We’ll take you through this project in three parts over the next few weeks: kitchen, dining and living area; bathroom, and basement. Prepare to be inspired.

You might describe the house in its “before” state as a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In a dish. No cone. No whipped cream. Certainly no rainbow sprinkles or a cherry on top. It looked just fine. It was in good working order. But when you have a vision and a team with a talent, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is not for you.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The new space is a vision to behold, in each and every corner. Gone is the small breakfast bar in favor of a wide opening into the newly repainted dining room. Hughes of pale blue and brass accents repeat throughout the home. These are at the same cabinets, repurposed with a coat of light blue paint and door knobs and pulls from Restoration Hardware.

Photo : Ross Van Pelt

This cozy kitchen once had a second opening into the hallway. In the reconfiguration, that doorway was closed off in favor of some contiguous counter space, a luxurious marble. The backsplash is marble, too, adding a layer of richness. New new range is from Samsung, topped with a custom wood ventilation hood. The dishwasher and refrigerator were reused in the remodel.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

A door once separated the kitchen from a steps leading to a back door and the home’s basement. With the door now gone, the kitchen is washed with light and the basement seems less like a basement and fully integrated into the flow of the home. The existing flooring remains, with the kitchen floor patched where cabinets were removed and reconfigured.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The new sink is an elegant white porcelain, sourced from Wayfair. It’s paired with a Kohler deck-mounted, bridge kitchen sink faucet with level handles and side spray in a polished nickel. Here you get a close up of the marble counter and backsplash. Under cabinet lighting is paired with a flush mount from Circa Lighting to further brighten this rejuvenated kitchen.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The kitchen flows into this elegant dining space. The blue hues from the kitchen repeat here, thanks to a gorgeous Sisal wallpaper from Schumacher. The texture and color add to the richness of this space. The ceiling was painted in an Alabaster semi-gloss with matching crown molding. The floor trim was installed and painted in Stonybrook from Benjamin Moore, an unexpected detail that adds to the elegance of the room.

Photo: Ross Van Pelt

The dining room opens up to this beautiful living space. We can’t take much credit for this room, beyond some paint and crown molding, but we wanted you to see the new flow of this home, made possible both through the kitchen reconfiguration and the home owner’s sense of style. If she ever decides to open up her own design business, we want you to remember that you learned about her from us!

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The front of the house came together so beautifully that we all just kept on going. The project was small enough that only one or two (socially distanced) team members were ever on site at a time. Quarantine has added on some delays to product sourcing, but luck was on our side when it came to ordering. So we kept on going. There’s more to come and you won’t want to miss how this whole home remodel came together.

In the meantime, if you’re inspired to start renovating your own home, send us a message today. Many suppliers are still experiencing product delays from the shut down this spring, so extra advance planning is necessary to keep projects moving smoothly. We’ll walk you through the process, every step of the way.

Remember the home that we profiled with the amazing blue kitchen? That kitchen remodel was just the tip of the iceberg for this Cincinnati suburban home. In addition to removing a wall to open up the kitchen to the rest of the home, a non functional garage adjacent to the back of space was transformed into a laundry room that will knock your socks off—and then wash and dry them.

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

In this room’s former existence as an attached garage, it was too small to be functional. Plus, a free standing garage behind the home had plenty of room to park cars and all of those other home necessities that tend to live in the garage space. What’s more, the only entry through the back of the home, which, with the main garage situated behind the house, might be a much-used entryway, was either through a sliding door in the back of the kitchen or the large metal garage door.

The location of a laundry room is just key to the every day flow to the home. Basement laundry rooms are difficult since they tend to be far from the action of the home, and can mean that homeowners are lugging baskets of clothes up and down stairs. Laundry closets, which we often see closer to the home’s main living area, don’t always have the space needed to do anything but wash and dry clothes. Such was the case with this home’s former laundry room: a small closet with folding doors, with only enough room for a side by side washer and dryer.

Although the main purpose of this room is laundry, it seems unfair to call it a laundry room. It’s multifunctional, also acting as a mudroom. Now, with the addition of a Provia door to the outside, it’s clearly a back-of-the-house entryway. The English Contractor team created custom cubbies with plenty of storage. The homeowners are able to easily kick off shoes, hang up coats, and deposit bags, which might otherwise clutter the living space.

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

This room is as fresh and as modern as it’s adjacent kitchen, yet the colors and metals used are completely different, giving this room it’s own personality as well as function. As in the kitchen, the cabinetry was custom made by The English Contractor and painted a cool grey. Cambria countertops give a space for sorting, folding and more that is both durable and stylish. The geometric backsplash is a mixture of white, light and dark grey from the Equipe Kite tile line from Hamilton Parker and takes this room’s style to the next level. The LG washer and dryer neatly tuck into the corner and gave enough space for cabinetry storage both next to and above the appliances.

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

This house is also the home to some four-legged friends. It seems unfair to call them pets. After all, a lot of thought was given to their care and comfort in designing this room—and, for that matter, the rest of the home. Entryway, laundry room, and storage functions already elevate this room to a true multi-purpose room. But that’s not all! Dogs also come through that new back door. As well trained as these pups are, they are not great about wiping their muddy feet after a romp in the backyard, so a place for these pooches to get a little pampering was a must.

Photo Credit; Ross Van Pelt

Dog washing is made easy with this dog cleaning area—and this way, lots of mud and stray dog fur are kept out of the home’s living area. This shower fixture from Elkay has a flexible shower head for ease of use in washing even the most wiggly pup. We completely tiled this dog wash with 1” grey hexagon tile for the floor and a 3x6 subway tile in white ice, both from Hamilton Parker. Even though there is plenty of storage for some towels, we all know that dogs like to shake dry, which can make a real mess. Not to worry. The flooring in this room is as durable as it is beautiful. This wood-look flooring is actually a porcelain tile. Of course, a dog bath might leave the fur baby very clean, but the homeowner can get a bit dirty in the process. The adjacent farmhouse sink, the Georgia model from Miseno and accompanying Miseno Mia faucet in polished chrome gives a convenient place for people to wash up.

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

Who get’s hosed off in that dog shower? This big boy is squeaky clean after some outdoor play time. He, and the people he lives with in this newly remodeled home, is happy with the results. As for The English Contractor team. You might say we are dog tired after this fetching remodel. You’ve seen the kitchen and the laundry room, but our work in this house didn’t end there. We have more to show you.

In the meantime, are you ready for a remodel and want to see what’s paw-sible in your home? We’re just a howl away.

As professional remodelers, Craig Russell and The English Contractor team also dabble as counselors and life coaches when it comes to home improvement. Marie Kondo is now living in Los Angeles and The Home Edit team is busy with their Netflix series. And Dr. Phil is so 2005. So we’re happy to step in and give some guidance for those making some big life choices when it comes to a new kitchen. There are a lot of important questions to ask, though, when getting ready for a kitchen remodel. Namely: How are you currently using this space? How do you want to use this space? And, where’s all of your stuff going to go? And there are a lot of design implications that fall under these questions, if you think about it. But one topic we’re constantly talking about is open shelving.

Are you on the fence about whether you want upper cabinetry or open shelving in your kitchen? Open shelving is a trend, but not one that is going away any time soon according to our sources. So as you are soul searching about your life choices and kitchen design selections, here are some items to keep in mind.

Access

Will open shelves work in your space? Will they be a useful addition or a high-maintenance add on?

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

Designer: Evolo Design

When planning their kitchen remodel, these homeowners instinctively knew that it was a great space for kitchen shelving. This large window had been flanked by upper cabinetry, which actually didn’t add that much storage, and also blocked a lot of the natural light. We removed two upper cabinets, leaving space between an appliance garage on one side and the double wall ovens on the other, which instantly made the entire kitchen seem so much bigger and brighter. These satin brass and glass shelves are suspended from the ceiling and so, in theory, they could easy be removed if and when an update is needed. The glass shelves were a great choice for this space, adding to the open and airy feeling in this kitchen. Even for the tidiest homeowner, though, kitchens catch their fair share of dirt and grime, so the items on open shelves need to be cleaned regularly. These homeowners chose to use their shelves for coffee mugs on one side and drinking glasses on the other. Items that are used daily are a great use of space, since they are regularly being washed anyway. Another plus is that this kitchen has a ton of storage in other places, so these shelves are home to a minimal, uniform looking items, keeping everything looking crisp and clean.

Function

How are you going to use the space? Will they make your space work better or just add in clutter?

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

The English Contractor team always recommends that our homeowners take a good inventory of their kitchens before we start a renovation. What are the must haves in the space? What appliances, tools and bric-a-brac are just taking up space. After all, a cluttered kitchen is not going to be easy to work in, no matter what type of renovation. These open shelves were custom made for a narrow space, also surrounding a window, that would have been too small for an upper cabinet. Plus, as in the other kitchen, even the narrowest of cabinets would have obstructed a ton of light. These shelves gave some extra storage right where it’s needed. This kitchen nook contains a dishwasher, sink and refrigerator, making this the perfect place for every day items like drinking glasses. If these homeowners were purely looking for a place to add decor items, these shelves could have looked cluttered or unnecessary. However, using them to hold every day items at the ready maximizes this small corner and makes them a perfect addition. You can tell that these homeowners gave these shelves some thought. While they does contain some decor items, it mixes them in with a collection of glassware, too, for a functional/decorative look.

Aesthetic

Will open shelves work better than cabinetry in your space?

When you see a picture like this, even the open shelf naysayers out there will agree that sometimes, they really are the best option. This home underwent a large transformation, changing a closed in kitchen to an integral part of an open layout. Upper cabinetry would have made the kitchen feel claustrophobic. There are enough shelves here to give the homeowners options to both store every day items for easy access and decorative items to add some style to the space. In a space like this, it is likely that cabinetry would have cost more than open shelving, so budget can be another reason to vote for team open shelving.

Collections

Will your space be used for storage or display?

Photo Credit: Ross Van Pelt

Architect: drawing dept

Sometimes you don’t have to make the choice between open shelving and cabinetry. This creative homeowner gave their kitchen window two important tasks: to let in the merry sunshine and to act as a creative display area. Without a cabinet door to hide behind, interior design experts recommend using open shelves to carefully display collections, whether they are every day items or decor elements. Once again, this space is pulling double duty. It holds a collection of rose colored glasses that make for a beautiful display. But they are useful as well for a real win win.

Are you opening up? Or closing the doors?

Some people love them. And some people just don’t. While your therapist may be able to help you figure out if you want to keep your stuff in the wide open or hide it all behind closed doors, as kitchen counselors, we have other questions to ask you while you’re on our renovation therapy couch. Will they work in your space as a substitution for upper cabinetry? Do you have a nook where a shelf will add some extra pizzaz and storage? Are you up for a little extra cleaning and dusting? Do you have a collection that you want to put on display? We don’t have all the answers, but we can guide you through the soul searching that will inevitably lead to your dream kitchen.

Dear Kitchen Counselors,