Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, have become popular as local municipalities have relaxed regulations to allow more homeowners the opportunity to create independent residential spaces. In this article we explain what makes ADUs unique, and some of the special considerations when deciding to build one such as whether to retrofit within an existing home, or […]
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Whole Home Remodel/Expansion – Part 1: Exploring the Design Possibilities
Homeowners who haven’t been through a large-scale remodel before would probably tell you that a project “begins” when construction starts. The truth is that months of planning go into any successful remodeling project before anyone pulls out a power tool. We met a family in Hopkinton in January 2020. They had big ideas for their […]
What Does a Home Remodel Cost in 2020? Is this even a good time to do a home remodel?
We write this same blog ever year – and for good reason! Often, homeowners have no idea what a remodel is going to cost. After all, if you haven’t done one recently—or ever!– it’s hard to pull a number out of thin air and the information you find online can be unrealistic. Worse yet, television […]
Everything You Need to Know About Newton Accessory Apartments
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that housing is at a premium in Newton, MA. Not only are real estate prices high, there simply isn’t much inventory and there isn’t a lot of room for additional development. One simple solution that our hometown is beginning to embrace is accessory apartments, which […]
The Secret Door
Is there anything more delightful to children, and children-at-heart, than a secret passage? Very few of us are lucky enough to have one in our own homes, but we recently completed a home renovation where you’ll find something hidden behind a seemingly ordinary chalk board located in the kitchen. This home originally had a servant’s […]
Open it Up!
Sometimes a simple move can have a big impact. Removing two walls made this small kitchen feel much bigger. The perimeter cabinets and tile are original; we added an island in a contrasting color. To fill in the floor where the walls were and ease the transition between the existing floor and the tile we added […]
Storm Panels/Restoration, vs. Replacement Windows vs New Windows
Your windows are old and drafty. You’d love to take advantage of low cost state loans to upgrade them. There are a number of options available. Which one is right for you? Option 1: Storm panel (may also involve window restoration): If you live in an older home and want to preserve the original windows, […]