When is a bathroom more than just a bathroom? When it’s YOUR bathroom, of course! The Wills Company makes a homeowner’s dream of a larger, brighter bathroom come true all within budget.
For most people, getting the bathroom right is a priority. And, as one of the most important improvements you can make in adding value to your home, it also becomes a key consideration when it comes time to sell.
Older houses, historically, have small bathrooms without much storage. When a buyer falls in love with one of these homes, it’s usually one of the first rooms they want to update. This was the case with a recent Wills Company client who purchased a 1930’s era home in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville. The client first met with the Wills Company lead designer and co-owner, Ridley Wills, to outline their needs and budget. Ridley then designed a complete bathroom renovation that met the client’s wish-list, budget and “fit” into the existing home’s design that they already loved.
The homeowner had the following objectives for the bathroom:
To make the space feel larger
To create ample storage space
To stay within a prescribed budget
The Wills Company started by replacing a wall-mounted sink with a custom, built-in vanity with lots of drawers. The design team ingeniously found extra space by pushing it back into the attic/eaves area. They then added a linen cabinet over the toilet for extra storage.
The bathroom needed more natural light, so they installed an opaque class panel in the window eliminating the need for the permanently closed, metal blinds. The Wills Company also replaced the awkward shower curtain rod with a wall-to-wall, bowed one to give the shower more room.
The stay within budget, the decision was made to leave the existing tile floor, tub surround and wainscoting in place because they were all in very good condition and added to the vintage charm of the home. The room was then painted bright white to make the space feel larger. The result is a clean, fresh and light-filled space that was exactly what the residents wanted.
The particular bathroom renovation was a big hit with the client and went on to become a regional winner in the 2012 Chrysalis Awards Program in the category of Bath Remodel Under $40,000.
Trend Alert! Thinking about Dumping Your Tub? You’re not alone. This beautiful Wills Company tub-to-shower renovation was recently featured on HouseLogic Blog.
“Go Tub-less. Dump your tub for a dreamy shower! Changing your bathtub to a shower is trending your house in the right direction. If you’re thinking of converting your bathtub to a shower, you’re in good company. The American Institute of Architects says the the tub-less bathroom is growing in popularity”
Bring your bathroom into the 21st century by ditching the tub for a walk-in shower. If you’re considering this update, keep in mind that a shower with curbs is usually an easier and cheaper renovation project than a barrier-free installation. For the rest of the article CLICK HERE…
Do you have a wish-list for your bathroom? The Wills Company is unique because we offer a complete solution. We handle ALL aspects of your renovation process: from beautiful design to expert execution. Our talented design team understands how all of the pieces fit together. Your dreams, practical needs and budget are all considered BEFORE you begin your project. We aren’t big fans of surprises either. Give us a call at (615) 352-1228 or email us at [email protected].
Spring has finally sprung! Now is the perfect time to get your home ready for the season ahead. We have spring cleaning, entertaining ideas and maintenance tips here but hope you will take a moment to think about what you really want to see when you open the door. A better-configured kitchen, family room or back yard? A light-filled sunroom? Gleaming countertops and cabinets? Why not re-think your space?
Tip #1 It’s only when your windows are clean and the spring sun shines in that you realize how dirty they were. Clean them inside and out with a mixture of one cup rubbing alcohol, one gallon of water and a tablespoon of vinegar or call a professional to make them sparkle.
Tip #2 Is this finally the year to add a light-filled sunroom or screen porch to your home so your family can enjoy the beauty of Nashville’s spring and summer? You might be surprised how easy this can be done by reconfiguring your existing space, updating windows, adding skylight or other solutions.
Photo credit: Wiff Harmer Photography
Tip #3 Did you change all the batteries in your smoke detectors when the clocks changed? Make a mental note to do it again when time changes in the fall.
Tip #4 Spring clean your curtains, upholstered furniture and area rugs with a complete vacuuming or professional cleaning. The Wills Company has a trusted list of professionals we recommend. Give us a call (615) 352-1228.
Photo credit: Wiff Harmer Photography
Tip #5 Don’t wait for the first heat wave to find out your air-conditioner needs maintenance. Make an appointment now with a Wills Company Handyman (voted Nashville’s Best by Nashville Scene) for a full air system check up. Tip: Stock up on your filters. Take a photo with your phone so you remember their size and put a reminder on your calendar to change every month.
Tip #6 Let’s get grilling! If your gas grill has remained idle over the winter months, check burner jets for clogs and be sure that gas hoses are sound and secure. Tired of dealing with propane tanks? Have a dedicated gas line installed. How about creating a complete “outdoor kitchen” for your family to enjoy this summer?
Photo credit: Page Duke Landscape Architects
Tip #7 Pressure wash your decks, driveways, outdoor furniture and other outside surfaces so they sparkle. You can rent one at Home Depot or Lowe’s, be sure to follow all safety instructions and wear proper footwear (no flip flops!) and safety goggles.
Tip #8 Get your beautiful silver out of the closet and enjoy it this spring! This StyleBlueprint blog has tips for cleaning and using your family heirlooms and collectibles in lots of creative ways.
Photo credit:StyleBlueprint
Tip #9 Have your chimney and flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep. Bonus: You won’t have to worry about it next winter! The Wills Company has a trusted list of professionals we recommend. Give us a call (615) 352-1228
Tip #10 Hate the sound of leaf blowers going every day in your neighborhood? Idea: What if you and your neighbors coordinate your lawn-care days so it’s all done on one or two days and you can enjoy peace and quiet the other days?
Tip #11 According to the Home Safety Council, 15,000 dryer fires start in laundry rooms in the U.S. each year, causing 15 deaths and $100 million in property damage. Even if you clean your clothes dryer’s lint trap before every use, the vent accumulates lint over time, like plaque in your arteries. Installing a metal, non-flexible dryer vent is imperative and having you entire dryer line cleaned out professionally. Watch this Today Show video about this danger.
Tip #12 Change the direction of your ceiling fans. Remember: the standard counterclockwise direction provides a pleasant breeze during warm months. Run the fan clockwise in cold weather. Most fans have a switch on the base to adjust the rotation. Ingenious Tip from Real Simple Magazine: Dust a ceiling fan using a pillowcase to catch all the debris.
Photo credit: Real Simple Magazine
Tip #13 Spring cleaning of gutters can be even more important than fall – decomposed leaves, twigs, pollen, petals and seeds (think maple tree “helicopters”) Add extensions to downspouts to carry water at least 3 to 4 feet away from your home’s foundation. The Wills CompanyHandymen recommend you clean your gutter 5 or 6 times a year for the optimal lifespan of your roof and foundation.
Tip #14 Spring in Nashville means thunderstorms! Inspect your roof for dark spots, moss, stains and missing shingles or roofing tiles. An easy (and safe!) way to inspect the roof without risking life and limb is to use a pair of binoculars. You can attempt to repair yourself but we recommend you call a professional.
Tip #15 Paint something- anything! There’s nothing easier or more rewarding than applying a fresh coat of paint to a room. Would any room in your house benefit from a totally new hue or just a touchup? How about the trim outside, shutters or even just your front door?
Photo credit: Wiff Harmer Photography
Tip #16 Dampness in a basement suggests higher-than-normal relative humidity, inadequate ventilation which can lead to mold and the need for a dehumidifier and more. Inspect and test your sump pump in anticipation of heavy spring rains. Read The Wills Company blog “Leaky Basement Woes,”for all our reasons to take basement issues seriously and how easy they can be to correct.
Tip #17 Nashville’s top realtors agree, re-painting your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, updating the pulls and handles and replacing your countertops is one of the best “bang for your buck” investments you can make in your home and will see one of the greatest returns if you want to ad re-sale value to your home.
Photo credit: Wiff Harmer Photography
Tip #18 Besides keeping you warmer and cooler, new windows can be a major selling point. The energy-efficiency of modern windows has soared compared to the windows of 20 years ago. According to Kiplinger’s magazine’s article, “Remodeling Projects That Pay Back” , you can expect to recoup approximately 78% of an investment in window replacement.
Tip #19 Throw a party! Nothing gets your house in tip-top shape like company coming. There’s lots of great reasons to have company over this spring – Steeplechase, graduation, Mother’s Day and more!
Tip #20 Why not re-think your space this spring? The Wills Company was recently featured on the Nashville blog, StyleBlueprint“A Ranch House Transformation.” We completely re-designed a family’s ranch house without adding a single square foot. The results are pretty amazing. Click to see lots of before & after photos.
Photo credit: Wiff Harmer Photography
The Wills Company is an award winner, design, remodeling and handyman firm located in Nashville, Tennessee. We are an energetic team of professionals, responsible for all phases of your project – from design to construction. If pictures speak a thousand words, our portfolio speaks volumes. Give us a call to discuss your project (615) 352-1228.
Sometimes, a house is more than a home. According to Merriam-Webster, beyond just being “one’s place of residence”, a home can also be “the social unit formed by a family living together” and/or “a place of origin.” In the case of many Wills Company clients, these definitions can often apply to the structures that we are entrusted to restore and renovate.
One beautiful such property comes readily to mind – a 1930’s, stone, classical revival house in West Nashville. Our clients had successfully reared their children within its handsome walls. (As my grandmother used to say, “You can raise corn, but you rear children.”) Anyway, by now, this couple realized that their cherished home really wasn’t working well for them. It didn’t open up to their pool area. They didn’t have a family room for entertaining. And, although they had loved their custom, “St. Charles” kitchen with all of its metal cabinets and Formica, it was time go to! But they were concerned about making it all work together with their English sense of style and not marring their home’s architectural character.
And they were correct. A renovation that really looks and “feels right” is all to often a rarity! Have you ever been in that house with the small, original rooms in front and a Texas-sized, family room out back? Scale is important! Good design often goes unnoticed because it just flows and, again, “feels right.” Poor design can have the opposite effect. You may not know exactly why, but intrinsically, many people can just feel when something is off.
In my opinion, a well-designed remodel has to achieve at least one of the following to be successful. Either it can purposefully provide a counterpoint to the style of the existing house. (Have you ever seen a cool, glass enclosed addition to an existing, traditional style building?!) Or, a design can reflect and work within the style of the existing house – which is what we did in this instance. We added a wonderfully English style library of matching stone and connected it to the original house with a glass enclosed gallery.
The front entry and new, English style kitchen all flow readily off of this new corridor. The beauty of the rear yard is revealed, and it just feels right! Now, that is what i call a home!
Like it or not, first impressions do indeed make a difference!
As I can readily attest, it is numbingly easy to get used to one’s environment without really noticing it. So, it’s important to step back and take a look at just exactly how your house opens up to guests and welcomes YOU back home.
Your entry solution can be as simple as a pot of blooming geraniums or taking down that burglar bar era, storm door. Your doorway doesn’t have to be grand, but it should be welcoming. Provide a clear means of access to it. Unfortunately, many houses throughout our city have driveways that direct you around the side of the house and give little to no option for accessing the front door. The automobile became king and “heaven forbid” anyone should actually attempt to walk up to the house! A well-lit, defined walkway may be all that is needed. Stairs that aren’t buckling may be in order, too! Or maybe you do need to rethink your driveway?
How do you personally enter your home? Does everyone come through the garage or laundry room? Does it give you a sense of peace and welcoming, or do you have to navigate a minefield of dirty laundry, book bags and unexamined piles of mail? It’s ok if your back door is your front door; just be purposeful about it.
The back door entry doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience! Have a defined place to put down your stuff. Where do your coats go? It can’t be too far away or else they won’t make it. Convenience will win every time. If the 12 inch wide counterspace by the stove is closest to the door and there isn’t a clear place to put the mail, guess where the mail piles up! If you are a neatnik, then open, easily accessed shelves in the right location might be the ticket. Otherwise, give yourself and your family a clear, defined and convenient place to put stuff with a door on it.
So, next time you come home, open up your eyes and see it for the first time, AGAIN. Are you impressed and glad to be home?
