Archive for the ‘Bathroom Remodeling’ Category
Hudson Remodeling News
Bring your 80s- or 90s-era home into the present
Posted 30 May 2019 by Team Hudson
Homes built near the end of the last century had distinctive design features. Remember these?
Fake flooring. Octagonal windows. Hunter green and maroon wallpaper. Plastic drawer pulls and plasticky cabinets. Soaker tubs and carpet in the bathroom. Half-round windows with sunburst shutters set into sponge-painted walls.
Oh, yeah. The 1980s and 1990s were a glorious time for home decor.
Overall home structure suffered a bit in that time period, too, with split-levels dominating the scene and banks of free-hanging kitchen cabinets all the rage.
Whatcom County’s population has more than doubled since the 1980s — from 100,000 in 1980 to 170,000 in 2000 to 220,000 today — and all those people have to live somewhere. Whatcom County is full of ’80s and ’90s homes that, despite decent bones and potential, could use a little leap into the present.
Is yours one of those homes? Read on. Homes from the 1980s and ’90s can totally be fixed. Here’s how:
Improve the flow. While you may not be able to undo the split-level glory of your home, there’s a lot you can do to improve the overall feel of the house. Knocking out strategic walls can improve flow and open sightlines. Widening hallways, adding windows and adding lighter finishes can diminish the cave-like feeling of many older homes. This also can have the side benefit of enabling your home to be more livable in your later years.
Go tub-free. There must have been a point in the past when we felt we had all the time in the world to soak our cares away in our master-bath Jacuzzis. Even if we do have time to spare, most people are finding that it’s better enjoyed in a spacious shower than in a black — or pink, or beige — bathtub. Swapping the old soaker tub for a relaxing shower not only makes it more fun to get clean, but it also does wonders for the visual feel of a bathroom.
Update trim. Homes built toward the end of last century weren’t big on trim. Bull-nosed drywall was a common way to trim out windows, and when trim was used, it was thin and unassuming. On one recent job, we updated some of the trim to a wider craftsman/modern style. The change was such an improvement that we were able to retain the slightly dated slab doors and butternut color window linings, saving the client some money. Instead of fighting the trim color, we embraced it and used an updated profile that made a big impact.
Update the kitchen cabinets. Taking out the awkward hanging bank of cabinets and/or bar counter and opening up passage to the living/dining room is one quick way to make a massive improvement to an older kitchen. We did that on one recent home, and the results are astounding. If you’re not ready to go that far, though, simply updating the style of your cabinets or even painting them can make a difference.
Homes built in the 1980s and 1990s have a ton of potential! Updating them just takes an eye for the needs of you and your family and the look of the home you want to live in.
Need help with any of these projects? Hudson Remodeling has been sprucing up Whatcom County homes for years, and we know the ins and outs of both whole-house remodels and selective improvements to turn 1980s and 1990s homes into timeless treasures.
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Bellingham home remodeled to create master bath, office space
Posted 24 April 2019 by Team Hudson
Hudson Remodeling recently completed a multi-room remodel at a cute home in Bellingham that resulted in a new powder room, a conjoined master bedroom and office, an expanded master bathroom and improvements to the living room.
Let’s start with the bathrooms. To create the new powder room, we removed built-in cabinetry from the master bathroom and hallway. We removed the existing hardwood floor to install gorgeous black and white tiles with a pattern reminiscent of styles common in Spain and Portugal. The powder room got a new toilet and the original bathroom’s pedestal sink, installed against a background wall of crisp, gray subway tiles.
In the original bathroom, we created additional space by removing the brick chimney and expanding into the bedroom closet. We removed the existing white tile and laid down some radiant heating cable, above which we installed the same patterned tile from the new powder room. We connected the bathroom and bedroom with a new doorway, framing the wall just wide enough to accommodate the furnace venting that we moved out of the chimney. We slid the toilet back against the new wall and, on the other side, installed a length of cherry hardwood cabinets with Shaker-style doors and slab drawers. A new tall cherry linen cabinet was installed at one end to frame the Cambria quartz countertop with undermount sink. For a backsplash, we installed a coordinated length of tile in a gray-marbled basket-weave pattern. The chrome and stainless steel accents throughout the room — faucet, door handles, light fixtures and more — add elegance and tie together the honey-brown wood and patterned tile floor.
In the master bedroom, we moved a wall that had been dividing the space in two, using hardwood from the powder room to seamlessly patch the floor. We removed some built-in cabinetry from the bedroom and framed in a new closet (the old one was removed to make space for the bathroom). We also installed a new window in the bedroom, refinished the hardwood flooring there and in the hallway, and gave the walls and ceilings several fresh coats of paint. The result is a spacious new bedroom with adjoining master bathroom and office that makes much more functional sense.
Out in the living room, we installed a new wood fireplace mantel and retiled the hearth with a larger, darker tile that better matches the home’s existing style.
In the end, the homeowner was pleased with Hudson Remodeling’s ability to update the home with modern conveniences while retaining the house’s original character and style. Another successful Bellingham home renovation is in the books!
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New year, new (old) home
Posted 28 November 2018 by Team Hudson
Are you committed to loving your home more in 2019?
If so, you’ve probably already realized that your dream home might be the one you already live in. A tweak here, an upgrade there and you might find that the best place for you and your family in the new year is the place you already call home.
Here are five home remodeling projects that can provide great value — both in resale down the road and in enjoyment today.
Create new outdoor spaces: Perhaps what your home needs is a better connection to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest — spring breezes, summer heat, fall colors. Consider the benefits that a deck or porch could make and capitalize on that lovely view and/or extend your living space from the living room or master suite to the gorgeous outdoors.
Add more livable space: Speaking of more space, how about adding some on the inside of your home by converting the basement into space your whole family can treasure? Take that musty and dank basement or garage and convert it to a game room, rec room, sewing room, mother-in-law suite, wet bar or something else. If you’re lucky enough to have a basement in your home, you might as well make the most of it!
Fixing wear and tear: Over time, our homes begin to show their age. In some cases, it’s just a cosmetic issue, while in others, that age could be introducing serious problems. Take a tour of your home, inside and out, and consider whether it’s time for a new roof, remodeled garage or new siding. Peeling paint, loose siding and missing shingles can lead to big problems from water damage down the road. Are there leaky pipes in your crawl space? Poorly installed downspouts that let rainwater pool near your foundation? Don’t let small issues fester until they’ve become full-blown problems.
Modernize an older home: Depending on the era in which your home was built, it might contain one (or more!) of these outdated features: knob-and-tube wiring; electric baseboard heating; uninsulated walls, floors and/or ceilings; single-pane windows; an oil-burning heating unit; an open, wood-burning fireplace; and more. Updating these dated elements can make a big difference in safety, living comfort, energy efficiency and sellability:
- Bringing the wiring into the 21st century can be a big safety improvement.
- Installing gas piping for central air heating and gas appliances can be a huge boost in comfort.
- Replacing the wood fireplace with a gas insert, thoroughly insulating the home, and installing double-pane windows can dramatically improve energy efficiency.
Remodel living spaces: When we think of home upgrades, room remodeling is one of the obvious choices. Remodeling a kitchen, bathroom, living room or master suite can make enormous changes to a home — changes that you’ll love living in and, should you ever decide to sell, will make your home a lot more attractive to potential buyers.
Committing to loving the home you already own is a great choice! Take a look at these five projects and let us know if we can help you get started. We’d love to be part of helping your family fall in love with your home all over again.
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Design ideas for every room in the house
Posted 29 May 2018 by Team Hudson
Do you ever open your front door, glance throughout your house and imagine how things might feel with a pinch here or pull there? If you love your home but are tired of its dated elements, keep reading. Here’s one simple home remodeling idea for every room in your house (plus a few bonus options). Who knows, you might be sitting in your dream home right now!
Bathroom: Swap out that aging soaker tub and replace it with a spacious walk-in shower. Hudson remodeling noted this as a hot trend coming into the year, and it hasn’t slowed down. We’ve been doing a number of tub-to-shower replacement projects throughout Whatcom County in recent years, and the simple reason is that showers are so much more useful — and enjoyable — than tubs these days.
Hallway: Add vinyl plank flooring and clear-coated fir or hemlock doors. Say goodbye to that grungy hallway carpet and hello to the clean and classy look of vinyl. Seriously, if you haven’t been paying attention to vinyl flooring lately, get on it! You can get vinyl flooring in just about any style you want, and paired with gorgeous wood-grain doors, it’s a look you’ll be thrilled with for years to come.
Kitchen: Install laminate kitchen cabinets for a smooth and beautiful surface that’s easy to clean. Hudson Remodeling recently completed a job that used stunning laminate cabinets as the centerpiece for a kitchen remodel, and the results speak for themselves.
Living Room: Updating your old aluminum windows to energy-efficient vinyl or wood windows can make a massive difference, both in looks and energy efficiency. But if you’re not quite ready for that, consider swapping out your dated baseboard and window trim for an updated overall look.
Bedroom: Want to make the bedroom a cozy place of retreat? A fireplace might be just the thing. Imagine curling up with a good book this winter next to the fireplace in your new master suite. Another trend we’ve been seeing lately in bedrooms is accent walls — one wall clad in wooden planking, perhaps, or with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves flanking a window.
Hudson Remodeling’s designers and craftsmen can work with you to find the perfect upgrades for your Whatcom County home. If you’re stumped for ideas, just give us a call or browse through our photo galleries of other recent home remodels in Bellingham, Lynden and throughout the county. Hudson can offer both inspiration and expertise in getting your home just the way you want it.
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Household fixes that can make it easier to age in place
Posted 25 April 2018 by Team Hudson
Look around your home. Is it easy to tell what things might cause difficulty as you get older?
If you’re considering aging in place in the comfort of your own home — or if you’re helping your mom or dad do the same — there are some changes we’ve noted over the years that should help make things easier and more pleasant down the road.
Lever door handles and faucets: These are easy to overlook when you’re young, but the older you get the more you realize just how daunting a hard-to-grip door or faucet knob can be. Replacing all knobs around the home with levers can be a hugely important part of an aging-in-place home remodel.
Better lighting and switches: Like round door knobs, small and/or complicated light switches can cause problems for the elderly. Instead, opt for large, paddle-style switches that are easier to manipulate. While we’re on the subject, it would be a good idea to consider overall lighting. As our eyes grow dim with age, a more well-lit house can help us avoid tricky obstacles. A remodel that includes larger windows and wide-open spaces can do wonders for eyesight.
Wider doorways: Speaking of spaces, are your doorways wide enough to easily fit a walker or wheelchair? Doorways need to be at least 32 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs, but often they’re only 28 inches or less. One key to successful aging in place is to remove potential barriers now so you don’t have to worry about them later.
No-step showers: Bathrooms are common places for falls. They’re often full of hard, slippery surfaces and slight changes in elevation that can catch people off guard. We’ve installed a number of step-free showers (such as Best Bath products) over the years, and our customers rave about them as a massive improvement, especially over bathtub showers that require complicated maneuvering to climb into and out of.
Bathroom grab bars: Strategically placed grab bars also can make a world of difference in a bathroom. Next to the toilet and near the entrance to the shower, specifically designed handholds can help ensure the elderly always stay balanced.
Step reduction: Is there a step up or down from the living room to the kitchen? How about from the driveway to the back door? Steps are among the largest trip hazards, and reducing them where possible is always a step up in safety.
Ground-floor bathroom and bedroom: Does your home (or your loved one’s home) have a ground-floor bathroom and bedroom? Single-level living is a major key to aging in place; you don’t want to be making multiple trips up and down long flights of stairs every day. If you have a multiple-story home, consider remodeling to put a bathroom and bedroom on the ground floor, along with the kitchen.
At Hudson Remodeling, we have years of experience converting Whatcom County houses to havens for those who want to grow old in their own homes, along with the awards and certifications to prove it. We would love to help you make your home a comfortable place to live for decades to come.
Tags: Aging in Place, barrier-free living, bathroom safety for the elderly, Bellingham home remodel, Best Bath, growing old at home, home safety, remodeling for older people, Universal Design, Whatcom home improvement
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Feature: Whole-house remodel in Bellingham
Posted 28 March 2018 by Team Hudson
We’ve just finished up the most amazing whole-house remodeling job, and we’ve been dying to share it with you!
Our Whatcom County construction crews went all out on this job, refurbishing this home from top to bottom, inside and out. Wait until you see the before-and-after photos of the kitchen and bathroom.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the homeowner wanted something open to the living spaces. We completely gutted it, working from bare walls to realize the homeowners’ vision for the new kitchen design. We installed gorgeous new hardwood flooring, cherry cabinets, new countertops and backsplash tile, and new appliances. We also added an island to the center of the room for additional counter and gathering space.
Our carpenters reframed the connection between the kitchen and living room, too, and extended the same amazing flooring (seriously, you’ve got to see this stuff) into that space as well.
We used the same rustic cherry cabinets in the master bath remodel, which also includes large-format, rectangular tile extending from the new shower (which features amazing views out over the landscape) across the wide-open bathroom floor.
Throughout the job, of course, we installed new wiring, plumbing, windows, doors and exterior siding to match the house’s rearranged layout.
This project was one of those situations where the homeowner loved the home’s location but felt that the finishings had become outdated. The result is a home that truly captures the owners’ style and maximizes the house’s amazing points — including the beautiful views and the abundance of sunlight streaming through windows and doors. From top to bottom, this is a home-remodeling job that our crews are extremely proud of, from designers to builders.
If you haven’t checked out our photo galleries lately, we’ve added a bunch of new work in the past few months. Here’s a quote from a recent clients whose home remodeling job is among those galleries: “We have over 25 years experience doing home renovations, but we have never had a more delightful time updating our home than working with Hudson Remodeling. They transformed our vision into our favorite room in the house. The stress that comes from remodeling a home was greatly reduced by the professionalism of their construction team, who always respected our personal space, provided excellent craftsmanship, and gave timely input to make the finished product even better than we imagined it could be. We were lucky enough to get Hudson to work on our project and would not hesitate to use them again or recommend them to others.”
If you’ve been thinking about making upgrades to your Bellingham or Whatcom County home, please consider giving Hudson Remodeling a call. We’d love to hear from you. Not only do we pay close attention to the smallest details, we also have the vision and design skills to envision and implement a cohesive design for your home.
Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Bellingham contractor, Bellingham remodeler, Bellingham residential remodeler, construction contractor, kitchen contractor, kitchen design, Kitchen Remodeling, remodeler in Lynden, remodeling contractor, Whatcom County remodeler
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How Hudson works with home designers
Posted 28 February 2018 by Team Hudson
At Hudson Remodeling, we don’t do things halfway. We pay attention to the smallest detail while always keeping the big picture — what our clients want their homes to look and feel like — in view.
When we’re done with a project, we want the homeowner to be awestruck by the beauty of their homes and to continue to be impressed the more they live in the space.
When homeowners have remodeling ideas, our in-house design team is adept at facilitating a smooth transition from dream to reality. We also work with a number of outside designers in Bellingham and elsewhere who draw up brilliant plans and then hand them off to our crews for completion.
We love working with outside designers. Here’s why:
Designers are experts in home design. They know how to make the most of the space in the home, whether designing for flow, efficiency, comfort, style or all of the above. Because designers stay up-to-date on design trends — including those that haven’t even started yet — they’re able to design just the right look and feel to ensure a home meets its owners desires, both now and in the future.
That’s where Hudson comes in. One of the biggest reasons that Bellingham and Whatcom home designers choose Hudson is our ability to produce exactly what the designer intended. Our expertise in carpentry, tile-setting and project management ensure that we can handle any project given to us, on time and on budget.
In creating their plans, designers must take into account any number of a homeowner’s priorities. Some homeowners want less clutter and a clean, open look.
Others want the comfy feel of built-in bookshelves, fireplaces and kitchen islands. And then there are the homeowners who want modern updates that will allow them to age in place and enjoy their home for decades without worry.
Whatever the priorities and whatever the plans, Hudson is adept at making them happen.
Consider the details in this waterfront room, which we transformed from an outdoor patio to comfy indoor space — for humans and dogs alike. Or how about the tile work in this gorgeous Bellingham bath. Whatever designers come up with, Hudson Remodeling’s team of experts can handle.
Tags: Bellingham home remodeler, best Bellingham contractor, high-end home remodeling, Whatcom home design, Whatcom remodeling contractor
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Design/build: Seamlessly breathes new life into your home
Posted 27 December 2017 by Team Hudson
Hudson Remodeling is a design/build contractor intent on giving our Whatcom County clients the best possible home remodeling experience.
How can we do that? One word: teamwork.
One of the reasons we use the design/build model at Hudson is because of the opportunity it affords us to work together on nearly every aspect of a home remodeling project. From the initial meeting and project estimating to the final walkthrough, teamwork and continuity are tools that create a successful project and a happy homeowner.
Simply, the home remodeling process at Hudson includes two main stages:
- In the design stage, the homeowner’s ideas for the project are translated by an experienced building designer into construction plans that show exactly what will be done on the job. On larger construction projects, 3D renderings are employed to give homeowners a clear picture of what they can look forward to.
- In the building stage, Hudson Remodeling’s team of remodeling carpenters and finishers translate those plans into the new kitchen, bath or porch that the homeowner envisioned.
The most important thing to remember about the design/build process is that with this system, both the designer and the builder are on the same team. They understand each other, they work well together and they have a vested interest in ensuring that the project proceeds as smoothly as possible. Each side works with the other to obviate any potential hiccups before they happen. 
The designer won’t make plans for things the contractor can’t build, and the contractor has direct communication with the designer in case they bump into unanticipated challenges during construction.
Here are a few reasons why Whatcom County remodeling clients love the design/build process:
- The homeowner signs just one contract and works with one team throughout the process.
- Everyone involved knows the project scope and budget. The team works hard to work within those guidelines.
- Communication is strong throughout the process, from design to demo to “done!”
- Design/build jobs tend to be more streamlined, meaning projects sometimes start sooner.
At Hudson Remodeling, we like to sum up our design/build process this way: It’s all about working seamlessly as a team – homeowners, designer, carpenters – to breathe new life into a home.
Tags: Bellingham design-build, Bellingham remodeler, benefits of design-build, design-build construction, Ferndale remodeler, remodeler in Lynden, what is design-build, Whatcom County remodeler
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Why Hudson Remodeling focuses so strongly on jobsite safety
Posted 25 October 2017 by Team Hudson
The crew at Hudson Remodeling aren’t only satisfied with quality home remodeling work that closely matches the homeowner’s vision. We also like the construction process itself to be as stress-free as possible.
It’s why we create accurate schedules, pay close attention to budget and communicate carefully with customers. It’s also why we do what we can to ensure that jobsites are workspaces are orderly and organized.
Fewer tripping hazards means that most accidents can be avoided, and secured construction materials means that falls are far less likely.
Simply put, a cleaner, more orderly jobsite is a safer one, and that’s what Hudson strives for on every job.
Safety is the reason that work crews engage in regular safety meetings, both on the jobsites and off. At these meetings, team leaders ensure that crews are up to date on company (and OSHA) policy regarding scaffolding, head protection, ladders, fall protection, eye safety, proper communication and more.
According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction workers are at a higher risk for fatal injury than are workers in other industries. It’s not surprising, given the nature of construction work. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, and Hudson Remodeling takes every possible step to ensure its workers are safe.
It’s not just worker safety that’s at stake. Naturally, homeowners often want to visit the sites to see how work on their homes is progressing. The safest place is always away from the site, of course, but when homeowners do visit, Hudson Remodeling crews want to ensure they are as safe as possible while they check out the exciting work being done to the homes they love. A clean jobsite and adherence to jobsite safety rules go a long way toward making that happen. Hudson also works with homeowners to ensure that they respect the jobsite boundaries to keep both themselves and crew members safe.
For construction and remodeling work that’s held to the highest of standards — both in the quality of work and in the safety of the jobsite — contact Hudson Remodeling in Bellingham. We are 100-percent committed to every home improvement and remodeling project we take on, and we always assure customers of our best work. It’s one reason we get reviews like this: “Thank you for all your hard work, patience and professionalism. Your responsiveness was unsurpassed by your peers in the community. I cannot thank you enough for providing quality service; more importantly, trustworthy service.” See what other Whatcom and Skagit County customers have had to say about our performance.
Tags: Affordable Remodeling Projects, Aging in Place, Bathroom Remodeling, Bellingham Remodeling Projects, Bellingham residential remodeler, construction contractor, Fairhaven remodeling contractor, Hudson Remodeling, Whatcom County Contractor, Whatcom County general contractor, Whatcom County Home & Garden Show, Whatcom County remodeler, Whole House Remodeling
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A few home remodeling projects can make it easy to age in place
Posted 28 June 2017 by Team Hudson
Independence.
As we age, the word takes on a different meaning. At the approach of our sunset years, we begin to think of things that could prolong — or stand in the way of — our ability to be independent.
Independence is always top of mind at Hudson Remodeling. Our craftsmen have years of experience in Whatcom County remodeling homes to improve flow and reduce barriers so that individuals and couples can confidently grow older in the homes they love.
Here are a few tips we’ve picked up over the years that can help maintain independence at home while aging in place.
Consider a step-in shower: Hudson Remodeling recently completed a remodel in which we swapped out a small, high-sided bathtub for a roomy walk-in shower complete with grab bars. The previous tub was a constant trip hazard, and the new shower is incredibly easy to get in and out of. It occupies the same footprint as the bathtub, too, so the replacement job was simple. For those who want to age in place, a bathroom remodel like this is one of the best choices to make. And for those who like an occasional soak, Best Bath also makes a tub with a door that swings open to allow safe, step-free access.
Add grab bars to existing bathroom features: Even those who love their current bathroom setup can benefit from a sturdy grab bar or two. Great for their help in preventing falls, grab bars can be installed for shower stability and to help anyone safely maneuver around the bathroom.
Widen doorways and other paths to reduce tripping hazards: Narrow doorways, hallways and galley kitchens can present access challenges — or be plain impossible to navigate with a walker or other mobility device. Knocking out a wall or two to provide more space — or even widening doorways where possible — can improve the feel of a home in addition to ensuring access.
Reduce trips up and down the stairs: Often, this means an interior remodel. If the master bedroom is on the second floor, for example, the homeowner could make many trips up and down the stairs every day. Adding on or remodeling a ground-floor space into a master suite puts an end to frequent navigation of stairs. It is another critical change to a home in the interest of aging in place.
Add a step-free exterior entrance: In the Pacific Northwest, it’s common to see homes with porches and/or decks at both the front and back doors. They look great, but they can be quite a nuisance to people wary of falls. Independently (or as part of a ground-floor master suite remodel), Hudson has ideas for ways to install stair-free access to a home from the outdoors.
The experts at Hudson Remodeling are Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists and can be a go-to source for Bellingham and Whatcom County homeowners who would like to create a space that is accessible for all ages and all abilities.
Tags: Aging in Place, Bathroom Remodeling, bathroom remodeling ideas, Bellingham contractor, Bellingham remodeler, Bellingham residential remodeler, Best Bath, construction contractor, Fairhaven remodeling contractor, Ferndale remodeler, grab bar installer, home additions, Master Suite Remodeling, remodeler in Lynden, remodeling contractor, Universal Design, Whatcom County remodeler
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