5 Things to Consider When Renovating Your Home

You flip through the magazines daily, seem magnetically drawn to paint chips at the hardware store, and are constantly daydreaming of having a more beautiful house. We understand! But what do you do when you're finally ready to take the plunge? We've outlined 5 things to consider when you are really ready to start tearing down walls.

Budget-

Money is always the issue, isn’t it? Know your budget, then add 15-20% for contingency costs. You never know what potential nightmare is hiding behind your walls or if you’ll absolutely never forgive yourself if you don't upgrade to the higher-end materials. You must have that sputnik chandelier! Overruns, errors in estimations,  account for the majority of budget snags. Having contingency costs built into your budget will allow you to start your project without worrying that you’ll go over. So, do your homework!

Photo compliments of Angela Georges Photography

Lifestyle-

The spaces we help you design and build should be indicative of your daily activities and routines. Ask yourself about your family’s habits. Do you love to cook? You'll need more space in the kitchen. Do you love hosting formal parties? Well, we’ll need to take that into consideration when planning your dining room or your foyer. Where do you usually relax after dinner? Do you resign to the sitting room? My family always lingered around the kitchen table while my parents did the dishes. So, I designed my kitchen as a wide open space that accommodated  those after dinner discussions. And my sink is located on the island, so while I do dishes I’m facing the audience and can be a part of the antics! The right contractor takes all of these lifestyle choices into consideration when planning the design and functionality of your home.

Photos by Angela Georges Photography

Natural Light-

We are very keen on the effects of natural light in our custom builds and renovations. There are so many documented health related benefits tied to natural light, not to mention the aesthetic and energy saving appeal. All of the studies have encouraged us to pay attention and to incorporate natural light into our designs when possible. According to an article in Architectural Lighting, scientists at the Lighting Research Center in Troy, NY have reported that “day-lit environments increase productivity and comfort, and provide the mental and visual stimulation necessary to regulate human circadian rhythms.” Who doesn't enjoy an afternoon nap in filtered sunlight? It's invigorating! Mad props for vitamin D.

Photo compliments of Heidi Parlato

And if you’re a houseplant lover, did you know that north facing windows provide the most consistent levels of light throughout the day? Yes, we think about these things when planning your renovation.

Photo compliments of Judith de Graaff

Engineering + Functionality-

Do you know the concepts Value Engineering and Efficiency and Green Building? These are not just industry buzzwords, you’ll want to know how they benefit you and save you money on your remodeling project! Value engineering is a method in which we propose designs that cut costs while maximizing the value and functionality of your spaces by giving you more livable square footage. For example, one thing we consider in the planning stage of your renovation is the amount of walkspace in your hallways and vestibules. We pride ourselves in finding creative ways to utilize the wasted space we find around your home. We are also Earth Craft builders so we look for ways of being more efficient and green. We want our homes to be constructed and designed to reduce environmental impacts – Level Craft feels it's our responsibility to do our part! 

Storage-

It might be the least fun thing to think about when planning your renovation, but we’re up for the challenge. You'll need organized spaces for your cleaning supplies, extra bedding, and all that sporting equipment your significant other keeps buying! Are you a clothes hoarder? Regardless of the situation, we will take care of your needs. There are several innovative ways to create extra storage spaces around your home. Hide the clutter, but keep it handy for when you need it.

Now that you are feeling confident in your ability to take on the task of planning your renovation, give us a call and we'll share our expertise! We really do care about making your dream come true. Let's get started!

We're waiting to hear from you,

Virginia + Debbie

SPOTLIGHT IN THE DECATUR FOCUS

We love the title of this article in our local neighborhood publication. Thank you Decatur Focus! We are busier than ever and are loving every minute of it. Call us during Women in Construction Week, March 4th- 10th, and let's have a conversation about putting your project in motion. We're ready to get started.

There are so many great articles to read in the March issue of Decatur Focus -  find out which Saturday is your Neighborhood Cleanup Day, what native plants you should plant in your garden this year, which 5K races to register for, and don't forget Touch a Truck Day.

March is a month full of wonderful events. We'll see you around town!

Best,

Virginia + Debbie

O.M. Norling's - A Curious Art Spectacle

We are so proud to support our community, its members and their insane talent. Thanks to Jay Wilson for giving us yet another reason to celebrate Oakhurst and our decision to live and work here. We thoroughly enjoyed your show. 

Courtesy of Angela Georges Photography

Yes! We want one of these paintings on our wall. If we're being honest, more than one!
What an amazing pop-up gallery show by O.M. Norling at the Solarium this past weekend. The gallery walls donned 20 incredibly detailed, textural works with fantastic titles, too. Friday and Saturday were adult viewing only, but Sunday, the gallery was open specifically to the children. Brilliant! Little ones of all ages gained an appreciation for art and O.M. Norling's process while munching on popcorn and searching for clues in the artist's works. The fact that Jay Wilson (painting as O.M. Norling) was there, to field their questions and even take a photo, was the cherry on top. Everyone was inspired by Norling's subject matter and technique. 

Guess what? If you missed it, you can still go check it out:

WEDNESDAY, Jan 31: Noon-7:00PM

THURSDAY, Feb 1: Noon-7:00PM

FRIDAY, Feb 2: Noon-8:00PM

SATURDAY, Feb 3: Noon-8:00PM

Level Craft wants O.M. Norling to know our favorites. (If he needs to temporarily store them somewhere, we know just the place!) Only kidding, we're pretty sure most of his paintings already have new homes. Congratulations Jay Wilson!  We can't wait for the next show. 

Debbie's favorite pieces is titled "The Liar's Chair And". 

Photo credit: Frank Steele via omnorling.com

Virginia's is titled "Equilibrium for the Conspicuous Recluse"

Photo credit: Frank Steele via omnorling.com

If you're an artist and have an upcoming event, please let us know. We love spotlighting local talent. 

Best,

Virginia + Debbie

Design Trends 2018

At Level Craft, we don’t have a crystal ball in our office, but it seems, according to the industry predictions for 2018, we’ve been seeing far into the future for a while now. Several of the hottest trends according to articles published by Houzz, LA Times, and Vogue, are already practices we implement in our design and construction.

Black is the New Black

To be specific, matte black is white hot this year! We love it. Not only are you making a bold statement with the use of matte black fixtures, your home environment can easily be transformed to either a dramatic masculine level of sophistication or softened and made subtler by color pallet choices and added textural elements. 

Just like that versatile little black dress you have hanging in your closet, matte black fixtures can be adapted to achieve numerous desired looks depending on design choices. Don’t worry, we have lots of suggestions.

Did Someone say Feature Wall?

I hope so. We know walls and which ones to feature. I know what you’re thinking, “What is a feature wall, and why do I need one?”

design by urbanhome

Feature walls are quickly becoming an easy way to liven up a space and create dynamic focal points by incorporating bold color or texture. Stylistic statements can be made using a variety of materials, we really love reclaimed wood and shiplap, but there are endless options. While feature walls are better suited for large open spaces, we can help you with other ways to create emphasis in your smaller rooms. There is an exception to that rule, bathrooms. Bathrooms, even tiny ones, benefit from adding a little something extra. Check out this example with shiplap- perfect way to break up those verticals!

And even though a ceiling can't really be considered a wall, it can still be featured! 

SantaLuciaModernFarmhouse

We Give Trough Sinks Two Thumbs-Up!

We are on board with trough sinks, after all, they were an original feature of our muse- the farmhouse. Homeowners often desire two vanities in the bathroom, but don’t want the clutter or extra weight of a large countertop and cabinets. A trough sink is a perfect solution. You get your two faucets, a little extra space, and you can stay true to your minimal self.

StudioMcGee&Co

DeuceCitiesHenhouse

Who cares about trends anyway? Trends come and go, style moves forward, and the modern farmhouse is here to stay. 

Happy New Year!

Virginia + Debbie