Blog

With the change of seasons upon us, we find the need to become creative in prolonging our time in the outdoors and sometimes that is best met with the comforts of the indoors.  

White is king in kitchens and throughout the house, but there is a trend towards lighter natural woods. Each with varying degrees of light stains for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. It is a movement that brings the outdoors in and creates a connection with nature. Being forced inside for months may be a contributor to this trend!

Dan Shaw; Construction Manager …. great guy. We like to think of our team and our clients as part of our extended family. When you go to work, and when you are getting work done, those are long term time commitments that require trust, understanding and teamwork.

A year ago I was having many conversations with vendors and sub-contractors about whether we would see a pent-up demand for remodeling. We missed more than a full quarter of new business intake during the spring of 2020 (typically our busiest season for incoming work).  Well, there is no more guessing about demand… 

In renovation you see design that came before and with each floor board you pull or wall you tear down you learn something new. In this case it was no surprise what we found, it is worth commenting on for the homeowners who ready themselves for material removal during a renovation.

Welcome to our one of our new Construction Manager, Anthony Judice. We pride ourselves on our team of approachable, proactive and devoted professionals who carry a homeowner’s vision through from drawings to a finished product. 

You can think of it as a modern graphic novel…. or just a chance to be a foundation voyeur. We typically don’t have three different foundations happening at once, but right now we have three different projects with three different foundations each for a unique need.  

A common comment we hear when discussing the project cost and budget is, “well of course you don’t know what’s behind the walls." I think this must be a common phrase used by some contractors to hedge. For the most part, that should be untrue for any experienced builder.

There are options when renovating bathrooms that can be must have for some and “no thank you” for others. While some trends have had staying power, everyone has their preference no matter how strong the popular opinion is. Here is a list of items that can get a reaction- what’s your hot button?

Master baths are one of the most popular renovations in the home and for good reason- it is one room that is a place that can be enjoyed alone! If space affords the opportunity to rethink the lay-out, we often hear clients ask, “We would like to enlarge the shower”.

Good architectural design is about more than making a room function as desired; it takes into account all of the intangibles like how it feels to be in the space, and how the space connects to the remainder of the other interior spaces as well as the exterior.

“Anything worth doing” … you know the rest. The Wiese Company works under the belief that heavy lifting on the front end leads to a more enjoyable process on the back end.

One of the best parts of a renovation is choosing that great lighting fixture  is the icing on the cake. Often times clients have seen something they love, don’t know who made it and then describe it to us. 

Sometimes renovations need to happen quickly to meet a homeowner’s deadline and other desired renovations take a back seat until time allows. In this case this is exactly how it played out and in the end it was more beneficial to the client to take it one step at a time.

I have been wondering when we would start going back to the stone yards more often to look at natural stone counters. It used to be one of my favorite field trips with our clients because with something natural, there is a uniqueness in every piece and something about the hunt for the perfect piece was gratifying.

Cement sounds synonymous with industrial, but this is not the case when it comes to a design trend that has grown in popularity in the past few years. 

Color drives so much of our mood and attitude within our surroundings. It can dictate what we wear, as well as the colors in our home…and pretty much everything we take in from the world around us.

Planning for now… and the future. If you have had a few challenges with your home life over the last 3/4 of 2020, you have either made some changes that need to be re-tweaked or have been trying to resolve something in an environment...

We have been working in the same communities of MetroWest for almost 30 years; and in these tight-knit communities, we do a lot of repeat work and referral work. 

We are consistent about not being trendy for good reason; design should remain evergreen so that as moods and times changes, small updates can have an impact similar to the change in the seasons.  

Garage doors can have a major impact on the exterior facade of your home, and with three door garages; that number can have an even bigger presence! 

You know a well-designed and constructed kitchen by the details; counters that complement the overall decor, cabinets tailored to fit the space and create the interior architecture, all while creating an efficient use of space that takes advantage of the room’s set of unique parameters. 

Today, homeowners are opting for upgrades in renovating that provide more than comfort, we want to feel at home and escape to a brief, but needed refuge.

Than home sweet home. They say home is where the heart is. We look it to it for shelter and comfort when the outside world cannot. 

Marie Kondo, is the home consultant who believes the art of “less is more”, getting organized, but above all determining if something sparks joy in your life or not.

“Pass the sound canceling headphones, please”…While we have addressed the noise level in homes for some time; it is probably something more “top of mind” for many of us who have less alone time at home right now.

We design for the whole house, not just one side or one angle becuase it is the sum of its parts that makes the house, your home.

Stairs can make many design statements in a home. Think of all the different movie scenes that have a bride slowly descending, or a parent looking to the front door from the upper landing; and all the different drama that a set of stairs can add to the environment. 

Remodeling, like many endeavors, can offer economies of scale when you are having work done, and some things are scalable (no cost difference to do it now or later).

Our new way of life is proving challenging for many families we talk to. Limited space, a full house of parents working, kids schooling and pets wanting out!

How do you want to live? It is a worthy question and something that isn’t about how you want to project your lifestyle to others; it is more about “how do I want to feel when I pull in that drive after time away from home”.

The saying, “they don’t make them like they used to,” is well applied to many lower cost window options. Unfortunately, many homeowners will replace the windows in their home if they are planning on a long-term stay.

We love a good screened porch because it offers shelter from the elements like the summer sun and an evening getaway from the mosquitos.

When planning a renovation, the first item we build the project schedule around is the cabinet delivery date. ...Now the appliance supply chain is experiencing the impact of a global pandemic as well.

If you think about it, the hardest working part of your home is likely your kitchen island. When we are designing a kitchens we often spend as much time on the island details as we do on the rest of the space!

Everyone is doing their part to help local businesses crawl out of the foxholes they safely existed in, or in some cases the business that were out on patrol doing essential work in challenging times. 

Customizing for each client is what makes the process of design so personal in each project we do...

I hope; or think, the whole talking point about adding a tub or replacing a tub in the master is an outdated argument.

Pollen be gone and let us be outside again without your mustard yellow coating! But while we wait many of us look at our decks and porches in anticipation of enjoying our outside areas surrounded by the safety of railings. 

During times of uncertainty we look for ways to make the best of our circumstances and especially the things closest to us. 

One of the most used clichés of all time was quoined by the Greek philosopher, Plato. “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

When the going gets tough, our local food banks see an increase demand put on their services with more families sheltering in place.

If there is anything we have been consistently in favor of at the beginning of the day and as the day winds down; it would be a good cup of coffee and a well-made cocktail.

When you think about the extra time we are spending in our home; and likely with your family in close proximity, one word may bring a smile to your face- retreat.

While the is world feeling stagnant, spring presses on; and moves us forward with longer days and the sun that will inevitably come out…tomorrow.

WFH (Working From Home)- an acronym that took a while to figure out when it came on the scene almost a month ago.

Nothing feels quite as good as spring cleaning. While it may not seem like a top priority at the moment if you find yourself with couple of extra hours and the urge to purge, go for it!
 

Weathering the storm has as much to do with our passion for building as it does with how we run our business and take care of our people.

Since we won’t be a traveling for a while, we wanted to share a recent sojourn taken to one of America’s most beloved cities, Charleston, South Carolina for some travel-inspired architecture & design.

The world will change – and sometimes make a hard turn without notice, and as a business the one thing that we can do is be consistent with our care for others.

Sometimes remodeling is a puzzle of swapping spaces and moving one thing to make another thing fit- it is the challenge and the science of making rooms work.

Customer service is our business. I often ask new hires what kind of business we are in, and the answer is usually; “Remodeling, Renovation, Construction” …and my answer is always- “we are in the customer service business.”

I’ll never forget working on one of my earlier addition projects in the 90’s; back when I was the GM, designer, project lead, carpenter’s helper and chief trash picker upper.

Grout may not seem like something you should spend a lot of time on during a kitchen or bath renovation when there are so many other choices to make, but...

“Custom” has become a bit of a cliché. Everything from chopped motorcycles to outdoor bar-b-q’s have their own television show and a following for people...

Being handy is dandy…but let’s face it, many of us were not brought up on the farm where we helped fix the tractor when it broke.

With the advent of the internet we have adapted to a culture of information overload. Gone are the days of magazine clippings pinned up for inspiration.

With the start of every new year, many of us set our intentions and start planning how we will stay on track with our goals in the coming year.

We’ve seen it, you know it, and likely even own it somewhere in your life be it in fashion, home décor or some other facet of your life. Color psychology is an important part of design as colors are used to spark an emotion, entice the palate around food zones or in the case of blue, evoke an overall feeling of calm.

Who couldn’t use more family time, more storage, more prep space, more casual seating… the list goes on! Here in a “warm nutshell” are the things we discuss with folks to think about with regard to the kitchen island so we can deliver a beautiful center piece that improves your lifestyle all year… and while holiday entertaining.

We all need a little help from our friends sometimes and that’s why we are giving you the gift of ideas for the people who have everything or are just plain hard to shop for! Enjoy this curated assortment of gits for the season!

It’s the time of year when holiday decorating around the home starts with Thanksgiving… and comes full circle to a New Year… with a mix of religious celebrations in between. This is when the fireplace mantle takes center stage. It is where the warmth from the fire glows below and above provides just the right amount of space for a holiday focal point without disturbing the rest of your everyday life.

What’s the cost for peace of mind?…Priceless. 

Halloween is over, but we can still share some Tricks or Treats…of the trade.

Home Stats: A traditional center-entry colonial that has been updated for casual family living in phase one when the Owners created a unified dining/living environment. 

We have had a knurled kitchen faucet in our showroom for quite some time and is often a conversation starter because of its simple detail that you don’t readily see until you are up close to it. 

Ready or not, here they come! As the sun starts setting earlier and we are enjoying the flavors of fall there are a few things to check in on before the celebrations of fall and winter begin. 

Online real estate browsing is a modern-day hobby; and given today’s ease of scrolling through endless pictures of home’s interiors and exteriors we find inspiration, but sometimes images that leave you wondering- what? why?

For the last four years The Wiese Company has taken to their bikes to partner with A Place to Turn and raise awareness and funds in support of A Ride for Food.

Wood flooring isn’t something that changes as often as other trends, probably because new drapes and wall paper are a lot easier logistically than packing up the house to refinish or install new flooring. 

In the early 90’s; family rooms were the new “it” thing. The idea of a place you could put your feet up and furnish casually spurred a lot of interest. Unfortunately, it didn’t give much thought to how this new space would co-relate with the rest of the home; leaving living rooms to become seldom used. 

Back to school, and the relaxed summer season coming to an end brings us back to all the things that happen in “normal life”. 

Our Commitment

We have partnered with A Place to Turn for the last six years from renovating rooms in their Natick location that serves the local community to hosting food drives throughout the year. 

Architectural influencers for New England can be easiest to spot in some of the earliest settlements; including the small costal town of Stonington, CT. 

Twenty-seven years in business with the same owner, and long-term team members means standards remain constant. Since 2005, The Wiese Company has been proud to be recognized by Qualified Remodeler on list of the Top 500 Largest Remodelers.

There are some maintenance items that you know are looming, and they get put on the back burner. The longer the differed maintenance continues, the bigger the issue. When Ray moved his family to our current office in 2007, the back field was covered in wild mint. It smelled great as it came back in the spring, but slowly the poison ivy crept in along with small trees and shrubs until it became unmanageable. Time for a full gut renovation!

A quintessential part of the New England architectural landscape is the Cape Cod house. Born by Puritan colonists in the 17th century for its simplicity as a shelter, it has become an iconic part of our New England surroundings. Today’s lifestyle means that many capes you see will have additions, dormers and blends of complimentary local architecture to meet the modern need.

“The new traditional” is a concept that we find ourselves debating as designers… well, Ray was actually trying to define the trend of how minimalism found a place during the great recession; after the use of “transitional” became cliché for the modern/traditional fusion in design. 

What’s Changing at the Wiese Company? Not the great clients, passion for Design/Build or the care we put into every family’s project.  We have made many subtle changes over the almost 30 years in the community; with process, service and the logo. 

During home renovations, the choices can seem…and sometimes are…endless. Most of the selection time in a project is around the cabinets, and that is because of so many options and utility in addition to paint color. 

The Wiese Company is partnering again with A Place to Turn in Natick to raise awareness about ending hunger in our community. We have been partners with this organization for years and believe greatly in their commitment to providing emergency food and clothing to neighbors in the Metrowest community. We are doing this in two ways in 2019:

The Home Stats – A traditional colonial built for comfortable family living had well-proportioned rooms except for the kitchen that was too small for larger family gatherings and today’s casual lifestyle. 

Doors are more than a gateway between rooms, arriving home or hiding the vacuum. While many homes in our neck of the woods sport the traditional six panels, that doesn’t mean this design component doesn’t deserve some attention for certain applications or when building new.

Soapstone has been around longer than some of its more modern countertop counterparts, but it is not the top choice for people looking for the low maintenance granite or almost no maintenance quartz. 

What goes into a steam shower that sets it apart from a typical shower? There is more than meets the eye (literally), and a few things you want to make sure happen in the space for this mini-retreat to give you the lasting joy of raising your core temperature after a cold day or to de-stress in 15 minutes or less.

The Wiese Company is partnering again with A Place to Turn in Natick to raise awareness about ending hunger in our community. We are doing this in two ways in 2019:

How can we make an impact our community? One gesture at a time. Once upon a time, we were asked to estimate the cost of a kitchen for a nonprofit in Wellesley that housed young ladies who were away from home striving for higher education which was unavailable where they were from. 

A lot has changed in in the last 27 plus years since we hung our first shingle; literally and figuratively. Like everything around us, we must grow with the times. 

The Home Stats – A luxury spec home built in rural Sherborn was originally designed in the 90’s with high ceilings and a large footprint for the master suite. 

When Do We Consider a  Renovation Job Complete?

A tell-all of the good, the natural, the beautiful…

It’s no surprise that light affects how we function and feel. In the winter time this could not be more obvious as many of us long for the vitamin D that keeps us healthy and sunshine that helps ward off the winter blues. And now, we experience Daylight Savings Time and have to reset our internal clocks to rise without the help of the bright sun out our windows.

The Home Stats: a 3,000 sq. ft. 1940’s cape in Newton that was remodeled over a decade ago by the previous Owner. The new occupants, fresh from roomier accommodations in Atlanta, wanted more space for visiting family and a master suite renovation that provided enough closet, bath and bedroom space while providing a flexible home office/guest room.

You are not alone in wanting to update your kitchen. It is probably one of the most satisfying things to get done, and here are the top five reasons why.'

In the design world, no tile is as widely used in kitchen and bath remodels as “subway tile”. It’s beautiful because of its clean line simplicity, it’s a good value, and it works with so many styles. 

What started as an idea to write about Authenticity in Construction Materials brought us to this… a great example of history mixed with lasting buildings… the Stone House. 

Here is a roundup of Apps for easier living in the new year-from home management systems, to home décor to inspiration. If you are considering home renovation or have recently completed a job here are some ideas for how to make your home function efficiently or to begin filling your newly remodeled spaces.

The Wiese Company was awarded Best of Houzz 2019 for Service. With over 26 years in business, sometimes we feel too “grown up” for counting our awards. We do appreciate knowing we have done a good job, and our clients’ reactions at the end of their project seems to say it all. 

Have you ever thought about how many ways color shapes our daily lives? We are bombarded with color in nature, at home, online, shop signs, the vegetable aisle at the grocery store and every interior we step into. Our designers take color into consideration when they design a space whether it is to calm or enliven a kitchen, bath or other room of the home.

Wall-mounted toilets are nothing new in Europe. Primarily born because this is the easiest way to run plumbing in ancient buildings where floor access is made from concrete and stone, and the words “plum, level or square” aren’t used to describe the existing conditions. 

So your New Year’s resolution is to finally get started on that remodeling project. The years of looking at the nicked cabinets, shoes all over the foyer floor or the old jetted bath tub are over. This is a milestone in your journey to improving your lifestyle! Strap on your seatbelt and prepare for an awesome ride-as long as all the planning and selection process are done properly.

Roofs have come a long way with the options available to homeowners today. Below are the differences and pros and cons of the most popular options on the market. When researching roofing options in the northeast there is more to consider because of four season conditions including snow.

Kitchen Economics 101

Renovating your living space is an investment most people enjoy because it is where we care for our family, spend our time with guests, and create memories. 

How long can you wait for hot water?

Why does it take so long to get hot water to my sink and shower? In our hurried lives these precious minutes spent waiting can seem eternal. 

When you are going through the renovation process in your home, it’s worth thinking about the details and creative, custom design solutions that can be included to meet your needs. 

How solid are the kitchen cabinets we outfit your homes with? The short answer: certified solid. When you renovate your kitchen, baths or other rooms of your home you want to be certain that your replacements are better than what came before. Today, you can’t always be sure this is true as some things were made better 70 years ago when production was slower and many things were made by hand.

IN THE NEWS: Metropolitan AF-690- Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2019 is announced and it is a surprise to us all. We aren’t sure what is more of a shock- the staying power of gray or the complete departure from last year’s pick, Caliente, a fiery warm red. 

Objectives:
Open floor plan for a modern family lifestyle, ample room for casual family dining with a view to the backyard and easy access to the adjacent screened porch. Consideration for the client’s desired appliances which included a pro-style range, large refrigeration and double ovens. And at the center of it all a large kitchen island for all things living, working and entertaining!

As holiday season approaches, our thoughts turn inside where the idea of entertaining friends and family suddenly becomes: Can I seat everyone? Is the kitchen going to accommodate both cooking and mingling? How can I keep it formal, but mix it with the casual entertaining space?

We often get asked by clients, “when will we pick out the paint?” and we understand there is always a bit of a concern because many of us have been discontent with a room or two’s color in our past.

“Home organization central” used to consist of a wall calendar, paperwork, the mail and the kids’ school bulletins. The home computer wasn’t yet important enough to be the disrupter of designated larger space in the kitchen because you couldn’t take it with you. 

When is it time to replace or install different windows? New England is comprised of older homes, and unfortunately newer ones with windows that barely provide a decade of service. The obvious times are when a window won’t open and close, is rotted or with modern double pane windows; the seal is broken.

Privacy please. Clear frameless glass showers are as timeless and beautiful as a freestanding soaking tub. They are not for everyone though, because some folks just don’t like the idea of standing in the middle of the room and showering. There are options for those who seek a more modest experience.

The first induction cooktop our firm installed was in our hometown of Sherborn over a decade ago. This kitchen was created with a traditional feel, but with modern Sub Zero and Wolf appliances…and the beginning of a new era in cooking would be full steam ahead (no pun intended). I remember talking with this client; a very fashion-forward and savvy consumer. She, who also selected Benjamin Moore’s “Temptation Gray”, for her foyer and as similar color for the island… also the start of the grey movement!

We say it is because for many of us you know it…when you see it. It can make or break the way a buyer feels before stepping inside. It can be the bridge between going to work and arriving home at the end of a long day. It can also have an impact on how your guests feel when being invited to your home.

The Wiese Company setting out on a ride to alleviate hunger insecurity is just another example of how one good deed leads to another. When the Wiese Company donated their time and services to a much-needed renovation at A Place to Turn in Natick five years ago and then again two years ago it led to another opportunity to help those in need. 

What’s a new popular style trend for baths? Black is the new brushed bronze.

It shouldn’t be any surprise that there are cabinet manufacturers that ship to the U.S. It may be easy to identify some of the low cost/ low quality features of those big box DIY retailers, but there are other things to consider when purchasing imports. 

As the TV has become a more prominent feature of the home, it raises the question; should it hold a place of prominence over the fireplace mantle? With family rooms still a popular design trend, homeowners often find themselves asking the question from a design standpoint (and logistically) should I put the TV over the fireplace? In almost any case you can put the TV over a fireplace, but there are pros and cons to this.

Summer soirees are in full swing? 16 wine bottles perfectly chilled with room for beer, kids’ drinks and apps. What more can you ask for the in the heat of summer? The appeal of having a fridge solely dedicated to beverages can make any wife swoon allowing space in the main fridge for meal prep and leftovers.

July has arrived and so have the heatwaves. It used to be said that to live through a New England summer without air conditioning makes you a true New Englander… but more and more of us are adding air-conditioning. 

What makes this country great? Among other things, our heritage. And the preservation of our building heritage is no exception. Today we often wonder how styles came to be popularized and what their origins were.

As summer’s heat sets in, the basement remains cool; but musty smelling. What can I do to keep that in check? This is a common complaint and generally the result of dampness trapped in the space. The other culprit is often poor ventilation. What’s more- dampness can sometimes lead to mold, and poor ventilation can lead to poor air quality. Neither of those issues is where we want the family spending their rainy weather days.

A bright idea for your kitchen! We get a lot of requests for adding light to kitchen during the renovation process. This can mean both natural light and manmade.

Outdoor living spaces with amenities such as an exterior kitchen for entertaining are a growing trend nationally. This trend is moving a bit slower here in the Northeast, perhaps due to a cooler climate and the emphasis on summering on the Cape or Islands.

Architectural History
It is common for there to be some confusion between certain millwork features. People often want to incorporate a wainscot in different rooms for added architectural interest… but seldom know what to call it. 

Recycling your kitchen for “good.” Do you ever wonder where all of the kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances go when an unflattering, yet seemingly, perfectly useful kitchen is in need of a facelift? It’s a question we often get asked very close to the start of a project… so we can give you the inside scoop early. 

The Wiese Company is excited to announce our 2018 “Impact in our Community” recipient, Voices Against Violence! For seven years running, The Wiese Company has taken advantage of its unique ability to pool its design-build resources to benefit local organizations in need. 

We know a beautiful kitchen when we see one, but how do we know if it will work the way it looks?

It’s not a new concept, but it seems to be a strong trend continuing into 2018 according to Kitchen & Bath Design News (KBDN). The steadfast lifestyle of making the kitchen the center of the home has kept this aesthetic popular. But what does that mean?

During one of our recent snowstorms one of our staff poured over a coffee table book published by Rizzoli back in 2014, One Man’s Folly: The Exceptional Houses of Furlow Gatewood and fell in love with a man, his design principals and his passion for architecture. The sentence that caught her eye was when he salvaged a door off a house that was poised for demolition and brought it back to his “yard” (because he is too down to earth to call it an estate) and told his master carpenter, “Do you think you could build me a house around this?”

As we celebrate twenty-six years of design/build experience, I thought I would reflect on the “good ole days”. I went from a three-man show to having a staff of more than 20. We currently employ 12 great people, and I can enjoy closer relationships with the clients we are working for. I went from taking a jobs where they presented themselves (the Cape) to bringing it closer to home building from Boston to Holliston and the all the towns in between. 

When renovating a space that is as highly functional as a kitchen we may try to capture all the different functionalities we want to see in the space, but there seems to be always something extra we can introduce. As kitchen islands continue to multi-task, get larger and remain for many as a must-have in kitchen remodels, the need to find creative solutions for power access both for small appliances and computers and devices alike is high on the list.

When renovating a space that is as highly functional as a kitchen we may try to capture all the different functionalities we want to see in the space, but there seems to be always something extra we can introduce. As kitchen islands continue to multi-task, get larger and remain for many as a must-have in kitchen remodels, the need to find creative solutions for power access both for small appliances and computers and devices alike is high on the list.

Humans rely on both sight and touch when they take in a designed space so it is an important to think about color, space and texture with the finishes we choose.  A kitchen counter is one place many of us spend a lot of time (for better or worse) so invoking both senses is important- we can leave smell and taste up to the prepared meal!

In the last few years the 3D printer has made its way into a number of unconventional places- libraries, schools and makerspaces (the convergence of old school woodshop and modern-day technology workspace) as well as from the aerospace industry to automotive and medical manufacturing. 

New Englanders are fairly conservative with color. To see a welcoming yellow, warm red or inviting blue front door is a stand out when driving down the road. We have noticed that many clients are working more color into their homes (except for those of you who couldn’t… and you know who you are). Below is a Sherborn exterior home remodel that balances the bold use of siding elements with a bold red door that welcomes you in.

In stark contrast to the white kitchens that are very popular in our area, The National Kitchen & Bath Show (KBIS) spotlighted what they feel will be a 2018 trend… matte black appliances. How can this be? Dated black appliances are the one thing homeowners want out as soon as they move in. But take out the shine, add a touch of upscale, and matte black…is the new black.

Water closets are part of the conversation when we renovate the master bath. As long as there is plenty of room, many folks prefer to hide the toilet in its own little space away from a beautiful tub and fresh penny tile. It’s not something many of us spend time pondering until it is time to remodel…yet it is something we all use daily- the water closet; the WC, the loo, the bathroom and most distastefully, the crapper. I know… gross, right? However you refer to it here’s a short lesson in its origin and another slang word that you may not have known its origin.  

Every year, we in New England, see strange weather patterns in the winter months and this week has proven this true. The bomb cyclone last week (who even knew that was a thing) followed by single digit days with sub-zero temps at night and now temps expected in the high 50’s with rain. Some would say what’s next. And we can tell you- ice dams. The uneven melting and freezing of snow.

Most people undergoing a renovation typically start with wanting to fix the main pain points; broken appliances, a leaking shower, while also struggling with how their existing space could be better used. As professional designers, we have an advantage of not living with the current space and can see the re-design more objectively to meet the design objectives of the owners’ wish list…and then make it look beautiful. There are also some paradigms that our clients struggle with when it comes to re-thinking the space. It is our goal to shift the paradigms.

With the calendar flipped to December and the clock ticking towards the holidays, our lead carpenter, Jeremy and the rest of the team put the finishing touches on a new kitchen and dining room for a Needham family. 

Tis the season for the trimming your tree and deciding on all that decorations that that accent its branches. What’s your look? Gold or silver? Glass or metal? Understated or bold? For one month of living with this design moment in our home many of us give it a lot of consideration. Do we do the same when picking hardware for our newly finished space that will typically be with us for a decade or more?

Sherborn Exterior Home Renovation
 
If it is time to renovate your exterior, why not put a little more time into an upscale appearance with lasting qualities. Here is some food for thought.

f you have read my blog, you will know that I believe there are no real surprises in the estimating of construction. There is a thing called inexperience… and that usually results in surprise costs. I had to stop watching HGTV because the programs almost always result in the designer and contractor meeting with the Owner to let them know about an “unforeseen” issue that was going to break the budget. Also in most cases I would wonder why they didn’t know they would need a beam, that they couldn’t move the plumbing without additional expense, etc., etc.

We are excited to wrap up the frame of this project in Newton. Not just so we can reduce the anxiety of the client, also because the owners will begin to fully understand the improvement that this master retreat and newly designed 2nd floor will provide for their family.

One of the many important parts of hiring a contractor is to know what type of subcontractors they use, how often they use them, and why they use them. Some General Contractors (GC’s) sub-contract everything, and this is common in the new home market because there is very little service required to owners, and things are more often done one piece at a time. 

Our showroom bath was all original from 1929, except for the sink and toilet. It would be kind to say that it was the area of our showroom that had the most “deferred maintenance” and we found ourselves apologizing whenver a client asked to use it.And when you hear “be careful, the toilet is a little wobbly”, it doesn’t spark much confidence.

I had a job recent applicant use the phrase “Master Builder” to describe himself during an interview and wasn’t sure how to take it. Not that I was questioning this person’s ability to lead, manage and work on our projects, but because I had spent a lot of time in my younger days trying to find out the criteria for this title. Other than architectural history classes, I remember this term being bounced around a couple of decades ago and used in advertisements by self-proclaimed master builders. I never did find any courses or criteria, or special licensure that would make one a “Master Builder”.

Every year, Remodeling Magazine publishes a Cost vs. Value report and tries to estimate the return on investment to different home projects so consumers will have an idea of what the total investment is.  While I am obviously not going to look like an objective source in these matters, I would like to point out a few flaws with the report, as well as provide you with what I know makes our clients glad they renovated.

When I first started visiting homes for an appointment 25 years ago, most of them were traditional colonials with a main front door and a side “service entrance”. It would have been odd for me to knock on the service entrance door back then. That was a door designed for the dairy delivery cooler to be stored, the dry cleaning to be dropped off, and where the housekeeper would enter and exit. 

It was only 8 years ago that I did a very major renovation/addition for a client in the financial field. We wired the home for everything from a network to entertainment, at a hefty cost :). We had CAT5 wiring for secure network connections in every room, coaxial cable in a dozen locations, pre-wiring for a future home automation system, and more questions about what to do “while we had the walls open”.

When I opened the doors of The Wiese Company 25 years ago, the way people communicated about their needs was very different.  I would visit with potential clients and be greeted with a binder full of inspiration photos cut from the pages of Better Homes and Gardens or kitchen idea books. 

Bathroom renovations are not inexpensive; and that is one reason we believe it is a good idea to meet with clients at their home initially to see the size and condition of the space. By looking and putting our eyes on it, we can provide a verbal ballpark and explain the design budget process before we start designing away. 

I serve on the editorial Board for Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine, and often get questions for various design and trend information. Today I received a list of 5 questions about demand and designing for aging in place. The questions varied from how often our clients bring it up, how we handle this, and what recommendations we make. I am a “baby boomer” myself- on the end of the run born in 1964, so I just made it! I remember going to aging in place seminars as long as 20 years ago. The theory or prediction based on that large demographic population was that aging in place was going to be the next big thing for the remodeling industry.

It seems that the West coast method of determining home value (by the square foot) is reaching the East coast. I hear it referred to more and more lately without regard to location or land, and even more important; quality. I am often asked what I would charge for new home construction and typically get immediate feedback…..”that it seems high”. Below we will show you kitchen examples, but I would like to note that I have re-sided, retrofitted and replaced windows on many homes only a decade old because of poor material selections.

I often use the term “tailored” when describing some of the parts and process we use in kitchen and bath design.  Even though tailors have little to do with renovating, it is a good metaphor for the difference between a generic developer’s bath circa 1995, and a fully developed plan.

Energy performance should be a discussion in any home renovation where there is an opportunity to make improvements in energy consumption and improved comfort. While it should be part of the conversation, the outcome may be that additional insulation in a small sub-component of the home could actually be a bad thing to do.

Exterior makeovers are nothing new to our company.  One item that always adds a quality and charming feel to a home are authentic window shutters.  I am not talking about the screwed to the house variety-I mean the shutters that sit on offset hinges and come with an assortment of hold backs, properly known as “shutter dogs”.  The difference in the aesthetic is easy to see when you drive by a home that has authentic hardware.  The shutter stands off the home enough to see the relief in the siding which will produce a shadow line that adds extra elegance.

Every year the National Kitchen and Bath Association holds our annual trade show. I have been attending most years for the past quarter century to keep up on new building science, trends and innovation. The conference has become product centric in many ways and many reasons. First, the great recession led to publishers and show managers turning their focus to the deeper pockets of manufacturers, over designers’ education. 

When I began my career as a designer, the TV was often one of those shameful items that I would sometimes get apologies or excuses for. “I have it so the kids can watch educational programming twice a week”, or “We don’t often watch TV unless there is a newsworthy event”. Fast forward about 10 years and TVs have become flat, and large. Everyone is proud of theirs!

In the Northeast, the most popular flooring we install is white oak planks. This type of floor has remained popular because it is durable, and has a lasting aesthetic that can survive trends by re-finishing.  Refinishing an oak floor completely can be done 3-8 times (depending on the experience of the refinisher) and each re-finishing has a lifespan of about 20 years.  Not a bad long-term investment!

It’s that time of year again! For some of us, there are special challenges around keeping our entry safe for family, the delivery folks and guests.

When preparing for a large renovation it can help to have a plan; to start the planning :). The first step is to think about what it is driving the project.

When preparing for a large renovation it can help to have a plan; to start the planning :). The first step is to think about what it is driving the project.

Waterfall edges on counter tops can be a great way to push a modern vibe. As long as you know what to expect, you won’t be disappointed.

November is here and Thanksgiving is upon us. The Wiese Company would like to send a big Thank You to all the Veterans and their families. I know Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are two very different holidays, but this is a good time of year to be thankful to those neighbors and friends who volunteered and have made sacrifices to serve our country.

In the picture below, this is a typical 1940’s home in a Wellesley neighborhood we have done a few projects in. As part of a whole home renovation, we are going to put on a new roof, new siding and replace all of the exterior trim and windows. When we are done, it will be better than new!

Anxiety is the symptom of uncertainty, and I know that working through the process of design and budgeting requires a great deal of work for the remodeler and the client. One of the biggest reasons for the anxiety in renovating is that most people know someone who has had an awful experience with the cost escalating during construction. In the almost 25 years in business, I still haven’t found these hidden costs because construction is not a series of unknowns, it is a series of should have knowns (with only a few exceptions).

View Timelapse Video Here

There are a few different types of kitchen renovations and they all take different amounts of time. Because television shows are quick (pun intended) to make people feel it can happen while you are at dinner, the reality has actually resulted in more than one person getting upset with me on the phone when I told them I couldn’t do a kitchen in less than 4 weeks.

A project is in process from the time you start to think about it, until you move in and start enjoying the finished product. Starting and going through the process can be fun, so why shouldn’t the completion be as easy and without the stress before that final check is written? It dawned on me about 20 years ago that we would work with some clients that were extremely fussy and some who would just move right in without even looking for any issues beyond an obvious item that hadn’t been installed. 

Ever wonder why it took so long for people to enjoy the open lifestyle of today’s kitchens?  Well, in reality, it didn’t!  Sorry, our generation isn’t the first to enjoy open concept living.  Going waaaaay back, we can find evidence that the fire pit was the first notion of open concept living.  Everyone hung out there, cooked, and told stories perhaps.  Okay; post the Neanderthal age, early farmer’s resided open with the farm animals and early American settlers built one room log homes primarily out of the resources and time available, along with the economy of having one fire and the family in one place. 

Ever wonder why it took so long for people to enjoy the open lifestyle of today’s kitchens?  Well, in reality, it didn’t!  Sorry, our generation isn’t the first to enjoy open concept living.  Going waaaaay back, we can find evidence that the fire pit was the first notion of open concept living.  Everyone hung out there, cooked, and told stories perhaps.  Okay; post the Neanderthal age, early farmer’s resided open with the farm animals and early American settlers built one room log homes primarily out of the resources and time available, along with the economy of having one fire and the family in one place. 

I was reading a recent poll that was published by a national trade magazine in which designers were asked a series of questions, with what I thought were disappointing statistics. For instance, 3 out of 4 designers surveyed for kitchen designs are using function before form [a design that fits a client’s living and cooking style]. Three out of four??? I think that means that 25% of design professionals are focusing on how something looks without regard to how you would actually use the space– unbelievable! Imagine a beautiful new kitchen that frustrates the end user because there isn’t anywhere to prep a salad. At least you know you have a 75% chance that your designer cares about how a space will be used, LOL. Even if you don’t cook, you may want your designer to know where you’d like to store the take-out and make it easy to clean-up

Shopping online has certainly come a long way. From a design/build perspective, I remember all the brick and mortar fixture and furnishing retailers trying to adapt to online competition. The pros and cons were different then; however, it was really a battle of better service at retail pricing vs. discounted pricing with questionable service policies. A lot has changed in the online environment, and so I thought I would blog about the current use of web orders and what I think works and doesn’t work.

I have worked with many different municipalities in my line of work.  As a design and construction professional, it is part of my job to make sure our projects adhere to local codes and policies, as well as help my clients navigate various requirements with wetlands, zoning and the board of health.

Click here to view!

So, you are all moved into your new kitchen and the company that did the job talked to you about how to get those warranty cards into the manufacturers, and mentioned what would need adjustments. But who needs to worry about all that, you have a new renovation to enjoy!! That can be done later after the first few meals are cooked or you finally get to enjoy that long hot bath in the new tub. Then, all of a sudden you wish you had a list of all those things to help with what needs to be done, and that well-tuned company isn’t there anymore to help…….GUILTY!

I recently returned from a trip to Berlin, Germany. I picked the destination because my wife was traveling on business and I could mooch off the hotel room and the breakfast she wasn’t eating :). I also wanted to have a look at some of our world’s recent history and a different lifestyle and design world. To be fair, it was the middle of February with clouds most of the week and temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit- so that can create a less blissful mood and also aid in what was a melancholy feeling as I wandered the streets.

Want to enjoy a fun event with a private chef?  This year, we welcome back Chef Kurt von Kahle; to cook delicious food on site, and offer a chance to win dinner for 6 prepared at your home!  Chef Kurt is an amazing talent and he will be showing how a single convection oven and 30″ induction cook top can feed a party of 50! 

You may have a natural brick fireplace like the ones pictured below, or at least may have seen one or two. We are seeing more of them as the 1970’s and 80’s homes they are in become due for improvements. We are often asked what we can do with them, and the answer is that there are endless amounts of ways to re-adorn this gathering spot. I thought I would show you 2 ideas that demonstrate what a little paint can do as well as a more tailored way to dress a raised brick hearth.

I found it interesting that just last week: I met with a former client that put in a first floor master in 1999, I met with a couple that downsized to a beautiful home with a first floor master (post the children moving off to college) and I started construction of a first floor bedroom suite at my own house. This is probably more coincidental than it is proof of a big trend; however, it does point out the diverse reasons this type of space can be beneficial and how it can help the evolution of home.

WHEN: THURSDAY, APRIL 7TH 2016
WHERE: OUR SHOWROOM–28 N. MAIN ST. SHERBORN, MA 01770
TIME: 6-9PM

When you are budgeting for a renovation, it is just as important to know what is not included as much as what is included. It can be very difficult for a layperson to identify all of the details, especially in larger projects. The most important reason to know what’s in and what isn’t in the budget is that you want to avoid any surprises either financial or in the scope. Omissions in the scope of work can hide up to 20%-30% of the true total budget requirement.

It’s not always clear to a consumer who is really qualified to help with design projects, or what sort of design assistance they may need. In the interior design category, it is typically an interior designer (not a decorator) that will put together a comprehensive plan with interior architecture, color, contrast etc. to make the addition of the final touches (fabric and paint) have a big impact. The next level are those who also specialize in kitchen and bath design with the requirement of mechanical knowledge and the vast array of product specifications that make the difference between swapping out tile or changing the lay-out.

Newly remodeled spaces can be beautiful, and make an improvement in your lifestyle as well. Here are a few things you should get more information on in advance of starting your project to avoid cost overruns and other surprises.

Here in our New England area we can experience 20 degrees in December, or close to 70 as the forecast states for tomorrow- Christmas Eve! What doesn’t change is the connection a deck can make (referred to as transitioning in Architecture) between the outside and the inside. Designing a deck is an important part of how it works with the home year round.  For this deck on a hillside home overlooking the Charles River in Dover, MA…. why would we want to spoil the view in December when the beauty of the river changes with every season?

We get many calls for finishing basements, especially as winter looms and families look to stretch the range of their home and entertain the children. The most important part of finishing these spaces is of course getting the space that gives you the most bang, tailored to your family.  The top contenders are: Play date spots for groups of toddlers, gaming space for tweens and teens, media and/or entertaining spaces and my personal favorite, the home gym.

The fireplace still remains a staple to our thoughts of “hearth and home”.  So much has changed with building codes and fireplaces that I thought it would be great to note a few of these if you are considering adding a fireplace to your next construction project.

Here are some tips and insight into kitchen organization that will hopefully be helpful. To go along with this handy set of tips are some photos to use as a guide to find your inner organizer. As a caveat to this blog, these photos belong to a kitchen we just remodeled in Newton for our bookkeeper, and as you may know, bookkeepers are supposed to be methodical and organized… or somewhat anal retentive, (sorry Lauri, but we share that trait)- so if you’re an artist, just wing it and throw some spices in the same drawer you put the Tupperware :)

You know that feeling something is wrong… but you can’t put your finger on it? Unfortunately I see that a lot in my line of work. In the renovation and remodeling business, we get hired not just because people need more space, but often to correct what’s “not right”.

I know dust protection isn’t the eye candy most consumers are looking for in remodeling; however, it is one of the most important parts of your project. Today, remodelers are required to adhere to the Renovation and Repair Act that abolished ignorant practices such as fans in a window blowing hazardous material into the air- and possibly right back into the home.  What the act doesn’t prevent are the same poorly monitored or poorly managed practices that can effectively keep harmful and annoying dust out of your home.

Obsolescence (or reduction of serviceability) is something, that in and of itself, is why I have a renovation and construction company. In addition to growing populations, we have structures that are aging as well as lifestyles and designs that are changing. Even the well built homes constructed in an era when craftsmanship was more a standard than an exception eventually need repair and updating. It is the new era, that I believe has become an era of “unplanned obsolescence”, that we need to pay more attention to.

Our firm always has a few hurdles to jump when we meet perspective clients. First, we have to perform the process of due diligence where we prepare detailed specifications based on what the client wants. Then, we get the budget drafted with painstaking detail and closely look at the existing conditions to understand what sort of trauma we will find when we open up those walls, or truly close in on the level of finishes desired for the project. 

From time to time we encounter a remodeling project that begins with a more head scratching than usual. We don’t have any choice but to find a solution when we are invited to help….. we are the professionals after all! This is a story about a bath renovation in Wellesley we completed recently that went from a bit too tight, to a wide open space with a series of minor tweaks that made for one major difference because of the synergy of 4 changes.

In the 90’s I filled much of our company’s schedule with family room additions. Everyone rushed to attach a room to the back of the home that was bigger than the living room and would be more casual and have a stronger connection to the back yard. That family room extension has morphed over time in towns like Newton and Wellesley, where there is a large stock of housing dating between the 1920’s and 1940’s.

Most of the renovations we do are to help families with their growing pains (from a space point of view), along with updating. I encounter many children in my business and always want to know what the kids think. I have 5, from 6 to 25 years old, and that helps me understand the phases families will go through, but not the real desires of the family unit.

Specialty rooms are on the rise with more of us wanting to have more “off time” without being able to find the time.  This trend is strong and looks like it will continue to be on our clients list of changes they want to make in their home, and thus, their lives. 

Of course we all think about our outdoor spaces more when the weather is at its best and we find ourselves outside. Because we live in New England, it is easy to frame our outside time into 3 short months. The good news is that we actually have 3 great seasons to enjoy in our beautiful part of the country and when it is time to renovate the outdoors… think about stretching that a bit with inside/outside space that can offer protection from the bugs in the mid-summer and work when temperatures start with warm Fall days, and slowly ease into crisp fall nights.

When this couple relocated from Washington DC to Wellesley, they knew the Cliff Estates neighborhood was great, the architecture outside was excellent and everything about the house met their needs…. except the weird galley kitchen that doubled as a hallway to the family room.  Before they committed to the purchase, a local realtor recommended they have us look at the space to see if we thought the dual purpose thoroughfare had any hope.

We are often asked to remove walls to help with the open concept many people are after today. This is a project that benefitted in so many ways by doing this; I am really very excited to share it with you. When I met the Owners, they were more than tired of being greeted by the refrigerator that was imposing a space constraint on the kitchen; as well as standing guard to ensure no one could see past it to the family room. The couple was hopeful there would be a solution to keep a fair amount of storage space and improve the work space, they just couldn’t see beyond the paradigm of the bearing wall. 

Trends in cabinetry are as important as fashion trends, and present in every part of home and décor. The main difference other than the obvious… you don’t wear cabinets… is that we seek long term trends for these capital improvements so that we have a longer period of enjoyment for our investment. 

There are a few more things to consider besides the kitchen lighting and where the tomatoes will grow when it comes to sunlight at your home.  I thought I would list just a few so that you can incorporate this into part of your planning and make considerations for the materials or lay-out of your next project. 

We are often asked to come up with a solution to a unique problem during the design phase.  As a designer forward group, we love the challenge and brainstorm together to make sure the client can walk away with a great solution.  It is a good team building exercise and helps keep our creative juices flowing!  Below are a couple of fun requests and the end result.

I get less and less push back when I suggest opening kitchens to the dining room than I used to.  I also get more requests to take that barrier down because of the open concepts that many people want for today’s lifestyle.  As popular as open concept living has become, there are still many sceptics out there- you know who you are… so I put the top 3 objections down that people use to deny the need for open dining.  If you have a home with ample room to keep a separate formal living space- and you know you will use it, you are not the focus of this week’s blog.

Bathroom renovations are more than cosmetic make-overs that include a new counter and a coat of paint.  It is common for folks to ask if I can just replace the tile and fixtures too.  Since make-overs are not my specialty, I can only comment that if you are looking to sell your home soon- that is probably the way to go.  If you need a renovation though- be warned that trying to go halfway will likely result in finding yourself in no-man’s land and you’ll have to fight your way through anyway.

WHEN:  APRIL 30, 2015

WHERE: OUR SHOWROOM–28 N. MAIN ST.  SHERBORN, MA 01770

TIME: 6-9PM

I am often asked the question during a site consultation; “Is this a bearing wall”? What people want to know is, “can this wall be removed or a new entry installed”?  Most of the time it is very easy for an experienced builder or designer to determine which walls are bearing in a home and which ones are not. While it doesn’t always require a structural engineer to figure out where the bearing walls are, in Massachusetts any opening larger than the beam, header or girder sizes located in the code book require a structural engineer to specify the beam size, connections and load path.

I know that many of you are already having difficulty with ice dams- the worst isn’t over and with rain coming this weekend, you may be in for a double whammy.  When the rain comes and the snow melts, the volume of water will increase and may also be looking for a way into your basement. 

We've written about preventing ice dams in the past, but given the number of calls I’ve been getting recently, I thought I would write about it again.

The most relevant word in home design for 2015 is simplicity. That was the resounding theme at this year’s Design and Construction Week, so let’s look at what this means for what I believe will forge the next trend cycle in home design, and the kitchen and bath styles for some time.

Kitchen and Bath projects have a great deal of product choices involved in the process. It should be no surprise that the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), held annually, has a great deal of vendors vying to impress the attendees, and influence them; as well as the consumer on their goods. I just returned from KBIS and there were a lot of new and interesting things to see, but I emerged with something more valuable for you than a new product- knowledge :).

Times change, and wood flooring in today’s homes is no exception. I know that including pre-finished wood floors in the discussion will spark some doubt in my Old Yankee-purist area of operations, New England :).  However, just like the popularity in the once shunned gas fireplace, there are situations that make pre-finished floors a good choice even if the tried and true finished on site floor is still in wde use.

Open floor plans are certainly a concept that has been a strong trend with our modern lifestyles. This is brought on by many factors such as cocooning and the desire to be in the same space with our children for whatever time they have when they are home. This type of living is great for our busy lifestyles and should come with a few considerations before jumping full steam ahead and knocking down all the walls in your home.

Many times in the construction process there are details that can benefit from a template, mock-up or pattern. Often we mock-up decorative window pediments so the client can feel comfortable with the scale and how it looks on the house. This can also help keep the construction moving along if we need to have a coppersmith create caps for those pediments- they can be made while the carpentry is happening so they get installed right away instead of being delayed by waiting until the pediments are all built for measuring.

This week I met with a couple I have worked for in the past- we did a beautiful kitchen remodel in their current Wellesley home over 10 years ago, and now they have decided to buy a home that they can transform completely. This project entails a whole home remodel with a pretty good size addition, complete with a larger kitchen and master suite. Fancy-right? It will be beautiful I am sure and of high quality also, but while we were talking about what the couple wanted to include- the word “uncomplicated” was used.

We do many projects that involve opening a home in a way that could make it vulnerable to the elements. I am often asked if we do large home renovation projects in the winter season, or how we protect the home against the elements. Believe it or not, I have actually done a few projects where we removed the entire roof structure to add a second floor in the middle of winter while we had clients living in the residence- here is how we plan for it.

When we finish a project for a client, we want to give the client the final say that they are happy with the way things look before they make the final payment.  This is known as “punching out”- or the “Punch List”.  Not to worry, there are no punches being thrown.   The term punch list comes from an era when a card was punched in the margin to show it was used- like the train conductor does to your ticket to Boston to show the ticket had been used.

I have often discussed the synergy of Architecture and interior design, and the great value of our design and construction professionals working together for a better client experience. There is another important part of the built environment where you may want to consider a collaborative approach (project depending of course).

Project Management in home remodeling has a bit more to it than scheduling- many items involved are tacit in nature.  At The Wiese Company, we know that having a diversified skill set from unique and friendly teammates is the right mix, but “why” is it important to have this diversity?   For starters, all of us humans have interests and strengths- and why not capitalize on that. The opposite is sure fired disaster and letting people do what they love always helps deliver excellent results.

According to Wikipedia, “Cocooning is the name given to the trend that sees individuals socializing less and retreating into their home more.” The term was coined in the 1990s by Faith Popcorn, a trend forecaster and marketing consultant:

We are very fortunate in our local communities from Holliston to Boston, where we can be an eye witness to some amazing antiques lining our main roads. I enjoy seeing a town’s church steeple before the town itself is visible, and always feel grateful to live in a place with so much early American History. 

I just returned from a most brief discussion about a potential renovation project in Wellesley. The meeting was a full 15 minutes. After a quick introduction, the home owner said “so, what should I do? I’ll walk you around and then you can tell me.” I shouldn’t have been confused, I am the professional in the mix and that is why he called me, right? I had to ask though…”What is it you need?”

As long as I have been involved in construction, it has been more common for customers to ditch the architect or designer as soon as they believe they have the drawings to get the building permit. I think that for some folks they feel like they need to stop the bleeding on design investment…lol, or they fell out of love with the architect after the bids came in higher than the budget they communicated. 

In Massachusetts, our lively political environment creates added “fun” for our clients when navigating the exciting world of zoning, planning, board of health and wetlands commissions, to name a few. This is because our Government wants to have law- and fees on the law, and leave the individual towns with enough leeway to have their own laws on top of the state rules. In most cases, as long as the town/city adopts a stricter standard. Energy conservation may be the easiest one to use as an example, so if the state requires an insulation value of R19 for walls, the town can up the ante to R-21.

Home renovations are exciting! When someone calls us to discuss an improvement to their home, they are very excited to get things moving forward once they have a good idea of the cost and what the scope will involve. That excitement and desire is important to get the selections made on fixtures and finishes- so what is the caveat to moving full steam ahead?

What is important to you in a home?  I currently find myself in the same place as many of my clients because I just purchased a “handy man special”… yes, a complete gut job, lol.  I was also thinking about our needs as humans, for more than the shelter near the bottom of Maslow’s pyramid, but for the need for home that is closer to our actualizing. 

Flipping property seems to be the new TV hit in home shows.  I was eager to talk to an appraiser to get some information about where the shift in value is from Home A to Home B at a recent professional event.  I had a vague understanding of what appraisers do because of the real estate transactions I have had, but there were two words that I heard in my discussion with an appraiser that were very informative… and disappointing.  The words were: appears and appeal.

Can you imagine a kitchen without countertops? It wasn’t that long ago that the kitchen table was used as the main prep space- with minimal counter clean up space reserved for the sink.

During many design projects, one of the best opportunities to make a high impact on the design with the best return is often by moving or adding windows.  The typical aversion includes cost, but is usually associated with a paradigm about the way things are or the impact that they will have. 

20 years ago, I was installing granite for about $100 per square foot (PSF)…and today the average price is less than $75! Trends have an impact on many things, and the more stone is used, the more changes in shipping, mining and fabrication lower the cost. That’s not the only change in counter prices – people used to say “we don’t have the budget for granite so we are going to use Corian”… funny, Corian is now typically more expensive than many natural stones. The newer product trying to take more market share in counters is quartz… so here is a current retail guide on pricing.

The Master Bath Shower has come a long way. We are typically removing small and cave-like 32×32 inch stalls from existing master baths and designing in roomy and beautiful custom showers. 

I have a great idea that will allow you to give birthdays to homeless children and have a great time doing it! Why don’t you come to our place on Thursday April 10th where all you have to do is enjoy some great bites cooked on site from Chef Ryan Cyr (he is making a short rib appetizer and a spring soup and one mystery treat right before your eyes). We can add the beer & wine, friends from our community and a little jazz in the background. I’ll even throw in a chance to win an exquisite meal cooked in your home for 6 and another chance to win a convection steam oven generously donated by Yale Alliance and Jenn-Air Appliances.

Entertaining is often part of our planning in most home remodeling projects, so here are a few considerations for having a space made for scalable entertaining (the large annual event or the small intimate ones). 

People often ask me if bath tubs are an important feature in the master bath today- this is a relevant question, and its one that I get asked very frequently. I know most folks would like a simple yes or no answer, but the truth is- it depends. 

Also known as farm house sinks, the apron front sink has changed in many ways, and it is no longer just for old-world or country style kitchens. Today’s farm house sinks are made with more durable finishes such as stainless steel, and fireclay. Both Stainless and fireclay do not have the staining or weight problems associated with porcelain glazed and enameled cast iron sinks.

With many things in the world of food, wouldn’t it be nice to have more things that taste better while being healthier, and with alternatives to pre-heating the oven in order to shorten the cooking time (especially on evenings filled with extracurricular commutes)?

With many things in the world of food, wouldn’t it be nice to have more things that taste better while being healthier, and with alternatives to pre-heating the oven in order to shorten the cooking time (especially on evenings filled with extracurricular commutes)?

If you talk to anyone who hasn’t seen a demonstration with induction cooking, they’ll probably tell you that “gas is the best, and any self-respecting culinary specialist wouldn’t use anything else”. 

We’ve had a mild winter until today! We still have months to go before spring comes, and we’ll no doubt get a few more big snow storms before that happens. There is a certain beauty that comes when you look out and see the world is covered in white, and the way the sunlight glistens through the icicles that hang from trees and rooftops.  

The first thing people want to get their arms around with any remodeling project is “what is this going to cost?” For better or worse, you need to understand the cost in order to start to budget for what it is you really want.

Gray is today’s neutral color tone, but not the color of the year. In modern design gray is replacing the beige of yesterday. I am not talking about battleship gray or any other drab color that comes to mind. 

Myth 1: Housing is overvalued. I read a very interesting article in Trulia.com “Bubble Watch” which is about real estate price indexes and where the value (or bubble) is relative to historical prices, incomes and rents. Trulia’s Economist was able find a very reliable algorithm that shows the historic and current conditions that can aid in understanding real estate valuation trends. 

River stone or natural rock tiles are a great way to add a natural point of interest if you want to create a unique texture, soften a plane of straight lines or bring the outdoors inside. 

When it comes to modern bathroom design, nothing is more eye-catching then a floating vanity. Floating cabinetry offers a modern minimalist design that will make a statement while adding some other benefits.

You’ve finally chosen beautiful new cabinets to go into your home. You’ve picked the finish, the door style… there is one last detail that can make a major difference with your kitchen or bath renovation, and that is the hardware! Many people know what finish they want to use, it is the challenge of what style, size and use of the hardware. Well selected cabinet hardware is an opportunity to increase the over all design aesthetic. 

Our beautiful New England towns have some great architecture, and because our housing stock is older than other areas of the country, many require remodeling, a home addition or maybe just a new kitchen or renovated bath. However, some homes we work on have suffered “differed maintenance issues” throughout and may be better contenders for whole home remodeling.

From ancient Rome to modern homes, herringbone can be seen in fabrics, textiles, flooring and wall tile. A herringbone pattern is an arrangement of rectangles or parallelograms set on an angle; it’s named such because it is reminiscent to the bones of a fish. While this pattern is more commonly used in Craftsmen styles, it can add interest and movement without confusing a space when done with certain design ques. Herringbone can be emphasized by using contrasting tile colors to create different effects.

What is behind all the choices in siding for your home?  Choosing the highest quality finish materials will not ensure a long lasting façade, however, style, material options, and what’s behind the aesthetic are all very important. 

With the temperatures hitting record highs, we started week one of our charity project at A Place to Turn.

The second element of Architectural transitioning between the built and natural environment is what lies between the exterior wall and the natural items. When you step outside you have a landing point. An example of this mental transition compares to a weary road trip, when you stop to stretch your legs- after disembarking the car, we tend to spend a moment to feel the blood rush back into our legs, and take in the surroundings.

For over the last 60 years, The Brimfield Antiques Show hosts 3 summer time shows in close by Brimfield, MA. The show boasts over 500 vendors and offers something for everyone; from treasured antiques to refinished projects and everything in-between. 

As it is widely known, seamless transitions in architecture are essential. Moving from one space to another shouldn’t conjure any abrupt feelings and should simply guide the occupant. This is done in different areas of the built environment from the gradual stepping of structures, to the use of color from room to room. This month with the weather becoming so nice, we will begin to discuss the importance of seamless transitions from inside to out.

We have recently joined the web community that is Houzz. If you are unfamiliar with Houzz, it is a great place to gather ideas, and showcase work.

Exciting changes are currently taking place here, at the Wiese Company. We are undergoing an imaging and branding facelift.Our new look: starting with our logo, will incorporate green in lieu of black to symbolize our commitment to you.

A Place To Turn is a local food pantry that works with local parishes, schools etc. on a referral basis helping families in crisis. With your help, The Wiese Company will repair the second floor ceiling (which is in the process of falling down), as well as improve the lighting and clothing storage area with an improved and more cheerful environment. 

Join Chef Kurt Von Kahle for an exciting evening of food and entertainment! 

Ceilings are often overlooked simply to be coated with a layer of flat white paint. But by adding something of visual interest to the ceiling, you can create a focal point to draw the eyes up and even make the room appear larger.

The most obvious and traditional place for a chandelier is the dining room. With the wide selection of styles, sizes and finishes available, chandeliers can be complimentary to almost any room in the home.  But take care about how many chandeliers you feature in your home. 

The Wiese Company and staff volunteered their time and leveraged their vendor network this summer in order to help the Wellesley A Better Chance (ABC) program get a newly renovated kitchen that was in big need of an update. The mission of the ABC program is to provide academically talented and promising young women of color from underserved communities a better chance through enrollment at Wellesley High School and participation in a residential program. Wellesley ABC is committed to fostering the achievement of each student’s academic, personal and community-oriented goals through year-round support.

Many have the image of a bright 70’s floral pattern ingrained in their head but, oh how the styles have changed.  Once thought of as old and outdated, the use of wallpaper is making a big comeback. Ranging from bold to serene, wallpaper manufacturers are sure to have an option that would suit any design style.  If you like the idea of wallpaper but are hesitant to use it on large scale, quite often powder rooms provide a great arena for prints that deliver that “wow factor”. 

You may already have done some phasing with projects… like the room you painted and purchased furniture for or the bath remodel. Phasing has many benefits from managing the disruption to your family and lifestyle, to capturing economies of work and location. When it comes to larger projects, a bit more research can guarantee an improved synergy and help avoid any loss of economies. The most common reasons for phasing include: Less disruption to the household, zoning or other municipal restrictions, and budgeting.

You may already have done some phasing with projects… like the room you painted and purchased furniture for or the bath remodel. Phasing has many benefits from managing the disruption to your family and lifestyle, to capturing economies of work and location. When it comes to larger projects, a bit more research can guarantee an improved synergy and help avoid any loss of economies. The most common reasons for phasing include: Less disruption to the household, zoning or other municipal restrictions, and budgeting.

What do subway, glass and large formats have in common?  They are the latest trends in tile that have made their way into almost every bathroom we have recently designed.

Construction Documents (commonly referred to as CDs) are in some way similar to assembly instructions that come with a large play house. The basic differences are; one- your project may be a bit more involved than a swing set and, two – your addition or new home will not come in a kit so all of the items and materials being used must be articulated properly to avoid substitutions with lower quality materials or inferior assemblies.

Owners Ray and Terry Wiese provide a quick explanation of what makes Sherborn Kitchen + Bath the perfect resource for your renovation or construction project.

Sherborn Kitchen + Bath is please to be an Executive Sponsor yet again of this year’s Wellesley Kitchen Tour taking place May 5, from 11am to 3pm.

Sherborn Kitchens + Bath serves as The Wiese Company‘s official showroom. The note below is from the founder of the company, Ray Wiese, 20 years in business has left a couple of gray hairs on this remodeler (well, maybe more than a couple). 

Today we design kitchens for lifestyle as equally as we do for ergonomics and safety. Beware only thinking about the former, and dismissing the latter. We believe that paying close attention to key functions of the kitchen will allow you to have a space that works great for cooking as well as for everything else. 

One of the most frequent questions our design team is asked is what’s new in paint. Good news, The Paint Quality Institute recently identified the hot paint colors*  for 2012.  And according to Debbie Zimmer, color expert, the 2012 paint palette will draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape. 

We are happy to announce that we have expanded our showroom hours. Our new hours:

Looking for a change to the traditional granite countertops? Not a fan of the glossy finish or the problems with honed material? Then you should consider a leather finish on your stone. 

Sherborn Kitchen + Bath is hosting Industry Night on September 28 for local-area designers, architects, and builders. Join us to:

The biggest change/ improvement in showers of late is the channel drain system. Like anything new, these are still a little more expensive and require another skill set to install the special pan system. 

Among the many important factors in choosing the right fixtures and appliances is the growing importance water conservation. Whether you are in the mood to be green or undertaking a remodeling project, water-efficient fixtures and appliance can make a big impact on saving water, and your money too.

Showers are still the most sought after luxury item in bathroom renovation. There are a few things that have changed since this trend started. In the 90’s increasing the showers size was the main goal … of course as large as possible, while fitting the over-sized jetted tub into the design.  After big-sized showers, amenities such as steam, body sprays and built in benches started emerging.

Sherborn Kitchen & Bath is owned by Ray and Terry Wiese and Terry is happy to take on the day to day managment. 

After being in the design/build business since 1992, Ray Wiese and his wife Terry of The Wiese Company, wanted to showcase their passion for kitchen design and display the company’s work in a New England home setting. 

1- Define your Needs

Whether you are adding on, remodeling your floor plan or renovating a kitchen or bath, I recommend making a list of your objectives before you start making a wish list.  This short exercise will push you out of the box while providing you with some ideas and insights about your needs.  As an example, if you are thinking about a family room space, before you write down the size you want, make a list of why you want the space.  The wish list item = more space, the objective = a place where we can entertain for sporting events or have a space that belongs to the kids or allow the family to do homework or cooking and lounging in one spot….  Each of these objectives will change some important aspects about how the space is laid out and how the activities are separated.

“Millwork”, sure it is crown molding and wainscoting. It is also cabinetry, bookshelves, mantles, and mudroom cubbies. 

Days are still warm but the nights grow steadily colder, bringing to mind the winter to come and the need to prepare our homes for severe weather. 

Top 5 trends in deck materials are changing the landscape- literally.

When you add a deck or patio to your home it will be important to think about how you will use the space and how it correlates to the floor plan, architecture and grounds.

When we decided to take on the challenge of revitalizing this 1920’s property, our team wanted to exercise their creative side and incorporate features not found in many spec homes today. 

Color affects our moods, whether it is in our living and working environment or in the clothing we wear.  We feel energized and uplifted by some colors, calmed and quieted by others. 

A Room with a View.  Homeowners are looking for an indoor/outdoor connection in every room in their home, and the bathroom is no exception.  Natural light lends a livable homey feel, and the sun that enters the room warms the skin, the tile, the water and the air. 

Mom may have had a laminate top, likely trimmed in chrome. Today, your choices are much more varied, and consumers are installing new, creative looks.

Today’s family knows rooms customized to their lifestyle make sense. That’s where specialty rooms come in. Consider adding one to your home to make the most of your family time.

Kitchen islands provide so many benefits in the kitchen: from food prep to dropping the groceries after shopping. 

Trends in design range from clothing colors to green buildings; it’s all the things we see every day. Remember the florescent colors that started with ski wear and found their way to every other piece of clothing?

A very common question our customers have when planning an addition is the cost per square foot. The reality is that it depends on dozens of decisions made using the triangle model of budget-quality-quantity.

Compared to the last 3 years, we have had a mild winter. Since this has resulted in less ice dams or other problems, it can have us off guard for the next bout of bad weather.