Creative Attic Renovation adds Value to a Home

Attic renovations are some of the most unique and creative remodeling projects we work with.  Often an attic will need more than just a cosmetic lift.  Because many homes in Madison are older, the attic can also require structural improvements.

This is a great vantage point to understand what goes into an attic remodel. This old house needed a lot of structural repairs and strengthening. We analyze every home to uncover issues that need to be addressed in a renovation.  We don't want to just make the home look good, we want everything to be sound from top to bottom.

Attic renovation including structural improvements in a Madison home

After re-framing the floor completely, the walls and ceiling were vented and then sealed in foam insulation. Once the foam was done the rafters were filled with a cellulose insulation which made the new attic warm in the winters and cool in the summer. In addition the old 5 story chimney was removed to create a chase for new heat and AC to run to the attic.

The new attic design provides a multi use room for the family

The space is now a comfortable and functional space acting as a guest suite, office and play room. Every home has huge potential for improvements and opportunities to enhance your lifestyle.  We love uncovering these opportunities and bringing them to life.

We feel like we are lucky enough to work on the best homes for bathroom and kitchen remodeling!  Our clients love their homes and want unique bathroom designs and expert craftsmanship to deliver the new bathroom they've been wanting.

For this beautiful old Victorian bathroom remodel, the client chose a clean look for the bathroom which matches the old house feel and adds some interesting touches. The chrome accents and wall sconces give the room a simple, classy look. The Onyx floor mosaic is a contemporary material with an old time twist.

Madison Bathroom Remodel with a custom bathroom design

One of the most interesting things about working on the bathroom was the surprise that awaited us in the attic.  The tub was reclaimed from the attic and after some repair, repainting and a new faucet it looks and functions great!  That's not something you find everyday, but that's what makes home remodeling in Madison such a pleasure.

Best bathroom remodeling surprise was finding an antique tub in the attic!

Victorian Basement

We are back at the Victorian basement to talk HVAC and designing around specific eye sores, like HVAC. This home, being 100 years old had very uneven heat throughout. The new homeowners wanted to have the project completed before they moved in and also had little ones to think of in terms of overall comfort.

The HVAC system in the back utility space was gutted and the ductwork reorganized. This allowed for more usable space for the new laundry and bathroom, as well as a storage/workspace (not shown). The system was zoned for each floor to be on its own thermostat, which in turn gives the homeowner more control over each space and evens out the home in terms of comfort. By removing the chimney - all 4 stories of it - we created new heat and A/C runs to the attic (for future projects) as well as a laundry chute.

You may be asking where is the ductwork? This brings me to the next task, hiding the existing ductwork that could not be moved completely. The basement ceiling was riddled with low hanging, sharp ductwork that did not allow the ceiling height to meet code. By rearranging the ductwork we were able to fit it into a smaller space without compromising on air flow. Sometimes there is only so much you can do, as is the case here. The bookcase was added as a functional compromise to the lowest hanging ductwork. The front is a functional bookcase, the back is a desk set up for a tv or computer. As always we also used every possible space available for storage.

The clients now enjoy a much more comfortable home throughout for them and their kids and plenty of space for relaxing, without the low hanging ducts!

Thanks for visiting!
Mike

What's hot for home this fall - Yellow!

As the days become darker, shades of yellow provide a sense of warmth and comfort and
are the perfect way to perk up your home. If you're thinking about painting (maybe just try an accent wall) these are
some colors I adore:
Sunbeam #328 benjaminmoore.com
Egg Yolk A14-5 olympic.com
Honey Tone 360C-3 behr.com
Dandy Lion BHG614 bhglivebetter.com

If you don't want to commit to wall color, how about some wall words?
This is a great way to add some holiday fun and allows for temporary or permanent
customization. Trading Phrases - allows you to "write out loud" on your walls (and even appliances).




On a smaller scale, try accessorizing with beeswax candles, a yellow throw, or try holiday lights with an amber glow. Or... just stick some branches in a bucket for instant outdoor gratification indoors!

Beth Swanson of E.M. Swanson Events, LLC.

Basement Remodeling 101

Hello again from Artisan Remodeling LLC.!

Today we are talking basements. Fixing up a dungy basement is not as bad as it sounds. Simple fixes can go a long way. Insulating the walls is a key component in a basement remodel as the concrete foundation walls are often cold and uninviting. Covering up plumbing and unsightly basement necessities, but still maintaining access, can create unique spaces such as this entertainment nook with closet. New lighting and new windows with white window wells help accentuate the natural light that already exists by bouncing it off of the well and ceiling. Just like your attic, the basement can be a great addition of comfortable space, it just takes a critical eye and an idea of how you might want to use it.

Thanks for visiting! Mike

Welcome To Artisan Remodeling

Welcome to the first edition of the Artisan Remodeling LLC. blog. The intent of this blog is to demonstrate the detail, quality and craftsmanship in our work and to introduce you to the people who do it.

As you may know from our website, we are a small business dedicated to service, design, and structural integrity. This blog is designed to showcase different aspects of our projects in greater detail as well as answering common questions regarding the who, what and how of remodeling a home. As this blog continues we will have tips from the experts, common problems and solutions, and a little humor in the mix.

Thanks for visiting us. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have regarding your home or potential project.

Mike Gasch
Owner of Artisan Remodeling LLC