Home Design Trends for 2014

Happy 2014 faithful Halifax readers! We hope the New Year brings you happiness and success. While you work on that prosperity we will be busy helping you transform your home in 2014. Today we will talk about design trends for the coming year. The theme is transitions – how do we transition a home that was built in (and meant for) the late 1900s to today? For us, it’s about refocusing our homes to fit with the pace and technology of modern life without losing the comfort and tradition we are used to. Here’s how new trends can be applied to two rooms of your home! 

The Kitchen 

The kitchen is the hub of the home. Now that many Canadians are eating healthier and focusing on where our food comes from and how it is prepared, we’ve returned to a kitchen-centric life. However, not everyone has time to enjoy a slow-cooked, prolonged meal in their dining room each night, as lovely as that would be. For those with a fast-paced life, consider the kitchen table as your main dining area, and decorate it as such. Try to go not too sparse or too formal; it should be a casual eating space that you wouldn’t mind entertaining at if you were dropped in on. Be sure to embrace technology as well. From iPads as cookbooks to checking your schedule as you make breakfast, having gadgets in the kitchen can really boost your productivity. 

Traditional Kitchen with Dinning Area by Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Traditional Kitchen by Case Design/Remodeling Inc. 

The Everyroom 

Is it a living room? A library? A play area? Gone are the days of strict room functionality. We’re sure that you remember the “guest living room” in your parents or grandparents house. It was the one you were never allowed to go in, and it was by far the nicest. What’s the point? 

Instead, try to view rooms outside of your traditional mindset. A large room could easily feature a media center at one wall and a desk for a home office on another. The laundry room could hide away the kid’s arts and craft supplies, or the kitchen could have a book shelf with a reading nook. Be creative but remember that practicality is king. 

Traditional Living Room by Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Traditional Laundry Room by Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

We hope you enjoyed our take on 2014 design trends. We’ll be sure to update you later in the year with new hot trends and to see how our predictions are shaking out. Meanwhile, what would you like to see in home design trends this year? 

Let us know: Follow Case Design on Twitter Facebook, YouTube, Houzz and Pinterest for more helpful tips and ideas! - See more at:http://www.casehalifax.com/

Call today for your free Design Consultation (902) 454 - CASE (2273)

Case Design/Remodeling Halifax NS

Try Kitchen Renovation to Make Your Small Halifax Kitchen Feel Bigger

You want to start a kitchen home improvement project on your Halifax home, but you can’t add many square feet to the kitchen’s size. Don’t despair. There are many of ways to optimize, and ways to make the cooking area look and feel larger than it is.

Renovating a cramped kitchen does require careful planning . Mistakes are more noticeable than in a big kitchen, so layout elements need to work together. You also need to be realistic about how your kitchen will be used. Reserve it for cooking and eating – the kids will have to do their homework elsewhere, and you’ll have to find another location to sort through the mail.

Storage Space – In a small kitchen you need to begin by planning about how to store everything you need.

Remove walls – Opening up the space shared with a dining room or living room will make the kitchen feel larger . You can separate the spaces by installing a breakfast bar with stools. If you can’t remove the wall altogether, you can create a pass-through window between the rooms.

Light colors – White walls and cabinets or floors and cabinets in a light wood help make the room feel bigger.

Double-duty Table—Instead of an official table, install an island that can double as a table, or add a fold-down table to the end of the counter. It can lie

Glass – Glass cabinet doors can make the space feel more open. The kitchen’s doors can also be clear , or you can create a breakfast nook by cantilevering out a big bay window. Mirrors and glass-surface counters or table tops can also help make the space feel more bigger .

Kitchen Cabinets – Don’t have the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling; it can make the room feel cramped . Instead you can use the tops of cabinets for storage of things you don’t use every day or add windows to let in more light.

Case Remodeling of Halifax can help your small kitchen feel bigger, upgrade your kitchen cabinets, or actually make it bigger with a kitchen remodel .


Maurice Meagher
Case Handyman and Remodeling Phone: (902) 454-CASE (2273)
Fax: (902) 832-3286
Email: mmeagher@CaseRemodeling.com
Website: http://halifax.caseremodeling.com/
Blog: http://caseremodelinghalifax.blogspot.com/

Halifax Kitchens That Work!

Kitchens that Work: Elements that make a Kitchen Space Functional


Do you live in Halifax and have a kitchen that could use some help? Does your Halifax kitchen need a cosmetic makeover? Do you need storage? Can the layout be more efficient? Need more light?

The most efficient and attractive kitchens offer a perfect blend of great use of space and complementary accessories in an attempt to maximize functionality and keep organization in check. Here are five design elements that make a kitchen work.

•Appliance “garages” built between the counter top and cabinets to conceal coffee makers, can openers and frequently used small appliances

•Tilt-out sink front bins take advantage of otherwise unusable space and create convenient storage for sponges and scrubbers – again, keeping clutter off the counter top

•Message centers - organize notes, mail, magazines, keys and everything else for multiple family members – and keep clutter off tables and counters

•Roll-out shelves make otherwise inaccessible space useful for the storage of pots, pans, or seldom-used appliances

•Tray dividers – typically located in the cabinets near the oven – create vertical partitions to separate cookie sheets, muffin tins, and other awkwardly-sized bake ware

Questions? Call our Halifax office. Case Handyman and Remodeling (902) 454-2273, or online at http://halifax.caseremodeling.com/
 

Halifax Kitchens, The New Entertainment Space

Kitchens Are The New Entertainment Space


To many Halifax families, the kitchen is more than a place where food is cooked and eaten. It's where parties begin and end, bills are paid, pets are fed, homework is done and the day’s events are recalled over cups of coffee. As the kitchen becomes the focal point of the home, it has gained in size and importance.

Homeowners are investing more in their kitchens and allocating generous space in their designs, taking into account its multiple functions as a food-preparation and cooking area, serving and eating area, food and dish storage area and as a social area. More and more, open kitchen designs that blend into the dining and living area are practically the norm these days.

As the demand for additional functionality, technology and ergonomics increases, newer kitchens feature more useable space and modern conveniences, kitchen cabinets with creative storage solutions, high-tech lighting controls, audio/visual input and output and internet connectivity. In addition, functional elements such as center islands, high-performance appliances complimented by finely crafted kitchen cabinetry in any number of wood finishes, durable kitchen counter surfaces such as granite, concrete and engineered stone, backsplashes, multipurpose sinks and high quality tile floors showcase the kitchen as the new entertainment space in the home.

From a financial standpoint, the kitchen has become an area of the home that has a very high rate of return for money invested. Most homeowners are savvy enough to realize that money wisely spent in the kitchen will bring back a good return on appraised value of the home.

If you have any questions or need help with your kitchen project, call Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax at (902) 454-2273, or find us online at http://halifax.caseremodeling.com/

10 FEATURES THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA HOME

10 FEATURES THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME

1. An updated kitchen. No need to be top-of-the-line – just contemporary, functional and in character with your Halifax neighborhood.

2. Modern bathrooms. Buyers love finding that extra bit of luxury.

3. A well-appointed master suite. Room to relax and large closets are always in demand.

4. Natural materials. Fads come and go but natural materials never get old.

5. Curb appeal. Remember what your mother taught you about first impressions.

6. A light, airy floorplan. An airy room will feel much bigger than a dark, enclosed space.

7. Quality windows. No one wants to move into a cold and drafty house.

8. Landscaping. Mature trees, manicured gardens and outdoor living spaces draw people in.

9. Plenty of storage. Too much is never enough.

10. A basement. A clean, dry basement gives buyers the option of more storage or additional living space.

Visit Case Handyman and Remodeling online at Halifax.CaseRemodeling.com or Call (902) 454-2273.

Renovating older homes in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Living in an older house in Halifax, Nova Scotia can be a great experience.

Most of our homes have more character and don’t look
just like every other house in the neighborhood. Most of our older homes are located in desirable locations, close to downtown Halifax, downtown Dartmouth. There are more mature trees, universities, restaurants etc. There are compromises however and a renovation or remodel can help. We at Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax see first hand how the right renovation can transform the way people live in these older Halifax homes.
At some point, though, you may think about making
the rooms bigger, bringing in more light, or doing
a bathroom or kitchen renovation project.

Here are some things to
consider :

Evaluate the house: Have experts examine
the plumbing, electrical system, and structure. You will probably need to upgrade the electrical
system at the very least, but you should understand what other changes you will need to make.
Consider the walls: Many walls in older homes are load bearing because builders
couldn’t easily support larger spaces. Load bearing walls can be removed, but the building still needs to be supported. Engineering may need to be done to verify what needs to heppen to support these changes.

Plan for the exterior: If you’re designing an addition, be sure that it ties in with the
rest of the house. You don’t want something that sticks out like a sore thumb. Sometimes you
can use modern materials, but make sure the architectural details remain consistent. Most Halifax neighbourhoods have a unique character and this should be preserved. Not only
will this help to preserve the house’s character, it will ensure that it remains attractive to future
old house buyers.
Interior: Preserve as many of the original details – molding, hardware, carving, stenciling –
as you can. Many of older Halifax homes have these unique features. The remodeled part of the house should echo these little touches. Focus on using similar materials, colors, and construction techniques. See how many parts of the original house
you can keep. Repair vintage interior doors. Repair and refinish damaged floors. And reglaze that claw-footed tub!
Our Case Handyman and Remodeling office in Halifax uses a kitchen and bath designer to help homeowners select kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, color and material choices etc.
More modern living areas might be incorporated as well, such as a home office, a kids playroom, or a home office.



Energy Efficiency: Most older houses aren’t very energy efficient, but a renovation project
gives you the opportunity to change that. See where you have insulation, if any, and plan to add
more. There are many options available and government incentives that can lower your costs. Look into replacing windows and exterior doors with more energy efficient models.

Design and Plan:

Time spent ahead of construction will ensure things go smoother during the actual time crews are building. Our Halifax office uses a 3-D design software that can show customers exactly what the finished product will look like before we even start plans or settle on a project scope.

Green Building choices:

At Case we like to be mindful of a balanced approach. There are many material and design options available without a compromise on the building's performance or additional cost to the homeowner.

Visit Case Handyman and Remodeling of Halifax online at Halifax.CaseRemodeling.com or call us at (902) 454-2273