Smart Use of a Small Bathroom

Our clients, a young couple with a 9-year-old daughter, own a home with only one small bathroom. The bathroom was outdated and in need of repair, since there were leaks and issues with mildew, and the tiles were cracking. The original bathroom was a DIY project from 10-15 years earlier. We took it down to the studs so we could repair the problem areas and improve the layout. The family of three needed more bathroom storage space and a bathroom that was easier to keep clean. In addition, the wife is dealing with a disability that makes it important for her to have an accessible bathroom.

As a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Vision Design Build Remodel is fully qualified to perform home modifications that make life easier for active adults and individuals with a disability.

Our clients benefited from hiring a professional remodeler for their bathroom project. We corrected many mistakes made during the DIY remodel, and we also offered our expertise in accessible design that helps their bathroom meets their needs on a daily basis.

"Cody is so easy to work with. He was patient and accommodating whenever I had questions. I’m very pleased with our new bathroom. I just wanted something to make it seem bigger and brighter. But now it also functions much better, has a cleaner look and much more storage. Whenever we do anything else in the house, we’ll definitely call Cody!”
— D. H., Morganton, NC

Read more about this project on our blog

Career Day at Morganton Day School

I had the privilege of being a presenter for Career Day at Morganton Day School. The K-8 students wanted to know what type of IB profile that my career involved: Thinker, Communicator, Caring, Principled, Open-Minded, Risk Taker, Inquirer, Balanced, Knowledgeable, Reflective.  As each grade passed by my table, I had to make sure the students realized my representation of "Entrepreneur—Residential Construction/Renovations" included all those things. 

Read more about my time at MDS and see photos of the kids on my blog.

It is my hope that this presentation will inspire at least one of those students to pursue a career in my great industry!

• Professional Carpenters
• Professional Trade Contractors

“Never miss an opportunity to sleep on a screened porch.”– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Design Considerations

How you will use it:

• Large scale entertaining. You want to accommodate big family gatherings and other social occasions. Be sure the size of your porch will comfortably seat a large number of people. Think about incorporating a flat screen TV, outdoor speakers, outdoor ceiling fans, plenty of electrical outlets, good lighting, a fireplace, and plumbing for an outdoor kitchen and wet bar.
• Smaller scale outdoor dining. This is a more intimate space for immediate family members or a few close friends. Your porch may become your everyday dining area during the warmer months. For convenience, include built-in storage for plates, cutlery, drinking glasses and napkins.
• Quiet retreat. Here’s where you relax, nap, read and commune with nature. Consider a hot tub, an outdoor ceiling fan and a porch heater for the ever changing seasonal temperatures.
• Outdoor game room. This can be for all ages. Construct a knee wall around the porch’s perimeter to provide safety for young children and pets. Use a heavy-duty type of screening and include additional electrical outlets.

Which direction your home faces:

• A screened porch can connect to your home at different locations. At the front of your home you can keep an eye on your children playing in the front yard. In the back it is more private, secluded, and the view may be preferable.
• Sun, wind and rain affect the comfort level. A western exposure may be too hot in the summer if you like to spend the evenings on your porch. A windy location can make the screened porch feel too chilly in the fall. Tucking your porch into a more protected area of your home helps guard against rain entering through the screens when it storms. An awning, exterior Bermuda shutters or even some dense shrubbery can keep most water out of an exposed area of your porch.

Your home’s architecture:

• Your screened porch should be a seamless addition to your home’s exterior. Match the roof lines and the roofing materials on your porch to that of your home. A gable roof creates the possibility of a beautiful cathedral ceiling for your porch. The shape of the screen frames can vary from the standard rectangular, to arched or triangular. Use trim, fancy balustrade details and decorative skirting to make your porch blend nicely with your home’s existing architecture. This adds curb appeal.
• Make a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors. Build the porch level with your home’s threshold, and keep the flooring materials consistent from inside to outside. This also increases accessibility. Bring some interior elements outside, such as furniture, cushions, area rugs, and lamps. For easy maintenance, choose weatherproof fabrics.