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December 2018
Dear friend,
December is the month when homeowners are usually quite busy hosting big family gatherings and parties with friends. If your home is the epicenter for holiday celebrations this year, may you have lots of fun shopping, decorating and preparing delicious meals!
When you think about the best way to keep your guests delighted and in high spirits, perhaps one of the things that comes to your mind is the need for a home bar and game room. Keep reading for some tips on how you can create this lively space during your next remodeling project.
We are so excited to show you new, updated photos from a recent project that received the 2018 Award of Excellence for a Whole House Renovation $750,000-$1 million. You will definitely enjoy looking at more aspects of this amazing project below.
We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Tim Ellis
Master CGP, GMR, CGR,CAPS, MDP
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Remodeling for a Growing Family
Do you love your home and neighborhood, but your family is growing and you’re running out of space? For some, an outdated kitchen isn’t ideal for entertaining or a shared bathroom has become just a little too tight. Most likely, it’s an overall lack of space and storage throughout your home.
If one of the above resembles your home’s limitations, it may be time to consider a home addition or remodeling project. Most often homeowners in the Baltimore area want to stay put in the home they love, but don’t see how to make it work.
Last month, we excitedly announced that our T.W. Ellis team won three 2018 Awards of Excellence in the Remodeling and Custom Building category. Each finished project is spectacular and our clients are very pleased with the results. Again, we thank our clients for entrusting T.W. Ellis to work with them on enhancing their amazing homes.
The project that won the Award of Excellence for a Whole House Renovation $750,000-$1 million was previously featured here in our eNewsletter and now we are returning with even more photos of this project!
Read more about this project and see even more photos here.
We hope you will be inspired for your own home remodeling project—especially if you love the area where you live, but your home just doesn’t quite fit your family anymore.
Contact us today and let's find out if a home addition or remodel will provide for the needs of your family.
Courtesy of Axis Architects. Photography by Brian Tomaino
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Asking for referrals from trusted family members and friends is one of the most reliable methods of finding a reputable remodeling company.
Share your experience of working with T.W. Ellis on Houzz or our Facebook page. We appreciate your feedback on our family working together with yours.
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A word from our clients
“T.W. Ellis did an outstanding job on our deck. We were very pleased and have received excellent comments from friends and relatives. Barry was excellent to deal with.”
M. & D. Frye
Westminster, MD
See more of our client reviews on Guild Quality.
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Entertaining in a Home Bar and Game Room
Today’s open kitchens and family rooms are wonderful, expansive spaces intended for food prep and serving, as well as for entertaining friends and family. But if you are eager for more intimate social gatherings as well, a private home bar and game room can be exactly what you are envisioning.
Homeowners often desire a designated space to entertain friends who like to get together and play pool, poker, or video games. This can be your favorite spot to enjoy a craft beer, a glass of wine, or a pour of whiskey. So look around your home and see if there is a suitable location where you can create a home bar and game room—perhaps in your bonus room, garage, or basement. Or you could include this fun place in your plans for a new addition.
It is important to decide what kind of functionality you want to have in your home bar and game room. If your preference is a wet bar, because you do not want to run back and forth to your kitchen, you will need to have appliances installed such as a refrigerator, wine cooler, ice machine, and sink. This requires plumbing and electrical work, of course. Built-in wall cabinets are useful for storing glassware, napkins, liquor bottles, various bar accessories, and snacks. If you have the space, a countertop bar with stools lets your friends sit close and socialize while you do the bartending. Bring your own personal style into the room by choosing the colors and decor that you love.
 What kind of games will you typically play in your home bar and game room? If it is poker, purchase a sturdy poker table that provides plenty of room for your group of friends. Consider a multi-purpose table that allows you first to play poker or board games and then afterwards you can remove the cover and play pool. However, if you are really serious about billiards, a standard pool table is the best way to go. Perhaps you have a passion for old-school pinball and want to install pinball machines up against the wall, or you plan to include a Foosball table. On the other hand, if you and your friends prefer playing video games or watching movies be sure to arrange cushy sofas and lounge chairs around the big screen so you will be comfortable for extended periods of time. You may want to consider investing in gaming chairs that include speakers, cupholders, and immersive technology. No matter what type of games you choose, be sure to include built-in shelving or cabinets to store the various equipment that accompanies the games, and have plenty of electrical outlets installed.
It is important to plan ahead for your lighting scheme in your home bar and game room. Natural light feels warm and inviting, so it is good to incorporate numerous windows, if possible. Recessed overhead lighting spaced around the perimeter of the room makes sure there are no dark, shadowy corners. Under-cabinet lighting works well in the bar area, while pendant lights hung over the bar, billiard table or poker table also increase visibility. If you specifically desire a theater-style room for video games or movies, you may want to eliminate windows and be sure the recessed lighting is dimmable. And don't forget to install a quality sound system to increase the fun experience of your video gaming or movie watching!
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Like this article? Share it with your friends and family!
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2243 Rock Spring Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050
410.420.0740
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About Us
Since 2002, we have been a customer service oriented company that is fully committed to communication, industry certification, continuing education, and quality craftsmanship. You can depend on us to exceed your expectations for your project.
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• 2014 NAHB Remodeler of the Year
• 2012 HBAM Builder of the Year
• 2009 HBAM Remodeler of the Year
• 2015 NGBS Advisory Committee
• Master Deck Professional
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• Graduate Master Remodeler
• Master Certified Green Professional
• Certified Graduate Remodeler
• Certified Green Professional
• Certified Aging-in-place Specialist
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