Re-Discover the Joys of the Kitchen
Our latest kitchen Renovision.

These Hanover, MA clients came to Renovisions as they wanted a local design-build company to rework and expand their small and outdated 1980’s colonial kitchen.

We collaborated and created an expanded 12’x15’ addition space to accommodate a newly designed kitchen which is now 21’x15’. Before we began with the construction process, proper structural engineering presented a challenge as the property was built on ledge. As expected, we determined that several concrete supports were necessary and needed to be built to support the expanded structure.

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Our plan included both creative aesthetic and functional layout modifications to transform this ordinary kitchen into a spacious, well-lit, highly functional, stylish and welcoming space to cook, gather and entertain. The bump-out allowed for more functional cabinetry and a dining table which before was placed in a corner of the previous cramped kitchen. Now, there is a wide open space from the adjacent living room and a clear path to a 5’ French door opening to the pool deck. The homeowners also elected for us to extend a new roof over their existing deck creating a nice shaded space to entertain guests.

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The island, which serves as the central gathering spot. is eye catching with contrasting dark cocoa colored cabinets and stunning natural looking Cambria quartz countertops. Large, easily accessible deep drawers provide much needed storage for pots, pans and lids as well as expansive countertop space for everyday prep and family get-togethers.

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Overall, the clients were thrilled with their Renovision and cannot wait to throw a party to show off their stunning kitchen.

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“Dear Cathy and Ed, We are abundantly grateful for the entire Renovisions Team that have provided us with a beautiful kitchen and porch to enjoy.  We will continue to make family memories for many years to come with this new addition. From the first time we met with you at the showroom, we were confident that high quality workmanship would go into our new construction. Mike, Brad, and Tom were very trustworthy and worked very hard every day they were on the job site.  They were very flexible and always put the homeowners safety first. They even offered a bit of comic relief! Every night the site was cleaned meticulously, never leaving tools or sharp edges of any sort in the open space. We were also very pleased with the help offered when designing and choosing cabinets, tile and other finishes. Liz was always very helpful and patient to answer questions when we came by the showroom. We are extremely pleased with all the choices and on a daily basis we enjoy the warmth and amazing space it provides.

We recently hosted a retirement party for 70 people and it never felt crowed! We relax under the covered porch in the morning for coffee, the afternoon for lunch and to watch the grandkids in the pool. And of course in the evening while we read or catch up on emails. It is an amazing space! Thank you all again, for your hard work and passion for your craftsmanship. We will be in touch soon to set up a date for you all to drop by to see the finishing touches and to enjoy refreshments.”

 – Paul & Beth H. (Hanover)

Nov 17, 2016
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Outdoor Kitchens Focus on Flexibility

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Entertaining at home is fueling the growth of the outdoor kitchen market, with more homeowners looking to extend the “heart of the home” outdoors. These outdoor living spaces that are enjoyed by all ages include stainless steel cabinetry, stone and ultra-compact, ‘Dekton’ countertops, outdoor rated refrigerators, wine units, water stations, ice bins, unique LED lighting applications and warming units allow the spaces to be used year round.

The whole idea is to create a personalized space that works for the way the homeowner cooks, entertains and uses the space.


Here are some of the hottest trends in Outdoor Kitchens right now:


There are a variety of grills on the market today including infrared cooking grills. There are other specialized items available such as pizza ovens, multi-use power burners, teppanyaki grills and the wood-fired egg to really wow your guests.

Appliances

Outdoor islands and peninsulas are requested the most with designs that incorporate pull-out trash receptacles, bartender’s stations with storage for ice and drinks along with compartments for condiments & cabinet storage for outdoor dishware.

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While stainless steel remains the classic outdoor finish for cabinets, there are beautiful powder-coat finishes in a wide array of colors in many different styles including the popular shaker look, as well as weather-resistant wood tones that look authentic!

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Jun 28, 2016
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Trends in Kitchens 2016

Transitional style kitchens are the most popular trend for 2016. This style blends both traditional and contemporary elements; modern stainless steel and other metal accents are incorporated in a more traditional interior design, thus a transitional look.

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Shaker style cabinets in both a white painted and stained wood finish are a strong choice as they adapt with almost any style of kitchen. Colors: soft neutrals and light wood tones mix together nicely, creamy colored white tones with soft greys and black will continue as a trend. White works for cabinets and will continue to trend. Pops of soft blues and rose, pantones colors of 2016 will be seen as accent colors.

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Clever and functional kitchen design strategies are being implemented using all available spaces for storage of pots, pans and cleaning accessories. Swing-out shelving is a big hit for those hard to reach in areas and tall blind corner cabinets.

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Healthy living, ageing in place and digital integration are at the top of many minds when planning a kitchen remodel. Touch- free faucets and foot- operated trash pull-outs keep hands free and away from touching handles. Improved refrigeration keeps items fresher longer and new to the market is an under-counter appliance to grow your own herbs!

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Connectivity is inevitable as more and more manufacturers feature technology in several products ranging from programmable lighting, heating, security, home automation and ventilation that can be controlled from a mobile device. Appliances are also included in smart kitchen management which continues to provide effectiveness, efficiency and convenience to a newly remodeled kitchen. Cooking tools interact with phones and tablets to start dinner remotely. GE introduced a refrigerator that dispenses coffee from Keurig K-cups. Dacor added voice commands to its IQ ovens and ranges.

Appliances

Hardwood floors remain a strong option as well as porcelain “plank tiles” that looks like wood floors but are more durable and scratch resistant than real wood.

Flooring

Farmhouse sinks (apron sinks) are trending as they tend to be the focal point of a space. Stainless steel sinks are equally as popular in a larger rectangular shape to accommodate pans and stacks of dishes.

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Quartz may now be dominating the choice for countertops with its no-maintenance, high durability and healthy anti-microbial agent added by manufacturer.

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The island is the most popular request and we implement them in the design if feasible. Other popular ‘must haves’ include wine refrigerators, TV connection and docking stations. Outdoor kitchens with bar-tender centers are gaining in popularity as they extend not only the grilling season but provide a great space to gather family and entertain with friends.

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Overall, trends emphasize transitional style kitchens with cleaner lines and creative use of space to enhance the functionality, convenience and comfort in all life styles.

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Mar 10, 2016
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2016 Cost vs Value Report

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PLANNING A REMODEL?

Interested in learning which home upgrades score big with buyers?

Find out the results from the 2016 survey that tells us about today’s housing market.

For the latest information on the value of remodeling, check out the
2016 Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Boston Average:

Midrange Bath: $22,729
Upscale Bath: $66,735

Midrange Kitchen: $71,906
Upscale Kitchen: $133,618

New England Average:

Midrange Bath: $19,159
Upscale Bath: $59,606

Midrange Kitchen: $62,989
Upscale Kitchen: $123,381

2015 National Average:

Midrange Bath: $17,908
Upscale Bath: $57,411

Midrange Kitchen: $59,999
Upscale Kitchen: $119,909

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Feb 25, 2016
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5 Remodels That Make Good Resale Value Sense

1.Kitchens. Updating a tired old kitchen is one of the wisest methods, and a tried and true one, of increasing the value of your home. When planning a kitchen remodel, and making design decisions and selections for plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinets and countertop materials, you should determine whether you are prioritizing your own design aesthetic or the return on your investment.

Either priority is perfectly acceptable, but you should understand which is your priority, or strike a balance between the two that you can feel good about. 

For example, using the existing kitchen layout and affordable cosmetic materials is a sure way to keep the cost of your kitchen remodel manageable. When you start tearing out walls, bumping out the exterior home footprint to gain a few feet, and moving plumbing fixtures and appliances, the cost of the remodel will jump and your dollars will be less efficiently spent.

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2. Adding living space. A straightforward addition of a new living room space is typically a very good investment.

Newly added square footage equals increases your home’s value. There are certain costs that will be associated with your addition regardless of the size. New square footage will require the demolition of existing exterior walls, a new foundation, a new roof, new exterior siding and probably new windows. If you are going to incur these expenses, it’s important to get some bang for your buck. It’s important that the added room is sized so that the space can be efficiently produced.

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3. Curb appeal. You have heard not to judge a book by its cover, but smart money recognizes the cover’s value. Your front elevation is more than just a first impression. It’s the only impression available to just about all of your home’s potential buyers.

The good news is that there are a number of very affordable projects that can improve curb appeal, and some more extensive improvements that can likely pay off as well. Simply cleaning out overgrown brush and making a few new planting additions to your landscape can go a long way toward improving curb appeal at a very low cost.

Repainting is another low-cost, high-impact improvement. Costlier changes such as changing out old windows or an aged entry door are things that potential buyers will notice and value. Even more extensive front-elevation remodels, such as added dormers and front porches, can prove wise from an investment standpoint.

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4. Master suites. Sorry, kids. Home buying decisions are in the hands of adults, and adults care about the environment where they sleep. Updating a master bedroom or remodeling and adding a new master suite is money well spent. The buyers will picture themselves living in their private space, and it’s of quantitative value when they like what they see.

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5. Bathrooms. Home buyers notice bathrooms, and although all the bathrooms are important, a priority should be placed on the powder room and master bath, followed by a guest bathroom and any other secondary baths (the kids don’t need to know).

The same rules apply to a bathroom remodel as to the kitchen. Cosmetic changes are safer from an investment standpoint than modifications involving changed layouts or minor additions, which can result in inefficient expenses.

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Dec 08, 2015
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Time Worn to Terrific

     The owners of this outdated1960’s kitchen were ready for a change and sought out Renovisions after seeing one of their eye-catching ads in South Shore Living Magazine. It was time to start fresh with a cleaner and brighter look with more functional storage. The professionals at Renovisions worked as a team to accommodate their wishes while being mindful of their existing traditional styled furnishings.

     Keeping a similar layout, the old cabinets, flooring, countertops, door, window and appliances were removed as well as the wall between the kitchen and dining room to accommodate additional cabinets while creating an L for more useful countertop space. Replacing the worn stained wooden door and double hung window with a new prairie-style window and breezeway door in white finish was the first order of business. By replacing the tired vinyl floor with new oak wood floors the space became warm & inviting. The beautiful new white painted shaker-style cabinets look fabulous with the natural ivory-tan blend granite countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Simple, yet elegant white subway tiles provide a serene and open feel to the space. Creating a small niche area behind the slide-in range was also at the top of our clients list to accommodate the spices they use daily, turning an ordinary look to extraordinary.

     Pesto change-o, as if by magic Renovisions transformed this dated tight-fit kitchen into a warm and inviting better functioning space that is definitely pleasing to the eyes of these homeowners who are thrilled with the end result and grateful for the high quality work along with the professional manner in which their project was completed.

BeforeAndAfter

What a great before and after! We think it came out terrific and are glad that the homeowner agrees.

“Thanks to you, Ed, Mike, and Liz for all your hard work. The kitchen is beautiful and I love the backsplash! The whole room looks beautiful, I’m so glad that we went with the white subway tiles in the end. They’re light and clean and really pretty. Thanks for everything, Cathy. Your team has done a wonderful job! We appreciate all your help and hard work.”  – Bea R.

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Oct 20, 2015
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Passing Through

A creative, highly functional design allowing light to come through the textured glass which adds dimension and style while connecting the dining room to the kitchen.

( David L. Ryan Globe staff photo ) section :         slug :    reporter

( David L. Ryan Globe staff photo ) section :         slug :    reporter

Jun 09, 2015
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Finally, Functionality

A work-smart kitchen layout was a must for this homeowner. That’s why she got together with the Renovisions team. In the old kitchen, lack of enough cabinet space and organized storage, created an overflowing situation with contents pushed to the countertops, making it hard to escape the clutter. Moreover, the inconvenient position of the refrigerator made entering and exiting the kitchen literally a squeeze. Redesigning the kitchen was a challenge but Ed envisioned a new spacious layout that naturally flowed between all work areas.

At the top of the must-have list was the addition of an Island with an electric cooktop and much needed deep drawer storage. To create a better flow, the work surfaces, storage and appliances were arranged in the most functional way. The microwave was built into the cabinetry with an adjacent pull-out spice rack and it is closer to the refrigerator making reheating food easier.

The key part of overhauling this kitchen was upgrading the cabinetry, countertops, and appliances as well as adding a unique backsplash tile. Renovisions suggested the gorgeous maple wood cabinetry with a light grey stain. The stainless steel appliances play off the grey cabinetry, colorful veining in the granite countertops and attractive glass subway tile, giving the kitchen a sleeker and more modern look.

BeforeAndAfter Island StraightViewClick here to view all photos.

 

Jan 30, 2015
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