Kitchen Hardware Styles and Trends

Getting ready to redesign your kitchen?

There are so many options to choose from – paint colors, cabinet styles and colors, flooring, storage, and finishes.

From sleek and modern to classic and ornate, hardware can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen. Here are some trends we’ve got our eyes on:

1. Matte black finishes – Stainless steel and chrome are a timeless look, but to really step up your kitchen design, consider matte black. Especially against white cabinetry, matte black offers a sleek, polished look.
2. Latches rather than knobs – Many different varieties of pull bars are available, and some homeowners are forgoing square and tubular pulls altogether in favor of an ages or antique brass latch. It can provide a striking look, but they aren’t super practical – consider using a latch for a cabinet that has decorative items, for example.

Read more about kitchen remodeling trends on our website!

Envision A Place Where Memories Are Made

Whether your kitchen simply needs a new look, or you want to tear the walls down and start over, our interior designers can bring beauty and functionality into this key space. Maybe you're looking for low-maintenance flooring, upgraded countertops, or built-ins for added space. Many problems can be solved with the help of a new set of expert eyes. A great kitchen begins with a great plan, and we have the knowledge and access to bring a world of exciting materials and fixtures to your door while helping you stick to a budget.

Contact us for a quote for a kitchen remodel in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas today!

Aging-in-Place Home Remodeling Checklist

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve not only made your house a home by adding furniture, colors, and décor, but you’ve also filled the space with memories.

A house truly becomes a home when we can picture ourselves staying long term. Whether you’ve built your home from the ground up or bought your dream home and are remodeling, there are a few changes you can implement to keep your home safe and accessible as you age.

First, for the overall floor plan:

• Consider making your main living space on a single story, including a full bath
• Get rid of any steps between rooms/areas on the main level
• Hallways should be wide and well-lit
• Add plenty of windows for natural light, but make sure they have easy to operate hardware

Second, consider the kitchen and appliances:

• Add roll out trays and a lazy susan to your lower cabinets
• Consider appliances with easy-to-read controls and at counter height
• Add under-counter seating for work spaces in the kitchen

Read more about aging-in-place home design on our website!

How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you with home remodeling, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home with the help of an expert home remodeling company in Ann Arbor.

Home Design for Aging in Place

What do you love best about your home?

Maybe you have a historic home and love the stories that come with it. If you’ve remodeled and designed your home, maybe your favorite part is remembering the hard work that went into the project.

Multi-generational home design is becoming more and more popular, especially with the passing of the COVID-19 pandemic, where more of us were at home, getting to know our neighbors, and spending time making our homes into our oasis.

Here are some home design tips to consider incorporating into your remodel that will help keep you in your home longer:

1. Wall switches with LED nightlights
2. Pull-down shelving in upper wall cabinets (this avoids the need for a step stool, which can increase the risk of a fall in older adults)
3. LED-integrated light fixtures where bulbs don’t need to be replaced

Read more about aging-in-place home design on our website!

How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you with home remodeling, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home with the help of an expert home remodeling company in Ann Arbor.

Recycled Flooring for Your Home Remodel

Looking for new ideas to spruce up your home?

Do you want something unique, eco-friendly, and beautiful for your flooring?

While you’re giving extra thought to the type of materials used in your remodel, also consider recycled materials, particularly for flooring.

Recycled flooring can be as beautiful, durable, and comfortable as their more traditional counterparts, and they’re better for the environment because they’re made from clean, renewable sources.

Some options include:

1. Natural-fiber carpeting
2. Bamboo
3. Cork parquet or planks
4. Reclaimed and salvaged wood
5. Terrazzo tiles or planks

Read more about natural vs. man-made materials on our website!

Your Custom Design + Build Experts!

The hardest space to re-envision is usually the one you live in -- even for professional designers! Sometimes clients begin the design conversation by telling us, “I know there’s nothing you can do about this layout…” We prefer to begin with the assumption that there’s not much we can’t do. 

Our local know-how ensures a smooth process. Although Ann Arbor is our home, we’ve been working with building officials in jurisdictions from Jackson to Livonia since 1989. You can be confident that your project will be designed right the first time and will meet local requirements.

Contact us today for home remodeling in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities! We can help you breathe new life into your space.

Pros and Cons of Natural Materials for Your Home Remodel

Love the look of natural materials?

Don’t love the cost and maintenance?

Looking for a balance between natural beauty and convenience?

Man-made materials that mimic the look of natural elements can expand your decorating options while saving you money. On the other hand, man-made products can require a lot of energy to produce, inflating the carbon cost.

How do you decide which materials to choose for your home remodeling project?

1. Natural stones like marble, limestone, and granite need to be sealed regularly. They scratch easily because they’re a softer stone.
2. Stone tiles can be two or three times more expensive than ceramic tiles, and can cost twice as much to install, in some cases. Additionally, ceramic tiles hold up well against moisture after they’re properly grouted and sealed. 

Read more about choosing the right materials for your home remodel on our website.

Start Your Dream Home Remodeling Project Today

Our local know-how ensures a smooth process. Although Ann Arbor is our home, we’ve been working with building officials in jurisdictions from Jackson to Livonia since 1989. You can be confident that your project will be designed right the first time and will meet local requirements.

Contact us today for home remodeling in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities! We can help you breathe new life into your space.

Baths Designed for Lasting Use and Aesthetic Delight

According to the National Association of Home Builders, personalized spas as part of a main bathroom experience is one of the top remodeling projects most homeowners have on their to-do lists. 

Homeowners identified these spa elements as high on their list of priorities for bathroom design:

1. In-shower LED lighting
2. Roomy showers with benches or seats
3. Steam showers
4. Comfort-height toilet seats
5. Radiant heat flooring
6. Lounge chairs or chaise lounge seating
   

How Expensive Are Spa Add-Ons?

The word “spa” can mean different things to different homeowners. It can mean having a jacuzzi tub or steam room installed, or even a sauna. It can also include a lounge chair, and a large shower with high-tech additions like LED lights and music capabilities.

Visit our website to learn more!

Our experience and attention to detail will ensure your bathroom design will be perfect. You begin your busy day and wind down at bedtime in this often-neglected room. Let us inspire you to create your dream space! Contact us today!

How Expensive Are Spa Add-Ons?

Do you want to redo your main or first floor bathroom?

Do you want to upgrade your fixtures and create a spa-like oasis?

A luxurious bathroom with the most up-to-date technologies and fixtures is within your reach!

The word “spa” can mean different things to different homeowners. It can mean having a jacuzzi tub or steam room installed, or even a sauna. It can also include a lounge chair, and a large shower with high-tech additions like LED lights and music capabilities.

To read more about the cost of a spa-like bathroom remodel vs. a traditional remodel, visit our website!

Baths Designed for Lasting Use and Aesthetic Delight

You begin your busy day and wind down at bedtime in this often-neglected room.

A bathroom design that's comfortable for users of many sizes and abilities can also be the loveliest bath on the block. We work with materials from the indulgent to the budget-conscious to create baths our clients will love for years.

We'll work together to identify current trends that will enhance your lifestyle and resale value, and your long-term needs. Floating vanities and toilets are not only trending and gorgeous, but much easier for cleaning around and under. Walk-in showers are chic, but also great as we age. Will you require the timeless and classic look of marble or the durability of quartz and porcelain?

Our experience and attention to detail will ensure your bathroom will be a calming and organized oasis.

Let us inspire you to create your dream space!