Ideas for a Home Refresh: The 2021 Home Resource Guide

Looking to redo your home but not sure where to start? Here we have it all — inspirational remodels to give you ideas for home improvement, design suggestions, plus where to turn for remodeling resources.

10 Easy DIY Home Improvements

DIY-projects-chandelier

If your home feels stale and in need of a breath of fresh air, then it may be time to make some updates to your living space.

We found affordable and easy DIY options you can replicate to improve your humble abode.

Everything You Need to Know to Hire an Architect for Your Home Construction or Remodeling Project

Airoom (Kitchen)

Building a new home, or having significant remodeling done on your existing house, is no small undertaking. Not only does it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the process can take six to 12 months (or longer!). That’s why it’s so important to choose the right professionals to handle your home construction or renovation project.

A Thoughtful Renovation: A Vintage Kitchen Gets a Bright and Airy New Look in a 1930s-Era Brick Tudor Home

Vintage kitchen
Photo courtesy of Michael Alan Kaskel.

Oak Park is known for its dazzling hodgepodge of historic housing styles, and that mix appealed to Jeff and Deb Cogan, who moved there from the city when their two young children were born. “I’m a history buff, and I love architecture and art,” says Deb, who volunteers as a docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. “The houses in Oak Park have this living, breathing history.” 

That’s certainly the case for their own home, a 1930s-era brick Tudor with leaded glass windows and a distinctive turret on an ample corner lot. However, especially after living there for a while, the couple realized that some of the design elements were better left in the past. The kitchen was tiny, for example, acting as a bottleneck to the breakfast area – an uninsulated addition that felt cold all winter. And frankly, it needed a facelift. 

Home Improvement: Choose the Right Professional for the Job

Time to tackle those home improvement projects.

And while some can be managed by you alone, you should know when it’s time to call in a professional.

Drab Home Interior: 8 Problems and Solutions

living room

Builder spec home? Dated colonial? Simple but not sweet?

Turning drab interior architecture to fab is easier than you think. With the help of experts Orren Pickell and Thomas Kearin of Orren Pickell Designers and Builders, architect Richard Becker AIA of Becker Architects, and designer Kathleen Nelson of NuHaus, we’ve got simple solutions to building in character.

Before you pull out your nail gun, first get the advice of an expert to ensure you get the best look and quality for your buck (and to navigate any building codes that might apply). And embrace the style and architecture of your home. Nothing is more jarring than a mishmash of styles as you move from room to room.

Tricks of the Trade: How to Make Your Home Green

green living

Making improvements to your home should be about more than aesthetics.

There are changes you can make today that not only improve the durability and energy efficiency of your home, but its longevity and health as well.

We asked Brandon Weiss, founder of Weiss Building & Development LLC in South Elgin, to share his tips on green innovations and updates that anyone can make in their home.

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