Waukesha County Home

HOME MARCH 2023 4 D imension Design-Build- Remodel, Inc. in Brookfield received recognition for two recent award-winning projects. The goal of this kitchen renovation project on Okauchee Lake in Nashotah was to update and modern- ize a more than 20-year-old kitchen, while also tying the kitchen and family room together. The homeowners desired cleaner lines and a brighter space from the dark stained cherry wood scheme that dominated the house. Cen- tral to the design function- ality and efficiency was a need to increase cabinet storage capacity, countertop space and lighting within the kitchen. The Dimension Design- Build-Remodel team created a new kitchen layout con- sisting of a painted custom cabinet design with lighter finishes, differentiating the island and drop-zone cabi- nets color to create visual appeal and give weight to the central island. The new cabinets, which feature soft close and full extensions, include pan storage draw- ers, spice racks, and utensil storage trays. The seating area at the island was removed, extend- ing the island, and allowing for more cabinet storage. Upper cabinets were designed with seeded glass panels to allow for LED accent lighting to be installed in the boxes to enhance the added inner cabinet secondary lighting scheme. Cambria quartz countertops with multicol- ored ceramic tile back- splash topped off the new custom cabinets, enriching the overall color scheme. Varied task and second- ary lighting, including new hanging lights above the island and LED under cabi- net lighting, was added to not only improve function- ality but also lend itself to the light transitional feel the customer desired between the kitchen and family room, creating fur- ther depth in the design. The goal of incorporating the overall kitchen design into the family room on the same level was achieved by again removing the dark cherry wood cabinetry, replacing it with white cus- tom cabinets. Lights were added in the upper soffit and a new tiled fireplace surround and hearth com- plete the space. With a focus on making the home as healthy as pos- sible by reducing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), the cabinets have low VOC finishes, all tile installed was either ceramic or porcelain, which meant sealers were not required, and the new trim was solid wood and Formaldehyde free. In a nod to the environ- ment, existing cabinets, countertops, lighting, and appliances were removed is a way to that they were repurposed and formally appraised to determine the fair market value, allowing for the homeowner to receive a sizeable tax deduc- tion in the form of a dona- tion in their name. This project was recently recognized by NARI Mil- waukee with a bronze award in the organization's 2022 Remodeler of the Year award competition. I n this Merton exte- rior and interior home remodeling project, which received a Silver Award in the Univer- sal Design Exterior category from NARI Milwaukee in the 2022 Remodeler of the Year competition, the aim was to achieve covert universal design. The client desired a full exterior remodel to incorpo- rate wheelchair accessibili- ty from inside the home to the outside. This included a low slope concrete ramp and low threshold exterior doors to provide full mobili- ty from inside to outside, allowing the client to fully enjoy the outdoors. More- over, all exterior doors and windows were replaced as well as all bedroom win- dows reframed to feature lower sills, so anyone in a wheelchair could have unobstructed views to the exterior from the inside and further enhance their con- nection to the outdoor envi- ronment. Based on the homeown- er's request, the design team strategically created a floor plan that encompasses universal design by provid- ing full wheelchair access from anywhere inside the house to the garage, back deck, front porch (both entrances) and driveway, without intentionally look- ing like universal design. The front fireplace room was remodeled to include a new insert fireplace and mantel, new can lighting, insulation, and drywall. New hardwood flooring was installed in the same space to match the rest of the home and new stained inte- rior doors and trim were added, the existing wood floors were refinished throughout to give it a mod- ern and unified look. All door hardware throughout was replaced with lever style handles and offset hinges were added to the bathroom doors to allow for easier access to the main bathroom. 2 remodels that really take the prize The bright look continues into the family room that also fea- tures a new-tiled fireplace. Dimension Design-Build-Remodel, Inc. This revisioning of a home on Okauchee Lake brings a light, airy look to a more than 20-year- old kitchen that previously had dark-stained cherry wood. While also redesigned in the interior, the exterior of this Merton house includes a low-sloped concrete ramp that provides wheelchair accessibility in an unobtrusive way. * * * * * * * * *

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