Remodeled kitchen with white cabinets, tile backsplash and granite counter tops

Breathing New Life Into the Kitchen of a 1920s Home on the Main Line

July 24, 2024 No Comments

A Fresh Transformation for a Classic Home

In the heart of the picturesque Main Line, nestled among charming Craftsman-style homes, stood a sweet little twin home from the 1920s. Its owner, Sharon, cherished the historical essence of her residence but recognized the need to modernize. With a cramped 6 x10 ft kitchen and limited amenities, the time had come to transform the space while honoring its storied past. This is where Creative Contracting stepped in, ready to blend innovation with tradition, and with our talented architectural interior designer, Leila Maloney leading the way, the vision began to take shape.

Opening Up the Space

This renovation project was not just about updating the look but enhancing the overall functionality and comfort of the kitchen. Our team at Creative Contracting approached the project with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every element contributed to a cohesive and inviting space. The existing kitchen felt more of a closet than a culinary space, stifling Sharon’s love for cooking and entertaining.

Leila’s first suggestion was bold but necessary: remove the wall between the dining room and the kitchen. As you can see from the before and after floor plans, this single change reoriented the entire layout, providing an open, inviting expanse of working surface and creating a flow that the old layout sorely lacked.

By changing the location of the doorway, the kitchen not only grew in size but also gained a new sense of accessibility and freedom of movement. Uninterrupted counter space makes this new kitchen a dream to prepare, cook and entertain.

Carving Out a Powder Room

One of Sharon’s top wishes for her home was to carve out space for a small powder room. In a house with limited square footage, this was no small feat. However, with some clever design thinking, we made it happen. By eliminating an existing closet and converting the basement door into a sleek pocket door, we found the perfect spot for a tiny powder room.

A corner sink was installed, providing the necessary function without overwhelming the space. The basement, which Sharon fondly referred to as her wine cellar, was now accessible through the bathroom’s pocket door—a design decision that elegantly solved two problems at once. Adding a second bathroom to the home was a significant convenience, and its thoughtful placement within the original footprint was a triumph of ingenuity.

Maintaining Historical Charm

Our skilled carpenter, Jeff, contributed to the charm and functionality of the new powder room by replicating a built-in nook within the original framing. This not only provided additional storage but also preserved the home’s historical character, adding a craftsman detail that seamlessly blended the old with the new.

Reimagining the Kitchen Layout

The kitchen transformation didn’t stop with the removal of walls and relocation of doors. The refrigerator, previously confined to a tight corner, was moved to a more functional location, freeing up space for a small beverage area—a delightful addition for Sharon, who loves to entertain. Every detail of the cabinetry was carefully considered for both aesthetic appeal and practical use.

The new layout achieved the perfect symmetry that the client had been longing for, combining visual harmony with outstanding functionality.

Renovated kitchen with white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel stove and dishwasher

Finishing Touches

Kim, our Selections Designer, played a crucial role in the finishing touches that brought the entire design together. Sharon wanted a look that was timeless yet fresh, and Kim’s suggestions hit the mark perfectly. Dove white cabinets provided a crisp, clean backdrop that brightened the space. Warm white countertops added a touch of softness and elegance, while a gently textured backsplash introduced subtle visual interest. Pewter hardware completed the look, adding a touch of vintage charm that paid homage to the home’s heritage.

Honoring the Past, Building for the Future

The transformation of Sharon’s kitchen on the Main Line was a labor of love for the entire Creative Contracting team. It was more than just a renovation; it was about creating a space that respected the past while embracing the present.

Sharon’s home is now a testament to what can be achieved with thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for history. Creative Contracting took great care in preserving the original windows and drawers in the dining room, seamlessly integrating them into the new design. This careful attention to detail ensures that the home’s historical charm remains intact while providing modern functionality. We are proud to have been part of this transformative journey.

Contact Us for Your Design-Build Needs

Are you ready to transform your home while preserving its unique history? Let Creative Contracting bring your vision to life with our blend of innovative design and expert craftsmanship. Contact us today to discuss your remodeling needs and discover how we can make your dream home a reality. Start your journey today with Creative Contracting.

Lower Gwynedd Kitchen and Outdoor Remodel Made for Entertaining

September 30, 2022 No Comments

Our Lower Gwynedd clients wanted to give their circa-1980s kitchen a modern feel and to make it more functional and inviting. This was a fun project for us that also included opening up the eat-in area to include a picturesque bump-out that connects the space to the new outdoor living addition we constructed.

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Wainscoting 101

September 20, 2022 No Comments

Kitchen Remodel wainscoting in red kitchen. Vertical panels

Reflect with us on a project we’ve done for a previous client. The high ceilings, big windows, and wainscoting work helps elevate your space to the next level!

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Three Necessities for an Attic Renovation

August 11, 2021 No Comments

Is your house bursting at the seams? Do you feel like no matter what you do there just isn’t enough room for everything? Feeling like you are living on top of each other, and you just can’t take it anymore? If the answer is yes, look up to the attic!

If you have an unfinished attic, you are one step closer to having a home that works with you, not against you. Attic spaces already have the basics – a floor, walls, and roof. With a little creativity, your attic can become that playroom, extra bedroom, home office, gym, or hobby room of your dreams!

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Thinking of Summer helps with Winter. But don’t overlook SPRING

February 21, 2014 No Comments

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It’s cold, it won’t stop snowing and everyone is just a tad irritable. If you weren’t able to make a snow-bird trip to some place warm and relaxing this winter, spring can’t come soon enough. Even if you were fortunate to get away somewhere warm and sunny, you’re back in the cold and probably can’t wait for spring to come either.

Some people will sit behind their desk and daydream about that perfect BBQ party in 80 degree and sunny weather realizing that there is work that needs be done before that dream comes true. Then your boss walks into your office, daydream over!

Spring is a great time to prioritize some of your home’s remodeling needs and get it ready for the summer months. Don’t wait until summer to realize you waited too long.

Creative Contracting Inc. looks forward to the opportunity in helping you complete these projects.

Reasons to remodel in the Spring:

1. OPEN THE WINDOWS (for two reasons): The first, dust is inevitable. Setting fans up in the open windows gives a place for the dust to go. The second, it can give you a place to go. Living through a renovation can be tough. Having the ability to go outside and escape can be a treat.

2. ENJOY THE SUMMER MONTHS: Too often people wait too long to start their projects and they are not done by the time they had hoped. It’s opposite of the ‘Better Late Than Never’ mentality. Get the project done before summer is here so you can show it off and enjoy the finished product.

3. TAX RETURNS: This topic probably doesn’t need an explanation, but it is a legitimate reason for a large number of spring remodeling projects.

Popular projects completed in the Spring:

1. Kitchens: Hosting those summer parties means prepping and having friends and families over. You deserve a new and beautiful kitchen that you can be proud of to get everything ready for the party and show off.

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http://www.houzz.com/photos/5372491/A-Pristine-Paradise-tropical-kitchen-hawaii

2. Porches and Sunrooms: Enjoying the outside and not fighting the bugs or rain. Seems like a win, win to me.

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http://www.houzz.com/photos/3586822/Renovation—Senoia-Farmhouse-farmhouse-porch-atlanta

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http://www.houzz.com/photos/2363093/Porch-Bed-Swing-contemporary-porch-other-metro

Where to Begin?

February 18, 2014 No Comments

When beginning a remodeling process the decisions about how to approach your personal style may be overwhelming. I use many tools to help my clients find the palette and design which merges what they like with how it will meet their remodeling needs.

If you are at the initial stages of planning your remodel it is incredibly helpful to the designer to have some samples of things you like. Sometimes these are pictures of rooms that appeal to you; sometimes they can even be a more inspirational piece. I had one client who used a handmade pottery vase as an inspiration for her kitchen design. The color and subtle texture, the curves and softness of its shape, where all features we used to choose cabinet style, fixtures, hardware, countertops and tile. One of my favorite tools is the website Houzz. There the clients and I can create idea books and share pictures of specific things we like. It is wonderful to use for initial inspiration through the final design details.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10854056/thumbs/Asian-Inspired-Bathrooms

Attached are some samples of ideas from Houzz for an Asian style bathroom for a couple who live in Doylestown. We used these pictures as inspiration for their design. After meticulous planning we worked together to design a bathroom that was an award winner for Creative Contracting at the Bucks-Mont NARI 2014 Contractor of the Year awards ceremony. Look for pictures and a description of their project in our next newsletter.

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Please visit us at the Philadelphia Home Show this weekend at the Oaks Convention Center. We would love to see you! If you need tickets -give us a call.

Indoor Gardening.

January 28, 2014 No Comments

Winter is a good time to focus a little time and energy on indoor gardening. As someone, who lacks the ability to keep houseplants flourishing – I look for low maintenance ideas. Terrariums have become my new winter garden of choice. I can decorate them, they need little maintenance and they’re a great table top accessory. The choice of containers for small plantings is endless and garden stores carry a wide variety of tiny artful ways to enhance and personalize garden scapes. For the best results, create a base for your terrarium with small stones layered with a thin layer of charcoal to help keep the soil fresh. Add some good quality potting soil and then start planting! Many garden stores are carrying miniature plants perfect for terrariums. Plants can grow quickly and overpower the container – so I tend to replant seasonally or use slow growing plants and moss. I replace flowering plants when they are finished flowering.

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This is a picture of my fall terrarium.

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Terrariums come in a wide variety of styles – express your creativity and add a little greenery to this dreary time of year! I know I’m looking forward to updating my terrarium with some early springtime bulbs.

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Re-think your Re-model with RE-FACING

January 23, 2014 No Comments

Have you been looking at your kitchen, telling yourself it’s time for a change? Before you start considering a complete remodel, ask yourself these three questions and see if there is an alternative option:

Let me preface this question with this statement “Everyone could always use more storage space”. That being said, is your kitchen functional in terms of layout and space?
Are your appliances fairly new and in working order?
Is budget one of the major reasons holding you back from solving this problem?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to the three questions above, you will probably be interested in reading the rest of this blog. If Creative Contracting could give your kitchen a brand new look, save you about half the cost of a complete kitchen remodel and have it done in more than half the time, would you consider calling us to see what can be done to your dated and tired kitchen?

Cabinet Re-facing is a great option to giving your kitchen a new look and saving your bank account from going into cardiac arrest. We would not have to disconnect or relocate your appliances, which means you still have a functional kitchen throughout the process.

Take a look below at a few great examples of what Re-facing can do for a dated kitchen. If you would be interested in exploring this option, give us a call today.

http://homedezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/0V_-1JPG12.jpg

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http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/refacing-kitchen-cabinets/

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http://www.dupageremodeling.com/CabinetRefacing.html

Is This $omething I can Afford?

January 8, 2014 No Comments

Remodeling can be something you think about doing for years. You know there is a space in your home that is dated, unusable, or just plain embarrassing. Some people think, the worse it looks, the more expensive it will be to transform into something you are proud of. If the dollar signs are the factor that is holding you back, take a look the three “types” of remodeling we can do for you. Sometimes the level of remodeling doesn’t have to be as invasive or expensive as you think.

-A ‘COSMETIC’ remodel can be quick, easy and cost effective if the space and fixtures are useable but not up to date.

– A ‘PULL AND REPLACE’ remodel is typically used when fixtures or pieces of a room are not functional and in desperate need of a facelift.

-A ‘CUSTOM’ remodel is necessary when the layout is also redesigned, as well as the overall look and fixtures.

Take your pick, and stop being afraid that they will all burn a hole in your wallet. When done right, all three options can be cost effective and the dramatic change that your home needs.

COSMETIC:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-15

http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/before-and-after-bathrooms/#page=22

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-basement-remodels-and-renovations-by-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

PULL AND REPLACE:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-34

http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/before-and-after-bathrooms/#page=2

CUSTOM

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/dark-and-cramped#slide-28

http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-basement-remodels-and-renovations-by-candice-olson/pictures/index.html

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, AND WE’RE ALL TUCKERED OUT

December 26, 2013 No Comments

Traditional Exterior
WITH NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS JUST AROUND THE CORNER I EXCLAIM; WHAT DO I DO NOW!

Do I do that new Kitchen?

Do I update that bathroom?

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco General Contractors citidev, inc

Traditional Bathroom by New York Design-Build Firms DELUXE Design & Construction

Reorganize?

Traditional Kitchen by New Rochelle Closet & Home Storage Designers transFORM | The Art of Custom Storage

Beach Style Bathroom by Boston Interior Designers & Decorators Elizabeth Swartz Interiors

New counters & tile?

Traditional Kitchen by Chicago Photographers Marcel Page Photography

Traditional Bathroom by Durham Interior Designers & Decorators Heather Garrett Design

A new shower or tub:

Midcentury Bathroom by Mercer Island Interior Designers & Decorators ID by Gwen

Contemporary Bathroom by Orange Interior Designers & Decorators Wendy Ann Miller
If you have been struggling with what to do next, give us a call for ideas and planning. We have been designing and remodeling residential homes for more than 25 years. We offer professional planning, 3-D designs and process proven project management and construction from our staff of Certified Professionals. Serving the remodeling needs of Bucks County, Montgomery County and surrounding Philadelphia area.

No Excuses

December 19, 2013 No Comments

It’s the holiday season! That means eating too much, relaxing on the couch next to a fire, eating too much, spending time with the family and making a new year resolution to GO TO THE GYM to take care of eating too much. The majority of people stick to their plan for a month, maybe even two months and then back to your hectic lives that doesn’t leave time to go to the gym. What if you didn’t have to leave your home to stick to your resolution? The days of dark, dingy workout rooms are gone. Take a look at these ideas below that could transform your unused space in your home into an inviting and useful work-out room. Make this New Year resolution a life time resolution!

Contemporary Home Gym by New York Architects & Designers Eisner Design LLC

Traditional Home Gym by Thornhill Interior Designers & Decorators Sisters in Sync Design

Contemporary Home Gym by Edmonton Architects & Designers Habitat Studio

Finding Space

December 3, 2013 No Comments

As winters chill settles in, many of us start to go a little stir crazy, stepping over one another, clutter everywhere, kids gaming while mom and dad wanting to just curl up in front of the fireplace to relax and watch a movie, no place for friends to just hang out. If this sounds familiar a fun and easy solution might be that unused space below ground! It can be the perfect space where the whole family can enjoy classic games and compete head to head in action-packed video games, the kids have a retreat and you know where they are.

Take a look at some ideas below and transform your area into the perfect spot for a family game night! On a budget this is a really simple way to finish off some extra space (paint the ceiling black, paint the floor and walls, some area rugs):

Modern Basement by Cincinnati Architects & Designers Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

A little more sophisticated for the adults in your home, incorporating the existing beams into the design and adding lots of “molding detail” to define and refine: