Does your house fit? Even small improvements can feel like big transformations

By Terry Georgia The Surveyor

What makes a house a home? Love, of course, and stuff.

As comedian George Carlin famously mused: “A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it.” But is that really all? That “stuff” makes a house unique to those who live there. It makes a house a home. That theory extends to the bones of a house as well. Does your kitchen layout truly suit the way you live? After all, the kitchen is typically the room where most people gather for meals, homework, projects or parties — the heart of a home. Does yours work for optimum function and comfort?

How about the bathroom? Is it a place to store your toothbrush and towels or could it become a mini spa that brings peace and calm, if only for a few precious minutes a day?

From a simple coat of paint to a down-to-the-studs renovation, there are thousands of ways to refresh and renew a home to better reflect the needs and style of its residents.

“New lighting and a fresh coat of paint can change the entire look of a room.” says Tanya Simpson of Simpson Construction Services in Berthoud. She and her husband Brian Simpson urge prospective clients to think carefully about what they want to achieve before considering upgrades or renovations. “Every single one is unique and different,” Brian says of homeowners and the improvements they want to make, “we love getting to know clients first and see what they like. We listen and find out their expectations. It’s a creative process.” The Simpsons spend hours with their clients, helping focus ideas of function, form and style. They describe Berthoud, quite accurately, as “old school vs. new-build.” Homes can date from the Victorian styles of the 1800’s to new cookie-cutter developments that offer a limited number of floor plans, leaving some owners searching for ways to make their homes stand apart from their neighbors.

“In newer [tract] homes things are monotone and usually “builders grade” countertops and fixtures,” says rian, “we find that people want a luxury feel without a luxury price. They’re looking to put their stamp on the home — to make it different from others.”

The Simpsons have worked on many upgrades, especially to kitchens and bathrooms. Some of the trends they’ve noticed include more colors in kitchens. “One contemporary look is a cream-colored paint in the kitchen with cabinets painted in multiple colors,” observed Tanya. She adds that kitchen islands are still very popular, but a new trend is repurposing antique sidebars or buffets to replace a standard island.

Formal dining rooms are also quickly becoming a thing of the past, but expanded decks and outdoor kitchens are gaining popularity, a trend the Simpsons attribute to Colorado’s love for outdoor living. Some outdoor kitchen designs are quite elaborate, complete with refrigerated coolers, ice makers, pizza ovens, rotisseries and even dishwashers. “We did one outdoor kitchen where we matched the stone to the original stone on the house.”

“Colorado has a style,” observed Brian, “I call it “sophisticated rustic. It can be as simple as adding some wood beams or steel I-beams with a sanded wood trim.” But then he immediately corrected himself, concluding that while that rustic style is popular, each home’s style is different and each owner’s stye is different. is goal is to find the unique design that fuses both.

Tanya suggests starting small if you’re unsure about tackling a redesign. Take a small bathroom, for instance. “You don’t have to start with a big space, but whatever you do, make it super cool.” The Simpsons describe bathrooms as trending toward a spa-like feel. Bathtubs are disappearing in favor of curb-less showers. Shower doors are even disappearing, replaced instead by partial walls. Extra large 4-foot by 2-foot tiles are trending, as are smooth river rock walls and floors. Overhead rain showers, large built-in niches and benches help finish a “spa-like experience.”

Whatever changes you decide to make, the Simpsons recommend vetting your contractor carefully. “I always encourage clients to contact references,” advises Brian, “if you schedule a preliminary visit with a contractor and he’s a no-show, especially if he doesn’t call to say he’s not coming, that ’s a really bad sign.” rian also recommends finding someone who will give a free bid on the work and urges clients not to agree to pay a huge deposit. “Asking you to pay 25-5 up front is a huge red flag.” A small $1,500 - $2,000 deposit is acceptable so the contractor can buy materials to get the project started (expect to pay more up front for custom cabinets or other custom-built items), but make sure you agree to all the details before signing the contract. He should bill weekly to avoid any surprises.

The Simpsons also recommend managing expectations about time. “Contractors want to give you their best-case estimate,” Brian concedes, “but in most cases it takes longer. Illnesses on the crew, delays in getting building permits and scheduling inspections can all take longer than expected. Constant communication is the key. Just remember, when it’s all done and you’re happy with it, you won’t remember how long it took!”

One last thing Brian recommends is giving serious consideration to how much the changes will add to your property value and how much value you’ll get personally out of the changes. “It all depends on your lifestyle and your plans for the future,” he says, “the way Colorado home prices are trending up, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and basements are always a good investment.”

See more examples of Simpson projects on Facebook under Simpson Construction Services or contact them at tanyak.simpson@myscsbuilders.com.