Speakeasy Basement Bar in East Cobb

Speakeasy Basement Bar in East Cobb

Recently we wrapped up a fantastic basement East Cobb’s Bishop’s Green Neighborhood. Initially, it was a conventional basement you see in many Marietta homes. However, Atlanta Curb Appeal changed it into a cozy speakeasy full of antiques, using recycled and reclaimed materials. It was not the first project for this creative homeowner. Last year, Atlanta Curb Appeal renovated his kitchen and master bathroom. For this project, the client consulted with designer Becky van der Maten. Her creative insight with ideas, colors, and interior décor layout was amazingly helpful in the process.

Coming down the new staircase, the first thing one sees is the show-stopping steampunk balustrade. Using scrap metal collected from garage sales and flea markets over several years, the dark metal pieces now resemble a deconstructed industrial work of art. Honestly, Avi and Andy worked together from beginning to end to make the machinery inspired stairwell a reality.

Second up on the list was a new wine cellar. Beautifully installed shiplapped walls and ceiling created the perfect space to store wine. The clients are budding wine aficionados and as such decided an investment of a small unique cellar would add value to their home. Reclaimed wood for the walls was sourced from an old dismantled barn in Tennessee. The wood color is entirely organic; the only thing Atlanta Curb Appeal had to do was to clean it!

Want to see More Basements Renovations by Atlanta Curb Appeal? 

Renovating the basement bathroom was next on the schedule. Floors, shower and fixtures were to be replaced. Also inside the bathroom is a closet that needed some help. The entrance to it was replaced with custom reclaimed wood doors. Then came the big decision; which tile style would work in a space like this? Becky gave them half a dozen options with a unique mix and match of patterns. They decided on a white subway to go with the flower patterned tile wall and a black herringbone floors. Together with the new black industrialized plumbing and features the bathroom is complete.

The newly customized wet bar was next on the schedule. In the original house, the owners had installed a bar, so the plumbing was already there. The only work Atlanta Curb Appeal had to do was to reconfigure the understairs framing to allow for a more significant bar. The crews are very experienced with moving walls and rerouting HVAC ducts and electrical wiring to increase space. The expanded back wall is covered with the new trending corkboard wallpaper. It brings an exciting dynamic to the bar. In keeping with the theme from the wine cellar, the new bar cabinetry was custom made using the reclaimed barn wood.

The new floors installed are gorgeous, old rustic white oak planks with lots of character. The only addition was a moisture barrier and a ¾” plywood layer subfloor over the original concrete. After the floors were installed, a light buffing and a stain brought out the natural glow. For extra protection and longevity, a poly coat was added. The windows and door trim were also replaced to keep everything custom, including the baseboards.

Atlanta Curb Appeal is a boutique contractor and as such is always ready to help out with custom touches. Rustic farmhouse chandeliers were made entirely from scratch using raw materials, including a recycled mantle. The electrical parts used were ordered online. The new lighting is a conversation starter in this speakeasy basement bar. Also added were new charming cedar beams along the ceiling. It does not feel like a typical basement anymore with these custom touches!

Ssshhhhh, the absolute coolest part of this prohibition styled basement renovation is the secret door with shelving in the mechanical room! Sure to be a favorite for adults and children in the years to come.

The clients are getting fabulous feedback about the new basement. It’s perfect for entertainment when friends come over!

Ready to get your East Cobb Basement Remodeled? Call Atlanta Curb Appeal today for your free estimate 770-778-1172. Our commitment to quality is well known in our area and we always strive to stay on time and on budget. With Atlanta Curb Appeal you are always in communication with your contractor!

Want to read about another Makeover Story? Check out this Industrial Farmhouse Bathroom we completed last month.

Modern Industrial Farmhouse Bathroom in East Cobb

This client found Atlanta Curb Appeal after their last renovation from another contractor turned up less than satisfactory results. After interviewing several companies, they selected us. Their home was about 25 years old, so it was clearly due for a remodel.

We see this a lot in East Cobb, where young couples with kids are moving in and renovating these old traditional homes into brand new modern dwellings. It gets completed in stages. Each year they pick a project, so bit-by-bit, they are slowly getting it all done in style. This time it was the master bathroom’s turn!

Ready to Get Your Free Estimate from Atlanta Curb Appeal? 

To start off, Atlanta Curb Appeal performed a complete demolition of the bathroom space. We gutted the place entirely so that we could rebuild it from scratch. Although some ask if we can do a limited removal of the interior, we have found that doing so increases the chances of leaks and we can’t warranty work like that. Complete gutting also allows for more options, like knocking down an exterior wall for a more prominent window. Gorgeous natural light is hard to beat.

After starting with a clean slate, we installed something we have seen more and more of here in Georgia, and that’s heated floors. Heated floors allow for the luxury of stepping out of the shower on a crisp, wintery day and not getting the chills from a shivery surface. New bathroom installations also allow for some great extras like a shower bench. His and her shower heads were another great new accessory.

See Atlanta Curb Appeal’s Bathroom Gallery Here

The client is a commercial designer by trade, so she was able to grasp and, in some cases, directly purchase precisely what she wanted style-wise. She chose the fantastic lighting fixture above the freestanding tub, and the beautiful wood and granite mixed vanity with black farmhouse-style faucets. The barn door entry was quite a find! She discovered it at an antique store. Admittedly, it was quite beaten up and dirty. We pulled the glass off, cleaned it up, stained it, and then we put it all back together. She talentedly selected most everything; we merely followed her drawings and wishes. Since she is a designer, she has a keen attention to detail. Many things had to be custom made, which takes more time and effort. The results, though, are breathtaking and worth it!

Finally, one new thing about this renovation was the squared framed shower doors. This upcoming style is becoming more popular on Pinterest and Houzz. Very few glass door companies produce them. They are custom doors and require a more significant expense and wait time for manufacture.

Their feelings post-renovation are ecstatic. They are super happy and love using their new bathroom. It’s magazine worthy!

Ready to update your East Cobb home? Atlanta Curb Appeal’s attention to detail and commitment to the budget are unsurpassed. Call us and set up your free estimate at 770-778-1172. Or see more pictures in our online galleries here.

Want to read another makeover story? Check out last month’s sumptuous bathroom with chandelier and custom Italian fixtures.

Glamorous Bathroom Makeover in East Cobb

Glamorous Bathroom in East Cobb

What do you do when your last bathroom renovation wasn’t everything you wanted it to be? Do you ignore and accept it?

Last year, this East Cobb family was curious when their friends decided to have their bathroom remodeled by Atlanta Curb Appeal. After they viewed our final results, they decided there was hope!

See Atlanta Curb Appeal’s Bathroom Gallery 

Since this was their forever home, it was time to plan for the bathroom they wanted all along!

The first step was choosing a designer. After they found someone who was on board with their vision, they gave us a call to make it a reality. Together we all collaborated and laid out a plan. This glamorous bathroom remodel was going to be a dazzling showstopper.

The most stunning thing you notice when entering this bathroom is the massive sparkling chandelier. It’s the epitome of sumptuousness. Mutually selected by the designer and client, we were able to hang it perfectly above the new freestanding tub. These tubs are becoming very popular these days for they are pleasing to the eye and they save room by allowing for additional floor space. In the corner, we added a frameless glass shower and special modern doors that are “self-drying,” meaning they do not require a squeegee session after every shower.

See Atlanta Curb Appeal Reviews here.

Another touch of elegance in the bathroom is the gold fixtures! Gold is starting to make a comeback in bathroom design. These faucets were truly special. They were custom-ordered from Italy and took about three months to arrive. In fact, the only real challenge to the project was waiting on the Italians.

Designer and client selected marble floors and tile, which we installed. Some homeowners are reluctant to have marble floors, but we added under-floor heaters to make them comfortable year round. Marble was installed for the countertops. Again, some homeowners may shy away from marble due to its delicate and porous nature, but these clients know to be cautious and not to spill colored fluids. We also took the extra step of applying a particular sealant to guard the surface.

It took seven years for this family to decide they were ready to try again with a renovation, and they are thrilled with the results. They have already left Atlanta Curb Appeal an amazing review on Houzz. They are so happy with the heated bathroom, especially after our cold Atlanta winter this year!

Ready to make your dream bathroom a reality? Atlanta Curb Appeal has been working in East Cobb, Sandy Springs, and Marietta since 2012. Free estimates are available, give us a call at 770-778-1172.

Amazing Atlanta Curb Appeal Client Video Review

At Atlanta Curb Appeal we are constantly impressed by our very kind clients! Our dedication to delivering projects on time and on budget shows, and we love it when the clients notice. Communication and connection are what makes it work and why so many times, they have decided to come back for a 2nd and 3rd project after having such a great initial experience. We appreciate all of our clients and love it when they take the time to leave us written or video reviews! Thank you!

Atlanta Curb Appeal has been serving Atlanta since 2011. Owners Avi Moyal and Andy Anderson deliver quality workmanship on time and on budget in East Cobb, Sandy Springs, and Marietta. Call today to get a free estimate for your next addition, kitchen remodel, basement renovation or whole house makeover at 770-778-1172.

Want to read about another Atlanta Curb Appeal makeover story? 

 

Epic East Cobb Bathroom Renovation Sparks Serenity

Epic East Cobb Bathroom Renovation Sparks Serenity

A few years ago, we were contacted to update an East Cobb bathroom. Through the conversation, we discovered that mutual friends suggested that Atlanta Curb Appeal could help with their needed remodel. The big issue plaguing their space was that the bathroom was dated and not at all serving their needs.

See our Full Bathroom Renovation Gallery here.

Ultimately, the dilemma was that their linen closet was expansive and made the rest of the bathroom diminutive in comparison. A colossal jacuzzi bathtub took up the remaining floor space. Without a doubt, a complete overhaul was the solution. The budget would be in the $20-$30K range.

After a total demolition, we began to rebuild. The final results were astounding!

While this bathroom was actually finished a few years ago, people still come over to look at it! The owner is a photographer and obviously has an excellent eye for design and fantastic taste. She hand-selected everything from start to finish.

Currently, we are in talks about coming back and doing the laundry and mud room. We can’t wait to share it once it’s complete!

If you have been considering a new bathroom renovation, contact Atlanta Curb Appeal for a free estimate. We work in East Cobb and Sandy Springs. Check out our reviews on Houzz, Facebook, Google, and Yelp to learn more about our clients’ experiences.30

Astonishing! Stunning Addition in East Cobb

We recently wrapped up a massive addition in East Cobb, and we wanted to share how their makeover story began. The clients initially found us more than a year ago after we wrapped up a remodeling project at their neighbor’s house. Upon its completion, we met and ended up creating a kitchen renovation for them too, which they adored!

Fast-forward a year: knowing that their late 70’s small deck was beginning to age ungracefully, they began to ask us questions. Could an addition with two levels solve their spacing problems? Would an additional garage area for vehicles and equipment be feasible on their foundational footprint? Could that top floor have enough space for a screened porch, open deck, and kitchen extension? Yes, indeed! We assured them that with our careful planning and design, it could be done! We couldn’t wait get to work.

Demolition was step one. We removed the old deck and began laying the supports for the new addition. We were using a solid, sturdy cedar wood for the deck flooring and screened porch walls, and we wanted it to last for generations. We stained both to match. It’s gorgeous in color and fits beautifully with the home’s exterior palette.

The new kitchen extension included cabinets and quartz that matched their main kitchen renovation we completed last year. An addition of a wine cooler and icemaker were two more significant parts of making this a new place for entertaining. For the kitchen extension, we installed new Pella windows with custom benches. They wanted to bring the outside in with these big windows on the sides. You can look out and still feel the warmth of dinner cooking in the oven. It’s like having a small sunroom, but closer to the coffee! Sconce lighting was the perfect final touch.

Every home is different, and for this project, a central screened porch was the best option because it allowed them to hear the sounds of nature and feel the breeze of the outdoors. We even used a beautiful porcelain tile for the porch that looks like wood; it adds durability and is easy to clean up. Outside the porch on the deck was enough space for a grill. They now have the new party house on the block!

Pouring concrete to create a long driveway in the back was the last detail to wrap up the job. Plus, great news! A few days ago we received the Letter of Completion from Cobb County Inspections, the Chief Inspector himself came to look at the new addition for the last inspection. He shared that he, too, loved the project!

Our favorite part of any job is having the final feedback from the client on how a renovation has impacted them. They shared with us that they are loving their new addition and are impressed with how beautiful and neat it turned out!

Are you ready to start a renovation for your home? Atlanta Curb Appeal offers free estimates. We specialize in kitchens, basements, sunrooms, screened porches, outdoor kitchens and decks. Call to set up your appointment today!

Go here to check out Renovation Gallery.

Want to read another makeover story? Check out this Million Dollar Deck we did last year!

 

 

Must See! Beautiful Sunroom with Fireplace Near Walton

East Cobb Porch Installation

Recently, we wrapped up a new porch installation in East Cobb near Walton High School. The clients initially found us by an online search for recommended East Cobb contractors. Atlanta Curb Appeal set up a meeting to examine the home. After a thorough examination of the property, the process of creating a complimentary estimate for them began. The age of the homes in their neighborhood is about 10-15 years old. Thus, they were ready for an update.

Attached to the home was the original small deck and pergola. However, their dream was to have a screened porch. After 15 years of exterior wear and tear, their wooden deck was showing signs of deterioration. During our consultation, they also leaned heavily towards adding a new outdoor fireplace if the budget could accommodate.

Clients often have a difficult time deciding whether to add a screened porch or sunroom. Building a new sunroom involves a whole new set of costs and changes to a home, including new HVAC duct work, insulation, electrical work, and support walls. The beauty of a screened porch is that you are still connected to nature. You can hear the morning song of the Georgia birds, the rustling of the fall leaves, and the feel of the breeze on your skin during the spring.

As with any significant changes to a home’s footprint, there can be county inspections and paperwork to complete. For some neighborhoods, approval by the HOA is required, too. In our experience, we recommend that the homeowner get the HOA to sign off before work commences. Atlanta Curb Appeal was able to provide the client with CAD drawings from an architect and facilitate the process of county permitting. We helped with the application process for building, electrical and plumbing permits. Finally, we met with the various inspectors during the process and paid the fees.

One of the challenges to our design was that the home had an arched brick wall full of windows. This curvature required us to attach the porch differently than we normally would. The inspectors made us build it as a free-standing structure. He also wanted us to provide an additional engineer’s letter to make sure that we made it to county specifications. The wall shape was unusual, and as such they wanted us to over-reinforce it with massive beams. This porch will not be going anywhere for the next 200 years!

Another great addition to this structure was the installation of a new fireplace. Together we selected a custom-designed stone front facing style. A beautiful cedar mantle was cut and shaped for it by hand. It’s gorgeous and durable. Altogether, this particular sunroom took about 5 weeks to finish. This was a typical timeline. However, if your home doesn’t have an arched brick wall, it could be less.

The final results are that the clients are so excited with their new sunroom! They love it and have already given us a great review online. In fact, when we went to pickup the last payment, they asked us to start renovating their basement! We are happy to say that we are now nearly finished with this project, too.

See more photos of other Atlanta Curb Appeal projects in our online Porch gallery here.

Want to read another makeover story?

Atlanta Curb Appeal, 770-778-1172, http://atlantacurbappeal.com/

 

Shiplap, Butcher Block & Barn Doors, A Whole House Remodel in East Cobb

Whole House Update!

Recently, Atlanta Curb Appeal was contacted regarding a whole house makeover near Walton High School. The homeowner, a realtor, had heard of Atlanta Curb Appeal through several clients and coworkers. The home, while beautiful, had some major issues. Atlanta Curb Appeal worked with the client on the design and agreed upon a budget and timeline; then it was time to get to work!

Some of the updates only took a few days, like the replacing of exterior rotting wood, the adding of new gutters, and the installation of new shutters. However, inside the home, the projects were more numerous and more complicated. Hardwoods needed to be replaced, and an accent wall created. A new style seen on a lot of the HGTV shows is shiplap. We added it to the wall running next to the living room, and it is seriously stunning! The entry into the living room was modernized by adding a new rolling barn door. This finished living area now looks like something out of a magazine! Next up was one of our favorite rooms to remodel: the kitchen!

 

Typically, kitchen remodels are requested for one of three reasons: a poorly planned traffic pattern, an outdated style, or a genuine need for all new appliances.   This home had all three! The builder-grade honey-colored wood cabinets and the small center island were just not working for this family’s busy life.

First up for the new kitchen design was a different layout. Previously, the oven and hood were located near a doorway and weren’t close enough to the island to be useful. To remedy this, we installed the new stove and stainless steel hood closer to the window. To break things up, we decided to incorporate a detailed tile backsplash design above the stovetop. The client picked out the tile and described to us how they wanted their design; it turned out perfectly.

After this, new cabinets in white were selected and then installed in the kitchen. Taller units were added next to the refrigerator to create a utility space for pantry use. The cabinets sold today offer a much broader range of storage solutions. Whether your struggle is managing the pile of Tupperware or keeping the dog food off the floor, the units sold today are much more custom. Honestly, when you have a place for everything, it’s easier to keep your kitchen tidy.

Next up, Atlanta Curb Appeal added stainless steel appliances and a new island with an enormous, gorgeous granite countertop. It is perfect for big or small meal preps and entertaining friends and family. Finally, a beautiful new desk area was installed so that work could be wrapped up while cooking!

Another part of the kitchen remodeling was the addition of a custom wine cooler with functional dark wood butcher block countertop. The wood was a nice break from all the new granite in the room. The cabinets were customized to fit around the cooler.

No project is considered complete on our end until we get feedback from the client. We are thrilled to say that they are very pleased with how everything turned out. They started with a dated house, inside and out, and had the vision and budget to make their dream home a reality. They truly were great to work with from start to finish!

Would you like to get a free estimate for your project? Atlanta Curb Appeal  serves East Cobb, Marietta, Alpharetta and the surrounding areas. Contact us here at our website.

Want to read another makeover story? See this amazing European Kitchen renovation we did last year.

Massive Makeover in East Cobb

Massive Makeover In East Cobb

New clients find Atlanta Curb Appeal in different ways, and we are honored to say a good number by referral and word of mouth. Recently, this East Cobb family had watched their friends and neighbors five houses down wrap up a remodeling project with Atlanta Curb Appeal. After seeing the final results, they decided it was time to go forward with us on their dream kitchen renovation.

At first, we did a lot of brainstorming with the client. The atmosphere was fun and light as we worked through the planning process. In the beginning stage, before the first hammer falls, there is typically a level of excitement as we explore all the possibilities. It’s like having a new house to play with if your contractor has real insight and vision.

This project was going to be a good-sized renovation, with many moving parts. Adding new rooms to a home creates extra work versus a one-room improvement. Together, we agreed on a timeline and budget and then got started.

Step one of renovations began with a huge demolition. Dismantling the kitchen, the powder room, and the ceilings upstairs. After the dust had settled, our framing crews came in. In addition to the simple room location changes, a few new areas were being created.

The original style of the kitchen was closed off and constrictive; on one side was a bathroom next to the living room. However, to make this space bigger, we had to expand. There was a quite an extensive framework of plumbing, HVAC vents, and electrical that we had to reroute to accomplish this. Next up was a new laundry room on the attic side space. Then a powder room was going where the former closet space was, near the back stairs and garage. Once we completed the framing, electrical and plumbing, we sliced the hardwood floors to patch all areas affected and sanded the whole main level to match.

To maintain the calm and serene energy of a modern gray kitchen, we installed new white shaker-style cabinets, a new island, and new pantry cabinets. Over the stove, the new stainless hood complimented the pale shade of the subway tile. Gorgeous new granite countertops were also added. They picked these out along with the granite backsplash in our showroom. Never underestimate the power of new lighting setups in a renovation. The new can lights and dimmers now create an amazing atmosphere.

 

As we were completing the kitchen, they decided they wanted a mini bar, too. Adding a few cabinets and matching granite top made this little addition perfect for entertaining. A new wine cooler finished the area with a custom fit into the new cabinets.

We are proud to say this is one of our most beautiful renovations in East Cobb. The transformation was astonishing, and the clients are thrilled with our ideas and the outcome. They were fantastic to work with throughout the project; They were so patient and fun to be with during the whole process.

Want to see more Kitchen Remodels?

Interested in getting a free estimate for your next remodeling project? Atlanta Curb Appeal works in East Cobb, Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell and the surrounding areas. Call 770-778-1172 today! Our dedication to being on time and on budget is unmatched.

Read about this Stunning East Cobb Kitchen Remodel we handled recently.

Amazing East Cobb Sunroom Renovation

Sometimes the answer to dissatisfaction with your home isn’t to move, it’s to grow where you are. For this East Cobb family, they were looking for a larger space to enjoy the beautiful view of trees on their lot while basking in the natural sunshine.

The Backstory

Their original old deck was slowing falling into disrepair. The decking was warped and full of splinters. Sadly, both the sun porch and deck didn’t get much use because of the unusual floor plan. The awkward layout didn’t encourage the family to stop and enjoy the view.

Initially, the family thought the outer deck structure was salvageable. However, we discovered that after removing the top boards, the underlying joists were not only weak but also not level. It would be unsafe and short-sighted to build on top of this. What a shame it would be to put a beautiful new deck and porch on such a crooked, irregular frame. After a short meeting, the family decided to bite the bullet and start fresh from the ground up. Another benefit to starting over would be an expansion of the foundation. Increasing the square footage would also boost the home’s value.

Going Up!

With the new foundation installed, the structure started to take shape. A new detail to this sun porch was the EZE Breeze windows. EZE Breeze windows are different than your typical residential windows because they are made of vinyl. Benefits include a lifetime warranty. Most interesting is that they fold up or down and can stack into four pieces. Modularity allows for more creativity, especially when the screens are open and there is airflow. Plus they are excellent at protecting your furniture during Atlanta’s dreaded pollen season!

Another style upgrade to the sun porch is the addition to the ceiling. Behold the beautiful dark brown cedar beams! The overall color scheme chosen is a gorgeous shade of white with complementary browns. The natural color of the cedar in the beams and detailed columns give great warmth to the room now. We used 2×6 smooth cedar decking outside and finished it with an oil base tinted stain. It should be noted when designing a new porch, the price of cedar raises the overall cost quite considerably.

Efficiency Year Round

The key to keeping the temperature stable year round on a sun porch is insulation! The walls and ceiling were the first to receive the treatment. In a later phase, the floor will get insulated too. Georgia summers can be brutal, so we installed a massive 72″ ceiling fan. It’s doing an excellent job keeping the room cool when some of the windows are vented.

Skylights were installed to overcome the vastness of this larger porch. Skylights help bring some natural light inside; it’s beautiful to see the sky and clouds pass by while sitting down enjoying the day.

The final dress-up to this sun porch was the myriad of lighting selected. Outside, we installed under soffit can lights. Inside, we placed indoor can lights on two different dimmer switches; this allows for ‘atmosphere dimming’ to set the mood. The new wall-mounted decorative lights look fantastic on the columns.

 

Have you heard of shiplap? It’s the latest style in renovating and it looks sumptuous on the inside wall against the house. We used different-sized wood planks and gave them a whitewashed finish. It’s a trend that’s here to stay.

According to the client, the most popular part of the sunroom they have found themselves using is the sitting area. It’s getting daily use now along with the long table when they host friends.

Are you ready to get your porch ready for Spring and Summer? Call Atlanta Curb Appeal to get a free estimate today at 770-778-1172.

Want to read another makeover story? See the beautiful Outdoor Kitchen with Cedar Deck we built for this family!

See the Atlanta Curb Appeal Gallery here.