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Typically, kitchen remodels are requested for one of three reasons: a poorly planned traffic pattern, an outdated style, or a genuine need for all new appliances.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.

 

Dreamy Outdoor East Cobb Kitchen

East Cobb Outdoor Dream Kitchen

During the 20th century, cooking outdoors was typically a summer novelty, wearing off as soon as the leaves started to shimmy in the cool fall breeze. Fast-forward to today and cooking outdoors can be performed year-round in the South, with the right design. Atlanta Curb Appeal came together to help this family make their outdoor dream kitchen a reality.

East Cobb Outdoor Kitchen

Step One-The Design

At our first meeting with the client, we sat down and thoroughly listened to all of their needs for a new outdoor space. We proposed a few options and came up with some hand-drawn sketches on the spot, turning their wish list into visual representations. The next step of the design process was to nail down the general location, the overall final size, and location of each system. Final decorative details, however, came later after the project progressed into the finishing stage. A combination of white and dark browns was determined to be the primary color scheme.

See the full Atlanta Curb Appeal Outdoor Gallery here 

Step Two-Construction

Clearing the space was first on the agenda for our Atlanta Curb Appeal crew. We carefully demolished the original deck and foundation since we would be replacing the entire structure. New, heavier joists and posts plus footings and a decorated railing, made of metal and cedar 2×6 decking, were installed. Higher-quality timber was chosen on this job to support the weight of the new appliances and future guests. The original cedar color of the wood was gorgeous, and we could have used a simple, clear sealant, but we gave this natural beauty a notch up with a seal of sheer, warm, brown tint.

Outdoor Kitchen in Marietta

The hardware on the deck was the next installation stage. Typical home barbecue grills run on gas tanks, which have to be changed out after regular use. This new barbecue grill from Kitchen Aid currently runs on propane. However, they plan to upgrade it to natural gas with a conversion kit. A modified line can accept fuel from a home’s natural gas line, which means no more trips to buy gas! We will finish this gas line conversion after we finish remodeling their basement in a separate job.

The other significant addition to this outdoor kitchen layout is a Big Green Egg. They already owned a midsize model, but it sat unused for quite some time on their previous deck. They were very excited to finally get some use out of it.

Cedar Decking Outdoor Kitchen

Some clients ask about the safety of having an outdoor grill or Big Green Egg under a structure because of the level of heat that emanates from these devices. To counteract this, we installed this Egg inside of a granite countertop; it sits on a granite platform and is surrounded by three sides of granite to protect the encompassing wood from the heat.

 

Step Three-Adding Beauty

After function comes beauty, and they wanted something different; a pergola was the answer. Adding a pergola had three functions: an aesthetic feature, which provides some shade, but more than that, its true purpose was to emphasize the perimeter of the outdoor kitchen area and to ensure privacy from the nearby street. This dynamic pergola was installed using cedar beams and bamboo inserts that tie the overall look to their matching decorative fence. We suggested this design after we found out that they had some leftover bamboo materials from their fence installation.

Our favorite part of each makeover story is sharing how the client responded to their new renovation. They shared with us, “We are blown away by the results. It turned out better than we ever imagined. In fact, our friends keep taking pictures of it!”

Our advice for those in East Cobb considering an outdoor kitchen would be to be opened-minded; there are a lot of options out there when it comes to materials and design. A customer’s budget will dictate many of these decisions. Wood, stone, tile, granite and appliance quality and style, e.g. stainless steel, and other features can change the project cost dramatically. We love exploring options with new clients.

Want to read another makeover story? Check out this Million Dollar Deck with outdoor fireplace we completed last year!

Amazing East Cobb Bathroom and Closet Makeover

East Cobb Bathroom and Closet Makeover

This month, we share a makeover story about an East Cobb family. They found us after searching an East Cobb Mom’s Facebook group for general contractor recommendations. Their project was an overhaul and upgrade to the master bathroom. Since the children were getting older, they wanted to get away from “kid friendly” and spoil themselves with something luxurious! Their 1970’s East Cobb home was certainly behind the times and ready for an update.

They had met with other contractors and had been given a bounteous amount of ideas and drawings to consider. However, with so many choices, they couldn’t come to a decision.

In situations like this, we encourage the client NOT to decide!

We instead suggest that before they make up their minds on the final design, we completely gut the whole area first.

Long ago, we learned that after clearing out the old space in preparation for the new, our clients can finally grasp the vision for what their “dream” bathroom or other room might be. This new, empty area allows them to make better decisions for their actual day-to-day needs.

First, we start with an agreed upon budget for the project, knowing we will have to relocate plumbing and electrical as part of the design. After the budget is approved, we move onto clearing the space. Demolition is followed up with the designer consultation meeting. This is the fun part where the new layout gets finalized.

Renovation begins when we start to rebuild the new walls and move the plumbing and electrical. Part of this remodeling project was the elimination of the master bathtub. The client instead opted for a huge shower. We are seeing this trend in today’s modern master bathroom; tubs seem to be more of necessity when you have smaller kids. For this East Cobb family, there is still one tub in the house if needed.

The next part of our renovation was the expansion of the closet. We came up with the perfect plan that answered their needs and fit within the design of the space. Our highly experienced carpenter brought great ideas to the table, which the client agreed were perfect for the area. Walls were moved to make the closet functional, and door openings added. We installed support beams and closed a small closet entrance from the bedroom side.

As a result of this process, they are so happy with their new space. We received continual praise during the project for the good ideas we submitted, the high level of communication we strove for, and also the tremendous degree of skill our workers employed.

Want to see our full gallery of Bathroom Renovations?

The mission of Atlanta Curb Appeal is to bring you the home of your dreams, no matter how large or small your project may be. We offer custom remodeling design services, affordable prices, exceptionally crafted products, and an unsurpassed commitment to customer satisfaction. We offer the craftsmanship and curb appeal Atlanta homeowners seek. 

Custom Garage is a Mom’s Organizational Dream

Recently, Atlanta Curb Appeal wrapped up a customization job in East Cobb. It was a mom’s organizational dream! We tackled the kitchen, the laundry room, and every family’s black hole, the garage!

First, in the kitchen, the family was in need of a central work area that was functional. The kitchen had an island, but it was too small and was made with a composite material that they didn’t care for. Our crew was able to build a custom island topped with a beautiful piece of quartzite; because of this, the larger surface allows stools to be pulled up underneath for added eating spaces. Below, each side is different: one side holds a new shelf for cookbooks; another, space large enough for double trashcans, a cabinet with a door, and finally three large drawers.

Next up was a custom garage. Like any active, sports-minded family, the garage is the storage place and dumping ground for everything that doesn’t belong in the house. And, if you’re lucky, the car can fit, too. To modify the garage, we first sectioned off a realistic space in the back to fit the two vehicles.

Second, we built a massive cabinet wall customized to their needs, which included their second refrigerator, tools, and paint cans. The father, who is a sports coach, has a lot of equipment to keep up with, and this new space helps him stay organized. This custom garage has everything, including big pullout drawers for the two dogs’ food storage. Everything has a place. To finish, we painted it and gave the floor a shiny and durable epoxy treatment.

One nice touch was the new bike rack. The client wanted the bikes off the floor, so we created a storage area by installing a wood rack secured to the ceiling joist. Now, the bikes are safely hanging out of the way.

Finally, we expanded the small laundry room in the house by absorbing some of the storage space from the garage.

This new interior area allowed us to create a beautiful and functional mudroom, which included a larger laundry area with a new entrance from the garage. No more tracking bags and dirty gear into the house.

Notice the extra space above the dryer and the storage in the mudroom bench.

Initially, Atlanta Curb Appeal connected with this family through one of our biggest fans. This particular client has continually recommended us to his group of friends, resulting in four different house projects!

The clients are beyond thrilled with the results. In fact, they said they loved all the guys from our crews so much that wanted to adopt them! We enjoyed working with them throughout the project, too. They are a very kind and patient family, and we wish them the best in their new organized space.

Gorgeous Sunroom and Magnificent Master Bath From Thin Air!

Gorgeous Sunroom and Magnificent Master Bath From Thin Air!

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality.” Yoko Ono

Adding a sunroom can have two benefits. One is creating value to the homeowners through increased space for enjoying the outdoors without the weather; the other is a boost to their property value. Reports vary as to the exact number, but it is suggested there is a 60–80% return on investment when adding a sunroom.

For this West Cobb family, more space was the goal. The family has small children, and also their mother had taken residence with them. Instead of moving to a bigger house, a re-working of their existing floor plan was the answer. They chose Atlanta Curb Appeal because of recommendations from an East Cobb Moms Facebook group.

The first phase of the project was building the addition. Atlanta Curb Appeal began by framing out the walls and ceiling while leaving space for the huge new windows. Walls and floor installation were next. The clients selected an easy-to-clean tile that stays cool in the summer. To keep energy costs at a minimum, Atlanta Curb Appeal added insulation to the floors, walls, and ceiling. The clients chose a gorgeous, gentle shade of blue for the interior, a color that reminded them of their trips to the beach. Finally, the installation of electricity and HVAC venting completed this large, sunny space.

Part two was making changes to the original floor plan; the main living room had a high vaulted ceiling. By dividing the space in half, an entire new space was created upstairs. Two windows were removed from around the fireplace. One window space was transformed into a useful, built-in bookcase with an outlet at the bottom for the TV cable and router wiring. The other turned into a patio door to the outside. Crown molding was added to the bookcase and door to match the rest of the house.

Now, the family had usable living space above the living room, which was to become a new master bedroom with added closet and a full master bath!

The shower was completely designed by the clients. They wanted a very particular marble tile layout, which the crews, through collaboration, were able to install successfully. Atlanta Curb Appeal is very proud of their custom tile crew; they performed beyond the clients’ wildest expectations. Polished marble tops the new vanity: a stunningly beautiful, white, 2cm. Carrera. Atlanta Curb Appeal’s crew also added a small cabinet by the shower. This phase was most challenging as all new plumbing had to be built and installed.

When we asked the client how she felt about the new space, she replied, “We LOVE every inch of it. Mom is living in our original master on the main floor and has her own sunroom and space. Now we can be upstairs with our babies, and we don’t have this empty, gaping, two-story living room. We love that no space is wasted!”

Would you like to read another story? Check out this European Kitchen Makeover!

Stunning Kitchen Renovation East Cobb

Superb Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel in East Cobb, Georgia

When this East Cobb family called Atlanta Curb Appeal, they were looking for a kitchen and master bathroom redesign. The original kitchen was cramped, and it needed some expanding. Early on, it was decided that removal of the adjoining powder room and integration of the space would be the solution to creating an enlarged kitchen floor plan. However, this was no small undertaking, as the majority of the plumbing had to be re-routed as part of the process.

Step two of the kitchen remodel was a complete reconfiguration of the cabinets. Reusing some of the existing boxes saved part of the client’s budget. Atlanta Curb Appeal custom built new shaker-style doors for the cabinets and beautiful new fronts for all of the drawers. The new layout easily increased the client’s storage space by 50%.

Go here to see Atlanta Curb Appeal’s Kitchen Renovation Gallery

One exciting part of the redesign was turning the old wet bar into a cabinet to hold their home beer keg. A beautiful custom island, hand built by Atlanta Curb Appeal, was the next step of the renovation. It is now the centerpiece of the kitchen, along with the new, stunning quartz countertops. Bigger windows and well-placed lighting now make the kitchen bright and contemporary.

The bathroom was up next for renovation due to its smaller size. A blank slate was needed, so the entire space had to be gutted to free up more room for the shower and toilet areas. Atlanta Curb Appeal then removed the old Jacuzzi tub and installed a new, gorgeous, freestanding one in its place (see picture below).

The client hand-selected the new, attractive bathroom porcelain flooring. It has the appearance of a hardwood but is significantly more durable. The shower hardware is also very modern. Its unique design fits perfectly with the room’s updated style.

This project was indeed a huge success! The client has already asked Atlanta Curb Appeal to return and refinish their screen porch. They also recommended them to their friends and neighbors, which resulted in projects that Atlanta Curb Appeal is working on now!

Thanks for reading! Want to read another makeover story? Check out last month’s European Kitchen Makeover.

Dramatic Bathroom & Closet Remodel

This dramatic transformation of this bathroom renovation came together after a lot of planning and designing of the existing space. The old room was functional but did not use the whole space to the maximum capacity.

By breaking everything down to the studs and reconfiguring the space, we were able to create a better flow between the areas and create a much bigger walk-in closet.

 

Closet

One of the client’s top priorities was to create a bigger closet space. We were able to expand the existing closet into the empty attic space above the garage, adding a metal beam to support the roof and a post to support the long span beam. The client also requested to move the washer and dryer upstairs and we managed to stack it in the corner of the closet connecting all of the necessary plumbing. New lights were installed in the ceiling and a custom-made wooden closet system was built to optimally fit the space and meet their needs.

 

Bathroom

After demolishing the entire space, it was much easier to redesign and plan the new space.

By opening the walls, we were able to see the structure and figure out which walls can be removed and where we will need supports. While we agreed on the new location of all the fixtures, it was just a matter of  the floors and re-plumbing everything. Then we ran electrical to all the areas where we decided to locate lights , switches and outlets.

After closing the walls with drywall and putting back the subfloor, we installed a floor heating system and tiled the space. We suggested a few tile patterns that can go well with the selected tile and the one the customer chose looks amazing.

 

The shower got a lot more attention because we wanted it to be the focal point in the center of the space. This is why we decided to build it with two tiled walls and two full glass walls.

By having two-sides glass, the space was opened up and the two areas of the bathroom, the tub and the vanities, were connected. The client wanted to use mixed materials to created an organic and inorganic combination. As such, we combined porcelain tile, with marble, pebbles and wood to create a spa feel. A long soap niche created in the middle of the tiled wall, and a wood-look bench was placed on the other tiled wall.

Large, white wavy tiles were selected to go on the walls with no gap between them and very little white grout, creating the effect of full wavy white walls. The brown accent tile was placed in the niche shelve, bench and on the ceiling, complementing the other woodwork in the bathroom.

The water fixtures were selected and purchased by the client which included a complete set of shower heads, jets and a hand spray valve, all in one panel.

In addition to these, we suggested to add another 4 shower heads on a separate valve that created the waterfall effect from the ceiling. This required special plumbing techniques to make sure the water flow and pressure would support such a design.

The frameless shower glass doors were special order and have a unique coating on it called “shower guard” by Guardian that comes with a lifetime warranty. This coating is like magic and everyone’s dream. after taking a shower, you can leave the glass wet and foggy without the need to clean it each time. 10 minutes later, the glass is all perfectly clean again with no streaks or water stains.

The barn door was custom-made from old reclaimed barn wood. We combined the wood with metal panels to stick with the mixed-material theme. We then stained the cedar and oiled the barn wood to bring these beautiful colors out and protect it from moisture.

The door serves dual purpose. when its closed, it’s used for privacy in the toilet. When open, it covers the towel storage that was built into the wall.

A long vanity and tower were custom-made by Fancy Woodworks LLC. The client chose a white marble countertop to complement the color schemes of white, grey and brown. The stone complements the pebbles on the shower floor and the marble used on the fireplace.

Our client finished of the bathroom with eclectic furnishings, original art and some plants to give the space the absolute feeling of beauty and relaxation while taking a shower or soaking in the free standing tub.

Thanks for reading,

Avi & Andy

Ready to get your free estimate for Bathroom remodeling from Atlanta Curb Appeal? Give us a call to set up your appointment, 770-778-1172.

 

 

 

 

 

Stunning Whole House Makeover with European Kitchen East Cobb

Stunning Whole House Makeover in East Cobb

Standard becomes stunning for this Atlanta Curb Appeal house makeover. From the outside, the building was similar to most homes built in the late ’80s, a two-story house in a friendly East Cobb subdivision. Like many of the homes, the interior had standard builder finishes, with traditional room layouts.

 BEFORE

What made the clients decide to get their house renovated? It was a recent purchase; they knew that the home was going to need help. It had the original carpets, kitchen the kitchen cabinets were dated, as were all the bathrooms.

 

What was the big change they were looking to make? They wanted an open floor plan, new hardwood floors, a European kitchen, and all new appliances.

What did Atlanta Curb Appeal do for them? First, we opened some walls and installed header beams. Header beams help to support the above weight and create the look of open areas.

 

Broadening of the hallway to ease the flow of traffic to the living spaces. We also removed the long dividing wall between the kitchen and dining area, allowing a vast and open space. Consequently, this significant change required us to re-route all the electrical, plumbing, and gas systems in the kitchen. New paint and hardwood floors were next on the list. Custom-made cabinets, lighting, and a new island transformed the space into a designer-styled kitchen.

Next we started demolition of the living room wainscoting and wall cabinets. The fireplace got a makeover too! We resurfaced it with marble tile all the way to ceiling and added a custom reclaimed wood mantel. New oak stairs, new custom oak handrails, and square aluminum balusters completed the main and second floors.

When you are working on a renovation of that scale, what is the first step? Demolition is always first. Then comes moving the walls and installing support beams. It’s best to get the messy, dirty stuff out of the way. Always remember to change HVAC filters frequently during the renovations.

How did you pick out the finishes? The clients enjoy design and European aesthetic. With help of ideas for architecture magazines, Pinterest and Houzz, they came up with their vision. We helped them identify materials needed to meet their vision. The results were dramatic and beautiful.

Why did you choose some brands over others—was it the price, quality, etc.? We did a lot of research with the client and figured out which manufacturers had the best-quality items using the budget we had set up originally.

What is the most custom part of the entire renovation? There were a few areas where they requested a special touch and attention: the railing system, the barn door and closet in the master bedroom.

Did your encounter any surprises? Getting the big oven hood in the kitchen to vent outside properly took more time than we expected. Reconfiguring the plumbing and the HVAC ducts that were hidden inside the removed walls ended up taking more time and effort too.

What has been the biggest change that the client has enjoyed so far? The large, open concept kitchen and dining space with the long island that is also open to the living room. They also love the leathered granite that they selected. It is extremely unique and is a great conversation piece.

This is part one of a four-part series about this East Cobb Whole House Makeover. We will look at the masters bedroom and bath in our next blog post. Thanks for reading. Check out our beautiful online gallery!

Avi Moyal and Andy Anderson.