The 2005 Readers Choice Award Residential Interior Under $100,000

For the third consecutive year, Milwaukee/NARI and M Magazine allowed consumers to select their favorite renovation in a particular category. In 2005, consumers were able to select from five entries in the “Residential Interior Under $100,000” on www.milwaukeenari.com and the M Magazine’s “Reader’s Choice”

Award was presented Kerzner Remodeling & Construction.

We hope you enjoy reviewing the five projects that were part of the Reader's Choice program.

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Callen Construction, Inc.

Before

After

The owners of this 1930's home wanted to create a multi-purpose space with storage in their large, unfinished attic. The redesign resulted in a large bedroom, full bathroom, an office or den area, two storage areas, and one crawl space. Construction was planned to maximize the windows on two sides of the house. Placing the office area across from the bathroom with the use of a partial height wall served several purposes - it made the hall feel more open, it brought natural light to the bathroom area, and it provided wall space for a desk but kept the overall space from becoming too sectioned off.

In order to maximize floor space, every room features various types of built in cubbies. In the bedroom, a dresser was recessed into the wall and the closet goes far into the angled rooflines. In the bathroom, a storage cubby is built alongside the shower and the toilet set back and on an angle creates an interesting corner shelf. The office area incorporates a recessed bookcase and camouflages ductwork with a window seat.

The two storage spaces were kept at the entry point, to either side of the staircase, practically using what would be chopped off space and keeping things accessible to the first floor. In keeping with the age of the home, the same style of base and casing was used upstairs as downstairs. The homeowners wanted to have a lighter, brighter feeling, so the oak and birch woodwork was finished light or painted. A color palette of lavender and sage green was chosen, complemented by neutral carpeting.

Kerzner Remodeling and Construction

Before

After

The homeowner wanted this original living room converted to a formal dining area, where she and guests could experience lakefront sunsets while enjoying dinner. She wanted the room to follow the retro, Mission style she had created in other rooms as well as certain design elements created by her late husband. Project challenges included sagging patio doors, incorrect wiring, and the deterioration of stonework. The existing barn beams had to remain, so any design had to incorporate new with old. The biggest challenge was finishing the crooked lines of the natural elements and blending colors and textures.

The room was completely gutted, except for the barn beams, fireplace, and stonework, which was rebuilt to mirror the original. Barn beams were salvaged to top off the stonewall and create a new fireplace mantle. The existing fireplace received a new natural stone hearth and was painted to complement the room. Custom-made crown molding, which matched that in the kitchen, was fitted to close the gap between ceiling and beams. The patio doors were completely removed and re-installed to make them operational and the floors were refinished to give the room new life. Halogen track lighting was added to highlight artwork on the mantle. Finally, a custom-made cabinet was installed in the corner to house sound equipment.

RCI - Remodeling Center Inc.

Before

After

Many changes were in store for this home located on the west side of Wauwatosa. When entering from the garage, visitors were greeted with a back hallway, leading through several doorways to the dinette, basement, powder room, closet, and foyer. The rooms in this home were small, lacked function and storage space, and felt confining for the family of six.

The new design eliminated a hall closet and shifted the entry door from the garage three feet to accommodate a large pantry cabinet. A message center and boot bench were added next to the garage entry door. The kitchen was relocated to the area formerly occupied by the dinette and the new dinette moved to the former kitchen. Additional roof framing allowed the removal of walls, to accomplish the open-concept plan. A new opening between the kitchen and family room allow visitors a view of the backyard directly from the kitchen. Double pocket doors with full-glass panels allow daylight to pass through even when the doors are closed. New hardwood floors were installed throughout the entire space, including the existing family room, for continuity of design.

The new kitchen with island combines custom cherry cabinets with Blue Barracuda granite countertops. Stainless steel appliances and Hubbardton Forge light fixtures accent the new space along with full-height ceramic tile backsplashes. The backsplash includes tile insets, which reflect the wall colors. A small buffet features obscured glass in the upper cabinet and a curved front edge on the granite to pick up the curve from the island brackets.

Renovators Ltd.

Before

After

This project started as an unfinished exposed basement in a large ranch home. The homeowner had previously added a spa and spa room to the exposed side of the basement, and a finished basement that would allow them to entertain large groups of family and friends.

The redesign added 1,800 square feet of inviting living space and gave them all of the room and amenities required for entertaining or relaxation. The newly finished basement includes a complete kitchen with Dura Supreme cherry wood cabinets; Romanite solid-surface perimeter countertops; granite top on the large island; a wet bar with staggered glass-front wall cabinets; and hardwood flooring.

The door at the bottom of the stairwell was removed, as were portions of the enclosing sidewalls. A double-round oak starter step was installed, and an oak balustrade with newels and turnouts was added to both sides of the newly opened staircase. A gas fireplace with an elevated stone hearth shares attention with a built-in-home theater system in the Great Room. Built-in maple cabinets house the media equipment, and a maple crown molding finishes the space. Adjacent to the great room is a small workout space to accommodate a few pieces of exercise equipment.

S. J. Janis Company

Before

After

The homeowners of a formal center entrance Colonial wanted to expand their space for more casual gatherings. The adults wanted an area for exercise equipment and a home theater, and the children wanted room to gather with friends to watch movies or play video games. The unfinished basement with its central staircase provided a natural division for the two main uses.

French doors separate the combined exercise and gaming room at the right of the staircase. The exercise area is spacious enough for multiple pieces of equipment and is wired into the main entertainment system for piped-in music. Adequate lighting provides a bright, invigorating atmosphere during workouts. The gaming area includes a flat panel television for video games and dimmer switches to enhance viewing.

On the other side of the staircase is the home theater. The walls surrounding the lower portion of the staircase were removed and replaced with a wood railing to match that of the upper floors and provide a continuation of the home's existing portions. Built-ins enhance this area including a flat screen television with front and side speakers, storage cabinets, and a gas fireplace with a display niche. The home theater also has a corner devoted to a wet bar that contains an under-counter refrigerator, bar sink, and microwave. A small hallway on the opposite corner contains a second matching staircase that enters the garage. Beyond the staircase are a small powder room and a storage room that also provides access to the back side of the home theater equipment.