Blog
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A beautiful deck can add a lot to ones quality of life…until it ages to the point of becoming a hazard. Remodeling to the rescue! Vision When a deck begins to wobble, it has become more than just an eyesore. It’s just plain dangerous. Our client wanted us to not only make it safe, but…
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When a family increases by one child more than the number of bedrooms, it’s time to consider a larger home — but that doesn’t mean buying a new one. Think of this situation as an opportunity to customize, as well as add on. Vision Our client’s family had increased by a child, and with only two…
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We traditionally think of kitchens in very functional terms. After all, this is the space from which we feed our families. But it is also a space in which we interact with them, as well as with guests. It’s not surprising, therefore, that when our clients ask us to remodel their kitchens, they often not…
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Over the years, an essential attribute of the “Strite brand” has become “experience” — not so much as defined by the amount of time and knowledge we’ve invested in our craft (as considerable as that may be), but more from the standpoint of how our customers experience a remodel project. As Marketing Associate for STRITE…
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A three-quarter bathroom makes plenty of sense when it is the only bathroom in the house besides the master bath. After all, you want your overnight guests to have a place to bathe that doesn’t involve them traipsing through your bedroom. But when a three-quarter bathroom is one of several with a shower and/or tub,…
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If you are at all familiar with the Strite culture, it should come as no surprise to learn that our most rewarding remodel projects are often our most challenging — and among our most challenging are those associated with hillside lots. Vision Our clients’ home was notched into a hill with a second level that…
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Looking at Barbacoa today, it’s hard to believe that just a little over three years ago the predawn skies of Southeast Boise were illuminated by a devastating fire that reduced the dream of Robert and Martine Castoro to ashes. While the restaurant structure may have been destroyed, however, the dream was not. Standing in front…
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In considering the scope of their remodel project, Laura and Steve soon came to the realization that when the issue of “spaciousness” has little to do with the actual amount of space, the only viable option is to “reconfigure.” Steve and Laura moved into their Southeast Boise home fourteen years ago. They loved the neighborhood,…
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Lynn and Greg loved their home in the foothills above Warm Springs. “Everything about this house is just us…it’s very eclectic,” says Greg. But there were aspects of their home that didn’t quite sustain the magic — most notably, the bathrooms. Lynn and Greg came to Boise from Berkeley, California thirty years ago, and made…
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NARI of Idaho offers Tips for a Homeowner to Stay on Top of a Home-Improvement Project. The first step to take is pre-planning, which can be started by making two lists about the room that you want to remodel: Things that you like and things that you dislike. Then, write out: Features you wish you…
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There are some things that can be readily changed, and some that can’t. Take, for example, a powder room located directly off the living room of a home. The easiest solution to making something so private a bit less public would typically be to create a new point of access…but as this blog relates, we had…
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There are many compelling reasons for remodeling. Sometimes it’s about updating a look to better reflect the tastes and sensibilities of the homeowners. Sometimes it’s to upgrade a room’s intended function, or improve the flow of activities that take place there. Sometimes it’s simply to create added space. In the case of this kitchen remodel,…
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A deck can be a double-edged sword when it comes to a home’s value. Given a killer view and the right orientation, a spacious deck can be ground zero for a gracious, outdoor lifestyle — that is, until it ages to the point of being not only an eyesore but potentially hazardous. A timely and…
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When undertaking this Boise, Idaho home remodel, we worked with our clients to add space to their home by adding a home addition. Vision There was already a second story to this home, but our clients wanted to add additional bedrooms over their garage — as unobtrusively as possible. Challenge The biggest challenge with almost…
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During the Cold War era, America was constantly reminded of the effects of nuclear fallout. Television, radio, newspapers, and even our schools conveyed the frightful details. As a result, the masses sought protection by building shelters able to withstand the radiation and often stocked them with supplies like food and water. The December 1961 Popular…
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Who will you choose to wield the hammer on your particular job? That isn’t an easy question. Your choice of a contractor will ultimately determine the success and enjoyment of the job. According to NARI of Idaho, there are 14 questions to ask a home remodeler before hiring them. You can increase your chances of…
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According to NARI of Idaho, these are some warning signs to watch out for while interviewing your remodeler. Avoid remodelers at all costs when: You can’t verify the name, address, telephone number or credentials of the remodeler. The salesperson tries to pressure you into signing a contract. The company or salesperson says your home will be…
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Be sure to look for and be satisfied with these items before signing a contract with a contractor. Contractor Checklist From NARI: Was the Contractor/Salesperson on time? Was their appearance neat and professional? Was their vehicle presentable? Did they listen to your ideas, and ask questions? Did they suggest options / alternatives / ideas? Do…
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Our home was built in 1956, we bought it from the original owners in 1997. As this was our first home, we mentioned to the son that if you ever find any old pictures, we would be interested in making copies. About four years after we purchased our home, a package arrived at our door…
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The fate of too many kitchens is like that of Cinderella before the arrival her fairy godmother: toiling away in relative obscurity. Once we worked our magic on this kitchen, however, it became the belle of the ball — long past the stroke of midnight! Vision Our clients loved to entertain, but their kitchen’s isolation…