2008 Remodel of the Year Awards

While certain industries are struggling through this country's current economic downturn, the remodeling business is doing quite well. Homeowners who once dreamed of selling their old homes woke to a new realization: If they can't be with the one they love, why not love the one they're with? Thus, homes across the metro are being revamped, whether it means a new bathroom or a complete redrawing of house plans. Unused space such as found in basements, attics and outside is being claimed for habitation, while dysfunctional rooms are being reworked. Shiny new products are arriving at homes everywhere, ready to improve lifestyles by not only looking pretty but working more efficiently. Remodelers and clients are working hand-in-hand to bring these dreams to reality, creating a better product that can be loved for a lifetime or sold for a solid sum a few years down the road. Whatever the intentions of the owners of the following award-winning homes, they shine as beacons of inspiration, leading the way in uncertain times.

Meet the Judges

One thing we're not uncertain about is the quality of our judges, whose unbiased opinions shaped this competition's results. We extend our thanks to them, the graduating students of the interior design program at Johnson County Community College, which is endorsed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Front row (left to right):  Erica Rothweiler, Vanessa Brouillette, Bobbi Parks, Alysha Daicy, Jackie Tinsley
Second row: Randi Knapp, Diana Ingham, Instructor
Third row: Rachel Keen, Genevieve Hamel, Jan Cummings, Interior Design Program Facilitator, Veronica Yancey-Byrd
Fourth row: Maria Malik, Kristie Meador, Kristi Shaffer
Top row: Briana Beuke, Martha McNelly, Kris Lance, Kristeen Armstrong-Scott, CKD, Instructor, Rebecca Chance, Jessica Luman
Not pictured: Chae Ferguson

Remodel of the Year

Our judges' pick goes to Ashley-Lavender Builders and Welch & Associates
Photos by Kevin Kennedy/Century Marketing Inc.

It looked like the previous owners ran out of money, there was nothing special here,” says Ashley-Lavender's client. She and her husband bought the home because of the study near the entrance, first-floor master suite, four-car garage and walkout basement. Otherwise, it didn't express the family's personality.

The house was only 19 years old and not in bad condition, but it was bland, with wall-to-wall carpeting, white molding and a ‘Country Victorian' style. The family lived there 15 years before deciding to redo the kitchen, which simply didn't allow for easy entertaining with its awkward entryways and a peninsula cutting off movement through the space.

But just as many remodeling projects start small yet end up turning an entire house around, the kitchen redo needed to involve moving walls in the dining and living rooms, producing a domino effect that eventually included changes to the deck, master bath, attic and exterior.

Without increasing the home's footprint, they completely altered the look of the house, transforming it into a ‘Southwestern lodge,' complete with ponderosa pine columns and beams, slate tile floor, tile mosaics and a warm color palette including brown and eggplant.

In the kitchen, the old golden oak cabinets were replaced with knotty alder and designed to reach the ceiling with lit display niches for the homeowners' collection of pottery. A larger island was added for a gathering spot, differentiated by a black rustic paint job. Southwest detail was brought into the room through pendant lights, a hammered copper table and a hand-painted chandelier of galloping horses. The homeowner's artistic touch can be seen in the backsplash of the bar and above the entry to the living room, both lit to highlight the work.

The cabinets and granite tops were carried over into the master bath, which took space from a back room to add a large walk-in shower with glass block walls. The owners also were able to squeeze in a staircase up to previously unused attic space so they could have direct access to a workout facility.

Outside, major alterations to the deck gave it an adobe style, with stucco, heavy timbers, wrought iron railing, a curved staircase and fireplace highlighted by Mexican tiles. A metal ceiling drainage system protects the space below for use even in inclement weather. Old railroad ties used for a retaining wall were replaced with interlocking stones, while flagstone was added to the front porch. A new door, spiral columns, brackets, beams and shutters define the style from the outside in, bringing full-circle the homeowners' desires for a home that expresses them.

Click here to see the Whole House remodel winners

Click here to see the Kitchen remodel winners

Click here to see the Bath remodel winners

Click here to see the Master Suite remodel winners

Click here to see the Remodeling Project winners

Click here to see the Basement Finish winners

Click here to see the Outdoor Living Space winners

Click here to see the Room Addition winners

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