There is no end to crazy situations I have run into where bathrooms were an afterthought. A recent example is a cabinet that you have to stand on the toilet to get to. Dark showers without enough light or ventilation are everywhere. Over the years I have...
The 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code) required electricians to install TR or Tamper Resistant outlets in areas that could be abused by children. As the code was adopted gradually from township to township, the little devices were put on the market and the rules...
"Curbless Showers" AKA "Barrier Free Showers" or "Zero Entry Showers" or "Freedom Showers", are a hot topic in Idaho right now. It all started when the Idaho association of building officials realized that every municipality is handling them differently. Some allow...
After taking my UDCP training through NARI, I realized that curbless showers were going to be a great addition for anyone and everyone who wanted us to remodel their bathroom. Reflecting on my past experience, I recall having a plumbing inspector refuse to allow us to...
I read a fantastic article written by a friend of mine, Aaron D. Murphy, an architect in the Seattle area. He talks about his aging parents, then essentially takes a snapshot of the moment in time that he finds himself living in. I am about 800 miles away from my...
I recently viewed a TV home improvement show called "Love It or List It" that encourages folks to either fall in love with their home and remodel, or move on. Then a realtor friend of mine sent me an article in her flyer that pushed me over the edge. It had an...
Master Suite AdditionThe Challenge They came up with a plan drawn by others with several significant errors. One was the size of the addition, and the other was the angle of the trusses. The clients who work remotely turned out to be excellent communicators and...
Dining Room Addition and Kitchen RemodelThe Challenge The home had an odd entry room with a coat closet and partition wall in the way. This room was pretty useless and annoying to the client. Then, the kitchen was blocked from the activity in the living room, and the...
Primary Suite Remodel & DeckThe Challenge Inaccurate plans were provided that had to get updated over the course of the project. The project is on a creek so lots of precautions were needed to keep erosion out of it. The Idea Create a primary suite that is...
Whole House RemodelThe Challenge The home was in the hillside district and in the WUI which means that the home has some extra requirements as far as firesafe and extra structural requirements. There had been an addition done to the house years prior that was not...