Notes from the job site for your project

Bathrooms Tub or walk-in shower: how to choose for your primary bath Decide how you actually use the room, then let the layout follow. Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Bathrooms Large tile hides nothing, so the preparation has to be right. Large-format porcelain tile in bathrooms: why it looks better and what installation demands Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Bathrooms A good fan is the cheapest protection a bathroom has. Bathroom ventilation: the quiet fix that prevents mold and peeling paint Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Bathrooms In a small room, every line you remove is space you gain. Small bathroom remodel: making a tight room feel bigger Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Bathrooms Good design should not need a reason. It should simply be easier to use. Low-threshold showers and linear drains: a bathroom that works at every age Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Bathrooms Plan the light before the tile, because the wiring has to go in first. Bathroom lighting done right: lit niches, backlit mirrors and toe-kick LEDs Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Kitchens Where to start a kitchen remodel: the decisions in the right order Decide how the kitchen works first. Decide how it looks second. Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Kitchens Pick the counter for the way you cook, not for the sample in the showroom. Choosing countertops: quartz, porcelain slab or natural stone Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Kitchens Good cabinet boxes can be saved. A bad layout cannot be painted away. Paint, reface or replace your kitchen cabinets? Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Kitchens Plan the walkway first. The island is whatever fits inside it. Planning a kitchen island: size, seating and walkways Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Kitchens The cheapest change is the one you make on paper. Kitchen remodel mistakes we help homeowners avoid Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Basements Before you finish your basement: a moisture, egress and permit checklist Finish nothing until you know the basement is dry. Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Basements In a basement, the drain is the first thing to plan. Adding a bathroom to a basement: what is involved Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Basements Every ceiling is a trade between looks and access. Basement ceiling options: drywall, drop ceiling or exposed Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Basements Decide what the basement is for before anyone picks paint. What to do with a finished basement: guest suite, gym, playroom or office Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Floors and finishing Large-format floor tile: why the layers underneath matter A floor is a sandwich, and every layer has a job. Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Floors and finishing Choose the floor for the worst day it will have, not the best. Luxury vinyl plank, hardwood or porcelain: choosing floors for a busy family home Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Floors and finishing An accent wall should look like architecture, not decoration. Accent walls that feel built-in: wood slats, slab tile and paneling Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Floors and finishing Hide the light source and let the ceiling glow. Tray ceilings and LED cove lighting: how they work and when they suit Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Floors and finishing Stairs are furniture you walk on. Treat them that way. Staircase makeover: from carpet to wood treads and a new railing Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Planning Renovate or move? A practical way to decide Write down what you love about the house and what you cannot live with. Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Planning Ask your building department before the work starts, not after. Do you need a permit for your remodel? How it generally works around Chicago Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Planning The number matters less than what it covers. How to read a remodeling estimate: scope, allowances and change orders Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Planning A good contractor is glad to be asked. Questions to ask a remodeling contractor before you sign Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read Planning The calmest renovations are the ones that were planned around the household. Living through a renovation: dust, noise and the schedule Oct 7, 2026 · 4 min read