Not only did the July 2018 issue of MKE Lifestyle magazine feature our design team, but it also showcased one of our beautiful kitchen projects on pages 80-81. We love the balanced mix of rustic and feminine details in the space!
Click on the photo to read the article!
The July 2018 issue of MKE Lifestyle magazine features the Bartelt design team in its “Faces of Metro MKE” special section. Our designers are hanging out in a recently completed farmhouse kitchen remodel! We love the warmth and natural light in this shot!
Click on the photo to read the feature!
Choosing products and materials can be an overwhelming process, sometimes extending the project’s timeline or overreaching the budget if not done properly. An interior designer works with homeowners to choose items based on quality, function, price and style, helping you bring your design goals to life.
At Bartelt, our in-house interior designers serve many roles – creator, project coordinator, a friendly ear – to guide you each step of the way and make the remodeling process enjoyable. Why is it important to look to a professional interior designer for direction? Let’s examine!
Your interior designer has a proven process to guide you through your project and selections, keeping you organized and using tools to help you visualize and understand how everything fits together. They’ll ask the right questions to hone in on your style, and they’ll help you make decisions at the proper time in the project’s progression. The designer is there to coordinate all the moving parts and make sure details don’t get missed. There are a lot of steps between preliminary design ideas and the final space.
Your interior designer can help keep your project on time and on budget (they may even end up saving you money). Homeowners don’t always realize the incredible amount of decisions that need to be made. That’s where your designer is a huge asset. They help you sort through all the options – lighting, paint colors, tile, flooring, countertops (this list goes on!) – and ensure that your selections are cohesive and within your allowance, leaving less room for errors and unnecessary spending.
They’ll also hold you accountable to make decisions in a timely manner, so your project’s timeline doesn’t get derailed.
A fresh eye is important! It can be hard to step back and look at your home from a different perspective. You often get accustomed to the layout, color scheme and other details. An interior designer has a trained eye and can see the potential in your space and offer creative solutions that you may have never considered.
Beyond offering ideas you may have not examined, they can also share options you may not have known even existed. Continuing education is an important aspect of the designer’s job, and they have a great pulse on new materials, tools and methods.
We all have big plans for our homes, and let’s face it – sometimes, we need a reality check. Your designer will help you set realistic goals and educate you on any design limitations. They can also help you practice restraint, or in other words, learn how to “edit.” What’s important to incorporate into the design? What isn’t necessary? Where can you take design risks? Where should you keep it simple? This will ensure your final space is practical while still showcasing your personality and unique style.
One of our farmhouse remodels is featured as the cover story in Qualified Remodeler Magazine’s May 2017 issue. Learn more about the project and hear from our very own Rick Bartelt, Matt Retzak, and Heather Scott.
Click on the cover to read the article!
Bartelt was named the 2017 National Contractor of the Year (CotY) by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for the Entire House $500,001 – $750,000 category.
“We are honored to be named the 2017 National Contractor of the Year in this category,” said Rick Bartelt, owner. “We would not have achieved such a high honor without the expertise and dedication of the entire team, including our designers, carpenters, production staff, trade partners and customers.”
Contractors from seven regions nationwide vie for the awards on an annual basis. An impartial panel of judges, who are experts within the industry and associated fields, selected winners based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.
Earlier this year, NARI named 172 Regional CotY winners with 27 team members who advanced as finalists to the national level. NARI announced a National winner in each of the 37 categories at its Evening of Excellence reception, held in Scottsdale, Arizona.
After previous remodels, the winning project was dated, and the spaces lacked unity. The homeowners wanted to enhance the home’s original charm, creating a cohesive design throughout the various rooms, while highlighting their eclectic style and accommodating their modern lifestyle. The remodel features a new mudroom, kitchen expansion, family room, butler’s pantry, first floor bathroom, dining room, and master bathroom. Throughout the project, it was important to increase the natural light in the home and make the spaces more conducive to entertaining. Now, the home is a balanced mix of the homeowners’ eclectic taste and more traditional details. Bartelt worked with interior designer Jeff Wasserman to complete the project.
See the winning project on Houzz.
You’re ready to make the move. You’ve landed on a budget and researched what you could buy or build for that price point, but the available home inventory is low or lacking those turnkey, ready-to-move-in homes.
Where do you go from here? Do you decide to build? Building is definitely an option, but there can be some trade-offs.
It may be time to consider the “fixer upper.” What do we mean by “fixer upper?” It’s the wrong house in the right place at the right price. It’s in an established neighborhood, a desirable location with good schools and tree-lined streets, but it doesn’t quite fit the bill. Perhaps, the previous homeowners have lived there for years. They’re comfortable and think it works, but the home needs updating (sometimes major updating) and a more functional layout.
Maybe choosing that home that’s under your means***, that’s in the right place, but needs some love seems overwhelming. But it can be a fun challenge, and the perfect opportunity to have everything you ever wanted in a home. Let’s look at the “perks” of choosing a fixer upper.
We all know that location is often king! It’s important to be near parks, shopping, restaurants, and good schools. Beyond your must-have location list, the fixer upper is usually in an established neighborhood, which means mature trees, landscaping, and other amenities.
It may seem appealing to purchase or build a new home (perhaps, it’s the easier option – the work has already been done for you), but customization and character are definitely limited. Think about driving into a new subdivision with freshly built homes. They’re lovely, but you may notice something – they’re all essentially the same. Sure, they may have varying color schemes or different window configurations, but they truly lack charm and a unique “personality.”
Remodeling the fixer upper will ensure you don’t end up in that cookie cutter home. Older homes often have hard-to-replicate architectural details and other charming features. Plus, once you begin the remodeling process, you’ll realize there is a lot of opportunity to be creative and tailor your home to your preferences (sometimes to an overwhelming extent, which is why hiring professionals to guide you is the best approach).
Renovating a fixer upper can often cost as much as a building a new home, but there’s an important difference. In a new home, you’re putting your money towards quantity items – moldings, windows, doors, hardware, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, HVAC systems, plumbing fixtures, landscaping, a driveway. A new home needs everything! Remodeling gives homeowners more flexibility to put their money towards quality materials and high-end finishes because there are existing details that can be saved, repurposed, or remain completely untouched.
Now, let’s look at this idea in action. Here is an example of our clients’ fixer upper that was transformed into their dream home!
Check out more photos of this project on Houzz!
***For example, you may have a $450,000 budget for a home, and you decide to purchase a $300,000 home, leaving $150,000 for renovations and an opportunity to truly customize the home to your needs and preferences.
