BIA Pillar Awards

The ad “Build Lancaster” was a full-page print advertisement featured in a September 2024 issue of Lancaster County Magazine. The ad’s primary purpose was to draw the viewer’s relationship between quality building materials and product lines available at Lezzer Lumber that are often used throughout Lancaster County. As Pennsylvania’s second largest building materials dealer in the state, this ad showcases a wide variety of marquee product lines Lezzer Lumber brings into Lancaster County. Some unique associations were drawn: 1. TK Building & Design built the custom home featured. TK is a proud supporter of The Lancaster BIA, and the featured home won a 2021 BIA award for Best Exterior. 2. The word BUILT was made utilizing AI technology. Each letter is made with a texture commonly used in building custom homes B was made of lumber U was made with OSB, I was made with a Reeb Door, L was made from DiamondKote Siding, T was made with a Wellborn Cabinet Lezzer Lumber hopes that this ad will inspire fellow residents and builders to continue to grow and “BUILD LANCASTER.”

 Garman’s Design Studio, spanning more than 3,000 square feet, is a thoughtfully curated aesthetic that blends modern sophistication with comfort. We create an environment where ideas flourish, prioritizing a personalized approach with a tailored solution catering to each homeowner’s vision. Our customer’s design process begins with a visit to the Garman Builders Online Design Studio. Powered by Envision, our innovative online platform lets them design from the comfort of their couch! Our extensive interior and exterior collections cover every aspect of your project, from stunning countertops and cabinets to chic bathroom fixtures and hardware. With our user-friendly interface, they can also effortlessly modify and visualize each element, exploring various flooring selections and doors to find the perfect match for their vision. Each homeowner is paired with a Garman Design Specialist dedicated to personalizing a home to suit unique needs and style. Guests are immersed in the creative process as they walk through our three beautifully crafted kitchen vignettes and model bathrooms, each showcasing a modern and contemporary feel. Our specialists will help them refine their vision while exploring an array of premium options, including luxurious granite and quartz countertops, stylish lighting solutions for every room, exquisite cabinet hardware, and diverse flooring choices. Plus, discover top-quality plumbing fixtures, appliances, and more to complete the design features in the home. To fully picture how their selections will harmonize, homeowners transfer their design selections to Garman’s “Home in the Making Wall.” This interactive display lets a homeowner see their design choices for the entire home assembled in a cohesive space.

  In 2023 Lezzer Lumber wanted to highlight the importance of women in the company to showcase how important of a role they play in various levels throughout its 14 locations across Pennsylvania. The purpose of the campaign was to drive awareness to Lezzer Lumber’s social media following across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram of professions for women in the supply spectrum of the Building Materials industry.

A professional creative agency was hired to film short videos highlighting women across our company. Several women featured were located or from Lancaster County. The beauty of the campaign was that Lezzer Lumber’s devoted following of builders, customers, vendors, and friends and family could both recognize the breadth of roles available to females across the company and celebrate their achievements through a showcase feature on our social channels. One key to point out is that Lezzer Lumber’s social media following is focused on quality following over quantity. Because our business is serving a specific niche, our core audience is those associated with the LBM industry in some way. That may include our customers, vendors, fellow company owners, competitors, analysts, consultants, etc. Our goal wasn’t necessarily to get massive numbers but to educate our small followings on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. The campaign started in March and ran through portions of 2023. The full campaign reached over 43,000 organic (unpaid) impressions and 25,676 organic reached. We are proud to support females working in the industry and are honored for those who are making a difference.

The Dutch Quality Inc. website was recently rebuilt from the ground up with our visitors in mind. Starting with the easy-to-navigate landing page, you can quickly find what you’re looking for, whether that is a deep dive into starting your own kitchen design or just simple contact information. Visitors can browse our recent “Past Projects” and view sample kitchen designs to help spark their creativity before linking into the Showplace Cabinetry visualizer, where they can build their dream kitchen. Simplicity is key to many aspects of the site including making contact as easy as possible. With a few keystrokes and the press of a button, visitors can begin their home improvement journey.

Turnberry Construction Group’s website excels in providing a user-friendly and informative experience through several features. First, our chatbot integration ensures 24/7 support, offering immediate assistance and answering queries efficiently. Next, the company news section keeps visitors informed with the latest updates, including new projects, milestones, community involvement, and industry trends. Additionally, clients benefit from quick access to our client technology system, enabling them to track project progress, communicate with our team, and manage their accounts seamlessly. Finally, our portfolio of featured construction projects showcases our expertise and high-quality work in both commercial and residential builds, complete with descriptions, photos, and client testimonials. Together, these integrated features ensure that our website not only serves as a valuable resource but also enhances engagement and satisfaction for our clients and visitors.

Garman Builders had the highest scoring entry in the Marketing Achievement Awards Categories for Best Showroom. Congratulations!

Building on a Legacy: GR Mitchell’s story began in the late 1800s, but our commitment to the building industry is ever-present. We honor former owner Steve Mitchell’s motto of “doing right by people” by listening to customer needs and providing solutions tailored to their success. More Than Lumber – We’re Your Building Partner: While deeply rooted in lumber, GR Mitchell offers a comprehensive range of building materials. From our custom architectural millwork shop to showrooms featuring top-notch cabinetry and our True Value Hardware store, we’re your one-stop shop for all your building needs. This year’s acquisition of Ironstone Building Materials has significantly expanded our product offerings and capabilities, positioning us as the region’s leading provider of building materials. Ironstone brings decades of experience and a loyal customer base that has come to rely on its quality products and exceptional service. With Ironstone, we’ve expanded our inventory to include a wider range of decking, railing, trim, flooring, doors, bathroom vanities, and more. This means our customers have access to a greater variety of options, ensuring they can find the perfect materials for their projects. Additionally, Ironstone’s loyal customer base will benefit from GR Mitchell’s expansive assortment of lumber, hardware, and other materials, along with our investments in a best-in-class ERP system, a dynamic delivery fleet, and ongoing customer and staff education. Together, GR Mitchell and Ironstone offer a comprehensive solution for home builders, providing everything they need to build beautiful homes, from the smallest nut to the largest structural components. Empowering Your Success: We don’t just sell materials; we empower your success. Dependable delivery, a dedicated kitchen design team, and expert architectural millwork specialists ensure you have the resources to turn your vision into reality. Our commitment goes beyond Willow Street – our Refton millwork team crafts beautiful custom pieces, while our sales and operations team continuously educate themselves on the latest advancements in building materials and knowledge we readily share with our customers.

*All Associate Partner of the Year entries were nominated by a BIA Builder Member.

Indoor City of Lancaster has been in business for over 50 years. We are a full-service flooring and tile contractor, along with a granite and marble fabrication yard. Indoor City also sells window treatments from two suppliers. We have a staff of trained Interior Designers who can help clients design their homes according to their needs and wants. Indoor City stands behind all our products. For example, we had a client select a matte (honed) finished quartz countertop. Everything was installed correctly, and she loved the product in our showroom. When it got installed in her home, she really didn’t like it. We helped her make a new selection and installed a new top at no cost. We want all our clients to be 100% satisfied, and we understand that sometimes a wrong choice is made, and we do not want her to be unhappy. Indoor City has donated a bunch of building materials to Habitat for Humanity. We are donating all flooring & countertops to a new home built by EG Stoltzfus through Homes for Hope. We have also donated material to Thaddeus Stevens Trade School for their building programs.

*All Associate Partner of the Year entries were nominated by a BIA Builder Member.

Lumber has been in business since 1927, founded in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. Over the decades, we have grown and, in 2007, acquired John H. Brubaker’s three locations in Lancaster County. We are a family-owned business and are proud to say we will remain one. Since entering the Lancaster market, Lezzer Lumber has built a reputation as a top-tier distributor of building materials to both residential and commercial building trades. With two traditional lumberyard locations and two more just outside the county in Harrisburg and Mohnton, we provide prompt service across a wide market area with resources in and around the county. Our commitment to keeping customers informed is unmatched in the market. Every spring, we host our Vendor Expo, which brings together all our trade partners and manufacturers in one place to meet nearly 1,000 builders and remodeling customers, sharing new products and techniques. Here’s a link to watch how our Expo affects key stakeholders in Lancaster County: https://youtu.be/HbA0MTD48yQ. But we don’t stop there. We also offer smaller, regular events throughout the year at our facility called “Lunch with Lezzer.” These events are tailored to the season—focusing on decking and outdoor living in the spring and kitchens and millwork in the fall. I don’t think there’s a company out there that doesn’t claim to have great customer service—but at Lezzer Lumber, we can prove it! We make approximately 1,000 deliveries each month from our two Lancaster County locations, and every delivery is evaluated for On Time and In Full (OTIF) performance. We only give a passing grade if the delivery is on time and complete. We maintain a 95% OTIF rate, which is an impressive achievement considering the industry’s ongoing supply chain challenges. While we’re proud of this number, we continue striving for 100%, working daily to address issues within our control and pushing our suppliers to improve their OTIF performance. We also believe our approach to serving the market is unique. When a builder does business with us, the salesperson is our operation’s key point of contact. However, behind every salesperson is a dedicated team of estimators, sales coordinators (Facilitators), product specialists, load pullers, and drivers—all focused on making the customer experience exceptional. Whether sourcing unique products, assisting with custom design features, selecting and installing a 24-foot-wide sliding patio door, or delivering an emergency load to finish the job, our team is committed to ensuring our customers’ success.

*All Associate Partner of the Year entries were nominated by a BIA Builder Member.

Garman Builders does more than build homes. We build community. As a family-owned and operated residential builder, backed by over 50 years of experience, Garman Builders has earned its reputation as a company built on high quality, integrity, craftsmanship, and trust. Guided by our core values of caring for our team, valuing partnerships, committing to excellence, and protecting our brand, Garman Builders defines its overarching purpose as, ‘to build homes, communities, and connections that positively impact the lives of others. Headquartered in Lititz, Lancaster County, Garman Builders serves homeowners in seven surrounding counties, with 25 active communities, including three 55+ communities. In addition to our communities, you can find a Garman Builders’ home on scattered lots throughout South Central PA. In addition to building new homes, Garman Builders’ Renovations division offers remodeling of whole houses, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and garages. The renovations team also specializes in additions and creating outdoor living spaces. Garman Builder’s Products include: – The Estate Series – The Signature Single-Family Series – Designer Townhome Communities – 55+ Communities – Custom Homes. From timeless and trending designs and carefully constructed layouts to energy-efficient innovations, Garman Builders’ commitment to excellence is evident in every home it builds. Guided by a team of passionate professionals, building homes for families in our community is a labor of love.

 In 2024 Lezzer Lumber, through the Building Industry Foundation, created and awarded the Maurice Lezzer and Kenneth Lezzer Legacy Scholarships. The funding for these comes from our employee community outreach committee (CORE), which does fundraising throughout the year, with its primary beneficiary being the support of young people entering the trades. In 2024 the scholarships went to a Thaddeus Stevens Carpentry student and a Penn State Architectural Design student. In addition, CORE supports many grassroots organizations in the community, like The Edible Classroom, which builds raised garden beds at elementary schools across the county to teach where food comes from and proper nutrition. We support their efforts with donated materials and volunteers to assist in construction. Lezzer Lumber is also proud of its support of the Lancaster/Lebanon Habitat for Humanity through product discounts and donations, as well as volunteer support. With the cost of home ownership out of reach for so many, supporting Habitat’s mission to make the dream of home ownership a reality for so many in our community is an honor.

 Though incorporated in 1969, GR Mitchell has a rich lumber industry history, dating back to the late 1800s. Throughout all those years, lumber remained at the forefront of GR Mitchell’s business. Throughout the changes over time, we have recognized the importance of our customers’ needs. We listen to their needs and carefully curated product selections that improve efficiency and profitability. GR Mitchell’s assortment expanded this year with the acquisition of Ironstone Building Materials. Located off of Centerville Road, the company has had skin in the game for over 2 decades, providing quality and affordable building materials to customers throughout Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. This new business expansion enabled us to offer more decking and railing, among several other materials they stock. Together, we offer everything to support home builders, from the smallest nut, fitting, or fuse up to stairs, windows, decking, and other materials needed to build beautiful homes. More importantly, we provide services to support our customers. Most commonly, we offer dependable delivery of building materials. We also have a kitchen design team serving as an extension of builders and remodelers. Their refined expertise further allows our customers to delight homeowners. Our services go beyond our Willow Street location. Down in Refton, PA, our architectural millwork team is busy year-round crafting custom trim, one-of-a-kind doors, and historical reproductions for builders and homeowners. With over 100 years of experience on staff, dreams can come true as they turn raw wood into whatever you can imagine. To provide best-in-class products and services, we must spread knowledge on everything in the building industry. GR Mitchell is dedicated to continuous learning. Through weekly training from manufacturer reps, our team stays current on building materials’ latest and most beneficial advancements. We extend these learning sessions, in addition to product engagement events, to our customers. And we regularly communicate with them through social media and email to ensure GR Mitchell’s customers are in the know, too.

Lezzer Lumber has been in business since 1927 having been founded in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. Over the decades, Lezzer Lumber has grown throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and in 2007 acquired John H. Brubaker’s three locations in Lancaster County. Lezzer Lumber has been and always will be a family-owned business dedicated to serving our communities through our core values of family, integrity, pride and passion. Since entering the Lancaster market, Lezzer Lumber has established its reputation as a top-tier distributor of building materials to the building trades in both the residential and commercial arenas. With two traditional lumberyard locations, and two more just outside the county in Harrisburg and Mohnton, we are able to provide prompt service over a wide market area with assets in and around the county. Our commitment to supporting our customers is unmatched in the market. We hold our Lancaster County Pro Show every Spring at the Spooky Nook in Manheim. The show takes nearly 12 months of preparation by team members in Lancaster and Curwensville. The show brings together all of our trade partners and manufacturers in one place to meet close to 1,000 builder and remodeling customers, trade students, and industry specialists to learn about new products and techniques. We don’t just stop with one event; we provide regular events throughout the year at our facility called Lunch with Lezzer. These events are tailored to the time of year so we are talking about decking and outdoor living in the spring and kitchens and millwork in the fall.

 Claudia Shank believes in providing a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to land use and development. While sometimes an adversarial approach is necessary, she believes the best results are achieved for her clients by working with adverse parties (particularly municipalities and state permitting agencies) to achieve win-win solutions.

Claudia’s goal has been and continues to be to establish McNees as one of Lancaster County’s preeminent land use law firms. She does this by always endeavoring to provide the best possible service to her clients, including many local home builders, as well as by giving back to the industry through service at the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County (“BIA”).

As a Marketing team member Paul recognizes that it is important to consider the feedback and input the sales team experiences on the front lines. Paul’s goals are to help us have a better understanding of who our target demographic is, what they are looking for, what they are concerned by, what their fears are, and what their goals are, ultimately so we can better serve them. Paul also reviews our online analytics to better understand how people are interacting with our content and pays close attention to industry trends to ensure we are putting our best foot forward with our digital offerings. Paul started with EGStoltzfus in 2023, and since then, has been integrated into the operations of each division of our company: Commercial, Neighborhood Homes, Custom Homes, and Remodeling. One significant innovative contribution was the development of the EGStoltzfus App. This is a new platform that allows direct communication between team members within the company and the home buyer for each step of the building process; from picking your lot, to getting the keys to your new home. He also assisted our Design Studio staff with the launch of a new educational podcast series designed to help demystify the elements of the home-buying and home-building experience. Paul has also improved automation for our online presence, ensuring that visitors are presented with only the most up-to-date information and high-quality, accurate product photography.

 When Brad Mosteller joined the GR Mitchell team 8 years ago, he knew he wanted to grow professionally and exceed the sales volume he was achieving at his previous LBM employer. Since then, Brad has succeeded in both, by growing his customer base and driving sales over 4 times the volume of his previous role. While prioritizing doing what’s best for his customers, he leads the GR Mitchell sales team in gross earnings and sales margins.

Regarding customer service, Brad is constantly thinking of how he can improve his customers’ lives and help them go above and beyond for their homeowner clientele. Brad always makes time to talk to the homeowners if they have questions. “At the end of the day, our goal is to delight the homeowner and make their dreams a reality,” Brad says, “If I can help guide the homeowner and empower them to make decisions that they’re confident about, I will happily do it.” Sometimes, a homeowner’s confidence can waiver. “We’ve had situations where a customer’s client changes their mind. And we certainly understand that.” Brad does not see this as an obstacle and will quickly adapt to get the homeowners what they desire on time. The shared goal with his builder clientele truly propels Brad’s customer service– to bring joy to homeowners. As an extension of his builders, Brad shows support by showing up. If a customer needs an early morning delivery, Brad comes in early and hand delivers the materials. Regardless of what’s on his plate, he will make time to show up at job sites to collaborate on any problems. Brad is not just an excellent sales professional but a business development partner who goes to bat for his builders.

Brad Mosteller with GR Mitchell had the highest scoring entry in the Company & Professional Achievement Award Categories for Sales Professional of the Year. Congratulations!

With a growing family that includes many young grandchildren, these homeowners desired a larger area to gather at home as well as an expanded and updated outdoor living space. While the kitchen was not changing locations, they did wish to update it while gaining more counterspace all the while wishing to maintain the craftsman/bungalow style of the home with its unique rooflines, ceilings, and intricate details. The owners love local art so a lot of natural light and large open wall space was important to display their pieces. To meet their goals, a new expanded deck which leads into a backyard with a covered area for more outdoor entertaining as well as an access point to their garage was added. In addition to the interior renovations and the screened-in porch and deck addition, the siding and trim work was replaced on much of the home.

The project involved a complete commercial renovation of a closed Subway restaurant into a Cold Stone Creamery. The vision was to create a vibrant, inviting, and functional space that aligns with Cold Stone Creamery’s brand identity and operational requirements. This project required meticulous planning and coordination, given the complexity of converting a previously existing restaurant into a new establishment with different needs and standards. During the demolition phase, several unforeseen issues arose, which were promptly addressed by working closely with structural engineers to ensure the building’s integrity. Coordination with building code officials was essential to comply with all local regulations and safety standards. The project’s design and execution were overseen by Peter McRea, AIA, an Architect from Worthington, Ohio, specializing in national chain restaurants. The project’s budget was carefully managed to accommodate the necessary structural changes, compliance requirements, and design elements unique to Cold Stone Creamery. Despite the challenges, the renovation was completed successfully, resulting in a modern Cold Stone Creamery ready to serve customers.

 These homeowners desired a larger and more functional bathroom, additional room in the bedroom with additional closet space, as well as a better functioning laundry room. The existing bathroom was poorly laid out with a small shower area and a lot of unused space. To remedy this, a large and bright bathroom was created, complete with a separate toilet area and a large walk-in shower. By changing the bathroom layout, the laundry room was expanded, allowing the washer and dryer doors to open without hitting any walls. Due to the previous layout the owners were unable to have nightstands on both sides of their bed. By pushing the bedroom wall into previously unused bathroom space, the issue was fixed. The owners had an initial vision to create a natural and organic space with colors and textures throughout. The results are a beautiful view from the bedroom translating into the natural grass cloth wallpaper, wood tones in the flooring and cabinetry, stacked stone on the fireplace, and many green and gold moments throughout. Light flows throughout the space with the use of French doors and transom windows in the bathroom

This 1980s home had a very closed-off layout. The front of their home receives sunlight, but the back portion where the kitchen was located was dark and secluded. Loving to cook and bake, more storage and a large working island were priorities. With a budget in mind, the dividing walls were opened, new flooring was added throughout, and new bold cabinetry with white quartz tops were installed. For convenience and ease of use, the updated cabinetry features a pull-out trash drawer, as well as utensils, cutlery, pot and pan, and large appliance storage. A small landing area inside the garage door was also added for coats and additional storage.

The homeowners wanted a fresh new kitchen that was updated and bright. Their old dark cabinets were replaced with fresh new ones from Signature Custom Cabinetry. (Perimeter cabinets are stained with Benjamin Moore “Pale Oak”; island and beverage center are “Pompeii”) Top Knobs supplied the sleek pulls (Transcend Ascendria in Honey Bronze). The old awkwardly shaped island was replaced with a simple, more functional one that allows for better traffic flow throughout. A useful new beverage center now graces where the ovens used to be. The ovens, cooktop, and refrigerator were moved to much more functional and accessible areas. Tile from Cloister Flooring America adds a calming blue hue and provides a dramatic backdrop for both the window and hood (4×12″ Morning Fog). The clean white countertop with grey veining is from Natural Stoneworks (Corian Quartz, Calcatta Natura). Luxe Gold plumbing fixtures from Bath Barn and modern appliances from Martin Appliance make the space both attractive and well working.

 In collaboration with Invision Designs, the goal of this project was to open up the existing kitchen and dining room area in order to create more usable space for entertaining as well as gain more storage. The dark cabinetry and odd kitchen layout made the area seem dark and outdated. By removing a load bearing post, the space visually expanded as a larger island was created for prepping, eating, and storage. Bright white cabinetry with black and wood accents makes this new kitchen pop. The additional storage gained in the dining room, entry area, and pantry utilizes every nook and cranny to its fullest.

 The desire for this space was to create a true outdoor living space that would be a peaceful retreat to make cherished memories and create shared experiences with friends and family and would also be useful for outdoor living at least ¾ of the year. Much care was taken to design and create this space to tie into the existing house layout and features seamlessly. The fiberglass pool is the place to be on a hot summer day or night, and a massive rock waterfall beckons cannonballs all day long. The layout of the pool area was designed around a hidden automatic pool cover, which is critical for living underneath a canopy of trees. The stamped concrete pool deck flows effortlessly across to the pool house, where the cedar-lined, vaulted roof design maximizes the huge open space. Engineered structural beams tie into the pool and existing house roofs, allowing for a true open floor plan and optimizing the square footage with plenty of seating for entertaining crowds. Six skylights span the ceiling and brighten the space all year long. The pool house features include a stunning summer kitchen overlooking the peaceful wooded landscape and include a wood-fired pizza oven a built-in smoker, a large grill & cooktop. The cabinetry was sourced from a local cabinet maker and was specifically designed to be outdoors rated using marine-grade materials. The fridge, sink, and cabinets full of cooking equipment make it so easy to cook up a meal without needing to go inside. The main centerpiece is a massive stone floor-to-ceiling wood fireplace with areas for wood storage; other features are a waterproof bathroom with a tiled shower and restrooms and an interior mechanical room designed to quietly house all the pool equipment away from the elements, making pool maintenance a breeze. The entertainment flows to the turf area, where a mini golf green awaits. It offers a fantastic play area for children and adults alike and provides a clean and dry space for activities all year long. The finished space exemplifies outdoor living, a space you gravitate to in the morning with your coffee and find reasons to stay all day long.

After a failed dream of an outdoor oasis to spend time around their pool, these homeowners needed help to complete the project to allow them to enjoy their home again. Their goal from the onset was to create a food prep area, a covered pavilion, and a private entrance to their backyard, desiring an outside area with a fireplace they could relax in during the colder months or simply cool off in the shade with a fan during the warmer months. To create this private space to tie in and accent the current style of their brick two-story home, many brick accents, white trim work, and cedar accents were used.

 Longtime residents of Lancaster City, the homeowners had recently found and moved into a historic carriage house overlooking a picturesque city park. The owners enjoy hosting parties throughout the year and were looking to transform the garage space of their carriage home into an area where they could hold these events. They wanted a space suitable for small gatherings with family and friends in the reception area and larger events where they would utilize the garage space for tables and chairs. When designing the reception area, the owners wanted it to be usable throughout the year. In the winter, the areas can be closed off and heated while allowing natural light to flow through the many large transom windows. In the summertime, you can open the overhead door, the large barn doors, and the exterior French doors to seamlessly transition from the beautifully hardscaped rear patio to the park in front of the home. During the summertime music series, you can open the barn doors and have an almost 12′-0″ wide doorway, which allows the owners and guests alike to enjoy the concerts from the comfort of their homes. Creating this space presented a few challenges. The owners wanted to keep the original aesthetics of the garage while adding modern comforts. Running mechanicals to the island and bathroom had to be done under the concrete floor to avoid disturbing the tin ceiling tiles. After this was done, the concrete floor was poured and pointed to match the existing “cobblestone” pattern. Given its age and original purpose, the existing garage floor was far from level, so a cabinet platform was built and scribed to the floor to allow for level installation. The owners also wanted a true 3″ thick butcher block top on the island as a centerpiece for the area. The hard maple top weighing almost 600 lbs had to be installed in sections, joined and finished on site. With its open-air design, modern amenities, and charming ambiance, this space is now a perfect venue for future weekend get-togethers or big celebrations.

We doubled the interior square footage for this remodeling project and transformed their home from simply livable to absolutely loveable. The priority was to build upon the existing home to create a more functional space to accommodate their expanding family and four-legged pal, Scout. Their vision included adding additions to the side and rear of the home. Remodeling the kitchen area to create a larger, more modern space was also on the priority list. Given the age of their home, the first challenge was to develop a design-build plan that would allow us to blend the additions with the existing structure. When working with older homes, evaluating the structure to identify and mitigate potential problems helps ensure the project and the price tag stay on target. The two-story rear addition took the place of an older sunroom. Following the vision and plans we developed, this addition included a full basement, a first-floor great room with an attached half-bath, and a spacious second-floor owner’s suite. The owner’s suite includes a full bath and a large, shared walk-in closet. In the bathroom, the clients choose a comfort-height double vanity with a cultured marble vanity top. Brushed gold fixtures accent the vanity and the shower, which features subway tile. Larger windows in the owner’s bedroom allow plenty of natural light and views of the mature rear yard.

To create a finished garage, we demolished and removed the existing one-car garage and attached a breezeway. Above the fully finished and insulated garage, we added a new bedroom. Adjacent to the bedroom is a second-floor laundry, for added convenience to their growing family. By adding the new bedroom and Owner’s suite, the house was transformed from a two to four-bedroom home.

The clients wanted the kitchen to seamlessly blend with the newly created dining room. To create this, we completely gutted the existing kitchen and dining room, taking both spaces down to the bare studs. By removing the wall between the dining room, kitchen, and existing living room, we created an open-concept floor plan and doubled the size of the kitchen. The new kitchen features painted perimeter cabinetry with granite countertops and subway tile for the backsplash. A center island with seating for four creates the perfect spot for chatting when the cook is working in the kitchen. A porcelain farmhouse sink and pendant lighting above the island complete the look. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring was used in the kitchen to match the existing flooring.

Returning to the quaint cottage of your childhood is nostalgic, especially on a private street with many of the neighbors you grew up with still living there. The nostalgia wears thin when the interior finishes are the same as 30 years ago. Modifying a generational home to provide comfort for your partner, two energetic children, and even yourself, requires change. To achieve the owners’ desires the entire main level of the home was renovated and added a primary suite with a finished daylight basement and two-level deck. The original construction of the home was configured with only two bedrooms. An in-law suite was added a few years later to accommodate an aging generation. Spaces were small, and dark colors were added to the confinement. The renovations opened the living space into the in-law suite, which expanded the shared living spaces. The addition of the primary suite provides an essential retreat and an additional bathroom. Stepping from the suite to the upper deck creates a space to enjoy the late afternoon sun, listen to the wind in the surrounding trees, or watch the wildlife play on the lawn and creek (kids included). The original wood floors and bookshelves were refinished to preserve memories of years gone by. Light colors were used to enhance the natural light that floods the home and expand the spaces – each window and door open views to trees surrounding the property. The basement family room provides easy access to the lower deck and yard. Reconfiguring the main stairwell offers better flow between living spaces and reduces headaches. Updates to the mechanical systems and insulation improve the comfort level in the home. Other enhancements include matching fiber cement siding, new roofing, solar panel preparations, window and door replacements, painted cabinetry, and granite countertops. While simple finishes were utilized to reduce the overall cost, they provide coziness to this cottage home for coming generations.

As the client’s family grows, so does their vision for a home that easily accommodates their need for a more modern and functional space to raise their children.  After much consideration and planning, the decision was made to embark on a complete interior and exterior renovation of the existing house to enlarge it with a two-story addition. Building a new home without tearing down the existing structure brings excitement and challenges. The goal is to blend the intrinsic beauty and history of the log home with new construction that introduces a more modern layout. The original log home utilized post and beam interior framing, which could be incorporated into the new renovation design. The team agreed to save the living room LVP flooring, a few interior doors and casings, baseboards, built-ins, and the kitchen countertops and cabinets. Through the discovery and planning process, it was determined that every room in the two-story home would be remodeled. To accomplish this, we removed the interior walls on the first floor to create a new first-floor layout that includes a foyer, flex space, guest ensuite, and a new powder room. The second-floor layout largely remained the same. However, we completely updated and remodeled the existing rooms to include two full baths and two bedrooms. For additional living space, we repurposed a bedroom to create a loft.

The growing family and love for gatherings dictated the floor plan in the addition. The first-floor layout includes a larger dining area, an updated kitchen with a large pantry, and a friend’s entrance, which includes Garman’s signature bench and peg details. The second floor of the addition houses an owner’s suite. This space infuses a touch of luxury, creating a sanctuary complete with a full-tile shower, a walk-in closet, and a large bay window to serve as a reading nook. Next door to the owner’s suite is a nursery for the newest addition to their family. The space is enriched by a fusion of layered textures and patterns, featuring a palette of rich, warm colors and jewel tones. Specific design elements reflecting this fusion include wood floating shelves, custom-stained pocket doors, quartz countertops, vibrant wool jewel-toned stair runners, and a mix of brass and matte black metal accents seamlessly integrated throughout the home.

The outside of the home was transformed as well to create tranquil spaces for quiet moments and relaxing places to watch the children as they play. The renovation includes a larger front porch with timber truss, a new rear-covered porch, and a patio. Both outdoor living spaces were designed to utilize stamped concrete. Finishes to the exterior included a house wrap and ¾” Lathe with new siding over the log house walls, aluminum wrap trim, soffits, doors, and windows. Utilizing natural timber trusses, stone, and metal roofing allowed us to keep the classic aesthetic of the original log home.

 Nestled within the serene embrace of a forest, this family home remodel seeks to harmonize modern living with the natural beauty of its surroundings. Originally built by the homeowner’s uncle, the client brief was to honor the heritage by creating a seamless extension that enhances the family’s living experience and pays homage to the tranquil woodland setting. The renovation embraces a contemporary design language, characterized by clean lines, large expanses of glass, and a minimalist aesthetic. It remains grounded and warm through the thoughtful incorporation of wood accents that mirror the tones and textures of the surrounding trees. These wood elements, sourced sustainably, are carefully integrated into the interior and exterior, creating a dialogue between the built environment and nature. • The kitchen is reimagined to be both functional and inviting. The enlargement allows for a more spacious layout, with modern appliances and ample counter space. Custom cabinetry adds warmth and character, while a large central island becomes the focal point for family interplay and casual entertaining. The design incorporates open shelving to maintain an airy feel with a subtle nod to the wooded surroundings through the choice of materials and finishes. • The new living and lounge area serves as a sanctuary for relaxation and connection. Positioned to maximize forest views, this space combines contemporary furniture and cozy textures, creating an inviting atmosphere. • Juxtaposed to the public spaces, the new bathroom and bedroom, shrouded by a small hallway, host a dark and moody feel reflecting the treelined canopy with occasional rays of light flooding the space. • The exterior features thermally modified wood cladding, allowing the structure to blend effortlessly with the forested backdrop while maintaining natural aging without compromising longevity. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the landscape, bringing the outdoors in and flooding the interior with natural light. The design and craftsmanship are carefully curated to ensure the renovation feels like a natural transition of the existing home and landscape, like a new chapter written or another course of a meal. It’s a celebration of modern living in harmony with nature, creating a beautiful and functional space and offering a peaceful retreat for the family to enjoy for years to come.

Tk Building & Design had the highest scoring entry in the Remodeling Projects Achievement Award Categories for Best Kitchen Remodel $50,000 – $100,000.