Creating an inviting retreat with Acclaim Renovations & Design
By Patricia Nugent
Whereas the “open concept” in home interior design can make kitchens, family rooms and dining rooms seem roomy and inviting, when it comes to the bathroom, a little bit of privacy goes a long way. It’s a challenge to achieve the perfect balance between the two and not “throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
This Highland Heights renovation, which has just moved from the planning and design stages to demolition, has the master bedroom and bath suite perched to go from overly open to private and posh.
Acclaim Renovations & Design founder Bob Gallese sat down with the homeowners to get a feel for their style and functionality needs and tapped into his more than 40 years’ experience in the home remodeling business to come up with a plan for maximum privacy and a bath that serves as a true sanctuary, yet still retains flow.
“The tub was just sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by gothic-style pillars which looked dated,” he says. “There was nothing visually separating the bedroom from the bathroom. An expanse of mirrored wall made it even less private.”
By reconfiguring the space, as seen in the bird’s-eye view CAD rendering pictured, Bob and his team will be able to create a separate bathroom with private commode walled-off diagonally, a large glassed-in shower and a second walk-in closet in addition to the one in the bedroom, as well as a two-sink vanity and separate seated vanity space on the adjacent wall. Windows allow for loads of sunshine to stream in, and a palette of pale grays and creams will keep everything pleasingly cohesive.
“As many homeowners are doing now to maximize space, this couple decided to get rid of their bathtub,” he says.
What’s Up with the Supply Chain?
It seems as though every industry today is facing challenges with obtaining materials. Supply chains are backlogged across the board.
In the home remodeling field, the biggest problem lies with cabinetry, Bob explains.
Seeing his clients’ jobs delayed spurred him to action earlier this summer. Bob belongs to a national roundtable of home remodelers who regularly share ideas and support one another.
“After researching the suppliers, I was able to secure new lines of cabinetry that ensure excellent quality and much faster delivery times,” he says. “They are extremely durable and as stylish as any of the other lines we carry. It’s taken time to load all the selections into our CAD programs, but it’s worth it.”
Labor issues have also been plaguing the trades industry, but Acclaim is lucky in that regard as well.
“I’m working with the same talented and trustworthy group of master craftsmen who I’ve known for decades,” Bob comments. “Their skills, as well as the creativity they bring to the job every day make our renovations stand out.”
The good news is, in most cases, if you’re thinking about pulling the trigger now on a kitchen or bath renovation to have your dream home ready for all that company you will be expecting over the holidays, you can have it done in time.
“Our business is the best it’s been in years,” he says. “People are still in home improvement mode, and that goes beyond just kitchens and baths. Every room in the house is being repurposed. Lots of people either aren’t going back to the office workplace at all, or going in less frequently, so they want to create inviting office spaces, add rooms to their basements or repurpose their living rooms.”
Acclaim Renovations & Design powered by One Man and a Hammer is located at 8550 East Avenue in Mentor. The design-build firm has won numerous industry awards. Call 440-974-8082 or visit AcclaimReno.com.