Project highlight: The Anapamu Interior Remodel
We wanted to reflect on and share the story
of a recently completed interior remodel project. These clients were so brave. They moved out of their house pregnant and hopeful. Trusting us to get them back in as soon as we possibly we could. They were referred to us by past clients and had heard great things which always helps lay a nice foundation for some good trust. So with a leap of faith they moved out and turned their project's fate over to us.
We faced the rewarding challenge to transform an outdated home into a modern haven while preserving its timeless architectural charm. Happy to embark on this journey with clients that shared our passion for sustainable building practices and natural materials that improve with age, our mission was clear: to breathe new life into this home with outdated systems and an inefficient layout.
One design element that showcases our commitment to preserving tradition and incorporating locally sourced materials is the fireplace. We took great care to retain the original shape and proportions of the 1940s build, while custom-plastering it to perfection. Instead of opting for a typical oak mantel, our clients chose a dark walnut from a locally felled tree. This decision not only honored the history of the home but also supported our commitment to urban forestry and the utilization of sustainable materials.
Another special aspect of this remodel was the walnut bar-top. We were fortunate to come across a remarkable slab of wood that was the perfect size for creating a stunning waterfall design. Having our own in-house designers allowed us to mock up this design alteration on-site, integrating sustainability into modern aesthetics. Our unique ability to seamlessly merge design and construction in-house spared our clients from costly change orders, ensuring that their moderate remodel budget was maximized to its fullest potential.
The kitchen presented us with another opportunity to showcase our ability to create off the cuff solutions. Originally intended to be stained white, we decided to embrace the natural beauty of red alder wood by applying a white wash finish. This decision allowed us to honor the wood's stunning grain and rich red hues, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that harmoniously blended with the overall design, and created a uniqueness that we all appreciated.
Kellow Construction did all the architectural drawings, plan drafting, submissions, permit management and construction administration in house. The clients didn't have to worry about a darn thing. It was handled. That's what we do. Most of our clients are people who are seeking this level of service. They want a competent, efficient, reliable, team of craftspeople and managers to relieve the stress of a construction project from them as much as is humanly possible.
That... is... what... we... do...!
As with all construction projects, moments of worry, tension, and problem solving did arise. In our industry there are tricks and moves honed through the years that help us keep our "incidentals" and change orders to an absolute minimum in comparison to a lot of our licensed competitors. However, one thing all builders and tradespeople have in common is that they are human beings. Meaning they are imperfect and things happen. Incidentals are inevitable. How the leadership of a company chooses to deal with them is something that is critical to the success of a project and stress management for clients (Kiel, you are so gifted at what you do in this department). We kept sailing the project's ship so to speak, through the waters, and did a mighty fine job bringing the project home
on time and on budget.
Thank you to everyone who did their part to make this project flow as seamlessly as it did. Construction management is incredibly logistical and thanks to the hard work a of a lot of talented people, and some fantastic leadership we finished it off with a five star review that I am pasting below. Yay!
““It has been a pleasure working with Kiel and the Kellow Construction team on our most recent remodel. We have a craftsman built in the 1920’s that we were looking to update, while still maintaining its character and the original elements of the house we loved so much. Kiel and Mike totally understood our vision and helped bring our dream into a reality. They went above and beyond on our project and we could not be more pleased. The team is organized, communicative and thorough, doing it all with integrity. While they may not be the cheapest in town, we feel like we really got what we paid for and would do it again in a heartbeat.””
