2018 Year in Review

As we approach 2019, we can’t help but reflect on the highlights of this past year. 2018 was filled with interesting projects and fantastic clients - we enjoyed every partnership and project!

One big change for our team this year? We decided it was time to give our logo, website, and even our name an update! To better reflect who we are and what we do, we now go by, Shaeffer Design Build.

We’re looking forward to tackling even greater challenges in 2019. It takes a village to complete any remodel, which is why we’d be mistaken if we forgot to recognize ours.

To every industry partner and subcontractor, thank you for helping us do our work well. And above all, thanks to every client who trusted our team and welcomed us into your home.

There’s simply no Shaeffer Design Build without your support - we’re endlessly grateful for each of you. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Want to see a little more of what we’ve been up to in 2018? Scroll below for a glimpse of a few of our favorite client projects.

Updated Brand: Shaeffer Design Build

Open and Fresh Main Level 

A Hosting-Friendly Home

Warm and Trendy Kitchen Remodel

Better Bedroom Design: 5 Ideas

Whether you consider it your peaceful haven or just a place to crash each night, your bedroom is a sacred space. Making the most of your bedroom’s square footage - big or small - is all about getting smart with your space.

You’d be amazed at how a little organization, better design, and clever craftsmanship can turn the most neglected bedroom into an everyday getaway. Ready to transform your cramped, dated or cluttered bedroom? Read our five favorite ideas below!

1. Clean and Simple
First and foremost, a bedroom is for rest and relaxation. If your space is cluttered by piles of laundry, stacks of paper, or other miscellaneous household junk, then it’s time to get organized! You’re never going to be able to unplug and unwind in a bedroom that projects chaos.

2. Create a Calm Atmosphere
After you clear the clutter, it’s time to start cultivating a calming atmosphere. A room’s mood is determined by countless little design details. To create a soothing, sleep-friendly vibe, we suggest using muted colors, subtle patterns, soft fabrics, and simple furnishings.

3. It’s All About the Bed
When you get down to it, your bedroom has one purpose: sleeping. If nothing else, your room should have a comfortable, cozy, supportive bed that you love falling into each night. One of our favorite recent bed trends? Padded headboards that feel like leaning into a couch - they’re great for bedtime reading!

4. Add a Master Bath
This may be a pipe dream for some, but if you have the budget, then we highly suggest adding or investing in remodeling your master bath. Nothing completes a master suite like a private bathroom oasis with an oversized soaking tub, a spa-style shower, or Jack and Jill sinks.

5. Consider the Light
Finally, because your bedroom is all about catching zzz’s, it’s smart to consider the amount of light that comes in. A few updates to consider: buying automated blinds, investing in quality window coverings, or installing dimmable light fixtures.

Ready to start re-imagining your basic bedroom? Get in touch with us today! Juke would love to help you manage the remodeling process!

Project Feature: Warm and Trendy Kitchen Remodel

Today we’re excited to feature another beautiful kitchen remodel completed with our friends and partners, The Cabinet Store. There’s so much to love about this warm, trendy, and unique space - it’s hard for us to narrow it down to our favorite elements!

One design highlight is the use of textures and tones throughout the kitchen. From glowing metallic accents like the range hood and ceiling tile to the simple neutral subway tile and natural quartz countertops, every finish choice adds to the overall sense of balance.

From top to bottom, this room is such a fun mix of bold trends, timeless style, and functional design. It was a joy for us to partner with these homeowners and help transform their kitchen into a place they can enjoy for years to come!

Scroll below to see more photos and details from this stunning remodel. Ready to begin planning your own kitchen transformation? Please, feel free to contact our team today!

Before

After

5 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor

You've reached a crossroads; you're tired of your clunky floor plan, dated kitchen, boring basement, or cramped family bathroom. The next question is, where do you start? What style do you like? How much will it cost? And WHO will you hire to handle it all? 

Finding not only a reputable contractor but the right person for you is no small matter. Trusting the person you work with should be a given, still, what other benchmarks are also relevant?

To help in your search, we've put together a list below of the top 5 qualities and qualifications you'll want your contractor to possess. 

1. Industry Cred
   One smart place to begin is by checking any potential contractor's industry credentials. A lot of people in this field are self-taught, which can make things more complicated. Many experienced contractors don't have a specific degree. However, serious candidates should probably belong to organizations like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Better Business Bureau, or Kitchen and Bath Remodelers. 
    
2. Glowing Recommendations
   Another given? Your contractor should have glowing reviews and recommendations from their former clients. No one enjoys asking for feedback, but legitimate business owners know its essential. Frankly, it's a pretty bad sign if your contractor can't find anyone to recommend them or is too lazy to ask. 
    
3. A Good Personality
   This quality is a little more subjective, yet having a good rapport with your contractor is a big deal. Whether you jive better with someone who's serious and to-the-point or an informal jokester, all that matters is if they make you feel comfortable. You should like and get along with the person who's spending weeks in your home!
    
4. Upfront Plans
   A good builder or remodeler is a strong planner. Sure, they might hire someone to manage organizing plans for them, but they should have their act together. Honestly, if a contractor can't present you with an orderly plan upfront, then what are the chances they'll pull everything together during the busyness of construction? (Answer: slim!) 
    
5. Communication Skills
   Finally, remodeling and construction usually involve at least a bit of the unexpected - it's just the nature of the business. When snags inevitably come, you'll want the person heading up your project to be an excellent communicator. The building process involves extensive communication and teamwork from all parties. The person leading the show should be the first to speak up and set a positive tone.  

Want to Know More?
Ready to get serious about your project with an experienced contractor? Reach out to our fearless leader, Juke, anytime - he'd love to help you get things rolling! 

Project Feature: A Hosting-Friendly Home

Our clients remodel for every reason under the sun, but some of our favorite projects revolve around hosting. Homes are meant to be enjoyed and shared with the people you love, after all! 

Alongside our talented friends from The Cabinet Store, we helped these Burnsville homeowners transform their kitchen, dining room, and lower level bar from traditional to tremendous. 

Finished as a two-part process, the designer Carly decided our team would renovate the lower level first so it could serve as the kitchen while the upstairs became a construction zone.

Between the new basement bar and the open and updated main level (we took out the wall separating the kitchen and dining room), this beautiful home is guest-friendly. From family holidays to fall football parties - they can do it all! 

While we always have a hard time picking favorites, on this project, we have to go with the basement bar. It's sophisticated, spacious, and functions as the perfect bonus kitchen! 

Pick out your top features and finishes from this stunning home as you browse through more photos below. And give us a call anytime if you're ready to get started on that long-dreamed about remodel or project! 

2018 Kitchen Trends and Technology

If we can single out one space our clients love remodeling most, it would probably have to be the kitchen. As floor plans have opened up and entertaining has become increasingly informal, more people are investing heavily in their kitchens. 

We are all about this trend; helping homeowners get the most out of the spaces they use every day is our mission. We want you to fall in love with your home again - our job is to translate your vision into a reality. 

So, what kitchen design trends and technology are heating up right now? Read on below for a list of our favorite styles and features! 

Embracing Color
White and grey will always be kitchen classics, however bright and bold colors are falling back in favor again. From painted cabinets to tile backsplashes to accent walls - fun splashes of color are popping up everywhere. 

Mixed Metallics
Whether it's gold, copper, matte blacks or stainless steel, metallic accents are still going strong in kitchen decor. We like this trend because you can employ it in small bursts like lighting or knobs or big statement pieces like range hoods. 

Modern Farmhouse Style
Farmhouse style isn't going anywhere, however, it has been evolving. Lately, the push is pairing classic farmhouse finishes with a modern flare. The result creates a beautiful blend of traditional, timeless design with the best of modern technology. 

Concrete Features
Another distinctive finish that's grown in popularity is concrete counter tops and sinks. This more industrial style makes a statement, but you should approach it with some caution. Much like marble and granite, concrete does require regular maintenance and sealing. 

Banquette Seating
Formerly common in older generations of kitchen design, built-in seating is making a significant comeback. We love how these cozy booths create casual areas to relax and hang out in the kitchen. Plus, they add interest and make your space truly unique. 

Increased Automation
Last but not least, technology is continuing to make its way into the kitchen. From smart fridges to ovens to automation to space for cooking with tablets, tech is becoming more at home in kitchen design. We're all for anything that makes people's lives easier to navigate! 

Are you ready to begin perusing your dream kitchen? Get in touch with us today - we'd love to help you get the ball rolling!