Best in MS 2014 - Best Bathroom Remodel, Best Kitchen Remodel, and Best Entire Home Remodel +$150,000
Shane McLendon Builder LLC (previously Home Remedies LLC) swept the Home Builder's Association of Mississippi's Best in MS awards in 2014! We won Best Bathroom Remodel, Best Kitchen Remodel, and Best Entire Home Remodel +$150,000 (merit award). The winning entries, floorplans, and project descriptions are below.
Best Bathroom Remodel
Project description: The entire bathroom was completely gutted to the studs, re-framed in areas, and the plumbing was re-routed according to the new plans, including removal of the old water heater and installation of a tankless water heater. Upon entering the old bathroom, one would have found a vanity to the immediate left, the bathtub with step straight ahead, the entrance to the water closet to the right of the tub, a walk-in shower facing out diagonally into the bathroom, with a second vanity to the immediate right.
With the new layout of the bathroom, functionality was key. To the immediate left upon entering the new space, a water closet was installed, housing the commode in a bigger space than previous, with a locking door. On the other side of the wall to the right of the water closet, a new soaking tub was installed with a tile ledge and backsplash that matches the floor tile. Continuing, the fixture end of the tub and ledge creates the half-wall that separates the tub from the walk-in shower. There is an additional solid glass partition that continues from the top of the half-wall tile to the ceiling, creating a frameless shower wall.
The walk-in shower in particular has many features of note. It is a curbless design, meaning it carries over seamlessly between bathroom floor and shower bed with no step up or down. The bed itself has a slight downward angle, allowing for water drainage to a centered drain, but the slope is completely unnoticeable to occupant. The shower has multiple shower heads, a tiled inset for bathing accessories, and a floating bench for seating. Shower cans provide lighting for the space.
The new layout also allows for two vanities as seen in the previous design, but the cabinetry and hardware have been updated for a more modern, sleek look, and accommodates more storage. Sconce fixtures frame the vanity mirrors on either side, providing additional lighting. The mirrors are framed for a picturesque feel. Double-doors lead to the new master walk-in closet, which was previously a powder room.
The entire space was finished in cool earth tones with chrome and stainless steel hardware. Market served: any homeowner, with ability to serve handicapped markets as well because of curbless shower.
Best Kitchen Remodel
Project description: Without pictures and plans, it would be hard to describe the magnitude of this remodel! Previously, when you first walked in from the foyer, there was a hallway to the living room to your immediate left, with a horseshoe-shaped counter design in the middle of the kitchen which housed the cooktop, dishwasher, and bar. Extending past the bar set of countertops was an informal dining area, with a door that led to a screened porch. To the right, there was a stacked microwave/oven design with small writing area, cabinetry, and refrigerator housing.
For the remodel, the space was gutted to the studs, including the ceiling. The far left wall was completely removed and beams were placed in the ceiling for additional support; this opened the space all the way to the living room. The screened porch was enclosed as a continuation of the house, which dramatically opened the space. The kitchen layout was then reconfigured, including reclaiming a laundry room that was relocated to another area of the house, and the plumbing rerouted to match the new design.
The old horseshoe cabinet was removed, and a kitchen island was installed with quartz slabs for the sides and top. The new island now houses the dishwasher, a sink, and extra storage on the bar side. The refrigerator and cooktop are now positioned on your immediate right, with cabinets, matching vent hood, and quartz countertops with mosaic backsplash. A microwave and wall oven now line the partition wall that runs alongside the new hallway to your left, carrying over the quartz countertops and mosaic backsplash for continuity. Pendant, can, and under-cabinet/in-cabinet lighting was installed for multiple lighting effects. The previous tile was replaced with new tile flooring, which was carried throughout the first floor of the home. A feature the homeowner was particularly impressed by was the spice rack located directly underneath the cooktop, which is usually finished with a false front in most kitchens. A double-receptacle refuse drawer was also installed on the island. A pantry was then created from space reclaimed by the old laundry room.
The remodel was done in a cool earth tone palette, with dark wood cabinetry, and chrome and stainless steel fixtures and hardware.
Best Entire Home Remodel +$150,000 (Merit Award)
Project description: We were hired to not only remodel our client's newly purchased home, but to also revise a somewhat confusing floor plan. This remodel would call for complete demo of the ground floor of the home, reconfiguring the plumbing, and the re-framing and redesigning of previous spaces.
In the foyer, the previously enclosed stairs were opened, and rebuilt to return right instead of left. A custom stair railing was installed, giving a stunning decorative feature for guests to view upon entering. To the immediate right in the previous design would have been a home office, but the new design divided the old office into three separate spaces: a ground-floor half-bath, a laundry/storage area, and a hallway with garage access. NOTE: The prior structure did not have any garage-to-interior access. Instead, the homeowner would have exited via the door in the back of the garage, then walked through the backyard to the back patio door or gone through the garage door opening to the front entrance.
Before, to the left of the foyer was the formal dining area, which then opened into the living room. The homeowners wanted their living, dining, and kitchen areas joined, so the old formal dining area was enclosed and made into the home office with a side entrance down a newly built hallway to the living room. Hardwood flooring was laid for the office area, and a transom was installed above the French doors leading to it.
For the living/kitchen area, the old screen porch was enclosed, extending the living room. The old kitchen was completely gutted and opened to the living area. New cabinets, an island, appliances, tile, lighting, and tiered ceilings complete the look. The fireplace was freshened with floor-to-ceiling tile and stone mantle.
The master bedroom was also extended into the backyard, and the master closet that was once attached to the master bedroom was moved to the master bath. The master bath was completely remodeled, with new tile, fixtures, and cabinetry. The new layout also boasts a separate curbless walk-in shower and soaking tub.
For the exterior, the previous columns were removed, and since the master bedroom was extended into the backyard, this allowed for a small alcove for an outside grilling and seating area to be introduced.
Special thank you to our lovely homeowners that allowed us to remodel their home. Images of plans courtesy of Design Studios of Ridgeland, MS, and Uriel Pineda, with special collaboration with Barry Fox Associates Architects of New Orleans, LA.