In the remodeling industry we use a lot of shorthand and jargon to make sure we understand each other. Whether we are speaking to tradesmen communicating materials and dimensions, speaking to our vendors to get the best pricing and the least amount of waste or communicating with clients to outline the process of a remodel, contractors speak different languages to ensure we are being specific and accurate. This can however lead to some confusion when we’re speaking in broad terms to a wider audience. Words do matter though and clarity can make a big difference to the expectations we set, the overall cost of a project and the results we achieve at the end of the day. There are instances however when we can get so entrenched in our language that it limits our vision. We believe that in order to accomplish the best possible outcomes for any building project we must first understand the language of the industry and then do our best to move beyond it.
A remodeling project can most broadly be sorted into one of three categories although there is some overlap between them. Those three categories being a remodel, a renovation, or a restoration. Most common would be a renovation. Renovation is at its most basic an update. When evaluating a renovation project we take our cues from the existing layout, look for deficiencies or damage and aim to make everything shiny and new again. If we are limited to simply repairing damage this would be considered remediation. When we incorporate new systems, update appliances or introduce new materials is when it becomes a renovation. The scope of this type of project would generally not include any changes to floorplans or cabinet layouts. Our guide when evaluating restoration work is to bring things back to their original intended state. Most commonly this type of work will be performed in historic buildings and the effort will be focused on restoring a building to the day it was first occupied. Research will be done to determine the appropriate materials, the original intended use of each room and what changes have been made between the conception of the building and its current state. Major changes to layout may be considered to undo earlier remodeling attempts. Any modern systems whether they be HVAC, electric or plumbing, will be either hidden or made to appear historically accurate. Finally, a remodel is the least constrained of the three. When remodeling a space, priority is given to the goals of the client, their desired use of the space and the structural limitations of the building. Load bearing walls may be replaced with beams, kitchens and bathrooms may be moved to entirely different locations within the home, the sky is the limit so to speak. This type of total overhaul is also the riskiest both in terms of the engineering and function of a space. It has the potential to be the most rewarding as well.
In the realm of renovation and restoration the parameters that determine the scope and scale of a project are set. They are determined by what exists currently or what existed originally. There can be great comfort in hewing to these guidelines, especially regarding financing a remodel. In both cases there are two principles that inform the design of the project. The first of which is conservation. Conservation is the core consideration of any restoration project. How much of the original materials can we retain, how closely can we match any new elements to their previous counterparts, what were the original intentions of the builder, architect or designer? These considerations are the core of conservation. In renovation the principle of conservation can be a cost saving measure. Is it possible to reface a set of cabinets rather than replacing them? Is the hardwood in good enough condition that it may be refinished rather than replaced? The counterpoint to conservation is customization. These two principles are not necessarily mutually exclusive. It is possible to conserve and customize at the same time. An ideal remodel will balance the clients’ need for customization, such as efficient heating and cooling or modern electrical systems with an ethic of conservation, such as identifying the architectural style of the home and preserving as much original material as possible. The renovation process creates a little more opportunity for the client to implement their personal design choices and aesthetic preferences. Within the scope of an existing layout there are a myriad of choices for finishes, furnishings and equipment. In this way conservation is like the canvas we paint upon, and customization is like the paint colors we choose. The layout and arrangement of our primary bathroom may be set by what is existing, but whether we prefer modern, arts and crafts, or Victorian styling becomes our choice.
So, what then becomes our canvas when we are purely remodeling? How do we determine the scope of our project if we want to express ourselves fully and see our own preferences reflected in our home environment? We must apply the same core principles of conservation and customization. The first task is to identify the things that attracted us to the house in the first place. Was it the arts and crafts style columns on the front porch or entryway? Maybe we bought the house for the grand staircase with custom woodwork. Or perhaps we were attracted to the historic character of the home. What are the elements of the home that we most want to conserve and in contrast what are the aspects of our space that we like the least. Is there a lack of natural light? Are the rooms small and oddly divided? Maybe the cabinets in the kitchen are faded and out of date. Usually, the deficiencies of the home are easier to identify, and they may be the primary reason the homeowner is remodeling at all, but it is just as important if not more so to identify the existing features that we love about a space. The deficiencies of the home may be glaring or acute but sometimes we take for granted the parts we are satisfied with already.
Customization is what most people consider foremost when they think of interior design. It’s easy to flip through the pages of architectural digest or Pinterest and find photographs of homes we love, but the translation of those images into a remodel that is cohesive and cost effective requires professional guidance. When we branch out from the process of historical restoration or even modern renovation, we must carry the ethic of conservation with us. We may choose to remodel in a style that diverges from the historical period in which our home was built. Many times, modern additions to historical homes serve to contrast and highlight the original building in such a way that enhances its appeal, but it must be balanced and carefully considered. If we were to furnish a modern home entirely in arts and crafts furniture or craft a Victorian era bathroom inside a modern rancher, we may have missed the mark. If we identify the features of our home that attracted us in the first place and use that as a jumping off point for our customization, we are much more likely to succeed.
For many remodeling projects it may be wise and prudent to adopt an approach like restoration for a historic home and renovation for modern. It gives us the safety of guard rails that will keep the project from running over budget and over schedule. We perform these types of remodels all the time and especially in the case of historic preservation they can be extremely gratifying and beautiful projects. What we love to provide for our clients though and the projects that we feel use our entire skillset are the ones that require us to move beyond the renovation or restoration formula and allow us to balance our clients needs for conservation vs customization. With our extensive experience and training related to these core principles we can outline a scope of work and define the scale of each project to keep things in line with budgetary demands and accomplish whatever goals we set within a reasonable timeline. When we open up our conception of what is possible it allows us to define our best possible outcome
