The backyard is where homeowners have the option to spend time relaxing, entertaining, exercising, gardening and bonding with loved ones. According to a new study by Alan’s Factory Outlet, 77% of homeowners are planning a backyard upgrade in 2026 and they have their eyes on certain features for their renovated yards. The study found that landscaping and aesthetics were the top backyard priority, cited by 62% of homeowners surveyed. New sods, privacy shrubs, rocks, lights, flower boxes and edging can enhance a project. Meanwhile, 48% of homeowners have outdoor seating…
Read MoreDay: April 29, 2026
Remodel of the Week: Cook Construction
Collaborating with Tineke Triggs and Martin Newman Office, Cook Construction reimagined a 1906 Victorian into a contemporary family home that balances historic character with modern function. Perched on a quiet street in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood in California, the classic painted lady design was thoughtfully restored and expanded into a bright, livable space designed for today’s lifestyle. Cook Construction transformed the tall, narrow footprint into a gracious home with a grander kitchen and family room, a reinvented master suite and a highly functional lower level complete with a laundry…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Larkspur Builders
In this complete renovation of a 1906 San Francisco, Calif., kitchen, Larkspur Builders collaborated closely with both the client and interior designer Chantal Lamberto to create a space that is both timeless and highly functional. The goal was to modernize a dated layout while preserving the home’s architectural character. With a compact footprint and 11-foot ceilings, the project’s design required careful proportioning. Custom white oak cabinetry, handmade tile and period-inspired lighting created a warm and balanced ambiance. Floor-to-ceiling tile and flush cabinet faces necessitated precise coordination. Read More Photo Credit:…
Read MoreEye-catching kitchen design trends
In 2026, kitchen design is all about blending beauty with purpose: Warm minimalism, mixed materials and layouts that not only work for everyday living, but also elevate it. From statement islands to hidden storage and bold yet balanced color palettes, today’s kitchen renovations are evolving into spaces that feel both elevated and lived-in. A wall of pale wood cabinetry with barely-there hardware and clean, uninterrupted lines creates a calming visual rhythm in kitchen design. This trend leans heavily into simplicity, but not the cold kind. Natural wood tones soften the…
Read MoreConstruction workforce shifts
According to the National Association of Homebuilders’ (NAHB) analysis of the latest 2024 data from the American Community Survey (ACS), the long-running shift in the construction labor force away from construction trades and toward management, business and technical roles is ongoing and gaining momentum. While the total industry employment now exceeds the levels reached during the 2005 to 2006 housing boom, the composition of that workforce has changed markedly. The share of construction trades workers has declined from 71% in 2005 to 59% in 2024. At the same time, the…
Read MoreNew York City home renovation sparks record-breaking sale
Interior designer Purvi Padia and founder of REVELRY set out to remodel her five-bedroom, 5,840-square-foot duplex penthouse in the exclusive West Village in New York City to make it feel more welcoming. What followed was a two-year, $6 million transformation that led to a $60 million sale, which came in at nearly three times the neighborhood average price per square foot for luxury condos and represented a 106% increase on the $29 million the owner paid for the apartment in 2016. The star attraction of the remodel that led to…
Read MoreUS homeowners 2026 renovation plans
According to Houzz’s 2026 House & Home Study, more than half of U.S. homeowners are pursuing home renovation plans, with a higher share of millennials and Gen Z diving into renovations. The annual report surveyed more than 20,000 users across the nation to figure out how homeowners are budgeting for their projects, their reasons for renovating, the scope and spend of projects. Marine Sargsyan, the head of economic research at Houzz, said home renovation is continuing at historic levels. The report emphasized older clients prioritizing renovations to age in place,…
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