Steve Gray Renovations’ clients found a lot that they were absolutely in love with, but the 1950s Sears Home that came with it was not quite what they envisioned. Its original footprint was 1800 square feet, with a small, walk-out basement. The beautiful 3 1/2 acre lot in Zionsville, Ind. offered good schools, a great community and a tranquil, tree-filled setting for a dream home opportunity. The renovation company worked with conceptual designer Gary Nance to re-envision the original home’s foundation and incorporate it into a home renovation plan that would…
Read MoreYear: 2026
Videos
Designers weigh in on renovating vintage homes
Experts shared how to design a new space with an older, vintage feel and the key to making new materials look older than they actually are. The common practice is restoration, not replacement, during vintage renovation design. During restoration, fellow designers insist on sticking to the original source material, as projects should feel like an extension rather than a complete redo. “Every house has a story, and I want to honor that before bringing in anything new,” said interior designer Leanne Ford. She recommended refinishing the floors instead of ripping…
Read MoreNick Slevin Returns to NBC’s The Water Zone to Spotlight Water Innovation Through the ABC Green Home Project
Since its launch in 2011, the ABC Green Home Project, created by Builder Media, has spent fifteen years demonstrating how innovation, sustainability and industry collaboration can advance the future of residential construction. Over that time the project has earned multiple industry awards, certifications and national recognition while showcasing the technologies shaping the next generation of high-performance homes. On April 3, 2026, Builder Media Publisher Nick Slevin will return as a guest on the nationally broadcast NBC News Radio program The Water Zone, hosted by water industry leader Rob Starr, to discuss…
Read MoreImproved access to construction materials on public lands
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced their Materials Access Program, a new initiative to purchase mineral materials from public lands. Construction materials were up 2.8% in 2025, for particular builders and remodelers this could help ease the burden in materials costs. Levi Spellman, Public Affairs Officer, at BLM noted that in Colorado, mineral materials currently available for sale. This includes sand, gravel, bentonite, adobe clay, fill dirt, red gravel, silt, limestone, volcanic rock, river rock, boulders, rip rap and decomposed granite. “Mineral materials are the basic building blocks of our…
Read MoreSenate passes major housing affordability bill
On March 12, 2026, the Senate passed a bill aimed at boosting the supply of housing and bringing down prices. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, written by Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., won 89 votes. The 303-page legislation creates a series of grants and pilot programs for housing construction. Another key section titled “Homes Are For People, Not Corporations,” prohibits large institutional investors from purchasing certain single-family homes, as a way to promote homeownership opportunities for families rather than corporations. “It will mean, for the…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Sweeten
Sweeten renovated a nearly 100-year-old English house in Bronxville, N.Y., turning an outdated and awkward layout into a modern haven. The classic English Tudor home was transformed with an open-concept kitchen, a custom mudroom and thoughtfully updated bathrooms. Creating an open layout on the first floor involved eliminating the wall between the dining room and kitchen. The new open-concept kitchen included a large center island for entertaining, providing an anchor between the dining space and the cooking area. The quartz marble design for the countertops contrasted with the custom wood…
Read MoreConstruction layoffs and quits decline
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its January data last week. During the month, the layoff rate for construction jobs declined to 1.0 %, the quits rate followed with a decrease to 1.7%. The industry remained relatively plateaued compared to a year ago. However, flat is undeniably better than falling. With the spring season kicking in, openings should increase across the nation and especially in the northeast. While in the overall economy the open jobs reportedly increased from from…
Read MoreDesigners indicate grout lines are dated
Grout lines are forecasted to decrease in popularity. A release from the National Kitchen and Bath Association reported 89% of homeowners want to minimize or remove grout lines in their homes. Interior designers agree, noting the absence of grout allows for less maintenance therefore less chemicals in the home. “Less grout means less maintenance, which feels right for how people live today,” said Julie Beuerlein, founder of JKB Home Design. Designers also recommend minimizing lines by using full slab porcelain or quartz or large format tiles. “People’s lives seem to…
Read MoreBathroom remodel design prioritizes lasting functionality
Bathroom remodel designs are being selected with a different goal in mind: Performance. While beauty is still an end goal, prioritizing how the bathroom functions as clients move in it throughout the day has become the primary focus during a remodel. Homes are aging and clients are thinking longer term. A bathroom can no longer be treated as a short-term upgrade, but as a space that must support daily routines for years to come. Wider clearances around vanities and toilets, door swings that do not interrupt traffic flow, shower entries…
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