The design team from Bishop Studio remodeled and preserved the midcentury model style ranch for the first time since construction in 1966. The original construction was led by renowned architect and close friend of Frank Lloyd Wright, Don Erickson. The team from Bishop Studio includes designers Jennie Bishop, Natalie Fantozzi and Veronica Callahan who took on the project in Winnetka, Ill. The clients were a young couple with two young children. The studio’s vision was to modernize without sacrificing original charm and warm feel. This is executed by a balance…
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Residential remodeling averages across the U.S.
The national average of remodels across the U.S. is $149,470. For residential contractors the price of labor, building materials and complexity of the project all factor into the end result. Oklahoma is 32.9% below the national average for remodeling, with an average of $100,114. While this is attractive for clients, it could also indicate that profit margins are tighter for remodelers. Large projects such as home additions in the state average at $5,889. Following Oklahoma, Arkansas’s average is $104,634, 29.9% below the national average. A home addition averages at $6,155.…
Read MoreThe Remodeling Labor Market
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) released a study on the role immigrant labor plays on the remodeling industry. While immigrants account for an estimated one in five workers nationally,in the construction trades they represent about one in three workers. With the recent tightening of immigration laws, standards and work permits the team at JCHS predicts this could potentially strain the building and remodeling labor market. This is especially true in large metro areas. Their research shows that in the seven metros that issued at least 150,000 building…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Alder House
SHED Architecture reimagines a 1990s home with passive building techniques and contemporary style. Located in Seattle, Wash., the 2,820-square-foot project planned for a deeper immersion with its ecological surroundings. SHED worked in collaboration with Thomas Jacobson Construction, structural engineer Swenson Say Fagét and energy modeling from Atvaga Building Modeling for this project. Modernizing the building required the reconfiguration of living spaces. This includes opening up the kitchen to the other living spaces and expanding the square footage by 20 feet. This transformed the home’s livability. On the exterior the cornice was replaced with…
Read MoreWhen will housing prices drop?
New data from Realtor.com shows the U.S. housing market is cooling, with homes staying on the market longer and prices softening in many areas. In November 2025, the typical home spent 64 days for sale, three days longer than a year earlier and nine days longer than in 2022. Price trends vary by location, but nationally there are clear signs of easing: annual price declines were recorded in 28 of the 50 largest metro areas, while six others saw flat prices. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the median home price…
Read More5 home renovation trends that Interior Designers are ditching in 2026
As 2026 approaches, interior designers are urging homeowners to rethink certain once-popular renovation trends that are now falling out of favor. Experts Jennifer Cataldo, Tennille Burnup and Alyssa Anselmo say flat, builder-grade drywall is being replaced by textured, handcrafted wall finishes like limewash and Venetian plaster, which add warmth and dimension. Waterfall kitchen islands, long seen as a modern luxury statement, are also losing appeal in favor of more custom, inviting designs that mix materials, incorporate furniture-style bases and emphasize subtlety over flash. Light blonde oak is giving way to…
Read MoreFed cuts rates again, though mortgage rates are already down
The Federal Reserve announced another 25-basis-point cut to the federal funds rate on October 29, marking its second consecutive quarter-point reduction this fall. Though the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, these decisions influence borrowing costs across the economy. Anticipating the move, mortgage lenders had already begun lowering rates throughout October, with 30-year averages nearing 6%, the lowest level in more than three years. Despite this decline, housing demand remains muted, as mortgage applications have continued to fall. The Fed’s latest rate cut reflects its attempt to balance a slowing…
Read More5 Home Renovation trends you’re expected to see in 2026
Design experts are already forecasting the biggest home renovation trends for 2026, and they suggest that homeowners will be moving away from open-concept layouts in favor of more defined and functional spaces. Architect Peter Miles predicts that as people continue spending more time at home, traditional floor plans with designated areas, such as private home offices, will become more desirable. In addition, wellness-focused renovations are expected to grow, with homeowners adding amenities like home gyms, saunas and meditation rooms to support healthier lifestyles. Improved air quality and natural light will…
Read MoreRemodeling expects steady growth into next year
Home renovation and maintenance spending is expected to stay steady through late 2025 and into mid-2026, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA). The forecast predicts a 2.4% year-over-year increase in early 2026, followed by a slight slowdown to 1.9% growth by the third quarter. This stability reflects consistent activity in remodeling permits and single-family home sales, which are keeping homeowner improvement demand strong. Total remodeling expenditures are projected to reach a record $524 billion by early 2026, underscoring the sector’s resilience despite broader market fluctuations. Looking ahead,…
Read MoreRemodel of the week: Vineyard Haven
Originally built in 1873, the three-story, nearly 5,800-square-foot home needed an aesthetic and structural remodel. The Victorian residence in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts received many mismatched renovations as it changed owners throughout the years. Only interior designers Vineyard Decorators, were initially brought into the project. However when the homeowners discussed how unlivable the space felt to their lifestyle, Martha’s Vineyard Engineering & Design were brought in for architecture and engineering and D. Best Construction handled the renovation construction. “This project was probably the most unique of its kind because I would…
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