Custom Finishing

Ceiling and Wall Finishes

Custom finishes can make your home stand out above the rest.  And in many cases, the investment into the custom finishes is minimal within the scope of a project.

Tin Ceilings and Backsplash are making a comeback! They were very popular in the mid nineteenth century as the answer for the American middle class who desired the look of the more expensive decorative plaster ceilings being used at the time by the wealthy. Tin ceiling panels consisted of a 24” x 24” metal panel stamped with a pattern of choice. By the 1890s the tin ceiling trend had peaked. There are a few companies who have begun to duplicate the patterns of an era gone by. Now the panels are made in tin, copper and silver with many different patterns and colors. Ask us about how we might enhance your project with a very retro look that will make your project the envy of family and friends.

Drywall Textures

Orange Peel, Splatter Knock Down, Rosebud and Stomp Knock Down are some of the drywall techniques which are a great way to add character to your home with little additional expense. The drywall technique most commonly seen in Minnesota is the popcorn ceiling. These additional techniques can be applied to walls or ceiling to add an interesting and different finish to your project.

Orange Peel Drywall Texture

Orange peel drywall texturing (also called splatter) can vary from a series of small blobs of splatter to an overall fine spray that closely resembles an orange peel. Orange peel drywall texture is very attractive and it is also quite popular simply because of the ease of application. The texture also adds a lot of character and a little dimension to any room.  It is a great way to make a room a little more exciting.

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Splatter Knockdown Drywall Texture

Splatter knockdown texture is one of the most popular types of textures across the southern United States. This style of texture is used extensively in Hotel rooms where wallpaper is not used and in residential settings. Recently the Midwest has seen a surge in the popularity of splatter knockdown rather than smooth wall application.

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Rosebud Drywall Texture

Rosebud Stomp drywall texture is common on ceilings throughout the Midwest United States. The name rosebud no doubt refers to the semblance it creates of an opened rose flower with petals rolling out in a circular pattern from the center.

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Stomp-Knockdown Texture or French Lace

What can be referred to as a “Stomp-Knockdown” texture is common in new construction across the mid-west portion of the United States. As the name implies this texture is created by using a brush to stomp patterns in drywall mud across the surface being textured. Once the basic pattern is created a knockdown knife is used to smooth the high spots. A very similar texture used in the southern part of the U.S. is termed “French Lace.

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Soffits and Architectural Features

Originally a soffit was an architectural design that spanned between a cabinet and the ceiling. It was usually a square or rectangle shaped box and was sometimes used to house plumbing or electrical wiring. Soffits are no longer used as often in the modern kitchen, open top cabinets are in style now. However soffits are still used extensively for home decorating and architectural features. Soffits are ideal for adding some visual interest to the space, as well as for mounting additional lighting or displaying artwork. The shape and design of a modern soffit may be very different from the plain square box of yesteryears.

Custom or Traditional Cabinetry

Your budget and where you plan to install cabinetry can make a big difference in which type of cabinetry is best suited for your project.

For the ultimate in style and functionality, custom cabinetry is unmatched. It can be designed and built for any room in your home. You have total flexibility in the size, shape and style of your cabinets. We can recreate any time period or style you desire, the wood can even be distressed and aged to look hundreds of years old.

The cabinetry typically found in home stores is considered traditional production cabinetry. It is mass-produced, widely available within a short timeframe, and relatively simple to put together and install.  Some of the drawbacks of traditional cabinetry are the inherent limitations when it comes to custom sizing and layout options. It is also important to note that although traditional cabinets may bear tags claiming they are made of “solid wood” or “hardwood,” the labels can be misleading. Some may actually be engineered wood products that have been laminated to look like genuine, solid wood. These trade-offs are not necessarily bad, they are simply differences to be aware of.

Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing

Cabinet Refacing or Refinishing can be an excellent cost effective alternative to new. Most of the cabinetry currently installed in homes is very well built. Although the exterior or the cabinet may need attention, the structure of the cabinet box is still very much intact. The same materials used in custom or traditional built cabinetry are available for cabinet refacing. The entire look of your cabinetry can be changed by refacing the exterior cabinet frames and boxes. For example, we can transform oak stained cabinets into gorgeous cherry cabinets, or any other wood and finish of your choice. When refacing you can to add to or modify your existing cabinet foot print, or floor plan. Maybe you want to add an island, put in additional cabinetry, or modify your existing cabinetry to accommodate new appliances. We then replace all of the doors, door hinges, drawer fronts, drawer boxes with dovetail ends, drawer glides, hardware and trim.

A Minnesota cabinet refacing, refinishing company would be happy to help you decide which option would be the best fit for your needs and budget.

Cabinetry Hardware

Cabinetry Hardware has come a long ways in a short time. We recommend soft self-closing full extension drawer glides. That means the drawers will open ALL the way out, and close gently with a push of your hand. They also have up to a 200lb load rating. In addition to traditional door hinges there are soft self-closing door hinges, no more slamming doors. There is an endless selection of knobs and pulls available for any style with many finish options to choose from.

Custom Trim Woodwork

New cabinetry can make a drastic change to a room. Unfortunately for reasons of cost or simplicity many projects do not include the extras when it comes to trimming the room. Installing more than the standard 2 ¼” casing and 3 ¼” base will make a huge difference in the finished project. Ask us for recommendations on what can be done with your project to take it to the next level.

Custom Counter Tops

One of the most striking and cost-effective improvements for any kitchen or bath is replacing worn counter surfaces with a new custom countertop. There are many materials that can be used to provide outstanding functionality and long-lasting beauty they include: Ceramic, Porcelain tile, Plastic Laminate, Wood – Butcher Block, Solid Surface, Limestone, Soapstone, Granite, Marble, Terrazzo, Paperstone, Quartz, Silestone Quartz, Recycled Glass, Concrete, Stainless and Copper. Factors to consider when selecting material is stain and heat resistance, appearance and cost. Counter tops range in price from $12.00 to $150.00 or more per square foot depending on the material and color.

Floor Covering

There are hundreds of floor covering options for you to choose from. The typical choices include hardwoods which are available in many popular wood species, from classic oak to exotic tropical hardwoods. Ceramic or porcelain tile are a good choice for durability, but if you don’t like the cold, hard surface how about luxury vinyl? Luxury vinyl comes in wide variety of tile, stone, slate and wood looks – and has a soft, warm feel underfoot. There are also stylish and easy-to-clean vinyl sheet and vinyl tile floors, and laminate and linoleum floor coverings.

Another popular option is to heat the floor with radiant heat, especially in bathrooms. Installing radiant heat in areas prone to the winter cold can cozy up a room or two in the basement or other rooms with un-insulated floors. They are thermostatically controlled for timed operation or on demand warm floor and are very energy efficient.

Fireplace and Mantel

An attractive fireplace and mantel can be a dramatic focal point for any room. From the grandest of rooms to the smallest of spaces there are many gas, wood, electric, or pellet-burning options to choose from. Masonry fireplace have been the historical mainstay of fireplaces, but today many of the fireplaces installed are self-contained metal fireplace that requires no masonry for installation. There are also freestanding stoves that offer a traditional and charming ambience. Stoves can be conventional and efficient wood burners, convenient gas, pellet or coal fueled. They are available in a variety of sizes and style and are easily added to most rooms. Another option if you have an existing masonry fireplace but would like a more efficient, clean burning fire is an inserts. Inserts are installed in your fireplace and can be fueled by wood, gas, pellet or coal. Gas is the most popular as it provides the convenience of a fire at a flip of a switch with no mess or change to indoor air quality.

Personalize your fireplace with a mantel and surround. There are many styles and options include wood or cast fireplace mantels that range from classic to contemporary designs. There are also directly imported slates, granite, and marble surrounds from around the world to enhance your whole hearth design.

Storage, Organization and Closets

I am always amazed at the many storage and organization ideas available. From the kitchen to the garage there are tons of ways to better utilize space and be more organized. We have number examples you can see at our Pinterest site click here for more remodeling ideas.

Custom Finishes