Remarkable Redos
A bathroom that was barely making a splash, a loft that was left without personality and a boring backyard that was begging for a boost—each was in need of a makeover. Enter the experts.
While a dream home may have just the right number of bathrooms, a living room with perfect configuration or a backyard large enough to host a neighborhood get-together, a full-scale remodel remains a most coveted dream for homeowners.
A DIY update is a great option for weekend warriors, including simple fixes like painting a plain wall from drab to fab or pulling up a dated carpet to refinish the wood flooring beneath. But if you’re in search of an easy way to reach your goal, hire a pro and see your house through its remodel under the direction of expert eyes.
Eric French, president of Eisler Landscapes, decided to work with the contour of the land when designing a backyard oasis for a client in Gibsonia. “Nestling the site amenities naturally in the steep slope of the backyard defined the transformation,” says Eisler.
A contemporary redesign with retro flair transformed a client’s bathroom in Upper St. Clair and was an easy design decision for Beth Fay Lane, marketing director and hardware specialist for Splash, who says, “A sense of humor defined the direction of the bathroom redesign.”
Unlike Eisler and Lane, the direction Stacy Weiss, president and owner of Weisshouse, took to reinvent a loft in Oakland began differently. She was designing the space for the most challenging customer: herself. The loft is her new home, and moving into a space void of design helped spark Weiss’ concept to go Bohemian lux, an artful approach that engaged the barebones structure of the entire space. “When I saw the loft for the first time with its high walls and tons of light, I knew my collection of art would be the design concept,” she says.
For each designer, the key to vamping up each one of these revamps was setting one main goal: make it remarkable. Here are the before and after results.
Design Details
Before
An uninspired backyard in Gibsonia
The Challenge
Use landscaping in an unexpected way to create an area where a family with teenagers can enjoy the backyard and keep the kids close to home.
The Solution
Design and build a backyard that includes site amenities available through Eisler Landscapes (except for the pool), like a fully functioning fireplace, a palatial pool house, an arbor over the outdoor kitchen, an in-ground spa and fire pit.
Project Length
4 months
After
A complete transformation from a blah backyard to a family-entertainment extravaganza.
The After-Math
Total estimated price of the entire redo: Available upon request
Resource
Eisler Landscapes, 1031 New Castle Road, Prospect; 724/865-2830, eislerlandscapes.com
Design Details
Before
A bathroom downer in Upper Saint Clair
The Challenge
To develop a bathroom that is functional, attractive and creates warmth and insulation by adding floor heat, a full steam shower and a fireplace—a major change from the old master bath that was very cold most of the year.
The Solution
Choose materials that have a long shelf life, including, but not limited to the following all provided through SPLASH: a steam system by Thermasol Serenity Light & Sound, an air tub by Bain Ultra, shower faucets by Atrio by Grohe, sink faucet by Axor Starck X, cabinetry by Greenfield, hardware and bath accessories by Buckle Up & U Turn by Atlas Homewares, toilet by Kohler Saille, mirror by Decotec Paris, in-floor heat by NuHeat, fireplace by EcoSmart Fires and countertop and benches by Caesarstone Blizzard Quartz.
Project Length
10-12 weeks
After
It’s not just a new bath—it’s a whole new environment.
The After-Math
Total estimated price of the entire redo: $50,000
Resource
Splash/Nicklas Supply, 1237 Freedom Road, Cranberry Township; 724/772-1060; 4807 William Penn Highway, 724/733-2600; 200 Fifth Ave., downtown, 412/281-3712; exploresplash.com
Design Details
Before
An under-par urban loft in Oakland
The Challenge
To take the blank walls and work them like a puzzle.
The Solution
Start with one piece of artwork and execute a layering process by first placing the furniture, followed by the artwork and finally the accessories, plus use the Weisshouse design team throughout the entire redesign, which of course is an ongoing process as subtle updates are necessary.
Project Length
1 month
After
A little scary in the beginning but worth it to use existing furniture, artwork and accessories as well as adding new pieces which made the new space look entirely different. This makeover is so fab because of the high design impact created with the wall of art.
The After-Math
Total estimated price of the entire redo: $0 (Weiss reused everything from her old house in a resourceful new way.)
Resource
Weisshouse, 324 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside; 412/441-8888, weisshouse.com
