Tag Archives: Atlanta Design & Build

Open Kitchen Remodel Designed for Entertaining

2016 NARI-Atlanta CotY Award Winner

The main living area of our clients’ 1990s home was divided by walls into segmented rooms for the kitchen, dining room and family room. This resulted in confined spaces that interrupted traffic flow when hosting get-togethers. Our clients came to Atlanta Design & Build expressing the desire for an open kitchen remodel that would enhance their entertainment of family and friends. They wanted their kitchen to be brighter and more welcoming. They also felt the need for increased storage, including the creation of a large “to-die-for” walk-in pantry in the space taken by the laundry room, which they wanted to relocate upstairs.

The ADB team designed a new open floor plan that perfectly met our clients’ needs and desires for their kitchen, and it impacted their other living spaces as well.

The plan involved the removal of a primary load-bearing wall expanding from the front exterior wall to the back exterior wall of the home. Both an 18-foot steel beam and a 10-foot LVL beam were placed into the ceiling to support the load. Also removing the wall separating the kitchen and dining room, created the free-flowing expansive openness desired. See the before and after floor plans here.

The spacious new kitchen has now been completely opened up to the dining room and family room, with no barriers between them. The one large open space with improved traffic flow offers ample area for work, eating and entertaining. Removal of the walls has brought more natural light into the kitchen from both sides. A single narrow wall was purposely maintained in just the right location to furnish beam support and privacy to the powder room—removing it from the sight-line of the kitchen.  Continue reading Open Kitchen Remodel Designed for Entertaining

Roswell Sunroom Addition for Entertaining

NARI-Atlanta CotY Award Winner

Like most homeowners today, our clients love to entertain family and friends in their home. But, their small cozy den didn’t provide enough space to gather for special occasions. Extending their living space with a new Sunroom Addition was their desire, which involved the removal of the den’s exterior wall and their existing deck.

We are thrilled to have received a 2016 NARI-Atlanta Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award for this project in the category of Residential Addition Under $100,000. This award was given by NARI Atlanta, the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Read about our other NARI-Atlanta CotY Award winners here.

Before

Removing the exterior wall required installing an engineer-approved 600lb. steel I-beam to span the opening and support the second story. The work progressed very carefully during the wall removal and beam installation, since it was taking place directly beneath a recently renovated upstairs master bath. Absolutely no movement of the upstairs level could be allowed in order to prevent damage to the master bath tile and the second floor. Our team accomplished this flawlessly. 

Due to ample new windows and a French door to their new deck, natural light floods the sunroom and also brightens the den. Natural oak hardwood flooring installed in the sunroom ties into the existing flooring, creating continuity with the rest of the home.

After Photos courtesy of Barbara Brown Photography

Continue reading Roswell Sunroom Addition for Entertaining

Atlanta Design & Build Remodeling 550 List

Atlanta Design & Build Named on Remodeling 550 List

Atlanta Design & Build is pleased to announce that we placed at #194 on the Remodeling 550 list this year. The Remodeling 550 list includes the industry’s top full-service remodelers, replacement contractors, insurance restoration firms and franchise operations.

Remodeling magazine, the trade publication that sponsors this annual list of professional remodelers, stated, “The nation’s largest remodeling firms are bigger and healthier than ever, beneficiaries of the nation’s busiest time in recent history for repair and rehab work.”

It’s an exciting time indeed for ADB to be active in our industry! We especially want to thank you, our clients, for trusting us with your magnificent projects. Without you, we could not have achieved this Remodeling 550 status. We appreciate your business, but even more we treasure the relationships we have built with you over the years.

ADB House Front Addition After Cheatham Hill Rd Marietta

Dynamic Master Suite, Sunroom and Garage in Marietta

House Front Before Cheatham Hill Rd Marietta
Before

Chuck and Sherry Kersey contacted Atlanta Design & Build because they had several projects in mind to transform their home. The Kerseys dreamed of a master suite addition that would be their special get-away space. They desired a screened porch that would give the feeling of being in their backyard environment without the mosquitoes. And there was a need for more garage space to house several vehicles.

Creating a Luxurious Master Suite

Atlanta Design & Build worked with the Kerseys to create everything they longed for. Their personal retreat provides the feel of a master suite. It is secluded from the rest of the home, but also still connected. Located on the home’s main level makes the suite conveniently accessible from the core living areas of the home. The bedroom portion is airy and spacious, with a wonderful cathedral ceiling. It opens directly onto an outside deck so the clients can enjoy the outdoors from the privacy of their bedroom. The spa-like master bathroom includes a double sink vanity, a two-person whirlpool tub, a large shower with frameless glass doors and a built-in bench. The large walk-in closet is highly functional with its bright overhead lighting and generous storage space.

Chuck and Sherry love the open feel of the space. “All our needs were met and the space was designed to look as if it were an original part of the house,” Chuck said. “That’s not always easy to do on additions.” 

Master Suite Addition Cheatham Hill Rd Marietta

A Full Sunroom Provides the Perfect Outdoor Living Space

After discussing in depth our clients’ needs and desires for their screened porch area, the decision was made to build a full sunroom. This splendid room far exceeds the initial intent for the space, and they are thrilled. Rather than just being an outside area, the sunroom has become an integral part of the expanded interior of their home. The sunroom melds the indoors with the outdoors. “Our sunroom gives us the feeling of being outside in the woods, while using the space virtually year ‘round,” Chuck stated. “We are so happy that Atlanta Design & Build showed us the value of a sunroom rather than just a porch and to make the space larger than we originally envisioned.”

“Atlanta Design & Build put a lot of extra effort into the design phase of our project to make sure we got the right solution, and all the components of the build were followed through on,” Chuck remarked.  “We are pleased with the decisions that were made.”

Are you wishing to transform the look and the function of your home? We invite you to work with our talented design and build team. We can help you create dynamic spaces that provide even more than you originally envisioned. Call 770.565.8999 or visit atlantadesignbuild.com

See more photos of this fabulous project on Houzz.

Sydney Contant 8th Anniversary

Celebrating 8 Years with Sydney Contant

As Atlanta Design & Build celebrates our 20th Anniversary, we also salute our amazing Project Manager, Sydney Contant, who has been with the company eight years now. Sydney was born and raised right here in Marietta. As a child she loved sports and was active on the swim team, earned her black belt in karate, and played soccer for many years up through high school. Her other main interests were art related. While in high school she studied photography, linoleum carving and printing, painting and pottery.

Growing up she didn’t learn much about the construction industry from her father, H. Dale Contant, since she didn’t accompany him while he worked on ADB projects. However, shortly after high school, with Dale’s encouragement, Sydney decided to try her hand at working for her father’s company. “I most likely would not have chosen this as my career path, if my father had not given me the opportunity,” said Sydney. “I’m glad I took the offer!”

In the beginning: Apprenticeship

Sydney worked as an apprentice for five years under ADB project managers, Mike Pike and Jamie Franks. Everyday she would learn something new. With Mike, she learned more about the rough end of remodeling—demo, grading, digging footers (LOTS OF FOOTERS!), framing, and trim work. With Jamie she learned more about the finishing part of the job—paying close attention to all the small details. Each part of her training was just as important as the rest.

Eventually, Dale challenged her to study for the Certified Remodeling Project Manager (CRPM) certification exam through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). “That class was intense!” said Sydney. “It lasted eight weeks, with just as much reading and paperwork as a college course. I would never have had confidence in myself to take that class if my father had not pushed me in that direction.” Sydney is very proud to have passed the test. It has opened the door to a whole new world in the industry for her.

Sydney Contant, Project Manager

Sydney Contant, Project ManagerWith the CRPM under her belt, Sydney’s official title at ADB is now Project Manager. Her main job responsibilities are: creating schedules for her projects; selecting her sub contractor team; meeting with subs to walk through each job at the beginning, middle and the end; reviewing sub contractor quotes; communicating with customers; demolition; framing; trim work; reviewing sub contractors’ work; ordering materials, and meeting with inspectors for all trades. Her detailed note taking throughout the various stages of each project helped win Sydney the “40 Under 40” award this year from Professional Remodeler magazine. This award commends the best practices of remodeling’s best and brightest professionals under 40.

One of the things Sydney enjoys most about working for ADB is the fact that it is a small company. Teamwork is crucial, since the team members all depend on each other. A job would not be able to be completed without everyone’s hand in it, at least at one point. “Considering the length of time the majority of the people have been at this company, we have grown to be almost like a family,” Sydney said.  “We trust and rely on each other.”

Sydney also enjoys every day bringing something new. She has the opportunity to continuously learn. One day she will be helping out at one of Mike’s jobs with the whole crew trying to jack a room on a house back to level, and the next she will be installing trim and doors on one of her own jobs. Or changing a window out. Or assisting a customer in choosing the perfect paint color, etc. It’s always something new.

Outside of work

Sydney Contant repelling in North Georgia
Repelling into a cave in North Georgia

Sydney spends the majority of her free time making art of all kinds for friends and family. In the past couple of years, the artwork that has taken up most of her time has been letterpress, stained glass, wood working and painting. In the past she has enjoyed screen printing, linoleum carving and printing, photography, woodblock carving and printing, pottery, and much more. She hopes to have time in the future to learn more about all printing processes and marble making, among many other arts.

Other activities Sydney enjoys include scuba diving with her father, traveling, and minor gardening.  She stays active trying out hole-in-the wall restaurants around the city, camping, caving, hiking, exploring Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park with her boyfriend and three dogs, and spending time with her friends and family.

“I am one of four daughters in the family,” Sydney explains. “My parents had my older sister and then me. They wanted a boy and decided to give it one more shot and ended up having twin girls. I have always been a tomboy—I’m the boy they never had. My older sister lives locally, while the twins are currently living in other states, but we all remain very close. We (10 of us including all of the significant others) get together for Sunday dinners as often as all of our busy schedules allow.”

Dave Newell

Celebrating 11 Years with Dave Newell

Atlanta Design & Build is celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year. We also celebrate the 11 years we have been blessed with the accomplished skills of our Project Manager, Dave Newell.

Dave’s Early Experience in the Building Industry

Dave describes himself as a “good ol’ country boy.” He was born in Kennestone Hospital right here in Marietta, but he moved away to Florida when he was just 15. While living in Florida, Dave began working in the building industry alongside his future father-in-law. That five year stint was the first experience he had in construction and he learned everything on-the-job.

After that Dave moved to Indiana to work for Bristol Pipe, a company that manufactured PVC pipes. He was the Assistant Foreman on the nightshift at the factory, until he decided at age 35 to move back to Georgia. He returned to his roots just one year before Bristol Pipe unexpectedly closed the doors on its Indiana facility. Dave considers his move back home a very fortunate one.

Joining the Atlanta Design & Build Team

Continue reading Celebrating 11 Years with Dave Newell