Austonian Appeal
This Project started out like most renovation projects do…much smaller than it ended up! Our client originally brought us in to install floors and repaint his downtown Austin condominium. One side note here about renovating in condominiums and other shared space buildings–many contractors do not like to take on condominium work for a couple of reasons:
- Condo renos always have to be permitted.
- There are restrictions on what hours and days sub-contractors can be in the building.
- Sub-contractors have to use certain entrances and service elevators so as not to disturb residents of the building.
- Condo renovations require extra communication between the building manager, renovation project manager, and sometimes even with other residents in the building.
Skelly Home Renovations is happy to dive into a project like this. We excel at communication, and we’re experts at the permitting process. Our sub-contractors all know how to be respectful of building codes and rules, and we try our best to work in the building at times/in ways that will be the least distracting for the other homeowners.
But now, back to this beautiful condo renovation! We started with the floors and painting.
Soon after this, the homeowner decided he would also like to redo the kitchen…and both bathrooms.. and why not build a custom closet as well? In the construction industry, we call this phenomenon “scope creep,” or adding additional renovation projects onto the invoice after the initial project has started. This is a natural part of many renovation jobs. After all, the house is already a mess, the workers are coming into the home every day, the rest of the house is getting a fresh new look, so why not add those few last items you had previously been debating? Scope creep happens all the time; it just requires clear communication between the general contractor and the client about how the additional work will change the timeline, materials, and pricing of the project.
Our client worked with the interior design department at Urban Space Interiors in Austin, Texas. Urban Space Interiors created a plan with the client and chose all of the materials for the spaces. Then, it was Skelly Homes’ turn to do what we do best—demolition, clean-up, and new construction!
In the master bathroom, we kept the existing bathtub and added a quartzite tub deck surround. The shower was completely gutted and rebuilt. It features a bench seat plus rain head, overhead, and hand-held shower fixtures.
For the style of the kitchen, the client wanted a more modern, transitional look. We achieved that by installing stained white oak cabinetry, taj mahal quartzite with a reverse beveled edge integrated pulls on the cabinetry, multi-level lighting, waterfall countertops, a wine fridge under double ovens, and an air switch disposal.
Most of us only dream about the kind of custom closet organization this client chose for his urban lifestyle. We built the closet with stained white oak custom cabinetry (including sliding doors!) and a taj mahal quartzite countertop.
Last but not least is the half bath. This half bath went from gray and drab to completely dreamy! We installed a floating quartzite vanity with an under mount sink and Newport Brass fixtures. A one-piece toilet and Thassos Stone 12 x 24-floor tile complete this transitional, modern look.
Can’t get enough of this beautiful renovation? See more photos on my portfolio page here:
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Lastly, we would love to hear your thoughts about this renovation in the comments below…