Colleen's Community Connections: Home Makeover March

It’s Home Makeover March! If you are anything like me and have been staring at the same four walls all winter, then you are ready for a refresh! Changes as simple as wallpaper or paint can completely transform a space. However, sometimes we need a total overhaul of a room such as a kitchen or bathroom. Bringing ideas to life can feel overwhelming, so we are connecting you to some of our favorite local designers, contractors, and carpenters.

Throughout the month of March we highlighted: Meant to Bee Home, Stanislow Woodworks, The Snyder Group Remodeling and RK Home Improvement to show how they have all transformed spaces in different ways; using design, carpentry, paint and wallpaper. Over the last few months we have documented some of their projects and are sharing amazing before and after photos to highlight their exceptional work! We hope these photos not only inspire projects of your own, but showcase their incredible talent.

Meant to Bee Home

After successfully flipping houses, Jill Bonawitz started her own boutique home staging and interior design firm, Meant to Bee Home in Haddonfield, NJ. Jill and her team love transforming spaces with unique furnishings and decor for their local and Jersey shore clients. They also specialize in staging vacant properties to make them look like model homes that sell for top dollar. When not staging, Meant to Bee Home also helps clients with full renovations, paint color consultations, and furniture and decor selection.

For this incredible transformation, Meant to Bee Home remodeled a kitchen with the goal to maximize flow and give the space a more modern look. Wallpaper was the inspirational focal point that influenced the entire design. Changing the direction of the island and brightening up the cabinets makes the overall look of the kitchen timeless, spacious and bright.

This project was completed in 5 weeks, the only small delay was with the countertop installation.

Kitchen makeover costs vary depending on the scope, but typically fall within the $30,000-50,000 range.

Stanislow Woodworks LLC

Four years ago, Greg Stanislow left a career as a math teacher to follow his passion for woodworking. After working in a wood and metal shop and watching many hours of carpentry videos on YouTube, Greg started Stanislow Woodworks LLC, which specializes in handcrafted, built-in cabinetry. He and his partner Matt Schell of Trimpro Carpentry create custom pieces to meet their client’s needs, including entertainment units, mudroom benches, fireplace surrounds, closets, and pantries.

We loved how Stanislow Woodworks LLC transformed a home office in Haddonfield by adding custom built-in cabinets. The goal was to add more storage in the space, as well as room for a TV since the clients wanted functionality, but for it to also feel comfortable. The unique detail, however, is in the craftsmanship; the stunning arch design, and matching the trim and crown-molding with the room to create a seamless look. Greg’s general process is to review ideas with clients, then create computer-generated sketches and once the client approves them, he and his business partner, Matt, start building off-site in their shop in Collingswood. Once built, they deliver and install them; depending on size and scope, this can take a couple days. For this particular project, it took about a week to build and a day to install.

The Snyder Group Remodeling

The Snyder Group was founded in 2014 by Spencer S. Tait with a primary focus on kitchen and bath remodeling. Built around the concept of honest quality work, an eye for perfection, and the knowledge to tackle projects of any size without overlooking small details. Their keen eye for details allow them to deliver perfectly balanced design and execution of even the most difficult areas of your home.

The Snyder Group does amazing custom work, and we particularly loved how they transformed an outdated, 1960’s bathroom into a timeless spa-like space. Taking design elements from different aspects of their clients’ inspiration pictures, they formulate a cohesive and well balanced design.

The Snyder Group keeps an eye on the budget to make sure the finishes don’t push it over, but says bathroom remodels can cost around $40,000 and usually take 3-4 weeks. The team at The Snyder Group works together seamlessly and pulls from their varied backgrounds to plan their projects and keep delivery schedules on time.

RK Home Improvement

Husband and wife duo, Ryan and Gina Kelly are the force behind RK Home Improvement. Six years ago, while planning for Ryan’s eventual retirement from his job as a police officer, Gina and Ryan decided to make a business out of their love of home improvement. RK Home Improvement is happy to help with basic handyman work to completing a full home remodel. Gina loves helping clients design and select finishes for their home and will be starting a separate division of RK Home Improvement that focuses solely on that.

After RK Home Improvement finished their client’s basement, the owners decided to update an adjacent bathroom to help complete the overall look of the space. Toning down the blue paint in the laundry room makes the room feel brighter while the wallpaper in the bathroom adds a pop and sophistication to the overall room.Updating the bathroom took about one week to complete. RK Home Improvement was able to prep, paint, and refresh the grout which completely changed and updated the look of the space in a short period of time.

A closer look at the wallpaper. It ties into the laundry room and makes the space feel cohesive.

Community Spotlight

Home on Haddon

Home on Haddon is a unique gift and home decor shop located in downtown Haddonfield. Clients can purchase Annie Sloan chalk paint, custom made pillows and unique gifts that have been curated by owner Cathy Kaplan and her daughter Olivia.

Before Home on Haddon, Cathy was an interior designer for over 20 years and loved to help clients create their dream spaces. While she doesn’t work as an interior designer like she did in the past, she uses her knowledge to help clients in her store put a space together – tell her about the room and she can suggest the perfect thing to go in it.

Inspired by these before and afters?

Here are Some Small Projects that Make a Big Difference:

Replace cabinet hardware – something seemingly small can completely change the look of a kitchen or bathroom.
Adding plants freshens up the space. Meraki Market has a great selection and will pot them for you!
Painting cabinets can either neutralize a space or make the cabinets pop. Check out this color matching app by Benjamin Moore.
Change lighting! Get rid of outdated light fixtures and update bulbs to brighter, longer lasting LED lights.
Install new countertops!
Wallpaper adds texture and interest. Atlas on Route 70 has an amazing selection to choose from.
Change up the photos/artwork on your walls. Look for local artists in your area!
Add/change rugs. Habitat Restore in Maple Shade has tons of brand new rugs for bargain prices.