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The Ultimate Porch Upgrade in Lawrenceville

exterior renovation featuring a wrap around porch in lawrenceville nj

Nothing feels better than finally tackling that home project that’s been on your list for ages—and our Lawrenceville clients couldn’t agree more. They had been frustrated with their front porch for the last 20 years and reached out to our team for help reconfiguring the space. The original porch, which was actually two separate spaces, felt awkward and made the entrance of the home look out of place. It wasn’t particularly functional, either. While the homeowners have made the porch work for summer relaxation and hosting, it definitely didn’t function the way it should.

Reimagining the Space

We began with a consultation from our trusted architect who worked with the homeowners to come up with a design plan that was both beautiful and functional. While this house isn’t technically located in a historic district, we made sure to take its age into consideration, honoring the beautiful original design in the architecture of the new porch.

While older homes often tend to come with a few hidden structural surprises when construction begins, thankfully, this one didn’t, which allowed for a smooth renovation process.

To create an outdoor living space that would last for many years to come, we poured a new foundation and built a totally new structure on top of it using Trex decking. We also added a standing seam metal roof to maximize the usability of the porch, complete with a traditional ACRE beadboard ceiling and improved lighting for late night entertaining.

To solve one of the biggest pain points on our clients’ list, we shifted the main entrance of the house from the kitchen to the living room, and added two new exterior doors that better fit the architecture. This meant that guests could more easily move between the indoor and outdoor living spaces without interrupting the host’s flow in the kitchen.

Finally, we installed new siding to give the house a crisp, refreshed look.

Perfect for the Summer Season

This space is now exactly what our clients had been wanting for summer entertaining (and a bit of relaxation). With a traditional wrap-around style that looks as if it’s always been there, a few different seating areas to take in the property’s views, and enough room to mingle, this porch hits all the right notes for an inviting space to enjoy with family and friends.

view of the covered front porch in a lawrenceville nj remodeled home

Creating the Ultimate Outdoor Living Area

With summer fast approaching, outdoor living is at the top of many homeowners’ minds. Whether it’s in the form of a gorgeous porch like this one, a spacious deck or patio, or even something more elaborate like an outdoor kitchen, recreational area or a custom water feature, the exterior of your home presents an incredible opportunity to expand your living space for seasonal enjoyment.

front porch renovation in lawrenceville nj

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out this stunning enclosed porch we completed for our Princeton clients.

Whatever your outdoor vision might be, the Flansburg team can help bring it to life! Schedule a consultation with our design experts today to explore the possibilities.

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Why Go With a Design Build Firm for Your High-End Basement Remodel?

As we get further into the new year, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to add luxury additions to their homes. It’s also time to hire a design build firm to turn your basement into anything you can imagine. Let’s go over some top reasons you should move forward with a one-stop-shop solution for your home.

You Want Luxury

If luxury is a major goal of your extensive basement remodeling plans, a design build basement remodeling company is the right choice. Additions such as a home theater or a wine cellar can transform your basement into one of class and elegance. Consider having high-end features such as custom stone floors, classy lighting, and integrated cabinetry and shelving. These luxurious features are sure to stand out and be a talking point amongst friends and family.

You Want Seamless Project Management

If you want a smooth, easy process from beginning to end, working with a design build team is your best bet. In a traditional construction project, the design and build aspects will be handled by different teams, resulting in a disjointed approach to construction. Design build incorporates every aspect into one seamless process, with each step handled by one team. This cohesive process will allow your project to be completed efficiently, with minimal confusion throughout.

You Want Enhanced Enjoyment

Having a beautiful new basement can increase the overall enjoyment you get in your home. Design build companies understand the nuances of basement design and can craft spaces that are tuned to your interests and personal style. When your basement reflects your unique personality, you will fall in love with your space.

You Value Experience

When you’re investing in a brand-new basement, you want an experienced team that can do the job right. A design build basement remodeling company will have extensive experience in turning their clients’ dreams into reality. You don’t want an inexperienced team taking on a project as big as a basement remodel.

According to Comfy Living, 80% of homes in the United States are at least 20 years old, meaning they’re in need of remodeling. When you’re ready to turn your New Jersey basement into one of luxury, reach out to Flansburg Construction. We look forward to working with you.

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A New Porch in Princeton: How We Built this Sweet Escape Surrounded by Nature

Nothing adds character to a house quite like a porch. From the sprawling wraparounds that give a welcoming nostalgia to enclosed versions that allow for access to nature throughout the year, porches have a way of injecting both personality and functionality to your space.

This is definitely the case for our recent clients’ Princeton home, where we reimagined their back deck into a gorgeous custom rear porch—the perfect quiet retreat.

Blending In

As empty nesters looking forward to life’s next phases, this project was part of our clients’ efforts to remain in their beloved home for many years to come. To honor the history of the structure, they asked for our designers to create a space that looked as if it had always been a part of the home’s architecture, and we were all too glad to take on the challenge.

One key to making this design work was blending the new porch’s roof lines into the rest of the house. While this was a bit of a challenge, we made it work in the end with the help of some creative ingenuity. We also made sure to match the siding and trim colors to help with visual continuity.

Striking a Balance

One of the prime motivators for the homeowners to convert their existing deck to this porch was the stunning natural view surrounding their property, which they loved to enjoy. However, the lack of sunlight due to all the trees—and the seemingly endless insects that also call the area home—nudged our clients in the direction of a more enclosed space where they could enjoy nature in comfort.

As a result, the porch is completely screened in with a side door to access the patio. To help create a seamless feel with an extra layer of protection from the elements, we opted to use ipe, an exotic hardwood from South America, for the decking material. Extremely weather and insect resistant—even without extra treatment—and among the hardest wood on the planet, ipe was a natural choice for durable flooring in this space. As an added bonus, its rich, variated tones make the floor look original to the house.

Quaint Details

This house already had a lot of character, so we wanted to give the new space the same feel. Cedar shake siding in the same sage green as the rest of the house lines the interior while white trim and painted exposed ceiling joists lend to the room’s bright, airy feel. A surround of screens on three sides allows for cross-ventilation and a low-profile ceiling fan provides support on particularly hot days. Two glass doors leading into the living room and kitchen provide separation from the main part of the house without feeling disconnected and allowing for sight lines into the yard.

With 160 square feet now available for a few seating areas—and easy access to the patio— this new space is an ideal extension for evening cocktails with friends, enjoying the outdoors over a cup of morning coffee, or curling up with a good book on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The views of the natural backdrop give cottage-in-the-woods vibes that promise to make this spot a fast favorite for both our clients and their guests.

Our clients couldn’t be happier with their new space! More functional than the original deck, and a seamless addition to their home, this back porch is exactly what they wanted as they continue to enjoy their home for many years to come.

Wondering how your outdoor or transitional space can better suit your needs? Flansburg can help—contact us today to schedule a consultation and see what’s possible!

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Stunning Lawrenceville Exterior Renovation Hits All the Right Notes

When does a house become your ideal home? For starters, it has to look the part, which is why an exterior upgrade is often just as important as interior renovations. Our recent Lawrenceville, NJ, clients reached out to our team because their home’s exterior wasn’t anywhere near what they’d envisioned for the space they call home. 

Lawrenceville Home – Before

After living in the house for a few years—and spending that time to carefully plan what they wanted to do — they were ready to give the traditional-style structure a much-needed facelift. On top of the peeling siding, failing roof, and old windows, there were also some architectural elements that needed to be addressed. The front entrance was situated in a spot that didn’t make sense and the existing disjointed decks made entertaining difficult.

With good bones, we knew that a few significant changes could elevate the character and beauty in this historic house.

Beginning With the Basics

Every great renovation begins with a blank slate, so to get this one right, we started by wrapping the entire house, including a new addition in white siding by Hardie. We also installed windows by Marvin, and even put on a new roof.

Since the existing front door didn’t work where it was, we replaced it with a window and cut a space for a new entrance in a spot that was more practical. We also replaced the back door to match.

Overall, we made a point in the design phase of this project to carefully select style elements that would make sense with the house’s existing architecture to create cohesion.

Room for Relaxation

Because nothing beats watching a beautiful morning sunrise, we built a wrap-around front porch with plenty of space to sit, sip a hot morning beverage, and enjoy the views. To add some interest, we elected to use a standing seam metal roof over the porch.

Creating Flow for Entertaining

One of our clients’ biggest pain points was that the existing decks didn’t flow well for when they were hosting family and friends. To create the ultimate entertainment space, we began with adding an enclosed porch that features full window walls, a peaked ceiling with exposed beams, ample seating, and easy access to the surrounding deck.

A perfect spot for grilling summer favorites, the raised deck features plenty of room to maneuver, as well as sliding doors that lead into the main part of the house for easy kitchen access.

Just a few steps down, a spacious stone patio provides lots of room for guests to mingle and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Outdoor Living From All Angles

Whether it’s the sprawling front porch, the upgraded patio and deck, or the new sunroom, our clients can now enjoy outdoor living from any part of the home’s exterior. From simply spending time with one another to planning their next big gathering, there’s a perfect spot for any activity.

With a now gorgeous exterior, new addition, and endless outdoor living space, this house has now become the home that our clients had been dreaming of.

Could your house use a facelift? Flansburg Construction can help — schedule a consultation today to see what’s possible!

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Adding Personality to a Builder-Grade House in Bordentown

The 20-year-old Bordentown, NJ, house our clients recently purchased was full of original, impersonal builder-grade elements that desperately needed some work to reflect the new owners’ personal style. They asked our team to transform the primary bathroom—and remove the enormous corner deck jacuzzi—as well as update the family room fireplace to make it a true focal point in the room.

A Classic Primary Bath

The primary bathroom’s original layout included a huge jacuzzi bath in one corner and a tiny shower stall with an acrylic pan and framed enclosure in another. Both were in bad shape from years of use and didn’t fit the family’s needs or their style, so we eliminated the tub completely and expanded the shower stall into a roomy 6-foot-by-four-foot space. A wide bench and custom niche, add comfort and functionality while a frameless glass enclosure completes the look.

We then replaced the original builder-grade double vanity with a stunning Midnight Blue one with open shelving that stretches 72 inches for extra space on the light gray quartz countertop, a perfect match to the floor tiles. Classic brushed gold mirrors, fixtures, and lighting add a touch of elegance and warmth against the rustic white shiplap walls. For added functionality and full illumination, we installed four recessed lights on a dimmer switch.

Fireplace Facelift

The home’s original understated gas fireplace felt disconnected from the high, vaulted ceiling in the family room, and definitely didn’t match the clients’ eclectic décor. In addition, the placement of the TV meant that it was only visible to about half the seats in the room.

So, we installed a beautiful natural quartz ledger stone feature around the fireplace and all the way up the high wall. A soapstone hearth and rustic barn beam style mantle serve as the finishing touches to this organic focal point. Above the mantle, the TV sits in its new position, perfectly visible to all corners of the family room and adjoining kitchen area.

Our clients absolutely love how these focused transformations have helped their house truly feel like home! Ready to begin your home transformation journey? Schedule a consultation with our team today.

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It’s Time: Why You Should Begin Your Home Remodel Now

While the last few years seemed to set off a remodeling revolution (there’s nothing like being at home 24/7 to spark inspiration), industry setbacks like high costs, long lead times and supply chain issues made it difficult for homeowners to get started on (and complete) their projects.

The good news is that things are finally changing enough for you to start your dream home transformation. As lead times continue to shorten and supply chains run more smoothly, taking on a renovation right now is a sensible move. Your home is your biggest asset, and investing in it will increase its value so you can reap the rewards long term.

Selecting the Right Project Partner

Not all contractors are created equal, and when it comes to your home, you’ll want to select an experienced partner who cares just as much about your vision as you do. We know how overwhelming a remodel can feel, but with Flansburg Construction, you won’t have to put your life on hold for the sake of your project. We closely communicate and consult with our clients throughout the entire process and take care of all the small details, so you don’t have to.

The Difference Maker

It can be difficult to envision your new space based on material samples, mood boards, and 3-D renderings, which is why we love giving our signature personal walkthroughs of previous projects so you can really see what’s possible. No showrooms or vignettes; we proudly stand behind our work, and so do our clients.

Whether you’re ready to update your kitchen or bathroom, remodel your basement, add onto your floor plan or reimage your entire home, Flansburg Construction can help you get the space you’ve always wanted.

Ready to see what’s possible? Schedule a consultation with us today!