This project was inspired by an article in the newspaper regarding the popular trend of high tech audio visual rooms or theater rooms.  The homeowner wanted to create a space to accommodate a large TV, while keeping with an intimate seating arrangement.

The first task was to relocate the existing exercise room.  An existing soffit was modified to create a tray ceiling around the entire room.  A simple oak trim with a dark rich stain was added to give the ceiling more depth.  The walls were insulated and drywalled to keep the noise level down to the rest of the house.  For the much needed storage area for all the electronic equipment, a large oak entertainment center was added.  More cabinetry was added to hide the electrical panel.

Pilasters were created to make the room more elegant.  The walls were overlaid with panels covered with acoustical fabric for sound enhancement.  Wall sconces were added to the pilaster, while recessed lights were strategically placed above the entertainment center.  The room was wired for an eight speaker surround sound system.  These homeowners now have a room to relax and entertain with their family and friends.

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Another award winning project by Bramer Custom Design Inc.

The Eleventh Annual Kentucky Design and Remodeling Award competition of the Home Builder’s Association of Kentucky has awarded the Judge’s Award to Bramer Custom Design in the Kitchen Remodel category. This remodeling project was completed by the Bramer’s Team in the fall of 2007.

This kitchen suffered from an identity problem. It was an attempt to put too many functions in too small of an area. As is typical of most kitchens, the owners decided the planning desk needed to be moved out. There was too much space devoted to bar area and not enough to meal preparation and clean up. Organization of food, utensils, spices, pots and pans, plastic and glass ware was non-existent. The appliances were very dated and some no longer worked. The microwave sat on the countertop. The lighting was inadequate and misplaced. Huge soffits and a closet pantry closed in the space and made it appear smaller than it was. The sink location made a major traffic area too small to enter the kitchen and the door hit the cabinets. A high maintenance floor required constant waxing and in the breakfast, laundry and powder rooms were very cold due to being over a crawl space.

The homeowner’s criteria were to solve all the above issues and not just a few. Removal of all soffits and unnecessary walls to open up the space was mandatory. One pantry wall hid a plumbing stack and furnace duct to an upstairs bath which had to be rerouted. A header had to be lengthened and replaced to span the new space and be hidden in the new ceiling. The kitchen, between a busy laundry-breakfast room and other parts of the house, was a problem. To address the problem as well as the natural light problem, another opening was created to add light and another traffic pattern. The cold floors were addressed with a heated ceramic tile floor and separate thermostats in each room.

Organization of the kitchen was addressed with cabinetry with large full extension soft close drawers for pots and pans, plastic and glass ware, while shallow top drawers handle utensils. Pullout spice racks on both sides of the gas cooktop makes them easily accessible. The microwave now hangs above the counter in a wall cabinet. Double ovens and full size refrigerator frame a 36” gas cooktop. The 48” ventilator captures all and vents out garage roof. A pantry with rollouts now houses what used to take up a large closet. The new peninsula houses a bar/prep sink, ice machine and warming drawer as well as a double pullout trash can. The new opening from the breakfast room provides access to an appliance center/bar for access to coffee and drinks. Traffic in the work triangle is now minimized.  A great functioning kitchen makes for a happy cook.

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