Category: Design / Build
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Elegant Bathroom Transformations in a Historic Atherton Estate
SEE PHOTOS AND PROJECT DETAILS Historic estates often possess extraordinary architectural character, yet their interior layouts don’t always reflect the comfort and spaciousness homeowners expect today. That was precisely the opportunity presented in this turn-of-the-century Atherton estate, where we were asked to reimagine three bathrooms while preserving the home’s traditional charm. Our objective was to…
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Historic Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry Remodel in San Jose
FROM THE HOMEOWNER: “Hammerschmidt Design + Build did a great job balancing our desire to be true to the history of the house with our goal to create a beautiful and functional home incorporating our transitional style. The quality of the work is outstanding.” – Brian and Wendy Brennan SEE PHOTOS AND PROJECT DETAILS When the owners…
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“Living Large in 1,100 Square Feet” The Must-See Transformation
FROM THE HOMEOWNER: “We appreciate the rear stairs, bathroom tile, stone shower, and floors; removal of library door (absence of extraneous features is a positive feature), matching of superstructure to the existing foundation (non-square issues); beautiful, stained wood window/door frames and molding—all mitered, all perfectly-matched. The overall solidity of construction- there’s nothing “fake” in the…
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Year in Review: The Most Popular Home Remodeling Trends of 2025
As we close out the year, it’s clear that home remodeling in 2025 is less about chasing the next fad and more about designing spaces that work smarter, feel better, and reflect your priorities. From eco-conscious materials to tech-savvy upgrades, here are the standout trends that defined home makeovers this year. Sustainability & Energy Efficiency…
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HolidayHosting:Quick Upgradesto Make Your Home Festive and Welcoming
The holidays are almost here, and that means opening your home to family and friends! Whether it’s a formal dinner or a casual visit, you want your home to feel warm, inviting, and utterly festive. You don’t need a costly renovation or days of work to make a big impression. With a few strategic upgrades,…
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Transform your Bathroom from Functional to Fabulous with Layered Lighting
What’s the difference between a basic bathroom and a stunning, relaxing retreat? Often, it’s the lighting. A well-designed lighting plan can transform your bathroom from a purely functional room into a beautiful, versatile space. By layering three types of light—ambient, task, and accent—you can create a remodel that’s perfectly tailored to every moment of your…
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Why Mudrooms Are a Must-Have
Walk into most homes with kids and you’ll see a similar scene: a jumble of shoes, coats, and bags near the door. Mudrooms solve this problem by creating a transitional space that acts as a buffer between the outdoors and your main living areas. Typically located near a side door or garage, a mudroom is…
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Emerging Home Design Trends for 2026
Thinking about giving your home a fresh new look? We’ve been looking ahead to 2026, considering the current trends and the preferences we hear from homeowners, and here’s what we’ve found. Several trends are currently shaping the interior design landscape, including a focus on sustainability and biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements to bring nature…
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Rest Assured
Whether you are planning a full bathroom renovation or making small improvements to an existing bath, shower seating can increase the safety and comfort of your room. Installing a shower bench decreases the amount of time you stand in the shower which eases the strain on your body but most importantly, as part of aging-in-place…
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Remodeling Horror Stories
The fodder of cocktail party conversations, everyone has had, or knows someone who has had, a horrible experience with a contractor and is happy to share it. What homeowners often don’t realize is that the traditional Design – Bid – Build process is inherently flawed and that they may have inadvertently contributed to creating their…