Building and Renovation Resources
I’ve had a number of requests for information on where we got this or that item for our house (and previous renovations). Here’s a list! Feel free to email me at rachael (at) wordarountown (dot) come if you have any specific questions or want recommendations for contractors. In this project as in previous ones, I’ve aimed for high quality, high design and, to the extent possible, environmentally responsible materials at reasonable prices.
Modular Home Builder
Huntington Homes, VT. I can’t speak more highly of these folks. Great to work with, a quality product, outstanding sales and design liaison.
Kitchen Cabinets
We used IKEA boxes and hardware (you can order the cabinets without doors) with custom doors from Scherrs in North Dakota. This is a fantastic combination. The overall product is excellent (IKEA cabs consistently rated very highly on consumer reports) and door quality is much higher/better quality than IKEA while being cost competitive (even when you include shipping). I can’t be happier with the result and the Scherrs people have been great to work with over the years.
Kitchen Hardware
Pulls from MyKnobs.com Asbury Collection and knobs also from MyKnobs.com Liberty Nu-Deco.
Countertops
In this last project, we used IKEA Numerar oak butchblock for our kitchen counters. After extensive online research, we sealed them with Waterlox. Though I bought the “low VOC” sealant this product is now low VOC — it’s very strong in smell and I was happy that we had a couple months before move-in. It took more than that for the smell to go away. That being said, the counters are looking great 9 months later, though we are careful not to leave water on them.
Flooring
We used pre-finished 2 1/4” wood flooring from Green River Lumber (in Great Barrington, MA) that I bought from Highland Hardwoods in Southern New Hampshire. They delivered the flooring. Beautiful product — my contractor thought it was fantastic and the pricing was similar to Lumber Liquidators. We got red birch flooring from Green River Lumber in our last home and it was also exquisite. We used cork flooring from iFloor for upstairs.
Tile
For this house and the last, I got floor tile from Stone Tile Depot. Even with the cost of shipping (from a New Jersey warehouse the tile is very good quality and very price competitive. Great value.
Range Hood
From what I can tell, Euro Kitchen has the most stylish, reasonably priced, and nice quality (i.e. quiet and powerful) range hoods out there. We’ve used them in both of our last projects and have been very happy.
Lighting fixtures
I got light fixtures from Lighting Direct, Overstock.com and occasionally IKEA. Nice selection and good prices.
Bath Fixtures
Grohe. Nice design, high quality, reasonable price. The best value for modern, high quality fixtures that I’ve seen. I ordered through Faucetdirect and customer service and price were excellent (they shipped a number of items directly to Huntington Homes.
Paint Colors
(all by Benjamin Moore)
Exterior: Butterscotch
Exterior Trim: Beesewax
Front Door: Blue Nova
Entry area and hallways: You are My Sunshine
Baths: Moonlight
Living Room: Grape Green
Dining Room/Kitchen: Hibiscus
Guest Rooms: Light House
Master Bedroom and Mohan’s Room: Beesewax