Three years ago Jackie dreamed of owning an assisted living facility. To help make her dream a reality, she was referred to Andrus Built for both their real estate and renovations expertise! In 2011 Jackie had her dream building – just not her dream design. However, what started out as a home for one turned into a warm and welcoming assisted living home for the elderly with the help of Andrus Built. “I wanted to renovate a large home into a multi-tenant facility,” explains facility owner, Jackie. Built in 1999, the single family home, while large and spacious was not properly equipped to handle multiple residents of varying degrees of mobility.
To begin with, all of the home’s carpets, counter tops and walls were upgraded and replaced. The outside of the property received a face lift as well, complete with custom-made flower boxes built by Andrus. A sliding glass door was also cut into an outside wall allowing residents access to a custom-built deck.
To make the home accessible to all, a long ramp, built to handicap-accessible specifications, was constructed in the garage. Next, Andrus Built worked with an elevator installation expert to place a 750-pound capacity commercial elevator in the home. In preparation of the monstrous device the kitchen was modified to include an elevator frame and shaft.
Jackie relied on Doug and his 
team heavily through this part of the process as the group worked to determine where the elevator should be located: “Doug entertained several locations. His ability to analyze where the elevator would land on the lower level from the upper level was phenomenal…I couldn’t visualize that at all. He worked very cooperatively and met with the elevator installation folks on specifications for this addition several times,” Jackie recalled.
The end result was a functional amenity that meshed well with the overall aesthetic of the home! The addition of the elevator not only allowed multi-floor access for wheel chair bound residents, it also made weekly tasks, such as hauling laundry from one floor to the next, easier for all!
The project was expedited by the knowledgeable Andrus Built team. “Doug was very instrumental in getting contractors specialized in each area to assist with selections. It would have taken me months to decide on all this if it had not been for Doug!” explained Jackie.
And the end result? A dream come true for Jackie and a new home for her residents!
Tags: assisted living home renovation, remodeling company st. paul mn, renovation to assisted living home, st. paul remodelers, white bear lake remdelers
We don’t know about you, but there are few things that we find quite as promising as the untapped potential of an unfinished space, like that lying in the basement recesses of many of our homes. Turn your next round of home renovation efforts towards your basement and turn an unfinished space into the bonus room you have always wanted. Consider one of these project options when it comes time to transform your basement from a dark and dreary dungeon into a room that your family will love to use for years to come!
Home Theater:
Are you looking to avoid long lines and
exorbitant ticket prices? Bring your theater viewing experience into your home. The ideal space for a home theater is 20’ in length and
13’ feet in width. However, home theaters can be constructed through something as dramatic as building a theater wing off your basement family room, to something as simple as converting a spare bedroom that is at least 12’ x 12.’
Common elements of a home theater remodel include insulating interior walls to help contain sound and pre-wiring your room’s surround sound system for optimum audio quality. Create great lines of sight by sloping the floors to aid screen viewing, installing theater seating, or by relying on platforms to form graduated seating. Installing wall sconce lighting and other dimming light options, will create the perfect viewing atmosphere.
Basement Bar:
Are you still looking for that bar where everybody knows your name? Build your own in the form of a basement bar. For the most entertainment options, consider a wet bar complete with a sink and
plumbing system. In addition to the bar itself, great bar projects should also include conversational seating and entertainment in the form of a billiards table, jukebox, or television focal point! For the wine connoisseur in your family, consider adding a climate controlled wine cellar.
Craft Space:
Are you looking for the perfect room to complete your scrapbook, finish a sewing
project, or just work on crafts with the kids? A dedicated space is perfect for the home crafter! Open work spaces, bright lights, and plenty of storage space for supplies and works in-progress will help turn your drab basement into an inspirational retreat.
Tags: basement finishing ideas, basement remodeling ideas, fun ideas basement finishing, north st. paul remodeling, st. paul remodeler, st. paul remodeling, white bear lake remodelers
From all of us here at Andrus Built, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! May the holiday season bring you pleasant memories and much happiness.
Tags: andrus built north st. paul builder, happy new year, merry christmas
This story was featured in our summer newsletter. Since we received such great feedback from it we wanted to share it with everyone!
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- New Addition
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- New Kitchen
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- Front of Home
Though each of our clients’ projects and homes are unique, every now and then we meet someone whose story is truly exceptional. Eric is one of those people. In 2008 Eric contacted Andrus after realizing that he had gone to high school with one of Doug’s cousins. He had been looking for a contractor for some time and was happy to find someone who not only had the professional credentials he desired, but who was also personally connected to his family. Since family, after all, was the driving force behind the project.
In 1991 Eric’s mother passed away from cancer leaving Eric, his father, his sister, and his two brothers, one of whom is developmentally disabled. Built in 1974, the family home had served its owners well for many years. But with his aging father’s decreased mobility came a series of realizations that the house could no longer function properly in its current condition. There was no way for people to enter the house through the garage, forcing them to walk around to the front door every time, and the layout of the interior didn’t support the single-floor lifestyle Eric’s father was transitioning into.
Initially Eric suggested the possibility of his father moving into a new house entirely, but his father’s answer was immediate and steadfast. Not only was this the home he had shared with his late wife, but it was also the place where his developmentally disabled son, Tom, came to visit him each and every month. He wasn’t going anywhere.
So, Eric came up with a new option. He began working with an architect to discuss some rough ideas for renovating the house, and in 2008 he met with Doug to further develop those ideas and turn them into a practical reality.
Over the course of three years Eric and Doug worked together to make the house more single-floor living friendly. They remodeled the kitchen, pantry, laundry room, basement bedroom, basement bathroom, upstairs bathroom, and deck, and added an accessibility addition with an entry so that Eric’s father no longer had to walk to the front of the house every time he wanted to go in. Eric’s father was living in the home throughout the entire process, so it was essential that each project went as smoothly and quickly as possible. The sub-contractors were always on time, and Doug was always right there with them when he needed to be. Often, Doug would be the one sweeping up at the end of the day.
The end result was a huge success. The open floor plan supports a single-floor lifestyle, but is still spacious enough for family gatherings and holidays. Eric’s father can finally live comfortably in his own home, and Eric couldn’t be happier with his Andrus Built experience.
“It is very clear to me that Doug does what he does because he loves it–all of it, and it shines through in the quality of his work. In the Twins Cities Metro area, he is the only builder I recommend.”
Tags: home renovation, house addition, kitchen remodel, st. paul remodeler, st. paul remodeling company
We would like to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving! May the good things of life be yours in abundance, not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the coming year!
Want to spice up your home and banish those winter blues with some winter whimsy? Lucky for you the world’s leading color expert, Pantone, has come out with a 2011/2012 winter color palette that is sure to do just that. Appropriately titled “Wonder,” the winter color guide focuses on three main themes: Blue Sky, which represents fantasy and freedom; Science, which represents the marvel of discovery and exploration; and The Cult of Nothing, which represents the fun of rediscovery and appreciating the slow moments in life.
Nice ideas, but maybe a bit too abstract to glean any real decorating tips from, you say? Well, Pantone’s got your back. Here are some more specific breakdowns of the themes and the paint colors that go with them.
Blue Sky
Embracing imagination and fairytales, the Blue Sky theme suggests balancing rich, cool tones (like reds and browns) with airy neutrals (tans and beiges) to create an ethereal but calming feeling.
Science
Pantone breaks this theme down into three palettes: Pharmaceutical (brown, beige, and pink bases), Crystal Formations (warm, shimmery tones like reds, roses, and rouges), and 100% Pure (bolder, more striking colors like cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).
The Cult of Nothing
A bit more intangible than the others, The Cult of Nothing theme is also broken down into three parts: Family Ties (“A complex grouping of close tones that emerge out of the shadows. The colors in the half-light become de-saturated, creating a dreamy and tender softness,” according to the Pantone website), Surprise of Being (neutrals combined with oxygenated greens), and Lunar (calm greys cut up with surprising reds and softened with calm golds).
If this guide still isn’t enough inspiration for you to whip out the paintbrush and create your own winter “Wonder”-land, have no fear! The Pantone website is full of color suggestions for any season or personality. Who knows? Maybe the best way to banish the winter blues is to decorate your home in summer colors! For more color ideas, tips, and tricks, visit the official Pantone website.
Tags: interior decorating, interior design, painting, Pantone, winter colors, winter tones
Have some little ones that can eat more sugar in one night than you’ve eaten in your entire life, but can’t handle the spooks and scares of regular night of trick-or-treating? Luckily, there are tons of events in Saint Paul this holiday season made especially for you and your treat-loving tots. Get the spirit of the season without the sobs by skipping a spooky night in the neighborhood and checking out these cool events instead.
What: ZooBoo
Where: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
When: October 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30. 4:30-7:30pm
ZooBoo is an annual family-friendly Halloween festival aimed at children between the ages of 3-10 that takes place on the Como Zoo grounds. Children are encouraged to dress up, explore the magically transformed zoo, get their fill of treats, and interact with over 200 live costumed characters. Tickets are $7, but you can feel good knowing that all the proceeds are going right back into supporting this event and the free Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 365 days a year.
For more information visit the ZooBoo website!
What: Old Time Halloween
Where: Gibbs Museum (2097 West Larpenteur Avenue)
When: October 30. Noon – 4pm
Here’s a tricky concept: Halloween can be both fun and educational. If you want your child’s Halloween to have a little more substance this year (other than than the chocolate and caramel kind), check out this great all-ages event at the Gibbs Museum near the University of Minnesota campus in Saint Paul. Get a slice of history with your piece of candy and take the trick-or-treaters over to Jane Gibbs historic house. Activities include making popcorn balls, searching for pennies in a haystack, and drinking a sweet cup of good old fashioned cider. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for Seniors, and $5 for children (ages 2-16).
Tags: family friendly, gibbs farm, halloween, roseville, saint paul, trick or treat, zooboo
If you have ever been to the Minnesota State Fair you probably recognize the haunted house from the photos below! It is a pretty memorable structure at the fair. We recently had the pleasure of adding some new stairs for them – take a look at the second photo. So the next time you are at the fair and pass the haunted house, you might just think about those nice looking stairs that Andrus Built helped with (we can hope, right?!).
Tags: n st. paul remodelers, news stairs, remodel new staircase, remodeling company st. paul mn, st. paul remodelers, state fair haunted house remodel
We know, we know, it seems like just yesterday you were sitting out on the pontoon, slurping down a Popsicle and watching the sun set in 90 degree heat, or strolling through the Midway, washing down a gooey mouthful of State Fair Cheese Curds with a delicious milkshake from the dairy barn. Well, as much as we’d like to travel with you back to that simpler time when all you had to worry about was when to turn the hot dogs over, fall is officially here and it’s time to get you and your house ready both mentally and physically.
Getting your house fully prepped for the coldest months can be quite an ordeal, but since we’re only in the midst of sweatshirt weather let’s just take it one step at a time and deal with the simplest issues first.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
1) Clean your carpets and rugs.
Pretty soon you’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors, and a musty carpet can make a case of cabin fever about ten times worse. This is especially important if you have pets, since we all know they can get into (and roll around in!) a lot of dirty trouble during those sticky summer months.
2) Check weather stripping around windows and doors.
Don’t wait until the first snowstorm of winter blows a few snowflakes in your lap while you’re napping on the couch. Take care of weather proofing now and avoid any freezing cold mishaps later. Even if you won’t be turning the heat on for a few more months, keeping your house warm and cozy throughout fall will make it easier to transition into the below-zero temperatures soon to come.
3) Get your chimney cleaned and your firewood stacked.
There’s nothing worse than snuggling down for a relaxing evening in front of the fireplace only to realize that too much soot has built up in your chimney to burn safely and you forgot to get the wood ready to boot. If you regularly order your firewood from an outside company, make sure you have a place in your garage or shed cleared before the clutter of oncoming lawn furniture takes over all the space. If you chop your own firewood, well, let’s just say your hands will thank you come December!
For more fall maintenance tips, check out this helpful guide from The Daily Green!
Tags: carpet cleaning, fall, fall home prep, fireplace maintenance, home maintenance, home weather proofing, winter home maintenance
When remodeling your home you have a lot to choose from in terms of design. One element that is sometimes overwhelming is choosing the style and finish you want for your fixtures. The finish of fixtures in a living space can give a room a completely different look. Here are a few finishes that give different looks:
Metal fixtures come in a variety of colors and textures. The materials range from iron, chrome, nickel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, and pewter. Each of these materials has different finishes that give of a certain style. For instance, choosing a stainless steel finish opposed to a bronze would give the room a more contemporary modern feel while the bronze would give more of a vintage look.
Glass is another option for fixtures. The options for glass are limitless. There are many different looks you can get from glass that will each give their own little character to a room. Using glass fixtures would be great in a county chic space.
Wood fixtures would be good for any room that has a rustic, vintage, or craft style feel to it. Using different woods would give any room a more warm feeling, great for cabins or log homes.
Another option to personalize your fixture is to paint them. This way you can customize what look and feel you want to portray in your space. Painted fixtures can be made out of a diverse range of materials, but most are a type of metal.
Remember, when you are remodeling your space, make it yours and make it something to talk about.
Tags: choosing fixtures for your home, creative remodeling ideas, fixtures for your bath, remodeling kitchen fixtures, remodeling st. paul, wood fixtures
