CHARLOTTE, NC - Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel wins a Contractor of the Year (CotY) award for a kitchen remodel in a historic home in Charlotte, NC.

The CotY is awarded to remodeling contractors who demonstrate excellence in design and construction. The Charlotte chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) celebrated its own with awards to contractors in 20 categories on November 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Charlotte.

Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel won for best kitchen in the $80K - $120K category. The remodeled kitchen is in Charlotte's Eastover neighborhood which, from its founding in 1927 to the present day, has been home to the city's financiers, lawyers, and business leaders.

"Remodeling historic homes is not for sissies," says Erin Dougherty, Design Coordinator and Co-Owner of Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel. "Our goal was to create a streamlined, more functional kitchen while still maintaining the integrity of a home built over 75 years ago."

The judges recognized the challenges and innovative solutions which included the removal of a load-bearing wall to improve the flow of the kitchen. Even with the addition of professional-style appliances, the Design / Build team was able to increase counter space.

Layers of general, task and accent lighting are controlled by different switches and dimmers to provide flexibility and improve safety in the kitchen. The real star of the kitchen remodel is the cabinetry, which was custom designed by Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel's cabinetry division, Distinctive Custom Cabinetry. Classic white cabinets with inset doors and exposed hinges are reminiscent of cabinetry from the 1930s.

Renovating old homes requires an experienced General Contractor who specializes in remodeling. "This renovation was pretty complicated. Even the demolition was difficult. Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel did a great job throughout the seven month project. They were never rattled by any of the quirky things you find when renovating an older home. They just figured it out and kept going," says homeowner Danny Johnson.

Another challenge, which is common in older homes, is that the plumbing in the kitchen and electrical system throughout the home had to be brought up to code during the remodel. "This additional cost is something that shocks many homeowners," says Vince Busby, General Contractor and Co-Owner of Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel. "It's more fun to dream about new tile and counter tops," says Busby, "but we can't ignore what's going on behind the walls. Doing that would be like putting lipstick on a pig."

Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel counsels their clients to remodel right even if it means delaying a project until all the design details can be worked out and a realistic budget can be established. This includes setting aside at least ten percent for contingencies. "While we can anticipate many of the surprises lurking beneath the surface in old homes, we don't have x-ray vision," says Busby. "A seasoned remodeling pro will be able to guide you to the most cost-effective solution," he adds.

While this kitchen remodel resulted in a sophisticated transformation befitting a classic old home, it is fundamentally a hard-working space with modern conveniences. Everything old is new again but not without respect for the past. The homeowners are thrilled with the final result and can’t believe how much bigger their kitchen feels even though the footprint did not change.

Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations, whole-house remodels and custom home building. They've remodeled homes in the Charlotte metro area for 16 years and they also build custom homes on Kiawah Island, SC and select communities in the Carolina mountains. See Before and After photos and more details about this award-winning kitchen remodel can be found at: http://www.distinctivedesignbuild.com.

Source: Distinctive Design / Build / Remodel