OUR BLOG
OUR BLOG
Check out what’s happening with Myers Constructs as well as the latest news and trends in home renovation.
Big Reveal: The Crown Jewel of Our Fairmount Project
Looking upward at the ceiling of the cupola. This week, the gorgeous historic reproduction stained glass clerestory windows were installed in the cupola of this 19th Century twin home in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood, and we couldn't be more pleased with the results. The view you see here is the interior of what is essentially a "folly" that is original to the building, and cantilevers out from the side of the house over the side yard. On the exterior, these new windows are surrounded by a new copper tile roof, and they look like little jewels against the wonderful sage green paint color chosen for the outside of the structure. Stay tuned for updates as this room gets interior paint and a fancy new light fixture, and we bring closure to the large-scale renovation of this beautiful historic home.
Experience: The Best Solution for Unexpected Renovation Issues
We recently began a full-scale renovation of this Flourtown kitchen. At the outset of the project, the homeowner explained to us that the existing space had been renovated about 10 years earlier, but it didn't retain its value and hadn't worn well during that time. What began as a relatively straightforward kitchen replacement project, however, soon became complicated by some unforeseen issues that we found once we opened up the walls. Luckily, our experience has equipped us with a few solutions to most problems we come across, so we were able to identify and correct the issues to bring them into compliance while keeping costs under control. What's more, this customer is very knowledgeable about the systems in her home, so she understood that these were important fixes, and she could visualize how the multiple steps would come together. What we found: Problem #1 - The second-story bathroom drain pipe[...]
Tamara Myers on The Value of Adaptive Reuse
Concrete Windows! This past week, I was honored to visit The Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, to present a speech on Adaptive Reuse to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. The museum, which houses an enormous collection of tools and products from pre-Industrial Revolution American artisans, provided the perfect venue for this event. Henry Mercer — a true "maker" — was an early pioneer of sustainable practices who conceived of and built that museum for the LONG term! Unusual for its time, the building is made entirely of concrete, including not only the foundation and walls, but also the roof and windows. As a window expert, I just had to smile when I saw those concrete windows again. Myers Constructs was founded upon the philosophy that renovating existing structures helps folks raise the quality of their lives in their homes, businesses, or institutions. Over[...]
Announcing Our New Private-Label Cabinetry Line: Myers Made™
Here at Myers Constructs, we have been designing, selling, and installing cabinetry for almost 30 years. Last year, we decided we could improve upon the options currently on the market by creating our own custom line of cabinetry. Our priority was finding a great quality product that was built regionally to our specifications and standards. We couldn't be more pleased to announce that, after a lot of research and negotiations, we found a manufacturer with great systems and talented, hard-working people who will create them for us. The name of our new private label line of cabinetry is Myers Made™, in honor of our company co-founder, head designer, kitchen and bath design expert, Tamara Myers. The Back Story Tamara spent at least a decade designing, building, and selling kitchens and bath cabinets before co-founding Myers Constructs, Inc., in 1998. Before that, she worked as a carpenter in the field during[...]
In the Works: Penny Tile Bathroom
We're in the final stages of the "Penny Tile Bathroom" makeover in our Fairmont whole-house project. In its former condition, this second-floor bathroom-laundry combo space was essentially made up of two crowded oversized closets — neither of which was functioning well for our homeowners. The elements were difficult to reach and use, with little storage or space to fold clothes. Unacceptable for such a crucial room of the house! Our solution? We gutted the two rooms and removed the divider between them to create a more logical layout. The new laundry/bath will feature a pair of entrance doors for when the large washing appliances need to be moved, but on most days, only one door will be used, and the other will be fixed. The tub niches are on two heights to enable showering and bathing for both children and adults, and there will be a nice stone-topped bench for[...]
In the Works: A Cottage by the Sea
We occasionally work with developers on a variety of residential or small commercial renovations. Recently, we were asked to help with this speculative house project that one of our developers has lined up in Cape May, NJ. At just under 1500 sf, the house is a quaint "four square" with off-street parking and a nice yard on a quiet residential street, within walking distance to town and the beach. You can see from the photos that the house has good bones and some nice original features. However, it currently has no heating system, A/C, or hot water, and it needs a lot of cosmetic work, including a good paint job inside and out, a new roof, a new kitchen and main bath, a powder room tune up, and some landscaping. The developer's goal is to provide overall enhancements and to impart more of a shore-style feel to the home. More[...]
Fighting the Big Chill: Radiant Floor Heating
One of the most effective ways to make a cold space more comfortable during the Fall and Winter months is to install radiant floor heating. We have done this in many projects, including our current Fairmount whole-house renovation and this Flourtown rancher, where we converted a former breezeway into a warm, welcoming entryway. The wiring is installed on top of the subfloor, then covered over with floor leveler before the finished flooring is installed. The heat is controlled via a wall switch — requiring only about as much energy as an incandescent lightbulb. A very efficient way to warm cold feet! Image: Damon Landry
Summer Vacation Memories Inspire Fall Renovation Plans
Although we all feel sad to see the summer come to a close, we find that this is a great time to look back on your vacation memories and use them as inspiration for updating and beautifying your home for the fall. Perhaps you stayed in a delightful vacation home or a posh hotel room with details you wished you could replicate, or you simply experienced a lovely, relaxed vibe that you want to recreate now that summer is over. The good news? We believe there is no reason your home can't feel as nice as — or better than! — a luxurious vacation destination. A great place to start is examining outdoor spaces, including patios, grottos, and decks. Investing in upgrading these features can enhance your everyday quality of life and give you a great place to unwind, read a book, or enjoy a glass of wine at the[...]
Update: Historic Cupola Restoration
During the coming weeks, our crew will be making impressive headway on our Fairmount cupola restoration, including: installation of new wood decking removal of seven layers of roofing from old flat roof closure of the old chimney opening installation of a new flat rubber roof and skylight a senior expert copper craftsman will be called in to install the new copper roof historic reproduction windows for the openings are done and awaiting installation, but we are keeping them off site to protect from damage Stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for photos of our progress!
In the Works: Fairmount Project Color Reveal
This week, we are finally approaching the "fun stuff" on our Fairmount project! Our exterior painters are on site prepping for the elaborate Victorian-schemed painting work shown in this rendering created by our color consultant. Inside, the framing is ready for the new mechanicals to be installed. HVAC and electrical are going in now, and the plumbing rough-in is complete. Once these are inspected and approved, we can move on to insulation and drywall.
