Designer: Laura Watson ASID, UDCP
Project Manager: Rob Lindeboom CLC
Landscape Design: Marc Aubry, GreenScapes Landscape Company
Read more about this home in both TriVillage & HouseTrends magazines!
An extensive interior remodel included a stunning sunroom addition and backyard upgrades. Inspired by the client’s love for birdwatching and nature, the design features a soothing color palette, expansive picture windows, and thoughtful details throughout.
A small covered patio off the home’s existing dining room was removed to make room for a sunroom addition.
March Aubry from GreenScapes redesigned the entire backyard landscape in which all of the grass was replaced with mulch and hardscapes. Numerous bird friendly plants, bushes and even a water feature were installed to create a suburban wildlife friendly ecosystem. A custom cedar pergola was designed and built by The Cleary Company to provide shade on the new paver patio. The custom wood burning stone fireplace is uniquely positioned at an angle to provide privacy from neighbors.
This beautifully remodeled home features a serene sunroom addition and a stunning backyard transformation. With natural stone pathways, lush landscaping, and a cozy pergola-covered fireplace, it’s the perfect retreat for enjoying nature and peaceful outdoor moments.
Professional photography by Daniel Feldkamp
Read more about this project in HouseTrends Magazine.
AFTER: A tasteful combination of traditional & modern with a warm neutral color palette. The kitchen’s original cabinets were reused. A few custom modifications, a fresh coat of paint and new hardware they look like new.
BEFORE:
The remodeling firm was established in 1994 by George Cleary. In the basement of his home on Edgevale Road in Upper Arlington, he and a small crew began working for friends and family. As a general contractor primarily focused on residential construction, there hasn’t been much that his company hasn’t been hired to build.
It was 2009 when George hired designer Laura Watson to expand the services of his company into a true design-build model. Fast forward to 2018 where the company has grown to 20 employees and over $4million in sales.
Read the full article featured in the May 10, 2018 edition – ThisWeek News Upper Arlington OH – Best of UA 2018
Want to hear what clients have to say about George and The Cleary Company? Watch this video taken at their client appreciation party last fall!
Universal Design isn’t something most homeowners think about when building or remodeling a home, but it is something we discuss frequently with our clients. Aging In Place or Universal Design, both used interchangeably, simply defined is a home designed and built to be used and accessed easily by all people no matter their age, size, or abilities. This universal approach to design and construction is all about planning and details. What products, features, and space planning considerations need to be in place for the space to function for all?
Creating a Universal Design home means that the living spaces are designed with those principles in mind from the beginning and is aesthetically beautiful. Some examples in design, planning, and adaptations that can be made are wider doorways, smooth level flooring, curb free showers with grab bars and benches, no step entryways, lowered countertop work spaces, elevators or stair lifts, accessible electrical outlets and switches, and kitchens that offer multi-level surfaces for people who use a wheelchair or just need to sit while preparing food.
Recently, we had the privilege to speak with Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. an expert on the topic of Universal Design. She and her husband designed their home along with a talented group of architects and designers. The Universal Design Living Laboratory is a marvel of good design that not only works for her, but for everyone. A virtual tour and video tour can be viewed on her website, www.udll.com. What follows are her thoughts on Universal Design, what she’s learned, and what she shares with others.
What does Universal Design mean to you?
Independence, Safety, Accessibility, and Convenience. These are the 4 pillars of what I’ve experienced as a person using a wheelchair. Having a home that enables me to be independent in my daily living is absolutely the right design for our home. All homes should consider designing with Universal Design from the beginning. It isn’t a specialized design, but rather it’s just good design. The home should include features and products that are ergonomic and right for the conditions of the people that live there whether they have a disability or not. The design accommodates everyone. It’s a whole new design framework of thinking about home design.
What adaptations did you make that were harder/easier than you thought?
The pouring of the concrete in the garage was easier than I thought it was going to be. We created two 2-car garages with 2 entrances from the home with no steps. I thought it would be a nightmare to pour the concrete correctly, with the right slope away from the doors, so that when you enter the home there are no steps, just a smooth transition. I imagined how many times, the concrete would have to be jackhammered, removed, and fixed, but it was done right the 1st time. The installers understood the slope and got the gradual grade from the house to the driveway done perfectly the first pour.
I also anticipated that the Franklin County building authorities would have pushback when we showed them the plans that had no step from the garage to the house, which is needed to prevent any carbon monoxide from entering the home. They understood what we were trying to do and approved our plans. We already had in the plans 2 exhaust ceiling fans in the garage that run 24/7 that keeps any possible fumes from entering the home.
Harder? That was watching people install pavers in our landscape. The pavers were being installed so that I could have rollable surfaces on all of the patio areas. It was a tedious process to figure out the pattern and how much gravel and sand to use. Then installing, tamping them down, and leveling took a lot of time. Some of them were installed with a gradual slope and some were edged around retaining walls. This took a long time.
Now that you have lived in your home, what would you change?
Actually we are getting ready to make a change now. We found a new product from ShelfGenie. They are going to be a contributor to the home and will be installing roll out shelving under the kitchen and bathroom sinks and some pull down shelving in the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. This will give me more convenience, storage, reachability, and accessibility. I can only reach so high in a cabinet so this will be a huge help to me. I was delighted when I learned about this product and that they are willing to be a contributor. We will have before and after photos on our website so that people that visit can see the significance of their products.
What are the key elements that you recommend to keep in mind when building or remodeling their home?
Look at the ROI (return on investment) over the long haul. Many people are shortsighted as they think about remodeling and don’t think they need the wider 36” doors, grab bars in the shower or no step entrance from the garage. They just don’t understand there are advantages to the family over the long term when designing a home using Universal Design. Spend the money and do it right the first time. Listen to the design team that is working with you that knows more than you do about staying in your home for the long tem versus paying to live in an assisted living facility because suddenly you don’t have a home that serves your needs. There can be tremendous value to having Universal Design elements in your home. The key here is value. What is the value versus cost? You have to look at this over the long term of living in your home.
When someone visits your Universal Design Living Laboratory, what is the one aspect of Universal Design they now understand that they didn’t before?
It’s beautiful, not institutional, very attractive, and they want it. Universal Design has so much to offer. They see it in its form here as a demonstration home and say, “Wow, I wish we had this. Why didn’t we do that? Why don’t we go home and talk about this?”
Designer Manager Laura Watson has an accreditation in Universal Design (UDCP) from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). In 2015 Our Team visited with Rosemarie and her husband, Mark, at the Universal Design Living Laboratory click here to see photos from our field trip!
Thinking outside the house, The Cleary Company completely transforms their client’s backyard creating an outdoor living space that expands the useable entertaining space and enjoyment of their clients and this Upper Arlington, OH home.
The clients are a professional dual-income couple in their late 50’s with no children currently living at home. They enjoy hosting gatherings with family and friends, particularly in outdoor settings, making entertaining a central aspect of their lifestyle. Their design style leans contemporary with open, inviting spaces that blend indoor and outdoor living while maintaining functionality an livibility.
Constructed a home addition and outdoor living upgrades that included a new screened porch with plenty of space for large gatherings, a ceiling fan and two-sided fireplace that can be enjoyed inside or out, and a TV mounted above the fireplace for enjoying afternoon football games. The project involved constructing a 406-square-foot wide-open screened porch designed to seamlessly accommodate both entertaining and dining. Including removing and reusing existing landscaping, hardscaping, lighting, and electrical components from the backyard to maximize resource efficiency. The porch framing features a clipped corner on one end, thoughtfully designed to integrate an indoor/outdoor fireplace. The new space embodies a simple, clean, and fresh aesthetic, blending transitional style elements that combine traditional and contemporary details. By extending the use of the clients’ beautiful backyard, the large screened porch provides a versatile, open environment perfect for gatherings and relaxation.
BEFORE: The original rectangular-shaped screened porch was narrow, leaving room for just a few chairs and side tables, but no dining table. It was also disconnected from the small outdoor paver patio.
Project Year: 2016 | Project Cost: $75,001 – $100,000
Read more about this project in TriVillage Magazine.
Are you thinking of adding a screened porch or other room to your home? We can help! Contact our Client Relations Coordinator by scheduling a call, click here, or by visiting the Contact page on our website.
Read more about this home and our clients’ remodeling journey through the years in CityScene Magazine.
Home Office – Basement Project | Project Year: 2017 | Project Cost: $75,001 – $100,000
Transitional-style design-build interior remodel project focused on refreshing two of the home’s most frequently used spaces. The updates included new paint, custom cabinetry, and flooring in each room, creating a polished and cohesive look. The home office also received modern tech upgrades, featuring Adorne products by Legrand for enhanced functionality and style.
Pool Deck Project | Project Year: 2016 | Project Cost: $25,001 – $50,000
See more photos of this project on our Houzz profile!
Are you ready to start your home remodeling journey? Contact our Client Relations Coordinator by scheduling a call by clicking here or submitting a project inquiry form by clicking here.
A native of Columbus, OH, George Cleary has been in the remodeling business for over 35 years. He founded The Cleary Company in 1994 with $10,000, a computer, a truck, some tools and a few of his buddies. He attributes his success to his honesty, integrity and his ability to build such a wonderful team. George is happy to be part of enhancing properties in the neighborhoods where he lives and works.
“The thing I love most is being part of the emotion of a remodeling project. Translating a customer’s vision into a design and then building their dream is the best part of what we do. This coupled with working with great friends makes what I do so rewarding”.
George is active with the local chapter of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and nationally with Remodeler’s Advantage (RA). The company has always maintained an A+ excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). By volunteering his time and enthusiasm to various community, church and school activities George feeds his passion of connecting with people and having fun.
A 1984 graduate of Bishop Watterson High School, he’s also the proud father of 3 BWHS graduates, who all went on to earn their college degrees at the University of Dayton. George has been happily married to his bride, Cathy (Brownlee), for over 30 years. His hobbies are camping, fishing, enjoying live music and spending time with his large Irish Catholic family and many friends. He enjoys having his best pal Russell, his 13yr old Golden Retriever, in the office each day.
Ruthanne Hanlon, PPG’s National Color + Design Manager, recently chatted with us about color design trends and what impact this may have on our homes for 2018. Color can create a new vision, a different feel to a room, or just a long-awaited change to the space. We were excited Ruthanne could join us at our February 20th Wine & Design Open House where she presented the 2018 Color forecast to 18 local Interior Designer members of ASID! We love her insight and are excited to share her thoughts with you.
What colors are trending for 2018?
Based on industry shows and consumer requests we’re seeing shades of blue, soft off-whites and warmer neutrals trending in both residential and commercial spaces. Dark hues are in abundance as well, including black or shades of black. The fear of darker colors has decreased drastically and many are embracing the dramatic effects dark colors provide.
What changes do you see color having in our homes this year?
Grays have been trending for ten years now. With many people looking for something new and fresh, warmer versions have been on the rise. Dark colors have become widely accepted for walls, furnishings and more. Shifting from cool grays to warmer versions will impact the overall mood of a space, making them less somber and more comfortable and inviting. The introduction of dark colors provides stability and interest.
What colors will remain popular?
Warmer grays, mineral blues, soft off-whites and shades of black or near blacks.
What impacts color trends each year?
World events. Everything from the economy, major national disasters, demographics and the political climate impacts how we live our lives and the spaces we want to surround ourselves with.
What do you think is important when choosing colors for a home?
Color schemes should be based on personal preference and which feel best to us. Referencing trends helps edit our choices but it’s critical we make our final selections based on which we like most and compliments the other elements in our spaces; flooring, furniture, etc.
What colors should we avoid in our homes and why?
There’s no such thing as a bad color. If it compliments and coordinates with the other colors in the space and appeals to you, it’s the right color.
Has this conversation inspired you to paint or change a room or rooms in your home? If you’re looking to remodel, Our Team is ready to help your family. Whether you’re searching for timeless transitional, contemporary, industrial modern, or a style somewhere in between, The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH wants to be your home remodeling company, and we have a “colorful” palette of plans, ideas, and colors perfect for you. Contact us to get started!
Our thanks to Ruthanne Hanlon for her expertise in sharing her knowledge with all of us.
If you would like to join us for our next Wine & Design event please click here for more details and to RSVP!
In 2017, we were thrilled to win our very first NARI Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) award. Just one year later, we are honored and beyond excited to announce that our team has been awarded three NARI Regional CotY awards!
Of the four projects that earned CotY recognition from NARI of Central Ohio this past December, three have gone on to receive additional accolades in NARI’s East Central Region! This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication, creativity, and craftsmanship.
The journey doesn’t stop there—National award winners will be announced on April 20th in Charlotte, NC, at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Evening of Excellence. We’re eagerly looking forward to this special event!
We also want to extend a huge congratulations to the other four NARI of Central Ohio members who were honored with Regional CotY awards. Together, Central Ohio remodelers brought home an impressive total of 12 awards—a remarkable achievement for the local remodeling community.
Watch these highlight videos from each award-winning project!
