Project Spotlight: The 1st floor of this 1940’s traditional 2-story Colonial home in Upper Arlington, OH was transformed into an expansive bright, open concept fresh interior. Tight spaces were opened up allowing natural light to flow from the front thru the back of the home.
Existing Floorplan – Main living spaces on 1st floor all separated by too many walls with narrow openings.
Proposed Floorplan – Main living spaces are all opened up to one another allowing for better flow, function and views.
After – Living, Dining & Family rooms were all opened allowing natural light to flow throughout the home.
1st floor open concept remodel scope of work included:
Paint 1st floor walls and trim
Refinish all existing hardwood and add new hardwood to foyer and where walls were removed
Open up or remove walls between living, dining & family rooms
Install rustic wood beams for architectural interest and to visually separate the spaces
Build & install new bench seating with storage cabinets in family room
Build & install new storage cabinets in dining room
Upgrade staircase with all new rails, posts and balusters plus remove wall on stairwell to basement
After – new staircase and front entry.
You can learn more details about this project, including viewing additional photos and seeing the project cost range on our Houzz profile. Watch a video tour of this home remodel on our YouTube channel!
Project Spotlight: An extensive whole house remodel of a 7,600sf home built in 1958 included gutting a majority of the home’s interior, removing an atrium and building a new family room. Check out the feature profile in the 2022 spring edition of Excellence in Design Central & Southwest Ohio in Architectural Digest!
Our clients relocated to Columbus to be closer to their grandchildren and needed their new home remodeled to function for family gatherings and their love of entertaining guests.
Key structural changes included removing the atrium along with several walls allowing the new interiors to take advantage of natural light and unobstructed views out the front and rear windows. The staircase in the foyer was rebuilt to open up the foyer and create flow in the floorplan.
A referral from George’s cousin yields great results for a new client’s bathroom remodel. An older home in Worthington, OH with a bathroom that had some minor renovations done to it previously just wasn’t the right style for Amy and Doug. They decided it was time for a renovation of their guest bathroom. Little did they know, but a friend of theirs had a cousin with a remodeling company and made a recommendation to them. That company was The Cleary Company. The rest, they say, is history! Their bathroom didn’t involve changing plumbing, removing walls, or drastically changing the footprint, but they talked with our Team about their remodeling needs.
Client Profile: Q & A – Amy & Doug
Why did you select Cleary for your bathroom remodel?
We have a friend who used to flip houses and had previously done some work for us. We asked him whom he would suggest, and he recommended his cousin George Cleary. We reached out and were impressed with the remove and replace bathroom division. This is a guest bathroom so didn’t need to knock down walls or change the existing footprint, just demo old and replace with new everything.
What did you like best about the process?
Going into it, we knew this was a small project and we had talked to a few other companies before asking our friend for a recommendation. We got the impression from these other companies that we were just a small project and not really worth their time. We understood that, as we didn’t really expect any special treatment, but we wanted someone to care about our project.
We loved the Team as soon as we met. We knew from the first meeting that our small project was a fit. They would help us create our vision and make it what we wanted. They knew our guest bathroom was important to us. We wanted value-added and to come in with our ideas, but we also wanted to hear, “Ok, but have you thought about this?” That is exactly what Coury gave us, his knowledge of materials and design. The process was so easy!
What was your favorite part of working with The Cleary Company?
We appreciate working with them. The bathroom remodeling Team provided us with continuity, accountability, and trust. We connected with them and felt comfortable having them in our house. As the project progressed, we found out one of the guys working on the bathroom went to high school with my son—a fun surprise! Another wonderful aspect about working with them was that with the supply chain issues if something arrived damaged, wasn’t available, or would not arrive in time, Coury was able to pivot and get us other materials that worked as well, if not better, making sure we didn’t lose any time.
Were there any unique features or changes you desired for your bath remodel?
We wanted it to be more modern and updated, with simple clean lines. We love how it turned out. Coury took our ideas and really made them shine. The glass pivot shower door is one of our favorite parts. It opens up a small space. We couldn’t be happier.
Custom furniture style vanity with lighting underneath.Tub / Shower combo with porcelain panels, recessed shelf, and ceramic tile accent wall.
What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their bathroom?
Talk to The Cleary Company. They make you feel like you are going to get exactly what you want and it isn’t going to be difficult. When you talk to them, you’ll know they understand your vision and what you need. They are the guys you want on your job because they make it a smooth process.
If you could describe your bathroom remodeling experience in three words, what would you say?
Better than expected! We’re not saying we didn’t have good expectations, because we did, but this project exceeded our expectations.
Would you recommend The Cleary Company to your friends and neighbors?
Absolutely. They just make you feel like your project is the most important thing to them. They do splendid work and when they are at your house, your project is their priority.
Is a bathroom remodel in your future? Contact their Client Relations Coordinator to start the conversation! Call 614-459-4000 or schedule a phone call on their website.
This existing 1995 suburban kitchen was dark, dated and due for a refresh. Although there were no changes to the kitchen’s footprint, there were significant upgrades in function with the addition of customized storage and an updated appliance layout.
Soffits were removed to make room for taller wall cabinets. The appliance locations were moved to create a better flow of workspace. The island stayed the same size, but storage was maximized with deep drawers and specialized pullouts.
Schaad & Sons custom cabinets – perimeter painted PPG Enduring Ice w/ Vandyke Brown glaze & island painted Sherwin Williams Cocoon w/ Vandyke Brown glaze
Check out this interview with our clients in Dublin Life magazine!
After 26 years in the same home with only minor improvement projects, the Wilsons agree that their first major renovation was a win. “It was a very positive experience,” Dave says.
In 2015, a natural gas explosion in Betsy’s Upper Arlington, OH neighborhood created a change to her remodeling timeline. She’d been discussing multiple remodeling projects in her 1950’s ranch with George but had planned to begin when she retired. Circumstances changed due to damage her home sustained from the explosion, and Betsy knew it was best to move up her timeline.
Completed in 2018, Betsy is still enjoying her home’s new open layout that functions better for her active lifestyle as well as entertaining family and friends. “I had a vision for my home. The Cleary Company team brought it to life, and I love it.”
Client Q & A
What spaces did you have redesigned and remodeled?
Almost all of it. The extensive remodel included opening the main living spaces, creating a better connection between the living room, den, and kitchen. Before the remodel, my large living room sat unused and now that room is used every day.
Addition 1 – An old and dated flat roofed 3-season room was damaged in the explosion. I was not sorry to see it or the indoor 13’ brick planter gone. A new sunroom was built with skylights, cabinets, a beverage fridge and a wall of glass with 8’ sliding doors opening up to the backyard.
Addition 2 – The new sunroom ceiling was vaulted and extended out over a new concrete patio, based on a suggestion from George Cleary. This created a shaded outdoor living space near the pool.
Kitchen – Gutted and removed a bulky closet and the soffits. All new custom cherry cabinets, granite countertops and 3×12 glass tile backsplash. The small eating area, which had no view, became more counterspace and cabinets. It was relocated to take advantage of the views out of both the front and back windows.
Bathrooms – A half bath was completely updated & the main bath got a new shower.
Fireplace – Removed large floor-to-ceiling, brick wall that contained two fireplaces—one in the living room and one in the den. A new Heatilator 60″, see-through fireplace was custom built that provides warmth to both the living room and den, creating a more open floorplan and better flow between the spaces.
All new windows, contemporary trim, baseboards, as well as a new entry door and all new closet doors were installed.
All of the floors were sanded and stained with a new updated color.
Interior Remodel Photos of Before – During – After
Before – Living room fireplaceDuring – new fireplace
Exterior Remodel & Outdoor Living Addition Photos of Before – During – After
Before – sunroomDuring – new sunroom framingAfter – sunroom & covered patioAfter – outdoor living space vaulted ceiling
What is your favorite part of your remodeled home?
The openness! It was so interesting to remake my 50’s ranch by removing a wall that now allows seamless movement from one room to the next. The layout flows much better, making it easy and a wonderful home to entertain and live in.
Why did you choose The Cleary Company to design-build your home remodel?
George Cleary has the best team around. He did some work on my prior home and I personally know him as well as some of his family. I didn’t even look at any other company because I knew The Cleary Company would take care of me, create my vision and I trusted I would love the end result.
I knew we would have a great experience. The Cleary Company craftsmen and their subs were all great. I trusted having The Cleary people and their subs in my home, even when I wasn’t there. George and Rob Lindeboom had creative ideas and suggestions and understood the look I wanted to create. It was a year-long project, with very few issues.
Who stood out and how did they exceed your expectations?
My Project Developer was great help during the dealings with the insurance claims from the explosion. He’s meticulous and focused on the details.
Rob Lindeboom is a fabulous onsite Project Manager. He has amazing creativity and great experiences to not only draw on but also to utilize to solve issues. He had so many great ideas. For example, my kitchen is long and linear, and he knew we needed to install all the electrical wall plugs horizontally, to keep the right look of the room. He is very easy to work with and was extremely helpful with the construction details of the new fireplace. He is a wealth of knowledge and talent.
Testimonial
What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their home?
When talking with your design team, tell them what you want, ask for pictures, and visit examples in other homes the remodeler has done. Talk with homeowners who’ve worked with your remodeler. Ask questions like what they like and don’t like about their remodel.
I did this and it was most helpful to visualize and feel what I wanted in my 3-season room, especially George’s vaulted ceiling idea, by visiting a home The Cleary Company had remodeled. That ceiling completely transformed the feel of my sunroom and carrying the ceiling out over the patio transformed that space as well.
What two words would best describe The Cleary Company?
Trust and Quality! I trust them and the quality of their work is fabulous. I lived in my home throughout my renovation, and they were very sensitive to my needs.
Do you recommend The Cleary Company for anyone remodeling?
Absolutely! One of my friends just completed a kitchen remodel and another friend is talking with them now.
A new floorplan design was created to bring form and function to our client’s kitchen. Although the workspace was large, the original layout was choppy and all of the fixtures and finishes were dated and worn. When our clients purchased the home they knew the original kitchen did not meet their lifestyle needs, function or design tastes but they could imagine a better plan that could make a great space for their family.
Custom maple cabinets feature storage solutions to increase the function of the space as well as update the aesthetic. An extra-deep island contains lots of personalized storage and workspace for busy chefs. The perimeter cabinets were painted a warm white while the oversized island is a rich brown stain that anchors the new layout.
Two contrasting colors of Cambria engineered quartz were used on the workspace countertops (Claridge for island & Delgatie for perimeter).
Additional design elements that make the new kitchen unique are the shiplap ceiling and brick full height backsplash with floating shelves. Project Developer Jayde Boyd Designer 1 – Olivia Kern Meadows, MASM, UDCP, IIDA Associate Designer 2 – Matt Zimmer Project Manager Justin Juenger, CRPM
Before & After Views Westerville Kitchen Remodel
Client Testimonial:
“Justin, our project manager, was and is still amazing in every way! He takes time to talk to us about whatever little thing we think of and works with us to make sure everything is great. Overall it’s been a great experience and we look forward to working with you all again!” – Ann, Westerville OH
Read more about this kitchen remodel in the Nov/Dec issue of Westerville Magazine!
Client Profile: Pleasant memories – this is what comes to mind for Susan as she reflected back on her remodeling experiences with The Cleary Company. Susan has known George Cleary for many years and reached out to him when she wanted to remodel and make several changes to her current home. Her goal? To be able to live in her house for the rest of her life.
The Cleary Company is honored to have worked with Susan on many home remodeling projects over the many years she’s lived in Upper Arlington, OH. Susan’s projects have utilized both our Design-Build and small projects remodeling Teams.
Since moving to her forever home in 2019, Susan has hired The Cleary Company for multiple remodeling projects.
Q & A with Susan
What spaces have you remodeled?
It all started with a 6’x18’ extension on the garage that the previous owner built and used as storage. Cleary’s Design-Build Team remodeled it by opening it directly into the house, building a bathroom, as well as a laundry/mudroom. There are plenty of cabinets to hold supplies, coats, dog paraphernalia, and my sweeper and floor polisher. The floor is heated for cold days too!
Rendering new laundry/mudroom & powder room.
Then my main bathroom was too small for my needs and it needed a remodel. An existing adjacent half bath was used to create a large en suite. The zero-entry shower with bench is wonderful and just what I wanted! I chose fun tile and the design looks great!
Rendering new main bathroom en suite.
Additional Home Services remodel projects included: (View more photos on our Facebook profile)
In my kitchen, I upgraded to new Cambria countertops and a new tile backsplash.
After a leak was discovered in an upstairs bathroom the showerhead was replaced and new tile was added.
New stair railing and new front door.
Added shutters on exterior windows.
Replaced a door from the dining room to the patio. The old door swung in which didn’t function well, so it was replaced with a sliding door. In the process, we found there had been a water leak, so the whole support beam in the floor was rotten and had to be replaced as well.
Coming up next? Replacing an old bar in my family room. Another water leak has led to this project! A new counter, cabinets with glass fronts, improved lighting, and pull-out drawers will create a brand-new look for the bar.
What is your favorite part of your remodeled home?
I love it all! They have taken my home that was built in 1975 and made it so much more livable. The house has 4 bedrooms upstairs and the main bedroom on the first floor. I wanted all my living to be on the first floor, but still have a 5 bedroom house. It’s perfect for my grandchildren or out-of-town friends to visit since they can take over the upstairs bedrooms!
Why did you choose The Cleary Company to remodel your home?
I’ve known George and his wife, Cathy, since they were in college. Cathy’s parents were two of my best friends. I have always enjoyed George and was excited when he started his remodeling business. I knew his company would be successful. The Cleary Company excels in planning out each part of the project.
You talk with them, they listen and come back with a plan. They listen to changes you want to make and then create the project. I love that they don’t start the work until everything is ordered and in, so there are no gaps. Everything moves along fluidly, with no hiccups. In my opinion, the timing of a project will make it or break it, and their planning reflects this. They don’t start until everything for the job is ready and available.
What is your favorite part of working with The Cleary Company and why?
Everyone that I have met that is part of the company–the project manager, a tile contractor, heating and air conditioning people, carpenters, everyone is supreme. They all know what they’re doing and don’t make mistakes, which I find amazing. The other thing I loved was how they cleaned up after themselves while working. Even the cardboard laid on my wood floors was cleaned daily!
Mike Seyfang, Homes Services Project Manager, is a fabulous carpenter and an amazing person. Justin Juenger, my Design-Build Project Manager, is a great guy. I would give him 17 stars!
What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their home?
Don’t give it a second thought–work with The Cleary Company. You’ll know it’s going to be done right, be quality work and exceed your expectations! They made it possible for me to be happy here and be able to stay in my house.
If you were asked to explain in one word why you choose to do business with The Cleary Company, what would it be?
An older home with a dated bathroom layout and tired fixtures combined with a very tall husband led Jenn to research a remodel. This young couple reached out to our Team for help remodeling their main bathroom. On their list of priorities for the main bath was raising the ceiling, create better flow, add function with more storage, and modernize fixtures and finishes.
This huge transformation will allow them to function better in their home. Thanks for putting your trust in us!
Client Profile: Q & A with Jenn & Jeff
Why did you select The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build for your bathroom remodel?
We reached out to five different companies to get ideas and understand the landscape of bathroom remodeling. We are first-time homeowners and really don’t know much about remodeling. Coury Sicker, a Project Developer/Designer with the bathroom remodeling Team at The Cleary Company, got back to us quickly. He sounded so welcoming and flexible with design arrangements, planning, and the budget. We went right away and met with them at their bathroom design studio. Everything worked out from that first meeting. A mixture of the speed of their response to our inquiry, the flexibility, and the welcoming demeanor sold us on choosing them for our remodel.
What did you like best about the bathroom remodeling process?
The best thing was being able to go to the bathroom design studio to see what we could choose from. We aren’t people that can walk into a huge showroom and start picking items from so many options. It was nice to see just a few really great examples and build off of that to create what we wanted.
We liked having a dedicated project manager on site. Dan Irwin, our project manager, was frequently onsite checking on the progress and answering our questions. He is an amazing communicator and gave us a great feeling of confidence with the process.
What was your favorite part of working with your bathroom remodeling Team?
It was the people themselves. There are many companies that do different levels of design and build-out work. We liked the culture of the bathroom remodeling Team at The Cleary Company. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. We even met Russell, their office dog! It was a welcoming process, not a daunting one. They really made the whole process fun for us.
Were there any unique features or changes you desired for your bath remodel?
My husband is 6’4 and hit his head in our old bathroom. He had to bend over just to take a shower. We were looking for a miracle–to raise the ceiling in not only the shower but also raise the ceiling in the whole bathroom. They were able to do that as well as work with an odd angled nook in the bathroom, creating cabinetry for it. We wanted nice cabinetry and they built us custom cabinetry. Additionally, we added a Broan-NuTone fan with an LED white light and antibacterial violet light to help prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi growth.
What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their bathroom?
Have an idea and the look and finish of what you want in mind. But don’t feel married to it–be open to new ideas. Having an open mind makes their bathroom remodeling Team the perfect match. They helped our vision become reality.
Describe your remodeling experience in just a few words?
Custom, Fun & Exciting, Excellent Quality of work
Would you recommend The Cleary Company to your friends and neighbors?
Absolutely! We have already recommended them. We never had to worry about anything. We have told everyone how great they are, how easy they are to work with, and what amazing, quality work they do!
Ready to get started on your bathroom remodel?
Contact our Client Relations Coordinator today! Call the office @ 614-459-4000 or visit our website to schedule a time for us to call you.
An unused basement became a dream space for our clients, Jen and David. Our Team transformed their ranch home in Upper Arlington OH by giving them more living space with a fun space for adults and kids.
Changing their home’s basement area into a livable space included creating zones for various family activities. Our Lead Carpenter, Jonathan, even created a custom dimensional focal wall for the TV. As Jen said to us, “We are so glad we chose to work with The Cleary Company. Having our basement remodeled has really completed our home.”
Q & A with Jen & David
What space did you have remodeled?
We had our long rectangular basement finished to create usable space for the whole family. Nothing had previously been done to the area, except for a bathroom and some old carpet. We remodeled the bathroom and turned an attached room into an exercise room. This amazing long basement offers many different spaces, including an entertainment and relaxing area complete with a couch and the TV. The new dry bar has space for a wine fridge and cabinets and shelving to hold our different bourbons. There is a built-in bookcase area complete with desks for the kids. We also have a kids’ play area with storage for their toys.
What is your favorite aspect of your remodeled space?
That’s too hard to pick! But if I had to, it would be the kids’ area. We love that there is a space for them to play that is clean, bright and safe. We didn’t plan anything special for the area, but it is great for the kids when it’s too hot or cold outside. Also, I love being able to go downstairs and spend time exercising.
Main multipurpose spaceGymBeverage BarFor more photos of check out the project album on Houzz!
Why did you choose The Cleary Company to complete your remodeling project?
We had interviewed a couple of different contractors, including The Cleary Company. Our gut told us we needed to choose The Cleary Company for our remodel. We have had issues with contractors before that made us a little more cautious. We were looking for a company that had good communication skills with us and was trustworthy. The Cleary Company filled the bill–they came across as extremely trustworthy. They laid out a plan and their communication with us was amazing.
What was your favorite part of working with The Cleary Company and why?
We loved working with their Team. Project Developer, Jayde Boyd, and Designer Katie Florjancic, were fun, easy to talk to. They made us feel comfortable about the choices we were making and how we wanted to spend our budget. There was no judgment on their parts at all, they just wanted to make sure our vision came to life. The interactions we experienced with everyone were noteworthy. To add to that, Jayde brought my son a birthday cake when we had a meeting at the house on my son’s birthday. I will always remember that as such a kind gesture to our family and my son. Working with Jonathan, the carpenter was amazing. He designed a wood accent wall where our TV hangs. He came up with a perfect one-of-a-kind design for the wall. I was home most of the time during the renovation and it was nice to have such kind, energetic and respectful people in our home.
Was there a TCC team member(s) who stood out and if yes, how did they exceed your expectations?
Jayde, Katie and Jonathan, for the reasons above and more! Jayde was so great at communicating with us and if we had any concerns we knew she would handle them right away. Katie seemed to know exactly what we were thinking. Just by seeing our style choices in our home, she knew what we wanted. It seemed like she was in my head and realized my wildest dreams for designing the rooms. Jonathan executed many amazing details in the basement. We needed custom doors and framing due to the height of the ceiling. And the way he created the wall just spoke to us.
What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their home?
Do your remodeling project with The Cleary Company! Find someone who is responsive to your communication style and needs. Ask questions about what is going on during the process. Clarity and understanding every part of the process was very important to us and The Cleary Company did everything to make us comfortable.
If you were asked to explain in one word why you choose to do business with The Cleary Company, what would it be?
Trustworthy.
Basement Remodel Project Tour
From design renderings to the after results! Watch this video walk thru of our basement remodel project in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
For more inspiration watch our Basement Remodeling playlist on our YouTube channel.
Ready to Remodel Your Basement?
Check out remodeling costs on our blog. Contact our Client Relations Coordinator to discuss your next remodeling project! Call our office 614-459-4000 or visit our website.
Project Spotlight: Existing kitchen with dated 1950’s floorplan was tight on workspace and storage at just 107sf. The new kitchen footprint was expanded by removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room. By reworking the entire layout of the kitchen the new floorplan features more functional workspace and more storage for our client.
Existing Kitchen FloorplanNew Kitchen FloorplanBEFORE REMODEL – Existing layout of the kitchen lacked adequate workspace and storage for the client’s needs.AFTER REMODEL – A wall was removed which opened up and expanded the footprint of the kitchen and allowed for the addition of a deep peninsula with custom storage for small appliances. Natural light floods the once dark closed-in space.
Kitchen Remodeling Columbus, Ohio
Want to see more kitchens? Watch this video tour of some of our favorites!
