At R&R Build and Design, we believe in the power of transformation. From modernizing outdated spaces to creating custom solutions for challenging layouts, our team specializes in turning clients' visions into reality. These transformations are more than beautiful remodels—they testify to our ability to solve problems, adapt to unexpected challenges, and deliver lasting results. While other contractors may cut corners, we focus on craftsmanship, precision, and long-term value. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes of three recent projects, showcasing the creativity, attention to detail, and high-end craftsmanship that make each remodel unique.
1. Charming Porch Addition: A Seamless Outdoor Living Space
Before: The original porch was too small and didn’t complement the home’s existing architecture. Our client wanted an inviting, functional outdoor space for entertaining and relaxation.
After: We redefined outdoor living by removing the original porch and constructing a new, expansive covered area designed for both entertaining and relaxation. Anchored by a stunning custom masonry fireplace with a herringbone Rumford design, this porch delivers more heat, perfect for chilly fall football games. The fireplace includes integrated firewood storage boxes and features custom blue stone tops and a mantel for added elegance. To create a seamless connection with the existing home, we used matching brick, copper gutters, and paint colors, achieving a harmonious blend between the new and original structures. We also handcrafted Chippendale handrails in our workshop and installed durable Ipe flooring for longevity. Now, our client enjoys a spacious outdoor sanctuary ideal for hosting guests or simply unwinding.
Challenges:
Protecting the Landscape: With access to the site restricted due to recently completed landscaping, we worked closely with a neighboring property owner to stage materials and minimize damage to the client’s yard.
Asymmetrical Layout: The sunroom location and chimney placement made a symmetrical column and railing layout impossible. We custom-built Chippendale handrails in varying sizes to ensure a cohesive design without unnecessary structural elements.
Roofline Integration: We faced challenges with the roof’s support around the chimney, as the clipped corner design was crucial for maintaining privacy. Working closely with code officials, we built two independent block columns within the chimney to support the roof, ensuring structural integrity without compromising the design.
Fireplace Installation: The custom brick fireplace, required expert craftsmanship. Installing the large blue stone mantel was no small task—it took four workers to set each piece, but the result is a stunning, heat-efficient centerpiece, perfect for chilly fall evenings. We extended the natural gas line to include a gas log lighter, but during this process, some of the original 40-year-old gas pipes and corroded fittings developed pinhole leaks. After two visits from our subcontractor, one visit from Atlanta Gas Light, and four trips from our team—one at 9 p.m.—we successfully addressed all the failed pipes and fittings, ensuring everything was safe and up to code.
Matching Siding: The existing siding on the home is a fireboard type that is no longer manufactured. Since removing it to tie in the new structure and reinstalling it isn’t always feasible, we opted to find the best match to the original siding and replaced larger sections to seamlessly blend in with the new siding, minimizing any visible differences.
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2. Grandmillennial Laundry Room & Moody Dry Bar: Where Functionality Meets Style
Before: The laundry room was too small and impractical for a family of five. Our client also wanted a dry bar for entertaining but needed the space to be both stylish and highly functional.
After: We transformed the laundry room and hall closet into a multifunctional space that meets the family’s daily needs while showcasing the client's passion for structure. Custom cabinetry accommodates everything from a Dyson vacuum to gift-wrapping supplies, and a stylish dry bar with pocket doors and a panel-front refrigerator makes the space ideal for organization. The bar area was designed with pocket doors for easy access in the compact area. When it’s picture-perfect, the client can keep the door open to let the beauty shine. When it’s not, she can simply slide it shut and keep any clutter out of sight. We also integrated a panel-front under-counter refrigerator for drink storage and added power inside one of the cabinets to discreetly house the client’s printer. Additionally, we worked around an existing vent pipe from the crawl space by creating a faux door that appears as two doors but operates as one, providing tall storage without disrupting the cabinet’s aesthetics. The bar cabinets were expertly matched to the existing kitchen cabinetry for a cohesive look.
Challenges:
Minimizing Disruption: To avoid interrupting the family's routine, we set up a temporary laundry room in the garage. Even with this setup, we carefully managed the renovation space to keep the project on track while minimizing the client’s inconvenience.
Utility Relocation: Relocating the electrical panel and converting the water heater to a tankless system required precise planning. We coordinated the MEPs (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) within the tight confines of the crawlspace and slab areas, ensuring minimal disruption to the family while avoiding structural complications.
Floor System Rebuild: During demolition, we discovered that the floor system had been piecemealed together from previous additions. Rather than make superficial fixes, we tore out the subfloor, reframed it properly, and created a stable, level foundation for the new design.
Custom Cabinetry Flexibility: We built the custom cabinetry to adapt to future changes. For instance, the trim piece around the washer and dryer can be easily removed or adjusted if the client changes appliances, ensuring longevity and functionality for years to come.
Tight Space Solutions: The compact area demanded creative solutions, including custom faux doors, precise placement of the new exterior door and sconces, and careful coordination with existing structural elements. We also added hidden outlets inside cabinets to ensure the space remained as functional as it was beautiful.
Crawlspace Challenge: Half of the space was above a crawl space, while the other half was over an inaccessible slab from an old addition. Roughing in the new MEPs and coordinating with the cabinetry in such limited space presented significant challenges. We had to get creative with the 3-way wall switch located next to the new exterior door. Installing a larger box for all the power feeds required careful planning, as we only had about 1/8” of wiggle room to fit it between the structural framing, door casings, and the cabinets designed to accommodate the new washer and dryer.
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3. Blue Bahia Bathroom Remodel: A Luxurious, Accessible Oasis
Before: This client had precise requirements, including specific tub features and handicap accessibility, and prioritized moisture resistance and durability. Every detail was carefully considered to meet her exacting standards, with a focus on creating a space that would not only meet her needs but also provide lasting quality. Additionally, she had a keen eye for design and was highly selective about the type of stone used, ensuring the final space reflected her refined taste.
After: We delivered a stunning remodel featuring custom white oak fluted cabinetry, heated floors, and Blue Baja granite accent walls, creating a spa-like retreat. The crown jewels of the space are the stone walls and hand-crafted fluted cabinetry, which includes hidden power inside drawers for discreetly storing the floor heat thermostat and custom storage solutions for all the client’s essentials. A custom-ordered skirted bathtub is tucked into a sleek wet room with a zero-barrier shower—seamlessly blending luxury and accessibility. We also maximized the shower space with thoughtful features like a discreet wall niche, a towel warmer, and future-ready accommodations for grab bars, ensuring long-term comfort and accessibility.
Challenges:
Location: Access to the space was in the back of the home and the clients stayed in their bedroom the entire time during the renovation. Our team carefully balanced completing the job while ensuring the clients' comfort was always maintained.
Water Damage Discovery: During the demo, we found out that the bathroom had been renovated (2) previous times. As a result, the framing was so cut up we had to replace the entire floor system. We found a section of the floor with (4) layers of plywood, water damage, broken floor joist, and comprised beams.
Maximizing a Small Space: Every square inch counted in this bathroom. We incorporated space-saving solutions like pocket doors and custom-built cabinetry with hidden compartments, including one for the thermostat that controls the heated floors.
Custom Bathtub Installation: The tub was a custom-ordered skirted tub and installed in a wet room. We had to work through several stages of coordination with our framer, plumber, tile installer, and stonetop contractor to ensure it was installed properly, waterproofed properly, and not damaged during work. For a typical free-standing tub, installation in a wet room is waterproofed, however, because this tub is an alcove design usually used in a tub-shower application, we had to get creative to ensure the waterproofed envelope of the wet room remained uncompromised. The tub also had several features including jets, neck and back massage, microbubbles, and chromotherapy. We had to make these motors accessible. We were able to do this by having the manufacturer install the critical components on the backrest end and we created an access panel in the back of a cabinet on the other side of the wall for future service. Finally, the tub was too large to fit through the wet room door opening, which had been reduced in size per the client's request after the tub was ordered. To accommodate this, we left out sections of framing to install the tub and framed it back in once it was set. This complicated the waterproofing detail even further and some waterproofing went behind the tub and some went on top of its flange.
Blue Bahia Granite Coordination: Installing the Blue Bahia granite in the wet room required detailed coordination with plumbers and tile installers. Due to access limitations, we had to install the granite wall in sections, ensuring seamless alignment while maintaining the integrity of the waterproofing.
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Why Choose R&R Build and Design?
These projects demonstrate more than just our craftsmanship—they showcase our dedication to solving complex problems and our refusal to cut corners. From uncovering hidden water damage to working with challenging layouts and tight spaces, we handle every obstacle with creativity and precision. Our commitment to long-lasting quality means you can trust us to deliver results that enhance your home’s value and beauty for years to come. If you’re ready to start your next project with a team that prioritizes integrity, attention to detail, and seamless problem-solving, contact us today.
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