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A retaining wall is an important structure that helps prevent soil  erosion, manage water drainage, and add aesthetic value to your  landscape. Like any outdoor feature, it needs regular maintenance to  stay strong and look good.

Deciding whether to build a custom home or buy an existing one is an   important choice. Both options have their benefits, but building a   custom home offers unique advantages that many people find appealing.   Here are some key benefits of building a custom home compared to buying   an existing one.

Choosing the right furniture for your outdoor space is important for  creating a comfortable and stylish area. Whether you have a small  balcony or a large backyard, the right furniture can make your outdoor  space enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you pick the best outdoor  furniture.

Open shelving in the kitchen has become a popular trend in recent years.  Instead of traditional cabinets with doors, open shelves provide a  fresh, airy look that can make your kitchen feel more spacious and  inviting.

Remodeling a small bathroom can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can transform it into a functional and stylish space. Here’s how to make the most of every inch in your small bathroom remodel.

There are loads of questions that you need to ask your contractor before signing the contract on any project. Speaking up before any project could save you headache and money down the road.

Mike Fournier of The Sonrise Cos. in Broken Arrow has taken over as the 2020 president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa.

For customers, hiring the correct builder or remodeler is one of the most important decisions they will make during the entire renovation process of their home or office.

Comparing apples to apples is common trap we all can fall into. According to Wikipedia, there are over 7,500 different types of apples. Which apple are we comparing? Instead of comparing an apple, it is best to find a knowledgeable, competent builder or remodeler that you can trust.

Being open with all forms of communication is the key; not only with our family, friends, acquaintances, but also in dealing with remodeling contractors. This means all forms of social media, plus texts, e-mails, chats, facetime, and even the antiquated (in some minds) phone call.

We are a custom home builder.  We at Sonrise Construction prefer to be known exclusively as a "custom" home builder.  We want our customers to be able to work with us in making up to 100% of the choices for how they desire their home to be built.

Mike Fournier's Sonrise Construction of Tulsa only installs stained cedar decks or composite decks by EverGrain.   Our skilled carpenters have several decades of experience with deck construction.  We believe our customers are entitled to the best in deck quality for their outdoor living area.

Room additions can be economical if you want to stay in your current home and just want to make some improvements to custom tailor your home to fit your needs or desires. Room additions can be major projects, so it is important that you give consideration to the practical and financial aspects.

A Tuscan kitchen offers the appeal of old world Italy.  With its understated color scheme, a Tuscan kitchen presents decorating ideas for you to consider for your kitchen.  

Your property value will increase with the installation of a masonry fireplace. Family and friends will enjoy time spent around the fireplace. And of course the fireplace will last as long as you own your house and beyond!

Aging in place . . . so what is that about? It is a new building viewpoint that is geared toward designing homes and remodels in order to facilitate the aging population in staying in their homes as long as possible. It is even true for me (Mike Fournier), as I no longer want to have anything on the 2nd floor.

A galley kitchen is usually a narrow area with counters and cabinets on both sides and a walking area between them. Galley kitchens are generally identified with ships, airplanes, and trains.

Here are some popular renovations that my customers tend to make no matter the state of the economy, but are more inclined to commence when coming out of a recession.

1) Identify the scope of the project; including all phases.  Plan your big picture goals and discuss your needs. Hire a remodeler that will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and be able to execute your vision; as that is paramount to your success. 2) Establish effective communication with your remodeler.  Do they answer questions...

Who doesn't like to spend a day painting a wall? Yes, we all know it can be messy, boring, and tiring. But it is pretty simple and most people can do it without tons of training. Corners, edges, and trim can be a bit tricky, but you can get the hang of it. Adding a new coat of paint can add style, and even add value to the home. Specialty painting is one way of making your house stand out.

Substantial damage to your home can be caused by these silent and out of sight dangers:  mold, pests, old windows, leaky toilets, carbon monoxide.

Reworking a small kitchen space can be a somewhat daunting task.  But one that is worth the effort so that you can have more work space.

Colonial homes are patterned after the homes built by America's first European settlers. The style dates back to the English building styles of medieval times. Consisting of a two story, square, or rectangular house with steep, gabled roofs, the colonial has a large central door, a central chimney and fireplace. The home's rooms are off of an interior hallway. Other house designs are based off this basic pattern and are still in demand today.

A cottage house can be defined as a dense house.  Dense is not a bad thing; it just means more individualized living areas.  You can still have a three bedroom, three bath house with a kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, and home office; it just will not take up your entire lot or your entire budget.

Spanish colonials, common in America's desert Southwest area, are very popular and recognized for their feeling of warmth and tradition.

A contemporary house plan is distinctive.  While difficult to describe, they usually include irregular or unusual shapes, perhaps open floor plans, oversized windows.  Though they are not for everybody, they are a perfect fit for the right homeowner.  Contemporary house owners would not ever want to live in ranch style home.

Some would say that Victorian homes are the embodiment of excess. They are known for soaring spires, elaborate woodwork, unusual house plans. If you consider yourself to be practical, this may not be the style for you.  However, if you are ready for a house that will bring traffic down your street to admire its beauty, the amazing Victorian home style may a perfect fit.

Guest rooms are frequently ignored rooms in the house when the owner is considering a remodel.  Living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms get priorityit's true.  But if you plan to have overnight guestsespecially if it's frequentlyit's time to consider a remodel of your guest room.

Simplicity is the way a country house is frequently described. They are traditional, and usually symmetrical, but never showy or ostentatious. The brand new country home has the air of having been built long ago. Wood and chipped stone suggest a timeless feel. So, trendy home plans can be an enticement, but what you really may want is a simple country home.

Large exterior windows, low-pitched tiled, roof, and stucco or brick siding are characteristics of the Mediterranean house plan.  The Mediterranean design presents a striking appearance with its archways and verandas - marks that promote an air of extravagance without being excessive. The Mediterranean can be one-story or two-story, large or small, and can be customized for any budget. 

Doing a kitchen remodel only makes sense if the new plan will simplify your daily routine. An attractive kitchen that is poorly arranged will add to the time and energy that it takes to do the daily chores.

The saltbox style home plan came about when the early colonists needed more space for their growing families. Generally, the traditional Colonial style home was modified to include a one story addition onto the rear of the house. The roof was extended to cover the new addition. These new homes looked like the boxes the colonists used for storing their salt, and that’s how the name came about.

The reigns of England's four King Georges gave rise to the Georgian house. It was popular in England from approximately 1715 to 1830. The Georgian was a favorite of the wealthy classes because it presented an air of affluence and respectability with its many windows and ornate entrances. The Georgian experienced a revival in the early 1900s, aided by the availability of less costly building materials. In the current age, the Georgian house is within reach of almost any homebuyer.

The Arts and Crafts style of the first twenty years of the 20th century brought in the Craftsman Home style. This style depicted simplicity with strong construction and beauty. Its interior design spoke of refinement and stateliness.

The Ranch style home design is America's most popular home style. Some would say the style is uninteresting, even boring. With four walls, a roof, and no nonessential features or enhancements, the Ranch is a basic style. Remodeling the ranch home can make it stand out from the rest.

Annual snowfall and ice accumulation in some parts of the country is common and adds a substantial amount of weight to the roof causing damage to the roof. While it is important to remove the heavy accumulation of snow and ice so as not to damage the roof or walls and ceiling, it is also wise to hire a professional with the skill, experience, and equipment to perform this dangerous work. This is not a do-it-yourself job.

If your budget permits, it may be time for some of those home improvement projects that you really want to be completed. So, let's review a few of them.

What has become of the den - that small, quiet room in the house where you can go to read, relax, or work? Has the office or living room assumed this role?

The concept behind the vent-free fireplace is quite straightforward.  When you burn gas instead of wood, you create a "smokeless” heat - - one that does not require ventilation, plus all the heat stays inside the home.  A consequence of burning gas in the home however includes, among others, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Conventional fireplaces provide atmosphere for the home, but add very little in the way of heat, plus they are costly and take up lots of space.

If you are thinking of selling within the next couple of years, in order to get the maximum amount out of your home, there are a few improvements you can make. Why not get some benefit from them now?

The majority of homeowners say they do not eat their meals in their formal dining rooms.  Many say they eat in their kitchen dining area; others say they eat in the family room or in front of the television.

Retractable screen doors . . . what makes this type door an option for your home?

Hardscape and Landscape plans include much more than deciding which plants to buy and where to plant them.

If your landscaping requires a Versa-Lok retaining wall, you will find them to be attractive, stable, reasonably-priced, and long-lasting.  Mike Fournier with Sonrise Construction can advise you on the design and installation possibilities offered to you.

A well-designed deck provides a place for backyard barbeques and just lounging about. Although you may have the skill and knowledge to build a deck, hiring Mike Fournier at Sonrise Construction is a sure way to get the deck you envision. So, DIY or hiring a professional, it helps to know what to expect before you commence the project.