Have you been thinking about remodeling your bathroom? Perhaps you’re ready to get rid of the old pink tile, outdated cabinetry or dingy tub and shower, but you’re not quite sure where to start, or know what options are out there today. The RIGGS team is here to help! We’ve compiled a list of the top trends we’re seeing in St. Louis homes this year so that you know what’s hot, and what you may want to keep on your radar as you plan your bathroom remodeling project.

Freestanding Tubs

The tub as you know it is a place to bathe, but this year we’re seeing the bathtub take center stage as a beautiful piece of furniture. You’re probably used to seeing the tub placed in a corner or built into an alcove, but today, tubs are standing alone with no platform or steps surrounding it. Many beautiful designs and shapes are available, depending on your taste and design style. Whether you choose a vintage claw-foot or modern soaking tub, this freestanding item will provide any master bathroom an elegant, quiet and serene atmosphere.

Oversized Showers

If a freestanding tub isn’t your cup of tea, or if you have a lot of space to work with, oversized showers with multiple jets, shower heads, and steam options remain very popular in 2017. In fact, many homeowners have chosen to remove their tubs altogether to allow for large showers in their bathrooms! That’s because they can provide a spa-like experience for your everyday use. These types of showers can be designed with an endless variety of beautiful tile and glasswork to create the look and feel you’re after.

Floating Vanities

If you’re looking to make your freestanding tub or oversized shower the focal point of your space, you may want to consider the floating vanity. Minimalistic in design, these vanities provide a more modern and open feel in your bathroom. In many cases, you can expect for the design to offer drawers over doors to address your storage needs. Whether you prefer traditional or modern styling, the design of the floating vanity exudes uniqueness, and preserves space in your bathroom.

Smart Storage

Speaking of space, let’s talk about smart storage. Most bathrooms include some form of cabinetry for storage, and the good news is that cabinet manufacturers offer interior options to help you keep all your essentials organized. Smart storage cabinetry includes pull-outs, roll-outs and other special features that pack maximum utility into minimum space.

Round Mirrors

Mirrors are getting a makeover this year, replacing its traditional square and rectangular shapes with round, curved edges. This represents a departure from what we’re used to seeing in bathrooms and adds a dynamic focal point to the space. Round mirrors can create a unique and simple element that’s understated with a design that has the potential to stand the test of time.

We hope these trends for 2017 have inspired some ideas for your own home! Incorporating fresh designs into your bathroom will not only add value to your home, but will also allow you to give it your personal touch, and enjoy the time you spend there.

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The Grand Opening was April 8th and there was a massive turnout from the community, to which we are eternally grateful! The support we saw from the Kirkwood community was incredible. And now, Kirkwood has one of the best Children’s Rooms in the country. You can check out our album of photos from the Grand Opening HERE.

This space features a replica of the Kirkwood Train Station, along with a large, colorful train where kids can sit and read. But that’s not all, technology was key in making this children’s room so unique, with an interactive floor projector, a 3D printer and a smart table. The best part of the technology in the library is how it’s interactive to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Show Me St. Louis thought that the library was pretty awesome as well, so they came out for a tour of the space and might have discovered the coolest place to spend time with the kiddos. Here’s the Show Me St. Louis segment where you can see the high tech features of the children’s room in all of its glory.

We want to send a big thank you out to the Kirkwood Public Library for trusting us with this remodel. It has been an honor and a privilege to make your dream a reality and create an interactive space for learning, fun and collaboration. Another big thank you to our RIGGS team who worked so hard to execute and complete this one-of-a-kind project. You’ve gone above and beyond, and we cannot thank you enough!

If you haven’t stopped by the Kirkwood Public Library yet to check out the new space, what are you waiting for? Stop by today and let us know what’s your favorite feature.

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Antiques (Only)

We understand the importance of the past and its designs, but when you’re designing your home you don’t have to adhere to a specific period exclusively. Pairing antiques with pieces from the same period is pressure at its finest hour. Instead of worrying if you will find the right vase to match your American antique wood counters, look at different ways you can bring variety to your home. Aesthetically, challenge yourself to create a cohesive mix of elements from the past, present and future. If you want, you can use the antique as your starting point. If not, just throw it out altogether.

Oversized Furniture

If you’re looking to save some space this year, don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed with oversized furniture. Space is important to any homeowner, and the use of heavier furniture serves as an inefficiency when designing your home. Playtime is over, and this year you should look for pieces that will provide both fit and functional interior landscape capabilities. If you’re far from the fantasy of oversized furniture designs, do away with the larger-than-life shoe shaped lounge chairs.

Cheap Mirrored Furniture

The cheap mirrored furniture is something that should have been chunked away in 2016. Just in case you’re still holding onto it in your home, do away with this low-end home décor piece. This piece of furniture only works if you’re looking to store it in a room with a Hollywood glamour presence. Although these items usually have multifunctional components to assist them, the practicality of these fashionable items has fallen behind.

Whirlpool/Jacuzzi Bathtubs

Bigger is better, so they say, but let’s rethink this when it comes to your bathtub. There’s nothing wrong with pampering yourself, but why would you want to do that in a pool? This year your focal point for your bathroom will be the free-standing tubs that creates an elegant, carefree space for your in-home spa. If it doesn’t do the trick, consider spacious showers that can be accompanied with multiple showerheads to help with your body sprays.

Over-the-Range Microwaves

Over-the-range microwaves – a poor, but past favorite that still tends to trend in pop culture. Sure, you’re saving space and playing safe, but the idea isn’t the best. Aesthetically, it isn’t that attractive on the eyes and isn’t the best for shorter home shoppers. An installed microwave drawer is more popular today and appeals to different buyers on the market. Instead of hindering yourself from making the sell on your home, think height and save yourself the hard time of rearranging your space.

Geometric Tiles

Look for something that is cost-effective, but look away from the tile! Not only are the materials overdone, but it calls for a lot of maintenance. Nowadays, you can improve the value of your home when you do away with the design. Yes, the style is classic and has stuck around for years, so why not try something bold and beautiful? Try a tile that focuses on continuity of straight lines that plays well with the atmosphere of your home’s aesthetic.

As you begin to create your 2017 resolutions, make sure you consider ways to resolve your personal space. Reinvent the house this year and start with a trend that is transformative and adaptable for your home in the future.

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When you think “Greenery,” the first thing you might think about is the environment, but there is more to this color than the mind can collect. If we look beyond the environment and engage with our social and political climate, we can see that this color reflects the current landscape. Not directly being influenced by money or the election, this color is all about freedom and possibility. The color is an outlet to new beginnings and aids you in the renewal and rejuvenation process.

“Greenery” is a tangy yellow-green with an illustrative reflection of hope. Currently, we reside in a world that is very stressful and tense. This color is the perfect acknowledgement to our nation that is serving an array of uncertain emotions. This shift is reflected by the proliferation of all things through architecture, lifestyle and other designs.

Since we’re speaking of architecture and design, try sprucing up your kitchen and highlight your room with this color. This color would make a great accent trim, and if you’re not about putting paint on the walls, you can always add plates to your cabinet for a fresher dish. Wake up energized when you color your walls with the calming tone of this subtle green. Paint your walls, closet doors or even the dresser to sleep sounder. “Greenery” also complements a wide variety of color schemes and can be used as an alternate neutral color to help balance out the ambiance of any room.

If you want to brighten up your bathroom, or revitalize any room, view Pantone’s Color of the Year website HERE to see more ideas on architecture, design, fashion and home décor. What do you think of “Greenery”? Do you think it serves a meaningful purpose for the year or do you prefer another color? We want to know your thoughts.

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Hidden Appliances

Who said a refrigerator had to look like refrigerator? Hidden appliances are items that are made to look like cabinets with the same design and hardware, in particular, kitchen items. All appliances, including microwaves and toasters, can be easily molded into the design scheme. If you’re one to reside in the kitchen regularly, you’ll have an attraction to disguised cabinetry. These pieces are cozy, clean and uncluttered overall. Do away with the stainless-steel appliances in the new year and appeal with a bit of ambiguity.

Wood Paneling

If you’re looking to win over your grandparents and grasp hold of some of the seasonal styles, wood paneling is the trend that will help you prevail. The basement wood is old news, and the new paneling is more multifaceted than before. The new panels are rich in color, texture and tones with a ton of creative use. In 2017, you can catch the wood panels on walls, ceilings, backsplashes and more. You can play in paint when you’re bored to breathe life into a room without utilizing a ton of money. Take your guest back to the good ole days with a brand new spin.

Graphic Tile

Tile of today is not your traditional Carrera marble, it’s pure magic. Modern technology of porcelain has stepped in to create patterns on the floors and walls that work well in both traditional and contemporary settings. The patterns, shapes and colors have the power to turn common kitchen and basic bathrooms into something desirable. The old patterns from the past has found a new purpose in the future.

Induction Tops

Something different in the new year is durability and it starts with induction tops. Yes, the induction top has been around for a while, but its finally starting to find its place in the industry. Always remaining cool to the touch, this top offers immediate control of temperature and maintains low heat levels for hours. This induction top is energy efficient and makes for an easy cleanup off of a smooth surface. Say your final goodbyes to your electric and gas cooktops, there’s a new cook in the kitchen.

A new year is the mark of new beginnings, so why not start off by spicing things up a bit? If you’re feeling a little frisky and willing to get your hands dirty, dash to the kitchen to do away with the pieces of the past and incorporate that killer kitchen you’ve been dreaming about.

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No need to wait, don’t let the weather be a setback to your remodel process. Now is the time to start planning for your remodel and designing. Don’t wait until the Spring and Summer when you could start now!

In the past, and depending on the location, remodeling and construction companies had to close shop for the winter. Luckily this is no longer the case for the industry. With new products and technology, we are able to work all winter long.

Most trades can perform in all weather, but there are some restrictions. The main restriction we find is the daylight hours are shorter, meaning less time during the day to work. The crew will be wearing bulkier clothing so they might move a little bit slower than in the summer. We will also take additional measures to prevent broken pipes, ice damming and other water-infiltration problems. You might be thinking, “what about snow?” Well in reality, snow is easier to handle than rain! It’s much easier to tarp snow and is much more forgiving than rain.

If you’re someone who enjoys spending time in your backyard in the Spring in Summer, you might not want to wait until the Spring to build. People who typically start in the spring usually have a torn up yard all through the Summer. If you start in the Winter, you should be able to enjoy your yard all Summer long!

Another great thing about building in the winter is how quickly the work permits are approved. Because fewer people are building in the winter, there are less people applying for permits.

We are extremely lucky in Missouri to have these mild winters which allow us to work all year long. These past few months have been some of the busiest for us and we’re looking at many more projects coming soon! If you were planning to wait until the Spring, give us a call! You can start planning and designing now and get your build done quicker.

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RIGGS is the General Contractor on this fun project, and we found a wonderful designer out of New York specializing in children’s library design. We are facilitating the entire design, assisting with the furniture selection and designing the custom PDI carpeting directly with the manufacturer (which will be AWESOME). This is a fun group to work with and we are thrilled with the progress so far!

The Kirkwood Public Library is having a “Laying Tracks” ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Kirkwood Public Library Children’s Room on Saturday, January 7th at 10am, and you’re invited! This family friendly event will begin at 10am in the Children’s Room and will include a train-themed story time and treats. Construction is set to begin after the ground breaking ceremony and should be completed by Spring. We will be sure to share pictures along the way and can’t wait to see the final results! This will be a fun place for kids to read and learn, and we are honored to work on this project.

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They remain committed to living out their grandfather’s vision and embrace the values he held dear and allowed him to establish a reputation for uncompromising excellence.

Amie and Bill Riggs have a combined 39 years of service at RIGGS Company. They’ve spent a majority of their lives in some capacity working for RIGGS, and as a family business, they hope to pass along the love for the business to their children.

But it’s not just Amie and Bill who have been running their Dad and Grandpa’s business, many of the employees have been with the company for years. RIGGS Company has employees who have become family, working for Tom and Bill. Brian Marquis has worked for RIGGS for over 26 years, and his father worked for RIGGS even before him. Just more family ties! Stay tuned for a future video we are shooting with Brian and his dad talking about their experience working for a family owned business, as a family.

Brett Randoll has been a part of the RIGGS Company family for 23 years. If you’ve ever worked with RIGGS, you certainly know Brett and understand why he is such a valuable part of the RIGGS team. With Brett and Brian, as well as the other RIGGS employees, they truly embrace the RIGGS values and treat every client like family.

“I have had the great privilege to work on so many different types of home remodeling and commercial construction projects over the years with RIGGS, and I have learned so much during that time,” said Brett. “At RIGGS, I have always felt like I was part of the team from the beginning, something I never experienced at larger construction companies in the St. Louis area.  RIGGS gave me the opportunity to grow in this company from the day I started as a third term apprentice to now as the Vice President of Production.”

As a family owned business, it’s important to provide our clients with a customer service experience unmatched by any of our competitors. Not only are our employees family, but our clients are as well. We make a connection on a deeper level and value the relationships we are able to build with our clients and customers. Every day we look forward to going to work and spending time with our work family.

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Carr Lane’s CEO Nance Frost came to us ready for a remodel of their headquarters when she took over as CEO, replacing her father. Carr Lane had been in the same office for over 40 years, and the building had become very outdated throughout their stay. In Part 1 of this blog, we will give you a closer look at the first 2 phases of this remodel.

An interesting characteristic of this project is how we took on this remodel in several phases. With a business this size with multiple departments and employees, it’s important to relocate everyone and make sure the employees have what they need to continue working. One benefit with choosing a remodel with RIGGS Company is we take on these logistics. We brought in a trailer that we completely set up to accommodate the employees. When we were remodeling the bathrooms, we made sure to have a trailer with bathrooms ready and accessible for everyone.

All construction on this project was completed during the day. Since we were working in phases, we were able to relocate employees temporarily and work in those areas during the day. This process takes longer than a normal remodel because of moving entire departments, but we were able to complete each phase in about 2 months. This included finding a temporary location, organizing and setting up and relocating departments as well as the construction time.

Phase 1
Our first project at Carr Lane was in the Executive Offices. When Nance took over as CEO, she brought us in to clean up and modernize the executive offices. They had not been touched in 40 years and it was Nance’s goal to turn this old school company into a modernized, sellable business. We started in the offices and the upstairs area, cleaning it up and creating a modern, sleek and updated feel. There was also a bathroom in the executive office that we immediately remodeled. It featured a sauna/steam room, something that was traditional for an executive suite 40 years ago, but extremely dated the space.

Phase 2
This was the largest part of the overall remodel. We touched every part of this 8,000 square foot building, from the executive office, factory, factory lunchroom, bathrooms, office lunch room, office bathrooms, locker rooms, lobby and coffee room. During this phase we also turned the outside dumpster area into a rain garden/outdoor space for employees.

The rain garden was a really exciting part of this remodel. From the second story of the building looking outside, there was a very unflattering view of an asphalt parking lot and dumpsters. It wasn’t exactly the most exciting view, if you know what we mean. This was also the connecting area between the two buildings, and there was no cover. Employees would have to brave the rain, snow, sleet and all other forms of not pleasant precipitation to walk between the buildings. We built a cover between the buildings to help cover employees as they make their way between building.  Carr Lane also has a handicapped employee, and this was the only handicap accessible entrance to the building. In the winter it was difficult for him to get in through the snow and ice. We installed a heated walkway which means no more shoveling or struggling to move through snow, ice and slush!

The rain garden also has a really cool feature with two rain barrels that collect water. These barrels are buried underground, allowing for a built in watering system. We got a grant from the state of Missouri for the rain garden based on the percentage of native plants and landscaping as well as the rain barrels.

We added benches and tables in the rain garden so the employees had a nice, relaxing place to enjoy their lunch or to take a break.

During this phase, we also installed solar panels to the building. The back of the building had many windows and the sun would bake these rooms during the day. Installing the solar panels was a major cost up front, but Carr Lane’s heating and cooling bills are now a fraction of the cost.

In our next blog, we will discuss the final phase of the Carr Lane remodel and how the overall effect the remodel has had on Carr Lane. Be sure to check back next week for Part 2, and check out our Pinterest board HERE for the full gallery of images!

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Here are a few of the top remodels we are asked to do after the holiday season.

Kitchen
Between the large family dinners, dozens of cookies and baked goods, you spent a lot of time in your kitchen this holiday season. We hear from many people that after the holidays they realized they needed more counter space, a large kitchen island or more storage. These are all things we are happy to help with! The kitchen is the heart of your home, so remodeling it to fit your needs is very important.

Family Room
Maybe after hosting a dinner party or a family gathering, you realized you would like to create a more open floor plan, perhaps connecting the kitchen and family room. An open floor plan is great for entertaining and makes having a conversation in the kitchen to someone in the family room MUCH easier. If you’re planning to continue hosting parties and entertaining guests, it might be time to make some updates to the family room.

Bathrooms
Having to wait in line for a turn using the bathroom is never fun. Adding a half bath or renovating one of your bathrooms might be just what you need. It’s even the perfect time to update the master suite bathroom to create a spa like retreat, a perfect escape for “me time” after hours spent with the family. Trust us, you deserve it.

Ready to update your space? Give us a call, we look forward to helping you shine in a newly remodeled home for the next holiday season!

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