Living Through the Remodel: What We’ve Learned from Updating Our Own Home

When you’re a construction company remodeling your own home, it’s the ultimate test. Every decision—from floorplan layout to finish selection—gets a trial run in real time.

That’s the case for us at Paradigm. We’ve been slowly transforming our house into a space that actually supports our day-to-day lives with three growing boys. And we’re sharing it all: the dust, the decisions, and all the little details that make a big difference.

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Phase One: Start Where It Matters Most

Just like we tell our clients, the best place to begin is with the spaces that impact your daily routine. For us, that meant focusing on the boys’ shared bathroom, and a multipurpose playroom that gives them space to be creative (and lets us keep the rest of the house somewhat tidy).

The kids’ bathroom was designed to grow with them:

• Three individual sinks so mornings run smoother
  
  
• Separate shower and water closet rooms for both function and privacy
  
  
• Durable finishes that are easy to clean and still feel elevated
  
  
• Neutral materials with texture and interest, without feeling too trendy
  
  

These spaces aren’t just about style—they’re about making real life easier.

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Phase Two: Creating a Calm Primary Retreat

Once the kids were settled, we shifted focus to our own space. The primary bedroom and bathroom needed to be equal parts practical and peaceful. We wanted something that felt like a retreat at the end of a long day but still worked hard behind the scenes.

The new primary bathroom features:

• Dual sinks and ample storage to cut down on clutter
  
  
• Custom cabinetry that gives everything its place
  
  
• Quartz countertops that hold up to daily use
  
  
• Large-format black porcelain tile with subtle veining for contrast
  
  
• White shower tile with dark veining to reverse the palette
  
  
• Wood-look tile in the shower for warmth and texture
  
  
• Dual showerheads for comfort and flexibility
  
  
• Carefully prepped walls with LSL studs for clean lines and long-term durability
  
  

In the primary bedroom, we added:

• A trimmed accent wall in a muted color to soften the space
  
  
• Layered lighting that supports both winding down and waking up
  
  
• Thoughtful storage that helps the room feel calm, not crowded
• Larger windows to allow more natural light to fill the room
  
  

Little upgrades like these go a long way in how a room feels and functions.

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Phase Three: Main Entry Facelift

In conjunction with the primary bed/bath work, we also reworked our front entry which included opening up the stairway, relocating the front door, adding windows and updating the half bath.  We’re in the final stages of completing the tile and railing work in the main entry, and the exterior work is complete.  

Half Bath:

• Wall paper
• Fancy light
• Tiled floors for durability

Entry:

• More windows for natural light
• Centered the door on the hallway
• Took walls out around stairs to open the entry

Looking Ahead
We have plans for two future additions to make this home complete—one to expand the kitchen and dining area, and another to add an attached garage with three bedrooms above for the boys.

After renovating two homes and building a new one, we believe we’ve finally found our forever spot. This is where we’ll raise our kids and make this house truly ours. We’ll get it all done—one step at a time.

Living Through a Remodel (with Kids!)

If you’ve ever tried to update your home while raising a family, you know it’s not always easy. We’re living proof that it’s possible—with the right planning.

We help our clients navigate this all the time, and in our own home, we took the same approach:

• Working in phases to avoid major disruptions
  
  
• Setting up temporary solutions (yes, we’ve had a mini kitchen station in the laundry room)
  
  
• Scheduling messy work wisely to minimize dust and noise during key family times
  
  
• Keeping communication clear so everyone knows what’s happening and when
  
  

Remodeling doesn’t have to mean chaos. With thoughtful planning and a realistic schedule, you can keep living your life—even while your house is changing around you.

That’s why we often suggest to our clients:

• Tackle the most-used rooms first if they’ll offer relief right away
  
  
• Save the most disruptive areas (like kitchens) until the timing is right
  
  
• Don’t feel pressure to do it all at once
  
  

There’s no one right way to approach a renovation. It should work for your family, your timeline, and your long-term goals.

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Considering a Renovation?

We’ve lived it, and we bring that same level of care and clarity to every client project. If your home needs to work harder for your family, we’d love to help you make a plan.

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To get started, visit our contact page here.

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