Acclaim Renovations & Design can transform your space in the work-from-home era

By Patricia Nugent

In the spirit of New Year’s, I recently sat down with Bob Gallese, founder of Acclaim Renovations & Design, and asked him for a look back on the past year, and peek into his crystal ball for 2021.

“The pandemic forced us all to stare at our own four walls for a good long time,” he says. “And that meant renovating your home became a top priority from last spring to now. Our company has been as busy as we’ve ever been.”

Since the latest estimate is roughly 40 percent of people are still working full-time from home, the desire for feathering your nest is still going strong.

“I don’t see the amount of people working from home changing anytime soon; in fact, lots of companies plan to keep people at home indefinitely,” he says.

Reassessing Form and Function
The top motivation for renovation is reconfiguring spaces to make them more functional and custom-fit to each member of the family. Organization is also a big factor in changes people want to make to their abode. Form and function are colliding in things like open shelving and custom cabinetry.

“We’re redoing home offices and putting workstations for students in basements and rec rooms,” he says. “We’re creating specialty niches such as coffee stations and wet bars in kitchens and dining rooms.”

He says that with the skyrocketing demand for home renovation, people can expect longer wait times for the materials, such as doors, windows, cabinetry and flooring, to come in.

“If you’re thinking about a renovation this year, I’d recommend acting on that sooner rather than later, locking into today’s prices and getting on our schedule,” he says.

While kitchens and master baths continue to be their most popular renovations, Bob reports they’ve also done outdoor living renovations, such as adding pavilions over patios, and building firepits and fireplaces.

“Instead of going to restaurants, people are staying home and cooking more, allocating those dollars to adding gourmet touches to their kitchens,” he says. “Instead of going to spas, they are infusing their master baths with glamorous spa amenities. And instead of going on vacation, they’d rather spend the money on a backyard oasis.”

What’s Trending in Kitchen Design?
This recent swoon-worthy kitchen renovation is a good example of some of the hottest trends in kitchen design:

• Appliances. “More and more people are opting for the contrast of slate grey appliances and white or cream cabinetry. We’re seeing a darker shade of stainless steel instead of traditional gray. It’s a very modern look.”

• Built-in, undercounter microwave. “This frees up a lot more counter space and provides ultra-convenience.”

• Dramatic wall-mounted range hood. “Taking the white subway tile backsplash all the way to the ceiling behind the slate grey hood creates a sleek and dramatic focal point in the room.”

• Glass island extension. “Having one of our glass artisans create a one-of-a-kind extension to the island elevated the overall look to this kitchen. The freeform statement piece features several shades of blue that complement the vibrant periwinkle wall color. And it also creates a charming little nook for serving and dining and doubles as a homework or workstation.”

Whatever kind of renovation they perform, Bob says there’s been one constant in his 40-plus years in the business: passion.

“We take the time to get to know our clients before designing the ideal space for them,” he says. “We’re great listeners, and let their unique likes and dislikes become the foundation for each renovation.”

Acclaim Renovations & Design is located at 8550 East Avenue in Mentor. The company has been awarded Contractor of the Year by NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). A variety of financing options are available. Call 440-974-8082 or visit AcclaimReno.com.