An eye for craftsmanship
By Patricia Nugent
As one of the fastest growing home remodelers in Cleveland, Tamer Construction offers the perfect marriage of old school and new school.
John Tamer worked his way up from craftsman to project manager for a big construction company, to founding Tamer Construction in 1988.
In many ways, he’s never stopped being an old-world craftsman, hiring only the finest fellow craftsmen, with decades of experience, and overseeing their work with an exacting eye. Whether as a remodel or new home addition, the company specializes in designing kitchens, bathrooms, great rooms, basements, in-law suites and attic conversions.
Along the way, John has always looked ahead, and was one of the first in the area to introduce three-dimensional design software.
Once clients see our 3-D presentation on a large screen, it really makes the idea of their project become a gorgeous reality,” says John.
“It leads the client to make the best choices regarding everything involved in the design process, from planning the floor space to changing the position of an island, cabinetry, flooring, lighting, sink or stove selections.”
Leading Edge Design
It’s a time-tested truth: kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. And they also ensure the most enjoyment from a home.
In 2014, John felt his clients were looking for a more centralized showroom experience when making the myriad of selections for kitchens and baths, so he opened the Kitchen & Bath Design Center in Broadview Heights. The showroom features an eclectic variety of model kitchens, baths, bars, and even a dream shower, in many styles, from rustic French country to urban minimalist to sleek contemporary, showcasing cabinets, flooring and countertops.
The showroom’s focus is on full-service remodeling as well as retail and wholesale cabinetry sales for do-it-yourselfers or other remodeling contractors looking for high-end cabinetry and design services.
John says that design is more open than ever before, with open floor plans and open shelving. Cabinetry is linear and simple, with fewer decorative accents, in favor of clean lines.
“As it has been the past several years, the dominant color continues to be gray, from warm earthy grays complementing wrought iron fixtures and deep mahogany, to steely blue-grays marrying a sleek edge to white marble countertops and white cabinetry,” says John.
Painted cabinetry is in itself a growing choice, he adds.
“From neutrals to vivid brights, people are requesting it. We can match any Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore color, so the sky’s the limit to getting exactly the shade you want.”
For countertops, John reports that more and more homeowners are opting for quartz, which is now outselling granite three to one.
Aging in Place
With the aging population, the remodeling specialty of universal design is becoming more important. John is pleased to be one of a handful of builders in the area certified in universal design.
“Universal design is basically making sure every component of a house can be used by every member of the house, regardless of age, ability or disability,” says John.
They rework doorways, grab bars, tub-to-shower conversions, roll-in showers, first-floor bathroom and laundry additions or retro-fits, and even home elevators.
Tamer Construction is located at 6134 State Road, in Parma. The Kitchen & Bath Design Center by Tamer is located at 8142 Broadview Road, in Broadview Heights. Tamer Construction has won countless design awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and Professional Remodelers of Ohio. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 440-886-4700, or visit TamerConstruction.com.