Historic renovation is a challenging and rewarding remodeling project, and we look back with pride at an 18th century Illinois farmhouse we brought into the 21st century.

To make this home functional, beautiful and welcoming for the 4th generation of family who use it, we melded their personal history with current needs and future aspirations to craft a new home that honors the past.

Here’s an illustrated story of this historic renovation project.

To prepare this home for a 2-story addition and updated, energy efficient systems, Mosby designers and carpenters got a thorough education in building techniques of the 1850s.  For instance, as the original clapboard siding was removed, they discovered the interior walls were lined with brick! Here’s what we learned about brick nogging.

As we stripped the house down to its original bones, we discovered hand-cut iron nails and old-growth wood framing that was still plumb over 140 years later!  We learned that the building techniques of the past still serve us well today, and how building science has improved with the centuries to increase our safety, comfort and energy efficiency.

This Homer Award-winning home makeover inspired and educated all of the Mosby experts involved, and most importantly of all, the family has a modern heirloom that enhances their legacy and lifestyle.

We invite you to explore all the links above that tell this engaging story, and if you have an historic home that needs deep knowledge, understanding and skill to revive it, call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Our basements are a wonderland of possibilities, with all that space waiting to take care of our basic needs - like storage! - or our fondest dreams . . . an arts and crafts studio, media room, home theatre or man cave. It can do both, and this is why finished basements are one of the most popular remodeling projects.

Expanding your living space is what finishing a basement is all about. For instance, a one-story home can become a 2-story home by turning your basement into a lower level used by the entire family. The deep bench of professionals at Mosby Building Arts work with homeowners to create the new spaces they’ve always wanted within the square footage they already have.

One of our favorite basement remodeling projects was the transformation of a typical unfinished basement into a multi-faceted entertainment destination created for the whole family to use.

A game room provides plenty of space for a poker table, pool table, fooz ball and a shuffle board.

Adding a full service wet bar with mini-refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and sink is an added benefit to the pleasure and convenience of fun and entertainment. The main public area of the finished basement is combined with more private realms that can be used simultaneously.

A fully-equipped exercise room has a complete wall of windows to allow those working out to see the action outside the room while privately pursuing fitness. The rubber tile floor in the gym is padded to protect against high impact. This workout room leads into a full bathroom with a walk-in steam shower.

A hallway doubles as an art gallery which leads to two more specialty areas…

The theater features luxurious, reclining leather seats on two levels, a marble-faced fireplace and a wrap-around sound system. The room is soundproofed so that one group can take in a movie on the big screen while other activities continue around them.

Next door to the home theater is the family’s wine cellar. Red wood wine racks, cabinets and ceiling are accented by slate tile flooring and natural stone walls. Also included in this finished basement project is a large guest bedroom, which usually gets used by one of the sons who spends most of his time in this entertainment wonderland.

See more photos of this remodeled lower level.

Think about the possibilities for your basement. Is there a Man Cave that is in your future? A special domain for the man of the house, or the place to display special collections?

The Mosby Team guided this Chesterfield family in turning their basement into a St. Louis Cardinals playground, with the drapes, furniture and pool table felt all decked out in Cardinal red.

We even found a way to incorporate the old Busch stadium chairs the owner purchased when the stadium was replaced (above left) as well as a special built-in cabinet for his chess collection (above right, background).

See more photos of this project.

Create the spaces you always dreamed about and enhance the living space and beauty by remodeling your basement.

Keep in mind there are several reasons for a professional to finish your basement. Moisture can be trapped behind walls in finished spaces and can create serious health issues as well as deteriorate the existing structure. The first step we take is to evaluate the basement and find the root cause of any moisture issues. Common mistakes too often can be made, like using plastic or kraft paper to create a vapor barrier along the wall. Air circulation is important for keeping a space underground dry and proper installation is key to years of enjoyment.

To get the finished basement you’ve always dreamed of, and to make it one that’s healthy and built to last a lifetime, call on Mosby Building Arts. See examples of other finished basements we’ve done and then work with our team of designers and skilled craftsmen to create your perfect lower level. Call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

Bunny Buck and his new covered deck.

Mosby Building Arts thinks differently about remodeling; we enhance lifestyles for everyone in the family… including pet wild rabbits!

We recently completed a covered deck project in St. Ann, MO, for a client wanting a shady and relaxing spot to gaze upon her gorgeous backyard. While on a visit to take pictures of the completed project, we kept bumping into a rather brave rabbit that not only seemed comfortable in our presence, but also seemed to be keeping an eye on the proceedings.

Turns out this rabbit had long ago adopted the homeowner, and she named him Buck. Turns out Mosby project manager Tom Miller had a furry friend overseeing this covered deck project, as Buck was constantly around to review progress. Our carpenters quickly befriended Buck, and were careful to keep an eye out for his safety during construction.

As the homeowner told this story, Buck hopped right up to us, and posed for some pictures with “his” new deck. We take this as a sign that he’s pleased with “his” new deck!

See more photos of Buck’s new deck.

A homeowner wrote into our Mosby Home Improvement Library with this question:

“What are the pros and cons of “no tank” water heaters for small residences? Thanks.”

We love tankless units. When sized and installed properly they are the perfect solution for instant hot water on demand, and not having to continuously heat a large reserve of water can significantly reduce energy costs. We also understand that each homeowner has unique needs and circumstances which we take into consideration to help you make the right decision.

There are pros and cons to consider when researching a switch to tankless water heating:

Tankless Water Heater Pros

1. Only heats water while hot water is being used. This “on demand” aspect means lower use which can equal lower utility cost.

2. Because they don’t hold a supply of water, they are typically smaller than standard heaters.

3. The supply of hot water is endless. No holding tank to empty.

4. Some tankless water heaters qualify for a federal tax credit.

Tankless Water Heater Cons

1. The initial cost and installation of a tankless unit costs more than a standard water heater, but over time you will recoup this cost in future energy savings.

2. Tankless uses a lot of power at the time they are engaged, so your gas or electric lines may require upgrading to handle the volume.

3. Some units are very strict on placement in the home; this sometimes makes it difficult to install/retrofit in an existing home.

4. Some complain that they do not meet high demand (example: shower with washing machine and dishwasher running.) You can avoid this problem by using an experienced installer who will assess your home and suggest the right size for your daily needs.

Historic tankless heater courtesy of Stan-Key Plumbing Services.

Tankless water heaters originated in Europe and Asia after World War 2 when on-going energy limitations and space constraints forced people to look for more efficient ways to heat their water. With the recent increases in energy costs, Americans are now interested in more efficient and cost-effective ways of heating water.

The major contrast between the old and new tankless heaters is efficiency. Most of the heat created by the old tankless heater went up the chimney, and not into the water. During that time in our nation’s history, fuel was cheap so efficiency wasn’t an issue. The new tankless heaters make use of solid-state electronics and a variety of water and gas controls which result in most of the heat going into the water and not out the vent.

Tankless system installed by trusted Mosby trade partner Stan-Key Plumbing Services.

The decision to install a tankless water heater is a personal choice. The initial costs are higher than traditional water heaters, but the long term savings are substantial and the convenience is rewarding.

If you decide to go with a standard tank water heater we recommend installing a high efficiency sealed combustion unit. If you decide to go tankless, they require an experienced installer to assess your specific needs and give you the right size unit properly installed. Call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here to get expert Mosby Building Arts help with all your water heater issues.

50+ living in your own home is all about independent, barrier-free comfort and function.  It’s a form of accessibility that benefits all the generations of your family and friends who come into your home, which is why it is also known as Universal Design.

Remaining in your home requires thinking about how your life is currently, and what your needs might be for the future.  This is where a Certified Aging In-Place Specialist (CAPS) can assist you with the questions, designs and remodeling you will need to turn your house into a home for a lifetime.

Interior Accessible Design

A St. Louis couple had been in the same home for decades.  They had raised a family there, and their children and grandchildren all lived nearby.  Nearing retirement, they realized that they wanted to stay in their own home within the their community, but wanted to explore how to prepare the house for the years ahead.

Working with a Mosby Building Arts CAPS designer, they reviewed current needs and future concerns and decided to make the master bathroom their first mobility project because this where we tend to first notice changing capabilities.  Standing in the shower, the low height of a toilet bowl or operating the hot and cold taps on the sink becomes a bit more difficult.  There are many functional solutions to all of these issues, but it should also be attractive so that we are inspired by our surroundings.  Or as we say about all our CAPS remodeling projects: “Mobility Is Beautiful!”

To look at this bathroom, you would not immediately know that it’s accessible, but it certainly is.  The His and Hers bathroom vanities have single-lever faucet handles for ease of use, and are separated by a chair-height counter top with open space below.  This can accommodate a chair now or a wheelchair in the future.

The toilet is of taller height than average with a grab bar to the right which makes it easier to access, and comes with a push-button control pad mounted to the bathroom cabinet.

The walk-in shower has a low-clearance threshold, multiple brushed, stainless grab bars, a handheld shower wand and a retractable teak wood bench mounted to the wall.

See more photos of this accessible bathroom project.

All of these accessible master bathroom items can be used now for ease of use and security, and should there be a time when they need these features, having them already in place helps with these changes.  And at all times, it is a beautiful space that is already enhancing their lifestyle.

Exterior Accessible Design

We have a remodeling client that we’ve worked with on previous mobility projects.  She is currently vibrant and active, but is thinking ahead and prefers to be prepared.  We have moved her laundry room from the basement to a new ground floor addition off the garage, and even built new, shallow steps for easier access from the garage to the house (above).

She is also a veteran gardener with a gorgeous backyard, so we came up with designs to make her outdoor living just as accessible as indoors.  We designed and built a new patio with a lightly textured concrete surface for better traction, and a screen porch with a zero-clearance entry from the patio so that a walker or wheelchair.

Her favorite feature is the concrete ramp that takes one from the patio down into the garden.  She already enjoys how convenient the lack of steps is, which highlights how so many of the universal designs just make good sense for everyone who uses them.

See more photos of this project.

Other features that add mobility and beauty to outdoor living include increased lighting, raised flower planters and beds, raised height water spigots and wide sliding or French doors leading out to the area. When done properly, nothing looks out of the ordinary because it looks extraordinary.

Mosby Building Arts has three CAPS team members - including Scott Mosby who was the first national CAPS ambassador - who are certified and experienced at helping you live more comfortably in your home for all your days.  To explore your options for beautiful mobility, call us at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.