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Pro Spotlight: Rethink Your Layout to Open Up the Possibilities
A Las Vegas designer explains why structural changes offer more options when remodeling
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Who: Jason Johnson of AFR Construction
Where: Las Vegas
In his own words: “The key to a remodel you’ll really love is thinking outside the box — thinking structurally.”
If you have too much room in your big, open-plan space, you might be thinking about adding an island or a half wall. Conversely, your cramped, out-of-date kitchen or bath might be making you claustrophobic. But before you resign yourself to an updated version of the same floor plan, consider the possibility of a whole new layout.
“Before you start trying to fit new things into your existing space, consider moving — or even removing — a wall,” says Jason Johnson, the owner of and chief designer at AFR Construction in Las Vegas. “There’s no reason that you have to work within the old floor plan, particularly if it’s a design that’s been frustrating you. A general contractor can show you structural solutions that will make it possible for you to get the space and the floor plan you want.”
Where: Las Vegas
In his own words: “The key to a remodel you’ll really love is thinking outside the box — thinking structurally.”
If you have too much room in your big, open-plan space, you might be thinking about adding an island or a half wall. Conversely, your cramped, out-of-date kitchen or bath might be making you claustrophobic. But before you resign yourself to an updated version of the same floor plan, consider the possibility of a whole new layout.
“Before you start trying to fit new things into your existing space, consider moving — or even removing — a wall,” says Jason Johnson, the owner of and chief designer at AFR Construction in Las Vegas. “There’s no reason that you have to work within the old floor plan, particularly if it’s a design that’s been frustrating you. A general contractor can show you structural solutions that will make it possible for you to get the space and the floor plan you want.”
A focus on design. Johnson has always worked as a designer, beginning with custom designs for luxury cars and transitioning into the residential properties AFR remodels. “When you partner with a designer, you aren’t limited to just what’s off the shelf,” he says. He enjoys customizing fixtures and other solutions for clients in his shop, equipped for fabrication in metal, glass, wood and other materials.
Embracing ideas. You can always scale down or modify your remodel, but sometimes the best ideas for your project come when you talk about your stretch goals. “I tell my clients to go through Houzz and look at all the styles, all the colors, all the materials — everything that speaks to them,” Johnson says. “They’ll send me 60 or 70 pictures, and that’s fine. That starts the dialogue. You want your designer to know you and what you like.”
Following are some tips from Johnson for taking a structured approach to your remodeling project.
Following are some tips from Johnson for taking a structured approach to your remodeling project.
1. Start From Scratch
Imagine that you’re building a house from the ground up. The creative frame of mind people bring to thinking about new construction generates better ideas for a remodel, Johnson says. “You want to be fresh and innovative, even if you’re just redoing a master bedroom and master bath,” he says. “Explore all your options, and then work back from that. You don’t want to say, at the end, ‘Oh, I wish I’d known I could do that.’”
Johnson reimagined a nondescript, outdated tiled bathroom in Las Vegas into a showcase of contemporary fixtures and materials. The result, seen here, features a sculptural free-standing tub, stone counters and a pebbled shower floor.
See more of this project
Imagine that you’re building a house from the ground up. The creative frame of mind people bring to thinking about new construction generates better ideas for a remodel, Johnson says. “You want to be fresh and innovative, even if you’re just redoing a master bedroom and master bath,” he says. “Explore all your options, and then work back from that. You don’t want to say, at the end, ‘Oh, I wish I’d known I could do that.’”
Johnson reimagined a nondescript, outdated tiled bathroom in Las Vegas into a showcase of contemporary fixtures and materials. The result, seen here, features a sculptural free-standing tub, stone counters and a pebbled shower floor.
See more of this project
2. Borrow Space
If you’re looking for additional space, look to an adjoining closet or hallway; non-load-bearing walls are surprisingly easy to move. “With a nonsupporting wall, you can move it a foot or so to give a cramped room, such as an older bathroom, more space,” Johnson says. In a Las Vegas home, for example, AFR took less than 12 inches from an adjoining closet to enlarge the bathroom, seen here. Once the room was expanded, the client was able to install a full-size luxury tub.
See more of this project
If you’re looking for additional space, look to an adjoining closet or hallway; non-load-bearing walls are surprisingly easy to move. “With a nonsupporting wall, you can move it a foot or so to give a cramped room, such as an older bathroom, more space,” Johnson says. In a Las Vegas home, for example, AFR took less than 12 inches from an adjoining closet to enlarge the bathroom, seen here. Once the room was expanded, the client was able to install a full-size luxury tub.
See more of this project
3. Open Up Your Rooms
Consider moving, or removing, a supporting wall. In the Las Vegas home seen here, AFR replaced a wall with a support beam, connecting the remodeled kitchen to the living area. “With an engineering solution, we were able to open up the kitchen to the dining room and great room for entertaining,” Johnson says. “It gives the house a completely different feel.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Jason Johnson and examples of his work, visit AFR Construction’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Consider moving, or removing, a supporting wall. In the Las Vegas home seen here, AFR replaced a wall with a support beam, connecting the remodeled kitchen to the living area. “With an engineering solution, we were able to open up the kitchen to the dining room and great room for entertaining,” Johnson says. “It gives the house a completely different feel.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Jason Johnson and examples of his work, visit AFR Construction’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Review by J Nelson:
We are extremely happy with our home remodel. Todd, Louie, and all the employees at AFR were professional, paid very close attention to details, and took pride in their work. Everything they promised ...More