Home Remodeling Tips & Inspiration by Jonna

Before you start a kitchen, bathroom, or home addition remodel in Fairfield or Litchfield County, three things matter most: a realistic budget, a design finalized before you buy any materials, and clear timeline expectations — bathrooms run about 2–8 weeks, kitchens 8–12 weeks, and additions 4–6 months. After helping hundreds of Connecticut homeowners over 30-plus years, I've found the families who enjoy the process most aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the

I'll be honest, this is one of my favorite times to be a designer. The direction bathroom design has taken in 2026 is exactly the kind of work I love helping clients bring to life — and I'm seeing these trends come through our Design Center in New Milford, CT every week. We're moving away from cold, stark spaces and toward bathrooms that feel warm, layered, and genuinely personal. Less utility room, more private retreat. I wanted to share what's exciting me most right now — a

One of the first questions homeowners ask when they start thinking about a kitchen remodel is usually the most practical one: “How much is this going to cost?” It’s a fair question. It’s also one of the hardest ones to answer without first understanding the home, the layout, the materials, and how much work needs to happen behind the walls. As a project manager at Solimine Contracting, I’ve worked with homeowners throughout Fairfield County on everything from straightforward

One of the most common conversations I have with homeowners starts the same way: “We’re thinking about removing the tub and turning it into a shower…” Usually, it’s in a hallway or second bathroom. Usually, the tub hasn’t been used in years—except to stand in and take a shower. And usually, it comes with a little hesitation. “Is that the right thing to do?” or “Should we keep it for resale?” My answer is often one that surprises people. Let’s Start Here: Who Are You Designin

Key Takeaways Customer service in the construction industry impacts your entire experience, not just the outcome The lowest price often excludes key elements like insurance, warranties, and communication Great construction customer service includes guidance, honesty, and accountability A design-build approach improves communication and reduces stress The right contractor makes you feel confident, not confused What do you expect when hiring a contractor? What matters most when

For the last several years, we’ve lived in a Modern Farmhouse era where kitchens and bathrooms leaned heavily toward white or gray cabinets with matte black fixtures. If wood showed up, it was usually white oak. Everything felt light, bright, and clean. And to be clear—it is beautiful. (Notice I said is , because it still works.) But as a designer during that time, I often tried to introduce something that made the space feel more personal. Sometimes that meant adding color.

Why Giving Back Matters to Us At Solimine Contracting, giving back has always been part of who we are—because this is our community, too. Our family has long believed that if you’re blessed, you should be a blessing to others. And even in seasons when things were hard, we’ve always been aware that someone else may be carrying something heavier. In Brookfield, Danbury, and the surrounding towns we serve, there is always someone who could use a helping hand. Over the years, tha

Smart, Stylish Upgrades That Stretch Your Budget Further We recently completed a whole-home interior remodel in Stamford, CT for clients we had worked with a year earlier on their exterior. Their 1950s home still had the mint-green tile, wood paneling, and vinyl linoleum floors many homeowners know all too well—and they were finally ready to bring the interior up to date. Since they’re a retired couple, they wanted their home to look and feel new without pushing beyond a resp

If you’ve ever walked past a scuffed piece of trim, heard a door click the wrong way, or glanced (for the hundredth time) at a light fixture you swear you’re going to replace “this weekend,” you’re not alone. Most homeowners have a running list of small projects—little annoyances, wear-and-tear repairs, tiny upgrades—that quietly pile up over the years. And here’s the truth I’ve learned after designing hundreds of kitchens, bathrooms, and full-home remodels: It’s rarely the

Quick Answer: What are the best walk in shower ideas for CT homes?Some of the best walk-in shower ideas for Connecticut homes include expanding the shower footprint, adding built-in niches for storage, incorporating bench seats with stone tops, using multiple shower heads for a spa-like experience, and creating wet room layouts when space is limited. Thoughtful materials and finishes—like wood-look tile or warm metals—help tie everything together. Many homeowners come to us w

From narrow galley to an open-concept gathering space. When we first met these homeowners, they wanted their kitchen to feel like the place everyone naturally gathers. Their first idea was to open the wall between the kitchen and the formal dining room to make room for a larger island. Smart instinct—but stopping at one wall would have left the space shaped like an “L,” which actually makes a long, narrow kitchen feel even narrower. We suggested taking down two walls: the one

Solimine Contracting: Where Vision Meets Craftsmanship