Amsted BlogAmsted Blog
Learn more about Amsted by reading our latest news or watching our informative videos. If you’d like Amsted’s latest projects and special announcements delivered directly to your inbox, simply sign up for our quarterly newsletter at the bottom of this page.
Over the past two years, we have all spent more time in our homes than ever before. As a result of this ‘new normal,’ people are even more interested in making their homes as functional and beautifully-designed as possible. But before you take a sledgehammer to that wall which has been standing in the way…
Read More
A lot of homeowners are planning to do a kitchen renovation this year. This is no surprise considering that a well-executed kitchen renovation increases the value of your home and can greatly enrich your family’s lifestyle. Of course, not all kitchen renovation stories have a happy ending. Poor planning can lead to big mistakes that deplete…
Read More
We have exciting news! Amsted has won six GOHBA Housing Design Awards including Ottawa Renovator of the year. Our projects were also finalists in five other categories.
These awards help to highlight our commitment to excellence and underline our motivation to build exceptional homes for our amazing clients.
Read on to find out more about our GOHBA Award winners and finalists.
Read More
With colder weather around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready for winter. That’s why Amsted Design-Build founder Steve Barkhouse recently appeared on CTV News at Noon to share a winter prep checklist.
Read More
Is it time to paint your home? A fresh coat of paint can make your home feel like new again. Whether you want to paint a couple of rooms or your entire house, it’s important to know how to hire a good painting contractor.
Read More
Giving back to the community is an integral part of our Core Values. That’s why we consider it a privilege to volunteer at Camp Smitty every fall.
The pandemic prevented us from volunteering in 2020 so we were especially eager to get back to work this past September.
Read More
We’re proud to announce that Amsted is up for 12 Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) Housing Design Awards!
Eight of our projects have been named finalists in 11 categories, in addition to being a finalist for the coveted title of Renovator of the Year. This is a testament to the power of our proven process and amazing team. We’re more dedicated than ever to creating exceptional homes while ensuring that our clients have the most positive experience possible.
Read on to find out more about our GOHBA Award finalists.
Read More
Canadian winters can be hard on a home. Rapid temperature fluctuations and shifts in humidity threaten to damage your home’s foundation. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent winter foundation damage and keep your home’s structural integrity intact. We’ve put together some tips to prevent the most common cold weather foundation issues. First,…
Read More
Home design is always evolving, but the pandemic has led to swift shifts in how spaces are used. COVID restrictions led many of us to become homebodies who work, play and exercise at home. We need our living spaces to reflect our new habits. Here are four ways the pandemic has changed home design.
Read More
This month’s employee spotlight features Christopher Mulholland. Christopher has been an architectural designer with Amsted for eleven years. Read on to discover why he excels at his job, and how he uses his expertise to advocate for homeowners. Continuous professional development Christopher loves the versatility of his job, which involves designing family homes and multi-unit developments.…
Read More
A basements suite, also called a rental suite or basement apartment, is a multipurpose space that can provide many benefits to you and your family. With home prices increasing and rental prices skyrocketing, it’s no wonder that more and more people are interested in adding a basement suite to their home.
Read More
If you love a dramatic renovation before and after, we have the goods for you today. Amsted Design-Build owner Steve Barkhouse appeared on CTV News at Noon to share how we transformed a house in the Civic Hospital area. The home, which originally had a traditional Arts & Crafts style, became a modern, airy living…
Read More
If you’re thinking of adding a sunroom to your house, you may have a lot of questions on your mind. How much will a sunroom addition cost? What are the benefits? What type of addition should I choose? We’ll cover all of the above in this quick guide!
Read More
We’ve all come a long way during this pandemic which has forced us to adapt in order to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe. Halting the spread of COVID has become the planet’s number one priority. The good news; while we wait patiently for the mass distribution of the vaccine, there are ways…
Read More
A Westboro family completed their renovations just before the pandemic hit. They were prepared for the repeated stay-at-home orders without even knowing it! Their story is shared in this article in the Kitchissippi Times by Anita Murray of All Things Home. Check out the article here.
Read More
In light of this extremely challenging year, we are celebrating the talent and resiliency this industry has shown. Amsted has been featured in ‘All Things Home’ as a recipient of a Canadian Home Builder’s Association Award in the Home Renovation category! For more on this accomplishment, read the article here!
Read More
After downsizing to a condo, our clients on Guigues Avenue decided it was time to add some style and functionality to their new space. The transition from a house to a condo was a welcome change for these long-time clients. Following the exciting move, two burning renovation-desires were top of mind: open up the new…
Read More
Our very own Steve Barkhouse, President and Owner of Amsted Design-Build, shares his experience in an Ottawa Citizen feature, about how renovations trends have changed this year due to the pandemic. Check out the article here!
Read More
In case you missed it, Amsted owner Steve Barkhouse had the pleasure of joining CTV News Ottawa’s Leanne Cusak to discuss a home renovation and addition our team blew the roof off of… literally!
Read More
Hosting extravagant dinner parties is hard work but it’s even more difficult without the right kitchen. That’s why we installed new appliances and created a brighter, more functional design make for the owners of Meadowbank! Dinner parties have never been easier.
Read More
Raise the roof! Amsted Design-Build founder, Steve Barkhouse, joined Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon to share how just a few simple chores can save you thousands of dollars on roof repairs. Get all the details here.
Read More
Without proper storage solutions in the kitchen, it’s easy for clutter to take center stage. These homeowners sought the expertise of our design-build team to create a more welcoming space by improving their storage woes and also adding seating. We helped reimagine their kitchen and transformed it into something they could truly enjoy.
Read More
What was once a dark and dreary unfinished basement is now a light and bright oasis the whole family can enjoy! Our president and founder, Steve Barkhouse, sheds some light on this dramatic basement renovation with CTV News.
Read More
The kitchen is the busiest place in your home and these homeowners wanted theirs brightened up and opened up. We got to work modernizing the center stage of their home, that along with some layout changes, created a bright and inviting space for the family to enjoy.
Read More