May 2011 Newsletter
 Grow the Bungalow
A busy family of five with a small Broad Ripple bungalow needed their home to grow. Last month we showed the in-progress bungalow renovation. Now see the final project that includes cool features such as storage lockers for family organization, bungalow-era arches, a kitchen island (that doubles as command central), a kitchen desk, a handy faucet to fill pots on the stove with water, floors made to take a beating, a relaxing sunroom/screened porch, a refreshed (but still original fireplace) and an updated exterior with awesome curb appeal.
We can’t believe it’s the same house! Check it out to see how Steve Gray Renovations made this Indianapolis bungalow grow…
  Allison S., her husband and three children decided to have their bungalow renovated over the winter. They wanted the house ready for spring. They decided to live in the house during the renovation process. That presented a unique challenge for the family. Here are great tips from Allison about how she prepared her family for this major disruption to their daily life and living space.
 Get in the right mindset. Your life will be inconvenienced. The sooner you accept it, the better your experience will be. Things such as, which door you use to enter your house, where you will store your bread and where you will hang your coat, have to be considered and communicated to the family before demolition begins. Remember to love the ones you’re with during the disruption. You will be living in close quarters, so make the interim-living space a place for everyone with areas for TV, homework, playing, relaxing, bill paying and more.
 Get organized. Think about how long the renovation will take and what’s coming in the months ahead. If you are going to be under construction during a holiday, rearrange your storage area to place your holiday items up front so you don’t have to dig them out and into the remodeling area. Plan for the change of seasons coming up during the remodeling job by making items like coats and boots, or swim suits and towels accessible.
 Prepare as though you are going on a long camping trip. How will you prepare food? Will you have a microwave and electric skillet? Do you have access to a sink? Where will you store food and utensils? Where will you sit to eat meals? Can you survive using paper plates and plastic utensils? Lots to think about, but planning ahead helps.
Allison reminds anyone thinking about a renovation to keep the line of communication open with the renovation project manager. She says good communication decreases the number of surprises and sets expectations. Most of all, she says to keep your eye on the prize. “The sacrifice is well worth it. Every day you will see progress. Your newly created SGR space will improve the lives of everyone in your family,” she adds.
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