NARI’s home tour is a great way to explore design ideas for spring remodeling projects

If you’re considering a spring home remodeling project, the Milwaukee/NARI Tour of Remodeled Homes offers a great venue for exploring ideas, says group spokesman Dave Amoroso.

Thirteen projects were selected for this year’s tour, which features an entire home makeover as well as a variety of bathroom and kitchen re-dos. Visitors can get a sense of new trends in flooring, cabinetry and appliances as well as the chance to compare what different contractors are able to accomplish on varying budgets, Amoroso says.

“Consumers get an opportunity to see contractors’ work up close,” he explains. Many participating contractors list the paint colors, flooring, carpeting, appliances and other items and finishes they’ve used in the projects, so visitors can take away not just general ideas, but also specifics, he adds.

The homes included in this year’s tour are all in suburban areas, particularly Wauwatosa, which is close to the city of Milwaukee and has a quaint, European-style village at its center. Most of the remodeled homes are 25-40 years old, and new residents wanted to update the houses to reflect their personalities and lifestyles, Amoroso explains.

Patrons who visit at least six of the project locations will be eligible to register to win a house full of faucets from the Kohler Co., worth a total of more than $1,000. 

To participate in the tour, simply show up at any of the projects, pay the entrance fee there and gain access to the entire tour.

The contractors and projects featured include:

• Allen Kitchen & Bath: Kitchen and powder room remodel, 2012 Forest St., Wauwatosa
• Bartelt. The Remodeling Source: First-floor remodel, N63 W29790 Woodfield Court, Hartland
• Callen Construction: Kitchen remodel, 13120 Wrayburn Road, Elm Grove
• Design Group Three: Kitchen remodel, 12865 W. Greenbriar Lane, New Berlin
• Dimension Design: Master bath remodel,18970 Brookridge Drive, Brookfield
• S.J. Janis Company: Kitchen remodel, 2139 N. 81st St., Wauwatosa
• Joseph Douglas Homes and Remodeling: Whole house remodel, 2485 Lionel Court, Brookfield
• Kowalske Kitchen & Bath: Kitchen remodel, 1248 Highpoint Lane, Waukesha
• Owner-assisted remodeling: Kitchen remodel, 2445 N. 64th St., Wauwatosa
• Pekel Construction & Remodeling: Family room and mudroom entry with a seasonal open-air portico, 7907 Mary Ellen Place, Wauwatosa
• Refined Renovations: Kitchen and bathroom remodel, 20835 Saxon Court, Brookfield
• Wade Design & Construction: Master bath and kitchen remodel, 4110 W. Manor Circle, Mequon
• Jim Wirtz’s Woodworks: Kitchen remodel, 1822 N. 72nd St., Wauwatosa

On view

The 14th annual Milwaukee/NARI Tour of Remodeled Homes takes place 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on May 18–19. Admission is $4 in advance, and $7 at the door of the projects. Bring two, non-perishable food items to the door of the first project you visit and receive a $2 discount. The food will be donated to the Salvation Army of Milwaukee County. Advance tickets are on sale through May 17 at the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council office, 11815 W. Dearbourn Ave., Wauwatosa. For more, call 414-771-4071 or visit www.milwaukeenari.org.