March 2004 Feature

Tim Fettig, a carpenter for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and an avid do-it-yourselfer, gutted his entire kitchen to make way for maple cabinets, corian counter tops, a porcelain-tile floor, and an island equipped with a gas range. "We restructured [the kitchen] to gain more cabinet space and better [traffic] flow," Fettig says. The Ball State alumnus had already remodeled his master bedroom soon after moving into his new home. Those projects were done, he says, to create a more functional environment for his family's lifestyle.

Homeowners like Fettig are finding cost-saving and convenience as they are taking advantage of facelift opportunities for their residences. Through creating more comfortable, accessible spaces in existing homes, they are contributing to what has become a multi-billion-dollar market, the home improvement industry.

Gaining ground since the mid-1990s when sales hit the $100-million mark, the remodeling industry's upward spiral took sales to a record $208 billion in 2003 and, according to the National Retail Hardware Association's most recent annual report, there is no evidence of slowing down, as least through 2007.

Richard Johnston from the Home Improvement Research Institute in Tampa, Florida suggests that several factors have resulted in the surge. "We have witnessed a spark in home improvement. People are spending more time at home and seeing more things that need to be done," he says. "Interest rates have been low and refinancing levels have been high, resulting in more money available for major repairs and alterations."

With economists projecting that the housing market could see short-term weakening due to mortgage-rate increases, the home improvement retail market will likely remain brisk. Strategically located in cities across America, home improvement chains such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Stock Building Supply, and 84 Lumber are reaping benefits. How-to television shows for nearly every renovation project imaginable are inspiring enthusiasts to leap into renovation projects, from simple updates to complete make-overs.

"They make [interior design and home improvement] look so fun," Carol Brown, Ball State interior design professor, says of the TV programs. "That is what is pulling a lot of people, from kids on up, to watch them."

According to HIRI's Johnston, there are two types of programs. One kind is pure home improvement, like This Old House, Hometime, Bob Vila's Home Again, Ron Hazelton's Home Calls, Ask DIY, and Tommy Walsh DIY Survival. The other type is dedicated to shows that Johnston refers to as "Oh My Gosh TV," saying, "The people involved somehow manage to keep from getting any paint on themselves."

The latter type of show has average Americans Trading Spaces, surprise designing While You Were Out, in Outer Space for backyard makeovers, or as Weekend Warriors, tackling projects that can be accomplished in a short period of time. Shows like Fix It Up, Design on a Dime, and Room for Improvement are accompanied by dozens of other similar programs dealing with what to do to turn average spaces into well-designed, functional areas.

Trading Spaces, where neighbors redesign rooms in each others' houses on a $1,000 budget, "is a kind of show that engages people in, 'I like this, I don't like that, that's something I could do, or I would never do that' sort of responses," Ball State telecommunications professor Dom Caristi says.

Michel Mounayar, architecture professor and associate dean of the College of Architecture and Planning, agrees. "These shows are raising the consciousness of people about the importance of design in the home," he says.

Caristi credits the popularity of home-oriented programs, in part, to what he calls "the 500-channel universe." Home and Garden Television and TLC, along with newcomers like the Do-It-Yourself Network, have grabbed America's attention and established their own niche in the realm of reality programming. But he, along with Brown, who teaches a studio course in residential design at Ball State, contend that there are modifications made to Home TV programming for entertainment, and they warn that viewers should not just take to the toolbox after simply watching a show.

Brown suggests that, while the shows do offer some practical advice on achieving a desired end project, the realities of home improvement are different from what viewers see. She addresses the issue with her classes. "The biggest misconception from the shows is they do not do the process. It gives students [going into interior design] the idea that they have free reign to go in and do whatever they want. You can do that, but you'll be fired really fast," she advises.

Renovation-oriented programming also tends to be more trendy than practical, Mounayar suggests, agreeing that projects on television often reveal designers' tastes rather than the owner's preferences. "I don't know if that's something you necessarily want to do in your house for the long-term," he says.

Mounayar advises that when it comes to Home TV, "take some things with a grain of salt, because they make things look good for the camera." But, he adds that design-oriented programming reflects that people care about their homes, art in general, how they live, and about color, texture, form, and space, providing a good forum for generating ideas of what homeowners want in their spaces.

Gary Osborn, 1990 Ball State graduate and founder of Cliffborn Consultants in Muncie, acknowledges that the shows provide one avenue that, "tweaks that fresh idea," keeping people current on the latest trends in the home. They also, he believes, offer viewers a source of inspiration, giving them courage to work on their personal living environments.

For individuals who have design or project concepts but need assistance putting them into motion, Osborn offers services for both new-homebuilding and renovation. When hired to give guidance to new homebuilders, he works on their behalf as a designer, financial advisor, and liaison with contractors throughout the building process. "I coordinate the construction process for the homeowner, making sure materials are ordered and received when the contractor needs them," says Osborn, who adds that he conceptualizes and directs everything from floor plans to landscaping to interior design. With existing structures, he says that one of the challenges he faces is taking the concept generated from the client and working it into the scheme of the home.

Accomplishing major remodeling jobs takes planning. Whether homeowners are completing projects themselves or hiring professionals, finding and solving the right problems can make the difference. Mounayar, who designed his own home to reflect his family's lifestyle, explains that not only should there be a master plan that prioritizes the work, but one that also addresses personal preferences and functionality of space. "Some of what you do will only be valued by you and your family," he says. "You [make the space] for your own enjoyment and because that is where you live. [For example,] someone may think he needs a dining room table, when what he really wants is a place to eat. The place to eat may be desired near the television. Identifying that offers an opportunity to find other [functional] options besides just a dining table," Mounayar says.

Professional consultants can provide that kind of expertise, Mounayar suggests. Resources also are available for those who prefer the hands-on route. Many home centers have professional designers or well-versed staff who can answer questions and assist with techniques and materials. Also available is the ability to create a space electronically through computer-aided design. From the convenience of their home, customers can choose a room, select a decorating style, and place everything in the space from flooring to furniture and cabinetry to color schemes.

Redoing an area cosmetically can be as simple as changing the color of paint or the kind of flooring. The more difficult challenges come with reconfiguring a space or adding an entire room, which may involve structural changes, in addition to electrical and plumbing issues. At the outset, the homeowner must be cognizant of property guidelines and procedures.

If a homeowner is considering any room addition, Mounayar suggests, "I would make sure the dimensions of what I'm proposing will work for what I need to do and that the zoning laws and site limitations will allow me to do that." He adds that construction setbacks may be avoided by defining property lines and knowing where major electrical and water lines run into the home.

Indoor renovation, Brown believes, can be just as challenging as building an addition, with the kitchen and bathroom posing the greatest difficulty. "The space is tighter and more complex functionally," she says.

Planning cabinetry installation and coordinating appliances with plumbing and electrical capabilities enter into the challenge. Do-it-yourselfer Fettig admits, "Establishing the design layout was harder than the actual work. With a kitchen, you're going to deal with about every element of a house in heating, electrical, and plumbing." Fettig says he had help from his father, a retired Indiana Gas company employee, who installed the gas line for Fettig's range.

Technical skills also come into play when rewiring electricity or redirecting plumbing. "We did it ourselves, but not without the advice of a trained electrician for proper procedures," Fettig says of the electrical phase. He suggests that amateurs should at least have a professional check work involving those areas after it is finished.

With his technical background in carpentry, Fettig could complete the actual work with reasonable ease. But, with a full-time job and a year-old baby, he found challenges in his room make over to be more about time than expertise. Regardless of whether they are simple interruptions or represent technical issues, Fettig suggests that delays may be imminent. "Expect that the project will take twice as long as you anticipated," he advises, adding that what he thought would be a month-long project turned into two.

Nevertheless, Fettig suggests that his home improvement effort has been worthwhile. "It has been a way for us to put a personal touch on the house. We knew when we bought it that we were going to renovate. The bathroom needed a couple of repairs and the kitchen was adequate, but could be better and more pleasing to work in.

"I get a sense of accomplishment every time I walk in," Fettig says of his finished project. "Before, it wasn't very warm and we made it inviting. I believe we accomplished that with the colors and lighting."

For Fettig, the work continues. He has some finishing touches on his kitchen currently in progress. They include the addition of stained glass doors for the cabinets above his refrigerator, a small table unit to be mounted in front of a large window, and doors to be added for the laundry entry. Once the inside is complete, Fettig plans to do more. "I will not stop there. I've gained a lot more confidence to take on more projects," he says. "My next focus will be the outside of the house."

Whatever the reason for remodeling, home improvement represents a favorable alternative to building a new home. "There is a certain amount of pleasure in accomplishing a home improvement project," Mounayar says. "There is a reward from knowing you developed a project that is cost-effective, imaginative, fits within an existing structure, and fulfills a family need."