It was love at first sight for one local, retired couple when they first crossed the threshold of the eighteenth floor condo. Situated among the bustling streets of Seattle's University District, and masked by a somewhat boring concrete exterior, the two-bedroom, three bathroom condo nearly kissed the clouds and offered breathtaking views of the city and mountains beyond. 

The only problem? The flat's oh-so dated styling. The 24-story high-rise had been built in 1974 and looked it. Tan and brown marbled travertine flooring ran throughout the condo, cheesy wallpaper flanked the rooms and the kitchen and bathrooms left something to be desired. One bathroom even had carpeted flooring, ostensibly for ill-planned absorbency. The new owners took one look at the space and declared that since it felt "just like heaven" it ought to look the part. Their vision spoke of an open, airy feeling, with light colors throughout. To obtain this personal paradise, they called upon the help of Master Builders Association members, Irons Brothers Construction, Inc. 

The couple had found Irons Brothers Construction through a referral from another client but also chose to hire the Irons team because Joseph Irons, the owner of the company, is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) in addition to his Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and Graduate Master Builder (GMB) certifications. The husband of the couple has Parkinson's disease and the couple was interested in making the condo as user-friendly for his physical needs as possible. In addition to the cosmetic aspects of the remodel, all room transitions would need to be kept as minimal as possible and incorporate his physical limitations into the design.

The main challenge Irons Brothers faced, however, was far removed from any wants or needs the couple may have had. A formidable force would need to be appeased, namely, the condo association. Unlike a single-family home remodel, multi-family housing remodels require one crucial, additional step of preparation and consideration before the project can begin. Before construction could begin, the plan had to pass through the association for approval. The "heavenly home" project proved to be no exception.

Read on to learn how Iron Brothers worked with the condo association to find the solution!

While most of the aspects of the remodel were accepted with little argument, the condo association wasn't keen on the idea of replacing the travertine floors with ceramic tile. The only thing that separated the units above and below was a six-inch concrete slab, and an industry standard tile installation would not meet the condo association's sound guidelines. The association suggested carpet - the standard-bearer for condo sound control - but while some rooms were suitable for carpeting, the couple wasn't interested in a completely plushy underfoot. 

Irons Brothers Construction then countered with a creative solution. By laying the tile over the travertine, no sound insulation would be lost and the couple would retain their top flooring choice. Irons Brothers would have to cut down the existing doors to get them to close over the raised floors, but the compromise seemed workable. The association agreed, on the condition that the couple also update their plumbing, which was accepted, much to everyone's relief. 

The negotiations squared away, the project began in earnest. Irons Brothers started by adding central air to the condo. A new heat pump took up residence on the deck and the exterior window was replaced to accommodate condensation lines for the pump. The new floors were installed and the doors modified where the tile was laid. The existing tan baseboard radiators were also replaced with forced air vents, to accommodate both heating and the newly installed central air.

The wallpaper was stripped and replaced with painted walls in most of the rooms and silk wallpaper was added in the master bedroom to match existing silk curtains. Designer silk screened wall paper was also installed in the guest bathroom. All three bathrooms received new wall treatments and new tile floors, completely updating their look and functionality.

To create a more open feel, Irons Brothers replaced the existing back wall of the kitchen with a set of vertical wall openings to let in light to the previously dark, cramped-feeling kitchen. The kitchen also received a much-needed facelift with refaced cabinet doors, stainless steel appliances and modern light fixtures.

Mirrors were then installed on two facing walls of the main living space, creating an illusion of space and adding additional light reflection surfaces. The garish, brown support pillar that ran through all floors of the building and dissected the living room of the couple's condo also received the mirror treatment, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the surrounding decor.

Throughout the remodel Irons Brothers Construction team of staff was sure to work within the association's rules for construction. All materials used in the project had to be transported in the service elevator, which they padded to protect it from wear and tear. They packed their tools onto a cart which they then ferried up the elevator each day, and their work hours were limited out of noise consideration to the neighbors. 

In total, the project took only three months to complete and when it was done the owners were left with the open, airy view condo they had envisioned. The project was so successful, in fact, that Irons Brothers Construction have since then been asked back by the couple to do another bathroom renovation in an effort to continue addressing their needs as an aging-in-place couple. This renovation will include the installation of a step-in shower entry with glass doors; grab bars and tile surround, as well as several other fixture upgrades in two bathrooms.

Despite the additional rules and limitations of the project, Irons Brothers Construction, Inc. persevered in developing a relationship with the condo association that ultimately served them well. As word spread of their professionalism and craftsmanship, they were commissioned to remodel several other units in the building. With the condo association's approval, of course.

Thanks to Iron Brothers for contributing their information and ideas on behalf of the Master Builders Association. For more information on the MBA, go to www.masterbuildersinfo.com.