Crafting comfort and style: One local company shares what's popular in our area
ZANESVILLE− Home remodeling has always been a reflection of one's taste, style and individualism to make a home comfortable and our own. Among those who get to see popular styles come and go firsthand are companies like K.E. Dittmar.
In 2014, Ben Dittmar assumed ownership and became president of the company when he took over from his late father who founded it in 1971. Operating in cities spanning from Zanesville, Newark, Morgan County and Cambridge the company remodels, designs, constructs and flips custom houses. During his time working with homeowners, Ben has observed the evolution of remodeling trends over the past decade.
“I really love meeting people. I really love getting to know the customers and trying to help them with whatever they are trying to improve their home,” said Dittmar. "It’s just so cool getting to meet so many people from so many different walks of life and getting to be a part of their life for a while.”
Presently, one of the most common remodeling designs that Ben encounters is the farmhouse style with a craftsman look. While this style was made popular by Joanna and Chip Gains on the national TV show "Fixer Upper" several years ago, it remains at the top of the list for many people. This design is considered a timeless aesthetic characterized by rustic wood, white interior design, and black windows. Other unique, popular features of the farmhouse style include vertical siding and metal roofs.
A notable shift that Ben highlights is one from simple updates to a house to aspiring to create a showpiece room. This trend emphasizes open concept layouts and rooms that cater to entertainment.
Younger couple trend to lean towards the larger showpiece projects, such as focusing on areas such as the kitchen, outdoor spaces and other entertainment areas. On the other hand, older couples tend to go more for comfort, favoring private areas such as master bedrooms and bathrooms.
K.E. Dittmar have worked on houses that ranged from $10,000 to $300,000. While you may not always get dollar-for-dollar value on the remodel, those who sell still may see an increase in the monetary value of their home.
While predicting future trends can be a challenge, sometimes simpler styles make a comeback on their own.
“Due to the prices of everything increasing, we are probably going to see minimalism type of remodel return. Tiny homes are becoming more popular and smaller homes are becoming more popular because they are affordable,” said Dittmar.
@LVanNiel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Popular remodeling styles and trends in our area
