Back in December, we shared a Triangle Home Design & Decor feature about our clients, the Canady family, and their experience working with interior designer Aimee Montgomery. We chatted recently with Erika Canady to learn more about the renovation process and see how they’re enjoying their home a year later.

Photography by Sara Coffin

Now that it’s been a little over a year since your renovation project, let’s go back to the beginning. What prompted you to start thinking about renovating?

A few years ago, we had a pool put in and that sparked further ideas for renovations. We’ve been in our home since 2006, but as our kids grew into teenagers, our needs as a family started to change, and we wanted our space to better fit those needs. 

We considered moving to a new home, but we just love our location so much. After talking to the Rufty team, they listened to all of our concerns and assured us that we could update the home we love to be a more functional (and beautiful!) space. 

As a result, we updated the kitchen and screened-in porch and added a half-bath accessible from the outside so pool guests no longer have to walk through the kitchen to use the restroom.

What was it like staying in the home during the renovation process?

Our project manager, Chris Bridgewater, worked hard to make sure our lives were mostly uninterrupted. He was even more conscientious than I was about keeping the house clean during the renovation. And best of all, he left parts of the kitchen usable for as long as possible, so we could continue using it throughout the process. 

Chris was meticulous and communicative at every turn, so we were kept in the loop about everything. There were truly no surprises, which is almost unheard of during renovations!  We always knew exactly who was coming over to work on the house and when they’d be there, which made it easier to plan our days around the project. 

Photography by Sara Coffin

What would you say to someone who’s considering working with Rufty Homes on a renovation project?

You won’t regret it if you do! Everyone on the Rufty team was always open and honest with us from day one. Instead of just telling us what we wanted to hear, they’d talk us through the pros and cons of different decisions to help us make the right choices for our family. 

They treated every single member of our family with respect, even letting our dogs outside when we weren’t home. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. 

Most importantly, what’s your favorite part of your updated home?

Honestly, it’s hard to choose. In the kitchen, I love the island and the backsplash, in the bathroom, I love the tile flooring, and the doors going out to the patio are perfect. Holiday decorating is also easier than ever now, thanks to Chris thinking outside the box. He happened to be at the house when we were planning our exterior lighting decorations and he had the electricians add an additional outlet to accommodate our lights. 

We’ve always loved our home, but Chris and the whole Rufty team helped to transform it into a place we’ll stay for years to come. 

To learn more about this project, read the full write-up in Triangle Home Design & Decor here.