When you visit Susan Forrest's home in Sturgeon, you are immediately aware that you have entered into an artist's haven. Known for many years as the "Santa Gourd Lady," this award-winning artist has put her creative touch on everything around her. And when she needed to remodel her home, Susan wanted a remodeler who could create a functional, yet imaginative space for her work. That remodeler was Kerry Bramon Remodeling and Design.

The Starting Point

Initially, Forrest was interested in fixing up her two bathrooms. One was in need of total renovation, while the other bathroom needed to be adapted for handicap accessibility for Susan's elderly mother. In this bath, the Bramon crew widened the doorway and adapted the shower for wheelchair use. They utilized space from an existing closet by moving walls, and a tunnel skylight was created to bathe the room in natural sunlight.

Using some of the floor space from the adjoining bedroom enlarged the master bath. By moving the wall, a contemporary step-in shower with a seat and handrail were added. A large bay window surrounds a jetted tub, allowing for spacious views of the outside. "As a gardener, I like to have a specific plantview out of each window when I do my landscaping," says Forrest. The muted walls and solid surface countertops complement the warm earth tones of the natural cherry cabinetry. To finish the look, Susan has added her own touches of nature -- a garland light fixture, plants -- and even a hand-painted gnome gourd to watch over the room.

Time to Smile

Once the bathrooms had been designed, Kerry and Susan discussed working on the other areas of the home. Forrest's four-bedroom 1967 ranch style home had plenty of small rooms, including a living room and formal dining room, which were hardly ever used. After raising her three children and now welcoming her new grandchildren into her home, Susan realized that the boxy layout no longer suited her needs. "I really wanted the walls out," she said. "And Kerry was the only remodeler who said it could be done."

The Bramon crew removed the walls that separated the living and dining rooms and supported the roof. In addition, they vaulted the southern half of the roof and Kerry suggested adding three skylights in the new living area to bring in more natural light. "We ending up putting in two skylights," says Forrest. "They're very effective, wonderful and I just love them."

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