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Amsted Blog

Learn more about Amsted by reading our latest news or watching our informative videos. If you’d like Amsted’s latest projects and special announcements delivered directly to your inbox, simply sign up for our quarterly newsletter at the bottom of this page.

Supporting Hospice Care Ottawa at the 10th Annual Girls Night Out

May 30, 2016

Hospice Care Ottawa hosted their 10th annual Girls Night Out on Friday, May 27th, and Amsted was thrilled to join the party as “Glitz & Glam” sponsor again this year.

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Amsted Honoured for Customer Service Excellence

May 25, 2016

Amsted Design-Build is thrilled to announce that for the sixth consecutive year, we have been awarded the Guildmaster Award with Highest Distinction for exceptional customer service.

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Ottawa Magazine: Patio Perfection

May 13, 2016

Summer reminds us to get outside, and bringing the comforts of home to the backyard allows you to relax and enjoy more than ever before! Profiled in Ottawa Magazine, Sarah Brown explores outdoor living, including a 3-season home addition and open deck Amsted built for long-time clients in the Glebe.

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Ottawa Citizen: Canadian Home Builders’ Association Awards

May 13, 2016

By Patrick Langston “Two members of the local housing industry — Amsted Design-Build and Corvinelli Homes — captured national honours last week at the Canadian Home Builders’ Association annual awards in Kelowna, B.C.”

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Amsted Wins National Award for Glebe Transformation

May 9, 2016

We are thrilled to announce that a recent main-floor renovation in the Glebe has been awarded top honours by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association at the organization’s National Awards for Housing Excellence this past weekend in Kelowna, BC.

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Amsted Continues to Achieve BBB Honour Roll Status

May 3, 2016

Amsted Design-Build has proudly earned a place on the Honour Roll of the Better Business Bureau for promoting trust in the marketplace. Amsted has been an Accredited Business since 2000 with an A+ rating and remains complaint-free in 2015.

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Radon: Is Your Family at Risk?

April 25, 2016

What if we were to tell you that every home in Canada contained the No. 2 cause of lung cancer — and you can’t see it, smell it or taste it? You’d probably be understandably nervous about the safety of your family! Every once-in-awhile radon gets a lot of “air time,” with stories boasting headlines…

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Steve Barkhouse Talks Bathroom Trends on CTV News

Bathroom Design Trends for 2016 on Ctv News at Noon

April 25, 2016

Steve Barkhouse joins Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon to talk bathroom trends! They discuss the many benefits of a bathroom renovation, before showing off the latest in materials and finishes from faux-tile to faucets, as provided by our long-time partners at Mondeau Bathroom & Kitchen.

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Bathroom Renovation Before and After

Before and After Bathroom Transformations on Ctv News at Noon

April 25, 2016

While many seek to update their public living space, it has also become common to turn the focus on our most private space – bathrooms! Amsted owner Steve Barkhouse, joins Leanne Cusack on CTV News at noon, sharing two separate renovations, and the considerations involved for both homeowners while designing their new spaces.

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Celebrating Trade Partner Relationships

March 31, 2016

On Wednesday, March 9th Amsted welcomed over 30 trades and suppliers to breakfast at Kanata Golf & Country Club, where we celebrated our successful relationships and awarded partners with several special awards. “In an industry that is often portrayed negatively in the media, we felt it was important to recognize that excellence also exists,” says owner Steve Barkhouse. “Amsted…

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Amsted Named a Finalist for the CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

March 21, 2016

A finalist in both the local and provincial competitions, Amsted’s dramatic main level transformation of a home in the Glebe has now been selected as a finalist on the national stage. The project, which involved rebuilding a rotting addition and reworking the layout of the entire main floor, was designed to respect the home’s Victorian heritage, while creating…

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Amsted Wins Best Medium Business of the Year

March 18, 2016

Amsted Design-Build proudly took home the award for Best Medium Business of the Year at the West Ottawa Business Excellence Awards on Thursday, February 25th. This award is a proud accomplishment that shows Amsted is not only a leader in the industry, but also a leader in the business community. Named one of five finalists out of…

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Marty’s Maintenance Tips: What You Need to Know About Ice Damming

January 26, 2016

Don’t let the periodic warm temperatures fool you; we are firmly in the middle of winter. And while many of us personally enjoy these milder days, taking advantage of the opportunity for more comfortable winter activities, the temperature fluctuations we’re experiencing this year can wreak havoc on your home. In particular, we are talking about…

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Steve Barkhouse Talks Kitchen Trends on CTV News

Talking Kitchen Trends on Ctv News at Noon!

January 25, 2016

Steve Barkhouse joins Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon to talk kitchen trends! They discuss the many benefits of a kitchen renovation, before showing off the latest in kitchen selections from cabinets to countertops, as provided by our friends at Deslaurier Custom Cabinets.

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Kitchen Renovation

New Year, New Look! Showcasing a Whole-Home Transformation on Ctv News at Noon

January 25, 2016

Steve Barkhouse joins Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon to walk you through a beautiful main-floor transformation, in which we took the homeowners’ original family home and created a new look that seamlessly blends their traditional values with their modern living style.

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An Introduction to Amsted

January 7, 2016
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Amsted Will Be at the Home & Remodelling Show. Will You?

January 7, 2016

Join Amsted founder Steve Barkhouse on Sunday, January 24th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm as he provides your guide to a successful renovation. During this lively and engaging seminar, Steve will walk through step-by-step the unique process of Design-Build. He will address common concerns including staying on budget, point out the anticipated pitfalls, and detail the…

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Your Guide to a Successful Renovation

January 7, 2016

With 25 years of experience, Amsted founder Steve Barkhouse is well known for creating successful renovation projects. Have a look through our website to find photos of testimonials of clients who have created their unmistakable home. Now it’s your turn! Join us at our upcoming seminar, and gain valuable information about renovating that will leave you feeling enthusiastic…

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Enhancing Your Home’s Curb Appeal

January 4, 2016

Many people consider curb appeal only when it comes time to sell. But it can add to your own enjoyment as well! Joining Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon on September 21st, Amsted Owner Steve Barkhouse brought before and after photos and a variety of materials to discuss ways you can enhance your own home’s curb…

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“25 Acts for 25 Years” a Resounding Success

January 3, 2016

Amsted had a busy 2015. Established in 1989, we were excited to spend the year celebrating 25 successful years in business; a quarter-century spent building not only unmistakable homes for Ottawa residents, but also an unparalleled team of staff, partners and clients alike. “It takes many people to achieve this milestone, and it has only been possible…

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Ottawa Renovator of the Year: Ottawa Citizen Profile

January 3, 2016

“Steve Barkhouse is partied out. In the last two months, the president of Amsted Design-Build, a Stittsville-based company specializing in custom homes and renovations, has had plenty of reasons to celebrate, including his unprecedented win at the Housing Design Awards on Oct. 3….” Click to continue reading.

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Amsted and Restore-All Visit Camp Smitty

January 3, 2016

Amidst a busy awards season and celebrating 25 years in business, staff from Amsted Design-Build and sister company Restore-All Corporation, found time to come together for their annual trip to the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa’s Camp Smitty. Joined by family and valued trade partners, this year’s team boasted over 50 people who volunteered their…

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Celebrating 25th Anniversary With Award Recognition and Community Service Initiatives

January 3, 2016

Amsted was proudly featured in the November Issue of Impact!, the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association’s monthly newsletter. The piece highlighted Amsted’s recent award successes, and features our “25 Acts in 25 Years” initiative, which was designed to give back to the communities who have helped us achieve 25 great years in business. Take a look here!

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An Impressive Attic Transformation & the Importance of Hiring the Right Contractor

January 3, 2016

On November 2nd, Amsted Owner Steve Barkhouse joined Leanne Cusack on CTV News at Noon to talk about renovation planning done right! Viewers were first inspired with an attic transformation that would bring the homeowners new-found comfort year-round. Steve then shared some not-so-great photos collected over the years of projects gone wrong!

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