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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.

Amsted Design-Build renovation seminar

Thinking of Renovating? Start With Our Free Renovation Seminar

February 3, 2020

Are you thinking of renovating? Then you need to attend our free renovation seminar to get advice on the tackle your project the right way. The seminar highlights some of the common elements we see in renovations, typical roadblocks you may face, and acts as your guide to a successful renovation!

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built-in seating Amsted Design-Build Ottawa renovations kitchen window bench

Built-in Seating Is 2020’s Coziest Trend

February 3, 2020

According to Dwell magazine, one of the trends for 2020 is built-in seating. We couldn’t agree more, in fact, built-in seating is a feature we’ve been big on for some time. “Be it a window-side perch with a great view or cozy reading niche, seating that’s built-in adds character to a room and can be…

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Greg Simpson, Ottawa home Show 2020

Catch Up on What You Missed at the Ottawa Home Show

January 27, 2020

The Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show is a huge event that inspires people across the city to turn their houses into a home. Whether they are looking to complete a new build, renovate their existing home, or just get a few ideas, there’s something for everyone.

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Pocket Ontario OHS Act

How Asbestos Impacts Your Home Renovation: Part 2

January 20, 2020

What do you need to know about designated substances? In part 2 of his latest appearance on CTV News at Noon, Amsted’s Steve Barkhouse explains a homeowner’s responsibilities when it comes to asbestos and other designated substances.

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designated substances asbestos Amsted Design-Build before kitchen

How Asbestos Impacts Your Home Renovation: Part 1

January 20, 2020

You may be considering making some big changes to your home, but before you start tearing down walls and ripping up tiles, we want to make sure you not only understand what designated substances like asbestos are, but how they impact your home renovations. In his latest two-part series on CTV News at Noon, Amsted…

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Amsted Building

The Most Common Renovation Questions Answered

January 13, 2020

When it comes to renovating, designing, and building, homeowners naturally have lots of questions before they’re ready to sign on the dotted line and get started on their projects. Here are 13 of the most frequently asked renovation questions answered.

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Amsted Home Show Presentation

Discover Ottawa Renovation Trends at the Home and Remodelling Show

January 6, 2020

If you’re thinking of renovating, there are two reasons you need to come see us at this month’s Ottawa Home and Remodelling Show. First, our team will be at booth #1220, so you can stop by and ask all of your questions. And second, Amsted Architectural Designer Greg Simpson is presenting on the main stage,…

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Pham family

Celebrating Our Loyal Customers With a Special Event

December 16, 2019

When it comes to customers, Amsted has the best of the best. We are honored to have loyal customers who not only trust us again and again to complete their own projects, but who refer us to their friends and family! The highest compliment we can receive is our clients’ referrals. As a token of…

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kitchen remodel upgrades Amsted Design-Build

11 Must-Have Upgrades for Your Kitchen Remodel

December 9, 2019

You’ve been thinking about a kitchen remodel and planning for the kitchen of your dreams. But now that you’re ready to go, what should your renovation include? There are lots of ways you can go, from simple cosmetic fixes to a complete gut and redesign. We’re sharing our top 11 trending must-haves for your project,…

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Amsted Design-Build Ottawa renovators Ottawa renovations kitchen renovation

Meeting the Triple Challenge of Project Constraints

December 2, 2019

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that certainly holds true when project constraints — like a tight budget, a fixed footprint and a short timeline — mean you need to dig deep to effectively meet the challenges. Such was the case for this wonderful kitchen renovation.

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SAM Awards 2019

Three More Awards We’re Proud to Add to Our 2019 Tally!

November 18, 2019

Ottawa’s awards season is blessing us once again! Amsted came away with an exciting three wins at last week’s SAM Awards for sales and marketing  excellence organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association!

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Amsted on Ctv Part 2: Fall Maintenance With the Help of Home Hardware Stittsville

November 11, 2019

At this time of year when we’re retreating indoors, prepping your home for the cold weather becomes important. In the second part of Amsted President Steve Barkhouse’s latest appearance on CTV News at Noon, he shares his top fall maintenance tasks to take care of this year.

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Amsted on Ctv Part 1: Warm Spaces for the Cold Weather

November 11, 2019

The cooler weather has us naturally thinking about being inside. In his latest appearance on CTV News at Noon, Amsted President Steve Barkhouse shares a main-floor renovation that creates open and warm spaces for the homeowners to come together as a family, while also highlighting the before and afters of their spruced-up exterior as inspiration…

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Our Renovation Seminar Is Back! Join Us and Learn How to Make Your Project a Success

November 4, 2019

Did you miss our last renovation seminar? If you did, we’re planning another! With a special emphasis on zoning, it’s free and it’s your guide to a successful renovation!

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Light Up Your Home Life Part 2: A Look at Lighting Options

October 28, 2019

In part two of our recent appearance on CTV News at Noon, Amsted President Steve Barkhouse explores lighting options, trends, and products to light up your home, with some help from our friends at Marchand Electric.

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Light Up Your Home Life Part 1: Transforming Your Home With Lighting

October 28, 2019

As the days get shorter and we start spending more of our evenings inside, it’s a good time to remind you just how important lighting can be in your home. Amsted President Steve Barkhouse explains in our latest appearance on CTV News at Noon, while sharing the before and afters of a recent renovation.

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Wow! We’re Ottawa Renovator of the Year for the 8th Time!

October 21, 2019

We have big news to share — Amsted has been named the Ottawa Renovator of the Year for a record 8th time! The award was one of three we earned at Saturday’s Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association and we are absolutely thrilled to share the news with everyone!

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Fun at Camp Smitty: A Bit of Work & a Bit of Play as We Volunteer for a Good Cause

October 15, 2019

At Amsted and our sister company Promus, we love to give back and one of the biggest ways we do that is our annual weekend helping out at Camp Smitty. For 14 years now, we have volunteered for a weekend in September to go up to the camp, which is a Boys & Girls Club…

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Amsted Design-Build renovation seminar

Planning a Renovation? Join Us for a Primer on Making Your Reno a Success

October 11, 2019

If you’re planning a renovation, get our advice on how to proceed by joining us at our latest reno seminar. Highlighting some of the common elements we see in urban homes, it’s free and it’s your guide to a successful renovation!

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amsted design-build basement renovation wet bar

Meet the Finalist: A Flexible and Versatile Basement Renovation

October 7, 2019

This basement renovation is all about flexibility and meeting the needs of the family both now and in the future. And it’s a finalist in this month’s Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association!

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Meet the Finalist … on Reno Tour 2019!

September 30, 2019

This week’s Meet the Finalist instalment is particularly exciting because this is a project you can come and tour this Sunday, October 6th! Our entry for Reno Tour 2019 is our newest Living Room Presentation Centre and the apartment that’s upstairs. The powder room in this home is also a finalist in the Greater Ottawa…

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Amsted Design-Build StyleHaus Interiors Irpinia Kitchens black-and-white ensuite steam shower geometric tile

It’s a Three-Peat: We’ve Been Named Provincial Renovator of the Year for the 3rd Time!

September 25, 2019

We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to announce that for a third time in the past six years, we’ve been named the provincial Renovator of the Year! This wonderful recognition came at an awards gala last night celebrating the winners in the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction.

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Designated Substances (Like Asbestos) And Your Role as a Homeowner

September 16, 2019

Many people aren’t aware that it’s the property owner’s responsibility to make sure their home is free of certain designated substances, such as asbestos, before work begins on a construction project, whether a renovation or a repair. We’d like to help clear the air.

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Meet the Finalists: A Full-Service Renovation

September 9, 2019

Kitchen and bathroom renos are among the most popular projects homeowners undertake. What’s not as common is a renovation that includes a full-service upgrade to a vintage car lover’s garage. We’ve written about part of this project before, but now we’re sharing all of it with you as a finalist for two renovation awards, one…

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