tile vs hardwood flooring

Installing New Hardwood Flooring

Image

Melanie Merz
July 1, 2025

You’re Installing new hardwood flooring – so you need to rip out all of your existing first floor flooring… Now What? What to expect when you’re expecting new floors. Whether you’re saying goodbye to scratched-up hardwood, mystery-stained carpet, or tile that’s seen better decades, replacing all the flooring on your first floor is a big move—and a bold one. It’s
your remodel your way in 2025

Planning Your Remodel in 2025: How to Build Your Dream Within Budget — Even With Market Changes

Image

Allison Perreault
June 9, 2025

The Numbers Are Always Moving — But So Is Life It’s no secret that pricing has shifted in recent years. And it’s not just because of global trade policies like tariffs — it’s also local building codes, supply chain fluctuations, and the increasing demand for high-quality craftsmanship. But waiting for things to “go back down” before you remodel isn’t always
Image

Project Spotlight: A Neutral White Primary Bathroom That Balances Beauty and Practicality

Image

Melanie Merz
April 30, 2025

This neutral white primary bathroom feels effortlessly timeless—but what makes it truly exceptional is how it solves some of the most common challenges homeowners face when designing a bathroom: moisture, wear and tear, and long-term maintenance. Part of a well-planned home addition, the bathroom needed to integrate seamlessly with the existing home while offering modern performance. The homeowners wanted a
Image

Holistic Health & Wellness in Home Design

Image

Allison Perreault
April 2, 2025

At the 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show, one major theme stood out: wellness in design isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming a fundamental part of how we shape our spaces. And it’s no longer just about physical health. Designers and homeowners alike are looking at how materials, colors, and layouts can contribute to emotional well-being, mental clarity, and even environmental harmony.
entryway of a raeside dame style home

Raeside Dame Renovation in South Berwick

Image

Melanie Merz
February 18, 2025

The goal of this Raeside-Dame renovation was to address the flow of the entryway space. The Raeside-Dame style home is known for period style aesthetics with modern amenities. Some of the period style charm wasn’t working for these homeowners. When we first met with the homeowners, their chief frustration was ‘there are too many doors’ in such a small space.
Image

Hire a CAPS professional for your renovation

Image

Melanie Merz
February 3, 2025

Should you hire a CAPS professional for your next renovation project? YES, you definitely should! A certified aging in place specialist (CAPS) is a professional trained in meeting the needs of older adults by assisting with aging in place home renovations. A CAPS professional must go through extensive training offered by the National Association of Home Builders to acquire this designation.  Great
Image

Aging In Place Addition

Image

Melanie Merz
February 3, 2025

Building this aging-in-place addition in South Berwick required careful planning. We always want to ensure accessibility and comfort when we design aging in place projects. Aging in place addition for longevity We designed this project collaboratively with the home owner. Ultimately we landed on a 20 x 20 sleeping suite. The homeowners wanted more than just a sleeping suite though.
new fireplace in kittery maine

Choosing the Right Fireplace or Stove: What Homeowners Should Know

Image

Melanie Merz
December 20, 2024

Adding a fireplace or stove to your home can do more than just keep you warm—it can boost your home’s value, elevate your interior design, and create a cozy space for gathering. But choosing the right fireplace or stove takes more than picking what looks best. It’s a decision that affects your daily life, energy use, and long-term comfort. Whether
closing out a remarkable year at great northern builders maya srinivasan owner president woman owned company

Closing Out A Remarkable Year

Image

Maya Srinivasan
December 18, 2024

As we wrap up 2024, I can’t help but reflect on what a truly remarkable year it’s been for Great Northern Builders. From completing inspiring projects to receiving nominations from the Women’s Business League and the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, this year has been filled with moments of growth and gratitude. These nominations are a testament to the heart
interior remodel kittery point ME

Interior Remodel in Kittery Point

Image

Melanie Merz
December 17, 2024

The interior remodel of this Kittery Point home was completed while we were on site building a new attached garage . This cozy post-and-beam style home home had a Jotul woodstove, but they wanted to change this out to a gas fire place and also make some updates to improve the space’s functionality while preserving its original charm. Interior Remodel