David Keeton Speaks with HOUZZ.COM in Pro Spotlight: 3 Ideas for a Refreshing Home Remodel
Who: David Keeton of DC Keeton Home Improvements
Where: Los Angeles
In his own words:
“Remodeling is all about problem-solving. Getting your plan right is essential.”Are you dreaming of a modern, efficient kitchen? Envisioning a second bathroom? Thinking about how nice it would be to have a deck in the backyard? General contractor David Keeton, who owns DC Keeton Home Improvements in L.A., says you can actually enjoy a remodel, from the planning to the final product, if you adjust your expectations. “Get your ideas together, talk with a designer and get the contractor involved as soon as you can,” he says. “The contractor can tell you what’s possible and what still needs to be figured out.”
DC Keeton Home Improvements
Stage dreams. Keeton grew up in Michigan working on a family farm, where he learned to build and fix things and “do a little bit of everything,” he says. He dreamed of an acting career and moved to Los Angeles in 1987. While auditioning for roles, he took a job managing the apartment complex where he was living.When the contractor remodeling the building went out of business, Keeton stepped in and completed the project. “I realized that remodeling was a pretty good career,” he says. “I stopped being a starving artist, hired some subcontractors and started remodeling people’s homes.” He designs most of the remodels himself, working with an architectural engineer for projects that require permits.
DC Keeton Home Improvements
A practical approach. Before you start your remodel, Keeton suggests researching products and materials online; taking classes on planning your remodel and working with your contractor; and creating schedules for both yourself and your contractor. “Above all, keep it simple,” he says. “If you’re on a budget, spend money on good cabinetry, flooring, countertops and labor-intensive improvements. Get less-expensive fixtures and hardware — you can always upgrade those later.”
Ready to refresh your space?
Read Keeton’s tips below before you begin.
DC Keeton Home Improvements
1. Make It Match Your new or remodeled room will still be part of your house, so Keeton advises tying it in with what you already have. For example, use similar materials, consistent styles and complementary colors. The owners of a Fairfax District bungalow worked with Keeton to add a second bathroom, seen here, for their teenage daughter. Keeton used traditional white subway tiles, now back in vogue, and shopped around for vintage tiles for the floor. “It’s a completely new bathroom, but it looks like it belongs to the 1928 house,” he says.See more bathrooms
DC Keeton Home Improvements
2. Customize With Color
A remodel is a great time to let your artistic side shine. Find inspiration in your favorite palette, a collection of kitchenware or an antique sideboard, and update tired cabinetry, flooring and walls using fresh colors.Keeton helped West L.A. clients create the bright, cheery kitchen seen here. “They had a really nice collection of vintage glassware, so I put in glass-front cabinets,” he says. The shade of red the clients selected was applied to the custom cabinets in a highly durable finish in the cabinetmaker’s workshop.See more kitchens
DC Keeton Home Improvements
3. Add Outdoor Living Space
One of the best ways to expand your living space without much expense is to add a deck. “In L.A., you can open the doors and take advantage of a beautiful deck all year round,” says Keeton, who recommends using natural wood finished with sealant. For this deck in the Hollywood Hills, he used aircraft-cable balusters to maximize visibility through the railings. “The natural redwood makes this a work of art,” he says.More: For more information on David Keeton and examples of his work, visit DC Keeton Home Improvements’ Houzz profile.This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.