MICA's 2013 Remodeler of the Year winners

The kitchen remodeling was part of a whole-house redo in Sparks. The homeowner asked that the kitchen be updated with more storage space and better working space and be given an elegant Maryland countryside theme.

ACS worked with architect Peter Twohy, who created a plan to meet the various needs and themes of the client. Laurie Brown of Rojahn Custom Cabinetry created custom cabinets. The lighting is from Ferguson, and the granite counters and soapstone island top are from Chesapeake Stone.

The new kitchen is more open and better suited to entertaining. While the space is larger, it continues to feel warm and inviting.

This project was also part of the whole-house redo in Sparks, and again architect Peter Twohy was called in to help provide a plan. For the outdoor entertaining area, the homeowner wanted to get rid of a pool that wasn't being used and instead create a welcoming spot for large gatherings. The new space includes a fire pit, a large patio with a gas grill and a large covered but open living space with an outdoor fireplace. The outdoor structures were designed and finished by American Contracting and Beaumontage LLC. The hardscapes were constructed by Diversified Industries Inc.

Both the exterior and interior of this 1970s home in Howard County needed an update. The owners wanted a more accessible and proper entrance to the house and felt that the interiors needed to be opened up.

The new plan closed the existing front entry and the balcony above it. This created new space for an extension of the master bathroom and for a new home office. The new entry is part of a glass and wood tower; the stairs were moved to this entry, freeing up space inside the home. An elevator was also added to the entry.

Walls came down along the kitchen, dining and family rooms. The new open plan brings light into the house and provides more views to the beautiful wooded lot.

This bathroom redo was part of a whole-house remodeling project that also won the top honor in this competition. The owners wanted a larger master bathroom with a walk-in shower, two vanity stations and sleek fixtures that would match the modern, geometric look of the renovated house. New windows added light and additional geometric forms to the area.

This house in Bel Air is next to a golf course. The homeowners wanted to remove a deck on the back of the house and replace it with an addition that would provide views to the golf course but also a place for large family gatherings. As part of the project, they also wanted to renovate the kitchen.

The new open cathedral-ceiling room has large Pella windows that provide a view to the greens. With a warm and rustic look, it's a welcoming space for entertaining. A patio extends the space into the exterior, providing additional seating. A new breakfast area gives the homeowners a bright space for casual dining.

The porches, wood railings, siding and trim of this historic home were all in need of major repair. Several of the porches were on their way to collapsing within a few years. The work also needed to stay true to the home's character so the homeowner could receive historic tax credits for the work.

Much of the new woodwork needed to be custom milled, and so Reisterstown Lumber was brought onto the team.

During the demolition of the existing porches, the builders discovered that the stone foundation of the house also needed repair work.

All of the damages were repaired, and then three new structurally sound porches restored the home to its original look.

This 1920 home in Guilford needed reroofing as there was an ongoing leak. The first step was to replace the rear dormer flashing. The homeowner was pleased and expanded the project to include two more dormers and a chimney, and then the front built-in copper gutter.

The original portico roof was a standing seam tin roof covered by a white membrane. The wood structure had become rotted and needed to be almost completely rebuilt. The tin roof was replaced with a standing seam copper roof, and then the inside of the portico was completely repainted.

The goal was to bring back the beauty, warmth and elegance of the home's historic exterior, making the portico a welcoming focal point, which it now is.

A tree fell on this home during Hurricane Sandy, causing extensive damage. The tree knocked through the roof and into the main living area of the rancher. Restoration included interior work, such as new drywall, paint, flooring and trimwork, and exterior fixes, including the roof, a special-order window and siding. The homeowner included a testimonial in this contest entry noting"my home is in better condition than it was before the storm."