Sidney Couple Remodels Home

Remodeling can test the skills and patience of most people, but remodeling to also include handicapped accessibility requires even more research, skills and patience. As Doug Rau’s mitochondrial myopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy, progressed, he and his wife Sharon knew they would have to make some significant changes to their home if he was to stay at home as they wished. What they accomplished, with the help of skilled craftsmen, has turned their outdated, dark kitchen into a bright, efficient, welcoming space that is also easy for Doug to navigate in his wheelchair.

The Rau family had originally bought the farm and moved into the house in the early 1940s. Doug and Sharon moved in shortly after they were married in the late 1960s and remodeled and added on in the early ‘70s. The addition had settled over the years making some extra work during the remodeling. The window over the kitchen sink had to be replaced by Martini Siding and Windows and the entire kitchen floor had to be leveled before anything else could be done. Ed Deg was the mastermind of the leveling process.

A lift had been purchased some time ago so that Doug could move easily from the garage into the house. The laundry room was rearranged and a hole was cut in the wall to accommodate the lift.

Creative Solutions of Sidney designed the cabinetry, countertops and closets. Rau’s new kitchen features natural hard maple cabinetry with a chocolate glaze. “This custom style kitchen was achieved using standard cabinetry! It is possible to get a custom-looking and efficient kitchen without spending an excessive amount of money. It takes a well-planned layout and knowledgable designer who knows how to manipulate stock cabinets to make them appear custom,” Brenda Larson of Creative Solutions stated. Special features worked into the cabinets include a supersusan, rollouts in the base cabinets and pantries, self-closing wood dove-tailed drawers and pullout spice organizers. The special height wall units provide maximum storage while the custom molding provides the perfect finish. Decals on the upper glass doors, done by Rau Designs, add a special touch. The wooden valance over the sink provides the ideal decorating space and special cabinet hardware completes the “custom” look. All the old cabinetry was put to use, either in other rooms such as Sharon’s scrapbooking room, or given away to others who could use them. “Nothing was dumped,” Sharon said.

The countertops are butterrum granite laminate with a gemloc solid edge in chestnut, which helps blend the new light and older dark woods in the kitchen. The gemloc edge combines the beauty and cost-effectiveness of laminate with the durability of solid surface edging. The countertop also features an under mount stainless steel sink. The sink is by Karran and is the “world’s first stainless steel sink that can be seamlessly under mounted in laminate, solid surface and stone countertops”.

A drop-down section of the island is table height, providing an ideal space for baking and bread baking. It makes the perfect dining space for Raus, with regular chairs and wheelchair accessibility. Doug has an office chair there as well, allowing him to scoot to the fridge, stove, and back to the table with ease.

Raus did a lot of research on the flooring which was done by Chad’s Furniture. Along with being beautiful, the tile they chose for the kitchen is the best type for wheelchair use, with some flexibility.

A huge pantry with custom closet organizers by Lifespan from Creative Solutions was created out of a former closet.

Raus updated their appliances as well, purchasing the built-in microwave, range, dishwasher and glass cook top with its ge profile down draft vent system all from Sidney Electric. The counter depth fridge was purchased from PATH.

Doug and Sharon also remodeled their bathroom to include a walk in shower as well as new cabinetry. Johnson Hardware provided the flooring. Creative Solutions provided the cabinetry at no cost. “When I opened my new business, Sharon was first in line to support me,” Brenda Larson said. “In deep appreciation, I gave her the cabinetry for her bathroom.”

Sidney merchants and contractors provided the materials and skills for Rau’s remodel. Ed Deg was the skilled carpenter, Mike Potts did the plumbing, Gurney Electric provided the new light fixtures and did the electrical work, all the paint was purchased from Johnson Hardware and Rhonda Whited Rupp did the painting. The new dining room set came from Chad’s Furniture, as did the tile for the kitchen and dining room. Window treatments came from both Johnson Hardware and Chad’s Furniture. All the cabinets, closets and countertops came from Creative Solutions. Early on in the process, the Men’s bible study group from Ebenezer Congregational Church provided valuable assistance in getting the project started.

Larson had fun working with Sharon on the remodel. “ Sharon was great at picking colors and accents,” she said. “It was just so much fun!” In turn, Sharon and Doug are very pleased with the project. “This design accommodated us very well,” Sharon stated.