Decks bigger than 12 feet by 16 feet, that is. Ecohome_magazine has an article on large decks and the issues to be considered when designing a deck for 800 square feet or more. Here are 12 things to consider: 1. What do you want to do on the deck? Oftentimes, those contemplating a large deck are…
VOZ! Home Remodeling has a timely article on this topic, “To Move or to Remodel, this the question.” I just had to read that article. They start out with a dose of humor – “You should definitely remodel”, since we do remodels! Just kidding . . .” The article discusses the pros and cons of…
The blog “Kathy’s remodeling blog” has a very informative article titled “Why competitive bidding doesn’t work”. If you are not sure of this, ask yourself if you would like to fly in a plane knowing the airline manufacturer who built it was the lowest bidder. As Kathy’s blog explains, the contractors bidding will not have complete plans and so…
What is important to look for when buying a faucet? That is, after making a decision on the style and finish you want! Material the body is made of; that is, the spout and controls. Solid brass bodies last longest and require least care; these start at about $150. The box should read “all-brass body”…
Very important! For many reasons, not least of which is the large area of ceiling and walls that will be painted. You will want colors that coordinate well with furnishings and with each other if you choose more than one color for a room. Additional issues with paint may involve whether you prefer non-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)…
I am always looking for ways to make a small (or even tiny) bathroom look good, and work! A small bath, no matter how small, still needs a place to put a few towels, a toothbrush, hair brushes, maybe a few band aids? Some are unbelievably small, but there really are solutions to all the…
I think a lot of us could really use a new kitchen. But how to remake it? It costs a bundle, so we want to get it perfect. That calls for a lot of research. Websurfing, page-turning kitchen design magazines, and tromping through other people’s kitchens, seeing what we like and what we don’t! Well,…
Typical heavy sliding closet doors. There are a great couple of articles on built-in closets and wardrobe walls, from starcraftcustombuilders. There are a lot of homes built in the 70’s or earlier with tiny closets and those heavy, sliding closet doors that when open still block 1/2 of the closet; this can be very frustrating for…
This photo displays a basement remodel by a Seattle firm, Ventana Construction. Their description of the project: “We’ve built our share of basements and this is one of our favorites. A West Seattle spec home had a completely unfinished basement/garage area. We walled off the space, installed new windows to match the configuration of ones…
The kitchen and bathroom, of course! Naylor’s Kitchen and Bath points out that “Kitchens continue to maintain their long-standing status as one of the two most frequently remodeled rooms in the house; the other is . . . the bathroom. They are known as “the rooms that sell the house”. tch The National Association of…
I know when I am thinking about how to remodel my master bath, I search out all the design bathroom sites I can find. It’s not that I don’t know what I want, but there are many choices to make and I want the best costs, the best materials, and the best contractors. I’m sure…
For some, books are a passion – and this can mean a library in your home! Ever since I was a kid I loved to see the 2-story libraries in homes. Unfortunately for me, this was usually in a movie. But my dream was always to have a home with a library. I do have…
Remodelista has an article today on black tile in bathrooms. It must be the weather (Fall is coming soon), because I was just thinking about dark bathrooms. It seems that most home remodels go for the light look – white, off-white and warm muted colors. I suspect that due to our long dark winters in the…
This photo is borrowed from http://remodelista.com their bath remodel section. Remodeling projects vary so tremendously from almost austere styles to ornate. A nice detail of a concrete vanity top and chrome, single lever faucet: VERY elegant pedestal sink What era would you say this pedestal lav is reminiscient of? Grecian? Roman?…
Copper! What else? www.coppersinksonline.com has a great website showing tons of gorgeous copper sinks, all shapes and sizes. Is this bathroom lav cool or what? It reminds me of a luxurious Roman bath. This model is Redondo Grueso thick single wall vessel in the Dark Smoke finish. Coppersinksonline.com, Oval bath sink, dark smoke…
Warm tile colors run up some of the walls to give this bathroom a warm feeling. Simple, clean fixtures and patterns make this room work. This small bathroom had a make over that includes vertically installed subway tiles and pedestal sink along with wall mounted lav faucet. There is no crowded…
Yes, I borrowed the title of this posting from www.kitchenremodelideas.com. They have lots of photos and suggestions for the hard-to-design kitchen or bath. If adding or moving windows and walls are not in your budget, then re-designs can be problematic. You need creativity and flexibility to make the perfect kitchen or bath. This photo is borrowed…
I’m always fascinated by a well-designed small space. Just because a room is tiny does not mean it has to look claustrophobic or low quality. Take a look at this awesome little bathroom: This next one is my favorite – I love the warm colors and textures of the tile. Choose colors carefully,…
The website, www.houzz.com/ideabooks has some great remodeling ideas. One that struck me as very unique are the artistic lighting fixtures designed by Lindsey Adelman. They evoke images of nature – tree branches and glass floats, like we used to find on ocean beaches after a storm. They are unusual and creative; This one reminds me…
There are so many ways to remodel a kitchen or bathroom. The material available for countertops, flooring and cabinetry it can seem overwhelming. Kitchen renovation Reviewing what others have done in their remodels is helpfull in deciding what you want to do, both for the look that you want as well as the quality of materials.…
Kitchens.com has a collection of slideshows showing off unique kitchens, each very different from the others. “The designer decided on a playful style highlighted by the baby blue colored base cabinets and overhead beam. A mosaic tile backsplash captures both the kitchen’s blue hues as well the white color of the Caesarstone quartz countertops and…
This contemporary tub with wood framed legs distinguishes this master bath. Tub filler is the Kohler Symbol Roman tub filler, with handshower in polished chrome. The shower tile has 3 soft grey tile strips for contrast. Kohler symbol valve trim with slidebar, handshower, hose and wall outlet in polished chrome provide a great shower experience. Clear glass shower surround…
This has to be one of my all-time favorite baths. I love the colors, and the simple, yet elegant furnishings. This bath is in Toronto; it features a center panel tub, onyx inlays, carved moldings, a fireplace and embroidered linen drapes. Apartment and Condo baths may be smaller, but they don’t have to stint…
PERFORMA_brochure Blanco, a German stainless steel sink design and manufacturing company produce a line of sinks that “offers the essential simplicities of balanced proportions, clever design and the fusion of form and function. Every PERFORMA sink comes with BLANCO’s finest features including 18 gauge, 304 series stainless steel with 18/10 chrome-nickel content, for exceptional lustre…
The following is from Diamond Spas, it is a copper whirlpool tub: There are many of these curved free-standing tubs with very graceful lines. This one is from Kohler: Here is a little blurb from Kohler about the material in the free standing tub: “This is the shape of things to come. The Lithocast line…