This bathroom remodel replaced a typical tub/shower combo with a glass shower. A new marble-topped lav was installed with open storage below. This bath is a now an elegant small bath! The next photo shows a brightly lit bath that was lightened by utilizing a glass shower surround, allowing sunlight to filter through. Going to the Better Homes and Gardens link…
Bamboo has been recommended as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood flooring. It grows far faster than trees and so can be harvested far more frequently than the 40 year span most trees require to mature. I especially like the textured, darker coloring of the Carbonized Strand Woven Bamboo: Here is a close up…
Cree’s award wining LED bulb We often get asked what is the best type of lighting. Everyone knows incandescents are on their way out – but what is the best replacement? It depends somewhat on what you want from a light fixture – do you need it to turn on immediately? A great new bulb…
Here are some amazing bath tubs! Copper – yes its pricey, but unique and beautiful! If you are tired of the same old white porcelain or common, fiberglass tubs, check out the variety of sizes and designs in copper. The unique designs are available on the website: http://www.signaturehardware.com. Be creative, don’t go with the…
Custom cabinetry will make any kitchen into a spectacular showpiece. Here is a wonderful example from a kitchen makeover in West Chester, PA, showing off custom cabinets of Bristo door style in a maple finish. Here is another pleasing kitchen cabinet remodel and backslash. The photos are from Fielstone Cabinetry. They are located in…
Ok, I admit it – I pirated this article and title from Kathy’s Remodeling blog, who borrowed it from a new DIY Network television show called “I Hate My Bath”. They feature remodeled bathrooms, using before and after photos from homeowners. They are focusing on di-it-yourselfers, but this sort of thing can provide inspiration. We…
Don’t go with the ordinary; these fixtures are works of art! Kitchen and bath design newsis the online source for these wonderful bathroom fixtures. Another washbasin from Laufen’s collection is called the Il Bagno Alessi One Tuna washbasin. I wonder what inspired its shape? Here is a poetic description straight from Laufen: “Laufen’s Il Bagno…
So, what to do with that small kitchen? Small rooms do not have to be “too small”. They can be re-designed so that a more accurate description would be an “efficient kitchen”. After all, it is more efficient to only have to walk a few feet rather than navigate a large room. Think how time…
There are many variables in remodeling a room in an existing home; many of these cannot be seen until some demolition work is done. So you want new flooring in the kitchen and you have estimated the cost of the flooring based on square footage. But when the contractor removes the existing flooring, he finds…
There is a great collection of some very creative and visually stunning stairs shown at the Builder Onlinewebsite. When you need to add some stairs, inside or outside your home, think creatively! Stairs can be works of art in themselves. Space under stairs can be utilized as storage, bookshelves, decorative cubbys, or even a work nook.…
This a question we get asked a lot: “What kind of lighting is dimmable?” The good news is that most lighting today comes in a dimmable bulb. You will pay significantly more up front for the most efficient bulbs, but they will pay for themselves in a few years. To start at the beginning, there are…
Cool new bath fixtures: This is like a neat combination of the hot tub and a bathtub! Kohlers website states: “The deep bathing wells allow users to sit almost totally immersed in water. Available in a soaking model and a bubble massage bath, the tubs are designed for two bathers.” Here is another great idea…
Things to consider when making bathroom flooring decisions: Will it stand up to kids? Is it durable? How does it look? How does it feel with bare feet? How does it stand up to moisture? A nice comprehensive list of flooring and their applicability in bathrooms: Ceramic tile. Provides a rich, solid feeling; waterproof and…
This is a beautiful kitchen we completed recently, with cherry cabinets in shaker style and Shivikasi yellow granite countertops. The corner cabinets have nifty rotating shelves to access as much of the corner space as possible. There is wonderful storage capacity in the full height cabinets with very convenient pull out drawers behind the cabinet doors. Think…
Let’s just look at a kitchen remodel. You’ve come up with a list of the things you want done in the kitchen. You’ve done your research and selected a general contractor. Now you innocently ask: “When will my project start and when will it be completed?” If the contractor hesitates and comes back with an…
We get asked this question a lot, since many of our jobs are kitchen remodels. We,ve compiled some information to help you decide which would be the best selection for you. Definitions: Granite: Granite, otherwise known as natural stone. It is mined from stone quarries and cut in slabs. Engineered stone: Also called Quartz, Is a manufactured…
This is a question we are asked at some point with every remodel project. Clients of course, want a specific dollar amount but with all the variables before a project has even begun that is a complex question. An article that discusses the complexity of estimating the cost for a home remodel is in http://www.remodeling.hw.net/estimating/pricing-research.aspx?rssLink=Pricing+Research Some of the…
Most older bathrooms have some version of the typical tank-type toilet – the top of the tank at or above the countertop. The relatively new low-profile toilets are a great option for that new look in your bathroom. Very sleek, eye-catching, and because of their low profile, a countertop can be extended right over them! Low profile toilet…
The shower shown above is from a Texas remodeling company, Remodel Now. We have installed some showers that are similar to this beautiful tiled shower. This is a very elegant tiled shower, coordinated with the tile flooring. So take your ideas and call a contractor and get started – think how much…
Maybe you need to refurbish you deck, or maybe it is time to completely tear it out and build new. Check out some decks Rose Construction, Inc. built: Spectacular outdoor kitchen with fireplace This one of my favorites! You will notice that it has a wonderful roof, with skylights. In the Pacific Northwest you can never…
Great bathrooms, at hgtv.com posts some wonderful photos that provide excellent ideas on what you can do to make you bathroom a “stunning” bathroom! Check them out and then start planning your stunning bathroom makeover. If your bathroom needs some repairs, why not treat yourself, improve the value of your home, and do a complete remodel!
No, not what “stuff” do you want to fill your house with; what do you want in kitchen cabinets, counter tops, flooring, wall coverings, sinks, faucets, and lighting fixtures. That sort of thing! Is your homes interior designed the way you want it now? If not, you need a house makeover; start with either the kitchen…
Most of us are aware of how much difference adding the right tile to a bath remodel can make. But when it comes to kitchens, tile seems to take a back seat to the cabinets and appliances. White kitchen tile with distinctive colorful strip The use of warm colors and diamond shaped tiles add a nice touch to…
Materials include, but are not limited to carpet, tile, laminate and engineered wood. Selection of the best material must include the amount of traffic you expect and moisture. Basements are notorious for moisture problems. “Basement Ideas – how to select the best flooring for your basement” is an excellent article that reviews the pros and cons of the…
This remodel won for the residential bath $25,000 – $75,000 category for Whatcom County, Washington. The bathroom in this small, historic one-story home was gutted and completely remodeled to a more modern and sophisticated look, while paying homage to the original architecture. Custom cherry cabinetry, solid surface countertops, marmoleum, and tile were integrated to achieve…