Unique Surface Materials

When it comes to a home renovation, there are various surface options for homeowners to consider. From flooring to tiling, enjoy the benefits these unique materials will bring to your home.

Ceramic Tile

As a natural, energy efficient and renewable material, ceramic tile has been a popular choice for many homeowners. With a multitude of colors and uses, people enjoy its durability, beauty and easy to clean properties. Many homeowners opt to install ceramic around their fireplaces, woodstoves and kitchen stoves since the material is non-flammable. Another great benefit is the material’s perceived value and how it can increase the appraisal of one’s home. I really like how the tile’s thermal mass outshines wood as it absorbs heat during the day and then radiates it back into the home at night.

Cork

If you’re looking for a durable material, you will love the benefits of cork. The material can stand up to heavy foot traffic and is perfect for floors, walls and countertop. What I really enjoy about the material is how easy cork is to maintain and repair. Moreover, cork is a popular choice for its ability to act as a natural insulator, with the added value of terrific sound absorption. With a variety of beautiful colors to choose from, you’ll love bringing this soft, earthy material into your home.

Resin

Available in a variety of colors, resin is a liquid that hardens onto materials as a hard lacquer or enamel-like finish. As a natural material from plants, it provides an excellent component as a varnish or fabricator to protect applications from cracking and osmosis. Consider using the material on counters, sinks and bathtubs.

Christmas in the Kitchen

With Christmas day soon approaching, I have been thinking about a kitchen our designer Anna completed. I remember it specifically because not only was it beautifully detailed, but she and I had visited the homeowners to help decorate their “heart of the home” for the holidays.

To capture the traditional look the homeowners desired, Anna designed the kitchen cabinetry with Wood-Mode’s Barcelona Recessed in Antique White. She then suggested an Edinburgh Burnished finish on cherry for the island and buffet to bring an extra layer of beauty to the space. It was really a great choice as you can see how the center of the room pops as you walk in. The refrigerator also has matching cabinetry panels installed over the doors, in keeping with the clean look the homeowners desired to achieve. Anna was very clever to also match up the fronts of the refrigerator and pantry area to look as if it were one complete unit, skillfully disguising the fact that the depths of each cabinet and refrigerator were all different. She also installed a corner kitchen hutch with glass windows to keep with the traditional and antique look within the room. The glass windows are always a wonderful option to display china other treasured objects.

Throughout the kitchen, you can also see the beautiful small details Anna introduced. One of my personal favorites is the lattice inserts in the wall cabinets and buffet. She also incorporated columns and stacked crown moulding throughout the space.

Anna really did a wonderful job designing this amazing kitchen. Feel free to checkout her designs and get in the holiday spirit with these festive pictures below…I know I am! Joyous holidays to all!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

-Laura

Top Five Bathroom Trends for 2012

Bathtubs and Fixtures Design

In the bathroom, homeowners are installing contemporary designs when it comes to their bathtubs and other fixtures. Today, we are seeing more and more wooden, glass, metal and stone materials. For an eye-catching design, mix the new with the old. There are a wide range of options from wooden toilet seats paired with white toilets to black and glass bathtubs.

Modern Design

Similar to the kitchen trends for next year, modern design continues to grow in popularity. As homeowners move forward from traditional design, they are inviting a wide range of neutral colors into their home. Popular choices have included pale green tones, sand, cream, gold, silver, ivory, comfortable brown and classy white shades. Black and white decorating designs are also on the rise as they bring a streamlined feel of simplicity and cleanliness.

Space Saving

Small bathrooms and half-baths are no longer a design challenge in 2012, as homeowners are choosing to install more space saving options. Whether you are loving hidden drawers within the vanity or a wide shallow sink, creative options now define the space. You can even save space by upgrading your toilet as older models are larger and take up more room. Also, don’t forget custom corner storage cabinets are a great option as they provide unique design solutions within a limited space.

Vanity Height

Many homeowners hate having to stoop behind the sink. As time passes, this becomes uncomfortable and can bring along back pain. In the past, vanities were originally installed at a height of 30-32 inches to accommodate kids. Today, people are choosing to raise their bathroom vanity to a more comfortable height of 36 inches.

Spacious Master Bathrooms

The master bathroom continues to evolve into a retreat for homeowners to indulge and relax. With a spacious layout, you can install a wide range of features from large sunken bathtubs to wide vanities that bring luxury and elegance to your room. This trend is really a throwback to a vintage period as many enjoy the open space and separate areas for the shower and bathtub. Don’t forget you can mix in modern elements, such as shower lights and his-and-her sinks.

Top Five Kitchen Trends for 2012

Banquettes

When it comes to seating in the kitchen, create an intimate feel with a banquette. Over the past year, we have noticed that these cozy booths are becoming a favorite with homeowners. They are a great option that helps to accommodate a large number of people and allow increased room for the dining area within the space. Another real plus, you can have built-in storage in the cabinetry configuration.

Casual and Open Kitchens

We are seeing more homeowners combine their living space and kitchen into one large open floor plan. The reason for this shift in design is that homeowners are looking for ways to bring comfort to the home. By creating a casual space around their kitchen, they are making life easier to entertain guests while preparing meals and interacting with family members. After all, the kitchen is the most popular room in your home.

Modern Design

A growing trend, homeowners are opting for a more modern design over traditional looks. Simple lines, bold colors and the use of glass and steel are just a few ideas for designing a modern kitchen. With a wide range of options, why not explore the color spectrum! You’ll enjoy our designers’ favorites, such as white, beige, black, and silver. You can even introduce colors that bring flair to your space, including fire engine red, vivid light blues, vibrant oranges and shocking pinks.

Coffered Ceilings

Homeowners are getting creative and are requesting intriguing details for their kitchens’ ceilings. The coffer design is basically a sunken panel in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon. Most kitchens typically consist of wooden beams that criss-cross the ceiling. This original design clearly has some staying power since it dates back to the early Renaissance.

Imitation Quartz Countertops

For a majestic feel, marble and granite have always been excellent choices. Unfortunately, these surfaces have their faults as they are porous and fail at being stain and scratch resistant. Today, one of the most durable countertop materials, quartz, is beginning to provide looks that are identical to granite and marble. With quartz countertops, you get a material that is stain, mold, mildew, heat and scratch resistant, that will still leave the neighbors green with envy.