Category Archives: Flooring

Ray’s Favorite Things for the Bathroom

Our designer Ray loves exploring the technical aspects needed to design a space that is functional for homeowners. Below, learn a few of Ray’s favorite things that will make life a little more enjoyable in the bathroom.

American Standard H2Option Toilet

Conserve water and save money with every flush. The American Standard H2Option Toilet is a wonderful investment to help the environment and cut back on your bills. Ray just installed the model in his own bathroom and loves it. You’ll also enjoy the two button actuator on top of the tank. With it, you have the ability to save water with the flexibility to choose between a 1.0 gallon flush or the standard 1.6 gallon flush.

Warmstone Radiant Floor Heating Mats

There is nothing better than stepping out of the shower onto nice warm tile. By installing radiant heat mats underneath your floors, you also eliminate radiators from taking up too much space.

Kohler Inset Medicine Cabinet

With elegant bronze detailing around its frame, this wall-mounted medicine cabinet features a reversible door that can be installed with a left or right hand hinge. You’ll enjoy the storage it provides and how at first glance it looks like a mirror hanging on the wall. Inside there are glass shelves and mirrors on the back of the door and cabinet which come in handy.

Heated Towel Bars

If you should spoil yourself with anything in the bathroom, it is a heated towel bar. It is definitely a worthwhile investment and keeps your towels nice and warm for when you’re ready to dry off.

Tile

As a durable material, tile is an attractive investment in any bathroom. The material looks more high end than painted walls. You can even use tile for the floor, such as marble, which Ray chose to pair with tumbled marble subway tiles for the walls. Another wonderful thing about tile, is that you can use the electric radiant floor heat under it.

-Laura

100 Ideas for Your Home

It feels like yesterday I started writing our blog to share with homeowners the latest in design trends and renovation ideas. Today, I am thrilled to be writing our 100th post! To celebrate, our design team has gathered a list of 100 ideas to refresh the interior of your home.

1) Varied Cabinet Styles in the Kitchen
2) Earth Tones
3) Vessel Sinks
4) Porcelain Tiles
5) Maple Cabinets
6) Kitchen Hutch
7) Wesaunard Towel Warmer and Radiator
8) Stainless Steel Appliances
9) Recharge and Move Forward with Tangerine Tango
10) Tilt-Out Bins

Store your favorite fruits and vegetables in this attractive and functional cabinet. These can be built into any space in your kitchen.

11) Built-In Wine Storage
12) His-and-Her Bathroom Vanity
13) Robern M Series TViD Medicine Cabinet with Integrated TV
14) Engineered Wood Floors
15) Wall and Ceiling Mouldings
16) Clear Countertop Surfaces
17) Ceiling Spotlights
18) Radiant Floor Heating
19) Eco-Friendly Cabinets
20) Floating Shelves

For an open airy feel, a floating shelf makes it easy to reach items in the kitchen. From pots and pans to canisters, you can store practically anything on floating shelves. I recommend mixing floating shelves with your closed-in cabinets to diversify the look in your kitchen.

21) Kohler HiRise Wall-Mount Kitchen Pot Filler
22) Ceramic Tile
23) Butler’s Pantry
24) Wood-Mode Roll-Out Trays
25) Freestanding Kitchen Hutch
26) Modern Traditional Style Kitchens
27) Granite Countertops
28) Energy Efficient Appliances
29) Attractive Cabinet Hardware
30) 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.

31) KitchenAid’s Double-Drawer Dishwasher
32) Brown Tone Cabinetry
33) Task Lights
34) Single Hole Faucets
35) Multiple Stain Finishes in the Kitchen
36) Spacious Master Bathrooms
37) Recycled Countertop
38) Pull-Out Pantry
39) Built-In Microwave Cabinet
40) Victoria and Albert Shropshire Slipper Tub

With more homeowners choosing to separate the shower and the bath, add a little elegance to your space with a slipper tub. For a classic look, you’ll enjoy the Victoria and Albert Shropshire Slipper Tub. This model is ergonomically comfortable with its compact dimensions making it great for smaller bathrooms, too!

41) Space Saving Bathrooms
42) Walnut Wood
43) Sub-Zero Built-In Refrigerator and Freezer
44) Folding Area and Hanging Rod in Laundry Room
45) High-Gloss Cabinetry
46) Open Vanities
47) Pedestal Sinks
48) Vinyl Wood Flooring
49) Sub-Zero PRO 48 Refrigeration
50) Tiles Kitchen Backsplash

Most backsplashes for the kitchen are designed through intricate tile patterns. Tile comes in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and colors that can be arranged to create a multitude of designs to fit your personality and space.

51) Vivid Colors in the Kitchen
52) Heartland Dual Fuel Range
53) Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet
54) Garden Bay Windows
55) Bead Board Kitchen Backsplash
56) Cork
57) Long Linear Tiles in the Bathroom
58) Thermique Towel Warmer
59) Quartz Countertops
60) Coffered Ceilings

Homeowners are getting creative and are requesting intriguing details for their kitchen 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.

61) Porcelain Tile Planks
62) Wood-Mode Pull-Out Chopping Block
63) Cabinet Inset Panels
64) Moen’s 90 Degree Stainless Faucet
65) Resin
66) Eco-friendly Devices
67) Windows for Natural Lighting
68) Open Shelving
69) Perrin and Rowe Edwardian Faucet in Polished Nickel
70) Decorative Light Fixtures

Introduce a beautiful chandelier above your kitchen island that lights the room with it’s decorative design. It’s a wonderful modern or classic option for your kitchen.

71) LED Light Bulbs
72) Imitation Quartz Countertops
73) Kohler DTV II Custom Shower Interface
74) Glass Kitchen Cabinets
75) Wall Decor
76) Modern Kitchen Furniture
77) Soapstone Countertop
78) Widespread Faucets
79) Evit Vetro Tile
80) Bay Windows

Bay windows are a great option that can help bring in extra sunlight with windows projecting outward from the main walls of the home. They are also very inviting and can provide extra storage and interior space if needed.

81) Wood-Mode and Brookhaven Cabinetry
82) Glass Kitchen Backsplash
83) Gramercy Double Metal Washstand
84) White and Black Kitchens
85) Minimalism in the Bathroom
86) Windows and Natural Light
87) Bamboo
88) Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges
89) Appliance Garage
90) Custom Cabinets

Why go to Home Depot and get a standard cabinet when you could have a customized kitchen to fit your needs. Having the freedom to design what you want in your home will make you feel so comfortable in your space. Also, there may be unusual spaces that need special attention to find that perfect fit.

91) Blue, Green and Violet Paint Colors
92) Walnut Toilet Seat
93) Wall-Mount Sinks
94) Framed Openings to Kitchens
95) Granite Kitchen Backsplash
96) Long and Vertical Showers
97) Belle Foret Pot Filler Faucet
98) Reclaimed Wood Flooring
99) Box Bay Windows
100) Wood Paneled Appliances

Some homeowners are now opting to hide their appliances beneath wood panels that match their kitchen cabinets. By keeping appliances out of sight, the kitchen has a more streamline look that provides a minimalistic feel.

Thank you for taking the time to experience CCW’s talented and dedicated team of designers who continue to bring their energy, creativity and passion into your home. We hope our favorite interior design options inspired you to reinvigorate your home.

-Laura

Recharge and Move Forward with Tangerine Tango

As most of you may know, Pantone Color Institute selects a color that will be symbolic for the new year. You may be familiar with last year’s color, Honeysuckle, which inspired people to be cheerful and optimistic. For 2012, we’re ready for a burst of energy with Tangerine Tango. Tangerine Tango is a spirited reddish-orange that is exotic and has a lot of depth. It is sophisticated and delivers a sense of dramatization and seductiveness. The color has taken its time to grow in popularity, but I think you’ll love the explosively loud and exceedingly bold statement it can make in a room.

For home interiors, Tangerine Tango adds an unexpected pop of color. As a versatile choice for any room, the orangey hue complements a spectrum of colors including yellow, purple, blue and green. Use the color to freshen a room with a variety of accessories, such as pillows, lamps, chairs and more. You can even paint an accent wall in your entryway or hallway, or incorporate the color within your kitchen backsplash. The possibilities are virtually endless.

-Laura

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.

The Power of Porcelain

Today, porcelain tile use is on the rise in both kitchens and bathroom applications. Fired at an extremely high temperature, porcelain has a rich palette that is remarkably durable, lasting a lifetime while standing up to just about anything. The material offers durability, especially the through-body versions that won’t show chips from dropped pots or hair dryers like standard tile. As a versatile look, faux-wood porcelain can go in showers and other areas where wood won’t work.

As porcelain continues to increase in popularity, homeowners have fallen in love with larger-than-ever porcelain tile on floors and walls, especially with rectified edges. These allow for tighter installation that minimizes grout lines. This will provide a cleaner look and will allow for easy cleaning.

-Laura

Designing a Dutch Colonial Kitchen

Located in Ghent, NY, this beautiful and spacious Dutch Colonial home built in the 1700s was in need of a restoration to its original beauty. To bring the warmth of the old and the conveniences of the new, our designer Amy used a variety of wood types and accents within the space.

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Amy created a layout for the kitchen that began by installing reclaimed pine flooring. This achieved an antique look appropriate to the three century year old home. We wanted to bring in distressed pine cabinets with a modern twist. We achieved this by accenting the island with a distressed black finish. Additionally, soapstone countertops were installed on the bar and the stove wall, recessed into the window sills for a continuous look. Lastly, a custom built farm sink made out of soapstone was added on the island to match the perimeter of the kitchen.

Currently, this home is listed with Old Ghent Realty. Feel free to visit their website and explore the rest of this beautiful home!

Old Ghent Realty

-Laura

Alternative Materials to Hardwood Floors

When it comes to flooring, natural wood floors can be a great addition to any room in the home. It’s important to know that although natural wood floors are beautiful, they need extra care to maintain their appeal. For your home, consider these alternative materials that offer the look you want without the upkeep.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is basically ordinary lumber. As one continuous piece, this wood type offers thicker materials for future sanding and refinishing.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is manufactured by binding the strands, particles, fibers, or veneers of wood, together with adhesives, to form composite materials. This product has a thin top layer of hardwood secured to a sturdy plywood-like base layer. Another plus is that the material is cheaper than solid wood and is less likely to be affected by humidity.

Vinyl Wood Flooring

Vinyl sheet flooring comes in a variety of looks, including wood. It is best to add vinyl flooring into the bathroom because the product withstands splashes easily. Also, the hefty base layer allows quick lay-down installation without glue or underlayment.

Porcelain Tile Planks

For wet environments, consider porcelain tile planks with a natural wood design. Porcelain tile is great for the kitchen or bathroom because of its durability to withstand heavy traffic. This material is also easy to maintain within the home.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Go green and use reclaimed wood from old barns, homes and other structures for your project. Reclaimed wood is highly desired by architects and designers for the history, quality and character it brings into the home.

-Laura