4 Simple Bathroom Updates

As homeowners begin to look into a renovation, they may decide a complete makeover isn’t necessary. Or maybe they would like to update just particular feature to enhance a room’s look. For the bathroom, if a renovation isn’t on the table, consider these 4 simple updates to recreate your space.

Update Your Floors

Add value and style to your bathroom floors. Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone continue to be super popular with homeowners and designers. Also you’ll get the most added value with an almost dollar for dollar investment.

Exchange Your Shower Head

Should you sell your home, even the simplest detail plays a role. Therefore, minor updates shouldn’t be avoided. By switching out your shower head, you can turn your shower into an oasis. Consider a rain head for its dollar for dollar return on investment.

Install New Lighting

Lighting makes a huge impact in a room creating the ambience you desire. Instead of glaring, blinding lightbulbs above the sink, install task lighting. These lights can be recessed into the ceiling, or even select a pendant or sconce fixture to help illuminate the mirror. Track lighting also continues to be a wonderful option, providing lights to sit along a track on the ceiling or wall. You can adjust their position to shine wherever you want.

Switch Out Your Sink

With so many tasks taking place around the sink, why not update it for a look that appeals to the eye? Not only can sinks be fun, but also they can introduce luxury into your bathroom. Simple details like a new shiny chrome faucet and porcelain handles can add a lot of value to your home. Integrated sinks, in which there are no edges or hangovers from the countertop to the sink, continue to be a homeowner’s favorite. Also, vessel sinks are a creative way to bring life and uniqueness into the space.

Designing A Happy Home On Kitty Lane

After Photo

When it comes to the initial discussions of kitchen design, there are some homeowners who haven’t really thought about what they want and others who definitely have. Jean falls in this second category, having given plenty of thought to exactly what she wanted in her kitchen.

Before Photo

Our designer Amy went on a visit to Kitty Lane to speak with Jean about custom cabinetry. Amy soon learned that Jean wanted white French Vanilla cabinets, a butcher block, soapstone countertops and a height functional dishwasher. In her original kitchen she had a hole, but no dishwasher. Jean made it clear that she didn’t want to bend down and that the kitchen was going to be all about her and comfort. Well Jean, we couldn’t agree more with you there. A kitchen should cater to the homeowner’s needs and wants. Amy planned to raise the dishwasher off of the floor so there was no back-breaking hassle. To this day this feature is one of Jean’s favorite parts of the kitchen.

Another obstacle that needed to be overcome was to have more counter surface for Jean’s work stations. To achieve this we relocated the stove and the refrigerator to allow a prep surface between the range & the sink and also worked in a Booz butcher block that was a must have! By moving the appliances to other locations, we created more nooks for storage. We built in the refrigerator with a turned pantry to store brooms and box food items.

After the range was relocated across the room, the old vent was removed and mid-install Jean cleverly decided to turn this ordinary hole into a focal point in her kitchen. She had a port hole shipped over night for the installer to put in the very next day. This is another part of Jean’s kitchen that is unique to her.

Jean says, “My new Kitchen has changed my life! No more messes on the counters or sink! A place for everything, a bread drawer, cutlery drawer, lazy susans, a broom closet and pantry! Just fantastic! So totally NOT out of the box! Beautiful!”

Thank you Jean! Also, thank you Amy for assisting with the layout and design of this eclectic and beautiful kitchen!

-Laura

3 Colors for 2013

The year is fresh and new, so you are probably considering ideas on how to update your home. In addition to renovating your kitchen or bathroom, color is a simple way to revive a space and add personality. Explore these three colors designers are excited about in 2013.

Olive

Relaxing yet bold enough to make a statement, olive is the perfect shade of green that can be used in any room. The color pairs well with cream and brown tones. We personally enjoy this color for the living room accented with brown leather furniture.

Rose

Create a welcoming escape in any nook with this pink hue. The color is perfect for the foyer or even in a dining area. Rose goes well with a variety of colors creating a lush and rich feel. Incorporate the color in spaces where guests will gather due to its inviting nature.

Charcoal

The grey family may have some of our favorite tones. When you use colors like charcoal in the home, you can juxtapose your most eclectic pieces in style and color. Accent colors can be a breath of fresh air in rooms of neutral colors, so get creative. Bring in pieces that will pop, such as a red sofa, bright tufted benches or funky art.

Glass Kitchen Backsplashes

As the focal point in the kitchen, backsplashes can be designed with a variety of materials, including porcelain tiles, natural stone or even granite. Although these materials continue to be popular, many homeowners have been opting to use glass as their kitchen backsplash.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association reported earlier this year that glass is growing in popularity as a backsplash material. Homeowners enjoy the vibrancy and depth of color that is combined with the reflective quality of glass. Although the material itself isn’t often used for countertops, homeowners are thrilled to learn that glass is non-porous and hygienic. I personally love that the material is relatively stain-proof and extremely heat resistant.

Glass kitchen backsplashes seem to work well in modern kitchens due to their sleek and dramatic effect. You can even incorporate an effective task lighting scheme to create a stunning look that will illuminate the space.

-Laura