5 Bathroom Trends for 2013

Last year, the bathroom was one of the most frequently renovated rooms for homeowners. As 2013 begins, it’s time to take a look at how the bathroom is making changes in the new year.

Spa Like Experiences

The bathroom is no longer a space only meant for washing up. It’s becoming more like a spa where one can relax and unwind. Soaking tubs offer the homeowner a beautiful style tub that is deeper than standard models. These tubs are designed to be the focal point of your bathroom while providing an “up to your neck” water experience. As for showers, they’re becoming more and more over-the-top. Pamper yourself with 10”, 12”, even 18” rain heads combined with 4 to 8 body sprays, or even throw in a steam unit to help ease and soothe tired muscles after a long day or workout.

Tile Is King

Whether used on the floors, backsplashes or in shower enclosures, eye-catching tiles are a must in today’s bathroom design. Tile manufacturers are pushing the limits in design and technology to create tile that is art. Large format tiles have been a huge hit recently. People love tiles made from wood to stone to concrete. Tiles with large graphic prints are also popular and are often used to create a stunning look for a bathroom wall. For luxury bathrooms, porcelain continues to be the go-to choice.

Space-Saving Cabinetry and Vanities

As designers work to create the perfect bathroom for homeowners, they’re cleverly designing cabinetry that has additional storage space. These vanities are a super efficient use of space, often eliminating the need to increase the footprint of the room. Floating vanities and cabinetry are by far the most popular choices in modern bathroom design. Their sleek and elegant look can help make a room feel larger and allow for under cabinet lighting.

Bathroom Art

Most people wouldn’t consider placing art in the bathroom because of its hot, wet and steamy conditions. Today, people are looking for ways to add a bit of excitement and individuality. This can be achieved by including beautifully printed tiles or glass screens that are waterproof and withstand harsh bathroom conditions.

Colors That Pop

Last year whites, beiges, browns and greys were popular with homeowners. For 2013, we see a continued emphasis of these colors as neutral tones and patterns, but with a twist. This year, you’ll want to mix in pops of bright, vibrant colors. We’re loving green, blue, orange and pink. Just remember not to overdue it. These colors should be used to accent and accentuate.

Kitchen Design: Determining Your Kitchen’s Hook

Several years ago, there was a commercial for Kohler that had two homeowners ask a prestigious designer to build their home around a polished chrome faucet. I’m sure you have seen the ad before, but you can refresh your memory with the video below.

What I love about this ad, is how the designer is challenged to create a home around one single item. The ad also showcases how vital it is for homeowners to determine the hook in their home. And like the home, every great kitchen should have one unique element that pulls you in. The options are endless, and could be anything from a hood to a sink. If you are in need of a little inspiration, explore some of these eye-catching features.

Colorful Kitchen Tiles

Your kitchen backsplash is the perfect location to grab someone’s attention. Be creative and use a variety of colors and shapes.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Whether it’s a refrigerator, dual range oven, or double drawer dishwasher, showoff your shiny high-tech appliances with today’s latest features.

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.

Wall Decor

Have a empty wall? Consider decorating the space with everyday objects, like picture frames, decorative plates, or floating shelves for extra storage.

Pop of Color

Bring the wow factor into the kitchen by diversifying your cabinetry’s color scheme around the island or stove top areas.

-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.

Ali’s Favorite Things for the Bathroom

As a vital asset at CCW, our office manager, Ali, is consistently assisting our designers with the most efficient resources and keeping the comedy alive in the showroom. Below, Ali shares her favorite things that will bring convenience and fun into your bathroom.

Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet

For a convenient and functional tool in the bathroom, a hands-free faucet will be perfect for any day. The Moen Destiny Hands-Free Faucet is designed exclusively for the powder room. With its modern and minimalist design, the faucet features curves and hard angles that blend seamlessly with the benefits of touchless activation. Another plus, the faucet is temperature controlled!

Thermique Towel Warmer

The wall-mounted Thermique Towel Warmer is a work of art. The elegant glass heating surface is a stunning design element that can serve as an accent or centerpiece of your bathroom decor. With a wide range of metallic finishes to choose from, you’ll love how the heated-glass brings luxury to your room. It may not be a necessity for the bathroom, but it’s a great way to pamper yourself and allows you to create your own spa in your home – who wouldn’t want that?!

Kohler DTV II Custom Shower Interface

Create a spa-like environment next time you shower with Kohler’s DTV II Custom Shower interface. The interface allows you to combine shower, music, lights and steam. You’ll be amazed how your shower syncs with the lights and music. There are six user presets enabling for one-touch access for your custom showering experience. Even the shower experience alone is wonderful since you can set your own preferred temperature and choose between eight shower components with just a touch of a button. This would be amazing in any shower!

Robern M Series TViD Medicine Cabinet with Integrated TV

Whether you catching up with the news in the morning, or don’t want to miss part of the game, having a TV in the bathroom would be helpful for any homeowner. Electronics have come a long way in the home, and Robern introduces a stylish integrated TV within your bathroom’s medicine cabinet. The medicine cabinet also has electrical outlets and a hook up for a MP3 player and an interior with glass shelves. What a perfect option for busy mornings!

Evit Vetro Tile

When it comes to tiling the bathroom, it’s important to leave plenty of room for creativity. These glass tiles from Evit offer a stylish and interesting look to any bathroom.

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 the Kitchen Backsplash: Part One

No matter how many kitchen renovations I have been involved with, each is unique in their own way.  With a variety of cabinetry, countertop and appliance options, homeowners can mix-and-match to their hearts’ content.  Another unique feature found in kitchens is the backsplash.  A kitchen backsplash is usually made up of materials that generally make the surface resistant to splashes and spills from cooking and food preparation.  Today, designers utilize the backsplash to create the atmosphere for the entire room.

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.

For a fun and creative design, consider glass liner bars in various color options.

Add texture to your accent wall by using porous stone in a diagonal pattern. Be aware that this natural stone should be sealed to protect the material from water damage.

Use artwork as the focal point and surround with tailored marble tiles, glass mosaic accents and medallions.

Keep it traditional and run handmade subway tiles above the stove and countertop area.

For a modern look, create a color scheme using glass mosaic tiles.

Choose neutral colors for the backsplash to help resell your home. You can even incorporate tile rosettes and a border to create accent pieces onto the wall.

Having a tiled kitchen backsplash provides a functional as well as fashionable addition and is the easiest way to add your own personal touch to the design of your kitchen.

Not interested in tiling your kitchen?  Learn other options for creating a backsplash:

Designing the Kitchen Backsplash:  Part Two

-Laura