Posted by admin | Bathroom Remodeling | Posted on July 31st, 2011
The challenge: Make room for a master suite.
The design team: Sid Levin, principal, and his design partner, Rob Aldecocea, Revolution Design & Build, Wayzata.
Time for a change: Levin, his wife, Christine, and their four children had outgrown their three-bedroom rambler in Excelsior. But instead of moving to a larger house, the Levins decided to utilize a 20-by-20-foot storage space in the lower level. “In today’s economy, it’s nice to use existing space that was thought to be useless,” Sid said. “It’s a way to get an addition without adding square feet.”
Beach-inspired: Since the Levins were spending their winter-vacation money on their master suite, they decided to make that their theme. “We love warm, beachy places,” Sid said. So they chose wave-shaped contours and beach-inspired materials, including turquoise glass tile, cherry burlwood veneer, sand-colored Caesarstone countertops and pebble-look floor tiles, set in a curve — “like when the water recedes from the tide.”
‘Eye candy’: The biggest design challenge, according to Sid, was creating a bright, appealing space within the confines of a basement. “You’re underground, surrounded by a deck, so you can’t add windows; you’d be looking at the underside of the deck,” he said. He compensated by adding “a lot of eye candy” — organic shapes, vibrant colors and varied textures.
Functionality: Style met substance in the Levins’ bathroom. The wave shape of the vanity serves a practical as well as an aesthetic purpose. “My wife has poor eyesight,” Sid said. Her side of the “wave” curves close to the mirror, making it easier for her to apply makeup. The glass-tiled wave in the corner contains built-in storage cubbies, to cut visual clutter. And the brown tile bench, which extends into the shower, promotes shared use of the space. “I take three seconds to get ready, but I like to hang out and talk to my wife without being in her way,” Sid said. “It perfectly suits the way we use a bathroom together.”
The result: The Levins’ bathroom is a design star, winning a national 2011 Chrysalis Award (“Best Bathroom Remodel” in the under $40,000 category), as well as a ROMA (Remodeler of Merit Award) from the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. More important, the new master bath has enhanced the Levins’ lifestyle. “It’s become a little oasis of privacy and quiet for us — a vacation inside the home,” Sid said.
Check out the rest of the article here: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/126456663.html
Posted by admin | Bathroom Remodeling | Posted on February 2nd, 2011
Here is how to get your bathroom remodel going to make your home the one you want in 2011:
- Timely or Timeless Style – Before you remodel, picture what it will look like in a couple years when you sell your home. Will you still enjoy that trendy sink? Make sure future buyers will, too. Otherwise they’ll factor in the cost of their own remodel when making an offer.
- Costs—Good News – Right now many contractors are eager for work, and prices are lower for their materials and labor, so now may be an ideal time to make your bathroom more livable.
- Resale Value - You may have heard during the housing boom that bath remodels add value to your home. These days you can recoup about 64% of the costs of a minor bathroom remodel, according to Remodeling magazine’s “2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report.” If your bathroom is especially in need of updates, you may recapture more.
- Too Much? Think Small – If you’re not ready for a full remodel, then a fresh coat of paint, new towels and a pretty framed print can do wonders to update your bathroom—and give you a new look for 2011.
You can read more here: http://calgaryhomesearchinfo.com/new-year%E2%80%99s-resolution-remodel-the-bathroom/
Posted by admin | Plumbing | Posted on January 16th, 2011
When planning your bathroom remodel it is vitally important to plan for your plumbing. You must remember to not only decide what types of sinks, toilet, shower, tub, etc… you must also think about plumbing all your new pieces in.
Before you begin your remodel project, you want to develop a plan that includes a detailed layout with measurements. This is needed to ensure all of your fixtures will fit as planned.
If you are working with a small budget, then you may want to use your existing plumbing layout. If moving the plumbing will create more useable space, then consider it, though keep in mind it can be expensive.
Learn more about the types of pieces you can get and what will work best for your particular wants and desires here: http://www.omani-b-wall.com/2011/bathroom-ideas-how-to-choose-vanity-cabinets-faucets-mirrors/
Posted by admin | Small Bathrooms | Posted on December 22nd, 2010
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re remodeling any room in your home. You have to be extra careful about this when you’re doing a bathroom remodel because your bathroom is generally a fair bit smaller than other areas / rooms in your home so your space is going to be much more limited.
There are also certain things you absolutely need to have in your bathroom, so your options are also going to be more limited than in other rooms. So plan out the things you need first: toilet, sink, vanity, mirror, shower, tub, linen closet, etc. You might not have all those things in your bathroom – that is a fairly comprehensive list. Just be sure to do your planning around those items first before adding any extras.
Make sure that what your buying is the right size for the space offered by your bathroom. You don’t want to get too big a tub and have not enough space left for the sink you really wanted. Or maybe you can fit everything, but it makes your bathroom feel cramped… that’s not going very relaxing.
Choosing clean simple lines, lacking a lot of decoration, will make the space look larger. In small spaces, simplicity is generally best if you want to create the illusion of spaciousness and elegance. Clean simple lines, no clutter, and an eye to the necessary will help you start a very comfortable аnd luxurious small bathroom remodel.
For some very specific ideas on space saving check this out: http://www.bhpes.com/design/keep-small-bathroom-remodel-simple.htm
If you’re looking to rent your space, here is a helpful site where you canclick here for power of attorney forms.
Posted by admin | Bathroom Painting | Posted on December 8th, 2010
Here are some things to think about when choosing colors for your bathroom. You want to look at your tiles, vanities, sinks, and any other fixtures and make sure your paint colors are either going to match or compliment them.
You don’t have to go with just solid colors either… You can let your inner artist shine by painting your own wall art. The bathroom is a great place to get creative and you can make it a lot more fun by adding a personal touch to your walls.
If your bathroom is on the small side, choosing the right colors can make the room look bigger. Lighter paint colors will help make the bathroom look roomier. A neat trick to enhance this illusion of space is to paint walls that are opposite each other in two separate shades of the same color.
You can get more great bathroom painting tips here: http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/bathroom-painting-tips-to-get-you-started-170233d0f9a.html
Posted by admin | Bathroom Remodeling | Posted on November 28th, 2010
You don’t have to break the bank to get the bathroom you’ve always wanted. Here is a quick beginners guide to getting the perfect bathroom without spending all your time and money doing so: http://www.sliby.com/the-bathroom-remodel-a-first-timers-manual/
It’s not the best written article but the advice is sound. Some of the things it covers are pre-planning all your steps so you don’t waste time or buy more than you need; saving money by getting your supplies and equipment second-hand rather than new from a store; and calling in the experts for things that are beyond your abilities.
That last pointer is definitely a good one. It’s something many DIYers don’t like to do but in the long run it will save you time, effort, and possibly money. You don’t want to attempt something you know nothing about and then have to pay someone else to fix the work.
This is a good guide to follow because it points out some of the major mistakes first time remodelers often make.
If you’re simply looking to purchase a new home rather than spend time remodeling your current one, visit www.swifthomebuyers.co.uk.
Posted by admin | Clawfoot Tubs | Posted on November 10th, 2010
A Victorian bathroom remodel will increase the value of your home and give you an elegant and soothing place to relax.
In the bathroom many homeowners are thinking old to look new. They’re searching for antiques or near-authentic reproduction tubs, for retro styles or reinventions of classic designs.
Some enthusiasts will drive miles to scour salvage yards for vintage clawfoot items. Others visit online companies like Vintage Tub & Bath for reproductions and antiques. Even major manufacturers such as Kohler, Toto and American Standard offer retro collections (known as “suites”) of fittings, fixtures and accessories that seek to capture styles from the early 1900s through the 1950s.
Most new retro designs can cost about the same or just a little more than standard designs. High-end reproduction items like a polished nickel Phylrich International faucet for a clawfoot tub can start at $1,800. New old-fashioned pedestal sinks can cost $200 to $800, and pull-chain replica toilets range from $500 to $1,600. Of course, it pays to shop around. At a salvage yard, a cast-iron clawfoot tub could be priced from $300 to $900, depending on the size. Re-glazing the porcelain finish — if that’s necessary — could double the price. An acrylic reproduction clawfoot tub can run about $1,200.
Homeowners charmed by the vintage look now have a greater selection of fixtures and fittings to choose from. “It used to be very expensive to get a clawfoot model tub, but now the prices have come down,” says Alan Dick, who with his brother Norman owns Vintage Tub & Bath, an online supplier of reproduction items in Hazelton, Pa. “People who want to savor their home have more improved products and more selection.”
Clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, pull-chain toilets. They’re showing up by design. When it comes to bathrooms, the comforts of the past are back in style. It’s not that homeowners are trying to rough it in our high-tech society, but as far as bathroom appearances go, vintage is in vogue.
Posted by admin | Bathroom Remodeling | Posted on November 9th, 2010
Here are six great tips to think about for your bathroom remodel.
Access to Natural Light, Choices of Color, Plan for Storage, Medicine Cabinet Styles, Replace Existing Lighting, Install Mirrors / Pictures.
Accessing natural light an planning for storage are integral to think about and plan for up front. The rest can come as you build but it’s good to at least have an idea in your head before you begin the remodel.
Accessing natural light is something not many people think about when planning their bathrooms. That’s a shame because using natural light adds a softness to your bathroom that can really help you relax and enjoy your interior oasis.
Read here for more details about all six of these bathroom remodeling tips: http://yourbathroomremodeling.com/bathroom-remodeling-ideas-5-ideas-for-remodeling-a-bathroom.php
Posted by admin | Pedestal Sinks | Posted on November 8th, 2010
Pedestal lavatories/bathroom sinks feature a basin (bowl) that is positioned at a comfortable standing height and rests on a pedestal base that conceals the drain and supply lines.
Pedestal sinks are made up of two parts: the sink and the pedestal (or base). With most, the weight of the bowl isn’t carried entirely by the base; a bracket ties the bowl to the wall for additional support. Just as with a wall-mounted sink, you’ll want to install blocking between wall studs to help provide that extra support.
The first pedestal sinks were made of enameled cast iron. By 1915, however, manufacturers began to fabricate them using vitreous china, a glasslike porcelain that is shaped more easily than cast iron. These glazed clay pieces bake for 40 hours in a 2,200-degree kiln to ensure that the surfaces are smooth and non-porous.
Pedestal sinks are available in styles ranging from contemporary to Victorian. In a large bathroom, they create a focal point. In a small bath, their slim profile visually enlarges the space. However, most provide little or no counter space and no storage at all below the sink. Adding built-in shelves or a closet to the room will compensate for this, and may provide even more storage than a vanity would.
Pedestal lavatories are available with round, oval, rectangular or square basins. Sink heights generally range from 28″ to 35″, and widths from 16″ to 24 1/8″. Pedestal lavatories can be smooth, fluted, sculpted, and hand painted, with or without metallic trim. In most cases the pedestal matches the basin.
Pedestal lavatories also lend themselves to theme baths. If you’ve always wanted a Victorian or Edwardian styled bathroom, beginning with a pedestal sink can be a great way to bring your dream to fruition.
Posted by admin | Bathroom Remodeling | Posted on November 7th, 2010
When you’re planning your bathroom remodel there are a lot of things to consider. It’s best to make a list that way you can sure you’re not missing anything.
Here are just some of things you want to keep in mind. Light fixtures, types of tiles, under floor heating, type of shower unit, type of vanity, and style of tub.
It can be very helpful to use design software to create your bathroom virtually before diving in with your remodel. Plan 3D is great, affordable software you can use to design any area of your home. It’s easy to learn and will help you fully plan your bath to the least detail. Get it here: http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-4073363-10379610
You can learn more about the different options available for each part of your bathroom remodel by checking out this article: http://www.remodeling24hours.com/tips-with-regard-to-planning-the-ideal-bathroom.html