February 29, 2020 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

3 Ways to Create a Custom Kitchen Design

Whenever we begin working on a custom kitchen design with a new client, they almost always fall into one of three categories: A) Knowing what they want and relying on us to translate their vision; B) Strong opinions about a couple of crucial areas, but mostly open to any solutions we suggest for their new design; C) Unsure what they want, but the current situation isn’t working. Regardless of where you fall, here are three ways to create a custom kitchen design that feels personal to you and your family.

1. Utilize Custom Cabinet Modifications to Serve Your Needs

Higher quality, made-to-order cabinet lines are going to allow customization to some degree. This customization can be a game-changer for making the final kitchen design feel truly custom since it means we can make the cabinet as specific to your functional, aesthetic, or architectural needs as possible. Few kitchens don’t require at least one cabinet to be modified to maintain the best-finished look.

More often than not, we modify most cabinets to give our clients the best possible design. Modifications can include custom sizes, combining boxes to avoid seams in inset designs, adding unique storage accessories, or finishing the ends in a specific manner, just to name a few. The options are endless.

2. Incorporate A Design Element with A Story

One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to set your kitchen apart from your friends’ kitchens (even if you have the same taste) is to incorporate something personal that tells part of your story. Our clients have approached us with unique pieces to include in their custom kitchen design on more than one occasion. Custom pieces include hundred-year-old barn beams found in an outbuilding on the property, a favorite light fixture that lasted through multiple moves, a custom colored range to match the label of a favorite bottle of champagne, and more. Incorporating these personal touches into our clients’ kitchen designs sets them apart from their neighbors.

Custom farmhouse kitchen design with reclaimed beam

We salvaged the vertical beam next to the staircase from an old barn on this couple’s property. Having a piece with a story gives extra life to this farmhouse kitchen.

You don’t already have something you’d like to include in the new design? No problem! Choose one item that has yet to be selected and pick something you love that can act as a statement piece. It can be something semi-permanent like a light fixture, unique cabinet hardware, or backsplash tile, or it could be something you find on your own like vintage stools for the island or a beautiful painting to hang in the breakfast area.

3. Plan Storage to Support Your Daily Habits

Just because you make coffee and take supplements every morning as part of a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean they have to be out on the counter in full view 24/7. Our kitchens are responsible for storing a LOT from everyday dishes to serving pieces, pantry items to charging stations. When everything has a place where it’s easily accessible and hidden from view, you’re able to move more efficiently and feel better in your space without visual clutter. Planning ahead of time, which tasks take place in which zones of your kitchen will help your kitchen designer suggest the best storage solutions to help your day run more smoothly from the get-go.

One of the best ways to make a kitchen more functional is to store items by use instead of similarity. For example: Instead of keeping all glasses and mugs together in one cabinet, store drinking glasses near the refrigerator for access to filtered water and store mugs near the coffee station. Customizing the design for the way you move in and around your kitchen saves time as you won’t be crisscrossing as often while you’re preparing meals, snacks, and everything in between.

Custom-designed spice and tray pull outs in peacock green kitchen island

We placed narrow, pull-out storage cabinets for cutting boards and spices close to the cooktop for convenient access during prep.

Want to speak with someone about your custom kitchen design? Schedule a call to speak with one of our project developers.

January 29, 2020 BathroomsOther Spaces by Chelsea Allard

Before & After: How to Makeover Your Master Suite

The importance of a well-functioning master suite cannot be understated. After the kitchen, the main suite is the second most important space in your home. And just like the kitchen, the master suite is critical to a homeowner’s overall health and well-being.

To be at our best in a world that demands more from us than ever before, it’s imperative that we have a private, quiet space to rest, to nourish our bodies, and to begin and end our days in a way that promotes optimal health.

The demolition plan illustrates the inefficient and segmented closets and tight traffic patterns.

A Unique Master Suite Update

This couple wanted to create a unique master suite that not only reflected the style of the rest of the home but incorporated an international flare. While the design elements of a home’s more public spaces should flow to create a sense of continuity, private spaces like master bedrooms and bathrooms are a great opportunity to try something a little unexpected – like the graphic white and gold wallpaper they selected for the bathroom.

The bedroom remodel features the combination of multiple small closets, providing necessary (but separate) storage space, separate vanities, a larger shower, and a freestanding tub as the focal point while maintaining a private water closet.

By redesigning the two spaces we were able to maximize storage and natural light within the existing footprint, expand the shower, and simplify the traffic flow. Plantation shutters were replaced with motorized roman blackout shades for optimal sleep. Two windows in the bedroom were replaced with bedroom French doors to provide access to the outdoors and allow more light into the bedroom during the day.

The solid bi-hinged bathroom doors were exchanged with frosted glass French doors to maintain privacy while allowing light from the large bathroom window to spill into the rest of the bedroom.

BEFORE – Solid French doors did not allow light to pass into the bedroom from the bathroom and the large HVAC return was unsightly. The dark walls made the bedroom feel heavy and dreary and the wall-to-wall carpeting felt dated.

AFTER – New 5-lite frosted French doors separating the bedroom and bathroom repeat the 5-lite design of the custom, matte black framed shower doors. We reused the original solid french bathroom doors for the new closet entrance to save money and cut down on unnecessary waste.

this dark master bathroom got a bright and modern makeover

BEFORE – Heavy and dated fixtures made this bathroom underwhelming. The wall placement of the water closet and shower made the bathroom feel small and the unnecessary shutters and dark paint contributed to the cave-like atmosphere.

AFTER – The relocation of the water closet and removal of the shutters creates a spacious and bright experience. Soft textured, geometric wallpaper adds an unexpected and playful element to the white and black color palette. Wall-mounted faucets and oversized backsplashes offer a sleek solution to protect the wallpaper from water.

BEFORE – The existing floor plan contained a choppy layout, with many nooks and dark corners, including this sequestered shower. The heavily embellished vanities weren’t scaled for the room so they overwhelmed the space.

Modern, yet classic master bathroom makeover with black framed shower glass

AFTER – By relocating the water closet beside the shower, our clients gained a larger shower, and a smoother traffic pattern where it’s less likely they’ll be in each other’s way. The shower features a custom sliding door system, fixed shower head, separate hand shower, and an oversized bench. The marble-inspired porcelain floor and shower tile lend a classic vibe without competing with the more modern geometric wallpaper.

AFTER – The bright wall color makes this master bedroom feel more spacious, while the black painted window sashes add a pop of contrast. The new gold wall sconces are much more stylish than their previous pair and give off a soft romantic light.

the office separated the bedroom from the rest of the home, so we created a better flow for the homeowners

BEFORE – Multiple doorways separated the office from the bedroom, creating an awkward vestibule that was more of a pinch point than an asset. The light carpet in the bedroom made the two spaces feel even more disconnected and with two dogs, maintenance was a nightmare.

AFTER – A priority of this master bedroom makeover was creating better flow from the master bedroom to the office. The smaller closets were combined for more functional storage. Two new French doors provide direct access from the bedroom to the outdoor living room, while motorized roman blackout shades ensure darkness for optimal sleep. Continuing the walnut floors throughout the bedroom unifies the remodeled bedroom space with the office, and makes wiping muddy paw prints much easier.

By optimizing for storage and natural light, and incorporating a balanced design throughout the entire master suite, our clients now have a unique, award-winning space that offers a relaxing retreat to start and end each day.

When you’re ready to makeover your master bedroom, give us a call at 704-759-3920. Schedule a call with one of our project developers to discuss next steps.

November 19, 2019 Additions & ExteriorsOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

Ready to Remodel Your Home? The Truth About The Remodel Construction Schedule

Whether you’re moving into a rental property while you remodel your home, or you’re setting up a temporary kitchen in the dining room while your kitchen is being redone, the remodel construction schedule can be disruptive. Our homes are the nucleus of our lives, so it’s only natural to want to know how long your remodeling project will take. While we can apply the law of averages to give you a realistic expectation based on past experience, how long it will take to remodel your home is dependent on a number of factors.

Most of the time when a homeowner asks, “How long will it take to remodel my kitchen?” they’re referring only to the construction portion of the project – the messy, loud, inconvenient, and disruptive part television shows depict to be the absolute worst. We get it. That’s the time you’ll have to rearrange your house, your routine, and live in some state of mess. What’s important to note — the construction phase is only one part of the entire process and it comes at the very end. When speaking with our clients about timing, we find it gives them a better idea of the true time commitment when we talk about the process as a whole.

While most design-build remodeling firms are likely to have a similar process, we can only speak for ourselves. Here’s a brief outline of our process, and the steps that have to happen before the hammers ever start swinging:

Sign the Design & Development Agreement to start the design phase
Finalize and approve space planning, design, and all materials selections
Sign fixed-price Contract and construction plans
Order and stage all materials

What’s a Design & Development Agreements?

The Design & Development Agreements is exactly how it sounds – an agreement between you and ReVision to begin the design portion of your remodeling project, based on a specific scope of work. Once you’ve set up a call to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Project Developers, they’ll meet with you at your home to take a look at your existing space, and discuss your goals and design ideas. Afterward, they’ll present you with a high-level outline (Design & Development Agreements) of the scope of work that it will take to remodel your home, including typical budget ranges appropriate for your goals and presumed level of selection. The timeline for this initial step depends heavily on the availability of both parties — typically, it takes 2-4 weeks to schedule the consultation, meet, outline, and present the Design & Development Agreements.

Design Phase Timeline

The length of the design phase usually comes down to four things:

The pace at which you make decisions. If you’d like to weigh every possible option and get the opinion of friends, family, and neighbors before making any home remodeling decisions, you may find the design phase to be overwhelming; it may march on for months. On the flip side, if you start the process with a sense of what you like, and trust that your designer won’t steer you in the wrong direction, you’ll save a lot of time and energy and you’ll be able to enjoy your new home even sooner.
Your availability for meetings. At a minimum, the client and remodeling team will have two face-to-face meetings. One for design and selections at our South End design studio, and another for an onsite evaluation of your existing home with our trade partners. We find 4-5 meetings to be more common, especially for larger projects where it’s not practical or possible to get everything done in just one day. While it’s not critical that each spouse attends every meeting, we find it makes the experience more enjoyable for our clients when they are both able to participate.

The level of your remodeling project. We refer to the three levels of remodeling as Cosmetic Update, Pull and Replace and Custom Redesign.
1. Cosmetic Update: Replace easily removable features such as countertops and backsplash tile. These projects require little to no demolition.
2. Pull and Replace: Replace everything without changing the locations of major electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.
3. Custom Redesign: Replace everything and expand or change the locations of major elements including walls or footprint.

The amount of time it takes to design and specify materials for a cosmetic update versus a custom redesign is significant. Most of our clients fall somewhere between the pull and replace and custom redesign levels, so we refer to those timelines most often.

Our current pipeline. While we do recognize some seasonal fluctuations, the number of projects we’re currently working on at any given phase can vary. We always strive to set the right expectations, but if you have a firm deadline due to pregnancy or a special event, it’s best to share that information as early as possible so we can create a firm timeline that’ll help you stay on track.

Most of our clients average 9-12 weeks in the design phase. Smaller cosmetic projects may take considerably less time, just as remodeling your whole home may take longer.

Finalizing Design

The final design, including plans and all materials selections and images, will be part of your contract documents and approved prior to ordering. Keeping everything organized in one document means never having to remember all the details. Many of our clients like to use their selections images as a handy reference for choosing new furnishings or window treatments while there’s downtime prior to construction.

Ordering and Staging Materials

Before we can begin remodeling your home, all of the materials needed to complete your remodeling project will have been approved, ordered, and delivered. This may include cabinetry, plumbing, lighting, tile, hardware, doors, and windows, lumber, etc. We typically shy away from beginning the demo until all the parts and pieces are in and accounted for. This helps to prevent an opportunity for an unexpected delay and further disruption should something arrive late or damaged. While it doesn’t happen often, it is possible, and we’d hate for a project to come to a stop because a critical piece needed to be reordered.

Lead Times

All of the cabinetry we use is made to order and usually takes 6-8 weeks to be built and delivered. Most remodeling projects we do contain cabinetry, but for those that do not such as screen porches or living space additions, other materials with longer lead times may include custom or specialty windows and doors. Even without long lead times on materials, it still takes a couple of weeks to work out the logistics, so plan on anywhere from 3-8 weeks from contract signing to demo day, with 8 weeks being most common.

Remodel Construction Schedule

Just as the design phase timeline varies based on what type of remodel you’re pursuing, so does the construction timeline. A Cosmetic project could be done in as little as 2-4 weeks, while a Pull and Replace project will take 6-8 weeks. Depending on the scope and complexity, a Custom Redesign may take 8-10 weeks. This number can rise if a large addition is involved.

Whether you have a specific end date in mind for remodeling your home or not, we’ll work with you to create a timeline that suits your schedule. Some of our clients plan well in advance so they can coordinate their vacations around the messiest stages of construction (mainly demo and floor refinishing). Others don’t have a specific construction schedule in mind, and just want to take their time. If you want to figure out the ideal time to remodel your home, it’s best to start with the end in mind and work backward from there.

Curious to know what a remodel would look like in your home? Give ReVision a call or schedule a conversation to speak with one of our Project Developers about your goals.

September 26, 2019 Additions & ExteriorsOther Spaces by Chelsea Allard

What You Should Know Before Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit

As Charlotte continues to see an influx of newcomers, the demand for housing options continues to increase. Homeowners are using online platforms such as VRBO or Airbnb to offer short term rental of parts of their property to profit from this high demand. Many homeowners also want to renovate spaces they already have to provide separate living quarters to serve as an in-law suite, a guest space for visiting friends, or living space for au pairs, or nannies. A great solution for all of these is the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit?

There are many variations on the location of an ADU within a residential home or property. Basements, converted garages, bonus rooms and rooms above or next to a detached structure (such as a garage) are the most common areas that provide the square footage needed. The specific definition of what is considered an ADU may vary by each city’s zoning ordinance. In Charlotte, NC the ADU Ordinance defines an ADU as “a second dwelling unit located within the principal detached dwelling or within a separate accessory structure.” To be considered a dwelling, the unit must include both kitchen and bathroom facilities and be intended for use as a year-round residence. The definition of an ADU may vary from city to city, so check with your local city officials.

Is an ADU Allowed on My Property?

A thorough review of municipal ordinances should be one of the first things you research when considering the construction or renovation of a space to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit. For example, most detached ADUs will only be allowed if it is within certain proximity to property lines and the existing primary residence. Other restrictions may include the total square footage allowed and how it shall be accessed. In addition to municipal ordinances, you also need to research deed restrictions, township restrictions, home owner’s association rules, or any other governing bodies that may have some say in what is or is not allowed on your property. The last thing you want to do is to spend time and money on plans and estimates only to find out you aren’t allowed to remodel or build the ADU you’re dreaming about.

Can I Rent Out My ADU?

The need for affordable housing in urban cores is a challenge that faces just about every major city in our country, including Charlotte, NC. To help provide relief for this need, many cities have relaxed rules around property owners being allowed to legally rent out ADUs. If you do intend to rent out your space, make sure you have the proper business licenses and check with your accountant when it comes to be most advantageous tax treatment of the construction cost and rental income.

Where Can I Add an ADU?

In many cases, you may already have a space within your existing home that could be remodeled to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit. Below are the most common spaces an ADU could be added, and considerations for feasibility:

Basements – Basements offer a great opportunity for conversion to an ADU. The first thing to determine if an ADU is feasible is how the sewer system will be connected. Sometimes the basement will have a pump or gravity fed sewer lines already in place that was installed when the house was originally built. If it does not, a thorough evaluation by a plumber will be required once you have the floor plans for your ADU completed. With a basement ADU, you also want to think about access. To be considered an ADU it must have its own separate access from outside, so if your house is on a sloping lot for example, a sidewalk or stairs on the outside that leads down to the rear side may also need to be constructed.

Bonus Rooms – Bonus rooms are typically defined as the large room located over a two or three-car attached garage. They make great spaces to add an Accessory Dwelling Unit as long as it has a dedicated set of stairs to access it. In most cases the plumbing and electrical connections that are required can be tied directly into the existing systems already in place for the main house.

Converted Garages – A two or three-car garage can also be converted into an ADU with proper planning. Depending on how the house and garage were placed on the lot, the height of the garage floor in relation the house floor can vary. For example, some garages may have just a couple of steps into the house. For fewer steps, it may be best to use the garage floor as the subfloor rather than building it up with wood framing. This means that concrete would need to be cut and removed to provide channels for the electrical or plumbing. If a wood frame floor is built over the garage slab, the underside provides easy access for running plumbing, mechanical, and electrical lines, as well as insulation. Converted garages make the best in-law suites because they are typically level with the main living areas of the home, eliminating the need for stairs that may hinder accessibility.

How Much Would it Cost to Build a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit?

If you have a lot large enough to accommodate a detached ADU, then constructing one from scratch may be more desirable than making modifications to the primary residence. There are many factors to consider that are specific to each site, and many options for how the ADU will be built, so it’s hard to give a specific cost without some considerable planning and decision making. The first step is to make sure you have an accurate physical survey done by a professional land surveyor. You’ll then want to find a reputable designer or design/build firm to provide renderings and construction drawings. From there you’ll be able to make more specific decisions about the types of cladding materials used, how much site work will need to be done such as tree removal and grading, and the level of finishes you choose to have installed on the interior. All of these decisions will impact your final cost of construction.

Summary

Adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit to your existing home or as a detached structure on your property is a great option to consider for creating more space for your friends and family, or as a source of rental income. While not all properties are conducive to adding an ADU, a professional would be able to determine whether this or another project is right for your home.

ReVision Design/Remodeling has extensive experience working with clients in the Charlotte area to figure out what works best for their space. Let’s have a conversation about your accessory dwelling unit, addition or whole house remodel. Fill out the contact form to get in touch with one of our remodeling experts.

August 14, 2019 BathroomsKitchens by Chelsea Allard

Tile Design Ideas for Your Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel

Tile design patterns are a great way to add personality to a remodeling project whether via temporary materials (think fabric and wall coverings) or permanent ones such as tile or even hardwood flooring. Patterns have the ability to elevate simple materials. Take subway tile for example. You can’t get much more basic than white 3 x 6″ ceramic tile. Set in a running bond pattern, subway tile backsplash will look traditional and understated, but take that same tile and set it in a herringbone pattern and suddenly it has more visual weight and movement.

Mix patterns! In this master bathroom remodel we paired a traditional 3″ x 6″ subway tile running bond, over larger 12″ x 24″ tiles set at ⅓ offset. The longer, linear floor tile was also set at ⅓ offset.

When it comes to tile design, straight or grid patterns are often the default for home builders. They’re the easiest to install because there are fewer cuts. Fewer cuts mean less material waste and a quicker installation. Quite simply – it’s cheaper. But if you’re preparing to remodel your home, chances are you want something other than what the original home builder installed. Your kitchen or bathroom designer will make pattern recommendations appropriate for the materials chosen, the location, and your desired aesthetic. Also, remember that you always have the option between vertical shower and kitchen tile and horizontal shower and kitchen tile.

Popular Tile Design Patterns and Where to Use Them

Running Bond or Brick Bond

This tile works best for field tiles and mosaics smaller than 12″ x 24″. You can use this tile design with rectangular or square tiles, but traditionally it’s done with rectangular bricks, hence the name. Running this pattern horizontally will emphasize the width of a space, while vertical installations emphasize height.

Square running bond tile shower with mosaic accent band; Tile Design Ideas in Charlotte, NC

Square tiles set in a running bond, paired with a mini-brick glass mosaic accent band, keep this hall bath simple and traditional.

The running bond pattern is popular for kitchen backsplashes, flooring, shower walls, and bathroom wainscoting. It offers a classic look when using traditional tile materials such as subway tile or marble, but it looks just as good with more contemporary porcelain or glass tile as well.

A variation on the running bond is the flemish bond, which also derives from masonry. A flemish bond usually consists of alternating square and rectangular tiles in the same course. While uncommon, it can make for a pretty and unexpected backsplash or shower enclosure. When mixing tiles, it is critical they are the same height and thickness, so you would only do this if the particular tile you chose was offered in two sizes. Otherwise, the grout lines would have to be much larger to make up for the difference, and the installation wouldn’t look as clean.

Vertical running bond shower wall tile; Tile Design Ideas in Charlotte, NC

This vertical tile steam shower features a 10″ x 14″ ceramic wall tile installed in a vertical running bond to the ceiling to emphasize height. This tile is the same collection as the photo above, but the size and pattern give it a different look.

⅓ Offset

As wood-look porcelain and large format tile have increased in popularity in recent years, we’ve started seeing a lot more of this pattern and for an efficient reason. When porcelain tiles are longer than 18″, they tend to bow ever so slightly in the middle; it’s just due to the material’s properties and the manufacturing process. When staggered in a traditional running bond (above), the center of the tile may stick up slightly higher than the edges, causing what we refer to as “lippage.” Because of that, it’s industry standard to install anything over 18″ long in a ⅓ offset if not set straight.

Beware – When using three courses of this pattern on a wall, it can look like stair steps, but it’s less noticeable (and more desirable for a wood-look). If stair steps aren’t your thing, but you’re dead set on longer tile, try setting it in two courses instead. It’ll look like a tighter running bond, and there won’t be a lip. We also use this pattern with smaller tiles on backsplash applications.

Straight or Grid

This straight pattern, which we typically design from square tiles, looks like graph paper. This pattern is simple to install and uses very little waste, much like its design. When installing rectangular tiles in a grid, that’s often referred to as a soldier stack (standing vertically) or a horizontal soldier stack. Soldier stacking rectangular tiles can add a contemporary touch to your backsplash or shower wall tile design. We’ve also used this pattern for tile flooring in a larger format.

horizontal soldier stack tile with chevron accent wall in powder room; Tile Design Ideas in Charlotte, NC

Offset tile patterns like these horizontal soldier stack sidewalls transform into a chevron accent tile wall, giving this powder room extra pizzazz.

“On-point” is just a fancy way of saying we want the grid to look like a diamond at an exact 45-degree angle. While less popular now, it was all the rage in the earlier 2000s. Anytime a tile is set on point, it makes the space feel larger, so it’s excellent for small powder rooms. You can even dress it up with a running bond or mosaic border around the baseboard.

Basket Weave

While the basketweave pattern works in masonry for patios, it also makes a great mudroom floor or backsplash. It’s a more artistic version of the stacked stile backsplash. Consider a basketweave using two materials of varying sizes to get more of a woven look. Basketweave stone mosaics are famous for traditional shower floors and bathroom accents, but they don’t look as appropriate in kitchens.

We used a 2″ x 6″ ceramic field tile set in a running bond. The center panel over the range is a 2″ x 9″ tile set in a basketweave herringbone (a term we made up for this tile design that combines each of those patterns).

Herringbone

This classic pattern works well as both an accent and as the primary, uninterrupted tile pattern in a living space. It does require lots of cuts, making it more wasteful and expensive to supply/install. Herringbone can add flair in a small mosaic format of your kitchen backsplash or as part of a larger tile design across an entire floor. You can even try herringbone shower tile. Keep in mind that the longer the tile is, the more exaggerated the pattern. While you can install herringbone tiles straight — which would result in that same stair-step pattern — it’s most commonly installed “on point,” which resembles a W.

Mosaic

The term “tile mosaic” refers to a collection of pieces smaller than 4″ x 4″ joined together using a fiberglass mesh backing or paper. Attaching these smaller pieces in pre-made sheets makes installation quicker and easier than installing thousands of smaller tiles; however, installing mosaic tiles takes a great deal of experience and skill. If an expert remodeler creates the tile design, you shouldn’t be able to pick out the seems between sheets after grouting tile.

Leaf-shaped mosaic tile has a wallpaper effect on this kitchen backsplash in Charlotte’s Stonehaven neighborhood.

You can design mosaics from glass, stone, ceramic, porcelain, metal (see below), or even wood. Generally speaking, the smaller the individual pieces making up the mosaic, the more expensive. Because of this, mosaics make great accents. If you want an impact, take a mosaic and use it as the field tile. When used in large quantities, mosaics take on a wallpaper effect creating that “wow” factor. Mosaics work on shower floors due to the sheets’ ability to curve with the shower pan to allow proper drainage.

Stainless steel linear mosaic backsplash with walnut floating shelves; Tile Design Ideas in Charlotte, NC

This linear, stainless steel mosaic backsplash places a strong emphasis on horizontal lines to counterbalance the vaulted ceiling.

Whatever your tile design predilection, whether it be a vertical tile shower or mosaic backsplash in your kitchen, we are here to help you!

July 10, 2019 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

Kitchen Appliance Design Ideas for Your Remodel

During the design phase, our clients are always curious about kitchen appliance design ideas for their remodel. While lifestyle factors influence the needs of every household differently, there are a few basic rules that apply to everyone.

Kitchen Appliances Everyone Needs

At the very least, every kitchen must have a cooking surface with burners, an oven, and a refrigerator. While it’s true that not every home has a microwave or a dishwasher, we’ve never done a kitchen remodel without them and wouldn’t advise choosing to forgo either. Whether you need a single oven or two, four burners or eight, a separate refrigerator and freezer, a wine chiller, an ice maker, or a warming drawer are all going to be specific to the needs of your family and how you live. A couple with two young children will have very different needs than an empty-nester couple who hosts large family gatherings, or a bachelor who travels for work three weeks out of the month. For a helpful guide on how to take stock of the kitchen appliances you currently have and the ways they are or are not serving you, download our complimentary appliance shopping guide here.

Settle Your Kitchen Appliance Design Ideas Early

One of the most important features in your kitchen remodel will be the appliances. While there are standardized sizes for every appliance, specific cabinetry clearances, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical requirements will vary by manufacturer and installation method.

Knowing which appliances you intend to purchase will be critical for finalizing your cabinetry layout and getting accurate quotes for the electrical, plumbing and mechanical changes that may be required to accommodate them. Older homes tend to have smaller electrical panels than newer homes, so there may not be enough space in the panel to add a second oven and a microwave drawer without an electrical service upgrade. Knowing limitations ahead of time will prevent surprises during construction that could increase the cost or delay the project.

Some of our clients have very specific needs when it comes to appliances and in those cases, we design the kitchen to fit what they require. Other clients care less about the appliances and prefer the best layout to address other concerns. Their main goal may involve the removal of a wall between the kitchen and the formal dining room to improve traffic flow, or perhaps they need to increase functional storage space. In those cases, we design the kitchen based on their priority and show them which appliances will fit the best in a particular layout.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Ten years ago another common appliance question was whether or not we thought stainless steel would go out of style. While newer finishes have popped up over the last couple of years, stainless steel is still the most popular finish and that probably won’t change anytime soon. That being said, if you find that so much stainless feels cold, or maybe you’re just sick of wiping fingerprints off the dishwasher every day, consider adding a few panel ready appliances to your suite.

What Are Panel Ready Appliances?

Panel ready appliances are designed to accept a custom cabinet panel to hide it from view. Not all appliances come panel ready — dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers are the most common, followed by wine chillers, beverage centers and warming drawers. While the inner guts of the appliance are exactly the same as the same model with a stainless steel front, panel ready appliances have to be ordered that way from the manufacturer. It’s not as simple as picking up any old dishwasher and sticking a cabinet panel over the door.

Panel ready appliances are great when you want to hide something to create a cleaner look. While a range and hood are often the focal point of a kitchen, the dishwasher is not, so why not hide it from view? The downside of panel ready appliances is that generally speaking they are only offered from higher-end brands. While many dishwashers come panel ready, only built-in or integrated refrigerators will have that option, making them more expensive than an entry-level model. When discussing pricing with an appliance professional, keep in mind the cost does not include the custom cabinet panel itself. That will have to be ordered with the rest of your cabinetry.

For additional guidance on deciding which appliances would serve your family best, the pros and cons of each type, and worksheets to help you narrow down your options without leaving the comfort of your living room, download our complimentary Kitchen Appliance Shopping Guide!

May 28, 2019 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

How to Choose the Right Countertop

Choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project can be overwhelming. There are dozens of types, hundreds of brands, and thousands of colors – it’s no wonder people go into “analysis paralysis” when it comes to finding the best countertop for their home.

How to Choose a Countertop

Before you go down any rabbit holes, take stock of what you already have, and what you dislike about it. Do you find that your countertop material gets easily scratched, stained, or melted? Do you cook a lot? Do you have children? Do you entertain? Are you looking for low maintenance? Is it important that the countertops be the focal point of your kitchen, or should they play a supporting role to the cabinetry or backsplash? The answers to these questions will help you begin to identify which factors and features are most important to you, besides finding something that’s aesthetically attractive.

A polished black granite serves as the countertop and vanity tower riser in this master bathroom remodel

The most efficient way to narrow it down is to start with the type that would suit your lifestyle best. While we aren’t going to cover every countertop material, this is what our Charlotte area clients are loving at the moment:

Quartz Countertops (sometimes “engineered” quartz)

Not to be confused with natural quartzite, quartz countertops are made up of a combination of ground-up natural quartz (at least 90%), that’s bound together with heavy-duty resin and pigment. High-quality quartz countertops are non-porous, meaning they won’t stain, they don’t require chemical sealing, and they’re scratch and heat resistant. Low-quality quartz countertops are not non-porous and should be avoided since the biggest reason for choosing quartz is their non-porous nature. While some manufacturers claim that it’s ok to set a hot pot directly on a quartz countertop, we would advise against it — with any countertop material except soapstone.

White quartz countertops look similar to marble, without the maintenance

Quartz Countertops are Now More Realistic

Quartz countertops have come a long way over the last decade. As the technology behind countertop materials improves, they’re becoming more realistic in appearance. The ability of manufacturers to crush the quartz into superfine particles creates a solid look as opposed to the granular, almost terrazzo-like appearance that was popular a decade ago.

Quartz is also through-body, meaning the color and pattern go all the way through the slab. This is important in waterfall installations where the front and back of the slab may be visible. Both sides of the slab do not automatically come polished, so your fabricator will have to polish the back for an additional cost. Through-body colors look more realistic because the veining is visible along the polished edges, just like they are with solid stone slabs.

Which Countertop Thickness is Best?

Typically, quartz countertops are available in two thicknesses: 3 cm (1 ¼”) and 2cm (3/4”). 3cm is most popular in North America. 2cm thickness lends a more European or contemporary vibe and has been increasingly popular as we’ve seen the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic make a resurgence. 3cm slabs are always more expensive than 2cm slabs, but some fabricators will build up the edge treatment to make the edge look thicker, which may or may not increase the cost depending on the fabricator.

How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost?

As with any countertop material, the cost of quartz countertops can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer. Most brands tier their pricing into various groups, with finer, more solid, or delicate veined patterns at the highest end, and granular or more consistently veined patterns at the lower end.

The texture will often have an implication as well. Some manufacturers offer a matte or textured finish, and those are typically going to be more expensive than polished finishes. Country of origin is also important to consider, especially given the recent discussions regarding tariffs on Chinese imports. High-quality brands made in the USA and Europe such as Cambria and Silestone are going to be the best bet and the highest quality. We’ll talk more about general pricing down below.

Pros of Quartz

Zero maintenance
Incredibly durable
Hundreds of colors and patterns
Strong and stable
Affordable for most budgets

Cons of Quartz

Even the most sophisticated patterns still don’t have the depth and visual texture of natural stone
The most attractive slabs are usually the most expensive
Size limitations – not all colors are available in “jumbo” slabs, which may mean more seams. Pay special attention to the size of your island if you don’t want a seam
Not suitable for outdoor applications (UV rays will break down the pigment over time and could cause discoloration)

Creamy quartz countertops with a 6″ high backsplash rest on top of stained, inset cabinetry in the Craftsman master bathroom remodel

Natural Stone Countertops

Natural stone countertops are still incredibly popular due to the unique nature of each slab. That being said, there are several different types of natural stone that are suitable for counter applications, and it’s really easy to get confused when browsing at a slab yard. To keep it simple, we’ll just touch on the major differences between natural stone countertop materials, and the pros and cons of each.

All natural stones are porous and should be sealed to protect them from stains. Stone slabs are also likely to feature divots, and fissures which are part of the inherent nature of natural products and are not considered defects, but rather contribute to the unique nature of each slab. If you are bothered by these characteristics, you may want to stick with engineered quartz.

Granite Countertops

For twenty years, granite was the king of countertops. While granite has faded in popularity over the last several years as aesthetics change, it’s still relevant and a great choice for many reasons.

Granite is a hard, igneous rock, but not all granites have the same properties since they come from various quarries from all over the world. Generally speaking, the darker the granite, the harder the material. This means it’s relatively difficult to scratch and stain. Even though it’s tough, granite is still porous so it needs to be sealed, especially if it’s a lighter color.

Variety of Granite Colors and Textures

There’s a huge variety in color and pattern from which to choose. Some stones feature dramatic, linear veins, some are more speckled with large crystalline chunks scattered throughout and others are almost solid (Absolute Black for example). The lighter stones are often more fragile and are more likely to suffer damage during manufacturing, making them more expensive. You’ll often see fiberglass backing on natural stones. This is just to offer additional strength and support during shipping and fabrication – it’s not an indication of low quality.

This Colonial White granite is one of the whitest granites available. This lot features a lighter background with gray and black spots, resulting in subtle movement.

Granites Typically Come in 3 Finishes

Polished slabs are the most common because polishing brings out the natural color variations of the stone. If you prefer a honed finish that’s smooth, but not shiny, most fabricators will hone the stone by hand for an additional cost if the stone you chose isn’t stocked in a honed finish already. Some slabs are also available with a leathered finish, which is a pebbly texture that has a more rustic appearance.

Pros of Granite

Durable, natural stone
Suitable for kitchens, baths, and outdoor spaces
Hundreds of varieties and colors to choose from
There’s a price point for every budget

Cons of Granite

Lighter stones are more fragile than darker stones
While there are many granites that are lighter in color, there are none that are white

Marble Countertops

Marble is metamorphosed limestone, mostly made up of calcite. It’s found in many different colors depending on where it’s quarried, but white, cream, gray or black stones with soft, elegant veins are most common.

Marble is soft by natural stone standards, so it scratches easily, stains, and etches when exposed to acids like lemon juice, tomato sauce, or even hard water. If you love the elegant look of real marble, and you want it to look brand new forever, it’s worth paying extra for the best stone sealer on the market. If you are drawn to the veins and light colors but don’t want to worry about long-term maintenance, it’s best to go with engineered quartz.

Pros of Marble

Some scratches and wear can be buffed out and re-polished
Each slab is unique
Elegant, high-end appearance
Stays cool — great for baking, but we don’t recommend having food make direct contact with the counter

Cons of Marble

Soft and very susceptible to scratching and etching
Not ideal for exterior applications due to pollution and acid rain degradation

Quartzite Countertops

Not to be confused with quartz, quartzite is a natural metamorphic stone that’s formed when quartz-rich sandstone is heated under pressure from the earth. While it looks similar to marble, in that the colors are generally light and the veins are soft and linear, quartzite is as hard or harder than granite so it won’t etch when exposed to acid. You have to try really, really hard to scratch it (it’s a 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale). Due to these properties, it has become one of the most popular countertop materials in recent years.

“True Quartzite” vs. “Soft Quartzite”

Here’s the deal: true quartzite is quartzite, soft quartzite is marble. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference because they look identical. If you’re unsure about which you’ve chosen, try this at-home experiment: take home a sample of your chosen material and leave a slice of lemon on it to see how it reacts. If it etches, it’s marble, and if it doesn’t, it’s quartzite.

Pros of Quartzite

Elegant look similar to marble, but with the added durability of granite
Many color options, with creams and taupes being the most common

Cons of Quartzite

Easily confused with marble, which will not perform at the same level

Soapstone Countertops

Lesser known, but still popular due to unique properties, soapstone countertops are a fabulous choice for your kitchen or bathroom. Composed mostly of talc, this countertop material is very soft and scratches easily, but the scratches fade over time as the surface becomes worn and develops a natural patina. Soapstone is incredibly dense and non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed (which is why you may remember it from the tabletops of your chemistry labs when you were in school).

What Color is Soapstone?

Soapstone is found in shades of dark green, blue-gray, and black. Some slabs will have a spotted appearance like a harbor seal, while others feature crisp, white veins. While soapstone can be polished smooth, it isn’t shiny like granite or marble. Slabs containing more talc will take on a powdery appearance, giving it a casual elegance. Some people choose to oil their soapstone countertops with food-grade mineral oil which will darken them and create a dramatic contrast, but this is strictly for aesthetics — there’s no functional need to oil it.

Pros of Soapstone

Non-porous and doesn’t require chemical sealing
Scratches easily buff out and disappear over time
Unique look with a powdery finish

Cons of Soapstone

Limited colors
Not as readily available in some areas

How Much Do Stone Countertops Cost?

Pricing stone countertops could be an entirely separate blog post, but since you’re probably wondering how it all works, we thought we’d give you the details here. When it comes to pricing natural stone countertops, they’ll be tiered into price groups just like engineered quartz, but they will vary from supplier to supplier. Group 3 pricing at one supplier is not necessarily going to be the same as Group 3 at another supplier.

Comparing the cost of various countertop materials can be really frustrating because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Here’s how we explain it to our Charlotte area clients: When it comes to slabs, whether natural stone or quartz, there are suppliers (those who purchase the material from the manufacturers or quarries) and there are fabricators (those who measure and cut the stone to suit your home). Some fabricators keep slabs in stock, which means they’re capable of both supplying and fabricating, while others strictly rely on purchasing and shipping the material from a supplier.

Some fabricators who stock material will price the job on a square foot basis, while others price it on a per-job basis, factoring in square footage and level of difficulty. Keep in mind that even with square foot pricing, there will always be additional costs such as the sink and faucet cutouts, radius corners, fancy or mitered edge treatments, and waterfall sides. Some even charge extra if they have to haul a slab up to a second story.

Honed Carrara marble on this dark gray island creates a focal point in this Charlotte, NC kitchen remodel

For practical as well as cost reasons, this couple selected a honed Carrara marble slab for their island but chose s simple black quartz for the prep areas around the perimeter.

Often we have clients that want a particular slab from a supplier who does not fabricate. In those instances, the cost is always significantly more because the supplier is now acting as the middle man. Suppliers do not sell to consumers or to kitchen designers, so never expect a supplier to discuss costs with you in anything but generic terms. Suppliers only sell to fabricators, so when you get the price from the fabricator, it will have an additional level of mark-up on it because the fabricator had to purchase a whole slab (or slabs) from a supplier, instead of directly from the manufacturer. Each supplier prices their stone differently, so a stone by the same name (from two different places) may have two different prices.

Confused yet? We get it. We’re used to the complexities of the industry because we deal with it every day, but if you’ve never had to purchase kitchen countertops before, we completely understand how frustrating it can be. That’s why when people ask, “Is granite cheaper than marble?” or “Is quartzite more expensive than marble?” there isn’t a straight answer. It all depends on where the slabs are coming from and how complex the design and installation will be. There are plenty of marble slabs that are less expensive than some of the exotic granites. We’ve installed granite counters that were $55/SF and we’ve installed marble counters that were over $200/SF. It depends on multiple factors.

how to choose a countertop: Mitered edges and a waterfall bar top create a contemporary kitchen island

Mitered edges and a waterfall bar top give this contemporary kitchen island visual weight

Luckily, you don’t have to navigate the world of countertops alone. If you are not sure how to choose a countertop, we help our clients first figure out the material that would best suit their needs, and then offer suggestions and guidance regarding which sources would be most appropriate for their budget. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with an exotic slab and design the whole kitchen around it, only to find out that it’s three times what you can afford. Let’s give you the peace of mind that you’ve made the right choices in the remodeling process, and select the materials that are right for your home and your lifestyle.

Schedule a conversation to speak with one of our Project Developers about your remodeling goals and how to choose a countertop!

April 29, 2019 Bathrooms by Chelsea Allard

How Would A Designer Remodel Their Primary Bathroom?

Whenever we work with homeowners to redesign their kitchen or primary bathroom, it’s almost inevitable that at some point during the process they’ll ask, “what would you do?” While they are asking for our expertise based on what we know about their specific needs and desires, and not what we as designers would choose personally, we know that most of our clients are curious about our personal choices when it comes to our own homes.

Have you ever been curious about what a general contractor and a kitchen and bath designer would choose for their own house? Now’s your chance to find out! Last spring, we (Brad and Chelsea – yes we’re married!) bought a new house with the intent to pursue an immediate primary bathroom remodel, with plans to complete the rest of the downstairs, including the kitchen, in a second phase at a later date.

What Was Wrong with the Primary Suite?

When you buy a house that wasn’t custom-built for you, there are bound to be functional adjustments that need to be made for the way you live. The original primary bedroom had brown carpeting and a door to the back porch that we knew we would never use, which threw off the symmetry of the back wall and limited furniture placement in the room.

The primary bathroom was dark, and felt much smaller than its true size, as a large walk-in shower took up most of the floor space. The transom windows in the shower faced opposite the vanity mirrors, so without window treatments, the neighbors across the street could look out their second-story window and see into the primary bathroom. The original space was also missing a hand-held showerhead – a nightmare for trying to clean anything – and instead featured four body sprays, which use an enormous amount of water. The vanity only had three drawers (which isn’t ideal if you want to limit the arguments in the bathroom when sharing space with a spouse), and there was no place for storing extra toilet paper in the water closet.

But the biggest problem behind the design of this primary bathroom? No bathtub. While many people never use a bathtub and much prefer a larger shower, we determined we wanted to have both. Since going upstairs to the tiny tub/shower combo in the kids’ bathroom was a deal-breaker, we decided that either the bathroom would get remodeled immediately to make space for our dream soaking tub, or we weren’t moving – it was that important.

Luckily, a 66” freestanding tub would fit and still allow ample space for a decent-sized shower, but it would require removing and replacing all three windows, patching the siding and completely repainting that side of the house, and securing HOA approval. No big deal!

Working with the Existing Layout

Due to the placement of the walk-in closet, laundry room, and stairs, the overall layout had to stay the same, but the shower was drastically reduced in size to make space for the freestanding tub. We set back the shower curb a few inches from the closet door casing to make more space in front of the vanity, with the frameless glass shower enclosure making the space feel more open and spacious.

New frameless cabinets in Annapolis Green by Benjamin Moore feature full height door sink cabinets with roll-out shelves inside for easy access. Frameless cabinet construction provides more storage space than framed cabinetry, which is always welcome in a small space. A shallow, matching wall cabinet was placed over the toilet in the water closet to house extra supplies.

Primary Bathroom Materials

Our inspiration started with the turquoise vanity and brushed brass hardware pulls — the rest of this primary bathroom remodel took off from there. The counters, shower curb, and foot prop are made of Silestone quartz that has all the beauty of Calacatta marble but none of the maintenance. The subtle gold veins coordinate with the brass metal tones throughout; since the turquoise vanity anchors the room, we made sure the remaining materials and finishes were neutral.

We chose a 12 x 24” porcelain from Dal-tile that looks exactly like a vein-cut limestone. Not all limestones are suitable for wet locations, and we didn’t want to deal with the maintenance of natural stone. Instead, we used a large format 6 x 18” ceramic tile with a white eggshell finish in the shower. The larger size meant fewer grout joints and the eggshell finish does a remarkable job of hiding water spots between cleanings. A 1” hexagon mosaic tile with a slight non-slip texture makes the perfect surface for the shower floor. The finish it off, we installed shower drain cover from Newport Brass with a hexagonal motif that coordinates perfectly with the surrounding tile. Nothing needs to be generic, even shower drains!

Plumbing Fixtures

The plumbing was one of the easiest parts of this remodel – when it’s your own bathroom, you’re able to use your favorite things! In this case, we included the Victoria and Albert Amiata tub, for its clean and graceful profile. The propriety material is heavy, so it feels substantial when you’re inside it and it doesn’t bounce like thinner acrylic models sometimes do.

We chose the Kohler Pinstripe faucet suite for its classic, slightly masculine lines — and if we’re being completely honest the octagon-shaped hand towel rings. Even though chrome is a classic finish that goes with everything, we would have preferred polished nickel fixtures. Unfortunately, the Hansgrohe shower heads (a non-negotiable for Brad due to their raindance technology) were only available in chrome, so chrome it was. An advantage to using a chrome-like finish is that you can mix and match manufacturers to get exactly what you’re looking for. Not all plumbing suites have every configuration, so knowing which ones we could mix and match easily was key to using parts from several manufacturers.

Since the Pinstripe line didn’t have a wall-mounted tub filler, I found one of comparable quality by Brizo that coordinated well. It has a similar escutcheon to the Pinstripe faucet, and lever handles. Since they’re not right next to each other, you’d never notice they weren’t the same faucet suite.

A Bathroom Remodel Without Challenges? Not Even for The Pros

We’d love to say that because we were the “clients”, everything went off without a hitch, but construction doesn’t discriminate — there will always be stress and there will always be delays, no matter how well you plan. Even we had to deal with a missing part and some damaged materials. One side of the house was without siding, exposed to the elements the day before the rains from Hurricane Florence hit! Luckily our team got the siding up just in time so we didn’t have to worry. Our house was a dusty construction zone, and not wanting to have our new custom upholstered bed delivered before or during construction, we slept on a mattress upstairs on the floor for four months while we planned and executed the project. It was not glamorous. Remodeling is uncomfortable, but a few weeks or months of discomfort is worth years of enjoyment later.

March 27, 2019 BathroomsKitchensOther SpacesWhole Homes by Chelsea Allard

6 Bright Ideas for Using Bold Colors at Home

No matter how confident you are, if you’ve ever considered remodeling or redesigning your home it’s inevitable that you’ve considered a bold color palette asked yourself, will I still like what I choose today, ten years from now? The truth is, trends will continue to change as product lines and designers continue to innovate. Sure, the classics will continue to repeat themselves as they are reinvented in some shape or form indefinitely (think white kitchens and black and white bathrooms), but overall, styles evolve, and yours likely will too.

Bold Color Palette: Paradox of Choice

We live in a society of instant gratification and constant comparison. The paradox of choice is a very real phenomenon – we sometimes see it with our clients as they’re going through the design phase after months of Pinterest addiction. Quite simply there are too many options, and the fear of finding something better paralyzes them into indecision. But here’s the thing – there will ALWAYS be something better. When we make a suggestion for a material or product it’s because we know it will get you the result you’re looking for, even if you can’t see how it relates to the big picture. If you’re one of those people that’s drawn to a bold color palette or designs — as designers, we can totally relate —choose one thing and truly make it your own. Everything else will fall into place.

Consider Your Long-Term Plans

If you’re still worried about committing to a bold design, it’s important to consider which phase of life you’re in and how much longer your family intends to stay in your current home. If you know you’ll be moving in the next 3-5 years, erring on the more conservative side would be wise. You don’t want to deter a potential buyer by choosing something highly trendy that’s difficult or incredibly costly to replace. Nothing is truly permanent, but purple kitchen cabinets are going to be much more difficult to change than kitchen faucets or decorative lighting.

Sticking around for ten years or more? Do what makes you happy. Ten years is a long time to live with something you don’t absolutely love. You can tone it down when it’s time to put your house on the market after years of enjoyment.

Bring On All the Colors

As a design-build remodeling company, our design team loves any opportunity to flex our creative muscles to create something you’ll love. At the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), colors were huge for 2019. We’ve been seeing a resurgence of bold color slowly creeping back into the market for a couple of years now. As consumers get exposed to new trends, and let go of the fear of avocado green trauma from the 1970’s, we’ll be seeing more and more color introduced into the home.

Whether you’re a classicist, or a trend-setter, we thought you’d like to see some of our favorite new products from KBIS and how you could work them into your kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Kitchen Faucet

You know we love mixing metals, so it may come as no surprise that we are absolutely smitten with the new ombré finish on Kohler’s Sensate Touchless kitchen faucet. Your kitchen faucet is the most used fixture in your house, so choosing one that’s made of high-quality materials is always worth the cost. In addition to the innovative two-tone finish that transitions from rose gold to polished nickel (or titanium to rose gold) we also love the touchless technology. The last thing you want to do when you have raw chicken juice all over your hands is touch anything. Touchless technologies ensure you can wash your hands without spreading grease or bacteria, saving you clean-up time and creating peace of mind for you and your family.

Add Some Personality to Your Kids’ Bath

It’s not uncommon to want to choose more cost-effective materials for your kids’ bathroom in order to splurge on your master suite. But cost-effective doesn’t have to be boring. Why not introduce a colorful stripe pattern in the shower using the new Color Wheel Collection from Daltile?

Classic stripes are synonymous with laughter-filled summer afternoons by the pool – who doesn’t want that feeling year-round? If navy is the new black, then emerald is the new navy. We’d love to see an emerald and white stripe paired with a black painted vanity, white quartz counter for easy maintenance, and brushed brass plumbing fixtures. Anyone ready to remodel their kids’ bathroom?

Add Some Flair to Your Front Entry

Not ready to commit to bringing a bold color palette indoors? How about setting your house apart from the neighbors with some colorful exterior door hardware. While we are huge proponents of a colorful front door, this is an either-or situation. Turquoise hardware on a red door is probably not going to give you the look you were after, but turquoise hardware on a black, mid-century, modern style door may be just the thing to make you say, Welcome home, at the end of a long day. While we don’t expect anyone to rush right out and buy this hardware, we thought it was a clever way to introduce a bold color in an unexpected place. This could easily be repeated around the front door by adding matching, colorful planters.

Whether you’re on board with the bold color trend or you think that neutral is always the way to go, don’t be afraid to stretch your limits — especially if you’re planning on staying in your home for a long time. Unsure of where to start? Our design team would love to help guide you through the home remodel of your dreams. Give us a call today to start a conversation.

February 20, 2019 Kitchens by Chelsea Allard

5 Modern Kitchen Design Must Haves

You’ve probably heard the old adage, “the kitchen is the heart of the home.” As cliché as it sounds, we couldn’t agree more. We’d argue it’s the most important room in the house, so we’ve compiled a list of five kitchen design must haves for a successful remodel. As a residential design-build remodeling firm, we see more requests for kitchen remodeling projects than any other room of the house. It’s where you spend time with your family, it’s where you nourish your body, it’s where you live.

Develop a Vision for Your Kitchen

When we meet with a new client for the first time, we like to get a feel for how they use their current kitchen, what – if anything – is working well, and what’s making their lives harder or causing frustration. We listen to their vision to get a better understanding of their ideal kitchen, and how we can make it a reality. Some clients know exactly what they want the end result to look like and what needs to be rearranged to make the space work best for them, while others rely more heavily on our expertise to make suggestions and guide them through the best options. They know they don’t want what they have because it’s not working, but they may not know how best to solve those problems and that’s completely normal.

Pull & Replace

Sometimes the overall layout functions well, but the appliances are failing, and the cabinets are showing their age, but there’s no need to redesign half of the house to make improvements — we refer to these projects as “Pull and Replace” kitchens. We pull everything out down to the studs, make a few adjustments in the design and replace everything with new, higher quality materials so you’re no longer embarrassed when your mother-in-law shows up unannounced. The locations of major appliances and plumbing fixtures don’t move much, if at all, but we’re able to breathe new life into the kitchen by rethinking the storage or the counter space to make it a more functional, modern kitchen design.

A Modern Kitchen Design that Fits Your Needs

Often we know we aren’t going to meet the clients’ goals without completely redesigning the space and opening the kitchen up to other areas of the house. It may be that we’re improving traffic flow, or we may be creating additional gathering areas to connect with friends and family. Eliminating unnecessary walls, installing cohesive flooring throughout, relocating windows, doors, and major electrical, mechanical and plumbing lines is more involved, but isn’t usually difficult so long as there’s room in the budget and the timeline.

5 Must Haves in Your New Kitchen Design

Regardless of the approach, each kitchen we design is a unique interpretation of a dream that comes together through the hands of our designers and craftsmen alike. Your designer will take your input to develop the best layout, and then curate materials schemes that best suit your aesthetic and budget. Kitchens have become a fashion industry, so the choices are endless (and completely customize-able) ensuring your kitchen doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s unless you want it to. While you get the last word when it comes to the redesign of your kitchen, and incorporating what’s most important to you, we have a list of modern kitchen design must-haves we’d urge you to consider:

Think of Storage as a Verb – You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t fantasize about more storage space, but when we constantly think of storage as a thing we always need more of, that’s when our houses become overrun with junk and clutter. Instead, think of storage as an action plan. Establish a designated place for everything, and then stick to it. You’ll be more organized and less stressed, not to mention the envy of your neighbors. We’re particularly fond of roll-out shelves, deep drawers and utensil and spice organizers to keep your new custom kitchen organized and accessible.

Lighting is Everything – Poor lighting will render even the prettiest kitchen dysfunctional. Advancements in modern LED fixtures have made them accessible to every purpose and every budget. We recommend utilizing three levels of lighting whenever possible: Ambient (recessed cans), task (under-cabinet lights) and decorative (pendants, sconces, etc.). Dimmers are a great way to customize your lighting even further, and they can be used in conjunction with LEDs, so long as the lamp is compatible.

Pick One Thing – Every kitchen needs a focal point. It could be a custom floating hood, or a unique backsplash tile that goes all the way up to the ceiling like wallpaper; maybe it’s an unexpected paint color on the island, a really fabulous light fixture or floating walnut shelves to display your Le Creuset collection. Whatever it is, make it yours and use it as inspiration for the rest of the design.

Don’t Air Your Dirty… Trash – If you have a dog or a toddler (and even if you don’t) you probably understand the appeal behind a hidden spot for the trash and recycling. Waste is going to happen, but it doesn’t need to be front and center. In fact, it should be right next to your sink, opposite the dishwasher and it should pull out in one easy motion.

Scale Your Appliances to Your Home – Your appliance package should absolutely fit your needs, but don’t discount the expectations of potential future buyers either. The appliances appropriate for a two-bedroom bungalow are going to vary greatly to that of a five-bedroom custom home. Do you need a little help narrowing down which kitchen appliances to shop for before heading to a busy showroom? Download our free Kitchen Appliance Shopping Guide and save yourself a ton of time and frustration!

Are you ready to take the next step toward creating your dream kitchen? Let’s discuss how we can help; fill out the form down below to get started!

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