Category: Bathrooms

July 16, 2020 Bathrooms by Chelsea Allard

The 6 Most Popular Shower Upgrades

If we polled everyone in Charlotte and asked them to describe their ideal shower set-up, there would be more similarities than differences. We’ve pulled together a list of the six most common requests we get for shower upgrades anytime we remodel a bathroom—whether it’s for the owners or the kids. Many of these upgrades are just expected in modern shower designs, so while not technically necessary (hence the term upgrade), we consider them standard features.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a shower as, “an enclosure in which a person stands under a spray of water to wash.” You’ve probably been in a shower that’s as basic as that at some point or another, and while it’ll get you clean, it may not be an enjoyable experience. No one wants to start their day showering in a phone booth.

For years our clients were nervous about eliminating their seldom-used tubs in favor of larger showers with better features. They were afraid it would ruin their resale value. But given the choice of a phone booth shower and a large tub they never used or a decent-sized shower with no tub, most people are going to choose the latter. If there’s room for a great shower and a tub, that’s a bonus.

Shower Upgrades: Recessed Shower Niches

Gone are the days of suction-cup accessories from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Recessed shower niches are one of those upgrades that have become standard features, even in secondary bathrooms. While there are standard-sized inserts available, we prefer to frame most of ours on-site so we can control the exact size and placement for an integrated, custom look. As a general rule we line them up with the surrounding grout joints, but it really depends on the intention of the final design. The height placement will vary based on the chosen field tile and the height of the homeowner. Recessed niches in tub/shower combos in a kid’s bathroom should start about 30-36” from the floor (you want to be able to reach them while on your knees bathing a little one), while 42-48” may be more appropriate for the owners’ shower.

His and hers shower niches reduce product clutter and marital arguments. Win-win.

Shower Upgrades: Shower Benches

Built-in shower benches are another upgrade that’s become relatively standard. Whether it’s a corner bench or a long bench that stretches across the whole shower, homeowners of all ages enjoy the peace of mind they get knowing they could easily use their shower in the event of an injury or health condition requiring them to stay seated.

For easy maintenance, a cleaner look, and a more comfortable seat, we prefer using solid surfaces to top off our shower benches. Usually, we’ll use the same quartz or stone from the countertops to coordinate the shower with the vanity.

Not sure you really want an entire bench seat? Lower corner shelves made out of the countertop material make excellent foot props for shaving. Assuming your shower is large enough, an aftermarket shower seat would be a temporary option in the event of an injury.

Shower Upgrades: Multiple Shower Heads

We could write a whole post on shower plumbing alone, but the brief version is—Charlotte homeowners expect multiple shower heads in the owners’ bath. A fixed head and a handheld on a bracket or an adjustable slide bar are most common. A handheld shower is a necessity, if for no other reason than because it makes the miserable task of cleaning the shower easier and quicker.

While it’s tricky to see through the glare, this shower features two fixed heads and a separate handheld.

While it may not be worth the investment to have two heads in the kids’ bath or the guest bath, there are now a variety of showerheads and shower columns that function as both a fixed head and a handheld all in one system, eliminating the need for an additional valve. These are also great for the owner’s bath if you’ve got a tight budget. We show two different installation methods for how to tackle these at our South End design studio.

Shower Upgrades: Decorative Grab Bars

Many of our clients intend to age in place as part of their active and healthy lifestyle. Decorative grab bars that coordinate with the rest of the plumbing suite provide safety in the shower without sacrificing style. Falls can happen at any age, so it’s a comfort knowing there’s something to grab if you slip. They’re also the perfect place for wet washcloths or bathing suits to drip dry.

Shower Upgrades: Curbless Showers

Whether aging in place or just after a cleaner look, curbless showers are also gaining in popularity. The first four shower upgrades are minor in terms of the financial investment required to include them in your shower design, but a curbless shower requires a very strategic design and a decent budget. To drain properly, the shower drain must be parallel to the shower opening and the floor must slope to allow water to flow properly. Depending on the layout of the bathroom, this may not be feasible in an attractive way. Half walls are a great way to hide the build-up of the floor to allow for a one-directional slope.

Upgraded curbless sheer shower upgrades with clawfoot tub and picture frame molding

This project demonstrates how clean it looks to have a curbless shower. The linear drain sits across the back wall under the decorative grab bar.

When done properly a curbless walk-in shower allows for wheelchair access, and at the very least it eliminates a possible tripping hazard.

Shower Upgrades: Steam Showers

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury shower upgrade, a steam shower is about as close to a spa experience as it gets. Steam showers have been proven to help our bodies detoxify and relax among other health benefits. Whether you steam first thing in the morning to wake up, after a hard workout to relax your muscles, or before a long soak in the tub, you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Steam shower with freestanding tub and dark stained vanity

Our clients loved taking a relaxing steam after hitting the gym in the morning. You can see the dropped header and full-height glass that contains the steam.

Steam showers come with a larger price tag due to the extra material and labor involved to fully enclose the space—plus the cost of the actual generator. Typically, we’ll drop the shower ceiling or build a dropped header with a pivoting glass transom over the shower door. In either scenario, it will require more glass and tile than a standard shower. Don’t forget you’ll want a built-in bench to sit on while steaming and a really powerful exhaust fan to get the steam out effectively once you’re finished.

Shower Upgrades: Other Options to Consider

Regardless of how fancy you want your finished shower, there are a few other things to consider:

We highly recommend glass coatings for keeping your shower glass looking new for years, especially if you have hard water.
Integrated towel bars in the shower glass are also a nice option when there isn’t enough wall space for a conveniently placed towel bar.
Decorative framed enclosures are gaining in popularity as homeowners and designers search for new ways to make bathrooms interesting. While not appropriate for every space, they can really add a wow factor to your shower design.

Whether you’d like to incorporate one or two of these upgrades in your redesigned shower, or all of them, we’d be happy to speak with you about your options. Schedule a call with us today to get started!

June 10, 2020 Bathrooms by Chelsea Allard

Consider Wood Look Porcelain Tile for Your Bathroom

Background on tile and wood look porcelain or wood tile bathrooms

Tile became a mainstay in American bathrooms about a century ago due to its rugged, sanitary nature. While tile trends have certainly evolved and will continue to do so, one of the more recent innovations we’ve utilized over the last several years is porcelain tile that looks like wood.

Natural wood gives a beautiful, organic, and unique look to home design which is why it’s still the number one flooring choice of Charlotte area homes. The natural imperfections and variations of hardwood add interest and visual appeal, bringing subtle texture to your spaces and unifying more open floor plans.

Natural wood isn’t always the best choice for bathrooms or other wet areas like laundry or mudrooms. Because wood is porous and apt to cup when exposed to water or significant humidity, the general guidance is to avoid putting it on floors or walls in bathrooms. Some people do it anyway and are diligent about water spots and ventilation, but most people avoid it to be safe.

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The variation of these gray-toned wood look porcelain floor tiles marry the rest of the bathroom’s white and gray materials and provide some visual texture and warmth.

We were excited when the first faux wood tiles appeared on the market around 2013, but the selection was limited. With new advancements in technology and manufacturing, the industry has boomed since then, and you can now get the natural wood look without the hassle of natural wood maintenance.

High quality and excellent selection mean the sky’s the limit in applying wood look porcelain tile! Porcelain tile that looks like wood is resilient, water-resistant, and so similar in appearance to the real thing, it is tempting to reach out and touch it to make sure it’s tile.

Grout lines and tile rigidity are what give it away on close inspection. Still, for durability and resistance to moisture, it’s a fantastic option for bathroom floors, shower or accent walls behind tubs, and messy spaces like laundry rooms and mudrooms.

Apply Wood Grain Porcelain Tile as Flooring in Your Bathroom

Before selecting tile flooring for the bathroom, consider how you typically use the space. Large-format tiles with a smooth, shiny finish get slippery when wet. Do you get water on the floor when you step out of the shower or tub? Is the bathroom used by children who may be less aware of their splashes and drips? If the answer is “yes,” then a tile rated for wet areas is ideal, but the additional texture is even better. Because adding texture to the tile makes it look more realistic, most wood look porcelain tiles are especially slip-resistant.

Minimize the Grout

If you want the spacing of your porcelain tiles to resemble actual wood, it’ll be essential to select a style that has a rectified edge, meaning it’s perfectly straight and square. Usually, you find rectified edges on higher-end, premium-quality tiles.

Unfortunately, due to the long, plank-like nature of wood look tiles, most have a natural tendency to warp ever so slightly, making tiny grout joints impossible if you do not rectify the edge. Designers typically use ¼” spacers, but they vary based on each manufacturer’s recommendation.

If tiny grout joints are vital to you, make sure to bring this to your bathroom design lead’s attention so they can pull selections that would be more appropriate for that type of installation. Selecting a complementary grout color similar to the tile will also help them to be less noticeable.

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A coordinating grout color helps minimize the grout lines on this primary bathroom floor. Variations in each tile make them look more realistic.

Get the Look You Like with Less Maintenance

Natural wood is beautiful, but it has a life cycle. It will need to be refinished, repaired, or replaced eventually. Refinishing is an involved process that’s best done every 10-15 years as part of a larger home remodeling project. But for those high-traffic or wet areas that get heavy use, digital technology makes it possible to duplicate the look of any wood so you can use tile instead.

Installing porcelain wood look tiles makes for less maintenance over the floor’s lifetime. No resurfacing, refinishing, waxing, or shining is required. We always recommend using a high-quality grout with a built-in sealer, so you don’t have to worry about periodic resealing either.

The increasing popularity of wood look porcelain tiles is driving demand for higher-end options. Some more expensive product lines come with a greater variety of grain patterns, making them look more like natural wood. Whether you want something that mimics bamboo for a contemporary look or a rustic reclaimed style for your modern farmhouse, there are options for both and everywhere in between.

Shower Wall Application

Wood-look tile accent walls are a great way to add texture to any space, but the contrast between that and sleek plumbing fixtures makes it especially effective in a bathroom remodel. Because it’s tile, there’s no need to worry about the expansion of the pieces due to high humidity like you would if you installed natural wood on the wall.

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In this contemporary bathroom example, the small space looks larger because they used the wood look porcelain tile as an accent wall in the shower and repeated it on the bathroom floor, which draws in the eye.

Project by Jeff King & Company via Houzz

Porcelain wood look tile opens up a whole new world of design options for bathrooms and wet areas in our clients’ homes. The sizeable linear format lends itself well to several different tile patterns, and fewer grout lines mean it’s easy to keep clean compared to a subway tile or mosaic.

Open Your Mind and Bathroom to Wood Porcelain Tiles

We remodel beautiful bathrooms to create spaces our clients are proud to call home. Take a look! When you’re ready to remodel your Charlotte-area bathroom, schedule a consultation.

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.

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!

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.

January 17, 2019 KitchensBathrooms by Chelsea Allard

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Trends For 2019

Kitchen and bath remodeling are consistently among the most requested projects for remodeling firms after the New Year. Your kitchen is the heart of the home. It serves as the launchpad for just about every activity in your home: meals, game nights, homework, and social gatherings with loved ones. Your master bathroom is a place to relax, refresh and rejuvenate yourself, whether starting your day or ending it. In highly used spaces such as these, style is no doubt important, but it comes secondary to how each room serves you and your family. You need a space that works for how you live.

Choosing a reputable remodeling team with experienced kitchen and bath designers will ensure that your kitchen or bath remodel serves as more than just a touch up — it’s an investment in your home and your quality of life. Let’s take a look at what’s trending in kitchen and bath remodeling for 2019, and see how you can get inspiration for your next home remodeling project.

Neutral Kitchens Re-Imagined

kitchen and bath remodeling charlotte nc
All-white kitchens have maintained popularity in kitchen remodeling for years because they’re often the most adaptable to various interiors, and they’re classic, they never really go out of style. But, over the past year there has been a considerable shift to include more color. Navy, ever the neutral blue, has been increasingly popular, especially paired with white. If blue and white conjures up images of cluttered shelves full of ginger jars, rest assured that bringing this classic color combination together in new and less traditional ways will make the space feel more modern and fresh.

Go Bold, but Never Underestimate a Classic Countertop

Although creative combinations of cabinetry and metal finishes are all the rage, we’re still seeing a high demand for classic countertops. Natural marble countertops will forever be another classic. The unique pattern of each slab makes every installation one-of-a-kind. That being said, engineered quartz is still dominating the kitchen remodeling market in Charlotte because it doesn’t require special attention or maintenance. While not for everyone, we find families with young children or grandchildren, or couples who really love to entertain, tend to gravitate toward quartz because it just makes life easier.

kitchen and bath remodeling north carolina

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Metals

Mixing metals tends to give a space a more curated and intentional look. When the plumbing, appliances, light fixtures and cabinet hardware are all variations on brushed or stainless steel, it tends to look like there wasn’t much thought put into it. Homeowners have a tendency to stress over making sure everything matches, but it’s just not possible. When you’re combining similar finishes across half a dozen brands, they’re all going to be slightly different — especially anything gold or brass. We prefer to mix finishes, but not just for the sake of being different. When it’s intentional, mixing metals really adds another layer of detail making the kitchen that much more unique. In the navy and white kitchen above, we used chrome, stainless steel, aluminum and varying shades of brass.

kitchen and bath remodeling charlotte north carolina

Simple Still Reigns in the Master Bath

In contrast to the bolder features that work well in kitchens, the master bath remains a retreat-inspired space, where less is almost always more. The bathroom is likely the first room you visit when you wake up in the morning and the last right before bed. During those transition times, when you’re inevitably tired, it’s calming not to be surrounded by lots of visually stimulating colors and patterns. Often we’ll choose one thing to make the bathroom a little more personal and less like your neighbors’ house – a custom cabinet color, an accent tile such as the 8 x 8 in the shower above, or a really sculptural light fixture or freestanding tub – and that’s all you need. Otherwise, we tend to stay more monochromatic and introduce some interest with varying textures.
This eclectic master bath remodel pulls inspiration from a few different styles, but the homeowners’ primary goal is consistent with what’s trending for 2019 — a master retreat that’s clean and bright, feels spacious, and is easy for both to use when schedules overlap.

kitchen and bath remodeling trends for 2019

Must Haves for the Master Bathroom in 2019!

Frameless glass shower enclosures are easy to clean, and they provide clean sight lines which helps even the smallest bathrooms feel larger. Solid surface tops, whether quartz or natural stone, are a must for pony walls and curb caps, shower benches and even small foot rests for shaving. They create a more finished look and make cleaning much more effective. Hand held shower heads are also a must. Even if you don’t think you’d ever use it to bathe, you will be so happy it’s there when it’s time to clean the shower. They’re also really handy for washing the dog. And finally, accessible and sensible storage saves you so much time when you don’t have to search for things. Cabinet drawers are much more effective for storing most toiletries, and a wall mounted cabinet in the water closet is the perfect place to stash extra toilet paper so you’re never stuck.

Whatever your specific kitchen and bath remodeling needs are, we’ve got your covered. Are you looking to remodel your home this summer? Now is the time to start planning! Fill out the form below to schedule a conversation.

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