Dec
20
Make a design statement with cypress
December 20, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – As Americans design their dream homes, or plan the remodel of their existing ones, wood is once again becoming a prominent feature in their interior design schemes. One species in particular – cypress – is attracting the attention of both millennials in the suburbs and boomers along the shoreline. So what’s the appeal?
“Cypress is a unique wood that offers a variety of looks,” says Brian Meier of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association, www.CypressInfo.org. “It’s readily available in visual grades ranging from knotty to knot-free. And it’s a beautiful wood. Its natural color, which typically varies from golden honey to light chocolate tones, can include red and olive hues. And while wood is a timeless building material that can complement any architectural style, cypress will make a design statement in any room.”
The appeal is real
Cypress is often the go-to material for siding and other exterior applications where good looks and durability really count, and rightfully so. However, it’s those same attributes that make cypress an ideal choice for indoor applications like high-end cabinetry and bold, built-in storage solutions.
Mandeville, Louisiana custom cabinet manufacturer Geoff Philippus agrees. “Thanks to its natural resistance to water, cypress is a great wood to use in wet zones, such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and even outdoor cooking areas,” he says. Philippus added that customers usually come to his custom shop with a design in mind, and he then offers suggestions on how to achieve their desired look.
“More often than not we introduce people to cypress, from new growth, reclaimed, river recovered, or pecky cypress with its naturally occurring pockets and holes,” Philippus says. “It’s something they’ve never seen before, and they fall in love with it. We recently completed a massive kitchen island and matching built-ins showcasing pecky cypress. The visual effect is like nothing else out there and it’s one of my favorite projects.”
Add some personality
Plain walls and bare ceilings are passé. Today’s savvy homeowners are looking to add personal style to their living spaces beyond what a fresh coat of paint can provide. Adding a touch of cypress to the mix is a great beginning.
According to Mark Jefferson, a specialty woodworker from Palm City, Florida, “Nothing adds aesthetic warmth to a room like wood,” he says. “And cypress packs plenty of character and design flexibility. I’ve used it for everything from coffered ceilings and decorative doors to paneling and general millwork. Cypress also is excellent for structural design elements, such as exposed timbers and beams, which are popular because they open up a space, making ceilings seem higher and rooms look bigger.”
Be inspired
Wooden furniture is synonymous with durability and a long-term investment that can be repaired, refinished and passed down from generation to generation. And while furniture can be crafted out of many different wood species, for custom furniture maker Jason Straw of Gainesville, Florida, his choice is cypress, and for several reasons.
“Cypress offers intense imagery and color, with a rich grain and texture that makes stunning furniture – or rather, functional pieces of art,” Straw says. “It’s a great wood to craft dining room tables, desks, vanities, headboards, and nightstands.” But for Straw, there’s an even greater appeal.
“I like using cypress, especially logs that are recovered from rivers and swamps,” Straw says. “To know that I’m using wood from a tree that probably started growing thousands of years ago – and has been under water for at least 100 years – is fascinating to me. The wood’s history is on my mind every time I work with it.”
You too can be inspired. Visit www.CypressInfo.org to explore the myriad ways cypress can make a design statement in your living space.
Dec
20
Smart storage ideas to squeeze extra space from your bathroom
December 20, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Shampoo bottles, makeup tools, lotions, linens and laundry – the bathroom is one of the most frequented rooms in the home and clutter can collect quickly. Stop the chaos before it gets out of control by implementing some smart storage solutions…
Dec
20
4 statement pieces to elevate your bathroom to a work of art
December 20, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Investing in a bathroom upgrade is in the cards for nearly a quarter of homeowners planning to renovate within the next 12 months, according to a new survey by Bankrate.com. Improving a bathroom is rewarding on multiple levels; if you’re selling, buyers love great bathrooms. If you’re staying, a luxurious bathroom can be a relaxing oasis where you’ll be happy to begin or end a busy day.
Your bathroom is also an expression of who you are, and it should reflect not only your needs but your unique artistic flare as well. What could be more satisfying than making an artistic statement in one of the most-used rooms in your home? If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, here are four ways to make a statement in the space – and elevate your bathroom to a work of art:
Choose a showpiece sink
Few design elements afford such a perfect opportunity for utility and artistry to blend beautifully as does the bathroom sink. A striking statement vessel in patterned porcelain or smoky glass can be a focal point for your vanity while still providing ample space for essential functioning.
It’s not difficult to find statement-style sinks, but to truly elevate the basin to a form of art, look for options that evoke the look and feel of the era when luxury items were handcrafted by learned artisans. Kohler, a trusted name in bathroom fixtures for more than 100 years, offers Kohler Artists Editions collections that turn everyday fixtures into striking statement pieces. Whether you choose the subtle, carved texture and the complex color transitions of the Derring collection, the organic beauty of the Nature’s Chemistry glass lavatories or the old-world stylings of the Sartorial Line, each piece is a unique statement of your personal artistry.
Stun with a standout shower
Most Americans spend six to 10 minutes or more in the shower each day, according to multiple surveys. But a shower is so much more than just a place to get clean. A shower can soothe at the end of a trying day, or invigorate your senses in preparation for a busy day ahead. Statement showers incorporate luxury features such as multiple shower heads, wall jets, hand showers, rainfall showerheads, seating, customized lighting and even sound and video.
While bigger may be better in a statement shower, it may not always be possible. Start with a glass enclosure that makes the shower feel open to the room. If your space is small, choose lighter-colored tile. Bigger showers can withstand darker tile work.
Create luxury with countertops
Options like granite, marble, concrete, limestone and other natural stones might be too costly for a kitchen, where you have a lot of counter space, but they’re a cost-effective way to make a statement in a bathroom where you have less square footage to cover. These high-end materials pair perfectly with statement sinks to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look. Upgrade bathroom countertops to your dream material and then add luxury touches like a matching backsplash or under-counter LED lighting.
Transformations with tubs
Tub options are virtually limitless these days, and you can find statement tubs in every size and style imaginable. The tub is often the essential element homeowners and designers first fall in love with, and the one that establishes the direction for their overall bathroom redesign.
Soaking tubs continue to be popular installations for bathroom renovations, according to the 2016 National Kitchen & Bath Association trend report. Whether you choose a traditional claw-foot design that evokes a bygone era, a concrete tub that creates a more modern or industrial look, or a porcelain confection with sweeping, graceful lines, you can find a statement tub to match your personal sense of artistry.
Renovating a bathroom is an investment well worth the time, money and passion – and it’s an opportunity to put your artistic mark on one of the most important rooms in any home.
Dec
19
3 easy home improvement projects you can tackle right now
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – During the milder months – like summer and fall – homeowners naturally tend to prioritize working on the exterior of their houses, because the weather is nice. But in the winter, we’re more apt to tackle smaller home improvement projects inside. This seems like a no brainer, right? After all, no one wants to redo landscaping when it’s 35 degrees outside.
With that in mind, Chip Gaines, host of HGTV’s Fixer Upper and lead contractor/owner of Magnolia Homes, offers these three easy home improvement projects to help you make the most of your winter indoors.
Repaint your walls
While you’re holed up inside the house decorating for the holidays or just escaping the cold, you may start noticing places on your walls in high-traffic areas with one too many scuff marks or kids’ grimy handprints. Whether they come from the kids, the pets or even yourself, erasing them is quick and easy.
KILZ Hide-All primer and sealer can take care of these marks and more. This high-hiding product only needs one hour of dry time before you apply your topcoat, so there’s no need to set aside a whole weekend to cross this project off your list.
Clear grout of gunk
No matter how much cleaning Gaines does at his house, he says there’s one thing that’s hard to keep looking clean: grout. The dirt and grime that turns your grout nasty colors can be scrubbed out, but it takes a little extra TLC. Gaines says he actually enjoys this project and finds it kind of fun because his boys like to join in and help, making it a family affair.
To clean grout at your home, he recommends wiping the surface with a wet cloth and mixing up a paste of two-parts baking soda and one-part water. Scrub it onto the grout surface using an old toothbrush or stiff-bristled brush, then rinse the area with water. If your grout lines are stained from mildew or kitchen spills, try spraying a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water onto the tile. It’ll foam for a bit, but once it’s done, scrub it well. After a final rinse, the stains should be gone.
Seal out the elements
If you live in a place where heavy rain or snow are always trying to find a way into your house, know that weather can lead to serious issues in your basement or foundation. To prevent water damage and leakage stains, inspect masonry on the interior and exterior of your home. Fill any defects you find with fast-setting hydraulic cement and clean up the surface.
Once the surface is clean and dry, apply two coats of KILZ Basement & Masonry Waterproofer. This interior and exterior product is formulated for waterproofing basement walls, masonry walls, retaining walls, and cinder and concrete blocks. Once the second coat is dry, you’re all set for the winter.
Start your project today
When it comes to home projects, wintertime doesn’t have to mean downtime. Start your project season with any of the three ideas listed above and when warmer months roll along, you’ll be ready to step out and make your home’s exterior as beautiful as your interior.
Dec
19
3 easy home improvement projects you can tackle right now
December 19, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – During the milder months – like summer and fall – homeowners naturally tend to prioritize working on the exterior of their houses, because the weather is nice. But in the winter, we’re more apt to tackle smaller home improvement projects inside. This seems like a no brainer, right? After all, no one wants to redo landscaping when it’s 35 degrees outside.
With that in mind, Chip Gaines, host of HGTV’s Fixer Upper and lead contractor/owner of Magnolia Homes, offers these three easy home improvement projects to help you make the most of your winter indoors.
Repaint your walls
While you’re holed up inside the house decorating for the holidays or just escaping the cold, you may start noticing places on your walls in high-traffic areas with one too many scuff marks or kids’ grimy handprints. Whether they come from the kids, the pets or even yourself, erasing them is quick and easy.
KILZ Hide-All primer and sealer can take care of these marks and more. This high-hiding product only needs one hour of dry time before you apply your topcoat, so there’s no need to set aside a whole weekend to cross this project off your list.
Clear grout of gunk
No matter how much cleaning Gaines does at his house, he says there’s one thing that’s hard to keep looking clean: grout. The dirt and grime that turns your grout nasty colors can be scrubbed out, but it takes a little extra TLC. Gaines says he actually enjoys this project and finds it kind of fun because his boys like to join in and help, making it a family affair.
To clean grout at your home, he recommends wiping the surface with a wet cloth and mixing up a paste of two-parts baking soda and one-part water. Scrub it onto the grout surface using an old toothbrush or stiff-bristled brush, then rinse the area with water. If your grout lines are stained from mildew or kitchen spills, try spraying a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water onto the tile. It’ll foam for a bit, but once it’s done, scrub it well. After a final rinse, the stains should be gone.
Seal out the elements
If you live in a place where heavy rain or snow are always trying to find a way into your house, know that weather can lead to serious issues in your basement or foundation. To prevent water damage and leakage stains, inspect masonry on the interior and exterior of your home. Fill any defects you find with fast-setting hydraulic cement and clean up the surface.
Once the surface is clean and dry, apply two coats of KILZ Basement & Masonry Waterproofer. This interior and exterior product is formulated for waterproofing basement walls, masonry walls, retaining walls, and cinder and concrete blocks. Once the second coat is dry, you’re all set for the winter.
Start your project today
When it comes to home projects, wintertime doesn’t have to mean downtime. Start your project season with any of the three ideas listed above and when warmer months roll along, you’ll be ready to step out and make your home’s exterior as beautiful as your interior.
Dec
17
The evolution of kitchen design: Timeless tips through the decades
December 17, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – As a reflection of the ever-changing American lifestyle, kitchens have evolved over the past 100 years from a space that was once viewed as a utilitarian work-room in the back of the house, to become the centerpiece of the home. While trends come and go, history has made its mark on kitchen design.
Transitional style kitchens are now the most popular, as evident in research such as the 2016 Design Trends Survey conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Today’s designers and homeowners are incorporating elements of past, present and future to create designs that are timeless, yet personalized to their needs.
To create the timeless kitchen of your dreams, consider these staple design-elements from the most significant decades in kitchen evolution.
1920s and ’30s: In the early part of the 20th century, the luxury marble look began to emerge in the American kitchen, usually appearing in smaller spaces like the pantry. With marble once again making a comeback in today’s designs, incorporating the look for a pantry or island will take any kitchen from drab to fab, without the investment of a full marble makeover. To get the same look of marble in a non-porous product, look to engineered materials like the Neolith Classtone collection, which is as durable as it is low maintenance.
1950s: Fast forward to the 1950s, which was the start of a new era – kitchens were getting fancier, with homeowners focusing more on design, rather than simple functionality. During this decade, everything from kitchen appliances to wallpaper was bursting with color. Take a cue from the 1950s color trend by starting small. If you are not ready to commit to a bold new range or refrigerator, elevate your kitchen color with a toaster oven or hand mixer in a trendy hue like zesty yellow-green, inspired by PANTONE’s 2017 color of the year – Greenery.
1960s: The 1960s forever changed the modern kitchen by introducing the kitchen triangle – a model used to determine efficient kitchen layout. If you are in the process of renovating your kitchen, make sure to ask your designer about the kitchen triangle to best maximize the space.
1970s: Contrary to the bold colors of the previous decades, the 1970s welcomed muted earth tones to the kitchen, particularly browns and avocado greens, for a calm, grounding space. Give a nod to the ’70s – without the bellbottoms – by updating countertops with Neolith’s Pulpis from the Classtone collection, a tobacco brown tone with white and golden veins etched throughout the slab. You can even experiment with the look before renovating by checking out the visualizer tool on www.neolith.com.
1980s: Oak cabinets and polished brass were all the rage during the 1980s. Brass accents are making their way back into the heart of the home once again. To get the look with a hint of retro ’80s glam, update worn nobs and faucets with understated brass.
1990s: Watch any home improvement show, and it is more than likely the prospective buyer will have a kitchen island on their “must-have” list. We have the ’90s to thank for that, when kitchen islands grew in popularity, allowing the host to mingle with guests while preparing the meal. When planning for a renovation, find space for an island or a peninsula for extra seating, storage space or to create a focal point.
2000s: The 21st century ushered in stainless steel appliances and granite countertops as the epitome of the modern kitchen. While the look of stainless is not going away anytime soon, newer alternatives to granite countertops, like Neolith’s sintered compact surfacing, are gaining ground.
The goal for today’s kitchen is form and function, with sleek, orderly and multi-purpose living spaces. By borrowing select trends from previous decades that speak to your personality and needs, you can be rest assured you will have a timeless kitchen for years to come.