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Beyond the Man Cave: Masculine Spaces Go Mainstream

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June 17, 2013

When it comes to remodeling, the word “masculine” usually conjures up visions of a “man cave” in the basement with a giant TV, a recliner and maybe a pool table. But a “cave” might not be what every guy wants and it certainly doesn’t have to be the only direction for remodeling with the man of the house in mind. Masculine style can go mainstream: carry it throughout the home with spaces that are clean, simple and efficient, leaving fussiness behind.

  1. Basement. Starting with the obvious, he probably will want a large flat screen TV with surround sound (and maybe a gaming system). The basement is also the perfect place for heavy exercise equipment, but after that, make room for other interests, like a wine cellar, computer desk with room for 3 monitors, cabinets for a trophy (or beer stein) collection, or a closet fitted for storing golf clubs, photography equipment or fishing and hunting gear.
  2. Bathroom. A roomy shower with multiple shower heads, steam, digital temperature controls and a built-in bench fits the bill after some pick-up basketball or just a long day at the office. Keep surfaces clutter-free with lots of storage room (and charging outlets) for his shaver, beard trimmer and electric toothbrush. A built-in laundry bin helps keep dirty clothes and towels off the floor. (And a flat screen TV is pretty much a safe bet for any room.)
  3. Closet. Customizing a closet means more than just more room to hang suits and shirts. Drawers, hooks, shelves and cubbies will help keep gym clothes, shoes, ties, belts and t-shirts in order.
  4. Kitchen.  What’s his specialty? Grilling? Get a professional-grade range with a grill in the rangetop. Baking? You’ll want extra counter space to provide plenty of elbow room for rolling and kneading. Don’t forget a prep sink, pot-filler faucet, an extra-large sink with a pull-out sprayer, a wine fridge and handy storage for that set of knives he loves so much.
  5. Color. Gray is the perfect backdrop for your new masculine space. Pair it with other neutrals like ivory, cream, taupe or brown, or add a pop of color like navy, orange or red.

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Designing a “masculine space” isn’t the same thing to all men. But whether his style preference is “rustic cabin” or  “Mad Men,” the bottom line is to ramp up the storage, dial down the fussiness and keep in mind whatever he thinks of as “fun”!

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Loft-Style Living in a Single Family Home

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June 11, 2013

 

Loft-style living spaces originated around the 1950′s and 1960′s in artistic communities located in large cities. Loft apartments were often abandoned industrial shops that were renovated into housing. They tend to embody contemporary and urban design characteristics and were influenced by modern art movements. Artists and craftsmen took advantage loft-style living spaces because of the large common areas with room they used for creating work and displaying art pieces and sculptures. The limited walls and availability for large windows allowed for an abundance of natural lighting that also made lofts ideal for those who like to make things with their hands. It wasn’t long before loft-style living spaces became popular for single family homes.

 

Melton Design Build

Melton Design Build

 

Because of the origins of loft housing, loft-style single family homes often embody a contemporary aesthetic. Generally, they are regular homes converted to have either a lofted level below the ceiling, or to resemble a large loft-style apartment. The lofted level is commonly used for the master bedroom or office/studio space.

 

Melton Design Build

Melton Design Build

 

Vaulted ceilings grant a feeling of openness and eliminate residents from feeling cramped. Fewer walls create a much larger living space and more room for family activities like arts and crafts or in-home aerobics. The large windows create openness and allow an abundance of natural light into the house. Loft-style floor plans also allow for the freedom to customize and create your perfect living space.

 

Have a look at these urban loft-style home designs on Houzz at Loft Style Luxe

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Turn Your Shower into a Sanctuary

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June 4, 2013

Remodeling the shower is a great way to add luxury to your bathroom.  Creating a new shower design allows you to combine custom style with personalized tranquility. With an array of contemporary options to play with, the shower is an exciting remodel.

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Photo and design by Kohler

Form: For a colorful escape, consider little glass mosaic tiles. A pebble shower floor and slate tiles on the walls make for a modern, natural shower look. Bring the outdoors into your showering experience with elevated windows and natural light. Or consider adding polished chrome fixtures for a simple update to a traditional style.

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Function: A wide range of shower fixture options can help you customize your new shower to cater your family’s needs and complement the style you love.  Double shower fixtures on either side create a spa-like experience for two. Incorporate small shower heads up and down the shower walls with bodyspray showerheads for a unique shower experience. Overhead rain showers offer a powerful and relaxing design. Linear drains are current and designed to complement any décor.

See these ideas and more at our Ideabook on Houzz

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How to Liven Up an Entryway

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May 28, 2013

 

Your entranceway is the first thing guests see when they enter your home. If your entrance lacks light, color and excitement, update the look with these tips for making a lasting first impression.

Brighten up your entryway for an inviting appeal. Picture your entranceway transforming into a warm and welcoming space with high glass doors and big windows that let in natural light. Enliven a dim or narrow hallway by adding a large mirror or a collage of smaller mirrors to add depth. For personal style and illumination add a chandelier to your entrance.

A well designed entranceway applies form and function. An assortment of antique hooks on the wall for coats or a charming bench provides a practical use for storage to keep shoes and purses out of sight.

Finally, punch up the entranceway and incorporate trends using updated colors and textures. Combine textures for a contemporary mountain home. Stone walls or flooring next to a grand wood or contemporary stainless steel door gives that mountain-style impression. Choose a black and white color scheme for a sleek and stylish design. Wainscoting and neutral paint color behind a black table creates a polished look.  Add pops of color with flowers, photos and lamps.

For more entryway ideas and visuals check out our Make an Entrance Ideabook on Houzz.

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Re-feathering That Empty Nest

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May 20, 2013

kitchen-remodelingWhen kids take flight, a house can seem empty…or full of new possibilities. For so many of our clients, the “empty nest” becomes a chance not just to repurpose rooms, but to create all-new spaces sparkling with room for everything from hobbies to entertaining. Let’s take a look at some ideas for re-feathering your own empty nest.

  1. Move cooking to the front burner. No more squeezing meals in between kids’ never-ending activities! You can indulge your own taste buds and take time to savor the joy of cooking. A chef’s kitchen remodel makes it even better with new appliances, work spaces, and flourishes all designed just for how you like to cook – and entertain.
  2. Free yourself from “family friendly.” You did a great job managing all the comings, goings, sports gear and stuff!  And now that the kids are on their own, you’re free to go a little more upscale and elegant. What about gorgeous new tile or hardwood flooring? What about turning an unused bedroom filled with posters and sports gear into a spa-like master bath with a fireplace?
  3. Take “me time” seriously.  Is it time to write that book? Or to work from home somewhere other than at the dining table? What about designing a room just for your workouts – or as a beautiful meditation space, library, music room or craft studio?   These are much better ideas than letting unused bedrooms turn into dusty storage rooms.

There are so many fun ways to re-feather your empty nest. While you’re planning, though, you may want to remodel so that even dream rooms have the flexibility to turn back into bedrooms. Storage secrets, space planning, and creative, multipurpose designs can give you twice the pleasure by letting you welcome new possibilities and welcome the kids back to the nest for visits.

So, what have you been waiting to do with your home – and your life? Give us a call and let’s look at some ideas and see…what flies!

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Sunshine Canyon Project Update

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May 14, 2013

The Sunshine Canyon project aims to take advantage of the lighting and stunning mountain views the property has to offer with a multitude of windows and an open floor plan. With the insulation and drywall stage complete, the homeowners are now getting excited to finish up the final steps of the build process and enjoy their new, more efficient home.

The first step toward a well-insulated home is air sealing. Air sealing consists of plugging and sealing all of the holes in the building envelope, which prevents cold air from blowing into the house; the equivalent of wearing a windproof coat. Once the house is sealed, we add insulation. This is like wearing a fleece jacket underneath the windbreaker to keep the heat in.

Drywall is often the phase that wears on customers because it tends to get dusty and dirty even with our excellent dust control. However, the drywall stage is also when the project gets exciting—the home really starts to take shape and you can see how the space is going to look.

Check out some other homes with open floor plans in our Pinboard on Pinterest.

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Yes, You Can Love Household Chores

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May 7, 2013

The laundry room is a place to get creative with your favorite colors and patterns. Break away from your go-to paint colors and brighten up your laundry room with robin’s egg blue or a fun patterned accent wall! The perfect “all you” space can transform drab household chores into an enjoyable escape. It’s a room that seldom sees any guests so have fun with it!

Set up practical additions to the laundry room that fit seamlessly with the design. A bar-height island is fitting for folding and organizing clean clothes. Eliminate excess clutter by building practical elements right into the cabinetry. Consider adding discrete pull-out laundry bins or an ironing board disguised as a drawer. Create clothing racks that pull out from the wall or hang from the ceiling to keep drying delicates out of the way.

Organizing your laundry room can help improve the aesthetics of the space. Replace the eye-sore of detergent and supplies by filling glass jars with powdered detergent, fabric softener or clothespins. Stacking front loading machines can make plenty of space for shelving, hanging or storage.

Check out these ideas and more on our Laundry Room Love Pinboard on Pinterest.

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TREND WATCH: Spring Design is Sprouting with Florals

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April 30, 2013
Spring has sprung! And with it comes an exciting array of lustrous floral designs. With temperatures rising and flowers blooming, it’s time to bring the beauty of the outdoors in. Large, radiant floral prints have a way of enlivening a home with a modern look and patterns with smaller prints give an elegant, vintage appearance. Bring some energy into your home’s design scheme with a beautiful mix of floral prints for a garden bouquet feel.

Floral prints pop against solid colors. A neutral bedroom or living room is a great setting to combine patterns, colors and textures. Transform a white or brown couch by adding solid throw pillows with a few different floral prints. Wainscoting with floral wallpaper creates a lasting springtime décor experience. An accent wall of floral paper brings life to an otherwise solid colored room.

Expand your décor beyond floral curtains, rugs and pillows; the floral motif can be found on dishes and kitchenware. You could find your favorite patterns in plates, mugs, lamps and vases. Ceramics with floral prints can be an eclectic, mix-and-match collection of style.

For more floral design ideas check out our Pinboard on Pinterest.

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Kitchen Design Trends from Transitional to Techno

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April 19, 2013

Kitchen remodeling trendsTrendy kitchens have become open, inviting spaces for family and friends. Not only do they feature modern technologies and materials, they incorporate design that eliminates boundaries between kitchen and living areas.  Open floor plans provide more cooking space and make for increased family time. Transitional design is a valued trend for home kitchens.  A comfortable, homey kitchen with a few modern updates will bring this transitional style to life.

Color: Painting your kitchen with a trendy color palette can create the updated look you desire. Gray is a lasting trend and a great compliment to bold color pops such as emerald glass backsplashes or deep red bar stools. Another popular kitchen palette is black and white. An overall white space with touches of black in knobs and countertops creates a polished look.

Materials: White cabinets are versatile and enduring and deliver a light, clean appearance. Low maintenance and modern countertop materials are taking center stage. CaesarStone countertops are popular options and can be created in customized colors. Choose an exciting solid color to punch up a neutral kitchen or a soft blend for a subtle addition.

Technology: Give your kitchen a techno touch. Eco-friendly touch faucets are valued for their water conserving design.  These modern faucets help create a more “green” home and are designed to complement all kitchen décor types.  LED lighting is another impressive effect in trendy kitchens. Lighting under cabinetry has a practical use for illuminating workspace but it also delivers an awe-inspiring aesthetic to bring your kitchen up to date.

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4 Steps to Planning a Better Kitchen Remodel

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April 17, 2013

Planning a Better Kitchen Remodel

Perhaps nowhere else in your home does the successful blending of form and function result in as much payback and long-term satisfaction as in your kitchen. But kitchens are arguably the most complex room in your home when it comes to planning.  Help from a professional is required for a successful design, but let’s not forget that your role in the planning process is also critical. Here are four tips for planning your kitchen remodel so that you and your designer can develop the best possible kitchen for you and your family.

1. Define how your new kitchen will be used and who will use it.  (Consider now and over the life of your kitchen.)  With this list you are helping map out how the kitchen must function. List things such as:

  • How many people live in the house and what are their ages (now and during the life of the kitchen)?
  • What do you typically use your kitchen for? (Only cooking, cooking and eating, or cooking, homework and as “family central”?)
  • Typically how many people use the kitchen at the same time, and are they all cooking or doing different things at the same time?  (An efficient kitchen layout for one person cooking can get pretty crowded if two or more people are in the kitchen and especially if more than one person is cooking.)
  • Will you do much entertaining that will require food preparation or staging in the kitchen? If so what is your typical size event? (4 people, 20 people, 100 people?)
  • How much refrigerator and freezer space do you need?  Maybe a wine cooler/refrigerator?
  • How big and what type of range top/stove and oven (or ovens) do you want?
  • Do you need more than one sink? Or a pot-filler faucet at the stove?
  • How much counter space do you need and what type of counter top is best?
  • How much and what type of storage?
  • Include any other special requirements for the kitchen.

2. Determine what you can afford or what you want to spend on the remodel.

3. Look online or in magazines for ideas to help you communicate your design preferences and the look you have in mind for your kitchen. A website like Houzz can often provide you with all the reference and inspiration you will need.  You can even create an online ideabook with the images you have collected.

4. List your priorities for the project.  What are the most important things you want? What are things that would be really nice to have?  What are the things you could live without if you had to?

With the above things done you are now well prepared to sit down with one of our designers to move into the design process for your new kitchen. A process that because of your preplanning, will be more successful and provide you even greater satisfaction than you had hoped.

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