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Posts Tagged ‘toilet’

Basement Bathrooms: Luxury On Any Budget

by admin, 11:15 AM on April 26th, 2012, Comments Off

Many owners of older homes would love to create a luxurious spa oasis, but don’t have the space in their main and upper floors – or the budget to expand the home’s footprint.  The answer may be right under your feet – literally.  A bathroom in the basement can be added without adding square footage to the exterior footprint of the home.

Physical Considerations

Basements can be a wonderful place to create the spa you’ve been dreaming of, but there are some structural elements that need to be accommodated.  Existing plumbing is an important one.  Often, placing a basement bathroom below an existing bathroom can help reduce the cost of new plumbing.  Wiring and electrical infrastructure should be considered as well.  The new bathroom must meet new building codes, even if the rest of the house does not.  Ventilation is another critical aspect of the new room.  Without proper venting, a basement bathroom can be very damp.

Spa Features

A basement bathroom can be more spacious than an upper floor bathroom – allowing homeowners to add creativity and luxury to the new room.  Whirlpool tubs, showers with multiple jets, saunas and heated floors are common amenities in new basement bathrooms.  Other unique accessories can include furniture-style cabinetry, vanities and accent pieces.  Older homeowners often enjoy a shower seat.  They make great storage areas but also offer a relaxing shower experience.

Our design team has helped homeowners add relaxing, luxurious spa bathrooms to many basements.  Call us today to find out how we can create an oasis in your home.

Think Big! Make The Most Of A Small Bathroom.

by admin, 6:07 PM on December 7th, 2011, Comments Off

We all dream of a luxurious spa where we can soak away the cares of a stressful day.  Unfortunately, not every home has the bathroom space to create that kind of retreat.  But good things can come in small packages.  With a thoughtful design, a remodeled small bathroom can feel spacious and inviting.  Here are a few worthwhile things to consider as you design your new bathroom.

  1. Bathtub Size. The bathtub is the biggest space in any bathroom.  A compact or low-walled tub can make the room seem more expansive and still leave room for a pleasant soak.
  2. Shower Stalls. Replacing a tub with a larger-than-average shower stall can save a lot of room in the bathroom and still provide a luxurious bathing experience.  Clear glass walls and light-colored tile can give the illusion of added space as well.
  3. Small Vanity. Storage is at a premium in a small bathroom.  The vanity provides valuable storage without sacrificing floor space.  A small vanity makes use of the space under the sink without a big footprint.  Wall storage above the vanity also adds storage without cluttering the room.
  4. Single Control Faucets. Fixtures with a single control instead of separate hot/cold handles increase counter space and create a clean, uncluttered look.
  5. Mirrors. Adding mirrors, especially full-length mirrors, will add to the illusion of space in the bathroom and increase the amount of light in the room.

 

Is your bathroom space-challenged?  Let our design team create a welcoming retreat that makes the most of your available space.

Green Remodeling Tips

by admin, 3:26 PM on December 2nd, 2011, Comments Off

Going Green is easy and cost-effective.  By choosing products carefully and including energy-savings goals in remodeling plans, we can help you dramatically improve the energy efficiency in your project.

Install an under-the-counter water purifier

Under-counter water purifiers have about 10 times the filtering capacity of a faucet-mounted version. A model with a top-quality activated carbon filter will remove heavy metals, bacteria, and pesticides. Expect to pay $150 to $200 for an activated charcoal purifier with a replaceable cartridge, which is peanuts compared with the total remodel and easy to do while the project is under way.

Install energy-efficient lighting

Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps use up to 75% less energy than comparable incandescent lamps. In fact, according to EnergyStar.gov, a single CFL bulb will save $30 to $40 during its expected lifespan of 10,000 hours. But make sure you keep task areas well lit: Consider efficient halogen and LED lighting sources anywhere you’re planning to chop veggies or measure ingredients.

Make recycling easy with built-in recycling bins

Most cabinet manufacturers offer options for lower cabinets that include pull-out recycling bins to keep contents organized and out of sight.

Install Low-Flow Showerheads and Toilets

Most older models waste large amounts of water. In fact, more than 30 percent of indoor residential water use is flushed down the porcelain throne.  A low-volume flush toilet uses only 1 gallon of water per flush instead of the 5 gallon flushes common in older toilets.

Also save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are inexpensive and simple to install. Many styles and features are available, including flow-adjusting dials and a pause button.

Choose Windows and Doors Carefully

Up to 35% of your home’s heating or cooling can be lost through windows. This makes it essential that you increase the thermal performance of your windows. Placement of exterior windows and doors can be optimized to take advantage of natural light and heat and to open up airflow. Double-glazing will reduce heat loss in the cold of winter and louvered windows can catch a breeze in the heat of summer.

Ask our design team how we can help you save money and go green in your remodeling project.

Creating Luxurious Master Suites

by admin, 10:45 AM on October 27th, 2011, Comments Off

The master suite has become a true oasis in many homes.  A home addition can be a great way to expand the master bedroom to include a luxurious master bath and walk-in closets.  Similarly, empty-nesters can take advantage of unused space by reconfiguring the existing layout into a spacious master suite.  There are some key features and design strategies to keep in mind as you consider a new master bathroom suite.

1. Make a comfortable connection between the bathroom and bedroom

Consider the bathroom in the context of your entire master suite. The relationship of master bedroom, dressing area, bathroom and hallway entry is the primary design challenge.  Each space should feel connected, but distinct.  Privacy is also important.  If one partner gets ready for work earlier than another, it’s important to preserve the quiet sanctuary of the bedroom as much as possible.  One way to accomplish this is to place the dressing area/closets between the bedroom and the bathroom.

2. Keep the bathroom a room

Creating a central space with the necessary fixtures arranged around that area is a great design strategy.  However, it’s important that the central space not grow so large that the fixtures feel disconnected.  At the same time, adding more or larger fixtures can reduce the central space, making the bathroom feel cramped.

3. Make the bathroom an extension of the bedroom

Sight lines are important.  When the bathroom door is open, the first thing you see should not be the toilet with the seat up!  And when you’re enjoying a good soak in your tub, you should have a nice view of an outside window in the bedroom, not a hamper full of dirty clothes! A well-designed master suite makes each room feel bigger than it is.

4. Use compatible fixtures and materials

The fixtures and materials should reflect your home and your taste.  Whether your home is a 1920s bungalow or an ultra-contemporary glass and steel cube, the master suite should match the rest of the home.  We will work with you to showcase your style and make the master suite a seamless connection with the rest of your home.

5. Keep everything in proportion

The bedroom, not the bathroom is the emphasis in any master suite.  The bedroom should be the largest area in the master suite.  The bathroom should be a pleasant place to be, but shouldn’t put the rest of the house to shame!

Let our design team help you create a master suite you’ll be thrilled to call your own.  You can see an example of one of our master suite projects here.

 

Designing The Perfect Bathroom

by admin, 2:57 PM on June 23rd, 2011, Comments Off

Bathroom remodeling is second only to kitchen remodeling in value and importance.  A renovated bathroom improves family harmony and creates a welcome retreat from the rat race.  If you decide to sell your home, a well-planned bathroom remodel should at least be able return the money you invest.

When considering the types of improvements to make, you should start with a list of items that require immediate attention as well as those that cause functional problems. Here is a partial list of things worth considering:

Shower, Bathtub or Both?

Separate showers and bathtubs can be a wonderful addition to a luxurious bath suite.  At the same time, not all homes have sufficient space.  We have years of experience creating inviting bathrooms for both small and large homes.  We can help homeowners think through the new codes and regulations for bathrooms and find the best way to optimize existing spaces.

Countertops

Countertop space is critical to a functional bathroom.  Adequate counter space makes a bathroom a pleasure to spend time in.  Double sinks make it easier for more than one person to get ready for work, school or date night.  We’ll help you plan the best use of space for your family’s needs.

Storage

Storage is very important so make sure that you have enough of it. Pedestal sinks certainly look great but can create storage challenges.  Thanks to our in-house millwork shop, we can create unique custom cabinet space without adding significant costs.

We have years of experience creating luxurious bathrooms in homes of all sizes.  Bring us your bathroom remodeling ideas and let us help you design your dream bath suite.

Visit our Bathrooms page for more bathroom remodeling ideas.