Remodel Right

 When you're planning a home remodel, regardless of your current age, there are some things you should consider for safety, design longevity, and to meet the needs of all who will live in your home.   As we enter a period where many people live in multi generational situations, it will benefit you in the long run.  These considerations will serve you as well when your family is young as well as when grandparents come to stay and as you age and change.  Even if you don't intend to live in your home long, building  codes will change over time, and you'll be ahead of the curve when you resell.  

When you're looking for hardware -whether it be for kitchen bath and laundry cabinet doors, indoor and exterior doors, even cooktops and your bathroom faucets - avoid rounded knobs that cannot be gipped easily. Children and older adults often have a hard time opening doors and drawers because their hands can't get a good grip on a door or cabinet knob. The combination of small hands or arthritic fingers make this a challenge. In the bath, the shape of the hardware used on your faucets and shower also is important. Rounded knobs make it difficult to  turn water on and on.  There are some beautiful modern shapes, but they too with their straight lines are a challenge to grip.   

Using a lever handle -which now comesin many styles gracefully curved or straight - it completely resolve the problem forever. They are multi generational and someone at any age and physical limitation and use them. In Kitchens and baths, cup pulls can be dynamic. They're easy to grip, the pool well, and in most cases it's just a matter of making sure your glides are in good shape.

For bathroom remodels, the older style toilets were only 12 inches off the ground. Today, the bulls are either rounded or elongated but the seat height are up at 18 to 22 inches. This is so much easier for adults especially to get up and down as they age. The same applies for chairs and sofas. Deep seeded sofas are challenged to rise from. I recently re-stuffed the cushions of my clients down sofa because her husband has back problems and although he is young, he cannot use sofa without pain and difficulty. Consider that now. The higher quality furniture you purchase the more likely you can adjust overtime.

Flooring is a big area of concern especially in baths and in entries. It is important not to have slippery tile especially when wet in the bath. I do not you shiny ceramic tile ever for that reason. Even my young clients have accidentally slipped on tile installed in tracked homes by builders. Non-skid flooring including rough stone, porcelain, and even linoleum -  there are fabulous new sustainable and textured products available – is a must.  That brings up area rather rugs. It's very challenging to have carpeting on carpeting since that races the Heights and makes it difficult to walk through a room if you're young or old because tripping is a hazard.   Area rugs on wood floors need an underline or to avoid slippage. In any case, it is simply better to use dense low pile carpet, single materials like wood or tile throughout a home. so there is improved footing and less trip hazard. There are some beautiful new porcelains that looked just like wood, that are super easy care, and you can transition from room to room easily.  

                    Slip resistant porcelain plank tile with texture on the main bath floor with

                                    1" x 1" stone tiles on the level entry shower floor

Its also important  to think about for the future of entry to your home. While most people don't have a great deal of property, there are creative ways to make landscape changes that are safer for everybody to enter and exit your home. TImagine having a broken leg, or an elderly relative come to stay who must use a walker or wheelchair, can they get into your home. This yard was created with a gentle slope to eliminate stairs.  It's possible to install ramps next to or instead of stairs and adding handrails is a good idea particularly you live in an area where there are frequently rainy and snowy exterior conditions.

Consider widening the doorways and hallways of every space before you do your remodel. Be sure that you can put your large piece of furniture through. Consider that it might be a good idea for a walker or a wheelchair the future to have door entries of minimum 36 inches and 4 feet wide hallways. It gives easier turning axis and maneuvering in passing is safer. If there will be decorative furnishings in the hallway, keep them narrow enough so there is still ample hallway width.

Let's talk counters. It is not uncommon for people at any age to have back problems.  Don't lower your vanities. 34 to 36 inches high is ideal in the bathroom today. If you have small children you can simply put a pullout step underneath so they can easily access the sink and counters. For older people or those with back problems, that extra height enables pain-free bending. Kitchens are the same. I like to vary the heights of counters for numerous reasons. For ease of use, I place work surface counters at 36 inches.  40 inches is ideal so you can pull up a stool or chair and still work on the surface. It also invites people to join you in food prep and clean up. Putting some kitchen counters at 28 inches - the height of a standard kitchen table - it makes it easier for children to assist and makes a great surface on which to knead dough and bake.  

Lighting is a key factor everywhere. With LED and compact fluorescent lighting, you can put multiple fixtures in multiple layers to light your with perfect task lighting - dimmable for ambience - and still have low energy consumption.  I install motion sensors in most spaces today. Vacancy sensors are fabulous for playrooms, bathrooms, closets, and laundry rooms. When a child leaves the room, when your spouse leaves the closet, they enable the light to turn off by itself in just a few minutes after the room is empty.  Many people parked in the garage. As you bring your groceries from your car to the garage into the kitchen, wouldn't it be great to have a occupancy sensor turn the lights on automatically especially if you're coming home in the evening with your arms full?  It also makes it easier for children and older adults not to have to reach for a switch.

Let's go back to the kitchen. Cabinet doors are lovely. But you literally have to reach all the way into the back of your base cabinetry at 24 inches to ask is what's in there. I prefer to install pullout drawers in every single cabinet.  It makes access to every single thing easy, and you can still have door and drawer combinations to create interest in your kitchen design.  The same holds true for using organizers. Sliding out bins for cleaning supplies under the sink, and recycling and trash bins is now easy to come by. In an era where we are beginning to collect compost you know municipalities, there needs to be away for you to simply put your cutting scraps into storage until they go out for recycling.

Other hardware needs include balance bars in showers, around vanities and toilets, in  long narrow hallways, up and down steps to access parts of your home – especially if they are on multiple levels - and today styles are beautiful, architectural, and add safety in such a simple way.

Whether you are an older adults with failing vision, or young child running actively, changing the texture and color at the junctions of different floor levels from room to room is important.  Change the color or texture of your carpet at the top and bottom of stairs.  Be sure your stair treads are not slippery, and even add decorative strips at the top and bottom steps to ensure that the first step is a safe one;   It makes it easy to identify where that step is instead of having an accidental trip.  And don't forget lighting. New in stair LED lighting is safe, easy to install, energy efficient, and helps with dark stairwells. They too can be put on automatic sensors or simply left on because the wattage is so low.

The benefits of using an interior designer.

AFTER

As the senior designer for Touch of Tradition, I see many people facing design dilemmas. I serve as a sounding board and provider of advice and this is what I've found to be true over the years: Interior designers add value in many ways than simply through aesthetics. When you make a decision to remodel or update your home, and bring in a designer, it WILL change your life in the best ways. Making an investment in your home should be done wisely.  Even if you just spend a few hours of time with a professional interior designer, the results will be years of satisfaction and  enjoyment of the spaces you change. With the plethora of materials, products, advertisements and samples available for home remodels and updates, the choices need to be made wisely. Rather than struggle through agonizing weeks with plans, surface materials, fabrics, dimensions and "what-if's", using a professional designer will bring timely satisfaction, creativity, and perfection to your project. Don't make a mistake! We will help solve your design and construction issues so everything runs smoothly.

BEFORE

I've rescued clients from bad furniture purchases, the "nightmare" they lived through with a bad contractor, the poor selections of  floor coverings and paint colors that they made, and throwing their hands up at a poorly designed kitchen or bath. Don't waste your money or your time. We know codes, space-planning, color, products, technology and more. Our expertise is having the experience, resources and knowledge to recommend everything to finish and furnish your home. Keep what you can and update it, re-purpose, and re-new.  With access to new products, technology, trends and creative ideas, your time with us will be well-spent. 

When want to you love the results, meet your budget, and nail your style, the decision to hire a designer is always right. At Touch of Tradition, you can browse the fabric and furniture collections, purchase from what's in stock, or order a custom piece with the right dimensions and finish for your home. From July 1  to August 1, 2012, purchases from the shop or on-line will be supplemented with a gift certificate to use or give to someone special.  Come by and bring your home decor and design questions.

Great interior product finds for about $100.

It's often hard to stick to a budget when updating your home. Take a look at these ten products that look fabulous and are priced at under $100.  

1. Update your bath with an elegant, contemporary style faucet by Price Pfister. This single handle faucet in brushed nickel is $88.

2.Swap hardware on your kitchen island, in the butler's pantry,and the linen closet with glass knobs and pulls for an antique custom look. Ten will be about $70.

3.Cedar window boxes for hanging under a window or lining a porch are about $29. Add $10 in flowers for instant curb appeal. 

4.To update a good black or white appliance for a more modern look, use Thomas Liquid Stainless Steel about $56. This can be used on refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves and ovens. Try it on hardware too!


5.Make a lamp look like new by swapping your old white lampshade for a warm, mica one. Under $70 at Pottery Barn.

6.Create an accent wall with grass cloth wallpaper. A double roll is about $70. With on-line tutorials, you can install this yourself. Check out this informative video on You tube!









7.Dress up a dining room or entry chandelier with a ceiling medallion for under $100. They create elegant or simple architectural detail and make the fixture look more substantial. 

8.Add carpet in the hall, at the front door, etc... with stick-down carpet tiles. Use six tiles for a runner or nine for a square. Mix and match colors for a custom pattern. Six 20-by-20-inch textured tiles, about $54; FLOR

9. Give your room some architectural detail with a chair rail. About $75 for an 8' x 10' room. This also gives you an opportunity to change the paint in only half of the space...easier and faster!

10.Create a bedside shelf/table (or entry table) with wood corbels topped by glass, wood or other creative surface. Two 6-inch oak hand-carved corbels, about $80 at Van Dykes Restorers. Glass or wood top about $20.

Dishwasher news you will love.

Doing the dishes is a fact of life.  You can make it easier - and stylish - while saving water and energy. New kitchen products are introduced annually, but it seems as though dishwashers are one of the most often upgraded appliances.
Check out the options and features on these new products.

Fisher Paykel has designed a single DishDrawer for small loads. A great solution for a one or two person household and those needing to wash smaller loads - kids baking projects come to mind.   Its height enables large pots, platters, plates, and bowls to be placed effortlessly into the drawer. The independently movable racks fit all sizes of cups and mugs or can be folded away to maximize space. Using less than 2 gallons of water, the DishDrawer is priced reasonably and installs easily.

Kitchen Aid's new version of their sink -dishwasher is Briva. Ideal for small households, a wet bar, or vacation home, it has the capacity for 5 place settings as well as large serving pieces and pots. Its lid pops up when the cycle is complete. The cutting board creates additional preparation space and the steel lid doubles as a place to rest hot pots.

Touted as the "world's most intelligent dishwasher", Miele just released Futura to the market.  With adjustable trays, baskets, and racks, the interior fittings are flexible, and their 3-D cutlery rack solves a host of washing issues. Computerized programs offer up to 16 washing cycles, adjust water temperature, monitor drying and save 35% more water than previous generations. An interior light turns on when loading and the auto open drying feature allows steam out and ambient air in.  Check out the features at http://www.mieleusa.com/. Its sleek styling is hard to resist but the cleaning capacity is awe-inspiring. 

Jewelry for your doors and drawers makes a fabulous statement.

Whether you are updating a kitchen or bath, refurbishing a piece of furniture, or just looking for a change,  using decorative hardware will make a custom design statement.  These are some of the pieces we love, and they are available at A Touch Of Tradition Home & Garden Shoppe in San Diego. Many come in 6 or 7 finishes - chrome, nickel, brass, oil rubbed bronze, silver, antiqued, and black.

Sophisticated polished nickel pull for cabinets and furniture.

The right hardware can often set the style for your space even if very little else changes. For example, you can change a kitchen whose cabinets are in good condition by using pulls in lieu of knobs.  Make them a different style from the existing and enjoy the transformation.  

Glass and chrome - artistic yet classic.

Available in 5 finishes, this knob is elegant and traditional.

Dressers and chests whose style is dated in your home, can be updated with new pulls or knobs.  Antique pieces are ideal for hardware changes, since they will dress up the furniture yet be removable if the piece needs to be sold. Schaub Hardware has several lines of decorative, traditional hardware perfect for this application.










Linen closet and other hallway storage cabinet doors and drawers reap benefits from new hardware. What was a wall of doors can become a work of art with hardware like pieces from Vicenza Designs.  Even simple hardware from a big box retail or hardware store can have a huge impact on cabinets and closets.

Add appliance pulls to larger pieces of furniture. Try adding an element from nature - like these textured bamboo pulls - for a casual yet enduring style. 

Bamboo textured, casual and classic. 7 finishes available

 Have a specialty area in your home like a wine cellar?  Use an elegant pull with a theme, to create a stunning, custom space.

Satin nickel and granite for a modern kitchen.

To update a casual kitchen, try these pulls with a brushed metal finish and a stone center. The metals will add sophistication and the granite will provide elegance and artistry.

Lions head style for a European look. 6 finishes.

A wonderful themed knob in nickel.

Energy saving ideas for lighting.

With energy costs and concerns ever-increasing, and our global awareness of sustainability and eco-friendly design how can you be cost conscious and still have great design?   

An energy-saving lighting design for an historic home.

Some incandescent and CFL bulb

The simplest way to make immediate changes is to purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) that can be screwed into existing light fixtures.   CFL's come a variety of styles from chandelier shaped bulbs with small bases, to regular "A" base incandescent bulbs (IB), to the reflector shapes found in recessed fixtures.   As far as cost, they are no longer many times more expensive than IB's.  Combine that with the fact that they last up to 10 times longer, and you are saving time as well as money. You can keep your existing  fixtures and light your rooms in style for less. NOTES:  A 13 watt CFL - using 104 kilowatts - is the equivalent to a 60 Watt IB - using 480 kilowatts. Home Depot does recycle CFL's in their stores.

Another easy way to save money, add ambiance, and a great look on your walls is to use sleek dimmers instead of existing switches. Made by www.lutron.com, they are sold at most hardware and big box stores. You can also install their occupancy and vacancy sensors and see the benefits in energy use and functional use immediately. They can be retrofitted in the space occupied by regular switches or installed without wires at all.  Check out their room, lamp and whole home lighting systems for long-term design planning, energy efficiency and cost savings.

When remodeling, building or doing a major upgrade - particularly where local codes require energy savings - you can install CFL recessed fixtures that meet code in kitchen and bath design. Many well-known lighting manufacturers offer hanging and wall mounted fixtures in either fluorescent or incandescent bulbs so you can select either style.  Long -term, light emitting diodes (LED) are more energy saving, longer lasting, and are available in many styles including recessed or can fixtures, under cabinet task fixtures, and puck style lights. 

ADA compliant lighting is both gorgeous and energy-saving.

When in doubt, contact a lighting design professional. We want you to have the right light for your rooms and tasks while saving energy!