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.

Kermit was wrong....it's easy being 'green'!

There are so many reasons why we should be 'green'. Reduced dependence on fossil fuel use, environmental protection for now and future generations, and personal cost savings are just the tip of the iceberg. So, how do you do start?  You can do something small and realizing energy savings right away by looking and water use and lighting; even the smallest step helps make a difference! Here are my  top 5 ways to embrace 'green' practices: 

1) Upgrade to green.  With new government standards and improved technology, modern faucets are more efficient than ever. Saving up to 32% on your water usage, WaterSense certified faucets make going green practically effortless.  Big box hardware stores sell models that are well under $100.  A quick, first step toward going green, is installing flow optimized aerators -$3-$5 - which enable more effective performance for older faucets without much cost.

2) Go on-demand. If you have a large or growing family, tank-less water heaters offer a great way to cut home energy costs without impacting performance. By flash heating water and eliminating the tank water heater's long cycles you can cut energy use by 20%. You won't have to waste water while the shower gets warm, every shower will be warm for your whole family, and you can even run a washer at the same time if you use the right capacity. The water and energy savings is immediate, although to get a 100% return on your purchase can take a few years. Can't install one? Time your showers for 2-5 minutes.

3) Light it Right. With the new options for lighting being more available, less expensive, easy to understand, and offered in dimmable and color controlled bulbs, you'll light your homes better, for less, for a longer time. Light emitting diodes (LED) last 10X longer than dated incandescent bulbs do. Use them in your recessed housings and don't worry about changing them for 10 years. The cost to run LED is a fraction of your 'usual' costs.  One 7 watt LED bulb will emit as much light as a 60 watt incandescent one. Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) is better than ever. No long waits to warm up, and color temperatures being soft and warm, make them easy replacements for incandescent bulbs.  CF's will last 4-5X longer, save up to 7X the energy, and many municipalities sell them for under $2 each to help get your energy use down.

4) Ditch the bottle This is a daily challenge for some people, but the end-result would be to lower the number water bottles we use and toss. In the US that number is an astounding 1500 bottles PER SECOND. All those plastic bottles use a lot of fossil fuel and pollute the environment. In fact, Americans buy over 29 billion water bottles a year and manufacturers use 17 million barrels of crude oil to make them. That’s enough oil to keep a million cars going for twelve months. Avoid the need for plastic bottles with water filtering faucets. You will save your wallet and help unclog waste disposal sites. When you're on the go, use washable BFA free or stainless (keeps drinks cooler) bottles.  If you knew that for every six water bottles we use, only one makes it to the recycling bin does that help inspire you? 

5) Keep water in check  It's important to check all water-using products regularly, with the bathroom accounting for roughly 60% of your home's water usage a leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year without you knowing it. We waste gallons of water everyday by leaving sink faucets running. With hands-free faucets you ensure that water is used only when needed. Even simpler - and free - is to turn off the water while loading the dishwasher, brushing your teeth and shaving. Flow optimized shower heads can help further reduce water usage in the bathroom. New heads with fabulous pressure that leaves you feeling clean and energizes, use only 1.75 gallon per minute flow cutting water consumption and energy costs by up to 30%. 

Wood finishes are gorgeous and green!

Need new flooring? Want to upgrade your cabinets?  Consider using some of the beautiful and eco-friendly woods in your project. "Green remodeling" is more than obtaining tax credits and energy bill reductions; you'll be using materials that look as good as their environmental benefits and help you create a healthier home without off-gassing and use of toxic materials.  For wood materials, such as flooring, cabinetry, and even structural members, using products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a start. 

Flooring that's sustainable has beautiful, artistic characteristics.  The woven poplar flooring from Ecotimber is composed of 100% FSC-certified recycled furniture scraps kiln-dried and cold-pressed with a hardening resin without added urea formaldehyde. The tongue-and-groove planks are 9/16 inch thick and between 3 and 4" wide. They can be installed with nails or glued down. Plyboo makes strand FSC-certified bamboo plywood and flooring that are urea formaldehyde-free.

All of the cabinets made by Neil Kelley are available with no-added-urea-formaldehyde agriboard case and drawer materials; FSC-certified wood and veneers; and low-VOC glues, adhesives, and finishes. Having your contractor or cabinetmaker use wood veneers over formaldehyde-free substrate allows you to create exotic and spectacular patterns without the high cost or waste of using exotic lumber.

For the outdoors (and some creative indoor applications) FSC-certified machiche hardwood decking  is beautiful, easy to install, and naturally resistant to decay-causing organisms and is moderately resistant to dry-wood termites.  The wood is available in 2-foot-by-2-foot solid squares or in 5/4-by-6-inch planks. The open-pored, dense hardwood comes in colors ranging from yellow/tan to medium brown reds and dark reds; over time, lighter spots darken to a reddish brown hue

Think GREEN when you update or re-design.

When you're thinking of re-doing your sofa, updating your bathroom, installing a new carpet, or doing other home improvements, consider being kind to the environment - and the inside of your home as well.  The smell that we associate with new (cars and carpeting are most notable) is the result of toxic chemical off-gassing.  It's best to reduce and even eliminate the use of chemicals in your home.  Here are some ideas and resources:

FSC certified woods in transitional bedroom furnishings.

1. New furniture: Be sure the woods used in your furnishings are made without urea-formaldehyde and are sustainable or from harvested forests (display the Forest Stewardship Council - FSC - certified label).  This is especially important in painted and self-assembled pieces made from medium density fiberboard or particle board. Many companies are manufacturing 'green' furniture that is made from recycled materials and the pieces are stunning.

Soy foam is soft and durable with no
petroleum used.

2. Fabrics and re-upholstery:  Using natural fibers like silk, cotton, hemp, wool and linen, and their blends is ideal.  Many fabric mills are producing recycled content fabrics and softening them with aloe vera and beeswax in lieu of harsh chemicals. Try to use soy-based foam for seating like chairs and sofas made by Lee Industries, or recycle the foam you have, adding a down envelope for padding and softness. For bedding I recommend bamboo sheets and towels, that are soft, absorbent and naturally anti-microbial. Indika uses plant-based dyes on their cotton sheets.

Rich color from no VOC paints.

3. Stains and paints:  Sherwin Williams has no and low volatile organic (VOC) compound paints that don't off-gas and have low odor. The color hues are stunning, they deliver maximum performance, and their impact on your internal environment isn't negative.  Finishes on ready-made furniture should be low-VOC like those from Lorts, and you might consider beeswax for cabinetry and tables.

Recycled content carpeting is durable
 and gorgeous.

4. Carpeting: Some of the most durable carpets are made from recycled materials and are no-VOC, stain and traffic resistant and gorgeous. Natural dyes and fibers (wool) are another green option. Mohawk has recycled content and 'green' carpet options in hundreds of textures and styles. Recycle your old pad and carpeting rather than dump into a landfill; request that your installer do this when they haul away what they remove.

Not your typical bamboo floor - strand
bamboo is beautiful and different.

5. Wood Flooring: There are many options in sustainable wood flooring. From engineered wood products like strand bamboo, to harvested woods with FSC certification, the products available are durable with beautiful style. New water-based stains and finishes allow for color options and protective coatings without toxic off-gassing. Locally harvested woods are ideal when you desire a solid hardwood floor. Look for a list of FCS certified companies in your area.


6. Plumbing fixtures.  WaterSense-certified fixtures will conserve water usage and still provide excellent function.  Kohler has some fabulous shower heads, faucets and toilets whose performance is stellar despite adhering to the EPA's flow rate restrictions. 


7. Surface materials: Quartz counter tops are an ideal material as they require no chemical sealants and are often Green Guard certified.  Cosentino has gone the extra mile and developed a gorgeous, durable and recycled content product called Eco. Other eco-friendly surfaces include glass, porcelain, ceramic and even wood.  During a remodel, you can often dispose of old ceramic and porcelain debris at local recycling center, and salvage centers often take solid surfaces and stone that is in reasonable condition for re-use.

Bamboo Flooring

If you want a hardwood floor, take a look at bamboo. It's renewable, sustainable, modern, durable, with good color options and even grain variety.  Bamboo is an attractive alternative for flooring because of its physical similarities to hardwoods. Manufacturers and sellers promote its strength, durability as well as resistance to insects and moisture while having the added benefit of being eco friendly.

Bamboo floors are similar to other hardwood floor species and can be bought in two versions – solid bamboo as well as engineered.  Engineered bamboo flooring is very similar to engineered hardwood and is comprised of multiple layers, cross-banded for stability, glued on a base. However the difference is in the material – bamboo has a lower expansion rate than hardwoods, so an engineered bamboo floor will contract and expand even less in changing moisture conditions. Whether your climate is dry, humid, or best of all fluctuates between the two, an engineered bamboo floor will do the job best.

Bamboo flooring grains are either vertically cut or horizontally cut. In vertical bamboo floors, a plank will have each of the component pieces stood vertically on their narrowest edge and then press laminated side to side. The effect is a lined, almost uniform look to the surface of the finished floor plank. Horizontal bamboo floors have individual slats that are arranged in a horizontal direction, on their widest edge, and then joined side by side with adjacent pieces using a high pressure laminate system. The look of the finished horizontal surface is one where the characteristic nodes of the bamboo are randomly visible.  The two major colors are natural (similar to beech) and carbonized (similar to oak). The process of steaming bamboo material under a controlled pressure and temperature is called carbonization,and the color of the material changes into brownish. The natural and carbonized bamboo flooring are typically referred to as solid bamboo, although in fact the structures are layered, similar to a plywood. Another alternative is strand woven bamboo floorin, made when strands of bamboo are cut and boiled then left to dry for a period. When dry the strands are flattened under pressure. They are now ready to be cut into whatever size boards and planks are needed, then woven together and treated with an adhesive.

 Whichever flooring type you select, you'll love the options, the easy care, the resistance to scratching and the beautiful aesthetic.

Awesome tile for your bath

We don't like to use the same tile for a client - EVER. So, seeking out new products, suppliers, and styles is our forte. Take a look at the ones we've found for our showroom! Come by and take a look!

Options for finishes when updating your home.

When remodeling or updating your home or apartment you look for products that do a great job and have major impact but reasonable costs.  Here are several alternative finish materials to consider:

1) MDF versus wood.  For trim moldings, baseboards, crown, casing, etc...solid wood is authentic and if you have an historic home and need to maintain history, use wood. Using MDF does not detract from the appearance or performance. The cost is significantly lower and the longevity - when primed and painted - is the same. Made without formaldehyde, there is no longer any off-gassing.

2) Plywood versus solid wood.  The durability of plywood is well-known.  Using it on floors, for built-ins (edge-banding required for a finished edge), and doors. 






3) Salvage yards versus new.  Builder's supply yards, Habitat for Humanity resale stores, and those in your local area, can be a great resource for bathroom vanities, flooring, doors, mantles and more. You can often find older pieces with lots of architectural detail that simply need refinishing.




4) Spray versus sandblasting glass.  For cabinet doors, glass insets in doors, sidelights, etc...purchasing sandblasted glass for its obscurity is costly.  Try Krylon's Frosted Glass Finish for a highly cost-effective alternative. Window film is the next option!

5) Wood versus granite counter top.  Granite can cost up to $50 per square foot and is often not affordable.  Butcher block and other solid species are significantly less expensive and provide a warm, custom finish.  

6) Laminate versus solid surface counter.  The look of granite without the cost is easily found with laminate counters.  Many manufacturers offer laminate - Wilsonart and Formica among them - and the properties of the new laminate far exceed the previous generations of the materials. With a tremendous variety in color, texture and edges, you can find the style and the budget level that suits your project.

7) Concrete versus stone.When paving your exterior spaces, consider a concrete product instead of natural stone.  The look is slightly different but the resulting durability and competitive cost are well worth the switch!

3 Bedroom updates with photos and directions.

Need to refresh your bedroom? With so many products and options available which do you choose?  Here are three bedrooms with directions for making the changes.  

  

    

Some simple changes transform this casual bedroom into a sophisticated guest retreat. The walls, once a pastel green, were refreshed with a light blue hue, and the white ceiling became a soft blue. Crown, base and doors moldings remained white. Adding a transitionally styled iron bed frame was the most significant change.  Draping inexpensive sheer fabric (less than $15 per yard) over the frame creates a soft, inviting place to sleep. Instead of the two-drawer nightstand, an end table - the same height as the mattress - provides a landing space, shelving for books and a clock, and its new open style fills the void next to the bed with just the right element. Adding a deeper toned area rug beside the bed rather than in the center of the room makes the room seem more open, and is better underfoot for guests. White big box store bedding, a yellow throw and brightly colored pillows in blue and complementary orange, finish the bed. Lighter artwork, all in the same transitional versus cottage style, refreshes the space and provides the finishing touch.

While this room looks significantly different, there are some shortcuts to be considered.  Purchasing ready-made shelves from a discount store, and tying them together with molding, is the largest change. They create a headboard with storage, end table function and additional space for lighting. Warm tones of beige on the wall and an area rug in the same hue, provide a warm backdrop for the new white trim and doors.  The doors, while hinged French doors instead of sliding wooden doors, can be created without the expensive price tag. Using reclaimed doors from a salvage yard is one solution, sustainable and cost-effective.  Another is to apply molding over inexpensive mirror squares to a slab door. Hinges are required here since the added dimension would not allow the doors to slide. Bedding remains white, but as with the accessories, the addition of blue accents, is the ideal contrast to the beige and white. A simple wooden bench completes the transformation.

Re positioning the bed in this space was key to the change. In front of the window, the bed took up less space in the room and the open weave headboard does not restrict light from entering.  The walls went from pale yellow to a deep ivory. Blue was the accent color in the 'before' space and became the feature color in bedding, bed drapes and pillows. An inexpensive "found" headboard separates the window and bed and enables pillows to be propped up, adding dimension and texture to the bed.  A Roman Shade lets more light in than the prior sheers and is tailored and neat.  The bed drape was constructed by nailing MDF trim to the ceiling, and applying the fabric at all four corners.  The large scale damask fabric contains the ivory wall color and a soft blue that is used again in the tailored bed skirt. Ivory bedding is ideal for many spaces, and maintains the neutral backdrop to keep the small bedroom from looking crowded.  Adding a bolster pillow in a solid blue with ribbon trim, and a patterned blue lampshade, completes the transformation.

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.