Sunday, September 29, 2013

Kitchen Myth's: Part 1


Over the next couple of months, we will discuss and dispel many common kitchen and bathroom myth's that I hear from friends and clients.

 

Myth: It's less expensive to reface or redo my existing cabinets than to get new ones.

 

Fact: If your current cabinets are in bad condition, have water damage or extensive wear, re-facing or refinishing them is not the best option. You will need to spend money repairing your old cabinets before they can be re-faced or refinished. Also, re-facing wont allow you to make changes to the layout. If you want to make your kitchen layout or arrangement better or add in some customized options, you may be better off getting new cabinets. Either way, it's important to compare estimates for both options.

 

 

Myth: Solid back cabinets are stronger than 1/8 back cabinets

 

Fact: This is not always true.  The strength of the cabinet is determined mostly by how they are constructed and how well the parts are joined together.

 

 

Myth: More expensive drawer slides are always better.

 

Fact: There are times when less expensive slides could work better depending on the application. Consider the use of the drawer when making a drawer slide selection. Hinges and drawer slides are the most used pieces of hardware on cabinets and its important that you have a quality that will withstand the wear you will put on it. This is one item I don't like to scrimp on.

 

Next time we will explore some other kitchen myth's. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Bathroom Myth's


Myth: Don't use dark colors in a small bathroom

 

Fact: Using dark colors in a small bathroom, especially a powder room, can lend an elegant, sophisticated look to the space. It is important to still maintain good lighting, but don't be afraid to experiment with dark colors.

 

 

Myth: A pedestal sink is the best choice for a small bathroom.

 

Fact: Current design fads notwithstanding, a sink in a well-designed vanity cabinet will not only provide far more usable countertop area, but also a good bit of storage below--a feature that's even more important in a small bathroom than in a large one.

 

 

Myth: The best time to figure out where toilet-paper holders and towel bars go is when you're almost done, and you can see what you've got to work with.

 

Fact: This is why the pencil was invented --to figure out such things ahead of time. You should know exactly where every towel bar, toilet paper holder and robe hook is going to be installed long before you ever pick up a hammer. Fail to do so, and you may end up with your toilet-paper holder screwed to the side of your bathtub.

 

 

 

Myth: The best place for a bathroom lighting fixture is directly over the sink.

 

Fact: This is a silly architectural custom that won't die, though it sure deserves to. Having the light source over the sink guarantees that no matter how you turn your head, some part of your face will always be exasperatingly in shadow. Take a tip from what Hollywood makeup pros have done since the 1920s: Place the lighting on either side of the sink, roughly level with your face, and not above it. It's the only way to get even, shadow-free lighting. But when you don’t have room for sconces either side, a light above is better than no light at all.

 

 

Thanks for joining me on this myth dispelling journey. I hope it has been helpful for you. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Sunday, September 1, 2013

No slip and slide here!


Recently, I attended a seminar on tile and the speaker was from the Tile Council of North America. While listening to his introduction, I thought, “Oh, no! This could be boring.” But it wasn’t! In fact it was quite enlightening and interesting. Let me share with you what I learned about the “slipperiness” of tile. No floor tile is "slip proof", but it is important to know what tile is the best to use in wet situations. Slippery conditions can be minimized by limiting foot traffic in wet conditions, prompt removal of contaminants (hair conditioners are the worst!), effective drainage, and proper maintenance.

 

What does "COF" mean? The Tile Council of North America defines coefficient of friction (“COF) as the relative slip resistance of tile. The COF test is a laboratory or field test established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) to provide its customers comparable slip resistance values for each of its floor tiles. The measurements disclosed are designed to be one important factor to consider in evaluating slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish; and the physical and mental condition of humans.

 

Outdoor tile typically features non-skid finishes designed for safety when wet, sometimes installed on patios, walkways, or around pools. Unglazed ceramic tiles are very hard and dense. They come in various surface treatments and textures. Unglazed tiles do have good slip resistance, however please note that they do require sealing to help prevent staining. High gloss finishes can be more slippery and scratches can become more visible, while matte or textured finishes help with traction and scratches, and dirt is less visible.

 

It's important when choosing tile for a floor that you have good information on the COF. It's best to work with a knowledgeable professional such as Traditions in Tile to help you select the best tile for your space.

 

If you have any questions regarding issues we discuss, please don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com.