The Tweed Movement

Caring for elderly parents is no small task, especially when the family decision for the ones you love is for them to come live with you.  While retirement villages, assisted living retreats, and full time care givers are all a great option, the 21^st century has created another option of working through those later decades of living.  One survey suggests that in 2015, 60% of home buyers will want dual Master Suites.  Baby Boomers need a place for their aging parents.  These parents are active and productive adults who warrant their own space.

Whether it is new construction or reconfiguring existing homes, I am seeing more and more clients considering these options. Maybe it’s adding an additional master suite on the first floor or finishing out an easily accessed basement or simply remodeling your existing space to accommodate your needs as you age in your home. My years of coaching customers through transformations has taught me how to keep the aesthetics needs of a home handsome and functional.  No longer do these features need to look “hospital like.”

Accommodating the “Tweed Movement” usually focuses on two areas of the home, the kitchen and the bathroom.  Small adjustments to cabinet heights, drawer size and choice of drawer pulls can limit the frustration of their daily tasks.   Easy maintenance, cleaner lines and appliance placement can give seniors the independence that they deserve. There are many fantastic and great looking options for grab bars in bathrooms. If you aren’t adding them now, at least add the needed blocking in the wall to give you the option down the road.

Take the time to consider the future and your family when you are considering building or remodeling. No longer do these options have to look unattractive. Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions regarding aging in place solutions.

Holiday Remodels

            I know school just started, fall is on its way, football season is soon to be in full swing and, yes, it is time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Only seventeen weeks left till Christmas. Yes, I really did just say that. It may seem like a long time away, but we all know that it will be here before we know it and probably before we are ready.

 

Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. As this realization hits, we start to make a mental or written list of all the things we need and want to do before the holidays are actually here. Is a kitchen or bathroom remodel on your to do list before the company comes? Maybe you just found out that your home will be the location of this year’s Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration or your broken oven just won’t cut it for baking those cookies.  Do you want a new kitchen or bathroom before Thanksgiving? Maybe you can’t redo the entire room but want to make some small changes. Or maybe you just want to finally get the dining room repainted or new carpet in your bedroom. Now is the time to start thinking about it and making plans. If you begin now, you will have plenty of time to get your project done before Thanksgiving hits and then you can enjoy your new space all throughout the Christmas season.

 

Before you start to panic, take a deep breath and let’s take a realistic look at the calendar. Depending on the amount and magnitude of work that you want to do in your kitchen or bathroom, you can expect a remodel to take anywhere from three to six weeks from demo to final cleanup. If you start your planning and decision making now, you can realistically have a new kitchen or bathroom by Thanksgiving. Consult with the professionals who will be completing this work for you and they will be able to give you a better idea of the time needed to complete your project. Whatever you do, DO NOT plan to wrap up your remodeling project the day before company is expected to arrive. Something might be backordered or take longer than expected and then you will really be up a creek without a paddle or eating your Christmas dinner at Waffle House. The holidays are hectic enough without adding that little bit of stress.

 

As you consider who will be doing the work for you, make sure they have a good reputation, are doing what they say and completing projects in a timely manner. Check their references and don’t let the bottom line make the decision for you. Sometimes there is a reason one person is less expensive than another. The holidays are not a time to risk having issues with a contractor. Make sure you clearly communicate your deadline to the contractors you work with to ensure an on-time project. That way there will be no surprises and everyone is on the same page.

 

We all know the holidays can be a stressful time. There are parties to attend or host, food to be prepared, gifts to be wrapped and memories to be made with your family and friends. Endeavor to enjoy this season and all of its wonderful food, people and events by planning ahead. Take time to slow down and remember that this is the most wonderful time of the year.

 

Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions regarding holiday projects.

Granite Tops

One question I am asked almost every day is “Should I put granite tops in my kitchen or bathroom?” Today let’s explore the pros and cons and some things to keep in mind.

 

Granite is one of the hardest stones and not subject to etching by household cleaners or scratches by knives or pots and pans being drug across the surface. According to the Marble Institute of America, both prior to and after the availability of sealer for granite, no cases of food poisoning, radon or food preparation issues associated with sealed or unsealed granite have been reported. Its natural resistance to bacteria makes it a perfect choice for kitchen countertops. If you clean your tops after each meal, you should not have any issues. A mild soap and water is all that is really needed. Keep in mind that different procedures and cautions are needed when you have marble, travertine, limestone or other porous materials for your countertops.

 

One pro and con is the color of granite. If you are looking for a very uniform color or pattern, then granite may not be the material for you. There are some granites that have very little pattern, so take a stroll through a warehouse before you rule it out. If you are looking for something to be the centerpiece of the space, there are some pretty fantastic granite colors that will do just that. I often recommend selecting your countertop surface first and then working around that. You may fall in love with a particular slab and it’s much easier to design around that than fitting your countertop to the other selections you have already made.

 

Pricing-granite may be your least expensive solid countertop option, but it could also be your most expensive. Supply and demand, finish and edge profile all play a part in the cost.

 

Before you decide to replace your existing countertops with granite, take a critical look at your cabinets. Are they strong enough to support this added weight? Do you want to replace them soon? It’s much easier to replace base cabinets before granite tops are put on than after. Don’t get the cart before the horse.

 

Are you replacing your countertops? I’d love to see your before and after pictures! Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions regarding kitchens and bathrooms.

Dovetail Drawer Boxes

One question I am often asked is “Should I use dovetail drawer boxes?” Let’s explore what a dovetail drawer box is and if it is worth the extra expense.

A dovetail drawer box is made using a dovetail joint, which is the strongest of all joints. The joint is made up of interlocking wedge-shaped parts called pins and tails that resist the forces applied to the joint. Dovetail joints are most helpful when used in a place that sees tension, such as a drawer box. Most of the time it is made with solid wood from ½”-3/4” thick. It can be made in most any species of wood.

If a cabinet or piece of furniture comes with dovetail drawer boxes as a standard, great! If not, it’s important to examine the type of drawer box being used and decide if it’s worth the cost to upgrade to a dovetail drawer box. Many cabinet manufacturers make a great and very strong plywood drawer box that is glued and nailed together. That’s our standard drawer box and I can’t tell you the last time we had one fail.  Dovetail drawer boxes run about $20-$60 more per drawer depending on the material. That can be a significant cost adder especially since most kitchens are made up of all drawers these days.

More important than the drawer box, I believe, is the drawer slide. Are you getting a quality drawer slide that will last? Are the parts made out of metal or out of plastic? Are they full extension or soft close? How do they roll? Will you be happy opening and closing them multiple times a day? Drawer slides fail more often than the drawer box, so examine these closely.

Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know if you have any questions regarding kitchens and bathrooms.

Guidelines for selecting a color palette for a kitchen

Selecting colors for your kitchen can be even more intimidating than your bathrooms because it’s a larger space and sometimes more open to the rest of the house.  It is a big decision and something you are investing time and money into and a space that you will see and use every day. You want to get it right…the first time. Many of the principles are the same as selecting colors for your bathrooms, but here’s a couple more tips to help you through the process.

1. Pick colors that you love!

2. Select your cabinets first. The majority of a kitchen space is consumed by cabinets, so start with that first. It’s much easier to adjust stains and paints on walls or floors to harmonize with the cabinets.

3. A simple way to think of this is warm versus cool colors. Warm oranges and reds make a space feel exciting and energetic-great for entertaining. The color red is said to be an appetite stimulant, which is why many fine dining establishments are painted shades of red.

4. Another great strategy for incorporating bold colors into your kitchen is to keep the expensive items — such as the countertops, cabinets and flooring — neutral in color and save the bold colors for things that are easy and affordable to change out, like wall paint, bar stools, curtains and countertop accessories.

5. Choose one element to inspire your color palette, but don’t buy that item until all other selections have been fully decided. For example, have you fallen in love with a tile for your backsplash? Use it as an inspiration but don’t purchase it until you know you have coordinating countertops, cabinets  and flooring. 

6. Do not underestimate lighting. Do you have adequate lighting? General lighting, decorative lighting and dedicated task lighting are so important.

7. For countertops, the safest approach is to keep it neutral and versatile. Upkeep and cleanliness is also a big component in a kitchen. Or your countertop may be the design element you want to work around.

8. Look at all of your selections together. Does everything flow? Does it look right? You will know when you see everything together.

9. Gather pictures of your favorite finished spaces. Houzz.com is an excellent resource for finding pictures of finished spaces that appeal to your taste. What color schemes did they employ? Can you pull details out of those finished spaces to work in yours?

10. Execute. Do your homework but then execute on your plan. Make the best decision and move forward. Then you can sit back and enjoy your new space.

Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know what tips and tricks you employ when selecting colors for your kitchen.

Guidelines for selecting a color palette for a bathroom

Selecting colors for your bathroom can be intimidating and scary. Even I struggle with, “Am I making the right decision?” fears. It is a big decision and something you are investing time and money into and a space that you will see and use every day. You want to get it right…the first time. Here’s a couple of tips to help you through the process.

1. Pick colors that you love!

2. Select your tile first. The majority of a bathroom space is covered in tile, so start with that first. It’s much easier to adjust stains and paints on cabinets or walls to harmonize with the tile.

3. Don’t be afraid to go with brighter or bolder paint colors in the bathroom. Usually there is very little empty wall space and the paint color becomes a border around the cabinets, tile and plumbing fixtures.  The right paint color can make these items pop, like the right frame for artwork.

4. Be flexible. As you go through the process of selecting all the colors and finishes, your plan will be constantly revised.

5. Choose one element to inspire your color palette, but don’t buy that item until all other selections have been fully decided. For example, use the hand painted sink as an inspiration but don’t purchase it until you know you have coordinating countertops and flooring.

6. Do not underestimate lighting. Do you have adequate lighting?

7. For countertops, the safest approach is to keep it neutral and versatile. Unless, of course, your countertop is the design element you want to work around.

8. Look at all of your selections together. Does everything flow? Does it look right? You will know when you see everything together.

9. Gather pictures of your favorite finished spaces. Houzz.com is an excellent resource for finding pictures of finished spaces that appeal to your taste. What color schemes did they employ? Can you pull details out of those finished spaces to work in yours?

10. Execute. Do your homework but then execute on your plan. Make the best decision and move forward. Then you can sit back and enjoy your new space.

Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know what tips and tricks you employ when selecting colors for your bathroom.

Eco Bathroom Fixtures

                In a day and age of diminishing natural resources, we find ourselves asking what we can do to mitigate our impact on those natural resources. One way we can do that is through our bathroom fixtures. To find a water efficient fixture, look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense is a partnership program with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is an independent organization that reviews plumbing fixtures for water efficiency. Their certification is given to fixtures that are at least 20 percent more efficient without compromising performance. Over 7,000 gallons of water can be saved annually for an average bathroom remodel with WaterSense fixtures. That's enough water to wash six months worth of laundry!

Before you get concerned that these WaterSense fixtures won’t get the job done, all major plumbing manufacturers have incorporated technologies that control the speed, movement or droplet size, some which infuse air into the water stream, to give you a fuller water stream. I’ve gotten to try many different varieties and they are pretty fantastic.

Bathroom faucets:  Getting a faucet with the WaterSense label can reduce your sink's water flow by up to 30 percent. Doing so will save the average home 500 gallons of water annually. And regardless of what kind of faucet you have, don't forget to turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Showerheads: You don't have to give up a fantastic shower experience to save water. WaterSense understands that no one wants a wimpy shower spray, so all their approved fixtures tout a satisfactory shower while using just 2 gallons of water per minute or less.

Toilets: Flushing technology has come a long way and is pretty incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to tour the Kohler plant in South Carolina where many of their toilets are made. You’ve got dual flush technology, better finishing and great style that all make for satisfactory flushing. Most toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush. That’s amazing compared to the 3.5 gallons per flush toilets of years past!

Urinals: Residential urinals can make your lavatory fun for boys while conserving water. Some manufacturers, including Kohler, offer waterless urinals for even greater water savings.

Bathtubs: The luxury of a bath takes a lot of water — about 50 to 70 gallons per bath. When searching for a water wise tub, look for smaller tubs with a capacity of less than 60 gallons.

Still curious? Any plumbing salesperson worth their salt will be able to fully explain and show you fixtures that will fit your needs.  Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com and let me know what changes you are planning to make.