February, 2019 - SkirtingBoards.com®

Sliding/Stackable Glass Doors Erase the Boundary Between Inside and Outdoors

February 22, 2019 by admin

Nothing brings the outside indoors like glass doors and rows of windows. They create an instant portal to the great outdoors. And with sliding glass doors and windows that are also stackable/foldable, you can maximize your indoor and outdoor spaces while increasing your entertainment options. Below are some of the ways these versatile glass doors and windows are being used today.

Natural Light/Energy Efficiency

There’s an abundance of natural light. Image: teng99/Getty Images

Sliding doors have extra large panes of glass and, according to Mark Liston, President of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly Company, when the doors are shut, they function like floor-to-ceiling windows that allow enormous amounts of natural light to enter. “This makes your home feel grander and more inviting,” Liston explains. However, he recommends getting UV-blocking glass to prevent sunlight from heating up the house or causing any upholstery to fade.

“Glass isn’t an effective insulator, but modern window technology allows sliding doors to grant you those stunning views without forcing your utility bills up,” Liston says. “Look for composite gaskets, double-pane glass and other features designed for energy efficiency.”

View/Versatility

It’s easy to keep an eye on the kids or just enjoy the scenery. Image: Caiaimage Martin Barraud/Getty Images

“Sliding glass doors come in many sizes and configurations,” Liston explains. The possibilities are endless, so these doors and windows can be used in various spaces in the home, including the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room and cabana.

Sliding glass doors and windows also allow you to take full advantage of a fantastic view. “If your home overlooks a beautiful garden, or if you just want to keep an eye on your children playing in the yard, these large glass panes provide excellent views of the outside,” Liston says.

Space Saving

The perfect view to enjoy the sunset. Image: Astronaut Images/Getty Images

“Because they glide open, sliding glass doors help you maximize your square footage,” Liston explains. As a result, you can place furniture close to either side of the door and these items don’t have to be moved to open or close the doors.

Combine Indoor/Outdoor Living

Instantly transform your living and entertaining space. Image: Astronaut Images/Getty Images

When the weather is warm, these doors allow you to increase your entertaining space. “Host parties where some guests are indoors and others are outside without feeling too separate from one another,” Liston says. And fire pits can help you entertain outdoors even when the temperature drops.

Stylish

Sliding and stackable glass doors fit any home aesthetic. Image: tulcarion/Getty Images

“The streamlined look of a sliding glass door adds an elegant aesthetic to any home,” Liston says. “It melds well with most architectural styles, especially modern designs, and offers unsurpassed functionality and practical use.”

Resale Value

Increase your entertaining options. Image: ShutterWorx/Getty Images

Are these sliding, stacking doors popular with homebuyers looking for a new home? It may depend on the market. “In southern California, indoor/outdoor living has always been a selling point,” says Sandra Miller, Principal Broker and Licensed Partner at Engel & Völkers in Santa Monica. “While the garage door trend was popular, it has been replaced by sliding walls of doors and windows,” she says. “These are easier to manipulate for the user as compared to the rollup doors and, with a much cleaner design, they also look better.”

In markets where indoor/outdoor living is a selling point, Miller believes that the presence of a sliding wall of doors or windows will probably increase resale value.

Practical and functional. Image: Martin Barraud/Getty Images

Patrick Garrett, Broker/Realtor at H&H Realty in Trussville, AL, is also located in a warm-weather climate. “I only see these style of doors in high-end luxury homes. In most cases, the doors are opening up to a pool area, a nice serene view of the ocean or a peaceful view of the mountains,” he says. “So, in the right home with the right views, they would definitely appeal to homebuyers.”

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4 Colored Interior Trim and Molding Trends

February 22, 2019 by admin

Designers are always trying to find creative ways to work with color in a space. And one of those creative trends is going for colored interior trim and molding. We don’t normally give too much notice to trim. It’s usually a purely utilitarian element in the room used to hide gaps around doors, windows and flooring. Most of the time, trim and molding match the door or flooring they surround.

But many designers are using molding as a way to bring color, contrast and style into the space. So take a look below for some creative ways to use colored interior trim and molding.

Colored Interior Trim and Molding Red Color

If you want your molding to stand out, try a bold red-stained wood style. Image: alabn/Shutterstock

Go for Bold Color

One of the most fun changes this trend has delivered is brightly colored interior trim and molding. You can see an example in the photo above, where the wood molding is so red it stands out as its own accent color. In order to add balance to the space, that red color is used in the area carpet in the hallway.

Bold molding and trim are great ways to work with an accent color in a space. This idea is also a good style for fun, artsy spaces that are going for a taste of the unconventional. You can find a colored wood or paint the trim itself.

As shown in the photo above, bold molding works very well in a space where there’s an overall neutral color tone. That way, the eye goes right to the molding.

Colored Interior Trim and Molding Green Shades

You can keep a more muted style by working with matching colors. Image: YKvision/Shutterstock

Try a Monochrome Style in Colored Interior Trim and Molding

If you’re not quite ready for boldly colored interior trim and molding, then you can still get this style by working with color shading. The photo above shows how the darker green molding creates some subtle contrast against the lighter green walls.

You could work with any shade for this idea. You might have different shades of red, blue or even yellow for a bold space. If you wanted something more subtle, you could go for a light brown trim next to a darker brown wall. The beauty with this monochrome look is that it tends to work in any space.

Colored Interior Trim and Molding White Fireplace

A general sense of contrast defines this style that centers around the Harlan Grand Electric Fireplace. Image: Wayfair

Use Contrast

You might want to consider going for bold contrast in your colored interior trim and molding. In the photo above, the bright white edge on the mantel sticks out against the muted blue-gray of the walls. The fireplace above is actually an electric fireplace from Wayfair with a white design. It’s easy to place and makes it look like you put in some difficult-to-install molding around the fireplace. You can also notice how the trim on the bottom of the wall matches the fireplace well.

You can use the idea of high color contrast in many different ways. For example, you could try an electric green molding with blue walls. This idea would be good for funky, artistic spaces. Feel free to get creative.

Colored Interior Trim and Molding Wood Contrast

Don’t forget, certain wood shades can impart their own sense of contrast. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Work with High-Contrast Wood Shades

Another idea is to find molding in darker wood shades and work with its natural wood coloring. An example is the trim in the photo above. The rich brown shade is highlighted against the white walls. It creates a wonderful contrast, which is usually what this look is all about.

Wood comes in so many different shades and textures that you can find a shade that works with virtually any style you want. For instance, you could have darker walls with bright tan shades of wood molding if you wanted a more high-contrast and stately look. Or you could go for a more natural look by installing a medium-brown shade of wood molding next to a light tan wall.

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Don’t Hide Those Concrete Walls! Use Them in Your Home’s Interior Design

February 21, 2019 by admin

Few materials are as strong as concrete. According to the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), concrete is the most used man-made material in the world. It’s used more frequently than wood, steel and other building materials. In residential settings, concrete usually isn’t exposed – except, perhaps, in a basement or garage. However, homeowners are starting to embrace the raw beauty of concrete walls in various applications.

Concrete can be smooth or porous. Image: Ashe/Getty Images

There are several ways to use concrete walls in industrial designs. “Concrete comes in a variety of colors and finishes. These start from a very smooth and almost reflective surface, which is akin to Tadao Ando’s masterpieces, through to the brutalist porous concrete which you might find in underground car parks,” explains Michael Schienke, Director and Chartered Architect at VORBILD Architecture in London. “For interior applications, the more smooth or gently porous finishes are most suitable,” he adds. “The color can be changed by adding pigments or changing the mixture ratio of the original ingredients.”

A concrete bathroom in London. Image courtesy of VORBILD Architecture.

Schienke designed the concrete bathroom in the photos immediately above and below. “In this penthouse apartment in a converted church, concrete-clad bathrooms are on both sides of the new kitchen,” Schienke says. “The fully lit ceiling is made of plexiglass panels, and the walls and flooring are made of real concrete panels.”

Another angle of Schienke’s concrete bathroom design in London. Image courtesy of VORBILD Architecture

“We have a few successful projects that involved polished concrete walls and floors in bathrooms,” Schienke says. “You install them just like marble, on reinforced walls, and as it’s a natural material, it needs to be sealed,” he explains. “They are of a timeless beauty, yet their appearance becomes that of a warm background, very stylish and sophisticated.”

Concrete is sustainable. Image: archideaphoto/Getty Images

Concrete is also a strong material, which means you won’t have to worry about decay or corrosion. It’s also non-combustible, which makes it a popular choice for fireplace surrounds. In addition, concrete is a sustainable material. According to CSI, concrete walls (and floors) reduce temperature swings by slowing the passage of heat moving through the structure. And this can, in turn, reduce your heating and cooling costs. Also, concrete is one of the most energy-efficient materials to produce, using significantly less energy than aluminum, stainless steel, steel, glass, timber and brick.

Will Concrete Walls Help or Hurt Resale Value?

Concrete doesn’t have to be gray. Image: tulcarion/Getty Images

John Manning, Manager Broker at RE/MAX on Market in Seattle, WA, believes that the resale value factor will depend on how and where the concrete is used. “Bare concrete is often used as a feature in ultra-modern or industrial style architecture,” he says. “Up here in Seattle, we value cozy and warm in winter, so we’re not fans of bare concrete.”

However, when concrete is properly applied, he believes that it can work. “There are many visually appealing finishes and color treatments that can be applied to concrete, and modern insulation methods allow the use of concrete with great visual appeal.”

Concrete may not appeal to everyone. Image: Jov86/Getty Images

Patrick Garrett, Broker/Realtor at H&H Realty in Trussville, AL, doesn’t think his buyers would necessarily be impressed with concrete walls. “In my opinion, concrete walls are a unique architectural feature that would only appeal to the eclectic homebuyer,” he says. “I’ve seen a few homes with concrete countertops but, again, these homes only appeal to homebuyers seeking unique or uncommon decor.”

Alternatives to Real Concrete

Concrete can be realistically imitated. Image: Asbe/Getty Images

If you love the look of concrete but you’re not sure if you want to commit to a concrete wall, there are several other options that you can try.

Concreate makes concrete panels in a variety of colors, including natural gray, metal gray and bronze gray. The panels only weigh 1.3 pounds per square foot and are 1/8” thick. Concreate panels can be applied to drywall, plywood, cement board and concrete.

ConcreteWall wallpaper is another option to consider. Made of non-woven vinyl, the wallpaper is scratch resistant and can be cleaned by washing it with a soft cloth.

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What You Should and Should Not Do When Renting

February 21, 2019 by admin

Choosing to live in a rental property offers a lot of freedom from repairs and maintenance. Typically, tenants are not responsible for tasks like cutting the grass and fixing plumbing problems. Perhaps that’s why more than 111 million Americans have chosen renting over home ownership, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council.

Renting provides convenience and independence, but there are limits to what you can do in a rental property. While specifics may vary from landlord to landlord, these are some of the general do’s and don’ts of renting a property.

Don’t go paint crazy

Be sure to get permission before taking on any painting projects. Image: CreativeStudio/Getty Images

“Tenants like to say, ‘I’m leaving the place better than I got it,’ and some tenants might think that blood-red accent wall they painted is much better,” says Diana Valin, CPM, owner/broker at The Rental Xperts in San Diego, CA.

However, Valin tells Freshome that this is rarely the case – at least, not from the owner’s perspective – unless the parties collaborated in advance. “The best rule of thumb for tenants wanting to change things up during their time in residence is to ask for permission – and get it in writing.”

However, you can paint your furniture and personal items. In fact, you’d be surprised what you can do with a can of spray paint.

Don’t let your green thumb go wild

Customizing landscaping elements may lead to problems with your landlord. Image: Sebastian Arning/EyeEm/Getty Images

While you may think of vegetable gardens or flower beds as a great use of space outside the property, it might actually cause more issues for your landlord down the road. Kristie Aylett of Ocean Springs, MS reached out to Freshome with a similar situation from her landlord friend. “The renter wanted to be reimbursed – or at least thanked – for building a tree fort in the backyard but didn’t realize the increased liability and insurance costs it presented to the homeowners.”

Valin adds: “We want [renters] to feel they can make the property their home, but if they want to customize anything during their tenancy, communicating what they want to do and getting written authorization to do it ahead of time is the key to staying out of trouble in the end.”

Don’t make major renovations

Consult with your landlord before major changes. Image: Hero Image/Getty Images

Valin says your rental agreement should also stipulate how improvements will be handled at move-out. “The owner that didn’t know you added ceiling fans in all of the bedrooms may be thrilled to find out that you improved his/her property but won’t necessarily want to reimburse you for the installation costs and purchase costs of the fans at move-out,” she warns. If you decide to take your fans with you at move-out, you’ll be responsible for patching/texturizing and re-painting the ceilings.

Cabinet hardware is the most likely avenue of customization and improvement and an easy way to show your creative side in the kitchen and bathroom. However, like anything, be sure to check with your landlord first.

Don’t use a hammer for all of your projects

Consider decorating ideas that won’t damage the walls. Image: chuckcollier/Getty Images

Most landlords will let you hang a few pictures, or curtains on decorative rods. Aside from that, it’s important to carefully consider any decorating idea that involves the use of a hammer. In other words, scratch those thoughts about mounting cabinets in the bathroom.

That’s not to say you can’t decorate in other ways. For example, consider applying stainless steel appliance covers to the dishwasher and refrigerator. These covers come in peel-and-stick or magnetic varieties and can instantly update and transform the space.

Do help to maintain the property

Maintaining the property requires some effort on your part. Image: Westend61/Getty Images

Your landlord is responsible for repairs, but you, as the tenant, are responsible for informing management when there’s something amiss in your unit. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a broken stove knob, you need to report these problems as soon as possible. If a small problem becomes a large problem and it’s deemed a result of your negligence, you may be responsible for the repairs.

As far as household pests go, your landlord is responsible for pest control; nevertheless, you are accountable for keeping your unit clean so you won’t attract pests.

Do purchase renters insurance

Renter’s insurance protects your valuables. Image: Asbe/Getty Images

Your landlord is ultimately responsible for the property and your unit. However, you are responsible for your personal items, such as your furniture, clothes and electronic equipment. Additionally, if someone is injured in your apartment, you might be liable for medical and legal bills. Renters insurance is a wise investment because it protects you against these unforeseen circumstances over which your landlord has no control – which is why it’s often required by your landlord.

What other do’s and don’ts of renting have you discovered? Please let us know in the comments.

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15 Interior Designs for Pet Lovers

February 20, 2019 by admin

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For pet lovers, animals are truly a central part of our lives. They give us companionship and joy. Our animals are even a part of the family. So it makes sense that some interior designs are taking that into account by incorporating pet needs right into the space. Some designs have pet beds that fit a room’s style, others have cat play areas right along the wall and still other designs build aquariums right into the room. Take a look below for some of the top interior designs for pet lovers. You may be inspired to put in some new designs to accommodate your pet, and your animal companions are sure to appreciate it.

Dogs

We love our dogs. But sometimes their pet beds, play areas, kennels, toys and food bowls can disrupt the design of a room or outdoor space. So designers are finding creative ways to incorporate pet needs into a space in classy ways.

These designs include trendy dog beds that fit the room’s style and outdoor dog houses that are a well-designed part of the yard. And some interior design elements, like wallpaper, fit right into an animal theme. The designs for pet lovers below show that you can devote your home to a pet but still keep it true to any design style you choose.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Dog Bed Fabric

With some trendy fabrics, a pet bed like the Matching Dog Crate Bed can fit into just about any room style. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Dog Sofa

A tiny sofa for your dog can fit into the most upscale of room styles, as you can see with the Longworth Dog Bed. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Dog Bed Modern Style

The Darren Wood Dog Bed would work well in modern room styles. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Yellow Dog House

Dog houses can have a style of their own. Image: alexei_tm/Shutterstock

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Wallpaper with Dogs

You can pay homage to your pet with this Wiener 15-foot by 27-inch Dogs Wallpaper, especially in a designated dog room or area. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Cats

Cats come with a whole multitude of different needs. While dogs generally stay on the floor and exotic pets tend to live in a cage of some variety, cats desire free reign of everything. You’re likely to find them exploring and hiding in the most unlikely of places: the top shelf in the closet, behind the computer monitor, nestled behind curtains. All is fair game for kitty.

So, in order to encourage productive play, many interior designs have worked specific climbing spaces for cats to enjoy into the space. These play areas are sleek, stylish and fit in with the overall design of the room. Other interior designs for pet lovers take into account cat beds for naptime and make those work with the design of the room, as well.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Cat Beam

An exposed rafter with a simple cat toy added is a great way to modify a rustic space for your cat. Image: Patrik Slezak/Shutterstock

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Cat Climb Wall

You can buy subtle, modern cat climbs that attach right to the wall, as you can see with the Gypsy Wall Mount Cat Playground Cat Perch. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Perch Style

Another trendy idea for kitty is this stylish 10-inch Bookman Wall Mounted Cat Perch. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Cat Condo Modern

This geometric 69-inch Cleopatra Cat Tree is great for artsy and modern spaces. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers TeePee Bed

A Teepee Cat Bed is perfect for artsy, rustic or casual spaces. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Housing Exotic Animals

Exotic pets are defined as anything that is not a cat or a dog. It’s a pretty expansive definition that can cover anything from a rabbit, bird or fish to a cuddly pet boa constrictor. Most of these animals tend to be housed in cages, making them less intrusive to a room’s overall design.

There are creative ways to house your critters that make attractive additions to a room and work well with the overall room design. Many of these also work in outdoor spaces. So take a look at these designs for pet lovers that show some great ways to house those exotic pets.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Bird Cage

A classic wire birdcage can fit well both indoors and outdoors. Image: 1828858957/Shutterstock

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Rabbit Hutch

Rabbit hutches can be stylish with rich wood textures. Image: Ratthaphong Ekariyasap/Shutterstock

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Fish Tank

A bright fish tank can add some bold color to a space otherwise dominated by neutral tones. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Wood Kennel

This Pet Crate End Table in Walnut is a classy way to house just about any animal you can’t keep an eye on for a bit. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

Interior Designs for Pet Lovers Fancy Rabbit Hutch

You can also find animal hutches that actually look like small, classy homes themselves, as you can see in the Englewood Duplex Rabbit Hutch. Image courtesy of Wayfair.

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These Are 5 Easy Home Maintenance Tasks That Will Save You Money

February 20, 2019 by admin

These days, everyone is looking to save money wherever they can. However, if you look around your house, it’s likely that there are home maintenance tasks that you’ve been putting off fixing and, in the meantime, are costing you your hard-earned cash. This post is all about how to tackle those issues once and for all. Read on below to see five easy, money-saving home maintenance tasks. If you take care of each one, it will go a long way towards putting money back in your pocket.

Add weatherstripping to insulate doors and windows. Image: ImageFlow/Shutterstock

Add weatherstripping

Especially in the winter months, it’s easy to tell if your doors and windows are letting in drafts of cold air from the outside. Though a little air may not seem like a huge deal, it’s making extra work for your heating system. Fortunately, weatherstripping provides a relatively easy fix for this issue. In just a few minutes, you should be able to seal your home up tight.

The first step to this process is choosing the right weatherstripping. Believe it or not, there are multiple kinds to choose from and each has its ideal purpose. Felt, for example, is the easiest type to install but has a habit of letting air through. Reinforced vinyl, on the other hand, is better at stopping air flow, but is very visible. Check out this guide to find the material that best suits your needs.

Luckily, the installation of this product is fairly simple. Most materials come with self-adhesive versions that can be found in your local home improvement store. The key here is making sure that you measure both your doors and windows, as well as the weatherstripping product, at least twice before you cut it in order to ensure an accurate length.

Regularly change your HVAC filters. Image: Jovana Veljkovic/Shutterstock

Change HVAC filters

Chances are, even if you change your HVAC filter every once and a while, you’re still not tending to it often enough. Conventional wisdom states that these filters need to be changed every 90 days in order to keep your system from having to work harder than it should. However, keep in mind, that timeframe shifts to every 60 days if you have a cat or dog at home.

Luckily, changing one of these filters is super easy. Start by turning off your HVAC unit. Then, locate the filter and remove the access panels. Simply take the old filter out and replace it with the new one, paying close attention to any arrows to ensure that the filter goes in right-side up. Then, put the access panel back in its place and you’re free to turn the unit back on.

Flushing your hot water heater now could prevent a big catastrophe later. Image: ArchiVIZ/Shutterstock

Flush your hot water heater

Flushing your hot water heater is a crucial task that should become part of your regular home maintenance routine. Doing so at least once a year helps to ensure the greatest supply of hot water to your home, and also prevents sediment from corroding the water heater’s components. Unfortunately for many, that corrosion leads to breakage that can cost thousands of dollars to fix.

Begin the process by turning off the thermostat to your hot water heater. Follow that up by turning off the gas to it, as well as the hot water supply. (If your hot water heater is electric, you’ll also want to unplug it at this time.) Then, turn on the tap in a sink or bathtub and let it run through this entire process. This will help prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines while you’re draining the hot water tank.

When you’re ready, connect a garden hose to the drainage spigot on your hot water heater. Turn on the spigot and allow any water to drain out into a bucket. When the water runs clear and free of sediment, flush the hot water heater by turning on the cold water spigot and allowing the water to run until it’s free of sediment. Finally, turn off the drainage spigot, disconnect the hose and turn everything back on.

Fixing a leaky faucet can make a big impact on your water bill. Image: Ant Clausen/Shutterstock

Fix leaky faucets

In addition to being unpleasant to hear all the time, that faucet in your house that continually leaks is costing you money. Estimates suggest that a leaky faucet can end up costing you between $60 and $200 per year, depending on the severity of the leak.

To take care of this problem, start by shutting off the water underneath the sink and closing the drain. Then, remove the decorative cap on your faucet’s handle, as well as the handle screw. Pull off the handle and use a crescent wrench to unscrew the packing nut. After unscrewing the stem, remove and replace the seat washer held in place by a brass screw. Finally, pop the stem out of the packing nut and replace the O-ring, which is likely the cause of the leak. After you’re done, reassemble the faucet.

Your gutters should be cleaned at the beginning of each new season. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Clean your gutters

Clogged gutters may not seem like a huge deal at first but, left alone, buildup such as leaves and branches can cause water to pool and leaks to form in the fascia of the house. Over time, this can lead to severe water damage to your home’s structure, which is undeniably costly.

Cleaning out your gutters is a hands-on task. Begin by removing any visible twigs, leaves and debris. Then, take a garden hose and flush away any remaining dirt. If the water doesn’t drain out of your downspouts, there’s likely a clog. At that point, you’ll need to remove the clog with a plumber’s snake.

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Ski Chalet in Canada Features Elegant Detailing

February 19, 2019 by admin

ski chalet

Atelier Kastelic Buffey completed the design and development of Alta Chalet, a weekend retreat for a family of five. Located in the city of Blue Mountains, Canada, the two-level ski chalet resides in a private ski club development. The design additionally integrates the chalet with its natural surroundings.

“Alta Chalet communicates an ethos of contemporary design and elegant detailing that derives from the local vernacular tradition of the barn,” the architects explain. “Its iconic presence – defined by a reductive black-and-white color scheme and a tight, clean, gabled roof edge – complements the intelligence of its spatial and economic efficiency.”

Step inside and you will experience its minimalist interiors as well as its wide windows and visual warmth. The public spaces – living room, kitchen and dining area – occupy the top floor of the ski chalet. This offers panoramic views of the surrounding ski hills. “Below, the ground floor comprises more intimate functions of bed and bath, along with a sauna and direct access to the outdoor hot tub deck,” the architects also add. “A garage accommodates two vehicles, with extra room for tuning skis and other recreational equipment.”

Sustainability was also one of the major factors in the design. “To reduce the ecological footprint, energy consumption was decreased through a high-performance glazing system, hydronic radiant in-floor heating, additional insulation and a wood-burning fireplace. Natural lighting and ventilation is optimized through the provision of several large, operable windows.” Information provided by Atelier Kastelic Buffey; photography courtesy of Shai Gil.

Take a closer look inside this Canadian ski chalet

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How To: Use an Accent Kitchen Island to Make Your Kitchen Pop

February 19, 2019 by admin

If you’re looking for a way to freshen up your cooking space, think about adding an accent kitchen island. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Ah, the kitchen. It can be the center of the home, a beloved place to share meals and make plenty of memories. It can also start to feel a little blah. Every kitchen has elements it needs – storage and appliances, for example – that leave little space for design. Or it might feel that way – until you start thinking about an accent kitchen island.

You may have already considered an island for its utility. Who doesn’t want more storage, prep space and seating in the kitchen? But even if you already have all of those in spades (lucky you!), don’t overlook this potentially powerful design element. Here are four ways you can use an accent kitchen island to transform your cooking space.

Your accent kitchen island can help you shape your cooking space. Image: PinkyWinky/Shutterstock

Define the space

You need your kitchen to be as functional as possible. It’s one room where form truly does need to follow function, lest you be left with a critical kitchen layout mistake that could make cooking a pain for years to come. You can use your kitchen island to your advantage in creating a versatile, functional and stylish cooking area. Because it will be a big block in the middle of your space, it can help you create the most efficient pathways. Plus, as we’ve already mentioned, it offers additional storage and prep space.

On top of all of that, it can help you give your kitchen a cohesive feel. The underlighting of the island above mirrors the backlighting of the floating shelves and highlights the warm tones in the various woods. Use your kitchen island to pull various elements of your kitchen together and add a design splash of its own.

Your island can be a gathering place for eye lines and loved ones. Image: David Papazian/Shutterstock

Draw the eye, draw the people

One of the main reasons people add an island is to create seating in the kitchen. That additional seating is clutch when entertaining guests, but it also comes in handy when you’re cooking as a family or just want to chat in a casual setting. Creating an eye-catching accent kitchen island ensures that this space gets used. When you choose to do something visually interesting with your island, like wrapping it in marble or painting it a saturated hue, you draw eyes to it. And when people notice your kitchen island, they’ll also notice the readily available seating. The right accent island can beckon, “Pull up a chair!”

Don’t be afraid to play with color. Image: Bulgac/Getty Images

Add an accent color

The kitchen can be a risky place to add bold colors. If you paint all of your cabinets in an intense shade or opt for a colorful countertop, you’re stuck with it. And, because your kitchen is a key factor in your home’s resale value, you could be hurting yourself down the road. But does that mean you have to exclusively choose boring neutrals? Absolutely not! Your kitchen island is an excellent, lower-stakes place to play with color.

Hanging accent lighting above your island further helps define it as a key part of the room’s design and helps anchor it, no matter how bold of a color you choose. Bright orange? Why not!

Don’t miss your opportunity to add visual interest with an architectural detail. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images

Add an architectural element

The components that make up a kitchen are usually pretty cut and dry. You’ve got the sink, cabinets, countertops and appliances. There’s not room for much else – or is there? When you add an accent island, you can have some fun with the space. It’s the perfect opportunity to add an architectural element that doesn’t take up any of the precious square footage in your kitchen. Maximize your functional cooking space while adding a wow factor by choosing an interesting kitchen island.

You can go big – like in the island pictured above – or scale back, depending on what you want to add to your kitchen. Even a little molding around your island can help it feel structured and lend your cooking space a little something extra.

More accent kitchen island ideas

This is just the start. Your accent kitchen island is a blank canvas waiting for your creativity. If you want an extra dose of inspiration, we’ve rounded up 60 ideas to get you started.

The post How To: Use an Accent Kitchen Island to Make Your Kitchen Pop appeared first on Freshome.com.

Are Farmhouse Sinks Still Trendy?

February 18, 2019 by admin

Farmhouse sinks have been all the rage for several years now. The old-world charm of farmhouse sinks, also known as apron sinks, is due to the character and functionality that they provide. Farmhouse sinks also work well in a variety of kitchen styles, ranging from rustic to modern. But are they still trendy? We asked several experts, including designers, realtors and manufacturers, to weigh in.

Survey results

Elkay Crosstown Stainless Steel Single Bowl Farmhouse Sink

Elle H-Millard, certified kitchen designer and industry relations manager at the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), offers some findings on the subject. 92% of respondents in the 2018 Design Trends Study chose under-mount as the trendiest kitchen sink style. “However, farmhouse and single-bowl styles tied for second place, with 81% of respondents selecting these styles,” she explains, proving it’s still a trendy kitchen design accessory.

Affordability

Kohler Hawthorne Undermount Farmhouse Apron Front Cast Iron Double Sink

The popularity and appeal of farmhouse sinks are obvious to Jonathan Faccone, a real estate developer and investor at Halo Homebuyers L.L.C. Besides the variety of materials to choose from, he says they’re becoming reasonably affordable. “And due to their increasing affordability, it’s much easier for developers like me to add this style of sink to our projects to create the design pop that will help sell the home faster.” In fact, Faccone says the farmhouse sink will continue to be a favorite choice. He says this is especially true among millennials, who are often first time home buyers.

Materials and finishes

Farmhouse sinks come in a variety of materials. According to Monica Weddle, realtor/broker at ERA Dream Living Realty in Raleigh, NC, this adds to their popularity. That’s because they work well with other décor styles. “Like subway tile and schoolhouse lights, farmhouse sinks are classics that just happened to make their way back into mainstream use,” Weddle says. “Some farmhouse trends – like mason jar lighting and shiplap – have seen their popularity wane, but I believe the sinks are going to hang around for quite a while.”

Franke Fireclay Farmhouse Sink.

Heather Jach of the Swiss-based Franke Kitchen Systems, which manufactures luxury sinks and faucets, agrees. “Our market research,” she says, “shows that the sink selection process begins with aesthetics: consumers want to anchor their kitchen with a sink that aligns with their design vision.” Jach says they have seen an upswing in color sinks. “White and black are the most popular choices, and farmhouse sinks in all materials are rising in popularity – with a particularly strong spike in fireclay.”

Elkay Stainless Steel Farmhouse Sink with Interchangeable Apron.

A variety of styles

Dan Worst, product manager of stainless steel sinks at Elkay, also believes that farmhouse sinks are still a demanding trend in the industry. “Elkay recently launched a groundbreaking Crosstown Stainless-Steel Farmhouse Sink with Interchangeable Apron, which is a true industry first,” he says. In just minutes, homeowners can now change the color and material of the sink face. “This sink allows consumers to change the appearance of the kitchen without the time investment, expense or stress involved with a full renovation.” If you’re a home décor enthusiast, being able to change the apron whenever you want definitely contributes to the farmhouse sink’s popularity.

Kohler Cast Iron Farmstead Sink.

Another popular style is Kohler’s Enameled Cast Iron Farmstead Sink. “The farmhouse sink has been a staple in kitchen design for decades, and we wanted to create a version of this classic sink with a modern twist for both traditional and contemporary homes,” Betsy Froelich of Kohler tells Freshome.

At 45 inches wide, Froelich says the sink is generously proportioned to accommodate large pots and pans. “There are three different installation options — wall-mount with either traditional or contemporary legs, or top-mount with custom cabinetry — and there are seven different sink accessories.”

Form and function

Elkay Stainless Steel Farmhouse Quartz Luxe Sink.

Although style is important to consumers, it’s not the only factor they consider. “Once they’ve identified their preferred style, consumers turn to function to identify the product that best fits their needs — and the kitchen sink is no longer just for washing dishes,” Jach says.

And that’s why kitchen designer Susan Serra believes that farmhouse sinks are evolving. She sees them adding more functionality to remain relevant. “First popular about 10-15 years ago, today’s farmhouse sinks are also changing shape in an effort to keep relevant — their style is crisper and more geometric,” Serra says. “Built-in drainboards and chopping blocks add superb function.”

Farmhouse sink with marble countertops. Image: Alabn/Getty Images

Another designer, Sara Cannon at House Heroes, doesn’t see the farmhouse sink trend going away anytime soon — maybe not ever. “Some ideas are just too good to retire, and I think the farmhouse sink owes its longevity to the function itself,” she says. “Because farmhouse sinks are set into the counter, it makes for easy and seamless cleanup.”

However, she says they can be expensive to install if you already have cabinetry. “They are usually heavy and deep, and always protrude from the cabinetry, so they require a cutout.” As a result, Cannon says she doesn’t get to use them as much as she’d like to in rehabs since the goal is usually to preserve the existing kitchen cabinets. “But, if we do a total rehab or if I am lucky enough to start with a completely bare kitchen and the budget allows it, I almost always try to work in a farmhouse sink.”

A word of caution

Elkay Crosstown Stainless Steel Double Bowl Farmhouse Sink -Aqua Divide

However, not everyone is head-over-heels for farmhouse sinks. “Farmhouse sinks are popular – especially if they are part of a holistic design scheme, but it would not be to the seller’s advantage to install a farmhouse sink — or any trendy sink for that matter — in a classic Craftsman or Victorian home, looking like a random afterthought,” according to John Manning, Manager Broker RE/MAX On Market in Seattle. “We counsel our clients that a tasteful, integrated design is a smarter approach to installing a standalone ‘trendy’ feature.”

What are your thoughts on farmhouse sinks? Let us know in the comments!

The post Are Farmhouse Sinks Still Trendy? appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Make Black Walls Work in Your Home

February 18, 2019 by admin

Are you looking for the next big statement trend for your home? Then you might want to take a look at black walls. At first glance, it might seem like black walls would be too depressing, would close in a space or outright clash with other elements in the room. On top of that, they have a reputation of being the chosen wall color of rebellious teenagers.

However, if you know how to work with black walls, they can be a classy, stately addition to almost any room design. Read on to learn how to work with this bold and creative trend. And even if you’re not ready to take the plunge with a style statement, it can be inspiring to see how certain home designers have made a bold style like black walls work.

Bold colors can break up the black a bit. Image: ImageFlow/Shutterstock

Use colorful elements in the room

When the rest of the room’s design isn’t properly taken into account, black walls could close in the space and give a bleak, dreary vibe. However, the photo above shows how black walls can easily be offset by more colorful pieces in the room, like the bedding.

You can work color into the space in a variety of ways. You can use bright, neon painted furniture to breathe some bold statement color back into the room. That creates a funky and artsy style. Or you can use lighter, white pieces, like an oversized calendar on the wall or art pieces. The photo above also shows how pairing a black wall with a large window can balance out light and shadow in the space.

Paint only one wall, or even part of a wall, for a more subtle take on the trend. Image: PlusONE/Shutterstock

Go for accent walls

If you want to try black walls, you don’t have to make the plunge into painting all four walls in a room black. The photo above shows how a simple accent wall can get you the sleek, stately look of the black wall trend without overpowering the space. As the photo shows, the accent wall goes well with other black accents in the space, like the rug and door frame.

Meanwhile, the rest of the space can be made up of light neutral shades so that the room isn’t too dark. Neutrals like the gray sofa and white floor do a good job of offsetting the black elements.

White can help balance out the black on the wall. Image: Pablo Scapinachis / Shutterstock

Use a black and white color scheme

So that the black isn’t too overpowering, another idea is to work with a black and white color scheme. You can see the principle in action in the photo above. The tall and wide white elements in front of the wall do a good job of breaking up the black. All of these elements lead to a well-balanced geometry in the space.

By using this idea, you could even have a black wall and black floor, as long as it is balanced out by white molding and white furniture. And you could go modern, like in the photo. Or you could add classical elements like a black and white drawing for a refined and stately style.

Painted designs are a good way to add texture and style next to a black wall. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Pair black walls with a bold adjacent wall

Still another idea is to pair the black wall with some bold wallpaper or paint on an adjacent wall. This style works well when you pair a black wall with a silver abstract wallpaper, which you can see in the photo above. The abstract paintbrush design keeps the space looking fun and modern.

Another idea is to pair a black wall with an adjacent geometric black and white wallpaper design. This will both match the black wall and balance the space out with some added light shading. And by choosing a classic geometric design, you can keep the area looking stately and refined, which is the feel any black wall can give to a space. Added black and white photography can also match the color scheme in the space.

Break up a black wall by going for a tile design with light grout. Image: HamsterMan/Shutterstock

Think texture

If you want black walls, don’t think you’re limited to simply painting the walls. The photo above shows that you can also get black walls by going for a dark tile design. And by using a subtle white grout between the tiles, you break up the all-black look with some lighter texture to the style. The white grout also goes well with a light sink and tub, like in the photo. The light coloring helps the grout and the rest of the space work as one visual unit.

The photo above shows how well this style works in a bathroom, too. But you could also use the tile design in a kitchen, especially as a backsplash.

What do you think about the black wall trend? Let us know in the comments.

The post How to Make Black Walls Work in Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.