Laundry Room Additions can increase your home value

Laundry Room Remodeling & Addition The ease and comfort of an in-house laundry room addition is becoming popular for the reason of having a convenient place to do laundry. Hauling laundry up and down stairs or across your house gets old after a while. If you need a laundry room closer to your bedrooms or you simply want a large space to fold and fluff – consider a family laundry room addition.

Photo credit: Wood Grain Cottage

Budget

Family laundry room additions range from a few thousand up to $6,000 or $7,000, depending on the size and complexity of what you’re looking for. Because this is a small addition compared to bedrooms and bathrooms, you can certainly find a cost-effective solution to meet your needs. Gather all of your ideas and inspiration before talking to a Remodeling company.

Some things to consider are:

-       Do you need new appliances? Are your washer and dryer outdated?

-       Space and storage? Do you want a large area for dirty laundry to be stored and clean laundry to be folded? Shelves and cabinets are a must in a great laundry room addition.

-       Electrical and gas outlets and installation? Plumbing re-routing?

-       Will this laundry room addition be too loud next to bedrooms?

-       Choose durable flooring, this will be a high traffic area you will want a material up for the job.

Pros

A laundry room addition is incredibly convenient for all members of a household. This can provide extra organization and stress free laundry.

The laundry room can serve double-duty as a mudroom if located on the main level – less shoes and jackets lying around your home!

This addition can be custom-designed to fit your needs, from multifunctional storage to fold-out shelving and ironing boards, you name it you can do it with this space.

Cons

Depending on where the laundry room is being added and what work needs to be done to the space; this can be a costly project. Plan this addition to fit in your budget.

Plan for proper venting when doing this laundry room addition.  You don’t want to add heat to your surrounding rooms when you are using your new laundry room.

Laundry room additions must be built with both plumbing and electrical in mind. This can get costly if you are planning a laundry room addition far from any existing plumbing lines. Consider designing a laundry room near a bathroom, there will be easy access to plumbing and electrical.

Contact Spazio LA today to help with your next project or remodel. 1-877-624-7772

DIY Fireplace 2016 Update

Brick Fireplace DIY Updates

            Don’t let that old brick fireplace be an eye sore anymore! Update your fireplace today with ideas that require little money and even less stress. 3 easy DIY updates to turn that old fireplace into a new accent to your space!

1. Built-ins: A great way to update an old brick fireplace is to utilize the space around it and create built-ins. Built-ins around a fireplace add storage and give a big design idea to look at. Once you have your shelves built-in adding a fresh coat of paint to your shelves and fireplace will give it a seamless look. For faux built-ins you can measure the space on either side of your fireplace and find book cases to fit those dimensions, and then add moulding around the top & bottom of the cases to have a custom built-in look.

Though making your own Custom built-ins are easier to achieve than you may think. With some general patience and building skills you can create your very own updated fireplace. I love this blog that includes easy steps and even a list of materials to make this build even easier: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2015/05/diy-fireplace-built-in-tutorial.html

2. Paint: If you can’t see yourself building built-ins around your fireplace and want something less time consuming to update your old brick fireplace with, let’s start with a fresh coat of paint. Painting your fireplace can take less than a few hours and cost under $50.

For this update you will need:

-          Wire brush

-          Drip cloth

-          Painters tape

-          50/50 water and vinegar mixture in spray bottle

-          Paint brush and paint color of your choice.

Before you start this project lay your drip cloth below the fireplace to protect the floor! To prepare the surface you will use the wire brush to scrub off any debris and the vinegar mixture will be your cleaning agent. After you have scrubbed the brick and cleaned it, allow ample drying time so the pain will adhere to the brick. Now you can tape off the areas you don’t want to paint. Brick is a very pourus surface, you will need more than once coat of paint to ensure there are not pin holes all over the brick. Now that you have painted your fireplace you can enjoy the fresh look it gave your room!

3. Moulding: An easy way to update an old fireplace that doesn’t need much work is to add moulding around the fireplace. Adding moulding can be done fast and easy.

Heat up the atmosphere fast

Benefits and Beauty: Wall mounted fireplaces

Get all the benefits of a traditional fireplace without having to give up a whole wall or a whole renovation budget. The newest way to get warmth and add a bold statement: wall mounted fireplaces. There is nothing wrong with traditional fireplaces – the smell of fresh burning wood is amazing. But some people don’t have the space or the budget in their home remodel to add a fireplace and chimney. Installing a wood burning fireplace and brick lined chimney and mantel can cost well over tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention a gas fireplace will cost you even more.

Now the solution for homeowners is the wall mounted fireplace. Wall mounted fireplaces can cost as low as $500. They do not require a whole wall or a whole lot of construction work like traditional fireplaces. This leaves so much more room for decorating and adding to your home’s style. You can now give your living room that cozy feeling you have always wanted or turn your bathroom into your own romantic getaway within your means.

Don’t break the bank for a fireplace or give up your dream to have them in your home.

These innovative fireplaces take up little to no space and look sophisticated. They carry so many designs you are bound to love two or three, maybe more. You can opt for a black fronted long and narrow fireplace that can be recessed to fit seamlessly into your wall giving your space a professional look.  Or you may decide you want a wall mounted fireplace that protrudes from the wall with thick frosted glass and is more contemporary. No matter what you decide you will enjoy them and not regret this renovation buy.

Turn any room sleek with a wall mounted fireplace!

Wall mounted fireplaces are ventless and can be easily installed in living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, offices, bedrooms – almost anywhere. Reducing energy they come in electric, gel and bio- ethanol fuel powered. They call for only a small hole into the wall behind the fireplace, and are easily mounted in a few hours. You may either DIY for the installation or call on a professional, either way getting your fireplace has never been easier.

No more cutting wood, ash marks on your carpet or the worry of dangerous fumes.

Low maintenance is the correct word for these stylish fireplaces. You won’t have to shovel out coals and clean soot off of walls after every use. With any fireplace there is the concern for children safety, after all it is not called a fire place for no reason. Less safety concerns than traditional fireplace, wall mounted fireplaces can be installed out of children’s reach. You will always have to monitor when using any form of fireplace or equipment that puts off fire, and having a window cracked is recommended. But with wall mounted fireplaces you no longer have fire at the reach of little hands.

With all the benefits and beauty of wall mounted fireplaces I see why they are popping up everywhere.

Call Spazio LA today for your remodel needs; let the best take care of your home. We are always glad to help answer any questions and we offer free in home estimates.

Remodel with material you can be proud of

Counter tops good for the environment When looking for quality countertops for your home remodel why not choose a material equally beautiful as it is good for the environment? Eco conscious home owners are turning to recycled material for their home projects these days. Some of the most unique and cutting edge countertops are made from recycled material. Ecofriendly design doesn’t have to be boring. Don’t think for one second that you are losing out on style and statement by going green! You can easily find amazing countertops that match your design idea as you can countertops that are not so great. You may want to check out materials before you select your cabinets. And hey, you never know, you may find something better than you expected.

Go bold: go ecofriendly!

You can easily find materials for countertops that are almost 100% recycled or manufactured using less energy, such as wood countertops.

I know, I know, I am talking about being environmentally friendly and then I mention cutting down trees for your countertops. But there is such a thing as wood countertops made from “sustainably harvested” wood material. This means that manufacturers are aware of when to use a tree and the impact it will have on the whole forest,  versus cutting down a huge field and having devastating effects on the wild life and earth. This also ensures that they used hand saws to remove the trees with no gas powered polluting machines. This helps save wood as one of our natural resources. Look for the SFI or FCS seal of approval before you buy. Wood countertops also cut down on the amount of chemicals being washed down storm drains into the ocean. They only need to be cleaned with soap and water due to the inherent natural properties that protect them against bacteria growth. Plus you will always have a built in cutting board with this solid countertops.

One sleek countertop that should never be used to cut on is stainless steel. Stainless steel countertops are becoming ever more popular for their shiny look and because they are comprised of a large amount of recycled material. Stainless steel is not only durable and non-pourus it is also fully recyclable at the end of its usable life. When you use a recycled material to create a new product it takes less energy as you would use when dealing with raw materials. Saving energy means lowering pollution rates as well.

Other options for ecofriendly materials for countertops are Terrazo and Recycled Glass. Terrazo was originally only seen in Italy, but is making its way into American kitchens with great force. Terrazo is made from recycled materials such as: marble chips, crushed stone, glass, metal and even seashells. It can be made custom and in any color you could imagine. Some even use it as flooring, but that’s another subject. Recycled glass countertops are a great way to green your kitchen also. Not the color green of course, unless that’s what you want! 100% recycled material and one of the best options if you are worried about the environment.

Kitchen remodel tips that will make a chef drool

Kitchen remodel tips that will make a chef drool

You can’t take home the chef but we can sure give you the kitchen. We took a look into the homes of celebrity chef’s kitchens and it just so happens that we know all the tricks to turn your kitchen into a chef’s dream. Spazio LA will give you 3 tips to get that amazing kitchen remodel that is one of a kind and professional chef certified.

1. Don’t lack in creativity or color. Like Ina Garten’s kitchen white cupboards on black countertops, let your imagination take you where you want to go. Don’t be afraid to be bold, or go sleek and modern. No two chefs kitchens are the same, so make yours stand out! Tell your designer your ideas, from small to big ideas. We will work with you and create magnificent designs. Color and lighting Is important in any room, but the kitchen you want to set the right tone. Ina Garten gave us the idea of table lamps in the kitchen instead of above head lights for a warmer ambience. What’s your next big idea?  We can build anything that you can think of, pull out shelves for pots and pans, vertical cupboard dividers for baking dishes, fridge mounted t.v’s,  what every it is Spazio LA is your go to remodel & redesign company.

2. Every chef must have amazing appliances to cook on. Invest in professional grade appliances such as Viking Range. Viking Range is one of the top ranges amongst chefs to cook on at home. They offer 10 burner stoves and 2 ovens. That’s a whole lot of cooking capacity! You can bake your main course and dessert at the same time without crossing flavors, while you still have 10 burners to use. Another hot item in a chef’s kitchen is the Salamander. I’m sure you have heard about this appliance on the Cooking Channel. The Salamander is designed to cook, grill, reheat and keep food hot while you continue to cook. It’s great when you are cooking for large numbers of guests. You pour your heart into your cooking, never serve cold food again.

3. Have professional waterworks and faucets that WOW. Restaurant styled pullout faucets are becoming the next big thing, for one reason: there is no pot that is too large to be washed. They offer sleek design and are versatile. Wash large objects and fill up huge pasta pots with ease. If you are big on pasta, the water spigot above the stove is a must on your kitchen remodel list. No more lifting a heavy pot to the stove again, fill that bad boy up right on the burner! One design we liked was that of Chef Guy Fiere’s kitchen. Guy has faucets controlled by foot pedals to keep things sterile and germ free. What a great idea! If you are an avid meatball aficionado then you know what it is like to need an easy place to wash your hands.

No matter if you take anything from today’s chef inspired kitchen tips, remember this: If you can dream it, we can build it.

Should you resurface your cabinets or replace?

Should you resurface your cabinets or replace?

Thinking of tackling a kitchen remodel? Stop before you gut those ghastly kitchen cabinets! New techniques and products can save you money by resurfacing cabinets instead of replacing them when possible. Yes, that means you can possibly turn those old cabinets into clean cut cabinets to fit your new kitchen, without getting custom ones made.

What is resurfacing? Resurfacing or refacing is when you keep the existing structure of the cabinets but spruce up hardware, drawer fronts, cabinet doors, and exterior surfaces. With resurfacing you can change the color and look of your cabinets. Changing hardware is also a simple way to revamp the style of your kitchen. Some cabinets that were constructed years ago are solid wood and built to last; they may need just a “face lift.”

Resurfacing cabinets can cut the cost of replacing cabinets by nearly half the amount. That’s 50% more money in your wallet. That’s a big savings, but in some instances resurfacing just isn’t the answer. Replacing cabinets may not save instant money like resurfacing, but can increase the value of your kitchen remodel instead.

When to replace? In some cases like water damage, limited number of cabinets, and a new kitchen layout replacing cabinets are the only or best option. If you are looking to get a whole new kitchen layout and completely move around cabinets, getting new custom cabinets that compliment your kitchen remodel is recommended. Custom cabinets can be made in almost every shape and form, and have so many cool details like slide out shelves and nooks. Pull out espresso bar? It can be done.  So think of the quality of the cabinets you currently have. If the cabinets are not sturdy or good material, investing in new cabinets is smart. Why reface a cabinet that is going to fall apart in a year? Make an investment in something that is going to give back to you.

How to resurface or replace cabinets? Though you may be an avid Do-it-yourselfer, hiring a professional company like Spazio LA to handle your kitchen remodel needs may be best for your sanity. Resurfacing cabinets alone can take over 5 days for someone inexperienced, and cause a major headache. Some projects are too big to bite off and go a lot quicker with help from contractors whom do this every day.

While you work or continue on with your day to day life let Spazio LA remodel your kitchen as you relax with little stress. 

Size doesn't matter if you are a remodel

Small bathroom remodel, big ideas.

You may not have a 1000sq foot bathroom, but there are things you can do when designing your remodel to maximize space and make your room feel larger than average.

Here size doesn’t matter! And you can have it all in any size bathroom remodel.

When redesigning a small bathroom you want to use your space wisely and make the room more open. By opting for a corner shower tub combo, you can have the luxury of a bath tub while not losing space in the room. If you have that awkward corner in your bathroom, utilize this space for your new shower stall. The great thing about current bathtub designs is the fact that they are becoming more innovative and makers are thinking of bathrooms of all sizes. If you don’t love a corner shower and you want to have a modern look and feel to your small bathroom look into free standing bathtubs, such as Freestanding Slipper Tub. These deep soaking tubs add style and don’t take much space.

Another way to make your room feel larger is to cut clutter and utilize storage space. Less clutter will open up any room and give it a fresh and clean design. A piece of framed art work can be hinged and hung to hide a sunken storage compartment in the wall, if you can’t cut back on clutter.  Floating shelves can be built in places where space isn’t used for instance above a bathtub or above a window, or you can turn a wine rack into a towel holder hung on the wall. Having a floating sink installed in place of an old vanity could be a good choice for a small guest bathroom remodel. These modern sinks take less space and remain clutter free! Think “Less Is Better” in spaces that are tight or cramped.

Light and color play a large role in making a room appear larger than it is. If you can add a window or make a window larger, do it. If you can’t take down walls to increase space – add windows or skylights.  Bringing in light and the outdoors will add the idea of space. You can have a bay window act as a shelf to display bathroom essentials, adding style and function to the window. Dark colors will make a room seem smaller, so chose light and bright colors for small bathroom remodels. Don’t let this scare you away from using patterns and texture when remodeling. Adding an accent wall, wood paneled wall, or textured wall paper can draw the attention off the size of the bathroom and onto the great style. If you have a freestanding tub – chandeliers make a statement and add bright light to the room. The use of floor to ceiling tile will also make a room larger, stay away from horizontal designs which make your ceiling feel low overhead.

For more bathroom remodel ideas check out our HOUZZ account and get your creative juices going: http://www.houzz.com/projects/1228298/guest-bathroom-los-angeles

Make this day the happiest day for your child

Plan a great kid’s bedroom overhaul Planning a room overhaul for your kids is one task that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Color, design, uses and so much more thought go into this room. Master bedroom design can be easy, as an adult’s likes don’t change as often as children and most of us are done growing. Therefore a child’s room needs more planning before any final decisions are made.

Before you begin you should make a list off all the possible design elements that should be incorporated.

1. Is this room going to be shared? What are the ages of the children?

2. Will this room be used as a guest room later on? Do you plan to transition a younger child to this room in the years to come?

3. Color pallets? Can you change the style easy with the color you are going for?

4. Size of bed/beds? Do you plan on building custom bunkbeds?

5. Additional design: desk, book shelves, video game area, etc?

6. Child’s likes and dislikes? Special requests or Ideas for design and décor?

Once you have this list figured out you can start thinking about your design and décor plan for this bedroom overhaul.

Study Areas:

Study areas are most successful if they focus the mind by filtering out distractions.  A desk is great up against a wall (or room divider) so that there's somewhere for shelves and maybe a white board.  You can DIY a room divider with bookshelves for a fast way to create a transition from one space into another. If you can create a study alcove so that the desk has a kind of sheltered feeling with its own light source that would be a great place to study.

When you're playing with bedroom layouts don't forget to include a chair with the desk - make sure there's space for it and that it doesn't get in the way of any door swings.

Rearrange the rooms:

Kids' bedroom design space requirements can often rival those of an adult couple, particularly if the kids are sharing.  You can’t create one room for multiple children when you have only so little square feet to work with.

Sometimes it’s worth considering giving your kids the master bedroom. If there’s another bedroom that can accommodate a double bed and there’s a bathroom nearby why not use that? Especially if you could add an extra door to make those rooms more private.  Maybe there’s another small bedroom that you could use for a dressing room.  Combining other small bedrooms and the family bathroom might turn out to be a great master suite!

Playing areas:

Now depending on the age of the child playing can mean very different things.  It might mean Hot wheels or dolls houses.  Getting older it might mean Lego or Miss World. Then at the tween and tween stage there might be hobbies to accommodate.  Whatever the age there's often other children involved be it play dates or more like a social club!

We will leave you with a few extra tips:

1. Plan for a few years ahead.

2. Plan for each of the kids bedroom activities.

3. Use these kids’ bedroom design ideas to create as much space as possible.

Dreaming of a luxury home?

It takes more these days than just a large home, to define the true meaning of luxury.  And Luxury homes are popping up all over the Los Angeles remodel scene. The word luxury brings to mind plenty of conveniences such as, pools, bathrooms with built in towel warmers, in-home gyms that include the newest equipment, backyard tennis courts, game rooms, and fully-stocked kitchens with warming drawers and wine cellars? But what are the items that luxury home buyers want the most?  What is a luxury homebuyer looking for when shopping for their new abode? How can you make your home as luxurious as possible during your next remodel?

Here are the top luxuries people are looking for to ensure you aren’t adding amenities that no one is looking at.

A home theater is great, but luxury home buyers are looking for more than just a room with a large screen and comfy seats. You will need to step it up a notch and get yourself an IMAX home theater if you want to wow the crowd, the luxury crowd that is. Watching Hollywood block busters from the comfort of your home is now possible, with a hefty price tag that is. IMAX will bring the best theater to your door for $3 million dollars and change. If this isn’t something you think you have prepared in your remodel budget, that’s ok, wait a few years and the price may decrease. Until then we can continue to shell out big bucks for the movie theater or wait until it shows up at your local Redbox.

Speaking about technology, the luxury amenity next on our list is a home that is fully managed, monitored and controlled by a smart phone or tablet. Hence the name: “smart home.” Control the temperature, light setting, security system, door and window locks, sound system, t.v’s, and more, with the touch of one button from where ever you are. The digital world is taking over and people want technology improved homes. Think about technology and innovations before you start your next luxury project. Luxury is all about making life easier, better and being able to do things faster. Such luxury means you do not have to open or close your curtains. That’s right; homes are becoming equipped with motorized blackout curtains or shades. Why? Because this is what home owners think will make their life easier. I guess it seems nice to have your curtains set to close or open at a certain time, or pressing a button to close the shades when the afternoon glare is obscuring your t.v show rather than getting up to do it yourself. Have your smart phone control your curtains too while you are at it.

To make your home feel more luxurious, Shelley Little of Freshhome.com says ,”Skim through design magazines and look at all the wonderful nooks and crannies that they portray. You will notice that when a room is well-designed, everything has a home and a purpose. There is no clutter in a hotel or well-organized room.” Lastly she notes, “The entryway is the first and last thing that (people) see. Make it one that leaves a lavish impact. “

So you have guessed it, luxury comes with a cost. Keep in mind that these are the top luxury amenities, but there are thousands that are affordable and worth the renovation.

Spice up the bedroom….decor that is!

Spice up the bedroom….decor that is!

Get the best basic tips to add the heat back into your master bedroom. We compiled tips from the best in the industry to help you achieve a more relaxed and romantic master bedroom.

1. Get rid of all the junk that accumulates in your bedroom. Don't use it as a dumping ground for kids' art projects, laundry, newspapers, and magazines. No one feels sexy going to bed in a warehouse. First, get everything up off the floor. Store the things that warrant it and trash the things that don't. Clear off the surfaces of chests and tables, and only replace what is meaningful or pretty. You don't want to see anything that reminds you of chores or obligations. Everything your eye lands on should make you feel relaxed and confident. – myhomeideas.com

Overhead lighting is notoriously unflattering, especially in the bedroom. There's nothing sexy about a well-lit room. You want shadows, highlights, and the soft glow of filtered light. Place lamps with ivory shades on each side of your bed, and make sure the bulbs are no more than 60 watts. For even more impact, replace the white bulbs with pink-tinted bulbs. Everybody looks good in this light -- the only thing more flattering is candlelight, and pink light bulbs don't pose a fire hazard. Use candles to create a warm and romantic ambiance in the room. Group them and use them as accent lighting. Turn off the ceiling lights and the lamps and only enjoy the subtle and warm light produced by the candles for that extra romance factor. – myhomeideas.com

The color scheme you choose for your bedroom is as important as the decorations. The reason is that colors have a way of connecting with emotions. Sharon Hanby-Robie and Deb Strubel, authors of Beautiful Places, Spiritual Spaces write, "Decorate your home with the colors you and your family love. It doesn't matter what the latest trends are or what the fashion gurus think. What does matter is that you love your home and that your choices make sense for you and your family." If you don't know what colors and styles you like, start looking through home magazines and catalogs. Tear out the pages that have colors and designs you are drawn to. Soon, you will begin to see a pattern develop, and you can use these ideas to decorate your own bedroom. – Sabrina McDonald of FamilyLife.com

Love and romance is all about playing with the senses. It is time to look beyond decorating as a way to create visually pleasing images. When you are adding candles to the room, make sure you get the right scented candles. Fragrance is another great way to make the occasion far more enjoyable. Unlike popular perception though, overwhelming floral fragrances are not always best. Instead we suggest using a scent or perfume that brings back fond memories of those early dates you went on or the first time you met. – Sherry Nothingham of decoist.com

Master bathroom trends 2016

Master bathrooms, are currently getting major design attention.  Not only are homeowners remodeling their bathrooms to increase property value, but also this year they are focusing on comfort and style. Comfortable designs such as heated flooring and spa like features are things that are trending right now in bathroom remodels. To get that wow factor in our designs, we focus the attention on a main focal point in the bathroom. Some examples for creating a focal point is through the emphasis of a bay window, free standing tub, or playing up the drama with a grand light fixture. When someone walks into your newly remodeled bathroom you want them to be amazed, but also have one feature that really stands out. No matter if you are looking for a modern or traditional bathroom, Spazio LA can design and build all styles and will take your dream home to the next level.

Check our design projects at www.spaziodesignsla.com

Small kitchens can't be the Jack of all trades

The truth about a small kitchen is that it will not be the jack of all trades. You will have to give up the idea of doing homework here, paying bills here, and recipe searching in your small kitchen. The design goal for your small kitchen must be to achieve an effective small kitchen, not multipurpose space. There is nothing wrong with a kitchen that is just that, a kitchen. The design factor is a lot tougher already when you have to fit a functioning kitchen into a small space, but small changes can make it even better than a large kitchen.  When designing a small kitchen think of: size, color, light and function.

So focus first on function, making sure you have the appliances and work areas you need. You may be able to save a bit of space by using scaled-down or innovative appliances, including refrigerator and freezer drawers and pint-sized microwaves, stoves (some with just two burners) and single sinks. The function is there, without all the square footage! If workspace is at a premium, consider a small-scale island or a counter-topped cart that can be rolled away into a closet when not in use. Now just because you need to really hone in on function of your small kitchen does not mean you have to lose any space to style. The color of walls, appliances, and counter tops, bar stools, and backsplash can change the mood of your pint sized kitchen. Going with more pale colors can help with light, but don’t be afraid to go bold and add color and mix your patterns. Using the same color and style of fixtures and cabinet knobs can unify a design when you are using different textures and patterns in your small kitchen.

Tiny kitchens can feel claustrophobic if there are upper cabinets towering over you in such a small space. Most of the time cooks can’t even reach those upper cabinets anyways, and in a small kitchen there isn’t much room for a stool or ladder. Skip the excessive cabinets and opt for a more spacious approach with open shelves. You can also use magnetic knife strips, pot racks and give your kitchen a designer way to show off your favorite dish sets and even artwork. And like any other room, your small kitchen needs great lighting that you can use for cooking and for atmosphere. Fluorescent lighting, which casts a bluish light impacting the colorization of objects in the room, including the food, is frequently found in kitchens. To counteract it, consider hanging pendant lights that bathe your eating area in a more appetizing color. Tip: Try using glass doors from the kitchen into the next room or to the outside, this will increase light in the kitchen and also give the illusion of more space.

Don’t let small spaces give you design block. No matter a small galley kitchen or small apartment kitchen – you can make your design amazing if you trim the fat and keep your design neat.

Jetson Kitchens of the Future and Today

Jetson Kitchens of the Future and Today When someone mentions the kitchen of the future, what do you think of? Talking appliances that respond to voice commands? Islands that, with a push of a button, transform into a dining room table with a fully cooked meal on it? Robotic chefs that yell catch phrases and clean your kitchen at the end of every meal? Unfortunately — or perhaps fortunately — those sort of Jetson-like capabilities aren't available (yet). But technology does have a large role in the kitchen of today. As our lifestyles have changed, and the function of the kitchen has changed, technology has advanced to meet our needs.

The kitchen is no longer a room strictly for preparing food. As homework, bill-paying, laundry, casual entertaining and other non-cooking activities have migrated to the kitchen, it has grown in size, and some modern floor plans make the kitchen the home's central location. Entertainment and information systems help motivate other family members to actually come into the kitchen, sit down, and eat a meal. Having a computer in the kitchen can help as well, especially if you need to look up recipes, pay some of the bills that have piled up on the counter or watch your e-mail for an important message.

Some models of fridges even come with a built in Tablet or touch screen to let you record or write messages for later, and even inventory the goods in the fridge to make like easy when it gets busy.

For those with busy schedules, appliance technology is helping to cook food faster, cook food remotely, and remind you when food needs to be replaced.  For Instance, LG’s new Smart Fridge can be controlled through an LCD touchscreen, by voice commands or even remotely from your smartphone. This new refrigerator can do everything from helping you with your diet to telling you when things are past their expiration date. This new smart refrigerator has an impressive air filtration system, which is used to keep food fresher for longer. It is able to monitor internal conditions and can adjust temperature and air flow to maintain even temperatures. This allows it to avoid cold and warm spots, which are frequently found in standard refrigerators. It also has three unique power saving functions, which can be adjusted by the user and modify power consumption on everything from the temperature maintenance to the brightness of the LCD screen.

And for those that have hobbies that lead them into the kitchen, technology is allowing them to be even more passionate about what they love. Of course, one day when your robotic chef is cooking all your meals, you might completely forget what it was like to ever do any sort of work in the kitchen. But until then, here are some products that can make your kitchen more entertaining, informative and efficient like the TIMO.

The TIMO Connect LO intelligence oven might be the first oven that takes cell phone calls. It uses remote connectivity based on NASA space technology that allows you to operate it using the Internet or even your cell phone. Whichever browser you use, you can view the oven's controls and settings in real time. There is also built-in refrigeration to ensure your food stays fresh until you give the Connect Io cooking

Spanish Style Interior Decorating Tips from the Pros

Spanish style interior decorating tips from the Pros Spanish interior design is a vibrant, colorful Mediterranean style that brings to mind rustic villas, sunny patios and an old-fashioned, solid sense of family. Unlike other design styles, Spanish decor is fairly easy to achieve in your own home.

Spanish architectural elements include wooden support beams, carved corbels, wainscoting with Talavera tiles, terra cotta tile flooring. Fully carpeted spaces are uncommon in Spanish interiors. Generally, a uniform hard flooring surface is installed throughout the home and accented with small throw carpets and large area rugs. Traditional Spanish carpets have a knotted weave in staggered rows. A neutral beige or off-white creates a background for linear-patterned designs in soft greens and yellows. The most traditional flooring choice in a Spanish-style home is hardwood, though budget-conscious designers can choose alternative flooring options such as slate, a heavy, matte-finished ceramic or terracotta tile with dark grout.

Spanish-style homes often use leather and Mission-style dark, distressed wood furnishings. Some common dark wood choices include mahogany, walnut, ebony, butternut, teak and rosewood. Traditional furniture provides a complementary contrast to a Spanish-style home’s soft arches and whimsical architectural elements such as carved wood panels. Choose leather armchairs with straight backs, heavy wooden benches and wood chairs upholstered in woven cotton fabrics. Another element of traditional Spanish style homes are wrought iron work. Wrought iron can be found in almost every room, light fixtures, sconces and stair railings. If you are going for the authentic Mexican style entry hall, include a long wooden bench, bright color paint and accents and wrought iron detail. The Spanish style interior would not be complete without Talavera tiles, or painted tiles as most know them. Mexican Talavera Tile has its origins in 17th century Mexico with the arrival of Spaniards, who introduced new methods of tile and pottery making. The name Talavera was given to this new form of ceramics to honor the Spanish craftsmen, who were from the town of Talavera DeLa Reina Spain, and introduced the new industry to Mexico. Talavera De La Reina, Spain is a city which has a reputation for its exquisite ceramic pottery and tile. Talavera tiles can be found in Spanish Style homes’ bathrooms, kitchens and as accent around stucco fireplaces.

Make your home speak a foreign language with these interior design tips. For this and more interior design articles follow us on social media.

10 Elements of Spanish style homes

10 Elements of Spanish style homes Designing a Spanish style home takes great research and detail when it comes down to design elements. Here are 10 of the most common and needed design elements to take your home from basic to Spanish Hacienda style. 1. Curves and arches –You can look at every Spanish home and notice that stair ways are curves, doorways are arched and there are not many harsh edges. Curves and arches are one of the major design elements of a Spanish style home. 2. White stucco exterior & walls – Traditional Spanish haciendas don a rough textured white stucco exterior. If you see any other color besides white, the palette will be that of a neutral color. 3. Painted tiles – One design element that is not lacking color are the painted tiles that are used in Spanish style homes. Painted tiles line stairs, trim fireplaces and are used in many interior rooms. 4. Terracotta roof tiles - The red clay roof tops give the homes a warm, earthy, rustic look. Often the roof lines are multi-level to create interest and asymmetry. 5. Tower-like chimneys – Most Spanish haciendas include tall, tower-like chimneys that are decorated down to the smallest detail. These tower chimneys can be designed with window openings, molding and even their own matching tile roof. 6. Balconies – A very common feature of Spanish style design are balconies. They are placed in the design to allow you to breathe fresh air within steps from your room. 7. Wrought Iron- Iron work is very traditional and seen in these types of homes. You can notice stair rails, window grilles, details on doors, gates and light fixtures designed from wrought iron. 8. Courtyards & Patios – Spanish style homes are designed around the colors, textures and materials of the earth, so enjoying the earth while on your patio or in your courtyard only make sense. Large courtyards and spacious terracotta tiled patios should be included in your Spanish design. Outdoor fireplaces are a special detail not to leave out when designing your patio or courtyard, this is meant to help you linger outside when the sun has set. 9. Arcades – We are not talking about the video game arcade. An arcade is a row of arches supported by columns. These arcades are commonly seen on Spanish style home’s patio or walkaway, and can include wood beams. 10. Wooden doors – Heavy duty carved wooden doors lead the entry into your home. Wooden doors and gates can also include iron detail to really give it that extra oomph. For more on Spanish Style designs check out our new construction Spanish home.

Small bathroom storage challenge

Small bathroom storage challenge Every design element in a small bathroom should have a purpose and be functional in some way or another to create a space-saving sanctuary. Small bathrooms may seem like a difficult design task to take on; however, these spaces may introduce a clever design challenge to add to your plate. Creating a functional and storage-friendly bathroom may be just what your home needs.

This clever storage unit functions as a towel holder and shelf. This makes perfect use of that space above your towels that goes unused. If you want to DIY, simply install a shelf above your towel bar for a frugal small bathroom tip. This next small bathroom storage saving design uses the rod system to save space and add organization. These can be purchased in kits or you can DIY this great storage idea.

Floating shelves are a great DIY project to help give you more space in any size bathroom. These shelves can virtually go anywhere, but most popularly are installed above the toilet or above the door.

This towel holder and shelf system is a great idea when you have a large family and do not have the space for a million towel bars. If you hate this piece you can opt to just install these hooks anywhere you wish in your small bathroom.

Plant your tooth brush and bathroom goods in these uber cute clay pots above your sink. If you aren't into the garden look for your bathroom you can also try wooden organizers.

5 Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes

5 Common Bathroom Remodel Mistakes Building a better bathroom might look easy, but when you are revamping a small space – it only takes a few mistakes to end up with a disaster. Bathroom remodeling is a complex design process with lots of moving parts and ideas floating around.  Just like remodeling any part of your home, bathroom remodeling is no easy task. These 5 common bathroom remodel mistakes are easy to avoid, yet many make. Don’t fall victim to the bathroom remodel fails!

1. Skimped on Skilled Labor! – Books and TV shows make anything look DIY possible. Bathroom remodels are one of the worst first time DIY remodel project you will ever endure. Save yourself the trouble and financial loss, avoid a DIY Bathroom Remodel.  Start by researching local remodel pros and contractors in your area to find the best team for the job. It is easy to hire a company that offers a big time discount, but are they really the best? Remember that you get what you pay for, and good quality work can be expensive. Read the prospective remodel company reviews and ask what their warrantee policy is before signing on the line.

2. Skimped on storage! – This is the worst mistake to make. Why? Because there is never enough storage and if you fail to plan storage you will end up throwing bathroom goods into the hall closet. Use your bathroom space to its fullest potential. Consider niche shower storage spaces for soaps and shampoos. Build custom vertical storage shelving or cabinets to house your towels. Main point, don’t skimp or forget about bathroom storage.

3. Lacking light! – There is nothing worse than a dark and freakishly claustrophobic bathroom. Lacking light or even a view out of the bathroom could put you on the list of bathroom remodel fails.  If you have the opportunity to add a window in the bathroom but are afraid of privacy, opt of  a small horizontal window above the shower or even consider special tint that allows you to see out and not in. If you do not have the luxury of adding a window – play up the light with cool fixtures, light color paint and mirrors to reflect what light you have.

4. Bad location! – Location is more important than you think. I couldn’t imagine having to use bathroom that is attached to the kitchen, let alone when a meal is being cooked. Never locate the bathroom, if you can help it, off the kitchen, living room or any other highly public room. Keep the bathroom located in a place that won’t embarrass anyone for having to do the inevitable.

5. Porcelain throne misplacement! – Last on our 5 common bathroom remodel mistakes is the toilet location. Don’t make the toilet the first thing when you walk into the door! Eye sore! Toilet location and spacing is something important in your bathroom remodel design. Give plenty leg room between the toilet and any close by walls, keep the toilet paper holder within reach as well. If you are a believer in fengshui – the toilet must not face out of the door either.

Now that you know the 5 most common bathroom remodel mistakes – enjoy your remodel project.

Best Bathroom Remodel Ideas and Tips

Best Bathroom Remodel Ideas and Tips Of all the bathroom remodel ideas and tips the very first thing you need to think about is your budget. This will be the first tip and the most important. You can’t plan a bathroom remodel without first knowing your budget for the project and how much of that you will need to spend on each aspect of the remodel. The budget will tell you if you will be able to move plumbing, purchase new or refurbish your old items, as you can see the budget is very important. Set your budget ahead of time to avoid overspending and major disaster. Of course there will always be a chance of unexpected changes, but having this budget in play will be a great guide and tell you if you can get that fancy light fixture you have been idolizing.

BUDGET A few ways to save money from this set budget will be to keep the existing plumbing in the spot that they are in currently, this means no redesigning the layout of the shower or sink. You can also save money by refinishing your tub, sink and cabinet. This costs you about a tenth of the new purchase price. Talk about savings! In some cases you will need to replace your existing tub and cabinet, especially if they are damaged due to moisture and mold. Ventilation is a MUST in order to avoid mold and mildew. Don’t forget to add ample ventilation to your bathroom remodel.

DESIGN In the design stages remodel experts stress the importance of proper use of lighting. Dim lighting is great for relaxation and baths, though for shaving and makeup application bright lighting is much needed. The use of windows, lighting and mirrors to reflect the light can make a small bathroom seem larger. Tip: Stay away from dark colors when remodeling a small bathroom. Installing a pedestal sink or floating vanity can save flooring space and help when space is limited. No matter small or large – a bathroom should have an abundance of storage. When designing storage space opt for shower niches to harbor soaps, and consider vertical storage units outside of the shower. Utilize all of the space even those areas that are empty. If you are looking to include extra drawers in your vanity, try adding a vessel sink! Installing your flooring at a diagonal angle can give the illusion of more floor space as well. Use a textured tile or matte tile if you are worried about non slip, also try porcelain or glazed tile for easy care.

EXTRAS Water efficiency can get displaced off the list of remodel items, but should not be forgotten. Fixtures and toilets are no made to be the upmost water efficient. Look for a toilet with a MaP score of 500 or higher to ensure you are saving water with every flush. Not only is water important, energy is as well. Upgrade your bathroom remodel wiring and change out your old amp circuit for a 20 amp. Include plenty of outlets to accommodate your electrical items like razor, curling iron, and tooth brush and so on and so forth.

Wreckless kitchen renovation

Wreckless kitchen remodel plans Failing to plan is just the same as planning to fail. But did you know that you can also plan to fail by planning a kitchen remodel the Wrong way? Sounds crazy to you, but this is too true. There are certain mistakes that you can make in the planning phase of a kitchen remodel that can ruin your entire project. We have seen numerous DIY remodels and been to the rescue for all of them, with that much said we can tell you what mistakes to avoid making. Let us spare you the life lessons of a failed kitchen remodel and go down a list of key elements that will help you on the road to a great remodel.

There is always that excitement when you first start thinking about remodeling your kitchen. Too quick you jump to the material and the color and the small details, you forget the big picture. That big picture is how will this new kitchen fit into your home and compliment the rest of it. Always think about how this new addition or upgrade will look like it was meant to be there all along instead of making it a sight for sore eyes. There should be a smooth transition into the remaining living space and the color scheme should be similar to the rest of the area. Word of advice, don’t go for a red kitchen if your adjoining room is green.

Color isn’t the only detail to think of in the early stages of planning. Some homeowner’s tend to pick the appliances after the design of the kitchen layout, this should be done FIRST! Choosing appropriate appliances ahead of time will help with the design flow and dimensions needed. Also consider if the appliance is one that you really need and will utilize. For instance that professional 8 burner range looks great and you would love to have one, but you probably won’t ever cook that many things at once for house of 2. Opt for practical yet top of the line for the wow factor. Having your appliances picked out in the beginning and the design layout planned will eliminate work flow issues in the kitchen. Your most used appliances are the stove, sink and your fridge – plan for these to stay in range of each other and keep the kitchen as efficient as possible.

Storage or lack thereof can hinder efficiency on a large level. To avoid this kitchen remodel mistake – don’t skimp on storage! Plan for additional drawers and drawer organizers, special pull out shelving and as much custom storage as you can handle. You can never have too many places to store and organize kitchen goods. Try and design a kitchen with extra functions and ample counter space. Hidden appliances make counter space readily available and give your kitchen an elegant look. Attempting to save money by installing cheap flooring and cheap cabinets will do everything except make your kitchen remodel look lavish. This is a major kitchen remodel no-no! Spending a little extra on flooring and quality cabinetry can add more value to your home and last longer. You can image there is nothing worse than going into a million dollar home and seeing hundred dollar cabinets. Opt for custom cabinets and avoid the snafu.

As you have read, poor planning and failing to plan at all will result in a kitchen remodel fail. For more advice and remodeling inspiration follow our blog.

Custom kitchens solve organization issues

Custom kitchens solve organization issues Storage is one of the most miserable, confusing and frustrating things of all time. There is never enough storage and never enough space, no matter how big your room is. It seems as though the bigger the kitchen is, the more stuff we find to fill it up. Luckily with custom kitchen designs and built-ins there are ways to make life less cluttered and more comfortable. Personal features and custom kitchen designs make organization a no-brainer. Turn empty spaces into hardworking areas and give yourself more counter space in the process. For every problem there is a custom kitchen solution.

The standard walk in pantry is considered "old school" , now there is a better way to get your pantry organized with the use of custom shelving units and pull out drawers.

The newest trend in custom kitchen design is an office or study space. This makes work easy when you are babysitting your dinner!

We say live more comfortable and have it your way!

This one if one of my favs, hidden appliances are the best. Save counter space and get an ultra sleek kitchen look.

Dog lovers are in awe with a custom dog food station in built into your kitchen island. Don't take up floor space with food and water bowls, even add an extra storage space for the food as well. Voila! Fiddo is happy and so are we.