An Aquamarine Bathroom

In last week's post, we explored bathroom colors--specifically, the link between popular bathroom colors and mood. One way to choose a bathroom color is to find a suitable match for your temperament; or a color that inspires the type of energy you wish to experience. A yellow bathroom wall, for example, can be lively--a perfect pick-me-up for a groggy morning.

By far, the most popular bathroom color is blue: the color most often associated with water--unless you're Homer, of course, describing the "wine-dark sea."

The Wine-dark sea? [Photo Source]

Despite its ubiquity, however, the color blue can be personalized. And of course, the palette is not limited to the time-tested bathroom staple: powder blue. Blue can be soft or dark; blue can surprise; blue can be astonishingly bright. As David Foster Wallace writes in his famous essay, "Shipping Out":

"I have learned that there are actually intensities of blue beyond very bright blue."

With the wonderful variety of blue in mind, we thought we'd share one of our recent favorite bathroom remodeling projects: an aquamarine bathroom!

Hard-to-Source Materials

At MKBD, we work hard to find the perfect materials for each product. We source much of our tile from Italy or Spain, but we're happy to source tiles elsewhere--if we can satisfy a customer's unique demands. This hallway bathroom project started as an inspiration: our client spotted a lovely aquamarine bathroom on a European vacation.

The client had no leads on the manufacturer of the bathroom's tiles, but they snapped a few shots of the elusive bathroom materials--and these shots helped us source a similar material: two different porcelain tiles from the popular tile company, Porcelenosa.

Two different tile materials, in aquamarine, add texture and visual intrigue to this bathroom.

Porcelanosa is a Spanish tile company specializing in bathroom fixtures. For the average customer sourcing tile, the name Porcelenosa is just one of many. For a professional remodeling company in the know, however, Porcelenosa presented itself as an obvious option for this remodeling project.

This is one of merely many benefits of using a professional: we know the best places to source the best materials for your unique needs.

Drop-in-Tub

In this project we installed a "drop-in" tub, which is simply a tub that is fitted in a framed enclosure. For this project, the drop-in was a perfect match for the tile enclosure. We worked so hard to find a perfect match for the client's European memories--why not use as much tile as possible?

We built the drop-in tub with a back shelf--all aquamarine tile, of course, for easy storage.

Toto Toilet

Since last summer, MKBD has offered a FREE TOTO Washlet with a full bathroom remodeling project! The TOTO Washlet, as described on TOTO's website is a masterpiece:

"The pursuit of cleanliness can be better in every way, from a clean perspective to a green perspective. The Washlet uses water to cleanse and refresh and can significantly reduce the consumption of toilet paper. It makes perfect sense. We bath and shower with water. We wash our faces and hands with water. Nothing cleanses like nature’s most soothing and essential element, which is why Washlets purify and clean in ways that you cannot experience with traditional bathroom rituals."

For more, read here.

We love Toto not simply for their bidets--we truly love the toilets themselves, some of the best in the industry!

A wall-mounted Toto toilet surrounded by a true bounty of aquamarine tiles.

Modern Vanity

The final element of this project was the wall-mounted vanity from Moderna. We love the simple, elegant look of the basic here--and, of course, the light blue vanity itself, a perfect match for the aquamarine tiles.

A lovely, modern vanity

***

Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

Bathroom Colors: Let Your Own Experience Guide You

Did you know color can influence mood? Green can be as invigorating as a nature walk. Blue is as calm as a placid lake. And red inspires the passion of a bullfighter.

Olé!

Indeed, for most people, color inspires the most intimate of associations. Perhaps this is why bathroom color is so intimate. As the most private room in the house, the bathroom is the best place to add a unique splash of color.

It's surprising, then, that many homeowners opt for "non-colors," like white and black. Of course, we love the cool, clean feel of white and black; yet we also love how color can reveal a homeowner's personality.

Are you fiery? Or energetic? Colors can help you enhance (or balance) these qualities.

Your choice of color might be influenced by your fixtures and flooring, yet most bathroom designs can be easily adapted to a variety of palettes--and moods.

We love the colors here, especially the unique hunter green, an original take on the French Country theme, which complemented the homeowner's love of the French countryside.

Color and Mood: Explore Your Own Experience

The Internet offers a variety of resources on the link between color and mood. As we noted above, certain colors are known for illiciting certain moods. There's a reason, for example, that so many homeowners prefer blue for the bathroom.

Blue can be deeply relaxing--a notion most of us intuitively understand. 

Instead of relying on Internet resources, however, we suggest thinking about your own experience of color. Yes, we know that "blue is calming," but what does blue mean for you?

For many, obviously, the color blue evokes the tranquility of water. For some, blue might inspire the soaring feeling of the deep, blue sky.

The water association is a perfect (and obvious) match for the bathroom. For this purpose, the lighter shades of blue are the best choice. However, a darker blue can add some complexity. For some, dark blue can evoke feelings of authority and stability (dark blue is the color of the corporate environment; think of a dark blue or navy suit).

This bathroom was designed with different shades of blue, including a deep blue basin, to inspire feelings of tranquility and stability. 

When you choose your own color associations, your color choices become uniquely personal.

We recently wrote about grey, for example, a color that evokes authority, unity, and cooperation for many people. Yet a light griege (grey and beige) palette can also evoke the anticipation of a misty morning.

 A  walk-in shower with a rain showerhead complements this revitalizing grey palette.

The point is to let your own experience guide your choice of color.

Color Schemes

A monochromatic color scheme can be peaceful, yet most homeowners prefer varying shades and accents of color. Contrasting colors, especially, can infuse a space with a sense of vitality.
On the other hand, the use of two or three related colors—colors that rest next to each other on the color wheel—is a good way to offer a subtle contrast.

 Yellow, red, and orange are lively and warm. Blue, teal, and green are calm and cool. A warm color combined with a cool color creates an intriguing look. Any two colors will inevitably contain all three of the primary colors, so even a contrasting color scheme can be considered well-balanced.

In this MKBD project, the client desired the warm tones of brown and orange.

Again, however, your choice of color(s) should be guided by your experience. How do colors speak to you?

Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

The Wow-Factor: Bold Backsplashes

At MKBD we love a good kitchen backsplash. It may be a cliche, but a good backsplash can really "tie a room together." In our kitchen remodeling projects, we install each backsplash to complement or contrast--depending on the client's preference--the kitchen's theme. In either case, a backsplash adds a stylish appeal that never fails to inspire a favorable comment.

Wow--check out that backsplash!

Of course, the backsplash is not merely a stylish element. As the name suggests, a "backsplash" serves as a guard against splashes: all those tomato, oil, and wine splatters that can easily damage the kitchen wall.

A backsplash can be made in a variety of materials, such as natural stone or ceramic tiles, granite, limestone, soapstone, plate or mosaic glass, even beaded board, stainless steel, and more. Whatever the material, the backsplash is meant to be more durable and easier to clean than your ordinary run-of-the-mill kitchen wall. Most backsplashes require a mere wipe..and voila, no more wine stain!

Are you thinking about a backsplash for your kitchen? To facilitate your research, MKBD posts occasional "Kitchen Lookbooks" with details from our prior projects. Today, with a nod to the inimitable backsplash, we're talking WOW factor--those kitchen backsplashes that turn heads, that inspire a genuine, "Wow!"

Another view of the same backsplash above: mosaic glass

Subtle or Bold

In the backsplash above, the homeowner chose a distinctive mosaic glass to contrast the granite countertops and chocolate maple cabinets. However, to simplify the matter many homeowners simply use the same material for the countertops and backsplash.

AT MKBD, we source a variety of materials from trusted vendors who offer the best prices. Often, we can find a distinctive backsplash material that costs the same as the countertop materials. In this case, our clients almost always prefer contrast, both subtle and bold.

In this Center City project, we installed a simple palette with subtle backsplash contrast

A contemporary  kitchen in Richboro, PA offers another example of a subtle backsplash contrast--the elegant grey backsplash blends well with the black quartz countertops

Subtly is the name of the game for simple, clean palettes, like the projects above. If you're looking for a bold approach, however, you can certainly go for more vibrant or richer color combinations.

This tile mosaic backsplash is a bold yet complementary contrast to the cherrywood cabinets and lime green wall paint.

In this MKBD project, the decorative backsplash is a fusion of glass, stone, and porcelain crafted into a harlequin mosaic tile. Some homeowners prefer a bold contrast in small doses.

With a seemingly endless variety of patterns and colors, and a variety of finishes, you're sure to find a backsplash that matches your vision.


Why MKBD? 

We hope our website can provide you with all the information you might need about our company. If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, please do not hesitate to call us: 215-355-4747.

Some homeowners choose to call a remodeling company only after they have spent countless hours researching their project. We're all for research, but including a home remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process can increase your chances of success. A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project.

How long might the project take to complete?

What are the best materials for your lifestyle?

And how about the cost?

Remember: Take advantage of our FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

And if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation.

Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

A Transitional Style Kitchen Remodeling Project

According to Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, the remodeling industry is poised for a "pick-up." After a bit of slump, the JCHS notes, "the LIRA [Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity] projects annual spending growth for home improvements will accelerate to 4.0% by the first quarter of 2016."

With the acceleration, no doubt, will come a wave of advertising. In the upcoming months, the remodeling industry will try to sell you products and ideas with promises of quality and durability and even happiness. From your kitchen floor to your cabinets, you will be offered a seemingly endless variety of choices--a variety that can leave even the most industrious and organized homeowner feeling bewildered.

At MKBD, we believe less is more. We're all for bountiful options, and of course we pride ourselves on the quality of our work, the durability of our supplies.

When it's time to design your space, however, a little pruning can go a long way. One of the easiest ways to simplify your home remodeling project is to limit your choices. And the easiest way to limit (or, if you prefer, refine) your choices is by choosing a specific design style that suits you temperament.

If you're remodeling your kitchen, for example, you might choose a traditional or contemporary style--or, if you can't decide, you might choose a transitional design, with both traditional and contemporary elements combined.

A contemporary  kitchen with transitional elements in Richboro, PA

A Transitional Style

MKBD recently had the privilege of designing a contemporary kitchen with transitional elements for a busy family in Richboro, Pennsylvania. This unique blending of design styles created an attractive space for the family to meet and eat after a long day.

If you browse photos online, you're likely to confront some form of a transitional style in most kitchens. Transitional is the bridge between traditional and contemporary, between the warm, nostalgic kitchens of yesterday and the sleek, minimalist kitchens of today.

By blending elements of both styles, you can create a style uniquely suited to your family's personality. In the upcoming weeks, we will explore in more depth traditional and contemporary design, respectively. For now, however, we wanted to show you what a transitional kitchen can look like.


Clean, Seamless Design

One great advantage of the contemporary style is the focus on clean, simple lines. To achieve this look, we build the appliances into the cabinetry, creating a seamless, elegant look. Clean lines aren't simply about elegance, however. In a contemporary kitchen, efficiency is key, and clean lines promote ease-of-movement.

Note how the appliances are built into the cabinetry, creating
a clean, uncluttered appearance.

Clean lines mean ease-of-movement, too

Update a Traditional Style

One way to create a seamless transitional style is to take a traditional element and update it with contemporary features. We love the timeless look of Shaker cabinets with their flat-paneled doors and rail frames. However, for a subtle touch of the contemporary, in this project we added glass doors to some of the cabinets.

Shaker cabinets with glass panels

We also love Shaker cabinets for their sturdy wood, often sourced locally to MKBD. We sourced these cabinets from Diamond Cabinetry, one of the top purveyors of fine cabinetry.


Transitional Materials

In this project, the customer wanted traditional materials that satisfy the contemporary appeal of simplicity. The wood Shaker cabinets painted white are the essence of traditional simplicity.

We also used black granite countertops--instead of quartz--to create a solid color palette. The grey backsplash is a traditional marble tile that offers subtle contemporary texture.

And of course, the wood floors are the essence of traditional, a perfect addition to this simple, elegant kitchen.

Wood, quartz, and marble--transitional materials

Why MKBD? 

We hope our website can provide you with all the information you might need about our company. If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, please do not hesitate to call us: 215-355-4747.

Some homeowners choose to call a remodeling company only after they have spent countless hours researching their project. We're all for research, but including a home remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process can increase your chances of success. A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project.

How long might the project take to complete?

What are the best materials for your lifestyle?

And how about the cost?

Remember: Take advantage of our FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

And if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation.

Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

Bathroom Colors: Grey

Grey is not often the first choice for a bathroom color. The color itself is often unfairly labeled as drab, too conservative, or depressing. Just think of a cloudy sky! Yet, grey can also stand for elegance and classicism.

A shade somewhere between black and white, grey is the color of unity and cooperation. When darkened slightly, it can evoke power and authority.

Dark greys suit 007 well

When lightened with hints of white or silver, grey can evoke lightness and simplicity.

Depending on your temperament, then, grey can be a perfect choice for a bathroom color. MKBD recently had the privilege of remodeling two Philly-area bathrooms in different shades of grey. 

If you're looking for some color inspiration for your next bathroom remodeling project, take a look at the two MKBD projects below. Perhaps grey is the color for you, too!

A Grey and White Bathroom (with a Hint of Chocolate)

In this MKBD project, the homeowner wanted a light and lively theme of grey and white, so we designed the bathroom with Shaker cabinets, painted a lovely white, a grey and white quartz vanity top, and a custom shower with big, 12 x 12 griege tiles.

This picture of the vanity, with white Shaker cabinets and a grey and white quartz countertop, evokes the elegant yet youthful attitude of the family.

Griege, an amalgam of grey and beige, is the hottest color in home remodeling right now. As Business Insider recently wrote:

"On Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram, home decor obsessives can't get enough of the color 'greige.' Searching hashtags like #greige or #greigedesign on Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr will lead you to hundreds of images of bedrooms and living spaces, all looking flawless with the help of the internet's favorite understated hue."

Check out how a lightly accented griege can look almost like a unique stone in this custom shower for two with recessed storage and a bench.

Note how the brushed nickel fixtures come alive against the subdued background.

As seen in the brushed nickel accessories above, grey can also be a great color to highlight other colors. In this MKBD project, we provided a bit of contrast with a chocolate brown tile floor.

Note the hints of grey in the chocolate, a complement and contrast to the griege shower wall.

A Grey on Grey Bathroom (with Accents of...Grey)

In this MKBD project the customer was quite explicit in their preferences: "Grey." So grey it was. We built beautiful cabinets painted grey, used a warm grey tile for the floor, and installed a custom shower with grey floor and wall tiles.

The light grey vanity cabinets complement the warm grey floor tiles: a subdued, yet intriguing palette. 

Note above how even the accent tiles are grey--both light and dark grey for contrast--and yet, contrary to expectations, in this MKBD project too much grey is not at all drab or depressing. It's positively revitalizing.

Talk about revitalizing: there's nothing better than a custom-made walk-in shower with a rain showerhead for making you feel alive in the morning--or after a long day of work.

This project required some moving parts to realize the customer's ultimate ambition. We had to move the toilet, for example, to make room for the custom shower above--a possibility the customer had not imagined.

An elongated toilet from Toto--our go-to toilet brand.

In the end, we enlarged the shower 3 X 2 feet--an impressive difference. This sort of change, of course, requires some ingenious planning. That's why we believe it is so important to include a remodeling company in your early planning stages. A talented bathroom designer can reveal possibilities you might not have imagined.

Some homeowners choose to call a remodeling company only after they have spent countless hours researching their project. We're all for research, but including a home remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process can increase your chances of success. A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project.

Why MKBD? 

We hope our website can provide you with all the information you might need about our company. If you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom, please do not hesitate to call us: 215-355-4747.

And if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

Kitchen Lookbook: Two-Tone Designs

One the challenges of a kitchen remodeling project is perfecting the palette. The right colors will unify the kitchen elements, creating a warm and inviting theme. The wrong colors, however, can feel jarring, making each kitchen element appear out of place.

To simplify the challenge, many homeowners prefer a single-color theme with subtle or striking accents. Some homeowners, however, prefer a two-tone theme, with subtle or bold combinations.

To achieve a balanced two-tone look, you might paint your cabinets a light shade, like bright white, and ground the palette with darker countertops and floors.

Or, if you paint your cabinets a light creme, you might add a darker backsplash to cut the monotony. 

Looking for two-tone inspiration? Recently, MKBD had the privilege of creating two-tone kitchens for three happy homeowners.

Take a look at our Two-Two Kitchen Lookbook below.

A Tasteful & Practical Design

In our first project, the homeowners preferred a tasteful and practical design that would suit the family's personality.

A tasteful and practical design from MKBD with a little nook for eating.

Like many MKBD projects, this space experienced a total transformation. To make room for double ovens, pantry closets, and extra cabinets and counter tops, we moved the fridge from the window wall to a more convenient spot across the kitchen.

The refrigerator and stove are paired together for easy cooking access.

To perfect the two-tone look the kitchen required a central piece, which turned out to be the kitchen island. Painted a deep cherry red with an exotic stone countertop, the island provided a bold contrast to the white cabinets finished with an espresso glaze and the gold wood floors.

A Two-Tone Shaker Kitchen

Officially known as The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, the Shakers are known for the ecstatic nature of their services. Still, the church is where the ecstasy begins and ends. Simplicity defines the Shaker lifestyle and the sect's famous furniture and architecture.

A two-tone kitchen with Shaker-inspired cabinetry

For this MKBD project, our clients desired a simplicity of Shaker craftsmanship and the elegance of modern design. Happily, the Shaker-inspired cabinetry is a good match for any style or fashion--this is, after all, the utility of simple and timeless design.

Maple cabinets finished white with white beveled ceramic backsplash

In this project, a shift of tone is seen the subtle granite in "Bianco Antico"--a greyish white melange--but, like the project above, the real distinction is the darker kitchen island cabinets.

Cherry Shaker cabinets finished in a cherry stain provide a bold contrast to the white Shaker cabinets and white backsplash.

Both of the MKBD projects above adhere to the same principle: the kitchen island, the centerpiece of the kitchen, provides the bold second tone to offset the neutral cabinetry and countertops.


A Traditional Two-Tone Kitchen

In this traditional kitchen, the floor is a bit darker shade of walnut, a nice contrast to the maple cabinetry finished in white and the island cabinetry finished in cherry.

A quartz kitchen island countertop provides yet another distinction; note the cooktop with range hood, a unique design in a traditional space

This project required a lot of planning. By removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen, we created an "open floor" plan. In such a large space, the two-tone effect makes each distinctive space come alive.

A perfect two-tone effect

Why MKBD? 

We hope our website can provide you with all the information you might need about our company. If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, please do not hesitate to call us: 215-355-4747.

Some homeowners choose to call a remodeling company only after they have spent countless hours researching their project. We're all for research, but including a home remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process can increase your chances of success. A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project.

How long might the project take to complete?

What are the best materials for your lifestyle?

And how about the cost?

Remember: Take advantage of our FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

And if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation.

Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

A Bathroom Lookbook: Marble

Marble is a symbol of classicism and refined taste. The material has been used as far back as Greek and Roman times for dwellings and statues. One of the oldest and most famous sculptures, the Venus de Milo, dating back to 100 BC, is made of marble. And of course, perhaps the most famous sculpture of all, Michelangelo's David, is made of marble.

Michelangelo's David

Of course, too, the Roman Bath, which featured marble, was a mainstay of Roman culture. As the Ancient History Encyclopedia tells us:

"...it was in the large cities that these complexes (balnea or thermae) took on monumental proportions with vast colonnades and wide-spanning arches and domes. Baths were built using millions of fireproof terracotta bricks and the finished buildings were usually sumptuous affairs with fine mosaic floors, marble-covered walls, and decorative statues."

We tend to associate the Romans with decadence and exclusivity, but the Ancient History Encyclopedia reminds us that, in fact, the Roman baths offered the world an early example of egalitarianism:

"Generally opening around lunchtime and open until dusk, baths were accessible to all, both rich and poor. In the reign of Diocletian, for example, the entrance fee was a mere two denarii - the smallest denomination of bronze coinage."

Today, we often find marble in public buildings and statues--and of course, in private bathrooms. In today's bathroom's, marble speaks of both luxury and refinement. Just take a look at our "Bathroom Lookbook: Marble".

A porcelain pedestal sink from Kohler is the perfect match for this marble powder room.

Source Quality Marble  

A natural material, marble is mined, most notably in Italy, China, India, and Spain. In our opinion, the best marble comes from the land of the Romans, Italia, specifically the area around Carrara in Northern Tuscany.

Many see marble as the most esteemed of all bathroom materials. We agree: marble is a great addition to most bathroom remodeling projects. Yet we do say this with a few caveats.

If you research marble on the Internet, you're likely to find articles about marble's permeability, which can make it more likely to erode or stain. For this reason, marble might not be the best option for a children's bathroom.

On the other hand, the best marble can prove to be quite durable--and can continue to look beautiful with appropriate upkeep. At MKBD, we import most of our marble from Italy.

Wall-to-wall marble creates a dramatic appearance.

Marble's Unique Appearance

No two pieces of marble are exactly alike. The sheer variety of color and veining (as seen in the marble wall above) is, indeed, part of what makes marble so appealing. The most expensive marble, with its subtle veining and even color, has the most uniform appearance of all marble.

In this MKBD project, the Italian marble boasts a soft color and relatively uniform texture with little veining. 

Some homeowners prefer the  textual appeal of more pronounced veining; we often source high-quality marble with veining, too.

In this MKBD project, large slabs of imported marble tile envelops the bathroom from floor to ceiling. Note the soft color and veining. 

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!