A Vacation Getaway--to Your Bathroom!

How do you feel about your bathroom design? If your design is outdated, you might feel bored or annoyed. Bored of the dingy lighting, the muted colors. Annoyed by the grimy grout lining your shower, your leaking toilet, your loose tiles. Many homeowners experience these feelings on a daily basis--and yet, change seems unattainable.

After all, a bathroom remodeling project can be expensive. According to the website, Remodeling, in 2015, the average cost of a mid-range bathroom remodeling project is $16,724 (with a resale value of $11,707). The average cost of an upscale remodeling project is $54,115 (with a resale value of $32,385).

With these numbers in mind, many homeowners balk at the idea of a bathroom remodeling project. However, the numbers themselves--specifically the resale value-- also reveal a fundamental truth about remodeling: it's not always about the money.

Of course, these numbers don't tell the whole story. A remodeling project can increase your home's value. A new kitchen, for example, might be the deciding factor that motivates a buyer to bid on your asking price.

If you're planning on living in your home for some time, however, the choice to remodel should not be merely financial. Think of your annoyance. Now imagine a new bathroom with clean grout lines, an efficient toilet, and beautiful new tiles.

A remodeling project can transform your bathroom into the room you never want to leave: a private, vacation-like retreat.

This is the case with the remodeling projects below. In each case, the homeowner came to MKBD with a vision informed by a specific place--a vacation. By recreating the feeling of these spots, we brought the vacation home, to the bathroom.

The Shore at Home

For this project, our clients wanted to re-create the ambiance of the Jersey Shore. More than a mere ambiance, however, this design aimed to duplicate a specific seaside bathroom. From the sand-colored tiles to the coastal accessories--even the additional of a laundry room, this space is faithful to the airy, quirky designs you often find on the Jersey Shore.

Large sand-colored floor tiles were a must for this MKBD-exclusive coastal design, which replicates the muted tones of a certain Jersey Shore bathroom. While blue is a popular coastal color, many seaside bathrooms have a simple palette. 

Another must: coastal accessories. When trying to recreate the ambiance of a certain place, the choice of accessories is often as important as the choice of color.

 The quirky design of many Jersey Shore homes means that you often find odd combinations, like a laundry room in the bathroom!

A French Countryside Bathroom

The French Country design is a popular bathroom theme. For these homeowners, however, the design was meant to be an intimate remembrance of family trips to the South of France. 

In the project below, we did our best to pay homage to our client's family trips. In the end, the old world rusticity and warm color palette transformed the bathroom into a holiday retreat. Now, to visit the South of France, the family merely needs to step into the bathroom!

To capture the look of Southern France we sourced vintage pieces, like this vanity and mirror, which lend this beautiful bathroom a rustic feel. The vanity's marble top complements the backsplash and green walls.

Our client was specific about getting the right shade of hunter green. We love it. The checkered glass tiles, which run around the entire bathroom, add texture (and contrasting color) to the palette. And of course, the clawfoot tub was a must for the French Country.

An Italian-Inspired Bathroom

Traveling is one of the best ways to discover inspiring remodeling ideas. We've had more than a few clients travel to Italy and return with ideas for new bathrooms. The Italian style is, at once, timeless and luxurious, and since its based on a simple aesthetic it can blend seamlessly with today's refined modern sensibilities.

A portico window in this Italian-inspired bathroom beckons the Italian city of Bologna, famous for its portico designs.

Zooming out from the portico, you see a step-in tub from Toto (reminiscent of the Roman baths) buttressed by a Roman column, and exquisite Italian tiles lining the space. Here we see how an Italian design can utilize inspirations from different epochs, old and new. The tub is a modern fixture that is meant to illicit an ancient bathing custom.

A Decora cherry vanity is a timeless piece that blends seamlessly with any style.

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!

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!

The Wow-Factor: A Bathroom Remodeling Lookbook

A survey released last December by Angie's List verifies a trend that MKBD has noticed with our own clients: people are feeling more optimistic about the economy, and that optimism has inspired a home improvement bug.

As Angie herself says, "We asked contractors what their conversations with customers were showing, and 62 percent of them say their customers aren't just wanting to make improvements next year, they’re willing to spend more on them than customers spent in 2014."

How much more? MKBD's anecdotal evidence aligns closely with the contractors surveyed by Angie's List. As Angie notes, "More than half of the contractors said customers were planning to add $5,000 to what the average project cost last year."

Here's the specific breakdown, according to the survey:

• 17 percent to spend $15,000 more
• 9 percent to spend $10,000-$15,000 more
• 23 percent to spend $5,000-$10,000 more
• 51 percent to spend $1,000-$5,000 more

Are you planning a home remodeling project? If so, how much do you intend to spend? Let us know in the comments!

At MKBD, we've noticed a strong interest in bathroom remodeling projects--and not just any old remodeling project. As the Angie's List survey reveals: "Contractors told Angie’s List the average bathroom remodel now means customized luxury, and homeowners are willing to pay more for it."

With luxury in mind, we thought we'd follow last weeks post on luxury kitchen upgrades with a companionable post on luxury bathroom upgrades. So once again we're talking WOW factor--those bathroom upgrades that turn heads, that astonish, that illicit a genuine, "Wow!"

"When it comes to bathrooms, fiberglass around the tub and shower is out and tile is in." ~Angie Hicks, of Angie's List

Take a Look at Those Tiles!

The above quote is not entirely accurate to our experience at MKBD: we rarely, if ever, install fiberglass around the tub and shower. However, we certainly love tile for shower walls and the areas surrounding the tub.

Indeed, tiles need not be regulated to bathroom floors. As this MKBD project proves, tiles of varying shapes and textures can outfit the entire bathroom.

We're especially proud of the decorative tiles above the bathtub! Note (below) how these tiles reflect light from the nearby window.

For this old farmhouse the "wow" is all about the materials-- luxury tile from the famed Italian company, Tagina. But this tile isn't only about luxury. It's easy-to-clean and will rarely reveal water spots or soap scum. 

Natural light is reflected by the tile mosaic above the bathtub: Wow!

Wow--What a Vanity!

In larger remodeling projects, the vanity is often the centerpiece of the bathroom. Many homeowners choose the vanity first--then design the bathroom around this central element. Whatever your tastes (and price range), we suggest choosing a unique vanity to express your own personal style.

A luxury vanity can express elegance and sophistication or simplicity and charm--as in the French country vanity below.

In this MKBD project, we sourced a vintage vanity with a marble top for a timeless, yet charming appeal.

In the MKBD project above, the wow-factor is really about the design--how the French country theme feels, at once, homey and transportive, yet the vanity is the central element of the theme. In the project below, the vanity is more than a mere element: it is the element--a truly transcendent piece of furniture.

A double vanity with extra cabinets for storage: Wow! 

The vanity above is a good illustration of how a piece of furniture can be both beautiful and functional. If your bathroom is cluttered, a vanity can help you create a well-organized and resourceful space. And many vanities come equipped with deep drawers (or cabinets) for storing your toiletries.

The Simple Unique Element

There's no doubt that a beautifully-appointed bathroom can increase your home’s value. And there's definitely no doubt that the wow-factor of a dramatic bathroom element, like radiant floor heating or an entertainment center, can also entice potential buyers.

However, a unique element can be as simple as the blue marble sink below.

With this unique sink, the lovely shades of blue inspire lasting impression.

Or how about a stain-glassed window?

A stain-glassed window in the bathroom? Wow!

The bathroom above is lined, from floor to ceiling, in exquisite marble, yet it's the simple, unique element that really shines.

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Many homeowners choose to call a remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process. We believe this is the best option--and not simply because we are a remodeling company!

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?

At MKBD, we offer a FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

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

Three Inspiring Bathroom Themes

The smell of burning leaves. The porches festooned with ghosts and cobwebs. The burgundy corduroy pants. It's October in Pennsylvania, and the world has turned to autumn! At MKBD, we can't help but feel excited by autumnal themes. After all, the warm colors of autumn offer an inspiring color template for a new remodeling project!

Sometimes this is what remodeling is all about: inspiration! The beautiful hardwood vanity on Pinterest. The color of those burgundy corduroys! You might've merely considered remodeling in the past, but it's the images and pictures that really inspire you to begin. 

So, taking cues from our local autumnal imagery, we're thinking thematically. No, we're not suggesting you remodel your house with a Halloween theme. We are suggesting that you look around you for inspiration. An attentiveness to day-to-day life can yield some great ideas. And a theme is a great way to clarify the look and feel of your project.

The idea of a thematically-based remodeling project may seem esoteric, but a good remodeling company should be able to translate almost any theme into the embodiment of your dreams.

Last week, we posted three inventive kitchen remodeling themes. Today, we're talking bathroom themes!

A Roman Bathroom

The Roman bath has outlasted the mighty Roman empire by two millennium, though today the bath itself still embodies the ethos of that ancient powerhouse. Then, as now, the Roman theme symbolizes power, durability, and opulence. Of course, the theme also implies classicism, a style that many homeowners enjoy for the bathroom.

For a Roman theme, think warm colors like ivory, gold, or olive, or neutral colors, like white and black. And, of course, think polished surfaces with natural materials like glass, or that Roman staple, marble. The project below is a testament to the beauty of these natural materials.

For this MKBD project, we imported marble tile from Italy. The tile, white with black veins, covers the bathroom from floor to ceiling, imbuing the space with a sense of grandeur. In this picture, you'll see that black and grey glass tile borders the shower at waist level, and that, despite the grandeur, the shower breathes the intimacy of warm candlelight. The rain showerhead, in metallic gold, adds a luxurious touch.

The Roman theme also implies open space, but for this project MKBD was limited by the architectural layout of the previous bathroom. Here, due to space limitations, a classic white pedestal sink is positioned next to a white elongated toilet--the best toilet for smaller spaces.

In the above picture, you might also note the black marble tiles covering the floor as well as the black mosaic tiles covering the bathroom floor. Both provide an elegant contrast to the white marble.

  

Another common feature of the Roman style is porticoes. You might not be accustomed to seeing porticoes in a bathroom, but for this MKBD project, we installed porticoes on either side of the new Toto tub. Augustus Caesar would be proud!

A French Countryside Bathroom

As we noted last week, the French Country theme is is one of the most popular and enduring themes. It's also easily adaptable to a range of home styles and to different rooms. Last week, for example, we presented a French Country kitchen that boasted the informal elegance of Southern France. In the French Country MKBD project below, the old world rusticity, casual milieu, and welcoming color palette transforms the bathroom into a holiday retreat.

For a French Country theme, try sourcing vintage pieces, like this vanity and mirror, painted white, which both lend this bathroom a timeless yet rustic feel straight out of Provence. The vanity's marble top highlights a simple, yet elegant, wash basin.

We love the colors here, especially the unique shade of hunter green, a perfectly original take on the French Country theme. And note the checkered glass tiles, which run around the entire bathroom, adding textual variation to the space.

A clawfoot tub is a classic French Country style--and really, any style, especially vintage style. As we wrote before: "Today, the porcelain tub is an excellent retro addition to any bathroom remodeling project--old or new. And, of course, the classical design of the porcelain tub is a definite must for a vintage theme."

Spa Theme

The spa theme can encompass many different styles and tastes, yet most spa-themed bathrooms share a consistent theme: luxury. A spa-theme bathroom is the type of bathroom that you want to retire to after a long day at the office. In this way, a spa-themed remodeling project can be as practical as a standard bathroom remodeling project. Adding a touch of extravagance to your day-to-day life can reduce your stress and increase happiness. And, of course, a beautifully-appointed bathroom can increase your home’s value.

Think free-standing whirpools, double vanities, radiant heat flooring, giant soaking baths, and exciting amenities, like entertainment systems.

In this MKBD Project, a bronze rain showerhead offsets luxurious porcelain tiles. If you've never tried a rain showerhead, you're in for a treat: just imagine standing in the most comfortable rain shower ever! 

A dual vanity, like this MKBD-built vanity in Yardley, PA, offers space and comfort for two: a perfect addition to any luxury bathroom upgrade. 

A luxurious bathtub is a great addition to a spa-themed bathroom. In this MKBD project, earthy granite complements the white tub.

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If you have any questions about your next bathroom remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. MKBD is currently offering a FREE bathroom remodeling estimate, FREE design, and FREE custom layout to all new customers.

 Let's talk themes and more! Call now! 215-355-4747 or visit us online at www.masterkitchendesign.com.