What Makes a Bathroom Custom?

Last week we answered the question, "What does 'custom' kitchen remodeling mean?" The word "custom" has no standard definition in the remodeling industry, so MKBD believes it is important to clarify our own definition. For kitchen remodeling, "custom" means designs and fixtures created from scratch. The same is true for bathroom remodeling.

Just like our kitchen remodeling projects, MKBD takes a custom approach to designing and building bathrooms. We draft original layouts suited to each client's needs. We source unique materials for showers, bathroom floors, and vanities. And, of course, we build fixtures from scratch.

As we noted last week, "Depending on your budget, you may choose certain 'custom' fixtures and some standardized fixtures. When you work with MKBD, though, your design will always be unique, and each fixture will be installed by expert craftsman."

For a preview of our "custom" approach to bathroom remodeling, please take a look at our gallery below.

A custom walk-in shower is a luxurious addition to any bathroom.

Custom Showers

At MKBD, a shower is never merely a shower. We build each shower to client specifications, including custom-tiled walls and floors, custom benches, and showerheads and jets. Most showers are prefabricated, made from plastic and fiberglass, in uniform shapes and sizes. To accommodate a custom layout, however, you likely need a custom-built shower.

Witness the mosaic tiles in the MKBD project below. Mosaic tiles can be made to fit curved or uneven surfaces, so they're a perfect example of "custom" shower tiling made to fit a unruly space.

Shower mosaics on the wall and floor

Tiles are a great way to add flair to any bathroom design. We source tiles from Italy, yet we're willing to scour the globe to find a perfect fit for our clients. Our clients are fond of accent tiles, which can be used to offer a unique counterpoint to primary tiles in showers and across the bathroom.

In this Cheltenham project,  accent tiles juxtapose the stone tiles lining the shower wall.

Another custom feature of MKBD's showers is our use of water jets and showerheads, which, by nature, are manufactured to suit varying tastes. Do you prefer more or less spray volume? Do you prefer a gentle or vigorous water flow? According to your preferences, we help you find the right showerhead and jets for your shower.

Custom Bathroom Floors

Most bathroom tile is installed in a uniform manner, running in a bonded fashion, from wall-to-wall. With a custom floor, you can experiment with unique tiles and placement, emphasizing different sizes, colors, and patterns.

Rustic tumble-finished travertine is a perfect custom flooring option. 

In the project above, tumble-finished travertine, often said to have a rustic appearance, creates a perfect look for our client's former farm house. This floor is a good example of the "custom" remodeling approach. Travertine's rough edges can present installation problems--it takes a skilled craftsmen to install and seal this rustic material.

In this project, tiles of various shapes and sizes outfit the entire bathroom, including the floor, wall, and bathtub--a truly custom fit!

Custom Bathroom Cabinetry

Much like kitchen cabinets, custom bathroom cabinets can be built to fit specific dimensions. More than even kitchen cabinets, however, custom bathroom cabinets can be especially useful for the bathroom space, which is usually much smaller than a kitchen space.

A double vanity with custom cabinets for storage. 

In a bathroom, cabinets can come in handy for storage. The project above highlights custom cabinets, built from scratch, for the master bathroom. To accommodate the storage needs of our clients, we built large cabinets and deep drawers.

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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 for all custom bathroom designs.
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!

Make it Modern: Add Space to Your Old, Small Bathroom

Does your bathroom feel like an afterthought? In many older homes, this is precisely the case. Until the 1980s, at least, homeowners wanted spacious bedrooms--often at the expense of the bathroom.

For most of the 20th century, in fact, the bathroom was viewed as a utility room, a minimalist space to do your duty and leave. Many bathrooms were added to home designs only after all other rooms, seemingly crammed into the leftover space.

Today, homeowners favor larger bathrooms with luxurious amenities--and older, smaller bathrooms seem all the more outdated. As this Old House notes: "While new home baths have nearly doubled in size over the past 30 years, old home bathrooms average about 5- by 8-feet."

If you live in an older home, you might be feeling the crunch, so to speak. Of course, you do have options.

A remodeling company like MKBD can work wonders with a smaller space. A smart design can maximize the efficiency of your space; a few simple tweaks can often change the feeling of a bathroom's size--if not the actual square footage.

Another option, of course, is to borrow space from another room. Unfortunately, many homeowners balk at the idea of a bathroom expansion. The thought of knocking down walls, or sacrificing space from another room, stops many homeowners in their tracks.

In reality, demolition and expansion is a relatively straight-forward remodeling project. Just take a look at the MKBD projects below. Each presented unique challenges, yet each fulfilled the client's dreams of a modern, spacious bathroom.

Borrow Room From Your Bedroom

For many homes, the best option for bathroom expansion is to simply borrow room from an adjacent bedroom--often the master or guest bedroom. In many homes, the guest bedroom is rarely used, so borrowing a little space is often an easy choice. The decision to borrow space from a master bedroom, however, can inspire anxiety. After all, you've likely grown accustomed to the way your master bedroom makes you feel.

Would a smaller space decrease your relaxation? Would you suddenly feel cramped?

These are legitimate questions. In our experience, however, many master bedrooms would not appreciably suffer from a space downsize. Instead of focusing on what you will lose, think about what you will gain: a new, modern bathroom with space for amenities.

In this Ambler area MKBD project, the homeowners sacrificed space from the master bedroom to transform the 3x3 shower into a custom 6x3 shower with beautiful tiles imported from Italy. In our experience, most homeowners do not miss their former bedroom space. A new, spacious bathroom design is well worth the sacrifice. 

Prepare for Surprises (With a Reputable Remodeling Company)

Older homes are often full of surprises; you just never know what you'll uncover once you start demoing walls. This is why it is so crucial to work with an experienced remodeling company, like MKBD. We've seen it all--and we've fixed it all, with efficiency and timeliness.

We are especially proud of the project below, which required the demolition of old walls and leaking pipes to create a new bathroom with modern amenities.

In this Philadelphia area MKBD project, we jettisoned an old, leaking tub to make room for a new shower with a custom bench. Tiled in multi-colored natural stone, the eye-popping design also includes a shower pan of river rock pebbles.  

The key to dealing with surprises is proper planning. What turns a surprise into a mistake is not accounting for potential surprises in your budget. Many projects--like the one above--only yield problems after demolition beings. Behind your walls, you might discover mold or water damage. These problems are often only discovered after the work begins.

What was old is new: these walls presented a few "surprises," but MKBD's astute demolition team identified--and fixed--the problems quickly and efficiently. Happily, the client had planned on the potential surprises, so the budget was not exceeded. 

Borrow Space From a Closet, or Utility Room, or...

Not all remodeling expansions borrow space from the master or guest bedroom. If you get a little creative, you can borrow from other, smaller spaces to add square footage to the bathroom. Closets, especially, offer a great opportunity for bathroom expansion--especially if the closet is in a guest room or otherwise hardly used. In the MKBD project below, we borrowed space from a utility room to create a new master bedroom.

Borrowing space from an adjacent utility room, we added space to a tiny bathroom that had formerly stopped at the sink.

The picture above illustrates how even a little additional space can dramatically change the perception of a bathroom's size. Formerly a vanity, the addition of the shower makes this bathroom a master bedroom with a beautifully-appointed shower. Best of all, even though we downsized the utility room, we actually increased its functionality. The client let us know that the utility room had become a a mere storage place. In demoing the walls, we transformed the utility room into a laundry room. The lesson here is to get creative with space--and borrow, when necessary, where you can!

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 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!

The Walk-In Shower: Practical and Luxurious

For many homeowners, the appeal of a bathroom remodeling project is the opportunity to streamline the bathroom design. A streamlined design might include unobstructed floor space, mirrors and shelves built into the wall, or wall-hung fixtures, like the toilet or vanity. One frequent request we see at MKBD is a walk-in shower.

A walk-in shower  can replace both the traditional bath and shower units with a slim, attractive fixture that is, at once, more accessible and easy-to-clean. To many of our clients, this is the essence of streamlining. Indeed, the walk-in shower simplifies life, yet not at the expense of luxury. As the projects below reveal, a walk-in shower can be both efficient and luxurious.

A walk-in shower can save space

Walk-in Showers: Perfect for Tight Spaces

If designed correctly, a walk-in shower can save valuable space. This is why walk-in showers so often occupy a corner space. Unlike a bathtub, which is built without your specific measurements in mind, a remodeling company can build a walk-in from scratch, shifting dimensions to fit your square footage needs.

In the project above, the shower pan--the floor of the shower, designed with a slope to allow the water to run to the drain--was custom-built to exacting dimensions: 5 feet x 4 feet. To facilitate the streamlined design, we also custom-built the frameless glass enclosure. Even then, despite the space limitations, the shower is equipped with a bench for easy storage or sitting (perfect for shaving those legs, ladies!)

Whatever your space requirements, a walk-in can certainly be made to fit the bill. Just make sure you work with a bathroom remodeling company with walk-in experience.

A corner walk-in shower saves space without sacrificing luxury

Glass Enclosed Showers: Streamlined Design

Streamlined design is not merely about saving space. A streamlined design is about the visual feel of a room. A streamlined room, for example, removes barriers between fixtures--or, at least, appears to do so. Most walk-in showers come equipped with glass doors, which create the impression of a seamless environment.

A seamless walk-in shower design

In the project above, space was not an issue, but our clients nevertheless desired a simple, streamlined design. Note how the walk-in shower feels like part of the room. And, of course, the glass shower door provides easy access--just step in and out!

Luxurious Walk-in Shower Features

Walk-in showers are the height of utility, yet they're also the perfect venue for luxurious features like multiple showerheads (including hand-held) or body jets.

For many MKBD clients, the rain showerhead is the height of luxury

At MKBD, we're big fans of the rain shower head: a flat and wide showerhead that duplicates the feeling of a soft wain shower. Rain showers are perfect for those who want to feel immersed in a shower of water. For a more direct approach, however, a hand-held showerhead is the height of utility. Instead of choosing between the two, the client above chose both.

Body jets with temperature controls

We're also big fans of body jets, which we believe to be the next best thing to a professional masseuse--at a fraction of the price. In the project above, the walk-in shower comes equipped with four (usually the limit) jets with temperature controls. Just imagine yourself enveloped in soothing water from all sides.


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!

How to Use Mosaic Tiles in the Bathroom

A mosaic tile is a popular choice for a kitchen backsplash, yet many homeowners hesitate to use mosaic for other rooms in the house. Recently, however, MKBD has noticed a remodeling trend: mosaic tiles in new bathroom remodels. We've even installed some beautiful mosaics in a few recent remodeling projects. We have to say: we're quite proud of the results.

Mosaic refers to a design made of many smaller pieces of material--like porcelain or glass. The process can be time-consuming and tedious, yet the results are often sublime. Just take a look at the mosaics from the San Vitale Basilica in Ravenna, Italy. This work dates back to the 6th century, to the Byzantine period.

The extraordinary ceiling mosaic of the San Vitale Basilica 

Traditionally, mosaics were illustrious and bright, yet today's mosaic is often muted--colorful, yet subdued. Even so, we love mosaic for the color and texture. If you're looking for a unique visual contrast to your everyday paint, you can't beat mosaic. For some mosaic inspiration, take a look at our recent projects below.

A Bathroom Backsplash

In the kitchen, mosaic tile is often limited to the kitchen backsplash. In the bathroom, mosaic tile is now being used on walls, floors, and the shower. That said, the "bathroom backsplash" is a perfect place for mosaic. If you're considering mosaic for your bathroom, look to the kitchen for inspiration: start with the backsplash.

A mosaic bathroom backsplash

Just like a kitchen backsplash, the bathroom backsplash helps protect the wall from damage. Generally placed above the sink, the bathroom backsplash shields the wall from the effects of excessive moisture (or toothpaste).

We love the warm color of this mosaic bathroom backsplash

Of course, too, the bathroom backsplash creates an interesting visual contrast to the vanity countertop. In both of the projects above, the appeal of the mosaic tile is how it contrasts with the granite countertops.

Mosaics in the Shower

Traditionally, of course, mosaic tiles were made piece-by-piece (just imagine the construction of the ceiling mosaic above!) Although this method is still used, many of today's mosaics are mounted on sheets. Mosaics can be "face-mounted" (with paper, usually) or clear-film faced (with plastic adhesive) or back-and-edge mounted (with any number of materials).

In the shower, paper-face-mounted or clear-film-faced mosaics are the easiest to align. Installation can be a challenge, but the result is always dramatic.

A stunning shower mosaic

Part of the appeal of mosaics is their flexibility: they can be made to fit nooks and crannies as well as curved or uneven surfaces. Beyond their beauty, mosaics present a practical solution to installing tile on walls and floors.

Shower mosaics on the wall and floor

Visual Contrast

As noted above, a prime value of mosaics is visual contrast. Mosaics add unique color and texture to a bathroom's visual landscape. The intricacy of mosaic design draws the eye. They're a perfect counterpoint to an otherwise simple color palette.

The mosaic tiles here add visual contrast to a simple landscape,
highlighting the elegant bath.

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 Travertine Bathroom Remodeling Project

In bathroom remodeling, your choice of material should be guided by two factors: the material's visual appeal and durability. Of course, a good bathroom material should match your aesthetic vision, yet it should also withstand the elements--water, soap, and harsh cosmetics--and the daily wear and tear of the family. Porous materials, like soft wood, are not the best choice for a bathroom; ditto an easy-to-stain material, like marble.

Yes, despite its ubiquity, some believe marble is not the best bathroom material. Even so, many homeowners see marble as the best of all bathroom materials--and certainly the most beautiful. This is true. It is also true, marble can be porous. The key is to find a good, durable marble from a reputable supplier. At MKBD, we import most of our marble from Italy.

Another option that rivals marble's beauty, yet is also often cited as a "bad" bathroom material is travertine.  We love this simple, yet elegant stone. As with marble, however, quality matters. Travertine does not have to be porous. Depending on the quality of the finish and installation, travertine can be a perfectly suitable bathroom material.

We recently had the privilege of remodeling a bathroom with travertine floors, showers tiles, and countertops. If anything, this rustic project proves the point: travertine can be beautiful and durable.

Travertine tiles and countertops

Choose the Right Travertine Finish

The right finish protects travertine from the bathroom elements.When sourcing travertine, your best options will be hone-finished or tumble-finished.

Hone-finished creates a flat appearance that dulls the qualities of the stone. For homeowners who prefer uniformity of color, hone-finished travertine is the best option.

For this project, however, the homeowner chose a tumble-finished travertine.

The rustic look of tumble-finished travertine

As you can see in the photo above, tumble-finish enhances travertine's natural colors. This is why tumble-finished travertine is often said to have a rustic appearance--a perfect look for this former farm house.

Choose Experts to Install Travertine  

More than most materials, then, the installation of travertine should be performed by a remodeling expert. Travertine's rough edges can present some installation challenges--especially in the shower. The key is precision. When installing travertine in the shower, it is important, too that the tile is properly sealed.

Travertine tile for the shower walls and floors

In this project, we used travertine tiles of various sizes (yet similar colors) to create textural variation. All tiles were properly sealed and installed with the utmost care. Good news, too: properly sealed and installed travertine is an easy-to-clean shower material; better yet, the material rarely reveals soap spots.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine is a versatile material. In this project, we used tiles for the floors and shower as well as larger slabs for the vanity countertops.

Travertine countertops and brushed nickel faucets

Another view of the luxurious vanity with travertine countertops

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 European-Style Bathroom

Traveling in Europe, one is bound to confront a variety of bathroom styles--from traditional to contemporary, or perhaps a combination of the two. In fact, more than any style, the transitional style, which borrows elements from different design eras--old and new--embodies the spirit of Europe's bathroom remodeling industry.

That said, we've discovered that when many clients say, "European Style," they mean a more streamlined, modern look with clean lines and simple fixtures.

For some reason, "traditional" bathrooms are often associated with American homes--although, one could certainly walk into many European spaces, like say, an old pensione in Rome, and find some fascinating vintage bathroom fixtures.

Whatever it is that makes a European bathroom "European," the most important factor is the homeowner's own associations. Recently, then, when an MKBD client asked for a "European" design, we had to ask some probing questions to understand precisely what the client meant.

In this case, the client had a specific sense of space--collected from a trip to Northern Europe--with intricate tile design, a free-standing standing tub, and a muted color palette. We're happy to say the final design was a success--as evidenced by the pictures below!

A "European-Style" Bathroom

Intricate Tile Design--and Installation 

The picture above reveals a deceptively simple design, perhaps because of the grey palette. Yet closer inspection reveals a variety of tiles--all from our favorite tile maker, Porcelenosa, a Spanish company specializing in unique tile designs and fixtures.

A closer look at the tiles from Porcelenosa.

From the large tile panels on the floor to the intricate work on the walls, this project required not only creative sourcing, but creative installation. As you can see in the picture below, the tiles reach all the way to the high ceiling, a whopping ten feet!

We installed tile to the ceiling--ten feet high.

The Free-Standing Tub

In this project, the free-standing tub embodies the essence of the transitional style. At once classical and modern, this tub--seen here elevated on a custom floor--was a favorite of our client.

A modern take on the free-standing tub

Before the nineteenth century in Europe, free-standing tubs were most often found only in wealthy homes. It wasn't until the Victorian Era introduced new ideas about hygiene that the free-standing tub became more widely available.

Early free-standing tubs were simply-designed, most often formed from cast iron enameled with white porcelain. Early tubs did not include taps; many homes did not have plumbing. In most homes, hot water was supplied by a bucket of water heated in the kitchen.

Even with the advent of wide-spread plumbing in Europe, the water supply for most free-standing tubs was installed independently from the tub itself--from the ground, as in the project above, where the water supply rests just to the right of the tub itself.

Despite its vintage history, however, this tub--from Hydro Systems--also evokes a modern sensibility--there's no traditional clawfoot design here; and note the subtle elliptical curves of the clean modern aesthetic.

A Special Vanity

We're especially proud of the vanity in the project, which we installed into a niched wall.

An elegant vanity 

Functional and elegant, the allure of this vanity is not simply the vanity itself, but the beautiful wall, black with tremendous grey curlicues, that speaks at once of timeless elegance and modern patterns.

Note the simple faucets and the wide, rectangular sink basin. The basin is a unique take, the sort of intriguing element you're bound to find in many a European bathrooms.

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!

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

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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!