Vintage Bathroom Remodeling: The Essentials

The bathroom is a perfect spot for the charm of vintage designs and fixtures. It's no surprise, then, that many homeowners choose to go retro with their bathroom remodeling projects.

But what does a "vintage" remodeling project really mean? The words "vintage," "retro," and "traditional" are often used interchangeably in home remodeling circles; yet, often these words are meant to describe entirely different styles. Of course, these words all refer to a distant past, but some homeowners might prefer a "retro" 1970's-style, while others prefer "vintage" 1790's style.

Thankfully, the bathroom, more than any room in the house, looks back to a specific past for most of its inspiration. We might not use the old brick stoves of yesteryear, but the porcelain bath is a true classic that remains as viable today as when it was first put to wide use--in the Victorian Era! Pedestal sinks are still the standard for elegance and charm. And vintage tiles can lend any bathroom character and style.

And so, with the first bathrooms in mind, we offer three vintage-inspired must-haves for your next bathroom remodeling project.

A porcelain bath was an essential element of this vintage-inspired MKBD project.

The Porcelain Tub 

Before the nineteenth century, only wealthy homeowners bathed in free-standing tubs. Yet, as the Victorian Era welcomed a new sensibility about cleanliness and hygiene, the free-standing tub became more widely available.

These tubs were simple affairs, formed from steel or cast iron and enameled with brilliant white porcelain. They were distinguished, at first, by roll tops with ball or claw cast iron feet. Even today, free-standing porcelain tubs might also be called "roll top tubs" of "claw foot tubs." The first tubs did not include taps; in fact, early tubs did not enjoy the benefit of plumbing. In most homes, hot water was supplied by a bucket of water heated in the kitchen. With the advent of plumbing, however, faucets (see below) became an essential element of the free-standing tub.

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.

Happily, the porcelain tub is an investment worthy of your budget. Porcelain tubs are durable and very heavy. They're beautiful, too. And they're perfect for soaking--which is another name for this classical design: the soaking tub.

Jut note: because of the weight, you might need extra floor support. And although the tubs can be expensive to fix, the porcelain is very resistant to cracks and chips.

Stylized faucets, like this one from Victoria Elizabeth Barnes bathroom remodeling project, can add a vintage appeal to any bathroom.

The Pedestal Sink

The Victorian emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene meant that most vintage bathrooms were styled simply, in white themes. The lack of indoor plumbing, however, meant that freestanding fixtures like the porcelain tub and pedestal sink fit both the theme and the needs of the home.

Like the earliest tubs, pedestal sinks were originally made of cast iron enameled with porcelain, but, according to This Old Home, "in 1915 manufacturers began fabricating them from vitreous china, a glass-like porcelain."

Today, the pedestal sink is simply known as a freestanding sink with a bowl sitting on a column which hides the plumbing. In the past, pedestal sinks were truly "free-standing" but today most pedestals are attached to the bathroom wall. The great advantage of the fixture (beyond its vintage appeal) is its space-saving design. Yet, of course, the vintage appeal of this piece makes it a de-facto choice for any retro-inspired bathroom remodeling project.

A pedestal sink from Kohler was an elegant and efficient choice for this Langhorne-area powder room. 

Vintage Flooring & Walls: Tiles

With Victorian elements like a clawfoot tub and a pedestal sink, you're vintage remodeling project will be set for success. However, the most transformative element of a retro remodeling project is the flooring and walls.

The de-facto vintage choice is tile, which traditionally covered not only the floor but the walls and showers of most 19th century and early-to-mid 20 century bathrooms. Some bathrooms used the same tile, from floor to ceiling, but wainscoting on the lower walls was the norm for most bathrooms.

If you're set on another floor or walling material, however, think tiles accents, like the colorful ceramic trim on this vintage-inspired MKBD project (also pictured above).

Unlike the porcelain bath and the clawfoot tub, products of the Victorian Era, vintage tiles might suggest a diversity of eras. Home Guides has a wonderful breakdown of "The Best Colors and Patterns for Vintage Flooring in a Bathroom." We suggest reading this article for inspiration from the 20th century.

Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Serious Cook: Part Two

Last week we posted the first part of a two-part blog with some kitchen remodeling tips for the serious cook. If you're looking for chef-worthy advice on kitchen layouts, kitchen appliances, and kitchen cabinets please read "Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Serious Cook: Part One."

Today we will speak about the best cook-savvy options for kitchen sinks, floors, and countertops.

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

Let's talk cooking and more!

Call now! 215-355-4747 or visit us online at www.masterkitchendesign.com.

A Kitchen Sink for the Cook: Clean as You Go!

Efficiency is the cook's mantra, and no idea expresses this mantra as much as mise en place, a French term that means "to put in place." This term is used in professional kitchens to illustrate an simple, yet crucial practice: the organization of ingredients and utensils required for each given meal.

Some cooks might dispute the value of mise en place, but no serious cook disputes the value of organization. And to be organized, a cook needs to work in a clean kitchen. Some wayward family members might dispute this notion, but no cook will doubt the singular edict that goes hand-in-hand with mise en place: clean as you go!

More than the cooking range or oven, the sink is the real kitchen work center. The simple truth is that the more you cook the more dishes you create. For this reason, we suggest that serious cooks add a large sink to any kitchen remodeling project--the largest that fits; large enough even to hold a big baby. 

A large sink is the best option for cooks--and babies!

Instead of a double sink, we often suggest a single large bowl. In a double sink, the dividing line cuts down on much-needed space. A single bowl, on the other hand, will naturally hold more dishes at once, making before and after cleaning easier. A large sink bowl will also hide any last-minute dirty dishes while also leaving some room to strain the pasta.

Square shapes are best. Rounded designs, while attractive, might reduce the work area.

Finally, you might follow the knowledge of certain busy home cooks, who install two sinks in two different areas!

In this French Country-style remodeling project, MKBD installed two large square bowls, side-by-side, to maximize the crucial work area.

The Best Kitchen Floor for the Serious Cook

Quarry tile is the floor material of choice for professional kitchens. Made from red clay that is fired to make it durable and long-lasting, quarry tile is a practical choice for serious wear and tear. The problem with an extremely durable floor like quarry tile--or any other non-resistant surface, like stone or ceramic tile--is that the very durability of the material might mean discomfort for the home cook.

Tough materials also mean tough times for the feet, knees, and joints. If you've ever worked in a professional kitchen, you'll understand the feeling of standing for hours on a hard surface. It's not fun--and indeed, this is why most kitchen install mats to ease the burden of standing.

Obviously, a hard material like quarry tile is not good for a home kitchen. But take the hint from quarry tile and ditch the stone or ceramic tile. If you spend a lot of time in your home kitchen, you want comfort! After all, it's your home--not a restaurant.

A kitchen floor for the home cook, then, should be both durable and comfortable. Fortunately, the kitchen remodeling industry offers plenty of comfortable, yet resilient flooring options.

For the serious home cook, the best flooring options include wood, bamboo, cork, linoleum, or vinyl. Wood, especially, is our favored choice. A favorite among home cooks is wood strip flooring, which is attractive and easy on your knees and joints. With proper care, wood floor can offer the perfect blend of functionality and comfort. Just remember: water damage can warp wooden floors so cooks need to be diligent about wiping up spills.

Hard wood floor--like this tigerwood flooring--is both beautiful and practical.

A Kitchen Countertop for the Cook

Choosing a good countertop material for the cook is not as straightforward as you might assume. A good countertop material for a busy cook must be heat-resistant, yet it should also be impervious to stains and easy-to-clean. The problem is that certain countertop materials, like ceramic, excel at heat-resistance, while other materials are easier to clean.

Once only found in professional kitchens, stainless steel countertops are now finding their way into the kitchens of serious cooks. The great advantage of this professional kitchen workhorse is its perfect combination of durability and heat resistance. Stainless steel is nearly impervious to stains, too.

Just know: Stainless steel requires a bit more cleaning know-how than other materials. And you will need to clean your stainless often to achieve a natural luster. 

Rather than choosing simply stainless steel, however, you might opt for a mix of materials. We like the advice of This Old House for countertops for the cook:

"The best solution is to use a mix. For instance, ceramic tile is a great heatproof surface around the range, but you don't have to tile all your counters. You can even drop a square of tile into a laminate countertop. Your choices will depend on how and what you cook."

In this Hatboro area MKBD project, the savvy homeowner opted for solid granite countertops. Granite offers a certain level of heat and scratch-resistance and is easy to clean.

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!

Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Serious Home Cook: Part One

At MKBD, we work with a variety of client tastes. Some homeowners want purely stylish kitchens with beautiful amenities like hardwood cabinets and granite countertops. Other homeowners simply want a basic space suitable for a busy family, with just enough storage and work space to be efficient and economical.

Of course, for MKBD, each family and each unique preference deserves a special attentiveness. Yet, in our experience, no preference requires as much attentiveness as the demands of a serious home cook.

A serious home cook's kitchen must be easy-to-navigate and easy-to-clean. The serious cook requires plenty of counter and storage space. Of course, most cooks enjoy company, but when space is a premium, the serious cook also demands efficiency. Yet, efficiency is not the only goal. The serious cook rarely skimps on quality or beauty.

Perhaps most importantly: the serious cook's kitchen must make him/her feel happy. After all, they'll likely be spending a lot of time in the space.

If you’re a serious home cook, or live with a serious home cook, and you’re considering a kitchen remodeling project, you'll want to read our first installment of Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Serious Home Cook. And remember, if you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. MKBD is currently offering a FREE Kitchen remodeling estimate, FREE design, and FREE custom layout to all new customers.

Let's talk cooking and more!

Call now! 215-355-4747 or visit us online at www.masterkitchendesign.com.

Many cooks believe that a perfect work triangle--like this MKBD-exclusive professional kitchen-style project--is a design must.

A Kitchen Layout for the Cook

By far, the most important element of a cook-friendly kitchen design is the layout. So if you're working with a professional remodeling company or kitchen designer make sure you express your needs clearly. Ideally, you want the efficiency of a professional kitchen scaled down to your available space.

Professional kitchen are organized around the concept of the work triangle: the three-point work station, from the range, to the refrigerator and/or pantry, to the sink, and back to the range. Many cooks believe the work triangle is a must as it segregates the three functions of kitchen work: cooking, storage, and cleaning. However, as we've noted before, kitchens.com disputes this doctrine:

"The work triangle isn't without its flaws though...It assumes that a kitchen will only have three major work stations and one person cooking. As kitchens grow in size, and feature more than three workspaces, the regular work triangle isn't always practical. And in many households today, two or more people share cooking duties. Because of these issues, designers do not always play by the triangle's rules when it comes to drafting kitchen plans."

Your kitchen layout, then, will be largely defined by size and the number of cooks. If you have one serious cook and limited space, we suggest a design with a traditional work triangle. If you have more cooks or space, however, you might choose to add additional work spaces for preparation and/or cooking.

A gas range is a must for the serious home cook. In this Philadelphia MKBD project, the client demanded only professional-grade appliances, and this range certainly fits the bill!

Kitchen Appliances for the Cook

A cook-friendly kitchen design is a must, but most cooks get really excited about the appliances, especially the range. Obviously, ranges come in a variety of price levels with a seemingly infinite number of options, but for the serious cook the most important option is the energy source.

Any cook worth his/her salt will tell you this simple truth: gas is preferable to electric. You'll want to look for sealed burners, cast-iron grates, and easy ignition controls. And keep it simple. A true cook doesn't really need extra features--all he or she really needs is a reliable flame with steady temperature control--the true advantage of a gas range. 

Many serious home cooks opt for separate ovens with convection option for perfect, even baking. Look for an ample oven space with easy-to-remove grates and a powerful broiler with 3000+ watts of power.

A quality refrigerator is not only the provenance of the serious cook--homeowners across the country demand refrigerators with abundant storage space.However, remember, larger is not always better. A refrigerator might take precious countertop space, and if you have a small family, you simply might not need a large refrigerator. And don't waste your money on a built-in unit. A free-standing model will be deeper, which can be helpful when the holidays roll around and you need a place to store your brined turkey!

Finally, a cook's dishwasher merely needs to perform its function--and stay out of the way! Serious cooks should opt for better ranges and basic dishwashers, although it's nice to have cleaning options for heavy duty jobs like pots and pans. 

Ample cabinet space is a must--especially for smaller kitchens like this Center City MKBD project.

Cabinets for the Cook

Serious home cooks, by nature, need more storage space for the tools of the trade. The cook will have more pots and pans, more ingredients, and more seemingly obscure gadgets, like potato ricers or food mills. (Please don't tell your home cook that we called the potato ricer and food mill obscure!)

Choose simple closed cabinets with deep shelves for storing larger plates and bowls. Skip the ornate patterns that might prove hard to clean; ditto decorative hardware. Install adjustable shelves. And for the most efficient use of space, build your cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

Your choice of material should be guided by efficiency and durability. For an in-depth look at some of the most popular cabinet materials, please read "Kitchen Cabinet Materials: Learn What's Best for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project."

***

Want more remodeling tips for the serious home cook. Stay tuned next week for our next installment of Kitchen Remodeling Tips for the Serious Home Cook!

 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!

A Handy Guide to Bathroom Types

If you seek bathroom remodeling advice from a professional, you will likely be asked, first, "What type of bathroom would you like?" A bathroom "type" is defined by bathroom's features and the bathroom's placement in in the home. Each type serves a different purpose. By defining your bathroom type, you can think more specifically about more remodeling choices like an appropriate toilet or paint style. 

There are three basic bathroom types: the guest bath, the half bath, or the master bath. This might seem like a limited list, but once you choose the most appropriate type for your purposes, you can adapt. With an infinite variety of options--from tiles to tubs to vanities--each of these types can be made to match your family's unique style.

Check out our handy Bathroom Type Guide below. And if you have any questions, 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.

Call now! 215-355-4747 or visit us online at www.masterkitchendesign.com.

MKBD installed an elegant "half bath" guest bathroom for this Philly-area home.

Guest Bathroom

Whether the room is used by guests or not, the "guest" bathroom is often situated away from the main action of the household. Most of the time, the guest bathroom is located next to...you guessed it: the guest room! But the guest bathroom can also be located in the middle of a hallway.  In any case, a guest bathroom should offer, at the very least, the amenities of a "three-quarter" bath: a toilet, sink, and tub.

When remodeling a guest bathroom, you should decide, first, whether this space will actually be reserved solely for guests. Many larger families utilize the guest bathroom for the "overflow" from the master or half bath.

If the bathroom will be reserved for guests, you may choose to emphasize aesthetics over function. If the space will see daily traffic, however, you should emphasize durable materials. (Of course, in today's market you do not need to sacrifice style for durability!)

A guest bathroom offers the opportunity to experiment with unique design touches. For example, MKBD has remodeled several Philly-area bathrooms to resemble the Jersey Shore. Nothing makes a guest feel more welcome than an artfully renovated guest bathroom!

A half bath contains only two signature elements, a sink and a toilet, so you want to make sure these elements shine--like this beautiful Kohler sink MKBD installed for a project in Langhorne.

Half Bath or Powder Room

A "half" bath is simply a bathroom with a toilet and sink. This arrangement is not suitable for a guest bathroom (unless your guests do not like bathing!), but it can serve an important purpose for a large family or a crowded house.

If space allows, a half bathroom can also include a vanity. However, space is often a major limitation for half baths, so the bathroom design must be simple and efficient. In many modern homes, a closet space downstairs or the space under the stairs is sacrificed for the half bath so visitors don't have to go upstairs to visit the main bathroom.

As the second name implies, however, the half bath, AKA the "powder room," can serve an important function for family members too. Traditionally, the powder room served the purpose of pampering. As Joseph Pubillones, the author of The Art of Design, writes:

"The origin of the powder room dates back to the days when wigs were powdered before being presented to a member of a royal court or court of law. During the late 1800s, the term was carried over to describe a room to which women would excuse themselves to powder their noses, a euphemism for applying makeup or going to the bathroom, or for when the conversation at the table turned to business affairs or became too salacious for feminine ears."

A master bath can include luxury fixtures like this "ultra" tub from Bain, merely one detail in this dream bathroom designed and built by MKBD.

Master Bathroom

Traditionally, the master bathroom referred to a bathroom attached the master bedroom, but today the term is often used interchangeably with "full bath," which means any space that contains the four primary bathroom plumbing elements: shower, bath, toilet, and sink.

The one major caveat with this definition is that many homeowners choose to install only a bath (and no shower) in the master bathroom. Also, the master bathroom might not be reserved solely for the "master" of the house. Master bathrooms can accommodate entire families. In any case, we prefer to use the term master bath, which can also mean: the household's best bathroom!

The master bath is the space to indulge your sense of luxury. Imagine features like a lounge area with an HD TV, a cozy fireplaces, or striking panoramic views of your property. To accommodate these  features, more and more homeowners are sacrificing space in other rooms. The result is a new emphasis on a "spa-like" experience.

Whatever your preference, remember, a master bathroom can (and should) house multiple amenities like a single or double vanity with sinks and mirrors, a toilet in a private compartment, a steam showers, a whirlpool tub, and ample storage for linens towels and other necessary bathroom items.

Special Offer from MKBD:

This summer, MKBD is happy to offer an essential toilet upgrade: a FREE TOTO Washlet with a full bathroom remodeling project! Here's a description of the TOTO Washlet from TOTO's website:

"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.

The Washlet offers a lot of amazing technology, cleverly disguised as a toilet seat that fits virtually any standard toilet. At your command, Washlet extends an integrated wand to release a warm, soothing stream of aerated water to provide the ultimate in personal cleansing.

But this is not a conventional bidet; the wand self-washes and retracts after each use. The S300e/S355e models feature eWater+, a function that mists the bowl with electrolyzed water before and after each use, making the bowl easier to maintain and reducing the need for chemicals during cleaning.

For more, read here.

***

To take advantage of this offer, call MKBD today: 215-355-4747. But hurry! This offer is only valid from June 14, 2014 to September 1, 2014!

The Kitchen Backsplash: Style & Utility

At Master Kitchen & Bath Design, we love new kitchen cabinets, gleaming floors, and sturdy contertops, but the unsung hero of the kitchen remodeling world might just be the kitchen backsplash.

"But why?" you ask.

Well, with minimal labor, a kitchen backsplash can add an exquisitely stylish touch to your kitchen. But the backsplash is not all about style. As the name implies, a "backsplash" can serve as a protective shield against, well, all the splashes that might otherwise damage the kitchen wall.

Have you ever opened a bottle of wine with a little too much vigor? Have you ever splattered pasta sauce all over your kitchen wall? How about oil stains? If you've ever suffered the ignominy of scrubbing your kitchen wall in the middle of a dinner party, you'll appreciate the utility of a kitchen backsplash. 

Best yet? A kitchen backsplash just might be the most inexpensive kitchen upgrade. We recommend a backsplash for most full-scale kitchen remodeling projects, but it's also perfect candidate for a DIY project.

If you're tired of the look of your old kitchen, you might slap a new coat of paint on the kitchen walls, but one afternoon of work can also yield a beautiful backsplash that can transform the look and feel of your space.

Have we got you thinking backsplash? Great! Check out our handy primer below to learn more about this simple, yet effective kitchen upgrade.

A natural stone backsplash adds a stylish panache to this Center City MKBD project.

The Backsplash:  A History of Utility & Style

On her blog, The Kitchen Designer, Susan Serra offers an anecdotal history of the kitchen backsplash:

"Everywhere I look, I see small rectangular tile used on backsplashes and upper walls in the kitchen. It's getting a little bit worrisome to me. It's worrisome because, having been a kitchen designer since the very late 80s, I have perspective. Perspective helps my clients, and I hope it helps you too.

"It started (my professional association with tile) with 4x4 ceramic glazed tiles and pretty fruit and vegetable or flower designs, often seen with corner motifs, sort of that Country Floors look. Definitely gorgeous. Funny, I'm seeing it more and more frequently again and it's still every bit as beautiful. Like Terracotta flooring, it was very popular, then went away. Now it is returning, at least on the periphery, to fashion again."

Serra's history is valuable for her perspective on backsplash trends since the early eighties--and up to the two thousands, but you might be surprised to hear that the word backsplash has been around since at least 1947, according to the Merriam Webster.

Here's how the august dictionary defines the word: "a vertical surface (as of tiles) designed to protect the wall behind a stove or countertop."

So, as a mid- twentieth century invention, the backsplash was originally intended to provide the necessary utility of protection, but by the 80s, the "pretty fruit and vegetable or flower designs" that inspired Susan Serra's early association with tile signaled a more whimsical purpose: style. 

For this contemporary kitchen remodeling project in Hatboro, PA, MKBD installed a variety of backsplashes, including marble and a metal mosaic mix.

Kitchen Backsplash Materials

As the two pictures above illustrate, the backsplash can be made in a variety of materials, not just natural stone or ceramic tiles, but granite, limestone, soapstone, plate or mosaic glass, beaded board, stainless steel, and more.

Your choice of material will ultimately depend upon personal preference, and each material will offer its own unique benefits, but most homeowners choose a backsplash material that easily integrates with the cabinets, kitchen walls, and countertops.

The easiest and most cost effective solution is to simply use the same material for your countertops and backsplash. However, some homeowners use the backsplash to provide a subtle contrast to the countertops.  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. 

For more backsplash material ideas, check out HGTV's "30 Trendiest Kitchen Backsplashes."  

In this MKBD project, the homeowners opted for a contrast between the beautiful Decora cherry cabinets and the countertop and backsplash.

Hire a Pro? Or DIY?

As we noted above, a kitchen backsplash is a perfect addition to a full-scale kitchen remodeling project. That said, a backsplash can be installed quite easily as a simple kitchen upgrade by a professional remodeling company or by you--if you're the DIY type.

Prepare your walls by cleaning with soapy water. You might find that you have to sand the walls, too, before applying a layer of mastic and laying your tiles. Once your work is dry, seal the tiles with grout. To finish, clean your tiles again with soapy water. And, of course, make sure you choose only the best materials.

***

Got a kitchen backsplash question? Please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. MKBD is currently offering a FREE Kitchen remodeling estimate, FREE design, and FREE custom layout to all new customers.

Let's talk backsplash and more!

Call now! 215-355-4747 or visit us online at www.masterkitchendesign.com. 

Three Tips for Your Bathroom Paint Job

For homeowners who cannot afford the expense of a full-scale bathroom remodeling project, a fresh paint job just might be the most cost effective way to transform the look and feel of an old, stodgy bathroom. Better yet, a budget-friendly paint is the simplest of all bathroom upgrades.

 But before you go the DIY route, you should know: in terms of paint, the bathroom is unlike any other room in the house. Of course, the bathroom’s excessive moisture and humidity pose a unique challenge. Yet the very room itself calls for a special attentiveness to detail.

More than any other room in the house, for example, the bathroom and its ever-changing lighting patterns can reveal the flaws of a bad paint job. And since the room itself is often small, the choice of color can dramatically influence your perception of the space. Also unforeseen considerations, like ventilation (see below), can effect the durability of the paint job.

So before you head to the store for a few cans of paint, read our Three Essential Tips. Whether you’re planning a full-scale bathroom remodeling project or a simple DIY bathroom makeover, following these tips will ensure that you receive the best paint job money can buy.

In this Philadelphia area MKBD project, a soft yellow paint job is beautifully complemented by the stained backsplash and shower tiles.

 
1. Check Your Ventilation

In addition to removing odors, good bathroom ventilation will remove excessive moisture—the same moisture that can ruin even the most attentive paint jobs. So before you even consider your choice of colors, make sure your ventilation is up to par.

Now, most bathrooms come equipped with the luxury of windows, which can certainly help diffuse moisture. To use this simplest of all ventilation systems, simply open your window! However, the best option for bathroom ventilation is a fan. A bathroom fan will quickly send moisture and humidity outside, keeping the room—and the walls—relatively dry. If you already have a fan, try a simple test to see if it’s in good working order. A good fan should completely vent the air in your bathroom every five minutes. Next time you take a shower, note how long the steam remains on your mirror after you exit the shower. If you find yourself staring at a cloudy image after five minutes—well, then, you might need to service your fan or purchase a new fan.

2. Buy the Right Paint 

Certain paint manufacturers market special "bathroom paint" designed to resist mold and moisture. While this paint might offer certain benefits, if your bathroom has been designed and renovated efficiently, with proper ventilation and an even drywall texture, you will not need any special paint.

Instead, focus on the best paint for your space. Both high-gloss and semi-gloss offer good water resistance, but the sheen might highlight any textural flaws in the drywall. If you have a sound texture and solid natural light, try these paints. If not, you might try satin paint, which has a bit of gloss, and is good for those who prefer less shine.

Paint that provides flatter finishes, like a matte or eggshell, also tend to absorb moisture. This is why some paint companies have made special "bathroom paint"--matte paint designed to also repel moisture. For more information about bathroom specific paint, check out this article: "Should I Use Bathroom Paint? What's the Difference?"


3. When Choosing a Color, Pay Attention to Light

Bathroom light can vary significantly throughout the day so you want to make sure your color choice is amenable to both light and shadow.

A good way to examine the way colors look in different light is to wear different colored clothing in your bathroom throughout the day. No kidding. Try a navy shirt one day and a yellow the next. If you can, take a look in the mirror in the morning, afternoon, and night.

Do you like the way the colors look in each respective time? If so, that color might just be a good choice for your bathroom walls.

Better Homes and Gardens offers nine handy tips for choosing bathroom colors here.

In this French country-style  MKBD project in Abington, PA, the olive green wall is subtly illuminated by overhead lights.

Special Offer from MKBD:

This summer, MKBD is happy to offer an essential toilet upgrade: a FREE TOTO Washlet with a full bathroom remodeling project! Here's a description of the TOTO Washlet from TOTO's website:

"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.

The Washlet offers a lot of amazing technology, cleverly disguised as a toilet seat that fits virtually any standard toilet. At your command, Washlet extends an integrated wand to release a warm, soothing stream of aerated water to provide the ultimate in personal cleansing.

But this is not a conventional bidet; the wand self-washes and retracts after each use. The S300e/S355e models feature eWater+, a function that mists the bowl with electrolyzed water before and after each use, making the bowl easier to maintain and reducing the need for chemicals during cleaning.

For more, read here.

***

To take advantage of this offer, call MKBD today: 215-355-4747. But hurry! This offer is only valid from June 14, 2014 to September 1, 2014!

A Bathtub Style Guide

A bathtub is a wonderful addition to a full-scale bathroom remodeling project. And not withstanding the ease of a quick shower, nothing beats warm soak in a luxurious tub.

If you are considering a bathtub as part of a bathroom remodeling project, you have plenty of options. However, your personal selection might be limited by your available space or style preference, so it's best to research the most suitable bathtub style for your family's needs.

Before you perform your research, though, make sure a bathtub is a viable option for your bathroom. Your first consideration is space. It might be best to ask a professional if a bathtub is a reasonable option for you.

Second, consider costs. Many homeowners wish to replace a bathtub without renovating the rest of the bathroom, yet this can be a costly job with little appreciable ROI. As the popular remodeling site This Old House writes:

"Most tubs are set in an alcove or corner, lapped by the flooring and wall finishes to create a watertight seal and tied down in at least two places by plumbing. If you're ready for a full-scale bathroom remodel, replacing the tub makes sense. If you're not, you're looking at creating a real mess and spending $2,000 to $3,000 for little visual change."

If a bathtub is in the cards for you, check out our handy bathtub style guide below. 

Clawfoot Bathtubs

You've probably heard of the famous clawfoot bathtub, the oldest and most elegant bathtub. Clawfoot tubs are designed with deep basins and high, sloping backs for supporting your arms and back. The front is often straight or flat.

Clawfoot tubs get their names from their free-standing supportive legs, which are often designed to look like "claws." As Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote memorably in his famous book, Love in the Time of Cholera:

"The house was modern and did not have the pewter tub with lion's-paw feet common in the mansions of the old city."

As the quote implies, the clawfoot tub can lend an elegant, vintage appeal to your bathroom.

We love a good clawfoot tub at MKBD. In this Abington, PA project, we installed a clawfoot as apart of a French country theme.

Freestanding Tubs 

Like clawfoot tubs, freestanding bathtubs are simple bathtubs that stand independent of surrounding walls. Unlike clawfoot tubs, the sculpted basin rests on a solid base. The faucets might be mounted on the tub or a nearby wall.

If you have the space, and you like the appeal of a bathtub that stands independent of your bathroom's surrounding walls, yet you don't like the antiquated look of a clawfoot tub, you would do well to research freestanding tubs. You will find many options for simple freestanding tubs made in a variety of materials from porcelain to cast iron, and even acrylic.

Drop-in Tubs

Drop-in tubs are installed in an enclosure that can be finished to match your bathrooms cabinets or vanity: At MKBD, we're partial to this bathtub style. We've successfully installed many drop-ins for happy clients.

In the above MKBD project, a full-scale bathroom remodeling in Huntingdon Valley, we installed a beautiful air bathtub surrounded by custom panels from Decora Cabinets. Imagine sitting in this tub with the twilight streaming over your shoulders as warm jets massage your back!

Corner Tubs

A variation of the drop-in design, the corner tub is a tub that is simply designed to be installed in the corner of a bathroom. Like the drop-in tub above, a corner tub can be placed beneath a window to maximize the bathing experience. At MKBD, we've also successfully installed plenty of corner tubs:

In this MKBD project from Vorhees, New Jersey, we installed a Toto soaker tub surrounded by columns for a Roman bath feeling.

Alcove Tubs

Most Americans are familiar with the popular alcove tub, the style found in most bathrooms, tucked into a three-walled enclosure. With added tiles or shower panels, the enclosure can also include a shower. With a standard length of 60 inches, the alcove tubs maximizes space, although alcove tubs can also include options like the drop-in and corner tubs pictured above.

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!