Favorite Products from KBIS 2015

Below are photos and short descriptions of some of my favorite new and innovative products from KBIS 2015.  Held annually, this show is a great way for manufacturers and service providers to connect with designers and other industry pros.  The show provides quite a bit of inspiration for me. The ideas I see here often translate into new and innovative concepts and I look forward to translating what I've found into tangible designs for my customers.  

The theme that runs through this year's show is integration of technology into the home. Touchless plumbing fixtures, home automation systems, countertops that charge mobile devices, new manufacturing techniques, and integrated smart lighting are just a few of the ways that manufacturers are changing the way we live in and use our homes. It's certainly an exciting time to be remodeling or building.

Ann Sacks structured tiles

Solid surface freestanding tub in matte finish

Dipped metal finish cabinet doors with wrapped channel construction

Brizo Kitchen Faucet

Built in wall wine coolers by Liebherr

Recessed channel LED lighting by Hafele

Ever wonder what a $50,000 range looks like?  LaCornue

Kohler's gigantic space

Before / After Bathroom Photos of a Pool House in Cherry Hills Village

This bathroom is inside a great pool house in Cherry Hills Village.  We had to work around the existing tile flooring, which isn't great.  It's sort of a peach / pink color.  The previous homeowners painted the walls a flesh tone, which did not help.  Working with BOA Construction, I designed a new bathroom for the pool house using Porcelanosa wainscot tile, a custom 8" thick concrete countertop with trough sink, and a custom vanity with polished chrome inlays on the legs.

Having to work around the existing flooring was a challenge.  However, the material and color choices made during the design process dramatically cut down on the pinkish hue that was previously there.

Here are the before / after shots!  

The vanity is designed with an open shelf bottom, to store rolled-up towels for guests.  Four drawers provide nice storage.  The legs are 4" in diameter and have polished chrome inlays running from top to bottom.  My favorite part of this piece is the 8" thick concrete countertop that rests on top of the vanity.  It has  an integrated trough sink.  Brizo Virage Faucet and sconces. 

Polished chrome accents with white paint finish and black concrete is a great combination. 

The wall tile is from Porcelanosa.  It's a Spanish company that imports to the US, and they carry some amazing product.  This particular tile is porcelain and it is manufactured with a matte finish wood grain.  We installed the 12x24 tiles horizontally on the walls throughout the bathroom with a polished chrome accent piece on top.  The effect is very light and airy and it creates a "beach" feel; perfect for a pool house.  

This picture shows what a "trough" sink refers to.  The sink is cast as part of the mold in the concrete fabrication process.  Very clean and elegant.  

I updated the fireplace with the same tile we used for wainscot in the bathroom.  Both vertical corners are adorned with Porcelanosa corner trim in polished chrome.  

Before Photos:

A Modern Bathroom in Greenwood Village - Scouting Shots

Scouting shots from a recent bathroom remodel in Greenwood Village. Here are some of the highlights...

Cracked glass floor detail...Axor tub filler and faucets...custom Anegre veneer high polish cabinetry. 

We used a really great luminescent tile for an accent in the shower.  The wall tile is a 12x24 porcelain that is very similar to crema marfil marble. 

Axor fixture, shown in front of the niche we built for additional storage. The storage niche is great for the homeowners' electric toothbrushes and has its own LED lighting and GFCI receptacles. 

Shower niche

The free standing tub is by Hydro Systems, and the tub filler is the Axor Massaud.  Striking!

7 Ways to Enjoy Your Kitchen Remodeling Experience

It's been a little over four years since I wrote, "8 Steps for a Successful Kitchen Remodel".  I received a lot of positive feedback about it.  That article was meant to provide a very basic look at what to expect during a kitchen (or bathroom) remodel.  There is a lot of information pertaining to expectations, responsibilities, and order of events.  So if you have never remodeled before - OR perhaps you just want to find out a little bit about my process, click on that link above to access that article.

This post is more geared towards providing some positive insights into how you and your family can not only survive, but ENJOY your remodeling experience.  There is a misconception that every remodel has to be a stressful, drawn out process with absolutely no joy in it.  And while ripping out your kitchen (or bath) can be anxiety-inducing; it shouldn't keep you up at night.  

7 Ways to Enjoy Your Kitchen Remodeling Experience 

1. Document everything with the idea that you will create a picture book about the experience once complete.  Check out www.mypublisher.com, or you can use the iPhoto Print Services online if you are an Apple junky like me.  Take detailed before pictures.  Try to take photos of every conceivable angle and if you can, envision where the most dramatic view points will be when the project is complete.  Taking a shot every single day isn't totally necessary, but I always take a quick photo of the major progress items, (cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc...)  Take the "after" shots keeping in mind where you took your "before" shots.  If you can stand in the same location-even better!  Put the before/after shots side by side for a dramatic effect.  This documentary of the progress of work can be really fun to look through a year or two after completion.

Well planned out temp kitchens make life much nicer for you when your real kitchen is ripped apart.

2. Plan your temporary kitchen space ahead of time.  So important!  Here's what you'll need: 

• Cooking Appliances:  For about $50-$100 you can buy a couple of electric or induction table top burners that plug into a regular outlet.  In addition to your burners, set up a small microwave in a convenient location.  You'll use the microwave a LOT over the next few months.  
• 6 foot folding table.  If you have room for two of these, even better.  You'll need a surface for your table top burners, microwave, etc.  
• Trash can
• Disposable dinnerware.  I know it is wasteful, but you're not a terrible person if you use disposable plates and forks for a few months.  There are several options that are recyclable as well.  Try to minimize the dishes you have to do after your meals. 
• Get a bus box from a restaurant supply store.  Use it as as catch-all for dirty dishes.  

3. Plan Dinners with Friends You Haven't Seen in a While.  How long have you been planning to have dinner with that couple you love but haven't seen in 6 months?  In fact, how many friends do you need to catch up with?  If you are like me, then it's probably quite a few.  What better way to get away from the construction zone AND get a free dinner than going over to your friend's house???  You'll have some fantastic conversation topics to talk about over dinner.  It's OK to have an extra glass of wine too. You deserve it after living through this remodel...

4. Take Weekend Excursions.  What?  Go on a vacation during a remodel?  Well, a lot of us can't afford to take a big vacation while simultaneously paying for a big kitchen renovation.  For those of you that CAN - this is the best way to survive in style.  I hear Cabo is great this time of year...But for those of us that need to be a little bit more frugal during the renovation, taking a weekend excursion to that mountain town you haven't explored is a great way to get away.  Go camping, take a trip to see relatives.  In short - just get out and do something that requires you to stop thinking about what type of granite you should decide on for one weekend!

5. Watch a Tradesmen Do His (or her) Work for About 30 Minutes.  Most tradesmen would probably be cool with you taking an interest in their job.  This tip is not for everyone.  But for those of you that are interested in residential construction, it is a great way to learn something new while also getting on the good side of your subcontractors.

6. Use the Grill!  The grill is still my favorite cooking surface.  My family grills year round.  Yep.  Not uncommon to see me in boot deep snow firing up the grill in January.  A) minimal clean up, B) great flavor, C) large cooking surface.  Have a BBQ & tell your friends to bring a side.  You can cook anything on the grill and show off the progress of your kitchen renovation to everyone.

7. Create a Time Capsule with Your Children.  It's amazing what you pull out of old houses during a renovation.  50 year old newspapers, family photos, etc.  Well, why not leave a little something for the next family that lives in your home and decides to remodel?  Kids will probably really enjoy this exercise (unless they're teenagers, in which case they probably hate everything).  Ask them to grab one or two small items or photographs.  Add a current newspaper article or this month's 5280 Magazine.  Stuff it all into a mason jar and maybe include a nice note wishing the next homeowners luck.  You might stuff it into the new wall you're framing out or perhaps put it in the crawlspace in a corner where nobody will find it for a very long time.  Either way, it will be fun for your next homeowners.  

Photoshoot Today in Denver

Our photographer taking some pro shots of a luxury bathroom remodel that I recently completed.  Edited shots to follow... [gallery type="rectangular" ids="736,737,738"]