bathroom ideas

New Kitchen and Bath Projects Fall 2013

The first snow of the year is predicted to fall this weekend.  It's only the first week of October, but after living in Colorado for almost 5 years now, it's not surprising that we will have snowy weather on Friday and sunny 70 degree weather on Sunday.  Go figure. I'm pleased to announce that I have recently been retained to work on four new projects.

A master bathroom remodel in Cherry Creek North:  We're going for a sleek transitional look.  I am specifying large format porcelain tile (18 x 36) for the flooring and a wainscot tile that is 12 x 24.  I'll tie everything together with and carrara accents, and then add some interest with vibrant colors on the walls.   The new frameless European shower will be a vast improvement.

Just up the street from the master bathroom remodel is a house owned by a couple with a young child.  It's a wonderful old house that has a newer addition on the back of it.  Problem is that the new part of the house does not tie into the old part.  There are several areas I am working on in this project including, the master suite, kitchen, great room, mudroom, entry way, and flooring.  The homeowners are very involved with the process and are excited about bringing this wonderful house together into one cohesive home.

You may have seen pictures on this blog of a classic home restoration project that I completed about a year ago...That homeowner referred me to his neighbor just down the street, and we are now currently in the design phase on her master bathroom.  Her home is very traditional, with clean lines.  I plan to give her a new bathroom that is really beautiful - but most importantly, it is going to feel like it belongs in the house.

I was also hired on to a kitchen remodel project up in Boulder.  Fortunately, this couple avoided any major flood damage - many of their neighbors are still recovering.  We're going to update their kitchen to something totally sleek and modern.  High gloss lacquer, white glass, textured laminates and quartz counters are going to make this space really POP.

We are also finishing up installation of new construction in Greenwood Village.  That project should be complete by Thanksgiving.

I will report back with pictures soon!

 

 

Transitional Bathroom Remodel - Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Denver

I always say that I strive above all else to keep the clients' vision at the heart of my design.  It's a real sticking point for me.  Honor that vision from start to finish.  The first time I met these clients, they communicated to me how much they love the look of marble.  They also wanted a space that was "transitional" in style.  The new bathroom needed to be modern, yet also feel warm and inviting.  The design of this bathroom begins and ends with a focus on the white carrara marble that was used not only pervasively in the shower, but also for the entire floor of the bathroom.  Large 12 x 24 flooring tiles lay atop a radiant heat pad that covers all areas that are accessible by foot.  Walking on this floor makes your feet happy :) Carrara marble slabs are the first thing the eye picks up upon entering the room.

The free standing tub was built for us in Georgia and the tub filler was sourced from Portugal.  Other details about this bathroom - limestone tile used on the wall behind the vanities creates a sense of drama.  The wall mounted faucets are a perfect compliment to the style of the bath, and provide for very easy counter wipe downs.  I utilized a 3" thick Quartz countertop in this space.  More carrara on the tops would have been just too much, so I found something that played off the shape and color of the tub.  The overall feel is an inviting space that is luxurious, elegant, modern, and calming.

[gallery columns="2" type="rectangular" ids="746,747,748,749,750,751,752,753"]

Dramatic Kitchen Shines in this Mountain Retreat

Every once in a while, a project comes along that is really special.  Now, that's not to take away anything from any of my other remodels or new construction projects - but sometimes you are lucky enough to be part of a project in which all of the involved parties have an unquenchable thirst to build something that pushes our creative boundaries in the quest to provide a truly unique space.  This house, this kitchen is definitely one of these spaces, and it shows through in every room of the house.  I was hired by the interior designer on this project to provide the cabinetry design for this kitchen.  We started from scratch and built something that we had never done before.  I'm quite proud of the result. You'll notice that all of the cabinetry has a reflective surface in the door.  I had to work with our cabinet shop to create a new door that would accept both a bronze glass panel and a cherry veneer panel in the door.  It wasn't easy but we figured it out and the end result is beautiful!  The Sub Zero housing is encased in a floor to ceiling column that is cladded in a natural stone.  The housing itself had to be completely re-thought from our standard because of the door swings on the refrigerator, hence the 135 degree angles on the pilasters that anchor either end of the housing.  Above the fridge, we placed a piece of Lumix Quartz (same as countertops).  The result is a piece that mimics a work of art instead of an appliance.

If you are interested in working with any of the other professionals associated with this project (interior designer, architect, builder), please get in touch with me.

[gallery type="rectangular" columns="2" ids="714,715,716,717,718,719,720,721"]

Cherry Creek Loft - European Styled Kitchen and Bath

The Kitchen

I think that when most of us think of "modern" style, we tend to associate it with very cold spaces that are fun to look at, but seem fairly sterile and cold.  Contrarily, this space is definitely modern, but also feels warm.  I accomplished this feat by pairing high gloss custom color laminate wall cabinetry against a matte finish, dark cabinet below.  The dark cabinetry is actually a rift cut gray oak veneer with a custom stain on it.  Luxury appliances by Sub Zero and Wolf allow this sleek kitchen to perform at a very high level as a chef's preparation area.  I designed a custom cabinet to house a dishwasher about 12" off of the floor.  This higher placement makes using the appliance much easier.  The end result is a space that doubles as both a wonderful cooking haven and a entertaining space.

[gallery columns="2" type="rectangular" ids="681,682,683,684"]

The Master Bathroom

The master retreat - as I like to call it - is just that: a retreat from the stresses of daily life.  It's a very calming room when you step into it.  Subtle colors on cabinetry, tile, and countertops are a nice compliment to the cool blue metallic paint used on the walls.  A very nice place to start your day...or end it.

[gallery columns="2" type="rectangular" ids="689,690,691,692,693"]

Some Notes from KBIS 2011 in Las Vegas

image First off, I apologize for the formatting. This is my first post via a mobile device.  We'll see how it turns out.

I am also convinced that Electric Mirror is going to be a hot item in the coming year.  These mirrors provide lighting and mirror in one, which is really nice because the best lighting at the vanity is at eye level, not from above.  I recently specified the "Novo" mirror for a Denver bathroom remodel and can't wait to see the finished product installed in about a month.

image

Rambling Thoughts...

Totally surprised by the lack of contemporary cabinet lines on display. Taiwanese /Chinese vendors and manufacturers have evolved from last year, but it will be a while before they measure up to the big market players such as Kohler in terms of quality and marketing technique. Speaking of Kohler, they really impressed me with some of their new lines. Abrezo Line of fixtures was awesome...very refined. Anyone interested in a $6,400 toilet withal touchscreen control unit?

Robern has some really great vanity cabinets on display.  Honestly, I had no idea their product line went beyond the medicine cabinets they are so well known for.  The vanities have glass fronts (of which you can choose several different types of glass), divided drawers for solid organization, integrated power sources, and some really slick lighting.

Sinks for Cool People

Ever feel like every time you visit a showroom, there is something new you've never seen before?  The task of choosing your fixtures and fittings for the bath can become an overwhelming chore when faced with the ever growing number of design choices available.  Sinks, maybe moreso than any other product, are constantly evolving.  They are now created with every water impermeable substance that you can think of - ranging from bronze to wood.  A myriad of shapes and installation options are also available.  Wall mount, deck mount, vessel, semi undermount, undermount, self standing....the list goes on and on.

Small guest baths are a great place to make a statement.  Specifying a really great vessel or lav can make the space "pop".  Whereas most guests won't see your master bathroom, almost all of them will visit your guest bathroom at least once during a visit.  Find a unique look for your bath and then focus the rest of the design around that piece.  Spend your money on the pieces guests will use most - the lav.

Here are a few samples of new designs and some companies you may not have heard of previously.  I am  personal fan of Alape sinks.  German engineered with glazed steel construction.  Almost indestructible.  Available in custom colors.  Worth every penny.

Manufacturer: Diamond Spas

Material: Stainless Steel

Manufacturer: Sonia

Material: White Ceramic

Name: Basin P50

Manufacturer: Alape

Material: Glazed steel, inside and out

Name: HB.R

Manufacturer: Alape

Material: Glazed steel, inside and out

Name: WT.RS

Manufacturer: Kohler

Material: Bronze

Name: Katagami

Manufacturer: Franke USA

Material: Stainless Steel

Name: PRX720CS

Manufacturer: Elkay

Material: Stainless Steel

Name: Avado Sink Package | EFT402211C