SPECIAL SECTION: Spring Home Renovation Guide
bacteria, mold, and mildew on the surface to help the toilet stay cleaner longer. The system, which operates on four AA alkaline batteries, runs independently from the normal toilet-flushing operation, meaning the toilet will always flush, even if the cleaning cartridge or batteries have run out. Additional features include a slow-close lid and anti-slip bumpers that lock the seat in place.
Tub: Few people will argue that nothing beats a long soak in a warm tub. Now, the bathtub’ s appearance and special features can be specially tailored to satisfy your personal preferences. Extra-deep, extra-wide, with and without jets, freestanding or integrated into the architecture— the possibilities are nearly endless. Keep access in mind when you choose your style; don’ t select a tub so deep it’ s difficult to climb in and out, and remember practical considerations like bathing children.
Floor: Because it offers broad aesthetic appeal and it’ s relatively easy to keep clean, tile flooring is a top choice for bathrooms. Not only can you add style with the color and texture of the tile, you can take your flooring to even greater levels with special patterns and designs. Another flooring enhancement— heated coils that run below the surface to keep cool tile warm and cozy when it’ s cold outside.
Storage: While aesthetic appeal is important, a bathroom without sufficient storage space is truly lacking in function. Be sure your design includes a place to keep essentials like towels and personal grooming items. Whether your storage space blends in or stands out is entirely up to you; some vanities actually look more like stylish furniture, and open shelving is a popular choice for a modern space.
With the wide range of options available, it’ s easy to create a bathroom that delivers the perfect combination of style and function.
Smart, Stylish Designs for Outdoor Kitchens
Kitchens are moving outside and are expected to be a top design trend in 2017.
An outdoor kitchen can greatly improve the value of a home, and it brings family and friends together. Whether it’ s having your neighbors for a weekend barbecue or a big family gathering, everyone loves being outside.
Big or small, the basic principles of outdoor kitchen design remain the same. Get started by understanding these basics:
Get the right heat— It all starts with the grill, which is the centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen. Russ Faulk, chief designer and head of product for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, suggests basing your selection on the cook you aspire to be, not the kind you are now. Remember that there are no uniform depths, heights or widths when it comes to grills, so future upgrades can be a challenge.
More homeowners are also expanding their cooking capabilities with specialized products offering different types of heat. Smokers, pizza ovens and charcoal or wood-fired grills are options to keep in mind as they can enhance the outdoor cooking experience.
Continued on next page ➢
Murrysville | Spring 2017 | icmags. com 25