SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
BATHROOM BEAUTY FIVE HOT TRENDS IN HARDWOOD FLOORING
Though your bathroom may not spring to mind as the place
to hold your next cocktail party, with the right accoutrements
your bath can be a great place to hang out and enjoy life. And if
you live with family members, it may be the only place in your
house where you can truly be alone for a bit.
Besides just being a place to “get ready” to meet the day,
it’s also a relaxing space to recharge your batteries after a
long week at work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best ways to
relieve stress and help tired, overworked muscles. With tons
of specialized showerheads, you can have everything from the
sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating massage to bring
your body back to center. And a nice relaxing bath in a soaker
tub can make the world go away for a while.
Does all of this sound like a fantasy? Maybe not. According
to designer Mary Laipple, Director of the Kitchen and Bath
Design Studio at 84 Lumber, you may be able to make updates
to your bath for less than you might expect.
“If a homeowner is just updating and not moving plumbing,
heating ducts and electricity, the makeover can start at around
$10,000,” says Laipple. And the choices for today’s bath are
incredibly enticing. She notes that many homeowners are
opting for larger showers that will not only get you clean,
but can also bathe you in LED lighting that changes colors to
suit your mood. You can also enjoy your favorite music in the
shower to either calm you down after a stressful day, or pep
you up for the daily routine.
Vanities and bath cabinetry have also arrived in the 21st
century. Vanities are no longer empty-shell cabinets that open
to a cavernous interior with little customization. Current More than ever, homeowners are appreciating the added
value that hardwood floors bring to a home.
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Here’s a look at five top flooring trends that will help if you
can’t see the wood for the trees.
Made in America
“There’s a growing demand for American-produced
hardwoods,” says Michael Martin, President and CEO of the
National Wood Flooring Association. “It’s part of the general
trend toward locally sourced materials of all kinds in the
U.S.” Consumer concerns about sustainability, quality, safety
and environmental factors are more easily addressed when
a hardwood is domestically grown and milled. Plus, the U.S.
offers an unrivaled range of readily available species suitable
for flooring.
Stains and Finishes
Gray is a classic “neutral” that’s never truly out of fashion. It’s
currently one of the most popular colors, ranging from pale
smoke to deep charcoal, showing up in hardwood flooring.
“Whether light or dark, gray stains bring out any wood’s
natural grain and texture,” says New York interior designer
Laura Bohn. “Grays are versatile and timeless—quiet and
soothing colors that recede into the background without
losing personality or becoming faceless. They work in any
style décor, yet always look modern.”
Species
For several years, the trend was toward woods like hickory,
but recently white oak has moved to the front. Along with
abundance, durability and reasonable cost, white oak offers
aesthetic advantages. Many of the popular gray-brown shades
look especially sophisticated applied to white oak.
The Wider, The Better
It’s all about wide, wider, widest. Planks of up to 7 inches in
width are considered normal now. Traditional strip flooring
still remains popular, but wide-plank is the market leader.
Wider floorboards can make a space look larger and more
modern. The floor can be treated like a canvas: ebonized for a
sleek, dark look; light-stained for an urban vibe; distressed for
a rustic effect—the possibilities are endless.
Popular Patterns
One way to set your home interior apart is by tapping into the
trend for herringbone and chevron pattern hardwood floors,
which show up increasingly in decorating magazines. Since
installing herringbone floors is a time- and labor-intensive
process, they’re more common in high-end projects. Still, if
you can afford to splurge, these floors are a gorgeous addition
to any room.
NORWIN ❘ SPRING 2019
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