You spend so much time in your
bathroom every day. You owe it to
yourself to make it a more enjoyable
place. And, according to HGTV.com,
bath remodels often offer a return on
investment of more than 100%!
KITCHEN CUISINE
Whether your cooking style is
Chicken Cordon Bleu, or just some
great Pad Thai take-out from the
corner restaurant, you need a place
to prepare your meals that’s fun,
organized and feels like home.
Even in today’s hectic lifestyle, you’ll
probably spend a significant amount of
time each day in your kitchen.
Though it’s a significant investment
to update your kitchen, it’s a
worthwhile endeavor from both a
personal standpoint and a financial
one. And like bathrooms, HGTV.com
estimates that a kitchen remodel can
offer returns that are upwards of 100%
on the resale of your house.
You can give your kitchen a
whole new look in any style from
ultra‑contemporary to French country.
Your designer and builder can assist
you with computer-aided design
(CAD) to help you envision your
dream.
Some new trends in the kitchen
include spacious farm sinks that offer
tons of space for food prep. Clean,
white subway tile can match virtually
any décor, making it a popular choice
for backsplashes. Recycled glass tiles
can be found in any color for a look
that’s great for your kitchen and great
for the environment as well. Mosaic
tiles are frequently used and can
be laid in customized patterns for a
uniquely personal look.
Although cherry wood cabinets are
popular, there’s a trend toward white
cabinets. Cherry will give your kitchen
a warm feel, while white cabinets will
brighten the space and have a clean
appearance.
As for flooring, natural stone and
travertine are extremely popular right
now. After the stone is sealed, it’s an
easy-care option for homeowners and
offers a lot of longevity.
It’s not just about the look you
want to achieve in your kitchen, it’s
also about the way it makes you, your
family and your friends feel when
you’re there.
ADDITION: 1 + 1 = FABULOUS!
Ever feel like your home would be
perfect if only it had that one room
that’s missing? Perhaps it’s an extra
bedroom for when Mom comes to
visit, or a bathroom downstairs for
guests when you’re entertaining.
Maybe you already have a family room,
but it just needs to be a little larger
for your needs. If this sounds familiar,
a home addition may be the perfect
solution for making life a little more
comfortable.
The great thing about a new room
is that you can plan it exactly the
way you want it. If you’re adding a
family room or game room, why not
build a fireplace as well? This will
quickly make it the most visited room
in your house. If you’re adding a
bedroom either for visiting parents or
a returning college student, why not
include an ensuite bath, which will
increase your home’s value as well as
make for more enjoyable visits for your
guests.
As with any work done in your
home, make sure that you do your
homework before contacting any
contractors. It’s a good idea to
obtain estimates from three different
contractors before deciding which
one to use. It helps to be as specific as
possible in your choices in order to
get the most accurate estimates. Use a
spec sheet to ensure that you are giving
all three contractors the same exact
information.
Using local contractors is another
great way to ensure that you’re getting
someone with a good reputation in
the community. Another good idea is
to attend home shows where you can
actually meet the contractors face to
face. It’s easier working with someone
with whom you have a good rapport.
The most important thing to
remember in any home design project
is not to be too focused on the bottom
line only. Many times the lowest price
does not result in the best‑quality
job. Do your research to find the best
person for your particular project. ■
WEST ALLEGHENY
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SPRING 2020
29