Kitchen Although homes are trending smaller, kitchens are getting bigger and becoming the preferred gathering point for families. Formal dining room walls are being blown out to create an extension to the kitchen. These larger areas allow for more creative freedom when choosing dining sets, appliances, and countertops. Customization in this room of the house is key. Love to cook? Add specific features that enhance your cooking experience, such as pot-filler faucets above the stove or double ovens for twice the cooking power. Not quite a chef? Create an inviting space for guests to gather around with decorative pops of color added by useful appliances that make cooking a breeze.
• Mix and match: Gone are the days of matching appliances. A variety of companies are now offering new color lines of large appliances to mix and match for a trendy look. Matte finishes are an alternative to stainless steel, boasting a fingerprint-free surface that provides a sleek look. Two-toned cabinets are also sticking, bringing in similar hues while adding interest to the space.
• Quartz and high-end laminate: Granite is making an exit as the most popular countertop with a durable, fresh-looking competitor taking its place in the ranking: quartz. Quartz is harder than granite and not porous, making it nearly indestructible and easy to maintain. Don’ t have the budget for quartz? What used to get a bad rap is now stealing the show. High-end laminate is now imitating the look of a natural stone countertop. Don’ t rule it out until you’ ve seen it.
• Golden fixtures: This year is all about customization, allowing for more freedom when choosing kitchen fixtures. Brass and copper finishes are paired with slate appliances to add a modern feel to the entertainment hub of the home.
Decorating Trends Decorating has never been so customizable. Focus on your inner self and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and comfortable in your home. This year is all about self-care and bringing happiness into the home.
• Bring in the green: Plants not only add a pop of color to any room, they also improve air quality and purify the air. Choose
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There’ s no shortage when it comes to contractors looking to upgrade features inside your home, or to create luxury additions like decks or patios. But who do you call when the actual structure of your home needs attention— when the bricks themselves have issues? That’ s when you call Michener Masonry for help.
Common problems like cracks that radiate out from the corners of windows and doors appear because of worn-out angle irons( steel bars bridging the tops of windows and doors to carry the weight of the bricks above them). Over time, angle irons can rust, swell and crack the surrounding brickwork.
Weak mortar is another area of concern. Constant abuse from the elements can erode mortar. In hard-to-inspect areas, like chimneys, homeowners may not even know there’ s a problem until a brick falls or water starts showing up in the home. If not taken care of, these areas can and will let moisture and water in, and heat out. The longer they’ re left untreated, the worse the damage can be.
Michener Masonry has been helping homeowners in the Greater Pittsburgh area solve these problems for more than 25 years, and offers results at affordable prices. Michener’ s abundant experience means that mortar and brick will be matched as closely as possible, leaving a finished job that looks as natural as the day the house was built.
For more information on Michener Masonry, call Jim Michener at 412.853.2277 and schedule a free estimate for your home today.
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