This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
In 2011, design-build pro Jared Lewis and his wife, Katherine, moved into their 1962 traditional-style home in Scotts Valley, California. Over the years, the couple updated the house in phases to create more of a coastal cottage style. In 2017, they built an 8-foot addition for a new open-concept kitchen and dining room.
But after living with the kitchen for a number of years, they felt that while many of the elements looked and functioned fine, the bright white cabinets and blue island base dated the space. Seeking more warmth and a current look, they teamed up with designer Kerry Gillette, who used Houzz Pro software, for a refresh.
Now creamy white cabinets and a soft beige paint on the island base create a warm and inviting style. New rustic wood ceiling beams and wood-look flooring add more warmth. The flooring material and stools upholstered in performance fabric introduce durable details that stand up to frequent guests.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
When this Canadian family started to outgrow its home, the last thing it wanted to do was leave behind its beloved neighborhood in Victoria, British Columbia. “This is a fantastic neighborhood that’s walkable to shops, restaurants and the beach,” Robbyn McDonald of MAC Reno Design Build says. “We finished the attic to create space for a primary suite and living room. They’d never had an en suite bathroom before, so they were really excited.” The new, light-filled bathroom is a fresh take on midcentury modern style.
“The jumping-off point for the room was the clients’ wooden towel stand,” McDonald says. “We echoed it in the vertical-grain walnut floating double vanity.” The vanity sets a midcentury-modern-inspired tone, emphasized by brushed gold fixtures.
Simple mirrors with rounded edges maintain the clean look. The room has a lot of straight lines, so the subtle curves of the mirror frames add softness.
The vanity has three large drawers in the center for efficient storage. There’s motion-activated lighting under the vanity. This makes navigating to the toilet alcove easy at night without turning on a bright light.
The countertop is a porcelain slab that looks like marble. The designers used the same porcelain on the shower bench. The bench is heated and serves as a toasty seat in the shower.
Browse vanities in the Houzz Shop
The flooring is also porcelain, composed of large-format tiles. The open door offers a glimpse into the primary bedroom. Heated floors keep the bathroom nice and warm.
The shower has a partial enclosure, which keeps the water inside. Tight insulation and energy-efficient glass on the windows and skylight help prevent drafts.
One of the challenges in an attic renovation is addressing lower ceilings. Placing the tub beneath the sloped ceiling and adding the skylight was a good layout strategy here. It’s easy to get in and out of the tub without hitting the ceiling.
“The vaulted ceiling added height and visual interest, creating a cozy and inviting tub area,” McDonald says. “Positioning the skylight above the tub brought natural light throughout the room, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.”
Shop for a bathtub
Midcentury modern style also inspired the sumptuous green tiles in the shower. Their vertical composition nods to the era. The tiles are glossy, with 3D beveled edges — a fresh update on the style. Tiles from the era would have been flat, while these have a lot of dimensionality.
Shower tile: Flauti in Sage Gloss, Ceramic Tileworks
The tucked-away toilet area behind the shower wall has privacy and light from a window. The green tiles and brushed gold accessories keep the space cohesive with the rest of the bathroom.
“High-quality materials and precise construction techniques ensured the bathroom met industry best practices for sustainability, water conservation and performance,” McDonald says. These include:
Updated plumbing and mechanical systemsWater-conserving shower fixtures Low-E energy-efficient windows that create a tight envelopeHeated flooring that provides even, energy-efficient heatLED lightingPlenty of natural light to reduce use of artificial lighting
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
Open-plan kitchens — a single space in which you can cook, eat, relax and socialize — are enduringly popular. They allow family and friends to be together, with no single person isolated in the kitchen, and make good use of the available footprint, reducing the need for circulation space between rooms.
However, the kitchen’s highly visible position within what often becomes the hub of the home means they do require careful planning and there are multiple factors to consider: zoning areas, making the space social, flow and aesthetics. We asked three home professionals to share their design advice.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
5. Avoid Plastic Where Possible
It can be surprising how much plastic we use in the landscape. There are those single-use black pots that garden center plants come in, for example, as well as plastic seed trays, plant labels and twine.
But with a little thought, you can replace these unsustainable items with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Use wooden labels and traditional garden string, and seek out garden centers that will recycle the black plant pots. Also, hunt around for biodegradable seed trays that will break down into the soil when they reach the end of their lifespan.
When you’re planning outdoor structures such as greenhouses, opt for glass instead of plastic if possible. The initial cost may be higher, but a model glass will last a lot longer than a cheaper plastic one.
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
Rugs can add texture, interest and warmth to a bedroom, but they can be treacherous underfoot, especially for anyone unsteady of body or visually compromised.
“It’s important to note that rugs can be hazardous for the elderly,” Lecoufle-Vinet says. “If someone doesn’t lift their feet as much, they may stumble over rugs and fall. Choosing bare wooden floors or wall-to-wall carpeting can offer a safer alternative.”
Jones suggests that hard surfaces, particularly wood, can be ideal if mobility aides are used. “For those using a wheelchair or walker, carpet or rugs can be difficult to navigate, and carpets can create too much resistance for a wheelchair.”
Linoleum and cork will also provide a warm, soft, insulated floor that’s easier to navigate on wheels, but get expert advice and make sure your chosen flooring is suitable for your situation.
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