• Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Increase Your Property Value

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    So, you’ve decided to approach remodeling as a way to increase the property value of your home. That’s the first step, and an excellent choice for any homeowner who wants to see a little return on their investment. The next step in that process is choosing which parts of your home to remodel and finding ideas that fit your budget, timeline, and aesthetic.

    If you do a quick search to look for ideas, you’ll find thousands of options, ranging from modest costs to millionaire budgets. You’ll probably want to narrow those options down a little, and the best way to that is to figure out where you’d like to start. Research shows that bathroom remodels are a surefire way to increase the value of your property.

    Below, we’ll talk about five great ideas for remodeling your bathroom, while shooting up your property value at the same time.

    #1 Did Someone Say Walk-in Showers?

    An updated or renovated shower can change the look of your bathroom entirely. Sure, you can always go with a fancy jet tub or the classic clawfoot tub for that vintage look, but if you’re looking for a direction, there’s nothing that can tick up the curb appeal of your bathroom as much as an updated walk-in shower. From waterfall showerheads and multi-directional water streams to heated floors and glass doors, a new walk-in shower can become a statement piece in your newly remodeled bathroom. 

    The materials you use are crucial, like polished chrome fixtures and durable glass, but the shower walls may be the most essential choice you’ll have to make. A dingy tile wall can make even the most enthusiastic buyer turn away. 

    If you go with a solid surface corner shower, on the other hand, you can cost-effectively transform your bathroom. These showers are made with materials generally associated with kitchen countertops. However, you can use this material on shower walls with great results. They’re nonporous, can be cleaned and refinished with ease, and look fantastic.

    #2 A Bathroom Counter that Shines

    Speaking of counters, your bathroom counter is another part of the bathroom that can affect your property value. Just like with shower walls, the materials you use are probably the most important decision you’ll have to make when considering this particular remodel. 

    Solid-surface countertops, which are designed to look like stone, have a high-end, beautiful look while remaining nonporous and easy to clean. A porcelain tiled counter is both cheaper and can be more durable than granite alternatives. Or you can go with quartz bathroom counters, which are designed to look like limestone or marble but are more durable. They’re also nonporous so they won’t absorb moisture and they’re easier to clean.  

    #3 Pull Up Those Old Tiles

    Some bathrooms have floors that are three decades old, stained and chipped, and that kind of damage or degradation can negatively affect your property value. There are plenty of options for remodeling your floors that can be both cost-effective and look great.

    Stained concrete floors, for instance, are an ideal option. A lot of the time, you can pull up those old tiles, and there will be a perfect concrete floor sitting right underneath it. A little polish and staining and your bathroom floors will look luxurious and expensive. Of course, concrete can be a little cold when stepping out of the shower, but that’s nothing a small bathroom rug can’t fix.

    #4 A Fresh Coat of Paint

    This may go without saying, but a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for any bathroom. It isn’t a complicated process, either, though it can be tricky. Choosing the right color scheme, the appropriate tools, and the best quality paints are paramount. When in doubt, go with neutrals. 

    Plus, the best thing about this option is that it’s very cost-effective, and you can do it yourself. 

    #5 When in Doubt, Go Green

    Energy efficiency and water conservation are so crucial in our society, and if you remodel your bathroom with that in mind, it can skyrocket the value of your home. Water-efficient toilets, showers, and sinks are perfect options for updating your bathroom and increasing the value of your property. These options not only decrease the amount of water you’re using; it can also lower your water bill. Any prospective buyer is going to see this as a great benefit and added value.  

    Remodeling is the Key to Increasing Property Value

    The options don’t stop there. There are so many ways to increase the value of your property by remodeling, and it is one of the best ways to guarantee a return on your investment. Your bathroom is the perfect place to start because it’s an integral part of your home.

    You can’t just wait for the housing market to swing your way. Relying on the ebb’s and flows of the market can be a waiting game nightmare. Instead of letting time determine the value of your home, fix it up. Change it. Spend a little on remodeling and renovation, and you’ll thank yourself later. And above all, make sure who you hire – whether it’s contractors in Olympia WA or elsewhere – has great recommendations & experience.

    partnered post • client image

  • 3 Considerations Before Embarking on Any Home Renovation

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    A home renovation takes a lot of time, patience, and hard work to complete. There are some things you should take into consideration before taking on a task like this. Here are the top three things to consider before you make the final decision on any home renovation project.

    The Whys and the Hows

    The first thing that you need to think about is why are you doing this renovation and what you want it to look like in the end. It is extremely important that you know what your objective is before you begin. One popular reason for home renovations is to see an increase on your rental return and to improve the capital value of a home you own. Another completely viable reason is for your own enjoyment. It may be important to you to keep up with your neighbors or to set the bar before they can. Figure out exactly why you want to do this home renovation and keep that in mind during the process.

    You will also want to have a good idea of what you want your home renovation to look like in the end. This can help you decide whether you are able to do this project on your own or if you will have to hire someone else to do it for you. If you are hiring someone else, this will give you a starting point to show the contractor you decide on. A simple diagram showing where you want everything placed that includes detailed notes on exactly what you want is exactly what you need to create. Be as clear about any details as you can.

    What Will It Make You Feel

    When you know why you are committing to this home renovation and have a plan mapped out, you should then ask yourself how you want to feel when it is all completed. Adding a new pool will likely give you a relaxed feeling in the end. Creating a new deck will often supply you with a place to show off your handiwork. You should be proud of what you've done. If you are simply adding to the landscaping around your house, you will likely feel invigorated. Make sure that you are able to reward yourself and finish the renovation with a party that includes your family and friends.

    Do You Have the Time?

    The third thing that you should consider before you renovation is the time and effort that you are willing to give for the project. If you have all the time in the world, by all means start the project right away and enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you are only willing and able to give a few hours a week, those hours may be better spent finding a contractor who will do the work for you.

    Make sure to consider all of the things that you will have to do prior to and during this renovation. You may need to acquire permits before you begin. Do you even know what vacuum excavations are? You will need to purchase materials, rent tools, and produce high-quality work. Scheduling all of this around your busy workday may be far from possible. You will also need to spend time and energy if you hire a contractor. You will need to keep your accounts paid, schedule the work around you and your families schedules, and check on the work to make sure it's coming along as you wish. No matter which direction you go there will be a lot of work involved.

    Any home renovation begins with planning. Figure out why you want this home renovation and map it out as completely as you can. Next, decide on how this home renovation will make you feel in the end. Finally, decide whether you can put forth the time and effort required to complete the project. After you have all that down it should be about time to start.

    Note: this is a partnered post and consideration was received for its publication. CC-licensed image by Georgie Sharp.

  • Lighting Options for Your Home

    Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its
    publication. Creative commons licensed photograph by Jeremy Levine
    design    .

    When you’re looking to spruce up your home, lighting is one of
    the easiest ways to give the space a new feel while keeping it
    consistent with your current theme or décor. Lighting is a
    relatively easy fix and most of the items can be found online in
    places such as LEDRopelightsandmore
    or in most retail stores, which means you’ll be able to simply
    make use of the new appliances without a lot of work.

    When you’ve decided you’d like to upgrade your
    lighting    , you’ll need to decide what kind of theme you’re
    looking for and what kind of space you’re dealing with so you can
    most effectively use the room you’ve got for the best lighting
    possible.

    Keep in mind that you can really change the ambience of a room
    simply by switching out the colors of the bulbs you’re using or
    adding in splashes of colors through lamps or rope lights. They
    make light bulbs in pretty much every color imaginable ranging
    from soft pinks for a romantic bedroom atmosphere or bright blues
    for something a bit more fun and wild.

    In most cases these bulbs can be used in the lamps and lighting
    houses you’ve already got, which means you won’t need to purchase
    anything else to get the benefits. Even fluorescent black lights
    can be placed in most traditional fluorescent housings, meaning
    you can save money just by buying the black light bulbs.

    Rope lights are a great way add a little bit of ambient lighting
    to a room quite easily. The best part about using rope lights is
    that they’re designed in such a way that they can be easily
    hidden behind furniture or on the corners of a room, keeping them
    out of sight while still emanating quite a bit of light. These
    are probably the easiest lighting pieces to install as oftentimes
    they’ll only need a few tacks or wall hooks to be used
    effectively.


    Chandeliers     are a classic lighting prop and for good reason.
    They add a lot of light to any room and they have such a great
    look to them that they work with pretty much every theme or décor
    you could possibly imagine. They add a ton of class to any space
    and the best part is that because they’re meant to be center
    pieces, the light flows around the housing, meaning you can light
    an entire room with just one furnishing.

    Contrary to popular belief chandeliers are becoming easier and
    easier to install and most of them can be hooked into the
    existing wiring that’s already in the roof.

    Another very easy lighting idea that is simple to implement is
    simply using what you’ve already got and using it creatively. One
    of the best ways to control the lighting in any room is to use
    sheers or lamp coverings as they’ll allow the light to filter
    through the fabric in different consistencies depending on the
    thickness and color of the material. If you add this in with one
    of the aforementioned colored light bulbs you’ll see that your
    entire room will look quite different.

    Lighting is probably the easiest way to upgrade or spruce up any
    room in the house and it’s really quite easy to implement. It
    doesn’t take a lot to change some of the lighting options in your
    room and you’ll see a huge difference that will be sure to keep
    you happy.

  • Greentea Design: spectacular custom kitchens

    Toronto-based Greentea Design has a special place in my heart: not only do they design, build and sell some of the most beautiful kitchen cabinetry available anywhere – in beautiful Japanese-influenced styles that are a perfect match for any Mission or Craftsman home – but they also carry a range of both antique and contemporary reclaimed-wood furniture, some in historic Craftsman and Japanese designs and others in more contemporary shapes. And the prices, even including the (very professional and speedy) shipping from Canada are surprisingly low, making them competitive with any of the larger semi-custom cabinet makers out there, even while using better materials like a clear coat for kitchen cabinets and sturdier building techniques..

    While many of their signature pieces – step tansu and other room-defining wood furniture items – are gorgeous, it's that line of kitchen cabinets that I keep coming back to. Sold as custom kitchen sets or as individual stock pieces, the grain of the wood, beautiful (and exclusive to Greentea) hand-forged hardware and trim detail is both Asian and Craftsman at the same time, with enough character to be beautiful and enough attention to design to be eminently useful. Their Loft Kitchen custom design, above, is a combination of the various Mizuya cabinets, including an island and a full range of wall cabinets and accessories; other past custom kitchens have included the simplified Asian Bistro, minimalist Zen Modern, and Chalet Chic, which was tailored for a more open, airy space. Of course, each piece is available by itself as well – all the islands, hutches, wall and base cabinets and pantries you could possibly need are available piecemeal should you wish to design your own kitchen, amd all can be installed in a fixed position or left free-standing (for a movable island, for example). The custom design services offered are impressive – Greentea's staff of furniture and room designers are more than happy to assist with your own custom project or do the work for you; their staff worked extensively with Kim Johnson, owner of a 100-year-old home in Ottawa, on her recent remodel, and the results were very impressive; Kim blogged the entire process on her website, Design to Inspire.

    I'm very happy to have a piece of theirs up in my own modern Craftsman kitchen, and I hope to have a few photographs of it soon; a smaller version of the Dana cabinet (pictured above; mine is a similar to what sits above the glass cabinets on the right and left of this unit) completes the rear wall of that recently-remodeled room in my 1925 Mission Revival bungalow in Sacramento, California, and it's a perfect complement for the bamboo floors, stone countertops and glass tile backsplash that round out the project. Some day, I'd like to own one of their step tansus, which I have always maintained are the perfect bridge between an austere Asian design style and the earthy workmanship of the Craftsman aesthetic. And they're running a special "Stepping Into Summer" promotion right now, with 20% discounts on these unique pieces, including the Elm Burl step tansu, shown below.

    Owner Dale Storer has worked hard to make sure that Greentea's products complement a wide range of architectural styles, though, and much of their more contemporary designs would look at home whether in a traditional Japanese home, a Craftsman bungalow, or a modern high-tech apartment. The Lattice TV Stand, pictured below, hides components behind a latticed sliding door that still allows remote controls to function, and is just as good a match for an urban loft as it is for a 90-year-old brown-shingle Craftsman bungalow. Every one of these pieces is made from reclaimed wood, and all come in a variety of finishes with different types of hardware available as well. Mike Ramsey writes that the reclaimed wood usually comes from "aging rural structures that are being taken down to make way for Asia's rapidly expanding urban centers. The Maru tables are the best example since they're turned into tables directly from being reclaimed. The original supports are cut into legs who have correspondingly sized holes cut in the base of the slabs of floor."

    Their antiques stock, some of which is on hand at their Toronto showroom, is also worth checking out; I'm partial to the large selection of all sorts of Japanese tansu, but they also carry plenty of Chinese and Korean pieces as well.

    I'm not so used to giving such praise to a business – as regular readers know, I'm pretty stingy with compliments and generous with criticism, which is certainly a fault. However, after dealing with this company myself and going gaga over their website, I just wanted to make sure you were all as familiar with them as I've become. After seeing so many (primarily) Japanese antiques blend so well with the large shingled Craftsman homes of California, but noticing the absence of same elsewhere in the country, I thought perhaps most people didn't realize that the two styles matched so well.

    If you're in or near Toronto, definitely check out the Greentea showroom; otherwise, spend a few minutes browsing their website, or call them at 1.866.426.7286 to talk with someone about your kitchen design or furniture needs.

    I've made a small Flickr album for photos of their work; I'll soon add a good shot of the Dana cabinet in my own kitchen; those of you who already have Greentea cabinets, please do send me your photos, and I'll add them as well!

  • remodeling: getting the most for your dollar

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    Reader and regular contributor Joel McDonald – a real estate
    professional who frequently writes on issues important to those
    considering buying, remodeling or restoring an older home – submits the
    following:

    Most people, faced with the prospect of having to spruce up their
    home before selling it, have to face down the nagging thought of "Why
    didn’t we do this for ourselves?" It’s with a bit of regret that a
    homeowner will realize that work is needed, but you can’t go back and
    change the past. Starting from where you are, the question becomes,
    "How can we get the most return from the investment of repairs and
    remodeling?" There isn’t an exact formula, of course, but you’ll be
    spending money trying to make prospective buyers, rather than yourself,
    happy – at least happy enough that they will want to pay you more than
    you have to spend on the work. The satisfaction that you will get from
    turning over a home in top condition counts for a good part of the
    bargain as well. 

    Be Careful in Deciding What Needs to Be Done

    Just because you never liked that mirror over the guest bathroom sink,
    it doesn’t mean that now is the time to replace it. It may be the
    someone else’s favorite kind. We’re talking here about the kinds of
    things you have gotten used to over the years, and might not even see
    any more — broken shingles, worn carpet, the window that sticks,
    cabinets that need refacing. Some of these are things that, like seeing
    a child grow, change so slowly we don’t realize it day-to-day. In other
    cases something breaks and "I’ll get it fixed later" never happens and
    you adapt, work around it, and forget about it. In order to present an
    inviting and pleasant appearance you have to look at your home with
    studied, focused attention. Make a list.

    Get the Best Prices on Things You Have to Buy for the Project

    This one’s a no-brainer, but it’s so obvious that many people overlook
    it. Don’t just enter into a fog of "It’s a big project and it will cost
    a lot." To maximize your return, do some careful shopping for the the
    best prices you can find. If you are able, even in a stretch, to do
    some of the work yourself, do it. Depending on what needs to be done,
    if you take your time and shop carefully you can take advantage of good
    sales and discounts at home improvement stores and local suppliers.
    Look for discontinued and going-out-of-season items to find deals on
    things that will have appeal from a buyer’s perspective and still be
    inexpensive.

    Carpet It

    If you have old, worn carpeting, that gives a bad impression. New
    carpets can add significant appeal and value to your home. We’re not
    talking here about the possibility of finding beautiful wood flooring
    hidden under the carpet – that can happen, and it’s a different set of
    choices with a different set of economic payback possibilities. Just on
    the subject of what to do about old carpet, though, it can be more than
    just a shopping chore, and more rewarding with a little effort. To
    really go on the low-cost end of doing the upgrade, you can get
    remnants and end pieces from an outlet store, and piece them together
    at installation. If you can do a proper installation yourself, that’s
    all to the good, but it takes skill and experience to do a good job. If
    you get a professional carpet installer to install it, you can expect
    the seams to be invisible and the result will look as good as any other
    new carpet. 

    Paint It

    When it comes to getting the biggest return for your remodeling
    investment dollar, paint is in the superstar category. Shop discount
    stores for reasonably-priced paint. As for your color choices, keep it
    clean and simple. White, the old standby, is often the best choice
    because it represents a good "default" selection for many buyers. For
    buyers who have a clear sense of their own color preferences, the white
    background is no impediment to them and they will be able to "see" the
    room in their favorite colors. One thing you can be sure of: if you
    decide to use distinctively different colors to appeal to your own
    artful sensibilities, then the buyer’s preferences will be wildly
    different. It’s a rule of nature.

    Replace or Upgrade Appliances

    If you have to replace appliances such as the refrigerator, washer,
    dryer, dishwasher and so on, look for scratch and dent bargains. There
    are always lots of appliances with minor scratches, and you can select
    the ones that have the damage on a side facing a wall or next to
    another appliance, where it won’t be a problem. The price reduction can
    be dramatic, and in many cases you can get it for even less that the
    tagged price, if you ask. These are things that store managers want off
    their property and out of sight.

    Another consideration on appliances is that if they are in working
    order they might not have to be replaced at all. Even if they are a
    little outdated, as long as they work, you don’t have to replace them
    just to sell the house. Houses are often sold without appliances, after
    all: replacing or updating appliances is an upgrade that should pay you
    back right away in the price of the house, so you have to do it at a
    pretty low cost or you can skip it. In the in-between, hard-to-decide
    zone of whether it’s worth it or not, you may consider finding
    appliances at secondhand stores.

    Remodeling Makes a Difference

    In getting a home ready for sale, what you want to achieve is an
    inviting and pleasant appearance, where buyers can imagine themselves
    living with everything in perfect order. Distractions, entering from
    the realm of broken, dirty or worn things in the home, impinge on this
    dream-home experience. That can cost you the sale. You want to create
    this experience for the buyer, though, without spending too much. The
    prices you pay won’t impress anyone, so spending more than you need to
    can be a particularly bad choice when the main reason for doing it is
    return on investment. Keep it simple, shop carefully and don’t overdo
    it. The money you make will be the result of not only careful choices
    in what needs to be done, but also of finding smart ways to do it.

    Article provided by Colorado’s Automated Homefinder – a Louisville real estate company.

    Creative Commons-licensed image by Tall Chris

  • remodeling causes stress – oh, really?

    This is certainly old news to anyone who has attempted, completed or is mired in the middle of a home remodel – especially if it’s your own house, and certainly if you are attempting to live there through the project:

    There’s no doubt that a remodeling, addition
    or new construction job brings stress to the homeowners. Just ask me.
    Last spring we added a new upstairs bedroom and a downstairs entryway
    and mudroom, losing our attic space, emptying our garage and losing a
    bay in the process. Where to put the stuff and how to find it again
    were just two of the stresses encountered. We chose to hire a project
    manager, so hiring of all the subs was his problem, but we stressed and
    sweated over every decision. In fact, most veterans of a remodeling
    project will tell you that the two key qualities you need to survive a
    home project are the ability to make decisions and spend money — fast.

    read the whole thing at bobvila.com

  • minimizing mold in your home

    Dean Dowd runs a blog devoted solely to remodeling issues at Calfinder.com. Calfinder is probably the only one of a class of sites – those that purport to find you a handyman, contractor or skilled craftsperson near you for a particular project – that actually work well, due to the extensive screening process & database that they are continually updating and finessing.

    Thanks to Dean for having one of his staff write this article – specifically for Hewn & Hammered – on identifying, treating and preventing housemold mold:

    Whether you are planning a bathroom remodel or have just completed one, it’s important to remember that the work doesn’t stop there. Because even the most spotless home contains some degree of mold, homeowners must stay vigilant at recognizing the signs of excessive mold growth. Mold is a substance that creeps up on old and new homes alike. When mold begins to multiply indoors, the outcome can affect your health as well as the health of your home. This includes damage to building materials, household goods, and furniture. Breathing mold in or coming into physical contact with mold can result in various health symptoms, including allergies, asthma, infection, irritation, and even toxic effects.

    What is mold?

    Recognizing mold begins with an understanding of what the substance is and where it comes from. Mold is a type of fungus that floats in the air and rests upon surfaces. There is no way to avoid mold altogether, as small particles of mold are found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air.

    Molds thrive in areas with high moisture and humidity, such as neighborhoods in fog banks or in specific rooms of the house, such as the basement or shower. Moisture can result in a variety of ways, from faulty pipes or building leaks to poor ventilation and regular use of a humidifier. Mold spores spread via water particles and act like seeds in search of the right conditions to spread.

    To grow and multiply, mold needs 3 things:

    • moisture for growth
    • space for growth
    • nutrients for growth, such as wood or sheetrock

    When should you worry?

    Now that you know the basic character of mold, what should you do about it? If you can easily see and smell your mold, you may have an issue that needs fixing. Mold stains look fuzzy, cottony, or leathery and can appear in various colors. Since it normally appears where there’s moisture, check for mold in areas exposed to water. Mold has a pungent musty smell. The good news is that visible indoor mold can usually be cleaned off hard surfaces.

    Some forms of mold produce chemicals called mycotoxins. These can result in more serious health effects. Sampling the air for mold cannot be done visually and would require professional testing.

    What should I do about it?

    Simply cleaning mold as soon as it appears can prevent it from becoming a problem. Check for mold between bathroom tiles and even in the folds of your shower curtain. Wear rubber gloves and goggles and use a regular cleaning detergent or commercial mold remover to wash it off. Afterwards, throw away the rag or sponge you used to do the clean-up and dry the area thoroughly. Wet surfaces in the home should be dried completely within 24 hrs.

    Prevention is an important precaution to take to keep the nasty mold spores away. Some simple ways to prevent mold include the following:

    • regularly open windows to ventilate the house
    • immediately clean small and large spills
    • maintain a 30-60 percent humidity level
    • avoid carpeting in basements and carpets
    • add mold inhibitors to paint
    • replace carpets or other water-absorbent materials after soaking
    • quickly investigate and address underlying problems, such as leaks

    If you’re worried about having a mold variety with mycotoxins, hire a professional to extract a sample and test it for dangerous substances. Attempting this alone can increase your risk of exposure.

    Want more information? Here are some helpful links about mold:

    Creative Commons-licensed photo courtesy of Flickr user Angelo Juan Ramos

  • Lavello Sinks – big, beautiful, stainless – and affordable

    Stainlesssinkkitchenwide

    I’m in the process of remodeling my own kitchen, and found an enormous variety of prices for very similar items. Some sinks – European brands, mostly – were ridiculously expensive, when the exact same sink (in this case, an enormous 36" stainless steel apron-fron) was 1/2 the price or less from an American vendor. I took a closer look – the metal looked the same, it was the same weight and construction, and was probably built at the same factory by the same people!

    You really do need to shop around, and don’t let your contractor suggest an expensive item when you can find the exact same thing for a fraction of the price. I found my beautiful sink from Matt Roberts’ Lavello Sinks and really couldn’t be happier with the sink or the service. Matt is a commercial contractor and property manager who found a great source for sinks that would otherwise go for $1500; he realized that there was a huge need for affordable but good quality stainless sinks, and I’m sure that his business will thrive. His prices are far better than anything else I’ve found elsewhere, and the shipping was super-fast and very affordable. If every transaction and interaction I had to engage with over the course of this remodel was as pleasant, painless (and, again, affordable) as my interaction with Matt, it sure would make the whole process a lot easier!

    Once my kitchen is done – I’m thinking we’re about eight weeks away – I’ll post pictures of the sink installation and the finished project. Until then, if you’re looking for a pretty and modern stainless sink that works very well with an historic kitchen, check him out, and tell him I sent you!

  • recent Craftsman kitchen remodels on Flickr

    My constant urging to check Flickr out for design ideas is probably getting pretty old at this point – sorry about that. Here are three attractive working kitchens, wholly or partially documented in photographs on Flickr:

  • Hewn & Hammered forums

    Our redesign is still a few months away, but we’re slowly introducing new features which we hope will make the site more useful and interesting to you. Chief among those changes is a new forum where you can ask questions and hopefully get advice  on a variety of old-house and design issues.

    Up at the top of this window, on the left hand side, you’ll see a small text link to the forum. Go ahead and click there and post a sample question, show off a recent project, for example, or plans for your dream house, or ask our other readers for advice or feedback. Right now the forums do not require any kind of registration, but if we’re overrun with spam we might require you to register.