A Time for Gratitude

While gratitude is something I should always cultivate, this time of year, when we’re celebrating a holiday for giving thanks I’m conscious of all that I am truly grateful for. Here is my list for 2020, but I could go on and on.

  • I’m grateful for and to my family – both the ones I’ve been given and the ones I’ve chosen – you all make my life richer and teach me something every day.
  • I’m grateful for my husband, Dick – always. For being my friend, biggest fan, and loving husband.
  • I’m grateful for all of my wonderful, interesting clients. I am honored that you invite me into your homes to help your lives be better.
  • I’m grateful to all of my trusted vendors, business associates and advisors. You all help me give the best to my clients.
  • I’m grateful to all of those who help me at home so that I can focus on my work – our lawn guy Enrique, our cleaning lady Magda, and my friend Jim who keeps our house in good repair.
  • I’m grateful to all of our first-responders and front-line workers who have given so selflessly during this pandemic. May you all be safe and healthy.
  • I’m grateful for all who serve our country, whether it is in uniform or not, your service is noticed and appreciated. 

This has been an undoubtedly tough year for many and my Thanksgiving wishes to all are for health, peace, and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving.

Houzz Bathroom Trends

Last week we talked about some of the results of Houzz’ Bathroom Trend report, in which they polled around 1500 users from across the country to find out what trends are shaping choices for bathrooms.  Here are some more trends we’re seeing which can assist you in considering what’s important to you for your remodel or new build.

  • You have a love-hate relationship with tubs.  They’re either eliminated entirely for a larger shower or they become a star in the bathroom in the form of free-standing, flat-bottomed tubs, or deeper soaking tubs.  Gone (for the most part) are the Jacuzzi tubs of old.  Sometimes clients have old tubs that seem to take over the whole room and don’t get me started on the tiled stairs leading to it!

  • Floating vanities are becoming more popular!  I find that you can still have great storage without the heaviness of cabinets sitting on the ground.  This trend also speaks to the tilting towards a more “Modern” design aesthetic. 

  • Premium features worth the splurge.  Remodels and new construction always have trade-offs between splurges and saves.  I assist my clients in finding the right balance between getting the best products and also the best look for the investment.  Sometimes we scale back in one place to allow for a to-die-for element somewhere else.  Here are the items that respondents felt were worth the splurge (and I agree);
    • One piece toilets with dual flush and bidet seats -in some respects this choice actually saves money because you don’t need to buy a toilet and bidet and being able to reduce water usage per flush saves on the water bill.
    • Rainfall shower heads and dual showers – many of my clients are taking advantage of these along with body sprays and hand-held wands for a full water experience!
    • Soaking tubs – we touched on this earlier and last week as well.  There are so many fabulous tubs out there that can become focal points of a spectacular bath while allowing you to have a “Calgon take me away!” moment. For those of you too young to get that, google “Calgon, take me away!” 

While these trend reports can help guide you in creating the bath of your dreams, professional assistance from designers, contractors and architects are the absolute best way to protect your investment and ensure your dreams don’t become nightmares!

Houzz 2020 Trend Report for Bathrooms

So, what’s the latest and greatest in Bathroom design? Houzz surveyed over 1500 users across the country during the months of June and July this year, and this is what people are saying about what they want in their bathrooms – food for thought if you’re contemplating making a change for yourself in the near future!

  • Style- “Modern” has edged out “Transitional” by about 2%. You might be asking what “Modern” is or afraid that it means sterile and white. “Modern” can be best described by clean lines, but with the warmth of color, texture and sometimes whimsy. Take a look at these:

Believe it or not, the “Farmhouse” style once so popular thanks to Chip and Joanna comes in dead last in the Houzz survey.

  • Almost half of respondents are looking for a relaxing experience in the shower or tub. Incidentally, many are removing tubs altogether for a larger shower. I’ve been seeing that trend for a few years with my clients.
  • Accent walls and lighting are important design elements. I love accent walls, which can be created in a number of ways. From a stellar tile enveloping an entire wall, to an interesting paint color or even mural there are many ways to create a “wow” effect. When it comes to lighting, LED fixtures allow for bright light and low energy consumption, not to mention so many beautiful designs!

Next week we’ll talk about some other trends from the Houzz report! 

Product Innovation Awards from KBIS 2020

This is our last installment of the Product Innovation Awards from KBIS this year.  We look forward to bringing you more great products and ideas from 2021’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.  Stay tuned!

Our first product for this week is the Shokunin Kamado Grill by Kalamazoo.  All I can say is “WOW”!  This grill is not only a beautifully designed piece of art but is so well thought out in creating the cooking experience.  After watching this video I can almost taste the spatch-cocked chicken he’s talking about. 

Next up is the GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker.  If you like to entertain your guests with cocktails and even slushy beverages but don’t want or have the space for a large icemaker, take a look at this!  It’s a portable unit, great for indoor or outdoor entertaining, can make up to 24 lbs. of ice in 24 hours and can store 3 lbs. at a time!

There’s a quick-start feature that gives you ice in 20 minutes (perfect for a last-minute gathering!) and a detachable reservoir that allows for more ice production.  You can even check and schedule ice-making via your smart phone!  Hmm, this week’s choices seem to all be about entertaining!  I’m optimistic that we’ll be back to warm gatherings with family and friends soon.  In the meantime, we can be ready!

Last, but not least this week is the Miele G7000 Dishwasher series.  Because after all the partying there is clean-up…  

Let’s just say I’m a fan of Miele dishwashers to begin with as they pioneered the 3rd rack for utensils.  This series makes dishwashing even easier, from automatically dispensing just the right amount of detergent based on how dirty the dishes are, to movable sections and a handle-less feature that allows the door to open with a knock.  It’s also almost noiseless, WiFi compatible so you can get that load going before the guests come, and even offers a QuickIntense setting for faster clean-up.

Favorite New Products from KBIS 2020

In last week’s post we looked at some great products for your kitchen and bath – this week is a continuation of that, geared towards practical and design-savvy products to consider incorporating into your next remodel or new construction.

First up is the winner of the Bathroom Product of the Year, judged by the panel at KBIS, and it’s easy to see why. The SwapAble by Design by Intent allows you to plan now for the ability to live in place later.

For many years I have advised clients to consider the long-term when remodeling and create options for adding in elements for accessibility in daily living as we age. What Design by Intent has done is create a beautiful way to do this with a contemporary aesthetic. You can have a shelf for products now, and later it can be swapped out for a shower seat – all done with the aid of a simple clip. I love this because it provides beautiful, functional design! Kudos to Design by Intent!

Next up is another Kohler product for the bath – the DTV Mode Digital Shower System. It almost looks like a Nest thermostat, except it’s a thermostatic valve for your shower! With it, you can dial in the temperature settings, and even access and personalize settings via Kohler’s Mode app. Imagine, from your warm, cozy bed you can turn on and regulate your shower temperature for the perfect shower from the moment you step in! The dial also makes it easier to use than a touch screen for many.

Last but certainly not least is a very unique vanity! It’s the Terra Waterfall Vanity Sink by MTI Baths. The sink is integrated into the vanity and the design controls the water flow down the side of the vanity into a floor-mounted drain. What a WOW for your powder room!! The judges also loved that it is wheelchair accessible and the plumbing is hidden – so you get accessibility AND fabulous design all in one. Plus, your dog or cat can have a drink while the water’s running! I think I’m in love!