Posts tagged ‘kitchen remodel’
Choosing Your Kitchen Countertop Tile
Kitchen countertops are the pride and joy of any great kitchen, which means picking the right countertop material, is an important task. Asking yourself (or the cook of the family) some important questions will help in the search for the perfect countertop. What is the priority in the kitchen; style, durability, usability, green factor or maintenance. All of these items should go into choosing the correct countertop for your new kitchen.
Let’s start with the “green” options for kitchen countertops. While no material is completely green due to the energy factor, there are better choices when it comes to countertops. Recycled paper countertops are one of the cheaper options for green countertops. Starting at around $30/sq. ft. and a savings of close to 80% on install, the paper and resin countertops are not only stylish but help to reduce the use of non-renewable sources such as granite or marble. The resin mixed with the paper makes the countertop extremely strong with very little maintenance for the future.
Photo credit: Paper Stone
Reclaimed wood is another option for a green choice. Everyone loves the butcher block look, so why not achieve that look with reclaimed wood? The cost starts at $40/sq. ft. and does require upkeep. The wood must be sealed periodically to ensure that it maintains it durability. These countertops will last a life time meaning money is well spent, however, wood should not be close to the sink or dishwasher meaning that you will have to have multiple countertop types within your kitchen. Recycled glass is a stylish way to add color and depth to your kitchen but comes at a steep cost of $50/sq. ft. Recycled glass runs relative to granite countertops in price, but because of the recycled glass makes this a better option than granite when searching for green products.
Photo Credit: http://www.hgtv.com/
Not interested in going green?? There are many options to meet your needs and desires. Granite is a durable surface that is heat and scratch resistant making it a great option for a family who uses and loves their kitchen. With relatively low maintenance (sealing once a year) granite is a great option starting at $50/sq. ft. Marble is another stone material that can be used in the kitchen. While marble is a bakers dream due to the kneading of dough, it can be a nightmare in the kitchen. Marble stains and chips easily and needs to be sealed more often than granite. One option for someone who is desperate for marble is to simply have only one area that has marble while the rest of the kitchen is a different material, such as butcher block.
Photo Credit: http://www.hgtv.com
Concrete countertops are both stylish and eco-friendly; being poured on location makes this source of material a low impact on the environment. Concrete can also be dyed any color which allows for a unique and custom kitchen. Concrete is a porous material and does require more maintenance than other countertops, it needs to be sealed periodically and waxed every 2-3 months. Quartz is another material that is stylish but durable as well as more consistent compared to granite and marble because it is an engineered material. The color options are wider than a natural stone as well as being more resistant to stains and needing to be sealed only once year.
Kitchen countertops define the style and feel that you wish to portray not only in your kitchen but your home. With the kitchen being the heart of your home, choice of countertop is vastly important. Remember to decide what the priorities for your kitchen are and then get to work choosing your countertop! Enjoy!!
Casual Dining Style: Eat-in Kitchens
Need a casual and easy going eating experience? An eat-in kitchen might be the answer to all of your problems. In today’s fast pace and busy families, an eat-in kitchen can allow for a busy family to still eat together without the need for formal dining. There are really three options for an eat-in kitchen; counter dining, breakfast nooks or a tradition eat in kitchen with table. Convenience is a driving factor for most families who are looking for a more modern take on the family dinner concept.
COUNTER DINING
This is the most popular option of the three and can accommodate almost all families. If there is already a bar or peninsula in your 
kitchen, simply adding stools or chairs to the area will turn it into an instant eat-in kitchen. However, this is not always convenient or safe with families with young children or older members of the family, due to the bar stools that usually needs to accommodate a bar setting. This kitchen is a great example of how easy it is to convert an island into an eat at counter. Most people are looking for space in the kitchen and may not relish giving up space for eating; however, unless someone is currently sitting at the island, you lose no space. This is a great compromise of using the space for more than one purpose; it is house multi-tasking at its best!
BREAKFAST NOOKS
A breakfast nook can add comfort and style to any kitchen, finding the space however can be a challenge. Using a window as a back drop for this type of eat-in kitchen is key to keeping the space open and bright. A breakfast nook is a great option for a busy family or one with young kids. Benches are safer than stools for kids and a wheelchair could easily be rolled up to the table for an elderly member of the family. Benches can also add for additional storage which is always needed in a kitchen space. This space also allows for cooking and cleaning to be accomplished while keeping the family together at meal time. Kitchens tend to be the congregating location in a home and with a nook; kids can do their homework while their parents cook dinner. Keeping the family together is a large reason that people are searching for eat-in kitchens.
TRADITIONAL EAT-IN KITCHENS
A traditional eat in kitchen is one in where you are able to actually have a table in the kitchen with chairs. This picture depicts the 
perfect eat in kitchen, a mix of style, functionality and convenience. The table is able to be located at one end of the kitchen allowing for an easy flow in the kitchen. The biggest challenge of a table in the kitchen is to keep it out of the main traffic flow while still having it feel like a part of the kitchen. The main positive for this layout is that the table can double as extra work space when cooking or prepping food. Don’t be afraid to allow your personal style to dictate the type of table you have, it can be formal or eclectic, classic or modern, any style will work.
Eat-in kitchens have always been in style, however, the style of eat in is what has changed. Whether you choose a bar, a table or a nook, your eat-in kitchen will be the envy of the neighborhood if you place your family’s needs first when designing and laying out your plans. Bon Appetite!
How to Repair a Tile Backsplash
After months and months of searching, you have finally found your dream home. You’re walking through the kitchen, and you’re thinking of all the wonderful dinner parties you will have, in your new, beautiful kitchen.
As you’re walking around the kitchen you see three broken tiles near the base of the wall. You think to yourself, “I can fix that”, nothing is going to stand between you and your dream home.
The first thing on your ‘to do’ list, after you purchase your home, is to fix those three broken tiles. Now where to start, how to get them out, without breaking any other tile? Follow these simple steps, and before long you will be having your first dinner party.
Steps to Repair Tile Backsplash:
1 Pull a grout saw along the edge of the joint to remove damaged grout, but do not mar the tiles. Cut into the good grout slightly so the new grout can bind to a solid surface. These devices either have serrated teeth that you use like a saw or abrasive-textured blades.
2 Place painter’s tape along the edges of tiles you don’t plan to remove. This helps protect their edges as you remove adjacent tiles.
3 Insert the tip of a small chisel into the joint with the tip facing the broken tile you need to remove from the backsplash. Tap gently on the chisel with a hammer to loosen and remove the tile. If you have multiple tiles to remove, pop them all out in this manner. Some may break as you remove them.
4 Continue using the chisel to remove any thin-set mortar that remains on the substrate behind the tile. Wipe the substrate clean with a damp sponge.
5 Dry fit the new tiles into the openings. If the new tiles have spacers, you may need to remove them, using tile nippers, to get the tiles to fit. Smooth rough edges with a sanding stone.
6 Mix thin set mortar with latex additive until the thin set resembles mashed potatoes. Let the mortar set for a few minutes for any air bubbles to dissipate.
7 Apply the thin set mortar to the substrate with a trowel. Butter the back of each tile with the mortar as well, placing more thin set in the center of the tile’s back. Reset tile into position on the wall, taking care to keep joint lines straight and even. The tiles should be level with adjacent tiles as well. Allow the thin set to dry for 30 minutes before proceeding. Remove the painter’s tape.
8 Mix un-sanded grout with enough water to make the grout resemble mashed potatoes. Wipe the grout into the joints diagonally with a grout float. If you can’t push the grout into the joint with the float, push it in with your finger. Smooth the joints so they resemble the existing joints. Wipe off excess grout with the float. Allow the grout to dry for 10 minutes.
9 Wipe the tiles with a clean, damp sponge. If a haze develops, polish it off with a soft, dry cloth.
If completely replacing your backsplash tile is not in the budget, these repair steps will get you by!
How to install A Tile Backsplash
For a homeowner, there is nothing more satisfying then to walk in to a room, and see a beautiful finished home improvement project. A project, that you, the homeowner, completed yourself.
Fed up with looking at that same old tired paint on the wall? Want something beautiful; elegant that’s also easy to clean? Install a tile backsplash, a backsplash that makes your kitchen or bathroom look fresh and new.
Plumbtile.com: Interstyle Arctiglass Glass Tile
Follow these simple steps to achieve the desired effects, without paying a professional to do it.
If your countertop is tiled, plan the layout so the backsplash grout veins line up with the countertop grout veins. If you don’t have a tiled countertop, start the first tile in the center of the base of the backsplash.
Step 1
Turn off the power to electrical outlets in the area where you’re working. Remove electrical outlet covers.
Step 2
Clean the area with warm water and allow to dry.
Step 3
Apply the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive with a notched trowel. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and spread a very thin layer. Work in small 3-foot-by-3-foot areas to prevent the adhesive from drying out.
Step 4
Lay the first tile in the center at the base of the backsplash. Position the tile using a slight twisting motion. Use a level to make sure the tile is square. Place a spacer on each corner of the first tile. Cut one end of the spacers off in order to fit them between the countertop and the bottom of the tile. Push the spacers into the adhesive.
Step 5
Working out from the first tile, continue laying the tiles in a row, flush to the spacers. Wipe off any excess adhesive that oozes up between the tiles. Leave enough space to fill in with grout. Occasionally check to make sure the tiles are level. After one row is complete, begin with the next row and follow the same pattern. Apply adhesive as needed.
Step 6
If you need to cut tiles, score the tiles with a tile cutter. Don’t score the area of the tiles that will show. Use tile nippers or a saw to cut away the area carefully.
Step 7
When you place the tiles around an outlet, be sure the outlet cover hides the tile edges. Continue tiling as usual.
Step 8
When you’ve laid all the tiles, wipe off any excess adhesive with a damp cloth. Use a rounded stick to clean between the tiles.
Step 9
Allow the adhesive to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After the adhesive sets, remove the spacers.
Step 10
Mix the grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Since grout may irritate eyes and skin, wear safety goggles and latex gloves. Apply the grout using a rubber float. Spread the grout diagonally at a 45-degree angle across the tiles, packing the grout between the tiles. Wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge when the grout becomes firm.
Step 11
Shape the grout joints using a rounded stick. Clean the tiles again and smooth the joints with a damp sponge.
Step 12
After the grout dries and a haze forms, wipe off the tiles and shine them with a clean cloth.
Step 13
Replace the electrical outlets and switches. You’ll need longer screws to replace the outlet covers. Use 1-1/4-inch to 1-5/8-inch screws with plastic washers behind the outlet to bring the outlet flush with the tile.
***If you have to cut tile, mark the proposed cut on the glazed side of the tile corners. Don’t mark on the clay side. The ink can be absorbed and bleed through to the other side.
Follow these tips for installing tile countertops or backsplash and your kitchen or bathroom will have a whole new look and appeal!
Plumbtile.com: Tile Showcase
From Galley to Gourmet: Efficient Galley Kitchens
Having a galley kitchen does not mean that you need to sacrifice style, efficiency or dreams of gourmet bliss. While a galley kitchen can be short on space, when laid out correctly it can meet all of your needs and exceed expectations. Because a galley kitchen is small on space, using high end products can be accomplished at a smaller price than a larger kitchen. Always dreamt of a farm style sink but never thought it was something you could fit into your budget?? Having a galley kitchen with a smaller space to update might be the key to your dream sink, backsplash and tiles.
Photo credit: plumbtile.com
USING THE TRIANGLE
The triangle (fridge, sink and range) is the most important factor in any kitchen, but more so in the galley style. To maximize space a great trick is to use a microwave on top of the range instead of the typical hood which can be aesthetically pleasing but not a necessity when a microwave can double as a hood. The ideal triangle will place the range and fridge on one wall with the sink being on the opposite wall. Another way to “add” space is to choose a full range instead of a cooktop and wall ovens.
Photo Credit: blog.kitchenviews.com
In a galley kitchen having “zones” for prep, cleaning and cooking will change the functionality and efficiency of your tight space. Having your prep and cooking area close to each other will cut back on the amount of time that you are moving about in a tight space.
STORAGE, OH STORAGE
Storage in any space is key but more so in a kitchen where gadgets can number high. A trick to expanding space is to have cabinets that reach to the ceiling so that there is no wasted space. Keeping clutter to a minimum in a galley kitchen will also ensure that the space looks its largest and functions at its highest capacity. Choosing sleek cabinets with simple lines will also make the area appear to be larger than it is, increasing the efficiency in the space.
TO USE COLOR OR NOT
Like any room choosing the right color and accessorizes can make or break your space, the kitchen is no exception. Choosing a lighter or even brighter color tile will allow for the space to appear larger than it actually might be. Accessories in a galley kitchen should be kept to a minimum to increase the efficiency and function of the tight space.
Cooking Up Big Ideas for Small Kitchens
Who hasn’t been there, the dilemma of a small kitchen and how to utilize the little space that is available? Whether it’s your first apartment or you are buying in a city where space comes at a higher price, here are some great ideas to transform the small space into a kitchen that you will love and have great pride in.
Photo Credit: Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard, LEED AP
SPACE SAVERS:
This kitchen was lacking in space so by making a simple change of using a 24” (counter depth) fridge versus a standard 30”, the homeowners were able to maximize space and style by keeping everything sleek and in line. 
Another quick and easy space saver is using a deeper sink instead of a wider sink. This will help to increase counter space without losing the ability to have a sink that meets all of your needs.
Utilize all space floor to ceiling in areas like a pantry where items that are used less can be placed at the top and accessible by a foot stool. Vertical space in a kitchen can add not only functionality but also style by using a glass front and displaying decorative dishes.
Each of these ideas will help to increase the square footage of your small kitchen without having to do any demolition work!
COLOR CHOICES:
Color in a small space can mean the difference between feeling blocked in and not realizing how small a room actually is. Using cooler colors such as blues and greens (light) will make a space appear to be larger, whereas warmer tones such as dark red will make the space to appear smaller.
STORAGE OPTIONS:
There are multiple ways to ensure that storage is properly used in a small kitchen. Keeping the kitchen divided into 3 areas (prep, cooking, cleaning) all like items will be together and easier to find and use. The use of open shelves or a ceiling mounted pot rack can use space that would otherwise be rendered useless. Also the use of modernized accessories 
like a Kitchen Counter Trash Chutes would eliminate using up space for a trash can that needs to be set in the kitchen.
Small kitchens can be difficult to work with but with a little imagination, great design and the right materials you can transform a tiny kitchen into the heart of your home.
Photo Credit: Trina via A Country Farmhouse
Kitchen Cabinets: Important Tips for Choosing New Cabinets
When it comes to adding value to your home, put your money where your mouths are. The 2 rooms that add or detract value most from a home are the kitchen and the bathroom. Right now stainless steel appliances are the trend but there is no sense investing in them only to put them next to shabby cabinets in an outdated kitchen. When renovating a kitchen, start with the cabinets first. An older refrigerator or stove will look better surrounded by new cabinets.
Here are a few tips when looking to upgrade your cabinets:
- Look for products certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, which are subjected to tests that replicate years of normal kitchen abuse. Certified cabinets survive exposure to humidity, temperatures ranging from –5 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and dousings of kitchen mainstays like vinegar, lemon, fruit juices, ketchup, and coffee without showing signs of blistering, discoloration, or other damage.
- Stock and semi-custom cabinets are the most popular types on the market. Stock reigns supreme because of its low price, quick delivery, and increasing accessory options like furniture feet and full-extension glides. Semi-custom models offer a wider range of sizes, finishes, and styles. Custom cabinets are the most expensive; they can take up to 12 weeks to fabricate.
- The extras cost extra. Today’s cabinets include user-friendly options such as full extension roll-out shelves, large drawers in base cabinets can hold pots, pans, and dry goods; they’re as popular as pull-out recycling bins and built-in open-storage systems like wine racks and china displays. These are all wonderful accessories but not necessities so really consider which ones, if any, you can’t live without while keeping a close eye on your budget. If the house you are updating is only going to be yours for a couple of years, go basic. If you plan on raising a family here and staying until retirement then make it yours.
- Take home the samples. You may have looked on-line at the color combinations that you like and the color of wood that you like but it’s just like paint; the way it looks in the store or on-line may be nothing as to how it looks in your home, with your lighting and your flooring. Light-colored woods, oak and maple make your kitchen seem brighter and larger. Darker woods like cherry and mahogany create a more dramatic, furniture like effect but can be overwhelming in a small kitchen.
- It’s the little things. If this is your “forever home” think about the little touches like knobs and pulls. Some people can overlook their significance when it comes to style but they really add personality. Here at Plumbtile we work with over 20 manufacturers of hardware for your cabinets. No need to go with the basic brushed nickel knob when you can have celtic, crystal or even novelty designs.
- Pick up a repair kit. This should include items like colored wax, putty, or markers to cover set nails or repair dings. When the baseboard and corners are put on you will definitely need to go back and fill in the nail holes unless you have the contractor do it.
- Be an Eco-Friendly Renovator. Programs like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores accept donations of cabinets for resale; most groups will even pick them up. Carefully remove the cabinets or tell your contractor you plan to donate them.
How-To Series: March Ado About Toilets Part 2
Part 1 of our post was all about installing your new toilet. This post is all about maintaining the pristine look of your brand new throne.
HOW TO CLEAN THE TOILET
- First put on clean gloves. Wipe down the toilet with a damp sponge. Then moisten a sponge with hot water and wipe around the tank, lid, seat, base, and the exterior of the bowl. This removes excess dirt and helps disperse the cleaning product.
- Squirt a liquid (cream) toilet cleaner inside the bowl., starting at the rim and making sure to get the area under the lip of the bowl. Read the manufacturer’s instructions first for specific directions. Many cleaners work best if you allow them to soak on the bowl for a while.
- Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush. Brush the entire bowl thoroughly, paying special attention to mineral stains that may accumulate along the water level and at the back of the bowl. The more thoroughly you scrub the bowl, the cleaner it will get.
- Flush the toilet. Flushing rinses the bowl and the brush. Continue to scrub as the water drains from the toilet. Repeat several times to thoroughly rinse the bowl and brush.
- Spray the rest of the toilet with a disinfectant cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s directions. Make sure to get both the top and bottom of the seat, and spray the entire exterior of the toilet. Use a cloth or paper towel to work in, and wipe away, the cleaner.
- Clean the handle thoroughly. Be sure to get the handle with the disinfectant spray. The handle is the primary avenue for the spread of germs, so clean it well.
- Put on clean gloves and rinse off the items that were on or around the toilet. Replace items that were on or around the toilet. Wipe them dry with a paper towel and put them back in their places.
That was easy! Until next Thursday when we give you another toilet how-to!
Toilets, bidets, urinals, handles, levers and more. Plumbtile.com carries the fullest array of toilets, bidets and accessories for both
home and commerical needs.
Our Bath and Home Improvement Showroom features toilet and bidet products from brand name manufacturers, Cifial, Danze, Duravit, Hastings, Herbeau, Kohler, Lacava, Porcher, Sterling, Sunrise and Toto.
With exceptional service, free shipping and guaranteed price matching, Plumbtile.com can make your home improvement or commercial building experience simpler and far less expensive. From the home renovation project to the commercial construction industry, no order is too small or too large.
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The National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Trend Study
Looking to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the world of kitchen and bathroom design? If you are still in the planning stages of your remodel, you might want to check the latest National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend study: 300 member designers were polled for the latest trends and news about bath and kitchen designs and remodels and below are the results.
Curious to see what’s HOT this season?
GRAY COLOR SCHEMES – that’s right, shades of gray are growing in appeal for both the kitchen and bathroom, and been growing in popularity since 2010.
“Among the overall trends identified for this year, gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year, according to a written statement about the study. “Used currently in 55 percent of kitchens and 56 percent of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.”
The appetite for sleek shades of gray in kitchens and baths might be linked to the colors popularity in fashion over the last few years. NKBA stopped short of linking the color’s popularity to the steamy best-seller “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James.
Despite gray’s recent appeal, white and off-white are still most popular, used in 73 percent of kitchens and 71 percent bathrooms. The neutrals of beige and bone come next in popularity, followed by grays and browns, according to NKBA.
View full article.
QUARTZ – second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year, and is closely gaining popularity to granite on the top spot.
WHITE CABINETS – this is a popular trend for kitchens, it has been a top choice since last year.
GLASS BACKSPLASH – this trend has grown in popularity in the last 3 years, it’s no surprise.
TOUCH-ACTIVATED FAUCETS – at Plumbtile you will find many of these trendy faucets, we love them!
For the complete trends for the bath and kitchen, you can view the full list here. Call 1-866-758-6284 and ask your friendly Plumbtile consultant about the latest trends, they’re always ready to help!
Let’s Go Organic…in the Kitchen
It’s Green Monday once again!
We will never get tired of spreading awareness about our environment as well as providing our readers with the latest trends in green design.
Do you know what 2013 will bring to the world of kitchen design? Organic. That’s right, warm, earthy gourmet spaces. Mixing wood, slate, stone, and other rustic materials with industrial pieces.
Terry Mulligan of Yahoo gives us the latest trend in kitchen design:
Earthy Colors
Greens, blues, grays, browns, yellows, reds — these colors will be making a grand appearance in kitchens across the country. Whether on painted, weathered cabinets or handmade, upcycled tile, earthen colors will warm up our cooking spaces like never before. All shades are fair game, unless they glow neon. Stick to what you find in nature, and you’ll be right in style.
Organic Wood Cabinets
Instead of traditionally styled, stained, and glazed cabinets with fancy millwork, look for a more understated display of rustic wood on cabinet surfaces. Spalted maple or natural birch drawer fronts will be mixed with clean, industrial-styled cabinet doors and brushed stainless steel. And this year, austere shaker cabinets will be reinvented in many ways. It will be a welcome, yet unusual departure from the kitchens of the last 10 years.
Wood, Stone, or Tile Counters
Granite may not be the material of choice for countertops anymore. Wood and stone like slate should dominate — then add tile tops and backsplashes with a handmade look and feel. It’s all about color and textures that make you feel at home and comfortable this year.
Materials in Their Natural Form
Anywhere you can use materials in their natural form, it’s time to do so. Exposed beams on walls and ceilings will add a rural touch in some kitchens. Wood counters will sport natural, unfinished edges in their shift to a more organic style.
Rustic Floors
Rustic floors will be the rage. Reclaimed wood or polished concrete with amazing stain work will pull the other organic elements of the room together. Slate floors will also be in demand over highly polished marble or tile. Yet even in their natural form, these floors will still be a work of art. Artisans will be lending their expertise to make them part of a unique and extraordinary kitchen design statement.
At Plumbtile, the leader in all things bathroom and kitchen design related products, we have a wide array of green products from counters, faucets, and even tiles that are that are made from renewable resources that have none to minimal impact on our environment.
