Posts tagged ‘plumbtile’

POWDERING THE POWDER ROOM

Half bathrooms can be a challenge for any homeowner, how to add style and organization along with functionality!  Powder rooms typically will serve not only your family but also any guests that arrive to your home.  With a few simple tips and ideas you can take your powder room from boring to amazing!

ORGANIZATION

A small space DEMANDS organization in order for it to function as the space it needs to be.  Organization comes in many forms, but in the powder room one of the most under-utilized space is above the toilet.  Use the vertical space for storage and you will be able to maintain organization in a small area. There are large variety of bathroom accessories such as towel racks, towel bars and rings, towel shelves and racks and even robe hooks that can make organization and functionality work in a powder room.

BE BOLD

This small space can handle a variety of colors and textures.  Choose carefully but have fun.  Wallpaper or dark colors tiles will go in small spaces.  If you choose a patterned wall paper, ensure that the rest of the items in the bathroom are simple with clean lines.  While the pattern will look fabulous, overwhelming this small space with too much character can happen quickly.

HARDWARE

Choose funky or sleek but this is an area where you can splurge and really bring some style and flash into the powder room.  Since the only hardware you will be installing is on the sink like  toilet paper, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes be creative! Using bold drawer knobs and handles can also be worked in your small powder room to give you more sylish effects.

LIGHTING

Instead of a boring flush overhead light, choose something daring.  Flank the mirror with two lights or choose a small chandelier to add style.  Lighting will make or break your space so take your time in this choice!

SPACE SAVING SINK AND FUN MIRROR

Image

www,hgtv.com

One of the most important items in the powder room is going to be the sink and mirror.  Choosing a sink that fits the space correctly is important.  Storage space can also be found in the sink if you choose a vanity over a pedestal sink.  A funky mirror can also really make the space unique and one of a kind.   A pedestal sink will add the illusion of space due to the fact that it is not bulky like a full vanity.  The mirror in this picture also adds some style and charm to the small space.

Powder rooms can add charm and uniqueness to your home with a few simple steps! Explore ideas and be bold in your choices, for a couple hundred of dollars your powder room can be completely revamped andreinvented to fit your individual style.

April 29, 2013 at 8:53 am Leave a comment

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 Counter Diningkitchen, 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

Breakfast nookA 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 traditionalperfect 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!

April 18, 2013 at 8:54 am Leave a comment

Kitchen Cabinets: Important Tips for Choosing New Cabinets

Oak kitchenWhen 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.

Specialty drawers

  • 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.

March 21, 2013 at 8:00 am Leave a comment

How-To Series: March Ado About Toilets

Since the start of the year we’ve been promoting remodeling every Thursdays, as well as our photo contest on Facebook. By the way, if you haven’t uploaded your bathroom or kitchen remodeling photos yet – go to Plumbtile’s Facebook page and look for the Photo Contest tab. You can also click this link: http://a.pgtb.me/4pnqmH to go straight to the contest! You can read the instructions there on how to win $1000 worth of bath and kitchen products.

The response to the Remodeling series has been positive and more and more readers have been asking about how to do specific remodeling stuff. We have decided to relaunch the Remodel Thursday series and focus on specific areas of remodeling.

This March, Plumbtile will be teaching you…

all-about-toilets

Today’s “how-to” is a back-to-back post about how to (1) install or replace a toilet bowl and its (2) proper maintenance. At Plumbtile, we have several brands that are easy to install- and with the help of our dependable sales consultants, you will be able to choose one that suits your style, budget and needs.

HOW TO INSTALL OR REPLACE THE TOILET

  1. The toilet flange (or the mounting base)  must be prepared first before starting this project. Depending on your bowl’s manufacturer, you need to align bolts (usually two) in the holes on the sides of the flange. Position these bolts directly across from each other. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual that come with your toilet bowl. Modern styles have different ways of mounting the flange.
  2. Then arrange the new toilet into place by placing a wax ring or gasket around the edge of the drain hole. Place the toilet on top of the wax ring, placing the bolts in the holes on the side of the toilet. Slowly press down until the toilet is seated flush with the floor.
  3. To install the new toilet, slide the washers over the bolts and tighten the nuts until snug. Do not over tighten or you can crack the ceramic. Apply the rubber gasket to the bottom of the tank. Set the bolts in the holes on the tank and set the tank on the back of the toilet bowl. Add washers and nuts to the bolts and tighten. Bolt the new toilet lid to the bowl with the bolts, washers and nuts.
  4. Connect the water line from the floor to the tank. Turn on the water and make sure there are no leaks.
  5. You can adjust the new toilet hardware by sawing off the extra length of the bolts protruding from the floor using a small hacksaw. Clip the plastic bolt caps into place. You may want to caulk the base of the bowl to create waterproof seal.Stuck? Read the full instructions here.

Click here for Part 2 – Maintaining your Toilet: Cleaning

divider

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.

Please feel free to call our sales
associates at any time or browse through the brands listed below:

1-866-758-6284

March 14, 2013 at 10:06 pm 1 comment

Happy Weekend!

Join the Contest!

We at Plumbtile are thankful to our friends and all our loyal customers online. We have extended our Photo Contest promo to give everyone the chance to participate and win. The promo is now extended up to April 15, 2013.

If you haven’t heard about the contest yet, you will be pleased to hear that we are giving out $1000 worth of kitchen and bathroom products!

The rules are very simple. You just have to go to our Facebook fan page and upload a remodeling photo (past or present), and you will get the chance to win.

304408_10151158617526878_1369510156_n

Tell all you friends! Share this article and spread the word!

Again, thank you from all of us at Plumbtile!

January 26, 2013 at 8:24 pm Leave a comment

Tip Mondays: Key Rules to Live By When Remodeling Your Bathroom

Personal Getaway Destination

Bath SuitesA bathroom is your own personal private sanctuary. Even the tiniest decor details will paint a picture representing your own unique style and personality. No matter the bathroom size or your budget size, there are many options available so that you can put your own design spin on things. Here are a few tips to make the remodel process less head spinning.

Keep It Simple

You want your ideal bathroom to be a welcoming and relaxing place to unwind. Keep things simple and airy so that the atmosphere is always a soothing one.

Color combinations that include a pop of immense color alongside other neutral colors will add a classic dramatic twist without being overwhelmingly bold.

Keep in mind if the space you have to utilize is on the small side it may help to repeat your main design throughout. Continuing a floor to wall tile scheme can make the space appear much larger than it actually is.

Utilize the Current Space and Make the Most of It

Often times bathroom spaces feel cramped which inhibits the main objective of relaxation. It is always an option to start from scratch by tearing down the current cosmetic layers so that you are only left with the bare bones of the room. You can remove fixtures and cabinetry to make the layout more efficient. Plumbing is more difficult to modify and would likely require the aid of a licensed plumber if such changes were being considered, which can also up your budget.

Stay Within Your Comfort Zone

You don’t want your remodeled bathroom’s style to be so different from the rest of your house that it sticks out like a bathing suit in the middle of winter. Incorporate some of the same textures and color palettes that are in other areas of the house. You want your entire house to flow naturally from one room to the other.

Furniture In A Bathroom? Why not?

Bath FurnitureSure, you use this room most of the time for getting clean, but that doesn’t mean the room can only include a toilet, shower and tub. When it comes to decorating a bathroom, there are no strict rules.

Use this space to display subtle touches of depth when choosing other nontraditional furnishings. Incorporate staggered shelving to store towels and toiletries. Dressers, chests and armoires can also be great additions for storage or be converted into unique vanities. Decorative pictures, frames and mirrors put the finishing touches on a bathroom’s first impression.

Make It Last A While

Focus on choosing materials that are going to outlast the latest décor fad. You want your bathroom remodel to be timeless and classic so that you don’t find yourself needing to go through this change process every few years.

So many elements have proven long time favorites in the interior design timeline, such as claw-footed tubs, pedestal sinks and subway tiles. These will continue to withstand the test of time no matter what age you or the room grows to be.

‘His’ and ‘Hers’

If you have ever shared a bathroom with someone, you most likely have envisioned your dream bathroom designed for two. Make sure the materials throughout are the same or similar, even if they are slightly different in subtle ways. For example, a ‘Hers’ sink height may need to be lowered, as well as a separate vanity and seating area included.

Add A Little Luxury

The powder room is the place for pampering and you deserve a little self-indulgence. Additions such as large whirlpool soaking tubs, multiple massaging showerheads, and heated flooring can pack a punch to make you feel like you have a spa inside your home.

25% Discount on Phone Orders! Plumbtile is your source for luxury yet affordable and lasting products. Take the opportunity to call today and get a 25% discount!

November 12, 2012 at 10:00 am Leave a comment

How To: Introduce yourself to a new community

I’m the new guy. My name is Jim Hedger. I am working with Plumbtile to improve the Plumbtile.com website. As means of an introduction, I am a highly experienced webmaster with over a decade of high level web work under my belt. I have had an extremely fortunate career as a webmaster and hope to become a helpful resource for my new teammates and for the readers, shoppers and visitors to Plumbtile.com.

Continue Reading May 20, 2010 at 1:56 pm 4 comments

Plumbtile’s Modern Fixtures- A Eye On the Future

plumbtile-header1Don’t bother re-reading the headline thinking I forgot to mention a brand- I typed it correctly. We offer our own Plumbtile brand bath fixtures. We’ve had these products available for some time now, and now we’re announcing it via this blog. Plumbtile brand fixtures feature meticulously crafted faucets, vessel sinks, showers and freestanding tubs that are manufactured to the strictest European design craftsmanship.
(more…)

February 27, 2009 at 1:13 pm 1 comment


Twitter Updates


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.