March 30, 2010 by Synergy Guru
Did you know that the colors you select for your home have meaning and can set mood? Studies show that color can complement architecture, enhance or diminish the sense of space, create a particular ambience, and impact your daily moods. Color experts have studied how color is likely to affect you. This can help when you are
remodeling your home. Here is what they have found:
- Blue, universally a favorite, is recognized for its tranquil effects. However, if too dark or used too expansively, it can have a depressing effect.
- Red evokes excitement, and is an excellent accent. Often used in kitchens, it’s felt that red enhances one’s appetite.
- Green is either loved or heartily disliked, so take care when making this selection.
- Brown and orange are viewed as friendly and informal colors.
- Yellow, generally perceived as a cheery color, may make children feel depressed, so use it sparingly.
- Neutral colors can serve as dramatic backdrops for furnishings, collections, and accessories. Neutrals also add the flexibility to introduce new colors seasonally with throw pillows, artwork, and other decorative items.
When selecting your colors:
- Select exterior shades that harmonize with the home’s surroundings—steer towards the earthier shades (i.e. a grey-blue vs. a bright royal blue).
- Consider the style and era of your home—there might be some traditional colors associated with them—especially with Victorian and traditional Colonials.
- When viewing paint samples, look at chip sizes proportionate to how they will ultimately be used (e.g., if a wall will be painted taupe with a red accent, view a larger sample of the taupe paint against a smaller sample of the red).
- Less is more. Don’t overuse a color, especially in a small room.
- Even though a color may be too strong for an entire wall, consider it for an accent color.
- Most importantly, select colors that work for you and your lifestyle, not what’s considered “in” or “out” at the time. But don’t be afraid to color your world—you’ll find it will make a world of difference!
Category: Basement Finishing, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Room Additions Tags: color schemes, remodeling colors | Comments (0)
March 26, 2010 by Synergy Guru
Basement remodeling ideas can be found in abundance by conducting a simple search on the Internet. It certainly makes sense to convert your basement into some useable living space. Why let any space in your home go to waste? There can be problems with basements, however, so you will need to conduct a thorough inspection of the area before you embark on any remodeling plans. For example, you will need to make sure that you do not block any duct work, wiring, or pipes that may need to be accessed at some time in the future. You will also need to ensure that you use waterproofing to keep the moisture and smells under control.
Some remodeling ideas include adding a bathroom to your basement, adding a bar, or creating a den. An interesting remodeling idea is to turn your basement into a separate apartment area. This might be a particularly good idea for you if you have a very large basement, and you think that you might want or need to rent part of your home out for some extra income.
As you consider different ideas for your remodeling project, think about things such as what type of flooring you would like to have and what kind of work needs to be done to your walls. Also think about lighting, as most basements do not have much natural lighting, and very little artificial lighting. Depending on what you decide to do with your basement, you may find that it will cost you quite a bit to install sufficient lights. It is a worthwhile investment, however, and will likely be essential to suit the needs of your newly remodeled space!
It is always best to have some solid ideas in mind before you consult a basement remodeling company. In addition, it would be wise to have some designs and measurements to show contractors so that they will be able to provide you with more accurate estimates.
Category: Basement Finishing Tags: Basement Finishing, basement remodeling, basement remodeling ideas, finished basement | Comments (1)
by Synergy Guru
Nothing dates a house more quickly than a bathroom that time has forgotten. Yet outdated bathrooms can be dramatically revitalized. Many homeowners want their bathrooms to be totally utilitarian, but others want bathrooms in which to pamper themselves. How about you?
Your answer, and your budget, will determine the best approach for your bathroom remodeling. Do you want to work within the existing space of your current bathroom? Do you want to expand by taking room from somewhere else? Would you rather build an addition to accommodate your new bath? These are just a few options which vary greatly in cost.
Renovating your current space is usually the least complicated and least expensive option. While the layout of your existing bathroom can be altered to some extent, moving major plumbing fixtures is the most costly aspect of a remodel. Local building codes require minimum clearances between, beside, and in front of fixtures to allow for use, cleaning, and repair.
If you have an extra bedroom, you could move the bathroom to this space or expand a current bath into a portion of it. This will mean moving the plumbing but it will also add a modern, spacious bathroom to your home which will increase the resale value. An addition or even a small bump-out could be the solution. This requires the largest investment but will give you just what you want.
If you’ve decided to remodel, start with an analysis of your existing bathroom:
- What is the condition of the sink, toilet, and tub/shower? If it’s an older, wall-hanging toilet, you might update the look, perhaps with a low-water consumption style. If your tub is basically sound, consider reglazing it. However, many homeowners are moving up to whirlpool style tubs.
- Does the sink have a vanity for storage? If it does, but you just don’t like it, consider replacing it with one of the many beautiful varieties that are available today.
- Does the sink have independent faucets? If so, you know how inconvenient this can be. Why not switch to a single operating lever which is easier to use and gives a better mix of temperatures?
- Does your tub include a shower? One can easily be added with a combination tub-shower valve.
- Think about reinforcing the walls, adding grab bars, and widening doors for visitors with physical disabilities or for your later years.
- Is your medicine cabinet small and outdated? Consider the various styles of newer cabinets, perhaps with recessed or decorative lighting.
- How is the tile? If it is chipped and cracked and matching tile is not available, replacement or reglazing may be your best option.
- If a wooden window is suffering the effect of humidity, it may be best to replace it and older metal windows with new vinyl windows. Deco glass block has made a comeback and is a good option for adding light and design flair to a bathroom.
- Many older bathrooms don’t have adequate ventilation. You may want to add a fan to avoid moisture build-up which can deteriorate materials and promote the growth of mold and mildew.
- Are electrical outlets a problem? Face it, the number of electrical appliances we use in our daily rituals has multiplied since the time many houses were built. That means that you probably want more outlets. New replacement ones should be protected ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets that are made to shut off automatically when they sense water.
Today’s bathroom can be all you want it to be. Enjoy the opportunity to explore the variety of materials, styles, and colors available to you. In the end you’ll have a well-designed bathroom that functions as beautifully as it looks.
Category: Bathroom Remodeling Tags: bathroom design, bathroom remodel, Bathroom Remodeling, bathroom remodeling ideas, bathroom renovations | Comments (0)
by Synergy Guru
Remodelers have long known that a small addition (“a bump-out”) that enlarges an existing room can be a value-conscious remodeling project. Often that bump-out brightens your home more than a large addition. Look around your home for cramped, dark areas that could be improved with a minimum sized room addition.
Have you considered adding a walk-in bay window to your dining room? You’ll be amazed at how this small change will open up and brighten the room. How about a deep window seat in your favorite room for a cozy reading nook? This can be designed to include hidden storage. Angled entrances can give you access to a little used section of yard while allowing light to stream in. Have you been dreaming of a whirlpool in the bathroom? A bump-out would give you room for the new bath and an expanse of windows to add spaciousness.
Bump-outs may have a funny name but they can add much needed space, light and interest to many rooms in your house. Contact us today to discuss creative bump-out ideas for your Spokane home!
Category: Room Additions Tags: bathroom addition, dinning room addition, family room addition, home addition, kitchen addition, living room addition, master suite addition, office addition, room additions, small room additions | Comments (0)
