Trends in Baths 2016

Larger showers are trending along with personalizing bath spaces, utilizing a variety of products and features.

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            Baths with a spa-like feel incorporates ‘cozy spaces’ with warming floors with programmable thermostats, towel warmers, rain- shower heads, hand-held shower heads, free-standing tubs, shelving and niche cubbies for shampoos and shower seats create a more relaxing atmosphere.

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            Barrier-free or curb-less showers with lineal style drains are gaining in popularity. They visually enhance the space as the floor slops in one direction and larger format tiles can be continued from the bath floor right into the shower. Grab bars in decorative styles, fold-down shower seats, humidity-sensing ventilation/light models are ideal for the aging in place sector.

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            Baths have become more contemporary in style with the focus on simple lines, white fixtures, unique storage spaces and emphasis on larger format tiles growing in popularity. 12” x 24” retro-lineal look is defiantly trending as well as 12” x 35” larger plank-style porcelain tiles seen in several textures including a scraped look. Subway tiles in all sizes look great alone or blended with mosaics and glass decorative pieces to create a one-of-a-kind look. Chrome and nickel finishes continue to dominate.

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            The impact of technology on the shower/bath is ever-changing with integrated sound, lights and temperature flows can enhance the multi-sensory experience.

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            Toilet flushing is getting more automated, medicine cabinets more functional with internal outlets and lighting, storage and more unique with docking drawer outlets to store/conceal plug-in bath accessories.

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            Comfort, personal health and wellness are top of the mind. Creating a bath with an open feel and clean lines contributes to the sense of serenity we strive for.

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Mar 02, 2016
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2016 Cost vs Value Report

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PLANNING A REMODEL?

Interested in learning which home upgrades score big with buyers?

Find out the results from the 2016 survey that tells us about today’s housing market.

For the latest information on the value of remodeling, check out the
2016 Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Boston Average:

Midrange Bath: $22,729
Upscale Bath: $66,735

Midrange Kitchen: $71,906
Upscale Kitchen: $133,618

New England Average:

Midrange Bath: $19,159
Upscale Bath: $59,606

Midrange Kitchen: $62,989
Upscale Kitchen: $123,381

2015 National Average:

Midrange Bath: $17,908
Upscale Bath: $57,411

Midrange Kitchen: $59,999
Upscale Kitchen: $119,909

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Feb 25, 2016
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2016 Pantone Colors of the Year

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A softer take on color, for the first time, the blending of two shades

– Rose Quartz and Serenity are chosen.

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Paint color is a great way to use of the Pantone Colors of the year. 

Feb 18, 2016
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Winterize Your Home

Money Saving Tips For Winterizing Your Home

Find drafts and seal them. Drafts can waste 5-30% of a homes energy usage according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Easy fix: roll up a towel or blanket to put under doors and apply weather stripping or caulking to drafty windows and doors. Hint: use a flashlight to see where light passes through.

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Install an updated thermostat and save up to 12%. A smart thermostat can help conserve since you’ll be heating and cooling only when necessary.

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Turn the dial down on your water heater. Check the temperature of your hot water first, many water heaters are set to 140 degrees  which can be dangerous and cause scalding! Lowering the temperature 20 degrees can save $36-61 per year. This will also slow mineral build up and corrosion in your pipes and heater, saving significant problems and cost associated with fixing them.

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Check your faucets for any leaks. Consider installing a low-flow faucet to save on water.

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Jan 26, 2016
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5 Remodels That Make Good Resale Value Sense

1.Kitchens. Updating a tired old kitchen is one of the wisest methods, and a tried and true one, of increasing the value of your home. When planning a kitchen remodel, and making design decisions and selections for plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinets and countertop materials, you should determine whether you are prioritizing your own design aesthetic or the return on your investment.

Either priority is perfectly acceptable, but you should understand which is your priority, or strike a balance between the two that you can feel good about. 

For example, using the existing kitchen layout and affordable cosmetic materials is a sure way to keep the cost of your kitchen remodel manageable. When you start tearing out walls, bumping out the exterior home footprint to gain a few feet, and moving plumbing fixtures and appliances, the cost of the remodel will jump and your dollars will be less efficiently spent.

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2. Adding living space. A straightforward addition of a new living room space is typically a very good investment.

Newly added square footage equals increases your home’s value. There are certain costs that will be associated with your addition regardless of the size. New square footage will require the demolition of existing exterior walls, a new foundation, a new roof, new exterior siding and probably new windows. If you are going to incur these expenses, it’s important to get some bang for your buck. It’s important that the added room is sized so that the space can be efficiently produced.

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3. Curb appeal. You have heard not to judge a book by its cover, but smart money recognizes the cover’s value. Your front elevation is more than just a first impression. It’s the only impression available to just about all of your home’s potential buyers.

The good news is that there are a number of very affordable projects that can improve curb appeal, and some more extensive improvements that can likely pay off as well. Simply cleaning out overgrown brush and making a few new planting additions to your landscape can go a long way toward improving curb appeal at a very low cost.

Repainting is another low-cost, high-impact improvement. Costlier changes such as changing out old windows or an aged entry door are things that potential buyers will notice and value. Even more extensive front-elevation remodels, such as added dormers and front porches, can prove wise from an investment standpoint.

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4. Master suites. Sorry, kids. Home buying decisions are in the hands of adults, and adults care about the environment where they sleep. Updating a master bedroom or remodeling and adding a new master suite is money well spent. The buyers will picture themselves living in their private space, and it’s of quantitative value when they like what they see.

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5. Bathrooms. Home buyers notice bathrooms, and although all the bathrooms are important, a priority should be placed on the powder room and master bath, followed by a guest bathroom and any other secondary baths (the kids don’t need to know).

The same rules apply to a bathroom remodel as to the kitchen. Cosmetic changes are safer from an investment standpoint than modifications involving changed layouts or minor additions, which can result in inefficient expenses.

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Dec 08, 2015
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Time Worn to Terrific

     The owners of this outdated1960’s kitchen were ready for a change and sought out Renovisions after seeing one of their eye-catching ads in South Shore Living Magazine. It was time to start fresh with a cleaner and brighter look with more functional storage. The professionals at Renovisions worked as a team to accommodate their wishes while being mindful of their existing traditional styled furnishings.

     Keeping a similar layout, the old cabinets, flooring, countertops, door, window and appliances were removed as well as the wall between the kitchen and dining room to accommodate additional cabinets while creating an L for more useful countertop space. Replacing the worn stained wooden door and double hung window with a new prairie-style window and breezeway door in white finish was the first order of business. By replacing the tired vinyl floor with new oak wood floors the space became warm & inviting. The beautiful new white painted shaker-style cabinets look fabulous with the natural ivory-tan blend granite countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Simple, yet elegant white subway tiles provide a serene and open feel to the space. Creating a small niche area behind the slide-in range was also at the top of our clients list to accommodate the spices they use daily, turning an ordinary look to extraordinary.

     Pesto change-o, as if by magic Renovisions transformed this dated tight-fit kitchen into a warm and inviting better functioning space that is definitely pleasing to the eyes of these homeowners who are thrilled with the end result and grateful for the high quality work along with the professional manner in which their project was completed.

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What a great before and after! We think it came out terrific and are glad that the homeowner agrees.

“Thanks to you, Ed, Mike, and Liz for all your hard work. The kitchen is beautiful and I love the backsplash! The whole room looks beautiful, I’m so glad that we went with the white subway tiles in the end. They’re light and clean and really pretty. Thanks for everything, Cathy. Your team has done a wonderful job! We appreciate all your help and hard work.”  – Bea R.

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Oct 20, 2015
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Decorative Design Ideas That Make the Difference

Choosing your cabinet door style is important as it can dominate the look of the room. Consider the frame and color to suit your new kitchen and bath space.

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Natural

Natural solid-wood cabinets have a light, transparent top coat for protection.

 

 

 

 

 

Stain

 

 

Stain is applied to add color to cabinetry. It also protects the wood.

 

 

 

Paint

 

 

A high-quality enamel paint in any desired color can be applied to wood cabinets.

 

 

 

Glaze

 

 

A glaze applied over paint or stain will adhere to the natural nooks of the wood to provide a contrast & unique look.

 

 

 

Choose from these countertop edges to enhance your design and reflect your style.

 

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Oct 08, 2015
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Cabinet Construction – Frameless vs. Framed

Frameless Construction

Frameless cabinets, also referred to as full-access or European-style cabinets, do not feature a front frame. The door is attached directly to the side of the cabinet wall minimizing space between doors when closed. Upon opening you will see the edge of the box instead of a frame; offering unobstructed access to the cabinet interior. The full-access cabinet provides a contemporary style, maximized storage space, wider drawers and rollout shelves (versus framed units), and provides continuous symmetry of door and drawer lines.

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Framed Construction

Framed cabinets feature a face frame on the cabinet box. The face frame masks the raw edges of the sides, wherein the doors are attached. The face frame features horizontal rails and vertical stiles designed to add rigidity and durability to the cabinet box. This frame creates a strong base for attaching hinges. Framed cabinetry can be used in any area of the home when utilizing one of the three variations that framed cabinetry offers: partial overlay, full overlay and insert. Each offering shows a different amount of the face frame.

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Stop by our showroom with any further questions or to see examples on our kitchen and bath displays!

Oct 01, 2015
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We’re Looking Up! – Woodtrac Ceilings

A BETTER CEILING IS NOW AN OPTION!

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Installs in 4 easy steps:

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 11.38.46 AMHang the edge moldings in place using hanger system.

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 11.38.56 AM Snap grid clips in place on long grids and snap main moldings in place.

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 11.39.02 AM Snap grid clips on cross grids and snap cross moldings in place.

Screen Shot 2015-09-24 at 11.39.07 AM Drop new panels in place.

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Sep 24, 2015
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