Choosing a Ventilation Hood

Once limited to standard under cabinet models, ventilation hoods now come in a range of styles. Today’s models prove beauty can go hand in hand with function to remove steam, smoke and odors. Whether you want understated or a focal point in the space, there’s a hood to fit your style.

    Retractable

Wood

UnderCabinet

Copper

OverTheRange

WallMount

Sep 10, 2015
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Stone Countertops – Do You Know the Difference?

Evaluating Durability

It’s a common misconception that applying sealer to a stone countertop is all that’s needed to protect it from damage. Unfortunately, even after sealer is applied, stone is susceptible to scratches, staining, chipping and heat damage. Knowing the compositional qualities of each stone is the best way to choose a countertop that can handle the wear and tear of a busy kitchen or bathroom.

QUARTZ

Profile: Quartz boats a very high resistance to stains and scratches, as well as a low absorption rate of liquids. 
Surface Notes:
Quartz is a low maintenance stone that can be cleaned with any mild household cleaner.
Finishes: 
Polished. Honed available in some colors.

Quartz

 

GRANITE

Profile: Granite is one of the hardest stones and is virtually scratch resistant. A low porosity and a very high heat resistance make it popular countertop material for active kitchens.
Surface Notes: Granite is less porous than other stone but still needs to be sealed to reduce it’s porosity. If you’re sealing granite with an impregnating sealer, be sure to do it every six months. If the slab was sealed professionally by the manufacturer, it might not require resealing for up to five years.
Finishes: Honed, polished, sandblasted or brushed.

Granite

 

SOAPSTONE

Profile: Soapstone is dense and soft, and it is the least-porous stone countertop material available. It is often used in science laboratories that demand clean, sterile environments, which isn’t much different than the demands of a kitchen.
Surface Notes: Because soapstone is impenetrable, it is resistant to stains, bacteria growth, and damage from acidic substances. Soapstone comes in three colors: gray, green and black. Similar to slate, soapstone’s color might not be fully realized until a weekly application of mineral oil had taken place for nearly a year.
Finished: Honed

Soapstone

 

MARBLE

Profile: Marble is a very soft stone, so it cannot withstand high heat, and it is easily etched by acidic substances such as orange juice.
Surface Notes: Marble is known for it’s natural ability to stay cool and is often preferred by professional chefs for rolling dough and making pastries. The patina of polished or aged marble is prized for its traditional, old-world appeal. When selecting marble counters, remember that a polished finish makes surface imperfections more noticeable, whereas a honed or brushed finish helps to mask any scratches.
Finishes: Polished, honed or brushed.

Marble

 

SLATE

Profile: High-quality, dense slate is less absorbent and more durable than many countertop materials, so it doesn’t require sealing like other types or stone countertops.
Surface Notes: Due to it’s low porosity, slate is less likely to harbor bacteria. However, its uneven surface makes slate counters difficult to clean. Slate should be periodically treated with mineral oil to reduce it’s chalky appearance and to enhance its color tone.
Finishes: Honed, polished or cleft.

Slate

Aug 27, 2015
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Why Mr. Steam Steambaths?

Behind the sublime pleasures of a Mr. Steam steambath are many years of research and development combined with an uncompromising commitment to quality materials and precision manufacturing. Each component in the Mr. Steam steamboat system has unique features that guarantee a consistently enjoyable and rewarding steam bathing experience.

Steamroom2

Any shower, tub or enclosure can become a personal steamroom. Mr. Steam steam bath generators are compact, easy to install and fit within a cabinet, closet, vanity, basement or heated attic.

B6ngKikf

  • Stainless steel design inside and out provides long lasting strength and durability.
  • Beautifully designed in-shower digital controls are a standard feature, available in today’s most popular finishes.
  • Exclusive safety features.
  • Low voltage control circuits.
  • Wireless infrared remote available for in-shower use.
  • External on/off control available.
  • All models are UL/CSA/CE listed.
  • Available Autoflush keeps the generator dry between uses.
  • The generator can be located up to 25 feet from the steam room.
  • Consistent steaming.
  • All generators are complete with a stainless steel tank sand equipped standard with a manual drain valve.
  • All control connections are made with “plug-and-play” connections.
  • Each unit has replaceable, industrial grade (not appliance grade) elements. Mr. Steam aroma steamed distributes aromatherapy oils and steam with the steam/shower enclosure.

Features

Aug 20, 2015
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Storage Report Reveals Pullouts As Most Popular Kitchen Feature

According to the Kitchen & Bath Style Report, storage is one of the most popular features for the kitchen space in 2015. As an effective solution to making kitchens work easier, the most popular storage spaces are pullouts and rollouts for kitchen cabinets, as specified by more than 90% of respondents.

PullOuts

Within this category, trash/recycling pullouts were most common.

TrashPullOuts

Spice pullouts were included in kitchens by more than 80% of respondents.

SpiceRacks

Additionally, about 40% expect to see pullouts and rollouts increase in popularity in 2015.

Extras

Visit our showroom at 
150 Broadway Hanover, MA
to view the latest storage and pull-out styles and trends!

 

Jul 21, 2015
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7 Criteria to Choosing your Remodeling Company

Choosing a company to renovate your kitchen or bath is not an easy task. you have dozens of options from “big box” stores to “handymen” with an array of businesses in between, including remodeling companies and professional kitchen and bath design firms – some with showrooms and some without. We want to help you understand the differences and what constitutes the best value for your investment. Regardless of whether or not you choose our firm, we hope this makes the decision process easier and the end result better.

1. Showroom Appearance

A showroom demonstrates stability, providing insight into the company with whom you are dealing. It should immediately give you a looking the firm’s product selection, quality standards and design capabilities.

Showroom

2. An Educational Approach

Let the owner or designer educate you. A quality kitchen is not about products or brands, but rather about you, your family and your lifestyle. An early warning sign would be a firm that begins by promoting a specific product or brand. Let the designer help you understand the pros and cons of each product in relation to your needs and budget.

Presentations

3. Selection of Quality Products at Special Values

Value rarely translates to the lowest cost. True value is getting the best possible product for your investment.

4. Highly Trained Personnel

Cabinets can be wooden boxes or a work of art. In the hands of an expert it’s an art, in your kitchen it’s your dream come true. Staff expertise and experience are the most critical factors in achieving great design and incredible value. A brief conversation can begin to tell you a little about the firms knowledge. 

RenderingAndFinal

5. Documentation

If you have never experienced a kitchen, bath or other major remodel project, you need to know that the unexpected should always be expected. How well the firm you choose prepares for the eventuality beforehand (through documentation), as well as the “crisis” itself, can be the difference between a disaster and a great experience. 

6. Specialized Services

What are your expectations? Some people just want a good design and will handle the rest, others expect the firm to manage the entire process from design through installation. Be sure the firm you hire fulfills your expectations. 

Services

7. Business Integrity

Your greatest fear is the realization of the story your neighbor or relative told you. You know the one, the contractor took a deposit, ripped out the room, then disappeared – ran off to another project, never to be heard from again. Be sure you judge the firms you are considering by their business integrity along with the six other criteria.

Integrity

Jun 16, 2015
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Designing a Beautiful Kitchen

1. Hide the clutter. Add a pantry and interior storage compartments.

HideClutter

2. Invite gathering. Include a peninsula or island with overhang to accommodate stools for guests.

Penninsula

3. Crete open flow. Design to allow good central connection from kitchen to family room and outside entertaining areas.

OpenFlow

4. Decorative Details. To ensure a beautiful, elegant kitchen, include architectural and decorative details that will make a difference.

Details

5. Don’t forget the lights. Add dimmers on each switch to create a change in atmosphere at night and use LED fixtures to save energy and dollars.

Lighting

Jun 11, 2015
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Passing Through

A creative, highly functional design allowing light to come through the textured glass which adds dimension and style while connecting the dining room to the kitchen.

( David L. Ryan Globe staff photo ) section :         slug :    reporter

( David L. Ryan Globe staff photo ) section :         slug :    reporter

Jun 09, 2015
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Clean and Contemporary

One of the hottest trends in bath design is open, clean-line spaces. This serene look is accomplished by reducing distractions caused by too many ornate details. This client approached Renovisions to remodel her outdated master bath and create a clean and uncluttered space with a contemporary flair. The bathtub and tile floor remains in the new design adding a small challenge to coordinate the right color selection for shower and tub surround tile. The existing bath’s fiberglass shower was cramped, under utilized and under styled, so Renovisions first enlarged the depth of the shower with a complete water proof system, hand-held shower and soap dish, corner shelf and safety grab bar.

A teak veneer vanity was designed to compliment the client’s master bedroom teak furniture. A beautiful combination of sleek grey quartz countertop, rectangular under-mount sink, modern plumbing fixtures, stylish hardware and a simple yet elegant tilt mirror completed the contemporary look.

This renewed master bath combines functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony.

BeforeAndAfter

Photos
Click here to view more photos.

 

Jun 04, 2015
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Renovisions in Home Remodeling Magazine

Cathy was recently interviewed by Home Remodeling Magazine. Check out the article featuring four of our photos that was printed on page 70!

BathTrendsCover_Spring2015Article

May 14, 2015
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