Believe it or not but these gorgeous mantels are made of plaster, not marble. Thanks to the incredible talent of the artist who painted the faux marble, thousands of dollars were saved in creating this high-end look. The illusion of marble is so convincing that the eye would not even doubt the “marble” of these mantels.
The Modenus BlogTour Cologne trip was an incredible experience in so many ways. It was a privilege to see an international Furnishings & Kitchen and Bath show of the scale of IMM Living Kitchen because we were exposed to products designed for different cultures and spacial uses – also technologies that are way ahead of what we have in the US. Below is a photographic tour of Kitchen and Bath trends 2013: Continue reading
National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) was one of the generous sponsors of Modenus‘ BlogTour Cologne. NKBA enthusiastically supported the BlogTour team’s exposure to the latest kitchen and bath innovations at the IMM Living Kitchen show in Cologne. NKBA is all about education to improve the way the kitchen and bath industry does business. How fitting and fortunate for the BlogTour Cologne group!
The NKBA also sponsored Continue reading
I had an appliance repairman named Danny over to fix my dryer today. He was a wealth of knowledge. What started out as idle chat quickly turned into an interview. Here are a few thought-provoking things that I learned.
Where to buy appliances: At a certified appliance store. Only. “You wouldn’t buy your car at a grocery store as you shouldnt buy your appliances at a ‘lumber’ store” (I won’t name names here, but we all know the large stores that this term implies…). For a few reasons- if the appliance breaks, the large “lumber” stores will direct you to handle it yourself with the manufacturer. Also, even though you may think you are buying best of the brand you trust the most at one of these large “lumber” stores or wholesale superstores, you are actually buying a version made specifically for those stores to carry (usually a lesser model than they otherwise manufacture to sell). So, if you want the quality you anticipate from a specific brand, buy from the appliance stores. Who knew? The appliance stores want your repeat business so they will gladly help you if you need repairs.
How to choose appliances that will last: This is where it gets interesting all over again: avoid the new high-tech computer panels and touch screens. They have a short life expectancy and will cost you routine repairs and early replacement. My repairman went so far as to even suggest that these high-tech models are planned revenue generators for the manufacturers because of their higher replacement cycle. Hmmm. Opt for knob controls over touch screens whenever possible. Another pointer from Danny- buy from US-based companies rather than foreign competition if you want easy to repair appliances with accessible parts.
Decoding the brand choices: Did you know that: KitchenAid, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Estate and Roper are all owned by Whirlpool? Or that Whirlpool now manufactures the Kenmore brand for Sears? News to me.
Deciding which brand to buy: Be careful who you ask. To quote Danny, “if you really want to know what the most reliable car to buy is, you should ask a mechanic, not a car dealer for x,y or z brand car — same goes for appliances”. If you ask a hardware superstore or your favorite wholesale club, the answer will of course be one of their in-stock items. If you want a legitimate answer, ask an appliance repair specialist or go to an actual appliance store who has equal loyalty to a wide range of brands.
His most highly recommended brand: I had to ask. Whirlpool brand, it will be the best of the best in the way of parts, technology and lifespan. Sounds good to me.
Danny certainly knew what he was talking about. I appreciated his appliance buying advice, as I’m sure you do. We can all think of more fun things to spend money on than repairs or replacements. If any of you in the Dallas area ever need a repairman, let me know.
english georgian door by mcalpine tankersley
I wanted to share an insightful article about front door options for your home. Karin Beuerlein at HouseLogic.com has done an excellent job of simplifying the complicated home topic of remodeling with an eye toward energy savings and tax credits:
“Replacing your front door can pay for itself by increasing your home’s value, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report. What’s more, if you choose an energy-efficient exterior door, you may qualify for a tax credit that can save you up to $500 as well as trim up to 10% off your energy bills.”
Glass is making it’s mark in remodeling trends, in kitchens and especially in bathrooms. Glass tiles for shower walls, back-splashes and accent tiles in flooring add a noticeable sparkle, color and depth not found in stone or ceramic tiles. The choices are getting more sophisticated too.
The above glass tile mosaics are gorgeous, aren’t they?
The above tiles are reflective gold leaf with slight patina.
These mirrored glass tiles are available in platinum, white gold or rose gold leafing…
The handsome tiles above are made of obsidian, volcanic glass.
Which ones do you like? Do these inspire you?
If you have any questions or topics you would like to read about, be sure to let us know! Have a great day and a wonderful Easter weekend-
What do you think about these shower innovations?
This sleek design was just introduced this year. It incorporates LED technology to alert the showerer, before stepping in, of the temperature of the water- ranging from red to blue to signify heat or cold. The LED lighting can also be set for a color therapy experience, to bathe in the color of red, blue, green or white light.
This chandelier shower head also is made with LED lighting, all white light. It is so new that pricing and availability are not available yet.
This multifunctional shower head offers four different sprays and can be used as a wall mount or handheld.
So, what do you think…? Ready for a remodel after seeing these? Which one do you like?
If there is a topic you would like to read about, please let Courtney Price Design know! Have a great day~
A few creative bathroom mirrors to consider if you are ready to step outside of the predictable box:
This mirror is shown with front and back views so you can see the hidden storage it offers. Very sleek and if two mirrors are used side by side, the look is sensational. The mirrors glide out gracefully to reveal the contents stored on the backside. Can be wall mounted or recessed into the wall.
Or, you could forgo the mirror and just tile the walls floor to ceiling in these gorgeous mirror tiles. These specific ones are well suited for both commercial and residential use, in that they are not susceptible to the problems of cracking that standard mirror presents. Definitely a creative bathroom mirror, and great to enlarge a small space.
It is inevitable that tablet technology will find its way into the bathroom…. the above “magic mirror” was created by researchers at New York Times Lab, to bring motion activated news, weather, web surfing and email to your morning routine. For more on this: http://www.home-designing.com/2011/11/scientists-create-a-true-magic-mirror
What do you think? If you have any topics you would like to read about, be sure to let Courtney Price Design know! Have a great day-
Marble is an elegant surface that updates the look of any kitchen. It is the preferred counter material for many bakers because of the ease of rolling out pastries and dough on its surface.
However, you should know that it requires more maintenance than granite because it is a softer and more porous material - making it susceptible to stains, cracks, scratches, or dulling of the shine. Not to worry though– with a little knowledge and discipline, your investment will be protected.
The most important thing to remember: seal marble countertops at least once a year. You will know if they need resealing if water fails to bead up when splashed on the surface. Sealing prevents stains and damage.
Ways to avoid damaging the surface:
Has this scared you away from ever having marble counters? I hope not. As long as you know the rules of the territory, your marble will remain beautiful for many years. And there is always the school of thought among Europeans that scratches, scrapes and stains over time create a patina that adds character and witness to the use of the kitchen… it’s a perspective worth considering.
If you have any topics you would like to read about, be sure to let Courtney Price Design know! Have a great day-
Great article on the future of kitchens, kitchen trends… http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/kitchen-and-bath/the-kitchen-of-tomorrow-today/article2209435/
